Community Bulletin Board: the Sentinel (for March 18)

Editor’s note: In light of recent events related to coronavirus, some organizations have decided to cancel their upcoming programs. Please check the status of any event before attending.

Jamesburg Presbyterian Church will meet from 6:30-8:15 p.m. on March 25 to discuss Psalm 23:5 “you prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” as part of its Lenten series through the Jamesburg Area Association of Churches.

The church is located at 175 Gatzmer Ave. on the corner of Church Street, Jamesburg. 

RSVP by calling 732-521-1711.   

 

The East Brunswick Blackhawks Girls Lacrosse team will hold a flapjack fundraiser from 8-10 a.m. on March 22 at Applebee’s, 324 Ryders Lane, Milltown.

Each breakfast consists of pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, coffee, juice, soda and tea.

The ticket price is $10 per person, or $7.00 for children 10 and under. Tickets are available at the door.

 

 

The East Brunswick Friends of the Library is offering a two-part defensive driving class from 6:30-10 p.m. on March 23 and 24 at the East Brunswick Library, 2 Jean Walling Civic Center.

Led by police driving instructors, the courses give insight into the defensive driving theory and traffic law-enforcement. The class is taught by an instructor from the Defensive Driving Institute of New Jersey.

The courses are for anyone with a valid New Jersey driver’s license. Attendees must bring their driver’s license to the class to register. Permit holders are ineligible.

After taking the class, attendees may apply to reduce points on their driving license once every five years; or to receive an insurance discount, once every three years. Licensed motorists with fewer than four points enjoy a mandatory discount on the auto liability, collision and no-fault portions of their insurance premiums for three years, starting with the next renewal.

Attendance is limited to 30 people and attendance is mandatory at both classes. Pre-registration and advance payment is required. Course costs start at $55.

The application form can be found at www.ebpl.org/friends or at the library’s circulation desk. Checks should be made payable to “E.B. Friends of the Library.”

For more information about the class, contact the Defensive Driving Institute of New Jersey at 732-257-2967 or [email protected].

 

 

Russell Buchinsky, supervisor of East Brunswick’s Shade Tree Division, will be the guest speaker at the next Option Green program at 7 p.m. April 1 at the East Brunswick Library, 2 Jean Walling Civic Center Dr., East Brunswick.

Residents will learn about the township’s tree removal and replacement program, the threat to local trees posed by the destructive emerald ash borer, and how technology is being used in tree management.  Buchinsky also will answer audience questions on tree-related concerns.

The program is free and open to the public.

For more information, visit friendsebec.com

 

Children can learn to make their own air fresheners and Chia Pets in April at the Monroe Township Library, 4 Municipal Plaza, Monroe.

At 5 p.m. on April 9, children ages 9 and up can learn how to freshen any room by making their own air freshener.

At 5 p.m. on April 30, children ages 9 and up can learn how to sculpt their own Chia Pet, plant the seeds and watch it grow.

Register for both events by 9:30 a.m. on March 31.

For more information, contact Lynnette Fucci at 732-521-5000, ext. 125 or at [email protected]; or visit www.monroetwplibrary.org.

 

The annual Makerfest will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 .m. on March 21 at the Monroe Library, 4 Municipal Plaza, Monroe.

The annual celebration will include crafting, electronics, 3D Printing, creativity, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), hands-on projects and demonstrations for all ages.

For more information, call 732-521-5000 or visit www.monroetwplibrary.org.

 

The East Brunswick Library is teaming up with the New Jersey Council for the Humanities and the East Brunswick Friends of the Library for The Path To 2020 program series. The goal of this three-part series is for the community to learn about election issues in a non-partisan environment.

The first program, Women’s Suffrage and the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment, is at 7 p.m. on March 19. This presentation explores the struggle for U.S. women to obtain the right to vote, led by attorney Sharon M. Hallanan, an active member of the New Jersey State Bar Foundation’s Speaker’s Bureau.

The series continues with Carlos L. Yordan’s program Can Social Media Help Us Explain Different Political Events at 7 p.m. on April 2. He explores how we can mine and analyze people’s social media postings in different platforms to get a better sense of people’s reactions to different political events. The presentation also examines how political candidates’ social media activity helps us understand their popularity and the relevance of their ideas.

The spring program series ends at 7 p.m. on May 7 with Who Really Elects The President: The Workings Of The Electoral College. In this program, participants will learn about this history of the Electoral College and how it works through a first-hand account. This is led by Frank Argote-Freyre, an associate professor at Kean University.

All three programs are free and open to the public.

The library is located on Civic Center Drive off Ryders Lane, East Brunswick.

