In Town
West Windsor Library will accept photographs in its fifth annual Amateur Photo contest beginning Tuesday, July 1. The theme for this year’s contest is “Seasons.” The contest is designed to encourage participation from all members of the Mercer County Library System. The contest will culminate in a photo exhibition arranged in the main lobby of the library.
Each contestant is allowed one entry that must be submitted in person with the entry form at the library from Tuesday, July 1, to Saturday, August 30. Photos must be in a 5×7 format. Photos will be judged on quality, creativity, and their ability to relate to the theme. Call 609 275-8901 for information.
Yardley Players has auditions for Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap” on Friday, July 10, from 7 to 10 p.m.; and Saturday, July 11, from 1 to 5 p.m., at Mercer Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor.
British accent required for most of the actors. Ages 20s to 40 plus. Readings will be from script. Bring an updated picture and resume. Visit www.yardleyplayers.com for information and call 215-968-1904 for an appointment.
Beth Chaim offers a camp for ages 2 to 6. It is available for a morning, a day, or a week. The program includes drama, art, music, sports, splashing in the sprinkler, free time on the playground, science, and snacks.
Camp ends on Tuesday, August 19. The camp day begins at 9 a.m. and ends at either 1 or 3 p.m.; extended hours from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. are available. 329 Village Road East, West Windsor. Contact Hyla Nusbaum at earlychildhood@bethchaim.org or 609-799-8811.
For Teens
Theater in the Park is a summer program for ages 12 to 16 to explore the classic works of Shakespeare, the fundamentals of theater and acting, character development, stage technique, and more. Classes meet July 7 to August 17 on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays from 6 to 8 p.m. Register. $200. Performances on Friday to Sunday, August 15 to 17. E-mail kpete1@verizon.net for information.
Princeton Photo Workshop presents a new summer day program for enthusiastic young photographers to learn the fundamentals of digital photography while exploring their creativity and enjoyment of photography. For ages 13 to 17 to participate in one or two weeks hands-on workshops.
Working with their own DSLR cameras, teens will learn the basics of taking a really good picture. Week two focuses on organizing and enhancing their images using Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop. Visit princetondigitalphotoworkshop.com.
Jewish Community Youth Foundation is starting its 12th year. A project of Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Greater Mercer County, the program is designed to have teens learn about, experience, and act upon Jewish values.
Each year, the participants are required to contribute $120, which is then matched by the Shechtel Philanthropic Fund and the federation. Each group of 20 participants has $7,200 for which it is responsible to allocate to worthy causes. The students meet six times between October and March to debate and decide how their dollars will be donated. Since the Jewish Community Youth Foundation’s inception, the teen philanthropists have donated $535,745 to 56 different agencies.
Registration for eighth, ninth, and tenth grade students is in progress. Visit www.jfcsonline.org/jcyf or contact Celeste Albert at 609-987-8100 or celestea@jfcsonline.org. The first meeting will take place in the fall.
For Singers
Continuo Arts Foundation, an inter-generational choral program, hosts open auditions for singers. Selected members of the Continuo Symphonic Chorus will take part in the U.S. premiere of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” at Paper Mill Playhouse.
Auditions continue throughout the summer. Prepare 32 bars of an a cappella selection that best highlight the singer’s vocal range and versatility. There will also be a sight reading component. All auditions will be held at Historic Twin Maples, 216 Springfield Avenue, Summit. Call 908-264-5324.
For Veterans
Mercer County Veteran Services reminds veterans of the importance of being able to access their discharge documents, which are needed to secure burial and other veteran benefits. It is suggested that veterans make copies of their DD Form 214 or discharge documents and make them available to a family member or other responsible person so they are accessible if needed. Call 609-989-6120.
Grant Program
Mercer County Cultural and Heritage Commission and New Jersey Historical Commission offer grants to support nonprofit historical societies, history organizations, local government entities, schools, libraries, and other nonprofits in the county offering local history programming and events.
Eligible projects for this round of grants must take place between September 1, 2014, and August 31, 2015. History projects that honor the 350th anniversary of New Jersey are encouraged. Deadline for submission of the FY15 grant applications is Monday, June 30. Visit www.mercercounty.org, call 609-989-6418, or E-mail tfagan@mercercounty.org for information.
Call for Art
New Hope Sidetracks Art Gallery is accepting submissions for its eighth annual “Naked in New Hope” exhibit. E-mail sidetracksart@gmail.com for submission form and detailed information. Gallery is at 2A Stockton Avenue, New Hope, PA. Visit www.sidetracksart.com or call 215-862-4586 for more information.
Volunteer Please
Mercer County Park Commission is looking for volunteers for a trail crew in July and August. The typical time will be Mondays and Tuesdays, from 8 a.m. to noon. Contact Jennifer Rogers at jrogers@mercercounty.org or call 609-303-0706.
