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.
The East Brunswick Public Library is teaming up with business and customer information experts Data Axle for a series of virtual workshops that showcase Reference Solutions.
Reference Solutions is a business and consumer research database for gathering demographic information, marketing plans, competitive analysis and sales. All three upcoming three programs are presented by Bill Carlson, success manager, Data Axle.
Attendees do not need prior experience using Reference Solutions.
The first program in the series is “Reference Solutions: An Overview” at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 22. Formerly called Reference USA, this is one of the library’s most popular business resources. Data Axle Reference Solutions allows users to find company information, market research and more. This database provides up-to-date and accurate information on over 17 million public and private companies, in addition to over 320 million consumers.
Reference Solutions can be useful for job seekers, as Carlson will demonstrate at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 19.
“Business Expansion” is at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 17. The workshop highlights key features, including identifying the ideal geography of potential customers, finding key contacts, researching competitors and more.
All three programs are free and open to the public. They will be held virtually through the Zoom platform, and there are no prerequisites.
To register for any of these classes, visit www.ebpl.org/calendar or call 732-390-6767.
The South River Department of Recreation is holding a Halloween House Decorating Contest.
Judging will begin at 3 p.m. Oct. 31. The deadline to register is Oct. 26.
Visit southrivernj.org/recreation/Recforms/HHD20.pdf for the registration form.
East Brunswick’s first Cornhole Doubles League will play on either Saturday or Sunday mornings.
Sign up as a team or individual.
Everyone is guaranteed one match a week for 8 weeks, with the playoffs the last week.
Teams will play best 2 out of 3 set matches.
Maximum eight teams per day.
Must be 18 or older.
Games will be played indoors at the Community Arts Center, 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.
Participants must follow social distancing and COVID guidelines, and wear masks.
The cost of the 9-week season is $45 for residents or $65 for non-residents.
Register via the Recreation Department’s Online System.
East Brunswick Recreation is holding a Family Halloween Treasure Hunt from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 24.
Families will pick up their first clue at Lenape Park, 41 Millman Dr., and then, using their knowledge of township parks and the clues and map provides, drive their way around town from location to location, picking up treats along the way. The first clue must be picked up at Lenape Park from 10 a.m. to noon to guarantee that everyone finishes the hunt by 1:30.
At the final destination, each child in the family will receive a Halloween goodie bag.
The hunt should take approximately 60-90 minutes, entirely outdoors.
Children are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes. Everyone must wear proper masks as well, not just costume masks.
Open to East Brunswick residents only.
Pre-registration for families is required online at https://registration.eastbrunswick.org Username and password needed.
To confirm registration, email recreation@eastbrunswick.org
Registration closes at 4 p.m. Oct. 20.
Stop & Shop and the East Brunswick Police Department are supporting the event.
The South River Public Library has expanded its Haunted Library this year.
See what’s cooking in the Witch’s Kitchen. The Grim Reaper’s Garden is bursting with frightful blooms. The Graveyard is full of scary things. And many more frightful things await.
Get the family together, put on costumes and practice screams and trick-or-treating skills.
The Haunted Library is available for viewing from Oct. 15-31 during library hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday; noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sunday.
Reservations are required. Family groups of up to 12 people can reserve a half-hour time slot for one visit during this time.
Call the South River Public Library at 732-254-2488 to reserve a time.
Due to limited time slots and anticipated demand, reservations are limited to South River residents.
Everyone attending must wear a CDC-approved mask and practice social distancing from non-family members.
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The Thrift Shop at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church will hold a Winter Holiday Tent Sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 22-25 at the thrift shop, located at the intersection of Main Street and DeVoe Avenue, Spotswood. Extra hours are 6-8 p.m. Oct. 22.
The sale will feature an assortment of holiday necessities from trees and trimmings to ugly holiday sweaters and festive season decorations and home goods.
There is no entry fee, although shoppers are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for the food pantry.
Thrift Shop donations are accepted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
For more information, call or text Cathy Decker at 732-239-3910.
