MORRIS COUNTY — The New Jersey Coalition for Education and Positive Choices (NJC4EPC) is pleased to announce that Friday Nights at Mennen Arena are back. Additionally, the Coalition is excited to advise the public that they’ve been working with Aspen Ice Arena to add ten Saturday nights, doubling the opportunity for Morris County families to lace up those skates in 2020 for some wholesome, winter fun!
Speaking on behalf of the Coalition, Hanover Township Committeeman Thomas “Ace” Gallagher first made the announcement at the New York Jets Training Facility in Florham Park during the NJC4EPC’s December 3rd meeting where the Coalition formally launched its new website. “The participation for the winter skating program has been amazing,” noted Gallagher, “and we were looking to expand the events. We’re thrilled both to continue our great partnership with Mennen Arena and to work with Aspen Ice this year to do just that.”
The entire program will run ten consecutive weekends starting Friday, January 3 through Saturday, March 7. For Friday nights at Mennen, from 7:30 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., participating families will get a reduction in the price of admission and skate rental while enjoying a full night of skating to the music of The Great DJ Earl. The total cost of each night will be $7.00 per person (normally $12.00). Mennen Arena has a snack bar which will be open all night for those who care to indulge. Please note that snacks are not included in the price of admission. Mennen Arena is located at 161 Hanover Avenue, Morristown.
For Saturday nights at Aspen Ice kicking off on Saturday, January 4, the program will run from 7:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Participants will enjoy a reduced rate of $10.00 plus tax, which includes a skating fee and rental fee (normally $17.00 plus tax, $12.00 skating fee and a $5.00 skate rental fee). Aspen Ice has a snack bar that will be open, but purchases from the snack bar are not included in the reduced rate for skating. Aspen Ice Arena is at 16 Aspen Drive in Randolph.
This major initiative by The NJ Coalition for Education and Positive Choices, in conjunction with Mennen Arena and Aspen Ice, will provide families, especially children, with an opportunity to have fun with their friends in a safe, chaperoned, healthy, drug- free environment.
Many of our nights will have a different theme with the goal of not only entertaining our children at a time of year when outdoor activities are limited, but also creating interest in new activities, hobbies and possible future career opportunities to which they might not have otherwise been exposed.
Examples of future highlights:
- Law Enforcement Night
Many township police departments and law enforcement agencies will be on hand to display equipment, explain its purpose and most important, allow our youngsters to meet and greet true heroes.
- Fire Fighter Night
- Martial Arts and Fitness Night
- Dance Night
- Photo ID’s supplied by Morris County Park Police free for any child who would like one.
Further themes and activities will be announced shortly. For additional information on these events, please check local newspapers and visit the NJC4EPC’s new website at www.njc4epc.
The NJ Coalition for Education and Positive Choices is a non-profit, Jefferson State Award recipient comprised of educators, law enforcement, municipal and school officials, and community-minded volunteers from Morris and neighboring NJ counties dedicated to combatting substance abuse in all its forms through education and guidance in making positive choices for healthy lifestyles. For more information about the Coalition and how to join, please e-mail coalition4epc@gmail.com.