For more information, visit www.ebpl.org.

 

 

 

 

RWJ Barnabas Health, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and East Brunswick Public Library are teaming up to host a lecture about HPV and cancer prevention at 6:30 p.m. on April 7 at the library, 2 Jean Walling Civic Center, East Brunswick.

 

Led by Domonique Noel, this informative program covers several topics, including HPV prevention, related cancers, screening options and general guidelines. Noel serves as part of a team of Community Cancer Control specialists at the Cancer Institute.

 

She specifically leads LTBGQ health efforts, as well as focusing on HPV education efforts, including prevention and screening for HPV-related cancers (including cervical, oral and anal cancers) as well as cancer among people living with HIV.

 

Registration is required for this free program. To register, call the library at 732-390-6767 or visit www.ebpl.org/calendar.

 

This program is offered through the library’s Just For The Health Of It! consumer health and wellness information initiative. To learn about the health and medical knowledge resources the library offers, visit www.justforthehealthofit.org.

 

St. Mary of Ostrabrama Church will hold Lenten Fish Dinners from 5-7 p.m. March 20 and 27 and April 3 in the Parish Center, 30 Jackson St., South River.
Take out dinners available at 4 p.m.
The menu includes fried cod fish, French fries, macaroni and cheese, cole slaw, salad, clam chowder, dessert, coffee and tea.
Adult fish dinners are $12, while children’s meals are $5.
Tickets will be on sale at the door or in the parish office during business hours.

 

The East Brunswick High School Drama Club will present “Guys and Dolls” at 7 p.m. on March 20 and 21 at the school, 380 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.

Tickets are $14 for adults and $8 for seniors and students.

For more information, visit ebhsdrama.org.

 

 

Join The Daniel Pearl Education Center for “Intersection Point: A Conversation on Religion and Race” with Rabbi Tiferet Berenbaum of Temple Beth Zion in Brookline, Massachusetts, at 8 p.m. on March 20 Temple B’nai Shalom, 15 Fern Road, East Brunswick. 

Email [email protected] for more information.

 

 

 

 

Prudential Center, Entercom and the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation have announced the Sixth Annual Mikey Strong Charity Hockey Game, presented by M&M’S, to benefit spinal cord research and quality of life initiatives at 7 p.m. on March 27 at Prudential Center in Newark.

Boomer Esiason and Gregg Giannotti, hosts of Entercom station WFAN (WFAN-FM/AM) morning show “Boomer & Gio,” will host the two-period charity game and be joined by notable NHL Alumni, including Bruce Driver, Colin White, Marek Zidlicky, Randy Velischek, Jim Dowd, Tommy Albelin and Ken Daneyko.

General admission tickets are priced at $25 and are on sale at NewJerseyDevils.com/MikeyStrong.

Prudential Center doors will open at 6 p.m. First 5,000 fans in attendance will receive a voucher for two complimentary tickets to a select New Jersey Devils game during the 2020-21 season and a voucher for two complimentary tickets to a select New York Yankees game during the 2020 season.

Fans should tag #MikeyStrong, #JoinReeve, @Prucenter and @ReeveFoundation in their social media posts.

Proceeds from the game will go to the Nichols Family Trust to provide for Nichols’ medical needs, as well as the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, which is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research and improving the quality of life for individuals living with paralysis. Nichols, a Monroe resident, was 17 when on Jan. 4, 2014, he was playing for the Monroe High School hockey team when he suffered an injury that left him paralyzed from a fractured C5 vertebrae.

For more information, visit NewJerseyDevils.com/MikeyStrong.

 

 

The East Brunswick Jewish Center will present “Broadway Revue” at 8:30 p.m. on March 21 in the main sanctuary, 511 Ryders Lane, East Brunswick.

Enjoy solos, duets and ensemble pieces from some of Broadway’s top shows, old and new.

The cost is $15 for adults, $10 for children ages 5-12, and free for children under 4.

Sponsorship is available at $36 per person and includes preferential reserved seating in the first three rows.

For tickets, visit www.ebjc.org/events or call Ellen Botwin at 732-257-7070, ext. 5.

 

 

 

 

Disability Allies will facilitate a transition fair, “Meet the Support Coordinators,” from 4-8 p.m. on March 30 at The Young Adult Community Inclusion Center, in The Village Green Shopping Center, 415 Route 18, East Brunswick.

Support Coordination is a division funded service that assists individuals in gaining access to needed program and state plan services. Case managers will be replaced by support coordinators employed by community-based agencies approved to provide that service. Individuals in the Supports Program or the Community Care Program must formally select one of the many agencies available.

