SHORE LOCAL | Coastal | December 7, 2023

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Holiday Happenings Yard Family Creates Christmas Magic A Look Back at Adventure Village Update on Casino Smoking Ban

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December 7, 2023

3

Where's the joy?

From the Editor

W

ith mile-long to-do lists, tinsel in my hair and burnt Christmas cookies, it can be tough to remember that this time of year is actually meant to be joyous.

December is notorious for overly busy schedules and a lot of pressure to create the perfect experiences for our loved ones, host a fabulous holiday party and decorate to impress.

To make matters worse, with every click on social media, I'm seeing how beautifully decorated others' homes are and the incredibly fun holiday experiences they are having. They make it look effortless! It's enough to bring out the Grinch in me. But as my mom told me when I was a little girl, I am "Cindy Lou Who". Thus, I must maintain my Christmas spirit. Here are some things that help me keep the joy in this joyous time of the year.

1. Embracing simplicity In a world often driven by big-ticket presents with fancy bows, it's easy to lose sight of the simple pleasures.

Make an effort to embrace the little things, whether it's a cozy night by the fireplace or a homemade meal shared with loved ones. Sometimes, it's the uncomplicated moments that create the most cherished memories.

2. Prioritizing meaningful connections There is nothing you can give that is more valuable than your time and attention. In the age of technology, a heartfelt conversation can be more valuable than any material gift. Put down the phone. Schedule quality time and relish the joy that comes from being present with loved ones.

3. Mindful gift-giving The tradition of gift-giving is a beautiful way to express love and appreciation, but it can also become a serious stressor. Consider adopting a more mindful approach. Focus on thoughtful, meaningful gifts that reflect the recipient's personality or needs. Remember, it's the sentiment behind the gift that truly matters, not the price tag.

4. Setting realistic expectations It's hard to let go of unrealistic

Issue 261

expectations and embrace imperfections. Whether it's a slightly burnt batch of cookies or a tree that leans a little to the left, remember these quirks add character and warmth.

Perfection is overrated; authenticity is what makes the season memorable.

5. Practicing self-care Take moments to recharge, whether it's a quiet walk in nature, a few minutes of meditation, or enjoying a favorite book. Self-care frees us to be our best version of ourselves and maintain a positive mindset.

6. Embracing gratitude Gratitude has a remarkable ability to shift our focus from what may

be lacking to appreciating the abundance in our lives. Share your gratitude with others, creating a ripple effect of positivity and joy.

7. Accepting and acknowledging all feelings For many people, the holidays trigger feelings of sadness and loneliness. It's okay to feel the way you do or to miss a loved one who is no longer with us. The key is to feel the feeling and let it move through you.

Attempting to mask a feeling or deny it will only exacerbate it.

Our feelings are constantly changing, so when we feel bad, we know it is not going to be that way forever.

In my experience, joy doesn't just happen. It is not passive; Rather, it is an intentional choice. Joy is not the destination but the journey. So, how does one bring joy to the world? We first find it and practice it ourselves.

And like a stone in glassy water, it will create beautiful and inspirational ripples.

May the spirit of joy and togetherness illuminate your holiday.

Peace & Love, Cindy

Established 2016

Celebrating Life at The Southern NJ Shore 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

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4

December 7, 2023

Last-minute snag delays vote on New Jersey casino smoking ban

By Sophie Nieto-Munoz

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awmakers delayed a long-anticipated vote on a bill to ban smoking in Atlantic City casinos Thursday after failing to secure the necessary support to advance it out of committee, dashing the hopes of casino workers who say their health is at risk the longer smoking is permitted in their workplace.

The delay came after the Senate’s health committee heard emotional testimony from some of the hundreds of casino workers who filled the chamber and an overflow room.

Throughout the hour-long hearing, the workers cheered for lawmakers who voiced their support for the legislation and booed the opponents.

“Passing these bills as written will be one step closer to closing the gap on the worst social inequalities in the state of New Jersey,” said Nicole Vitola, a dealer at Borgata. “After all, it’s the only way to ensure casino employees do not fall victim to preventable, untimely deaths and serious illnesses from secondhand smoke.”

The casino workers are at odds

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with casino owners and business groups, who claim a smoking ban would discourage customers from visiting the gambling mecca and put the casinos’ survival at risk. They pointed to a study commissioned by the Casino Association of New Jersey suggesting over 2,500 jobs could be lost if the bill becomes law, adding that losing even 500 jobs would be detrimental to a city working on its economic revival.

“I’ve had very tough conversations with the industry on a plethora of issues, and this is one of them. If there’s some sort of compromise where it’s a win-win and everyone can come together and we can maintain Casino workers who support a smoking ban say their health is at risk. Casino owners say a ban the integrity of jobs, I’m all for could doom Atlantic City's economic recovery. Photo by John Moore/Getty Images that,” Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small said.

Vitale said the bill has the support smoking ban was enacted, expressed The committee was set to vote of Senate President Nick Scutari regret over the exemption for casion the bill Thursday, but committee (D-Union), which is key if it is to get nos, but said it was the price lawmakchair Sen. Joe Vitale (D-Middlesex) a vote on the Senate floor. It also has ers had to pay to get the bill passed. said there weren’t enough votes to plenty of legislative and bipartisan “It was wrong. The time has come pass it. Sen. Bob Singer, a Republican support — 26 senators and 57 assemto do the right thing,” he said. who supports the legislation, was not bly members sponpresent. sor or co-sponsor the bill. Gov. Phil Murphy said he’d sign the measure if it passes.

There’s a “pretty good” chance it will be heard on the Senate floor before the legislative session ends in early Januar y, Vitale said. A committee vote could come in December.

Sen. Joe Vitale said he expects the bill to pass by the end of the “I’ve done some legislative session in January. Photo by Hal Brown really tough deals in my career, and I don’t take no for an Vitale apologized to workers who answer,” Vitale told reporters after made the trip from Atlantic City the hearing. But he wants the bill to Thursday expecting a vote.

“Those of us who care about (the stay as written and has been hesitant workers) are still supportive and doto support any amendments. Casino owners have indicated they would ing all we can to protect them. Those be open to an amendment allowing who don’t support this? They should enclosed smoking rooms in the casipay them a visit and let them know nos, where workers could volunteer what it’s like to work in this environment,” he said. to work. That plan brought gasps Sen. Fred Madden (D-Gloucester) and jeers from the crowd of casino workers, who want a total ban. suggested an 18-month phase-in, This bill comes more than 15 years allowing casinos to set up enclosed after New Jersey banned smoking in smoking rooms with air treatment most public indoor spaces, with an and ventilation. exemption for casinos. It saw its first “I didn’t sign up to this to start hearing in the chamber in February, taking people’s livelihoods away. But when lawmakers held a discussion on it’s extremely important to put health it but no vote. first, and that’s what I’m trying to do here,” he said.

Sen. Richard Codey (D-Essex), Credit New Jersey Monitor who was governor when the 2006

December 7, 2023

Meet local Air Force veteran and firstgeneration farmer Kyle Smith

By Krystle J Bailey

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ocal Air Force veteran and first-generation farmer Kyle Smith started growing food on a small plot of land in the backyard of his mother’s Egg Harbor Township home in 2010. The starter farm that housed a few chickens has grown exponentially since its humble beginnings. Smith Poultry Farm now feeds hundreds of families in South Jersey and Philadelphia.

As of 2023, Smith explains that his farm, which continues to serve Atlantic County, processes 150 whole hogs and produces over 1,000 eggs each year - all of which are enjoyed by local families and restaurants.

When Smith outgrew his mom’s yard, he leased land to house his chickens. The exchange? One chicken

and a dozen eggs per week for the Egg Harbor Township property owner. As he continued to seek farming knowledge in an effort to provide basic needs for his family and the people he loved, Smith went to school at Cumberland County College for Agricultural Business while working on other local farms and learning about the farming industry.

With continued growth, a need for more space, and a budding career in the United States Air Force, Smith moved the operation to Williamstown, where he now owns six acres of land and leases twenty more. With quality and sustainability at the forefront of what Smith Poultry represents, the pigs and chickens are pasture-raised in a healthy environment free of harsh chemicals and antibiotics or hormones. The feed consumed by the animals is 100% GMO-free, and all red meats provided by Smith are USDA-inspected. A significant amount of root and vegetable crops are grown seasonally, and each holiday season, whole turkeys are available

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for purchase.

If you ask the father of five what he does as a farmer, his answer is simple, “I grow veggies and meats to feed the people.”

That simple intention was engrained in Smith at an early age. As a kid, he would spend weekend afternoons with his grandfather, picking up produce from markets in Buena to be delivered to the African-American senior citizens in Atlantic City and Pleasantville who didn’t have convenient access to grocery store produce.

“What I’m doing now is the same thing my grandfather taught me how to do when I was a kid,” said Smith.

“It’s not just about growing food; it’s about growing community. We were raised to purchase from the meat, fish, and produce guy. That’s how a lot of people got fresh food.”

When Smith isn’t busy on the farm or working in Delaware as a C130 Aircraft Mechanic for the U.S. Air Force, he can be found hosting food workshops, whole hog barbecue events, educational seminars, and feeding people by the thousands through food drives and fundraisers.

Just recently, Smith worked with the 76ers and three other Black farmers to feed over 1,000 families in the Philadelphia area. Kyle serves as a C.R.O.P.S. board member and provides fresh food to the South Jersey community through his various CSA programs.

“When I saw the disparity issue and food insecurity issues with single mothers and parents wanting good food, I began an egg CSA,” explained Smith. “We typically sell eggs for $5.50 a dozen, but with the CSA, they’d pay up front and pay $3 per dozen. This enabled us to get food to people who really needed it.”

Smith, one of only twelve farmers in the State of New Jersey raising pastured pork, doesn’t take his role lightly. As a hog farmer, Kyle explains that he is driven by the inspiration of his ancestors. With family roots in the South, Smith shares, “Working with food insecurity and being a Black farmer comes with a different hat. Hogs were animals that were raised in the South because of their easy turnaround and ability to reproduce, often leaving the chitlins and hams for slaves to eat. Being a hog farmer connects me to my roots and my ancestors in a unique way.”

“The biggest thing that drives me is not being a farmer, as we don’t make a ton of money,” Smith explained in an interview with Shore Local. “It’s about me being able to support my community in the way that I was raised and being able to support my family. The most important thing we need every day is food.”

With his knowledge, education, experience, and passion, Smith works with local school districts and community groups to educate and inform on the topics of farming, agriculture, and community.

Keep up with Kyle on social media at Smith Poultry and smithpoultry. org.

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

December 7, 2023

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Americans united after Pearl Harbor attack SIX WORDS ON A BOARDWALK BENCH by Bill Quain

By Bill Quain

T

his column, which is being published on Dec. 7, 2023, is dedicated to the 2,403 American personnel who died during the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Eighty-two years ago, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, the majority of Americans did not know where it was located. Hawaii did not become a state until August 1959.

So on Dec. 7, 1941, when Americans turned their radios on that Sunday morning and heard the news about the attacks, the most common response to the news was “Where and what is Pearl Harbor?” However, within hours, almost everyone knew exactly where it was. When President Franklin Roosevelt declared war on Japan the next day, almost every American knew what they were going

to do – support the American cause, no matter how long it took, and no matter what kind of sacrifice it would take. In his speech, President Roosevelt declared that Dec. 7, 1941, would be remembered as “A day that will live in infamy.” When Hitler declared war on the U.S. three days later, no one needed a speech. Americans just took up the burden and worked together.

What were the headlines that morning?

Imagine what it was like to find out that thousands of your countrymen

had been killed by a country that had not declared war on us. Imagine just how confusing that day was and the many days after that, as America and her allies (including China and Russia) struggled through the first dark years of the war, with no end in sight, and no assurance of victory.

Why were Americans fighting and dying? They were doing it for each other. They were doing it to preserve an American ideal that began with the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

They were fighting and dying because they were confident that the fighting and dying were worth it.

On Dec. 7, 1941, no one knew…

On that fateful Sunday morning, no one could have known just how bad it would get. During the course of the war, over 400,000 American military personnel would die. China, Korea, the Philippines, and countless smaller islands were occupied by the Japanese for years. If it was not for the united effort of all Americans, the world would have been a very different place in 1946 – the year after the war ended.

Many thanks to those who served.

On this very important day, let’s remember those who served so bravely in that terrible war. They came back from battle and built a peace. Let’s honor them by honoring each other – as American citizens – and keep the liberty they so gallantly earned.

As always, I invite your comments.

Send me an email at bill@quain.com.

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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December 7, 2023

Remembering Adventure Village

By William Sokolic

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rior to the opening of the upscale Auto Lenders dealership on the Black Horse Pike in Egg Harbor Township, the tract off of Ivins Avenue was home to a summertime staple for 10 years.

Adventure Village was a western, gay ’90s-themed attraction, complete with train rides, a saloon, bank robberies and arrests of some bad hombres.

The idea emerged after a Warner Family vacation to Gaslight Village in Lake George, N.Y. Frederick Warner was so impressed he wanted to build one just like it.

Since he earned a living designing homes in suburban Philadelphia – the Main Line – the elder Warner

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designed Adventure Village himself after he bought a property on the Black Horse Pike, about a mile from Storybook Land. With an assist from three carpenters, he constructed the park in nine months, The vintage train included a wood-burning smokestack. A goat pulled a mini-buckboard ride. The Pink Garter saloon served pink lemonade. The Village Center housed the jail. The Hippodrome Theater ran a continuous loop of silent movies,

Photos provided by the Greater Egg Harbor Township Historical Society

starring Laurel and Hardy, Buster Keaton and the like. The village also had an old-fashioned ice-cream parlor.

Everyone in the Warner Family

had a role to play, said Lynn Wood, Frederick's daughter.

Wood, a retired teacher from Mays Landing, worked in the gift shop, the saloon and made cotton candy in the sweet shop. Word has it she robbed the train once.

Frederick served as mayor and deputized his children.

Warner’s son, Scott, for example, played the ever-escaping train robber, Slippery Sam, assisted by visitors to Adventure Village.

Dave Garner wrote on a Facebook page devoted to Adventure Village

that he remembers going there with his cousin.

“Slippery Sam broke out of jail so me, my cousin, and about 30 to 40 other kids brought him down. I heard the poor guy say to himself, ‘God help me!’ I still recall hearing him say that.”

Fredrick moved the family to Egg Harbor Township in 1959 to develop and create Adventure Village. The village thrived each summer through much of the tumultuous 1960s.

Adventure Village was to preteens what its neighbor down the Black Horse Pike, Storybook Land, was to pre-school children.

December 7, 2023

Photos provided by the Greater Egg Harbor Township Historical Society

Storybook Land had been in business a few years before Adventure Village appeared.

The two parks were not the closest to the coast. For more traditional amusements, you had to visit the coast of the Jersey Shore: Wildwood, Ocean City, Atlantic City and points north.

The existence of the splashier sites on the beachfront did not deter the Warner Family from becoming part of the fabric of the Jersey Shore experience.

Warner sold the rides in 1969 and

turned the buildings into apartments, which he rented out, mostly to professors from Atlantic Community College.

Colleen M. Brennan-Larcombe lived in one of the apartments, but was also a visitor to Adventure Village.

“So I remember the good times we had,” she wrote on Facebook.

Frederick sold the property in 1979 and it eventually ended up with Auto Lenders. In 2008, demolition brought down what was left of Adventure Village.

One more task remained. The fire company did practice drills on the buildings.

Lynn Wood and other family members – her parents were deceased

by then – watched the demolition in 2008 with more than a twinge of sadness, she said, recalling the sight of the buildings doubling down.

She has a photo of her in the village taxi by the Pink Garter Saloon.

“I was in the back seat. My little brother stood on the running board.

The taxi is still around...It appears in antique car shows.”

William Sokolic is a veteran journalist who has written for daily, weekly and monthly publications.

He’s covered a wide range of news, features and entertainment stories. Much of his work concerns tourism, Atlantic City, and the gaming industry.

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his past weekend Ventnor City hosted a holiday parade full of crafts, prizes, drinks, face painting and more. The festivities included Buddy the Elf and his right-hand man, who were spotted in front of Nucky’s enjoying a refreshing winter brew.

There were free raffles available to those who stayed past 7 p.m., which were sponsored by businesses including Heritage Surf Shop, Provenza, Peace Pie, Rain Florist, Shore Diner, and Sapore.

For those who got hungry during the parade, there were options lining the streets. From Nuckys — whose

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December 7, 2023

Local businesses like PJ Buckets and Salty Paws were slinging goodies to enjoy at the parade or to take home to put in a lucky pup’s stocking. There were several vendors selling holiday gifts.

The face painting booth was a popular hit with the little ones, coming in second place just after the ponies, of course. Just across the street from Nucky’s and the local vendors, families lined up around the block to send their kids Photos courtesy of Sean Gleason for a trot.

Locals of all ages came dressed comes through her work in this beauto impress in their holiday gear to tiful handmade pottery, which can be spread some cheer. found at Makt on Ventnor Avenue.

The next day, the Ventnor Library Lyntaga is an Atlantic City-based eshosted a craft show as a perfect holthetician whose goods and services iday gift grab, where I luckily found range from handmade jewelry to some holiday gifts and chatted with a facials to full-body skin treatments. few local vendors, including Sue from Thankfully, Ventnor highlights these local stars with events like Spindrift Pottery and Lyntaga from Sea Me Glow. these so we don’t have to go searching for them.

