SHORE LOCAL | Mainland | September 29, 2022

Life is all about perspective

could not be accessed no matter how much we grum bled.

From the Editor

Last weekend, my world came to a screeching halt in the smallest of ways. the cable went out Friday afternoon, leaving us with no t V or internet. Of course, no one could come to service it until monday.

As the hours slowly passed, I was surprised that every part of my life I relied on wouldn’t turn on. Alexa, my artificially intelligent assistant, was unable to wake me up in the morning, play elton John while I got dressed, or remind me to pick up sparkling water from the grocery store. b ob works primarily on a desktop in his office, so he was completely unable to com municate with advertisers or graphic designers.

Worst of all, my favorite relaxation ritual, watching “Seinfeld” reruns, seemed impossible. In fact, any form of live television or streaming services

eventually, we had to dust off an old XbOX 360 and pull DVDs out of the garage, trying to unwind while “Iron man 2” played in the background. tony Stark is nowhere near as funny as Kramer.

t he loss of cable and internet turned out to be a gift in disguise. For the first time in several months, I got off the couch in the evenings, ready for some fun. bob, tired of trying to hack his way onto the nonexistent wifi, brainstormed with me to try to find alternatives to our typical routine.

Hundreds parked their trucks and beach chairs on the 38th St. beach in Brigantine on Sunday, Sept. 24 to watch the Eagles vs. Washington Commanders football game.

t iktok and I can laugh along with Jerry and the Gang every night before bed. I’m thankful that my world has returned to normality, but I reflect on this experience and how miniscule a lack of internet is compared to tragedies across the world.

On Saturday night, we attended the margate Funfest After Dark. Along the bay in margate. bands played and peo ple danced and the streets were lit up with decorative lights and big smiles. the boardwalk area and dock had stations with unique and seasonal spirits and food. Feeling free and whimsical with friends and dancing alongside a rambunctious mr. peanut made the night memorable to the max. the next day, we had to make the big decision about where to watch the

football game. bob mentioned a tail gate event in brigantine on the beach, which we agreed would be the coolest combination ever. my daughter Sarah, bob, and our two dogs packed in my SUV and we drove onto the island.

Hundreds of people were on beach chairs, some with coolers, a pizza or snacks. there were also a large num ber of Jeeps and trucks pulled up to view the game. A food truck was at the beach entrance in case anyone wanted something. We loved the communal cheers as the eagles crushed Wash ington in an epic blowout.

today, our internet and cable have been restored. b ob can work from home, Sarah can scroll through

As I write this, all eyes are on the hurri cane forecasted to hit Florida. many of us have friends, and family there and maybe even second homes. this really puts our cable problem into perspective. As we approach the 10-year anniversary of Sandy, our thoughts and prayers are with the people in Florida facing the terrifying winds and rising waters of Hurricane Ian. may God bless and protect them.

to all our readers, I hope that you have a wonderful week and enjoy the seasonal festivities of October. Sending positive vibes to you and your family, no matter what problem you may need to overcome.

Peace & Love, Cindy

Fall arrives on time and peak fall color may arrive a little early this year

Weather

By Dan Skeldon

Very seldom is m other Na ture exactly in sync with the calendar. but this year was an exception. Accord ing to the calendar, fall began at 9:03 p.m. on thursday, Sept. 22. And it was more or less at that moment that a fall weather pattern took over. before the arrival of autumn, we enjoyed a warm end to the summer season. In fact, nine of the last 12 days of summer saw highs climb into the 80s. but with the end of summer came the end of those 80-degree days, with none in our immediate future either.

For fall fanatics, the on-time ar rival of cooler and more comfortable temperatures is always welcome, especially in a warming climate. Sure,

one more warm surge (usually following the first frost), often known as Indian Summer, is a rite of passage during many falls here in South Jersey. b ut those that sweated to the per sistent heat and humid ity from July through early September are loving the “instant” fall this year.

And that instant fall could contribute to ear lier fall color this year too. Well actually, the combination of the on going drought plus the early season cool may work together for an earlier than nor mal peak to our annual fall color this autumn. remember that the drought has actually already caused stress in some tree species, promoting some early season color that popped as early as August. the persistent dry ness has even prompted some pre mature leaf loss throughout South Jersey and the rest of the Northeast.

trees also naturally respond to the shorter days and less daylight that results this time of year. Starting this week, the nights are now longer than the days, and will remain that way through march. Add in consistently cool weather, especially some crisp and chilly early fall nights, and that’s another cue that trees take to start the color change. Our peak fall color along the shore normally occurs in early November, with the normally cooler spots in the pinelands peaking in late October. this year, if the cool weather is consistent, the peak might be on the earlier side. b ut be wary that during a drought, that peak can sometimes be shorter than usual, as trees lose their leaves faster than usual. And some leaf-stripping windy days during that peak foliage can shorten the prime viewing conditions even more. but no matter when the foliage peaks, how vibrant the colors are, and how long it lasts, there is no more picturesque time of year than autumn in the Northeast.

So we’re shooting for peak color around or just before Halloween this year for most. but what about some other fall benchmarks?

First frost: Frost can sometimes sneak up on us as early as late Sep tember. but traditionally, it’s usually the first 10 days of October that bring the first frost of the fall season to South Jersey. remember frosts usually occur with temperatures in the low to mid 30s overnight into the early morning hours.

First freeze: A freeze is when the temperature drops below 32 degrees for a few hours, with the threshold for a “hard” freeze around 28 degrees. At the Atlantic City International Airport, the average first freeze usually occurs in mid to late October, and naturally

later closer to the shore due to the mod erating influences of the Atlantic Ocean. For the first hard freeze, circle Halloween as the average first date away from the shore.

End of hurricane season: With Fiona striking puerto r ico and Ian dealing a blow to Florida, hurricane season can’t end soon enough this year, or any year for that matter. Unfortunately, we still have to wait awhile, with November 30th the traditional end of the Atlantic season. For South Jersey, our threat steadily decreases after mid-October. b ut Sandy re minded us of the benefit of always staying prepared the entire season.

Start of nor’easter season: there’s no official season for coastal storms, so there’s no official start and end dates. but early to mid-October is about the time that strong storms along our coast become possible, and there have been some memorable early season nor’easters that have left their mark. Yes, even as hurricane season winds down, there’s no rest for the weary here in South Jersey.

First snow of the season: No need to worry most autumns about snow, although some rare October snowflakes or November snowfalls are possible on rare occasions. b ut it’s normally not until early Decem ber that we see our first measurable snow of the season, barring any rude early surprises by m other Nature.

Fall has just begun to stretch its legs. Let’s see what the next few months of the fall season brings. Hopefully, it’s those comfortably mild and sunny days followed by clear and crisp nights that make it my favorite time of the year. b ut only time will tell.

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.

Roadwork causing commuter headaches

By Sarah Fertsch Staff Writer

If you live in or around egg Harbor township, you’ve encountered the never-ending detours around Fire road. the intersection of mill and Fire roads has been partially blocked off since 2017. It’s been five years with no end in sight.

Not only has Fire road been cre ating problems for motorists, but Steelmanville, Zion and Delilah roads have rerouted traffic at various times throughout the past few months.

So why are we constantly sitting bumper to bumper, waiting for the road work to be completed?

It all started 10 years ago when the state of New Jersey approved a $16 billion project to expand the Garden State parkway and NJ turnpike.

between interchanges 98 and 125, the parkway is being widened from five or six lanes, to six or seven lanes in each direction. Also included is the addition of two new lanes in each di rection along 12 miles of the parkway between interchanges 142 and 154 at a cost of $2.5 billion.

As a result, 100 miles of roadway will be widened along with the addition of at least 454 lane miles.

Gov. phil m urphy has ambitiously led our state toward a goal of reducing climate-harming emissions 80 percent by 2050. In November 2021, the ad ministration announced it would work toward cutting pollution levels by 50 percent (using metrics from 2006) by 2030. Yet, despite these plans, the New Jersey transportation Authority, through this expansion, encourages in-state residents and visitors to rely more heavily on traditional forms of travel.

the public Interest research Group, a national association committed to reversing climate change, says that the highway expansions directly impede m urphy’s energy conservation plan. their report on the expansion reads, “ every dollar spent on road expansion is a dollar that could be spent on the very initiatives the energy master plan describes as essential in addressing the climate and health impacts of transpor tation emissions, including expansion of multimodal travel options, Complete Streets initiatives and other programs conducive to connecting people to tran sit and getting more cars off the road, as well as much-needed investment in New Jersey transit’s capital budget and electric bus transformation.”

the state has limited construction on the Garden State parkway near

Parkway bridge construction is

shore points to not impede tourists from participating in the economy. As the summer has passed, expect to experience even more road closures and hard hats on well-traveled roads.

e gg Harbor township’s website notes that the partial closure on m ill and Fire roads will remain in place for an undetermined amount of time.

Surveyors and South Jersey Gas crews have been spotted on Fire road around bright Stars Gymnastics and bargain town preschool. Without much warn ing, the roads close, forcing motorists to take alternative routes and risk running late for important meetings or appointments.

rita Westbrook drops her daughter off at the Garden State Academy every morning. She and her partner live on m ill road near the bargaintown Fire House, so she has had to allot more time for her commute to take Zion up to Fire road. “With all the parents dropping off their kids at the North field Community School and people getting to work, my commute has become very stressful,” Westbrook said. “All I want is this to end. enough is enough.”

NJ Advantage media concluded that the parkway construction will result in wider shoulders on the southern half of the highway, providing safer travel for beachgoers, especially during peak season. Construction is predicted to be completed in June 2024.

“ the fact that locals are paying our expensive taxes to benefit tourists is unbelievable,” said Westbrook. “We are the ones who sit in traffic all day for just a wider shoulder, not even a lane. It’s just not right. Locals deserve better.”

For now, drivers should practice mindfulness and patience during their daily drives and use the extra time to call family, listen to a podcast, do some deep breathing, or belt out a song. Sometimes life is beyond your control, and all you can do is control your re sponse. Set aside extra time in case of an unexpected road closure, and take pleasure in knowing that even though this is difficult, it is only temporary.

5 Fun Facts For Fall

Autumn is a season of many changes, with some of the most notable including the dramatic multicolored displays that occur just prior to trees shedding their leaves. It's also a time of year when many peo ple feel reenergized by cooler temperatures and spend many hours outdoors enjoying all that fall has to offer.

Whether one is collecting leaves, picking apples, explor ing corn mazes, or driving the countryside enjoying the foli age, autumn is full of fun facts that can make the season that much more enjoyable.

1Autumn begins on the au tumnal equinox, which oc curs on or near September 22 in the northern hemisphere. t his year, September 22 is the day when the sun crosses the celestial equator moving southward. When the equinox occurs, there are an equal num ber of daylight and nighttime hours.

2Since ancient times, au tumn has been an import ant time of year for many civilizations. Autumn is a main harvesting time in many areas, and a successful harvest was

once necessary for survival. many steps are, and have long been, taken to ensure a boun tiful autumn harvest.

3Fall is a time when trees and other plants prepare for dormancy during winter. As autumn progresses and the hours of daylight grad ually decrease, trees begin to close down their food produc tion systems and reduce the amount of chlorophyll in leaves. Chlorophyll is the chemical that makes tree leaves green, and as it declines, other chemicals become more prominent and shine through in the leaves. that is why leaves change color.

4Some scientists be lieve that global climate change can impact au tumn colors, such as delaying the change in trees. Also, red pigments may start to decline as trees use sugary fuel to grow new twigs rather than to cause red leaf displays.

5Americans more readily refer to this time of year as fall, while the b ritish use autumn. both terms date back to around the 16th centu ry. prior to this period, autumn was known as harvest.

Live & Local Music Calendar

Thursday, September 29th

Beth Tinnon 6pm. A touch of Italy

629 black Horse pike, egg Harbor town ship

Doug Jennings 6-9pm. bocca

7805 Ventnor Ave. margate

Dane Anthony 8pm-12am. Golden Nugget

600 Huron Ave. Atlantic City

DJ B Lee 8pm. Nola’s bar at Ocean

500 boardwalk, Atlantic City

Friday, September 30th

Jim Fisher 5:30pm. tuckahoe Inn

1 Harbor rd. beesley’s point

Dom Martino 6-10pm. Golden Nugget

600 Huron Ave. Atlantic City

Bob & Nicky 6:30-9:30pm. bocca

7805 Ventnor Ave. margate

Amanda & Teddy 7pm. Nola’s bar at Ocean

500 boardwalk, Atlantic City

Dueling Pianos 7-11pm. renault Winery

72 N. bremen Ave. egg Harbor City

Tom Quaile 7pm. romanelli’s

279 S. New York rd. Galloway

The Zone 7pm. Villain & Saint at Ocean

500 boardwalk, Atlantic City

Christian Glomb Duo 7:30pm

Yesterday’s Creekside tavern

316 roosevelt blvd. marmora

DJ Aaron Hall 9pm

tennessee Avenue beer Hall

133 S. tennessee Ave. Atlantic City

Noche de Verano Sin Ti: Celebration de

Bad Bunny 9pm. Anchor rock Club

247 S. New York Ave. Atlantic City

Stealing Savannah 11pm

Nola’s bar at Ocean

500 boardwalk, Atlantic City

Saturday, October 1st

The Exceptions 12-4pm. renault Winery

72 N. bremen Ave. egg Harbor City

Frankie and the Flatlines 1-5pm

Sweetwater marina & riverdeck 2870

7th Ave. Sweetwater

Oktoberfest with Tony DeLuca & Alix

Quartet 3-7pm

tennessee Avenue beer Hall

133 S. tennessee Ave. Atlantic City

Five Times Famous 7pm

Villain & Saint at Ocean

500 boardwalk, Atlantic City

Rachel Ida Karpo 7pm. romanelli’s

279 S. New York rd. Galloway

Sean Loosh 7:30pm

Yesterday’s Creekside tavern

316 roosevelt blvd. marmora

Ben Platt 8pm

Hard rock Live at etess Arena

1000 boardwalk, Atlantic City

No Clue Trio 8-11pm. bocca

7805 Ventnor Ave. margate

Philly Keys 8pm-12am

renault Winery

72 N. bremen Ave. egg Harbor City

Dead Reckoning Duo 9pm

tennessee Avenue beer Hall

133 S. tennessee Ave. Atlantic City

DJ Clinton Conyer 10:30pm

Nola’s bar at Ocean

500 boardwalk, Atlantic City

Sunday, October 2nd

Bill Dickson 10am-1pm. bocca

7805 Ventnor Ave. margate

Brian Young 11am-2pm. romanelli’s

279 S. New York rd. Galloway

Legacy 1-5pm. Sweetwater marina & riverdeck 2870 7th Ave. Sweetwater

Five Times Famous Duo 7pm

Villain & Saint at Ocean

500 boardwalk, Atlantic City

Tuesday, October 4th

Yuengs Wings & Zings 7-10pm

tennessee Avenue beer Hall

133 S. tennessee Ave. Atlantic City

Wednesday, October 5th

Glenn Roberts Band 6pm

Villain & Saint at Ocean

500 boardwalk, Atlantic City

Jazz by the Bob Sterling Band 7-10pm bocca

7805 Ventnor Ave. margate

Thursday, October 6th

Carlos Moralez 6-8pm. Gregory’s

900 Shore rd. Somers point

Eliot Lewis 7-10pm

tennessee Avenue beer Hall

133 S. tennessee Ave. Atlantic City

DJ Ram B 8pm

Nola’s bar at Ocean

500 boardwalk, Atlantic City

Friday, October 7th

Beth Tinnon Party Duo 5-8pm bar One at resorts

1133 boardwalk, Atlantic City

Alan Jackson 7pm

Jim Whelan boardwalk Hall 2301 boardwalk, Atlantic City

Black Car Gina Trio 7pm

Villain & Saint at Ocean

500 boardwalk, Atlantic City

Troy Kaiser 7:30pm

Yesterday’s Creekside tavern

316 roosevelt blvd. marmora

Daryl Hall & John Oates 8pm

Hard rock Live at etess Arena

1000 boardwalk, Atlantic City

Billy Ocean 9pm the music box at borgata 1 borgata Way, Atlantic City

Kalua Show & Los Emcy’s 9pm

Anchor rock Club

247 S. New York Ave. Atlantic City

Split Decision 11pm

Nola’s bar at Ocean

500 boardwalk, Atlantic City

Saturday, October 8th

Eliot Lewis of Average White Band and Hall & Oates w/ Camilla K 12-4pm

renault Winery

72 N. bremen Ave. egg Harbor City

Anthony Krizan Band 2-5pm

tennessee Avenue beer Hall

133 S. tennessee Ave. Atlantic City

Jump Back 6-9pm

tennessee Avenue beer Hall 133 S. tennessee Ave. Atlantic City

Cat 5 7pm. Nola’s bar at Ocean 500 boardwalk, Atlantic City

Wanda Sykes 7pm & 10pm

Sound Waves at Hard rock 1000 boardwalk, Atlantic City

Amy Fadden Duo 7:30pm

Yesterday’s Creekside tavern 316 roosevelt blvd. marmora

Enginehead 9pm. Anchor rock Club

247 S. New York Ave. Atlantic City

DJ Ralph 9pm

Gregory’s

900 Shore rd. Somers point Moguai 10pm the pool After Dark 777 Harrah’s blvd. Atlantic City

The Royals 11pm. Villain & Saint at Ocean 500 boardwalk, Atlantic City

Sunday, October 9th

DJ John King 12-4pm. renault Winery 72 N. bremen Ave. egg Harbor City

Wednesday, October 12th

40 North Country 6pm Villain & Saint at Ocean 500 boardwalk, Atlantic City

Tom Angello’s All Star Jazz Series: Jason Long, Vince Lardear, Lee Smith 7pm

Gregory’s 900 Shore rd. Somers point Events subject to change.

