– Free afterschool program set at church
The First Reformed Church of South River, 40 Thomas St., is offering a free, nonreligious afterschool program 3:30-5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays for children in kindergarten-fifth grade.
The program, known as SKREAM (South River, Kids, Recreation, Education, Art, Motivation), will include homework help, snacks, art, sports and creative activities.
For more information, call 732-257-1994.
– Workshop to focus on Medicare benefits
Charles Clarkson, a Medicare representative for New Jersey, will discuss how to enroll in Medicare Part D and other Medicare benefits that are available during a workshop from 10-11:30 a.m. Oct. 7 at Jewish Family Services, 52 Concordia Shopping Center, Monroe.
The program is sponsored by The Wilf Campus for Senior Living.
To attend, RSVP by calling 609-480-4374 or by emailing info@wilfcampus.org. There is no cost to attend.
– Masons lodge to hold blood drive on Oct. 11
The Square and Compasses Day Open House and Blood Drive will be held 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 11 at Union Lodge No. 19 Free and Accepted Masons (F&AM), 60 Cedar Ave., North Brunswick.
Union Lodge No. 19 F&AM and Highland Park Lodge No. 240 F&AM will host a blood drive for the Blood Center of New Jersey. Learn about freemasonry, meet current members of the lodges, and tour the lodge room by request.
All blood donors must know their Social Security number and present a driver’s license or Blood Center of New Jersey donor card. Donors must weight over 120 pounds, be in good health, cannot perform physical activity for 24 hours after donating, and should have a meal one hour prior to donating.
Any medical-related questions should be directed to 973-676-4700, ext. 132.
– Participants sought for juried art show
The Monroe Township Cultural Arts Commission will sponsor its annual Juried Art Show Oct. 21-28 at the Monroe Township Library, 4 Municipal Plaza.
Artists should present their work 3-7 p.m. Oct. 14 in the conference room at the library. Artwork not accepted must be picked up 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 16. Adam Swart, a professional artist and educator, will judge the show.
Artists of all ages are invited to participate. All work must be original.
To obtain an entry form, log on to www.MonroeTownshipCulturalArts.com. For more information, call 609-395-0934; do not call the library for information.
– Photographs sought for contest
The Freehold Soil Conservation District is sponsoring its annual photo contest and is asking photographers to capture subjects promoting the beauty and uniqueness of the natural environments found in Middlesex and Monmouth counties. The contest is open to individuals 18 years old and over.
The photo contest prizes are $200 for first place, $100 for second place, and $75 for third place.
Photos must be taken in Middlesex County or Monmouth County. Photo size must be 8-inches x 10-inches or larger. An entry form must be included with each photo (limit two entries per person).
Photos can be submitted by mail or in person to Freehold Soil Conservation District, 4000 Kozloski Road, Freehold, NJ 07728 or by email to hreynolds@freeholdscd.org. Photos will not be returned. The photographer retains the photo rights. Winning photos will be used in Freehold Soil Conservation District’s (nonprofit) educational and outreach programs, according to a press release.
The entry deadline is Oct. 11. The photo contest rules and entry form can be found online at www.freeholdscd.org under Events or contact Holly Reynolds at 732-683-8500.
– Homemade kielbasa available for holidays
Saints Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Church, South River, is sponsoring a sale featuring homemade fresh kielbasa for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Cost is $6.50 per pound.
To place an order, call Debbie Jones at 732-238-0735 or email dshaluha@comcast.net.
Deadline for orders is Oct. 12. Pickup is set for 2-4 p.m. Oct. 18 in the church hall, 9 Jeffrie Ave., South River. The kielbasa may be frozen until the holidays.
– Halloween gala on tap at Elks lodge
East Brunswick Elks Lodge No. 2370 will hold its annual Halloween Party 8 p.m.-midnight Oct. 31 at the lodge, 21B Oakmont Ave.
The event will feature music by the Upperhand band, a hot buffet, beer, wine, soda and prizes for best costumes. Cost is $25 per person. Proceeds will benefit special-needs children at Elks Camp Moore.
For more information or to reserve, call Trish at 732-543-1124 or email tntstudios@aol.com.
– Monroe arts panel seeking volunteers
The Monroe Township Cultural Arts Commission is in need of volunteers. Interested individuals may email sandy0471@verizon.net.
– Dinner proceeds to aid special-needs children
Jamesburg Elks Lodge No. 2180 will sponsor its Spaghetti Dinner 5-8 p.m. Oct. 10 at the lodge, 74 W. Railroad Ave.
Proceeds will benefit special-needs children and adults from communities including Jamesburg, Monroe, Helmetta, Spotswood, Cranbury and the Dayton section of South Brunswick.
The dinner will feature spaghetti, meatballs, salad, coffee, soda and dessert. Cost is $10 in advance, $12 at the door, for adults; $7 for children ages 10 and under. Takeout dinners will be available.
For more information or for tickets, call Rosemarie at 609-751-1507 or Della at 732-672-4230.
