SHORE LOCAL | Mainland | December 2, 2021

Holiday Happenings Discover the Somers Mansion Area Displays That Dazzle Twelve Activities of Christmas

Yule Tide Colors

The Ocean City Fishing Pier is lit up for the holiday.

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Embrace the Chaos this Holiday Season From the Editor

T

he holidays are indeed my favorite time of the year.

With so much love in the air and holiday magic coursing our veins, I am reminded to lean into the craziness of it all. It will soon be behind us, and another year will have passed by. tic, “oh boy,” as he so graciously held As the Thanksgiving feast came space for my Christmas obsession. to a close last week, I found myself Both of my daughters, who were fueled up for the next adventure: home for Thanksgiving, eyed each Christmas decorations. I have to overflowing box with a look of asadmit; I go a little overboard with tonishment. Together, we pulled out my holiday decor. I’m known to have each decoration onto the dining room hundreds of lights, both inside and table, untangling tinsel and exchangoutside of our home. Santa statues, ing our Autumn mugs for Christmas garland, and tinsel fill my home with cups. We stuffed the Thanksgiving all the holiday magic my family can leftovers into the fridge and turned handle. the page as we stepped into the Over the years, the decorations Christmas season. seem to pile up more and more. As The weeks leading up to ChristI handed my husband the 20th box mas always start with a bit of chaos.

Cover photo of Carter Doorly by Dawn Doorly. from our attic, he grunted a sarcasThere are still Autumn decorations to Issue 183

Established 2016

Celebrating Life at The Southern NJ Shore

be put away, mixing with the new winter decor. Pumpkins find their way to the trashcan as snowmen appear on the mantle. The stockings are hung by the chimney as we wrap up the cornucopia until next year.

Through this transition, I am reminded that there is beauty in the changing of seasons. Seasons change, and our lives change right along with it. So, how do we stay positive when everything around us feels chaotic?

I try to remember that this is only something that happens once a year.

Each year, amidst the craziness of tinsel, lights, and company, I know that

the season is short-lived. I look ahead at the end goal. We publish a new edition of Shore Local every week until Christmas while also planning a Christmas festival at the Somers Mansion. While it all feels busy and overwhelming right now, I know that when Christmas comes, we will be surrounded by seasonal beauty, our family, and the satisfaction of our work.

To all of our readers drowning in the holiday transition, show yourself some grace and let the chaos pass through. Take a deep breath and enjoy the season for all that it is. The storm shall end and we will embrace what Christmas is all about. Choose mindful, intentional peace this season.

In this issue, I am excited to share tons of local events, holiday recipes, and the history and legacy of Christmas lights. Krystle Bailey presents children’s activities during the holiday season, and my daughter, Sarah, reflects on the tragic actions of a Somers Point local. There’s a story for everyone here. Enjoy this edition of Shore Local and enjoy this special season with your loved ones.

Peace & Love, Cindy

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December 2, 2021

How Roadways Help Communicate Weather Forecasts Weather

By Dan Skeldon

“V

ariable” may be the single best word to describe the weather in our beloved but small corner of the world that is South Jersey. It certainly varies from the weather in Philly, something that Philadelphia television stations don’t always fully grasp. It varies from the mainland to the shore and from the Pinelands to the islands. Sometimes, it can even vary from one barrier island to the next. Those variations can be dramatic, and, to a meteorologist like myself, quite impressive. In wintertime, that can mean going from 0” of snow, or in other words, a cold rain in Margate, to 20” of snow in Mays Landing. In the spring and summer, temperature differences can be just as wide-ranging, with 20 to 30-degree spreads (or more) over very short distances.

As a meteorologist, trying to forecast that variability is challenging enough and has been the subject of past columns.

Then there’s the task of effectively communicating that forecast. To that end, I want to thank the fine folks that built the Garden State Parkway for making that task easier. I’m also indebted to other major roadways like Interstate 95, the New Jersey Turnpike, Route 54 through western Atlantic County, and Route 55 through Cumberland County.

Highways are, of course, intended to make our commutes easier. Well, they all are except the Parkway on any weekend between Memorial Day and Labor Day. However, over my two-decade tenure as a meteorologist, I’ve learned they inadvertently help me in my job as well.

Why? The truth is not everyone has a great grasp of geography. I imagine very few of us can name all 23 municipalities in Atlantic County, the 13 cities, 6 townships, 3 boroughs, and 1 town (Wondering which one is the town? The answer: Hammonton). Even fewer people can locate each one on a map.

However, practically everyone knows where the Parkway is or where they live and work in relation to it. So when communicating a weather forecast, using the Parkway as a reference point is very relatable to most viewers, listeners, and

readers. Hence, "3 to 6 inches of snow west of the Parkway" becomes the type of forecast wording you hear each winter. The fact that most of us utilize these major roadways in our travels each day makes them a very useful communication tool for local meteorologists.

There's another natural advantage to using these roads in a weather forecast, and that has to do with topography. In many cases, major roadways are built along natural or topographical boundaries. For instance, the Parkway runs north to south in New Jersey and parallels the shore along its entire length. The Interstate 95 corridor runs along the East Coast, granted farther inland from the Parkway, and separates the coastal plain to its south and east with the higher terrain to the north and west. This is also called the "fall line" as it's the point many rivers coming out of those higher elevations have waterfalls as they flow towards the ocean. So I-95 and all its traffic jams may not be a perfect roadway for commuting on many an evening but is often a perfect, albeit manmade, meteorological boundary. That's why South Jersey snow lovers often hear "the jackpot will be north and west of Interstate 95" many a winter. The highway serves as the dividing line between colder and snowier versus warmer and rainier, at least during many classic East Coast winter storms.

Of course, it doesn't work that way for every highway. Just as popular in the summer as the Garden State Parkway is the Atlantic City Expressway, which is oriented perpendicular to the Parkway and runs from Atlantic City to Philadelphia. If you add Route 42 and

Interstate 76 into the mix, it gets even more complicated. Let's just simplify things and say it runs northwest to southeast through South Jersey. Given that orientation, however, it's not as useful as it doesn't serve as a natural boundary for most types of weather.

There are exceptions, of course. The Expressway gets a shoutout every once in a while to describe the track of lines of severe thunderstorms. In the spring, it can sometimes serve as the battleground for when backdoor fronts slide down the coast and get hung up nearby the ACE. However, unfortunately for the Expressway, it doesn't get as much weather love as the Parkway does.

So while many from New Jersey identify with which exit number they are from, a Garden State meteorologist identifies with which side of the Parkway you're on. For me, it was 13 years east in Ocean City and 4 years west in Egg Harbor Township. Now I'm up in snow country on the edge of the Poconos, well north and west of Interstate 95. It is even north of Interstate 78. However, as an avid snow lover, it's the place to be.

Meteorologist Dan Skeldon has a degree in meteorology from Cornell University. He has forecasted the weather in South Jersey for the last 18 years, first on the former television station NBC40 and then on Longport Media radio. Dan has earned the American Meteorological Society Seal of Approval for Broadcast Meteorologists, and now does television broadcasts on WFMZTV in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley.

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ENTER BY SUNDAY DECEMBER 12th

Tis the Season for Decorative Lights and Dazzling Displays

By Steffen Klenk

L

ast Friday, hundreds braved the frigid temperatures and brutal winds to witness an extraordinary sight in downtown Ocean City. Santa Claus made his appearance from the top of City Hall, escorted by ladder with the help of the Ocean City Fire Department.

City dignitaries were on hand as the large Christmas tree and exterior of City Hall were illuminated in a bright display, leaving children memorized.

This weekend, many local towns and businesses are plugging in their own trees for the first time this season.

The tradition of lighting Christmas trees can be traced decades. The earliest of trees were carefully illuminated with candles; talk about a fire hazard! The Christmas tree was origi-

nally adopted in Germany during the 1700s, and were occasionally decorated with candles. During this period of time, the candle was a relatively inexpensive light source. Each candle was glued onto a branch with melted wax, or attached by pin. During the 1890s, candleholders replaced the outgrown

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method, and by 1914, small lanterns and glass balls were used to hold each candle.

With the invention of electricity came new sources of light. On December 22, 1882, Edward H. Johnson, an associate of Thomas Edison, came up with the first electrically illuminated tree, consisting of 80 red, white and blue incandescent bulbs. The tree was displayed at his home on New York’s Fifth Avenue. Interest slowly grew, and by 1900, storefronts began placing illuminated trees in their windows.

Because of the expense, electric Christmas lights did not replace candles until the 1930s.

Today, homes and businesses have embraced the seasonal sensation. Last year, one of South Jersey’s most beloved attractions, Storybook Land, became the subject of ABC’s hit TV show, The Great Christmas Light Fight. This annual competition pits families and family-run businesses head-to-head to see who has the absolute best illuminated displays. Storybook Land boasts one of the largest and most beautiful displays the area has to offer, with over a million lights and a grand display that will attract fam-

ilies from near and far. The display will be on showcase until December 30th and admission to the park is $29.95.

In Absecon, The Yard Family Christmas Display, is another popular attraction.

This spectacular light display includes a large assortment of decorations, from polar bears to horses; even R2D2! The light show runs from 5-10pm nightly at 4 E. Curran Drive. Take your family to see a mesmerizing display in Egg Harbor Township. The Lights on Poplar are back again, and you don’t need to leave your car to catch the excitement. Simply park your car, turn off your headlights, and watch as this dazzling display is synchronized to festive music.

I also recommend visiting Historic Smithville and their unique display, Lights on the Lake.

Every night between 5:30-8:30pm, over 100 Christmas trees come to life, floating around Lake Meone , in a synchronized show that runs every thirty minutes. Most communities are having decorating competitions, which leaves a close-to-home option of viewing the most magical holiday lights. This offers residents the opportunity to show off their skilled talents of sharing the holiday spirit.

Steffen Klenk is a multimedia journalist. He resides in Ocean City and enjoys capturing the eclectic moments of shore life.

December 2, 2021

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Shore Local-tainment Live & Local Music Calendar

December 2nd

Ill Rendition TBA Bourre 201 S. New York Ave. Atlantic City Doug Jennings 6-9pm Bocca 7805 Ventnor Ave. Margate The Motown Holiday Show 8:30pm The Music Box at Borgata 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City

December 3rd

Large Variety Of Gift Baskets And Gift Sets Now Available

Cara & Steve Duo 4-8pm Renault Winery 72 N. Bremen Ave. Egg Harbor City Dane Anthony Band 5-9pm Hard Rock Lobby Bar 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City Jim Fisher 5:30-8:30pm Tuckahoe Inn 1 Harbor Rd. Beesley’s Point Tom & Bill 6-9pm Josie Kelly’s Public House. 908 Shore Rd. Somers Point Bob Mower & Nick Nicholas 6:309:30pm Bocca 7805 Ventnor Ave. Margate DJ Christopher Roberts 7pm Blush Bar & Lounge. 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City Stealing Savannah 7pm Gypsy Bar 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City Earth, Wind & Fire 8pm Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City Dirty Robots 9pm Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall 133 S. Tennessee Ave. Atlantic City Mannheim Steamroller 9pm Caesars 2100 Pacific Ave. Atlantic City Straight No Chaser 9pm Ovation Hall at Ocean. 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

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AM Radio Tribute Band 12-4pm Renault Winery 72 N. Bremen Ave. Egg Harbor City Audio Riot 1-4:30pm Hard Rock Lobby Bar. 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City Se7en Band 5:30-9pm Hard Rock Lobby Bar 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City Dueling Piano Band 6-11pm Renault Winery 72 N. Bremen Ave. Egg Harbor City No Standards 7pm Gypsy Bar 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City The Benderz 7pm Nola’s Bar & Lounge 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City Earth, Wind & Fire 8pm Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City REO Speedwagon 8pm Tropicana 2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City Sarah Brightman: A Christmas Symphony 8pm Ovation Hall at Ocean 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City The Usual Suspects 8pm Josie Kelly’s Public House 908 Shore Rd. Somers Point DJ Clinton Conyer 9pm Blush Bar & Lounge 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Gary Puckett & The Union Gap Holiday Show 9pm Golden Nugget 600 Huron Ave. Atlantic City The Rollers 9pm Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall 133 S. Tennessee Ave. Atlantic City

December 5th

Shot of Southern 1-5pm Renault Winery 72 N. Bremen Ave. Egg Harbor City Traditional Irish Open Session 1-4pm Josie Kelly’s Public House 908 Shore Rd. Somers Point Cape Shore Chorale presents Holiday Music 3pm Holy Trinity Episcopal Church 2998 Bay Ave. Ocean City BMW 4-7:30pm Hard Rock Lobby Bar 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City Lating Night w/ DJ Jose 8pm-1am Lucky Snake Arcade at Showboat 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

December 6th

Big House 7-11pm Hard Rock Lobby Bar 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

December 7th

Dane Anthony Band 7-11pm Hard Rock Lobby Bar 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

December 8th

Paul Lopresti TBA Bourre 201 S. New York Ave. Atlantic City Adam Holcombe 6:30-10pm The Cove 3700 Brigantine Blvd. Brigantine Bob Sterling Band 6:30-9:30pm Bocca 7805 Ventnor Ave. Margate Liquid A 7-11pm Hard Rock Lobby Bar 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

December 10th

Jim Craine’s Swing into Christmas 8pm Superstar Theater at Resorts 1133 Boardwalk, Atlantic City Marie Osmond – A Symphonic Christmas 8pm Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

December 11th

Sal Vulcano 8pm Borgata Event Center 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City Marie Osmond – A Symphonic Christmas 8pm Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City Terry Fator 8pm Ovation Hall at Ocean 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City Times and dates are subject to change.

December 2, 2021

Somers Mansion: a 300-Year-Old Treasure Legend of an Underground Tunnel

By Bob Fertsch

R

ichard Somers appreciated a waterfront view like most people today. Perched on a bluff overlooking the bay, he picked an excellent location when he built his homestead back in the 1700’s. The Somers Mansion still stands as a prominent fixture in the town that bears his name. It is the oldest house in Atlantic County. Built between 1720 and 1726 by Richard Somers, the three-story brick building and two-acre property has remained the same while the area around it has changed, including a traffic circle (come and gone) and a bridge (and then another) to Ocean City.

