SHORE LOCAL | Coastal | February 29, 2024

SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY'S NEWSMAGAZINE

State Awards

Big Bucks to Improve Boardwalks

AC Picked Top Party Town in USA

A Talk with Tony Orlando

Digital Beach Tags Becoming Reality

A Toast to Women Winemakers

Photo

Leaping with joy at the possibilities

From the Editor

When I look at my to-do list with tired eyes, I often think if only... if only I had just one or two more hours a day, I could get so much done!

With a little more time, my house would be neat and orderly. The laundry would be nicely folded, and put away. (not stacked on top of my dresser until I wear it again). There would never be a dish in the sink, and I would cook instead of eating out so often.

With a little more time, I'd be caught up on all my emails and wouldn't sweat it every Tuesday and Wednesday, playing "beat the clock" at deadline. I'd work in advance and be ahead of the game. I might even write that book I've been talking about for a decade.

Most importantly though, with a

little more time, I would reconnect with that dear friend I hung out with years ago when our kids were little. I would fly to North Carolina to spend a few days with my high school bestie, meet-up with my co-worker and have lunch with a friend. There are so many relationships I want to nourish, but after work, chores and family commitments, there's never enough hours in the day.

Good news: this year we get more than just a "little" more time. We have an entire extra day! Thanks to leap year, 2024 has 366 days rather than

Celebrating Life at The Southern NJ Shore

365. That extra one is full of possibilities!

Channel your inner Ferris b ueller and envision what you would do with an entire extra day with no obligations.

Forget the laundry, ignore the email and all those mundane tasks. Fly to Florida or the bahamas, roll on the floor with your dog or giggle with your sweetheart. Take a moment or perhaps the whole day for yourself. These are the things that recharge us, giving meaning to our days.

Some may say that leap year is a scientific phenomenon necessary due to the earth's rotation around the sun, but I like to think of it as a cosmic gift or a little bonus from the universe. It's up to us to make the most of it.

As always, thank you for picking up this issue of Shore Local! be sure to check out our wonderful advertisers, event and entertainment calendars and features. Visit us online at shore -

localnews.com and on all social media platforms.

Wishing you a happy and healthy week!

Photo credit: Jessica Maher

$100 million allocated for NJ boardwalk improvements

By Sarah Fertsch Staff Writer

The Jersey Shore isn’t the Jersey Shore without boardwalks. So the Murphy administration has made a historic investment.

The state has pledged $100 million to 18 Jersey Shore towns for boardwalk repair and reconstruction projects, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and Gov. Phil Murphy announced back in August 2023. Last week, the money came through.

“So many of us have created memories with family and friends at the boardwalks of the Jersey Shore,” Murphy said in a statement. “Our boardwalks have long been a prized destination and we want to keep them that way by helping shore communities repair and maintain these wooden main streets.”

Towns like Ocean City and Long

b ranch spend millions per year on boardwalk upkeep, and those funds come from either state tourism grants and/or city taxes and income, like beach tags. The state funding will allow for greater leeway in long-term maintenance.

Atlantic City is getting $20 million for its boardwalk improvements, tied with Asbury Park for the largest grants. Funding was prioritized to applicants experiencing financial distress, evaluating projects in municipality distress order.

It was not immediately clear what Atlantic City’s plans are for the funds. Asbury Park is making improvements to its historic Convention Hall, and the addition of two restroom facilities on the boards.

back in August, Murphy signed the bill at the Jim Whelan boardwalk Hall, alongside Mayor Marty Small, Sr. of Atlantic City. The mayor joked that Murphy “in his heart of hearts wants to give Atlantic City the most money.”

Also in attendance were state legislators (and sponsors of the bill) Sen. Michael Testa, r -Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic; state Sen. Vince Polistina, r-Atlantic; state Sen. William Moen, D-Camden, Gloucester; and Majority Leader and Assemblyman Louis Greenwald, D- burlington, Camden.

The funds were made available from the federal American rescue Plan Act and are to be administered by the Division of Disaster recovery at the DCA, which passed with the budget on June 30, 2023. The grant period was open from mid-August through the end of October 2023.

eligible projects had to meet at least one of the following criteria: boardwalk construction that adds new boardwalk components, boardwalk maintenance, boardwalk reconstruction, or repair of ancillary or appurtenant structures, the DCA said.

”We recognize that boardwalks are the economic driver for many shore towns and cities. They are also incredibly expensive for local governments to maintain, repair and strengthen,” DCA Acting Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez said in a statement.

“To support this significant state asset, the Murphy administration created the boardwalk Preservation Fund to ease the financial burden on local governments when improving their boardwalks. We are confident these grant awards will help our boardwalks thrive and continue to inspire and delight visitors for years to come.”

All the grant funds must be earmarked by Dec. 31 and must be spent by the end of 2026, officials said.

Ocean City

Ocean City’s almost $5 million grant will be used to make repairs to the deteriorated substructure near Third Street, improve disaster prevention and hurricane resiliency, and add ADA-compliant ramps along the boards.

“Our b oardwalk is one of the things that make Ocean City unique, and it has been the centerpiece of

family vacations for generations,” Mayor Jay Gillian said in a statement. “I’m grateful to the state for investing in this vital part of our economy, and it’s good to know that we’ll be able to continue to keep the boards in great shape while increasing accessibility for all.”

Ventnor

At $7 million, the City of Ventnor was awarded one of the largest grants to support its aging boardwalk.

This project includes total demolition of sections of the existing boardwalk and foundation pile and installation of new treated timber piles spaced at 12 feet, improving strength and resilience of the boards. Like many other recipients, Ventnor will also add ADA-compliant ramps.

Sea Isle City

even though the town has an oceanfront promenade made of concrete, Sea Isle City will receive about $2 million from the state.

Mayor Leonard Desiderio said Sea Isle plans to help pay for a series of improvements such as decorative lighting, additional handicap-accessible ramps, and generalized reconstruction and the resurfacing of the entire Promenade.

No official word yet on how other South Jersey beach towns will spend their funds, but locals and tourists alike can anticipate solid futures for their favorite summer spots.

Other towns in South Jersey receiving b oardwalk Improvement Funds:

● North Wildwood-$10.2 million

● Wildwood-$8.27 million

● Cape May-$6.7 million

● brigantine-$1.18 million

● Wildwood Crest-$1.08 million

● Toms river-$1.01 million

Digital beach tags: What you need to know

By Steffen Klenk

It’s an object that is familiar to many Jersey Shore residents.

b efore flocking to the beach this summer, many residents and visitors will purchase their physical beach tags. However, the power of technology could soon change that.

This year, several shore towns are unveiling new digital beach tags, in a move that is slated to modernize beach access for the growing number of smartphone users. Sea Isle City became one of the first towns in our region to make such an announcement, and now other beach communities are joining in, with Margate also adopting the program.

The new app, called My b each Mobile, will enable users in select beach communities to purchase electronic beach tags directly by phone. Carolina bevad is one of the partners behind the app. The New Jersey native and mother of three originally vacationed in Wildwood Crest, a municipality that does not require beach tags, before relocating to Sea Isle.

How does the app work?

by downloading the app, beachgoers can sign in and purchase a digital beach tag using a debit or credit card. A unique Q r code is then used to indicate to tag checkers their valid purchase. users can also purchase passes for recreation access and community shuttle service depending on location. b each passes will remain available in the app until the tag expires.

Is the app available everywhere?

So far in 2024, My beach Mobile will be available to residents and visitors in Margate, Sea Isle City, Long beach Township, Harvey Cedars, and Ship b ottom. According to b evad, the company is working to add more

towns to its growing list, along with additional features.

Can you transfer beach tags to friends or family?

bevad described one of her beach trips. “We were sort of shell shocked,” she explained. “I was walking to the beach one day and forgot my beach tags. It was a tragedy because it was hot outside. The kids were ready to play, and I had to turn around, go home, and get my beach tags.”

The app comes as communities provide new options for smartphone users, such as mobile parking. It is important to note that all beach towns will still be offering physical beach tags.

Depending on which beach you go to, yes. users might be able to transfer their beach tag temporarily or permanently with other users. rental property owners may also have the option to share their tags with tenants for up to one week at a time.

How much will a beach tag cost?

While each town sets its own price for seasonal, weekly, or daily tags, the price on the app will cost the same as a physical tag, minus fees. Check each town’s individual website for up-todate cost information.

More information about the app, including all features and a detailed FAQ, can be found on their website at www.mybeachmobile.com.

Steffen Klenk is a photographer and multimedia journalist who enjoys capturing the eclectic

One of the key benefits of My b each Mobile is convenience. For those who lose their tags often or change beach bags on a regular basis, this new app will bring peace of mind to frequent beachgoers. No more digging through pockets or rummaging through your home.

Ocean Aquarium moves to new Northfield location

Business Buzz

By Rich Baehrle

John Walker, owner of Ocean Aquarium in Northfield, formerly located at 6820 black Horse Pike, e gg Harbor Township, accepted an offer he simply could not refuse to buy his eHT property.

After being located at the egg Harbor Township location since 1995, nearby Spencer Gifts decided to expand, and his store was in the path of the growth move. It left John with no choice but to find a new location.

This is not the first move for the business. Ocean Aquarium originally started in the Pleasantville Shopping Center in 1987. The store carried everything his customers needed to set up a beautiful aquatic environment, both salt and freshwater.

However growing pains, and the opportunity for a much more visible location led John to move up the street to 6820 black Horse Pike In egg Harbor Township.

Today Ocean Aquarium is in a very spacious, totally renovated store in the London Square Center, 201 Tilton road, Northfield. It has everything a customer needs to set up an aquarium, both salt and freshwater.

John said, “My loyal customers have been with me for decades. They have become friends as well. I take the time to really care that they set up the right aquatic environments.”

The hobby of having an aquarium can be very soothing and relaxing

for people of all ages. but to have a successful aquarium, it is very important to take the time to create the proper environment within your budget, with fish that are compatible. Ocean Aquarium provides not only the materials, but also the knowledge to make that happen.

In addition to indoor aquarium fish and supplies, Ocean Aquarium

carries a full line of fish and supplies for outdoor ponds. The sky's the limit when it comes to what somebody can do with outdoor ponds, with hard and soft scaping.

John Walker also has the pleasure of working with his daughter, Katie Walker. She has knowledge of the total operation and seems to be in line to eventually carry the torch with the new store.

It is always great to see a small business not only survive, but thrive against the big box chains. The difference is you have a family that truly cares about your needs and doesn’t try to oversell you.

Stop by 201 Tilton road, Northfield, and get what you need to start a new hobby with a wonderful fresh or saltwater aquarium. Call 609-2720660, or follow on Facebook.

Rich Baehrle, of Berkshire Hathaway Fox and Roach, can be reached at 609-266-6680 or 609-641-0011. Email richardbaehrle@gmail.com or see www.getrichinrealestateSJ.com

Encore Performing Arts Center dancers shine during Harlem Globetrotters halftime show

By Gabriella Bancheri

If you’ve never seen the Harlem Globetrotters perform, it’s basically an interactive comedy show on the basketball court,

peppered with some impressive tricks. It’s a game/show where sports and theater are combined for oohs, aahs and a good laugh.

Typically attracting families and youngsters, the Globetrotters have been entertaining for nearly a century. The team, however, is never alone: there’s always some local talent performing by their side.

For the game’s halftime show last week, boardwalk Hall invited the encore Performing Arts Center of egg Harbor Township to perform a choreographed show which featured

dancers from ages 5 to 18.

The Globetrotters are known for their local interaction, both in and out of the game. And because they leave their halftime shows open, it gives the communities in which they perform a chance to show-

case some of their up-and-coming talent. And South Jersey certainly isn’t short of talent when it comes to dance.

This was the encore students’ first time performing during this event – which had an audience of several thousand – yet they seemed to be naturals in front of a crowd. The dancers showcased their skills while clearly having fun.

Some of the Globetrotters’ previous halftime performers have included Kendall Vertes from the iconic reality drama, “Dance Moms,” and dancers of a variety of ages and from studios all over the world.

I was floored by some of the young talent on the dance floor, or shall I say, dance court. At one point, I even suspected that some of the dancers performing were instructors, but they weren’t. The dancers were all students.

If encore’s young talent is any indication of the caliber of performing arts in South Jersey, it’s definitely worth keeping up with our local shows and where these students will be performing in the future.

Don’t tell the Globetrotters, but I’d say I enjoyed the dancing more than the show itself!

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.

They’ll be sending in the clowns for Somers Point history bar crawl

This is a Direct, waterfront townhome with spectacular views of the AC skyline! With a little TLC this 3 bedroom 2

bath townhome can

getaway in desirable Kings Cove Community.

Contact Michael Walsh @ 609-929-6582 for more info!

By Julia Train

Somers Point is home to a variety of food and beverage spots that are rich in history.

On April 7, a jitney will

b esides music, in the early days, before the churches were built, bars were closed on Sundays so religious services could be held in them.

The crawl will take attendees to all the bars in the historic bayfront, including the “ beer-muda Triangle,” which consists of Charlie’s, Gregory’s, The Anchorage Tavern, Diorio’s and Caroline’s. Gerety will also share stories about establishments that aren’t in the city anymore, like Tony Mart’s, b ubba Mac, bay Shores and your Father’s Mustache.

Although the tour won’t go to

leave from Gregory’s bar at 11:15 a.m. for a historic bar crawl featuring bars and restaurants that are (or were) part of the lively entertainment scene in Somers Point. Along the way, Kirk Gerety, president of the Somers Point Historical Society, will share a collection of stories that he’s been told or experienced over the years.

