Greater Morristown weekend preview: Remembering our heroes on Memorial Day

Morris Plains residents and businesses decorated the parade route in red, white and blue in 2012. Photo by Sharon Sheridan
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Morris Plains residents and businesses decorated the parade route in red, white and blue in 2012. Photo by Sharon Sheridan
Morris Plains residents and businesses decorated the parade route in red, white and blue in 2012. Photo by Sharon Sheridan
Rookie firefighter at the 2012 Memorial Day Parade in Morris Plains. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Rookie firefighter at the 2012 Memorial Day Parade in Morris Plains. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

At long last, summer is here. Unofficially, anyway.

The Memorial Day weekend is a time to embrace the sunshine and anticipate many sunny days to come. Most importantly, it’s a time to reflect and give thanks to the servicemen and women who sacrificed their lives so we might enjoy endless summers.

Greater Morristown will remember, with parades in Morris Plains, Morris Township and Morristown.

Scroll down for details, and for other activities to enjoy.  See our handy calendar for even more options.


THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2015:

Shirley Temple
Shirley Temple

Every saloon in America knew her name.  Find out why they named a drink after Shirley Temple, at the Morris Museum through May 24, 2015.  See the costumes, dolls and memorabilia of the late, great darling of the Depression. “This exhibition offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the Hollywood film career and childhood of a beloved American icon,” says Museum Executive Director Linda Moore. Admission to the Museum is $10 for adults and $7 for children, students and senior citizens; free for Museum members. Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 11 am to 5 pm and Sunday, noon to 5.  See Saturday entry for Shirley Temple film screenings. At 6 Normandy Heights Road, Morris Township. Call (973) 971-3700 for more,

Shirley Temple memorabilia
Shirley Temple memorabilia

What happens when a state allows adopted citizens to have their original birth certificates?  The documentary A Simple Piece of Paper tells the story of more than a dozen adoptees, as they open their records in Illinois.  See the film at 7 pm, at the Morristown & Morris Township Library.  (A law championed by Morristown resident Pam Hasegawa will restore New Jersey adoptees’ access to their birth records  in 2017.) Light refreshments will be served.  The library is at One Miller Road in Morristown.

 

 

 


FRIDAY, MAY 22:

Emotions Anonymous, a 12-step program, meets at 7 pm at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, at Miller Road and Maple Avenue in Morristown.


SATURDAY, MAY 23:

The Batmobile at the 2014 Morris County St. Patrick's Parade. Photo by Jeff Sovelove
The Batmobile, pictured here at the 2014 Morris County St. Patrick’s Parade, is rolling into Morris Plains for Memorial Day, to honor some real superheroes. Photo by Jeff Sovelove

Love a parade? Morris Plains has a dandy one: The 29th annual Memorial Day Service and Parade.  The service honoring our fallen heroes starts at 9 am at Robert’s Garden, at Glenbrook Road and Mountain Way. At 9:30, the parade rolls from there to Speedwell Avenue, eventually making its way to Route 53 and VFW Watnong Post 3401 — where a free cookout awaits you.  This year’s parade features 14 bands; the 1966 Batmobile; Elsa, Ana, and Olaf from Disney’s Frozen, and last but not least, Grand Marshal Larry Ripley, beloved for years as parade master of ceremonies and volunteer for the Morris Plains Blood Bank.

 

IF HE NEEDS YOUR PARKING SPACE, just say, 'Yes, Sir!' A scene from the 2012 Morris Plains Memorial Day Parade. Photo by Ingrum Jefferson
IF HE NEEDS YOUR PARKING SPACE, just say, ‘Yes, Sir!’ A scene from the 2012 Morris Plains Memorial Day Parade. Photo by Ingrum Jefferson

What made a tiny little girl one of Hollywood’s biggest stars?  Find out at the Shirley Temple film series at Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road, Morris Township. It’s part of the Love, Shirley Temple  traveling exhibit that runs through May 24, 2015. (See Thursday entry for details.)   Here is the movie lineup:

11 am  Bright Eyes

1 pm  Curly Top

3 pm  Wee Willie Winkie

Tickets: $5 Museum Members per film; $7 Non-members per film

Shirley Temple
Shirley Temple with co-star Bill ‘Bojangles’ Robinson

 


SUNDAY, MAY 24:

Need to put things in perspective? See the Earth from Space, an exhibit of satellite photographs at the Morris Museum in Morris Township. Sunday hours are 1 pm to 5 pm. Admission is $10/adults, $7/children, seniors, and students, and free for children under 3 and museum members. And while you’re there, check out another kind of star, at Love, Shirley Temple, an exhibit featuring memorabilia from one of Hollywood’s most beloved figures.  At 6 Normandy Heights Road. Call 973-971-3700 for more.


MONDAY, MEMORIAL DAY, MAY 25:

The Memorial and Veterans Day Association of Morristown and Morris Township will honor America’s fallen servicemen and women with a service and wreath-laying at the Morris Township Municipal Building at 10 am,  followed by a 10:30 parade to the Morristown Green, where an 11 am service is scheduled. The Morristown High School marching band and the Morristown National Little League and the Morristown Area American Little league will march.

 

GEORGE FINALLY GETS SOME VISITORS: Members of the 3rd Battalion, 112th Field Artillery visit statues on Memorial Day. This portion of the Green has been off-limits to the public all spring while the grass recovers. Photo by Berit Ollestad
GENERAL GEORGE REVIEWS THE TROOPS: Members of the 3rd Battalion, 112th Field Artillery visit statues on the Morristown Green, Memorial Day 2014. Photo by Berit Ollestad

 

 

 

 

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