While there are still a few days to enjoy the last breaths of summer, it’s time to mark your calendars for some fun area events for autumn. Cherry Hill Township and community organizations have recently released a their listings of arty and adventurous things to do without heading too far.
In the community
Want to go for a walk without too much of a possibility of getting bitten by pesky insects? Head to the Cherry Hill Mall the third Wednesday of each month beginning on Sept. 19 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and take a stroll with Mayor Chuck Cahn as part of the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign. There is no cost to attend.
Seniors can stop by Croft Farm Arts Center at 100 Bortons Mill Road on Friday, Sept. 21 at 11 a.m. for a live performance by Philly Cuzz, who will be vocalizing the likes of Frank Sinatra and Jimmy Durante, as well as a sandwich and tossed salad. There is a $5 fee per person, or $8 the day of the luncheon.
Another luncheon for seniors will be held to view “Carmen” on Friday, Oct. 19 at 10 a.m. with lunch served during intermission. The cost for that viewing will be $3 per person or $5 the day of. Purchase advanced tickets or for more information, call (856) 488–7868 or email arts@chtownship.com. Check CherryHillArts.Blogspot.com for other events, as they become known.
Ever hear of National Public Lands Day? Well, it’s on Saturday, Sept. 29. Join the Cherry Hill Environmental Board for a morning of open space improvements throughout the township from 9 a.m. to noon. To get involved, contact the board’s liaison, Earle Seneres, at (856) 424–3203 or eseneres@chtownship.com.
If you’re up for a movie on Wednesday, Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m., Croft Farm will be hosting a free viewing of “The Soloist,” a film about a journalist from Los Angeles who befriends a homeless musician. To register, call (856) 488–7889 or email alliance@chtownship.com.
Enjoy an open-air celebration of piano music on Oct. 5, Oct. 6 and Oct. 7 at Jacob Music’s “70 on 70” piano festival. The festival will take place at the Barclay Farms Shopping Center on Route 70 and will highlight gifted and unexpected South Jersey piano performers. To be considered for a performance, contact Liz Matt at Sharla Feldscher Public Relations at (215) 285–4867 or email liz@sf-pr.com.
For the second time, The Friends of Barclay Farmstead will be presenting their free “Make It Historic” at the farmstead, 209 Barclay Lane on Sunday, Oct. 7 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Feel what it would be like to live on an early 19th century farm and take part in some family-friendly crafts and demonstrations. For more details, contact the farmstead at (856) 795–6225 or email info@barclayfarmstead.org.
Fall into the arts with a juried photograph exhibit from Oct. 13 to Oct. 27 at Croft Farm. The opening reception will be held on Oct. 13 for free from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Gallery hours are scheduled to be from Oct. 15 to Oct. 18, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Oct. 21 from noon to 4 p.m. and Oct. 22 through Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Shortly after, head to a coffee house on Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. to enjoy coffee, poetry and music for $5.
As Election Day inches closer and closer, seniors will have the opportunity to have coffee with elected officials on Monday, Oct. 15 at noon. The free event will take place at the Carman Tilelli Community Center, 820 Mercer St. Freeholder Jeffrey Nash will be on hand to discuss topics of concern with the local senior community. For further information, call (856) 488–7868 or email events@chtownship.com.
Need a reason to check out a parenting book? Go to the Cherry Hill Public Library, 1100 North Kings Highway for a two-part series book club on A Nation of Wimps on Thursday, Oct. 18 and Thursday, Nov. 1 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Registration is preferred. For information, call (856) 488–4889 or email alliance@chtownship.com.
In the thick of the season, be sure to stop by the Harvest Festival, which will be featuring a fire and life safety day, on Sunday, Oct. 21 at Croft Farm from noon to 4 p.m. The rain or shine event is free to attend. All of the usual fall fun activities will be present, from a hayride to pumpkin patch and farmers market. Pony rides and a costume parade will add to the fun. The scarecrow display is not to be forgotten. The township and Springdale Farms will be offering a scarecrow-building workshop in mid-October at the farm. To sign up for the workshop, call the recreation department at (856) 488–7868 or email events@chtownship.com.
The Carman Tilelli Community Center will be host to a special senior services open house and barbecue on Monday, Oct. 22 from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. The free event will explain community services to residents aged 55 or older. Calling (856) 488–7868 or emailing events@chtownship.com can glean additional information.
Hang out with author Nelson Johnson of Boardwalk Empire fame on Tuesday, Oct. 23 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Cherry Hill Public Library’s conference center. The free night will include a speech from Johnson about his book, which later inspired the HBO series. The Cherry Hill Historical Commission presents the night. Contact (856) 488–7886 or CHHC@chtownship.com for more details.
Springdale Farm, 1638 South Springdale Road, will be hosting a bulb forcing interactive workshop on Tuesday, Nov. 13 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Bulb forcing expert Walt Fisher will present the night. There is a fee of $15 for one pot or $25 for two pots. Visit http://www.springdalefarms.com/specialevents.php to learn more.
At the schools
Back to School Nights have arrived in the Cherry Hill School District. Head to http://www.cherryhill.k12.nj.us/news/news/detail.cfm?itemid=4609 to confirm the date of your child’s night.
Concerts and plays at the high schools:
Oct. 18 at Cherry Hill High School West: Fall Preview Concert at 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 30 at Cherry Hill High School East: Fall Preview Concert at 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 14 at Cherry Hill High School West: Men’s Night Out featuring male vocalists from Cherry Hill elementary and middle schools and Cherry Hill West — ladies are welcome to attend from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Nov. 15, 16, 17 at Cherry Hill High School West: Fall Show, Old Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday Matinee, 2 p.m.
Nov. 30, Dec. 1, Dec. 7, and Dec. 8 at Cherry Hill High School East: Fall Play at 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 13 at Cherry Hill High School East: Winter Choral/Orchestra at 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 13 at Cherry Hill High School West: Winter Instrumental Concert at 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 18 at Cherry Hill High School East: Winter Bands Concert at 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 20 at Cherry Hill High School West: Winter Choral Concert at 7:30 p.m.
Not to be missed is the West versus East homecoming football game, kicking off at 6 p.m. on Nov. 21 at Cherry Hill High School West.