Register in advance at disabilityallies.com/coordination.

 

 

Orders are being taken for 11 different flavors of babka – cheese, chocolate, cinnamon crumb, prune, poppy, raspberry, apricot, raisin ($12); or raspberry cheese, apricot cheese and chocolate cheese ($13) – offered by Ss. Peter and Paul RO Church in South River.

To order, call Judy at 732-828-0076.

Pickup will be from 3-7 p.m. on March 26 in the church hall, 7 Jeffrie Ave, South River.

Orders are due by March 22.

The church will then hold its annual spring festival on March 28.

 

Reformed Church Home invites children ages 2-10 to its annual Easter Fair and Egg Hunt from 9:30-11:30 a.m. on April 4, rain or shine, at the home, 1990 Route 18, Old Bridge.

An indoor Easter Fair will be held on the first floor, while individual egg hunts will be held in the assisted living garden, weather permitting, based on the following times: ages 2-4 at 10 a.m.; ages 5-7 at 10:30 a.m., and ages 8-10 at 11 a.m. In the case of bad weather, the egg hunts will be held indoors.

Families are welcome to partake in crafts, games, a prize wheel, deejay music, a coloring contest, a jelly bean guessing contest, a homemade candy sale by our assisted living residents, and photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny.

Visit www.reformedchurchhome.com or call 732-607-9230 for more information.

 

The New Brunswick Kennel Club will hold its all-breed dog shows from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 20 and 21 at the New Jerseey Convention & Expo Center, Raritan Center, 97 Sunfield Ave., Edison. 

Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for 65 and over, and $2 for children under 10. 

No baby strollers or dogs allowed. 

For more information, visit www.nbkc.org.

 

East Brunswick Elks Lodge 2370 will hold its annual Breakfast with the Easter Bunny and egg hunt from 9 a.m. to noon on April 11 at the lodge, 21 Oakmont Ave., East Brunswick.

The Easter Bunny will arrive at 10:15 a.m.

Breakfast will be served from 9-10:30 a.m.

The cost is $10 per person. Children under 10 are free.

Contact Joan Scaduto at 732-567-6671 or [email protected] for tickets. Reservations are highly recommended.

 

 

 

 

Blackhawks Lacrosse is enrolling girls in grades 3-8 for the Spring 2020 season.

This team is open to residents in East Brunswick, South River, Spotswood, Milltown, Helmetta, Jamesburg, Old Bridge and any other town with no lacrosse team of its own.

The program will run from March to late May. Practices are two to three times per week (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday) with all games on the weekends (Friday and Sunday).

Players must provide their own stick, eye goggles, mouth guard and cleats.

Registration fee is $250 for East Brunswick residents or $275 for non-residents.

No prior lacrosse experience is necessary, but U.S. Lacrosse membership is required to play. Visit www.uslacrosse.org to join.

For more information, email [email protected] or visit www.BlackhawksGirlsLAX.com

 

 

Playhouse 22 will hold open auditions for “Camelot,” a musical by Lerner and Loewe, at 7:30 p.m. on March 30 and 31 at the theater, 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick. Callbacks will be by invitation from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 4.
Those auditioning should be prepared to sing 16-32 bars of a song in the style of the show. Sides will be provided at auditions.
Be prepared to list any dance experience. Everyone auditioning will be taught a short movement combination. No specific shoes/attire required.
Video auditions will not be accepted. Bring your theater resume.
Rehearsals are expected to begin on or about April 6 and will be held depending on cast availability.
​Performance dates are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays, June 12–28. Tech Week will begin on June 6 and all cast members are expected to attend these rehearsals.
For character descriptions, visit www.playhouse22.org.

 

 

 

 

American Legion Post 253 will hold a Murder Mystery Dinner from 5-10 p.m. on April 18 at the post, 50 Devoe Ave., Spotswood.

Cost is $50 per person by April 10, and $65 per person afterward.

Buffet dinner included.

For more information, text 732-991-9507 or visit the post on Facebook.

 

 

 

The Sgt. John Basilone Italian-American Club, 48 Appleby Ave., South River, has resumed its weekly Tuesday night dinners at 6:30 p.m.

The fresh-cooked homemade dinners include soup, salad, entrée, dessert, coffee and tea. The menu changes each week.

The cost is $12.

For more information, call 732-238-0310 on the day of the dinner or visit www.imperialmusiccenter.com for a listing of the menu and dates of monthly concerts.

Since the club supports the South River Food Bank, donations of non-perishable items will be collected.

