SHORE LOCAL | Mainland | November 23, 2022

Lucy gets a shower

The Margate City Fire De partment gave Lucy the Elephant a gigantic-sized shower Monday, Nov. 21. Lucy has been under restoration and hidden behind plastic wrapped scaffolding for the past 14 months.

As the scaffolding begins to be dis mantled, the Fire Department doused Lucy with water, checking for leaks in her new $2 million skin. The tentative date for the Grand Unveiling is either December 14.

Photo courtesy of John Pitts

This holiday season, think local

stay right here, going back into our own community. Making the conscious decision to pour our dollars back into our local busi nesses, is the rising tide that lifts all boats.

From the Editor

Ihonestly do not know which was harder...naming our chil dren or choosing the name for this publication. The only thing that we agreed on wholeheartedly was that the word LoCAL had to be included in the name.

Why local? b ecause those five letters say it all. We are local. We are for the community that we are so honored to be a part of in all ways, always.

We care about, support and pro mote the wide range of small busi nesses that make up our area. All of our roots are here - in the community in which we live and raised are chil dren.

When you make a purchase from a chain store or restaurant, those dol lars go thousands of miles away, into a faceless millionaire's pockets. b ut when you shop locally those dollars

As we head into the gift-giv ing season, we encourage you to think of your friends and neigh bors managing small businesses first before heading to the big retailers. Support the makers, the chefs, the artists, the en trepreneurs that have been and always will be the fabric of our communities.

The future begins now. If we want to keep our community charm, vibe and uniqueness, our choices have to reflect that. Not only to keep our local businesses thriving, but to keep our dreams thriving.

We are fortunate enough to live in the land of freedom and opportunity. America is the destination for so many people across the globe where you can start with nothing but a dream and be

reverence and gratitude for the American dream. We had a dream, a vision and because we live in a country that offers equal opportunity, we were able to bring it to fruition. That is something we will be forever be thankful for. Let's keep that dream alive for ourselves, our friends and neighbors and for our children.

While b lack Friday is still an experience to be had, Small b usinesses Saturday is where it's at. Check out the fantastic deals our Lo CAL small busi nesses are offering up and sup port local this holiday season.

We at Shore Local are not only thankful for the opportu nity, but also for each of you, our readers, who gave us an opportunity to tell our story and to share the stories of our community. You inspire us every day to care more, be more and do more to support all that's local.

Wishing you a Happy & b lessed Thanksgiving from our home to yours.

Peace & Love, Cindy

come anything your heart desires with some grit and determination.

ob and I have a whole new

Plenty to be thankful for weather-wise in South Jersey

to rico, the Canadian Maritimes, and most notably Florida (both the west and east coasts) can’t say the same.

Weather

By Dan Skeldon

Very seldom do we have an “uneventful” weather year in South Jersey. And 2022 has been no excep tion. From a deluge of snow, not one but two January blizzards to a late summer drought to tropical remnants and coastal lows in the fall, variety has not been scarce so far this year. And in the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday, let’s run down just some of the meteorological things we have to be thankful for.

● Presuming we make it to Novem ber 30th and the end of the Atlan tic hurricane season, the biggest thanks we have to give any year is

● After an uptick in tornadoes over the last few years and multiple South Jersey touchdowns, 2022 was also a comparatively quiet year with respect to twisters. Parts of Cape May County were under a tornado warning during the sum mer, but nothing touched down and our severe weather season was thankfully calmer than past years.

● So if hurricanes are our main haz ard in the fall and tornadoes and severe weather fill that role in the summer, what is our biggest con cern in the spring? besides a late season Nor’easter, it’s actually our forest fire season in the Pinelands. And this year saw the biggest fire since 2007 in the Wharton State Forest.. The Mullica r iver Fire burned more than 13,000 acres, but could have been much worse if

● If you’re not a snow lover, you can be thankful you’re not just south of b uffalo in Upstate New York, or downwind of any of the Great Lakes. over 6 feet of snow fell from the heaviest lake-effect snow bands the week before Thanksgiving in western New York, in less than 2 days! That’s more snow than we’ll see in South Jersey over three or four winters on average! Lake-ef fect snow occurs when cold, Arctic air crosses the relatively warm waters of the Great Lakes. While much less common and intense, ocean and bay effect snows can oc cur off the Atlantic o cean, and off of Delaware and Chesapeake bays. but instead of 6 feet, the ocean and bay effect snow will generally only produce a coating to a few inches.

If you are a snow lover, head to the Great Lakes. And this snow-loving meteorologist has actually gone “snow chasing” up on the Tug Hill Plateau of Upstate New York in his youth (and ended up chasing 98 inches of snow in 5 days).

ur drought that developed over the summer and continued into the fall was thankfully short-lived, as a wet fall quickly erased our months-long rainfall deficits. While droughts in New Jersey and the rest of the Northeast and Mid-At lantic aren’t all that uncommon, long-lived droughts are thankfully rare. While parts of the western United States have been in a drought for the better part of a decade, which some have dubbed a “mega-drought”, ours lasted only a few months. And we can be thank ful that our geography and weather patterns here on the East Coast

make long-lived droughts hard (but not impossible) to come by.

● b each-goers can be thankful we were treated to 80-something-de gree ocean temperatures this year, although we had to shiver through consistently cold water much of the summer before the tropically warm waters arrived. o ur average ocean temperature peaks in the low 70s in late August and early September in a typical summer. So 80-degree ocean temperatures certainly aren’t guaranteed to oc cur in any given summer, and are a treat when they do make it this far north.

As we close out 2022 over the next six weeks, let’s all be thankful that the science of meteorology continues to improve. Sure, we’ll still blow a fore cast once in a while, although a lot less often than we used to. So we’ll still have meteorologists to make fun of when the forecast goes awry, but forecasts are getting progressively better and we’re able to look farther out in time as well.

Here’s to forecasting all of you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving hol iday!

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.

Two new coasters coming to AC

Steel Pier has just announced two new thrill rides which will debut on Atlantic City’s historic Steel Pier within the next three years. The announcement and reveal took place at the Inter national Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions expo in o rlan do November 17th, at Premier rides booth who will be the manufacturer of both coasters.

o ne of the new rides will be a spinning wild-mouse style coaster to replace the Crazy Mouse that has been a fan favorite for years on Steel Pier. Steel Pier was the first to introduce the spinning coaster to the world. The new spinning coaster is expected to open in 2024.

The second coaster is a Sky rocket II model roller coaster, which will debut in 2025. This 55-second ride can exceed

owner

can vary depending on

"We are very excited to bring these two world class attractions to Atlantic City. Five years ago we changed the skyline with the o bservation Wheel,

Stay

of Premier rides said this

the park location.

dynamics once again by adding these two great attractions," said Anthony Catanoso owner & president of Steel Pier.

tuned for the branding names of these two exciting coasters!

Live & Local Music Calendar

Wednesday, November 23rd

Danny Eyer 5:30-8:30pm. Tuckahoe Inn

1 Harbor rd. beesley’s Point

Hawkins Road Duo 6pm

villain & Saint at ocean

500 boardwalk, Atlantic City Jazz by the Bob Sterling Band 7-10pm bocca. 7805 ventnor Ave. Margate

The Benderz 7-11pm

The Lobby bar at Hard rock 1000 boardwalk, Atlantic City

Chris Yoder Duo 7:30pm

Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern 316 roosevelt blvd. Marmora

DJ Mormille 8pm-1am

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

DJ Luap 8pm

Nola’s bar & Lounge at ocean

500 boardwalk, Atlantic City Plaid Salmon 8pm-12am

Josie Kelly’s Public House 908 Shore rd. Somers Point

Bryan McCloud 9pm-12am. Gregory’s 900 Shore rd. Somers Point Garden State Radio 10pm

Mountain bar at Wild Wild West 2100 Pacific Ave. Atlantic City Three AM Tokyo 10pm. The Yard at bally’s 1900 Pacific Ave. Atlantic City

Thursday, November 24th

Funk Daddy 7-11pm

The Lobby bar at Hard rock 1000 boardwalk, Atlantic City

Friday, November 25th

John Barillaro 1-5pm. balic Winery 6623 Harding Hwy. Mays Landing

Cheers the Band 5-9pm

The Lobby bar at Hard rock 1000 boardwalk, Atlantic City

DJ Kevin Kong 5pm. The Yard at bally’s 1900 Pacific Ave. Atlantic City Scott Testerman 5-8pm bar one at resorts 1133 boardwalk, Atlantic City

Jim Fisher 5:30-8:30pm

Tuckahoe Inn

1 Harbor rd. beesley’s Point

Brielle Von Hugel Trio

6-10pm

Council oak Lounge at Hard rock 1000 boardwalk, Atlantic City

High Five Trio 6pm

villain & Saint at ocean

500 boardwalk, Atlantic City

Steve Savage 6pm

1927 Lounge at ocean 500 boardwalk, Atlantic City

Dueling Pianos 7-11pm renault Winery

72 N. bremen Ave. Egg Harbor City

The Educators 7-10pm bocca

7805 ventnor Ave. Margate

Greg Clark 7:30pm

Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern 316 roosevelt blvd. Marmora

No Clue Trio 8pm

Caroline’s by the bay 450 bay Ave. Somers Point

Shaun LaBoy 8-11pm

Tennessee Avenue beer Hall

133 S. Tennessee Ave. Atlantic City

Billy Walton Band 9pm

Josie Kelly’s Public House

908 Shore rd. Somers Point

B Street Band – Bruce Springsteen Tribute 9pm

The Wave at Golden Nugget 600 Huron Ave. Atlantic City

A Very 90’s Christmas 10pm

The Lobby bar at Hard rock 1000 boardwalk, Atlantic City Goodman Fiske 10pm

Mountain bar at Wild Wild West 2100 Pacific Ave. Atlantic City

Kristen and the Noise 10pm

The Yard at bally’s 1900 Pacific Ave. Atlantic City Jazz Trio 10pm

Council oak Lounge at Hard rock 1000 boardwalk, Atlantic City

Saturday, November 26th

Loose Ends 12-4pm. renault Winery

72 N. bremen Ave. Egg Harbor City

Abby Lee Duo 1-5pm. The Yard at bally’s 1900 Pacific Ave. Atlantic City

Dane Anthony Band 1-4:30pm

The Lobby bar at Hard rock

1000 boardwalk, Atlantic City

Keith Hickman 1-5pm. balic Winery

6623 Harding Hwy. Mays Landing Cheezy and the Crackers 3pm

Peace of Wood

345 West Ave. ocean City

Beth and Dennis 5-8pm bar one at resorts

1133 boardwalk, Atlantic City

DJ Neen Bean 5-9pm

The Yard at bally’s 1900 Pacific Ave. Atlantic City Priceless 5:30-9pm

The Lobby bar at Hard rock

1000 boardwalk, Atlantic City

Adam Holcombe Trio 6pm

villain & Saint at ocean

500 boardwalk, Atlantic City

Cosmic Charlie 6-9pm

Surf Dog bar and Grill

1563 DeHirsch Ave. Woodbine Kicking Sunrise 7pm

Nola’s bar & Lounge at ocean

500 boardwalk, Atlantic City

No Clue Trio 7-10pm. bocca

7805 ventnor Ave. Margate

Keep the Change 7:30pm

Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern 316 roosevelt blvd. Marmora

The Christian Glomb Duo 8-11pm

Tennessee Avenue beer Hall

133 S. Tennessee Ave. Atlantic City

Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening 8pm

Sound Waves at Hard rock

1000 boardwalk, Atlantic City Flo Rida 8pm

ovation Hall at ocean 500 boardwalk, Atlantic City

Sensational Soul Cruisers 10pm

The Lobby bar at Hard rock 1000 boardwalk, Atlantic City Split Decision 10pm

The Yard at bally’s 1900 Pacific Ave. Atlantic City

The Rockets 10pm

Mountain bar at Wild Wild West 2100 Pacific Ave. Atlantic City

Sunday, November 27th

Greg Clarke 10am-1pm bocca

7805 ventnor Ave. Margate

John King 12-4pm

renault Winery

72 N. bremen Ave. Egg Harbor City

Susan Salmon 1-5pm

balic Winery

6623 Harding Hwy. Mays Landing

Traditional Irish Open Session 1-4pm

Josie Kelly’s Public House

908 Shore rd. Somers Point 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

Avi Wisnia 6-9:30pm

Council oak Lounge at Hard rock 1000 boardwalk, Atlantic City

The Neptunes 8:30pm-12am

The Lobby bar at Hard rock 1000 boardwalk, Atlantic City

Monday, November 28th

Steve Moore & The MIA Band 7-11pm

The Lobby bar at Hard rock 1000 boardwalk, Atlantic City

Tuesday, November 29th

Eleven Eleven 7-11pm

The Lobby bar at Hard rock 1000 boardwalk, Atlantic City

Wednesday, November 30th

Danny Eyer 5:30-8:30pm

Tuckahoe Inn

1 Harbor rd. beesley’s Point

Jazz by the Bob Sterling Band 7-10pm bocca

7805 ventnor Ave. Margate

Tom Angello’s All Star Jazz Series feat. John Coliani & Lee Smith 7-8:30pm

Gregory’s

900 Shore rd. Somers Point

Events subject to change.

HARVEST MENU

OCTOBERFEST MENU

BRAISED SHORT RIBS 22 over roasted shallots and smoked Gouda mashed potatoes topped with celery root noodles

SAUTEED SCALLOPS 30 over pumpkin risotto with an apple cider reduction sauce.

POMEGRANATE GLAZED SALMON 23 over butternut squash, garden peas & corn succotash TUSCAN BRAISED CHICKEN 18 braised thighs with kale, white bean and sun-dried tomatoes topped with arugula pesto

APPLE CIDER INJECTED PRIME PORK CHOP 28 Amaretto crusted pork chop served over seasonal vegetable with an apple cider demi glaze

SAUSAGE PLATTER 22 grilled Weisswurst & Bratwurst served with 3 mustards & beer cheese, served over braised red cabbage & housemade spaetzle PORK OR CHICKEN SCHNITZEL 18 over braised red cabbage & housemade spaetzle

SAUERBRATEN 25 braised beef in a sweet & sour sauce over braised red cabbage & housemade spaetzle

Picking the perfect holiday tree

six- or seven-foot tree. Also, be sure to measure the width of the door to ensure the tree will fit through easily.

By Steffen Klenk

‘Tis the season to be jolly! It’s time to put away the turkey left overs and break out the stockings. The holiday season is upon us, and as the countdown to Christmas moves forward, now is the time to start decorating the house. An integral part of that will include selecting the perfect Christmas tree for your home. Despite the simplicity and ease of artificial trees, there is nothing quite like the thrill of buying a real Christmas tree year to year.

The National Christmas Tree Asso ciation estimates that anywhere from 25-30 million real trees are purchased every year. There are close to 350 mil lion trees growing on farms across the U.S. at any given point, with the largest production in Pennsylvania, oregon, North Carolina, and Michigan. Here’s an interesting fact: it can take up to 15 years for a tree to grow to its typical height of seven feet.

b efore you jump in your car and drive to the nearest tree farm, there are a few key items of information one should know. It is important to measure the ceiling height of the room where you will set up the tree, while taking into consideration your tree topper and stand. A good rule of thumb: if you have an eight-foot ceiling, you’ll want to purchase a

Next, research the different vari ety of trees to choose the best one for your home. Not all trees are cre ated equal. Fraser firs are considered the best-selling species and most attractive and will look good in any home. These types of trees are ap propriate for ornaments of all shapes and sizes with its sturdy branches and silvery-green undersides. Noble Firs are also easy to decorate, with strong branches that can hold up the heaviest and most fragile ornaments.

The balsam Fir has an aromatic scent that will set off instant feelings of Christmas throughout any room of your home. Douglas Firs are another perfect option. Considered one of the most popular Christmas trees in the country, the Douglas Fir is one of the densest trees you will find with its soft, shiny green needles.

o ther common trees include the b lue Spruce. With its silvery-blue needles and symmetrical shape, it’s perfect for holding heavy ornaments and, if kept at optimal temperatures, doesn’t drop many needles. The cone-shaped Norway Spruce gives off a mild, pleasant scent with its attractive forest-green needles.

o nce you have brought your tree home and it has been properly placed, be sure to water it every day. During the first few days, a tree can drink gallons of water, so check your tree stand often. It is also important to note that Christmas trees thrive in cooler conditions. Keep your tree away from any heaters, fireplace, or other objects that can cause it to dry out quickly. Anchor the tree firmly if

you have an adventurous climber of a cat or be sure to keep your pet’s health in mind. If you have a curious cat and dog that likes to chew on ob jects, consider purchasing an artificial tree. real trees may contain chemi cals that can cause health issues to our four-legged friends.

