Community Calendar: July 12 edition

Thurs., July 12
   Make Balloon Animals: 2 p.m., Plumsted branch of the Ocean County Library System, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. In this hands-on workshop with Debby Pease, children ages 7 to 10 will learn how to make balloon animals. To register go online to www.theoceancountylibrary.org or call 609-758-7888.
   Lego Club: 3:30 p.m., Plumsted branch of the Ocean County Library System, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. Come to the library for some Lego fun time. Pre-register online at www.theoceancountylibrary.org or call 609-758-7888.
   Meet Boomer: 4 p.m., Allentown Public Library, 16 So. Main St., Allentown. Say hello to the Trenton Thunder’s mascot, Boomer; enjoy games, activities and prizes. Pre-registration required. Call the library at 609-259-7565.
   Freedom Fest State Fair: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Horse Park of New Jersey, 626 Route 524 (Exit 11 off I-195), Upper Freehold Township. Rides, live concerts, huge carnival midway, contests, agricultural exhibits and more. For information, go online to http://freedomfeststatefair.com.
   Create Dream Dolls: 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Allentown Public Library, 16 So. Main St., Allentown. Sew personalized Dream Doll sachets, decorate with your special objects or ours, basic hand-sewing skills required for this activity. For grade 6 and up. Pre-registration required. Call the library at 609-259-7565.
   ”Starlab” with Pearl Observatory: 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. (two sessions); Robbinsville branch of the Mercer County Library, 42 Robbinsville-Allentown Road. Learn how to locate planets, stars, constellations and more in this portable planetarium. For children ages 6 and up. Online registration required at www.mcl.org. Questions? Call the library at 609-259-2150.
Fri., July 13
   Creatures of the Night: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Robbinsville branch of the Mercer County library, 42 Robbinsville-Allentown Road. Drop in and create a creature of the night with the materials provided. For children of all ages. Pre-registration is NOT required. Questions? Call the library at 609-259-2150.
   Parachute Play: 10:30 a.m., Plumsted branch of the Ocean County Library System, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. Join Miss Lauren for this fun program consisting of parachute play, music, and activities with a caregiver. For ages 3 to 6. Register online at www.theoceancountylibrary.org or call 609-758-7888.
   Freedom Fest State Fair: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Horse Park of New Jersey, 626 Route 524 (Exit 11 off I-195), Upper Freehold Township. Rides, live concerts, huge carnival midway, contests, agricultural exhibits and more. Fireworks on Friday night. For information, go online to http://freedomfeststatefair.com.
Sat., July 14
   Freedom Fest State Fair: 12 noon to 11 p.m., Horse Park of New Jersey, 626 Route 524 (Exit 11 off I-195), Upper Freehold Township. Rides, live concerts, huge carnival midway, contests, agricultural exhibits and more. For information, go online to http://freedomfeststatefair.com.
Sun., July 15
   Freedom Fest State Fair: 12 noon to 10 p.m., Horse Park of New Jersey, 626 Route 524 (Exit 11 off I-195), Upper Freehold Township. Rides, live concerts, huge carnival midway, contests, agricultural exhibits and more. For information, go online to http://freedomfeststatefair.com.
Mon., July 16
   Big Kids/Little Kids Storytime “Dreams”: 2 p.m., Plumsted branch of the Ocean County Library System, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. Join our teen volunteers for stories and a craft about dreams. For ages 3 to 8. Registration required online at www.theoceancountylibrary.org or call 609-758-7888.
Tues., July 17
   Toddler Time: 10:30 a.m., Plumsted branch of the Ocean County Library System, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. Toddlers ages 18-36 months and their caregivers are welcome to join Miss Melissa for stories, songs, and play. To register, go online to www.theoceancountylibrary.org or call the library at 609-758-7888.
   ”Stellar Space” with Mad Science: 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. (two sessions), Robbinsville branch of the Mercer County Library, 42 Robbinsville-Allentown Road. Learn about Earth, the sun and moon, and all the planets in our solar system. We’ll even take a pretend trip to the moon where we’ll collect moon rocks and take a moonwalk just like real astronauts! For children ages 4 to 6. Online registration required at www.mcl.org beginning July 3.
   Outdoor Summer Concert: 7 p.m., at the bandstand at Town Center Lake, Lake Drive, Robbinsville. Limited Slip will perform rock hits. Free. Bring a blanket or lawnchair. Rain date is the next evening. For information, call 918-0002.
Wed., July 18
   Big Kids/Little Kids Storytime “Stars”: 2 p.m., Plumsted branch of the Ocean County Library System, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. Join our teen volunteers for stories and crafts about stars. For ages 3 to 8. Register online at www.theoceancountylibrary.org or call 609-758-7888.
   Blast Off: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Robbinsville branch of the Mercer County Library, 42 Robbinsville-Allentown Road. Drop in for games and crafts. Light snacks will be served. Open to children of all ages. Registration is NOT required. Questions? Call the library at 609-259-2150.
   Tales from Beyond: 7 p.m., Plumsted branch of the Ocean County Library System, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. See strange artifacts, learn about mentalist powers, and hear stories of unbelievable events. Part pseudo-psychometry, part mystic mentalism part bizarre storytelling, and part just plan all-out creepy fun. For ages 11 and up. To register go online to wwww.theoceancountylibrary.org or call 609-758-7888.
Thurs., July 19
   Space Exploring Fun: 2 p.m., Plumsted branch of the Ocean County Library System, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. Join us for stories and more about exploring space. For ages 4 to 10. To register, go online to www.theoceancountylibrary.org or call 609-758-7788.
   Visit with the Authors of the Deadtime Stories: 7 p.m., Robbinsville branch of the Mercer County Library System, 42 Robbinsville-Allentown Road. Come meet Gina and Annette Cascone, authors of the Deadtime series. Learn about the writing process from the initial concept to a finished book, and then from book to film. Watch scenes from their movie “Grave Secrets.” For children ages 6 and up. Online registration begins July 5 at www.mcl.org. Questions? Call the library at 609-259-2150.
Fri., July 20
   What Knott Farm Traveling Petting Zoo: 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Robbinsville branch of the Mercer County Library System, 42 Robbinsville-Allentown Road. Come see and pet a variety of live animals. In case of inclement weather, two indoor animal shows will be presented. Space will be limited and attendees will be taken on a first-come first-served basis. For children of all ages. Registration is NOT required. Questions? Call the library at 609-259-2150.
   Paws for Reading: 10:30 a.m., Plumsted branch of the Ocean County Library System, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. Children age 5 and up practice reading with trained guide therapy dogs. Registration required at www.theoceancountylibrary.org or call 609-758-7788.
Mon., July 23
   Nocturnal by Nature: 7 p.m., Plumsted branch of the Ocean County Library System, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. Live animal show featuring nocturnal animals such as the skunk, porcupine, and fox. Topics discussed will include habitats, communication, behaviors and animal survival techniques. For ages 5 and up. Registration required, beginning July 9. Go online to www.theoceancountylibrary.org or call 609-758-7788.
Tues., July 24
   Big Kid/Little Kid Storytime “Up All Night”: 10:30 a.m., Plumsted branch of the Ocean County Library System, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. Join our teen volunteers for stories and a craft about being up all night. Ages 3 to 8. Registration required and begins July 9. Go online to www.theoceancountylibrary.org or call 609-758-7788.
   Lego Club: 3:30 p.m., Plumsted branch of the Ocean County Library System, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. Register online at www.theoceancountylibrary.org or call 609-758-7788.
   Annual Meeting of The Cream Ridge Cemetery Association: 6:30 p.m., Pasquales 3 Brothers Italian Restaurant, 776 Route 537 (Monmouth Road), Cream Ridge. All lot owners are invited to attend. For more information, call Janette Robbins at 609-758-8663.