Charles Haberkorn

School

the ‘Write In’ screen appears,

button

Use

on the keyboard to spell

button to separate the first and last

Once complete,

'ACCEPT'

and the

regular ballot screen will return and the name that was spelled out will

The voter should review their selections so they can be sure the name they wrote in is correct. If so, they should continue with their ballot. If they would like to cancel or change their write in, they can just touch the name again and they will return to the write-in screen.

A write-in can also be canceled at the contest page by choosing a candidate on the list which will

the

Wyatt Strong Foundation holds third annual fund-raising softball game

A pproximately 35 players, both young and old, came out to the ball field in Somers point on Sept. 17 for the third annual Wyatt Strong Foundation fund-raising softball game. Friends and families filled the stands and many passersby stopped on their way along the bike path to see what was going on. Although it’s a competitive event, the mission is all about fun and raising money for a good cause.

two local sponsors, Shop rite and manco and manco of Somers point, helped out once again, for the second consecutive year. Shop rite provided water and healthy morning snacks, while the wonderful people at m anco and m anco had a stack of fresh pizza pies delivered right at the end of the last inning.

t he event raised $1,500 that was then donated to another local non-profit organization, Heart of

Surfing, that offers surfing and other recreational activities for kids with autism and other developmental disorders.

t he next event for the Wyatt Strong Foundation is right around the corner, the fifth annual blue Christ mas toy Drive.

"We will be collecting new toys for children's hospitals, local foster children and families in need," ex

plained rob and Desiree Hopkins (Wyatt’s parents) "We put out collection bins at businesses and workplaces all over South Jersey and have hand delivered the toys as far as St Jude’s Children’s Hospital in m emphis, tenn."

the Wyatt Strong Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit that honors the beautiful life of their son, Wyatt Hop

kins who passed suddenly in 2017. their mission is to help others, and continue to spread the unconditional love Wyatt had for others. to learn more about the Wyatt Strong Foundation visit www.Old SoulWyatt.org

Dive Into Reading with an Ocean! Waves for All

Lake Memorial Park 407 Wesley Avenue, Ocean City

Ocean! Waves for All is a creative exploration of the ocean’s history, its unique characteristics, and the creatures that consider it home. The pages of Ocean! Waves for All, written by Stacy McAnulty and illustrated by David Litchfield, have been transformed into signs, allowing you to read the story while you walk through the park.

The StoryWalk® project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. StoryWalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.

LIBRARY HOURS

IN-PERSON Mon.-Fri. 9am-9pm Sat. 9am-5pm Sun. 11am-5pm

CURBSIDE PICKUP Mon.-Fri. 9am-6pm Sat. 9am-4pm Sun. 11am-4pm

Rob Hopkins hands a check to Bob and Cindy Fertsch of Heart of Surfing. Shown on right is Desiree and Kash Hopkins of Wyatt Strong Foundation.

From bicycles to storage, new businesses coming to Somers Point and EHT

Heights Avenue in egg Har bor township across from the m cCullough’s emerald Golf Links. It is a great lo cation to take advantage of the demand from Ocean City.

Business Buzz

By Rich Baehrle

Somers point recently wel comed Somers point Cycles at 604 New road next to the Drip and Scoop. It has been a long time since Somers point has had a bicycle business. In fact, it was located for many years in the same building that now hosts Somers point Cycles.

the business features new and used bicycles. they also offer e bikes, and full-service repairs on all makes and models. It is a true one-stop shop.

Not far away in e gg Harbor township, the surgery practice of Dr. Khashayar Salartash has joined AtlantiCare.

Dr. Salartash and his team have decades of experience in advanced,

minimally invasive vascular and gen eral surgical techniques focused on less pain, improved healing and better mobility.

AtlantiCare also leased the sur gical center along with additional medical office space located at 301 Central Ave., egg Harbor township.

Other recent activity in egg Har bor township includes approvals for three new mini-storage facilities totaling approximately 360,000 square feet. the projects will have a

substantial impact on the local stor age market.

One facility of 103,000 square feet will be located at 6679 b lack Horse pike in egg Harbor township, where the former Zeus gun shop was for approximately 30 years. It’s owned by Uncle matt’s Storage, LLC. It is a great location across from Wa wa and m cDonalds.

A second facility was approved for 106,000 square feet along with outside storage located on Ocean

t he third facility cur rently being developed is located at 3326 b argain town road in egg Harbor township. t he 103,000 square-foot project is next to the bright Star Gymnas tics Academy. With all of the new storage coming online, I hope the demand is there.

Just a reminder please shop local.

Support your local businesses and services. they are your neighbors and friends. When we do this everybody benefits.

Rich Baehrle of Berkshire Hathaway Fox and Roach. Can be reached at 609226-6680 or 609-641-0011 richardbaehrle@gmail.com www.getrichinrealestateSJ.com

Events and Happenings

Friday, September 30th

Ocean City PBA Fall Food Truck Festival

▶6-9pm

1600 block Haven Ave.

Local pbA 61 will host their 1st Annual Fall Food truck Festival. there will be live music, food, and face painting. Join them for a fun filled night.

Terror in the Junkyard

▶Fridays & Saturdays from 7-10pm & Sundays from 7-9pm

Fleming’s Junkyard 353 Zion rd. egg Harbor township

the Scullville Fire Company presents the 20th Annual terror in the Junkyard. experience the horror on the terror in the Junkyard Hayride and run for your

life in the All New maze of terror. Open weekends thru October. Visitors under 18 years of age require a parent or guardian onsite. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.scullvillefire.org.

Gregory’s Oktoberfest

▶7pm

900 Shore rd. Somers point

Gregory’s restaurant & bar is kicking off their 43rd Annual Oktoberfest this Friday. the celebration begins with the Official Keg tapping of Warstein er in the main bar at 7pm, hosted by Greg Gregory and Somers point mayor Jack Glasser. Samples of Warsteiner will be distributed to customers. A spe cial Oktoberfest menu will be offered on weekends through October.

Peter and the Starcatcher

▶Fridays & Saturdays at 7pm and Sundays at 2pm

Gateway playhouse 738 bay Ave. Somers point the Shaken Not Stirred players are proud to bring the uproariously funny peter and the Starcatcher to the Gateway stage. perfect for the whole family. Learn more and purchase tickets at gatewaybythebay.org. Shows Friday-Sunday through October 9.

Saturday, October 1st

Veterans Smile Day 9am-2pm. brickworks Dental in mays Landing; Seaview Dental Arts in Galloway

First Come, First Served. Services will include x-rays, exams, fillings, root canals, and extractions at

no-cost. All veterans are eligible. (please provide some sort of proof) Appointments guarantee that you will be treated. For more information, contact brickworks Dental at 609-625-0505 or Seaview Dental Arts at 609-652-9020.

MMSC Pup Strut

▶9:30am. 17th Street beach, brigantine marine mammal Stranding Center is lending a paw to help seal pups. October 1st is the first day of the season that dogs are allowed on the beach again in brigantine. to celebrate the occasion, enjoy a walk on the beach in beautiful brigantine with your favorite canine companion and help raise funds for the seals. each pup registered will receive a goodie bag with a “Cupid the Seal” bandana, clip-on bag dispenser and other fun surprises. pre-registration required at mmsc. org/pup-strut.

Smithville Oktoberfest

▶Saturday, October 1st & Sunday, October 2nd from 10am-5pm

615 e moss mill rd. Smithville

Smithville presents over 100 juried crafters, an International food court, live music, kids activities, non-profit organizations and more for Oktoberfest. All of this food and fun plus the Villages 60 Shoppes, train and Carousel rides, paddle boats, 7 eateries, and antique arcades.

Ocean City Jeep Invasion

▶12-5pm. Ocean City boardwalk Jeeps will be displayed on the boardwalk between 5th Street – 14th Street. For more information, visit NJJeepInvasion.com or email njjeepinvasion@gmail. com.

Yesterday’s Beerfest

▶2-6pm. 316 roosevelt blvd. marmora

Yesterday’s beerfest 2022 will take place outside in the Yard, featuring 10+ local beer vendors, a special Oktoberfest menu, and music by Atley moon. more information at yesterdaystavern.com.

Sunday, October 2nd

OCNJ Half Marathon & 5K

▶8:30am

Ocean City music pier 825 boardwalk the OCNJ Half marathon, 5K & 10 mile Non-Com petitive Walk/run will be held this weekend. No race Day registration for the Half marathon. Learn more and sign up at www.ocnj.us/race-events.

Atlantic City Restaurant Week

▶Sunday, October 2nd – Friday, October 7th

Save the date and an appetite for this culinary escape. restaurant Week showcases the best in local flavors, eclectic restaurants, and menus. participating restaurants offer a multi-course meal for a fixed price. Come dine, come play, and savor it all at Atlantic City restaurant Week. For more information and to see the full list of participating restaurants, visit www. atlanticcitynj.com/restaurant-week.

Tuesday, October 4th

Green Thumb Garden Club Meeting

▶7pm

Somers point Senior Center 22-98 Ambler rd. the Green thumb Garden Club is happy to invite the public to its upcoming meeting. Usher in the autumn season as master Gardner Ann Cinquina demonstrates how to “Craft a Fall tablescape.” For more information, contact Heibi Hibbs at (609) 703-9170.

3 COURSES | PRIX FIXE MENUS

Save the date and an appetite for this culinary escape. October 2-7, 2022, Restaurant Week showcases the best in local flavors, eclectic restaurants, and menus. Participating restaurants o er a multi-course meal for a fixed price. This fall, come dine, come play, and savor it all at Atlantic City Restaurant Week.

Dance Society

▶tuesdays at 7:30pm

Somers point Fire Co. 1 455 bethel rd. Somers point

enjoy an evening of social dancing and line danc ing at the Fire Company Hall. Admission is $10 per person. For more information, contact rita Voli at (609) 408-3619.

Friday, October 7th

Open Enrollment Medicare Seminar: Hybrid ▶10:30am

Katz JCC boardroom 501 N. Jerome Ave. margate October starts the medicare Open enrollment period. Join Amanda reese from Hafetz and Associ ates for a presentation about medicare options. the seminar will feature details about medicare part A and part b , part C Advantage plans, part D prescription plans and supplemental coverage. Attend in-person at the Katz JCC boardroom or from home via Zoom. rSVp by October 1 contacting tina Serota at 609287-8872 or tserota@jfsatlantic.org.

Night-time in the Maze ▶7-9pm

misty meadow Sheep Dairy 100 Dennisville- pe terburg rd. petersburg

misty meadow Sheep Dairy presents Night-time in the maze. Get a little spooky at a special nighttime edition of the maze. bring your flashlight and try the maze in the dark. tickets and information at mistymeadowtickets.com. Sh-Boom! Life Could Be a Dream ▶Friday, October 7th & Saturday, October 7th at 7pm

Ocean City music pier 825 boardwalk

Ocean City theatre Company presents Sh- boom! Life Could be a Dream. meet Denny and the Dream ers, a fledgling doo-wop singing group preparing to enter the big Whopper radio contest to realize their dreams of making it to the big time. Show dates: October 7th, 8th, 14th & 15th at 7pm and October 16th at 2pm at the music pier. For tickets, visit oceanc ityvacation.com/boxoffice.

Saturday, October 8th

Ocean City Fall Block Party and Fireworks Spectacular

▶9am-5pm

Asbury Avenue the Ocean City Fall block party will take place on Asbury Avenue from 5th – 14th Streets. Over

400 crafters, food vendors, music and more will line the street. In the evening, enjoy a spectacular fireworks show over the boardwalk from 6th – 14th Street.

Tavistock Garage and Yard Sale

▶Saturday, October 8th & Sunday, October 9th from 9am-3pm

tavistock Adult Community route 40 (Harding Hwy.) & Hartmann rd. mays Landing

Furniture, clothes, electronics, household items, tools, antiques, appliances, exercise equip ment, and garden items will be available for sale.

Smithville Irish Festival

▶Saturday, October 8th from 10am-6pm & Sunday, October 9th from 11am-6pm 615 e moss mill rd. Smithville

Smithville Irish Festival has a full schedule for both days of music games and food. the event will feature two stages with live music, ACFD Sandpipers pikes and Drums, and Irish explosion Dancers. plus, food, vendors, family fun, and Sunday Outdoor Catholic mass. For more information, visit facebook.com/smithville.irish.festival

Sunday, October 9th

Funny Farm Fall Festival

▶9am-4pm

6908 railroad blvd. mays Landing

Funny Farm Animal rescue is hosting its annual Fall Festival, their biggest event of the year. Hay rides, face painting, corn hole games, sack races, vendors and crafter, food trucks, raffle baskets, live music, and more. plus, feed the animals, and meet Funny Farm Founder Laurie Zaleski. She will be signing her book on-site. Free Admission and Free parking at St. Augustine prep with Free buss Service to the Farm just one mile away. more details at funnyfarmrescue.org.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

▶10am-12pm

Ocean City High School practice Fields and boardwalk at 6th Street

Join the American Cancer Society in the fight against breast Cancer. making Strides is a 5,000+ participant breast cancer fundraising 5k walk honoring over 250 survivors in Ocean City. the event will take place at the 6th Street practice Field and the boardwalk. Check-in opens at 8:30 am. the stage program gets underway at 9am, followed by a Survivor runway Lap. the walk be gins at 10am. participants can register online at makingstrideswalk.org/OceanCityNJ.

Upper Township Fall Festival

▶10am-5pm

Amandas Field

Upper township Fall Festival and Craft Show, featuring a beer Garden provided by Ludlam Island brews, two local live bands, Lost Sailors and Ultra violet, and lasertag by Ut rescue Squad. Also, to celebrate Fire prevention Week, the Ut Fire Com panies will be performing live drills. the 2022 Fall Fest won’t be complete without their annual Show and Go Car Show. For more information, call (609) 628-2011 ext. 248.

Tuesday, October 11th

New Jersey Women in World War II

▶7pm

Upper township Wellness Center 1369 Stage coach rd. Ocean View

the Historical preservation Society of Upper township will meet for a program based on the book “New Jersey Women in World War II” by patricia Chappine. please rSVp for this program on the Society’s eventbrite page at UppertwpHis tory.eventbrite.com. there is no charge for this program.

Wednesday, October 12th Bingo

▶1pm

Join friends and neighbors for an afternoon of bingo games and prizes. bingo cards will be delivered to those who register in advance. the event is free to Holocaust Survivors and Village m embers. For non-members, the cost is $5 payable prior to October 6. rSVp by contacting tina Serota at 609-287-8872 or tserota@jfsatlantic.org.

Tom Angello’s All Star Jazz Series

▶7pm

Gregory’s 900 Shore rd. Somers point the South Jersey Jazz Society presents tom Angello’s All Star Jazz Series. this week, enjoy a performance featuring tom Angello on the drums, Jason Long on the piano, alto sax by Vince Lardear, and Lee Smith on bass. reservations are strongly recommended. For more information, visit south jerseyjazz.com. In-kind donations will be accepted.

Farmers Markets

C.R.O.P.S. Market Linwood

▶Saturdays from 9am-12pm

Central Square 199 New rd. Linwood Saturdays through October 29

C.R.O.P.S. Mobile Market Chelsea

▶Saturdays from 1-4pm

O’Donnell park 3501 Atlantic Ave. Atlantic City

Join C. r .O. p.S. for a festival of culture and community. eat your way through the summer and fall at this local farmers market. Connect with local businesses and community members, enjoy live per formances, music, poetry readings, workshops and more. Saturdays through October 29.

C.R.O.P.S. Mobile Market Pleasantville

▶Wednesdays from 4-7pm

bays Harbor Apartment Complex 1006 S. main St. pleasantville

Wednesdays through September 28th. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/cropsmarkets.

Health and Wellness

NAMI Connections and Family Support Groups

▶monday, October 10th at 7pm

United methodist Church of Absecon 100 pitney rd.

NAmI Connection is a recovery support group for adults (18+) with a mental health condition. partici pants gain the support of their peers who understand their experience and gain insight into others’ challeng es and successes For more information and to register, contact NAmI Atlantic/Cape may at 609-741-5125 or nami1557@gmail.com. NAmI ACm is a non-profit 501c3 corporation.

Recovery Groups

more than a dozen groups for individuals living with substance use disorder are offered online. topics range from mental health/wellness to employment, faith, and more. Groups are provided 7 days a week. Interested participants can register for groups through unitedbywellness@mhanj.org or by calling the mental Health Association in Atlantic County at 609-652-3800.

Caring for the Caregiver – Support Group for Caregivers of Adults

▶Fourth tuesday of the month

Cornerstone Commerce building 1201 New r Suite 132, Linwood

Fourth tuesday of the month. rSVp required. Contact Jen Hand at 856-266-2817 or email jhand@ brattonlawgroup.com for more information. Organized by members of Cape Atlantic Caregivers Coalition.

Spooky silly ways tocelebrate Halloween as an adult

By Sarah Fertsch Staff Writer

This season brings so many beloved traditions, like picking out a costume, participating in games like bobbing for apples and baking treats like ‘Oreo dirt’ and pumpkin cupcakes, and riding the terror in the Junkyard hayride, smiling and screaming at every turn.

Children get the best parts of Hal loween through schoolwide costume parades and trick-or-treating (receiv ing free candy is every adult’s fantasy). Holidays are universal, meaning that they apply to ev eryone, no matter their age.

So how can we celebrate Halloween as adults? Here are some ways to embrace the holi day festivities:

Carve Pumpkins

this activity is so fun no mat ter your age. Get creative with your design and utilize the best tools to sculpt your squash into a masterpiece. make sure to take pictures throughout the process and light up your pumpkins on your porch at the end. A couple of adult beverages make this activity even better.

Host or Attend a Seasonal Event/Party there are so many local events to attend in October! the Atlantic City Halloween bar Crawl, the Showboat Costume party, the Ocean City Hal loween Dog parade, and boo at the Zoo at the Cape may County Zoo are great places to bring out your spooky side. You could also host a Hallow een party with games, refreshments, and contests. the opportunities are endless!

