SHORE LOCAL | Mainland | October 26, 2023

Aramark • Azeez Foundation • Sharon Grunow • Dallas & Di Krapf

Dan & Cathy Brestle • Bill and Michelle Kirtsos • Mary Anne Kull The John F. Scarpa Foundation • Brian & Patty Holloway • Judith Schwartz

Construction & General Laborer’s Local 172 • Playland’s Castaway Cove Kate & Tony Imbesi and the Patriarch Foundation • Bruce & Diane Bobbins Dennis & Karen Burd • Mandy & Jason Halter • Jim & Sally Ryan Michael & Mary Ann Pontano • Jim and Carole Walz • Channel Glass

Alex & Alexa Barrera • David & Maryann Belanger • Charles & Susan Biscieglia Donna & Paul Bookstein • Robert & Mandi Bray • Matt & Kim Davidson • Ed & Cathie Kane Matt & Sara Morgan • Pace Orthopedics • Richard & Barbara Owens Richard & Caroline Pitman • Charles & Kathy Previti • Andrew & Lisa Toner Rick & Mille Traa • Andrew & Rissa Trofa • Steven & Cheri Uretsky • Dennis & Susan Weiss

Bocca Coal Fired Bistro • Insurance Agencies Inc. Quantum Capital Management, LLC • Sturdy Savings Bank

A Special Thank You to our HERO Volunteers, Walk Team Captains, John Lockwood, and to the Ocean City Employees and Police.

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3

Win or lose, our teams have grit

game began that night all ages. Check out the at 8 p.m. Truth be told, special Halloween Acthat was important to tivities listing on pages Bob and I as well.

6-8. There are so many There is something fun events to choose from. Do you rememabout Philly teams that the Flyers mascot, ber Mischief Night?

When I was growing "Gritty" truly embodies.

From the Editor What they lack in polish, up that was a big thing! they've got in grit and (not a very good thing, ports fans have had an exgrit is important! but a big thing) Senior tra skip in their step lately.

Grit is a mental Moments on page 20 Between the Phillies in the toughness that enables reminisces about some National League Championone to succeed even in Mischief Night antics ship Series and the Eagles’ stellar the face of adversity, that went awry. I found when the odds are record, what more could a fan ask myself laughing out for? We take our teams seriously in stacked against them. loud as I read it. I'm glad South Jersey and when they are on My favorite people have that tradition has gone top, we are on top of the world. You grit. Life has knocked by the wayside. can see it in everyday conversations them down, but you can Thank you for picking up this issue and expressions. Sports enthusiasts bet, they got back up. are collectively in a good mood, to As we send this of Shore Local. We apedition to print, the say the least. preciate you and value Phillies are playing My mom recently celebrated her your ideas and opinions. the final game of the Showing their team spirit, these cuties stroll down the Boardwalk during 84th birthday. The celebration had Please email any story to be carefully planned around the National League Cham- Ocean City’s third annual Howl-O-Ween Parade on Saturday, Oct. 21. ideas or feedback to pshorelocalnews@ Phillies’ playoffs schedule. She didn't pionship Series and as Photo by Donald B. Kravitz want to miss a minute. We settled of the second inning, it gmail.com on Sunday because the Phillies were is a tie game. I can barely take the Whether they win or lose, the PhilWishing you and yours a Happy traveling back to Philadelphia for pressure of watching my favorite lies have made this one fantastic Halloween! the remaining games. That was only players come up to bat. The mental Red October!

Peace & Love, with the stipulation that she would steadiness and focus these players Halloween weekend is upon us and Cover photo of Carter Doorly by Dawn Doorly.

Cindy definitely be home before the Eagles demonstrate is truly remarkable! it is loaded with fun events for kids of

S

Issue 255

Established 2016

Celebrating Life at The Southern NJ Shore Office - (609) 788-4812

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 Web Designer - Holly Martin Contributors – Charles Eberson, Scott Cronick, Tammy Thornton, Rich Baehrle, Sarah Fertsch, Steffen Klenk, Donald B. Kravitz, Fred Miller, Krystle J. Bailey, Brian Cahill, Dave Weinberg, Doug Deutsch, Elisa Jo Eagan, David Setley, Heidi Clayton, Eric Reich, Whitney Ullman, Raymond Tyler, John Loreaux, Danielle Davies, Bill Quain, Gabriella Bancheri

Cover photo by Christine Murphy

Mo re N e w s , Podcasts at wwFwe.Satures, Video an d horeLocalNews.com Now publishing every Thursday.

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Advertising Inquiries (609)334-1691 or Shorelocalads@gmail.com The opinions expressed by our columnists are independent of Shore Local's owners, staff and advertisers.

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October 26, 2023

Scullville Terror in the Junkyard

▶Friday, Oct.27 & Saturday, Oct. 28, 7 p.m.– 10 p.m.,

Sunday, Oct. 29, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Flemming’s Junkyard 353 Zion Rd. Egg Harbor Township Go for a ride on the Haunted Hayride or take a walk through the Maze.

Hayride tickets are $14 per person, Maze tickets are $9, and Combo tickets are $18. Discounts for Military and First Responders. Open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Buy tickets online and learn more at scullvillefire.org/ hayride/.

Halloween Experience at Forever Forest

▶Friday, Oct. 27 & Saturday, Oct. 28, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. & 6p.m. – 10 p.m.

354 Breman Ave. Egg Harbor City Featured attractions include A Nightmare Before Christmas fright trolley through the tree farm with Halloween decorations and live actors, a daytime scenic trolley ride through Forever Forest, and Zombie Wars Lazer Tag. Plus, pumpkin decorations, arts and crafts, face painting, walking trail of horror, bounce castle, dunk tank, outdoor campfire with s’mores, and more. For additional information, visit foreverforestnj.com.

Storybook Land’s Fall into Fun Festival

▶Saturday, Oct. 28 & Sunday, Oct. 29, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

6415 Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township Offering several fall attractions

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Halloween Activities and events. Take a walk through Elmer’s Hay Mazin’ Maze and climb aboard the Happy Hayride. Kids Trickor-Treat Weekend is Sat. and Sun., Oct. 28 & 29.

Ocean City Halloween Parade

▶Thursday, Oct. 26, 7:15 p.m.

Asbury Ave. from 6th – 11th St. Sponsored by the Ocean City Exchange Club. For more information, call 1-800-813-5580 or visit http:// ochp.blogspot.com.

Margate Trunk or Treat & Tighe Haunted Hallway

▶Friday, Oct. 27, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Eugene A. Tighe School 7804 Amherst Ave. Join the Margate City Police Department, Margate Mothers Association, and Margate Education Foundation for a family fun night out at the Tighe Middle School parking lot. Bring a “gently-used” winter coat for entry to the trunk or treat. Admission for the Haunted Hallway is $5 at the door for preschoolers through 4th graders and their guardians. Visit margatehasmore.com for more information.

Egg Harbor City Halloween Parade

▶Friday, Oct. 27, 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Downtown Egg Harbor City Hosted by the Egg Harbor City Rotary Club. The parade will begin at Claudius St., proceeding down Philadelphia Ave., right onto Arago St., right at Liverpool Ave. and left onto Campe St. before returning to

London Ave. Visit http://eggharborcityhalloweenparade. com.

OCTC Halloween Party

▶Friday, Oct. 27, 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Ocean City Yacht Club 100 Bay Rd. The Greater Ocean City Theatre Company invites you to a spooktacular evening of fun at this year’s Halloween Costume Party. Tickets include refreshments, and a night of dancing to support the non-profit arts organization.

Purchase tickets online at www. oceancitytheatrecompany.com.

Atlantic City Ballet: Dracula

▶Friday, Oct. 27, 7 p.m.

Caesars Atlantic City 2100 Pacific Avw. This original ballet, complete with sensuous costumes, theatrical sets, and a gripping score, has become one of the biggest hits of the Atlantic City Ballet and a thrilling Halloween tradition you’ll never forget.

Learn more and purchase tickets at acballet.org.

Rocky Horror Picture Show

▶Friday, Oct. 27, 8 p.m.

Stockton Performing Arts Center 101 Vera King Farris Dr. Galloway Don’t miss this unforgettable screening of the original unedited movie with a live shadow cast by Philadelphia’s iconic TNP, with audience participation, costume contest, and more. Prop bags will be available for

purchase prior to the show. Learn more and purchase tickets at stockton.edu/pac/ Smithville Monster Bash

▶Saturday, Oct. 28, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

615 E. Moss Mill Rd. Enjoy a day filled with live music, special guests, vendors, a costume contest with a $100 cash prize and more. Hosted by Underground. For more information, call Underground at (609) 652-5200 or visit www.historicsmithville.com.

Ventnor City Halloween Fest

▶Saturday, Oct. 28, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Newport Ave. Beach Fall fun with crafters, vendors, food, and some Tricks & Treats.

Plus, live music, pumpkin crafts, and a Halloween Parade at Suffolk & Boardwalk starting at 12 p.m. For

↘Continued on 8

October 26, 2023

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↘Continued from 6 more information, visit ventnorcity. org or go to www.facebook.com/ ventnorcityspecialevents.

Boo at the Zoo

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▶Saturday, Oct. 28, 12 noon – 2 p.m.

Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall, 133 S. Tennessee Ave. Atlantic City Doors open at 10 a.m. with $5 breakfast sandwiches. Trunk-or-treat begins at noon featuring Halloween crafts and food, and cocktail specials.

Then, from 8 – 11 p.m. join the Beer Hall Halloween Party with Jimi Hendrix cover band Hendrix Resurrection, plus a DC vs. Marvel themed costume contest with cash prizes.

Galloway Trunk or Treat

▶Saturday, Oct. 28, 1 – 3 p.m.

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99 18 CT.

Cape May County Park and Zoo 707 Route 9 N., Cape May Court House Visitors of all ages are invited to wear a costume to this fun family event, which will include activities for the kids, craft station, games, candy, live entertainment, animals, a pirate ship, and more. Costume Contest will start at 11 a.m. The Cape May Dancers will perform at 12 p.m. with a live animal presentation following. The event is free and open to the public.

Tennessee Avenue Trunk or Treat

29 EA

Galloway Municipal Complex 300 E. Jimmie Leeds Rd. Galloway Township will host this special event in conjunction with the Towne Center Halloween Celebration. Entry is free; ages are 12 and under. Candy is available while supplies last. For more information, call (609) 241-0692.

Halloween Costume Skate

▶Saturday, Oct. 28, 4 p.m. – dusk

Ocean City Skate Park 5th St. & Asbury Ave. Skateboarders are invited to come dressed for the holiday. There will be prizes for the best costume and best trick, and candy for the participants.

Absecon Lighthouse Haunted Tours and Paranormal Experience

▶Saturday, Oct. 28, 6 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

31 S. Rhode Island Ave. Atlantic City Choose from one of two experiences. Haunted Walking Tours will take place at 6 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person. Snacks and beverages included. From 8 to 10:30 p.m. join the lighthouse for a Paranormal Investigation with NJ Researchers of Paranormal Evidence. $50 per person. For reservations, call (609) 449-1360.

Witches Day Out at Smithville

▶Sunday, Oct. 29, 11 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Historic Smithville 615 E. Moss Mill Rd.

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Calling all Witches; come dressed in your finest Witch outfit for a day of activities, specials, and lots of fun.

Plus, enjoy a scavenger hunt, raffles, and a parade in front of Smithville Inn. For more information, call Smithville Inn at (609) 652-7777 or visit www. historicsmithville.com.

Trunk or Treat at Central Square

▶Sun. 2 – 4 p.m.

New Rd. & Central Ave. Linwood Hosted by Salon Kink, enjoy an afternoon of live music, food trucks, games, prizes, and trick or treat. Plus, enjoy the ventriloquism of Justin Thomas, live music by Chelsea Rae and the Rescue, and prizes for the best trunk. All proceeds benefit Cancer Support Community New Jersey at Gilda’s Club.

Mays Landing Halloween Parade

▶Monday, Oct. 30, 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Main Street & Cape May Ave. Hosted by the Rotary Club of Mays Landing. Get ready for a spooktacular evening at Mays Landing’s 68th Annual Halloween Parade. This thrilling parade has something bewitching for everyone. Revel in the performances in front of War Memorial Park or watch along the parade route, running from Intex Millwork Solutions at 45 Mill St. and ending at the Shaner School at 5801 3rd St. Visit www. facebook.com/RotaryClubMLHalloweenParade for updates.

Horror Movie Quizzo

▶Wednesday, Nov. 1, 8 p.m.

Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall 133 S. Tennessee Ave. Atlantic City Kick off the Halloween festivities with a special edition of Quizzo, where your knowledge of all things scary will be put to the test.

Pumpkin Patches and Hayrides R and J Farm

▶Mon. – Fri. 12 – 6 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.

723 W. Herschel St. Galloway Enjoy fall fun at the farm. Be prepared to get lost in their corn maze as you wind your way around the trails.

Take a leisurely hayride out to the pumpkin patch to grab your perfect pumpkin. Other attractions include a pumpkin stand, jumping pad, snacks, and drinks. Corn maze and hayrides are $8 per person. Combination tickets available.

Sahl’s Father Son Farm Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze & Hayrides

▶Sat. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

40 W. Pestalozzi St. Galloway Find the perfect pumpkin with the entire family, get lost in the corn maze, say hello to the farm animals, and take a hayride around the farm, included with admission. Tickets sold on site. $14 per person over 3 years.

See fathersonfarm.com for info.

October 26, 2023

Goodbye old friend: The Steadman Group Has YOU Covered..

A fond farewell to B.L. England Michael W.

Michael M.

60+ Yrs Combined Experience!

By Steffen Klenk

Margaret

T

raveling across the former Beesleys Point Bridge as a kid was always a special treat.

Sitting in the backseat with my headphones on, I always knew that at some point along the journey to Cape May, I would wind up seeing a giant tower resembling that of a lighthouse. For many road-weary travelers, it was often a sign that you weren’t far from your vacation destination. The structure has often been described as a landmark to some residents that call South Jersey home. For others, it's demolition will be a welcome sight.

No matter which way you see it, the B.L. England Power Plant is no more.

By the time you read this, after 10 a.m.

Thursday morning, the 475-foot-tall smokestack will have been imploded.

The site was originally home to four electric generators in 1961 and, a year later, the first of two coal-fired units was introduced. As the decade progressed, new features were added on, including upgraded cast iron pipes, capable of withstanding extreme temperatures, a water pump, and cooling tower.

October 26, 2023

..From Mystic Island to Stone Harbor!

Margaret Steadman BROKER ASSOCIATE margaret.steadman@foxroach.com c:609-703-9093 o:609-264-8444

Michael Walsh SALES ASSOCIATE michael.walsh@foxroach.com c:(609) 929-6582 o:(609) 264-8444

Erica Pringle Michael Marigliano Sales Associate & Team SALES ASSOCIATE Administrator mike.m@foxroach.com Erica.Pringle@Foxroach.com c: (609) 742-7464 C: 843-286-9661 o: (609) 264-8444 O: 609-264-8444

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As the 21st century arrived, so did a need for up-to-date environmental standards. In 2013, one of the two coal plants was shuttered, with the ultimate plan of converting the plant to natural gas to be delivered through a series of underground pipelines. Ultimately, the plans fell through, and, on May 1, 2019, B.L. England closed for good.

Last September, the hyperboloid cooling tower was demolished, and the boiler units were imploded this past April. While the cleanup process is underway, plans are in place to re-develop the site for new use, which could lead to the construction of a hotel, with retail shops and restaurants, and potential for outdoor activities and nature-based exploration. A portion of the site may also be used as a landing site for the slated Ocean Wind 1 turbine project off the Cape May County coast. Further details on the property’s future are still in discussion.

If you missed Thursday’s implosion, full video coverage is available for replay on Shore Local’s social media channels, on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

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

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Internationally recognized muralists beautify walls in Atlantic City

to the city for the inaugural “48 Blocks AC Mural Week.”

In partnership with the Atlantic City Arts Foundation, that vision was brought to fruition last week as six international muralists descended on Atlantic City with cans of spray paint in hand.

By Krystle J Bailey “This is the fourth time omebody sees someI’ve been here to paint,” Foxx shared with Shore Local. “Afthing like that, and it ter the first time, we bonded, might change their life,” me and the city.” expressed an awestruck pedestrian strolling the 2300 block “There is absolutely no of Pacific Avenue last Wednesday entitlement here, and it’s so afternoon. rare to find that,” she went The larger-than-life artwork that on to explain as she layered stopped the local resident in his vibrant strokes of spray paint tracks is the newly restored “Not For onto the 40x50-foot wall. “It’s Vizla Bacon and Hiero Viega - Kentucky Ave Sale” mural by internationally recogbeen nothing but welcoming nized artist BK Foxx, who returned to here, and it’s so rare that you find to last week, echoed the New Yorkflower climbs the building’s water that. You could go to some of the Atlantic City to reimagine her 2019 er’s sentiments about their affinity pipe while the doors and windows concept on the side of Bullshots Bar. nicest places in the world, and they’re for our shore town. As BK revamped are disguised by blue chops of color.

