Community Calendar

Blood drive

   Thursday, Feb. 22 — The Community Blood Council of New Jersey will be having a blood drive from 5 to 9 p.m. at Mount Moriah Masonic Lodge, the Masonic Temple, 121 Farnsworth Ave., Bordentown. There is a demand for donors at this time of year, and you can help. You do not have to be a member of the Masonic Order to donate at this drive.
   If you donate a unit of blood, you will receive free coverage for any blood needs you might have for one year through the Masonic Blood Bank.
PTSC-Northern meetings

   Thursday, Feb. 22 — This semester, meetings will be held in the middle school media center on the following Thursdays: Feb. 22, March 8, April 19 and May 10.
   For information, call Assistant Principal Nicole Cooper at (609) 298-3900, ext. 4003.
Back-to-school night

   Thursday, Feb. 22 — Bordentown Regional High School’s spring semester back-to-school night will be held at 7 p.m. The program is designed to provide parents with an opportunity to meet teachers and learn about their child’s courses.
   After a brief welcome in the auditorium, parents will follow their child’s abbreviated schedule. Guidance counselors, supervisors and administrators will be available to provide assistance and answer questions.
   For more information, contact Mr. Frederick D’Antoni at (609) 298-0025, ext. 1102.
Tot Shabbat

   Friday, Feb. 23 — Tot Shabbat service is offered monthly at Temple B’Nai Abraham of Bordentown at 58 Crosswicks St. The service is open to all children, ages 1 to 6, and their families. Join the temple for its candle lighting, potluck dinner, child-friendly service, story and craft from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in celebration of Purim. Admission is free, R.S.V.P. required.
   For more information or to reserve a spot, call (609) 298-1527 or visit www.bnai-abraham.org.
Fish dinner

   Friday, Feb. 23 — St. Mary’s School PTA will sponsor a Fish Dinner from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s School in Bordentown City. The menu includes lightly breaded flounder, homemade macaroni and cheese, Caesar salad, coleslaw, rolls and butter, beverages, and desserts, which are available to eat in or take out.
   Tickets cost $10 for adults and $6 for children 4 to 12, and must be purchased by Wednesday, Feb. 21. To purchase tickets or for more information, call Donna Mercantini at (609) 324-9425 or (609) 577-5457.
Fernbrook weekend events

   Friday, Feb. 23 through Sunday, Feb. 24 — Fernbrook Farms Education Center will host a weekend of fun suitable for the entire family. At 7 p.m. on Friday, the campfire series continues with Winter Constellations. More winter constellations are viewable at this time of night than at any other time during the winter. Learn how to locate them on a complimentary star chart. A telescope will be available for viewing our celestial neighbors before heading to the campfire for tales of the heavens.
   On Saturday morning, come out to take a winter walk around the farm, looking for resident birds, fox, rabbits and deer. Starting at 10 a.m., a Fernbrook naturalist will help find interesting things in the nooks and crannies of the farm.
   On Sunday, the first of three summer camp open houses for registration will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Families can tour the facility, meet the core staff of the camp and get a feel for the program, which runs from June 25 through Aug. 31. Other open houses are scheduled for March 18 and April 22.
   Advance registration is required, and there is a charge for the campfire and Saturday programs. To register or for additional information, call (609) 298-8282.
Field trip

   Saturday, Feb. 24 — Friends for the Marsh are sponsoring a field trip to Charles Conrad Abbott’s home site and Watson Woods. The trip with archaeologist M. Stewart will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Meet at the Watson Woods picnic area in Roebling Park. For more information, call (609) 895-5420.
Night at the Races

   Saturday, Feb. 24 — The Florence Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 Auxiliary is hosting a "Night at the Races" from 7 to 11 p.m. The event will be held at the firehouse at 401 Firehouse Lane, Florence. Tickets are $20 per person and includes food and drinks.
   For more information or to purchase a ticket, call Janice at (609) 499-0377 or Lorraine at (609) 499-2347.
Parish mission

   Saturday, Feb. 24 — The Altar Rosary and Holy Name societies of Holy Assumption Church on Hornberger Avenue in Roebling will hold a Parish Mission starting with Mass at 8 a.m. and concluding with fellowship and desserts at 8 p.m. The day will consist of DVD videos presented by Father Casey from the Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Ala., a speaker from the Malvern Retreat House, discussions and three light meals. Participation is encouraged for all or part of the day. The public is cordially invited to attend. Free will offering will be taken.
Gallery show

