Happy Mother's Day 2020 to moms, grandmoms and great-grandmoms. Mother's Day is a celebration honoring mothers and celebrating motherhood, maternal bonds and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, yet most commonly in March, April, or May. In most countries Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May, among them the USA, Canada, most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, India, China, Japan, the Philippines and South Africa. One notable exception to this rule are the UK and Ireland, which celebrate Mother's Day on the fourth Sunday in Lent. Most Arab countries celebrate Mother's Day on March 21st - The Vernal Equinox - and East European countries celebrate Mother's Day on March 8th. 

All-time record cold for May is expected this weekend with parts of the Northeast and Midwest anticipating snow and the potential for a New England bomb cyclone! The strong cold front sweeping across the Midwest and East will make it feel more like late March than early May. High temperatures will be 10 to 25 degrees below average Mother's Day weekend and much of the Northeast will stay in the 40s on Saturday. Merchantville will have a high of 47 and low of 35 today. Protect those seedlings and newly planted gardens!

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, Rutgers Cooperative Extension announces its webinar series “Earth Day at Home”. This series will focus on steps everyone can take to protect the environment. Join us on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. to learn from experts at Rutgers Cooperative Extension. These live, interactive sessions will be 1 hour. To join you need either a computer, tablet, or smartphone with speakers. Every week we will cover small actions that together reduce negative impacts on the environment. Monday, May 11th join us for Home Vegetable Gardening for Food, Fun and Stress Management. We can all do our part to take actions that make our homes more sustainable, from environmentally friendly lawn care, to composting, to reducing plastic waste. These actions, more than ever, start at home.

Theodore William Landskroener, a former Navy pilot who owned and operated a successful window and door business in Queen Anne's County for more than 40 years, died May 2, 2020. He was 96. Born in Bethlehem, PA, Ted's family moved to Merchantville, NJ, when the boys were young, and his dad opened the Delmarva Sash & Door Company (DSD) in Barclay in 1942. Predeceased by his two brothers and his wife, Kathy, Ted is survived by his daughter Nancy; sons and daughters-in-law Chris and Marcia, Jim and Diane, David and Sue, and John; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company. Full obituary.

Camden County Library has virtual events every week for kids. Here are some events for the week of May 11-15. Monday morning kids can "Make Your Own Journal" with simple home supplies or join in some evening fun with "Tween Dungeons & Dragons". On Tuesday get ready for some zany lip-syncing Zoom fun with Miss Tina and Miss Paige. Wednesday they are bringing their "Read to a Therapy Dog" program to your home via Zoom. And, every Monday-Friday at 10:30 a.m. librarians host "Little Readers Theatre" on Facebook Live. Please use their website calendar to register for theses events.

The Camden County Library System invites adults and teens ages 12 and up in our community to contribute to our online Quaranzine, a special publication documenting this monumental and unique moment in time we now find ourselves in. Share your experience with COVID-19 and social distancing using the art medium of your choice. Each issue of the CCLS Quaranzine will be featured on the library’s website. Submissions must be original art. Use the form below to submit your artwork, but be sure to read through the guidelines first.

Mayor Brennan recorded a video message for the Borough of Merchantville regarding COVID-19 on May 7th. His message included the unfortunate announcement of the Borough’s first coronavirus death; clarification of passive recreation park use; the requirement to wear face coverings when working at or patronizing essential businesses; and, availability of testing by appointment regardless of symptoms for anyone over 18 at the Barrington Rite Aid site. The mayor thanked residents for all their hard work and patience.

The May edition of The Borough Brief contains updates on Borough of Merchantville happenings. Please subscribe to this digital newsletter by entering your email address in the box on the front page of the Borough's website. Articles in this edition include the mayor's latest Covid-19 message, the importance of completing your census online, an interview with Laura Panarello on the frontline, grant funds for rails-to-trails, renovations to the Community Center park and information on local food pantries.

Curbside pick-up, virtual events and online shopping are just a few of the strategies Merchantville's small businesses are using to succeed during this pandemic. Owners of our new taquería - La Guadalupana Mexican Restaurant - Fausto and Francisca Medina, celebrated Cinco De Mayo by offering a traditional chicken recipe with fresh watermelon for take out. Jeannie Francis, owner of Spirit To Sole Connection, is still blending teas and making all natural body products for curb side pick up or online shipping. The Blue Monkey Tavern menu features regular favs plus wine, beer and cocktail kits to go. They expect to be prettier than ever when they reopen thanks to Merchantville’s own local artisans Dan Shotwell and Scott DiSimone - wait 'til you see!. Saleemah Smith, owner of A Milli Little Thing, creates all natural body products available for curbside pick-up or online shipping. And, Custom Travel Services owner, Georgiann Jaworskyj, invites you to take a virtual Caribbean vacation on May 7th at 7:00 p.m. to learn all about Sandals and Beaches Resorts. As Halil says, "Clear skies will be upon us soon, friends!" The following retail shops and restaurants are open for your business in Merchantville.