Community Corner

5 Things to Do in the Region

Weekend activities include holiday shopping opportunities that support local businesses, a historical Santa Claus exhibition and Black Friday babysitting.

Here's a list of ideas for things to do in the area with friends and family or all by your lonesome this weekend.

  1. Take advantage of  Black Friday by dropping the kids off at The Messy Artist! Shop with confidence knowing your children are enjoying themselves with all the activities we have to offer, plus, the kids will go home with a framed piece of art. Drop off preschoolers between four and six years old and first through third graders for an hour, or let them stay for the whole time. (Kids will be separated by age group.) The Messy Artist's Black Friday Drop and Shop runs from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at 356 Route 10 West in East Hanover. The cost is $20 per child for the first hour ($15 for each additional sibling; full price is charged at registration and the discount granted at pickup) and $15 for additional hours (paid for upon pickup). Pizza will be served at 1 p.m. for $5 per child. Snacks, included in the fee, will be served at noon at at 2 p.m. Pre-register to guarantee your spot: Visit the website at http://themessyartist.com/holiday-events/.
  2. The kids are off school Friday, so why not educate and entertain them at the Morris Museum? The museum kicks off Rock and Mineral Weekend Friday by offering a seminar on making pet rocks as an intro to its permanent mineral, gem, and fossil displays throughout the museum. Members of the Morris Museum Mineralogical Society will be on hand to identify any of your mystery rocks and minerals. Families will be able to examine fossils, learn about fluorescent minerals, and listen to engaging presentations on various topics in geology and about the Earth. And on Saturday, activities including a sand box scavenger hunt and a mineral magic show will be presented. These activities are all offered free with paid admission to the museum. The museum is open Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets are free for members, veterans and up to five family members and for kids under three; $10 for adults; $7 for seniors and children between three and 12. Get more info at themuseum website. The Morris Museum is at 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morristown.
  3. Saturday is Small Business Saturday, which will mean deals and holiday gift offerings galore for smart shoppers who keep it local. One super cool holiday shopping event that supports a small business operation is Chester's Festival of Trees Table-Top Tree Sale. The one-day, pre-festival sale of table-top-sized decorated and electrified trees presents ideas for unique holiday adornments for decorating college dorms, senior's residences, vacation homes or any limited space. All sales benefit the Senior Resource Center, a nonprofit organization that provides advocacy, support, information, 
    education, training and referral for seniors and their caregivers in North and Central New Jersey. The family oriented event takes place at noon at The Barn at Highlands Ridge Park, 100 North Road in Chester.
  4. Get your Hanukkah and Christmas shopping going at Sunday's Holiday Craft and Gift Fair at the Hilton Garden Inn in Rockaway. More than 40 vendors and crafters are expected in be in attendance to showcase a wide range of gift ideas for everyone on your holiday list—you'll find handmade chocolates, inspirational gifts, bath and body products, childrens books, hand knitted and crocheted gifts, candles, handmade home decor, kitchenware and more. It's a great way to support small business and consolidate your local-shopping efforts, organizers say. The free family-friendly event runs from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Sunday. The hotel is at 375 Mount Hope Ave. in Rockaway.
  5. See how Santa Claus looked in 1862.  A collection Father Christmas renderings by Civil War Historian John Covert will be on display at the Hackettstown Historical Society Museum on Church Street this weekend and on through the month of December.  Call the museum at 908-852-8797 for hours. The Hackettstown Historical Society Museum is located at 106 Church St.


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