Whether in formal plantings or as informal but temporal visitors dropping by for an annual appearance, spring flowers have been in full bloom in the Somerset Hills in the past week or so, whether on bushes, trees, in home gardens or cultivated landscapes. The spring scenes might seem especially welcome this year after enduring Sandy's nasty behavior, and the superstorm's aftermath, just six months ago. April also gave up it's chilly hold in the past several days, adding more luster to May. Here are some scenes from around the area. Please add your own photos to help our Patch "garden" grow.

It's an event that inspires fish tales for a long time to come — Bernards Township's annual Fishing Derby at Southard Park pond, specially stocked for the occasion — and there's always a surprise or two. The second-biggest fish caught so far as of about 10 a.m. on Saturday was a 14-inch long trout, said Sean O'Grady, assistant director of the Bernards Township Parks and Recreation Department. The department had stocked the pond with trout from Pennslvania beforehand, O'Grady said. But as for the record 15-inch catfish pulled out of the murky, aerated water? "That was just in there," O'Grady …

The Basking Ridge Fire Company and First Aid Squad's annual all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast may have become one of nearby residents' favorite place to eat out on a Sunday morning when they get the chance. Dora Phillips of Bernardsville, invited by her friend Muriel Anderson of Basking Ridge to this Sunday's breakfast at the firehouse on Washington Avenue, said she wishes the breakfast could be held twice a year. Either way, Phillips said she wanted to support the fire company and first aid squad members who give of their time. And, also, "The food is fantastic, and the coffee is delicious…

They shopped, they nibbled, they had their nails and make-up done, and they saw a fashion show presented by local young women, with a few guys thrown in. What more can you ask from a girls' night out? Along with being a fun evening at the Grain House Restaurant with "one stop shopping" for the prom — a chance to order flowers, get a mini-manicure, make hair and nail appointments, browse jewelry and more, the event was also benefit for Lauren Heaslip. Lauren is a Ridge High School junior who is undergoing treatment for lymphoma. All proceeds from the evening will be donated to the Lymphoma …

With the seriousness and sincerity that sometimes only children can summon, the entire third grade at Bernards Township's Cedar Hill Elementary School gathered in an outdoor courtyard on Tuesday morning to recognize World Autism Awareness Day and decorate a tree with blue ribbons covered with personal messages. "It all begins with understanding," Cedar Hill Principal Joseph Mollica told a group of gathered third graders who participated in that particular activity to learn about autism and what it means for others. Mollica noted that everyone faces challenges, and those with autism face …

Shoppers who stopped by the new Kings Supermarket Friday at the Valley Mall Shopping Center in the Gillette section of Long Hill Township were treated to lots of samples and a full platter of sights, aromas and tastes. The new Kings actually is a relocation of the supermarket in Berkeley Heights, and the new store brought over many of the associates, as well as longtime managers drawn from other stores, said store manager Donna Lewis. The new supermarket, which fills a vacant space left by the closed Pathmark, was in the works for about a year, she said. Hibachi Grill, Mediterranean bar …

When Jewish families in the Somerset Hills sit down to their Passover dinners early next week, the children who've been part of Chabad Jewish Center in Basking Ridge's annual matzoh-making session will have a better idea of how one of the essential foods of the Seder table came to be. Each year, Chabad's Youth Rabbi Yitzchok Moully invites children from the center's Zimmer Preschool for a fun-oriented lesson in how to make matzoh. The unleavened bread is part of the ceremony on Passover (Pesach), which this year begins at sundown on Monday, March 25. The children, some of whom are returning …

As Bernards Township's Farmstead Arts began this year's concert schedule with Heather Mulvey's St. Patrick's Day performance of Celtic, American and folk songs, the event also was an opportunity for arts center to unveil improvements to the historic farmhouse and major progress in restoration of a pre-Revolutionary War barn. A Somerset County cultural heritage grant was used to install windows and outdoor sidewalks, as well as to make structural changes in the basement of the farmhouse, already in use since the arts center officially opened in October 2010 on the historic Kennedy Martin …

When you're looking forward to a special day, sometimes getting ready can be half the fun. Melissa Castner of Basking Ridge, who has been a free-lance event hair and make-up specialist for the last few years, now has opened a salon that shares some of the space of the Sandra John Interiors building at the intersection of North Maple Avenue and Route 202. Of course, those who are getting ready for a wedding or prom can have their hair prepared, their make-up done or even create their own signature scent. There's also a serene spot to capture a quiet moment through aromatherapy. But Castner …

The sunshine and brilliant blue skies the day after Friday's snowstorm hit the entire metropolitan area brought out shoppers, sledders and even cross-country skiers participating in Bernards Township Mayor Carolyn Gaziano's first (official) fitness event of the year. This was the second try for the mayor to launch this year's Mayor Wellness Campaign, since there wasn't enough snow on the first try at the Somerset County Environmental Education Center in Basking Ridge. This Saturday exceeded the EEC's requirement for at least four inches of snow for the public to ski for free on the trails at …

Bernards Township Mayor Carolyn Gaziano last week shared a love of books by reading to children at the opening of the book fair at the Chabad Jewish Center in Basking Ridge. Gaziano said she greeted Zimmer Preschool children and their parents as they entered for the book fair. She then then read books to the kindergarten and first grade students at Chabad's Olam Academy, also at the main Chabad center off Valley Road in Basking Ridge.  

