Please Complete the SOMA 2021 Senior Survey

The SOMA 2021 Senior Survey seeks your feedback in several areas such as Programming and Recreation, Transportation, Housing, Health and Wellness, Accessibility, Pedestrian Safety and Walkability, Communications, and your perception of our Towns and SOMA Two Towns for All Ages.  We are endeavoring to get the greatest level of return and to reach the broadest breath of our senior community across all neighborhoods and socioeconomic levels.  The survey is available in various forms, but we hope you will respond using the online version, It will take about 20 minutes to complete.

Accessing the survey and completing it is easy.  You can go directly there, https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SOMA_2021_Senior_Survey, use the QR code below, or click on the survey link on our website, somatwotownsforallages.org.  If you would like to complete the survey via telephone, email us at soma2towns@gmail.com with Telephone Survey on the subject line, include your phone number and preferred days/times for a Seton Hall University student to call you.  Printed copies are available at both town halls, both town libraries (Hilton Branch), Maplewood Senior Center, Dehart Center, and the local senior apartment buildings. Completed surveys can be returned to either of these locations.

We encourage you to complete the survey as soon as you can.

 DECEMBER 2021 EVENTS

Ongoing through the month of December 2021

 
From November 23 to December 22

 
South Orange Downtown Elf Experience
Find as many elves as you can at participating businesses throughout South Orange Downtown (Business list will be updated regularly) and collect as many Elf Tickets as you can to Win a $150 South Orange Downtown Gift Card, beginning November 23^rd to December 22^nd.  For more information visit https://www.southorangedowntown.org/news/hometown-holiday-year-of-the-elves

 
Beginning Saturday, November 27

South Orange Downtown Gift Cards
Shop, Dine, Experience South Orange Downtown this holiday season. The South Orange Downtown Gift Card makes the perfect gift. A $25 value for only $20! These discounted gift cards make it easy for you to shop locally and keep everyone on your holiday shopping list happy. Gift cards go on sale Saturday November 27th and can be purchased online or at the open-air holiday market. Cards purchased online will be mailed via USPS. https://www.southorangedowntown.org/
 
Holiday Lights at the Turtle Back Zoo
Take a winter stroll through the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo this holiday season under the sparkling lights of over 50 winter and animal characters.  Celebrate the season of giving by bringing donations of non-perishable food items, new toys, and gently used coats.  Visit them for more information about days and times in December.  https://turtlebackzoo.com/discover/holiday-light-spectuacular/

 
GENERAL EVENTS INFORMATION

Rutgers Virtual Courses for Seniors
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Rutgers University (OLLI-RU) is for individuals over 50 who are looking for an opportunity to expand their horizons, learn in an engaging environment, and meet new friends. OLLI-RU offers reasonably priced noncredit education that is stimulating, friendly, and informal–there are no tests and no grades! You will be part of a learning community that is full of diversity, insight, wisdom, intellectual and cultural stimulation, and friendship. The shorter winter session begins January 10^th and the spring session begins February 28^th. For registration and course information, go https://olliru.rutgers.edu/ or call, 848-932-6554.

Wednesday, December 1

 
Creative Writing, 1:00 to 2:00 pm
Join the South Orange Public Library on Wednesdays for this virtual creative writing session on Zoom. Each week we’ll introduce a prompt, write for a few minutes, and then share what we’ve come up with! Click here to join.

Thursday, December 2

 
Dickens Village Menorah Lighting
Ricalton Square, 6:00- 7:00 PM
Join the lighting of the menorah in Ricalton Square. This community tradition opens in December and runs each Saturday until Christmas.  https://maplewoodvillagenj.com/
 
“Hanukkah - The Magic and The Miracle”,1:00 pm
JCC, 760 Northfield Avenue, West Orange
This performance commemorates the season of Hanukkah and the miracle of the lights. Acclaimed International Concert Violinist Dr. David Podles will evoke the veritable joy and emotion of Hanukkah music and the everlasting Jewish spirit. The concert is free and open to the community. There will be goody bags and refreshments served after the program. All who wish to attend must RSVP to 973 530-3474.  Proof of vaccination must be shown to security and temperatures will be taken as they enter. 
 
