Halloween Activities, Forum for Bernards Committee Candidates Ahead This Week

A day full of Halloween fun begins next Saturday with the Bernards Township Regional Chamber of Commerce's annual Safe Trick-or-Treating, scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. downtown. 

Children are invited to dress up and trick or treat, and to receive treats from the town's businesses and business merchants. Those without a store downtown, and also from neighboring communities, can set up a table in front of Bishop Janes Church in Basking Ridge center and give treats to the kids, and additional materials to the parents. Call 908-766-6755.

Immediately following the trick-or-treating, will be exciting games and the popular pumpkin rolling hosted by the Bernards Township Parks and Recreation Department at the Henry Street field behind the Oak Street Elementary School.

"Be sure to dress in your costume!" township officials said in a reminder.

Bernards Township Library also holding Halloween events

That same day, the Bernards Township Library at 32 S. Maple Ave. also will hold a Halloween drop-in craft for children of all ages between 1 to 3 p.m. No registration is needed, and all materials are provided. Children may attend in costume.

Earlier in the week, from 4 to 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, the library will present Marigold Mike of Morristown's Let's Bloom Together, who will talk about the history of Jack-o-Lanterns, how pumpkins were used by our ancestors, and the and the culinary uses of the favorite orange gourd, according to the library. The event wraps up with a painting project where each child takes home his or her own Jack-o-Lantern. Pre-registration is required. However, the event was full as of Sunday, although potential registrants were invited to check back for openings. The library's number is 908-204-3031.

The library is due to be closed this Friday for a staff development day.

The Friends of the Bernards Township Library are sponsoring another Halloween-related event from 7 to 7:45 p.m. on the following Monday, Oct. 28. Free tickets can be obtained at the library for Piccirillo's Scienceteller's "Potions."

Halloween events at Jacobus Vanderveer House in Bedminster

Meanwhile, Halloween events open to the public also are scheduled at the historic Jacobus Vanderveer House at 3055 River Road in Bedminster, off Route 202/206 south, in the renovated pre-Revolutionary War structure.

At 6 p.m. next Friday, children are parents are invited to the house to enjoy free Halloween Tales and Tunes with balladeer Linda Russell, who will present songs and stories.

Playing hammered and mountain dulcimers, guitar and limberjack, Russell will present ghostly ballads, songs of fairy folk, and harvest tunes as well as the tale of the first jack-o-lantern. Children will be invited to play rhythm instruments as part of the Goblin Band.

"Linda Russell explores history through music. Having served for many years as a balladeer for the National Park Service at Federal Hall on Wall Street, the site of Washington’s inauguration, Ms. Russell now takes her music to historic sites, schools and festivals throughout the country," according to information from the Jacobus Vanderveer House.

Her New York appearances have included Avery Fisher Hall, the Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors Festival and the Carnegie Hall Folk Festival.  She has recorded eight albums of traditional and popular music of the 18th and 19th centuries, according to information from the Jacobus Vanderveer House.

The program is free, but registration is suggested. Phone 908-396-6053 or visit www.jvanderveerhouse.org.

The Jacobus Vanderveer House will be open for tours from 1 to 4 p.m. next Sunday. At 2 p.m., noted author and literary maverick Edgar Allan Poe, portrayed by American Historical Theatre’s Bob Gleason, will discuss his life and read excerpts from some of his best known works, in a free presentation.

Exposing the inner machinations of the human mind and heart, Gleason’s Edgar Allan Poe provides vivid images, terrifying tales, and heart-thumping excitement, according to information from the Jacobus Vanderveer House.

Gleason reveals the literary editor and critic determined to mine his mind and profit from his published works. Participants learn that Poe is considered the inventor of the detective story, providing the reason for the award being dubbed the Edgar. They also discover the all-too-human Poe, the passionate poet, the intense husband, as well as the haunted soul. 

The program is free, but registration is suggested at 908-396-6053 or at www.jvanderveerhouse.org.

Forum for Bernards Committee candidates scheduled for Wednesday

This November's Bernards Township Committee candidates, Carol Bianchi, a Republican, Democrat David Ferdinand and Bill O’Connors, who are competing the one three-year term on the Township Committee up for election this year, are scheduled to participate in Wednesday night's forum for discussion and questions at Ridge High School.

The  Bernards Township Committee Candidates Forum is scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, at the Performing Arts Center at Ridge High Schoo1, 268 S. Finley Ave., in Basking Ridge.  

The League of Women Voters of Somerset County together with the Ridge High School Empowerment for Political Participation (REPP) will host the public discussion of issues and questions from the public. 

The public is encouraged to attend and participate, according to information from Ridge High School.

Busy week at Ridge High School

Meanwhile at Ridge High School this week, the photographer for Senior Portraits, including retakes will be at the school starting on Monday through Friday, Nov. 1.

Students must sign-up in the main office for an appointment time during lunch or study hall. Those who are retaking a portrait that was done last May must bring their package and a re-take fee of $15 to the portrait session. All portraits are taken in the Green Room in the hallway behind the PAC. This will be your last opportunity for seniors to have a picture in the yearbook.

The following colleges will be visiting Ridge this week: University of Colorado Boulder, Tusculum College, West Virginia University, College of the Holy Cross, Union College, Bowdoin College, Cornell University, Lock Haven University, Pennsylvania State University, Salve Regina University, Bryant University, Millersville University, Rutgers State University and George Washington University. Please remember to sign up through Naviance and print the confirmation page as a pass for the visit.

Auditions for the Ridge musical "The Robber Bridegroom" will be take place through the week. Students must sign up for the dance portion of the auditions on the drama bulletin board. Additional information can be found on the drama board and on teacher Megan Kern's website.