Richard Somers operated the first ferry across Great Egg Harbor Bay. During the War of 1812, residents of Somers Point, including 12 members of the Somers family, formed an infantry unit of the New Jersey Militia to protect the coast. A memorial now stands nearby on the Somers Point beach, at the site of the fort they built to memorialize the men who defended the shores of Somers Point during

Upstairs bedroom the years 1812-1815.

The Somers Mansion property remained in the Somers family until 1937 when it was deeded to the Atlantic County Historical Society for the purpose of creating a permanent memorial to the Somers family. In 1941, the State of New Jersey acquired the property, and it was dedicated as a State Historic Site on September 26, 1942. Today, the Mansion is furnished in eighteenth century period pieces and features original furnishing used by the Somers family. The Mansion also hosts a collection of local historical objects and textiles including local quilts, woven coverlets, and early samplers. It is open for tours on Saturday, and Sunday from 9am to 3:30pm.

The Patriots For The Somers Mansion was established to preserve the site, encourage heritage tourism, and expand opportunities for locals and tourists alike to learn about the history of Atlantic County's oldest building. Founded by concerned citizens in 2018, it is a registered non-profit organization. Events and fundraising have helped with renovations. One such event takes place this Saturday.

Shore Local in partnership with the Patriots of the Somers Mansion will present Christmas at the Mansion”, a holiday festival including local merchants, food trucks, live music and kids activities. The event culminates with a tree lighting at 5 pm.

The Somers Point tunnel, according to legend, ran from the basement of the Somers Mansion south to the water. It was said to have been used by smugglers and was supposed to be a secret exit for those in the house if visited by pirates or the British during the Revolution.

In 1923, a report in the New York Times wrote about the discovery of a brick tunnel that began in the old Braddock House, that sat on the hill behind property. The headline

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read “Much Interest in Somers Point Concerning Mysterious Passageway”.

A few years later Philadelphia newspapers rushed staff photographers to Somers Point to get pictures of the mysterious cavern uncovered by heavy seas which dislodged a section of the bluff along the bay front after a storm. Great excitement prevailed, as a story of a tunnel had been used as a “cache” by pirate Captain Kidd when he sailed off the coast. These reports brought treasure hunters to the site. Their shovels and picks turned over piles of dirt. But, alas, romance and mystery were dispelled when nothing was found. The land in front of the property was excavated during reconstruction of the Somers Point Circle. No artifacts were found or any sign of the legendary tunnel.

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Saving Lives Through Local Mental Health Services

Reflecting on a Veteran's Tragedy

By Sarah Fertsch

A

tlantic County has been shocked and devastated at the painful circumstances of a Somers Point man, Chaoe Perry. Perry was under the care of the Department of Veteran Affairs and grew frustrated that he couldn’t receive more services for his mental health.

He soaked himself in rubbing alcohol and set himself on fire at an Atlantic City gas station.

Jasmine DeLeon, Perry’s wife, explained that her husband is being treated at a Pennsylvania burn center for several second and third degree burns. He faces at least 20 to 30 surgeries to repair his skin and protect his organs. Her time is spread thin between caring for Perry’s three sons (all under the age of four) and taking trips to Crozer-Chester Medical Center via train. She is also in the process of finding a new place to live, being forced out of her apartment.

"My oldest child is not doing well," reports Perry's wife Jasmine. "He missed his Dad." When asked what people could do to help, she responded solemnly "Prayers, a lot of prayers."

The couple met through the Covenant House program, both experiencing homelessness. Perry has struggled with depression while DeLeon was overcoming substance abuse. Perry had served in the military but was dismissed due to his mental illness, a significant blow to his confidence and happiness (“he lost his dream job” said DeLeon).

Utilizing services through the VA, Perry was aggravated because he could only see a therapist twice per month and a psychiatrist three times per year.

On the night of the attempt, Perry spoke to his wife for the first time about considering self harm. She was concerned, but he left the house in the middle of the night and sent her photos of himself soaked in alcohol at the gas station. Then, the unthinkable happened.

Carolyn Wolf, an Egg Harbor Township social worker and person who battles mental illness, was heartbroken but not surprised by the Perry Tragedy. “The VA is known for not providing enough services for veterans, and it really comes down to inadequate funding,” she said. “Perry needed more help, and this should be a wake up call for locals to plan

ahead for mental health crises, researching therapy options and behavioral health programs.”

Wolf insisted that people who have mental health problems write up a WRAP plan (Wellness Recovery Action Plan). This lengthy document includes information like warning signs of a crisis, support people to contact, means to keep a person safe, and triggers that spark a crisis. The plan is available online and should be filled out, then handed to close allies, like a spouse or parent.

“There are also tens of programs in our area to support people who are struggling with safety (from harm by themselves),” said Wolf. She spoke of the Suicide Prevention Program, which connects people with suicidal ideation with counselors over the phone.

These trained professionals schedule calls with their clients and talk about feelings, impulses and well-being. If a client is in crisis, the counselors will call their support person and coordinate a psychiatrist appointment or hospital admission.

Atlanticare provides not only a psychiatric hospital floor for patients in crisis, but also offers outpatient programs that assist with stability and psych education. Patients who were recently discharged from inpatient treatment can attend the Acute Partial Program in Galloway. The program provides

transportation and meals for clients, who attend five days per week for seven hours each day. Once a client has graduated from Acute Partial, they can be referred to the Mental Health Intensive Outpatient Program (MHIOP). The step-down group therapy takes place three days per week and includes oneon-one therapy as well.

For those less interested in hospital offerings, multiple nonprofits help New Jersey folks for no cost. The Trevor Project offers support groups and a 24/7 hotline for young people within the LGBTQ+ community. The Mental Health Association of New Jersey provides groups for mental health consumers and their families as well as a resource database for food, clothing, medical needs and shelter. NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) offers screenings, video education, and online support groups for its members.

If you are overwhelmed by mental illness symptoms or feel that you are unsafe to yourself or others, please tell someone and ask for help. Reach out to a mental health worker.

Do not act on impulses. Know that you are worth more than you realize and that you are irreplaceable. You are not alone and most importantly, you are loved. Choose wellness.

To donate to the Perry family and help them find a new home, check out https:// gofund.me/940707a2.

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December 2nd

Events and Happenings

Smithville Holiday Light Show

▶Now-January

6th from 5:308:30pm

Historic Smithville 615 E. Moss Mill Rd. Smithville Grab your friends and family and join Historic Smithville for their most popular Holiday event. Watch as over 150 floating Christmas trees dance to your favorite Holiday tunes throughout Lake Meone.

Vinter Wonderland

▶Monday-Thursday

3-8:30pm, Friday 3-10:30pm, Saturday 1110:30pm & Sunday 11-8:30pm

Renault Winery 72 N. Bremen Ave. Egg Harbor City.

Vinter Wonderland is a celebration of a successful harvest at Renault Winery. This winter festival provides the opportunity to gather loved ones, savor the season, and celebrate enduring memories. From ice skating, to culinary and wine, to local artisans and live entertainment, there’s something for everyone this season at Renault. Learn more at renaultwinery. com/vintner-wonderland.

Open House at Great Bay Gallery

▶Thursday-Sunday

from 11am-6pm

829 Bay Ave. Somers Point Framed originals and prints, matted prints, art books, note cards, shabby chic signs – bars, shore towns, iconic business-

December 2, 2021

es, small and medium hand-made quilts in beautiful designs.

December 3rd

Ocean City Library Holiday Book Sale

▶Friday

from 10am-6pm and Saturday from 9am-2pm

1735 Simpson Ave. Ocean City Sponsored by the Friends and Volunteers of the Ocean City Free Public Library and held in the library atrium. Fiction, nonfiction, children’s books and more will be available. For more information, visit friendsvolunteersocfpl.com.

Tree Lighting Ceremony at Renault

▶5pm

Renault Winery 72 N. Bremen Ave. Egg Harbor City Join Renault Winery as the light their famous Barrel Tower for the 2021 Holiday Season. Ceremony begins at disk. Fireworks to follow. Event is free to the public.

Brigantine’s Christmas Tree Lighting

▶5:30pm

Brigantine Fire House 1417 W. Brigantine Ave. Join Brigantine Beach for their annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Santa will be there to visit kids in 4th grade and under.

Light refreshments will be served. Entertainment will be provided by vocalist Ava Fareta, and performances by the Brigantine Community School Choir. This event

is sponsored by The City of Brigantine, The Brigantine Chamber of Commerce and The Brigantine PTA. Galloway Township Tree Lighting

▶5:30pm

Galloway Municipal Recreation Complex 300 E. Jimmie Leeds Rd. Join Galloway Township this Friday for their Annual Tree Lighting. The Absegami Choir will perform at 5:30, Santa & Mrs. Clause arrive at 6. Cookies will be provided by Galloway Fire Departments, with hot chocolate provided by Galloway Ambulance Squad. Contact Galloway Community Services for more information at 609-241-0692.

Ocean City Christmas Parade

▶6pm

Asbury Avenue from 6th-11th Street Registration information is available at ocnj.us/christmas-parade. For more information, call 609-399-6111.

Somers Point Christmas Parade

▶6pm

Dawes Ave. to Shore Rd. and City Hall The City of Somers Point will host its annual Christmas Parade, starting at 6pm.

The Parade begins at Dawes Avenue and continues along Shore Road to City Hall, 1 W. New Jersey Ave. Somers Point Volunteer Fire Companies 1 & 2 will escort Santa Claus to City Hall. For more information or to participate in the parade, please reach

out to Doug Shallcross at 609-833-5428 or dshallcross@spgov.org.

Atlantic County Toys for Kids Toy Drive

▶6:30-9:30pm

Margate Ballfields Please donate new unwrapped toys to give children in need in Atlantic County.

There will be music, food, crafts and an appearance from Santa. For more information, visit toysforkidsprogram.org.

Santa in the Park

▶6:30-8:30pm

Heritage Park, Absecon It’s the 10th Annual Santa in the Park, sponsored by Absecon Fire Company 1.

Come out to Heritage Park and visit Santa and Mrs. Claus in the gazebo. There will be a pony rode, a hayride, and a bonfire.

Snacks and refreshments will be available at the concession stand. The Ladies Auxiliary will be sponsoring a toy and food drive.

Please bring an unwrapped toy and/or a nonperishable food item.

Northfield Holiday Tree Lighting

▶7pm

City Hall 1600 Shore Rd. Join the Northfield Volunteer Fire Company at their Annual Tree Lighting.

Festivities include the Northfield Community School Choir, decorating the tree and hot chocolate with Santa.

↘Continued on 14

13

↘Continued from 13 December 4th

Santa in the Downtown

▶Saturday

& Sunday from 9-11am

Soifer Park 9th Street & Asbury Ave. Ocean City For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ. Christmas at the Mansion

▶10am-5pm

Somers Mansion Shore Local presents Christmas at the Mansion, a holiday extravaganza including local merchants, food trucks, live music, elves wrapping station, kids activities and of course Santa. The event culminates with a tree lighting at 5pm on the grounds of the beautiful and historic Somers Mansion.

Atlantic County Historical Society Open House

▶10am-2pm

907 Shore Rd. Somers Point The Atlantic County Historical Society, adjacent to Somers Mansion will be open to the public to coincide with the “Christmas at the Mansion” event. Tours of the museum collection, which includes some highlights of the Somers family and the Mansion, are on the half hour. Admission is free. Masks are required. For more information, call 609-927-5218.

Dickens of a Holiday Craft Show

▶10am

Mays Landing The Mays Landing Merchants Associations presents “Dickens of a Holiday”, an

annual celebration. Craft vendors display and sell locally-produced wares in time for the holiday shopping season. Come visit their three locations: The Presbyterian Church, the Mays Landing Library and Memorial Park.

Pictures with Santa Paws

▶10am-2pm

Humane Society of Ocean City 1 Shelter Way Howliday memories start here… come get your pet’s picture taken with one of the best Santa’s this side of the North Pole. $10 donation purr picture. Humans, please wear mask and practice social distance during event. For more information, visit hsocnj.org.

Ocean City Train Show

▶10am-4pm

Ocean City Music Pier Moorlyn Terrace & Boardwalk The Ocean City Train Show will entertain visitors and residents alike. The event will showcase a Railroad Spectacular featuring a large sized model trains operating a colorful setting. There will be exhibits for kids and vendors will be displaying and selling trains, accessories, decorations, memorabilia and railroad novelties. Admission is free. For more information, call 609-399-6111.

Atlantic County 4H Holiday Craft Bazaar

▶Saturday

and Sunday from 9am4pm

Atlantic County 4-H Fairgrounds 3210

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Route 50, Mays Landing The Atlantic County 4H Fair Association presents their 2021 Holiday Craft Bazaar, featuring over 30 vendors, Santa, Holiday Videos for the Kids, Model Train Display, and Refreshments for Sale. Please call 609-204-6790 for more information or visit ac4hfair.org.

Atlantic City Holiday Bazaar

▶Saturday

and Sunday from 12-5pm

Noyes Arts Garage 2200 Fairmount Ave. Atlantic City Join the Noyes Arts Garage for the Atlantic City Holiday Bazaar. Shop for the holidays, enjoy food and libations, and support local artists and vendors. This will be a weekend of fun for the whole family.

Free Horse & Carriage Rides in Ocean City

▶Saturday

& Sunday from 12-3pm 6th Street & Asbury Ave. For more information, 1-800-BEACH-NJ. Photos with Santa

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▶Saturday

& Sunday from 12-3pm

Ocean City Music Pier Moorlyn Terrace & Boardwalk For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ. Ventnor City Twilight Holiday Parade

▶5pm

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Cape Shore Chorale presents Holiday Music

▶3pm

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church 2998 Bay Ave. Ocean City Cape Shore Chorale, under the direction of Scott J. Breiner, will present a free concert and sing-along of holiday favorites this Sunday. The nearly 50-member chorus will be accompanied by pianist Gae Finch and instrumentalist Andrew Ehrhardt. Light refreshments will be served after the concert. Free will donations are welcomed.

December 7th

Downtown Absecon Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

▶5-6pm

Peter C. Elco Plaza New Jersey Ave. Absecon Community Affairs in cooperation with Absecon Business & Commercial Development invite the public to this year’s Tree Lighting Ceremony. Celebrate the holidays with the City of Absecon, with caroling by the Absecon Schools Choir, handmade decorations by Absecon students, and tree lighting by Absecon Mayor Kim Horton.

