Thurs., Sept. 27
Flu Clinic: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., hosted by Monmouth County Health Department at the Millstone Community Center, Route 524, Millstone. Flu vaccine is available for anyone over 6 months old. Cost is free with Medicare B. Other insurances accepted include Aetna, CIGNA, Coventry, Humana, UMWA and United Health Care. All others $25 cash or check. (Receipt will be given to submit to insurer).
Read to a Therapy Dog: 4 p.m., Allentown Public Library, 16 So. Main Street. Trained therapy dogs from Therapy Dogs International will listen to children practicing their reading skills. Open to youngsters in first grade and up. Registration required. Call the library at 609-259-7565.
College Funding: 7 p.m., Robbinsville Branch, Mercer County Library System, 42 Robbinsville-Allentown Road. Learn about the often complex process of college funding, proper financial planning, incorporating your child’s needs and desires, and the significance of the Expected Family Contribution. Presented by Innovative College Funding Solutions, LLC. Registration required. To register, call the library at 609-259-2150.
Fri., Sept. 28
Toddler Tunes: 10:30 a.m., Robbinsville Branch, Mercer County Library System, 42 Robbinsville-Allentown Road. This music program is for children of all ages accompanied by an adult. Online registration begins Sept. 14 at www.mcl.org by clicking on “Programs/Events.” Questions? Call 609-259-2150.
Sat., Sept. 29
Monmouth County Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Day: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., county garage, Route 539, Upper Freehold. Accepted items include: pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, solvents, thinners, corrosives, cleaners, pool chemicals, oil paints, varnishes, aerosol cans, used motor oil, antifreeze, gasoline, batteries (rechargeable, button or automotive) and propane barbecue tanks. For further information call 732-431-7456 or 732-431-4788.
Sun., Sept. 30
Western Monmouth County Panhandle Democrats’ Picnic and Fundraising Auction: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Earth Friendly Organic Farm, 17 Olde Noah Hunt Road, Clarksburg (Millstone Township). Members of a newly formed group of Democratic organizations in the panhandle towns of Allentown, Millstone, Roosevelt and Upper Freehold are holding their first picnic/fundraiser. Enjoy games, music and camaraderie along with burgers, hot dogs and beverages. Bring chairs and potluck dish to share if you like, as well as new or gently used times to auction. Free event, but donations gratefully accepted. RSVP required for organizers’ planning purposes. Contact [email protected] or call Roz at 609-259-9744.
Tues., Oct. 2
Girl Scout Open House: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Pinky Toes Party Palace, 2350 Route 33 #B-109 (next to Maggie Moo’s), Robbinsville. Girls in K-12 living in Robbinsville, Allentown and Upper Freehold are invited to come learn more about the fantastic opportunities in Girl Scouting. If you would like more information, but cannot attend the open house, email [email protected].
Thurs., Oct. 4
Blessing of the Animals: 5 p.m., to 7p.m. NorthStar VETS, 315 Robbinsville-Allentown Road, Robbinsville. All are welcome with their pets for a special St. Francis of Assisi feast day blessing that will be given by the Rev. Stephen Heinzel-Nelson, pastor of the Allentown Presbyterian Church. RSVP to [email protected] or call NorthStar VETS at 609-259-8300 ext. 1153.
Girl Scout Open House: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Allentown Library, 16 So. Main St., Allentown. Girls in K-12 living in Robbinsville, Allentown and Upper Freehold are invited to come learn more about the fantastic opportunities in Girl Scouting. If you would like more information, but cannot attend the open house, email [email protected].
Fri., Oct. 5
Send Hunger Packing Food Drive: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Shop-Rite Route 33, Hamilton. The Robbinsville-Hamilton Rotary Club will be collecting food items for the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank’s school kids backpack program. For further information, call Scott at 609-439-3933.
