Dr. Joy Browne to emcee Fellowship Village gala in Basking Ridge

Popular syndicated radio host, Dr. Joy Browne, will emcee Fellowship Village's debut fundraising gala at Dolce on April 10. (Photo provided by Dr. Joy Browne.)

Popular syndicated radio host Dr. Joy Browne will emcee Fellowship Village's debut fundraising gala on Saturday, April 10, 2010 at Dolce in Basking Ridge.

Dr. Joy, as she is known to her listeners, is a radio clinical psychologist. The Dr. Joy Browne Show can be heard daily on the WOR Radio Network. Browne has won numerous awards and is the author of several self-help and motivational books.

MyCentralJersey.com has more on the gala here.

Bernards Republican Municipal Committee to meet at Bernards Township Library on Monday night, March 15, to screen candidates for Township Committee

The Republican Municipal Committee will meet at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 15, to interview and screen potential candidates who wish to represent the local Republican party in the June primary election for a three-year position on the Township Committee. The elected position would begin at the start of 2011.

The meeting is scheduled to be held downstairs in the Bernards Township Library at 32 S. Maple Ave., said Township Committeeman John Carpenter. Carpenter said the municipal committee will hear comments from potential candidates and ask questions. He said the municipal committee could then select a candidate who would receive the party's endorsement for the June primary election. The public is invited, he said

The Township Committee position expiring this year is now filled by Township Committeeman Scott Spitzer, this year's mayor in Bernards, said Carpenter.

_ Linda Sadlouskos

Heart of New Jersey Girl Scout Awarded Girl Scouts USA National Young Women

Posted via MyCentralJersey.com:

Week of March 8 is National Girl Scout Week

Heart of New Jersey Girl Scout Awarded Girl Scouts USA National Young Women of Distinction Honor One of Ten Honorees Nationwide.

Sixteen year old Shannon McNamara of Basking Ridge has been named one of the Girl Scouts' 2009 National Young Women of Distinction. Girl Scouts USA honors only ten National Young Women of Distinction each year. The award is given for demonstrating extraordinary leadership in the completion of a community action project for the Girl Scout Gold Award. The Girl Scout Young Women of Distinction is earned by fewer than six percent of all Girl Scouts, ten Girl Scouts nationwide each year.

Shannon was recognized for her efforts to empower African girls through education. The award is given for "demonstrating extraordinary leadership in the completion of a community action project." Kathy Cloninger, CEO, Girl Scouts USA, presented Shannon with the award at a special awards ceremony on February 27 during the Girl Scout National Corporate Leadership Meeting in St. Louis. Shannon is a Senior Girl Scout (double check) member of Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey Council.

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Meet some wild animals in Basking Ridge this Sunday, March 7

The naturalists at the Somerset County Park Commission's Environmental Education Center in Basking Ridge will present a family program, “What Big Teeth You Have!” featuring Travis Gale from Eyes of the Wild. The program is scheduled for 2 to 3 p.m. on Sun., March 7. The Environmental Education Center is at 190 Lord Stirling Road in the Basking Ridge section of Bernards Township.

“What Big Teeth You Have!” will introduce nature’s incredible creatures who fight to scratch out an existence. The program will describe the survival techniques used by animals in their fight for survival. Gale will relate amazing stories about how animals find prey and escape from becoming prey for other predators. Descriptions will include the sharp claws of the raccoon-like Coatimundi, the sharp senses of Fennec Fox, the terrible teeth of the tiny short-tailed Opossum, and the ridiculous flexibility of the Ferret. Gale will bring some of his favorite furry friends as he mixes comedy, education, and wildlife from around the world.

The program is designed for both children and adults. Fee is $4 per person. Preregistration is not required. Information is available online at www.somersetcountyparks.org or by calling 908-766-2489.

Local authors sign their health and wellness books at Somerset Hills YMCA book-signing series

The Somerset Hills YMCA is launching a three-part series of visiting authors and book signings at its main location at 140 Mount Airy Rd., Basking Ridge, beginning at 6 p.m., Friday, March 5. The purpose of the book series is to present topics that appeal to a diverse selection of YMCA members — families, individuals, health seekers and health enthusiasts — and provide them with tools and guidance that might help enrich their lives.

