Community Calendar

Community Center open to public
   The Dorcas Community Center, founded by the Korean Presbyterian Church of Trenton and located at the same address at 147 Route 130 North, Bordentown, is now officially open to the public. Senior members of the community who 55 and older may use the fitness center for free when they bring identification. The Community Center and fitness center are open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
   The Center can be reached at 609-298-3990.
Holiday food and toy drive
   The Student Council of Florence High School will hold their annual holiday food and toy drive until Dec. 19. They are seeking non-perishable food items and new and gently used toys and clothing. Donations should be dropped off at the new high school, located at 1050 Cedar Lane in Florence.
   For more information, contact Georgie Rodan at 609-499-4620 or [email protected].
Open house
   Friday, Dec. 7 — Silk and Tweed will have an open house from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at their location at 148 Farnsworth Ave., Bordentown.
   Tarot night this month will be held from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 6.
   For more information, call Mak at 609-298-4456.
Shrimp dinner
   Friday, Dec. 7 — The Willitts-Hogan-Tonne American Legion Post 39 will hold its monthly shrimp dinner from 5 p.m. until sold out at their location on 4th Avenue in Roebling. Each platter will consist of 15 large shrimp, homemade potato salad, homemade coleslaw, and dessert with coffee or tea. The cost is $10 per platter. For non-shrimp lovers, meatball sandwiches will be available with the same side dishes for $7. For take-out, call 609-499-3880. Food may be picked up after 5 p.m.
Blood drive
   Friday, Dec. 7 — The American Red Cross reminds us that blood is always needed and supplies are often low, particularly during holiday seasons. St. Mary’s School in Bordentown City will sponsor a blood drive, a quick and easy way to help people desperately in need of blood and a great gift during this holiday season. If you are over 17, in good health, and weigh at least 110 pounds, schedule an appointment to donate. Call 609-324-9082.
ThE ZoNe
   Friday, Dec. 7 — ThE ZoNe, held on the first Friday of each month, will take place at 7:03 p.m. at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 280 Crosswicks Rd., Bordentown. There will be a coffeehouse atmosphere with an upbeat tempo, music and thematic art expressions. BYO instrument, voice, thoughts, and friends.
   For more information, visit www.hclconline.org.
Coat collection
   Junior Girl Scout Troop 23034 is collecting clean, reusable coats and jackets to assist the One Warm Coat community service effort. Coats of all shapes sizes are welcome, and children’s sizes are most needed. The donated coats will be given to the Harvest of Hope Food Pantry in North Hanover, and given free of charge directly to local children and adults. The program is a wonderful way for you and your family to pass along coats and jackets that you no longer need.
   Just bring your clean, reusable coats and jackets to the Jeanette Bowers Building (across from C.B.Lamb School on Schoolhouse Road, North Hanover) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 8. The Junior Girl Scouts will take care of the rest.
Christmas production
   Beginning Saturday, Dec. 8 — Fountain of Life Center, 2035 Columbus Rd, Florence Township, will present the annual Christmas production “A Christmas Spectacular” at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, and at 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17.
   Marching toy soldiers, dolls and stuffed animals that come to life, a dancing Christmas tree and more add up to create a fun-filled, exciting production to watch. The nativity depiction of Christ’s birth is the highlight of the evening when all the stars shine out to celebrate with you. Spectacular set designs, music and drama make this a “must see” Christmas event for the whole family. Tickets are available at Ward’s Christian Bookshop, 2301 Rancocas Rd., Burlington, or may be ordered online at www.wardschristianbookshop.com. There will be a small handling charge per ticket.
   For more information, call 609-386-2093 or visit the Fountain of Life Center Web site www.flcnj.org.
Holiday house tour
   Saturday, Dec. 8 — The Bordentown Historical Society will host its holiday house tour from 3 to 8 p.m. This year, an extra hour has been added to the tour. Featured homes range from mid-18th to 20th century and most owners are decorating with a theme expressing family traditions or the historic period of their home. Tickets can be bought at App’s Hardware, Shoppe 202, and Silk and Tweed. The cost is $25.
   For more information, call 609-298-3779.
Holiday sale
   Saturday, Dec. 8 — MacFarland Intermediate School’s PTO will host a holiday shopping day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the school’s gym located at the rear of the building. There will be candles, home accessories, ladies’ accessories, pocketbooks, Tupperware, kitchenware, food and more. Vendor tables are available for $30; vendors keep all proceeds.
   For more information or to purchase a vendor’s table, contact Sharon Bokma at 609-324-9184.
