5 Things You Need to Know About This Weekend

Here are five upcoming events in Lawrence Township that you need to know about.

Saturday, May 7 – Bicycle Safety Rodeo

St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center at 2381 Lawrence Rd. (Route 206) will host its annual Bicycle Safety Rodeo and Safe Kids Day from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on May 7. The purpose of the event is to provide children ages 3-12 and their families with an opportunity to learn about safety and injury prevention while participating in sports and other recreational activities. The day includes bicycle inspections conducted by the Economy Bike Shop and the Lawrence Township Police Department.  Bicycle tires, frames, handlebars, chain guards, and reflectors will be checked, and parents given a check-list for each bike indicating if anything needs to be repaired. Children who are pre-registered will be given a free bike helmet, fitted by one of the St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center therapists.  Children can ride a bicycle safety course designed by the police department to make the children aware of traffic signals, hand signals, parked cars, and how to avoid unexpected obstacles. The event will also feature other presentations about topics like water safety and fire safety. Children must pre-register to receive helmets and have their bikes inspected.  To register, please call (609) 896-9500, ext. 2212 or email bikerodeo@slrc.org.

Saturday, May 7 – Lawrenceville Fire Co. Fundraiser

A fundraiser to benefit Lawrenceville Volunteer Fire Company’s 100th Anniversary (to be celebrated in 2015) will be held at Captain Paul’s Firehouse Dogs at 2230 Princeton Pike from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 7. Captain Paul’s will donate 20 percent of the proceeds from the sale of hot dogs, ice cream, Italian ice and other refreshments to the fire company. There will be several family-friendly events such as a Moonbounce, a “dunk-a-firefighter” tank, and an appearance from Flashy the Firedog.

Saturday, May 7 – Mother Nature Festival

Lawrence Nature Center, located at 481 Drexel Ave., will present its Mother Nature Festival 2011 from 1 to 5 p.m. on May 7. The event will include a wild animal show, guided nature hikes, a rain barrel workshop, a dedication to the late Ralph Copleman (a founder of Sustainable Lawrence), Blue Grass music and more. The festival, which is free and will be held rain or shine, is sponsored by the Friends of the Lawrence Nature Center, Sustainable Lawrence and the Lawrence Township Green Team Advisory Committee. For a listing of event times, click on the link above or view the flyer in the PDF box above.

Saturday, May 7 – Presentation on Antiques and Collectibles

At 2 p.m. on May 7 at the Lawrence Township headquarters branch of the Mercer County Library, 2751 Brunswick Pike (Business Route 1), Kate Butler, owner of an online antique and collectibles shop, will speak about antique and vintage purses and informally evaluate up to three items per attendee. Items may include antique purses, hats, shoes, vanity items such as talcum powder tins, jewelry, photos, and clothing. The program is co-sponsored by the Lawrence Historical Society. Registration is suggested and can be done by calling the library at (609) 989-6920.  

Sunday, May 8 – Big Red Race

The Lawrenceville School will host its eighth annual Big Red Race on May 8, with all proceeds from the race going directly to support Lawrence Township children who have been selected to attend the School Camp, a summer camp program that has been serving underprivileged youth for over 100 years. Adults will race a 5-kilometer course beginning at 10:15 a.m. This is a fast, flat, twisting course in and around the Lawrenceville School campus. Children will race a variety of distances starting at 9 a.m. on the football field/outdoor track at the school’s Keuffel Stadium. Click here for more information, including event registration.

And here are a few other upcoming local events you might want to take note of:

Monday, May 9 – Lawrence Township Board of Education Reorganization Meeting

Following last month’s statewide school elections, the Lawrence Township School Board will hold its reorganization meeting at 7 p.m. in the library at Lawrence High School, 2525 Princeton Pike.

Tuesday, May 10 – Lawrence Township Public Schools Community Conversation III - POSTPONED

The school district’s third “Community Conversation” to discuss the Lawrence Township Public Schools’ 2010-2015 Strategic Plan has been postponed. It was originally slated to be held on May 10. The district offered this explanation: "May is typically a very busy month with things such as end-of-school year concerts and programs, religious celebrations, and sporting events. This year is proving to be no different. Thus, Superintendent Phil Meara has postponed the May 10 Community Conversation III until the fall.  Please watch for a rescheduled date after the 2011-2012 school year begins in September."

Wednesday, May 11 – Local History Lecture

At 7 p.m. on May 11 at the Lawrence Township headquarters branch of the Mercer County Library, 2751 Brunswick Pike (Business Route 1), Lawrence Township Historian and Lawrence Library Commissioner Dennis Waters will present a free public lecture entitled “Hello London, Lawrenceville is Speaking: The Story of AT&T's ‘Pole Farm’ 1929–1975.” Waters will speak about the newly-uncovered history of the unique short-wave radio facility that for a time made Lawrence Township the high-tech telecommunications hub of North America. The program is co-sponsored by the Lawrence Historical Society. Refreshments will be served. Registration is suggested and can be done by calling the library at (609) 989-6920.

Saturday, May 14 - Spring Sale

The PTO of Ben Franklin Elementary School will host its second-annual Spring Sale on May 14 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the school at 2939 Princeton Pike. Items will be on sale from yard sellers, crafters, and professional vendors.  Last year, nearly 100 people rented space to sell their wares. Like last year, the PTO will again also offer moonbounce rides, games, face painting, and prize raffles and will sell refreshments and donated yard sale items. A Facebook page – BF PTO Spring Sale – has been created for the event. Questions can be directed to Amy Davis at (609) 883-8808.

Saturday, May 14 – Main Street House Tours

Lawrenceville Main Street will host its sixth biennial house tour, rain or shine, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 14. This year’s theme, “Country Living,” celebrates the rural, agricultural heritage of today’s suburban community. Visitors will have the opportunity to view six residences in Lawrence Township – the earliest built around 1720 – that retain their traditional ties to the land. Some local restaurants will offer discounts for lunch on the day and the Lawrenceville Main Street Artists Network art gallery will be open. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 on the day of the event. Click here for more information, including a list and photos of the houses to be toured.

Sunday, May 15 – Bird Watching Nature Walk

“Warbling Wonders – Who is Whistling in the Woods?” will be presented by naturalist Rich Dutko at the Lawrence Nature Center at 481 Drexel Ave. at 9 a.m. on May 15. The event is free but registration is required and can be done by calling the township Recreation Department at (609) 844-7067. “New Jersey is world renowned for our migrating warblers. Countless birds pass through our state in the month of May as they head to northern breeding grounds. Often the birds will ‘drop out’ of the sky into forest patches to forage on spring insects and replenish depleted food reserves from their long journey. Join naturalist Rick Dutko as we walk, watch and listen for birds within the Drexel Woods. Boots are required as the trails are wet and muddy in the Spring. If you have binoculars bring them; some binoculars will be available to borrow for the morning but the number is limited.”

Sunday, May 15 - Lawrence Township Diversity/Cultural Day

Lawrence Township will celebrate the different ethnic and cultural groups living in the community by holding Diversity/Culture Day 2011 from noon to 4 p.m. on May 15 in the commons/cafeteria area of Lawrence High School. The event will feature different cultural foods, music, performances and exhibits.