Monroe Township Senior Center, Perrineville Road, will offer passport satellite service by the Middlesex County Clerk April 20 from 1-3 p.m.
The clerk will process applications for passports on a first-come basis. Individuals must bring two checks, two identical passport photos, and the completed form, which is available at the senior center.
A two-day AARP sponsored drivers’ safety program will be April 23 and 24 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jim McCracken, a physical therapist from Princeton Healthcare, will present “Strength for Function” April 2 at 1:30 p.m. The center’s Green Thumbs will meet the third Tuesday of each month at 11 a.m. to discuss plants and related issues. “Spring Into Health” will be presented by Dr. Debra DeMarco April 24 at 11 a.m. She will discuss allergy elimination techniques, nutrition, and exercise.
A slide program on Italian gardens will be April 24 at 1:30 p.m. Yvette Halpin will explore the benefits of laughter April 27 at 1:30 p.m. A modern dance performance by students from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, will be April 27 at 10:30 a.m. Stanley Lipson will present “Frank Sinatra: The Bobby Sock Years” April 30 at 1:30 p.m.
Registration is required for the above. For more information, call the center at (732) 521-6111.
Ukrainian dancers to perform on May 5
The Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission and the Folklife Program for New Jersey will present the Iskra Ukrainian Folkdance Ensemble in a program set for 3 p.m. on May 5 at the New Jersey Veterans Home at Menlo Park, 132 Evergreen Road, Edison.
Ensemble members will share the folk traditions of Ukraine by performing a number of dances including the “arkan,” the “hopak,” the “hutsulka” and the “kolo richky.” The dancers will be joined by Ukrainian accordionist Alex Chudolij.
Funding for the event is provided by Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission, New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
To register for the free program, call the commission at (732) 745-4489. Individuals with hearing disabilities may call (732) 745-3888 TTY, or 711, via the New Jersey Relay System.
The New Jersey Veterans Home is a fully accessible site; an assistive-listening system will be in use during the performance.
The Folklife Program for New Jersey was instituted in 1990 to broaden the appreciation and availability of folk arts, folklore and folklife within Middlesex County; to identify and preserve folk traditions expressed by the people of Central New Jersey; to provide a forum for the presentation of New Jersey and regional folk artists, recognized by their community for their excellence; and to encourage public involvement in the folk arts through educational programming and cross-cultural exchange.
SAT, ACT practice tests slated for April 28
The Princeton Review will students free practice SAT, ACT or Princeton Review Assessment (PRA) tests April 28.
The PRA gives a sample of both SAT and ACT questions on one test. The proctored exams are held under realistic testing conditions.
Students will also receive a score analysis to help understand how to focus time and energy when preparing.
ACT tests will be held in Edison, New Brunswick and Toms River from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and Freehold and Princeton from 2-5:30 p.m. SAT tests will be held in New Brunswick from 2-6 p.m., and Edison, Freehold, Princeton and Toms River from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Princeton Review Assessments will be held in Edison and New Brunswick from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Freehold and Princeton from 2-6 p.m.
For more information and sites, visit www.PrincetonReview.com/NTD or call (800) 273-8439.
Mother’s, Father’s Day events slated at library
The Spotswood Public Library, 548 Main St., will offer “Celebrate Mother’s Day and Father’s Day Early” programs for parents and their children ages 3-8. Both events will feature stories, crafts and snacks.
The Mother’s Day event will take place from 10:30-11:30 a.m. on May 5.
Dads and their youngsters are invited to a Father’s Day program set for 10:30-11:30 a.m. on June 2.
In-person registration is ongoing at the library. Fee is $2 per child, per program. The events are open to Spotswood Library card holders only. For more information call (732) 251-1515.
Cheesequake Park slates hikes, talks, programs
Cheesequake State Park, Old Bridge, will hold an Earth Day Challenge April 21 at 11 a.m. The free event will feature guided nature hikes, a nature film festival, giveaways and tree plantings.
An Arbor Day celebration will be held April 28 at 11 a.m. and will feature a tree planting, hike and discussion about the history of Arbor Day. Participants will receive a tree seedling for planting.
“Mysterious Migration” for children ages 8 and older will be held May 6 at 1 p.m. and consist of a one-hour hike. “Birding Basics” for ages 14 and older will be held May 13 at 1 p.m. Topics include field identification, equipment, and areas for bird viewing.
