There will be six more weeks of winter, Punxsutawney Phil predicted as he emerged from his burrow on a snowy Tuesday morning to perform his Groundhog Day duties. The furry critter was awakened at 7:25 a.m. at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to see whether he would see his shadow or not. Phil saw his shadow - according to his official handlers in the Groundhog Club - which means, according to tradition, we are in for six more weeks of winter.Although the event usually draws an in-person audience of thousands, this year, fans watched virtually as the lovable rodent emerged from his burrow and news outlets reported.  Originating with German settlers, who came to Pennsylvania in the 1700s and brought their seasonal superstitions with them, legend has it that if Phil sees his shadow on February 2nd, the winter chill will continue. 

The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Watch for much of central and southern New Jersey. On Sunday, the snow and wintry mix will spread into the Mid-Atlantic region before a potential Nor'easter intensifies and significantly impacts portions of the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast and New England on Monday and Tuesday. Heavy mixed precipitation possible with total snow accumulations of 4 to 12 inches and ice accumulations of around one tenth of an inch possible. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. Snow will develop west to east late Sunday and last through late Monday or early Tuesday. A period of wintry mix or rain could occur Sunday night and Monday morning, especially along and near the coast, before turning back to snow Monday night. The highest snowfall rates are most likely to occur Sunday night and Monday morning.

 

"Light the Night Merchantville" organizer, John Reeve, has been watching the weather reports for this event originally scheduled for Christmas Eve and, right now, it looks like a total wash out! The evening forecast is cloudy and windy weather with an 100% chance of rain up to 1 to 2 inches and wind gusts over 40 mph. To avoid disappointing everyone and ruining your holiday lanterns, John is moving "Light The Night Merchantville" to the following evening, Christmas Day, Friday, December 25th at 7:00 p.m. Please spread the word to your neighbors!
 

 

News 12 took an interest in Monsterville this week and were live with Mayor Ted Brennan yesterday to ask about the town's decision to discourage Trick-or-Treating this year. Brennan says that one of the main reasons is a lack of resource “To ask our police officers or anybody to go out there and try to enforce a ban on trick-or-treating just didn’t seem realistic,” he says. “We also felt that there’s a subset of the community that feels comfortable participating in Halloween here in ‘Monsterville.’ We wanted them to have the opportunity to continue to do that.” Other Monsterville Halloween traditions will continue to take place like the annual house decorating competition and the annual eighth grade haunted house - now a socially distant parade. Brennan says that Halloween will return in full force for the next year with the motto, "Double the candy in 2021."

The Borough of Merchantville has been contacted by a representative of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation. There is a zoom meeting tonight, Tuesday, January 26th from 6:00-7:00 p.m., led by Action Team Leader Anya Saretzky, to get stakeholder input on extending Merchantville's multi-use trail in an easterly and westerly direction. Come learn about the planned Burlington/Camden Trail and how you can get involved. The Circuit Trails Coalition will be sharing brand new concepts for the trail and we want to hear your thoughts! The new trail will connect the Pennsauken and Maple Shade communities to the Merchantville and Dudley Grange Park trails, and beyond. Register to receive a link to attend this zoom meeting to become more familiar with what is happening on the ground and how you can take action to be a more active Circuit Citizen for Camden County.

Beware and watch out Merchantville friends and neighbors! it looks like the Grinch has come down from Mt. Crumpet and been seen lurking about town hoping to steal our Christmas cheer! That hairy, avocado green grouch with BIG yellow eyes and Santa cap was  spotted this week tip-toeing around the side yard and front steps of homes on Volan Street, Poplar, Clifton and West Walnut Avenues. Last night, plotting to end holiday celebrations, he tried to scare the boy scouts during their meeting near the trail but, thanks to Mr. Waldron's quick action he was chased away. Later that same night the miserable fellow grabbed a festive planter from the mayor's home but, the shrieks and squeals from the Brennan kids sent him packing. Be vigilant citizens. COVID won't ruin our Christmas and neither will the Grinch! 

Ryan's Retail, located at 22 North Centre Street, has a new vendor - Jess Chalks - who's a perfect fit for transforming your home into "Monsterville" 2020 haunt. Everything is handmade to perfection and impossible to forget. Her Chalk Transfers™, Chalkology™ Paste and Chalkology™ Ink will quickly turn any surface you want from boring into breathtaking. How about creating practical and budget-friendly, double-sided decorations you can use for Halloween and Fall. Learn "how to" with Jess. Ryan’s Retail hours are Wednesday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

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