SHORE LOCAL | Mainland | October 27, 2022

For the Love of the Game

From the Editor

What an amazing time to be a Philadelphia sports fan!

Like many of you, our love for Philly sports teams runs deep and it's not every day (or even every decade) that the Phillies are in the World Series and the eagles are undefeated. there is much cause to celebrate!

everywhere I look, folks seem to be in better spirits because of it. Inflation, defla tion, political differences are all pushed aside as we unite to cheer on our teams. that's why I love sports. In a world so divid ed, it is the great unifier. even when people fight over their fan favorites it holds a different, lighter tone as if we all know, it's just for fun.

I grew up with two older broth

ers, so sports reigned on our television. I tolerated it but didn't come to love it until many years later. I'm a little embarrassed to admit it, but it wasn't the game or players that won me over. It was the hype and the swag. I love the camaraderie of cheering on our favorite teams, a good party, and a reason to celebrate.

Over the years I've picked up some stats and favorite players and can usually hold my own in a conversation about football or baseball now (but please don't ask me about hockey or basketball).

We cheer, wave, boo, moan together, feeling united by our affiliation. We live in the Philly region and embrace the grit and underdog status these teams represent. Sure, New Jersey has the Devils hockey team with its name coming from our pinelands’ lore but they’re a North Jersey team. South Jersey has the Flyers, Sixers, eagles and Phillies.

In spirit, we battle other areas of the country like those in other states with different ways of life like texas and c alifornia. So when we keep winning, ranking as the top team in

the league, all eyes are on us, perhaps even turning some green with envy.

During this season of heated competition and the road to victory, I urge you to jump off your couch and connect with the community. Whether you visit a friend for a tailgate party or head to your local pub for a pint, be sure to wear your team colors and cheer after ev ery touchdown, home run or score.

In this week’s Shore Local, new sports columnist David Weinberg writes about the intricacies of the Philadelphia sports enterprises and what it will take to be the best. read his feature on page 19. this issue, we also welcome new columnist Doug Deutsch, writing about the local mu sic scene.

t hank you for supporting this locally owned publication and en joy browsing the stories and event listings. And from everyone here at Shore Local, go eagles and go Phillies!

Peace & Love, Cindy

Remembering Sandy…10 years later (Part 1)

landfall in South Jersey on the evening of Monday, October 29. to me, it rivals the derecho, just four months prior, as one of the two most memorable events in my decades long meteorology career. Let’s put that memory to the test:

Weather

By Dan Skeldon

Alot happens in 10 years. Over the last whirlwind decade, I got married to my beautiful wife, rescued two loving dogs, and have been blessed with two adorable daughters. We’ve lived in four houses, the current our hopeful forever home.

even more happens in 24 years. that’s how long I’ve been a meteorol ogist, forecasting countless blizzards, nor’easters, severe thunderstorms, and even a tornado or two from the Great Lakes to New england to the South Jersey shore.

Yes, time changes many things. People, places, and memories inevi tably come and go. but it’s not an ex aggeration to state that no one who lived along our shore in late October of 2012 will ever forget where they were when Hurricane Sandy made

-Friday, October 19th, 2012

My long-awaited week-long “staycation” begins, as I’m sched uled to be off from my job as chief meteorologist at N bc40 through the next week. With no travel plans, I was looking forward to enjoying my favorite time of the year in my Ocean city home, with daily trips to the beach with my dog bailey.

-Monday, October 22nd, 2012

While I should be “disconnected” from forecasting with my vacation underway, my attention remains fixed on a newly named tropical Storm, Sandy, in the southwest c aribbean. Although it was a minimal tropical storm and almost 2,000 miles away, I had a bad feeling in my gut. And com puter model guidance was already suggesting this storm could spell trouble for the east coast.

-Wednesday, October 24th, 2012 that bad feeling only grew stron ger, enough for me to cancel the rest

of my vacation, and head back to work to warn of the potential impacts that existed with Sandy. After little warning from the devastating dere cho that June, it was my intent to use the advances in hurricane forecasting to provide as much warning as pos sible ahead of what could be just as destructive a storm, this time for the shore more so than the mainland.

-Friday, October 26th, 2012

Unfortunately, Hurricane Sandy now seemed locked in for a landfall along the Northeast coast early the following week. t he science was very good. the forecasts from local and national meteorologists were informative and accurate, some of the best I’ve seen in my career. the challenge, however, was getting residents to realize that Sandy WAS NOt Irene, a hurricane that struck just over a year earlier. While Irene brought widespread destruction to areas to our south, west, and north (as far north as Vermont!), a complex combination of factors allowed South Jersey to escape “relatively” un scathed. It’s human nature to believe that the next hurricane will be similar to the last one, and overcoming that myth was the biggest challenge I and other meteorologists faced in the days leading up to Sandy’s landfall. In fact, human nature is still something we haven’t overcome in acting on weather forecasts even today.

-Saturday, October 27th, 2012

With 48 hours until landfall and realizing there was no escaping the harsh reality that ground zero would be somewhere along the New Jer sey shore, I storm proofed my Ocean city home as much as I could, and evacuated my girlfriend Amanda (now my wife) and my dog bailey to safety farther inland. I then enjoyed a big breakfast at my favorite breakfast place on the island, ready’s, and headed to work for what I knew would be a very long but possibly career-defining stretch.

-Sunday, October 28th, 2012

I take up shelter in the Linwood studios of N bc 40, my temporary

address for the next four days as it would turn out. the first of many rounds of tidal flooding begin, the rain bands and occasional ly gusty winds do as well. I issue final pleas to heed evacuation orders on our barrier islands. Around the clock coverage on air and over my twitter and Facebook feeds begins in earnest, well minus cat naps when I could sneak one in. I think it ended up being 6 hours of sleep in three to four days total.

-Monday, October 29th, 2012

It would take an entire month of columns to do the day that Sandy made landfall justice. Non-stop cov erage on air and online, to the point where I could hardly talk anymore, made the day seemingly a blur. Of course, I was in a windowless weather center, safely on the mainland, al though the waters of Patcong creek rose ominously close to our studios Monday night. b ut for those that were surrounded by a deadly storm surge and hurricane force winds on our barrier islands, minutes likely felt like hours. While the satellites, radars, and weather observations I had been providing all day told a tale of destruction, it was the pictures and videos that flooded my social media feeds and email inboxes that left me speechless and heartbroken. As a scientist and broadcaster, a tele vision meteorologist tries to deliver the most accurate information to his or her audience impartially and ideally without hype, to hopefully save lives and allow viewers to make the best decisions. but when it was my entire viewing audience, not to mention my home too, that was the focus of Sandy’s wrath, it’s hard not to be moved, and feel even a greater sense of connection with the community.

Part 2 will come in my next col umn, reflecting how South Jersey was indeed stronger than the storm, and how Sandy’s worst brought out the best in so many of us.

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.

Bag ban changes considered, paper making a comeback

corner or laundry room cupboard.

cardboard boxes or containers.

By Sarah Fertsch Staff Writer

On May 4, 2022, the lives of New Jersey residents changed, some say for better and others say for worse, when disposable plastic bags and paper bags were suddenly turned into supermarket contraband.

Now it’s illegal for stores to pro vide them to customers carrying home their purchases. racks made to hold bundles of plastic bags have been replaced with displays for totes costing $1.25 or more.

It’s only been about six months since that fateful day, but officials are already saying that the law needs fine tuning. New Jerseyans are hoarding or forgetting their “reusable” bags, often banishing them to the closet

rather than reuse the bags, con sumers continue to buy them as if the additional cost is just part of spiraling grocery inflation. Yet they keep piling up. When customers use delivery and pick-up services, grocery clerks pack orders in new reusable totes, taking up space, adding to the hefty price customers already pay.

It’s a glitch that needs fixing, state officials say.

to address it, the bag rules may be changing soon, somewhat. earlier this month, Senate b ill 33114 advanced out of the Senate environment and energy committee. If signed into law, it would allow retailers to offer paper bags for online orders and curbside pick-up customers by amending the original May 4 ban. they would not be available for in-store shoppers.

As long as the bags are made with over 40 percent recycled materials, grocery stores could once again pro vide complimentary paper bags for pick-up and delivery.

Additionally, curbside or delivery grocery options would allow for purchased items to be handed off in

the exemption would be tempo rary, expiring in three years.

It also calls on grocers to find a way for customers to return excess reusable bags.

“It is evident that there is a glitch in the law when it comes to home de livery services, with residents accu mulating excess reusable bags,” said state Sen. bob Smith, D-Middlesex, sponsor of the original bag ban and also the proposed amendment. “We want to rectify this issue for resi dents by providing additional options for grocery delivery packaging, while we continue to develop more sus tainable and practical alternatives.”

the bill would also require gro cery stores to create a system that allows customers to return excess reusable bags. It’s an attempt to re move the additional waste caused by thicker plastic and more expensive options.

Several options have been sug gested including cleaning the bags for reuse and donating them to food pantries across the state.

For the bill to become law, it must be passed by the full Senate and the Assembly before going to Gov. Phil Murphy for signature. If the legislation is made a priority, it could be approved by the Senate by early November, although media accounts suggest that there is disagreement over how long the temporary exemp tion should last, or if there should be one at all. It’s also unclear whether consumers would receive a refund for the $1 to $3 paid per bag.

Many consumers still question why the ban was enacted in the first place. Mario Allegretto, a 66-year-old retiree from Absecon, believes that the initial bag ban was too strict, and the state should compromise with its constituents.

“It’s bad enough that we have to pay so much more money for food, and now we have to pay for a way to take that stuff home,” Allegretto said. “It’s not fair. If these paper bags are coming from recycled cardboard, there shouldn’t be a problem. It’s common sense.”

Meanwhile, Smith is calling it a success.

“We have seen over the last five months that the ban on single-use plastic bags has been a tremendous aid in reducing plastic waste and lit ter, including single-use plastic bags, Styrofoam packaging, and packing peanuts,” Smith said.

According to the New Jersey Food council an estimated 3 billion plastic bags and 68 million paper bags have been saved since the pro gram began.

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.

Laurel Dr. Somers Point, Near

Four new businesses to open doors

Harbor Square Egg Harbor Town ship (formerly the Shore Mall) has three new tenants.

Business Buzz

By Rich Baehrle

Higher Ground Work shops was founded with the intent to give local makers and crafters a space where they can share their skills and passions with others while welcoming members of the com munity to learn, play and make new connections.

Proshot Pickleball is nearing completion. With the pickleball craze running rampant throughout the country, players will have a new 22,000-square-foot court on which to play indoors year-round.

Restaurant Depot: this is where restaurant owners shop for food, restaurant supplies and equipment. they stock a huge selection of name brands as well as their own brands.

t he company says it is not only their large selection, it's also their competitive prices that keep the cus tomers coming back. the consumer won’t have to waste time searching for products or calculating costs. Items

Owner Laura beningo has always had diverse hobbies and she loves learning new crafts. After 10 years in the military, Laura decided to in tegrate her enthusiasm for camara derie and collaboration with her love of learning.

HG workshops provides tools, materials, and instructor support for people to bring their creative ideas to life.

the workshops are intended to promote a sense of being support ed, a feeling of accomplishment, and curiosity for what is possible, she said.

current workshops include wreath making, candle making, woodwork ing basics, wood boring, clay crafts, paint nights, knitting, and much more. Higher Ground can incorporate any of those crafts into a private party, fund-raising or corporate team-build ing events.

t he business is located at 950 tilton road, No. 102. For information, call 609-445-4844.

are grouped and merchandised by cat egory, and prices are clearly displayed.

Free membership cards are issued to those who own stores or manage a restaurant, coffee shop, bar, pizzeria, night club, caterer, deli, or non-prof it organization. Stay tuned for the opening.

Harbor Square’s latest is coming soon to the former Golden corral b uffet. t he new restaurant is the Flaming Grill and Supreme Buffet.

the new buffet boasts numerous locations around the country serving lunch and dinner. they will feature a wide array of main dishes including chicken, beef, seafood and salad and dessert bars. Stay tuned for the opening coming soon.

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

Flaming Grill and Supreme Buffet will take over the former location of Golden Corral

Live & Local Music Calendar

Thursday, October 27th

Brandon Ireland 6-8pm. Gregory’s 900 Shore rd. Somers Point

Doug Jennings 6-9pm. bocca

7805 Ventnor Ave. Margate

High Five Trio 6pm

Villain & Saint at Ocean

500 boardwalk, Atlantic city Coast 2 Coast 7-11pm the Lobby bar at Hard rock 1000 boardwalk, Atlantic city

Friday, October 28th

Priceless 5-9pm the Lobby bar at Hard rock

1000 boardwalk, Atlantic city

Brielle Von Hugel Trio 6-10pm council Oak at Hard rock

1000 boardwalk, Atlantic city

Bob Starner 6:30-9:30pm bocca

7805 Ventnor Ave. Margate

Dead Reckoning: Grateful Halloween Party 7-11pm

eHt Vagabond

3016 Ocean Heights Ave. egg Harbor township

Package Goods Orchestra 7pm Ocean city Library

1735 Simpson Ave. Ocean city

Amanda & Teddy 7:30pm

Yesterday’s creekside tavern

316 roosevelt blvd. Marmora DJ Funky 8-11:45pm t he VU e rooftop b ar at claridge Hotel

123 S. Indiana Ave. Atlantic city

Malcolm Tent & Adam12 8-11pm

tennessee Avenue beer Hall

133 S. tennessee Ave. Atlantic city

Don’t Call Me Francis 9pm

Josie Kelly’s Public House

908 Shore rd. Somers Point Garden State Radio 10pm the Lobby bar at Hard rock

1000 boardwalk, Atlantic city

Saturday, October 29th

Jem & The Vibe 12-4pm renault Winery 72 N. bremen Ave. egg Harbor city

Black Car Gina 1-4:30pm the Lobby bar at Hard rock 1000 boardwalk, Atlantic city

Beth Tinnon 5-7:40pm

bar One at resorts

1133 boardwalk, Atlantic city

Duck & Cover 7pm. St. George’s Pub

4282 Harbor beach blvd. brigantine Sass 7-11pm. Sweetwater riverdeck

2780 7th Ave. Sweetwater The Way Outs 7pm

Nola’s bar at Ocean

500 boardwalk, Atlantic city Independence Day 7:30pm

Yesterday’s creekside tavern

316 roosevelt blvd. Marmora No Clue Trio 7:30-10:30pm. bocca 7805 Ventnor Ave. Margate

