By: centraljersey.com
The Mercer County Park Commission will close Baldpate Mountain to all visitors on select days due to the annual deer management project. Those dates are: Dec. 23-24, 29-31; Jan. 1, 5-8, 12-15, 19-22, 26-29 and Feb. 2-5, 9-12. Exact project dates also will be posted on the various gates leading into the area. Note that unauthorized persons entering the area on the above dates not only put themselves at extreme risk, but will also be cited. Questions? Call the Mercer County Park Commission at 989-6559.
Clothing drive
"Baby It’s Cold Outside"- the fourth annual statewide coat, hat, glove and scarf drive being sponsored by the Association of New Jersey Chiropractors, a nonprofit state organization – is being held through today (Dec. 23). Gather unwanted winter gear that is in good condition and share the warmth. The local drop-off site is at Pennington Family Chiropractic, 2554 Pennington Road (located at the Pennington Circle, Route 31 northbound). Items can be dropped off during business hours six days a week, Sunday through Friday.
Leaf collection
Hopewell Township leaf pickup will take place during December. Leave leaves curbside, but not in the street or within 10 feet of any storm drain inlet (per Ordinance No. 05-1356). Those living on Routes 31 and 29 should call Public Works when leaves are ready (537-0250). On county roads, leaves are picked up by the county Road Department (530-7510).
Hopewell leaves
The Hopewell Borough Department of Public Works has announced that leaf collection will conducted in December. Once leaf season begins, brush collection will be suspended until January, when crews return for holiday tree pickup. Call 466-0168 with any questions or concerns.
Straube show
The Straube Center is presenting The Heteroclite Art Show – a show that offers contrast between traditional techniques and unconventional techniques and artwork. The show will run until Dec. 31. Admission is free.
Watch Night service
A New Year’s Eve service (Watch Night service) will be held on Dec. 31 at Second Calvary Baptist Church. The service will run from 10:30 p.m.-midnight. The Rev. Michael Diggs Sr. is the pastor. All are welcome. The church is located on the corner of Columbia and Maple avenues in Hopewell Borough. Call 466-0862 for more information.
After holidays walk-off set
Heres a chance to honor to that New Years Resolution to get more exercise! On Jan. 8, join the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park naturalist and historian for a 5-mile walk on the D & R Canal towpath. Registered participants are asked to meet at the Washington Crossing State Park parking lot, located directly off Route 29 in Titusville, at 1 p.m. (right before the bridge crossing over the Delaware River). Start 2011 off on the right foot and enjoy the beauty of the winter season. Contact the Park Office at 924-5705 to register or visit www.dandrcanal.com/programs.html for further information. This program is free. Inclement weather cancels. Registration is required.
Robotics Team
The Straube Foundation is hosting a Robotics Team, which will meet every Saturday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in room I-19 of building I-108. If interested in robots, this team will make you feel right at home. Beginners are welcome. There is a monthly fee to pay the instructor and maintain the robots. For fee and other information, go to www.straube.com, e-mail [email protected], or call 737-3322.
Kindergarten enrichment
The Hopewell Valley After School Program is accepting registrations for a.m. and p.m. kindergarten enrichment taught by licensed teachers. HVASP is licensed by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families. Enroll for full weeks, part-time weeks or drop-in care for any kindergarten child attending Bear Tavern Elementary, Stony Brook Elementary, Toll Gate Grammar or Hopewell Elementary. For more information, visit: HVASP.com, e-mail at [email protected] or call 730-1311.
Fellowship group
All community children in grades six-eight are invited to TGIF, an outreach ministry of The Pennington United Methodist Church. TGIF meets two Fridays a month from 7-8:30 p.m. as well as additional times for extra activities. Youth from several churches and those with no church affiliation and are from multiple communities are participating in fellowship, community service and exploring their relationships with God. Questions? Call Carla MacGuigan at 818-9281.
Yoga classes
One Spirit Yoga classes has returned to the Hopewell Railroad Station. Classes are Wednesdays at 9 a.m. Bring yoga mat, a water bottle and a willingness to stretch, relax and let go. For questions, call Nancy McCormack at 609-333-1188.
Pennington leaves
In Pennington, leaves no longer have to be bagged. They may be placed at the curb in windrows. Leaves will be picked up once a week until further notice.
Valley chorus
The Hopewell Valley Chorus holds weekly rehearsals, 7:30-9:30 p.m., in the Choral Music Room at the ADA-compliant Hopewell Valley Central High School, 259 Pennington-Titusville Road, Pennington. For information, call 737-7960, visit www.hopewellvalleychorus.org or on Facebook.
Memoir Group
The Memoir Group meets the third Thursday of every month at the Unitarian Universalist Church at Washington Crossing, 268 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, Titusville. Soup and cookies at 12:30 p.m. are followed by shared memoirs. A topic is assigned, but one may write on any topic or just eat and listen. All ages are welcome. Call Howard Bennett at 267-980-6518 for more information.
