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. An ongoing, updated list is available at www.centraljersey.com.
A trip to Chicago will include four dinners, five breakfasts, Notre Dame University, Navy Pier, the Lincoln Park Conservatory, the Skydeck and the Sheed Aquarium from July 12-18.
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.
Students should express what a tree means and represents to them. Whether a favorite tree, a memory involving a tree, the beauty of a tree, whatever the passion, show it through art.
Categories are elementary school, middle school, high school, special needs, three dimensional and group project (four or more students).
Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place in all categories. One winner will be selected for the group project.
Enter by March 20.
For more information, call 732-814-9964, email heather.sayrevilleshadetree@gmail.com or visit @sayrevilleshadetree on Facebook.
Christ Episcopal Church in South Amboy is accepting essays from high school seniors for a scholarship it will award this spring.
The church will present a $500 scholarship to one college-bound student who exemplifies volunteerism and commitment to the community.
To be eligible, students must reside in the South Amboy or Sayreville area and must submit an essay, no longer than 500 words, describing how he or she serves the community, how that service has helped enrich his or her life, and how he or she hopes to continue to be service-minded after high school.
Essays should be emailed to christchurchsawwp@gmail.com no later than April 15.
This scholarship is sponsored by the Women with Purpose group of Christ Church.
For more information, email christchurchsawwp@gmail.com.
After registration at 12:30 p.m., attendees will be able to sit in on four 50-minute sessions of their choice, with refreshment breaks between sessions.
The cost of admission is $5 plus canned food for the Old Bridge Food Bank.
Congregation Beth Ohr is located at 70 Route 516 in Old Bridge. For more information, call Phyllis Greenberg at 732-257-1523 or Linda Benish at 609-426-8727.
Registration is from 5-6 p.m. Warm up is at 6 p.m. Tryouts begin at 6:30 p.m.
Tryouts are for any competitive swimmer interested in a spot on the YMCA of Greater Monmouth County swim team for either the Red Bank, Camp Zehnder/Wall, Freehold or Old Bridge practice locations.
A registration fee of $10 will be collected the day of tryouts. Registration forms and membership waivers should be brought as well; forms are found at www.ygreatermounmouthswimteam.com.
For more information, email jtruscio@ymcanj.com.
OLV Knights of Columbus Columbiette’s Lenten Fish Fry will be held from 4:30-7 p.m. on March 20 and 27; and April 3 and 10, in the Victorian Hall, 775 Washington Road, Parlin section of Sayreville.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Dinner is served from 6-8 p.m.
All menu items are made to order, broiled or fried. Steamed clams, fish sandwich, fish platter, shrimp platter, scallop platter or combination platter available. All platters served with French fries, coleslaw, soup or salad, dessert, coffee and tea.
Chicken fingers and fries available for children.
Take out is available.
For more information, call 732-727-7170.
St. Bernadette’s Church, Social Concerns Ministry, will hold its spring clothing drive from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 18 in the parking lot, 20 Villanova Road, Parlin section of Sayreville.
Clothing, small appliances, household items, toys, reading books, small furniture, linens, blankets, curtains, drapes, bedspreads, pillows, handbags and shoes will be accepted. No large appliances or furniture will be accepted.
Students over 12 years of age who need service hours may volunteer; arrange a time with Karen by calling 732-425-0387.
St. Bernadette’s Church also has clothing bins on the church property year-round.
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
Blackhawks Lacrosse is enrolling girls in grades 3-8 for the Spring 2020 season.
This team is open to residents in Old Bridge, East Brunswick, South River, Spotswood, Milltown, Helmetta and Jamesburg 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 EBGirlsLAX@gmail.com or visit www.BlackhawksGirlsLAX.com
The Old Bridge High School community is seeking Wall of Fame nominations to recognize and honor outstanding graduates of all high schools in Old Bridge.
Online nomination forms must be completed by March 31. To be eligible for consideration for the Wall of Fame, candidates must have graduated from one of Old Bridge’s high schools: Madison Township, Madison Central, Cedar Ridge, Old Bridge Adult High School, or Old Bridge High School; achieved notable employment/career achievements within their chosen fields; exhibited civic and/or community accomplishments through service, volunteer work, philanthropic endeavors, or have received notable local, state, or national honors; and graduated a minimum of five years prior to nomination.