   Outdoor Summer Concert: 7 p.m., bandstand at Town Center Lake, Lake Drive, Robbinsville. Honey Spot Boulevard will perform original and cover music with a snappy and funky twist. Free. Bring a blanket or lawnchair. Rain date is the next evening. For more information call 918-0002.
Wed., July 25
   ”Creative Jewelry” Teen Night: 7 p.m., Robbinsville branch of the Mercer County Library System, 42 Robbinsville-Allentown Road. Registration required online at www.mcl.org. Questions? Call the library at 609-259-2150.
   Stuffed Animal Sleepover: 7 p.m., Plumsted branch of the Ocean County Library System, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. Bring your stuffed animal to storytime and let your friend sleep over in the library. Registration required beginning July 9 at www.theoceancountylibrary.org or call 609-758-7788.
Thurs., July 26
   Crafty Kids: Make Your Own Telescope: 1:30 p.m., Plumsted branch of the Ocean County Library System, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. Join us as we make a telescope craft. Ages 4-10. Registration required and begins July 9 at www.theoceancountylibrary.org or call 609-758-7788.
   The Magic of Ferris the Great: 7 p.m., Robbinsville branch of the Mercer County Library System, 42 Robbinsville-Allentown Road. Be amazed as “Ferris the Great” reveals magical mysteries. For children ages 6 and up. Online registration required at www.mcl.org beginning July 12. Questions? Call 609-259-2150.
Fri., July 27
   Toddler Tunes: 10:30 a.m., Robbinsville branch of the Mercer County Library System, 42 Robbinsville-Allentown Road. A music program is for children of all ages accompanied by an adult. Online registration required at www.mcl.org beginning July 13. Questions? Call the library at 609-259-2150.
   Big Kid/Little Kid Storytime “The Olympics Are Here!”: 10:30 a.m., Plumsted branch of the Ocean County Library System, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. Join our teen storytime volunteers for stories and a craft about the Olympics. For ages 3-8. Registration required and begins July 9 at www.theoceancountylibrary.org or call 609-758-7788.
Sun., July 29
   Ole Yellow Meeting House & Upper Freehold Baptist Church Annual Reunion and Worship Service: 10 a.m. continental breakfast followed by 11 a.m. worship service, 70 Yellow Meeting House Road, Upper Freehold Township. All are welcome to attend. For further information, contact Bill Wentzein at 609-259-2534 or the Rev. F. Staton Bentley at 609-581-8789.
Mon., July 30
   Upcycled Craft Club for Teens and Tweens: 4 p.m., Plumsted branch of the Ocean County Library System, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. Join us as we make a new craft from reused materials. To register, go online at www.theoceancountylibrary.org or call 609-758-7788.
Tues., July 31
   Toddle on Over: 10:30 a.m., Plumsted branch of the Ocean County Library System, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. Toddlers ages 18-36 months and their caregivers are welcome to join Miss Melissa for stories, songs, and play. Register online beginning July 16 at www.theoceancountylibrary.org or call 609-758-7788.
   Big Kids/Little Kids Storytime “Lightning Bugs”: 2 p.m., Plumsted branch of the Ocean County Library System, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. Join our teen volunteers for stories and a craft about lightning bugs. For ages 3-8. Registration required beginning July 16 at www.theoceancountylibrary.org or call 609-758-7788.
   Outdoor Summer Concert: 7 p.m., bandstand at Town Center Lake, Lake Drive, Robbinsville. Billy Walton band will play a mix of rockin’ blues. Free. Bring a blanket or lawnchair. For more information, call 918-0002.
Wed., Aug. 1
   Nocturnal Animals with Eyes of the Wild: 7 p.m., Robbinsville branch of the Mercer County Library, 42 Robbinsville-Allentown Road. Learn about the habits of nocturnal animals. Please note this program includes live animals. For children ages 6 and up. Online registration is required at www.mcl.org beginning July 18.
Thurs., Aug. 2
   ”A Taste of Songwriting” Teen Night: 7 p.m., Robbinsville branch of the Mercer County Library System, 42 Robbinsville-Allentown Road. Registration required online at www.mcl.org. Questions? Call the library at 609-259-2150.