There are many locations in South Jersey where you can find the per fect Christmas tree. below is a list of local tree farms open this season in Atlantic and Cape May counties:

Dupras’ Evergreen Acres ▶ 403 old river road, Mays Landing ▶ Saturdays 9am-4pm, Sundays 10am-4pm ▶ 609-625-2307

Eisele’s Tree Farm ▶ 280 old Tuckahoe rd. Petersburg ▶ Fridays 1-4pm, Saturdays and Sundays 9am-4pm

609-628-2758

Foster’s Holly Ridge Tree Farm

116 S. Chew rd. Hammonton ▶ Thursday-Sunday 9am-4:30pm ▶ 609-561-8575

Littleworth Tree Farm ▶ 1957 Tuckahoe rd. Petersburg ▶ Fridays Noon-4pm; Saturdays & Sundays 9am-4:30pm ▶ 609-628-3346

Ponderosa Tree Farm ▶ 131 S. Manheim Ave. Egg Harbor City

Clothing and Accessories –Jewelry – Candles - Handbags

Shoes from Steve Madden, Vintage Havana and Archies!

Brands including Hidden, Unpublished, Free people, Z supply, Michael Stars, Wildfox, Lucy Paris and so much more!

research has shown that real Christmas trees have vast environ mental benefits. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, real Christmas trees support life on Earth by emitting fresh oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide along with other gases. Farms that are growing the trees not only provide refuge for local wildlife, but they protect water supplies and stabilize oil.

And because they are biodegrad able, your Christmas tree can be easily reused and recycled. They’re used for mulch, wood chips to create pathways and compost filters. Check with your local municipality for pick up dates at the end of the Christmas season. o r, if you have the space, set your tree up in the backyard with popcorn strings or edible ornaments to feed local wildlife, such as birds and squirrels.

Now-November 30th from 11am4pm; December 1st-23rd from 10am-5pm

609-965-4646

R and J Farm ▶ 723 W. Herschel St. Egg Harbor City ▶ Friday-Monday 9am-4:30pm ▶ 609-593-6180

Wenz Christmas Tree Farm ▶ 560 New Jersey Ave. Absecon ▶ Fridays and Saturdays 9am-8pm, Sundays 9am-7pm ▶ 609-432-8880

Steffen Klenk is a photographer and multimedia journalist who enjoys capturing the eclectic moments of shore life. You may contact Steffen at shorelocalsteffen@gmail.com.

Events and Happenings

Thursday, November 24th

Annual Fast & Furriest 5k Turkey Trot

▶8:30am

ocean City Music Pier 825 boardwalk

The Humane Society of o cean City hosts its Annual Fast & Furriest 5k Turkey Trot down the oC boardwalk. For more information, call 609-398-9500 ext. 4 or visit hsocnj.org.

Beesley’s Point Pilgrim Paddle and Bridge Walk/Run

▶9am

beesley’s Point Park

The 15th annual Pilgrim Pride will be held at 9am Thanksgiving morning. The event is a

3 ½ mile row for vanDuyne surfboats, Crew Shells, Coastal rowing Shells, SUP’s and prone paddleboards, starting from the Upper Township Municipal beach in beesley’s Point.

The bridge run and Walk is a free, non-com petitive community event open to all, with Scavenger Hunt lists available for kids and kids at heart. No registration needed; please bring a non-perishable food item(s). For more information, please email UTbP1@aol.com.

Mainland’s 1st Annual Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Kid’s Fun Run

▶9:30am

Mainland regional High School 1301 oak Ave. Linwood

Join the Mainland regional High School Education Foundation & After Prom for their 1st Annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day. race-Packet pick-up is at 8am, with the 1-mile kid’s fun run starting at 9am. Awards to overall winners and top 3 male and female age group finishers in 10 yr. age groups. visit runsignup.com for registration information. For questions, email mrhsafterprom@com cast.net or text or call (563) 580-6023.

Light Show on the Lake ▶Thanksgiving – January 6th from 5:30-8:30pm

Historic Smithville 615 E. Moss Mill rd. It’s the most magical time of year… the

Light Show on the Lake is back at Historic Smithville. Watch as over 100 Christmas trees dance throughout Lake Meone to cheerful holiday tunes. For more informa tion, visit historicsmithville.com.

The Irish Pub Christmas Spectacular ▶Thanksgiving – January 4th 146 St. James Place, Atlantic City

The Irish Pub and Inn is transformed with thousands of twinkling lights, Christ mas trees and one of the largest and most magnificent Christmas displays in our area. Families can enjoy a hearty meal, festive treats, holiday shopping and memorable photo opportunities to last a lifetime. Ex perience the magic of Christmas with The Irish Pub.

Friday, November 25th

Horse & Carriage Rides in Ocean City

▶Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12-3pm

6th & Asbury Avenue

Enjoy Horse and Carriage rides along Downtown Asbury Avenue. For more infor mation, visit oceancityvacation.com.

Christmas in the Downtown ▶2-5:30pm

Asbury Avenue, ocean City

“o ur Miracle on Asbury Avenue.” Join the merchants and Chamber in kicking off an old-fashioned Downtown Christmas. The celebration culminates with the illumination of City Hall and the arrival of Santa at 5pm.

Fourth Friday at Nashville North Studios

▶3-8pm

210 New rd. Suite 8, Linwood

Nashville North Studios will host its monthly Fourth Friday event. This month’s theme is Yuletide Guardians, featuring the art of Alexis Flack and Shana Kestrel, with live music by reid Alburger. For more infor mation, call 609-504-5044 or visit www. nashvillenorthstudios.com.

Santa’s Tree Lighting Celebration at the Zoo

▶5pm

Cape May County Park and Zoo 707 route 9 N. Cape May Court House

The tree lighting celebration at the Zoo takes place this Friday with live holiday music by the John Walter Cape Commu nity band, an ice sculpture demonstration, the polar express train ride, bounce house castle and slide, character appearance, free treats and more. The Ceremony and Lighting of the Tree will be at 5pm. Collect ibles and crafts will be for sale from 2-6pm. Presented by the Cape May County Park and Zoo and Cape May County board of County Commissioners.

Storybook Land’s Christmas Fantasy with Lights

▶Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 5pm

6415 b lack Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township

Experience holiday magic before your eyes. be at Storybook Land by 5pm when Santa Claus appears in his chimney, waves

his magic wand, and lights the park with over one million lights for the holiday sea son. Santa will light the park until December 23rd. Storybook Land’s rides, attraction, and snack bar will be open this Friday and Saturday 2-9pm and Sunday 2-8pm. Learn more and purchase tickets at story bookland.com.

Saturday, November 26th Ocean City Lodge Pancake Breakfast

▶8am

ocean City Masonic Lodge 940 Wesley Ave.

ocean City Lodge No. 171 hosts a Pan cake b reakfast this Saturday. b reakfast includes specialty pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, coffee & juice. $12 adults, $8 chil dren and $10 veterans. Walk-ups welcome; first come, first served. Cash of venmo (@ oC171) at the door. All proceeds benefit the Masonic Lodge building Fund.

EHT Nature Reserve Turkey Trot 5k & 1 Miler

▶9am

317 Zion rd. Egg Harbor Township

The 9th Annual Turkey Trot 5k run and 1 Mile Fun Walk is on. The course is a joy to run and will challenge all participants. You will encounter sandy beaches as you run along the perimeter of a beautiful lake, as well as wooded trails with numerous down hill’s and climbs. Pre-registration starts at 8am, 5k starts at 9am. Parking available at Atlantic Christian School. o nline registra tion closes at 6pm Friday night, November 25. Learn more at runsignup.com. Photos with Santa in Ocean City ▶Saturday and Sunday from 12-3pm ocean City Music Pier

Take your photo with Santa at the Music Pier. For more information, visit oceancity vacation.com.

Margate’s Spectacular Shop Small Event

▶12pm

bocca Coal Fired bistro 7805 ventnor Ave. Margate

The Margate City businesses and restau rant districts celebrate Shop Small Saturday by offering sales, discounts and contests for shoppers, and a visit from American Sign Language Santa. Santa will leave from the Margate Fire Station on Washington Ave nue at Noon on Saturday, travel up Cedar Grove to Atlantic Avenue down to Collidge, and then be escorted down the length of ventnor Avenue to bocca Coal Fired bistro. Santa, his elves, and special characters will be available for pictures. For more infor mation, please visit margatehasmore.com.

Holiday DickensFest at Smithville ▶Saturday, November 26th at 1pm and 7pm & Sunday, November 27th at 1pm

Historic Smithville 615 E. Moss Mill rd. riddlesbrood Touring Theatre Company will bring the Spirit of Christmas back to Historic Smithville when they return to present their two-day outdoor Dickens Fest featuring an original, musical adaptation of “A Christmas Carol,” Charles Dickens’ heartwarming, classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge. For more information, visit his toricsmithville.com.

Mays Landing Holiday Tree Lighting ▶6pm

War Memorial Park Main Street and route 50

Please join the Township of Hamilton for the Annual Holiday Tree Lighting on Saturday. Special guest Santa Claus will visit with the children; hot chocolate and cookies available to all. Presented by the Township of Hamilton and the Township’s Historical Preservation Commission. rain date: Sunday, November 27. For information, call 609-625-1598.

Atlantic City Ballet: It’s a Shore Holiday ▶7-9pm

Caesars Atlantic City 2100 Pacific Ave. This dance review features a blend of contemporary and classical dance all set to your most beloved holiday tunes. Add ↘Continued on 16

singers and a live band and you will be trans ported to a Holiday Winter Wonderland that will capture your inner child’s imagination. Tickets on sale via Ticketmaster. For more information, visit acballet.org.

The Ocean City POPS Presents: Holiday Show

▶7:30pm

ocean City Music Pier

Enjoy your favorite holiday & Christmas songs with the ocean City Pops orchestra. Led by conductor vince Lee, enjoy hearing your classic favorites and modern holiday hits featuring soloist Angel Gomez. For tick ets, visit oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice.

Monday, November 28th

Upper Township Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony

▶6pm

Municipal Hall 2100 Tuckahoe rd. Pe tersburg

Upper Township lights its tree with a special guest appearance by Santa, seasonal songs by Cape Shore Chorus and UT Middle School band. Sponsored by the rotary Club of ocean City & Upper Township.

Tuesday, November 29th 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. Ad

mission is $10 per person. For more infor mation, contact rita voli at (609) 408-3619.

Thursday, December 1st Wreath Class

▶Thursday, December 1st & Friday, December 2nd at 10am

Nature Center of Cape May 1600 Del aware Ave.

Using fresh evergreen, create a hand crafted wreath, garland, or table decoration of distinction that will rival those gracing the pages of expensive specialty catalogs. Greenery and wire are provided, but you’re welcome to bring your own special decora tions. Pre-registration is required. Please visit njaudubon.org/centers/nature-centerof-cape-may/ to sign up.

Holiday Tree Lighting at The Yard

▶4:30pm

The Yard at bally’s 1900 Pacific Ave. Atlantic City

Join bally’s Atlantic City for its o fficial Holiday Tree Lighting and the unveiling of the Winter Wonderland at The Yard on Thursday. Enjoy complimentary hot choc olate, holiday bites and a toy collection for Toys for Kids. The Yard’s Winter Wonder land features holiday décor, holiday cocktails including hot alcoholic drinks, special menus with beer pairings, firepits, cornhole and live entertainment on the weekends.

Deck the Halls Tree Event ▶Now – December 31st Jim Whelan boardwalk Hall 2301 board walk, Atlantic City

Local businesses, organizations, arena partners, and individuals are in vited to Deck the Hall by sponsoring a custom-decorated holiday tree to be on display through the holiday season in the b oardwalk Hall lobby. A portion of the proceeds will be donated directly to CASA for Children of Atlantic, Cape May, and Camden Counties.

Friday, December 2nd Northfield Holiday Tree Lighting

▶6pm

City Hall 1600 Shore rd. Join the Northfield volunteer Fire Company Auxiliary at their Annual Tree Lighting. Additional details can be found online at cityofnorthfield.org.

Ocean City Christmas Parade ▶6pm

Asbury Avenue from 6th-12th Streets o cean City’s Christmas Parade rolls down Asbury Avenue. registration in formation is available at ocnj.us/christ mas-parade.

Somers Point Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting ▶6pm

Shore road to City Hall

The City of Somers Point will host its annual Christmas Parade and tree lighting. The parade begins at Dawes Avenue and continues along Shore road to City Hall at 1 W. New Jersey Avenue. volunteer Fire Companies 1 & 2 will escort Santa Claus to City Hall where the tree lighting will take place after the parade. Parade participants include floats, vehicles, bands, and vehicles.

Santa in the Park in Absecon ▶6:30pm

Heritage Park

For more details, visit www.abseconnj. gov.

Atlantic City Ballet: Nutcracker ▶Friday, December 2nd at 7pm & Saturday, December 3rd at 5pm

Holy Spirit High School 500 S. New rd. Absecon

The Nutcracker, an annual event, has been in the repertoire since 1982. Tickets on sale at holyspirithighschool.com. For more information, visit acballet.org.

Saturday, December 3rd Christmas at the Mansion ▶10am-5pm

Somers Mansion

Shore Local, in partnership with Pa triots for the Somers Mansion, present the 2nd annual Christmas at the Mansion, a holiday extravaganza including over 25 local merchants, food trucks, live music by beth Tinnon, Patti blee and the SSP’s, elves wrapping station, kids activities, and, of course, Santa. Guests will be able to tour the Somers Mansion, the oldest building in Atlantic County, throughout the day. This free community event culminates with a Tree Lighting at 5pm on the grounds of the beautiful and historic Somers Man sion. Learn more at shorelocalnews.com. rain date: December 10.

Health and Wellness

Fall in Love with Wellness

▶Practice Linwood 199 New rd. Linwood

Practice Linwood is giving back to the community leading up to the holiday season by offering classes completely free in No vember. All exercise levels from experienced athlete to beginner welcome. For more information, call (609) 289-2300.

Dementia Support Group

▶Wednesday, December 7th at 2pm

Earth Angels for Dementia 115 route 50, Mays Landing

Held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month. Call Diane Conover at 609402-6966 for more information.

NAMI Connections and Family Support Groups

▶Monday, December 12th 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 Support Group is a support group for adult friends and family members of people with a mental health condition. ww.namiacm.org or call 609-741-5125. NAMI ACM is a non-profit 501C(3) corporation.

Virtual NAMI Family Support Group on Zoom

▶Wednesday, December 28th from 7-8:30pm

NAMI is offering a virtual Family Support Group on the 4th Wednesday of every month. Links for this Zoom meeting can be found on www.namiacm.org, go to the calendar at the top of the page. Select the meeting you would like to attend and click on the link.

Mental Health Support and Discussion Groups

o nline groups are offered daily for a variety of topics, including women, men, LG bTQIA+, individuals aged 18-30. boom ers, anxiety, depression, eating disorder, and many others. To receive a full list and to register, call 609-652-3800 or united bywellness@mhanj.org.

Recovery Groups

More than a dozen groups for individ uals 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 Associ ation in Atlantic County at 609-652-3800.

Wellness Groups

A wide variety of online groups include meditation, art, music, journaling, eating healthy, exercise, spirituality, adult coloring, gratitude, and more. Provided by United by Wellness/Mental Health Association in Atlantic County. To register and receive links by email, call 609-652-3800 or unitedby wellness@mhanj.org.

$3 billion mixed-use project proposed for Bader Field in AC

10,000 apartments could transform the city

the years and we currently have joint ventured over a billion dollars in res idential development in Philadelphia.

“We are excited to partner with Tower in developing Casa Mar which will change the paradigm for this city.

Business Buzz

By Rich Baehrle

Bart blatstein, CEo of Tower Investments Inc. announced a joint venture plan to develop a residential and retail community with trendy food establishments at the vacant bader Field site. His partners will be Post b rothers, a nationally recognized leader in mixed-use community de velopment. The new innovative com munity will feature a mix of 10,000 residential units, 400,000 square feet of office, retail space creatively placed throughout the 140-acre site. In addition, the new community will be high lighted with 20 acres of trails, parks and ame nities which will all be open to the public. The new community will be named Casa Mar.

The estimated $3 billion dollar develop ment is designed to embrace the water along with the spec tacular views of Atlan tic City. It is inspired and modeled after the canals of venice and Amsterdam. It will be a showcase and a masterpiece design that will finally transform bader Field into a community that will maximize its full potential. The former bader Field site is the last largest parcel of undevel oped land in Atlantic City.

