This spring as the sun sets join an “out-of-doors” reading room as we read and discuss selected passages from an historic author and connect these works to Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage and New Jersey history. No advanced reading or preparation is required. Dress to sit outdoors. 250 years ago in the spring of 1773 Phillis Wheatley traveled from America to England to publish Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, making her the first published African-American poet and the first African-American female published writer. This season’s reading room features the works of three early American Black women in words. • Thursday, March 16: Phillis Wheatley • Thursday, April 20: Esther “Hetty” Saunders • Thursday, May 18: Sojourner Truth

Led by Randy Little, Associate Naturalist For beginners and those with some experience, this birding-by-song series will improve your bird identification skills. More often than not, birds are heard before they are seen (if seen at all!) Learning their songs will add another dimension to your birdwatching. Randy Little is a former NJA board member and long-time NJA volunteer. Randy learned birding as a youngster under the wings of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology’s founders and is a master at recording bird songs for the Cornell Lab. This series will begin Thursday March 2 and continue every Thursday evening until April 6.  March 2 & 9 classes will cover the winter resident birds, March 16 & 23 classes will cover the early migrant birds, and March 30 & April 6 classes will cover the summer resident birds.  After the end of the series participants may join Randy for a free, outdoor, “practical hands-on” Learning the Birds by Song walk at the Sanctuary. COST PER CLASS: $10 members, $15 nonmembers. Interested in becoming a member? Please click on the following link to learn more or join: Become a Member today! IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This class will be held in-person at Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary.

Led by Chris and Paula Williams, NJ Audubon Associate Naturalists.    The American Woodcock, a long-billed woodland bird, probes in soft wet soil of wetlands and eats its weight in worms each day. Woodcock return to Franklin Township in late winter or early spring to mate and nest. Males of the species begin calling and performing an aerial courtship-display-flight when the afternoon shadows are almost gone. We’ll hear more than we see. Franklin Township’s open space program will, for the 18th consecutive year, sponsor guided nature walks on Township open space parcels.  Please register with Franklin Township at franklintrails@twp.franklin.nj.us or call 732.873.2500 x6279.  Cost: Free.  Location: 260 Skillman Lane, Somerset, NJ   Registration: franklintrails@twp.franklin.nj.us or 732.873.2500 x6279

Friday, March 17th ~ St. Patrick’s Day! Noon ~ Midnight Live Irish Music with The Michael Craig Band Bagpipers / Irish Step Dancers