Community Corner

Hanukkah and Thanksgiving, Miracles and Gratitude This Week

Your weekly planner for Jefferson Township includes holiday closing information, news of the latest Pushcart Players performance and music rehearsal dates.

Here's what you need to know for the week ahead.

  • "Doctor Who" fan? Did you take part in the Jefferson Township Library's Doctor Who Trivia Quiz last week, which gave Whovians the chance to show off their smarts in honor of the 50th anniversary of the British television cult favorite? If so, you'll want to know that the library is expected to announce the winner on Monday. Stop by the building at 1031 Weldon Road in Oak Ridge or call 973-208-6244.
  • The Jefferson Arts Committee's Community Band holds rehearsals Monday night. The practice session starts at 6:30 p.m. at Jefferson Township High School, 1010 Weldon Road.
  • The cream of the JTHS academic crop gets its due Tuesday. The high school hosts its 2013-14 National Honor Society Induction Ceremony takes place at 7 p.m. at the high school auditorium. A celebratory reception follows in the school's upper class cafeteria. Congratulations to the inductees; it's an honor that stays meaningful long after the ceremony's end.
  • Sing out, Louise: The Jefferson Arts Committee's Community Chorus holds rehearsals Tuesday night at Jefferson Township Middle School in the chorus and band rooms from 7:30-10 p.m. The school can be found at 1000 Weldon Road, Oak Ridge.
  • Wednesday at sundown marks the beginning of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights. We wish all who celebrate these eight nights light, hope, peace, love, blessings and miracles galore. Chanukah Sameach, ah Lichtige Chanukah. By the way, the official municipal menorah lighting takes place next week—Tuesday at 7 p.m. on the grounds of the Municipal Complex, 1033 Weldon Road.
  • In preparation for Thanksgiving Thursday, the Jefferson Township Public Library closes early Wednesday. Make sure you have your books checked out by 3 p.m., when the library is scheduled to shut its doors until Saturday.
  • Pushcart Players, New Jersey’s touring theater for young audiences, presents a timely offering Wednesday. For the start of Hanukkah and the day before Thanksgiving, enjoy a performance of “A Season of Miracles” at 9:30 a.m. at the Marian E. McKeown School, 1 School Road in Newton. The production is a multicultural collection of holiday tales that celebrate Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah and the miracles that live within us all. Stories within the musical include O. Henry’s "The Gift of the Magi," E.T.A. Hoffmann's "The Nutcracker," "The Kwanzaa Kite" and "The Chanuka Miracle."
  • Teen musicians, don't forget that you have a responsibility prior to your Thanksgiving break this week: Wednesday evening means rehearsals for members of the Jefferson Township High School Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble. The band practices at 6:30 p.m.; woodwind and brass players meet for rehearsal at 7:40 p.m.
  • Thursday, of course, is Thanksgiving Day for those who celebrate the long-ago supper between new European settlers and indigenous tribes that became a nationally recognized holiday in 1863. It is alternatively considered Genocide Day or Day of Mourning by many of those concerned what happened after the historic feast. Whichever occasion you observe, Patch wishes you a memorable day—we give thanks for our readers. Area children are likely giving thanks for the inevitable accompaniment of a national red letter day: Jefferson Township public schools will be closed for the holiday and the Friday that follows. The local library will be closed through Friday as well. 
  • After Thanksgiving comes Black Friday. Since the mass descent of humankind upon the malls, big box retailers and department stores started Thursday, we'll just say... the holiday shopping continues. (Don't forget to support local merchants, especially on Small Business Saturday!) We recommend wearing football pads and remembering that we are now in the season of peace and goodwill.
  • Serious (read: post-Thanksgiving) Christmas celebrating gets underway as December gets underway. On Sunday, enjoy Irish sounds of the season at The Wesley Stage. "Celtic Christmas & Irish Stew" features holiday music as performed by the popular David Rimelis and special guests. The concert takes place at the Milton United Methodist Church's performance space at 316 Dover-Milton Road in Oak Ridge. Recommended contributions for admission are $20 and up for adults and $15 or more for students and those over the age of 62. Children under 12 are allowed to attend for free. A light supper and a meet-and-greet with the artist follow the show. For tickets or more info, call 973-697-2120.














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