Senior Dance Society

Ventnor Avenue from Troy to Portland Ave. The Ventnor City Twilight Holiday Parade is this Saturday. The parade will feature marching bands, fire trucks, floats, classic cars, Santa and Mrs. Claus and more. After-parade activities will be held at Ventnor Pocket Park, located at the corner of Ventnor and Oakland Avenues, to meet Santa and friends, pony rides, face painting, a balloon man and more. For more information, call Shelley Dorazio at 267-980-7632 or Rose Hamilton at 484539-9214.

Egg Harbor City Tree Lighting

▶Tuesdays

from 7:30-10pm

Egg Harbor City Library 134 Philadelphia Ave. Santa Claus is coming to town on the fire truck. Also, hot chocolate, cupcakes, music, Santa and goodie bags. Rain, snow or shine.

Somers Point Porch Performances

▶4-5pm

▶6pm

▶6pm

New Patients Welcome

December 5th

The Riddlesbrood Players will present an original and a quirky take on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. The performance will be staged as separate acts on various porches in the Bayfront Historic District. Act One will take place at 37 Somers Ave. and then will continue to three other, close-by porches in the Historic District. The evening will culminate outside at Gregory’s Restaurant where light holiday refreshments will be served.

Smithville Hospitality Night

▶6-9pm

Historic Smithville 615 E. Moss Mill Rd. Each year the shoppes at Historic Smithville thank their loyal customers with a Hospitality Night of Discounts, Refreshments, Live Entertainment and Raffles.

Somers Point Fire Co. #1 437 Bethel Rd. Somers Point. Dancers and music lovers are invited to the Senior Dance Society this Tuesday. Enjoy a live musical duo, social dancing and line dancing. Light refreshments and snacks will be provided.

Admission is $10. Open to singles and couples. Kathryn Murray said “Put a Little Fun in Your Life.” Listen to the music, or kick up your heels. For more information, contact Rita Voli at 609-408-3619.

December 8th

Somers Point Christmas Tree Decorating and Lighting Bay Avenue in front of Shore Medical Center Somers Point-Community First, a local volunteer organization, announced that it will once again host a Christmas tree decorating and lighting event this holiday season. All clubs, restaurants, families, and organizations in the Somers Point community are invited to come decorate a tree.

Trees are located along Bay Avenue in front of Shore Medical Center. The decorating of the trees will begin on December 4th.

The lighting event will take place on December 8th from 4-5pm. Hot cocoa and candy canes will be available for attendees.

Contact Michele Law at MicheleLaw1808@ yahoo.com to reserve a tree today.

December 9th

Girls Night Out at Historic Smithville

▶6-9pm

615 E. Moss Mill Rd. Smithville December in Smithville has something for the Girls too, an evening for the ladies to shop and celebrate the Holiday season

December 2, 2021

together. There will be wine and cheese, raffles, discount and other benefits for evening shopping. Grab your best friend and come join us.

Festival of Trees Gala

▶7-10pm

Renault Winery 72 N. Bremen Ave. Egg Harbor City Join Renault Winery in support of the Community Food Bank of New Jersey in their Wine Maker Hall. Christmas tree auction to be held – 100% of proceeds support Community FoodBank. Hors d’oeuvres to be served, cash bar available.

Entertainment provided by Cheers the Band Trio. $50 per person. Learn more at renaultwinery.com.

December 11th

Gratitude Coffee Talk

▶Wednesdays

at 9am

Grab your coffee and join us virtually as we use the gift of gratitude to disrupt the stress and anxiety many of us are feeling during this difficult time. Join Zoom Meeting ID: 201464217 Password: 597944 or call 929-205-6099. This is a program of the Mental Health Association of Atlantic County. Learn more at mhaac.info.

Let’s Talk

▶Wednesdays

at 4:30pm

Each week we will participate in a presentation and discussion of a wellness topic. Topics include but are not limited to mental health, coping skills, relationships, self-esteem and more. Join Zoom Meeting ID: 847 2224 7740 Password: 230403. For

questions, call 609-652-3800 ext. 318 or email btrendler@mhanj.org. This is a program of the Mental Health Association of Atlantic County. Learn more at mhaac.info.

NAMI Online Connection Recovers Group

▶Monday,

December 6th from 7-8:30pm

Find friendship and understanding in this peer-led support group facilitated by NAMI trained members. Register for this group by contacting NAMI1557@comcast. net. For more information, call 609-7415125.

The Positivity Project

▶Thursday,

December 9th at 10:30am

Explore positivity during challenging

times with JFS Wellness Coordinator Mary Jean Arreola and Village Community Specialist Tina Serota. You’ll discover ways to boost your wellness – mind, body and soul. Each month features a new topic including self-care, mindfulness, gratitude, mediation, resiliency and more. RSVP by December 6th by contacting Tina Serota at 609287-8872 or tserota@jfsatlantic.org.

A Zoom link or call-in number will be provided to you.

Do you have an upcoming event?

Let us know about it! Submit your next event to shorelocalevents@gmail.com.

Absecon VFW Auxiliary Toys for Toys Drive

▶10am-1pm

VFW Post 9462 433 White Horse Pike, Absecon Families can enjoy a visit with Santa, Pony Rides, and Food.

December 12th

Enlightened Holiday Market

▶11am-3pm

Enlightened Farm Join Enlightened Solutions on Sunday, December 12th for the Enlightened Holiday Market. They will have local vendors, live music, warm refreshments and more.

Come shop for this year’s holiday gifts while supporting the community’s small businesses.

FREE EVENT

SAT. DEC. 4

December 20th Holiday Sweet Sale

▶3-6pm

Atlantic County Historical Society 907 Shore Rd. Somers Point Join Atlantic County Historical Society for their Holiday Sweet Sale featuring home baked cookies, candy, brownies and fudge. Sold by the prepackaged pound. $10 per pound. Tins will be available for purchase. Masks are required. To order ahead, please call 609-646-7355. All proceeds to benefit the Atlantic County Historical Society, a non-profit all volunteer organization.

Health and Wellness

Rising Minds Peer-Led Support Group

▶Thursdays

at 6pm

A Free Peer-Led Support Group Ran by and for 18-30 year olds. Share experiences, develop tools for self-care, connect with others who understand and engage in honest conversations about mental health.

For more information, call 609-652-3800 ext. 318 of email btrendler@mhanj.org.

Pandemic Wellness

▶Mondays

at 7pm

You’re invited to a community support & discussion group that addresses how life is going at this point in the pandemic and how to manage the accompanying stress. For more information, visit mhanj. org. Zoom Meeting ID: 869 9749 6142 Password: 981708

December 2, 2021

Support local businesses and the Somers Mansion as we bring a touch of the North Pole to Somers Point!

Sat. Dec 4th • Live Music • Tree Lighting 10am-6pm • Gift Vendors • Meet Santa • Mansion Tours • Food Vendors • Games ALL FREE Located at the end of Shore Road, near the old Somers Point circle For info: (609) 705-5323 15

Twelve Activities of Christmas to Enjoy

By Sarah Fertsch

T

hanksgiving has passed, and the Christmas Spirit has fallen upon us like a snowflake blowing through the winter sky. It’s very exciting, and

because we only have one month to celebrate, it’s crucial to plan to fit in as many holiday delights as humanly possible. Our area has plenty of things to choose from. Like the song, The 12 days of Christmas, here are 12 fun activities to enjoy this holiday season.

Ice Skate at Vinter Wonderland, Renault Winery’s spectacular event Gather your family and friends and check out the stunning lights, warm brews, and live music at the local vineyard. You can ice skate, sit by the fire, or take pictures on the beautiful

grounds. And maybe Santa will stop by, too.

Drive Through the Live Nativity at Zion United Methodist Church Travel back in time and witness the Christmas miracle at this Egg Harbor Township church. You’ll find Mary and Joseph, Baby Jesus, Shepherds and Angels, and even live animals! It’s a great opportunity to reflect on what Christmas means spiritually.

Shop Small on Asbury Avenue in Ocean City Trust me, you’ll feel like you’re in a Hallmark movie. Browse boutiques and specialty shops under the garland lights and wreaths. You can even enjoy a horse & carriage ride!

Watch the Light Show at the Smithville Village Spend an evening at the adorable shopping district and eat great food, purchase unique items, and even talk to a Christmas tree! The light show is iconic, and will feature songs like “Carol of the Bells” and “Jingle Bell Rock.” Fun for all ages!

Take Your Children to Storybook Land Walkthrough the incredible fantasy lights (they have over 1 million lights!) and meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. Photograph your children in awe at the spinning rides, storybook scenes, and musical shows.

Paint Ornaments and Christmas Trees at Glazed Over This pottery shop has a great selection of holiday pieces to paint and fire in the kiln. Listen to Christmas music as you peacefully paint vintage trucks, nativity scenes, Santas, and trees. Perfect for gifting, too!

Spend a Day in Cape May It’s a Dickens Christmas on the Washington Square Mall. Meet townsfolk from long ago, sip a warm hot chocolate, and pick up local gifts.

Ride in a horse-drawn carriage, too!

Winter Wonderland at Congress Hall is worth visiting as well.

16

Stop By Christmas at the Mansion On December 4th, Shore Local will be hosting a holiday festival and tree-lighting ceremony at the Somers Mansion. Browse vendors and food trucks, sit on Santa’s lap, and appreciate music from local artists and school choirs.

Watch “The Nutcracker” at Stockton University The Atlantic City Ballet will be performing the memorable show throughout December. Introduce your children to the power of dance and feel the magic of the sugarplum fairies and animation of the nutcracker.

Attend the Holly Jolly Holiday Party at the Flanders Hotel On December 12th, have breakfast with Santa at the historic hotel in Ocean City. There will be performances of classic holiday songs and beautiful decor.

Take pictures by the Christmas Tree on the Beach This pop-up icon has brought joy to hundreds of families locally and beyond. There’s a tree on the 55th street beach as well as 1st street (both in Ocean City). Write names of loved ones on clamshells and place them under the tree. Even Dog Beach has a tree for you and your pet to visit. What a memorable experience!

Savor a Christmas Cookie at Ward’s or Chester's Bakery Nothing tastes better than a gingerbread man-made with love. Both offer a variety of cookies, perfect for bringing home and enjoying with loved ones. Yum!

December 2, 2021

Meet Somers Point Poet Laureate, Erin Castaldi

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omers Point Arts Commission and the City Council established the position of Poet Laureate in 2017. The Commission believes that Somers Point is one of the few cities in New Jersey that recognizes poetry through the position of poet laureate.

While promoting poetry in

An enchanting cast of professional singers and dancers will present a high-energy, family-oriented song and dance tribute to the holidays.

18

Somers Point, in 2021, Somers Point’s current Poet Laureate, Erin Castaldi, received national and international recognition for her work in haiku writing. This year Erin was chosen by the Haiku Society of America to edit the Member’s Anthology 2021; it was the largest anthology to date with 445 entries from 27 countries and included 7 distinct title pages each introduced with color images of abstract art designed and formatted by the poet-editor. “It was my goal to further enforce the unique qualities of each haiku as it stands alone, yet thoroughly woven into the anthology to create a work that contains both individual poems that satisfy and encourage deep thought as well as weaving a lilting commonality of sentiment”.

In addition, Erin Castaldi has been awarded two honorable mentions in two international competitions.

In the Kaji Aso Studio Haiku Competition 2021 Erin read her poem via Zoom which is available on You Tube. She also was awarded Honorable Mention in the International Haiku Competition 2021 sponsored

by Croatia’s Tourist Board.

Throughout 2021Erin has had multiple poems published in approximately a dozen journals, columns, magazines and anthologies. She was the featured poet in June at the Beach Bards Zoom presentation and was included in The First Wave, an anthology published in 2021 by The Beach Bards, based in Sea Isle City.

Her haikus were included in Somers Point Unique Experiences Club’s video of Here Comes the Sun event held in April 2021. Locally Erin will have her work on display at the Mays Landing Library through December 2021.

Erin Castaldi will be Somers Point’s Poet Laureate throughout 2022 and will be participating in several of the Arts Commission’s programs and events throughout the year starting in January. Plans are being made to conduct a series of poetry writing sessions Writing Poetry Your Way open to high school students and adults; judging the Somers Point’s 8th Grade Poetry Competition in March; partnering with Somers Point Public School for a 7th Grade poetry writing one-day workshop and participating in Art in the Park in June and Poetry in the Park in August.

December 2, 2021

Making Time For Traditions

Jeff's Journal

By Jeff Whitaker

A

s 2021 winds down, it seems the unpredictable aspect of life has only increased.

Knowing what will change from one week to the next is anyone's guess. So, it seems to me that we should concentrate even more so on the things that we can control. Last week, in my column, I talked about the importance of how we spend our time this holiday season. I want to expand on that thought this week.

One of the songs in the Broadway musical Fiddler On The Roof is the song, “Tradition." It talks about all of the practices passed down from generation to generation that define who the characters in the musical are and what roles they are expected to play in life. In the storyline, the idea of tradition is revered by the older generation and questioned by the

December 2, 2021

young. Too often, today the idea of tradition is dismissed as old-fashioned and of little value. But when it comes to celebrating this special time of year, I want to encourage you to consider the upside and lasting significance of traditions.

Stop almost anyone and ask them about Christmas or Hanukkah traditions and I can bet it will bring a smile to their face. Try it. The reason, I believe, is that unlike the negativity associated with tradition in Fiddler, the remembrance of holiday traditions for many of us recall happy, comfortable, and familiar times of growing up with family and friends.

What are some of the traditions you remember as a child and which ones have you carried on into adulthood? For our family, we have several traditions that my wife and I have incorporated into our family. We’ve always had a live Christmas tree and we always travel to an area farm to choose the perfect tree. We try our best to make sure every family member sets aside the time for this annual trip. In the last couple of years, we haven't cut the tree down but picked a pre-cut one. So, in reality, the traditional part isn’t cutting down the tree, but the family time spent together;

the experience. Another tradition we always follow each Christmas morning is gathering together as a family and reading the Christmas story from the book of Luke in the Bible before we head to the tree to see the gifts and open packages. For us, it’s about reminding us of what the day is all about.

There are so many other traditions we have. But my point in all of this is to cause you to think about the traditions you have and celebrate them. And if you’ve never had traditions to follow or think it’s too late to start, think again. It’s never too late and trust me, it’s the traditions you make that your family will remember years down the road and then pass on to their families as well. In this time with so much instability, it’s comforting to have known that some things can remain the same.