“It’s just something that’s a part of our past that was a lot of fun in our younger days,” said Gerety, commenting on the city’s abundant music history, which ranges from jazz to rock ‘n’ roll.

well.

The idea was thought up by Nick regine, a member of the Somers Point unique e xperience Club, about 20 years ago when he was looking for a fun way to use an old trolleybus his wife had.

The event is named the “We Are All bozos on This b us bar Tour,” after an album by The Firesign Theatre titled, “I Think We’re All bozos on This bus.”

Julia is a student at Rider University, majoring in multiplatform journalism with a minor in social media strategies. At school, she writes and is news editor 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

The Crab Trap (previously known as Maenner’s Cafe), stories from that establishment will be mentioned as

How the Black Horse and White Horse

By Sarah Fertsch Staff Writer

Ever wonder how South Jersey's two equestrian roadways got their names, or why they are so prominent in our communities? Here’s a look at the histories of the White Horse and black Horse pikes.

It was 1854 when the White Horse Turnpike Company got started by following the route of an old Lenni Lenape trail running between Camden and the Absegami wetlands, then called White Horse road, and converting it to a toll road.

b ut by the late 1870s the popularity of train travel had overtaken toll roads as travelers used increasingly popular rail lines to escape the summer heat of the city in favor of the seaside paradise of Atlantic City. Traveling by horse and carriage was slow and difficult when compared to rail travel.

The turnpike could not compete. by 1893 the turnpike had stopped

collecting tolls entirely and by 1913, maintenance responsibility of the route reverted to the public, and it became known as the White Horse Trail.

Things got better in 1922. With the automobile becoming the dominant form of transport, the entire road was paved in concrete making it the world's longest concrete paved highway.

Highway connection to the world west of the Delaware river became a reality in 1926 when the b en Franklin b ridge opened.

Today the White Horse Pike runs almost 59 miles between Atlantic City and Camden. It narrows from six lanes in Atlantic City to four lanes, undivided as it passes through smaller mainland towns until it reaches egg Harbor City where motorists enjoy a median for several miles.

their names

Township, egg Harbor City, Galloway Township, Absecon and Atlantic City.

The White Horse Pike’s twin route, the black Horse Pike, has a very different history.

It started in 1795 when surveyors working for Old Gloucester County mapped out a new road, replacing the “meandering old Irish road.”

The black Horse Pike has had many names including route 48, route 42, uS 40, route 18S, uS 322, which all refer to the same road at different sections and in different eras.

uS route 30, or the White Horse Pike, runs from Astoria, Ore., to Atlantic City. In New Jersey, the road

connects the b en Franklin b ridge through Collingswood, Pennsauken Township, Haddon Heights, b arrington, berlin, Waterford Township, Atco, Clementon, Magnolia, Winslow Township, Hammonton, Mullica

u ltimately, the b lack Horse Pike refers specifically to the section of u S 322 that runs from Mays Landing to Atlantic City. The road in its entirety connects the Walt Whitman b ridge to downtown Atlantic City.

It connects these towns: Camden, Haddon Township, Mount ephraim, b ellmawr, runnemede, Gloucester Township, Washington Township,

Along the White Horse Pike in Hammonton stands this statue of a white horse in front of the White Horse Farm.

Photo by Karen FitzPatrick

Monroe Township, Folsom, Hamilton Township, e gg Harbor Township, Pleasantville and Atlantic City. If you continue on uS 322 across the country, you’ll reach downtown Cleveland and eventually Silver Summit, utah.

So what’s in a name?

The White Horse Pike was named for the White Horse Tavern, a popular spot in the late 1800s and early 1900s. When the state bought the black Horse Pike 1903, it designated the route as the “ blackwood Pike.”

Twenty-three years later, builders providing maintenance to the road formed an association to rename the b lackwood Pike the “ b lack Horse Pike.”

The White Horse Pike was such a popular roadway that the b lackwood Pike was nicknamed “the

second White Horse Pike to the shore.” The builders hoped to capitalize on the White Horse Pike’s success and remind motorists of the parallel, less-trafficked route.

both pikes are known for their retro charm and offbeat roadside attractions. Standing along the White Horse Pike is the metal sculpture of a horse hovering 50 feet above a grocery store, keeping watch over its namesake route. Along each road you’ll find fast food spots, department stores, hole-in-the-wall bars, and vast farmlands. The black Horse Pike offers a rodeo, an old racetrack and many miles of marshlands.

So as you drive down one of the pikes to grab a meal, run errands, or visit some friends, remind yourself that you are a part of the legacy of these routes. Millions have traveled down the shore via these roads, and if we are lucky, millions more will do the same as they take part in the wonder of South Jersey’s economy.

This story includes information from The Philadelphia Inquirer, the New Jersey Historical Society and NJ.com. Also the book, “Images of America, The White Horse Pike,” by

Jill Maser

Multiday Events

2024 Discover Boating

Atlantic City Boat Show

▶Now – Sunday, March 3

Atlantic City Convention Center 1 Convention blvd.

Events and Happenings

The Atlantic City b oat Show is the one-stop shop for boats, boating accessories, and on-the-water adventure. This event has something in store for every boater, with hundreds of vessels on display, and interactive boating exhibits the whole family will love. The show will run Wednesday – Friday from 12 – 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Visit www.acboatshow.com for tickets and information.

Clothing and Accessories – Jewelry – Candles - Handbags

Shoes from Steve Madden, Vintage Havana and Archies!

New Jersey State High School Wrestling Championships

▶Thursday, February 29 – Saturday, March 2

Jim Whelan boardwalk Hall 2301 boardwalk

The state’s most decorated wres-

15% off any

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

tlers will make their way to boardwalk Hall. With a state title on the line, attendees will cheer on their favorite high school stars as the mat is rolled out. Tickets and information are available at www.boardwalkhall. com.

Market Madness

▶Saturday, March 9 & Sunday, March 10; 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Ocean City Music Pier 825 boardwalk

The concept is simple: all of Ocean City’s favorite stores under one roof, offering amazing shopping specials. For more information, visit www. oceancityvacation.com.

Thursday, February 29

Captain’s Table at the Atlantic City Boat Show

▶5 – 8 p.m.

Atlantic City Convention Center 1 Convention blvd.

Join Cooper Levenson for a night of food, fun, and fellowship. Guests will enjoy delectable food selections from local restaurants while sampling spirit tastings provided by local breweries, wineries, and distilleries. This event benefits Let us eat, Please, in support of summer feeding programs throughout South Jersey.

Friday, March 1

Movie at the Library: Wonka

▶2 p.m.

Longport Public Library 2305 Atlantic Ave.

Armed with nothing but a hatful of dreams, young chocolatier Willy Wonka manages to change the world, one delectable bite at a time. Please call (609) 487-7403 to register or learn more.

Saturday, March 2

Adult Art Workshop Series: Landscape Painting

▶10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Somers Point Senior Center 22 N. Ambler rd.

Presented by the Somers Point Arts Commission. Instructors Alissa Petrella and Ginny Swift will guide each class step-by-step on how to paint a beachthemed acrylic painting. Participants must be 18 or over. register online by emailing somersptarts@gmail.com with your full name, phone number, and the specific dates you would like to attend. First come, first served. OCHS Crew Designer Handbag Bingo

▶6 p.m.

upper Township Community Center 1790 route 50, Tuckahoe

Tickets are $35 and include ten bingo games, door prizes, a basket raffle, a 50/50 raffle, and bonus games. All proceeds benefit the Ocean City High School Crew team. Participants must be 18 and older. Sign up at www.ochscrew.com or email fundraising@ochscrew.com.

Sunday, March 3

Leprechaun Crawl

▶12:30 p.m.

Maynard’s Café 9306 Amherst Ave. Margate registration is $20 and includes a T-shirt and buffet. registration will be open from 11 – 12:30 at Maynard’s. Follow the bagpipers to Sophia’s, then back to Maynard’s for a hearty fare and music by the Paul Moore band. The Leprechaun Crawl benefits Adelaide’s Place, a drop-in center for homeless women in Atlantic County. Call (609) 340-8816 or email adelaidesplace@verizon.net for more information.

Monday, March 4

Networking at Noon

▶12 p.m.

Hampton Inn 6708 Tilton rd. egg

Harbor Township

This event is hosted by the Northfield business Association and is part of their Small business Development Series. The guest speaker will be Mark rizzo, e xecutive Director of the New Jersey Small b usiness Development Centers (NJS b DC) at Stockton u niversity, and there will be a roundtable discussion on common business challenges and potential solutions. The event is free for association members and $25 for nonmembers, which includes a meal. Learn more at www.northfieldbusinessassociation.com and click on the event Calendar.

A Night of Everything Irish ▶7 p.m.

egg Harbor Township Community Center 5045 english Creek Ave.

Join the Greate e gg Harbour Township Historical Society for an evening of Irish music, presenting the talented emerald Isle Academy of Irish Dance Dancers, and the Sandpipers Pipes and Drums of Atlantic County bagpipers. The group will also share submitted stories

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Somers Point Chiropractic

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about Irish heritage in eHT or South Jersey. More information is available at www.facebook.com/GeHTHSMuseumLibrary.

Tuesday, March 5

Bingo at the Library

▶6:30 p.m.

Longport Public Library 2305 Atlantic Ave.

Try your luck at bingo. All ages are welcome to play. Please call (609) 487-7403 to register or learn more.

Somers Point Dance Society

▶7:30 – 10:30 p.m.

Somers Point Fire Co. 1 447 bethel rd.

The Senior Dance Society is back. Come out to Somers Point Fire Co. #1 every Tuesday for social dancing, line dances, dance mixers, and more. Light snacks are included

in admission. Call rita Coli at (609) 408-3619 for information. See you on the dance floor!

Wednesday, March 6

Somers Point Pinochle Club

▶6 – 8:30 p.m.

Somers Point Senior Center 22 N. Ambler rd.

All are welcome to attend. For more information, go to visitsomerspoint.com and click on events.

Thursday, March 7

Positivity Project: Morning Refresh

▶10:30 a.m.

explore positivity with JFS Wellness Coordinator Mary Jean Arreola and Village Community Specialist Tina Serota. you’ll learn ways to boost wellness – mind, body, and soul. Topics include self-care, mindfulness, gratitude, meditation,

and resiliency. The program will be held via Zoom. rSVP by March 4 by calling (609) 287-8872 or email tserota@jfsatlantic.org.

Friday, March 8

Memoir Workshop

▶10:30 a.m.

experience the thrill of capturing life’s adventures, history, and ancestry, led by award-winning author and Drexel u niversity Director of Certificate Program in Writing and Publishing, Harriet Levin Millan. A laptop or pen and paper is needed for the workshop. The program will be held via Zoom. rSVP by March 5 by calling (609) 287-8872 or email tserota@jfsatlantic.org.

Shore Medical Center Designer Handbag Bingo

▶7 p.m.

VFW Post 2189 500 bethel rd.

Somers Point

Hosted by Shore Medical Center, tickets are $35 each and include twelve rounds of bingo and a chance to win designer handbags from luxury brands. Guests must be 21 or older to participate. event proceeds will fund new medical equipment, technology, and patient care initiatives. Tickets and tables of eight may be reserved online at http://weblink.donorperfect. com/2024Handbagbingo.

Saturday, March 9

Atlantic City St. Patrick’s Day Parade

▶1 p.m.

Atlantic City b oardwalk from Ocean Casino to Albany Ave.

b reak out your green and join Grand Marshalls Steve Troiano, proprietor of Maynard’s Café, and award-winning actor and founder of Faith American brewing Company, Kelsey Grammer, for the historic Atlantic City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. This fun-filled family day brings many schools, string and piper bands, Irish dancers, and floats to the world-famous Atlantic City b oardwalk. Learn more at www. acstpatricksdayparade.com.

Announcements

The Somers Point Arts Commission is currently seeking digital pictures for a photography exhibit themed “Connections.” The chosen images will be printed, framed, and exhibited at the Somers Point Senior and Community Center, located at 22 N. Ambler rd. at a date to be determined. Please submit suitable digital images to danmyersphoto@gmail.com. The exhibit is free to enter and attend.

Bus Trips

Bus Tour to Brandywine

Museum and Nemours Mansion

▶Thursday, April 25

Welcome spring by joining the Green Thumb Garden Club of Somers Point on a bus tour to the b randywine Museum of Art and the Nemours Mansion & Gardens. Advanced reservations are required by April 9. The cost is $105 and includes transportation, boxed lunch and bus driver tip. The bus will leave from the Target lot in Somers Point at 8 a.m. and return by 6 p.m. For more information, call Sally at (609) 927-4147, or after 6 p.m., call Cheryl at (267) 882-8355.

Health and Wellness

NAMI Basics Program

▶Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.

and adolescents, ages up to 21, with symptoms of mental illness. This program covers treatment options, managing crisis situations, problem-solving, communicating effectively, taking care of yourself, and handling stress in a positive way. This free program will be held via Zoom. registration is open now. For more information, email nami1557@gmail.com, or visit www. namiacm.org.

Dementia Support Group

▶Wednesday, March 6, 1:30 p.m.

6009 Paul and Thelma Lane, Mays Landing

Held on the first and third

Wednesdays 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

▶Monday, March 11, 7 p.m.

St. Joseph Church 608 Shore rd. Somers Point

NAMI Connection is a recovery support group for adults with a mental health condition. Family Support Group is a support group for adult friends and family members of people with mental health conditions. Participants gain the support of their peers who understand their experience and gain

insight into others’ challenges and successes. For more information and to register, please visit www. namiacm.org, or call (609) 741-5125. NAMI ACM is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation.

MHA Atlantic Family Meeting

▶Thursday, March 14, 10 a.m.

