News in Brief: Free High Holy Day Services; Seniors Golf for Free at Scotch Hills; and a New After-School Program at Trailside

Temple Sholom of Fanwood invites non-members to free High Holy Day services in September, the Scotch Plains Recreation Commission announces two free events Sept. 23 and Oct. 3, and Trailside Nature Center in Mountainside introduces a new after-school program, starting in September.

Here are the week's news items:

Free High Holy Day Services at Temple Sholom

Families seeking to attend religious services for Rosh Hashanah on Sept. 9, and Yom Kippur on Sept. 18, are invited to join Temple Sholom of Fanwood-Scotch Plains, the synagogue announced in a press release Aug. 10.

On both days, at 10 a.m., the congregation will hold young family services in the Temple Sholom chapel, located at the Fanwood Presbyterian Church on Martine Avenue and LaGrande Avenue. Led by director of education Michelle Shapiro Abraham and guitarist Rebekah Sedwin, the services intertwine music, story telling and age-appropriate worship to create a High Holy Day experience for families with children up to age 7, the release said. To RSVP, call 908-889-4900 or send an email to office@sholomnj.org.

Also on both days, at 2 p.m., there will be a family Torah service in the main sanctuary. Rabbi Joel Abraham and Student Cantor Vicky Glikin will lead an interactive family service for all ages, the release said.

"Stand with the rabbi on the bimah as he reads Torah, hear the High Holy Day melodies and get a taste of the congregation's High Holy Day liturgy," the release said. RSVPs are not required, but non-members should call 908-889-4900 for tickets.

Editor's Note: I am a member of Temple Sholom.

Seniors Play for Free at the Scotch Hill Country Club; and the Recreation Commission Seeks Vendors and Car Enthusiasts for "Scotch Plains Day"

The Scotch Plains Recreation Commission announced "Senior Appreciation Day at Scotch Hills" and "Scotch Plains Day," in press releases distributed Thursday. The events are taking place Sept. 23 and Oct. 3, respectively.

During Senior Appreciation Day, seniors can play a free round of golf at the Scotch Hills Country Club's nine-hole course, and a free round of miniature golf. Participants can play anytime during the day, but a barbecue social will take place from noon to 2 p.m.

Scotch Plains Day, meanwhile, will run from noon to 5 p.m. on Park Avenue and Bartle Avenue, the press release said. The event will feature food from various vendors, rides, music, a street fair and a car show. Stay tuned to the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Patch for more information on the event in October.

To enter the car show (which does not require an entry fee), participate as a vendor or simply learn more about Senior Day or Scotch Plains Day, contact the Recreation Department by calling 908-322-6700, ext. 1221 or 1223.

"Mad Science" at the Trailside Nature and Science Center

The Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside will offer a new, after-school science program for this fall, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the county's Department of Parks and Community Renewal announced in a press release Friday.

Students grades one through five can enroll in "Crazy Chemworks," an educational and fun program that will run on six consecutive Wednesdays, from 3:45-4:45 p.m., beginning Oct. 13, and ending Nov. 17. The program costs $109.00 per child, and pre-registration opens Sept. 1.

Each week will offer a different workshop, the release said: Lab Works, pH Phactor, Slime Time, Chem. in a Flash, Super Sticky Stuff and Dry Ice Capades. Students will learn how to use laboratory equipment as they make slime, melt metal in boiling water, freeze water with just a breath of dry ice and perform other experiments. 

The program was developed by Mad Science of West New Jersey, a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the National Science Teachers Association, the release said.

For more information, or to learn about other programs and events at Trailside, call 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside.