SHORE LOCAL | Coastal | March 14, 2024

Area Gets Its Irish On $26M Plan Unveiled for Boardwalk Improvements

Changes on the Horizon for Somers Point

High School Media Program in the Spotlight

Countdown to spring – now less than a week away

Birds are singing their sweet songs, the grass is getting greener, and the sun is shining on our vitamin D-craving faces. Yes, the long-awaited spring is almost here. Daffodils have been announcing its coming, and now their bugle blooms shout it out. Tulips are also pushing their way through the earth. Soon their vibrant colors will turn heads. Gardeners are excited because, at last, they can dig in the dirt and begin planting seeds and plants directly in the ground, beautifying their gardens and nourishing their souls.

The recent warm days coupled with daylight savings time has had many of us reveling in the extended evenings, making plans for outdoor adventures or simply enjoying the comfort of a sunset stroll through the neighborhood.

The air is filled with the promise of renewal and growth, as trees begin to bud. The arrival of spring also signals the start of outdoor sports and activities that have been on hold during the colder months. Parks will soon be filled with the laughter of children playing. The change of season brings with it a sense of optimism, a reminder that after every winter, no matter how harsh, comes the warmth and beauty of spring.

Survival of the most adaptable Shore Local celebrates 8 years

From the Editor

Over the weekend, my family and I indulged in a delightful tradition—cracking open fortune cookies after enjoying a chinese meal. My fortune struck a chord: "Success comes to those who are adaptable." This simple phrase sparked a lively discussion at our table about who among us was the most adaptable, along with a multitude of examples that had us all laughing.

My daughter playfully noted how I adapted during my recent stay with Grandma. I began dressing and eating like her, donning velour and developing a taste for rice pudding. My mother shared her own tale of adaptation, recalling her transition from her trusty typewriter to a computer in the '90s — a daunting change

for her, yet one that ultimately benefited her.

a s we settled in to watch a movie that evening, we discussed the ever-evolving movie viewing systems, reminiscing about our Blockbuster days, the DVD vending machines and then “on-demand.” Today the entire world seems to be on-demand from entertainment to multitudes of information at our fingertips. When Bob first came to me with the idea of starting a publication, he knew it would have to be on-demand, available free for pick-up for those who want a physical copy and online for those who prefer digital.

In an ever-changing world, adaptation was and remains critical. Nowhere is this more evident than in the newspaper industry. Gone are the days of bustling newsrooms and daily newspapers, printed and delivered to our driveways each morning.

a s we celebrate Shore Local's eighth anniversary this week, I reflect on the journey and all the changes along the way. Low overhead and working mobley were essential to

making our dream of Shore Local possible.

Keeping our overhead low meant we did more ourselves than I ever imagined was possible. From spending all day delivering papers to writing, editing, and developing a website and social media presence. Each of those required adapting and learning – especially the latter two!

a s we grew over the years, we also needed to adapt. Building a team from scratch was challenging. Infrastructure and delegation became our focus.

Thankfully, we now have an incredible team of multimedia journalists, graphic designers, digital specialists, and a superb delivery crew.

While we don't know what the future of Shore Local will be, we know one thing; it will demand adaptation – to new systems, technology, expectations and who knows what else!

One thing is certain though. Our mission remains clear: to highlight the unique stories of our community. Our commitment to adaptability has not only helped us grow but has also prepared us for the uncertain future of media.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to you, our readers, for your ongoing support. Your feedback and engagement mean everything to us. a nd, of course, a special thank you to our advertisers, whose support makes this publication possible.

h ere's to celebrating eight years of Shore Local—and to the many changes and successes that lie ahead.

Peace & Love, Cindy

Publisher– Bob Fertsch (609)

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

Copy Editors - James FitzPatrick, Holly Fertsch

Advertising Sales - Meg Perry (609)425-5407 shorelocalmeg@gmail.com

Web Designer - Holly Martin

Contributors – Charles Eberson, Scott Cronick, Tammy Thornton, Rich Baehrle, Sarah Fertsch, Steffen Klenk, Fred Miller, Brian Cahill, Dave Weinberg, Doug Deutsch, , Gabriella Bancheri, Elisa Jo Eagan, David Setley, Heidi Clayton, Eric Reich, Whitney Ullman, Raymond Tyler, Bill Quain, Dr. LaToya Roberts, Chuck Darrow, Bruce Klauber, Julia Train, Erica Hoffman

Changes on the horizon for Somers Point

Business Buzz

By Rich Baehrle

Today we are sharing the news with great sadness that McNaughton’s Garden center, located at 331 New road, Somers Point, recently announced plans to pull up their roots and leave our beloved town.

The family owned business planted its seeds here more than 25 years ago, bringing joy to many families who bought their indoor and outdoor plants and accessories there to enhance their homes.

The retail world is constantly changing. after long, hard and emotional consideration, the McNaughton Family decided to close the Somers Point store at the end of July and consolidate to their cherry h ill location.

The decision was not easy as it never is when a business closes.

They will continue to be fully stocked with all items that their loyal customers are accustomed to. The store will also be fully staffed for the spring season. If you have any questions, you can contact Kathy and Shawn at 609-6011616.

Every week I end my articles by encouraging people to

rise. Owners of companies are in a constant struggle to fight inflated prices while attempting to achieve an adequate profit margin. Sometimes it works and, unfortunately, sometimes it does not.

It is called a zero-sum game.

shop locally and especially support small businesses. It’s important now more than ever.

Yes, people are affected by inflation and their hard-earned dollars are buying less and less. The cost of goods and services continues to

For every company that does not make it, there are frequently ones that will succeed and replace them. In the case of McNaughton’s Garden center, it appears that it will ultimately be demolished, creating space for other retail: possibly restaurants or other services to replace it. McNaughton’s will be missed by a lot of the locals.

You might have also noticed the Walgreens, at the corner of Groveland avenue and New road, is now vacant. Unfortunately this second victim of retail competition has succumbed to current economic conditions. h owever, to much surprise, it is going to be replaced by an aldi grocery store.

It is going to be a little more 21,000 square feet. It was approved a pril 19, 2023. The store is going

to be developed by Provco Somers Point, LLc

The approval did not happen without opposition from some area residents who opposed the anticipated traffic, noise, and stormwater management issues. They asked why the city needed a third grocery store. h owever, the city thought the benefits outweigh the concerns and approved it.

aldi has a niche in the competitive grocery space. The chain is owned by a lbrecht Discounts, which also owns the popular brand of Trader Joe’s.

There are 2,357 a ldi stores throughout the United States. apparently, the corporate site selection people realize there are two existing grocery stores within a half mile, and feel they will not only compete, but will thrive.

The concept is to offer fantastic service along with extremely competitive prices. I guess we will see if Somers Point, and the surrounding towns, can support three grocery stores plus Target.

In the end, will the consumer be the winner being able to get more competitive prices? We will see. remember, stay off the internet and support local businesses, especially small businesses.

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

Absegami’s media program is on a roll

By Steffen Klenk

Just after 8:30 in the morning, students and faculty at absegami high School are preparing to watch another exciting broadcast of GaMI-TV. Each program begins with the Pledge of allegiance, followed by a student-made intro and morning announcements, along with a look at the day’s weather, high school sports reports, entertainment updates, and interviews on relevant topics.

Behind the scenes, it’s the students of absegami’s media program that make the production come to life. From being in the control room operating the teleprompter or running graphics, to operating camera equipment, recording voice-overs, and sitting at the desk, up to fifteen students are not only playing a pivotal role in each live broadcast but are also getting hands-on, real-world experience.

“Since my cOVID year, I wanted to get involved with media.” Ben capp is a senior at absegami and the Media club president. h e found an interest in broadcasting during his freshman year and has quickly put his newfound skills to use, learning how to utilize the technology and stream live events. “I think it’s one of the best media programs in the district, if not the county.”

Michael Piotrowski is the current media director at a bsegami h igh School. h e graduated in 1993 and was taught by former educator Ed Johnson, who was pivotal in bringing TV media to the district. “The studio looked nothing like it does today. h e spent so much time putting his heart and soul into this,” Piotrowski commented.

During his tenure, Johnson gave his students the opportunity to build necessary communication skills by interviewing some of the biggest celebrities that appeared in atlantic

city, from actors and singers to legendary comedians. “I decided that we’re going to give our students interview skills as well as the camera skills.”

h is students even had to interview every contestant in the Miss america Pageant. “Many of the contestants were coming to atlantic city for the first time, and my students were doing the first interviews, so it was a perfect match.”

Piotrowski’s career began at WMGM-TV 40, during the station’s long-storied affiliation with NBc h e conducted interview packages for their evening news broadcast before taking up a role in teaching. “I was ready to move to california, and I said, ‘I’ll either go to L. a . or teach.’” Today, he oversees the school’s media department.

Killian Wagner, a sophomore, says he has gained newfound knowledge from the media program. “It’s like a family; we all respect each other, and even if we have bad days, we work through it. We have that level of determination.”

Throughout its forty-year history, absegami’s media program has re -

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Piotrowski speaking to students during a class. Photo by Steffen Klenk

GAMI-TV students receiving awards. Photo courtesy of Mike Piotrowski.

ceived much notoriety. In recent years, the department received 1st Place in Broadcast Journalism and 3rd Place for Best Public Service announcement at the New Jersey Future Business Leaders of america (FBL a) Leadership conference. The students have also received recognition from atlanti care for their PSa s on staying healthy in the winter and healthy eating.

For alumni at absegami h igh School, the knowledge and information gained from the studios at G a MI-TV have transformed into real-world success. Several of their former students have attained careers in the vast field of media. One of those students is arielle Schaffer, who began her broadcasting

career at SEc Network while attending the University of alabama at age 19. currently, she is a sports reporter

for cBS affiliate WIaT in Birmingham, ala. “Piotrowski is a good person to rely on for advice. he’s been there and he knows how tough the industry is.”

Other notable alumni include Galloway’s own Mara Justine, who participated in the media program before rising to fame as an acclaimed singer on “america’s Got Talent” and NBc’s “The Voice”. Other graduates are currently working for companies such as cNBc , Food Network, the Miami Dolphins, Netflix, hard rock, resorts, Longport Media, and Weist-Barron- r yan acting Workshops and casting, among others.

a s for senior Ben c app, while he has not decided on which college to attend, he’s setting his sights on a future career in the production industry. “My dream job is to be in the control room of the ‘Today Show’ one day.”

In recent years, the school’s media program has implemented new technology to bring in-house programming to viewers throughout the country. Gami TV on YouTube currently broadcasts live sporting events, including absegami Braves basketball, wrestling, esports, and concerts. Viewers can also watch replays of the morning announcements online by going to www.absegami. net. Scroll to the Menu tab, click on clubs and activities, and then click on Media club.

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

GlobeTrotter Interview. Photo courtesy of Mike Piotrowski.

Absegami student interviewing Congressman Jeff Van Drew. Photo courtesy of Mike Piotrowski.

Students sitting at the desk awaiting the start of the morning broadcast. Photo by Steffen Klenk

Arts Foundation’s 100th mural commissioned

By Gabriella Bancheri

Street art is easily one of my favorite forms of artwork, mainly because its public display fosters a sense of accessibility, inclusion, and community. But also because it gives a visual representation of the place the art lives in. It gives a place its own distinct character.

a nd thanks to the atlantic city arts Foundation, atlantic city’s character is only becoming more colorful and robust.

In June 2024, the ac arts foundation will unveil its 100th commissioned mural, set to be painted by the Swiss muralist and “artivist” Mona caron. The mural is currently slated to appear on The atlantic and it will be a part of a larger series of murals entitled "Weeds".

Paintings included in the series

can be found in places from Portugal to Switzerland to the States and the series speaks mainly to community resilience through the depiction of resilient urban flora.

Executive Director of the a rts Foundation, Kate O’Malley shared that “the Weeds series celebrates autonomous, resilient creatures that are growing through the cracks, which I think really resonates with atlantic city.”

Kate has also mentioned that Mona is doing extensive research on local wildlife located on the Jersey Shore to be sure the painting both fits the scale of the building and reflects the particular location.

a s of right now, the mural is set to be unveiled in June, during the 48 Blocks festival, ac arts Foundation’s flagship program. The festival is a citywide celebration dedicated to local art and culture across all of ac’s blocks.

Embracing the nature of its name, the event features 48+ projects and spans over 48 hours, giving local artist and residents a chance to share and celebrate the city’s people, art and culture. The event features concerts performed by local musicians and arts and writing initiatives.

It was from this initiative that the now robust mural program came to be. and in 2019, ac Mural Week was launched and the city’s first international artist, BKFoxx, who created the iconic “Not for Sale” mural. She was one of the first artists of her caliber to “take a chance on ac ,” Kate explains.

Since then, the Foundation has created 96 murals to date—and they don’t intend to stop at the 100th.

planning to “knock it outta the park.” The initiative is great for the community, but it also puts ac on the map in the world of art. It is a signifier that the community “demands to be taken just as seriously” as other places.

although, not without the help of local artists like Zach Katzen, owner of create 48 and co-founder of Union hall arts, and Loryn Simonsen, previous communications manager and currently the graphic design consultant for the arts Foundation.

Kate, who began at the a rts Foundation immediately after graduating college, is an ac local herself. Throughout her experience working with artists and communicating with other locals in the city, Kate shares that she’s “come to fall in love with the community and understand the need for this stuff.” Initiatives like this boost community morale, tourism, and economic development.

The ac arts Foundation is also recent recipient of an NJEDa arts grant amounting to nearly $250,000, and because the Foundation is completely funded by grants and donations, this is huge news for its future.

The grant will help the organization pay for a variety of much needed luxuries they’ve been functioning without, including a van, computers, contractors, and additional supporting staff. The organization isn’t the only thing getting an upgrade, though. Mural rewind Week, which will be hosted this June, will focus on the restoration of seven existing ac murals.

a s for the city’s upcoming multistory spectacle, Kate says they’re

It’s clear that organizations like the ac arts Foundation have found the pulse of ac: not just in the city’s art, but in its ability to use art to promote a stronger sense of community.

Gabriella is a

in

City of atlantic city Mayor Marty Small, Sr. announced during a news conference, March 12, that the $20 million awarded to the city as part of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s $100-million Boardwalk Preservation Fund will be used to improve the atlantic city Boardwalk from New Jersey to Tennessee avenues. atlantic city is receiving the largest grant in the state under this fund, along with a sbury Park. This work is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2026.

This announcement came as the start of a $6-million Boardwalk reconstruction project from Bellevue avenue to columbia Pl got underway this week. Utilizing the grant money awarded to the city from the U.S. Economic Development administration (USEDa), the city is replacing this particular section of the Boardwalk that is over 100 years old. In addition, as part of this project, new concrete ramps will be installed at Texas avenue

and Mississippi avenue. These ramps will be fortified to handle vehicles for larger scale events.

“We are extremely excited to announce the rebuilding of the greatest Boardwalk in the world in the great city of atlantic city,” said Mayor Small. “We’re grateful for these contributions from our Federal and State partners. This is another example of the Small administration bettering atlantic city without using taxpayer money, while addressing the structural needs conducive to a stronger and safer Boardwalk.”

“There is nothing more unique to atlantic city than the historic Boardwalk,” said Linda cruz- carnall, regional Director of the USEDa’s Philadelphia regional Office. “Not only will this project encourage greater tourism in atlantic city, but it will also bolster local businesses, create good paying jobs, and revitalize the economy at the Jersey shore, as this Boardwalk is a regional economic driver.”

(L to R) Mayor Marty Small Sr. at the podium, Linda Cruz-Carnall, Jim Rutala, Uzo Ahiarakwe, Steven Perskie.

“Millions of dollars of other people’s money have been spent so far to rebuild the atlantic city Boardwalk thanks, in large part, to strong relationships,” said city of atlantic city Grant consultant Jim rutala. “It takes a lot of money for a rehabilitation project like this and it takes a lot of commitment from many different city departments to reach the success we’ve achieved to this point.”

construction has begun on Bellevue avenue and will continue to Florida avenue this spring. The contractor will then remobilize after the busy summer season, and continue from Florida avenue to columbia Pl, with plans to extend improvements to a rkansas avenue. This section of the Boardwalk is anticipated to be completed by the

end of 2024. The project was designed by czar Engineering. The Boardwalk contractor is Weatherby construction, and the Texas avenue ramp is being built by Feriozzi concrete company.

Over $60 million in atlantic city Boardwalk improvements have been completed from Gardner’s Basin to Ocean c asino resort. To date, $86 million in funds have been secured from eight different state and federal agencies for Boardwalk improvements, with about $60 million in additional funds needed to finish the entire Boardwalk. rutala a ssociates prepared all the funding applications, and has been working with federal and state agencies to gain additional grants to complete the Boardwalk reconstruction.

The

Somers Point’s new Poet Laureate

By Julia Train

The Somers Point arts commission named their new poet laureate in December 2023. Sarah Fertsch, 28, from Egg harbor Township was chosen for the two-year position out of three applicants.

Most of those on the nine-member board already knew Fertsch from participating in Poetry in the Park, writing for Shore Local and being involved with the Somers Point Poetry Society.

Established in 2017 by the Somers Point arts commission and the city council, Fertsch is the third to hold the title.

She will be teaching poetry through the lens of poetry slams,

combining rhetoric and spoken word as an art form to 7th and 8th graders at Jordan road in Somers Point.

There will be a poetry contest at the end, and the winners will be able to read their poems at a Somers Point city council meeting.

" h er writing isn’t super basic. It has some complexities to it but it’s not so complex that people can’t identify with it,” said Dan Myers, president of the Somers Point arts commission. “We were impressed with her in every way.”

Myers said that when the commission was searching for the one to fill the spot, they were looking for whoever fits best into their goals of education, whoever would be effective with educating the public on the arts.

They also wanted someone who has had their work published, could teach art and knew the area.

Fertsch had been writing poetry since high school, but college is when she really dove into it. She found online groups and started getting involved in the Somers Point Poetry Society in 2020.

“I was very much that high schooler who would feel angsty and write poetry under my bed,” said Fertsch.

She’s been published in The Sun Magazine, with a piece on school uniforms; This Is My Brave as part of a literary compilation on mental health; and Blue Stoop, a Philadelphia-based writing organization.

Fertsch submitted three pieces with her application, one of which was titled, “Force of Nature,” which was inspired by her middle school soccer coach, who often told her to be a "force of nature."

In the poem, she questions the saying, stating, “is a force of nature not soft silky moss…calm waves…” She wonders why a force of nature is often seen as aggressive when she sees nature as kind and calm.

natural imagery to convey a deeper meaning, typically reflecting on relationships and growing up near the southern New Jersey shore.

symbolism and oxymorons.

In addition to reflecting on her relationship with nature, she also reflects on growing up by the shore in her poems. She noted that poetry is either a window or mirror: a window that looks at another world/ perspective or a mirror to show us a different reflection of ourselves and understand more about oneself.

“I like poetry because it’s the espresso of creative writing. It’s really condensed and every word matters,” said Fertsch

A Force of Nature

By Sarah Fertsch

Be a force of nature, they told me

Encouraging the middle school athlete to defend

The soccer goal with all of my might Toughen up, scare the competitor, never admit defeat

A force of nature, I wonder

Refers to a hurricane raging

Or a lion sinking claws into a gazelle

Or a praying mantis eating her mate

What about moss, unassuming velvet

What about the kindness of a shrimp

Who carves out a burrow in the coral

And invites a goby as a roommate

Sleeping together every single night

When a wave crashes on the shore, It’s not often thunderous.

Water laps the shore like a dog’s kisses

It purrs as it ebbs and flows

Be a force of nature, they told me

So I sat in the middle of the soccer field

And cradled the spears of grass

Like the lake that slides off a duck’s feathers,

Like the sweet reunion of humans in love,

I thank Mother nature for Her mild temper.

Nature is a topic she writes about often in long form, discussing her relationships with nature, similarly to Mary Oliver. She uses nature and

Fertsch mentions that she likes poetry because every word needs to convey more than one meaning

Softer than any hide or man-made blanket

What about sunlight, the slow

Tilt of flowers toward its golden beams

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

Sarah Fertsch, new Poet Laureate of Somers Point

Interesting facts about St. Patrick's Day

While St. Patrick's Day is renowned for celebrating Ireland, one need not be Irish to enjoy the festivities on M arch 17. In fact, St. Patrick himself was not Irish, having been born in an area of Great Britain then referred to as roman Britain because it was still governed by the roman Empire. St. Patrick's birthplace is not the only interesting fact surrounding St. Patrick's Day that might surprise even the most devoted of Patty's Day revelers.

● arguably the most famous St. Patrick's Day parade in the world, the New York city parade is more than 250 years old. The Big a pple's first St. Patrick's Day parade took place on March 17, 1762, when Irish soldiers serving in the British military marched through the city.

● While New York and Boston host the largest St. Patrick's Day parades in the United States, more than 100

parades are held in honor of St. Patrick throughout the country each year. For those who love a good parade but don't have much time on their hands, the city of hot Springs, arkansas, is home to the world's shortest St. Patrick's Day parade. The parade takes place on the city's Bridge Street, which measures just 98 feet in length.

● In spite of its proximity to New York city, the city of hoboken, New Jersey, began hosting its own St. Patrick's Day parade in 1986.

● The United States is not the only place to enjoy a spirited celebra -

tion of St. Patrick. Montreal, canada, whose city flag includes a shamrock, has held an annual St. Patrick's Day parade since 1824. Elsewhere in canada, Toronto hosts an annual St. Patrick's Day parade that typically attracts more than 100,000 spectators.

● Irish ranks among the top five ancestries in nearly every state in the United States. The lone exceptions are New Mexico and h awaii. Irish leads the way in Delaware, Massachusetts and New hampshire.

● While corned beef has become synonymous with St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the United States, the corned beef eaten in the United States is not the corned beef familiar to people in Ireland. That's because the corned beef eaten in the U.S. is largely from kosher Jewish butchers, whose corned beef is made from brisket, a tougher cut of meat taken from the front of the animal, whereas the corned beef produced in Ireland comes from the hindquarter.

● another food associated with St. Patrick's Day, Irish soda bread gets its unique name from its ingredients. When baking this beloved bread, bakers use baking soda instead of yeast as a leavening agent.

Events and Happenings

Multiday Events

MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships

▶Now – Saturday, March 16

Jim Whelan Boardwalk hall 2301 Boardwalk

The 2024 h ercules Tires Maac Men’s and Women’s Basketball championships return to Boardwalk hall. The winners of both the Men’s and Women’s tournaments receive an automatic bid to the N caa tournament. Tickets and information are available at www.boardwalkhall.com.

Thursday, March 14

A Night on Paradise Island

▶6 p.m.

Island Waterpark at Showboat

Join cancer Support communities New Jersey at Gilda’s club for this special event. Enjoy live music, a light buffet, raffles, an open bar, and “Digging for Diamonds.” This event will be held in the waterpark’s adult Island Paradise, an event space with stunning views of the beach and ocean. Tropical attire is encouraged. Tickets and information are available at www.cscnj.org.

Friday, March 15

Movie at the Library: The Color Purple ▶2 p.m.

Longport Public Library 2305 atlantic ave.

attendees are invited to enjoy this musical drama where a woman faces many hardships in her life, but ultimately finds extraordinary strength and hope in the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood. Please call (609) 4877403 to register or learn more.

Somers Point Art Exhibit and Meet and Greet Reception

▶6 – 8 p.m.

Somers Point Senior & community center 22 N. ambler rd.

The Somers Point arts commission is hosting an art reception and meet and greet reception. The exhibit will feature the artworks created by the participants of the Landscape Painting Workshop Series. The public is invited to attend. admission is free, and refreshments will be served. Donations to the Somers Point arts commission will be greatly accepted.

Saturday, March 16

Electronic Recycling Fundraiser

▶9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

atlantic county 4- h Fairgrounds 3210 route 50, Mays Landing h osted by the atlantic city 4- h STEM club, this event, held on the third Saturday of each month, pro -

vides the opportunity to get rid of old equipment. a ccepted items include ac adapters, handheld or table-mounted scanners, keyboards, Pc speakers, laptop and cell phone batteries, TVs, toner and ink cartridges, and more. See the complete list at www.ac4hfair.org/electronic-recycling.

Red Raider Fishing Sale and Flea Market

▶9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Ocean city civic center 6th St. & Boardwalk

Visit close to 80 tables with new and used fishing gear for sale, plus fresh and saltwater tackle. There will be free parking, refreshments, and door prizes. admission is $5 for adults, and children ages 6-13 are $1. O c Students are $1 with ID. a ll proceeds benefit Ocean city School Fishing clubs.

Ocean City Job Fair

▶10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Ocean city Music Pier 825 Boardwalk

The Ocean city regional chamber of commerce is a partnership with Ocean city h igh School to assist businesses in filling seasonal employment positions. The event is open to everyone. The chamber strongly encourages employers and potential employees to sign up now. For further information, call the chamber at (609) 399-1412.

Easter at the Park

▶12 – 3 p.m.

atlantic county Park at Estell Manor 109 route 50 South, Mays Landing

children of all ages are invited to celebrate Easter at the Park where they can participate in an egg hunt, craft activities, and a wagon ride. The event is sponsored by the atlantic county Division of Parks and recreation. The event is free to

attend. registration is required at www.aclink.org/parks. For questions, please call the Nature center at (609) 625-1897 or email parks@ aclink.org. rain date: Sunday, March 17, 12 p.m.

Brigantine St. Patrick’s Day

▶1 p.m.

St. Thomas church to Veterans Way at 32nd St.

Shake the Shamrock and join the Brigantine chamber of commerce for this annual event filled with marching bands, floats, nonprofit organizations, and lots of green all around. Line up at 11:30 a.m. at the St. Thomas church parking lot. More details can be found at www.ShakeTheShamrock.com.

St. Paddy’s Day Skate

▶1 – 3:30 p.m.

Young’s Skating center 763 Park rd. Mays Landing come dressed in green and join Young’s Skating center as they celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Plus, guess how many gold coins are in the pot and win a cool cash prize.

Noyes Arts Garage Closing Reception for Current Exhibitions

▶1 – 3 p.m.

Noyes a rts Garage 2200 Fairmount ave. atlantic city

The arts Garage celebrates three exhibitions: “complex Planet”, “Ducktown, an atlantic city Immigration Story by Janice Merendino”, and “The Links Inc. present: Michele Foster Lucas”. Enjoy an afternoon of art, live music, and light refreshments at this lively reception.

Concert Series at the Library

▶2 p.m.

Longport Public Library 2305 atlantic ave.

Join Longport Library for their upcoming concert as they present a “Tribute to Frank Sinatra and count Basie”. Please call (609) 487-7403 to register or learn more.

Manhattan Contemporary Chamber Ensemble

▶7 p.m.

Saint Nicholas of Tolentine church 1490 Pacific ave. atlantic city

The Parish of Saint Monica presents “an Evening with the Manhattan contemporary chamber Ensemble”. Featuring richard auldon clark on violin and viola, christine Moulton on flute, and Matthew Slotkin on guitar, the trio will perform the music of J.S. Bach, hoffmeister, and Matiegka. Proceeds will benefit the restoration of the Saint Nicholas of Tolentine church. For tickets, call (609) 3451878.

Sunday, March 17

Bay Atlantic Symphony: Poetry and Power

▶2 p.m.

Stockton Performing arts center 101 Vera King Farris Dr. Galloway

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, the Bay atlantic Symphony will open the show with american composer arthur Foote’s “Irish Folk Song”. From there, the performance will transition to two profound works by musical poets chopin and Schubert, led by classical pianist Janice carissa. Learn more and purchase tickets at www. stockton.org/pac.

Monday, March 18

Blanket Making with Project Linus

▶5 p.m.

Inland Family Success center

3050 Spruce ave. Egg harbor Township

Get crafty at Inland FSc with an activity perfect for all ages. Leah from Project Linus will teach participants how to make blankets. The event is free for anyone residing in atlantic county. register in advance

by calling (609) 569-0376 or visit www.inland-fsc.org

Movie Night: Boardwalk Ballyhoo

▶6:30 p.m.

atlantic county historical Society

907 Shore rd. Somers Point

Published by Vicky Gold Levi, this wonderful nostalgic documentary will showcase early atlantic city. admission is free. Popcorn and drinks will be provided. Free parking is available behind the building.

Tuesday, March 19

South Jersey Players Dinner Theater

▶6 p.m.

aroma restaurant 5206 atlantic ave. Ventnor

Enjoy a three-course plated dinner (BYOB) followed by five new original one-acts. Playwrights include Tom chin, Sondra Mandel, Jim O’ h ara, Sheila McDonald, and Edward Shakespeare, plus over a dozen actors. reid alburger will provide dinner music on classical guitar. Scott Friedman will host the event. Tickets are $45 per person. For reservations, call (347) 920-6399.

Concert at the Library

▶6:30 p.m.

Longport Public Library 2305 atlantic ave.

Spend your evening enjoying music from Jeffrey Uhlig’s renditions of classics, Broadway, and ragtime. Please call (609) 487-7403 to register or learn more.

Sustainable Book Group OCUT

▶7 p.m.

The Sustainable Book Group of Ocean city and Upper Township will discuss “On Fire” by Naomi Klein in this engaging Zoom presentation. register in advance to receive a

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Zoom link for this meeting by visiting https://tinyurl.com/SBG19MarZoom.

Somers Point Dance Society

▶7:30 – 10 p.m.

Somers Point Fire hall 447 Bethel rd.

The Dance Society is back in 2024. admission is $10 and includes snacks, live musical duos, line dancing, dance mixers, social dancing, and plenty of parking. come out and kick up your heels, or just listen to good music with good company.

Wednesday, March 20

Somers Point Pinochle Club

▶6 – 8:30 p.m.

Somers Point Senior center 22 N. ambler rd.

a ll are welcome to attend. For more information, go to visitsomerspoint.com and click on Events.

Thursday, March 21

Atlantic Cape Restaurant Gala

▶6 – 9 p.m.

harrah’s Waterfront conference center 777 harrah’s Blvd. atlantic city

The 41st annual restaurant Gala is the premier food and beverage fundraising event. This year’s theme is Springtime in Paris. The event begins with a lavish cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres prepared by the academy of culinary arts. Then guests will enter the ballroom to sample signature dishes, desserts, and libations from over 50 South Jersey establishments. Enjoy a 50/50 raffle, open bar, photo booth, and live entertainment by Grooveheart. Details are available at www.atlanticcape.edu.

Friday, March 22

Movie at the Library: Ferrari

▶2 p.m.

Longport Public Library 2305

atlantic ave.

Set in the summer of 1957, with Enzo Ferrari’s auto empire in crisis, the ex-racer turned entrepreneur pushes himself and his drivers to the

edge as they launch into a treacherous 1,000-mile race across Italy. Please call (609) 487-7403 to register or learn more.

Bus Trips

Bus Tour to Brandywine Museum and Nemours Mansion

▶Thursday, april 25

Welcome spring by joining the Green Thumb Garden c lub of Somers Point on a bus tour to the Brandywine 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.

Triple Crown at Delaware Park

▶Saturday, June 8

Spend Saturday afternoon at Delaware Park casino with live racing and a simulcast of the Belmont Stakes. The $100-per-person cost includes a four-hour open bar with a buffet, reserved covered outdoor seating, a free program, bus fare, and driver gratuity. contact John Walters at (609) 703-5418 or email jwaltersjr@ comcast.net for more details.

Phillies vs. Orioles in Baltimore

▶Saturday, June 15 – Sunday, June 16

Spend Father’s Day weekend watching the Phillies vs. Orioles in Baltimore. Enjoy a Saturday afternoon matinee at 4:05 p.m., an overnight stay across from camden Yards, with breakfast included, and a Sunday afternoon game. $330 per person includes two games, hotel, breakfast, bus, and driver gratuity. contact John Walters at (609) 703-5418 or email jwaltersjr@ comcast.net for more details.

Ventnor Night at the Phillies

▶Friday, June 28

Join the city of Ventnor for a night of community, baseball, and fireworks at citizens Bank Park.

Atlantic City Restaurant Gala

$150 per person includes a round-trip bus, a three-hour tailgate with food, lower-level seating, and a fireworks show preceding the game. The bus will depart from Ventnor h eights at 3 p.m. on the day of the game. registration is open now http://ventnor. recdesk.com.

Phillies vs. Yankees

▶Wednesday, July 31

Enjoy a July afternoon watching a classic baseball rivalry. $100 per person includes a 300-level ticket, bus, $12 voucher good for anything at the

Health and Wellness

NAMI Basics Program

▶Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.

Now through March 14, N a MI atlantic cape May is pleased to announce their new educational program for parents of children 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

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 h ealth a ssociation in atlantic county offers three online meetings each month, with both day and eve ning options available. To receive a link, contact Gail 652-3800 ext. 0301 or email gchris tian@mhanj.org.

Dementia Support Group

Wednesday, March 20, 1:30 p.m.

6009 Paul and Thelma Lane, Mays

eld on the 1st and 3rd Wednes

day of every month from 1:30 – 3 p.m.

c all Diane conover at (609) 4026966 for more information.

Community CPR Class

▶Wednesday, March 27, 6 p.m.

royal Suites h ealthcare and rehabilitation 214 W. Jimmie Leeds rd.

Do you have an upcoming event? Let us know about it!

event to

By Steffen Klenk

IAtlantic City St. Patrick’s Day Parade draws thousands

rish eyes were smiling on atlantic city for the 36th annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, held Saturday, March 9, 2024, on the world-famous boardwalk. hundreds of participants and floats made the procession from Ocean casino resort to Stockton University on a lbany ave as thousands lined the parade route to enjoy the celebration.

The festivities began early at The Irish Pub as fans waited in line to meet Kelsey Grammer. The award-winning actor and founder of Faith american Brewing company spent the morning signing autographs for adorning fans.

Grammer was one of two Grand Marshals for this year’s parade, along with Steve Troiano, business owner and proprietor of Maynard’s café in Margate. Other participants included atlantic city Mayor Marty Small Sr., State a ssemblyman Don Guardian, council leaders representing Ventnor and Somers Point, along with police and first responders.

Atlantic County Sheriff Joe O'Donoghue on the parade route.

Former Grand Marshals

Grand Marshal Kelsey Grammer, TV and film actor

Cathy Burke, owner of The Irish Pub

Grand Marshal Steve Troiano, proprietor of Maynard's Cafe

New Jersey Assemblyman Don Guardian

Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr.

South Jersey’s terrific trees

By Sarah Fertsch Staff Writer

It’s the greatest comeback of the year. Lanky, prickly branches are soon to be enshrined in soft shades of green. and we are counting down the days until South Jersey awakens from its hibernation.

If you’ve got spring on your mind, focus your energy on the great natural world around us. In preparation for Earth Day, here’s some background on native trees found around your neck of the woods:

1. Flowering Dogwood

This species is quintessentially stunning in the springtime. You’ll recognize the dogwoods for their white and pink blossoms blooming during late March and early april. Naturalists consider the flowering dogwood the most handsome tree native to the

american Northeast.