The East Brunswick Public Library is partnering with Brunswick Memorial Home/Mt. Sinai Memorial Chapels for the online program “Are Your Ducks In A Row? End Of Life Planning Workshop” at 7 p.m. Oct. 22.
This program features a panel of speakers discussing how to pre-arrange and prepare for life’s most important transition. Several topics will be addressed, including the financial and emotional benefits of pre-planning, how to tell your story through an obituary and the basics of estate planning.
The panel of speakers consists of four experts in the Middlesex County area. The program is aimed towards adults of all ages.
This program is presented online using the Zoom platform. Attendees can call into this event as well.
To register, visit www.ebpl.org or call 732-390-6767.
The Township of East Brunswick and Parlin Pharmacy are sponsoring a drive up flu shot immunization program for East Brunswick residents.
The clinic will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Community Arts Center, 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.
Members of the East Brunswick Department on Aging may receive transportation if needed; call the Senior Center at 732-390-6896 to arrange for transportation.
Proof of East Brunswick residency is required.
Each resident must bring a valid photo ID and insurance card.
Uninsured residents will receive a flu vaccination at no cost. Co-pay is waived for insured East Brunswick residents.
Each resident should bring the Immunization Consent Form, available at
www.eastbrunswick.org/DocumentCenter/View/2775/Flu-form-2020
Masks are required for all participants and vehicle occupants.
Vaccines may be administered without getting out of the vehicle if necessary.
For more information regarding the immunization or insurance, contact the Parlin Pharmacy at 732-952-3022 or pharmacy@parlinrx.com
Aldersgate United Methodist Church will hold Trunk-or-Treat at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at the church, 568 Ryders Lane, East Brunswick. Rain date is Oct. 25.
There will be socially distanced trunk-or-treating, Halloween movies and fall crafts.
Costumes encouraged.
Masks required.
Bags will be provided for trick-or-treaters.
Admission is $5 per child paid in advance online, or $8 at the door.
Pre-pay at www.aldersgateumc-eb.org/trunkortreat.html
Women Aware will mark 40 years of service to individuals and families in Middlesex County affected by domestic violence with a 40th anniversary Virtual Candlelight Vigil from 7-8 p.m. Oct. 21.
The event will remember victims whose lives were ended by domestic violence and to honor survivors moving beyond abuse.
During the vigil, the organization will honor Women Aware shelter founders Diane Palladino and Ellen Koteen; volunteer advocate Ruth Hague; and Paul Sansone Sr., founder of Sansone Auto Group, Paul Sansone, Sr.
The candlelight vigil is open to the public and free to attend. Visit https://givebutter.com/WomenAware40th
For information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Susan Dyckman, director of development, at sdyckman@womenaware.net or 732-249-4900, ext. 0428.
To donate online, visit https://givebutter.com/WomenAware40th
Text to donate 202-858-1233 Code WA40
Mail a check payable to Women Aware; mail to Women Aware, 40th Anniversary, 250 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick 08901
Follow Women Aware on social media: Facebook @womenawareinc or Instagram @womenaware or Twitter @Women_Aware
The Friends of the East Brunswick Library will host a virtual wine tasting at 7 p.m. Oct. 23 led by wine and spirits expert Enza Rachele who has selected a few wines to share and discuss in an online setting.
The wine bundle is $40, including four bottles of wine and admission to this event on Zoom.
The wine bundle is available for purchase at Ryder’s Lane Wines & Spirits, 246A Ryders Lane, Milltown. The wine is available through Oct. 22.
This program is available to adults age 21 and older.
Proceeds from this event benefit programs and services at East Brunswick Public Library that are sponsored by the Friends
For more information, email LCARBLEY@COMCAST.NET
The East Brunswick Public Library is teaming up with Saint Peter’s University Hospital for a three-part virtual “Lunch ‘N’ Learn” program series, to be held at noon on Oct. 23, Nov. 6 and Dec. 18.
Attendees will be able to watch medical presentations on the Zoom platform.
This series focuses on gastrointestinal diseases.
