SHORE LOCAL | Mainland | October 15, 2026 by Mike Kurov

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Halloween Happenings and Fall Events Local Musician Turns Chairs on 'The Voice' New EHT Nature Reserve Pavilion Honors Father, Son Stockton University to Cut Staff

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Halloween has grown up — and grown bigger Letter from the editor

crawling through “dirt” made from crushed Oreo cookies. The children played “Wrap the Mummy,” working in pairs to cover one another in toilet paper until they resembled little mummies. It was messy, silly and fun — and best of all, memorable. Today, Halloween has evolved into a monthlong celebration of pumpkins, hayrides and all things spooky. Beginning in early October — and sometimes even September — calendars fill with haunted attractions, costume contests, pumpkin festivals, parades and trunk-or-treats. Families visit farms for corn mazes and apple cider, while adults plan costume parties and Halloween-themed nights out on the town. Many homes now decorate as much or even more for Halloween than they do for Christmas. Giant skeletons, inflatable ghosts, cobweb-covered porches and entire graveyards appear on lawns. What was once a one-night childhood tradition has become a full season enjoyed by all ages.

hen I was young, Halloween was fun. We placed a pumpkin on the porch, picked out a costume and went trick-or-treating through the neighborhood on Oct. 31, often with a pillowcase serving as a candy bag. That was about it. There were no 12-foot skeletons towering over front lawns, no elaborate displays or animatronics. Trunk-or-treats had not yet been invented, and community Halloween parades were less common. Halloween lasted one day, and once the candy had been collected and devoured, it was over. By the time I became a mom though, Halloween was becoming something bigger. Schools held costume parades and classroom parties. Instead of placing one pumpkin on the porch, each family member carved their own, creating a pumpkin family on display. Decorations became more plentiful, costumes became more creative and the celebration began long before Oct. 31. One year, we hosted a Halloween party for our children and their friends. We served gummy worms Issue 409

Here at the Shore, there is no shortage of ways to celebrate. This issue of Shore Local includes a Halloween event guide which we will continue to update and run in the next two issues leading up to Halloween. Whether you are looking for family-friendly events, hayrides, parades or trunk-or-treats, the guide will help you explore the options and decide which events your family would enjoy. Adults looking for Halloween fun should also turn to the pages of Wahoo, Shore Local’s entertainment section. You can find it outlined in yellow in the center of each edition,

filled with nightlife, live entertainment and seasonal events. We are also excited to announce that Shore Local Newsmagazine now offers a monthly subscription for readers who would enjoy the convenience of home delivery. With a subscription, each week’s newest issue will be delivered directly to your mailbox. There is a small monthly fee for this service to cover shipping and handling costs. However, Shore Local will remain free for pickup at more than 300 distribution locations throughout Atlantic and Cape May counties. The subscription simply provides another convenient way to ensure you get a copy — especially if you do not drive or have a second residence. Thank you for reading Shore Local and supporting locally owned community journalism. Whether you pick us up around town or welcome us into your mailbox, we look forward to continuing to bring you community news you can count on.

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New pavilion at EHT Nature Reserve honors father and son’s legacy of service

By Sarah Fertsch

new pavilion at the Egg Harbor Township Nature Reserve stands as more than a place to rest and enjoy the scenery. It is a lasting tribute to two men whose decades of volunteerism, public service and dedication helped shape the community they called home. On Friday, Oct. 9, family members, friends, elected officials and residents gathered at the 220-acre Nature Reserve on Zion Road for the dedication of the John L. Carman Pavilion, honoring the late John L. Carman Sr. and his son, John L. Carman Jr. For Sue Carman, daughter of John Sr. and sister of John Jr., the ceremony represented the culmination of an 18-month effort to recognize her family's commitment to Egg Harbor Township. In March 2025, shortly after her brother's death, Carman approached the Township Committee requesting a memorial honoring both men. "I was very emotional," Carman recalled. "I talked to them as best I

