Pilates classes

The Lower Township Department of Parks and Recreation is now offering an ongoing walk-in pilates classes. This program is a low impact extraordinarily effective exercise class that firms, lengthens and shapes muscles to their optimal form. Classes are being held Wednesday evenings at 5 p.m. and Thursday mornings at 9:30 a.m. Cost is $3 per class. For more information call 886-7880 ext. 0.

Physick Estate Christmas tree lighting

Cape May's Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street, will host its annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, sponsored by Sturdy Savings Bank, on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. Join representatives from the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC), Mayor Ed Mahaney and the Cape Harmonaires at the gazebo on the grounds of the estate for a round of Christmas carols. Old Saint Nick arrives at 7 p.m. and flips the switch to light thousands of bulbs on the giant 60-foot Christmas tree. Children can meet with Santa, sit on his lap and bring their Christmas lists. Warm beverages with traditional cookies will be available. The authentically-decorated 1879 Emlen Physick Estate, complete with Victorian Christmas vignettes, will be open for free, self-guided tours from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Stop by the Carriage House Gallery at the Estate to see "An Old-Fashioned Christmas Exhibit: Holiday Traditions through the Years." This year's main attraction will be the Dickens Village collection beneath the bough of a giant Christmas tree. This impressive Department 56 collection was generously donated by Ernie and Betsy Heegard. Visitors are encouraged to share in the holiday spirit and bring a non-perishable food item for the Cape May Community Food Bank.

Sweet Adelines at Middle PAC

Everyone talks about the weather but no one has figured out how to do anything about it. The women of Cape Shore Chorus of Sweet Adelines International have decided that they have the perfect solution – singing about the weather. Join them Nov. 19 at the Middle Township Performing Arts Center. Chase away the showers, celebrate blue skies and maybe even dance in the snow. Special guests will be Razzmatazz, a men's barbershop quartet. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12. For information, call the PAC at 463-1924 or Brenda at 463-8870.

Pancake breakfast

The property owners of Cape May Beach will have their regular pancake breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19 at the Club House, 201 Clubhouse Drive in Townbank. Cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children under 12.

Black Friday in Cape May

Black Friday Christmas shopping comes to Cape May with the Holiday Crafts Fair sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). Get a head start this year and find a special gift for those on your holiday gift-giving list. For two days - Black Friday, Nov. 25 and Saturday, Nov. 26 - you can shop for one-of-a-kind and handmade merchandise and seasonal decorations from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cape May Elementary School, 921 Lafayette St. Browse among vendors offering unique gift ideas and holiday decorations and join shoppers who have made this an annual holiday tradition. Admission is $1 for adults and free for children 12 and younger and there's plenty of free parking.

Economic development forum

The Cape May County Chamber of Commerce will host a Business and Economic Development Forum – “How Has Wall Street USA Affected Main Street Cape May County” at Avalon Golf Club, 1510 Route 9 North, Cape May Court House, on Friday, Dec. 2. Check in and networking begins at 8:30 a.m. and the program runs from 9 to 11 a.m. The keynote speaker will be Dr. James W. Hughes, Dean of the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University. Dr. Hughes has provided extensive budgetary and economic testimony before many New Jersey state legislative committees and has provided numerous policy briefings both in Washington and Trenton on demographics, housing and the economy. Representatives from Cape May County’s banking institutions will participate in a panel discussion on business lending and growth opportunities. The cost to attend is $12 and includes breakfast refreshments. For registration and information, visit www.capemaycountychamber.com or call the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce at 465-7181, ext. 104.

Christmas bazaar

The Episcopal Church of the Advent in Cape May will hold a Christmas bazaar and luncheon on Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Parish Hall at 612 Franklin Street. The bazaar is a real old-fashioned church fair with no outside vendors. Everything is made or donated by the people of Church of the Advent. New at the Christmas crafts table will be handmade bags of every size including totes, e-book covers and purses. Also featured will be handmades for the kitchen. Fresh live greens will be made into swags. Buy a taste at the Take-a-Taste Table and get the recipe too. Browse through Grandma’s Attic for treasures and complete your holiday baking at the Baked Goods Table. Homemade soups, chili and sandwiches will be served for lunch while a piano player plays seasonal selections. For more information, call 884-3065.

Republican women meet

The Republican Women of Cape May County will hold their annual Christmas meeting and party on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at the Washington Inn, 801 Washington Street in Cape May, at 6 p.m. Toys will be collected for the Marine Toys for Tots program. The public is invited at a cost of $35 for chicken sara, baked Alaskan salmon or southern grilled pork chop. Member cost is $30. Reservations required by Nov. 28, please call Karen at 886-8344 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Angelus Chorus performances

The Angelus Chorus will hold concerts throughout the Christmas season at: Cold Spring Presbyterian Church, 780 Seashore Road in Lower Township, on Sunday, Dec. 4 at 1:30 p.m.; Cape May Methodist, 635 Washington Street in Cape May, on Monday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m.; Ocean City Tabernacle, 550 Wesley Avenue in Ocean City, on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 4 p.m.; and Our Lady of Angels, Mechanic Street in Middle Township, on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 3 p.m.

‘Wintertime in Cape May’ exhibit

The county’s Division of Culture and Heritage is hosting an art exhibit at the Beesley House through Feb. 20. The exhibit is entitled “Wintertime in Cape May” and will feature works from New Jersey artists in many categories including oil, watercolor, pastel, pen/ink, photos, drawing, print and collage. Local artists on display include: Peg Dittmar, Anna Marie Zabielski, Fred Arnold and Betty Campbell. The Beesley House, located at 605 Route 9 North in Cape May Court House, is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. For more information, call 463-6370.

Library hosts preschool storytime in Lower

The Cape May County Library invites children ages 3 to 5 years old and their caregivers to Preschool Storytime on Mondays in October, November and December. The program will take place at 10 a.m. at the Lower Cape Branch of the Library located at 2600 Bayshore Road, Villas. Preschoolers are invited to have lots of fun as they enjoy stories, puppets, music, finger plays and rhymes.  Children will be able to participate in stories, songs, rhymes and make a craft to take home. Each storytime will cover a different theme enforcing children's basic concepts, language, social skills and listening abilities. Come and participate on the following days: October 31; Nov. 7, 14, 21 and 28; Dec. 5. Registration is not required for this event. For additional information, please contact the Children’s Room at 463-6354 or visit online at www.cmclibrary.org.

Preschool Storytime in Cape May City

The Cape May County Library invites children ages 3 to 5 years old and their caregivers to Preschool Storytime every Wednesday through Dec. 28 at 10:30 a.m. The program takes place at the Cape May City Branch Library located at Ocean & Hughes Streets, Cape May City. Preschoolers are invited to have lots of fun as they enjoy stories, puppets, music, finger plays and rhymes. Children will be able to participate in stories, songs, rhymes and make a craft to take home. Each storytime will cover a different theme enforcing children's basic concepts, language, social skills and listening abilities. Registration is not required for this event. For additional information, please contact the Children’s Room at 463-6354 or visit online at www.cmclibrary.org.

Yoga classes

The Lower Township Department of Parks and Recreation is offering ongoing walk in adult yoga classes. Classes are held on Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Lower Township Recreation Center. The fee for this class is $5 per class. This yoga practice is offered as a co-ed beginners level, awareness and experience of yoga. No yoga experience required, all levels are welcome.  Bring a blanket or a yoga mat to class and wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing.  For more information, call 886-7880 ext. 0.