Tues., Aug. 7
   Outdoor Summer Concert: 7 p.m., bandstand by the lake in Town Center, Lake Drive, Robbinsville. The band No Way Out will perform pop and rock hits. Rain date is the next night. For information, call 609-918-0002.
Wed., Aug. 8
   ”Fun with Fine Art” Teen Night: 7 p.m., Robbinsville branch of the Mercer County Library System, 42 Robbinsville-Allentown Road. Registration required online at www.mcl.org. Questions? Call the library at 609-259-2150.
Sat., Aug. 11
   Celtic Music Concert: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Ole Yellow Meeting House, 70 Yellow Meeting House Road, Upper Freehold. Charlie Zahm, one of the most popular balladeers of Early American and Celtic music, will be performing with renowned fiddler Tad Marks. All are invited to come at 6 p.m. and bring a picnic for an Early-American type social evening. For further information, contact Bill Wentzein at 609-259-2534 or the Rev. F. Staton Bentley at 609-581-8789.
Continuing events
   Books Wanted: The Friends of the Plumsted Township Library is collecting gently used books for its book sale in November. Donate fiction, nonfiction, large print, children’s books, CDs, DVDs, audio books and puzzles. No videotapes, Readers Digest condensed books, magazines, or encyclopedias. Drop off between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month — May 5, June 2, July 7, Aug. 4, Sept. 1, and Oct. 6 — at the Plumsted Library, 119 Evergreen Road. Do not leave items if no one is present. For more information, call 609-758-0009 or 732-580-5600 or e-mail [email protected].
   Storytime at the Allentown Library: Stories, songs and fun activities every Thursday, 16 So. Main St., Allentown. Family storytime for all ages is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; preschool storytime for ages 3½ to 5 years is from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Pre-registration required. Call the library at 609-259-7565.
   The Robbinsville Municipal Alliance against Alcoholism and Drug Abuse works to combat substance abuse through education and by creating a forum for shared ideas among the many hands of government that touch lives affected by drugs or alcohol. Meetings are held at 7 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at 1 Washington Blvd., Robbinsville. For information, e-mail Shaina Ciaccio at [email protected].
   Weekly senior games: Plumsted Senior Outreach Services, Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Plumsted Municipal Building lower level via elevator, 121 Evergreen Road, Plumsted. Play a different game every week including Scrabble, bingo, board and card games and dominoes. For further information, call 609-758-2241, ext. 111, and leave message.
   Mid-day Toastmasters Club: 11:30 a.m., second and fourth Tuesdays each month at Robbinsville Branch of the Mercer County Library System, 42 Allentown-Robbinsville Road., Robbinsville. For information, contact Jim Samuel at [email protected].
   Good Neighbor Fund: assists area residents with emergency needs such as utility, rent and medical bills. To make donation, mail check payable to the Good Neighbor Fund in care of Allentown Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 122, Allentown, 08501.
   Plumsted TNR Committee: 7-10 a.m., Plumsted Trap, Neuter and Return Committee every Sunday at the New Egypt Flea Market, 933 Route 536, New Egypt.
   MOMS Club of Upper Freehold/Allentown: first Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Allentown Presbyterian Church, 20 High St.; for information, contact Barbara Nissinger or Jen Domen at [email protected].
   Millstone MOMS: 10 a.m., MOMS Club of Millstone Township, second Thursday of each month; for information, contact Melanie Sullivan at 732-851-5559 or [email protected] or www.millstone.nj.us/Moms_Club.html.
   Discussing books: 6:30 p.m., Plumsted branch of the Ocean County Library, first Wednesday of the month; registration can be done in person, by phone at 609-758-7888 or online at www.theoceancountylibrary.org.
Community events, meeting notices, public announcements and other items of local interest appear regularly in this column at no charge. Send to [email protected] or Community Calendar, in care of The Messenger-Press, P.O. Box 350, Princeton, New Jersey, 08542, or fax to 609-921-2714.
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