could, and this is what came of it: the pavilion." The project gained momentum through former Township Committeeman William Pauls, a longtime family friend who organized donations of materials and labor so that the pavilion could be constructed without taxpayer funding. Ferriozzi Concrete, where John Sr. worked for much of his career, contributed concrete work. The Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters supplied materials and constructed the pavilion through its apprenticeship program, allowing three successive groups of apprentices to participate. Palermo Masonry installed the memorial pedestal, landscape architect Jay Adamson helped design the project, and Wimberg Funeral Home assisted with obtaining the commemorative plaques. American Legion Riders Post 352, Frank Orlandini, township Public Works employees and numerous volunteers also con-

tributed. "The way people came out and just did what they had to do was incredible," Carman said. The dedication featured remarks from former state Sen. William Gormley, Atlantic County Commissioner Chairperson John Risley, Pauls and American Legion Riders Assistant Director Tom Dixon. Mayor Laura Pfrommer welcomed attendees, while Pastor Lou Strugala delivered the invocation and benediction. Pat Moschetto performed the national anthem, and piper Jeffrey MacNeill provided music. The Carman family, led by Patricia Carman and JoAnn Carman, participated in the ribbon cutting. The memorial also incorporates a meaningful tradition adapted from military cemeteries. Visitors are invited to place coins in a bowl atop the marker: a penny if they knew either man, a nickel if they trained together, a dime if they served alongside them, or a quarter if they spent time with them during their final week of life. Both men left substantial legacies of service. John Sr., who died in 1993 at age 56, helped establish the First District Ambulance Squad in English Creek during the late 1960s. His son began volunteering early, even helping construct the ambulance squad building as an 11-year-old boy. John Jr., who served in local and county government and volunteered with numerous organizations, died Jan. 3, 2025, following a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. The Nature Reserve holds par-

ticular significance for the family. Before becoming a public park in 2013, the property was a former mining site where the Carman children spent their childhood riding horses and motorcycles. John Jr. later participated in early cleanup efforts that helped transform the property into today's natural sanctuary. The reserve now features a 45-acre spring-fed lake, wooded trails, wildlife habitat and opportunities for walking, biking, fishing and birdwatching. The pavilion's memorial bears the words "Lead by example," reflecting the philosophy that guided both men's lives. "He showed that with his actions, not just his words," Carman said of her father.

For John Jr., helping others was second nature. "If someone called him, not even a close friend, and asked for help, John would be there," she recalled. "You knew you could count on John Jr." Carman hopes the pavilion continues to inspire visitors to embrace community service. "Every time I drive by the Nature Reserve, there's someone sitting under the pavilion, and the joy that gives me is incredible," she said. "I'd like people just to be there and reflect and know that community service is something that's necessary for every community to prosper." Sarah Fertsch of Egg Harbor Township holds a Bachelors of Arts in Public Relations. She is a locally renowned poet, storyteller, and dog lover.

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Stockton University notifies 22 employees of layoffs amid budget deficit, declining enrollment By Julia Train

n an Oct. 6 email to students and families, Stockton University President Joe Bertolino announced plans to layoff 21 faculty and professional staff positions at the end of the academic year as the institution grapples with a multimillion-dollar budget deficit, declining enrollment and lower student retention. Bertolino said the university had notified two unions represented at Stockton, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the Communications Workers of America (CWA), of its intentions that day. However, on Tuesday, Oct. 13, the university notified 22 employees that their positions are being eliminated. Stockton did not explain to Shore Local why the number of affected employees increased from the 21 positions initially announced or what factors determined which employees would be laid off. In his email last week, Bertolino acknowledged the effect the decision would have on employees and their families, noting that university officials had explored several options

