Favorite memories from the Collingswood Holiday Parade

We had quite an adventure on Saturday trying to get live video of the Holiday Parade up and running. Our team included video guru Denise Henhoeffer, Collingswood InJerse Site Editor Julia Hays (who was on the mic and simultaneously live blogging), as well as the Spot News mascot and several people from the Courier-Post's circulation team.

We were fortunate in being able to camp out with a great location, right next to the library. And we were even more lucky that the library was kind enough to let us plug into their network. Alas, we weren't able to get as great a quality stream as we'd hoped for, but we did manage to capture video of the entire parade live (watch the replay below) -- as well as a great running commentary on Twitter, thanks to everyone who tweeted their thoughts with #collsparade.

Here are a few pics I took throughout the day, with some of my favorite floats, parade-goers, and other moments.

More after the break.

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Collingswood holiday parade live video, tweet #collsparade

Watch our live video stream of the Collingswood Holiday Parade beginning at 10 a.m. this morning. Click on the speaker button to turn on audio.

We're live tweeting the event, by using the Twitter hashtag #collsparade. Join the discussion by using #collsparade for your tweets to show up here.

Check the guide for shopping options, tweet #shopsj

John Jablonowski/for the Courier-Post

You might know what big stores you want to visit on Black Friday, but would you like to expand your retail repertoire?

If so, go to the Courier-Post's Attractions Guide to learn more about the dozens of shopping centers and shopping districts in South Jersey.

Find out which stores are at each center, and see what the shopping districts such as Collingswood, Haddonfield and others have planned for the holidays - everything from carriage rides to photos with Santa.

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Collingswood holiday parades of the past photo gallery

via Collingswood Holiday Parades of Past | courierpostonline.com | Burlington, Camden and Gloucester Counties Holidays | Courier-Post.

Holiday spirit to thrive in Collingswood

Douglas M. Bovitt/Courier-Post

Guarantees of crowds, festivities and Santa Claus seem like a tall order, but all three will be present at the 21st Annual Collingswood Holiday Parade.

Though shoppers may feel a pinch on their wallets this holiday season, local municipalities' celebrations don't seem to be skimping on the festivities.

"It's always the largest parade in South Jersey, and this year will be no exception," said Collingswood Holiday Parade Chairman Paul Kerth. "We'll have upwards of 10,000 people at the event."

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Holiday parade coverage and discussion, tweet #collsparade

The Courier-Post and Collingswood InJersey are planning special coverage of the annual Holiday Parade in Collingswood.

The parade is set for 10 a.m. Saturday along Haddon Avenue, beginning at Zane Avenue, in the borough.

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Camden divided on fire injuries

A short-staffed city fire department continues to lead South Jersey in firefighter injuries.

And top fire officials there have different opinions on what can be done, if anything, to stop that trend.

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So long to farmers market

DENISE HENHOEFFER/Courier-Post

By LAVINIA DeCASTRO
Courier-Post Staff

Thanksgiving is around the corner, which means South Jersey's farmers market season has come to an end.

Saturday was the final day of Collingswood Farmers Market and customers lined up to get the last fresh fruits and vegetables of the season.

"The last day is always good here," said John Hurff, owner of William Schober and Sons Farm in Monroeville, who has been a vendor there for the past seven years. "The customers, they stock up at the end."

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Same-sex nuptials could be decided

By JANE ROH
Courier-Post Staff

A legislative push to legalize gay marriage is speeding up in Trenton -- and for some South Jersey residents, that's just fine.

"It's OK with me. Because that's what they feel, they feel in love and they want to be happy and they want to do it right. So hey, get married," said Douglas Perry of Washington Township.

"If you love somebody and it works out for you then what difference does it make?" said Mary Jane Linker of Sewell.

That live-and-let-live streak among Garden State voters could persuade lawmakers to vote for the Freedom of Religion and Equality in Civil Marriage Act if it's considered this week as expected.

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Police training assists cases of mental illness

Officers Jared Bradley and Kristen Cassario-Smith took the call Thursday for a frantic woman standing in the middle of Haddon Avenue in Collingswood.

The duo coaxed and pleaded, trying to calm the hysterical woman. The woman was determined to stop traffic because she thought motorists were driving in the wrong direction.

After three minutes the role play ended and Bradley, a Burlington Township officer, and Cassario-Smith, a Winslow officer, received feedback on how to better respond to the fictional scenario of a woman who was mentally ill.

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Santa at high risk for H1N1?

DENISE HENHOEFFER/Courier-Post

By JANE ROH
Courier-Post Staff

When tiny Angelina Owens climbed onto Santa's lap at the Deptford Mall on Thursday, she might have whispered, "I want Elmo Tickle Hands."

And Santa, lowering his gleaming white beard to her ear, might have whispered back, "I want the H1N1 vaccine."

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Find Bistro AmericanA for a treat at midday

Going to Collingswood to eat is like going to the outlets to shop. There's a ton of selections and everything seems fantastic.

Bistro AmericanA opened in late summer and is one of the newest restaurants along Haddon Avenue.

The setting is near perfect, at the center of town, a great place for people watching. Large windows allow in loads of natural light, yet the eatery maintains a cozy feel thanks to dark, hardwood floors and a fireplace.

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Black Friday sales 2009: Use #shopsj for all the latest

Douglas M. Bovitt/Courier-Post file

Social media tools may be your best bet for the hottest Black Friday 2009 sales deals in South Jersey.

Be sure to check Twitter for the #shopsj hashtag -- and feel free to use it yourself -- for updates on all the latest deals in the South Jersey region.

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What’s your favorite ‘Pop Shop’ dish?

Photo courtesy of: www.thepopshopusa.com.

Tonight I'll be having a late dinner at The Pop Shop, and I have no idea what to try.

As you can see by their extensive menu, there are a lot of options, like salads, sandwiches, breakfast dishes, burgers and over 30 varieties of grilled cheese.

Plus, their Web site has a food photo gallery. Yum! (Is it obvious I'm hungry already?)

For those who have dined at The Pop Shop in the past, do you have a recommendation of what your favorite dish is?

What should I try?

Pie in the sky

Careful what you ask for in a Thanksgiving dessert, and take a test run before the holiday

Douglas M. Bovitt/Courier-Post

By TARA NURIN
For the Courier-Post

You're near the end of the Thanksgiving meal.

The stuffing and cranberries have been eaten, sports fans are watching football and the family is sleepily awaiting dessert.

Your hostess cheerfully announces she has a surprise in store, and everyone perks up.

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