The journey that began on the vines is now running to completion in fermentation tanks.

Growing and harvesting and crushing the grapes grown in local vineyards took place earlier in this year's seasons. The journey that began on the vines is now running to completion in fermentation tanks.

Some of this year's production is maturing, and wine from previous years is available right now. Wine is an old favorite for celebrating the holidays. 

Balic of Clinton Wines & Gifts has some 20 wines produced at the Balic Winery in southern New Jersey. But it's much more than wines.

This destination shop, located at 20 Main St. in Clinton, offers olive oils, gourmet foods, fine chocolates, coffees and teas, and wine accessories.

"We will be open until 4:30 on Christmas Eve," said Joan Schaming. "And we will be open on New Year's Day as well." Wine tasting and olive oil tasting can be an everyday event here.

Schaming and Ronald Williams are the proprietors. They opened the store back in 2004.

Wines here run the gamut from dry reds and whites, to sparkling and cream sherry. Fruit wines include blackberry, raspberry, blueberry, cranberry, cherry, huckleberry and an organic pomegranate. Then there is the almond wine.

The olive oils available at Balic are produced by the Temecula Olive Oil Company in California. This is a family-owned olive ranch. They grow the olives using sustainable methods, and the harvest results in a variety of olive oils.

"These extra virgin olive oils are first pressing, containing less than one percent acidity," explained Schaming. "And the olives must be perfect and clear."

The olive fruit is pressed with fresh fruit or herbs -- not infused, she noted. Choose from fresh lemon, blood orange, basil, rosemary, cilantro, jalapeno, roasted garlic, and more.

Crystal wine glasses and decanters from Lennox come four to a box. These are available in different shapes for beer, ale, wine and spirits.

Gift baskets are pre-made or custom made to your order. You can select from a variety of pickled veggies, chocolate covered goodies, and wine, of course. How about a Corkcicle Artican? This handy gift keeps a can or bottle of beer ice-cold.

For more information, call 908 713-9463 or visit BalicOfClinton.com.

* * *

Beneduce Vineyards is located a 1 Jeremiah Lane, near Skymanor Airport.

"Our 2015 harvest is our best yet," said Mike Beneduce, Jr. "We planted our vines in 2009 and opened the winery in 2012."

He thinks that this area is on the verge of an explosion in the wine industry. And Hunterdon is at the forefront.

"Our soil is deep and well-drained," he told me. "No irrigation is necessary. We originally planted 16 acres of vines." And he is expanding the plantings.

He has just released the 2014 Gewurztraminer. This is a full-bodied, dry, crisp white wine with a tropical fruit flavor. It is part of the Beneduce Premium Collection. Others include Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Dry Riesling and Syrah.

The Beneduce Classic Collection includes Three Windows White -- a cold fermented and aged wine, and Shotgun Red -- a blend of grapes from Chambourcin, Corot Noir and Noiret vines.

The Signature Collection includes Blue 2 (from the Blaufrankisch varietal), Centerfold (a Pinot Noir), Tuxedo (also a Pinot Noir -- very limited production), and finally the much-heralded Mangione.

Wine tasting is available Wednesday through Sunday, starting at noon. No reservation is necessary.

"Our tropical oasis greenhouse is open those days," he said. "On Saturday and Sunday, we have live music. We are closed Christmas Day, but (this Saturday, Dec. 26), Brother John Brown will be doing classic rock from the 60s and 70s."

For more information, call 908 996-3823 or visit BeneduceVineyards.com.

* * *

Winemaker Scott Gares oversees Old York Cellars. This active winery is located at 80 Old York Road in Ringoes.

"The place is beautifully decorated for the holidays," said Jennifer Tanner. "We're open every day including Christmas Eve and the weekend after Christmas, as well as right through New Year's Day and that weekend."

Wines produced here have received many metals. The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon brought home the gold from the Finger Lakes and Denver International Wine Competitions.

