Knowing your family history and heritage is becoming more and more important these days for a lot of different reasons.  So in order to give you an advantage of knowing where and how to look, the Morris Area Genealogy Society and the Morris County Library have set up workshops to give you the know how.   The meetings will take place from now until May and will be on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:45PM at the Morris County Library located at 30 East Hanover Avenue in Whippany.  Refreshments and a sharing table will be provided prior to the meeting at 6:30PM.  In case of inclement weather you can check the MAGS website, www.rootsweb.com/~njmags or can call the Morris County Library at 973-285-6930.

A long term recovery committee has been formed in Parsippany to help address the needs of residents of Lake Hiawatha in response to the flooding from Hurricane Irene.  The committee is comprised of volunteers from various Parsippany faith communities as well as civic organizations such as Kiwanis, Rotary and the Women’s Club, with additional involvement of local government.  This group will work in conjunction with the Morris County Disaster Recovery Committee, which is a voluntary association of entities that cooperate, coordinate, collaborate and communicate to provide spiritual, emotional, and physical resources to those affected by disasters at the county level.  Working in tandem, the local committee and the county committee are prepared to address unmet needs of the community that overwhelm the traditional disaster recovery system.  A systemized case-management approach will be used to help respond to needs not met by relief systems such as FEMA, Red Cross, Small Business Administration, and other disaster recovery programs.  If you fall into this category, call 973-279-8712 for more information about getting started with the case management process.

Friday Night Dinners are every week at the Lake Hopatcong Elks Lodge for only $8 per person!   Each week come to check out a different special entrée!  Coffee and deserts to be served as well.  Join us at 201 Howard Blvd in Mt. Arlington.  For weekly specials and menu options, please visit www.lakehopatcongelks.com or call 973-398-0440

Go Grey in May for National Brain Tumor Awareness Month! The Grey Ribbon Crusade is hosting the New Jersey Walk to End Brain Tumors on Saturday, May  19th at Roosevelt Park in Edison NJ. This event is designed to honor brain tumor patients, angels, and their family and friends.  Registration starts at 9:00 AM and the walk will start at 10:00 AM. Registration is $25.00 for adults and $15.00 for children. You’ll receive a free t-shirt commemorating this event! Register online at http://walktoendbraintumors.org and for additional information contact Diane at diane@walktoendbraintumors.org. Walk in honor of your loved one and help raise awareness and funds for brain tumor research!

The 2012 Forget Me Not Family Fun Day will be happening Saturday, May 19th 2012 from 11 AM until 3 PM. Admission is free! Come join us for a day of craft projects, family friendly vendors, snacks and door prizes!  Say you saw the event on this site and receive two extra tickets for door prizes! All proceeds from vendors will go to the Alzheimer’s Association. Come join us for a fun day for the whole family!

For those looking to be involved with a great noble cause, check out the grand opening of a ReStore on Saturday, May 19th.  ReStore is involved with the Habitat for Humanity working toward ending poverty housing in the United States. The event’s ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 11:15 AM at 415 Hamburg Turnpike in Wayne NJ.  Featured items include building materials, appliances and furniture at a greatly reduced cost.  Donations and volunteers are welcome!  For more information go to www.patersonhabitat.org/restore. Or call 973-782-6993. We look forward to seeing you there!

On Saturday, May 19th, the Morris County Historical Society will hold its fifth annual Vintage Bazaar at Acorn Hall located at 68 Morris Ave, Morristown, NJ.  The rain or shine event  will begin at 2pm and will have vintage and antique furniture, clothing, accessories, jewelry, lace, and trims on sale along with collectibles, old books, antique hardware and lighting, and other miscellaneous antiques for sale!  There will also be contemporary household goods, collectibles, and more!  Please no early birds.  All proceeds will benefit MCHS; and for more information please call (973) 267-3465 or visit the website at www.acornhall.org.  Please note that Acorn Hall will not be open for tours that day.

On Sunday, May 20th come join us at Bergen Community College, 400 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ, to Walk Now For Autism Speaks. Take part in a terrific event for an urgent health cause. Registration is at 9 AM, the walk commences at 10:30 AM. For more information please call (609)-228-7350 or e-mail NNJ@autismspeaks.org. Thank you to all sponsors and contributors, as believe that working together will help us find the missing pieces of the puzzle.

There will be an Armed Forces Relief Benefit on Sunday, May 20th from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM.  The event will be held at Pavinci Grill, 453 Riverstyx Road, Hopatcong.  There will be live music, events for children and a silent auction.  This is a rain or shine event.  To benefit the Armed Forces Relief visit www.armedforcesrelief.com.

Come run for a cause!  Project Community Pride is announcing the 5k Run with Pride.  All proceeds from this run will benefit Project Community Pride, a local agency which provides counseling to children and families regardless of their ability to pay.  This non-profit agency serves the families of Madison, Florham Park, and Chatham Borough. Staffed by licensed therapists, the program offers local families clinical mental health services including individual and group therapy.  The 5k run will be held on Wednesday, May 23rd at 6:30pm at Giralda Farms in Madison, NJ.  For additional information, email kellyb@rosenet.org.

