Ryan Gogol of Howell, a student at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, has been awarded a Fulbright U.S. student scholarship to Italy in romance languages and literature. He is one of more than 1,200 U.S. citizens expected to travel abroad for the 2006-07 academic year through the Fulbright Student Program, America's flagship international educational exchange program. Established in 1946 under legislation introduced by the late Sen. J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, the program is designed to build mutual understanding between the people of the U.S. and the rest of the world. Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected based on academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their chosen fields.

The Fulbright Student Program is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs through the U.S. Department of State, and is administered by the Institute of International Education. It operates in more than 150 countries worldwide.

Community School

will see 'Disney on Ice'

The Jackson Community School will host a bus trip to see "Disney on Ice" at the Continental Airlines Arena, Nov. 24 for a 10:20 a.m. show. The fee of $45 includes lower-level seats and motor coach transportation with bus fun and trip leader. The bus will depart from Jackson Memorial High School at 8:45 a.m. and return at approximately 2 p.m. Details and reservations: (732) 833-4647.

Jackson pumpkin patch

provides charity and fun

Jackson United Methodist Church, 68 Bennetts Mills Road, Jackson, invites Halloween revelers to buy pumpkins, have fun, and support two good causes now though Oct. 31 at its annual pumpkin patch.

The pumpkin patch has more than 2,000 pumpkins plus cornstalks, gourds, and Indian corn. Proceeds will be shared by the Jackson Food Pantry and the Methodist World Service Fund

Special events are planned on Saturdays to enhance the fun.

Cookie decorating, face painting, clowns, horses, story time, crafts and games for children, baked goods and more will be offered Oct. 28 at noon.

A Halloween parade will take place Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. Children can come in costume and are asked to bring a can of food for the food pantry.

The pumpkin patch is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fridays noon to 8 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sundays 1-5 p.m. Details: (732) 833-8808 or www.jacksonumc.org.

Ocean County Day will

feature flu shots Oct. 30

More than two dozen Ocean County government agencies will gather together under one roof Oct. 30 to celebrate Ocean County Day and to show the diversity of services offered by the county. Ocean County Day will take place at the Toms River Branch of the Ocean County Library, 101 Washington St., Toms River.

In addition to the exhibits, the Ocean County Health Department will administer flu shots from 1:30-3:30 p.m. for $20 each. For those who are eligible, Medicare Part B. can be billed. At 4 p.m., the Office of Senior Services will conduct a special session on Medicare. Door prizes will be provided.

Free parking is available in the Ocean County garage behind the 129 Hooper Ave. building. Shuttle service will be available. The exhibits will be staffed from noon to 4 p.m., but many will remain on display until the library closes. Participating agencies include: Academy of Lifelong Learning at Ocean County College, Barnegat Estuary Pro-gram. Consumer Affairs, County Clerk, Cultural and Heritage, Election Board (which will have a voting machine for demonstrations), and others. Details: (732) 929-2000.

Local student is U.S.

national award winner

Daniel Veres III, of Howell, has been named a United States National Award Winner in History and Government. Daniel, who attends Howell High School, was nominated for this award by his teacher Elizabeth Kasimis. Daniel will appear in the United States Achievement Academy's Official Yearbook which is published nationally.

The academy selects USAA winners upon the exclusive recommendation of teachers, coaches, counselors and other qualified sponsors and upon the standards of selection set forth by the academy.

The criteria for selection are a student's academic performance, interest and aptitude, leadership qualities, responsibility, enthusiasm, motivation to learn and improve, citizenship, attitude and cooperative spirit, dependability, and recommendation from a qualified sponsor.

Daniel is the son of Laura and Daniel Veres of Howell and the grandson of Janet and Warren Pritchet of Brick Township and Patricia and Daniel Veres of Wharton.

Trip to Radio City 'Christmas Spectacular' slated

The Lakewood Community School has tickets available for the Radio City "Christmas Spectacular" performance on Dec. 12. The fee of $75 per person includes transportation and orchestra seating and ample time to see the holiday decorations. Details and reservations: (732) 905-3685.