“I try to balance a lot of my paintOnly this time, she brought not going to treat you like that. It’s the thought-provoking mural in the friends. not real. That’s one of the things I so Ducktown area of the city, her friends ings with the powers that rule the The “BK Foxx and Friends” mural appreciate about Atlantic City is the Jenna Morello, Golden 305, Ruben world, which I believe are love and authenticity of the people here.” installation project was conceptualUbiera, CPWon, Hiero Veiga, and Vizfear,” explained Ruben. “I use beauized in 2019 by Create 48 founder Each of BK’s friends, all of whom la Bacon beautified the Orange Loop tiful colors that complement each Zach Katzen following BK’s first visit had never visited Atlantic City prior area with five more captivating muother with subject matters that are rals. With paint left over, Golden and not typically known as soft.” his 20-year-old daughter Ange of Miami, Fla., even added a bonus mural in Pleasantville. Each muralist expressed their excitement to be a part of the growing local arts scene and their eagerness to return to a place Ruben Ubiera described as “our kind of city.”

Ubiera, recognized for his signature gorillas, dynamic utilization of lines, and deconstructed subjects, refers to himself as a Postgraffism artist.

“I don’t do graffiti,” he explained. “I couldn’t find a better way to voice what I do. I came to America through Minimal Wait Times The Bronx, and I quickly learned how incredible street art was. I had alLouis Rondinella, MD ready painted with oils, Ruben Ubiera Board Certified Otolaryngologist but I had never seen that Accepts most insurances including kind of contrast. It was so immediate Hiero Veiga of Massachusetts Horizon NJ Health. and so raw.” and Vizla Bacon of Canada painted Se habla espanol.

Ubiera’s “Cardinal Rules” mural on a collaboration mural on Kentucky 25 years experience the beach block of Westminster Ave Avenue, depicting themes of rebirth COVID compliant features three deconstructed gorillas and regret. Each muralist explained depicting the Japanese proverb, “See that their art tends to be a reflection 647 Shore Rd, Somers Point NJ 08244 of their personal life story. no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil,” 609-601-9055 kept company by a duo of not-so↘Continued on 12 friendly seagulls. A purple and white

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October 26, 2023

↘Continued from 10 “My mission in life is to do the things that haven’t been done every single time,” shared Veiga, who has been painting professionally for the last 15 years.

A block away from Bacon and Veiga’s mural in viewing distance is Miami-based artist CPWon’s brightly colored depiction of a young Caesar.

Originally from Chile and with a fondness for his Italian grandparents, CP often uses Italian references in his art.

At the bottom of the brightly-colored painting lies Caesar’s crown, which CP says is either “fallen” or “to be righted,” but left up to the viewer’s interpretation.

“There’s an optimism in Atlantic City that I want to be able to feed into,” shared CP, who returned to paint for the second time. “I love the spirit of this place.”

Over on New York Avenue, Brooklyn-based muralist Jenna Morello adorned the side of Hayday coffee shop with a vibrant display of orange, yellow, purple, and pink flowers. Behind her, the father and daughter duo, Golden 305, completed a mural designed exclusively for the area.

With bubble letters spelling out “Orange Loop” across the top of the building, Golden and Ange introduced a new character to their signature angel and devil duo - the seagull who

CPWon wears all-black sunglasses and stands confidently between the opposing forces.

Prior to their stop in Atlantic City, Golden and his daughter Ange had been traveling for months decorating cities around the world and will be painting in Puerto Rico for the month of November.

“I teach her where everything comes from so she understands,” shared Golden. “She’s had the privilege of hanging out with the people who started the movement. She knows where everything started and why. Graffiti is the root of street art.”

Each muralist paid homage to the artists who paved the way for legal

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Jenna Morello

BK FOXX street art and expressed a deep gratitude to be able to create freely in the way that they do.

“Spray cans did to the art world what skateboarding did to the sports world,” stated Ruben Ubiera. “There’s no school for graffiti. It becomes something of a self-discipline.”

Collectively, BK Foxx and Friends installed six new murals in Atlantic City and are all anticipating their return to fill the city with more art.

In reference to the “Not For Sale”

mural, BK says, “We promote money and fame like that is the basic tenet of our culture, and I wanted something that was a little different essentially to say, “You can't just buy anything in the world; some things are not for sale.”

Learn more about the “BK Foxx and Friends” program and the Atlantic City Arts Foundation at atlanticcityartsfoundation.org.

“The greatest thing for me is what it all comes back to is just my love for the city, my desire to see it grow and live up to its full potential,” stated Zach Katzen in retrospect. “Art and public art is a main component of any thriving, bustling real city.”

Krystle J Bailey is a published author, multimedia journalist, copywriter, and content creator. She is a regular Shore Local columnist and digital contributor as well as the booking agent and co-host of the radio show Joe's Table for Two on WOND. Krystle can be reached at KrystleJBailey@ gmail.com

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October 26, 2023

The Halloween Express departs from the Richland Village Train Station on Saturday, October 28, 2023, at 3:00pm and 5:30pm for two exciting and memorable train trips through the spooky Pinelands!

Featuring Lucky Duck Entertainment's Rudy The Balloon Artist, Chazz The Magician, and other Halloween - themed fun! All passengers will be greeted by Count Dracula, and will be visited by our favorite witch....Samantha!

Special Halloween and Fall - Themed Giveaways will be provided to all passengers!

Kids......be sure to wear your Halloween costumes!

Purchase your tickets to ride at WWW.SEASHORELINES.ORG

Multi-Day Events

Events and Happenings

Jazz at the Point Fall Festival

▶Thu. Nov. 2 – Sat. Nov. 4, 7 p.m.

Gateway Playhouse 738 Bay Ave. Somers Point The South Jersey Jazz Society presents Jazz at the Point. On Thursday, enjoy live music by the Troy Roberts Trio with special guests Sara Hanahan & Lauren Sevian. On Friday night, see the Chad LB Quartet featuring Erena Terakubo. And on Saturday, hear the Dizzy Gillespie Afro-Latin Experience with guest artist Sharel Cassity. Visit gatewaybythebay.org for tickets and information.

OCTC Jr. Company Presents Into the Woods

▶Fri. Nov. 3 & Sat. Nov. 4, 7:30 p.m.

Ocean City Music Pier The Tony Award-winning book and

score are both enchanting and touching.

The story follows a Baker and his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella who wishes to attend the King’s Festival; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. For tickets, visit www.oceancitytheatrecompany.com.

Atlantic City Tattoo Expo

▶Fri. Nov. 3 – Sun. Nov. 5

Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena 1000 Boardwalk Presented by Good Time Tricycle Productions, this event is three-day extravaganza of all things ink and ink culture. Tickets are $20 per day, $35 for a two-day pass and $50 for all three days.

Purchase tickets at the door or online at http://actattooexpo.com. Children 15 and under are free. Dates are Fri. Nov. 3 from 5 – 11 p.m., Sat. Nov. 4 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. and Sun. Nov. 5 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Thursday, October 26 Natural Dyes Club

▶6 – 8 p.m.

Noyes Arts Garage 2200 Fairmount Ave. Atlantic City The Natural Dye Club meets monthly on the last Thursday evening of the month to experiment with a different natural dye process. Noyes staff will provide information about each natural dye used, a tutorial for creating the dye bath, a material list, and references to other artwork and fine craft. Register online at noyesmuseum.org.

Open Mic at Ventnor Coffee

▶6:30 – 9 p.m.

108 N. Dorset Ave. Ventnor Ventnor Coffee hosts Open Mic every Thursday. Come early to sign up. Bring your songs, poetry, and jokes. Sing-

er-songwriter Pete Glaze will perform from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Friday, October 27

Jacob Lawrence Mural Dedication & Reception

▶5 p.m.

Atlantic Cape Community College 1535 Bacharach Blvd. Atlantic City Join the Atlantic City Arts Foundation as they dedicate a mural honoring Jacob Lawrence, followed by a brief reception in the cafeteria for light refreshments.

The three-piece mural was created by Kenneth Lazan Faulk, Jr., John Morris, and Chanelle Rene and was completed with the participation of young artists from the Leadership in Training program.

Ocean City Library Fall Concert Series

▶7 p.m.

1735 Simpson Ave. This week, join the Package Goods Orchestra for a fun night as they explore traveling songs. The group will feature music from a variety of artists telling stories of road and rail. The performance will be held at the Chris Maloney Lecture Hall.

Admission is free. Nonperishable donations for the Ocean City Food Cupboard will be accepted.

Saturday, October 28 Trail or Two Cities 5K/Walk

▶8 a.m.

9th St. Bridge from Ocean City to Somers Point The race will start at the Transportation Center in Ocean City at 9th St. & Haven Ave. Packet pickup and late entry begins at 7 a.m. Buses will be available at the finish line at JFK Park in Somers Point to transport runners before the race until 7:30 a.m. and back to O.C. at the conclusion of the race, The finish and awards ceremony will be held at JFK Park. All proceeds benefit Ocean City Recreation Scholarships and Programs.

For more information and registration, visit http://ocnj.us/race-events, contact lrumer@ocnj.us or call (609) 525-9317.

Run for the Animals 5K

▶8 a.m.

LaScala’s Beach House 1400 Ocean Ave. Brigantine Join Marine Mammal Stranding Center for the return of their in-person 5k run. Come out this Halloween weekend and run (or walk) in a costume while enjoying some fresh fall air and friendly competition to support marine mammals and sea turtles. Winners in multiple categories will be awarded. Plus, enjoy a raffle and costume contest. Check-in opens at 7 a.m. and the race begins at 8 a.m. Learn more at mmsc.org.

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

▶9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Central Square 199 New Rd. Join C.R.O.P.S. for their last fall market of the season this Saturday morning.

14

October 26, 2023

Enjoy live music by Don the Medicine Man, bracelet making with Liz Tran Creations, pumpkin painting with C.R.O.P.S., face painting with Becky and Chelsea, local farms, handmade goods, and much more. For more information, visit www. cropsnj.org.

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 (609) 4083619 for information.

Sunday, October 29

Somers Point Pinochle Club

▶6 – 8:30 p.m.

Red Cross Blood Drive

▶8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

8th Street Recreation Center 719 Haven Ave. Ocean City The American Red Cross is sponsoring a blood drive in the Education Room at 8th St. Recreation Center. Please call (800) 733-2767 or visit www.RedCrossBlood.org and enter “Ocean City” to schedule an appointment.

Monday, October 30

Classic Film Night at Ocean City Library

▶7 p.m.

1735 Simpson Ave. Join Ocean City Library for a screening of the 1973 classic, American Graffiti.

Running time is 112 minutes. Learn more and view the full schedule at oceancitylibrary.org.

Tuesday, October 31 Somers Point Dance Society

▶7:30 – 10:30 p.m.

Rd.

Wednesday, November 1

Somers Point Fire Co. #1 447 Bethel

Somers Point Senior Venter 22 N. Ambler Rd. All are welcome to attend. For more information, go to visitsomerspoint.com and click on Events.

Thursday, November 2

Positivity Project: Morning Refresh

▶10:30 a.m.

Learn ways to boost wellness – mind, body, and soul. Topics include self-care, mindfulness, gratitude, meditation, and resiliency. RSVP at (609) 287-8872 or tserota@jfsatlantic.org. A Zoom link will be emailed.

Bus Trips

Holiday at Peddler’s Village

▶Sun. Dec. 3

EHT Recreation is traveling to Peddler’s Village in Bucks County, PA. Enjoy a myriad of activities, historical attractions, and shopping that await. $60 per person.

The bus will depart from the EHT Community Center at 9 a.m., departing Peddler’s Village at 6 p.m. Register at www.

ehtrec.com or in-person at the recreation office, 5045 English Creek Ave., between 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Health and Wellness

Meetings for Family Members of Individuals Affected by Mental Illness and/or Substance Use Disorder

▶Thu. Oct. 26, 10:30 a.m.

This is a workshop-style meeting among peers with a new topic each month. Meetings include a presentation segment and an open discussion component. Daytime meetings are 10:30 a.m.

Call (609) 517-8614 for more information on how to participate.

Managing Grief During the Holidays

▶Thu. Oct. 26, 2 p.m.

Galloway Library 306 E. Jimmie Leeds Rd. During this presentation, members of the Cape Atlantic Caregivers Coalition will offer gentle strategies to help those dealing with grief and loss, which can be heightened this time of year. Additional dates and locations are Thu. Nov. 2 at 11 a.m. at the Pleasantville Library; Mon. Nov. 13, 2 p.m. at Brigantine Library; Tue. Nov. 14, 3 p.m. at Mays Landing Library, and Thu. Nov. 16, 2:30 p.m. at Hammonton Library. For more information, call (609) 652-3800 or email CapeAtlanticCaregivers@gmail.com.

Dementia Support Group

▶Wed. Nov. 1, 1:30 p.m.

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Ms. Senior America National Pageant returns to Atlantic City

By Ava Holly

I

t was an amazing afternoon at the Ms. Senior America Finals Oct. 19. Although the finals were held in Pennsylvania in 2022, this year they were back at the Tropicana in Atlantic City.

Forty-nine state winners graced the stage with evening gown competition, talent and philosophy of life categories in the pageant which celebrates a woman’s “Age of Elegance.”

The entertainment was fantastic.

Not only did we get to see the talent of the 12 finalists, we enjoyed performers throughout the event including performances by the Cameo Club, the MC Steppers and more.

All of the entertainment was very well received. Among the crowd favorites were singers Max Valentino and Bobby Fischetti who wowed the audience with classic and unforgettable tunes.

At the start of the show, the top 12 finalists were announced: Ms. West Virginia, Margo Jacobs; Ms. New Mexico, Patty Wells; Ms. New York, Mae Caime; Ms. New Jersey, Ferlie Almonte; Ms. Tennessee, Cheri Doane; Ms. Iowa, Cathy Roe; Ms. Georgia, Rebecca Berry; Ms. Arizona, Christina Robinette; Ms. Texas, Dr. Terre Quinn; Ms. California, Elizabeth Lomax Goldstein; Ms. Montana, Susan Shewbridge; and Ms. South Carolina, Dr. Catherine Pickren.

The talent and the evening gowns were spectacular and there was a nice turnout in AC for the event.

It was not just a one-day final. The contestants competed all week long with preliminary rounds, interviews and special events including a masquerade ball.

Hats off to founder Dr. Al Mott, President and CEO Denise Russo-Calazzo and Floyd Calazzo for bringing this much-needed event to fruition, and National Pageant Director and Ms. Virginia 2012 Kat Fanelli.

It takes creative directors, contestant coordinators and the team

16

behind the scenes to pull everything off. The show would not be complete without them.

Let’s say hello to this year’s national judges: David Manning, Steve Newport, Elisabeth Howard, Maria DeAngelis, Pete Trabucco, Doris Hartell and Deborah Keith. The finalist event hosts were Barbara Mauldin and Carolyn Corlew.

This all takes a lot of work. Some of the events saw only one practice as people practiced virtually from afar. It really takes a village.

We must mention the New Jersey leaders: state administrator and Co-Pageant Director Johanne Santori and Executive Pageant Director Terry Brightman Meade. Well done ladies.

In the audience were Sara Aarons, the oldest living Senior America winner at 104 years old. Born in 1919 in Flushing, N.Y., she was crowned Ms. New York Senior America in 1996 and became the National Queen in 1999.

Several others celebrating birthdays of 100 years old were recognized at individual events during the week.

Other awards were awarded on stage including the new Community Service Award. This involves submitting an essay about what you love to do to help the community. The three

October 26, 2023

winners were Ms. Oklahoma Karen Kim; Ms. South Carolina Dr. Catherine Pickren, and Ms. New York Mae Caime, who took home $1,200 each for charity.

The new Ambassador Award, given to the contestant who sells the most ads for the program book, went to Ms. Nevada, Caroline Sims.

The highest scoring non-finalist in talent was crowned, Ms. Jennifer Gentle. The coveted title of Ms. Congeniality went to Ms. Delaware, Dr. Debra Canale.

And now, as we say a beautiful farewell to Ms. Senior America 20222023 Debbie Robbins, let’s welcome in the new court:

October 26, 2023

Fifth Runner-up, Ms. Arizona, Christina Robinette.

Fourth Runner-up, Ms. New Jersey, (woo hoo) our own Ferlinda “Ferlie” Almonte.

Third Runner-up, Ms. New York, Mae Caime.

Second Runner-up, Ms. Montana, Susan Shewbridge.

First Runner-up, Ms. California, Elizabeth Lomax Goldstein.

And the winner, Ms. Senior America 2023-2024 is Ms. Texas, Dr. Terre Denise Quinn.

Congratulations all on a job well done. This is an exciting time for the “Age of Elegance.”

