Morris County Town Briefs
FLORHAM PARK
The Florham Park Democratic Committee invites the public to “Meet Our Candidates for U.S. 11th Congressional District” at 7 p.m. on Thursday, at the Florham Park Library, located at 107 Ridgedale Ave.
The two Florham Park Borough Council candidates, Peter Nicolas and John Upton, plus two Morris County candidates, Matt Davis for freeholder and George Tannous for surrogate and Mark Dunec, for the 11th Congressional District, will be there.
MADISON
Grace Church will host a performance by LYRA, the Russian Vocal Ensemble of St. Petersburg, a quartet currently touring the United States, at 7:30 p.m. today at Grace Church, located at 4 Madison Ave. at Kings Road in Madison.
Admission is by donation at the door.
LYRA is a community of professional musicians. Most members are students or postgraduates of St. Petersburg Conservatoire, working in different choirs of St. Petersburg. Though the members represent different musical professions: choir conductors, opera singers, instrumentalists, music teachers - they are all united by love for choir and ensemble singing. The choir community LYRA includes about 25 people who usually tour in small groups of soloists consisting of 4-6 people.
The main goal of LYRA is exploring and popularizing Russian choir music. Please come and enjoy this rare international opportunity right here in Madison.
For more information, call 201-274-4617.
HANOVER
Community Hope will host its “Sparkle of Hope” Annual Dinner Auction on Thursday, at the Birchwood Manor, located at 111 N. Jefferson Road in Whippany. A cocktail reception begins at 6 p.m.
The annual charity event benefits Community Hope as the leading nonprofit organization in New Jersey serving homeless veterans and veteran families. The gala also supports Community Hope’s residential programs and support services for individuals in recovery from mental illness.
This will be Community Hope’s largest gala in the 18 years since pharmaceutical leader Fred Hassan, then-Chief Executive Officer of Pharmacia & Upjohn, founded the gala to ensure sufficient community-based services to coincide with the pharmaceutical advancements in mental health treatment.
This year’s honorees are Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno as the evening’s “special honoree” for her role in preserving New Jersey as the country’s medicine chest, where advances in mental health treatment continue.
Brenton L. Saunders will receive the Sparkle of Hope Award for his contributions to the pharmaceutical industry’s advancements in mental health treatments and his philanthropic commitment to the community, including his role on the Sparkle of Hope Gala Committee for the past several years.
Aaron Graff will be recognized with the Hero’s Award for his dedication to both the pharmaceutical industry and for working closely with New Jersey state officials to hire returning veterans as Ferring expands its U.S. presence with a new manufacturing and office site in Morris County.
To purchase tables at the Sparkle of Hope Dinner Auction, visit the events section of Community Hope’s website or call the Development Office at 973-463-9600, ext. 308.
For more information, visit www.communityhope-nj.org.
FLORHAM PARK
Preschool Advantage will hold its 11th Annual Turning Leaves Gala at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Wyndham Hamilton Park Hotel, located at 175 Park Ave.
The fundraiser enables Preschool Advantage to open more doors for young children to receive positive learning exposure and a brighter future.
This year’s celebration will honor W. Steven Barnett, Director of the National Institute for Early Education Research at Rutgers University, for his outstanding work in the field of economics of early education, including the long-term effects of preschool programs on children’s learning and development.
Morris Plains Cooperative Play School and its director, Betsey McKeever, will also be honored.
To register for the event and for sponsorship opportunities, visit at www.preschooladvantage.org.
For more information, email development@preschooladvantage.org or call 973-532-2501.
MORRISTOWN
Mennen Sports Arena will host “Friday Night Skate with DJ Earl” from 8-10 p.m. on Friday to skate the night away.
DJ Earl will be playing the newest hits and some of your favorite throw-backs under the psychedelic lights. Cost is $7 for admission and $3.50 for ice skate rentals.
Mennen Sports Arena has three ice surfaces and offers one of the largest Learn-To-Skate programs in the nation, taught by former Olympians. Hockey and figure skating clinics, and summer camps are offered annually, along with public skate sessions throughout the year.
For more information call 973-326-7651.
KINNELON A benefit motorcycle run to raise funds for a Lincoln Park child with a life-threatening illness will begin 11 a.m. Sunday at Garden State Harley-Davidson, 1149 Route 23.Family friends have organized the event to help pay for medical costs incurred by the family of 12-year-old Dana Morris, who was born with Williams Syndrome, severed heart defects and failing lungs and in recent weeks has been placed on life-support.Sign-in begins at 11 a.m. for the fun ride, which will roll through Sussex County before returning to the dealership for a celebration barbecue. Cost is $20 per bike, even if two people ride. For more information, contact Byrne Sciortino of the Garden State Harley Owner’s Group at 973-856-5578, or visit the Facebook event page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ride-For-Dana-Benefit-Motorcycle-Run-BBQ/591389464323306.
HOPATCONG
St Jude’s Parish Center, 40 Maxim Drive, will hold a Christmas Craft Fair on Nov. 15, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. featuring rock carvings, scrollsaw works, Mary Kay products, wood items, gift baskets, candles and decorations among other things.
MONTVILLE
The Kiwanis Club has announced a township-wide holiday turkey drive for their food pantry, which has been in operation for more than four years.
Starting Monday, donations of frozen turkeys and/or turkey breasts can be dropped off at Stonybrook Realty, 630 Main Road, Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
RANDOLPH
The Parks and Recreation department has scheduled a Senior Holiday Dinner for Dec. 9, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Community Center.
The cost is $5 per person and limited seating. Food will be catered by Mario's Famous Pizza. Stop by the Community Center to make a reservation.
Additional questions, call 973-989-7084.
MADISON
ThePolicemen’s Benevolent Association Local 92 is sponsoring a Thanksgiving food drive.
Up until Nov. 1, residents may drop off non-perishable food donations at the Madison Police Department on Kings Road, where a portable storage unit has been set up to receive the donations. Shoppers of Whole Foods Market may also purchase items and drop them in a box set up at the store. In addition to residents donating, the Madison P.B.A. and Whole Foods Market will be making substantial donations of food towards the effort.
The food will be delivered to the Interfaith Food Pantry (IFP) in Morris Plains, where it will be sorted, packed and distributed throughout the month of November to Morris County households. According to Pantry officials, they expect to distribute 1,600 plus complete Thanksgiving meals.
Items being sought include instant potatoes, stuffing, roll mix, turkey gravy, canned fruits and vegetables, brownie mix or cake mix and icing, Parmalat or powdered milk, coffee and tea, jello or pudding, salad dressings, condiments such as pickles and olives. Everyday items are also needed such as regular, hearty and low-salt soups, pasta and cereal.
For more information, visit the Madison PBA Local 92 Facebook page at: facebook.com/MadisonNJPBA92. For more information about the Interfaith Food Pantry, visit their website at: www.mcifp.org.
ROCKAWAY
Coming Home Rescue will hold a Halloween Parade at Parks Lake on Mount Hope Road from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday.
A dog constume parade will begin at noon at the Gazebo and the parade route is less than a mile on a paved walking path, according to a press release from Coming Home, which said that registration is $5 and there will be prizes for best costumes. A photographer will take pet photos for $8.
All proceeds will benefit Coming Home Rescue, which is an non profit organization that helps homeless animals in shelters throughout the state.
MORRIS COUNTY
The Daily Record is looking for the best decorated Halloween house in Morris County.
Have you gone crazy with your decorations?
Do people stop and stare?
We want to know.
Please send a photo to Ruse on the Loose columnist Leslie Ruse at lruse@njpressmedia.com.