SHORE LOCAL | Coastal | April 20, 2023

Spring Events Bloom

Basset Hounds Strut Through Town

More Tornados Touching Down?

Cycling Studio Spins to Margate

Resilience is the real measure of success

with information at their fingertips. From baby tablets to laptops and i phones, they have had access to a consistent, real-time stream of information for as long as they can remember.

From

the Editor

My husband, Bob, and i met at college in 1989, so it's been quite some time since we walked into a college classroom together. recently, however, our friend and professor, Brian Cahill, gave us the opportunity to experience a dose of college nostalgia, though this time, we were on the other side of the desk.

Thirty-three years after we sat together as students, Bob and i stood side by side, at the front of the classroom, as guest speakers in the Stockton University business class. The students were remarkably bright, intuitive, and honest. Sharing our stories as business owners with the students was a unique and insightful experience that we both thoroughly enjoyed.

This generation of leaders and future business owners grew up

While the entire catalog of Shore local published stories exists on our website (shorelocalnews.com) and across all of our social media platforms, this was a strong reminder that businesses must stay up-to-date with technology. This interaction sparked in us a renewed commitment to keep up with technology, trends, analytics, and upcoming social media platforms.

i still have to wonder, though, why vinyl records have made a comeback when we have access to so many music streaming platforms. i believe it comes down to tangibility. The internet is fleeting. Things are here today, gone tomorrow. There is no feeling that ignites all of the senses quite like holding a new book, album, or magazine. We believe there will always be a market for tangible, hand-held, feel-good media, whether it’s a book,

an album, or a publication like Shore local.

Our journey back into the classroom also gave us an opportunity to take a pause and reflect on our wild life adventure together. it’s been messy and has rarely gone as planned. But like many, if we graphed our progress, it would not be a straight line. We’ve taken one step forward, two steps back, four steps forward and one back, etc... With a little perspective, we realize now that the setbacks were opportunities for us to up our game and try, try again. resilience, one's willingness to get up, "bounce back," and carry on, is what i believe is most important

and indicative of success. rather than letting failure overcome and drain your resolve, try to find a way to rise and be better than before.

As parents, we spend a lot of time and energy ensuring our kids get good grades and are honest, polite, confident, and athletic. i never thought about whether my children were resilient. if i had a redo on parenting, i would cringe less at the failures my kids faced and see them more as opportunities to foster resilience.

“Be a tryer,” i would emphasize. Tryers make great employees and leaders because their defeats are never really defeats, only setbacks on their road to even greater heights. Thank you to Brian Cahil and the students at Stockton University that welcomed us into their class. We are each writing our own story as we go. Make it a great one.

“It’s hard to beat a person who never quits.” - Babe ruth Peace & Love, Cindy

Publisher– Bob Fertsch (609) 334-1691 shorelocalads@gmail.com

Executive Editor - Cindy Christy Fertsch (609) 705-5323 shorelocalcindy@gmail.com

Copy Editors - James FitzPatrick, Holly Fertsch

Staff Writer - Sarah Fertsch Digital Marketing Director - Marc Berman Web Designer - Holly Martin

Contributors –Charles Eberson, Scott Cronick, Dan Skeldon, Tammy Thornton, Rich Baehrle, Steffen Klenk, Nancy Adler, Donald B. Kravitz, Joe Massaglia, Fred Miller, Krystle J. Bailey, Brian Cahill, Dave Weinberg, Doug Deutsch, Elisa Jo Eagan, David Setley, Heidi Clayton, Eric Reich, Keith Dawn, Whitney Ullman, Raymond Tyler, Tim Hawk

Cover art by Bogy.

Cover photo of Carter Doorly by Dawn Doorly.

Data center expansion keeps online gaming humming

Nearly half of Atlantic City’s gaming revenue comes from internet gambling and sports betting.

For example, in the month of February, 2023, the win for New Jersey’s nine casino hotel properties - slot machines plus table games - was $215 million, according to the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement.

They also took in $142.6 million from internet gaming and $54.6 million from sports wagering for a total of $412.2 million.

When it comes to secure and reliable data processing, the stakes are high in Atlantic City, and key to the gaming resort’s ongoing success.

That's why it was a cause for celebration when the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce, the Casino reinvestment and Development Authority and the data management company Continent 8 cut the ribbon on a $5 million phase 2 expansion of its data center at the Atlantic City Convention Center.

Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small got right to the point at the Tuesday, April 18 ceremony.

“ i nternet gaming is keeping the great city of Atlantic City afloat,” Small said. “We're still struggling to get to our pre-pandemic numbers

for brick and mortar, but this is keeping us alive.”

Michael Tobin, CEO and founder of Continent 8, indicated that there will be more expansions and ribbon cuttings to come.

“We see this as the seed for job creation beyond just the staff that we need to run a data center,” Tobin said.

That number grew from eight to 45 with the expansion.

Tobin explained that Atlantic City is part of the network with 95 locations around the world in competition with major data companies such as Amazon Web Services.

“Atlantic City has a special brand, well beyond gaming. And what we've created here, people don't understand how high-tech this is. We compete with the big players.”

He said Continent 8 has even bigger plans ahead for creating cyber security jobs in Atlantic City.

“This is only the beginning,” he said, explaining that he would like to return to his roots in economic development. “ i hope we become a more important part of the community beyond just having built the plumbing for the internet.”

Sen. Vince polistina congratulated Tobin on what his company has achieved.

“ it hopefully provides the blueprint as we move forward with the city of Atlantic City to get reinvestment and redevelopment,” polistina said.

Cr DA has been involved from the beginning of the private public partnership.

“One of the things that you note here is people often talk about what Atlantic City used to be,” said Sean pattwell, CrDA director. “And i think that what you all bring to the table is what Atlantic City can be,” pattwell said, stressing the potential for economic development and workforce development.

James T. plousis, Casino Control Commission chairman, said Continent 8 was key to the city’s survival during Covid.

“Who would have dreamed that five years ago what you did here would literally be the lifeline to keep the casinos going during the pandemic,” plousis said. “Truly this was the lifeline that kept the casinos rolling

during the pandemic and the 105 days that we were closed.”

Assemblyman and former Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian echoed something that Mayor Small said earlier, that the company and the project represent future jobs for Atlantic City residents.

Guardian also thanked the company for partnering with Atlantic Cape Community College and Stockton University on internships, which one day might turn into jobs.

After the ceremony Shore local News caught up with Continent 8 spokeswoman Barbara DeMarco by email who shared some details.

i n addition to the 45 jobs, the number of indirect jobs being generated by the project is 150 as the new addition allows for a “live dealer studio” run by the playtech Corporation adjacent to the data center.

No public dollars were used for phase 1, the initial project, or phase 2, DeMarco said.

The data center was built in “unused space” deep inside of the convention center that the public does not have access to. it is highly secure with 24-hour monitoring and security.

She also had insight into the location choice.

“The convention center location was chosen because of two key factors, firstly the CrDA was an excellent partner for this project and secondly, the electrical grid connection of the convention center, with connection to two substations, was ideal for a data center.”

Michael Tobin, CEO and founder of Continent 8

Musicians to be inducted in Atlantic City Walk of Fame

The National rhythm & Blues Music Society i nc. will be presenting an induction ceremony of artists inducted into the first "Walk of Fame" on Monday 24. it will take place at Brighton park, on the boardwalk in front of The Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City.

The first i nductees to be honored are Award Winning Artist and rock & r oll Hall of Famer, James Brown “The Godfather Of Soul”, r ock & roll Hall Of Famer, little Anthony & The imperials, and Grammy Award Winners, The Delfonics, and Grover Washington Jr.

Scheduled to appear to accept are, Anthony “ little Anthony” Gourdine Ernest Wright and Sammy Strain of little Anthony & The i mperials, Wilbert “Wil” Hart of The Delfonics (The last surviving member), James Brown’s daughter Deanna Brown and Grover Washington’s daughter Shana Washington.

The i nduction Ceremony event time is 1:00 pm and is free and open to the public. A Vip Cocktail reception will be held at the Claridge Hotel for the honorees and invited guests only.

The National r hythm & Blues Music Society i nc., is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is dedicated to preserving, promoting and honoring classic soul/ r&B music and the legends of the 60s, 70s, & 80s that paved the way for artists today.

For additional information, please visit our website at www.rnbmusicsociety.com.

Are tornadoes becoming more frequent in New Jersey?

Weather

By Dan Skeldon

It may have been April Fool’s Day, but Mother Nature certainly wasn’t in the joking mood. She launched a Saturday severe weather salvo on the Garden State as the month began, spawning seven tornadoes across central and southern New Jersey, including one in Mays l anding. Those seven tornadoes are tied for the largest single-day tornado outbreak in the state since 1950, which is as far as statewide tornado statistics date back. All of them were at least EF-1 tornadoes, with winds of at least 100 mph or greater.

Coupled with an unusually strong and rare February EF-2 tornado with 115 mph winds that struck Mercer County, 2023 is off to an especially

active start in terms of severe storms. The traditional peak for severe weather season is usually later spring to mid-summer here in the Garden State, usually from late May through early August. Now an active start doesn’t necessarily portend an active peak season. But it does raise a few questions, some of which i raised in a not-toodistant weather column several months ago. However, our torrent of twisters makes it worth another visit.

First, let’s dispel any fears that New Jersey is becoming a new tornado alley of sorts. it’s been a destructive start to tornado season nationwide, especially in the south, and the Deep South and Great plains will always be ground zero for the most frequent and most deadly tornadoes. The most destructive tornadoes, rated EF-4 and EF-5 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale with winds over 170 and sometimes even over 200mph, have never been observed in New Jersey and the chances are

very slim that they ever will. The closest EF-4 tornado in recent memory struck l a plata, Maryland, a small community south of Washington DC, back in 2002. EF-3 tornadoes, with winds as high as 160mph, are likely our top possibility, like the one that struck Harrison Township in Gloucester County a few years ago.

Second, we’ve seen active stretches in terms of tornadoes in the past. Most notably, the four year span from 1987 through 1990 saw 37 twisters touch down in New Jersey, including a record 14 in 1989, due in large part to a rare November outbreak. But things can also lie relatively dormant for quite a while. Those 14 tornadoes in one month in November 1989 is about the same number of tornado touchdowns that we saw in total through a relatively quiet 15 year stretch from 2004 through 2018.

But since that quiet stretch, there’s been little rest for the weary. i n the 4 years and 4 months since 2018, we’ve seen 36 tornado touchdowns state-wide, including the 8 to start this tumultuous year. Sure, that could be a coincidence, a few random active years back-to-back-to-backto-back, which has happened before.

However, it could be a result of climate change, and it would not be surprising if our annual tornado average creeps up just a bit. Keep in mind that in an “average” year, the entire state of New Jersey averages just two tornadoes. And remember how averages work: if you average three or four years when we see no tornadoes at all, and a busier one when we see eight let’s say, you’ll come up with an average of two. And that’s how tornadoes usually work here in the Northeast, a few busy seasons among many fairly inactive ones.

So what creates tornadoes here in New Jersey? There are two main

mechanisms: 1) a landfalling tropical system or its remnants, responsible for many of the late season (August through November) tornadoes we’ve seen -and- 2) strong cold fronts coupled with vigorous disturbances high up in the atmosphere, usually responsible for our tornadoes in the spring and early summer, and again in the late fall.

Tornadoes feed off heat and humidity, and a warming climate would logically provide more of both. That argues that severe weather outbreaks could become a little more common as a result. Furthermore, tropical systems have become both more frequent and more intense of late, as climate change warms the oceans and provides fuel to enhance the hurricane season. Since landfalling tropical storms and hurricanes or their leftovers are another main mechanism for spawning tornadoes, it again makes sense that our numbers may tick up just a bit.

None of this means that you should think about constructing a storm cellar or that your town should think about tornado sirens. When it comes to severe weather, tornadoes remain the least likely of all the “majors” (floods, hurricanes, blizzards, nor’easters, and severe thunderstorms) to occur in South Jersey. But that doesn’t mean that our particularly small chance of seeing a tornado touch down in any given place can’t increase just a little bit, as our average number of twisters may inch up over the next few decades. it’s just another reason to stay “weather aware” and to stay informed on severe weather days. Warning time for raising awareness of a likely severe weather outbreak as well as warning for a tornado itself continue to steadily increase.

Time will tell if our tornado count increases as well.

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.

Remember the problems you had with your Air Conditioner last Summer? Lets get talking about themMemorial Day is Next Month

By Krystle J Bailey

When Angela

Krukaus

kas’ husband fell critically ill five years ago, her neighbors stepped in to help care for her family. After his discharge from i CU, Angela searched for a way to give back to her community as a “thank you.”

The Egg Harbor City mother of

One woman’s calling to give back grows into a movement in EHC

two started an open-air, 24-hour food pantry in her front yard that began with one box of stuffing and a sign that read, “Take a blessing if you need one, leave a blessing when you can.”

One box led to another, and soon the pantry was filled with donations for those needing a little extra help. By Christmas, toys and gift cards began to find their way to the Krukauskas home, and 41 local children were blessed with the holiday season they deserved.

Wednesday

Over the past five years, the blessings have increased exponentially. The food pantry has evolved well beyond soup cans and stuffing boxes. The telephone booth-sized pantry now includes refrigerators and freezers, fresh produce donated by South Jersey farmers, diapers, medical supplies, and so much more. l ast year, 388 children received Christmas gifts donated by the helping hands and giving hearts of the local community.

“ i thought about what i can do that would impact those in the town that are really in need,” explained Krukauskas. “ i thought to myself, i coupon really well; we could probably feed some people.”

The kind gesture has amounted to feeding hundreds of families over the years. Now a 501(c)3 nonprofit, No1 Hungry in EHC continues to serve Atlantic County families in momentous ways. Whether someone is searching for a hospital bed or a can of sauerkraut, Angela Krukauskas and her team of 200+ volunteers will go above and beyond to allocate it.

i n 2018 when the city delivered a cease and desist notice to the Boston Avenue home, what should have slowed down the operation instead propelled it forward. Krukauskas invited anyone who believed in what she was doing to attend the City Council meeting with donations in hand.

The meeting room flooded with community members in support of the mission, and rather than council members voting against the continuation of the pantry, they encouraged Krukauskas to keep going. One councilman even noted that he would have gone

hungry as a child if not for kind people like Angela Krukauskas.

That meeting became a launching pad for No1 Hungry in EHC, as donations began to flood in and dozens more families were blessed. The “No1 Hungry in EHC” Facebook group now has over 2,000 community members who are encouraged to help one another by sharing needs, donations, and opportunities. When there is a need, Angela assures, she can typically fulfill it within 24 hours.

The No1 Hungry volunteer team has expanded well beyond the Egg Harbor City residential property. When tragedy strikes, these volunteers are the helpers, healers, and givers. They show up ready to fill in the gaps wherever necessary. From feeding individuals in motels to following First responders to see where there may be a need, the No1 Hungry in EHC team goes above and beyond to ensure locals are fed, clothed, and cared for.