Bring the whole family for food, fun, and fresh air at the 13th Annual Historic Morris Bike & Hike! This event will be held on Sat. June 2 at Central Park of Morris County located on 91 Central Ave. in Morris Plains. The event will benefit the Morris Habitat for Humanity. There will be five events starting between 8:30-9:30 AM. Bike ride distances are 35, 20, or 10 miles, or walk a 10K or 5K. Helmets are required for all bikers. There will also be a performance of Broadway style music by the MPAC Performing Arts Company. The price for registration is $30.00 for team members, $40.00 for individuals, or $65.00 for families. There will be a $5.00 fee for any late registrations. Come out and enjoy a day of great outdoor activities and live entertainment! For more information call 973-891-1934 or visit http://www.morrishabitat.org/event/bh_details/.

On Saturday, June 2nd there will be a fundraising walk at Rutgers Stadium for paralyzed football player Eric LeGrand. The event will be held rain or shine at Rutgers stadium in Piscataway. For more information please visit Awalktobelieve.org

Kick off the summer with the Whippany Rotary's 21st Annual Duck Race on June 2nd Malapardis Park in Cedar Knolls. The festivities begin at noon with fire engines, face painters, and free hot dogs for the kids.  Come support the cause by entering for a chance to win a vacation, electronics, sports tickets, and much much more.

Looking to help a great cause AND hear great music?  Come celebrate, remember and fight back at Relay for Life beginning June 2nd at 4pm and ending June 3rd at 6AM.  The event will be held at Veterans’ Park in Parsippany and will include music from the 60’s band “The Happenings.” This event is a noncompetitive walk to raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer and includes a Luminaria Ceremony to remember loved-ones lost to cancer.  The main entertainment, “The Happenings,” have sang hits including “Go Away Little Girl” and “Bye, bye, So Long, Farewell.”  They have also toured with giants such as the Beach Boys, Joan rivers, and The Drifters and have appeared on major television shows such as “the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.”    Come listen to wonderful music and help the American Cancer Society get closer to achieving their goal of a world with less cancer and more birthdays!  For more information and to register, visit www.relayforlife.org/parsippanynj

On Sunday, June 3rd, starting at 8:00pm, The Land Conservancy of New Jersey is sponsoring a Pedal for Preservation bike event 2012. This is a family friendly off road bike event on the Columbia Trail, a Rails to Trails route. Starting and ending points are at West Morris Central High School, 259 Bartley Rd, Chester, NJ. Pre-registration is ongoing and sign in the day of the event begins at 8:00am. Pay a flat registration fee or help us fundraise by having family and/or friends sponsor your ride. Visit www.TLC-NJ.org for more information and to register. Help preserve New Jersey's beautiful open spaces and protect our water resources by pedaling for preservation!

The Hanover Township PBA Local 128 is hosting their 15th Annual Golf Outing on Thursday June 7th at the Skyview Golf Club.  The golf course is located on 226 Lafayette Road in Sparta.  Registration begins at 7:30AM; at the fee is $150 per golfer.  The registration fee includes all green and cart fees, a continental breakfast, and lunch on the course, a BBQ, beverages, a PBA golf shirt, and prizes!  Registration and checks must be submitted by no later than May 18th.  The funds raised from this event will benefit student scholarships, local youth clubs and sports teams, along with other community events.  For more information contact Rob Carpenter at 973-428-2512 or rcarpenter@hanoverpolice.com.

The Museum of Early Trades & Crafts is holding free concerts on the lawn on Fridays, starting June 8th from 6 PM until 8 PM.  Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy a pleasant evening of music. For more information call 973-377-2982, extension 14 or visit www.metc.org.  The museum is located at 9 Main Street, Madison NJ. Come rain or shine! Concerts will be held inside. Future dates include: June 22nd, July 6th, July 20th, August 3rd, August 17th, August 31st, as well as September 14th and 28th. We hope to see you there!

It’s the last few weeks to register for The Revolutionary Ramble Bicycle Tour on June 9. Advance registration is a must.  No day-of registration.  The Ramble raises funds for local emergency squads and for programs dedicated to fitness and safe cycling.  Bicyclists can choose from six different routes – from a family friendly 12-mile tour to a challenging Century (100 miles) ride.  The Revolutionary Ramble begins at Drew University, Madison, NJ and ends on the campus for the Expo and buffet lunch.  To Register visit:  www.rambleride.org.  