St. Michael’s mugs
The Hopewell Business Association’s St. Michael’s mugs are available for purchase at Hopewell Pharmacy. The price is $10 per mug. The supply is limited. Proceeds will benefit HBA and the D&R Greenway Land Trust’s St. Michael’s tract preservation efforts.
Hopewell Farmers market
The Hopewell Farmers Market is open Wednesdays from 2-6 p.m. at the Railroad Station, Railroad Place. Shoppers will find Olssons Fine Foods (international cheeses, Griggstown meats, international and local pantry items); Village Bakery (bread, cookies and pastries); North Slope Farm (vegetables and fruits); Highland Gourmet (all-natural beef, fresh mushrooms, homemade baked goods, local honey); WoodsEdge Wool Farm (alpaca and llama fashion); and Guzikowski Eggs (fresh local eggs).
Artists gatherings
Artists gather every Monday night (except the first Monday of the month) to paint and draw from 7:30-9:30. Bring art supplies and a project in mind. Table and chairs provided. This is a free Hopewell Borough recreation program. For information, contact [email protected] or call 466-0277.
Legion Post 339 and auxiliary unit
Hopewell Valley American Legion Post 339 and Auxiliary Unit 339 meetings and events are held now at 16 Seminary Ave., Hopewell Borough. Sal Torre is commander. The unit (auxiliary) president is Joan Garay. For more information, call Joe Kianka, 466-1149.
VFW Post 829
Veterans of Foreign Wars Pennington Post 829 meets the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Hopewell Township Branch, Mercer County Library, next to CHS. All members and those wishing to become members are invited to attend this meeting. For more information, call Bob Peck at 771-4133.
Buy a Brick for walkway
The Hopewell Valley Veterans Association is seeking donations for personalized memorial bricks that will line the walkway at Alliger Park. Veterans and nonveterans are invited to purchase bricks to honor those who served their country. Bricks can be engraved with up to 15 characters per line (three lines total) and can include years of service, rank, and unit etc. Nonveteran and family bricks may include a family’s name and an expression of appreciation. All donations are tax-deductible. For additional information and to fill out an order form online, visit www.HopewellValleyVeterans.org. Order forms also are available at the Hopewell Township Library near the high school, Hopewell Township Municipal Building lobby, and the three local Post Offices, in Pennington, Hopewell, and Titusville.
Hopewell Fire Auxiliary meetings
The Hopewell Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary meets the first Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the firehouse, South Greenwood and Columbia avenues, Hopewell. New members are welcome. Contact Membership Chairwoman Mary Anne Van Doren at 466-3060 for more information.
Hopewell Borough Adopt-a-Flag
The Hopewell Fire Department and Emergency Medical Unit is sponsoring an Adopt-a-Flag program. Residents can purchase an American flag through the department. The flags are used to line Broad Street in Hopewell Borough from Memorial Day through Labor Day. If interested, send a check for $30 to the Hopewell Fire Department, 4-6 Columbia Ave, Hopewell, 08525, with Adopt-a-Flag in the memo section. Questions Call the department at 466-0060, ext. 33.
Adopt-a-Flag for Pennington
Through the Adopt-a-Flag program, Public Works employees assist the Pennington Parks and Recreation Commission every spring and fall by hanging flags in honor of veterans, loved ones and citizens. Donations are being accepted for flags to be displayed within the borough from May to September. Purchases and personal dedications can be made by completing an Adopt-a-Flag form, along with a tax-deductible check of $42, which can be found at Borough Hall or on Facebook.
Camp open houses
Rambling Pines Day Camp will host open houses on Jan. 9 and 23, Feb. 6 and 27, March 13 and 27, April 10, and May 1 from 1-3 p.m. Parents and children are invited to attend the open house, tour the facility and meet some of the staff members. Applications are being accepted for the 2011 summer season. Rambling Pines is located on Route 518 in Hopewell Township. For additional information or a brochure, call 466-1212 or log onto www.ramblingpines.com.
Alzheimer’s support
The Alzheimer’s Association offers support group programs for families and caregivers to come together to learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and discuss their feelings and concerns. For locations and additional information, call 800-883-1180.
Donations wanted
Those who want to help needy people in Africa and Central America while also helping Union Fire Company and Rescue Squad can donate items for Millennium International Textiles at a collection box at the firehouse on Route 29 in Titusville. Needed items include clothing of all types, linens (bed sheets, blankets, curtains and the like), shoes (no winter boots), accessory items such as handbags, belts, baseball caps, wallets, backpacks and travel bags and hard or soft toys smaller than 14 inches in size. Furniture, large items and tires will not be accepted. Pickups of donations are made on a weekly basis. For more information, call 737-1213.