Community Bulletin Board
Monroe to host Garden State Symphonic Band

The Monroe Township Patrons of the Arts will present the Garden State Symphonic Band in concert at 2 p.m. on Feb. 26 at the Richard P. Marasco Center for the Performing Arts, Monroe Township High School, Perrineville Road. Snow date is March 5.

The band is a fully professional musical ensemble modeled after the Sousa Band of the early 20th century.

Its primary goal is to maintain the American tradition of professional concert bands as a viable artistic medium aimed at presenting uplifting performances that are entertaining to the general public.

Although its name has changed several times over the years, the Garden State Symphonic Band traces its history back to 1907 when it first emerged as the Goodwill Fife and Drum Corps. In 1967 the group adopted the name under which it operates today.

Concert tickets, which are $12 per person for the general public, $10 for patrons, free of charge for students, 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.

The program has been made possible in part by the Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

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

S.R. Schools schedules kindergarten registration

South River Public Schools will soon begin kindergarten registration.

Registration packets may be obtained from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting March 1 in the main office at South River Elementary School, Johnson Place. At the time of pickup, appointments may be made for a physical examination with the school physician, if necessary.

The packets must be completed and returned from 9-11:30 a.m. on the following days: March 14, for last names beginning with the letters A-M; March 21, last names N-Z.

To be eligible for enrollment, a child must be 5 years old on or before Oct. 1, and both the child and parent(s) or guardian(s) must have proof that they are borough residents.

The following items must be presented at registration: original birth certificate from the Bureau of Vital Statistics; proof of immunizations, with a doctor’s signature; a physician’s certificate of health (a report of an examination completed between Sept. 1, 2005 and Sept. 1, 2006); and proof of borough residency.

Accepted forms of residency verification include: current tax bill or receipt; mortgage statement; rental agreement or lease; contract to purchase a home; notarized letter from a landlord or property owner; or property deed. A driver’s license or utility bill will not be accepted.

For more information, call (732) 613-4073, ext. 7255.

Monroe to host Garden State Symphonic Band

The Monroe Township Patrons of the Arts will present the Garden State Symphonic Band in concert at 2 p.m. on Feb. 26 at the Richard P. Marasco Center for the Performing Arts, Monroe Township High School, Perrineville Road. Snow date is March 5.

The band is a fully professional musical ensemble modeled after the Sousa Band of the early 20th century.

Its primary goal is to maintain the American tradition of professional concert bands as a viable artistic medium aimed at presenting uplifting performances that are entertaining to the general public.

Although its name has changed several times over the years, the Garden State Symphonic Band traces its history back to 1907 when it first emerged as the Goodwill Fife and Drum Corps. In 1967 the group adopted the name under which it operates today.

Concert tickets, which are $12 per person for the general public, $10 for patrons, free of charge for students, 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.

The program has been made possible in part by the Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

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

TV-message contest

open to E.B. teenagers

A public-service announcement promoting awareness of the dangers of substance abuse could win two East Brunswick teens $200 each and credit as scriptwriters.

EBTV, the township’s municipal-access cable station, is seeking short scripts aimed at preventing drug and alcohol abuse among township youth. The scripts should be 30- to 60-seconds long and must end with the message, “If you or someone you know has a drug or alcohol problem, call the New Jersey Division on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Hotline at 1-(800) 225-0196.” Two grand-prize winners will be awarded $200 and have their public-service announcements produced by and run on EBTV.

Interested individuals should send their script, name, address and telephone number to EBTV manager Cindy O’Connor at EBTV, 2 Jean Walling Civic Center, East Brunswick, NJ 08816, or e-mail the requested information to cindyoconnor@ebpl.org. All scripts must be received by 5 p.m. on April 21.

The contest is sponsored by the East Brunswick Alliance for the Prevention of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. EBTV is a department of the East Brunswick Public Library.

For more information, call (732) 390-6780.

‘Stranger Danger’ slated

for youngsters, parents

The St. Bartholomew Columbiettes and the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office invite parents and their children in first-sixth grades to attend “Stranger Danger,” a special safety program set for 3-4 p.m. on March 5 at the St. Bartholomew Knights of Columbus council home, Ryders Lane, East Brunswick.

Participants will learn how to identify a stranger, how strangers can be harmful, traps that strangers use and more.

The program is open to the public. Admission is free of charge. Light snacks will be provided.

For directions and more information, call (732) 390-0599.