Old York Cellars wines include dry whites, dry reds, off-dry and semi-sweets, dessert wines and a Blanc de Blanc sparkling wine. See the website for the full listing. Holiday wine gifts are available if ordered before midnight, Dec. 22, for in-store pickup before Christmas.

Custom label wine bottles can be ordered online. Text, logos, even photos can be incorporated in custom labels, and you can email these. Custom labels are popular for holiday parties, corporate gifts, weddings and other events throughout the year.

Shipping is available for a single bottle or a case--which can be mixed wines, according to Tanner. White cardboard or wooden boxes are available.

This Saturday and Sunday the Ugly Sweater Competition will be held here. Free wine tasting rewards your ugly sweater when you wear it.

The Old York Cellars Vista Room is available for private parties, luncheons, corporate events, and other gatherings. On Saturday and Sunday the weekend after New Year's Day, Rob Viola will be entertaining in the Vista Room, 1 to 4 p.m. Enjoy some music and mulled wine by the fireplace.

For more information, call 908 284-9463 or visit OldYorkCellars.com.

Al Warr can be reached at 610 253-0432 or AlWarr16@gmail.com          

Each agency will receive a $10,000 grant.

The New Jersey Department of Health Monday announced $190,000 in ShapingNJ Healthy Community Grants to 19 community organizations, including the Hunterdon County YMCA, that will launch specific initiatives resulting in greater access to healthy foods and opportunities to be physically active. Each agency will receive a $10,000 grant. 

"By establishing community farm markets that accept WIC and SNAP vouchers, placing nutritious options in workplace vending machines and implementing other changes at the local level, healthy choices will be more accessible to residents," said Acting Health Commissioner Cathleen Bennett. "At-risk populations will greatly benefit from the projects these grants support."

Launched in 2009, ShapingNJ is a public-private partnership of more than 200 organizations working together to improve health outcomes and advance policy and environmental changes that support healthy eating and active living in New Jersey.

The department has awarded nearly $1 million in ShapingNJ grants since the initiative began. The program is coordinated by the Office of Community Health and Wellness with support from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the wake of national media coverage of the lawsuit, current and former students at Hunterdon Central have taken to Twitter using the hashtag #fightforhashem to express their support while hundreds of NJ.com readers have responded to the allegations in the lawsuit.

RARITAN TWP. -- A teacher who claims she was fired from Hunterdon Central Regional High School because of her race and religion is suing the district, school board, school officials and Hunterdon County in U.S. District Court in Newark.

Sireen Hashem, an Arab and Palestinian Muslim who taught U. S. History in the Social Studies department at Hunterdon Central from 2013-15, claims she was prevented from discussing topics covered by her colleagues and teaching the way her colleagues taught, and was retaliated against for questioning why she was being treated differently.

The suit was filed last week in federal District Court in Newark and cites Hunterdon County, the Hunterdon Central Regional Board of Education, Hunterdon Central Regional High School, Superintendent Christina Steffner, Principal Suzanne Cooley, and two teachers who supervised her, Robert Zywicki and Rebecca Lucas.

School Superintendent Christina Steffner released a statement on Dec. 17 saying she hadn't been served with a complaint yet, but she'd read about some of Hashem's comments.

"I want to very clearly state that Ms. Hashem's allegations against me are untrue. I have never made a personnel decision based on any improper purpose," Steffner said. 

Muslim teacher's suit claims discrimination at Central from start

In the wake of national media coverage of the lawsuit, current and former students at Hunterdon Central have taken to Twitter using the hashtag #fightforhashem to express their support while hundreds of NJ.com readers have responded to the allegations in the lawsuit.

Here's what NJ.com readers had to say about the discrimination lawsuit.

Emily Cummins may be reached at ecummins@njadvancemedia.com Follow her on Twitter @EmilyACummins and Facebook.