Sue’s admiration of the shore

December 7, 2023

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Multiple Dates

Events and Happenings

Historic Smithville Holiday Light Show

▶Now – Jan. 6, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

617 E. Moss Mill Rd. Enjoy popular songs of the holiday season synchronized with a dazzling Christmas tree light show sure to get you in the holiday spirit. Over 120 Christmas trees constructed from over 50,000 Christmas lights magically float on Lake Meone in the center of Historic Smithville. The show can be seen from either side of the village as well as the bridge.

Yard Family Christmas Display

▶Now – Dec. 25, 5 – 11 p.m.

4 E. Curran Dr. Absecon A free and enchanting Christmas display of lights.

Visit www.facebook.com/yardfamilychristmas for the latest updates.

Storybook Land’s Christmas Fantasy with Lights

▶Mon. – Thu. 4 – 8 p.m., Fri. 4 – 9 p.m. Sat. 2 – 9 p.m., Sun. 2 – 8 p.m.

6415 Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township The Christmas season is underway at Storybook Land. Every night at 5 p.m., Santa makes his grand appear-

ance to light the park in over one million lights. Plus, enjoy a meet and greet with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Ticket sales and reservations are open online at www.storybookland.com/christmas.

The Santa Express

▶Fri. Dec. 8, 5:30 & 7:45 p.m., Sat. Dec 9 & Sun. Dec. 10, 11 a.m., 1:25 p.m. & 3:50 p.m.

Join Cape May Seashore Lines and enjoy a train ride with Santa Claus.

The man in the red suit returns to visit with children young and old. Excursions will operate every weekend and select weekday evenings until Christmas. Trains depart Saturdays from Tuckahoe Village, Reading Ave. & Railroad Ave. Tuckahoe, and Fridays and Sundays from Richland Train Station, 1275 Harding Hwy. Richland.

Reserve your seat online at www. seashorelines.org.

A New London Christmas Carol

▶Thu. Dec. 7 & Fri. Dec. 8, 7 p.m., Sat. 2 & 7 p.m.

Gateway Playhouse 738 Bay Ave. Somers Point Based on the original novel by Charles Dickens, this adaptation takes us to New England on a journey filled with hope, haunting memories, and the joy of Christmas, accompanied by a Broadway caliber musical score. "A

New London Christmas Carol" is the perfect way to usher in the holiday season. Please bring a nonperishable food donation for Grace Lutheran Church’s Food Pantry. Visit gatewaybythebay.org for tickets and information. Please contact the box office at (609) 653-0553 for group rates.

OCTC Jr. Company Presents Finding Nemo Jr.

▶Fri. Dec. 8 & Sat. Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m.

Ocean City Music Pier "Disney’s Finding Nemo Jr." is a 60-minute musical adaptation of the beloved 2003 Pixar movie, "Finding Nemo", with new music by award-winning songwriting team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. For tickets, visit www.oceancitytheatrecompany.com.

Atlantic City Ballet: The Nutcracker

▶Fri. Dec. 8, 7 p.m. & Sat. Dec. 9, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Stockton Performing Arts Center 101 Vera King Ferris Dr. Galloway Celebrate a long-cherished tradition of wonderous holiday performances, as this beloved ballet tells the story of a little girl who is gifted a magical nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve. Young and old alike will experience the magic of this marvelous tale that will create a lifetime of memories. Tickets are available at www. stockton.org/pac.

Holiday Market at Reed’s Farm

▶Sat. Dec. 9 & Sun. Dec. 10, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

5075 Spruce Ave. Egg Harbor Township Grab your family and friends and celebrate the holiday season with over a dozen local businesses. Enjoy festive holiday treats and a visit from Misty Meadow Sheep Dairy Farm. A full list of vendors can be found at www.reedsorganicfarm.org/events.

Horse & Carriage Rides in Ocean City

▶Sat. Dec. 9 & Sun. Dec. 10, 12 – 3 p.m.

6th St. & Asbury Ave. For more information, visit www. oceancityvacation.com.

Photos with Santa in Ocean City

▶Sat. Dec. 9 & Sun. Dec. 10, 12 – 3 p.m.

Ocean City Music Pier For more information, visit www. oceancityvacation.com.

Deck the Halls Festival of Trees

▶Now – Dec. 30

Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall 2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City The seventh annual Deck the Hall event is free and open to the public, inviting the public to walk through and see beautifully decorated trees

16

in the Boardwalk Hall lobby. This season-long charitable event is intended to generate funds for Court Appointed Special Advocates – CASA for Children of Atlantic, Cape May, and Camden Counties. Visit www. boardwalkhall.com to learn more.

Thursday, December 7

Community Menorah Lighting and Great Gelt Drop

▶5:30 p.m.

Chabad at the Shore 6605 Atlantic Ave. Ventnor Chabad at the Shore will host a community-wide Chanukah celebration. Participants will enjoy doughnuts and hot cocoa as well as music performed by the children’s choir, and the great chocolate gelt drop.

Galloway Celebration of Lights

▶5:30 p.m.

300 E. Jimmie Leeds Rd. Latkes and refreshments will be served inside the courtroom; ceremony to follow.

Ventnor Hanukkah Menorah Lighting

▶5 p.m.

Ventnor City Hall 6201 Atlantic Ave. For more information, visit www. ventnorcity.org or www.facebook. com/ventnorcityspecialevents.

Girls Night Out at Historic Smithville

▶6 – 9 p.m.

617 E. Moss Mill Rd. Grab your best friends for an evening of shopping and celebration of the holiday season together. There will be wine and cheese, raffles, discounts, and other benefits. Learn more at www.historicsmithville.com.

Friday, December 8

Brigantine Community Chanukah Candle Lighting

▶4:15 p.m.

Temple Beth Shalom Eternal Garden 4419 W. Brigantine Ave. Brigantine Temple Beth Shalom will light the second candle and celebrate the miracle of Chanukah. Holiday gift bags will be distributed, and holiday refreshments will be served. For more information about the Chanukah dinner, please call (609) 266-0403.

Downbeach Winter Wonderland Toy Drive

▶5:30 – 8 p.m.

Sigmund Rimm Recreation Complex Huntington Ave. Margate Enjoy a festive evening with train rides, food, live music by local students, crafts, photos with Santa, games, and so much more. Help kids in Atlantic County by bringing a

↘Continued on 18 December 7, 2023

REAL BIG TRAINS! REAL BIG FUN! Join us….for the 28th season of the Seashore Lines SANTA EXPRESS!

Ride the Seashore Lines on a comfortable and fun train ride with Santa Claus, as Santa and his helpers visit with children (young and older!) on board The Santa Express!

The Santa Express will operate every weekend and select weekday evenings between Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Trains depart from conveniently located stations in Richland and Tuckahoe.

Come see why so many folks have made the Seashore Lines Santa Express trains part of their Christmas traditions....perhaps you'll start one of your own!

For information and to purchase tickets, visit:

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↘Continued from 16 new, unwrapped toy for the Toys for Kids Program. Learn more by visiting www.toysforkidsprogram.org.

Saturday, December 9 Holiday Bazaar at Pleasantville Middle School

▶10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

801 Mill Rd. Free admission. Enjoy a festive day of shopping with crafts, food, jewelry, home décor, and so much more, to support the MSP Band.

Running of the Santas

▶12 – 5 p.m.

Vagabond 3802 West End Ave. Atlantic City Dress in your best Santa, Mrs. Claus or holiday elf attire and get ready to spread holiday cheer. Santa and his elves are running, biking, ubering and jitneying from Vagabond to Ducktown, Wonder Bar, and Good Dog Bar, bringing cheer to local youths. Check-in opens at 11:30 a.m. Registration is $15 plus a new, unwrapped toy for the Jon Simon’s Boxx 4 Tots Toy Drive. Participants must be 21 or older and are responsible for their own transportation, and to have a designated driver or transportation arrangements.

Visit with Santa at The Wheel

▶2 – 4 p.m.

Steel Pier 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City Bring your family, pets, and camera, and join Santa at the Atlantic City Wheel. Children 12 and under ride for free. Free donuts and goodie bags will be available while supplies last. Plus, join Steel Pier in their First Annual Holiday Drive: bring two unwrapped toys or nonperishable food items and receive 25 ride tickets with the purchase of a ticket book. More information is available at www.steelpier.com.

OC Beach Tree to Honor Whales

▶2 p.m.

9th Street Beach For beach lovers of all ages. Join a festive tree decorating event with hot chocolate, homemade cookies, and treats. Bring a whale, clam shell, or sea life ornament for the tree.

Sponsored by Friends of Protect Our Coast NJ. Luminary Light Festival at Absecon Lighthouse

▶5 – 7 p.m.

31 S. Rhode Island Ave. Atlantic City Decorate a personal luminary bag, and take in an evening of caroling, holiday tunes, specialty wine and cheese tastings, and tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $25. For reservations, call (609) 449-1360.

HSOC Holiday Gala

▶6 – 10 p.m.

The Flanders Hotel 719 E. 11th St. Ocean City Join the Humane Society of Ocean City in celebrating 60 years of service to the community and providing the highest level of compassion to our animal friends. Tickets are $85 per person. Holiday and cocktail attire preferred. Tickets can be purchased at www.hsocnj.org or by calling (609) 398-9500.

Sunday, December 10

Merry & Bright Holiday Market at Jessie’s of Linwood

▶9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

136 W. Poplar Ave. Join over 30 vendors for a day of holiday shopping featuring local artisans, crafters, and businesses. Plus, enjoy a meet and greet with Santa from 1:30 – 2:30, live music, and delicious food. Learn more at www. facebook.com/jessiesoflinwood.

Visit their instagram site @JessiesofLinwood for any updates.

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December 7, 2023

Bay Atlantic Symphony: Holiday Memories

▶2 p.m.

Stockton Performing Arts Center 101 Vera King Ferris Dr. Galloway Enjoy timeless holiday favorites featuring the tenor vocals of Troy Koger, plus an audience sing-along.

Tickets are available at www.stockton.org/pac.

Book Signing with Nick Regine

▶2:30 p.m.

Gregory’s 900 Shore Rd. Somers Point Join the Somers Point Historical Society and Gregory’s as Nicholas Regine signs his latest book, Between Drinks, a memoir of growing up in Somers Point with history of the bars, saloon, tap rooms, and bartenders of that era. Complementary buffet and cash bar.

Lights Out Presents: A Very Decades Generations of Music Holiday

▶3 p.m.

Gateway Playhouse 738 Bay Ave. Somers Point Bringing you the top hits from the '50s – '80s you know and love, including Bill Haley’s Comets, Elvis, Johnny Maestro, Frankie Valli, and so much more, woven through a winter wonderland of holiday favorites. Visit gatewaybythebay.org for tickets and information.

JCC Community Chanukah Celebration

▶3 – 5 p.m.

Jewish Community Center 501 N. Jerome Ave. Margate Enjoy crafts, holiday treats, and Community Menorah lighting. Sign up for the Dreidel Dash, 1 mile family fun run around the JCC. More information is available at www.jccatlantic. org.

Jim Craine’s Swing into Christmas

▶8 p.m.

Resorts Superstar Theater 1133 Boardwalk Don’t miss a night of merriment

songs of the season, all performed by a lineup of Atlantic City’s greatest stars. Performing at the show will be "The Singing Lifeguard" Jim Craine and the Atlantic City Allstar Band, TV host and singer Michelle Dawn Mooney, Miss Leslie’s Dance Studio of Margate Dancers, Atlantic City Songstress Suzie Neustadter, and other surprise guests. Admission is free for everyone bringing a new, unwrapped toy to support Toys for Tots.

Tuesday, December 12 The Village Film Society

▶10:30 a.m.

Join JFS Village Film Enthusiast and Historic Cinematic Buff Tom Celandine and Community Specialist Tina Serota for a discussion about the Academy Award-winning movie, "It’s a Wonderful Life", starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. RSVP by Dec. 7. Call (609) 287-8872 or email tserota@jfsatlantic.org to register.

Somers Point Dance Society

▶7:30 – 10:30 p.m.

Somers Point Fire Co. #1 447 Bethel Rd. Come out to Somers Point Fire Co. #1 every Tuesday for social dancing, line dances, dance mixers, and more.

Light snacks included in admission. $10 live musical duo each week. Call Rita Voli at (609) 408-3619 for information.

Wednesday, December 13

Colony Club Fundraiser at Randazzo’s

▶4 – 9 p.m.

34th St. & Asbury Ave. Ocean City The Colony Club of Ocean City is hosting a fundraiser this Wednesday.

Dine-in, takeout, and delivery available. Proceeds support the club’s scholarship program. For more information, please email colonyclub. oceancitynj@gmail.com.

↘Continued on 20

Open 7 Days A Week Hours: Mon-Fri 6am-6pm Sat & Sun 6am-5pm

December 7, 2023

19

↘Continued from 19 Jazzin’ up the Holidays

▶7 – 8:30 p.m.

PET HOTEL

Gregory’s 900 Shore Rd. Somers Point Presented by the South Jersey Jazz Society. Enjoy an evening of live holiday jazz music, featuring Paula Johns & The Dave Hartl Trio, with Lee Smith on bass and Grant MacAvoy on drums. Limited seating, reservations are required.

Patrons and business members can reserve by calling the Jazz Line at (609) 287-0326. Visit www.southjerseyjazz. org for up up-to-date information.

Somers Point Pinochle Club

▶6 – 8:30 p.m.

GROOMING 7 DAYS A WEEK

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

Friday, December 15 Memoir Workshop

▶10:30 a.m.

Experience the thrill of capturing your life’s adventures, history, and ancestry with the Memoir Workshop led by award-winning author and Drexel University Director of Certificate Program in Writing and Publishing, Harriet Levin Millan. You will need a laptop or pen/paper for the workshop. RSVP by Dec. 11. Call (609) 287-8872 or email tserota@jfsatlantic.org to register.

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Atlantic County Toys for Kids Beef & Beer

▶6 – 9 p.m.

Maynards Café 9306 Amherst Ave. Margate Tickets are $35 per person and include beef, beer, wine, and soda, plus a cash bar and music. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for kids in Atlantic County.

For more information, call Greg at (609) 226-1560 or visit www.toysforkidsprogram.org.

Upper Twp. Historical Society Christmas Dinner

▶6 p.m.

Tuckahoe Inn 1 Harbor Rd. Beesley’s Point The annual Christmas Dinner for the Historical Preservation Society of Upper Township will be held next Friday.

Seating is limited. Visit https://tinyurl. com/HPSUTDec14Dinner to RSVP. Ghost Mart

▶9 p.m.

Anchor Rock Club Step into a supernatural realm and shop for odd, obscure, eclectic gifts from local vendors and artists. Plus, enjoy live local music and DJs at this dark music dance party. Tickets and information at www.anchorrockclub.com.

Health and Wellness Dementia Support Group

▶Wed. Dec. 6, 1:30 p.m.

6009 Paul and Thelma Lane, Mays

Landing Held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month from 1:30 – 3 p.m. Call Diane Conover at (609) 402-6966 for more information.

NAMI Connections and Family Support Groups

▶Mon. Dec. 11, 7 p.m.

St. Joseph’s Catholic Church 606 Shore Rd. Somers Point . Participants gain the support of their peers who understand their experience and gain insight into others’ challenges and successes. For more information and to register, please visit www.namiacm.org, or call (609) 7415125.

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

▶Thu. Dec. 14, 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. on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month, evening meetings are held the third Thursday at 7 p.m. Call (609) 517-8614 Do you have an upcoming event?

Let us know about it! Submit your next event to shorelocalevents@gmail.com.

FOOD DRIVE December 4-15

Place a clearly marked bag of canned goods out on your recycling day between December 4 and 15, and ACUA crews will deliver your donations to the Community FoodBank of NJ in Egg Harbor Township.

Absecon

December 11-15 (same day as recycling)

Brigantine

December 11-15 (same day as recycling)

Buena Borough

Friday, December 8

Buena Vista Twp.

December 5-8 (same day as recycling)

Corbin City

Thursday, December 7

Egg Harbor City

Wednesday, December 13

Egg Harbor Twp.

December 4-8 (same day as recycling)

Estell Manor

Tuesday, December 12

Folsom

Monday, December 11

Galloway

Drop off Donations at ACUA

Hamilton Twp.

December 11-15 (same day as recycling)

Hammonton

December 11-15 (same day as recycling)

Linwood

December 11-15 (same day as recycling)

Longport

Monday, December 11

Margate

December 11-14 (same day as recycling)

Mullica Twp.

December 11-14 (same day as recycling)

Northfield

December 4-8 (same day as recycling)

Pleasantville

December 4-8 (same day as recycling)

Somers Point

Friday, December 15

Ventnor

December 11-15 (same day as recycling)

Weymouth Twp.

Thursday, December 14

Most needed items

Canned tuna, salmon, chicken, ham, soups, fruit, and vegetables, shelf-stable milk, peanut butter, pasta, boxed potatoes, rice, cereal, macaroni and cheese, diapers, and feminine hygiene products.

No glass, cellophane, bottled water, or baby food.

acua.com/fooddrive

December 7, 2023

Time to fill those cookie trays; Let’s get baking!

