NOTES

The kindergarten and first-grade classes at Navesink School, Middletown, recently took part in maple tree tapping at the school's picnic area. The study of "Where Does Maple Syrup Come From?" began with a classroom discussion led by Betty Scharmann, of the Navesink Garden Club and co-chairwoman of the junior gardeners program at the school. Each class put a bottle on one of the trees to collect the sap, and a syrup tasting — in which children tested to see what was maple syrup and what was pancake syrup — followed.

The Matawan Borough Department of Recreation will host the annual Easter Egg Hunt and Easter Bonnet Contest April 4 at 11 a.m., with a rain date of April 5, at Terhune Park on South St.

Children between the ages of two and ten are invited to hunt for Easter eggs decked out in their finest bonnets for a morning of fun and prizes.

No prior registration is necessary, but participants are asked to bring their own baskets for egg collection.

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Fairview School, 230 Cooper Road, Red Bank, will hold a Career Day from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. March 26. The event will begin in the classrooms, and guest speaker Chris Cimino, meteorologist from Channel 4 News, will give a talk 10:30-11:30 a.m. in the all-purpose room. For more information, call the school at 732-747-3308.

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St. Mary the Virgin Episcopal Church, Keyport, will host a pot roast dinner 2-4 p.m. March 29 at parish hall at 8 E. Front St. Cost is $10 for dinner and dessert. For more information, call the church at 732- 264-5288.

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Holmdel Community Church, 40 Main St., needs volunteers at 6 p.m. April 22 to help sort the clothing collected for its Bridges outreach to the homeless. Bagged lunches are also needed. The next trip to New York City to bring food and clothing to the homeless will take place April 24. The church's pre-Mother's Day flower and plant sale will be held May 1-3. Featured will be flats of annuals and hanging baskets. Proceeds benefit the church. For more information, call the church at 732-946-8821, email holmdelchurch@verizon.net, or visit www.holmdelucc.org.

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St. John Vianney High School, 540-A Line Road, Holmdel, will present Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella," 8 p.m. March 27, 2 and 8 p.m. March 28, and 2 p.m. March 29. Tickets are $10, and $5 for children age 10 and younger, and may be bought at the door or reserved via email at ryan@sjvhs.com.

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The drama club at St. Benedict School, Holmdel, will present "Seussical Jr. The Musical," 7 p.m. April 3 and 4, and 2 p.m. April 5 at Holmdel High School, Crawfords Corner Road. Tickets are $10 and $8. For more information, email dramaclub@stbenedictnj.org.

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Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Monmouth County, 1475 W. Front St., Lincroft section of Middletown, will present "Bang, Bang, You're Dead!" 7 p.m. March 27. The play is a cautionary tale about school violence and suicide, and is recommended for both adults and youths. Suggested donation is $5 for students and seniors and $10 for all others, and proceeds benefit the church's social justice tour to the Dominican Republic. For more information, call 732-233-0642.

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Atlantic Highlands Historical Society has announced that the Strauss Mansion, 27 Prospect Circle, will open for the season 1-4 p.m. March 29, and will be open every Sunday until December. The mansion is the museum and home of the Atlantic Highlands Historical Society. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. For more information, visit www.atlantichighlandshistory.org or call 732-291-1861.

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Middletown Township Public Library, 55 New Monmouth Road, will hold a music open mic at 3 p.m. March 29. The event for adults and teens is moderated by Tony Sloan, and all types of performers are invited. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call 732-671-3700, ext. 320.

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St. Mary Travel Group has scheduled a trip to see "Celebration of the 60s" at the Tropicana Casino, Atlantic City, 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. May 5, with reservations required by April 20. Cost is $25 and includes a $10 rebate and voucher to the show. The bus will depart from Mater Dei High School, Cherry Tree Farm Road, New Monmouth section of Middletown. For reservations, call Fran at 732-708- 0430 or Pat at 732-615-9088.

