A Conversation About Libraries........ Tom Brokaw, on David Letterman, while promoting his new book:The Time of Our Lives, A Conversation About America "We really have to make some fundamental changes in this country.  And there's a lot of stuff going on across America that deserves more attention.  Public school teachers are doing the right things.  Not too far from here I know a principle in the public school, in the south Bronx, who came to me and said I need some help, I have an empty Library.  We can't fill it up. So, I hope to raise some money....she raised a lot on her own.  We got computers up there.  She then made it into a community center so that the mostly single parents - and a lot of them Hispanic - in the neighborhood could come in and study with their children.  That's h... 11/01/2011

The Life & Death of Edgar Allan Poe On Friday October 21st, The Pennsville Public Library is participating in The United Way's 'Big Read'.  This year's theme is Edgar Allan Poe.  There are ravens hidden in several places around Salem County for inquisitive minds to find -- similar to the 'Where's Waldo' game that is so beloved.  There are several scheduled readings of Poe's work, book discussions and movie nights. The Pennsville Library has decided to share the man's story as their contribution to 'The Big Read'.  The tale of his tormented life......and his tortured death parallels some of his spooky poems and stories. Come learn about Poe -- one of America's most celebrated and misunderstood authors. Friday, October 21st 7 to 8:30pm Pennsville Public Library190 S. BroadwayPennsville, N... 10/11/2011

Passion4Pets Fundraiser:  Longaberger Basket Bingo 10/1/2011 It's funny how you can live in a town for a very long time and not know about a special group of people doing some of the most compassionate work out there.  Pennsville Township has an Animal Control Officer.  His job is to round up the strays and take them to the pound.  I've never seen the pound, but it doesn't sound like a nice place for an animal to be.  I'd be so upset if my little 'Billy' accidentally ended up in the pound.  I've recently learned that if a dog or cat is not picked up in 5 to 7 days, they are at risk of being put to sleep.  Put to sleep....it sounds much nicer than it really is....we all know that. A group of committed people have begun a nonprofit called 'Passion4Pets'.  They take custody of the unclaime... 09/27/2011

It Was REALLY Stressful Watching The Chicken Cross The Road! Ok, Ok....it was actually a rooster. Living in Salem County, the most rural county, in New Jersey has it's perks.  My boss always kids that we have more cows than people.  He's joking, but it is rather nice driving to an appointment with such inviting scenery:  cows, chickens, goats, sheep, horses, split rail fences, pigs, bulls and yes.....roosters, too. Several years ago, I sold a house out in the country to an engineer who was relocating from Pennsylvannia.  It was a great house on a gorgeous piece of property -- located in Daretown, NJ -- a very small, very quiet town. with an approximate population of 300.  His new home was sandwiched in between two working farms.  My buyer called me up the day after settlement.  When I h... 09/02/2011

Pennsville Township Schools - "See You In September" - School Supplies When shopping for elementary school children, consider these essentials: -No. 2 pencils -Colored pencils-A pencil sharpener (hand-held with a top to collect shavings)-A large pink eraser (The old-fashioned ones do the best erasing.)-Ballpoint pens-A box of crayon (Teachers recommend buying a 16-pack for younger kids, more for older ones.)-Water-based markers-Spiral-bound or composition notebooks-Loose-leaf notebook paper (Teachers can be picky about paper. Schools usually supply specially ruled handwriting paper to help younger children with letter formation. Older children use wide-ruled paper.) Middle school students may want these supplies on hand: -No. 2 pencils-Mechanical pencils-Colored pencilsPencil sharpener ... 08/30/2011

Pennsville Township Schools - "See You In September" - Sports Calender Soccer, Football, Cheerleading, Field Hockey, Tennis and more!  The first day of school is Tuesday, September 6th, 2011.  Come on out and support our teams!  Click on the calender link below for the full schedule.   PMHS Sports Calenders Meet The Coach "One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than fifty preaching it." ~ Knute Rockne 08/30/2011

Pennsville Township Schools - "See You In September" - School Board Schools reopen on Tuesday, September 6th, 2011 Complete information for the Board of Education                                                                      2011-2012                                    PENNSVILLE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING DATES                                                   ALL MEETINGS BEGIN AT 6:00 pm   WORK SESSIONS  REGULAR MEETINGS        May 9, 2011 (additional meeting) May 23, 2011 May 31, 2011 (Tuesday) June 20, 2011 June 27, 2011 July 18, 2011      July 25, 2011 August 22, 2011 August 29, 2011 September 19, 2011 September 26, 2011 October 24, 2011 October 31, 2011  November 21, 2011 November 28, 2011 December 12, 2011 (2nd Monday) December 19, 2011 (3rd Monday) January 23, 2012 Janua... 08/30/2011

