UPPER NEWS NOTES – 4-28

Volunteers make a difference – Valerie Cirucci and Barbara and Reynolds Keen of Ocean City are three of the more than 350 men and women who volunteer their time at Shore Memorial Hospital. All of the volunteers were recognized recently during National Healthcare Volunteer Week.
Cirucci helps out at the hospital’s Information Desk, while the Keens volunteer in the Same Day Surgery Unit – Barbara assisting family and friends in the Waiting Room, and Reynolds, her husband, in the Recovery Area.
Volunteering can lead to increased longevity, lower rates of depression in adults 65 and over, and a greater personal sense of accomplishment, according to the Corporation for National and Community Service.
For more information on volunteer opportunities, contact the Volunteer Office at 609-653-3543.
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“Painting is just another way of keeping a diary.” (Pablo Picasso). Learn to paint your own diary at the watercolor classes which will be offered at the Upper Cape Branch Library, currently located at the Cedar Square Shopping Center, 2087 Route 9 in Ocean View.
Taught by Susan Rau, the classes will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on four Saturdays from May 1 to May 22. No experience is needed.
Rau, who maintains a studio at The Consortium on High Street in Millville, is an instructor at the Ocean City Arts Center and the Ocean City Fine Arts League.
Class size will be limited. Registration and a valid library card are needed to attend. To register, call 609-628-2607 or go online at www.cmclibrary.org. A list of needed supplies will be available when registering.
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Please pass the rolls and roses – Edible flowers will be included in Chef Mark Kalla’s food preparation demonstration at 1 p.m. on Saturday, at the Main Branch of the Cape May County Library located at 30 Mechanic St. in Court House.
In many cultures, flowers are part of traditional foods. Chef Kalla will show how cooking with nasturtiums, roses, lavender, and other flowers adds flavor as well as beauty to dining. Recipes will be given and samples of foods will be shared.
Chef Kalla was responsible for developing the Avalon Anchorage Marina Restaurant, owned and operated the Barrier Island Inn Restaurant, and became the head chef for the Backyard Restaurant and Fishtails.
He is currently Food Service Director of the Avalon Elementary School Cafeteria and teaches culinary arts to children during the summer.
The class is free; however, space is limited. A valid library card and registration is required, which may be done by calling 609-463-6350 or going online at
www.cmclibrary.org.
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If you would like to make the public aware of events happening in your town, classroom, group, or club, please email me at laladyw@aim.com.