Sheriff to collect unused
prescriptions April 26
Mercer County Sheriff Jack Kemler announced another opportunity for residents to dispose of unneeded and expired prescription drugs during the eighth National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on April 26. In coordination with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), residents can safely dispose of unused and expired prescription medicines by bringing them to the parking lot in front of the Mercer CountyAdministration Building, 640 S. Broad St., Trenton, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
For more information, on Prescription Drug Take-Back Day and the safe disposal of prescription drugs, contact the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office at 609-989-6111.
Summer reading programp
begins on June 23
The Mercer County Library System launches its annual summer reading program on June 23. Residents can discover new books, make new friends, stay cool and enjoy family friendly programs by participating in “Fizz Boom Read” for children and “Spark a Reaction” for teens.
Free registration begins on June 23 and continues throughout the program, which ends on Aug. 8. Incentive prizes are awarded weekly as children 11 and under make return visits to the library with their reading logs.
The online teen program, “Spark a Reaction,” is available between June 23 and Aug. 22 for ages 12 to 18. Teens may register via the library’s website, with a user name and password, returning to their account to record books as they read them. Teen events and prizes offered vary by branch location.
Fun, educational activities and contests are planned from June through early August at all branches. A variety of programs are scheduled including The Juggling Hoffmans, Kurt Gallagher, What-Knott Farm Petting Zoo, Enjoy Explore India, Miss Penny Puppet Show, Global Rhythms, Mad Science of West New Jersey, Youth Stages and many more.
Some programs require preregistration with a valid Mercer County Library System card. All programs are free. Monthly event listings and reading log registration details are available in early June at branch locations. Events can also be found on the library’s website www.mcl.org.
Mercer County Library System’s nine branch locations are located in member municipalities as follows: Ewing, Hickory Corner (East Windsor), Hightstown, Hollowbrook Community Center (Ewing), Hopewell Township, Lawrence, Robbinsville, Twin Rivers and West Windsor.
Groups or organizations physically located within member municipalities may contact their local branch to find out which months of the year they may best be accommodated with outreach programming, or if any summer programs may be appropriate for larger groups.
Programming is paid for by the Friends of the Library or local library association or advisory committee at each branch location. Additional sponsorship is received by the New Jersey Statewide Summer Reading Program and local businesses that have donated prizes.
County offers assistance
to first-time homebuyers
Owning a home is a big part of the American dream and Mercer County would like to help families achieve that dream through Mercer County First-Time Homebuyer Program workshops.
Buying a home is likely the largest transaction an individual will make, but it’s also the most confusing and complicated.
”Mercer County is again offering assistance to potential homeowners through our First-Time Homebuyer Program, and I invite you to sit in on one of the upcoming workshops to learn more about the lending process,” said Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes.
Through the program workshops, participants can learn how the mortgage process works, and participating lenders will be on hand to guide applicants and provide answers. Two of the greatest obstacles faced by potential first-time homebuyers are down payment and closing costs. The program assists income-eligible applicants by contributing up to $7,000 toward down payment and closing costs.
Eligibility for assistance is based on family size and income, and lenders will help determine mortgage eligibility based on income, credit rating and current monthly expenses. To receive assistance through the Mercer County First-Time Homebuyer Program, applicants must participate in a Homebuyer Training Course, cannot have owned a home within the past three years — unless that person is a single parent or displaced homemaker — and cannot own other real estate at the time of closing.
Potential buyers can shop for suitable homes in the following Mercer County municipalities participating in the program: East Windsor, Ewing, Hamilton, Hightstown, Hopewell Borough, Hopewell Township, Lawrence, Pennington, Princeton, Robbinsville and West Windsor.
Potential buyers interested in purchasing a home in Trenton can call the City of Trenton Housing Office at 989-3504 for information.
Workshops will be held at 6:30 p.m. on the following dates: April 30, Hamilton Township Free Public Library, 1 Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. Way, Hamilton; May 21, Mercer County Library, Lawrence Headquarters Branch, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville; Sept. 24, Mercer County Library, Lawrence Headquarters Branch, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville; and Oct. 23, Hamilton Township Free Public Library, 1 Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. Way, Hamilton.
For additional information or questions regarding accessibility accommodations, contact the Mercer County Housing office at 989-6858.
Mercer will offer
summer nature camps
The Mercer County Park Commission has announced the expansion of its summer nature camp offerings.
This summer, the commission will host six sessions of nature camps to accommodate the increasing demand for its programming.
In addition to Baldpate Nature and Aquatic Adventure camps, a new half-day camp for younger children will be introduced.
These camps are open to preschoolers and children entering first grade through eighth grade.
Hands-on nature exploration is the foundation for every camp, with varying focus of interests including nature crafting, arthropods, habitat and freshwater ecology.
Each week of camp is specified for certain age groups.
Baldpate Nature Camp I is for children entering grades one-three and runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at Baldpate Mountain in Hopewell Township.
In addition to hands-on explorations, Nature Camp I campers will develop their connection with the natural world during “nature play” — a time set aside during the camp day for them to explore and imagine nature their way.
There are two sessions of Nature Camp I: Session A runs June 30 to July 3, and costs $180; Session B runs July 7 to 11, and costs $200.
Baldpate Nature Camp II is for campers entering grades four-six who will spend their mornings going on “exploratory hikes,” setting foot on a new trail each day. Nature experiments and studies will round out camp day afternoons.
Nature Camp II runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This year, there are two sessions of this camp: Session C runs June 30 to July 3, at a cost of $180, and Session D runs July 7 to 11, for $200.
Aquatic Adventure is for children entering grades seven-eight and is specifically designed for older children who have a serious interest in nature. Campers will spend the majority of each day kayaking on Mercer Lake. During these kayak explorations, campers will increase their understanding of freshwater ecology through experiments and nature observations.
Other activities include fishing, taking part in a conservation project and exploring the lake’s tributaries and coves – by boat! One session of Aquatic Adventure will be offered this summer. This camp runs July 28 to Aug. 1, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Marina in Mercer County Park in West Windsor at a cost of $300.
Wild Discovery is new to the commission’s lineup of summer programming. Especially for young children, this half-day summer camp is designed as a playful introduction to the wonders of nature. Each day of Wild Discovery includes a morning story, nature-themed art project, a trail trek, snack and time for exploration.
This weeklong program is hosted at the commission’s headquarters, the historic Hunt House in Mercer Meadows, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Wild Discovery will run for only one session this summer: Aug. 11-15. This program costs $160 per child.
Registration for camps will continue as registration forms are received. Campers will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Children will be registered for camp only when their completed registration and health forms, and full payment are received.
Nature Camp registration forms can be found on the Mercer County Park Commission website at www.mercercountyparks.org.
For questions regarding Nature Camp or registration, call 303-0706 or contact County Naturalist Jennifer Rogers at [email protected].

