Residents are invited to shop local for everything they need to begin planting their home gardens at the annual Garden Expo at the Burlington County Agricultural Center in Moorestown. The expo takes place on Saturday, May 5, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The county is once again partnering with the Rutgers Master Gardener Program of Burlington County to host the event. The popular event features local farmers and nurseries offering a variety of native plants, vegetables, annuals, perennials, and more, as well as gardening workshops, expert advice and live entertainment.
Merchantville Neighbors
This Facebook group was changed in September of 2017 from an open discussion forum to a closed neighbors group intended to build community and positivity. In line with that mission they have posted the following rules. Please limit posts to: *recommendations *opportunities to help neighbors and neighborhood organizations *upcoming events, meetings, classes, & sales *lost and found *things you love about town The following are examples of posts that will be removed: *discussion of religion or politics (It is important to discuss these topics and healthy discussion is part of community building, but that discuss should be held somewhere other than this page.) *complaints (Again, finding neighbors who share your concerns is important, but again, this discussion is no longer welcome in this group. If you have an issue with Boro services, please call Boro Hall or submit the issue using the See Click Fix app. If you have a broader concern and are rallying for change, i.e. Backyard Chickens, it is suggested that you form a separate group to discuss the issue. You are welcome to post a notice about that group to this page. But the discuss over the merits of the change will not be discussed here.) There will be times that posts fall into a grey area. Admins may decide to keep, delete, or turn off commenting for any post. If you have concerns about your freedom of speech, it is common practice on Facebook to have groups that are focused on particular topics and have limitations on content. Examples are abundant - online yard sales and lost & found pet sights are obvious examples. If you own a *LOCAL* business, please limit your posts to highlight special events, sales or opportunities and please post no more than once per month. Other posts will be deleted and eventually blocked from the group. A few more important guidelines: *we appreciate our local businesses and we want to know what's what. Please feel free to share events, sales, etc. However, please limit your posts to 2x per calendar month - unless you are a brick and mortar store within Merchantville. *although this is not a buy & sell page, people in town (or very very close proximity) are welcome to sporadically post items for sale. If you have multiple items, please post them in one post. Facebook does not allow for the sale of animals. Only animals in Merchantville, listed for free or for the cost of medical treatment will be permitted. If these rules are not followed, your comment or post will most likely be deleted. An Admin will message you to remind you of the new rules. Repeatedly ignoring the rules will result in removal from the group - but we love our neighbors and this would really be a last resort. Updated: 9/12/17
Catholic Schools week events abound
A highlight for staff in the Office of Catholic Schools is taking part in the events and activities in our schools across the diocese. The week was an affirmation of our work and the work of our schools to be “communities of faith, knowledge and service.” At Saint Peter's in Merchantville, third graders and seniors competed in a spirited times table challenge. They played multiplication and division bingo with the seniors, too. Young and old were helping to keep each other’s minds sharp. Bishop Sullivan led a prayer service and the school choir sang at Sacred Heart School in Camden. Camden City Mayor Dana Redd and Msgr. Michael Doyle, who has dedicated his life to the school and kids in Camden, attended the event. http://bit.ly/2ke2Ggn
Italian Market turns 100
Merchantville resident Gus Sarno still makes cakes in the basement of the South Philadelphia rowhouse his grandfather bought in 1904 and turned into Isgro Pastries. He still stacks cookies into boxes at the dining room table where his family ate supper 60 years ago when the doorbell to the shop wasn't ringing. Sarno still sells cannolis out of glass cases a few steps from his grandmother's original kitchen. http://bit.ly/1ESid3E
A message from Almost Home Animal Shelter
Dear Friends of Almost Home Animal Shelter: As you may recall, at the end of December 2015, Almost Home was scheduled to close our doors and discontinue helping the animals and people in the community that we have cherished since we began as a “temporary” shelter in 2006. Many of you contacted us and pleaded with us to find a way to remain open. Our municipal funding has ended and we now rely soley on the generosity of folks like you. Thanks to your support and generosity, we devised a plan to do just that.
Art Within Reach
Art Within Reach is proud to present its annual holiday show featuring an array of handmade items, including books, clay, glass, jewelry, leather, mixed media, painting, photography, and wood. Show hours are Friday, December 11 from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday, December 12 from 12:00 to 10:00 p.m. The show will be held at The Factory, located at 13 Fern Avenue in Collingswood.
Pennsauken to consider joining county force
The Camden County Police Department, which for two years has patrolled only the city of Camden, hopes to begin justifying its broader ambition by wooing a second town into its fold - Pennsauken Township. County officials are expected to submit a detailed proposal this month to Pennsauken that would spell out how a county-run department would function in place of the township's current force. http://bit.ly/1HpyFPK