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Middletown Newcomers & Neighbors Club (MNC) will hold its "Spring Egg-stravaganza" 2-4 p.m. March 28 at 15 Green Meadow Blvd., Middletown. Attendees should bring an Easter basket for an egg hunt; there will be a visit from the Bunny. There will also be inflatables, raffles, prizes and light refreshments. The cost per child is $8 on the day of the event, or $5 in advance, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit MNC's 2008-09 charity, Lunch Break of Red Bank. To register, contact kerri7@comcast.net.

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Temple Shalom, 5 Ayrmont Lane, Aberdeen, will presents singer and guitarist Beth Schafer in concert with the temple's youth and adult choirs noon March 29. Schafer's music includes classical, blues, folk and jazz. Tickets are $15, and $5 for children. For tickets, call the temple office at 732-566-2621 or e-mail biomusicmm@aol.com. Temple Shalom serves the communities of Aberdeen, Colts Neck, Holmdel, Matawan, Marlboro, Middletown, Old Bridge and Sayreville.

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Cross Farm Park, Holmdel, will hold its annual Eggstravaganza for children in grades K-3 1 p.m. April 4 (rain date 1 p.m. April 5). The event will feature an egg hunt, photo with Mr. Rabbit and other activities. Children should bring a basket or bag to gather eggs and a camera to take pictures. For more information, call Michele at Recreation at 732- 946-2820, ext. 1226.

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The Holmdel Democratic Alliance (HDA) for Good Government will hold its third annual Shining Star Award breakfast April 19. The award recognizes extraordinary community service by any individual, small group, or organization. For more information, visit www.holmdeldemocraticalliance.org.

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Matawan-Aberdeen Library, 165 Main St., Matawan, will host free films during April: "Body of Lies," April 6; "Quantum of Solace," April 13; and "Australia," April 20, all 2:30 p.m. "Understanding & Preventing Throwing Injuries" will be presented April 6 and "Faced With Losing Your Job and Tax Implications," April 8, both 7 p.m. Registration is required, and may be done by calling the library at 732-583-9100.

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The Middletown Township Public Library, 55 New Monmouth Road, will host open mic at 3 p.m. March 29, and on the last Sunday of each month. The event is moderated by Tony Sloan, and all teen and adult performers are welcome to share their talent. Refreshments will be served.

The Jersey Shore Chinese School students will perform traditional regional dances of China 2:30 p.m. April 4 at the library. An introduction to the culture and history of each region will be provided. For more information, call 732-671-3700, ext. 320 or visit mtpl.org.

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The Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin, 10 E. Front St., Keyport, will host a pot roast dinner 2-4 p.m. March 29. Cost is $10 for dinner and dessert. For more information, call the church at 732-264-5288.

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The social justice committee at Middletown High School North will hold its first "Culturefest" 6-8 p.m. March 31, at the school on Tindall Road. Students and faculty will highlight cultures from around the world via displays, performances, fashion shows, music, origami and cuisine. The event is open to the public; donation is $3. For more information, call John or Gail at 732-706-6061.

***** The Central Jersey African Violet Society will hold its 30th annual show and sale, "30 Years of Violetry," 3-7 p.m. April 3, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 4 at First Baptist Church, 232 Main St., Matawan. The event will feature juried plants and interpretive designs, planted containers and educational exhibits. Members will be present to answer questions. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, call 732-821- 8641 or email jmurasko@comcast.net.

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Rebecca's Reel Quilters Guild member Allison Curran will present a trunk show at the next meeting, 2 p.m. April 5 at Poricy Park Conservancy's Nature Center, Oak Hill Road, Middletown. For more information, visit www.rebeccasreel.org.

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The Monmouth Chapter of the Embroiderers' Guild of America's evening group will meet 7 p.m. April 6. The day group will meet 10 a.m. April 16. The guild is dedicated to sharing, teaching and promoting the skills of needlework. All are welcome. For more information, call 732-679-6739 or visit www.mcega.cjb.net.

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