“This is a once in a lifetime trans formational opportunity for Atlantic City and together with Tower and Post brothers will make this happen, “said bart blatstein, CEo of Tower Invest ments, Inc. “The development is a key part of the renaissance of Atlantic City and the highlight of my career. It is an honor to partner with my dear friends and fellow developers, Mathew and Michael Pestronk of Post b rothers. o ur two companies have created bil lions of dollars of development over

“ said Michael Pestronk, CEo of Post b rothers. Together we will develop and epic waterfront community that will set a new standard for living not only in Atlantic City, but in the entire U.S.”

both Tower Investments and Post b rothers have long track records of creating Class-A mixed use residen tial communities and delivering on their vision to create the most desir able ultra-large scale neighborhoods.

The project will be developed in five phases, over 12 years. It is projected it will create more than 44,000 construction jobs and 8,000 permanent jobs which will include the training and employment of a huge local workforce.

“Atlantic City is the greatest op portunity in America today.” blatstein said. “Governor Phil Murphy and Lieutenant Governor Sheila o liver are inspiring with their enlightened leadership and their love and passion for Atlantic City’s future. o ur confi dence in their leadership propelled this plan.”

During the press conference, the developers Tower and Post b rothers said Casa Mar will be the most eco nomically beneficial project and most inclusive in Atlantic City’s history.

“We look forward to an open and transparent process.” b latstein promised. “If approved, we pledge to create in Atlantic City the most exceptional waterfront community in the country.

It is time for the officials of Atlantic City to partner with reputable proven developers who will bring a showcase projection to fruition.

Casa Mar proposed mixed-use residential, retail and food to go at bader Field in Atlantic City

b art b latstein, CEo of Tower Investments Inc. announced a joint venture plan to develop a residential and retail community with trendy food establishments at the vacant bader Field site. His partners will be Post nized leader in mixed-use community development. The new innovative community will feature a mix of 10,000 residential units, 400,000 sf of office, retail space creatively placed throughout the 140-acre site. In addition, the new community will be highlighted with 20 acres of trails, parks and amenities which will all be open to the public. The new commu nity will be named Casa Mar.

The estimated $3 development is designed to embrace the water along with the spectacular views of Atlantic City. It is inspired and modeled after the canals of venice and Amsterdam. It will be a showcase and a masterpiece design that will finally transform into a community that will maximize its full potential. The former Field site is the last largest parcel of undeveloped land in Atlantic City.

“This is a once in a lifetime trans formational opportunity for Atlantic City and together with Tower and Post “said Investments, Inc. “The development is a key part of the renaissance of Atlantic City and the highlight of my career. It is an honor to partner with my dear friends and fellow develop ers, Mathew and Michael Pestronk of Post have created billions of dollars of development over the years and we currently have joint ventured over a billion dollars in residential develop ment in Philadelphia.

“We are excited to partner with Tower in developing Casa Mar which will change the paradigm for this City. “ said Michael Pestronk, CEo of Post b rothers. Together we will develop and epic waterfront community that will set a new standard for living not only in Atlantic City, but in the entire US.”

Jersey shore listed as one of top worldwide destinations

the article reads. “The area as a whole has had a bit of a renaissance,” Distefano said.

By Sarah Fertsch Staff Writer

Travel + Leisure Magazine just listed the Jersey Shore as one of the Top 50 plac es to visit in 2023, and we couldn’t be less surprised.

The magazine listed the Jersey Shore under the category of ‘ b est beach vibes,’ along with Maui, riviera Maya in Mexico, the virgin Islands, Coastal Uruguay, Guadalupe, the Cayman Islands, and bermuda.

The article dismisses the repu tation established by the MT v show with the same name and encourages travelers to explore the classy beauty of the Mid-Atlantic coastal region.

“Even Atlantic City is now substan tially more chic, after many casino re sorts, including bally’s, Caesars, and o cean, used the pandemic-induced dip in visitors to undertake hundreds of millions of dollars in renovations,”

The Travel + Leisure editors address the highlights of the Jersey Shore, which has had a significant role in beach culture in America across

decades. Summer nights strolling the boardwalk, riding roller coasters on amusement piers, iconic treats like funnel cake, lobster rolls, kettle corn, and boardwalk fries, and breathtaking ocean views are all foundational parts of the Jersey Shore stay.

o ur area is listed among fantastic destinations such as Havana (in Cu ba), California’s wine country, Madrid (in Spain), Kyoto (in Japan), New Zea land, and vienna (in Austria).

In September, the magazine list

ed a guide to the perfect trip to Cape May, highlighting the enchanting, victorian mansions, Washington Square Mall, Emlen Physick Estate, and Congress Hall. “Cape May represents the best of the Jersey Shore,” wrote Lindsey Cohn, author of the piece.

“Cape May (or the Jersey Shore) is so much more than a summer spot,” said Cohn. “There’s a mix of nostalgia and novelty, with ample year-round attractions, and the town really comes to life around Christmas, with Congress Hall transforming into a proper winter wonderland.”

In a 2021 article on the best towns along the Jersey Shore, Travel + Lei

sure gave a shout-out to Atlantic City, Wildwood, and ocean City (along with Asbury Park and Seaside Heights). The magazine listed o cean City as the best family resort with tens of activities for kids of all ages, Atlantic City’s rich history through the Absec on Lighthouse, Steel Pier, and speakeasies like the Knife and Fork, and Wild wood’s thrilling boardwalk. Tell us something we don’t know! As locals and lovers of the Jersey Shore, we hope that more and more folks take part in the wonder of our beach towns and boardwalks.

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.

As the cool, salty air settles in along the coast, many shore homeowners and business es 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

Storybook Land sparkles for the holidays with more than 1 million lights

By Steffen Klenk

Storybook Land is getting into the spirit of the season in a big way.

Last week, the popular South Jersey attraction was illumi nated, for the first time this year, with more than 1 million lights. Children young and old gathered Santa’s house as the big man himself appeared from his chimney, waved his magic wand, and turned on all the lights to kick off the holiday season.

The Christmas Fantasy with Lights is a South Jersey tradition that dates back more than 30 years. As you drive up, be sure to check out the illuminated entrance, complete with Santa and his reindeer guiding the way. Walking into the park feels like entering a winter wonderland.

Shore Local was in attendance for opening night ceremonies, which included performances by the award-winning Fralinger String band. The group strutted around the entire park, playing timeless Mummer classics and holiday favorites which everyone could sing along to.

Then at 5 p.m., the magic of the season came to life as Santa appeared

from the chimney of his house, said hello to the onlookers below, and asked all the little children if they had been nice all year long. And, with just a sprinkle of magic and a wave of his wand, the park was brought to life in more than a million lights.

The park itself is truly a sight to behold this time of year. As you make your way through Sto rybook Land, be sure to check out the dazzling synchronized light display. Tens of thousands of lights come to life to the sounds of some of your favorite Christmas hits.

Stop by Jingle bell Junction, where you can enjoy the Leh mann Gross b ahn (LG b) train display. Say hello to Santa’s rein deer, view the display at Santa’s Workshop, and, of course, check out all the rides and attractions.

Since 1955, Storybook Land has attracted visitors from throughout the region and around the world. This ac claimed South Jersey landmark keeps the joy of childhood alive in an atmosphere that is educational and entertaining. It is a place where you can relive childhood memories while introducing new generations to classic fairy tales and themes of wonderment.

Storybook Land is located at 6415 black Horse Pike in Egg Harbor Township. It's open for the holidays from 2 to 9 p.m. Saturdays, 2 to 8

b e there by 5 p.m. to watch as the lights are turned on every night through Dec. 23. The park is also hosting its Toys for Tots Toy Drive Dec. 1-23. For every toy donated, patrons will receive a coupon good for one hot chocolate and popcorn.

For updated hours of operation, advance tickets, or additional infor mation, see www.storybookland.com.

p.m. Sundays, and 4:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays through the month of December.

Photos by Steffen Klenk

A Look Back

By Fred Miller

o cean City was founded in 1879 by the Honorable Simon Lake, rev. S. Wes

Trains helped Ocean City develop rapidly

ley Lake, rev. Ezra b/ Lake, rev. James E. Lake, rev. William H. burrell, and rev. William b . Wood. The decisions they made in 1879 and 1880 laid the founda tion for America’s greatest family resort.

The founders knew that for the town to grow and prosper it had to be acces sible to people from New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

During the first year, they organized the Pleasantville and o cean City rail road Company. A railroad was laid from Pleasantville to Somers Point and on oc tober 26, 1880, trains began make daily trips to Somers Point. Passengers would exit the train and board a steamboat for the short trip across the bay to o cean City.

November 24, 1884, was a special day in ocean City. It was on that day that the West Jersey railroad began operat ing trains from Sea Isle City into ocean City. The railroad crossed Corson’s Inlet entering the southern end of o cean City, continuing north to Eighth Street station. by the summer of 1885, there were three train routes to o cean City: Phil adelphia to Atlantic City, to Longport, steamboat to o cean City; Philadelphia to Somers Point, steamboat to o cean City; and the all-rail route, Philadelphia to ocean City, through Sea Isle City.

William b . Wood, president of the o cean City Association, wrote the fol lowing in 1885: “It must be plain to all that we have passed the crises in the history of o cean City. o ur existence, develop ment, rapid advancement, is no longer a problem—it is an assured fact. We have astonished even the railroad men as well as others, the snort o the iron horse and the shrill whistle of the locomotive will hereafter be familiar to our people.”

The Pleasantville and Ocean City Rail Road Company was organized in 1880 and a railroad built from Pleasantville to Somers Point. A steamboat ferried passen gers to the Fourth Street wharf in Ocean City. This drawing was in the 1882 Annual Report of the Ocean City Association.

fur babies safe around holiday plants

to overwinter indoors. Geraniums, begonias, and oleander are all toxic for your pets and should be kept in a place that will not be accessible by your pets.

Le t It Grow

By Tammy Thornton

Pretty plants and flowers make great gifts to give or receive around the holidays. This time of year, garden nurseries and grocery stores sell potted plants and flowers festive ly-wrapped and ready to go as quick and easy hostess gifts. You may even decide to pick one up for yourself. but use caution when bringing new plants

If you do suspect that your pet may have ingested something toxic, time is of the essence. Dr. Kimberlee Glenn, of Absecon veterinary Hos pital and Emergency Service, says, “ bring your pet to the vet right away, even if you think it ate something hours ago. There are still things a veterinarian can do to lessen the toxin absorption and help diminish the damage. With many ingestions, we will ask the owner or we will call the ASPCA toxin hotline, and set up a case number since they have a huge database for the best recommended treatment protocols. They will follow the case throughout the process and give advice. There is a fee, but it is well worth it.”

If you’d like to avoid some of this holiday stress, you can choose among some of the many non-tox ic options when it comes to indoor plants. Though the American So ciety for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) warns “that the consumption of any plant material may cause vomiting and gastroin testinal upset for dogs and cats”, they do offer safer alternatives on their website aspca.org. The suggested plants on the ASPCA’s list are rated as either non-toxic or those that may cause symptoms of mild GI upset if ingested but “are not expected to be life-threaten ing to your pets.” When in doubt, search the ASPCA’s website for the plant in question, to determine if the plant is safe for your pet.

ASPCA Animal Poison Con trol Center has a 24 hours a day, 365 days a year hot-line. If you think your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, call 1-800-4264435.

home to live with you. Your curious pets may want to sample your gifts with disastrous results. Keep toxic plants far from the paws of your fur babies and choose non-toxic options for a safe and joyous holiday.

Kissing your sweetheart under the mistletoe might send your heart a flutter, but it could send your pet to the animal hospital. If your pet ingests American mistletoe, it could cause vomiting, diarrhea, difficult breath ing, and a low heart rate—and there’s nothing romantic about that! Some of the most popular holiday plants such as poinsettia, holly, amaryllis, peace lily, and paperwhites are also toxic to pets. So be sure to keep these out of the reach of your furry friends.

Don’t forget about plants that you may have brought in from the garden

Fortunately, one particular holiday favorite, Christmas cactus, is listed as non-toxic to dogs and cats. This tropical plant can live for decades and provides bursts of color with exotic flowers in cheery shades of pink and red. Depending on the va riety, you can also find Thanksgiving cactus and Easter cactus. Each can be identified by the unique shape of its leaves—or you can just wait and see when it blooms.

Some other non-toxic options are spider plant, boston fern, phalaenop sis orchid, African violet, American rubber plant, gerbera daisy, and par lor palm. So you don’t have to settle for fake silk or plastic flowers to keep your pets safe. Consider some of these alternatives when giving gifts to pet owners, for a happy holiday with a little less drama.

The

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.

Choose non-toxic Christmas cactus as a safe choice for pet owners.

Shoppers flock to Earlier than the Bird event

Photos by Steffen Klenk

Ocean City kicked off the holiday shopping season at its annual Earlier Than the bird event. Shoppers strolled Asbury Avenue in their pa jamas in search of great deals and

discounts. The festivities continue all weekend long with Horse and Carriage rides from Noon until 3pm. The city will celebrate its “Miracle on Asbury Avenue” this Friday, Novem ber 25th at 5pm with a tree lighting and the arrival of Santa Claus at City Hall.

Celebrate an old-fashioned Christmas on Black Friday

Ocean City Pops o rchestra Performs Special Holiday Show on Saturday o cean City’s smalltown version of “ black Friday” takes place on Friday, Nov. 25. Christmas in the Downtown – “o ur Miracle on Asbury Avenue” – goes from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event will feature carolers and performers along downtown As bury Avenue between Sixth Street and 14th Street.

Downtown stores will offer dis count shopping for gifts, and many Asbury Avenue restaurants will be open. Free horse-and-carriage rides will be available noon to 3 p.m. with boarding at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue. Santa will visit with children 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Mark Soifer Park (Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue). Entertainment and Christmas carols will begin at 4 p.m. on the steps of City Hall at Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue.

The event culminates around 5 p.m. when Santa Claus will emerge on the rooftop of City Hall. With the

help of an o cean City Fire Department ladder truck, Santa will descend and help light the Christ mas Tree and illuminate City Hall.

The shopping dis counts will continue on Nov. 26 as downtown merchants celebrate Small business Saturday.

Music lovers can enjoy a special holiday per formance of the o cean City Pops o rchestra on Saturday, Nov. 26. Led by conductor vince Lee, the Pops will perform clas sic favorites and modern holiday hits featuring soloist Angel Gomez. More information and online ticket sales are available at oceancityvacation.com/ boxoffice or by calling 609-399-6111. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. at the ocean City Music Pier.

Co MING UP

Free Horse and Carriage rides (weekends through Dec. 17-18): Noon

to 3 p.m. with boarding at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue. For more infor mation, call 1-800- b EACH-NJ.

Fast & Furriest 5k Turkey Trot (Nov. 24): The annual Thanksgiving morning 5-kilometer run begins at 8:30 a.m. and follows a course down the ocean City boardwalk. The event also includes a 5K walk and a one-mile fun run. Sponsored by the Humane

Society of ocean City. o nline registration is at runsignup.com, and race-day registration opens at 7 a.m. at the ocean City Music Pier.

visits With Santa (weekends through Dec. 17-18): 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Mark Soifer Park (Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue). For more information, call 1-800- b EACHNJ.

Photos With Santa in an oCb P Lifeguard boat (weekends through Dec. 17-18): 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the ocean City Mu sic Pier. For more information, call 1-800- b EACH-NJ.

Christmas Parade (Dec. 2): 6 p.m. on Asbury Avenue from 6th Street to 12th Street. registration for anybody who would like to be in the parade is still open at ocnj.us/christmas-pa rade.

Holiday book Sale (Dec. 2-3): The Friends and volunteers of the o cean City Free Public Library will hold a used book sale in the atrium of the library (1735 Simpson Avenue) 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2; and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Shop for books, audiobooks and more.

Train Show (Dec. 3-4): Free admis sion to model train show 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

‘Willy Wonka J r ’ (Dec. 10-11): o cean City Theatre Company stu dents in grades 3 to 8 will present this stage adaptation of roald Dahl’s classic story. Show times are 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11. More infor mation and online ticket sales are available at oceancityvacation.com/ boxoffice or by calling 609-399-6111.

o cean City Holiday Spectacular (Dec. 16-18): A cast of professional singers and dancers will present a high-energy, family–oriented, songand-dance tribute to the holidays. The o cean City Theatre Company show will feature dazzling costumes, familiar songs, special guests,

toe-tapping numbers and special effects in a musical journey through seasonal favorites. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17; and 2 p.m. Dec. 18 at the o cean City Music Pier. More in formation and online ticket sales are available at oceancityvacation.com/ boxoffice or by calling 609-399-6111.

