Tues., July 5
The Cranbury Township Fourth of July fireworks display will be held at dusk in Village Park. Due to the nature of the display, the decibel level may tend to scare family pets. Rain date for the fireworks is July 6.
Wed., July 6
Paint & Pencil Family Art with Miss Barbara from from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Hightstown Memorial Library, 114 Franklin St. in Hightstown. For all ages. Our resident artist, Miss Barbara, will help you express your creativity by drawing in pencil or painting in watercolors (even if you’ve never before picked up a brush). No registration necessary.
Thurs., July 7
“A Visit from the Farm” from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Hightstown Memorial Library, 114 Franklin St. in Hightstown. For ages 2-6 with a caregiver. Enjoy farm-themed stories, learn about healthy eating and meet a real chicken from Appelget Farm followed by painting with veggies. No registration required. Siblings welcome.
Tween Time from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Hightstown Memorial Library, 114 Franklin St. in Hightstown. Create different works of art and science experiments at these “Tween Only” sessions. Each week of July features a different activity. For ages 8-12. Registration not required.
Fri., July 8
Art of Speaking from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. at the Hightstown Memorial Library, 114 Franklin St. in Hightstown. Learn public speaking techniques in fun and creative ways like making your own commercial and presenting a news event. Runs for three weeks and each week will feature a different activity and topic. For ages 10-16. No registration required. Questions? Email [email protected] for further information.
Friday Afternoon Movie: “Quiz Show” will be shown at 2 p.m. at the Hickory Corner Branch, Mercer County Library System, 138 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor. Join us for a screening of the classic movie starring Ralph Fiennes. Rated PG-13; 129 minutes. A small snack will be served. No registration necessary.
Sun., July 10
The Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton will host “ROTARUN”, a 5K race and fundraiser to benefit veterans groups and local charities, in Veterans’ Park in Hamilton Township, N.J. Sign-in for runners will be from 7:30-8:30 a.m. and the race will start at 9 a.m. Prizes will be awarded to the first 3 runners in several categories. There will also be a 1K fun walk. Registration forms are available at First Choice Bank (Route 130 at Shoppes at Hamilton), Pacers Princeton Running Store (7 Palmer Square West, Princeton), HVCB/Northfield Bank (corner of Youngs and Quakerbridge Roads) and Affiance, LLC (941 Whitehorse Ave., Ste. 18-19, Hamilton). The fee is $25. Visit rhrotary.org for online registrations and more information. The club welcomes event sponsors to help support its efforts to improve lives in our community.
Mon., July 11
Read to the Dogs will be held at 2 p.m. at the Plumsted Branch of the Ocean County Library, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt, N.J. Children can practice their reading skills by reading a story to one of the Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs.All young readers and their families are welcome. Stop in, call the branch at 609-758-7888, or check the website www.theoceancountylibrary.org to register and find out about all monthly programs.
Mother Daughter Book Club from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. at the Hightstown Memorial Library, 114 Franklin St. in Hightstown. “Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Book Store” by Robin Sloan. Girls ages 11 and up and their mothers are invited for fun conversation, great snacks and discussion. New members are welcome.
Wed., July 13
Energy Medicine will be held at 2 p.m. at the Plumsted Branch of the Ocean County Library, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt, N.J. If you are looking for a natural way to tap into your body’s healing ability, then try Energy Medicine. Join us as Siobhan Hutchinson a Holistic Health specialist shows techniques that are easy and fun to do. This event is for the open-minded, and those seeking to self-empower themselves in their own healing journey. Stop in, call the branch at 609-758-7888, or check the website www.theoceancountylibrary.org to register and find out about all monthly programs.
True Freedom Insight Session from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Hightstown Memorial Library, 114 Franklin St. in Hightstown. Spiritual freedom brings us emotional independence. It gives us the freedom to think and feel what we want to, at any given time and in any situation. This is true freedom, where we are not slaves to our minds and we are free from worries, anger and negative thinking. Join Leena, a nine-year practitioner of Rajyoga meditation, in this interactive workshop. Register at www.mcl.org.