Decorate Your House the Halloween aesthetic has be come quite popular. Visit your local Spirit Halloween or department store and pick up some fun decorations for both inside and outside your home. For even more fun, compete with your neighbors (or if you have a classroom or office, compete with your coworkers) for the best-in-show space.

Participate in a Horror Movie Marathon

Here are some films to get you started: the Shining, the e xorcism, t he purge series, It, t he Human Centipede, the Woman in black, Us,

Children of the Corn, poltergeist, Hal loween, Hereditary and paranormal Activity.

Visit a Haunted House b eing scared can be thrilling! terror in the Junkyard in egg Har bor township offers an inexpensive haunted experience for all levels of courage. If you are willing to travel, eastern State penitentiary in phila delphia has developed a national rep utation for their Halloween festival and haunted tours. See what is hap pening for Halloween at the Forever Forest in egg Harbor City on page 66.

Play at an Adventure Farm Farm fun is not just for kids! r &J Farm, Saul & Son, and misty m eadow are just a few that offer corn mazes, hayrides, pumpkin patches, and plen ty of seasonal fun.

Bake Halloween Treats

Halloween, like most holidays, comes with its own menu of good ies. b last some seasonal tunes like thriller, Spooky Scary Skeletons and the Nightmare b efore Christmas soundtrack and get baking. Hand out your creations to neighbors, friends from work, and family members. What can you bake? Stir up some Jack-o-Lantern cookies, caramel apples, candy corn chocolate chip cookies, ghost-dipped pretzels or spider web cake.

Tell Ghost Stories

Around a Bonfire

Nothing can be simpler than gath ering your loved ones and huddling around the warmth of a fire. Chal lenge each other to tell scary stories, and if you need some inspiration, look up origin stories of monsters like the Jersey Devil, m othman, the boogie m an, or m edusa. Attend " m urders, mysteries and Ghost Stories at the m ansion" in Somers point Oct.25, 6:30-8pm.

Covid gives casino smoking ban new momentum

president and CeO m ark Giannanto nio, Americans for Nonsmokers rights (AN r) Foundation president and CeO Cynthia Hallett, and Greenwood racing (pAr X Casino in b ensalem, pa.) CeO eric Hausler.

By Sharon Harris-Zlotnick

Covid permanently changed a lot of things about the way we do business in America. One of them is the rules related to smoking in casinos.

Nationwide, more than 20 states and 150 tribal casinos of all sizes rejected in door smoking after reopening in 2020. the number increases every month.

Although New Jersey was among the first states to prohibit indoor smoking back in 2006, it was a partial ban because it created a loophole for Atlantic City’s casinos, allowing them to designate indoor smoking areas instead.

Over the past 16 years, casino employees have loudly voiced their concerns and desires to rid their work places of all smoking.

t he issue was supposed to take center stage on t hursday, Sept. 22, during the gaming industry’s east Coast Gaming Congress (eCGC). Suddenly, the scheduled “Gaming revenues Going Up in Smoke?” session was canceled without explanation.

the three-member panel included heavy hitters from both sides of the issue, including resorts Casino Hotel

Giannantonio recently assumed the presidency of the Casino Association of New Jersey (CANJ). Several of his member companies have rejected a pro posed indoor smoking ban, which they believe would cost them customers and income.

to protest the cancellation, the Casino employees Against Smoking's effects (Ce ASe) arranged for 100 casi no workers to march on the boardwalk at the Hard rock. theresa Williams was among that group. the 40-year casino veteran, who has worked at the borgata since its 2003 opening, rejects the no tion that the casinos would lose money.

“We reopened at 50 percent capac ity. there was no entertainment and limited restaurants, and we still beat 2019. For us, there is no going back,” said Williams.

Hallett agrees.

AN r , a national non-profit public health organization formed in 1976, works at the grass-roots level to ad vocate for non-smoking environments in workplaces, public places, offices, airplanes, restaurants, bars and casinos.

“In 15 years of attending gaming meetings, I have learned about the benefits of smoke-free. Nationwide, 76 percent of the U.S. population is pro tected by state smoking laws,” Hallett

said. “We are not anti-smoke, but pro clean air.”

During a CeO session of industry leaders, Hausler described how pArX “turned the building inside and out” during the closure to clean everything. pArX executives decided to keep the casino smoke-free once it reopened in June 2020.

“We built an outdoor smoking patio. After four hours, we never let indoor smoking return. We took a ‘let the chips fall where they may’ attitude because our customer base was evenly divided. I don’t see why we would return to in door smoking,” he said.

How did this movement grow in a country where smoking was part of the national culture for decades?

Laws against smoking, or laws imple menting strict smoking regulations, first appeared in the 1980s. While controver sial for many years, smoking in casino hotels and/or gaming floors became a contentious topic in the early 2000s.

Delaware enacted its Delaware Clean Indoor Air Law in November 2002, sparking fears of declining revenues and layoffs at the state’s racinos, which are combined casinos and racetracks.

b ut any revenue declines were temporary and minimal. Wherever non-smoking policies inside the casino building appeared, revenues on the gaming floor, restaurants, lounges or al most anywhere else were not adversely impacted.

It has been a slow process, but the drumbeat to include casino areas in any smoking prohibitions has only grown stronger.

two years of pandemic shutdowns, and subsequent re-openings, have also affected operators and how they think. Covid has propelled the movement, thanks to shifting attitudes about pul monary and cardiac health.

those fortunate enough to be Covidfree so far don’t want it, and those who survived Covid with mild or moderate symptoms don’t want it again.

ANr Advisor Chris moyer warns that New Jersey has increasingly become an island in the mid-Atlantic region. Neigh boring states like Delaware, maryland, New York and pennsylvania place added pressure on New Jersey to reevaluate its position.

the situation may be close to res olution. As of Sept. 26, non-smoking legislation, which would eliminate the smoking exemption in casinos and si mulcasting facilities, could become a reality.

A majority of the New Jersey Senate and General Assembly now support identical bills-S254 and A2151. Of 40 senators, 22 are now co-sponsors; 43 of 80 Assembly members have signed on as co-sponsors.

Gov. phil m urphy has promised to sign the legislation if it passes.

m oyer emphasizes the timeliness of eliminating indoor casino smoking. He says, “ banning indoor smoking has turned conventional wisdom on its head. people are thinking twice about where to spend their money. Of all the things that attract guests under 40, allowing indoor smoking isn’t one of them.

“We are 90 yards down the field, but the last 10 yards can be the hardest.”

Sharon Harris-Zlotnick has worked as a consumer freelance journalist since 2000. She has also reported on the U.S. casino industry for multiple business trade magazines for 28 years.

Since October 2016, Sharon has taught the Hooray for Hollywood course for the Friends of Encore Learning at Stockton (FELS) adult enrichment program in Margate and Atlantic City. sharonhar@aol.com

Art teacher creates Jersey Shore paint-by-number kits

By Sarah Fertsch Staff Writer

If you attended the margate Fall FunFest this past Saturday, you may have come across a very unique vendor stand. Art teacher and artist Jordan Caplan stood behind her table beneath her pop-up tent, selling local paint-by-number kits.

From Lucy the elephant to the Longport smile water tower to the Ventnor Fishing p ier, Down beach-themed kits were selling out during the festival. Grandparents were picking them up for their grandkids, a group of women purchased them in bulk for wine and paint night, and parents planned to send their college student a kit as a part of a care pack age as a cure for homesickness.

“On the first day of the festival, we

completely ran out of the Lucy kits,” said Caplan. “ my boyfriend and I had to rush him to print more for the second day.”

Caplan says she has always been drawn to art (pun intended), and thanks her parents for always gifting her craft kits and art supplies. She leaned into sketching and painting as she grew older, and attended Stock ton University to pursue a degree in art education. the pottstown native moved to Ocean City after graduation and currently resides in Linwood.

“During the pandemic, I want ed to engage kids in art, even if we couldn’t meet in person,” said Caplan.

“I painted lifeguard stands on a mask and posted the image on the OC Chatter page on Facebook. I was immediately flooded with people asking to purchase them, so I decided to start an etsy page and pursue art as a side hustle.”

As the pandemic ends and masks become more obsolete, Caplan was chal lenged to create something new and unique. Originally, she hoped to create a coloring book using digital art platforms, but felt overwhelmed by the publi cation process. In conversation with her boyfriend, the artist set tled on creating Down the Shore paint-by-number kits.

Since she grew up vacationing in Ocean City, Caplan feels most com fortable and excited about creating OC-themed crafts. “I have designs of the m usic pier, the boardwalk, a sunrise on the beach, Kohr brothers’ cones, and the amusement piers as well as her iconic lifeguard stands.

As for the future, Caplan hopes to expand her art by creating paint-bynumbers of more beach towns like Wildwood and Cape m ay. She also hopes to rent space in Staintons’ or West end Garage so potential buyers can find her pieces more easily. Caplan will be selling her prints and kits at the Ocean City Fall b lock party, Ocean City WinterFest, and in the warmer months, the Ocean City Farm market.

“I am so thankful for the support of the community, and the fact that

everyone loves both our beach towns and doing art,” said Caplan. “I am ex cited for the future and making mean ingful pieces for everyone to enjoy.”

If you are interested in Caplan’s work and her paint-by-number kits, check out her new website at https:// www.jcaplanart.com/#/.

Sarah Fertsch was born and raised in Egg Harbor Township, and holds a dual degree in public relations and political science. Prior to joining Shore Local full-time, she worked at a CSPAN affiliate, writing about Pennsylvania legislation. When she isn't writing, Sarah enjoys painting, horseback riding, and Crossfit.

Ocean Outdoor Teak and Poly Outlet

As we are moving into the fall season, many shore home owners and businesses are thinking of updating their outdoor spaces. When it comes to the indoor comforts of home outside, Ocean Outdoor Teak and Poly outlet is ready to help get the look you want with quality furniture that lasts.

Like many businesses, furniture retailers have faced a shortage of in coming inventory, leaving families and businesses without quality products to make their space look the best. Retailers across the country say that shipment issues are the primary cause of the shortage. Because most patio furniture makers work ou tside the United States, tariffs and taxes along with other inter national issues have been on the rise. This creates is creating big problems for homeowners and businesses alike. For tunately, local buyers need not to worry since this is n’t a problem for Ocean Outdoor Teak and Poly Outlet. They have new shipments coming in every week. Truckloads of beautiful, modern furniture are available for customers

quickly overtaking the outdoor market. Poly lumber is built mostly from recycled products and holds its color well. Com bine its color retention with stainless steel hardware, a variety of color combi nations and styles, and you may find that poly is the best choice for beach homes, vacation resorts or country living. It is extremely durable and resistant to nearly anything Mother Nature throws its way. Poly plastic furniture can be

Poly only needs to be cleaned with some good, old-fashioned soap and water.

Tables, chairs, deep seating sets and pub sets are ready to go to their new home today. Poly pub sets are popu lar at the shore. Two seat pub sets start at $950 and our four-seat pub sets with a pub table start at $1,400. Pub and bar sets are great because they allow couples and families to see over deck railings so their view is not obsured. These sets have the potential to make Ocean City, Sea Isle, and Margate customers very happy. The popular folding Adirondack Chairs start at $299. They are perfect for fire pits on cool autumn evenings. The Adirondack chairs sit low to the ground and offer a casual, relaxed feel. Alice reports they are selling very well to campers that seek comfort outdoors.

Landing, Beach Creek Oyster Bar to name of few. Our company has been in the New Jersey shore area for nearly 20 years. Our past stores in Cape May and Somers Point have been combined with one convenient store right in the middle, in Dennis Township. We offer white glove service from LBI to Cape May, Annapolis, Washington DC, and Ocean City Maryland.”

Call (609) 2871767 or check out www.TeakNearMe. com. For up-to-date information, check out their Facebook page, Teak Outlet - Ocean Outdoor Patio. Hurry and get beautiful new outdoor furniture so you can enjoy it now and for years to come.

to browse and purchase. “Because the outdoor season is relatively short here in New Jersey, it is important for us to stock enough furniture for our local cus tomers to have immediately,” says store owner Alice DiGiovanni. “We are ready now, with a full selection of colors and designs of both Poly and Teak furniture.”

Teak has always been the gold stan dard in outdoor tables and chairs but its new rival, Poly lumber furniture is

left outside in the summer and winter without any adverse effects. The plas tic is resistant to sun, rain, sleet, snow, wind, saltwater, chlorine and mildew. You can’t say that about furniture made from wood or metal.

Poly furniture is low maintenance and easy to care for; it requires no special coatings, sanding or staining. It does not require hazardous chemical treatments to maintain its durability.

After 15 years in Somers Point, The Teak and Poly Outlet moved to Cape May County. They are lo cated on Route 9 in Ocean View/ Clermont Cape May County. It's a beautiful area two miles south of exit 17 on the Garden State Parkway (Sea Isle exit). “We have a much larger store here and a lot of room to expand, with large outdoor displays, and a large workshop to finish and refinish our teak furniture.” says Alice’s daughter, Allison. “Over the years you may have seen our furniture at the Ocean City Yacht Club, Cape May-Lewes Ferry, Hyatt Penns

Stockton hospitality studentslearn wine fundamentals

By Donna Albano

Students from Stockton Uni versity’s Hospitality, tourism and e vent m anagement (HtmS) Wine Fundamentals class attended t he r ight Notes, South Jersey's Fight Against m S at the Greate b ay Country Club in Somers point thursday, Sept. 22.

m ichael b ray, founder of and di rector of operations at passion Vines Wine and Spirit Company in Somers point and egg Harbor township, is a longtime supporter of Stockton’s Htm S program. b ray has provided internships for our program, full-time employment for our graduates, tours for our classes. He also makes time to be a guest speaker to share his wisdom and business acumen.

When the Wine Fundamentals elective was created, students to attend the event and learn about wine and event manage ment.

b ray engages the students, and in return, seeks feedback on event infrastructure, audience, attendees, organizers, venue and marketing.

students were nervous about attending; for ma ny, the class was their first experience learning

Students made con S in their families and ex pressed an appreciation about being invited to attend and support the

Students consistently reported how hospitable the vendors were and noted their willingness to educate and inform them about what they were pouring.

the Wine Fundamentals course introduces students to the major wine-producing regions of the world and the elements of wine apprecia tion and service.

Grape varieties, types of wines, how and where they are produced, and un derstanding the terms on a wine label are all explored.

Students participate in tastings where they learn evaluation techniques, identifying aromas and flavors, and connecting

Photo by Nick Valinote

Photo by Nick Valinote

flavors to the growing and production factors that influence them.

In preparation for the event, students were taught about noble grapes, the 5 S’s of wine tasting and the importance of terrior.

From the faculty lens, the ability to have students attend this event is so valuable.

Not only do they get to learn, they lend a critical eye and provide feedback. It's so valuable in a world where experiential education is a vital element to learning. It also does not hurt to teach what I believe is the best elective possible.

I had the good fortune to study

and learn about wine and wine edu cation to develop a class that would enhance our curriculum students pursuing restaurant and beverage management.

I learned quickly that students’ palates needed to be cultivated off the sugary coffee drinks and soda. I also learned that a geography lesson or two helps students understand the world of wine.

I have the good fortune to teach this class and connect theory to prac tice with friends and colleagues like m ichael b ray and his passion Vines team to support our educational endeavors.

Andre Romero

Jillian Vieira and Jenna Call

Lang’s Garden hosts second annual'Art in the Garden' show

Le t It Grow

By Tammy Thornton

Once again, Lang’s Garden, of Linwood, was blessed with gorgeous weather for their annual “Art in the Garden” show. bridging the gap between summer and fall, Lang’s Garden hosted the second yearly art show on Sunday, Sept. 18. Local artists and artisans displayed their nature-inspired artwork among the plants and flowers throughout the outdoor garden, while customers perused and shopped.

A variety of different art mediums were used by the talented artisans including oil paintings, acrylics, print art, water colors, paint pens on birch wood, mixed media, and collage paintings. One of the featured art ists, Alexis Flack, creates artwork by

Victoria Katherine (herbjel lyarts.com) stands beside her paintings.

taking prints of elements of nature, such as cross-sec tions of fallen trees, then paints on the print for an interesting effect. She also uses a technique called cy anotype, using objects from nature and a photosensitive fluid on paper while expos ing them to UV light from the sun, resulting in vivid

blue images that make for especially unique artwork. Another exhibitor, Lauren Demarco, displayed some of her mixed media pieces that include collages and acrylic paints. readers may recall that one of her recent creations was featured on the cover of Shore Local News magazine.

Attendees of the art show could wander through Lang’s Garden while talking with the artists, admiring

Erin Daniels, of Margaret James Design, is surrounded by her garden-inspired artwork.

Mainland Regional High School student, Tyler Nese-Santos entertains the crowds with his vocals and keyboard.

their artwork, and shopping for flowers.

m eanwhile, Kristen Walker, owner of Aunt Cookie’s b ak ery, was on hand to satisfy their sweet tooth. Her display of baked goodies included apple streusel, blueber ry muffins, ginger chewies, oatmeal raisin cookies, and

pumpkin muffins. music filled the air as customers were treated to the talents of m ainland regional High School students, elizabeth Ong (flau tist) and tyler Nese-Santos (singer/ pianist).

Featured artists were: erin Daniels, mary Ann Kline, r enee Leopardi, Alexis Flack, Chuck Law, Lauren De m arco, Victoria Kather ine, Danielle Davies, Sivia b raunstein, m onica Kurtz, Jill Snyder, Jennifer boyce, betsy Naumchik, and June rocco. Gardening and paint ing seem to go hand-inhand as many of the artists use their own gardens as their inspiration. Chuck Law can be found around the Shore Local area painting the beau tiful nature surrounding him. You may see him live painting at the Linwood Arboretum or painting flowers from

↘Continued on 28

Chuck Law displays his oil paintings.