Celebrating David Bowie: Live in Concert 8pm

Harrah’s resort

777 Harrah’s blvd. Atlantic city Joel Corry: The Halloween Ball 8pm Ovation Hall at Ocean 500 boardwalk, Atlantic city Mary J. Blige w/ Ella Mai and Queen Naija 8pm. Jim Whelan boardwalk Hall 2301 boardwalk, Atlantic city Plaid Salmon 9pm Josie Kelly’s Public House 908 Shore rd. Somers Point

Quasimodo’s Bride 9pm tennessee Avenue beer Hall 133 S. tennessee Ave. Atlantic city Sensational Soul Cruisers 10pm the Lobby bar at Hard rock 1000 boardwalk, Atlantic city

Sunday, October 30th

Greg Clarke 10am-1pm bocca

7805 Ventnor Ave. Margate DJ John King 12-4pm renault Winery 72 N. bremen Ave. egg Harbor city Bullzeye 1-5pm Sweetwater riverdeck 2780 7th Ave. Sweetwater BMW+ 4-7:30pm the Lobby bar at Hard rock 1000 boardwalk, Atlantic city Dance to the Music: A 60’s Celebration 4pm Sound Waves at Hard rock 1000 boardwalk, Atlantic city Logan Evan Thomas 6-9:30pm council Oak at Hard rock 1000 boardwalk, Atlantic city

DJ Luap 8pm Nola’s bar at Ocean 500 boardwalk, Atlantic city

Monday, October 31st

Changing Lanes 7-11pm the Lobby bar at Hard rock 1000 boardwalk, Atlantic city

Wednesday, November 2nd Hickstown Road 6pm Villain & Saint at Ocean 500 boardwalk, Atlantic city Jazz by the Bob Sterling Band 7-10pm bocca 7805 Ventnor Ave. Margate

Thursday, November 3rd

Jazz the Point: Pat Martino’s Live at Blue’s Alley Rhythm Section 7pm

Gregory’s 900 Shore rd. Somers Point

Jazz the Point: Bob Sterling, Rich & Bob Budesa, E. Shawn Qaissaunee and More 9:45pm. Gregory’s 900 Shore rd. Somers Point

Friday, November 4th

Steph Owens 6:30-9:30pm. bocca 7805 Ventnor Ave. Margate Jazz the Point: Jim Ridl Quintet, Joel Harrison, Charlie Apicella and More 7pm Gregory’s 900 Shore rd. Somers Point

Minas Duo 7pm. Ocean city Library 1735 Simpson Ave. Ocean city

The Benderz 7pm. Nola’s bar at Ocean 500 boardwalk, Atlantic city

Sean Loosh 7:30pm

Yesterday’s creekside tavern 316 roosevelt blvd. Marmora Kenny Curcio 8-11pm tennessee Avenue beer Hall 133 S. tennessee Ave. Atlantic city

The Marshall Tucker Band 8pm the Music box at borgata 1 borgata Way, Atlantic city

Barenaked Ladies 9pm Ovation Hall at Ocean 500 boardwalk, Atlantic city

Jazz the Point: Tony Monaco and Friends 9pm. Gregory’s 900 Shore rd. Somers Point Lost in Paris 11pm

Nola’s bar at Ocean 500 boardwalk, Atlantic city

Saturday, November 5th

Hawkins Road 12-4pm. renault Winery 72 N. bremen Ave. egg Harbor city Jazz @ the Point: The Pat Martino Trio & Quintet 7pm. Gregory’s 900 Shore rd. Somers Point No Standards 7pm

Nola’s bar at Ocean 500 boardwalk, Atlantic city

Dave Greenwood 7:30pm

Yesterday’s creekside tavern 316 roosevelt blvd. Marmora Puscifer w/ Night Club 8pm Sound Waves at Hard rock 1000 boardwalk, Atlantic city Jazz @ the Point: The Hang 9pm Gregory’s 900 Shore rd. Somers Point

The Britles: Acoustic Beatles Tribute 8-11pm

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

Sunday, November 6th

Jazz the Point: Howard Paul & Friends 12-3pm. Gregory’s 900 Shore rd. Somers Point DJ Yonah 8pm

Nola’s bar at Ocean 500 boardwalk, Atlantic city Events subject to change.

Thursday, October 27th

Showboat’s 1st Annual Halloween Bash

▶thursday, October 27th & Friday, October 28th from 5-8pm 801 boardwalk, Atlantic city

Showboat & Lucky Snake Arcade hosts their first ever Halloween bash. bring your family and experience a week long event of spooktacular activities and more. t here will be something new to do everyday, leaving you with enough memories to last you until next years spooky season, with a trick or treat Scavenger Hunt, and a Haunted House. the event is free to attend, how ever tickets may be purchased for the Haunted House. tickets and information available at showboathotelac.com.

MBCA 31st Annual Installation & Awards Gala

▶5:30pm

Golden Nugget ballroom 600 Huron Ave. Atlantic city

Save the Date as M bcA celebrates the Superheroes of Atlantic city. the Metropolitan business & citizens Asso ciation honors seven area organizations. Sponsorships are still available. Visit ac metbiz.com for additional information.

Ocean City Halloween Parade

▶7:15pm

Asbury Ave. from 6-11th Street

Events and Happenings

Sponsored by the Ocean city e x change club. For more information call 1-800-813-5580 or visit ochp.blogspot. com.

Friday, October 28th

Fourth Friday at Nashville North Studios ▶3-8pm

210 New rd. Suite 8, Linwood to honor National Hispanic Amer ican Heritage Month, Nashville North Studios Fourth Friday will celebrate the Day of the Dead (“Dia de los Muertos”). Featured in the solo room will be tania Polmales, an artist specializing in surreal works created primarily in oils, high lighting the cyclical nature of the human experience, with music by Dan barry. call 609-504-5044 for reservations.

EHC Rotary Halloween Parade ▶6:30pm

200-500 Philadelphia Ave.

Participants lineup at 500 London Avenue, next to city Hall, at 6pm. Step off at 6:30 then proceed on Liverpool to Argo Left on 200 Philadelphia Ave.

Terror in the Junkyard ▶Friday, October 28th & Saturday, October 29th 7-10pm & Sunday, October 30th 7-9pm

Fleming’s Junkyard 353 Zion rd. egg Harbor township

the Scullville Fire company Presents the 20th Annual terror in the Junkyard. the men and women of Scullville Fire company are back again this Fall to take you deep into the dark woods of Scull ville. e xperience the horror on the ter ror in the Junkyard Hayride and run for your life in the All New Maze of terror. Open weekends thru October. Under 18 needs a parent or guardian onsite. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.scullvillefire.org.

Saturday, October 29th

C.R.O.P.S. Market Linwood ▶9am-12pm central Square 199 New rd. Lin wood

Saturdays through October 29th. Trick-or-Treat Weekends at Storybook Land ▶Saturday, October 29 & Sunday, October 30 from 11am-5pm 6415 black Horse Pike, egg Harbor township

trick-or-treat at different stations around the park, free for kids with each paid admission. Don’t forget to wear costumes. Hayrides and Haymaze will be open. children under 2 years of age are free. C.R.O.P.S. Mobile Market Chelsea ▶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 lo cal farmers market. connect with local businesses and community members, enjoy live performances, Music, poetry readings, workshops and more. Satur days through October 29th.

Ocean City Halloween Costume Skate

▶4pm-dusk

Ocean city Skate Park 5th & Asbury

t he Ocean city Skate Park cele brates Halloween. Skateboarders are invited to come dressed for the holiday. there will be prizes for best costume, best trick, and candy for the partici pants.

Atlantic City Ballet presents: Dracula

▶7pm

caesars Atlantic city 2100 Pacific Ave.

t his original ballet has become one of the biggest hits in Atlantic city b allet’s 36-year history. tickets and information at acballet.org/dracula.

Sin AC Halloween Party

▶9pm

Showboat Hotel 801 b oardwalk, Atlantic city

the hottest Halloween party of the year takes place this weekend. With four of the east coast’s hottest DJ’s plus live performances all night long, the night is bound to heat up. Guests can enjoy five different bars, VIP sec tions, and much more. tickets may be purchased at www.sincityac.com.

Sunday, October 30th Central Square Trunk or Treat

▶2-5pm

199 New rd. Linwood Music, contests, ventriloquist, games, food trucks, and plenty of treats. $50 donation to register. t his event benefits cancer Support community at Gilda’s club. For more information, please email salonkink@gmail.com.

Mays Landing’s 67th Annual Halloween Parade

▶6:30pm

Main Street, Mays Landing

On the 30th of October, join the ro tary club of Mays Landing- egg Harbor city and enjoy an array of costumes, floats, and performances. maysland inghalloweenparade.com for more information.

Tuesday, November 1st Dance Society

▶tuesdays at 7:30pm

Somers Point Fire co. 1 455 bethel rd. Somers Point enjoy an evening of social dancing and line dancing at the Fire company Hall. Admission is $10 per person. For more information, contact rita Voli at (609) 408-3619.

Wednesday, November 2nd

Nurse’s Roundtable: Smart Aging Choices for Home Living & COVID Update

▶10:30am

Share ideas about how to make your home lifestyle more user friendly as you age. then, share your thoughts on safely being active as we stay inside during the third cOVID winter season.

rSVP by October 31 by contacting tina Serota at 609-287-8872 or tserota@ jfsatlantic.org.

The Extraordinary Story of the Founding Mothers of NPR: Virtual Author Talk with Lisa Napoli

▶4pm

You’re invited to an enlightening hour with highly acclaimed writer, journalist, broadcaster, and speaker Lisa Napoli as she discusses her biog raphy of the four women whose voices defined NPr , Susan, Linda, Nina, and cokie: the e xtraordinary Story of the Founding Mothers of NPr register for this author talk online at libraryc.org/ oceancitylibrary.

Thursday, November 3rd

Jazz @ the Point

▶thursday, November 3 – Sunday, November 6

South Jersey Jazz Society pres ents Jazz @ the Point. A celebration of life & legacy of the great jazz gui tarist Pat Martino. the four-day event will feature more than 30 artists with keynote speaker bill Milkowski. tickets are free with a required reservation. Live streaming will be available for $10. For tickets and more information, visit southjerseyjazz.org.

Positivity Project: Morning Refresh ▶10:30am

Start your day in an upbeat way. e x plore positivity. topics include self-care, mindfulness, gratitude, meditation, re siliency, and more. rSVP by November 1 by contacting tina Serota at 609-2878872 or tserota@jfsatlantic.org.

Stephen Dunn Reading Series: Joshua Cohen ▶4:30pm

Stockton University room L-112 101 Vera King Farris Dr. Galloway cohen was awarded the 2013 Ma tanel Prize. Hosted by Murphy Writing. this is a free event. contributions are welcome.

Friday, November 4th

Atlantic City Tattoo Expo

▶Friday, November 4th 5-11pm, Saturday, November 5th 11am10pm & Sunday, November 6th 11am-6pm

Hard rock Hotel & c asino 1000 boardwalk

the Atlantic city tattoo e xpo re turns to the etess Arena at the Hard rock Live. t he 60,000 square foot arena has so much room for activities, featuring over 150 artists from around the globe. this event provides a week end of art and entertainment in one of the greatest seaside cities in America. t ickets are available at the door or online at actattooexpo.com.

Zombie Prom

▶Friday, November 4 & Saturday, November 5 at 7:30pm

Ocean city Music Pier this girl-loves-ghoul rock ‘n’ roll Off broadway musical is set in the atomic 1950s at enrico Fermi High, where the law is laid down by a zany, tyrannical principal. History comes to the rescue while a tuneful selection of original songs in the style of the 50s hits keeps the action rocking across the state. For tickets, visit oceancityvacation.com/ boxoffice.

All Elite Wrestling: Rampage

▶8pm

Jim Whelan boardwalk Hall 2301

boardwalk, Atlantic city

Ae W: rampage comes to b oard walk Hall. t ickets available through ticketmaster.

Saturday, November 5th Flemings Pumpkin Run

▶8am-4pm

Flemings Auto Parts 353 Zion rd. egg Harbor township

Flemings 25th Annual Pumpkin run Automotive, Antique engine & tractor Show is on. e xperience the best show in the east, with hot rods, street rods, lead sleds, rat rods, mil itary, semis, bikes, race cars, boats, tractors, and much more. Plus, a flea market, food vendors, and pumpkin chucker air cannon. Spectator ad mission is $10; children under 12 are Free. Vehicle registration at the gate is $15 per car. No Pre- registration required.

Trail of Two Cities 5K/Walk ▶8am

9th Street bridge

the trail of two cities starts at the transportation center at 9th Street & Haven Avenue, crossing over 9th Street bridge, concluding at JFK Park in Somers Point. Awards ceremony will be held at JFK Park at the conclusion of the race. register online or day of race. For more information and reg istration information. Visit hocnj.us/ race-events or call 609-525-9317.

MMSC Pup Strut

▶9:30am

17th Street beach, brigantine

Marine Mammal Stranding center is lending a paw to help seal pups. Oc tober 1st is the first day of the season that dogs are allowed on the beach again in b rigantine. each pup regis tered 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.

Misty Meadow Harvest & Wood Festival

▶10am-4pm

Misty Meadow Sheep Dairy 100 Dennisville-Peterburg rd. Petersburg

Misty Meadow hosts its annual event showcasing wool and fiber artists and to educate people on the shearing of sheep and use of wool. come watch the shearing of our sheep, fleeces be ing skirted and yarn being spun. there will be craft vendors, food, drinks, and ice cream available, plus hayrides, po ny rides, live music, a petting zoo, and much more. Additional information is available at mistymeadowtickets.com. Pink Clover Gala

▶6-10pm

Flanders Hotel 719 e . 11th Street, Ocean city

Join the fight against breast can cer at the Pink clover Gala, hosted in partnership with the colleen Sorbello b reast cancer Foundation. the eve ning kicks off with a cocktail reception followed by a sit-down dinner along with a live jazz band, charity auctions, and more. the event will also feature guest speaker Kim t hiboldeaux, an innovative, internationally recognized leader and the former ceO and e x ecutive chair of the cancer Support community. tickets and information at pinkcloverfoundation.org/gala2022.

Monday, November 7th Village Book Talk Joins JCC’s Arts, Books & Culture ▶7pm

Katz Jcc 501 N. Jerome Ave. Mar gate

Welcome local authors Janet b odoff and Leesa toscano for a reading and discussion of their just released book, “Speaking of Atlantic city: recollections & Memories.” View Atlantic city through the decades in a compilation of stories, essays, poems, interviews, and photographs. t his event will take place at the Katz Jcc rSVP by November 1 by contacting tina Serota at 609-287-8872 or tse rota@jfsatlantic.org.

