Community Bulletin Board
FHS Hall of Fame will induct new members

The Freehold High School Hall of Fame has announced the honorees who will be recognized at the induction ceremony at 6 p.m. March 29 at Freehold Gardens, Freehold Township.

The outstanding alumni are: opera singer Juanita Baskerville, class of 1947; actor/singer David Garrison, class of 1970; computer architect/designer/developer Brian Hou, class of 1984; journalist Richard J.H. Johnston, class of 1934; artist Jim Gary, class of 1961; businessmen Joseph Laird, class of 1920, and John Evans Laird, class of 1922; businessman Joseph Saker, class of 1956; and journalist/author Keith Brown, class of 1978.

Also to be honored at the ceremony are inductees into the Quarter Century Club, staff members who have worked 25 or more years at Freehold High School. This year's honorees are Joseph Reilly, Jack DeValue, Margaret Farrell, Joyce Bowen, Ronald Bright, Sylvia Holmes, Jack Kuhnert, Cal Dean Wilson, Pearle Button, Hattie Tyler, Peggy Mackevich, Carol Lifland and Richard Lyster.

Tickets to the dinner ceremony are $35 per person and are available by contacting Susan Shrott, FHS Hall of Fame Committee chair, at Freehold High School, 2 Robertsville Road, Freehold 07728, or by calling the school at (732) 431-8360.

The deadline for purchasing a ticket to the event is March 16. Anyone interested may place an ad in the program brochure; prices for ads and deadline information are available by contacting Susan Shrott.

New program introduces children to music

Here's the chance to awaken your child's interest in music with an introduction to rhythm, tempo, pitch and other musical dynamics. The Monmouth County Park System invites parents and their youngsters age 2-4 to "Let's Explore Music," a fun-filled educational program featuring both voice and instruments.

This new music program will meet once a week for six, 45-minute sessions during February and March (depending on the session) at the following park system locations:

+ Dorbrook Activity Center, Route 537, Colts Neck

+ Henry Hudson Trail Activity Center, Route 36, Leonardo

+ Manasquan Reservoir Visitor Center, Windeler Road, Howell.

Morning and afternoon sessions are available; the cost is $90 per parent/child pair (sibling rate available). Visit www.monmouthcountyparks.com or pick up a copy of "The Directory," Winter 2007, available at most park system locations for a complete schedule of dates and times. For more information or to register, call (732) 842-4000. The TDD/TTY number is 711 for people with hearing or speech impairment.

Optimist club offers

support for school trip

During a recent meeting of the Howell Board of Education, members of the Howell Optimist Club presented the board with a donation of $4,000 to be used toward the eighth-grade trips to the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial in Holmdel.

"Our Optimist Club's number-one priority is helping the children of this community," said club President Chris Estevez. "Raising the funds to help with events and programs such as this are essential as part of our commitment to the children of Howell. With this donation, we have given these kids an opportunity to expand their horizons and learn hands-on about a very important piece of American history."

According to Estevez, the money was raised through a number of club fund-raisers held throughout the year.

School board President Mary Cer-retani said, "On behalf of the board, I would like to thank the Optimist Club for its extremely generous donation, which will enable the students to attend this very worthwhile trip. The time and dedication that the members of the Optimist Club devote to the children of Howell is greatly appreciated."

Psychologist to discuss

special needs teenagers

The Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) will hold a workshop on "The Dually Challenged Transitional Age Teenager" at the Marlboro High School media center on Feb. 7 at 7 p.m.

Lucille Esralew, program director for Trinitas Hospital's statewide clinical consultation and training, will review the unique challenges faced by special needs teenagers with mental health and behavioral problems as they approach high school graduation.

Esralew, a licensed psychologist specializing in mental health evaluation and therapeutic service delivery to developmentally disabled individuals, will also discuss professional services available for persons with dual diagnosis. Freehold Regional High School District school psychologists will provide an overview of in-district support programs and services.

For more information call (732) 786-1208.

Sunrise Optimists will

sell soups and chili

The Sunrise Optimist Club of Free-hold will once again be hosting its popular Souper Bowl Sunday fundraiser, selling quarts of chili and soups to the public.

According to event organizer Carmen Rizello, "Last year we sold between 200 and 250 quarts. In addition to the event being a successful fundraiser it is also a fun day for the volunteers. One hundred percent of the proceeds are donated to the kids in our area. All the money goes into our youth activity fund that supports activities in towns throughout western Monmouth County."

This year's Souper Bowl Sunday is being held on Feb. 4 at Huddy's at the Day's Inn, 4089 Route 9 North, Freehold Township from 2:30-5:30 p.m. (before kickoff of the Super Bowl). Each quart of chili and soup will be sold for $5.

Marlboro First Aid

Squad names officers

The Marlboro First Aid Squad has named its officers for 2007. The officers are Phil Kramer, president, Scott Present, vice president, Amita Bhatia, secretary, Al DeVincentis, treasurer, Jason Kaye, trustee, and Peter Dolce, trustee. The line officers are Capt. Brad Greenberg, 1st Lt. Andrew Greenberg, 2nd Lt. Herb Steinberg and Sgt. Bob Cembor.