This support group is open to individuals with a loved one who is affected by mental health and/ or substance use disorders. Starr at the Mental Health Association in Atlantic County offers three online meetings each month, with both day and evening options available. To receive a link, contact Gail Chris-

tian at (609) 652-3800 ext. 0301 or email gchristian@mhanj.org.

Community CPR Class

▶Wednesday, March 27, 6 p.m.

royal Suites Healthcare and rehabilitation 214 W. Jimmie Leeds rd. Galloway

Spots are limited. Please call (609) 748-9900 x. 1312 and leave an rSVP and phone number for Diane Conover. This class is of no charge.

‘The Lemon Sisters:’ A charming, and almost unknown film about Atlantic City

By Bruce Klauber

Several fine movies have been made about Atlantic City going back to the silent film days. The best-known of these are “Atlantic City,” and “The King of Marvin Gardens.” Coming in a close second are “Snake eyes,” “Owning Mahowny,” and maybe even the “Atlantic City” from 1944, a ‘ b ’ musical starring Constance Moore. We could include the television series, “ boardwalk empire,” but with an asterisk as the program was filmed mainly on a film set in brooklyn.

Not on any list of Atlantic City movies, probably because few have heard of it and even fewer have seen it, may be the quirky, somewhat eccentric and off-the-wall picture called “The Lemon Sisters,” released briefly in 1990, and not to be confused with the Lennon

Sisters singing group which appeared on television with Lawrence Welk.

“The Lemon Sisters” was beset by problems and personality clashes almost from day one, and the critics savaged it when it finally played in theaters. As one example, Caryn James of The New york Times wrote: “‘The Lemon Sisters’ inspires dazed disbelief that professional filmmakers could have made such an amateurish movie.”

It wasn’t supposed to be that way. Diane Keaton, the film’s producer and one of its stars (Carol Kane and Kathryn Grody are the other principals) wanted to make a modestly-budgeted film about the lifelong friendship between three women, and how that friendship evolved amidst a changing Atlantic City. Those qualities made it to the screen, but only to an extent, as the final cut is quite different from what was originally intended.

The film was shot on a six- or seven-week shooting schedule which began on Sept. 26, 1988, at various

spots on the Atlantic City boardwalk, including Caesars and in and around several homes on ridgeway Avenue, a few blocks away from where the Warwick Condominiums stand.

u pon its release, the producers used these two descriptions to promote the picture: “A comedy about one of life’s great challenges…staying friends.” The other was a good description of the film’s charming wackiness: “They met when they were 9. They’ve been through 1,352 Monday meetings, 27 bad haircuts, 12 blind dates, five vows of celibacy, 3,004 latenight phone calls, 14 miracle diets and one major misunderstanding.”

The plot is pretty simple. Three young girls vow to be lifelong friends and to meet every Monday night to rehearse their singing act. As youngsters, they know they’re headed for stardom. As they mature, that goal becomes more unrealistic, and as grownups, two of the girls realize that stardom will never happen.

As adults, their lives and careers all center on the boardwalk gradually dominated by casino/ hotels. Keaton runs her late father’s failing museum of old television artifacts. Grody’s husband, played nicely by elliott Gould, runs the family’s failing saltwater taffy business. The flighty Kane, however, is still pursuing the dream of becoming a singing star. Sounds great, right?

The film, which sat on the shelf for about two years, barely resembled what Keaton and screenwriter, Jeremy Pikser, first had in mind.

I was fortunate enough to catch up with Pikser, who wrote the screenplay for the Academy Award nominated film “ bulworth,” and is now creative di -

rector of the Screenplay Lab at Johns Hopkins university. He was astonished that I liked the film.

“The Lemon Sisters” was, Pikser said, “The first script I wrote that got produced. It was commissioned by Diane Keaton with only these instructions: set it in Atlantic City, try to capture the changing nature of the place in the 1980s, and have equally starring parts for Keaton and her two best friends, Kathryn Grody and Carole Kane. I loved doing it and I loved the script I wrote.

“It languished unproduced for a number of years, but (with) the confluence of Diane’s success in ‘Little Drummer Girl’ coupled with the Writers Guild strike of 1988, there was a need to get Keaton to do a film with an already written script. She had ‘The Lemon Sisters’ in hand and Miramax agreed to do it.

“For reasons I never really understood, Joyce Chopra, who was hired as director, changed the script to make it bigger. Also, the production team felt it would be a good idea to get A-list designers, whom Diane knew, from Hollywood. Their designs, in my opinion, were completely wrong for the characters and setting.

“The opening scene, for example, was set in a neighborhood bar off the b oardwalk in what had been a depressed town. They built a huge,

gorgeous bar with giant fish tanks with tens of thousands of dollars worth of tropical fish. They dressed the neighborhood girls, who sang only on Monday nights in a small rundown bar, in floor-length sequined gowns. So, by the first scene, the basic nature of the location and characters, sent entirely the wrong message to the audience.”

Then there was the issue of budget. The film was to be a modestly budgeted “small” film, but the Hollywood designers that came in put an end to that.

“It put the film so far over budget after only one week of filming that the bonding company came in and required over 30 percent of the script to be cut,” Pikser explained. “Director Chopra told me that since the audience, in her opinion, would be more interested in the women’s relationships with their men than in their friendships with each other, that most of the cuts would come from scenes where the three ‘sisters’ were together. That, in my opinion, was an utter disaster.

“When the first cut was shown to a test audience, they didn’t know the three girls were supposed to be friends. And the whole film was supposed to be about their friendship. It made no sense without that. As far as I was concerned, it was an overall botch job, despite some wonderful scenes and performances. If you can see it, it has a great heart at its center.”

unfortunately, for a small film that was supposed to focus on friendship, there was some palpable ill will on the set during the short shooting schedule.

Joyce Chopra was noted for her expertise as a director of documentary films with a feminist focus. Prior to “The Lemon Sisters,” she had directed only one mainstream feature film, “Smooth Talk” from 1985, which won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival that year. She may not have been the best choice for “The Lemon Sisters.”

In an interview with Chopra conducted for IndieWire in 2022, it’s evident that the director is still somewhat bitter about her experience with “The Lemon Sisters.”

“I was very friendly with co-producer Joe Kelly,” she remembered. “And he suddenly called me into his office and said, ‘Diane Keaton would like you to quit.’ That way, they wouldn’t have to pay me. If they fired me, they would’ve owed me my whole salary. They couldn’t afford to do that. And in one of the meetings, another producer said, ‘Go away, no one wants you here.’ Who’s ever said that to you? I thought, ‘How did I get to this point in life that somebody would say that to me?’”

Note: Since this unfortunate experience, Chopra has directed several more documentaries and network television series, including “Law and

Order,” and more than a dozen television movies.

When the film was finally released, the principals must have known that “The Lemon Sisters” was not the film everyone envisioned. Only one of the actresses, Carol Kane, did promotion for it, and only for a local New york television station. Kane talked about her character in the film, Frankie D’Angelo:

“ you know, she grew up in Atlantic City and she was named after Frank Sinatra. I think she took it a little too literally and decided she would be Frank Sinatra one day. I love the music and the singing and the dancing in the movie.”

And that ends the tale of “The Lemon Sisters,” a sometimes delightful, obscure film about Atlantic City which, as the screenwriter said, “Has a great heart at its center.”

Note: “The Lemon Sisters” can be viewed in its entirety, at no charge, via youTube.

Elisa Jo Eagan

Noyes Arts Garage film screening celebrates Negro League baseball

By Raymond Tyler

Though we are wrapping up black History Month, let’s acknowledge that The Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton university celebrates black History year-round with its black Art Matters series.

each month the black Art Matters celebrations have included film, poetry, visual arts, storytelling, hip-hop, gospel and more. you can find out about upcoming b lack Art Matters events at The Noyes Arts Garage website, www. artsgarageac.com.

On Sunday, Feb. 25, The Noyes Garage was standing room only for the screening and discussion of the film, “The League,” a Magnolia Pictures documentary about the for-

mation and evolution of the Negro League through the early 1900s in America.

The Negro League was a fully professional baseball league that operated at a time when people of color were not allowed to play Major League baseball. The popularity of the Negro League comes and goes over the years, however, as was noted at

Sunday’s screening, Atlantic City and South Jersey played major roles in the history of the Negro League.

Part of the South Jersey Negro League legacy was former pitcher for the Newark eagles, Max Manning.

Manning served in the u nited States Army Air Forces during World War II. In the 1946 Negro World Series, he started two games and went 1–1 to help the eagles win the championship. In his later years, Manning resided in Pleasantville until his passing in 2003. His daughter, belinda Manning, led the discussion after the screening.

belinda Manning also gave out the details about a $2,000 youth essay Contest, which will be presented at the Arts Garage on Sunday, April 21.

During the discussion segment she, along with and Negro League historians ron Jordan and Michael everett, pointed out that the first two Negro League World Series were played in Atlantic City (circa 1926 and 1927).

Also in The Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton u niversity is the Pop Lloyd e xhibition. The hallway walls are sporting 25 various pieces of art dedicated to John Henry “Pop” Lloyd, Max Manning and the Negro Leagues. The diverse collection is a must-see for anyone who enjoys art, baseball or both.

Pop Lloyd was born in 1884 and played 27 seasons in the Negro League, including four seasons with Atlantic City’s bacharach Giants.

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

Negro League Historian Michael Everett next to the welcoming piece of The Pop Lloyd Exhibition at The Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University

Early blooms and garden prep: Welcoming spring in South Jersey

By Tammy Thornton

Winter is tough. Short, gray, cold days leave us longing for vitamin D. Just a glimpse of the sun gives us hope, and then it’s gone again. For the gardener, the wait has been especially tough, and we yearn to dig our hands into the thawed earth. Fortunately, in South Jersey, we have started to see some signs of life in nature that are giving us hints of spring. Our jealous neighbors to the north and west must wait a bit longer. but here, daffodils, crocuses, and primroses are showing off their spring colors, and brown grass has perked up and begun to turn green. even the birds seem to sing a more cheerful tune — announcing the much-anticipated arrival of a new

season. And so it begins…

Thanks to leap year, spring officially starts on March 19. but all around us, we can already sense the changes of the season. It feels like creation can hardly contain itself and is ready to burst. yes, we can still have a surprise snowstorm and dipping temperatures in our future, but spring is lunging forward like an unstoppable tidal wave. With these longer days and newfound sunlight, gardeners can finally cut the ribbon for a soft opening of the new season. The wait is over.

Take a survey of your garden. We have some early-season tasks ahead. Though you shouldn't clear every errant leaf and protective covering of earth from your plants, a light cleanup is in order. Fallen branches and sticks should be cleared, and large clumps of damp leaves should be lifted. you may find that daffodils and other bulbs have been suffocated and are looking for light. b e careful where you step because dormant plants are waking up. Their new growth is barely visible. The tops of tulips, astilbe, and peonies are beginning to emerge. Hostas aren’t far behind. rotted

raised beds should be mended. and broken pottery that did not survive the freeze should be mourned. best of all, we can begin planting.

Cool-season flowers and vegetables should be planted now because cold temperatures are a necessity for their growth and health. you may be more accustomed to hearing about gardeners waiting until the predicted “last frost date” before embarking on their gardening ventures because many treasured flowers and vegetables would succumb to freezing temperatures. However, cool-season plants should be started well before the last frost date. The goal is to allow enough time for these plants to complete their life cycle up to harvest before the weather becomes too warm. Once it gets too warm, these cool-season plants will go into survival mode. Vegetables won’t taste as

good. The plants will start to “bolt”, putting out seeds for the next generation of plants.

So what can you plant? Peas can be planted as soon as the soil can be worked. be sure to soak the hard seeds for a few hours or overnight to aid in germination. Whether you are using bamboo sticks or another support system for the vines, put these in place before you plant your peas, so you know right where they should go and won’t be disturbing newly germinated seeds. Other cool-season crops are spinach, cabbage, carrots, radishes, beets, broccoli, and Swiss chard. Some of the most cold-hardy vegetables like kale and b russels sprouts will become sweeter after a light frost since this will cause them to convert their starches into sugar. For instant gratification (and to give you a healthy head start), purchase seedlings from your local garden nursery. but to earn your scout gardening badge, at least try to start some plants from seed. Lettuces are easy to grow and sprout up quickly. For beginners, I would suggest a seed packet of mesclun salad mix. Sprinkle some seeds in a pot or bowl of potting soil (with drainage, of course), and you can have beautiful baby salad greens in as little as a month.

We all love to have colorful flowers in our gardens, and they will also attract pollinators to our plants. Pansies, daffodils, hellebores, snowdrops, and winter aconite can all handle the cold. ranunculus take my breath away, and their amazing rose-like flowers almost have me storming

Daffodils and pansies laugh at the cold.

the garden nurseries to open early. They are among the first early spring flowers that I plant. While all of these flowers are cold-hardy, some of them may need a bit of protection from a hard freeze. Check with the staff of your trusted garden nursery for more detailed information.

A word of caution: When purchasing cool-season plants, make sure you are choosing those that have already been growing outside. We are not talking about coddled flowers that are displayed indoors. These have most likely been living the sweet life of warm greenhous-

es and have been forced into early blooming. In your excitement, don’t throw these lookers out in the cold, since they probably won’t be able to handle the drastic temperature fluctuations. This time of year, you want plants that are being displayed and sold from outside. These plants have been “hardened off” and have already adjusted to cold temperatures. Again, ask before you buy for the best advice. When direct sowing from seed, read the back of the seed packet for instructions. right now, we are only interested in seeds that can be planted outside before the last frost. Of course, you can get a head start by starting seeds indoors, but that is a different discussion for another day.

