Community calendar for Oct. 22

   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. 2163.
Ongoing
   Fucillo & Warren Funeral Home, 205 S. Main St., is proud to be the area drop off point for the United States Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted. A marked box will be placed inside the rear door of the funeral home ( marked “flower room”) for all donations. The door is open during normal business hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, for drop off. Additionally, access will be available if there are any evening or weekend viewings. Feel free to call with any questions about the program or drop off times, 908-725-1763, or visit the Web site at www.FucilloandWarrenFuneralHome.com.
   Duke Farms is offering a program for orchid enthusiasts and those who would like to learn more about them — “The Majestic Orchid” — 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 24; Nov. 5, 14, 19; and Dec. 3, 12 and 17. Participants will learn about the history and care of orchids, the special features of certain varieties, lighting requirements and how to encourage re-blooming. They also will have an opportunity to go behind the scenes and to view some of the more than 1,300 orchid varieties at Duke Farms. The cost for this three-hour program is $45 and includes an orchid plant. Space is limited and advance registration is required at www.dukefarms.org or by calling 908-722-3700 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
   The Somerset Valley Players will hold its second annual Food Drive to benefit the Hillsborough Food Bank during upcoming performances of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” Oct. 30 – Nov. 15. Non-perishable food items will be collected at each of the performances. For more information, visit the Web site at www.svptheatre.org for tickets and general information.
Friday, Oct. 23
   Christ the King School will hold a Scrapbook Night 6 p.m.-11:30 p.m. The $10 requested donation includes 4-foot crop space, soda, water, coffee and tea. Call 908-725-7105 to reserve your space. Christ the King School is located at 99 13th Avenue.
   The Somerville Knights of Columbus Council no. 1432 100th Anniversary Centennial Charity Ball will be held from 7 p.m. to midnight at the Bridgewater Marriott at 700 Commons Way in Bridgewater. Proceeds from the evening’s event will benefit The Organization for Autism Research. Tickets for this Charity Ball are open to the general public and can be purchased for $100 each from Tom Russell at 908-722-8299, or e-mail to [email protected]. The ticket cost (which is partially tax deductible) includes a cocktail hour, dinner, dancing and open bar.
Saturday, Oct. 24
   The Manville Education Association clothing drive will be held 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the gym parking lot at Manville High School. Acceptable donations include clean usable clothing, shoes, handbags, belts, linens (such as towels, sheets and drapes), stuffed animals and small bicycles; also baby items, such as strollers, play sets, acr seats, high chairs, walkers and hard plastic toys. Donated items should be placed in tightly tied plastic bags and will be sent to Europe by The Fashion Republic Co. All proceeds from the event go to scholarships for deserving seniors. For more information, call Carolyn Rogus at 908-231-8521, or by e-mail to [email protected].
   The Giving Network will host a tricky tray (basket auction) at the Manville VFW, 600 Washington Ave. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.;drawing begins at 7:45. Each $15 admission includes a sheet of tickets and refreshments. Attendees will find unique and creative baskets to win, each with a value of at least $25. Additional tickets, as well as tickets for the 50/50 drawing and “higher-end” prizes, will also be available for purchase. Attendees must be 18 years or older. For more information, call 908-927-0601 or visit http://givingnetwork.bravehost.com.
   A car wash benefiting Bridges To Employment, a division of Alternatives, Inc., for career-related services for people with disabilities, will be held 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 600 First Ave. in Raritan.
   DeMuro Associates, 24 W. Cliff St. in Somerville, will present its ninth annual Haunted House 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 24 and 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 25. Proceeds from the event will benefit Somerset County United Way. Admission is $4, but kids under 6 are free when accompanied by an adult.
Looking ahead
   The Hillsborough Family YMCA and Somerville Family YMCA will host Halloween parties from 7 – 9 p.m. Oct. 30. This annual event has proven to be a special night for all attendees — children and adults are encouraged to wear a costume and come ready to have an evening packed full of fun. Planned activities at both branches include a DJ, games, crafts, snacks with a haunted forest at the Hillsborough Family YMCA (weather permitting); both events are free and open to the public. For more information, call the Hillsborough Family YMCA at 908-369-0490.
   A basket auction to raise funds for Autism Speak will be held at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Bridgewater Marriott, Bridgewater. Admission is $15 and must be purchased by Oct. 26 — no admission will be sold at the door. For more information, call 908-369-8501, [email protected] or trickytray.com
   Children ages 4 – 10 are invited to attend Bible Heroes Night, an alternative Halloween event to be held at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 34 S. Third Ave., from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., Oct. 31. Attendees will have fun while they learn about six heroes from the Bible through interactive games and skits. The program is free of charge and treats will be given. For additional information, call the church office at 908-725-4522 or visit www.emmanuel-baptist-church.com.
