Announcements

June 7 – 12: Registration is now open for Isles' Forum - We're hosting a FREE week-long virtual forum on that explore community development and environmental challenges and solutions, including urban agriculture, lead safety, youth-violence prevention, healthy housing, and much more. Register today and see full session information at isles.org/forum

Vax and Visit With State Park’s Vax Pass - Beginning Thursday, May 27, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection will offer a free State Parks Vax Pass to all NJ residents who receive at least one dose of their COVID-19 vaccination by July 4, 2021. The State Parks Vax Pass, which will be of the same value as the Annual State Parks Pass, will allow free access to all of New Jersey’s 51 State parks and forest facilities that charge daily walk-in or parking fees, from Thursday, May 27 through December 31, 2021.

STEM TO STERN - Princeton National Rowing Association has teamed with the Hamilton and Capital Area YMCA's and Princeton University for a new program. STEM to Stern will allow students to learn the fundamentals of rowing while also being a part of a fun Lego based STEM curriculum. We are eager to get this off the ground in the Fall. If you know a student in the Trenton, Ewing, or Hamilton area that would be interested please have them reach out to abaer@rowpnra.org. Additionally, If you have any connections in these areas please also reach out to our Outreach Manager. More info HERE

Princeton Public Library & The Historical Society of Princeton Seek Pandemic Stories As Part of Oral History Project - One year into the pandemic, the collaborative oral history project, Voices of Princeton, is seeking to preserve community members’ pandemic stories. This collecting initiative is being led by the Princeton Public Library and the Historical Society of Princeton as part of the Voices of Princeton project. Community members can record a conversation with a family member, friend, or neighbor, or can record a monologue reflection. Comprehensive instructions, including technology tips and question prompts, are available in a pandemic oral history guideon the Voices of Princeton website. No oral history experience or special equipment is needed.

The Mercer County Office on Aging/Aging and Disability Resource Connection is the federally designated agency responsible for the assessment, development, and funding distribution of programs/services for those 60 years of age or older in Mercer County. To comply with the Older Americans Act of 1965, an annual survey to determine the needs of the aging community is to be done, and results are incorporated in the Area Plan Contract. The Office on Aging will complete this in two ways: by hosting a virtual public hearing and by using responses of its 20 Questions survey. Mercer County residents, older adults and caregivers are welcome to attend the virtual public hearing on June 30 at 10 a.m. by joining it here and respond to the 20 Questions survey by July 1 here. These tools will allow the Office on Aging to get a snapshot of the needs in the Mercer County aging community for its plan.

The Princeton University Art Museum is partnering with the Arts Council of Princeton to provide free weekly ( June 17 – July 22) online watercolor classes, taught by artist-instructor Barbara DiLorenzo over Zoom. With an emphasis on color mixing and brushwork, each week's lesson is inspired by a work in the Museum's collections. Details and free registration for each class in the six-week series here.

The Hopewell Valley Arts Council Seeks Artists, Artisans, and all Creatives to rise to the challenge of our newest community event — The Junkyard – an upcycle art exhibition. The Junkyard will be open to the public from Friday, July 23 to Sunday, July 25 at Woolsey Park in Titusville, NJ (Hopewell Township) and will feature artwork created by Team Challenge participants and established professional and eco-artists who will create art, musical instruments, sculptures and more from mostly... junk, of course! For more info visit FINAL JUNKYARD CALL FOR ARTISTS (hvartscouncil.org)

Volunteer Training with Good Grief
Be a champion for grieving kids! Becoming a peer support group facilitator at Good Grief is a unique, engaging, and transformative volunteer experience. Volunteer Facilitators make all the difference by creating a safe and caring environment where children, teens, young adults, and families can express themselves, care for each other, and rebuild their lives after the loss of a loved one. Upcoming Training Dates: July 23, 2021 through July 26, 2021
For more information or to register, please contact info@good-grief.org.

Save the Date

August 7, 2021 – Watershed Butterfly Festival

September 7, 2021 – Grand Re-Opening of The Hopewell Theater

September 20, 2021 – CASA Golf Outing

October 2, 2021 – Watershed Fest 2021

October 7, 2021 – Trenton Children’s Chorus One Voice Benefit

October 28 & 29, 2021 – NJ Conference for Women

Events – In Person & Virtual

School Open Houses

Summer Camp Open Houses

Major Non-Profit Fundraisers

6/3 - Delaware River Lecture Series, D&R Greenway Land Trust, 7pm., “Activism and Kayaking” presented by Tracy Carluccio of the Delaware Riverkeeper Network. She speaks about the history of river protection, including efforts to protect the river from pollution. Cie Stroud, a certified kayak instructor, shares kayaking techniques in preparation for kayaking on the Crosswicks Creek, at its confluence with the Delaware River. Register. Free. 609-924-4646. www.drgreenway.org.

