The Community FoodBank of New Jersey is hosting a turkey drive at several locations in Somerset County to collect frozen turkeys and non-perishable items to give to those in need. Included sites are in Basking Ridge and Bedminster. Volunteers will be at four locations Nov. 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donations will be collected at the Basilone parking lot of the Bridgewater-Raritan High School; the Kings Supermarket on Route 206 in Bedminster; the ShopRite on Elizabeth Avenue in Somerset; and Ridge High School on Finley Avenue in Basking Ridge. The turkeys and other items donated will be used by…

Maybe you really do want to just curl up in your flannel pajamas, grab some sushi and a small bottle of champagne and watch "When Harry Met Sally" for the 50th time this New Year's Eve. Maybe you and your loved ones really do just want to camp out in the living room with some comfort food and enjoy the festivities from a distance. Maybe. Or maybe the holiday shuffle has gotten the better of you, and you just haven't had time to think about New Year's. Don't worry: We've done some thinking for you. And here's what we've come up with. The Mansion at Natirar in Peapack: Splashy, fun and elegant …

For the 86th year, Christmas carolers were drawn from all sections of Basking Ridge to sing carols around the large downtown holiday tree on Christmas Eve. Greg Lane directed the brass ensemble of about 20 musicians, who led the festive singers. Singers huddled together starting from the steps of the Presbyterian Church of Basking Ridge, where the brass performed, completely filling the downtown.Some carried or toted coffee and hot cider along with flashlights to read sheets with the words to 10 classic Christmas carols. The singing began with "O Come All Ye Faithful" and ended with a very …

For some of us, one of our favorite childhood memories from Christmas is taking an annual tour of holiday decorations and lights in the neighborhood. That tour may have been on foot, but many sections of Bernards Township aren't exactly good walking routes, especially at night. Plus, it's awful cold.So just when local light displays are finally turned on in full force, we bring you an armchair (or computer desk chair) tour of some of the decorated homes in Basking Ridge and the edge of Liberty Corner. Included are homes that are large and smaller, and north and south. We see plenty of lit …

It's been a local tradition since 1924. Area residents can join their neighbors and a brass band Christmas Eve in downtown Basking Ridge for the town's annual Christmas carol sing-a-long, starting at 7 p.m. "The weather is looking pretty good for this week," said Jim Felter, who has been coordinating the event for the past few years. "I am hoping we will have a good crowd." The singing will last for about a half-hour, he said. Felter said this year's brass choir will include a special guest, former Basking Ridge resident Carl Gerhard, who he said will play trumpet. Gerhard is a lieutenant who…

It's never been easier to give eco-friendly gifts. With stores throughout Somerset County offering everything from organic terry cloth robes to hemp dog beds, there is a "green" gift for everyone on your list this year. To keep with the theme, skip the wrapping paper. Pick up a few cute, reusable canvas totes instead. (Or tie your own bow made with organic fibers on the "brick" you can buy this week at Ridge High School. Keep reading until the end!)  Here are my top 10 picks for green gifts available right here in Somerset County for the... Do-It-Yourselfer—An Alpaca from the Alpacas of …

Restaurants throughout Somerset County are offering special Christmas Eve dinners, complete with visits from Santa Claus and Christmas carolers. Many require reservations, so start making your plans now. Here's a list of some of the area's best, in no particular order. If dessert is your favorite part of the meal. Maggiano's in Bridgewater is the place to be. After choosing one of the delicious plates off of the regular menu, it's time to dig into one of two holiday-inspired desserts: the peppermint ice cream chocolate crunch cake or the peppermint peripherals. If that doesn't have your mouth…

Basking Ridge held its annual Christmas tradition, “A Walk to Bethlehem,” a pageant that began at St. James Roman Catholic and ended up at the Presbyterian Church of Basking Ridge. The public was invited to join the walk. Along the way, Mary and Joseph and three angels who initiated their trip at St. James collected shepherds, wise men and others before reaching the manger at the Presbyterian church. Choirs performed at each church. Their first stop was St. Mark's Episcopal Church where they were met by five shepherds. The pageant continued through with stops at the Bishop James United …