Matt D'Alessandro,Scottie Semanchik, Danny Powley, Jared Bridenbaugh, Dylan Gabriel, Ethan Klopfer, and Kevin Minch all scored for the Flemington squad.

Flemington Lightning has started the season with three straight wins in the Sunday Flemington 7th Grade Travel Basketball League.

The Lightning improved to 3-0 on Sunday with a 45-32 win over Montgomery. Zack Mraz and Colin Johnston had 11 points while Matthew Ciszkowski chipped in with eight points.

Matt D'Alessandro,Scottie Semanchik, Danny Powley, Jared Bridenbaugh, Dylan Gabriel,  Ethan Klopfer, and Kevin Minch all scored for the Flemington squad.

The Lightning beat Hunterdon Hustle on opening day by a score of 49-27. The balanced scoring attack for the Flemington Team had Kevin Minch with eight points and Zach Mraz, Danny Powley, and Matthew Ciszkowski with seven points each.  Matt D'Alessandro and Dylan Gabriel added six points. Ethan Klopher and Jared Bridenbaugh had three apiece and Scottie Semanchik had two points.

The Lightning worked hard for win number two by defeating Branchburg 42-38.  Ciszkowski lead the Lightning with 12 points including two foul shots with 4 seconds left to seal the win. Mraz chipped in with 8 points with Powley and Bridenbaugh scoring seven points each.

***

In Flemington Raritan Youth Basketball 3/4 Girls Rec Game game action, the Wildcats (3-0) continued their winning ways defeating a very good Delaware Valley team this past Saturday 16-5. 

The Cats continue to spread the ball around with five players scoring on a myriad of plays. Brianna Mastriano 6 points and Lucia Capone 4 points led the team in scoring with Ella Rowinski, Lauren McCarthy, and Kelly Pawlikoski each with 2 points, giving the Wildcats a comfortable margin of victory. 

The real story continues to be a defense that smothers their opponents opportunities to score. Eila Holland, Bella Pistoia, Emily Culton and Ava Cupo, continue to lead a defense that plays aggressive and will pounce on every loose ball within reach. The Wildcats will resume play after the Holidays.

Many scouts, leaders, and parents from the troop sang festive holiday songs to the residents throughout the center.

Boy Scout Troop 65 of Ringoes recently visited the Hunterdon Care Center in Flemington.

Many scouts, leaders, and parents from the troop sang festive holiday songs to the residents throughout the center.

Troop 65 meets regularly at the Kirkpatrick Memorial Presbyterian Church in Ringoes. Boys ages 11-17 can join Troop 65 by contacting Scoutmaster Lorenzoni at alorenzoni@comcast.net or 609-558-4923.

Dan and Joann were married on Oct. 9, 1965, at the Sergeantsville Methodist Church, Sergeantsville.

Joann Stubbins and Daniel E. Stubbins, Jr., of Myrtle Beach, S.C., formerly of Delaware Township celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Oct. 9, 2015, at a surprise dinner party in Myrtle Beach with family and friends hosted by their children, Dan (Barbara) Stubbins of Stockton, David (Cathy) Stubbins of Lowell, Michigan, Dawn (Jeff) Guinn of Lowel, Michigan, and Wendy (Robert) Woltmann, Myrtle Beach, S.C.

In addition to their four children, Dan and Joann have 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Dan and Joann were married on Oct. 9, 1965, at the Sergeantsville Methodist Church, Sergeantsville.

Cimbala will celebrate the Service of the Great Sanctification of Water, popularly known as the River Blessing.

The blessing of the Raritan River will take place on Sunday, Jan. 10, led by the Very Rev. Edward G. Cimbala, pastor of St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church in Hillsborough.

Cimbala will celebrate the Service of the Great Sanctification of Water, popularly known as the River Blessing. This service will once again be celebrated in conjunction with the Feast of the Theophany, the commemoration of the Baptism of Jesus by St. John the Baptist in the Jordan River.

The celebration will take place at 12:30 p.m. at the Nevius Street Bridge in Raritan Borough.