By Tammy Thornton

A

fter a season of pumpkin, stuffing, and turkey, it’s time to turn our attention to December holiday foods. Time to bring on the Christmas cookies! Whether you prefer fancy drop cookies, no-bakes, or intricately decorated, cutout sugar cookies, the holiday dessert table wouldn’t be complete without a full tray of various homemade cookies.

You may come from a long line of bakers, with time-honored traditions and family recipes. Or, you may have gotten an invitation to a cookie exchange and don’t know where to begin. Allow me to share some of my favorite go-to cookies that have passed the taste-test of family and friends through the years. Keep in mind that I grew up in the Pittsburgh area—home to the wedding cookie table. Once a bride sets her wedding date, moms, grandmas, aunts, and cousins break out their baking sheets and get to work. Perhaps it has something to do with the more cookies served, the more love or good fortune in your marriage, but whatever the origin, the Pittsburgh cookie table provides great inspiration for

December 7, 2023

holiday baking.

One of the first Christmas cookies I think of doesn’t use an oven, but a special cooking tool. Pizzelles require a pizzelle iron that works much like a waffle iron, creating cookies with fun patterns. After the cookies cool, they are sprinkled with powdered sugar and look like big snowflakes on the cookie tray. This may be heresy to my Italian friends and family, but sorry, I don’t like anise, one of the traditional ingredients in pizzelles. So I leave it out, favoring the taste of strong vanilla instead.

That brings me to one of the most popular Christmas cookies—sugar cookies. This is where artists shine.

Sugar cookies can be made in so many different shapes and decorated with such talent that they are almost

too pretty to eat. My favorite recipe uses both vanilla and almond extract.

For years, my husband and I were involved with missions trips to Haiti, and we would bring home vanilla and almond extract. Those pure and strong flavors made the best cookies.

When it comes to sugar cookies, my advice would be not to roll them out too thin. And do not overcook them.

If in doubt, take them out of the oven, they will harden after cooling.

One of my fond food memories from my childhood was a no-bake cookie rolled in red sugar. In later years, I questioned my mom about these yummy cookies, and she didn’t know what I was talking about. My

↘Continued on 22 21

↘Continued from 21 best guess is that these were probably buckeye cookies, which are peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate.

What’s not to love there? I think for the holidays, she rolled them in red sugar, at least that’s what I remember when I snuck them from the cookie tin.

This time of year, I like to bring my neighbors cookie trays to spread some love and cheer. Since my great friend and neighbor is Jewish, years ago I tried to find a cookie that was more fitting for Hanukkah. I stumbled upon a recipe for Rugelach, and this cookie is a keeper. First you make a dough with either sour cream or cream cheese, then the dough is filled with ingredients such as nuts, raisins, poppy seeds, or fruit preserves. My recipe uses sugared

dates, butter, and cinnamon and I wouldn’t want them any other way.

Once filled, they are cut into little triangles and rolled into crescent shapes. This year my friend and I agreed that I will make her Rugelach, and she will make me latkes. I think that will be a pretty sweet trade, and we are both going to be very happy this Hanukkah.

Shore Local News would love to hear about your favorite Christmas or Hanukkah cookie recipes. Please share your traditions, stories, or questions by sending them to: shorelocalgardener@gmail.com.

Rugelach Recipe

Experiment with different fillings such as raisins, nuts, fruit preserves, or chocolate.

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Ingredients: (Dough) ● 2 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for rolling out dough) ● ¼ teaspoon salt ● 1 cup (two sticks) butter ● 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese (Filling) ● ¼ cup light brown sugar ● ¼ cup white sugar ● 1 tablespoon cinnamon ● ½ cup sugared dates (Egg wash) ● One beaten egg, plus one tablespoon water ● Extra sugar for sprinkling Directions: In a food processor, combine

flour, salt, butter, and cream cheese.

Pulse until you have a crumbly dough.

Separate dough into four equal parts and shape each part into a disk. Wrap each disk separately in plastic wrap.

Refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight.

For the filling, you can use the food processor again. Simply wipe it out after making the dough.

Add sugars, cinnamon, and dates to the food processor. Pulse a few times. You want your dates to be chopped up, but do not pulse until smooth.

Preheat the oven to 350°. Cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper since the filling will leak out a bit. (You may wish to use a cookie sheet with sides.) Dust your work surface with a little bit of flour and roll one disk at a time into a 9-inch round. (Keep other disks refrigerated until you are ready to use them.)

Spread one fourth of filling onto the round, leaving a margin on the outer edge. Lightly press the filling into dough. Cut the filled round into 12 even wedges like a pizza. Roll each triangle from the outer edge, forming a crescent. Place each crescent on the covered cookie sheet. Lightly brush each cookie with egg wash, then sprinkle with sugar. Bake for about 15 - 20 minutes or until lightly golden.

Allow crescents to cool on a wire rack.

Optional: instead of an egg wash, after baking, dust cooled cookies with powdered sugar or drizzle with a glaze.

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

22

December 7, 2023

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h, December…when jingle bells aren’t the only bells ringing. Ding dong! You answer your door to find unexpected guests on your doorstep saying “Surprise – Happy Holidays!”

Sound familiar? But what do you do?

A bottle of wine on hand as a quick gift or a means of entertaining unanticipated company would surely keep things festive. This week, allow me to offer suggestions for maintaining an emergency holiday stash of wines from around the world. Just dub me “Santa Somm”!

To add to your holiday décor and/or provide a last-minute gift or refreshment, Germany offers two wines in bottles shaped like Christmas trees. Decorated with beautiful holiday images, the two wines are classic Rheinhessen varietals: the white is a Riesling and the red is a Dornfelder. Both wines are semi-sweet and perfect as a welcome wine or as a gift for those who prefer a less dry wine.

Italy offers a collection of wines that have become a holiday tradition on many tables with labels that showcase attractive holiday images. The Italian Christmas Wine collection includes a white wine (Pinot Grigio, from Venezie), a red wine (Sangiovese, from Puglia), and a sparkling wine (Asti, from the Piedmont). Don’t let the idea of a gimmick or the fact that these are reasonably priced make you think they are mediocre, however.

They are incredibly good and perfect for gift-giving or serving to guests.

You may recall that I’ve written about Georgia and Greece being among the first countries to make wine from grapes in previous articles.

As Santa Somm, I encourage you to look at these regions for some very unique wines. From Georgia, the Rosha Winery-Timothée Rkatsiteli is a rich, amber white wine or the Dila-o-Saperavi is an excellent dry, medium-bodied and food-friendly red

wine. Saperavi is the most planted red wine grape in the region. Both wines are fermented in large clay pots called “qvevri.” Both are delicious and noteworthy wines that are sure to spark conversation. From Greece, the Denthis-Eklektikon-Stamnaki Assyrtiko is a dry, light white wine from the Peloponnese region. In Greece, a stamnaki is a clay vessel used to store wine. The label of this wine showcases the vessel. Impress your friends and family with this unique wine that is likely new to them!

Spain and Portugal also offer outstanding wines to treat your friends and family (or yourself) with this holiday season. Santa Somm recommends the Ladera Sagrada-Castelo do Papa Godello, from the northern region of Valdeorras in Spain. An intensely flavorful dry white wine, this is a great alternative to Chardonnay without the oaky notes. I’m confident this will be your new winter white. Or, for a delicious, bold red wine, try the Cartuxa-Evora Tinto from the Alentejo region. This wine has gathered high

ratings from wine critics around the world and gets three “hos” (the highest rating) from Santa Somm.

French wine is often on every wine enthusiast’s wish list. Most are familiar with the wine regions of Champagne, Burgundy, and Bordeaux, but fewer know much about Loire Valley or the Languedoc Roussillon. From the Loire Valley subregion of Muscadet-Sèvre et Maine, try the wonderful Domaine de la Bregeonnette Muscadet. Now, you may assume a Muscadet will be a sweet white wine due to its similarity in name to sweet Moscato; au contraire! The aroma of this wine is light and floral and is among the driest of white wines. It’s a recommendation that Santa Somm is confident will impress.

Or, from the Languedoc Roussillon region in the south of France, try the Domaine Massiac - 'les Sentelles'.

This is a complex, dry red wine blend

December 7, 2023

RIDGEWOOD POINT

of Syrah and Carignan that is more earthy than fruity. It pairs well with almost anything and will not disappoint.

As you may know, California is famous for Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. However, there are two lesser-known wines that Santa Somm believes California does better than anywhere else: Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. The Et Cetera Zinfandel is produced by Weinhorn Estates, a collaboration between first cousins and notable winemakers: David Duckhorn and Ryan Weinert. The aroma and flavor characteristics of the Et Cetera Zin include cherries, plums, dark chocolate and cardamom. It's good enough to even be left out for Santa alongside those Christmas Eve cookies. Or for perhaps my all-time favorite Petite Sirah, reach for the J.

Lohr-Tower Road Petite Sirah. J. Lohr is in Paso Robles and is one of California’s most well-known wineries. You can’t go wrong with this one.

So there you have it. Hopefully, the holiday disaster of being caught unprepared is averted! Make the holiday season an opportunity to explore some of these recommendations with your family and friends. As always, contact me with any questions at dsetley@passionvines.com. Until next time, happy wining! Santa Somm, out.

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

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Brothers hold dinner event for grieving parents

By Gabriella Bancheri

O

n Tuesday, Nov. 28, brothers Elijah and Isaiah Langford organized and hosted a dinner for grieving parents who have lost a child. Following the event, I had the opportunity to speak with Elijah and the boys’ mother, Nynell Langford, regarding the event. It was a really valuable chance to glean a bit of their incredible optimism.

The family started the event in 2003 when they lost their daughter and sister, Mariah Langford, who was just four years old at the time of her passing. The 2003 event began as a dinner with a few of their friends and family whom they knew had lost a loved one. The family was adamant about Mariah’s life not being forgotten and ensuring the memory of her life after she’d passed.

The event in 2003 started with a call to a friend whom Nynell knew was grieving.

Then that dinner turned into a party of twelve. From 20032010, that number grew from twelve to fifty. The family stopped organizing the dinner in 2010, but Elijah and Isaiah decided to pick it back up this year, which would mark the 20th anniversary of Mariah’s passing.

Twenty years after the initial event, there were over 200 guests present. However, Nynell very pointedly reminded me of what this means: that “the number is nothing to be proud of”. The only thing this means is that families are losing their loved ones.

Isaiah and Elijah Langford are the faces of DEMCATS, a philanthropic group that centers around community healing and social issues (not to be confused with any political connotation, as they stated in our interview).

The boys have been planning initiatives like this since they were old enough to organize them, but they needed a snappy, catchy name for social media. Nynell suggested COOLCATS, but because slang was

starting to catch on when the boys came up with the name about twelve years ago, DEMCATS seemed a more original fit for them.

For their most recent event, Nynell assures that the credit should go to her sons. “This is Elijah and Isaiah’s initiative,” she said, and states that she was there this year as a mother and supporter in contrast to her many years of work having organized the event in the past.

The boys were only ten and five when they lost their sister. At such a young age, they had to learn how to process, deal with and live with grief.

Today, their family is “grateful to have

the strength to take that grief and make some lemonade, not just for us but for other people.”

Of this year’s event, Nynell said, “the response was overwhelming — people who attended years ago who came back.”

Nynell also clarified that the goal for the event was “not [to be] a second funeral for their child,” but rather to “almost bring their child into the present” and live with them for

a night.

The evening invited all grieving parents, from those who lost children to gun violence to those whose children were ill. The 100 sets of parents that attended were given the chance to get up and say their child’s name — to speak their existence into the room.

For those 100 parents who lost their children, there was no charge.

The event was much more than a get-together to remember and revive their loved ones. There were gifts, grief counselors, a motivational

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speaker, and more on-site, making the impact of the evening last long after the dinner was over. The goal of this was to supply these families and parents with things they’ll need for as long as they need them.

There was, as the family described, “an unspoken language that was understood.” If a mother sobbed at the dinner table, her cries weren’t met with strange looks and discomfort but rather empathy and understanding. It was essentially a safe space where “no one had to explain their grief.” No one felt the need to apologize or explain their emotions because everyone around them already understood.

To end the night, everyone sang “We Are Family" by Sister Sledge, because as Nynell said, no matter your background, race or religion, “when that happens to you, you are the same.”

Because the number of attendees was so high this year, and because it would be projected to be even higher in coming years, Nynell mentioned there would likely be a concern about space when holding the event in the future. However, she assured Shore Local that her sons had more projects in the works. This specific event will likely be available to attend in years to come.

DEMCATS has a website that is under construction while they work on a domain name, and there is a Facebook group in the works. In the meantime, you can check them out on Instagram at @demcats.

Ultimately, the family exemplifies the healing power of coming together in times of crisis and pain and the importance of community. As Nynell says, “if we all do a little, no one has to do a lot.” Elijah echoes that philosophy and says that he hopes that people are “wise enough to stand together as a community and support these parents.”

I personally think there’s a lot to glean from this conversation with Nynell and Elijah, especially in times when communities feel especially divided. It’s up to us to put religion and politics aside and, in times like this, for empathy to prevail. As the family said, “when we are banded together, we can do so much.”

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.

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December 7, 2023

Atlantic City launches its Tinseltown Holiday Experience

H

oliday lights were shimmering, jingle bells were ringing, and the festive spirit of the season was in the air as Atlantic City launched a December to remember with its month-long Tinseltown Holiday Experience on Friday, Dec. 1.

Exciting events were held throughout the weekend. The official Tinseltown tree-lighting event on Friday filled The Yard at Bally’s with holiday cheer as it unveiled its Winter Wonderland, one of many festive casino pop-up lounges in town throughout December. Meanwhile, O’Donnell Park in the city’s Chelsea neighborhood hosted a multicultural Community Tree Lighting Celebration with live entertainment, a visit from Santa, and holiday festivities.

Also Friday night, the Orange Loop ushered in the Tinseltown Holiday Experience with a pair of merry events.

The festivities included a Tinseltown Kick-Off Party at Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall – with a keg tree lighting, live music, holiday-themed cocktails, and a special appearance by Kelsey Grammer of “Cheers” and “Frasier.”

On Saturday, Dec. 2, Mayor Marty Small Sr. and the City of Atlantic City presented its Winter Wonderland Parade (with Kelsey Grammer serving as the Grand Marshal) in the community, while the Noyes Arts Garage debuted its two-day Holiday Market & Gingerbread Village, featuring crafters, vendors, music, and a display of gingerbread creations.

The holiday festivities continue throughout the month, including live

holiday shows, pop-up experiences, a cocktail-mocktail trail, elaborate

décor, and much more. See details at ACTinseltown.com.

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December 7, 2023

29

What's happening in Ocean City

Admission Buttons on sale for First Night Ocean City

C

Festive Friday and ‘Finding Nemo JR.’ Highlight the Weekend

ome celebrate a family-friendly New Year's Eve in Ocean City, N.J. First Night offers entertainment that satisfies every taste and age group.

First Night was founded 31 years ago and modeled after an alcohol-free New Year's Eve celebration in Boston that marked the nation's bicentennial in 1976. The first celebration in Ocean City included 25 entertainment acts at five different locations with about 800 people attending. While other First Night events have faded, Ocean City's has only grown more popular with families making it an annual tradition for a safe New Year's Eve. Today, attendance is capped at 10,000 with admission buttons selling out year after year.

First Night offers more than 70 entertaining programs at 20 different venues throughout town on Dec. 31.

One $22 (inclusive of service fees) button is good for all programs.

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Headline entertainment at the Ocean City Music Pier this year will include “GYPSY,” a tribute to the music of Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac; and “Motor City,” a revue of Motown’s greatest hits. The return of perennial favorites like outdoor ice-skating (with extended hours this year), rides at Wonderland Pier, magic shows, the Harlem Wizards and a variety of musical performances also highlight the entertainment lineup.

The Ocean City Pops will perform with a returning favorite – the Chicago tribute band Brass Transit. In their first-ever First Night appearance, the Atlantic City Ballet will perform a holiday show.

First Night’s 2024 sponsors include the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Cape May County Division of Culture and Heritage, McMahon Insurance Agency, Ocean City Free Public Library, Wonderland Pier and Atlantic City Electric.

Tickets are available:

Online: firstnightocnj.com By phone: 609-399-6111. ● At the City Hall Welcome Center at 861 Asbury Avenue (9th Street entrance): 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily ● At the Roy Gillian Welcome Center (9th Street causeway): 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. ● At the 46th Street Welcome Center (4500 block of West Avenue): 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays.

DOWNTOWN ASBURY AVENUE CELEBRATES ‘FESTIVE FRIDAYS’ Downtown merchants are celebrating “Festive Fridays'' this year with shopping, carolers, and free horse-and-carriage rides from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. (with boarding at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue). Festive Fridays return on Dec. 8, 15 and 22.

‘FINDING NEMO JR.’ AT THE MUSIC PIER Ocean City’s Layla Camacho will add her talent and flair to the role of Nemo in Ocean City Theatre Company’s “Finding Nemo JR.” at the Ocean City Music Pier at 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 8 and 9; and 2 p.m. Dec. 10. The talented cast will comprise students in grades 3 to 8.