Health and Wellness Caregiver Resource Fair

▶tuesday, November 1 from 10am-2pm

Holy trinity Greek Orthodox church 7004 ridge Ave. egg Harbor township

c aregiving is a demanding role. You need resources for those you care for and for yourself. come talk to agencies and service providers who offer an array of services that can help caregivers from all stages of life. On site screenings will be available, guest speakers will present on topics such as mind & body connection, sound healing, veterans benefits, and more. Attendees who wish to register can visit c Accc aregiverFair.eventbrite. com.

Dementia Support Group

▶Wednesday, November 2 at 2pm e arth Angels for Dementia 115 route 50, Mays Landing

Held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month. call Diane conover at 609-402-6966 for more information.

NAMI Connections and Family Support Groups

▶Monday, November 14 at 7pm

St. Joseph’s catholic church 606 Shore rd. Somers Point

NAMI connection is a recovery support group for adults (18+) with a mental health condition. Family Sup port Group is a support group for adult friends and family members of people with a mental health condition. Visit ww.namiacm.org or call 609-741-5125. Mental Health Support and Discussion Groups

Online groups are offered daily for a variety of topics, including women, men, LG btQIA+, individuals aged 1830. boomers, anxiety, depression, eat ing disorder, and many others. Groups are also provided to individuals with a family member who lives with a mental health challenge. to receive a full list and to register, call 609-652-3800 or unitedbywellness@mhanj.org.

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 609652-3800.

Wellness Groups

A wide variety of online groups are offered to enhance wellness and introduce interested participants to ways they can improve their day-today mental health. these daily groups include meditation, art, music, journal ing, eating healthy, exercise, spirituality, adult coloring, gratitude, and more. call 609-652-3800 or unitedbywellness@ mhanj.org.

Do

Discover Linwood's pet cemetery

Le t It Grow

By Tammy Thornton

Sometimes you walk or drive by the same “familiar” area as part of your routine and never realize that history is sleeping right around the corner. tucked away behind a quiet street off of Shore road in Linwood lies clara Glen Pet cemetery, founded in 1920 by clara and Glen White. though the cemetery has been around for over 100 years, when questioned, not many people know about clara Glen’s history. An drea reynolds, a resident of Linwood for over 19 years, only recently heard about the cemetery and occasionally visits it.

Glen White, an animal lover, was head of the Atlantic county SPc A for about 15 years. the Whites used the 2-½ acre area behind their house

Top picture: Memorial to the beloved pets of Glen and Clara White. Bottom picture: gravesite of Cootie, Mascot of the Company E 314 Infantry A. E. F. Photos courtesy of Linwood Historical Society

to inter their deceased animals, and soon their neighbors used the space as well. In time, the cemetery became the resting place for famous animals as well as the pets of celebrities. Known as an expert cabinet maker,

Mr. White used his skills to make caskets for the beloved pets from pine and mahogany, while Mrs. White lined them with silk, satin, and hand decorated pillows.

reportedly, the cemetery became the final resting place for horses, dogs, cats, monkeys, guinea pigs, a pony, a peacock, parrots, canaries, and goats. In the 1940’s, Alex and Agnes Miller took over the operation of the cemetery. Mrs. Miller kept meticulous records of each burial, and carried on the elaborate process (including embalming the animals) started by the White family. though the rich and famous buried their animals at clara Glen, often marking their graves with expensive granite and marble head stones, Mrs. Miller also buried pets of those who could not afford such costly burials and would cast her own engraved, concrete grave markers. Mrs. Miller’s son, Sergio, would help keep the grounds neat and as he got older would help dig the graves. Her son lives in Linwood to this day.

Among the more famous animals with a well-marked grave is “ rex the Wonder Dog”. He was loved by visi tors to the Steel Pier in the 1930s and 1940s and performed by “waterski ing” on an aquaplane, often accompa nied by Arnette Webster French, who was also known as one of the diving horse riders. though it is rumored that one of the diving horses from the Steel Pier was also buried at clara Glen, no one has been able to find the grave marker. Pets of the rich and famous have found their final resting place at clara Glen, like the pets of American composer and lyricist, Irving berlin; financier, J. Pierpont Morgan; and film actress, Paulette Goddard. You may not recognize the name billie b urke, but this actress, best known for her role as Glinda the Good Witch in the Wizard of Oz, also has pets resting at clara Glen.

b urial records before the Millers are hard to find and many of the headstones have been vandalized or have sunken into the ground. but the Linwood Historical Society, which took ownership of the cemetery after the Miller family, has many newspa per articles dating from the 1930s to present, giving us a glimpse into the cemetery’s history. Famed American writer, Gay talese (now 90 years old), grew up in Ocean city and began his journalism career writing for local pa pers. clara Glen caught his attention as well, and he wrote about the cem etery as having dogs buried from “all parts of the United States and France, c anada and czechoslovakia.” After visiting clara Glen, talese said, “It is doubtful if there is a more beautiful pet cemetery anywhere.” talese tells of the beloved pets receiving funerals similar to human beings with vaults

especially made for the animals by then funeral director Lawrence Wim berg, of egg Harbor city. (Wimberg Funeral Home is now in its fifth gen eration.) An earlier article found at the Linwood Historical Society refers to the largest plot found at the cemetery and claims that 18 pets of a canadian General ralston were sent from cana da for burial. three tombstones dated 1927-1936 with the names of ralston pets are found in this large enclosure.

According to records kept by Ag nes Miller, approximately 3,800 ani mals are buried at the cemetery. No new animals have been buried there since the mid 1980s or early 1990s with the exception of K-9 police dogs.

care for the grounds of the cemetery is now in the hands of the city of Lin wood. Located at 2147 Shore road,

this Hidden Gem of South Jersey is open to the public and, as one of the oldest pet cemeteries in the country, gives a unique look back into the his tory of South Jersey. Special thanks to the Linwood Historical Society for their contribution of time, references, and pictures.

This feature was updated from its previous publication in the May of 2021 issue of Shore Local.

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.

Show dog Parradiddle Ben “Parry” whose tombstone was made to look like he was ready for the “Heavenly Theatre” complete with curtains and the comedy/tragedy masks.

Northfield voters to consider cannabis question

Northfield voters will be asked if they support the sale and delivery of cannabis and re lated products in their city when they go to the polls Nov. 8.

even though the city council already voted against allowing cannabis busi nesses late last year, residents will have a chance to express their opinion in a non-binding referendum.

t he question will ask if the city should permit three licenses for the sale, and three licenses for the delivery of cannabis products. Only holders of retail licenses would be eligible to apply for delivery licenses under the plan up for consideration.

It describes allowing retail cannabis businesses along tilton road, starting at Deborah Street to the border with egg Harbor township, in an area designated by the Planning board. Home businesses would be prohibited, along with cultiva tion businesses.

the proposal would also allow the city to collect a 2 percent sales tax.

State law allows cannabis to be deliv

ered anywhere in Northfield from other communities, such as egg Harbor town ship, without Northfield collecting any revenue. So Northield’s decision not to allow cannabis sales by local business es has no bearing on whether it can be delivered to Northfield from elsewhere.

Northfield city council has been back and forth for more than a year on the cannabis question. For a time it looked like the city was close to moving ahead with it before it failed by a 4-3 vote. Opponents stood firm on moral grounds and the message cannabis sales sends to children. Supporters said because cannabis is here whether Northfield residents like it or not, the city should look out for taxpayers by collecting tax revenue from it.

When Northfield voted in late 2021 to reject cannabis sales it joined brigantine, Ventnor, Margate, Longport, Linwood, Somers Point and Ocean city in the no camp. Nearby towns that have said yes to legal weed include egg Harbor township, Atlantic city, Pleasantville, Galloway and Absecon.

A magical time for Philly sports

It's been a while since both teams have been in this situation in the same season.

By David Weinberg

Local Phillies and eagles fans are gearing up for a special couple of weeks.

t hanks in large part to b ryce Harper's epic home run last Sunday, the Phils are in the World Series for the first time since 2009. they head to Houston to face the mighty Astros in Games 1 and 2 of the best-of-seven series on Friday and Saturday before hosting Games 3, 4 and 5 (if necessary) at citizens bank Park next Monday-Wednesday. the eagles (6-0), the NFL's only undefeated team, will try to match the best start to a season in fran chise history - the 2004 birds were 7-0 - when they take on the Steelers Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field, then ironically play the texans in Houston on " thursday Night Foot ball."

In 2017, when quar terback Nick Foles and coach Doug Pederson delivered the first Super b owl champi onship in franchise history with the "Philly Special," the Phils fin ished in last place in the N.L. east at 66-96 behind manager Pete Mackanin, first base man tommy Joseph and shortstop Freddie Galvis.

the Phillies last made the playoffs in 2011, when chase Utley, ryan How ard and Jimmy rollins ended their magical run. that same year, Michael Vick, Vince Young, Nnamdi Asomugha and the rest of the eagles' infamous "Dream team" went 8-8.

You have to go all the way back to 2008 to find the last time both teams made deep playoff runs in the same year. Harper was a 16-year-old junior at Las Vegas High School when the Phils, in the words of Utley, became "World (b leeping) champions" by beating the rays in five games.

that was considered the definitive Philly victory speech until ea gles center Jason Kelce donned a mummers cos tume at the Philadelphia Museum of Art after the eagles beat the Patriots in Super bowl LII at the end of the 2017 season.

"We're from Philly, (bleeping) Philly, No one likes us, we don't care."

POINT

EGG

eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was a 10-year-old fourth-grader in channelview, texas in '08 when coach Andy reid, defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, quarterback Donovan McNabb and safety b rian Dawkins reached the NFc c hampionship game, losing 32-25 to quarterback Kurt Warner, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and the Arizona cardinals.

Forty-two years have passed since both teams played for championships in the same year.

In 1980, the Phils won their first World Series by beating the Kansas city royals. A few months later, the eagles lost to the Oakland raiders in Super bowl XV in New Orleans.

How long has it been?

My wife (Karen) and I just celebrat ed our 40th Wedding Anniversary. We were still dating when tug Mc Graw fired strike three past Willie Wilson and Jim Plunkett threw three touchdown passes against the birds. route 55 wasn't completed. there were six casinos in Atlantic city, including the Sands. the Hamilton Mall didn't exist. the internet and cell phones were not yet invented. calls were made on phones attached to your kitchen wall that had six-foot long cords. You listened to music in your car via an 8-track or cassette player.

this year has the potential to be extra special.

t he Phils are in the midst of a magical playoff run. there has been no shortage of heroes. Harper, first baseman rhys Hoskins, catcher J.t realmuto, second baseman Jean Se gura, shortstop bryce Stott, pitchers Zach Wheeler and Aaron Nola and others have all delivered in the clutch for manager rob thomson.

they have combined to provide countless special moments - Hoskins' bat slam against the b raves and Harper's two-run blast against the Padres top the list - that will forever live in the hearts and minds of their fans.

More excitement awaits.

the eagles come out of their bye week as the top team in the NFc Sure, they have flaws - their sec ond-half letdowns could come back to bite them - but they continually find a way to win.

It's much too early to be dreaming of a perfect season, but bob Griese, Larry c sonka and the 1972 Miami Dolphins have to be feeling at least a little nervous.

both teams have made a believer out of this skeptic.

I picked the eagles to lose their first three games. I predicted the cardinals, b raves and Padres would eliminate the Phils.

that's what I get for drinking te quila instead of Kool-Aid.

***

Among the thousands of fans rejoicing over the Phils' victory was actor Miles teller, who is an avid Philly sports fan.

Some folks know him from movies such as " top Gun: Maverick," "Whip lash," and " bleed for this." I remem ber him as the Little League baseball player who lived down the street in the North cape May section of Lower township. the best part is that Miles has never forgotten his roots. He vis its cape May at least once a summer

and can often be seen dining in local restaurants and relaxing on the beach.

He's among a host of actors and musicians who have discovered the beauty of my hometown. tina Fey spends a week every summer with her family in town. Oprah Winfrey often stops by with her longtime boy friend, Middle township High School graduate Stedman Graham. by the way, Stedman was a 1,000-point score for Middle's basketball team. b londie lead singer Deborah Harry owns a home in cape May Point.

***

Atlantic city's recent boxing resur gence continues Friday night with a card at Showboat.

Pleasantville welterweight Antho ny "Juice" Young (23-2, 8 KOs) head lines the show with an eight-round fight against Jose Zaragoza (9-5-1, 3 KOs), of Sedalia, Missouri. Young, 34, will be seeking his 13th straight victory.

It will be the sixth boxing event held in Atlantic city this year, the most since 10 took place in 2018.

David is a nationally recognized sports columnist who has covered Philadelphia and local sports for over 40 years. After 35 years with The Press, he has served as a columnist for 973ESPN.com and created his own Facebook page, Dave Weinberg Extra Points. He can also be heard on 97.3 ESPN as part of Weinberg Wednesday's with Josh Hennig and on Newstalk 1400 and 92.3 WOND on Monday's and Thursday's as part of Off the Press with Scott Cronick.

David who is a member of the Atlantic City Boxing, New Jersey Boxing, and New Jersey MMA Halls of Fame, is a Cape May native who spends his spare time on the golf course, riding his SUP in the Cape May Harbor, sitting on the beach with his wife, Karen, and playing with his three grandsons Hampton (6), Graham (4) and Nixon (1). Send comments to weinbergd419@ comcast.net.

Discover 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

Jazz Society to celebrate the life of Pat Martino

outstanding. “When we started this, I didn’t know what kind of response we were going to get. the audience has amazed me.”

By Steffen Klenk

Just weeks ago, I found myself tapping my toes and bobbing my head to the sounds of tom Angello and his All-Star Jazz group as they performed for a rous ing audience at Gregory’s in Somers Point. the show featured some of the regions most renowned jazz mu sicians, with Michael Pedicin leading on tenor sax. It was an evening full of improvisation, melodies created on the spot. the feeling and ambiance in the room was akin to being in a New York jazz club.

Now in its sixth season, the All Star Jazz Series is brought to the stage courtesy of the South Jersey Jazz Society and its generous do nors. the 501c3 organization was founded in 2004, known previously as the Somers Point Jazz Society. Over the years, they have hosted a variety of stand-alone concerts and

fundraisers, along with educational events.

to this day, the Jazz Society has over 200 sustaining members and a growing list of sponsors and donors that keep the organization going. Nick regine is a former recreation director for the city of Somers Point, board member of the Jazz Society, and founder of the city’s Unique e xperi ences club. He says the outpouring of community support has been

there are plenty of reasons for local jazz aficionados to be excited. South Jersey Jazz Society is hosting one of its largest annual events, Jazz at the Point, November 3 through 6. this year’s festival celebrates the life and legacy of the great jazz guitarist Pat Martino. b orn in Philadelphia, Martino released over two dozen albums and collaborated with jazz greats eric Alexander, Jack McDuff, and charles McPherson. He passed away last November at the age of 77.