 

Rabbi Jeff Pivo of the East Brunswick Jewish Center will take part in “Freshly Brewed” Coffee and Conversation at The Coffee Bar, Ryders Crossing Shopping Center, 350 Ryders Lane, Milltown.

Schedule is 7 p.m. on March 23 and noon on March 30.

Visit www.facebook.com/eastbrunswickjc for additional dates and times.

 

The South River Police Department is accepting applications for the position of Class I Special Law Enforcement Officer.

The Class I Special Police Officer will work under the direction of the chief of police. Class I officers are typically assigned to court security details, special events, parking enforcement and to supplement routine patrol.

Minimum qualifications:

• Must be a resident of the State of New Jersey.

• Must pass a psychological exam.

• Must pass a medical exam and have a doctor complete a medical certification.

• Must pass a drug test pursuant to Attorney General’s Law Enforcement Drug Testing Policy.

• Must be able to pass an extensive background check.

• Must possess a valid New Jersey driver’s license in good standing.

• Must be 18 years of age or older.

• Must possess a minimum of a high school diploma or a GED equivalent.

Interested applicants can obtain an application from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays at the Records Bureau, South River Police Department, 61 Main St., South River. Applications must be returned to the police department by March 20.

 

 

 

The East Brunswick Public School District Community Programs Department is offering high school equivalency and citizenship programs, free of charge.

The High School Equivalency Program is currently running and will conclude in May. Classes are held from 6-8:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at East Brunswick High School, 380 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick. Classes prepare attendees for TASC; not a testing center.

The Citizenship Program is currently running and will conclude in May. Classes are held on Mondays and Wednesdays in Meeting Room 3 at the East Brunswick Library, 2 Jean Walling Civic Center Dr. Classes run either from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or from 12:30-3 p.m. dependent on class level.

To register for either program, call Community Programs at 732-613-6983.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fish Fry Fridays are back at American Legion Post 25, 4 JFK Dr., Milltown, from 5-8 p.m. on Fridays through April 10.

Cost is $10 for adults, or $5 for children 12 and under. Dinner includes fries or macaroni and cheese, plus salad, coleslaw and dessert.

Take out is available for an additional 50 cents each meal.

For more information, call 732-828-7125.

 

The St. James Knights of Columbus will hold Lenten fish frys through April 10 at Council 6336, 83 E. Lincoln Ave., Jamesburg.
Eat in or take out.
There will be a salad bar, meatless entrée choices and desserts.

The Spotswood Police Department, in conjunction with Spotswood resident Marylin Israel, will hold a walk on April 18 to raise awareness for congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), a birth defect that occurs during fetal development which causes a hole in an infant’s diaphragm, which leaves limited room for the lungs to grow.

Israel’s 7-month-old grandson Asher was diagnosed with CDH during a 20-week ultrasound. After five months in the NICU he returned home to his parents Gonzalo and Jennifer.

The walk will begin at Immaculate Conception in Spotswood and continue to the Maple Street Pavilion in Helmetta.

For more information, visit the Spotswood Police Department’s Facebook page.

 

The Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey will offer a trip to The Museum of Jewish Heritage  for the “Auschwitz: Not Long Ago. Not Far Away” exhibit on April 20.

Round-trip transportation and boxed lunch is included in the fee of $64 per person.

Meet at 11 a.m. at the federation’s office, 230 Old Bridge Turnpike, South River. Bus should return by 5:30 p.m.

For more information, call Lisa Adler at 732-588-1800.

 

 

Local author John D. Katerba will discuss his new book “Images of America – Jamesburg and Monroe Township: Years Gone By” at 2 p.m. on April 25 at the Monroe Township Public Library, 4 Municipal Plaza, Monroe Township.

Registration is not required. For more information, call 732-521-5000 or visit www.monroetwplibrary.org.

 

John Miraglia of the Raritan Valley Sierra Club will lead a discussion of climate change and other environmental factors’ impact on the quality of life in New Jersey at 11 a.m. on April 30 at the Monroe Township Library, 4 Municipal Plaza, Monroe.

Topics will include environmental factors impacting health, wildlife, energy availability, and flooding, as well as practical steps individuals can take to reduce the issues.

Register at the Welcome Desk. For more information, call 732-521-5000 or visit www.monroetwplibrary.org.

The American Cancer Society’s Bark for Life canine event will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 26 at Mannino Park, 1 Mannino Park Dr., Old Bridge.

The community dog walk, festival and vendor fair will raise funds and awareness for the fight against cancer.

There will be dog contests, entertainment, demonstrations and more.

To register, visit www.relayforlife.org/barkcentralNJ

 

For more information, email [email protected] or call 732-292-4264.

