Community Bulletin Board: the North and South Brunswick Sentinel (for Sept. 1)

North Brunswick’s 39th annual Heritage Day will be held from 3-10 p.m. Oct. 2 at Community Park, 2053 Route 130, North Brunswick.

Rain date is Oct. 3.

At 7 p.m., there will be the presentation of the Ann Marie Chandlee Heritage Day Award with a live band and fireworks.

 

 

South Brunswick Township is currently accepting applications for a full-time driver in the Transportation Division and part-time school crossing guards.

The Transportation Driver is a year-round position to drive 40- and 16-passenger buses, mini-vans and handicapped vans. Various driving responsibilities include transporting residents to medical appointments, community events, summer programs, and disabled residents to various facilities and programs.

Applicants must have a high school degree or GED, CDL Class A or B license with a passenger endorsement, and a clean driving record.

Background checks will be conducted on all prospective applicants.

The crossing guards positions are part-time and there are permanent and substitute positions available.

Crossing guards are responsible for regulating traffic in order to safely cross school children from one side of the street to the other during designated hours.

All work is performed outdoors regardless of weather and the job sites can be anywhere throughout the township.

Working times vary according to school schedules.

Applicants must be 18 years old or older and possess a high school diploma or GED. Applicants must also possess valid a N.J. Driver’s License with a good driving record.

Background checks will be conducted on all prospective applicants

All interested should apply at www.southbrunswicknj.gov/employment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North Brunswick Township is accepting nominations for the Ann Marie Chandlee Volunteer Service Award for 2021.

Any organization, business or person who willingly gives their time, talents and resources  to fulfill the needs of the community and improves the lives of North Brunswick residents can be nominated.

Return the nomination form to the North Brunswick Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Services, 710 Hermann Road, North Brunswick; fax to 732-247-0979; email to [email protected]; or drop the nomination form inside the box marked “Volunteer Service Award Nominations.”

 

Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-17) is coordinating his annual backpack and school supply drive through Sept. 3.

Requested items include backpacks, colored pencils, crayons, glue sticks, hand sanitizer, highlighters, mechanical pencils, pencil cases, pens, pocket folders, notebooks, rulers, tissues or even gift cards.

Donations will be accepted at Danielsen’s office, 334 Elizabeth Ave., Somerset; the North Brunswick Library, 710 Hermann Road, North Brunswick; the Franklin Township Library, 485 DeMott Lane, Somerset; Franklin Township Library, 3391 Route 27, Franklin Park; the Piscataway Library, JFK branch, 500 Hoes Lane, Piscataway; or the Piscataway Library, Westergard branch, 30 Murray Ave., Piscataway.

For more information, call the office at 732-247-3999.

 

 

Middlesex County mayors will meet with members of the business community to share economic development opportunities.

This year’s topics include arts and culture, travel and tourism, sustainability, and economic development.

Meet the mayors of Plainsboro, Cranbury, Monroe, Jamesburg, Helmetta and South Brunswick at 8 a.m. Sept. 9 at the Crowne Plaza Princeton, 900 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro.

Meet the mayors of Edison, Woodbridge, Carteret, Perth Amboy, Milltown, North Brunswick and Metuchen at 8 a.m. Dec. 2.

Hosted by the Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce.

For more information and to register, visit https://www.mcrcc.org/

 

 

 

 

Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre and the Township of Woodbridge will present A Celebration of Spain, an art exhibition of drawings and paintings of Spain and Flamenco dance, dance demos, workshops and a Flamenco night at 7 p.m. Sept. 9 at The Woodbridge Artisans Guild, 101 Main St., Woodbridge.

The gallery is open Sept. 9-30 from 3-6 p.m. Mondays, 5-8 p.m. Wednesdays, 3-6 p.m. Thursdays, 5-8 p.m. Fridays, and noon to 3 p.m. Saturdays.

For more information, call Eva Lucena Welch at 732-598-3979.

 

Middlesex County’s Quest Scavenger Hunt features new locations and activities for summer 2021.

Participants may play solo or create a team of up to five members.

The Quest Scavenger Hunt runs thru Sept. 9. Participants will upload photos to the Middlesex County Quest Facebook Group’s private page.

Individuals and teams who complete at least 10 activities on the Quest map will win a free T-shirt (one shirt per team member). At the end of the contest, each team will submit their favorite Quest photo.

