The small, suburban Camden County borough of Collingswood, that once produced a Republican governor, is now a bright blue municipality and has changed over the last decade, resembling a town more akin to Montclair or Lambertville than to other Camden County suburbs. One certainty is that it’s a Democratic stronghold that no longer resembles the small town that launched William T. Cahill’s political career 60 years ago. The Philadelphia-born son of Irish immigrants, Cahill moved to Collingswood around 1939, won a State Assembly seat in 1951 and in 1958, when 78-year-old Rep. Charles Wolverton (R-Merchantville) retired after 31 years in Congress, ran for the Camden-Gloucester-Salem seat and won by 1,859 votes. He was re-elected in 1968 with 66% of the vote  then, decided to run for governor in 1969. Collingswood gave favorite-son Cahill a massive 79% of the vote in his successful election as 38th governor of NJ.

Bishop Dennis Sullivan will ordain Rev. Mr. Carlo Santa Teresa and Rev. Mr. Steven Bertonazzi to the priesthood on Saturday, May 22nd, at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Mary Mother of Mercy Parish in Glassboro. They are completing seminary studies at Immaculate Conception Conception Seminary, Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J., will join the ranks of the presbyterate at the 10:30 a.m. liturgy. Rev. Mr. Santa Teresa, 31, a graduate of Camden Catholic High School in Cherry Hill, will celebrate his first Mass on Sunday, May 23, 3 p.m. at his home parish of Saint Peter, Merchantville. The faithful are invited to watch and pray with the diocesan community by visiting a livestream broadcast of the Mass on YouTube.com/CamdenDiocese

We are having a yard sale on Saturday, May 15th at 1 West Walnut Avenue in Merchantville including items from several estates. You can find us on the corner of Centre Street and the sale starts at 8:00 a.m. You can view and item listing on CraigsList. A few examples are: pieces of art - some are limited editions and Judaica, gowns and dresses perfect for proms, formals, weddings, household items and collectibles. Handbags, toys, toiletries and books (adult and children's). Jewelry, two used Radio Flyer tricycles and inlaid table.

At the May 10th Regular Borough Council meeting, Merchantville's councilpersons approved the 2021 Market Off Centre and the following resolutions: R21-55 Referring Certain Matters to the Planning Board for Review and Recommendations; R21-56 Authorize Application to Department of Community Affairs for Recreation Grant at Community Center; R21-57 Property Maintenance Liens; R21-58 Authorizing 5 Year Contract with Gold Medal Environmental for Solid Waste Collection; R21-59 Formally Recognize the 19th of June as Juneteenth; and, R21-60 Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Grant Cycle October 2020-June 2025.

The Merchantville Police Department and The Station Coffee will be hosting a "Coffee With A Cop" event on Saturday, May 22nd from 9:00-11:00 a.m. and invite you to stop in and say hello. The mission of Coffee with a Cop is to break down the barriers between police officers and the citizens they serve by taking time to meet at neutral locations, sit down with officers and ask questions or share what’s on their mind. It provides the opportunity for citizens and police officers get to know each other, have real conversations about issues that matter and discover mutual goals for the communities they live in and serve.

Mother's Day is a celebration honoring the mother of the family, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, most commonly in the months of March or May. It complements similar celebrations honoring family members, such as Father's Day, Siblings Day, and Grandparents Day. The modern holiday began in the United States, at the initiative of Anna Jarvis who organized the first Mother's Day service of worship and celebration at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia, on May 15, 1962. It which serves as the International Mother's Day Shrine today.

Every May, adults and children alike are tasked with a daunting mission-to somehow thank our mothers for everything they’ve done for us over the years. Classic Mother’s Day traditions include a sentimental card, breakfast in bed, and of course, flowers. This Mother’s Day, take the opportunity to celebrate not only your mother, but also the mother we all share — Mother Earth — by purchasing and/or planting pollinator-friendly flowers. Here are some helpful suggestions for pollinator-friendly flowers that are native to the Mid-Atlantic region: Lanceleaf coreopsis, Wild indigio, Purple coneflower, Bottle gentian and New England aster.

Recently The Collingswood Patch asked readers in more than 1,000 communities to share what their moms mean to them in "Love Letters To Mom". Almost 200 people responded, paying tribute not just to moms but sometimes to grandmas, sisters and daughters who deserve recognition for Mother's Day on May 9, 2021. Sherri Boardley from Merchantville penned a Happy Mother's Day to Martha Boardley giving thanks for showing her what motherhood is all about and raising strong independent women.