Over 40 artists are slated to per form during the four-day event, with b ill Milkowski scheduled to present a keynote presentation on opening night thursday. With scheduled trib utes from names like Howard Paul, Sheryl bailey, Pat bianchi, Peter ber nstein, and charlie Apicetta, among others, Jazz at the Point is sure to be on everyone’s concert calendar.

While admission is free for all attendees, tickets will be required. those who wish to attend perfor mances at Gateway Playhouse can go to gatewaybythebay.org to claim their seat. A special livestream of each trib ute show is available the low price of $10. For jazz fans, it is an opportunity to watch this special tribute from anywhere around the world.

You can enjoy tom Angello’s All Star Jazz Series on select Wednes day nights from “Walt’s Original b lue Note Jazz emporium” (a.k.a. the dining room) at Gregory’s. While performances are free to attend, res ervations are highly recommended. Upcoming shows are scheduled for

Wednesday, November 16 and 30. You can learn more about upcoming performances, news, and member ship information online at southjer seyjazz.org. Good will donations are accepted at all Jazz Society events and online.

Here in South Jersey, we are fortu nate to live along a corridor of art and culture. the Jazz Society continues to provide South Jersey with access to a rare, yet eclectic, form of music not found in many other places. “You can’t find another small community such as Somers Point, probably in the continental United States, that has a thriving jazz scene,” Nick regine said.

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

Wines for Halloween and Day of the Dead

By David Setley

As we head into late October, many of us welcome the start of the holiday season by celebrating Halloween and/or the Day of the Dead. Whether you are planning the perfect costume, a festive party or small get-together, or a simple weekend at home, I invite you to “wine down” with me for a few minutes.

this time of year, I look for wines that complement the colors of au tumn and are in some way represen tative of the traditions, stories, and legends of these mid-fall holidays. According to the History channel Online, Halloween originated from a celtic festival of Samhain where participants would ignite bonfires and wear costumes. the Day of the Dead (el Día de los Muertos) origi nated over 3,000 years ago when the Aztecs used the celebration to honor the dead as a normal part of the continuing cycle of life.

Dark red wines are often the obvi ous choice to reflect the spirit of the season. My newest discovery is the cocodrilo corte 2018 from Medoza, Argentina. cocodrilo means crocodile in Spanish. In 1989, well-known cali fornia winemaker Paul Hobbs became intrigued with the people, the culture, and the viticulture of Argentina. In partnership with a vineyard, he pro duced a b ordeaux-style red blend. this outstanding wine has a dark pur ple hue with earthy aromas of leather, smoke, and oak. the pallet features blackberry, plum, blueberry, cassis, chocolate, and white pepper.

Looking for a red wine that sec onds as table décor? t he Apothic

Dard b old red b lend has a limit ed-edition label that does the trick.

As the name indicates, this wine is a bold red blend with a rich garnet, almost black, color. the aromas are black raspberry and cocoa; the pallet is black cherries and black raspberry with notes of licorice for a rich and spice-tinged mouthfeel.

there are other delicious options to consider beyond red. If you have never tried an orange wine, I have found the Montinore estate L’Orange 2020 from the Willamette Valley of Oregon very enjoyable. Orange wine is a cousin to the popular rose’, ex cept it is made from white grapes, whereas rose’ is made from red. In both varietals, the wine is fermented with the skins in contact with the juice; white grape skins create an orange or coral colored wine. the Montinore L’Orange 2020 is made from Pinot Gris and Moscat grapes, resulting in a dry wine with aromas of orange blossoms, honey, and cham omile tea. the flavor is bright with notes of tangerine, melon and a touch of tarragon.

For my final pick, I point you to Valenzano Winery for the Jersey Devil Forte Port for a dessert or after-dinner wine. Southern New Jersey folklore tells the story of the

Jersey Devil (jerseyhistory.org), a creature that inhabits the Pine barrens. the Jersey Devil has been described in various forms, includ ing a kangaroo-like creature with a goat-like head, bat wings, horns, small arms with clawed hands, legs with cloven hooves, and a forked tail. t heir wine is described as deep, rich and velvet, fortified with brandy and aged in oak for three years. It is powerful stuff (19.5% alcohol), so approach with caution!

Whether you celebrate Hallow een or the Day of the Dead or are

just looking for a wine that fits the season, give these a try. they are sure to raise your spirits and pair well with many autumnal dishes. If you have questions, please contact me at dsetley@passionvines.com. Happy wining!

David Setley is a certified sommelier enjoying his retirement from higher education as a wine enthusiast and educator at Passion Vines in Somers Point, New Jersey.

Flemings Pumpkin Run celebrates 25 years on Nov. 5

muscle cars, and more. ray Abraham, Jeff Gordon’s crew chief, brings cars from North c arolina every year to show off.

By Holly Martin

Calling all car lovers, gear heads, and festival lov ers! t he Flemings 25th Annual Pumpkin run will take place at Flemings Auto Parts in egg Harbor township on Saturday, November 5. chances are, you’ll be amazed with what you see. this event features vendors, food trucks, a flea market, and acres of cars.

the Pumpkin run returns as the largest and coolest car show on the east coast. rick broschard is the Pub lic relations Director for the Pumpkin run, and recalls watching the junk yard transform every year for the event. “I think the first car show had

the Pumpkin run is made possible by an amazing group of volunteers. the event is gearing up for the close to 20,000 expected spectators and hundreds of cars. Long time volun teer Lew Ireland has painted and helped restore cars for display at the show. “We have 134 acres and we’re full,” says Ireland. “We have 'em jammed in here.”

Not only will you see some of the most beautiful cars in the world, but Flemings also hosts the most unique collection of collectibles, buildings, and museums. We took a step back in time, as we entered a restored Old Diner and sat next to elivs and the b lues b rothers. t hen, we walked over to the old gas station where the vintage candy and cigarette dispensers

back out, I got to take pictures of the massive “James Salt Water taffy” barrel sign, and the “Welcome to Zaberville” sign.

Flemings Junkyard still holds all the wonders from the past. Some may have called it junk, but as you walk the many miles of the woods you will marvel at all the treasures. there’s something for everyone at the Pumpkin run. “You’re never going to go to another car show, anywhere, and have it like this. this atmosphere,” says b roshard. “I don’t ever call it

a car show. to me, it’s a festival.” enjoy the music, food, flea market, and never ending display of cars along with a massive “pumpkin chunkin” that will be blasting pumpkins through the air! You have to see it to believe it.

Since the 90’s, Flemings has been holding this automo tive, antique engine, and tractor show. After visiting a car show in Pennsylvania, Harry Fleming and his best friend ralph broschard looked at each other and said we can do that!

the show starts at 8 a.m. and goes until 4 p.m. at Fleming’s Auto Parts 353 Zion rd in egg Harbor twp. For more information, you can visit their website at Flemingspumpkinrun.com and on facebook facebook.com/flem ingspumpkinrun

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

Gameday recipes to fuel your celebration

By Sarah Fertsch Staff Writer

Now’s the time to be a Philadelphia sports fa natic. the Phillies are in the World Series, and the eagles keep dominating, ensuring their future in the playoffs at the end of the year.

With the success of our teams, tailgates and watch parties are be coming more popular and energetic. Make your party the event to remem

ber by offering delicious snacks and desserts. Nothing makes you smile like a piece of pizza after a field goal or stolen base. With a little effort in the kitchen, bring your A game as a fan and as a friend. Here are a few game day recipes to spice up your sports coverage:

Garlic Parmesan Popcorn

Ingredients:

● 1 cup of popcorn kernels

● 1 cup of finely-grated Parmesan cheese

● 3 tablespoons of but ter, melted

● 3 cloves of garlic, roasted

● ½ teaspoon of cay enne pepper

● Salt

In a large pot with a lid, add butter and melt over low heat on the stove. Add kernels and cover for about 3-4 minutes. As the popcorn begins the pop, slide the pot side to side to ensure that the kernels cook evenly without burning. Once the pop ping is complete, turn off the heat and transfer popcorn into a bowl.

In a small saucepan, over low heat, combine parmesan cheese, an extra tablespoon of butter, roasted garlic, salt and cayenne butter. cook for 2-3 minutes and mic to combine.

Pour sauce over popcorn and toss. enjoy!

Buffalo Chicken Burgers

Ingredients:

● 1 pound of ground chicken

● ½ cup of panko breadcrumbs

● 2 tablespoons of hot sauce of choice

● 1 tablespoon of grated carrot

● A pinch of salt

● A pinch of pepper

● 1 cup of crumbled bleu cheese

● Lettuce

● Hamburger buns

In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, pepper, salt, hot sauce, and grated carrot. Use your hands to form burgers (1-inch thick with a four-inch diameter). Place burgers on a sheet pan.

Preheat the grill to between 450500 degrees, lightly oiled. Grill each burger for about four minutes on each side. Use a kitchen thermom eter to check the internal temp of each burger, which should be 165 degrees.

Add the buns on the grill for about 30 seconds. Place cooked burgers on the bun and top with lettuce, bleu cheese and extra hot sauce. eat up!

Mini Corndogs

Ingredients:

● 1 cup of cornmeal

● 4 teaspoons of baking powder

● 1 egg

● 1 cup of whole milk

● A pinch of salt

● A pinch of pepper

● 5 hot dogs

● 1 cup of flour

● Vegetable oil, for frying (about 1 quart)

In a medium bowl, mix together by hand egg, flour, cornmeal, milk, salt, pepper, and flour. Set aside.

Pour oil into a large soup pot and heat on the stove until it reaches 350 degrees.

cut the hot dogs into thirds ver tically and place each one on a small skewer.

Dip the hot dog pieces in the batter and place in the oil, frying for between 3-4 minutes until golden brown.

Place each cooked corn dog on a paper towel to absorb the excess oil. Serve warm with ketchup, mustard and relish.

Skillet Brownie Sundae

Ice cream (or

cream

●

In a skillet over medium heat on the stove, melt the butter and whisk slowly until the butter browns, 2-3 minutes. Let cool for ten minutes covered on the counter.

Add vanilla, eggs, white and brown sugars. Mix by hand until smooth.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Slowly, in batches, stir in flour, co coa powder and salt. Mix until there are no clumps, then add chocolate chips.

bake for 20 minutes, then serve warm with ice cream, whipped cream and chocolate syrup.

Somers Point family spookified their house for a good cause

By Sarah Fertsch Staff Writer

On New Jersey Avenue just past charlie’s bar, you’ll come across a creepy sight. Purple light shines across trees with gravestones peek ing between the grass. Skeletons fight through the dirt to come alive once again.

A ‘Pet Sematary’ sits across from the traditional graveyard, and bones of dogs, cats and birds climb through the trees and along the fence. char acters from ‘A Nightmare b efore christmas’ stare ominously at brave souls who dare to enter. An ode to Sleepy Hollow is nestled by the porch with a headless horseman guarding the front door. And most impres sively, a twelve-foot skeleton makes eye contact with its prey, blinking to express animation.

this is the Dolan house. Jennifer and brandon, 38 and 40, have raised their family on this property for the past eight years. Jennifer grew up in this house (living there since 1992) and purchased the home from her

family in 2016. the house itself is incredibly historic and is marked Lot 10 in Somers Point.

‘I studied art in school and I love Halloween,” said Jennifer. “I love creating my own decorations and making spaces feel special.”

this year, the Dolan family has joined in a national campaign to raise money for St. Jude’s chil dren’s Hospital. All over the coun try, Halloween enthusiasts have adopted these larger-than-life skeletons and noticed that these

creepy giants attract a lot of neigh borhood attention, so they asked onlookers to consider donating to a good cause. this year, so far, the campaign has raised $109,000.

“My father recently passed away from cancer, so we raise money in honor of him,” said Jennifer.

every night from 7pm to 11pm, the Dolans turn on their exterior lights and the display comes alive. tim b urton-style skeleton twins

Brandon and Jennifer Dolan

twist tales of haunted horror by the mailbox and a bony fel low climbs the lighted cherry tree. Ghouls hang from the larger tree towards the garage and flowers with skulls (in a Dia De Los Muertes look) are strung along the fence.

t he family therapist and merchant-mariner enjoy sitting in their driveway with their 23-month-old son Wyatt and enjoy their fire pit, while watching onlookers react to their scene. Jennifer says that they don’t get many trick-ortreaters, so they hope that readers will bring their little ones to witness their hard work. Last Saturday, the Dolans hosted a Halloween party and guests awed at the intricate detail and them ing of the yard.

Inside the home, the Dolans eased up on decorations for the safety of their toddler, but every year, Jennifer transforms their bathroom into the Halloween world of ‘A Nightmare be fore christmas’ (her favorite movie). For christmas, brandon says that they shift from spooky to winter wonder land, with lights hanging from almost every surface on their property.

‘It’s a great way to celebrate the season and connect with the commu

nity,” said Jennifer. ‘come visit us and bring your kids, because it's pretty cool!”

to donate to the ‘Skeletons for St. Jude’ campaign, visit their Facebook page at Skeletons for St. Jude research Hospital at this link: https://www.facebook.com/ donate/236694791748189/. When you visit the Dolan house, they have a barcode at their gate for people to scan and give.

Visit the Dolans at 45 east New Jersey Avenue in Somers Point be tween 7pm and 11pm until November 1st.

Hard Rock lures Betty McHugh; ‘Dance to the Music’ worth checking out

So, after more than 30 years, McHugh decided to head to North beach and accept a job Hard rock created just for her.

By Scott Cronick

As the old saying goes: “One’s loss is another’s gain,” and Hard rock Ho tel & casino Atlantic city recently made a big score by naming betty McHugh “Property Maitre’d.”

Anyone who has been a regular to c aesars Atlantic city - or even dropped into Nero’s Italian Steak house - over the last three decades or so, knows McHugh. Hell, the casino even wisely named an Italian-themed restaurant in the back of Nero’s after her, calling the now-closed eatery betty’s back room.

b ut when Nero’s closed in Sep tember, McHugh had some tough choices to make: Stay at caesars in a different capacity or accept a job from one of her multiple suitors.

“My restaurant was closing, and this great oppor tunity came, and I was looking to do something different, and that lands me here as property-wide maitre’d,” McHugh said. “It’s different from what I was doing because I am spread throughout the casino and not just in one room. but I feel like I am such a good fit for this job. It’s been great, and they have been so welcoming to me.”

always-smiling, restaurant-savvy, customer favorite started her career in Atlantic city at the former Play boy casino before accepting her first job at c aesars –Milt & Sonny’s Deli – in 1988, leading to her managing many c aesars restaurants over the years.