For a map and information about the Nevius Street Bridge, see http://www.yelp.com/biz/nevius-street-bridge-raritan. St. Mary's is located at 1900 Brooks Boulevard, Hillsborough.

Ithacappella will perform renditions of popular songs from traditional barbershop to current radio hits.

FRENCHTOWN - The Delaware Valley P erforming Arts B ooster Club presents a family-friendly evening of high quality music performed by Ithacappella at 7 p.m. on Jan. 4.

They are an award winning, all male a cappella singing group from Ithaca College. Prior to an evening concert, the group will conduct interactive workshops with choral students from Delaware Valley and perform a short concert for the members of the student body. During the evening performance, members of the Delaware Valley Regional High School choirs will be performing on stage with I thacappella.

The one-night-only concert will take place at the Delaware Valley Regional High School auditorium. Ithacappella will perform renditions of popular songs from traditional barbershop to current radio hits.

Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students and senior citizens. Tickets can be purchased at the door or you may call early to secure your ticket. For pre-sale ticket information, contact James Schnyderite at 908-996-2131, ext. 6621. Visit www.ithacapella.com for additional information.

Come out and enjoy a relaxing evening of music and humor. All proceeds benefit the Delaware Valley Performing Arts Boosters.

Muslim students should be made to feel welcome and safe, a resident told the school board Monday night.

RARITAN TWP. -- A crowd of more than 100 turned out Monday night for Hunterdon Central Regional High School's first board meeting since a lawsuit was filed against the district alleging religious discrimination.

Those in attendance were calm and respectful, only two speaking about the lawsuit, and both concerned about the safety of Muslim students. Two others wanted to talk about the 2016-17 school calendar, which has a back-to-school night and an in-service day scheduled on Yom Kippur, something they said is unfair to Jewish teachers. 

"I'm concerned about the Muslim students in the school, that they feel safe," said Larry Wohl of Delaware Township.

On Dec. 14, former teacher Sireen Hashem, an Arab and Palestinian Muslim, sued the school district, its officials and Hunterdon County, claiming she was fired because of her religion and nationality. The suit claims she was prevented from discussing topics covered by her colleagues and teaching the way her colleagues taught, and was retaliated against for questioning why she was being treated differently.

"We'll see what happens with the lawsuit," said Wohl, who's a lawyer himself. "But the timing of this lawsuit is unfortunate, with what's happened in San Bernardino, and the fact we have presidential candidates espousing tracking Muslims.

"There are Islamic students in this school, and they need to feel welcome, safe and part of the community. People around the country are very nervous if you're a Muslim, and it's very concerning."

Particularly worrying, he said, are comments readers can view on stories about the lawsuit posted online. "Read some of the comments on the articles you see, and it doesn't make you feel proud," Wohl said.

His comments drew a long resounding round of applause from the crowd.

Board Attorney John Comegno thanked Wohl, and said the board looks forward "to having a full and fair opportunity to address some recent comments."

Comegno said the board "values its relationships with people of all faiths." 

No one else on the board spoke about the lawsuit and Superintendent Christina Steffner said she cannot comment on the lawsuit at the moment.

Wohl said he knows what's it's like being in a religious minority, having moved into Delaware Township when people in the schools "were reading about the baby Jesus and sitting on Santa's lap." Progress has been made, he said, but he maintained, "sensitivity is something you really need to look at."

That comment also addressed another issue before the board Monday night -- the school calendar for 2016-17.

The school observes two back-to-school nights, and by contract with the teachers' union, they're held on a Thursday, with the following Friday being set aside as in-service training days for teachers, with students staying home. Because of the complexities of block scheduling, teachers had decided to forgo that agreement and hold the second back-to-school night earlier in the week.

Eric Wasserman was eyeing that second planned back-to-school night, set for Oct. 11, which is Yom Kippur. "I'm well aware that this was needed so we could close school on Yom Kippur so students could attend services," Wasserman said. "But there's a very big issue of insensitivity here." He said it's insensitive to observant Jewish teachers.

