Sunday of Service
2025-11-02 10:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | NJ
Join neighbors for a one-day volunteer event with many ways to serve, including:

Stomp Out Hunger 5K Walk at St. Michaels Preserve benefiting Chubby’s Project (9:30 a.m.–noon)

Sewing for Chubby’s Project at Hopewell Presbyterian Church

Helping Sourland Conservancy at the Native Plant Nursery (183 Hollow Rd., Skillman; please complete the waiver in the sign-up)

Cards of Comfort at Hopewell United Methodist Church

Peanut Butter and Jelly for TASK at Hopewell Presbyterian Church

Cookie baking for the Flemington Lunch Program (bake on Nov. 2 or drop off two dozen labeled cookies at Hopewell Presbyterian Church on Nov. 1 or Nov. 2)

Date: Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025Time: 10 a.m. at project locations (Stomp Out Hunger 5K Walk runs 9:30 a.m.–noon)Location: Multiple sites in Hopewell and Skillman; see sign-up link for detailsHost: Hopewell Council of Churches
Details and sign-up: https://hopewellpres.org/announcements/sunday-of-service-112255K Walk registration (separate): https://chubbysproject-bloom.kindful.com/?campaign=1384622
Questions about sewing project equipment: Renee Richardson, rerichardson@verizon.net
Note: This event is hosted by the Hopewell Council of Churches

Our Lenape Heritage
2025-11-03 19:00 - 20:00 | NJ
Monday, November 3, 7:00 pm

This presentation reviews the history of the original people of the area we now call New Jersey, giving an overview of life and culture before and during the settlement of Europeans. It reviews names of places that still exist today and Lenape words that are included in everyday communication. The historic records show land transactions, paths and trails that have become our modern highway system, and communities that are still in existence. Presented by Claire Garland, Director of Sand Hill Indian Historical Association and member of the New Jersey American Indian Affairs Commission. Please visit events.mcl.org to register to receive the link to the program.

Democracy on the Corner
2025-11-06 17:30 - 18:30, 2025-11-13 17:30 - 18:30 | Hopewell Borough Downtown, Broad Street, Hopewell, NJ, 08525, United States
Join community members every Thursday at 5:30pm at the corner of Greenwood and Broad for a peaceful, visible demonstration of resistance. Participants bring signs and stand together in opposition to what they describe as illegal, unhealthy, and unconscionable actions by the current federal government. The weekly gathering offers comfort, connection, and solidarity among like-minded neighbors, and serves as a reminder to commuters that the community continues to stand up and speak out. The gathering typically lasts about an hour.

Understanding Memory & Communication in Aging
2025-11-10 19:00 | NJ
Monday, November 10, 7:00 pm

Aging can bring changes in memory, speech, and communication that affect daily life and relationships. This program explores those age-related common challenges that often emerge over time and offers practical strategies to support cognitive health, stay socially connected, and communicate more effectively. Ideal for caregivers, professionals, and older adults. Led by Erin Coulter, Lead Speech Language Pathologist with Penn Medicine. Presented as part of the Penn Medicine Princeton Health Community Wellness Program. Please visit events.mcl.org to register to receive the link to the program.

Sweden Holiday Traditions & Today
2025-11-20 18:00 | NJ
Thursday, November 20, 6:00 pm

What do you know about Sweden? Get a glimpse into life in Sweden today and learn about the traditions that are special to this Nordic nation. Join us as we explore Swedish culture, technology, environmentalism, and holiday celebrations, including a special look into Christmas and the December Lucia festival. Presented by the American Swedish Historical Museum of Philadelphia, which welcomes everyone to explore cultural identity through stories of Swedes and all Scandinavians, and to connect with a vibrant community dedicated to preserving and interpreting culture. Sponsored by Hightstown Library Association. Please visit events.mcl.org to register to receive the link to the program.

Pennington 41st Annual Holiday Walk
2025-12-05 18:00 - 21:00 | Pennington Borough, Pennington, NJ, United States
Celebrate the season in downtown Pennington at the 41st Annual Holiday Walk. Main Street will be filled with lights, music, and family-friendly festivities as shops and organizations welcome visitors for an evening in the heart of the borough.
Date: Friday, December 5, 2025Time: 6–9 p.m.Location: Downtown Pennington, NJ 08534
More information: Visit the Pennington Borough website for the Holiday Walk flyer.

