Merry Christmas

(Dec. 25, 2009) May the peace of Christmas be with everyone this Christmas Day.

And I hope Santa Claus was good to all as well.

Have a happy day with family and friends.

Songs of the season

(Dec. 15, 2009) It's only 10 days until Christmas and many groups are hosting concerts and other productions in celebration of the holidays. From pageants to school shows, everyone is getting into the swing of the season. Already this week, we've been to a majestic Christmas concert and plan to go to two school programs on Wednesday.

Check out Recorder Community Newspapers and its blogs for information on a variety of programs in your area.

Those interested in telling about their offerings may sign up to blog right on Recorder Newspapers' Web site. For details, e-mail me at recordernewspapers.com or call (908) 832-7420. The multi-media process is very simple and there is no fee.

Snowed in

(Dec. 7, 2009) Wow, the weatherman was right. Parts of our newspapers' coverage area were covered by snow Saturday, creating a lovely winter wonderland. Up to four inches fell in my town throughout the afternoon, so we stayed inside and enjoyed the views. Temperatures in the 20s and early 30s are keeping the snow here today, but luckily our driveway and main roads have been plowed to prevent ice buildup.

Today also is Pearl Harbor Day, the date in 1941 when Japan bombed U.S. ships in Pearl Harbor and brought this country into World War II. It is a day to remember all veterans who served in that war and to thank them for their sacrifices.

Today also is a good day to check out the Recorder Newspapers bloggers to find out what is happening in their areas. Many events are listed for the holiday season.

Any community group or individual interested in becoming a Recorder blogger is welcome to e-mail me at panderson@recordernewspapers.com to find out more about this free, easy, multi-media way of communicating or call me at (908) 832-7420. I will be happy to assist you in joining our growing list of bloggers.

Santa Claus is coming to town

(Dec. 4, 2009) December is here and Santa Claus is planning to visit many of our area towns. There also will be tree lighting ceremonies and even parades along with his appearances. Read all about these happy winter events in our Recorder Newspapers and their blogs.

Groups and organizations interested in joining our growing list of bloggers are invited to participate in this free multi-media service. To find out how to do it, e-mail me at panderson@recordernewspapers.com or call (908) 832-7420 and I will help make it happen.

Happy Thanksgiving!

(Nov. 26, 2009) I hope everyone has a very happy Thanksgiving with family and friends. This national holiday is my favorite one since all it entails is remembering all we have to be thankful for and enjoying together a traditional meal of turkey with all the trimmings and lots of visiting.

Leaves are down, winter's on its way

(Nov. 6) Well, recent winds have blown almost all the leaves off the trees out here in the country. And falling temperatures signal winter's on its way. Before the snow flies, we better get those leaves picked up and added to the compost pile.

But this weekend, I'm hoping to start the rounds of holiday boutiques sponsored by area churches and other organizations. You can find some really unusual gifts and other treasures including crafts and homemade cookies. Check out the calendar of events in your Recorder Newspaper as well as online in its various blogs.

Meantime, winter will keep us all indoors more, perhaps reading and/or writing blogs. Anyone interested in blogging right on the Recorder Community Newspapers Web site may call me at (908) 832-7420 or e-mail panderson@recordernewspapers.com. The process is very simple and there is no charge for this multimedia service.

Election Day tomorrow

(Nov. 2, 2009) Tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 3, is Election Day. Candidates are running for governor and lieutenant governor, state senate, general assembly, freeholders and local town committees. There is one state public question on bonding for land and water preservation.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Vote for the candidate you believe will do the best job, not for the best of two political party lines because you don't think your guy can win. If all thinking citizens vote, maybe we can get New Jersey back on the right track.

Whoa ... SNOW!

(Oct. 19) Almost two weeks earlier than last year's surprise blizzard, snow started falling Thursday, Oct. 15, in northwestern New Jersey. Luckily, not as much came as in the 2008 storm and we didn't lose power. But it was really cold for several days.

However, now we're prepared. Our home generator is installed and ready to go, battery-powered LED lights are in crucial areas, the pantry is stocked and we're ready to withstand being stuck here in case of blocked roads and/or power outages. The generator will power all the necessary home services, even our office phone and computer. So, we can stay connected.

That means anyone interested in joining Recorder Community Newspapers' list of bloggers can find out all about this free offer no matter what the weather. Local individuals and groups are invited to write a blog right on their newspaper's Web site for our online readers. They even may add pictures and videos if they wish for real time communication.

The process is very simple and I will be happy to help. Just e-mail me at panderson@recordernewspapers.com or call me at (908) 832-7420 and I will outline the procedure.

Wondering ...

(Oct. 6) I'm wondering, and so are Recorder Community Newspapers' bloggers, what online readers think about our bloggers' postings: Do they read them (all or some)? Is the news helpful, entertaining, interesting? Do they wish others were available? Or, are there too many? What subjects are they interested in?

If you are reading this, you are an online reader. Please respond in the "comments" section below.

Recorder Newspapers is offering community groups and individuals the opportunity to have their blog appear right on the newspaper's Web site. The connection process is simple and there is no charge. To find out how to become a Recorder blogger, e-mail me at panderson@recordernewspapers.com or call me at (908) 832-7420.

Fall leaves

(Sept. 25) Fall arrived quietly this week and some leaves already are turning their beautiful autumn hues. The season is a peaceful one with pleasant temperate days and cooler nights. Soon, however, we'll all be busy raking up piles of leaves in anticipation of winter's snow.

In the meantime, there are loads of harvest events scheduled in the area as well as school and sports activities for all ages. Read about them in our newspapers and online blogs.