This new stage musical is a 60-minute adaptation of the beloved 2003 Pixar movie “Finding Nemo” with new music by the award-winning songwriting team of Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. Tickets can be purchased at oceancitytheatrecompany.com or in-person at the Music Pier starting 45 minutes before each curtain. All tickets are $15. ● ●

Coming Up

Photos with Santa in Lifeguard Boat (Dec. 9-Dec. 23): Noon to 3 p.m.

Saturdays and Sundays at the Ocean City Music Pier.

Visits with Santa in the Downtown (Dec. 9-Dec. 23): 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays at Mark Soifer Park, 9th Street and Asbury Avenue.

First Night New Year’s Eve Celebration (Dec. 31): Celebrate New Year’s Eve with the entire family. The 31st anniversary of this Ocean City event will feature traditional favorites like rides, ice-skating and magicians, along with headline entertainment including the Stevie Nicks tribute band Gypsy and the Motown revue Motor City. For a complete schedule and to purchase all-inclusive admission buttons, please visit firstnightocnj.com.

First Day Celebration (Jan. 1, 2024): Activities include a 1 p.m. 5K run on the Boardwalk (pre-register at www.ocnj.us/race-events), a 2 p.m.

First Dip polar plunge, and an all-day Shopping Extravaganza. Visit firstnightocnj.com for more information.

December 7, 2023

How locals reacted to the Pearl Harbor attack

A Look Back

By Fred Miller

E

ighty-two years ago, Dec. 7, 1941, the Japanese forces attacked American and British territories and

possessions in the Pacific, including the home base of the U. S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The next day the United States entered World War II as Congress declared war against Japan. On Dec. 11, 1941, Germany and Italy declared war on the United States, and the United States responded in kind.

On Dec. 8, 1941, newspapers across the country, including the Daily Sentinel-Ledger and Philadelphia Inquirer, reported on the Japanese’s surprise attack.

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The following editorial, written by Lorin D. Angevine, was on the top of the front page of the Dec. 8 Sentinel.

The United States of America is at war!

That means that every man, woman and child, native-born or naturalized, is a participant.

Whether you’re a Republican or Democrat, rich or poor, of high or low rank, the time has come to cast aside all personal prejudices and animosities for the common cause.

A treacherous enemy has stabbed us in the back. The strength of this enemy—Japan—must not be underestimated. As this newspaper remarked several days ago, Japan will be no pushover. America must be prepared for severe reverses at first because Japan has had the advantage of a surprise attack on her side.

Eventually, of course, our superior navy and resources will decide the issue. But it will be no short undertaking.

Probably, before many days elapse, we also will be officially at war with Germany—and that will bring the conflict to this side of the continent.

We sincerely hope that Ocean City will escape, but we must now be prepared for anything!

What can you, an individual, do in Ocean City? The best way to find out is to attend the emergency Defense

Music Pier with lookout tower Council meeting in City Hall, at 8 o’clock tonight. Volunteer your services in any way that will best serve your city and country!

America is solidly united, now that war is upon us. America, with the help of her allies, will win. But we must all move fast, calmly and with determination. We civilians must see to the protection of our homes. And we must reconcile ourselves to the probability that we are in a bitter war that will not be terminated quickly.

An attack by Germany, either by sea or air, was a major defense concern. The local U.S. Coast Guard station, located on the lagoon in the

Gardens, kept a 24-hour watch on the Atlantic Ocean from their tower on the E. Atlantic beach. They also began opening up their old stations on 4th and 36th streets to be used for barracks for incoming officers.

Navy blimps increased their patrolling of the coast of New Jersey.

Nine 250–foot-long blimps were assigned to cover the area between the Naval Air Station at Lakehurst and the Cape May Naval Base.

On Dec. 9, 1941, the Daily Sentinel-Ledger reported a lookout tower was to be built on the top of the Music Pier. It would be manned 24-hours a day by volunteers to augment the

U. S. Coast Guard lookout tower. The Dec. 22 newspaper reported the volunteer spotters of planes began their 24-hour vigil on the tower on the Music Pier. Phillip Shafto was the chief observer.

The local newspaper reported everyday how Ocean City was responding to America’s entrance into War World II under the following headlines: Ocean City Prepares To Defend Itself From Attack; Police Guard Bridges; Raid Shelters Planned; Wanted: Loan of Two Boats To Patrol Our Beachfront; Police Guard Bridges; Establish Airport Guard Here; Any Siren From Now On Will Be Warning Of An Air Raid; Evacuation Plans To Be Prepared; Moyer To Construct Experimental Craft For Navy; Schedule For Local Airplane Observers; War Restrictions Clamped On All Boats.

People, needing some relief, crowded into the Moorlyn Theatre on Friday, Dec. 12 to watch Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in "Keep ‘Em Flying". It was Abbott and Costello’s third service comedy based on the peacetime draft of 1940. "Keep ‘Em Flying" followed "Buck Private" and "In The Navy".

The first weeks of World War II, saw the people of Ocean City taking Editor Angevine’s advice and they volunteered their services so America would win the war.

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December 7, 2023

33

Summer of ’65, Episode 25 Princess Grace returns to her Ocean City roots

By Bill Kelly

T

he arrival in Ocean City of Princess Grace of Monaco was met with no fanfare as she routinely returned to her childhood stomping grounds every Labor Day weekend since she married Prince Rainier in 1956.

As usual, her sister, Lizanne Kelly Levine, and her husband Donald picked her and the two children up at the airport in Philly. As they drove

across the Walt Whitman Bridge she looked out the window while they passed Jack’s Twin Bar in Gloucester City where she used to visit her old boyfriend, Dick Boccelli, who played drums with Bill Haley and His Comets before they were famous.

When they got to the fork in the road, Don asked if he should take the Black Horse Pike or the new, yearold Atlantic City Expressway. Grace chose the Pike so they could stop for hot dogs and ice cream at the

Grace Kelly’s house in color as it is today

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roadside stand their father always stopped at on the way to the Jersey Shore.

As Don Levine veered to the right, he looked over at the entrance to the Atlantic City Expressway and took notice of the shiny new sign that read: “Motorcycles Prohibited.” It featured a black silhouette of a man on a motorcycle in a circle with a slash across it.

When they got to Somers Point they had to wait for the Ocean City Causeway drawbridge to open and close, so some of them got out of the car, went to the railing and waved at the people on the boat going through below. Don Levine shook his head, thinking how they could have lowered their rigging a few feet and went under the bridge with no problem, but just had to open the bridge because they had the right of way.

It was the start of a huge Labor

Day weekend traffic jam that backed up from the Somers Point Circle to Route 9. Although it took an hour to get it untangled, tempers didn’t flare.

Everyone just breathed in the salt air, took advantage of the view from the bridge and listened to the radio.

Once they were moving again, Levine drove down Ninth Street, passed the Chatterbox and made a right on Wesley Avenue. As they passed 11th Street, Grace could see the Flanders Hotel. Pulling up in front of their house at 26th and Wesley for a moment, Grace tried to imagine what it was like in 1929, the year she was born, when her father bought the lot and built the house, then the only one south of 14th Street.

The house with a fence around it was made of brick. “Kelly For Brickwork” was the motto of the company started by her father, John B. as he was known. It was built in the Span-

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December 7, 2023

ish Revival style, as was the Music Pier, Chatterbox, the Copper Kettle Fudge building and the Flanders Hotel. There was a terracotta parapet roof from where you could see the stars. It was a grand, great house where so many children had so much fun for so many seasons. Another summer was coming to an end and, as usual, would go out with much fanfare.

John B. built his house on the barren south dunes because all of the other major Philadelphia Main Line society millionaires had homes in the North End Gardens section Grace Kelly on her bike outside of the house of Ocean City, or in Margate or Longport, just as he built his Philly Since her father passed away, her home in East Falls rather than on the mother, Margaret Kelly, had assumed Main Line. He had riparian rights to the role of matriarch and leader of the water’s edge. the family. After greeting her mother, While the house was at one time who was sitting in the shade reading on the beach, when they put in Wesa book, she said hello to her brothley Avenue, he owned the beach lot er John Jr. Jack or “Kell” as he was on the other side of the street and known to most, was lifting weights eventually built a big, two-story brick in the garage. She then gathered house there. So by 1965, with the two up her two children and a few other straggling cousins and walked down houses, it was like the Kelly Family the beach to the Boardwalk.

Compound, except there was no security and anybody could come and It was a short hike, but an exciting go and generally did: brothers, sisters, one knowing what was in store – a cousins and friends – all part of the chance to sample a box of fudge from Kelly Clan.

Copper Kettle, pizza from Mack &

December 7, 2023

Prince Rainier and Princess Grace at the Atlantic City Race Track Manco’s and walk down the Boardwalk to the rides – the Ferris wheel, bumper cars and carnival candy just like all the shoebies and other tourists did.

Switching into routine, Grace Kelly let the children run free while she would visit her tailor, Mr. Talese, on Asbury Avenue, buy some new dresses and t-shirts for all of her maids, butlers, drivers and chefs back at the Prince’s Palace in Monaco. Her

children knew the routine now, and looked forward to riding their skateboards and bicycles, having lunch and a banana split at the Chatterbox, “where Mom used to work.” They moaned whenever the Chatterbox was mentioned.

And so it was with much dismay when Katie, the mayor’s daughter, arrived for work as a waitress at

↘Continued on 36

35

↘Continued from 35 the Chatterbox and discovered that Grace Kelly was there with her kids but had just left.

A few days later, unlike the unassuming arrival of Princess Grace, Prince Rainier III of Monaco was greeted with fanfare and security.

As a visiting head of state, his bulletproof limo had a motorcycle escort that was given special dispensation by the governor to use the Atlantic City Expressway since motorcycles were prohibited from state highways.

The prince was an agreeable enough chap as the heir to a castle, kingdom and casino by the sea. Grace assured the royal bloodline would continue according to script when she gave birth to a male heir, Albert, in 1958.

The story goes back to 1297 when one of Rainier's ancestors took over

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the Monaco castle in a bloodless coup.

Francois Grimaldi, arrived in Monaco.

Disguised as a monk, he took control of the fortress situated high above the Mediterranean, the very location where the current royal palace stands.

Now, hundreds of years and a dozen generations later, the kingdom was passed to Rainier, who rather late in life met and married Grace Kelly.

She was invited to the palace while she was doing work leading up to the Cannes Film Festival. The American actress had been in Monaco making an Alfred Hitchcock movie, “To Catch A Thief” with Cary Grant.

Rainier first came to Ocean City to meet John B. Kelly and ask for the hand of his daughter in marriage.

John B. leased a steamship to take his family and friends to Monaco for the storybook, “Wedding of the Century,” as they called it.

Once in Ocean City the prince was taken to a private residence on the beach that belonged to an out-oftown friend and neighbor of the Kellys.

It afforded him much more privacy and security than the Kelly Compound, which was overrun with children.

The prince was met by John B. Kelly, Jr. (Grace and Lizanne’s brother Kell). Kell had been an Ocean City lifeguard on this very beach, rowed single and double sculls on the Schuylkill River, was a silver medal Olympic champion, and famously won the Diamond Sculls at Henley in England after his father was denied entry because he was a “working man” and not a “gentleman,” at least what a gentleman was considered to be in that era.

Like John B., Don Levine was a horseman and steward at the Atlantic City Race Course, who had met his wife Lizanne while working as a lifeguard at the Flanders. Margaret, now the head of the household, had been a gym teacher at the University of Pennsylvania where she instituted most of the athletic programs for

women.

The prince cut muster as he, too, was a “man’s man,” unlike some of the other dates that Grace had brought home – like the fashion designer who was shunned and ignored by the Kelly men.

The prince was a betting sportsman who immediately won over the Kelly men by asking to go to the race track. Since John B. built the track, and was co-owner with Bob Hope, Hap Farley and Sonny Fraser, the prince was the guest of honor in the owner’s box at the Atlantic City Race Course that day, with over 30,000 paid attendance.

While Lizanne and her sister and mother kept the children and cousins busy back at the Kelly Clan Compound and on the beach, Grace went to the track with her husband Prince Rainier, her brother Kell and brother-in-law Don Levine and cousin John Lehman.

The same group had gone together to the Kentucky Derby in May, flying on a private plane and keeping a John B. Kelly annual tradition, so they knew how to have a good time together and did. The prince fit in well with this group and after a few drinks was just one of the guys, as was Grace.

The prince took a liking to a particular jockey who went on to win six of the races that day, giving the prince a nice payout, especially on two long shots his jockey won, so the prince picked up the tab for dinner at Zaberers Restaurant that night.

“Good luck had just stung me, to the race track I did go. She bet on one horse to win and I bet on another to show. The odds were in my favor, I had ‘em five to one, when that Nag to win came around the track, sure enough she had won. I took up all my winnings, and gave my Bessie half, but she tore it up and threw it in my face just for a laugh.”

The Band – “Up on Cripple Creek” Next Week: Tito Mambo performs a riot

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Eagles looking to bounce back from loss

By David Weinberg

T

here are several ways to get to the Jersey Shore.

Most folks from Philly take the Atlantic City Expressway, then either stay straight to Atlantic County beaches or head south on the Garden State Parkway.

Others opt for a more scenic trip that includes Route 55 South and 47 South. It features a bamboo farm, various roadside stands selling crabs, vegetables and fruit, and a strange patch of land that includes a giant dead fish hanging from a pole in front of some crops.

Both paths end at the same spots.

The same goes for the Eagles when it comes to the NFL playoffs.

They still have the most direct path to the Super Bowl after last Sunday’s 42-19 blowout loss to the 49ers. The Birds still lead the NFC

with a 10-2 record, one game ahead of the Niners (9-3), Cowboys (9-3) and Lions (9-3).

But one or two more slipups could result in them having to take an alternate route.

Such a prospect seemed preposterous a few weeks ago. The Eagles had no trouble handling the first two parts of what is supposed to be a daunting stretch of the schedule with a victory over Taylor Swift’s boyfriend and the Chiefs at Kansas City (21-17) and a thrilling, overtime win over the Bills (37-34).

That solidified their status as the favorites to win the NFC. Confident fans were already exploring hotels in Las Vegas, site of Super Bowl LVIII on February 11, 2024. If they timed it right, couples could even get married or renew their vows at the Hitchin Post Wedding Chapel inside Circus Circus on Valentine’s Day. Don’t get ready to say “I do” just yet.

The Eagles remain the favorites to win the conference, but depending

on how the rest of the regular season plays out, the NFC Championship Game could be played at San Francisco’s Levi’s Stadium, Detroit’s Ford Field, or even “Jerry World” in Dallas.

The Niners exposed some chinks in the Eagles’ midnight green armour last week, especially on defense.

The Birds’ pass rush was ineffective for much of the game, allowing Niners quarterback Brock Purdy time to find wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, and tight end George Kittle roaming free in the secondary.

Samuel and running back Christian McCaffrey ran through feeble

arm tackles from the linebackers en route to the end zone. The Eagles were concerned enough to sign former Pro Bowler Shaq Leonard to a one-year deal.

“There were just some uncharacteristic missed tackles,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. “In general, we’re a top-10 team as far as missed tackle percentages. And they also did a good job of getting the football to guys in space. Hats off to them.”

The offense also struggled.

Last week’s game marked just the second time this season the Eagles have scored less than 21 points. Quarterback Jalen Hurts and company moved the ball well in the first two possessions but were forced to settle for a pair of field goals.

Hurts threw for 298 yards and a touchdown, but 102 of the yards and the TD came on the final two possessions, after the outcome was already sealed.

Next Sunday represents a chance to regain their composure.

MINNETONKA MOCCASINS BOOTS & HATS Lots to Discover, including: Jewelry - Artifacts Pottery - Belts Crystals - Stones Animal Skulls American West Handbags In memory of "Coach"

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Open 10am-7pm Mon. thru Thursday Fri. & Sat. 10am-9pm Sun. 11am-7pm 38

December 7, 2023

Thomas LaManna of Millville A win at Dallas would be huge, both in terms of the NFC East race and the team’s confidence.

A loss would make fans a little less likely to be booking wedding chapels in Vegas, not to mention Super Bowl tickets.

Boxing returns to A.C.

Professional boxing continues its resurgence in Atlantic City with a card at Showboat Hotel on Saturday night.

It will be the ninth boxing show held on the boardwalk this year, the most since A.C. hosted 10 fights in 2018.

In the main event, popular Phil-

adelphia heavyweight Joe Dawejko (26-10-4, 14 KOs) will take on Jesse Bryan (21-7-2, 16 KOs), of Jefferson City, Missouri, in an eight-rounder.

On the undercard, Somers Point featherweight Miguel Garcia (2-0, 0 KOs) will try to stay unbeaten in a four-rounder against Mychal Bynum (1-4, 0 KOs), of Rocky Mount, North Carolina.

In other boxing news, world-rated middleweight Thomas LaManna (36-5-1, 15 KOs), of Millville, will fight Reading, Pennsylvania’s Nicolas Hernandez (28-7-3, 12 KOs) on Dec. 29 at the Prudential Center in Newark.

LaManna, who is ranked fourth by the World Boxing Association, has the third-most victories among local fighters behind the late Richie Kates (44-6, 23 KOs) from Bridgeton and former Atlantic City heavyweight world champion Bruce Seldon (40-8, 36 KOs).

