Community Bulletin Board
Monday Morning panel to meet on March 12

The Monday Morning Advocacy Network of Middlesex County will hold its next monthly meeting from 7-9 p.m. on March 12 at the East Brunswick Public Library, 2 Jean Walling Civic Center.

Special guest will be Sue Gottesman, New Jersey Office of the Public Advocate, and former legislative coordinator for the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD).

Gottesman and other staff members from the public advocate's office will speak on proposed legislative bills S-2476 and SCR-134 to remove the words "idiot" and "insane" from language in the state constitution addressing voters with disabilities. Discussion also will focus on introducing the bills as a public question in the general election in November and the introduction of a similar bill in the Assembly. Other topics will include a major revision of the snow-removal law introduced in the Senate; plans for meeting with code-enforcement officials in April; the reading of updated ground rules; and other legislative updates.

For more information or to reserve a spot at the meeting, call Anita Clavering at (732) 727-7791 or e-mail aclavering@netzero.com.

For audio/visual accommodations, call David Kallman at (732) 549-0879. Middlesex County Area Transit consumers should call Anita at (732) 727-7791 or e-mail aclavering@netzero.com no later than 11 a.m. on March 2 for transportation to the March 12 meeting. NJ Transit Access Link consumers should call (800) 221-2321 (811 bus route).

Evening training on tap for Master Gardeners

Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County plans new Master Gardener training sessions from 6:30-9 p.m. on Tuesday nights at the Middlesex County EARTH (Education, Agriculture, Research, Teaching and Horticulture) Center on the grounds of Davidson's Mill Pond Park, South Brunswick. The evening sessions are designed for individuals who are interested in taking part in the Master Gardener program but who are not available for daytime training.

Master gardeners will become community volunteers, trained in earth-friendly gardening and environmental principles. Members are required to participate in 60-70 hours of classroom instruction and practical field trips. Course topics will include sound gardening techniques, composting, creative methods of conserving resources and horticulture therapy.

Master gardeners also are required to volunteer 60 hours of service to Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County projects, activities and events.

Classes will be held once a week throughout most of the gardening season. Program fee for supplies, instructional materials and speakers is $550.

For more information on the training start date and to register, call (732) 398-5262.

'Lincoln' to appear at Buckelew Mansion

Abraham Lincoln impersonator Robert Costello will bring guests into "Mr. Lincoln's White House Office," as he reflects on Lincoln's life and presidency in a visit planned for 1-5 p.m. on Feb. 25 at Lakeview, the historic Buckelew Mansion, 203 Buckelew Ave. (Route 522), Jamesburg. The event is sponsored by the Jamesburg Historical Association.

Participants will have the opportunity to share their thoughts with "the president," who will receive visitors at 1:30, 3 and 4:30 p.m. "Lincoln" also will be available for photographs before guests depart.

In addition to Costello's appearance, the afternoon's activities will include tours of the 23-room Buckelew Mansion and the viewing of the Lincoln Coach and the Lincoln Life Masks. The Jamesburg Train Room, depicting late 19th- and early 20th-century Jamesburg and featuring working N-scale trains, also will be open.

Refreshments will be served. There is no charge for the afternoon's activities; however, free-will donations will be gratefully accepted.

Lakeview is open for tours from 2-4 p.m. on the second and fourth Sundays of every month, January-November.

For more information, call (732) 521-2040 and leave a message, or log on to www.JamesburgHistory.com.

Night at the Oscars to benefit Cooper Fund

The Chris Cooper Scholarship Fund will hold A Night at the Oscars Dinner from 7 p.m. to midnight on March 16 at the Pines Manor, Edison.

The event will raise money for the scholarship fund, named in honor of Cooper, a 1999 Old Bridge High School (OBHS) graduate who pitched for the high school baseball team and died as the result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in 2003. Proceeds will help an eligible OBHS boys baseball player and an OBHS girls softball player attend college. Recipients are selected based on leadership, good sportsmanship, playing ability and a love of the game.

Tickets cost $90 per person in advance, $100 at the door.

For more information and to reserve, call (732) 721-9045 or log on to www.coopsta.com.

Camp open house set for Feb. 25 at MCC

A Camp Middlesex Open House will be held from 1-4 p.m. on Feb. 25 in the Technical Services Center at Middlesex County College (MCC), Edison.

Youngsters ages 6 to 18, along with their families, are invited to sample some of the programs and activities that will be offered as part of the summer-recreation program at the college, meet staff members and share refreshments. There will be a raffle for a $100 reduction on camp tuition.

On-site registration will be available. Parents must bring their child's immunization records in order to complete the process. Reservations for the fair are not required. For more information, call (732) 906-2556.

