• A Black Friday gift auction hosted by the Cassville Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary will be held Nov. 27 at the Miller fire station, 785 Miller Ave., Jackson. Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and calling will start at 7 p.m. sharp. Those over age 18 are welcome to attend. Details: 732-928-3876.

• The annual Christmas wreath sale sponsored by Farmingdale Cub Scout Pack 13 and Farmingdale Boy Scout Troop 13 will be held Nov. 27-29 and Dec. 5-6 on Main Street, Farmingdale. Friday and Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday hours are 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wreaths are $20; small and large crosses and candy canes will also be available for $15 and $20. Details: wreathsale@gmail.com.

• Pet photos with Santa hosted by the Jackson Democratic Club and Ain't Misbehaving's Canine Sleep Over will be available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 28 at Canine Sleep Over, 156 West Commodore Blvd., Jackson. Photos will be taken by a professional photographer. A donation of $10 will benefit the Ocean County Volunteer Auxiliary for Animal Shelters and as a thank you to those who donate, one photo will be included with the opportunity to purchase more photos online. Details: 201-978-2979 or www.CanineSleepOver.com. Appointments: 732-833-1000 .

• The Howell Board of Education will hold its regular meetings in the cafetorium of Howell Middle School North, 501 Squankum-Yellowbrook Road, Howell, at 8 p.m. on Dec. 2, 16, Jan. 13, Feb. 3, 17, and March 3, 24.

• A holiday extravaganza will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 5 (snow date Dec. 6) at the Dr. Gerald H. Woehr Elementary School, 44 N. Main St., New Egypt. The event will feature more than 100 crafters and tables, a snack with Santa, bake sale, holiday music, tricky tray, basket auction, bake sale and much more. For more information about the event send an email to Nepspto@newegypt.us.

• "Winter Fun!" an event for families with children ages 3-6 will be held at the Jackson library on Dec. 5 from 2:30-4 p.m. Volunteer members of the Jackson Liberty High School National Honor Society will share stories, games, crafts and light refreshments with the children. No registration is required for the free program.

• New Egypt's Christmas tree lighting will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 5 at Oakford Lake Park. The New Egypt Volunteer Fire Company and its big red fire engine will make a guest appearance with Santa and Mrs. Claus on board.

• The Adelphia Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary will be sponsoring a Toys for Tots drive for the U.S. Marines. All are encouraged to bring a new unwrapped toy to the Adelphia Firehouse, 925 Adelphia Road (Route 524), Howell, from 1:30-3 p.m. Dec. 5. Santa Claus will be on hand.

• A pancake breakfast sponsored by the Adelphia Fire Company, 925 Adelphia Road (Route 524), Howell, will be held at the firehouse from 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 6. Cost $6 per person, $4 for children under age 8. Photos with Santa will be available. Details: 732-577-1781.

• American Red Cross Blood Drive sponsored by the New Egypt Knights of Columbus will take place on Dec. 9 from 3- 8 p.m. at New Egypt High School, 117 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. Appointments are preferred. Call 800-GIVE LIFE.

• A Christmas tree and menorah lighting ceremony will be conducted by the Howell Parks and Recreation Department from 6:30-9 p.m. Dec. 9 at Howell town hall, 251 Preventorium Road. Donations of nonperishable food for the local food pantry will be accepted.

• A winter luncheon hosted for the second year by Plumsted Township Senior Outreach Services (SOS) will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Jan. 13 at the SOS community room at 121 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. The cost to attend is $8 and seats are very limited. Details and registration: 609- 758-2241, ext 111. Register by Dec. 9.

• Representatives of H&R Block will be at the Jackson Library at 1 p.m. Dec. 11 to answer questions about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (stimulus bill). The program is free and open to the public. Space is limited. Registration starts Nov. 27. Details: call 732-928-4400.

• A fish fry sponsored by the New Egypt Elks, 105 Lakewood Road, New Egypt, will be held Dec. 11 from 6-8 p.m. Cost for fish dinner is $9 (two pieces) and $10 (three pieces). Chicken will be available for $8 (two pieces) and $9 (three pieces). All children's dinners are $5. Includes sides, desserts and beverages. Takeout available. For more information, call 609-304-8469.

• The Kiwanis Club of Jackson will host its annual Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 13 from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Whitesville Firehouse, 81 S. Hope Chapel Road, Jackson. Tickets are $5 for adults, and $3 for children and includes a hot breakfast, and photos with Santa for the children. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling 732- 300-8311 or by sending an email to donna.corman@gmail.com, or tickets may be purchased at the door.

• Jackson's Hanukkah menorah lighting will be held from 4:30-6 p.m. Dec. 14 at the municipal building. The event is free and open to the public. Kosher holiday refreshments will be served in the meeting room of town hall at 4:30 p.m. The event will feature entertainment.