In this episode, we cover news and updates from three Lawrence Township newsletters dated May 19–21, 2026: Latest in Lawrence, News from the Nest, and Lawrence QuickNews.

🏛️ Township News

2026 Memorial Day Grand Marshal: Lawrence Township honors Retired Staff Sergeant James S. Kownacki, whose military service spanned more than two decades.

Memorial Day Parade: Saturday, May 23 at 10:00 AM — begins at Lawrence High School parking lot, concludes at Veterans Park.

Municipal offices and schools closed: Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day.

Service Rescheduled Date
| Trash collection  | Saturday, May 23
| Recycling collection  | Saturday, May 30

Municipal address update: The Township is discontinuing P.O. Box 6006. All correspondence and payments should now be sent to:

Please update any scheduled payments to reflect this change.

🐾 Health & Community Services

Dog licensing reminder: Animal Control is contacting 500+ dog owners with delinquent licenses. Summonses may be issued beginning June. A $9 late fee is in effect; rabies vaccinations must be valid through November 2026. Contact the Clerk's Office with questions.

Free pediatric clinic: The Lawrence Health Department offers a free monthly clinic for uninsured children, including a physical exam and immunizations. Call 609-844-7094 for an appointment. Located at 2207 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648.

Free COVID-19 test kits: Available at the Lawrence Township Health Department while supplies last, provided by Mercer County. Health Department: 609-844-7089.

PSE&G Recycling Program: Free pickup of old refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers. Rebates available: $150 for fridges/freezers; $50 for A/C units or dehumidifiers picked up at the same time. Appliances must be working and at your PSE&G service address. Some restrictions apply.

Medi-Cool Program: Air conditioning units available for qualifying low-income Mercer County seniors and adults with disabilities. Call 609-443-4464 or email for eligibility screening.

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program: Provides $40 in electronic benefits for locally grown produce to low-income Mercer County residents age 60+. First-come, first-served. Contact: adrc@mercercounty.org or 609-245-2974.

Mental health support (988 Lifeline): If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or a mental health or substance use crisis, call or text 988 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

📅 Upcoming Community Events

Date Event Time Location
| Sat, May 23  | Memorial Day Parade  | 10:00 AM  | Lawrence High School parking lot → Veterans Park
| Thu, May 27  | Strategic Planning Session 2 (LTPS)  | 6:00–8:00 PM  | TBD — open to all
| Sun, Jun 1  | Student Rep Applications Due (Business & Economic Growth Committee)  | —  | Apply via township website
| Sat, Jun 6  | David Brearley Fun Run/Walk (5K)  | 8:30 AM  | Brearley House, 100 Meadow Road
| Thu, Jun 11  | Community Lunch with Youth Mental Health Panel  | 12:00 PM  | The Community Well (co-located with Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville)
| Tue, Jun 16  | A Night with Jamie Ding  | 6:30 PM  | Lawrence High School Auditorium
| Sat, Jun 14  | Lawrence PRIDEfest (2nd Annual)  | 9:00 AM–2:00 PM  | Lawrence High School
| Sat, Jun 20  | Phillies vs. Mets Game Night (LMS/LHS PTO)  | 7:15 PM  | Citizens Bank Ballpark
| Wed, Jul 22  | Summer Benefit Concert: Sam Lardner & Barcelona  | 7:00 PM  | The Community Well, 2888 Main Street, Lawrenceville

🎟️ Featured Event: A Night with Jamie Ding

Lawrence Township resident and Jeopardy! champion Jamie Ding comes to Lawrence High School for a special keynote and Q&A. Jamie finished 5th all-time for consecutive games won (31-game streak) and earned $885,605 in total winnings.

Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2026 Time: 6:30–7:30 PM (doors open at 6:15) Location: Lawrence High School Auditorium, 2525 Princeton Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

🏫 Lawrence Township Public Schools News

Strategic Planning Session 2: Wednesday, May 27, 6:00–8:00 PM. All community members welcome.

Baseball championships: The Lawrence High School varsity baseball team won its second consecutive Colonial Valley Conference Tournament Championship, defeating their opponents 3–1 at Trenton Thunder Ballpark. Next stop: the NJSIAA Group 3 Playoffs.

Milken Educator Award: Jeanette Capritti of Lawrence Middle School was formally honored at the May 6 New Jersey State Board of Education meeting. Her award, often called the "Oscars of Teaching," was first presented at Lawrence Middle School last October.

National History Day nationals: Ten Lawrence High School students have qualified for the national competition at the University of Maryland (week of June 14). Led by advisor Ms. Priscilla Taylor.

AAPI Night: Lawrence High School celebrated Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with food, karaoke, henna, and cultural programming.