When asked what keeps her going, Angela Krukauskas states, “ i can’t ever

Angela Krukauskas

stop. i believe God made my husband well because i fulfilled my promise of taking care of the people that took care of us. There are so many people in need right now.”

The organization is fueled by 100% community donations. Yearly fundraisers and donation drives help to feed and bless hundreds of local families each year. This year, Krukauskas and team are looking forward to a Christmas in July campaign that invites individuals to get a headstart on holiday giving.

Each winter season, the donated warehouse that the organization uses throughout the year is set up as a holiday workshop. Families come in to shop for their children and leave with a full haul of gifts, stocking stuffers, wrapping paper, gift boxes, and anything else they need to bring a dose of

holiday magic into their homes. To ease the financial burden of the holiday season, No1 Hungry in EHC is encouraging those who can to donate items now that will be given out at Christmas time.

in an effort to highlight South Jersey businesses and raise funds that will continue to uplift the community, the team is curating a recipe calendar that will feature items found in the food pantry. local restaurants are encouraged to participate by contributing their unique recipe using easily accessible ingredients. Once complete, calendars will be available for a nominal fee to raise money for the cause.

This year, the organization’s goal is to open a storefront pantry. They hope to expand beyond the donated warehouse they currently operate out of and look forward to reaching even more local families.

With the increased food prices and economic changes, the need for donations is higher than ever. All financial contributions and donations are welcomed. For more information, visit the Facebook group, “No1HungryinEHC” or contact Angela at No1hungryinehc@ yahoo.com.

Krystle J Bailey is a multimedia journalist, author and poet. Connect with Krystle on Instagram @thedailybailey5

Events and Happenings

Multi-Day Events

Book and Bake Sale

▶Friday, April 21st 10am-4pm and Saturday, April 22nd 10am-2pm

Otto Bruyns p ublic l ibrary of Northfield 241 W. Mill rd.

The Friends of the Otto Bruyns public library of Northfield is having a Book and Bake Sale this weekend. All money raised is used to support programs at the library.

C.R.O.P.S. Markets Linwood

▶Saturdays from 9am-12pm Central Square linwood 199 New rd.

C. r .O. p.S. linwood Farmers Market is open for Spring 2023 at Central Square linwood. The Market is open Saturdays through May 20th. Visit cropsnj.org for more details.

Atlantic County 4-H 8th N-Scale

Model Train Gathering

▶Saturday, April 22nd from 10am-4pm and Sunday, April 23rd from 10am-3pm

Atlantic County 4-H Fairgrounds

3120 route 50, Mays landing

The 8th N-Scale Gathering is hosted by the Atlantic County 4-H Model railroad Train Club and NJ Southern N-Trak. Admission is free and refreshments will be available. For more information, visit ac4hfair.org.

Somers Point Dance Society

▶Tuesdays from 7:30-10pm

Somers point Fire Co. #1 447 Bethel rd.

ready to go dancing again? Come out to Somers point Fire Co. #1 every Tuesday for social dancing, line dances, dance mixers, and more. light snacks included in admission. $10 live musical duo each week. Call rita Voli at 609-408-3619 for information. See you on the dance floor.

Ocean City Boardwalk & Downtown Merchant Table Sales

▶Saturday, April 29 & Sunday, April 30

Asbury Avenue and Boardwalk

Ocean City shops on the Boardwalk and Asbury Avenue will be offering great deals and sales this weekend. For more information, visit oceancityvacation.com.

Smithville Renaissance Faire

▶Saturday, April 29th & Sunday, April 30th from 11am-5pm

Historic Smithville 615 E. Moss Mill rd.

The Historic Village of Smithville will be transformed into the Shire of Smithville in the heart of the English renaissance. Fun for the whole family including comedy, tragedy, sword fighting, dance, songs, knights, jest-

TL ANTIC TITLE AGENCY, LLC

ers, and so much more. located on the Village Greene side of Smithville. Hosted by the players of the New Jersey renaissance Faire. For more information, visit www.historicsmithville.com.

Thursday, April 20th

Chat with a Trooper

▶10am

Dunkin Donuts 4 South Shore rd. Marmora

The Upper Township Business Association (UTBA) will host an in-person “Chat with a Trooper” session, with the New Jersey State police, from the Woodbine Barracks, this Thursday. Steve Zellers, UTBA president, and lt. Tighe rocap, NJSp Woodbine Barracks Commander, invite UTBA members, other area businesses and local Twp. residents to attend. There will be free coffee and conversation.

Hard Rock Job Fair

▶10am-3pm

Sound Waves Theater 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Hard rock Atlantic City is looking for new members to join their brand. immediate interviews will be offered in gaming, EVS, housekeeping, food and beverage, spa, and more.

Piano Bar at the Gateway

▶7-9pm

Gateway playhouse 738 Bay Ave. Somers point

Join Gateway playhouse for their April piano Bar featuring Michael McAssey. He is described as “one of cabaret’s most talented troubadours” by Broadway World and “the love child of robin Williams & Mae West, and the grandson of Mel Torme” according to Nitelife Exchange. Tickets are available for $15. Visit gatewaybythebay.org for tickets and information.

New Moon Night Market & Dance Party

▶9pm

Anchor rock Club 247 S. New York Ave. Atlantic City

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Anchor r ock Club welcomes supremely talented acts for Jungle Jam. Artists include Mums the Word, Kulture Cru’s Jay Shok, The p rimordial Archetype, and Chris Gicky with DJ Skyline hosting. New Moon Night Market is Atlantic City’s hyper-local art marketplace and EDM headquarters featuring independent/ small businesses, emerging artists, beloved local acts, and even regional headliners.

Saturday, April 22nd

Margate Paper Shredding

▶9am

public Works Yard 101 N. Benson Ave.

protect your sensitive information and declutter your home or office with the upcoming paper shredding event in Margate. Hosted by Margate City, this event offers a secure and convenient way to dispose of your confidential documents. This free event if open to all Margate residents and will help keep your personal information safe while also promoting responsible recycling practice. For more information, visit www.margate-nj.com.

Cape May County Earth Day Celebration

▶10am-3pm

Cape May County park and Zoo

707 route 9 N. Cape May Court House

Cape May County’s Earth Day Celebration is back and bigger than ever. local and global environment friendly exhibitors will be in attendance as this event celebrates “Every Day is Earth Day.” For more information, visit www.cmczoo.com. Hosted by the Cape May County park & Zoo and Cape May County MUA.

Ventnor City Shred Event

▶10am-12pm

Newport Avenue and the Beach

Need help with your spring cleaning? Ventnor residents can bring any paper item that needs to be shredded. pull up to the shred truck and your items will be unloaded for you; there is no need for you to exit your vehicle.

Fundraiser Event for Defend Brigantine Beach

▶1-5pm

VFW post 6964 121 31st St. S. Brigantine

Join Defend Brigantine Beach in their fight against planned industrial offshore wind turbine projects. Your donation will go toward immediate action to stop the ocean wind farm projects off our coast. $25 donation at the door; light food served, cash bar, music, basket auction, 50/50 raffle.

Eddie and the Cruisers 40th Anniversary Show

▶6-9:30pm

Gateway playhouse 738 Bay Ave. Somers point

Join Gateway playhouse for the 40th Anniversary of Eddie and the Cruisers, presented by the Somers point Historical Society. Enjoy a live performance by Destinee Monroe and Billy Walton, with special appearance by Michael “Tunes” Antunes aka Wendell Newton and David Wilson aka Kenny Hopkins. Doors open at 5:30, a live performance and Meet and Greet at 6pm, and Eddie and

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S

↘Continued from 14

the Cruisers movie at 7pm. Tickets are available for $25 and benefit the Somers point Historical Society. Visit gatewaybythebay.org for tickets and information.

Sunday, April 23rd

Run Wild for the Cape May County Zoo

▶8am

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

Sturdy Savings Bank presents the second year of run Wild for the Cape May County Zoo. This 5K run and 1 Mile Walk will take runners and walkers through the world famous Zoo. They’re opening the gates early and letting attendees in to run Wild and bid the animals good morning. prerace packet pickup will be available April 22nd at the Cape May County Earth Day Fair. learn more and sign up online at runsignup.com.

ACUA Earth Day Festival

▶10am

ACUA Environmental park 6700

Delilah rd. Egg Harbor Township

Join ACUA for their 31st Annual Earth Day Festival. There will be lots of free, fun and educational activities for everyone. The celebration has many exciting events and entertainment throughout the day,

and more than 150 vendors, crafters, food vendors and exhibitors will be part of the celebration. For more information, visit www.acua.com/ earthday.

Monday, April 24th

Atlantic City Walk of Fame Induction Ceremony

▶1pm

Brighton park 1801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

The National r&B Music Society presents the Atlantic City Walk of Fame i naugural Class for 2023. i nductees include little Anthony & The i mperials, The Delfonics, The Godfather of Soul James Brown, and Grover Washington Jr. The induction ceremony is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www. rnBmusicsociety.com or call 609-339-6767.

Casiello Free Basketball Clinic for Somers Point Students

▶2:30-4pm

Jordan road School 129 Jordan rd.

Casiello Basketball is holding a Free clinic for all students 4th – 8th Grade at Jordan road at 2:30pm on Mondays. For questions, please email casiellobball@gmail.com.

Tuesday, April 25th

Fundraising Event for Ruth Newman Shapiro Cancer & Heart Fund

▶6-8pm

Sofia restaurant Amherst and Adams Avenues, Margate

Join the ruth Newman Shapiro Cancer & Heart Fund for a “Tasting” of wines from around the Mediterranean and lite Fare. There will also be a Silent Auction and 50/50. The event will take place at Sofia restaurant. Admission is $40. pay at the door or make check payable to: “ rNS” and mail to: rNS, C/O pat Mcl aughlin, 304 N. Union Avenue, Margate, NJ 08402. For more information, contact pat at 609822-7047 or patmc22@comcast.net.

Wednesday, April 26th

Child Abuse Prevention Month Commemoration

▶12-2pm

Atlantic County Office Building

outdoor courtyard 1333 Atlantic Ave. Atlantic City

Join Atlantic County to commemorate Child Abuse prevention Month. Help ensure children have positive experiences and families have the resources they need. Obtain information and education materials, meet community stakeholders and partners. For more information, please e-mail rob@ acfamsupport.org.

Thursday, April 27th

Village Trivia Challenge

▶4pm

Test your knowledge and compete for the top prize from over 6,000 possible questions. Topics include science, geography, history, music, theater, movies and more. The event is free for Holocaust Survivors and Village Members. For non-members, the cost is $5 payable prior to April 20th. rSVp by contacting Tina Serota at 609-2878872 or tserota@jfsatlantic.org.

Night of 300,000 Meals

▶5:30-8pm

Community FoodBank of New Jersey 6735 Black Horse pike, Egg Harbor Township

please join the Community FoodBank of New Jersey’s Southern Branch

for an evening of fine fare, fun spirits, and live music. The goal of the event is to raise funding necessary to provide 300,000 meals to the nearly 70,000 South Jersey residents who are food insecure, and to support other vital programs serving South Jersey including nutrition education, diaper and feminine hygiene product distribution, resource access outreach and their College pantry program. Tickets and additional information are available at cfbnj.org/event/night-of-300000meals.

EHTHS presents Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

▶Thursday, April 27th – Sunday, April 30th

Egg Harbor Township High School 24 High School Drive

Egg Harbor Township High School Theatre presents Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. rated G. Showtimes are Thursday-Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 2pm. purchase tickets online at ehths.booktix.com.

Friday, April 28th

Community in Bloom Mural Dedication

▶5pm

3119 Atlantic Ave. Atlantic City

Join the Atlantic City Arts Foundation, Chelsea EDC, lead Artist De’von Downes, and Assistant Artist Chanelle rene to dedicate their mural “Community in Bloom” in the Chelsea Neighborhood of Atlantic City.

Saturday, April 29th

Somers Point Bayfest

▶10am-5pm Bay Avenue

The event will be held along Bay Avenue in Somers point in the city’s Bayfront Historic preservation District. The day will be filled with music, delicious food, and hundreds of unique crafts. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/somerspointbayfest.

Ocean City Sports Memorabilia Show

▶10am-4pm

Ocean City Music pier 825 Boardwalk

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Vendors with merchandise and items representing a variety of sports and teams will be for sale at the show. For more information, visit oceancityvacation.com.

Sunday, April 30th

Sgt. Jeff Rivera Benefit

▶5-8pm

Maynards Café 9306 Amherst Ave. Margate

The family of Sergeant Jeff rivera, along with the brothers and sisters of the Atlantic City police Department, are calling for your support. Jeff has recently been diagnosed with Stage 4 Stomach Cancer. All proceeds will go to the rivera family. Tickets are $40 and includes beer, wine, and food. purchase from pBA local 24 at the door. For more information, email mattsrogers2017@gmail.com.

Wednesday, May 3rd

Positivity Project: Morning Refresh

▶10:30am

Start your day in an upbeat way. Explore positivity. You’ll learn ways to boost wellness – mind, body, and soul. Topics include self-care, mindfulness, gratitude, meditation, and resiliency. rSVp by May 1st by contacting Tina Serota at 609-287-8872 or tserota@ jfsatlantic.org.

Health and Wellness

Dementia Support Group

▶Wednesday, May 3rd 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 609-402-6966 for more information.

NAMI Connections and Family Support Groups

▶Monday, May 8th at 7pm St. Joseph’s Catholic Church 606 Shore rd. Somers point

tal health condition. Family Support Group is a support group for adult friends and family members of people with mental health conditions. participants gain the support of their peers who understand their experience and gain insight into others’ challenges and successes. For more information and to register, please visit www.namiacm. org, or call 609-741-5125. NAM i ACM is a non-profit 501C(3) corporation.

Mental Health Support and Discussion Groups

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

Recovery Groups

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

Wellness Groups

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

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Doo Dah Parade struts through Ocean City

By Donald B Kravitz

Ocean City welcomed spring with the annual Doo Dah parade on Saturday, April 15.

The Doo Dah p arade is Ocean City’s season-opening celebration of all things humorous. The procession features marching bands, floats and a brigade of hundreds of basset hounds.

The First Ocean City Doo Dah parade was held on April 19, 1986.

it was based on the original Doo Dah parade, a spoof of the rose Bowl parade, held in pasadena, California. Ocean City’s event is always scheduled close to Tax Day, and it serves as a way to blow off steam after filing income taxes.

philadelphia phillies great Mickey

Morandini was the grand marshal of the parade this year.

Some highlights included the pleasantville High School Marching Band, the Hobo Band, the Jersey String Band, the Woodland String Band, Crescent Shriner’s Mini Cars, the Wildwood High School Marching Band and the Atlantic City Fire Department Sandpipers Band.

Photos by Donald B Kravitz

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

Hundreds off basset hounds descend upon Ocean City

By Tim Hawk

What does it mean for something to last 25 years?