See you all next year!

17

Motivated Moms group organizes Moms' Sip and Shop event in Linwood

PET HOTEL

By Julia Train

GROOMING 7 DAYS A WEEK

S

ix and a half years ago, Morgan Orlowski was 36 weeks pregnant with her son and feeling lost and confused about motherhood.

“I had so many questions about pregnancy and all of the things that were about to change my life,” she said. “So I decided to start my own little group…Just so that we could sort of lean on each other and ask each other questions and be that support network that you hear about.”

So, she created a private Facebook group for local moms, hoping to connect with others who felt the same. The page, which she called ‘Motivated Mommies,’ started with about 10 members. The group, mostly of South Jersey moms, has grown

exponentially, reaching over 4,000 members. Orlowski said the page receives 20-30 requests or more a week, so she has a couple of good friends helping her manage it.

The group is filled with moms who motivate and help each other, from aiding in job searches to donating medicine to a mother with a sick child.

Orlowski recalled a Tylenol shortage at one point, where she posted in the group because her daughter had an ongoing fever and she couldn’t find the medicine anywhere.

Next thing she knew, people were dropping it off at her house. One person, who was a friend of hers in high school, even mailed her a bottle from Florida without expecting money in return. She has a community of mothers who want the same as she does: to feel heard and less alone which reaches past the internet.

Orlowski arranged smaller-scale events, such as park meetups and walks and posts mental health checkins on the page.

“I'm just really trying to build positivity in a community type of way. So we all know we're not alone,” she said.

“The number one thing I hear from

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these moms including myself is, ‘we want more events. We want more community. We want to meet people.’

That, along with the big presence that we have of these moms that run these side businesses, and also just local business owners in my group in general.”

A couple of months back, she decided to try a greater scale event. So Orwolski met with the event coordinator at Linwood Country Club, who helped her map out a plan to take on 40 vendors, which sold out with a waitlist of 25 people and projected to have over 600 people.

On Nov. 9, she is hosting ‘Moms Sip & Shop,’ a free event for any mom or lady that wants to come out that night for drinks and shopping with local vendors.

“I'm so excited to just do this event, meet more people and continue to collaborate and work with businesses in the area and meet the faces behind the Facebook group,” she said.

Now, Orlowski is the opposite of lonely or confused. She’s a mother of two–her son is 6 years old and daughter is 3. “I am just blown away at this point. It gives me chills just thinking about where we are now,” she said.

Julia is a student at Rider University, majoring in multiplatform journalism with a minor in social media strategies.

At school, she writes and copy edits for The Rider News and is the News Director for the radio station, producing news updates.

She’ll be graduating in the spring.

Connect with her on Instagram @ juliatrain

October 26, 2023

By Julia Train

EHT woman turns her house into a spooky extravaganza

O

n the corner of Leap Street and Ocean Heights Avenue in Egg Harbor Township, you might be taken aback when you see an extravagant, spooky scene with a multitude of creepy characters and props.

In 2016, Lauren Eastlack moved with her family to her new house and decided to put a few blow ups in the yard for Halloween, unbeknownst that it would eventually turn into a locally-famous spooky spectacle.

“Everybody loves it. When the buses go by, [kids] make their parents drive them back so they can see.. people stop and park across the street so they can come walk through and take pictures on the sidewalk, everything like that. People actually look for what's new every year,” said Eastlack.

Her love of the spooky season stems from her father's love of Halloween leading her family to decorate their house for the holiday when she was a kid.

Her boyfriend loves it as well, so the couple, along with their two chil-

October 26, 2023

dren, decided to get the house into the spirit one year.

After Labor Day, the decorations that take up the entirety of her shed and half of Eastlack’s basement are taken out and set up across her oneacre property.

Eastlack said the basic structure of the scene is put up within four days, but pieces are added and tweaked during the following weeks.

The elaborate scene, displaying an array of characters, includes a full graveyard, a giant witch that flies, a

12-foot skeleton, the Phantom, a guy barbecuing, skeleton dogs hanging around the campfire with Halloween masks, Freddy Krueger, and other horror film characters, sitting around the bar and a skeleton pushing a lawn mower that's running somebody else over.

At night the house is lit up with purple lights, there's a fog machine and a strobe light.

That might sound like a lot of decorations for one holiday, but it doesn’t stop there!

Every year, the collection grows.

After the holiday passes, Eastlack buys even more Halloween decorations when they’re on sale and adds them to their display.

Eastlack said, “My favorite part of it is the love that everybody else gets out of it. I love seeing people react to it. And when I'm at work or I'm doing something and they're like, ‘Oh, there’s this really cool house [on Ocean Heights] and everybody has to go check it out.’ And I'm like, ‘Oh, that's my house.’”

19

A Senior’s Observations, Opinions and Rantings

Halloween Memories

By Charles P. Eberson

Senior Moments

H

olidays are prone to bring back memories of years gone by and Halloween is no exception. In my tender young years, the night before Halloween, better known as Mischief Night, was perhaps, even more anticipated. It took planning, timing, supplies and coordination among our cadre of participants. We accumulated rolls of toilet paper, eggs and soap. I’ll leave the details to your imagination. Shortly after sunset, we embarked on our mission of mischief. As part of our plan, we would ring doorbells and run away, laughing all the way down the street.

It was all fun and games until one homeowner decided to give chase.

Fear propelled us in between two houses towards the next street with

the only thing in our way being a 1-foothigh decorative white fence which we could easily clear. My friend, Freddy was fast and blew by me to jump the small fence. Instantly, he was suspended in midair, flailing and screaming.

Above that small white decorative fence was a 6-foot chicken wire fence that was too dark to see and Freddy was caught in it. I was horrified and ran home as fast as I could. The next morning, I went over to Freddy’s to see how he made out. He had red streaks of the antiseptic, Mercurochrome on his face and his knuckles. When Freddy and I would reminisce, he didn’t share my humor.

Trick or treating, though, was lots of fun. Often, we would dress up like hobos and carry a pillowcase for our sweet booty. We had so much candy, we would have to return two to three times to empty them. Once we were done for the night, our parents would have us spread the contents on the dining room table for inspection. Their only concern was any apples that may have been “tampered” with. Of course today the contents have to be scrutinized much more closely.

As time went on, trick or treating

gave way to Halloween parties. One such party has lived on in perpetuity.

The year was 1978 and my in-laws owned a small local restaurant.

They rented the clubhouse at a now, non-disclosed location, for a Halloween party and invited many of their customers, vendors and local officials.

There was food, music, costumes, dancing and of course alcohol. The good times were rolling, with dancing at a more frenetic pace, voices getting louder, building to a crescendo until suddenly the music stopped, lights came on and everyone was asked to leave. I have heard it said that I bear some of the guilt for the sudden ending of the merriment but I don’t know for sure. What I do know, is that after

that night, I did have a strong aversion to Southern Comfort and still do.

Now, as Halloween approaches, my wife and I will sit calmly on our porch with a big bowl of candy for the trick or treaters. We enjoy seeing the little children all dressed up in their favorite costumes tripping up our steps in anticipation of whatever treat awaits them. But by and large, it is enjoyable to see the children and parents enjoy the celebration of Halloween. Then, of course, some of the trick-or-treaters are as big as me, wearing only hoodies as their costume, and sometimes the young moms pushing an infant in a stroller are asking for candy too.

Perhaps there is still time for me to stock up on soap, toilet paper, eggs and a pair of new running shoes. Mischief Night is approaching.

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

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October 26, 2023

The 21th Annual

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Best hikes in around South Jersey to take in the fall foliage

By Sarah Fertsch Staff Writer

C

runch! Fallen leaves crinkle under your boots. Your dog pants beside you, brushing soft fur against your leg.

Wind whimpers above you, and the sun peeks through the branches.

When you reach the summit, a smile

takes over your face.

Hiking and autumn are synonymous. The crisp weather, beautiful sunsets and changing nature make outdoor exploration playful. Not only that, hiking is a low-cost hobby with mind and body benefits.

But I don’t need to convince you.

Mother Nature is all too persuasive.

It may seem like hiking is reserved for those without beaches, oceans and marshland, but South Jersey

Birch Grove Park in Northfield

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locals can have the best of both worlds. We just need to know where to look.

Here are top-five best hikes in the Atlantic County vicinity: 1. Birch Grove Park Easy, Northfield, NJ This 271-acre haven offers more than what meets the eye. Enjoy a covered bridge, hilly trails through forests of pine trees, and a great picnic area with a playground. The skeleton of Somers Brick Works from over a century past, invites hikers to imagine a different era.

Bring a fishing pole in the springtime because the little lake is packed with trout.

2. Egg Harbor Township Nature Reserve Easy, Egg Harbor Township, NJ This Atlantic County hidden gem is perfect for hiking, kayaking, mountain biking and more. The arboretum is canyon-like, so you can get your steps in by climbing steep cliffs or stairways. Multiple trails lend to a unique nature experience every single visit. one of the best hikes in the tristate area. The space has lots of interactive, awe-inspiring features, like gigantic butterfly wings (for photo ops), ivy-covered tunnels, and colorful wildflowers. If you book a pedal-train excursion through Revolution Rail, nature guides will provide a brief history of the park and interesting facts.

October 26, 2023

beach and wetlands preservation are managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and are open 7 days a week for visitors.

The Egg Harbor Township Nature Reserve 3. Apple Pie Hill, Wharton State Forest Moderate, Vincentown, NJ Don’t let the sweet name fool you.

Apple Pie Hill is one of the tallest peaks in New Jersey, but especially in South Jersey. Climbing the Fire Tower makes this hike special, and offers incredible views. The 8.6-mile out-and-back route is kid-friendly and dog-welcoming.

4. Cape May National Wildlife Refuge Easy, Cape May Courthouse, NJ Birdwatchers rave about this trail.

The five-mile loop offers inside peaks into seabird habitats, and in the autumn, tens of species take a break from migration here. The pristine

5. Garrett Family Perimeter Trail Easy, Cape May, NJ Home to thousands of monarch butterflies, the Garrett Family Preserve makes for one of the best hikes in the tri-state area. The space has lots of interactive, awe-inspiring features, like gigantic butterfly wings (for photo ops), ivy-covered tunnels, and colorful wildflowers. If you book a pedal-train excursion through Revolution Rail, nature guides will provide a brief history of the park and interesting facts.

Don’t let autumn pass you by. Prioritize hiking, and you won’t regret it.

The photos at the peak will be worth the extra effort.

Sarah Fertsch was born and raised in Egg Harbor Township, and holds a dual degree in public relations and political science. Prior to joining Shore Local full-time, she worked at a CSPAN affiliate, writing about Pennsylvania legislation.

When she isn't writing, Sarah enjoys painting, horseback riding, and Crossfit.

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23

Pollinator garden thrives from community outreach

By Gabriella Bancheri

V

entnor Middle School life science teacher Michael Capizola is no doubt passionate about what he does, and his brainchild and pollinator garden located at the middle school is quite literally living proof of his passion.

After having the opportunity to chat with Michael while strolling through the garden, I was enlightened by his refreshing and informative perspective. Michael was looking for an opportunity to give the kids a hands-on learning experience that they could use to ‘help our local ecosystems,’ as he told me.

In November of 2022, Michael reached out to local couple and members of the South Jersey Surfrider

Elisa Jo Eagan

chapter, Carol Jones and Bill Stuempfig, about his initial idea. The couple were immediately interested in the plans and began discussing logistics right away. As a South Jersey based environmental organization whose mission is to protect the beautiful world in which we live, play, and find endless beauty, it’s no surprise that Surfrider agreed to pay $2,500 to get this project up and running.

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To kick off the new year Bill, Carol and Michael devised a plan and consulted Dustin Welch of the Wildlife Gardener to decide the best native perennial plants to include in the garden, making the maintenance low cost and sure to return every year.

The consultation took place in February and was primarily to ensure that the correct plants were placed in the ecosystem so they can thrive.

As the plan began to gradually take shape mid-March, Jon Hanson of Reuters Construction cleared the space for the garden. During this crucial process, Hanson donated his services to the cause, and the City of Ventnor granted the team access to a water source and waived dumpster removal fees in their support of the project.

Not long after, the team sent their

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In front of Galloway Shoprite Corner of Jimmy Leeds & Pitney Rd. October 26, 2023

proposal to The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, another environmentalist non-profit. The plans were approved for a kit that

offers 600 (yes, that’s six hundred!) plants in the ground. The kit contains milkweed, bergamot, Narrowleaf Mountainmint, coneflower and few others. These specific plants are meant to thrive in small dry, average soil sites.

After sending the project proposal to Xerces Society, Bill and Carol got in contact with David Solomon of Suburban Fence Company, who provided the fence materials at a discounted price. At the beginning of April, the team began installing the fence and the eco-soil was spread, allowing the project to start taking shape. Two months later, the plant plugs were collected from Kass Urban-Mead at Pinelands nursery, and on June 6th, it was finally time to get planting!

The pollinator garden is now a great habitat for insects and birds alike, giving the former shelter over the winter and the latter a temporary migration habitat, since New Jersey is along the great Atlantic flyway—all

Hours: Mon-Fri 6am-6pm • Sat, Sun 6am-5pm

October 26, 2023

while protecting local biodiversity.

The pesticide-free habitat provides caterpillars with a large supply of milkweed and migratory monarchs a place to “fuel up” for their migration south, as Michael informed me.

What budded as a simple idea to get the kids learning outside bloomed into a collaborative communit y-wide effort and beautiful garden. After speaking with Michael, Bill and Carol, it became clear that if there is anything viewers and locals can take away from this project, it’s this: the positivity of environmentally sustainable projects such as this one is contagious, and necessarily so, because it takes a community to make it work.

Whether you’re interested in simply browsing the garden and taking a stroll or immersing in a location-specific horticulture crash course, stop

by Ventnor Middle School and get inspired. You certainly don’t have to be a scientist or an avid environmentalist to enjoy the beauty of the garden’s social and environmental impact–although, as the crew behind this project have taught me, it’s never too late to start!

Gabriella is a Ventnor City resident and graduate of the University of London with an MA in Creative Writing and Publishing. Her writing is featured in a variety of digital publications ranging from food and beverage to literature to ecotourism.

Fall for our Treats!

25

Cannabis, ethnic food shops have business buzzing in AC Business Buzz

By Rich Baehrle

I

t looks like Atlantic City is on the move with a variety of businesses either in the planning stages or opening.

Kentucky Avenue has been fortunate to see two new businesses open: Panaderia Mexican Bakery, at 24 S Kentucky (owners Clavel and Juan Garcia), and Pinoy AC at 40 N Kentucky.

Atlantic City has large Casinos, but it also has hundreds of small businesses, owned and operated by entrepreneurs from every nationality and background.

For example, the owners of Pinoy, Glenn and Grace Cayme, are locals who decided to open a Filipino convenience store in a historically cultural street in the city. The Caymes introduced a

new culture to the town as Pinoy sells food, goodies and supplies familiar to the Philippines.

From mango ice cream and freshly baked bread known as pandesal, to cream silk shampoo and hair conditioner, shoppers can experience Pacific island favorites right in the heart of Atlantic City.

This home away from home is not only a place of comfort for Filipinos, it’s also an attraction for all people and cultures who have experienced the influence of Filipino-American diaspora. Try the funky ube ice cream.

They promise you won’t regret it.

In addition to the fabulous bakeries, cultural stores and the exciting new water park at the Showboat, the next explosion in growth in the city has been the cannabis business, which has literally caught fire.

The CRDA has been busy with hearings for retail dispensaries and grow facilities to accommodate a cottage industry that has caught on.

Just recently several cannabis businesses have opened their doors including MPX at 153 S New York Ave. (Orange Loop); Fly High Munchies, 55

Glenn and Grace Cayme, owners of Pinoy, a Filipino convenience store in Atlantic City Bellevue Ave., and The Greenhouse Collective and Design 710 Dispensary, 112 Park Ave. You will have to visit each location and experience the various products they have to offer.

Cannabis offers entrepreneurs a tremendous opportunity for growth.

However, with every opportunity there

are challenges. It is a capital-intensive business and is also extremely competitive.

The CRDA has heard numerous applications for cannabis businesses such as Starboard Industries, 1810 Baltic; Tree Breeze Cannabis, LLC, 27 S Christopher Columbus Blvd.; The Healing Side, LLC; Premium Dispensary, 1518-1520 Atlantic Ave., and Salt Air Botanical, 2310 Atlantic Ave. Also Ducktown Arts District; Tambre LLC, 1926 Atlantic Ave.; Baking Bad, Inc., 2834 Atlantic Ave.; THC Shop, LLC, 1740 Atlantic Ave., and A Perfect Bud, LLC, 31 S Christopher Columbus Blvd.

As you can see there are unique names to go along with the novel products each business will offer.

It certainly looks like Atlantic City is rapidly becoming a hub for cannabis.