– Elks to sponsor Haunted Lodge
East Brunswick Elks Lodge No. 2370, 21B Oakmont Ave., will host its Haunted Lodge 6-10 p.m. Oct. 25 and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 26.
Activities on Oct. 26 also will include trunk-or-treat and pumpkin painting.
Suggested donation is $5. Proceeds will support Elks special-needs socials.
For more information, call the lodge at 732-821-9527.
– Homemade kielbasa available for holidays
Saints Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Church, South River, is sponsoring a sale featuring homemade fresh kielbasa for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Cost is $6.50 per pound.
To place an order, call Debbie Jones at 732-238-0735 or email dshaluha@comcast.net.
Deadline for orders is Oct. 12. Pickup is set for 2-4 p.m. Oct. 18 in the church hall, 9 Jeffrie Ave., South River. The kielbasa may be frozen until the holidays.
– Spotswood Legion slates annual picnic
The American Legion Post 253, Devoe Avenue, Spotswood, will present its annual picnic noon-6 p.m. Oct. 11.
The entrance donation is $20 per person. The American Legion supports American Veterans and the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park.
– Registration open for Collura 5K, barbecue
The fourth annual Matt Collura 5K Run/Walk and Barbecue will be held Oct. 12 at Thompson Park, Perrineville Road, Monroe. Check-in is set for 8:30 a.m. The race will begin at 10:30 a.m.
Collura, a 30-year-old resident of Monroe and a lifelong runner, suffered severe brain trauma in a snowboarding accident in March 2011. All funds raised from the event will help provide extra hours of physical therapy and purchase equipment to help him work toward his ultimate goal of running again.
To register, log on to http://www.active.com/jamesburg-nj/running/distance-running-races/matt-c….
For more information or to donate to the fundraising campaign, email mattcollura5k@gmail.com or log on to https://m.helphopelive.org/campaign/747.
– Dinner proceeds to aid special-needs children
Jamesburg Elks Lodge No. 2180 will sponsor its Spaghetti Dinner 5-8 p.m. Oct. 10 at the lodge, 74 W. Railroad Ave.
Proceeds will benefit special-needs children and adults from communities including Jamesburg, Monroe, Helmetta, Spotswood, Cranbury and the Dayton section of South Brunswick.
The dinner will feature spaghetti, meatballs, salad, coffee, soda and dessert. Cost is $10 in advance, $12 at the door, for adults; $7 for children ages 10 and under. Takeout dinners will be available.
For more information or tickets, call Rosemarie at 609-751-1507 or Della at 732-672-4230.
– Cocktail party held to support the arts
“Roadie: The Documentary” will host a cocktail party to support the arts at 7 p.m. Oct. 11 at La Tavola Cucina, 700 Old Bridge Turnpike, South River.
There will be art, raffles, a liquor promotion, music by Paul Rosevear, comedy by Chris Smith, and food and drink specials.
The first 50 attendees will receive a gift bag.
For more information, visit www.latavolacucinanj.com or www.roadiefilm.com.
– Zumba fundraiser to benefit service dogs
Spotswood High School DECA will sponsor a Zumba fundraiser 7-8 p.m. Oct. 14 in the school cafetorium, 105 Summerhill Road, Spotswood.
Admission is $10 at the door. Water will be sold for $1. All proceeds will benefit The Seeing Eye organization for service dogs.
– Sounds of harp music will fill E.B. Library
More than two dozen harpers will perform at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at the East Brunswick Public Library, Jean Walling Civic Center.
The visit is part of the annual Harpers Escape weekend held in New Brunswick. Admission to the concert is free of charge.
For more information, call 732-390-6767 or log on to www.ebpl.org and click on News and Events.
– Domestic abuse to be topic at temple
Rabbi Joel Mishkin will offer a program titled “Domestic Abuse in Biblical Times and Today: The Rape of Dinah and the NFL — Has Anything Changed?” 10:30 a.m. Oct. 12 at Congregation Beth Ohr, Route 516, Old Bridge.
The program, which is presented by the Beth Ohr Sisterhood and Men’s Club and sponsored by the Mindy Nightingale Memorial Fund, will be preceded by the morning minyan and a free bagel breakfast. All are invited to attend.
– Barn Benefit Dance to aid Special Strides
The 16th annual Special Strides Barn Benefit Dance and Raffle is set for 6:30 p.m. Oct. 11 at Congress Hill Farm, 118 Federal Road, Monroe.
The event will include a gourmet cocktail reception with an open bar and a dinner catered by Palms Plaza. The band SpeedLimit will provide live entertainment, and guests will dance to tunes by the Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, the Rolling Stones and more.
Special Strides, a therapeutic riding center that serves 135 people, mostly children, every week, is a nonprofit devoted to improving the lives of individuals with special needs. The dance raises funds to provide financial assistance for those individuals who would not otherwise be able to receive therapy at the center.
Tickets cost $150 per person. Guests are encouraged to purchase a raffle ticket for the chance to win a $10,000 travel voucher to anywhere in the world.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Special Strides and the Steven Werthan Memorial Fund.
For more information, log on to http://specialstrides.com/events/annual-barn-benefit-dance/.