Proceeds will help defer the cost of sending St. Thomas youngsters to Cologne, Germany, for the upcoming World Youth Day 2005, where they will see the new pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI.

Concert tickets cost $5 for youngsters, $10 for adults. Refreshments and souvenirs will be sold during intermission.

For more information and to reserve, call (732) 251-4000.

‘Pet Magic’ next up

at Cheesequake Park

An amateur magician will present “Pet Magic,” a magic show with a pet theme, beginning at 1 p.m. on May 22 in the Interpretive Center at Cheesequake State Park, Old Bridge.

The free program is open to all ages.

For more information, call (732) 566-3208.

Night at Friendly’s

to raise funds for Scouts

Old Bridge Boy Scout Troop No. 129 will host a Night at Friendly’s from 5-9 p.m. on June 1 at Friendly’s, Route 9 and Ferry Road, Old Bridge.

The restaurant will donate a percentage of sales to the Scouts when customers mention the troop name to their server.

Giant Yard Sale on tap

for Level Club of S.R.

The Level Club of South River will hold its semiannual Giant Yard Sale from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 21 at the Masonic Temple, 120 Old Bridge Turnpike, South River.

For more information, call Robert Szegeti at (732) 390-5732.

Car wash to raise funds

for Lady Bombers soccer

The Sayreville War Memorial High School (SWMHS) Lady Bombers soccer team will sponsor a car wash from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 21 in the SWMHS parking lot, Washington Road.

Cost is $5 per car. For more information, call Eileen at (732) 257-6587.

Dance to the oldies at

American Legion post

Spotswood American Legion Post No. 253 will sponsor its monthly Oldies Dance from 8-11 p.m. on May 20 at the post home, Devoe Avenue, next to the lake.

Participants will dance to the music of the ’50s and ’60s. An oldies dance is held every third Friday of the month at the post home.

Admission is $7 per person and includes soda, cake, coffee and tea. Singles are welcome.

For more information, call Tony at (732) 251-0970.

‘Guys and Dolls Jr.’

to be staged May 20, 21

Triple H Productions will present “Guys and Dolls — Junior Version,” featuring a cast of students in fourth-12th grades, at 8 p.m. on May 20 and 21 at St. Stanislaus Kostka School, 221 MacArthur Ave., Sayreville.

The show is directed by Wilfredo Hernandez Jr., with musical direction by Cristina Vargas and choreography by Samantha Hahn.

Tickets cost $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors.

For tickets or more information, call (732) 254-5285 or log on to www.triplehproductions.com.

Bagel Talk on tap at

Congregation Beth Ohr

The next installment in the Congregation Beth Ohr Bagel Talk series is planned for 9:45 a.m. on May 22 at the temple, 70 Route 516, Old Bridge.

Representatives from the South Amboy Adult Day Care Center will be on hand to discuss the center’s program for individuals who are independent and living at home.

All are welcome. For more information, call the temple at (732) 257-1523.

Blood drive planned for

June 4 at Society Hill

The Blood Center of New Jersey will sponsor a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 4 in the Society Hill Clubhouse, 400 Thames Drive, Old Bridge.

A free continental breakfast with coffee, tea and juice will be served in the morning. Comparable refreshments and pizza will be available in the afternoon.

Donors must be at least 18 years old; 17-year-olds need parental permission. Participants must present a driver’s license or other photo identification and know their Social Security number. All donors will receive a free cholesterol test. Individuals may donate blood every 56 days.

Blood donations will be used for area hospitals.

For directions, call the clubhouse at (732) 679-5827.

For information on donor qualifications or the donation process, call the Blood Center of New Jersey at (800) 652-5663.

Sayreville arts panel to offer cabaret revue

The Sayreville Cultural Arts Council will present Triple H Productions in a Broadway cabaret revue beginning at 7:30 p.m. on June 2 at the Sayreville Senior Center, 423 Main St.

Admission is free of charge. The public is invited. All ages are welcome. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information, call (732) 613-0049.

Sacred Heart Carnival

planned for May 25-28

The annual Sacred Heart Parish Carnival will be held from 6-10 p.m. on May 25, 26, 27 and 28 in the church parking lot, located between Washington Avenue and Main Street, South Amboy.

The event will feature carnival rides and games. A food tent will offer homemade pierogi, stuffed cabbage, kielbasi, pizza, sausage with peppers and onions, hot dogs, hamburgers, french fries and more. Takeouts will be available.

Bracelet Night is planned for May 25. Theme nights include Polish Night, May 25; Italian Night, May 27; and All-American Night, May 28.

A 50/50 raffle will be held each night, and there will be a “super” 50/50 on May 28.

For more information, call (732) 721-0040.

Church seeks crafters,

vendors for June 4 event

Vendors are sought for a craft show set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 4 at Cottrell Corners Community Church, 442 Cottrell Road, Old Bridge.

The event will feature crafts, vendors, baked goods and flea market items. Proceeds will benefit the church building fund.

Table rental cost is $20 for new vendors, $10 for returning vendors who participated in the church’s previous craft fair, free of charge to church members.

For more information and to reserve, call Debi at (732) 792-2955.

Our Lady of Victory (OLV) Columbiettes will sponsor a yard sale and craft market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 21 in the Knights of Columbus Hall parking lot, Washington Road, Parlin section of Sayreville.

The event will take place rain or shine.

For more information, call Gail at (732) 238-2714.

Ladies auxiliary offers

June 5 bus trip to A.C.

The Spotswood Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary will sponsor a June 5 bus trip to the Showboat Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City.

The bus will depart at 8:30 a.m. from the Main Street Firehouse. Participants should arrive at 8 a.m.