Guided Open House Tours of Benjamin Temple House
2025-12-07 14:00 - 16:00 | Benjamin Temple House, 27 Federal City Rd, Ewing, NJ, United States
Free – circa 1750 – No reservations needed. Sunday, Dec. 7, 2 to 4 p.m., 27 Federal City Road, Ewing.
The Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society is seeking photos or photo books of the General Motors (GM) plant (also known as the Inland Fisher Guide Plant of GM) that was in operation in West Trenton from 1938 – 1998. We are helping the Township locate a few photos that might be used in the new community center currently being built on Lower Ferry Road.
If you have photos or books with photos of the GM plant including indoor shots of the assembly line or products created (with or without employees) for us to consider, please contact Site Manager Amy Karen Harter at info@ethps.org or 609-883-2455.
Additionally, the HPS is gathering stories and photos of people who immigrated or migrated to Ewing between 1840 and 1960, for use in a new museum display. If you would like to share information about your ancestors or relatives who came here from Europe or the southern states of America, please contact Marge Delaney or Becky Urban at info@ethps.org or 609-883-2455. Thank you for helping us build the legacy of Ewing Township!
Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society, 609-883-2455. ethps.org

MLK, Jr. Day(s) of Service
2026-01-03 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-01-10 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-01-17 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-01-24 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-01-31 10:00 - 16:00 | Hopewell Branch Library – MCL, 245 Pennington-Titusville Road, Pennington, 08534, United States
In the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Day of Service, we are giving back to the community! Drop in today and use materials provided to create handmade cards or write letters to be sent to homebound participants of the Mercer County Meals on Wheels program. Registration is not required.

Robotics Team Demo
2026-01-03 14:00 - 15:00 | Mercer County Library – Lawrence Branch, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ, United States
Come see the robot created by Hopewell Valley Central High School Robotics Team and do some hands-on activities! For kids ages 8 years old and up. Sponsored by Friends of the Lawrence Library. Registration is required.

Princeton and the American Revolution: The Ten Crucial Days
2026-01-08 19:00 - 20:00 | NJ
This is the story of the desperate hours at the end of 1776 when the American Revolution seemed lost. Struggling through unimaginable difficulties, the Continental Army crossed the Delaware River on Christmas, winning three battles in 10 days, culminating in the Battle of Princeton on January 3, 1777. These victories changed the course of history and enabled the birth of our free nation. Presented by Barry Singer, Princeton Historical Society. Please visit events.mcl.org to register to receive the link to the program.

New Jersey Homeschooling Basics
2026-01-14 19:00 - 20:00 | NJ
Join us for an overview of homeschooling in New Jersey and get answers to your questions. Are you considering homeschooling your child in NJ? Has your child asked to be homeschooled, but you don’t know where you would even start? A panel of experienced homeschooling parents will cover the basics of homeschooling in NJ, including homeschooling law, the range of approaches to homeschooling, resources and communities that support homeschooling (in-person and online), paths after homeschooling (high school, college, work, trades, etc.). A Q & A session will follow the presentation. Please visit events.mcl.org to register to receive the link to the program.

Token on the Freedman's Coat: The Story Behind Thomas Mundy Peterson's 1884 Voting Medal
2026-01-15 19:00 - 20:00 | NJ
Thomas Mundy Peterson is celebrated as the first African American to vote under the Fifteenth Amendment. Gordon Bond, independent historian and publisher of NJ history website Garden State Legacy, will discuss the story of Peterson and how, on May 30, 1884, citizens of Perth Amboy, NJ, pinned a gold medal to his coat in honor of his having done something that, in another part of the nation, a noose might have been put around his neck for daring. Based on Bond’s book, To Cast a Freedman’s Vote. Sponsored by Friends of the Ewing Library. Please visit events.mcl.org to register to receive the link to the program.

Introduction to Smart and Safe Investing
2026-01-20 18:30 - 19:30 | NJ
Chase Bertoldo, from the Seton Hall University School of Law FINRA Investor Advocacy Program, will cover a range of practical financial concepts, including budgeting and inflation, as well as different investment and savings products. Throughout the program, he’ll focus on smart and safe investment practices, illustrating the challenges facing every investor and how to avoid common pitfalls. Please visit events.mcl.org to register to receive the link to the program.

