Mayor Ted Brennan spoke this morning about the importance of remembering those who went before us - giving the ultimate sacrifice - for whom today is more than the unofficial first day of summer. Rather, it's a day of reflection on the many lives lived and sacrificed so that we in Merchantville, New Jersey and the USA can continue to lead and enjoy the lives we have today.

Hollie, a blogger, runner and prolific diner reviewer - 244 to date - had breakfast in the ville today. "While my parents were in town, we decided to hit up my final diner in Camden County. Considering diners come and go, it’s my last diner in Camden County for now. The Merchantville Diner is a cute diner located in the downtown. Like many downtown restaurants, it’s a storefront and attached to other buildings. Atmosphere: A The Merchantville Diner has a small, downtown feel. It’s not a large, metallic, shiny diner but it’s a little cute, spacious diner." Read her review.

The Merchantville Stamp Club will host a monthly Stamp Bourse beginning Saturday, 6/1, in the school gym at Martin Luther Chapel, 4100 Terrace Avenue, Pennsauken, NJ. Bourse Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Bourse Dates: June 1st, July 6th and  August 3rd. Dealers who are currently committed to the MSC Saturday Bourse include: Jim Chada/Cary Cochran, Woody Fairess/Bill Fisch, Manny Goldstein/Bob Heaton, Denne Keller/Bruce Lord, Richard Marolda/ Dominic Sozio, Ryan Terlecky/ Ross Wiessmann, Drew Wintringham, Bob Zatorski - The Excelsior Collection, Larry Volovski - Volovski Rarities and Sid Morginstin - Button Stamp Co. For further information, please call Carol Anne Visalli, 856-562-1389 or Bruce Lord 610-356-0867.

A mama turkey and her 15 poults (chicks) were spotted in a backyard on Walnut and another mom and her babies on Frankin Avenue yesterday. Wild turkeys have staged a comeback in NJ since they were wiped out in the 1800's. Due to their adaptable nature and prolific breeding ability, they have thrived in NJ since the 1980's. They love sizable oak forests - and we have plenty - or patches of forest interspersed with suburbs. Males, or toms, are polygamous and often mate with several hens during the breeding season who can lay up to 17 eggs and may have multiple broods.

A notification flyer was recently mailed to all Merchantville residents to make them aware that regardless of ongoing construction, the Community Center, at 212 Somerset Avenue, will be the polling place for the 2019 Primary Election on Tuesday, June 4th. However, the poll location inside the building has been temporarily moved from the basement level to the 2nd Floor. The handicap entrance remains at the left side door where residents can ring the bell for entrance assistance. Any questions or concerns should be directed to the Camden County Board of Elections 856-401-VOTE ext. 8683.

On the BOE agenda for the May 29th public meeting is the approval of two new hires. Krista Travaglini in the newly created position of Director of Equity, Curriculum and Instruction at a starting salary of $87,500, and Nicole Jones for 6 hours a week of instruction for the Summer Enhancement Program to run Monday, June 24 – Thursday, July 25 from 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm. Ms. Travaglini has 16 years of experience as a reading and literacy specialist, most recently in the South Harrison Township school district. The Board is also expected to approve co-curricular, advisors and coaching positions for the 2019-2020 school year. Adenda.

Maureen Fitzpatrick from Visit South Jersey recently stopped by Eclipse Brewing and was impressed by the size and variety. "It’s a rare day when you walk to the backyard of an attractive business and see beautiful green Centennial hops climbing a trellis. But that’s just what you’d expect after meeting a fun-loving man named Chris Mattern, owner of the “tiny” brewery on our next stop – Eclipse Brewing. He’s a man who enjoys the simple things in life, like horticulture and home brewing. On October 8th, 2016, Chris did something else he’s always wanted to do, an idea sparked by his wife Beth; he opened a craft brewery in Merchantville, New Jersey. And though small, perhaps one of the smallest in the state, the beer at Eclipse Brewing is big on taste." Read her full article.

"Sustainable", a narrative documentary film focusing on Marty Travis, a seventh-generation farmer in central Illinois who watched his land and community fall victim to the pressures of big agribusiness will be presented by Merchantvilles's sustainability team - Incredible Edible, Green Team, Garden Club and Shade Tree - at Eilandarts Center at The Station Coffee on Friday, May 31st at 7:30 p.m. Determined to create a proud legacy for his son, Marty transforms his profitless wasteland and pioneers the sustainable food movement in Chicago. "Sustainable" travels the country seeking leadership and wisdom from some of the most forward thinking farmers like Bill Niman, Klaas Martens and John Kempf – heroes who challenge the ethical decisions behind industrial agriculture. It is a story of hope and transformation, about passion for the land and a promise that it can be restored to once again sustain us.

Primary election day in New Jersey is Tuesday, June 4th. The polls in Merchantville are located at the Community Center, 212 Somerset Avenue. For Merchantville Borough Council, Democratic candidates Dan Sperrazza and Anthony Perno are running unopposed, and there are no Republican candidates. For General Assembly, Democrats Louis Greenwald and Pam Lampitt are facing opposition from Danie Moss-Velasco and E. Julian Jordan, III. The two unopposed Republican candidates are John Papieka and Cynthia Plucinski. The Democratic candidates for Camden County Freeholder, including Merchantville resident Carmen Rodriguez, are unopposed on the ballot. View sample Democratic and Republican ballots.