Wednesdays
Free Acoustic Open Mic Night and Poetry at Star Subs and Café in the Buckley Plaza 621 Route 130, Hamilton, will be hosted Wednesdays at 7 p.m. by American Idol contestant Bri Lobue. Audience and musicians are welcome. 609-333- 1230.
First Sun. of the month
Sons of the American Legion Squadron 455 Monthly All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast Buffet takes place every first Sunday of the month and benefits the community, veterans and their families. The event goes from 7-11 a.m. at American Legion Post 455, 2 Meadowbrook Lane (across from Agway), New Egypt. Adults: $8 donation, Children 6-12: $4 donation, under 6: free. Call and leave message 609-758-8131 or visit www.alpost455nj.org.
Dec. 5-7
Allentown Holiday Celebration Weekend, sponsored by Allentown Business Community Association. Friday: “Artist on the Avenue” featuring live holiday music from 7 to 9:30 p.m., prizes and refreshments. Saturday: Christmas Tree Lighting and Cookie Decorating Contest, 5 p.m. Pete Sensi Park by the lake in town, Allentown High School Band will play holiday music from 5 to 5:45 p.m., Santa will make an appearance while the band is there. Christmas carols and tree decorating with the official tree lighting at 6 p.m. If you want to join the Cookie Contest contact Ann at (609) 847-2980. Members of the AHS Chorus will be singing carols and also having a fundraiser at Woody’s Town Café on Saturday. Saturday and Sunday the shops in town will have music, refreshments, special sales, door prizes, pictures with Santa and more. Visit www.AllentownNJ.com.
Saturdays Through Dec. 13
HypnoBirthing® 9:30 a.m.–12 p.m. at Community Education & Outreach at the Hamilton Area YMCA John K. Rafferty Branch, 1315 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road, Suite 100, Conference Rooms A & B. Registration: Visit Princeton HealthCare System online at www.princetonhcs.org/calendar or call 1.888.897.8979?Cost: $195 per couple. Designed for expectant couples who have a desire to learn deeper methods of relaxation for birthing to help eliminate the fear that causes tension and pain. Learn how to prepare the mind and body for birth through self-hypnosis, comfort measures, breathing techniques and relaxation, plus how the body and baby work as one. Participants should bring an exercise mat and two pillows.
Sat., Dec. 6
The 17th annual Christmas Auction will be held at the American Legion Post 455 Hall, 2 Meadowbrook Lane (across from Agway), New Egypt. Doors open at 5 p.m. Calling begins at 7 p.m. (Snow date is Sun., Dec. 7.) Admission: $5 (3 sheets of tickets). Donations appreciated. For info and donation drop-off call Bill (609) 758-7837 or email [email protected].
Make a Gingerbread House from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Plumsted Branch of the Ocean County Library, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. Construct and decorate a gingerbread house for the holidays with the Teen Advisory Board (TAB). Ages 4-10.
Mon., Dec. 8
BJ and the Band: Motown Holiday Revue, appear at 7 p.m. at the Plumsted Branch of the Ocean County Library, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. Join us for a Motown holiday concert featuring favorites from The Temptations, Four tops, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and more.
Tues., Dec. 9
Mid-Day Toastmasters meets from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Monmouth County Library, 16 S. Main St., Allentown. For more information call (609) 259-2150 or see http://4139.toastmastersclubs.org. Toastmasters International is 90 years old, and the leading nonprofit dedicated to effective oral communication and leadership. Members meet to deliver and evaluate prepared and impromptu speeches in an effort to become better speakers and leaders.
Toddler Time – Holiday Stories, at 10:30 a.m. at the Plumsted Branch of the Ocean County Library, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. Toddlers ages 18-36 months and their caregivers are welcome to join us for stories, songs, and a craft.
Wed., Dec. 10
Teen Board Game Night, is held from 7 – 8:30 p.m. at the Plumsted Branch of the Ocean County Library, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. Come and play board games provided by the library, or bring your favorite ones. Grades 6-12.
Fri., Dec. 12
Winter Holiday Celebration is held at 3:30 p.m. at the Plumsted Branch of the Ocean County Library, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. Celebrate winter holidays with crafts, game and treat to make and eat. Ages 4-10.
Mon, Dec. 15
Balloon Sculpting for Teens is held at 7 p.m. at the Plumsted Branch of the Ocean County Library, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. Join Cheryl Schwendel as she instructs teens on how to make balloon creations with a seasonal twist.