Hadassah of Jackson reaches out to others

Bat Shalom Hadassah of Jackson is seeking young women interested in starting their own group under its charter. Hadassah is a women's social club and more. It teaches health awareness, offers treatment to people of all faiths in Israel, educates, provides humanitarian relief, is an advocate for issues of concern to women and Jews in America, and promotes Jewish education and spirituality. Call (732) 833-1151 for details.

Old-fashioned Harvest Familyfest in Howell

A Harvest Familyfest event will take place at the Southard Grange, 4860 Route 9 south, Howell, from 2-6 p.m. Oct. 28. The event will include old-fashioned events and games for children, such as apple dunking, fortune telling, scary stories, homemade pie, and costume and pumpkin decorating contests. Crafters are welcome to rent a table. Attendees may bring a covered dish to share for the potluck dinner. An open mic night will follow at 7 p.m. Details: (732) 901-8777.

Vendors sought for holiday shopping night

The Ladies Auxiliary of the Adelphia firehouse, 925 Route 524, Howell, are planning a holiday shopping night, Nov. 17 from 6-9 p.m. Vendors are currently being sought to participate in this event. Call (732) 577-1781 or e-mail auxiliary@adel

phiafire.com to reserve a spot.

Youth group meets Sundays, plans trip to Va.

DeBows United Methodist Church in Jackson has a youth group that meets every Sunday at 6 p.m. The group, which is open to youths in grades six through 12, studies the scripture by viewing modern-day illustrations on DVDs. The youth group's summer mission trip to Richmond, Va., has been set for July 28 to Aug. 4, 2007.

The church is at the intersection of Route 537 and Route 571, Jackson. For more information call (732) 928-4475.

Gift basket items sought for SEPAC dinner-dance

The Howell Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) is accepting reservations through Jan. 18 for the SEPAC Parents' Night Out and Gift Auction slated for Jan. 26 from 6:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Woodlake Country Club, 25 New Hampshire Ave., Lakewood. The cost of $30 per person includes dinner and entertainment. A list of baby-sitters is available upon request.

SEPAC is actively looking for donations of new or gently used items to put into the baskets, as well as baskets.

Proceeds from the night will go toward SEPAC-supported programs and events for all the children.

SEPAC also accepts donations of unwanted gifts after the holiday season. For more information call (732) 901-1440.

Casino Night will raise funds for drama club

The Howell Optimist Club in conjunction with the Howell High School Drama Club Parents Association will present a Casino Night fundraiser on Nov. 4 at Our House Restaurant, Howell, from 7-11 p.m. The ticket price of $50 includes buffet, cash bar, gift auction, $50 in "lucky money," and a chance to "roll the dice" and win $25,000. Proceeds will benefit Howell Optimist youth programs and the Howell High School Drama Club. For tickets call (732) 773-7956. Minimum age for ticket holders is 21.

Historical memorabilia from Howell being sought

The Howell Senior Center History Club is seeking historical memorabilia of Howell for a program it is planning at the Howell Senior Center celebrating Howell's history. Those with information to share can call Carol Zur, director of senior services, at (732) 938-4500, ext. 2550.

Vendors being sought

for holiday boutique

Vendors are being sought for Temple Beth Am's second annual holiday boutique scheduled for Dec. 3. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the reform temple, 400 Carey St., Lakewood. Tables are available at a cost of $25 for one and $40 for two if reserved before Oct. 31. Details: (732) 363-2800.

Park system's directory to be released Nov. 1

Find out what the Monmouth County Park System has planned for winter when the latest issue of its directory is released Nov. 1. The winter issue, available at most county parks and online at www.monmouthcountyparks.com, will feature details about the park system's schedule of special events and nature, recreation and sports programs for December, January and February. The directory can also be received by mail; call (732) 842-4000, ext. 4313.

