Community Bulletin Board
‘Bread, Butter & Soup’ at museum Jan. 14

The New Jersey Museum of Agriculture, 103 College Farm Road, North Brunswick, will present “Bread, Butter & Soup” Jan. 14 from noon-3 p.m.

The event will feature a lecture and demonstration by local food historian Susan Luczu, tips on soup, bread making and butter churning. Samples of items demonstrated will be offered to attendees at the end of the program. Luczu is a member of the New York Culinary Historians, and active locally with East Brunswick Museum, and the Historic Village of Old Bridge Community Group. Cost is $4, $3 for seniors, $2 for children age 4-12, and free for members and children younger than age 4.

For more information, call the museum at (732) 249-2077 or visit www.agriculturemuseum.org.

Mother-daughter

program set at hospital

“Pathways Through Life,” a program for daughters ages 13-15 and their mothers, will be presented from 1:30-4:30 p.m. on Jan. 14 at the Sister Marie de Pazzi Conference Center at Saint Peter’s University Hospital, Easton Avenue, New Brunswick. The event is sponsored by the hospital’s Fertility Awareness Program.

Mothers and daughters will have the opportunity to learn about and discuss the physical, emotional and social changes and challenges that occur during teen years. Moving beyond the “puberty talk,” the program will explore topics such as taking care of a changing body and developing a positive body image; making and keeping good friends; and negotiating decisions about social activities and dating.

Advance registration is required by Jan. 10. Cost is $20 per daughter. Mothers will attend free of charge.

For more information and to register, call (800) 334-0699 or (732) 745-8600 ext. 8862.

Spirit Ensemble

to perform in Monroe

The Monroe Township Cultural Arts Commission and the Monroe Township Patrons of the Arts will present Spirit Ensemble in a performance set for 2 p.m. on Jan. 22 at the Richard P. Marasco Center for the Performing Arts, Monroe Township High School, 1629 Perrineville Road.

Spirit Ensemble’s sound is an acoustical blend of percussion and melody, featuring traditional instruments from Africa and the Diaspora, including a “kora” (harp), “mbira” (finger piano), steel pan, flute, bass and a variety of drums. The ensemble fuses traditional African, jazz, rhythm and blues, reggae and calypso into contemporary music.

Tickets cost $5 each; patrons and students will be admitted free of charge.

Tickets are available in advance at the Monroe Township Senior Center, 1 Municipal Plaza; at the Monroe Township Community Center 120 Monmouth Road; and at the box office prior to the performance.

For more information call (732) 521-4400, ext. 134 or log on to www.MonroeTownshipCulturalArts.com.

Circle Players to stage Shepard’s ‘Simpatico’

The Circle Players of Piscataway will present “Simpatico” by Sam Shepard, Jan. 6-22, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m., at the theater, 416 Victoria Ave., Piscataway. There will be no performance on Sunday, Jan. 8.

The play is a seriocomic mystery that examines friendship, love, betrayal and the shifting power dynamics of long-term relationships.

The show is directed by Joe Porter, of Piscataway. The ensemble cast includes Randall McCann, of South Plainfield, Ray Peretti, of Manalapan, Sondra Ferra, of Summit, George Straley, of Carteret, Valerie Doran, of Raritan, and Kerri Lynn Sirkin, of Edison.

Tickets cost $15 for Friday and Saturday performances, $12 for Sunday matinees. Seniors and students receive a $1 discount for all performances.

For more information or reservations, call the theater at (732) 968-7555, or visit the Web site at www.circleplayers.com.

N.J. Dance Theatre sets auditions for Jan. 8, 15

New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble (NJDTE) will hold auditions for its winter season on Jan. 8 and 15 at Drew University, Madison.

NJDTE, a nonprofit dance company for youth from throughout New Jersey, offers preprofessional training in ballet, modern and contemporary dance to students ages 7-19.

Call (908) 232-5442 or e-mail kengel@njdte.org for an audition appointment.

Log on to www.njdte.org for more company information.

Senior center announces closings, January events

The Monroe Township Senior Center, 1 Municipal Plaza, will be closed Jan. 2 in observance of New Year’s and Jan. 16 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Payment is due Dec. 28 for the 20-class “Body Works” to be held Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. and Thursdays at 11:30 a.m. beginning Jan. 5. The cost is $20 for all 20 classes.

A five-day computer course will begin Jan. 3 at 9 a.m. The cost is $25, and students must own a PC (not an Apple or I-Mac).

Mike Ferierra will explore the career of Louis Prima during a video discussion featuring the documentary “Louis Prima, The Wildest” Jan. 3 at 1 p.m. Registration is required.

“Computer Basics” will be offered Jan. 5, 12 and 19 at 9:30 a.m.; the fee is $15.

“Ah, the Fabulous ’40s!” will be presented Jan. 5 at 1:30 p.m. The program will discuss the comedians who made the leap from Broadway and radio to the big screen. Light refreshments will be served.

