AN COMING UP
Star watch is Friday
at Wallkill River refuge
Friends of Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge will host a night under the stars Friday, May 26 at 136 Owens Station Road, Sussex.
Members will set up telescopes to view the moon, Mars, Venus and the spring constellations starting at 8:30 p.m.
Volunteer astronomers will point out features on the moon visible through the telescope, identify the constellations and share the folklore associated with them.
People of all ages are welcome.
Those who have telescopes may bring them. Volunteers will provide guidance in setting up and using the equipment.
In case of rain or heavy cloud cover the event will be postponed to Saturday, May 27 and a notice will be posted on the Friends’ Facebook page.
Astronomy nights are scheduled each month at the refuge. The next one will be at 9 p.m. June 23.
For information, contact the Friends at wallkillfriends@gmail.com or (973) 702-7266 ext. 15.
Beemerville Church sale
is Friday, Saturday
The Beemerville Church Yard and Rummage Sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, May 26 and Saturday, May 27.
Clothes, toys, kitchen and household items, garage items, wooden furniture and knickknacks are for sale along with hot dogs and snacks.
Proceeds go to the church’s outreach programs. Donations are welcome.
The Beemerville Church is at 226 Route 519 in Wantage. Please park behind the Beemerville Firehouse.
For information, call 973-875-6760.
Lusscroft Farm Barn Sale,
Christmas Cottage open
Visitors and shoppers are invited to the Lusscroft Farm Benefit Barn Sale and the Christmas Cottage Shop from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 27.
Lusscroft is a historic farm at 50 Neilson Road in Wantage; it is part of High Point State Park.
The dairy barn is regularly restocked with donations of furniture, lamps, wall art, jewelry, books, sporting goods, glassware and dishes, tools, toys, and vintage and decorative items.
The Christmas Cottage is a 19th-century home that was the manager’s dwelling. All the rooms on all three floors have been freshly painted and display donated holiday decorations and gifts available for purchase.
Funds raised from the Barn Sales and the Christmas Cottage Shop go to restore the buildings and grounds at Lusscroft. Current projects include repairs to the barn roof and work on the Manor House stone chimney.
Volunteers and new members are always welcome.
For information, go online to LusscroftFarm.org or send an email to lusscroftfarm@gmail.com
To donate to the Barn Sale or the Christmas Cottage Shop, send an email listing what you would like to donate. Items must be in good condition. For furniture, please include a photo for space reasons. Donna Traylor will contact you.
No clothing, shoes, artificial trees, medical equipment or baby equipment can be accepted.
Heirloom tomato sale
is this weekend
Susan and Richard Sisti of Catalpa Ridge Farm will hold their 21st annual Heirloom Tomato Transplant Sale on Memorial Day weekend.
The sale will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28 at the Sussex Farmers Market at the county fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta.
There are more than 80 varieties of heirloom tomatoes as well as some heritage tomatoes, the most famous of which is the Ramapo Tomato. This variety was known as the “true Jersey tomato” 30 years ago and has not been commercially available for years.
Richard Sisti will offer the Moreton variety, a favorite Jersey tomato often referred to as the “4th of July” tomato, as well as Rutgers and Scarlet Sunrise Grape, all reintroduced varieties from Rutgers.
Classic heirlooms, such as Pink and Yellow Brandywine, Rutgers and Black Krim, and some very unusual varieties, such as Pineapple, Black, Red Peach, Schimigg’s Striped Hollow, White Potato Leaf, Mortgage Lifter and others, will be available for purchase.
They will also have a selection of vegetable transplants, such as hot and sweet peppers, eggplant, onion, squash and cucumbers.
The transplants will be offered in 3-inch and 4 1/2-inch pots. The vegetable transplants have four plants per pack.
The Catalpa Ridge Farm is in Wantage.
For information, send email to jerseygrown@gmail.com or call 973-970-3276 (FARM).
Farmers Market opens
Sunday in Lafayette
The Shoppes at Lafayette is sponsoring the Sunday Farmers Market, starting May 28.
The farmers market will be held every Sunday, rain or shine, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to Nov. 5.
Farm and arts & crafts vendors are invited to participate.
For information, contact Ken Olsen, farmers market and events manager, at kennyoco@aol.com
Senior Health & Fitness Day
is Wednesday at YMCA
The Sussex County YMCA, 15 Wits End Drive, Hardyston, will join an estimated 1,000 local groups to celebrate the 30th annual National Senior Health & Fitness Day on Wednesday, May 31.
As an official host site, the Sussex County Y will hold a free community event from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with a variety of activities and wellness resources for older adults.
The Y’s event will feature Feeling Fit and Chair Yoga classes, Rutgers Master Gardeners of Sussex County, a Sheriff Department’s K9 unit demonstration, and a variety of vendors providing information, education and screenings.
For the schedule and to register in advance, go online to sussexcountyymca.org, call 973-758-9039 or register in person at the Y.