to address Stockton’s financial challenges, including voluntary separation programs. The cuts include 14 faculty positions and seven professional staff positions represented by AFT, according to his message. The university said the layoffs would take Stockton University is laying off 22 employees. Photo credit: effect at the end of Susan Allen/ Stockton University the current academic year, with the process governed by Fitch cites enrollment the applicable collective bargaining and financial pressures agreements. Fitch Ratings, a credit-rating agen“This is a difficult but necessary cy that assesses the creditworthiness step to address our structural deficit, of institutions and governments, realign our resources with the needs vised Stockton University’s financial of the institution we are becoming, outlook from Stable to Negative on and position Stockton for long-term July 31 while affirming its ‘A’ credit sustainability. We do not make this rating. decision lightly,” the university said The agency cited projected budin a statement to Shore Local. “Our get deficits in fiscal years 2026 and students remain at the center of our 2027, an estimated 7% enrollment decisions, and we will continue workdecline and reduced state support. ing to protect the core academic and Fitch also identified affordability student experience while preserving concerns, lower demand for campus housing and graduate programs, and Stockton’s ability to serve students a relatively low rate of admitted stufor generations to come.”

dents enrolling. Stockton’s available funds rose to $215.1 million at the end of fiscal year 2025, but its adjusted debt totaled $554.8 million, including pension-related liabilities. Fitch said the university’s high debt burden and reliance on state operating and pension support could limit its ability to absorb further financial losses. Although planned spending reductions and the use of reserves could provide temporary relief, Fitch warned that restoring a sustainable budget could take time. Further enrollment declines, reduced state support, continued deficits or significant depletion of reserves could lead to a downgrade. The Negative Outlook does not mean Stockton’s credit rating has been downgraded; the rating remains ‘A’.

University faces projected deficit of at least $32 million

During his State of the University address on Oct. 8, Bertolino discussed the university’s efforts to address a structural budget deficit estimated at approximately $25 million.

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Without further cuts or other financial changes, Stockton could face a deficit of at least $32 million next year, Bertolino said, according to The Press of Atlantic City. He also projected that the university’s investment account could decline from $140 million to $78 million over two years when accounting for existing deficits and the costs of voluntary separation programs. Since Bertolino became president in 2023, Stockton has eliminated 41 managerial positions and removed 135 positions through vacancies, voluntary separation agreements and other personnel actions, he said, according to The Press of Atlantic City. The university offered voluntary buyouts to some employees in the spring as part of its initial efforts to address the budget shortfall. Bertolino said Stockton hoped to save $10 million through voluntary separation incentive programs and another $10 million through measures such as vacancies and retirements. Final savings from those efforts had not yet been determined. Bertolino said layoffs alone would not resolve Stockton’s financial problems. Other measures include reducing operating expenses, reviewing academic programs, increasing revenue, improving student enrollment

October 15, 2026

and retention, and seeking additional state assistance.

Enrollment decline raises additional concerns

Stockton reported 8,101 students enrolled for the fall 2026 semester, a 10.8% drop since 2022 and 6.8% decline from last year, according to figures cited by the institution. The university’s first-year retention rate also has declined. Bertolino said the rate fell from 85% in 2019 to 74% this year, its lowest level in seven years. Of the 1,486 first-time, full-time students who enrolled last fall, 380 did not return for their third semester, according to the newspaper. Although Stockton has experienced growth in applications and admission offers, Bertolino said fewer admitted students are choosing to enroll. Financial aid is one factor affecting those decisions, he said. Tuition, fees, room and board account for 64% of Stockton’s operating revenue, making enrollment losses a significant concern for the university’s finances. “We will approach these changes carefully, with particular attention to the academic programs, services and experiences that are essential to student success,” Bertolino wrote in his Oct. 6 message. He added that Stockton would

communicate directly with students when changes affect their programs, services or other aspects of their university experience.

