Easter Flowers Today at Avenel-Colonia Squad

It's time for the annual Easter flower sale, now through Easter Sunday

Easter's right around the corner - and so is the Avenel-Colonia First Aid Squad's annual flower sale. Proceeds from the sale help support the work of the squad. A wide variety of flowers and plants as well as cemetery pieces will be available. Hours for the sale are: The flower sale will be held at the squad building at 105 Avenel Street in Avenel. For more information, call 732-636-4640. Follow Woodbridge Patch on Facebook, Twitter and sign up for the daily newsletter.

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Woodbridge Easter Festival Set for Saturday

The township will be getting ready for Easter with a free celebration at the Parker Press Park

Parents and kids will be lining up for Woodbridge's traditional Easter Festival. This year, it'll be held at the Parker Press Park on Rahway Avenue, next to Walgreens. The festivities start at 10 am with an Easter Egg hunt that will run until noon. An Easter Parade and pictures with the Easter Bunny - courtesy of Walgreens - will be held from 2 pm to 4 pm.  Prizes will be given for best Easter outfits (bonnets are encouraged.)  For more information, call the Woodbridge Recreation Department at 732-596-4048. For weather updates, call 732-602-6045. Follow Woodbridge Patch on Facebook, Twitter and sign up for the daily newsletter.

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Celebrate Spring with Rita's Free Italian Ice Today

For the 21st year, Rita's Ice in Woodbridge is offering free Italian ice to celebrate the first day of spring. Get it today.

Sure it doesn't look it, but today's the first day of spring. If the weather isn't doing it for you, Rita's Ice will lift your spirits. Today, to celebrate the arrival of springtime, the Italian ice emporium is offering a free ice in your choice of flavor. Yes, that's right - free. No strings attached. Just bring your appetite. The Rita's Ice in Woodbridge is located in the old A&P Shopping Center across from Woodbridge High School and the Main Library on St. George Avenue. The hours are 12 noon to 9 pm. This is the 21st year that Rita's Ice is offering the free Italian Ice giveaway. More than 600 stores in 19 states are expected to serve free ice to 1.5 million customers.  Follow Woodbridge Patch on Facebook, Twitter and sign up for the …

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Get Spooked! NJ's 'Historic Haunts' is Tonight

Want to know about local ghosts? Author Gordon Thomas Ward will demonstrate what's true and what's fabrication in a free talk tonight at the Woodbridge Main Library.

What ghosts roam within the historic sites and buildings of central New Jersey?  How accurate are the traditional stories?  Learn the truth at the Woodbridge Main Library tonight at 7 pm, as author aGordon Thomas Ward speak about our local ghosts. The program is free of charge. From the shadowed woods of the Somerset Hills to the dappled banks of the Delaware River, Historic Haunts delivers a rich mix of factual history and the sound investigation of ghostly phenomena. This presentation also mixes in numerous PowerPoint Photos of investigation sites and audio clips of unexplained voices.  The combination of an open-minded enthusiasm and a level-headed approach underscores this collection of reports that will inform, entertain and lead …

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Got Snow Pix or Storm Tales? Post Them Here!

Another storm's on the way today. Tell us what you see, but better yet, show us with your pictures

It's another miserable day, weather-wise. The worst of the storm happens later this evening, with up to 4 inches predicted for the Woodbridge area with gusty winds to boot. You might be shoveling the sidewalk, watching the kid next door slide into a teephone pole, or noticing that - as usual - everyone stocks up on bread and mik when a storm is predicted. Take a snapshot, then upload it here, and tell us in the caption what we're looking at. If there's a traffic jam or accident, post it and let us know so we can avoid it (or for the really nosey, so we can rubberneck.) Follow Woodbridge Patch on Facebook, Twitter and sign up for the daily newsletter.

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Audition to be the Next Woodbridge Idol

Teens, here's your chance to try out and be the next Woodbridge Idol winner! Auditions are Feb. 25 and 26.

Do you have a hidden talent you're dying to let out? The Woodbridge Idol contest could be your chance. Auditions are being held on Monday, February 25, at the Woodbridge Community Center and on Tuesday, Feburary 26, at the Evergreen Center in Colonia. There will be two sessions on each day and at each location: at 3:30 pm or 6:30 pm. Auditions are open to teens from 14 to 18 years of age. Contestants are asked to sing the National Anthem and a one- to two-minute song of their choice a capella. The competition itself will be held on April 26. For more information, visit their Facebook page or email rjc2192@gmail.com. Follow Woodbridge Patch on Facebook, Twitter and sign up for the daily newsletter. 

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Sign Up for a Free Belly Dancing Class

It's being held next week at Across the Floor in Woodbridge

Join Actor Andrew McCarthy in Metuchen

The famous Brat Pack star will be at a Metuchen Library fundraiser on March 3

Never let it be said Andrew McCarthy ever rested on his laurels. The famous Brat Pack star from such 80s movie hits as Pretty in Pink, Less Than Zero, and St. Elmo's Fire, McCarthy continued his career into television and theatre. But beyond that, the New Jersey native also reinvented himself as a professional travel writer. McCarthy is an editor-at-large for National Geographic Traveler, aside from having written for dozens of other publications. McCarthy's left his mark all over central New Jersey. Born in Westfield, McCarthy grew up Bernardsville and attended the Pingry School. He's also penned a memoir, "The Longest Way Home." McCarthy is returning to the Garden State on Sunday, March 3. He'll be the spotlight artist at "An Afternoon …

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Check Out a Chili Cookoff Fundraiser

Enter your best chili recipe in a chili contest, and reap the rewards.

The First Presbyterian Church of Iselin is holding a 'Warm Your Heart' Chili Contest and Dinner as a fundraiser to renovate the church's sign. Sponsored by CLEF (Christian Ladies Exercising Faith), the chili dinner will be held on Sunday, February 10, at the church located at 1295 Oak Tree Road at 5 pm. Tickets are $13 for adults and $10 for children and seniors. Any of the chili cookoff competitors eat free! The dinner includes salad, bread, cornbread, a beverage and dessert. Those interested in competing with their best chili recipes can call the church office at 732-283-1188 or email Betsy Christensen (betson42@comcast.net) for instructions. Follow Woodbridge Patch on Facebook, Twitter and sign up for the daily newsletter.

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'Raconteurs and Roustabouts' Show Hits UCPAC Tonight

This is one show you won't want to miss, tonight at 8 pm.

Looking for one unusual and fun experience to celebrate the arrival of February? Get yourself to the Hamilton Stage at the Union County Performing Arts Center tonight for "Raconteurs and Roustabouts: Where Culture and Carnivals Collide." The show is tonight, February 1, at 8 pm, at the theatre, located at 360 Hamilton Street in Rahway. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online. It promises to be an evening you won't soon forget (the theatre advises that because of the nature of the event, only those 16 and up should attend.) Get there early to watch the H.A.T. side show upchuck fifteen foot flumes of flame into the blue black sky outside the theatre and visit The Mythsonian, a Museum of Monstrous & Mythological Oddities: monkey paws and…

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