The first program is “Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease” at noon on Oct. 23. This talk will focus on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and it will review the definition, symptoms, risk factors, diagnostic tests, treatments and complications of reflux disease. Dr. Sugirdhana Velpari board certified gastroenterologist, will lead this workshop.
“Basics of Inflammatory Bowel Disease” will be presented at noon on Nov. 6. Led by Dr. Debra Goldstein, this program will explore what inflammatory bowel disease is and treatment options. Other topics include how different factors, including pregnancy and age, impact the condition.
The final program titled “Colon Polyp Screening … Not the Same as Colon Cancer Screening” will be held at noon on Dec. 18.
This workshop will examine colorectal cancer, the third leading cancer in the world. Dr. Arkady Broder will introduce the audience to the benefits of colon cancer screening and ultimately, prevention.
These programs are offered through the library’s “Just For The Health Of It!” consumer health and wellness information initiative.
Registration is requested for these free events.
For more information or to register, visit www.ebpl.org/calendar.
Ride a cycling course of your choosing to help support and raise funds for more than 26,000 Special Olympics New Jersey athletes.
This year’s route and mileage are up to each participant.
Through Oct. 24, register and complete your ride.
All registered participants will receive a long sleeve t-shirt, ride bib and finisher medal.
Fundraising incentives are available to those who reach specific milestones.
To register and for more information, visit www.BikeSONJ.org.
The East Brunswick Public Library is hosting the “Path to 2020 Elections” program to explore the election process.
Frank Argote-Freyere explains the Electoral College in the lecture “Who Really Elects the President: the Workings of the Electoral College” at 7 p.m. Oct. 27. His presentation explores how the Electoral College was created by the founding fathers as a way to manage an unruly public and, if needed, overturn the election results.
The lecture will be presented on the Zoom platform.
These programs are all sponsored by the Friends of the East Brunswick Public Library.
For more information, visit www.ebpl.org.
The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, in conjunction with the NJ Reentry Corporation of New Brunswick, will hold a clothing drive to benefit men and women reentering the workforce.
Lightly used clothing items, as well as toiletries and hygiene products, will be collected from Oct. 26-29 at the following locations:
- Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, 25 Kirkpatrick St., Second Floor, Wade Baker Conference Room, New Brunswick. Contact Amber Gibbs at amber.gibbs@co.middlesex.nj.us or Sara Lucas at sara.lucas@co.middlesex.nj.us to set up a drop off time.
- Office of the Clerk of the Board, 75 Bayard St., First Floor, New Brunswick. Contact Daniele Reitsma at daniele.reitsma@co.middlesex.nj.us to set up a drop off time.
- Director’s Office, 1001 Fire Academy Dr., Sayreville. Contact Ginny Rizzo at ginny.rizzo@co.middlesex.nj.us to set up a drop off time.
All items will be delivered to the NJ Reentry Corporation on Oct. 30.
Raritan Valley YMCA will hold a drive-in movie night featuring “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Y, 144 Tices Lane, East Brunswick. Rain date is Oct. 31.
Pre-registration is required. Cost is $20 per car.
This event is sponsored by the Raritan Valley YMCA and Point Community Church.
All attendees must remain in their cars or in front of their cars with face mask and social distancing practices.
Register online at raritanvalleyymca.org.
Right at Home of Central New Jersey and its healthcare partner, HarborChase of Princeton, hosted a Back to School Drive for the families of health care heroes. Many professional partners and local businesses donated supplies, filling close to 600 bags of school supplies.
Currently, Right at Home of Central New Jersey is providing snacks and beverages to health care heroes at facilities throughout Middlesex, Northern Monmouth and Mercer counties through the Junk Trunk. The RAH-mobile has been filled and deliveries are on their way.
Starting the second week of November, the Junk Trunk will be transitioning to the Holiday Hatchback and member will be delivering holiday snacks and goodies to health care heroes to wish them a safe and happy holiday season.
To donate snacks, call Right at Home of Central New Jersey at 732-967-0900.
