By Judith Kristen, AAP Columnist

How do I love thee, Pennsauken… let me count the ways. And here’s how it goes:

Andrew’s and my dear friends, Jude and George Inglis from the lovely town of Hull in Yorkshire, England, came to visit us for three weeks in September. And whenever and wherever we went along our local Pennsauken route, folks knew of their visit and would smile and welcome them to America, ask how they liked it here… and then told them about other wonderful local places to see and visit… Aunt Charlotte’s, McFarlan’s Market, Bobby Ray’s, Adobos, Cafe Bella Vita, The Blue Monkey… etc., etc. And, when we visited those places, they were welcomed with open arms there too.

Jude and George also participated in our flag ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial on Crescent Blvd.; they were quite touched by the lovingness and sense of community we share here.

The next day, Sept. 12, found them right here at our own Penn Queen Diner, for a “Welcome to America Party” held in their honor. The locals came out, as well as many of Jude and George’s Facebook friends who have only ever connected with them via that way. After their luncheon and yummy dessert, we all went back to our house for a few hours of chat and solidifying of friendships. Friends brought over cakes, sticky buns, Tastykakes, brownies, and biscotti. It was delightful in so many ways.

They’re good people who do right by others and then it comes back to them a thousand fold… therefore giving them even more to give. I love how that works.

Anyone who really knows me has heard me say dozens of times, “I truly have the nicest friends.”

And I do.

This Philly girl is proud of her adopted city of Pennsauken. I’m very happy that I know so many kind and wonderful people here, and I’m overjoyed that this good old homespun hospitality has stretched far across the sea. So now, when Jude and George talk about their first trip to America, their first genuine smile-filled recall will be of our very own Pennsauken and the lovely people who make it the beautiful little town that it is.

“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” – Marcel Proust

Have a beautiful October my friends. See ya’ next month!

Love,

~Judy