Boca Grande Historical Society received a mountain of material - a rare and happy find during the pandemic - from the attic of a woman in Tennessee late last year. The donor, Patricia Bermingham (Colgan, Cunningham) LaSalle was born in Scotland, in the 30s, the youngest of four girls. She came to America when she was 12, through Ellis Island. Her family settled in Merchantville, N.J. and was the valedictorian of her graduating class at Kensington Girls High School of Philadelphia. She met and married Jack G. Colgan, a young stock broker from Philadelphia, then a full life in New Jersey followed. Patricia was a professional at RCA of Moorestown, working on classified information for the Navy for over twenty years. She was an avid lover of the English language, talent writer and lover of poetry and the arts and passed away on January 24, 2021. 

Merchantville welcomed the opening of two new restaurants this week. Robertito’s Cuisine, offering a Puerto Rican and Creole fusion menu, opened its doors in the restaurant space at 177 South Center Street on the circle in Merchantville. This quaint "cocina criolla" eatery is open Tuesdays - Saturday from 12:00 - 7:00 p.m. and is another wonderful addition to the diverse medley of cafe's and restaurants in our little borough. And, if you're longing for a taste of Mesoamerican fare check out Avocado Fiesta Mexican Grill & Bakery where three business associates, Rosa Mora, Alfredo Ramírez, and Delia Leana, make familiar specialties, with vegetarian options, and yummy pastries. So, if a delicious quesadilla topped with salsa and queso fresco is in your dreams you can realize it at 134 East Park Avenue, right across from Bryson's. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner they are open 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Patricia Schaffer, of Wildwood, NJ passed away at home Wednesday February 3rd, 2021. Patricia was born in Delair, NJ to Albert J. Wigmore and Anne Wigmore (nee Hunt) on March 24, 1942. She graduated from Merchantville High School in 1960 and moved to Wildwood in 1967. She was a local business owner of two businesses, Schaffer's Variety and Schaffer's Discount stores in the 80's. Pat was an avid bowler in the local leagues, prior to her athletic and workforce retirement in 1994. Trish is predeceased by her husband of 52 years Ralph L. Schaffer Jr., survived by daughter Denise Swick, son and wife, Ralph and Rhonda Schaffer III, son and wife, Joseph and Yulia Schaffer. Full obituary.

Global business advisory firm EisnerAmper announced that the partners, principals and staff of St. Clair CPAs, P.C., have joined EisnerAmper LLP. Founded in 1986, St. Clair has five partners and 58 professionals. With offices in Merchantville, NJ, and Conshohocken, PA, the firm has more than 40 practice areas including franchises, construction, employee benefit plans, manufacturing, mortgage banking, service industries, nonprofits and schools, real estate and several other areas. "We are excited about this opportunity to join operations with EisnerAmper, as we have respected this firm for many years because our values align," said William St. Clair, Partner. "It has and always will be our goal to provide to our clients and our colleagues professionalism, service and creativity to perform the very best for our clientele."

Welcome to Catherine Gray and Merchantville's new bakery, Cat's Creations! Nestled in a cozy spot at 21 South Center Street, this shop is a dream realized after five years honing baking and entrepreneurial skills while juggling full time motherhood and work. These days she's often found whipping up her custom, everyday and all-occasion desserts in the kitchen at Park Place Cafe & Restaurant courtesy of a sharing arrangement with Chef Phil Manganaro. Stop by to see the sweet range of custom, everyday and all-occasion cakes, plus cookies, pastries, eclairs and muffins. Follow Cat day-to-day on Instagram! Bakery hours are 1:00 - 7:00 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 12:00-6:00 p.m. on Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Saturday, and 12:00-4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Monday hours are reserved for consultations and by appointment only. Read more about Cat's Creations on NJ Pen.

