Community calendar

   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, send a note to Manville News Calendar, P.O. Box 350, Princeton, NJ 08542.
   All items should be typed and must be mailed, faxed (609-924-3842) 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 Managing Editor John Patten at 609-924-3244, ext. 130.
Ongoing
   The Auxiliary Manville First Aid and Rescue Squad “All-you-can-eat” filet mignon dinner will be held 6 p.m. March 21 at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2290 on Washington Avenue. Tickets are $35 per person, and can be purchased by calling 908-725-3694 or 908-722-3865.
   Camplain Volunteer Fire Company no. 2 is sponsoring a fundraising bus trip to the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series races at Darlington Raceway. The trip will depart Manville on May 7, returning on May 10th. The trip includes roundtrip motorcoach transportation from Manville; one night lodging at the Hampton Inn in Fredericksburg, Va.; two nights lodging at the Hampton Inn in Fayetteville, N.C.; transportation to and from the race track and race tickets. To inquire about prices and other information, contact the firehouse at 908-526-0439 and leave a message for Mark or Rob.
   On April 25 and April 26, Manville High School will be collecting donations of clean, usable, used clothing, shoes, belts, handbags, linens (sheets, towels, spreads, drapes, etc.), stuffed animals, and baby “gear” (such as high chairs, play yards, strollers, walkers, bouncers, car seats) which will be shipped to Europe in a fundraiser for scholarships for Manville High School seniors. Clothing donations must be placed inside plastic bags. For more information, contact Carolyn Rogus at [email protected]
   Manville High School Class of 1979 has begun planning for the 30th class reunion on Oct. 24. Organizers are in the process of trying to locate and contact all class members. All class members are welcome — if you are a 1979 Manville High School graduate or know someone who is and are interested in attending the reunion, visit the reunion class Web site at http://www.classcreator.com/Manville-NJ-1979/index.cfm[email protected] or call Joan (Specian) Kopsco 908-689-8564.
   Reunion plans for Manville High School 1959 classmates. Plans are underway to celebrate a 50th class reunion in 2009. Organizers are in the process of trying to locate and contact all class members. If you are a 1959 Manville High School graduate or know someone who is and interested in attending the reunion, e-mail Lucy J. (Pinarchick) Soja at [email protected] or call 908-304-2463.
Friday, March 13
   The third of St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church’s “Lenten Munching and Learning” series will be “Everybody’s Got a Hungry Heart: How Can the Great Fast Fill Me Up?” presented by Ann Hanincik, at noon and 7 p.m. March 13. The presentation will focus on our love/hate relationship with the season of Lent. The program begins with a short Lenten Service in the church followed by a simple Lenten meal in the Parish Center with the guest speaker. St. Mary’s is located at 1900 Brooks Blvd., Hillsborough. There is no charge. For more information, please call the parish office at 908-725-0615.
   “Seed to Seed: The Secrets of Growing,” a program designed for adults providing an introduction to the role of native plants in the ecosystem at Duke Farms. Participants will learn how to propagate native plants through the collection and planting of seeds, cuttings and division. The growing areas of Duke Farms will be open for a behind-the-scenes look and participants will be able to practice what they have learned by planting a seedling to take home and enjoy. This two-hour class will be offered at 10 a.m. on March 13, and again on April 23 and May 14. The cost is $20, and advance registration is required — to learn more about the program or register, visit www.dukefarms.org or call 908-722-3700.
Saturday, March 14
   A (surprise) party celebrating former Manville PE teacher Emily Potopowitz’s 90th birthday is being planned for 3 p.m. March 14 at her house. Any former students, teachers and friends are all invited to attend — for more information, contact Michelle Sniscak at [email protected].
   The Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center (JCC) will be hosting its 10th Annual Comedy Night featuring Joe Larson, Chris Monty and Linda Belt at 8 p.m. March 14 at the JCC, 775 Talamini Road in Bridgewater. The show is open to the public; admission is $55 per person after March 1. The fee includes the show, snacks and dessert reception. For additional information and to reserve seats, please call the JCC office at 908-725-6994, ext. 201.
Sunday, March 15
   Manville Reformed Church, South Fifth Avenue and Pope Street in Manville, will hold a Hungarian Dinner at noon March 15. The dinner will include homemade chicken soup, chicken paprikas with dumplings, stuffed cabbage, cucumber salad, desert, coffee and tea. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children 6 and up (under 5 years old — free). Take outs available 50-cents extra. Reservations are required for all orders — call 908-575-0173 by March 8th.
Tuesday, March 17
   The Manville Board of Education will have a regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the Alexander Batcho Intermediate School media center.
Wednesday, March 18
   The Manville Recreation Committee will meet at 7 p.m. in the municipal courtroom.