'Tax-Saving Tips' next up at O.B. Library

Monday Night Programming @ the Old Bridge Public Library, Route 516 and Cottrell Road, will present "Tax-Savings Tips," featuring Internal Revenue Service-enrolled agent Alex Ermoloff, from 7-8:30 p.m. on Feb. 26. Ermoloff will offer strategies to help reduce tax liability. Topics will include eligible tax deductions, allowable tax credits, planning options for future college costs and retirement needs. Admission is free of charge. For more information, log on to www.lmxac.org/obplor call (732) 721-5600, ext. 5033.

Recreation to be focus at SEPTA meeting

The East Brunswick Special Education PTA (SEPTA) will hold its next monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 26 in the meeting room at the East Brunswick Public Library, Jean Walling Civic Center.

The topic will be "Recreation Opportunities for Children With Special Needs." Representatives from Buddy Baseball, Buddy Cheerleading and the Power of Yoga will be on hand. All parents/guardians of classified and nonclassified students are welcome to attend.

For more information, e-mail Edward or Audrey Weiner at eddieweinersepta@hotmail.com or call (732) 254-7526.

Dart tournament

will benefit OLL School

Our Lady of Lourdes Knights of Columbus Council No. 7250 will sponsor its third annual March Madness Dart Tournament beginning at 7 p.m. on March 10 at Our Lady of Lourdes (OLL) School, 44 Cleveland Ave., Milltown. Doors will open at 6 p.m. for practice and a buffet.

The event, which will be held as a fundraiser for the school, will feature the tournament, an all-you-can-eat buffet and door prizes.

Tickets cost $25; price includes tournament entry, food and prizes. All levels of skill are welcome. Those attending must be at least 21 years old.

For more information, call Gus Hoban at (732) 448-1992.

Oldies dance planned for March 3 at Moose lodge

Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge No. 165 will sponsor an After-Dinner Oldies Dance from 8-11 p.m. March 3 at the lodge, 49 Reid St., South River. The event will feature snacks, soda, coffee, desserts and dancing to music of the '50s and '60s. Cost is $10 per person. All are welcome. For more information and to reserve, call Len at (732) 257-4675 or (732) 801-9763 or call Joan at (732) 251-2044.

Auxiliary national

president to be honored

The State of New Jersey Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary will host and honor its national president, Linda Meader, at a Spring Conference and Dinner set for Feb. 24 at Embassy Suites, Piscataway. Members of the Middlesex District auxiliaries, under the leadership of Eileen Courtney, state president, will welcome Meader to the event, as will members from 20 other VFW auxiliaries across New Jersey.

Adults invited to Purim festivities at synagogue

Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple, 222 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, will hold a Purim Party for adults only, from 8-11 p.m. on March 3. Participants are asked to dress in their 1970s/'80s best for "Shushan Night Fever." The event will feature dessert, soda, mixers and coffee. BYOB. Cost is $18 per person, $36 per couple. For more information and to reserve, call (732) 545-6484.

Temple to sponsor Purim Bash at OBHS

Bris Avrohom of Old Bridge will host its annual Grand Purim Bash at noon on March 4 at Old Bridge High School (OBHS), Grade 9 Center, Route 516 and Cottrell Road. The event will include a megillah reading followed by a sit-down Israeli-style buffet, live music, entertainment by ventriloquist Jonathan Geffner and Friends and a grand-prize raffle for a digital camera. Admission $10 per person, $25 per family. Call (732) 316-7600 or log on to www.brisavrohom.org/OldBridge.

Purim carnival, services on tap at E.B. temple

Temple B'nai Shalom, Fern and Old Stage roads, East Brunswick, will hold a Purim celebration featuring family services at 10:30 a.m. followed by a Purim carnival from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on March 4. Carnival highlights will include games, a "moonwalk," prizes and lunch. Participants, who are invited to come in costume, also are asked to bring a box of pasta to be used as a noisemaker and then donated to a local food bank. The event is open to the public. Call (732) 251-4300.

Temple to sponsor

Purim Bash at OBHS

Bris Avrohom of Old Bridge will host its annual Grand Purim Bash at noon on March 4 at Old Bridge High School (OBHS), Grade 9 Center, Route 516 and Cottrell Road.

The event will include a megillah reading followed by a sit-down Israeli-style buffet, live music, entertainment by ventriloquist Jonathan Geffner and Friends and a grand-prize raffle for a digital camera.

Admission $10 per person, $25 per family. For more information, call (732) 316-7600 or log on to www.brisavrohom.org/OldBridge.

Public invited to adopt cats, kittens in O.B.