Local artist Danielle Davies shows us her artwork that uses paint pens and acrylic paints on birch wood.

his own garden. many of the artists exhibit at various events throughout the year. If you keep a keen eye, you can find some of the artists’ work in our area. Artist Victoria Katherine has painted murals for Stockton University Campus Farm, Ducktown Community Garden, and bob’s Garden Center. She has also donated three murals to the enlightened Farm and looks forward to live painting at the fifth annual

Take a Payment Break

These two cuties, Carson and Izzy Braunstein, (plus Addison Braunstein, not pictured) came out to the art show to support their grandmother, local Margate artist, Sivia Katz Braunstein.

“South Jersey Wharf rats Drug and Alcohol Free music Festival” to be held in egg Harbor City on Oct. 1 and 2. the “Art in the Garden” event was organized by artist erin Daniels, of margaret James Design, along with

Stephanie Santini-Duff, co-own er of Lang’s (with her husband Joe Duff). t hey were both pleased to have another beauti ful day to celebrate the blending of art and gardening, and look forward to many events in the future.

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.

Maple Avenue Linwood. One

609-788-4064

west of

Some of the unique artwork using tree trunk prints and cyanotype techniques by artist Alexis Flack.

Change in the air

educated assessment of where change will take you.

Je ff's Journal

By Jeff Whitaker

Idon’t know about you, but the word “change” invokes a lot of different emotions in me. In the last two years, a lot of things have changed, and we’ve all had to adjust. Sometimes, the thoughts of change are good. Other times, the idea of change can be scary. You know what I’m talking about. When change comes, you don’t know what to expect. However, there is a change happening now that I kind of like. Have you noticed the last few days and nights? the days have remained relatively warm, but as the sun sets, the temperature turns crisp and cool. Change is literally in the air.

You may love summer, or maybe fall is your favorite time of year. either way, change is coming. We can’t stop it. So we have to prepare to adapt. For seasonal changes, we pull out warmer clothes. We begin to turn off the air conditioner at night. It won’t be long

before we turn on the heat.

Just like with the seasons, our lives are constantly going through change. Careers evolve or change. relationships grow closer or drift apart. Our children grow up, and family dynamics change. So, I guess the question I want to ask you today is this: Are you prepared and equipped for changes coming your way? Change is inevitable.

Here are three things to consider and be aware of as you think about change. First, recognize where you are in any given situation or circumstance in your life. Second, get a vision of where you want to go and what it will look like. third, recognize what it will take to get there. then equip yourself to make the journey. the reality is that you will always need to make adjustments along the way. However, you have to start with a preferred ending and an

I recently saw someone post on her Facebook page that she was in a “change kind of mode”. She wrote about intentionally making decisions to head in a deliberate direction of change. We’ve all heard that the definition of in sanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. If you want to see results in your life, then realize that some things (possibly a lot of things) need to change. You accomplish that by laying out a plan of growth. In whatever area in your life you want to see change, pinpoint what it will take to see growth in that area. Ask yourself: What changes do I need to make to get to my preferred future? It’s all about being intentional. embrace the change. It’s not as scary as you may think.

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

Pumpkin recipes that taste like fall

By Sarah Fertsch Staff Writer

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and I am not talking about Christmas. the air is crisp and breezy, leaves are slowly changing from rich green to bold, bright colors, and your sweatshirt has become your new best friend. Fall is a magical time when you live down the shore. b lock parties, sports events, and hayrides abound. Of course, we also start craving pumpkin. You might be a pumpkin spice latte lover, or you treat yourself to a slice of pumpkin bread every Octo ber. Whatever level of pumpkin fan you may be, expressing yourself creatively in the kitchen with autumn’s squash will bring smiles to your family and your tastebuds. So, here are four pumpkin recipes to test out this season:

Sweet Pumpkin Roll Ingredients:

● 1 cup of all-purpose flour

● ¾ cup of granulated sugar

● 1 teaspoon of baking soda

● 3 large eggs

● 1 teaspoon of salt

● ⅔ cup of pumpkin puree

● e xtra powdered sugar for rolling

● 1 tablespoon of melted butter

● 1 ½ cup of powdered sugar

● 2 teaspoons of vanilla

● 12 ounces of cream cheese, soft ened

Directions:

preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 10-inch sheet pan with parch ment paper and spray the paper generously with cooking spray.

m ix together flour, sugar, eggs, salt, pumpkin, and baking soda until there are no clumps. pour the batter onto the sheet pan and bake for approximately 15 minutes. Use a toothpick to determine if the cake has fully baked and remove it from the oven.

Dust your counter or working surface with extra powdered sugar. While the cake is still warm, lay out the cake on the counter. Slowly, carefully roll the cake horizontally into a log. Set aside and let cool completely.

While the cake cools, use an electric mixer to combine cream cheese, butter, vanilla and powdered sugar to form the filling. Whip until smooth.

Gently unroll the cake and spread a layer of frosting over the top. then roll it back up. Slice and serve!

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Ingredients:

● 2 cups of pumpkin seeds

● 1 teaspoon of salt

● 2 tablespoons of melted butter

● Flavor powder of

seasoning, everything but the bagel seasoning, cheddar and sour cream topping, etc.

Directions:

remove pumpkin seeds from the inside of a pumpkin. place the seeds in a colander and rinse them thoroughly, removing any pumpkin guts. Let dry and set aside.

preheat the oven to 350 de grees. In a medium bowl, combine melted butter with salt and flavor ing of choice.

Line a baking sheet with parch ment paper sprayed with cooking spray. pour pumpkin seeds into the bowl with butter and toss evenly. transfer the seeds onto the sheet pan and bake for 20-25 minutes until the seeds are golden-brown. enjoy!

Pumpkin French Toast

Ingredients:

● ¾ cup of whole milk

● ½ cup of pumpkin puree

● 4 eggs

● ¼ cup of brown sugar

● 9 slices of thick bread ( texas toast or Challah bread)

● 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

● 1 teaspoon of cinnamon

● 1 teaspoon of nutmeg

● butter for the griddle

Directions:

In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar and pumpkin puree. pour into a shallow dish.

place a pad of butter on a frying pan or griddle and turn on medium heat.

Dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture, letting sit for 30 seconds on each side. transfer bread into the fry ing pan and let cook for 2 minutes on each side until it's golden brown.

repeat this process until all bread is cooked. Serve with maple syrup and butter.

Pumpkin Bacon

Carbonara

Ingredients:

● 15 ounces of pumpkin puree

● 1 cup of grated parmesan cheese

● 6 slices of thick-cut bacon, diced

● ¾ cup of pecorino-romano cheese

● 2 eggs

● 3 egg yolks

● 1 teaspoon of salt

● 15 ounces of spaghetti

● 1 teaspoon of ground pepper

● Italian parsley, for garnish

Directions:

Drain pumpkin in a mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth for at least 1 hour. press the pumpkin down occasionally with the back of a spoon. before using, squeeze the cheesecloth to release most of the liquid. You should have 1/2 to 3/4 cup drained liquid.

Whisk strained pumpkin, eggs, egg yolks, 1/2 cup of parmesan, pecorino romano, salt, and pepper. Set aside.

Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. m eanwhile, cook bacon un til crispy. Drain on paper towels and reserve bacon fat in the pan.

Cook pasta according to package directions. before draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta water. Drain pasta.

Working quickly, whisk 1/4 cup of hot pasta water into the pumpkin and egg mixture to temper the eggs. pour pasta back into a hot pasta pot and add pumpkin mixture. Stir, using tongs, for several minutes, adding remaining pasta water as you go, until pasta is well-coated and cheese is melted. the sauce will become thick and creamy.

Add 2 tablespoons of the warm reserved bacon fat and stir. Season with salt and pepper as needed. top pasta with reserved bacon, remaining 1/2 cup parmesan, and Italian parsley. Serve immediately.

Meet Andrew Klamo of Klamo’s Cafe: A true overcomer

By Sarah Fertsch Staff Writer

Starting a business takes grit, but time stood still when Andrew Klamo of m edford experienced a life-threaten ing stroke at the age of 26.

“I was sleeping, and I fell onto the ground, then realized I couldn’t get up,” Klamo said. “ my girlfriend called the paramedics and I was flown by helicopter to penn m edicine in philadelphia. there was a massive blood clot in my brain.”

this crisis took place in Feb ruary 2022, just one month after opening Klamo’s Cafe, a quick-ser vice restaurant offering smooth ies, sandwiches, soups, salads and snacks inside the Ocean City Community Center.

Klamo spent more than a month at penn m edicine, working to recover mobility and cognitive function. He was discharged to a rehab center in m arlton, where he did intensive therapy for almost two months. today, he participates in treatment a couple days per week.

“I am thankful that I had a lot of friends and family help me out with the business while I was away,” said Klamo. “It was very humbling to have people drive me around and do things I could normally do myself.”

today, Klamo has some trou ble using his left arm and leg and uses a cane. Nevertheless, he makes progress toward a full recovery every day.

He describes one friend like a third arm, preparing foods at the bistro and helping with customers, even covering shifts while Klamo attends rehabilitation.

Klamo’s Cafe opened in Janu ary 2022 across from the Ocean City recreation Center. the spot has been quite a hit among gym goers, art students and teachers, librarians and readers, history buffs, seniors, and city visitors exploring the town hub.

the cafe allows people to be come closer friends over lunch or a snack after a swim in the pool or a pottery class.

On the weekends, Klamo proudly reports that clubs meet regularly at

the cafe. From mahjong to knitting to chess, Klamo welcomes all groups to make themselves comfortable at his shop.

“ eventually I would like to host a stroke survivors’ group here,” he said.

Andrew Klamo got his start in business at b litz’s market when he was 16 years old. He worked his way up to become the general manager, and then took the leap to run his own convenience store near Cherry Hill.

He missed the slow pace of the beach town, so moved back to Ocean City full-time to found Klamo’s Cafe.

“Our smoothies are definitely our most popular items,” said Kla mo. “When I was in the hospital, all I dreamed about was smoothies. thankfully a friend stopped by and brought me one at the end of every week.”

to anyone overcoming a health obstacle, Klamo advises folks to never give up and work to overcome all odds.

“Ask others for advice and choose to run the extra mile, whether that means starting a business, learning a new skill, or taking care of your family. You can, and you will, overcome this.”

Thrifting with a purpose in Ocean City

By Steffen Klenk

There is a quote that reads “one man’s trash is another man’s trea sure.” b efore you even walk through the doors of Oh Sea thrift in Ocean City, you are bound to find something valuable through the windows. Shoppers are immedi ately introduced to a boutique store carrying some of the most unique items you may not find elsewhere, from gently worn clothing to carefully crafted dining ware, admired pieces of art and comfortable furniture.

Just steps from Asbury Avenue, this quaint storefront has been brought to the seaside community by Donna Kelly, a local resident with a big heart. She has spent much of her life devoted to the community, walking dogs and volunteering for various organizations.

During the pandemic, Kelly became inspired to do something to help animals in need. She was inspired by the graciousness of her children. professional surfer rob Kel ly, Donna’s son, spends much of his time traveling the ends of the earth catching waves and participating in various competitions. He devotes his energy to helping others, assisting local charities such as Heart of Surf ing and Special Olympics. “I taught my kids to give back and do one nice

thing a day, and to always be kind.”

Last year, Kelly began receiving donations from friends in the com munity. that’s when she began look ing for a place to open, and in may 2021, Oh Sea thrift was born. A vol unteer-led business, all the proceeds go directly to help shelter animals and operations at the Humane Society of Ocean City.

Since 1964, the Humane Society of Ocean City has been providing the highest level of compassion and service to animal friends. their aim is to find long-lasting loving homes for shelter animals who are either abandoned or rescued. t hey also offer spay and neuter services, a pet hospital and animal control service. the group is set to host their annual Dog Day and Howl-O-Ween parade on the Ocean City boardwalk on Sat urday, Oct. 22. Interested pet owners can visit the city’s official website for full details.

Upon a recent visit to the store just a few short weeks ago, I was immediately greeted to a warm and inviting atmosphere, and individuals who care very deeply about helping others. For Kelly, it is this kind of interaction, full of kind and caring

volunteers, that makes Oh Sea thrift a unique place. “A couple of people have said when they come in here, they feel like they’re getting a big hug.”

Kelly’s mission of helping others extends far beyond assisting shelter operations. She also wants to help families who are unable to afford the exorbitant cost of unexpected veterinary expenses. “I love animals; I always feel like everything has a right to be on this earth.”

With a selection of goods and items rotating frequently, a friendly

group of volunteers, and a mission to give shelter animals compassion and care, Oh Sea thrift is doing a world of good one dollar at a time. the store is located at 841 Central Avenue and is open Friday- m onday 10am-5pm. You can find them online @ohseathrift, by calling 609-982-9940, or email ohseathrift@gmail.com.

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

Ocean City resident Donna Kelly in front of Oh Sea Thrift.

Local residents Lynn Barrett and Bev Stirling with Calvin and Hobbs, their 8-year-old dogs.

Permanent StoryWalk unveiled in Ocean City

By Steffen Klenk

On Friday, Sept. 23, Ocean City officials and the community were on-site at Lake m emorial park, at 407 Wesley Ave., as the Ocean City Library cut the ribbon on its new permanent StoryWalk display, where pages of kids' stories will be show cased in aluminum holders. Families enjoyed a beautiful afternoon reading "Strictly No elephants," a book writ ten by Lisa mantchev and illustrated by taeeun Yoo.

t he StoryWalk concept was originally created by Anne Fergu son in m ontpelier, Vt. and devel oped thanks to the help of rachel Senechal of the town's Kellogg-Hub bard Library. As of 2017, over 300 libraries throughout North America and 13 countries have offered out door StoryWalks, and the initiative has been growing.

taimi Kelley is a children’s librar ian for the Ocean City Free public Library and brought the concept to South Jersey. Kelley was inspired by the StoryWalk idea during a family vacation to Vermont. “I grew up go ing to Vermont and have taken my children there. that was my first ex perience with StoryWalk years ago.”

t his interactive StoryWalk, at Lake m emorial p ark, allows kids and parents to experience the joy of reading while taking in the beauty of nature. the pages of children’s books are transformed into display panels that are placed along the

park’s circular path, where visitors can read a fun story while walking amongst the trees. As you stroll down the trail, signs will direct you to the next page. At the end of your adventure, you can get more details on updated Library information and the opportunity to participate in future activities.

While the initiative had been on Kelley’s mind for some time, she explained that the pandemic and a time of limited interaction provided a perfect opportunity to implement the idea. Kelley and her husband took time crafting and creating nearly a dozen colorful laminated signs, each post illuminated by soft string light. “ t hey lasted for not quite a year. they were looking worn by the end.”

Since the first StoryWalk was unveiled two years ago in October, the concept has not only received positive feedback, but is being em braced by the community. Similar models have been brought to other communities throughout the county,

with popup displays introduced in various states. meanwhile, visitors to Ocean City can enjoy reading Strictly No elephants, which will be on dis play for the next few months.

reading a book with kids offers a wide array of benefits. each story can help your child learn new words and sounds, spark their imagination and aid in the development of social skills and communication. It’s also a great way to interact with your chil dren. this new, permanent, display in Ocean City is bringing people and families together, one page at a time.

According to Library officials, new stories will be added to the StoryWalk display every few months. more information about the initiative and updates are available online at oceancitylibrary.org.

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

Officials with the city and library cut the ribbon.

One of the newly-unveiled display panels.

Sip into fall

By Michael Bray

While many of us are still riding the wave of a phenomenal sum mer, the calendar has officially turned to fall. the leaves are changing color, the eve nings are getting cooler, and for those of us who adjust our drinking habits by the season, the con tents of our wine glasses are shifting, as well. As we prepare to sip into fall, I wanted to share some of my seasonal favorites that match perfectly with sweater weather.

White: Château Sainte-Marie Entre-Deux-Mers (bordeaux, France; Sauvignon blanc, Semillon, muscadelle; $15.99)

the Sauvignon blanc in this bright bordeaux blend offers a lively acidity that balances with the softness of the Semillon and muscadelle. the resulting wine is floral, fruity, and fresh, with a smoothness that carries us into the fall season while holding onto the lightness of summer.

Cosentino “The Franc” (California, USA; Cabernet Franc; $16.99)

One of the parent grapes of Caber net Sauvignon (along with Sauvignon b lanc), Cabernet Franc is known for its acidity and tannin, as well as its

distinctive flavor profile of red fruits and peppers. While some of the world’s most well-known Cabernet Franc wines originate from the Chinon region of the Loire Valley, the grape is grown around the globe (including right here in New Jersey). One of my favorites of the moment is Cosentino’s “ t he Franc”, which offers aromas and flavors of cedar, dried herbs, black cherry, and black pepper that pair beautifully with a cool evening around the campfire.

Rosé: Domaine Clo La Petite Bete (Loire Valley, France; on sale $13.99)

With its bright acidity and round fruit notes, dry rosé is an extremely versatile and food-friendly wine. For those of you thinking ahead to your holiday food and wine menu, Domaine Clo La petite b ete rosé offers vibrant notes of ex otic fruits and citrus that will brighten any dish. Its well-integrated acidity will complement fruit-based fare (think cranberry sauce) and offer an excellent counterbalance to creamy dishes (think mashed potatoes, or cream sauces).

What are your favorite wines to sip into the season? reach out and share your fall picks: michael@passionvines.

com

Drink passionately, michael

Michael Bray is the founder of and director of operations at Passion Vines Wine & Spirit Company in Somers Point and Egg Harbor Township. He serves on numerous local boards.

The Other Margate: Our Neighbors Across the Pond

By Sarah Fertsch Staff Writer

Our m argate sits close to Atlantic City and is known for its beaches, beautiful homes, art scene, and of course, Lucy the el ephant. However, this quaint town was named after m argate, england, which is also a beach town. What makes this town unique from its

namesake? Here’s the scoop on our neighbors across the pond.

m argate is a seaside town in the region of Kent, which is located on the southeastern tip of Great b ritain. Similarly, m argate became a popu lar destination in the 19th century, thanks to the invention of the steam engine. m argate in england has an amusement park (Dreamland), mak ing them a popular destination for families. Our m argate is a popular

vacation spot for people from phil adelphia, while the other m argate draws crowds from London.