Virtual Holiday Tour: Ballantine House, 7 pm
Virtual, Newark Museum
How do you celebrate the holidays? How did they celebrate back in 1891? Enjoy this 30-minute virtual look inside The Newark Museum of Art’s Ballantine House, an 1885 mansion in downtown Newark, NJ.  Discover how the Ballantine Family’s home might have come to life during the winter months. Register at
https://www.newarkmuseumart.org/tour-ballantine

Friday, December 3

 
Special Conversations with Special People, 1:00 – 2:00 pm,
South Orange Public Library
Join us for a virtual discussion on Zoom with guest speaker, Alex Torpey, former Village President of South Orange, Consultant at Sustainable Jersey, and Visiting Professor at SHU.  His topic is Strategies for Enhancing Public Engagement in Civic Life. Website:https://www.sopl.org/

 
Saturday, December 4

 
Dickens Village-Tree Lighting
4:30 pm., Ricalton Square, Maplewood
 https://maplewoodvillagenj.com/
 
Tech Teens Helping Seniors, 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Seniors can work one-on-one with a teen volunteer who will provide technology assistance. Please register with the reference librarian at 973-762-0230 or by emailing librarian@sopl.org.

Dickens Village Weekends in the Village
10:30 am – 5:30 pm, Ricalton Square, Maplewood
The houses are open for viewing and Santa is in Dickens Village for socially distant visits and photos. Join them at 4:30pm in Ricalton Square for the lighting of the tree.This community tradition opens in December and runs each Saturday until Christmas.https://maplewoodvillagenj.com/
 
Gingerbread House Decorating, 1:00 pm, Free
133 Fairview Ave., South Orange
Come and join the fun as we build and decorate gingerbread houses. Children will be able to decorate a gingerbread house, craft snowflakes and design ornaments. There will be music, hot chocolate, eggnog and snacks. The event is free and open to the public. For times and location go to http://southorange.org/. 

Sunday, December 5

 
Winter Market, 11:00 am - 4:00 PM
Maplewood Ave, Highland Place, and Dunnell Rd.
Join us at this pedestrian-friendly market with all your favorite Village merchants. Stroll Maplewood Ave and Highland Place to do some safe outdoors holiday shopping, hit up the Makers Fair on Baker St., then walk through the Maplewood Mural train tunnel and browse the vintage clothing market outside Maplewood Mercantile, then visit one of our delicious eateries for a warm drink and a bite to eat. The perfect winter Sunday! https://maplewoodvillagenj.com/
 
Watershed Literary Events – Final 2021 Virtual Reading, 2:00 pm, Free, Virtual
Watershed Literary Events, a spoken-word series sponsored by the Department of Recreation and Cultural Affairs in South Orange, will host its final virtual reading of 2021 on Sunday, December 5, 2 pm ET. The reading will feature Michael Lally & Friends. The event is free and open to the public and can be accessed through this Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86405802744.

Monday, December 6

Maplewood Garden Club Speaker’s Program
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm, see website link below for registration information
Guest Speaker Josi Stone, owner of Wildly Floral Company in South Orange, shows how to create 4 nature-inspired floral designs of varying sizes and techniques using the medium of flowers, foliages, and other natural materials. Josi’s demonstration follows a brief business meeting, and her floral arrangements will be raffled off at the end of her presentation. See MGC website for meeting details at maplewoodgardenclub.org, 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
 
Seton Hall University Winter Concert
Free, 7:00 – 8:00 pm, Location: Jubilee Hall Auditorium
A staple of the holiday season, the Seton Hall University Chorus, Concert Band and Chamber Choir present their annual winter concert.  Come out and enjoy a great concert! For more info, go to https://events.shu.edu/view/event/event_id/14963

Thursday, December 9 – Sunday, December 12

 
Seton Hall University Theatre Presents:  A Christmas Cabaret
Free, Performances are Thursday-Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 2 pm.
Location: Bishop Dougherty University Center, Theatre-in-the-Round
Seton Hall Theatre presents its annual Christmas Cabaret. Join them for seasonal songs of the 19th Century sung by strolling players in period costume.  https://events.shu.edu/view/event/date/20211209/event_id/16262

Friday, December 10

Special Conversations with Special People, 1:00 pm
South Orange Public Library
Join us for a virtual discussion on Zoom with guest speaker, Mallory McDuff, Professor of Environmental Education at Warren Wilson College and author of Our Last Best Act.  Her topic is Planning for the End of Our Lives to Protect the People and Places We Love
 
Seton Hall University Theatre Presents:  A Christmas Cabaret
Free, Performances are Thursday-Saturday at 8 pm
Location: Bishop Dougherty University Center, Theatre-in-the-Round
Seton Hall Theatre presents its annual Christmas Cabaret. Join them for seasonal songs of the 19th Century sung by strolling players in period costume.  https://events.shu.edu/view/event/date/20211209/event_id/16262

Saturday, December 11

Hometown Holiday – Elf Edition, 9:00 am to 5:30 pm
South Orange Downtown Locations
Get ready for a full day of holiday fun!  Start the day with laughs at the Village at SOPAC theaters for a free screening of Elf at 9:00 am and then take selfies with Santa at 10:30. The day continues in Spiotta Park with crafts, treats, and a special Santa visit. The festivities conclude with our annual tree lighting ceremony and singing.
 