Drama
Playhouse 22 seeks stage managers, set designers, costumers, and property managers for upcoming shows. Send a cover letter, theater resume, and references to info@playhouse22.org.
Donate Please
Friendship Circle of Greater Mercer County is collecting funds for a five year-old boy in North Brunswick who uses a small power wheelchair. The family needs a new conversion van to accommodate the wheelchair.
Ray was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy when he was five months old. SMA is an incurable disease and the most frequent genetic cause of death in infants. His caregivers cannot easily and quickly perform necessary medical treatments while the van is moving. A larger van will eliminate this safety issue. The total estimated cost of purchasing a larger vehicle and converting it is $62,500.
The Friendship Circle is an international non-profit organization that promotes social support, educational, and vocational programming and empowerment for children and adults with health and special needs. Visit www.mercerfriendshipcircle.org/forray.
For Seniors
Oscar and Ella Wilf Campus for Senior Living has launched a new website to help the organization fulfill its mission in providing a continuum of care and related personal services, primarily for the Jewish elderly, in an environment that enhances and respects Jewish values, traditions, and lifestyles. The Somerset facility offers independent living, assisted living, a memory care neighborhood, senior transportation, and in home care. Visit www.wilfcampus.org or call 732-568-1155.
For Women Only
ProDoula is offering a two-day training program in Hamilton on Saturday and Sunday, July 26 and 27. The workshop, the first step towards becoming certified as a labor support doula, focuses on labor support including writing a birth plan, labor positions, comfort measures, and more. Visit prodoula.com or call 914-400-3494 for information including times, location, and price.
Food Drive
PEAC Health & Fitness will collect non-perishable food items during the month of July at 1440 Lower Ferry Road, Ewing. All donations toward this summer hunger relief program will go to the Mercer Community Services food pantry, which is part of Catholic Charities’ hunger and homelessness prevention program. The items they need most are canned meats and vegetables, soup, cereal, peanut butter, jelly, rice, pasta, pancake mixes and syrup, pudding, jello, and juice boxes.
The food pantry, located in Trenton, is available to any Mercer County resident in need of food. Visit www.catholiccharitiestrenton.org.
Contact Christine Tentilucci at PEAC Health and Fitness at 609-883-2000, E-mail ctentilucci@peachealthfitness.com, or visit www.peachealthfitness.com.
Summer Learning
Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg will offer a variety of classes this summer designed for girls ages 6 to 12. Each class is $180. Extended day is available.
Classes for ages 7 to 12 include “Girls Rule,” Monday to Friday, August 4 to 8, from 1 to 4 p.m. “Duct Tape Divas,” Monday through Friday, July 7 to 11, from 1 to 4 p.m. “Duct Tape Divas II,” Monday to Friday, August 4 to 8, from 9 a.m. to noon. “American Girl Adventures,” Monday to Friday, July 7 to 11, 9 a.m. to noon. “LEGO Friends and Crafts,” Monday to Friday, July 7 to 11, 1 to 4 p.m.
The college also offers a variety of programs this summer that address proper manners and etiquette for children ages 6 to 17.
“Take the Lead: Life Skills for Success” for ages 9 to 17; “The Power of Positive Communication” for ages 9 to 17; “Summer Savvy Social Skills” for ages 9 to 17; and “The Making and Caring of Friends” for ages 9 to 11.
“Personal Branding Workshop for Teens” for ages 12 to 17; “Act Powerful: Be Powerful” for ages 9 to 17; and “Tea Etiquette and Fun Camp” is for ages 5 to 12.
Extended days are available. Visit www.raritanval.edu/youth, E-mail youth@raritanval.edu, or call 908-526-1200, ext. 8404.
For the Young
Fulper Family Farmstead presents a summer camp program focusing on a hands-on dairy farm experience. Participants willlearn about farm tasks and participate in other activities. The weekly day camps run from July through mid-August in Lambertville. Visit www.fulperfarms.com, call 609-651-5991, or E-mail camp@fulperfarms.com.
Early Childhood Center at Har Sinai Temple is enrolling students for its fall preschool semester with three, four, and five-day options for full or half-day programs and play-based curriculum. Preschool for ages 2 1/2 to 5 years begins Monday, September 8, and runs Monday through Fridays with classes available between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Extended day and lunch are optional. Classes are held at 2421 Pennington Road, Pennington. Call Magda Reyes at 609-730-8100 or E-mail magdahst@aol.com.
Road Trip
Patrons of the Arts of Monroe Township presents its third annual trip to Saratoga and Tanglewood. Friday to Monday, July 11 to 14. New York City Ballet at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Pops at Tanglewood, and museums include Daniel Chester French, Hyde Collection, Norman Rockwell, and Clarke Art Institute. $889 for double occupancy, $1,209 for single occupancy includes transportation, tours, tickets, and entrance fees. Call 732-605-0262 or E-mail Gloria@atlaswt.com for information.
