Events in and around the township
Cheerleaders raise money
Sun., 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.
Job seekers can hear job tips
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 auction
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 908-403-8646 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. at Somerset Valley Players playhouse, Amwell Road. Adults $20; seniors and students, $18. SVP passes and gift certificates cannot be accepted for this performance.
RVCC to discuss admissions, aid
Tues., Dec. 10 — Raritan Valley Community College will hold an information session for prospective students, 4-6 p.m., in atrium on campus on Lamington Road, Branchburg. Admissions officials will provide information about degree and certificate programs, as well as the admissions and enrollment processes, paying for college, and transfer and career opportunities after RVCC. The spring semester starts Jan. 21 There is still time to enroll in classes. For information, contact 908-526-1200 or e-mail admissions@raritanval.edu.
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.