That time means different things to different people but for the Tri-State Basset Hound rescue it means 25 years of organizing, planning and showcasing its main fundraiser, the BoardWaddle, in which approximately 500 hounds can walk to save more of their own.

“Every dollar this rescue takes in goes to the dogs,” said Valerie Mazzei, president of Tri-State.

And when the hounds’ little legs hit the pavement on Asbury Avenue in Ocean City this past Saturday, for the 1.68-mile walk, they took a big step towards another year of rescues.

The BoardWaddle is part of the city’s Doo Dah parade which kicks off the Shore town’s season of special events.

Thousands of people lined the streets and boardwalk to watch the 36th annual parade that led off with philadelphia phillies great Mickey Morandini as the grand marshal and included various floats, the Woodland String Band, and the Original Hobo Band.

l ast but not least were the basset hounds who left the Ocean City Tabernacle led by their grand marshal Flash. The 10-year-old hound came to the rescue after he was given up by his owners in louisiana, and rode comfortably in a white convertible with his new humans Jay and Dean lieberman.

Following right behind was the

brigade of dogs, many who were dressed in costumes — one as a domino pizza box, another dressed as the devil — while others rode in elaborate floats or were pulled in decorated wagons.

Gigi, a 9-year-old basset hound, and her owner John Gouveia, of little Falls, were dressed alike, sporting the colors of America from head to foot, or in Gigi’s case, paw.

“There's something to be said about being among a bunch of like-minded people who are into their basset hounds as much as you are,” said Gouveia before the parade began. “ it's just a fun bunch of people

to be around.”

As the dogs made their way through the city, people would hold out their hands for a chance to pet them and maybe get a quick sloppy kiss, and the hounds didn’t disappoint.

The love for basset hounds was evident on Saturday but actually started the day before during the Basset Olympics, held in Ocean City. Their athleticism was on full display during the 10-meter sprint, 15-meter hurdles, high jump and obstacle course.

The fastest time in the 10-meter sprint clocked in at 2.13 seconds and the highest jump, which started 6 inches, was 18 inches.

Their humans cheered every moment and showered them with hugs and kisses as they crossed the finish line, but the hound that received the most cheers was 7-year-old Emma Jean who competed in every game even though she is blind.

“We just came to have fun and i didn't really think Emma would do as much as she did,” said her owner linda Hotaling of Fultonville, New York, who was there with her husband Tom and their second basset, Ellie Mae.

Emma lost both her eyes to glaucoma, the first when she was only 3 years old, and this past October when she had surgery to remove her second eye.

She was most impressive while competing in the hurdles event, as she put her trust in her owner every step of the way. Walking slowly, linda would tap on the hurdles, which were turned over boxed flower planters, and Emma would take the leap of faith all the way to the finish line.

“She had me in tears when she cleared the last hurdle,” linda said.

With all the fun the weekend of activities brought to the Shore, there is a more serious side of the BoardWaddle, and that is raising money to rescue more basset hound and basset hound mixes.

↘Continued on 22

↘Continued from 21

last year 298 dogs were saved.

“We take in about 30 percent of the funds we need to run a year,” explained Mazzei when talking about the two days of events, which also included a pawction where people bid on basset-themed items.

She said all the money raised goes to the dogs and supports the costs of vetting, microchipping, transport fees and food for their foster families.

tion but is staying with a foster and is “still full of life, and he is beautiful and he is happy.”

“From the border of Mexico he's now on the shores of New Jersey,” said Mazzei, noting that the rescue is registered in five states — New Jersey, pennsylvania, New York, Alabama and Mississippi — but will pull from other states as well.

“ it's a labor of love that goes into this,” said Mazzei.

This past year Tri-State rescued its first dog on the Mexican border – Cruz, a stray that was in very bad condition and who is approximately 10 years old.

Mazzie explained that the rescue stepped in to secure Cruz and sent him to one of their foster homes in Beaumont, Texas, before being flown to New Jersey.

While in Texas it was discovered he had cancers growing, had chronic issues with his eyes and had surgery to remove his ear canals. He is now considered a hospice case, explained Mazzei, and is not available for adop -

The next big event for the rescue is “Barks at the parx” where the hounds race on the horse track at parx Casino in Belsalm, pennsylvania, on June 10. registration is not yet open but 96 dogs will have the opportunity to let their ears fly in search for glory.

Tim Hawk has been a photojournalist for more than 30 years, covering South Jersey and the Jersey Shore. He is also an adjunct professor at Rowan University he teaches photojournalism.

Photos by Tim Hawk

The Flanders Hotel, 100 Years Ago

A Look Back

By Fred Miller

In 1921, residents began discussing the need for a new, modern oceanfront hotel as a necessity if Ocean City was to keep up

need a reality, planning an elegant oceanfront hotel on the boardwalk at Eleventh Street. it would be the largest construction project ever undertaken in the city. The hotel was to have 150 feet fronting the boardwalk and 285 feet fronting Eleventh Street. There would also be some frontage on Ocean Avenue.

The new hotel was to be called the Flanders, after Belgium’s Flanders Field, where many Americans servicemen were buried. it was felt that this hotel would have a great influence

and civic leaders. William E. Massey, president of the Ocean City Title & Trust Company, was general chairman; Joseph M. roland, owner of the lincoln Hotel, was vice chairman; and former mayor Harry Headley was treasurer. They were tasked with constructing and operating the hotel and allowing shareholders to participate in and fully share in the profits.

By the summer of 1923, the hotel was ready for its grand opening.

with its resort rivals. The Chamber of Commerce appointed a committee to look into the matter, and it came to the same conclusion.

i n 1922, a group of Ocean City businessmen decided to make that

on lengthening the summer season and would help Ocean City become a year-round resort.

The Ocean Front Hotel Corporation of Ocean City, New Jersey, was composed of prominent businessmen

Open For The Season!

#1 PARTY TRAY STORE AT THE SHORE

Sports Memorabilia Show to Feature Brandon Graham and Chad Durbin

Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl champion Brandon Graham and p hiladelphia p hillies World Series champion Chad Durbin will be part of the fifth annual Sports Memorabilia Show on Saturday, April 29 at the Ocean City Music pier, and they will greet fans and lead Q&A sessions as part of the event.

A 13-year veteran with the Eagles, Graham is a former first-round draft pick and all- pro defensive end. He helped the Eagles reach the Super Bowl in 2018 and provided a strip sack of Tom Brady that helped seal the vic-

tory in the closing minutes. Graham will return as a team leader for the Eagles on the defensive line for the 2023 season.

Durbin was a relief pitcher for the phillies team that won the World Series in 2008, and he had two post-season victories in 2009 as the phillies returned to the Fall Classic. in 2022, he rejoined the phillies as a color analyst for the radio broadcast team.

Durbin will participate in a free Q&A session at 11:30 a.m., and Graham will be featured in a free Q&A session at 1 p.m. on stage at the Ocean City

Music pier. Following these sessions, the sports legends will be available for meet-and-greets with fans.

Tickets will go on sale starting Tuesday, April 25 for the opportunity to get an autograph and photo with Durbin (starting at 12 p.m. April 29, $20) or Graham (starting at 1:30 p.m. April 29, $35). Tickets include an autograph on a photo or item you supply and a selfie photo with the player. Visit oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, call 609-399-6111 or stop by City Hall or the roy Gillian Welcome Center.

Former philadelphia Eagles linebacker ike reese will make a special appearance at the show from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. reese played for the Eagles from 1998 to 2004 and helped them win the NFC Championship in 2004. He currently hosts the afternoon show on the philadelphia sports radio station Wip-FM, 94.1.

Vendors with merchandise and collector’s items representing a variety of sports and teams will be on display and for sale at the show. Admission is free, and hours will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

COMING UP IN MAY

MAY 5 – Martin Z. Mollusk Day: Find out if summer will come early, 11 a.m. on the beach at Ninth Street.

MAY 6 – Spring Block party: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Fifth Street to 14th Street on Asbury Avenue. More than 350 crafters, food vendors, music and more. For more information, call 1-800-BeachNJ.

MAY 6-7 – Boardwalk and Downtown Merchant Table Sales: Sixth Street to 14th Street on the Boardwalk and Asbury Avenue.

MAY 21 – OCNJ Triathlon/Duathlon: races start at 9 a.m. For more informa-

tion and registration, visit www.ocnj. us/race-events.

MAY 26 – Unlocking of the Ocean and Business persons plunge: participants dress in business suits, carry brief cases and march into the ocean to the strains of pomp and Circumstance to welcome the new season. Noon on the beach next to the Music pier.

MAY 27 – Memorial Beach Challenge for 31 Heroes: The main obstacle course challenge is a soft-sand adventure race followed by a kid’s fun run. Staging at Ninth Street Beach. For registration information, visit memorialbeachchallenge.com or call 856-905-0583.

MAY 29 – Memorial Day Service: 11 a.m. at Veteran’s Memorial p ark between

Fifth Street and Sixth Street on Wesley Avenue. in addition, a National Moment of remembrance will ask Americans, wherever they are at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day, to pause in an act of national unity for a duration of one minute. The moment of remembrance will take place on the Boardwalk

Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl champion Brandon Graham

Discover Ocean Outdoor Teak and Poly Outlet

Expanded selection of furniture as spring season approaches

As the cool, salty air warms up along the coast, many shore homeowners and businesses are thinking of updating their outdoor spaces. When it comes to bringing 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 incoming 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 international issues have been on the rise. This creates is creating big problems for homeowners and businesses alike. Fortunately, 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

PRE-SEASON SALE

quickly overtaking the outdoor market. Poly lumber is built mostly from recycled products and holds its color well. Combine its color retention with stainless steel hardware, a variety of color combinations 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

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 popular at the shore. Two seat pub sets start at $950 and our fourseat 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 customers 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 standard 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 plastic 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. Poly only needs

After 15 years in Somers Point, The Teak and Poly Outlet moved to Cape May County. They are located 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

SAVE HUNDREDS

High-end spin studio coming to Margate

By Sarah Fertsch Staff Writer

You’re seated on a bike in a dark studio. Slowly, then all at once, the music comes alive and the bass drops, and you’re pedaling faster and faster.

The instructor, striding on a small stage, flicks the lights on and off to the rhythm.

“ i know you can do this because you showed up and i believe in you,” she says. “Crank up that resistance and let’s ride!”

For 45 minutes, you’ll dance along to the music as you pedal, and at some points, pick up some light weights for a couple of arm exercises. And when the class eventually ends, you’ll feel strong and a little silly in the best way.

Spin classes, or indoor cycling group exercise classes, have become a worldwide phenomena through brands like SoulCycle. Jamie promislo perfected the spin studio and will open her Margate studio next month.

“Typically, high-end cycling classes can make you feel like you need to look a certain way or perform at your best all the time,” said promislo. “ revel ride meets people where they

are while having fun and getting in a good sweat.”

promislo is the owner of revel ride, a spin studio company based in philadelphia since 2018. promislo and her husband own a house in Ventnor, and have fallen in love with down-the-shore-living.

“South Jersey could use some more deluxe fitness opportunities and brands, and we come down the shore every weekend,” said promislo. “ locals and tourists and weekenders alike can take fitness classes, even when they are at the beach (thanks to revel ride).”

The new Margate studio will have a soft opening on May 20, and a grand opening on Memorial Day. The space is located at 9205 Ventnor Ave., sharing a storefront with Market realty. it will share a block with Heritage Surf Shop and Jalapenos restaurant.

The biking space is completely soundproof and has 24 bikes with room for more as needed. promislo invested in top-of-the-line audio, lighting and a podium for the instructor.

The bikes themselves are STAGES SC3, which mimic outdoor cycling closely. riders have the option to

track calories, resistance, watts, and distance as they choose, including an option to enjoy the class without focusing on their metrics.

revel r ide will cater to riders of all abilities and goals by offering different types of classes. like SoulCycle, riders can opt for a choreo -

graphed class. However, they could also select a power/endurance ride (centered around high-resistance and cardio training) or a more-general spin class for beginners or folks who don’t need anything too complicated.

revel ride is running a presale until April 30. riders can sign up for a membership, or book a pack of classes or even just a single class. Names of each deal are clever and Jersey-themed, including “weekender,” “shoobie,” “daytripper,” and “local.”

promislo has hired a qualified team of instructors who love indoor cycling, but also have lives outside of the fitness sphere.

“Sometimes it can feel like the instructor of a spin class has unrealistic expectations because all they do is coach,” she said. “ revel ride is intentional about hiring trainers who have jobs outside teaching exercise classes, so they can better relate to you and me, coming to class from work or parenting obligations.” For more information on revel ride Margate, visit their website at revel-ride.com or follow them on i nstagram. For specific questions, email Jamie at jpromislo@revel-ride.com.

Galloway attracting new residential, commercial development

business.

Business Buzz

By Rich Baehrle

The Smithville section of Galloway Township is experiencing real growth. One of the latest projects is JW living, Assisted living and Nursing, a 5-star spacious facility that will feature 130 beds with relaxing common and dining areas in a nice country setting.

This site, located across from the Smithville i nn, sat vacant for decades. There were numerous proposals for the location including a hotel, a gas station, and townhomes.

With easy access to the Garden State parkway added in the last decade, Galloway has become a convenient place to live and do

There are several other nursing and assisted living facilities in the township as well. part of the attraction is the growing and reputable medical care services in the township courtesy of AtlaniCare regional Medical Center and its surrounding healthcare providers. located just down the street from the assisted living will be the raven’s Nest Apartments, situated on 12 acres. This much-needed apartment community will consist of 120 Class A, market-rate apartments.

There will be five three-story buildings with elevators. The mix will consist of 30 one-bedroom units along with 90 spacious two-bedroom units. The complex will also include 30 garages and a 3,000-square-foot amenity center.

As a realtor, i know there is a real shortage of quality apartments. When we get an apartment rental we get a rush of calls from people begging to get it.

The community is being developed by Davis Enterprises, a

well-respected developer from South Jersey. Call 856-985-1200 to learn more.

Moving to the center of the township, Starbucks is planning another store. i t will be in the former Ocean First Bank site at 320 Jimmie l eeds r oad. i t is amazing that the company recognizes the demand to support two stores located within 3 miles of each other.

The last place i visited is the Nantucket at Galloway, which is located on the White Horse pike at the intersection of Jimmie leeds road. it is a shell of a building now, but it will eventually consist of up to five stores joining CVS. Stay tuned for the business lineup. remember to Stop, Shop, play and Stay in Atlantic County.

Tulip Mania at Dalton Farms

Let

It Grow

By Tammy Thornton

Among the many delights of spring, a visit to the Tulip Festival at Dalton Farms must make your bucket list of spring activities. located in Swedesboro, New Jersey, Dalton Farms is a pleasant day drive from our Shore local area. Visitors will be wowed with row upon row of gorgeous tulips on this 99-acre family-run farm.