Betty McHugh

“I was the first woman maitre’d in the city,” McHugh said. “I always wanted to work with people, and I learned pretty early on to stay on the floor and talk to everyone. I talked to every single person I could, and that’s how I became so in love with people. every time I would talk

If you don’t know McHugh, you’re in the minority. the stylish, short-haired,

↘Continued on 30

SOUTH JERSEY JAZZ SOCIETY PRESENTS THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF THE JAZZ GUITAR LEGEND PAT MARTINO

Photo Credit Len DeLessio

to someone, they came back to see me, and I realized that was the key to being successful in any type of business, especially the food and beverage industry. It’s about building relationships and creating memories that last forever.”

Now, McHugh’s job is to create Hard rock memories. She will literally bounce around council Oak Steaks & Seafood, Kuro and Sandpiper coastal bar & Grill, as well as Plum, the high-end players club steps away from Kuro, to create experiences with customers and build relationships like she did at caesars.

“I am the face of these restau

rants, so when they come in, they see me. I want them to all feel like they are at home. It’s a lot different vibe here at Hard rock than anywhere I worked,” said McHugh, who still holds a special place in her heart for caesars. “You want to dance when you walk in. there’s energy and ex citement. I was walking in one day and I thought, ‘ this is my job?’ I am so lucky.”

McHugh will also help seat guests and ensure guests are having topnotch experiences.

“I am going to make enough time and spread myself around,” McHugh said. “I began concentrating on coun cil Oak, which is just a phenomenal

place and the busiest restaurant I ever worked in, and now I will con centrate on Kuro for a bit. I am going to learn how to make sushi!”

If it sounds like McHugh is making the adjustment, she is. Did you ever have a doubt?

“Starting a new job after 30 years was a bit of a challenge,” McHugh said. “ b ut the culture here is very loving and accepting. their motto is ‘Love All, Serve All,’ and that’s me!”

‘Dance to the Music’ worth checking out

Producer Allen Valentine and the Hard rock entertainment team have done it again.

t heir latest collaboration, the ‘60s-themed “Dance to the Music,” not only keeps the casino revue busi ness alive, but it does so in an ener getic, fun and nostalgic romp with a stellar cast, perfect song selection, retro - yet contemporary - costumes

and slick production values.

Performed 4 p.m. every Sunday through at least Dec. 18 at Sound Waves, “Dance to the Music” may be the best Hard rock revue show Valentine and his team have offered there so far, and that’s saying some thing since we have been treated to everything from “ the rat Pack” to “Motor city Live” to “Disco Live.”

Like all of Valentine’s shows, “Dance to the Music” benefits from a live band, this one standing at eight pieces with a horn section, plus a cast of eight singers and another eight dancers as they deliver an hour’s worth of ’60s classics.

Standout numbers included a sev en-song beatles medley introduced on the huge video screen with an ed Sullivan clip while the dancers wore costumes inspired by the “Sgt. Pepper’s”; a stylish take on “ these boots are Made for Walkin’”; Stevie

Wonder’s “Uptight (evreyth ing’s Alright)”; a campy version of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet car oline,” complete with audience participation; a nicely delivered c alifornia-themed set with a b each b oys medley capped by the Mamas and the Papas’ “california Dreamin’” featuring a perfect trombone solo; and a great finale with the trippy “ the Age of Aquarius” and the Spencer Davis Group’s “Gimme Some Lovin’.”

t here are moments that Valentine may want to revisit, particularly the two-song elvis medley that falls flat and doesn’t capture the essence of the the King, and there are times when the cast’s energy devolves into scream singing, which can be a bit grating.

Otherwise, “Dance to the Music” has all of the moves and grooves you would ever want from a ’60s revue. It will be exciting to see what Val entine and Hard rock have up their sleeves next!

Halloween treats at Beer Hall

Here are some places you may want to check out this Halloween weekend:

tennessee Avenue b eer Hall in Alantic city will host two Halloween parties.

On Friday, Oct. 28, Suzanne Muldowney, best known as Underdog from “ the Howard Stern Show,” will pay homage to the 25th anniversary of bram Stoker’s “Dracula” novel by performing her interpretive dance “ t he Dracula Archives” and “ t he Dracula Fashion Show.” She will be joined by punk rock accordion legend Malcolm tent and rockers 1Adam12. It all starts at 8 p.m. No cover. then, on Saturday, Oct. 29, the b eer Hall’s annual Halloween party

with the rock band Quasimodo’s b ride will be ’90s themed. So wear your best britney or “Scream” outfit for cash prizes. the band starts at 9 p.m. with costume contest at around 11 p.m. No cover.

Ocean Casino celebrates Phila delphia

It’s a big week for Philadelphia sports fans as the Phillies begin the World Series against the Houston Astros on Friday, Oct. 28, and the ea gles play two games: Sunday, Oct. 30,

against Pittsburgh, and then again on thursday, Nov. 3, against the Houston texans.

Ocean casino resort is celebrat ing these winning teams with two sig nature cocktails that will be offered at the Gallery, Ocean’s sportsbook, and topGolf Swing Suite, as well as its Lobby bar starting Friday and going through the end of November.

the red October ($14) features American Harvest Organic Vodka, simple syrup, cranberry juice, gren adine, club soda and cherries. And the Philly Phizz ($14) features Midori, American Harvest Organic Vodka, lemon juice and lime juice topped with club soda and garnished with lime.

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.

Navigating the motor vehicle maze

from individual owners, dealerships or auctions, or transferring out-ofstate vehicles, must register at an MVc site. Drivers who buy outright may receive title paperwork to be filed and transferred, along with new registration.

ers scheduled to be out of state for school, work or vacation should do this. Official state government mail like will not be forwarded by the U.S Postal Service and is returned to the MVc . Drivers will then have to pay $11 for a duplicate license.

Sheet_ e ngl.pdf or https://www. nj.gov/mvc/pdf/license/Standard_Li cense_Sheet_Span.pdf

REAL ID

By Sharon Harris-Zlotnick

Mention the New Jersey Motor Vehicle commis sion (MVc) and many will complain that the multi-layered bureaucracy “drove” them crazy. Sorting through the multiple classifications that impact drivers’ licensing, vehicle registra tions and fees may be daunting, but the official MVc website offers some assistance. https://nj.gov/mvc/

INCONVENIENT CHANGES

Inconvenience is a top criticism. b efore 2020, all MVc locations housed both licensing/vehicle regis tration services. During covid, they were divided and remain separated. c urrently, only one licensing center operates in each of the less populated counties like Atlantic, cape May, cumberland and Ocean. these sites handle auto, commercial, boats and motorcycles, there are also designated registra tion and inspection centers statewide, but Atlantic, cape May, cumberland and Salem counties have none. the closest options may be in Mana hawkin, rio Grande or turnersville. https://nj.gov/mvc/locations/vehcen ters.htm

REGISTRATION

New Jersey dealerships handle their customers’ registration and ti tle work. those buying used vehicles

Margate resident Susan Sokalsky experienced her own inconvenience. Once her car registration expired re cently, she had to leave her Northfield job-in mid-afternoon-to drive more than 30 miles to Manahawkin at exit 63 of the Garden State Parkway. In addition to the time, Sokalsky had significant gas and toll expenses.

“Although it was inconvenient to drive that far, my appointment did go smoothly. It took more time to drive there than to renew the registration,” said Sokalsky.

New Jersey offers numerous special plates for causes, groups or personal combinations. Personalized plates may have up to seven charac ters; special plates combined with causes may have up to five.

https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/ vehicles/personalized.htm or call 609-292-7500, ext. 5061

STANDARD LICENSING REQUIREMENTS

Since 2020, licenses are no longer printed in person. eligible drivers re ceive instructions for mail-in license renewals. they must complete the application, provide necessary infor mation and include a check/money order. Once received, the MVc mails new licenses within 10 days. A special pin number may be used for some online renewals.

check the dates carefully since valid license holders may renew up to six months before expiration. Driv

Any license that will expire within 20 days, or is suspended, must be re newed in person-there are no grace periods. Suspended drivers pay a $100 reinstatement fee. Unpaid tickets and/or moving violations must also be resolved.

r enewing in-person requires specific proofs, categorized in lists of importance that have different nu merical values. Applicants’ paperwork must total six points:

● Proof of a valid Social Security Number (SSN) - an SSN card, pay roll stub, W-2 tax or 1099 interest form listing the SSN.

● Proof of residency - current NJ licenses or NJ non-driver identi fication cards, mail from schools, official transcripts, official gov ernment-issued mail or mortgage paperwork. P.O. boxes are not accepted.

● Proof of citizen status - a U.S. passport or foreign passport with appropriate endorsement, certifi cates of either citizenship or nat uralization and birth certificates. Non-citizens may use an employ ment Authorization certificate or Asylee/refugee certificate as part of their six points of ID tally.

t hese links display all forms of identification and their point values.

A certified english translation must accompany documents in another language. https://www.nj.gov/mvc/ pdf/license/Standard_License_

Federal law mandates all state-is sued driver licenses and non-driver IDs comply with new real ID guide lines. Without a real ID after May 3, 2023, flying commercially within the U.S., entering a federal facility or visit ing a nuclear facility will be prohibited.

Passengers with U.S. passports may choose to use that or other acceptable forms of identification. Otherwise, all entry into any security checkpoint will be refused.

the current status of a driver’s li cense does not mitigate the necessity of reapplying for a New Jersey real ID license and paying an additional $35. Standard licenses cost $24.

First, make an appointment at an MVc licensing center and then choose among the separate appointment cat egories of either renewing a license with a real ID or updating an existing license that expires past three months ahead. https://www.nj.gov/mvc/re alid/index.html#anchor

It may take more than 30 days to convert and limited daily numbers of appointments become available at 7 a.m.

Specific documentation for real ID status, including a Social Securi ty c ard, a valid NJ Driver License/ Non-Driver ID or an MVc-issued driv er license renewal. Proof of a current address is a credit card or bill less than 90 days old.

INSPECTIONS

Fortunately, higher quality engine systems have increased the intervals between vehicle inspections. Pre2013 models of specific weights no longer need inspections.

regional inspection stations in Mays Landing, Millville, rio Grande, Manahawkin and Winslow are firstcome first served. c all 1-888-6566867 for real-time updates on wait times where you may view the activi ty. cape May requires an appointment via www.njmvis.com/appointments. b ring a New Jersey ID (e-cards ac cepted), a valid driver’s license and vehicle registration.

Drivers with inspection violations have 30 days to repair and reinspect. Violators could receive a $100-$200 fine and/or up to 30 days imprison ment. https://www.njinspections. com/ brochures.html

to contact the MVc , write to Motor Vehicle commission, customer Advo cacy Office, P.O. box 403, trenton, NJ 08666-0403 or call (609) 292-6500 or toll free in New Jersey at (888). the voicemail mailbox is often full and does not accept messages.

Ventnor celebrates Halloween in spook-tacular fashion

By Steffen Klenk

On Saturday, October 22, the city of Ventnor host ed a first-of-its-kind Hal loween Fest. Held on the grounds of Newport Avenue beach, there were plenty of activities to keep everyone busy. children arrived dressed to the nines in their favor ite costume for a parade down the boardwalk. Kids could also be seen smiling at the rc monster truck cir cuit, pumpkin patch, and face painting booth.

Local businesses and non-profits from the surrounding area also made an appearance, while vendors were set-up early to prepare for potential holiday shoppers. t here were nearly a dozen food trucks keeping attendees fed all day, while some of the areas most well-known bands entertained audiences from the main stage.

t he c ity of Ventnor is already planning several big events for the coming months, with an eagles tailgate Party scheduled for Sunday, Novem

ber 20; you can watch the birds take on the colts on a large 18-foot LeD screen set up at scenic Ski beach. Now is also the perfect time to fill your cal

endar for the holiday season. the city is planning to light its christmas tree in front of city Hall Friday, December 2nd at 6:30, followed by the Annual twilight Parade along Ventnor Ave nue, Saturday, December 3rd at 5pm. You can learn more about these and other events by going to www.face book.com/ventnorcityspecialevents.

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

Should you go vegetarian?

trition

By Nancy Adler

Many people now choose to practice being veg etarian. Vegetarians do not eat meat, fish, chicken, or any products of animal slaughter.

A vegetarian diet can include veg etables, nuts, seeds, fruits and grains. Without meat in your diet, opting for milk and milk products is a great choice because it’s a good source of high quality protein and calcium.

As a nutrition expert, I agree that a vegetarian diet can be healthful and delicious. A well planned and ex ecuted vegetarian diet may even help reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.

Vegetarians who include eggs and dairy in their diet had an 18% lower risk of developing colorectal cancer.

However, if you decide to prac tice a meatless diet, understand that many plant based sources are incomplete protein and you may miss some of the body’s building blocks. b e sure you seek advice on making a vegetarian diet plan complete and balanced with the nutritional values needed in the body.

Incorporating beans in your veg etarian diet is an excellent source of protein, fats and carbohydrates. Lentils are low in sodium and satu rated fats. they are high in potassium which counters the bad effects of salt and lowers blood pressure, fiber that pushes waste through your digestive system and prevents constipation, fo late and plant chemicals called poly phenols that have antioxidants. beans help to combat chronic disease.

b eans, peas and lentils are all legumes and are among the most versatile and nutritious foods avail able. beans and legumes substitute for meat in a vegetarian diet and eliminate dangerous saturated fats and cholesterol

Please enjoy this recipe from my cookbook, “Nancy’s recipes for Life” available at my Linwood office location and capellas Oil and Vinegar Store in Ocean city.

Vegetarian Lentil Soup

●

● 4 to 5 cubes of low sodium vege table bouillon

● 8 cups water

● 6 stalks

Directions:

water to a boil in a large

on the stovetop. Add bouillon

boiling water. b ring broth down to a slow boil, adding the vegetable, garlic and lentils. Keep on a slow boil for approximately one hour until the vegetables are soft. Add pepper right before serving. Serves 4

Nancy Adler is a certified nutritionist and practitioner in Linwood. Her office is located in Cornerstone Commerce Center, 1201 New Rd. Learn about her practice at ww.nancyadlernutrition.com (609)653-4900. Nancy is the Recipient of the Best of The Press 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

Plant fall bulbs now, for a beautiful spring later

Le t It Grow

By Tammy Thornton

As we wrap ourselves in the warm colors of fall, the scene is set: mums have been carefully arranged on the porch, perfectly golden-yel low leaves on the neighbor’s trees show through our windows, and plump pumpkins sit waiting to be carved. However, one task remains. If you are a gardener like me, you’ve been eagerly anticipating planting fall bulbs. Like wrapping a present that must wait to be opened, plant ing bulbs is giving a gift for the fu ture, and patience is required while waiting until the special occasion for unveiling arrives—in this case, spring.