First Night New Year’s Eve Celebra tion (Dec. 31): Celebrate New Year’s Eve with the entire family. The 30th anniversary of this will feature traditional favorites like rides, ice-skating and magicians, along with headline entertainment including the Chicago tribute band and the bee Gees tribute band Stayin’ Alive. For a complete schedule and to purchase all-inclusive admission but tons, please visit firstnightocnj.com.

First Day Celebration (Jan. 1, 2023): Activities include a 1 p.m. 5K run on the boardwalk (pre-register at www.ocnj.us/race-events), a 2 p.m. First Dip polar plunge, and an all-day Shopping Extravaganza. nightocnj.com for more information.

Photos by Donald B Kravitz

Ocean City could be the perfect Hallmark Movie charming town

By Sarah Fertsch Staff Writer

Hallmark has become the king of Christmas, not only with their abun dance of holiday greeting cards, but with their unlimited feelgood movies. The Hallmark Channel’s Christmas Countdown includes over 25 days of new made-for-T v films, almost always following a blossoming romance learning the true reason for the season.

The single protagonist always moves from a big city to a small, quaint town overflowing with Christmas activities. Even the big gest Scrooge falls in love under the mistletoe while Santa Claus smiles down on them, switching their name from the naughty list to the nice.

Although some plotlines in these films may seem unrealistic, the pic ture-perfect towns are based on the real world. In fact, o cean City is the epitome of a 'Hallmark Christmas' town, and here’s why:

Wholesome Family Values

America’s Greatest Family resort

aligns perfectly with Hallmark: Faith-driven, traditional and family-oriented. Hallmark doesn’t need to worry about its main characters getting drunk because o cean City is a dry town.

Adorable Downtown Asbury Avenue is the pic ture-perfect representation of a Hallmark movie shopping district. It’s walkable, offers a variety of cute specialty restau rants, and includes a dozen of fash ion-forward boutiques to ensure that the main characters look stunning. Groups can take pictures on Ninth and Asbury by the lifeguard boat with Santa after doing some holiday shopping at Stainton’s. (Supporting local crafters, artisans and small businesses)

There’s Plenty of Christmas Cheer

o cean City offers tens of Christ mas events, where you and your new man can meet. Take your nieces and nephews to the annual holiday parade and wave to Santa as he lights up City Hall. Wear matching pajamas to

the Earlier-Than-The- bird Shopping Extravaganza. ride in a free horsedrawn carriage. Can it get any more winter-wonderful?!

Picture-Perfect Locations

Every budding love story needs some special spots to smooch. As you hold hands on the boardwalk, you and your lover can kiss under the Music Pier (and when the giant old-fash ioned clock strikes 9pm, you can run back to your seaside cottage under the moonlight). In the morning, you can sip coffee on the beach, cozy in his sweatshirt while he catches waves in a wetsuit. During your lovey-dov ey montage, you can ride the ferris

wheel or v ictorian carousel, share a doughnut from Drip N Scoop or the Fractured Prune, and bike over the Ninth Street bridge.

Small Businesses Only!

Characters can stop into cute little businesses like ready's, Positively Fourth Street Cafe, Dak’s Kayaks, Peace of Wood, or Heritage Surf Shop, reminding the city-dweller that small towns and the families that make up that town add to one’s quality of life.

Live, Love, Local

The #1 best part of ocean City is that it is beloved by year-round is landers, mainland folks who spend a week there each year, and all visitors in-between. Places like Corson’s Inlet, A La Mode Ice Cream Shop, Waverly beach, and Castaway Cove Playland make o cean City one of the best places on Earth, not just America’s Greatest Family resort. So, Hallmark, if you need a new location to shoot another Christmas masterpiece, choose o cean City. We would love to bring our small town magic to the silver screen.

Ocean City Arts Center to host annual student-teacher mosaics and pottery show

The ocean City Arts Center will host the Annual oCAC Pottery and Mosaic Stu dent and Teacher exhibit December 1 through December 17. The show will feature hundreds of pottery and mosaic pieces created by 28 of the Arts Center’s students and teachers. Many of these participants

artwork is for sale and prices begin as modest as $5. Pottery and mosaics make great, affordable one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts.

The participating teachers are: Joe DiMatteo; Collette Smith and Jill Snyder. A sample of the students in the show are Linda Higbee; Paula boi leau; Anne Cancelmo; veronica Dull; v icki Thurlow-Lew is; Gloria Scarella Mahoney;Whitney Hanna; Joanne Price; Susan Kane; Mary beth Spiegel; brianne Shaner; Jenna reisig; Cassen brunetti; and Sarah Fertsch.

have created art for several decades. There will be a reception on Friday, December 2 from 6pm to 8pm. The Arts Center is open 9 am to 9 pm, Monday through Friday, and 9 am to 3 pm on Saturday to see the show. The

For further in formation call (609) 399-7628. The o cean City Arts Cen ter is located on the second floor in the Community Center at 1735 Simpson Avenue, o cean City, New Jersey 08226. Check out the o cean City Arts Center Facebook page and Instagram for photos of the work. Hours of operation are 9am to 9am, Monday through Friday and 9am to 3pm on Saturday. The Arts Center is closed on Sunday.

This program is made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Eat plenty of brown rice

Nu trition

By Nancy Adler

Brown rice provides many vitamins and minerals, such as calcium and iron. b rown rice is rich in phenols and flavonoids, two types of antioxidants that help reduce damage to the cells and the risk of premature aging.

Enjoy brown rice as a whole grain only a few times a week. Even if organically grown, all rice can still contain some arsenic. Swap out rice for low arsenic grains quinoa, barley, buckwheat and millet. brown rice also contains an antinutrient known as physic acid, or phytate, that makes it more difficult to digest. While phytic acid may offer some health benefits, it also reduces your body’s ability to absorb iron and zinc from foods.

Whole grains like oatmeal, brown rice, whole wheat bread, and other unrefined grains tend to be high in fi ber. Fiber helps to fight inflammation.

brown rice has a higher nutritional value and more health benefits than white rice. There are several reasons why it deserves to be known as a “su perfood.” brown rice is considered a whole grain as it preserves all of its original goodness.

The challenge with cooking brown rice is that it has a harder hull than white rice. This hull is a nutritious bran layer that is left on during mulling. So all too often, brown rice

will get overcooked. It may have a mushy surface with cooked insides. Alternatively, the surface might seem perfect, yet the rice will be hard and uncooked inside. brown rice can take up to 45 minutes to cook fully. The correct cook time and water ratio depend on the cooking method you use. Properly cooked rice should have a slightly chewy consistency. over cooked rice will be hard and crunchy.

Please enjoy my rec ipe from my cookbook, “Nancy’s r ecipes for Life,” available in my Lin wood office location and Capellas o il and vinegar store in o cean City. The cookbook makes a great stocking stuffer!

Foolproof Oven-Baked Brown Rice

Ingredients:

● 1 1/2 cups organic brown rice (un cooked)

● 2 1/2 cups water

● 2 teaspoons of olive oil

● 1 teaspoon of salt

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375 F�� and move a rack to the middle position.

Spread the rice into an 8-inch square, glass baking dish.

In a covered saucepan on the stove, bring the water and oil to a boil over high heat.

o nce it begins to boil, stir in the salt and pour over the rice.

Cover the baking dish tightly with a double layer of foil.

b ake for one hour until tender. remove from the oven and uncover.

Fluff the rice with a fork, then cover it with a clean kitchen towel.

Let rice stand for 5 minutes.

Uncover for another 5 minutes, then serve immediately.

Nutritional information:

● Fat: 1.7 grams

● Carbohydrates: 22.9 grams

● Calories: 117.2

● Protein: 2.3 grams

● Serves 3

Nancy Adler is a certified nutritionist and practitioner in Linwood. Her office is located in Cornerstone Commerce Center, 1201 New Rd. Learn about her practice at ww.nancyadlernutri tion.com (609)653-4900. Nancy is the Recipient of the Best of The Press 2020, 2021, and 2022 Gold Award. You may listen to Nancy every Saturday at 11 am Nancy Ad ler Nutrition LIVE! NewsTalk 1400 WOND and 92.3 the station is fm

Eagles fans celebrate comeback victory in Ventnor

By Steffen Klenk

It may have been a cold, blustery day at ventnor’s Ski b each, but Eagles fans from across South Jersey dressed in layers, brought out the warm hats and gloves, and braved the chilled condi tions to watch their team battle the Colts on the big screen. The ventnor City Special Events team held a special viewing party Sunday, just as the team got ready to celebrate its 9th win of the season.

There were plenty of activities to keep ev eryone busy. Food trucks lined the walkway to feed hungry fans in atten dance. o utdoor space heaters pro vided some warmth for attendees. Fans huddled with their blankets and warm drinks to watch as the Eagles defeat the Colts, in a fourth-quarter comeback, by a score of 17-16. The Eagles are now 9-1 on the season.

The City of ventnor is plan ning another exciting event in the weeks ahead. The annual Twilight Holiday Parade is Saturday, December 3 at 5pm, beginning at ventnor and Troy Avenues. o nlookers will enjoy an array of marching bands, firetrucks, floats, and the ar

rival of Santa and Mrs. Claus, followed by Af ter-Parade festivities at Pocket Park on ventnor and o akland Avenues. More information can be found at ventnorcity.org/ special-events.

by Steffen Klenk

Photos

Group of fans huddle together for an Eagles chant.

By Daniel Sulpizio

The holidays are quickly approaching, and along with the excitement of the season and the joy of spending time with family friends often comes stress. How will we finish everything on our to do list – and how will we pay for it without going into debt? Here are a few steps you can take to reduce your financial stress over the coming weeks.

Shopping

When shopping for gifts, be sure to shop around. If you limit your shopping to one particular store, you could overpay in a variety of ways. When you shop somewhere new, you may be able to take advantage of special offers for first-time custom ers. Do a quick online search before buying to reveal a range of prices from both big box and specialty stores.

You can also check out loss lead ers, which are the special sale items a

Have yourself a frugal, stress-free Christmas

store puts out at a specific time, such as black Friday specials. Looking for a timely deal on a preferred item can help you save, but remember that once the loss leader attracts you to the store, other items in that store may not offer such deep discounts.

An economical alternative to the store-bought present is a homemade gift. From DIY sugar scrubs to hot cocoa kits, there are many unique and cost-effective homemade op tions. If you have time or talent to give, a coupon promising a home repair, car wash, home-cooked meal or other service could also delight the recipient, while helping you cut costs.

Shipping and Wrapping

o nce you have purchased gifts, try to avoid a hidden cost of gift-giv ing: shipping. As more shippers switch to a size-based freight rate, even lightweight items can be expen sive to ship, so be sure that the $15 toy you’ve purchased won’t cost $20 to ship. In some cases, you can avoid the fee entirely by shipping directly from an online merchant.

When wrapping gifts, thinking “outside the box” can help you save money. Do you have old maps that you haven’t needed since you started using GPS? Add a bow or a silhouette of Santa’s sleigh for a unique and col orful giftwrap. o r use plain brown paper bag for a rustic, eco-friendly look. And there’s no need to buy gift tags if you write the recipient’s name directly on the wrapped gift with a colorful marker.

Entertaining

It’s wonderful to have a house filled with family and friends, but it can be expensive to feed a crowd. If you’re hosting, shop the sales. Grocery stores often offer deals on foods normally associated with the holiday. You might even consider visiting more than one store to take advantage of the best prices at each location.

r emember that certain side dishes, such as potatoes and rice, are relatively inexpensive, and local produce in season is less expensive than exotic fruits or vegetables. When searching for recipes, be

mindful of the pantry items you already have, and avoid costly ingre dients that you’re not likely to use again. If the cost of hosting a holiday dinner is causing you stress, consider hosting brunch instead. b reakfast casseroles, waffles, pancakes, and homemade baked goods can feed a crowd economically.

Budgeting

First Harvest Credit Union has free financial education program called MoneyEdu. It offers articles, videos, and other resources to help members reach their financial goals. MoneyEdu’s article on “Avoiding Surprises with Holiday Spending” suggests using a holiday spending worksheet to develop a realistic budget for anticipated expenses. Just use a computer spreadsheet, make a list on your mobile device, or even write in a notebook, including categories such as:

● Gifts for family, friends, and oth ers on your list

● Giftwrap and shipping

● Ingredients and packaging for food gifts

● Holiday meal expenses

● Christmas cards and postage

● Travel and entertainment

o nce you’ve listed your holiday needs, you can decide how much to spend on each. If the total cost is more than you can afford to spend, look for ways to reduce expenses. Could you suggest a Pollyanna or Secret Santa at work rather than buying for every co-worker? Could you host a potluck New Year’s Eve party instead of providing all the food yourself? A fresh look at each category can help you keep spending in check.

If you need help creating a bud get, MoneyEdu offers an online bud geting tool that’s secure and easy to use. As an added incentive to try the tool, MoneyEdu is hosting a $1,000 b udget Challenge Sweepstakes. First Harvest members who create or update their budgets in the pro gram before December 31, 2022, are automatically entered for a chance to win $1,000. The contest details are available at firstharvestcu.com/ moneyedu. It’s the perfect time to learn how First Harvest Credit Union and MoneyEdu can help you have a frugal, stress-free Christmas.

Daniel Sulpizio is the Execu tive Vice President and COO of First Harvest Credit Union.

Margate Shop Small Business weekend packed with sales, contests, discounts and fun

The Margate business and restaurant districts will be celebrating Shop Small b usiness weekend Friday, Nov. 25, through Sunday, Nov. 27, by offering sales, discounts, contests and a visit from American Sign Lan guage (ASL) Santa.

Santa will travel from the Margate Fire Station on Washington Avenue beginning noon Saturday, Nov. 26, up Cedar Grove Avenue to Atlantic Av enue, down to Coolidge Avenue, and then down the length of ventnor Ave nue escorted by the Margate City fire and police departments to bocca Coal Fired b istro on Essex Avenue. Santa will be accompanied in his beach patrol boat by his trusty elf and unicorn.

In front will be Miss New Jersey 2022 Augustina Mallous; Leslie’s Dance Studio dancers, who will perform in front of bocca; and the Playgroups Plus “Candy Express” students, walking and riding in their decorated golf carts.

Cartoon characters b uzz Light year and Minion will ride high above the streets in Margate’s 5-ton Storm Truck. The Atlantic County Utilities Authority CNG pickup truck will de liver Supercan, and the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Atlantic City Division, will march the parade route.

Lucy the Elephant (the inflatable version) will glide down ventnor Ave nue and the 95.1 WAY v / 100.7 WZXL van will be playing all of your favorite holiday tunes. Santa, his elves, a uni corn, buzz Lightyear and the Minion will also be available for pictures and visits both outside of bocca and in side the restaurant, where children can enjoy a complimentary slice of pizza and beverage along with a wrapped Wawa cookie and craft kit.

USADJ Karaoke will be offering Holiday Songs Karaoke, 95.1 WAY v will have DJ for a day and pianist Shawn Quigley will be performing on his red piano inside bocca. Also, the Margate Mothers Association will be offering a free holiday craft. Children can drop off their letters to Santa in a special mailbox in the foyer of bocca from Saturday, Nov. 25, to Sunday Dec. 4 at 6 p.m.

Several contests are planned.

o n Saturday, there will be a scav enger hunt for coupons hidden in small holiday boxes that will be placed throughout the business districts. Nothing will be hidden inside of a business.

Sustainable Margate will be dis tributing reusable bags on Saturday at bocca and participants can spin a wheel or play the quiz game to win prizes. bags are limited.

New Jersey Fairy Hair will be on hand at bocca ready to adorn your hair with sparkly strand extensions. A portion of the proceeds from New Jersey Fairy Hair will be donated to the Atlantic County Toys for Kids Program. Guests are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to the program.

visit the annually decorated Mar gate recreation fields on Jerome Ave

nue. This year features new lights and attractions beginning Thanksgiving Eve Wednesday, Nov. 23. The lights will go on daily at dusk. It will be a great picture-taking opportunity.

Shoppers are also invited to enter receipts Are All the rage (r AAr). Customers can take a photo of their receipt from any Margate business purchase made between Friday, Nov. 25, and Sunday, Nov. 27, and send the receipt photo to info@margatehas more.com. There will be one random ly selected winner who will receive a gift certificate from the store of purchase. Winners will be notified via email.