With over one million tulips planted, you will find contrasting shapes, sizes, and colors, with varieties to suit any taste. While some rows contain monochromatic blocks of color for impact, others feature columns of artfully combined contrasting tulip varieties that complement each other beautifully. You may fancy the dignified purple l ady tulip or the mysterious Queen of Night; meanwhile, you’ll get distracted by the

wild Flamenco tulip, catching your eye with its fringed petals. You won’t want to miss the double tulips that contain so many layers of petals you’ll think you have stumbled into a peony garden.

Of course, everyone wants to capture this dreamy feast for the eyes. Young and old alike are armed with their phones, trying to stage the perfect selfie among the tulips.

But expansive fields allow plenty of room to move among the rows of flowers, laid out in various major gardens throughout the farm. Fortunately, attendees can bring home more than a picture. This “U-pick” tulip festival allows guests to pick their favorite posies and pay a small fee for their bouquets as they leave. Admission to the self-guided tours allows guests to wander the aisles of flowers and access to each garden, and wagon rides are available for weary travelers.

After personally enjoying the magic of these stunning flowers, you may be able to relate to the frenzy that occurred over tulips during the Dutch Golden Age. in the 1600’s, passion for possessing tulips reached heights of maddening levels. At the peak of the craze called, “Tulip Mania”, merchants

were trading the rights to tulip bulbs at ballooned prices equalling ten times the annual income of a skilled artisan. Some of the most prized tulips were those that had streaks or flames of colors on their petals. i ronically, this color-breaking that caused such beautiful effects on the petals was a result of the tulip mosaic virus, which weakened the health of the bulbs. Speculating traders were buying the rights to bulbs and reselling them before they possessed them. Eventually, the market bubble of trading in futures crashed. if you find yourself coming down with a case of tulip mania, take heart. You don’t have to mortgage your house for a single bulb with a virus.

Adorable five-month old, Lunna, came all the way from Brooklyn, New York, with her mom Jarissa to enjoy the Tulip Festival at Dalton Farms.

Fringed tulips catch the eye with their unique petals.

Fortunately, hybridizers of today can breed healthy plants in variegated colors that mimic those in the days of rembrandt. Tulip bulbs can be purchased through garden catalogs, local flower farms (including Dalton Farms), and garden nurseries without breaking the bank. plant tulips in the fall since they must endure the harsh cold of winter to bloom beautifully in the spring. You’ll feel like you are burying a secret treasure. When planting or displaying your prized tulips, use caution, as both the flowers and bulbs can be toxic to animals. like all living things, tulips are only here for a season. Dalton Farms will

be wrapping up the 2023 Tulip Festival on Sunday, April 23. They also hold different events throughout the year including a sunflower festival in fall.

We would love to see the tulips and spring gardens of our readers. Send your pictures, comments, and questions to: shorelocalgarden@ gmail.com.

Tammy Thornton lives with her husband, children, and crazy pets while enjoying a life of gardening, cooking, and going to the beach.

“Grand Perfection” tulip dances in the sun. Double tulips resemble peonies.

SOMERS POINT & EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP

Marinated and Roasted Brussels Sprouts

● 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar

● 4 cloves of garlic

● Black pepper to taste

● Grated parmesan cheese to taste

Directions:

Nutrition

By Nancy Adler

Crunchy veggies like Brussels sprouts help you stave off health issues such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease and diabetes. Eating lots of cruciferous veggies may help to protect against cancers of the stomach, lungs, kidneys, breast, bladder and prostate. p acked with immunity-boosting vitamin C and cancer-fighting glucosinolates, Brussels sprouts are the most powerful of the cold-weather superfoods. Brussels sprouts are rich in antioxidants and help reduce oxidative stress in your cells. Brussels contains phytonutrients, a plant-based nutrient that lowers inflammation and reduces cancer risk.

You may find this recipe in my cookbook, “Nancy’s recipe for life,” available at my linwood Office location and Capellas Oil and Vinegar Store.

Marinated and Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Ingredients:

● 2 cups of Brussels sprouts

● 2 tablespoons of olive oil

i f using fresh Brussels sprouts, soak them in water for 20 minutes to release any grit or sand. peel the outer layers off. if frozen, thaw completely, cut the stalk base off and put an x-incision on the medium and small sprouts. Cut the large sprouts in halves.

Marinade the now ready-to-roast sprouts and the rest of the ingredients for at least 20 minutes.

roast in a 350 oven for 20 minutes.

remove from the oven. Add pepper and cheese as desired. This recipe serves 6. Nutritional information per serving:

● Calories: 58.7

● Total Fat: 4.6 grams

● Cholesterol: 0.0 mg

● Sodium: 9.3 mg

● Total carbs: 4.0 grams

● Dietary Fiber: 1.2 grams

● protein: 1.1 grams

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

Sharing their Leap of Faith

from the Shore

By Brian Cahill

If you are reading this column, then you are the person Bob and Cindy Fertsch had in mind when they started Shore local Newsmagazine. Together, they had the sales and marketing experience, as well as the passion and dedication needed to be successful. But, starting a newspaper from scratch in the digital age? Now that was going to take a leap of faith.

But they took it, and more than seven years later, Shore local has become an institution in the local community. Earlier this month, i asked Bob and Cindy to speak at my marketing class and share their success story with the bright young minds at Stockton University. They were very enthusiastic for the opportunity, and i was grateful to be able to bring their inspirational story to the classroom.

Bob spoke about how they identified and held true to their mission of “For the community, by the community,” and having that mantra be the foundation for everything they do. He also talked about how they have embraced the digital side of media while realizing the value of providing something tangible to reader.

Cindy reinforced that while it’s a lot of work, it is worth all of the time and energy. She spoke about reading

Elisa Jo Eagan

a book by television host and comedian Steve Harvey called “Jump,” and how both she and Bob continue to be inspired by its message. One student asked Cindy for advice for students who want to create their own business. Cindy shared three powerful words of wisdom: “Bet on yourself.” i saw the students’ eyes light up when she said that, and at that moment, i could not have been more thankful for their visit to my classroom. While i knew they would make an impact on my students, i asked several of them to share their thoughts. When you read their words, it’s clear that their time spend in class that night will have an influence well into the future.

"Hearing stories like theirs because makes anything seem possible, whether it's starting my own business or simply following my dreams. Lis-

tening to them share their journey of success gave me hope for my future and a reminder to not ignore ‘the climb.’" Natalie Smith, Senior “Cindy and Bob are two incredible shore community leaders. Hearing about their professional experiences in this industry and how they eventually progressed their career path was extremely valuable and engaging.”

Mahasir Zaman, Sophomore

“Bob and Cindy provided great insight into what it was like to build a business from the ground up. Something that will stick with me for a long time was when Cindy said that the most important person to invest in is yourself. I found this to be a great piece of advice I can apply not only to my professional life but to all parts of my life.” Alyson Doyle, Junior Cindy and Bob are both wonderful people and genuinely care about the product that they are producing. I think the biggest thing that Cindy said was that you must bet on yourself! It was the best advice they could have given to a group of college students. It resonated with me that they weren’t billionaires starting a company, and that they were just a local couple looking to share community news. I really got a lot from their presentation, and I will take it with me for years to come.”

Maria Grasso (Harris) – Senior

Brian Cahill is the Director of Marketing for Shore Medical Center and Shore Physicians Group. He is also on the Board of the Somers Point Business Association and is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Business at Stockton University.

Views

Stockton business students with Cindy and Bob Fertsch

Eagles make Hurts league’s richest player

2023 season with exclamation points, punctuating a terrific regular season by leading the Birds to the Super Bowl, where they suffered a 38-35 loss to Kansas City.

By David Weinberg

Jalen Hurts just became wealthy. According to multiple media outlets, Hurts and the team agreed to terms earlier this week on a five-year, $255 million contract. The new deal, which kicks in for the 2024 season, runs through the 2028 season and is believed to include $179.3 million guaranteed.

Kudos to Hurts' agent, Nicole lynn, and Eagles general manager Howie roseman, for working together to reward Hurts' productivity and potential. According to ESpN, Hurts is the highest-paid player in NFl history, though that distinction will only last until fellow quarterbacks Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert and l amar Jackson get new deals.

Hurts certainly deserves the windfall. He replaced all the question marks that followed him into the

"Congrats to him," Chiefs quarterback patrick Mahomes told NFl com. "He's someone that plays the position the right way. He goes about his business the right way. that's why (the Eagles) were in the Super Bowl. He proved a lot of people wrong that were still doubting him."

it finally gives the Eagles some stability at quarterback for the first time since Donovan McNabb was leading the Birds to five NFC Championship game appearances and a Super Bowl berth during his 11-year tenure in philadelphia from 1999-2009.

A few other passers had some success - Michael Vick was second in the 2010 MVp voting to Tom Brady, Carson Wentz enjoyed an MVp-caliber season before getting injured in 2017, Nick Foles led the Eagles

to their only Super Bowl victory in 2017 - but were unable to sustain it for various reasons.

Barring injury, Hurts appears poised to be that franchise quarterback.

The Eagles evidently think so, for Hurts' contract includes the first notrade clause in franchise history.

That's a big deal for a team that traded McNabb and allowed Hall of Fame safety Brian Dawkins to leave via free agency.

i couldn't fathom having that much money, but i have a few ideas on how i would spend it if i did. First off, my children, grandchildren and two or three more generations of Weinberg's would be set up for life.

Once that's taken care of, there would be a winter home in latitudes Margaritaville in Daytona, Floridai 'm a parrothead at heart - as well as Newport Beach, California and Scottsdale, Arizona in order to escape Cape May's winter chill.

But i 'd still want to be able to enjoy summer and fall in Cape May - as us Jersey Shore locals know, September and early October are the best beach months - so i 'd just go down Beach Drive and make offers to beachfront home owners until one of them decides to make a deal.

Next, i would keep my membership at Cape May National - i consider it one of the best public courses in South Jersey along with Ballamor, Blue Heron pines, r unning Deer, Seaview's Bay Course, Shore Gate, Twisted Dune, Vineyard National and others - but i wouldn't mind joining a private track like Atlantic City, Galloway National or Union league National.

There would also be memberships at courses in Arizona, California and Florida. No more playing in 40-degree weather and having to hammer a tee into the ground while wearing three layers of clothes. From now on, it's short sleeves and shorts.

There would also be a visit to the Atlantic City Boat Show at the Convention Center in March. i 'm tired of passing luxurious yachts at South Jersey Marina on my standup paddleboard and waiting in vain to be asked aboard for brunch. That would also mean hiring a crew to compete against Michael Jordan and other boats in the annual Mid-Atlantic billfish tournament. Owner Dave Anderson was kind enough to allow me to take a trip aboard Krazy Salts with captain Keith Greenberg for the 2017 event and i came away hooked on deep sea fishing.

Since my arm now aches when i throw spirals to my grandsons, my best bet is to either win the lottery or hope that my wife, Karen, has some grand presents in store for my 65th birthday on Wednesday.

Then again, wealth and riches can take on many forms. With three grandsons, two children and a wonderful wife, i 've already hit the lottery. But i wouldn't mind a round at pebble Beach.

Speaking of the Eagles, there’s been a lot of speculation regarding who they are going to take in the upcoming draft.

The Birds are currently slated to have the 10th and 30th overall picks, but given roseman’s penchant for trades, it wouldn’t be all that surprising if they swap one or both of those picks.

Much of the interest from fans concerns the 10th pick. Several top players have been mentioned in going to the Eagles. Clemson edge rusher Myles Murphy, Northwestern offensive lineman peter Skoronski, i owa edge rusher lukas Van Ness are among the picks in various mock drafts. All would fill a need on the Eagles.

There’s no chance of it happening, but if i ’m doing the drafting, however, i ’m taking Texas running back Bijan robinson. He’s regarded as the best running back prospect in several years due to his size (6-foot, 215 pounds), speed and elusiveness.

The Eagles appear set in the backfield, even after letting Miles Sanders leave, but rashaad penny has had injury issues, and i don’t think Kenneth Gainwell or Boston Scott can handle an expanded role. robinson can do it.

When it comes to loans, one size does not fit all

First License for Adult-Use

Recreational Cannabis Sales in Atlantic City

City of Atlantic City Mayor Mary Small, Sr., has signed a business license allowing M pX New Jersey, llC to become the first recreational cannabis dispensary in Atlantic City. M pX NJ will begin adult-use sales.

“Cannabis has been a topic in Atlantic City since i was a Council president, and at the time, because i ’m not a user, i was close minded on the issue,” said Mayor Small. But this is about the greater good in the City of Atlantic City, and that’s relief for our taxpayers. This is yet another ratable for our taxpayers. it’s a new business, it’s new construction. it’s showing that people are invested in the great City of Atlantic City. We’re being proactive about this. We have to take a chance.”

in anticipation of making Atlantic City a cannabis destination, Mayor Small formed a Cannabis review Board consisting of his Director of Constituent Services Kashawn “Kash” McKinley, City Councilwoman Stephanie Marshall, Assistant City Solicitor Karl Timbers, the city’s Di -

rector of licensing and i nspection

Dale Finch, the city’s Director of planning and Development Jacques Howard and Create 48 owner Zach Katzen.

M pX NJ, located at 153 S. New York Avenue, opens for adult use recreational cannabis sales on Thursday, April 20th at 11 a.m. They will be offering discounts and special promotions.

“This is a monumental moment for us, not only because this is our first adult-use dispensary, but the first in Atlantic City,” said M pX NJ General Manager Janine ratliff. “We look forward to continuing serving Atlantic City safe, legal, quality cannabis.” in September, City Council unanimously approved an ordinance adopting a plan for a Green Zone redevelopment area that includes Atlantic and pacific Avenues from Maryland to Boston Avenues, and the Orange loop. The Green Zone encourages economic growth in this section by identifying it as a preferred area for certain cannabis sales.

Shore Local Talent: Elizabeth Chiola

By Krystle J Bailey

“They say a picture is worth 1,000 words, and i find that to be so very true,” explains self-taught photographer Elizabeth Chiola of Egg Harbor Township.

The South Jersey mother of three was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2012, a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system and causes extreme fatigue. As a single mother faced with a big diagnosis, she knew she could fight but she sought a place of peace and refuge where she could breathe a little easier along the way. That search led her to photography, which continues to provide her with the solace she needs to keep going through life and its inevitable challenges.

in deep gratitude for her life and all the beauty that surrounded her, she began taking photos of sunsets and nature while undergoing chemotherapy. This year, her passion for photography earned her bragging rights as the winner of a Winter 2023 photo contest hosted by the Egg Harbor Township recreation Center.

While many of her photos now

end up printed on canvas, she enjoys submitting shots to various contests as a way of sharing the way she finds beauty in the world. As a full-time bus driver and apartment complex manager, Chiola enjoys keeping photography in her life as a hobby.

“That’s my love; it’s where i find my peace,” shares Chiola.

Elizabeth is now 10 years cancer-free and continues to show gratitude for life, nature, and the beauty she finds in the simple things. She has been able to see her children grow up and is now a grandmother to her nineyear-old grandson.

