Here's a video update on how the three bean varieties  and the pollinator garden along the Wellwood Park tennis courts are progressing after the first month. Several of the beans are just beginning to bloom with a sweet light purple flower - good news that those plants have fully matured and are ready to begin reproducing. The west side of our tennis planter area gets significantly more sun than the east - something to keep in mind next year - but, I expect those east side stragglers to catch up.

As a third-generation Funeral Director, Matthew Gaskill, owner of Gaskill-Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services, has been actively involved in the funeral service for over twenty years. And, as a Borough resident, he and his wife, Mary-Elizabeth and their daughter, Meredith, have been dedicated to the local community. Matt is President of the Merchantville Task Force, Chairman of the Pennsauken-Merchantville Area Chamber of Commerce, a parishioner at St. Peter R.C. Church, Past President and member of the Burlington County and West Jersey Funeral Directors Association. He's also a member of numerous community and charitable organizations. Gaskill-Brown Funeral Home is a family owned and operated funeral home providing a tradition of personal and compassionate service that is especially important at one of the most difficult times in our lives - the loss of a loved one.

On Saturday May 4th the Borough of Merchantville and American Legion F. W. Grigg Post 68 dedicated a portion of West Chestnut Avenue "Corporal Grigg Way". Mayor Brennan spoke of the positive impact the Post has had on Merchantville and the surrounding communities during the past 100 years. Thanks to the entire Merchantville/ Pennsauken/Cherry Hill community that came out in support of this event. This young 19 year old Doughboy - one of 11 children - with his entire life ahead of him, fell in combat and rests in an American Cemetery in France. Many, many thanks to Zachary Moore and his father George for capturing the Corporal Grigg Way street dedication on video.

The Public Works department has announced a new schedule for brush and yard-waste pick up. For the East Side (properties from Center Street eastward to Ivins Avenue) pick-up is on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month; West Side (properties from Center Street westward to West End Avenue) pick-up is on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month; and, there is NO pick-up on the 5th Wednesday of the month. Brush consists of: leaves, tree limbs, grass clippings, hay, corn stalks, organic matter; which can be bagged, put in cans or tied in bundles of no more that 40 Lbs. or 4 feet in length. Please have items ready for pick up by 7:00 a.m.

In 2018, Spotted Lantern Fly populations were found in New Jersey and a state quarantine encompassing 3 counties has been established by the NJ Department of Agriculture. People and businesses travelling in and out of Mercer, Hunterdon, and Warren counties should inspect their vehicles for hitchhiking SLF as well as inspect outdoor items such as firewood, paving stones, lawn equipment, etc. for egg masses (see checklist). Quarantine compliance will reduce the spread of SLF to new areas and counties thereby protecting New Jersey resources including forests and agriculture. To help survey efforts, please report sightings (with photograph) to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

If you are lucky - like Merchantville - you have farmer's markets in your area. But that can get very expensive and take time - driving to the market, parking, then make your way through others trying to get their fresh produce in the few hours that the market is open. So what is the alternative? Growing your own food. It's possible on a small scale, regardless of time, space, money and knowledge. And, encouraging children to grow their own food is one of the best things parents can do. It teaches them responsibility for a living thing, that vegetables can taste good and that they can become more self sufficient and not reliant on big food companies. If you need help getting started message us at IE Merchantville!

Mother Earth News shares a great article on how you can simply recycle your own grounds and expect to produce a few pounds of beautiful oyster mushrooms a week—at which point you’ll need to create an oyster mushroom dressing, sautéing your harvest in a balsamic vinaigrette and tossing it over fresh greens crumbled with feta cheese. Step-by-step instructions.

William S. Finlayson III of Merchantville passed away Tuesday, June 4, 2019. He was 76. Bill was a longtime Pennsauken resident before moving to Merchantville 14 years ago.  He was a member of the Mt. Holly Elks Lodge 848, and belonged to Timonium United Methodist Church, Timonium, MD. He is survived by his beloved wife of 38 years, Sharon; three loving children, Kara-Lin Eller (Joseph), Stuart Finlayson, William Finlayson IV; three cherished grandchildren, Julian, Dane, Avalon; a caring sister, Janice Hands; and his dear niece and nephew, Kristen Engelke and Michael Hands. Full obituary.

Join Miss Christen from the Merchantville Branch of the Camden County Library System for an all ages family friendly story time this Saturday, June 8 at 11:00 a.m. at the Merchantville Market Off Centre. We will read stories, sing songs, and shake our sillies out. After the story time, join us at our table for a make and take craft, library card sign ups, and Summer Reading info!

Wild Roots New Jersey is a resource and pop-up shop for people who care about environmental sustainability. They write about gardening with native plants, sustainability and raising a nature-lover, and host native plant sales in South Jersey. They will be hosting a Pop-Up Native Plant Sale at Occasionette, 725 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood on Sunday, July 9th form 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.