Sat., Oct. 6
Books wanted: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Plumsted Township Library, 119 Evergreen Road, Plumsted. The Friends of the Plumsted Township Library is collecting gently used books for its November book sale. Donate fiction, nonfiction, large print, children’s books, CDs, DVDs, audio books and puzzles. (No videotapes, Readers Digest condensed books, magazines, or encyclopedias.) Do not leave items if no one is present. For more information, call 609-758-0009 or 732-580-5600 or email [email protected].
Oktoberfest at the Horse Park of NJ: 4:30 p.m., 626 Route 524, Upper Freehold. Quoits tournament, authentic Oktoberfest foods, best of “Jersey Fresh” products, wineries, breweries; live music; blacksmithing competition with auction; Dachshund dessert dash, and more. Tickets: $40 in advance and $45 at the door. For further information, go online to www.horseparkofnewjersey.com.
Sun., Oct. 7
Rotary “Woof” Walk: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Town Center Gazebo, Lake Drive, Robbinsville. Festivities (rain or shine) include a 1.5-mile walk for humans and canine companions, music, canine contests, and refreshments sponsored by the Robbinsville-Hamilton Sunrise Rotary Club. Proceeds benefit Robbinsville Police K-9 unit, People for Animals, and a Rotary fund to renovate Megan’s Place park in Hamilton. Pre-register for walk by Oct. 1 for $10 per animal; $15 on Woof Walk Day. All dogs must be well mannered, on leash, and have proof of current rabies vaccination. For further information, call Donna at 609-658-6494.
Wed., Oct., 10
Flu Shot Clinic: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Upper Freehold Municipal Building, 314 Route 539, Upper Freehold. Cost: $20 for residents under 65; those over 65 please bring Medicare card. Ann Ervin, RPH of Village Pharmacy will also be on hand to discuss flu vaccinations and any concerns you may have about yourmedications. For more information, contact 609-758-7738 ext. 224.
Sat., Oct. 13
Tomm May 19th Annual 5K Run: Tantum Park, 280 Meadowbrook Road, Robbinsville. Registration begins 8:30 a.m.; 5K begins at 10 a.m.; Nature Trail Fun Walk and Kids Run begins at 10:15 a.m. Free T-shirts to pre-registered entrants. Registration fees help maintain the Thomas J. May Nature Trail named for the late Tomm May, who was a Robbinsville resident and committed environmentalist. For further information and to register go online to www.raceforum.com/Tomm-May/.
Allentown Fall Festival: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., downtown Allentown. A two-day event sponsored by the Allentown Business Community Association featuring live music, food, children’s activities, Civil War re-enactments and scores of crafters, artisans and vendors. Admission and parking (at the high school) is free. For further information, or to request a vendor application, go the ABCA website AllentownNJ.com, or email [email protected].
Bus trip to Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, New York City: 9 a.m., sponsored by the Plumsted Township Republican Club. Price includes round-trip bus fare, admission to the newly opened space shuttle pavilion and driver gratuity. (Lunch is not included). Bus leaves 9 a.m. from New Egypt High School, Evergreen Road, and returns at 5 p.m. Cost is $50 for adults; $47 for seniors 62 and older, college students and 7 to 17-year-olds; $40 for 3- to 6-year-olds and $30 for active members of the military. Email [email protected].
Sun., Oct. 14
Allentown Fall Festival: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., downtown Allentown. A two-day event sponsored by the Allentown Business Community Association featuring live music, food, children’s activities, Civil War re-enactments and scores of crafters, artisans and vendors. Admission and parking (at the high school) is free. For further information, or to request a vendor application, go the ABCA website AllentownNJ.com, or email [email protected].
2nd Annual Millstone Movie Day: 1 p.m., Millstone Center for the Performing Arts, Millstone Middle School, 5 Dawson Court, Millstone. Pre-movie children’s activities include carnival games, Halloween-themed crafts and games, face painting and tattoos followed by a family friendly movie at 2:30 p.m. Cost: $5 donation in advance, $6 at the door. For more information and to order tickets, go online to www.mtfee.org.
