Events are subject to change or cancellation without prior notice.
Monday Nights in November
Open Hitting Clinics with Coach Adam Bonfiglio
at Hit & Run Sports Center
7-8 PM Ages 8-12
8-9PM Ages 13 and Up
Monday Nights in November
Open Hitting Clinics with Coach Adam Bonfiglio
at Hit & Run Sports Center
7-8 PM Ages 8-12
8-9PM Ages 13 and Up
Meeting, followed by refreshments and socialization. Doors open at noon. Monthly trips to Sands Casino. New members welcome.
Jefferson Township Free Rabies Clinic will be held on November 15, 2018 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Animal Control Facility located on Minnisink Road. Please be advised all dogs are to be brought to clinic tethered or leashed. This is a free clinic, dog licenses or proof of other vaccinations are not required. Clinic is open to all NJ residents.
For a night of live theater, venture no farther than Jefferson Township High School (1010 Weldon Road). Talented local students will perform the classic British comedy See How They Run on Friday, November 30, and Saturday, December 1.
The play, by Philip King, is a “madcap romp” through an English village in three acts. Showtime on both nights is 7 p.m.
Approximately 50 students are involved in the production. In addition to the onstage cast, students serve as stage crew, sound and lighting technical crews, ushers, and ticket handlers. The stage set was constructed through a collaboration of cast and crew members and more than a dozen devoted parent volunteers.
The cast is selected by auditions, which are open to the entire high school student body in grades 9-12. The play is directed by Mary Ann Cantwell, who has been involved with the theater program at JTHS for about 11 years.
Discounted tickets are available at $8 through November 29 – in person from any cast member or reserved by email (mcantwell@jefftwp.org) or phone (973-697-3535) for pickup at the “will call” window. Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $10.
The Jefferson Township Recreation Department is busy preparing festivities to usher in the holiday season. The annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony will take place on Friday, November 30, at 7 p.m. at the Jefferson Township gazebo (in the municipal complex, 1033 Weldon Road).
DJ Matt will play holiday music until the Jefferson Township Middle School Chorus, under the direction of Danielle Schreck, performs “Sweet Singing in the Choir” and leads a holiday sing-a-long. Soon after, the switch will be thrown to light up the township Christmas tree in the gazebo as well as all the trees in the municipal complex.
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Then the children will be gathered around township council president Debi Merz to hear a reading of the holiday classic The Night Before Christmas as they eagerly await the arrival of Santa Claus.
When the time is right, Santa will enter the complex on his sleigh via a decorated Jefferson Township Fire Company No. 1 truck. The man in the red suit will visit with the children and hand out candy canes. His sidekick, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, is expected to join him. Complimentary coffee and hot chocolate (provided by Casa Bianca Banquets and Catering) along with desserts (provided by the Recreation Department) will be available afterward in the municipal building lobby.
Attendees are asked to donate a non-perishable food item, paper product, household cleaning product, and/or toiletry item. Contributions will be given to the township’s three food pantries to help the needy in the community.
The tree lighting and Santa’s arrival in town will also usher in the Recreation Department’s “Visit with Santa” at Camp Jefferson on Saturday, December 1, from 10-3. For further information, visit www.jeffersontownship.net or Jefferson Township on Facebook, or call the Recreation Department at 973-663-8404 ext 4 or 5.
The Jefferson Arts Committee continues the holiday weekend with Christmas in the Village events on Saturday, December 1, and some additional events on Sunday. For more information, call 973-697-3828 or visit www.jeffersonarts.org, Jefferson Arts Committee on Facebook, www.TheJeffersonChronicle.com, or www.MyLakeNews.com.
The Milton First Aid Squad, in conjunction with Christmas in the Village, will host a pancake breakfast. Our young visitors with be greeted by Olaf and receive a present from him.
The 4th annual Jefferson Jingle will take place on Saturday morning, December 1, at Arthur Stanlick School (121 East Shawnee Trail, Lake Shawnee). Participants are invited to dress in holiday attire.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Jefferson Consolidated Parent-Teacher Association. The JCPTA supports Arthur Stanlick and Ellen T. Briggs elementary schools by funding a variety of activities and enrichment programs essential for young children.
Jefferson Jingle Run/Walk (5K) at 9:00 – family event with T-shirts and jingle bells given to registered participants while supplies last. Fee: $30 through November 18.
Tinsel Trot (1 mile) at 10:15 – race for children through age 12 following the Jefferson Jingle. Parents may accompany their children at no charge. Paying participants will receive a pair of jingle bells for their sneakers and holiday headgear while supplies last. Fee: $10 through November 18.
To register for either event, visit https://bit.ly/2SQSNCY. For more information, contact Christine Malloy at christine8malloy@gmail.com or visit Jefferson Jingle on Facebook.
The 13th annual Christmas in the Village event takes place on Saturday, December 1, from 10-4 in the historically designated Village of Milton (vicinity of Milton and Dover-Milton Roads). Admission is free unless otherwise noted, and parking is free at all venues. The event is sponsored and coordinated by the Jefferson Arts Committee.
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To start the day, the Milton First Aid Squad will host its annual hearty “Pancake and More” breakfast at the squad building (45 Milton Road). This year, it will also be “Breakfast with Olaf.” No reservations are necessary; admission fees will apply.
