NOTES

Grace Piscopo, the oldest resident at Bayshore Health Care & Rehabilitation Center, Holmdel, celebrated her 103rd birthday June 30. Mrs. Piscopo was born and raised in Italy until her teenage years. She was a seamstress and enjoys reading the newspaper and gardening. During the summer, you can find Mrs. Piscopo in the courtyard enjoying the warmth of the sun. Bayshore Health Care & Rehabilitation Center is an affiliate of Bayshore Community Health Services. For more information, log on to www.bchs.com.

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ASSE International Student Exchange Programs is seeking host families for boys and girls ages 15-18 from a variety of countries around the world. These personable and academically select exchange students speak English, are bright, curious and anxious to learn about the U.S. by living as part of a local family, attending high school and sharing their own culture and language. To become a host family or find out more about ASSE and its programs, call Sue at 732-251-1517 or 1- 800-677-2773 or visit www.asse.com.

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The Belford Engine Fire Company will hold a blood drive 3-8 p.m. July 27 at Cryodon Hall Senior Center, 900 Leonardville Road, on behalf of Ladies Auxiliary member Alison Domalewski, who is undergoing treatment for leukemia. For details or to schedule an appointment, contact Bob Banta at 732- 221-2314 or Tony Domalewski at 732-673- 9060. Walk-ins are welcome.

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Teens and tweens are invited to a Hunger Games Party at the Middletown Main Library 7-8:30 p.m. July 26. “The Hunger Games,” written by Suzanne Collins, is set in a postapocalyptic world in the not-too-distant future and is filled with action and adventure. Food and refreshments will be provided. Register by calling the library at 732-671-3700, ext. 320, or by emailing estrbo@mtpl.org. The library is located at 55 New Monmouth Road.

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The Matawan Police Department will host the third annual Matawan-Aberdeen Idol Singing Contest 6-10 p.m. Aug. 3 as part of National Night Out Against Crime. The event is for youths in grades 6-12 only and will include free food and more. Call 732-290-1125 to register. The contest will be held at the corner of Ravine Drive and Main Street in Matawan.

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MOMS Club of Aberdeen/Matawan invites mothers and their children to an open house 10 a.m. July 28 at the lower playground at Holmdel Park, 44 Longstreet Road. Prospective members are invited for coffee and breakfast and to learn more about the club. RSVP to momsclubofmatawan@gmail. com.

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“Let’s Get Creative,” a mixed-media workshop for ages 11 and up, will be held 3- 4:30 p.m. Aug. 4 by artists Helen and Ernie Antholis at the Middletown Main Library, 55 New Monmouth Road. Students will focus on learning to paint what they see and to find out which medium is best for each. Class will be held in the library’s Community Room, and registration is required by visiting the library or by emailing estrbo@mtpl.org. Details: www.mtpl.org or 732-671-3700, ext. 320.

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Travel to SonQuest Rain Forest during neighborhood vacation Bible school, sponsored by the Middletown Reformed Church and Christ Episcopal Church, 9:30 a.m. to noon Aug. 9-13. Each day, children will explore a variety of themes through stories, music, crafts and games as they make new friends and greet old ones. School will be held at Middletown Reformed Church, 121 Kings Highway. To register or for details, contact Victoria Cuff at 732-671-2524.

The Middletown Gators Wrestling Club will team up with the National Wrestling Superstars and their sister all-ladies promotion Women Superstars Uncensored for a fundraiser on Aug. 6 at the Middletown Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Hall, 1 Veterans Lane at Route 36 in the Port Monmouth section of Middletown. Bell time is 7:45 p.m. Tickets are $21 for adults, $19 for kids and seniors, and are available at area merchants and at 732-888-1704.

The Alzheimer’s Association is holding a caregivers’ support group 2 p.m. Aug. 15 at Sunrise Assisted Living, 743 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft.

Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Monmouth County, a free training session on how, where and when to observe governing bodies will be offered to all residents at 7 p.m. Aug. 10 in MAS 100 on the Brookdale Community College campus, Lincroft. The session will give pointers on how residents can keep up to date on local issues of importance. Details: louiseusechak @comcast.net or 732-842-1370.

A family square dance will be held 7:30- 10 p.m. Aug. 27 at the Croydon Hall Senior Center, 900 Leonardville Road in Leonardo just off Route 36. Couples and singles are welcome. Donation is $3; children under 18 will be admitted free. Refreshments will be provided. No dancing experience is needed; the caller will teach all you need to know. Details: Betty at 732-291-1188 or visit www.middletownramblers.org. Dance classes begin Oct. 5. Details: 732-495-0358 or 732-291-1188.

The CJ Foundation for SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) will hold its second annual CJ Strides for Babies on Oct. 10 at Thompson Park in Lincroft to remember and celebrate the lives of those babies who died suddenly and unexpectedly, as well as the lives of all children. The event is stroller-friendly and will have a variety of activities for kids. There will be barbecue food, an auction and prizes. Details: www.CJSIDS.org.

During the July Fourth holiday week 11 members of Lincroft Presbyterian Church’s Youth Group participated in a mission trip to Philadelphia’s Fishtown district. Among the community-service projects, the group sorted clothes at a thrift shop, took care of children at a child care center, and visited with senior citizens.

Every Tuesday in July, several Highlands restaurants will donate a generous portion of their sales to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monmouth County (BBBSMC). Restaurants include Bahr’s Landing, Chilango’s Mexican, Doris & Ed’s, Inlet Café, Off the Hook, Windansea, and Moby’s. The proceeds will be used to directly fund the agency’s mentoring programs for children in the community who are facing emotional, social and academic challenges. Details: 732-544-2224 or website at www.bbbsmonmouth. org.