Notes

MICHAEL MATASSA Students Rachel Wade and Laura Foley cast their votes in the Pope John XXIII mock school election.

It was a close race, but Sen. Robert Menendez outdrew Sen. Sean Kean, 187 to 164, in a mock election with students at Pope John XXIII in Ocean Township casting their votes. The lesson in the importance of voting had students from kindergarten through eighth grade cast their ballots, as well as the votes of their family members. Teachers and staff voted as well. Michael Matassa, middle-grade social studies teacher and curriculum coordinator, ran the event, and tallied 350 total votes. "What matters most to the teachers is not how the students vote, but that they are learning to vote and that when they reach the age, they should vote," he said.

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The Long Branch Department of Recreation and Human Services is seeking donations of new toys for disadvantaged city children at its annual Christmas party. In the past, the Recreation Department has received donations from various nonprofit organizations, according to Director Carl Jennings. Funding from the organizations has dwindled and the number of people in need has increased, Jennings said.

The department will accept new toys, books and stuffed animals for newborns through age 12, which can be dropped off at the Recreation Department on Bay Avenue. For more information, call (732) 571-6545.

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The Long Branch Senior Center is seeking volunteers to help assist with lunch preparations at the center. Volunteers are also needed to deliver meals to homebound seniors within the community. For more information, call Katie Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at (732) 571-6542.

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Family Game Night will be held at the Ocean Branch of the Monmouth County Library, 701 Deal Road, on Dec. 6 at 6:30 p.m. Please bring games to share. For more information, call (732) 531-5092.

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Greater Media's WRAT ("The Rat") and the Earle Companies will team up for the "Eighth Annual Live Broadcast for the People of New Jersey." The live broadcast will benefit three local charities: Holiday Express, The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, and Family Resource Associates.

The drive will be held at the Super Foodtown/Max's Beer Wine and Liquor on Route 35 in Neptune, from 6 a.m. to midnight on Nov. 20 and 6 a.m. until the truck is filled on Nov. 21. The goal is to fill a 44-foot tractor-trailer with items for the charities. Items needed include: used clothing, toys, nonperishable food items; and stocking-stuffer items such as playing cards, candy canes, toothbrushes, small toys, juice boxes, baby-care products, etc.

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The Wellness Community The Diney Goldsmith Center and Seas It - two local organizations dedicated to providing support, education and hope to people affected by cancer - will join together to present a free program, "The Benefits of Exercise for People Affected by Cancer." The program will be held Tuesday, Nov. 28, at 7 p.m. at the Rumson Country Day School, 35 Bellevue Ave., Rumson. It is open to the public.

Presenters, who will draw from their personal experiences fighting the disease as well as the latest medical research and nutritional information, are Todd McGovern, cancer survivor; Debbie Moriarty, oncology nurse and researcher; and Dave Wygal, nutritionist.

Reservations are required and can be made by calling (732) 263-0444 or e-mailing to: ilene@twcjersey-shore.org or amanda@seasit.org.

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Forty apple pie bakers submitted pies to be judged at Sickles Market's sixth Annual Pie Baking Contest held at the Little Silver market Oct. 22. Contestants were required to submit two pies, one for judging and the other to sell with proceeds going to Holiday Express. Approximately $1,000 was raised for Holiday Express, a local charity that brings music, food, gifts, financial support and friendship to those with the greatest need for the gift of human kindness during the holiday season and throughout the year.

The pie contest was the second of two days of events held by Sickles Market dedicated to raising funds for Holiday Express. On Friday, Sickles Market held its Annual Wine & Cheese Tasting Fundraiser and Live and Silent Auction. The two events raised $85,000 after expenses for Holiday Express.

Pies were submitted in two categories, "Apples Only" and "Apples And ..."

Winners for "Apples Only" were: First Place, Bruno Pascale, Oakhurst; Second Place, Andrea Armstrong, Fair Haven; Third Place, Linda Honneffer, Lakewood.

Winners for "Apples And..." were first place, Susie Raczkiewicz, Oakhurst; second place, Diana Macaluso, Oceanport; third place, Tara Sullivan, Oceanport.

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Total Soul will perform live at Monmouth Regional High School Performing Arts Center, Tinton Falls, at Friday Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the marching and jazz bands. Tickets are $10 in advance. $12 at the door. For more information, contact G. Romano at MRHS (732) 542-1170, ext. 139, or at gromano@monmouthregional.net.

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