Happy Thanksgiving!

(November 23, 2011) "Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house we go," but not this year. Tomorrow Grandma and Grandpa are going over the river and through the woods to their oldest daughter's house. And they're bringing with them the roasted turkey with stuffing and gravy for the holiday feast. It will be quite a treat to enjoy the family fun at someone else's home this Thanksgiving Day.

We are thankful this year for so much from a new grandson to resolved health issues. It will be good to relax and ponder them all on Thanksgiving Day.

Enjoy your holiday bird, family and friends and a blessed day.

On a business note, we at Recorder Community Newspapers as well as our thousands of local readers are especially thankful for all the faithful bloggers sharing themselves and their groups at our newpapers' website - newjerseyhills.com. They bring a unique perspective to the site.

Any community individual or group representative interested in joining the growing group of 60+ bloggers is welcome to call me at (908) 832-7420 or e-mail panderson@recordernewspapers.com. Blogging is free. The process is simple. All you need is an e-mail address and Internet connection.

11-11-11

(November 11, 2011) Today is Veterans Day, the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I in 1918. The document was signed at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Veterans Day is a federal legal holiday honoring America's veterans with ceremonies and speeches in many communities. Canadians observe Remembrance Day today to honor their war veterans.

Today also is a date curiosity: 11-11-11. There will be one more in our lifetime, next year: 12-12-12.

Check Recorder Community Newspapers for details in the news and the blogs online at newjerseyhills.com. Any individual or group representative interested in joining the 60+ bloggers may call me at (908) 832-7420 or e-mail panderson@recordernewspapers for more information on this 21st century communication tool.

Election Day today

(November 8, 2011) Today, the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, is Election Day. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the various districts. Registered voters will choose members of the N.J. General Assembly, county and local officials. They also will vote on local questions as well as a state constitutional amendment allowing wagering on sports events at Atlantic City casinos and at horse racetracks.

This Election Day has been overshadowed by the widespread power outages due to the freak nor'easter that hit the Northeast on Oct. 29. Although the heavy snow melted quickly, its aftermath of fallen trees on power lines caused major problems. Schools and shops were closed, traffic disrupted for days. No electricity out in the country means no water, no heat, no phone, no lights, etc. Tree and utility workers from as far away as Alabama have been working long hours with local crews to repair the damage. Now that most folks in this area have their electric and phone service restored, they are busy with the cleanup of tree limbs and other debris, plus household chores like backed-up laundry.

But regardless, today we focus on our civic right to choose our leaders and rules. So VOTE. Details of local elections can be found in Recorder Community Newspapers right here online at newjerseyhills.com. Also some bloggers share political commentary. After the election, results will be posted here as well.

Anyone interested in joining the growing group of 60+ Recorder bloggers can contact me at (908) 832-7420 or panderson@recordernewspapers.com.

Time to fall back

(November 4, 2011) This weekend this part of the world returns to Eastern Standard Time. Specifically at 2 a.m. Sunday, the first one in November, daylight-saving time ends, according to federal law, except for those areas that exempt themselves. So before retiring Saturday be sure to set your clocks one hour BACK.

That will give you the hour you lost on the second Sunday in March when the clocks spring forward for daylight-saving time.