Dare to Dream, Jr.: Lawrence Middle School's spring musical ran May 15–17, performed on a rented outdoor stage due to auditorium renovations. Directed by Ms. Baill.

Jazz Night: Jazz bands from Lawrence Intermediate School, Lawrence Middle School, and Lawrence High School performed at a districtwide concert. Lawrence Township Public Schools has been recognized as one of the Best Communities for Music Education by the NAMM Foundation.

Model United Nations: The Lawrence Middle School Model UN team took home awards from the Junior Model UN Academy Conference at Bergen County Academies on May 9.

Judge Wilson visit: Honorable Sherry Wilson visited Lawrence High School to speak with the Advocates for Innocence Club and the Social Justice class about the judicial system and the pursuit of justice.

Field Day season: Underway across the district. More schools will celebrate in the weeks ahead.

Kindergarten registration (2026–2027): Children must be 5 years old on or before October 1, 2026. Proof of residency required.

Summer EBT Program: A federal program providing $120 per eligible child for groceries during summer months. Many families are enrolled automatically. Contact Jennifer Mahoney: jmahoney@ltps.org or 609-671-5435.

🎓 Senior Class Highlights (Lawrence High School)

Event Date Time Notes
| Senior Awards Ceremony  | Thu, May 28  | 7:00 PM  | Awardees arrive by 6:30 PM, Room 403
| Senior Production: Around the World in 80 Days  | Fri, May 29 & Sat, May 30  | 7:00 PM  | $10 at the door
| Project Graduation  | Tue, Jun 23  | 11:00 PM–5:00 AM  | Free, adult-supervised, substance-free. Volunteers and donations welcome.

🏕️ Summer Programs

Program Ages/Grades Dates Location Notes
| Primetime Summer Basketball Camp  | Grades 3–9  | Co-ed: Jul 6–9; Boys: Jul 13–16  | Lawrence High School, 2525 Princeton Pike  | 9:00 AM–4:00 PM; all skill levels
| Tennis Camp (Township Recreation)  | Ages 5–12  | Aug 8–14  | Central Park Tennis Courts  | 9:00 AM–12:00 PM; beginner and intermediate/advanced
| Camp Westrick (Music)  | All levels  | Aug 3–7  | TBD  | Singing, arts & crafts, performance; no prior experience required
| TCNJ Young Writers Workshop  | Middle & high school  | Sat, Jun 6  | The College of New Jersey  | Free; first 25 registrants per session
| Mercer County Rutgers 4-H Health, Body, Mind Club  | Middle/high school  | Twice monthly  | Ewing & West Windsor area  | Ongoing; leadership opportunities available
| Lawrence Branch Library Volunteers  | Ages 14–18  | Jun 22–Aug 8  | Lawrence Branch, Mercer County Library  | Must be Lawrence resident and library card holder; apply by Jun 5

🎶 Community Programs

Lawrence PRIDEfest (2nd Annual) Sunday, June 14 | 9:00 AM–2:00 PM | Lawrence High School Fun run/walk: 9:00–10:00 AM Music, vendors, food, and entertainment. Everyone welcome. Organized by Lawrence Neighbors Together. Questions: lawrenceneighborstogether@gmail.com

Community Lunch with Youth Mental Health Panel Thursday, June 11 | 12:00 PM The Community Well (co-located with the Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville), 2888 Main Street, Lawrenceville, NJ Panelists include community mental health and advocacy professionals. Registration required.

Summer Benefit Concert: Sam Lardner & Barcelona Wednesday, July 22 | 7:00 PM The Community Well, 2888 Main Street, Lawrenceville, NJ

Urban Air Fundraiser — Students Helping Honduras Thursday, May 21 | 5:00–7:00 PM Urban Air Adventure Park, 2495 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence Shopping Center Mention the fundraiser at time of purchase. Questions: LHS@SHHkids.org

📞 Key Contacts

Department / Program Phone Email / Web
| Lawrence Township (general)  | —  | 2207 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrence Township, NJ 08648
| Municipal Clerk  | 609-844-7001  | lawrencetwp.com
| Health Department  | 609-844-7089  | —
| Pediatric Clinic (appointments)  | 609-844-7094  | —
| Recreation Department  | 609-844-7067  | —
| Lawrence Senior Center  | 609-844-7048  | —
| Public Works  | 609-587-1894  | —
| Lawrence Township Public Schools  | 609-671-5500  | ltps.org
| Summer EBT (Jennifer Mahoney)  | 609-671-5435  | jmahoney@ltps.org
| Mercer County Office on Aging / ADRC  | 609-245-2974  | adrc@mercercounty.org
| Medi-Cool Program  | 609-443-4464  | —
| 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline  | 988  | Call or text, 24/7