Kindergarten Memories - 1966 in Pennsville, NJ Memories of snacks of ritz crackers & milk, mom setting my hair in pink foam curlers (boy, did they hurt when sleeping!), TONS of kids on the school bus, rolling out my mat for naptime, waiting for my turn to play with a wooden puzzle, sharing building blocks, donning the paint-covered smocks to protect my favorite white dress with pink polka dots, banging tiny cymbals and tambourines, my best friend Trisha with her tight brown curly hair, cupcakes for parties, Mrs. Kent (my favorite teacher!) with her 1960's cat eyeglasses, big fat pencils, paper with oversized spacing/lines, Valentine's parties, walking quietly in single file to go outside to play......  That brings me to my most vivid kindergarten memory.  My all-time favorite thing to d... 08/29/2011

Real Estate Recovery in Salem County, NJ - part five "Individual commitment to a group effort — that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work." ~Vince Lombardi (1913-1970), championship football coach for the NFL I am happy to write this fifth and final installment of Good Real Estate News in Salem County, NJ.  Nowhere has the Real Estate recovery been more apparent than in my very own office.  Back in the chaotic market in 2005, there was a full roster of active at the Coldwell Banker Pino Agency's Pennsville office.  As the tough times presented itself, beginning in the fall of 2006, agents began to stay at home.....began to drop out. I watched the work roll diminish year-after-year until it seemed as if there were only two people in the office on... 08/22/2011

I Love To Eat Local! - Pat's Pizzeria Every once in awhile a day requires pizza for dinner, don't you think?  One of those days happened for me over the weekend.  There are several choices in Pennsville if you get a craving for a 'pie'.  One of those is Pat's Pizzeria.  I decided to go to their website to check out the menu.  Once I figured out what I wanted to order it was pretty simple to click, just a few times, to input my choices. What happened next really surprised me!  A screen popped up to show me the status of my order. 1 - 2- 3 - 4  Ordered - Making - On It's Way - Delivered! Seventeen minutes start to finish! Technology and pizza -- apparently perfect together! Pat's Pizzeria has locations in four states, the first one began in Pennsville back in the 70's when I was a kid. Go... 08/16/2011

A Note From A Dear Friend To all Of You....... One of the agents who used to work in my office, Ginny DeVore , is very sick.  She has been diagnosed with RSD and hasn’t been able to work, at all.  She receives disability from Social Security which only amounts to approximately $1,250 per month.  She also receives Medicaid health insurance.  She now has her license in the referral company because she is physically unable to work.   I was completely unaware of RSD until Ginny began to tell me about it.  It sounds just awful!  Without boring you with the details, it is a relentless disease in which the bones/joints deteriorate and leave the patient in constant, burning, disabling pain.  Overwhelmingly, the patients end up in wheel chairs.  There are some drugs to mask the pain but they do... 08/11/2011

Need to grow your business without spending a lot of money? Have you ever wondered if it's time to step out of your comfort zone and change-up your methods of prospecting for new business?  Well, we are quickly approaching the ninth month in 2011, so if your goals are not on-track......that time has come! Luckily for you, The South Jersey Real Estate Academy is hosting a FREE workshop on Thurs. August 25th at 9:30am at The Pennsville Public Library.  All are welcome! The topic? How to build your referral business. Learning how to better serve your current client/customer list is the best, most cost-effective way to grow your business.  Come to this workshop and you'll learn how to do just that.  Here's some of what you will learn and accomplish:  How to NEVER have to ask another person ... 08/10/2011

Despite the HEAT, The 2nd Annual Luau for The Library was COOL! Even though it was 100 degrees outside, an enthusiastic group of Library lovers gathered at the Riverview Inn in Pennsville this afternoon to show their support and to raise funds for the continued future of the Pennsville Public Library. The Library has been hit particularly hard in the budget crunch in the township.  Truth-be-told all of the Libraries across the state have been negatively affected in the past couple of years.  Fortunately for the residents in Pennsville, several groups of people have banded together to keep the doors to this 70+ year-old institution open. The Friends of The Library have been raising funds for over 20 years to help purchase books and supplies.  The Board of Trustees has stepped up to the p... 07/23/2011

IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO GET YOUR TICKETS FOR THE LIBRARY LUAU ON SATURDAY, JULY 23!! Contact Chris Hooks, 856-628-2710 for tickets! ONLY $30 per person to spend a fun-filled afternoon (2 p.m - 4 p.m.) in AIR-CONDITIONED comfort in the beautiful Carousel Room of the Riverview Inn in Pennsville! FREE hors d'oeuvres!  FREE Entertainment! FREE Business Expo! FREE Drawings! Fun, Fellowship, DJ Music, and more!  Chat with friends, show off your dance moves, or just relax with a refreshing beverage and delicious snacks while enjoying the scenic river views (cash bar available)! Be sure to wear your most festive tropical outfit (grass skirt optional)! Tax-deductible sponsorships are also available: $100 includes 1 Luau ticket  $200 includes 2 Luau tickets $300 includes 4 Luau tickets GREAT FUN FO... 07/21/2011

Do You See What I See? This photo was taken on the main throughway in Pennsville Township on my way home last Friday.  I noticed these workers earlier in the day when they had opened up the roof all the way down to the rafters.  Sights like this make me really, really happy.  There is something so good.....so very right when a homeowner is able to invest in their home and improve it.  This home had been bought by a lovely young family many years ago.  That family sold this Victorian sweetie and moved away.  Another transfer occured --- and then another.  The family who took possession had some trouble keeping up with the home.  It isn't an easy task taking care of a property that is over one hundred years old. Unfortunately, a bank was the next owner.  Believe me, this poor little hous... 07/19/2011

 Good Deeds = Good Karma The United State Post Office in Pennsville does more than just deliver the mail. Apparently, they save little duckies, too.  I heard about the temporary housing situation last week. I'm not exactly sure when it started or how long it will continue, I just know that, for now, a mama and her babies are safe & sound. It was a very rainy day when these photos were taken.  Mama looked extremely pleased in her new environment.                                                  "He was so benevolent, so merciful a man that, in his mistaken passion, he would have held an umbrella over a duck in a shower of rain."  ~  Douglas Jerrold, English humorist, playwright & journalist - 1803-1857     07/18/2011

Today's Real Estate Activities - July 9th, 2011 And the word of the day is:  Interested! YES!  A buyer is 'interested' in one of my listings!  That's how it begins......... A Wiechert agent showed my listing at 18 King Street in Pennsville.  She called me today and asked for the Seller's disclosure statement because her Buyer is 'interested'.  Sometimes I feel like I am back in 1993 -- the first year that I was in the Real Estate business --  I get so very excited about appointments, showings, interest! I'll take it. Appointments lead to interest. Interest lead to offers! I'm hoping for good things.  Heck.....I'm hoping for GREAT things! This house is one of those 'shiny pennies' that come along every so often.  It is in immaculate condition, has a wonderful location and is well-priced.... 07/09/2011

259 N River Drive, Pennsville, NJ - Waterfront Gem!    Every once in awhile, a property comes on the market that stands out ahead of the crowd.  This is one of those homes! While the over 3,000 sq feet of livingspace is terrific, it's location on the Delaware River is simply stunning.  The morning sunrises......... The evenings sunsets......... The ships that pass by all day long are fascinating to watch as are the waterfowl swooping by. Beautiful. Peaceful. Relaxing. Inspiring.     Motivating. Special. One-of-a-kind. That 'vacation feeling' all day long......each and every day.               Shouldn't your home be your santuary?   It's easy to see that this home would be!     4-5 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, brick fireplace, hardwood floors, breakfast knook overlooking the water, screened-in... 07/07/2011

Today's Real Estate Activities - June 30th, 2011 And the word of the day is:  Prospecting!    I'm meeting with one of my clients a bit later this morning.  Their house has been on the market for approximately 5 months.  Although we've had an offer since nearly the beginning of the process, it is a contingent offer.  To further complicate things, the Buyers have had to pull their house off of the active market for a short time because they are 'condolizing' their shore property.  Apparently their township does not take kindly to folks turning their property into a condo while they are actively trying to sell it. I'm not sure I understand the township's thinking on this, but as we all have heard, "You can't fight city hall." Today's meeting will be about generating more interest -- more a... 06/29/2011

'QR' (Quick Response) Code Challenge for June, 2011 These funny black & white 'thingees' have been on my mind for several months now.  I meant to read about them. As a consumer, I wanted to learn how to access the information embedded in them. As a Realtor, I knew that I needed to create them and utilize them for the benefit of my clients. As a blogger on Active Rain, I received a gentle push in the right direction. So, I thank you Active Rain!  I probably would have put this off a tad longer if it weren't for your June challenge. TA DAAAAAA!  Here is my very first QR code!!!!  This one will point you to my writings on 'Salem County Real Estate Blog'.  I decided to begin with this one because I am planning on being a sponsor on a TShirt for the Pennsville Public Library in the very nea... 06/29/2011