The Connections Bridgewater-Somerville Edition Apr/May 2025

COMMUNITY CALENDAR April • May 2025

clubs to live cooking classes, our offerings are completely FREE & open to the public. For more information, please visit somersetcounty4h@co.somerset.nj.us. SAFE + SOUND SOMERSET Helps survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence with compassionate, trained professional help. Assistance is offered 24 hours a day – 7 days a week – 365 days a year at 866 685-1122. Our Helpline is the gateway to survivor-centered services that provide safety, hope and healing from the trauma of abuse and violence. SOMERSET COUNTY SENIOR WELLNESS CENTER Senior Wellness Center at Bridgewater 876 E. Main Street Bridgewater, NJ 08807 Somerset County-operated senior wellness centers offer a nutritionally-balanced lunch (4 choices) for a suggested donation of $2.50 for anyone age 60 & above. Multi-purpose facilities offer a variety of activities, incl. educational programs, health & wellness info. & a stimulating social setting. Mon.-Fri., 9am-4pm for a variety of academic, health, & wellness oppor tunities. Programs are FREE for registered members unless indicated otherwise. The Somerset County Office for Aging & Disability Services operates county-operated senior wellness centers and seniors can reach out for help at 1-888-747-1122. SPEECH MEISTERS TOASTMASTERS CLUB Worldwide non-profit organization which helps develop public speaking, presentation & leadership skills. Meetings held every Wednesday at noon, Somerset Hills Lutheran Church, 350 Lake Road, Basking Ridge. For information, call Ken Schaefer at 732-356-6148. WOMEN WHO WRITE, INC. Regional women writers’ organization & nonprofit corporation with writing groups that meet throughout New Jersey. Its goal is to assist women writers in every phase of the writing process– with critique groups, workshops, & discus sions. To become a member or see upcoming events, visit womenwhowrite.org/membership. ZUFALL HEALTH CENTER

kateg@jewishfamilysvc.org. Social Club for Young Adults with Autism or Developmental Challenges : Group meets weekly, alternating between virtual & in person. Call x107 or email kateg@jewishfamilysvc.org. Parent Support Group : Peer Support for parents with a special needs child. An opportunity to come together with other parents who share similar experiences of parenting. Led by a licensed clinical social worker with experience working with families of special needs children. Group will meet to learn, share & explore the issues most important to participants. Call for more info or email admin@JewishFamilySvc.org. LITERACY VOLUNTEERS OF SOMERSET COUNTY (LVSC) 120 Finderne Avenue, Box 7 Bridgewater, NJ 08807 Become an ESL Tutor – Teach English to Adults Can you read, write & speak English? Do you like meeting people from different cultures? You can be an ESL tutor. It’s easy! 1. Attend an information session-on Zoom. 2. Attend our 4-week training workshop-no experience required. 3. Meet with your student weekly: remotely, in-person, or both. 4. Teach your student every day English skills. You don’t have to be a teacher to become a tutor. Literacy Volunteers of Somerset County (LVSC) holds Tutor Information Sessions on Zoom. To learn more, visit literacysomerset.org or Basking Ridge & surrounding communities. Women & men, singles & couples are welcome. We invite you to make new friends & partic ipate in a variety of activities including wine tastings, day trips, lunch & dinner dining groups, pickleball, book discussions, crafts, bridge/ canasta/mah jongg & much more. Find out more at NNSHClub.org & facebook.com/Newcomers.and.Neighbors.SomersetHillsNJ. More information about our club & activities, please contact Carol at nnshmembership@gmail.com. NOT IN THE FACE KICKBALL LEAGUE call the LVSC office at (908) 725-5430. NEWCOMERS AND NEIGHBORS OF SOMERSET HILLS (NNSH) Non-profit, social organization open to residents in Bridgewater, Bedminster, Bernardsville, Meeting Time and Dates: 2nd & 4th Wednesday of the month from 6:30pm-8:30pm. We offer HYBRID meetings (the in-per son meetings offer a virtual aspect.) RETIRED REGISTERED NURSES GROUP A social & educational monthly meeting for retired Registered Nurses. Meetings are held the second Tuesday of the month at the Somerset County Library, Vogt Drive, Bridgewater from 10:15am-12pm. Date & location may change due to availabili ty. June & Dec., a potluck luncheon is at another location. No meetings are held in July & August. For more information email karwhit46@gmail.com. RUTGERS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OF SOMERSET COUNTY 310 Milltown Road Bridgewater, NJ; 908-526-6295 The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Somerset County has a wide variety of in-person events, classes & programs for all ages. From virtual youth-based Recreational kickball league for women over 40. Once a week, 6-8pm, Martinsville, NJ. For more information email: NITFKickball@gmail.com. PIECED TOGETHER QUILTERS www.piecedtogetherquilters.org Meetings now at Coddington Hall, located behind Mt. Horeb Methodist Church in Warren, 42 Liberty Corner Rd.