Islamic Contribution to Civilization
2026-01-27 19:00 - 20:00 | NJ
Muslims have been influenced by and contributed to other cultures in numerous ways. Particularly, during the medieval Golden Age of Islam, Muslims made major contributions in diverse fields, including art, architecture, music, mathematics, medicine, astronomy, philosophy, and literature, as well as in hygiene, cuisine, clothing, and furniture. Presented by Samina Sattar of the New Jersey Islamic Networks Group.

Abolition and the Underground Railroad in South Jersey
2026-02-03 18:00 - 19:00 | NJ
Virtual program hosted by the Mercer County Library SystemTuesday, February 3, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
This virtual presentation, hosted by the Mercer County Library System, explores Southern New Jersey during the Civil War era, when the region became a hotbed of fugitives from slavery, freedmen, and abolitionists. Activists such as Harriet Tubman, Abigail Goodwin, and Benjamin Sheppard assisted runaway slaves along the Underground Railroad through daring nighttime journeys in the Pine Barrens and coordinated signals from boats in the marshlands of Delaware Bay.
Author Ellen D. Alford will recount compelling narratives of abolition and the Underground Railroad in South Jersey.
Registration is required. Visit events.mcl.org to receive the virtual program link.

Scrap Metal Connection
2026-02-07 12:00 - 15:00 | Hopewell Twp. Public Works, 203 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, Hopewell, NJ, 08525, United States
The Hopewell Valley Green Team will host a scrap metal collection on Saturday, February 7, 2026. Please bring your assorted scrap metal (nothing extremely heavy) to the Hopewell Township Public Works Building between 12:00 and 3:00 p.m. and we will make sure it is recycled for you. Volunteers are needed to staff the event—please contact us if you’re interested: hvgreenteam@gmail.com.
Acceptable materials are listed here: https://hopewellvalleygreenteam.org/recycling/recycling-

Frederick Douglass’ Birthday: Transcribe-a-thon
2026-02-13 12:00 - 15:00 | Hopewell Branch Library – MCL, 245 Pennington-Titusville Road, Pennington, 08534, United States
In-person program hosted by the Mercer County Library SystemFriday, February 13, 2026, from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m.
This in-person event, hosted by the Mercer County Library System at the Hopewell Branch, invites community members to celebrate the birthday of Frederick Douglass by helping make history more accessible. Participants are encouraged to drop in with a laptop to help transcribe historical documents related to Black history and culture, contributing to projects such as The Colored Conventions Project.
Attendees may also stop by to watch the DouglassDay.org livestream, featuring inspirational speeches and songs. Light refreshments will be served.
Location:Hopewell Branch Library245 Pennington–Titusville RoadPennington, NJ 08534609-737-2610
Registration is requested.

New Jersey in the Revolutionary War
2026-02-17 19:00 - 20:00 | NJ
Virtual program hosted by the Mercer County Library SystemTuesday, February 17, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
Hosted virtually by the Mercer County Library System, this program covers the period from 1763 to 1789, spanning the end of the French and Indian War through the establishment of the U.S. Constitution. The presentation highlights the critical role New Jersey—particularly Central Jersey—played in the nation’s founding, including the Ten Crucial Days, the Battle of Monmouth Courthouse, the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and the ratification of the Constitution.
Co-sponsored with the Historical Society of West Windsor.
Registration is required. Visit events.mcl.org to receive the virtual program link.

Powers of Attorney, Guardianship, and Essential Legal Planning
2026-02-18 18:00 - 19:00 | NJ
Virtual program hosted by the Mercer County Library SystemWednesday, February 18, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
This virtual program, hosted by the Mercer County Library System, is designed for families, caregivers, professionals, and community members supporting loved ones with long-term care needs. Participants will gain an overview of estate and long-term care planning, including wills, decision-making authority, guardianship, inheritance considerations, Medicaid planning, and the benefits of planning ahead rather than reacting in a crisis.
The presentation is led by Ryann Siclari, Esq., an attorney experienced in disability law, elder law, and long-term planning, and is offered as part of the Colorful Dreams Care Program Series.
Registration is required. Visit events.mcl.org to receive the virtual program link.