Hopefully this will attract more visitors. This should be a great support for the new food stores, bakeries and restaurants. I would think that sales will rise in the food and cannabis sectors.

Remember your local businesses.

They are your friends and neighbors.

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Local Lore of Ghosts and Creatures Absecon Island beaches in search of his owner.

By Holly Fertsch

I

t's the time of year when we tell ghost stories and dress up as monsters. Here are some unique creatures and apparitions that legend says are local to South Jersey.

1. The Black Dog While many European cultures have folklore about a phantom black dog, the Pine Barrens has a unique version of the legend.

Most European tales depict a black dog as a harbinger of death. However, the New Jersey legend has it that the black dog that haunts our shores is a harmless spirit looking for his master.

The story goes that pirates on Absecon Island attacked a ship and killed its crew. Among those killed by the pirates were a cabin boy and his black dog. The ghost of the black dog is said to roam the Pine Barrens and

2. The Jersey Devil Perhaps the most famous monster listed here, the Jersey Devil was named the state demon in 1938. However, the 20th-century publication that first reported that news may have been joking.

Before the early 1900s, this creature was referred to as the Leeds Devil. The story goes that the Jersey Devil is the 13th child of a woman named Mrs. Leeds.

The creature is described as having the face of a horse, hooves and a tail. The Jersey Devil walks on his hind legs and flies with bat wings.

3. The White Stag The white stag is a ghostly figure that is said to help travelers in the Pinelands. The story goes that a stagecoach was about to cross a bridge when the driver noticed a white stag standing in the road. The white stag frightened the horses, and they stopped abruptly. The driver then saw the white stag disappear before his eyes.

The driver looked for the white stag but couldn’t find it. Then he

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discovered the bridge he had been about to cross had collapsed. The white stag had saved his life.

It is now considered good luck to spot a white stag in the Pine Barrens.

4. Emily A historic hotel in South Jersey (that shall go unnamed here) has a secret. I worked there for a short stint and was warned to not speak of the ghost around guests.

This apparition is known as “The Lady in White,” but I never heard that title during my time at the hotel. We referred to her by her name in life: Emily.

Luckily, this spirit was said to be more mischievous than malicious. My coworkers told me stories of the staff elevator not working and light bulbs flickering as evidence of Emily playing tricks.

There is a beautiful portrait of Em-

ily in one of the ballrooms. Painted by Tony Troy, he based Emily’s likeness on descriptions of the ghost. The portrait depicts a young woman with long hair standing next to a piano. She wears a long white dress.

While I did not encounter Emily during my time at the hotel, I was careful to avoid eye contact with her portrait just in case.

That said, Emily is a well-beloved ghost who is not said to be dangerous to anyone in any way. The hotel even named its restaurant after Emily to celebrate her.

5. The Ghost of Captain Kidd Captain Kidd was a pirate rumored to have buried treasure at the north end of Brigantine or on Little Beach.

Other potential burial sites include Barnegat Beach and Cape May Point.

After being executed, Captain Kidd has occasionally been spotted walking along Barnegat Beach with the Jersey Devil. In these legends, the ghost of Captain Kidd is often headless.

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October 26, 2023

Five reasons Storybook Land is a must-visit at Halloween

By Danielle Davies

I

f you’ve ever driven past Storybook Land during November or December, you know that it’s a South Jersey holiday legend. Decked out with thousands upon thousands of lights, with Santa and Mrs. Claus cozily tucked away in their very own house, Storybook Land seems like it was made just for Christmas.

As enchanting as December is at Storybook Land, however, it’s much more than a Christmas attraction.

Founded in 1955 by John and Esther Fricano, Storybook Land caters to families with young children, with classic storytime favorites — think “There was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe” and “Billy Goats Gruff”— serving as the whimsical backdrop for

magical visits. Open nine months a year, it’s home to not-too-fast rides, just-right-for-kids exploring, summer splashes, birthday parties, visits from the Easter Bunny, and during October, plenty of fall favorites.

Here are five reasons Storybook Land is a must-visit at Halloween.

1. The weather can’t be beat.

While this might not be the thing to entice your kids, trust us when we tell you that a beautiful fall day at Storybook Land is like nothing else.

Contrary to the winter months, when parents are contending with mittens and hats and boots and strollers, autumn is a fairytale, with plenty of space to spread out, take photos, and explore among the changing leaves and imaginary world of Storybook Land.

2. That perfect fall feeling.

On the most boring day of the year, Storybook Land is still a feast for the eyes. The immaculately kept park has so much to see, from rides and attractions to themed eating areas and even a few exotic animals.

During October, Storybook Land ups their already amazing game with

hay stalks, cornstalks and pumpkins galore, providing little ones with all the Halloween fun without any of the Halloween frights.

3. Autumn hayrides.

There’s no dispute — New Jersey has a bunch of hayrides available during October. As the Garden State, NJ has tons of farms and fields perfect for tractor rides. However, many of them are associated with jumps and scares ideal for older kids and teenagers, but way less fun for the smaller set. At Storybook Land, kids and their families are guaranteed a happy Halloween Hayride that tours the festive theme park without anything scary.

4. Elmer’s Hay Maze.

While there’s plenty to keep you busy at Storybook Land, Elmer’s Hay Maze is a specialty attraction during Halloween that’s totally worth it.

Rather than the high corn stalks of an adult maze, this kid-friendly maze is all delightful stacks of hay bales colorfully decorated with an associated scavenger hunt for puzzle pieces. Like all the other attractions at Storybook Land, Elmer’s Hay Maze is free with admission.

5. The trick or treating.

Is a Halloween event really a Halloween event if candy isn’t involved? We don’t think so. Storybook Land encourages kids to come in their costumes, get a free trick-or-treat bag, and then hit the various stations throughout the park to do their trick-or-treating.

Storybook Land Trick or Treat Weekend takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 28 and 29. Storybook Land is located at 6415 E. Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township. Visit StorybookLand.com for more information.

Danielle's been a writer and storyteller for the past fifteen years—her work has appeared everywhere from Philadelphia Style Magazine and The Press of Atlantic City to Cape May Magazine and The WC Press in West Chester. Nationally, her short stories have been published in Typehouse Magazine and Scary Mommy.

She lives in South Jersey with her husband and two children.

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What's happening in Ocean City

Halloween Events and Welcome Night in Ocean City

O

cean City’s 75th annual Halloween Parade will be held on Thursday (Oct. 26) and promises a great time for all. The event is a favorite on the fall calendar and features local children, families, bands, entertainers, businesses and organizations costumed for the occasion. The parade starts at 7:15 p.m. and proceeds down Asbury Avenue from Sixth Street to 11th Street.

The event is sponsored by the Ocean City Exchange Club. Watching the parade is free – with great spots to catch all the action from either side of downtown Asbury Avenue. Late registration for participants in the parade will be available at a table staffed from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on parade night at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue.

For more information, call 800-8135580 or visit ochp.blogspot.com.

Judging for the fourth annual Halloween House Decorating Con-

test in Ocean City will take place on Wednesday and Thursday. Pictures of all entries will be posted to facebook. com/OceanCityNJVacation on Friday (Oct. 27) for people’s choice voting.

Winners and a full list of entrants will be posted Monday at 2 p.m. at www. ocnj.us/halloween, so everybody can check out all the homes and businesses that were decorated in the spirit of the holiday.

The Ocean City Skate Park at Fifth Street and Asbury Avenue will host a Halloween Costume Skate 4 p.m. to dusk on Saturday (Oct. 28). Skateboarders are invited to come dressed for the holiday. There will be prizes for best costume and best trick, and candy for the participants.

Traditional trick-or-treating hours for Ocean City will be 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Tuesday (Oct. 31).

OCEAN CITY WELCOME NIGHT SET FOR OCT. 25 The Ocean City Regional Chamber

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

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

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

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

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of Commerce will host its annual Welcome Night 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25 at the Ocean City Sports and Civic Center at Sixth Street and Boardwalk. The free event offers residents a chance to meet and learn about Ocean City groups, businesses and organizations. Welcome Night is free to all attendees. For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ. TRAIL OF TWO CITIES 5K ON OCT. 28 The Trail of Two Cities 5-kilometer run/walk will be held for the 28th time on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.

The popular 5K (3.1-mile) race offers spectacular views over the length of a point-to-point course from Ocean

City to Somers Point. The route travels the length of the Route 52 causeway in the lanes usually reserved for cars.

Buses will be available at the finish line in Somers Point to transport runners to the start in Ocean City before the race and to transport runners back to Ocean City from Somers Point after the race.

Registration is open now, and a discounted pre-registration fee of $25 will be available through 4 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 25. The race will include awards for costumed runners.

Online registration and further information are available at www.ocnj.us/ race-events.

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his is the final column in my “Cutting College Costs” series. This goes out to all those college graduates who proudly walked across the stage and made a startling and frightening discovery: nobody had prepared you for how complicated life really can be, or for the financial challenges that lie ahead. Plus, everybody wants your money!

I believed them when they said…

When I graduated from college, times were different. However, even back then, (fifty years ago this spring), I had a big shock that first September. Instead of going back to a place where everything was planned out for me, where all I had to do was choose classes each semester, I was shocked to discover that I had to make plans for the rest of my life – without Christmas, spring break or summer break! Guess what? Almost nothing I learned in college prepared me for that.

Now, I was fortunate. I had studied Hotel Administration at Cornell University, and at least I had a direction. I had also owned two businesses by then, a restaurant and a hotel in Ocean City, so I knew something. However, there were many things that came as a shock,

such as finding a place to live, turning on utilities, creating a retirement account, etc. A few years after graduation, I bought a home. I suddenly had to pay property taxes, get insurance, etc. All these things taught me what I like to call “AI”, or Alumni Intelligence.

That said, everything that I dealt with after graduation was nothing compared to today’s complicated world.

I didn’t even get my first credit card until I was 28. Today’s young adults have at least one or two credit cards, with credit card-linked online shopping accounts and video subscriptions. They also have techno-predators ready to seal their private information. Above all, many newly minted graduates have a mountain of student loan debt.

Who put them into that debt?

The colleges did! Nobody has student loan debt unless a college advisor or college recruiter advised them to take out a student loan. The students who take on debt for college are not from wealthy families. The debt they incur results in even more negative net worth. It's ironic that although colleges are happy to take a student’s money, they rarely think about helping them become financially successful after graduation. They never think about how the students are doing post-graduation.

When you are in school, professors and administrators care about you.

They want you to stay in school and keep paying tuition. However, when you graduate, you are just a name on a mailing list. No one ever asks you how you are doing financially.

Alumni emails add insult to injury.

Once you graduated, I’ll bet your

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college sent out a constant stream of letters and emails asking you for donations. If you never donate, does anyone contact you to find out if you are okay? No! Pretending that all of their graduates are prospering, and asking for donations without considering that maybe some alumni are still in debt, is insulting!

Recently, a New Jersey college sent an email blast to their alumni asking for donations for a “space camera.”

One of the recipients of the email, who graduated about a decade ago, still owes $65,000 in student loan debt.

The college added insult (the donation request) to injury (the debt).

Use your “Alumni Intelligence” to help.

Colleges think it’s fine to take the students’ tuition money, put them into debt, send them out into the world without preparing them for “real life”, and then ask them for donations once they’ve graduated. I think we can all agree that something is wrong with this picture. With a little effort, college alumni (like you and me), can make a difference. Here’s how we can start.

Start by sending me college emails.

I want to collect a large sample of emails sent out to college alumni. Don’t worry, I won’t disclose the college’s name nor any of your information. I just want to see if any college sends out

October 26, 2023

emails that actually try to help individuals. I’d also like to get samples of emails that just “don’t get it.”

For example, my alma mater recently sent out an email telling me that today’s students spend less for a college degree than I did. They asked me for money so they could give students even deeper discounts. They’re saying to me, “Bill, we wouldn’t even consider that you might not be doing so well. Just give us money, so we can continue to get paid, even though we’re charging the students less.” Okay, I’m selfish, but can you see just how dumb that is?

Send me the emails or letters you get from your colleges to bill@quain. com. I’m on a quest to help improve “Alumni Intelligence” by getting colleges to work with their graduates to promote personal prosperity.

As I say each week, I’ll see ya in the papers!

Bill is a Professor in Stockton University’s Hospitality Management Program. He is the author of 27 books, and a highly-respected speaker. Even though he is almost totally blind, Bill is a long-distance runner and runs the Ocean City Half Marathon each year. He lives in Ocean City with his wife Jeanne, and his Guide Dog Trudy. Visit www.billquain.com or email him at bill@quain.com.

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Summer of ’65, Episode 20 Joe and the Nomads get a gig

By Bill Kelly

T

o prepare for their second audition at Tony Mart’s, Joe and the Nomads went looking for a keyboard player, so they walked to 8th Street to the Purple Dragon Coffee House.

From a block away you could see the big Purple Dragon head jutting out above the front door, which looked like it belonged on a Thanksgiving parade float. The building was owned by D. Allen Stretch, a city commissioner whose insurance office was on the corner with a carousel horse out front.

Not just a stage for singers and guitarists, the Purple Dragon microphone was also open to poets and storytellers, college kids and hippies arguing about the meaning of Bob Dylan’s lyrics. Stand-up comedians had yet to make the scene, but after Pittsburgh Paul read some of his poems, George Kresge took the microphone.

George was from Montclair, the same New Jersey hometown as Joe and the Nomads, but was four years older. Joe was to be a freshman at

Kent State while George just graduated from Seton Hall University with a degree in psychology.

Inspired by the comic strip “Mandrake the Magician,” George wanted to become a crime-fighting magician, and gave a class to some local policemen on psychological methods they could use, such as relaxation techniques, hypnosis, body language and voice inflections, but he didn’t think they were really interested. So

he became interested in becoming an entertainer himself.

And while making predictions, he didn’t claim to have paranormal or clairvoyant powers; he developed the powers of suggestion and called himself a mentalist.

When George was finished, Tito Mambo approached him and they went into a corner where George explained how his act works, as Tito was interested in adapting some of the techniques for his own act.

Joe and the Nomads set up their drums and plugged in and talked with Stephanie about what songs they were going to do later at Tony Mart’s.

They needed at least a half dozen popular cover tunes, and Stephanie played two of her own originals, though Joe explained that Tony didn’t like original songs.

Joe asked Tito to stick around and play the piano while he sat down on a stool and began playing his acoustic guitar. It was a Ventures’ surfing tune that everyone knew. The bongos and Tito on keys rounded out the sound.

After an extended jam, Joe knew Tito was in another league, but asked him to join the Nomads for the Tony

Joe and the Nomads Mart’s audition. That with Stephanie made it a five-man combo.

Tito was honest about it. “I already have a band,” he said, “and I’ve already been fired by Tony three times in one week.”

But he wanted to go back to Tony Mart’s. And since it was a Monday and his band was off that night, Tito agreed to join the Nomads just for the audition, but he would have to go in disguise.

So early that eventing the three Nomads, Stephanie and Tito Mambo

↘Continued on 36

THE VIOLIN CONSPIRACY

BY BRENDAN SLOCUMB

In this GMA Book Club Pick, a young man discovers that his family’s old violin is a Stradivarius and is launched into classical music stardom. When the violin is stolen just before the world’s largest music competition, the man must reclaim his precious violin and prove that there has always been a great musician within him.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9 AT 6:30PM MEET THE AUTHOR, BRENDAN SLOCUMB Author talk, Q&A, and book signing Find the book at the Ocean City Free Public Library, or purchase your own copy at:

Sun Rose Words & Music 756 Asbury Avenue, Ocean City

34

www.oceancitylibrary.org 1735 Simpson Ave. | (609) 399-2434

For more information, please contact Julie Howard at 609-399-2434, ext. 5222, or jhoward@oceancitylibrary.org.

October 26, 2023

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↘Continued from 34

EXPERIENCED LEADERSHIP FOR SOMERS POINT

dressed as an Arab sheikh, went into Tony Mart’s with Tito sitting at the piano against the wall and his back to the audience, and Tony sitting at his usual spot at the small bar next to the front door.

Since the main act, Conway Twitty, and the house band, Levon and the Hawks, had the night off, the main stage was occupied by Joey Dee and the Starliters, in from New York City.

They usually played the Peppermint Lounge, which they made famous with their hit song, “The Peppermint Twist,” and finished up their first set of the evening.

But the Nomads weren’t ready to kick in right away, as is the usual procedure, because Joe had left his guitar picks in the van. So he walked over to the main stage and asked their lead guitarist, a tall, skinny guy, if he could have a spare pick. He handed a guitar pick over to Joe, but didn’t say anything.

“I’m Joe, with the Nomads,” Walsh said, reaching out his hand. “We’re auditioning tonight.”

The guy shook Joe’s hand, didn’t say anything but just smiled as Joe continued, “We got an extra guitar slot if you want to sit in on any of our sets, feel free.”

