Join us at Aradia's Treasure Metaphysical Shop for a sacred circle gathering to celebrate Lammas / Lughnasadh, The Harvest of First Fruits. With grateful hearts we will gather in the courtyard to celebrate our many blessings. This is a day to celebrate the beginnings of the harvest, when the grain and corn is gathered. It's also a time, in some traditions, of honoring Lugh, the Celtic craftsman god. Here are some ideas for dressing up your altar for your Lammas (Lughnasadh) celebration. Sign up on our website under the event/classes tab. Space is limited. Cost $5.00. This event includes: Circle Gathering, Celebration of the Celtic Deity Lugh, Meditation of Gratitude, refreshments and merriment. Remember to check out other Workshops, Health & Wellness Events in Merchantville.

The global pandemic caused by COVID-19 has had a significant financial impact on municipalities throughout Camden County. Local governments across the board have been under pressure to purchase vital personal protective equipment (PPE), hand sanitizer, and a variety of other tools for essential employees since the start of this public health crisis. To alleviate some of these costs, the Freeholder Board received, and is allocating, federal funding for towns which will be used to supplement unforeseen costs that have been attributed directly to their operational budget. Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli Jr. described the federal funds as critical to governmental operations. Merchantville Mayor, Ted Brennan, said the funding was coming at the right time for municipalities. “This is a direct stimulus to the residents of Merchantville, providing our municipality with the ability to maintain services without increasing the cost borne by our taxpayers,” Brennan said. “The county’s support has been essential to our ability to navigate the public health aspect of this pandemic, and this assistance will be equally crucial as we respond to the fiscal repercussions that accompany it. Protecting our municipality and our residents will require a whole of government approach, and we are incredibly grateful that the Freeholder Board has chosen to offer their reinforcement and collaboration.”

Chestnut Avenue Road from Centre Street to the will be closed from June 22, 2020 through November 30, 2020 to support outside dining at The Blue Monkey during restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. New Jersey permitted shuttered bars and restaurants to offer outdoor dining on June 15, requiring establishments to place tables six feet apart, limit eight customers to a table, require employees to wear face coverings and gloves and post signs prohibiting customers with a fever or symptoms of the coronavirus from entering. On Wednesday, Gov. Murphy signed an order permitting establishments that can open up two (2) walls - allows for ample air flow - to reopen for indoor dining.

On July 8th, Gov. Phil Murphy signed a new executive order mandating people wear a face covering outdoors in public when social distancing is difficult. New Jersey has required people since early April to wear a mask at indoor public places, such as stores, eateries, and government buildings. This order broadens current orders to include outdoor places. The order mandates that you wear a mask if you’re in an outdoor setting with large gatherings and can't keep your distance from people other than your family or household members and caregivers. Children under age 2 and those whose health or safety would be hurt by wearing them are not required to wear masks. Violators can receive summonses for disorderly persons offenses carrying jail terms of up to 6 months and/or fines of $1,000.

Lynn Geddes’ gorgeous garden was the site of this month’s IE meeting. It was a learning experience where members, Lynn Geddes, Kerry Mentzer and Cindy Hertneck, shared gardening know-how, food and foul stories and, discussed ways to engage our community in this sustainable living effort. We have become dependent on food that is prepared for us, quick and easy but costly to ourselves and our environment. Many of us have lost the skills we need to nurture ourselves and our families with healthy locally produced food and we want that to change – to give people the skills and information they need to take control of their lives, feed themselves well and prepare our younger generations for the future. Since June Incredible Edible Merchantville has provided more than 150 bags of community grown produce to the Grace Episcopal Church food pantry. Join this effort. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.!

The Incredible Edible Facebook "events" page posts an assortment of virtual learning opportunities for group members and page followers. Master gardeners, farmers, educators and online retailers are offering a variety of courses about starting and nurturing home vegetable gardens then, preserving or cooking your bounty. Join Gardening TV Online for the Victory Kitchen Series: Leafy Green Vegetables live webinar at noon today to enter the new world of leafy green vegetables and how to include these nutrient-packed veggies into a healthy eating plan. On Tuesday, June 30th and Thursday, July 1st enjoy a Free Virtual Nutrition and Cooking Class hosted by the Food Bank of South Jersey. Check out lots of online food security events here.

On Monday the Merchant House family shared a very sad announcement. "Today was supposed to be a fantastic day of celebration! Today was to be the official opening day for The Merchant House, operated by our beloved mom, Patti Sharp, who after over 20 years of successfully owning The Station House in Haddon Heights, was so eager to take on this new and exciting dream. Tragically, our mom passed away suddenly from an undetected cancer a few days ago. The timing of her passing, just days before the grand opening, is truly the saddest part of this - as she was never able to realize this new dream. Our mom was loved by so many family and friends, old and new, and was thrilled to be part of the fabric of Merchantville, where she both lived and worked, even if for a short while. Thank you so much for all the immense support for this endeavor over the last many months of construction and then quarantine. Please stay tuned for any future updates." 

Patti Sharp (nee Daly), of Barrington, NJ, passed on June 26, 2020 at the age of 58. Patti passed away comfortably, surrounded by her beloved family. Loving mother of Katie Sapia (Jim), Samantha Sharp and Courtney Porado (Paul). Devoted grandmother “Gammy” of Makayla, Oliver, Jaxson, and Mason. Cooper, family dog, sure will miss sharing Burger King meals with her. Beloved sister of the late Keri Ragona. Survived by her caring nieces, nephews and former spouse Frank Sharp. Patti was well known for her big heart and many acts of kindness. Patti’s talent was cooking which led her to be a successful restaurant owner, Station House Restaurant. Full obituary.