HILLSBOROUGH: Community calendar, week of Oct. 18

Basket auction
helps robotics team
   Friday, Oct. 19 — Parents and Alumni for Robotics Team 75 will hold an autumn basket auction at the VFW, 600 Washington Ave., Manville. Doors open 6 p.m.; drawings begin 7:45 p.m. $12 per person includes a sheet of tickets, door prizes. For information or tickets contact [email protected] or 908-369-4316.
Health workshops
hosted by Fit ‘n’ Firm
   Friday, Oct. 19 — Elaine Morales presents free 60-minute workshop, 11 a.m.-noon, at Fit ‘n’ Firm, 866 Route 206, on why traditional diets provide ineffective solution to weight loss. Call 908-281-0013 or email [email protected]. Fit ‘n’ Firm also offers free classes at open house Saturday, Oct. 27, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Bring a food bank donation.
Pig roast, raffle,
boost building fund
   Saturday, Oct. 20 — Seatings at 4:45 and 6:15 p.m. at Clover Hill Reformed Church, 890 Amwell Road. Walk-ins on a “seats available” basis. Take out available. Benefits church building fund. Adults $12, children 5-12 $6, and under 5 free. Tickets at 908-369-8451. Raffle tickets for afghan blanket created by ladies of church (drawing after church next day).
Flea market helps
Fire Company No. 2
   Saturday, Oct. 20 — Fire Co. No. 2 will hold a flea market behind the firehouse at 375 Route 206. Browse the merchandise, or rent a space for $15. Contact Katie 908-359-2785 or Cheryl at 908-725-4908.
Organic farm group
holds harvest dinner
   Sunday, Oct. 21 — Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey holds fall harvest dinner in Coach Barn at Duke Farms, Hillsborough. Keynote by Gary Hirshberg, co-founder and chairman of Stonyfield Farm. Gary speaks about sustainability, climate change, profitability of ‘green’ business and organic agriculture and labeling of genetically engineered foods. Honored guest is Meg Hirshberg, founder of NOFA-NJ and a food activist.
   More than a dozen restaurants will provide tastings of fall dishes. Craft beer will be provided through River Horse brewery and local wine poured by Alba Vineyards.
   Awards will be presented to the Beginning Farmer Friend, Volunteer of Year, Founder’s Award, and Partner of Year. Tickets $75 for members and $90 for others. Go to www.nofanj.org or call 908-371-1111.
Vendor fair funds
Columbiettes group
   Wednesday, Oct. 24 — The Millstone Valley Columbiettes host second annual vendor fair at 6:30 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Church, 34 Yorktown Road. Vendors include Tastefully Simple, Pampered Chef, Mary Kay, doTERRA Oils, Thirty-One Bags. No admission fee, but donations are welcome to help the Columbiettes and charities they support, including Ronald McDonald House, U.S. troops, March of Dimes, Breast Cancer and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Flower show tips
will be shared
   Thursday, Oct. 25 — The Neshanic Garden Club will hear Teri Holman on the N.J. Garden Club State Flower Show theme, “Mardi Gras Madness,” at its monthly meeting at 10 a.m. at the Station House, Olive Street, Neshanic Station. At 11, Ms. Holman will focus on hanging combination planters. Lug a mug to a light luncheon at noon. Prospective members are encouraged to attend. For information, contact president Janet Gibson at 908-359-0176.
Food collection
for county pantry
   Sat., Oct. 27 — Non-perishable food and drink donations benefit Somerset County Food Pantry. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at American Legion post, 429 South Main St. Sponsors are Marine Corps League 1284, American Legion Post 304, Boy Scout Troop 193.
Food festival helps
Manville squad
   Sun., Oct. 28 — Samplings from menus of area restaurants to benefit Manville First Aid & Rescue Squad. 5:30 p.m. VFW hall, 600 Washington Ave., Manville. Sponsored by Manville Rescue Squad Auxiliary to replace and purchase equipment for the squad. $25 (limited tickets sold at door). Call Betty Ann at 908-725-3694 or any auxiliary member.
VFW hall to host
benefit for animals
   Friday, Nov. 2 — People For Animals hosts a tricky tray at the Manville VFW, 100 Washington Ave. Doors open at 6 p.m.; drawings at 8. Tickets at $15 in advance and $20 at door includes tickets, hors d’oeuvres. Call 973-282-0890, ext. 311, or visit www.pfaonline.org. Event will benefit spay/neuter clinics and animal rescue program.
Basket auction
boosts school choirs
   Friday, Nov. 2 — Hillsborough High School Choir and Choir Parents Association will hold its annual basket auction in the Commons to benefit school choral programs. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. First tickets pulled at 8:30 p.m. Baskets include a Coach bag, Keurig coffee makers, camera and soda stream units.
   Admission and advance ticket packages available through a choir student, at 908-431-6600, ext. 3227 or [email protected]. Tickets available at door.
Temple holds
fall blood drive
   Sunday, Nov. 4 — Hillsborough’s Temple Beth-El’s fall blood drive is 8 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., 67 Route 206. With written parental permission, donors may be as young as 16. For appointment or information, contact Rochelle at [email protected].
Chorus hosts concert
by singer-violinist
   Sunday, Nov. 4 — At 3 p.m. the Raritan Valley Chorus will host soprano and violinist Cassandra Marie Lambros and The Riverside Quartet in a benefit “Music of Love” concert at the Hillsborough Reformed Church, 1 Amwell Road. Free admission but donations benefit the chorus and its Help Us Grow campaign. Works by Mozart, Schumann, Chopin, Puccini, Obradors, Andrew Lloyd Webber, John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
Garden club to hear
talk on tree pests
   Thurs., Nov. 15 — Neshanic Garden Club meets at 9:45 a.m. at Station House, Olive Street, Neshanic Station. At 11 a.m. Nick Polanin of the Rutgers Master Gardener Program, will speak about the trees on community and state property, with a focus and pests and diseases. Lug your mug to the light luncheon at noon. Prospective members encouraged. Contact club president Janet Gibson at 908-359-0176.
Elks lodge hosts
tricky tray raffle
   Saturday, Nov. 17 — Tricky tray basket raffle at Manville-Hillsborough BPOE 2119, 1500 Brooks Blvd., Hillsborough, Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Raffle begins at 7. $10 (includes one free sheet of tickets). No one under 18 admitted. Bring five non-perishable food items for the local food pantry and get a free grand prize raffle. For tickets call 908-725-1717 or 908-575-9610. Tickets must be purchased prior to event, and limited tickets will be sold.
Continuing events
   Community theater — “Dial M for Murder” by the Somerset Valley Players at the theater at 689 Amwell Road opens Friday, Oct. 19, on weekends through Nov. 4. Tickets are $15 (or $13 for seniors and students) for Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. For tickets, go to www.svptheatre.org or call 908-369-7469. The theater is air conditioned and barrier-free.
Community events, meeting notices, public announcements and items of local interest appear in this column at no charge. Send to [email protected] or Community Calendar, c/o the Hillsborough Beacon, P.O. Box 350, Princeton, N.J. 08542, or fax to 609-924-3842.