25th anniversary

(Jan. 17, 2011) Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday and also a national day of service, in honor of the black civil rights activist who was assassinated in 1968. The holiday is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around the time of King's birthday, Jan. 15.

Although legislation was signed in 1983 designating King's birthday as a federal holiday, it was not observed until 1986, making 2011 the 25th anniversary of MLK Day.

Congress then passed the King Holiday and Service Act in 1994, which established MLK Day as a day of service and charged the Corporation for National and Community Service with leading this effort.

King was the chief spokesman for nonviolent activism in the civil rights movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. The campaign for a federal holiday in King's honor began soon after his assassination. President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed on Jan. 20, 1986.

Most government offices are closed today as are many schools and banks. Several observances are planned including service projects.

Read all about them in Recorder Community Newspapers and in their many blogs right here online.

Those interested in joining the growing group of Recorder bloggers are invited to call me at (908) 832-7420 or e-mail panderson@recordernewspapers.com to find out about this 21st century communication tool. Participation is free and simple; all you need is a computer (or other Internet access device) and an e-mail.

1-11-11

(Jan. 11, 2011) Being a numbers person, I love days like today: 1-11-11. The last one was New Year's Day: 1-1-11 and before that our daughter's birthday: 10-10-10. And 11-1-11 and 11-11-11 also will be special days.

So have a happy day to remember and check out what's new online at Recorder Community Newspapers and their blogs.

Anyone interested in joining the growing group of Recorder bloggers at the 15 online newspaper sites may call me at (908) 832-7420 or e-mail panderson@recordernewspapers.com to find out all about this free 21st century communication tool. It's simple; you need only a computer and an e-mail.

Winter woes

(Jan. 7, 2011) Winter's here and with it some woes. The combination of cold weather, dry heat and holiday partying has got me down with laryngitis. So I'm not talking very well, although my voice sounds worse than I feel.

So out came the old-fashioned remedies -- humidifiers and hot tea with honey.

But blogging doesn't require a voice. This 21st century communication tool can be used any time, in any weather, right from the comfort of home. All you need is a computer and an e-mail.

Recorder Community Newspapers is looking for community groups and individuals interested in joining our growing group of bloggers whose messages appear right on our 15 newspapers' websites. The process is simple and FREE.

Call me at (908) 832-7420 or e-mail panderson@recordernewspapers.com if you are interested and I will explain how to do it.

By the way, I read Saloma Furlong's new book "Why I Left the Amish" which I mentioned some weeks ago. Wow! What a writer with quite a story! Her memoir is very well done, not the sentimental, sophomoric texts I've often seen about the Amish lifestyle. I'm looking forward to the next book in the three-part series by this Smith College grad who now works at Amherst College.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year

Santa Claus is coming to town

(Dec. 22, 2010) Santa Claus is on his way with Christmas Eve only two days away. According to weather reports, even with the freezing temperatures, he will beat the snow which may come on Sunday.

Winter began here yesterday at 6:38 p.m. with the winter solstice bringing the shortest day - and the longest night - of the year. But it's all lighter from now; days are growing longer.

Enjoy checking out the news and announcements in Recorder Community Newspapers from the comfort of your cozy home right here online. Anyone interested in joining the communication stream via Recorder blogs is invited to call me at (908) 832-7420 or e-mail panderson@recordernewspapers.com. It's FREE!

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all.

Maybe a white Christmas

(Dec. 16, 2010) Snow covers the ground today after an overnight fall. Temperatures are well below freezing, so we may have a white Christmas after winter starts next week.

Although pretty to look at snow can cause a lot of problems, especially on the roadways. We all need to be extra cautious drivers ... and walkers. It only takes a second to slip and fall on snow-covered paths.

But children are enjoying the snow by sledding and building snowmen, even fanning angels in the snow.

But there are lots of other activities, with or without snow, listed in Recorder Community Newspapers. Check out the details right here online at the papers' websites and in their blogs there.

Any community organization or individual interested in joining the growing group of Recorder bloggers is invited to call me at (908) 832-7420 or e-mail panderson@recordernewspapers.com to find out all about blogging, a real-time 21st century communication tool. This free offer is simple; all you need is a computer and an e-mail.

Three weeks and counting

(Dec. 2, 2010) Can it be -- only 23 days until Christmas? Wow, we better get going. So much to do, so many presents to buy, it hardly seems like enough time to get it all done.

But the best part of the holidays is going to all the special programs for the season, especially if a family member is performing. Check out Recorder Newspapers here for a schedule of tree lightings, Santa visits, concerts and other shows. Their online blogs also have some listings of holiday things to do as well as some holiday messages.

Anyone interested in joining the growing list of Recorder bloggers is invited to call me a (908) 832-7420 or e-mail panderson@recordernewspapers.com for more information on this free offer. Blogging is a simple, 21st century communication tool; all you need is a computer and an e-mail.