CHESTERFIELD CHATTER: Week of March 14

By Nancy Mrzljak
   The Chesterfield Township Elementary School Board of Education budget meeting will be held 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 27, in the Media Center at the school at 30 Saddle Way, Chesterfield.
   The meeting will be open to the public and may go into executive session, if necessary. Formal action may be taken.
   The board may consider other items.
   For more information, call 298-0307 or visit www.chesterfieldschool.com
   The Stagehounds, a volunteer group of parents, alumni and friends of Northern Burlington County Regional High School’s theater program, is hosting its fourth annual coffeehouse Saturday, March 16.
   Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
   The intent of the coffeehouse is to showcase the talents of Northern Burlington High School theater students and to raise funds to help the school continue to provide theater productions, specifically, this year’s musical, “Anything Goes.”
   In addition to performances, guests will have the opportunity to bid on some items in a Tricky Tray auction, such as signed Broadway playbills, tickets to many different theaters in the area, movie posters and more.
   Beverages served will include the specially developed Stagehounds Drama Java. Homemade desserts and bags of home-roasted specialty coffee also will be available for purchase.
   This year, there will be limited VIP seating. For $35 a person ($200 for a table of six), there is front table seating, nearest to the cabaret stage in the round; a sheet of tricky tray/raffle tickets (20 chances); a Stagehounds collectible coffee cup with unlimited coffee and other beverages throughout the event; and a $5 voucher for desserts brought to the table by a Stagehounds waiter.
   Reserve VIP seats in advance at www.seatyourself.biz/stagehounds. Click on the VIP seating ticket option.
   Tricky Tray tickets also can be purchased in advance for a discounted rate of $8 for a sheet of 20 chances. Additional cards can be purchased at the coffeehouse for $10 a sheet or three for $25.
   General admission tickets can be purchased in advance via www.seatyourself.biz/stagehounds for $10.
   The students are very excited to have the opportunity to share their award-winning performances with the community. Guests will also be treated to a special sneak preview of “Anything Goes,” featuring music by Cole Porter.
   Order tickets and help support the arts at NBCRHS.
   For more information, email [email protected].
   Chesterfield Township residents Bill and Nancy Curry are riding in the 12th annual Tour de Force to raise funds for families of fallen officers.
   The ride each year is dedicated to those that made the ultimate sacrifice.
   For more information or to make a donation to their account, go to www.tourdeforceny.com. Donations are tax-deductible.
   Residents of Chesterfield Township who have a child who will be 5 years old on or before Oct. 1, 2013, may register their children at www.chesterfieldschool.com and click on kindergarten registration.
   A registration breakfast and screenings will be held at the school in the late spring. Invitations will be sent out to all registered students by mail.
   For information, call the school at 298-6900.
   Chesterfield Township residents interested in being on the Budget Advisory Board may visit the township website and fill out the citizen leadership form.
   The form is for residents interested in volunteering to serve on township boards or commissions.
   Fill out the form on the computer and print it, then send it to Chesterfield Township Clerk Caryn Hoyer, 300 Bordentown-Chesterfield Road, Chesterfield, New Jersey, 08515, or fax it to Ms. Hover’s attention at 298-0469.
   For information, call you have any questions, call Ms. Hover at 298-2311.
   The Chesterfield Township Committee meeting will be held 7:30 p.m., Thursday, March 14, at the Chesterfield Township Municipal Building.
   For information, call 609-298-2311 or visit www.chesterfieldtwp.com.
   The Chesterfield Township Board of Health meeting will be held 7:30 p.m., Thursday, March 14, at the Chesterfield Township Municipal Building.
   For more information, visit www.chesterfieldtwp.com.
   The Crosswicks Community Association second annual Comedy Night will be held at 7 p.m., Saturday, March 16, at the Crosswicks Community House.
   BYOB and a snack to share. Three comedians will give performances.
   The proceeds from Comedy Night benefit the renovations of the Crosswicks Community House.