Faculty and students protest planned cuts

The planned layoffs have prompted opposition from faculty members, students and other members of the Stockton community. “Our faculty and staff are the heart of Stockton University, not line items to be erased,” said Tara Luke, SFT president and a professor of biology in an Oct. 7 press release. “Cutting 21 faculty and professional staff positions directly undermines Stockton University’s core educational mission, reduces student support services, and shortchanges the students who rely on us for a high-quality college experience.” Approximately 100 people gathered outside the Campus Center during Bertolino’s Oct. 8 address to protest the cuts, according to The Press of Atlantic City. Following the remarks, protesters circulated a petition urging university officials to consider other cost-saving measures before proceeding with layoffs. It also called for reviews of administrative spending, outside consulting and purchasing contracts, as well as postponing nonessential

projects and considering additional proposals from labor unions. Organizers requested a written response from the administration by 9 a.m. Oct. 16, The Press of Atlantic City reported. Bertolino said the university will continue to share information relevant to students and families as the process moves forward. “Even as Stockton changes, our commitment to our students and our future does not. Our Strategic Plan is the roadmap for how Stockton moves forward. We are continuing to strengthen programs in areas where we see student demand and workforce need, build pathways and partnerships across South Jersey, and invest in the work most essential to our future,” he wrote in his email. “Some areas will grow. Others will change. Our responsibility is to make those choices thoughtfully so that Stockton can continue providing a strong academic experience and preparing our students for what comes next.” Julia graduated from Rider University in 2024 with a BA in multiplatform journalism and minor in social media strategies. In addition to reporting on local news for Shore Local, she is a social media strategist for small businesses. Connect with her: shorelocaljulia@gmail.com or @ juliatrain on Instagram.

Brigantine plans $400,000 emergency project to protect eroding Promenade By Julia Train

rigantine is preparing emergency repairs along its northern beachfront after erosion from a September nor’easter exposed an aging bulkhead and raised concerns about the safety of nearby homes, infrastructure and the Promenade. City Council approved a $35,000 contract for engineering design and permitting work for a proposed stone revetment, a protective barrier made of large rocks intended to reduce the effects of waves and further erosion. The estimated cost of constructing the temporary protection is approximately $400,000, according to The Press of Atlantic City. The project would address damage near the northern end of the Promenade, where the dune system has receded approximately 40 feet beyond the walkway’s endpoint, according to an Oct. 7 announcement from Mayor Vince Sera. The erosion has left an older timber bulkhead exposed. Although the structure is currently helping

prevent additional erosion, In a social media post, city officials are concerned Sera said he contacted the that its failure could leave the governor’s office during the surrounding area vulnerable nor’easter to alert officials to further damage. to the situation. He said the Without additional protecstate was ready to help — tion, waves and erosion could and continuously checked in threaten private property, throughout the storm. the public right-of-way along The Press of Atlantic City Brigantine Boulevard and the reported that the governor’s Promenade itself. Erosion office connected with Briganon the landward side of the tine officials within 30 minutes walkway could also undermine Brigantine is preparing emergency repairs along its northern to coordinate a response. its structure, according to the beachfront. Sherrill later visited the island city. to see the damage firsthand “We know we cannot wait for the stones along the exposed timber and discuss possible solutions with the long-term solution to protect bulkhead, beginning at the corner of local leaders. Sera told the newspaper that the the homeowners and infrastructure the Promenade and continuing apat the end of the Promenade,” Sera proximately 50 feet along the eroded governor responded to the city’s said in an Oct. 7 press release. “The dune face. concerns by connecting officials with erosion has progressed significantly, Arthur Chew Consulting has been experts who could help evaluate their and we need to take action now. City retained to develop the design and proposed approach. He described the Council has authorized the design secure the necessary permits. Coninteraction as an opportunity to work and permitting work for an emergenstruction cannot proceed until the with state officials on protecting the community. cy stone revetment that will provide city obtains approvals from the New temporary protection in the area of Jersey Department of Environmental the potential breach.” Protection and the U.S. Army Corps The proposed barrier would use of Engineers. stones weighing approximately 4 to After the design and permitting 6 tons apiece. Plans call for placing process is complete, Brigantine will seek quotes from contractors with experience in coastal construction, Sera said. The temporary measure is intended to buy the city time to pursue more extensive shoreline protection rather than serve as a permanent fix. “This is not the permanent solution,” Sera said. “It is something we can put in place to help protect the The September nor’easter exposed an aging area while we continue working on bulkhead and raised concerns about the the extension of the seawall at the safety of nearby homes, infrastructure and end of the Promenade and the larger the Promenade. coastal protection projects we have been discussing with NJDEP and For now, the city’s priority is to rethe Army Corps. We are moving as inforce the vulnerable section of the quickly as we can, but we also need northern beachfront while continuto make sure the work is properly ing to pursue a permanent solution. designed and permitted so we can The schedule for construction will get it done the right way.” depend on completion of the engiThe emergency project is one neering work, receipt of state and part of a broader effort to address federal permits, and the selection of a qualified contractor. storm damage and improve coastal defenses across Brigantine. The city The city has said it intends to is working with government partners advance the emergency project as on beach and dune protection, a quickly as possible while ensuring planned extension of the seawall at the proposed protection is properly the northern end of the Promenade designed and approved. and additional long-term coastal Julia graduated from Rider Uniprojects. versity in 2024 with a BA in mulThe damage has also prompted tiplatform journalism and minor in discussions with state officials as New social media strategies. In addition Jersey approaches the fall and winter to reporting on local news for Shore Local, she is a social media strategist storm season. Gov. Mikie Sherrill visited Brigantine on Tuesday, Sept. 29 for small businesses. Connect with to view the storm’s effects and hear her: shorelocaljulia@gmail.com or @ local officials’ concerns. juliatrain on Instagram.