The flowering dogwood is more than just a beauty. Native americans harvested its red berries for a homeopathic cure for malaria, and extracted red dye from the roots. The wood is dense and shock-resistant, which can be found in jeweler’s blocks and cutting boards.

Bees and butterflies flock to the dogwood in the springtime, and songbirds nest between the branches, utilizing cover from the leaves and flowers.

2. Sweet Birch

Ever drank birch beer? The classic beverage comes from the fermented sap of the sweet birch tree. The species is also tapped for sweet maple in the springtime, even though it isn’t a maple tree!

The sweet birch has scaly bark that’s sometimes sticky with sap, usually with a reddish color. The birch oil is used in medicines and old-fashioned candy. Young birches are coniferous, but they become deciduous with age.

3. Black Spruce

You’ll come across these evergreen giants around South Jersey marshland. The black spruce is sometimes known as the swamp spruce, because of its ability to thrive in wet environments.

This tree is also renowned for its success in wintery, cold climates. The bark of the black spruce tree is scaly and dark gray. The needles are stiff, blue green in color and grow into a pointed crown at its top.

The root systems are pretty shallow, so it prefers a layer of foliage and soil around its base. This tree’s

wood is used in many paper products.

4. American Holly

Iconic with christmas, the american holly serves as a cornerstone of South Jersey's ecological framework. Its dense foliage provides crucial shelter and nesting sites for a variety of wildlife, including birds and small mammals, while its red berries offer a vital food source during the winter months.

Despite facing threats from habitat loss and invasive species, conservation efforts and the tree's resilience have ensured its continued presence, enhancing the region's biodiversity and natural beauty for generations to come.

5. Sweet Crabapple

The a merican crabapple (also known as sweet crabapple) is a species of flowering tree native to North america, specially the Mid-atlantic region. You’ll find this tree lining residential streets, touting its springtime flowers.

culturally, the crabapple tree carries a rich heritage deeply rooted in Native a merican traditions and early american history. Indigenous peoples utilized its fruits for culinary purposes and medicinal remedies, while its wood was prized for crafting tools and ceremonial objects. European settlers also embraced the crabapple tree, incorporating it into their orchards for its ornamental value and as a source of cider production.

Sarah Fertsch is a journalist, proposal writer and poet. You can find her chasing dogs across the beach and trying new recipes.

Closed Easter Sunday Opening Weekends Starting Saturday March 23

By Dr. LaToya Roberts

Awell-rounded diet is an important factor to consider for hair and scalp health. a healthy diet can lead to healthy hair. h ere are some tips for healthy hair that can be controlled through your diet.

1. Increase your protein intake

h air is primarily protein. Make sure to include protein in your diet. adequate sources include lean meats, eggs, fish, poultry and low-fat dairy products. Diets deficient in protein result in weak, brittle hair and hair loss itself.

Sources of animal protein tend also to be good sources of iron. Women with iron deficiency tend to experience hair thinning and/or hair loss. If following a vegetarian or vegan diet, remember the importance of adequate protein from pulses (peas,

Eating for healthy hair

beans and lentils) or supplement with protein powders. Dark green leafy veggies and pulses are good plantbased sources of iron for healthy hair.

2. Eat eggs

They are rich in protein but also a good source of the B vitamin Biotin. hair shedding has also been linked to a deficiency in biotin. Eggs are also a great source of zinc and selenium, which are other hair-healthy nutrients. This makes them one of

the best foods for optimal hair health.

If following a vegetarian or vegan diet, a good activated B complex daily is essential.

3. Make some sweet potatoes

Eat them and dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, broccoli and kale. These foods are packed with vitamins a and c , which help the production of the natural scalp oils called sebum, necessary for a healthy scalp.

4. Enjoy avocados

These fruits are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids that help lock in moisture into the hair and scalp, promoting hair that is silky and shiny. Fatty fish like salmon, herring or mackerel are excellent sources of omega-3 for meat eaters. Nuts like almonds and walnuts are also great sources.

5. Cook some oysters

Oysters are one of the best sources of zinc which is a mineral that helps support the hair growth and repair cycle. clams, liver and nuts are additional sources of zinc. Include

regular sources of zinc in your diet to combat shedding.

6. Buy blueberries

These berries are widely known as the super antioxidant food. They are very high in vitamin c and proanthocyanidins (which is a potent antioxidant 20 times more powerful than vitamin c). These antioxidants have a potent effect on collagen, improving blood flow to the scalp and also encouraging the growth of new hair follicles.

7. Consume more pulses, such as peas, beans and lentils

Pulses provide not only a source of protein but are also nutrient-dense sources of iron, zinc and biotin, which are all needed for strong healthy hair.

8. Drink plenty of water

Keeping skin and hair well-hydrated is so important, especially in dry cold climates.

9. Get more calcium in your diet

Finally, calcium is an important mineral necessary for healthy bones and teeth but is equally vital for healthy hair growth. calcium exists in milk, cheese, spinach, and various other foods. Many supplements can help you increase your calcium intake and decrease the dryness of your hair.

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.

The Frasers and Seaview’s place in golfing history

By William Kelly

Jim Fraser, the son of an aberdeen constable, came to america in 1907 by winning a “Silver Quill” essay contest, joining many other expatriate Scotsmen who found work in a merica as golf professionals.

Jim Fraser’s first job was at Van cortlandt Park in the Bronx, the first public golf course in the country, which is where he was working when he met Millie Leeb on a train. They got married and when they got to Seaview country club, settled into a comfortable house just off the first green of the Bay course. Those who knew it was there would stop by Fraser’s cellar door for a touch of Scotch whiskey, which he kept in a barrel for thirsty friends.

Millie practiced putting on the first green the morning her son, James “Sonny” Fraser, was born. Sonny grew up to become the epitome of the great amateur golfers of his day. h is brother Leo would become an esteemed professional and a protégé of pioneering golf pro Walter h agen. Together with Seaview owner clarence Geist, they would alter the nature and style of the game of golf as it is played in america.

Geist didn’t want a great tournament player; he wanted a golf professional who could teach his wife and inspire his daughters to play the game. While former Seaview pro Wilfrid reid would later become known for his ability to coach champion women golfers, it was left to Jolly Jim Fraser to teach the game to Geist’s family and the new members of the elite, exclusive and renown Seaview country club.

a s a Scottish professional at one of the newest and most prestigious golf courses in a merica, Jolly Jim Fraser’s home on the first fairway at Seaview was the destination of many Scottish and British professionals who came to america including fellow Scotsman Tommy armour, and especially harry Vardon and Ted ray.

Vardon and ray were actually from the British channel Isle of Jersey, for which the state of New Jersey is named. Besides being well known as the best golfers of their day, they are considered among the best of all time. On their visit to america in 1921, Fraser convinced them to play a promotional tournament at a new course in Pottstown, Pa., which is now Brookside.

Fraser’s good friend and hunting

partner, Walter hagen, played with him, and Fraser’s 10-year-old son, Leo, caddied for his father as Fraser and hagen defeated Vardon and ray in one of their only losses in america. They may have had a dozen British and US Open championships between them, but on that occasion, the americans carried the day.

While Geist detested dogs, Fraser adopted them, especially hunting dogs. hagen would take the dogs for walks into the pine forest behind the club, sometimes hunting deer and small game.

Seaview to visit his good friend Jolly Jim Fraser.

hagen was a 20-year-old Buffalo, NY, assistant pro when he witnessed an equally young Johnny McDermott win his second US Open in 1912. The experience changed his life. h agen was inspired to give up his assistant pro shop job and become one of the first touring golf professionals. When on tour he always stopped by

Then tragedy struck. On Feb. 15, 1923, Jolly Jim was killed when his car collided with a trolley. While a series of golf professionals would take his job, the Fraser clan had lost their father, so Geist stepped up and took them in and provided for their well-being, especially Sonny Fraser, whom Geist treated like a son.

James “Sonny” Fraser was a golf prodigy who as a child in 1922, played

a round under 100 with then-President Warren G. harding, helping Geist win a bet with the president. h arding was elected, if you believe Nelson Johnson’s book, “Boardwalk Empire,” with help from a tlantic c ity political boss/racketeer Enoch “Nucky” Johnson.

When Nucky Johnson hosted a 1929 conference of organized crime bosses from around the country in atlantic city, a l c apone disappeared while the crime bosses considered how he should be dealt with for his role in the infamous St. Valentine’s Day Massacre in chicago, which had put unnecessary pressure on them all. amid reports that c apone was holed up in the locker room at the atlantic city country club, Geist was afraid of being kidnapped and held for ransom by the gangsters. h e was paranoid enough to have his caddy

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carry a Thompson submachine gun in his golf bag.

after Sonny Fraser graduated from high school, Geist hired him as an executive at one of his companies, requiring Sonny only to play golf with him all day.

Leo Fraser was more rambunctious though, and didn’t want to be coddled by Geist, so he dropped out of school and took a job as an assistant pro in Michigan before taking up Walter hagen’s offer to go on a cross-country tour, barnstorming golf clubs, selling equipment, putting on shows and playing tournaments like a traveling circus. hagen would become the first golf millionaire.

h e was such a tournament draw that he could make his own terms and wouldn’t play if the golf club owners didn’t allow the professionals in the clubhouse, from which they were previously banned by strict club protocol.

Because golf pros were staff employees, they were on the same social level as the cooks and maids and not considered proper gentlemen, at least as the term gentleman meant in their day. Every golf professional today owes a debt of gratitude to Walter hagen for opening the clubhouse doors to them. a nd Leo Fraser, who would become a golf club owner himself, got his primary education riding around

the country with hagen, one of the first great touring pros. Whenever he wanted, Leo returned home to assume the role of golf professional at Seaview, literally his home course.

Then in June 1938, Geist died suddenly, leaving Sonny Fraser out of his will.

Sonny’s new job was secretary to h . “ hap” Farley, the political boss of atlantic city who took over when Nucky Johnson went to prison. With Nucky’s blessing, Farley took over the political machine in atlantic city. his right-hand man, Sonny Fraser, was elected to the state Legislature with plans to bring legal gambling to New Jersey in the form of horse racing.

although there was considerable legal wrangling over Geist’s estate, Seaview continued to function normally because the club had been taken over by Elwood Kirkman, Farley’s Georgetown Law School roommate.

Kirkman also owned Boardwalk National Bank, the chelsea Title company, a number of Boardwalk theaters, some motels and the Flanders h otel in Ocean city, so the Seaview was just one of a dozen operations overseen by Kirkman. It was under Kirkman’s leadership that Seaview hosted a major celebrity tournament in 1940 and the 1942 PGa championship, won by Sam Snead in one of golf’s most memorable tournaments.

In the early 1940s Leo and Sonny Fraser formed a syndicate that purchased the atlantic city country club from the Boardwalk hotel owners. To back the effort to open the atlantic city race course, Leo recruited a number of friends and celebrities, including Olympic champion Jack Kelly, Bob hope and Bing crosby.

Leo helped get the law passed that brought horse racing to New Jersey and was part of the group that built the atlantic city race course, which also included John B. Kelly. The Philadelphia contractor and Olympic rowing champion was also the father of Grace Kelly, the actress and princess of Monaco who celebrated her 16th birthday with her friends in the Oval room of the Seaview clubhouse.

The 1940 tournament at Seaview brought together celebrities like

crosby, h ope and topflight golfers including Ben h ogan, Jimmy Demaret and Gene Sarazen. a round the same time, Sonny Fraser persuaded h ope, his good friend and frequent golfing partner, to open the a pex Golf club in Pleasantville, one of the few golf courses owned by and open to african americans, who were not welcome at most of the private clubs.

The 1942 PGa championship at Seaview, won in dramatic style by Sam Snead over Jimmy Turnesa, was conducted in match play, and was Snead’s first major. Turnesa was then stationed at Fort Dix, and shortly thereafter, Snead joined the Navy. Both men served their country during World War II.

While Sonny Fraser was not accepted into the military because of failing health, he became a popular

politician and New Jersey state legislator who helped raise money for war bonds and founded the atlantic city chapter of the american cancer Society. In the state Legislature, Sonny Fraser rose to the elite position of a ssembly speaker, and got every bill and law passed that he introduced, including the passage of the bill to bring horse racing to New Jersey, paving the way for the atlantic city race course.

Tragedy struck again in 1950 when Sonny Fraser died of h odgkin's disease, ending the short but significant

career of one of golf’s great amateurs. Before he died however, Sonny held an invitational tournament that attracted the best amateur golfers from around the country. he won the event, which would become an annual affair only rivaled by the crump cup at Pine Valley.

While Sonny Fraser was the great amateur golfer, Leo Fraser took over and restored the atlantic city country club, and became a senior executive of the PGa of america, credited with saving the PGa Tour at its most dangerous hour, when the tournament pros were about to break away from the PGa to form their own tour.

Leo Fraser also promoted golf’s international team tournament the r yder cup, stimulated the growth of women’s golf by bringing the US Women’s Open to the atlantic city country club in 1948, 1965 and 1975, and helped organize the LPGa , which brought the Shop rite classic to the Jersey Shore. Leo Fraser was also the host, in 1980, of the first PGa Seniors tournament, now the multi-million-dollar PGa champions Tour.

The Shoprite classic, the Jersey Shore’s biggest sporting event, will return to the Seaview the first week of June. Tickets are on sale now.

If you have any questions or comments, please email Billkelly3gmail. com.

People you meet along the way

By Bill Quain

This is the first in a series of columns about the people who have touched our lives. I want to encourage my readers to send me their own sixword stories about special people they met along the way.

This week’s column was sparked by the memory of my cousin, chrissy, who passed away last week. When I started thinking about chrissy, a sixword story immediately popped into my head. h ere are the six words that signify my relationship with chrissy:

It’s the little things that matter.

chrissy had a very interesting and creative life. She was an artist, a chef, and a caterer. h er funeral service will be this week, and I’m sure all these things will be mentioned. But the thing that is going to bring all of the mourners together isn’t going to be

chrissy’s great accomplishments. It will be the little things that happened between each one of us and chrissy throughout our lives. I’d like to share a memory that demonstrates just how important these little things can be.

Growing up together in Ocean City

In previous columns, I’ve mentioned the crazy family house that was the center of our summer lives in Ocean city. My great-grandparents had left the house to their daughters, and each of those daughters had children and grandchildren. During a midwinter meeting every year, each family was assigned two weeks “down the shore” at the family house.

My grandparents had purchased a little cottage just two doors away from the big family house, so I got to spend two weeks each summer with all the different families as they came and went for their vacations. I have many lifelong friendships from those days and a lifetime of memories.

My cousin chrissy and I were the same age. It was really fun to have a girl cousin to talk to. We went to different high schools, but we knew a lot of the same people. We always found great topics to discuss.

SIX WORDS ON A BOARDWALK BENCH

by Bill Quain

Chrissy’s great advice about meeting girls

In the summer of 1966, when chrissy and I were both 14 years old, she gave me some advice about how to meet girls on the boardwalk. Frankly, I think she took pity on me. But she approached the subject with a great sense of humor and some terrific practical tips. Fifty-eight years later, I can still remember the exact words she used.

It started when I met chrissy and her friend one night as they were coming back from the boardwalk. In those days, everyone dressed nicely to go to the boardwalk. chrissy and her friend looked especially pretty. They were smiling and laughing after having a nice night on the boards. chrissy told me the story of how two boys walked right up to her and her friend, started talking with them, and then took them to play miniature golf. Wow, she had my attention! I just couldn’t imagine being that smooth! I wanted the details so that I could start meeting girls on the boardwalk myself.

Dress nicely and always carry cash

Coconut

Vanilla

Peanut

Coconut

chrissy started her tale by describing how nicely those boys were dressed. a s she spoke, my heart

sank. She didn’t describe anything that sounded like it was in my closet. These guys weren’t from my neighborhood! If dressing like them was the big secret, I was going to become a hermit.

But then, the magic happened! I’ll never forget chrissy’s words, even 58 years later. chrissy said, “Oh richness, they each had $5!”

When I heard this, my spirits immediately rose. I could do that! I had a paper route and had just started work as a busboy. Now $5 was a lot of money in those days, but it was doable. Maybe I could meet girls on the boardwalk too.

Over the years, chrissy and I laughed at that story when we’d see each other at family gatherings. But life takes us all on different journeys, and those meetings were few and far between. I think the last time I saw her was almost 10 years ago, at a Night in Venice party. We shared tales about our professional and family lives. a s always, we shared a smile over those teenage years, when the most complicated thing was going to the boardwalk.

Thanks, Chrissy, that was great advice!

If you have been reading my column, you’ll remember that I believe there are three elements to being successful in life – “money, sunny and honey”. With this simple advice to me, christy covered all three. The boys had “money” – their $5 each, or “richness” as chrissy called it. The boys definitely had their “sunny” together. They were friendly, smiling, and happy. remember, “honey” is relationships. Smiling at strangers on the boardwalk, talking to them, and then taking them

to play miniature golf is a great way to start having “honey”!

I fondly remember a 58-year-old conversation.

It’s funny how someone can touch our lives with just the simplest thing. That conversation was a moment when cousins connected, and it’s something that always helps me remember how kind and happy chrissy was. h ow many people do you remember from days long gone by?

How about you? What’s your story?

Okay, it’s your turn. Who did you meet along the way? Why are they important to you? Drop me an email to bill@quain.com. Visit my website,

New arrivals daily.

www.billquain.com to learn more about my speaking, my writing and my story. a s 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.

What's happening in Ocean City

Ocean City Job Fair Set for Saturday at the Music Pier

Anybody looking for a summer or seasonal job is invited to the Ocean city Job Fair, which will be at the Ocean city Music Pier from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 16.

More than 40 employers will be on hand and ready to provide information on a wide variety of seasonal employment opportunities. The Ocean city regional chamber of commerce is partnering with Ocean city h igh School to put the event together and help businesses in recruiting employees.

