Pitman Manor is hosting its 10th Annual Classic Car Show & Picnic on June 15

Posted by Jeff Mazzola on May 21, 2013 in Community, Recent News | 0 comments

“Honk if you love cars.” The community is invited to attend Pitman Manor’s 10th Annual Classic Car Show and Picnic on Saturday, June 15 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.  The “stars” of this much anticipated community relations event will be the approximately 100 vintage automobiles from throughout the region that will be on display.

During the free event, visitors young and old will be able to enjoy the cars, musical entertainment, resident judging as well as an award ceremony at approximately 2:15 P.M. Clayton Volunteer Fire Company hoagies, chips, pretzels and beverages will be available for purchase to visitors and car owners.  In addition, there will a bake sale table with the proceeds benefitting the United Methodist Homes Fellowship Fund.  The car show will take place in the back parking lot of Pitman Manor which is located at 535 North Oak Avenue in downtown Pitman. The show will go on rain or shine.

“Our goal once again in hosting the car show is to give our residents and their families an opportunity to spend time together. The car owners enjoy showing off their vehicles and nothing brings people together quicker than swapping car stories and memories. It is a wonderful to spend time with Dad or Granddad,” said Pitman Manor’s Director of Marketing, Pam Mezis.  .

If you would like to register a classic car for the event please visit www.PitmanManor.org to download a registration form. Pitman Manor is located at 535 North Oak Avenue in Pitman, New Jersey.

Make Sure You Dispose of Unused Prescription Drugs Properly

Posted by Jeff Mazzola on May 16, 2013 in Leisure, Recent News | 0 comments

(StatePoint) What do you do with your unused prescription pills and over-the-counter medications? Do you throw them away? Flush them down the toilet? Simply leave them in your cabinet for a rainy day?

Doing any of the above can provoke tragic consequences including enabling the drugs to get into the wrong hands or find their way into drinking water and irrigation supplies. That’s why it’s crucial to safely dispose of unused prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, veterinary medications and nutritional supplements.

According to the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, one-quarter of first-time illegal drug users 12 years and older began by using prescription drugs non-medically.

Prescription drugs are abused far more frequently than illicit drugs for one simple reason: they can be found in almost every home, free for the taking. What’s more, drug overdose deaths, mostly related to addictive painkillers, rose for the 11th straight year in 2010, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

And while it sounds quick and easy to flush pills down the toilet or throw them in the wastebasket, this method can be harmful to the environment and to people’s health. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, nearly 80 percent of recently tested rivers contained traces of pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics, steroids, hormones and contraceptives.

So how can the average person go from being part of the problem to being part of the solution?

Begin by examining every prescription you bring into your home. Ask your doctor to ensure he or she is prescribing in the amount you will use.

Consider locking your medicine cabinet or moving prescriptions to a secure location, safe from the unwelcome explorations of children or intruders.

Remove any leftover drugs from your home promptly and dispose of them in a way that has as little environmental impact as possible.

“Drug take-back programs are a great way to get rid of unused medications,” says John Waffenschmidt, Vice President of Community Affairs and Environmental Science at Covanta Energy, the largest owner and operator of “Energy-from-Waste” facilities in North America. Covanta works with organizations to provide safe disposal of medications collected by drug take-back programs. The company does so free of charge, safely disposing of drugs at its facilities.

Since its inception in 2010, Covanta’s Rx4Safety program is responsible for having destroyed more than 600,000 pounds of unwanted medications nationwide. Partnerships like these have resulted in the proliferation of successful drug take-back programs that allow prescription drugs to be dropped off at secure locations, such as police stations or at special events held throughout the year, for transport to facilities where they can be destroyed safely.

More information about responsible medication disposal can be found at www.CovantaEnergy.com/rx4safety.

Take a positive step forward in ensuring your community is safer and cleaner.