October 15, 2026

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South Jersey’s own Destinee Monroe competing on NBC’s ‘The Voice’

Tune In, Turn On With Doug Deutsch

f you happened to turn on NBC’s “The Voice” singing competition a few weeks ago and were surprised to see a performance by South Jersey’s own Destinee Monroe — or if you missed it — there’s good news: Monroe made it through the opening week’s Blind Auditions. Three of the talent show’s four coaches — Adam Levine, Riley Green and Queen Latifah — turned their chairs after Monroe’s powerhouse performance of Mötley Crüe’s “Home Sweet Home.” Only Kelly Clarkson did not turn around. Monroe chose Levine, lead singer and frontman of the rock-pop group Maroon 5, as her coach for the singing competition’s Season 30 premiere. Monroe is no stranger to the music business. She once toured with pop star Britney Spears and was signed, along with her sister Paris, to major label Interscope Records at age 12. In this year’s competition on “The Voice,” Monroe is the oldest competitor, at 32, and the only one

with professional singing in 2025. “You can’t help but experience. get completely drawn in, caught up in the moment “When I introduced Destinee onstage, I would call and feel like you’re witnessher scintillating, vivacious, ing something truly special. I’m so happy the rest of the sultry and exciting, but most of all, deeply talented,” said country is finally getting to Carmen Marotta, Tony see what so many of us have Mart Presents promoter. known for years. … Destinee “Her success is the comis a superstar!” Tune In, Turn On caught bination of her fabulous up with Monroe recently to God-given attributes and the hard work and dedicadiscuss the exciting develtion that distinguishes her opments. accomplishments from her Doug D: How did you bechildhood under the guidcome a contestant on “The ance of her parents. Her Destinee Monroe performing during Blind Auditions on The Voice. Voice”? Walk us through father, Eddie Monroe, is a Photo credit: Griffin Nagel/NBC the process. Tony Mart veteran who was Destinee: A friend of a friend of my dad. I love him, and I dreds of band and acoustic shows mine encouraged me to reach out to love that family. I’m so proud that I with me. We wrote a bunch of songs casting directors, and I was invited to have been part of her rise and look together that I hope she gets to rean audition in Nashville. I drove from forward to hopefully presenting her lease someday. Destinee is an incredJersey to Nashville and stayed the again someday.” ible vocalist and performer. We’re all weekend to do the audition. I was rooting for her.” selected out of numerous artists Billy Walton, the singer-guitarist who fronts the Billy Walton Band, “There’s something incredibly who applied to be a part of the show, genuine and powerful about Desof which Monroe was a member for which sent me through a long process almost three years, said, “I’d worked tinee’s presence,” said Jerry Ryan, to then be a contestant for the Blind with Destinee for a few years. She promoter of the Elephant Talk Music Auditions in front of some of the toured with the band and did hunFestival, where Monroe performed coolest artists today.