Donations can be dropped off at the office, 1405 Route 18 south, Suite 203, Old Bridge.
For more information, visit www.rightathome.net/monmouth-middlesex/ or email beth@rahcentral.com.
The East Brunswick Jewish Center will present Tovah Feldshuh, Up Close and Personal, at 8 p.m. Nov. 7 via Zoom.
The Broadway actress will talk about her 45-year career.
Tickets are $18 per Zoom link.
The $180 sponsorship includes four Zoom tickets, a pre-show chat and recognition.
Register at www.ebjc.org under Events.
For more information, email Ellen at ebotwin@ebjc.org
East Brunswick Public Library’s popular “Take A Business Break” returns this fall with three online programs to help local business owners to get tips from experts during their lunch break.
Edward Mendlowitz, CPA, leads this online workshop series. He is an emeritus partner at WithumSmith+Brown, PC, and a Fairleigh Dickinson MBA professor. He was designated one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting by Accounting Today.
The final program in the series is When to Hire Your First Employee and How Much to Pay at noon on Nov. 19. This workshop explains how to determine if this critical decision is right for your business.
The event will be held on the Zoom platform. Registration is requested; to register, go to https://ilove.ebpl.org/ebpl-virtual-programs.
A health literacy social worker is available to assist patrons of the East Brunswick Public Library.
Emerith Hernandez Cortes, MSW, is a bilingual social worker who speaks Spanish and English. She can help with needs such as food, housing, addiction, health services, job loss, small business recovery, places to find employment, and mental health topics.
Appointments can be made by calling 732-518-8247 or by emailing ecortes@ebpl.org. These appointments are digital on Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Sessions are private and confidential.
The program runs through Nov. 30.
This service is offered through the library’s Just For The Health Of It! consumer health and wellness information initiative. It is offered through a grant from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
To learn more, visit www.justforthehealthofit.org.
The Traumatic Loss Coalitions for Youth will hold the 17th annual Suicide Prevention Conference, focusing on “Reaching for Hope,” from 8:30 a.m. to noon Dec. 3, via WebEx.
Speakers include Susan Klebold, author and activist; and Vanessa L. McGann, clinical psychologist
To register, visit https://rutgers.cloud-cme.com/course/courseoverview?P=5&EID=7116
Cost is $49 per person.
Ongoing
The East Brunswick Farmers Market will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. the first and third Sunday of the month in the parking lot of the Brunswick Square Mall, 755 Route 18, East Brunswick.
Local produce, artisan foods, bakery items and craft vendors.
Sponsored by Sustainable Jersey and the PSEG Foundation.
To document the experiences of the community while living through the COVID-19 pandemic, the East Brunswick Public Library has been collecting submissions to a COVID-19 Community Time Capsule.
The time capsule can be viewed online at www.ebpl.org/history
The library is still taking submissions at this time.
The Community Pet Food Bank by New Beginnings Animal Rescue is open from 1-3 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays, with varying hours on Saturdays, on the grounds of Nativity Lutheran Church, 552 Ryders Lane, East Brunswick.
For more information, visit nbarnj.org
The Jamesburg Public Library will hold its board meetings on the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m.
These meetings are open to the public, and will take place on Zoom for the remainder of the year.
Visit jamesburglibrary.org or www.facebook.com/JamesburgLibrary/ for further information.
Each meeting will have a different Zoom link and passcode
The East Brunswick Department of Recreation is offering First Tee Golf Lessons.
There is no prior golf experience needed.
Clubs will be provided to those who don’t have them for use during the sessions and have requested clubs during the registration process. Students with their own clubs should bring to each class.
Due to COVID restrictions, the limit is eight children per session.
Programs include Ultimate Frisbee for grades 5 – 12; Youth Track for K-2, 3-5 and 6-8 grades; Youth Cross Country, grades 1-8; Web Development/Joomla, grades 8-12; Youth Golf Lessons, ages 8-10; drive in movies and concerts.