Designer Handbag Bingo and Gift Auction: doors open 6 p.m.; bingo begins at 7 p.m.; Robbinsville High School, 155 Robbinsville-Edinburg Road. Sponsored by the Robbinsville Irish Heritage Association and proceeds support 2013 St. Patrick’s Day parade. Cost: $25 and includes one card per game (16 games), door prize raffle ticket, coffee and dessert. No one under 18 admitted. Outside food permitted; no alcoholic beverages. For tickets or questions, contact Kathleen Sturgeon at 609-259-3776 or email [email protected].
Wed., Oct. 17
MOMS Club of Robbinsville Open House: 10:30 a.m., Tantum Park, Meadowbrook Road, Robbinsville. Come learn more about this support group for at-home Robbinsville mothers or moms who work part-time and are looking for opportunities to make friends, share experiences in raising children, and give back to the community. For more information, go online to www.momsclubofrobbinsvilleeast.org.
Thurs., Oct. 18
Robbinsville Flu Clinic: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Township Senior Center, 1117 Route 130, Robbinsville. Free for Robbinsville residents over the age of 55. Pre-registration is required. Call 609-259-1567 to register. Please wear short-sleeve or loose fitting clothing on the day of the clinic.
Fri., Oct. 19
”Pink Out” for Breast Cancer Awareness Football Game: 7 p.m., Robbinsville High School, 155 Robbinsville-Edinburg Road. Attend the RHS vs. Ewing High School football game and help raise funds for The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. All fans are asked to wear pink. RHS students will be selling pink T-shirts and pink ribbons and donating proceeds to the foundation. For more information, contact [email protected].
Sun., Oct. 21
Annual All-You-Can-Eat Turkey Dinner: doors open 12 noon to 6 p.m., Hope Fire Company, Route 524, Upper Freehold. Sit-down dinners are $19; take-out dinners are $20. Proceeds benefit the Hope Fire Company serving Allentown and Upper Freehold since 1818. For further information, call 609-259-7200.
Thurs., Oct. 25
Allentown Garden Club Meeting: 7 p.m., Allentown United Methodist Church, 23 Church St., (next to LaPiazza), Allentown. Dr. Catherine Folio, a professor at Brookdale Community College, will speak about “Hardy Terrestrial Orchids and Wildflowers,” and introduce us to wild orchids found in New Jersey. All are welcome. For more details, go online to www.AllentownGardenClub.net or contact club president Terry Brown at 609-259-0334.
Sat., Oct. 27
Pampered Chef Fundraiser for After-School Homework Club: 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Millstone Township Community Center, 463 Stagecoach Road, Millstone. All proceeds help provide sessions for the After-School Homework Club sponsored by the Municipal Drug Alliance for over 20 years. For more information, call 732-462-4770 ext. 40.
Plumsted Fall Festival: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., North Main Street & Main Street, Plumsted. Children’s face painting, pony rides, inflatables and wagon rides as well as great food, music and lots of vendors. A family event sponsored by Main Street New Egypt and Plumsted Township. Admission is free, but a $6 per child wristband is required for unlimited children’s activities. For vendor or general information, contact Peter Ylvisaker at Main Street New Egypt at 609-758-7539, ext. 132 or email him at [email protected].
Sun., Oct. 28
Expo Friendship: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Robbinsville High School, 155 Robbinsville-Edinburg Road, Robbinsville. Sponsored by the Friendship Circle of Greater Mercer County, which provides support, assistance and resources to individuals and families with special needs. Day includes speakers on long-term planning for special needs kids, advocacy for special needs schoolchildren, concert performance by an autistic adult and his father, a simulation on dyslexia, and more. A fun center will entertain children so parents can attend programs. For further information, or to volunteer, go to [email protected] or call 609-683-7240.
23rd Annual Millstone Halloween Parade: 1:45 p.m. parade registration and lineup in the fields behind the Clarksburg Inn; parade steps off promptly at 2 p.m. (at which time Route 524 will be closed to traffic). Goody bags and prizes for scariest, funniest, prettiest, most original and most patriotic. In case of inclement weather, the parade is inside the firehouse. Individually wrapped candy donations accepted until Oct. 15 at firehouse. Contact Lori Maher at 609-371-0365 for more information.
