In Brief
Youth program
graduates 86 cadets
The New Jersey National Guard’s "ChalleNGe" youth program recently graduated its 15th class of cadets. Retired Col. John Promaulayko, commandant of "ChalleNGe," was the host of the ceremony held at the New Jersey War Memorial in Trenton.
"ChalleNGe" is a 22-week co-ed residential program that affords New Jersey high school dropouts the opportunity to earn a G.E.D. (high school equivalency diploma), get job training and perform community service projects while in a structured, disciplined environment. The program is designed to give at-risk youths a second chance to get their lives back on track and become productive, wage-earning citizens. The program is run by the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and is staffed primarily by the New Jersey National Guard.
Among the class of 86 graduates were local residents Stephanie Burrison and William Thomas, both of Lakewood; Malikah Cooke of Jackson; and Quadir Whitaker of Freehold.
Manalapan senior
center schedules trips
The Manalapan Township Senior Citizen Center is currently accepting reservations for the following trips:
• April 10, The Fiesta, Wood-Ridge, for the musical "Easter Parade" and lunch; $35.
• May 16, Skylands, Randolph, for "Americana Jamboree," a tribute to our armed forces; $30.
• June 12, Woodloch Pines, Hawley, Pa., for entertainment, activities and food; $27.
• Aug. 21, Rainbow Dinner Theatre, Paradise, Pa., for "Alone Together" and lunch; $31.
• Oct. 18, Hofbrauhaus, Atlantic Highlands, for Octoberfest; $19.
• Nov. 20, Franklin Mills Outlet Mall, Philadelphia; $1.
• Dec. 11, Hunterdon Hills Playhouse, Hampton, for holiday celebration matinee and lunch; $44.
• Bus trips to Atlantic City on March 6, April 3, May 1, June 5, July 10, Aug. 7, Sept. 4, Oct. 2 and Nov. 13, leaving at 9 a.m. and returning at 6:15 p.m.; $13 per trip.
For reservations or more information, call (732) 446-8401.
Historic commission
schedules events
The Marlboro Township Historic Commission will meet on the second Monday of each month at the Marlboro Branch of the Monmouth County Library, Wyncrest Road, beginning at 7 p.m. All meetings are open to the public.
The group is accepting telephone reservations for the following programs:
• Lecture No. 11 will be presented on April 13 at 1 p.m. at the Marlboro Library, in which an actress will portray Molly Pitcher. The program is free, but preregistration is required.
• A bus tour of historic sites in Marlboro will be conducted from 1-5 p.m. April 21. Participants will visit an estate, several homes and two churches. A group dinner will follow at a fee to be determined. Preregistration is required.
• Lecture 12 will be presented at 7:15 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Marlboro Library, in which an actor will portray Ben Franklin. There is no charge, but reservations are required. (Reservations for this lecture will be accepted only after Sept. 1.)
The group still has available for purchase bronze commemorative coins, Marlboro Township maps of 1983, adult and children’s history books of Marlboro, and children’s dinosaur T-shirts.
For more information or to register, call (732) 462-8262 after 10 a.m.
Freehold Elks plan
April 19 golf outing
Freehold Elks Lodge No. 1454 will hold its annual golf outing on April 19 at Gambler Ridge Golf Club, Upper Free-hold. There will be a 7:30 a.m. shotgun start and a steak lunch will be served at the lodge. The entry fee is $85 per person; checks should be made payable to Freehold Elks Lodge No. 1454 and mailed by April 5 to Freehold Elks, 73 E. Main St., Freehold, 07728. Proceeds will help support Elks’ charities. All are welcome. For more information call (732) 780-0335.