Opening Notes

This warbler's weekly musings and feathered observations

Tweet tweet, neighbors!

This warbler spent Saturday morning fluttering around the Woodbury Farmer's Market and Sunday morning at Acoustic Sundays - these are the kinds of mornings that remind me why I chose to build my nest in this particular corner of the world.

The farmer's market is one of the many amazing community roosts sponsored by Main Street Woodbury (and speaking of which, they're currently hunting for a new Executive Director - details are nestled below if you're interested in spreading your leadership wings!). I made quite the rounds sampling treasures from our local flock: a little nip of rum from Red Lion distillery (purely for research purposes), some absolutely divine chorizo breakfast tacos from Jam's Eats, and Rhonda from Main Street Woodbury was generous enough to share her strawberry lemonade from AgriDulce with this grateful warbler.

I managed to snag the very last bar of Eight & Sand soap from Hall & Heights - talk about perfect timing! And the tomatoes I picked up from Moore's Farm? They made for the most perfect Monday morning breakfast, drizzled with olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and garlic.

But here's what really ruffled my feathers in the best possible way: Barbara, our eagle-eyed volunteer who was diligently click-counting the crowd, started telling us about her recent adventures picking up trash around Woodbury Mews. "Why don't people do anything anymore?" she wondered aloud, and I could practically see her tail feathers bristling with determination.

Barbara is the kind of woman who doesn't just notice when something in the nest needs tending - she rolls up her sleeves and gets to work. And here's the beautiful part: when other birds see her taking action, they start rolling up their sleeves too. It's like watching a murmuration in action, where one bird's movement inspires the whole flock to follow.

The older this warbler gets, the more I understand that community isn't some trickle-down enterprise that happens TO us. It's lovely that our non-profit organizations create opportunities for us to leave our individual perches and enjoy our neighbors for a few hours! And also... it's a lot of work! Real, roll-up-your-sleeves, show-up-even-when-you're-tired kind of work.

A woman approached the Main Street Woodbury tent that morning asking how she could get involved. She was busy (aren't we all?), couldn't commit endless hours, but still wanted to help build the nest. And you know what? By just showing up that morning, she was already involved! Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is simply flutter down from your branch and be present.

We all have a role to play in making our community a place where we want to build our nests - organizer, volunteer, cheerleader, board member, social media poster, newsletter writer (ahem!), sign planter, cleaner upper, attendee, business patron. When you get out there and do something - anything - your involvement inspires other birds to spread their wings too.

A community that's invested in itself doesn't just survive, it flourishes! That energy attracts good people and new businesses into our flock like Mi Cafecito Spot, which just hatched, and LesbiVeggies and Evergreen Patisserie, which will be taking flight very soon! It also means we get to do even more fun things, like the new Acoustic Sundays at Gather (save the date for the next one on July 27) sponsored by Best Buds and On the Record.

Here's the thing, fellow nestlings: government and nonprofits can set the stage and build the framework, but they can't do the actual community-building work for us. That happens when we show up, when we choose to see each other, when we decide that this place is worth our time and energy.

I love living in a town where I can look around and see neighbors helping neighbors, folks championing our local businesses with the enthusiasm of a robin defending its territory, and more fun things to do within 10 square miles (or 5 blocks, many days!) than this warbler has time to experience.

Lucky us to have found such a vibrant flock to call home!

On that note, let's get into it!

This Week's Migration Pattern

Where the local flock is gathering

Wednesday, July 16

Join That Kid the Hot Dog King for free hot dogs sponsored by The Woodbury Warbler (!!!)!

Thursday, July 17

BINGO!

Disability Job Fair and Resource Event

Ukelele Club at Wenonah Lake

Beetlejuice Jr./Disney Frozen Kids

Friday, July 18

BINGO!