The three Nomads kicked in with the power trio set of new Beatles songs, while Tito just played softly to fill in the sound and not call attention to himself. Stevie stood back against the wall and wasn’t introduced until the third song, a popular number before they did Stevie’s two originals, which they knew would make Tony wince.

But they didn’t get the hook or unplugged because Stevie was really strong and Tony liked her immediately. During her second song, the Stones’ “Satisfaction,” the tall, thin guy who played with the Skyliters plugged in and stood in the back, but added a dynamic third guitar that blew everybody away.

The guy didn’t need a guitar pick, he played some notes with his teeth.

Tony appeared perplexed as the crowd was suddenly paying attention to a no-name new band. And at

36

Joe and the Nomads the end of the song everybody was applauding, cheering and whistling, including the bartenders and bouncers, so Tony couldn’t give them the hook as the crowd clearly liked them.

Before the Nomads’ set was over the Starliters’ guitarist unplugged and unobtrusively left the back of the stage to go over to the other stage where his band was getting ready to play.

Ending with the Ventures’ surf song, “Wipe Out,” which kept people’s attention and got the dance floor going, the Nomads ended their extended audition as Joey Dee and the Starliters began playing, “The Peppermint Twist,” across the room.

While the whole room was twisting the night away, and Tito Mambo sneaked out the door, Joe was still pumping with excitement and was smiling as he approached Mr. Marotta at the bar.

“How’d we do Mr. Mart?” Joe asked.

“Youse guys did good,” said Marotta. “You got a job, three sets a night on the back stage through next Thursday,” he said, knowing that Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels were coming on Friday to play the weekend. The Nomads were just going to fill in for a few nights, but it was a gig, and while it was too late to include them in the newspaper ads, they would have their name on the Tony Mart’s marquee – along with Joey Dee and the Starliters, The Fall Guys, Conway Twitty and Levon and the Hawks.

After his successful audition, Joe Walsh talked to Tony about some gig details and then stuck around to see Joey Dee and the Skyliters, but was attracted, as was everyone else in the house, to the tall, skinny guy with the afro in the back with the guitar.

Joe zoomed in on the guitarist’s fingers and watched for a few minutes in awe and thought how the quiet guy talked with his guitar. Joe then searched his pockets and took out the guitar pick the guy with the left-handed Fender Stratocaster had given him and looked at it as if there were something magical about it, and he kissed it.

Next Up – Episode 21 – Tony Throws a Fairwell Party for the Hawks and Conway Twitty.

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Entertainment & Dining at the Shore

Whitney’s Weekly Picks The City Pulse with Whitney Ullman

T

here are some really fun happenings so make sure to support your local venues and get your tickets in advance because you don’t miss out on any fun. Oh, and feel free to tag me in your social media photos and videos.

What: Atlantic City Ballet Presents: ‘Dracula’ Where: Caesars Atlantic City

When: Friday, Oct. 27 Time: 8 p.m.

Website: Ticketmaster.com Based on Bram Stoker’s 1897 classic gothic horror story, choreographer Phyllis Papa’s “Dracula” mixes romance and passion with horror and pain.

Your invitation awaits to experience a new and thrilling Halloween tradition you’ll never forget.

What: Glowball Golf Outing Where: Harbor Pines Golf Club, EHT When: Friday, Oct. 27 Time: 4 p.m. Buffet Dinner, 6 p.m.

Shotgun Golf Website: https://harborpines.com/ calendar/ Costumes are welcome. Bring your favorite four clubs and a great attitude. All glow material is included.

Pre-registration and purchase is required and can be done online or by phone at 609-927-0006, ext. 23.

Enjoy post-golf dance party with live music by Mel & Tony.

What: Beetlejuice Where: Boogie Nights Tropicana Atlantic City

When: Friday, Oct. 27 Time: 9 p.m.

Website: boogienightsusa.com/ atlantic-city/events Come dressed as your best Beetlejuice or ghost for a chance to win some totally awesome prizes.

Free admission passes will not be accepted.

Who: Foreigner: The Greatest Hits Where: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City Etess Arena When: Friday, Oct. 27 and Saturday, Oct. 28 Time: 8 p.m.

Website: www.hardrockhotelatlanticcity.com/event-calendar/foreigner Get ready for a nostalgic musical journey as Foreigner delivers an unforgettable concert experience that will have you singing along to every classic hit.

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Website: https://premierborgata. mgmresorts.com/ Get spooky with Lil’ Jon at Premier Nightclub on Saturday, Oct. 28.

What: Haunted Halloween Bash Where: Boogie Nights Tropicana When: Saturday, Oct. 28 Time: 10 p.m.

Website: boogienightsusa.com/atlantic-city/events Enjoy costume contests with $1,000 cash grand prize and nonstop entertainment from the Boogie Nights Super Stars.

What: Halloween Costume Party Where: Charlie’s Bar, Somers Point

Who: The Company Live at Caroline’s by the Bay Where: Caroline’s by the Bay in Somers Point When: Saturday, Oct. 28 Time: 8 p.m.

Website: https://www.carolinesnj. com/live-music-events/ Head to Somers Point Saturday Oct. 28. Costumes are encouraged as Caroline's by the Bay will be celebrating the goulash hours. Time to party.

When: Saturday, Oct. 28 Time: 9 p.m. - 1:30 a.m.

Website: charliesbar.com/entertainment.php more details on their Facebook page.

Join the fun at Charlie's Bar in Somers Point with D.J. Tommy T-Bone, dancing, drink specials, cash prizes and gift certificates for best costume, best couple and best group.

Who: Lil’ Jon Where: Premier Nightclub at Borgata When: Saturday, Oct. 28 Time: 10 p.m.

Who: Johnny Mathis: The Voice of Romance Tour Where: Caesars When: Saturday, Oct. 28 Time: 8 p.m.

Website: www.caesars.com/caesars-ac/shows Sing along and celebrate the leg-

endary career of Johnny Mathis as he performs live at Caesars Circus Maximus Theater in Atlantic City.

What: Trunk or Treat on Tennessee Avenue Where: Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall When: Saturday, Oct. 28 Time: Noon Website: https://www.tennesseeavenuebeerhall.com/events Things will be getting spooky over on Tennessee Avenue at the first annual Trunk or Treat. Doors open at 10 a.m. with $5 breakfast sandwiches. The family Halloween festivities start at noon with a costume contest, Halloween crafts and more.

What: A Rocky Horror Halloween With Thrills, Chills, and High Heels Where: The Claridge Hotel When: Saturday, Oct. 28 Time: 9 p.m. - midnight

↘Continued on 40

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39

↘Continued from 39 Live entertainment and specialty themed drinks.

What: Marine Mammal Stranding Center Run for the Animals 5K Where: 16th Street Beach Parking Lot, Brigantine When: Saturday, Oct. 28 Time: 7 a.m.

Website: https://mmsc.org Run for the Animals 5K is coming to Brigantine Saturday, Oct. 28. Prizes will be given for top finishers. It’s a high energy event with raffle baskets and something for all ages. Costumes encouraged. Dog, kid and stroller friendly.

What: It’s a Thriller Night Where: Bally’s Atlantic City The Yard When: Saturday, Oct. 28 Time: 9 p.m.

Website: casinos.ballys.com/atlantic-city The Yard is hosting the best indoor/

outdoor Halloween Party in Atlantic City. Grab your favorite costume for this spooktacular event featuring costume contests, live music, beer specials, prizes, treats and thrills.

Masks cannot cover the entire face.

Must be 21+. There will be prizes for best overall costume, scariest, funniest and most scandalous costumes.

What: Nola’s Halloween Party Where: Ocean Casino Resort When: Saturday, Oct. 28 Time: 8 p.m.

Website: www.theoceanac.com/entertainment/dining-event/nolas-halloween-party Dress up in your Halloween best and enter the costume contest for a chance to win prizes so good you will be spooked. Enjoy tricks and treats such as specialty cocktails, and live entertainment from DJ AP.

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40

What: Sin AC Halloween Party Where: Island Waterpark at Showboat Resort When: Saturday, Oct. 28 Time: 10 p.m. - 3 a.m.

Website: www. sincityac.com Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City will be the sexiest and spookiest place on the East Coast to celebrate Halloween.

SIN-AC is a 21+ party with hot costumes and hotter entertainment. It will run from 10 p.m. until 3 a.m.

What: The Boo Bar - A Halloween Themed Pop-Up Bar Where: Resorts Casino Bar One When: Now until Nov. 1 Time: Sunday, 2 p.m.-midnight;

Monday-Thursday, 4 p.m.-midnight; Friday, 2 p.m.-3 a.m.; Saturday, 1 p.m.3 a.m.

Website: resortsac.com/entertainment/pop-up-bar Spooky season is here and Bar One is transforming into Boo Bar. Visit for a hauntingly good time. Gather your goblins, summon your spirits and head to the Boo Bar for a Halloween celebration that will leave you bewitched.

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Five fiendishly fun ways to celebrate Halloween this weekend

ghost tracking equipment from 8 to 10:30 p.m. for $50. Absecon Lighthouse is located at 31 S. Rhode Island Ave., Atlantic City. Visit AbseconLighthouse.org for more information.

By Danielle Davies

B

efore we start gathering around in gratitude, it’s the last official weekend for the thrills and chills of Halloween, and there are some truly festive frights we highly encourage. Grab your ghoulish garb and get going — here are five fiendishly fun ways to celebrate Halloween this weekend.

1. Glowball Golf at Harbor Pines Don your favorite costume and head to Harbor Pines Golf Club for a Glowball Golf Outing of epic proportions at 4 p.m. Friday. For just $75, guests can indulge in a buffet dinner followed by a shotgun start to a positively “glowing” golf experience. Bring your favorite four clubs — all glow materials are included — and plan on an epic night with a post-golf dance party with live music by Mel & Tony. Harbor Pines Golf Club is located at 500 St. Andrews Dr., Egg Harbor Township.

See HarborPines.com.

3. Flash Mobs and Costume Contests Looking for a scary good time?

Head to Resorts for loads of haunted Halloween fun including a Halloween flash mob at 6 p.m. on Saturday followed by a Halloween Costume Contest hosted by DJ Clinton with $1,000 in prizes at 8 p.m. While you’re there, be sure to swing by the Boo Bar for music from Geri Mingori and DJ Clinton and inventive Halloween concoctions. Resorts is located at 1133 Boardwalk. See ResortsAC.com.

2. Haunted Tours and Paranormal Investigation at Absecon Lighthouse For the full-fright lovers, head to Absecon Lighthouse on Saturday, Oct. 28 to hear the true ghost sto-

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ries that prompted a visit from SyFy’s “Ghost Hunters”. Enjoy a Haunted Walking Tour — available 6 and 7 p.m.

— for $25, or a 2.5-hour paranormal investigation with NJ Researchers of Paranormal Evidence complete with

4. Spooktacular Movies There’s a reason that there is an entire movie franchise named for this spooky holiday — scary movies and Halloween go together like peanut butter and jelly. And this week before Halloween, there is no shortage of

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hyper-creepy films showing at Tilton Square Theatre. Head there for viewings of “The Nun II,” “Saw X,” and “The Exorcist: Believer” — just don’t choke on your popcorn during the jump scares. Tilton Square Theatre is located at 331 Tilton RdNorthfield.

See SquareTheatres.com.

5. Halloween Costume Party Want to hang where everyone knows your name? Head to Charlie’s Bar in Somers Point for your fall faves — beer and wings — as well as a costume party from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Saturday. As far as Halloween parties go, this one can’t be beat.

Charlie’s Bar is located at 800 Shore Rd., Somers Point. See CharliesBar. com.

October 26, 2023

Friday, October 27

Atlantic City Headliners Disco Inferno

▶8 p.m.

Foreigner

▶8 p.m.

Resorts Atlantic City

Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena Bee Gees Gold

Saturday, November 4

▶8 p.m.

The Marshall Tucker Band

▶8 p.m.

Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena Sebastian Maniscalco

▶7 p.m. & 10 p.m.

Borgata Event Center Nikki Glaser

Sound Waves at Hard Rock Piff the Magic Dragon

▶8 p.m.

The Music Box at Borgata Randy Rainbow

Thursday, November 9

Sunday, November 12

▶8 p.m.

▶8 p.m.

Sound Waves at Hard Rock

▶9 p.m.

Sebastian Maniscalco

▶9 p.m.

Harrah’s Atlantic City

Borgata Event Center

▶7 p.m.

Sound Waves at Hard Rock

Sebastian Maniscalco

Borgata Event Center

Saturday, October 28

Friday, November 10

Thursday, November 9

▶8 p.m.

▶8 p.m.

▶8 p.m.

▶9 p.m.

Friday, November 17

Foreigner

KC & the Sunshine Band

Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena Johnny Mathis: The Voice of Romance Tour

▶8 p.m.

Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena Paul Anka

Circus Maximus Theater at Caesars Bee Gees Gold

▶8 p.m.

Sound Waves at Hard Rock Thunder Down Under

▶8 p.m.

Bally’s Grand Ballroom

Sunday, October 29 Euphoria Variety Show

▶4 p.m.

Sound Waves at Hard Rock

Sebastian Maniscalco

Borgata Event Center

Chicago & Friends

Ovation Hall at Ocean Sebastian Maniscalco

▶9 p.m.

Borgata Event Center Housewives Live: NYC vs. NJ

▶7 p.m. & 10 p.m.

▶8 p.m. ▶8 p.m.

Sound Waves at Hard Rock Bored Teachers Comedy Tour

▶8 p.m.

Harrah’s Atlantic City

Saturday, November 11 Freestyle Free for All

Ovation Hall at Ocean Sebastian Maniscalco

Borgata Event Center Gary Owens

▶9 p.m.

Harrah’s Atlantic City

Saturday, November 18 Chicago & Friends

▶8 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Sebastian Maniscalco

▶7 p.m. & 10 p.m.

Borgata Event Center I Pooh: Amici X Sempre USA Tour

▶8 p.m.

Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena Trey Kennedy

▶8 p.m.

Tropicana Showroom

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Steve Martin & Martin Short

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Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena Dancing with the Stars Live

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Borgata Event Center Aaron Lewis

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Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino

On-Sale This Week Ron White

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Borgata Event Center On-Sale Friday, 10 a.m.

Voyage – Celebrating the Music of Journey

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Sound Waves at Hard Rock On-Sale Friday, 10 a.m.

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43

Comedian Durwood scouts out the comedy times in ‘The Hook’

By Chuck Darrow

W

hen it comes to Scout Durwood, “what you see is what you get” definitely applies.

Durwood is one of two comedy stars of “The Hook,” the game-changing presentation at Caesars Atlantic City (it’s AyCee’s first Las Vegas-style, permanent production show). In it, the

Kansas City native plays the role of a ship’s captain whose entrance occurs in a most surprising--and spectacularly staged—manner. The character is a bold, unfiltered, take-no-prisoners figure whose sexuality is essential to both her humor and her personality.

“A hundred percent,” laughed Durwood during a recent phone chat when asked how much of The Captain is her. “I mean, obviously, I'm maybe a little more nuanced, but [director

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OVERLOOKING THE BAY

Cal McCrystal] really let us run with our characters. And he really liked the kind of attitude I bring as a lesbian and a kind of big-personality woman, because we don't see that a lot.

“He really let me kind of run with it, and I love being bold and dismissive.

He let me take the role in whatever direction I wanted it to go. Even when we were naming the captain, it was like, ‘What do we wanna call her?’

And I didn't want a silly name, so I was kind of like, ‘Well, what's wrong with “Captain?”’ There is something to be said for walking around the theater; everyone salutes me and says, ‘Hello, Captain!’

“I kind of feel like I conned my way into having some sort of title--but I earned it.”

While her work in “The Hook” showcases Durwood’s talents as a natural (X-rated) comedian, she used the term “multi-hyphenate” several times when describing herself—and with legitimate reason: She is also an actress with several TV credits including MTV’s scripted series, “Mary + Jane” and “Youtopia,” a streaming comedy she wrote, directed and starred in (the premise has her as the leader of a cult with otherworldly interactions).

When she’s not engaging in those activities, Durwood is a singer whose debut album, “Take One Thing Off,” was turned into a 22-episode streaming series of the same name, and she’s about to release a Christmas album. So from whence does the multi-tasking come?

“I think for me, there's this sense of like, I don't know, maybe it's FOMO [Fear of Missing Out],” she offered, “but I just wanted to do it all. I always knew I wanted to be in the arts, to be acting and performing, or a filmmaker; when I was a kid, I would direct little movies for my friends with our camcorder.”

Durwood, a scholarship-level soccer player in her youth (she attended St. Joseph’s College in Indiana before transferring to, and graduating from, Amherst College in Massachusetts), added she enjoys show business because it, like sports, is collaborative in nature.

What she’s also enjoying these days is life in Atlantic City which, she admitted, has exceeded her expectations.

“We've all been blown away by how much we love Atlantic City,” she said of her “Hook” teammates. “I mean, I think we all kind of came here, maybe not kicking and screaming, but maybe eye-rolling a little bit. And now, so many of us are, like, pretty in love with

this weird little town.”

