The Holton Center and Hands of Hope Food Pantry are holding a food drive through Nov. 21 at the Holton Center, 289 Central Ave., Metuchen.
Most needed items include macaroni and cheese, cereal, oatmeal, pasta, rice, tuna, soup, canned fruit and tomato sauce.
The largest donation will win a basket.
For more information, call 732-549-0141 or visit www.drkevinjholton.com
The JCC Baby Boomers continue their Zoom movie talks with the latest selection, “The Queen’s Gambit” on Netflix.
Watch the limited series before 11 a.m. on Dec. 2 and join the free Zoom discussion with JCC film gurus Laurie and Diane at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2.
Email dmael@jccmc.org to learn more and get the Zoom details.
Held by the Jewish Community Center of Middlesex County, location in Edison.
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The Metlar-Bodine House Museum is reopening after months of closure due to COVID-19.
Discover Piscataway’s exceptional 354-year-old back story told in a docent-led tour. Learn why and how America’s tradition of celebrating July 4 began in Piscataway in 1778. View a map display of the museum’s theme “From Indian Trail to Interstate,” a journey through time. Visit the museum’s Dutch Door gift shop.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays, Nov. 19 and Dec. 3, 10 and 17; noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 5, 12, and 19; and noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 13.
Schedule subject to change due to COVID-19. Call ahead or visit the website.
Admission is $5 per person; children under 5 free. Pay at the door, cash only.
Group tours of four must schedule in advance.
Official COVID-19 guidelines include limiting tours and gift shop visits to one group of four people at a time to maintain social distancing; masks required for children and adults before entering the museum and to be worn during the visit; and the availability of hand sanitizer at the admission desk and in the gift shop.
The museum is located at 1281 River Road, Piscataway.
For more information, call 732-463-8363, email metlarbodine@gmail.com or visit https://metlarbodinehousemuseum.org
The Metuchen Arts Council has created the Metuchen Arts Exchange (MAX), an expansion of the council’s community outreach, offering virtual classes in theater, dance and thematic art through Nov. 24.
The youth theater classes are taught by performing arts instructor and Metuchen native Lisa Hyman. Offered for ages 3-5, Little Actors uses games, storytelling, singing and movement to expand imagination, build confidence and develop performance skills.
Offered for ages 7-11 and ages 12 and up, Comedy for Acting classes use improv and script work to tweak acting techniques.
Movenglish asks participants to contribute to creating a brand-new language through movement. Classes are geared for ages 14 and up and no dance experience is required. The class is taught by Charly Santagado, artistic director of The Mignolo Dance Company.
The intersection of science and art is explored in the class, Scientific Explanations in Art, for grades 6-8. The instructor is artist and educator Joe Castronova. Watercolor, markers, pencil, collage and other techniques will be used to build on observations and focus on the science behind artistic expression.
For information on the instructors, class schedules, registration and fees, visit www.metuchenartscouncil.com.
The Girls on the Run of Central NJ (GOTRCNJ) Fall 5K race will be virtual this year.
The 5K Turkey Trot will take place Nov. 26-29 and is open to the public. Registrants can complete the virtual 5K on their time and in their own place.
Registration is free and open to all. However, in an effort to sustain the GOTRCNJ Scholarship Fund, participants can donate $10 or an amount of their choice to GOTRCNJ during registration. One hundred percent of donations will go to scholarships to make the program accessible to girls who otherwise would not be able to participate.
Participants will receive a printable bib and finisher’s certificate.
Register at https://runsignup.com/gotrturkeytrot or visit www.gotrcnj.org.
For race questions, contact Donna York at donna.york@girlsontherun.org or 908-642-4321.
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.
The JCC of Middlesex County in Edison will hold a virtual Mah Jongg Tournament on Dec. 9. Opening ceremony on Zoom at 10 a.m. Play from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Play on RealMahJongg.com. There will be three rounds/12 games.
Winners will be announced on Zoom at 1:45 p.m.
There will be Amazon gift card prizes for first, second and third place winners. There will also be a 50/50 raffle.
The cost is $18 per person; $5 per 50/50 ticket.
Must register by Dec. 4.
Zoom registration information will be sent upon receipt of tournament registration.
Contact Diane Mael, director of Adult Services, by emailing dmael@jccmc.org to get an invitation, rules for scoring and registration information.
The Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey, serving Monmouth and Middlesex counties, will hold its annual meeting, Giving Wings to the Jewish Heart of Jersey, at 6:30p.m. Dec. 8 via Zoom.
Look at ways the Jewish community became more connected and capable this year amid extraordinary challenges, recognize individuals and organizations for playing key roles, and celebrate the shared values that unite Jews.
The first 100 households to sign up by Nov. 25 will receive a celebration goody bag.
For registration information, visit https://www.jewishheartnj.org/
The Arthritis Foundation will hold the Can’t Stop Jingling Jingle Bell Run virtually from Dec. 11-13.
Wear your favorite holiday costume and “jingle along” your own 5K route.
Register at jbr.org/NewJersey
Sponsored locally by FLT and Ivy Rehab Network in Metuchen.
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.
