Fri., Feb. 19
The Cranbury Public Library will host a program on “Ghost Writing a Memoir” at 7 p.m. Come hear about Robin Black’s experience ghost writing the holocaust memoir, “One Voice, Two Lives.” The library is at 23 N. Main St., Cranbury.
Having trouble finding what you’re looking for in the Mercer County Library’s catalog? Want to know how to register for a library program online, find a foreign language DVD, or request an item? Come to a class to learn about the library website & catalog at 10:30 a.m. at the Hickory Corner Branch Library, 138 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor. Call the library to register at (609) 448-1330.
A Drum Circle will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the Hickory Corner Branch, Mercer County Library System, 138 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor, Group drumming has been proven to relieve stress, boost the immune system and lower blood pressure. Musician and teacher Reed Thomas will lead the program. Drums will be provided or you may bring your own. No experience required.
Sun., Feb. 21
The Beth El Synagogue of East Windsor Genealogy Club will be discussing “Early 20th Century Passenger Ship Arrival Records” at 7:30 p.m. Marshall Lerner will discuss the back story behind early 20th century passenger ship records and their usefulness when researching family members. He will cover changing societal views towards immigration “back in the day” as well as the specific types of information that can be gleaned from passenger manifests and ship records. Marshall is a member of the Beth El Genealogy Club. He is a long standing member of the Jewish Genealogy Society of New York, an attendee at international genealogical conferences and a relatively early member of the JewishGen community. Working under the leadership of the late John Marino from the Italian Genealogy Group, Marshall helped develop a number of the well known indexes that people find useful when searching for vital records at the New York City Municipal Archives.Beth El Synagogue is located at 50 Maple Stream Road, East Windsor, NJ, 08520. www.bethel.net. Contact the Synagogue Office with any questions, (609) 443-4454.
Mon., Feb. 22
Book Café with guest author Michele Seigfriend will be held at 3 p.m. at the Plumsted Branch of the Ocean County Library. Meet Ms. Seigfeid as she presents cozy mysteries from her “Jersey Shore Mystery Series.” Books will be available for purchase and light refreshments will be served. The library is at 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. For information, call the library at 609-758-7888 or visit the website www.oceancountylibrary.org.
Mystery Book Club will meet at the Hickory Corner Branch, Mercer County Library System, 138 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor, N.J., at 7 p.m.. The group will be discussing “Brimstone” by Douglass Preston & Lee Child. No registration is necessary and new members are always welcome.
Wed., Feb. 24
The Hickory Corner Book Discussion Group will meet at the Hickory Corner Branch, Mercer County Library System, 138 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor, N.J., at 7:30 p.m. The book for this month is “Vanishing Acts” by Jodi Picoult. No registration is necessary and new members are always welcome.
Sat., Feb. 27
The Hightstown Woman’s Club is sponsoring the 37th Annual Dollhouse & Miniatures Show & Sale from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at The First Presbyterian Church of Hightstown, 320 North Main Street, Hightstown, N.J. 08520. Twenty dealers from various areas of New Jersey and Pennsylvania will be on hand displaying their wares. The dealers specialize in vintage miniatures, handcrafted and hand-painted furniture, Victorian room settings, needlework cushions, rugs, and lots of accessories guaranteed to stimulate your creative imagination. A king/queen-sized hand-crafted Yellow Brick Road quilt valued at $750 will be raffled by the club this year for $2 a ticket. Proceeds from door prize tickets, lunch, cakes and cookies benefit the Woman’s Club Civic Improvement projects. Admission is $5.50 for adults, $2 for children under 12. For more information, call 609-448-8388.
Mr. Malcolm Celebrates Dr. Suess’ Birthday, will be held from 11:00 a.m. to noon at the Hightstown Memorial Library, 114 Franklin St. in Hightstown. Be part of the story as Mr. Malcolm brings Dr. Suess’ beloved classics to life with fun, interactive storytelling. Register online at www.mcl.org.
First Presbyterian Church of Cranbury will have a Chinese New Year celebration and fundraiser for the new community library put on by the Chinese community in Cranbury. The event will be from noon to 3 p.m. at the Cranbury Public Library. Cost is $30 for adults and $15 for children. Kids under 5 years old are free. Tickets must be purcahsed at the library prior to the event, which is limited to 125 attendees.
The Hightstown High School ice hockey team will host a “Skate with the Team” fundraiser from 8:30 to 10 p.m. at the Loucks Rink at Lawrenceville Prep. Admission is $5, skate rentals are $2. Come join the fun and support the hockey team.
Mon., Feb. 29
iPad for Beginners will be held at 3 p.m. at the Plumsted Branch of the Ocean County Library. Bring your own fully charged iPad, Apple ID and password. The library is at 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. For information, call the library at 609-758-7888 or visit the website www.oceancountylibrary.org.
A class on Google Tips & Tricks will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the Hickory Corner Branch, Mercer County Library System, 138 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor, N.J. Come to learn about the special features of the popular search engine and internet services platform. Call the library to register at 609-448-1330 or email [email protected].
Fri., March 4
Beth El Synagogue of East Windsor will celebrate Shabbat Across America/Canada at 6 p.m. Shabbat Across America is an unparalleled display of unity and love of Israel, created in the hope of making certain that every North American Jew will have the opportunity to celebrate Shabbat. For dinner reservations, RSVP to the Beth El office at 609-443-4454 or [email protected]. RSVP by Feb. 25, for the early-bird price: $16 per adult and $9 per child under 12. RSVP by March 1 for the regular price: $18 per adult and $10 per child under 12.