The event is open to everyone and the chamber strongly encourages employers and potential employees to attend. Businesses can register to participate and students can register to attend by calling the Ocean city regional chamber of commerce at 609-399-1412.

● OcNJ Entertainment

● Oc Waterpark

● Playland’s castaway cove

● Prep’s Pizzeria & Dairy Bar

● Gillian’s Wonderland Pier

● The h enna Shop

● NJ State Police

● h eritage

● Johnny B Goode Ice cream Parlors

● SoulBerri

● Surf Mall

● Beach club hotel and Suites

● Steels Fudge

● Johnson's Popcorn

● Payton Jewelry

● Mochi Bros

● h eritage

● Bowfish Studios

● Making Waves

● Topsail Steamer

● Georges candies

● Bungalow Bowls

● Ocean c ity Beach Patrol

● Vassir Pools Management

● aloha Soft Serve

● Ocean city rec Department

● B&B Department Store

● Promenade Food court

● 96 Shades

● Liberty Entertainment (auntie anne’s, cinnabon, Ben and Jerry’s, Exit 4 Escape)

● Island Grill Seafood & Steak house

● SJ Linens

● Outer Banks Boil company

● Fruit Freeze and Burger Boys

● OcNJ Water Sports

● Jet Drive Exchange

● Sand & Stitch

● Boba Works

● Blue cactus Taco

● Otter Swim School

● army recruiter

● Sand and Stitch & Nine North

● Island Beach Gear

● Douglass candies

TIcKETS

ON SaLE FOr 10cc aND

Th E Mach INE

Ocean city and producers B r E

Presents and Bob rose Productions announced two new shows for the 31st anniversary of the popular Summer concert Series at the Ocean city Music Pier this year: 10cc and The Machine.

The British band 10cc will perform at 7 p.m. Monday, July 29. The Machine will perform its Pink Floyd show at 7 p.m. Monday, aug. 19. Tickets go on sale through etix. com at 10 a.m. Friday (March 15) for 10cc and 10 a.m. Thursday (March 14) for The Machine.

The band 10cc had five consecutive Top 10 albums on the British charts from 1972 to 1978 and a worldwide chart-topper with the single “I’m Not in Love.” The Machine is a Summer concert Series favorite, and the band will return with its spectacular tribute to Pink Floyd.

More information and ticket links on the entire Summer concert Series lineup is available at: ocnj.us/SummerconcertSeries.

SPrING BOOK SaLE Th IS WEEKEND aT LIB rarY

The Friends and Volunteers of the Ocean city Free Public Library will hold a two-day Spring Book Sale in the atrium outside the Ocean city Free Public Library (1735 Simpson avenue) 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, March 15; and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 16. For more information, visit friendsvolunteersocfpl. com. attendees are requested to provide their own tote bags for purchases.

MO rE SPrING EVENTS IN OcE aN cITY

March 23 and March 30 – Great Egg Hunts: These events return to the Boardwalk from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on March 23 and March 30. Families with children ages 7 and under are invited to stop by participating Boardwalk stores in a hunt for eggs filled with treats and prizes. rain dates are March 24 and March 31.

March 31 – Easter Events: Easter Sunday 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.

April 5-7 – Girls Weekend: Girls Weekend on downtown a sbury 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 (tickets). c all 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 a sbury avenue from Sixth Street to 12th Street, and then moves up to the Boardwalk, ending at Sixth and Boardwalk. Dietz & Watson returns as the event sponsor.

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 – Boardwalk and Downtown Merchant Table Sales: 6th Street to 14th Street on the Boardwalk and a sbury avenue.

Friday - Sunday APRIL 5-7

Asbury Avenue between 6th & 14th Streets sales, specials & demos

April 5, 7pm

Ocean City Yacht Club

100 Bay Road

Doors open at 6:30pm

fashion show kickoff dance showcase

Lite Fare and Refreshments

$35 per person

Limited seating.

Tickets available at the Welcome Centers, or online at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice

April 7,

By David Weinberg

The Eagles are almost certainly going to give out two fewer jersey numbers this season.

I’d be stunned if anyone ever wears No. 62 or No. 91 again now that center Jason Kelce and defensive tackle Fletcher cox have retired.

Both enjoyed legendary careers that saw them develop both into outstanding and popular players, and respected leaders whose contributions spanned over a decade.

Kelce and cox both endured some tumultuous seasons to help the team win its first Super Bowl championship and built legacies that are sturdier than any statue.

Kelce’s career began without much fanfare. When the Eagles took the undersized center from the University of cincinnati in the sixth round

of the 2011 draft, they had no idea they had drafted a legend.

all of the attention that year was centered around first-round pick Danny Watkins, a guard from Baylor who was supposed to anchor the interior offensive line.

Kelce was viewed as potentially the next in a long line of Eagles’ centers who had surpassed expectations. In previous years, quarterbacks had taken snaps from guys such as Jamaal Jackson (2006-09), h ank

Fraley (2001-05) and Bubba Miller (2000), all of whom were undrafted free agents.

Watkins left football after a few unremarkable seasons to become a firefighter. Kelce doused fires along the Eagles’ offense line for 13 years. h e tied for third in longevity behind defensive end Brandon Graham –who is slated to retire after his 15th season in 2024 - and chuck Bednarik (14 years), and ranks second to Graham in games played (193),

including 156 in a row.

Strictly from a personal standpoint, his bearded profile would be carved into my Eagles Mount rushmore alongside cox, Brian Dawkins, h ugh Douglas, Jon Dorenbos, Zach Ertz, Nick Foles, Irving Fryar, Donovan McNabb, Jon runyan, Tra Thomas, William Thomas, and Michael Zordich.

Keep in mind that some of those players weren’t necessarily the best at their positions, but were always honest and forthcoming in my dealings with them during a 27-year tenure as an Eagles’ beat writer.

anyone who’s spent more than 10 minutes with Kelce knows he belongs in the group. h e acts like he played, with an unbridled enthusiasm and passion that has no filter.

“Philly Special” and Graham’s strip-sack were the top plays of Super Bowl LII, but most fans would list Kelce’s parade speech as their most memorable moment.

Locals have gotten a taste from his guest stints as a bartender in Sea Isle city in recent summers. Then there was his epic, barechested, beer-guzzling display in Buffalo a few weeks ago.

↘Continued on 36

Fans may have noticed that Kelce was wearing tape around his ankles during his tearful retirement speech. That was his way of thanking assistant trainer Joe O’Pella, who was unable to tape Kelce’s ankles for his final game – the Eagles’ playoff loss at Tampa – while undergoing treatment for cancer.

“I tape this guy’s ankles and thumbs every day for 13 seasons,”

O’Pella wrote on Instagram. “When he told me he was retiring and I expressed my regret of not being the last person to ever tape him, he offered to have me tape him for his retirement press conference.

“That’s who he is. a nd I hope these stories can add to an already unbelievable legacy.”

cox’s legacy should also be recognized and appreciated. In his prime, he was among the NFL’s best defensive tackles – he was voted to the NFL’s all-Decade team for the 2010’s.

While not as vocal as Kelce, cox’s voice was also heard and heeded in the Eagles’ locker room.

h e was also a major part of the Eagles’ community. Earlier this year, he donated a canine named “carlo” to the atlantic city Police Department K9 Unit, the second time he made such a gesture.

The acPD responded by naming

a police car “K9-91” in cox’s honor.

Perhaps most important was the reciprocal loyalty between Kelce, cox and the Eagles.

They are among the few players who have played their entire careers of at least 10 years with the Eagles. Prior to them, the last to accomplish the feat was tight end Brent celek, who retired after Super Bowl LII after an 11-season career spent in Philly.

Graham will almost certainly join the fraternity after this season, fol -

lowed possibly by tackle Lane Johnson, who is entering his 12th season as a first-round pick in 2013. after that, I’ll probably have to expand my Mount rushmore.

MAAC Championships heading to A.C.

Now that the high school basketball season is over – congrats to Mainland regional high School’s girls’ team on winning the State Group III championship – local hoops fans in

search of action can head over to Jim Whelan Boardwalk h all this week for the Metro atlantic athletic conference men’s and women’s conference tournaments.

It marks the fourth straight year the tournament will be held at Boardwalk hall. Winners receive automatic bids to the upcoming N caa Division I tournaments known as March Madness.

On the local front, Fairfield University’s men’s team features guard caleb Fields, a Wildwood catholic academy graduate from c ape May court h ouse who is the Stags’ second-leading scorer at 16.1 points per game.

The M aac and Boardwalk hall reached an agreement last year on a three-year extension that will keep the tournaments in town through 2026.

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.

Spring Fling Dinner Dance

Entertainment & Dining at the Shore

Whitney’s Weekly Picks

The City Pulse with Whitney Ullman

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

What: all about Joel - musical tribute to Billy Joel

Where: Tropicana

When: Thursday, March 14

Time: 3 p.m.

Website: https://www.caesars.com/ tropicana-ac/shows

all about Joel is a Musical Tribute to Billy Joel created with tremendous detail by Long Island-based singer and piano player, David clark.

What: a Night on Paradise Island to benefit the cancer Support community of New Jersey

Where: Island Waterpark at Showboat | adult Island Paradise

When: Thursday, March 14 Time: 6 p.m.

Website: https://gcsj.gnosishosting. net/Events/Info/paradiseisland24 Enjoy open bar, music, light bu ffet, raffl es and Digging for Diamonds. This is an after hours event so all water attractions will be closed. h owever, tropical attire is encouraged.

What: Voyage, celebrating the Music of Journey

Where: hard rock h otel & casino

See Bert Kreischer, one of the top names in comedy, who is selling out venues around the country.

Who: Jerry Seinfeld

Where: Borgata h otel c asino and Spa | Event center

When: Saturday, March 16

Time: 8 p.m.

Website: borgata.mgmresorts.com/ en/entertainment/event-center/ jerry-seinfeld.html

When: Friday, March 15, & Saturday, March 16

Time: 8 p.m.

Website: https://www.hardrockhotelatlanticcity.com/event-calendar/ voyage

Voyage has been hailed by fans and critics alike as the best Journey tribute band in the world, performing the music of Journey with chilling accuracy. Enjoy as they take you back to the ’80s when the timeless music of Journey ruled the airwaves.

Who: comedian Bert Kreischer

Where: hard rock h otel and casino | Etess arena

When: Saturday, March 16

Time: 7 p.m. & 10:30 p.m.

Website: https://www.hardrockhotelatlanticcity.com/event-calendar/ bert-kreischer

Twenty-time Emmy award nominee comedian Jerry Seinfeld brings his stand-up comedy to Borgata’s Event center.

Who: Tony Orlando - Final Show in atlantic city

Where: resorts casino hotel | Superstar Theater

When: Saturday, March 16

Time: 8 p.m.

Website: resortsac.com/entertainment/tony-orlando

2024 finds Tony bringing his exhilarating energy, warmth, and humor on a tour of live concert shows across the nation as he celebrates more than six decades in the entertainment industry.

What: St. Patrick’s annual Bar crawl & r yfe’s 4th anniversary in atlantic city

Where: r yfe Bar, r estaurant & Events

When: Saturday, March 16

Time: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. various activities

Website: https://www.atlanticcitynj.com/events/event-list/st-patrick-s-annual-bar-crawl-ryfe-4thanniversary-in-atlantic-city/ r yfe will be celebrating the fouryear anniversary of this party, all day and night. From 9 to 11 a.m.: Eggs and Eggs; noon to 3 p.m.: Dan Lee Plays at r yfe; 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.: crawl begins to Tennessee avenue Beer hall and Back Bay ale h ouse; 5 to 7 p.m.: giveaways and prizes at r yfe.

Who: Lovelight - Grateful Dead Tribute

Where: anchor rock club

When: Saturday, March 16

Time: 8 p.m.

Website: https://anchorrockclub. com// Immerse yourself in the timeless tunes and psychedelic ambiance of the Grateful Dead with Lovelight, a tribute band that captures the essence of the iconic group.

What: St. Patrick’s Day at cardinal

Where: cardinal

When: Sunday, March 17

Time: 11 a.m.

Website: https://www.cardinal-ac. com/calendar/st-patricks-day-atcardinal

celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at c ardinal. The garden will be open, and you can bring family friendly and well behaved pups. They will have Irish fare and specialty Irish drinks, yard games, live music by The chris Yoder Band from 5 to 9 p.m. and fun family activities like face painting and a “Pot of Gold” treasure hunt.

Who: The Usual Suspects

Where: Josie Kelly’s Public house

When: Sunday, March 17

Time: 7 p.m.

The Usual Suspects will be celebrating St. Patty’s in the adare Ballroom at Josie Kelly’s.

Website: https://josiekellys.com/ event/the-usual-suspects-live-14/

What: The Mad Bunny Bar | Madder than Ever

Where: resorts casino hotel

When: Every Saturday night in March

Time: 9 p.m. to midnight

Website: https://resortsac.com/ entertainment/pop-up-bar/ Step into a scientific lab where the Mad Bunny crafts vibrant cocktails. Indulge in drink specials, live music, and promotions. Don’t miss a photo opportunity with the Mad Bunny!

What: Spiegelworld’s ‘The hook’

Where: caesars atlantic city

When: Wednesdays - Sundays

Time: Wednesdays-Thursdays, 7 p.m.; Fridays-Saturdays, 7 & 9 p.m.; Sundays 2 p.m.

Website: https://spiegelworld.com/ shows/the-hook/

Past, present and a whole lot more collide at “The hook,” an adults-only homage to atlantic city’s glorious (and notorious) golden age. Set inside the spectacularly restored Warner Theater, “The h ook” is live entertainment like you’ve never seen it: uproariously funny, irresistibly sexy, and full of jaw-dropping acrobatics that unfold right before your eyes — literally.

What: Primal Men Male r evue

Where: Kiss Kiss Nightclub

When: Saturday, March 16

Time: 7-10 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 include admission to Kiss Kiss Nightclub after the show.

What: ‘Motown Forever’

Where: Borgata’s The Music Box

When: Sundays until april 28

Time: 4 p.m.

Website: www.borgata.mgmresorts. com/en/entertainment/the-musicbox/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!

Young entrepreneur just getting started as Romanelli’s thrives in Galloway

By Scott Cronick

When Drew h uggard was a teenager, he took a job at r omanelli’s Garden café in Galloway to put gas in his car.

Starting out as a bus boy and eventually a delivery guy, he would often be seen leaning on the door between the kitchen and the dining room watching the sauté cook and listening to then-owner and founder rick romanelli and former chef and legend, the late Willie Lewis, cook and talk passionately about food.

Through hard work and a little bit of osmosis, h uggard – whether he knew it at the time or not – was being called to work in the culinary industry.

“I was that kid in the doorway always watching and learning … there

was something I just couldn’t take my eyes off,” said huggard, who grew up in Galloway and began working at romanelli’s when he was attending h oly Spirit h igh School. “ rick was a good friend of the family, and I just remember being mesmerized by him and chef Wlillie. It just piqued my interest. I remember going home and telling my parents that I was going to cook for a living. I was like 16. But never, not in my wildest dreams, did I think one day I would own this place. That’s just crazy. To think the place that I went to work as a kid became not only my career but that I would own the same building that I started working in … it’s just insane when you think about it.”

But that’s exactly what happened.

Lightbulb on!

after attending the academy of culinary arts in Mays Landing – he was inspired by his first chef ed -

ucator Joe Sheridan, who is now dean of the school – he attended Fairleigh Dickinson University’s acclaimed hospitality and Tourism Management school, earning his bachelor’s degree along with a realization that he should be working in the front of the house.

“I went to school there and then worked for Marriott for a few years, but a lightbulb went off during that time that I should be in the front of the house and on the management side of things as opposed to grinding it out every day in the kitchen.” huggard said. “It hit me at the Marriott that I don’t think I could grind it out every day for all those hours every day in the back of the house. That’s why I have so much respect to the cooks, the chefs, the dishwashers and anyone who works in the back of the house. It’s a daily grind that not everyone can do. It’s just an insane amount of work. So, my respect for anyone in that part of the industry is through the roof.”

huggard worked in the casino biz for a while as a beverage manager at the former revel in atlantic city and served as a general manager for both Grotto and Vic & anthony’s in Golden Nugget. But it was romanelli’s, where he actually cooked full time while in high school, that kept calling him back.

“ rick wanted to retire, and he built such a legacy in atlantic county that he wanted to keep romanelli’s Garden café going and his name to stay

there,” huggard said. “ he said, ‘I want you to buy it, you can make it your own while you can still keep my legacy going.’ I said, ‘I am not your guy rick. I can’t afford this, and I don’t know anything about it.’ h e said, ‘I promise you I will make it worth your while, and I will help you all the way through.’”

romanelli kept his word. a nd, about 10 years after h uggard walked through romanelli’s as a teenage worker, he bought romanelli’s in 2017 at the age of 26.

“To this day, I call rick all of the time,” h uggard said. “It’s been an incredible seven or eight years. There have been peaks and valleys, but it’s the best thing I ever did. rick has been an amazing mentor. h e opened this place 18 years ago, and the reason it’s still successful is that he was always involved in giving back to the community, and he constantly stressed ‘Fresh and homemade.’ h e would say those two words over and over, and that’s what we do every day. We built our menu off fresh and homemade, and that never changes.”

Romanelli’s evolution

Like any good restaurateur, huggard isn’t fixing what ain’t broke. But, like any good restaurateur, he also knows the restaurant has to evolve. So, while you will see many of the dishes that made romanelli’s what it is today, huggard adds menu items that resonate with diners looking for something new and different.