 

 

 

The New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning and PNC Bank are inviting New Jersey students in grades 2-12 to take part in the 17th annual PNC Bank “American Patriot Essay Contest” by writing a short essay on the topic “What the American Flag Means to Me.”

The Grand Prize winner will receive the opportunity to take a ride in a 75-foot-tall hot air balloon in front of their classmates at their school in June and then fly in one of the 100 hot air balloons at this year’s 38th annual balloon fest, scheduled for July 24-26 at Solberg Airport in Readington.

The Festival VIP Grand Prize package includes a hot air balloon ride for two, four Blue Sky Club VIP tickets, and the opportunity to meet one of this year’s concert headliners.

This year’s winning student’s immediate classmates will each receive one complimentary general admission ticket to the Festival. Second-place and third-place prizes consisting of festival admission and merchandise will be also awarded. The winning student’s teacher and school principal will each receive two Blue Sky Club VIP tickets.

All teachers in the state who submit a group of 15 essays or more on behalf of their students will receive two free general admission tickets to the festival regardless of whether one of their students submits the winning essay.

The essays must be 100 words or less. They will be judged by a panel of representatives from PNC Bank and the balloon festival. Winning essays will be selected based on creativity, poignancy and clarity with consideration given to the grade level of the contestant.

Entries should be mailed to Essay Judges, New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning, 363 Route 46 West, Suite 200, Fairfield 07004; or emailed to [email protected]. Entries should include the student’s name, grade and age; the school name, address and telephone number; and the name of their teacher and the teacher’s school email address.

The deadline to enter is May 1.

Additional information may be found at www.balloonfestival.com/pncessay.

The Spotswood Police Department is accepting applications for the 2020 Junior Police Academy, which will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. July 13-17 at Spotswood High School, 105 Summerhill Road, Spotswood.

The academy is open to students entering sixth through 12th grades.

Applications can be picked up at Spotswood police headquarters, 77 Summerhill Road, Spotswood. Deadline to apply is June 29.

For more information, contact Detective Sgt. Edward Schapley at 732-416-1861 or [email protected].

 

 

Playhouse 22 announced its 2019-20 season lineup:

“Harvey” will be March 20 to April 5.

“Camelot” will be June 12-28.

All performances are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Sundays.

Tickets for the main stage are $22 for adults or $20 for seniors and students.

A season subscription of three shows is $63 per person, or $57 for seniors and students. A select package of four shows is $80 per person or $72 for seniors and students. An elite package of five shows is $95 per person, or $85 for seniors and students.

 Special times will be announced for “A Christmas Carol.” All tickets to “A Christmas Carol” and other special events and concerts are $15.

Playhouse 22 is located at the Community Arts Center, 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.

For tickets, visit www.playhouse22.org.

 

The Friends of the Monroe Library will celebrate Women’s History Month with a Women in History presentation – Doughnuts for Doughboys: A World War I Salvation Army Lassie in Neuvilly, France at 2 p.m. on March 26 at the library, 4 Municipal Plaza, Monroe.

Approximately 500 Salvation Army volunteers during World War I were young women who served with the American Army in France. Laurie Gaulke will perform the engaging historical portrayal.

For more information, visit www.monoretwplibrary.org.

 

 

The Monroe Township Public Library will celebrate National Poetry Month with a poetry contest and poetry fair.

Monroe residents are encouraged to enter the poetry contest sponsored by the Poets Corner poetry group by submitting an original poem, with a maximum of 24 lines. One entry per person. Entrant’s name, address and contact number must be clearly and legibly written or typed with the submission. The deadline for submission is March 14.

Poems must be mailed to the Monroe Township Library, c/o Poets Corner, 4 Municipal Plaza, Monroe Township, NJ 08831.

The competition will conclude with a Poetry Fair from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on April 17. The Poetry Contest winner will be notified by mail and will be invited to read his/her work at this event.

Poets Corner meets on the first Friday of every month at 11:00 am at the Monroe Township Library. Interested and aspiring poets are welcome to attend. Registration is not required.

National Poetry Month, a celebration of poetry which takes place each April, was introduced in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets as a way to increase awareness and appreciation of poetry in the United States.

 

 

Guidelines for the annual NAMI NJ (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Dara Axelrod Expressive Arts Mental Health Poetry Contest include:

* Poem should be in keeping with the theme of how your superpowers helped you battle your challenges with mental illness

* Poem must be typewritten. If sent electronically, do not send PDF files.

* Poem should be no longer than 40 lines.

* Fill out a media release form to accompany your entry.

