As I write this column, it’s sunny and heading for a balmy high of 75; not at all what you’d expect for even early November here in our fair township. The Old Farmer’s Almanac says we’ll have snow before month’s end, and that we have a chance for a white Christmas!

By the time this goes to press, votes will be counted from this week’s election. I hope citizens continue to attend town meetings and officials get back to the business of effective policy-making. Speaking of effectiveness, congratulations to the Palisades Community Foundation for their very successful silent auction. Their Sept. 19th soirée raised $12,000 to help fund the installation of the all-weather track at the high school! Thanks to these fine people, who give so generously of their time and talents for the betterment of our community.

Interesting things are happening in Revere. New postmaster Carol McCloskey has quietly taken into her own hands our township’s lack of a public library. Over the summer, she instituted a lending program for kids, stocking several shelves with titles to keep our young people away from the TV and video games a while. It was so well received that, after the holidays, she plans to add a section for adult reading.

As for this month, she is taking down the Halloween decorations and setting up a table display for Veterans Day. On Nov. 10th, she’ll be displaying photos of our area’s military veterans from all eras, and Revere’s own Eugene Dovidio will be sharing his account of what happened on December 7, 1941. He was stationed at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked. American Legion Post 399’s Adjutant Ed Litschauer says he will also be participating. Anyone with photos of an area vet should contact Carol to lend them for the display. Also, watch for the Post Office’s mid-November Toy Drive, sponsored by Girl Scout Troop 249. The Scouts will be working on their community service badges by collecting holiday toys for less fortunate children. Please support them.

On Oct. 26th, Karen Baron, owner of the Ferndale Inn, hosted a wonderful opening reception for an exhibition of the oil painting of her father, Wesley Shaw. I had the pleasure of viewing his excellent work. 16 of the 42 paintings hung sold that day, while attendees also enjoyed Karen’s yummy buffet, live entertainment by Eric Mintel, and the offerings of Alba Vineyards from across the river. A very pleasant day, and kudos to the artist.

Congratulations to Mrs. Zimmerman’s third grade class at St. John the Baptist School. They participated last month in World Water Monitoring Day through the state DCNR, performing several tests on the water of Tinicum Creek. Very heartening to see an environmental ethic developing in children so young. Thanks, Mrs. Zimmerman! Anyone interested in other goings-on in our school district can log on to www.palisadessd.org, the new website dispensing up-to-date information on activities around the clock.