6/5 – Trail Maintenance Day, Washington Crossing Park Nature Center, 9-11:30am., Volunteer to come out for the morning and undertake seasonal maintenance on park trails (Trimming, brushing, cleanup, invasive species removal, etc.). This event is being coordinated with the American Hiking Society's National Trails Day® event. Bring a pair of work gloves and any vegetation cutting tools you might have such as lopping shears, hand snips, bow saw, etc. We will have some tools onsite to lend. Advanced registration required. We will waive the park entrance fee for any volunteers. Free. Adults. Nature Center Phone : (609) 737-0609

6/5 – HiTOPS Princeton Community Pride Picnic, Princeton Family YMCA, 5-7pm., Celebrate Princeton’s LGBTQ+ community with music, art activities, and neighborhood nonprofits at this family-friendly event on June 5 from 5-7 pm at Princeton Family YMCA (rain date June 11). Families are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy on the lawn, and local food trucks and vendors will be there to add tasty treats to your dinner! Click here for more information

6/5 - Princeton Boychoir’s Spring Concert, Journey On, 7:00pm. This special concert will feature all three PBC choirs singing music they learned during online rehearsal this spring. Journey On will include a variety of music traditions and will share the boys’ journey of joy and hope through song, reflecting on this challenging time while also looking to brighter days ahead. There will be an encore performance on Sunday June 6th at 4:00pm. Both performances will be streamed on Westrick Music Academy’s YouTube channel. In lieu of tickets, there is a suggested donation of $10, but any amount is greatly appreciated. More Information: westrickmusic.org/upcoming

6/8 Blood Drive, Montgomery EMS, 12-7pm., Otto Kaufman Community Center, 356 Skillman Road, Skillman., As COVID-related restrictions on people's activities begin to be lifted and the summer season approaches, Vitalant urges new and existing donors to make time to give blood, platelets or plasma to be able to meet patient needs, both emergency and routine. The need for lifesaving blood transfusions remains steady year-round, and yet on average, donors give several thousand fewer donations during the summer months. To learn more and schedule an appointment to donate, please visit vitalant.org or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825). 

6/12 – Art on the Plaza, Princeton Artist Directory & Princeton Public Library, 11:30-2:30pm., The library will host the first exhibit by the Princeton Artist Directory (PAD), Saturday, June 12, on Hinds Plaza. ‘Princeton Artist Directory Presents Art on the Plaza’ will take place from 11:30 a.m. through 2:30 p.m. PAD is a newly formed collective of visual artists, musicians, writers and performance artists from the Princeton community. Rain date is June 13.

6/12 – Old Mill Hill Society Garden Tour, 12-5pm., Mill Hill, a historic neighborhood in Trenton, announces its 30th Annual Garden Tour. The tour is run and organized by the Old Mill Hill Society and the residents of the Mill Hill community. The neighborhood, composed primarily of 19th century row houses, welcomes guests in person to experience this memorable self-guided walking tour. Thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces combine nature and city living while adding residents’ own style. In past years hundreds of guests from throughout the region have attended. Guests can expect to tour approximately 15 gardens. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at trentonmillhill.org/events, where there is also information on parking and transit.

6/12 – Come and Whine, West Windsor Arts Center, 5-7pm., Join us for a wine tasting with snacks followed by a story slam with prizes. You can put your name in the hat for the chance to be one of the storytellers for the night, or just come and listen! Seven stories that relate to the theme of wine or whine will be told, and the audience will help select the winner based on the story itself and how it was told. Rain date: June 13. Price: $25 per person for WWA member, $30 per person for everyone else
Age: 21 and over only. Social distancing and facemasks required. secure.westwindsorarts.org/np/clients/westwindsorarts/eventRegistration.jsp?event=10397

6/13 - Images from the Human Journey: Stretto Youth Chamber Orchestra (LIVE), 3-4pm., Stretto will present three short works by members of the ensemble and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. This outdoor performance will take place in the lot of 300 Witherspoon Street (Homestead & Capital Health) and is free and open to the public. Presented by The Arts Council of Princeton.

6/18 - "Juneteenth - A Celebration of Freedom,"Outdoor Movie, 8:30pm, at Woolsey Park, Titusville NJ. Celebrate this day of freedom under the stars at Woolsey Park with a screening of "Juneteenth - A Celebration of Freedom," a 30-minute documentary produced by the Texas Institute for the Preservation of History and Culture. The film offers an insightful perspective about this significant day in American history. Following the film, learn more from representatives of the new Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum, hear about upcoming Juneteenth festivities in Trenton, and discover educational and advocacy resources available through our local libraries. Admission is free! Donations are appreciated. Bring your own folding chair or a blanket. Gate opens at 8:00pm. Woolsey Park ~ 221 Washington Crossing Pennington Road, Titusville, NJ. Please visit www.hvartscouncil.org for more.
Presented by the Hopewell Valley Arts Council in partnership with the Hopewell, Mercer County and Pennington Libraries