The list goes on, but if you have been chafing at the bit to start your garden, plenty of tasks await you. b undle up and get out there. your endorphins will thank you.

We love to hear from our readers. Send your questions, comments, and garden pictures to shorelocalgardener@gmail.com.

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

Hellebores dressed for the spring gala.

Stockton’s Campbell finishing legendary career

By David Weinberg

There are two jersey numbers hanging in the rafters at Stockton u niversity’s Sports Center, otherwise known as “ big blue” for its Azul exterior.

Carl Cochran’s No. 11 and Valerie brown’s No. 35 were both retired by the Ospreys in 2000 in recognition of their outstanding basketball careers.

Cochran, a 1998 graduate, scored a then-school record 2,124 points and set 11 other school records. Jones, who graduated in 1985, still holds the women’s scoring record with 2,027 points.

D.J. Campbell’s No. 4 will likely be hanging alongside them before too long.

The 6-foot-3 senior forward is now the school’s all-time leading scorer. He poured in a game-high 23 points in last Saturday’s 75-62 loss to The College of New Jersey to boost his career total to 2,170.

He’ll get a chance to add to his total this weekend. Stockton (17-10) received an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III tournament and will play Tufts u niversity (Massachusetts) Friday in a first-round game at Nyu A victory would put the Ospreys in a second-round game against either

N yu (20-5) or Husson u niversity (Maine) on Saturday.

“I can’t thank Coach (Scott) bittner and (the late bob Hutchings) enough for giving me an opportunity to play college hoops and get a degree (in Criminal Justice) this spring,” Campbell said on Twitter. “When every school passed up on me, you guys believed in me. I would’ve never thought in my wildest dreams that (scoring over 2,000 points) would be possible.”

The legacy Campbell created extends well beyond points, assists and rebounds, however.

He’s made a tremendous impact in ways that can’t be calculated in a box score.

For example, Stockton played a game at Montclair State u niversity earlier this month in which Campbell poured in 39 points during a 95-81 Ospreys victory.

Afterward, players and coaches climbed into a bus for the two-hour ride back to Stockton’s Galloway Township campus. Some players

Photo courtesy of Stockton University

stretched out on the seats, their heads resting against windows while their feet dangled in the aisles.

Campbell slid over on his bench in case someone wanted to sit next to him.

“D.J. has 39 in a game and then is the guy on the bus who volunteers to share his seat,” b ittner recalled on Twitter. “He’s never acted more important than anyone else. Makes me wonder if humility is as important in one’s success as anything.”

Campbell’s humble beginnings in basketball may have had something to do with it.

He spent his early childhood in his native Jamaica, where basketball ranks well down the list of popular sports behind soccer, track. Heck, even bobsledding had more fans due to the “Cool runnings” movie.

Kids worshipped Olympic sprinter usain bolt more than Lebron James. upon moving to the united States at age 9, Campbell earned his nickname D.J. on the first day of school when his teacher had difficulty pronouncing Djorkaeff.

Three years later, he moved to Vineland and got his first taste of basketball in the eighth grade when he played a game of “Knockout” in gym class.

before that, he preferred to dribble with his feet more than his hands.

“When I played basketball, I would always travel and double dribble,” Campbell told Stockton’s e-magazine. “Soccer was what I knew.”

Determined to improve, he signed up for a summer basketball camp for incoming Vineland High School freshmen.

His improvement was shocking. As a junior and senior, he led South Jersey in scoring en route to becoming the Fighting Clan’s all-time leading scorer with 1,513 points.

He scored 50 in a game against Atlantic City his senior year. Ironically, Cochran was a Vikings assistant coach under Gene Allen at the time.

Four years later, Cochran was on hand at Stockton to congratulate Campbell for breaking his scoring record.

“I never really cared about the record, to be honest,” Cochran told The Press of Atlantic City earlier this month. “ but if you wanted someone to break your record, it’s him. I don’t know if there a more deserving person to do something of that caliber.”

Campbell’s growth on and off the court continued at Stockton.

He quickly realized the lofty expectations that accompanied his arrival when b ittner threw him out of his first practice for a perceived lack of hustle.

He quickly became the hardest

worker on the team, to the point where he seldom left the gym.

Two seasons ago, he won the first of his two NJAC Player of the year awards while leading the Ospreys to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division III tournament. That included a 33-point effort in a first-round victory over Wilson College in the first round.

“The best thing about D.J. is he’s such a hard worker,” b ittner said. “He scored 33 against Wilson and he texted me at 5:30 the next morning asking when the gym would be open so he could work on his shot.”

His ability and attitude have left indelible impressions.

There will likely come a time when Campbell’s jersey is retired. bittner isn’t going to wait to honor him.

“As long as I’m here,” he said, “no one will wear No. 4 again.”

State wrestling back in A.C.

One of the area’s most popular and exciting events will be taking place at Jim Whelan boardwalk Hall this weekend.

Over 20,000 fans are expected to fill the arena for the state individual wrestling championships.

Fourteen boys and nine girls wrestlers from Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland Counties will be among those vying for state titles.

Included in the boys group are region 8 champions Chase Hansen from Lower Cape May regional (132 pounds), Andrew DePaul of St. Augustine Prep (138) and Clifford Dirkes (285) of Ocean City.

Hansen, a sophomore, and Dirkes, a junior, are seeking to become the second state champions in school history. Shawn Laughlin won back-toback state titles for Lower in 199697. Pat Lynch won two straight titles for Ocean City in 1989-90.

Hansen’s grandfather, blair, a 1976 LCM grad, placed fourth in the state for the Caper Tigers in 1975.

egg Harbor Township’s Cami bird (114), b uena regional’s Shea Aretz (132) and Mainland regional’s Angelica ramos Oviedo (145) all won South region titles. Defending state champ riley Lerner (120) qualified for states by finishing second.

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.

What's happening in Ocean City

Get ready for full calendar of spring events in Ocean City

Easter falls in March this year, and that will make for a fast start to the spring calendar of family-friendly special events in Ocean City.

The fun kicks off with Market Madness on March 9 and 10 at the Ocean City Music Pier. Ocean City’s boardwalk and Downtown Merchants Associations created the event in 2020, and it brings together all of the city’s favorite stores under one roof for two days of preseason shopping specials. The Music Pier will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday (March 9) and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday (March 10) for the event.

The Ocean City regional Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Ocean City High School to assist businesses in filling seasonal employment positions. The Ocean City Job Fair is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 16, at the Ocean City Music Pier. The event is open to everyone and the Chamber strongly encourages employers and potential employees to sign up now. businesses can register to participate and students can register to attend by calling the Ocean City regional Chamber of

Commerce at 609-399-1412.

The Great egg Hunts will return to the b oardwalk from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on March 23 and March 30. The events invite families with children to stop by participating boardwalk stores in a hunt for eggs filled with treats and prizes. rain dates are March 24 and March 31.

easter Sunday on March 31 will start with the traditional non-denominational Sunrise Service by the sea at 6:30 a.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. The Philly Keys will perform their hit Dueling Pianos Show starting at noon in front of the Music Pier, while the easter bunny will meet

and greet children and be available for photos in an Ocean City lifeguard boat from noon to 2 p.m.

The family fun continues throughout April with the following events:

● April 5-7 – Girls Weekend: Girls Weekend on downtown Asbury Avenue between 6th Street and 14th Street includes shopping and dining specials all weekend, accommodation packages, wellness classes, and more. The event kicks off with a Fashion Show on Friday evening. Call 609-399-1412 for more information.

● April 6-7 – OC Con Comic book & Memorabilia Show: Sales, special

guests, cosplay and more at the Ocean City Music Pier. More information at ocnjcon.com.

● April 6 – OC CON Super Hero run and Super Hero Obstacle Dash: 9 a.m. start on the boardwalk in front of the Music Pier. registration and information at ocnj.us/ race-events.

● April 13 – Doo Dah Parade: Welcome the spring season with this comedy-themed parade complete with more than 300 basset hounds. Parade starts at noon on Asbury Avenue from Sixth Street to 12th Street, and then moves up to the boardwalk, ending at Sixth and boardwalk.

● April 20 – Sports Memorabilia Show: Sales and special guests at the Ocean City Music Pier.

● April 27 – Ocean City Schools Art Showcase: See artwork on display from local Ocean City School District students and meet the artists. event is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier.

● April 27-28 – b oardwalk and Downtown Merchant Table Sales: 6th Street to 14th Street on the boardwalk and Asbury Avenue.

Boost your health with pulses: Plant-based protein and fiber

By Dr. LaToya Roberts

Raised in a large Caribbean household, lentils, peas and beans were a daily staple because they’re relatively inexpensive, readily available, easy to store and were often used to stretch a meal. Some of my personal favorites are kidney beans, cannellini beans, pinto beans, chickpeas, and lentils. black-eyed peas and fava beans, however, were not well received, and I have a traumatic scar or two from hiding them by the spoonful in strategically located potted plants.

The words legumes, beans and pulses are often used interchangeably. However, legumes technically refer to the whole plant, from leaves to roots and everything in between including stems and seed pods. Pulses on the other hand refer only to the edible seed (the actual

beans, peas or lentils).

Pulses are an amazing source of plant-based protein, rich in iron, folate, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and zinc. They’re also naturally low in fat, and are one of the richest sources of dietary soluble and insoluble fiber, with four times more fiber than wild brown rice.

Gut dysbiosis is the fancy term used to describe unhealthy changes or disturbances in the gut microbiome. This is linked to the development of many health conditions, including obesity, diabetes, and certain cancers. Current evidence suggests that fiber-rich foods can change the gut microbiome in a good way. recall that humans lack the digestive enzymes that can hydrolyze and break down fiber. Instead, we depend on a healthy balance of gut microbes to do the work for us. In doing so, they produce metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) as a byproduct. These SCFAs are associated with abundant benefits, including strengthening and maintaining a healthy gut barrier, aiding with normal glucose levels, proper cholesterol metabolism, helping to regulate the immune system, regulating the inflammatory

response, and helping with maintaining normal blood pressure. A diet that regularly includes pulses may help with weight control. The fiber, protein, and slowly digested complex carbohydrates found within pulses aid in satiety and support weight loss because they make you feel fuller longer.

Pulses are packed with polyphenols, proanthocyanins and flavonoids, which are known antioxidants. They combat cell damage and possess anticarcinogenic properties as well. Surprisingly, research done by the National Institute of Health shows that only about 8% of u.S. adults report eating legumes on any given day. In fact, pulses are so dramatically under-consumed that it is a dietary public health concern according to the u nited States Department of Agriculture.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to preparation and delicious recipes online are numerous. Hummus is a quick and easy favorite. Include beans on salads or in stews. use peas to bulk up soups, in rice or even mixed in with your favorite vegetable stir fry.

Pulses contain lectins which when consumed raw contribute to bloating,

gassiness and stomach discomfort in some individuals. The negative effects of lectins however are canceled after cooking. The high fiber content can also contribute to similar symptoms. I find that soaking dried beans overnight with a few teaspoons of baking soda and changing the soaking water a few times before cooking helps to minimize this. One may also start with small amounts, such as 2-4 tablespoons at a time, and gradually increase spoonful amounts as your body can tolerate. Drinking adequate amounts of water helps adjust to the fiber increase. Some may resort to taking an over-the-counter digestive aid beforehand like beano.

So, whether you’re vegetarian or consider yourself flexitarian, my hope is that you feel more inspired to experiment with new ways to include these nutrient-dense gems into your daily diet.

LaToya Roberts, DO practices internal medicine at Harbor Internal Medicine. Her office is located in Bayside Commons suite 105, 501 Bay Avenue.in Somers Point.

Turn limiting leaps into terrific triumphs!

By Bill Quain

Happy Leap year, everyone! This week’s column is being released on Feb. 29, leap day. Now, most Americans don’t go crazy on leap day, but I do! Last leap day in 2020, my wife and I were in California, celebrating with my good friend and college roommate John Williams. John is the owner of Frog’s Leap Winery, which he started in 1981.

How do you name a winery?

b efore opening Frog’s Leap, John was the winemaker at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. At that time, he lived on an old farm with a couple of other guys, including the owner, Larry Turley. The farmhouse needed some work, so Larry made a deal with John and a few of the others. They could live there rent-free as long as they gave 20 hours of labor

per month towards rebuilding the farmhouse.

The farmhouse had several rooms that had been sealed off for many years. When John and Larry opened one room, they found accounting books from more prosperous times. It seems the farmer was a real go-getter. besides his crops, he held dances in the barn on Saturday nights. He also raised frogs and sold them to restaurants in San Francisco for frog’s legs entrees! yum! by the time I arrived to work in Stag’s Leap with John in the mid70s, the “Frog Farm” name was well entrenched in the local lore.

John and Larry decided to plant grapes on the Frog Farm and open their own winery. However, they needed a name and a unique logo for the label. They wanted something that would be memorable, and signify their past experiences. That’s when they combined the Frog Farm with Stag’s Leap and came up with Frog’s Leap. Their “Leaping Frog” label was designed by someone’s cousin. It was so good that it won several awards for graphic design.

Frogs leap, but smart people leverage.

In last week’s column, I prom -

ised to talk more about leveraging. Learning to leverage is one of the most important life lessons you’ll ever get. John and Larry taught me to leverage. you see, they took their talents, plus the things they owned, and combined them so that the final product was greater than the sum of all the things they put into it. They had a clear vision of where they wanted to land (that’s the leaping part), and they also had a clear vision of the obstacles they had to overcome (that’s the leveraging part).