For more information, visit eastbrunswick.org/recreation
To showcase emerging artists in the area, the East Brunswick Public Library held the Grownup Summer 2020 Art Challenge.
The result is an online gallery, sharing the work of area residents.
It is available online for viewing at ilove.ebpl.org/art-challenge.
The East Brunswick Recreation, Parks & Community Services Department is collecting non-perishable food, cash and gift cards for distribution to Aldersgate Community Outreach Center.
Drop off food in the back of the box truck parked in the parking lot, 334 Dunhams Corner Road; the door is kept down so lift it to put donations inside.
Or, drop cash/check/gift cards in an envelope and put in the drop box next to the front door to the Recreation Department.
The South River Police Department is currently accepting applications for the position of school crossing guard (part-time/substitute).
School crossing guards work under the direction of the police department and are responsible for the safe crossing of school children and other pedestrians at designated crossing areas within the Borough of South River.
Minimum qualifications:
• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Must possess a minimum of a high school diploma or GED equivalent
• Must be a United States citizen
• Must be a resident of New Jersey
• Must be of sound body and of good health with vision and hearing adequate to perform essential job functions
• Must possess a valid New Jersey driver’s license
• Must be of good moral character and not be convicted of any criminal offense
Applications can be obtained from and returned to South River Municipal Offices, 48 Washington St., South River.
Raritan Valley YMCA in East Brunswick is offering a new hybrid learning club, a wraparound school age program to roll over from summer camp to a full-day learning experience that combines virtual learning with outdoor activities.
Students can bring their virtual learning devices. Credentialed staff will aid in classwork and homework during the day.
The afternoon portion will run similar to Camp Yomeca. Activities will include arts and crafts, tennis, basketball and STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) along with an afternoon snack. Swimming will be included in September, weather-permitting.
For the session schedule and rates, and to register, visit https://raritanvalleyymca.org/member-connection#/programs/22527368/hybrid-learning-club/
East Brunswick now has a disc golf course at Heavenly Farms, 440 Dunhams Corner Road, across from the main parking lot.
It is free to play. Bring your own equipment.
Pickleball can be played on six brand-new courts at Community Park, 350 Dunhams Corner Road, and two hybrid pickleball/tennis courts at Lenape Park, 31 Millman Dr.
On Wednesday evenings there is a “club” that gathers at Community Park and plays, as well as a group that plays on Saturday and Sunday mornings at Community Park. They are open to the public. The group is not affiliated with East Brunswick Recreation.
The East Brunswick Jewish Center is providing minyanim twice every day, services on Shabbat and holidays, adult education classes and Lunch and Learn with the Rabbi.
Membership welcome but not necessary.
Visit www.ebjc.org/online-events for more information.
Raritan Valley YMCA is encouraging residents to #StayWithUs during this time, in particular by visiting the Y’s Facebook page for virtual events, programs and classes.
Adult programs include group fitness classes provided by Y360, Les Mills and from Y instructors. Programs and classes will be updated on a week-to-week basis. The ZOOM app is required; email lramos@raritanvalleyymca.org for log-in details.
The Facebook page also features live story time and creative arts with Ms. Preeti and Ms. Brenda.
Details Camp Yomeca day camp are available on the website. Online registration is open.
For more information, visit raritanvalleyymca.org.
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.
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 domesticviolence@ebpd.net.
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 kwvanj@yahoo.com.
Dove Hospice Services of New Jersey seeks compassionate volunteers to provide support to local hospice patients and their families.
Hospice patient care volunteers visit with patients in their homes, which can also be nursing facilities or assisted living facilities, at least once a week. They read to the patient, reminisce about their lives, play cards, help with letter writing and provide respite for caregivers.
Visits can be virtual, and are either during the day or early evening.
Volunteers may also assist with administrative work within the hospice office.
Patient care volunteers complete an application and attend a virtual volunteer training program that covers the role of a hospice volunteer. Day and evening virtual training programs are offered.
To sign up for the next virtual training class, contact Volunteer Coordinator Deborah Adams at 732-405-3035 or email deborah@dovehs.com.