Jeff Whitaker is a veteran broadcaster here in South Jersey. He now draws on his experience and training to work with companies and individuals to develop effective storytelling, communications and leadership skills. Find free resources and ways Jeff can work with you at jeffwhitaker.com

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Deck the Halls Using Nature Let It Grow

By Tammy Thornton

A

nd just like that, with the flip of another page of the calendar, it’s officially the “most wonderful time of the year!” We can finally swap our cornstalks and pumpkins for candles and pine, and “deck the halls with boughs of holly”. Fortunately, some of the best decorations can be found in your own backyard.

Look around your garden with a holiday tune in your head, and you might see things in a different way.

Your hydrangeas may have lost that beautiful blue hue, but the tinge of burgundy on the dried flowers will look elegant in a silver bowl. Trees have lost their leaves, but those bare branches can be cut and spray painted red for drama in your decor. Look up and see holly leaves and berries above your head. A snip of those tucked

away will give just the right pop of color you need for your decorations.

Fresh pine sets the mood and smells wonderful too. Grab your pruning shears and head to the backyard. Give your pine trees and bushes a little trim and use the branches outdoors and indoors. You’ll fill the air with their seasonal scent, giving you a natural air freshener. Mix different types of pine for a richer look. I love using cedar branches when they are covered in blue berries. Add magnolia leaves for a southern flair.

For an easy natural swag, gather various types of pine and tie together

with floral wire. Top with a burgundy bow and you’ll have a festive decoration to hang under your porch sconces. While you’re there, fill an urn or pot with mixed pine. Add height and drama by painting bare branches with red or white spray paint. Top with some pinecones you find in the yard, and you’ll have a welcome greeting for guests at your door. Don’t have any pine growing in your yard? No worries. Stop by one of the local businesses selling fresh Christmas trees.

Usually they have piles of free pine from branches they have trimmed from their trees.

Picturing a winter wonderland?

Spray your pine with fake snow or flocking (found at the local hardware store). Add pine cones and bare branches that you’ve spray painted white, then add a little glitter for some shimmer and glow. Wrap with a string of white lights, and a dark, cold night will feel a lot warmer and cozier.

She'z The Boss

Shore Local News would love to see how our readers decorate naturally during the holidays. Send your pictures, comments, and questions to: shorelocalgardener@gmail.com.

Tammy Thornton is a mom of four, a substitute teacher, and a Sunday school teacher. She is passionate about gardening and cooking, and loves the beach.

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Christmas Parade Returns to Ocean City Friday Evening

O

Train Show at the Music Pier Highlights the Weekend

cean City’s annual Christmas Parade travels down Asbury Avenue at 6 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 3. Lights, garland, wreaths and bows adorn “The Avenue” for the season, and the parade will bring a variety of bands, floats and other entries to add a little warmth to the winter.

The event gives spectators time to shop and dine on downtown Asbury Avenue before and after the 6 p.m. start time. The parade starts at Sixth Street and proceeds to 11th Street.

This year’s parade will feature more than 60 entries, including the Ocean City High School Marching Band, the Pleasantville High School Marching Band, and the Absegami High School Marching Braves. Characters from “Frozen” will have their own float. Two cold-air balloons – the Nutcracker and an elf – will be part of the fun. The Upper Township Elementary and Middle School Choir will be part of the parade and sing in front of City Hall at Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue after the event.

22

As part of the annual tradition, Santa Claus provides a finale to the parade, greeting boys and girls from a horsedrawn carriage.

Model trains will be on display and for sale at the annual Train Show 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 4 and 5) at the Ocean City Music Pier. Admission is free. For more information, call 609-399-6111.

COMING UP Free Horse and Carriage Rides (weekends through Dec. 18-19): Noon to 3 p.m. with boarding at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue. Please be aware that riders may have to queue up well in advance of 3 p.m. For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ. Visits With Santa (weekends through Dec. 18-19): 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

at Mark Soifer Park (Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue). For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ. Photos With Santa in an OCBP Lifeguard Boat (weekends through Dec. 18-19): Noon to 3 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ. Cape Shore Chorale Holiday Concert (Dec. 5): Cape Shore Cho-

rale under the direction of Scott J. Breiner will present a free concert and sing-along of holiday favorites at 3 p.m.

Sunday at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (2998 Bay Avenue). The nearly 50-member chorus will be accompanied by pianist Gae Finch and instrumentalist Andrew Ehrhardt. Light refreshments will be served after the concert. Free will donations are welcomed.

Swingin’ Through the Holidays (Dec. 1012): Ocean City Theatre Company’s annual Holiday Extravaganza is back.

A cast of professional singers and dancers will present a high-energy, family–oriented song-and-dance tribute to the holidays. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Friday Dec. 10-12): Ocean City Theatre Company’s annual Holiday Extravaganza is back. A cast of professional

December 2, 2021

singers and dancers will present a high-energy, family–oriented songand-dance tribute to the holidays.

Show times are 7:30 p.m. Friday (Dec. 10); 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12 at the Ocean City Music Pier. Tickets are $15 and $18. Call 609-399-6111, visit oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, or stop by the Music Pier Box Office on the days of the shows.

Elf: The Musical Jr. (Dec. 17-18): The Ocean City Theatre Company Junior Company will perform a musical based on the beloved holiday comedy film. (Please be advised that cast members may be wearing transparent face coverings during the performance.) Show times are 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17, and 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Ocean City Music Pier. Tickets are $15. Call 609-399-6111, visit oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, or stop by the Music Pier Box Office on the days of the shows.

First Night (Dec. 31): Celebrate New Year’s Eve with the family in Ocean City. The annual event

features more than 70 shows and activities and venues throughout town. Fireworks ring in the new year at midnight. For admission buttons, schedules and more information, visit firstnightocnj.com or call 609-3996111.

First Day Shopping Extravaganza (Jan. 1): Welcome the New Year by shopping for tremendous bargains in downtown Ocean City, Asbury Avenue from Sixth Street to 14th Street. For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ. Free Horse & Carriage Rides (Jan. 1): Noon to 3 p.m. with b oa rdi n g at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue.

First Day Boardwalk 5K (Jan. 1): Race starts at 1 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. Pre-register at ocnj.us/race-events. Race-day registration opens at 11 a.m. at the Music Pier.

First Day at the Beach (Jan. 1): Featuring Ocean City’s first dip in the ocean for the New Year at 2 p.m. On the beach adjacent to the Music Pier. For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ.

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23

Eighty Years Ago: A Date Which Will Live In Infamy

How locals reacted to the Pearl Harbor attack

A Look Back

By Fred Miller

E

ighty years ago, December 7, 1941, the Japanese forces attacked American and British territories and possession in the Pacific, including

The first structure in the country built especially for aircraft spotters was erected atop the Music Pier in December1941. Volunteer observers kept watch 24-hours a day beginning on December 22, 1941.

7am - 5pm

the home base of the U. S. Pacific Feet at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The next day the United States entered World War II as Congress declared war against Japan. On December 11, 1941, Germany and Italy declared war on the United States, and the United States responded in kind.

On December 8, 1941, newspapers across the country, including the Daily Sentinel-Ledger and Philadelphia Inquirer, reported on the Japanese’s surprised attack.

The following editorial, written by Lorin D. Angevine, was on the top of the front page of the December 8th Sentinel.

We’re All In One Boat, Now

The United States of America is at war!

That means that every man, women and child, native-born or naturalized, is a participant.

Whether you’re a Republican or Democrat, rich or poor, of high or low rank, the time has come to cast aside all personal prejudices and animosities for the common cause.

A treacherous enemy has stabbed us in the back. The strength of this enemy— Japan—must not be underestimated. As this newspaper remarked several days ago, Japan will be no pushover. America must be prepared for severe reverses at

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December 2, 2021

first at first for Japan has had tower on the Music Pier. Phillip Shafto was the chief observer. the advantage of a surprise attack on her side.

The local newspaper reEventually, of course, our ported everyday how Ocean superior navy and resources City was responding to Ameriwill decide the issue. But it will ca’s entrance into War World II be no short undertaking. under the following headlines: Probably, before many days Ocean City Prepares To Deelapse, we also will be officially fend Itself From Attack; Police at war with Germany—and Guard Bridges; Raid Shelters that will bring the conflict to Planned; Wanted: Loan of Two this side of the continent. We Boats To Patrol Our Beachsincerely hope that Ocean City front; Police Guard Bridges; will escape, but we must now be Establish Airport Guard Here; prepared for anything!

Any Siren From Now On Will What can you, an indiBe Warning Of An Air Raid; vidual, do in Ocean City?

Evacuation Plans To Be PreThe best way to find out is to pared; Moyer To Construct attend the emergency Defense Experimental Craft For Navy; Council meeting in City Hall, Schedule For Local Airplane at 8 o’clock tonight. Volunteer Observers; War Restrictions your services in any way that Clamped On All Boats. will best serve your city and After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the 4th Street U. S. Coast Guard station was reopened to be used as barracks People, needing some recountry! for the increased manpower on the island. lief, crowded into the Moorlyn America is solidly united, Theatre on Friday, December station, located on the lagoon in the now that war is upon us. America, with the Naval Air Station at Lakehurst and 12 to watch Bud Abbott and Lou the help of her allies, will win. But we Gardens, kept a 24-hour watch on the Cape May Naval Base.

Costello in Keep ‘Em Flying. It was must all move fast, calmly and with dethe Atlantic Ocean from their tower The December 9, 1941, the Daily Abbott and Costello’s third service termination. We civilians must see to the on the E. Atlantic beach. They also Sentinel-Ledger reported a lookout comedy based on the peacetime protection of our homes. And we must began opening up their old stations tower was to be built on the top of draft of 1940. Keep “Em Flying folreconcile ourselves to the probability on 4th and 36th streets to be used the Music Pier. It would be manned lowed Buck Private and In The Navy. that we are in a bitter war that will not for barracks for incoming officers.

24-hours a day by volunteers to augThe first weeks of World War II, be terminated quickly.

Navy blimps increased their pament the U. S. Coast Guard lookout saw the people of Ocean City taking An attack by Germany, either trolling of the coast of New Jersey. tower. The December 22 newspaper Editor Angevine’s advice and they by sea or air, was a major defense Nine 250--foot-long blimps were reported the volunteer spotters of volunteered their services so America concern. The local U. S. Coast Guard assigned to cover the area between planes began their 24-hour vigil on the would win the war.

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SHOP EARLY FOR CHRISTMAS! Open Daily StillUntil OpenChristmas!

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T

Margate’s Mega Shopping Weekend Brings in Shoppers and Families

hey came in droves to shop and to visit with Santa while enjoying contests, crafts, free giveaways, slices of pizza and to get their hair dazzled by New Jersey Fairy Hair. The Margate business and restaurant districts celebrated Shop Small Business weekend highlighted on Saturday, November 27 by a visit from America Sign Language (ASL) Santa’s drive down Ventnor Avenue. The event is produced by the Margate Business Association in conjunction with local businesses.

Santa was escorted by the Margate City Fire Department and the Margate City Police Department, Lucy the Elephant (the inflatable version) 95.1 WAYV / 100.7 WZXL van, Jamaican Me Crazy decked out golf cart, Atlantic County Toys for Kids flashing light truck and of course Santa who arrived in a Margate lifeguard boat with friends

elf, unicorn and gingerbread man.

Arriving at Bocca Coal Fired Pizza and settling into his throne chair, Santa met with dozens of children, some excitedly signing their request .

This annual event is made special by ASL Santa and his elf who are one of the few Santa’s in South Jersey who can sign with hearing impaired children giving them the joy-

ous opportunity to tell Santa their wishes directly.

Children can still drop off their letters to Santa at his slotted mailbox in the foyer of Bocca to December 3 at 6pm.

Enjoy the spirit of the holiday season by visiting the beautifully lighted Margate recreation fields on Jerome Avenue. The lights will go on daily at dusk. Be sure to bring your

camera!

For additional information on these events and much more go to www.margatehasmore.com.

Sponsors and participants are Margate Business Association, Bocca, Wawa, Colmar Home Center, 95.1 WAYV and 100.7 WZXL, Heritage Surf Shop, Dino’s Subs and Jonuzi’s Pizza.

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December 2, 2021

Victorian Influence in our Christmas Traditions

By Mari D’Albora Dattolo

W

ith the marriage of Queen Victoria of Great Britain to Prince Albert in 1840, many new fashions and traditions began in both Europe and the United States. Of them all, the greatest contribution of the Victorian Era was the celebration of Christmas as a holiday. By the end of the nineteenth century, Christmas had become the most celebrated event of the year.

After one hundred and eighty years, many of those Christmas customs are still practiced today, centered around family, charity, goodwill, peace, and the birth of the Savior.

As Prince Albert was from Germany, he brought with him the tradition of decorated Christmas trees. In 1848 the “London Times” featured an illustration of this new holiday tree at Windsor Castle, decorated with nuts, fruits, sweets, and treats. The custom of live trees in the Victorian Era quickly became popular when it arrived in America in 1850. By 1901, buying a tree from a commercial vendor had become such a trend that conservationist President Theodore Roosevelt, in protest, refused to have a Christmas tree in the White House.

As a result of the shortage of trees, the first Christmas tree “farm” was started in our state capital of Trenton, New Jersey.

Mistletoe began with the Victorians in the form of a glass trinket called a ‘kissing ball’. The ball was lined with various greens and hung in entryways to invite a kiss on the cheek and a wish for a prosperous new year. Decorating with evergreen sprigs and holly branches were also a popular holiday decoration for their continuous color throughout the winter season. This tradition would often include scented herbs and foli-

December 2, 2021

age and the practice of decorating would become known as ‘decking the halls.

In 1843 the first Christmas card was commissioned with a festive illustration and a Christmas message. By 1880 the practice of sending Christmas cards had become such a popular holiday tradition that over 11.5 million pieces were produced that year. By comparison, in 2017 more than 15 billion holiday cards were delivered by our US Postal Service.

Another Christmas custom introduced by the Victorians is a warmed beverage usually made with hot ale or mulled cider, referred to as “wassail”.

Eventually, the practice of going door to door called ‘wassailing’ became popular in 1833 when the first significant collection of carols were written. Later, the tradition of singing

festive Christmas songs was referred to as ‘caroling’, a holiday ritual that continues today with choral groups and church choirs.