Recorder Community Newpapers invites those interested to share their news right here on our Web site. This free multi-media service is easy to implement. Just e-mail me at panderson@recordernewspapers.com or telephone me at (908) 832-7420 and I will be happy to assist with the process.

School's back in session

(Sept. 9, 2009) Because Labor Day was so late this year (Sept. 7, the latest possible), school started on many different days in this area. Some kids went back to school as early as Aug. 25, while others start today.

How nice it is that the weather has cooled down for their return to the classroom, making it so much easier for students to settle down for their lessons and sports programs.

Also, activities suspended for the summer break are resuming. What a perfect time to think about sharing your group's news with online readers of Recorder Community Newspapers by blogging right on their Web site.

Anyone interested in initiating a free blog should call me at (908) 832-7420 or e-mail panderson@recordernewspapers.com and I will be happy to assist with the simple process.

You can talk back

(Aug. 28, 2009) Blogging is an interactive communication tool. You can communicate to any of Recorder Newspapers' bloggers by going down to "comments" and typing your response in the available window as directed.

Blogging also is real time, so groups can post their latest news or changes in plans caused by the weather or other conditions. Be sure to check often for their postings.

Anyone interested in writing a blog to appear on Recorder Newspapers' Web site should contact Pat Anderson at (908) 832-7420 or panderson@recordernewspapers.com for help with accessing this free service.

Oldtime summer

(Aug. 11, 2009) For the first time this summer, yesterday we turned on our air conditioners. The 90+ degree weather reminded me of summers long ago - hot, hot, hot. I guess we should be careful what we wish for. When this summer's days were cool and rainy, we hoped for sunny weather, and we got it and then some.
It's the perfect time to stay indoors in air-conditioned rooms and blog your news. Recorder Community Newspapers invites you to share your blogs on the newspapers' Web site for our online readers. Please contact me to find out how to take advantage of this free offer. Call my home office at (908) 832-7420 or e-mail panderson@recordernewspapers.com. I will be happy to help you with this very easy process.

Back home ... in the rain again

(Aug. 4, 2009) We're back home from a spectacular vacation on the Outer Banks of North Carolina ... sun every day on a glorious beach. What a great break from the continuous rain here in northern New Jersey.

Our home was deluged by the "Niagara Falls" storm early Sunday afternoon ... four inches of rain fell in less than a half hour. Although our basement floor and walls are water-tight, water rushed in through the edges of a basement window, flooding the whole level. What a nightmare! With help from our daughter and her family the water is all swept up via an industrial-size wet-vacuum and fans and dehumidifiers are completing the job.

We needed Monday to recuperate from aching backs, arms and legs.

Today, I'm ready to help with the Recorder blogging. Anyone interested in sharing a blog on the Recorder Community Newspapers Web site is invited to phone me at (908) 832-7420 or e-mail panderson@recordernewspapers.com. Blogging is an easy, real time, multi-media way to share your news. The sign-up process is very simple and there is no fee.

Vacation time

(July 17, 2009)
I expect to be going on a short vacation at the end of next week. Anyone interested in setting up a free Recorder Newspapers' blog should contact me at panderson@recordernewspapers.com before then to get the process started.

Meantime, while I'm gone, enjoy the variety of blogs already appearing on this site. New ones include the Somerset County Park Commission, Morristown Community Theatre, Upper Raritan Watershed Association and the Colonial Symphony. Hopefully, some will offer pictures and/or videos.

Blogging is a real-time way to share your news, advice, reports, pictures or just chit-chat with online readers of Recorder Community Newspapers.
It's one of our ways of keeping up with today's changing times and technology. E-mail me with your suggestions. Thanx a bunch. --Pat

Summertime and the livin' is easy!

(July 7, 2009) What a beautiful day after a glorious Fourth of July weekend! Finally, the rain has stopped and we can go about the myriad outdoor activities available in our area.

Check out the community organization blogs to learn about local offerings and/or changes in schedules as well as how programs and events turned out. Maybe even see some pictures of your friends and neighbors.

Groups interested in Recorder Newspapers' new free service for getting the word out may contact me at panderson@recordernewspapers.com or (908) 832-7420 and I will gladly help you start blogging right here.

Greetings!

(June 20, 2009)

Happy Father's Day to all fathers. I hope the rain lets up for some family barbecues this weekend.

Congratulations to all our new bloggers. Check out their news and maybe give them a response via the "comment" feature in their blogs.

Happy blogging!

You too can blog
(June 15, 2009) This unsettled weather has sh0wn me how helpful blogging can be to get your word out in real time. Rain needn't cancel an event, your blog can redirect guests inside or to another date.

How can you join the growing list of community bloggers? (See blogs here.)
It's very easy - even if you're not tech savvy.

To take advantage of Recorder Newspapers' free offer to appear on your newspaper's Web site, e-mail me at panderson@recordernewspapers.com. I'll be happy to help you get started.

Wanna blog?
(June 9, 2009)
Wanna blog? Need to get your news out right away? Like to use today’s technology to reach today’s people with multi-media presentations?

Because so many folks are reading newspapers online, we are inviting community groups and organizations to blog right on our Web site. So when readers log on to any Recorder Community Newspaper, they will see the icons of our bloggers and be able to access them at the press of a button. Two groups already have started. Check out Somerset Hills Handicapped Riding Center and Red Mill Village Museum.

Our bloggers can log on any time as often as they like and communicate with our readers in real time. They may use words, photos and/or video, as their expertise allows, to report news of their group, to give advice regarding its focus, simply to reflect on the day, or just to chat.

If you would like to take advantage of this new FREE service, e-mail me at panderson@recordernewspapers.com. I will help you get the very simple process started.