Rosina Moschella Carchia, was born on January 29, 1913 in Dover. A century later, she celebrated and commemorated that event in the McGuirl home in Basking Ridge, with family members by her side. Wednesday's dinner — her favorite, pasta with meatballs and sausage — was just a warm-up celebration for Mrs. Carchia. On Saturday the family, was planning to throw an even bigger bash at a country club with more well-wishers for Mrs. Carchia. But on the mid-week day of her actual 100th birthday, she was honored to be served the meal that she herself had often served on Sunday family dinners during …

It was a brisk morning, but Santa didn't mind as he boarded the Liberty Corner and Basking Ridge firetrucks to deliver presents Saturday morning. Santa's deliveries were a fundraiser for both all-volunteer fire companies as well a chance to conjure up some holiday magic for local kids, both little and not-so-little. Even those who didn't order a gift got to see a glimpse of Santa riding through town along with some "elves" in firefighting suits. For the Liberty Corner Fire Co., organization is critical to completing Santa's route. First Asst. Chief Peter Aprahamian has been mapping out Santa'…

Mount Prospect Elementary School is the most international of Bernards Township's four elementary schools, and some of the flavors of that world-view are on display on Friday. On Thursday, the third grade performed dances from Russia, Mexico, Kenya, Japan and Scotland at an assembly for students. The dance performances will be repeated for the public at 7 p.m. on Friday, following an International Day Fair for the public — including food — at the school cafeteria, beginning at 5:30 p.m. School Principal Judith Slutzky said she had always wanted to hold an international day, but last year …

The Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church's annual Advent Extravaganza always is an event where participants wrap hundreds of gifts for needy families, sample treats prepared by local families and make Christmas crafts that they can bring home to decorate their own homes. All that was going on this Sunday at this year's Advent Extravaganza. But along with the usual festivities, Pastor Anne Havrilla said the event has a little extra meaning this December. "This year our focus at Liberty Corner is on hope. We feel that after the storm and all we came through, hope is the most important gift of all…

Bernards Township's most densely populated area, The Hills, experienced damage and downed trees, including a report of a chimney blown off a home. But the Rite-Aid at the Highlands Village Center as well as Veneto Trattoria, also at the center at the top of Allen Road. Veneto was running on a generator, and was giving out free pizza on Tuesday night. The pizzeria and restaurant was scheduled to reopen at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

For those who may doubt the diversity of the Somerset Hills area, a stop by the 17th annual International Festival, held last week at the Somerset Hills YMCA in Basking Ridge, would have proven otherwise. About 300 people showed up at the YMCA's main facility last Sunday afternoon to view and sample the music, art, crafts and foods of primarily local residents representing 25 countries, according to YMCA spokeswoman Megeen Laska. Fifty volunteers also made the day possible, with Jackie Fuchs serving as chair of this year's International Festival. Each year, the festive event brings together …

Not all athletes at Ridge High School play on varsity teams. There are plenty of younger athletes making their way up JV, and even freshmen teams. And on Thursday, the Junior Varsity girls soccer team took on Hillborough's JV girls soccer on a fall afternoon at Varsity Field. The game went into overtime and score remained 3-3 with Ridge having several shots on goal, with the Ridge team dominating the game. Goals were scored by Shannon Keefe, Anna Volpacchio and Tiffany Lin. The season record is now 9-1-2.

Four Basking Ridge photographers, including first place winner Betsy Bacot-Aigner, a frequent contributor to Patch, were winners in state Assemblyman Jon Bramnick's fifth annual photography contest. Amateur photographers throughout New Jersey entered the contest and submitted over 300 pictures of scenes from around the state. Two photographers from the Gillette section of Long Hill Township also were recognized for their photos.  “This year’s photos captured the beauty and great diversity of our Garden State. New Jersey has so much to offer, from the numerous state parks to the endless fun at…

The Somerset Hills YMCA's Strong Dogs Day went off without a hitch on Saturday outdoors at the Y's main Basking Ridge facility at 140 Mount Airy Road, even with a wide selection of leashed pooches of all types and sizes in close proximity. Canines — accompanied by almost 350 humans, according to the YMCA — were welcome to drop by to see demonstrations by such groups at K9 Miracles's training demonstration, participate in fun races and meet and greet other pets and pet owners. The day included treats for people and pets, and information to learn about how to care for your best friend. …