June is the month we celebrate Merchantville's birth in 1874! While current circumstances have caused states to ban public gatherings, such as parties and celebrations, let's toast the founding of our small but strong borough 146 years ago and, honor the efforts of the many public servants, volunteers and business owners who have helped to strengthen and sustain our community. As we start planning for the Borough's Sesquicentennial, Mayor Brennan and Council want you to know that they are committed to continuing their work on your behalf and moving initiatives forward that will promote progress and secure a vital and prosperous future for residents and businesses. Merchantville's history.

Mayor Brennan provided an update to the community about the Covid-19 status in the Borough. He reminded residents that Merchantville's parks, sports fields and the multi-use path are all closed at this time and while he feels and understands the frustration with these closures and desire to exercise it continues to be necessary. He thanked everyone for their cooperation. He noted that additional testing sites are now available and this has lead to a corresponding increase in positive cases in our neighboring communities of Cherry Hill and Camden. The mayor informed residents that the Primary election has been moved to July 7th and encouraged  anyone concerned about on-site voting to apply for vote by mail through the county. He assured residents that he and Council are working with their partners in government, faith based groups and our schools to support businesses and obtain the resources that our community needs.

Census 2020 starting April 1, 2020 means Merchantville Counts Too! MerchantvilleTambienCuenta! It's Easy. Es Facil. It's Safe. Es Seguro.  It's Important. Es Importante. Between March 12-20: Initial invitations to respond online and by phone will be delivered by the U.S. Postal Service. Areas that are less likely to respond online will receive a paper questionnaire along with the invitation to respond online or over the phone. March 16-24: Reminder letters will be delivered. March 26-April 3: Reminder postcards will be delivered to households that have not responded. April 8-16: Reminder letters and paper questionnaires will be delivered to remaining households that have not responded. April 20-27: Final reminder postcards will be delivered to households that have not yet responded before census takers follow up in person. May 13-July 31: If a household does not respond to any of the invitations, a census taker will follow up in person.

Happy Mother's Day 2020 to moms, grandmoms and great-grandmoms. Mother's Day is a celebration honoring mothers and celebrating motherhood, maternal bonds and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, yet most commonly in March, April, or May. In most countries Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May, among them the USA, Canada, most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, India, China, Japan, the Philippines and South Africa. One notable exception to this rule are the UK and Ireland, which celebrate Mother's Day on the fourth Sunday in Lent. Most Arab countries celebrate Mother's Day on March 21st - The Vernal Equinox - and East European countries celebrate Mother's Day on March 8th. 

Aunt Charlotte's Candies is full of delicious Easter goodies, pretty giftware and many beautifully decorated baskets! You can call in an order to be picked up - pay by credit card over the phone and ring the door bell on the side of our building - and a sales girl will bring it out to your car if you don't want to come inside. We also mail candy all over, just call (856) 662-0058 and ask for Paige who will take good care of you and, if you really can't get out we would be pleased to do local deliveries. Get those orders in soon so you can start filling those baskets!

Mark your Calendars for our 2020 First Friday Markets Season. Downtown Merchantville will host markets each month from June to October with food trucks, vendors, live music, movies and fun for the whole family. Announced themes for this year are May 1st 'Merchantville Art Walk', June 5th 'Summer Kick-Off Bash', August 7th 'Dog Days of Summer', September 4th 'Mini-Golf Tournament' and October 2nd 'Welcome to Monsterville'. The market will take the month of July off so you can enjoy the 4th with friends and family. We look forward to seeing you on First Fridays!