“As a single mother, i did what i had to do to survive mentally, physically, and emotionally. p hotography and the people i ’ve met along the way have brought me peace,” explains Elizabeth about her journey.

One of those friends that she met along the journey shares, “Some people see things and think it’s nice. Elizabeth looks at something and wonders how she can make other people see the beauty in it. She waits until the perfect moment to start clicking

her camera. She has the unique ability to see the world, everything, and every one as beautiful and it shows in every picture she takes.”

When the time comes that Elizabeth is able to retire from bus driving, she looks forward to sharing more photography and glimpses of the world through her eyes.

Keep up with Elizabeth and her artwork on Facebook at “Elizabeth Chiola.”

Atlantic City loses Martorano’s and Angeloni’s, but new offerings create excitement

plates of al dente pasta to Atlantic City.

By Scott Cronick

As my wife sipped on her last Martorano’s cherry water ice martini staring at a fresh bowl of the best carbonara on the planet – complete with egg yolk mixed into the pasta right in front of us – she looked at me and said, “ i feel like this is the end of something. i feel like we are experiencing something for the last time that we won’t get back again. it really feels like Atlantic City is really changing … or this what getting old feels like?”

All of the above.

On Monday, Martorano’s served its last scrumptious meatball at Harrah’s resort, nearly a decade after philadelphia legend Steve Martorano brought his big personality and bigger

“We were there almost a decade,” Martorano said on his i nstagram announcing the closing earlier this month. “That’s unheard of. When we were in Vegas with Caesars, we were there 15 years. That’s unheard of. Most brands last five years, and they change it. it was great seeing friends, family, new people. Everyone would come in the summertime; it was great.” it sure was.

Yo Cuz! You will be missed, as will two of my all-time favorite dishes: Your cheesesteak made with prime ribeye, and the sweet, spicy, crispy Calamari Bibzy. The fun atmosphere complete with r-rated mobster movies playing throughout the restaurant, a DJ spinning tunes ranging from The Spinners to Jay-Z on weekends and the feeling that you were somewhere different - somewhere special - will also be missed. My wife will probably miss the indulgent waffles and ice cream more than anything.

Not even a week earlier, we dined with two great friends and had an amazing “last supper” at Angeloni’s

ii , a Ducktown staple since 1985 that defined the term “old school.” like Martorano’s, Angeloni’s was packed and has been in a big way since Owner Alan Angeloni announced last month that his restaurant would sadly shutter its doors at the end of April.

Unlike Martorano’s, whose fate may never be explained publicly but probably came as the rising costs of union labor and quality product combined with paying Martorano a hefty vig made it unprofitable for Harrah’s, Angeloni has hinted for years that his acclaimed restaurant known for its Meatballs and Martinis Night on Thursdays, his melt-in-your-mouth veal Saltimbocca and a wine cellar so distinguished that casino executives would go there to buy vintages for their best players, would close sooner than later.

There’s only one Alan Angeloni

Business was never a problem for Angeloni. His restaurant seemed like it was always busy, as should any business that has stood the test of time delivering great meal after great meal with such consistency. He made it look easy. But it wasn’t.

When i wrote a dining feature about his restaurant a little more than two years ago, Angeloni made it more than clear that the end was near. Those who read that story and know Angeloni well would say that was “Alan just being Alan.”

The owner’s personality has always been rough around the edges. He’s the kind of guy who is not afraid

to tell you how it is – or how it used to be – but under that gruff exterior is a kind man with a big heart who, when in the right mood, loves to talk about how his restaurant and how Atlantic City has changed dramatically over the last 40 years.

Not much has changed at Angeloni’s ii since it opened in 1985, and that’s why so many of us loved it. it’s one of the main reasons we treasure

places of a bygone era like Angeloni’s. it’s why the new ownership of Tony’s Baltimore Grill wisely kept everything looking nearly exactly the same … even though they spent big bucks renovating it. That’s a businessman who just gets it.

people come for the food, but they remember the place for its oldschool charm,

i am super sad to see both Martorano’s and Angeloni’s go, but when

Angeloni’s II will close its doors at the end of April after feeding the masses for 40 years in Atlantic City.

Martorano’s fans will miss signature items like the Philly Cheesesteak, Calamari Bibzy and the crazy-good homemade waffles and ice cream. Photo by LaRissa Cronick

it comes to Alan Angeloni, this guy deserves his retirement. like i said, he makes it look easy, but Angeloni has the battle scars to prove how tough the restaurant business is.

He grew up in the biz, working with his father, a restaurateur and bar owner who started the family business back in the 1950s with a bar and opened his first restaurant – Villa Capri – in the 1960s near Trenton. That later evolved into the first Angeloni’s in 1973 in a bigger location in Hamilton Township, Mercer County.

“At 9 years old, i was sweeping the floors at the bar,” Angeloni told me. “But by 12, i was making pizza. And i don’t mean just putting it together, i mean mixing the dough, making the sauce, really making pizza at 12.”

At 16, Angeloni had the epiphany the restaurant business was going to be his life, and in his 20s, lured by the casinos, he brought the second Angeloni’s to Atlantic City after talking his father into it.

like a lot to the nostalgic décor, the menu – except for the prices –hasn’t changed much. Angeloni always insisted on homemade pasta, hiring a crew to come in early every day to make their homemade cheese ravioli, gnocchi and manicotti, something rarely seen anywhere anymore. He always bought the best veal and freshest seafood he could get his hands on, and new diners were always surprised by the aforementioned wine list, a stellar collection loaded with some familiar California names and italian classics, including some amazing Amarones and Barolos that helped Angeloni’s win the Wine Spectator Award numerous times, including nine years straight at one point.

i n that interview i did with him, Angeloni basically told me he used COVi D as an excuse to finally stop lunch service, something he knew he would likely never bring back. And while business was good, he lamented that the neighborhood just didn’t support his restaurant like in the old days when it was a mostly all- italian community, “when people would walk in here once or twice a week.”

What’s next for Angeloni, Martorano?

He told me he thought he was going to retire at 55, but 12 years later he was still working as hard as ever. After working like that for so many years, Angeloni knew he had to eventually live a little. His brothers and two sisters, who he was partners with at the restaurant, would always ask, “Why don’t you get out of here and live your life? And the truth is i don’t know what else to do. i can’t sit home every day. i know that much.”

While Angeloni is not publicly saying what made him finally hang up his apron, we hope he figured out what that next, hopefully more relaxing chapter of his life will be.

As to what will happen with Angeloni’s, many of us are still waiting for a restaurant miracle to save it. The owner of Tony’s Baltimore Grill publicly expressed interest in buying it and promised to preserve Angeloni’s legacy like he did to the most popular and historic pizza palace in Atlantic City. That sounds like a good idea to me.

↘Continued on 38

Martorano’s fans will miss signature items like the Philly Cheesesteak . Photo by LaRissa Cronick

As for Steve Martorano, he will be be fine without Atlantic City. i think Atlantic City needed him more than he needed Atlantic City.

He continues to operate Café Martorano, his signature cash cow in Fort l auderdale, as well as Martorano’s prime, an i talian American Steakhouse, at rivers Casino in pittsburgh.

Next month, Martorano’s prime will debut a second location for rivers Casino, this time in philadelphia, showcasing top-shelf meats along with the italian staples found in Fort l auderdale as well as his former restaurant in Atlantic City.

“ i ’m coming home to philly,” said Martorano, who reminisced about making sandwiches in his parents’ South philly basement in the 1980s and selling them door to door for $3. “Going back home is a big deal for me. i love change, and sometimes you gotta make changes. You can’t just stay in one spot. it gets dull and boring, and the excitement is just not there.”

rivers Casino philadelphia will also feature Martorano’s italian Sicilian Slice, his first pizzeria, as well as lily Cakes, the first-brickand mortar bakery for the premium dessert brand cre -

ated and operated by his wife Marsha Daley-Martorano.

More changes coming

● Martorano’s will transform to l a Strada, which Caesars Entertainment features a location at its ElDorado at the row in reno, Nevada. Known for its mushroom ravioli with porcini cream sauce, which was placed on the Food Networks’ 2019 list of the “Best pastas in the Country,” l a Strada’s menu features familiar italian comfort food. The restaurant will undergo some minor renovations and Harrah’s management hopes to open la Strada before Memorial Day. in the meantime, Harrah’s will open a temporary italian restau -

rant on property.

● perhaps the biggest project to open this summer is Caesars Atlantic City’s multi-million-dollar resurrection of the stunning Warner Theatre, which opened on the Boardwalk in 1929 and dubbed the “Wonder Theatre of the World.” in its 2023 reincarnation, it will be The Hook featuring a world-premier live show from Spiegelworld, the folks who brought the hilarious and raunchy “Absinthe” review to Caesars palace. The Hook will also feature the italian-American- psychedelic Superfrico restaurant, as well as a myriad of discoverable cocktail bars. The Hook opens June 30, and will serve as a great test for Atlantic City to see if it can

host a year-round entertainment show, something that hasn’t been done since legends in Concert at Bally’s many moons ago.

● We will soon lose Grotto, Golden Nugget Atlantic City’s i talian restaurant, which will replaced by another landry’s concept that will be announced soon.

● Ocean Casino resort recently “cut” ties with lDV Hospitality and will re-name American Cut to simply Cut, and already renamed Dolce Mare to linguini by the Sea. While i wouldn’t expect many big changes on the steakhouse side, the whimsically named italian restaurant is following suit with its new menu, offering customers a less stuffy, more approachable italian-Amer-

Martorano’s closed last week at Harrah's in Atlantic City, but owner Steve Martorano will soon open a new Italian steakhouse concept at Rivers Casino Philadelphia.

The Hook will feature a live theater revue show and the Italian restaurant Superfrico at Caesars Atlantic City this summer.

ican experience, a welcome addition since Dolce Mare never lived up to its expectations. Even dating back to its revel days. With a gorgeous dining room and its beautiful view of the ocean, boardwalk and The Wheel at Steel pier, linguini by the Sea will hopefully become the destination restaurant it always should have been.

● il Verdi, one of my favorite italian restaurants in the city, will receive a $2 million transformation and relocation, moving from its relatively newly renovated location right on the casino floor at the Tropicana to the former Jose Garces Olon space overlooking the ocean. Some may

remember the space as the former Fin restaurant. i am told il Verdi will be completely unrecognizable from when it used to be Olon, featuring a modern and elegant design that takes advantage of its oceanfront and boardwalk views. The menu, which specializes in Northern italian cuisine, will continue to offer its signature rigatoni Bolognese and Salmon Susanna along with some new creations. The new restaurant is expected to open before Memorial Day.

● Showboat Hotel’s island Waterpark is on schedule for a summer debut, ↘Continued on 40

The new Il Verdi at Tropicana is a $2 million restaurant that will offer the same, great Northern Italian cuisine in a waterfront setting.

↘Continued from 39

becoming the first indoor/outdoor waterpark experience in the city’s rich history. Along with the new waterpark comes gorgeously renovated rooms and suites, along with new restaurants that will be announced soon. The restaurants will be operated by p C Event Services, which already operates Showboat’s Atlantic City Eatery, 12 Bar, The Surf Bar and its seafood buffet.

● Cardinal, Chef Michael Brennan’s American contemporary restaurant, is expected to open in May on New York Avenue in the former Bourre location on the Orange loop. Brennan, former owner of Cardinal Bistro in Ventnor, promises that it will be one of the best restaurants in the country once it debuts.

● Also on the Orange loop, Chucktown BBQ will open this summer. located in an adjacent lot that connects to Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall’s outdoor beer yard, the casual spot will feature BBQ staples made fresh daily on Chef Charles Soreth’s giant industrial smoker. Expect brisket, pulled pork and all the BBQ staples that will be perfectly paired with the Beer Hall’s 40 beers on tap and 100 more in bottles and cans.

My wife, as usual, is right. Things are definitely changing in Atlantic City.

On the heels of other big losses that included Nero’s i talian Steakhouse at Caesars, it just seems like the last 12 months have been particularly tumultuous.

Yes, it’s partly getting old and being resistant to change and seeing so many favorites disappear.

No, Atlantic City will never be the place that i remember falling in love with as a young journalist when casino operators were very old school and went by their gut instead of what a spreadsheet tells them.

But, Atlantic City is still one of the greatest places on the planet. Very few cities can rival the restaurant lineup we have, the plethora of entertainment offered every weekend, one of the nicest boardwalks on the planet, the picturesque beach and ocean, the mom-and-pop institutions – some more than 100 years old – that make us a unique locals and tourist hot spot, and the second largest casino destination in the country.

And, when we lose some of the restaurants we deeply care about, it creates the opportunity to fall in love all over again with whatever replaces it.

That sounds fun, delicious and exciting to me.

in Atlantic City, while working on various projects, including charitable efforts, throughout the area. He can be reached at scronick@comcast.net.

Chef Michael Brennan will debut his American contemporary restaurant Cardinal on the Orange Loop in Atlantic City this spring.

Growing By 1% – the power of incremental growth

have your consistency perfected or it will never work. The idea is that by making small improvements consistently, the cumulative effect of those improvements can lead to significant growth and progress in the long run.

The Bottom Line

By Keith Dawn

So many of us want what’s best for us, our families and our communities. Whether it’s to lose a few extra pounds or increase personal wealth, we’re always looking for ways to improve. When working with my clients on this, we focus on being diligent and consistent with specific goals in mind. Many of our local small businesses do this too, but what we may not fully comprehend is that if we consistently focus on growing just 1% a day, week or month, there’s a huge impact on our results.

The rule of 1% is simply defined as improving your business and personal aspirations one percent at a time. Before you can do this, you must

For example, if you commit to getting 1% better at a particular skill or habit each day, you would improve by 37 times over the course of a year. This is because the improvements compound over time, meaning that each day's 1% improvement builds on the progress made the previous day.

This 1% better rule also has an extraordinary effect on compounding growth. if you embrace the power of compounding in your business, or in your life, it can change everything in a positive way, fast. You’ve likely heard that old adage that if you double a penny for 30 straight days… on day 30 you’ll end up with a whopping and almost unbelievable $5,368,709.12. That’s the incredible power of compounding.

This principle can be applied to many areas of life, including personal growth, career development, and even financial planning. By setting

small, achievable goals and consistently working towards them, you can achieve significant results over time. i t's important to remember that this approach requires patience, persistence, and a willingness to embrace the process of incremental improvement.

This one percent may seem small, but if you approach the vision for your company, and your own personal goals, with baby steps, you will find a huge increase over a solid chunk of time. it’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon.

Avoid doing too much at once or you’ll set yourself up for failure. Think of the confidence you will have when you improve one percent each week.

While rules and standards are necessary for growth, always be flexible. The bottom line is customers rely on you to deliver what you promise.

Keep in mind, this principle can be applied to many areas of life, including personal growth, career development, and even financial planning. By setting small, achievable goals and consistently working towards them, you can achieve significant results over time. it's important to remember that this approach requires patience, persistence, and a willingness to embrace the process of incremental improvement.

