Proud Neighbors of Collingswood welcomes new and current members to a Wine and Cheese gathering at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 21, 2010, at In the Knick of Time, 571 Haddon Avenue. Owner Patti Curran will speak about the importance of supporting local businesses that bring life to the historic buildings in our downtown. Come and share ideas, and consider volunteering to help with the next house tour. Volunteers are always needed to help plan, cook for, and run the event.

Proud Neighbors of Collingswood, an all-volunteer civic organization, works to raise awareness of historic preservation in the Borough. Through activities such the annual Porch Brunch and House Tour, held the Sunday after Mother’s Day, the group helps inspire residents to appreciate and preserve the historic character of their homes and their town. Proceeds from Proud Neighbors activities are donated back to the community. The organization recently donated $1,800 to restore wood shutters for the Collings-Knight House. Last year, Proud Neighbors also donated $5,250 to the bike share, farmers’ market, community garden and Knight Park.

The 2010  house tour welcomed more than 400 visitors from in and outside Collingswood. The theme, “Preservation and Sustainability: Old is the New Green,” emphasized that often the greenest home is the one already built. Tour properties included a Victorian Park Avenue home that was renovated with modern green sensibilities, and a 1919 Georgian Revival that was later featured in an August 8, 2010, Philadelphia Inquirer article. Houses are being considered for the 2011 tour, and suggestions are welcome for additional homes, gardens, and adaptive re-use businesses.

Speaking of adaptive re-use, what better way to re-use materials than to have a yard sale? Proud Neighbors did just that, coordinating 185 locations town-wide and raising over $1,300 in funds for its programs. The organization also held a July 4 House Decorating Contest, with the grand prize going to a resident on Merrick Avenue.

Proud Neighbors recently revived its program of welcoming new residents to the Borough.  Tell us if you know a neighbor who is new to our town.  Proud Neighbors will deliver a welcome bag to greet these new neighbors.  Phone Gerry at 856-858-7707  or send an e-mail to info@proudneighborsofcollingwood.org    Meet new and current neighbors at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 21 at In the Knick of Time for Proud Neighbors of Collingswood wine and cheese gathering.