East Windsor Township will hold a document shredding / recycling day on from 4 to 8 p.m. at the East Windsor Senior Center, 40 Lanning Boulevard. Free document shredding will be available to East Windsor residents, with a limit of 10 boxes per household. No commercial drop-offs are permitted. RISE will be on-site for drop-off of shoes, clothing, blankets, working appliances, useable furniture, and housewares. No electronics accepted at this event (i.e. no televisions, computers, computer accessories and non-working appliances.) For further information, call 609-443-4000, ext. 215.
Thurs., July 14
Tween Time from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Hightstown Memorial Library, 114 Franklin St. in Hightstown. Create different works of art and science experiments at these “Tween Only” sessions. Each week of July features a different activity. For ages 8-12. Registration not required.
Fri., July 15
Art of Speaking from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. at the Hightstown Memorial Library, 114 Franklin St. in Hightstown. Learn public speaking techniques in fun and creative ways like making your own commercial and presenting a news event. Runs for three weeks and each week will feature a different activity and topic. For ages 10-16. No registration required. Questions? Email [email protected] for further information.
Mon., July 18
Ready, Set, Braid! from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Hightstown Memorial Library, 114 Franklin St. in Hightstown. Learn how to create fun and classic braided hairstyles, make a hair accessory, and get your hair braided as well. Bring your own hairbrush and ponytail holders. Girls may bring a doll for a hairstyle if they do not want their own hair done. For girls ages 5-12. No registration required.
Thurs., July 21
T’ai Chi Chih will be held at 2 p.m. at the Plumsted Branch of the Ocean County Library, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt, N.J. T’ai Chi is a gentle, mindful moving meditation with many health benefits that may be done seated or standing.It is known to improve quality of sleep, decrease depression, improve balance and help lower high blood pressure. Stop in, call the branch at 609-758-7888, or check the website www.theoceancountylibrary.org to register and find out about all monthly programs.
Tween Time from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Hightstown Memorial Library, 114 Franklin St. in Hightstown. Create different works of art and science experiments at these “Tween Only” sessions. Each week of July features a different activity. For ages 8-12. Registration not required.
Fri., July 22
Art of Speaking from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. at the Hightstown Memorial Library, 114 Franklin St. in Hightstown. Learn public speaking techniques in fun and creative ways like making your own commercial and presenting a news event. Runs for three weeks and each week will feature a different activity & topic. For ages 10-16. No registration required. Questions? Email [email protected] for further information.
Mon., July 25
Ready, Set, Braid! from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Hightstown Memorial Library, 114 Franklin St. in Hightstown. Learn how to create fun and classic braided hairstyles, make a hair accessory, and get your hair braided as well. Please bring your own hairbrush and ponytail holders. Girls may bring a doll for a hairstyle if they do not want their own hair done. For girls ages 5-12. No registration required.
Tues., July 26
Coloring for Adults will be held at1 p.m. at the Plumsted Branch of the Ocean County Library, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt, N.J. Rediscover the joy of coloring. Coloring sheets and art supply provided along with light refreshments and relaxing music. Stop in, call the branch at 609-758-7888, or check the website www.theoceancountylibrary.org to register and find out about all monthly programs.
Free Immigration Legal Clinic from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Hightstown Memorial Library, 114 Franklin St. in Hightstown. Call the library for more information and to register for a free 15-minute consultation with an immigration lawyer.
Wed., July 27
Life-size Board Games will be held at 7 p.m. at the Plumsted Branch of the Ocean County Library, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt, N.J. If you are a teen in grades 7 – 12, join us for life-sized board game night with Candy Land. Stop in, call the branch at 609-758-7888, or check the website www.theoceancountylibrary.org to register and find out about all monthly programs.
Paint & Pencil Family Art with Miss Barbara from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Hightstown Memorial Library, 114 Franklin St. in Hightstown. For all ages. Our resident artist, Miss Barbara will help you express your creativity by drawing in pencil or painting in watercolors (even if you’ve never before picked up a brush). You and your children are welcome to come to one or both sessions. No registration necessary.