Online registration is available for select programs Registration is also available for all programs by phone, fax or through the mail. Details: (732) 842-4000.

Environmental center

at reservoir reopens

The Manasquan Reservoir Environ-mental Center has reopened its doors after being closed for building repairs. Located on Georgian Tavern Road in Howell, the environmental center is dedicated to providing experiences of learning and discovery related to wetlands ecology, wildlife and habitat protection. Open daily, hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Fridays when hours are 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Admission and parking are free.

The environmental center features interactive and live animal exhibits as well as multimedia presentations and wildlife observation areas. The center also hosts educational activities for school and community groups.

During most weekends, the center hosts free nature programs, including "Seashells of the World," Oct. 28-29 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Details: (732) 751-9453.

School awarded grant

Holy Family School, Lakewood, has been awarded a $5,000 School Library/Media Center Enhancement Grant by OceanFirst Foundation of Toms River. The grant will provide materials that will support the multimedia and multicultural goals of the school and may include books, technology, DVDs and visits by story tellers and authors. Holy Family is one of only 20 schools chosen out of 142 applicants for the grant.

Holy Family is a pre-K through grade eight private Catholic school on the Lakewood-Brick border. The library has more than 10,000 volumes and the technology education program has 30 computers, according to the press release.

School librarian Karen Palmieri, who applied for the grant, said the school is working continuously to update its library and media center. "As we enter the 'get it now' generation, we need to have the technology and materials needed to support our excellent academic standards," she said.

Principal Elaine Bicher expressed her gratitude to OceanFirst for the opportunity to update equipment and materials.

"I appreciate the efforts of OceanFirst for its interest in promoting literacy to New Jersey's students," she said. "The grant will enable us to provide our students with the technology so necessary to access today's information."

Foundation gala nets over

$280K for scholarships

The Ocean County College Founda-tion netted more than $280,000 to support continuing development of the foundation's scholarship fund during the "Happy Days '50s Gala" recently held on OCC's main campus in Toms River. This year's gala honored Zev Rosen with the 2006 Humanitarian of the Year Award. Rosen is chair of Good Friend Electrical Supplies and a former member of the OCC Foundation Board of Trustees. The 1950s-themed event was attended by more than 400 people. The capstone of the gala was the live and silent auctions, which raised almost $30,000.

'Stop Smoking With Hypnosis' class offered

A one-night "Stop Smoking With Hypnosis" class is being offered by the Lakewood Community School, Nov. 7 from 7-9 p.m. at Lakewood High School. The fee to attend is $38. Register by calling the Lakewood Community School at (732) 905-3685.

'Weight Control With Hypnosis' set for Nov. 6

Registration is in progress for a one-night "Weight Control With Hypnosis" seminar scheduled by the Lakewood Community School for Nov. 6 from 7-9 p.m. at Lakewood High School, 855 Somerset Ave. Attendees will learn to subconsciously curtail eating and stick to a diet through the assistance of hypnosis to achieve weight loss. The fee to attend is $38 per person. Call (732) 905-3685 or visit the Web site www.lakewood.k12.nj.us to register.

Vendors and crafters sought for school fair

Southard School PTA is seeking vendors and crafters for its fourth annual craft and vendor fair, Nov. 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will be held at the Southard School, 115 Kent Road, Howell (across from Wal-Mart's side entrance). Details and applications: (732) 865-2048 or e-mail: amiller817@aol.com.

Casino Night to raise funds for drama club

The Howell Optimist Club in conjunction with the Howell High School Drama Club Parents Association will present a Casino Night fundraiser on Nov. 4 at Our House Restaurant, Route 524, Howell, from 7-11 p.m.

The ticket price of $50 includes buffet, cash bar, gift auction, $50 in "lucky money," and a chance to "roll the dice" and win $25,000.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Howell Optimist youth programs and the Howell High School Drama Club.

For information and tickets, call (732) 773-7956 or visit www.hhsdramaclub.com. Minimum age for ticket holders is 21.