Dear Community Friends,
On Tuesday, April 9 and Wednesday, April 10 the Mantua Township Historical Commission (MTHC) hosted their annual J. Mason Tomlin Elementary School 5th Grade Museum and Union Graveyard Tours. Seven 5th grade classes of about 141 students and their teachers from JMT participated in the tours over the two day period.
The visit provides our local students with an opportunity to learn about Mantua’s history, and each then writes an essay about a topic from their visit. The MTHC is currently awaiting the top three essays from each class so that they can pick the best three and award prizes to the winning students.
Our MTHC is led by Chairman Jeffrey Gellenthin (who’s currently serving in his 9th year as chairman) and Vice Chairman Herb Hood, who do a phenomenal job preserving our past and educating others about the deep history of our beloved community. Educating our youngsters with these tours is just a small sampling of the many tasks and accomplishments the MTHC volunteers fulfill regularly. We can’t thank the MTHC enough for their valiant efforts!
The J. Mason Tomlin LEAP/G and T students are promoting a Chick-fil-A fundraiser supporting the MTHC on Thursday, May 23 from 3 to 8 p.m. at the drive thru. Please stop out to Chick-fil-A on May 23 on Woodbury-Glassboro Road to support this group of selfless volunteers.
On Thursday, April 25, I had the opportunity to meet with Progressive Pictures, a motion picture production services company. They are scouting areas in our community to potentially be used for the filming of scenes of a mini series to be shot right here in Mantua Township. Stay tuned for further updates that could potentially put Mantua Township on the map as early as this summer.
On Saturday morning, April 27, Committeeman John Legge and I welcomed the new Blended Joe coffee bar to our community by participating in their official ribbon cutting ceremony. We were also honored to present the new business with a Township Proclamation.
Blended Joe is proud to announce the opening of their first coffee bar and retail location within Pizza Tower, located in the Sewell section of Mantua. Blended Joe is a small-batch specialty coffee roaster and retailer that specializes in bringing new and creative twists to the world of coffee, offering a wide variety of options including flavored coffees, unique house blends, custom variety packs and much more.
We’re pleased to welcome Blended Joe as the newest small business in our community and we extend our best wishes for their success and long-lasting presence. Blended Joe is located inside Pizza Tower at 745 Woodbury-Glassboro Rd. in the Sewell section of town. We encourage you to check things out – the coffee is delicious!
On Saturday evening, April 27 the Lawson-Cox VFW Post 7679 held its annual Community Awards Program. Deputy Mayor Pete Scirrotto, Committeeman John Legge and I were on-hand to support and congratulate this year’s recipients.
We’d like to congratulate all those recognized, and especially those who are serving the Mantua Township Community such as Fire Fighter of the Year, Nate Conley; Police Officer of the Year, Sergeant Brian Crispin; G.C. EMT of the Year, Charles “Chuck” Jones; Teacher of the Year, Jackie Warker and Police Explorer of the Year, Rorey Newcomb Dross.
On Saturday night, April 27, I had the distinct honor of supporting a great friend, and long time Mantua resident Joyce Rodak in her quest to raise funds for JR’s Angels. Joyce hosts this annual fundraising event at Bowlero Bowling Alley in Washington Township in honor of her late husband, John Rodak who was suddenly taken in the horrific tragedy that occurred at the World Trade Center Towers on 9/11. To learn more and to donate go to www.jrsangels.org.
Upcoming Township Meetings and Events:
- Bulk Trash pick-up is Monday, May 6 through Friday, May 10 on your normal trash day.
- The Board of Health meeting is Tuesday, May 7 at 7 p.m.
- Friday, May 10 is the last day to pay 2nd quarter taxes without a late fee.
- MTPD Car Safety Checkpoint is Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Sewell Fire Station.
On behalf of Deputy Mayor Pete Scirrotto, myself and the entire Township Committee – we look forward to continuing our service with honesty, integrity and trustful leadership!
Respectfully,
Mayor Robert T. Zimmerman, MAS