Christmas dinner
   Tuesday, Dec. 11 — The Willitts-Hogan-Tonne American Legion Auxiliary Unit 39 in Roebling will have a Christmas dinner in place of their regular monthly meeting at 6 p.m. at the Riverdeck (formerly Ed’s Bar-B-Q Ribs), Rt. 130, Burlington. The menu will consist of chicken Parmesan, 10 oz. prime rib of beef or broiled flounder. The cost is $21 per person.
   For more information, to make reservations, or to arrange transportation, call Eileen Foga at 609-499-4232.
Book discussion
   Wednesday, Dec. 12 — A book discussion will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Bordentown Library on 18 E. Union St. in Bordentown City. Up for discussion this week is “The Sea” by John Banville. Next month’s meeting will focus on “The God of Small Things” by Arundhati Roy on Jan. 9.
MOMS club
   Thursday, Dec. 13 — The MOMS Club will hold a meeting at 9 a.m. for stay-at-home and part-time working mothers in the community. It will be open to the residents of Roebling, Florence, Bordentown, Fieldsboro and Mansfield. Refreshments will be served and children are always welcome.
   For more information, call 609-499-2058 or e-mail [email protected].
Christmas party
   Thursday, Dec. 13 — The Florence Township Chapter of Deborah will hold its annual Christmas party at the VFW Post #8838 on 10th Avenue in Roebling. The party is open to all members and their friends. The cost is $15 per person and includes a hot/cold buffet, dessert, tea or coffee and punch. The deadline for registration is today, Nov. 29.
   For reservations, call President Helen at 609-499-1671 or Vice President Carol at 609-499-1927.
Poinsettia and wreath sale
   Thursday, Dec. 13, Friday, Dec. 14, and Saturday, Dec. 15 — The Consolidated Fire House will hold a poinsettia and wreath sale from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. all three days at its location at 20 Crosswicks St., Bordentown. Grave blankets and centerpieces will also be available.
’Christmas on the Range’
   Friday, Dec. 14 — The Record Collector will host “Christmas on the Range” event from 8 to 10 p.m. at their location at 358 Farnsworth Ave., Bordentown. Jet Weston and the rest of the Atomic Cowboys will play old-time Western songs and favorites like “Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer.” Attendees will be able to huddle around a campfire and dine on stew, biscuits, and coffee. The event will be free.
Trinity’s Treasures
   Friday, Dec. 14 and Saturday, Dec. 15 — Trinity United Methodist Church will hold a sale of pre-loved and new items from 9 a.m. to noon both days at their location at 339 Farnsworth Ave., Bordentown. All Christmas items will be half price.
Horse & carriage rides
   Saturday, Dec. 15, and Sunday, Dec. 16 — The Downtown Bordentown Association will sponsor holiday horse and carriage rides in historic Bordentown City on from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday and from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $15 for adults, $10 for children 4 and older, and children 3 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased at Riverline Express Ice Cream Parlor, 222 Farnsworth Ave.
   To purchase tickets, call 609-424-0044.
Winter holiday open house
   Sunday, Dec. 16 — The Fernbrook Farm will have a winter holiday open house at 2 p.m. at their location at 150 Georgetown Road, Chesterfield Township.
   Visitors will look at the active wildlife and learn how creatures endure the cold season through fun games and activities for all ages. Other activities will include winter holiday craft making, as well as storytelling around the fire with marshmallows and hot chocolate. The cost is $15 for adults and $10 for children under 12 and includes the cost of materials. Advance registration is required.
   For more information, or to register, call 609-298-4028 or visit www.fernbrookfarms.com.
Christmas dinner
   Monday, Dec. 17 — The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 26 of Bordentown will have its Christmas dinner at 6 p.m. at Villa Mannino’s on Route 130 North. The dinner will be served family style. All Auxiliary and Legion members and their spouses are invited. The cost is $22 per person. A $10 gift will be exchanged with auxiliary members.
   Call Jerry at 609-298-8629 or Claudine at 609-298-1770 for reservations by Dec. 10.
Lucky calendars
   Until Monday, Dec. 31 — The St. Mary’s School PTA is selling “lucky calendars” until Dec. 31. At St. Mary’s Wednesday night bingo, 7 numbers will be selected, one for each day of the week. If your number is selected, you win. Prizes run from $20 to $50. For more information, call Jackie Aladich at 609-291-1780 or stop by the St. Mary Rectory on Elizabeth Street in Bordentown.
   Community events, meeting notices, public announcements and other items of local interest appear regularly in this column at no charge.
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