Accommodations would be made, he said, allowing the observant teachers to provide video presentations for back-to-school night and skip the in-service training, but that training is one way to earn professional development credits, he said. "I'm applauding the board for trying to come up with a way to have students not come to school," he said, "but just close the school for everybody on Yom Kippur."

Steffner addressed the calendar issue, saying by moving the second back-to-school night to October, teachers would be further into the curriculum and the night might be more meaningful. "We've been considering the possibility of doing some virtual presentations," Steffner said, saying the online presentations would be helpful for parents who couldn't get to the back-to-school night.

Videotaping in-service training would also help teachers who couldn't attend, she said, noting that they could watch the videos in three two-hour sessions, or over the summer in a six-hour session.

In the end, the board approved the back-to-school night schedule as proposed.

Sallie Graziano may be reached at sgraziano@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SallieGraziano. Find The Hunterdon County Democrat on Facebook.

A social studies teacher at Hunterdon Central Regional High School has made some shocking allegations that she was let go from her job because of her race and her religion.

The twin themes of brotherhood and inclusion know no season. But in these weeks of heightened religious observance leading up to Christmas, they echo with particular resonance.

A social studies teacher at Hunterdon Central Regional High School has made some shocking allegations that she was let go from her job because of her race and her religion.

Hunterdon Central High School in a file photo.

If Sireen Hashem's claims are proven true, they tell us more about ourselves in the final days of 2015 than we should feel comfortable knowing.

Students react to firing of Muslim teacher

An Arab and a Palestinian Muslim, Hashem has filed a federal law suit against the district, school board, school officials and the county, charging that she was barred from discussing topics her colleagues taught in their classes, and that when she protested, the school took retaliatory action - including failing to renew her contract.

The suit claims that when Hashem showed a video on the life of Malala Yousafzai, a young girl who was shot in the head for standing up to the Taliban, she was summoned to a meeting with her supervisor and told "she could not teach current events in the same manner as her non-Arab, non-Palestinian and non-Muslim colleagues."

The lawsuit outlines a series of other alleged incidents spanning two years.

Among other things, it says a student posted allegations on Facebook that Hashem's brother was a terrorist, that Hashem herself was anti-Israel, and that the teacher was "attempting to instill anti-Semitic views in students and ... may hurt students who did not agree with her."

Moreover, Hashem told CNN that the FBI showed up at her door one morning in July, apparently in response to a report that she told school board members "they would be sorry" if they didn't revisit their decision not to renew her contract.

There is a constant drum beat of fear in the air these days, punctuated by the anti-Muslim slurs and rantings of most of the GOP presidential candidates, particularly Donald Trump.

One byproduct of this poisonous atmosphere is mistrust of the "other." In the past, that role has been filled variously by Jews, by the Irish, by Japanese-Americans, by gays and lesbians.

We're fond of assuring each other that this is not who we are as a society. Sadly, it's often exactly who we are: mistrustful, xenophobic, and quick assign blame to an entire class of people.

For its part, the school district has been largely silent as the lawsuit plays out, as it should be in a personnel matter still under investigation.  

While Christmas is by its very nature a Christian holiday, its values of tolerance and acceptance are shared by people of all faiths. Now is a particularly good time to remember that.

This not-for-profit organization grows and gleans fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables to donate to hunger relief agencies throughout the state and distributed at Free Farm Markets in impoverished New Jersey cities.

WHITEHOUSE STATION -- The Ryland Inn, a Landmark Hospitality restaurant, will donate 10-percent of sales from the three most popular tables during January to America's Grow-a-Row.

This not-for-profit organization grows and gleans fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables to donate to hunger relief agencies throughout the state and distributed at Free Farm Markets in impoverished New Jersey cities.