Gift giving was initially a custom celebrated with the New Year. However, as the Victorians placed more emphasis on the Christmas holiday, gift-giving became more central to the Christmas festivities. Early on, presents were hidden among the

branches of the holiday tree. Often they were gifts of food including preserves, jams, jellies, cookies, candy, and especially oranges and apples. As gifts became more elaborate and handmade or storebought, they moved from the tree’s branches to underneath the tree.

The centerpiece of the holiday festivities was and continues to be the Christmas Feast.

By the early twentieth century, roast turkey with all the trimmings had become the dominant dish of the celebration. Early Victorian recipes included mince pie which later evolved into more elaborate sweets and confections, including sugar-coated plums (sugarplums) and Christmas pudding.

Today, homemade cookies, holiday pies, and fanciful pastries have been the culmination of the holiday banquet for generations of American families.

27

Historical scrapbooks can honor older relatives

T

here are so many different and creative ways for families to showcase their heritage and honor a grandparent or other special senior. Scrapbooks are one such way to share the life of a special person and indirectly tell the tale of your family history.

Very often personal history projects are a part of elementary school curricula, so you may already have the makings of a family tree or a family diary in your home. All it takes is a little more research and some planning to design a scrapbook that can be gifted or kept for generations to enjoy.

Begin by making an outline of what you would like to cover in the scrapbook. Perhaps there is a specific event in a grandparent's

life that is worth highlighting, like a military tour of duty or a brief stint in show business. Maybe you would like to present different snapshots in time during his or her life. Either way, planning out the content of the scrapbook will make it easier to gather the necessary elements.

Once you've settled on a theme, begin your research by interviewing the eventual recipient (he or she doesn't have to know the reason behind the inquiry).

During the interview, take note of key dates and try to establish the mood of the era with supporting materials. For example, you may be able to find samples of advertisements from a correlating period in history or newspaper clippings that can be used to fluff up the content of the book.

Holiday Gift Baskets

609-568-6659 11123 12 Asbury Ave. Ocean City

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Open Everyday 10am-5pm

Also inside Staintons

In the meantime, gather photos that can be used in the scrapbook, which may take some hunting.

Prints can be scanned and copied via a desktop scanner at home, or loaded onto a CD or thumb drive and brought to a pharmacy photo kiosk.

Some specialty shops can even scan slides or convert stills from film into images. Make sure to make copies of all original prints and be careful not to lose or damage the originals.

Scrapbooks can be made manually with materials purchased anywhere from craft and hobby stores to stationery shops. There are a variety of paper-cutting tools, adhesives, stickers, labels, and stencils that can be used to enhance the look of the scrapbook. There also are computer software programs or online tools through photo-sharing sites that enable you to upload

images and text and design photo books entirely online. Then the finished product can be printed out in a variety of finishes. This method may actually be preferable for those who plan to save the scrapbook or anticipate it being such a big hit that others will want their own copies.

Create a digital file of all of your information and copies of images.

This way if you ever want to add to the scrapbook or reproduce information in the future you will have all of the information at your fingertips. The scrapbook also will serve as a good source material down the line should future generations want to learn about their ancestors.

Scrapbooking is more than just detailing baby's first birthday or a vacation. This popular pastime can help document the life of a special senior.

December 2, 2021

The Goodness of Coconut Milk ● ● ● ●

4 green onions, sliced (green part reserved for garnish) 1 lemon 1 tbsp. Basil, shredded Pinch white pepper

Directions: Nutrition

By Nancy Adler

C

oconut milk is a white milky opaque liquid extracted from the grated pulp of matured coconuts. Its rich taste is mostly due to the high oil content and saturated fats. Still eating coconut milk can provide many health benefits. Eating coconut milk could improve your cholesterol levels. People who consumed coconu t milk lowered their LDL “bad cholesterol” and their HDL or “good cholesterol” increased.

Healthy cholesterol levels are important for heart health.

Because coconut milk is high in saturated fat, people may wonder if it’s a heart-healthy choice. Very little research examines coconut milk specifically, but many studies suggest that it benefits people with normal or high cholesterol levels.

Coconut milk is hydrating due to its naturally occurring electrolytes and healthy fats that keep the digestive organs functioning properly.

This helps the gut metabolize fats, remove waste from the body, and prevent gut-related ailments such as IBS. Cultured Coconut milk yogurt is a rich probiotic food, packed with good bacteria to support good digestion.

Enjoy coconut milk in moderation.

1-2 times a week.

Please enjoy my healthy recipe from my cookbook “ Nancy’s Recipes for Life “ available at my Linwood office Location and Capellas Oil and Vinegar Store in Ocean City.

THAI Chicken Coconut Soup ● ● ● ● ● ●

12 oz chicken breast (boneless skinless fat removed) 1 cup coconut milk 1 1/2 cups chicken broth or stock (low sodium) 5 slices ginger (fresh) peeled 1 cup white mushrooms, quartered 1 tsp. Thai chili paste

December 2, 2021

Place the chicken breasts in a small saucepan. Cover completely with cold water and place over moderate heat.

Bring water to 180°, just before the water starts to bubble. Poach chicken for 15 minutes or until cooked at 165°. While chicken is poaching, place coconut milk and mushrooms in a saucepan over moderate heat. Bring it to a simmer. Add chili paste and simmer for 10 minutes.

Once the chicken is cooked and cooled slightly, cut into one-inch cubes. Add to the soup. Finish soup with basil, pepper, and lemon juice to taste.

Garnish with chopped green onion.

Serves 4 Nancy Adler is a certified nutritionist and practitioner in Linwood. Her office is located in Cornerstone Commerce Center, 1201 New Rd. Learn about her practice at ww.nancyadlernutrition.com (609)653-4900 Nancy is the Recipient of the Best of The Press 2021 Gold Award. You may listen to Nancy every Sunday at 2 pm Nancy Adler Nutrition LIVE! NewsTalk 1400 WOND

Celebrate the Holidays in the Wildwoods!

5 WEEKENDS OF HOLIDAY FUN NOV 20 Gratitude Fest

DEC 3 Wildwood Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

NOV 25-DEC 30 Elks Holiday Window Decorating Contest

DEC 3-4 Christmas in the Plaza

NOV 26-28 Christmas in North Wildwood

DEC 10-JAN 15 Winter Wonderland at Holly Beach Park

NOV 27 Outdoor Holiday Shopping Village

DEC 11 Family Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting Ceremony

DEC 1 Wildwood Crest Tree Lighting Ceremony

DEC 11 ‘Pinch the GrYnch’ Boardwalk 5K Run

DEC 3 North Wildwood Tree Lighting Ceremony

DEC 18 Family Holiday Beach Bonfire

DEC 3 Greater Wildwood Jaycees Christmas Parade

DEC 20 Holiday Lights Walk

For a full list of events and details visit: WildwoodHoliday.com or call 609.729.9000

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Two Great Weekends Of Arts , Shopping and Networking At The Arts Garage!

December 4th and 5th The Arts Garage Becomes A UNIQUE BOUTIQUE

T

The Light with Raymond Tyler

Now Booking Holiday Parties!

he Asbury Park Bazaar and the Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University presents the Atlantic City Holiday Bazaar on December 4th and 5th from 12-5PM. This event is free and open to the public at the Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University at 2200 Fairmount

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We lost Earl in 2021 and I was asked to curate this year’s event.

We have some great partners like The Atlantic City Arts Commission who is sponsoring a live performance by Gina Roche and The Boardwalk Art Walk featuring art by Chanel Renee, Brittany Anne, Yeli and Bernard Collins.

We will also have an arts stroll , we have vendors as well as the regular gallery action at The Noyes Arts Garage.

Most importantly you can bring an unwrapped toy for Toys For Tots.

If that wasn’t enough we will have food and beverages along with samples from Murphy’s Chicken and Potatoes and Dixon Catering and more. We have gift bags from Mixed Chicks Hair Care Products and additional swag from authors (Demetria Winters, Harv Nichols, Tamu Lane), record companies and other great sponsors.

Please come out and get festive with the arts community of Atlantic City and South Jersey.

For more information please contact me at 609-431-071 or RaymondTyler2018@Gmail.com

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This event is inspired by the traditional “Wihnachtsmarkts” in Germany.

Don’t miss live music, holiday shopping, photo stations and craft workshops.

Stop by Christina Marie Klein’s studio space within the Noyes Arts Garage to have your photo with Santa taken.

The Asbury Park Bazaar curated a roster of the local and regional artists, vendors, and shops who will be selling a variety of products. This includes vintage items, handmade crafts, jewelry, home goods, foodstuffs and much more.

Food from Rhythm & Spirits and Bar32 of the Orange Loop in Atlantic City and drinks from Cape May Brewing Company will be served. There will be a live musical performance by piano player Denis Brousse on both days of the event.

The Atlantic City Holiday Bazaar will be a fun weekend for the whole family and will be held at the Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University.

Location: 2200 Fairmount Ave, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 Hours: 12PM-5PM December 10th It’s A Celebration The Second Friday Holiday Party Sponsored By The Noyes Arts Garage Of Stockton University and The Atlantic City Arts Commission Friday December 10th 5pm to 8pm at The Noyes Arts Garage As a member of The Atlantic City Arts Commission and the Black Art Matters curator for The Arts Garage it is my pleasure to invite all creative minded people to The Second Friday Holiday Party.

Personally this is special for me because my dear friend Earl Harvey of The AC Times, used to curate this event.

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December 2, 2021

Visit our enchanting gift shop which featuring a wide variety of Irish gifts imported from Ireland.

T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, Hats Specialty Gifts by Russ Jewelry, Watches, Clocks, Glassware, Stoneware, Music Boxes Irish Linen, Tea Towels, Teapots Hand-Painted

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A Lot Like Chr Glitter, bows, boughs, twinkling lights, soldiers, villages, miniatures, nut crackers... traditional Christmas at Irish Pub AC. Get into the holiday spirit as soon as you step inside our magical displays.

Consider booking your family or office party here. Affordably priced from $12.95 per person.

Times are filling up!

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December 2, 2021

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Top Places for Children to Enjoy the Holidays in South Jersey Moms Vibe:

By Krystle J. Bailey

I

t’s the holiday season, which for South Jersey means freezing temps, hot cocoa, and wintery fun to be had. With less than a month until the big day, families are rushing to pack in as much holiday fun into the schedule as possible. Christmas lights, Santa visits, and holiday photo shoots are filling the calendar in between work, school, and shopping. Don’t miss out on these South Jersey favorites this holiday season:

Storybook Land

Located on Black Horse Pike in Egg Harbor Township, Storybook Land is a South Jersey classic. For

generations, parents have been taking their children to experience the Christmas magic of Storybook Land. Watch as Santa and Mrs. Claus light up the storybook-inspired town with over one million lights each night. Tickets cost $26.95 and sell out quickly during the holiday season. Visit www. storybookland.com to book your family’s magical holiday evening.

visits with Santa, elf workshops, crafts, face painting, outdoor fire pits, and so much more, Forever Forest is a Christmas experience that you absolutely want to add to your schedule this year. Schedule your visit at their website: www. foreverforestnj.com.

The Santa Express

The Magical Holiday Express at DiDonato’s

Introduced to the Family Fun Center in 2016, the Magical Holiday express brings the magic of the holidays to kids ages 1-92. Take a ride through the glistening Christmas lights as you journey to Santa’s workshop where you will find him with Mrs. Claus and his elves. There, you can hop in for a photo opportunity with Santa and his crew and grab an early gift from Santa himself. On-site, guests are invited to enjoy cookies, a pop-up snack and toy cottage, pictures with Frosty The Snowman, and

more. Tickets are $17.95 per person and are encouraged to be purchased in advance at the following website: www.didonatofuncenter.com.

Forever Forest

The enchanted forest located in Egg Harbor City is home to a little-known winter wonderland. As the story goes, Emilio Polito and his three brothers received yearly visits from Master Elf Mancinci Manchester each Christmas Eve reminding them of their family’s close connection to St. Nick. Inspired by their childhood memories, the Polito family turned their Christmas tree farm into a holiday experience unlike any other.

Complete with old-fashioned hayrides through the Christmas lights,

All aboard The Santa Express!

Take a ride, Polar Express style, down the historic shoreline from Richland Village to Tuckahoe Village.

Sit with Santa and his helpers as you e nj oy s nack s , Christmas music, and the twinkling lights of the season. Children are invited to bring their letters to Santa for this South Jersey holiday favorite. Coach and first-class tickets are available.

For booking and details, visit www. the-santa-express.com.

Enjoy the magic of the season with your little ones, and never relinquish the magic in your own heart as you relish in the joy that the Christmas season offers.

Krystle J Bailey. Multimedia journalist, Author, Poet.

Connect with Krystle on Instagram @thedailybailey5

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December 2, 2021

66

Christmas Festival of Lights

T

he timelessness of childhood will ring true as your family literally walks through its all-time favorite stories and nursery rhymes at Storybook Land.

Children’s classics are interspersed with exciting new family rides and attractions in a remarkably clean and enjoyable park setting.

Capture photos with Santa in South Jersey's Premier Winter Wonderland.

Santa Lights Lights The Park every operating night and can be visited thru December 23rd.

• Unlimited Rides • Beautiful Grounds • Special Events ents throughoutt the Season ng • Free Parking

6415 Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234 find us on Facebook

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(609)646-0103

Five Christmas Cookie Recipes That Will Make Santa’s Mouth Water

By Sarah Fertsch Staff Writer

Finally, the moment we have all been waiting for. You can smell it in the air - sugar, evergreen bristles, peppermint and white chocolate. It’s time to turn on the Hallmark Channel and relish in the magic of Christmas. Now is the time to stir up something sweet, so grab your family or friends, open up the baking cabinet, and taste the Holiday cheer.

Here are five Christmas cookie recipe that will satisfy your need to stay traditional and try something new:

powder.

Scoop onto an oiled sheet pan and bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.

Once the cookies have been fully

Salted Espresso Brownie Cookies

Ingredients: ● 3 cups of all-purpose flour, sifted ● 1 cup of granulated sugar ● 1 cup of cocoa powder ● 2 tbsp of baking powder ● 1 tbsp of salt ● 1 stick of unsalted butter, softened ● ½ cup of drip coffee, cold ● 3 large eggs ● 1 cup of canola oil ● A pinch of flaky salt In a large bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt.