* Provide a cover letter that includes your name, email (if available), mailing address and phone number.

The contest submission deadline is March 25.

Mail typed entries to NAMI NJ Poetry Contest, 1562 Route 130, North Brunswick 08902. Or, email your entry with the signed media release form to [email protected].

April is the National Poetry Month and May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

 

Jamesburg Presbyterian Church will hold a Merit Badge Fair on March 28, open to all Boy Scouts of America scouts.

Each class has a $15 non-refundable registration fee. Separate transactions are required for registering each sibling.

Each scout will receive one free lunch; additional food and snacks available for sale.

Scouts must be prepared. Bring a signed blue card, printed merit badge workbook for each class, pen and paper. Scouts should be dressed in Class A uniform.

If prerequisites are not completed, a partial completion will be given.

For more information, visit www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0a4daea62ca5ff2-merit. Do not call the church.

 

The music of Eric Clapton will be played by the band Slow Hands from 4-6 p.m. on March 29 at Monroe Township High School, 200 Schoolhouse Road, Monroe.

Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for patrons, or free for students with ID. For tickets, visit www.monroetownshipculturalarts.com, or they will be available for purchase at the box office one prior to showtime.

Presented by the Monroe Township Cultural Arts Commission.

 

At its 27th annual Partner in Excellence dinner, East Brunswick Education Foundation (EBEF) trustees will honor JoAnn Chmielowicz, Leslie Anderson and Jane Mueller.

In addition, the EBEF will induct Anthony Yoseloff, David Rabinowitz and Charlie Wachtel into their Alumni Hall of Fame, which will celebrate the accomplishments of East Brunswick High School alumni in the fields of academics, athletics and the arts.

Community members are invited to attend the dinner on March 31 at 6 p.m. at the Pines Manor, 2085 Route 27, Edison; the cost is $75. The foundation will accept advertisements or donations from anyone wanting to recognize the honorees.

Also associated with the dinner is a “Spectacular Limited Raffle,” where the first prize winner will receive New York Yankees Legends Seats tickets for two, and second prize is an 18-hole round of golf for a foursome at Jasna Polana, along with other prizes.

For more information, visit ebef.org.

 

 

St. Mary’s Altar Rosary Society, 30 Jackson St., South River, will hold its annual Easter Babka Sale through April 2.

Cost for each babka is $11.50 for: cheese, cinnamon crumb, prune, raisin, poppy seed or chocolate. The cost is $13 each for apricot and cheese, chocolate and cheese or raspberry and cheese.

Orders, with payment, may be left during normal business hours at the parish office, or enclosed in an envelope and dropped in the collection basket at church at all Masses. Or, you may mail your order with payment – checks should be made payable to St. Mary’s Altar Rosary Society. All orders must be received by April 2.

Babkas will be available for pickup only from 3-6 p.m. on April 7 in the Parish Center.

For more information, call Christine at 908-391-3355.

 

East Brunswick has been named a Tree City U.S.A. for 2020, the 42nd time the city has received this national recognition from The National Arbor Day Foundation.

Tree City U.S.A. communities receive a flag with the program’s logo, a walnut-mounted plaque, Tree City U.S.A. community signs and maple leaf stickers. The recognition materials will be presented to Mayor Brad Cohen at 1:30 p.m. on May 1 at Irwin Elementary School, 72 Racetrack Road, East Brunswick.

Students and faculty at Irwin will provide entertainment. Roughly 500 seedlings will be distributed along with planting instructions, donated by Stop & Shop of East Brunswick and the East Brunswick Shade Tree Department. A poster contest with a chosen winner from each grade will take place. The East Brunswick Woman’s Club will donate a magnolia tree to be planted at the school.  

 

The South Brunswick Police Department is seeking new officers.

At a minimum, candidates must be between 18 and 35 years of age; possess a minimum of 60 college credits from an accredited college or university; or have four years of active military service in the United States Armed Forces with an Honorable Discharge. Applicants must also be U.S. citizens and hold a current driver’s license.

The department will give a competitive exam administered by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police. The deadline to apply is April 10, with the exam being given on April 22 at South Brunswick High School, 750 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction section of South Brunswick.

For a list of requirements and how to apply to take the exam, visit www.policeapp.com/Entry-Level-South-Brunswick-NJ-Police-Officer-Jobs/903/

For questions about the exam, email [email protected]

 

The Princeton Symphony Orchestra Chamber Music Series, in collaboration with the Monroe Public Library and the Monroe Township Cultural Arts Commission, will hold a concert with Soprano Mary Bonhag and double bassist Evan Premo at 1 p.m. on April 6 at the Monroe Township Library, 4 Municipal Plaza, Monroe.