Photos will be voted on using Facebook “likes” during a one-week voting period. The photo with the most “likes” will win the grand prize. This year’s grand prize winner will receive an exclusive VIP experience/workshop with the Middlesex County Arts Institute.

To learn more about the Quest Scavenger Hunt – including the official Quest rules –visit discovermiddlesex.com/quest/. To join the Quest or to upload photos, join the Middlesex County Quest Facebook Group.

 

 

North Brunswick Township will hold a Concert in the Park to honor healthcare workers and the first aid squad on Sept. 10 at Community Park, 2053 Route 130, North Brunswick.

Bring lawn chairs.

Free admission.

To reserve a spot, call 732-247-0922, ext. 475 or email [email protected]

 

 

North Brunswick Soccer Club will hold its Fall Buddy Ball 2021 Season Opening Day at 10 a.m. Sept. 11 at Field 2 at North Brunswick Community Park, 2053 Route 130 south, North Brunswick.

Buddy Ball Soccer provides sports opportunities for children with developmental and physical needs.

Register at buddyball@nbsoccerclub or in person on Opening Day.

Buddies are needed to be paired with players.

For more information, email [email protected]

 

 

North Brunswick will hold a ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, at 10 a.m. Sept. 11 in front of the memorial on Hermann Road.

The road will be closed at 9 a.m.

In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held indoors at Linwood School, 25 Linwood Pl.

 

 

 

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the North Brunswick Public Library invites the North Brunswick Township community to share their firsthand knowledge of that day, through writing, art, photography, or any other medium of choice, which will be displayed in the library, on the library website and social media, and archived for future access.

Anyone interested should email librarian Ryan Miller at [email protected].

 

 

The “I Have MS, But MS Doesn’t Have Me” basket raffle fundraiser for awareness of multiple sclerosis will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 18 at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 62 S. Main St., Milltown.

Fore more information, contact Traci Ceras at 732-841-2883 or [email protected]

To make a donation, visit msfocus.org/events

 

 

 

 

The North Brunswick Public Library invites all ages to a free outdoor program, Honey Bees: A Powerful Pollinator, at 2 p.m. Sept. 18 on the front lawn of the library, 710 Hermann Road, North Brunswick.

 

Join Angela Juffey, from the Central Jersey Beekeepers Association, for a live program to learn the social structure of the honey bee, and how they continue to impact the prosperity of the earth.

Learn the basics of beekeeping, view the inside of an observation hive, and become familiar with methods of harvesting honey.

Plus, make milkweed seed balls to take home.

 

Space is limited.

Masks will be required.

 

Register at https://form.jotform.com/212146032701238

Any questions, email librarian Ryan Miller at [email protected]

 

 

 

The sixth annual Kickball Tournament to benefit Ray + Bacchus is set for Sept. 19, beginning at 9 a.m. Sept. 19 at Rowland Park, 235 Broadway Road, Cranbury.

Ray Fantel is a 12-year-old resident of the Kendall Park section of South Brunswick who was born with spinal muscular atrophy. He was never able to crawl, stand or walk. His family needs the community’s help to raise money for service training for his dog Bacchus and for non-covered expenses related to the standing power wheelchair Ray needs.

The $250 donation for a team of 11-16 players includes event shirts.

Contact Ray M. at 732-501-3564 or [email protected]

 

 

 

 

North Brunswick PBA Local 160 announced the return of its annual Cops & Rodders Car Show for Sept. 19. Rain date will be Sept. 26.

More details will be announced.

For more information, email [email protected]

 

 

A fire at the Princeton Orchards Apartments on Aug. 6 left eight school children and their families with a significant loss.

The South Brunswick Community Resource Team is collaborating to gather donations to distribute to these families to help meet their immediate needs for clothing, food, school supplies and other items.

The families are mostly in need of gift cards to Walmart, Target, Amazon, Stop & Shop, Shop Rite and other drug stores.

Donations should be dropped off at the front desk at South Brunswick High School, 750 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction; South Brunswick Public Library, 110 Kingston Lane, Monmouth Junction; South Brunswick Social Services, 540 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction; or South Brunswick Recreation Center, 124 New Road, Monmouth Junction.  

Donations will be collected through Sept. 20.

Direct questions to Jeanne Wert of Social Services at [email protected] or Amy Finkelstein from the school district at [email protected].

 

 

 

 

The Heart of Oneness Holistic Expo will be held Sept. 24-26 at the New Jersey Convention & Expo Center, 97 Sunfield Ave., Edison.