   The cost is $15 per ticket. To purchase, email Melissa [email protected] or Denise [email protected].
   For information, visit www.crosswickscommunityhouse.org.
   A raffle of three prizes will be held: free rental of the Crosswicks Community House for a personal event (within one year), an afghan depicting historical buildings of Chesterfield Township and two free tickets to the second annual Crosswicks Croquet Classic.
   For more information visit the Crosswicks Community Association website.
   The Chesterfield Baptist Church pancake breakfast will be held from 8 to 11 a.m., Saturday, March 16, at the Chesterfield Baptist Church.
   All proceeds will benefit Harvest of Hope Food Pantry in Jacobstown.
   Bring a nonperishable item for the food pantry. A donation of $5 is requested for a breakfast and the opportunity to help families in the community.
   Chesterfield Baptist Church is at 209 Matthews Lane, Chesterfield. For more information, call 609-298-4401.
   Snow date is March 23.
   The Fernbrook Farms Education Center 2013 Spring Break Camp is being held March 26, 27 and 28 and April 1 and 2 at 142 Route 545, Chesterfield.
   The program is available for ages 6 to 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Children may attend any number of days. Optional extended care is available from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and 4 to 5:30 p.m.
   The daily schedule of feeding animals, exploration, snack, activities and journal time mirrors the summer camp schedule. Spring break is a wonderful time to explore and learn outdoors.
   The wildflowers are coming up, the lambs are being born, and Fernbrook Farms is an exciting place for students to enjoy a day outside with friends. Fernbrook Farms Education Center holds Spring break Camp annually to coincide with as many schools breaks as possible.
   Fernbrook Farms is a 230-acre working farm with more than 60 acres of woods, two streams and two ponds.
   Larry Kuser, third-generation owner of Fernbrook Farms, created the Education Center in 2001 to provide hands-on educational experience for people of all ages by exploring the complex interconnectedness of their natural world.
   Its purpose is to educate about agriculture, sources of food and the importance of nutrition for healthy lifestyle. Mr. Kuser believes people should make meaningful connections with the natural world in order to become responsible stewards of local and global sustainability.
   For more information, contact Jenna Collins, public programs coordinator, at 609-298-4028 or visit www.fernbrookfarms.com or www.FernbrookEducation.org.
   The Crosswicks United Methodist Church roast beef dinner will be held 3 to 6:30 p.m., Saturday, March 30, at the Crosswicks United Methodist Church.
   Tickets are $13 adults and $5 children 12 and under. Takeouts are $14 for adults and children.
   For information, call 609-324-9800.
   The Crosswicks Friends Meeting invites folks to attend service Sundays.
   At 9:30 a.m. there is an assembly for all. There is 10 a.m. worship for adults and First Day School for children 2 and up.
   The Crosswicks Friends Meeting is exploring Quaker testimonies through song, activities, discussion and readings Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
   Call 609-298-4362.
   The Chesterfield Township Emergency Squad is seeking volunteer members to join its organization.
   The squad has been providing services to the residents of Chesterfield and surrounding towns since 1988. This is its 25th year of service.
   The organization is looking for enthusiastic men and women to join.
   The Emergency Squad will reimburse new members the cost of becoming an emergency medical technician.
   Contact Fran Falkowski at 609-298-2216 for further information.
   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.
   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.
   Be sure to tune into Northern Burlington County Regional High School Northern TV to check out the latest in Northern News, sports and information.
   The group has had the chance to tune up its broadcasts and provide more detailed stories on students.
   Programs include “Preparing for the SATs,” Financial Aid Night, “Preparing for College,” Future Farmers of America, band concerts, chorus concerts, Student of the Month, “Classroom Happenings,” bowling, wrestling, basketball, county All-Stars and more.
   It is featured on Comcast Channel 19 and FiOS Channel 42.
   Folks also can watch online via www.nburlington.com.
   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.