The group also educates people of all ages about the hunger crisis, nutrition, healthy eating and agriculture. In 2015, thanks to the help of 5,500 volunteers, America's Grow-a-Row donated 1.2 million pounds of fruits and vegetables to those in need. Since its inception in 2002, it has donated more than 4.9 million pounds, which translates to 19.6 million servings.

Landmark Hospitality owners Frank and Jeanne Cretella strongly believe in working toward the betterment of the communities in which they do business. H.U.G.'s fundraising efforts have included hosting an event for victims of Hurricane Katrina and NJ Sail (a program dedicated to teaching valuable skills to youth as well as contributing to local charities on a monthly basis).

Landmark also holds annual Snowflake Awards and Easter Egg Hunts, both of which host hundreds of Jersey City children.

Negotiators for the school board and teachers' association are scheduled to have their first session with a mediator on Jan. 11.

RARITAN TWP. -- Negotiators for Hunterdon Central Regional High School's teachers union and the school board are heading into their first mediation session in ongoing contract negotiations, and a representative for the teachers told the board Monday night that morale is becoming an issue.

Teachers have been working under the terms of a contract that expired in June, and about 40 held signs in front of the entrance to Monday night's school board meeting before its start, proclaiming,"We Support HCHS Teachers & Staff. Settle The Contract!" 

Jan. 11 will be the first mediation session for negotiators for the school board and teachers' union, said Gymlyn Corbin, the district's business administrator. 

"Educators at Central are fighting to stay motivated," Michele Bernhard told the board. Bernhard is co-chief negotiator for the teachers' association. "We have more out-of-class work, and the fact that net salaries have barely increased since 2010 is very demoralizing."

Bernhard said she's seen the phenomenon happening to her husband in his work, and asked the room, "How many of you have worked on your resumes?

"In good years when we feel valued and respected we'll bend over backward to help our students excel," Bernhard said. "It's becoming increasingly harder. We're burned out from the ever-increasing course load."

She warned the board of a "growing shortage of qualified teachers" across the country, and urged board members to "make every effort on Jan. 11 to settle a contract that will allow us to retain our teachers."

Bernhard's comments drew a loud round of applause from many of the 100-plus people attending the meeting. Board members made no comment.

Since Oct. 15, teachers have stopped volunteering for activities that go above and beyond their normal daily duties. That job action hasn't had a detrimental effect on students, Superintendent Christina Steffner has said.

Sallie Graziano may be reached at sgraziano@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SallieGraziano. Find The Hunterdon County Democrat on Facebook.

Following a full post-operation medical evaluation Monday, Lily, the injured American bald eagle found in the yard of a Hunterdon County home is recovering well despite some setbacks, according to The Raptor Trust. Watch video

ALEXANDRIA -- Following a full post-operation medical evaluation Monday, Lily, the injured American bald eagle found in the yard of a Hunterdon County home, is recovering well despite some setbacks, according to The Raptor Trust.

The roughly 3-year-old male bird's lead poisoning levels are down after a 5-day chelation treatment, meaning treatment can stop as the organization continues to monitor the bird's blood levels, according to updates posted on The Raptor Trust's Facebook page.

However, wildlife veterinarians found an infection in the area where surgery was performed to pin the bald eagle's broken leg last week, the organization states in its update.

They have begun antibiotic treatment, but the organization reports the area around the wound is in bad shape where bits of broken bone and shattered lead pellet fragments were removed.

"We remain hopeful for Lily. Our team is working hard not just for him, but for the many other birds in our care at The Raptor Trust as well. We have admitted well over 4,000 birds for care this year, from robins and warblers to vultures and falcons," The Raptor Trust wrote.

Rescued two weeks ago by The Avian Wildlife Center and The Raptor Trust, the bald eagle was determined to have been shot by two pellets, injuring its leg and rupturing one of its air sacks.

A joint state and federal investigation coordinated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife is underway and law enforcement officials are running ballistics tests on the pea size pellet removed from the bird's air sack to find who may have shot him.