There will be reiki and energy healing, wellness, spirituality, mediumship, workshops and speakers, enlightenment, yoga, jewelry, psychic readings, nutrition, crystals, essential oils, visionary artists and meditation.

For ticket information, visit heartofonenessholisticexpo.com

 

 

 

The Monroe Township Historic Preservation Commission will host vintage baseball between the Flemington Neshanock and the Liberty Base Ball Club of New Brunswick from noon to 3:30 p.m., Sept. 25 at Dey Farm, on Federal Road between Perrineville and Applegarth roads, Monroe. No rain date is announced.

Watch a 19th-century style baseball game during this double header.

Also, learn about the life of a Civil War surgeon and attend a workshop on how to build a rain barrel.

Bring a picnic lunch.

There is no cost to attend.

 

 

East Brunswick’s Fall Freecycling Day, sponsored by the Friends of the East Brunswick Environmental Commission, returns from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 25 to the Community Arts Center, 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.

A semi-annual event, Freecycling Day offers an opportunity to discard usable, unwanted household items in an environmentally-friendly way instead of sending them to landfills. Attendees can browse for “finds” from small furniture and housewares to toys and tools. There is no charge to participate as a donor or browser in this free trade event.

All items must be offered for free, for personal use and not for resale.

Items for freecycling may be dropped off until 1 p.m. with browsing and pick up until 2 p.m.

To ensure everyone’s safety at the event, participants, browsers and volunteers must comply with all state guidelines pertaining to COVID.

Adult and teen volunteers are needed for all or part of the day. For more information and to sign up, click here.

Recommended freecycling items include clothing, books, shoes, bicycles, fish tanks, dishes, pots and pans, toys, office supplies, silverware, small appliances, tools, power tools, gardening tools, kitchenware, garage items, electronics and pet supplies.

It is recommended that boxed toys, games and anything with small parts be taped shut.

Prohibited items include large furniture pieces, mattresses, televisions, computer monitors, paints, VHS tapes, computer disks, pesticides, tires, toiletries, unframed mirrors, food or any hazardous materials. FriendsEBEC reserves the right to reject items.

Freecycling days are a project of FriendsEBEC and co-sponsored with the East Brunswick Recycling Center and East Brunswick Recreation, Parks & Community Services.

Rain will cancel the event. Check the Friends’ website for updates: friendsebec.com.

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

 

 

 

The 24th annual Taste of Middlesex is planned for 5:30-8 p.m. Sept. 27 at The Pines Manor, 2085 Route 27, Edison.

Each year, the Edison Chamber of Commerce invites restaurants from around Middlesex County to showcase their cuisines.

Attendees sample dishes from around the area, then choose the winner by voting for their favorite.

The Groove will perform during the evening.

Must be 21 or over to attend.

Tickets are $50 per person in advance or $60 at the door; seniors get a $5 discount. Or, purchase a 10-pack for $450.

The event serves as a fundraising opportunity for non-profits; for every $50 ticket an organization sells, $25 gets donated back to the organization. Unsold tickets must be returned to the chamber by Sept. 1.

For more information, email [email protected] or call 732-738-9482.

 

 

The seventh annual New Jersey ParaUnity Expo is scheduled for Sept. 24 and 25 at Woodbridge High School, 1 Samuel Lupo Pl., Woodbridge.

The VIP Party on Sept. 24 is from 7-10 p.m. Cost is $95 per person, adults only. Free appetizers, cash bar and deejay.

The VIP Party on Sept. 25 is from 8-11 p.m. Cost is $95 per person, adults only. Free appetizers, cash bar and deejay.

Tickets for the general expo from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 25 are $20 for adults or $5 for children 12 and under.

Proceeds go directly to the Woodbridge Charity Fund.

For ticket information and a schedule of events, visit www.newjerseyparaunityexpo.com/

 

 

The sixth annual Suicide Prevention Conference will be held virtually on Oct. 6.

Presented by the New Jersey Department of Human Services, in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Health.

Trauma: The Hidden Face of Suicide will be presented from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., welcome to anyone interested in learning about trauma and suicide prevention.

The conference will feature presentations, breakout sessions and a panel discussion.

Nick LeDonne will share his mental health story using the art of animation.

Dr. Meagan Corrado, founder and owner of Storiez Trauma Narratives, has trained clinicians, community leaders and trauma survivors across 20 training programs.

