Happenings in and around the township
Give blood, qualify for raffle
Thurs., Nov. 21 — Volunteer Fire Company No. 2 is partnering with Somerset Medical Center in a Super Community Blood Drive, 3-7 p.m., at the firehouse, 375 Route 206. All donors will be entered to win a pair of tickets to the 2014 Super Bowl at MetLife Stadium. The drive will be conducted by Somerset Medical Center as part of the hospital’s new mobile blood collection program. Blood collected will stay within community for patients at the hospital.
Each pint of blood carries the potential to save two lives. The donation process is safe, efficient and takes about 45 minutes. Donors must be at least 17 years old and weigh 110 pounds. (Donors who are 16 and at least 120 pounds may donate with parental consent.) Appointments encouraged; call Nicole Greco at 908-685-2991.
Students stage ‘Cuckoo’s Nest’
Fri and Sat., Nov. 22-23 — Hillsborough High School Theatre presents “One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” Performances are at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 p.m. Saturday, in the auditorium of Hillsborough High School, 466 Raider Blvd. $12 for reserved seating. Buy tickets at HHSTheatre.org or at the door. For information, call 908-431-6600, ext. 2099.
Kids will compete in robotics meet
Sat., Nov. 23 — “BoroBlast,” an annual event by the high school RoboRaiders team for the FIRST Lego League (FLL) robotics teams, will be held at Hillsborough High School, 466 Raider Blvd., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. FLL is generally for students grade 5-8 and is a smaller scale of FIRST Robotics Competition. Teams compete to move on to the NJ State FLL Tournament in Mount Olive on Dec. 14.
Chanukah shop at Temple Beth-El
Sun., Nov. 24 — Temple Beth-El at 67 Route 206 in Hillsborough is selling Chanukah items, such as menorahs, candles, dreidels and decorations, on Sunday, Nov. 24, from 9 to 11 a.m. 908-722-0674.
Cheerleaders host breakfast
Sunday, Dec. 1 — Pancake breakfast fundraiser at Applebee’s on Route 206, 8-10 a.m., to raise money for Hillsborough Dukes Jr. Pee Wee cheer squad to attend national competition in Walt Disney World in Florida on Monday, Dec. 9. Contact cheer@hillsboroughdukes.com/ 908-947-8197 for tickets at $10 each or if interested in sponsoring the team.
Chanukah party invites the public
Sun., Dec. 1 — Congregation Kehilat Shalom’s Chanukah party and candle-lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. at 253 Belle Mead–Griggstown Road. The family-friendly evening will include latkes along with a potluck dinner (dairy/pareve, please), Chanukah games, and music and singing. Bring your own menorah and candles for a group candle-lighting. For info and to RSVP call the synagogue office at 908-359-0420 or e-mail robin@ksnj.org.
Two job seekers’ sessions planned
Dec. 4 and 12 — Jewish Family Service is offering two free support groups in December for job seekers who are unemployed, underemployed or seeking a career change.
On Wednesday, Dec. 4, from 7-9 p.m. at 150-A West High St., Somerville, Paul Elwood, associate dean for academic personnel at Rutgers University, will talk about “The Job Interview: Strategies for Success.”
On Thursday, Dec. 12, from 10 a.m.-noon at United Way of Hunterdon County, 4 Walter Foran Blvd., Suite 401, Flemington, Elise Prezant, career counselor at Jewish Family Service of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties, will lead an open job search discussion.
Funding is provided by United Way of Northern New Jersey, United Way of Hunterdon County and Magyar Bank. To register, contact Ms. Prezant at 908-725-7799, ext. 108, or eprezant@JewishFamilySvc.org.
Choir parents hold fundraiser
Fri., Dec. 6 — The Hillsborough High School Choir and Choir Parents Association will present its annual holiday basket auction in the Commons of the high school. Doors open at 6:45 p.m.; first ticket at 8:30. Items include Keurig and SodaStream machines and Bobby Flay cookware. Proceeds benefit the high school choral program, including year-end senior awards.
Admission and basket tickets available at door or in advance by contacting at hhschoirparents@gmail.com or by calling Tom McKenna at 908-403-8464 or Barbara Turck at 908-872-8300.
Lutherans show expanded church
Sat., Dec. 7 — Faith Lutheran Church at 381 South Branch Road hosts an open house, 2-5 p.m., of the church’s expanded worship space and recently added classrooms. Church members will discuss the church’s ministries, including Christian education, adult, youth and bell choirs, youth group, participation in disaster recovery, and Red, Hot & Gold, a fellowship for those 50 and older. Refreshments. 908-369-3201.
Barbershop chorus performs
Sunday, Dec. 8 — Princeton Garden Statesmen Barber Shop Chorus a cappella holiday concert, 7:30 p.m. Adults $20; seniors and students, $18. SVP passes and gift certificates cannot be accepted for this performance.
Garden clubbers lunch for holiday
Thurs., Dec. 12 — The Neshanic Garden Club will hold its regular monthly meeting at a private home at 11:30 a.m. as part of its holiday luncheon. Prospective members can contact club president Barbara Zielsdorff at 908-359-1750 for information.
4-H center hosts Festival of Trees
Dec. 14-15 — Spend time with Santa at the free 5th annual 4-H Festival of Trees at the 4-H center, 310 Milltown Road, Bridgewater, on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Check out the trees for ideas, buy from local crafters and enjoy complimentary cookies and juice. There will be a craft table for kids of all ages; try your hand at making snowflakes.
New this year is a photo opportunity for large and small pets. Bring your own camera. Call 908-526-4466 for details.
Church presents Living Nativity
Sat, Dec. 14 — A Living Nativity scene will be presented at 5 and 7 p.m. on the church lawn at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 300 Union Ave., Somerville. The free event will tell the Christmas story with live actors and animals, including a donkey, alpacas and poultry from Norz Hill Farms of Hillsborough, plus animals from goats, rabbits and sheep from the Shaub Family and congregation members. Come pet the animals and venture inside for homemade cookies and hot chocolate. For info, see www.gslutheranchurch.org or call 908-685-1660.
Continuing events
Community theater — Somerset Valley Players present the story behind the famous 1897 editorial, “Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus,” at their theater at 689 Amwell Road (Route 514) on weekends from Dec. 6-22. Shows are Friday and Saturday evenings at 8, with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets $18, or $16 for seniors and students.
For info and tickets, visit www.svptheatre.org or call 908-369-7469.
Alzheimer’s support group — The Alzheimer’s Association has a support group in Hillsborough. Family members and caregivers come together to share information and support in a safe, confidential atmosphere.
Meetings are the second Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at Mary, Mother of God Church at 157 So. Triangle Road. Call 908-431-1300 if attending.
Divorce support group — A nondenominational support group to help separated and divorced people to a new beginning.
The group meets the second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Hillsborough Presbyterian Church, Route 206 at Homestead Road. Call 908-295-6740.
Community events, meeting notices, public announcements and items of local interest appear in this column at no charge.
Send to grobbins@centraljersey.com or Community Calendar, c/o the Hillsborough Beacon, P.O. Box 350, Princeton, New Jersey, 08542, or fax to 609-924-3842.