“I could have been arrogant and changed everything as a new owner,” h uggard said. “But, that would have been dumb. So, I gradually added who I was to the menu and put my swing on things while maintaining the principles of what romanelli’s is to the community. We just polish the beautiful gem that rick created.”

r omanelli’s serves breakfast, lunch and dinner Wednesdays to Mondays.

For breakfast, you will find your staples like eggs, bacon or ham, toast and home fries for just $7.99, or a Belgian waffle with bacon for just $6.99 if you get the early-bird specials from 7:30 to 9 a.m. weekdays, but you will also find signature items like their creamed chipped beef ($11) over toast with home fries; romanelli’s Omelette ($11) made with three eggs, roasted red peppers, spinach,

Romanelli’s Garden Cafe Owner Drew Huggard shows off some of his Galloway restaurant’s amazing offerings at its centerpiece bar. Photo Credit: Larissa Cronick

portabella mushrooms and mozzarella with toast and home fries; biscuits and sausage gravy ($11.25); perhaps the best Southern-fried chicken and waffles ($14) you will find in the area accompanied with warm sriracha maple syrup; c ape May cinnamon Bun French Toast ($13.50) featuring a large cinnamon bun dipped in vanilla cinnamon batter topped with strawberries and bananas; along with omelettes, Benedicts, pancakes and more.

But h uggard is particularly proud of romanelli’s skillets. There are three of them – all served with two eggs on top over home fries with toast – including a Meat Lovers ($13.25) with bacon, breakfast sausage, ham and cheddar cheese; Veggie ($13.25) with broccoli, mushrooms, peppers, onions, zucchini and squash; and Mediterranean Seafood ($17.25) with jumbo lump cab, shrimp and cooper Sharp cheese.

“I love the skillets because it’s how I eat,” huggard said. “I don’t separate my food. I put it all together. So, this is my perfect breakfast.”

On weekends, breakfast turns into brunch as breakfast items are typically served later in the day and more people are inclined to indulge in some cocktails or $1 mimosas.

“Brunch is more a vibe and state of mind than breakfast even though it’s the same exact menu,” h uggard said. “If someone wants to order a chicken sandwich and someone else at the table wants a cape May cinnamon Bun, that’s cool.”

Lunch and dinner share one main menu, making it convenient to have as big or small of a meal as you want no matter when you walk in romanelli’s doors.

Start off fancy with the sesame-crusted ahi tuna ($16) seared and served with wasabi, wakeme salad and pickled ginger; the tempura-battered Booming Shrimp ($14) tossed in a spicy aioli; short rib poutine ($15) featuring slow-roasted beef short rib over tater tots smothered with a red

wine gravy, Mornay cheese sauce and scallions; or Maple Bacon Brussels ($11) with oven-roasted sprouts with a maple-bacon glaze.

Or go more simple with loaded mac ($15) featuring four cheeses and thick-cut candied bacon; cheesesteak egg rolls ($12) that are hand rolled with thinly sliced prime rib sauteed with onions and cooper Sharp cheese served with sriracha ketchup; and wings ($15) in a variety of sauces ranging from buffalo to sweet chili to root beer, the latter which was featured and won an award in the 2023 atlantic city Wing Fest, which romanelli’s participates in annually.

“The Brussels sprouts are my recipe,” huggard said. “My wife hated them, and I said, ‘You have to try these.’ and now she loves them. The cheesesteaks feature prime rib just like all of our cheesesteaks. and we think that really makes them stand out. We roast our own prime rib, slice it down nice and thin, and then add some nice cooper Sharp cheese, which I just love. I use it in everything, including our mac and cheese.”

h omemade soups include Italian Wedding and a killer French onion that features crispy onion strings on top of the melted Grueyere cheese. There are five different pizzas and flatbreads ($12.50 to $21.50) ranging from traditional margherita to The South Jersey with Italian sausage, long hot peppers, onions, provolone, mozzarella and San Marzano sauce.

h uggard is particularly proud of the burgers – check out The Leftover ($12) with a merican cheese, fried egg, bacon, lettuce, tomato and onion – and his signature large salads are for sharing or a giant meal for one person. Popular choices include the Very Berry Salad ($14.75) with mixed greens, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, feta cheese, toasted almonds, Mandarin oranges, apples and berry vinaigrette; and the Not So Wedge Salad ($15.50) featuring

↘Continued on 42

blackened chicken, hearts of romaine, crumbled blue cheese, grape tomato, julienned carrots, bacon and chipotle ranch. There’s also romanelli’s famous sesame tuna ($16.50) and sweet chili chicken salads ($15).

“ romanelli’s was always the place you can get good, fresh, simple food like chicken salad,” h uggard said. “and it was aways the best chicken salad. and we will always have that and never forget what made this place popular in the first place.”

hot honey chicken ($13) featuring one of the best Southern fried chicken batters I ever had that stays crispy forever tossed in a hot honey sauce and served on a brioche roll with bacon pickles and chipotle ranch; and the vodka parm cutlet ($15) with a breaded and perfectly fried chicken cutlet with a dynamite vodka sauce and fresh mozzarella on a grilled atlantic city sub roll that is pressed like a panini. Wow!

Those staples also include a hot reuben ($12) with choice of pastrami or corned beef, a junior turkey club ($11.75) and a homemade crab cake sandwich ($15.75). But of all the sandwiches, my two suggestions are the

For those looking for homestyle entrees, romanelli’s has you covered with fish and chips ($24) with fresh cod; Steak romanelli ($35) with tender filet mignon sliced down and topped with cipollini onions served over garlic mashed; a bone-in peppered pork chop ($27) topped with goat horn peppers in a brandy cream sauce over roasted fingerling potatoes; romanelli’s Salmon ($28) stuffed with crab imperial over citrus risotto and grilled asparagus; a traditional turkey dinner ($24) with gravy, mashed potatoes, mixed veggies, cranberry sauce and cole slaw; and pasta dishes like the standout shrimp pappardelle ($27) with hand-cut pasta tossed in a spicy but not too spicy rosa sauce with large Gulf shrimp.

A Bar is Born

Perhaps the biggest change huggard made to romanelli’s since taking ownership was when he added a huge bar that now serves as the restaurant’s centerpiece, enabling him to offer new types of food and a more diverse beer, wine and spirits menu. It also enables romanelli’s to offer a happy hour 4 to 7 p.m. Mondays to Fridays at the bar only with $3 domestic drafts, $5 select craft and local drafts, $6 house martinis, $4 import drafts, $5 select wine, seasonal sangrias and seltzers, and $5 well drinks along with $5 to $8 appetizers and $10 pasta bowls.

“We always had a liquor license, but we never had a bar to really showcase that we did,” huggard said. “So, during covid, we had some down time, and I knew that was the perfect time to do it. They came in and had it done in three days. They did such a beautiful job with these gorgeous countertops, fresh oak that is custom

stained all around the base, nine gorgeous flat-screen TVs that surround the bar … it’s a fun bar to be at, and it was huge for the business. It adds a whole other aspect to what we do.”

The bar features 10 beer taps with five rotating craft lines, and a full craft cocktail menu hand designed by huggard.

“That’s my baby,” he said. “I told my team, ‘You can help me, but this is what I really have fun doing.’ and I think our cocktail menu is really fun and special.”

h uggard, a bourbon drinker, really recommends the maple bacon old fashioned featuring Noble Oak Whiskey, the Off the Beaten Path featuring local Mr. Fingers alibi Gin and clementine/cucumber bitters, and the Peach Bourbon Smash with Four roses Bourbon and peaches for a perfect summer drink.

“We make our own simple syrups from scratch, and we are always experimenting at the bar,” huggard said.

Romanelli’s evolution

Last year, h uggard decided to buy a food truck to help expand his catering business while also enabling him to take romanelli’s on the road for private events. h e also recently purchased another retro-style trailer that will serve as an accompanying liquor truck so he can offer bar service at all of the events he caters.

“It started off slow, but then I did a couple of events, and it just took off,” h uggard said. “Now, it’s an absolute beast for us. There are still some kinks to work out, but it’s a lot of fun and perfect for a birthday party or private event. We cook everything fresh to order so if people love our chicken sandwich, they can get the same crispy, awesome sandwich at their home or event, and it will be exactly like if they had it at romanelli’s. I was really inspired by my friends Bobby hettmannsperger (Essl’s and Il Porcellino) and Mike Talley (Tacocat), who are phenomenal mentors. I don’ t know how they do what they do every day, but I am going to do my best to follow in their footsteps.”

romanelli’s will be the only restaurant by that name that huggard will own, but it won’t be the only restaurant huggard will own.

h e was already part of a Mexican restaurant in Galloway – La Mesa –that he has since left to his former partners to run without him, and he will soon run another kitchen at an

established business by this summer.

romanelli’s will also see some renovations soon. This spring, the Galloway staple will get a fresh paint job along with new tables, booths and furniture. and huggard is already working on plans to expand his outdoor seating with a back patio featuring firepits and other stunning features to take advantage of the restaurant’s location overseeing Seaview Gold club’s Pines course.

“We are moving and grooving,” huggard said. “I am young and hungry and eager to keep expanding. I always want to offer something new and creative, and I learned a lot from the Mexican restaurant, and I will learn every time I do something new. My thought is to have as many different types of cuisines with different brands as possible to keep things unique and fresh and interesting. I feel like I have already been doing this forever, but the truth is I am just getting started.”

(Romanelli’s Garden Café is open 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sundays and Mondays, and to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Go to RomanellisGardenCafe.com.)

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

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with a B-52 Cocktail

By Julia Stacey

On St. Patrick’s Day, the local pub might be serving green beer with their corned beef and cabbage, or you may prefer to grab a pint of

Guinness, the Irish dry stout that dates back to 1759.

You may also enjoy a classic Irish whiskey like Jameson, a tasty, easyto-sip whiskey at a budget price. Or bump it up a notch to a single pot still whiskey like redbreast 12 Year, a smooth, complex tasting whiskey that’s a great bang for the buck. Irish Mist, an aged whiskey with honey, aromatic herbs, and other spirits added, is traditionally used in Irish coffee but it also tastes great in tea. One of my favorite exports of the Emerald Isle is Baileys Irish cream which was in -

troduced to the international market in 1974. The manufacturer, Gilbeys of Ireland, has added eight different flavors to the line, so there’s a Baileys for everyone’s taste. I’ve sampled some of the brand’s imitators, such as Emmets and Merrys, but always find my way back to the original (and best), Baileys. restaurants and bars often serve it on the rocks, but I prefer to sip it chilled from the refrigerator so as not to water down its creamy goodness.

● B-53, a B-52 with Sambuca rather than Irish cream

● B-54, a B-52 with amaretto almond liqueur in place of Triple Sec

● B-55, a B-52 with absinthe rather than Triple Sec, also known as B-52 Gunship

SOMERS POINT & EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP

You can show off your mixology skills by serving the B-52 cocktail for St. Paddy’s Day or any occasion. according to cocktail lore, the B-52 was created by Peter Fich, head bartender at the Banff Springs h otel in a lberta, c anada. h e liked to name his cocktail creations after his favorite bands, albums, or songs so the name is in reference to the B-52s band (remember “Love Shack” and “ rock Lobster”) and not the bomber plane. The tricky part to making a proper B-52 is building layers of three different spirits in the glass without mixing them. a technique to accomplish this layered look is to pour each spirit very slowly over a spoon.

B-52 Cocktail Recipe

● 1 part Kahlua

● 1 part Baileys Irish cream

● 1 part Grand Marnier Layer in a small glass in order (Kahlua, Baileys, Grand Marnier). The B-52's widespread popularity has resulted in many variations known as the B-50 series of layered cocktails. h ere are a few:

● B-51, a B-52 with Frangelico hazelnut liqueur rather than Triple Sec

● B-52 with Bomb Bay Doors, a B-52 with Bombay gin

● B-52 in the Desert, or a B-52 with a Mexican Tailgunner, a B-52 with tequila rather than Bailey's Irish cream

● B-52 with a Full Payload, a B-52 with a 4th layer of Frangelico and a 5th layer of Bacardi 151 rum lit on fire.

● B-57, a B-52 with peppermint schnapps rather than Irish cream happy St. Patrick’s Day! here’s an Irish toast to accompany your B-52 or what ever drink you choose to celebrate the day.

May the winds of fortune sail you, May you sail a gentle sea, May it always be the other guy, Who says ‘this drink’s on me.’ Sláinte

Julia Stacey Reilly is a published author and blogger. Her book, Boozy Lifestyle, is available on Amazon and her blog can be found at BoozyLifestyle.com. She is the official Tony Mart sommelier and has earned a WSET Award in Wines. She can be reached at BoozyLifestyle@gmail.com.

ROMANELLI'S Garden Cafe'

Donny Osmond’s “Direct from Vegas” Tour is Coming to Hard Rock

Donny Osmond’s “Direct from Vegas” Tour is coming to hard rock Live at Etess arena at hard rock hotel & casino atlantic city on Sunday, July 7 at 7 p.m.

Throughout an illustrious six-decadeslong career, Donny Osmond has earned 33 gold records: selling over 100 million albums and becoming a worldwide music legend. h e has made history by celebrating six decades in show business with the release of his latest album “Start a gain,” a milestone 65th album for the performer. The album was directly inspired by Osmond’s unique career journey of constant reinvention over his six decades as a globally recognized performer.

Best resident h eadliner and Best Production in the Best of Las Vegas honors from The Las Vegas review Journal, Osmond’s show is an exciting, energy-filled musical journey of his unparalleled life as one of the most recognized entertainers in the world.

chosen by the public as the winner of Best Show, Best Performer,

Donny Osmond has partnered with city of h ope so that $1 per ticket will go directly to city of hope, a National c ancer Institute (N cI)-designated comprehensive cancer center and a world renowned pioneer in cancer research, treatment and prevention to support their fight against cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses. Tickets go on sale Friday, March 8 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased at hard rockh otelatlanticcity.com, Ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000. all shows are subject to change.

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

Sunday, March 17

Motown Forever

▶4 p.m. Music Box at Borgata

Friday, March 22

Breaking Benjamin w/ Daughtry & Catch Your Breath

▶8 p.m. hard rock Live at Etess arena

Saturday, March 23

Yacht Rock Revue

▶8 p.m.

hard rock Live at Etess arena

Atlantic City Headliners

Friday, March 29

Brit Floyd

▶8 p.m. 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

The Best of The Eagles

▶8 p.m. Tropicana Showroom

Friday, April 12

Dean Cole

▶8 p.m.

The Music Box at Borgata

Saturday, april 13

Musiq Soulchild & Eric Benet

▶8 p.m.

Tropicana Showroom

Friday, April 19

Ben Folds and a Piano Tour

▶9 p.m. The Music Box at Borgata

Saturday, April 20

Daybreak: The Music & Passion of Barry Manilow

▶8 p.m.

Superstar Theater at resorts

A Bronx Tale

▶8 p.m.

Ovation hall at Ocean casino

Friday, April 26

Dionne Warwick

▶8 p.m.

Sound Waves at hard rock

Saturday, April 27

John Eddie

▶8 p.m.

Superstar Theater at resorts

The Stylistics

▶9 p.m.

Superstar Theater at resorts

Jimmy Carr

▶7 p.m. & 10 p.m.

The Music Box at Borgata

On-Sale Now

North to Shore Festival

Prince Royce & Wisin

▶Fri. June 21, 8 p.m.

Jim Whelan Boardwalk hall

Eric Roberson & Avery Sunshine

▶Fri. June 21, 8 p.m.

caesars atlantic city

The B-52’s with The Weeklings

▶Sat. June 22, 8 p.m.

Ovation hall at Ocean casino

Sheng Wang

▶Sat. June 22, 8 p.m.

Sound Waves at hard rock

Yannis Pappas

▶Sat. June 22, 8 p.m.

harrah’s atlantic city

Chris Distefano and Sam Morril

▶Sat. June 22, 8 p.m.

caesars atlantic city

On-Sale This Week

This is Important Podcast

▶Fri. april 19, 8 p.m.

hard rock Live at Etess arena

Patti LaBelle

▶Fri. June 7, 8 p.m.

hard rock Live at Etess arena

Jay Leno

▶Fri. June 7, 9 p.m.

circus Maximus Theater at caesars

Sweet

▶Sat. June 29, 9 p.m.

Golden Nugget atlantic city

An Evening with Amos Lee

▶Sat. July 13, 8 p.m.

The Music Box at Borgata

Brad Williams

▶Sat. Oct. 19, 8 p.m.

Ovation hall at Ocean casino

All tickets on-sale Friday, Mar. 15, 10 a.m.

Live & Local Music Calendar

Thursday, March 14

Atlantic City

Council Oak Lounge

Sami Eldebs

5:30 – 9 p.m. 1000 Boardwalk

Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino

DJ Nico Oso

8 p.m. 500 Boardwalk

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

Dane anthony

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

600 huron ave.

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock

The cliffs

7 – 11 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk

Somers Point

Caroline’s by the Bay

Sindi raymond Band

4 – 7 p.m.

Karaoke hosted by Mike Dempsey

9 p.m. – 1 a.m.

450 Bay ave.

Gregory’s

carlos Morales

6 – 8 p.m. 900 Shore rd.

Josie Kelly’s

40 North

6 – 9 p.m. 908 Shore rd.

Queen Jayne’s

cosmic charlie

6 – 9 p.m. 264 New rd.

Friday, March 15

Absecon

Reddog’s Hi Point Pub

haley & Tim. 8 p.m. 5 N. Shore rd.

Atlantic City

1927 Lounge at Ocean Casino

Jeremy Oren

6 p.m. Kristina Pruitt

9:15 p.m. 500 Boardwalk

Anchor Rock Club

Memorial Show & Life celebration of Bobby B. 8 p.m. 247 S. New York ave.