Durwood’s contract will have her sticking around for a while in this “weird little town,” but she’s keeping at least one eye on the future. She didn’t speak in specifics, but it’s evident she has a game plan.

“I really wanna keep creating worlds and to put them on larger and larger stages,” she said. “I love performing; I'm definitely still writing pretty aggressively. And so, I'm gonna keep doing what I do. I just hope that it gets to touch more and more people.

“I have a couple different film and TV projects in development—that's a world that we'd all love to control, but unfortunately none of us can. And I have a live show that I premiered right before [“The Hook”] that kind of got sidetracked by it.

“And I have theatrical and writing reps that really believe in me and have my back. So I think I'll keep doing what I'm doing forever. And that's one of the nice things about being a multi-hyphenate: It's all just world-building.”

For tickets, go to www.spiegelworld.com/shows/the-hook/tickets.

‘The Martins’ headed back to AC Next year already promises to be a little bit brighter in Atlantic City: Steve Martin and Martin Short are headed back to town for a May 18 show at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.

The superstar duo’s previous performances at Borgata and Hard Rock were among the most entertaining (and downright hilarious) this observer has seen in more than five decades of watching live comedy. As such, I implore you to go see these masters of mirth. I promise you won’t be sorry.

For tickets, go to www.ticketmaster.com.

Chuck Darrow has spent more than 40 years writing about Atlantic City casinos.

October 26, 2023

OC’s Howl-O-Ween Parade struts down the boardwalk

By Donald B Kravitz

O

cean City's third annual “HowlO-Ween” Parade and dog costume contest drew hundreds of pets in zany Halloween costumes to the Ocean City Boardwalk on Saturday, Oct. 21. Philadelphia Eagles mascot SWOOP was the grand marshal, and proceeds from the event went the Ocean City Humane Society.

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

46

October 26, 2023

By Doug Deutsch

Andrew Dice Clay takes comedy to the limit at Golden Nugget has moved beyond stage comedy in recent years, building up quite an acting resume, including roles in “The Adventures of Ford Fairlane,” starring in his own television show, “Dice,” for two years on Showtime, and a critically-lauded role in the 2013 Woody Allen film, “Blue Jasmine,” among others.

While his humor is definitely over the top and may not be for

“T

he Diceman,” the anything goes shock comic himself, Andrew Clay Silverstein (stage name: Andrew Dice Clay), returned to Atlantic City last weekend, performing in The Grand Ballroom at Golden Nugget Casino to a packed house of older fans all too familiar with his oft X-rated verbal shtick.

Even in an era where virtually nothing is shocking anymore, Clay still has the ability to make almost any adult shake their head and grin with his over-the-top brand of humor.

Looking very much like he has since he began performing in the 1980s – sleeveless black leather mo-

October 26, 2023

everyone, in today’s era of cancel culture and extreme political correctness, it’s somewhat refreshing to see someone still willing to bend all the rules of comedy and refused to be censored.

Eleanor Kerrigan opened for Dice Clay. The South Philadelphia-based comedian impressed as a female version of The Diceman, cussin’ and insulting her way through a rapid, funny, 20-minute opening set.

torcycle jacket, sunglasses, ever-present cigarette dangling from his hand (except it’s 2023, and he couldn’t actually light and smoke the cigarette) – The Diceman performed 90 minutes worth of rapid-fire humor, including, of course, his hilarious X-rated nursery rhymes which he has been reciting by popular demand since he started doing standup.

One poor soul, a friend of ours no less, learned what it’s like to be in the line of fire during a Dice Clay performance. The comic roasted the fellow twice from the stage. Diceman is from Brooklyn. On stage he takes no prisoners.

Andrew Dice Clay, now 66 and by all indications, in pretty good shape,

47

Foreigner returns to Hard Rock Halloween weekend Tune In, Turn On

By Doug Deutsch

H

alloween weekend is always a blast here at the Jersey Shore with plenty to do, especially in the way of parties and live music.

This year also happens to be the weekend that classic rock greats Foreigner returns to Atlantic City for a

two-night engagement at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s Mark Etess Arena on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 27 and 28.

In a recent interview with Foreigner’s current bassist, Jeff Pilson, we asked about reading that this year’s tour could be the longtime band’s musical swan song.

“Well it's not that we’ll no longer perform, it’s that we’ll no longer do those long nine-month-a-year tours,” explained Pilson. “It’s a farewell ‘tour,’

Foreigner returns to Atlantic City for a two-night engagement at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s Mark Etess Arena Friday and Saturday, Oct. 27 and 28. Photo by Karsten Staiger

Advanced ticket purchase required. buy online at www.harborpines.com - online store

48

not goodbye forever! But to answer the question, the idea is to go out while we’re still on top.

“The band is firing on all cylinders right now and we don’t want to be one of those bands you go to see and say to yourself, ‘Hmmm, they should call it a day!’ The fans deserve better; the legacy of the band deserves better.

“A lot of it comes down to (Foreigner vocalist) Kelly (Hansen), who wants to stop before he feels he’s deteriorating. These are difficult songs to sing and the older he gets the trickier it is to deliver at the level he expects of himself. You have to respect that a lot.”

Asked what songs fans clamor the most for in concert, Pilson replied, “There really are no favorites as there are too many popular songs to choose from! I will say that I still get goosebumps when we get to the chorus of ‘I Wanna Know What Love Is.’ You feel the audience come together every night at that point in a very special way. There are multiple times in the set where we’re really able to connect with the audience in a very deep way. That’s the power of these songs and the connection to the audience is palpable.”

Asked about the ever-changing carousel of band members (the only original member, 78-year-old guitarist Mick Jones, who doesn’t tour with the band too often), Pilson answered, “When and if personnel need to change, we use our gut instincts to give the best advice possible and the final decision goes to Mick. He has brilliant instincts and a great sense of how musicians interact.”

The current Foreigner touring lineup consists of Kelly Hansen, vocals; Jeff Pilson, bass/keyboards; Michael Bluestein, keyboards; Bruce Watson, guitar; Luis Maldonado, guitar/bass; and Chris Frazier, drums.

On an interesting local note, the

Holy Spirit High School Choir will perform the group’s, “I Want To Know What Love Is” onstage with Foreigner this weekend. We asked Pilson how that came to be.

“Our publicist spoke with the venue (Hard Rock Hotel & Casino), and they suggested using (the HSHS Choir), who then agreed to perform both nights with us. We’ve been using high school choirs to sing with us for years. We donate $500 to each choir program that sings with us. It’s something we all really enjoy doing.”

(Tickets/Info: www.hard rock hotel atlantic city.com); www.foreigneronline.com)/ Molly Ringworm Halloween: Haven’t heard too much from MR lately; they’re one of our fave South Jersey groups, fronted by guitarist-vocalist/ WLFR DJ, Sarah Holt.

Their latest video, “Down Out” (Kidokoro Records) is more of what MR is known for: catchy pop with jangly guitars. They’ll host a Halloween concert/party at Anchor Rock Club this Friday, Oct. 27 at 7:45 p.m. with Sleeper Creek and Lightheaded also performing. Dance party to follow.

Costumes encouraged! www.anchorrockclub.com; www.mollyringwormnj.com).

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

October 26, 2023

Live & Local Music Calendar

Thursday, October 26

Atlantic City Bar One at Resorts Karaoke Night w/ Cowboy Kevin 8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

1133 Boardwalk Council Oak at Hard Rock Sharon Sable & EQS Trio 5:30 – 9 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk Good Dog Bar DJ Khan 8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

3426 Atlantic Ave. Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino DJ Clinton Conyer 8 p.m.

500 Boardwalk Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget Dane Anthony 8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

600 Huron Ave.

Ventnor Ventnor Coffee Open Mic w/ Pete Glaze 6:30 – 9 p.m.

108 N. Dorset Ave.

Friday, October 27

Atlantic City Anchor Rock Club Molly Ringworm w/ Sleeper Creek, Lightheaded 7:45 p.m.

247 S. New York Ave. Bar One at Resorts Beth Tinnon 5 – 8 p.m.

DJ Gary 8 p.m. – 2 a.m.

1133 Boardwalk Council Oak at Hard Rock TBD 1000 Boardwalk

1000 Boardwalk The Royce Social Hall DJ Drift 9 p.m. – 12 a.m.

2801 Pacific Ave. The Wave at Golden Nugget Flashback Fridays: Hello I Must Be Going: A Tribute to Phil Collins 9 p.m. – 12 a.m.

600 Huron Ave. The Yard at Bally’s DJ Freezie 7 p.m. – 12 a.m.

1900 Pacific Ave. Villain & Saint at Ocean Casino The Coconutz Trio

6 p.m.

Amanda and Teddy Band 10 p.m.

500 Boardwalk Wild Wild West at Caesars Gypsy Wisdom 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.

2100 Pacific Ave. Egg Harbor City Renault Winery Philly Keys 6 – 11 p.m.

72 N. Bremen Ave.

↘Continued on 50

Molly Ringworm The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Party Wave 7 – 11 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk Wild Wild West at Caesars DJ Adub 9 p.m. – 1 a.m.

2100 Pacific Ave. Somers Point Caroline’s by the Bay Karaoke Hosted by Mike Dempsey 9 p.m. – 1 a.m.

450 Bay Ave. Fitzpatrick’s Deli and Steakhouse Phil Stocker 5 – 8 p.m.

650 New Rd. Gregory’s James 6 p.m.

900 Shore Rd. Josie Kelly’s The Feel Good Music Band 6 – 9 p.m.

908 Shore Rd.

October 26, 2023

Hard Rock Café B Street Band 9 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.

1000 Boardwalk Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino Fat Mezz 7 p.m.

Split Decision 11 p.m.

500 Boardwalk Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget Originaire Duo 6 – 10 p.m.

The Deck Band 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.

600 Huron Ave. Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall Glenn Roberts 8 – 11 p.m.

133 S. Tennessee Ave. The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Grooveheart 5 – 8:30 p.m.

Daddy Pop 9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.

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ROMANELLI'S Garden Cafe'

Egg Harbor Township The Roost Pub & Grill Mel and Tony 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

500 St. Andrews Dr. Marmora Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern Sean Loosh 7:30 p.m.

316 Roosevelt Blvd.

Somers Point Caroline’s by the Bay No Clue Trio 8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

450 Bay Ave. Fitzpatrick’s Deli and Steakhouse Phil Stocker 5 – 8 p.m.

650 New Rd. Josie Kelly’s Chris Yoder Band 9 p.m.

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Atlantic City Anchor Rock Club Halloween Show feat. Te Vista, Polaroid Face, Neanderthal, Away Game 8 p.m.

247 S. New York Ave. Bar One at Resorts Geri Mingori 5 – 8 p.m.

DJ Clinton 8 p.m. – 2 a.m.

1000 Boardwalk Council Oak at Hard Rock TBD 1000 Boardwalk Eden Lounge at Harrah’s Big Band Baby 9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.

777 Harrah’s Blvd.

Hard Rock Café Dueling Pianos 9 p.m. – 1 a.m.

1000 Boardwalk Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino Jumper 7 p.m.

The Royals 11 p.m.

500 Boardwalk Rhythm & Spirits Teddy Fusco 7 – 10 p.m.

DJ Skyline 10 p.m. – 1 a.m.

120 S. Tennessee Ave. Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget Danny Lynch 5 – 9 p.m.

Temporary Grace 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.

600 Huron Ave. Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall Hendricks Resurrection 8 – 11 p.m.

133 S. Tennessee Ave.

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Billy Walton Band 5 – 8:30 p.m.

Pulse 9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.

1000 Boardwalk The Royce Social Hall DJ Dahve 9 p.m. – 12 a.m.

2801 Pacific Ave. The Yard at Bally’s Night Flight Duo 1 – 5 p.m.

DJ Vito G 5 – 9 p.m.

Coming Alive 10 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.

1900 Pacific Ave. Villain & Saint at Ocean Casino Modern Mixed Tape Duo 6 p.m.

Laura Lea & Tripp Fabulous 10 p.m.

500 Boardwalk Wild Wild West at Caesars Audio Riot 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.

2100 Pacific Ave.

Brigantine The Cove Mara Justine 8 – 10 p.m.

3700 Brigantine Blvd.

The Pub at St. George Duck n Cover 8 – 11 p.m.

4282 Harbor Beach Blvd.

Galloway Pitney Pub Jawn of the Dead 7 p.m.

200 S. Pitney Rd. Margate Bocca One Hot Mess 7:30 – 10:30 p.m.

7805 Ventnor Ave. Somers Point Caroline’s by the Bay The Company

October 26, 2023

600 Huron Ave. The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Fat Mezz 7 – 11 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk Somers Point Josie Kelly’s DJ Special K 5 – 9 p.m.

908 Shore Rd.

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

450 Bay Ave. Josie Kelly’s Halloween Costume Party w/ Tommy T-Bone 9 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.

800 Shore Rd. Josie Kelly’s Halloween Bash feat. NJ British Invasion 9 p.m.

908 Shore Rd.

Wednesday, November 1

Sunday, October 29

Atlantic City Bar One at Resorts DJ Chaz 8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

1133 Boardwalk Council Oak at Hard Rock Anj Granieri 5:30 – 9 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk Eden Lounge at Harrah’s Legacy Band 9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.

777 Harrah’s Blvd.

Kelsey’s Tony Day & Across the Globe 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

1545 Pacific Ave. Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino Dueling Pianos 8 p.m.

500 Boardwalk

Dane Anthony. Photo by John Loreaux The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Dane Anthony Band 4 – 7:30 p.m.

Yani 8:30 – 11:30 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk Egg Harbor City Renault Winery Let’s Ride 12 – 4 p.m.

72 N. Bremen Ave.

Monday, October 29 Atlantic City The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Big House 7 – 11 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk

Tuesday, October 31

Atlantic City Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget Patty & Bugzy 8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

Atlantic City Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget Michael Stevens 8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

600 Huron Ave. The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock TBA 7 – 11 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk Margate Bocca Jazz with Bob & The Bocca Boys 7 – 10 p.m.

7805 Ventnor Ave. Somers Point Caroline’s by the Bay Open Mic Hosted by Blue Eagle 8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

450 Bay Ave. Gregory’s Jazz Night 7 p.m.

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Halloween wines: all treats, no tricks

By David Setley

H

appy Halloween! Pumpkin spiced lattes, pumpkin ales, ginger spiced cookies, and candy corn are as synonymous with the holiday as

much as witches, ghouls, and goblins.

But, what about wine? Whether you are planning the perfect costume, a festive party or small get-together, or a simple weekend at home, I invite you to “wine down” with me for a few minutes as I offer a few recommendations to complement this spooktacular season.

This time of year, I look for wines that complement the colors of autumn and are in some way representative of the traditions, stories, legends, and tastes of the fall holidays: Halloween and the Day of the Dead

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(el Día de los Muertos). According to History Channel Online, Halloween originated from a Celtic festival of Samhain where participants would ignite bonfires and wear costumes.

In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III established Nov. 1 as The Feast of All Saints. A century later, Oct. 31 became the Feast of All Souls. The Day of the Dead originated over 3,000 years ago when the Aztecs used the celebration to honor the dead as part of the cycle of life.

The traditional colors of the Halloween season are black and orange.

If you have never tried orange wine, you are in for a treat. Orange wine is to white wine grapes what rosé wine is to red grapes. Juice from wine grapes is nearly always clear. It is the contact with the skins that gives wine its color. To make a red wine, the skins of red grapes remain with the juice in a process called maceration.

The red color comes from tannins, a phenolic compound in grape skins.

For rosé wines, the skins are only in contact with the juice for a short time to give the wine its familiar pink hue.

The color of orange wine is created when the skins of white grapes remain in contact with the juice during maceration.

The Montinore Estate L’Orange from the Willamette Valley of Oregon is an enjoyable orange wine. It is made from Pinot Gris and Muscat grapes, resulting in a dry wine with aromas of orange blossoms, honey, and chamomile tea. The flavor is bright with notes of tangerine, melon, and a touch of tarragon, perfect for the fall season. For another popular orange wine, try the Gulp Hablo Orange Wine, an organic and vegan-friendly wine from the Castilla-La Mancha region of Spain. This one is a natural wine, also called a minimal intervention wine, meaning there are no added sulfites and only natural yeasts used in producing the wine.

The flavor profile is similar to that of the Montinore L’Orange, albeit a bit more robust. Both vineyards employ biodynamic farming techniques. Either will add color and flavor to your holiday festivities.

Another spooky option is the Skull Wine Company’s Pink Wine, a dark-made rosé from a blend of 70% Zinfandel, 20% Pinot Gris and 10% Alicante Bouchet. Alicante Bouchet is one of my favorite grapes and is one of the few known as a teinturier grape. Nearly all juice coming from wine grapes is clear, but teinturier grapes are the exception. The juice of these grapes is red, making for a notably darker and richer flavor. The resulting color of the Skull Pink Wine

can only be described (fittingly) as bright, blood red and the label features the company’s trademark skull.