Anyone who turns out for the weekend-long celebration can enter the Shop Small Selfie Contest. Just take a picture in front of your favor

ite business and send the photo to info@margate hasmore.com by Sunday, Nov. 27. on Monday, public voting for the best photo will begin with the winner announced on Dec. 4. For additional informa tion, see margatehasmore. com. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

11 SINGLE-FAMILY EXECUTIVE HOMES

Sponsors include Margate City Police Department, Margate City Fire Department, Margate b usiness Association, bocca Coal Fire Pizza, USADJ, Wawa, Colmar Home Center, 95.1 WAY v, 100.7 WZXL, TacoCat, Giovanni’s Handkerchiefs, Fantazzia’s Co., Dino’s Subs and Pizza, Sustain able Margate, Shore Local News magazine and the Margate Mothers Association.

A Tribute to Don Williams, legendary radio broadcaster

journalists transitioning to radio in the area.

By Scott Cronick

The word “legend” is way overused anymore. It seems like people like to label anyone who is popular a “legend.”

In the case of Don Williams, the word might not be used enough.

For all of us in South Jersey, we have been lucky to have quite a few legends – real legends - in radio. I had the privilege of sitting alongside the late b ob b urns on a weekly basis, which led to me occasionally filling in for New Jersey b roadcaster Hall of Famer Pinky Kravitz – who at the time of his death was the longest running broadcaster at one station in the nation - and eventually filling his time slot (but never taking his place) when he died in 2015.

There were many others along the way who have left us: former broadcaster and Wo ND owner Howard Green; his right-hand man and GM Dick Ireland; b arbara Alt man, who was the first woman to be inducted into the New Jersey broadcasters Hall of Fame; and Son ny Schwartz, who pioneered print

We still have other legends among us: Harry Hurley, another Hall of Fam er who has been on the air more than 30 years and routinely fills in nation ally for FoX News radio hosts; Jerry “The Geator with the Heater” b lavat, who is honored in the rock and roll Hall of Fame and has been broad casting for more than 60 years; and former Philadelphia T v sports and weatherman Tom Lamaine, an Atlan tic City native who still broadcasts locally and simultaneously worked in radio and T v for more than 50 years.

And I am sure there are others I am missing.

So, it’s only fitting that Don Wil liams – yes, another New Jersey broadcasters Hall of Famer – will be honored at the Chief Arthur r brown Jr. Memorial Scholarship Foundation on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at Greate bay Country Club, the reason I decided to pay Williams some long overdue homage.

Where the legend began

Williams, who like many legends won’t reveal his age, grew up in Phila delphia but moved around quite a bit, including a surprising relocation to Chester County, Pa., which Williams called “a shock to the system,” but awoke the music lover in him.

“My father was an alcoholic, and I think that had something to do with us moving a lot. We moved out to the country where the nearest house was

over 2½ miles away,” said Williams, whose memory is exceptional. “ b ut it seasoned me. I remember after football practice walking home about 2 miles. And on that walk was a cem etery, so after a late-night movie, I would run the last mile to get through it. b ut I started to listen to country music there.”

That’s where Williams said he also developed his legendary voice … by accident.

“I was working on the combine at a farm where I bagged the wheats and the oats as they came out of the chute,” Williams said. “I wore a bandana over my mouth, but the dust was flying, and I think I got a little country in my throat. My voice changed.”

Williams got himself a set of drums and joined his high school classmate to start a country act, eventually win ning an amateur contest that led to his first radio job.

“There was this station in Coates ville, Pa. – WCoJ – and they had this live, country band show like a mini Grand o le o pry on Saturday after noons. They found out me and my buddy won the contest and asked us to do some numbers on that show. Then they asked us to go on the road. They couldn’t pay us, but we played in fairs and at different places around the area because of WCoJ.”

Soon after, a country music pro moter called Williams, asking him to help promote his acts.

“He wanted me to do the Saturday show in Coatesville where I would just do the pitch for his promotions,” Wil liams said. “I spent an hour doing that while the DJ played the records. After one show, the DJ said to me, ‘What are you going to do when you get out of high school? You should look into broadcasting. You have the voice for it, and you have the knack for it.”

Finding Atlantic City

Williams idolized legendary balti more country DJ ray Davis and want ed to be like him. After a tumultuous relationship between his parents was resolved and they got back together, they set their sights on Atlantic City in the 1950s.

“Alcoholics could find their way to Atlantic City because bars were open 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Williams said. “My first job there was at Captain Starn’s, where I worked on the dock unloading clams, and then I saw an ad in the paper for a new station going on the air.”

That station was WLD b , which was founded by a New York couple who fought the Atlantic City Press for the broadcasting license and won, resulting in the station operating and

broadcasting from the former Sena

“I went to the owner’s office and said, ‘I want to do a country music show’,” Williams recollected. “And the owner, like a typical New Yorker, sat back in his chair with a cigarette dangling out of his mouth and said, ‘Well, son, half this town is black and the other half is Jews, and neither care about hillbilly music. bUT, if you sell it, I will put it on the air. So I said, ‘o K!’”

Williams got a briefcase, walked down the Atlantic City boardwalk and got his first sale.

“It was a shoeshine man who saw me walking and said, ‘You can’t look

neat if your shoes look beat’,” Wil liams said. “I told him that was a great slogan, and we got talking and I told him what I was selling. He said, ‘I like country music. I’m from Georgia.’ And I gave him a special rate of $2, which wasn’t too bad for the early ’50s, and that started it all.”

Williams went and sold his country show to other local business, particu larly the “country area” of Egg Harbor City, leading Williams to hosting a 6 to 7 a.m. show “playing hillbilly music.”

His knack for sales would be Wil liams’ success for most of his career as he simultaneously sold advertis ing and served as a broadcaster for WMID and Wo ND, even leaving the

area for a while to work in North Carolina, returning to the area after Green offered him a job in 1971.

Williams returned to WMID and had an evening show because the station wanted to give Pinky Kravitz some competition, but he once again returned to Wo ND in the 1980s after running into Green, who at that time just built a beautiful broadcasting complex in Linwood, where it remains to day. That’s when Williams transi tioned to talk radio permanently.

“I said to him, ‘You have a beautiful facility there, probably the best in the state.’ And he said, ‘Why don’t you come back? I am changing the format on Wo ND and putting Pinky in the after noon, I want you in the morning and rush Limbaugh in the afternoon.’ And the rest is history.”

Not too many people in their 80s want to work at all, or can’t work, but Williams wakes up very early every day to be in the studio doing what he has done for most of his life.

“I still love it,” he said. “I guess one day in the not-too-distant future I will probably have to retire. b ut I’m still here.”

This year, Williams is celebrating 64 years in the radio industry. You can hear him every weekday from 6 to 10 a.m. on Newstalk 1400-AM Wo ND talking about politics or debating a longtime listener about Atlantic City or telling stories of days past. He still loves music and still plays guitar better than I ever could. He is that smooth, deep voice that you want to sip your coffee to in the morning and hear about what’s happening locally. He is a mentor and friend to me. And, yes, a South Jersey broadcasting legend.

(Don Williams will be honored at The Chief Arthur R. Brown Jr. Memorial Scholarship Foundation’s 28th Annual Awards Banquet 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, at Greate Bay Country Club in Somers Point. Tickets are $65 and can be purchased by call ing Lauren at 609-646-0222 or email her at ltyler@gmslaw.com.)

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

Christmas at the Mansion promises to be bigger and better than ever

By Cindy Christy Fertsch

Somers Point will be embracing the holiday feeling with its second annual Christmas at the Mansion 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 at Somers Mansion, 1000 Shore road.

Shore Local, in partnership with the Patriots of the Somers Mansion, began the holiday festival in 2021 to draw attention and support to Somers Mansion, which at 300 years old is the oldest building in Atlantic County.

The inaugural event was wildly successful with more than 500 peo ple touring the mansion. This year’s event is anticipated to be even bigger and better with more vendors and live music by some this area's best local musicians.

It’s a celebration of all things local. From merchants and makers to histor ical landmarks and the local commu nity, Christmas at the Mansion will be a day of fun and excitement including live music, vendors, food trucks, chil dren's activities, a chance to meet Santa, and the official Christmas tree lighting at 5 p.m.

Award-winning artist beth Tinnon will kick off the festival, performing from 10 a.m. to noon, followed by the legendary Patty b lee from noon to 2:30 p.m. along with the always enter taining SSP's.

The SPQ r Stage Company will also be performing scenes from their

beloved holiday show, "Magic Flow ers."

More than 25 vendors will be offering a wide variety of food and holiday shopping options. Pick up some gorgeous handmade Christmas gifts such as baskets, crafts, hoodies, jackets, tees, and candles.

We all know wrapping gifts is one of the lesser anticipated tasks of Christmas. Fortunately, Santa’s Elves will be happy to wrap your gift purchases at the wrapping station.

Tours of the Somers Mansion will be available throughout the day. Addi tionally, a historical re-enactor will be donning 18th century attire and cook ing over an open flame, demonstrating life in the era the Somers Mansion was built.

This will definitely be an event you want to dress warmly for. No need to worry as the food and drink vendors will be there to keep you feeling toasty all day.

Grilled Cheese and Crab Cakes will be serving up tasty hot food and

drinks along with Cherry's Natural Foods truck. Soul Empanadas will be offering their amazing selection of Latin food, including classics such as fish and beef and an assortment of American inspired empanadas such as Philly cheesesteak, buffalo chick en, and chicken parm. beach b uns bakery and Go Cakes will be offering delicious baked goods. There will also be hot chocolate and coffee for sale throughout the day to warm you up.

Santa will be strolling around throughout the day, visiting and pos ing for free photographs with children of all ages. There’s no need to leave your furry friends at home as dogs on a leash are also welcome.

Kids’ crafts and activities, including face painting and a bounce house, will be available too, making this a must-do family event which is sure to get the kids ready for the big day.

At 5 p.m., the day culminates with an outdoor Christmas tree lighting by Somers Point Mayor Jack Glasser.

The event follows a tradition that began centuries ago in Europe. Christ mas markets originated in Germany dating back to the late Middle Ages.

Traditionally, the markets would sell food such as gingerbread cook ies, bratwurst, pretzels, stollen, and Glühwein (or mulled wine, a warm red wine), which are all German del icacies for Christmas time. They are now experienced all over the world, comprised of vendors who sell food, gifts, drinks, and more.

Now we are fortunate to be able to experience them here in South Jersey.

This is anticipated to be a very popular event so grab your family and come early. The event is free to enter with free parking, so there is no rea son not to check it out and support a great local event with local merchants. This holiday season, let’s support one another and shop small businesses.

Scenes fron the inaugural "Christmas at the Mansion" event in 2021

Reducing holiday stress

change in perspective. Practicing a few minutes of gratitude in the morning and throughout the day can dramati cally reduce your cortisol levels and the urge to rely on unhealthy habits such as smoking or drinking.

Move a muscle, change a thought

how to use your own breath to reduce stress. Try it now! o ne good, deep breath is often all you need to come back to the present moment and recenter.

Get outside

M oms Vibe:

By Krystle J. Bailey

‘Tis the season! Crazy un cles, extravagant feasts, and the Elf on the Shelf are all ready to make their seasonal appearance. While we all hope to slow down this year and enjoy the moments rather than stress over them, it goes without saying that stress has a way of creeping in when we least expect it. We get overstimulated, overworked, and over everything by the end of the holidays. As we enter into the 2022 holiday marathon, keep a couple of stress-reducing tools on hand to manage the chaos of the season.

Try these 5 natural ways to reduce the headaches this year:

Switch to an attitude of gratitude

Gratitude is proven to increase the happy chemicals in the brain (dopamine and serotonin) while offering a healthy

This simple reminder is used in mind fulness practice and meditation. When the weight of the holidays and mental stress feels all-consuming, try changing your atmosphere. Use your hands to craft, garden, or write. Exercise, try yoga, or go for a walk. The simple act of moving your body will shake things up and help regulate the nervous system.

Learn the power of saying NO

If there were ever a time to put “people pleasing” tendencies to the side, it’s during the holidays. remember that you are only one person, and you do N oT have to say yes to everything. You’re allowed to say N o as often as you need in order to balance your men tal health and stress levels.

Practice intentional breathing

Studies show that intentional, con trolled breathing can reduce anxiety, insomnia, PTSD, depression, and ADD. Check out some videos on controlled breathing or breathwork for a guide on

There is nothing like a little sunshine on your face to reset your mind and body. A little vitamin D does the body good, especially in the winter when our time in the sun is reduced. Throw on your coat and get outside. It’s good for the soul and the stress levels. The weather has been beautiful for Novem ber. Go enjoy it!

Bonus tip

When you feel overwhelmed by a thought, ask yourself if the situation will still matter in five minutes, five days, five weeks, or five months. If not, let it go! You don’t have to hold onto it. remember to focus your energy only on the things within your control that maintain your sense of well-being. Wishing you a very Happy Thanks giving with your loved ones!

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

Four Cozy Recipes to warm your bones and spirits on winter days

By Sarah Fertsch Staff Writer

Idon’t know about you, but for the past week, I have been bundled under a fuzzy blanket, shivering in the dark as soon as the sun sets.( before 5pm everyday!)

During this cold, dark season, we seek warmth and comfort. No one wants a cold salad or soft serve ice cream; we crave hot casseroles, like Mom used to make.

In this issue of Shore Local, we give you tried-and-true recipes that will put a smile on your family’s fac es. They’re simple to follow, quick to make, and truly embody the definition of comfort food. Here are four reci pes to warm your bones this winter:

French Onion Soup

Ingredients:

● 6 large yellow onions

● 2 tablespoons of butter

● 4 cloves of garlic, crushed

● ½ cup of dry white wine

● 2 bay leaves

● 8 cups of beef or vegetable stock

● 1 teaspoon of sugar

● 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil

● 2 cups of freshly-grated gruyere cheese

● 8 slices of French bread

● Salt ● Pepper

Peel and thinly slice the onions, or use a sharp mandolin to cut the onion into thin strands. There should be 10 cups in total of onion.

In a large Dutch oven (five to six quarts), saute the onions in 1 table spoon of olive oil. Stir often until the onion is fragrant and transparent, 20 minutes.

Add the remaining butter and olive oil and cover with a lid. Turn the heat from medium to medium high and let the onions caramelize for another 15 minutes.

Sprinkle the onions with sugar and crushed garlic and let cook for another five minutes.

Deglaze the pot with wine and use a wooden spoon to scrape up the browned bits on the bottom. Add the stock and bay leaves and let simmer for another 15 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees and place sliced bread on a sheet pan. Lightly drizzle with olive oil and let crisp for 5-7 minutes.

remove bread from the oven and cover each slice with a mound of shredded gruyere. bake for another five minutes until the cheese has melted.

Serve the soup in the bowls and top with cheesy toast. Enjoy!

Chicken Carbonara Ingredients:

● 1 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese

● 4 ounces of diced pancetta

● 4 cloves of garlic, crushed

● 1 pound of spaghetti

● ¼ cup of chopped Italian parsley

● 8 large egg yolks

● 2 cups of heavy cream

● 1 rotisserie chicken

● 2 teaspoons of lemon zest

● ¼ cup of chopped basil leaves

● 3 teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil

● Salt

● Pepper

Harvest the meat from the rotis serie chicken, making sure there are no fat, skin, bones or tendons in the meat. Set to the side. Chop into bitesized pieces.

In a large frying pan, saute the pancetta in olive oil until crispy, five minutes. Add garlic for the last min ute so it doesn’t burn.

Fill a large pot two-thirds full of water and bring to a boil over medi um heat on the stove. Add spaghetti when it reaches a boil, and cover for about 8 minutes until pasta is al den te. Strain and place to the side.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together heavy cream, parsley, basil, lemon zest, and egg yolks.

Add the chicken to the pancetta and stir. Use tongs to transfer the pasta into the pan and toss with the sauce from the bowl. Add salt and pepper and keep tossing for about three minutes, making sure that the egg doesn’t scramble. Serve warm and top with extra herbs.

Place chips on the bottom of a greased casserole dish and top with meat mixture. Cover with cheddar cheese and bake until melted, 20 minutes.

Serve with add-ons and garnish with green onion. Enjoy!

Soondubu (Korean Tofu Soup)

Ingredients:

● 12 ounces of soft tofu

● 1 small package of mush rooms, sliced thinly

● 1 large egg

● 6 banana prawns, cleaned and heads removed

● 1 shallot, diced

● ½ cup of dried kelp

● 2 cups of fish stock

Frito Pie

Ingredients:

● 1 pound of ground beef

● 2 small cans of pinto beans

● 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese

● 14 ounces of Frito chips

● 1 can of enchilada sauce

● 1 medium yellow onion, diced

● 2 thinly-sliced green onions

● Sour cream, cherry tomatoes, ja lapenos, shredded iceberg lettuce Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a large oven-safe skillet, brown the beef and add salt and pepper, five minutes. Stir in drained beans, onion, and enchilada sauce.

