Category Archives: Columns
Spotted Lanternflies And Damage Caused By Non Native Invasives
By Kathleen Harvey, AAP Columnist
Over the last few decades, our world has become more interconnected. People, food, and plants travel around the globe on a daily basis. Despite customs agents inspecting cargo, non native plants and insects hitchhike on shipments, landing on foreign shores to wreak havoc. The latest of these is the Spotted Lanternfly, an invasive plant hopper native to China, Bangladesh, and Vietnam. This year, the Spotted Lanternfly has fully established itself in densely populated South Jersey counties like Camden, Gloucester and Burlington.
Taking A Freedom Ride On The Fourth Of July
By Bob Wagner, AAP Columnist
I’ve been locked up long enough! My cars have been spiffed up during the down time, and yearn to show off. Since you all can’t come to me, and all my car nut friends, I’ve developed a plan! On the Fourth of July, around mid morning, I’m taking to the streets. A few like minded (or whatever passes for a mind, with car nuts) aficionados will be driving through town in our cars and trucks, beeping horns and showing off.
Cherishing A Very Special Phone Call
By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor
It was early December of last year. I was getting into my car, rushing to my next appointment, when I noticed I had a voicemail. It was from Rick Taylor. He’d occasionally give me a call to let me know that he just finished reading the newest issue of All Around Pennsauken and shared with me how much he enjoyed it. Seeing I just missed it, I gave him a quick call back. It was a brief call, but it was very good to hear his voice. He reiterated his message. I thanked him for his kind words and let him know that coming from him, it was high praise. I told him that his thoughtfulness meant a lot to me.
It would be the last time we talked before his passing.
Cleaning Up For The New Year Using Hydrogen Peroxide
By Kathleen Harvey, AAP Columnist
Another year has come and gone, and it’s time to clean up from the holiday parties and begin anew. But how to begin? One of the most versatile items in your medicine cabinet is hydrogen peroxide. A combination of hydrogen and water, it comes in a variety of concentrations. Hydrogen peroxide at three percent is designed for household use. For the purpose of this article, this is the type of hydrogen peroxide referenced.
The Twelve Days Of Christmas Plants
By Kathleen Harvey, AAP Columnist
Christmas trees, evergreen boughs, poinsettias, and Christmas cactus are the plants of the season, livening our homes with wonderful fragrance and pops of color. Of these, the Christmas cactus can be the longest-lived, providing a greater bounty of flowers with each successive year. Some people have a green thumb getting these cacti to grow and thrive, but all too many of these plants that are either received as gifts or purchased for their cheerful seasonal color, languish and eventually die.
Swapping LEDs For Luminaries: A Historic Take On The Holidays In Pennsauken
On Friday, Dec. 6, starting at 6:00 p.m. in the evening, a holiday tradition returns to historic Burrough-Dover House off Haddonfield Rd. in Pennsauken, when St. Nick himself visits the old house which will be all decked out in holiday finery!
Pennsauken Historical Society Holds Annual Meeting This Saturday
On Saturday, Nov. 16, at 1:00 p.m., the Pennsauken Historical Society will hold its annual meeting at Griffith Morgan House, welcoming Richard Keiser, Ph.D., a retired instructor from the Community College of Philadelphia, who will offer a presentation on the women’s suffrage movement in the United States in the 19th and early 20th centuries, tracing the setbacks as well as the victories that finally assured women the right to vote, only 100 years ago. Dr. Keiser, who holds his degree from Oxford University, will draw lessons from the struggle for social change that are strikingly relevant to this day. The public is welcome and invited to attend this free program, which will follow a very brief election of officers for the year 2020.
Griffith Morgan House is located at 243 Griffith Morgan Lane, off River Rd. between Delair and Rt. 73.
Visit the Griffith Morgan House and Pennsauken Historical Society pages, or the group, “Pennsauken History Forum,” on Facebook for more details and directions; or call (856) 486-9561 and leave a message or e-mail to pennsaukenhistoricalsociety@gmail.com.
Celebrating Harvest, Family And Plants
By Kathleen Harvey, AAP Columnist
Thanksgiving is traditionally about celebrating harvest and family. Harvesting is done, so my attention turns to tropical houseplants. There is always a last minute rush to get plants that have summered outside back inside before first frost. Nightly newscast weather predictions sparks something I refer to as “The Annual Fall Panic.” It’s first initiated when the last heat wave of the season breaks; intensifies when nightly temperatures reach the low 50s; and panic sets in with the first frost warning.
Poisonous Plants And The Ghosts They Leave Behind
By Kathleen Harvey, AAP Columnist
‘Tis the season of ghosts, witches, and other spooky things of lore. However, there are some truly scary things to be wary of when you have children and pets who tend to put everything into their mouths.
Celebrating Camden County History Month And Halloween Fun!
By Robert Fisher-Hughes, AAP Columnist and Amateur Historian
The Camden County History Alliance has declared October to be Camden County History Month, with new and extra-special programming at historic sites all over the county! For our part, Pennsauken Historical Society offers special programs at Griffith Morgan House and Burrough-Dover House three times during October!