South Jersey has fairly temper ate weather, sim ilar to our b ritish friends. m argate in england receives more rain gener ally than our town but is considered one of the drier areas in england. b oth cities receive a lot of sunshine, perfect for the beach. b oth have similarly-sized populations.

m argate in england has been a seaside tourist attraction for 250 years, and they have offered amuse ment rides since the early 20th century. t hey have two classical theatres, hosting Shakespeare pro ductions as well Samuel b eckett’s political productions. t hey have an Arnold palmer miniature golf course, which was illegally converted to a skate park, but closed recently due to safety concerns. t hey host an annual jazz festival in June and an automobile festival every Septem ber.

Our b ritish namesake has been referenced in a t.S. eliot poem (“Oh m argate sands, I can connect, Noth ing with nothing”), and in a Chas & Dave song. It has a 16th century tudor house that’s protected by

the m argate historical society. It’s been featured in the peaky b linders series. It’s also home to a minor league soccer (or b ritish football) team. m ost importantly, it has miles of beach for vacationers to enjoy.

So what makes our m argate spe cial? t here are great restaurants, bayside attractions (like charter fishing boats), and miles and miles of glorious beaches. t he town is only a few miles away from casinos and the Ocean City boardwalk. t he city hosts an annual Fall Funfest by the bay and a competitive cornhole event. t here are aquaparks, spas, surf shops, a Jewish Community Center, boutiques, and fantastic restaurants.

We salute you, m argate of en gland, but I’m pretty sure New Jer sey has the better m argate. Lucy the elephant would agree.

Imported Italian Pasta

POINT

HARBOR

Welcome to The Reich Report

By Eric Reich

I’m really excited to be writing this, my first of many articles here for Shore Local. For those of you who have never read my articles before, I try to make complicated financial topics easy to understand. It’s that simple. Financial matters don’t need to seem so com plicated. I built our firm with the sin gular goal of helping people be better educated about their money so that they can make informed decisions in the best interest of their families. While I have written extensively for national publications including CNN m oney, marketwatch, Kiplinger, USA today and others, my passion is helping those in my own backyard of South Jersey.

I’ll start with a quick introduction. I am a lifelong resident of Cape may County and currently live in Seaville with my wife Chrissy and our 3 chil

dren CJ, Cooper and riley. I was born and raised in Sea Isle City and attended Ocean City HS and Stockton Univer sity. Since then, I became a Certified Financial plannertm and earned my Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®) designations all from the American College. I also attended the Wharton School of the University of pennsyl vania to obtain my Certified Investment management Ana lyst (CI mA®) designation. I also love to serve my local community, as I believe it is the basis of all that we are as a society, and serve on various boards and foundations

I have worked as a financial plan ner specializing in retirement for over 25 years, and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I truly love coming to work every day and helping solve people’s financial challenges such as When should I retire? When do I take Social Security? How to pay for a college education? How do I protect my assets and pass them on to my family? the list goes on.

Ok, that’s enough about me. Let’s focus on what really matters-you

and your money. I find that no matter what stage you are in in your life, money is huge source of stress for people. Whether you are saving for retirement, saving for college, trying to buy your first home, just entering the workforce or looking to exit it and transition to being a retiree, there are so many factors that affect these circumstances. And while everyone’s situation is truly unique and may in volve specific advice and coordinated efforts with your financial advisor, attorney and CpA, I find that general knowledge about different financial topics can be empowering for people.

In the coming weeks I’ll write

about the economy, Social Security, estate planning mistakes, how to spot a reces sion, I r A mistakes and more. I hope you’ll enjoy the articles and please reach out with any questions or topics for articles you’d like to read. Over the years, many of my most popu lar articles came from readers asking me to cover particular topics, which I love to do.

I’m really excited to share as much knowledge as I can with you. Also, if you would like to receive “ the reich report” in your inbox, please visit our website to sign up for emails.

Eric is President and founder of Reich Asset Management, LLC. He relies on his 25 years of ex perience to help clients have an enjoyable retirement. He is a Certified Financial Planner™ and Certified Investment Manage ment AnalystSM (CIMA®) and has earned his Chartered Life Under writer® (CLU®) and Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designations. A lifelong resident of Cape May County, Eric resides in Seaville, NJ with his wife Chris sy and their sons ,CJ and Cooper, and daughter Riley.

529 Plans in a down market

By Eric Reich

Nobody likes a down market, though most in vestors probably should. Down markets are where most of the big future gains come from when you are contributing to your investments on a regular basis. Dollar cost averaging your investments when markets are low is no different than buying anything else when it’s on sale. this is a great way to build wealth for retire ment.

b ut what about for college savings? m any college savers, like many retirement savers use the age-based portfolio models for their investments. While I have written about age-based models before in previous articles, I’m only mentioning them briefly here. the theory is that as your child ages, the portfolio becomes less aggressive. that isn’t to say that once your child is ready for college that all the risk is gone from the portfolio. Depending on which investment provider’s plan you are using, the amount of risk still in the portfolio can vary widely. this means that even when your child is ready to go to school, a down market can still have a substantial effect on your account values.

It's important to remember that you do not need to take money out of a 529 college savings account just because your child is about to start college. m ost parents have not saved enough to pay for all their child’s 4-year tuition in their 529s. If that’s the case, and the market is down at the time your child enters college, then you could consider waiting until future years to use the funds inside of the 529 college savings accounts. this would give the accounts time to recover from the market declines, especially if you are still contributing to them via dollar cost averaging. this could give your investments up to 3 additional years to grow.

So how do I pay for college if I’m waiting to use my 529s? Home equi ty could be an option especially with inflated home prices. Some clients are using savings or current earnings to fund the first year or two. Lastly, loans for early years may be an option. You can use 529 funds to repay stu dent loans up to $10,000 per student

after graduation. We have even had clients use a loan against their port folio known as a securities backed line of credit to pay for a year or two of college before tapping into the 529s. Colleges may even be willing to work with you given the current state of the market. It doesn’t hurt to ask for additional finan cial aid though don’t expect all schools to be receptive to your request.

As we have seen so far in 2022, mar kets go down and sometimes by a lot. While this certainly isn’t ideal, just re member that markets are up far more often than they are down, typically by a margin of more than 3-1. m ost times it makes sense to stay the course. If your children are still in grade school or just entering freshman year, then there is no need yet to start making the portfolio more conservative. You should have ample time to recover any market declines.

Jeep Invasion and OCNJ Half Marathon Set for the Weekend

Jeeps will be displayed on the boardwalk on Saturday, and run ners will take over on Sunday for two traditional events: the Fall New Jersey Jeep Invasion and the OCNJ Half marathon.

About 500 Jeeps will roll down the boardwalk on Saturday, Oct. 1 and re main on display in lines that stretch from Fifth Street to 14th Street. the Jeep Invasion runs from noon to 5 p.m. the event raises money for local charities, and trophies are awarded to the best Jeeps in various categories with tro phies awarded at 4 p.m. at the Ocean City music pier. the show also includes vendors displaying and selling accesso ries at the music pier. Visit njjpinvasion. com for more information.

At the same time, visitors can take advantage of table Sales with Ocean City merchants offering discounts on merchandise displayed outdoors be tween Sixth Street and 14th Street on the boardwalk and downtown Asbury Avenue. the table sales will take place on both Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 1 and 2).

Organizers of the OCNJ Half marathon are expecting a strong turnout for three races on Sun day, Oct. 2, and registration is still open. In addition to the 13.1-mile Half marathon, the event includes a 10-mile non-competitive walk/ run and a 5-kilometer race.

Online registration for the races continues through 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28. In-person reg istration will be available with packet pickup 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday (Sept. 30) and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 1) at the Ocean City Free public Library (1735 Simpson Avenue). there will be race-day registration for the 5K and 10-mile events starting at 6:30 a.m. at the Ocean City m usic pier. there will be no race-day registration for the Half marathon.

For complete information and regis tration, visit www.ocnj.us/race-events. the increasingly popular event showcas es Ocean City's boardwalk, downtown and neighborhoods with ocean views along a fast, flat course.

the public is encouraged to come out and cheer for runners. Volunteer groups man "peppy" water stations and are judged for their themes. Contact Lisa rumer at lrumer@ocnj.us if your group would like to volunteer.

the OCNJ Half marathon and 10- mil er start at 8:30 a.m. the event will in clude some brief road closings, including the closing of the Ocean City-Longport bridge from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on race day. Drivers on other streets and boardwalk pedestrians/bicyclists should anticipate delays as the field of runners passes by. the 5K will start at 8:40 a.m.

CO m ING U p IN OCtO ber

ALL OF OCtO ber – “ prints in mo tion” exhibit: the Gallery at the Ocean City Arts Center will exhibit “ prints In motion,” featuring linoleum prints by Kit Donnelly. the show opens October 1 and runs through October 29. A “ m eet the Artist” reception will be held on Friday, October 14 from 7 pm to 8:30 pm. the Gallery is located in the Ocean City Arts Center, 1735 Simpson Avenue, 2nd Floor.

OC tO ber 7-16 – “Sh- boom! Life Could b e a Dream”: the Ocean City t heatre Company presents a show that will leave you laughing, singing, and cheering. the '60s hits say it all: “Fools Fall in Love,” “ tears on my pil low,” “ runaround Sue,” “ earth Angel,” “Stay,” “Unchained m elody,” “Lonely teardrops,” and “ the Glory of Love.” Show dates are 7 p.m. on October 7, 8,

14 and 15, and 2 p.m. on October 16 at the Ocean City m usic pier. tickets are available by visiting oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or calling 609-399-6111.

OCtO ber 8 – Fall block party and Fireworks Spectacular: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Fifth Street to 14th Street on Asbury Avenue. Over 400 crafters, food vendors, music and more. In the evening, a fireworks display will be visible from the beach and boardwalk.

OCtO ber 8, 9 and 10 – boardwalk & Downtown m erchant table Sales: 6th Street – 14th Street on the boardwalk and on Asbury Avenue.

OCtOber 9 – making Strides breast Cancer Walk: the American Cancer So ciety’s making Strides is a 5,000+ partic ipant breast cancer fundraising 5K walk honoring over 250 survivors in Ocean City. Check-in starting at 8:30 a.m. at the practice field on the beach block of Sixth Street. Stage program starts at 9 a.m., Survivor runway Lap at 9:50 a.m., and walk at 10 a.m. participants can register online at makingstrideswalk. org/OceanCityNJ.

OCtO ber 15 – porsche boardwalk reunion: porsches will be displayed from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the boardwalk from 6th Street to 14th Street. m ore than 350 porsches of all models and years between 1954 and 2021 are ex pected. Free tech Sessions on porsche related topics open to all at the m usic pier.

OCtOber 16 – John r elliott H erO Walk & 5k run: H erO 5k run will take place at 9:30 a.m. H erO ceremonies are at 10:30 a.m. the walk is a 5k walk along the Ocean City boardwalk. registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Sports & Civic Center. For more information, visit hero campaign.org or call 609-626-3880.

The Freshest, Tastiest Food Around!

Homemade Soups including Our Famous Cream of Crab Crab Melt - Guy Fieri's Favorite!

Homemade Soups including Our Famous Cream of Crab Crab Melt - Guy Fieri's Favorite!

Triple D Melt, Salads, Half-Pound Burgers

Triple D Melt, Salads, Half-Pound Burgers

Create Your Own Grilled Cheese and Mac & Cheese

Create Your Own Grilled Cheese and Mac & Cheese

Party Trays & Platters

Party Trays & Platters

Atlantic City Boys and Girls Club opens Evolution Arena

By Sarah Fertsch Staff Writer

Stephanie Koch, CeO of the boys and Girls Club of Atlan tic City, unveiled a $500,000 remodel of their teen space on pennsylvania Avenue Sept. 23. the ribbon cutting included VI ps such as former eagles quarterback ron Ja worski and mayor marty Small.

the new arena, formerly known as the boys’ Club boxing ring, was built in 1973. It’s been modernized to be more inclusive, offering a wider variety of activities and multipurpose uses. the concrete floor, which was topped with rubber, had deteriorated over time, prompting the boys and Girls Club administration to revamp the space.

the Atlantic City boys and Girls Club held a $500,000 fund-raising campaign called Go Hoops. the arena was named after evolution Gaming, which contributed $250,000 toward the project. Other donors include Steve and Cookie’s restaurant in margate and No. 7311 Cafe in Vent nor. Caesars entertainment donated

$25,000 toward athletic equipment.

evolution Arena offers six back boards for kids to play basketball. It also includes a high-end sound sys tem, electric divider, new lighting and safety mats.

“We have some really talented athletes in the club, and we are hap py to provide a space for them to be scouted by Division 1 schools,” said Koch.

She said they hope to bring in speakers for the club and the com munity, and allow kids to eat together cafeteria-style. Koch hopes to bring

in local organizations like the Lead ership Studio to use the arena for large events. In the past, the space was used for COVID-19 vaccination and testing.

ACbGC is a youth service organi zation that strives toward excellence and success. they offer a variety of services such as educational support (connecting kids with certified teach ers after school to help with home work and exams), career exploration and job training, wellness support, mentoring on values and leadership, and recreation in a safe and inclusive organization.

As for the future, Koch says that the club plans to open a cafe in No

vember 2022 in partnership with HayDay Coffee. the cafe will provide job training to young adults ages 18 to 24. All foods will be sourced from the club garden and made from scratch.

“We want to teach kids to stick to a budget, choose healthy foods and drinks, and help them learn to support themselves,” said Koch.

Speaking about her role as the CeO of the club, Koch said, “It’s the most fulfilling role I’ve ever had.

“It’s an honor to work alongside others who believe in the next gener ation of Atlantic City,” she said. “We let kids explore music studios and build robots. every kid has potential and we help them look at the options and choose what’s right for them.”

m ayor m arty Small Sr., who at tended the grand opening, was a club member himself in his youth. In a press statement, he said, “ this club is important to me and children like me because it shows what is possi ble.” He said he tries to contribute to ACbGC every chance he gets.

“ these are goals we cannot reach alone,” said Koch.

If you would like to volunteer or donate to the club, see acbgc.org.

Koch with the Atlantic City Boys and Girls Club

Stephanie Koch

Ron Jaworski

Comfort Food

please enjoy this healthy comfort food recipe from my cookbook “Nan cy’s recipes for Life,” available at my Linwood office location and Capellas Oil and Vinegar Store in Ocean City.

One Pot Turkey Chili

Nu trition

By Nancy Adler

The cool weather prompts our taste buds to enjoy comforting food. t hey usually consist of high fat, high carb and fatty acids. Common comfort foods are cheeseburgers, french fries, candy, pas try and chocolate. even foods that are healthy like salmon, tuna and nuts are comforting due to the high fatty acids. When you ask someone what their favorite comfort food is, pizza seems to be a common top favorite. Usually chocolate comes in second, and then m ac and cheese, cornbread or pasta finish. When adults are emotionally stressed, they often turn to these comfort foods to make it all better. Certain foods have been associat ed with security in our childhood. remember when you fell down and scraped your knees? m om and Dad maybe gave you something good to eat and all the tears went away. may be mom's chicken noodle soup or a lollipop helped.

Comfort foods not just taste good but actually lessen the impact of stress hormones. eating something sweet or starchy releases serotonin, which makes us feel calmer and de creases the stress hormone, cortisol. Food can make us feel better and heal us in a psychological way. Healthy foods can do that as well.

Ingredients:

● 1 pound of lean organic turkey

● 1/2 cup of chopped onion

● 1 (16-ounce) can of pinto beans, drained and rinsed

● 1 (16-ounce) can of kidney beans, drained and rinsed

● 1 (28-ounce) can of chopped stewed tomatoes

● 1 tablespoon of chili powder

● 1 tablespoon of cumin powder

● 1/2 cup of salsa

● Garlic powder to taste

Directions:

In a large pot, combine brown turkey and chopped onions.

Add beans, tomatoes, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin and salsa to the turkey mixture.

Cook until hot.

Serve with cornbread, brown rice, quinoa or a sweet potato. Sprinkle with cheese if desired.

Nutritional Information:

● Calories: 370.8

● total fat: 13.3 grams

● Carbohydrates: 32.3 grams

● Dietary fiber: 10.1 milligrams

● protein: 31.3 grams

● 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.nancyadlernutri tion.com (609)653-4900. Nancy is the Recipient of the Best of The Press 2020 and 2021 Gold Award. You may listen to Nancy every Sunday at 2 pm Nancy Adler Nutrition LIVE! NewsTalk 1400 WOND and 92.3 the station is fm

Atlantic City's famous drag show

Miss'd America crowns 2023 winner

inception, the pageant has donated more than a half million dollars to several organizations.

For more information, visit www. missdamerica.org

Photos by Donald B Kravitz

On Saturday, Sept. 24, eight contestants competed at Hard rock’s Sound Waves theater, for the chance to be crowned miss’d America 2023.

Miss Elaine, aka Scott McMaster, is crowned Miss'd America 2023 during the pageant at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022.

Categories of competition included swimsuit, talent, and evening gown, and interviews by the judges. Carson Kressley was the celebrity emcee.

A portion of the proceeds from the miss’d America pageant go to various LG btQ-supportive charities. Since its

Donald B. Kravitz is an Entertainment & Special Events photographer for national publications including Getty Images & Miss America

Unbeaten Eagles and a possible playoff for Phillies

(bonding session) in South Carolina. Lots of positive vibes coming from the Sixers these days. On the local front, I’ve been meaning to acknowl edge a local high school baseball play er who has made his college choice. plus, a local high school football coach reaches a career milestone.