● 1 tablespoon of fish sauce

● 1 teaspoon of sesame oil

● 1 tablespoon of soy sauce

● 2 tablespoons of Korean chili oil

In a medium soup pot, heat the chili oil and saute the shallot, five minutes. Add prawns and saute over medium heat, stirring to cook evenly on all sides, four minutes.

Add fish stock and defied kelp to deglaze the pan.

Add tofu, mushrooms, egg, soy sauce, and fish sauce. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer, ten minutes.

Serve over Korean rice and top with a sprinkle of sesame oil. Enjoy!

Charitable Giving Has Many Benefits

By Eric Reich

ith Thanksgiving and the holiday season upon us, now is a great time to think

have always

felt that it is important to give back no matter how big or small. Some times that may mean a donation of your time, and if you can afford to give monetarily to a cause that you feel strongly about, those donations can make a big difference. Fortunately, my staff is also very charitably minded. It is also something that my wife and I have instilled in our children at an early age. While I feel it’s important to practice gratitude year-round and help those in need whenever you can, this time of year always feels even more important.

Charitable giving should be an altruistic act, but in some situations, there may be a tax benefit to the giver. Now is a good time to start thinking about year end tax planning. Waiting until the actual year end can cause you to miss deadlines or make mistakes in your giving efforts. The biggest reason to gift, however, is because so many organizations and the individuals they help are in need. Many have struggled since the global pandemic and infla tion certainly hasn’t helped the situa tion. They need donations more than ever. Since every person has different needs and different desires when it comes to giving, here’s a list of several ways that you can give.

Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) - In my opinion, one of the best ways to give is to gift your I r A or your required Minimum Distribution (rMD) from your I r A. You can gift up to $100,000 per year this way. Also, you must be age 70 ½, and you cannot gift funds from an employer sponsored plan. It’s important to note that the transfer must go directly to the chari ty from the I r A, not to you first.

Life Insurance - You can gift a cur rent or new policy. This option allows you to give more than you otherwise might. Gifting a policy you no longer need or want is a great option. The charity can keep and maintain the policy or possibly sell it. Many times it can be sold for much more than the cash value, and you may get a much larger deduction if they do. Consult your tax advisor!

Charitable Lead Trust (CLT)With a charitable lead trust, the char ity gets all the income from the trust, and upon death, your beneficiaries get the trust assets.

Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) - This is the opposite of a CLT. You get the income, and the charity receives the assets upon death. This may be good for people who need the income and deductions to possibly reduce taxes but have no heirs.

Charitable Gift Annuity - This gives you a guaranteed income for life via an annuity and a portion of it goes to the charity. The balance goes only to that charity unlike a CrT, etc. which can fund multiple charities.

Real Estate/Collectibles - You gift the property (usually highly appreciat ed) then the charity sells it. Caution, not all charities have the resources to handle these transactions so discuss it with them first. regarding collectibles, they must be highly marketable.

Appreciated Stock - You gift your stock to a charity, and they can sell it tax free. You get a deduction without paying the taxes due if you were to sell it yourself.

Donor Advised Funds - The fund is managed by the organization, but you direct which investments within the funds you want. They do all the work (for a fee!) Your deduction is limited to 60% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) for cash donations and 30% on donated securities.

Pooled Income Fund - This is similar to a DAF, but you have no in vestment control. There is a limited deduction based on your life expec tancy and the fund’s performance.

Private Foundation - You are the DAF. The deduction is limited to 30% of your AGI for cash donations and 20% for securities. This is designed for ongoing family giving.

You should consult with your tax advisor and financial advisor to discuss these gifting strategies. Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment ad visory 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 Kestra AS. The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and may not nec essarily reflect those held by Kestra Investment Services, LLC or Kestra Ad visory Services, LLC. 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 advisor with regard to your individ ual situation. To view form CRS visit https://bit.ly/KF-Disclosures.

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 Underwriter® (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.

Swing Into Christmas with Free Show at Resorts

Anight of mer riment and songs of the season will take place at resorts Casino Hotel, in the Superstar Theater on Friday, December 8th. Swing Into Christmas will showcase many great singers and danc ers. The annual fund raiser benefits the US

Marine Corps Toys For Tots program. The 8pm show will be hosted by the famous singing life guard, Jim Craine. This musical comedy revue show benefits the United States Marine Corp and admission is free if you bring a new, unwrapped toy.

Cheekin’ The Blues

Dewey saw that I was speechless, and just stood there for several mo ments, watching my reaction, or lack thereof. I’d never heard of bluefish cheeks or weakfish roe, let alone tasted them. I had no idea what to expect, and I felt my appetite growing.

Celebrate the Holidays in the Wildwoods!

5 WEEKENDS OF HOLIDAY FUN

DEC 2

Wildwood Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

Ta les from The Pines

By Paul Evans Pedersen, Jr.

There are as many time hon ored traditions in the Pine barrens, passed down from one generation to the next, as there are legends about the peoples, places, and creatures that live, lurk, and thrive there. Such was the case a while back this summer, when an old Piney friend of mine named “Dewey” called, and invited me to a traditional Piney home-cooked seafood dinner he was fixing.

“That sounds great, Dewey! Count me in!” I said in great anticipation.

Dewey knows the waterways, bays, and shore lines in and around the Pine barrens as well as he knows the lines on both of his hands. And, he is an artist at preparing seafood dishes from these waters, and I’ve enjoyed some of his kitchen concoctions down through the years.

“Here. Look here”, he commanded. “Watch and learn. These are the best parts of these fish. Absolute delicacies that not everybody knows about, and most people waste or use as crab bait. The heck with the crabs, I say. once you taste them, you’ll never throw ’em out again”.

With the care and skill of a fine surgeon, Dewey used his fillet knife to gently cut and remove the round piece of bluefish cheek from between the eye and jaw hinge on the bluefish. It wasn’t long before he had a dozen of them set aside in ice and went about filleting the rest of the fish for the freezer and future dinners. When he came to the weakfish, he carefully sliced them down the mid dle, and removed the large sack of eggs, or roe, from each female, and set it aside with the cheeks.

NOV 25 Family Holiday Beach Bonfire

NOV 25-27 Christmas in North Wildwood

NOV 26 Holiday Shopping Village/ Small Business Saturday DEC 1

Wildwood Crest Tree Lighting Ceremony DEC 2 North Wildwood Tree Lighting Ceremony DEC 2 Greater Wildwood Jaycees Christmas Parade

DEC 2-3 Christmas in the Plaza

DEC 9, 10, 16 & 17

Winter Wonderland at Holly Beach Park

DEC 10

Family Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting Ceremony

DEC 10

‘Pinch the GrYnch’ Boardwalk 5K Run

DEC 16-17

North Wildwood Family Christmas Celebration DEC 19 Holiday Lights Walk

“Just bring your appetite, and hur ry up about getting out here“, Dewey said. Then, through a laugh, he finished, saying, “I want you to see how I cheek these blues”.

“Whoa!”, I said, thinking the connec tion had gone fuzzy or something, “You want me to see how you do what to the what?”, Dewey laughed. “Just get on out here, and don’t let no grass grow under your feet!”

About an hour later, I arrived at Dewey’s place, a large, two-story log cabin on five and a half acres of pristine Pinelands that is at the end of a long, sugar-sand road. I found Dewey in one of the out-buildings on the property (that has been in his family for almost four hundred years), cleaning a burlap bag full of bluefish and a couple beautiful weakfish, or “weakies” that he caught that morning.

“Ahhhh”, I sighed, “so this is supper, is it?”

“Yessir, it is, Paul. one of the family favorites we’ve been eating since I can remember. My grandmother got the recipe from her grandmother, and, well… you get the picture. It’s been around a long time. We love it and I thought you might like to try it”, he said with his warm, trademark smile. “I really appre ciate this, Dewey”, I said. “What, exactly, is it?”

“Cheeks and Weakie roe, sautéed in butter and scallions, over Spanish rice“, he said.

We went in the cabin, and Dewey melted several tablespoons of butter in a large sauté pan. He added several cups of chopped scallions and stirred. He drained the cheeks and roe sacks and patted them dry on a paper towel, then gently placed them in the pan. He cooked them for just a few minutes on each side, being very careful not to break open the roe sacks when turning.

We sat down to two plates of the best-tasting seafood I have ever eaten. The roe was very tasty, mildly fishy, and quite rich. It had a texture not unlike scrapple. The cheeks were absolutely delicious, and nothing like the heavy, oily-tasting bluefish filets some folks don’t care for. The cheeks were light-tast ing, solid, and steak-like in texture. both went perfectly with the Spanish rice.

“I can’t thank you enough, Dewey”, I said after dinner as we sat on the porch. “You know I’m going to have to write a song called “Cheekin’ The blues”, right?”

Dewey smiled. “Go for it, Paulie. but you’re gonna have to cut me in on it!” We laughed and talked well into the night.

Paul Evans Pedersen, Jr. is a author, singer-songwriter, journalist, storyteller, and jew elry maker born and raised in South Jersey. He has appeared on numerous TV shows includ ing “Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown” on CNN. His jewelry, “Pine Barrens Diamonds”, is made from old glass he digs in the Pine Barrens, and is avail able in shops and boutiques throughout the region.

dining | seafood bar | sand bar |

deauvilleinn.com 201 willard road, strathmere, nj 08248 | 609.263.2080

To understand NJ’s motto, look at Somers Point’s history

By Seth Grossman

One month after America declared independence in 1776, New Jersey ad opted the state motto we still have today: “Liberty And Pros perity.” The history of the Somers Point area may explain why.

Contrary to popular mythology, Somers Point is not named after r ichard Somers, the U.S. Navy hero. It is instead named after his great-grandfather, John Somers.

John Somers was a Quaker. He was part of a large group of Chris tians who rejected both the Catholic Church and various Protestant de nominations in England during the 1650’s.

Quakers saw no need for specially trained priests or pastors, organized prayer services, or formal church doctrines. They believed that any person of good will who read the bible, applied reason and logic, and who went to meetings to openly share his or her opinions with others would learn what God wanted them to do.

At that time, Catholics and Protestants including Anglicans, Puritans, and Presbyterians, were fighting for control of England, Scot land, and Ireland. All of them disliked and persecuted the free-thinking Quakers. Thou sands of Quakers, including William Penn, fled to English colonies in America to enjoy religious freedom.

Quaker William Penn founded Philadelphia and Pennsylvania in 1681. Around 1693, John Somers moved to what is now Somers Point in New Jersey. Later, he bought 3,000 acres of land for a farm and built the brick and stone house that still stands on the hill by the bridge to o cean City. Although they came for religious liberty, these Quak ers and other colonists soon enjoyed prosperous lifestyles that only the most privileged few in Europe enjoyed.

These early Americans achieved this without violence, conquest, or

exploitation. They did not steal land from Indians.

very few Native Americans lived here. Although many came here to

he holiday’s can be a dif icult and challenging time if you have lost a loved one.

In an effort to help those who have lost loved one’s during the year we offer the “Thoughts for the Holiday’s” booklet.

Whether we had the privilege of serving your family or not; we would like to offer this booklet to you free of charge.

Stop by any one of our locations to pick up or call and we will send you your free copy.

hunt, fish, and gather clams in the summer, most spent the rest of the year in what is now Maryland and Delaware. Those who did claim land here were paid a fair price for what they chose to sell. William Penn and other Quaker leaders insisted on it.

Quakers were also forbid den to own or trade slaves, or profit in any way from slavery. Any Quaker who did so was shunned and expelled from the community.

English historian Paul Johnson explained how the Quakers and others who came to America between 1676 and 1776 achieved such rapid and spectacular economic success.

In Europe, only those with licenses or permits from the government could build ships, dams, mills, or roads or manu facture, transport, or sell most goods. o nly a very few members of the nobility and those who did favors or paid bribes to government officials got those permits. In New Jersey

Homes

and most of America, everyone was equally free to build or go into any business he or she wanted with the land they bought and the money they earned. Also, taxes were far lower than anywhere else in the world, and almost non-existent.

The b ritish allowed settlers to determine for themselves what gov ernment they wanted in New Jersey. Those settlers decided they wanted very little.

Each county in New Jersey had just four paid officials. A county clerk recorded land ownership. A county surrogate determined who inher ited property when someone died. A county judge decided disputes. A county sheriff, with the help of citizen volunteers called a “posse comita tus,” enforced the law.

These officials were paid with fees they charged the people who used their services. Taxes were paid to build and maintain the courthouse, jail, and public roads. o nly owners of real estate (freeholders) paid taxes on the land they owned. That is why only those landowners could vote or hold public office to decide how that tax money was spent.

Paul Johnson said that in colonial America from 1676 to 1776, this com bination of opportunity to go into any business together with almost non-ex istent taxes created “limitless oppor

tunities for the skilled, the energetic, and the commercially imaginative.” Evidence of this economic boom can still be found all over South Jersey.

The home of John Somers in Somers Point is still standing and open to visitors. The Somers Point Historical Museum contains artifacts and replicas showing how early set tlers supplemented their farm income by building ships and boats to go whal ing, catch fish, and transport goods all over the world. Place names like “Mill road,” the dam across Patcong Creek beneath Central Avenue in Linwood, ruins and old photographs remind us of how early settlers created artificial lakes to power water wheels, grain and lumber mills.

Is this why New Jersey adopted “Liberty and Prosperity” as our state motto as soon as we declared inde pendence in 1776?

Seth Grossman, a retired lawyer in Somers Point, founded LibertyAndProsperity.com in 2003 and serves as its executive director. The group meets for breakfast every Saturday morn ing from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Banquet Room of Sal’s Coal Fired Pizza, 501 Route 9 in Somers Point. Grossman can be reached at sethgrossman49@gmail.com or 609-432-3026.

Pomona Church Transplanted

Reborn as store in Historic Smithville

By Sarah Fertsch Staff Writer

Pomona Union Protestant Church is getting reborn, but not in the way you might expect.

Earlier this year, construction crews swarmed the historic build ing, stabilizing the structure and lifting the roof into the sky via crane. The Galloway church was taken apart piece by piece and moved from its original location on Genoa Avenue to Smithville, where it now exists as a retail store.

Steve Hauck, the owner of SJ Hauck Construction, led work on the move, and has experience in transplanting historic beach hous es and community centers. Hauck said that he appreciates the church and its role in South Jersey, and is honored to be leading the important work.

“Anyone who’s local knows of this church and it would be devastating to get torn down,” he said. “So it’s phe

nomenal what we’re able to do, it’s phenomenal that Historic Smithville is taking it.”

The church has become Indul gence Home bath and b eyond (the sister store to Smithville Candle Co.), a mom-and-pop boutique offering

Pomona location

find the church adjacent to the Smithville bakery.

The Pomona Union Church was established in 1890 and served as an interdenominational place of worship. The booth brothers, Harold and Ar thur, collectively donated the land to the congregation and helped build out the church family. Many longtime residents of Galloway remember attending Sunday School, getting baptized, or enjoying a church potluck meal.

Like many orga nizations, during the CovID-19 pandemic, attendance dwindled to the extent that the church stopped Sunday morning ser vice altogether. In the years leading up to 2020, Pomona Union Protestant struggled to keep the doors open and faced con stant problems with vandalism.

David booth, one of Harold b ooth’s grandchildren, drove up with his family from Egg Harbor Township to wit ness the transfer. He recalled how his father’s cousin used to teach Sunday school at Pomona Union and how his family had served as trustees and caretakers for the church. booth shared that he was grateful the build ing would be preserved but did call the moment “bittersweet.”

Mayor Anthony Coppola, who is also another owner of The Historic Towne of Smithville, said that he felt confident in SJ Hauck and felt proud of the success of the project. “We think it’s a really cool piece of Gal loway history,” Coppola said. “We’re honored to have it here.”