There will be six more weeks of winter, Punxsutawney Phil predicted as he emerged from his burrow on a snowy Tuesday morning to perform his Groundhog Day duties. The furry critter was awakened at 7:25 a.m. at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to see whether he would see his shadow or not. Phil saw his shadow - according to his official handlers in the Groundhog Club - which means, according to tradition, we are in for six more weeks of winter.Although the event usually draws an in-person audience of thousands, this year, fans watched virtually as the lovable rodent emerged from his burrow and news outlets reported.  Originating with German settlers, who came to Pennsylvania in the 1700s and brought their seasonal superstitions with them, legend has it that if Phil sees his shadow on February 2nd, the winter chill will continue. 

Aunt Charlotte's Candies is ready and Valentines Day will be here before you know it. Merchantville's historic candy and gift shop, located at 5 West Maple Avenue, promises a "Delight In Every Bite!" For over 100 years the Oakford family has created unique chocolates and many other delicious treats for our sweethearts and their sales girls will take great care of you. Shopping hours are Monday through Thursday from 9:30 to 5:30, Friday from 9:30 to 6:00 and Saturday from 9:30 to 5:30. Aunt Charlotte's offers curbside pick up or can ship a Valentine treat to anyone you wish! Come early and miss the crowds!

Rosemari Hicks offers a menu of lattes, chai teas and loaf slices courtesy of many Camden vendors and micro-business owners at her Nuanced Cafe, 225 Market St. in Camden. The decor of this newly-opened downtown coffee shop displays  similar hyper local touches including the wall in the seating area kept purposefully empty - with photographers and painters able to showcase their work and even sell it with all profits going to them. Hicks, a Merchantville resident for the past 20 years, hopes to see grow even more following the café’s January 11th soft opening. For now, customers can sit at socially-distanced tables in the café while wearing face masks. In the future she hopes to greet returning students from Rutgers-Camden. For more information call 609-332-3084 or visit www.facebook.com/NuancedCafe.

Richard “Dick” Storey Sr., 93, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021. He was born July 2, 1927, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to James Robert and Mildred Ethel (Strawbridge) Storey. The second of two children, he grew up spending summers at a family cottage in Dauphin, Pennsylvania, on the Susquehanna River, where he learned to love swimming, rowing and outdoor life. In 1955, after the birth of their second son, James, he took a new job as a quality control manager with Campbell Soup Company. The family moved to Merchantville, New Jersey, where their third son, Robert, was born. Over the next 40 years with Campbell Soup Company, they lived in 10 different locations around the United States, New Jersey, Minnesota, California, Arkansas and Ohio. Dick was preceded in death by Ann, his wife of nearly 70 years; and his sister, Marjorie (William) Reinaker. He is survived by three sons, Douglas (Claire), James (Robin) and Robert (Anne); seven grandchildren, Robert (Kate), Sarah (Brendan) McGillick, Brian, Nathan (Zara), Elena, Nicholas and Michael; three great-grandchildren, Madison, Jane and Mattax; and many nieces and nephews. Share online condolences with the family at Nelsen Funeral Home.

County Commissioner Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services, advises municipalities that Camden County will be under a Code Blue Alert from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, 2/1, until noon on Tuesday, 2/2, from 7 p.m. on 2/2 until 10 a.m. on 2/3, and from 7 p.m. on 2/3 until 10 a.m. on 2/4. The County is monitoring a long duration winter storm that will bring widespread snow and dangerously cold temperatures to our area. When temperatures reach this low, it is important to check on elderly relatives and neighbors, and to ensure that they are warm and safe. Even inside, cold conditions can quickly become dangerous for vulnerable populations, especially those who lack heat or electricity. The Camden County Health Department and the Office of Emergency Management have worked with each municipality to ensure they have the proper resources to respond to these severe weather situations as part of their individual Code Blue plans. Each municipality has identified its own location to accommodate those in their community seeking shelter from the severe weather. Persons seeking shelter in a warming center should contact their local municipality. New after-hours Code Blue Emergency Hotline phone number: 2-1-1 
Additional resources are available by calling the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services at (800) 999-9045, or by visiting www.camdencounty.com.