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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December 7, 2023

39

Hispanic Assoc. Holiday Mixer felt like sitting at the ‘Big Little Table’

By Raymond Tyler

N

o one ever accused me of not enjoying the holiday season. So when I received my invitation from the Hispanic Association of Atlantic County to attend their annual Holiday Social Mixer at Vagabond Kitchen and Tap House, I professionally said, “Yeah Man, I get to socialize with good friends and enjoy great food as we celebrate another Christmas season and upcoming 2024!” Sounded like a win to me.

As they used to say in ’70s commercial’s: “wait, there’s more.” The $30 entry fee goes toward the annual Three Kings Celebration, which will ensure a great holiday season for many children and families.

When I found out the Holiday So-

cial Mixer was also part of a toy drive, I said professionally, “I will bring a toy and Take My Money!”

The evening was better than I expected. I usually don’t like to sit elbow to elbow, but when I am in great company with friends like Robert Ortiz from the EHT Police Athletic League, and Jessica Grullon from Stockton University, it’s like sitting at the big little table at Thanksgiving.

So in my family, the older adults/ grandparents, sit at the dining room table, while my cousins and I sit at the “Big Little” folding table, and if you

are younger than us, you get a seat at the card table or sit where you can.

It’s a family tradition.

I also had the pleasure of meeting the new Chief Executive Officer of the Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City, Dr. Charles Wallace II. I am excited to see the achievements that have come under Dr. Wallace’s direction.

The Holiday Social Mixer was my first of the 2023 holiday season and I had a great time. I didn’t eat too much, but I met some great people who will continue to do great things for The Shore Local region. I am

glad to know that my festive enjoyment will help the Hispanic Association of Atlantic County with their phenomenal Three Kings Celebration.

The Three Kings Day Celebration will take place on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024 at the gymnasium of Our Lady Star of the Sea, 15 N. California Ave. Historically the holiday celebrates the Three Wise Men bringing gifts and celebrating the birth of the baby Jesus. Locally, Three Kings Day is also a wonderful celebration of community and family. For more information on the Hispanic Association of Atlantic County or Three Kings Day see www.HAACNJ.org

You can connect with Raymond Tyler via Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram @RaymondTyler2018.

The Godfrey Funeral Homes T

Ocean City

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.

Established 1896 Sallie J. Godfrey, Manager NJ Lic. No. 3898

809 Central Avenue Ocean City NJ 08226 (609) 399-0077

Palermo

Egg Harbor Twp.

644 South Shore Road Palermo NJ 08223 (609) 390-9699

4008 English Creek Avenue Egg Harbor Twp. NJ 08234 (609) 241-6460

E bli h d 1971 Established John K. Baltz, Manager NJ Lic. No. 3715

E bli h d 2017 Established Herbert L. Godfrey II, Manager NJ Lic. No. 4362

Serving the Communities of Cape May & Atlantic Counties Godfreyfuneralhome.com

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Entertainment & Dining at the Shore

Whitney’s Weekly Picks The City Pulse with Whitney Ullman

W

ith so many things happening this holiday season at local venues, make sure you get your tickets in advance so you don’t miss out on any fun. Oh, and feel free to tag me in your photos and videos.

What: Christmas in the Air Where: Borgata Hotel When: Now - Sunday, Dec. 24

Time: Various Days and Times Website: borgata.mgmresorts.com/ en/entertainment/the-music-box/ christmas-in-the-air.html Get ready for the most wonderful time of the year with Christmas in the Air! It’s a first-class Broadway-style spectacular that’s festive fun for the whole family. This snow globe come to life dazzles with a cast of high-kicking, Rockette-style dancers performing alongside magical holiday characters.

Who: Matt Fraser Where: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino When: Friday, Dec. 8 Time: 8 p.m.

Website: hardrockhotelatlanticcity. com/event-calendar/matt-fraser Matt Fraser is America’s Top Psychic Medium and star of the hit television series on E! Entertainment. Matt’s un-

canny abilities and extreme accuracy have allowed him to reach millions world-wide from A-list celebrities and influencers, to people all over the world looking to get in touch with those they have lost. So get your tickets before it’s sold out.

Who: Earth, Wind & Fire Where: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino | Etess Arena

When: Friday, Dec. 8, and Saturday, Dec. 9 Time: 8 p.m.

Website: hardrockhotelatlanticcity. com/event-calendar/earth-wind-fire The music of Earth, Wind & Fire is more alive than ever. From the funky and infectious “Let’s Groove” to the timeless dance classic “September” to the heartfelt “Reasons,” Earth, Wind & Fire’s catalog of hits has become the soundtrack to many lives; now, then and forever.

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DECEMBER 9

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. 21+. NJ Only. Eligibility restrictions apply.

See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.

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Visit the Promotions Booth for more information Gambling Problem? Call 1.800.GAMBLER. Bet With Your Head, Not Over It.

December 7, 2023

Who: Bjam “Fred” Duo | The Roost Pub & Grill Live Music Where: The Roost at Harbor Pines Golf Club When: Friday, Dec. 8 Time: 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Website: harborpines.com/roost-entertainment Live music on Fridays plus watch the Sunday games on multiple big screens.

What: The RBPSOC Founder’s Gala & Toy Drive Where: All Wars Memorial Building, Atlantic City When: Friday, Dec. 8 Time: 6-8 p.m.

Website: email: info@rhythmbluesps. org Get your tickets to this event to benefit the Family Success Center. There’s a toy drive and a special performance

by Ayanda Sunshine, Queen Diva and more.

Who: Grand Funk Railroad & Foghat Where: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino | Sound Waves When: Saturday, Dec. 9 Time: 8 p.m.

Website:.hardrockhotelatlanticcity. com/event-calendar/grand-funk-railroad-fog-hat Looking for some good old-fashioned rock 'n' roll? Look no further than Grand Funk Railroad and Foghat, two legendary bands that will be performing live in Atlantic City on Dec. 9.

Don't miss your chance to see these two bands together in one incredible night of music.

Who: Il Divo: A New Day Holiday Tour Where: Ocean Casino Resort | Ovation Hall When: Saturday, Dec. 9 Time: 8 p.m.

Website: theoceanac.com/entertainment/headliners-holiday/il-divonew-day-holiday-tour The international chart-topping group known for its unique mix of

December 7, 2023

opera and pop, Il Divo is taking the stage at Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Resort.

What: Holiday Dreams Cirque!

Where: Golden Nugget Atlantic City When: Saturday, Dec. 9 Time: 9 p.m.

Website: goldennugget.com/atlantic-city/entertainment/entertainers/ holiday-dreams-cirque Holiday Dreams is a holiday show unlike any other with an incredibly talented cast of acrobats, cirque performers, musical comedy actors and daredevils in this truly unique and modern show.

Who: Michael Martocci Presents Frank Sinatra’s Birthday Bash Where: Resorts Casino Hotel When: Saturday, Dec. 9 Time: 8 p.m.

Website: resortsac.com/entertainment/frank-sinatras-birthday-bash Back by popular demand to the Superstar Theater is a multi-media musical tribute that celebrates the illustrious career of Frank Sinatra, and the 40 plus years since his last performance on the Superstar Theater stage. Starring Michael Martocci, who is one of the best Sinatra tribute artists in the business today, Michael is backed by the Ed Vehzino, Jim Ward, a 22-piece orchestra under the direction of veteran drummer Mike Nigro performing all the original Sinatra orchestrations. It’s a must for the Sinatra fan! Expect some holiday favorites too. See www.michaelsingssinatra.com What: A Dickens of a Murder - A Holiday Murder Mystery Where: Resorts Casino Hotel | Starlight Room When: Saturday, Dec. 9 Time: 5 p.m. & 8 p.m.

Website: resortsac.com/entertainment/murder-mystery-show Bah Humbug! Ebenezer Scrooge is known for his miserly, uncompas-

lighting at 5:30 p.m. and decorate a personal luminary bag. For reservations call: 609-449-1360.

sionate ways, but he’s a changed man. He’s been practically giving his money away! Scrooge’s nephew, Fred Sawyer, is throwing a Christmas party and everyone is delighted for his appearance. But what’s this? Sherlock Holmes? What could he possibly want at a Christmas party? You soon find out that he’s investigating dear Scrooge’s murder! Help him ferret out the guilty party and make note of the clues he discovers along the way.

What: Luminary Light Festival Where: Absecon Lighthouse When: Saturday, Dec. 9 Time: 5 p.m.

Website: abseconlighthouse.org/ events/event Enjoy caroling, light a personal luminary, indulge in specialty cheeses and a wine tasting for a $25 per person donation at Absecon Lighthouse’s Luminary Light Festival. There will be holiday tunes by DJ Kelli; see what’s in store for your 2024 readings, a tree

Who: Visit from Santa! He’s coming to The Wheel Where: Steel Pier When: Saturday, Dec. 9 Time: 2-4 p.m.

Website: steelpier.com Santa is coming to The Wheel this Saturday. Children 12 and under ride for free. It’s a great photo opportunity, so bring the camera, bring the family, and bring the pets. There will be free donuts and goodie bags while supplies last. Plus there will be great specials on ticket book purchases.

Steel Pier’s The Wheel, an Atlantic City landmark, is 227 feet of thrilling fun for the whole family with 40 temperature-controlled gondolas which and can comfortably hold six passengers. The Wheel is now open weekends Saturday 1– 9 p.m. and Sunday 1-6 p.m.

Who: Anthony Payne II Where: Resorts Casino - Tower Conference Level When: Saturday, Dec. 9 Time: 10 p.m.

Website: Acjokes.com Known for his unforgettable roles

↘Continued on 44

...When nothing else will do!!!

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653-8442 43

↘Continued from 43 in the hit sitcom "Martin" and other popular TV shows, Carl Anthony Payne is a true master of comedy.

With his unique style and infectious energy, he will have you laughing nonstop throughout the evening.

What: Holiday Drag Brunch Where: Cardinal | 201 S New York Ave., Atlantic City When: Saturday, Dec. 9 Time: 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Website:.https://www.eventbrite. com/e/holiday-drag-brunch-tickets-752973523077

Join Miss New Jersey for America Strong Courtney Rice for a Holiday Drag Brunch on Saturday, Dec. 9 at Cardinal in Atlantic City. The event will feature performances from the best drag artists on the East Coast.

Celebrate the holiday season. All of the proceeds will go towards the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. They will also be collecting unwrapped and new toys for Toys for Tots.

What: Vinny Guadagnino | Dear Santa, I Can Explain | Nightswim Where: The Pool After Dark When: Saturday, Dec. 9 Time: Doors open at 10, Free entry before midnight Website:.www.thepoolafterdark.com Dear Santa, I can explain. Join Vinny Guadagnino for Nightswim. Wear your best Santa gear for free entry before midnight. For tickets and bottle service, head to the website.

50

SUNDAY & MONDAY ONLY

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What: Cirque Musica: Holiday Wonderland Where: Tropicana Showroom When: Saturday, Dec. 9 and Sunday, Dec. 10 Time: Saturday, 8 p.m. and Sunday, 3 p.m.

Website: www.caesars.com/tropicana-ac/shows Cirque Musica: Holiday “Wonderland” is coming to Tropicana's Showroom in Atlantic City for two nights to take the audience on a holiday musical journey to a magical land. The audience will be amazed by the talented acrobats, aerialists, hilarious hijinks and holiday cheer.

What: Swing into Christmas Benefiting Toys for Tots Where: Resorts Casino Hotel | Superstar Theater When: Sunday, Dec. 10 Time: 8 p.m.

Website: resortsac.com/entertainment/swing-into-christmas-benefiting-toys-for-tots Don’t miss a night of merriment and songs of the season, all performed by a lineup of Atlantic City’s Greatest Stars!

Performing at the show will be Jim “The Singing Lifeguard” Craine, the Atlantic City Allstar Band, Betsy Daily and the Tony Grant Stars of Tomorrow Alumni Dancers, Atlantic City’s Song-

on a Selection of

Bottles of Wine Sun-Thurs 1pm-10pm • Fri & Sat 1pm-11pm - Closed Tues.

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9210 Ventnor Avenue, Margate • (609) 822-4759 44

Who: Reed’s Farm Holiday Market Where: Reeds Farm & Animal Sanctuary When: Saturday, Dec. 9 and Sunday, Dec. 10 Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Website: www.reedsorganicfarm.org Grab the family and come celebrate the holiday season at Reed's Farm on Saturday, Dec. 9 and 10. This fun-filled day will feature tons of local vendors, festive holiday treats and baby animals from Misty Meadows Sheep Dairy Farm.

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

Come see Chef Pam and have Breakfast at Club Café!

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stress Suzie Neustadter, TV Host and Singer Michele Dawn Mooney, and other surprise special guests. The night will be filled with holiday merriment, festive music, comedy, and more.

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December 7, 2023

At the Shore Since '44

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SUNDAY

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Watch All The Sports Action on 23 TVs!

Atlantic City Headliners

Thursday, December 7

Santa’s Christmas Wonderland

▶8 p.m.

Harrah’s Atlantic City Christmas in the Air

▶3 p.m.

Santa’s Christmas Wonderland Harrah’s Atlantic City

Friday, December 8 ▶8 p.m.

Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena Matt Fraser: America’s Top Psychic Medium

▶8 p.m.

Sound Waves at Hard Rock Santa’s Christmas Wonderland

▶9 p.m.

Harrah’s Atlantic City Christmas in the Air

▶8 p.m.

Music Box at Borgata

Saturday, December 9

Holiday Dreams: A Spectacular Holiday Cirque

▶9 p.m.

Golden Nugget Atlantic City Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland

▶8 p.m.

Tropicana Showroom Santa’s Christmas Wonderland

▶3 & 8 p.m.

Harrah’s Atlantic City Christmas in the Air

▶8 p.m.

Friday, December 15

Saturday, December 30

Engelbert Humperdinck: A Winter World of Love

▶8 p.m.

Sound Waves at Hard Rock Lindsey Stirling: Snow Waltz Tour

▶8:30 p.m.

Circus Maximus Theater at Caesars

Saturday, December 16 Matteo Bocelli

Sound Waves at Hard Rock Il Divo

▶8 p.m.

▶8 p.m.

▶3 p.m.

▶8 p.m.

▶8 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Michael Martocci

▶8 p.m.

Superstar Theatre at Resorts

46

Superstar Theatre at Resorts Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland Tropicana Showroom

▶9 p.m.

Superstar Theatre at Resorts

Sunday, December 31 Pitbull

▶10 p.m.

Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena

▶Fri. May 3, 9 p.m.

Sunday, December 10

Swing into Christmas feat. Jim Craine

Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena The Rat Pack is Back

▶8 p.m.

Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena Grand Funk Railroad & Foghat

▶8 p.m.

Pitbull

▶8 p.m.

On-Sale Now

▶5 & 8 p.m.

Music Box at Borgata

Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall

▶8 p.m.

Earth, Wind & Fire

▶8 p.m.

I Wanna Thank You Tour w/ Maze feat. Frankie Beverly & The Isley Brothers

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Music Box at Borgata

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Saturday, December 23

Sound Waves at Hard Rock The Modern Gentlemen Superstar Theatre at Resorts My Big Gay Italian Christmas Ovation Hall at Ocean Old School Reggaeton feat. Don Chezina Tropicana Showroom

Vibez Tour – An Intimate Evening with Godsmack Ovation Hall at Ocean

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December 7, 2023

Swing into Christmas with Jim Craine

By Steffen Klenk

T

he Superstar Theatre at Resorts Casino Hotel Atlantic City is the place to be this Sunday, Dec. 10 at 8 p.m., as the “Singing Lifeguard” Jim Craine presents his annual “Swing into Christmas”. This musical comedy revue showcases an array of holiday favorites, along with a star-studded lineup of singers and dancers, all to benefit Toys for Tots of Atlantic County. Admission is free with the donation of a new, unwrapped toy for local children in our community. “We need them toys,” Craine remarks.

The lineup for this year’s spectacular is star-studded, to say the least. Headlined by the one and only “Singing Lifeguard” Jim Craine & the Atlantic City Allstar Band, “Swing into Christmas” will feature former TV 40 news anchor and singer Michelle Dawn Mooney, along with the

talents of Miss Leslie’s Dance Studio of Margate Dancers, choreographed

by Leslie Florence, former Radio City Rockette, and Atlantic City Songstress Suzie Neustadter.

In addition, there will be a full cash bar open during the performance.

Doors will open at 7 p.m. Following the event, stick around to meet Jim Craine and the performers in the hallway outside Superstar Theatre.

An after-party will be held at the Irish Pub following the event.

Last year, more than 600 people filled the Superstar Theatre to enjoy the evening’s performance. The show broke a record, with 22 full boxes of toys donated, in addition to 15 bags of toys, and two brand new bikes.

Courtney Rice of Egg Harbor Township is organizing this year’s toy drive for Atlantic and Southern Ocean Counties. Rice is the current title holder as Miss New Jersey for America Strong and has a passion for helping individuals in need. In recent months, she has stepped into the role of Volunteer Coordinator

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for the local Toys for Tots campaign. “I want to make sure that kids have a good Christmas and that every child has a toy.”

Last year, Toys for Tots distributed more than 38,000 toys to over 3,700 children in Atlantic County. This year, they are hoping to exceed that mark. This year’s toy drive is being held at Hamilton Mall next to Kay Jewelers. Donations will be accepted now through Saturday, Dec. 16.