Smithville location

A weekend in November to remember

Tu ne In, Turn On

By Doug Deutsch

Sometimes the best live shows are the ones you don’t nec essarily anticipate. Such was the case last weekend while covering concerts in casinos and our local Atlantic City clubs, starting with Friday night’s concert at o cean Casino and resort’s ovation Hall by The rascals – yes, that band, once known as Young rascals. Don’t even try saying you haven’t heard their hits “Groovin’, “I’ve been Lonely Too Long” “ beautiful Morning” or “People Got To b e Free,” all performed on this night with aplomb by front manlead vocalist-organist Felix Cavaliere, along with original rascals members Eddie b rigati, Dino Dinelli, and even guitarist Gene Cornish, who had tak en ill of late and is just now returning to performing live. Their 90-minute set at ocean not only sounded good

(nice acoustics in the o vation; our first time there), they entertained the almost-full house with several interspersed melodies by The Temp tations and a rousing version of 1965 soul/blues staple “Mustang Sally.” Given that Cavaliere and company are all pushing eighty, and played the entire set like they were at least twothree decades younger (with the ex ception of Cornish, who sat stoically throughout the entire set, obviously not fully recovered). We’d call this a win for the fans who came out to hear these great tunes performed by the group’s original members.

o n Saturday night we did dou ble-duty, first catching a set by The Feelies at Anchor rock Club, which was packed by the time we arrived at 8pm. The five-piece NJ-formed group, who do not perform or tour full-time (but should, they’re that good) hit the stage at 8:30 pm-ish and played a set that was as tight on musicianship as practically anything I’ve heard in years, much to the de light of several hundred Feelies fans who descended on the Anchor for the show. No youngsters either (all in their sixties), the group showed their excellent reputation was well-earned (and shoot, we missed

their ten-minute, second-set-end ing version of The Stooges’ “I Wanna b e Your Dog”, a classic ending to a memorable show. The reason for missing it was: b ourre, just down the street from the Anchor, featured a five-band show topped by New b runswick’s Hub City Stompers, who proved to be a winner, too – es pecially saxophon ist-vocalist Jenny Whiskey. This lady is a powerhouse onstage, displaying not only strong vocals (providing vocals on a great cover of classic ska hit “Missing Words" by early UK ska pioneers The Se lecter), but great musical chops on saxophone as well. Whiskey also did double-duty, performing earlier in the evening with another fine ska-punk band from NYC, b utterbrain, who featured three horn players, with the aforementioned Jenny Whiskey mak ing four (talk about loud and brassy!). The third band we caught, Public Ser pents, also from New Jersey, came on right before Hub City Stompers and kept the pace hard and fast, as well as the ska dancers happy with a tight set of originals from their recent “The Feeding o f The Fortune 5000” LP. Speaking of the dancers, a young girl, no older than 7 years old, danced around the room (as the ska dancers do) with headphones on (good move by her parents) the entire night, not missing a song. Don’t know if she’ll be playing in a band someday, but the sight of young people enjoying live, original music warms this reviewer’s soul. I was worried she might get hurt by the other dancers (she didn’t). Hats off to Anchor rock Club’s Greg Mun gan and Stephen Weiss at bourre for keeping the Shore indie music scene alive and well with solid bookings.

Looking Ahead: Flogging Molly brings their Celtic/Irish-flavored folk-punk to Hard r ock Casino Hotel February 23. Formed in Los Angeles in 1994, they’re fronted by Dublin-born Dave King, who once sang for a band called Fastway that included future Motorhead guitarist “Fast” Eddie Clarke. Check out their latest release, “Anthem.” The album’s

fine opening track, “The Times Have Got Me Drinking” is a good indicator of the wild music ride ahead. Good stuff….Tina Marie Notaro and her New Moon Night Market crew return to the Anchor on November 25. Think: EDM deejays, hyper-local art market place….a multi-band bill December 3 at bourre features Dead Season, Fading r adiance, Green Knuckle Material, Christine r ubchich, and Friend Hospital.…Less Than Jake plays Anchor rock Club December 10. They’ve been described as “a ska-inspired punk band with a dose of power pop and a fixation with Pez candy.” Well alright then. Correction: It was written here last week that William Paris was the keyboardist in the billy Walton band. Paris is in fact the bass player. Eric Safka is the key board player. Catch bWb on Friday, November 25, the night after Turkey Day, at Josie Kellys in Somers Point.

Doug is the owner/operator of Doug Deutsch Publicity Services, which since 1995 has been servicing nationally touring acts, and working record release campaigns for clients. Doug also hàs experience writing for the one time shore-based weekly publication, Whoot! He also was a team member with Chip Braymes Advertising. Doug loves bicycling and aspires to bring the Blues to Atlantic City. He can be reached at ShoreLocalDoug@gmail. com and www.facebook.com/ dougdeutschpublicity.

Jenny Whiskey of Hub City Stompers: Powerhouse saxophonist

Photo by Doug Deutsch

By Steffen Klenk

Since I was a kid, family game night has always been a vi tal aspect of home life. We would share snacks and laughs all evening long while learning new educational and life skills. With all of the winter holidays behind us and cold weather settling in our region, a lull of outdoor activities is apparent. That means time to break out the chess board or your favorite board game and get ready for an eve ning of family fun!

While board games have been the topic of many scientific and developmental studies, they have been researched for more than a century by psychologists. Playing board games with young children can be proven beneficial for early brain development. Those that play board games can learn all important life and education skills such as math,

Family Game Night

problem solving, decision making. It can also help improve memory and emotions.

There are three basic types of games: skill and strategy, chance and some involve both.

The great thing about board games you can play them almost any where. Most board games are versatile and do not require electricity. They can become excellent boredom breakers if you end up losing power at home, get stuck at the airport or go on a camping expedition. Even a simple game of tictac-toe will pass the time at a doctor’s appointment.

Some of the simplest of games can teach children patterns, sequenc es, numbers and color and shape identification. Kids can also learn about basic direction, taking turns and socializing with others. An easy game of checkers can enhance one’s ability to solve problems, communi cate and resolve conflict.

Players will also learn the practice of sportsmanship and losing graceful ly to their opponent.

Many anthropologists agree that some classic and modern games are based on the dynamics of war. Scenarios such as two or more side

world and daily life, and allows play ers a chance to engage in personal interaction, providing a much-need ed break from the glow of our cell phones and computer screens.

Science professionals have warned us that the “blue light” emit ted from popular electronic devices can interfere with sleep patterns. So, playing a long round of Monopoly or several hands of cards may produce a more restful sleep.

Family game night has been a staple in our household for decades. Quality time with siblings, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and ex tended family has always spurred fun conversations and stories. It’s a great way to create warm memories that will last for generations to come.

squaring off, trying to win a race, racking up points and for taking the other players territory are provided as examples. Games like battleship can produce a feeling of satisfaction.

Games offer relaxation from the chaotic environment that surrounds us. b eing focused on the board is a welcome respite from the outside

As adults, we are reminded con stantly to make more time for play. In today’s society, games are developed on every skill level and just about every subject of interest. It can be as simple as a card game of War to something more complex like Set tlers of Catan (a family favorite). So, while the cold winter weather has us housebound, turn off your T v, break out your favorite snacks and choose an evening of entertainment for fam ily and friends to enjoy.

My Thanksgiving memories

Je ff's Journal By Jeff Whitaker

Ican’t help it. Every time I hear The Thanksgiving Song by ben rector I well up with emotion. If you haven’t heard the song, do yourself a favor and look it up. ben released the song in 2020 in the height of the pandemic. You’ll hear a reference to that in the last line of the song. I guess it’s my background in visual storytelling, but when I hear this song a flood of pictures fly through my mind. I see family around the table, Thanksgivings growing up and all the memories surrounding the day.

I remember the funny memories like the times I would help carve the turkey trying to do my best Julia Child impression in the process. It was the same “shtick” each year, but I always made everyone laugh. I remember as a child on Thanksgiv ing morning gathering around the televi sion switching back and forth between the Gimbel’s parade in Philadelphia and the Macy’s parade in New York City. My sister and I would watch the floats, listen to the bands and get excited to see the arrival of Santa which signaled the start of the Christmas season. All the while, we would take in the distinct aromas of Thanksgiv ing dinner coming from the kitchen. Even to this day, I find myself shouting out to whomever will listen, “Here comes Santa. Santa’s arrival is next in the parade!”

o ne of my most vivid memories of Thanksgiving was really not that long ago, about seven or eight years ago. We invited both my wife’s and my side of the family

for dinner. After dinner and dessert, we decided we would pass around paper and pen to each person and ask them to write something or someone they were thankful for that year. When they were done, we gathered up the papers and hung them on some twine I strung on the mantle over the fireplace. When everyone had left, the dishes were done and we settled down to rest, I went over to the fireplace and began to read what everyone was thankful for. The one answer that stood out to me was also the most simple and least amount of words. It was written by my near 90 year old uncle about my aunt. My uncle was a man of few words and what he had penned was in keeping with that. He simply wrote, “I’m thankful for Louise.” That was all. Nothing fancy, but I knew it was truly heartfelt. both my aunt and uncle have since passed away as have others who sat around that Thanksgiving table. but the memory I cling to each Thanksgiving is the notion that it doesn’t take a lot to say a lot. And as you gather around the table this year, don’t let the day pass away without drinking in the faces, the conversations and the moments you get to share.

What are you thankful for this Thanks giving Day? To borrow a phrase from ben rectors song,

“… the older that I get I see that life is short and bittersweet. I Thank God for this Thanksgiving Day.”

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

Don’t let Thanksgiving put your dog in danger

By Heidi Clayton

Every Thanksgiving my Face book feed gets flooded with warnings about the dangers of giving dogs Thanksgiving turkey. The warning stems from vet erinary practices reporting a spike in cases of pancreatitis caused by dogs over-indulging on items from the Thanksgiving menu.

My 12-year-old bull terrier Ki is no stranger to this ailment and has been hospitalized as a result of dietary in discretions during which he stealthily helped himself to cookies and mul tiple bully sticks. Pancreatitis is a life-threatening and painful condition that can result in death if not treated quickly.

The pancreas is part of the diges tive system. Its function is to release enzymes into the small intestine. These enzymes help break down food. The pancreas produces insulin. It also makes hormones that regulate appetite and blood sugar levels.

Inflammation in the pancreas dis rupts the flow of these enzymes, re sulting in inflammation or pancreatitis. Left untreated, the dangers include the death of tissues, organ failure, or sepsis. Feeding your dog foods that are high in fat, even when consumed in seemingly small quantities, can result in pancreatitis.

Most people prepare the Thanks giving turkey by either basting it, brin ing it, or stuffing it with butter before roasting. The result is a rich and tasty turkey to humans, but one that is entirely too rich for your dog. Even Thanksgiving vegetables like sweet potatoes or green beans become lad en in fat when coated in brown sugar or a rich, creamy mushroom soup.

My dog once invaded a Christmas gift bag that contained bully sticks which had been placed under the Christmas tree by a guest, and on another occasion stood on a chair to eat a tray of cookies. A few days after these transgressions, he began vomiting massive amounts of a rather foul bile.

Diagnosing pancreatitis involves blood work and most likely an ultra sound. If the case is serious enough, your dog will have to be hospitalized where they are fasted, given Iv fluids,

and usually meds for vomiting.

once the blood work confirms that the pancreas is functioning normally, food will slowly be reintroduced. It took a four-day hospital stay for Ki’s pancreas to function normally again on one of his visits.

Taking preventative measures can save you the worry of your dog falling victim to pancreatitis. Take a few minutes to put away all food that is brought into the house and safely store it out of reach from your dog using baby gates to block off dining areas or countertops. b e sure to let all of your guests know that the Thanksgiving menu is only available to humans and not the dog.

I keep my dog worries to a mini mum by giving my dogs a nice marrow bone in the confines of their room or crates until dinner is over. That way I make sure the dogs aren't helping themselves to something that could hurt them.

The holidays are hectic enough without an unwanted visit to the Er . Make your life easier and your dog’s life safer by managing their access to tasty fatty foods.

Four on the Floor wishes you all a very peaceful and happy Thanksgiving.

Heidi Clayton started Four on the Floor Dog Training as a result of her own struggle to find a positive and re ward-based dog trainer in South Jer sey. She breeds, trains, and shows her own bull terriers under the Sorabully’s Kennel name. Email questions to hei di@fouronthefloor.dog.

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.

Thanksgiving traditions and high school football

shaped like a turkey, saving the neck of the bird in honor of my late father, Stormin' Norman; and placing a bottle of Manischewitz of the side table like my late in-laws used to do.

For some local families, Thanksgiv ing also means high school football.

later, Hall went on to become a ter rific kick returner and running back for the Cleveland b rowns following a great career at Glassboro State, which is now rowan University.

By David Weinberg

Adults sit in the main dining room while children eat at a smaller one in the kitch en. Age, career and social status don't matter. o ur daughter, Ashley, is a teacher who will turn 40 in April, yet she will forever be at the kids' table. Same goes for our son, Kyle, who is 37-year-old attorney; and their cousins Charles, who is an almost-40 assistant superintendent; and Emily, 25, who is a pastry chef at a local restaurant.

Come Thursday afternoon, they dutifully - albeit with some good-na tured protests - will encircle the fold ing table set up near the refrigerator and sit in their usual spots, alongside our three grandsons Hampton (6), Graham (4) and Nixon (1); and their cousins Charlie (6) and Piper (3).

It's a Thanksgiving tradition for us, just like using a slab of butter

There are rivalries that have lasted for centuries. Millville and vineland first played in 1864. A few weeks earlier, Abraham Lincoln was elected President. Pleasantville and o cean City squared off for the first time in 1917, the same year the United States entered World War I. The Atlantic City-Holy Spirit game began in 1926. o ne year later, the electric television was invented.

o ver the years, the scores have faded, but memories of special mo ments from the games are still talked about among former coaches, players and fans.

o cean City and Pleasantville first met in 1917, with the Greyhounds earning a 106-7 win. The series moved to Thanksgiving for the first time in 1921, with Pleasantville winning 7-0.

In 1973, Plesantville's Dino Hall threw the game-winning touchdown in a 14-7 win that earned the Grey hounds a share of the Cape-Atlantic League championship. A few years

SANTA PAWS IS COMING TO TOWN

Frequently, there is an unsung he ro. In 1975, o cean City was forced to play Pleasantville without two of its best players. They were suspended for the game after sneaking into the school the night before to go swim ming in the pool. Al burch booted an extra point to give o cean City a 7-6 victory that enabled the red raiders to clinch the Cape-Atlantic League championship.

There was a time when the At lantic City-Holy Spirit game was a must-see event.

Although they now play on Thanksgiving morning, there was a 30-year period from the 1940s until 1975 when the vikings and Spartans met on Thanksgiving Eve at Jim Whelan b oardwalk Hall. The game routinely drew over 10,000 fans.

Everyone around Millville and vineland still remembers the 1955 game.

The Thunderbolts entered with a 31-game winning streak that was a South Jersey record at the time. An estimated crowd of 12,000 filled the stands and stood against the fences at Millville's Wheaton Field. Hundreds more climbed onto roof tops of near by houses and businesses to get a glimpse of the action.

Millville's booster club presented coach John barbose with a new 1956 o ldsmobile at halftime.

vineland pulled off a 27-6 upset to snap the streak. As the story goes, barbose was so upset that he left the car at the field and didn't drive it home until three days later.

More memories will be made on Thursday.

Pleasantville will host o cean City in the 101st edition of the game on Thursday at 10 a.m. o cean City leads the alltime series 52-42-6. The red raiders have won two straight in the rivalry, but that streak could end this year.

The Greyhounds are one of this season's feel-good stories. Firstyear coach Malachi Timberlake and standouts such as Sami Miller and Marlon Leslie have led the team to a 6-3 record a year after going 0-10.

The winner will take home the bob Slaveski- bob Thomas Memorial Trophy.

Atlantic City and Holy Spirit will play for the 94th time Thursday at 10 a.m. at Holy Spirit's Ed b yrnes Memorial Stadium. The vikings hold a 52-37-4 lead in the series, but the Spartans have won four in a row. This

could be one of the more exciting games, considering both Atlantic City (7-2) and Holy Spirit (8-2) made the state playoffs. However, the architect of the vikings' success, coach Keenan Wright, will not be on the sidelines after being suspended Monday, ac cording to WPG Talk radio.

Millville will be playing for a state championship on December 3, but first will take on vineland at vine land's Gittone Stadium. The Thun derbolts lead the series 47-46-10.

Sadly, other local Thanksgiving games have been discontinued, partially because of the NJSIAA's decision to start the regular season in mid-August and end it on o ct. 21. Unless teams qualified for the play offs or opted to play in a consolation game, they were hanging up their helmets and shoulder pads before Halloween.

As a result, some programs had no choice but to eliminate Thanksgiving rivalry games. The Anchor bowl - the annual showdown between Cape May County rivals Lower Cape May regional and Middle Township - was played during that holiday for over a quarter century. The winner takes possession of a plaque that features an actual anchor taken from a boat that belonged to former Lower Cape May coach bill Garrison.

This year's game - Middle rallied for an 18-12 victory on September 30 - wasn't part of Thanksgiving for the first time since 1995.

Thus ended a part of my Thanks giving tradition. Instead of watching the Caper Tigers take on the Pan thers, I'll be trekking out to the shed to retrieve a folding table for dinner.

