Holiday Boutique, Concerts, Township Committee This Week in Warren

Warren Township residents who love holiday shopping — or hearing holiday music as performed by local students — will be in their element this week

Wagner Farm Arboretum has scheduled this year's Holiday Boutique from Friday, Dec. 13 through Sunday, Dec. 22.

Santa will be visiting the arboretum’s Holiday Boutique from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, with a snow date of Dec 21. Children 10 years old and under can visit with Santa and receive a gift. Price per visit, with a gift, is $10. 

Optional photographs by acclaimed local photographer Steve Byland will be available at no additional charge, said Arboreturm President Suzanne Smith.

Dozens of vendors have signed up to present such offerings as a special gift, small hostess gifts and tasty holiday treats, or jewelry to dress up your winter look, the holiday boutique will offer the work of local artisans and vendors set out on display. 

Some of the items to be available for sale will include wood carvings, local honey products, pottery, paintings and sketches, home goods, chocolates, knitted and crocheted apparel, nuts, jam and more. 

A portion of the vendor’s proceeds go to the arboretum. All sales are tax-exempt, according to the arboretum.

Free concerts coming up at Watchung Hills Regional High School 

The instrumental and choral winter concerts at Watchung Hills Regional High School will be held on separate dates at 7 p.m. on  Wednesday, Dec. 11 and Friday¸ December 13, respectively, in the school’s Performing Arts Center, 108 Stirling Road, Warren Township. 

The concerts are free, and the public is invited.

On December 11, the Concert Band, known to the community for its halftime routines during Hills’ football games and its appearances at various local civic  functions throughout the year, will appear in more formal attire.

Under the direction of David Udell, the Concert Band will present timely holiday pieces appropriate to the winter holiday season. Soloists and members of orchestral sub-groups, such as the String Orchestra and Wind Ensemble, will perform selections from many cultures and many eras.

Choral Concert   

Vocal students under the direction of Angela Di Iorio Bird will present a program of selections that includes many cultures and many eras. 

Appearing on stage in the various segments  will be the mixed chorus, the advanced chorus, combined choirs, various select ensembles and soloists — and even choreographic numbers, accompanied by student pianists.

Both concerts are designed to provide seasonal entertainment for parents, grandparents, siblings, classmates and the general public.

Also at Watchung Hills HS this week, the search continues for nominees for this year's inductees to the high school's Hall of Fame. 

Suggestions for distinguished alumini or those who have contributed in an important way to the high school community will be accepted through Jan. 15, 2014. 

Those already accepted into the Hall of Fames have their names posted in the high school foyer, by the Performing Arts Center. Each year, no fewer than five, and no more than nine new additions are placed on the wall, said WHRHS Vice Principal Terry MacConnell. 

A committee of administrators, teachers and former graduates — some already inducted into the Hall of Fame — will make a selection from the nominees, MacConnell said.

The Induction Ceremony for the 2014 honorees is scheduled to held at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 9, at the high school's Performing Arts Center.

Nomination forms may be obtained at the school’s main office, or accessed on the school website, www.whrhs.org.

Meanwhile, the Warren Township Committee is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the municipal complex at 46 Mountain Blvd. in the center of town.

The Planning Board also is scheduled to meet at 7:30 p.m. on Monday.