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THE LONG GOODBYE: THE FINAL DAYS OF FDR AND LUCY MERCER RUTHERFURD. An insightful and moving lecture by historian Joan Leckie Salvas, as she unravels one of the most poignant and little-known chapters in American history—the final days of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his lasting connection to Lucy Mercer Rutherfurd. 4pm. 1686 Route 517. More...
EARLY SPRING WILDFLOWER WALK. Join Darlene Nowak in checking out the early bloomers in the woodlands of the Wildflower Garden 1pm. $5. 20 Morris Rd.. More...
LILAC GARDEN WORKSHOP. During the Volunteer Open House, you’re invited to join volunteers in the Lilac Garden for a workshop and information on one of NJBG’s most popular spring blooms. 10am - 12pm. $5; children under 12 free.. 20 Morris Rd.. More...
EASTER FAMILY WOODLAND HIK. Weather permitting; you can climb to the Mt. Defiance overlook and return, or choose our alternate hike without a climb. 2pm. Free. 20 Morris Rd.. More...
EARTH DAY WEEKEND CELEBRATION. There’s no better way to celebrate than with a visit to NJBG, where you’ll find the beauty of nature and a soothing respite from this busy world, plus a number of special programs. $5. 20 Morris Rd.. More...
THE GALLERY IN BLOOM: SPRING INTO OUR NEW LOOK. Explore the work of some of our more established artists as well as our newer ones while enjoying live music with Philadelphia band "The No Parachute Fred Band" and light refreshments. 12 - 4. 23 Main Street.
LIFE AND DEATH OF STARS. Astronomy presentation by Lonny Buinis, RVCC, followed byobserving sessions, weather permitting. 8pm. UACNJ Observatory at Jenny Jump State Park.
SPRING WILDFLOWER WALK. Join Darlene Nowak in checking out the many delightful spring bloomers in the woodlands of the Wildflower Garden! Wear sturdy shoes, meet at the Carriage House. Rain cancels. 1pm. $5; children under 12 free.. 20 Morris Rd.. More...
ROCK N ROLL STEAMPUNK FAIR. Steampunk vendors, jewelry, clothing, fabulous costumes and so much more! Live music from This Way to the Egress, Dust Bowl Faeries, Durty Rotten Parrots, A Halo Called Fred. 10am - 5pm. Washington Ave.
TREASURES OF THE SWAMP. Participants of all ages are invited to join in this self-paced scavenger hunt, solving clues at 1 or all 6 different Great Swamp locations. Each site visited earns them additional free raffle tickets for some amazing prizes (including the grand prize, valued at $330) so the more places visited, the better the chances to win! The hunt concludes on the 27th with a bonfire, s’mores, and the eagerly awaited raffle. Begin your exploration at any of the participating locations within the Great Swamp watershed region - visit 1 or all 6 sites in any order - all at your own pace:
Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (GSNWR) / Friends of Great Swamp NWR Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center: 32 Pleasant Plains Rd., Basking Ridge
Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) Conservation Management Area (CMA): 1 Tiger Lily Lane, Harding Twp.
Morris County Park Commission (MCPC) Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center (GSOEC): 247 Southern Blvd., Chatham
New Jersey Audubon Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary: 11 Hardscrabble Rd., Bernardsville
Somerset County Park Commission (SCPC) Environmental Education Center (EEC): 190 Lord Stirling Rd., Basking Ridge
The Raptor Trust (TRT) 1452 White Bridge Rd., Millington 6pm. More...
JOE CIROTTI & MIKE ALEXANDER. Traditional Bluegrass in a special show 5pm. Pre-purchase tickets at MiddleValleyNJ.org using PayPal.. Raritan Inn, 528 County Road 513.
HISTORY IN MOTION CAR SHOW. Dozens of classic cars, muscle cars, antique cars, hot rods, and exotic cars, foreign and domestic, will be on display. Music by Golden Gup from his custom pink 1965 Ford F-100. 9am - 3pm. Free. The Westin Governor Morris. More...
WHY GO NATIVE?. What exactly are native plants, and why do they matter? Join the Morris County chapter of the Native Plant Society to learn the many ecological benefits of growing native plants in our gardens. 2pm. Free. 45 Macculloch Avenue. More...
AUDUBON: SPRING NATURE WALK. Don Torino of the Bergen County Audubon Society will lead you on a walk through the Botanical Garden to look for early spring birds visiting NJBG, as well as the many different species that inhabit our region. 10am. Free. 20 Morris Rd.. More...
April - June • ONLINE WORKSHOPS. Peters Valley is excited to offer some innovative online workshops in the fall, winter & spring. Workshops will be added to the calendar on a regular basis and will complement our in-person learning. Register online.
March 15-April 20 • SECOND CAREER MAKERS. The exhibit highlights the work of individuals who have either held a previous career before transitioning into a full time maker or are balancing a career alongside their creative practices. We aim to highlight the deep and storied backgrounds that often contribute to an artists process as well as gain insights into the steps one may take if they are planning to transition into making full time. We’re pleased to be showcasing ceramics, woodworking, collage, textiles, jewelry, blacksmithing, glass, and more in this well rounded display. There are 53 artists represented in this exhibition.
Work by Ellen Mulligan (left) nd Sandy Pancrazi (right) featured at Gallery 23
April 1-April 30 • FEATURED ARTISTS. The month of April will showcase ceramic artist, Ellen Mulligan and potter, Sandy Pancrazi.
Mulligan enjoys “making mugs; bowls, plates and platters. I like to imagine my pots stacked in the dishwasher – sturdy, dirty and well-used. The idea of my pieces being invited to your table is what makes this all so special to me.”
Sandy Pancrazi works out of her basement studio in northern New Jersey making functional pottery in earthenware and stoneware.
Both artists will offer 10% off any one item with a coupon at checkout during the month of April
April 24-May 4 • CARRIE. Based on the Stephen King novel.
Lackland Center, 715 Grand Ave.. ; 908/979-0900
NJAA Observatory, High Bridge
Weekends • ASTRONOMY PROGRAMS. New Jersey Astronomical Association Observatory
is open to the public every weekend from Memorial Day to Halloween.
Saturday
evening programs begin at 8:30 PM and include a tour of the facility and public
viewing of planets/deep space objects through the 26" telescope, as well as
other smaller scopes. On Sunday afternoons from 2-5 PM, the public is invited
to look at sun spots through the 10" scope equipped with special solar filters.
For additional information, call or visit NJAA’swebsite.
Above, the Rosette Nebula is approximately 130 light years in diameter and 5,000 light years from Earth. Young stars at the center excite the surrounding hydrogen gas and cause it to glow. The photograph was taken at the UACNJ site in Jenny Jump State Forest by Gregg Waldron, MMAS
Saturdays • ASTRONOMY TALKS. Presentations
followed by observing sessions, weather permitting, at the UACNJ Observatory located 1,100 feet above sea level in Jenny Jump State Forest. The site is one of the few dark sky locations left in the state and features several permanently mounted telescopes from a 7-inch APO refractor to a 16-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain.
Weekends • THE PEQUEST TROUT HATCHERY AND NATURAL RESOURCE EDUCATION CENTER hosts a series of programs about the natural world around us for young and old alike. Preregistration is usually required. Topics range from a child’s first introduction to nature to seminars for expert fly fishers.
Ongoing • TOURS OF WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS AT THE FORD MANSION.
The Washington’s
Headquarters Museum includes includes three exhibit galleries, a 30-minute introductory video, and the Discover History Center. Tours of Fords Mansion are available at 10 and 11am and at 1, 2, 3 and 4pm.