Nomination forms may be completed online at docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfLjN-s0VtXNs1KgrwyjLpFhiCYsTOBF3-uk8TMZTh6fcqNkQ/viewform?c=0&w=1
For more information, contact Old Bridge High School Vice Principal Sally Fazio at 732-290-3900 ext. 3902 or email sfazio@obps.org.
The Sisterhood of Congregation Beth Ohr will present New Jersey author Michelle Cameron, discussing her soon-to-be released book “Beyond the Ghetto Gates,” at 1 p.m. on May 31.
The novel is set in 1796, when Napoleon marched into Italy and opened the ghetto gates, freeing the Jews who had long been trapped behind them. The novel raises issues including the conflict between assimilation and religious tradition, intermarriage, and the struggle between love and familial duty.
Advanced sale, early-bird pricing of $18 ends March 18. Post March 18, price goes to $25.
All books must be ordered by April 20.
For more information, contact Liz at 908-256-0276 or at congregationbethohr@gmail.com
Congregation Beth Ohr is located at 70 Route 516, Old Bridge.
SS. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church will hold its annual Easter Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 28 in the church hall, 9 Jeffrie Ave., South River.
The bazaar will feature ethnic Lenten foods such as pierogies, stuffed cabbage, potato pancakes, babka and baked goods. Ethnic items will be available for purchase. There will also be a gift basket raffle.
For more information, call Deb or Pete at 732-735-6540.
The Sayreville War Memorial High School 2020 Hall of Fame Annual Awards Banquet is set for 6 p.m. on April 25 at the VFW Hall on Jernee Mill Road.
The honorees are:
- Chris Beagan, Class of 1990, three-time state championship coach, GMC Coach of the Year
- Steven Casano, Class of 1985, founding executive director of NeuroSearch; Sayreville Little League coach, sponsorship coordinator and board member
- William D’Amico, Class of 1973, distinguished military career; three special operations commanding officer tours of duty; post-military career in corporate medical device, consumer goods and industrial manufacturing industries
- The late Matthew Lynch, Class of 1985, president of Friends Of Children’s Hospital in Warsaw, Poland; honored by U.S. ambassador to Poland for 20 years of service
- Farrah Reilly, Class of 1994, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author under the pen name Emma Chase; books translated into more than 20 languagesTickets are $50 for adults or $30 for children, with a choice of meals. For more information, call Elaine Kubacz at 732-727-0192.
The Happy Days String Band will present a free show sponsored by the Sayreville Cultural Arts Council at 7:30 p.m. on May 6 at the Sayreville Senior Center, 423 Main St.
This band performs traditional Mummers’ style music. The Strutters, in their classic authentic Mummers’ costumes, will also perform.
All ages invited.
Light refreshments will be served.
For more information, call Edna at 908-208-2358.
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.
IRS-certified volunteers with AARP will offer free tax preparation services from 10:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays, through April 9, at the Old Bridge Library, 1 Old Bridge Plaza, corner of Route 516 and Cottrell Road, Old Bridge.
The service is available to low- and moderate-income taxpayers of all ages, with special attention given to seniors 60 and older.It is not necessary to be a member of AARP to use the service.
Appointments are required by calling or texting 732-705-7463, or emailing taxaideoblib@gmail.com. When making an appointment, taxpayers must provide their name, phone number and preferred appointment date and time. Tax-Aide will then return the call with a confirmation or alternative time slot.
More information, including necessary paperwork and documents needed for the appointments, can be found at www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/.
Caribbean Night will feature live performances by the Oasis Steel Orchestra and Christine & Friends, with DJ Abstract, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on March 21 at Memorial Hall, 257 4th St., South Amboy.
Parking is at 220 Main St.
Tickets are $20 for adults or $10 for children.
BYO beer and wine only.
Call or text 732-309-8161 or 732-598-0134.
Hosted by Christ Church Woman with Purpose.
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 sbpdrecruit@sbpdnj.net
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 carshow@nbtpba160.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.
Sacred Heart Church will hold its third annual tricky tray on April 24 at Sacred Heart Memorial Hall, 531 Washington Ave., South Amboy, across the street from the church.
Doors open at 6 p.m. The first ticket will be drawn at 7:30 p.m.
Cost is $20 per person, which includes admission, coffee, tea, dessert and six small prize tickets with additional prize tickets being sold separately at event. Cash only.
Or, purchase a pre-sale bundle package at $55 which includes admission, one sheet of small, medium and large prize tickets, and one grand prize ticket.