The Jefferson Township Historical Society will offer tours with costumed docents at the holiday-themed museum (315 Dover-Milton Road). Each room of the Chamberlain homestead, circa 1870, will be decorated around the holiday concept of “A Gingerbread Christmas.” Admission is free, and Miss Elizabeth’s Shoppe will be open for the purchase of antiques and unique gifts.
Music and Merchandise
St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church (153 Milton Road) will be the setting for live, free entertainment throughout the day: White Rock School Chorus, Arthur Stanlick School Chorus, No Strings A Cappella Group, and High School Madrigal Chorus. The Jefferson Township Community Chorus, under the direction of James Wynne, will perform its annual holiday concert in the same venue; freewill offerings are welcome. The church kitchen will sell soup, sandwiches, and refreshments. Merchandise and craft vendors will offer their merchandise, including decorated fresh Christmas wreaths from the High School Band Parents.
Milton United Methodist Church (316 Dover-Milton Road, corner of Dover-Milton and Schoolhouse Roads) will host live, free entertainment in the sanctuary: the church’s own Handbell Choir, White Rock School Band, Arthur Stanlick School Band, High School Band, and Middle School Band. In addition, the Jefferson Township Community Band, under the direction of Peter Tummillo, Jr., will perform its annual holiday concert; freewill offerings are welcome. Cookies and cocoa will be sold by the church in Headley Hall. The annual gingerbread house contest, sponsored by the Jefferson Arts Committee, will also be sited in the church.
And There’s More …
The hall at Jefferson Township Fire Company No. 1 (162 Milton Road) will be transformed into The Village Marketplace with 18 high-quality arts, crafts, and merchandise vendors – admission is free. Members of the Ladies Auxiliary will sell chili, hot dogs, chicken fingers, donuts, and other refreshments. Oak Ridge Martial Arts will present a demonstration and the Jefferson Girl Scouts will lead a holiday sing-along. Other entertainment will be announced soon.
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American Legion Post 423 will offer live Christmas trees in its parking lot (28 Legion Road). The post is just a short walk or drive down the street.
The Jefferson Community Players, directed by Jean Simonson, will offer a free performance of the romantic radio play I’ll Be Seeing You in the Senior Center (54 Schoolhouse Road). The play is based on a 1940s film featuring Joseph Cotten as a soldier on leave who meets a prisoner out for Christmas furlough, played by Ginger Rogers.
Travel outside the Village proper to Camp Jefferson (81 Weldon Road) for the Recreation Department’s “Visit with Santa” event.
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And on Sunday …
Village festivities will continue into Sunday, December 2. The Jefferson Township Museum and Miss Elizabeth’s Shoppe will re-open on Sunday afternoon with tours of the historical home. The Jefferson Community Players will offer a free encore matinee of I’ll Be Seeing You at the Senior Center (54 Schoolhouse Road).
All are invited to the gazebo at the municipal complex (1033 Weldon Road), where Jefferson Township Connect will hold its “Light a Luminary for Remembrance” for those affected by suicide and loved ones lost.
Watch for performance schedules, updates, and announcements in local newspapers and online at www.jeffersonarts.org, www.thejeffersonchronicle.com, and www.mylakenews.com.
As details unfold, an entertainment time schedule (subject to change) will be available at www.jeffersonarts.org in the Press Releases section. Printed schedules will also be available in display racks at the municipal building, library, and Recreation Office at Camp Jefferson. For other information and or inquiries, email artscommittee@jeffersonarts.org or call 973-697-3828.
It will soon be the time when children everywhere anxiously await the arrival of Santa Claus, and the Jefferson Township Recreation Department will help fulfill those dreams even before December 25.
Gather up those eager children to join Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Rudolph on Saturday, December 1, at the Community Lodge at Camp Jefferson (81 Weldon Road). Santa will visit with the children from 10:00-3:00, handing out candy canes and good wishes. (Note that Santa and Mrs. Claus will take a lunch break from 12:30-1:00.)
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In addition to Santa, an ice sculpture artist will be on site from 11:00-1:00 creating a unique work of art in ice. There will be holiday music, children’s coloring pages, opportunities to write letters to Santa at the North Pole, and small gifts for the children from Santa. Everyone is invited to join in the excitement. Bring cameras, smart phones, and other electronic devices to catch those memorable shots of a child on Santa’s lap.
A beverage and food area will be hosted by the Jefferson Township Middle School Student Council and Red Cross Club, with items available for a nominal fee. The students will also conduct a bake sale to benefit Toys for Tweens.
Stop by the North Pole Cinema at the Camp Jefferson Theater, hosted by Art Bonito of Jefferson Highlights, for some holiday movies. The Train Station at Camp Jefferson will be open to view the beautiful train displays constructed by the BD&W Railroad Club.
Everyone is asked to make a donation to the Jefferson Township food pantries. Suggestions include non-perishable food items, paper products, household cleaning products, and toiletries to restock the township’s three food centers.
For more information on this event, call the Recreation Department at 973-663-8404 extension 4 or 5 or visit www.jeffersontownship.net (Departments – Recreation – Special Events).
Also on Saturday, December 1, the Jefferson Arts Committee will celebrate the season at its annual Christmas in the Village. Enjoy live entertainment, other events, refreshments, and items for sale in historic Milton Village: Jefferson Township Museum, Fire Company No. 1’s firehouse, St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, Milton First Aid Squad, American Legion Post #423, and Milton United Methodist Church. Information can be found by visiting www.jeffersonarts.org or Jefferson Arts Committee on Facebook, or by calling 973-697-3828.