Council Oak Lounge

Luke carlos O’ reilly Trio

5 – 8 p.m. DJ B

8:30 p.m. – 12 a.m. 1000 Boardwalk

Hard Rock Café

Dueling Pianos

9 p.m. – 1 a.m. 1000 Boardwalk

Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino adam holcombe Duo

7 p.m. Night anthem

10 p.m. 500 Boardwalk

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

Danny Lynch

6 – 10 p.m. Love Jones

10 p.m. – 2 a.m. 600 huron ave.

Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall

DJ Skyline

9 p.m. – 12 a.m. 133 S. Tennessee ave.

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Kono Nation

5 – 8:30 p.m. Split Decision

9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m. 1000 Boardwalk

The Mad Bunny Bar at Resorts

Geri Mingori. 6 – 9 p.m. DJ Gary

9 p.m. – 2 a.m. 1133 Boardwalk

The Wave at Golden Nugget

Tuesday’s Gone: Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute. 9 – 10:30 p.m. 600 huron ave.

The Yard at Bally’s amish Outlaws

9 p.m. DJ rashaun

8 p.m. – 1 a.m. 1900 Pacific ave.

Villain & Saint at Ocean Casino

Indelible Groove Trio

9:30 p.m. 500 Boardwalk

Egg Harbor Township

The Roost Pub & Grill chris Yoder Duo

6:30 – 9:30 p.m. 500 St. andrews Dr.

Marmora

Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern

Sean Loosh

7:30 p.m. 316 roosevelt Blvd.

Smithville

Fred & Ethel’s Lantern Light

Smokey Starr

7 – 10 p.m. 1 N. New York rd.

Somers Point

Caroline’s by the Bay

Steve Moore & MIa Band

8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 450 Bay ave.

Josie Kelly’s

Plaid Salmon. 8 p.m. 908 Shore rd.

Saturday, March 16

Absecon

Reddog’s Hi Point Pub

Paddy O’Furniture

6 p.m. 5 N. Shore rd.

Atlantic City

1927 Lounge at Ocean Casino

Jeremy Oren

6 p.m. Gabe Steeves

9:15 p.m. 500 Boardwalk

Anchor Rock Club

Lovelight: Grateful Dead Tribute

8 p.m. 247 S. New York ave.

Council Oak Lounge

Jeremy raves Trio

5 – 8 p.m. DJ Muve

8:30 p.m. – 12 a.m. 1000 Boardwalk

Hard Rock Café

Dueling Pianos

9 p.m. – 1 a.m. 1000 Boardwalk

Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino

Big Bang Baby Duo

7 p.m. Bergen Boys

10 p.m. 500 Boardwalk

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

Brandon Ireland Band

5 – 9 p.m. Party Wave

10 p.m. – 2 a.m. 600 huron ave.

Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall

Ned r yerson Band

8 – 11 p.m. 133 S. Tennessee ave.

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock

Seven Band

5 – 8:30 p.m. Sean Patrick & The alibis

9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m. 1000 Boardwalk

The Mad Bunny Bar at Resorts

Jexxa

6 – 9 p.m. DJ Gary

9 p.m. – 2 a.m. 1133 Boardwalk

The Royce Social Hall chris roberts

9 p.m. 2831 Pacific ave.

The Yard at Bally’s

DJ Kevin Kong

9 p.m. – 2 a.m. Garden State radio

10 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. 1900 Pacific ave.

Villain & Saint at Ocean Casino radio Stranger Trio

9:30 p.m. 500 Boardwalk

Egg Harbor Township

The Roost Pub & Grill

Tony Pontari

6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

500 St. andrews Dr.

Margate

Bocca

One hot Mess

7:30 – 10:30 p.m.

7805 Ventnor ave.

Marmora

Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern

The Quinn Brothers Band

7 p.m. 316 roosevelt Blvd.

Millville

Levoy Theatre

Yacht rock Gold

8 p.m. 126-130 N. high St.

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

Tony caine

7 – 10 p.m. 1 N. New York rd.

Somers Point

Caroline’s by the Bay

DJ Jim

4 – 8 p.m. The company Band

8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 450 Bay ave.

Gregory’s

Live DJ. 9 p.m. 900 Shore rd.

Josie Kelly’s

Tom & Bill

5 p.m. Emerald Isle academy of Irish Dancers

12 p.m. & 7 p.m. Nea Breeks Pipes & Drums

7:30 p.m. & 9 p.m. Don’t call Me Francis

8 p.m. 908 Shore rd.

Sunday, March 17

Absecon

Reddog’s Hi Point Pub

DJ

3 p.m. Big Pipers

4:30 p.m. Live Music with Troy

6 p.m. 5 N. Shore rd.

Atlantic City

Council Oak Lounge

Live Music

5:30 – 9 p.m. 1000 Boardwalk

Good Dog Bar

Keep the change Band

3 – 6 p.m. 3426 atlantic ave.

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 Originaire Duo

7 – 11 p.m. 600 huron ave.

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock

The Exceptions

4 – 7:30 p.m. Lost in Paris

8:30 – 11:30 p.m. 1000 Boardwalk

The Mad Bunny Bar at Resorts

The Kilted rogues Irish Bagpipers

4 – 7 p.m. 1133 Boardwalk

Margate

Bocca

The Flynn’s

4 – 7 p.m. 7805 Ventnor ave.

Marmora

Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern

Keep the change

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 316 roosevelt Blvd.

Somers Point

Caroline’s by the Bay Flip-N-Mickeys Band

3 – 7 p.m. 450 Bay ave.

Josie Kelly’s

Tom & Bill

1 p.m. Twisted Livin’

3 – 6:30 p.m. Nae Breeks Pipes & Drums

6:30 p.m. & 9 p.m. The Usual Suspects

7 – 11 p.m. 908 Shore rd.

Monday, March 18

Atlantic City

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

red. 7 – 11 p.m. 600 huron ave.

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock

Fat Mezz

7 – 11 p.m. 1000 Boardwalk

Tuesday, March 19

Atlantic City

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

Patty & Bugzy

8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 600 huron ave.

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock

Dane anthony Band

7 – 11 p.m. 1000 Boardwalk

Somers Point

Josie Kelly’s

DJ Special K

5 – 9 p.m. 908 Shore rd.

Wednesday, March 20

Absecon

Reddog’s Hi Point Pub

Brandon Ireland

7 p.m. 5 N. Shore rd.

Atlantic City

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

Michael Stevens

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

600 huron ave.

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock

Stealing Savannah

7 – 11 p.m. 1000 Boardwalk

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.

Events subject to change.

Chef Quincy Logan keeps things cooking at Hard Rock’s Council Oak Steaks & Seafood

By Chuck Darrow

You may think of a “chef” as someone who merely cooks. But Quincy Logan, the executive chef at the popular council Oak Steaks & Seafood inside hard rock hotel & casino atlantic city, prefers a broader definition of his job.

“I think I'm a little bit of everything. I do whatever it takes,” offered the upbeat and genial 44-year-old Philadelphia-born, South Jersey-bred Logan during a break on a recent, typically teeming, Saturday night.

“If I need to get on the grill, I'll get on the grill and help. Whatever the restaurant needs is what I do. But most of the time, I'm almost like [a football team’s] offensive coordinator that's up in the booth, trying to run

the plays. But my main thing is to make sure that every piece of food that goes out of the kitchen is up to its best.”

To hear Logan tell it, that he wound up in the culinary arts was pretty much his destiny. h is grandmother cooked at the Fantasy Lounge in center city Philadelphia, and other, older relatives likewise worked in Delaware Valley kitchens.

“When I got out of high school,” he explained, “I didn't know what I wanted to do. But I knew I didn't want to be the ‘computer guy.’ So I said, ‘Let me get into this cooking thing.’ and I went to atlantic cape community college, located right here in May’s Landing. and from there it just took off and I just fell in love with cooking.”

after leaving accc , Logan put in time at various restaurants, including the Philly outpost of the capitol Grill chain of high-end steakhouses and Union Trust, another big-ticket center city beefeteria. But he identified what was likely his most important stop as american cut, the steakhouse at revel (now Ocean casino- resort), owned by celebri-chef Marc Forgione.

Logan likened working under the “Iron chef” champ in his outlets in atlantic city, Puerto rico and North Jersey to getting a master’s degree in the restaurant business.

Other jobs followed his time with Forgione, but the passion and enthusiasm Logan brings to his current position suggests council Oak is exactly where he should be at this stage of his career.

One particularly challenging aspect of his job is the intense competition his restaurant faces. after all, every gaming hall has a high-end dining room serving steaks and seafood. a nd then there are the area’s non-casino restaurants working the same side of the street. So, what sets his eatery apart from the pack, and what role does he play in that differentiation?

“One of the things that is different about us, is our wood-burning ovens and our-wood burning grills,” he said. “We cook on cherry wood, we cook on coal. and that big fire that you see creates a lot of energy in the kitchen. and what I try to [encourage] in the team is, to really bring it, because we are a ‘volume’ steakhouse, especially on a Saturday--I want to say maybe 600-700 people. We do that every Saturday.

“So we need to make sure that we bring a lot of energy. and that energy starts with me. So I can never have a day that I feel down. I always try to bring it.”

For more on council Oak Steaks & Seafood, go to hardrockhotelatlanticcity.com.

hitsville hits Borgata

The latest iteration of “Motown Forever,” the atomic-powered salute to the music created in the 1960s and ‘70s for the Motown record label (a.k.a. “ h itsville U.S. a .”) is up and running at the Music Box inside Borgata hotel casino & Spa. It remains a joyous, high-octane gallop through a musical catalogue that helped shape and define a generation, and which continues to resonate today.

each is loaded with charisma and personality, which makes watching them as much fun as hearing them.

Between the individual and collective performances, sharp, animated choreography by Jillian reed, eye-catching Technicolor costuming by Kristine Valentine and super-cool, aI-generated backdrops, it’s easy to overlook a couple of aspects of the show that are crucial to its success.

Under the direction of bassist armand Gilliam, the onstage octet creates a thrilling wall of sound that engulfs the audience and sweeps it up in the pure fun of their work. and keyboardist Gerard Kapral’s vocal arrangements are definitely the show’s “secret sauce.”

For instance, The Supreme’s up-tempo signature, “Baby Love,” begins with a slowed-down, four-voice, a capella verse and chorus before the band ignites a more-familiar arrangement. and “My Girl” and “My Guy” are delivered via an ingenious mashup performed by Jeremy cousar and Genesis Val Leon.

Bottom line: It’s hard to imagine anyone leaving “Motown Forever” without a bounce in their step and song in their heart.

running Sundays through a pril 28, the revusical, which contains a jukebox-full of smash hits from the likes of The Temptations, Four Tops, Jackson Five and The Supremes, is a party for the ears and eyes, thanks to its uniformly talented crew of eight singers, six dancers and eight musicians.

It’s the troupe of vocalists who do the heaviest lifting, and they don’t just sonically hit it out of the park;

For tickets, go to ticketmaster. com.

A clarification

In last week’s column, we neglected to mention that Borgata is affiliated with concert-promoter Live Nation.

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

By Bruce Klauber

Wednesday, Oct. 7, 1987, was truly a grand night on the atlantic city Boardwalk. It was a celebration that rivaled

Bally’s grandest night

any Boardwalk event, the Easter and Saint Patrick’s Day parades and included, for sheer excitement and star power.

The stars were Jerry Lewis, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Frank Sinatra. The event celebrated the change in name and ownership of the storied Golden Nugget hotel casino to Bally’s Grand.

In 1980, hotel/casino visionary Steve Wynn opened the Golden Nugget on the Boardwalk at Boston avenue, on the site of the old Strand Motel. When Wynn built the Golden Nugget, the only casinos in operation

in atlantic city were resorts, caesars, Bally’s Park Place and the Brighton (later the Sands).

When the Nugget opened for business on Dec. 12, 1980, nothing in atlantic city rivaled it in terms of elegance. The biggest names in show business chose to work there.

Frankie r andall, a superb pianist, singer, and colleague of Frank Sinatra’s, was also an industry professional who really knew show business. randall, who died in 2014, shared Wynn’s vision about everything – from the restaurants to the rooms to the entertainment – being the best, so it was no surprise when Wynn brought randall aboard to book the talent.

and book it he did. Using his industry connections, he brought Sinatra and various others to the Nugget from resorts. h e also packed the Nugget’s Elaine’s Lounge with the best talent including Keely Smith, Billy Daniels, Buddy Greco, Frank D’ rone, Billy Eckstine and many others. The Nugget became the place to go, and despite its relatively small size, quickly became atlantic city’s top-grossing hotel/casino.

Wynn, who also owned the Nugget in Las Vegas where he turned what was a modest, downtown venue into the first Vegas property to get four stars from the Mobil Travel Guide, eventually learned that atlantic city is not Las Vegas. The party line was that Wynn was frustrated with the New Jersey gaming regulators, so he sold the Nugget to Bally’s Grand in 1987, vowing never to return to atlantic city. Though he’s floated the idea of coming back from time to time, it has not happened, and it’s doubtful that it ever will happen considering that Wynn is now 82 years old.

When the ownership change happened, the powers-that-be at the Bally’s corporation, a company which had been in the casino business for years, were smart enough to retain key personnel from the Nugget, including randall. Bally’s realized that the whole name changing thing could be a memorable event, so they wisely assigned randall, whom they knew could use his connections and show business savvy to put the whole thing together.

his first order of business was to hire the talent. In short order he had commitments from Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr., who were on the Nugget’s talent roster, with an assist from Jerry Lewis, who would go anywhere Frank and Sammy were.

Then there was the setting: The Nugget showroom was notoriously small, but he realized he had access

to what would become the outdoor Bally’s Grandstand adjoining the hotel, a facility which could seat much more and was already wired for audio and video. The only variable was the weather. If it rained or if Oct. 7 turned out to be too cold, there would be a problem. Still, he forged ahead.

Given that he had commitments from three of the biggest names in show business in hand, and that this was a major industry event, Bally’s and randall made the decision to broadcast the event via closed circuit television. (This was not broadcast on standard cable television systems). randall had one more idea which, if he could pull it off, would be spectacular. Thinking about the name, Bally’s Grand, and coupling that with the lyrics from the standard song, “a Grand Night for Singing,” he asked himself, “What else is grand?” The answer? a “grand” piano of course. randall, who always thought big, took his concept a step beyond; actually, 10 steps beyond. h e would have 10 white, baby grand pianos on the atlantic city Boardwalk, led by jazz piano legend, George Shearing, all playing, “It’s a Grand Night for Singing” at the moment randall gave the signal.

randall was always interested in young, up-and-coming pianists, perhaps remembering the days when he played piano at Sinatra’s favorite New York city haunt, Jilly’s, shortly after he graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Given that he wanted to give other, younger pianists a chance at national exposure (remember, he needed nine more pianists), he used his contacts in the music departments at area colleges in hopes of getting their finest piano students to participate. his idea worked and he secured commitments for pianists from Temple, Drexel, Glassboro (now rowan), the University of the arts and various other schools.

That’s when I got the call. I knew Frankie randall very well in those days. randall knew that, in addition to my writing and work as a jazz musician, I was also a board member of the venerable combs college of Music in Philadelphia, then 100 years old, and noted being the first college in the nation to offer courses in music therapy. h e told me what he was doing and asked me if I had a pianist for the event.

With an assist from c ombs President Frank DiBussolo, PhD; we convinced one of our more brilliant department heads, Darryl h obson-Byrd, PhD; to participate. Though the student pianists were offered no straight compensation for their

services, they were offered a hotel suite for the night with all expenses paid. Though Darryl, rest his soul, was a classical pianist, he would have no trouble reading the music to, “It’s a Grand Night for Singing,” and jumped at the chance.

I was on hand at the Bally’s Grandstand, and surrounding locations, from the day before until the day after the event, just to make sure that our star combs college participant was taken care of. Everything came off beautifully, and the event itself was the memorable occasion that Frankie randall had hoped for.

h e couldn’t do enough for everyone associated with the event. During the actual show, I was under the grandstand and hanging with various band members, as well as Frank, Sammy and Jerry. Frankie randall was running around saying, “can I get you anything? can I do anything for you?” the entire time.

Elaine’s Lounge was mobbed after the event’s fireworks climax, and everyone that had been a part of the event as a participant or spectator, agreed that it was indeed a grand night.

a fter that evening, nothing changed much for a while at what was then being called Bally’s Grand. But the excitement and electricity generated that night, and during the heady Golden Nugget days, didn’t last.

Eventually Frank Sinatra and other performers who first came to the hotel/casino because of Steve Wynn and Frankie randall, jumped ship and signed with the highest bidder. Sinatra, for example, went to the Sands. and little by little, the hotel/casinos were cutting back on live entertainment altogether.

In 1996, the h ilton h otel chain bought Bally’s Entertainment, and the name was changed again, this time to the atlantic city h ilton. That lasted until around 2011, when it changed hands again and became the atlantic club casino hotel. The idea at atlantic club was to appeal to the locals using the catch line, “a casino for the rest of us.” It didn’t work. No one could figure out who “the rest of us” were.

The atlantic club limped along until it closed on Jan. 13, 2014.

Despite reports over the years that the building would be turned into a condominium/hotel, a gigantic water park, or even housing for Stockton University students, the facility has remained an empty eyesore for more than 10 years.

Sadly, it is no longer grand.

Bruce Klauber is the author of four books, an award-winning music journalist, concert and record producer and publicist, producer of the Warner Brothers and Hudson Music "Jazz Legends" film series, and performs both as a drummer and vocalist.