The Liberty Corner Fire Co. held its annual Santa Holiday Gift Delivery Saturday. Area parents donated the gifts and made a $50 contribution to the fire company, an all-volunteer organization that has served the community the past 100 years. Proceeds went to the fire company's general fund to purchase equipment for the firefighters, EMTs and rescue personnel. The fire truck carrying Santa left the Liberty Corner firehouse at about 9:30 a.m. and spent most of the day delivering gifts. However, Santa and his firefighting "reindeer" had a few stops during the day at pre-arranged neighborhood …

You can join Mary and Joseph, the Three Wise Men,  shepherds, angels and other major characters from the story of Christmas in recreating the "Walk to Bethlehem" Sunday at 4 p.m. The pageant begins at St. James Roman Catholic Church on South Finley Avenue and proceeds through stops  at three other churches, according to Jaye Barre, who said she has produced the local event for at least 15 years. "With all the commercialization going on, it's nice to do something that projects the true meaning of Christmas," Barre said. Local participants pitch in to play the roles of the Three Wise Men, who …

Bradley Hunter of Basking Ridge summed it up best as he fulfilled his mission of filling several boxes with cookies from among the thousands sold at Saturday's annual "Cookie Walk" at the Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills."What's not to like?" he asked, as he looked for his family's favorites. Hunter said his wife, Beryl, makes her own cookies at the holidays. But the dozens he was picking up at the sale, which benefits the VNA's Adult Day Center, are those the family eats when they just want to "yum it up," he said. "I think the ultimate sadness would be having the last cookie …

Christmas tree sales were as brisk as Friday night's chill winds at Bishop Janes United Methodist Church's annual tree and decoration sale on Finley Avenue in downtown Basking Ridge. Children all bundled in mittens and hats  laughed and pointed at trees their own height — or towering as high as 10 feet tall.  Those who make a tradition of buying their trees in downtown Basking Ridge have a fine selection of trees and at the same time are donation to the missions and community service organizations supported by the church. The sale has been held for the past 50 years. It's made possible …

Doors will open at 9 a.m. this Saturday for the 20th annual "Cookie Walk" at the Visiting Nurse Association of the Somerset Hills, and if past history repeats itself, the thousands of homemade treats offered for sale could be almost gone within about a half-hour. More than 60 volunteer bakers are likely to participate, with some asked to each produce about 20 dozen cookies and other baked treats to celebrate the popular event, said Paula Some,  communications manager for the VNA in Basking Ridge."This is the 20th anniversary. This is a big deal," Some said on Wednesday. The Cookie Walk is …

The 900 gifts for those in need, wrapped Sunday by volunteers at Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church's Advent Extravaganza, came from multiple sources. Some of the items were "regifted" from those who had received gifts the previous Christmas they decided they couldn't use, or didn't want. The church's Bonnie Frey was in charge of shopping frugally during the previous year's January sales, said the church's Pastor, Anne Havrilla. Other gifts targeted for individuals in need were provided by church members who selected assignments to purchase specific items from the church "giving tree," the …

This weekend promises to be one of the busiest of the year in Basking Ridge during what some people consider to be their favorite season. Holiday and winter activities and events abound. Residents can also just get out for a look at decorations around town, buy a Christmas tree, or meet friends or family at local restaurants.  Even if the weather is relatively warm, a live dog sledding demonstration will be held both Saturday and Sunday to kick off December's Frost Fest at the Lord Stirling Environmental Education Center off Lord Stirling Road. A full list of activities is on tap this weekend…

The Jacobus Vanderveer House & Museum in Bedminster will open its doors for another Colonial Christmas celebration this Friday through Sunday to proudly show off a year of major progress made by a group of volunteers — including many from Basking Ridge — in creating a regional history museum. The 8th annual Colonial Christmas open house will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Friday through Sunday. Admission to the fundraiser is $10 for adults, and free for children age 12 and younger. More information is online. Groups of schoolchildren visited the decorated house and museum on Thursday, …

For the second year, Country Mile Gardens in Harding Township will hold a Christmas Tree Benefit to raise funds for the Kevin J. Hannaford, Sr. Foundation. The foundation was established in memory of the Basking Ridge husband and father who lost his life in the Sept. 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center.Country Mile Gardens will present the foundation with $10 from every cut tree sold between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 4-5, said Eileen Hannaford, who continues to live in Basking Ridge with the couple's two sons.The 2009 Country Mile benefit raised $1,800 for the …