Elizabeth Bradbury, director, (l) and Sandra Flanagan, primary class teacher, get ready to blow out the candles on a huge chocolate birthday cake that was part of the 40th anniversary celebration for the Vincent S. Mastro Montessori Academy in Little Silver.
The academy kicked off its 40th anniversary celebration and scholarship campaign with a Celebrity Chef dinner at 2 Senza Ristorante in Red Bank on Nov. 16, which also was the birthday of Bradbury and Flanagan
Members of the faculty and board took on the roles of host, servers and chef’s assistant at the dinner. The academy is a nonprofit, nonsectarian school for children 21.2 to 12 years of age.
The sisterhood at Congregation B’nai Israel, 171 Ridge Road, Rumson, is collecting clothing from Jan. 1 through Jan. 19 for an organization that provides clothing to developing countries. The synagogue will receive a donation for the total poundage it collects. Donated items should be placed in well-tied plastic bags. Shoes, belts, handbags, linens, stuffed animals and hard toys will also be collected. Toys should be packed in boxes and shoes should be separated from clothing. For more information, contact Nancy at pharmqueen@ aol.com or 732-842-1800.
***** The Oceanic Free Library of Rumson announced that Bernadette Hogan is the winner of the Teen Choice Contest. On Nov. 24, Judi Tolchin from the Monmouth County Library awarded Bernadette a Flip video camcorder as her prize. Bernadette submitted a winning essay during Teen Read Week in October. Bernadette is an eighth-grader at Holy Cross School, Rumson, and an avid reader and writer.
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The CASA for Children Program of Monnmouth County, Eatontown, has received a $10,000 grant from Jewelers for Children to increase the number of volunteers who represent the best interests of abused and neglected children in court. There are approximately 600 children in the foster care system from Monmouth County, and last year volunteers advocated for 115 of the children.
Jewelers for Children is the charibable arm of the jewelry industry. CASA was begun in 2004, and volunteer trainings are held each spring and fall. For more information, call Cynthia at 732-460-9100 or visit www.casaofmonmouthcounty.org.
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The Seniors of Little Silver will meet for lunch at 1 p.m. Jan. 27 and Feb. 24 at Felicia’s Kitchen, 129 Markham Place, Little Silver. No reservations are required. During the December board meeting, officers authorized a special contribution to be sent to Lunch Break, in addition to the funds that members collected at the last regular meeting. The club will resume regular meetings in March. Membership is open to all Monmouth County residents at least 55 years of age. For information, call Dorothy at 732-741-6687.
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The 12th annual Sweetheart Ball to benefit the Cancer Center of New Jersey at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, will be held 7 p.m. to midnight Feb. 7 at Eagle Oaks Golf and Country Club, Farmingdale. Honorees and recipients of the William C. Black Award of Hope are Marilyn and Philip Perricone for contributions to the cancer center, including the establishment of the Perricone Center for Gynecologic Oncology. The event will feature live and silent auctions, and music by the Jack Goodman Band. Tickets are $200 per person, and sponsorships and journal opportunities are available. Tickets for the 50/50 raffle are available, with 50 percent of the proceeds benefiting the center. For more information, call the Meridian Health Affiliated Foundations at 732-751-5112.
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