   Saturday, Feb. 24 through Sunday, March 31 — The Artful Deposit Gallery will host "Departure" by gallery artist Hanneke de Neve. There will be an opening on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the gallery, 201 Farnsworth Ave., Bordentown City. The snow date will be on Saturday, March 3.
   For directions or more information, call (609) 298-6970 or visit www.theartfuldeposit.com.
Sunday breakfast

   Sunday, Feb. 25 — The Willitts-Hogan-Tonne American Legion Post 39 on Fourth Avenue, Roebling, will have its monthly Sunday breakfast from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. The buffet breakfast includes scrambled eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage, home fries, Military SOS, toast, orange juice, coffee, tea, chocolate milk and sometimes breakfast buns.
   The cost is $6 for adults, $4 for children ages 5 to 12 and free for those under 5.
African-American Sampler

   Sunday, Feb. 25 — The Burlington County Historical Society will present a Black History program, the "Sixth Annual African-American Sampler Program," in conjunction with the Oliver Cromwell Black History Society at 2 p.m. at the society’s Corson Poley Center, 454 Lawrence St., Burlington.
   This year’s program highlights black inventors from the colonial times to the present with a talk by author and historian Dr. Clara Barrigher, who will also touch upon Oliver Cromwell, the famous African American Revolutionary War soldier from Burlington County. There will also be a presentation of African music by Johnson Ayan Kolawole, who will lead an interactive musical exhibition.
   For more information, call (609) 386-4773.
Purim Carnival

   Sunday, Feb. 25 — Beth El Synagogue of East Windsor will hold their annual Purim Carnival from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Come join the fun, play the games, jump around in the inflatable party jump and have some lunch. Game tickets may be purchased at the door. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Beth El Synagogue is located at 50 Maple Stream Road, East Windsor.
   For more information, call (609) 443-3354.
Earth talk

   Tuesday, Feb. 27 — Mikey Azarra, Outreach Coordinator for the Northeast Organic Farming Association, will give a talk titled "Organic Gardening in the City" at the Carslake Community Center in Bordentown at 7 p.m. Learn how to "green" your garden organically without harmful chemicals.
   The talk is sponsored by the Bordentown City Environmental Commission. For more information, visit www.bcec.us.
Open House

   Wednesday, Feb. 28 — St. Mary’s Hall-Doane Academy, an Independent Episcopal, Coeducational College Preparatory School (pre-k through 12) on the Delaware in the City of Burlington will hold an Admission Open House for pre-k, kindergarten, and first grade from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. No pre-registration is required.
   For more information, call Nancy Naftulin, Dean of Admission, at (609) 386-3500, ext. 15.
Shrimp night

   Friday, March 2 — Willitts-Hogan-Tonne American Legion Post 39, located on Fourth Avenue in Roebling, will hold its monthly shrimp dinner at 5:30 p.m. until supplies sell out.
   Each platter costs $10 and consists of 15 large shrimp, homemade potato salad and cole slaw, dessert, coffee and tea. Meatball sandwiches may be substituted for shrimp with the same sides for $7.
First Friday

   Friday, March 2 — Come hang out for a coffee house atmosphere every first Friday at 7:30 p.m. It will be an upbeat tempo with great music and thematic art expressions. BYO…. instrument, voice, thoughts, friends to Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 280 Crosswicks Road, Bordentown. For more information, visit www.hclconline.org.
Brain Tumor Support Group

   Saturday, March 3 — The Monmouth and Ocean County Brain Tumor Support Group, Inc. will hold its next meeting from 3 to 4:45 p.m. at the Wall Township Branch of the Monmouth County Library, 2700 Allaire Road, Wall. All brain tumor patients or those surviving any previous brain tumor diagnosis, plus family members, friends and health care professionals are invited to attend.
   For more information, call Bruce Blount at (609) 758-0806 or e-mail Nancy Conn-Levin at [email protected]. Details are also available at www.njbt.org.
Senior trip