Ashley and Kyle will never be too old for the kids' table.

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.

Market specific home buying strategies

Real Estate Matters

By Elisa Jo Eagan

At one time, most homes were purchased primarily based on how close they were to the workplace. Now, for many buyers, the postCovID increase in work-from-home options and the adoption of the remote work lifestyle have made it possible to consider a wider range of residential options.

Whether you are looking to move into the center of the city, out to the suburbs, or to a rural area, you will want to adjust your expectations and strategies depending on the market that you choose.

Buying in Urban Markets

If you are considering a home in an urban market, take into account the way the following elements will impact your buying decisions.

Cost because of the desirability of urban settings, the population density, and the lack of space, you may pay far more per square foot for your urban home. You can also expect to spend a fair amount on condo or co-op fees in ad dition to your mortgage payment. If you choose to keep a car, you will probably need to purchase a parking space or budget for a hefty monthly parking fee.

While the demand for in-town homes makes it difficult to negotiate

on cost, consider looking for ways to save on fees or extras. If you don’t plan on using the building's recreation facilities, for instance, you may want to look for a building with fewer amenities and lower fees. In addition, consider looking for a building that offers discounted parking facilities or keeping your car garaged farther outside of town, especially if you won't use it often.

Proximity

one of the advantages of purchas ing in an urban market is the ability to be just steps from your workplace and from premier shopping, dining, entertainment, and cultural options. remember that urban markets can be large and congested. However, just because you are in the city doesn't mean that you are close to the specif ic places you will visit most. be sure to choose a building or neighborhood in the right part of your chosen city center.

Transportation

Getting around town will require money for cabs, Ubers, or public transportation. o ften you will pay a premium for a home that is closer to subway stations or major transpor tation hubs. Determine whether that extra cost will be worthwhile if the added convenience saves you time and money every day.

Security

Crime rates in urban areas can be higher than in suburban and rural markets. Depending on the neighborhood you choose, it may be worthwhile to spend more for a building with better security and with a manned lobby or doorman.

Noise

While many people want to live in town for the proximity to nightlife,

major entertainment or sporting events, they quickly find that what's fun in small doses becomes a frus trating source of constant noise and other disturbances.

You may choose to look for a building that is off the beaten path on a side street or in a smaller neighbor hood enclave away from the busiest parts of the city. Alternatively, consid er paying more for a unit on a higher floor far above the hustle and bustle.

Pets

You may struggle to find a building that allows pets. be sure to check out the building's policies when starting your home search so you can iden tify those that welcome animals. Some luxury buildings lean into their pet-friendliness with amenities like on-site dog parks and grooming sta tions.

Buying in Suburban Markets

If you are looking to move to the suburbs, here are some things to con sider when choosing the right home and neighborhood.

Commute

If you are able to work from home, you will enjoy the convenience of choosing your suburban neighbor hood without having to consider its proximity to the city. o therwise, you may want to limit your home search

to specific areas along the commut er route you use each day. You may also want to identify areas that are convenient to the local airport if you travel frequently, or to favorite intown features like shopping centers or sporting venues.

Schools

Many suburban buyers are primar ily interested in proximity to the ar ea's best school systems, so do your homework. If you are purchasing a suburban home and you homeschool or do not have school-age children, you may be able to find better deals in idyllic neighborhoods farther away from the top-tier school systems where demand is greatest.

HOA (Home Owner Association)

If you are buying in the suburbs, you’ll find that some of the most de sirable neighborhoods come with ex pensive HoA fees. While these can be advantageous if they offer amenities you will use, they can also be a source of frustration, governing everything from the height of your shrubbery to the color of your front door. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of the H oA when determining which neighborhood is right for you.

Amenities

Some suburbs are monotonous expanses of nearly identical homes and neighborhoods, while others offer beautiful parks and green spac

es plus community centers that are reminiscent of charming small towns. If you are looking for an opportunity to get to know your neighbors and to get involved in your local area, you may want to consider a suburban enclave with more amenities.

Buying in Rural Markets

If you are looking for wide-open spaces and a little more peace and quiet, a rural market may be right for you. Here are some things to consider as you decide.

Proximity

In rural markets, you will be less concerned with a commute and more concerned with the distance to the nearest market and well-run medi cal facilities. Different buyers have different priorities when moving to rural markets. Do you want to go into town just for shopping or for supplies, or do you want to be a regular part of a friendly neighboring small town community?

Zoning

If you are buying rural land and planning to develop it, you will want to research the zoning, verifying the allowable use in the area. This is especially important if you are plan ning to farm, open a business on your property, subdivide your property, or subdivide your property for multiple homes.

Technology

Many rural areas have limited ac cess to high-quality internet, so it is vital to determine the tech capacity of your chosen area. This is critical if you work from home and have the need for a more robust tech setup than what is commonly available.

Availability

o ne challenge you may run into when purchasing a home in a rural market is the lack of homes and properties available at any given time. You may also have less vari ety than you are used to and the homes may not have all of the bells and whistles that you have come to expect.

May your Thanksgiving be filled with many blessings of family, friends, and memories. With hugs, love, and warm regards…

The quest of home ownership is quite an adventure. To discuss your specific needs and real estate goals, call or text Elisa Jo Eagan at 609703-0432 or visit The realEstate Godmother.com.

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!"

Personalizing your Funeral Service

By Andrew Hoffman

In today’s world it has become very common, especially in America, to personalize every thing. You can get personalized license plates, monogramed pajamas and song playlists. We can pretty much make anything we own or cel ebrate tailored to our personal wants, needs, desires and dreams.

So, why not your funeral service? For the purposes of this article I will be focusing specifically on funeral merchandise and not how to person alize the funeral service itself. That personalizing the funeral service it self will be another article down the line. So, like I said, I will be focusing on funeral merchandise that can be personalized to the individual. This will include caskets, vaults, urns and cemetery stones.

Let’s start with caskets and the

way you can personal ize them and I will even list some unique ones. There are many main stream casket manu factures in the world like batesville, Aurora, and Florence Casket Company to name a few. I will be focusing on b atesville Casket Company as that is the one my firm deals with and I am very familiar with their product line and what they have to offer.

species of wood (mahogany, cherry, oak, poplar, etc) and the different types of metals (bronze, cop per, stainless steel and steel). Some people use this as a definer of personalization in that maybe the deceased was a wood worker (carpenter) or a metal worker (car manufac turer).

b atesville has caskets in all the materials you could want, they can be categorized as wood or metal and then broken down into the different

You can go further with the different types of inte riors (crepe, velvet, or even lace) and the color (tan, pink, blue). There are some caskets that have a hunter cameo cloth for those who love the outdoors. If given enough time and financial support a special cloth interior can be put in. I

remember one service the deceased loved the straw berry shortcake cartoon and the family had a bed spread of the cartoon and it was used for the interior of the casket.

You can further per sonalize the casket with religious items such as crosses, crucifixes, stars of David, buddha, etc. bates ville also has tons of what are called medallions and casket corners that can be used for personalization. For example, if the loved one was a great hunter, there is a corner with a deer and another with a mallard. Maybe the deceased love to sing or play an instrument, there are corners with musical notes. There are corners and medallions for veterans, gardeners, chefs, among many. Stay tuned for my next column for more specifics on making a celebration of life more personable.

Andrew B. Hoffman is a funer al director at Jeffries and Keates and Keates-Plum Funeral Homes. He is a twenty-two year veteran of the funeral industry.

Back to the basics with the 4 types of fitness

building up cardiovascular endurance takes time. Not to get too technical, but it affects the heart and the lungs, and therefore their ability to provide muscle tissue with enough oxygen-rich blood to perform vigorous activity.

Shore Fit

By Bonnie Dodd-Miller

When you break things down to basics, there are four types of fitness.The one that everyone is familiar with is cardiore spiratory endurance, widely referred to as cardio. How many times have you heard, “If you do your cardio, you’ll lose weight?” This is not necessarily the case, but cardio is extremely beneficial.

Cardio is the ability of the body to supply oxygen and energy for an extend ed period of physical activity. When you first begin an exercise routine, cardio is likely a huge component of your routine and takes time to build.

I remember when I first started run ning. It took time and patience. I started by alternating walking with running and set small goals. I would walk 1 mile and jog for half a mile until I built up enough cardiovascular endurance to run the entire time.

Cardiovascular fitness has been known to significantly increase both the length and quality of life. A strong heart and a healthy set of lungs is a require ment for clear blood vessels that supply muscles with oxygen. I strongly recom mend pairing a healthy cardio diet with strength training for a well-balanced exercise program.

This leads me into my next topic of physical fitness: muscular endurance. Muscular strength and endurance is my all-time favorite type of fitness. Strength training is so important because it in creases a person’s ability to work against resistance and allows you to become stronger and stronger by constantly chal lenging yourself with a heavier workload.

Strength training and endurance have a number of positive impacts on the body, including increased bone den sity to reduce the risk of osteoporosis. It helps us manage our weight as well. Having muscle mass effectively increases your metabolism.

Flexibility is the next component of exercise that I will discuss, and the

one that I struggle with. If you, like me, have years of cycling or running under your belt, you most likely struggle with flexibility. A strong focus on yoga and Pilates has recently helped me with hip tightness.

Flexibility is an important compo nent of physical fitness and has many positive effects on the body. It improves posture, coordination, mobility and even wards off muscle soreness from those weight-bearing exercises. It also helps with speed.

If your muscles are too tight, they may not be able to provide the explosiveness necessary for a particular movement. Tight hip flexors, for example, will not allow you to extend to a full stride while running, thus inhibiting performance. It may be the reason why you can’t run under a 10-minute mile, as much as you try. This could be the very root of the

problem. Not having flexibility can hinder weight training because you also need that full range of motion for lifting.

Fitness is not just one approach. In fact, it’s the combination that makes one successful. I know many people that only delve into one area, such as spin class, and aren’t happy with their results. Managing your own fitness is not about picking the type of fitness that works best for you (although you will find yourself better suited to some types than others). It’s more about taking a holistic approach that balances each of these types equally.

Each type of fitness brings with it a number of benefits that will enhance your performance in others. I started to understand this because I struggle with speed, and it wasn’t until I realized how tight my muscles were that I understood how one affects the other.

It’s so important to find a balance between them, as opposed to sticking to the type that you most excel at or prefer.

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.

A season of welcoming with light, tasty wines

a welcome wine, but here are a few basic rules:

Less is more! Welcome wine is the opening act that should prepare guests for the “headlin ers” that follow.

By David Setley

Thanksgiving is upon us and we are officially entering “a season of welcome” as we invite family and friends into our homes for holiday get-to gethers. At Passion vines, we begin many of our wine events with what we call a “welcome wine.” Welcome wines provide a delicious way to say hello while establishing a cordial attitude for the evening. At home, a welcome wine is a great aperitif to create a relaxed and inviting at mosphere before dinner. An aperitif is a drink designed to stimulate the appetite and prepare the palate for delicious foods and beverages soon to follow. Personally, I discovered the idea of welcome wines in the Finger Lakes wine region when my wife and I happily enjoyed a crisp, light rkatsiteli upon arrival to a lunch pairing. There are many directions one can go with

Lighter is righter. o k, that’s bad English, but heavy wines are more appropriate during or after dinner. Don’t fill your guests up before you feed them. Think lighter-bodied, lower alcohol, and lower sugar wines.

Complement your food and compliment your guests. Choose a welcome wine that com plements what you will be serving. It can be fun to think regionally by serving an Italian aperitif with an Ital ian meal, or French with French, etc.

If you choose not to take a regional approach, consider your pairings. Your welcome wine should create harmony, not dissonance.

o ptions for welcome wines are limited only by your imagination.

Sparkling wines are certainly popular, especially at celebrations; why wait until New Year’s Eve to pop the cork?

Any light, crisp champagne, prosecco, or cava in either traditional white or rose’ do very well. Sparkling wines come in a wide variety of dryness and

price levels to fit most anyone’s tastes and budget. Among my personal fa vorites are the very reasonably priced Café’ de Paris, from France, and Le Contessa, from Italy.

bartenura Moscato d’Asti, from Lombardy, Italy, has become one of my favorite choices for a welcome wine in my home. You may not have tried Moscato d’Asti lately, but this varietal, especially the b artenura, deserves an invitation to your next gathering. It is low-alcohol (about 5%), light-bodied, and semi-dry. Its light ef fervescence complements any appe tizer or first course. We have served this to welcome guests at many of our recent wine events in the Somers

Point store as well; it has always been a crowd-pleaser.

If still wines are more to your liking, consider a r ies ling or a rose’. If your menu would be complemented by a dry wine, I would reach for the Pierre Sparr riesling, from Alsace as a light, crisp, and dry white. o r, for a quintessential Provence-style rose’ with a beautiful pink hue, the lovely bright acidity and luscious mouthfeel found in Miraval is a good option. both are reason ably priced and would set a festive mood for any of your upcoming holi day get-togethers.

I hope you will consider carrying on the tradition of welcome wines as a tasteful (and tasty) way of inviting guests into your home. As always, I appreciate your thoughts, questions, or comments. Contact me at dest ley@passionvines.com. Happy Wining!

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

Deana Martin to perform in Lucy the Elephant benefit Dec. 11

more, and cementing her place in U.S. history. Although she is currently still undergoing restoration efforts, you can still go on a modified guided tour which will take you inside.

Going Places with Dina Guzzardo

Margate’s Lucy the Ele phant is a true histori cal landmark.

First erected in 1881 by James Lafferty from Philadelphia, she was originally named “Elephant bazaar,” and was intended to entice prospective real estate buyers and tourists to the area.

She got her name in 1902 when Sophia Gertzen decided to turn her into a tavern, and in 1903 she was the summer residence of a british doctor and his family. over time Lucy dete riorated, owing to her proximity to the sea air and was largely neglected.

She was listed for demolition in 1969, but fortunately the Gertzens donated her to the newly formed Save Lucy Committee, which raised funds to save her and move her to a city-owned location a short distance from where she was originally built.

b y 1974, Lucy was finally reopened to the public after a long 12 years and was designated as a Na tional Historical Landmark in 1976, joining the likes of The Statue of Liberty, Hoover Dam, and Mt. rush

With restorations still ongoing, the Save Lucy Committee has bills to pay. You can help keep history alive and enjoy an outstanding evening of musical entertainment by attending a concert by Grammy nominated artist Deana Martin, daughter of the leg endary Dean Martin, 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11 at resorts Superstar Theatre.

Martin grew up around music and was exposed to some of the most iconic singers of all time on a daily basis. It was these frequent visits from Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. which persuaded her to follow a career in the entertainment industry.

Her performances reflect her bloodline, with her soulful voice cap tivating her audiences. She typically performs her father’s songs along with several other pop hits.

Martin is not just a talented sing er. She is the epitome of a woman of

many talents as a best-selling author, national radio show host, an entre preneur and a licensed pilot.

Martin was last in Atlantic City in 2015 where she thrilled audiences in a sold-out show. She will be coming to the Superstar Theatre at resorts, 1133 boardwalk, which is where her late father and Frank Sinatra last appeared together back in the 1980s.

She will be accompanied by an impressive 18-piece orchestra and special guest, Steve Maglio, who has been likened to Deana’s Uncle Frank (Sinatra) on many occasions and is the perfect singer to be accompany ing her. Don’t mistake him for an im personator, though, as Maglio has his own unique style which has thrilled audiences all over the country.

both singers were an easy choice to perform in this benefit concert, with tickets sure to sell out. It is also the only performance Martin has scheduled and will be your last chance to see her perform live in 2022.

Tickets start at $35 for general admission, and there are options for $50 with better seating. There are also two vIP options available for fans wishing to help a little more with the fundraiser.

Individual vIP seating includes a post-concert dessert reception and a meet and greet with Martin for $125.

There is also a vIP banquette option for groups of six, which is the same as the vIP seating plus a booth for you and your friends for $900.

The preferred seating and both vIP options are available exclusively through lucytheelephant.org. o ther tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster.

If you cannot attend the event, but still want to help in restoring and saving Lucy, there are several other channels to do so. The charity relies heavily on sales in their gift shop and online store, the guided tours, and donations. It is even possible to re serve her for private functions.

So if you are looking for a location for your next private dinner, fundrais er, or other special event, what would get people talking more than having dinner inside of an Elephant, which also happens to be a designated Na tional Landmark?

You can also volunteer with the organization as a tour guide or in the gift shop assisting with various dayto-day operations.

To purchase tickets to the Deana Martin concert, learn about volun teering, make a donation, buy gift shop items or answer any other questions you may have about Lucy the Elephant see https://lucytheele phant.org/.

by Jim Plousis & George Ingram