Back to school ... maybe

(August 30, 2011) Hurricane Irene wreaked havoc this past weekend in Recorder Community Newspapers' coverage area. Sunday's heavy rain and high winds caused widespread flooding and power outages due to trees' falling on electric wires. Even today many still are without power or even forced out of their homes and businesses by flood waters and/or downed trees.

My husband and I are busy cleaning up storm debris including cartfuls of tree branches from the storm. Luckily, no trees fell on the house. Our power is out, but we have a generator which we're using for the first time. We bought it a few years ago after a concentrated, heavy October snowfall left us stranded and without electricity for nearly a week. Out here in the country no electricity means no lights, no water (no toilet flushes), no heat, no cooking, no refrigeration, you get the picture.

But, life goes on and, even though Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer, some schools opened last week, some are scheduled to start classes this week and the rest will be in operation hopefully after the Sept. 5 holiday; that is, if there are no storm-related issues.

What's going on in your community can be found in your Recorder Newspaper and right here online at newjerseyhills.com, the newspapers' website. Check out also the many blogs for personal accounts as well as information from a number of local organizations.

Any individual or community group representative who would like to join the 60+ bloggers here is invited to contact me at (908) 832-7420 or panderson@recordernewspapers for details on this free communication tool. All you need is an Internet connection and an e-mail.

August and summer's almost gone

(Aug. 24, 2011) Where has the summer gone? It was a beautiful one and I can't believe it's almost over.

Between helping out with our 14 grandchildren (including a brand-new grandson and a college-bound granddaughter) and celebrating our golden wedding anniversary, Jack and I have been very busy, not to mention dealing with Mother Nature out here in the country. The deer continue to eat anything I plant. The earthquake yesterday and the coming hurricane just add to the busyness.

But, Recorder Bloggers still are sharing themselves and their news here at newjerseyhills.com. Check out a couple of new ones by local women: 50 & Feisty and Organizing Answers.

Any local individual or community group interested in joining our growing list of 60+ bloggers is invited to contact me at panderson@recordernewspapers.com or (908) 832-7420 to find out the details on this free 21st century communication tool.