Summit Animal Rescue Association (SARA) Inc., will offer cats and kittens for adoption at Petco of Old Bridge, Route 9 and Ernston Road, from noon to 5 p.m. on Feb. 24.

St. Pat's Oldies Dance scheduled for March 17

Knights of Columbus Council No. 4815 will host a St. Patrick's Day Rock 'N' Roll Oldies Dance from 8 p.m. to midnight on March 17 at the council home, 61 Pine St., Old Bridge.

The event will feature a corned beef and cabbage dinner, tap beer, soda, cake, coffee and tea. A DJ will provide dance music of the '50s and '60s.

Tickets cost $20 per person in advance, $25 at the door.

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

Depression glass show set for March 2, 3

The Garden State Depression Glass Club 25th Anniversary Show and Sale is set for 6:30-9:30 p.m. on March 2 and 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on March 3 at the St. Lawrence Parish Center, Laurence Parkway, Laurence Harbor section of Old Bridge.

Admission $5 per person. For more information, call (609) 240-3765 or e-mail thelegantable@verizon.net.

Sacred Heart HSA plans Lenten Fish Fry

The HSA of Sacred Heart School, Cedar Street, South Amboy, will host its annual Lenten Fish Fry from 4-7 p.m. on Feb. 23 in the school cafeteria (Walnut Street entrance).

Dinner will include sandwich, fries, salad, dessert and a drink. Pizza, tuna fish sandwiches, fish sandwiches and pierogi also will be available.

To reserve, to order takeout food and for more information, call Sister Mary Anne at (732) 721-0899.

Friendly Sons to

sponsor trip to Ireland

The Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh, Old Bridge, will offer a fall trip to Ireland. Travelers will take advantage of off-season prices.

For more information and cost, interested individuals should call Jackie at (732) 721-5471 or e-mail milvib@aolcom.

Bird identification coming to Cheesequake

A "Basic Birding" program will begin at 1 p.m. on Feb. 25 at the Cheesequake Park Interpretative Center, Gordon Road, Old Bridge.

Participants will learn about key identifying characteristics of the park's winter birds. Binoculars are suggested. The event is free of charge. Individuals age 8 and up are invited. For more information, call (732) 566-3208.

Seniors to celebrate at St. Patrick's Day gala

The Old Bridge Office on Aging will sponsor a St. Patrick's Celebration from noon to 3:30 p.m. on March 16 at The Palms, Old Bridge.

Highlights will include a buffet featuring corned beef and cabbage. Music will be provided by Joey Sudyka.

Cost is $27 per person.

For more information and to reserve, call Ann at (732) 721-5600, ext. 6620.

St. Mary's to host Lenten Fish Fries

St. Mary of Ostrabrama Church, South River, will hold Lenten Fish Fries from 5-7 p.m. on March 2, 16 and 30 in the St. Mary's School cafeteria, Jackson Street, South River. Dinner will include fish, French fries, coleslaw, bread, dessert, coffee and tea. Cost per dinner is $10 for adults, $3 for youngsters under age 12. Children's macaroni-and-cheese dinners will be available for $3.

Church to celebrate Black History Month

The Union Baptist Church Sunday School and Senior Choir Ministry will mark Black History Month with a celebration service set for 7 p.m. on Feb. 25 at Union Baptist Church, 76 Washington St., South River.

The Rev. Jeffery Broughton Sr., pastor, Union Baptist, will participate in the services. Guest preacher will be the Rev. John H. Harris, pastor of Galilee Baptist Church, Trenton.

The community is invited to attend.

For more information, call (732) 651-2770.

Tickets available for fashion show fundraiser

The East Brunswick Woman's Club will hold its Classic in Fashion spring fashion show fundraiser beginning at 7 p.m. on March 20 at the Crown Plaza Hotel (formerly the Holiday Inn), New Jersey Turnpike Exit 8A, Jamesburg. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

The event will feature the fashion show, a luncheon, music, and a basket raffle. Donation is $45. For more information and to reserve, call Rosemary at (732) 257-1746.

Senior Chai to host March 6 Purim party The next meeting of Senior Chai, a program of Jewish Family and Vocational Service (JFVS) of Southern Middlesex County, will be held from 1-2:30 p.m. on March 6 at the Jewish Congregation of Concordia, 20 Concordia Shopping Center, Monroe.

The event will feature a Hamantash and Nosh Purim Party. Transportation will be available upon request.

Cost is $5, in advance. The public is invited. Senior Chai is a program for active senior adults who are widowed, single or caregivers.

For more information, call Jennifer at (609) 395-7979, Tuesdays-Thursdays.