Purple bows on Broadway reminder of Relay for Life Friday night

Posted by The Pitman Today on May 16, 2013 in Community, Recent News | 0 comments

By Carolyn Schell Feldhaus - For anyone who is wondering about the purple bows on Broadway-It’s all part Of Paint The Town Purple to promote the American Cancer Society Relay For LIfe taking place at Chestnut Branch Park in Mantua from 6pm May 17 to 5am May 18.

Relay For Life is the premiere fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Raising much needed funds for treatment, advocacy, research and much much more. Relay Teams set up tents around a track and take turns walking (or running,or skipping or sometimes even dancing) around the track all night. There are contests, crazy lap themes and all sorts of great fundraisers, from feather hair extensions to bake sales. It’s a fun way to raise funds for a very serious issue. Come and join us in the Fight Against Cancer!

How to Save Money on Lawn Care

Posted by The Pitman Today on May 14, 2013 in Leisure | 1 comment

(StatePoint) There’s no doubt that Americans spend a fortune on lawn care annually. But you can trim your costs without sacrificing your beautiful yard.

And if you need more motivation than saving money, remember that many of the lawn care practices that are good for your pocketbook are great for the planet.

Why Green Matters

Sure, green lawns are a pleasure to look at…but there’s much more to it than that! Consider this:

• Environmental Benefits: Trees, shrubs and grass remove smoke, dust and other pollutants from the air.

• Lifestyle Benefits: Well-placed plantings offer privacy and tranquility by screening out busy street noises.  Do you have children or pets? Turf is necessary for play space.

• Economic Benefits: A green lawn can improve property value.

Efficient Irrigation

When you’re standing out there with a hose, it can be hard to gauge when to stop. Without efficient water distribution, you’re liable to waste water and harm your lawn and plants. However, an irrigation system can help remove that guesswork.

And opt for a licensed contractor with an established reputation for your installation. They can help avoid common do-it-yourself pitfalls, such as uneven sprinkler coverage and poor water pressure.

Smart Technology

Consider investing in a smart system that uses sensors to measure moisture levels in soil. Professionally installed, properly maintained sensors can potentially save a household more than 11,000 gallons of irrigation water annually, according to Environmental Protection Agency estimates.

A good soil sensor will also have extra capabilities, such as the ability to detect soil type and adjust calculations accordingly. For example the Toro Precision Soil Sensor, which is installed without digging, is the only such sensor to offer freeze detection that prevents irrigation when temperatures approach freezing.

Don’t let the initial installation costs of an irrigation system dissuade you. Not only will you recoup the cost over time, but many municipalities and water districts nationwide offer homeowner rebates for installing water conserving irrigation products. Check with your local water district or municipality for rebates in your area.

Optimize

Don’t be afraid to upgrade your motorized lawn care equipment or parts when necessary. From lawn mowers and electric hedge trimmers to the controller, valves and sprinklers of your irrigation system, efficient alternatives may entail upfront costs, but will optimize savings over time.

For example, leaking valves are a major source of water loss, so check them annually for issues. Also, a simple immediate upgrade you may want to consider is replacing your spray nozzles with more efficient ones designed to eliminate runoff and reduce water bills. To calculate how much money you can save with a model like the Toro Precision Series Spray Nozzle, visit www.toro.com/irrigation/psn_calculator.htm.

With a few eco-friendly tweaks to the way you care for your lawn, you can save some green from your wallet and some time.

Friends of Alcyon Lake meeting May 20th

Posted by Jeff Mazzola on May 13, 2013 in Community | 0 comments

Friends of Alcyon Lake will meet at 7:00 p.m. at the McCowan Memorial Library, 15 Pitman Ave. Pitman to discuss any relevant issues regarding Alcyon Lake and the Athletic Park, Betty Park, Lipari Landfill, water quality, recreational and wildlife issues and more. All are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Matthew Hayden bizmarketingedge@gmail.com and 201-362-2988.

Library News for next week

Posted by Jeff Mazzola on May 13, 2013 in Community, Recent News | 0 comments