Learn (and Taste) the Art of Maple Sugaring

This weekend through March, enjoy the winter woods and learn how maple trees can be tapped for the sugar that becomes syrup.

Sometimes there's just not enough hours in the day, but each week we'll give you an idea of something to do to relax, spend time with family and just take some time for yourself. Continuing a tradition in the Northeast United States, including New Jersey, that began centuries ago with the Native Americans and colonists, the Somerset County Park Commission invites children and adults to a 90-minute program to witness how Maple tree sap can produce delicious New Jersey maple syrup. The series of weekend demonstrations are free and begin this Saturday morning at the Environmental Education Center's Sugar Shack at 190 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge. During a series of programs that will continue through March 10, the trees are tapped. …

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Great Escape

Ever Tried Yoga 'In the Swamp?'

Learn beginning yoga and maybe be inspired by the creatures who live in the Great Swamp.

Sometimes there's just not enough days in the week, but each week we'll give you an idea of something to do to relax, spend time with family and just take some time for yourself. This week, you can sign up to escape to some prime New Jersey swampland to derive inspiration for the serenity of nature — and maybe the agility of some of the creatures within. The Somerset County Park Commission has announced dates for the autumn session of Beginners Classic Hatha Yoga “In the Swamp” at the Lord Stirling Environmental Education Center, 190 Lord Stirling Road in Basking Ridge.   The low-impact program will introduce adults to the healthful benefits of yoga in a 10-week program offered twice every Thursday beginning September 13, 2012. Sessions …

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Reception Celebrates 40 Local Artists, Mayor's Art Awards

First Community Arts Show will continue at the county Environmental Education Center through Feb. 26.

The first annual Community Art Show, featuring Bernards Township artists, attracted contributions from 40 local artists that will be on display at the Somerset County Environmental Education Center in Basking Ridge through Feb. 26. A public reception to kick off the show — which officially opened on Saturday at the EEC at 190 Lord Stirling Road — took place on Sunday afternoon at the EEC. During the reception, the 2012 Mayor's Arts Awards Recipients also were announced by Bernards Township Mayor Mary Pavlini. The non-juried show — that the township hopes to make an annual event each February — is not related to the mayor's arts awards, begun in 2011, but the township parks and recreation department decided to announce the awards at the …

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Great Escape

Escape to A Winter World of Dog Sledding (Without Freezing)

Somerset County Environmental Education Center hosts dog sledding demonstration as part of Frost Fest.

Believe it or not, there is a dog sledding group in New Jersey. Each week, Patch tells you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little easier, and maybe a whole lot more fun. This week, we're suggesting a trip that will take you as far as possible from the usual mode of transportation in the Garden State. But you don't even have to leave Somerset County to see a dogsled demonstration at the Environmental Education at 190 Lord Stirling Road in Basking Ridge at 2 p.m. this Saturday, Dec. 3. Frost Fest" at Somerset County Park Commission's Environmental Education Center will run from Dec. 2-18 at the center's headquarters on the edge of the Great Swamp. The dog-sledding demonstration, indoors at the EEC…

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