In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to combine eggs, butter, sugar, and oil.

On medium speed, slowly add dry ingredients into the wet ingredients bowl. Stop when there are no more clumps and everything is evenly mixed.

Pour coffee into the batter and stir.

Refrigerate batter for an hour to let the batter rest and coagulate.

Scoop cookies onto an oiled sheet pan and place into a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes.

Top cookies with flaky salt and enjoy this gooey, rich dessert!

Flourless Peanut Butter Blossoms

Ingredients: ● 3 cups of white sugar ● 2 cups of creamy peanut butter ● 2 large eggs ● 1 tbsp of baking powder ● Hershey Kisses In a medium bowl, stir together peanut butter, sugar, eggs, and baking

34

baked, unwrap Hershey kisses and place one in the center of each cookie. They may melt a bit, but that adds to their deliciousness.

Oreo Balls

Ingredients: 1 large package of Oreo cookies ● 2 sticks of butter, melted ● 1 can of pre-made vanilla icing ● Sprinkles Pour Oreo cookies into a large disposable plastic bag. Use a rolling pin and crush the cookies until they are fine crumbs.

In a large bowl, stir together cookie crumbs and melted butter.

Use your hands to roll the batter into 2-inch diameter balls on a sheet pan.

Melt icing (dumped into a small bowl) in the microwave for 2 minutes.

Roll cookie balls in the icing until completely covered and place on the sheet pan. Add sprinkles to the top of each ball.

Once each ball is coated in icing, place the sheet pan in the fridge and cool for two hours.

Enjoy with eggnog! ●

Pecan Thumbprints

Ingredients: 2 cups of pecan halves ● 2 cups of all-purpose flour ●

December 2, 2021

minutes.

Spoon the pecan-syrup frosting in the thumbprint and top with a toasted pecan halve.

Dust with powdered sugar and eat up!

Sugar Cookies

1 tbsp of baking powder 1 cup of brown sugar ● 1 cup of butter, melted ● 1 tbsp of vanilla extract or paste ● 1 tsp of salt ● 2 large eggs ● ¼ cup of maple syrup ● Powdered sugar (to dust on top) In a 350 degree oven, lightly roast pecan halves on a sheet pan for six minutes. Let cool completely.

In a food processor, mix together 1 cup of pecan halves, maple syrup and ½ cup of melted butter. Process until mixture is creamy and smooth.

In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, baking powder and salt. Mix by hand or by electric mixer until mixture is free of clumps and thick.

Place batter in the fridge for 1 hour.

Once the batter has cooled, scoop individual cookies onto an oiled sheet pan. Press your thumb into the center of each cookie.

Bake cookies for eight minutes at 350 degrees and let cool for 15

Ingredients: ● 3 cups of all-purpose flour ● 1 tsp of salt ● 2 cups of white sugar ● 2 tsp of baking powder ● 1 tbsp of almond extract ● 1 tbsp of vanilla extract ● 1 cup of butter, melted ● 2 large eggs In a large mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, and salt.

● ●

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Flour a flat surface and place dough onto it. Use a rolling pin and cookie cutters to form cookies into shapes.

Place on an oiled sheet pan for eight minutes at 350 degrees.

Let cookies cool completely, then add icing. Make it seasonal and fun!

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35

Get in the Holiday Spirit at Wildwood’s Festive Fun Series Going Places with Dina Guzzardo

I

t is officially December and Christmas is upon us, with many places in South Jersey embracing the holiday season and hosting a wide range of events.

We are fortunate enough to live in an area where there is so much going on around the holidays.

Wildwood is a one-stop destination for fun year round, and this festive period is no different. Wildwood has your holiday activities covered on December 3rd and 4th with their Christmas parade and winter festival and December 11th with a holiday bazaar. These are just some of the amazing events they have planned throughout the month.

Kicking off on Friday December 3rd at 5:30 pm with registration for the parade, the event itself begins at 6:30 pm. The annual parade will start at 16th Avenue in North Wildwood and head south along Central Avenue and Pacific Avenue

through the Holly Beach Station Mall until Spicer Avenue in Wildwood. It will then head west towards New Jersey Avenue and back north to Oak Avenue, followed by heading east and ending at the New Byrne Plaza where the awards ceremony will also be held, followed by the Tree Lighting Ceremony.

The categories for this year’s parade will be Commercial, Community Service, Marching Bands and Public Service, and Individual/Small Group.

This is an event that participants really go all out for, with impressive light displays, creative showpieces, and festive music. If you are interested in registering your vehicle for the parade, you can register on the night of check in. Online registration is closed now, but you can contact them to find out if they have space on the day. Santa will

already be there so any vehicles with Santa are strictly prohibited! There will also be vendors and free carnival rides on the night, so wrap up warm and make a fun night of it!

The following day (Saturday December 4th), an all day festival in Byrne Plaza (3400 Pacific Avenue) is taking place from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm with carnival rides, vendors, holiday activities,and entertainment.

The John Walter Cape Co m m u n i t y Band will be providing live music on the day, comprising current and former educators, business professionals, retirees, and students from local schools.

New for 2021, Mrs Claus will be taking time out of her busy schedule to read some family favorite stories to the children. For a bit of adult fun and

a Christmas tipple, MudHen will be there pouring some of your favorite brews on both days. Be sure to try their flagship beers including the 1883 IPA, Baker’s Double IPA, or a Captain Doug’s Porter.

The finale in their series of festive events is the Holiday Bazaar at the Wildwood Convention Center (4501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ 08260) on December 11th from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. There will be a wide range of activities and entertainment taking place all day, including a shopping bazaar children’s craft making table, stocking making table, and holiday movies. From 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, kids can get their face painted, and from 10:00 am to 4: 00 pm and pick their favorite animal to be created in balloon form.

There will be a series of live entertainment, kicking off at 9:00 am with the Margaret Mace Choir. At 11:30 am, Santa will arrive to spread holiday joy to all attendees. Ken Northridge will be WOWing spectators with his amazing magic show at 12:00 pm, and there will be a tree lighting ceremony at 4:30 pm in the Wildwood Convention Center.

The movie schedule features a range of exciting and engaging Christmas movies between 9:30 am and 2:30 pm. Beginning with Rudolph, be sure to catch the 1:30 pm showing of the Grinch (cartoon) and the 2:30 pm showing of the Polar Express.

Entrance to the event is completely free!

The series of holiday events organized by Wildwood are a great opportunity to engage in some community festive fun and for free. The annual events draw in huge crowds and are always a fan favorite so be sure to arrive early and hit up your favorite spots. Wildwood is also a great destination to hang out at and grab dinner after. You could even make a weekend of some of the events they have lined up so be sure to check out https://www.dooww.com/ for all the latest up to date information on what they have going on this holiday season.

Dina Guzzardo is the President and Executive Promoter of Dina Media Group LLC. Dina Media Group is an innovative cutting edge event production and marketing company that produces and promotes large events as well as a talent agency that manages some incredible talent. www.dinamediagroup.com

36

December 2, 2021

ACUA’s Annual Holiday Food Drive provides an easy way to help neighbors in need

Donations collected with recycling Monday, December 6 through Friday, December 17

B

eginning Monday, December 6 and continuing through Friday, December 17, Atlantic County residents are urged to place non-perishable food items at the curb on their recycling collection day as part of the 31st annual Holiday Food Drive. Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) recycling crews will collect the food when picking up regularly scheduled recycling stops.

ACUA’s Holiday Food Drive gives residents an easy and convenient way to help neighbors in need while helping the environment. All food collected through the Holiday Food

Drive will be distributed through the Community FoodBank of New Jersey Egg Harbor Township which provides the donated food to more than 300 partner agencies for distribution to those less fortunate throughout Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties. These charities include emergency food pantries, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and other charitable feeding programs.

"The Community FoodBank of New Jersey-Egg Harbor Township is grateful for our continued partnership with the ACUA as we are purchasing more food than in the past due to a decline in food donations.

The food collected during this annual drive reflects the generosity of our community and provides essential nutrition to our neighbors in need," noted Denise Hladun, Director of External Affairs for the Community FoodBank of New Jersey.

The Community FoodBank is looking for donations of food items, especially canned tuna and meats, hearty soups, meals in a can and

peanut butter. Please do not include perishable or frozen items or food in glass jars.

“Regrettably, 60,000 of our South Jersey neighbors struggle with hunger with 1 in 6 local children affected.

Our region continues to struggle and many of our neighbors are go without some of the most basic things. We are always encouraged by the generosity of Atlantic County residents, and we hope to get as many people as possible to donate to this year’s

effort,” said ACUA President Rick Dovey. “ACUA’s food drive provides an easy way for people to donate when they put their recycling out.,” Dovey added.

Last year, residents donated 37,120 pounds of non-perishable food. “Our goal is to exceed last year’s total,” said Dovey.

To participate, just fill any bag or box with your donation and leave at the curb on your recycling day between December 6 and December 17.

Atlantic County residents not serviced through the ACUA curbside recycling program can bring donations to the ACUA at 6700 Delilah Rd., or to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey’s Southern Branch located in Egg Harbor Township at 6735 Horse Pike.

To learn more about how you can help contact the Community FoodBank of New Jersey’s Southern Branch at (609) 383-8843 or visit www.cfbnj.org. For more information, call (609) 272-6950 or visit www.acua.com/fooddrive.

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“Swing Into Christmas” Toys for Tots Event to take place on Friday, December 10th

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esor ts Casino Hotel’s annual “ Sw i n g Into Christmas” musical comedy show will take place on Friday, December 10th at 8pm. Benefiting the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots program, guests can enjoy the show and give back to the community.

Sponsored by Resorts Casino Hotel, any guest that brings a new unwrapped toy will receive free admission to the show. All toys go towards children and families in need this holiday season. This family-friendly show welcomes all ages to sit back and get into the holiday spirit.

Doors to the Superstar Theater open at 7pm and the show begins at 8pm.

Performing at the show will be Jim “The Singing Lifeguard” Craine, the Atlantic City Allstar Band, Besty Daily and the Tony Grant Stars of Tomorrow Alumni Dancers, Atlantic City’s Songstress Suzie Neustadter, & other surprise special guests!

The night will be filled with holiday

merriment, festive music, comedy, and more. After the show guests can meet the cast at Bar One, located on the Casino Floor.

Jim Craine, who is also the organizer of this show has participated in the Toys for Tots program for many years. Across a career spanning more than four decades, Craine has opened for legends like Frank Sinatra Jr., Bob Hope and Sammy Davis Jr. Don’t miss out on this fun-filled show benefitting families in need this holiday season.

For more information visit resortsac.com, or visit Jim’s website at jimcraine.com.

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December 2, 2021

39

Extra Points with Pete

Small Business Saturday and more

Sports & Entertainment

By Pete Thompson

I

know this is a sports & entertainment column, but I hope you will indulge me to write a little bit about Small Business Saturday and two LOCAL businesses that exemplify that concept.

I had errands to run last Saturday and was able to hit both stops with one quick trip to the Friendly Deli (151 New Jersey Avenue) and Hometown Variety & Framing (150 New Jersey Avenue) in Absecon. To me, these are shining examples of the kind of businesses we all should patronize and what Small Business Saturday is all about. Owner Ryan Hughes at the Friendly Deli is pretty much always behind the counter and the #1 comment everyone seems to make is about their unbelievable chicken salad. That’s why I was there. I got soup and a sandwich and takeout containers of both the chicken salad and tuna salad. Then, I simply walked across the street to Hometown Variety &

PT and Ryan Hughes at the Friendly Deli in Absecon Framing, where owner Stan Weiner had my diploma from college framed.

I stupidly paid a big business company for a TEMPLE UNIVERSITY frame, but failed to account for the fact that I graduated from there in 1993 and therefore my diploma is smaller than the modern ones. Stan was graciously able to add a matte and replace the cheap glass on the frame with better glass and my diploma is now properly framed. Located in the old

SUPERSTAR THEATRE

Benjamin Franklin five & dime store, Hometown Variety & Framing is like stepping into a time machine as you can best describe the store as an “Old Fashioned 5 & 10 store with the area’s best custom picture framing”.

I’ll close this lengthy intro by “borrowing” the words of SHORE LOCAL editor Cindy Fertsch from her column last week where she wrote, “We humbly ask that this holiday season, you think LOCAL first. Our hearts are filled with so much gratitude for our readers, columnists, photographers, videographers, and especially our ADVERTISERS that make this publication possible. Please don’t skip over the ads within these pages. These are the businesses that make up the fabric of our community.” To that I say…shop LOCAL! Now, since I last wrote, the Eagles came up short in their biggest game of the season, and missed a golden opportunity to put themselves right back into the playoff picture. Plus, they now have some major injuries moving forward. The Sixers welcome back their big man, with mixed results.

The Flyers are on a season-long skid, and some are wondering if their head coach is on the “hot seat”. Others are wondering if it’s time to blow things up and start over again. The Phillies say goodbye to their longest-tenured relief pitcher. In soccer, the Philadelphia Union are in unchartered waters.

From golf, Tiger Woods makes a big announcement. Plus, a major influence of his passes away. On the local front, I was thrilled to be able watch a high school football rivalry right on my TV at home on Thanksgiving. Also, speaking of high school football, one local team holds a significant reunion.

From entertainment, the Beatles documentary I’ve waited so long for

Jim Gardner, Action News / Courtesy: 6abc / Disney was as good as advertised. Plus, the most trusted face in Philadelphia TV news announces plans for his retirement. As always though, we begin with sports, and my thoughts: ● I’ll start with the Eagles as there’s no other way to describe their 13-7 loss to the New York Giants than a “missed opportunity”. The Birds turned the football over four times, yet still had a chance to win the game last Sunday in East Rutherford. However, on the final play of the game, a Jalen Hurts pass attempt to Jalen Reagor went through Reagor’s hands and fell to the turf. Reagor did have one spectacular catch in the game, but his two 4th quarter key drops will be what most folks remember from this loss. ● That’s not to excuse Hurts for his performance, as this was easily his worst game as a pro QB. Hurts

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went 14-for-31 for 129 yards with 3 interceptions. He did have 77 rushing yards, however he finished the game with a 17.5 passer rating.