children can enjoy Playdate at the Library, featuring open playtime with toys and activities in the Storywell, or participate in On the Road Playtime, where kids can explore toys like cars and trucks with fun props. Preschool Storytime encourages early literacy through books, songs, and activities, and Little Blue Truck Storytime invites kids to bring their own trucks for a themed storytime experience. School-aged children: The Kindergarten Crew allows kids to express their creativity with hands-on activities. Flower Creations offers a chance to craft floral designs, while Chess Challenge provides an opportunity for informal chess play with peers. Paint and Plant encourages kids to decorate a pot, plant a seed, and learn about growth, and Lego® Club lets young builders showcase their creativity. Read to a Therapy Dog helps children practice their reading skills in a comforting setting with a certified therapy dog. Families: Unwind at the end of the day with Family Storytime, a program full of stories, songs, and movement. Those interested in art can participate in the Animal Art Class, which combines live animal encounters with a hands-on art project. Tweens and teens : Check out opportunities to get involved through Teen Volunteer Night, where they can make a difference at the library. Volun teer opportunities also include assisting with Chess Challenge, Lego Club, and Storytime Program Assistant roles. The Tween Library Club provides a casual monthly meet-up for books, games, crafts, and food. Adults: The Popular Fiction Book Discussion features monthly selec tions, while the Disabilities Social Hour provides a welcoming space for adults with cognitive or developmental disabilities. Bingo offers a fun social experience with prizes, and the English Conversation Group supports intermediate English learners. Creative programs include Poetry Month Paint and Snack, Spring Origami, and Drop-in Scrapbooking. The Plant Help Desk connects visitors with a Rutgers Master Gardener for plant-related advice, while Understanding Dementia offers insights into Alzheimer’s disease. Music lovers: Attend Friday Night Concerts featuring talented musicians, such as pianist Margaret Wacyk and guitarist Hiroya Tsuka moto. Other programs include the Fantasy Book Discussion, Mysteries at Midday Book Discussion, and Intro to Native Plant Gardening, where Jason Goldman shares expertise on gardening with native plants. The Benefits of Art for Mental Health explores creative tools to enhance well-being through artistic expression. With a diverse range of programs for all ages, the library pro vides a welcoming space for learning, creativity, and communi ty engagement. For additional assistance, call (908) 845-8400. To discover all SCLSNJ has to offer, visit SCLSNJ.org or connect with SCL SNJ on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), or YouTube. SCLSNJ

71 Fourth St., Somerville, NJ 08876, 908-526-2335 Non-profit provider of medical, “Linked” Online

dental, behavioral health & educational services. Visit zufallhealth.org for more info or call for an appointment. Se Habla Espanol.

LIBRARIES

SCLSNJ BRIDGEWATER/ SOMERVILLE LIBRARY BRANCHES Bridgewater Branch: 1 Vogt Drive, Bridgewater, NJ 08844, 908-458-8415, sclsnj.org Somerville Branch: 35 West End Avenue, Somerville, NJ 08876 908-458-8445, sclsnj.org SCLSNJ’s Programs

For a complete list of programs &/or to register, visit SCLSNJ.org and on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube. The programs will be hosted virtually & are available to all branches. Most programs request registration. Preschoolers: Toddler Storytime introduces little ones to the joy of stories through songs, activities, and short tales, while Baby Storytime provides an interactive experience with rhymes, movement, and songs to stimulate early learning. Families with young

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