Free admission, but seating is limited.

 

Free tree seedlings will be available in East Brunswick during April as part of the New Jersey Forest Service’s New Jersey Tree Recovery Campaign.

Beginning at 9 a.m. on April 4, citizens will be able to pick up tree seedlings at the East Brunswick Recycling Center, 357 Dunhams Corner Road, East Brunswick.

Available on a first come, first served basis, the seedlings come with instructions on how to store, care for and plant the trees.

Residents should plant the seedlings within two days after pickup in order to prevent the roots from drying out.

For a list of all distribution locations across the state, visit www.forestry.nj.gov or www.facebook.com/newjerseyforests.

For more information on East Brunswick’s program, email Jill Veit at [email protected].

 

The East Brunswick Public School District offers General Education Inclusive Preschool classes, open to all three- and four-year-old children who reside in East Brunswick.

Children must be three years of age by Oct. 31 and not age eligible for kindergarten (5 years of age by Oct. 31) in order to participate in the program in September.

The classes are taught by certified teachers and supported with paraprofessional aides. This program provides an inclusive educational environment for preschool children aligned with the New Jersey Preschool Teaching and Learning Expectations. This program includes both typically developing and special needs preschool children.

This tuition-based program is five days per week, two-and-one half hours per day and follows the 10 month school calendar. Both morning and afternoon sessions are available.

Tuition is not assessed for families eligible for free and reduced lunch. Information on eligibility for free and reduced lunch and the application is available on the district website at www.ebnet.org/preschool and at each elementary school.

Transportation for this program is the responsibility of the parent/guardian.

Applications are available at www.ebnet.org/preschool and must be received by March 20. Send completed applications to: Assistant Superintendent of Student Activities/Services East Brunswick Public Schools, 760 Route 18, East Brunswick 08816.

A limited number of openings will be available. Requests for specific sessions will be considered based on the number of applicants. However, there are no guarantees for parental requested placements.

A lottery drawing will occur in April if the number of applicants exceeds the openings.

For more information, call 732-613-6750.

 

 

One in 8 Middlesex County residents are food insecure – meaning they don’t have reliable, affordable access to nutritious foods and necessities.

The holidays are over but the need for food donations has not ended. MCFOODS (Middlesex County Food Organization and Outreach Distribution Services) is running low on items such as macaroni and cheese, rice, spaghetti, peanut butter, tuna fish, canned fruits and vegetables.

Consider hosting a food drive with your business, school, civic group or athletic team. MCFOODS can provide containers and transportation of items back to the warehouse. A flyer is attached that can be used or personalized to promote a collection.

Individual donations can be dropped off at the libraries in East Brunswick, Edison, Metuchen, Monroe, Piscataway, Plainsboro and Woodbridge.

MCFOODS is also in need of volunteers to help at the warehouse, offer professional expertise, assist at local events and host a food drive.

For more information, contact Jennifer Apostol, MCFOODS director, by calling 609-409-5033, emailing [email protected] or visiting www.mciauth.com.

Any Soprano, Alto, Tenor or Bass who would like to join the Monroe Township Chorus can attend rehearsals from 9-11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays at the Monroe Township Senior Center, 12 Halsey Reed Road, Monroe.

For more information, call Director Sheila Werfel at 609-619-3229.

Monroe Township Jewish War Veterans Post 609 is collecting United States and foreign stamps, both on and off envelopes.

Stamps are used by veterans as hobbies and as therapy to support medical staff at VA Medical Centers nationwide.

Stamps are not traded or sold; they are forwarded to veteran patients at no charge.

Also requested are DVDs suitable for veterans at those locations.

Send all items to JWV Post 609, c/o Charles Koppelman, 6 Yarmouth Dr., Monroe 08831-4742.

East Brunswick residents and those who work in town can rent a plot at the Community Garden, located adjacent to the Municipal Complex on Rues Lane.

The garden has 10-foot by 10-foot plots available to new gardeners on a first-come, first-served basis for $45 for the first season.

All gardeners are required to put in four hours of community garden service each year by working with a committee and participating in work days, or paying $40 in lieu of service.  Gardeners can select from a list of committees found on the registration form.

For more information, visit ebcommunitygarden.weebly.com or email [email protected].

 

 

The Redhawk Native American Arts Council will hold its annual Raritan Pow Wow from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on June 20 and 21, rain or shine, at the Middlesex County Fairgrounds, 655 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.

There will be Native American dancers, singers, artists, vendors, crafts, performing groups and food.

Grand entry of dancers is at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. both days.

