CHESTERFIELD CHATTER: Week of Jan. 10

By Nancy Mrzljak, Guest Columnist
   The Chesterfield Township Historical Society annual meeting will be held 2 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 20 at the Chesterfield Baptist Church, 209 Matthews Ln., Chesterfield.
   All are welcome to attend.
   The program presented will be a continuation of last year’s presentation on the History of the Rancocas Farm, currently known Helis Farm. Speaker Dave Smith will reintroduce the fascinating history of this local Jobstown historic landmark and continue the slide presentation he was unable to finish last year due to time constraints.
   The Rancocas Farm was an American thoroughbred horse racing stud farm and racing stable founded in the 1870s by wealthy tobacco manufacturer Pierre Lorillard IV. He built his stable into one of the premier thoroughbred breeding and training operations in the United States.
   The 2,000-acre farm, purchased by William Helis in 1943, is operated today as the Helis Stock Farm. The property still includes a number of original Rancocas Farm-era buildings that can be seen from the road, including a training barn with 1,100 windows, enclosing a half-mile oblong indoor track.
   For more information, contact Debbie 609-291-9351.
   The next Chesterfield Township Committee meeting will next meet 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24 at the Municipal Building, 300 Bordentown-Chesterfield Road, Chesterfield.
   For additional information, visit www.chesterfieldtwp.com.
   The Board of Fire Commissioners District No. 2 Chesterfield meeting will be held 8 p.m., Monday, Jan. 14, at the Chesterfield firehouse.
   For more information, visit Chesterfield Hose Company online, via www.chesterfieldhose.com.
   The Chesterfield Township Emergency Squad Drill Night will be held 7:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 14, at the Chesterfield Township emergency squad building.
   To learn more, visit www.chesterfieldtwp.com.
   The Chesterfield Township Against Substance Abuse meeting will be held 3:45 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 15 at the Chesterfield Township Elementary School.
   For more information, visit www.chesterfieldschool.com.
   The Crosswicks Friends Meeting will host a Craft Night from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 15 at the First Day School, located on the grounds of the Meeting House in Crosswicks.
   This free event is an opportunity to come together to share conversation and fellowship while working on one’s own craft projects.
   All are welcome to attend.
   For more information, contact Jean at 609-208-0898.
   The Board of Fire Commissioners District No. 1 Chesterfield meeting will be held 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 15 at the Crosswicks Firehouse.
   For information, visit www.crosswicksfire.org.
   The Chesterfield Township Public Education Fund and Body Project Fitness will host two nights of Boot Camp. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m.; workout begins at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 29 and Thursday, Jan. 31 at the Chesterfield Township Elementary School gym, 30 Saddle Way. The cost is $15 for one night and $25 to participate in both events.
   All fitness levels are welcome. Please bring an exercise mat or beach towel, a towel and water.
   To learn more, contact Sheri Friends 609-638-0621 ***
   Chesterfield Township resident interested in being on the Budget Advisory Board, visit the township website and please fill out the Citizen Leadership Form. The form is for Chesterfield residents who are interested in volunteering to serve on township boards or commissions.
   Please send the completed form to Chesterfield Township Clerk Caryn Hoyer, 300 Bordentown-Chesterfield Rd., Chesterfield, NJ 08515 or fax it to 609-298-0469, Attn: Caryn. Contact the clerk with questions, 609-298-2311.
   The Chesterfield Township Environmental Commission is participating in a recycling program for inkjet cartridges and cell phones.
   These items will be recycled into usable products.
   The commission receives credits for each cartridge and cell phone. The commission will use the credits towards reforestation, protection of natural resources and ecological education for residents.
   Collection boxes are at the Crosswicks Library and the Chesterfield Township municipal office.
   For more information, call 609-298-2311 or visit www.chesterfieldtwp.com.
   The Crosswicks Community Association, under the leadership and guidance of Russell Caldwell, is assembling, cataloging and preserving historical records.
   Mr. Caldwell has reviewed the current collection and determined its records are scant from the World War II years and from the 1950s through 1990s.
   The association is asking community members involved in the organization during these times to donate records, including minutes, receipts, programs and so forth.
   Contact Mr. Caldwell at 609-298-5098 or [email protected] or Desiree at 609-298-6697 or [email protected].
   To contact Chesterfield Chatter guest columnist Nancy Mrzljak, send an email to [email protected] or a fax to 609-298-3936. She also may be reached by phone at 609-298-0567.