If you have never attempted planting bulbs, rest assured, you don’t need a green thumb to be suc cessful. Just choose healthy bulbs, dig a hole, and wait. Once spring

arrives, your patience will be rewarded with beautiful flowers. However, you may come down with a serious case of tulipmania. but your only real symptom will be regretting that you didn’t plant more bulbs this fall. Fortunately, you have plenty of time to get your bulbs in the ground. even procras tinators can join the fun. b ulbs can be planted any time in the next few months as long as the ground isn’t frozen. t hough seasoned gardeners have been poring over bulb catalogs for months, you can still order from these magazines. Just keep in mind that by now, some of the most popular flower bulbs will be out of stock. However, it’s also likely that these gardening companies will be offering discounts. Of course, you can also shop at local garden nurser ies for fall bulbs. When shopping in person, choose bulbs that are full and firm. tulip and daffodil bulbs will re semble giant shallots; however, other types of flower bulbs or corms (like anemones) look dry and shriveled, and you won’t believe something so beautiful can come from something

so hopeless and lost-looking (giving hope to all of us).

Daffodils, the very harbingers of spring, are a good starting point when it comes to planting bulbs. Like paperwhites that you plant indoors in winter, daffodils are part of the nar cissus family. As with most fall bulbs, daffodils will need to be planted in a sunny location to bloom. Keep in mind that a shady spot in the sum mer could receive adequate sun or dappled-light in early spring. Daffodils look lovely under the canopy of trees that have not yet leafed out. this will allow enough sun to come through the branches for daffodils to bloom.

If squirrels are a concern in your garden, daffodils are a great solution, since squir rels have no taste for them. You can plant with abandon, knowing you’ll have one less battle in the garden. Also consider alliums that are in the onion family. While their scent deters squirrels, their beauty will attract you. Alliums will remind you of a Dr. Suess book with their unique look, like a lollipop on a stick. Hyacinths and grape hyacinths (muscari) should also be safe from critters, including deer.

though working smarter not hard er may mean avoiding planting tulips, I simply can’t resist. In my garden, squirrels are a huge problem, and they consider tulips a delicacy. Part of me thinks squirrels dig them up just to spite me for all the disparaging remarks I give them throughout the year. but tulips make my heart swoon. they come in so many different colors and varieties fitting for any personal ity. the more subdued single early tulip opens by day and then closes tightly at night; double-petaled tulips look more like peonies; and for the

drama queen, nothing compares to the exotic beauty of parrot tulips. Add these three types to the thou sands of individual varieties you can choose from and your head will spin into a dream. b ut every good fairy tale must have its villain, so the battle rages. You may have encountered the squirrel problem in your own garden and have read on-line tips for avoid ing them. trust me, I’ve tried almost everything from pepper flakes, to moth balls (don’t judge me), to hu man hair. You are welcome to try, but I wouldn’t recommend any of these deterrents. For me, the best way to keep squirrels from digging up your beloved bulbs is to cut a square of chicken wire large enough to cover the hole where the tulips bulbs are buried. Weigh the chicken wire with a large rock or paver. Squirrels are partic ularly curious about newly dug holes and disturbed earth. Don’t leave any clues about what is underneath, such as the outer paper covering of tulips bulbs that may have fallen off. remove any packaging so they don’t pick up the scent (or read the label–they are sneaky buggers). Once the ground has frozen, remove the rock and chicken wire, and your

buried treasure should remain a secret until spring.

When planting bulbs, don’t plant them in a straight line, which will look very sparse and unnatural. Instead plant them in groupings of about five or so bulbs massed to gether, a few inches apart. You can purchase a “bulb planter” tool, which can make digging individual holes a lot easier. b ut if you are planting en masse, dig one large hole for your grouping of bulbs. Insert each bulb, point up, into the hole, then cover. Many gardening sites recom mend adding bone meal to the soil before covering the bulbs, which will add phosphorus to your soil. However,

you can also find dissenting opinions about the benefits of adding bone meal. Personally, I don’t use it and this keeps the process simpler for me. Keep in mind that daffodils, alli ums, and daffodils all come in varieties with different bloom times. You can plant early, mid, and late spring varieties of each of these types of flow ers for a long season of bloom and color. However, check the bloom time for each flower you are planting. You may have visions of blue grape hyacinths coupled with pure white daffo dils and a back-drop of purple sensation alliums. b ut your dreams may be crushed when you realize one type of flower has bloomed and become a

distant memory before the others have woken from their winter slumber.

Once you have success fully grown tulips, daffodils, and alliums, you’ll be smitten and want to experiment with the endless variety of fall bulbs. You can also try winter aconite, glory-ofthe-snow, crocus, fritillaria, ranunculus, snowdrops, and bluebells, to name a few. As you sit through the cold of winter, you’ll feel a little warmer knowing that your spring garden is secretly growing beneath your feet. It’s a comfort in my own life to remember that it’s necessary for these bulbs to endure a period of darkness and cold. Without this season of winter, they would not truly bloom and grow into what they were meant to be.

We would love to hear from our Shore Local News readers, kindly send your comments, pictures, and questions to: shorelocalgardener@ gmail.com.

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

the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's…Lucy'

Deana Martin, influential vocalist performing to sell-out audiences around the World and the proud daughter of iconic entertainer and the King of cool, Dean Martin, will star in a fundraiser concert to benefit the on-going restoration of Lucy the elephant.

Deana last appeared in Atlantic city in 2015 to a jam-packed the ater. She will be appearing with her 18-piece orchestra and special guest, Steven Maglio in resorts Superstar theater on Sunday, December 11 at 8pm.

Atlantic city has a long and famed history with the rat Pack singers. Sinatra first appeared in Atlantic city when he was a featured vocalist with Harry James and tommy Dorsey on Steel Pier. Later, he went on to be a smash hit at the famed 500 club. the “5” is where Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis formed their comedy team.

“We are beyond thrilled that Dea na is sharing her extraordinary talent

and famous family history with us” said Lucy executive Director, richard Helfant. “And having the fundraiser in resorts Superstar theater is a dream come true”. Helfant was a junior ex ecutive at resorts back in the early 1980’s and worked closely with Sina tra and Martin. “We are extremely grateful to Mark Giannantonio, Pres ident of resorts casino Hotel, for his continued support of Lucy.”

this memorable evening promises to be filled with the greatest music ever written.

VIP tickets are $125 and include a dessert reception and “Meet & Greet” after the show; preferred seats at $50 and general admission seats at $35. tickets are available at www. Lucyt he elephant.org, Lucy’s Gift Shop, resorts b ox Office or www. ticketmaster.com.

Proceeds from the event will go toward the on-going restoration proj ect of Lucy the elephant, a National Historic Landmark and America’s Oldest roadside Attraction.

Journal

By Jeff Whitaker

Iheard someone joke recently about election day. t hey said that they always hear people cop out from voting by claiming they are only one vote and that one vote just can’t make a difference. their friend replied that if everyone assumed that their one vote didn’t matter and stayed home then the one vote their friend claimed didn’t matter would now matter since everyone else was staying home. You might have to read that twice. but the point is each of our votes do matter. I’ve used my voice in this column in the past to extol the im portance of voting. but it doesn’t hurt to be reminded.

YOU HAVE A VOICE

It is important for you and me to vote whenever we have the chance to influence our community or state or na tion. Men and women have literally given their lives so that you and I can exercise that privilege. And here’s something else to consider. If people have given their lives for that right, the least we can do is take a few minutes to study up on the issues that impact us and make an informed decision when we head to the polls. Don’t complain about the state of “our community, or state or nation” if you aren’t willing to share your feelings at the ballot box. You’re one vote, com bined with mine, our family, friends and neighbors vote all add up. Don’t say, “I’m only one person.”

BECOME PROACTIVE

A lot of times I think we don’t get involved or throw up our arms in dis gust without realizing the power we all have to make a difference. So whether you’re encouraged or discouraged after the election, I want to offer three things you can do personally to make your voice heard and affect change.

1. Volunteer - It could be in a civic or charitable organization; your church or religious organization. Offer to help and get involved. When attention is taken off of ourselves and onto something, some cause or someone bigger than you, it will give you a sense of accom plishment and a feeling of real purpose.

2. run for Office - Of course you’re not going to run for President of the United States. b ut you could run for a position on your condo association or community governing board or a charitable board of directors or com mittee. If you want to see change in your community, step up and become

one of the change agents.

3. Speak Up - I hear all the time, “I wish ‘they would’ or 'how come 'they don’t’”. Let your voice be heard. Attend a School board meeting and speak up. Join a parents association and offer your input.

there are a lot of ways to make a difference right where we live, work and play. b ut unless we step up, we’ll never affect change. Sure, decisions are going to be made on a much larger level; decisions that we agree or disagree with, but our ability to make an impact starts small and local.

Mahatma Gandi said, “ be the change that you wish to see in the world.” Some practical thoughts to remember as No vember 8th approaches. So, let’s go out and make a difference in the world that we live in, with the influence we have and the impact we can make.

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

Turf field for All Wars Memorial Park on the ballot in Linwood

By James FitzPatrick Contributing Writer

Recreation is important to Linwood. You need to look no further than the city seal to know that educa tion, Family, and recreation are vital to the city’s identity.

Unfortunately, when it comes to recreation fields, Linwood is expe riencing a space problem. b etween soccer, football, flag football, la crosse, softball, baseball and other programs, there isn't enough room to adequately meet rising demand for practice and playing space.

the scarcity of youth sports real estate means the city and the board of recreation are constantly seeding and re-sodding their worn-out grass fields at a cost of 10’s of thousands of dollars per year, to keep up with the demand.

city council and the Linwood b oard of recreation believe they have a solution. b ut before moving forward, they’re asking the citizens what they think.

On Nov. 8, Linwood voters will

consider a non-binding referendum on a plan to spend $1.6 million to replace the football/lacrosse field at All Wars Memorial Park with a multiuse artificial turf field. Included in the referendum is a proposal to spend an additional $1 million to replace the lighting in the entire park.

the field project, which includes 130,000 square feet of revolution 360 Field turf, home and away bleachers, concrete pads, planning, clearing and earthwork, is intended to help Linwood get the most from its primary athletic field, while reduc ing costly wear and tear on its other overused grass fields.

Soccer alone has about 580 kids that play on the fields. the Panthers have 120 football players and 130 cheerleaders.

“ t here's a significant number of kids that rely on these fields and that's not including belhaven Middle School, which uses the fields for their soccer program,” said tim Donovan, director of parks for the city.

During the recent rains brought by the remnants of Hurricane Ian, there was a week and a half of soccer

Soccer alone has about 580 kids that play on Linwood’s recreation fields.

practices and games that had to be canceled due to field conditions.

“With that much rain, it took a toll, so we had to cancel games and reschedule games,” Donovan told Shore Local News. “ that has been happening more often. And we don't have the appropriate amount of time and field space to rest that field and get the grass to grow back.”

Many of the soccer practices and games are held on the upper field which fronts Shore road. Donovan said keeping it in acceptable condi tion can be a losing battle.

“It has just gotten so bad that there's really no grass there; it's all goose grass and weeds. It's con stantly being seeded. It's constantly being used after it's seeded when it shouldn't, so a lot of money and resources are being dumped into that field,” he said. “We try to keep it up, but it just keeps getting overused. We can't keep having 600 soccer players a week on these fields.”

With the turf field, the board of recreation says it can maintain its grass fields in a way that relies less on expensive sod, and more cost-ef ficient seeding.

If the project moves forward, the turf field will be repositioned. Instead of running north to south and parallel to the bike path, the new field would run east to west and perpendicular to the bike path. that way the baseball fields, which are also used in the fall and spring, would no longer have to share the endzone with the football field.

Lighting is the other piece of the project.

the outdated lights in use now were installed in 2000 and have a life expectancy of 25 years, so new lights were already expected to be installed by the year 2025. the bond would authorize the city to replace the lights park-wide by 2025 with high-efficien

cy LeD lighting that uses total Light control technology, which is less expensive to run and causes fewer light pollution issues, according to the board of recreation.

the bonding will cost money, but according to details posted on the Linwood board of recreation Face book page, it will be accomplished without a tax rate increase.

“Due to the timing of the project, and as a result of other debt service payments set to be paid off at the conclusion of 2023 and 2024, the total debt service payments for 2024 and beyond will be lower than they are currently, even with a new $2.6 million bond for this project,” according to the rec board statement. the post notes that the financing is expected to require about $183,000 per year in debt service payments beginning in 2023.

Sports organizations already pay $50,000 to $75,000 each year in usage fees to maintain the existing grass fields. the new turf field would cost about $10,000 per year to main tain.

even though the new field will need replacement in 10 to 12 years, some of the fees collected from sports teams, previously used to renovate worn-out fields, will be allocated toward turf replacement costs down the road, the rec board explains.

With the project, Linwood is hop ing to repair its reputation as a place with subpar athletic fields.

“ the city of Linwood has heard numerous complaints over the years made by local sports organizations’ presidents, their boards, parents, and players regarding the state of the fields they pay to use and renovate almost annually,” the rec board said in its Facebook post.

Donovan, who grew up in Somers Point and graduated from Mainland in 1999, said when he discussed the field plan with city council, he re ferred to the words on the city seal that enshrine education, family, and recreation as the city’s core values.

Another plan for a turf field in Linwood was shot down in 2008 when voters approved an improve ment project at Mainland regional High School, but rejected a separate question to create a turf field. Dono van said if this plan doesn’t happen, it might be time to rethink things.

“We are going to have to start turning kids away or reducing the size of some of these programs, which is obviously what I don't want to see.”

South Jersey’s witch trials, as told by Benjamin Franklin

By Sarah Fertsch Staff Writer

You don’t have to travel all the way to Salem, Mass., to hear stories about witches this Halloween. Accord ing to b en Franklin’s newspaper, the Pennsylvania Gazette, witches roamed South Jersey.

In the paper’s Oct. 22, 1730 edi tion, locals in Mount Holly, burlington county, feared that a woman and a man (suspected of being a wizard) were tapping into dark magic because of their ability to “control animals.” Franklin’s paper wrote that the pair had influenced a neighbor’s sheep to dance on their hindlegs and hogs to sing psalms.

Since animal connection was con sidered a sure sign of witchcraft, a rowdy mob of 300 townsfolk rounded up the suspects and forced them to undergo trials to test their devotion to the dark arts. to ensure fairness, two neighbors proved their inno cence by trying the tests themselves, serving as a controlled variable in this sociological experiment.

the first test required that the sus pects weigh themselves against the Holy bible. If the two were lighter than God’s Word, they would be deemed satanic and immediately put to death. each person was stripped down and searched to make sure they weren’t hiding any heavy objects on their bod ies. All four people passed the first trial. Second, the people in question were bound by their hands and

feet and taken to a nearby pond. If the person floated to the top of the pond, they were considered a witch or wizard. If they sank, they were God-fearing and honorable. the Ga zette noted that only one member of the community sank, who was known as a member of the mob. the two floated to the top, caus ing a riot amongst the townspeople. the woman shouted that she must

have been cursed by witches. the story ends with the crowd roaring in bafflement, and doesn’t give any other information on whether the pair were put to death.

