#29 Apr 23, 26

Get Outside, Lawrence: Yard Sales, Cleanups, and Spring Events

Lawrence Together — April 23, 2026

A packed double-issue episode drawing from both the Township's Latest in Lawrence and the Lawrence Township Public Schools QuickNews. This week features a community spotlight on an extraordinary upcoming event, a town-wide yard sale, school celebrations, spring programs, and important municipal updates.

✨ Spotlight: Before the Dream

Before the Dream: The Untold Story of Young Martin Luther King, Jr. Presented by Every Child Valued

📅 Wednesday, May 13, 2026 🕡 6:30 PM 📍 Lawrence High School, 2525 Princeton Pike, Lawrence Township 🎟️ Free and open to all — RSVP requested 🔗 link.locallawrence.com/youngking

The evening opens with the presentation of the Every Child Valued Award for Service to Mr. Fred Vereen, Jr., honoring more than seventy-five years of dedicated service to the residents of Lawrence Township.

The keynote presentation will be delivered by Dr. Lerone A. Martin of Stanford University, director of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute. Dr. Martin has deep ties to our community, having earned his Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and once lived in Lawrence Township. He will share insights from his new book, Young King: The Making of Martin Luther King, Jr., published by HarperCollins in May 2026.

The evening also includes a community Q&A session, a reception with free food, and a book signing.

📅 Upcoming Events

🏷️ Town Wide Yard Sale

Rain or shine — garage sales across the township this weekend!

📅 Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26 🕗 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM 📍 Locations throughout Lawrence Township

Visit the Recreation Department website for a map of participating homes.

📢 Township Announcements

Municipal Address Change P O Box 6006 is no longer in use. Update all correspondence and scheduled payments to: Township of Lawrence 2207 Lawrenceville Road Lawrence Township, NJ 08648

Sewer Bills Due First-half 2026 sewer bills are due by close of business Monday, April 27. Pay online at the township website or call the Tax Collector. 📞 609-844-7041

🌱 Public Works

Mulch Delivery Program (through May 3 or while supplies last) Free delivery to your driveway — Lawrence Township residents only. Maximum 9 yards per household.

QuantityPrice3 yards | $33.00
6 yards | $66.00
9 yards | $99.00

Order at the Lawrence Township Ecological Facility (3701 Princeton Pike) or the Department of Public Works (240 Bakers Basin Road). Checks accepted at both; credit cards at the Eco Center only. 📞 609-587-1894

Spring Leaf Collection Throughout April, the Department of Public Works is collecting leaves by zone. Place leaves at the curb, separated from brush, and at least 10 feet from storm drains. 📞 609-587-1894

🎉 Recreation Department

Junior Golf Clinic — Grades 1–6, all skill levels welcome. Modified equipment provided for beginners. 📅 Tuesdays, May 19 – June 16 | 4:00–5:00 PM | Lawrence Veterans Park Register through the Recreation Department.

Memorial Day Parade — Groups encouraged to march, including veterans, scouts, community organizations, marching bands, and more. 📅 Saturday, May 23 | 10:00 AM 🌐 lawrencetwp.com/departments/recreation ✉️ recreation@lawrencetwp.com 📞 609-844-7067

👴 Senior Center

Memoir Writing Class — Free class led by published memoirist and former Slackwood School librarian Kathy Saretzky. 📅 Wednesdays | 2:00–4:00 PM 📍 Lawrence Senior Center, 30 East Darrah Lane 📞 609-844-7048

🏥 Health Department

Free COVID-19 Test Kits — Available at the Lawrence Township Health Department while supplies last. 📍 2207 Lawrenceville Road (Municipal Building North Entrance) 🕗 Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM 📞 609-844-7089

Arm In Arm Mobile Food Pantry — Every Monday in 2026, 2:00–4:00 PM 📍 Lawrence Headquarters Branch Library, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville 🌐 arminarm.org 📞 609-882-9246

🚔 Police Department

Administrative Professionals Day — Chief Kevin Reading recognized Cara Parker for her outstanding service as the Chief's secretary since 2024.