David Chapman will give a lecture on the orchestral music of Franz Schubert Jan. 9 at 1:30 p.m. Registration required.

A post-holiday gala featuring keyboardist Doug Alt, sponsored by the Friends of the Senior Center Inc., will be held 1-3 p.m. Jan. 10. Tickets are $10 and include hors d’oeuvres. For information, call the Friends at (732) 521-2101.

“Aging with Style, Part I” will be held Jan. 11 at 1:30 p.m. and will discuss healthy eating, supplements, and other topics. Registration is required.

“TV Comedy Classics” will be presented Jan. 12 at 1:30 p.m., showcasing comedians such as Jack Benny and Lucille Ball. Registration is required, and refreshments will be served.

For more information, call (732) 521-6111.

Organ concert set for Jan. 15 at St. Mary’s

The Music at St. Mary’s concert series will present organist Shea Velloso in concert at 4 p.m. on Jan. 15 at St. Mary’s Church, 256 Augusta St., South Amboy.

Velloso, who is pursuing a degree in organ music under the tutelage of Dr. Antonius Bittman, has attended and participated in numerous master classes given by world-renowned organists.

Suggested donation is $10.

For more information, call (732) 721-0179.

Villagers to ring in new year with musical revue

The Villagers New Year’s Eve celebration is set for 7 and 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 31 at the Villagers Theatre, DeMott Lane, Somerset section of Franklin.

The event will feature two performances of a musical revue exploring the relationship between Hollywood and Broadway. The focus will be music from Broadway musicals that went on to become Hollywood movies and tunes from Hollywood movies that were “re-imagined” as Broadway musicals.

This year’s celebration will include a special appearance by the Villagers’ Teensvill cast of “The Wiz.”

Tickets for the 7 p.m. show cost $20 each. Tickets for the 9:30 p.m. performance are priced at $55 per person and include an after-show party with music, a buffet-style cocktail reception and a midnight champagne toast to welcome in the new year.

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

The program is made possible, in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council of the Arts/ Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and administered by the Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission through the State/County Partnership Local Arts Program.

South River Rec. offers aerobics, bowling

South River Parks & Recreation will offer an adult aerobics class for eight weeks beginning Jan. 3. Sessions will be held 7-8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the elementary/middle school auxiliary gym. Registration will be held Jan. 3 at 6:30 p.m. The fee is $30.

Registration is now under way for recreation’s bowling league for students in grades K-8. A new league will begin Jan. 21 and will meet each Saturday at 9:30 a.m. There will be full teams or individual play, and bumpers will be available if needed. The weekly fee includes the awards banquet. Registration must be completed by Jan. 14. For more information, call recreation at (732) 254-4412.

Story time registration set at Spotswood Library

In-person registration will begin on Jan. 9 for winter story times at the Spotswood Public Library, 548 Main St. Telephone and in-person registration will be accepted beginning Jan. 10.

“Toddler Time,” open to children 18-35 months accompanied by an adult, is set for 10:30-11 a.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 1-1:30 p.m. on Thursdays.

“Time To Read,” open to 3- and 4-year-old preschoolers, will be held from 1-1:45 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 10:30-11:15 a.m. on Thursdays.

“Story Time” for ages 5-8 is set for 3:30-4:15 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Programs, which are open to Spotswood Library card holders only, will feature stories, music, crafts and more. Sessions will run from Jan. 24-March 16. For more information, call (732) 251-1515.

Tricky tray slated for Jan. 15 in South River

The South River Women of the Moose will hold a tricky tray beginning at 2 p.m. on Jan. 15 at the Moose lodge, 49 Reid St. Doors will open at noon.

Admission is $5. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call Joan at (732) 251-2044, Cindy at (732) 495-0316, or the lodge at (732) 254-5522.

‘Local Stars 2006’ tryouts set in Monroe

The Mighty Oak Players, the community theater of Monroe Township, will hold auditions for its upcoming community show, “Local Stars 2006 — Rodgers and Hart: A Celebration,” at 7 p.m. on Jan. 17 and 18 in the Richard P. Marasco Performing Arts Center at Monroe Township High School, Perrineville Road. Callbacks are planned for 7 p.m. on Jan. 19 (snow date, Jan. 20).

Show director will be Jeff Babey. Music director is Jenifer Alagna. Performances are set for March 24 and 26 and April 1 and 2.

Producers are seeking six men and six women of all vocal ranges. Participants should bring their own sheet music and be prepared to sing 16 bars of a song (preferably a Rodgers and Hart tune). For more information, call (732) 521-3782.

To our readers

Items for Community Bulletin Board may be e-mailed to ebsent@gmnews.com. They also may be faxed to (732) 780-4192 or mailed to Sentinel, P.O. Box 5001, Freehold, NJ 07728.