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.