Local residents named Andrew J. Rider Scholars

Four Monmouth County residents were among 56 Rider University students named Andrew J. Rider Scholars for academic excellence at the university’s recent Founder’s Day ceremony. The award named for the founder and first president of the institution, honors the top 1 percent of students — usually three sophomores, three juniors and four seniors each from the College of Business Administration, the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the School of Education, the College of Continuing Studies and Westminster Choir College, with the highest cumulative grade-point averages. Area students honored were Anita Argenzio of Freehold, a junior accounting major; Maria E. Harvey of Allentown, a senior elementary education major; Nadine Pfeifer of Farmingdale, a senior accounting major and second-year scholar; and Elizabeth Ryan of Holmdel, a junior English major.

Book on local area is

available in Allentown

In celebration of Allentown’s 300th year and Upper Freehold’s 275th year anniversaries in 2006, the Allentown-Upper Freehold Historical Society has reprinted Randall Gabrielan’s Allentown and Upper Freehold Township historical image book, originally published in 2001. The books are available for $20 each at the Allentown Library, Allentown Barber Shop, Down Home Country, Hoffmann’s Bakery, Necessities for the Heart and Off the Wall. Proceeds from the book benefit the Historical Society.

Living Nativity scene performances Dec. 16

DeBows United Methodist Church and Allentown United Methodist Church will co-sponsor a living Nativity on Saturday, Dec. 16, with performances at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served after each performance The living Nativity will take place on the lawn of DeBows Church, located at the intersection of routes 571 and 537, across from the outlet mall in Jackson. Call (732) 928-1352.

Lady Redbird Cager Club

holds holiday fundraiser

The Lady Redbird Cager Club is selling La Piazza gift cards at a cost of $10 each (with a $10 value). They are also selling La Piazza discount cards for $10 each; offering a 10 percent discount for every purchase from December 2006 to June 2007. Call Beth at (609) 259-9957 by Dec. 15. Commemorative banners available for purchase

Commemorative banners celebrating Allentown’s 300th anniversary are still available for $50. The banners, like the ones decorating the street poles on Main and Church streets, measure 30 inches by 60 inches.

To purchase a banner call Elizabeth Roselius at (609) 259-0455.

Millstone offers holiday class for young adults

Millstone Township students will have the opportunity to participate in an after-school holiday class at the The Millstone Township Middle School, located on Millstone Road, on Dec. 20.

Instructor Melissa Rehl, of Rehl Farm & Nursery, will teach students how to create a 12-by-18-inch fresh floral centerpiece, choosing their own candle and ribbon color from 2:45-4:15 p.m. in the middle school art room. Cost is $29.

For further information, e-mail Barbara Schulze at schulzb@

millstone.k12.nj.us.

Create your own floral arrangement this holiday

Florist Debbie Personette, owner of Bloomers & Things, of Allentown, will teach participants how make a holiday arrangement with live flowers. Cost is $34; includes $25 supply fee and $9 class fee. Class is scheduled for Dec. 20 from 7-9 p.m. in the art room of the Millstone Township Elementary School, Schoolhouse Road, Millstone.

Gingerbread candy box makes a great centerpiece

Instructor Gina Cullinane will teach participants how to make a candy box from gingerbread at an upcoming class to be held Dec. 19 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the art room of the Millstone Township Elementary School, Schoolhouse Road, Millstone. Cost is $12.