   Join the Manville-Hillsborough Elks Lodge for its third annual Halloween party Oct. 31 to benefit Community Hope of New Jersey. This event will feature live music by the Hit N Run Band, costume contest, door prizes and munchies. A cash bar also will be available. Tickets are $25 if purchased before the event; $30 the day of the event. To purchase tickets or for more information, call 908-370-3941 or 908-420-0868. Or e-mail [email protected] or visit www.bpoe2119mc.com for more information.
   Come to the Food Fest of Manville, sponsored by the Manville First Aid and Rescue Squad Auxiliary and enjoy gourmet food from area restaurants, while helping benefit the first aid and rescue squad, 5 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Veterans of Foreign Wars post. Tickets are $25, and are available by calling Thelma (908-722-9079) or Betty (908-725-3694); a limited number of tickets will be sold at the door. The event will include free door prizes.
   Manville Dental Group LLC will hold its annual Halloween candy buy-back 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 2 and Nov. 2, offering $1 per pound of candy brought to the dental office at 7 Washington Ave. Donated candy will be donated to Operation Shoebox, to be sent to U.S. troops overseas. Candy must be unopened. For more information, visit Manville Dental Group LLC online at www.manvilledentalgroup.com.
   The Polish National Catholic Church of the Holy Trinity and Saint Joseph, in Linden, will hold a potato pancake dinner noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 1, in the parish center at 407 Ziegler Ave. in Linden. In addition to homemade potato pancakes, the dinner will feature homemade soup, dessert and a beverage. Cost of the sit down dinner will be $7; take-out orders are available at $8 per dinner. Reservations for sit in dinners and take out orders are encouraged and can be made by calling 908-925-6537.
   Manville Dental Group LLC, 7 Washington Ave., will hold a candy buy back 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 2 and Nov. 3. Children 2 to 12 years-old will receive $1 for each pound of candy submitted. For any questions, call Marketing Director Nicole Kurz at 908-722-6500.
   The Manville Democratic Committee meets at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month ( the next meeting will be Nov. 5), in the Veterans of Foreign Wars annex room. Anyone interested in joining the Manville Democratic Committee is welcome; residents can also pick up party declaration and voter registration forms. For additional information, visit the Web site at www.manillenjdems.org.
   A Polish dinner sponsored by the Manville Exempt Fireman’s Association will be held from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 7 at Manville Fire Company No. 1, South 3rd Avenue. The menu will feature homemade kielbasa and sauerkraut, stuffed cabbage, pierogis, cabbage and noodles, soda, coffee and dessert. Cost is $10. Eat in, or takeout available. Call 908-526-0439 or e-mail [email protected] for more information.
   Vendors are needed for an indoor flea market sponsored by Hillsborough Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 Ladies Auxiliary, Flagtown, on Nov. 7 at the Hillsborough municipal building. For reservations, call Gail at 908-369-4811.
   The next meeting of the Manville Borough Council will be held at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9 in the municipal courtroom.
   St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church on Brooks Boulevard will hold a Slavic dinner from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 11 in the church parish center. The cost is $11 for adults; $5 for children 8 and younger. Dinner includes all-you-can-eat pirohi, stuffed cabbage, kielbasa and sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, salad, dessert and beverage. For information, call 908-725-0615.
   The Hillsborough Wine Festival will offer local aficionados a chance to enjoy tasting fine wines and sampling gourmet food while being serenaded by live music at Temple Beth-El, starting at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14. More than 30 wines will be presented by Petrock’s Liquors and hors d’oeuvres will be served from several area caterers, including The Martinsville Inn in Martinsville, Signature Creations in Linden and more. Tickets for the event are $50 per person and can be purchased by calling 908-722-0674. Free babysitting service is also available with advanced registration by Nov. 1st. The proceeds will benefit the Temple Beth-El School Scholarships.
   Hillsborough Family YMCA and NETA, a non-profit fitness professional association, are sponsoring workshops for personal trainer certification, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 14 and 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Nov. 15. Anyone interested in registering should call NETA directly at 1-800-237-6242 or online at www.netafit.org. If you need any additional information, contact Susan Leacy (leave a message at the Hillsborough Family YMCA 908-369-0490).