Thurs., July 28
Tween Time from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Hightstown Memorial Library, 114 Franklin St. in Hightstown. Create different works of art and science experiments at these “Tween Only” sessions. Each week of July features a different activity. For ages 8-12. Registration not required.
Yoga Plus with Bob Kirby from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Hightstown Memorial Library, 114 Franklin St. in Hightstown. Enjoy the benefits of yoga and low-impact exercises. Bob Kirby, a certified fitness instructor, will incorporate music while focusing on balance, posture, mobility, and strength. Register at www.mcl.org. Fri., July 29
Art of Speaking from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. at the Hightstown Memorial Library, 114 Franklin St. in Hightstown. Learn public speaking techniques in fun & creative ways like making your own commercial and presenting a news event. Runs for three weeks and each week will feature a different activity and topic. For ages 10-16. No registration required. Questions? Email [email protected] for further information.
Continuing events
Spinning Yarns Craft Circle: This club meets the first and third Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Cranbury Public Library at 23 N. Main St. in Cranbury. Visit the Gambino Room for an hour of knitting, crocheting, crafts and conversation. All levels welcome.
The Monroe Township Police PBA #255 & SOA #203 is having its second annual toy drive between now and Dec. 9. Residents are asked to drop off an unwrapped toy or make a monetary donation for children of all ages at the police department, 3 Municipal Plaza. For more information, contact Lt. Lisa Robinson at 732-521-0222, ext. 149 or email [email protected]; or Officer Wesley Panckeri at 732-521-0222, ext. 210 or email [email protected].
Read It and Eat It! Cook Book Club: This club takes place the third Tuesday of the month at 1 p.m. in the Cranbury Public Library at 23 N. Main St. in Cranbury. Call the library to reserve a copy of this month’s book or visit www.goodreads.com/topic/group_folder/264622.
Toddler Stay and Play: This event is held Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. in the at 23 N. Main St. in Cranbury. Early literacy story time helps prepare children with future reading skills. After singing, reading, and talking, children ages 12-24 months with a caregiver stay and play.
Movie Club: This club meets on the third Thursday of the month at 1 p.m. in the Cranbury Public Library at 23 N. Main St. in Cranbury Join the lively discussions about movies.
Central Jersey Chapter 148 of Korean War Veterans Association: Any veterans who served during the war from June 25, 1950 to July 27, 1953 or who have served in Korea from July 27, 1953 to the current date can join the group that meets at 10 a.m. the second Wednesday of every month (except January, February, March and April) at the Monroe Township Municipal Building. Requirements for membership include paying dues of $25 to the Korean War Veterans Association and a $10 chapter fee per year. The chapter is involved in various functions throughout the year including parades with color guard, flag raisings, Korean War memorial ceremonies, funerals and more. For more information, contact Charles Koppelman at 609-655-3111 or email him at [email protected].
Holy Cross Lutheran Preschool: Registration for the 2015-16 school year for both Pre-K-3 and Pre-K-4 programs continues to be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Call Preschool Director Kathy Schroeder at 609- 298-2880 ext. 101 for availability.
Food Pantry: The Rise Food Pantry is open 52 weeks a year from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and from 5 to 7 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month. Baby care items, personal products and all nonperishable and perishable food items are needed for local families. The pantry welcomes locally grown fruits and vegetables. Food can be donated directly to the pantry at 225 Franklin St., Hightstown, during operating hours or to the Greater Goods Thrift Store, 114 Rogers Ave., Hightstown. Contact [email protected] for more information.
The Central Jersey Chapter No. 148 of Korean War Veterans Association extends an invitation to any veterans, regardless of branch of service, who served during the war – June 25, 1950 through July 27, 1953 – in any location, including Europe, to join the group. It meets at 10 a.m. the second Wednesday of every month – except January, February, March and April – at the Monroe Township Municipal Building. Requirements for membership include dues of $25 to the Korean War Veterans Association and a $10 chapter fee per year. The chapter is involved in various functions, including parades with Color Guard, flag raisings, funerals and other events. For more information, contact membership chairman Charles Koppelman at 609-655-3111 or by email at [email protected].