Community Bulletin Board
Donna Hanover to emcee gala Oct. 21

Women Helping Women will hold its "Starry Night Gala" fundraiser Oct. 21 at the Hyatt, New Brunswick. Mistress of ceremonies will be Donna Hanover, WOR Morning Show host, actress and the former First Lady of New York City.

Proceeds will benefit the agency that provides affordable therapy and support services for more than 5,000 women, young girls and teens each year throughout central New Jersey. The event's honorees will be The Honorable Jeannine LaRue; Kent Manahan, NJN Senior News anchor; Gloria Soto, Esq., executive director, Government Affairs, UMDNJ; C. Vivian Stringer, head coach for Rutgers Scarlet Knights women's basketball; and Joan Verplanck, president, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce.

Keynote speaker will be Suzanne Braun Levine, former editor, Ms. Magazine, and author of the recent book "Inventing the Rest of Our Lives: Women in Second Adulthood." Hanover is the author of the best-seller "My Boyfriend's Back: 50 True Stories of Reconnecting With a Long-Lost Love." She has also acted on several TV shows, and off-Broadway, and hosted and produced various cable TV shows.

Tickets are $150 and include a cocktail reception, dinner, music, a silent auction and book signing. For more information, call (732) 549-6000. For advance tickets, call Deanna at (732) 642-2051

North Brunswick Scout attains rank of Eagle

Matthew Ruffe, North Brunswick, a Scout in Troop 90, Kendall Park section of South Brunswick, recently attained the rank of Eagle Scout, the 56 Scout from Troop 90 to attain the rank since the troop's formation in 1962.

To earn the Eagle rank, he completed a public service project for the Farrington Lake Conservation District, North Brunswick. The project included erecting a flag pole, building a flower bed, and installing benches at the lake. Ruffe also raised funds to complete the project.

The son of Kathy and Paul Ruffe, he is a sophomore at North Brunswick High School. Ruffe has advanced through the ranks of Cub Scouts, including the Arrow of Light, and Boy Scouts, and serves as the troop's senior patrol leader. He also participated in the 2005 National Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, Va., and at the high adventure program at Philmont, N.M.

S.B. flu, pneumonia clinics begin Oct. 17

The South Brunswick Township Board of Health has announced its flu and pneumonia clinics for 2002, beginning Oct. 17 with pediatric high risk from 8:30-9:30 a.m., and senior/high risk from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Appointments required for both, which will be at South Brunswick Senior Center, 540 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction section of South Brunswick. A clinic for adults will be Oct. 26 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Rocky Hill Reformed Church, 89 Washington St., Rocky Hill section of South Brunswick, (appointments required); and Nov. 6 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Charleston Place, 3424 Route 27, Kendall Park section of South Brunswick.

A clinic for pediatric high risk individuals will be Nov. 16 from 6-7 p.m. at the South Brunswick Public Works Building, 540 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction (appointments required). A clinic for adults will be Nov. 16 from 7-9 p.m. at the Public Works Building. Immunizations are $10 each or Medicare part b (must bring Medicare card). Pregnant women or breast-feeding women must bring a physician's note to receive the flu vaccine. In the event of shortages or delays in distribution, the Health Department will issue a press release. For an appointment, call South Brunswick Health Department at (732) 329-4000, ext. 7236 or 7237.

A "Screening and Prevention Health Fair" will be Oct. 21 from 9 a.m.-noon at the South Brunswick Senior Center, 540 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction section of South Brunswick. Free services available to South Brunswick and Rocky Hill residents age 18 and older will be: hearing; oral cancer screenings; balance screenings; cholesterol screenings, $21 cash only; osteoporosis screenings, $15 cash or check; foot screenings; vision/glaucoma screenings; "Ask the MD," "Ask the Nutritionist"; blood pressure screenings; and body mass index. Flu vaccines will be available at $10, and pneumonia vaccine at $10 or Medicare part b.

Transportation to the fair will be available for seniors by calling (732) 329-4000, ext. 7670.

Milltown store to host

Oct. 14 Fire Safety Day

Home Depot, 401 S. Main St., Milltown, will present a Fire Safety Day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 14. The event, which is designed to raise awareness of home fire safety and safety in general, will feature participation by the Milltown Police Department, a children's workshop with craft projects for youngsters, games, prizes and refreshments. Call (732) 432-0500.

Seats still open for Master Gardener class

The Middlesex County office of Rutgers Cooperative Extension has announced seats are still available in the upcoming Master Gardener class beginning Oct. 6 from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Middlesex County EARTH Center at Davidsons Mill Pond Park, 42 Riva Ave., South Brunswick.