It is an intensely flavorful organic wine from California that is sure to set the mood for your Halloween party.

Looking for a red wine for your festivities? Consider the limited edition Apothic Inferno. This California Zinfandel blend is aged in whiskey barrels to add fire to the deeply rich flavored wine. As the name indicates, the wine has a bold flavor and a deep garnet, almost black color. The aromas are black raspberry and cocoa.

The palate is black cherries and black raspberry with notes of leather and smoke.

For my final recommendation, try the Rocca Del Dragone (The Rock of the Dragon) from Campagna, Italy.

The vineyards from which this wine is grown are low-yield, high-quality grapes with vines averaging 20 years of age. The Rocca Del Dragone is a deep red wine made from hand-selected 100% Aglianico grapes that are harvested in late October. It has aromas and flavors of black cherry, blackberry, dark chocolate, and coffee, with notes of pepper and minerality. The result is a full-bodied yet amazingly smooth and elegant wine.

If you are unfamiliar with this varietal, take advantage of this holiday to become acquainted. You will not regret knowing the dragon!

I hope you celebrate Halloween with some of these wines. They are all treats (no tricks!) and are sure to raise your spirits. As always, if you have questions, contact me at dsetley@passionvines.com or stop by the wine bar. Until next time, Happy Halloween and happy wining!

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

October 26, 2023

Angeloni’s II of Atlantic City to reopen under new ownership

By Gabriella Bancheri

W

hen Angeloni’s II of Atlantic City owner, Alan Angeloni, announced the restaurant would be closing its doors after four decades, the line was down the block and reservations were booked out for weeks. From Stoli martinis accompanied by complimentary meatballs to $5 apps to Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin serenading you over the jukebox, it’s no wonder why locals and tourists alike wanted one last hurrah in the old school Italian joint.

If you happen to fall into the category of disappointed Italian cuisine enthusiasts, fear not— Angeloni’s II is set to open back up in the Spring of 2024 under new ownership. Julie Aspell, New Jersey local and owner of Tony’s Baltimore Grill in AC, has purchased the property and intends to keep the name the same.

On Oct. 18, Tony’s posted on their Instagram announcing a "#forevercollab," giving locals

October 26, 2023

and loyal TBG patrons a heads up of their plans for the reopening of the restaurant.

They even tagged the Angeloni's II Instagram page, insinuating that the page will stay the same as well.

Located on the corner of Arctic Avenue and North Georgia Avenue, the building is set to undergo some

refurbishing changes. Whether the restaurant’s interiors are to remain the same or undergo some aesthetic changes remains a mystery, but it’s likely that the new owners will carry over some of the charm that helped the restaurant gain so much popularity over the years.

We know that the owners of TBG have a history of a community-based

approach to business.

Just over a year ago in August 2022, the outdoor furniture from the century-old eatery was stolen. Instead of immediately filing a police report, the owners and management promised a cash reward and free pizza every week— for the rest of their lives—to whomever returned the missing items. Lo and behold, the furniture was returned.

It’s clear that the owner wants to keep both her long beloved joint and her new spot on South Jersey’s map, and it seems like they’ll make the right moves to do so. The team’s track record and community presence give us a promising glimpse into the future of the classic AC landmark. If we can glean anything from the news, it’s that the long-favored classic is in good hands.

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The man who was the real emperor of the ‘Boardwalk Empire’

By Chuck Darrow

T

hroughout its colorful history, Atlantic City has borne the imprint of powerful and high-profile men. From Louis “The Commodore” Kuehnle, who was the town’s first overlord of vice and corruption, and Enoch “Nucky” Johnson, on whom Steve Buscemi’s character, “Nucky Thompson,” in the hit HBO series “Boardwalk Empire” was based, to nightclub/casino operator Paul “Skinny” D’Amato, political boss Frank “Hap” Farley and Mafia strongman Nicky Scarfo, AyCee boasts a rogue’s gallery equal to any city’s.

But none of the above had the absolute power—and relative anonymity—of Herman “Stumpy” Orman.

And if you never heard of him, you’re not alone. As historian Fred Lavner put it, “Stumpy flew under the radar because in Atlantic City, he owned the radar.”

Born in West Philadelphia in 1910,

Orman was nothing if not precocious.

In 1922, his family moved to Atlantic City and he soon found himself in the employ of bootleggers who, in the wild-and-wooly days of Prohibition, could go about their affairs unmolested by the authorities—as long as Nucky Johnson got his cut of the profits.

According to Lavner, in whose 2021 book, “Izzy: A Life Inside The Old Philly Jew Mob,” about his gangster uncle, Eddie “Izzy” Lavner, Orman is prominently featured, Orman moved back to Philly, but returned to Atlantic City for good two years later. Such was the life Orman lived, said Fred Lavner, that at age 14, he “shacked up” with a woman known only as “Miss Johnson.”

Although still a boy, Orman was fully involved in bootlegging. “From like 1924 until ’29, he worked ferrying, booze from the boats that were docked offshore, beyond the Coast Guard limits,” explained Lavner. “So he would take the rowboat out late

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at night in the moonlight, like two, three in the morning, load up the boat with a couple cases of booze, ferry it back to the beach, dump the cases on the beach, go back out, do a couple more. That was his primary job.”

Lavner added that mostly, Orman acted under the auspices of Max “Boo Boo” Hoff, who at the time, ran the rackets in Philadelphia (it’s important to note that from the 1920s until the ‘60s, it was Jews, not Italians, who ruled the Philadelphia and Atlantic City underworlds).

When Hoff’s operations began to be threatened by an Irish gang run by Mickey Duffy (whose real—Polish-name was William Michael Cusick), New York-based uber-mobster Meyer Lansky replaced Hoff with Harry “Nig” Rosen, and it was under Rosen’s patronage that Orman—whose nickname was attributed to the finger he lost while offloading whiskey from a boat--flourished. Incidentally, hardly anyone ever addressed him as “Stumpy,” offered Lavner, because if they did, they’d get a “stump in the eye.”

One of Rosen’s first orders of business was to promote Orman and a man named Cappy Hoffman. The former, said Lavner, was hired because he was “a banger; he was the muscle.”

Stumpy, by contrast, was valued for

October 26, 2023

his intelligence: “Lansky and Rosen were fervent believers in the combination of brains and brawn,” said Lavner, who added Orman was no longer involved in transferring illegal shipments of alcohol from boats to the shore. Instead, “He was investing mob money in real estate in Atlantic City and really building up the organization, including forming alliances with Italian gangsters and figuring out a way to get the Irish guys and the interlopers out of Atlantic City (one way was the murder of Duffy in 1931, although the crime officially remains unsolved).

“So by the late Twenties, Nucky Johnson was just a figurehead; [Rosen, Hoffman and Orman] used him for political clout. He still had juice in the Black wards of Atlantic City, but by 1931, he was like the [concierge] to the mob, arranging for tickets to shows and seats at nightclubs.

“Ultimately Stumpy Orman took over.

And that part of the story of the so-called ‘Boardwalk Empire’ was never told.”

Despite the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, there was still plenty money to be made in bootlegging thanks to the exorbitant taxes and levies imposed on the reborn legal- alcohol

↘Continued on 56

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↘Continued from 55 industry. And, of course, there were fortunes more to be made in prostitution and gambling (as Lavner put it, there were more casinos in Atlantic City then than there are today).

But Orman wasn’t content with ill-gotten gains. His hold on local politicians, law enforcement and courts eased his entry into countless legitimate businesses. “He was an octopus,” said Lavner, whose tentacles extended from the hotel industry to ice cream sales on the beach. “In the Fifties and Sixties, he owned Million Dollar Pier. And Central Pier. And he was the financer of the Hamids [who owned Steel Pier].”

And it was Orman who, in the 1950s, spearheaded the construction of the many (then-modern) motels that replaced the city’s inventory of aging grand hotels (he had at least some ownership in virtually every one erected).

And, like the fictional Nucky Thompson in “Boardwalk Empire,” Orman had complete control of political patronage jobs, even the appointment of judges—and jobs in general.

“It didn't matter if you were a jitney driver, if you were a fireman, a policeman, if you wanted to sell newspapers on the Boardwalk. Whatever job you wanted to do in Atlantic City, he had to get a ‘taste,’ he had to get

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paid off,” advised Lavner, who suggested that such was Stumpy’s power that, for the most part, he was able to stifle coverage of his activities, legal and otherwise, in what was then called the Atlantic City Press.

Nonetheless, in 1951, Estes Kefauver, a Democratic senator from Tennessee decided to build his resume for a 1952 presidential run (he was defeated for the nomination that year by Adlai Stevenson, whom he joined on the ticket in 1956 only to be beaten again by Dwight Eisenhower and his vice-president, Richard Nixon). To accomplish that, Kefauver created and chaired a Senate committee that Herman "Stumpy" Orman traveled the country investigating organized crime. underworld power of the South Unsurprisingly, Atlantic City was Philly-based Mafia family led by Anone locale in Kefauver’s cross-hairs, gelo Bruno. and Orman was a prime target. But So, Stumpy left Atlantic City for while other mobsters (including powSouth Florida where, noted Lavner, erful New York Mafioso Frank Costelhe spent his remaining days “counting lo) didn’t fare especially well under his money” and getting together with the committee members’ questionhis old comrades-in-arms like Lansky ing, Stumpy wasn’t cowed. “Instead and Rosen, with whom he’d reminisce of pleading the Fifth [Amendment], about their glory days “and talk about he kept telling the senators, ‘It’s none going out and [killing] somebody, or of your business,’” said Lavner. “He blowing up a casino in Venezuela.”

Orman died in 1987, his story and basically told them, ‘Go f--- yourself!’

It was unheard of.” legacy still unknown to most of the Although he had occasional runworld.

“He’s Atlantic City’s ‘Man of Mysins with the law—including a 1952 indictment for lying on a gun permit tery,’ like the ‘Wizard of Oz’” said Lavner. “He was the man behind application--Orman’s wealth and clout kept him out of jail all his life. the curtain; he had the power. And What ended his reign in the 1960s if anyone challenged him, he’d have was the emergence as the region’s hell to pay.”

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High school football playoff system needs to be reexamined

By David Weinberg

L

ower Cape May Regional High School's football team gathered under the scoreboard at Steve Steger Memorial Field last Saturday and celebrated the program's first championship in 41 years.

A 48-2 victory over Gateway Regional left the Caper Tigers with a 7-1 record that included a 4-0 mark in the West Jersey Football League's Royal Division. It was team's first title since it won the Cape-Atlantic League in 1982 under coach Bill Garrison and standouts such as Bob Bonner (wide receiver), the late Bob Chadwick

58

(quarterback), David Craig (running back), the late Will Mendo (defensive back), Ed Sherretta, Jr. (wide receiver) and others.

"I couldn't be prouder of them," Lower coach Lance Bailey told CapeAtlanticLive.com. "This is a great moment for us, especially the seniors.

We had a vision together. We asked a lot of them and they've done it and they've done it above and beyond.

They're a great group of leaders and they deserve it."

What a difference a decade makes.

Ten years ago, Lower Cape May's football team was on the verge of collapse. A lack of depth and size, some coaching troubles and a dearth of talent had wreaked havoc on the program. From 2012-15, Lower went a combined 3-36. The low point came in 2013, when the Caper Tigers went 0-9, were outscored by a combined 245-32, and had to forfeit its last four games because of safety concerns.

They were one of the programs that benefited greatly from the creation of the West Jersey Football League in 2018, a massive super conference that currently consists of 94 teams throughout South Jersey.

There is realignment every two years, with divisions rearranged to include schools with similar enrollment sizes and ability.

Lower went 6-4 in 2018, its first winning record since 2010. It struggled for a few seasons before hitting its stride last year with a 7-3 mark.

This year's team has been impressive. Senior two-way standouts Isiah Carr-Wing (running back/linebacker), Hunter Ray (quarterback/defensive back) and junior FBS recruit Braswell Thomas (wide receiver/defensive back) helped the Caper Tigers outscore their opponents 321-63. They scored 40 or more points five times and while posting three shutouts and allowing seven points or less in three other games.

With the success has come controversy.

Despite its impressive record and division title, Lower Cape May was not one of the 16 teams to qualify for the South Jersey Group II playoffs, according to the United Power Ranking system used by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, the state's governing body for high school sports.

Under the system, the Opponent Strength Index (OPI) accounts for

October 26, 2023

60 percent of a school's UPR while traditional power points are used for the other 40 percent.

Won/loss records apparently carry little value in the complex formula.

For example, Salem (2-7), Raritan (2-6) and Wall Township (2-6) are among the 16 playoff teams in their respective groups. Raritan is a Group II school like Lower Cape May. The caveat is that undefeated teams with at least eight wins automatically qualify. Lower would have been 8-0 if not for a 26-21 loss to Clayton, a game in which the Caper Tigers led 21-6 at halftime.

The system needs to be tweaked.

Teams should be required to have at least a .500 record to qualify. Additionally, division champions should be guaranteed playoff berths.

Also, the WJFL needs to give more weight to geography when realigning the divisions. For example, Lower and Middle should be in the same division every season. That would eliminate the issues and problems that prevented the two teams from playing the Anchor Bowl this season.

Personally, I wouldn’t mind if local football teams recreate the Cape-Atlantic League. The WJFL has been a great help for Lower and a number of other programs to regain respectability, but many games lack the excitement that a local rivalry offers.

Photo by Brian Cuniff "The whole process has been frustrating and disappointing," Bailey said. "It's a shame we didn't win that game (against Clayton), but one bad half of football the entire season shouldn't cost us a playoff spot. I'm hurt that this is the way it turned out. The kids worked too hard this season."

With a playoff berth no longer possible, Lower will focus on other goals.

For some ridiculous reason, the Caper Tigers are required to make a two-and-a-half hour drive to face Roselle Park (3-5) in a meaningless, Group II consolation game on Saturday.

Bailey indicated that he would like to play one or even two more games after that one in an effort to break

the school record for wins in a season. The current record is nine, which was set by the 1980 team.

“I’m leaving it up to the seniors,” Bailey said. “If they want to be done after Saturday, we’ll be done. If they want to keep playing, we’ll keep playing.”

If they keep playing, one of the games could be against Middle Township.

The teams were unable to reach an agreement to play during the regular season. Opinions vary as to which school was at fault, but regardless, it would be a shame to see one of South Jersey's biggest rivalries fall by the wayside.

Of course, Middle is more focused on making waves in the playoffs. The

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Panthers (7-2) are in the Group II field as the No. 6 seed and will face third-seeded Gloucester Catholic this weekend. They are among 11 local teams in the playoffs, along with Atlantic City, Cedar Creek, Hammonton, Holy Spirit, Mainland Regional, Millville, Oakcrest, Ocean City, Pleasantville and St. Augustine Prep.

Middle, led by coach Frank Riggitano, running backs Remi Rodriguez and Shaun Watkins, quarterback Mark Oliver, and wide receiver Mark Zarfati, qualified for the playoffs for the seventh straight year and have an excellent chance of winning the first playoff game in program history this weekend.

Should the Panthers come up short in the next few weeks, however, maybe the Anchor Bowl could still be played.

Thanksgiving Day would be perfect.

David is a nationally recognized sports columnist who has covered Philadelphia and local sports for over 40 years. After 35 years with The Press, he has served as a columnist for 973ESPN.com and created his own Facebook page, Dave Weinberg Extra Points.

Send comments to weinbergd419@comcast.net.

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“I just don’t feel great”

Considering the choice to start mental health counseling

By Dr. Deborah Brown, MS, MPhil, LPC

T

he standard greeting, “How are you today?” is mostly answered with “fine, thank you.” Are we really fine?

Many of us smile and push through our day, pretending to be “fine.” What is the cost of doing that, day after day? Too often, the price we pay for pushing through our busy life is lack of sleep, poor eating habits, sedentary behaviors, overuse of substances and technology to escape, and all too often, symptoms of anxiety and depression. Walking through our lives feeling stressed, tired, and in survival mode is not the best way to enjoy our lives and can result in a persistent sense of not feeling well.

Not everyone who experiences these symptoms has a mental health

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disorder, but one in five adults in America is experiencing a diagnosable mental health disorder. What’s the difference between experiencing symptoms of a mental health disorder versus having one? A mental health counselor can help you to determine what’s happening and show you how to make things better.

There was a time when going to counseling was often kept secret. The shame of being labeled as “crazy” or as having something “not right in the head” were unfortunate labels that could create a fear of entering treatment. Now, most of us know someone who is in therapy, and even better, some of us have experienced improvements in our relationships because someone close to us got help when they needed it. Our younger generation is ahead of the curve here, as kids can be observed openly sharing “my therapist said….”

