CHESTERFIELD CHATTER: April 3

by Nancy Mrzljak
The Chesterfield Township School Board of Education has changed two meeting dates from the original meeting date of April 17 to April 24. The board will meet at 7:30 p.m. in the Chesterfield School media Center at 30 Saddle Way.
   These meetings are open to the public and formal action may be taken. The board may go into executive session and may consider other items, which may come before the board.
   Remaining meeting dates include May 15, June 19, July 17, Aug. 21, Sept. 18,Oct. 16, Nov. 20 and Dec. 18. All meetings will be held the third Thursday unless otherwise indicated at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted at the Chesterfield Township School in Chesterfield.
   For more information call 298-0307 or visit the school website www.chesterfieldschool.com
   The New Jersey Tree Recovery Campaign will provide free tree seedlings to residents of Chesterfield Township from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, April 5. This program helps communities replace trees damaged or destroyed by Superstorm Sandy.
   Township residents will be able to pick up tree seedlings at the Chesterfield Township Municipal Building parking area. Seedlings are available on a first come, first served basis. Instructions will be provided on how to store, care for and plant seedlings. Residents should plant the seedlings within two days after pick-up in order to prevent the roots from drying out.
   The goal of the Tree Recovery Campaign is to distribute over 500,000 tree seedlings to New Jersey residents over the course of the next five years. It is a joint effort between Chesterfield Township, the New Jersey State Forestry Services Community Forestry Program, the State Forest Nursery, New Jersey Soil Conservation Districts, Sustainable Jersey and the Arbor Day Foundation.
   Arbor Day Foundation, FedEx, and BJ’s Wholesale Club provide financial support for the program. When properly planted and maintained, trees can be assets to a community.
   For more information, contact Jane at 609-291-8148.
   The Windy Farm Alpacas spring open house will be held 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, April 5-6 and April 12-13, rain or shine. Windy Farm is located at 61 White Pine Road, Chesterfield. Alpaca products will be available for purchase including spring socks, fingerless gloves, gifts, throws, scarves, hats, gloves, mittens, sweaters and more.
   Fleece and yarn for spinners and knitters will also be available. Pasture tours visit the alpacas and spinning wheel demonstrations will be offered.
   Visit the Windy Farm Alpacas for information about knitting and felting classes. Alpacas are for sale at the Windy Farm, which is open by appointment year round. For more information, call 609-324-0080 email or [email protected].
   The Chesterfield Baptist Church pancake breakfast will be held 8 – 11 a.m., Saturday, April 12 at the Chesterfield Baptist Church. All proceeds will benefit Harvest of Hope Food Pantry in Jacobstown. Participants are encouraged to bring a non-perishable item.
   A donation of $5 is requested for the breakfast and the opportunity to help families in our community. Chesterfield Baptist Church is located at 209 Matthews Lane, Chesterfield. For more information, call 609-298-4401.
   The Crosswicks Monthly Meeting annual Easter egg hunt will be held promptly at 1 p.m., Saturday, April 19 on the Meetinghouse Grounds at 15 Front St., Crosswicks.
   The Crosswicks Monthly Meeting Easter Breakfast will be held 9 a.m., Sunday, March 31 at the First Day School on the Meetinghouse Grounds.
   For more information and status on inclement weather on the day, call 609-298-4362.
   The Chesterfield Township Environmental Commission is co-sponsoring a green fair 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, April 26 with Bordentown Township. The fair will be held at Joe Lawrence Park on Ward Avenue, Bordentown.
   Exhibitors include local farming operations, local and state environmental groups. There will be demonstrations on activities such as kayaking, tree care, bicycle safety and rain barrel construction. They will be accepting gently used stuffed animals to be made into dog toys and clean socks to be made into cat toys. Look for the drop off point at the entrance to the Fair.
   Any individual or organization who wishes to exhibit at the Green Fair is welcome. Exhibits and vendors should have a ‘green’ theme. There is no charge.
   Contact [email protected] for more information.
   The Chesterfield Hose Company Famous Chicken Barbecue will be held Sunday, April 27 from noon until sold out.
   Tickets are $13 for adults, $6 for children ages 6-12 and free for children 5 and under free. Take-outs are available.
   For more information, call 609-298-1024 or visit the website at www.chesterfieldhose.com
   The Crosswicks Community Association Mother’s Day designer bag bingo will be held at 7 p.m., Saturday, May 10. Grab your Mom and come join in the fun for a night of wine, dessert and designer bag bingo featuring bags from Vera Bradley, Coach and more. Tickets are $30 per person.
   The Chesterfield Township Committee would like to thank Zachary Fetah for his recent Eagle Scout Project.
   The project, which took over 100 man hours, consisted of installing a sign and building a stone planter at the entrance to the Fenton Lane Park in Chesterfield.
   Officials called the sign a wonderful addition to the community.
   Zachary, of Troop 55 of Chesterfield, chose a project that felt would benefit the residents of his hometown. He is currently a senior at Northern Burlington Regional High School and will be graduating this year. He intends to attend college in the fall.
   Zachary would like to thank the Chesterfield Township Committee, township employees, the Chesterfield Township Athletic Association, his family, his friends, his Scout Leaders and the scouts of Troop 55.
   The Chesterfield Township Police Department is asking for volunteers the Domestic Violence Response Team. Volunteers receive free training (40 hours) where they will learn how to work with the police and provide information, support and referrals to victims at police departments.
   Applicants must be 18 years of age or older, a resident of or employed in Burlington County Area and have a valid New Jersey drivers license as well asaccess to transportation. Participants must also have no criminal history (which is verified by a free background check)
   For more information or to receive an application, call Sgt. Stefani at 609-291-0912.
   The Chesterfield Township residents who are Garden State Removal customers with Friday trash pickup will have their pickup days moved to Saturday. For more information, contact Garden State Removal.
   Chesterfield Township residents have been elected as officers of the Burlington County Firefighters Association for 2014.
   President Michael Stein is member of the Chesterfield Hose Company, and Treasurer Stanley Lewis is a member of the Union Fire Company of Crosswicks.
   Stan Lewis also serves on the District 1 Board of Fire Commissioners. The Burlington County Firefighters Association was founded in 1915 and serves as a support organization for the volunteer firefighters of Burlington County.
   Meetings are held monthly at different firehouses throughout the county. For more information, visit njbcfa.org
   The Chesterfield Township motor oil-recycling tank at the township Municipal Building will be closed until further notice because of contaminants that were found in the oil.
   The township is unsure at this time if it will continue to provide this service to residents. Motor oil can be taken to the Burlington County Hazardous Waste Facility or to a gas station that changes oil.
   For more information, call 609-298-2311 or visit the township website at www.chesterfieldtwp.com
   The Chesterfield Township Historical Society recently opened its research library dedicated to longtime township historian Mal Knowles.
   The research library has a thorough residential history of the township as well as local genealogical information and research aids (wills, vital records, etc.).
   The research library is open by appointment. For more information or to make an appointment, call 609-500-0452 or visit www.chesterfieldtwphistoricalsoc.org where you can check its online collection first by name or family.
    To contact Chesterfield Chatter guest columnist Nancy Mrzljak, send an email to [email protected], a fax to 609-298-3936 or call her at 609-298-0567.