Tues., Dec. 16
Family Picture Book Discussion is held at 3:30 p.m. at the Plumsted Branch of the Ocean County Library, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. Let’s celebrate the holidays by reading The Carpenter’s Gift and Hanukkah Bear. Registration at the circulation desk. Best suited for grades 1-3.
Wed., Dec. 17
Anime Club meets for 6 – 7:30 p.m. at the Plumsted Branch of the Ocean County Library, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. Join other teen fans to screen anime DVDs. Grades 6-12.
Teen Advisory Board (TAB) meets from 7:30-8:30 p.m. at the Plumsted Branch of the Ocean County Library, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. If you are a teen in grades 7 – 12 join us to see what TAB is all about.
Thurs., Dec. 18
LEGO® Club meets at 1:30 p.m. at the Plumsted Branch of the Ocean County Library, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. LEGO® building fun. Ages 3-11.
Fri., Dec. 19
Children’s Storytime – Gingerbread People Stories, at 1:30 p.m. at the Plumsted Branch of the Ocean County Library, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. Stories and craft. Ages 3-6.
Recurring events
Winter storytime sessions at the Allentown Library. Stories, songs and fun activities every Thursday at the library at 16 S. Main St., Allentown. No registration required.
The schedule includes Good Morning Storytime from 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. for ages 3 and under with a parent or caregiver (siblings welcome); Preschool Storytime from 11:15 to 11:45 a.m. for ages 3 to 5; and Family Storytime from 2:15 to 2:45 p.m. for all ages.
For more information, call the library at 609-259-7565.
Weekly senior games. Plumsted Senior Outreach Services, Thursdays from 1 to 3 p.m., Plumsted Municipal Building lower level via elevator, 121 Evergreen Road.
Play a different game every week, including Scrabble, bingo, board and card games and dominoes.
For further information, call 609-758-2241, ext. 111, and leave a message.
Senior exercise classes, sponsored by the Plumsted Senior Outreach Service, at 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in the lower level of the Plumsted Municipal Building, 121 Evergreen Road.
All new participants are required to submit a doctor’s permission form. To register, call 609-758-2241, ext. 111.
Mid-day Toastmasters Club. Meets 11:30 a.m. second and fourth Tuesdays each month at Robbinsville Branch of the Mercer County Library System, 42 Allentown-Robbinsville Road. Contact Jim Samuel at [email protected].
The Good Neighbor Fund assists area residents with emergency needs such as utility, rent and medical bills. To donate, mail a check payable to Good Neighbor Fund in care of Allentown Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 122, Allentown, 08501.
Plumsted TNR Committee. Plumsted Trap, Neuter and Return Committee every Sunday 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., New Egypt Flea Market, 933 Route 536, Plumsted.
MOMS Club of Upper Freehold/Allentown. First Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Allentown Presbyterian Church, 20 High St. For information, contact Barbara Nissinger or Jen Domen at [email protected].
Millstone MOMS. 10 a.m., MOMS Club of Millstone Township, second Thursday of each month. For information, contact Melanie Sullivan at 732-851-5559 or [email protected] or www.millstone.nj.us/Moms_Club.html.
Discussing books. Meets 6:30 p.m., Plumsted branch of the Ocean County Library, first Wednesday of the month. Registration can be done in person, by phone at 609-758-7888 or online at www.theoceancountylibrary.org.
Book collection. Every first Saturday of the month from May through October the Friends of the Plumsted Township Library will be collecting used books for future book sales. Fiction, nonfiction, large print, children’s, CDs, DVDs, audio books and jigsaw puzzles are accepted. Do not donate soiled, mildewed items. Videotapes, Readers Digest condensed books, magazines or encyclopedias are not accepted.
Drop off books behind the Plumsted Township Library on Evergreen Road the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Do not leave items if no one is present.Call 609-758-0009 or 732-580-5600 or email [email protected]
Veterans wanted. The Robbinsville American Legion Post 530 meets the second Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Robbins House, 245 Windsor Road, Windsor, 08691. If interested in joining and becoming involved or if you just want to take a look, call Mel Boyce at 609-306-1496 for more information.
Community events, meeting notices, public announcements and other items of local interest appear regularly in this column at no charge. Send to [email protected] or Community Calendar in care of The Messenger-Press, P.O. Box 350, Princeton, New Jersey, 08542, or fax to 609-921-2714.
Short email submissions (no attachments) are preferred. Include time, date, location, full street address, admission fee (if applicable) and a contact email or phone number for further information. Submission of an item does not guarantee publication.