To fully understand this, you have to know a little more about the wine business in the late 1970s. The Napa Valley had been producing grapes and wines for many years. However, in the ‘70s, the modern wine culture we know today was just getting started. Americans weren’t drinking as much wine as they do today, and there wasn’t a “Chef Culture” like we have now. but John and Larry spotted a trend. They saw an opportunity. To their credit, they decided to leap ahead of the trends, so they would land in a place where the demand was going. This was going to take more than just hard work. It required them to bring it all together, package it, promote it, and stand by it. That’s the leveraging part. Once they began to assemble the pieces, they just kept building their brand.

For example, in order to get distribution, John began to develop relationships with both liquor distributors and restaurateurs. He began tastings with groups of consumers – the people who would eventually buy the wine. Consumers asked the restaurateurs to carry Frog’s Leap on their menus. The chefs and sommeliers started asking their distributors to carry Frog’s Leap. This wasn’t a haphazard approach. It was designed to leverage both consumer demand and restaurateur demand. They also unlocked distributor demand. They built a brand, and that brand stayed in people’s minds.

Is 2024 your year to leverage?

In the next 366 days, how far and how high do you have to go to land squarely on your goal? How far will you leap, and what will you leverage? before you answer those questions, ask yourself:

1. What am I trying to grow, change, achieve, etc.?

2. What area of my life has the highest leap and leverage mission right now? Job? business? relationship? Personal health?

by Bill Quain

3. Which resources do I have at my disposal? Training? Desire? Talent? Commitment?

4. What’s my brand? Loyal? Dependable? Well-prepared? Visionary? All of the above?

5. When will I begin? Today? Tomorrow? Never?

I have a saying that I teach my students. It’s simple. If you want to change your life, you have to change your life! you see, many people want to make changes, but only a few actually do it.

Take a lesson from the Frog’s Leap story. Don’t limit yourself to what you already have. Take a look around and start uncovering all the hidden assets that you never thought to combine. I can tell you this: If you learn to leverage your leaps, you’ll be sure to jump higher and farther than you ever thought you could.

What about leap year in California?

While my wife and I will not be traveling to California this year for leap day, we will still celebrate! Our plan is to head to our favorite byO b restaurant, Mama Mia’s in Marmora, with several bottles of Frog’s Leap wine. The food there is fantastic, and the owner (and fellow Shore Local contributor) Joe Massaglia is a wonderful host. So go out and celebrate this leap day! If you see us at Joe’s place, be sure to stop by our table.

Got a leaping or leveraging story? I’d love to hear it! Shoot me an email to 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.

Entertainment & Dining at the Shore

Whitney’s Weekly Picks

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

What: 2024 Discover boating Atlantic City boat Show

Where: Atlantic City Convention Center

When: Wednesday, Feb. 28 - Sunday, March 3

Website: https://www.acboatshow. com/

The Discover boating Atlantic City boat Show has a wide selection of boats, an abundance of must-see attractions, and fun features for all ages.

Who: Lovesick featuring The Looms & The Willamsboy

Where: rhythm & Spirits

When: Thursday, Feb. 29

Time: Doors open at 6 p.m., opening acts start at 6:30 p.m.

Get ready for a musical journey to the heart of Italy! The sensational Italian band Lovesick is gracing the stage at rhythm & Spirits on Feb. 29! Save the date for a night filled with soulful melodies, infectious rhythms, and an unforgettable experience.

Who: Diva royale Show

Where: Anthem Lounge

When: Fridays & Saturdays 7:30 p.m. and Sundays 1:30 p.m.

Website:

https://www.dragqueenshow.com/ atlantic-city-drag-queen-show.html

The divas have arrived! Featuring the finest in drag queen performances and female celebrity impersonation.

Who: Disco Night Fever Mania

Where: Hard rock Hotel and Casino

When: Saturday, March 2

Website: https://www.hardrockhotelatlanticcity.com/event-calendar/ disco-night-fever-mania

Get ready to sing along all night at Disco Night Fever Mania, only at Hard rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City! experience the groove of the 70s and

The City Pulse with Whitney Ullman

80s with non-stop hits from legendary artists. Performances by Tavares, The Trammps, Harold Melvin’s b lue Notes featuring Donnell b ig Daddy Gillespie, Luci Martin and Nirma Jean Wright, formerly of Chic, Peaches and Herb, France Joli, The ritchie Family, DJ Vittorio and host Joe Causi.

What: Craft b eer, Wine & Spirits Festival

Where: Showboat Hotel & resort

When: Saturday, March 2

Time: VIP session starts at 4 p.m. for early bird. GA 5 - 9 p.m.

Website: https://www.eventbrite. com/

Join the ultimate tasting experience:

Craft, beer, and Wine Festival at The Showboat Hotel & resort. With over 50 breweries, 20 distilleries, 20 vineyards, 10 ready-to-drink options, and 10 ciders & seltzers, there's something for everyone to taste.

What: Hard Hitting Promotions

Championship b oxing featuring Farmer vs. Castillo

Where: Showboat Hotel & resort

When: Saturday, March 2

Time: 7 - 11:30 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.)

Website: https://www.eventbrite. com/

Come watch some of the top prospects put their perfect boxing records on the line as they chase boxing greatness. you can expect wellmatched bouts that will showcase tomorrow’s world champions. Make sure to be a part of history! This event is put on by Hard Hitting Promotions and Nadel Promotions.

What: black Cat “St. Practice Day”

Where: black Cat bar & Grill

When: Sunday, March 3

Time: 1 p.m.

Website: www.ticketweb.com

Nonstop Irish music featuring the Flynn’s Irish band.

Who: Primal Men Male revue

Where: Kiss Kiss Nightclub

When: Saturday, March 2

Time: 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Website: www.primalmenlive.com

Prepare to live out your wildest fantasies as the Primal Men show you the true nature of male entertainment with a tantalizing, sexy and energetic show. Tickets to Primal Men Male revue include admission to Kiss Kiss Nightclub after the show.

What: Taco Thursday

Where: Gregory’s restaurant & bar

When: Thursdays

Time: 3 - 6 p.m.

The Original Taco Thursday! Serving up Gregory’s famous hard shell beef tacos every Thursday starting at 3 p.m.

Who: Motown Forever

Where: borgata’s The Music box

When: Sunday’s until April 28

Time: 4 p.m.

Website: borgata.mgmresorts.com/ en/entertainment/the-music-box/ motown-forever.html

Motown Forever is a Motown Tribute show featuring a highly talented cast of singers, dancers, and musicians. Performing the greatest hits from The Temptations, The Jacksons, and many more, this show creates a true celebration live on stage! you'll see it, hear it and feel it all at borgata’s Music box.

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!

A conversation with Tony Orlando

By Erica Hoffman

As the daughter of an Atlantic City entertainment reporter, I grew up with close family friends who came with different levels of notoriety in the entertainment world. Although we weren’t related, over time, I was lucky enough to call many of these friends of my parents my “aunts” and “uncles.” Their fame meant nothing to me because, like most kids, I found adults boring. u nless they were on Nickelodeon or one of the shows on the CbS TGIF lineup, I wasn’t interested in their careers.

One day, I turned on the TV and was stunned. My uncle Tony, the man whose lap I sat on as a toddler and giggled at the sight of what seemed to be the most prominent, bushiest mustache in the world, was on my TV singing with Thelma Hopkins or as I knew her, Aunt rachel from one

of my favorite TGIF shows, “Family Matters.”

I would learn that this was just the tip of the iceberg. Not only was he an accomplished songwriter and performer, but he was also a record producer, a broadway actor, and the star of his own variety show. He held multiple No. 1 singles on the billboard Hot 100, for “Tie a yellow ribbon round the Ole Oak Tree,” “Knock Three Times,” and other pop hits from the 1970s. I quickly realized u ncle Tony

wasn’t just my uncle Tony and wasn’t just a little well-known. He was a household name with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and all the accolades that go with it.

After 64 years of performing live, Tony Orlando is putting down his microphone and hanging up his sequined jacket. His penultimate fare -

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well show will be played to a sold-out crowd in the Superstar Theater at resorts Casino, directly adjacent to his handprints on the outside of the theater, on March 16. His final performance will be at Mohegan Sun Arena just six days later.

I spoke to Orlando from Las Vegas, where he has been an entertainment staple for 61 years.

Hoffman: So, u ncle Tony, what about Atlantic City is so special to you?

Orlando: The first time I ever performed in Atlantic City, I was 17 years old at the Steel Pier with Dick Clark. It truly is my home casino town in the whole country. New york and New Jersey were my upbringings. These are my people. This is my home.

Hoffman: And the feeling Is mutual, speaking of New Jersey as your home. Congratulations on being inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame last year.

Orlando: Let me say, to be in there with b ruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, Frank Sinatra, and Frankie Valley, among others, I was very humbled.

Hoffman: So, what do you have planned for this next chapter? you’ve been performing since you were 15 years old. Are you planning on living the retired life?

Orlando: Not me! I’m excited for what’s to come. I’m writing my next book, planning to write a b roadway show, and pitching ideas for films. I currently do a radio show on WAbC New york on Saturday nights. It’s

The Spatz Family Archive

number one in its time slot. It streams to 173 countries, and it’s fun for me to do. What I love about it is they don’t tell me what to do; they let me do what I want, and I play every genre of music from the 1950s to now. It’s great.

Hoffman: Speaking of genres of music, who are you listening to right now?

Orlando: I listen to everything. I love it all. I’m a Swifty. She is talented and a fantastic lyricist, and seeing her show blows me away. People don’t realize she started in Atlantic City. She’s a tremendous talent.

Hoffman: you’ve played everywhere. What made you choose the Mohegan Sun Arena as the spot for your final show?

Orlando: When I decided to retire, Mohegan Sun Arena was my obvious choice. Tom Cantone, the president of entertainment, with whom I have been friends ever since his days as one of the top buyers in Atlantic City, became the president of sports and entertainment at Mohegan Sun. resorts Atlantic City has become a Mohegan Sun property in recent years. My final shows will be at resorts and then at Mohegan Sun Arena, a room in which I’ve worked every year since 2005. God’s hand was on this one. ending this part of my career in this way is very meaningful to me.

Hoffman: And my last question, what’s one memory or career highlight that sticks out when you think of all the time you’ve spent in Atlantic City?

Orlando: Here’s a highlight. I remember my first show in Atlantic City

and your dad, David Spatz, writing a bad review of me. I was sitting with Frank Sinatra, of all people. I said, “Frank, I just got a terrible review from a guy named David Spatz.” Sinatra says, “So did I, but let me tell

you something: I called this guy David Spatz because he was right. I suggest you see if he was right because this guy has an eye; I would listen to him.”

So, on Sinatra’s advice, I called him, “David, this is Tony Orlando; you wrote a terrible review on me; you said that I talk too much, which was annoying.” “I’m sorry,” Spatz replied. I told him, “Like Frank Sinatra said, I just learned something from you.”

“What do you mean?” Spatz asked.

“Sinatra said you wrote him a bad

WINTER SPECIALS

review.” “ yes, I did; what did he say?” Spatz replied. “He said that he learned from you, and I want you to know I also learned from you.” After that, I asked him if we could have lunch, and he accepted. After lunch, while we were walking out, he turned and said, “Just because you bought lunch, don’t think I’m not going to say anything else bad about you.” And right then, we became brothers until the very end, and that’s how you became my niece.

CHEESE RAVIOLI 18

with tomato fennel sauce

CRAB CAKE PLATTER 25

with French fries and coleslaw

BACON WRAPPED MEAT LOAF 21

over garlic mash & asparagus topped with mushroom gravy

SALISBURY STEAK 18

over garlic mashed potatoes & grilled asparagus with mushroom gravy

CHICKEN MARSALA 18

over garlic mashed potatoes & grilled asparagus

MAPLE SALMON 23

over sun-dried tomato and goat cheese risotto

SAUSAGE & RICE STUFFED PEPPER 18

topped with cheddar cheese over mashed potato and grilled asparagus

CHICKEN A LA KING 18

over mashed potatoes and asparagus topped with creamy chicken gravy with carrots, onions and peas

SHORT RIB MAC AND CHEESE 20

Braised short ribs in creamy mac & cheese with side of asparagus

DESSERT A LA CARTE

Chocolate Mousse Cake 8

Heart Shaped Macaroon 5

‘Napoleon Dynamite’ anniversary celebration set for Ocean Casino-Resort

By Chuck Darrow

Every generation has its touchstone movies. And one that is definitely beloved by millennials is “Napoleon Dynamite,” the 2004 indie comedy about a socially awkward teen in a small Idaho town (played by the pitch-perfect Jon Heder) who finds purpose in helping a fellow outsider run for class president.

Though made on a small ($400,000) budget and released with little fanfare, “Napoleon Dynamite” struck a huge chord--especially with young people--to the tune of $46 million in box office gross revenue. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the flick that gave Tater Tots their 15 minutes of fame, three cast members— Heder, Jon Gries and efren ramirez—

have been on a tour that brings them to Ocean Casino- resort on March 9. According to ramirez, who portrayed Pedro, the candidate with the limited english vocabulary, this won’t be your father’s film-retrospective program.

“Normally, with tours like these, people will screen a film and then they just go up on stage and they do a Q-and-A,” offered ramirez during a recent phone chat from Orlando. “ but my relationship [with Heder and Gries]…we're brothers. And because we're actors, we make it interactive. So it's become sort of a vaudeville event [apart from the film screening] where we sing on stage as an opening number. And [Heder] shows up on a bike and we do a whole performance on stage. And then we talk about having to go back in time. I literally built an original time machine with lights and everything.

“We have lasers and everything, so it's become some kind of a spectacle. And it's hilarious. It really brings us back in time as we talk going back to 2003-2004 for the making of the film, 2001, with the idea of having to create the short film and how we all

got involved. And then after that, it's us having to really interact with the audience and talking to them about the making of the film, what it was like through our point of view, our experiences.