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W E E K D AY S P E C I A L S Tu e

M A H I M A H I R U E B E N 1 8 b l a c k e n e d m a h i o n g r i l l e d r y e w i t h R u s s i a n d r e s s i n g s a u r k r a u t a n d S w i s s c h e e s e & s i d e c o l e s l a w

S T U F F E D S H R I M P 2 5 c r a b s t u ff e d s h r i m p w i t h m a s h e d p o t a t o & g r i l l e d a s p a r a g u s

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Make Your St. Patrick’s Day Spread Green with Envy

Freshen up your St. Patrick’s Day menu with easy, light sandwiches inspired by the traditional color of the festivities. These open-faced noshes can be perfect for lunch, snack time or even as an appetizer for get-togethers with friends and family.

Layered with a smooth cream cheese and mozzarella mixture then topped with crisp cucumber and a stem of green bell pepper, these St.

Patrick’s Day Sandwiches are easy and cute, which makes them a fan favorite at nearly any green gathering. They’re also sprinkled with lemon juice to add a little acidity and create a nice, light bite.

Plus, this recipe is quick to make. When you’re in a rush to get everything on the table for the party, it’s easy to throw together and get on the platter in next to no time.

The sandwiches pop off the plate

Steve

DJ

with their bright, seasonal garnishes. While sure to attract attention and have your loved ones asking “Where did you get this idea?” they’re also an easy way to sneak a few vegetables into your kids’ diets.

St. Patrick’s Day Sandwiches

Yield: 8 sandwiches

● 8 ounces plain cream cheese spread, softened

● 1 cup finely shredded mozzarella cheese

● salt

● 4 English muffins

● 24 slices cucumber

● 8 thin slices green pepper

● fresh cilantro leaves

● lemon juice

● lemon slices, for garnish (optional)

In bowl, mix cream cheese spread, mozzarella cheese and salt well.

Split English muffins in half. cut each muffin half into shamrock shape.

Spread cheese mixture over each muffin half.

Place three cucumbers on each “shamrock,” one on each “leaf.” Use green pepper slice as stem. Place cilantro leaf on top of each sandwich.

Sprinkle sandwiches with lemon juice and add lemon slices, for garnish, if desired.

Credit: Culinary.net

AT BOARDWALK HALL

Friday, April 5th, 2024

7:00 PM

www.boardwalkorgans.org

Links events support the arts, community health

By Raymond Tyler

The atlantic city chapter of The Links Incorporated will hold a Black Family Wellness Expo in Bridgeton March 30 to help reduce health and economic disparities, and to save and improve lives in the Black community. all ethnic groups are invited to participate.

It will be held at the alms center, 1 MLK Jr. Way in Bridgeton. The purpose is to address multiple disparities that negatively impact the health and quality of life for many in the community.

The Links Black Family Wellness Expos are being held across the country in March, aimed at leveraging its membership to improve outcomes for Black families.

The event contributes to The Links’ effort to raise awareness about conditions that shorten or negatively

impact lives for those in the community.

Some of the issues the event will address include heart health (including hypertension), diabetes, mental health awareness and resources, addictions, vaccinations, human trafficking, real estate ownership, life insurance, business development and voter registration. It will also include wellness screenings, glucometer giveaways, fresh produce giveaways and more.

Links Sponsoring Arts Awards, Exhibit

adelphia city college.

The atlantic city chapter of The Links is also sponsoring an exhibit by Pennsauken artist Michelle Foster Lucas at The Noyes arts Garage of Stockton University until March 24.

Foster Lucas is an award-winning folk artist who speaks of people and culture through her contemporary works, mostly in soft pastels.

Born in Philadelphia, her family moved to Tabernacle, Burlington county, when she was very young. after she graduated from Lenape high School in Medford, she received an associate of science degree from Burlington county college and Phil -

She has been invited to exhibit her work at numerous prestigious locations including the Woodbine exhibition in Philadelphia; The Galleria in Manayunk, Pa.; the Essence of africa Fashion Show, rittenhouse Square; The african a merican Museum in Philadelphia; the October Gallery and the well-known historical athenaeum in Philadelphia where she is on the board.

Please join us for an afternoon of art, live music, beverages and light refreshments 1 p.m. Sunday, March 24, for the Third a nnual Ladies in the arts awards Night hosted by me at The Noyes arts Garage of Stock-

ton University. The event features the awards ceremony and free admission. The atlantic city chapter of The Links will also be receiving an award at this year’s event. See www. artsgarageac.com for more information and to rSVP.

I, along with several other organizations, will honor nine great women who are leaders and creators in the world of arts and culture. also being recognized for their contributions to arts and culture are a local woman-lead podcast and two women’s organizations. The atlantic city chapter of The Links will also be receiving an award.

Each year during Women’s history Month, we celebrate the women that enrich arts and culture in atlantic city and Southern New Jersey. come out to meet and celebrate these phenomenal women who have enriched the cultural community of South Jersey.

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

Sangiovese: The soul of wines from the heart of Italy

By David Setley

Tuscany, located in the central region of Italy, has been referred to as the heart of the country. Florence, the capital of Tuscany, is home to many priceless treasures from the renaissance, including Michelangelo’s “David,” the beautiful Duomo basilica, and works from Botticelli that are now housed in the Uffizi Gallery. Beyond the artwork, Tuscany provides a breathtaking landscape, mouthwatering cuisine, and wine that is arguably the most famous wine from all of Italy. chianti classico, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Brunello di Montalcino, Toscana or Super Tuscan wines all find their roots in Tuscany and all stem from just one grape: Sangiovese.

according to legend, Sangue di Giove, translated to “the blood of Jupiter,” was the original name for the Sangiovese grape. It is the most cultivated grape in Italy – in fact, 98% of Sangiovese comes from Italy –with the overwhelming majority of it grown in Tuscany. Interestingly, the soil there is awful. I’m talking about sandy, rocky soil composed of clay and limestone that is terrible for many crops but somehow excellent for the Sangiovese grape. Winemakers often say that vines that struggle the most produce the best wine; that must be the case for Sangiovese! The Mediterranean climate there features warm days and cool nights. It also yields light rain in early spring and late fall but little to none in summer. Yet, the gentle hillsides of Tuscany create a perfect terrain and the sunny summer days allow for a relatively long growing season. add to that over 3,000 years of winemaking tradition, and you can see how Sangiovese has become the soul of the wines from this region.

Many fans of Italian wines are familiar with the chianti and chianti classico varietals, but may not have known that the primary grape within them is Sangiovese. In fact, chianti and chianti classico are subregions of Tuscany, or DOcs (denominazione di origine controllata). For a wine from this region to have the name “chianti” on the label, the grapes used must

be grown in the DOc and must be 70% Sangiovese grapes. To be a higher-valued chianti classico wine, the grapes must be grown in that much smaller DO c and must be made from at least 80% Sangiovese. a dditionally, the growing, harvesting, wine-making, and aging traditions of these regions must be certified.

a wonderful example of a chianti is the renzo Masi- chianti rufina riserva. This medium-bodied red wine features notes of tobacco, cherry, cedar, spice and almonds that are classically found in great wines from the region. For an excellent, yet reasonably priced chianti classico, reach for the c astello di Volpaia- chianti classico. The elevation of the Volpaia Vineyards is slightly higher than many of the others in the DOc , resulting in a higher acidity level. That acidity manifests as a freshness in the wine that, along with the classic flavors of red fruit, tobacco, spice, and balsamic notes, gives this wine a notable boldness for a medium-bodied wine and an intense ruby red color.

Toscana, or Super Tuscan, wines also utilize the Sangiovese grape. These wines do not require a specific percentage of Sangiovese, so the concentrations vary tremendously. For a 100% Sangiovese wine, try the casanova della Spinetta-Il Nero Di casanova. Or, for an organic Toscana wine that is predominantly Sangiovese and cabernet Sauvignon, try the castello di Volpaia- citto. Toscana wines may be less regulated than chiantis and chianti classicos, but they are very reasonably priced, typically a little fruitier in flavor, and are still outstanding wines to compliment an Italian meal.

Now let’s talk Montepulciano wines. There is the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and its Tuscan cousin, the Montepulciano di abruzzo. The Vino Nobile is made from Sangiovese while the Montepulciano di abruzzo is

made from the thicker-skinned Montepulciano grape. Similar to chianti DOc wines, the Vino Nobile must have a minimum of 70% Sangiovese. however, this DOc requires a minimum of 2 years of aging, with at least 1 of those years in oak barrels, prior to sale. For an excellent example, try the Villa Sant'anna-Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. This vibrant wine has bright acidity and gentle tannins with aromas of ripe red fruit and spice, and flavors of dark ripe berries, notes of plum, and hints of earthiness from the extended aging.

Perhaps the most valued wines of Tuscany are Brunello di Montalcino wines. This DO c requires that the wine be made with 100% Sangiovese grapes grown within this subregion. Many consider this to be Sangiovese at its finest. In addition to the concentration of Sangiovese, the wine must be aged for at least 5 years (or 6, for riserva), with a minimum of 2 years in oak barrels to be certified as a Brunello di Montalcino DOc wine. Many of these wines lean toward pricey, but the castelli Martinozzi or the ciacci Piccolomini d'aragona are both reasonably priced. Each embodies the classic characteristics that make these wines so regarded: intensive and elegant aromas with floral and mushroom notes, pleasantly tannic mouthfeels, and a lingering palate of dried flowers and wild berry fruit.

I hope you enjoyed this Tuscan adventure and this introduction to the many wines of Sangiovese. a s always, contact me at dsetley@passionvines.com or stop by the Somers Point store if you have any questions or comments. 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.

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Artist Megan Smith brings her talents to Storybook Land’s refurbishment

By Gabriella Bancheri

From visual art to music to writing, there is some undeniable young talent in the South Jersey art world, and 22-year-old Megan Smith is no exception.

The young painter and digital designer certainly has a passion for what she does and she’s on a mission to breathe some creative life into our local cities and businesses.

Not too long ago, Megan was driving past Storybook Land, the children’s theme park located on the Black h orse Pike, when she saw a vast, empty wall ripe for art.

She pulled into the lot, parked her car, and located owner John Fricano to inquire about potentially painting a mural.

While she received a rejection for that particular idea, her inquiry and drive opened a different door for her: refurbishing the entire Storybook Land cast of characters. Megan says that her goal with this initiative is to “give personality and life” to the characters that live in the “weathered

down sculptures of Storybook Land.”

She shared that she has been thoroughly enjoying her work at the amusement park, stating that it has given her the opportunity to “reconnect with the playfulness” of her inner child through her developed artistic skill.

having no formal artistic training, Megan’s work comes from raw talent, passion and dedication to her craft. a child of two artists, Megan says that her parents have been a huge inspiration for her desire to paint and draw. In fact, both her mother and father were graphic designers at the Tropicana in atlantic city.

Megan has been working on the Storybook Land initiative every day for the past couple of weeks, and projects it will take her just a few more weeks of full-time work to finish the project completely.

While it’s clear that her personal art is driven by an interest in abstract visionary images loaded with color, she has also painted brand-specific wall murals for businesses like Spoon & Sip in Ocean city, landscapes, and now, life-sized characters. al -

ready, she has proved her wide-ranging talent.

When I asked what Megan hopes to have in store for her future, she shared that she’s particularly interested in working with commissions from local business to showcase her graphic design skills, as well as collaborating with other creatives and musicians to help devise a vision for their art.

Some upcoming events where Megan will be showcasing her art include the Smithville a rt Walk (a pril 27), Beardfest at Paradise Lakes (June 13), and Beach Bike Festival (March 23).

Ultimately though, Megan says, “Where the art goes is where I’ll go,” and judging based off her sheer passion and drive to create, it doesn’t seem like she’ll have a difficult time finding it anywhere.

To check out Megan’s work, visit her website https://www.megansmithartstore.com/ and her Instagram page @megan.smith.art.

How to make your spring listing stand out

Real Estate Matters

By Elisa Jo Eagan

With winter wrapping up and Saint Patrick’s Day this weekend, are you considering selling your home this spring?

Spring is an ideal time to sell a home, and with a little more than luck, it is a well-known fact that both the number of buyers and inventory increase during the months of March, april, May, and June. This often means that your home could be paired against some stiff competition. here are some simple tips to help your spring listing stand out:

Stay Ahead of the Home Inspectors

If you know that a home inspector will find something wrong with your home, it is advantageous to get it fixed before the inspection. Potential buyers will appreciate the updates, and it

will probably cost you less to have it fixed beforehand. It also reduces the possibility of buyers placing certain contingencies on the contract.

Declutter Indoor Spaces

has extra clutter accumulated from the winter? Time to purge! consider donating excess items and clothing to a local shelter, mission, or charitable thrift shop. Potential buyers are more likely to enjoy your home if it is clutter-free. Tidy spaces also help rooms appear larger – a win-win for you and a potential buyer.

Decluttering can be stressful and difficult. h ere are some ideas to simplify the process:

With sentimental clutter, certainly, you will want to preserve the family memories by living in the present while remembering the past.

Scan What You Can

Scan and upload paper memories. awards, photos, artwork, essays, and other treasured paper documents can still be kept and remembered without physically taking up space.

Scan the items and upload the image to a digital folder on a cloud data storage service. This way they don’t take up physical space and are accessible at any time from anywhere without the risk of losing them. hang

onto favorites; hang them up and bring them with you to your next home.

Resume Yard Work

March is the time to clean up what winter left behind. remove all dead leaves and debris from your property. Don’t allow overgrown vegetation to block windows and sidewalks. Trim down large bushes and branches to showcase the exterior of your home. Plant some spring flowers in the front, either in flower boxes, pottery, or in a bed to add a pop of color and improve your first impression/curb appeal.

Deep Clean the Exterior

Like the cover of a book, the exterior is just as important as the interior. consider power washing the siding, sidewalk, and driveway. a potential buyer will be much more interested if the siding and walkways are all freshly cleaned. Power washing is also an inexpensive improvement. If you are up to it, you can rent a machine and do it yourself.

Brighten Up Your Color Palette

The days are becoming brighter, and so should your decor. accent pieces can be easily replaced to incorporate soft spring colors (yellows, pinks, lavenders, light blues even turquoise). Bright sofa pillows will lighten up a room and make potential buyers feel welcome.

consider painting cabinets and small furniture pieces with a pop of color. Paint can be a cost-effective way to breathe new life into your home. You will be surprised at the transformation a simple can of paint can make for your home.

These tips will help you set the stage for a successful spring sale of your home!

In honor of Saint Patrick’s Day, here is an Irish blessing to you:

May the road rise to meet you

May the wind always be at your back

May the sun shine warm upon your face And until we meet again, may the Lord hold you in the palm of his hand Amen.

With hugs and warm regards.

For more home selling and buying real estate advice, feel free to contact Elisa Jo Eagan @ (609) 703-0432 and visit 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!"

A Senior’s Observations, Opinions and Rantings Driving and

By Charles P. Eberson Se nior Moments

My wife and I have been driving together for more than 45 years; that includes two cross-country trips and numerous other drives ranging from Maine to Key West.

The polite way to describe our driving styles is that they differ. I would say that my style is more of a technical, while hers is more emotional in nature.

I admit to driving a little too fast on local trips around our atlantic county area because I suffer from what my wife calls, “get thereitis.” I also feel that on roads where the speed limit is 70 mph, 75-78 is optimum, even though drivers are passing me like I am coasting along, many of them

texting on their mobile phones.

My wife accuses me of being a bad passenger. Guilty as charged.

all things considered, she is a good driver and on long trips, gives me the rest I need before getting back behind the wheel.

Many of you are familiar with I-95 around Philly and know that it demands your full attention. But I-95 in southern Florida is rated as one of the most dangerous roads in the country, and we have had the occasion to drive on it a few times a year.

recently, while I was resting my eyes in the passenger seat, I felt a little more buffeting of our vehicle than usual. I glanced over at the speedometer and saw that it read 90 mph.

I registered my dismay and my wife let loose with a tirade of how a big pickup truck was right on her bumper trying to pass her.

I told her that he was not trying to pass, he was drafting like a NaScar racer; let him go. She firmly answered, “You don’t see what’s happening behind me. I have to speed up to get over!”

a brief discussion ensued on our individual driving histories. My wife reminded me, “Who dented the tailgate while backing into the stone wall in rockport, Massachusetts? Who ran over the spigot in the North Dakota campground? Who backed over a boulder in Grand Teton National Park?” In my defense, the backup camera did not pick up the boulder.

My weak reply was, “at least it wouldn’t require a Medevac helicopter to pick us up on I-95.” To her point though, I have pulled some sketchy maneuvers, to which she would say, “ how would you feel if I did that?”

Even she admits to plunging into a highway exit too fast while exclaiming, “comin’ in hot!” while I braced against the floorboards doing my Kegel exercises and she emitted a nervous laugh.

On one trip up our favorite I-95 section in Virgina, a compact car speeding by us in the left lane, drove over a full size semi truck tire, sending the tire careening right in front of our vehicle. My wife was driving while I just about pushed my feet through the floorboard.

She could have jerked the car to the right or left, which may have been disastrous, but she coolly, and I might add apologetically, maneuvered our vehicle right over the tire. We felt the tire run the complete length of the car with no serious consequences except for my leg cramps. I really can’t be sure if I would have done as well. a gain, nervous laughter ensued.

Since hopefully there will be many more highway miles for us to navigate together, each with our own driving quirks and criticisms, in the end, as long as we continue to arrive safe and are still speaking with each other, the road awaits us.

a s a footnote, our auto service technician inquired as to why our front alignment was so off and where the little pieces of tire came from.

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

A Conversation with Mico Lucide, Director/Cofounder of the Atlantic County Queer Alliance

By Sarah Fertsch

Books. Bathrooms. h ate crimes. although the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community (LGBT) has more freedom than ever in history, South Jersey sometimes feels like a battleground for social justice.

