Notes Around Town

Prevention First, a Monmouth County nonprofit organization, hosted the return of the wildly successful seventh annual ChessFest 2006 on Sept. 30, on Asbury Park's 5th Avenue Boardwalk. More than 100 children participated and spent the afternoon testing their skills against the ChessFest chess masters.

St. Mary's Church in Deal will be honored as the Outstanding Congregation of the Year at the Interfaith Neighbors' 18th annual meeting on Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m. to be held at the church, 46 Richmond Ave. in Deal. In addition, the New Jersey Youth Corps and dedicated volunteers will be recognized.

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The Master Gardeners of Monmouth County were honored Sept. 29 by the Ronald McDonald House of Long Branch for the Serenity Garden they created at the house.

The Serenity Garden was designed by Estelle Lumer, Jayne Cleveland and Nancy Schmaltz as a volunteer project for the Master Gardeners, affiliated with Rutgers Cooperative Research & Extension Services.

A group of volunteers assisted with the planting of annuals, perennials, shrubs and small trees, as well as a gazebo and wishing well.

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The United Methodist Women of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Long Branch is hosting "Harvest Home Supper & Country Store" on Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. at the church.

Tickets for the event are $12 for adults and $5 for children under 10 years old. To purchase tickets or for more information, call Roberta Salter at (732) 229-1141 or contact the church office at (732) 222-1431.

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The Greater Township of Ocean Democratic Club, serving Ocean, Allenhurst, Deal, Interlaken and Loch Arbour, will present a program on Thursday, Oct. 19, at 8 p.m. at the West Park Recreation Complex (Entrance on east side of building). The program, open to the public, will have Mayor Adam Schneider speak on the "Current Status of Long Branch Development" including the topics of eminent domain and beachfront development. Questions will be addressed. Nonmembers of the club are cordially invited to attend meetings on the third Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. Call (732) 493-3417 for directions or questions.

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Ocean Township High School's West Park Players will present "The Miracle Worker" on Thursday, Nov. 2 , at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 4, at 3 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $7 students and seniors and $8 adults. The high school is located at 550 W. Park Ave. in Oakhurst.

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Ocean Township High School Class of 1986 will hold a 20 Year Reunion on Saturday, Nov. 25, 7 p.m to midnight at The Renaissance, 1110 Valley Road, Ocean Township. For more information, contact lizOT86@yahoo.com.

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The Ocean Township Branch of the Monmouth County Library will host a Medieval Village Faire as part of a week-long celebration from Oct. 16 through Oct. 21.

The Young Adult Book Club will discuss "Eragon" by Christopher Paolini at 5 p.m. on Oct. 17. Arms & Armor, a medieval knight reenactment featuring a swordplay demonstration, will be presented Oct. 18 at 4:30 p.m. Registration is required. "The Princess Bride" will be shown at 6 p.m. on Oct. 19. The library is located at 701 Deal Road. All programs are free. For more information, call (732) 531-5092.

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The Adult Book Club at the Ocean Township Branch Library will discuss "The Reader" by Bernhard Schlink at 7 p.m. on Oct. 23. Copies of the book are available in the library.

"Publishing a Book: The Author's Point of View" will be presented by local author Kisha Green at the branch at 7 p.m. on Oct. 26.

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The First Presbyterian Church of Long Branch will hold Life Line screening radiology tests aimed at reducing the risk of strokes on Oct. 14 at the church on Cedar Avenue for city residents. The screenings cost $109; additional osteoporosis screening costs $129. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 1-877-237-1344. Preregistration is required.

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The Long Branch Coalition of Condominium Associations (LBCC) will hold its annual meeting on Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. in the Harbour Mansion Condominium Association Community Room on Ocean Avenue. A number of topics will be discussed, including discussion on the LBCC annual election for its board of directors.

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The IAMA Ladies Auxiliary will hold a gift auction on Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the IAMA building on West End Avenue in Long Branch. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Admission $10 and includes snacks and desserts. Attendees must be at least 18 years old. For more information or to purchase tickets, call Susan at (732) 870-1397 or (732) 870-1440; Loretta at (732) 870-9519; or Rose at (732) 222-8481.