Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4703 will sponsor Jackson Memorial High School's 782nd Air Force Junior ROTC Honor Unit in hosting its eighth annual gift auction Feb. 24. The doors will open at 5 p.m. at Jackson Memorial High School, 101 Don Connor Blvd., in Clayton Cafeteria. Calling will start at 7:30 p.m. Donations in the form of either gifts or cash contributions are being accepted now. For local pickup of donations, contact Liz Sansone at (848) 207-7407 or send donations to: Air Force Junior ROTC, Jackson Memorial High School, 101 Don Connor Blvd., Jackson 08527.

Advance tickets may be purchased for $7 each. Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: P. Leone, 12 Castle Ave., Jackson 08527. Make checks payable to JMHS. Tickets at the door will be $10. Baby-sitting is available for $5 per child. Refreshments will be available. A silent auction of sports memorabilia will also be held. Proceeds will assist the cadets in achieving their goals throughout the year. All are welcome.

Group will discuss how to be river-friendly

The Manasquan River Watershed Association will host a community meeting at 7 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Georgia Tavern Road, Howell, to discuss how to become a "river-friendly" landowner. Staff from the Stony Brook Millstone Watershed Association will teach property owners what they can do around their home and in their yard to help protect the Manasquan River and the region's drinking water supply. By following the suggestions, homeowners can help improve water quality and expand natural habitats for wildlife in the Manasquan Watershed. All are welcome to attend. Details: (732) 291-4084.

Emergency cell phones offered to local seniors

The Howell Senior Center is providing free cell phones for senior citizens to use in case of an emergency. Senior center staff members are distributing the phones to older adults to be used only to call 911 in case of an emergency. People who receive the phones are trained in proper usage to help promote immediate assistance in an emergency situation. This service is available to residents of Howell or Farmingdale who are age 60 or older and are in need of a cell phone.

For details and to receive telephones, call (732) 938-4500, ext. 2554.

'Celebrating Longevity'

tells history of church

Four members of the Writers' Guild of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lake-wood presented the Lakewood Library with two copies of "Celebrating Longev-ity," a 154-page book commemorating Immanuel's 80 years in Lakewood and written by members of the Guild.

Karin Holldorf, Eva La Brozzi, Elaine Turansky and Adelaide Weidknecht described their process and told some of their historical stories to librarians Judith Robinson and Saran Lewis at the Lakewood Branch of the Ocean County Library.

Previously, Mrs. Turansky delivered a copy of the book to the Wheeler Room, which houses genealogical and historical research material at the Toms River Branch of the Ocean County Library. Because Immanuel's book includes many historical facts about people and places in the area, the reference librarians there, Ann Gurda and Linda Moore, said the book would be used by many people looking for family history and genealogy.

New Egypt Webelos

scouts excel at Klondike

Webelos Scouts from Cub Pack 9 in New Egypt competed against Cub Scout packs from around the area recently in the annual Klondike Derby held at Pine Park, Lakewood.

During the Klondike Derby, the boys are tested on their knowledge of more than a dozen Scout-related topics including forestry, first aid, camping, animal tracks, citizenship, knot tying, handyman, outdoor skills, orienteering, knife safety and more. The day-long event is as much about teamwork as it is about knowledge.

This year one Pack 9 team (Andrew Kiernan, Michael Lento, Andy Levorse, Justin Medvetz, Jacob Taylor, Billy Wetzel and Steven Wetzel) placed second overall in the competition, also earning ribbons for placing second in Communicator, Handyman and Forester and earning ribbons for placing third in the areas of Citizen and Arrow of Light.

The second Pack 9 team (Ben Burgher, Austin Crane, Jacob German, Matthew Meyers, Zack Thompson and Edmund Treadaway) earned ribbons for placing second in the area of Handyman and third in the areas of Athlete, Traveler and Naturalist.

Jackson Community

School slates bus trips

The Jackson Community School is offering the following day trips. All are welcome to attend. Buses will depart from Jackson Memorial High School on Don Connor Boulevard for all trips.

+ Philadelphia Flower Show and Reading Terminal Market, March 10, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Cost of $58 per person includes transportation, gratuity, flower show admission and trip leader. Call (732) 833-4647 by Feb. 24 to register.

