EVENTS: Healthy Earth, Healthy Kids, Plant Sale

Some events this weekend combine continuing Earth Day celebrations with other activities and springtime festivities.

Staff at Buck Garden in Far Hills and volunteers from the Watnong Chapter of the North American Rock Garden Society, event co-sponsor, will this weekend present the county garden's annual Earth Day Plant Sale on both weekend days, with plants of all kinds as well as gardening advice, garden lectures, and guided tours of the woodland garden and planted rock outcroppings.

A variety of choice plants will be available including shade and sun perennials, wildflowers, herbs, and rock garden plants. Dwarf conifers, deer resistant plants, and woody plants will also be offered. Guest lectures will be held at the VisitorCenter beginning at 1 p.m. each day. On Saturday, Ruth Claus will present “Great Public Gardens of New Jersey.” On Sunday, Connie Kallas will present “The Fragrant Garden.” There is no charge for the lectures.

This Saturday, the again will present many activities at its annual Healthy Kids Day, combined recently with Earth Day events. More than 20 community partner organizations and businesses will attend and exhibit at the event.

Abbey Arwady, event coordinator and the YMCA's Director of Youth, said, “With keen awareness these days on the need to protect our planet and to educate our youth about the need to be good ambassadors of environmental protection, the YMCA is a perfect community leader in this critical area of social responsibility. Furthermore, the Y’s Healthy Kids Day focuses on improving the nation’s health and well-being, so we decided to host an event with partner community organizations to convey a strong message of taking care of the planet and taking care of your own health. This is a grass roots effort from suggesting a family walks to the grocery store instead of driving, to teaching a child not to drop their candy wrapper.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Somerset Hills YMCA’s Strong Kids Campaign that provides financial assistance to the community through scholarships and program support. Last year alone, the Somerset Hills YMCA allocated more than $537,000 in direct financial assistance to those who need it most.

Also on Saturday, the will hold a music program that invites participation by special needs children. For a complete run-down on the library's activities, visit the library website.

Healthy Earth, Healthy Kids Day
When/Where: This Saturday, from 1 to 5 p.m., at the main facility of the , 140 Mount Airy Road in Basking Ridge.
Why Go: Every member of the community is welcome at a free event incorporating the national Y’s annual Healthy Kids Day as well as activities that celebrate Earth Day. Numerous community organizations to participate with games, giveaways, and exhibits that will promote a healthier earth and healthier families. Among the day's scheduled activities are live music and a DJ, climbing wall, healthy food, hip hop for kids, karate classes for all, mad science fun, tile painting with Color Me Mine from Bernardsville, face painting and a massage therapist.
Cost: Free for all activities

Buck Garden Earth Day Plant Sale and Garden Lectures
When/Where: From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, at the Leonard J. Buck Garden, 11 Layton Road, Far Hills.
Why Go: Buck Garden staff and volunteers from the Watnong Chapter of the North American Rock Garden Society, event co-sponsor, will present daily activities including a plant sale, garden lectures at 1 p.m., and guided tours of the woodland garden and planted rock outcroppings.
Cost: Free, cost of plants

Music Fun for Children with Special Needs
When/Where: On Saturday from 2 to 2:45 p.m. at the Bernards Township Library, 32 S. Maple Ave., Basking Ridge.
Why Go: For ages four to 10, with an adult, this program is designed to provide an accepting and stimulating musical environment for special needs children and their families. Using guitar, song, movement, shakey eggs, scarves, and drums, Ann Wild creates a musical environment that is meant to be a safe haven where children and their caregivers can sit back and enjoy music-making.
Cost: Free, register online, or call 908-204-3031, ext. 3

Kids Night Out — Babysitting Night for Parents
When/Where: On Friday, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the in Basking Ridge.
Why Go: Need you ask? Babysitting for children ages 2 1/2 (potty trained) to 13, while you have some time off.
Cost: Pre-registration, $25 first child, $15 each additional child, or that night, $30 first child, $15 each additional child. Call Jessica Prakopcyk for more information and to register 908-766-7898 ext. 544.

