November always brings thoughts of gratitude for the many gifts we have been given and also of helping those less fortunate who may be going through hard times.

Some time ago, a local news post on yahoo mentioned a local man in Haddon Heights who volunteers at the Cathedral Kitchen in Camden and also collects and distributes clothing for the homeless. The man’s name is Mr. Piscatelli and clothing can be dropped off at his home 1901 New Jersey Ave., Haddon Heights, NJ but he requests that you call and let him know when you will be dropping off donations. 609-332-9484

Last year three friends helped me with their unused clothing and we were able to drop off several bags of pants and shirts, sweaters, jackets, socks and shoes which helped us clear our overstuffed closets and helped those in need. We also chipped in and bought packages of cheese crackers, moist wipes, and sanitizer and toothbrushes from the dollar store.

I will be using this as inspiration to go through my drawers and closet for extra gloves, jackets and other kinds of clothing that I don’t use and that might be able to help someone in the coming cold weather who is living in a tent.

I would be hard to live with the sadness of knowing how many are suffering if it weren’t for the opportunity to do something helpful. It gives us all hope. Our Meeting is beginning a canned goods collection to add to a local food pantry.

One of my favorite ways to give canned goods is in groups of cans which put together form a meal: for example: (1) 2 cans of lentils + 1 can of potatoes, 1 can of carrots = easy lentil soup (2)1 can of potatoes + 1 can of corn + 1 can of sweat cream corn=corn chowder (3)1 jar of salsa +1 can each of white beans, red beans and black beans = quick chili! Also, I may add a can opener this year just in case.

By the way, there is an electronics Recycling Center at 5070 Central Highway in Pennsauken, just off the Cooper River. 856-333-0991 Call for directions and hours. It was a bit difficult to find, but we asked a nice woman who allowed us to follow her to the site. It is called Magnum and they are EPA registered. I took some phones, digital cameras, and a tablet and an old laptop.

Wishing you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving! Jo Ann

Senior Citizens United, Audubon, NJ - 08106
(856) 456-1121
Food Pantry Location: 1.52 miles from Haddon Heights

Email Website 
Provides Emergency Food Bags and Meal On Wheels.Hours:Monday - Friday9:00am - 4:00pmFor more information, please call. ... this year just in case.

Civil War History Day Sunday, Oct. 23 2022

From 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Historic West Jersey Train Depot at 354 Oakwood Ave., Glassboro, NJ you can dress up with Aunt Corrine, or hear performances by Beck's Civil War Band, and view Artifacts and miniature battle exhibits. Meet the "Old Baldy" Civil War Roundtable and the 12th NJ Volunteers for this Living History Black Powder Musket Drill. For mor information contact 856-881-9230 ext. 88149 and visit www.glassborohistory.org

You have no idea how I wish I could go. It has all the stuff I love including the historic train depot, fully restored. I hope you can get to go. Mp/> Happy Trails - Jo Ann wrightj45@yahoo.com

Angela and Loretta - October 2022

My parents were among the more than 20 million loyal viewers of “Murder She Wrote,” a tv series starring Angela Lansbury which ran for 12 seasons from 1984 to 1996. They loved that show, though at the time, I hadn’t stopped to consider all that it represented, most particularly a lead who was old, like them, not young and beautiful and sexy. The role was originally created for Jean Stapleton but she had recently lost her husband and was too lost in grief to be able to take on the project. Lansbury won Best Dramatic Actress awards every year that the series ran. Angela Lansbury was 96 when she died, just short of her 97th birthday. She was born and died in October.

I think one of the most interesting things I learned about Angela Lansbury, when I read about her life after her death was announced, was that her children had become involved in drugs during their family life in California, and her daughter was involved in a group of young drug users forming around Charles Manson! When Angela and her husband realized what was happening, they pulled up stakes and moved their family to Ireland, to Angela Lansbury’s birthplace. In that quiet, remote location, Lansbury took a year off from everything except taking care of her family and her children were able to recover from their drug addictions and get their lives back on track. Both are fine, healthy, successful people now. in late middle age, the age Angela Lansbury was when she began her long successful run with “Murder She Wrote.” Another of Angela Lansbury’s achievements was her 53 year marriage to husband Peter Shaw who predeceased her.

Loretta Lynn has also died in October, also in her 90’s. It has been written about her that she achieved a stardom that no female singer before her had. She’d had 16 number one hits, 52 top ten hits, and 76 records on the charts. Something that always stood out to me about Loretta Lynn was her pride in her working class roots. As anyone interested in history can tell you, the most invisible stories are those about the lives of the working poor, and especially women. Loretta Lynn put the spotlight on those experiences and everyone listened. There is a wonderful Ken Burns Documentary on Country Music and a good portrait of Loretta Lynn in it. If you are every looking for some really fun history to watch on tv, watch that documentary. You can find it on www.pbs.org. This year, I donated $60 and received the abs “passport” and I can tell you that it is a bottomless treasure bo of great entertainment for the cold evenings of fall and winter.

As the year folds into itself and we prepare for our own versions of winter hibernation, we say goodbye to yet two more great figures of the entertainment world and the twentieth century.

I just ordered Loretta' Lynn's autobiography "Coal Miner's Daughter" which I will read to honor her memory.

Happy Trails! Jo Ann (as always, if you wish to contact me, use my e-mail not 'comments' which is filled with spam wrightj45@yahoo.com)

Red Bank Battlefield Upcoming Events

SAVE THE DATES!

18th Century Field Day and Candlelight Tours

Mark your calendars for these exciting events at Red Bank Battlefield Park

NEW FOR 2022

18th Century Field Day is a Two-Day Event

Saturday Oct. 22-The Navy in the Revolutionary War

Sunday Oct. 23-Re-Enactment of the Battle of Red Bank

Field Day (October 23) is quickly approaching and we could certainly use some help! We have a great day planned with some new participants including 18th century cider making and laundry in the Revolution! Free Activities and Programs Both Days for Adults & Kids!

More info and schedules to come

Candlelight Tours of the Whitall House

Friday Dec. 2, 6-9 pm

Saturday Dec. 3, 4-9 pm

Sunday Dec. 4, 3-6 pm

View the Whitall House filled with handmade decorations in themed rooms. More info to follow!

Just received this by e-mail fro Whitall House, Red Bank Battlefield, one of my favorite places and a remarkable local historic site. If you are at all available, you wouldn't want to miss these events! Hope you can attend! Jo Ann

wrightj45@yahoo.com