WeirdNJ Magazine notes that Franklin was well-known for writing satire pieces as pranks and social commentary, and this case may fit that description. According to the National Archives, there is no clear understanding as to how much of the above story is a hoax, and whether he wrote it himself. Franklin was known for publishing satirical accounts using multiple pen names.

Franklin, an enlightened think er, may have been commenting on strange folk beliefs and the dangers of groupthink. Philadelphians often poked fun at rural South Jersey, priding themselves for being ahead of their time technologically and phil osophically.

Mount Holly is known for its con nections to the paranormal. A place called “ the Mount,” a large hill in the middle of the woods, has an altar nearby believed to have served as a judgment table for witches, with

1730 The Pennsylvania Gazette, published by Benjamin Franklin, ran a story about a Mount Holly couple accused of being a witch and a wizard.

The Mount, a large hill in the middle of the woods, has an altar nearby called the Holy, Holy, Holy, believed to have served as a judgment table for witches.

gallows standing eerily nearby. How many innocent lives have been taken at this very spot?

Next to the Mount, brave souls will notice a brick and stone building also known as the Witches’ Well. rumor tells us that the first witch to ever be accused in Mount Holly was thrown down the well to her death. She didn’t die instantly and instead banged her hands against the walls, begging for help for hours. Some town residents say you can still hear the ghost of the witch knocking on the well.

Not only does Mount Holly have connections to witches, it may also hold the soul of the Jersey Devil.

In the Mount Holly cemetery, you’ll come across an altar inscribed with “Holy Holy Holy.” children say that the Jersey Devil was captured in the late 19th century and held captive inside the stone case, which drops all the way to the pits of hell. If you stick your ear against the altar, legend has it that you can hear the devil rattle his chains.

Officially, Mount Holly got its name from its hills covered with holly trees. b ut could it be from the Holy, Holy, Holy and the Mount?

What do you think? Are these stories a bunch of hogwash, or true tales of history?

Visit Mount Holly this Halloween and find out.

SusanBerman@BermanTravel.com

Molly Ringworm part of a growing local indie music scene

Tu ne In, Turn On

By Doug Deutsch

Let’s hear it for girl-fronted pop groups. t he Jersey Shore has its very own in the form of Molly ringworm, fronted by a young lady whose sound is perfectly suited for the role, vocal ist-guitarist Sarah Holt.

“I was really inspired by ’90s indie rock from Liz Phair, and ’70s folkie music from Neil Young and Joni Mitchell,” Holt recently said via email when asked which music artists she and her M r bandmates consider their influences.

“On (our latest eP) “Seems,” the ’90s influences come through a bit more, like Pavement, the b reeders and Pixies, and more modern fuzzedout bands like Speedy Ortiz.

“Growing up during the early 2000s (as I did), emo and pop mu sic are kind of ingrained in our songwriting subconsciously. As we move toward writing a new album, I’d like to try to bring through our love of ’60s boy bands and power pop acts like big Star,” adds Holt.

the local indie music scene, although small, is looking up, insists Holt, who gives props to the venue she’ll perform at next Friday.

“ the shore has been popping off lately with the establishment of the Anchor rock club (in Atlantic city). they’re really bringing in great national acts and providing local bands with a lot of opportunity to connect with those national acts. t hey’re a venue the shore has desperately needed.”

Next we discussed the band’s new album. “Seems” was recorded entire ly remotely and was the first thing

the band put out that they didn’t do completely themselves.

“We hopped on board with (North Jersey-based label) Kidokoro re cords, owned and operated by Oscar Suh- rodriguez, who mixed, mastered and co-produced the record,” she said. “Oscar really pushed our song writing to what I think is the best it’s been and opened our minds to dif ferent production and arrangement

“Moving forward, we don’t want to just sound like a band playing in our bedrooms in our recordings, and

, Stockton University’s radio station, celebrated its 38th anniver sary last weekend with a concert at the school’s main campus. Holt’s band performed an acoustic performance that evening; the concert was also a memorial to the late, longtime WLFr director of training Paul Glaser, who passed away recently.

“I’ve been involved with the radio station since 2016. I started deejaying there my first semester at Stockton, and put on a lot of shows to benefit the station during my time there. the station and its deejays are our family and biggest supporters.” ingworm’s recent video, rystal” (watch here: https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=50X 3rmf_64) starts out with Holt’s sweet-sounding pop vocals, backed by images of teens skateboarding at a local park, which is okay. b ut then the song kicks into a next-level, guitar-driven frenzy with Holt, lead guitarist and Holt’s cousin, Johnny Zappas, bassist Andrew Simpson and drummer Michael Auble channeling grunge-rock-era chaotic but talent ourtney Love and her band Hole. It’s definitely a good

thing and a sonic direction we hope Molly ringworm continues to pursue.

WLFr 91.7 FM. Stock ton’s Lake Fred r adio, welcomes Molly ringworm 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4 at the Anchor rock club, 247 S. New York Ave. in Atlantic city. For tickets and info call 609-808-4990 or visit http://www.anchorrock club.com/. Also performing are teen Idle, coke Spiders and Away Game. For more on Molly r ingworm see https://www.mollyring wormnj.com/.

electrify Your Hallow een

If you want to rock on Halloween and are looking for something slightly left of center from what most of the area’s venues feature, may we sug gest electric Halloween, taking place Friday and Saturday, Oct. 28 and 29, at multiple venues in Atlantic city.

“ this is an annual event on Hallow een weekend that showcases local musicians and artists in the South Jersey area,” reads a press release received from the event’s organizers. “We have musical acts of all genres performing throughout the weekend.

“Artists will live paint, create in stallations, and display their work in gallery spaces. electric Halloween gathers all types of creatives togeth er to collaborate and support each other’s work. this is our first year having this event in Atlantic city and we are excited to be featuring local staple bands are artists in our lineup.”

electric Halloween’s Pre-Party boat Show sets sail from Gardner’s b asin t hursday night, Oct. 27. choose wisely as going out on the bay at night may not be for everyone. It sets by six live bands, followed by Friday and Saturday shows at Anchor rock club and bourre, the latter at 201 S. New York Ave. the venues are conveniently located close to each other.

Friday’s festivities include a wres tling show, and Saturday night’s an aerialist show. the music will be a mix of indie/progressive featuring no fewer than 25 bands, headlined by longtime Montclair -based group, t hank You Scientist. t here’s defi nitely something different going on here, but isn’t diversity what life is all about? For tickets and info, see http://electrichalloweenfestival.com/ tickets.html.

Molly Ringworm is fronted by vocalist-guitarist Sarah Holt.

Photo by Joanna Conner

Increases to Social Security benefitsand retirement contribution limits

ries, this benefit will begin on December 30, 2022. the annual cOLA increase is tied to the consumer Price Index, which is determined by the Department of Labor’s bureau of Labor Statistics.

By Eric Reich

Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve seen some positive adjustments to Social Secu rity benefits, Supplemental Social Security Income (SSI) benefits, and retirement contribution limits. We’ll tackle these updates to Social Security and retirement plans and how they may affect you.

b eginning in January 2023, Social Security and Supplemental Social Secu rity Income (SSI) benefits will increase 8.7 percent for approximately 70 million Americans. On average, this will be an increase of more than $140 per month. More than 65 million Social Security beneficiaries will begin receiving this 8.7 percent cost-of-living adjustment (cOLA) beginning in January 2023, and for the more than 7 million SSI beneficia

Another piece of good news is Medi care premiums are going down. With those premiums going down and SS benefits going up, this can be a big help for seniors. this is the first time in over a decade that Medicare premiums are not going up. In addition, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax will increase from $147,000 to $160,200 and will take effect in Janu ary. If you want to find out what your new benefit amount is, you should receive a notice by mail in early December or you can view the notice online at www.ssa. gov/myaccount .

Also beginning January 1, 2023, individuals with certain retirement plans will be able to invest more due to increases in contribution limits, which are adjusted annually for cost-of-living increases. the amount individuals can contribute to their 401(k) plans in 2023 has increased to $22,500. this is up from $20,500 for 2022. the catch-up contri bution for those aged 50 and over was

increased from $6,500 to $7,500. this means being able to save an additional $3,000 for those over 50 with an em ployer sponsored retirement plan. Also, the combined total that employers and employees can contribute to a retire ment plan was increased from $61,000 to $66,000. Lastly, the limit for annual I r A contributions increased to $6,500 from $6,000.

the I rS also increased the income ranges used to determine whether an individual’s traditional I r A contributions are tax deductible or not. t hey also increased the income phase-outs and limits for contributing to roth I r As. Ac cording to irs.gov, the phase-out ranges for 2023 are as follows:

● For single taxpayers covered by a workplace retirement plan, the phase-out range is increased to between $73,000 and $83,000, up from between $68,000 and $78,000.

● For married couples filing jointly, if the spouse making the I r A contri bution is covered by a workplace retirement plan, the phase-out range is increased to between $116,000 and $136,000, up from between $109,000 and $129,000.

● For an I r A contributor who is not covered by a workplace retirement plan and is married to someone who is covered, the phase-out range is increased to between $218,000 and $228,000, up from between $204,000 and $214,000.

● For a married individual filing a separate return who is covered by a workplace retirement plan, the phase-out range is not subject to an annual cost-of-living adjustment and remains between $0 and $10,000.

For those taxpayers making contribu tions to a roth I r A, the income phaseout range was increased to between

$138,000 and $153,000 for singles and heads of household, and for married couples filing jointly, it was increased to between $218,000 and $228,000. the phase-out range for a married individual filing a separate return who makes con tributions to a roth I r A did not change.

If you have questions about these increases and if they apply to your indi vidual situation, you should consult with your tax advisor and/or financial advisor.

Securities offered through Kestra In vestment Services LLC (Kestra IS), mem ber FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Kestra Advisory Services LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. Reich Asset Management LLC is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kes tra AS. The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect those held by Kestra Investment Services or Kestra Advisory Services. This is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual. It is suggested that you consult your financial professional, attorney, or tax adviser with regard to your individual situation. To view form CRS visit https://bit.ly/KF-Dis closures

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.

Margate’s trunk or treat gives out sweets

Margate's second annual ' trunk or treat' drew hundreds Friday, Oct. 21, to the parking lot of the eugene A. tighe Middle School where children donned costumes and went from vehicle to vehicle, each decked out in Halloween spirit, to col lect candy and treats. the event was sponsored by the Margate city Police Department and Margate Mothers Association.

Photos by Tom Briglia/ PhotoGraphics

Faith, Family & the Phillies

By Susan Seabrook

When you ask Father Santa teresa of Saint Joseph c atholic c hurch, in Somers Point, to describe his earliest Phillies memory, he’ll tell you all about being huddled with his family around the living room t V. the smell of his mom’s famous shrimp scampi filling the room. Hearing names like curt Schil lig, and John Kruk being yelled out. His mom, aunts and grandparents, cheering on the 1993 team during their World Series run.

Father’s love for baseball runs deep. He not only loves the game but the story behind the sport. He loves baseball history and learning about the beginnings of the different ball clubs. Just as his love of baseball runs deep, so does his love of Saint Joseph church and Saint Joseph regional School. He has always been a lifelong Philly's sports fan, but first and foremost, he is a priest. He leads by example and shows the students that God always comes first.

On a typical day, you will find Father greeting the students of Saint Joseph regional School as they get off the bus with a fist pump or a hi-five. You’ll

see him helping out at school lunch and recess and smiling in the hallways. Laughter follows him wherever he goes. He’ll ask you about your family or more recently, if you caught the game last night. He’s a fixture at our school, and a breath of fresh air for students and parents alike. to say, he adds so much to the fabric of our school’s cul ture, in his time here since July 1, 2021, is an understatement.

Our school has been supporting the Phillies by having dress down days in their honor. If you know a catholic School child – you know the impor

tance of a dress down day. I must tell you, everyone is embracing the Phillies spirit, from the teachers and staff to our Principal, Dr. Fipp, to the students and families. the Phillies fever is conta gious, probably because Father Santa teresa leads us in all the fun.

Father was at the National League c hampionship game earlier this week. You could find him in section 113, decked out in his beloved Harper Jersey and red Phillies baseball cap cheering along with 45,484 of his brothers and sisters. As a priest, he will tell you of the parallels he finds

between faith and baseball. He says, “ baseball is the only sport where we acknowledge errors, but when a player does something big, those errors don’t matter, it’s all about the victory. Just as christ’s victory destroyed sin and death, so can late inning heroics erase memories of an earlier error and lead the team to a win”. Father has felt that baseball has helped him forge relationships. Whether that be with family, friends, brother priests, parishio ners, students or strangers on the street. It truly is a sport of unity that has brought people together for the last 146 years.

In the lobby of the school, you’ll find a giant Philly Phanatic inflatable decoration, followed by a mirage of red and white as we sport our team colors. At Saint Joseph regional School, we root for our team and each other. Just like this 2022 Phillies team has some thing special, so does our school. It’s easy to rally around a team, when you have a priest like Father Santa teresa having joined our Saint Joseph region al School family. Like bryce Harper, he too is giving our children ‘something to remember’. With faith, family, and the fightins on our side – we truly are unstoppable.

By Sarah Fertsch Staff Writer

c ape Atlantic Model railroad club has officially presented their 2022 layout

McNaughton's Garden center in Somers Point. children of all ages (and children at heart), get ready to be amazed.

b arbieri, the president of the club, says that this year’s display

tens of new elements, including a ferris wheel, wave swing ride, and carousel. club members spent over

month designing the setup “Last year’s layout was 14 by 16 feet, and this year’s is 16 by 21,” said barbieri.

they run 7 full length trains and several push-button trolleys, including an elevated trolly. they have over 20 push-button accessories for curious children. For the remainder of Octo ber, the club will feature skeletons, pumpkins, bats and witch hats to cele brate Halloween, and then the club will transition the layout to a christmas theme.

“ every day there will be different trains running because different mem

bers will be present to run the model railroad and connect with the public. this sets us apart from other clubs,” said barbieri.

the model railroad club also has a display at the cape May county Zoo, which is designed based on the zoo itself with a christmas theme. they have eight interactive items and the club plans on expanding the layout in coming years.

the club is a 501c nonprofit that was formerly involved with the Shore line Model railroad club. they have

over 20 active members and are al ways welcoming new members.

the model railroad at McNaugh ton's will operate between the hours of 11am to 3pm from thursday through Sunday through the end of the year. A minimum of four club members will be working on the display at all times, ready to answer your questions and connect with families.