Arm in Arm Mobile Food Pantry
2026-04-06 14:00 - 16:00, 2026-04-13 14:00 - 16:00, 2026-04-20 14:00 - 16:00 | Mercer County Library – Lawrence Branch, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ, United States
Are you experiencing food insecurity? Arm In Arm’s mobile food pantry will be at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch on Monday, April 6, 13, 20 and 27, from 2:00 – 4:00 pm. No registration is required. Arm In Arm staff will register participants upon arrival. For more information about the food pantry, visit arminarm.org.
Arm In Arm has been active in Mercer County for four decades providing essential resources like food and financial support. Healthy food such as fresh produce, eggs and milk, frozen proteins, quality baked goods, and shelf stable canned and boxed items as well as personal care products such as shampoo, soap, and diapers are made available to families in need. Arm In Arm welcomes 4,000-5,000 families annually through 40,000+ visits to our food and mobile pantries and works with 200-400 at-risk families to prevent or end homelessness.
“We’re proud to collaborate with Arm in Arm and other committed organizations to serve those in greatest need,” said Mercer County Executive Dan Benson. “Our Libraries serve as important hubs in our communities, and by brining bringing services here we’re able to meet our residents where they are.”
In conjunction with Arm In Arm, other social service agencies will be on site. On April 6, the Mercer County Board of Social Services, SNAP Navigator, PSE&G Community Outreach and the Lawrence Township Health Department will have informational tables. On April 13, the NJ Division on Civil Rights, the New Jersey Hospital Association, the Mercer County Nutrition Program and the Council on Compulsive Gambling of NJ will have informational tables. On April 20, the Mercer County Board of Social Services, the Presbyterian Church Voting, DHS Community Outreach Program and Mount Carmel Guild will have informational tables. On April 27, the DHS Community Outreach Program and the Mercer County Superior Court will have informational tables. All visiting services will take place at the same time and place as the mobile food pantry (2:00 – 4:00 pm at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch of the Mercer County Library System).
Arm In Arm relies on volunteers to get food into the hands of those who need it most. Want to get involved? Contact Shariq Marshall at 609-508-7851, shariqm@arminarm.org.
The Lawrence Headquarters Branch of the Mercer County Library System is located at 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ. For more information about the library’s programs call 609-883-8292, e-mail lawprogs@mcl.org or visit www.mcl.org.

The Declaration of Independence: America's Birth Certificate from Conception to Celebration
2026-04-06 19:00 - 20:00 | NJ
Historian Joel Farkas discusses the development of the document, from the Magna Carta (1215) to the French and Indian War, the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War, the French Revolution (and Napoleon), the War of 1812, to today. Joel Farkas is a graduate of The Ohio State University, an Officer in the United States Army, a National Park Service volunteer docent at Washington’s Headquarters, Morristown, NJ, a lecturer at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Rutgers University, and a lecturer at Florham Institute for Lifelong Learning at Fairleigh Dickinson University on Monday, April 6, 7:00 pm. Sponsored by the Friends of the Hickory Corner Library. Please visit events.mcl.org to register to receive the link to the program.

The Gambler, the Writer, and Zelda: The History Behind The Girl in the Green Dress
2026-04-20 18:30 - 19:30 | NJ
Join author Mariah Fredericks on Monday, April 20, 6:30 pm as she discusses her new mystery, inspired by the unsolved 1920 murder of Joseph Elwell. Through images and historical insight, Fredericks explores how she wove together the real-life stories of Elwell, Morris Markey, and Zelda Fitzgerald in her novel The Girl in the Green Dress — praised by The New York Times as “dazzling … a lively return to Jazz Age Manhattan.” Please visit events.mcl.org to register to receive the link to the program.

TrashedArt Contest Reception
2026-04-21 18:30 - 20:00 | Mercer County Library – Lawrence Branch, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ, United States
The Mercer County Library System is hosting the 17th Annual TrashedArt Contest Reception on Tuesday, April 21st at 6:30 pm. The contest celebrates Earth Day by encouraging patrons to turn ordinary trash into extraordinary art. Entries will be judged by MCLS staff and local professional artists. Library patrons will also have a chance to vote for People’s Choice award winners prior to the reception. Grand prize winners will be awarded for first, second and third places. The reception is open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
Advanced registration is appreciated for all events. Please register online on LibCal at https://mcl.org/. The Lawrence Headquarters Branch of the Mercer County Library System is located at 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ. For more information about the library’s programs, call 609-883-8292, e-mail lawprogs@mcl.org or visit www.mcl.org.
This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Lawrence Library. For more information about the Friends of the Lawrence Library, please stop by the Lawrence Reference Desk. The Friends of the Lawrence Library help support programs such as book sales, book clubs, contests, crafts, events (such as this one), guest speakers, parties and workshops for adults, as well as character greetings, crafts, entertainers, events, parties and more for youth at the Library. Join the Friends of the Lawrence Library today!
