Seniors at least 60 years old, who live in Burlington County, and are income eligible, may be able to receive vouchers worth $20 to purchase locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs from the county's farmers market. Proof of residency and age is required. The Burlington County Office on Aging is working with the New Jersey Senior Farmers Market Program to provide these vouchers to eligible local senior citizens. Distribution of the vouchers will begin now and end in September pending availability. The New Jersey Senior Farmers Market Program (SFMNP) provides a nutritional benefit to …

The New Harmonies traveling exhibit will visit the Smithville Mansion Annex Gallery daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., June 13 to July 26. Admission is free. It will be one of only six sites in the state selected to host the exhibit. Sponsored by the New Jersey Council on the Humanities, the New Harmonies exhibit depicts the story of a nation through the music of its people with photographs, recordings, instruments, lyrics and artist profiles. In addition, artwork by Lady Bird Strickland of Willingboro and photographs by Alonzo Jennings of Moorestown will be showcased. While the exhibit remains on…

Play croquet at Smithville Park Freeholders here are sponsoring Wednesday night games of croquet on the Smithville Park lawn this summer, beginning this week.   Friends of the Mansion at Smithville will host organized croquet games in the park for the public every Wednesday evening at 5:30 pm and at 6:30 pm.   Games will be open to players ages 12 and up and the cost will be $5 per person. Participants will receive 15 minutes of instruction and 30 minutes of game time. There will also be an end-of-season tournament with a fee of $25 per person.  A popular lawn game during the Victorian era, …

County sponsors crisis response Resource Fair June 1Freeholders are sponsoring a Resource Fair by the Traumatic Loss Coalition (TLC) for Youth Program in collaboration with the Burlington County School Crisis Response Team on Wednesday, June 1 from 3:30 to 6 p.m. at the Burlington County Special Services School District’s Main Gym, 20 Pioneer Blvd. in Westampton.   Various agencies throughout Burlington County will be available to discuss their services and answer questions. Attendees can learn about the TLC in Burlington County, the School Crisis Response Team and the many various community …

Fly blue ribbons to show police support Blue ribbons are available to members of the public this week as part of a nationwide effort to honor law enforcement officers who have been killed in the line of duty. The initiative, the “Blue Ribbon Campaign,” is held in conjunction with National Police Week, which began Sunday. The Prosecutor’s Office and the Burlington County Police Chiefs’ Association are spearheading the effort in Burlington County. The campaign is funded each year by Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. (C.O.P.S.), which has distributed more than 1 million ribbons nationwide.  …

The county’s farmer’s market is celebrating its fifth season selling Jersey Fresh fruits and vegetables, baked good and unique crafts. Sponsored by county freeholders, it opens Saturday at the Burlington County Community Agricultural Center in Moorestown. It will be open every Saturday rain or shine (except during declared weather emergencies) through October. Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Each week, shoppers can find a wide assortment of fresh produce in season at the time of their visit. Opening Day entertainment will be provided by Jimmy Mannix, a guitarist and vocalist, and …

County to auction four farms Freeholders authorized the auction of four county-owned farms totaling 749 acres in Springfield, Shamong and Hainesport townships. The county acquired these properties outright, and is now selling them as preserved farms with easements that restrict development. “The revenue from the auction sales will be plowed back into the program, and be used to preserve other farms,” said Freeholder Director Frank Garganio. “By transferring this farmland back into private ownership, the county is helping to sustain agriculture, while minimizing the county’s management expense…

County photo contest focuses on the environment Burlington County Health Department is holding its fourth annual Environmental Health Photo Contest with this year’s theme being, “I Spy With My Environmental Eye.”  The photos will be judged by the Burlington County Health Department and Crafts Creek/Spring Hill Brook Watershed Association. All pictures will be showcased at Burlington County’s Earth Fair at Smithville Park on Saturday, June 18. A People’s Choice Award will be voted on and awarded that day. County residents can enter one photo only. Pictures must include a brief description (25 …

Victorian Games at Smithville kick off mansion tour seasonBurlington County Freeholders will kick off the annual tour season of the Historic Smithville Mansion by joining in a carefree afternoon of Victorian Games in the park on Sunday, May 1, from noon to 4 p.m., rain or shine.  Organized by the Burlington County Division of Parks in collaboration with the non-profit Friends of the Mansion, this new event will officially launch the 2011 tour season of the stately manor that is the centerpiece of Historic Smithville Park in Eastampton. Built in 1840, the mansion is the former home of Hezekiah…

Master Gardeners Garden Tour kicks offThe third annual Garden Tour of the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Burlington County kicked off last Saturday and it will run until the end of the summer. About three dozen private and public gardens will be open for free tours on scheduled dates. A tour directory can be purchased for $5 at the Rutgers Cooperation Extension of Burlington County office in Westampton, and at the Burlington County Agriculture Center Farmers’ Market in Moorestown, on Saturdays beginning May 14.   The guide will also be available at various florist and related shops in the coming…

'Be Well—Sleep Well' program offered free to seniorsSenior citizens can get sleep advice through a free program called “Be Well—Sleep Well” to be held Monday, April 11 in Moorestown.        Organized by the Burlington County Office on Aging, the event will also give attendees advice on vitamin and herbal supplement use, blood pressure, blood sugar and other health screenings. The sheriff’s department will also be there to process free photo IDs to those who need them. A Social Security agent will also be there to answer questions. Dominic Petulla with the Virtua Sleep Care Center will talk …

Teen 4-H conference heldSouth Jersey 4-H Teen Conference (SJTC) is an annual event that brings 4-H members in grades 8 and up from 10 South Jersey counties to learn valuable life skills and practice leadership, citizenship and cooperation. Twenty-four of Burlington County’s 4-H teen members participated in the 2011 event held March 11-13 at the Grand Hotel in Cape May. In all, 135 4-Hers from all over Southern New Jersey attended. Teen delegates selected the workshop topics, as well as the conference theme, "Turning the Tide with 4-H." Workshops helped youth gain knowledge, understanding and …

County residents warned of scam The Burlington County Health Department is warning consumers and businesses about a potential scam involving the Burlington County Health Department, the New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS) and several other local health departments throughout the state. Impostors call local restaurants, claiming to be investigating complaints of foodborne illnesses and ask to schedule an inspection. The callers often request personal information, including bank account numbers.             “As soon as a caller starts asking probing questions …

The Clean Communities Office is seeking volunteers for its first park cleanup, March 19 at Pennington Park on Creek Road in Delanco. Volunteers are needed to clear litter and other debris from the shoreline of the 140-acre park that borders the Rancocas Creek. The first cleanup will be held from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers should bring drinking water and wear long pants, sleeves, socks and sturdy close-toed shoes. Bags and gloves will be provided. Volunteers younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Letters documenting community service will be available. Registration is required to …