Sometimes there's just not enough days to go around, but each week we'll give you an idea of something to do to relax, spend time with family or just take some time for yourself. And taking taking steps to protect yourself from identity theft may help make sure you're able to fully enjoy time with your family later—which is why we're featuring Somerset County's Operation Secure Shred events this week, which begins with an event Saturday in Hillsborough.  You've surely seen the headlines about identity theft—it's the fastest category of crime, according to law enforcement officials. The “2013 …

Sometimes there's just not enough days to go around, but each week we'll give you an idea of something to do to relax, spend time with family and just take some time for yourself. This week, those who wish to enjoy a literary experience can attend tea and conversation with award-winning New Jersey poet Anne Marie Macari at 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Bernardsville Public Library at 1 Anderson Hill Road in Bernardsville. Julie Maloney of Mendham, director of Women Reading Aloud, will conduct an up-close and personal interview with the poet, a Lambertville resident. WRA and the library are co-…

Sometimes there's just not enough days in the week, but every Wednesday we'll give you an idea of something to do to relax, spend time with family and just take some time for yourself. If you're fascinated by the story of the Titanic, register with the Hillsbrough Public Library for Saturday's "Titanic: The Story of a Great Ship" presentation, with Charles Haas, author and president of the Titanic International Society, and Hillsborough resident Robert Martorana.  "This program traces Titanic’s story from its inception through its 1912 loss and its immediate aftermath," Haas said, noting he'…

Believe it or not, there is a dog sledding group in New Jersey. Each week, Patch tells you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little easier, and maybe a whole lot more fun. This week, we're suggesting a trip that will take you as far as possible from the usual mode of transportation in the Garden State. But you don't even have to leave Somerset County to see a dogsled demonstration at the Environmental Education at 190 Lord Stirling Road in Basking Ridge at 2 p.m. this Saturday, Dec. 3. Frost Fest" at Somerset County Park Commission's Environmental …

Your teens are holding a car wash at the high school Saturday. The grandparents volunteered to take the younger children to a movie Sunday afternoon. Your tweens take tap on Wednesday evening. It’s your time. Take it. Each week, we’ll tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little easier, maybe a whole lot easier. This week, instead of giving you an escape from the everyday—because with the holidays approaching, lots of things are not the same everyday—we decided to give you an escape from the one activity we all do a lot of at Thanksgiving time: …

Your teens are holding a car wash at the high school Saturday. The grandparents volunteered to take the younger children to a movie Sunday afternoon. Your tweens take tap on Wednesday evening. It’s your time. Take it. Each week, we’ll tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little easier, maybe a whole lot easier. Some weekends, there just aren't any events—think Thanksgiving weekend, right after the December holidays, or even the weeks leading up to the holidays. But we are never at a loss for something to do around this county. About two weeks …

In some circles, it's known simply as "The Hunt." The Far Hills Race Meeting, a fundraiser for Somerset Medical Center that will be held, as it has since 1916, at Moorland Farm in Far Hills, is this week's suggested Great Escape for those who want to take a break at what some consider the social event of the season. Or maybe the year! Each week, the Basking Ridge Patch will tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little easier, maybe a whole lot more enjoyable.This week, we're highlighting the annual steeplechase races that begin at 1 p.m. on …

Each week, the Basking Ridge Patch will tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little easier, maybe a whole lot more enjoyable.This week, we're suggesting an escape to the days of world of vintage metal horsepower and a stable full of horses. (Remember that some of the early classic cars were parked in the carriage houses at country estates way back when!) So, put on your best gentlemanly (or lady of  manor) style and head on over to The Friends of Lord Stirling Stable's 14th annual “Salute To Horse Power” classic automobile and motorcycle show …

our teens are holding a car wash at the high school Saturday. The grandparents volunteered to take the younger children to a movie Sunday afternoon. Your tweens take tap on Wednesday evening. It’s your time. Take it. Each week, we’ll tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little easier, maybe a whole lot easier. And this week you’re in for a scare, as the Historical Society of Somerset Hills presents its new exhibit—“Hauntings in the Somerset Hills: Fact or Fiction”—at the Brick Academy in Basking Ridge. The academy will be hosting historical …

Each week, Patch will tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little easier, maybe a whole lot more enjoyable. This weekend, you can escape from the 21st century world of cell phone connectivity and other modern "conveniences" by stepping back in time to the Colonial period at the Somerset County Park Commission's annual Lord Stirling 1770s Festival. The annual festival, with food, fun and educational opportunities, takes place from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the remains of Lord Stirling's actual pre-Revolutionary estate near the county's …