The first event in the series will be presented by Rick Bellingham, author of "Fables of Boris," who will read a chapter to children and their parents attending the weekly Friday Family nights, followed by a discussion and a Q. & A. session. Afterward, he will be signing copies of his book and selling them at a discounted price of $10 to attendees. Friday Family Nights are free to YMCA members and open to the community for $15/family.

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St. Patrick Day trail rides at Lord Stirling Stables

The Somerset County Park Commission Lord Stirling Stable will host a special St. Patrick’s Day Trail Ride on Sunday, March 14, 2010 on the grounds of Somerset County Park Commission Lord Stirling Stable at 256 South Maple Ave. The hour-long ride will begin at 1 p.m.

This horseback event is open to all adult and junior riders at Intermediate 2/C-2 level and above. The trail ride is conducted at a walk and trot, weather and ground conditions permitting. The fee is $28 for Somerset County residents and $36 for non-residents. Registration opens on March 1 in the Stable office and continues through March 11.  An approved helmet and riding boots or shoes are required and available for rental.  A charge of $3 per item will apply.

Sweetheart Dance for dads and daughters benefits Somerset County Food Bank

Pictured from left to right are third-graders Jessica Caruso, Abby Jay, Kiera Murphy, Caroline Mohan and Kate Vinges. Photo by Betsy Bacot-Aigner

The Liberty Corner School Parent Teacher Organization hosted its third annual Sweetheart Dance for female students from grades K-5 and their fathers or other special men in their lives.  The event took place Feb. 12.

Vegetable platters were made by the Ridge High School Community Based Life Skills Program as part of a real-life work project.  This program provides students with disabilities job training to prepare them for employment and independent living.

Attendees were asked to bring a donation to the Somerset Country Food Bank.

Somerset Hills YMCA closed Thursday, Feb. 25, due to snow

The Somerset Hills YMCA in Bernards Township will be closed for the remainder of today, Thursday, Feb. 25. The closure is due to the snow storm impacting the area, along with hazardous road conditions.

The closure affects both the Mt. Airy Road and Riverwalk locations.

Before heading over to the YMCA tomorrow, Friday, members are advised to check their email and the Web site to look for updates and ensure the facilities are open. The staff of the YMCA urges its members to stay safe.
_ Linda Sadlouskos

Bernards Township Mayor Scott Spitzer schedules more “brown bag” lunches with township residents

Bernards Township Scott Spitzer has scheduled additional "brown bag" lunches for this spring when residents can bring their own meal and sit down with their mayor for an informal discussion about issues in the township. Lunch dates have been scheduled to be held in the developments of Spring Ridge, Fellowship Village and at The Hills.

Spitzer said the first "brown bag" lunch on Jan. 23, held at the municipal building in the township's downtown Basking Ridge section, was a good opportunity for residents to discuss and exchange ideas with me on a wide variety of topics of local interest. "I want to encourage other residents to take a couple of hours to speak with me and provide input,” he said in early February.

All lunches for residents from throughout the township will be held between noon to 2 p.m. Scheduled dates and locations are as follows: on Sat., March 20, at the Spring Ridge clubhouse; on Sat., Apr. 3, at Fellowship Village Community Center; and on Sat., Apr. 17, at the Hills Highlands Clubhouse.

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Bernards and Ridge High School students deliver Valentines to Matheny students

Adult patient Jessica Evans receives her Valentine from Ridge student Valerie Vessa of Basking Ridge.

Sixteen students from Bernards and Ridge High Schools visited the Matheny Medical and Educational Center Monday, Feb. 8, to deliver Valentines to all of the patients and students.  The high school students are members of the Junior Friends of Matheny, a youthful branch of The Friends of Matheny, an auxiliary group of volunteers that is dedicated to providing support for Matheny, the Peapack-based special hospital and educational facility for children and adults with medically complex developmental disabilities.

Adult patients Dion Alston and Jessica Evans celebrate Valentines Day early with the Junior Friends of Matheny, students from Bernards and Ridge High Schools.