The 2009 Blessing of the Mullica River will take place at St. Mary's in the Pines, Pleasant Mills Road in Pleasant Mills, NJ. Saturday, June 13, 2009 at 11:00AM. Writer Barbara Solem- Stolz is the featured speaker. Light refreshments will follow the ceremony. Flag Day will also be commemorated.

The Annual Blessing of the Mullica River took place at the St. Mary's in the Pines Cemetery on Saturday, May 19, 2007. Father Jim Betz, Pastor of the St. Nicholas Church of Egg Harbor City, officiated. Pastor John E. Pearce of the Luthern Church of Beach Haven and author of "Heart of the Pines" was a guest speaker.

A group of about 75, mostly local residents, gathered under the tent where a church once stood to celebrate the Mullica River, or as Pastor Pearce, noted historian of the area, called it during his lively speech, the "River of Life".

Here, Fatherr Betz reads "Spring on the Mullica", by Emma Van Sant Moore, while Pastor Pearce listens intently and Rose Mohr prepares to toss the flowers into the Mullica.

"O, to be beside the river

And hear the fluttering of wings;

To stand enthralled at twilight,

While the robin sings."

The wreath was gently tossed into the River...

"...A shimmer of green on the willow-trees,

They stand with feet in the stream

While yellow as gold of a kingly crown,

Dandelion blossoms gleam!"

...and it began its gentle drift down the beautiful Mullica River.

"...O, dreamy days with beauty laden,

Down by the Mullica Shore!

Each day I live in memory

Care-free days of yore."

Emma Van Sant Moore
(from "Mullica", 1960)

The audience was treated to two amazing singers. Doug Laubert sang "You Raise Me Up", and "Ave Maria". Later, ending the ceremony at the river's edge, Preston Forchion (red vest) of Hammonton sang a breathtaking rendition of "Ol' Man River", that stole the show and brought tears to some eyes. Rose Mohr, Al Kuehner and John Pearce look on.

There are many tombstones here in the Saint Mary's in the Pines Cemetery that still need restoration. Some are still standing, but others have fallen and are broken in several pieces. An opportunity to "Adopt-a-Stone" is available to those interested.*

Pavers, engraved with the Donor's name, have been purchased ard placed along the perimeter and center of the brickwork where the church once stood. Some are still available to purchase.*

The 48 mile-long Mullica River has a long and colorful history, most of which can be found in John Pearce's book,"Heart of the Pines". Pastor Pearce discussed the importance of the River, going back to pre-Revolutionary War time. He spoke of the Privateers who captured British vessels, and sold them at The Forks. Goods were also sold or used as supply for the army. Post war saw a boom in the iron, charcoal, lumber and wood industries. The Mullica provided transportation of the goods.

"Jessse Richards of Batsto and Jesse Evans of Martha placed heavy demands on shipping. They not only had products to send to market, they started importing "foreign" (or as Evans would have called it, "mountain") ore from the northern part of the state as well as limestone to feed their furnaces. The growing populations of Lower Bank, Green Bank, Martha, Batsto, and the areas more inland required goods which couldn't be manufactured locally. When Jesse Richards added glass to the production schedule at Batsto, even more cargo was provided for vessels. Others were watermen, the name used to include oystermen, clammers, and fishermen. Still others plied the various trades needed in maintaining wooden vessels." (from "Heart of the Pines". Used with permission.)