Extra Points with Pete Thompson

There are only two unbeaten teams left in the NFL as I write this and the phila delphia eagles are one of them. the m iami Dolphins are the other, but let’s focus on the NFC team and the eagles, right? Hey, I know some of you are probably Gi ants fans out there, or Cowboys fans, etc. I even know a few loyal Jets fans, which impresses me for their loyalty. there are plenty of Steelers fans in this area too, most likely because of the team’s heyday in the late 70’s and early 80’s, plus 2006 and 2009. No matter what, I love that the NFL season is back in full force, and I es pecially love that my team is 3-0.

● As always, we have to start with the eagles as I went as a fan to their home opener on m onday Night Football against the Vi kings. t he b irds rewarded the fans with a 24-7 victory where the defense forced three turnovers in the game. Darius “ b ig play” Slay picked off Kirk Cousins twice, and Avonte maddox once, as the eagles pitched a shutout in the second half.

● Now, the b irds didn’t score any points of their own in the 3rd & 4th quarter of that game either, but they really were able to keep the Vikings at bay with their rush ing attack. even a late turnover on a tipped pass that Jalen Hurts threw, didn’t result in points be cause Slay picked off Cousins in the end zone to end the threat. the win over the Vikings was real ly impressive and had many saying afterwards that they could easily see the improvement in Hurts as he’s now in his 3rd year in the NFL.

● t hen, the b irds went to Wash ington for a “road” game against the Commanders. I put the word road in quotes because if you were at the game at Fede x Field, you’d swear it was a home game! Folks who were there estimated the crowd to be at least 60 to 70 percent eagles fans. m ore than 20 busloads of fans made the trip down I-95 to root on their team, which is awesome.

Since I last wrote, the b irds beat up on the Vikings at home on monday Night Football. then, they followed that up with a dominant performance at Washington, and are about to have a reunion with the only coach to ever lead them to a Super b owl victory coming up next. As I write this, the phillies have ten games remaining in the regular season and appear to be playoff bound. the biggest thing they are trying to do is set their rotation for a three-game NL Wildcard Series. Well, that and get their superstar hot again. the Flyers are already playing preseason games and they won their first contest. I still don’t think they are going to be very good, but at least I think their new coach will hold them accountable. Finally, the Sixers held their media day in Camden prior to taking off for a quick training camp

● And those fans were rewarded by another huge effort. Jalen Hurts threw for 340 yards and 3 touch downs. receiver DeVonta Smith caught 8 balls for 169 yards and one sensational score right before the half. Again, no points scored in the second half, but Washington never really threatened in this one, and the eagles most likely took their foot off the gas.

● plus, how about the eagles de fense? t he b irds had a strong message for their former Qb Car son Wentz, who’s now in Wash ington. Nine sacks! Four of them in the first quarter alone! the last time the eagles had four sacks in the first quarter was in 1991 when guys like reggie White, Jerome brown, Clyde Simmons and mike pitts were the starting front four. mike Golic, Andy Harmon and oth

ers were the backups. props to Defensive Coordinator Jonathan Gannon too for unleashing the “dogs” and even though the t V broadcast didn’t really show it, you have to acknowledge the job the secondary is doing as Slay and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson are simply shutting down opposing wideouts.

● Up next, Dougie p returns to town, as Doug pederson is going to come to philly with the Jackson ville Jaguars. I have a few thoughts there, starting with, how weird is it that the opposing coach will be playing in a stadium where he has a statue outside of himself? I also don’t think eagles fans should take Jacksonville lightly. the Jags went out to Los Ange les and beat up on the Chargers. pederson contin ues to look like a “Q b whisperer” as Clemson alum trevor Lawrence is looking more and more like an NFL signal caller each passing day.

● One more eagles item and that’s about the celeb rities at the home opener against the Vikings. Ac tor bradley Cooper and musician Questlove joined owner Jeff Lurie in his box. Current phillies players b ryce Harper and rhys Hoskins were also spotted at the game. Sixers star James Harden was given one of the interception balls that Slay picked off. even the famous people are buying in on this team!

● m oving on to the phillies now as they certainly appear to be playoff bound. With ten games left as I write this, their magic number to clinch is 9 and it appears that they

will be one of the National League playoff teams, ending their 11-year postseason drought.

● to me, the big question mark is whether the phillies pitching can equal whoever they meet up with in the first round. to wit, the phils have reconfigured their rotation down the stretch to try and line it up so that Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola and ranger Suarez would be the 1-2-3 choices in a three-game series.

● t he phillies are also benefiting from the return of Zach eflin from a knee injury. He’s moved into a bullpen role and has been extremely effective after his time off. Less dominant, but also able to partner with a starter is Noah Syndergaard, who was a trade deadline pickup from the Angels. Syndergaard appears past his effective starting days, but he could come in during the 4th or 5th inning of a game to get some crucial outs I think.

● the back end of the bullpen needs some tweaking as Seranthony Dominguez has struggled of late. David robertson is 37-years-old and has a lot of mileage on him. I’d like to see Jose Alvarado get more opportunities as he appears to have really turned things around after being demoted to the minors during the regular season.

● Finally, you don’t win in the play offs without hitting as well, and to that point, the phillies need bryce Harper to get hot again. Hoskins is a streaky hitter, and you hope he gets “warm” as the playoffs approach. to me, J.t. realmuto has been the team’s m V p this season. Without him, the phillies don’t survive that stretch when Harper missed time because of his thumb injury.

● No matter what, it’s fun to have late September & October mean ingful baseball. If they make the

Congrats to Will Grayson on choosing Wagner College for baseball

Questlove, Jeff Lurie and Bradley Cooper at Vikings-Eagles

PT, Kayla Gill and George Aaron celebrate an Eagles 24-7 win

playoffs, the phillies would play all three games in a wildcard series on the road, so here’s hoping that they make it, win that series, and then we can see some HOme play off baseball in October!

● While I was enjoying a r ingo Starr concert the other night, the Flyers quietly opened their preseason schedule with a 2-1 win at home over the b oston bruins. that said, I don’t think the Flyers are going to be that good. However, as a lifelong fan, I’d love to be proven wrong. I am 100% on board with John tortorella’s methods so far.

● Finally, there’s the Sixers. James Harden joked that he lost 100 pounds when asked about his offseason regimen. t he team held their media day in Camden the other day before they went to Charleston, South Carolina and the Citadel to hold a quick training camp. Joel embiid looks rested. tyrese m axey has another year of experience. Daryl m orey has brought in a lot of new faces too, like p.J. tucker, to give the Sixers an “attitude” and hopefully make them tough to beat. Coach Doc rivers says this is the best talent he’s had in philadelphia. Let’s hope

that’s not just coach-speak and the Sixers can capitalize on that. the Sixers open the preseason on m onday October 3rd in brooklyn. they start the regular season on thursday, Oct. 18 in boston.

● As always, I’ll close with some local items as I’ve been meaning to congratulate Oakcrest pitcher Will Grayson for his decision to play Division 1 baseball for Wag ner College. Grayson has worked extensively with the baseball per formance Center in pleasantville run by phillies minor leaguer mike Adams and former reds prospect ed Charlton. Congrats to Will as well as his parents Scott & Steph anie. A great honor indeed!

●

I also noticed that longtime middle township football coach Frank riggitano picked up career win #100 at the school. riggitano has been a coach, principal and ath letic director at the school, and is one of the G re At guys that roam the sidelines on Friday nights. Congrats Frank… middle township HS and the entire Cape may Court House surrounding area is lucky to have you!

I’ll close with my usual thanks and let you know that I am very thankful for your readership and hope you will patronize the businesses you see in the pages here.

LOCAL in Shore Local comes from the support of those businesses, so please support them!

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 5:00pm, and if you see him out & about in the community, he requests that you please say "Hi". Send comments to PBrooksT@aol.com

South Jersey

Darrin Lord, PT, Michael Miller & Bronson Weygand at the Vikings-Eagles game

DeVonta Smith with a huge catch at Washington in a 24-8 win

Atlantic County Clean Communities Program Announces Fall Litter Challenge

The Atlantic County Clean Communities p rogram, administered by Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA), is excited to announce its Fall Litter Challenge that will begin on October 1st.

the contest is open to all Atlan tic County residents and challenges volunteers to pick up as much litter as possible from roadways, parks, or other public areas from October

1-15. the first, second and third place winners will receive $500, $300, and $100 mini-grants, respectively, for their efforts.

“We’re excited to offer this challenge as a way to motivate our adopt-a-road groups and others who may be interested in joining the program,” said Atlantic County Clean Communities Coordinator rebecca turygan. “ the challenge will help put continued focus on litter prevention

Always 70 & Sunny!

and cleanup efforts.”

Volunteers are invited to create a team (limited to 15 people or less) to clean up litter found in public areas. each team must report bags of trash or recycling collected through an on line form after each cleanup. pictures of material must be sent to verify the cleanups. Safety gear and supplies can be provided.

Since ACUA began administering

the program in 2005, more than 60 percent of Atlantic County roadways have been adopted. In 2021, 381 cleanups were held, 1,007 bags of litter and 675 bags of recycling were removed from local roadways, and 371 miles were cleaned.

For more information on the Atlantic County Clean Communities program, please visit www.acua. com/litterchallenge.

The Modern Gentlemen bringing American classics with a contemporary twist to Bally’s Oct.

Since then, they have gone on to perform on some of the world’s most esteemed stages, singing for presidents and prince William of Wales. they also opened for pop singer Doja Cat (ask your kids) in the bahamas.

The Modern Gentlemen

● Saturday, Oct. 8

● 8-9:30 p.m.

● bally’s Grand ballroom

● $39 and $49

Deep is Your Love?” by the bee Gees.

Going Places with Dina Guzzardo

When we think of iconic American male sing ers, several spring to mind – Frank Sinatra, Dean martin, and of course, the leg endary Frankie Valli.

Valli is the frontman of one of his tory's most beloved musical groups, the Four Seasons. to be chosen to be a part of this Hall of Fame band is an honor, but to be hand-picked by Frankie Valli himself, well, that’s an offer that can’t be refused.

It was an offer made to the four members of the modern Gentlemen: Landon b eard, todd Fournier and brothers brian and brandon brigham, back in 2002.

Over the years they honed their

own style and began recognizing their unique ability as a quartet to harmonize to classic American songs, but with a more contemporary style.

t hen in 2018, the four singers took the leap and stepped away from the Four Seasons to begin their new venture as the m odern Gentlemen.

m ore recently they received a residency in Atlantic City. they will be performing at b ally’s on Saturday, Oct. 8.

the band is comprised of four singers who are each established in their own right. b rian is an ac complished actor and sing er, having been featured on t V shows such as “Ameri can Idol,” “ the Voice,” and “America’s Got talent.” You may also recognize him from shows such as “General Hospital” and “ boston Le gal.”

todd began his career singing on cruise ships, but after moving to California, he soon found himself touring through tokyo, taiwan, China, and Spain, to name a few, and working for Univer sal Studios and Disney. He has also performed in shows such as “Je sus Christ Superstar,” “Grease,” “Chess,” and “Oklahoma.”

b randon started singing at the age of 8, going on to perform on “ the Voice,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” “Foot loose,” “Grease,” and more.

Finally, Landon got into the industry at only 3 years old in a Ko dak commercial. Since then, he has performed internationally, and you may even recognize his voice commercials for companies such as toyota, Warner bros., pepsi and Disney.

It's safe to say, these guys know their way around a song sheet.

they have released three albums since their formation featuring a mix of covers and original songs. their first album, “ the modern Gentlemen: Volume 1,” was released in 2016 and is rated 5 stars on Amazon. It features covers of songs, including “Surfer Girl/ b arbara Ann” and “California Girls” by the beach boys, and “How

t heir follow up album was a Christmas album titled, “You make It Feel Like Christmas” and was re leased in 2020, at the height of the pandemic. It was recorded at the renowned Village Studios in Los An geles and distributed by the Orchard, a subsidiary of Sony music.

their most recent album, “Happi est Days,” was released earlier this year, featuring some of their all-time favorite songs and the original title track of the album.

Frankie Valli described the group as, “ truly special” and “the best sing ers I've ever worked with."

e squire m agazine said, “ t he Gentlemen expertly segue from

Doo-Wop to motown and back.” they receive consistent 5-star reviews for their live performances, with a past guest stating, “Saw them this eve ning; four amazing voices, incredible harmonies, good nostalgic music that gets you moving.”

One word that is repeated by guests is “talent,” which is why they have amassed a cult following with many fans traveling long distances to see them perform.

With that said, grab your tickets now while you still can; you don’t want to miss this one.

In 2018 the group stepped away from The Four Seasons to begin their new venture as The Modern Gentlemen.

album.

Atlantic City is fortunate to have such an acclaimed group of singers performing. It’s sure to be a concert that the city will be talking about for a long time.

they will be performing Saturday, Oct. 8 at bally’s Grand ballroom, 1900 pacific Ave., with doors opening at 7 p.m. the concert runs from 8 to 9:30 p.m. tickets start at $39 for general admission and $49 for VI p seating and can be purchased at ticketweb. com

For more information on t he m odern Gentlemen, including where they are playing later in the year and

to listen to some of their music, you can check out their website themod erngentlemen.net.

Dina Guzzardo is the Owner and Creative Director of Dina Pro ductions Group. Dina Productions Group is an innovative event de sign and execution company that designs and executes all types of corporate and private parties and events. Obsessing over every detail is the reason why DPG is one of the most sought out event production companies in our area. For more information visit www. dinaproductionsgroup.com

The Modern Gentlemen have released three albums since their formation featuring a mix of covers and original songs.

Ossu picks up where Jose Garces left off; Tennessee Avenue celebrates fall with two events

frozen daiquiri spot on the boardwalk.

By Scott Cronick

Caesars entertainment’s $400 million promise to return its Atlantic City empire to its glory has been coming to fruition in dizzying fashion, particularly when it comes to opening new restau rants.

In the past few months, Harrah’s resort debuted bobby’s burger palace, a casual burger joint from Chef bobby Flay, as well as Chicken Guy, a quickserve chicken concept from cleberity chef Guy Fieri; Caesars opened Gordon ramsay’s acclaimed Hell’s Kitchen, an upscale adventure from the most pop ular chef on the planet; and tropicana recently bowed Hash Hash a Go Go, a “twisted farm food experience” special izing in breakfast and extremely large plates, along with and purple Zebra, a

And there’s more to come: Nobu, possibly the best sushi and Asian ex perience you will find in a casino, will open next month at Caesars; trop’s acclaimed Il Verdi will move into bigger digs, namely the former Jose Garces Olon space overlooking the ocean and boardwalk; and there are supposedly more that have not been announced yet, and that’s not counting some inde pendent operations inside trop’s Quar ter, including the already opened Wild Honey Smokehouse and tavern; Gin rickey, a sing-a-long piano bar; royce Social Hall, where a beer hall meets an adult recreation spot that will include bowling lanes; and Hawthorne & Cork, a signature bar and lounge experience that will move into the current Il Verdi space.

but there is one spot that my wife and I were looking forward to the most: Ossu, the reimagining of the former su shi/ramen/Asian restaurant Okatshe by Iron Chef Jose Garces that was hands down my wife’s favorite restaurant in the city.

I will admit we were skeptical. Al though trop executives promised the

experience would be similar, could it stand up to the consistent excellence of Garces?

It does. And then some.

Vice president of Food and bever age Chris rippy and Director of Culi nary Operations Demetrios Haronis and their team have really created something special at Ossu while paying homage to its former creator.

the biggest difference, sadly, is that you will no longer walk through a candy store and a secret door to enter Ossu, a clever and cool concept that was scrapped because too many customers would walk by it not realizing there was a restaurant in there.

t he rest of the décor, however, remains untouched with dim, trendy lighting, cool Asian graffiti art, a giant sushi bar and overall chic atmosphere that didn’t need to be renovated … and wasn’t. there’s even a DJ on weekends to further enhance the vibe.

the modern Japanese tavern still boasts more than 50 Japanese whis keys and a killer cocktail program. And the menu – except for the unfortunate axing of its ramen program – features many of the great items that made Okatshe awesome in the first place along with some new creations that make Ossu better than ever.

returning in all of their glory are the 5 Spice ribs ($13.99) with sesame, daikon and scallion; the unique, Wing Wars-winning battered chicken wings ($14.99) with ginger, garlic, scallion and sesame; yakitori ($6.99 to $15.99), grilled, robatayaki items ranging from filet mignon to pork belly to asparagus and bacon; and one of the best sushi offerings in Atlantic City with tradition al offerings as well as specialty rolls that include the Umami roll ($24.99) with filet mignon, blue crab, tempura asparagus, poke sauce, avocado, crispy shallot and soy paper.

New items – or at least items that I don’t remember from Okatshe’s menu - that really wowed us include

edamame dumplings ($12.99) that are heavier than Izakaya at borgata’s version but equally stunning with a tremendous sweet sake broth and white truffle; Kani croquettes ($14.99), crispy crab croquettes served with an amazing yuzu aioli; and the chashu buns ($12.99), maybe the best thing on the menu at this point featuring bao buns stuffed with pork belly, hoisin and daikon. Wow!

Compliment your experience with sake, Japanese whiskey – the best se lection in the city – creative cocktails such as the Umeshu Sidecar ($13.99) with bourbon, Umeshu, cane syrup and lemon, and don’t skip the salted caramel mochi for dessert.

The bottom line: We missed Okat she since it closed during COVID, but Oshu takes Jose Garces’ amazing Jap anese concept and somehow makes it even better … but we miss the ramen and candy store.

Ossu is open 5 to 11 p.m. Sunday, Wednesday and thursday, and 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Go to tropcicana.com

Amada lunch at Ocean Casino Resort

Speaking of Jose Garces, the Iron Chef will return to Amada, his signature Andalucian tapas restaurant, at Ocean Casino resort for another awesome luncheon 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8.

I am honored to once again host the lunch with Garces, and we will talk about Amada, his creations and philosophies and what he has up his culinary sleeve in the future – he just opened a new restaurant, buena Onda, a taqueria in the rittenhouse section of philly – as well as describe the curated, three-course luncheon guests will be enjoying that fall afternoon.