Looking ahead
   The Hillsborough Toastmasters Club will meet at 7:30 p.m. March 19 at Affinity Federal Credit Union in the Hillsborough Promenade.
   Companion Care LLC is sponsoring a free seminar discussing the various options available for financing home health care for seniors from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. March 19 in the large training room at 40 N. Bridge St. (the southeast corner of Bridge and High Streets) in Somerville. Companion Care will briefly discuss the warning signs and types of care available as seniors become increasingly unable to care for themselves. A new mechanism for financing care will be announced. Companion Care LLC is a licensed provider of Home Health Aides and Companions to seniors and the disabled throughout Somerset County. For further information, contact Kelly Ellis, Manager at 908-359-4663, [email protected] or www.ccare.us.
   Professional and Business Singles Network is holding a Welcome Spring Dance and Social from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. March 22 at the Rhythms of the Night nightclub, 729 S. Main St. For information, call 1-888-348-5544, or visit www.PBSNinfo.com.
   The Manville Borough Council will meet at 6:30 p.m. March 23 at the municipal complex.
   Registration for the 4-H Science-sational Day, sponsored by the Somerset County 4-H Youth Development Program, is open until March 24. A complete schedule of 4-H Science-sational Day activities and registration form is available from the Somerset County 4-H office at 908-526-6644 or at the Web site at www.4HisTOPS.org. Advance registration is required. Participants are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and, as usual, registration is likely to be filled before the deadline. Fees are non-refundable. For more information about 4-H Science-sational Day, or the 4-H program in general, contact the county 4-H Office at 908-526-6644 or 231-7000, ext. 7521.
   St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church, 1900 Brooks Blvd., Hillsborough, will sponsor an iconography workshop for adults March 27, 28, 29. The workshop will be presented by Marylyn Barone, a noted Pittsburgh-area iconographer. Those attending the workshop will write an icon on an 8-by-10 gesso covered board. The subject will be the Holy Napkin, an icon that is used throughout the Great Fast (Lent). Using a pre-prepared prototype, participants will learn techniques for faces, garments, gilding and background. The theology of iconography and aspects of Saint Nicholas’ life will be presented. The class will be Friday evening, all day Saturday and Sunday, noon until finishing. There is the opportunity for Saturday Vigil at 4 p.m. or Sunday Liturgy at 8:30 or 11 a.m. The cost of the program is $100, which covers all supplies — a deposit of $25 is required and the class will be limited to 20 people. For further information or an application, call the Rev. Ed Cimbala at 908-725-0615; or Marylyn Barone at 412-491-9927 or [email protected].
   The public is invited to Christ the King Church Prayer and Praise Group’s Healing Mass 2 p.m. March 29 at the church, 211 Louis St. The main celebrant will be the Rev. John Campoli, of His Love Ministries. Refreshments will be served in the church basement after the service. To make arrangements for the church’s hanidcapped-accessible elevator, call 908-231-1330.
   The Manville Board of Education has scheduled a budget hearing for 7:30 p.m. March 31 in the Alexander Batcho Intermediate School media center.
   Christ the King School used clothing collection will be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 4. The school is seeking wearable and usable clothing (Men’s, women’s and children’s), shoes, linens, stuffed animals, oversized children’s toys/gear (including strollers, high chairs, car seats, play yards, bouncers, walkers, swings, small bicycles). Shoes must be bagged separately. The school will receive a donation based on the total weight collected. Put donated items in plastic bags (with the exception of the oversized items) and bring to the rear of the school on the Chestnut Street side. For more information, contact Rhonda Gibbs, of the school’s HSA Social Concerns, at 908-369-1379.
   Registration for 4-H TOPS Camp, a week-long day camp program sponsored by Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Somerset County, is underway. The camp is scheduled for June 29 to July 2, and is open to youth who have completed grades 1 through 6 by June 2009. Camp will be held at the Ted Blum 4-H Center on Milltown Road in Bridgewater. Registration fee is $200 until March 31; $250 beginning April 1. Full and partial scholarships are available to those who qualify. Contact the Somerset County Rutgers Cooperative Extension at 908-526-6644 or visit the Web site at 4HisTOPS.org to obtain information and an application.
   The Spartan Club of Immaculata High School is currently seeking goods, services and/or monetary donations for the Mothers’ Auction held during its annual Fashion Show Luncheon, scheduled for April 4 at the Doubletree Hotel in Somerset. Funds raised are used to support academic programs at the high school. If interested in making a donation, contact Susan O’Donnell at 908-534-6716 or [email protected].
   Register now for the Somerville Family YMCA’s third Hackers Open, the golf outing for non-golfers. This outing will be held at Neshanic Valley 9 Hole Academy Golf Course on May 15. For more information, contact Dan Levitt at 908-722-4567 or go to www.ymcasomersetvalley.org.