The other major storyline was the anemic Eagles offense. Their 7 points were the fewest since 2018. They did have a touchdown called back because of a holding penalty on Nate Herbig. They were shutout at halftime for the first time this season. They also had 3 drops in the end zone and also a drop at the one-yard line. That’s not going to get it done.

And, the injury bug is starting to hit the Eagles. As I write this, QB Jalen Hurts is nursing an ankle injury and his status for the next game against the Jets is in doubt. If he can’t play, backup QB Gardner Minshew will get the start. The Eagles are on their BYE week after that, so it could make sense for the Birds to try and give Hurts two weeks of rest on his ankle in order to have him for the stretch run moving forward. Also, right guard Jack Driscoll has a high ankle sprain and is going to injured reserve. Because it’s his second IR stint, his season is now over. With Brandon Brooks still trying to come back from injury, the Eagles depth on offensive line is suddenly in jeopardy.

●

●

EHT Football Reunion (2000-2001) / Courtesy: Ryan Smith ●

●

In basketball, the Sixers welcomed back Joel Embiid from Covid-19 last Saturday and he responded with 42 points and 14 rebounds against Minnesota. Unfortunately, Karl-Anthony Towns had 28 points and 10 rebounds in a 121120 double OT win. At the end of the game, Embiid seemed to miss a wide-open Seth Curry as the Sixers fell to 10-10 on the season.

However, things got better on Monday night as Curry and Tobias Harris combined to help the Sixers hold off the 4-win Orlando Magic 101-96. Yet, even as the Sixers

●

won, there are still signs of trouble as they shot 39% in the 3rd quarter and coughed up a 16-point lead over the Magic making a blowout way too close for the hometown faithful. Seth Curry had 24 points, Tobias Harris with 17, and free throws by Ty Maxey and Joel Embiid down the stretch helped the Sixers avoid an embarrassing defeat.

The Sixers definitely do NOT resemble last year’s #1 seed in the East, as injury, illness and the absence of Ben Simmons continue to leave the team out of sync. If

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you’re coach Doc Rivers, how do you lead a team when you’ve only had you’re opening night starting five available just seven times so far this season?

Of course, things are even worse with the NHL team in Philadelphia right now as the Flyers have lost six in a row and are going nowhere fast. They are now 8-8-4 overall and have quickly fallen to 7th in the Metropolitan Division. Remember last week when I wrote that they were “holding water”…? Well, now they’ve turned into the Titanic!

Of course, no one is throwing them a life jacket. Not Tampa Bay, who has two wins over the Flyers during this six-game skid.

Not Carolina, who took advantage of multiple Flyers giveaways in a 6-3 Hurricanes win on Black Friday and not the Devils, who had lost five of six before pulling away from a late 2-2 tie to beat the Flyers 5-2 last Sunday night in Newark. Their next scheduled game with the Islanders at home is postponed because the Isles are dealing with a Covid-19 outbreak.

Sam Carchidi, who’s retiring from the Philadelphia Inquirer next month, has written a column saying that “It’s time for the Flyers

↘Continued on 42

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to trade Claude Giroux and go into full rebuild mode” Kudos to Carchidi, who’s been on the Flyers beat for many years now, for saying what most Flyers fans are thinking, and that is that SOMETHING must be done.

Yes, injuries are a huge part of the Flyers story right now as defenseman Ryan Ellis and second-line center Kevin Hayes have only played a combined six games this season.

An injury to Derick Brassard last week have also hindered the Flyers.

But the reality is this…after the 2-1 win over Calgary that I was at, they were 8-4-2 and in the playoff hunt.

Now, they are 8-8-4 and only the lowly Islanders are keeping them out of the Metro basement.

This Flyers “free-fall” has some also wondering if Head Coach Alain Vigneault is on the “hot seat”. My thought on that is, that it would be surprising to see GM Chuck Fletcher fire the guy that he picked to be the bench boss. But, as the saying goes, “you can’t fire the players!” Stay tuned.

To baseball now, where Héctor Neris signs with Astros as Phillies lose their longest-tenured player and franchise record holder. The Phillies now need a new closer for 2022 and that could lead them to make a trade for Craig Kimbrel.

Neris thrived last summer after being removed from the closer’s role as he posted a 2.51 ERA over his final 40 appearances, 33 of which were scoreless. His final pitch with the Phillies -- a signature splitter in the season finale -- earned him career strikeout No. 521, eclipsing Ron Reed for the most by a Phillies reliever. I actually tweeted out “GOOD RIDDANCE” once I heard about his departure, but his numbers were pretty solid when he WASN’T pitching with the game on the line.

PT and Stan Weiner / Hometown Variety and Framing ●

●

In soccer, props to the Philadelphia Union as they win in penalty kicks over Nashville SC to advance to the MLS Eastern Conference final for the first time in their history.

Keeper Andre Blake the difference as he saved the first two Nashville PK’s and then watched the next two sail into the River End to secure the victory. Go UNION! From golf, Tiger Woods has announced that he hopes to return to competitive golf, but never expects to compete at the highest level again. "I think something that is realistic is playing the Tour one day -- never full-time ever again -- but pick and choose, just like Mr. [Ben] Hogan did," Woods said during a Zoom interview with Golf Digest. "Pick and choose a few events a year and you play around that. You practice around that, and you gear yourself up for that. I think that's how I'm going to have to play it from now on. It's an unfortunate reality, but it's my reality. And I understand it, and I accept it," Woods said. After winning the 2019 Masters, Woods has 15 major victories, three shy of Jack Nicklaus. Never say never, but because of the accident, I now think Nicklaus’s record will stand.

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December 2, 2021

●

●

●

As I write this, comes news that Lee Elder has died at the age of 87. Elder was the first black golfer to play in the Masters in 1975 and was a huge influence on a young Tiger Woods. This past April, in the wake of social justice protests that roiled the nation, the Masters honored Elder by having him join Nicklaus and Gary Player for the ceremonial opening tee shots.

Elder was in poor health and unable to take a swing, but he held up his driver proudly at the first tee, clearly moved by the moment.

R.I.P. Mr. Elder.

My last two sports items are about local high school football. I was thrilled to “watch” Holy Spirit at Atlantic City on my TV thanks to BFA Productions as I could stream the game on my phone and then “cast” it to my TV. Trust me, after 23 years of spending every Thanksgiving working at 1-2 high school football games, it was really nice to watch in my pajamas! Props to Spirit for holding on to the John Boyd-Stan Marczyk Memorial Trophy.

Props to EHT teacher & coach Ryan Smith for organizing a big 20 and 21 year reunion for the EHT football team at Chickie’s & Pete’s Egg Harbor over Thanksgiving weekend. Smith eloquently wrote on Facebook “20 and 21 years ago,

Holy Spirit beats AC 49-8 / Courtesy: BFA Productions

●

we put on the black and silver to represent Egg Harbor Township as best we could. We had fun, we battled, and we were successful.

Last night, we got to talk about all our great memories and about what everyone is up to today.

Some were on time, some were late and didn’t make the picture, but in all, it was a great night with great people.” Smitty….good job and way to go fellas!

As always, I’ll close with a few items from entertainment, starting with the Beatles “Get Back” documentary on Disney Plus.

As I anticipated, the three-part documentary was OUTSTAND-

●

ING and I felt like I was literally sitting in Apple Records in 1969 as the lads created songs. It was strange seeing the footage when you know the group ultimately broke up, but I now know that the Beatles broke up the Beatles…not Yoko Ono! Finally, I keep forgetting to acknowledge the big announcement that 6abc anchor Jim Gardner made on November 11th that he will retire at the end of 2022.

Gardner says he’ll stop anchoring the 11 p.m. broadcast at the end of this year. Then, in January, he’ll start anchoring the 6 p.m. newscast only, with plans to leave Ac-

tion News all together at the end of 2022. I’m lucky enough to know Gardner personally because of my two internships at WPVI-TV and my friendship with the late Gary Papa. All the best to you Jim as you have earned the right to scale back and ultimately step aside.

As I write this, they’re talking about the Omicron variant on the news. I’ve mentioned here before that I was fortunate enough recently to get a third Covid-19 vaccine and my booster shot. It is my continued hope that you stay safe, stay healthy, and no matter where you are, if a mask is required, it’s for a reason. Please keep leading with KINDNESS. Pete has been the local "sports guy" at the Jersey Shore since 2004. After a decade with TV 40, he joined 97.3 ESPN radio to talk Eagles, Phillies, Sixers & Flyers with Mike Gill on "The SportsBash" from 2-6 p.m.

Pete is proud to be a "voice" for the annual ShopRite LPGA Classic each June, and does emcee work for groups like the National Football Foundation, The Old Grad Awards, and The 200 Club of Atlantic County.

You can hear Pete each Tuesday and Friday on 97.3 ESPN at 5:30pm, and if you see him out & about in the community, he requests that you please say "Hi". Send comments to PBrooksT@aol.com

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December in Historic Smithville

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ecember in Smithville is a winter wonderland!

When you get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays, plan a day at Smithville to slow it down, enjoy your family and be reminded of the simpler pleasures of the holidays.

Smithville in December is just what your holiday’s need!

Store Hours on weekdays is now 10am – 7pm. Open later to 9pm on Friday and Saturday and Sunday: 11am – 7pm.

Light Show To make the Light show available to everyone and with concerns of social distancing we are showing the light show Every day of the week Monday – Sunday 5:30 to 8:30.

Magic Talking Tree Saturday Dec. 5th, 11th and 18th from 12:00 – 7:00 Sunday December 5th, 12th and 19th from 12:00 – 6:00

December 4th is Hospitality Night Each year the shoppes at Historic Smithville thank their loyal customers with a Hospitality Night of Discounts, Refreshments, Live Entertainment and Raffles. This year Hospitality night begins at 6:00pm.

December 9th is Girls Night Out December in Smithville has something for the Girls too! An evening for the ladies to shop and celebrate the Holiday season together. There will be wine and cheese, raffles, discounts and other benefits for evening shopping. Grab your best girlfriend and come join us!

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• Novelty Gifts • Specialty Foods • Leather Handbags • Jewelry • Religious Items • Signs • Funny T-Shirts • Ceramics • Clothing & Hats • Aprons ...and much more!

Visit us in Historic Smithville (609) 652-0724

December 2, 2021

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JEWELRY Brighton Accessories Artist Christophe Poly Fashion Handmade Piano Wire

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45

The Christmas Ball and Chain Shopping with your spouse

Charles P. Eberson

Senior Moments A Senior’s Observations, Opinions and Rantings he holiday season is in full swing and with it comes good wishes, good food, good drink and among other good times, shopping. While some participate in the event of shopping like it is a competition; a contact sport if you will, I am not a fan of shopping.

Much to my wife’s chagrin, I do not like to shop and least of all during this time of year. I know what you’re thinking, “What a Scrooge.” I do have to say, my wife has a knack for gift buying, managing to buy the right gift for any occasion on a consistent basis. As life has played out for thousands of years, there are Hunters and there are Gatherers. This plays out in a number

T

of ways with us and shopping is just one of them. As a shopping hunter, if I need a shirt I go out, stalk the shirt selections, buy one and come home.

The same is played out for most things I need to shop for. My wife, as a shopper gatherer takes in the whole environment like a general surveying a battlefield and breaks it down into sections, surgically attacking each one. It is hard enough for her to get me to go off Absecon Island where I have spent the major part of my life. When she would ask if I wanted to go to Hamilton Mall or Consumer Square my question was “Do I need a passport” or “What’s the carry on limit?” Eventually, I realized that she wanted a wingman, some company on her shopping trips and as a dedicated husband, I complied thus joining the ranks of husbands slumped over shopping carts, sitting on benches or racked out in chairs with heads back and mouths open. I have honed this skill into a fine art as we followed the maze of illuminated arrows on the floor at IKEA. Just around practically every turn there was a chair, a recliner, a sofa and even a bed which I was discouraged not to get in and pull up the covers. We recently had to go up Route

73 in Marlton and as traffic became snarled and backed up, I remarked “Don’t these people work? Have they all called out of work to go shopping?

It’s midweek in the afternoon.” I just wanted to get back to my little island.

It all came to head this week after we went to a large national discount store.

After walking up and down the aisles at a glacier’s pace, my eyes locked onto another gentleman who was sharing my fate. His eye roll said it all and we both shook our heads and smiled. I ran into him a couple more times and with the simple nod of recognition, we bonded. Graciously, my wife asked if I would like to walk around by myself so

I thankfully took my leave and started wandering through the store like I was in an airport looking for my departure gate. As the hour ticked, the store became more crowded and the tempo became a bit more frenzied. I witnessed a man and women cussing and screaming at each other to the point where I thought I was going to see some grounding and pounding. People were called to each other across the store while others were eating as they stood in line to checkout. Oh, the humanity. How TV reality show producers have missed the opportunity at these stores is amazing. In closing, I admit I am a shopping ball and chain but with the days before Christmas quickly counting down, there are still people we want to buy for. The question is, can we do this either on our island on online?

Charles Eberson has been in the newspaper business for over 25 years.

He has worked as a writer, advertising executive, circulation manager and photographer. His photography can be viewed at charles-eberson. fineartamerica.com

Adams-Perfect Funeral Homes, Inc.

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appointment to discuss a pre funeral planning program. Planning and funding your funeral in advance is one of the most caring decisions you can make and many area residents have made this important decision. A properly structured funded funeral plan can also assist you if you are trying to qualify for Medicaid.

Jerry C. Umphlett, Funeral Director.

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David G. Umphlett, Manager N.J. Lic. No. 4465

www.Adams-Perfect.com December 2, 2021

Coping with Grief during the Holidays

By Andrew Hoffman

It is that time of year, we just went through Thanksgiving and I hope you all survived the battles of Black Friday. Now we are fast approaching Christmas, Hanukkah, Ramadan, Kwanza and New Year’s. All of these events/season’s/ holidays are meant to be joyful and uplifting, whether religious or secular in meaning. Sure, with the holidays there comes the stresses of finding the perfect gift for your in-law, baking cookies for the church bazaar, and putting up the best Christmas lights in your neighborhood. But there is a huge issue that affects so many people in the world during the holidays and that is coping with grief during the holidays.

For many people, especially if it is the first time you are experiencing a holiday after the death of a loved one, watching others celebrate can

be painful and overwhelming. I have heard so many families say to me that they dread the holidays because their minds are filled with thoughts like “Who is going to play Santa Clause this year? Grandpa always did it…” and “I don’t feel like decorating or visiting others for the holidays, I just don’t have the energy.”