Keith is a seasoned media executive and former publisher for The Press of Atlantic City. Keith is now a business coach/advisor and CEO of his own consulting firm called Strategic Growth Partners. He’s passionate about helping businesses grow. He can be reached at keith.dawn@sgpCoach.com or you can visit his website for more detailed information at https:// www.sgpcoach.com.

Great wines for spring sipping

By David Setley

Spring has sprung! As daylight hours increase and the weather gets warmer, porch-sitting, grilling, and tending to the yard are likely on the docket. With the change of weather comes changes in what we eat, and of course, the wine we drink. Time to restock that wine rack with Spring wines! Here are some choices for your spring enjoyment, many of which you may not have tried yet.

portugal continues to be incredibly interesting to me, and those i ’ve chosen as spring wines are no exception. The Mariposa Vinho Branco 2020 from Dão is a wonderful example of this wine region’s terroir. i t is a dry white blend of Malvasia Fina, Cerceal Branco, and Encruzado with a beautiful floral aroma and the taste of tree fruits, honey, and lemon zest. This wine pairs wonderfully with

seafood, chicken dishes, and with salads and appetizers. For a red, try the Chamine’ Tinto 2019 from the Alentejano region. This blend of indigenous grapes, including Aragonez, Syrah, Touriga Nacional, Tricadeira and, Alicante Bouschet, provides a well-balanced, medium-bodied wine with an intense red color. With the aroma and flavors of dark red berries and fruit, vanilla, and oak, this wine is great with grilled meat or vegetables. Additionally, this wine is certified organic.

Spain also has some wonderful wines perfect for the season. The Shaya 2020 Verdejo from the rueda region is a light, easy-drinking white that is great on its own or with shellfish or vegetarian fare. You may know Albariño from the rias Baixas region as Spain’s most popular white, but the Verdejo is equally enjoyable and worth a try. Verdejo features a mildly tropical and citrus aroma and flavor with a minerality representative of this central wine region of Spain. Or, go for a Garnacha, a dry red wine from the Castilla region. The Galerna Garnacha is an awesome example of this wine. perfect for grilled meat, especially gamier meats such as lamb or venison, or with grilled or roasted

vegetables. The aroma and flavor are of dark cherries and blackberries, with wonderful notes of baking spices and a touch of tobacco and smoke that must be experienced with your next grilled meal. Both of these wines are certified organic as well.

Although italy is famous for prosecco, pinot Grigio, and Sangiovese, please allow me to suggest wine varietals you may not have discovered. From the Tuscan region of San Gimignano comes the Sauvis Vernaccia de San Gimignano 2020, one of my all-time favorite italian white wines. The fruit is light with notes of white peaches and apricots, but the dominant flavor characteristic is the minerality. There are notes of river stones, salinity, honey, and vanilla that demonstrate the Central italian terroir. perfect for pesto pasta dishes, appetizers, seafood, vegetables, and cheese platters. For a wonderfully full-bodied, yet light, red option that would pair well with your next pizza night or evening on the porch, reach for the rocca del Dragone Aglianico. Aglianico wine is soft and medium dry, with smooth soft tannins and a wonderfully bold flavor. in classic italian red wine fashion, this wine has more earthiness than fruit with the aroma and leather, smoke, tobacco, and oak with just a touch of dark cherries.

What about France? The languedoc- roussillon region in Southern France is among the fastest growing wine regions in the country. One of the “grapes unknown” from this region is the picpoul, from the picpoul de pinet subregion. if you have not tried this wonderful, dry, white wine, now is your chance. it has a distinctive acidity, making for a uniquely refreshing wine with flavors of green apple with a light citrus note and a prominent minerality of wet stones

and salinity. The Domaine Guillaume Cabrol picpoul de pinet 2021 is an outstanding example of this wine. if you are a fan of oysters, the picpoul might be your new best friend. it also pairs well with many appetizers or salads. For a red, France offers the Gamay from the Beaujolais region. For Spring grilling, this medium-bodied red is the perfect choice. it has an acidity comparable to pinot Noir and a flavor of red raspberries and currents. For grilled chicken or grilled portobello mushrooms, this is a winner. Try the l . Tramier & Fils Beaujolais-Villages Gamay 2020. Not to be outdone, the USA has great options as well. The pine ridge Chenin Blanc and Viognier Blend from California is a must try. This sophisticated white blend marries Chenin Blanc’s lovely honey notes and Viognier’s crisp green apple flavor. if grilling fish, such as Halibut, is your seasonal choice, invite this wine to the party. Or, try the Montinore Borealis pinot Noir 2020 from Oregon. Oregon is becoming known for their pinot Noirs, and you can’t go wrong with this one. it is light-bodied with flavors of cranberry and a clean lingering acidy that pairs perfectly with grilled chicken or vegetables.

i hope these wine options make your next spring evening on the porch or at the grill even more enjoyable. As always, if you have questions or comments, contact me at dsetley@ passionvines.com or stop the Somers point store. Until next time, 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.

There are some really fun happenings this weekend so make sure to support your local venues and get your tickets in advance so you don’t miss out on any fun! Oh and feel free to tag me in your photos and videos.

What: Back to the 80s

Where: Borgata’s The Music Box

When: April 23 and 30

Time: 4 p.m.

Tickets: $20.99 + applicable fees

Website: borgata.mgmresorts. com

Every Sunday in April, take a trip back in time to hear your favorite jams from the 80s with the Back to the 80s tribute show at The Music Box featuring songs from your favorite artists of the decade.

Whitney's Picks

What: Jungle Jam New Moon Night Market & Dance party

Where: Anchor rock Club

When: Thursday, April 20

Time: 9 p.m.

Website: anchorrockclub.com

Check out the New Moon Night Market with over 20 vendors, local DJs and much more.

When: Friday, April 21st

Time: 9 p.m.

Website: resortsac.com

Six- time Grammy nominated r&B group The Spinners will bring their over six decades of hits to the resorts Superstar Theater.

What: Steel pier is now Open

Where: Steel pier on the Atlantic City Boardwalk

When: Open Saturdays and Sundays through May 21, Noon - 11 p.m.

Website: www.steelpier.com

Who: Frankie Avalon

Where: Golden Nugget

When: Saturday, April 22

Time: 9 p.m.

Website: goldennugget.com/atlantic-city/entertainment

Music legend Frankie Avalon will bring his Billboard chart-topping hits and more to the stage at Golden Nugget.

What: MudHen Brewing Co.’s Earth Day Fair

Where: 127 W. rio Grande Avenue Wildwood, NJ 08260

When: Saturday, April 22

Who: Aaron lewis

Where: Ocean Casino resort

When: Friday, April 21

Time: 9 p.m.

Website: theoceanac.com/entertainment

Aaron lewis makes a stop on his Acoustic Tour to Ocean Casino resorts’ Ovation Hall. He’ll perform his chart-topping hits, so get your tickets before it’s sold out.

Who: The Spinners

Where: resorts Casino Hotel

Steel pier is celebrating 125 years! Come check them out, and have fun while being a part of history on the world famous Atlantic City Boardwalk.

Who: ricardo Montaner

Where: Ocean Casino resort

When: Saturday, April 22nd

Time: 8 p.m.

Website: theoceanac.com/entertainment

Venezuelan Grammy-winning singer/songwriter ricardo Montaner will bring his versatile music style to Ocean Casino resorts’ Ovation Hall for a stop on his Ya Te Echo de Menos Tour.

Time: Noon - 5 p.m.

Website: facebook.com/MudhenBrew

Celebrate Earth Day at MudHen Brewing Company, with local vendors who support the reduce, reuse and recycle initiative. Tequila patron with Terrarium Building will share their sustainability initiative and the Nature Center of Cape May will provide a live touch tank.

Who: Chris Tucker

Where: Tropicana Atlantic City

When: Saturday, April 22nd

Time: 8 p.m.

Website: caesars.com/tropicana-ac/shows

The City Pulse with Whitney Ullman

Actor and Comedian Chris Tucker will bring his hilarious stand-up comedy to the stage at Tropicana.

Who: Jerry Seinfeld

Where: Borgata Atlantic City

When: Saturday, April 22

Time: 8 p.m.

Website: borgata.mgmresorts. com

Stand-up comedian, actor, writer, producer Jerry Seinfeld will bring his comedy show to Borgata’s Event Center.

Who: Christina ricci Halfway to Halloween

Where: The pool After Dark Harrah’s resort Atlantic City

When: Saturday, April 22

Time: 10 p.m.

Website: thepoolafterdark.com

Christina ricci will host the Halfway to Halloween party at The pool After Dark. Come in your best costume to win up to $5,000 and hear music by Ghastly.

Who: Through the Years - Kenny rogers Band Starring Don Gatlin

Where: Tropicana Atlantic City

When: Thursday, April 27th

Time: 3:30 p.m.

Website: caesars.com/tropicana-ac/shows

if you’re a fan of Kenny rogers, head to Tropicana to celebrate the music and memories of this legendary musician, with the actual band that played with him for over four decades, from Carnegie Hall to the Grand Ole’ Opry.

What: April Beer Dinner

Where: Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall

When: Thursday, April 27 Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Website: tennaveac.com

Tickets: $60pp

Check out some craft beer selections by Scott Cronick that are paired with four delicious courses by Chef Charles.

What: “NEWSical the Musical”

Where: Stockton University performing Arts Center

When: Friday, April 28

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Website: stockton.edu/pac

No one in the news is safe with an atypical musical about current events. “NEWSical the Musical” is is a musical comedy that is the fifth longest-running off-Broadway musical and will tackle everything from the highest office in the land to the lowest depths of reality.

What: Dope Shows Birthday Bash

Where: Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall

When: Saturday, April 29

Time: 7 p.m.

Website: boardwalkhall.com/ events

Check out lil Durk’s Birthday Bash at Boardwalk Hall which features Metro Boomin, lola Brooke, and Toure.

What: Bayfest

Where: Bayfront Historic preservation District – Bay Avenue, Somers point

When: Saturday, April 29

Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Website: VisitSomerspoint.com

Bayfest is the largest outdoor festival in Somers point, so get ready to have fun with the whole family. With 30 diverse food vendors, lots of crafts and local artisans and plenty of kids activities throughout the day including the

pirate- themed performances by r iddlesbrood Touring Theatre

Troupe at the beach: 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

What: renaissance Faire

Where: Historic Smithville, The Village Greene When: Saturday, April 29 and Sunday, April 30

Time: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Website: historicsmithville.com/ smithville-events/renaissance-faire

Join the players of the New Jersey renaissance Faire as the Historic Village of Smithville is transformed into the Shire of Smithville in the heart of the English renaissance. This is a free event both days.

SHORE

Who: party Favor

Where: Harrah’s The pool After Dark

When: Saturday, April 29

Time: 10 p.m.-3 a.m.

Website: thepoolafterdark.com

Whitney Ullman, Stockton University graduate, and founder of gotowhitney.com is known as a “go to” resource, content creator, reporter, and influencer with established credibility in Atlantic City, The Jersey Shore, Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. With over 6 million views on her social platforms, she created TheCityPulse.com as a go-to lifeline for all things happening in the city!

Buying and selling a home at the same time

more time into your home search or be a bit more flexible in your requirements.

Working With Your Lender

Real Estate Matters

By Elisa Jo Eagan

Each real estate transaction comes with its own set of challenges, but buying and selling a home at the same time compounds these challenges.

Planning Ahead

it is important for you to keep the end goal in mind while at the same time, detaching a bit from the process. No doubt there will be bumps in the road; the less you focus on those the better.

Building a Great Team

Building a great team will help you put together a successful plan for your sale and purchase.

Working with Your Real Estate Agent

Your real estate agent can help you develop a clear idea of your needs and expectations for the process.

if your purchase will be out of the area in another market or out of state, allow your agent to refer you to a qualified agent in the new area where you will be relocating. Their coordination and cooperation will be vital to the smooth running of the process.

Right Pricing of Your Current Home

Of course, you will want to sell your current home for the highest possible price as quickly as possible. That means that you will need to right-price your home rather than overpricing it.

Searching for Your New Home

You will want to keep your timeline in mind when searching for your new home. That may mean that you will need to put

You will need to spend time talking with your lender about the way your financing will work for you during the time you are freeing up the money from the sale of your current home to purchase your new home. There are loan products available that can help you obtain the equity of your current home in order to move forward to purchase your new home, and then pay the temporary “bridge” loan off when you close.

Working With Your Title Company

Depending on the location of the two properties, you may be able to close at the same title company on both your sale and purchase. Alternatively, you may be able to conduct closing by having the closing documents sent to you by mail to be signed and notarized for your convenience.

Working With Your Movers

Unlike a standard move, you may need to have your household goods packed and stored for a while before they arrive at your new home. You may need to have a portion of your items stored, and a portion of your items moved to a short-term rental.

Short-Term Lease Options

You may have visions of a same-day sale and purchase. While this does happen, it requires everything to proceed perfectly with the buyers and sellers on both sides of two different transactions, as well as with both of the lenders involved.

Just in case this does not occur, it is a smart idea to put a back-up plan in place. if you need more time between closings, you may want to rent month to month or stay in a short-term rental that is furnished while your personal belongings are stored until your new home is ready for your occupancy.

Rent

Back Your Current Home

if you know when your new home will be ready for you, it may be possible to negotiate a rent-back on your current home.

Legendary Businesses: Century-old Shoemaker Lumber

By Steffen Klenk

For well over a century, Shoemaker l umber has been part of the fabric of Ocean City. located on the corner of 12th Street and West Avenue, the local family owned-and-operated business has been serving homeowners and contractors with the best products, elite customer service and expertise. With a sprawling lumber yard, hardware store, and showroom, it is a one-stop shop for home remodeling close to home.

The company was founded in July 1902 by Charles H. Shoemaker, who took what was once the r .B. Stites lumber Yard. it was one of five lumber yards that serviced Ocean City, with delivery of products being made by rail lines which ran along the property and behind the building on Haven Avenue. local deliveries were frequently made by horse-drawn carts, and advertisements around town touted its supplies of coal and plaster.

i n 1964, the business was purchased by brothers Fred and Donald Tarves and Albert Neill. A year later, the company added a second building across the street from its lumber

yard which serves as a hardware store. Several additions were added later, including a kitchen and bath department. Dick Young, and Fred’s son, Jim Tarves, were hired in the early 1970s. Working in the yard as laborers, all material was unloaded by hand, which became inefficient as business picked up. As both Tarves and Young stepped into management positions, they became instrumental in changing how the lumber yard op -

erated, bringing the first forklifts to Shoemaker, along with larger trucks and, eventually, a boom truck. Today, the business is co-owned by sisters-in-law Janet Young and lynne Tarves. A former English teacher at Mainland regional High School, Young began working at Shoemaker in 1980, in a time when most women did not work in hardware. “When i came here, this was a man’s world.”

