Historic Medford Village Association is seeking Food Vendors, Entertainers and Volunteers for our “Spectacular” Dickens Festival. 

We are now accepting applications for food vendors, musicians, entertainers, Carolers, strolling Dickens characters for our annual “Spectacular” Dickens Festival.

The festival is scheduled for Saturday December 6, 2008 from 6:00pm to 9:30 pm. (Rain Date: Sunday December 7, 2008 from 3:00-6:30) Festivities will take place along Historic Main Street.

The Historic Medford Village Association has made some recent changes in leadership. They are very pleased to announce they have made a few exciting changes to the Festival. “A Must See” They are anticipating this event to be one of our best. You don’t want to miss it!

For more information about this “Spectacular” Dickens Festival or to obtain an application please contact Betsy Hudson or Julie Scott at 609-714-8811 or via email info@medfordvillage.com

*This press release was created by the Historic Medford Village Association.  MedfordNJ.com is not associated with with the Historic Medford Village Association, and offers this information as a service to our readers.

Foodies and families will be in their glory when 18 Medford area restaurants dish out their menu favorites at Taste of Medford on September 20, from noon to 3:00 pm at Freedom Park, Jones Road and Old Marlton Pike, Medford, New Jersey.

The all-you-can-eat event provides fun for the whole family with music, games, rides and kids’ treats. Three live bands will keep feet tapping and more than 40 local businesses will display their wares.

Participating restaurants include ShopRite of Medford, Izzie’s Eatery, Lamberti’s Cucina, LB Daniel’s, Let’s Dish, Medford Leas, Mexicana Rose, Mulberry Tea House, Piezano’s, PJ Whelihan’s, Roselli’s, Saladworks and Zinc Café. Cookiepalooza, Reily’s Candy and Kettle of Nuts will serve up treats, Starbuck’s will provide coffee and Canal’s Wines Unlimited will pour non-alcoholic beverages. Local businesses will showcase their wares and offer fun give-aways for the whole family.

The event, presented by Zallie’s ShopRite of Medford, features horse-drawn wagon rides, pony rides and hayrides from Johnson’s Corner Farm. Face-painting, coloring contests and dog agility demonstrations will please the younger set. Jennifer Mylod & the Boys of County O’cean, the Merchant Street Dixieland Band and saxophone virtuoso Jim Riddle will keep people stepping to Irish, traditional New Orleans and mellow jazz tunes throughout the afternoon. Coles Roberts will entertain all ages with his famous Jersey Jerry antique apple peeling demonstration.

Taste of Medford is a project of the Medford Business Association. Sponsors, in addition to Shop Rite of Medford, include Sterling Bank, Jantek Industries, LLC, Beneficial Bank, Dynamic Flooring, Medford Ford, Lakes Appliance & TV, Keller Williams Realtors and Medford Mini-Storage.

Keepsake wristbands that serve as admission tickets can be purchased in advance at the Medford Recreation Department in Cranberry Hall (behind the Township office building at 17 North Main Street).

The cost is $12.00 for adults and $5 for children 3-12. Toddlers and infants are free. At the door the cost will be $15 for adults and $5 for children. Freedom Park is located at Jones Road and Old Marlton Pike, one block off Route 70 in Medford.

For more information call 609-654-5382.

As the nation pauses to reflect on the destruction, the courage, the countless heroes and the unforgettable impressions of the day seven years ago that forever changed our country, the Medford Township Council has planned an observance at Medford’s Freedom Park beginning at 7:00 pm on Thursday, September 11, 2008. 

Freedom Park is located at 86 Union Street, one block south of Route 70.  (In the event of inclement weather, the observance will be held in the Courtroom in the Public Safety Building, located across the street from Freedom Park at 91 Union Street)    

As a part of Medford’s remembrance, reflection and response to the life-altering events of September 11th, the Medford Cultural Arts Commission (MCAC) erected a permanent September 11th Memorial tribute in Freedom Park in 2002. 

The memorial is comprised of a bronze sundial,permanently mounted on a natural boulder bearing a plaque inscribed with the words "September 11, 2001 REMEMBER, REFLECT, RESPOND" which was the theme of the remembrance program held in Freedom Park on the first anniversary of this national tragedy when this memorial was dedicated.

In recognition of the seventh anniversary of 9/11, this year’s observance will feature remarks by members of the local clergy and public safety officials, a wreath laying ceremony.

Directions to Freedom Park can be found here.

More information may also be obtained by contacting the Medford Recreation Department at 609-654-2512.

CONTACT:   Beth Portocalis

(609) 654-2512

An interesting array of trips is being offered July through September by the Medford Senior Center, which is housed in historic Cranberry Hall. All of the trips will depart by school bus at 9:30 am from Bob Bende Park, located on the north side of Route 541, and will return at approximately 3:30 pm.

On July 9th trip participants will begin the day with an all inclusive breakfast at the famous Mastoris in Bordentown. They will next travel to Princeton to visit Drumthwacket, the official home of the governor of New Jersey. A guided tour will include six of the historic mansion’s public rooms which showcase New Jersey’s cultural heritage including its art, history, architecture and antiques. Guests are welcome to stroll through the gardens following the tour. The fee for transportation and the tour is $15 with $12.50 being collected the morning of the trip for the breakfast.

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Medford Joins Appeal of State COAH Regulations Today, Medford Township joined the New Jersey State League of Municipalities and dozens of individual communities in appealing the regulations adopted by the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) on June 2, 2008. The new regulations impose an arbitrary and unrealistic burden on municipalities throughout the state, and in particular communities like Medford. These new regulations impose a so-called “growth share” affordable housing obligation on Medford of 328 affordable housing units.

This unreasonable and unjustifiable burden has been placed on Medford despite the Township’s long history of good faith compliance with its COAH requirements, having fully satisfied its First and Second Round affordable housing obligations. Further, Medford has created affordable housing opportunities within the Township, as evidenced by Council’s recent support for the MEND affordable senior project, the Medford Leas Creekside project, and its commitment to renovation of the historic Singer House for use as supportive housing.

COAH’s arbitrary and poorly-considered determination that Medford has a prospective affordable housing obligation of 328 units ignores issues such as lack of sewer capacity, which has been recognized by the New Jersey Supreme Court, the restraints on development imposed by other state agencies, such as the Office of Smart Growth, DEP and the Pinelands Commission, and encourages the wasteful extension of infrastructure improvements.

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