Registration will soon be available.

 

 

 

 

Playhouse 22 will reopen to the public for live theater with the opening night of “Harvey” on Oct. 8 at the community theater, 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.

The annual production of “A Christmas Carol” will return in December.

More information about tickets, new safety guidelines and the 2022 season will be available at Playhouse22.org

 

 Join NAMI New Jersey for NAMIWalks Your Way: A United Day of Hope on Oct. 9.

Before the pandemic, in any given year, 1 in 5 people in the United States reported having a mental health condition. Mental health experts suggest the figure is now 2 in 5, or even higher, according to information provided by NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

 

This year. due to the ongoing effects of COVID-19, NAMI is offering a virtual version of its annual NAMIWalks event.

 

Anyone can participate by registering at namiwalks.org/newjersey and deciding how they want to participate. They can choose to join the virtual walk event on Oct. 9 or pick an activity of their choice, such as jumping rope, baking a cake, practicing yoga or walking with friends and family in the neighborhood—all while taking precautions to stay safe.

 

There is no registration fee, but fundraising is encouraged. One hundred percent of funds raised support NAMI New Jersey’s free local mental health programs, resources and services.

 

 

NAMI New Jersey is part of the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. It is headquartered in North Brunswick.

 

For more information, visit nami.org

 

The North Brunswick Woman’s Club will hold a flea market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 9 in the parking lot of the municipal building, 710 Hermann Road, North Brunswick.

Spaces cost $20 for one or $35 for two.

For an application, email [email protected]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The North Brunswick Humane Association’s 17th annual Dog Walk-a-Thon and Adoption Day event is planned for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 10 at North Brunswick Community Park, 2053 Route 130, North Brunswick.

Rain date is Oct. 24.

There will be music, food, games and prizes.

Dogs must be licensed and vaccinated, and must be leashed at all times.

The opening ceremony will be held at 11 a.m.

Pre-registration is $15 for the first dog, and $5 for every dog thereafter. Send checks payable to the North Brunswick Humane Association to NBHA, P.O. Box 7522, North Brunswick 08902. Or, pre-register at www.northbrunswickhumane.org

On the day of the event, registration fee is $25, plus $5 for each additional dog. On-site registration begins at 10 a.m.

Co-sponsored by the North Brunswick Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Services.

For more information, email [email protected] or call Michele at 732-713-3532.

 

The Princeton Environmental Film Festival returns Oct. 12-17.

 

To submit a film, visit https://princetonlibrary.org/peff/entry/

There is no fee to enter.

For more information, email [email protected]

 

 

 

The 20th annual Women’s Leadership Summit, Rebound with Resilience: Ready to Go!, will be held at 9 a.m. Oct. 22 at the Doubletree by Hilton Princeton, 4355 Route 1.

Presented by the Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business Committee.

Keynote speaker is Sarah Chaplin, president and CEO of the State Theatre New Jersey.

For registration information, visit mcrcc.org

 

 

 

 

Jewish Family Services of Middlesex County (JFS) has relocated its main office to 219C Blackhorse Lane, North Brunswick, from Milltown.

From 2-4 p.m. Oct. 28, the agency will host a grand opening event at the main office to formally welcome the community to the new facility.

The grand opening event will be held concurrently with the agency’s annual meeting and Volunteer Appreciation celebration.

Local legislators, community leaders, nonprofits, business owners, volunteers and neighbors are invited to enjoy light refreshments and learn about JFS programs.

The presentation will review the past year’s tests and triumphs as well as honor the hard work of the agency’s dedicated volunteers.

RSVP to [email protected] or 732-777-1940 by Oct. 14.

 

 

 

 

Ongoing

 

 

The Central Jersey Chapter 148 of the Korean War Veterans extend an invitation to any veterans, regardless of the branch of service, who served during the Korean War from June 25, 1950, to July 27, 1953, in any location; or who served in Korea from July 27, 1953, to the current date.

The group meets at 10 a.m. for a breakfast meeting the second Wednesday of every month from May to December at the Monroe Township Municipal Building, downstairs on the first floor.

Requirements for membership include paying dues of $25 to the Korean War Veterans Association and $10 to the chapter each year.

Korean War Veterans National Life membership if one is over age 80 is $75.

The chapter is involved in various functions during the year, including fundraising to help veterans at the New Jersey State Veterans Memorial Home in Menlo Park, the Lyons Veterans Hospital Lyons, and the Vineland Veterans Hospital in Vineland.