“Sometimes, we pull some of the audience--most of the audience is dressed up as the characters, whether it’s Pedro, Napoleon, or u ncle rico. We had a whole entire family one time dressed up as rex Kwan Do, which is really funny. It's amazing to be able to pull them from the audience and put them on stage. Sometimes we reenact some of the scenes. So it's pretty heavily involved with the audience being up on stage and acting with us.”

For the record, ramirez, 50, was not particularly overwhelmed by his introduction to the film.

there, the producer was there, they gave me notes to go at a slower pace. And I thought, ‘Oh, this is unusual. Is there something different about this film? Maybe who knows?’”

ramirez ultimately booked both roles, meaning a decision had to be made. For help in making it, he sought advice from his dad.

“My father was like, ‘Listen to your heart. Follow your heart; that's the right thing to do. That's the best way to go.’ And I thought, ‘Wait a minute. In the script, Napoleon’s sister tells Pedro, ‘Follow your heart.’ I thought, ‘Alright,’ and I made that choice.”

ramirez added he soon enough realized he’d made the right move. “I remember [meeting Heder] for the first time, and he had his big hair and his big glasses, and he was dressed [like the title character]. He said, ‘Hey, are you Pedro?’ And I felt wow, maybe this film's gonna be different.”

Given the picture’s enduring popularity and vociferous cult following, it seems odd there hasn’t been a sequel. So, is that a possibility?

“I didn't even get the script. I only got like, pages of the script,” he recalled. “I just read the sides and I thought like, ‘This doesn't make any sense. What is this?’ It was just so odd.”

Nonetheless, he continued, “I raided my father's closet and I put on his clothes and I auditioned. And they liked what I did.

At the same time he was getting involved with “Napoleon Dynamite,” ramirez, who co-stars with Danny Trejo in the upcoming supernatural thriller, “Se7en Cemeteries,” and was also up for a role in “The Alamo,” the big-budget story of the seminal event in Texas history starring Dennis Quaid and billy bob Thorton.

“I remember having to go into the callbacks for both films,” he offered. “When I went to callbacks for ‘Napoleon Dynamite,’ the director was

“People are still asking for that,” he said. Will there be a sequel? Can there be a sequel? Who knows?” he said.

“I don't think the door of ‘Napoleon Dynamite’ has been closed. I mean, there's so many fans out there. If a script, somehow comes in by [husband-and-wife screenwriters Jared and Jerusha Hess] where they create something that's very fulfilling and deep as the exploration of these characters and the world, then maybe we'll do it.”

For tickets, go to ticketmaster.com.

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

Fans of the 2004 “sleeper” hit can celebrate its 20th anniversary at Ocean Casino-Resort.

Ramirez

Live & Local Music Calendar

Thursday, February 29

Atlantic City

Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino

DJ Neek

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

XO Bar at Resorts

THURS. MARCH 7TH • 7:30 PM

Somers Point

Caroline’s by the Bay

Karaoke Hosted by Mike Dempsey

9 p.m. – 1 a.m.

450 bay Ave.

Queen Jayne’s

SKJ Duo

6 – 9 p.m.

264 New rd.

Atlantic City

1927 Lounge at Ocean Casino

Steve Luhmann

6 p.m. Kristina Pruitt

9:15 p.m. 500 boardwalk

Anchor Rock Club

I Love reggae Music w/ DJ Able

8 p.m. 247 S. New york Ave.

Bar One at Resorts

Live DJ

Smithville

Fred & Ethel’s Lantern Light

Live Music

7 – 10 p.m. 1 N. New york rd.

Somers Point

Caroline’s by the Bay X-Stream band

8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 450 bay Ave.

Josie Kelly’s

Tom & bill. 4 – 7 p.m. 908 Shore rd.

FRI. MARCH 8TH • 8 PM

SUN. MARCH 17 - 2 PM

8 p.m. – 2 a.m. 1133 boardwalk

Hard Rock Café

Dueling Pianos

9 p.m. – 1 a.m. 1000 boardwalk

Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino

Jexxa Duo

7 p.m. Coming Alive

10 p.m. 500 boardwalk

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget yani Duo

6 p.m. big House

10 p.m. 600 Huron Ave.

The Wave at Golden Nugget

rockin’ the Paradise: Styx Tribute

9 – 10:30 p.m. 600 Huron Ave.

The Yard at Bally’s

DJ Freezie

7 p.m. – 12 a.m. 1900 Pacific Ave.

Villain & Saint at Ocean Casino

Lastella brothers

9:30 p.m. 500 boardwalk

Egg Harbor City

Renault Winery

Philly Keys

6 – 10 p.m.

72 bremen Ave.

Saturday, March 2

Atlantic City

1927 Lounge at Ocean Casino

Jeremy Oren

6 p.m. Dom Martino

9:15 p.m. 500 boardwalk

Anchor Rock Club

90’s rock Tribute Night feat. Know your enemy (rage Against the Machine) and Issues (Korn)

8 p.m. 247 S. New york Ave.

Bar One at Resorts

Live DJ

8 p.m. – 2 a.m. 1133 boardwalk

Hard Rock Café

Dueling Pianos

9 p.m. – 1 a.m. 1000 boardwalk

Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino

No Standards Duo

7 p.m. Gypsy Wisdom

10 p.m. 500 boardwalk

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget bar None

5 p.m. Temporary Grace

10 p.m. 600 Huron Ave.

Egg Harbor Township

The Roost Pub & Grill

Kikki briar Trio

6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

500 St. Andrews Dr. Marmora

Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern

Chris Lax

7:30 p.m.

316 roosevelt blvd.

The Royce Social Hall

DJ Dnial

9 p.m. 2831 Pacific Ave.

The Yard at Bally’s

DJ Vito G

8 p.m. – 1 a.m. Audio riot

9 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. 1900 Pacific Ave.

Villain & Saint at Ocean Casino

Jumper Trio

9:30 p.m. 500 boardwalk

Egg Harbor City

Renault Winery

John King

12 – 4 p.m.

billy Walton & Destinee Monroe

6 – 10 p.m. 72 bremen Ave.

Margate

Bocca

DJ Live Wirez

7:30 – 10:30 p.m. 7805 Ventnor Ave.

Marmora

Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern

Mike LaGuardia

7:30 p.m. 316 roosevelt blvd.

Northfield

Taproom at Atlantic City Country

Club

ralph Michaels

5:30 – 8:30 p.m. 1 Leo Fraser Dr.

Smithville

Fred & Ethel’s Lantern Light

Live Music

7 – 10 p.m. 1 N. New york rd.

Somers Point

Caroline’s by the Bay

DJ Jim

4 – 7 p.m. Chris yoder band

8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 450 bay Ave.

Sunday, March 3

Atlantic City

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

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

3AM Tokyo Duo

7 p.m. 600 Huron Ave.

Egg Harbor City

Renault Winery

Glenn roberts

12 – 4 p.m. 72 bremen Ave.

Margate

Bocca

Doug Jennings

10 a.m. – 1 p.m. 7805 Ventnor Ave.

Somers Point

Caroline’s by the Bay

big Foot band

3 – 7 p.m. 450 bay Ave.

Josie Kelly’s

Traditional Irish Open Session

1 – 4 p.m. 908 Shore rd.

Monday, March 4

Atlantic City

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget red

7 – 11 p.m. 600 Huron Ave.

Tuesday, March 5

Atlantic City

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

Patty & bugzy

8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 600 Huron Ave.

Somers Point

Josie Kelly’s

DJ Special K

5 – 9 p.m. 908 Shore rd.

Wednesday, March 6

Absecon

Reddog’s Hi Point Pub

Acoustic Wednesdays

8 – 11 p.m. 5 N. Shore rd.

Atlantic City

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

Michael Stevens

8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 600 Huron Ave.

Margate

Bocca

bob Sterling & The bocca boys

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.

Thursday, March 7

Millville

Levoy Theatre

Taylor Dayne

7:30 p.m. 126-130 N. High St. Events subject to change.

AtlanticHeadlinersCity

Saturday, March 2

Disco Night Fever Mania

▶8 p.m.

Hard rock Live at etess Arena Starship feat. Mickey Thomas

▶8 p.m.

Sound Waves at Hard rock

Sunday, March 3

Motown Forever

▶4 p.m.

Music box at borgata

Friday, March 8

One Vision of Queen feat. Marc Martel

▶9 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino

Jubin Nautiyal

▶8:30 p.m.

Hard rock Live at etess Arena

Saturday, March 9

Tamia & Joe

▶8 p.m.

Hard rock Live at etess Arena

Napoleon Dynamite Live

▶8 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino

Friday, March 15

Voyage: Celebrating the Music of Journey

▶8 p.m.

Sound Waves at Hard rock

Saturday, March 16

Bert Kreischer

▶7 p.m. & 10:30 p.m.

Hard rock Live at etess Arena

Tony Orlando

▶8 p.m.

Superstar Theater at resorts

Jerry Seinfeld

▶8 p.m.

borgata event Center

Voyage: Celebrating the Music of Journey

▶8 p.m.

Sound Waves at Hard rock

Friday, March 22

Breaking Benjamin w/ Daughtry & Catch Your Breath

ock Live at etess Arena

Saturday, March 23

Yacht Rock Revue

ock Live at etess Arena

Friday, March 29

Sound Waves at Hard rock

Saturday, March 30

Aaron Lewis

▶8 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino

Brit Floyd

▶8 p.m.

Sound Waves at Hard rock

Saturday, April 6

SESSANTA: Primus, Puscifer, A Perfect Circle

▶8 p.m.

Hard rock Live at etess Arena

Lit in AC: Rick Ross, Jeezy, and Remy Ma

▶7 p.m.

Jim Whelan boardwalk Hall

On-Sale Now

The Peach at the Beach feat. Joe

Russo’s Almost Dead, Dogs in a Pile, Trouble No More

▶Sat. July 13

Summer Concert Stage at Island Waterpark

John Eddie

▶Sat. Apr. 27, 8 p.m.

Superstar Theater at resorts

On-Sale This Week

Joey Fatone & AJ McLean: A Legendary Night

▶Fri. July 19, 9 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino

Pete Davidson: Prehab Tour

▶Sat. July 20, 8 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino

Whiskey Myers w/ Blackberry Smoke

▶Fri. Aug. 9, 7:30 p.m.

Hard rock Live at etess Arena

Andrew Schulz: The Life Tour

▶Sat. Aug. 24, 7 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino

Bachman-Turner Overdrive

▶Fri. Sept. 13, 8 p.m.

The Music box at borgata

An Evening with Steve Trevino

▶Sat. July 13, 7 p.m.

Sound Waves at Hard rock

Super Trans Am

▶Sun. June 23 – Sept. 1, 4 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino

1

Atlantic City ranked top party destination in the nation

By Julia Train

Spring break and summer are just around the corner. Do you have plans yet? you might be glad to learn that the nation's best party spot is closer than you think.

earlier this month, Atlantic City was ranked No. 1 on a list of the Top 10 party destinations in the u nited States. When comparing 101 cities in the country in 10 categories, Atlantic City got the highest combined score, a perfect 10.

The categories included music events, bars, nightclubs, hotels, late night food options, casinos, last call time, average prices of drinks, hotel rooms rates and taxi rides from the airport to the city center.

According to a survey conducted by bonusfinder.com, the Top 10 were “mainly dominated by the sunny destinations of Florida and the fun-filled cities of New Jersey.

Although it remains cold until about mid-March, the city, also known as “America’s Playground,” has plenty to do besides gambling. There’s a plethora of nightclubs like HQ2 in Ocean Casino resort, boogie Nights in Tropicana, and music venues such as Anchor rock Club, The Wave bar & Lounge in Golden Nugget and Mountain bar in Caesars.

There’s headline entertainment just about every weekend at casino theaters; choose from comedians, musicians, theatrical productions and more.

A particular draw to the city is the fact that there’s “no last call” for alcoholic beverages, which the casinos serve 24/7, so you can keep the party going for as long as you wish.

There are also top-tier restaurants like Chef Vola’s, Gordon ramsay Pub & Grill and Amada, among many, many more.

Although a popular vacation spot,

the hotels in the city have maintained a relatively low price, costing about $116 per night on average, and a 19-minute drive from Atlantic City International Airport to the city’s center is about $45.

In the warmer season, there’s the beach, of course, and the boardwalk with a huge variety of shops, food places and attractions like the Steel Pier. Guests even have the ability to carry their drinks along the boardwalk and beach with beverage spots like bally’s beach bar.

There’s fun for the young ones, too. Visitors can bring their children to check out all the attractions at Showboat resort including go karts, the largest arcade on the east Coast, the Lucky Snake, and the new Island Waterpark.

If you choose to venture off the b oardwalk, there’s Tanger Outlets and Dave & buster’s.

b onusFinder’s top recommendation for visiting Atlantic City is to check out The Pool After Dark at Harrah’s resort. Located “underneath a huge glass dome, the multifloor club has an 86,000 gallon pool

surrounded by tropical flora and hosts world-class entertainers every weekend.”

Top 10 Party Destinations in America

1. Atlantic City, NJ, 10/10

2. Miami beach, Fla., 9.85/10

3. Hoboken, NJ, 8.76/10

4. Key West, Fla., 8.61/10

5. Miami, Fla., 8.53/10

6. Las Vegas, Nev., 8.25/10

7. baton rouge, La., 7.95/10

8. New Orleans, La. 7.89/10

9. reno, Nev., 7.81/10

10. Shreveport, La., 7.73/10 source: bonusfinder.com

Julia is a student at Rider University, majoring in multiplatform journalism with a minor in social media strategies. At school, she writes and is news editor 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

Cheers to the women of wine!

