In this issue of the magazine, we explore community pillars like the Pitman Animal Hospital, a Facebook group that is creating an active, ever-evolving archive of the town’s living history, and a new path that links Pitman to a broader vision of regional connectivity. These stories, groups, and places all exemplify why Pitman is such an idyllic and compassionate town.
If you haven’t already, you need to check out the Facebook group “Old Images of Pitman NJ.” I have never seen such a strong, supportive — or productive! — online community.
When the Pitman Sr. High School band director Phil Verespy posted in the group seeking information about an old snare drum he’d found in a classroom, members chimed in with all manner of information, but based on the response, Verespy quickly realized that the retro Pitman Panther mascot logo — featuring a defiant black-and-orange wildcat in a crewneck sweater, cooly leaning against a varsity letter — was “the star of the show.” Now Verespy is hoping to use the logo on merchandise for a fundraiser for the Pitman Jr. and Senior High School music department. I’d definitely buy a hoodie!
What’s great about these kinds of groups is the exchanges within them lead to people feeling connected with each other. That’s also how clients at the Pitman Animal Hospital feel. Just ask Theresa Hunt, who has been faithfully going to the animal hospital since 1999. In that time, all nine of her dogs have been cared for by the practice. Founded in 1987, by the late Dr. Robert Harris, the practice has a legacy of working closely with the Gloucester County Animal Shelter. Now Dr. Sabra Olsen, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, who joined the practice in 2007, is a co-owner, and her husband Brian, is the practice manager. It’s the kind of trusted small-town business that you want to support.
And finally, the new Hollywood Dell trail is part of a diverse and growing network of trails for the Greater Philadelphia/Southern New Jersey region. “Our protected areas are special — containing our memories, biodiversity, and vital resources,” says Francesca Mundrick, community outreach commissioner for the Pitman Environmental Commission and vice chair for Sustainable Pitman. As we plan for the future, a spirit of interwovenness is essential, and this path links Pitman to a broader vision of regional connectivity.