The cost is $12 for adults and teens, $8 for children ages 6-12, $10 for seniors age 65 and older, $10 for students, and $35 online only for family four-packs.

Parking is free.

Bring lawn chairs. Leashed pets welcome.

For more information, visit www.redhawkcouncil.org. For tickets, visit raritanpw2020.eventbrite.com.

The Middlesex County Board of Elections is seeking poll workers for the Primary Election on June 2. In addition to receiving a stipend of $200 for the day, poll workers perform a valuable civic service by helping to ensure that every eligible voter can exercise their right to vote.

Any county resident who is 18 years or older, registered to vote in Middlesex County and can speak English is qualified to become a poll worker. High school students (16 or 17 years old) can serve as poll workers if they are a United States citizen, a resident of Middlesex County, can speak English and have written permission from his or her parent or guardian and high school representative.

While all individuals are welcome to apply, the county’s focus is recruiting poll workers to assist the county’s large demographics of voters who speak English and at least one of the following languages: Spanish, Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, Urdu, Mandarin, Cantonese and Korean.

No experience is needed. Before Election Day, each poll worker attends a single-session training course.

Those interested in becoming poll workers are advised to apply now in order to reserve a spot. For more information and to obtain an application, call the Middlesex County Board of Elections at 732-745-3471.

 

 

 

The East Brunswick Domestic Response Team is seeking volunteers.

Citizens are trained to respond to local police departments on an on-call basis to provide support and information to victims of domestic abuse.

For more information, email [email protected].

 

 

 

Children who will be five years of age on or before Oct. 31, 2020, are eligible for the East Brunswick Public School full-day kindergarten program for the 2020-21 school year.

Registration is by appointment only. Visit www.ebnet.org/register to schedule an appointment.

All required forms and additional information can be found on the website.

Registration takes place at the District Registration Office located in the Jon R. Kopko Administration Building, 760 Route 18, East Brunswick. Registration ends April 30.

 

The Antonia Maria Foundation and Day One Sober Living will hold their 2020 spring gala, Celebrate a New Day, from 7-11 p.m. on April 3 at the South Gate Manor, Freehold.

The second annual gala will launch the partnership with Day One to help revolutionize sober living care for women in New Jersey. Together, the two organizations will be opening Leo’s House, a recovery home for women following in the footsteps of Gracie’s House. Both are located in North Brunswick.

For information on tickets or sponsorship, call 732-823-8350.

 

 

North Brunswick PBA Local 160 will hold its 25th annual Cops & Rodders Car Show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 26 in the parking lot next to DeVry University, 630 Route 1 north, North Brunswick.

To register a car or learn about sponsorships, contact Officer Joseph Grasso or Officer Shawn McCorry at [email protected].

 

The Heart of Oneness Holistic Expo will be held March 27-29 at the New Jersey Convention & Exposition Center, 97 Sunfield Ave., Edison.

Reiki, crystals, psychic readings, workshops and aura photography.

Hours are 5-9 p.m. on March 27, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on March 28 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 29.

Free tote for the first 150 attendees at the door on March 28 and 29.

For more information and tickets, visit www.heartofonenessholisticexpo.com.

 

Jewish Family Services of Middlesex County will hold its One Community Gala for 2020 at 5 p.m. on June 14 at Classical Caterers at Congregation B’Nai Tikvah, 1001 Finnegans Lane, North Brunswick.

Dinner, dancing and auction.

Honorees include community leaders David and Ellen Rabinowitz, BCB Bank and Vincent Davis, and Bill Neary.

Sponsorship opportunities and journal ads are available.

For more information, email [email protected] or [email protected], or call 732-777-1940.

 

 

 

The Korean War/Defense Veterans Association Central Jersey Chapter No. 148 extends an invitation to any veterans, regardless of branch of service, who served during the war from June 25, 1950, to July 27, 1953, in any location, including Europe, or who have served in Korea from July 27, 1953, through the present.

The group meets at 10 a.m. the second Wednesday of every month —except January through April — at the Monroe Township Municipal Building, 1 Municipal Plaza.

Membership dues are $25 to the Korean War Veterans Association and $10 chapter fee per year.

The chapter is involved in various functions during the year, including parades, flag raisings, visiting the Korean War Memorial in Atlantic City, etc.

For more information, contact Charles Koppelman at 609-655-3111 or [email protected].

 

The fourth annual Celebrate Middlesex County event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 13 at Roosevelt Park, Parsonage Road, Edison.

Enjoy roller skating, a fishing derby, live music, entertainment, food trucks and hands-on activities.

For more information, visit middlesexcountynj.gov/celebrate.