Saturday Dog Walks
When/Where: The Friends of Lord Stirling Stable host the weekly event at Somerset County's , 256 S. Maple Ave. in Basking Ridge. Check-in time begins each week at 10:15 a.m. The guided trail walk commences at 10:30 a.m. and lasts for approximately one hour. 
Why Go: These sanctioned dog walks offer participants the only opportunity to explore the beautiful equestrian trails of Lord Stirling Stable on foot. 
Cost: $3 per dog, to be leashed and kept under control at all times. For more information, contact Martha at 973-635-8672.

Somerset County Student Artists at Morris Museum
When/Where: On exhibit, through May 27, at the Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morristown.
Why Go: The work of student artists from, Gill St. Bernard's, Bridgewater-Raritan High School, Watchung Regional High School and more are on exhibit at the museum.
Cost: Museum admission, adults: $10, children: $7, seniors: $7, children under 3, free

Sixty Years of Photos from the Somerset Hills YMCA
When/Where: Throughout April, at the Bernardsville Public Library, 1 Anderson Hill Road in Bernardsville.
Why Go: To view photos from 1951 to 2011 from through the years at the which began in a small building in Bernardsville, and now occupies two facilities in Basking Ridge.
Cost: Free, for information call 908-766-0118.

Real Housewife Stumps for Vodka
When/Where: Friday, 5 to 6:30 p.m. at
Why Go: You want Real Housewife of New Jersey Melissa Gorga to sign an autograph and tell you about Voli Light vodka.
Cost: Free to attend

kate!!!Designs Five-Year Anniversary
When/Where: Friday at 5:30 p.m. at the  on Washington Valley Road in Martinsville.
Why Go: To celebrate five years of the business with an evening of art and fun.
Cost: Free.

"Anne of Green Gables" at Hillside Intermediate
When/Where: Friday at 7:30 p.m. at  on Brown Road in Bridgewater.
Why Go: To support the school's drama club, which is performing it's annual play, this year with "Anne of Green Gables."
Cost: $5

Be a Hero Cycling and Fitness Event
When/Where: Saturday at 9 a.m. at  on Washington Valley Road in Martinsville.
Why Go: To be part of Autism Awareness Month by participating in the largest indoor cycling and fitness fundraising event in the country.
Cost: $25 per event.

Healthy Kids Day
When/Where: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the  on Garreston Road.
Why Go: To be part of a country-wide YMCA event to get healthy with your family by participating in activities like swimming and games, and eating healthy snacks.
Cost: Free.

Bridgewater-Raritan Baseball VS. Hunterdon Central
When/Where: Saturday at 10 a.m. at the .
Why Go: To cheer on your local baseball team and let them know you support th game they play!
Cost: Free.

Bridgewater Community Blood Drive
When/Where: Sunday at 8:30 a.m. at  on Maple Street in Bridgewater.
Why Go: To support the New York Blood Center by giving a little bit of yourself.
Cost: Free.

ZUMBAthon
When/Where: Sunday at 5:15 a.m. at the  on Milltown Road in Bridgewater.
Why Go: To dance your socks off and participate in a fundraising event for the K-9 Leaders Seeing Eye Puppy club of Somerset County 4-H.
Cost: $15 at the door.

When/Where: Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Morristown High School
Why Go: You want to see all the stuff that will be at the event, which supports pediatric cancer research.
Cost: $5, $3 for students

When/Where: Saturday 7 to 11 p.m. at Presbyterian Church of Morris Plains
Why Go: You want to enjoy a night of music, while supporting a Mission trip to Tennessee
Cost: $10

When/Where: Saturday, 7 p.m. at Morristown High School
Why Go: You want to support the student Senior Awards, as well as enjoy an evening of dance.
Cost: $10

When/Where: Sunday, 5 p.m. at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Morristown
Why Go: You want to conclude your weekend with some beautiful music.
Cost: $30

When/Where: Saturday at 8 a.m. at the Lake Forest Yacht Club
Why Go: Learn all you need to know to earn a Coast Guard certified instructor's license.
Cost: $65