Still Short on Funds, Swede Run Supporters Plow Ahead

Project organizers still plan on making a pitch to Moorestown council for Open Space funds.

Dave Schill, one of the organizers behind the Swede Run Barn restoration, said he's still in the process of drawing up a funding request to pitch to the township. He said fundraising is still roughly $15,000 short, so advocates of the project are planning to ask township council for funding from the Open Space, Recreation, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund. But Schill said he's not ready to make that pitch until he has an exact dollar figure to present to council.  Meanwhile, one of the key contractors, who was to be responsible for building door jambs for the barn, has backed out—"He's just too busy," Schill explained—but fortunately another contractor has already stepped in. Schill said he'll be building a small loading dock …

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'People's Parade' Returns to Moorestown

After its resurrection last year, Moorestown's Fourth of July Parade will be bigger and better this year.

Thanks to widespread community support, Moorestown revived its July 4th Parade last year after several years with no Independence Day celebration. Now it's about maintaining it. Parade committee chairman Dave Schill—who along with several other dedicated Moorestonians helped resuscitate the parade—said this year's parade will be bigger than last year's, with about 51 different groups participating, including the Moorestown Garden Club, STEM (Save The Environment of Moorestown), the Moorestown Lions Club, Sustainable Moorestown, the Historical Society of Moorestown and Moorestown Library, along with a number of out-of-towners, such as Deborah Heart and Lung Center, Beck's Band (a Civil War-themed band) and the Polish American String Band…

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Under the Radar

Take My Job, Please!

Various Moorestonians reminisce (though not necessarily fondly) about their youthful summer jobs.

When I was in high school, it was pretty easy to find a summer job. There were plenty of grocery store gigs, part-time employment in fast food joints, and a variety of ways to earn $1.75 an hour to sock away for your dream car: a VW Bug or maybe a Camaro. Car ownership was the dream of my generation—freedom on wheels and no air conditioning. Jobs were so plentiful back then that, when I could no longer bear to wear a hairnet and orange polyester smock one summer, I quit my job at Hardees and immediately found work at the Food Fair, bagging groceries in a more tasteful green apron. I probably would have quit that job too, if forced to don one of those paper canoe-shaped hats. A teenage girl can only stand so much wardrobe humiliation! Just …

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UPDATE: Short on Cash, Swede's Run Restoration on Hiatus

Supporters of the project may seek council's help by asking them to release money from the Open Space Trust Fund.

UPDATE: Mayor John Button said he'd have no problem considering a proposal from the Swede's Run Barn supporters to use the Open Space, Recreation, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund for the project.  "It's a very appropriate use of the fund," he said. "I think they should put a presentation together and come to us." When township engineer the Alaimo Group pegged the cost of the restoration at $160,000 last summer, Button and the rest of council decided the project was too expensive for the township to fund, though they did agree to waive permit fees.  Since the amount the township would be asked to put forward at this stage would be much smaller, Button said he'd be much more open to the idea.  "I would definitely consider that…

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Ed Nice

3:11 pm on Friday, June 1, 2012

They could have gone that route but I think that they wanted to try and keep with the same theme as the original. The real slates are much more labor intensive then the fake slates and they are less money for the material. I have done one job with the fake slates and the house looks great. The shingle we picked out had a more uniform color to it though. Hey maybe Tait had the shingles laying …   more ›

Community Effort Revives July 4th Parade

After budget cuts shut down the Fourth of July parade for years, Dave Schill vowed it would not happen again this year.

After several years without a Fourth of July parade, Dave Schill made a command decision. “We’re going to have a parade this year,” Schill had vowed, “even if I have to pay for it myself.” Turns out, that won’t be necessary. With just a week until the parade, Moorestonians and sponsors more than stepped up this year, contributing nearly double the bare minimum needed to bring back Moorestown’s traditional Fourth of July celebration. “At minimum we needed $4,010—that includes $10 for the permit, which the town didn’t waive,” Schill said wryly. “We have over $7,000 in contributions.” The influx of donations means several things. First, the celebration—sponsored by the Moorestown Business Association—can be larger than planned, with a Mummers…

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Letters to the Editor

Letter to the Editor

July 4th Parade seeks your support.

Dear Moorestown citizens, As the chairman of Moorestown’s July 4th parade committee, sponsored by the Moorestown Business Association, I want to update you on the status of the parade. One of the items council cut from the budget was the funding of the parade, so if we are to have one each year, the citizens need to pay for it themselves. As a result, a committee was formed made up of residents from around town who have been working on the issue for many months. One of the major components we’ve taken on is how to pay for the parade. Our solution was the “1776” fundraising campaign which has been is going well, but we’re still short of necessary funds. Our “1776” fundraiser is a simple concept, and if everyone contributes, we will have a …

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Learn History, Architecture of Moorestown Buildings

MIA to host walking tour in town Sunday.

The Moorestown Improvement Association will hold its spring 2011 Historic Guided Walking Tour at 1 p.m. May 1. The tour, which begins in the parking lot behind Wells Fargo Bank, will include East Second Street, Mill Street to Third Street and French’s Avenue. “In the information outlined during the tour we try to strike a balance between architectural information about the buildings themselves, the history of the structure and it's place in town or the neighborhood, previous/present uses of the properties and the people who might have lived or worked there,” said Kim Bunn. Sunday’s tour features examples of one of Moorestown's few remaining attached row homes, and shows how this hardworking neighborhood connected this farming town to both …

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Funds, Volunteers Needed for July 4th Parade

Parade, decorating contest to be held this year.

A citizens’ committee, headed by David Schill, is actively preparing for a Moorestown July 4th Parade. The Moorestown Business Association is the primary sponsor of the parade.The parade will begin at noon on July 4, at the assembly point at Chester and Central avenues, continuing to Main Street, where it will finish at the intersection of Church and Main streets.  The theme of this year’s parade is “1776,” and a fundraising campaign is underway to raise funds for this community event. The parade will be entirely funded by contributions from citizens, organizations, and businesses. Except for the use of public streets, the Township of Moorestown is not providing any financial support to this parade; it will be funded entirely by voluntary …

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Schill: A 'Can-Do' Volunteer

The Service Club Council honors its Citizen of the Year and Good Citizen Scholarship winners at a banquet.

Can-do. It's how Dave Schill signs his e-mails. And it’s how he has lived his life. The Moorestown Service Club Council honored Schill as its 2011 Citizen of the Year at a banquet attended by more than 150 people Wednesday night. “I’m honored to be here,” said Congressman Jon Runyan (R-3), who presented Schill with a proclamation. “His commitment to his community, his commitment to his church and his commitment to his country—I appreciate everything he’s done. I want to thank him for his service to his country and to his fellow man.” Brandon Pugh, who won the Good Citizen Scholarship Award, was also honored. Schill, a Navy veteran, has been an active member in the Moorestown community for more than 20 years. He has served on the Moorestown…

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Tickets Available for COY Dinner

Dave Schill and Brandon Pugh to be honored by Moorestown Service Club.

Tickets are still available for the Citizen of the Year dinner Feb. 2. David W. Schill will be honored as the Moorestown Service Club’s 2011 Moorestown Citizen of the Year. The award is given to those whose volunteer service brings the community and its citizens closer together, according to the Service Club. Dave Schill is a member of the Moorestown Improvement Association and the Moorestown Business Association. He spearheaded the Windows on Main fundraiser to benefit the Community House. He was a member of the Moorestown Appearance and Historic Preservation committees. Schill was the driving force behind the Welcome to Moorestown signs posted at the entrances to town. Schill also volunteers beyond the Moorestown community, participating…

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