“My father bought my sons a train set in the early 1990s, and I had a tiny

table as an adult in my base ment, but when the pan demic hit, I expanded and got involved with the club. I’m retired now, so I guess it keeps me out of trouble,” said Scott Schenker of Mays Landing, a member of the c ape Atlantic Model rail road club.

Dennis Weiss, 82 from Galloway, has been involved with local model train clubs for over ten years. He grew up with model railroads and developed a love for them as an adult, amassing a col

“Model trains represent a national pastime, and when these trains were popular, most of our members were children, spending time with their parents or grandparents and learn ing about trains,” said barbieri. “We allow our members to reminisce and our goal is to ignite a love of trains in new generations.”

lection of Lionel model trains in his garage. “I love the construction and learning and problem solving,” he said.

the official opening of the 2022 Somers Point layout will take place 11am to 3pm on Friday, October 28th. the event will be free for the public. For more information, check out the club’s facebook page under the name cape Atlantic Model railroad club.

By Fred Miller

Afront page article in the October 12, 1922 Ocean city Sentinel reported, “All preliminary plans for the monster Hallowe’en c ar nival, to be conducted Saturday, October 28, under the auspices of the Young Men’s Progressive League, are nearing completion.” t he program was as follows:

trapshooting in the morning; OcHS vs Pleasantville football game in the afternoon; band concert 7:30; carnival of Fun 7:30; and the Grand Parade 9:00.

An ad in the same newspaper told readers to “KeeP tH e DAte OPeN!” A week later another ad reminded folks about the annual Hallowe’en carni val.

All the time spent in preparation paid off. the success of the October 28th carnival was report ed in the November 2, 1922 Sentinel under the front page headline: “Un qualified Success Attends Ocean city’s celebrated Hallowe’en c arnival and Parade.”

t he same newspaper reported on the football game: “Pleasantville Out

classed by Local eleven in Sensation al Hallowe’en Feature Game.” OcHS’s tony Selvagn scored two touchdowns and the locals won 12-6.

Ad in the October 12, 1922 Ocean City Sentinel.

Ad in the October 19, 1922 Ocean City Sentinel.

Howl-O-Ween Parade and Dog Day in Ocean City

By Donald B Kravitz

The second annual Howl-OWeen Parade and Dog Day was held on Saturday, Oct. 22. Dogs and their owners enjoyed a day of fun on the board walk.

Activities included dog-specif ic vendors along the b oardwalk, photo-op stations and the Humane Society’s announcement of Ocean city’s “Pet of the Year.” People dress themselves and their dogs in Hallow een costumes for the Howl-O-Ween Parade, with all proceeds will bene fitting the Humane Society of Ocean city.

Philadelphia Flyers legend bernie Parent and his wife, Gini, and their dog, Sophia, were the grand marshals for the parade, and bernie signed au tographs and took photos with fans for an hour before the parade began.

Imported

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

Spirit Halloween, based in EHT is the nation's largest Halloween retailer

en’t picked up your encanto costume or witch’s hat just yet. Spirit Hallow een, the nation’s largest Halloween retailer, has all of the latest trends, decorations, and more.

By Krystle J Bailey

Halloween is right around the corner. Largerthan-life skeletons have sprung up in front yards everywhere while children debate which Disney character costume they’ll wear trick-or-treating this year.

Spooky season is upon us, and if you haven’t decided on your Hallow een costume just yet, Spirit Hallow een has got you covered. t his year, Spirit opened its doors earlier than ever at the egg Harbor township location this July.

“Spirit Halloween’s home office is headquartered in egg Harbor town ship, which is a fun fact many people don’t know. When you step inside the offices, it’s like seeing magic come to life within four walls that are filled with hundreds of creative and talent ed associates who work year-round.” – Nikki balles, corporate Director of Pr and communications for Spirit Halloween.

While hundreds of early birds flocked to the grand opening to grab their seasonal decor and 2022 Hal loween costumes, many of us tend to wait until the last minute to make a decision. No need to worry if you hav

“At Spirit Halloween, we work year-round to develop must-have looks, and 2022 is shaping up to be an incredible year,” said Steven Silverstein, ceO of Spirit Halloween.

“It’s clear that Halloween has grown bigger than one single day, and our goal is to help our guests embrace every aspect of the Halloween life style as they celebrate the season and beyond.”

each year, the team at Spirit looks at the top trends, from pop culture movies to binge-worthy shows, red-carpet moments, and cartoons that capture the hearts of children. With this information, they develop their top costume trends of the year.

2022 is “ the Year of the Witch.” With the release of Hocus Pocus 2, there was a surge in demand for witch costumes and accessories. coven Witch, enchantress Witch, celestial Witch, and more are avail able at your local Spirit Halloween, along with Hocus Pocus decor and exclusive entertaining items for the perfect spooky gathering.

If witches aren’t your thing, there is plenty more to choose from at Spir it Halloween, from big-screen mo ments like Yellowstone and Stranger things to animated ensembles like Naruto, Fortnite, Minecraft, and De mon Slayer.

the little ones are sure to find their favorite character costumes, including

all of this year’s favorites: Dino ranch, bluey, encanto, buzz Lightyear, Witch es, Sonic, and Ninja turtles.

If you’ve ever been inside a Spirit Halloween store, you’ve likely heard the ringing of the famous purple cowbell and a loud cheer from the staff. the Spirit of children initiative is a Spirit-exclusive charity that raises money for programs that help make hospitals a little less scary. the initia tive, which began in 2007, supports child Life programs at more than 150

children’s hospitals throughout North America. this year, the program will surpass $100 million raised in total donations with a record goal of $18 million in 2022.

every time a Spirit customer do nates, funds are raised to support a wide range of activities and roles in the hospital that wouldn’t otherwise be available. through the initiative, over 200 child Life staff has been added, along with nearly seventy additional sensory and educational therapy programs. Art, music, canine, and horticulture programs are made available through the Spirit of chil dren Initiative. 100% of the donations made at local Spirit stores go directly to local partner hospitals.

to learn more about this initiative, visit www.spiritofchildren.com or visit a local Spirit Halloween store before the season is over.

Happy Halloween, Shore Local!

Krystle J Bailey. Multimedia journalist, Author, Poet. Connect with Krystle on Instagram @thedailybailey5

Take it slow when bringing home a rescue dog

are not getting along or getting into fights. Further investigation reveals in nearly every instance that they were just turned loose together in the back yard or house and often a resource was involved that spurred the fight.

By Heidi Clayton

When bringing home a rescue dog it is important that you follow a few rules to give your dog every opportunity to thrive in their new home. I have found that any rescue dog of any age that has been a shelter situation needs time to decompress from that experience. through no fault of any shelter, they are loud and noisy environments so moving to your quiet home can take some adjustment.

Here are some tips to help every one adjust.

It takes most rescue dogs at least three to five months to decompress and begin to show their true tempera ment. I recommend that you allow your rescue at least a week of total rest and relaxation. It is tempting to take your new dog everywhere and expose them to as many people and new places as possible, but I am asking you to pump the brakes on flooding them. Your new dog needs time to get to know you and their new life. Letting them learn the ropes in a quiet setting is crucial.

even if you have some of the details on your rescue's prior life and a vague description of any trauma they have experienced, you still do not know the dog and any possible triggers or phobias they have.

t here is no immediate need to parade people through the house to meet them. Providing a calm and relax ing atmosphere will prevent you from tapping into any unknown triggers that could be a problem like nipping at a child or discovering very suddenly that the dog doesn’t like men or other dogs.

If your new rescue comes with emotional baggage, you need to give them time to unpack it and adjust. taking the time for the both of you to get to know each other is crucial to developing a relationship of trust.

When bringing a rescue dog into a multi-dog household, I also caution you against making introductions too quickly and freely. I have received calls from troubled pet owners that the new rescue and the established dog

Again, you do not know the dog you have just rescued and it is incredibly unfair to ask them to move into your home and know the rules that you im pose on them, let alone the rules that another dog will have for them.

Keep the rescue and your other dogs separated for at least a week, allowing interactions through a gate or barrier. I recommend starting them on a walk together where they are side by side, not nose to nose. I also highly recommend that all dogs get their own space to eat and chew bones. every dog deserves to eat in peace, not having to look over their shoulder worrying about a housemate moving in on their food. Following this simple rule can prevent the issue of resource guarding and the possibility of dog fights.

After about a week of rest and relaxation, you can absolutely start slowly introducing “normal” life to your new rescue. remember slow and steady will win the race when bringing home a new rescue.

If you have questions about your new rescue's behavior, please email fouronthefloorschool@gmail.com.

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 giv ing 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.

Heidi Clayton is a retired 25 year veteran of the Atlantic City Police Department. She started Four on the Floor Dog Training a result of her own struggle to find a positive & reward based dog trainer in the South Jersey area. 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 SoraBullys’s Kennel Name.

Are you making nutrition and fitness mistakes?

Shore Fit

By Bonnie Dodd-Miller

Isee many people joining a gym or fitness center and working extremely hard day in and day out but still not accomplishing their goals. I person ally know many men and women that take multiple back to back classes and aren’t satisfied with their progress. t hey do strength training, cardiovascular training and other types of exercise and simply are spinning their wheels when it comes to their goals. exercise is just one part of the equation. Nutrition and accountability are equally, if not a greater part of an overall healthy lifestyle.

Why is it so difficult to stay on track with nutrition? the problem is account ability and mindset. Some have internal accountability while others need outside support. Mindset is everything!

Fitness accountability is great when you have others that attend the same class as you because you are more likely to attend. I love the camaraderie that I see on the daily at the Aquatic and Fitness center. A group of men and women that take classes together and have formed a special bond.

With nutrition, accountability is more individualized. I have met so many people that have tried all the fad diets looking for a quick fix. they’ve gone on and off so many different programs and spent a ton of mon ey only to gain it all back and sometimes more. It’s a frustrating cycle of dieting.

It is important to think about lifestyle rather than diet. Going on diets that re strict you from foods you love is a recipe for failure. I recommend eating clean, stay ing away from processed foods and having a “celebration” meal once per week of your favorite foods. Portion control is also very important and filling up on vegetables and lean proteins keeps you satisfied, longer.

I also recommend that you take it one step at a time and do not overwhelm yourself. When you try to change too many things at once, you are not setting yourself up for success. I have been guilty of this by telling myself that I will hit the gym hard 6 days per week and then when I can’t because of unforeseen circum stances, become disappointed. I’ve had clients who want to lose weight, workout five times per week or more, cook new recipes, meal prep for themselves while cooking for others and that gets to be overwhelming. they can’t stick with it when trying to make all these new changes so they just throw in the towel. It’s too much all at once.

I highly recommend starting with a single goal for one month and then adding another goal and so on and so forth. this is going to set you up to accomplish your goals and lead to a happy, healthy lifestyle that is sustainable. Also remember, that a slip up doesn’t demolish your progress. You can always reset, re-evaluate and restart.

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

Real Estate Matters

By Elisa Jo Eagan

There are so many things to think about when deciding to begin a home search. How many bed rooms? How many bathrooms do you need? Do you want stairs or are you hoping to have everything on one lev el? Of course, there are the all-important questions about flooring, countertops, and light fixtures. but what else should you be thinking about and how can you build a smarter wish list that really adds value?

What Does Your Wish List Look Like?

When you start perusing listings on line, you are probably spending most of your time looking at aesthetics like paint color, finishes, fixtures, and other “shiny objects.” In addition, you are probably thinking about convenience such as a second home office, a fenced backyard, and space for a playroom.

It is natural to think about those per sonal preferences when choosing a home, but a smarter wish list takes into account “behind-the-wall” items that can either add value or cost you big money. In ad dition, you will want to consider whether your favorite wish list items will be worth the cost when and if you decide to sell your home in the years ahead.

Create a Value-added Wish List think beyond paint color and home style when creating your wish list, and include the following elements in your calculations of the “perfect” home.

Great Neighborhood there is a reason that the mantra for real estate professionals is “Location. Location. Location.” the same home in two different neighborhoods can fetch two wildly different prices. It is important to make sure that you understand the impact of a neighborhood on your enjoy ment of the home.

One piece of advice that you may have heard is, “ buy the smallest home in the best neighborhood that you can afford.” While you may be yearning for a fourth bedroom or a huge bonus room, it may be worth it to choose a smaller home if the neighborhood is ideal.

Maintenance Savers

We know everybody’s focused on granite countertops and hardwood floors, but it is a good idea to think about all of those less flashy elements that add value to your home. A new roof can cost you thousands of dollars, so if you have to choose between the ugly kitchen count ers with a new roof or the gorgeous gran ite with an old one, take the new roof, or ask for a closing cost credit from the seller towards the cost of a new roof at time of settlement if possible.

Updated Systems

Similarly, new appliances, HVAc , elec trical, and plumbing systems save you money on maintenance, replacement, and

wish list

operating costs. Just make sure that the homeowners have all of the paperwork so you know when the systems were installed and that they are the right size and quality for the space. If in doubt, talk to your home inspector for additional information and insights.

What Improvements Can You Make Yourself?

What items are worth overlooking in order to add your own value to the home?

Here are some wish list items you can cross off in favor of making your own easy fixes after closing.

Perfect Landscaping

What is one of the lowest cost, high est-return investments you can make in improving your home's value? According to the National Association of realtors (NAr), tree care offers 100 percent re turn on investment, and adding mature trees is a low-cost way to boost your home's value. In fact, a great lawn and an upgraded exterior door are among the most cost-effective, highest return on your investment (rOI) improvements you can make.

Paint Color

You have seen those HGt V home buy ers complain about the paint color and rolled your eyes right? If you find a house that has great bones but a terrible paint job, get excited. You can quickly improve the home's aesthetics and value with new paint. And the best part is you can pick out the colors yourself and get exactly what you want.

Finishes and Fixtures

Outdated light fixtures, mismatched switch plates, and old-fashioned faucets are definite turn-offs. However, if the home has been well-maintained other wise, these easy-to-swap features give you the opportunity to add big value at a low cost. take a weekend and switch up everything or make the changes a little at a time. Whichever works for your budget and timeline, you will experience a sense of accomplishment and a hefty return on your investment.

Your wish list is just that - yours. It’s up to you to decide what matters most to you and your family. but if you are looking to make budget-friendly decisions, it is important to look past the bright and shiny to the solid and secure.

enjoy a safe and Happy Halloween everyone. May you have all treats and no tricks. And be sure to stop by and say hel lo on Halloween Night at my son's family home. check out the Kellys’ carn evil in crystal Lakes. 208 Spring Lake court, egg Harbor township.

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!"