Your teens are holding a car wash at the high school Saturday. The grandparents volunteered to take the younger children to a movie Sunday afternoon. Your tweens take tap on Wednesday evening. It’s your time. Take it. Each week, we’ll tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little easier, maybe a whole lot easier. This weekend is the annual time to honor the late John Basilone, who is the only enlisted Marine to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross, as well as the only one to return to action after winning the Medal of …

Your teens are holding a car wash at the high school Saturday. The grandparents volunteered to take the younger children to a movie Sunday afternoon. Your tweens take tap on Wednesday evening. It’s your time. Take it. Each week, we’ll tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little easier, maybe a whole lot easier. And this week, we’re inviting you to look up at the sky to see the hawks flying high above Washington Valley Park. From August through November, the Washington Valley Park Hawk Watch Area will be open at the end of Miller Lane near …

Your teens are holding a car wash at the high school Saturday. The grandparents volunteered to take the younger children to a movie Sunday afternoon. Your tweens take tap on Wednesday evening. It’s your time. Take it. Each week, we’ll tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little easier, maybe a whole lot easier. But this weekend, we'd like to recommend racing out to Warren Township for its Sixth Annual Car and Motorcycle show—whether it’s to show your antique or race car or motorcycle, or just to take a look at some classic wheels. The show will…

Fall is a magnificent time to be out on trails through woods or fields, and Lord Stirling Stable in Basking Ridge, part of the Somerset County Park Commission, is offering that chance whether you are on horseback or strolling alongside your best friend (the canine kind).

Each week, Patch's Great Escape column tells you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little easier, maybe a whole lot enjoyable. This week, we have two ideas, but both taking place at the stable property at 256 S. Maple Ave. in Basking Ridge. Lord Stirling Stable also is offering an …

Your teens are holding a car wash at the high school Saturday. The grandparents volunteered to take the younger children to a movie Sunday afternoon. Your tweens take tap on Wednesday evening. It’s your time. Take it. Each week, we’ll tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little easier, maybe a whole lot easier. This week, take a few minutes to dip your toes in the water at Warrenbrook Pool, operated by Somerset County Park Commission. The pool is set on the former estate of Nathan Hofheimer, one of the early stockholders of General Motors, on …

Your teens are holding a car wash at the high school Saturday. The grandparents volunteered to take the younger children to a movie Sunday afternoon. Your tweens take tap on Wednesday evening. It’s your time. Take it. Each week, we’ll tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little easier, maybe a whole lot easier. This weekend, butterflies will reign supreme with two events to learn about and see those former caterpillars. First, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sunday, Fairview Farms is hosting “All About Monarch Butterflies” on Larger Cross Road in …

Each week, Patch will present "Great Escape" with one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little easier, and maybe a whole lot enjoyable. If you haven't seen it already, The Trilogy Repertory Company's production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream," the second half of the Bernards Township "Plays in the Park," series, will continue this Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 4-6, at the outdoor amphitheater at Pleasant Valley Park off Valley Road in Basking Ridge. The presentation of what is one of Shakespeare's most popular works for the stage is scheduled to be presented…

Your teens are holding a car wash at the high school Saturday. The grandparents volunteered to take the younger children to a movie Sunday afternoon. Your tweens take tap on Wednesday evening. It’s your time. Take it. Each week, we’ll tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little easier, maybe a whole lot easier. And this weekend is the time for reveling and partying—Cajun-style. The Somerset County Park Commission is holding its 14th annual Bayou Fest at Duke Island Park Sunday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The event will feature dance band Zydeco…

Your teens are holding a car wash at the high school Saturday. The grandparents volunteered to take the younger children to a movie Sunday afternoon. Your tweens take tap on Wednesday evening. It’s your time. Take it. Each week, we’ll tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little easier, maybe a whole lot easier. This week, go on a "light watch" with fireflies at Duke Farms. Duke Farms will be holding a firefly watch from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, as all are invited to stroll with citizen scientists along the farm's 1.25-mile Walk on the Wild …

Each week, we’ll tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little easier, maybe a whole lot easier. Wagner Farms Arboretum, at 197 Mountain Avenue in Warren, will host a Honey Harvest Day with the Morris/Somerset Beekeeping Association from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 16. Visitors can watch the local beekeepers extract the honey from beehives at Wagner Farms. It's an ancient art that fascinates everyone, and admission is free and open to all. Plus, visitors can taste the spring honey as it comes right off the frames, and learn how important bees are to …