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by Carolyne Volpe Curley / Carolyne@WestEssexNOW.com Published 6:10pm  WEST ESSEX, NJ - All are invited to the many local Christmas Tree and Menorah lightings throughout the West Essex area. Listed below are many ways to ring in the holidays, join in the games, drink hot chocolates and sing some carols. CALDWELL
Saturday, Dec. 5 4:30pm - Christmas Tree - On the Green 5pm - Caldwell Fire Department Tricky Tray - 30 Roseland Ave ESSEX FELLS Thursday, Dec. 24 6pm - Christmas Tree - 307 Runnymede Road FAIRFIELD Friday, Dec. 4 5:30pm - Christmas Tree - Inside Town Hall ROSELAND Friday, Dec. 4 6:1pm - Christmas Tree - 140 Eagle Rock Avenue Sunday, Dec. 6 6:15pm Menorah - 140 Eagle Rock Avenue VERONA Saturday, Dec. 5 12pm to 5pm - Verona Fair in the Square - 600 Bloomfield Avenue WEST CALDWELL Sunday, Dec. 6 4:30pm - Christmas Tree - Crane Park Wednesday, Dec. 9 4:10pm - Menorah - West Caldwell Civic Center
Published 9:30pm  CALDWELL, NJ - This weekend, the Grover Cleveland Birthplace Memorial Association will host their 25th Annual July 4 Ice Cream Social. All are welcome at the gathering which will include many family activities and entertainers, along with a patriotic salute to Independence Day. Refreshments including ice cream and popcorn will be offered to guests and the Cloverleaf Tavern will also be offering meals for sale. This year, the Association is hosting a judged Short Bread bake-off which will be awarded wth prizes. The free event will take place Rain or Shine on Saturday, July 4, from 1pm to 3pm at the historic Presidential Birthplace which is located at 207 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell. Ice Cream Social Activities
Sponsors and Community Volunteers
ShortBread Bake-Off This year, the Association is hosting a judged Short Bread bake-off which will be awarded wth prizes at 3pm. Adults and children are welcome to try their hand at creating the cookie using only 19th-century ingredients. The rules are as follows:
The flag ceremony will begin at 1pm and will include the reading of the Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson and the flag raising will be performed by the scout honor guard. Caldwell’s Mayor Ann Dassing will give the welcoming remarks. UPDATED WEDNESDAY, July 1  Essex County and West Essex Area Independence Celebrations, listed chronologically.
Published 10:50pm Friday, June 26NEWARK Gates Open: 7:30pm
Saturday, June 27MONTVILLE
Tuesday, June 30NEWARK Gates Open: 7:30pm
VERONA Gates Open: 7pm
Wednesday, July 1BLOOMFIELD Gates Open: 7:30pm
Thursday, July 2CEDAR GROVE Gates Open: 7pm
FAIRFIELD Gates Open: 5:30pm
Saturday, July 4LITTLE FALLS
Gates Open: 7pm
Gates Open: 9am
MONTCLAIR
WEST ESSEX (Caldwells / Essex Fells / Roseland) Gates Open: 7pm
Gates Open: 6:30pm
 VERONA, NJ - Tomorrow, the Junior Woman's Club of Verona will be hosting their annual "Bunny Brunch." Everyone is welcome at the gathering which takes place Saturday, March 21, from 9:30am to 11am, at Verona High School, located at 151 Fairview Avenue, Verona.
Admission includes a selection of bagels, donuts, muffins, juice, coffee/tea, a goody bag, a visit from the Easter Bunny and crafts for the kids. Guests are welcome to use their personal cameras to take photos with the Bunny. Tickets Tickets are available at the door; all proceeds will go toward helping families in need in Verona.