During our conversation, Craine recalled one Christmas in 1961, when he and his family decorated their home for the holiday. “We put lights everywhere.” That year, they had won a radio contest in which they were awarded 50,000 S&H Green Stamps. The stamps were distributed by Speary & Hutchinson between 1896 and the late 1980s as part of a rewards program. Customers could

receive stamps at the checkout counter at various department stores and supermarkets.

On top of winning the contest, Craine received a huge surprise when Santa Claus himself showed up at their front door. He recalled just how lifelike this Santa was. “It looked like he came right off the back of the Coke truck. He had a real beard, full ermine suit with sleeves and black leather boots.”

For nearly 50 years, Craine has been entertaining audiences, opening for some of the most well-known names in the industry, including the Platters, Frank Sinatra Jr., and Connie Stevens. He made his debut while working in Miami Beach on Dec. 15, 1974. Some of the same comedy bits and songs are still used in his shows today.

In 2024, Jim Craine will celebrate his 50th year in entertainment, with a full slate of live performances, including a show with his 18-piece band to benefit the Marine Mammal Stranding Center. Plus, stay tuned for announcements on the re-release of his full-length album, “The Steel Pier Remembered”, on CD. For all things Jim Craine, visit www.jimcraine.com and listen to “The Jim Craine Show” on Saturdays from 8-10 p.m. on WOND 1400 AM and 92.3 FM. 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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By Bill Kelly

New book taps into the history of Somers Point bars

N

ick Regine’s new book, “Between Drinks,” describes itself as a history of Somers Point bars.

The long subtitle says it’s, “A memoir of growing up in Somers Point, with a tip of the hat to the history of some of the bars, saloons, tap rooms and bartenders of that era.”

Regine is the only person who could have written this book, not only because it is a memoir of growing up in Somers Point in the ’50s, but because he knew the places and the bartenders he writes about, many of which are no longer with us.

What’s between the drinks?

Life, and life in Somers Point. In the ’50s,’60s and ’70s, it was not like it is today. It’s still what Greg Gregory calls “a drinking town with a fishing problem,” but the character of the town and the characters who popu-

December 7, 2023

late it have changed. Regine tries to document what it used to be, and in many ways succeeds.

Gone are Maenner’s, Vaughn Comforts, Daniel’s, Harry’s, Chi Chi’s, Mac’s, Tony Mart’s, Bay Shores, Sullivan’s, the Launch Haven, Harbor Lights, Bubba Mac Shack and many others.

Then there’s the iconic bartenders who worked for them, many for decades: Charles Carney, Vince Rennich, George McGonigle, Don Dunleavy, Tommy Swayne and Ed Marjarum.

While each gets a mention, a few have pictures, and some of the bars get chapters of their own.

Luckily we still have D’Orio’s, Charlie’s, the Anchorage and Gregory’s keeping some of the traditions alive, along with younger bartenders who are making their own mark – Tom Milburn, George Gerety, Barb Maoum, Larry Capua, Jim “Rock n’ Roll” Gallagher, John Napoli; everyone has their favorite bartender.

Regine, who worked for decades in education, either instigated or played a huge role in establishing a number of now traditional Somers Point events – Good Old Days Picnic, Friday Night Beach Concerts, the Jazz Society, and was instrumental in seeing that my book, “300 Years at the Point,” was published.

Now he can add his book, which documents the history of some of the

classic bars of the Point. And he does it in a short, sweet, Hemingwayesque style that’s concise and easy to read.

Regine says what he knows, which is a lot. It will be interesting to see what the reaction is to this book on social media as many people, residents and tourists, are certain to have their memories stimulated by this book and want to share what they recall. I am sure there are many stories left untold about these places and people.

This book is not for the mass market, but it will be necessary reading for all those who live in, have lived in or visit Somers Point, as it captures a time that has passed us by, but still lingers in our memories, like the salt air and the sugar sand in our shoes.

Many of those memories will be shared this Sunday, Dec. 10, when Regine will hold a book sale ($20) and signing at Gregory’s from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., with a complimentary buffet, sponsored by the Somers Point Historical Society. The book is also available at Sun Rose Words & Music, on Asbury Avenue in Ocean City.

Bill Kelly – Billkelly3@gmail.com

49

Five things to do that are totally not holiday-related

By Danielle Davies

L

et’s face it. Living near the beach means events and activities galore in the summer and even shoulder months.

But the winter? Not so much. Add this to the fact that just about every

big event this month has to do with Christmas, and well, it can all make even the biggest holiday fans need a break. Not to worry — we’ve dug deep and figured out five things to do this weekend that are absolutely not holiday-related. Promise.

1. Go shopping.

No, we don’t mean for presents and stocking stuffers. We mean for you and your dreamy (or dreamed of) beach house. Platt’s Beach House, a furniture store with a coastal lifestyle focus, is having a sale, and that means big things for you and your home. From now through Dec. 15, enjoy 20% off any

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single regularly priced item in stock or custom order. So that fish accent cabinet you’ve been eyeing up? Now’s the time! Platt’s Beach House is located at 25 MacArthur Blvd., Somers Point. See PlattsHomeFurnishings.com.

2. Get a Tour of Italy.

While actually flying to Italy is certainly on our wish lists, there’s a closer option for dipping your toes into the culture of the country. Head to Smithville Village for Girls Night Out from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7, and visit A Tour of Italy. Inside, you’ll find a big selection of Italian leather handbags, scarves and Italian horns, as well as Italy-themed aprons, onesies, T-shirts and more. A Tour of Italy is located at 3 N. New York Rd., Absecon. See ItalyInSmithville.com.

3. Chill out with some non-holiday music.

Sometimes, you just want to not sing “Jingle Bells.” When that happens, we suggest heading to The Roost at Harbor Pines Golf Club, where you can kick back with some icy cold beer, a scrumptious menu full of things like BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches and Cheesesteak Flatbreads, and tunes every Friday night. This week, get there from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 8 for music from BJAM “Fred” Duo. The Roost is located at 500 St. Andrews Drive, Egg Harbor Township.

See HarborPines.com.

4. Celebrate football and our military.

Sure, the annual Army/Navy game does happen each year during the holiday season, but this is more about football and celebrating the nation than about any particular holiday.

While you can catch it at the Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, another option is catching it at The Reddog Hi

Point Pub at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9, where veterans receive 25% off and everyone 21 and older is eligible for $3 house shots when touchdowns are scored during the game. The Reddog Hi Point Pub is located at 5 N. Shore Rd., Absecon.

5. Stuff yourself with sushi.

While loads of people are out stuffing stockings, consider stuffing yourself with some of the best sushi in the area. With a full bar, including a 4 to 7 p.m. happy hour, Miyako is a Margate staple for fresh and delicious sushi. Try any of the rolls — we like the Joel Roll, made with spicy tuna crunch, mango, white tuna and salmon with spicy sauce on top — or the scrumptious hibachi. Your taste buds will thank you.

Miyako is located at 9210 Ventnor Ave., Margate. See MiyakoMargateCity.com.

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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December 7, 2023

The Burnsiders Reggae Band bring love, light and dancehall to the Anchor Rock Club

By Raymond Tyler

I am not going to bury the lead on this one. The Burnsiders Reggae Band curated one of the best shows

I have seen this year, anywhere.

If and when they come back to Anchor Rock, get your tickets, plan to arrive early to hear DJ Able on the turntables and plan to stay late and celebrate life and love with the Burnsiders Reggae Band.

I always loved the Burnsiders for their great music. I also love the Burnsiders as a music fan because in South Jersey, I get to see so many wonderful R&B singers/bands, rock

bands, gospel choirs, and jazz bands, but there is only one reggae band that I know of, and that’s the Burnsiders.

For more than five years now the Burnsiders have been a breath of fresh air and music for me and the people of the Shore Local area.

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Led by Jeff Burnside (drummer/ lead vocalist) along with Jay Farmer (co-lead singer) and their band, the Burnsiders always give a show that is an experience in love and dance for everyone watching them perform.

The truth is, while people are watching them perform, the people also shake their legs, wave their arms and there is some butt shaking too.

Seeing, hearing and experiencing the Burnsiders is always a musical celebration of life and love.

The show that the Burnsiders brought to Anchor Rock on Friday, Dec. 1, was the best musical reggae experience I’ve had in some time.

First of all, the sound system at Anchor Rock was made for experienced bands to “band” and play their music.

The Burnsiders were spread out with room to dance themselves. I thought I was onstage with them when they performed, “Now That We Found Love,” with special guest, Wordsmith.

The vocals of Jeff Burnside and Jay Farmer never sounded better.

Jeff’s singing is like a rallying cry to live loud and authentically, while Jay Farmer can hype you up in one song and then make you reflect with crystal clear and buttery notes on the next song.

The Burnsiders were in a zone.

From the first note at 8 p.m. until the last note faded after 11p.m. I was immersed in everything that makes reggae a great artform. Translation: I

danced until my feet hurt and yelled and sang until I almost lost my voice.

Along with the great performances of the Burnsiders was their special guest, Lovesmith.

Lovesmith could headline a show and a band on his own.

The Lovesmith experience just added more energy, fun, flavor, texture and tones to a night that was already an 11 on a scale from 1 to 10.

DJ Able of radio station 91.7 WLFR curated soca, dancehall and reggae tunes before, between and after the Burnsiders, which kept people dancing.

The Burnsiders and friends should make a return performance at Anchor Rock and it should be soon. I can never get enough of good vibes and music that talks about love for everyone. Maybe next year there can be a Burnsiders Presents a Steel Drum Christmas show.

You can connect with Raymond Tyler via Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram @RaymondTyler2018.

December 7, 2023

Live & Local Music Calendar

Thursday, December 7

Atlantic City Candy Can Lounge at Resorts Karaoke Night w/ Cowboy Kevin 8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

1133 Boardwalk Council Oak Lounge NGXB 5:30 – 9 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino DJ Luap. 8 p.m.

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

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

1000 Boardwalk Somers Point Caroline’s by the Bay Karaoke Hosted by Mike Dempsey 9 p.m. – 1 a.m.

450 Bay Ave. Gregory’s Tim & Haley. 6 p.m.

900 Shore Rd. Queen Jayne’s Kim & Nate 6 – 9 p.m.

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

108 N. Dorset Ave.

Friday, December 8

Atlantic City Candy Cane Lounge at Resorts Anthony Della Barba 5 – 8 p.m.

DJ Gary 8 p.m. – 2 a.m.

1133 Boardwalk

Council Oak Lounge Chris Farrell Solo. 5 – 8 p.m.

ESQ Trio. 8:30 p.m. – 12 a.m.

1000 Boardwalk Hard Rock Café Dueling Pianos. 9 p.m. – 1 a.m.

1000 Boardwalk Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino Amanda and Teddy Band. 7 p.m.

3AM Tokyo. 11 p.m.

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

Tragic Remedy 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.

600 Huron Ave. The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Gypsy Wisdom. 5 – 8:30 p.m.

Bergen Boys. 9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.

1000 Boardwalk The Wave at Golden Nugget Flashback Fridays: New York’s Finest: The Police Tribute 9 – 10:30 p.m.

600 Huron Ave. The Yard at Bally’s DJ Freezie 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.

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

The Coconutz 10 p.m.

500 Boardwalk Egg Harbor City Renault Winery Philly Keys 6 – 11 p.m.

72 N. Bremen Ave. Egg Harbor Township The Roost Pub & Grill B’jam “Fred” Duo 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

500 St. Andrews Dr.

Margate Bocca CJ Sooy 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

7805 Ventnor Ave. Marmora Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern Nolan Quinn 7:30 p.m.

316 Roosevelt Blvd.

Somers Point Caroline’s by the Bay Jump the Line Band 8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

450 Bay Ave.

Saturday, December 9

Atlantic City Anchor Rock Club Agnostic Front. 8 p.m.

247 S. New York Ave. Candy Cane Lounge at Resorts DJ Chaz. 8 p.m. – 2 a.m.

1133 Boardwalk Council Oak Lounge Ginger Coyle Duo. 5 p.m. – 12 a.m.

1000 Boardwalk Hard Rock Café Dueling Pianos. 9 p.m. – 1 a.m.

1000 Boardwalk

↘Continued on 54

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December 7, 2023

53

↘Continued from 53 Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino A Very Boyband Holiday Party w/ Larger Than Life. 9 p.m.

500 Boardwalk Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget No Clue Trio. 5 – 9 p.m.

Party Wave. 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.

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

Dirty Dance Band. 9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.

1000 Boardwalk The Yard at Bally’s DJ Adub. 5 – 10 p.m.

Be Our Guest: Disney Party 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.

1900 Pacific Ave.

Villain & Saint at Ocean Casino John McNutt Trio. 6 p.m.

Coming Alive. 10 p.m.

500 Boardwalk Egg Harbor City Renault Winery Beth Tinnon. 6 – 9 p.m.

72 N. Bremen Ave. Margate Bocca Brian Kmetz 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

7805 Ventnor Ave. Marmora Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern Mike LaGuardia.

7:30 p.m.

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FRIDAY - DEC. 8 Jump The Line Band 8pm-12am Happy Hour Now SATURDAY DEC. 9 Food & Drink Serving Pizza Doug Jennings 4pm-7pm Specials The Company 8pm-12am Mon.-Thurs.

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FRIDAY - DEC 15 Big Foot Band 7pm-11pm SATURDAY - DEC 16 Wyatt's Blue Christmas 6th Annual Toy Drive Fundraiser 2pm-5pm The Offenders Band 4pm-8pm DJ Josh 9pm-12am

Northfield Taproom at Atlantic City Country Club Ralph Michaels. 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

1 Leo Fraser Dr. Somers Point Caroline’s by the Bay Doug Jennings. 4 – 7 p.m.

The Company. 8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

450 Bay Ave. Gregory’s DJ. 9 p.m.

900 Shore Rd. Josie Kelly’s Ain’t Nothin’ But a Party. 9 p.m.

908 Shore Rd.

Sunday, December 10

Atlantic City Council Oak Lounge Kate Jones Duo. 5:30 – 9 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk 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 The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Night Anthem 4 – 7:30 p.m.

Kristen & The Noise 8:30 – 11:30 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk Egg Harbor City Renault Winery Keith Cowgirl 12 – 4 p.m.

72 N. Bremen Ave. Margate Bocca Stephanie Owens. 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

7805 Ventnor Ave. Somers Point Josie Kelly’s Traditional Irish Music. 1 – 4 p.m.

908 Shore Rd.

Monday, December 11 Atlantic City The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock The Loop. 7 – 11 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk

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

600 Huron Ave. The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Dane Anthony Band. 7 – 11 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk Brigantine The Pub at St. George Tuesday Karaoke w/ DJ Will 7 – 9 p.m.

4282 Harbor Beach Blvd.

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

908 Shore Rd.

Wednesday, December 13

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

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

1000 Boardwalk Margate Bocca The Bob Sterling Band. 7 – 10 p.m.

7805 Ventnor Ave. Somers Point Caroline’s by the Bay Open Mic Night hosted by Blue Eagle 7 – 11 p.m.

450 Bay Ave. Gregory’s Paula Johns & The Dave Hartl Trio 7 p.m.

900 Shore Rd. Events subject to change.

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December 7, 2023

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My gingerbread holiday

By Raymond Tyler

W

e all learned from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” that Christmas is not about buying stuff. Today I want to share the idea that when you buy “stuff” from local “stuff producers, everyone wins “Christmas.”

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how much money will be spent on ornaments, ugly sweaters and eggnog.

I believe that when you spend your hard-earned money with a local person, whether it’s for homemade cookies or specially handcrafted ornaments or a locally based comic book company with heroes and stories set in local cities, money increases in value.

The Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University understands the

need and value of local artists to a community. On Dec. 2-3, The Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University curated a wonderful, two-day Holiday Market. The atmosphere was family friendly for couples, kids and a comfort pet or two. The most important and delightful part of shopping at the Holiday Market was meeting the producers and artists.

As a child I loved comic books. I can’t imagine how thrilled I would have been to meet the creators of comic books like the crew from Redonkulous Entertainment. The writers and artists were not just selling their comic book and clothing line, but they were available for questions and tips for their fans.

All along the halls off The Noyes Arts Garage were local vendors selling merchandise that is not available in chain stores such as handmade

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jewelry. So vendors won when people came out to meet them and learn about the product first hand, and when they made sales.

Gift buyers won by snatching up one-of-a-kind gifts for their one-of-akind loved ones. The community won because artists are an important part of any community. When you support a local artist directly, that money will go back into your community. While I love Marvel comics, it’s important to invest in and support Redonkulous because that’s who I would call if I needed someone for a career day in

the arts.

Along with all the great vendors, the Holiday Market featured a gingerbread house contest. Atlantic City never looked so sweet. The twist with this contest is that each house (completely edible) had to be based on an Atlantic City building.

All of the entries I saw were sweet and beautiful buildings I knew, including a candy and cake Knife and Fork Inn so real I thought I saw Nucky Johnson walk out the gingerbread house and hail a cab. I was also impressed by the War Memorial made with peppermints.

Here’s a list of the winners of The Gingerbread Contest: First Place – Sandra Carberry’s Knife and Fork Inn Second Place – Catherine DiFlorio’s Knife and Fork Inn Third Place – Lisa Edison’s Atlantic City’s City Hall Clock Tower The People’s Choice Award – Sandra Carberry’s Knife and Fork Inn You can see the gingerbread houses throughout the holiday season, including this Friday at 6 p.m. where I will be hosting the annual Noyes Arts Garage Holiday Party.