Beth El Synagogue is located at 50 Maple Stream Road, East Windsor, N.J., 08520; 609-443-4454; www.bethel.net.
Sat., March 5
Soup for the Soul: Cooking Demonstration, 11:30 a.m. at the Plumsted Branch of the Ocean County Library, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt, N.J. Learn to make and get to taste “Chicken Corn Soup,” a healthy and nutritious hot soup. Alert us of food allergies. Limited seating. For information, call the library at 609-758-7888 or visit the website www.oceancountylibrary.org.
Mon., March 7
Beth El Synagogue of East Windsor and Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Mercer County present “Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer” at 7 p.m. Jeannie Opdyke Smith, the daughter of the late Irene Opdyke, will speak about her mother’s story. Irene Opdyke, a brave and inspiring figure, received international recognition for her life-saving actions during the Holocaust when working for a high-ranking German official. She risked her life by aiding and saving Jews during the Holocaust. Her story is powerful, emotional, and awe-inspiring. Join us as Jeannie tells her mother’s story in a magnificent style. The free event will be held at Beth El Synagogue is East Windsor, is open to everyone and is appropriate for students 7th grade and up. For more information, contact Lisa Adler at JFCS, [email protected], 609-987-8100 X113 or Beth El Synagogue at 609-443-4454.Beth El Synagogue is located at 50 Maple Stream Road, East Windsor, NJ, 08520; 609-443-4454; www.bethel.net.
Wed., March 9
Stop Motion Animation from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Plumsted Branch of the Ocean County Library, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt, N.J. Stop Motion is a filmmaking technique that makes inanimate objects look like they are moving on their own. Work as a team to create your own Stop Motion film and upload it to Youtube. For information, call the library at 609-758-7888 or visit the website www.oceancountylibrary.org.
Sat., March 12
New Kid: NJ Theater Alliance Stages Festival, Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Plumsted Branch of the Ocean County Library, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt, N.J. George Street Playhouse presents “New Kid” a story about an immigrant family that moves to a new place and faces unexpected challenges. The play allows the audience to explore the impact of a new language and customs on an outsider.New Kid addresses racism, prejudice, peer pressure, and conflict resolution. OC event made possible by the generous support of the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey. Grades K-6. For information, call the library at 609-758-7888 or visit the website www.oceancountylibrary.org.
The Hightstown Cultural Arts Commission will sponsor “Empty Bowls,” an international program that engages participating artists to create and donate handmade bowls in which s simple meal is served to community members. This event, to benefit RISE, a community service partnership, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hightstown VFW Post 5700, 140 Dutch Neck Road, Hightstown. Tickets are $35 and include soup and a bowl handmade by a professional potter. For tickets, visit eventbrite.com or the RISE offices. For information, contact Ann Marie Miller, Hightstown Cultural Arts Commission, at 609-313-4541.
Sun., March 13
The Community Concert Association of Bordentown Inc. will host “Jersey Sound” at 3 p.m. in Bordentown Regional Middle School, 50 Dunn’s Mill Road, Bordentown. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $5 for seniors. This award-winning chorus, a member of “Sweet Adelines,” brings musicianship, memorable repertory, humor and vocal quality to every performance. Enjoy a concert of old-time classics, pop, jazz, patriotic, and Broadway favorites. For additional concert or membership information, call 609-298-5465.
Wed., March 16
College Safety with Thomas Zambrano at 7 p.m. at the Plumsted Branch of the Ocean County Library, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt, N.J. Thomas Zambrano is the Director of Security at Georgian Court University. Join us for a special program and learn how to choose a safe college, how to stay safe at college, and tips to help you become aware and alert to unexpected danger. For information, call the library at 609-758-7888 or visit the website www.oceancountylibrary.org.
Fri., March 18
Homeschoolers Open House and Book Swap from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Plumsted Branch of the Ocean County Library, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt, N.J. Bring your gently used materials to swap with other homeschoolers and learn what the library has to offer to support your homeschooling journey. For information, call the library at 609-758-7888 or visit the website www.oceancountylibrary.org.
Sat., March 19
Gardening enthusiasts are invited to register for the upcoming Rutgers Home Gardeners School to be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Rutgers University Cook/Douglass campus in New Brunswick, N.J. This year marks the 40th offering of this annual event. Designed to offer something for everyone, the Rutgers Home Gardeners School is made up of 35 individual workshop sessions covering a wide array of horticulture topics. The registration fee is $75, but an early registration discount price of $60 is being offered through March 10. An additional discount is also available for Master Gardeners. Pre-registration is recommended. For more information or to register, visit www.cpe.rutgers.edu/hgs or call the Rutgers Office of Continuing Professional Education at 848-932-9271.
Sun., March 20
Beth El Synagogue of East Windsor, Werner Lecture Fund, presents Ted Otten and Michael Kownacky and ‘An evening of stories of the career and music of Leonard Bernstein,” at 7 p.m. For more than 20 years, Ted Otten and Michael Kownacky have been presenting music from the world of the performing arts to their listeners on WWFM – The Classical Network. Each hour program is based on a specific theme that showcases everything from Broadway to Hollywood, musicals from around the world, performance art, and cabaret. Admission is free and refreshments will be served. Beth El Synagogue is located at 50 Maple Stream Road, East Windsor, NJ, 08520; 609-443-4454; www.bethel.net.