Mico Lucide, resident of Mays Landing, sat down with Shore Local Newsmagazine to discuss the highs and lows of being gay in 2024. Lucide is the director and co-founder of the atlantic county Queer alliance (acQ a), and identifies as gay.

a monthly brunch club led to powerful conversations,and the eventual creation of the atlantic county Queer alliance. Their first task: host the first-ever Pride parade in Mays Landing in 2022. With months of paperwork, vendor coordination, and advertising, “it was a major lift.”

Made official in June 2023, acQ a isn’t a traditional 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. “Primarily, we serve the groups that serve the broader community,” Lucide said. “There are

a lot of smaller LGBT groups who desperately need a network.”

In June 2023, acQ a launched with five partner organizations: Queer-headed, h ammonton Pride, Free Mom h ugs of atlantic county, Free Mom h ugs of cape May county, and Pride in Mays Landing. Eventually, acQ a officially partnered with Garden State Equality, We Belong cape May county, Equality cape May and GLSEN of Southern New Jersey.

Thanks to state grants, the a lliance provides resources to organizations such as event planning, and outreach support. “Because we are a background organization, we can make sure that the front-facing groups can focus on fun and events and connection,” said Lucide.

Lucide told Shore Local Newsmagazine that the best way to meet the needs of the LGBT community is by asking them. In January 2024, acQa held their first South Jersey LGBT Summit at the Stockton University atlantic city campus.

“We had about a hundred attendees, and they shared the collective need for a physical space,” he said.

“It can be isolating, and a center for folks to ask questions, meet others like them, and feel safe would make a big difference.”

Beyond administration, acQ a provides emergency support for sociopolitical threats to the LGBT community. In 2022, when protesters picketed outside of Ocean city h igh School opposing new health curriculums, acQ a deployed allies at school board meetings and spoke out for queer students.

who are sober. “When most people think of our community, they imagine a gay bar. It makes connection much more challenging when you don’t drink,” he said. Next month, Queer- h eaded will be hosting a nature walk at Estell Manor Park.

Lucide called for support from local politicians and leaders to stand up for the queer community. “When our rights are being threatened, particularly in education, we need big names to stand up, even when we aren’t in the room,” he said.

acQ a’s board members focus on procuring grants to fund services for the community. Lucide shared that almost all civil rights funding gets allocated to North Jersey, which causes South Jersey to be underserved for minority groups.

“atlantic city’s has such an important LGBT history, and many folks don’t realize the significance of our region. The Entertainer’s club is the oldest gay bar on the East coast,” Lucide said.

atlanticare recently opened their first LGBT care center, operated by Dr. BJ howard, a nonbinary primary physician that specializes in respectful healthcare for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender needs. “This is a great win for our community, and we try to support this center as much as possible,”said Lucide.

Lucide highlighted one of their partner organizations, Queer- h eaded, who represent LGBT members

Major work can’t be accomplished alone, and Lucide thanks the acQ a board for their dedication to the mission of inclusion. “Everyone deserves to be safe and welcome, and that’s all we want for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.”

“The best way to build empathy and learn about the queer community is by simply asking,” said Lucide. “Whether it's your sister or neighbor, we can learn a lot from each other. It’s all theoretical until we talk to each other.”

For more information on the atlantic county Queer alliance, check out their website at https://www. acqanj.com/.

Mico Lucide, co-founder of ACQA

Splitting retirement assets in a divorce

By Eric Reich

Going through a divorce is a terrible experience, even under the best of circumstances. Emotions run high. Decision-making ability might not be at an all-time high. While some of those decisions might not have major consequences, others, like the division of retirement assets, could have a massive impact on your finances. This week, I thought we would clear up any confusion around how different types of assets are divided, such as retirement plans, I ra s, etc., and what to do with them once they are.

Retirement Plans

a retirement plan, and I’m speaking about ErISa plans, are plans governed under the Employee r etirement Income Security act of 1974. This includes most employer-sponsored retirement plans such as 401(k), de -

ferred compensation or profit-sharing plans. It does not include public sector 403b plans, Simplified Employee Pension Plans (SEP) or I ra s. retirement assets are divided by what is known as a Qualified Domestic relations Order (QD rO). a QD rO is ordered by the court. The rules of the plan will determine when you can get access to the funds. Some plans allow for immediate withdrawals, while others will segregate the funds, but they aren’t distributed until a future qualifying date. If you are receiving funds from a QD rO, you want to carefully consider your options. You can roll the funds over to your I ra however, if you are under the age of 59 and a half and take a withdrawal after the funds are in your I ra , you can be subject to the 10% penalty. If you receive the funds directly from the QDrO, that distribution is not subject to the 10% penalty. a ny withdrawals will, however, be subject to income tax.

IRAs

I ra s, unlike ErISa plans, are divided based on your Marital Settlement a greement (MSa). any distribution made from an Ira that isn’t rolled over into your own I ra is a taxable distribution and potentially subject to the

pre-age of 59 and a half 10% penalty. If you are the person who has to give your ex-spouse part of your I ra , and you simply take the money out of your Ira and give it to your ex-spouse, then that withdrawal is taxable to you. It is then deemed that you made a gift to your ex-spouse. That means you pay all the tax and not your ex. This is why it is so important that you transfer the funds directly to your ex-spouse's Ira

Once all of the assets are divided, you will want to make sure that you update your beneficiary forms for both your I ra and retirement plan. also, update those forms for any other things that transfer via beneficiary and not your will, such as life insurance policies, annuities, etc.

Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS),

member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. Reich Asset Management, LLC is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kestra AS. The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect those held by Kestra Investment Services, LLC or Kestra Advisory Services, LLC. This is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual. It is suggested that you consult your financial professional, attorney, or tax advisor with regard to your individual situation. To view form CRS visit https://bit.ly/KF-Disclosures.

Eric is President and founder of Reich Asset Management, LLC. He relies on his 25 years of experience to help clients have an enjoyable retirement. He is a Certified Financial Planner™ and Certified Investment Management AnalystSM (CIMA®) and has earned his Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®) and Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designations.

Mast cell tumors in dogs

By Heidi Clayton

Discovering a lump or bump on your dog is most of the time no cause for panic. Over the course of my 13-year-old girl IchiBan’s life, she has developed several lipomas, which are commonly known as fatty tumors. She started to grow fatty tumors at about 10 years of age. at that time, I would normally have the lump aspirated to check for the presence of cancer. While the lumps can get rather large, they have never been cancerous. I rarely, if ever, worry about lipomas. The lump or bump that I did take very seriously was the mast cell tumor that developed on her chest area when she was 9 years old.

Mast cell tumors are the most common skin cancer that occurs in dogs. They can appear on any part of the body and can happen to any breed or mix of dog. Penn Vet reports that

the tumor is typically a response to allergens or inflammation in the dog's body and appears as a swollen red bump raised from the skin.

IchiBan’s was a dime-sized red lump that looked very raw. It also seemed to appear almost overnight. My first stop was to take her to her regular vet, who diagnosed it as a mast cell tumor.

While 95 percent of all mast cell tumors can be successfully treated without actual cancer treatment, these tumors should be dealt with immediately to prevent spreading. I chose Mt. Laurel animal hospital where we saw an oncologist who explained that removing the mast cell tumor was key but not to be alarmed by the actual size of the surgical site. The key to removing a mast cell tumor is the margins that are taken from around the actual tumor. So while IchiBan’s tumor was small, the actual wound from surgery was huge. Once removed, the tumor was sent for a biopsy and grading. Mast cell tumors are graded from one to three. Most ones require no further treatment while twos and threes most likely will need some sort of treatment varying from steroids to

chemo or radiation therapy. I was relieved that IchiBan’s mast cell tumor was graded as a one, and no further treatment was needed. The key to mast cell tumors is to intervene before they have a chance to spread to lymph nodes.

There is also a nonsurgical option in the form of an injection that goes by the brand name “Stelfonta.” The Stelfonta injections do have several benefits such as it is less expensive than surgery and can be helpful when the tumor itself is located in a difficult location on the body where wide margins are not possible. The medication is injected directly into the tumor which should start to shrink.

The injections do leave a wound in the form of a hole in the skin as the tumor itself shrinks. The downside to choosing this treatment option is that you do not get to send the actual tumor and skin for a biopsy so that the level of the mast cell can be graded. Stelfonta has an 85 percent success rate, which is very palatable to most owners.

regardless of your choice of treatment, the best way to beat a mast cell tumor is to get a quick diagnosis. Don’t delay if you think the lump or bump on your dog is a mast cell tumor.

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

Mark your calendar to plant peas

By Tammy Thornton

While some of you may celebrate the holiday by dyeing everything green, gardeners know that St. Patrick’s Day is the ideal time to plant peas. But that’s just a rule of thumb. Technically, you can plant peas as soon as the soil can be worked. In our Shore Local area, that can be as early as February. Since peas are a cool-season vegetable, you don’t need to wait until after the last frost date. In fact, a light snow won’t hurt your pea plants but can offer them a protective layer of insulation like a blanket. Old-time farmers have nicknamed snow “poor man’s fertilizer” since snow can contain nutrients such as nitrogen that are slowly released into the soil as the snow melts.

Since peas don’t like to have their roots disturbed, it's best to plant the

seeds directly into the garden. So you don’t need to bother with grow lights and fancy setups for starting seeds indoors. however, to aid in germination, it’s a good idea to soak your pea seeds overnight before planting them. By morning, they will be rehydrated, swollen, and ready for planting. Because peas grow as a vine, you will need to provide them with some type of support system. a trellis or simple structure using bamboo stakes and garden twine will do the trick for these climbing plants. Be sure to set up your trellis or other support system first. This way, you’ll know exactly where to plant your seeds without disturbing them later. choose a sunny location, and plant your peas about one inch deep in moist but well-drained soil. To lengthen the harvest time, plant a succession of seeds, ending with a variety of heat-resistant peas.

St. Patrick’s Day

young to use as microgreens. They can be eaten raw in salads or sandwiches, or cooked in dishes such as stir fry or pasta.

Experiment with different types of peas to find your favorite. Garden peas (also known as English peas, shelling peas, or sweet peas) have a tough, inedible pod that needs to be removed before you eat the peas.

Once you see the pretty little

flowers in white, pink, or purple, you’ll know that the pea pods aren’t far behind. h arvest your peas early and often; smaller peas will be the sweetest. Peas will become starchy if left on the vine for too long. Once your peas start producing, check them every other day for harvesting, since the more you pick them, the higher the yield. The peas may not make it to your kitchen because they are so sweet. You may want to eat them all raw, right from the pod, while standing in your garden. If they do make it into the house, eat them as soon as possible because they taste best fresh. In a short time, the sugars turn to starch. To preserve their fresh flavor, blanch peas in boiling water for one minute, plunge them in cold water, then dry the peas, and freeze them. You can also eat pea shoots (sprouts), including the leaves, tendrils, and flowers. cut them very

Snap peas and snow peas can be eaten pod and all, though you may need to remove the string from the edge of the pod. a s you may know, snow peas are flat thin pea pods containing small peas.

Peas are a rewarding vegetable to kick off your gardening season. They like cool weather, are easy to grow, and are fast growers. Not only are they a source of protein and other nutrients for your own health, but they are also beneficial for your garden soil. By the time your pea plants have stopped producing, it will be warm enough to plant different types of vegetables. Turn the pea plants into your soil, or add them to your compost pile, making room for the next crop.

What is your favorite variety of peas to grow? What types of trellises work best for you? We would love to hear from our readers. Send your gardening comments, questions, and topic suggestions 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.

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Saint Ireland Clover

Patrick Wishes Parade

Leprechaun Shamrock March

Roinbow Green Pinch

Gold Lucky Emerald

SHORE FUNNY

What type of magic spells do leprechauns cast?

Lucky charms

At what point is an Irish potato no longer an Irish potato? When it’s a French fry

What’s Irish and sits outside all day and night?

Patty O'furniture

How did the Irish Jig get started?

Too much to drink and not enough restrooms

What do you call an earthquake in Ireland?

A shamrock shake

What is Ireland's fastest growing city? It's Dublin every day

609-645-0500

SUDOKU

Solution on page 70

THEME: FAIRY TALE CREATURES

ACROSS

1. *Like many mythical creatures

6. Second mo.

9. Spill the beans

13. convex molding

14. "___ the President's Men"

15. ankle support, e.g.

16. Make a logical connection

17. *E.T.'s craft?

18. Des Moines native

19. *Fire-breather

21. *household spirit

23. Tucker of "Modern Family"

24. antonym of is

25. *Grimm's Queen ____

28. Tailor-made

30. Showing on TV

35. "all's well that ____ well"

37. Golly!

39. Punctuation mark

40. Seaport in Yemen

41. hitching post?

43. additionally

44. Poison ivy or Poison oak

46. One more than The Beatles

47. hold as a conviction

48. *Mrs. Potts or her son chip

50. andrew Sean Greer's 2017 Pulitzer-winner novel

52. Toast choice

53. Jack and Jill's water jug

55. "____ Now or Never"

57. *horse's cousin

61. *One of the seven dwarfs

64. a scetic holy hindu

65. hhS agency

67. relating to #25 across

69. Banana treat

70. Go bad

71. australian canid

72. Lou of "Walk on the Wild Side" fame

73. card in the hole?

74. "The Forsyte ____," pl.

DOWN

1. Wisecrack

2. Like a zealous fan

3. regular attendee

4. hipbone-related

5. cuban music genre, pl.

6. *half-man, half-goat

7. *Santa's helper

8. Splotches

9. arch on a face

10. croquet turf

11. Popular smoothie berry

12. Well, to Sofia Loren

15. relating to living organisms

20. Opposite of alpha

22. Genetic initials

24. Parents hope to do this with values

25. *Beauty's beau

26. Empower

27. Dropsy

29. *Big Bad One

31. Yellow brick one

32. Feeling worse than before

33. *Like curious George

34. *Garden dweller

36. Finger move

38. Moneyed one

42. Pine product

45. choose not to do something, 2 words

49. Toni Morrison's "____ Baby"

51. 1862 plots, for short

54. Prefix for below

56. Old photo color

57. Stalin's domain

58. Back of the neck

59. Not active

60. Past tense of chide

61. Fill beyond full

62. Sound of passing bullet

63. *Baba ____

66. *Who Bugs Bunny talks to?

68. Numbers, abbr.

See Solution on Page 70

Is getting older getting you down?

By Courtney McLaughlin, LCSW, CDP

Retirement is supposed to be fun. We look forward to these “golden years” for much of our adult lives: planning the hobbies we’ll take up, the traveling we’ll do, the company we’ll keep. and yet for some of us, this isn’t what we pictured. Our bodies hurt, our minds are scattered, and our plates are still full, but not with the soul-nourishing things we’d hoped. Our reality just isn’t living up to our expectations and we’re feeling low.

of grief or isolation. For those of us in the “sandwich generation” who are caretaking our parents and supporting our children or helping out with our grandchildren, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or worn down. combine all of that with the normal changes in our bodies and minds –the aches and pains, decreased energy levels, occasional forgetfulness – and it’s easy to jump to all the worst conclusions about what our aging is going to look like. Our golden years start to lose their shine.

This is the other side of the work/ life balance coin. Up to now, we’ve spent the majority of our time working and wishing we had more free time. Now that we do, we may not know what to do with it. For those of us who have defined ourselves by our work for many years, we may not know who we are anymore. Some of us have lost touch with or outright lost people we hoped to share this time with, contributing to feelings

In america, one in six adults over 50 experience a diagnosable mental health condition. That means odds are good that at least one member of your family, your friend group, a casual acquaintance, or you yourself are experiencing enough feelings of sadness, worry, grief, guilt, or other emotions to affect your daily life. Even those without a mental health condition are recognizing that things could be better; a staggering 47.4% of

adults in this age group receive some kind of mental health treatment, whether in the form of medication or counseling.

Whether we are struggling or simply acknowledging that we’d like to feel better, there’s hope! Just as lifestyle changes like eating well, drinking more water, getting more sleep, and getting regular exercise can assist with managing our physical health, taking steps to implement healthy changes in our daily routines and social and emotional life can significantly improve our mood and functioning.

If you’re feeling forgetful or losing things often, try establishing routines such as writing on a list or calendar and keeping important items in a consistent place every day. If you’re overwhelmed with the stress of taking care of your parents, children, and grandchildren, try setting aside some time – whether an hour or a day each week – that's just for you. You might also consider joining a caregiver support group to find friends going through similar challenges. If you’re feeling listless or lonely, try connecting with a new hobby or group activity. check out your local library,

craft or home improvement store, or restaurant lounge for events that increase the odds you’ll meet others with similar interests and passions. Look for opportunities to reconnect with old friends and relatives, such as on social media. Practice gratitude for the people, places, things, and events that bring joy into your life. Implementing even one small change in our routine can have a positive impact on our state of mind.

If you or someone close to you is unsure where to start or is in need of more support, reach out for help. contact your health insurance to find a list of providers in your area. call your local counseling center and take the first step. reach out to the New Jersey Institute for Successful a ging to explore support resources and learn more about managing physical and mental health. health and healing are possible, so don’t let fear or stigma stop you or someone you love from living the best life possible.

Courtney McLaughlin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Dementia Practitioner at Brownstone Center for Wellness, a mental health counseling practice that recently opened in Northfield. Her extensive clinical experience in the fields of mental health, traumatic brain injury, and senior care have been invaluable in serving patients of all ages as they improve their mental health. Courtney can be reached at CourtneyM@brownstonewellnesscenter.net or 609-833-1644. Brownstonewellnesscenter.net

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