Published 5:44pm  Credit Kristine Schultz Blake, Yuri Galanter, Laura McCarthy, Janna Smith / Carolyne Volpe Curley WEST ORANGE, NJ - The Essex County Holiday Lights Spectacular continues for an eighth year at Turtle Back Zoo as 50 figures are illuminated by 100,000 lights throughout the complex. The free event runs daily, from 5pm to 9pm, beginning Friday, Dec. 12 until Sunday, Jan. 4. Visitors are encouraged to bring donations for local food pantries and assistance groups. New to the Holiday Lights Spectacular this year are themed weekends. Friday through Sunday winter films, music and crafts will be offered. Additionally, several animal exhibits will be open nightly, photographs with Santa will be available until Dec. 23 and refreshments will be available for purchase. Turtle Back Zoo is located at 560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange. Over 100,000 lights will illuminate figures of about 50 animal and holiday-themed figures throughout the Zoo and surrounding complex including bears, tigers, elephants and holiday lights designed to look like wooden soldiers, stars and winter scenes. Additionally, several animal exhibits will be open, including:
Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo announced on Friday that 2104 is the second straight year the zoo topped 600,000 in attendance and the fifth time it topped half a million. Photos Credit: Laura McCarthy “We invite the public to make this Essex County holiday tradition
Themed Weekends New to the Holiday Lights Spectacular this year are themed weekends. Popular films, holiday music, crafts and animal presentations will be offered each Friday through Sunday along with ice carving demonstrations on Saturdays. Movies will be shown continuously in the Sea Lion Sound Exhibit beginning at 5pm until closing. The schedule for the weekend activities is as follows: Friday, Dec. 12 to Sunday, Dec. 14
Friday, Dec. 19 to Sunday, Dec. 21
“Our themed weekends will make your visit to the
Donations Requested Visitors to the Holiday Lights Spectacular are encouraged to bring donations for the needy which will be collected at the front entrance of the Zoo. Specifically, non-perishable foods and pet foods, new unwrapped toys, and new and gently used winter coats are being requested. Last year, from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, about 5.5 tons of non-perishable food, 5,984 toys and 1,778 winter coats were collected for the less fortunate. The following foods, hygiene necessities and household supplies are currently in demand at local assistance groups: Food Items
“We are offering free admission The Essex County Holiday Lights Spectacular is sponsored by PSE&G, Covanta Energy, the Zoological Society of New Jersey and the Essex County Parks Foundation. Further Information Turtle Back Zoo Acting Director Brint Spencer 560 Northfield Avenue West Orange, NJ 07052 973-731-5800 Website Hours:
Admission:
Turtle Back Zoo is committed to providing an enriching recreational experience that fosters excellence in wildlife education and wildlife conservation. Formed in 1962 on a 15.5 acre section of the county’s South Mountain Reservation, the Zoo was designed by Tjark Reiss who created the exhibits based on Hans Christian Anderson’s nursery rhyme themes. The zoo opened on June 3, 1963 with a collection of 140 animals of 40 species and by ten years later the zoo’s animal collection had grown to 850 animals of 275 species. Since taking office in 2003, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo has spearheaded over $70 million in upgrades to the zoo. In September 2006, Turtle Back Zoo was granted accreditation by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association. This distinct honor places Turtle Back Zoo among the elite zoos and aquaria of the United States and means that the zoo adheres to the highest standards for zoos in the country.
Published 10:14pm  FAIRFIELD, NJ - The Fairfield Home and School Association invites everyone to their annual Holiday Shopping Bazaar this week at Churchill School, located at 233 Fairfield Road, Fairfield. The event will run from 6pm to 9pm on Wednesday, Dec. 10. "Come take pictures with Santa, Further Information
Fairfield Board of Education Mr. William Stepka, Business Administrator 15 Knoll Road Fairfield, NJ 07004 Website
Published 9:54pm  WEST CALDWELL, NJ - James Caldwell High School invites the public to their annual "Holiday Fair" at the school, located at 265 Westville Avenue, West Caldwell. The fair will offer vendors and crafters along with hourly raffles and a bake sale. The sale will run from 11am to 3pm on Saturday, Dec. 6. "Come to our Holiday Fair where you will find Not-for-profits clubs and organizations, including the Grover Cleveland Park Conservancy and Birthplace, will be on hand to display their items. Many Caldwell Teams and Clubs will offer Chiefs merchandise for sale as well.
Further Information Patty D'Angelo 973 - 228 - 9466
Published 10:14pm  WEST ESSEX, NJ - Area towns throughout West Essex are getting ready to ring in the holidays. All are invited to the many local Christmas Tree and Menorah lightings, and are welcome to join in the games, carols and hot chocolates which are sure to keep everyone warm this chilly December. SCHEDULECALDWELL
Wednesday, Dec. 3
Santa is scheduled to arrive at the Caldwell Fire Department at 4:30pm, parade throughout the neighborhoods and end up at 5pm on the Caldwell Green just in time for the Tree Lighting Ceremony. Following the tree lighting, everyone is invited to gather inside the Caldwell Fire House where refreshments will be served, music will be provided by DJ Joe Garamella and there will be a Holiday Auction with many prizes. The auction will be held to benefit the Caldwell Volunteer Fire Dept. Children’s Education Fund. Sunday, Dec. 21 10:30am and on Beginning at 10:30am, the Caldwell Fire Department will drive through every street in town with Santa on board handing out candy canes. They will also be collecting non-perishable items for the Caldwell Food Bank. ESSEX FELLS
FAIRFIELD
Sunday, Dec. 21 10am From 10am until about 5:30pm, the Fairfield Fire Department will be driving Santa around for a happy ride through all of the streets in Fairfield. NORTH CALDWELL