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Agnostic Front stay true to their hardcore roots at Anchor Saturday Tune In, Turn On

By Doug Deutsch

Do you remember where you were, or what you were doing, back in 1980,

assuming you were around back then?

My point is, most of us are now doing something different in life than we were doing more than 40 years ago.

But that’s not the case with Roger Miret, front person for longtime New York hardcore band, Agnostic Front, who’s been with the New York Citybased group since late 1982 and sang on AF’s first recording, the 7-inch EP “United Blood,” released in 1983 on their AF Records imprint and considered a

Hardcore band Agnostic Front will perform 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at Anchor Rock Club in Atlantic City. Photo by @ladandmisfit

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hardcore classic. He was cool enough to grant us an interview via email.

DD: Did you ever think that you and (Agnostic Front founder and guitarist) Vinnie Stigma would still be together playing music after 40 years?

RM: We never thought we would have ever toured the world let alone still be playing music together for over 40 years! We have truly enjoyed our lives and are grateful for it. We have traveled the world and have made lifelong friends. Truly blessed.

DD: How does the music on your United Blood EP from 1983 compare to your band's more recent material, such as 2019's “Get Loud”?

RM: Huge difference. We have come a very long way musically for sure. “Get Loud” is a perfect blend of our forty years musically. We have always been leaders, not followers, and we tend to recycle our music and stay at the forefront of it. Lyrically our message has maintained. We speak of oppression and overcoming oppression as well as unity and family.

DD: Who were some of the bands in the early New York City hardcore days that you first played and bonded with?

RM: Basically, all the NYHC bands, as we all created our scene together.

We also bonded with many bands internationally and luckily have shared the stage with great bands like Minor Threat, Negative Approach, SSDecontrol, DOA, The Exploited, GBH, The Business, Slayer, The Misfits etc… a lot to list but it’s been a great forty years for sure!

DD: What effect did battling cancer have on your career?

RM: Like many challenges in my life, cancer was definitely a big one and timing-wise it really added a deeper level of depression and anxiety in my

life. What truly got me through it was the generosity of our fans worldwide with their prayers and support. I am so grateful to have so many people touch me in my darkest days, thank you. I am still in treatment but out of the danger zone and it’s time to put it all in my past and stay driven to continue living life!

DD: How does playing a hardcore show today in 2023 compare with playing in the old days?

RM: Well, the crowds are bigger but we play our hearts out to those that attend. We enjoy playing, seeing old friends and making new friends. We are thankful to always be welcomed to different cities, states and countries.

DD: How long do you anticipate keeping Agnostic Front together into the future?

RM: As long as there is a demand for Agnostic Front and we still enjoy playing, we will be here! This is our passion and we have remained dedicated all these years.

Agnostic Front, New York hardcore legends Murphys Law, and UK punk band Grade 2, round out this killer triple bill 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at Anchor Rock Club, 247 S. New York Ave., Atlantic City. See www.anchororockclub.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.

December 7, 2023

Not just for kids: Five ways to celebrate the holiday season as a grown-up this weekend

By Danielle Davies

B

ill Murray famously grouched that Christmas was just for kids in the 1988 holiday classic, “Scrooged.”

To that, we say, “Bah Humbug.” And while we dispute that the holidays are just for kids, we do agree that the holiday season can bring out the kid — and the urge to celebrate — in all of us. Which is why we’ve rounded up five fun and festive things for you to do this weekend that are off limits to kids. Here, five ways to celebrate the holiday season as a grown up this weekend.

1. Get your “popera” on, holiday style. Tis the season of holiday music, but not just any old rendition. Head to Ocean Casino Resort 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 for operatic pop sensation Il Divo, which will be performing songs from “The Christmas Collection,” their compilation of merry classics which was certified Platinum by the RIAA. Audiences can expect to hear memorable and moving interpretations of familiar Christmas melodies for a heart-warming start to the

festive season. Tickets start at $29. Located at 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City.

TheOceanAC.com 2. Make merry with your favorite Boys. Want to enjoy your specialty cocktails with a side of boy band?

Head to Nola’s Bar & Lounge at Ocean Casino Resort 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 and celebrate with “A Very Boyband Holiday Party,” where the Larger Than Life band will be performing holiday classics with a twist. Hosted

by Nugget from Q102, don your favorite ugly holiday sweater and get ready to mingle and jingle with your favorite boyband. Located at 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City. TheOceanAC.com 3. Join together to trim the tree.

Gregory’s Restaurant & Bar has been in business for decades, so they know how to celebrate a holiday. Get to their kickoff event for their 12 Days of Christmas celebrations 5 to 7 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 11 and help trim their tree. Bring an ornament, garland or

tinsel and enjoy a complimentary cup of hot soup. We recommend pairing it with an icy cold beer. Check out their website for all of their 12 Days events!

Located at 900 Shore Road, Somers Point. GregorysBar.com 4. Celebrate with the Lights Out. Spend a day of your holiday season at The Gateway Playhouse, where Lights Out band presents “A Very Decades Generations of Music Holiday” 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10. Audiences can expect their beloved favorites

from the 50s through the 80s, from Bill Haley’s Comets and Johnny Maestro to Elvis, Frankie Valli and more, all woven through a winter wonderland of holiday favorites.

Tickets are $32. Located at 738 Bay Ave., Somers Point.

GatewayByTheBay.org 5. Swing into the holidays. There’s having fun, and there’s giving back. And when you can do both at the same time? It’s positively magical.

Get to the Musical Comedy Revue Show benefitting the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots program at Resorts 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10. With performances from Jim “The Singing Lifeguard” Craine, the Atlantic City Allstar Band, Betsy Daily and the Tony Grant Stars of Tomorrow Alumni Dancers, Suzie Neustadter, Michele Dawn Mooney and more; the night will be full of merriment, music and more. Admission is free in exchange for a new, unwrapped toy, with a cash bar available. Located at 1133 Boardwalk, Atlantic City. ResortsAC.com

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December 7, 2023

Matteo Boccelli: The son also rises

By Chuck Darrow

F

or every Liza Minnelli, whose career was never hampered by being the daughter of Judy Garland, there’s a Frank Sinatra Jr., the late entertainer who, despite his enormous gifts as a singer and musical conductor, probably wasn’t taken as seriously as he should have been because of his genealogy.

So far, it looks like Matteo Bocelli is trending toward the Minnelli side of the line.

Bocelli, of course, is the son of Andrea Boccelli, one of the most revered and successful operatic tenors of the past 50 years. But it doesn’t appear his bloodline is much of a hindrance.

“Honestly, I think at the end of the day, I don't really care about [that],” insisted the 26-year-old classically trained vocalist in an accent seasoned with the sound of his native Italy. He was on the phone from Florida to beat the drum for his Dec. 16 performance at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.

“I think that in life, the most important thing is to be happy. I've always known that my last name could've been kind of like a weight because people would've had a lot of expectations, not only for the level of success that you reach, but also expectation in the type of music you make.

“But as I always think, at the end, we are all human beings and we all have our own emotion inside, and in this case, we have our own vision of music, and I just bring the music that makes me happy and that satisfies me. And, even if it's a small amount of people that enjoy my music, I say, ‘Mission accomplished!’”

That certainly seems to be the case so far. Earlier this fall, Capitol Records released Bocelli’s debut album, “Matteo,” a project that includes contributions from, among others, Ed Sheeran and his brother, Matthew (the pair composed the song “Chasing Stars”). And he recently completed the European leg of his first headlining tour.

As for his reference to his “own version of music,” he was speaking of the path he has been forging—not as a classical performer like his father, but in the realm of pop. As such, Sheeran looms as a large inspiration.

December 7, 2023

“I always consider myself a romantic guy, and I always enjoyed mostly to sing ballads when I was home,” he said. “But, I found in [Sheeran], I think, the perfect balance between [ballads and more sprightly tunes].

“Everyone got to know him as a ballad guy because of ‘Thinking Out Loud,’ but he became huge worldwide with ‘Shape of You,’ which is an up-tempo song. I mainly enjoy ballads, but I do enjoy a lot more [livelier] songs. It's fun for the live shows because you see people moving, and it's fun to have the audience dancing as well.”

Not that his old man hasn’t played a significant part of Bocelli’s development as an artist as well as a human being. But when asked what lessons have been imparted from father to son, his initial response was somewhat surprising because it was more philosophical (if not original) in nature than technical.

“He told me, in life, you cannot always do what you love, but you have

to learn to love what you do. And in my case, obviously, I chose to do music, which is to always be my passion.

So I already feel lucky. But in anyone's career, you might not like everything,

every single part of it, but it's only in loving everything that you do that you'll be able to do what you love.”

He added that he has leaned on Dad for more performance-focused advice as well.

“Of course there are a lot of technical, things that he taught me, you know, vocal technique. That’s a process and a journey in the sense that whenever I have some doubts, I call him and I ask him.

“I opened up to him when I was starting to let him listen to my voice. That’s when we began, I don't want to say some lessons because they weren't like [formal] lessons, but they were moments in which we would sit at the piano and he would explain something.”

For tickets, go to www. ticketmaster.com.

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

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Il Divo brings the Yuletide vibe to Ocean

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By Chuck Darrow

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I

l Divo is all-in on Christmas this year.

Not only is the internationally acclaimed quartet currently on a road trip dubbed the “New Day Holiday Tour,” but it has also released “A Merry Little Christmas,” a four-track offering featuring harmony-heavy versions of the seasonal standards “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas,” “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and “The Most Wonderful Time Of the Year.”

But considering there are enough such songs to fill sleighfull of records, how did Il Divo decide on these four chestnuts?

“I think we settled on those four songs because they have kind of a nostalgia,” offered baritone Steven LaBrie during a recent phone call occasioned by his troupe’s Dec. 9 performance at Ocean Casino Resort.

“Christmas for me is all about nostalgia. It's about childhood memories.

It's about family time, opening your first Christmas present, things like that. And I think, music is really what brings you back to those memories.

“And so, we really wanted to include some fun, playful songs on this Christmas EP.” Normally, “fun” and “playful” wouldn’t be applied to “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” the evergreen yearning ballad that was originally recorded

by Bing Crosby in 1943, and which perfectly captured the melancholy that tinged America during World War II—especially at Christmas. But in the hands—and vocal chords--of LaBrie and tenors Urs Buhler, Sebastien Izambard and David Miller, you can rest assured this isn’t your great-grandfather’s “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” as it’s rendered in quite an unexpected (for a Yuletide tune) manner.

“We were in the car and we had settled on this song, and Sebastien said, ‘I really want to give it this Bossa Nova Brazilian feel,’” recalled LaBrie, who joined Il Divo in 2021 following the COVID-19-related death of original member Carlos Marin at age 53.

“We were not convinced. He was like, ‘Trust me on this, trust me on this.’ So he worked with [producer Carlos Fernando Lopez] to give it that feel. It has this really kind of sexy vibe to it. And when he played it for us, we're like, ‘Oh yeah, that is so cool.’”

According to La Brie, the EP’s other three tunes aren’t quite as radically re-structured. “‘The Most Wonderful Time Of the Year’ has this big band feel to it,” he said, “and the other two are a little more on the traditional Christmas-nostalgic side. But ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’ we had to give a huge climax, big high notes, you know, the whole shebang.”

LaBrie added that all four numbers will be performed at Ocean in addition to other holiday songs and a heaping helping of signature pieces including “Ave Maria,” “My Way” and “Regressa A Mi.” The end of the holiday season will hardly signal a retreat from public earshot for Il Divo: On Feb. 9, they will release “XX: 20th Anniversary Album,” which features such tracks as “Always On My Mind” (popularized

by Elvis Presley and Brenda Lee) and is sung in English and Italian, and a Spanish rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing,” as well as an original tune, co-written by Miller, Izambard and Lopez, called “Despertar Sin Ti.” The package’s first single, a cover of Gnarles Barkley’s “Crazy” was recently released.

“We basically just came with music that resonated with us,” said LaBrie. “We all picked songs and we whittled [the list] down until we finally came up with nine songs that we really wanted on the album. And then there was [“Despertar Sin Ti”] which is beautiful.

“We really wanted to bring a cinematic, epic feel to this album,” he continued. “Twenty years is a big deal, so we wanted to really go into it with all the bells and whistles.

“We're super-proud of what we came up with. The four of us worked super-hard; we were really engaged with the entire process—from the [instrumental] arrangements to the vocal arrangements, to the harmonies.

Everyone worked together to bring this to life, and we accomplished it.

We're super happy with it.”

For tickets, go to www.ticketmaster.com.

Big deal at Borgata January 1 is not only the start of the new year, it’s the day the Borgata Winter Poker Open kicks off at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. Between then and Jan. 26, the Big B will host 42 contests, including 22 main events, with a combined guaranteed prize pool of $10 million (the other 20 contests are secondary and satellite contests). The ultimate throwdown is the Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship, a five-day No Limit Hold’Em challenge starting Jan. 22 that has a $5,300 buy-in and a $3 million guaranteed pool.

Would-be Phil Helmuths can avail themselves of packages that include entries to multiple tournaments, a Borgata hotel stay and other travel benefits. BetMGM Poker is also staging nightly qualifiers for entry into the Kickoff, Almighty Million, Mystery Bounty, and Championship events.

Borgata Winter Poker Open hopefuls can compete for seats online on the through the BetMGM Poker app. for as little as $2. And there will be 16 different opportunities on-site to qualify for main events, seven of which may earn players a seat in the Championship.

For more info, go to borgata.mgmresorts.com.

December 7, 2023

Largest IMAX Screen in NJ

Leather Reclining Seats 331 Tilton Rd. Northfield (609) 830-3566 Fri 08

December 132 Min

Sat 09

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125 Min

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BOY AND HERON DUB IMAX 132 Min

BOY AND HERON SUB IMAX 132 Min

BOY AND THE HERON DUB 132 Min

BOY AND THE HERON SUB 140 Min

DIE HARD

133 Min

GODZILLA MINUS ONE

133 Min

GODZILLA MINUS ONE IMAX 165 Min

NAPOLEON

168 Min

RENAISSANCE: A FILM

BY BEYONCE 112 Min

SILENT NIGHT

173 Min

THE HUNGER GAMES THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES 99 Min

TROLLS BAND TOGETHER

WISH

6:20p

4:00p 7:00p 9:45p

WONKA IMAX

Newly Renovated 5211 Ventnor Ave. (609) 830-3566 Fri 08

December 114 Min

124 Min

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WONKA

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LOVE ACTUALLY

168 Min

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9:45p

GREMLINS (1984)

152 Min

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4:20p 7:00p

Scan for ongoing schedule

Schedules Subject To Change - Info on Each Movie and Updated Schedules at www.Squaretheaters.com

Last minute tax savings ideas

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64

I

can’t believe I’m talking about the end of the year already, but here we are. I hope everyone had a great 2023, and I wish you an even better 2024. This week I thought we would cover some ways to help make 2024 better for your finances.

1. Make charitable donations. Since this is the season of giving, it’s worth noting that those gifts can potentially provide some nice tax breaks as well.

Look to make gifts from IRAs via a Qualified Charitable Deduction (QCD) if you’re over age 70 ½. Gift highly appreciated assets if they aren’t coming from an IRA. Both of these ideas can help to maximize the tax benefits of your gifts.

2. Max out your contributions to your retirement plans if you haven’t already. Many employers will allow you to defer a bonus or additional income at the end of the year to help get you up to the limit. Make sure you do the same with your IRAs, whether they are traditional or Roth. The sooner you start maxing out these plans, the sooner you can retire.

3. Max out your Health Savings Account (HSA) if you have one. HSAs are a great way to pay for your medical expenses since those qualified expenses can essentially be made with pre-tax dollars. It’s like buying those items at a big sales discount price.

4. Tax loss harvesting. If you have investments in non-retirement accounts, you can sell investments that are “down” in order to offset your capital gains. If you don’t have any gains to offset, you can apply up to $3000 of those losses against your ordinary income!

5. Defer or accelerate income. If you’re self-employed, try to defer income if you’ve already made a lot this year. Conversely, if you have had a bad year and are likely to pay less in taxes than normal, take advantage of the lower rates by accelerating some of next year’s income into 2023. This can include gains on your investments.

You can sell them today, and buy them back 31 days later to recognize a gain at a potentially lower tax rate and increase your cost basis when you buy

it back later which could lower your future taxes when you eventually sell the investment in the future someday.

6. Make gifts to your children/ grandchildren. This year the annual gift limit without having to file a gift tax return is $17,000. This can help to reduce your estate and help your children at the same time. Also, if you gift them appreciated assets like stock and they have less than $200 in income, they could potentially sell it without paying capital gains tax. Remember, if you make a gift to them, they must cash the check in 2023 for it to count!

As with anything tax related, talk with your CPA before making any tax decisions. I always say it is good practice to meet with your CPA well before the end of the year. I like to suggest meeting with them around the end of October or the beginning of November so that you have time to implement the strategies your CPA suggests.

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.