Game to feature police,

school staff, students

Staff members at Spotswood High School and members of the Spotswood Police Department will take on a team of Spotswood High School seniors in a fundraising basketball game set for 6 p.m. on March 2 in the gym at the high school, Summerhill Road.

Admission is $2. A signed Trenton Thunder baseball and four Thunder tickets will be raffled off at halftime.

Proceeds from the event will go to the high school’s upcoming Senior Class Picnic. For more information, call Sgt. Chris Bierman at (732) 251-2121.

‘Nature Quiz Game’ to be played at park

A “Nature Quiz Game” program will begin at 1 p.m. on Feb. 19 at the Cheesequake State Park Interpretive Center, 300 Gordon Road, Old Bridge.

The event will feature an audience-participation game. Easy nature questions will provide the means for accumulating points. Individuals ages 8 and up and invited to play.

For details, call (732) 566-3208.

Valentine’s Dance

next up at music center

A Valentine’s Dance featuring Big Band music by the Imperial Dance Band will be held from 7:30-11 p.m. on Feb. 18 at the Imperial Music Center, 48 Appleby Ave., South River.

The event will feature dancing, light dining and refreshments. Cost is $17 per person in advance, $20 at the door. For more information, call (732) 254-5862.

Columbian Squires

to host March 3 dance

The Columbian Squires of Our Lady of Victory (OLV) Knights of Columbus Council No. 2061 will hold a Community Dance for youngsters ages 12-18 on March 3 at the council home, Washington Road.

Tickets cost $5 in advance, $6 at the door. Refreshments will be available for purchase. For more information and exact time of the event, call (732) 257-2061.

Theater group to stage

‘Snow White’ in O.B.

The Theatre Guild of Old Bridge (TGOB) Players will present its production of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Feb. 25 and March 4 and at 2 p.m. on Feb. 26 and March 5 at Carl Sandburg Middle School, Route 516, Old Bridge. The Sandburg building was formerly part of Old Bridge High School.

Show directors are Debbie Goncalves and Patrick Schladebeck. The cast is made up of eight adults and seven children. Tickets cost $7 each; credit cards will not accepted.

For more information, e-mail TGOBPlayers@aol.com.

Local environmental concerns to be discussed

The Lawrence Brook Watershed Partnership Inc. will hold its next meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 21 at the Milltown Senior Center, 60 Violet Terrace.

The program will feature a review of current environmental issues in the Lawrence Brook Watershed. Topics will include roads, farms, development, redevelopment, pollution, etc.

Four panel members — Jean Dvorak of South Brunswick, Mark Hommer of North Brunswick, Tony Riccobono of East Brunswick and Michael Shakarjian of Milltown — will review environmental concerns in each of the communities. A discussion will follow the presentations.

For more information, call Alan Godber at (732) 846-4476.

The Lawrence Brook Watershed Partnership is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the stewardship of the Lawrence Brook Watershed in East Brunswick, South Brunswick, North Brunswick, Milltown and New Brunswick.

Methodist Women sets Soup, Salad Buffet

The United Methodist Women of Simpson United Methodist Church, Route 516 and Owens Road, Old Bridge, will sponsor a Soup and Tossed-Salad Buffet fundraiser from 5-7 p.m. on Feb. 17 at the church.

A variety of homemade soups will be offered. Dinner also will feature salad, bread, beverages and dessert.

Tickets cost $7 for adults, $3 for children ages 4-12; youngsters age 3 and under will be admitted free of charge. Tickets may be purchased at the door. Takeouts will be available.

Snow date is Feb. 24.

For more information, call the church office at (732) 679-7499, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday-Friday.

E.B. Schools schedules

kindergarten signups

East Brunswick Public Schools will hold kindergarten registration on March 7, 8 and 9 for the 2006-07 school year.

Children who will be 5 years old by Oct. 31 are eligible for admission to kindergarten in September.

Registration will be held at all district elementary schools from 2:15-4 p.m. on March 7 for students whose last names begin with the letters A-I, March 8 for those whose last names start with letters J-Q, and March 9 for last names R-Z. Signups also are set for 5-7 p.m. on March 7 at Bowne-Munro School; March 8 at Frost, Lawrence Brook and Warnsdorfer schools; and March 9 at Chittick, Irwin and Memorial schools.

Youngsters who will be 6 years old by Oct. 31 are eligible to register for September admission to first grade. Registration will be held in all elementary schools from 9:30-11 a.m. and 1:30-3 p.m. on March 22.