State Department of Environmental Protection did not immediately respond to a request for updates in the case and the investigation is ongoing.

Bald eagles are protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, as well as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and shooting a bald eagle is a violation of federal law.

Someone convicted under the acts could face imprisonment of up to a year-and-a-half with maximum fines of $100,000 and $15,000, respectively, and multiple agencies have offered rewards for information "leading to the conviction of the person or persons responsible."

Emily Cummins may be reached at ecummins@njadvancemedia.com Follow her on Twitter @EmilyACummins and Facebook.

The students were asked to find family and friends to sponsor them for every addition problem they could correctly answer on the computer in three minutes.

Whitehouse and Three Bridges students from the Readington Township Public Schools conducted a math-a-thon fundraiser to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project. 

The students were asked to find family and friends to sponsor them for every addition problem they could correctly answer on the computer in three minutes. The children received an overwhelming response: Their generous families and friends pledged enough to raise a total of $8,664.05, which has been donated to the charity.

This experience was an opportunity for second and third graders to learn about our veterans and how important it is to support them. 

The Wounded Warrior Project is a charity that honors and empowers wounded warriors. Their goals are to raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured service members aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of injured service members.

The next event will be the second annual Chocolate Lover's Tea on Feb. 13 at 2 p.m.

The Samuel Fleming Museum & Gardens in Flemington has cancelled its Jan. 9 open house because of construction. 

The next event will be the second annual Chocolate Lover's Tea on Feb. 13 at 2 p.m.

For more information, visit fleminghousemuseum.org.

The sights, smells and sounds of holidays filled the hallways at Readington Middle School when sixth graders celebrated Cultures and Traditions Day on Monday.

The sights, smells and sounds of holidays filled the hallways at Readington Middle School when sixth graders celebrated Cultures and Traditions Day on Monday.

Family members were invited to share their customs and family traditions with the students, who rotated through 30 stations throughout the school to learn how other cultures celebrate special holidays.

Students will be offering bath and nail services for small, medium, and large dogs at a fee.

Students in Hunterdon County Polytech's Animal Science program are preparing to offer their dog grooming services to the public, and appointments are now available.

Students will be offering bath and nail services for small, medium, and large dogs at a fee. Customers will also be able to take advantage of these services by booking an appointment during Polytech's Open House, which will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 23.

First Day Hikes will take place in state parks all across America, and will offer a great way to get outside, exercise, enjoy nature and welcome the New Year with friends and family.

Delaware Canal State Park will sponsor two free guided hikes on New Year's Day as part of America's State Parks First Day Hikes nationwide initiative. 

Family friendly hikes will take place on the Delaware Canal towpath, beginning at Wy Hit Tuk Park, Route 611 south of Easton, and at Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve (lower parking lot) at 1635 River Road (Route 32) in New Hope, on Friday, Jan. 1, from 1-3 p.m.

First Day Hikes will take place in state parks all across America, and will offer a great way to get outside, exercise, enjoy nature and welcome the New Year with friends and family. More information about First Day Hikes at Delaware Canal State Park is available here.

"For the fifth consecutive year, First Day Hikes offer a great cure for cabin fever and a chance to burn off those extra holiday calories, and what better way to welcome the new year than with an invigorating walk or hike in one of our beautiful state parks?" said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. "We again are excited to showcase the beauty of our state parks while joining in hosting these hikes as part of a national effort to get people outdoors and into parks."

First Day Hikes originated more than 25 years ago at the Blue Hills Reservation - a state park in Milton, Massachusetts. Last year, more than 41,000 people participated in guided hikes that covered over 79,000 miles on 997 hikes across the country.

"Last year, we hosted more than 1,200 people who hiked more than 2,881 miles in our state parks across Pennsylvania," Dunn said. "The 'Welcome Mat' is out at our state parks, whether you're staying close to home or traveling, join us New Year's Day."