On Sunday June 10 Share NJ is hosting a 5K walk/run, which will benefit NJ Sharing Network Foundation.  Registration begins at 7:30AM.  The 5K certified run will begin at 9AM and the 5K walk starts at 10AM and at 11AM there will be a Sprout Sprint.  The event will take place at the NJ Sharing Network Headquarters located at 691 Central Avenue, New Providence.  The event will feature music, awards, and prizes for all ages.  For more information on the event or how to become a sponsor visit www.sharenj5k.org

From the Halls of Montezuma to the Shores of New Jersey, our military serves its country proudly, be it land, sky, or sea. Support our veterans on June 14th from 10am-2pm at the Job and GI Fair at the Rutgers University Student Center located at 126 College Avenue, New Brunswick. Employers from throughout the state will be present, eager to give back to the noble men and women who previously risked their lives for our freedom. Many colleges will be present also in the anticipation that returning Vets will choose the route of higher education in order to assimilate back into society. Vets and employers alike are invited to the event which is presented by the GI Go Fund and Rutgers Veterans Society. So come on down and welcome back our men and women June 14th at the Rutgers University College Center. For more information, call 973-802-1614.

Sagegirl.com is sponsoring a Girl EmPOWERed Event on June 16th at the Lafayette Avenue School in Chatham! The event starts off with a vendor sale from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.  The goal is to raise $10,000. At 2 p.m. we kick off the Girl Empowered March! This march is open to girls and women of all ages, and all participants will have a chance to win great prizes.  From the $10,000, $7,000 will be donated to Sagegirl.com and the remaining $3,000 will be given to three Chatham High School senior girls ($1,000 each). Contest is open to all girls, they must write an essay titled: Girl Empowered. Deadline for this scholarship is June 1, 2012 and they can be dropped off at the Chatham High School office in an envelope with attention to Dawn Paskalides. For more information please visit www.girlempowered.com. If you’re interested in being a vendor please e-mail: dawnpaskilades@comcast.com.

The Kelsey Charity Run was originally established as a fund raiser exclusively for the benefit of Kelsey Kirchner, who at age two was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer typically occurring in children under five.  At the time of her diagnosis, Kelsey was given a poor chance of survival.  Kelsey, now 20 years old, is a well adjusted, cancer free college student.  Kelsey still has ongoing medical needs and the Kelsey Charity Run continues to raise funds to cover those needs. However, with Kelsey’s needs for the funds diminished, the Kelsey Charity Run has reached out to others in the local community with similar needs and now has many beneficiaries.
This year's Kelsey Charity Run promises to be another great Father’s Day Blast!  The event kicks off with a Lime Dot Run beginning at the Manville/Hillsborough Elks, 1500 Brooks Boulevard, Hillsborough, NJ.  Registration for the Lime Dot Run will again be from 9:30 AM to 11:30AM.  The end point is the Family Picnic at the Bridgewater Eagles, 350 Woodside Lane, Bridgewater; gates open at 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM.  For more information, visit www.kelseyrun.com

On Saturday July 7th at C.O. Johnson Field off of Rt. 206 Tamarack Road in Byram, the Morris Rugby Corporation will be holding its annual Rugby Tournament. The tournament starts at 9:00 am and runs until 12:00pm. Bruins Coed Rugby teams are inviting kids from kindergarten through the 9th grade from Sussex and Morris County to participate in the world’s largest flag youth rugby tournament in the world!  For more information please visit the Bruins Rugby website at www.bruinsrugby.com

Do you have triskaidekaphobia?  Find out at the Museum’s “Friday the Thirteenth” program.  The Museum of Early Trades & Crafts, 9 Main Street, Madison.  Pre-registration is required so that enough materials will be available.  For more information call the Curator of Education at 973-337-2982 ext. 12 or email schools@metc.org.

Historical buffs and crafts fans should come check out the Museum of Early Trades & Crafts on Saturday July 21st at 2 PM for a wool spinning seminar hosted by Claire Marinello.  Attendees will witness the full wool experience from the carding to the creation of yarn skeins. Pre-registration is recommended as seats are highly in demand. Non-members pay $7, $4 for members.   Admission includes museum entrance. Located at 9 Main Street, Madison NJ.  For more information please call, 973-377-2982, extension 14 or visit www.metc.org.

Everyone loves motorcycles and dogs, so the Halfway Hounds charity decided to combine the two to make for a great day of family fun!  On Sunday September 16th they will host the 1st Annual Halfway Hounds charity motorcycle run.  Registration begins at 8:30 AM with a fee of $15 per rider and per passenger which includes a continental breakfast before the run.  The run will take place at the Madison North Stars Italian/American Club.  Kickstands up at 11:00 AM sharp.  Covering over 50 miles, the ride takes you through scenic Great Swamp.  All proceeds will go to benefit Halfway Hounds organization to help find homeless dogs a loving and caring home.  For more information visit their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/halfwayhounds1stannualcharityride

On Saturday November 3rd, the Heather Saler 9th Annual Lung Cancer Walk will take place at Cooper Park in Pennsauken, NJ.  Registration begins 9AM and the run begins at 10AM.  The event will feature music, food, drinks, kids’ activities, silent and Chinese auctions, guest speakers, clowns, massages and more!  The fee for adults is $25 and children 12 and under is $10.  To register visit www.heatherswalk.com, www.sj-lungcancerwalk.org, or you can register the day of the run.  For more information you can contact Barbara at 803-443-1937 or Brad Saler 856-265-9488.