BYO food and refreshments.
Must be 18 years or older to attend.
Reservations are mandatory. To reserve a seat, call the parish office at 732-721-0040 or email sheart224@aol.com. Order forms are also available at the parish office.
For more information, call 732-857-0202.
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 pncessay@balloonfestival.com. 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.
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 ja@mciauth.com or visiting www.mciauth.com
Old Bridge High School is seeking active duty or reservist military personnel who are alumni for the Military Wall of Honor expected to be established this year.
The wall is meant to commemorate graduates who have given their lives to honor their country and shine a light on the importance of veterans within the Old Bridge community.
Residents are urged to assist with the project by spreading the word of the proposed military wall. The high school is looking for graduates from 1995 through the present.
To submit information, visit docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSev1sK7AIQ6KvNb2iqUz6l7UgFmPBJXBpMbkAR2IuRwkUeVQQ/viewform or contact Guy Lassen at glassen@obps.org.
Carnaby Street will present a free show sponsored by the Sayreville Cultural Arts Council at 7:30 p.m. on June 3 at the Sayreville Senior Center, 423 Main St.
Carnaby Street plays music from the 1960s featuring the British Invasion of the Beatles, Rolling Stones, etc.
For more information, call Edna at 908-208-2358.
The First Presbyterian Church of Sayreville is seeking vendors for its annual flea market, set for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 6 at the church, 172 Main St., Sayreville.
Spaces are available for $15 for one space or $25 for two. There are a limited number of tables to rent for an additional $5. No food vendors.
For more information, leave a message on the church answering machine at 732-257-6353 or email churchoffice172@optimum.net.
Camp Invention, a nonprofit summer enrichment camp program,will visit Carl Sandburg Middle School, 3439 Route 516, Old Bridge, the week of June 22-26.
A program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, in partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Camp Invention challenges children in grades K-6 to find their “inner inventor” by learning the process of innovation. Using hands-on activities, Camp Invention promotes science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning; builds confidence, leadership, perseverance, resourcefulness and problem-solving skills; and encourages entrepreneurship.
At the end of the program, each camper will bring home a robot.
For more information, visit invent.org/camp.
The Redhawk Native American Arts Council will hold its annual Raritan Pow Wow from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., rain or shine, on June 20 and 21 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.
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 poetry@naminj.org.
April is the National Poetry Month and May is Mental Health Awareness Month.
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.
Registration is open for the 44th annual Rutgers Home Gardeners School, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 21 at the Rutgers University Cook/Douglass campus in New Brunswick.
The Home Gardeners School is 40 individual workshop sessions that cover an array of horticulture topics. This format allows attendees to select the workshops that are most relevant to their gardening interests and create their own personalized schedule for a day of learning. Expert speakers from commercial horticulture and landscape design firms, as well as faculty and staff from Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE), will cover topics including landscape design, common problems and solutions, annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, beekeeping, hardscaping, best management practices and deer control methods.
The registration fee is $95, but early registration is $80 is being offered through Feb. 29. An additional discounted fee of $70 is available for Master Gardeners (certificate required) through Feb. 29.
Participants can purchase a $14 box lunch when registering or bring their own bag lunch.
Attendees are asked to bring food donations for Rutgers Against Hunger (RAH) or pet items for Scarlet Paws Rescue.
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.
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.
The 74th annual Bernie Cohn Golf Classic will be held on May 14 at Forsgate Country Club, 375 Forsgate Dr., Monroe, by the Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Tee off is 9 a.m.
Sign up at mcrcc.org.
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.
The Sisterhood of Congregation Beth Ohr will present New Jersey author Michelle Cameron, discussing her soon-to-be released book “Beyond the Ghetto Gates,” at 1 p.m. on May 31.
The novel is set in 1796, when Napoleon marched into Italy and opened the ghetto gates, freeing the Jews who had long been trapped behind them. The novel raises issues including the conflict between assimilation and religious tradition, intermarriage, and the struggle between love and familial duty.
Cost is $25.
All books must be ordered by April 20.
For more information, contact Liz at 908-256-0276 or at congregationbethohr@gmail.com
Congregation Beth Ohr is located at 70 Route 516, Old Bridge.
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 JeanieJ@jfsmiddlesex.org or JudyC@jfsmiddlesex.org, or call 732-777-1940.
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.