December 7, 2023

Don’t panic yet about canine respiratory disease outbreak

By Heidi Clayton

N

umerous clients have contacted me concerning the media reports on the “mysterious” respiratory disease allegedly sweeping the nation. My response is to pump the brakes on the panic. For a variety of reasons, I am not any more concerned about this year's mystery virus than at any other time of the year.

To ease my clients' worries, I am telling them that at this time I would not change my plans to go to dog shows. I would exercise the same caution I do at any other time of the year. I waited to comment on this until after the National Dog Show which I just attended to see if I knew or heard of one person whose dog became infected with the illness. To date, not

December 7, 2023

one person has.

First of all, I feel that the media and social media have driven the outbreak concern, as opposed to dogs en masse being infected. There appears to be limited data on the true number of dogs infected. The media reports that I have seen have focused on a few specific dogs who suffered from what is called Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC). This illness is also called “kennel cough”.

Every day across the nation, dogs coughing goes unreported.

Dogs that have been to boarding facilities, dog parks, grooming salons, dog shows, or just smelled a stranger’s dog’s poop out on a walk. Unlike the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for humans, there is no real way to track the true numbers of how many dogs at any given time are infected with a CIRDC-like illness.

I usually hear of a kennel cough breakout through the social media of those who have attended dog events across the nation. I find the latest reports of

this mystery illness to be well within the normal disease rate and that this is more of a breakout of social media overhype.

If you are indeed worried about this “outbreak,” avoid places where groups of dogs meet like dog parks, daycare, or boarding facilities. On walks, do not allow your dogs to meet strange dogs nose-to-nose or sniff each other. Also, check that your dog has been vaccinated for Bordetella (kennel cough), influenza, and canine parainfluenza.

Keep in mind that your dog does not have to actually cough to be a carrier of kennel cough and can be asymptomatic.

Obviously, if your dog coughs repeatedly, contact your vet for guidance. In that case, it is recommended to keep them quarantined for at least two weeks. And make sure if you are walking your dogs in wooded areas like EHT Nature Reserve or Lake Lenape Park, clean up after your dog’s poop!

If you have any questions, please feel free to email 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

65

DistroFest brings music industry pros together at ACX1 Studios

By Ava Holly

W

alk out on the Atlantic City Boardwalk near Ceasar’s and see the mall area. The sign is lit as you enter and pass the various stores.

Keep walking all the way back and there it is – the brand new ACX1 Studios brought to life by WHO?MAG co-founder and multimedia distribution mogul, Rob Schwartz.

WHO?MAG Distribution is a Grammy-winning brand encompassing DistroFest and Who?Mag TV. Rob’s brand is making moves across the country.

You can see Rob on Instagram with over 8,000 followers, Facebook with almost 7,000 followers and hear him speak at panels all over the country. Anyone that is familiar with this brand knows that Rob has what it takes to bring artists together on all platforms of music.

With the second installment of DistroFest, DistroFest 2, Rob put together a two-day event featuring hundreds of up and coming artists

at the new ACX1 Studios. I had the opportunity to check out the hip-hop segment on Saturday evening. Everyone there was enjoying the show.

Rob made himself accessible to all while running backstage, back of house and enjoying some of the show himself. I even got a selfie with Rob, who has been on my radio shows and is always the most down-to-earth, pleasant soul.

I owe this awesome connection to my good friend Taina Speaks, president of DiBernardo Productions. Rob is such a great person to know and his ideas and determination are top notch.

At the event, there were a few vendors and always a table where you can get great gear like t-shirts, bags and water bottles, to name a few.

One of the exciting booths I saw was promoting the new internet domain extension, .HIPHOP (dot HIPHOP). I met the amazing Scott Pruitt and his team displaying this new way to promote your hip-hop website.

You can currently get a .HIPHOP domain for as low as $9.99 on GoDaddy, lowest prices around right now.

Scott shared some great information with me about how the domain choice is acquired and that anyone can get a .HIPHOP domain. Thank you, Scott, for taking the time to speak with me.

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ducer, artist, actor, host and ambassador DTA (Diamond the Artist).

Diamond gave of his time to make all the artists shine.

He has worked with well-known entertainers including Beyonce, Prince and Kevin Hart to name a few.

You can also catch DTA on the Sirius XM Radio Channel 43 where he hosts “Rock the Bells.”

DTA came from humble beginnings and credits his family as his inspiration. Find him on Instagram as well under DTAexperience where he has almost 17,000 followers. Go DTA! All in all Rob and his team are the masterminds behind DistroFest.

There are so many people involved in this collaboration of artists in one place.

Panelists at DistroFest included Joseph White, president of Marvel TV shows; Nicole Izanec, president of SAG/AFTRA Philly; Mark Frieser, CEO of SYNC Summit; and Michelle DiBernardo, president of the Syracuse International Film Festival. There were so many more with so much to offer anyone in the industry.

Hats off to Rob Schwartz for making Atlantic City his home for the artists. Check out the studio and reach out to Rob if you are in the biz.

From the security to the entertainment, Rob created a fun, safe environment for artists to be seen and heard.

Find out more at www.whomag. net or www.whomagdistribution. com.

Thanks Rob for continuing to move entertainment forward and for bringing it to life with ACX1 Studios in Atlantic City.

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The Yard family spreads Christmas cheer

By Julia Train

Driving around to look at Christmas displays is a classic activity during this time of year. While some

opt to keep it simple, others, like the Yard family, go all out.

Their decor encompasses their house on all sides. In addition to lights, signs and blowups, there’s a 13-foot Jack Skellington figure, a 30-foot Yeti, activities, free treats and character meet-and-greets.

As extravagant as the scene is, it wasn’t always this way.

It began when Anthony Yard was about to graduate high school in 2007. He and his aunt were going through a shed on his grandmother’s

property that was filled with Christmas decor.

Even though she lost her mother at a young age on the holiday, Christmas was important to his grandmother. Each year, her husband would buy her a new decoration for the outside of the house.

They couldn’t part

with any of it, so they decided to use all of them that year. The family didn’t know it then, but that was the beginning of something special.

The elaborate display made people stop when driving by and get out of their cars. Some even took pictures of inside the family’s home, which led Yard to create a path for people to walk on throughout the decorations instead.

Each year, it gets bigger and better. What started solely using old decorations has blossomed into a full-blown scene.

There are several sheds on the property. There’s a “cafe” with free hot chocolate, popcorn and water, a “salon” for getting hair tinsel, movies playing on a 72-inch TV and one that is dedicated to writing letters to Santa. Sometimes horses even make an appearance for petting.

Children can even meet their favorite characters like Anna and Elsa (Dec. 1 and 2), Mickey Mouse (Dec. 8 and 9) and Mr. and Mrs. Clause (Dec 15 and 16) from 6 p.m. to 9p.m.

The entire experience is free to everyone because the Yard family wants anyone and everyone to be able to participate in the experience.

However, the family does accept donations, which are given to a family in need and a portion goes to maintenance.

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December 7, 2023

Since the family doesn’t get money from their work, the Yards are thrifty with the decor and upgrades.

They use all LED lights instead of incandescent and purchase everything secondhand, like a Nativity scene that’s usually priced at $10,000 for only $1200.

Although his grandmother passed three years ago, the Yards have kept the display going to honor her and feel her presence because she inspired the family.

“She just loved everyone. Even people who maybe weren't so lovable or didn't love her back. She was the kindest and nicest soul that I've ever met, and I just learned from her that if you can do something for somebody else, just do it,” Yard said. “Don't ask questions. Don't worry about ‘How

much is this going to cost me?’ or ‘What am I going to get out of it?’ It's not about that.”

This Christmas season, stop by the Yard Family Christmas Display at 4 E. Curran Drive, Absecon. Open 5-11 p.m., it goes until Jan. 1.

Photos by Lauren Gayeski 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

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The rise of Elf on the Shelf Family Corner

By Krystle J Bailey

“Mommy, did you have an elf on the shelf?” asked my eight-year-old son this week, to which I calmly and bluntly responded, “No, Snowflake is a Millenial. Santa just trusted me to behave.”

An estimated 17.5 million Scout Elves, better known as the highly regarded “Elf on the Shelf,” magically find their way into homes worldwide every Christmas season.

The legend says that Santa sends a special elf to each family’s home to ensure good behavior leading up to Christmas. Each night, the elf flies back to the North Pole to report his or her findings to the big man but returns before the kids wake to cause a little mischief or inspire a bit of fun. But be careful because if you touch the big-eyed stuffed creature, it will lose its magic and be unable to report to the North Pole,

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which means there’s no guarantee of making the nice list.

I know, we all agree it sounds a little crazy, yet millions of families continue to welcome their family elf year after year, awaiting the mess and mischief of the season.

My oldest child was born in 2010, three years after The Elf on the Shelf book was released. While I swore up and down there was no way an elf would find her way into my house be-

cause Santa knew better than to trust me with such a family “pet,” it has now been ten years since we’ve had Snowflake. My now thirteen-yearold daughter still puts our seasonal friend’s arrival date on her calendar every November.

Snowflake comes every year after Thanksgiving with a bang. Usually swinging in like a wrecking ball or delivering an Advent Calendar, Snowflake, who spells her name with a backward S, has become such a part of our family that I don’t remember a Christmas season without her. Snowflake and I had a deal, though - the mess and chaos are to be kept to a minimum, or there’s no coming back next year!

Snowflake has taught my kids many life lessons, like the importance of the Christmas season, giving, and the value of reading books. She has taken my side a time or two when they were misbehaving, and she didn’t even bother going back to the North Pole.

There have been a couple of years that Snowflake stuffed herself into a closed Mason Jar so she could join us on our family adventures and other years when the kids needed a little extra love, so Snowflake stuck around until New Year's Day. As much as I love all things Christmas, based on my memory capacity and busy lifestyle, I loathed the thought of an elf on any of my shelves.

To my surprise, and with a few North Pole negotiations, I’ve come to love Snowflake’s presence in our home just as much as the kids. This year, my son has been suggesting places for Snowflake to hide the next day and finds himself in perpetual awe that she seems to be listening to his advice. It’s a fleeting magic that won’t last forever, so I relish the Christmas twinkle in their eye when they discover her daily arrival.

Snowflake often gets a little lazy, she can be kind of forgetful, and daylight saving time knocks her for a loop every time. For good measure, here are ten last-minute tips from our personal elf to yours: 1. Sneak into the Christmas pile and pull out a book that hasn’t been wrapped yet. Sign it with a special note that the kids will cherish forever.

2. Write a note from Santa. Use the Canva app to create North Pole letterhead and print out a message from St. Nick with an up-to-date Nice List report.

3. Run a bathtub of marshmallows.

All the families have big bags of them this time of year. Find any cup, bowl, or Barbie bathtub and fill it with marshmallows for a tubby experience the kids will love to witness.

4. Inspire the kids to read by getting cozy inside of their bookshelf.

Don’t forget a blanket to curl up with!

5. Build a Lego fort and hide inside - they’ll never find you!

6. Start a gratitude jar for the family. Leave a note about being thankful to be their elf and encourage them to write down what they’re thankful for in the morning.

7. Steal the ice cream. Eat it all.

Leave a trace so they know it was you.

8. Leave tiny presents to reward good behavior.

9. When they haven’t been listening to Mom, stay put. Don’t move, and definitely don’t go back to the North Pole. Leave a note about trying harder today and treating others with kindness.

10. Make a cereal angel on the counter. It’s like a snow angel but with Cheerios.

Snowflake and I would like to wish you a very happy holiday season filled with love, laughter, and a healthy dose of unfiltered Christmas magic.

Email me your elf’s best tips or advice at krystlejbailey@gmail.com.

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

December 7, 2023

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viduals in recovery.

Below is a complete guide to all the Ocean ast week, we put City Beach Trees this a spotlight on season. While you are just a few of the very well-decoin town, be sure to do a rated and themed ChristChristmas Tree Tour as mas trees that have been you enjoy a wonderful found along our beaches. holiday season in AmerWithin the span of a ica’s Greatest Family week, several additional Resort: trees have sprouted up ● North Street Tree along our shores. At 41st ● 9th Street *Whale Tree Street, beachgoers will ● 11th Street *Military find the International Tree Tree of Peace, brought to us by ● 19th Street the Salloum family. Visi● 21st Street *Pet Tree tors are asked to decorate ● 34th Street a shell representing all na● 41st Street *Internations of the world. Whethtional Tree of Peace er you intend to honor a ● 50th Street *OCNJ family member who lives Queens Holiday Tree at a distance or celebrate ● South End Tree at 59th a nation you hold close to Street your heart, all decorations This list is up to date are welcomed. Guests will L to R: Julia, Leen, Tony, and Ruby Salloum stand next to the as of Dec. 9, 2023.

The Pet Tree can be found at 21st Street. find pre-made ornaments Tree of Peace.

Please check shorelocaland writing material in a Street. Dubbed as the “OCNJ news.com or any of our social media spot near the tree, along with a sign along the sand is the perfect place to Queens Holiday Tree,” those who plan pages for the latest updates. If there directing you in the best direction to decorate a shell or leave an ornament to visit are encouraged to bring an are any trees we have missed, send take photos. to honor the special dog or cat in our environmentally friendly decoration, an email to shorelocalsteffen@gmail.

Pet Tree at 21st Street also made lives. Recent posts on Facebook also and to support Angels in Motion, a com with a brief description and its return this past weekend. This spot show a well-decorated tree at 50th non-profit organization aiding indilocation.

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Should you list your home during the holidays?

Real Estate Matters

By Elisa Jo Eagan

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his holiday season, if you are thinking of selling your home, you may be tempted to hold off until the new year. After all, nobody buys houses this time of year, do they?

These days, the answer may be, "Yes, they do."

If you were thinking of waiting until spring or later to sell your home, you might want to consider listing your home now or during the winter months to take advantage of a healthy housing market. Here are a few reasons why the holiday season could be a great time to list your home: You are likely to find more motivated buyers during this time of year.

If they still have not found the home that they want, or they have a sudden need to relocate, holiday buyers may be more willing to make decisions quickly. In addition, they may be eager to get moved in for their own holiday

celebrations, making them easier to negotiate with.

Many of this year's buyers have been disappointed by multiple offers on previous properties. They may be willing to move fast and make an offer before someone else does.

The use of virtual tours or videos may make it easier to sell a home with minimal inconvenience. You will also cast a wider net when your home is on the Multiple Listings and exposure on the internet.

This is a slower time of the year as a real estate agent which means: there is more time to focus on your listing, and there are ways to get the widest possible audience for your home and its individual features.

Let's face it, you are already cleaning and decorating your home for the holiday season. What better time to show it!

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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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December 7, 2023

A Senior’s Observations, Opinions and Rantings

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Senior Moments

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he conversation with my wife started with, “Chuck, you have a problem.” I was immediately intrigued by the suggestion of there being only one. Then she clarified with “Actually, it is more of a fetish.” Now, she really had my attention. I settled in for what I thought would be an interesting conversation. “What is with all these pens? Your desk, the kitchen drawer, the dining room table?”

She had me. It is true. I have always enjoyed the physical exercise of writing and actually had wonderful penmanship until college lectures reduced it to something akin to a physician’s scrawl. Let’s face it, today we are doing more typing and texting than writing. However, I have been paying more attention to my penmanship, so a fine writing implement further enhances that experience for me.

Where and how I accumulate these pens is sometimes questionable. For instance, my wife and I were at our local bank signing papers for what was a considerable loan for us.

Our banking representative asked if we wanted a bottle of water or a mint. I replied, “Can I keep the pen?”

We walked out of the bank deeper in debt, but I had a spring in my step with that nice pen nestled inside my jacket pocket. Other times, I just happen to accumulate them in my travels.

I always had a fondness for fountain pens and used them when I felt the situation warranted a special touch. On one occasion, I was writing a check at an animal shelter and pulled out the fountain pen. The volunteer exclaimed, “Oh, a fountain pen, I didn’t think anyone used them anymore.” Exactly.

We are now in the season of gift-giving, and I was trying to think of a suitable gift for my son, an insurance professional with a publicly traded company of some distinction.

He has an appreciation for the finer things. I thought a nice fountain pen would be a fitting gift. Signing documents with his colleagues and

December 7, 2023

clients with this pen would lend a little panache to the event. But what fountain pen to purchase? I’m not about to spend around five hundred dollars for a Montblanc that may end up sitting in a drawer, so I did what one does today. I went on YouTube.

My wife and I have different tastes when it comes to YouTube. Her channels are about tiny homes, camping and hiking. My channels are about photography, aviation and prepping.

So, when she came in and saw me watching a man speaking passionately about his collection of over a hundred fountain pens, I got the eye roll and shake of her head. This was followed by various videos of “the top 5 fountain pens” or “10 fountain pens you must try.” I discovered there is a deep dark world of like-minded people with, as my wife says, pen fetishes but not only pen fetishes but fountain pen fetishes at that.

I admit, I do overthink some things.

Well, a lot of things, but I am nothing if not thorough. After exhaustive research, I ordered a pen for my son.

For those interested, I decided on a modest entry-level model, the LAMY Safari. It comes in various colors, a choice of nibs for you aficionados and engraved with your name for about $37. My next choice is the TWSBI Eco for around the same price.

So, thankfully handwriting is not completely dead. The writing experience can still be enhanced by those who want to take the time. Perhaps a nice Montblanc is in my future if anyone wants to start a GoFundMe for one.

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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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