Archive photo submitted by Janet Young

it was a call from her late husband, Dick Young, that led her to the company and she ended up never leaving. “ i came in to fill a need; i like working here.”

i n 2020, Shoemaker welcomed Jim Argerakis as president and CEO of the century-old business. With the assistance of Glenn Fallon, Director of Business planning and Operations, and ian Wallace, Manager of procurement and Assortment, department staff, managers and drivers, Young stresses the amazing work of the employees that keep day-to-day operations moving.

Over the years, the lumber industry has seen a plethora of changes. Supplies today are transported into town and delivered by way of trucks, and many adaptations have been made to serve a wider array of clientele. While the business continues to service customers with quality lumber and construction needs, hardware supplies, doors, windows, and a kitchen showroom, Shoemaker continues to be a one-stop shop for all home improvement needs.

They have also expanded their product line to include Weber Grills, carpet cleaning products, beach chairs and accessories. “While we don’t want to forget our bread and butter and the thing that makes us Shoemaker lumber Company, we

want to expand offerings that we can supply to the community”, Young says.

One of the things that sets Shoemaker apart from the competition is its customer service. According to Young, their knowledgeable staff can assist with the needs of customers, whether it is a huge project or a small one. “ if you have a lock issue and you don’t know how to solve it, then you need to talk to somebody that can solve it for you and present you with the options so you can make a good choice.”

Throughout its 121-year history, Shoemaker lumber has overcome a

slew of challenges, from two World Wars to the Great Depression, various recessions, hurricanes, floods, and a pandemic. Young describes the sense of community that was brought together in the days following Hurricane Sandy. “ people needed things; everybody was in shock, and i was amazed and grateful that we were able to at least have a store that people could walk into. We wanted to service the community because we knew they were hurting too.”

i n a time when many family run businesses have left the island, Shoemaker lumber continues to provide much-needed service for area res-

Buzzing with Excitement

idents and visitors alike. Today, the company is celebrating another season of serving longtime customers. Their lumber was recently provided for the now-complete Wildwood boardwalk renovation project.

i n the coming years, customers will soon see some exciting changes, as the entire hardware store and showroom will move directly across the street to a new building next to its connecting lumber yard on the north side of 12th Street. Young says the new store will enable the expansion of services and jobs to the community. “All this opportunity gives Ocean City the chance to be a special place to live and grow.”

Shoemaker lumber is currently located at 1200 West Avenue. They are open Monday-Friday from 7:30am-5pm, Saturdays 8am-3pm, and Sundays 9am-2pm. You can call them at (609) 399-0150 or visit their website at www.Shoemakerlumber. com for updated hours of operation and additional information.

Photo by Steffen Klenk

Ronnies Golf Hospital

Leash walking your dog requires training

At about 3-5 months the puppy starts pulling like they are trying to win the i ditarod and then you start pulling back shouting, “no pulling” repeatedly, which only causes the dog to pull harder.

By Heidi Clayton

Dogs pulling on leash walks is one of the biggest complaints i get from owners. i explain that it does not come naturally to a dog to wear a collar, to be tethered to you on a walk and to ignore all that is exciting to them out in the world.

By allowing the dog to be out in front of you on the walk you have created a rule that it is okay to ignore you and that the world is not only more interesting, but more rewarding than you are. And in reality it is to a dog. particularly if you use a flexi-lead. You are giving your dog the green light to pull you.

Every dog i train starts with being rewarded for checking in with me in the presence of distractions, with ei -

While not every dog i breed actually ends up in the show ring, i train each one as if they will.

Show dogs are asked to ignore all of the other dogs around them and focus just on you while standing still and when moving, doing so at the correct speed without pulling you over. i t is also quite unacceptable to use a prong collar, choke chain, or shock collar to gain their compliance, so training your dog is of vital importance.

Most of the dogs i train are not going to be show dogs, but just about every one of them is going to go for a walk at some point in their life. And on those walks, they won’t be able to play with every dog they see, not everyone will want to pet them, and you certainly won’t want them eating things found on the ground or sidewalk.

Training a dog to walk nicely is like a puzzle and you can only fit one piece of the puzzle together at time. Everyone who gets a puppy or new dog is under the assumption that walking on a leash comes naturally and doing so allows them to go to the end of the leash, walking out ahead of you like you don’t exist.

ther a treat or praise. Next, i commit them to my left side and reward them for being next to me and walking at my pace. i practice at home or in my driveway before i start taking them to more stimulating locations.

When training a dog to walk nicely on a leash it is never about how far you go, but how good the walk is.

Don’t be afraid to practice leash walking in your driveway or backyard before you add distractions by walking through the neighborhood or going to a new place. When you are getting frustrated with your puppy or dog, end the walk. if you keep going they will feel your frustration travel down the lead, and in most cases, amp up their pulling to match your frustration.

Heidi Clayton started Four On the Floor Dog Training to provide positive, rewardbased dog training in South Jersey. She breeds, trains and shows bull terriers under the SoraBully’s Bull Terriers kennel name. Email questions to heidi@ fouronthefloordogtraining. net or learn more at https:// fouronthefloordogtraining.net

The hidden, haunted history of Cape May Pont’s Battery 223

were it not for a 2004-2005 beach replenishment project.

By Sarah Fertsch Staff Writer

Less than a mile from the historic Cape May lighthouse is another legendary structure with a different feel.

Battery 223 has been part of the coastal landscape in Cape May point since it was completed in 1943. The bunker/gun emplacement boasts 20 rooms, six-foot-thick reinforced concrete walls, and a blast-proof roof strong enough to withstand a direct hit from a battleship artillery shell or an attack by a dive-bombing airplane.

When Battery 223 was erected at the height of World War ii , it was 900 feet from the ocean. Today, because of beach erosion, it’s on the beach in Cape May point State park. it would be completely surrounded by ocean

Battery 223 housed two 6-inch, rapid-fire guns with a maximum range of 15 miles. it was the only New Jersey long-range battery of the Cape Henlopen, Del.based Fort Miles, a Netwerk of eight artillery batteries and 15 observation towers placed at various positions within range of the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Coast.

it was created to protect shipping carrying vital war supplies from philadelphia and Wilmington through the Delaware river and Bay from marauding German ships and submarines. Fort Miles, with its strategically placed 16-inch, 12-inch, 8-inch, and 6-inch guns, covered a range from the entrance to the bay, to the southern coast of New Jersey and the northern coast of Maryland.

i n addition to gun batteries and fire control towers, it also included

mine fields, searchlights, radar, anti-aircraft/gun boat guns, support buildings, and more than 2,000 soldiers to man them.

Given its place in history, Battery 223 is on the state and national registers of historic places. Today it’s boarded up and abandoned. Unfortunately videos posted on YouTube show that it has been vandalized inside.

Built to be heated and air-conditioned, its 20 rooms included six shell rooms, four powder rooms, a plotting room, and a switchboard room, and a latrine according to the National register of Historic places. it had a generator and two backups to keep everything running, and an airlock to assure a safe atmosphere inside in the event of a chemical attack.

The battery was part of what was known as the Cape May reservation, which had anti-aircraft guns, search lights, and lighter armaments to defend against fast-moving vessels.

i n addition, there were barracks, officers’ residences, a medical center, a dining area, a cinema and repair shops, among other structures. Some of the buildings are still in use as part of the Cape May point State park Visitors Center.

While the World War ii soldiers are long gone, there are some who believe they are still here in spirit.

Cape May is considered to be one of the most haunted towns in the United States, and Battery 223 is rumored to be riddled with ghosts.

robert Heinly, museum education director for the Mid-Atlantic Center

for the Arts and Humanities (MAC) in Cape May, and a retired professor of history from the University of pennsylvania, said he spotted a ghost by the bunker one night during a jog through the nearby park.

“Just like the lighthouse has ghost stories, i ’m sure that Battery 223 does, too,” said Heinly. “ i used to run when there’s a full moon, and i saw a figure smoking a cigarette by the bunker.”

Battery 223 has been added to the itinerary of town ghost tours, and paranormal investigators have tried to make contact with ghosts of World War ii soldiers. Various origin stories and claims of mysterious encounters abound online.

Whether or not Battery 223 is haunted, one thing is certain: it was a crucial part of our defense efforts in the early 1940s, despite never seeing

action beyond live fire exercises and practice drills.

Supporting the gun batteries on both sides of the bay was a network of 15 fire control towers including four in Cape May County.

Towers built in Wildwood and Wildwood Crest have been demolished. A tower erected in Cape May

Before a 2004-2005 beach replenishment, Battery 223 was in the ocean.

Tower 23 in Lower Township is one of four fire control towers which were built in Cape May County to observe enemy shipping and provide targeting information. It was restored in 2009 and is open for tours.

became part of the structure of the Grand Hotel. But a fourth one, Tower 23, located just up the road from Battery 223, is open to the public.

On Sunset Boulevard, 1.2 miles away in l ower Township, the 100-foot-tall Tower No. 23 allowed observers to scan the horizon for enemy ships and relay targeting coordinates to the battery.

it was renovated by MAC for $1.3 million thanks to grants from the New Jersey Historic Trust, the Casino reinvestment Development Authority, and the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. it was opened to visitors in 2009.

For $8 (free for active-duty, mil itary and veterans) you can climb to the top and look through the tele scope for spectacular views of Sunset Beach and the concrete ship Atlantus about a mile away. There's also an exhibit honoring Cape May area res idents who served in World War See capemaymac.org to learn more.

Tower 23 is on the state and na tional registers of historic places.

As the tide of the war turned in favor of the Allies and warfare tech nology and tactics no longer favored fixed coastal defenses, Battery 223 was decommissioned in 1944.

After World War ii ended, the U.S. Navy and the D iA (Defense i ntelligence Agency) took over the Army’s Battery 223 and eventually turned it into a communication hub and war strategy control room for the Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS), a Cold War era system developed to listen for russian submarines. it was moved to lewes, Del. after it was wiped out by the March 1962 nor'easter.

i n the 1990s and early 2000s, politicians and military specialists considered restoring Battery 223 for modern-day service. After a careful audit, it was concluded that it would take millions of dollars to bring Bat tery 223 into the 21st century, so the plan was discarded.

Today the guns are long gone. i nstead you’ll find plenty of birds’ and nests on the gun emplacement. The piping plovers, black skimmers, and least terns (all endangered birds) have made the bunker their home, thanks to protection from DEp.

From a symbol of war to being a place where families can enjoy nature, Battery 223 has played a powerful role in the community and country. The installation, which once struck fear in the hearts of locals, now brings a smile and sense of peace.

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

Battery 223 has walls of 6-foot-thick concrete.

Live & Local Music Calendar

Thursday, April 20th

Carlos Morales 6-8pm Gregory’s

900 Shore rd. Somers point

Grace Little Band 7-11pm

The lobby Bar at Hard rock

1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

DJ Luap 8pm Nola’s Bar at Ocean

500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Karaoke Hosted by Mike Dempsey

8pm-12am Caroline’s by the Bay

450 Bay Ave. Somers point

Steve Moore & MIA 8pm

rush lounge at Golden Nugget

600 Huron Ave. Atlantic City

Friday, April 21st

JEM & The Vibe 5-9pm

Hard rock lobby Bar

1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Calista & Chad 6-10pm

rush lounge at Golden Nugget

600 Huron Ave. Atlantic City

Triple Rail Turn 6-10pm Sweetwater

riverdeck. 2780 7th Ave. Sweetwater

Greg Clark 6:30-9:30pm Bocca

7805 Ventnor Ave. Margate

Chaos on the Coast 7pm Nola’s Bar at Ocean. 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Dom Grosso Duo 7:30pm

Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern

316 roosevelt Blvd. Marmora

Bar None Band 8pm-12am

Caroline’s by the Bay

450 Bay Ave. Somers point

Robert’s Basement w/ The Angies, The Goons, Guesstimate 8pm

Anchor rock Club

247 S. New York Ave. Atlantic City

Crash the Party 8:30pm

The Yard at Bally’s

1900 pacific Ave. Atlantic City

Aaron Lewis 9pm Ovation Hall at Ocean. 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

The Spinners 9pm resorts Superstar

Theater. 1133 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Dueling Pianos 9pm Hard rock Café

1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

The Cliffs 10pm

The lobby Bar at Hard rock

1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Saturday, April 22nd

99 Reasons 12-4pm renault Winery

72 N. Bremen Ave. Egg Harbor City

Allie & Brian 1-5pm

Sweetwater riverdeck

2780 7th Ave. Sweetwater

Dane Anthony Band 1-5pm

The lobby Bar at Hard rock

1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Doug Jennings 4-7pm Caroline’s by the Bay. 450 Bay Ave. Somers point

Megan Knight 5-9pm

rush lounge at Golden Nugget

600 Huron Ave. Atlantic City

Audio Riot 5:30-9pm

The lobby Bar at Hard rock

1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Lindy Hops

Beth Tinnon 6-9pm

Atlantic County Country Club

1 leo Frazer Dr. Northfield

The Zone 6-10pm

The pub at St. George

4282 Harbor Beach Blvd. Brigantine

The Originaires Ken & Ci-Bon 7-11pm

McGettigan’s

500 S. New York rd. Galloway

No Clue Trio 7-10pm Bocca

7805 Ventnor Ave. Margate

No Standards 7pm Nola’s Bar at Ocean. 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Devin Lyn & Whiskey Tango Duo

7:30pm Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern

316 roosevelt Blvd. Marmora

Philly Destiny Band 7:30-10:30pm

Kelsey’s

1545 pacific Ave. Atlantic City

Ricardo Montaner 8pm

Ovation Hall at Ocean

500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Ruby the Hatchet w/ The Outsect, Reckless Randy 8pm Anchor rock

Club. 247 S. New York Ave. Atlantic City

Danny Eyer 8pm

Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall

133 S. Tennessee Ave. Atlantic City

Scream Band 8:30pm

Caroline’s by the Bay

450 Bay Ave. Somers point

Frankie Avalon 9pm Golden Nugget

600 Huron Ave. Atlantic City

DJ 9pm Gregory’s

900 Shore rd. Somers point

The Exceptions 10pm

rush lounge at Golden Nugget

600 Huron Ave. Atlantic City

Night Anthem 10pm

The lobby Bar at Hard rock

1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Sunday, April 23rd

Christian Glomb 11am-2pm

McGettigan’s

500 S. New York rd. Galloway

Five Dollar Shakes 1-5pm

Sweetwater riverdeck

2780 7th Ave. Sweetwater

The Notion 3-7pm

Caroline’s by the Bay

450 Bay Ave. Somers point

BMW+ 4-7:30pm

The lobby Bar at Hard rock

1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Illusion of Solace w/ Prevailers, What Lies Below, Dreams Devise

6pm Anchor rock Club

247 S. New York Ave. Atlantic City

Tony Day & Across the Globe Band

7:30-10:30pm Kelsey’s

1545 pacific Ave. Atlantic City

DJ Clinton Conyer 8pm

Nola’s Bar at Ocean

500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Jexxa Duo 8pm

rush lounge at Golden Nugget

600 Huron Ave. Atlantic City

The Neptunes 8:30pm

The lobby Bar at Hard rock 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Monday, April 24th