Woodbury Fresh for All

Friday Night Music at Wenonah Lake

Saturday, July 19

National Park Back Porch Farm Stand

Victory Group Food Pantry

Black Artisan Farmer’s Market

Ukelele Club at Wenonah Lake

Sunday, July 20

BINGO

Opening Reception at Deptford Galleria

Climb a Lighthouse

Monday, July 21

Casino Bus Trip

Tuesday, July 22

Busy birds need a rest some days!

Wednesday, July 23

Food Pantry

Flock Stewardship

Keeping our nest tidy and our community thriving

Woodbury Heights Borough Mayor and Council Meeting

Main Street Woodbury is hunting for a new Executive Director - the nonprofit that's been the wind beneath our downtown's wings, supporting small businesses and strengthening community connections through the National Main Street Four-Point Approach®. Check out the full job posting [here] and flutter over to MainStreetWoodburyNJ@gmail.com with questions. What an amazing opportunity for someone to spread their wings and make a real difference in our community nest!

Woodbury announced that 3rd quarter tax bills will be delayed while they wait for the final tax rate from the State and County, with news expected within two weeks. This timing will determine whether the payment period stays the same or gets extended to give us all more breathing room. The good news? Utility bill due dates haven't changed, so this warbler can still keep her nest finances organized!

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Big thank you to Enright’s Tree Service for trimming up the trees around the mural in Woodbury in preparation for spiffying it up!

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Crowing about our kids!

Supporting and celebrating our community's future leaders

Mommy’s Time Out Preschool at Kemble United Methodist Church has some openings for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years. More information on their website or get in touch with Normajean at kemblepto@gmail.com

Dottie is looking for Waldorf teachers/homeschoolers who are interested in teaching art, gardening, and singing for their nonprofit summer camp in Westville. Have some skills to share? Get in touch with Dottie at elderberrieshollywood@gmail.com​

Good Eggs and New Neighbors

Highlighting the wonderful humans who make our community soar

Welcome to the flock Mi Cafecito Spot! Coffee AND books!?! YESSSS! Check out their Espresso Dulce De Leche Banana Latte! Visit them 7 days a week from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. at 839 N. Broad Street, Woodbury to enjoy specialty coffee, tea, smoothies, and fresh baked goods.

Tyler-James McIntyre shared this lovely sidewalk poem in the Woodbury Talk FB group recently:

Do you know where it is?

Got some good news? New in town? Just want to say hi to all your neighbors? Send a carrier pigeon to editor@woodburywarbler.com.

Our Animal Friends

Because every creature deserves a loving nest

Regan’s got the best smile! If you need a hiking/kayaking buddy, Plott Hounds are where it’s at. You can tell from the photos this pupperoni has an adventurous spirit!

Poncho is just about the coolest Tuxedo cat I’ve ever seen! Look at this face! He’s a people cat and if he’s like most Tuxedos, will sleep on your head.

I wonder why they call this hamster Houdini?

These sweethearts are waiting for their forever families at the Gloucester County Animal Shelter - don’t let them fly away to someone else!

Got a furry, scaly, floofy, or feathery friend you’d like to show off? Send us your photos! We love celebrating all of our community critters!

Bulletin Bird

Community announcements that'll make you chirp

🍺Beer Olympics - July 26 Woodbury Heart & Soul and Eight & Sand Brewery are hosting Beer Olympics on July 26 from 1-4 p.m. to benefit the Woodbury Community Endowment Fund! Beer pong entry is $10, corn hole (team of two) is $25, and you can purchase tickets on Venmo @FAFCOALITION.

👧Girl Scout Troops Taking Flight in Woodbury HeightsJessica Marchese is gathering her flock to form new Girl Scout/Daisy troops in Woodbury Heights! She's collecting email addresses now and will send out registration links soon - find her on FB or check her post in Woodbury Heights Town Talk.

🎢Morey's Piers Day - August 17 Help support the Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey with a day at Morey's Piers on August 17, sponsored by AtlantiCare. $80/person or $300/family of 4 includes admission to several parks and a barbecue lunch - purchase tickets [here].