By David Setley

March is Women’s History Month when we recognize the achievements and contributions of women in all aspects of

business and society. International Women’s Day, an annual celebration on March 8, dates back to 1911 for Austria, Switzerland, Germany, and Denmark. The u nited Nations and the united States began recognizing the holiday in 1975. In this article, I will pay homage to some of the female wine heroes I have come to know this year and will acknowledge their contributions to global viticulture.

My first honoree was born in France but has sparkled in the California wine industry. Pauline Lhote

is the lead winemaker of sparkling wines (see what I did there?) at Domaine Chandon. born near the Champagne region of France, growing sparkling wine grapes was second nature to Lhote. Making her story all the more interesting, she was actually inspired to pursue her bubbly dream by the first female winemaker for Chandon: Dawnine Dyer. Pauline went on to work for two outstanding Champagne producers in France — Moët & Chandon and Nicolas Feuillatte — before landing her current position at Domaine Chandon. regarding her success in the wine industry, Lhote is quoted as saying, “It is important to be strong, confident, and assertive, especially when you are a young woman in the male-dominated industry.” To experience her sparkling wine prowess, try the 2023 Champagne and Sparkling World Championship Silver Medal winner: Chandon by the Sea. This 100 percent Chardonnay sparkling wine is a delicious tribute to the cool climate and terroir of Carneros, Calif.

My next three honorees can be found at the elena Walch Winery in Italy's Alto-Adige region. The region is famous for Pinot Grigio, and some of the finest may be found at this outstanding winery which is jointly operated by elena and her two daughters, Karoline and Julia. elena Walch is a legend in Alto-Adige. u nlike many in the industry, she was not born into the world of wine; she married into it. As a result, she was not burdened by preconceived ideas of managing a winery. Her innovation into high-density planting and reconfiguring the vineyard’s vine training systems have become standard viticultural techniques which have earned the praise of her peers and improved the quality of wine for the entire region. Karoline and Julia completed their college studies outside of Italy and interned in wine regions as diverse as b ordeaux and Australia. They are now sharing what they learned at their family winery. If you enjoy Pinot Grigio, please try the elena Walch Selezione Alto Adige Pinot Grigio. Doing so ensures that the female-led winery will continue to prosper into the next generation.

In Australia, Steph Dutton is impressing the wine world as a winemaker at the nation’s renowned Penfolds Winery. Dutton is quickly growing in recognition for her innovation and her passion for excellence in winemaking. At Penfolds, she is respected for her dedication to quality and her focus on finding

and utilizing the latest technology that the industry has to offer to continuously improve the wine coming out of this famous Australian winery. An example of her innovation was the “Wines of the World” project, in which her goal was to make a high-quality Penfolds wine with grapes from two continents. In 2018, Steph and her team went to Paso robles and Napa Valley in California to harvest Cabernet Sauvignon to blend with the Penfolds Shiraz grape that was harvested in Australia. Nothing like this had ever been attempted. To experience the work of this outstanding winemaker, try the Koonunga Hill Shiraz or a bottle of Max’s Cabernet Sauvignon, named for Max Shubert, Penfold’s Chief Winemaker from 1948-1975. My final honoree is in South America’s b odega Catena Zapata in the Medoza wine region of Argentina. Dr. Laura Catena has been called "the face of Argentine wine" for her active role in studying and promoting the Mendoza wine region and Argentine wine. Catena graduated magna cum laude from Harvard university in 1988 and has a medical degree from Stanford university. In 1995, Dr. Catena joined her father, Nicolás Catena Zapata, at the family winery and founded the Catena Institute of Wine with a vision to improve the quality of all Argentine wines. She currently serves as the managing director of the winery and works closely with the winemakers to maximize the benefits of the region’s terroir. Her book, “Vino Argentino: An Insider's Guide to the Wines and Wine Country of Argentina,” has been featured in Oprah Magazine, the New york Times, The Wall Street Journal, The San Francisco Chronicle, Decanter Magazine, Food & Wine Magazine, Wine Spectator, Wine enthusiast, and Wine Advocate. Try the Catena High Mountain Vines Malbec or the Catena High Mountain Vines Chardonnay. both are excellent examples of Argentine wine at its best!

Cheers to all women and the distinguished women of wine mentioned above. As always, if you have any questions or comments, contact me at dsetley@passionvines.com or stop by the Somers Point store. until next time, happy wining!

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

There’s nothing broken about this Cracked Egg in Galloway

By Scott Cronick

robert Dicesare Jr. knew that he would some day own a restaurant.

b orn and raised in Galloway, Dicesare’s fascination with cooking started at a young age.

“I would call my mom after basketball practice and tell her to get the fryer going,” said Dicesare of his family’s small, home basket fryer in which he would make mozzarella sticks and basic things. “I always wanted to cook as a little kid.”

After graduating high school, Dicesare found himself at Smithville

Locals are Raving About!

bakery & Coffee Shop, a longtime breakfast and brunch spot in Historic Smithville.

“That’s where I learned everything,” said Decesare, who went from washing dishes to working the line to eventually basically running the kitchen when COVID hit.

Not only would Dicesare learn how to cook from Anthony Sawyer, but it was there he would meet his soul mate, Lyndsey Sawyer, Anthony’s daughter.

“I love them so much,” Decesare said. “He’s my future father-in-law. (Me and Lyndsey) aren’t engaged yet, but she knows we will be. I just don’t have the money. I bought a restaurant.”

The big purchase

That restaurant is The Cracked egg Café in Galloway, a quaint, homey 25-seat restaurant with a counter that is perched over the grill where Dicesare now cooks every day in hopes he could soon buy that engagement ring.

“That’s why we are open seven days a week,” he said with a laugh. “I

have some bills to pay.”

b y the way, Dicesare is only 25 years old!

“The idea of me actually owning a restaurant started during COVID,” he said. “At the bakery, a lot of the good, loyal employees got a lot of respon -

The Cracked Egg Cafe Owner Robert Dicesare Jr. poses with one of his signature omelets at his Galloway restaurant that he recently purchased.

sibility put on them, and I was one of them. And I thought, ‘If I could handle it here, why can’t I do this myself?’”

Good question.

Dicesare originally considered buying and operating a food truck since opening and operating costs are so much lower to get a young chef like Dicesare started.

b ut, unfortunate circumstances changed that when both of Dicesare’s parents died about two years ago.

“When I lost my parents, they left me a little lump sum of money to me … not millions, but something to get me started. I said, ‘Let’s not take this for granted. Let’s use this

as an opportunity to do something great.’ you can’t buy a restaurant at Walmart, so you have to wait for that opportunity,” Dicesare said.

So, last fall, when former Cracked egg Café Owner Melanie ruggles posted on Facebook that she was looking to sell the well-known and loved establishment that she owned

and operated for eight years, Dicesare jumped on it.

“I never dined there before,” he admitted. “I was working breakfast hours for seven or eight years, so the last thing I was doing on my day off was waking up early to eat the same food I could eat on the line for free every day. but, I knew they had a great reputation.”

Within two weeks of ruggles’ post, she came to an agreement to sell The Cracked egg to Dicesare. They closed on the purchase in mid-December, and after about six weeks of cleaning, reorganizing and getting things ready, The Cracked egg Café reopened by the end of January thanks to some hard work by Dicesare, his girlfriend, family and friends.

“It’s exciting, but once you get into the meat and potatoes of things, it’s like, ‘Oh boy … what did you get yourself into?’ you are working way more than 9 to 5 … but that’s what you signed up for. No matter how much you prepare, you can never be ready. but I love it.”

Same great food, different owner

For those in the know, The Cracked egg Café space, according

to Dicesare, has been mostly a restaurant or luncheonette in one form or another since the 1950s, including a stint as a seafood spot.

And Dicesare is right on when he is confident that the old-school luncheonette charm of the place is what keeps people coming back … along with the food. That’s why when you walk in, you won’t really see many changes.

“People come and hang out at the counter and chat with me,” Dicesare said. “They come to have some good food with me and to vibe with me. I thought I might mind

them looking at me the whole time, but I like it. They tell me, ‘ you are doing great. I can’t believe you can do this.’ And I am looking at it like, ‘Oh my God, they are looking at me, and did I do this wrong, and are they judging my and my food?’ So, it’s been very relieving to see nice guests say nice things. They just want to talk … it’s a whole environment. And you get to know your customers.”

On the breakfast side, Dicesare is particularly proud of his three-egg omelettes – all served with toast and home fries - and there are about 10 available, including The Hungry Man

↘Continued on 46

Second Location

Spinach feta omelet

Sausage and cheese omelet

↘Continued from 45

($13.95) with sausage, ham, pork roll, bacon and American cheese; the popular spinach, tomato and feta ($13.95) and the veggie ($13.95) with spinach, peppers, onions, tomato, mushrooms and broccoli.

There are a bunch of breakfast sandwiches, but you should definitely steer toward his signature “The Crackin” with two eggs, American

cheese, homefries and your choice of bacon, pork roll, sausage, ham or scrapple on a kaiser with bottomless coffee or soda for $8.95.

b y the way, all of The Cracked egg’s sausages, including breakfast, hot and sweet, come from a local butcher in Vineland.

“They are made there in house,” Dicesare said. “I am trying to bring in some quality, locally made sausage. And the home fries are made with potatoes that are hand cut every morning.”

The Cracked e gg also offers pancakes ($8 short stack, $9 full stack) and french toast ($7 short stack, $8 full stack), and you can always add blueberries, strawberries or chocolate chips if that’s your thing, including on the belgian waffle ($8).

On weekends look out for the homemade sausage gravy over biscuits, as well as the creamed chipped beef, which were sold out when I arrived last Sunday morning.

“They have been so popular we might have to put them on the regular menu,” Dicesare said.

For those not interested in breakfast, it’s typical luncheonette fare from a bacon cheeseburger and fries ($9.95) to a chicken cheesesteak ($9) to a grilled cheese with bacon and tomato ($8.50) to a triple-decker club sandwich ($9) to cheesesteak or chicken quesadillas ($9, $8.50). There’s also cold sandwiches including an Italian sub ($8) or b LT ($7), as well as broccoli cheddar or loaded potato soup ($4.50).

"She is much more than a gifted organist, choral conductor

social media sensation… she’s a star on a mission."

“If I am open, the whole menu is open,” he said. “If you walk in at 6:15 a.m. after working overnight and you want a burger or a cheesteak, I will not turn you down.”

A young chef’s future

Dicesare is a fine example that if you work hard and set goals, you can achieve anything at any age.

Some may have taken an inheritance and wasted it. That was never in the cards for Dicesare, who was inspired and motivated by their deaths.

“That would be the biggest disservice I could have done to both my parents,” he said. “I know they are looking down and proud of me on the other side. I made a promise to them I would buy a restaurant, and I did.”

As far as his future, Dicesare already has plans to remove a fountain right outside of The Cracked egg Café to expand and offer outdoor seating. but he has way more plans than that.

“I want to expand and grow in the business world,” he said. “This is the first of many. We are coming for you Denny’s!”

The Cracked Egg Café is located at 637 S. New York Road, Galloway. They are open 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. Like them on Facebook or call 609-8728499.

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

Cheesesteak quesadilla with peppers and onions

Blueberry pancakes

Warming up to Paradise Soup

By Chef Joseph Massaglia

Although we now can put the very cold snowy and gloomy January days behind us, we will still have some cold and chilly days ahead as we move through the rest of the winter season. And there is nothing better on a chilly day than a good bowl of hot soup.

I love all soups and I love them year-round. b ut there is something about a steaming bowl of hot soup on a cold day that makes me (and I hope you) feel warm and cozy inside.

Soup is definitely one of the most popular comfort foods, and researchers have conducted many studies that show that people have happier feelings about others after consuming a bowl of hot soup. One study showed that even holding a warm cup of soup may increase positive feelings toward others.

It’s said that soup is as old as cooking itself, and no one really knows when or who invented it. However, there are signs that even cavemen knew how to boil water (once they could control fire) because residue has been found sticking to pots found from the Iron and b ronze Ages –that’s over 20,000 years ago.

but before soup was boiled in pots it was probably cooked in watertight containers like animal hides and woven baskets, and hot rocks were used to boil the water.

Here’s an interesting fact: the word restaurant, which means something restorative, was first used in France in the 16th century to refer to a highly concentrated, inexpensive soup which was sold by street ven -

dors. Then in the mid-1700s, a shop opened in Paris specializing in such soups, which prompted the use of the modern word restaurant for eating establishments.

There are many wonderful Italian soups, and the most familiar in America are probably Minestrone and Italian Wedding Soups. b y the way, the latter does not relate in any way to actual weddings, but to the “marriage” of flavors – but that’s for another article!

I grew up eating a delicious Italian soup that my mother called Panada (from “pane” meaning bread). b ut throughout Italy it’s known as Zuppa Paradiso, or Paradise Soup.

Paradise Soup is a very simple soup made with eggs, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs and stock. It also is known as “Poor Man’s Soup” because it uses no meat, and the farmer could gather the eggs from his chickens, make the stock from chicken bones, and turn stale bread into breadcrumbs. And I guess they also could make the cheese!

Dating back to the 19th century, some believe its name came from the fact that no one believed that any “meatballs” made from just eggs, cheese and breadcrumbs could taste so heavenly.

There are very few recipes for Paradise Soup available, but I do have one on my website: www.joestablefortwo.com. There are over 600 authentic Italian recipes on my site, and this recipe, which comes from the emilia- romagna region of Italy, is listed in the soups section. I’ve included it with this article.