Rotary Club will host

bash on Super Sunday

The Rotary Club of Freehold will host its first Super Bowl Extravagana on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 4, at the Court Jester, 16 E. Main St., Freehold, from 5 p.m. until one hour after the game. There will be appetizers, a gourmet buffet at halftime, drinks and door prizes. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Semper Fi Fund for wounded combat Marines and their families. Tickets are $50 and are available from any Freehold Rotarian or by calling club President Michael L. Detzky at (732) 780-3090.

Women's American ORT

plans two spring trips

Women's American Organization for Educational Resources Through Training (ORT) is planning two spring trips.

A trip scheduled for April 19 will begin with lunch at the Grapevine Restaurant and Lounge in Tuckerton, followed by a night of entertainment at Atlantic City casinos. The trip cost is $48 and is due by Feb. 13.

The second trip, scheduled for June 10, is a trip to Cape Cod, Mass., and the Islands for five days, and four nights, which includes breakfast and dinner each morning and every evening.

The return trip includes a stop at the Mohegan Sun casino in Connecticut. The trip cost is $540, double occupancy (single occupancy, additional $95). A deposit of $220 is due by March 26.

All are welcome to participate. For reservations and more information, call Rita at (732) 536-9304.

Generation Connection

seeks new volunteers

The Generation Connection invites all interested senior citizens to join its program as volunteers in the Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District. If you enjoy listening to and talking with children, this intergenerational program may be for you. Whether reading and writing with students in kindergarten through third grade or playing chess, collecting stamps and knitting with older students, there is a place for seniors. Donations of old stamps, yarn, knitting needles, crocheting needles or any other items can also be put to good use. For more information call Stephanie Cayne-Meiskin at (732) 786-2800 or e-mail SCayne@mers.k12.nj.us.

Join park system's trail

maintenance corps

Volunteers interested in helping to preserve the 100-plus miles of trails within the Monmouth County Park System are invited to become part of the park system's trail maintenance corps.

New volunteers are required to attend a training session prior to participating in trail workdays.

The next trail maintenance training session will be held Feb. 25 from 1-3 p.m. at the Dorbrook Recreation Area Visitor Center, Route 537, Colts Neck.

There is no fee to attend this session, however, registration is required. Contact Susan Walsh at (732) 842-4000, ext. 4283 or send an e-mail to volunteer@monmouthcounty-parks.com.

For more detailed directions to Dorbrook Recreation Area or to learn more about park system volunteer opportunities, visit the Internet Web site www.monmouthcountyparks.com.

Tickets available for

dinner and gift auction

St. Rose of Lima School PTA is selling tickets for its upcoming dinner and gift auction. "The Garden of Gifts Dinner and Gift Auction" will be held March 30 from 7-11 p.m. at the Battleground Country Club, Manalapan. The theme of the event is "Passport to the World." A preview of the internationally themed basket selections begins at 6 p.m. For tickets call Janine at (732) 761-0276.

Township Council seeks volunteers for 2007

The Howell Township Council is seeking interested citizens to volunteer and serve on the Ordinance Review Commit-tee and the Finance Review Committee for the year 2007.

Applications may be found at the Howell Township Internet Web site, www.twp.howell.nj.us by clicking on "Clerk's Department." Applications will also be available in the township clerk's office, 251 Preventorium Road, Howell. For more information call town hall at (732) 938-4500.

Those interested in serving on either the Ordinance Review Committee or the Finance Review Committee should forward an application by Feb. 6, to the attention of Bruce Davis, Howell Township Clerk, P.O. Box 580, Howell 07731.

Volunteer Center seeks

full-time volunteer

The Volunteer Center of Monmouth County is looking for a full-time volunteer to meet with corporate leaders and youth to engage them in taking a more active role in volunteering. This is a one-year position. There is a small salary and health care is included. A college degree is preferred. For more information, call Arlene at (732) 728-1927 or send an e-mail to asaltz@fcsmonmouth.org.

Monmouth arts council

hosts annual meeting

The Monmouth County Arts Council (MCAC) invites all Monmouth County arts organizations, artists, arts-related businesses and anyone interested in the local arts community to attend the annual meeting Jan. 31 at the Monmouth Museum, Lincroft, from 7-9 p.m.

The annual meeting is an opportunity for new members (organizations, businesses and individuals) as well as those interested in becoming members to see MCAC in action. The evening includes performances by local artists, refreshments and the opportunity to network with a variety of arts organizations and artists. MCAC staff will highlight the accomplishments of the past year and give an overview of arts council's plans for 2007.

Member groups should send a representative to the meeting, as the evening culminates with their votes on the slate for the 2007 MCAC board of trustees who will serve three-year terms.

Andrea Morganello is a new nominee while the returning nominees are Ken Bianchino, Joni Charles, Tracy Challenger Cole, Jennifer Collins, Greta Ellis, George Feldman, Peter J. Lyden III and Lynn Reich.

For more information, visit the MCAC Internet Web site at www.monmouthartscouncil.org or call (732) 212-1890.

The Monmouth County Arts Council is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the cultural life of the county by providing resources to support, inspire and foster the growth and development of the arts.