The Lehigh women's swimming and diving team had its best day of the week on Friday at the 2020 Patriot League Championships.The highlight of the day came in the final event for the women on day three, as the 200 freestyle relay group broke a school record. Merchantville resident Ann Foley and teammates Payton Miles, Evie Geiseman and and Olivia Giampetro combined for a second place time of 1:31.29, breaking the previous record of 1:31.41. Starting the day in fifth, Lehigh surged past two teams and ended the final day in third place. Navy men’s and women’s programs were both named 2020 Patriot League Swimming & Diving Champions on Saturday night at the U.S. Naval Academy’s Lejeune Hall, sweeping both categories for the ninth year in a row.The previous record of 1:31.41 was broken by Friday's group. This epic performance gave the Brown and White silver in the event.

In 2019, Peter Genovese ate his way around New Jersey with a vengeance.  All that research culminated in rankings of the best dishes/sandwiches/meals he ate in 2019 - which, according to Peter, makes them the best dishes you should eat in 2020! These "bests" are spread all over the state map, and the culinary map. Seafood, steak, ribs, pizza, burgers, grilled cheese, tacos and empanadas. Puerto Rican, Italian, Mexican, Korean, Indian and Greek. He ate widely and well. And, while this is not a list of the state's best restaurants, it is a list of the best things he ate all year. Coming in at "Lucky #13" is The Blue Monkey Tavern's spicy grilled shrimp, with chopped avocado, cucumber, celery, tomato and cilantro tossed in hot sauce. "It may have been the best appetizer in the entire N.J.'s best bar showdown over the summer."

Mayor Brennan sent congrats on Twitter to Merchantville’s own Phil Manganaro, Chef/Owner of Park Place Cafe & Restaurant, for his well deserved recognition as one of the 24 most important people on the NJ restaurant scene. We’re lucky to have such talent and shows that Merchantville is a great place to work play and live! In a recent US Today article on eating your Christmas tree they noted that at Park Place Restaurant in Merchantville, you can enjoy seared scallops with roasted porcini, essence of White Pine and pine ash. Or turbot, poached in olive oil and served with the ash of White and Pitch pines. "It's about tying it all together, for me," said Chef/owner Phil Manganero. "Mushrooms grow under the pine trees, so it makes sense to me." As one of the decade’s 24 most influential people in the NJ restaurant scene Phil has made an indelible mark on New Jersey's ever-evolving dining experience. Our food scene is as good as any in South Jersey and looking to grow soon! 

Community volunteers from sustainability groups in town are working together to steer Merchantville's effort to become a Certified Bronze Sustainable NJ town. Participating groups include members from municipal and community organizations and schools including: The Merchantville Green Team, The Merchantville Shade Tree Commission, The Merchantville Garden Club, Incredible Edible Merchantville and Merchantville School. Over the next two week members will will be collecting information about current and past sustainability actions in the areas of Healthy Communities, Safety, Sustainable Land Use, Historic Preservation, Emergency Event Planning, required for bronze certification. The deadline for this year's submission is May 17, 2020. Stay tuned for updates!

Aunt Charlotte’s Candies will be closed on Monday, January 6, 2020 to celebrate the life of their mother, Virginia (Bunny) Oakford, who passed away on December 10, 2019. There will be a visitation from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. and a service immediately following at The First Presbyterian Church, 10 West Maple Avenue in Merchantville. The family invites and welcomes friends and neighbors who would like to attend this memorial. Complete details available through Falco, Caruso & Leonard Funeral Homes.

The Observer has published their last issue of 2019. It includes articles about Merchantville's BOE discussion on School Choice and keeping the current maximum level of 44 School Choice students from other public school districts; the closure and loss of McFarlans Market after a nine year run in the downtown; the appointment of Officer James Burkhardt as LEAD job at school due to Officer Talarico stepping down; welcome to two new businesses - A Milli Little Things and La Guadalapana Restaurant; and, reviews of the Turkey Trot and MES Talent Show.