I know from personal experience, not just as a funeral director, but also as a son. When my mother passed away from breast cancer at the age of sixty it was devastating for my father, brother and myself. This was compounded by the Christmas holiday because Christmas was my mother’s favorite holiday. She would prepare for the season like it was a second job. She would decorate the house with Snowmen and ceramic Christmas trees, set up two real trees in the house. The outside was strung with so many lights you could see our house from space. Then there were all types of cookies she would bake and then the Christmas meal. The point is it was a big deal to her and a huge event to our family. And now she was dead. I will be honest; I HATED THE IDEA OF CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAY! It just brought up so many emotions and a lot of them were not

good ones. Now my memories of those past Christmases served as a constant reminder of loss.

You would think being a funeral director would have prepared me to deal with my grief and especially my grief associated with the holiday season. But it didn’t, because doctors always make the worst patients. So my first Christmas after my mother’s death I found any excuse I could to stay busy the whole of December. I didn’t go home to see my family at all.

I am not saying I was proud of it, I am just being honest. That said, come January, I was feeling very guilty and still had my grief. So, coming from a family of educators, I went to the book store and bought the latest books on grief and mourning. I learned a few things and it helped me. I am hoping some of the knowledge I gained will help you.

First of all you need to set realistic expectations for yourself. You need to remind yourself that this holiday is different. You should decide if you

can still handle past responsibilities and expectations. Examine the tasks and events of celebrating and ask yourself if you want to continue them.

If other family and friends offer to cook, shop, decorate, etc, take them up on it. If you feel the need to avoid crowds consider shopping by phone, internet or catalog.

Try to surround yourself with people who love and support you.

Share your holiday plans with family and friends and don’t be afraid to let them know of changes in holiday routines.

Sharing memories with others can sometimes be a source of comfort to the bereaved, so tell those stories and look at the photo albums. I’ll give you more advice in next week’s article. Stay tuned.

Andrew B. Hoffman is a funeral director at Jeffries and Keates and Keates-Plum Funeral Homes.

He is a twenty-two year veteran of the funeral industry.

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Get your steps in!

How to keep the family moving over the holiday season

Shore Fit

By Bonnie Dodd-Miller

D

uring the holidays, taking time to exercise often falls to the bottom of the list thanks to work and family obligations. But making time to exercise doesn’t have to be boring or difficult. 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity a day is enough to keep you in shape. Walking is a low-impact activity that’s easy on the joints and muscles, making it a great activity for every member of the family. Walking also can be done just about anywhere, including indoors and outside.

You can help your family get their recommended 10,000 steps a day during the holidays by taking a walk around your block to look at festive lights and decorations. After a filling holiday meal, you also can try gathering everyone together and taking a walk outside instead of stretching out on the sofa. You’ll feel so much better for it.

The simple act of walking around your house or apartment doing rou-

50

tine chores can be a great form of physical exercise too. You can engage the whole family in getting your home ready for the holidays by turning routine chores into a friendly game or competition. My kids are competitive by nature so this always worked in my household. Now that they are older they just want a list that they have to accomplish so they don’t have to listen to their mother. But, for the little ones, reward everyone for a job well done by letting children choose a fun activity such as riding bikes, playing an outdoor game, visiting a playground, or sledding (if there’s snow). This creates more movement and exercise.

If mom gets help around the house, then there’s more time for play. It’s a win/win!

Decorating the tree, making holiday decorations or cards, or even creating a homemade gift for friends or neighbors. Delivery of these items is where the physical activity comes in and the steps can be made by walking through your neighborhood(s). This is an engaging activity for children of all ages. Another great family activity is Christmas Caroling in your neighborhood. Just another way to get those

steps in while in the holiday spirit.

During the holidays, communities and cities offer many family oriented community events that will keep kids active in a healthy way. Check the Events listing on page ___.

Local parks and nature trails in our area are free for the public. The whole family can benefit , even the four legged family members. Nature walks give children a chance to explore their surroundings while being active.

Fun runs are often held over the holidays. There is usually a small fee and they are open to everyone from serious runners to people who fast walk along the trail with friends. They are usually 5K runs (3.1 miles). Get in the back of the pack when starting if you plan to set a more leisurely pace.

Invite your friends and plan on an outing with coffee or a healthy meal together afterwards. You will feel better physically and mentally for it.

We typically eat more and exercise less during the holidays. This leads us to get out of balance with our food intake and our exercise output.

I encourage you to always be ready as much as possible by wearing your running or walking shoes. This way,

you can get moving whenever there’s an opportunity. Pop a casserole in the oven and head out the door for a walk or jog while it’s baking. Park farther away and walk to your destination.

Walk the mall before you start shopping. You must have a plan and if it’s high on the priority list you will.

If you’re traveling over the holidays, workout with your mobile device. Download an app(s) or video(s) for your mobile device (iPad, iPhone, etc.) or watch an online video that will help you get moving. Some of these may be especially helpful when you’re staying in a hotel or with friends. The hotel may even have a fitness center.

Getting those steps in, getting out in the fresh air is good for the mind, body and soul. This is a stressful time of year with all the hustle and bustle so take the time to do what’s best for you and your family to stay active.

Bonnie Miller is certified fitness instructor at the Ocean City Aquatic and Fitness Center and Atilis Gym in Galloway. She is a mom of three and resides Somers Point.

December 2, 2021

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How to Negotiate After a Home Inspection

Real Estate Matters

By Elisa Jo Eagan

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D

id a Home inspection discover a needed repair on a home you are planning to buy? Don't panic. You may be able to negotiate the repairs or reduce the price of the house.

There is nothing as exciting as finding the perfect home.

From the right number of bedrooms to a spacious yard, finding a house that satisfies your standards can have you eager to call it home.

However, excitement can quickly turn to distress if the home inspection turns up needed repairs. But don't fret -you can negotiate. This information will help you to better understand the process and prepare questions for your Real Estate Agent.

Home inspections are an essential part of the home buying process.

They can help you uncover potential problems and address these issues in a timely and efficient way so you can focus on moving into your new home. Most inspections focus on: appliances, basement, electrical, HVAC system, plumbing and the roof and attic.

Once you have received the report from the home inspector, take some time to review it with agent. They have the experience and know-how to guide you and determine what repairs or concessions you should request.

After you go over the report, it can be helpful to prioritize the needed repairs by both cost and severity. If there are any significant issues, like foundation damage or bad wiring, you should prioritize these concerns over cosmetic issues or repairs that may be less expensive. Note any problems that will cause you to walk away from the sale if the seller does not address them.

Once you have your list of musthave repairs, you will need to negotiate with the seller to find a way to correct these issues by asking them

to complete the requested repairs as part of the closing. The seller could offer a concession or credit toward the repairs instead. In that case, you will need to agree on a price to complete the repairs, and the seller can either adjust the home's purchase price or pay an equivalent amount of your closing costs.

Credits or concessions may be the preferred option for many sellers, as making repairs on the home can add another task to an already hectic moving to-do list. Additionally, as the buyer, if the seller makes repairs, you would have no control over who makes the repairs, and they may not be up to your standards.

If you agree to a concession or credit, make sure that you get quotes from a general contractor on how much the repairs will cost-this will help you to have a ballpark idea of how much you will need to make these repairs. You can share them with the seller to justify the concession or credit amount.

Other Considerations. ● If a Home is listed "As-Is," it is unlikely the seller will want to make any repairs or pay to have them fixed. However, if a home inspection discovers a major problem; you can still request a reduction or credit to help rectify the issue. ● If you are buying a home in a seller's market, be mindful of how many repairs or concessions you request. A seller is not obligated to make repairs.

Know when to walk away. If there comes a time when it feels like you are at an impasse and the seller will not budge on your repair requests, it may be time to look for a different home. The Home inspection contingency clause in your contract allows you to back out of the sale without losing your money deposit if the home inspection results are not up to your satisfaction or you cannot come to an agreement with the seller.

By better understanding the negotiating process, you will be ready to get back on track to move into your dream home.

For More Real Estate Questions, Information and Advice Contact Elisa Jo Eagan "The Real Estate Godmother" (609)703-0432 and Remember..."There's No Place Like Owning Your Own Home!"

December 2, 2021

Holiday Comfort Giveaway

Local company gives the gift of heat for a deserving family.

A

s we head into the cold winter season, Comfort Now is choosing one family in need for their annual Holiday Comfort Now Giveaway.

They are currently seeking recommendations for a family in need.

Bob McAllister began doing "Heat for the Holidays" Giveaways only one month after opening his business, Comfort Now, in 2014. To date, they have provided new heaters for the

holidays to 8 people in the past 6 years.

If you or someone or someone you know are in need and live in Atlantic or Cape May County, enter to win a new furnace with installation. Visit "Comfort Now by Bob McAllister" on Facebook and click the Holiday Comfort Giveaway link or visit iwantcomfortnow.com and look under online services and specials. Enter

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53

Showboat Is Decked Out for the Season and Ready for Santa

Going Places with Dina Guzzardo

S

anta & his magic mailbox at Lucky Snake Arcade every weekend in December Showboat is ready for Santa and the holidays with multiple Christmas trees decorated with thousands of beautiful ornaments and lights! The Jolly Mr. Claus comes to the Showboat Friday, December 3, 10, and 17 between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

and on Saturday, December 4, 11, and 18 between noon and 2 p.m. A photographer will be on hand to take photos, which will be available through a link provided to parents at the time of photos. Parents are also encouraged to take photos with their own personal devices.

In the spirit of giving, Showboat is donating $5 to The Sunshine

Foundation for every letter dropped in Santa’s magic mailbox, which is located at the Lucky Snake Arcade entrance.

Each child who participates will receive a $5 play card to the arcade.

Kids of all ages can enjoy everything from the Virtual Reality Roller Coaster Storm to playing vintage and modern day Pinball in the largest arcade on the East Coast.

For more information about this or any other Showboat events, visit ShowboatHotelAC.com.

Dina Guzzardo is the President and Executive Promoter of Dina Media Group LLC. Dina Media Group is an innovative cutting edge event production and marketing company that produces and promotes large events as well as a talent agency that manages some incredible talent. www.dinamediagroup.com

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SUDOKU Solution on page 58

ACROSS 1. *Core of Persia today 5. *Belgian village where Roman soldiers enjoyed warm mineral springs 8. Pitch symbol 12. More luminous star 13. Abbott and Costello or Rocky and Bullwinkle 14. Eurasian goat-like antelope 15. Team's ranking 16. Make someone angry 17. Mix in 18. *Formerly Ceylon (2 words) 20. What tide does half the time 21. Reggae subgenre 22. Back then 23. ____ profundo 25. Depleted (2 words) 28. Wet firecracker 29. Catch in a net 32. Hip bones 34. Dormer without D 36. Schiller's poem 37. "It is silent" in sheet music 38. Discharge 39. Admirer 41. Earlier in time than, archaic 42. Not out (2 words) 44. Pinocchio and his kind 46. Evergreen creeper 47. "A League of Their Own" member, e.g.

49. Command to a fly 51. *Formerly Siam 54. Rain forest ruminant 55. Irish for Ireland 56. It's under a fig leaf?

58. Shockingly graphic 59. Impersonator 60. Manlike man-eater of fairy tales 61. Crunchable information 62. Popular '60s drug 63. A ____ ____ move

DOWN 1. Opposite of outs 2. Fish eggs, pl.

3. Affirm solemnly 4. Lowest points 5. Seeking damages 6. Kenosha Kickers' music 7. On the sea 8. *Once named Kampuchea 9. Trunk appendage 10. Shining armor 11. Facsimile machine 13. Fire-starter in fairy tales 14. Trojan War military action 19. Red-dot pointer, e.g.

22. Cigar residue 23. *Myanmar, formerly 24. "____ One" on a ticket 25. Consumer 26. Stomach sore 27. Boat stops 28. John's and Jane's last name?

30. Pie a la ____ 31. *Tokyo, formerly 33. Absorbed, as in a cost 35. *Abyssinia, now 37. Jury duty event 39. Comedian Schumer 40. Has more elm trees 43. Roundish 45. Not digital 47. Ox prod, pl.

48. Propelled like Argo 49. Arctic jaeger 50. '80 TV series "____ to ____" (1 word) 51. Bluish green 52. Canceled 53. "American ____," Jeanine Cummins' bestseller 54. Like one of the Testaments 57. Modern, prefix See Solution on Page 58

December 2, 2021

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H

oliday lights often put many in the spirit of the season. Everyone knows at least one person/ family/house that goes all out every season. With the departure of the Sooy Lane lights in Absecon, many people were left wondering where they would get their holiday pick me up. Little did they know, that only a few blocks away at 4 East Curran Drive in Absecon, the Yard Family Christmas Display has been growing and flourishing for the past seven years!

Michael Gerrish has assembled a magical walk through experience for all to see and enjoy.

With thousands of lights, yard decorations, music, two major walk through experiences and a gazebo with a full Christmas tree for photo opportunities; the Yard Family have given the area a real holiday treat. “What was a small hobby became a full time job.” Gerrish said.

“We are planning two years out, every year.”

With a focus on safety and all around family entertainment, the

Solutions to page 57 puzzles. Check yourself!

58

December 2, 2021

all people.” said Gerrish. “Everyone needs to take a break, step back and breath. There is a song on the new Idina Menzel Christmas record called ‘At This Table’ and it really drives home what we are trying to do here.

Nobody is judged and everybody is loved and accepted here.”

Truly, if you are in search of holiday spirit, then make your way to Absecon this weekend. Even though

Yard Family Christmas Display has something for everyone. According to Mr. Gerrish, “ We like to use LED lights in older forms-it brings the older decorations to life! It’s always about the details.”

The spectacular is the perfect blend of new and retro! The decorations are not the only stars in this show. Some very special guests are making an appearance for very special meet and greets at the display. Each weekend before Christmas, Santa will bring holiday cheer to all who stop by.

It is the express desire of The Yard family to bring joy to everyone. “With everything that is going on in the world today, we want to connect everyone…

the lights are on seven days a week (6pm-10pm), the family events are going to be magical. The lights and meet and greets are free of charge.

According to Michael Gerrish, “ You shouldn’t have to pay to put a smile on your kids face.” The family is, however, taking donations for families in need.

It is a chance to give back and make memories to last a lifetime with your family.

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