Jefferson Lights the Menorah, Planetarium Features 'Star of Bethlehem'

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

• Start off the week doing good for others. You have a chance Tuesday at Jefferson Township High School, which offers a Blood Drive from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in the high school auditorium. Go, do some good.
• The Jefferson Arts Committee Community Band gathers for practice Monday night. The rehearsals start at 6:30 p.m. and will be held in the Jefferson Township High School band room.
  
• The JTHS Athletic Boosters meet for their monthly gathering Monday. The meeting takes place in the school cafeteria at 6:30 p.m.
• et's give a cheer to JTHS' best and brightest. Those kids get their due at Tuesday's National Honor Society Induction. The reception and ceremony kick off at the high school auditorium at 7 p.m. The high school is at 1010 Weldon Road.
• Jefferson Township gathers Tuesday to mark the eighth night of Hanukkah with an official Municipal Menorah Lighting. The event will begin at 7 p.m. on the grounds of the Municipal Complex at 1033 Weldon Road in Lake Hopatcong. And this will be fun: There will be holiday music, a special Hanukkah reading, guest speakers, and traditional holiday foods and refreshments—including yummy jelly doughnuts—to follow in the Municipal Building’s lobby. You don't have to be Jewish to appreciate the wonder of miracles and the historic victory of the Maccabees over oppression. Come in joy, sing and dance and stay for the chocolate gelt. Attendees are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items or toiletries along for Jefferson Township efforts to help the poor. For more info, call the Recreation Department at 973-663-8404.
• The Lenape Valley Regional High School Planetarium will open its doors to the public for a special holiday program, “The Star of Bethlehem.” The show runs Tuesday through Thursday and is intended for the whole family. The presentation deals with determining just what the object in the sky on the morning of the first Christmas could have been by exploring a fascinating mixture of historical and biblical information. Travel back in time to walk along with the Wise Men in their search for the birthplace of the newborn baby. Show times are 6:30p.m. and 7:30 p.m. each night, with a special 4 p.m. matinee on Thursday. Tickets are $5 per adult, $3 per student and $2 for those over 60. Reservations are strongly suggested: Send email to jscala@lvhs.org or call 973-347-7600 ext 165. The school is located at 28 Sparta Road in Stanhope.
• Come enjoy an Olde English Feast at Jefferson Township High School. This Friday and Saturday, partake of three hours of entertainment with a full-course dinner, including Wassail Toast, Fruit Cup, French Onion Soup, Salad, Main Course of Roast Pork or Roast Turkey and Cherries Flambé. Reservations are a must: 973-697-3535, ext. 5860. Tickets are $25 for adults, $18 for JTHS students and $16 for kids under 12—if you purchase tickets in advance, you can have a $2 per ticket discount.
• Meet Santa and Rosie, a character from the classic "Elf on the Shelf," this weekend. Have your cameras charged to get shots of your kids with these great elves: Santa's coming to shopping boutique Frogmore Country Elegance from 12-2 p.m.  Saturday, and Rosie is coming along for the ride and to take photos with children.  USA National Princess Miss Ana Levin will be one hand as well to read stories to the children as they wait to see Santa. And kids can do their part to make others' holidays brigther. Each kid can sign a card that will be sent to wounded soldiers at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center through the Operation Recovering Hero Organization. The event starts Saturday at noon at 238 Route 206 in North Andover.