Amanda & Teddy Band 7-11pm

The lobby Bar at Hard rock 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Red 7-11pm rush lounge at Golden Nugget. 600 Huron Ave. Atlantic City

Tuesday, April 25th

Dane Anthony Band 7-11pm

The lobby Bar at Hard rock 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Patty & Bugzy 8pm rush lounge at Golden Nugget 600 Huron Ave. Atlantic City

Wednesday, April 26th

Fat Mezz 7-11pm The lobby Bar at Hard rock. 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Tom Angello’s All-Star Jazz Series

7pm Gregory’s 900 Shore rd. Somers point

Jazz by the Bob Sterling Band 7-10pm

Bocca 7805 Ventnor Ave. Margate

Open Mic Hosted by Blue Eagle 8pm12am Caroline’s by the Bay 450 Bay Ave. Somers point

Thursday, April 27th

Rich Pigatori 6-8pm Gregory’s 900 Shore rd. Somers point

Cheers the Band 7-11pm

The lobby Bar at Hard rock

1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

DJ Pat Conlon 8pm Nola’s Bar at Ocean. 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Friday, April 28th

Steal the Sky 5-9pm

The lobby Bar at Hard rock

1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Jim Shaw 6:30-9:30pm Bocca

7805 Ventnor Ave. Margate

Sensational Soul Cruisers 7-11pm

Sweetwater riverdeck

2780 7th Ave. Sweetwater

The Coconutz Trio 7:30pm Nola’s Bar at Ocean

500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Troy Kaiser 7:30pm

Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern

316 roosevelt Blvd. Marmora

Walker Hayes w/ Ingrid Andress & Ray

Fulcher 8pm Hard rock live at Etess

Arena. 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Aaron West and the Roaring

Twenties w/ Another Michael 8pm

Anchor rock Club

247 S. New York Ave. Atlantic City

Al Olivero 8-11pm Tennessee Avenue

Beer Hall

133 S. Tennessee Ave. Atlantic City

Brandon Ireland Band 8pm-12am

Caroline’s by the Bay 450 Bay Ave. Somers point

Brit Floyd 9pm Sound Waves at Hard rock. 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

The Benjamins 10pm

The lobby Bar at Hard rock

1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Lost in Paris 11pm Nola’s Bar at Ocean 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Saturday, April 29th

Fat Mezz 12-4pm renault Winery

72 N. Bremen Ave. Egg Harbor City

Dead Reckoning TBA

Somers point Bayfest Bay Ave.

Black Car Gina 1-4:30pm

The lobby Bar at Hard rock

1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Hotlanta 1-5pm Sweetwater riverdeck

2780 7th Ave. Sweetwater

No Clue Trio 1:30-5:30pm

Caroline’s by the Bay

450 Bay Ave. Somers point

DJ Carter 2pm Gregory’s

900 Shore rd. Somers point

Grooveheart 5:30-9pm

The lobby Bar at Hard rock

1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Beth Tinnon 6-9pm Atlantic County Country Club

1 leo Frazer Dr. Northfield

BMW 6pm Villain & Saint at Ocean

500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

The Company 6-10pm Caroline’s by the Bay. 450 Bay Ave. Somers point

Gorilla Biscuits w/ Paint it Black, Gel,

Good Times, Off the Tracks 7pm

Anchor rock Club

247 S. New York Ave. Atlantic City

Dope Show presents Birthday Bash

w/ Lil Durk, Metro Boomin, Lola

Brooke & Toure 7pm

Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall

2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Petty Cash 7-10pm Bocca

7805 Ventnor Ave. Margate

Dope Shows presents Birthday Bash

feat. Lil Durk, Metro Boomin, Lola

Brooke & Toure 8pm

Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall

2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Umberto Tozzi 8pm

Sound Waves at Hard rock

1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Glenn Roberts 8-11pm

Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall

133 S. Tennessee Ave. Atlantic City

Garden State Radio 10pm

The lobby Bar at Hard rock

1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Liquid A 10pm Nola’s Bar at Ocean

500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Sunday, April 30th

John King 12-4pm renault Winery

72 N. Bremen Ave. Egg Harbor City

Suitcase Murphy Band 1-5pm

Sweetwater riverdeck

2780 7th Ave. Sweetwater

Danny Eyer Band 3-7pm

Caroline’s by the Bay

450 Bay Ave. Somers point

3AM Tokyo 8pm

rush lounge at Golden Nugget

600 Huron Ave. Atlantic City

Wednesday, May 3rd

“A Tribute to Charlie Parker” with The Denis DiBlasio Sextet 7-8:30pm

Gregory’s

900 Shore rd. Somers point Events subject to change.

By Eric Reich

Of all the topics i ’ve discussed, estate planning draws the most attention. it is an area that affects all of us and in particular, seniors. Often, however, people don’t seek out advice regarding estate planning because quite frankly, they don’t know where to begin. The process can often start with your CpA, attorney, or financial advisor before having a qualified estate or elder law attorney complete your plan. Only an attorney can draft your documents to complete your plan, but the others mentioned can certainly help get the process started if they have experience or expertise in that area. By asking a lot of questions up front, i and the other professionals mentioned can help figure out what clients are really trying to accomplish and can help them to articulate those goals to the attorney.

estate planning

So what should you start thinking about before you begin the process?

First, you really need to decide who is going to be the person who will manage your affairs for you when you are gone. This person is known as your Executor/Executrix. in the case of a trust, they are called the Trustee. This person is extremely important to the process and should be selected with a lot of thought and care. Unfortunately, many estate plans never get off the ground because people often cannot decide who they should pick to be that person. Also, i am not a fan of selecting more than one person for the job in order to prevent hard feelings among children. While the person you select doesn’t need to be close by in today’s digital age, often the person selected isn’t someone who lives very far away. This is especially true of a person chosen as a medical power of attorney. This is the person that carries out your end of life medical decisions based on an estate document known as an Advanced Directive.

Once you know who will carry out your affairs after you’re gone, the next question is “who gets what?”. How do you want to divide up your estate among your heirs? For retire -

ment accounts like an ir A, 401k, annuity, or life insurance policy, you will name a beneficiary directly on those accounts and not in your will. For everything else such as your home, cars, stuff, etc, that will all pass via your will.

Another consideration is who will make decisions for you if you are alive but unable to make those decisions yourself? This is known as your power of Attorney. This person will manage your daily affairs such as paying bills, etc. among other things.

Now that you have a will, a power of attorney, and an advanced directive (or pOlST- portable Medical Orders), and possibly a trust (if you want more control over the heirs), don’t forget to review your plan every few years or when tax/estate laws change. Be sure to ask your CpA, financial advisor or attorney if recent law changes may affect your situation. Keeping your plan current is very important.

The final thing i ’ll say is that the most important step in the process is the first one. Just get started because the longer you wait the harder it can be to make those decisions. Think about who you want to manage your affairs and who you want your estate to go to and then go talk to a

professional to help you through the process.

Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. Reich Asset Management, LLC is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kestra AS. Neither Kestra IS nor Kestra AS provides legal or tax advice. The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect those held by Kestra Investment Services, LLC or Kestra Advisory Services, LLC. 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 experience to help clients have an enjoyable retirement. He is a Certified Financial Planner™ and Certified Investment Management 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 Chrissy and their sons ,CJ and Cooper, and daughter Riley.

A Senior’s Observations, Opinions and Rantings A Good Idea at the Time

By Charles P. Eberson Se nior Moments

Those of us who are avid photographers, must occasionally delete some of the thousands of photographs that quickly accumulate on our hard drives. Sometimes i come across photos that make me question not only why i took it but also why i kept it? in my most recent edit of old photos, i came across a couple which fell into the category of “ it seemed like a good idea at the time” …allow me to explain. i was offered a photo assignment at the local newspaper to shoot a cover for the upcoming Fishing & Boating section. i said, “No problem, i gotta guy.” i knew someone in my neighborhood who had a fast Scarab speedboat with two big Yamaha engines on the back and it

has been my experience in life that there are two types of people who rarely turn you down for a ride, pilots, and boaters. So, it was no surprise that after explaining the general photo concept to my boater friend we were heading out the longport inlet just before sunset to take some photos. My concept soon morphed into “how about i lie down on the bow and photograph you during some high-speed turns?” Again, who would deny this? He proceeded to open those twin Yamahas and crank the boat into a hard turn testing my bracing abilities against the railing while trying to take photos. This was before digital, so i had no idea how the project was going. Then i spotted it. A buoy further out to sea from the longport shoreline. My idea was to have the boater drop me off onto the buoy as he made some passes between me and the setting sun. Here, his enthusiasm lagged and he advised me that the Coast Guard would take a dim view of my idea. Nevertheless, we headed towards the buoy. This

was the first time i had seen a buoy this close. it was larger than i anticipated. We nudged the bow up against the buoy and i hopped on with my camera securely strapped on. Even in the calm seas, the buoy swayed in the swells and i had to thread one leg and one arm around the supports. My boater made a few passes with the sun setting in the background. When i was sure i had a decent shot, i waved him to come by and pick me up. As the boat came closer, it picked up speed, made a sharp turn away and my friend gave me a hearty wave goodbye. i did not know this boater well enough to see how far he was

going to take this little stunt but the sun was sinking below the horizon and i was starting to wonder, how long i was going to be out there or if i would be found after dark. As my anxiety built, i heard the roar of engines and saw the Scarab rapidly approaching my buoy. The bow nudged up and clutching my camera, i gratefully stepped back onto the boat only to see the captain grinning broadly at my expense. The photos came out well, so the escapade was a success but what seemed like a good idea at the time, appeared to be a lapse of good judgment, certainly not my first. i wonder what other experiences i will be reminded of as i continue reviewing my old photos.

Charles Eberson has been in the newspaper business for over 25 years. He has worked as a writer, advertising executive, circulation manager and photographer. His photography can be viewed at charles-eberson. fineartamerica.com

ACROSS

1. Not slouching

6. However, poetically

9. "poor me!"

13. Yo-Yo's instrument

14. read-only storage

15. Clear the chalkboard

16. Macho one

17. Gobbled up

18. prepare for winter takeoff

19. *"2001: A Space ____"

21. *First man in space

23. rocketman's title

24. Green gemstone

25. Middle-earth creature

28. Dharma teacher

30. *like space

35. Actress Gilbert

37. Heartburn relief

39. parent, to a child

40. All over again

41. pertaining to Os

43. rani's dress

44. Great reviews

46. 1,000 grams

47. Moon pull

48. *NASA's human spaceflight program

50. Major European river

52. Huxley's choice

53. Bookie's quote

55. Two halves

57. *robotic space explorer

61. *Kennedy Space Center location

DOWN

1. Acoustic phenomenon

2. lou of The Velvet Underground

3. Abounding with elms

4. Teacher's audience

5. Throat lymph node

6. Carhop's carrier

7. *like Venus

8. *____ Centauri or ____ Nebula

9. *____ 51

10. Bear's den

11. Fungal spore sacs

12. "As ____ on TV"

15. push one's way into

20. One of the Muses

22. internet pop-ups

24. Comfy nightwear

25. City in Japan

26. piled up, as in debt

27. Words to live by 29. *Falcon Heavy entrepreneur

31. *Kind of frontier?

32. 21st century letter

33. Smart candy?

34. ____-and-true

36. Military no-show

38. place for a house plant

42. Business-oriented programming language 45. *"For the Benefit of All," e.g.

"___ to Joy"

much as necessary

southern ____

Live music, like spring flowers, is blooming everywhere

Check out their 2022 album “Fear i s A Cruel Master” (Magnetic Eye records). rTH are guitarist Johnny Scarps, drummer Owen Stewart, bassist Mike parise, keyboardist Sean Hur, and vocalist Jillian Taylor.

By Doug Deutsch

A Sure Sign of Spring, Betsy’s Backyard Shows Resume: l ocal blues enthusiast and erstwhile promoter of great blues music get-togethers, Betsy lynn paisley, presented her first show of the season last week featuring terrific touring vocalist rae Gordon and another very talented area musician, Jeff Caraway, along with a medley of huge, friendly dogs to keep everyone company. A rockin ' (the blues) good time was had by all!

Betsy’s next show is this Saturday, April 22 featuring guitarist, Mississippi Mick Kolassa. Some tickets remain; reach out to Betsy here: https://www.facebook.com/ betsy.paisley.

Ruby The Hatchet at Anchor Rock Club: Another quality philadelphia-based band making their way to the Shore this weekend is ruby The Hatchet, a five-piece psychedelic hard rock outfit playing at the Anchor rock Club this Saturday, April 22.

To date the band has released three studio albums, a handful of Eps, and have toured throughout North America and Europe. Nice sound. info: http://rubythehatchet. com/; www.anchorrockclub.com.

Tears For Fears to Play AC:

One of the more melodic pop groups to emerge from the 1980s that are still going strong is Tears For Fears, who pay a visit to the Etess Arena at Hard rock Hotel and Casino on Friday, June 23.

roland Orzabel and Curt Smith, the longtime duo that comprise TFF, met in their teens and were first called Graduate before renaming themselves Tears For Fears.

They’re responsible for some of the most enduring songs from that era that still hold up today, including “Sowing The Seeds of love,” “Mad World,” “Shout,” “Everybody Wants to rule the World,” “Head Over Heels,” and more.

in 2022 they released their first new album in 20 years, “The Tipping point.” i nfo: www.tearsforfears. com; https://www.hardrockhotelatlanticcity.com/hotel-and-casino.

Tony Marts/Somers Point Concerts A Go: Carmen and Nancy

Marotta have quite a lineup of blues and roots-themed shows scheduled for the 30th Anniversary Somers point Beach Concert Series, beginning with blues-soul crooner Curtis Salgado on June 16.

Known as “the man who taught the blues to the Blues Brothers,” Salgado won “Soul Male Blues Artist of the Year” at the 43rd Blues Music Awards in Memphis.

Salgado’s most recent release is “Damage Control” (Alligator records). The shows run 7-10 p.m. and take place at Bay and Higbee Aves. i nfo: https://somerspointbeachconcerts.com; https://www. curtissalgado.com/

Band of The Week, Pan Gravy: This Shore-based quartet cleverly describes their sound as a “New Grass, Blue Grass, Americana, Country, Folk group.” Band

members peter Hagen (bass, vocals), Frank Cerreto (guitar, vocals), rodger Jackson (guitar, mandolin, concertina, vocals) and Sharon Garland (vocals) have built up a nice following, with regular gigs at the Shore at venues including Jessie Creek Winery in Cape May Court House.

They’ll perform at “ run For The roses,” a viewing party/fundraiser for the 149th Kentucky Derby, presented by South Jersey Gas, 4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 6 ET, at Hearts Therapeutic riding Center in Egg Harbor Township. Hagen also performs with the Stockton University Faculty Band, singer/songwriter Bob Andrews, and others.

For additional info on pan Gravy, visit https://www.facebook.com/ pangravymusic; https://www.heartstrc.org/