Hello 08071! After a sweltering summer, I’m ready for the feel of crisp air, flannels, the beauty of leaves changing color, and of course apple and pumpkin picking. And I am excited for you to check out our Fall edition magazine dedicated to the lifestyle and community of Pitman.
We start our issue the McCowan Memorial Library. Since 1919, the library in Pitman has been a community gathering center for the small town’s residents and visitors. After two previous locations over the years, the current-day library building was erected in 1961 via donor, Joseph McCowan and his family. The library’s leadership has vowed – since its conception – to make it a place to serve the public. The connection that the library has with its local community is the reason why any event at Pitman’s McCowan Memorial library is well attended. On any given day, the library crowd could range from children with parents and grandparents, to teenagers and adults as well—all stopping in at various times to fulfill various needs. As Carmen Cattafi, office manager at the library, said the library “has morphed into a social hub.” Learn all about the library on page 6.
Next we visit Merryman’s Pub – Pitman’s first pub – located in the heart of the borough’s downtown. It has a rich history dating back to the town’s First National Bank, which was built in 1911. It was in 2020 Bill Merryman and his partner Vito Mannino had a vision and believed that the bank building, which had been closed for more than 20 years at the time, could undergo extensive renovation and permitting and become a thriving business. The popular watering hole and restaurant has helped to revitalize downtown Pitman with its creative American-European cuisine and has been hosting a wide variety of special events from the beginning. “We are a lot like Cheers, the popular TV show about an inviting bar where everybody knows your name and they’re always glad you came,” Merryman said. “Our staff and our guests are all like family. Check it all out starting on page 11.
We round out our Fall edition with Pitman’s Environmental Commission. We asked: What does Environmental Commissions represent? And Pitman Environmental Commissioner Francesa Mundrick, who serves as community outreach for the commission, shared the mission of the Pitman Environmental Commission (PEC) is to act as a body of advocacy for public health, natural resource management, and environmental protections within a local municipality. Pitman’s PEC has been busy. In 2002, the commission was awarded a $1,500 ANJEC (Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions) grant titled Empowering Community Stewardship through Local Habitat Restoration. This year they received another ANJEC grant, which will go towards Hitting4Habitat Baseball/Softball Tournament. This will pilot in April 2025. Also, the Environmental Commission worked on advocating for a recent borough ordinance on amending storm water management code to regulate the removal and replacement of trees. Learn all about Pitman’s Environmental Commission on page 14.
Also check out our Planning in Pitman on page 18 for future community events. All of this and more awaits on the pages ahead!
Enjoy!
