MOVING UP. The Save the Steeple at Mauricetown United Methodist Church fund-raiser has raised $158,435 thus far for the new steeple sitting atop the Mauricetown U.M.C. The goal is $175,000. Plans for future fund-raisers are in the works. To send a donation at any time, mail to: Mauricetown UMC Steeple Fund, PO Box 13 Mauricetown, NJ 08329.

THE COMMERCIAL TOWNSHIP Environmental Commission and Green Team are sponsoring a long-term recycling project collecting used personal care packaging. Recyclable items include: toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes and caps, mouthwash bottles and caps, deodorant containers and caps, and floss containers.
Drop-off boxes are located at Mauricetown and Port Norris Post Offices and the two Family Success Centers in Port Norris and Laurel Lake. The collection is in partnership with the non-profit TerraCycle in Trenton which specializes in innovative recycling projects. This recycling effort will keep these items out of landfills. For more information contact the Commercial Township Environmental Commission at its Facebook page or the Commercial Township Clerk’s Office at 785-3100 ext. 310.

MS. MUSSER’S homeroom class at Commercial Township School District is collecting donations for the Funny Farm animal rescue. Donations can be dropped off at the school drop box or sent in with a student. Items needed are:
Bounty paper towels, Clorox wipes, Temptations cat treats, wet cat food, Tractor Supply gift card, kitchen shears, professional pruning shears, Manna Pro 7-Grain ultimate chicken scratch, baby wipes, Kaytee All Natural Timothy Hay, horse fly spray, lemon and mint all-purpose cleaner, Miller Manufacturing plastic flat back bucket for horses, Lafeber Sunny Orchard Nutri-Berriers pet bird food, utility scrub brush, 64-gallon black trash bags, Arm & Hammer cat litter deodorizer powder, SunGrow Natural Grass chew mat and hay bedding cage rabbit, dog leash, rake, and cabin hook eye latch gate door.

ROBBINSTOWN SCHOOL Library hours have changed. The library is now open 3-5 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays. It is also open 9:30 a.m.-noon Saturdays. For more information call 785-1900. The library is located at 1628 Main St., Port Norris.

LOUISE E. MOORE Senior Center, 8879 Highland St., Port Norris, is now serving lunch five days a week, Monday-Friday. Seniors 60 & older can call 785-9817 to reserve a lunch.

2023 COMMERCIAL TOWNSHIP Convenience Center hours are 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. every second Saturday of the month (April 8, May 13, June 10, July 8, Aug. 12 Sept. 9, Sept. 23, Oct. 14, Nov. 11 and Dec. 9). The center is located at 958 Snow Hill Road, Port Norris (off Spring Garden Road). The center is open to residents of Commercial Township only. Residents can obtain a permit to use at the convenience center at the Commercial Township Municipal Building. The tag will need to be placed on the rear-view mirror while in the center. The permit will have the driver’s license plate number displayed and it must match the plate of the vehicle. Permit is valid for one year and will need to be renewed each January. There is a limit of two permits per household.
A separate permit is required for tire disposal and can be obtained at the municipal building. Car, or pick-up tires are $6 each, $10 with rims. Large truck or tractor tires are $20 each, no rims. Attendants at the convenience center cannot issue permits or take payments.

ROBBINSTOWN SCHOOL Library will host a Dr. Seuss snack, drink, and bingo at 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 22. Call 785-1900. Come dressed as the Cat in the Hat. Call 785-1900.

MAURICE RIVER TOWNSHIP Municipal Alliance is encouraging community members to help plan events such as Family Night Out, the Christmas tree lighting, house decorating contest and more. Meetings will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, March 22, May 24, July 26, Sept. 27, Nov. 15 and Thursday, Nov. 30 at the court room in the township hall, 590 Main St., Leesburg. For more information call Ashlee Leith at 785-1120 ext. 113.

COMMERCIAL TOWNSHIP SCHOOL PTA will host a Spring Fling from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 25 at the school. The event will feature a visit from the Easter bunny, crafts, music, games, concessions, 4-H, food distribution, Cumberland County Library, Freedom Farm, Girl Scouts, Levoy Theatre, Cole the Deaf Dog, Southwest Council, Family Success Center, Carolscatz and more. For more information e-mail [email protected]

A SEMI FORMAL for students in grades six through eight at Maurice River Township Elementary School will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 25 at the Leechester Hall.

OYSTER & HAM DINNER will be held at noon Sunday, March 26 at the Port Norris Fire Co., 6858 Brown St. The meal is a family-style dinner with takeouts starting at 11:30 a.m. Cost is $30 for adults and $15 for children. To reserve tickets, call 785-1313 or e-mail name, contact information, and number in the party to [email protected] Due to the popularity of this event advanced reservations are highly recommended.

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR will be held March 27-31 in the Commercial Township School District.

ROBBINSTOWN SCHOOL Library will host a rainbow fish memory game at 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 29. Call 785-1900. Come dressed as the Cat in the Hat. Call 785-1900.

COMMERCIAL TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS are reminded that tax appeals are due Saturday, April 1.

AN EASTER EGG HUNT will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 1 at the Charles Sheppard Building, 1061 Steeprun Road, Haleyville. The hunt will be held on the baseball fields. Rain date is Sunday, April 2. The event is held free for children ages up to 10 years old in Commercial Township. There will be a visit from the Easter bunny.

COMMERCIAL TOWNSHIP Rabies Clinic will be held 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 1 at the Laurel Lake Fire Department, 5436 Battle Lane, Laurel Lake. This is a free service for all residents. Only healthy cats and dogs that can be safely restrained will be vaccinated. Pet owners are asked to bring proof of prior rabies vaccine to receive a three-year certificate. Pets must be on a leash and/or in a carrier with ventilation. Use properly fitted muzzles, when necessary. Neither the municipality or Cumberland County Health Department is responsible for animals that get away. Call 327-7602 for more information.

LAUREL LAKE PROPERTY Owners Association Auxiliary will host its annual Spring Penny Party at 7 p.m. Friday, April 7 at the Laurel Lake Clubhouse-Community Center, Lakeshore Drive and Narcissus Road. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The kitchen will be open for light dinners and refreshments. Takeouts are available.

THIRD ANNUAL SPAGHETTI Dinner hosted by the Commercial Township Veterans Memorial Committee will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, April 15 at the Mauricetown Fire Hall. Choices are: spaghetti and clams, or spaghetti and meatballs, with bread, salad and dessert. Stop by the township hall at 1768 Main St., Port Norris, to purchase tickets. Cost is $15 for 10 & older and children under 10 at $7. All proceeds benefit the support of the Veterans Memorial Park. For more information call 758-3100 ext. 310, or see any veterans committee member. Meals are takeouts only.

LOUISE E. MOORE Senior Center, 8879 Highland St., Port Norris, will host the following events:
Thursday, March 23
10 a.m. coffee & pinochle
Noon lunch
Friday, March 24
10 a.m. coffee and current events
Noon lunch
Monday, March 27
10:30 a.m. healthy habits/routine
11 a.m. exercise
Noon lunch
Tuesday, March 28
10:30 a.m. coffee and craft
Noon lunch
Wednesday, March 29
11 a.m. bingo
Noon lunch
Thursday, March 30
10 a.m. coffee & pinochle
Noon lunch
Friday, March 31
Noon lunch