Games, music, raffle, feast ‘shoes’ are planned
By Mary Ellen Day, Special Writer
The Manville Public Library staff has planned weeks of programs and projects at the upcoming holiday season.
A game night is planned for tomorrow, Friday, from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
”We are going to have a teen game night with anyone from 6-12 grades. We will have a Wii game system and board games and the kids can come and hang out and play games,” said teen librarian Linda Lewis.
There will be a special craft program from 3:45-4:15 p.m. on Monday.
”November is picture book month and to celebrate we are doing a mouse craft for the book ‘Lunch’ by Denise Fleming,” said Ruth Bielanski, children’s librarian.
An ongoing monthly raffle for a chance to win a holiday prize is open to everyone who checks out any item. The winner will be drawn on Dec. 23 so fill out an entry form when you take something out of the library.
There’s music, too. Violist David Podles will play from 7-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3, in the community room. Regina Novicky will sing popular holiday songs and lead a singalong on Wednesday, Dec. 11, from 7-8:30 p.m.
The Feast of St. Nicholas will be celebrated for all ages. Ms. Bielanski said people should bring a shoe to the library by Dec. 4 to leave for St. Nicholas to fill on his feast day of Dec. 6 and pick it back up no later than Dec. 10. Your shoe will have a special surprise in it.
The annual gingerbread house contest will give patrons a chance to show off their creativity and win a prize. Houses made at home from any materials must be brought to the library on Friday, Dec. 13. The judging will take place on Dec. 16, with the winners announced at 7 during the holiday extravaganza, which begins at 6:30 with holiday music and refreshments. Winners will be from three categories (children, teen and adults). The gingerbread houses will be on display at the library until Friday, Dec. 20.
On Monday, Dec. 9, at 3:30 p.m. there is a service project to make greeting cards for nursing home residents. All ages are welcome, including anyone who may need service hours for CCD, Scouts or school. All materials are supplied, so just come and create special greeting cards to make someone’s day happier.
Children in grades 3 and up can make a holiday decoration on Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 3:30 p.m. They will make something to take home in time for the holidays. Ms. Lewis said a teen craft for grades 6-12 is scheduled once a month; on Thursday, Dec. 10, they will be making a homemade holiday gifts.
”The craft in December that we will be making in bath bombs and scrubs that you can give as gifts,” she said. “They are going to be scented herbal scrubs or scented bath salts so they can make them wrap it up nicely and have a gift to take home.”
The last After School Café for the year will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 17, for grades 6-12; cookies and punch will be served at 3:30. A Lego club for grades K-5 will meet on Friday, Dec. 27, at 3 to build with the blocks.
There will be a holiday chess tournament on Saturday, Dec. 28, while the kids are off from school.
”Any student who wants to come and play chess in an open tournament there will be prizes and refreshments,” Ms. Lewis said.
Registration is required for all programs and can be done online at www.sclsnj.org or in person at the library at 100 South 10th Ave. For information about any of programs, call 908-722-9722.