🚗Woodbury Car Show - August 30 Rev your engines for the Woodbury Car Show on August 30 - professionally judged with over 100 trophies! Enter your car for $20 before 8/27 or $25 day of registration at woodburycarshow.org, and email info@woodburycarshow.org with questions.

📚School Supply Drive for Foster Children The Gloucester County Vixens are already working on their 8th Annual School Supply Drive to make sure foster children return to school with everything they need. This cause makes this warbler's heart sing - when I worked for DCF, I got to see our kids' huge smiles when they received care packages from the community, and I hope you'll consider donating to this deeply impactful cause!

🔥 Woodbury Heights Fire Department 2nd Annual Truck Raffle has been extended! - This prize will make you fly off your perch! Your $25 raffle ticket enters you into a drawing to win a 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 (!!!) with second and third prizes of $3,000 and $2,000. The drawing will now take place on September 16. You can drop off cash at the Woodbury Heights Fire House, 534 Elm Avenue or send them a Venmo here (put truck raffle and your phone number in the comments):

Zillow Snoop and Swoop

Dream nests near and far

Snoop:

​This house is a vibe that made my little warbler heart skip a beat! Modern construction doesn't usually ruffle my feathers (I'm a sucker for Victorian charm), but stepping into this foyer felt like finding the perfect branch to perch on. The high ceilings, spacious kitchen, and abundant light made me feel like I could really spread my wings here - and that was before I spotted the giant soaking tub beneath a skylight that had me chirping "Calgon, take me away!" I can imagine the neighborhood fledglings shooting hoops in the driveway as the street lights buzz on cool summer evenings, then sprawling under the gazebo with Cheetos and lemonade after swimming, fueling up to chase lightning bugs before lining up in the kitchen for giant bowls of ice cream.

Swoop:

Oh. My. Word. The bathroom in this house literally made this warbler gasp out loud - it's the most stunning nest I've ever seen! If I lived here, I'd never leave this bathroom sanctuary - I'd take all my Teams calls perched on the ledge of the tub to show off the gorgeous tile backdrop, then curl up in the corner to draw and paint until my eyes couldn't stay open. At night, I'd pull my pillow and blankets into the tub and roost there because it's just that perfect! This house was built by the owner (I'm guessing they were an artist), and there are so many gorgeous details I'd be warbling for days trying to describe them all - plus, the street has the coolest name: Ojo De La Vaca (Eye of the Cow).

One last warble...

Final chirps before I fly away until next week

I've gotten some feedback that the Migration Pattern section of the newsletter is challenging to scan. I hope this week's formatting change makes it a bit easier! If you're the sort of bird who prefers events in calendar format, I'm also working on a community event calendar that will nest on the website, which I've been diligently pecking away at! ETA: a couple of weeks (!!!).

That's all for this week's feathered observations from your neighborhood warbler! As I wrap up another edition, I'm reminded that community isn't something that just happens to us - it's something we create together, one small act of showing up at a time. Whether you're volunteering at the farmer's market, picking up trash around the neighborhood, or simply choosing to support our local nest of businesses, you're helping weave the fabric that makes this corner of New Jersey such a special place to call home. Keep your wings spread wide, your hearts open, and remember that every flutter makes a difference in our shared sky.

Until next time!

Singing the songs of our shared communities,

Jen Russell, your neighbor and Editor-in-Chief, The Woodbury Warbler​

PS – Thank you again for being an early bird to The Woodbury Warbler. This is a pre-launch birdseed-sized newsletter while I’m organizing information and building the nest. Anything you’d like to see more of? Hate the format? Too many bird puns? Don’t want to hear about my groundhog skunk new metal band The Milkshake Nightmare? Your feedback is helpful and I love hearing from you! Send a carrier pigeon to editor@woodburywarbler.com with any suggestions, complaints, tips, celebrations or even just to say hi!

​Thumbnail image: "Reed Warbler Nest 11-06-10 (4691992704)" by nottsexminer is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

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