Monsterville hope's that everyone has a safe and happy Halloween. The designated time for trick-or-treating in the Borough of Monsterville begins after school on Thursday, October 31st, and ends at 8:00 p.m. However, you will often see neighborhood toddlers and pre-school children enjoying “Safe Trick-or-Treating” in the downtown business district and throughout our community as early as 11:00 a.m. Merchantville's 2-day Halloween curfew is posted on the electronic portable message board in front of Borough Hall. The same curfew is in effect on Wednesday, October 30th - commonly known as "mischief night". Merchantville has a Borough ordinance regarding curfew during Halloween. No one under the age of 18 is permitted to be on the streets of Merchantville from 8:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m the following morning. Should you have any questions please feel free to contact the Community Affairs Office, 856-662-2472 x 120.

Merchantville's "Market Off Centre" will celebrate their last Saturday farmers market of the season on October 26th. The market invites all residents and neighbors to give Monsterville a preview of their enchanting, ghostly or frightful costumes at the first "Halloween Costume Walk" along the sidewalks of downtown. The runway of fashions will begin on the bike path behind Eclipse Brewery and travel the sidewalks of downtown, along Park Avenue, finishing at the market's Kids Zone. This costume walk begins at 11:00 a.m. Young children - under 12 - should be accompanied by parents.

Merchantville School kicked off the Week of Respect on October 7th with lesson in the PE classes. Throughout the week, students learned about being respectful and making great decisions that represent themself and Merchantville School well. MES continued to stress the importance of respecting each other as classroom lessons were taught through the week and some art work was created to support the initiative. Students also signed the "No Place For Hate" banner, learned strategies to prevent bullying and discussed how to show respect to all.

Senate President Steve Sweeney addressed the Pennsauken-Merchantville Area Chamber of Commerce on October 9th about the state of New Jersey, where he spoke of the need for the state to promote economic prosperity, government efficiency and investment in public priorities. PMAC holds a luncheon every month. For October’s luncheon, they invited the Senate President to speak about legislation or policies that will affect the businesses of Pennsauken and Merchantville. Senator Sweeney (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland said that residents need more affordable services, "deserve to see real progress, and now is the time to deliver.” PMAC chair, Matt Gaskill, owner of Gaskill-Brown Funeral Home in Merchantville commented, “Senator Sweeney understands the importance of a thriving business community and how essential that is to the economic growth of surrounding communities."

Roberta Elaine Lewin of Chestertown, Maryland, died on October 6, 2019. She was 82. She was born September 18, 1937 in Philadelphia, PA, the daughter of the late William S. and Claire Blake Clark. She was a 1955 graduate of Lansdowne High School, a 1959 graduate of Temple University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre, and later earned a master’s in Education from Salisbury University. Roberta loved studying. She married Earl Purnell Lewin on June 27, 1959, they resided in East Lansdowne, PA, Collingswood, NJ, Merchantville, NJ - where she was a Youth Group Director with Merchantville Presbyterian Church, and for the last 30 years in Chestertown, MD. Full obituary.

The Haunts of Monsterville returns for 2019 with a "Tomb Sweet Tomb" theme. If you've always wanted to participate or are a veteran decorator this is a great year to sign up! Contestants must submit their haunted entry by high noon on October 25th. There are four categories this year: "Fresh Blood" for novices to this competition; "Eerie Exterior" for the ghostliest outside appearance; "Path to Doom" for frightful walk-through path experiences; and the "Monsterville Merchant" for the spookiest window decore - voted by the zombie residents of Monsterville using Survey Monkey from 10/21-10/31! Prizes include the prestigious Golden Broomstick and gift cards to McFarlans, The Juice Bar and The Station. Winners will be announced at the gazebo, 7:00 p.m. on November 1st during the Friday Night Market. Rules: (1) Home or business must be in Merchantville. (2) No professional decorating companies (3) Decorations limited to the exterior. (4) All Judge’s decisions are final. (5) Have fun!

After 11 years, designating 30 “classic” communities, reaching over 420,000 online visitors, Classic Towns of Greater Philadelphia is coming to a close.The Classic Towns marketing program was launched with initial support from the William Penn Foundation in 2008. This initiative supported reinvestment in the region’s older suburbs and urban neighborhoods through strategic messaging and branding about the benefits urbanism, smart growth, and transit-oriented development have on a community’s quality of life. In 2019, the Classic Towns marketing program was discontinued but the work that goes into creating livable communities continues. Merchantville was designated a Classic Town in 2008. Here's a recap and highlights from the program: https://dvrpc.org/ClassicTowns/

Situated along the Delaware River, the 6th District encompasses fifteen (15) communities straddling Burlington and Camden counties: Berlin Township, Cherry Hill, Collingswood, Gibbsboro, Haddon, Haddonfield, Hi-Nella, Maple Shade, Merchantville, Oaklyn, Pennsauken, Somerdale, Stratford, Tavistock and Voorhees. This has been a solidly Democratic district, with 45% registering with the blue party and 17% registering as Republicans. Most of the rest are not affiliated with any party. The incumbent Democrats - Assembly members Louis D. Greenwald, the majority leader who lives in Voorhees, and Pamela Lampitt of Cherry Hill - are now facing two Republicans, John Papeika of Cherry Hill and Cynthia Plucinski of Haddonfield.

St. Peter Parish is hosting a free Health & Wellness Fair this Sunday, October 13th after the 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Masses in Pastor's Hall to meet and talk with vendors who offer services that promote healthy living and disease prevention. There will also be representatives from facilities and organizations that help people maintain their optimal well-being and prepare for life events. Flu shots will be available courtesy of Merchantville CVS. Make sure you check out the amazing Bake Sale while you’re there!

Multi-person yard sale on Saturday, October 12, 2019 from 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at 308 Somerset Ave, Merchantville, NJ. Sale will feature the following items and so much more: antique caned rocking chairs, antique books, medicine cabinet, glassware, bottles; Remington "His First Lesson" cowboy print; vintage Libbey tulip stemware; designer woman's clothes size medium 8-10; artwork and decorative items including beautiful porcelain molds; Christmas decorations. Retail quality without the retail prices!