If you never met Garces in person, take the opportunity to do so at this luncheon. Not only is he the most down-to-earth celebrity chef you will ever encounter, but his talent in the kitchen is unmatched in the Northeast.

Guests will also be treated to fla menco guitar by Gypsy Joe Vlado and some great wine pairings, all for just $89.

Go to theOceanAC.com for more details and to make reervations.

Oktoberfest and Perfect Tenn Fest at Beer Hall

Now, for some shameless self-pro motion. For those who don’t know, I am the co-owner of tennessee Avenue beer Hall in Atlantic City, and we have two amazing events coming up that I have to share.

First off is our annual Oktoberfest event on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 1 and

2. With 40 taps of draught beer, the beer Hall is always the go-to place for the best craft beer selection in South Jersey, and for Oktoberfest, we are curating an amazing list of German imports (Weihenstephaner, Hacker- pschorr, Warsteiner, Spaten and erdinger) along with some great Oktoberfest-style beers from New Jersey breweries such as Icarus and Double Nickel, plus a super rare beer from Firestone Walker: Oaktoberfest, a marzen-style beer aged in oak barrels.

Oktoberfest music, aka polkas and more, will be provided by local legend tony DeLuca and the polka Dots from 3 to 7 p.m. each day on our outside b eer Yard stage, and Chef Charles Soreth’s menu includes pork schnitzel, bratwurst, German potato salad and black forest cake.

the staff will wear its traditional Oktoberfest garb, the b eer Hall will be decked out with Oktoberfest dec orations, and there will be plenty of giveaways, including some awesome glassware.

there is never a cover for tennessee Avenue beer Hall, so come out and grab a stein of German brew, some grub and listen to some great music.

Perfect Tenn Festival 2.0

A week later, on Saturday, Oct. 8,

check out the perfect tenn Festival 2.0, a genre-bend ing, unprecedented block party experience where 10 unique events will happen across four tennessee Avenue businesses: ten nessee Avenue beer Hall, a 40-tap gastropub; rhythm & Spirits, an upscale Italian experience; bar 32 Choc olate, a handmade choco late company and dessert and cocktail experience; and Cuzzie’s pizzeria, our newest pizza and sandwich joint.

presented by meet AC, perfect tenn 2.0 differs from our inaugural event as we will feature 10 unique events – some ticketed, most of them pay as you go –that will include everything from Wake & bake Yoga with a Grateful Dead band to a bon Jovi-themed brunch to a Sina tra-themed Italian dinner to a blues, brews and bbQ event to a chocolate and wine experience to drag queens, a Foo Fighters tribute band and more. Standout events include:

● 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Wake & bake Yoga, a yoga experience by t he Leadership Studio featuring acoustic Grateful Dead music by Dead reckoning Duo, with brunch by Chef Charles Soreth featuring fresh-baked goods by hammerbach er bakery including eggs benedict

scrapple and potato knish, ham merbacher b rioche French toast, hammerbacher crossaindwiches, chocolate Guinness scones, Sinbuns and more.

● 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. - b lame It On the Love of brunch: A bon Jovi brunch e xperience presented by Hampton Water rose featuring Chef Kevin Cronin’s creative brunch and DJ Skyline pumping bon Jovi music.

● 2 to 9 p.m. – b lues, b rews & bbQ will feature Chef Charles Soreth’s Chucktown concept of great South ern bbQ and an array of great sides to go with the beer Hall’s 40 beers on tap. b lues acts include the An thony Krizan b and, featuring the former lead guitarist of the Spin Doctors, from 2 to 5 p.m., followed by Jump back, a North Jersey blues band that rocks, from 6 to 9 p.m.

● 5 to 10 p.m. – Sinatra Supper. Cuzzie’s and rhythm & Spirits join forces to bring together an evening of Italian American without the rules featuring Sinatra music performed by robert polillo and a Sunday Gra vy menu.

● 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. – Iron room Under the Stars. It all started at the leg endary Albany Avenue Speakeasy, and you can enjoy e xecutive Chef Kevin Cronin’s I r menu under the

stars for this pop-up event in the Secret Garden for one night.

● 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. – mon key Wrench: A tribute to the Foo Fighters. rock out with the perfect tenn 2.0 Finale in the beer Yard fea turing New Jersey’s own

Keep up to date on all tennessee Avenue events and buy tickets for the ticketed events at tennAveAC.com.

Scott Cronick is an awardwinning journalist who has written about entertainment, food, news and more in South Jersey for nearly three decades. He hosts a daily radio show – "Off The Press with Scott Cronick" - 4 to 6 p.m. weekdays on Newstalk WOND 1400-AM, 92.3-FM, and WONDRadio.com, and he also coowns Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall in Atlantic City, while working on various projects, including charitable efforts, throughout the area. He can be reached at scronick@comcast.net.

Foo Fighters tribute band, monkey Wrench.

Monkey Wrench

Anthony Krizan Band (former lead guitarist of Spin Doctors)and Jump Back

Nearly 60 Restaurants on tap for Atlantic City Restaurant Week, Oct. 2-7

By Jeff Schwachter

If it’s October, it must mean that the ultimate foodie event – At lantic City restaurant Week – is back! Now in its 14th year, the cel ebration of the extraordinary culinary scene in Atlantic City runs from Sunday, October 2 to Friday, October 7.

During the six-day dining bonanza, nearly 60 of the Atlantic City region’s finest and most popular restaurants will offer special menus featuring multicourse meals at fixed prices – lunch for $20.22, dinner for $40.22 (tax, gratuity, and beverages are not included). par ticipating restaurants will offer these special menus all week, taking advantage of fresh, seasonal food and produce.

Showcasing Atlantic City’s diverse culi nary scene, Atlantic City restaurant Week offers diners the best in local flavors, eclectic restaurants, and menus. From award-winning, fine-dining establish ments and celebrity-inspired restaurants to local landmarks, international cuisine, seafood, steakhouses, and casual favor ites, there’s something for every taste.

this year’s Atlantic City restaurant Week kicked off with a ‘First Serve First

responders’ luncheon, held at Ocean Casino resort’s Amada. Hosted by the New Jersey Casino reinvestment Devel opment Authority (CrDA), the sponsor of Atlantic City restaurant Week, the event honored 22 local first responders who serve our community, each of whom per form honorable services daily. each of the firefighters, police officers, paramedics, emS, emts, dispatchers, public workers, and beach patrol members received a commemorative certificate for their service as well as Atlantic City restaurant Week gift cards, a $25 tanger Outlet gift card, and more items of appreciation.

Here’s a taste of just some of what to expect at this year’s Atlantic City restaurant Week. You can also visit the official website at ACrestaurantWeek. com to view menus and start making your reservations!

In the Casinos

there are numerous casino dining venues participating this year, including, to name a few, everything from gourmet Italian (Capriccio at resorts, Il m ulino at Hard rock, martorano’s at Harrah’s re sort) and steakhouses (Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse at Golden Nugget, American Cut at Ocean, Dougherty’s Steakhouse &

bar at resorts) to seafood (Chart House at Golden Nugget, Dolce mare at Ocean) international cuisine (Izakaya at borgata, Kuro at Hard rock, Kwi Noodle House at Caesars), celebrity chef-inspired (Gordon ramsay pub & Grill at Caesars, Angeline by michael Symon at borgata), plus new venues such Hash House A Go Go at tropicana and the Yard at bally’s.

Area Favorites and Landmarks

Neighborhood spots participating this year include AC landmarks like Dock’s

Oyster House and the Knife & Fork Inn, local favorites such as A touch of Italy (egg Harbor township), Johnny’s Café & Lounge (m argate), and pJ b uckets Seafood (Ventnor).

On the Casual Side

If you’re interested in a more casual meal, Atlantic City restaurant Week has you covered. Have a cold one with your meal at places like back bay Ale

House, rhythm & Spirits, and Smithville’s Fred & ethel’s Lamplight tavern, or check out spots like Water Dog at bally’s and Cuzzie’s pizzeria Kitchen.

International Flair

From Old World Ital ian and Asian fusion to authentic m exican, and more, Atlantic City is a melting pot of delicious culinary delights from around the world. Along with some of the casino offerings mentioned above, you can pull up a seat at the quaint mexico in Atlantic City’s Chel sea neighborhood, take in the ambiance at the Afghan-French inspired Setaara, one of the many hidden gems in town, or indulge your taste buds with pulia r istorante’s authentic southeastern Italian flavors in Ventnor.

Atlantic City Restau rant Week Gift Cards

Atlantic City restau rant Week gift cards are now available to purchase via ACrestaurantWeek. com and in-person at

boardwalk Hall. the gift cards are accepted at all participating restaurants over the course of the event and are valid for two years.

Follow ACRW on Social Media be sure to follow AC r estaurant Week on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and updates and share your photos using the hashtag #FallForACrW. bon ap pétit!

Participating Restau rants: A Touch of Italy 6629 black Horse pike e gg Harbor twp, NJ 08234 (609) 646-1855

Amada Ocean Casino r esort Atlantic City Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 783-8000

American Bar & Grille borgata Hotel Casino & Spa Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 317-1000

American Cut Ocean Casino r esort Atlantic City

Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 783-8000

Angeline by Michael Symon

borgata Casino Hotel & Spa Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 317-1000

Back Bay Ale House, LLC

Historic Gardner's basin Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 449-0006

Bar 32 Chocolate 121 S. tennessee Ave. Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 248-6960

Bocca Coal-Fired Bistro 7805 Ventnor Ave. margate, NJ 08402 (609) 823-3663

Breadsticks Café & Grill resorts Casino Hotel Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 344-6000

Capriccio

resorts Casino Hotel Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 340-6300

Chart House Golden Nugget Atlantic City Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 441-2000

Chelsea 5 Gastro Pub tropicana Atlantic City

Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 340-4090

Coastal Grille @ Seaview and Main Dining Room Seaview Galloway, NJ 08205 (609) 748-7625

Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar the Quarter at tropicana Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 348-6700

Cuzzie’s Pizzeria Kitchen

131 South tennessee Avenue Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 517-7372

Dock's Oyster House 2405 Atlantic Ave. Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 345-0092

Dolce Mare Ocean Casino r esort Atlantic City Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 783-8000

Dougherty's Steak house and Bar resorts Casino Hotel Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 340-6555

Eastwind Restaurant resorts Casino Hotel Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 340-6300

Fred & Ethels Lantern Light Tavern

1 N New York rd. Smithville, NJ 08205 (609) 652-0544

Freddy J's Bar & Kitchen 5698 Somers point rd mays Landing, NJ 08330 (609) 829-2585

Girasole Ristorante 3108 pacific Ave. Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 345-5554

Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill

Caesars Atlantic City Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 348-4411

Gordon Ramsay Steak Harrah's resort Atlantic City

Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 441-5000

Hash House A Go Go tropicana Atlantic City Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 340-4639

Il Mulino

Hard rock Hotel & Casi no Atlantic City Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 449-6006

Izakaya borgata Hotel Casino & Spa Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 317-1000

Johnny's Cafe & Lounge 9407 Ventnor Ave. margate, NJ 08406 (609) 822-1789

Knife & Fork Inn 3600 Atlantic Avenue Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 344-1133

Kuro

Hard rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City Atlantic City, NJ 08401 1.609-441-0007

Kwi Noodle House Caesars Atlantic City Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 348-4411

Linwood Country Club 500 Shore rd. Linwood, NJ 08221 (609) 927-6134

Makai

Ocean resort Casino AC Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 783-8000

Martorano's Harrah's resort Atlantic City Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 441-5000

Mexico Restaurant & Bar

3810 Ventnor Avenue Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 344-0366

Michael Patrick's Bras serie

Golden Nugget Atlantic City Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 441-2000

Noodles of the World (N.O.W.)

borgata Hotel Casino & Spa

Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 317-1000

Ossu Japanese Tavern tropicana Atlantic City Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 340-4000

PJ Buckets Seafood 115 N. Dorset Ave. Ventnor, NJ 08406 (609) 246-6700

Pulia

5210 Atlantic Ave. Ventnor, NJ 08406 (609) 727-0395

Red Bowl 88 bally's Atlantic City Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 340-2385

Rhythm & Spirits 129 S tennessee Ave. Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 248-6960

Ruth's Chris Steak House

Atlantic City Outletsthe Walk Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 344-5833

Sandpiper Coastal Bar & Grill

Hard rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 441-0007

Serendipity 3 Ocean Casino r esort Atlantic City Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 783-8000

Setaara Afghan French Cuisine

2322 Arctic Ave. Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 246-7704

Smithville Inn 1 N. New York rd. Smithville, NJ 08205 (609) 652-7777

Sugar Factory Hard rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 428-7751

Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall

133 S. tennessee Ave. Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 541-4099

The Metropolitan borgata Hotel Casino & Spa Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 317-1000

The Yard bally's Atlantic City Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 340-2914

Topgolf Swing Suite Ocean resort Casino AC Atlantic City, NJ 08401

Valentina's Trattoria Italiana 200 tilton rd. Northfield, NJ 08225 (609) 380-2466

Vic & Anthony's Steak house

Golden Nugget Atlantic City Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 441-2000

Villain & Saint Ocean Casino r esort Atlantic City Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 783-8000

Water Dog Atlantic City 7319 Ventnor Ave Ventnor, NJ 08406 (609) 727-0603

Wild Honey Smoke house and Tavern tropicana Atlantic City Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 428-7512

Wingcraft Kitchen and Beer Bar tanger Outlets the Walk Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 541-2799

Up close and personal with Ringo

the security checkpoint faster. that impressed my friend to begin with. but the best was yet to come.

That's Entertainment

By Pete Thompson

There’s truly no other way to begin this column by writ ing about a very lucky cir cumstance that happened to me recently. regular readers of this column probably know that I love going to concerts. Just this past sum mer alone, I was fortunate enough to see Coldplay, elton John, rod Stew art and the red Hot Chili peppers all in concert.

However, a true “pinch me” mo ment just happened to me at Hard rock AC when a friend of mine extended a late invite to see “ ringo Starr and his All Starr b and”. t he seats were supposed to be in Section 202 of the etess Arena, but when I got there, a few lucky events took place. First, as we got our tickets scanned, a nice ACpD officer recog nized me and helped us get through

I then saw a good friend of mine with his wife, and he asked if it was just the two of us. I said yes, and he said “I’m about to blow your mind, just come with me and don’t say anything.”

So, we followed him and I immediately recognized his seats were on the floor.

Well, that was much better than 202, so already we were in better shape. How ever, what I wasn’t prepared for is that his seats were in the front row!

Quickly we were given yellow wrist bands that signified we were front row “residents'', and not only were we in the front row, we were dead CeNter . When ringo Starr skipped out onto the stage in black & red pu ma sweatpants, a stylish t-shirt and a red blazer, I almost fainted. Here was an actual living beatle, about 12 feet away from me!

Needless to say, this will go down as one of the best & most memorable concert experiences of my life. I’ve seen paul mcCartney in concert twice

(and he was incredible), but I always was kind of ambivalent on seeing ringo. He didn’t have that many songs with the b eatles, and he’s known for his drumming more than his voice, right? boy, was I wrong! I now understand that he has one of the best sur rounding lineups with him ever. Steve Lukather & Warren Ham were both in toto, so we got “ rosanna”, “Hold the Line” and “Africa”. Colin Hay the front man for men At Work, so we got “Down Under”, “Overkill” and “Who Can It be Now?”. edgar Winter blew

Ringo was so close, I feel like he was looking right at

me away with “Free ride” and “Frankenstein”. even Hamish Stuart, with songs I didn’t realize I knew, like “ pick Up the pieces” and “Cut the Cake” both from his days with Average White band was outstand ing. Add into the mix War ren Ham playing just about every instrument on the stage (including flute), and drummer Greg bissonette constantly providing the backbeat, and you had an unbelievable lineup. Yes, r ingo did play drums as well. In fact, you might ar gue that ringo is happiest sitting behind his kit and not up front as the lead guy.

As for the ringo songs & beatles songs, we got “It Don’t Come easy”, “What Goes On”, “I’m the Greatest”, “Yellow Submarine”, “Octopus’s Gar den”, “ back Off boogaloo”, “I Wanna b e Your m an”, “ photograph” and “With a Little Help From my Friends”. According to the setlist they played 24 songs in about an hour and 45 minutes. Incredible.

any purchase of $50 or more (excludes boots)

Not to be combined with any other offer or on sale priced items

Expires 10-31-22

any purchase of $25 or more (excludes boots)

Not to be combined with any other offer or on sale priced items.

Expires 10-31-22

Once again a deep thank you to my friend who “upgraded” our seats. I am grateful that the other couple he originally invited weren’t able to make it. He did make me promise not to mention his name, but I will never forget the night that I was 12 feet away from “ billy Shears”. ringo Starr is an 82-year-old living legend!

Well, now that I’ve gotten tHAt out, let’s take a look at some of the things that are floating around the streaming services, regular t V and the movies right now.

I’ll begin with the streaming ser vices as I know a lot of people are asking me about “ m onster: t he Jeffrey Dahmer Story” on Netflix. If you’re into that kind of thing, I’m sure it’s very compelling. I remember the story when it actually happened between 1978 and 1991. For me, I’m in the category where I don’t like to see anyone glorify murders. t hat said, it does have an amazing cast, led by evan peters. I also see richard Jenkins, molly ringwald and penelo pe Ann m iller are involved, plus it’s been created by r yan m urphy, who did Nip/ tuck, Glee, American Horror Story and 9-1-1, so the guy knows good dramatic television! Again, if it’s your deal, enjoy. And I’m not saying that I won’t watch it. Just that I’m not putting it first in the queue.

elsewhere, you can count me OUt on the Kardashians Season 2 on Hulu. However, I would definitely watch Sid ney on Apple t V+, if I actually had Apple t V+. According to Decider, Sidney, “is all about the life of actor and civil rights icon Sidney poitier, who died this past January. Fortunately for us all, poitier was still alive when the film was being made and he appears in it, along with Oprah Winfrey, and oth er Hollywood icons like barbra Streisand, morgan Freeman, and Halle berry, to discuss his work and his legacy. the film depicts how poiti er rose to fame in Hollywood against the backdrop of the civil rights movement, becoming inextricably linked with the image of a powerful, self-respecting black man, both onscreen and off, and saddled with the duty of representing an entire race in popular culture.” Yes, I think I have time for that.

really quick, let me skip to “regu lar” t V as the reality shows Survivor and the Amazing race are back on Wednesday nights on CbS. these are two of my favorite and longest run ning shows that I continue to DVr and watch. both compelling for their own reasons. If you’re not watching them, check them out! Conversely, I have

DVr ’d two episodes of the reboot of Quantum Leap and they better start getting….better! It’s not just missing Scott bakula and Dean Stockwell. to me, the hallmark of any good series is the writing, and so far the plot lines & writing on this reboot aren’t drawing me in.

