There'll be some tail-waggin' fun at the fourth annual Strut Your Mutt Doggie Costume Contest and Pet Fair to be held as part of Thompson Park Day Sunday, Oct. 14. Strut Your Mutt is a fundraiser sponsored by Friends of the Parks, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting park system projects and programs. The Pet Fair features exhibitors and supporters and demos of products and services. There will be three contest times: noon, 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Trophies will be awarded to firstplace winners in categories including Most Original, Scariest, Funniest, Prettiest and Best Canine/Human Combo. The entry fee is $10 for Friends of the Park members, and $15 for nonmembers. The contest is open to dogs 4 months or older with vaccinations. Complete contest rules and registration are available online at www.friendsofmonmouthcountyparks. com St. Luke's United Methodist Church on Broadway in Long Branch will host its 24th Harvest Home Dinner and Country Store Oct. 20 beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets are $13 for adults and $5 for children under 10 years old. For more information or to buy tickets, call Bert at (732) 229-1141, Nancy at (732) 229-1835 or the church office at (732) 222-1341.

*****

The Stars Challenge is a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created to provide science enrichment programs for junior high school students in sixth through eighth grade who rank at the top of their class in math and science.

Founded by Margaret Ann and Stephen Chappell, the goal is to keep students involved and interested in science and technology.

Each course runs for 10 weeks and tuition is $500. Classes are held at Monmouth University, West Long Branch. The application deadline for the fall semester is Sept. 28. For additional information, call (732) 530-1061.

*****

The Mental Health Association of Monmouth County will host its annual World of Wine Dinner and Wine Tasting Nov. 2 at the Deal Golf & Country Club. The event will feature 12 world-class wines chosen to highlight the epicurean dinner prepared by the chef Carolyn Flinn, who serves as executive chef at the club. The wine tasting and dinner will also feature an auction with more than $60,000 worth of luxurious items as well as a raffle for a Daimler Chrysler GEM Smart Car.

The Mental Health Association is dedicated to promoting mental health and improving the care and treatment of children and adults with mental illness and their families through advocacy, education, research and services.

For more information about dinner and wine tasting, call Alexandra Smith at (732) 933-4445.

*****

The Monmouth Council, Boy Scouts of America, recently honored Vice Admiral Paul G. Gaffney II, president of Monmouth University, with the 34th snnual Joshua Huddy Distinguished Citizen Award, at its "Gala Under The Stars" at Monmouth Park Corporate Center II, in Oceanport. Gaffney was recognized for his distinguished record of community service and volunteerism. All proceeds will benefit the newly established Vice Admiral Paul G. Gaffney II Endowment for Monmouth Council, and will provide a perpetual source of funding to help Monmouth Council achieve its Scouting mission and continue to serve over 10,000 youth and leaders.

*****