Calendar of Events: July 26 edition

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.
   American Red Cross Blood Drive in Honor of 12-year-old Justin Pritikin of Plumsted: 2 p.m. to 7pm, the Homestead at Mansfield retirement community’s clubhouse, 120 Homestead Drive, Columbus. Appointments preferred. Sign up online at www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code 0229930. Questions? Call Linda Basim (609) 298-4846.
   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.
Sat., Aug. 4
   ”Justin Sanity” Fundraiser: 4 p.m., New Egypt Recreation Field, Brindletown Road, Plumsted. This event, sponsored by New Egypt Recreation Baseball, includes carnival games, home run derby, basketball foul shot competition, inflatable bouncers unisex softball game and a movie in the park at the end of the evening. All donations help pay the hospital bills of 12-year-old Justin Pritikin, of Plumsted, who has acute lymphoblastic leukemia. For more information about the fundraiser, go to www.newegyptbaseball.com. For more information about Justin, go to www.justinsanity.org.
Tues., Aug. 7
   Robbinsville National Night Out: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., public basketball courts behind the Robbinsville Police Headquarters, 1117 Route 130, Robbinsville. A family-friendly community event for township residents featuring free food (hot dogs, watermelon, cotton candy, sno-cones, popcorn, water) music, children’s inflatable slides, petting zoo, pony rides, contests, prizes dunk-tank, dance shows, child-identification fingerprinting, and police and fire demonstrations. For information, call 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.
Tues., Aug. 14
   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.
Sat., Aug. 18
   Free Movie Night “Living with New Jersey Black Bears:” 4 p.m., presented by the Plumsted Environmental Commission, in an air-conditioned room in the Welcome Center, 31 Main St., Plumsted. This 1-hour and 15-minute film is provided by the NJ State Division of Fish and Wildlife and is about bear behavior and what to do when you encounter a bear. No admission charge. (Suggested donation $5 to $10). Free popcorn provided by Party Rentals 4 U. Please RSVP (because seating is limited) online at [email protected] or phone William Lewis at (609) 775-7134.
   Paws for Landon Auction Fundraiser: Doors open 6 p.m., auction starts 7:30 p.m., New Egypt Fire Co., 59 Main St., New Egypt. All proceeds go toward the purchase of a service dog for 2-year-old Landon Clark who has been diagnosed with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and sensory processing disorder. Admission: $7 includes one sheet of tickets and light refreshments. For more information, call Kim Robbins 609-947-9883.
   Millstone Battle of the Bands: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Millstone Performing Arts Center, Millstone Middle School, Millstone. Ten to 15 bands will compete for the chance to be seen by professional judges who can advance their careers. Emceed by NJ 101.5 radio personality Steve Trevelise. For more information, contact Barbara Schulze 732-786-0950, ext. 70003 or email [email protected]
Sat., Sept. 15
   New Jersey Wild Outdoor Expo: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area, Jackson. Free family fun. Exhibits, seminars, and hands-on opportunities to learn outdoor skills and activities including fishing, hiking, shooting sports, kayaking, camping skills, rock climbing, wildlife watching and much more. For more information visit, wildoutdoorexpo.com.
Sun., Sept. 16
   New Jersey Wild Outdoor Expo: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area, Jackson. Free family fun. Exhibits, seminars, and hands-on opportunities to learn outdoor skills and activities including fishing, hiking, shooting sports, kayaking, camping skills, rock climbing, wildlife watching and much more. For more information visit, wildoutdoorexpo.com.
Sun., Sept. 23
   Millstone Township Day: 12 noon to 5 p.m., Frogbridge Day Camp, 7 Yellow Meeting House Road, Millstone. Held rain or shine. Food, music and fun activities including volleyball, basketball, tennis, mini-golf, boating, fishing, swimming, bake sales and more. All recreational equipment provided except fishing poles. For more information, call the township recreation office at 732-917-2954.
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.
   Short e-mail submissions are preferred. Information in typed sentence format will be given priority as opposed to fliers and handwritten material. Releases must include time, date, location, full street addresses and admission fee, if applicable. Submission of an item does not guarantee publication.