COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Compiled by Mary Stulack
   Tell us about you. If your local nonprofit organization plans a special event and you would like to have the information published in The Manville News, drop a note to Mary Stulack, Calendar, 307 Omni Drive, Hillsborough, 08844.
   All items should be typed and must be mailed, faxed (359-3930) or e-mailed to: [email protected] before 4 p.m. Friday. Please include a phone number for publication. Priority is given to Manville organizations.
   For details, call Mary, 359-0850.
Ongoing
   Santa’s Mailbox will be located at Manville Library through Dec. 17 to drop off your Santa letters. Your letters can also be dropped off Dec. 16 at “Pictures with Santa” at the Gazebo. Place your return address on all letters and Santa will answer them on Dec. 17. For more information, call 722-2656.
   Singles Book Discussion with a focus on Christian literature meets on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 7:30 p.m. at a Manville home. Current Title: “Miracles.” Call 541-0210 for information.
   MOMS Club of Hillsborough/Manville meet the second Monday of each month. For detailed information, call 359-2791.
   The Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage historic site in Somerville offers private candlelight tours, available for groups of ten or more, December through March. Tours can be arranged on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday evenings. For information about scheduling and pricing, call the site at 725-1015.
Thursday, Dec. 6
   Hillsborough Toastmasters Club meets at 7:30 p.m. the first and third Thursday of the month at the Center of Life Church, 32 New Amwell Road, Hillsborough. Meetings are open to the public. Stop by and see how you can improve your communication and public speaking skills. For information, visit Web site, Hillsborough.freetoasthost.com.
   Pre-Christmas craft sales and events, sponsored by Senior Artists and Crafters of Somerville, located at 57 West Main St., Somerville. The store will also be open from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays through Dec. 21 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 22. Call 526-8769 for further details.
Friday, Dec. 7
   Pearl Harbor Day.
   Manville VFW Post 2290, located on Washington Avenue will begin their annual Pearl Harbor remembrance service at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend as we honor our military members who made the ultimate sacrifice in the years that followed. For additional information call 725-2290.
Saturday, Dec. 8
   Somerset Valley Players will present “A Christmas Carol” 7 p.m. Saturdays and matinees at 2 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 16 at the Playhouse, Amwell Road, Hillsborough. Tickets are $10, reservations requested by calling 369-7469.
   Gnome Hunts at Duke Farms for children aged 2 to 12 will be held at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 30. Children must be accompanied by an adult and will receive a checklist at the start of their hunt to help them locate the hidden gnomes as they explore the gardens in the turn-of-the-century glass conservatory. Reservations and tickets are required and may be made by calling 722-3700 or by visiting the Web site at www.dukefarms.org.
   Crystal Gayle Christmas performance will begin at 8 p.m. at The Theatre at Raritan Valley Community College in North Branch. Tickets are $40 and $45 and can be purchased by calling 526-8383.
   Pet Adoption Day sponsored by Rawhide Rescue will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at PetSmart, Bridgewater Promenade Mall, Bridgewater. Pet merchandise will be sold to benefit homeless pets at Rawhide Rescue. For more information, call 334-4797.
Sunday, Dec. 9
   Breakfast with Santa. Enjoy an all you can eat pancake/sausage breakfast from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Finderne Reformed Church. For detailed information, call 722-8453.
   Sing-along performance of the Advent and Christmas portions of Handel’s Messiah and the beloved “Hallelujah Chorus” from 10 to 11 a.m. at Hillsborough Reformed Church at Millstone. The event features soloists from Westminster Choir College of Rider University. The congregation will be invited to sing along to the chorus parts with the church choir. Singers and non-singers alike are welcome. Call 359-3391 for information.
Tuesday, Dec. 11
   Manville Public Library located on South 10th Avenue December Concert will feature The Somerset Brass, an ensemble of five talented instrumentalists from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public. Free refreshments provided.
Wednesday, Dec. 12
   A Slavic dinner will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church Parish Center in Hillsborough. The all you can eat dinner is $10 adults ages nine and up and $5 for children eight and under. Special entertainment by St. Mary’s Slavic Dance Group “Lucka” and children’s musical, “Inside the Outside Inn” will be featured. For more information, call 725-0615.
   Santa visits Manville homes by sleigh and fire truck. Camplain Road Volunteer Fire Company will host its annual holiday gift delivery. For a minimum of $10 donation per family Santa will arrive at your home to deliver a holiday gift (which parents provide) to your children. Bring your $10 donation and a wrapped gift tagged with your children’s full name and street address to: Camplain Road Vol. Firehouse, South 13th and Washington Avenues from 7 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 12, 13, 19 or 20. The drop off date must be before your time choice of Santa’s visit which are noon to 4 p.m. or 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 15; 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 21; noon to 4 p.m. or 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 22; or 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 23. For more information, call 526-0439.
Thursday, Dec. 13
   4-H BeeKeeping Club looking for new members. The meeting will be held Dec. 13 at the Ted Blum Somerset County 4-H Center, 310 Milltown Road, Bridgewater. For detailed information or to join the club, call 526-6644.
Looking ahead
   The Rutgers Alumni Wind Symphony will present the Annual Fall Concert at 8 p.m. Dec. 15 in the Nicholas Music Center, Rutgers University Campus, Route 18 and George Street, New Brunswick. Admission is free. For additional information, call 732-951-1993.
   Annual Community Christmas Carol Sing will be held at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at Emmanuel Baptist Church, located on South Third and Washington Avenue, Manville. Enjoy singing contemporary Christmas favorites and traditional carols. Instrumental performances and soloists will be featured. The program is free and refreshments will be served. For information, call 725-5422.
   Santa Parade and photos with Santa in Manville. Parade will begin at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at police headquarters on North Main Street and travel to the gazebo on South Main Street. Pictures with Santa will be taken from 5 to 7 p.m. at the gazebo. For further information, call 722-2656.