It’s very important to use soft breadcrumbs made from slightly stale

bread you have on hand. Dry breadcrumbs out of the round container purchased at the grocery store won’t work.

I found three other recipes online that are very similar to my recipe. The only difference is that some recipes separate the egg yolks from the egg whites, and then beat the whites until stiff before adding to breadcrumb mixture. That method makes for a fluffier “meatball.”

Whichever method you try, I know you will find this soup to be heavenly. be well, stay safe, and please continue to support your local restaurants.

buon Appetito!

Joe’s Table for Two radio show airs Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on WOND 1400 AM. Website: joestablefortwo.com. Facebook: Joe’s Table for 2. Contact Joe: joestablefortwo@gmail.com.

The dangers of alpha rolling dogs

By Heidi Clayton

Numerous studies have proven that positive-based dog training works better than confrontational techniques. One confrontational method that has lost credibility is the “alpha roll,” made popular by the Monks of New Skete dog training book published in 1978 called “How To b e your Dog's b est Friend”. Thankfully for dogs and puppies everywhere, many studies show that the monks got this one wrong.

Alpha rolling is physically rolling a dog onto their back and holding them in that position until they submit to you being in charge. It is based on the monks’ theory that in wolf packs the “alpha” often exerts dominance by taking the other party by the neck, flipping them onto their back and holding them there until submission. This technique supposedly exerted

their dominance in the pack.

One of the major flaws with this premise is that even if this did occur in wolf packs, they are of the same species as each other. We are not dogs. Dogs know we are not dogs, and we do not speak the same language. As humans, we walk upright and not on four feet. We do not greet our dogs by smelling their rear ends. Our relationships with dogs are more of a hierarchy, not as members of the same pack.

e stablishing a hierarchical relationship is when we teach them things like waiting for us to put the food dish down before eating or asking for them to wait before running through an open door.

Wolf experts also point out that packs are not randomly gathered together collections of wolves but are family units with matriarchs or patriarchs. Harmony within the pack is not maintained by individuals exerting dominance but by the other pack members showing deference to the leaders. This is shown by pack members approaching the leader and voluntarily rolling onto their backs as opposed to the monks’ suggestion that the leader shows displeasure by putting other members of the pack

on their backs. Wolf experts say that leaders keep the peace by calmly controlling resources, which is similar to reward-based training.

The alpha roll will force your dog to choose fight or flight. Of the two, I suppose one hopes that the dog will experience the flight feeling and not the fight. Flight would be the dog squirming and struggling to get upright and away. The fight will be the dog feeling they need to defend themselves from this attack and try to bite the offender. Held down long enough, the dog appears to submit to being physically overpowered. you may think that you have succeeded in teaching your dog who is boss when all you have done is manhandle them.

One of the biggest reasons you should not alpha roll your dog is doing so can get you bit. Job Michael evans is a former New Skete monk who no longer advocates the alpha roll because too many owners have been bitten by their dogs doing it. Cesar Millan, albeit unwittingly I am sure, also makes it clear on his show that alpha rolling is dangerous. He first said that this should not be tried at home, then he actually was bitten on national television. I don’t agree with Milan on just about everything, but I highly suggest you follow his sage advice: do not alpha roll your dogs!

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

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

Marry the house; date the rate

Real Estate Matters

By Elisa Jo Eagan

In the last few years, since 2020 and the onset of the pandemic, home prices have dramatically increased, solidifying that owning a home and investing in real estate is still the best investment for building wealth and equity and creating a solid financial future.

Interest Rates: Then and Now

Interest rates hit their all-time historical low in 2020 and 2021 and have increased over the last few years since then. even with rising mortgage rates moving into 2024, current rates, which are below 8 percent, are still in the historically low range.

Imagine that in 1981, the lower end of mortgage rates averaged 16.64 percent, anc in some cases, as high as 19.5 percent, a staggering all-time high!

At the same time, home prices

were much less then, having more than tripled and even quadrupled or more since, creating a wealth and opportunity for those homeowners and real estate investors who purchased a home in the 1980s and held on as the value of property increased. Imagine having purchased a half a dozen or more properties at those prices back then and what they are worth now in today’s market economy. There is proven wealth in owning real estate.

The Strategy: Marry The House, Date The Rate History often repeats itself. In real estate, interest rates do rise and fall

based on market conditions which are always changing, creating opportunity.

A common question is whether or not to wait to purchase “when the rates go back down again,” or when “prices go back down again.” The answer is if you see the home that you want and you are able to own it now, “Put A ring On It... buy it Now! Thus the expression, “Marry the House... Date the rate.” And it is so true.

“Marry the House” that meets your needs and is the best fit in terms of location, school system, number of bedrooms, and the details that you

value for you and your family. It is better to own now than to rent, before the home prices increase even more.

Get the best interest rate you are able to get when you are purchasing by “Dating the rate,” until a better rate comes up, and then you “break up with the rate” and refinance for better terms if it financially makes sense when the opportunity becomes available to you.

If you see the home that you want to buy today, buy it today because if you like it and want it, so will other buyers. Put a ring on it before someone else does. Marry the house and begin to enjoy the benefits of homeownership and real estate wealth, securing a better life for your family and financial future.

With hugs and warm regards.

For more real estate advice and questions, call/text elisa at 609-7030432 or see TherealestateGodmother.com.

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

COLOGNE

CONOVERTOWN

DOUGHTYS

GERMANIA

HEWITTVILLE

ISLANDBEACH

JOHNSONTOWN

OCEANV LLE

PINEHURST

POMONA

SOUTHEGGHARBOR

SM THVILLE

Galloway Township was incorporated by royal charter of Great britain on April 4, 1774. It is said to be named after Joseph Galloway, a Loyalist delegate to the First Continental Congress in 1774, who was opposed to independence of the Thirteen colonies. Another belief is that is named after Mull of Galloway, the southernmost point of Scotland.

609-645-0500

SUDOKU

Solution on page 58

THEME: MARCH MADNESS

ACROSS

1. Trunk extension

5. Dojo pad

8. *Villanova ____ at end of each half in '18 championship

11. Away from port

12. Windmill blade

13. Key material

15. Hefty competitor

16. european sea eagle

17. Walnut ____, MN

18. *____ Sunday

20. Smelling tainted, as in meat

21. Soft and sticky

22. Giant bird of "One Thousand and One Nights"

23. *____-elimination

26. Making sounds like babe

30. beatle wife

31. Not absorb, nor repel

34. Twelfth month of Jewish year

35. batman to bruce Wayne

37. elizabeth Gilbert's "____ Pray Love"

38. Cubic meter

39. Ghost of Christmas ____

40. P in POI

42. Make work

43. Puffed up

45. ____ and effects

47. Mont blanc, e.g.

48. Oddball's attempt?

50. Tropical tuber

52. *Penultimate NCAA round

56. Like cornflakes leftovers

57. Slavic version of John

58. Tangerine plus grapefruit

59. Chased up an elm

60. blow off steam

61. Tear violently

62. Da in russia

63. before of yore

64. Pasturelands

DOWN

1. Falls behind

2. Archipelago unit

3. Square one?

4. Good-for-nothing

5. Nobel Prize winner Curie

6. bug

7. High school student

8. rumpelstiltskin's weaver

9. Green-eyed monster

10. Tie ___

12. ruled against, as President can

13. Prod

14. *Fill-in-the-blanks

19. Pepsi and Coke

22. Part of human cage

23. Daytime entertainment, pl.

24. Spouse's parent

25. Neil Diamond's " beautiful ____"

26. Tiny leftovers

27. Intestinal obstruction

28. N in rN

29. Mirths

32. *1 or 68, e.g.

33. Crew tool

36. *Automatic vs. ____

38. Creepy one

40. *Coach's locker room talk

41. Similar to sextant

44. Andrew ____ Webber

46. *Hang a banner, e.g.

48. Abraham Lincoln bill, slangily

49. Lacking sense

50. ruptured

51. Ice, dark, and middle

52. *Twelve's opponent

53. Type of molding

54. Forearm bone

55. Purges

56. Slovenly abode

See Solution on Page 58

How to save for different goals

By Eric Reich

I’m a big believer in saving money. That's a shocker, I know. So I am always looking for ways to save not only more but smarter.

One of the first questions I like to ask new clients is, what are you saving for? Many of us save for the sake of saving, not necessarily for a specific goal. Are you saving for retirement? College? A vacation house? Knowing what you’re saving for makes it easier to focus on the right savings rate, portfolio allocation, and even tax management and estate implications. It is difficult for an advisor to answer the common question, “how much should I be saving?” when we don’t know the what, when, or the how behind it.

Let’s look at some of the things we save money for and how we might want to go about it.

1. Saving for retirement

The amount you should save depends on a lot of different variables. Sure, I would like to see a 20-something saving 10% of their income for retirement, but I still need to know what the goal is. Do you want $250K in retirement from your investments or $25K? The amount you need to save depends heavily on the end goal.

How should you save for retirement? The answer may lie in your current tax situation. If you are just starting out, maybe look to a roth 401(k) or roth I r A instead of traditional versions. yes, by investing in the roth option, you forgo the current tax deduction, but does it really matter that much? Most young people starting out are not in a high tax bracket anyway, so what is the real value of the tax deduction you are giving up? you might be in a much higher tax bracket in retirement than you are today. Side note: Don’t automatically assume you will be in a lower tax bracket in retirement. For many retirees, that old way of thinking simply isn’t true. I would much rather have a large pool of retirement assets in the future that are tax-free than get a comparatively small tax deduction today. Look at it from a farming perspective. Would

you rather pay tax on the seeds or the crop? Another great feature of a roth is that if you don’t use all of the money, it is also income tax-free to your heirs!

2. Saving for college

I often get questions about which is the best way to save for college.

First, we need to understand if you are going to be eligible for financial aid. As a guideline, you can use each college’s net price calculator or the Federal Student Aid e stimator at studentaid.gov.

Also, it’s important to understand that different savings vehicles count differently for aid purposes. A 529 owned by the parents counts as a parent’s assets, which is assessed against you much lower (5.64%) than a custodial account (uTMA/ u GMA), which counts as the child’s assets (20%).

I personally never use uGMA/ uTMA accounts for a whole host of reasons, including tax, estate, financial aid, control, etc. My go-to savings vehicle for college is the 529 plan. Funds in a 529 grow tax-deferred. If used for

qualifying higher education expenses or private grade/high school, then all of the growth can be tax-free.

The next question I get is, “but what about the penalty if I don’t use it for those reasons?” yes, if you don’t use it for a qualifying expense, then the earnings only are subject to tax (which they would have been in a regular investment account all along anyway) and a 10% penalty on the earnings only. b eing able to defer taxes for decades and earning interest on the money I would have paid in taxes all along in exchange for a small penalty is well worth it to me.

Lastly, yes, using an insurance policy is an option as well. However, I like that more for helping to qualify for aid than I do as a general savings vehicle.

3. Saving for a vacation home or a general goal

u nfortunately, there are more limited ways to save for these goals that are tax-free and completely accessible at any time. For these goals, a time horizon is key. When do you need the money? That will dictate the investments that should go into the accounts. It helps to determine the tax efficiency of the investments needed too. It might determine the ownership structure of the account as well.

Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FIN r A/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.

Majority of N.J. residents not on board with state electric vehicle mandate, poll shows

By Dana DiFilippo, NJ Monitor

Anew r utgers- e agleton poll shows more than half of New Jersey residents say they probably won’t buy an electric car, despite a new Murphy administration rule requiring all new cars sold by 2035 to be electric.

A majority of 1,657 adults surveyed in December agreed the state’s phase-out of gas-powered cars would positively impact the state’s air quality and residents’ health, but half don’t support the policy because they’re concerned about how it will affect their personal finances and the state’s economy, according to the poll results released Monday.

Ashley Koning, director of rutgers u niversity’s eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling, said the opposition comes even though about a dozen other states have adopted the same regulations.

“It is an issue that is heavily influenced not only by partisanship but also by a hesitancy that likely stems from a widespread lack of information about the vehicles themselves and what the policy entails — not to mention the financial implications and the notable change this would cause in people’s everyday lives,” Koning said in a statement.

Support is highest among Democrats and demographic groups that lean left, including black and multiracial residents, younger adults, urbanites, and more highly educated residents.

respondents who said they probably wouldn’t buy an electric car blamed associated costs, concerns about how long and how often cars must be charged and worries about a lack of infrastructure and charging stations.

The poll also shows that the issue is a socioeconomic one, with a person’s likelihood of considering an electric vehicle decreasing as their household income falls.

It also suggests the mandate could shape political campaigns and elections — 45% of respondents said they’d be less likely to vote for political candidates who back the mandate. Majorities of republicans, white people, and 50- to 64-year-olds said it would negatively affect their vote.

“ electric vehicles may become a tricky issue for candidates in election cycles to come — depending on which side of the aisle the candidate is on and the makeup of their electorate,” Koning said. “Those demographics who are historically more likely to turn out to vote are also the same groups most opposed to a candidate who supports the 2035 policy.”

The poll prompted a round of I-toldyou-so reactions from critics who have long fought the mandate.

Jim Appleton, president of the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive retailers, said the poll proves that officials should “slow their roll and recognize consumer sentiment or risk a consumer backlash that is already being felt.”

“This poll points to the need for the State Legislature to take the wheel from Governor Murphy and steer e V policy back in line with consumer preference,” Appleton said in a statement. “ unrealistic mandates are certain to hinder — not help — electric vehicle adoption and will have serious negative impacts on the state’s economy and the finances of working and middle-class consumers.”

Spokespeople for the Murphy administration didn’t respond to a request for comment.

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