The Happy Feet Dance Studio, Manalapan Youth Orchestra, and The Brothers in Harmony lit up the high school stage at the Manalapan 2011 Holiday Concert. The concert was sponsored by the Manalapan Parks and Recreation and the Manalapan Arts Council and took place the afternoon of Sunday, Dec. 11. Members of the Happy Feet Dance Studio opened the show by dancing to popular Christmas music. The Manalapan Youth Orchestra String Ensemble and Full Orchestra, conducted by Angela McCurdy; and The Brothers in Harmony, music director Jack Pinto, followed. After the concert, children were able to visit …

Hundreds of Monmouth County firefighters raced from their trucks and fought to keep broken hoses under control in Colts Neck on Saturday, Aug.6. Fortunately, there was no blaze to douse and no injuries to attend to, save for a few bruised egos. Volunteers from 16 area firehouses competed at the 2011 Monmouth County Firefighters Competition at Colts Neck Fire Company #1 on Route 537. Events included a hose and ladder competition, in which firefighters raced to spool out their hose and knock down a pop-up flame, and busted hose competition, in which participants tried to control a hose with …

Children and young adults had a ball - and built, threw, and dropped many balls - at a juggling demonstration at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters in Manalapan on Thursday, July 7. The fun class was led by Mark Kramer, an experienced juggler whose passion is teaching his talents.  Kramer has taught juggling at many libraries and park systems in the past, and even ran the New York City and Spring Lake Five marathons while juggling. "It's a really fun hobby and I've met a lot of cool people because of it," Kramer said. "It's stuff that you can take home with you and do anywhere, and …

Englishtown's Memorial Day Parade was a hit for locals. The festive parade, in honor of American servicemen and first responders who died serving our country, started at the Manalapan Recreation Center and went down Tennent Road, turning right at the Englishtown Municipal Building onto Main Street. At the front were veterans from Englishtown's American Legion post 434, and behind them were Manalapan High School's marching band, Boy Scout troop 434, cub scouts and girl scouts, and over a dozen fire trucks and ambulances. Hartigan's Grille, at the corner of Main Street and Tennent Road, served …

Sixth grade center Pine Brook School hosted Star and Space Week from Monday, May 16 through Friday, May 20. All of the students are currently studying Astronomy in their science classes.  All of the science and special education teachers were trained by NASA and attended a telescope training workshop at Raritan Valley Communication College; the Manalapan-Englishtown Foundation paid to send the teachers to the program. By participating in the seminar as a part of “Project Astro”, the school is able to borrow a variety of equipment for “hands-on” education for an entire week.  “We try to take …

The Englishtown Fire Department came out to the Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins on Wilson Avenue in Englishtown on Wednesday, April 27 to raise money for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.  This is the fifth annual "31 Cent Scoop Night" that Baskin Robbins has hosted for the NFFF. In addition to donating the money made during the event, Baskin Robbins has also contributed $100,000 to the non-profit organization.  Firehouse #31, a new flavor created in commemoration of the event, is described as "the perfect blend of hot and cold -- a crunchy atomic fireball ribbon laced throughout with…

The flea market professed to be the best in New Jersey, Englishtown Auction Sales, is right in your backyard! Not only are the prices unbelievably low, but vendors sell everything from antique furniture and crystal dishes, to hygienic products, tube socks, and air rifles. If you can think of it, it is being sold at Englishtown Auction Sales. Fresh produce, plants, and flats of flowers are for sale at prices way below traditional supermarket and nursery costs.  It is also a great place to stock up on necessary food stuffs and beverages. Cases of water, Gatorade, seltzer, Snapple and more can …

Another week, another set of pictures  capturing the personality of Manalapan, its people and its pets. While we're on the subject, please continue to submit photos of your pets to Lloyd.Nelson@Patch.com to compete in our Pet Photo Contest

On a luxurious Thursday afternoon, the Monmouth County was abuzz with activity. Whether it's students preparing for exams or local citizens choosing from the library's ample film collection, something interesting always seems to be happening there.