Heritage Club to hold

Polish dance/carnivale

The Sacred Heart Church Polish Heritage Club will sponsor a Pre-Lenten Donut Dance/Carnivale (“Paczkowy Bal”) from 7-11 p.m. on Feb. 25 in the church hall, Washington Avenue, South Amboy.

Food and drinks may be purchased beginning at 6 p.m. No BYOB. Music will be provided by Jolly Rich and the Polka Stars.

Tickets cost $12 for adults, $6 for children.

For more information and to order tickets, call Ann Marie at (732) 721-3497 (Ann Marie speaks Polish and English) or Amanda at (732) 257-5497.

Pancake Breakfast offered at South River VFW

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1451 will hold a Pancake Breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 26 at the post home, 31 Reid St., South River.

The menu will include pancakes, bacon, sausage, coffee, tea, orange juice, milk, cookies, cake and Danish.

Cost is $8 for adults, $4 for children under age 10. For ticket information, call (732) 254-9834.

Archivist to speak at historical panel meeting

The South River Historical and Preservation Society will meet at 7 p.m. on Feb. 22 at the South River Museum, 64-66 Main St.

Guest speaker Catherine Medich, an archivist at the state archives, will discuss the resources that researchers may use in tracing their post-Civil War immigrant ancestors.

All are welcome.

The museum is open from 1:30-3:30 p.m. on the first Sunday of every month.

Tickets on sale for

murder-mystery dinner

GB Productions will present a Murder-Mystery Interactive Dinner Theater event on Feb. 18 in St. Thomas the Apostle auditorium, Route 18 south, Old Bridge. Doors will open at 7 p.m.

Advance tickets cost $18 for adults, $15 for seniors/students; cost is $20 at the door. Ticket price includes an Italian dinner buffet and gourmet desserts.

Seating is limited. Reservations are strongly suggested.

For more information and to reserve, call (732) 238-4028.

Columbiettes to host

Feb. 18 Wine Tasting

The Immaculate Conception Columbiettes of Spotswood Knights of Columbus Council No. 4907 and Snowhill Liquors, Spotswood, will sponsor a Wine Tasting fundraiser at 7 p.m. on Feb. 18 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Crescent Avenue, Spotswood.

Donation is $15 at the door and includes wine, cheese, crackers, fruit and coffee.

For more information, call Nadine at (732) 251-2674.

Senior Chai to feature

luncheon, massages

The next meeting of Senior Chai, a program of Jewish Family Service (JFS) of Southern Middlesex County, will be held from 1-2:30 p.m. on Feb. 21 at the Jewish Congregation of Concordia, Monroe.

The event will feature a kosher luncheon and neck, back and hand massages by Healing Touch.

Donation is $10, in advance.

For more information and to reserve, call Jennifer at (609) 395-7979.

Senior Chai is designed for active senior adults who are widowed, single or caregivers of a spouse.

Program will feature

Yiddish culture, songs

The I.L. Peretz Secular Jewish Community will present Yuri Vedenyapin in “My Yiddish Education in Stories and Songs” at 8 p.m. on Feb. 17 at the Rutgers Labor Education Center, Ryders Lane, New Brunswick.

Vedenyapin will speak about his childhood in the Soviet Union, his discovery of Yiddish culture and his Yiddish-related adventures in Russia, Israel and the United States. He will also perform Yiddish songs from various countries and periods.

Admission is free of charge for members, $5 for nonmembers.

For more information, call (732) 545-9691 or e-mail info@ilperetz.org.

Winter Rummage Sale

planned at E.B. temple

The East Brunswick Jewish Center Sisterhood will sponsor its Winter Rummage Sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 26 and 9 a.m. to noon on Feb. 27 at the synagogue, 511 Ryders Lane, East Brunswick.

Offerings will include clothing, toys, household items and more.

For more information, call (732) 257-7070.

Night of Recollection coming to St. Bart’s

The Altar Rosary Society of St. Bartholomew’s Church, Ryders Lane, East Brunswick, will hold its annual Night of Recollection on March 2 at the church. The Rev. Thomas Walsh will preside over the event.

A spiritual service is set for 6 p.m. Mass will begin at 7 p.m.

A Lenten Supper ($5 per person, by reservation only) will follow in the church hall.

Reservation deadline is Feb. 24.

For more information, call (732) 297-5881.

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.