America's State Parks boast a variety of beautiful settings for year-round outdoor recreation, and each First Day Hike will offer an opportunity to explore the unique natural and cultural treasures close to home. 

In Pennsylvania, 23 state parks will offer First Day Hikes in 2016. At Delaware Canal State Park, First Day hikers will take a gentle 2-4 mile walk on the level terrain of the canal towpath and learn a little bit about canal history. Hikers will pass historical landmarks and scenic Delaware River vistas. Visitors can listen to birds, breathe in the fresh air, discover wildlife tracks, feel the wind and the warmth of the sun or the coldness of the snow. Visitors can expect to be surrounded by the quiet beauty of nature in winter, experience spectacular views and vistas and benefit from the company of a knowledgeable state park guide.   
 
"America's State Parks provide havens for young and old alike to explore the beauty and serenity of nature through outdoor recreation," National Association of State Park Directors Executive Director Lewis Ledford said. "Hiking offers inspiring ways to improve your physical and mental health, while discovering beautiful public lands in every state."

Hikers are invited to share their experience on social media using #FirstDayHike and #OutdoorsinPA.

Delaware Canal State Park also offers hiking, biking, and boating opportunities along its length. For a full list of upcoming programs, see below or visit the park's online events calendar.

She has a white, short-haired coat and bright green eyes.

Vanilla is a gentle, four-month old kitten looking for her a new home.

She has a white, short-haired coat and bright green eyes. Vanilla is quite mellow for a young kitten, and simply wants to be snuggled and held. She is just a tiny sweetheart.

To meet Vanilla and all the cats available for adoption, visit Tabby's Place at 1100 Route 202, Ringoes, any day between noon and 5 p.m. or call 908-237-5300.

Tabby's Place is offering $50 adoption fees for the month of December.

The Legal Information Clinic program offers individuals two 45-minute private, one-on-one sessions per year, each session with a different attorney, where individuals can ask questions pertaining to their situation.

NORWESCAP's Career & Life Transitions Center is scheduling appointments and arranging one-on-one, confidential, Legal Information Clinics for lower income women and men.

The Legal Information Clinic program offers individuals two 45-minute private, one-on-one sessions per year, each session with a different attorney, where individuals can ask questions pertaining to their situation.

Attorneys within the areas of Warren, Hunterdon, Morris, Sussex and Somerset counties donate their services to this program and are qualified to provide information and guidance for those who have not retained an attorney.

Individuals pay a $20 registration fee per attorney visit, and clinics are scheduled by appointment only. Common categories of situations handled by the Legal Information Clinics are family law (divorce, child custody, child support and domestic violence); elder care; housing issues (foreclosures, landlord/tenant issues); municipal court matters; criminal law; and bankruptcy.

For more information, call 908-788-1453. Locally, NORWESCAP has an office at 84 Park Ave., Suite E-103, Flemington.

NORWESCAP's Career & Life Transitions Center for Women has been serving displaced homemakers in Warren, Hunterdon, Somerset and Mercer counties for over 30 years.

Displaced homemakers are women who have lost their primary means of financial support after the death or disability of a spouse, or because of divorce or separation and must return to the workforce.

Displaced homemakers have traditionally been out of the job market for a significant period of time, lack marketable skills and are now faced with supporting both themselves and their family.

The mission of the Career & Life Transitions Center is to provide quality services that will assist women gain personal and economic self-sufficiency and reach their full potential through education training, job readiness, community referrals and supportive services.

Services the Transitions Center offers include computer training, career interest inventories, vocational counseling, job search skills, support groups, life skills workshops, and referrals to community resources.

NORWESCAP is a non-profit community action agency established in 1965 that creates opportunities for over 30,000 low-income people in northwest New Jersey by providing a large portfolio of self-sufficiency and emergency services. The mission of NORWESCAP is "Strengthening communities by creating opportunities that impact poverty."