+ New York City Comprehensive Sightseeing Tour, March 31, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost of $52 per person includes motor coach transportation, driver's gratuity, tour and trip leader. Call (732) 833-4647 by March 14 to register.

Items for the Community Bulletin Board may be faxed to the Tri-Town News at (732) 780-4192.

Course on Photoshop

to be offered for adults

The Lakewood Community School Program will offer an Adobe Photoshop class as part of the spring semester of its adult enrichment programs. Students will work with photos and learn the overall basic use of tools and functions of the Adobe Photoshop program.

Classes will be held Thursdays from 7-9 p.m. at Lakewood High School, 855 Somerset Ave., beginning March 1 and continuing for six weeks. Class fee is $35 per person. Knowledge of Windows is required. Early registration is recommended. Details and registration: (732) 905-3685 or www.lakewood.k12.nj.us.

Ballroom dance classes to be held at high school

Registration is now in progress for ballroom dance classes to be held at Lakewood High School, 855 Somerset Ave., as part of the spring semester of the Lakewood Community School Adult Enrichment Program.

Ten-week classes will be held Mon-days commencing Feb. 26 from 7-8 p.m. for beginners and from 8:15-9:15 p.m. for intermediate students. Participants will learn swing, fox trot, waltz, rumba, cha-cha, meringue and more, guided by experienced dance instructors. Fee is $55 per couple for the 10-week session. Details and registration: (732) 905-3685 or www.lakewood.k12.nj.us.

Reunion planned for Howell H.S. class of '92

Howell High School's class of 1992 is planning a reunion Sept. 29 at Eagle River Day Camp in Monroe Township. Alumni should send their e-mail address to SusanSpringfield@gmail.com or call (732) 276-5607.

Church seeks donations of used bikes for charity

Calvary Presbyterian Church, Allenwood, will be partnering with a local organization called Pedals For Progress March 31 from noon to 3 p.m. to collect donations of used bikes along with $10. The money and bikes will be sent overseas to underdeveloped countries where people mainly get around by foot. Details: (732) 449-8889.

JTMUA schedules

meeting dates for 2007

The Jackson Township Municipal Utilities Authority will hold its public meetings at 5:30 p.m. in its administrative offices, 135 Manhattan St., Jackson, on the following dates: Feb. 22, March 29, April 26, May 24, June 21, July 26, Aug. 23, Sept. 27, Oct. 25, Nov. 29, Dec. 20, and Jan. 24, 2008.

Transportation options in area will be topic of talk

Patty Thomas, outreach coordinator for Commute Options and Sustainable Transportation (COAST), will be at the Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive, 6-8 p.m. Feb. 26. She will have information about the many transportation options in Ocean County, including carpool, van pool, train, bus and traffic information. She will also be available to answer any questions.

COAST is a nonprofit transportation management association. Details and registration: (732) 928-4400. or ww.coastnj.com.

Lucky staff member

to have head shaved

Get out a basin, razor and some good old-fashioned shaving cream. Shave to Save, sponsored by the Key Club at Jackson Liberty High School, Jackson, will feature the removal of all hair from the head of one of 10 staff volunteers whose bucket of bucks comes in with the highest amount of donated funds.

"Ten of our staff members have volunteered to participate in this event," said Ellen Fuge, adviser for the Key Club. "Each contestant's picture will be placed on a can. The student body will vote on which contestant they would like to see have his head shaved and the winner will have his head shaved by teacher Harry Ferrone at a Feb. 16 assembly."

Students may make a donation in any amount they choose when they cast their ballot for one of the 10 volunteers.

Fuge said proceeds from this event will go to the Children's Specialized Hospital in Toms River.

The contestants are Assistant Principal Dan McDevitt, security guard Pete Rogers, Tim Schenck, Jim Rankin, Eric Brodowski, Jim Sharples, Greg Lockhart, Mark Lax, Frank Giannetti and Ryan Williams.

Old American flags being

collected for retirement

Jackson VFW Post 4703 and Cub Scout Pack 104 are collecting damaged American flags for proper disposal with military honors. The goal of this joint endeavor is to bring veterans and youths together and to teach the Scouts to appreciate the American flag and show it the proper respect it deserves.

Damaged or frayed flags can be dropped off at the post home located at 54 Magnolia Ave., Jackson, from noon to 8 p.m. daily.