At the Haddonfield Board of Commissioners meeting on June 23, the board recognized the 120th anniversary of the Haddonfield Garden Club and its members of all ages.
Commissioner Itir Cole read the proclamation for the garden club, which included commending the group’s for its work in the “physical landscape and our community spirit, honoring our brave patriots through the stewardship of the Blue Star Memorial on Kings Highway, and brightening our historic streets through their tireless volunteer efforts.”
Mayor Dave Siedell said that he often gets compliments on the planters put out by the garden club.
According to its website, the Garden Club was founded in 1907 but was officially chartered in 1927.
Currently, the club has 47 active members and 27 inactive members.
The board also honored Tommy Mohen, a 5th grader who won the 24th annual Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey’s 2026 Species on the Edge Art and Essay Contest for the county.
Tommy, who is homeschooled, won first place for Camden County for his drawing of a Queen Snake.
The snake is native to the western edge of the state in Burlington, Mercer, Gloucester and Hunterdon counties, though in the state it is very rare.
In 2024, a Queen Snake was found in New Jersey for the first time in 50 years.
Tommy Mohen’s prize winning snake.
The contest is meant to advocate for endangered species in New Jersey through an art piece and essay.
Tommy was the only one who won for a drawing of a snake, with winners from other counties winning with birds, owls, frogs, foxes, fish and lizards.
Commissioner Frank Troy read a proclamation in honor of Constance Reeves, a resident who turned 100 on June 29.
The proclamation listed several of Reeves’ achievements in her over 70 years in Haddonfield, including raising five children, being the publicity chairman for the Elizabeth Haddon Elementary School PTA in the 50s and 60s, teaching 2nd grade at Tatem Elementary School for 22 years, receiving teacher of the year in both Haddonfield and in Camden County, and being a trustee on the Haddonfield Historical Society.
Reeves could not be at the meeting to accept her award, so Siedell wished her a happy birthday and said they would be sending the proclamation to her family.
According to the 2020 US Census, in New Jersey, there were 2,646 over 100 years old, or about 0.02% of the population.
In 2024, Voorhees had the most New Jerseyans over 100 of any town in the state at 13.
While it is unclear exactly how many centenarians there are in Haddonfield, according to census data, 267 people in the borough are 85 years or older.
Haddonfield commissioners posing with the Garden Club after the reading of their proclamation.
