Pennsville, NJ

But This Year I Really Mean It!

I have just celebrated my 48th New Year's Eve. It can be such a cliche to wish everyone a 'Happy New Year', but somehow it feels different this year.

Perhaps I feel this way due to the difficulties that some of my clients are dealing with, perhaps it is because there have been so many people around me who are suffering from cancer, perhaps it's due to the fact that some of my classmates have recently lost their parents.

Or it could be because I've recently reconnected with so many of my old friends on facebook. I'm truly grateful for the added layer of richness to my life this one thing has added.

It probably is due to the opportunity for a fresh start, a new beginning.

I am just not sure.

I just know that life is to be lived.....and appreciated.

From the bottom of my heart, I wish you all your BEST YEAR EVER!

Have a very Happy New Year!

We recently purchased a pre-owned car, a Mazda 5 "mini-wagon," from my local Ford dealer in Pennsville NJ. The salesperson and the owner of the Ford dealership live in Delaware. We researched various vehicles on web sites supported by advertising of foreign and domestic car manufacturers. Living nearby, I was able to walk to the Ford dealer a few times throughout the negotiation and purchase. We looked at a new Ford Focus there--made in Mexico. My neighbor works at DuPont's research lab in Delaware, where they make the paint coatings for Mazda--and most other cars too. The nearest Mazda dealership where I'll have the car serviced is eight miles away in Delaware. The more modern car wash facilities in Pennsville are owned by folks who live outside Salem county.

If I were lucky enough to test drive a fuel cell concept car, I would use a hydrogen fueling station across the river, as there are no fueling stations in New Jersey.

Fisker Automotive and Quantum Technologies, both of California, formed a joint venture to manufacture plug-in electric vehicles at the former General Motors plant in Newark Delaware--available by 2014.

I hope they buy their paint coatings from DuPont.

The First Annual PBA Business Expo: SUCCESS!

Yesterday in the Pennsville Memorial High School Gymnasium, from 10am to 2pm, nearly 50 local business people joined together to host an entertaining and FUN Expo.

The Pennsville Business Association (PBA) Expo Committee would like to thank all of the businesses and hard-working volunteers involved in the tremendous success of the Expo held on November 14. Hundreds of residents attended the community event which featured a wide variety of products and gift items for sale, promotional information, creative displays, special discount offers, door prizes, delicious food, music, and live karate and dance performances. Special thanks to Pennsville Memorial High School for the use of the gymnasium and to Jamy and Mike for their assistance.

The Expo provided a forum for residents to learn about, and in many cases sample, local products and services. It was also an opportunity to "put a face to the name" of local businesses, particularly home-based businesses that don't have the benefit of a brick and mortar storefront. Supporting local businesses is especially critical in the current economy and the Expo demonstrated the desire of local residents to do just that.

There were most interesting give-a-ways: a one minute shopping spree at the dollar store (Coldwell Banker Pino Agency, www.pinorealty.com), a complete turkey dinner - yes, it even included the turkey! (ERA Preferred, www.era.com), a one-hour massage (Juice Plus, www.chookssharesjuiceplus.com) a $50 gift certificate for framing (PictureThat! Frame Shop) 10% off construction projects (McVeigh General Contracting, www.McVeighGC.com), a HUGE crockpot (Davis Day Trips, www.davisdaytrips.com), fresh popcorn (Pennsville National Bank, www.pennsvillenb.com) and more!

The PBA looks forward to hosting the Expo again next year and to offering even more events to benefit local businesses and residents throughout the year.

Pennsville Business Association Expo Committee -

Debbie Davis - Davis Day Trips

Chris Hooks - Coldwell Banker Pino Agency

Angela Lombardo-Sacchet - Salone di Bellezza

Rachael Massing - Franklin Bank (Expo Chairperson)

Today started very early since it was the BIG DAY for the 1st Annual Business Expo in Pennsville Township. The committee was to be at the PMHS Gymnasium between 7:30 and 8:00 am. The committee Chairperson, Rachael Massing, of Franklin Savings Bank had worked diligently to make sure all bases were covered............everything was in place........everyone knew their role.

The alarm went off at 5:45am. I'm not proud to say that it prompted me to say 'bad words'. ( not a morning person!) But I did it, I got up and got ready even though the dark side was tempting me to stay in bed a little longer.

Rachael posted a comment on Facebook at 6:17am. Then my phone rang at 6:45am. Our Chairperson had been involved in a car accident on her way to the Expo. That quickly her day changed dramatically. The roads were slippery and her car had spun out of control. Before I go much further, I need to tell you that she is fine and she's going to be fine, but her neck is sprained, she has a severe headache and her car is totaled.

There were 2 things that Rachael needed me to do. Only 2 things. She had 46 vendors, a disc jockey, 2 entertainment troops and more to oversee and only 2 things that needed to be done.

The event went off without a hitch and while we missed our leader, it was a testament to her leadership abilities that the Expo ran so smoothly in her absence.

I decided that today was the perfect example of what happens when a leader does an EXCELLENT job, not a good job, an EXCELLENT job. She didn't even have to be there. The event was a great success.

Rachael, I'm so sorry that you had such a challenging day. I'm so proud of the job you did for all of us. Thank you so very much! Well Done!