For more information, contact membership chair Charlie Koppelman at 609-655-3111 or [email protected]

 

 

 

 

Middlesex County residents looking for local farmers, grocery stores or food pantries – as well as public transportation routes to get there – can download the interactive map-based Accessing Healthy Foods app.

Visit http://middlesexcountynj.gov/healthyfoodsmap

 

 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal & Northern New Jersey (BBBSCNNJ) is inviting Middlesex County residents to become a volunteer Big Brother or Big Sister to a local child.

BBBSCNNJ currently has 20 children on its Middlesex County waiting list, mostly boys.

BBBSCNNJ provides one-to-one mentoring for youth ages 6-18. Volunteer Big Brothers and Sisters spend quality time with their Littles each month, enjoying free or low-cost activities during which the child may learn new skills, explore new interests, or expand their experience beyond their family and neighborhood. 

There are no special skills required, and BBBSCNNJ’s experienced staff provides continual support.

To be matched with a Middlesex County child, apply at mentornj.org.

 

 

 

 

 

Dove Hospice Services of New Jersey is seeking compassionate volunteers to provide support to local hospice patients and their families.

Hospice patient care volunteers visit with patients in their home, which can also be nursing facilities or assisted living facilities, at least once a week. Visits can be virtual and are during the day or early evening. Volunteers may also assist with administrative work in the hospice office.

To sign up for a virtual training class, contact Deborah Adams at 732-405-3035 or email [email protected]

 

 

 

 

The Center for Therapy & Counseling Services is offering a Teen Girls Support Group.

This free group offers girls ages 13-17 a safe place to connect, share stories and be encouraging. The goal is to enhance self esteem, self confidence and communication skills.

Each group is led by trained facilitators.

Girls meet weekly at 7 p.m. Thursdays, virtually.

Registration is required by calling 732-254-0600.

Or, email [email protected] for more information.

The Center for Therapy & Counseling Services is located at 15 W. Prospect St., East Brunswick.

 

 

Right at Home of Central New Jersey can organize a Senior Citizen Prom for local facilities.

They will provide music and entertainment.

A prom king and queen will be crowned.
For more information on how to schedule a prom, call 732-967-0900.

Serving northern Middlesex, Mercer and Monmouth counties.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick has launched the Substance Abuse and Addiction Loss Support Group for families who are coping with loss due to addiction.

The free and confidential support group meets virtually on the second Thursday of every month from 7-8:30 p.m.

Inspired by Saint Peter’s Opioid Task Force, the Substance Abuse and Addiction Loss Support Group is for families and close loved ones of people who have passed away from addiction.

The support group is open to everyone in New Jersey and serves as a safe space for families to discuss their grief.

To join the Substance Abuse and Addiction Loss Support Group, call Jeanne Delacruz, a social worker at Saint Peter’s who facilitates the support group, at 732-745-8522 or email [email protected]

 

 

Amaranth at North Brunswick is the township’s first age-restricted community, currently under construction on Route 130.

Low- and moderate-income residents who would like to be part of the community can add an email address to be part of the marketing for the development.

To register, visit amaranthnj.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NAMI In Our Own Voice (NAMI En Nuestra Propia Voz) is a program by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) New Jersey chapter geared toward community education and reducing the stigma of mental health, as trained volunteers share their lived experience of mental health recovery.

To schedule a presentation at a school, PTA meeting, congregation, town hall, support group or professional training, email [email protected]

Presentations are available in English and Spanish.

 

 

 

 

Gain stability from an in-demand occupation; apply for a Women’s Center career training grant from Jewish Family Services of Middlesex County.

Qualified persons who are active members of the JFS Women’s Center must submit an application and attend an interview. Grants are available for short-term training programs for in-demand jobs.

Eligible candidates must qualify as a “displaced homemaker,” a woman who is a single mother, divorced, separated, widowed, or living with a disabled spouse/partner.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, email [email protected]

 

 

 

 

 

French American School Princeton (FASP) is accepting enrollment.

At FASP, students in preschool (3 years old) through grade 8 benefit from a rigorous bilingual curriculum accredited by the Middle State Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools and the French Ministry of Education; personalized attention thanks to small class sizes; and a multicultural community with more than 30 nationalities represented.

FAPS is located at 75 Mapleton Road, Princeton.

Visit ecoleprinceton.org, call 609-430-3001 or email [email protected].