Where to begin? How about the Morristown CraftMarket. Now in its 35th year, it’s obviously doing something right.
There are fascinating talks by U.S. soldiers and former terrorists, a play about the struggles of African-Americans during the American Revolution, music by MG favorites Liv & Jordy and the Blaire Reinhard Band, Halloween hijinx, diverse entertainment from ARTS! By the People and the annual Colonial 5K benefit race–among many, many solid choices.
For even more options, visit our great calendar. And don’t forget to enter your own public events there!
THURSDAY, Oct. 20, 2011:
Managing money is one of the most important skills you can teach children. Why not begin the lesson with a free seminar? It’s at 6 pm at the Manahan Village Residents Center, 23 Clyde Potts Drive in Morristown. The seminar is a joint effort of the Northwest New Jersey Community Action Program Inc., Our Youth Their Future and People Helping People. While the session is free for parents/guardians and their children, seating is limited so please register by calling 973-234-6029.
The Harvest/ La Chocheca, is an award-winning documentary about the children who work long hours to feed America. See a free screening at 6:30 pm at the Willow School, 1150 Pottersville Road in
Gladstone. Susan MacLaury, executive oroducer and founder of Shineglobal, will be at the screening for Q&A. Call 908-470-9500 for details.
Boots on the ground: What is life really like for U.S. military forces in Iraq and Afghanistan? Two veterans from Morris County will share their perspectives at 7 pm during a free talk at the Morristown & Township Library. Capt. Danielle Burro and former Capt. Michael Miranda, a Morristown High grad, have seen duty in Iraq, Afghanistan and Haiti. Have newspaper stories and movies like The Hurt Locker accurately depicted the situation for American troops? What can we do to support our service personnel? You can ask these veterans. And thank them, too. Call 973-538-6161 for more details.
Jazz guitar wizard George Benson performs at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown at 8 pm. Tickets: $57-$97. Call 973-539-8008 for more details.
FRIDAY , Oct. 21, 2011:
The Morristown CraftMarket and Fall Plant Sale begins its 35th annual weekend extravaganza from 5 pm to 7 pm at the Morristown National Guard Armory on Western Avenue in Morris Township. It resumes from 10 am to 6 pm Saturday and from 10 am to 5 pm on Sunday. Some 160 artists from 25 states will display and sell original, limited edition creations in jewelry, leather, ceramics, metal, glass, wood, wearable fiber and more in one of the largest juried shows of its kind. Organized by the Randolph Kiwanis Club, the show will benefit the Interfaith Food Pantry and Meals on Wheels, among other local charities. Tickets to the Morristown CraftMarket are $10 at the door. A weekend pass is $12. Children under 12 with an adult are free. A coupon for $2 off the admission price is available at www.morristowncraftmarket.org. A special $35 VIP ticket also will get you into a Gala Reception on the show floor from 6 pm to 8 pm; the price includes a weekend pass to the show and wine and hors d’oeuvres. Parking is free.
Dr. Stephen Lungo was prepared to toss bombs into a tent full of Gospel worshipers when he heard the message inside and converted. Hear the amazing story of his transformation from a terrorist in Southern Rhodesia to a Bible-preaching CEO, at 6 pm in the Presbyterian Parish House, 65 South St., Morristown. The missionary will discuss his book–soon to be a movie–Out of the Black Shadows. Admission is free. Please RSVP to the Presbyterian Church at 973-538-1776. More details are at www.pcmorristown.org/lungo. To learn about African Enterprises, see https://aeinternational.org/international/.
The Morristown High School Colonials (3-3) travel to Roxbury (2-4) for some 7 p.m. football as they try to put last week’s thumping by Delbarton behind them.
Cindy Mangsen and Steve Gillette return to The Minstrel in Morris Township at 8 pm. “Relaxed, informal, and folksy, they nonetheless present a performance with great professionalism and skill. Their material ranges from traditional ballads to original songs, to covers from anybody from the Beatles to the Berrymans. They are both great singers and guitarists, and also play banjo, dulcimer, concertina and fiddle,” reports the Folk Project. And we are especially excited by the warmup act: Liv Platt and Jordy Black. It’s no wonder these high school girls harmonize so naturally…they have been friends almost since birth. They have pleased audiences at Morristown’s Got Talent! and at several MorristownGreen.com shows. We’re thrilled they have resumed touring after a brief respite. Showtime is 8 pm, at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, 21 Normandy Heights Road. Admission is $7, plus whatever you think the show is really worth.
