Letter from the EDITOR:

Hello 08071! Hope you are enjoying the warm weather, relaxing pool days, trips to the beach, and barbecues! I am excited for you to check out our Summer edition magazine dedicated to the lifestyle and community of Pitman.

We start our issue at AfterSchool Music where the music has flowed for 25 years. This fall, AfterSchool Music is celebrating the milestone by moving into its new permanent location at 316 North Broadway – a “gorgeous Victorian home with stained glass, spacious teaching rooms and lots of room to grow.” The move established a new era of world-class music instruction right where founder Lauren Canna grew up. Follow the music on page 5.

Next, we look through a historic lens as Pitman High School Class of 2025 marks a centennial milestone. “The overwhelming consensus of the Class of 2025 surrounding this historic year is the honor we feel to be the 100^th graduating class and dissecting what that means to each of us individually,” said Becca Mazzola, valedictorian of the class. The high school, established in 1922, and the community marked the 100-year milestone with many celebrations and commemorations. Come celebrate on page 8.

We round our issue taking a look back at Pitman’s journey ending a dry era. Former Councilman Matthew Weng explained it was kind of like “an incremental process” that led to eventually selling liquor licenses in town. The move and discussion about whether or not to change the dry town status goes back about 15 years or more. A non-binding referendum at the time resulted in a resounding “no” from the public on selling liquor licenses. Now, with a population of under 9,000 people, the borough has sold two liquor licenses, one to Merryman’s Pub in 2018 in the second to Martini’s on Broadway in 2021. Find out why the change on page 12.

Also check out Planning in Pitman for future community events on page 18, the amazing photo spread of Pitman’s 4^th of July on page 10, and hear what your neighbors have to say “What is Your Go-To Coffee Order? on page 2. All of this and more awaits on the pages ahead!

Enjoy!