Master Gardeners are volunteers trained in gardening and environmental principles. Volunteers must participate in 60 hours of classroom time and field trips, and topics include sound gardening techniques, composting and conserving resources. Participants must also volunteer 60 hours of service to the Middlesex County Extension Office. Program fee is $250 for supplies and materials. For more information, call (732) 398-5262.

Veterans forum in North Brunswick Oct. 5

A veterans forum will be held Oct. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the North Brunswick Township municipal building court room at 710 Hermann Road. The presentation will focus on benefit options and how veterans can seek resources. For more information, call (732) 247-0922 ext. 475.

'Pizza in the Hut' sukkah festival Oct. 9

Chabad Jewish Center of South Brunswick, 1 Riva Ave., North Brunswick, will hold its "Pizza in the Hut" sukkah festival Oct. 9 at 5 p.m.

The festival will include music, a moonwalk, face painting, a raffle, and other activities. Children may also create a pizza, and huts out of shelf trays that soft drinks are sold in.

To R.S.V.P., or for more information, call Rabbi Levi Azimov at (732) 398-9492 or e-mail rabbi@chabadsouthbrunswick.com.

Gift basket dinner in East Brunswick Oct. 12

The Brunswick Women's Connection will hold a "gift basket extravaganza dinner" Oct. 12 from 7-8:30 p.m. at East Brunswick Chateau, 678 Cranbury road. The event is open to all women. It will feature a silent auction of gift baskets. Guest speaker will be home health nurse Gail Jenner, a native of Louisiana. She will speak on "Healing the Past and Hope for the Future." Cost is $20. For reservations, call Betsy at (732) 257-5514 or e-mail Brunswickwc@yahoo.com.

N.B. Food Bank seeking holiday food donations

The North Brunswick Food Bank is collecting food for the upcoming holidays with donations accepted at the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, 710 Hermann Road.

Turkeys, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, gravy, green beans, corn, cranberry bread, pie crusts, pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, coffee, pudding and butter would be appreciated. Gift cards in lieu of items are also accepted.

Donations may be dropped off Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call Lou Ann at (732) 247-0922, ext. 262.

Health, wellness forum slated for Oct. 12

The South Brunswick Health Department in partnership with South Brunswick Development Corporation will hold its annual health and wellness forum meeting Oct. 12 from 10:30 a.m.-noon at Charleston Place, 3424 Route 27, Kendall Park section of South Brunswick.

The free forum will feature the presentation, "Diabetes, What's My Risk?," given by Nancy Rhodes, R.N., M.A., C.D.E. from the University Medical Center at Princeton's diabetes management program. Light refreshments will be served, and a free door prize.

For more information, call Nancy at (732) 329-4000, ext. 7258; or Anne at (732) 951-1700.

Vendors sought for Woman's Club show

The North Brunswick Woman's Club is seeking vendors for its fifth annual craft and vendor show Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Our Lady of Peace Church, Route 130, North Brunswick. Cost is $45 for two spaces or $25 for one, and tables are included. For more information, call Irene at (732) 247-4575.

Antiques Appraisal to aid children's home

Clark Moetz Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2319, Milltown, will sponsor an antiques appraisal event from noon to 4 p.m. on Oct. 21 at St. Paul's Church Education Building, corner of South Main and West Lakewood streets, Milltown. Proceeds will benefit the VFW National Children's Home, Eaton Rapids, Mich. Appraisals will be conducted by National Estate Jewelry Buyers, East Brunswick. The public is invited. Ticket cost is $5 per item to be appraised, in advance, or $7 per item at the door. Refreshments will be available.

For more information and tickets, call Dawn at (732) 690-7114.

Jersey Fresh fall festival at museum Oct. 8

The New Jersey Museum of Agriculture 103 College Farm Road, North Brunswick, will hold its "Jersey Fresh" fall festival Oct. 8 from noon-3 p.m.

The event will feature a video about pumpkins, pumpkin decorating, crafts and various activities. Admission is $4, $3 for seniors, $2 for children age 4-12, and free for members and children age 3 and younger.

The museum has announced its walking ghost tours scheduled for Oct. 20-22 have been canceled. For more information, call the museum at (732) 249-2077.

Linwood's Columbus Day event Oct. 6

Linwood Middle School, North Brunswick, will celebrate Columbus Day with a ceremony presented by the Italian classes Oct. 6 at 10 a.m. The public is welcome to attend the presentation at Columbus Park, Nassau Street. The school is accepting gift card donations to assist an eighth-grade student's family whose Cozzens Lane house burned down in August. Donations may be dropped off at the main office, 25 Linwood Place, from 8 a.m to 3 p.m. Call (732) 289-3619.