A Merchantville congregation, High Place Church, has purchased the former Danzeizen & Quigley store, a landmark building that’s been vacant since last year. The church plans to make significant renovations to both the façade and interior of the 33,000-square-foot building on Route 70, according to WCRE, a commercial real estate firm. High Place, a non-denominational church, currently occupies a traditional stone church at North Centre Street and Walnut Avenue in town. At the start of 2019, High Place undertook an "Uncommon Campaign" - an effort to raise $300,000 in pledged funds - to realize their journey to move to this uncommon place in Cherry Hill, NJ. We wish them well.

Exciting news! Woodbine Swim Club plans on opening on July 1st, provided all required inspections are done. Kids have been missing sports, exercise, and teammates and while this season may be a little different, fun and friendships will continue. Woodbine Swim Club has been a summer home for families in our community since 1952. Dues may be paid by check to Woodbine Swim Club, P.O. Box 1054, Merchantville, NJ 08109 or through Venmo to JOHN-WALKER-11997. Our swim program offers the opportunity to learn to swim, exercise in the water, and spend time with friends. The club welcomes Ann Foley as our 2020 Manager and Lizann Ward as swimming coach.

Phil Manganaro doesn’t brave the markets for much of the produce on his menus these days. Ingredient shortages? Something’s always blooming. High prices? His precious haul is always free. Social distance shopping? You could say the chef has taken that to the extreme, with only a big lodge of beavers nearby currently in sight. The Merchantville chef and his 8 year old son, Dean, regularly spend hours after home schooling on foraging missions to fuel the unconventional menus at his Park Place Cafe - the intimate fine-dining BYOB-turned-drive-through - which is unlike any takeout you’ve sampled during this pandemic. His loyal customers have responded, phoning their orders into the hotline to claim one of the 72 time slots for pick up Thursday through Saturday shortly after he posts the menus on Instagram each Sunday night. 

The Office of the Camden County Health Officer has issued a Heat Advisory for Camden County effective Sunday, July 19, from noon until 7 p.m. Monday, July 20. During a Heat Advisory, the combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible. “It is critical that everyone remember to check on elderly relatives, friends, and neighbors during days like these when there is extreme heat to combat,” said Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services. “When temperatures rise to dangerous levels, remember to stay inside as much as possible, drink plenty of water, and contact a physician if you or a loved one is showing signs of heat stress.”

Happy Fathers Day to all Dads, Grand Dads, Great Grand Dads, Uncles, Godfathers and Foster Dads! Father's Day is a day of honoring fatherhood and paternal bonds, as well as the influence of fathers in society. In Catholic countries of Europe, it has been celebrated on March 19 as Saint Joseph's Day since the Middle Ages. In America, Father's Day was founded by Sonora Smart Dodd, and celebrated on the third Sunday of June for the first time in 1910. It is held on various days in many parts of the world all throughout the year, often in the months of March, May and June.

The National Weather Service in Mount Holly warns that multiple threats can be expected over the next 24 hours. Tornadoes, damaging winds, and very large hail are possible from the South on Sunday into the mid-Atlantic by Monday. Very strong winds, severe weather, heavy rainfall, even coastal flooding on the Chesapeake. A strong storm system will approach our area Sunday night into Monday. The main hazards associated with this system will be strong to damaging wind gusts and the potential for severe storms on Monday. Additionally 1-2 inches of rain can be expectedDamaging winds, with large hail and even an isolated tornado are possible Monday with the severe storms. Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates on this situation. Fasten loose objects or shelter objects in a safe location prior to the onset of winds.