Many people are confused about the mental health system and how

to access appropriate treatment, and it’s not hard to see why. Mental health treatment is alternately described as behavioral health, psychotherapy, therapy, or counseling. Generally, these can be interchangeable labels, and typically include talk therapy with a professional, one-on-one.

Many offices also offer couples therapy, and family therapy, where you work as a group to manage conflict and promote healthy relationships.

More intensive treatment programs can be labeled IOP, Partial Care, and Outpatient, and these typically include group therapy and psychiatry, as a higher level of care. If you cannot wait, there are programs like EISS, that offer walk-in support, and emergency treatment that can be accessed through the Emergency Room at the hospital.

There are psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists, counselors, and social workers. Let’s sort out the titles! Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health and can prescribe psychotropic medications. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners also prescribe medication. Psychologists, Psychotherapists, Counselors and Clinical Social Workers do not prescribe medication: they provide therapy in different modalities, based on individual needs.

The difference between those is primarily the type of training they receive, but they all hold state licensure. Sometimes you engage with a therapist, and they will refer you to a psychiatrist to see as well, to consider medication. If you see a psychiatrist, they will often suggest that you enter therapy while taking medication.

However, many people go to therapy and do not take medication. It is not required and is simply a tool that can be added to your toolbox to manage

symptoms if needed.

So, you are considering starting therapy: where do you start? Accessing your insurance provider list is a good start. Most providers do accept insurance, and you will likely pay only a copay for each visit. Not all providers accept insurance, so you may find others that are on a private pay basis only. Waiting lists can be long, but don’t get discouraged. If you can wait, and there is a list, get on it. If the appointment is scheduled a few months out, it is better to schedule than to wait several months and have no appointment.

Most people arrive at their first appointment a bit nervous. A good therapist understands this and is warm and knowledgeable and will work very hard to ensure that you are comfortable. Typical sessions are an hour or less, and you will be encouraged to share at a level at which you feel comfortable. They will ask questions about your history, symptoms, and your decision to start therapy.

You may be seen ongoing every week or twice a month, depending on their availability and your needs. Length of treatment varies depending on the plan you make with your provider. You are a driving force in your treatment and how it unfolds.

Asking for treatment for your metal health is a sign of strength, not weakness. Call your local counseling center and take the first step! Health and healing are possible, so don’t let fear or stigma stop you or someone you love from accessing resources that can improve your life. Then, the next time someone asks, “how are you?” the answer might be a little different.

Dr. Deborah Brown is the founder of Brownstone Center for Wellness, a mental health counseling practice that recently opened in Northfield. Her years of executive leadership in behavioral health treatment as well as her extensive clinical experience have led her to the creation of a unique professional practice serving patients as they improve their mental health. Deborah can be reached at DrDeborah@ brownstonecenter.co or 609-8331644. Brownstonecenter.co

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Etiquette on taking dogs to public spaces

By Heidi Clayton

O

wning a dog comes with certain public responsibilities and etiquette. In the past two months, two of my clients' dogs have been accosted by loose dogs on the beach and at a park.

Both clients were walking dogs that are not fans of meeting other dogs. They were well within their rights to do so. The loose dogs and their owners are the at-fault parties for any resulting injuries or lasting mental damage. There is etiquette that is followed at dog shows regarding dog behavior, and I apply it to my day-to-day life with my dogs.

I completely understand why communities prohibit dogs from certain locations like the beach because of irresponsible dog owners. Believe it or not, there are people who do not like dogs at all and have zero tolerance

for a loose dog running up on them or jumping on them.

I do not care how well you think your dog will come when they’re called or how friendly you think your dog is. Your dog does not have the right to run up to a person or a dog that is walking on a leash. It is beyond rude.

One of the main reasons most governments don’t want dogs on the beach is because of how often this happens. For some, a dog running up on them can be terrifying, and it is your responsibility as a dog owner to never let that happen.

City governments when making leash laws have to consider their liability for dog bites and keeping the public safe. If you do not have a fenced-in yard for your dog to run loose in, join a dog park or find a fenced-in area for that to happen.

Running your dog off-leash in public parks or on the beach is wrong.

One of my main complaints about dogs running loose is that dogs who do not like other dogs deserve to be walked. Owners of reactive dogs are being responsible when walking their dogs on a leash and in many cases

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have worked very hard to be able to do so. A loose dog running up to them that is overstimulated and jumping or is approaching with their hair up can be disastrous.

It is very poor etiquette at dog events to let your dog just walk up close to another dog without asking.

Letting your dog run loose is just not acceptable at all.

If your dog is loose and runs up to another dog that will not appreciate it, you are putting your dog at risk of being attacked. The bottom line is if your dog was leashed it would not have happened. It is your fault.

Finally, regarding dog etiquette out in the world, pick up your poop. I walk frequently at Lake Lenape, and

nothing annoys me more than poop hiding among the leaves that either I or my dogs step in.

Remember not everyone welcomes your dog in public.

If dog owners want to be more accepted in public places you have to give people zero reason to complain. Never leave home without a poop bag. It is a privilege for our dogs to be accepted in hotels, beach areas, and parks. It is certainly not a right. Don’t abuse the luxury by allowing your dogs to run loose and please pick up your dog poop!

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net.

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

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Is now a good time to buy a house?

By Eric Reich

O

ne question that we have been getting a lot lately from clients is, “Is now a good time to buy a house?”. To answer this question, like many big decision questions, it depends on your situation. Given the dramatically higher interest rate environment we are currently in, buying real estate brings a lot of deep considerations. The considerations include the following.

1. Do you need to move or just want to? This example is probably the least appealing to me given current housing prices and high interest rates. If it isn’t a necessity, just make sure you understand the issues around buying today.

2. Where are you buying? Current prices in Ocean City, NJ look very different than Des Moine, IA. The location, as always, place a huge factor in

your decisions, and what you’ll spend.

3. How long will you be there? I hear a lot of people feel reluctant to buy because prices are high. While I understand that, if you intend to occupy the home for the next 20+ years, then I wouldn’t be as concerned about buying a home. While real estate can be a great investment, a long-term primary residence really shouldn’t be viewed strictly through the lens of a return on investment.

4. Interest rates. This is the most common argument I hear for people not to buy now. While the recent surge in rates can have a big effect on your mortgage payments, I expect that interest rates may fall and potentially by a lot in the next few years.

This may create an opportunity to refinance those mortgages. Don’t pass up a great house based on current rates alone.

5. Job Stability. Before making any major financial decision, make sure you are prepared, which includes assessing your employment stability. The whole reason rates are high is because the Federal Reserve is trying to slow the economy. If you are in a job that can be sensitive to economic declines, make sure you are easily able to cover your mortgage

payments. Given the high interest rate environment, now isn’t the time to stretch yourself too thin financially.

Often when this happens, we turn to credit cards more, and at these high interest rates, that can exacerbate the problem.

Lastly, and I have written about this extensively previously, don’t try to go it alone. Real estate agents are professionals that can help guide you through this process. Rely on their expertise to help find you the right property at the right price. Their insights can be invaluable and well worth the cost associated with their advice.

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. 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. This is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual. It is suggested that you consult your financial professional, attorney, or tax advisor with regard to your individual situation. To view form CRS visit https://bit.ly/KF-Disclosures.

Eric is President and founder of Reich Asset Management, LLC. He relies on his 25 years of 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.

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Bury a treasure of bulbs in the fall for a bounty next spring Let It Grow

By Tammy Thornton

N

ow that the weather has become colder, gardeners have an exciting task ahead. It’s time to plant your garden of the future with spring bulbs. From daffodils and tulips to fritillaries and alliums, creating a garden with bulbs offers endless combinations for a spring display.

When planting spring bulbs in fall, you’ll feel like you are burying hidden treasure in the garden. Your loot will remain a secret throughout fall and winter, almost forgotten. Then, just as we need the hope of spring, the tiny green stems will poke their way through the soil, emerging with buds full of anticipation. Once you see these beautiful flowers blooming, you will wish you planted even more

12-31-23

66

bulbs.

At one time, tulip bulbs really were equal to a chest of gold. During the Dutch Golden Age, tulip enthusiasts turned trading tulip bulbs into a frenzy. In what is considered to be one of the first speculative financial bubbles, the craze later became known as “Tulip Mania”. Prices for tulips greatly accelerated in 1634 before collapsing in 1637. These coveted bulbs were traded as “futures”, and those holding the bag in the end faced financial ruin. Interestingly, some of the most sought-after tulips of this time were infected with a virus that gave the flowers their unique striped patterns.

Though buyers and sellers did not realize this at the time, the beautiful streaking and coloration was a result of the tulip mosaic virus (also known as tulip breaking virus, or TBV). “Tulipomania” by author Mike Dash, is a good read about the history of the tulip.

Fortunately, you don’t need to mortgage your house to buy bulbs in our century. Buying in bulk is the best way to save, and planting en masse will make a stunning impact when

12-31-23

12-31-23

Once your spring bulbs bloom, you vow to plant even more the following fall. blocks of color are blooming. Order from local garden nurseries or from the catalogs of reputable flower farms. If buying in person, examine the bulbs to make sure they look and feel healthy. They should be full, firm, and devoid of mold like a good head of garlic.

Once you start planting spring bulbs, you will realize that you aren’t alone in your love for tulips and crocuses.

Squirrels are like the sneaky pirates waiting to pillage and plunder your garden. Much of the advice found on the inter- If squirrels are a problem, plant flowers that they net has proved futile for pro- don’t like such as these grape hyacinths tecting my bulbs from these marauders. In my garden, I have found you have set your heart on planting protecting my bulbs with chicken wire tulips, interplant the tulip bulbs with has worked best. Deeply plant your some of the plants listed above. They bulbs in groups of at least five bulbs, may serve as guardians of your tulips. then cover the soil with a rectangle Growing spring flowers from bulbs of chicken wire that you have cut to is quite easy. Start with healthy bulbs fit over the hole. Secure the chicken and you should be successful. But wire with landscaping pins or a large planting your spring garden in fall is a rock or bricks. Remove the chicken lesson in patience. Though the wait is wire before spring. I usually remove long, the reward is worth the time. In the chicken wire once the ground has order to break dormancy, your bulbs become hard and frozen. need this time of being subjected You can also choose spring bulbs to the cold before the refreshing that critters don’t find tasty. You warmth of spring. (Remember that would never guess from their unique when you are shoveling snow this beauty that alliums are in the garwinter.) I think the lesson of spring lic family. Every spring I wish I had bulbs buried in the ground is worth planted more of these interesting pondering for ourselves. Unless they endure the long winter, they will not flowers. But rub part of the seed head thrive in the spring. Don’t lose hope. between your fingers and you’ll be Remember, treasure awaits you. convinced from the smell that squirrels and other critters will leave them alone. Daffodils, hyacinths, grape hyaTammy Thornton lives with her cinths, Spanish bluebells, squill, snow husband, children, and crazy drops, and winter aconite are among pets while enjoying a life of the other spring bulbs that should be gardening, cooking, and going to safe from attack. Many of these same the beach. flowers will be distasteful to deer. If

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ACROSS 1. Down in the dumps 5. Letter-writing friend 8. Trampled 12. Hokkaido people 13. D. H. Lawrence's "____ and Lovers" 14. Near the wind, archaic 15. Mideast ruler 16. Hipbones 17. *Pumpkin, e.g.

18. *"The ____", movie 20. Jackson 5 member 21. Twinings product 22. ___ canto (singing style) 23. Appetite whetter 26. Chucking 30. Pilot's announcement, acr.

31. Short sock 34. Kuwaiti leader 35. Dapper 37. "____ the ramparts ..."

38. Origami bird 39. Popular picnic side 40. Weary walk 42. Often precedes "whiz" 43. Larry of Oracle 45. Most idle 47. Napkin holder 48. Gamy, alt. sp.

50. *What witches' brew does in 52 across 52. *"Eye of newt and toe of frog" holder 55. Shell-less gastropod, pl.

56. Siren's song, e.g.

57. A Flock of Seagulls' hit (2 words) 59. Ottoman title 60. Type of mine passage 61. Head of family 62. Aid in crime 63. *World's largest Halloween Parade location, acr.

64. Bulgarian or Serb

DOWN 1. Ovine utterance 2. Margarita fruit 3. Windows alternative in computers 4. "Europa ____" movie (1990) 5. Disease in Philip Roth's "Nemesis" 6. Licorice-like flavor 7. Future atty.'s exam 8. *Michael Jackson's spooky classic 9. Disorderly retreat 10. M lange 11. "Silent Spring" subject, acr.

13. Make ill 14. Subsequently 19. Settle a debt 22. Contrary conjunction 23. End of "incense" 24. In the least (2 words) 25. Birth-related 26. Group of cows 27. JPEG data 28. "To the ____," or "to a great extent" 29. Roll out the red carpet 32. *Kandy ____ 33. Romanian money 36. *Stephenie Meyer's vampire saga 38. Relinquished 40. Spinning toy 41. Gin plus lime cordial 44. Chip dip 46. *"Monster Mash" words, e.g.

48. Tasteless and flashy 49. Gold-related 50. Spill the beans 51. Yorkshire river 52. Kin group 53. Word of mouth 54. California wine valley 55. R&R destination 58. *All Saints' Day mo.

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8 questions to ask when purchasing an investment property Real Estate Matters

By Elisa Jo Eagan

I

f you are looking for ways to diversify your investments or put your real estate equity to work, here are eight questions you should ask yourself before developing your real estate investment portfolio.

1. What Type of Real Estate Investment Model Will You Pursue?

There are a variety of ways to invest in real estate. You can purchase a “Handyman Special,” finding an undervalued property, fixing it up, then reselling it. This short-term investment is called a fix-and-flip.

Alternatively, if you identify a property that you may want to keep long term, especially now in a strong rental market like ours is, you may want to pursue a buy-and-hold strategy.

There are lots of long-term, buyand-hold options to consider including military housing, single-family housing, yearly rentals, island community summer vacation rental property, or Airbnb investments.

2. What Updates Are Needed for A Flip?

You will want to add value to a flip while keeping an eye on profitability.

You will need to complete any repairs and updates quickly to minimize carrying costs, including mortgage payments, insurance and taxes.

Often, flippers will favor low-cost, high-impact cosmetic improvements to enhance the marketability of the property and increase its appeal to potential buyers, such as kitchen, bath, flooring and other updates.

Remember, you are not choosing fixtures and finishes based on your personal preferences. Let cost, availability and market impact guide your choices.

3. What Updates Are Needed For A Buy-And-Hold Investment?

Often, buy-and-hold investors put less time into cosmetic upgrades in favor of getting the property market ready and occupied as quickly as pos-

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sible. Rentals in our area are in strong demand so a buy-and-hold property may be ready to go on the rental market with only a deep cleaning and a lawn cleanup.

If some of the home’s systems are significantly out of date, you may want to make needed repairs or updates before bringing in tenants to save time and money down the road.

4. What About A Short-Term Rental?

Short-term rental owners focus more on the location of the property, the number of beds and the number of value-added amenities they can include.

Part of the expense is furnishing it comfortably and adding dishes, kitchen utensils and other accessories.

Upgraded fixtures and finishes are often included to make the property show better on internet reservation sites and to ensure more favorable guest reviews.

5. How Will You Manage And Maintain The Property?

For any rental, you need to consider whether you want to live the landlord lifestyle or turn the responsibility over to a property management company. If you are handy and looking for something to do with your time, you may feel comfortable being hands-on: handling tasks such as coming out for late-night repairs or onboarding renters.

For short-term rentals especially, you will also need to decide whether you will be taking on the task of cleaning and prepping the property between guests, or hiring a cleaning service.

6. How Will You Find Renters?

While you can promote the property yourself, it is often better to work with a professional Realtor, leasing agent or property management company to find well-qualified tenants.

Remember, it is far cheaper to properly market a property and check

out a tenant ahead of time than it is to evict someone for non-payment or repair damage from a bad renter.

7. What Limitations Will You Put On Your Renters?

Will you allow pets? If so, will there be restrictions on the size or number? What about the lawn? Who will maintain it and how?

There are many things to consider before you rent out your property, and you will need to ensure that they are adequately spelled out both in your initial marketing materials and in your rental lease agreement.

Talk with your leasing agent or property manager about the policies, procedures and restrictions, and make sure that you thoroughly read the New Jersey Truth In Renting Act Booklet, and that a full copy of it is provided to your tenant.

8. What Will You Provide As Part Of Your Rental Property?

Will you pay some or all of the utilities? Will you pay the HOA or condo fee? Will you pay for pool maintenance, lawn care and pest control?

Weigh the impact of paying some of the costs associated with property upkeep against the liabilities that you will incur if the tenant does not properly maintain the home and grounds.

You may find that it is more cost effective to charge a slightly higher rent than to do the dirty work yourself.

May your Halloween have lots of good treats!

For real estate information and advice, contact Elisa Jo Eagan, the “Real Estate Godmother,” at 609703-0432. Learn more at www.TheRealEstateGodmother.com.

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

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