Finally, from the box office, I doubt that I will get out and see Don’t Worry Darling on the big screen, but many others did. Olivia Wilde’s psycho logical thriller managed to shrug off some big-time behind-the-scenes drama to post a decent $19.2 million debut according to rotten tomatoes. Critics have hated on this movie for weeks prior to its release, and Wilde is apparently going through an acri monious divorce from actor Jason Sudekis. However, with Wilde and

Harry Styles leading the cast, it appears that no press is bad press as Don’t Worry Darling made good money in its debut weekend.

As always, if there’s some thing out there I’m not cover ing or discussing in this col umn, please feel free to email me at pbrookst@aol.com

I’m very thankful for your readership and hope you will patronize the businesses you see in the pages here. the LO CAL in Shore Local comes from the support of those business es, so please support them!

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 5:00pm, and if you see him out & about in the community, he requests that you please say "Hi". Send comments to PBrooksT@aol.com

Ringo's All Starr Band were unbelievable

Existing Home Sales Beat Expectations

interest rates, this report did show a lot of resiliencies in the housing market.

M o rtgage Minute

By Jerry Kanefsky

The National Association of realtors released their e xisting Home Sales re port for the month of August.

It was a strong one. r emember this re port measures signed contracts on existing homes and it was pretty much flat from July down just 0.4% which was better than expectations that were estimating a decline of 2.5%. Year over year it was down 20%, but when looking at inven tory levels and higher

Digging deeper into this report, we see that first-time homebuyers are hanging in there and making up about 29% of all purchases. Cash buy ers made up 24% of sales and inves tors made up about 16% of purchases or 1 in 16 transactions.

On the other end we see invento ries cresting. this happens just about every year since this market is very seasonal. In August there were about

1.28 million homes in supply which was a drop from July which was at 1.31 million. At the current sales pace there is about a 3.2 months' supply of homes on the market. A more normal market has about a 6-month supply. When looking at supply, out of all the available homes 779,000 homes are active listings. this means 39% of homes are under contract, so there really only is 1.9 months' worth of supply when considering active listings. Homes sat on the market on average for 16 days, which is still blis tering fast but up from July's average of 14 days. this shows that if homes are priced right, they are still moving and moving fast.

In summary, even though this report showed a slight cooling from July, the housing market is still very hot and more existing homes sold than estimated. It is evident that de mand for homes is still strong even in the face of higher rates and higher prices.

Jerry Kanefsky of Advisors Mortgage Group has been a loan officer since 1992. He offers superior service and mortgage programs to fit many needs. He can be reached at 609-432-4555 or jkanefsky@ advisorsmortgage.com.

Historic Smithville to host Oktoberfest, Irish Festivals

For those in the know, Smith ville’s Oktoberfest and Irish Festival have become syn onymous with great food and family fun. each year, the Histor ic Smithville Village becomes host to a giant celebration of authentic autumnal food, beer and music. the village gets hopping with hundreds of visitors who are ready for Fall.

On October 1st & 2nd from 10am-5pm, Smithville Oktoberfest

presents over 100 Juried Crafters, an International Food Court, music, Kids Activities, non- profit organizations and more. the Irish Festival is set for October 8th and 9th. enjoy plenty of food, vendors and live Irish music and dancing on two stages.

All this food and fun is in addition to over 60 shoppes, Carousel rides, train rides, paddle boats, 7 eateries, and antique arcades that grace the Smithville Village year-round.

Women Fighting Hunger luncheon to feature Soledad O’Brien

Oct. 26 luncheon features Soledad O’Brien

Women Fighting Hunger, a volunteer group that supports the Commu nity Food bank of New Jersey (CFb NJ), is recruiting members in South Jersey and inviting area resi dents to their Seventh Annual Women Fighting Hunger Luncheon on October 26. For the first time ever, CFb NJ will host a simultaneous event in South Jersey for supporters to join forces virtually with North Jersey Women Fighting Hunger champions. the event will feature an interactive simulcast talk by award-winning journalist and author Soledad O' brien, as well as local speakers who will discuss the impact of Foodbank programs. the event will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Icona Ava lon, beginning with a group volunteer activity.

the lead anti-hunger and anti-pov erty organization in the state, CFb NJ provides “food, help, and hope” in 15 of New Jersey’s 21 counties. CFb NJ’s egg Harbor township location, located on the black Horse pike in egg Harbor twp., serves Atlantic, Cape m ay and Cumberland counties, working with 300 community partners, including food pantries and soup kitchens. It also operates mobile food pantries and an onsite food pantry at its eHt facility.

Having grown out of the annual Women Fighting Hunger Luncheon into a full-blown movement, CFb NJ’s Women Fighting Hunger supports the goals and priorities of CFb NJ through hands-on philanthropy, leadership, and collaboration. Some of Women Fighting Hunger’s accomplishments in the past year include: raising over $350,000 at its annual luncheon; providing more than 3,000 volunteer hours from 60 mem bers; and collecting $32,000 and 5,000 pounds of diaper products through their inaugural #GreatbigDiaperDrive.

“One in 11 children in New Jersey struggles with hunger and the problem is particularly acute in Atlantic, Cape may and Cumberland Counties,” said Denise Hladun, Director of external Af fairs at CFb NJ’s egg Harbor township location. “One in five children in these counties is food insecure, which means they don’t know where their next meal is coming from.” “ the expansion of Wom en Fighting Hunger into our region will help us address childhood hunger and key issues that face struggling women and families,” Hladun said. Overall, one in seven residents in the three-county service area is food insecure.

the egg Harbor township location first supported Women Fighting Hun ger initiatives when members of its Advisory board took part in the 2021 #Great b igDiaperDrive and the 2022 #Great b igperiod productDrive. b oth campaigns raised funds and collected hygiene items for women and families in need.

“After those successful efforts, it made sense to begin recruiting Women Fighting Hunger members in South Jer sey,” Hladun said. “ the volunteers will support the egg Harbor township loca tion staff in the work they do to counter hunger and poverty in the region.”

“During the pandemic, thousands of hospitality industry workers lost their jobs and needed our services, and now we are seeing food insecurity increase sharply again because of the rising cost of food and other essentials”, she added “ the demand for food, diapers, and period products has grown consid erably. We need more volunteers, and we need to raise more funds to support our efforts.”

t hose who join Women Fighting Hunger will be assigned volunteer projects based on skills and interest, help at community events, and work on diaper and period product drives. to learn how to join CFb NJ’s Women Fighting Hunger, visit: cfbnj.org/wom enfightinghunger

For tickets and sponsorship infor mation for the October 26 Luncheon event, visit: give.cfbnj.org/WFH.

Matter of Fact with Soledad O'Brien is a nationally syndicated weekly talk show produced by Hearst Television.

The Nightmare Before Christmas at the Forever Forest

By Holly Martin

Tucked away amongst the lines of evergreens in egg Harbor City sits the For ever Forest. As you follow their signs around the Christmas trees, you’ll find yourself surrounded by fire pits and endless activities. We grabbed a hot chocolate from the concession stand as we ventured into the madness.

Santa’s workshop that is usually filled with elves for the Christmas sea son was filled with spiderwebs and pumpkins. m usic from the“Night mare b efore Christmas”movie played while kids made arts and crafts, got their faces painted, and took pictures with Jack Skellington. We then went to the barn next door that was hosting a creepy karaoke night! t he last barn we went in had a selfie wall, air hockey, and other games. We enjoyed all the games while the Haunted trolley was getting ready to take us on a tour of the forest.

Ambient scary music played on the frightening trolley as we heard distant screams and chainsaws. Was

it too late to get off? All the passen gers laughed and shrieked as we went from scene to scene. the Stranger things inspired ride took you through the forest and into the woods. Only the bravest ones were begging to ride again.

We piled out of the trolley and took a stroll through the haunt ed walk through. Some familiar horror movie char acters watched our every step as we made our way through. Following the flashing lights and avoiding the monsters, we made it out in one piece.

to finish the night, the concession stand sells s’mores kits for you to roast your own marshmallows over the fire. every weekend, now through October, you can grab your tickets and head over for a fun filled night! Forever Forest NJ offers day time activities for those who are afraid of the dark.

Holly Martin has been working in media since 2012. She has worked as a photographer and videographer throughout her high school and college career. Holly is a producer for WOND radio as well as fill in DJ for 103.7 WMGM Rocks. She loves being a concert photographer and working as event staff. She has worked as a reporter for Temple University’s Philadelphia Neighborhoods and submitted Editorials to the Philadelphia Inquirer. She has done multiple multimedia articles for Temple as well as Shore Local Newsmagazine. Her portfolio website is hollyamartin.com

October High Low AM PM AM PM Rise Set Moon

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 9:28 10:40 11:45 12:32 1:19 2:02 2:40 3:15 3:50 4:25

3:58 5:04 6:02 6:55 7:42 8:26 9:06 9:46 10:26 11:08

inlet Sat Sun 12:02 12:34 6:01 7:07 Mon Tue

6:53 6:42 1:01 1:36 7:01 8:17 2:10 2:47 8:11 9:30 3:25 4:35 5:38 6:33 7:22 8:07 8:48 9:28 10:07 10:47

10:38 11:38 12:44 1:37 2:25 3:08 3:50 4:31 5:13

6:54 6:40 6:54 6:39 6:55 6:37

Wed 6:56 6:36 Thu 6:57 6:34 Fri 6:58 6:32 Sat Sun Mon Tue

Book your trip online 6:59 6:31 7:00 6:29 7:01 6:28 7:02 6:26 Wed 7:03 6:25 Thu 7:04 6:23

jett

Shore Local Trivia

Test Your Local Knowledge

1. These native American indians were the original locals in the area:

a) Cherokee

b) Lenape

c) Shawnee

d) Absegami

2. CRDA stands for:

a) City road Department of Atlantic City

b) Cape region Develop ment Association

c) College of research, De sign and Analysis

d) Casino r einvestment Development Authority

3. This radio commercial said “All hands on deck, it’s the...”:

a) pirate

b) Admiral

c) Captain

d) Skipper

4. The birthplace of The Jersey Devil:

a) Somers point

b) mays Landing

c) Leeds point

d) pomona

5. This Country Club is not located in the town it’s named after:

a) Galloway

b) Atlantic City

c) Linwood

d) mays Landing

6. When did Hurricane Sandy hit NJ?

a) 2012 b) 2010 c) 2014 d) 2009

7. At 12 miles long, it’s the longest local barrier island:

a) Ocean City

b) Absecon Island

c) Sea Isle

d) brigantine

8. This casino called itself the 8th wonder of the world:

a) trump taj mahal

b) borgata

c) Harrah’s

d) the Claridge

9. Ospreys are the team of:

a) Atlantic Cape Community College

b) egg Harbor twp. High School

c) Ocean City High School

d) Stockton University

10.This town is “Cooler by a Mile”:

a) Somers point

b) Ocean City

c) Avalon

d) brigantine

11. The mascot of The Atlantic City Surf was?:

a) Dino

b) Squirt

c) Splash

d) Wally

12.What road can you find this pyramid church?

a) route 9

b) tilton road

c) White Horse pike

d) mill road

Answers: 1 - b , 2 - D, 3 - b , 4 - C, 5 - b , 6 - A, 7 - b , 8 - A, 9 - D, 10 - C, 11 -

All Correct - SU reLY LOCAL. You’ve got sand in your toes and pines needles by your feet.

8 or 9 correct - SOLID LO CAL. You know your way around.

6 or 7 correct - Sem I LOCAL. Not born and raised, but not bad.

3 or 5 correct - N e W b I e . take another exit. You should get around more.

0 to 2 correct - SHOO b I e –Welcome to South Jersey. the beach is that way.

ACROSS

OtAN

class prop

reed: "She says, "Hey babe,

"curtain"

e.g.

wheezing

Colonial headgear

Jovi: "take

hand,

Woah, livin'

only thing

make

DOWN

*Kansas: "Carry on, my wayward ____"

"Stick in one's ____"

Italian wine region

Dough

*the buggles: "Video killed the ____"

Cattle controls

bébé's mother

*elton John: "And it seems to me you lived ____ ____"

Capital of Norway

Hiking sandals brand

mess up

Show's other star

"thriller",

N' roses: "take me down to the paradise city where the

capital tourist attraction

"Waterloo - knowing my fate is to be with ____"

"You got mud on your face,

"Sing with me, sing

____"

Warwick:

THEME: FINISH THE LYRICS

The facts about fall home buying

Real Estate Matters

By Elisa Jo Eagan

People love autumn for many reasons. For buying homes? Not always. but this doesn't mean autumn doesn't have its own distinct benefits if you are in the market for a new home.

Crunch Time Has Arrived

For homeowners whose property is still on the market after summer, nervousness is likely setting in if their house hasn't sold. the holidays are approaching, so they might be mo tivated to negotiate, sell, and settle before the holidays hit in order to have closing by the end of the year and on this year’s tax return.

Less Competition

Looking for a home in peak buying seasons can be challenging. Warm-weather home buyers are like shoppers who fight crowds to pay full price for the holiday's must-have gift. by home shopping in autumn, you will be like the shopper who gets the same gift without as much com petitive stress.

Better Values Abound research has shown that home prices often get a little more af fordable in autumn due to the lower number of buyers competing in the

market for a home during the fall. A trulia study also determined that fall is advantageous for first-time home buyers because the availability of starter homes typically peaks in autumn after the end of the hectic summer season. m any properties that were rented will now be listed for sale, creating more buying oppor tunities as well.

More Personalized Attention

Due to the recent changes and market shift of increasing interest rates, the market has calmed in some cases. the good news is that for qual ified first-time home buyers, there is grant money and a few wonderful loan programs available to help make home buying more affordable.

there is a special affordable mort gage loan available at 3 percent inter est, for 30 years with 3 percent down payment and no mortgage insurance for up to $250,000 loan amount for qualified buyers that have not owned a home in three years. this could help save up to $630 per month on the total mortgage payment.

For more detailed information on this awesome loan program and for all of your real estate needs, contact me.

Happy fall pumpkin spice and everything nice. With hugs, love and warm regards.

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!"

By Heidi Clayton

Designer dogs have been around for a long time. A few years ago the rage was the “puggle” and the “cockapoo.” the latest fad in mixing breeds is the “doodle.”

Doodle mixes are being mass pro duced and have become very profitable money-making ventures with the poo dle being mixed with literally anything.

While I always suggest to anyone looking for a good family dog to con sider getting a standard poodle from a reputable breeder or adopting a homeless dog, I also believe that you should be able to get any dog you’d like. the mass-produced doodle mixes are being bred to make money, not produce a healthy puppy with a sound temperament.

mixing two breeds is a genetic roll of the dice with zero guarantee that you will get the best of both breeds. most people aren’t aware that poodles are a swimming and duck retrieving breed and not at all “foo-foo” dogs.

m ixing a poodle with a golden re triever who was also bred to retrieve can lead to bitey and wired-tight puppy. I have trained dozens of doodle mixes and it is my experience that anxiety has become a genetic trait of poor mixing. they struggle with processing overstimulation and excitement.

t he list of anxiety-related issues that are reported to me by owners is excessive drooling and car sickness when traveling, fear urinating when confronted with sudden changes, and a scream or yelp that is rather alarming when they are overstimulated or scared.

I like to tell my doodle mix clients that their puppy comes with a whole lot of extra. You will need infinite patience during the first two years of their lives and a lot of time to devote to shaping emotional responses to the world. they are not the best choice for a first-time dog owner who has never owned a puppy.

m ost of the people breeding these doodle mixes are not starting with dogs that have rock-solid temperaments, but most likely with puppy mill stock.

they are in the business of breeding doodles for money and charge a lot of money for a mixed-breed dog.

One page I visited is charging $4,500 for a b ernese mountain dog-poodle mix of a specific color. Selling 20 puppies in a year at that price nets about 90 grand. that’s a lot of money for a mixed breed.

If you are in the market for a doodle mix, I suggest that you look for a breed er that has health tested the parents of these mixes. I have had several golden, Lab, and bernese doodle mix puppies that were purchased for upwards of $5,000 that have hip dysplasia, bad knees, and in the b ernese, a blood disorder that could prove fatal when given certain medications.

Insist on seeing vet records of the parents before giving anyone a penny. And never pay more for a color because the color never means they are more valuable or are better dogs.

there is no such thing as a hypo allergenic dog. poodles, and a few other purebred dogs, are considered “low-shedding dogs,” but they all re quire extensive grooming and, when brushed, shed a ton of hair.

If you are mixing a golden or husky (both breeds that shed a lot) with a poodle, there is no way to know that the puppy will inherit the low-shedding coat of the poodle.

If you must doodle or poo, insist on health testing of the parents and never buy one sight unseen.

Heidi Clayton is a retired 25-year veteran of the Atlantic City Police Department. She started Four on the Floor Dog Training as a result of her own struggle to find a positive and reward-based dog trainer in South Jersey. She is passionate about giving every dog, even the difficult ones, a voice and the skills they need to thrive in life. She breeds, trains, and shows her own bull terriers under the SoraBully’s Kennel name.