Seton Hall University Theatre Presents:  A Christmas Cabaret
Free, Performances are Thursday-Saturday at 8 pm., Location: Bishop Dougherty University Center, Theatre-in-the-Round
Seton Hall Theatre presents its annual Christmas Cabaret. Join them for seasonal songs of the 19th Century sung by strolling players in period costume.  https://events.shu.edu/view/event/date/20211209/event_id/16262

 
Sunday, December 12

 
Slow Food NJ Winter Farmer’s Market
10:00 am - 2:00 pm, Great Room of The Woodland, $3 donation requested at the door.
This popular winter market is back inside the spacious Great Room of The Woodland.  Masks are required by all attendees over 2-years-old. Entry will be managed to allow for safe social distancing inside. 
 
Gingerbread House Contest and Holiday Store
1:00 - 4:00 pm, Durand-Hedden House, 523 Ridgewood Road, Maplewood
This year, due to the pandemic, Durand-Hedden’s much-loved annual Gingerbread House Contest will be at the Hilton Branch Library, 1688 Springfield Ave. Creative and enchanting entries from people of all ages will be on display at the Library throughout the month. Interested in being a contestant? Enter by December 9. https://www.durandhedden.org/
 
Seton Hall University Theatre Presents:  A Christmas Cabaret
Free, 2 pm.
Location: Bishop Dougherty University Center, Theatre-in-the-Round
Seton Hall Theatre presents its annual Christmas Cabaret. Join them for seasonal songs of the 19th Century sung by strolling players in period costume.  https://events.shu.edu/view/event/date/20211209/event_id/16262

 Tuesday, December 14

Holiday Party
The Woodland, 12 noon, $10
The Maplewood Community Services Department is having a Holiday Party for SOMA seniors 55+ at the spacious Great Room of The Woodland.  Lots of food, holiday cheer, DJ, prizes.  To register contact MichelleW@twp.maplewood.nj.us or go to Holiday Party.  Masks are required!

Wednesday, December 15

Creative Writing, 1:00 to 2:00 pm
South Orange Public Library
Join us on Wednesdays for this virtual creative writing session on Zoom. Each week we’ll introduce a prompt, write for a few minutes, and then share what we’ve come up with! Click here to join.

Thursday, December 16

 
Painters on Painters: Pablo Picasso
Maplewood Library, Virtual, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
The Painters on Painters series focuses on the lives and works of artists, hosted by Gerard Amsellem and Mikel Frank, the Visual Passion Duo. http://visualpassion.net/
To register, go to Maplewood Library link Picasso or https://www.maplewoodlibrary.org/

Saturday, December 18

 
Tech Teens Helping Seniors, 10:00 am - 11:30 am
South Orange Public Library
Seniors can work one-on-one with a teen volunteer who will provide technology assistance. Please register with the reference librarian at 973-762-0230 or by emailing librarian@sopl.org.

 
Sunday, December 19

Handmade Holiday at The Woodland, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
The Woodland, Maplewood
An experiential indie maker market that celebrate the arts, history, and culture of New Jersey. Admission is free, family friendly, and open to the public.
 
Candlelight Carols Service, 4:00 pm
Morrow Memorial United Methodist Church, 600 Ridgewood Road, Maplewood
This annual concert is a beloved Morrow tradition, where our musical ensembles celebrate the glory of the Christmas season through carols, special music, and the Christmas story. We will be joined by a host of additional singers and instrumentalists. This is a great opportunity to be with friends and neighbors, especially those who will be traveling on Christmas Eve!

 
Monday, December 20

Virtual Book Discussion Group, 7:00 - 8:00 pm
South Orange Public Library
This month we’re discussing Keiichiro Hirano’s novel At the End of the Matinee. Click here to join Zoom meeting. Any questions? Contact book group moderator Nancy Janow at njanow@sopl.org.
 

Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa
Happy New Year