Sat., Nov. 10
Homefront Fall Donation Drive: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Robbinsville Fire House, 1149 Route 130 North, Robbinsville. HomeFront and the Rescue Mission of Trenton will be collecting clothing and accessories (ties, hats, gloves, socks, coats, scarves, shoes of any size and gender), canned and dried foods, books, handbags, briefcases, knapsacks, baby items, and diapers. The charitable organizations also need foam packing peanuts and bubble wrap, DVD players, CDs, VHS recorders, televisions and other appliances. For more information, go online to www.homefrontnj.org.
Bus trip to Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City: Bus leaves 9 a.m. from New Egypt High School, Evergreen Road, and returns at 6 p.m. Sponsored by Plumsted Township Republican Club. Cost is $25 and includes bus fare and driver gratuity; casino incentive to be announced in October, but anticipated to be between $20 and $25. Register by Oct. 1 at [email protected] or mail a check by that date to the club at P.O. Box 326, New Egypt, 08533.
Mon., Nov. 12
School Referendum Town Meeting: 7 p.m., Pond Road Middle School, 150 Pond Road, Robbinsville. Learn more about the Dec. 11 referendum that, if approved, would add classrooms to Sharon Elementary School and Pond Road Middle School to address K-8 overcrowding. For more information, go to www.robbinville.k12.nj.us
Sun., Nov. 18
Holiday Bazaar: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Pond Road Middle School, 150 Pond Road, Robbinsville. No admittance fee. Event features an adult craft fair, student performances, children’s make-and-take crafts, children’s holiday gift shop, and refreshments. New and returning crafters can download application forms at the Robbinsville Education Foundation’s website, www.refkids.org.
Mon., Nov. 26
School Referendum Town Meeting: 7 p.m., Sharon Elementary School, Sharon Road, Robbinsville. Learn more about the Dec. 11 referendum that, if approved, would add a total 29 classrooms to Sharon Elementary School and Pond Road Middle School to address K-8 overcrowding. For more information, go to www.robbinville.k12.nj.us
Sat., Dec. 29
Hershey Holiday Bus Trip: departs 9:45 a.m. and returns 9:15 p.m., Foxmoor Shopping Center, Robbinsville. Outing sponsored by the Robbinsville Women’s Club and includes roundtrip transportation on Starr Motorcoach, buffet lunch at Hotel Hershey, a tour of Hershey Chocolate World, Christmas Sweet Lights Candy Lane, shopping and motorcoach ride through the Sweet Lights Holiday Drive-Thru Spectacular. Cost: $105 for adults and $85 for children 8 and under. Tickets must be ordered and paid for in full by Nov. 1. For more information, contact 908-330-8011. This is a fundraiser to support the community charities sponsored by the club.
Recurring events
Storytime at the Allentown Library: Stories, songs and fun activities every Thursday at the library located at 16 S. Main St. New fall schedule includes: Library Babies for ages 2 and under with parent/caregiver from 10:00 a.m. to 10:20 a.m.; Terrific Twos and Threes for age 2 to 3 with parent/caregiver (siblings welcome!) 10:30 a.m. to 10:50 a.m.; Preschool Story and Art Program for ages 3 to 5 from 11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.; Family Storytime for all ages from 2:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. No registration is required for storytime programs. For further information, call 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, email Shaina Ciaccio at [email protected].
Weekly senior games: Plumsted Senior Outreach Services, Thursdays from 1 to 3 p.m., Plumsted Municipal Building lower level via elevator, 121 Evergreen Road. 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.
Senior Exercise Classes, sponsored by the Plumsted Senior Outreach Service, resume for fall at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the lower level of the Plumsted Municipal Building, 121 Evergreen Road. All new participants are required to submit a doctor’s permission form. To register, call 609-758-2241, ext. 111.
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. 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 a.m. to 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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