Put the Phone Away or Pay Campaign — Now in its fourth week. Officers are actively enforcing distracted driving laws. 🌐 NJSafeRoads.com

🏫 Lawrence Township Public Schools

Important Dates

April 23–24: Parent-teacher conferences, early dismissal for grades K–8
May 6: Board of Education Budget Hearing
May 27: Strategic Planning Session (all community members welcome)

Kindergarten Registration Now Open Students must be 5 years old on or before October 1, 2026. Proof of residency required. Register at the Lawrence Township Public Schools website.

School Highlights This Week Lawrence Intermediate School held its annual Wellness Day, featuring cooking, painting, jewelry making, karate, yoga, music, and outdoor activities. Cardinal Kids celebrated the Week of the Young Child with themed days including Tango Tuesday, Work Together Wednesday, Artsy Thursday, and Fun Friday — with a special visit from Superintendent Dr. Robyn A. Klim. Earth Day was marked across the district with poetry books, Earth Day crowns, and an outdoor environmental scavenger hunt trail at Lawrence Intermediate School. Lawrence Township Public Schools also hosted Take Your Child to Work Day, welcoming staff children for a look inside the world of education.

Strategic Planning Session More than 75 community members participated in the district's recent Strategic Planning Session. The next session is May 27 — everyone is welcome, even if you missed the first one.

Lawrence Has Talent The Lawrence Township Education Foundation's Lawrence Has Talent fundraiser featured vocal performances, musicians, karate demonstrations, and an art contest open to all ages. Thank you to everyone who performed, attended, and supported.

🎵 School Events and Fundraisers

Lawrence Middle School Battle of the Bands 📅 Tuesday, April 28 | 7:00–9:00 PM | Lawrence Middle School 🎟️ $5 admission | All proceeds benefit the Lawrence Middle School Music Department

Lawrence High School Gospel Choir Spring Concert 2025 Bruce Springsteen Gospel Choir Competition Grand Prize Winners 📅 Friday, May 1 | 6:00 PM | Lawrence High School Auditorium, 2525 Princeton Pike 🎟️ $5 at the door

Phillies Night Out — Lawrence Middle School/Lawrence High School PTO 📅 Saturday, June 20 | 7:15 PM | Citizens Bank Ballpark 🎟️ $70 per ticket (400 section behind home plate) | Tickets limited ⏰ Purchase deadline: May 6

📚 Community Programs

The College of New Jersey Young Writers Workshop — Free creative writing workshop for high school students, taught by a college instructor. 📅 Saturday, June 6 | 1:00–4:00 PM | The College of New Jersey Limited to the first 25 students to register. Check the Lawrence Township Public Schools website for details.

Animal Cartoon Drawing Workshop — For artists ages 6–13. Five-day workshop on drawing cartoon animal characters. Check the Lawrence Township Public Schools website for registration details.

Lawrence Hopewell Trail 1st Annual Complete the Loop 5K and Fun Run 📅 Saturday, May 2 | 9:00 AM | Rosedale Park, Pennington Open to runners, walkers, and families of all ages. Proceeds support completion of the trail's 20-mile loop. 🌐 runsignup.com/Race/NJ/Pennington/LHT5K

🏛️ Boards and Committees

Meeting schedules are subject to change. Check the township website for updates. 📞 Municipal Clerk: 609-844-7001

🌍 Community Resources

Mercer 250 — A new website highlighting Mercer County's role in the American Revolution, with a guide to historical sites and events ahead of the 250th anniversary of American independence.

Mercer County Community College — Fall 2026 semester registration is now open.

Mercer County Food Finder — Connects residents with 100-plus food pantries, youth meals, and grab-and-go options nearby.

NJ Disability Information Hub — Programs, services, and resources for people with disabilities, their families, and caregivers.

Crisis Support — If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 to connect with a trained crisis counselor, available 24/7.

Lawrence Together is a community podcast serving the residents of Lawrence Township, New Jersey. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.