The North Caldwell Fire Department will make sure Santa makes a grand entrance on one of their trucks while also giving out candy canes. The North Caldwell Boy Scouts will serve hot chocolate and cider and live music will be provided from DJ Legendery. For a special treat this year, the Dapper Dans of Harmony barber Shop Quartet will entertain the guests with a salute to the troops. In addition, the North Caldwell Girl Scouts will be accepting new, unwrapped, toys for their annual toy drive. Gifts are needed for boys and girls ages 8-15 years old. Saturday, Dec. 20 12pm Throughout the day, the North Caldwell Fire Department will give Santa a tour of the borough while greeting the children who come out to wave. The department asks that anyone who has a child with special needs please call 973-228-6437. ROSELAND
The evening begins at 6:15pm with a performance from the Roseland Methodist Church Bell Choir. The bells will be followed with Christmas music until the 7pm tree lighting and the arrival of Santa Claus. Following the lighting, the borough hosts a reception with Santa which includes music and dance and refreshments. Tuesday, Dec. 16 6:15pm Borough Common 140 Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland On the first night of Chanukah, the mayor and council take part in a celebration for the Festival of Lights. Starting at 6:15pm, Rabbi Kasowitz will begin by blessing the Menorah, followed by the lighting at 6:30pm. Singing, dancing and a reception with refreshments will then take place inside the Borough Hall. Sunday, Dec. 21 3:30pm to 9pm Santa will be riding through the streets of Roseland on a Roseland Fire Engine, accompanied by a festive holiday truck, music, and lots of elves in turnout gear. Weather permitting, the parade will start on Laurel Avenue at 3:30pm and continue through the town, visiting every street. The parade completes on Passaic Avenue at approximately 9pm. Listen for the sirens and come out and wave! VERONA
Sunday, Dec. 14 10:30am and on The Verona Fire Department will make their way through all of the township streets with Santa on board; be sure to listen for the sirens to know when he's close by. WEST CALDWELL
Published 7:44pm  CALDWELL, NJ - The First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell will be hosting their annual Advent Arts and Crafts Festival this weekend at 326 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell. The free event will run from 2pm to 4:30pm on Sunday, Nov. 30. Attendees are asked to register in advance with the church and to bring an item which will be donated to the Caldwell Food Pantry. Following the crafting period, there will be a brief Advent devotional followed by a carol sing. The Advent Festival will be held in the church’s Fellowship Hall, located at the Westville Avenue side of the church complex; the hall is easily accessible by elevator. Advent Arts and Crafts Festival The festival will offer the opportunity for both families and individuals to prepare for Christmas with a warm and welcoming congregation. It marks the beginning of Advent, a period of readying for Christmas. Fifteen different craft stations will offer a variety of choices and all supplies will be provided at no cost. Although volunteer helpers will be on hand at each table, parents are encouraged to work with young children, as this is intended to be an opportunity to promote family togetherness. Older children, teenagers, and adults will find it easy to participate alone or with a friend. This year’s projects include:
The crafting sessions will end at 4pm and will be followed by a brief devotional time centering on the First Sunday of Advent, led by Senior Pastor Dr. Rick Sommers. The afternoon will conclude with a short carol sing led by church members Rey Mercado and Kris George. Registration Registration is necessary to ensure that enough materials can be ready for each craft. Please call the church office at 973-228-0310. Donation There is no cost to participate, but attendees are invited to contribute a staple item to be donated to the Caldwell emergency food pantry. “The Advent Festival is open to all in the community so that Further Information The First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell Senior Pastor Dr. Rick Sommers 326 Bloomfield Avenue Caldwell, NJ 07006 973 - 228 - 0310 The First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell is a place where people gather to know, love, and serve Christ in their daily lives. More than 850 members of all ages grow closer to God seven days a week through Bible study, fellowship, and support groups in this historic church.
Published 7:10pm  CALDWELL, NJ - Trinity Academy's fourth annual "5K Reindeer Run/Walk and Jingle Jam" will take place next weekend, Saturday, Dec. 6. The run travels through Caldwell, West Caldwell and North Caldwell while the Jingle Jam takes place at the school, located at 235 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell. Race participants must register and pay an entrance fee of $30; there is also a "Santa Shuffle" for ages3 to 7 which is free. All race proceeds benefit Trinity Academy. The combination Run/Walk will take place rain or shine, beginning at 9:30am, and at the same time, the Jingle Jam takes place in the school's gym and continues until 1:30pm. The Jingle Jam will include holiday festivities for the whole family. Donations of new pajamas and books, which will be given to the Pajama Project, will be accepted as well. 5K Reindeer Run/Walk The 5K route is 3.1 miles long and is a sanctioned USATF-NJ NB 500 Point Grand Prix Race. The race starts and ends at Trinity Academy and includes one water stop. Course marshals will monitor key turns and intersections along the course. Hot coffee and bagels will be provided for all runners.
Registration Online
Race Route The route is as follows:
 Essex Fells’ Kelly King commented, “We’re hoping everyone comes out Schedule of Events Friday, Dec. 5
5K Awards
"We’ll have a fun Winter Festival with activities and rides Jingle Jam The Jingle Jam will take place inside the school's gym during and following the race and will include holiday festivities for the whole family:
 Credit: Trinity HSA
Further Information Trinity Academy Reindeer Run Ava Reynolds 917-549-0511 Website Trinity Academy Principal: Mary N. Cassels 235 Bloomfield Avenue Caldwell, New Jersey 07006 973-226-3386 Website Facebook Page Trinity Academy is a highly regarded Pre-K through Grade 8 school, located in Caldwell. The school's primary mission is to provide students with a challenging academic environment in the Catholic tradition. The academy offers small class sizes, a full-day Kindergarten program, and a nurturing environment that allows every child to thrive. Students achieve honors, scholarships and acceptances to prestigious high schools, and consistently score above the national average on the annual standardized Terra Nova tests. |
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