Cost is $25, with an $8 return in coin. Coffee and doughnuts will be served on the bus.

For more information and tickets, call (732) 251-3460.

O.B. Elks to sponsor

youth baseball contest

Boys and girls ages 7-15 are invited to participate in the Old Bridge Elks Lodge No. 2229 Batter-Up Contest set for 10 a.m. on May 28 at the Little League field, Route 516, Old Bridge.

For more information, call Rich Williams at (732) 251-6633.

‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’ to be staged June 10-18

The Sayreville Main Street Theatre Company will present its production of the musical “The Scarlet Pimpernel” at 8 p.m. on June 10, 11, 17 and 18 and at 3 p.m. on June 12 in the company’s new theater, located in the Garden Friends Learning Center, 3018 Bordentown Road, Parlin section of Sayreville.

Advance tickets cost $18 for adults, $16 for seniors and students. An additional $2 will be charged for tickets purchased at the door. Prices include dessert and beverage.

For more information and to reserve, call (732) 553-1153 or log on to www.smstc.org.

Tickets on sale for St. Bernadette’s dance

St. Bernadette’s Parish will sponsor its Spring Dance beginning at 6:30 p.m. on May 21 in the parish’s Lourdes Center, Villanova and Princeton roads, Parlin section of Old Bridge.

Cost is $25 per person and includes a buffet dinner, beer, wine and soda. Coffee and cake also will be served. There will be dancing to the music of a live band.

Tickets, which must be purchased in advance, may be obtained from any parish organization or by calling Betty Brauchle at (732) 727-4652 or Angela Cavalieri at (732) 727-4440.

‘Annie,’ ‘Annie Junior’ auditions set in Sp’wood

The Saint Genesius Players will hold auditions for “Annie” and “Annie — Junior Version” at 7:30 p.m. on May 20 and 2 p.m. on May 21 and 22 at the Dance Carousel, 75 Summerhill Road, Spotswood.

The show will be performed at Spotswood High School at the end of July.

“Annie” is produced by Christopher J. Guell of Old Bridge, directed by Steve Fareri of Princeton, musically directed by A.J. Meeker of Linden and choreographed by Jennifer Gutman of Princeton.

“Annie — Junior Version” is produced by Christopher J. Guell of Old Bridge, directed by Amanda Brill of East Brunswick and choreographed by Melissa Leshchanka of New Brunswick.

Participants should bring sheet music and be prepared to dance. An accompanist will be provided.

Auditions for the play’s junior version are open only to individuals in 12th grade and under.

For more information, log on to www.saintgenesiusplayers.org, call (732) 251-7936, or e-mail the producer at ilvthtr@optonline.net.

Donors needed to avert holiday blood shortages

The Blood Center of New Jersey is asking residents to donate blood before and during the Memorial Day holiday to ensure that anyone needing blood during that time will be able to have the life-saving transfusions.

Donations usually fall dramatically over the Memorial Day holiday, creating a shortage for the following week. Patients will need blood throughout this period as a result of vehicular accidents, surgeries and transfusions for blood diseases.

The Blood Center will conduct the following upcoming community blood drives:

• May 22, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Brunswick Square Mall, Route 18 south, East Brunswick;

• May 23, 4-8 p.m. — Jamesburg Public Library, 229 Gatzmer Ave.;

• May 27, 2:30-8 p.m. — Woodbridge Community Center, 600 Main St.;

• May 29, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. — St. Matthew’s Church, 81 Seymour Ave., Edison.

Donors must be at least 17 years of age; there is no upper age limit. Donors should know their Social Security number and bring a signed or picture form of identification. For more information or to sponsor a blood drive, call (800) 652-5663, ext. 140. To sign up to donate, call (800) BLOOD NJ.

Small-town life to be topic at writers meeting

The Sisters in Crime-Central Jersey mystery readers and writers group will hold its regular monthly meeting on May 21 in the community room, lower level of the Jamesburg Public Library, Gatzmer Avenue. Writing instructor Pat Marinelli will lead a session of the writers critique group beginning at 9:30 a.m. The general meeting will start at 10:30 a.m.

Jamesburg Mayor Tony Lamantia and several Borough Council members will speak on “So You Want to Know About Small-Town Life” beginning at noon. The discussion will be aimed at assisting readers and writers to understand the specific idiosyncrasies of small-town life.

Sisters in Crime is a mystery readers and writers organization devoted to the promotion and support of women mystery authors. Both men and women are welcome to attend and join the organization. For more information, log on to members.aol.com/sinccj or call (732) 521-5646.

Alumni music ensemble will offer spring concert

The Rutgers Alumni Wind Symphony will present its annual spring concert at 8 p.m. on May 21 in the Nicholas Music Center, Douglass College campus of Rutgers University, George Street, New Brunswick. The nonprofit ensemble is made up of Rutgers alumni and residents of surrounding communities. Band directors are Nicholas Santoro and Nanette O’Neal, both Rutgers graduates. Admission to the concert is free of charge. The public is invited. For more information, call William E. Mele at (732) 951-1993.

Community theater family to honor Monaco

The New Jersey community theater family will host an American Diabetes Association benefit in memory of Michael Monaco, a longtime participant in New Jersey theater, from 2-4 p.m. on May 21 at Villagers Theatre, DeMott Lane, Somerset section of Franklin.

Local community theater actors will perform some of Monaco’s favorite scenes, songs and dances. There will be a 50/50 raffle. American Diabetes Association bracelets will be available for purchase. Refreshments will be served. Admission is $25 per person. Tickets will be available at the door. Proceeds will go to the American Diabetes Association.

For more information, call (732) 873-2710.