   Sunday, March 4 — The Florence Township Seniors will host a trip to the Norfolk Azalea Festival from Thursday through Sunday, April 19 through 22. The four-day trip includes 3 breakfasts, 3 full course dinners, a Dinner Cruise and entertainment every night, reserved seats at the Grand Parade, two hours at the Va. International Tattoo Show, and much more. Final payments are due by Sunday, March 4. For more information, call Helen at (609) 499-2055.
Soccer tryouts

   Sunday, March 4 — The Northern Burlington Bulldogs U-14 boys team and the Northern Burlington Sparks U-13 girls team will hold tryouts at Robbinsville Field House’s field #3 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Boys must have been born after Aug. 1, 1992, and girls must have been born after Aug. 1, 1993.
   For more information, call (609) 291-7053 or visit www.nbsoccer.net.
Irish folk music

   Sunday, March 4 — The third annual presentation of "Ballads of Irish Town," an Irish folk music concert, will be held at 7:30 p.m. at Carslake Community Center, 209 Crosswicks St. The event is sponsored by the Bordentown Historical Society. Tickets cost $10, and seating is limited. For tickets and information, call (609) 298-0742.
Casino trip

   Sunday, March 4 — The Knights of Columbus No. 570 is sponsoring a trip to the Showboat Casino in Atlantic City. The bus will leave at 4:30 p.m. from the St. Mary’s Church parking lot on Elizabeth Street, Bordentown, for a four-hour stay at the casino. The cost is $20, and each attendee will receive $22 in cash and a $5 food voucher. For reservations, call Bob at (609) 298-5530.
Blood drive

   Monday, March 5 — St. Mary’s School in Bordentown and the American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the St. Mary’s Church Rectory on Crosswicks Street, on the second floor of the Parish Center. There is always an urgent need for blood, and your donation could be used to help save the lives of up to 3 people. To schedule an appointment, call Sue at (609) 324-9082.
AARP Safe Driving Class

   Monday, March 5 and Tuesday, March 6 — An AARP Safe Driving Class will be offered from noon to 4 p.m. at Rose of Sharon Lutheran Church, 42 Chesterfield-Jacobstown Road, Jacobstown. The cost of the course is $10. By attending both sessions, students can receive a 5% reduction in auto insurance and have two points removed from their driving record, if applicable.
   For information or to register, call (609) 758-2746.
Ladies’ Night Out

   Friday, March 9 — The C. B. Lamb PTA will host a Ladies Night Out from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at 46 Schoolhouse Road, North Hanover. There will be merchants, crafters, food and a gift raffle. Admission is free. Vender space is still available; call (609) 758-1821 if interested.
Annual church dinner

   Saturday, March 10 — The First Presbyterian Church of Bordentown is hosting its 50th Annual Fried Oyster and Chicken Salad Dinner from 1 to 7 p.m. Menu items include fried oysters, homemade chicken salad, mashed potatoes, green beans, pepper hash and homemade cakes for dessert.
   Tickets, which must be purchased in advance, cost $20 for adults and $6 for children between the ages of 6 and 12. This event always sells out, so call the church office at (609) 298-1243 or (609) 298-1250 to reserve tickets.
Reunion

   Wednesday, March 14 — Members of the Bordentown High School Class of 1936 will hold their semi-annual reunion at Mastoris restaurant at 1 p.m.
   For more information, call George Haas at (772) 419-5167.
Scrapbook workshop

   Friday, March 16 — Holy Cross Lutheran Church is hosting a photo organization and scrapbooking workshop from 7 p.m. to midnight. The cost is $10.
   For more information and to register, call Kristin Murray at (609) 291-8234.
Easter play

   Saturday, March 24 — The Fountain of Life Center, 2035 Columbus Road, Florence, will present 13 live performances of its annual Easter play "He Is Alive!"
   Tickets are available after Feb. 24 for the following performances: March 24, 1 and 7 p.m.; March 30, 8 p.m.; March 31, 1 and 7 p.m.; April 1 and 2, 7 p.m.; April 4, 5 and 6, 8 p.m.; April 7, 1 and 7 p.m.; and April 8, 7 p.m. Tickets are available from Ward’s Christian Bookshop.
   For more information, call the bookshop at (609) 386-2093 or visit www.wardschristianbookshop.com.
What’s going on …

   Community events, meeting notices, public announcements and other items appear regularly in this column at no charge.
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