6/20 - Solstice Run, The Watershed Institute, 9am., Join us for our Solstice Run on June 20! This year we are offering in-person and virtual race options! Run or walk in our race on our beautiful trails or a path of your choice as you support The Watershed Institute and its mission to protect our environment and clean, safe, and healthy water.Our in-person run will have a choice of 5K and 10K distances, with chip timing, starting at 9 a.m. on June 20. We will have safe, staggered start times for runners. The virtual races will be 1 mile, 5K, 10K, and 15K distances and we have expanded the race dates. The Walk/Run will take place from Friday through Sunday (June 18-20). thewatershed.org/solstice-run/

6/20 – Cane Pole Fishing, Mercer County Parks, 1:30-3pm., Come out to the pond and use a basic fishing pole made from a bamboo shoot and rigged to catch bluegills. Any caught fish will be released but you get to take your cane pole home. Meet at Niederers Pond on Church and Brickyard Roads. Rain date: Sunday June 27, 1:30 p.m. Advanced registration required. Free. Nature Center Phone : (609) 737-0609

6/23 - Being LGBTQ+ in NJ: A History of a Community & GAAMC, Mercer County Library, 7pm., GAAMC (Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County), is the second oldest continually operating LGBTQ+ organization in the United States. Founded in 1972, the group continues to challenge new and existing discriminatory laws, while also providing support services and social activities to the LGBTQ+ community in NJ. Join us as GAAMC members provide a unique and informative program about New Jersey's LGBTQ+ history, as well as how the organization has evolved during it's (almost) 50 years of existence. Registration with an email is required, so we can send you a link to connect through GoToMeeting. You will receive the link approximately 24 hours before the program. CONTACT: Mercer County Library Staff hopeprogs@mcl.org

6/24 – Alex Otey Trio @Music in the Park, Lawrenceville Main Street, 6:00pm., Music in the Park 2021 promises to be the best yet! Come and enjoy the free concert series and great food from our local chefs. Music, drawings, community and of course... games and free fun for kids. All concerts start at 6:30pm with food and fun starting at 6! www.lawrencevillemainstreet.com/music-in-the-park

6/25 – The Four Seasons Tribute Concert, NJ Youth – After months of hard work, we are extremely excited to announce our production of TJB - A Tribute Concert to The Four Seasons. The show follows the soundtrack of the hit Broadway musical JERSEY BOYS and is performed, organized, and orchestrated by local NJ young adults. It is a spectacular display of passion and power of NJ youth and all proceeds of our production will be going to NAMI of Mercer County and the Washington Crossing Open Air Theater (our venue) to help repair their facilities. Additional performances - 6/26 @6pm and 6/27 @3pm. To purchase tickets, please visit tjbconcert.square.site/s/stories/buy-tickets-now

6/25 – Full Moon Bike Hike, (pre-teen-adult), 9pm.,Washington Crossing Park Nature Center. Take a guided night-time bicycle ride, by the light of the Strawberry Moon, up the Delaware & Raritan Canal Towpath toward the Lambertville wing dam (approx. 13 miles round trip). Meet at the Nelson House parking lot. Bring your own bike, bike light and helmet. Advanced registration required. Call the Nature Center for directions. Free. (609) 737-0609

6/27 - Gardening with Native Plants, Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve, 2-3:30pm., 57 Mountain Avenue, Princeton - Learn how to Select and care for Native Plants in Your Garden and Yard. Along with beautifying your property, native plants provide food and other crucial support services for native birds, butterflies, and bees — and they require less maintenance than many common garden plants. This outdoor workshop includes a presentation by Judith K. Robinson, along with a short walk to the Louise Sayen Meadow of Native Plants. Native plants will be available for sale, with a percentage of proceeds benefiting the Friends of Princeton Open Space. $5* • Register on Eventbrite ( gardening_with_native_plants_princeton.eventbrite.com )
*paid attendees receive a $5 gift card to Whole Earth, must attend to collect gift card

Client Promos

Terhune Orchards Winery - Summer just got a little happier! Every Friday evening, Saturday & Sunday in June, July and August, Terhune Orchards will present its weekly Sips & Sounds and Weekend music series. Come join us in our historic apple orchard for Terhune wine, light fare, relaxing music, and friend-filled evenings and afternoons. Each week there will be live performances ranging from blues, folk and rock. www.terhuneorchards.com/winery-events/

CKW Writing Academy is a year-round English Language Arts program designed to help students develop a love of language arts – teaching reading, grammar, vocabulary, journalism, and public speaking for students grades 2 - 12th. High school students also have the option of focusing on college prep, SAT, ACT, and high school curriculum support. www.citykidzworld.com/

CKW Open House Dates: Open House:
Friday, June 4 - 5 to 6 p.m.
Monday, June 7 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 8 – 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Wednesday, June 9 - 5 to 6 p.m.
Friday, June 11 – 5 to 6 p.m.