A wildflower walk will take place May 20 at 1 p.m. and feature information about the park’s wildflowers and how to identify the flowers. An osprey walk and talk for children ages 8 and older will be held May 27 at 1 p.m. The walk will begin at the Spring Hill parking lot. The fee will be the park entrance fee.
All of the activities will begin at the park’s interpretive center. For more information, call (732) 566-3208.
Widows and Widowers
plans spring social gala
The Widows and Widowers (WOWs) Chapter of Middlesex County West will hold a Spring Dinner-Dance at 6 p.m. on May 6 at the Belarussian American Center, Whitehead Avenue, South River. All are welcome.
The event will feature dancing to the music of Peter Liberman. Participants will have a choice of three entrees. There will be a cash bar. Singles and couples are invited.
Tickets cost $25 per person. Payment is required by April 28. Tables of eight may be reserved.
For more information and to reserve, call (732) 442-2429 or (732) 238-5678.
Cleanup on the River set for April 22 in S.R.
The South River Environmental and Shade Tree Commission, in cooperation with the South River Department of Parks and Recreation and Department of Public Works, will sponsor its second annual Cleanup on the River from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 22 at Grekoski Park, Whitehead Avenue.
The event, which is designed to celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day, will feature refreshments and entertainment. Volunteers will clean up the riverfront and plant trees in the borough’s parks. Participants will include members of South River Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts; South River Students for the Enhancement of the Community; South River Public Schools; and Corpus Christi School, Darul Arqam School and Moshe Aaron Yeshiva High School, all South River. The community is invited to join in the event.
Participants should bring a blanket or lawn chairs. Admission is free of charge.
For more information, call (732) 690-0865.
Golfers sought for Fathers Club outing
The Immaculate Conception Fathers Club, Spotswood, will hold its annual golf outing on May 7 at Peddie School Golf Course, Hightstown. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. Start time is set for 9 p.m.
Cost is $150 per golfer and includes greens fee, motor cart, golf, continental breakfast, barbecue luncheon, buffet dinner and beverages. A car will be awarded for a hole in one.
Golfers of all abilities are welcome. Proceeds from the event will benefit Immaculate Conception School’s technology initiatives.
For more information and to reserve, call (732) 561-2336.
Tickets on sale for Irish Pub Night
The Ancient Order of Hibernians will sponsor an Irish Pub Night from 7-11 p.m. on April 28 at the AOH Hall, Stevens Avenue and Second Street, South Amboy.
The event will feature food, beer and wine, prizes and live entertainment.
Tickets cost $30 in advance, $35 at the door. Advance tickets may be purchased at the following South Amboy locations: St. Mary Elementary School, Second Street; St. Mary’s Church Office, Augusta Street; and O’Ireland Gift Shop, Broadway. All proceeds will benefit the Music at St. Mary’s Concert Series.
For more information, call Mickey Gross at (732) 721-5031.
Benefit car shows, cruise nights to begin
The Just Us Cruisers Classic Car Club will hold its annual benefit Cruise Nights/Car Shows from 6-9 p.m. every Friday night, April 20-Oct. 12, in the parking lot at 1980 Route 35 North, next to F-1 Motoring, South Amboy/ Sayreville.
The weekly family-oriented events will feature more than 50 antique and classic cars from across the tristate area. There will be trophies, games and music from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s.
All proceeds will benefit the Sayreville Brain Injured Children Association. Businesses are invited to donate a trophy and have their names mentioned at the shows.
For more information, call Richard Hart at (732) 525-0412 or log on to www.cnjcca.com.
Donations sought for April 21 clothing drive
The St. Bernadette’s Social Concerns Committee will collect clean, usable clothing, shoes, handbags, linens, curtains, towels and stuffed animals from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 21 near the large yellow truck in the church parking lot, 20 Villanova Road, Parlin section of Old Bridge.
Donations, which should be placed in plastic bags only (no boxes), may be not be dropped off prior to April 21.
For more information, call JoAnn at (732) 727-5858.
Youth group seeking vendors for flea market
Vendors are sought for the Simpson United Methodist Church Youth Group Outdoor Flea Market planned for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 5 at the church, Route 516 and Owens Road, Old Bridge. Rain date is May 12.
Spaces cost $15 each.
For more information and to reserve, call (908) 705-3315 or (732) 679-7499.