SATURDAY, Oct. 22, 2011:
The Morristown CraftMarket and Plant Sale resumes its 35th annual weekend extravaganza from 10 am to 6 pm at the Morristown National Guard Armory on Western Avenue in Morris Township. See Friday entry for more details.
The Second Annual Halloween Spooktacular Funfest runs from 12:30 pm to 4 pm at the Morris County School of Technology in Denville. Organized by the Community Children’s Museum of Dover, the afternoon will include scary songs, pumpkin- and cake decorating, face-painting, balloons, a monster mash dance, and much more.
The 91st annual Far Hills Race Meeting starts its steeplechase action at 1 pm at Moorland Farm in Far Hills; gates open at 8 am. General admission is $50 in advance and $100 on race day; parking is $30. For more information call 908-685-2929.
What were the struggles of African-Americans during the Revolutionary War? Find out at Our Revolution, a 2 p.m. performance at the Washington’s Headquarters Museum Auditorium, 30 Washington Place, Morristown. The multimedia production is by New York-based Living Voices, and dramatizes the fictional story of a free black man who finds himself facing hard questions. Cost: Free, with $4 admission to Museum.
Spooky Trail Tales at the Great Swamp. From the Morris County Park Commission: “Hear spooky and silly nature-themed stories along the nighttime trails of the Great Swamp. Complimentary refreshments finish off this night of fun in the woods! The entire walk lasts approximately one hour, but call soon because space is limited.” Time: 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. (last tour departs at 7:45 p.m.) At the Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center. Cost: $5 per person. Contact: 973-635-6629.
Our friends at ARTS! By The People are holding their annual Benefit Performance Showcase, starting with a 6 pm dinner buffet and drinks at the Best Western Plus in Morristown. At 7 pm, Gustav Gauntlett hosts the show, which includes dance, rap, improv by Morristown High’s Tomfoolery troupe and poetry by the Lester Seniors. All this is followed by a silent auction at 8 pm. The suggested donation of $25 supports programs of the nonprofit organization.
End your Saturday on a high note with the Blaire Reinhard Band, at Morristown’s Famished Frog starting at 9:30 pm and ending when… well, let’s just say it’s a safe bet that the power company will run of juice before Blaire and her mates do.
SUNDAY, Oct. 23, 2011:
The Morristown Farmers Market is open for business from 8:30 am to 2 pm in the municipal lot between Morris Street and Dumont Place.
The third annual Colonial Challenge 5K road race takes off from Ginty Field in Morris Township at 10 am (registration starts at 8 am). Proceeds benefit the Morris Educational Foundation, which supports a wide range of educational programs in the Morris School District. There also is a 1K Kids Run and a Family Walk. The 5K fee is $23 of you register online by Oct. 21, and $25 on race day. The Kids Walk is $11/$12. For an extra $1, you can have your golf swing analyzed before or after the race.
Autumn at the Arboretum. From the Morris County Park Commission: “See Nelson Hancock’s exhibit of charmingly evil pumpkins of all shapes and sizes. He has carved a plethora of pumpkin and related gourds that are truly a work of art. It’s the perfect opportunity for children to try out their Halloween costumes and take pictures among the carvings. You can even get inspiration for your own Jack-o’-lantern carving.” Runs through Oct. 31, from 9 a.m. to dusk at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morris Township. FREE. Contact: 973-326-7601.
The Morristown CraftMarket and Plant Sale resumes its 35th annual weekend extravaganza from 10 am to 5 pm at the Morristown National Guard Armory on Western Avenue in Morris Township. See Friday entry for more details.
Bring the family to Fosterfields for some pumpkin decorating. Select and decorate a pumpkin with natural plant materials to take home. Free! Parental supervision required. From 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm on Kahdena Road in Morris Township. Contact: 973-326-7645
The life and legacy of the late Rev. Alfonso Sherald, who passed away one year ago, will be celebrated at 3 pm by his congregation, the Bethel A.M.E. Church on Spring Street in Morristown. The Rev. Reginald Mcrae will be the preacher, and a scholarship fund will be established in Pastor Sherald’s memory.
MONDAY, OCT. 24, 2011:
Who’s running for the Morris Township committee, and why? Find out at the League of Women Voters forum at 7:30 pm, at the Presbyterian Parish House, 65 South St., Morristown.