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Doug D: How did you decide which songs to perform during the Blind Auditions? Destinee: The show decided on “Home Sweet Home,” which is a song I initially performed in my audition in Nashville. I was so pumped when I received the email that I would be singing that, and I had already planned out my outfit, which I didn’t end up wearing for the actual blinds. But stay tuned for the rest of the season because you might just see me in it in a future episode! (Destinee is quite the fashionista. — DD) Doug D: Three of the four coaches on “The Voice” turned around when you performed, indicating their interest in working with you. Why did you choose Adam Levine? Destinee: I chose Adam because I’ve always found his music to be experimental and fresh, so I felt he was the right coach for me. It was really tough, though, especially having him and Riley — who couldn’t get a word in, LOL — pining for me to be on their team. I’m really flattered he wants to play guitar in my band. That’s pretty cool. He’s a chill guy. Doug D: When will we next see you performing on “The Voice”? Destinee: Keep tuning in every Monday on NBC. We’re just getting started!

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When asked when Destinee would next perform, NBC publicist Nikki Lichterman replied, “We don’t reveal that info beforehand. But our battles begin next week. … Feel free to check in with me as we go through the next three weeks.” Doug D: How has your background singing here in New Jersey prepared you for competing on “The Voice”? Destinee: I think it prepared me immensely. It taught me to put myself out there, and it taught me determination. I wouldn’t be who I am today without my home state nurturing me and giving me the space to connect to music on a deep level. Doug D: What’s your best advice for any young singers who might be watching you on “The Voice” and hoping they can compete there someday, like you? Destinee: The only advice I can give would be to always believe in yourself. You can do incredible things in this life if you just show up being authentically you. There’s no one like you, and the world needs you. Doug is the owner/operator of Doug Deutsch Publicity Services, which since 1995 has been servicing nationally touring acts, and working record release campaigns for clients. Doug can be reached at ShoreLocalDoug@gmail.com

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Somers Point Fall Fest is on Saturday, Oct. 17. Photo by Alex Corson A Grand Night for Singing

▶Friday, October 16 – Sunday, October 18

Ocean City Music Pier, 825 Boardwalk Experience the timeless music of Rogers & Hammerstein come to life in this joyous and romantic musical. Hear beloved songs from "Oklahoma!," "Carousel," "South Pacific," "The King and I," "Cinderella," "State Fair" and more. Audiences will enjoy an evening filled with great music and the incredible magic of Broadway. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at www.oceancitytheatrecompany.com. Dog Days in Ocean City

▶Saturday, October 24, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday, October 25, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Ocean City Boardwalk Leashed dogs will be permitted on the boardwalk next weekend. All

are welcome and encouraged to bring their favorite furry canine friend. Visit the dog-friendly vendors, check out the photo-op stations, and join the Humane Society of Ocean City as they announce their Pet of the Year on Saturday.

Friday, October 16 Lake Fred Radio Fest

▶3 – 8 p.m.

Lakeside Lodge at Stockton University, 101 Vera King Farris Drive, Galloway WLFR radio celebrates its 42nd Anniversary with a special event this Friday. Enjoy live music by Malcolm Tent, Samantha May, Soup, Starikova, and Deardarkhead, along with a sprawling vendor market and memorabilia. Donations are encouraged. Grace Lutheran Oktoberfest

▶5 – 7 p.m.

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October 15, 2026

Lutheran Church hosts their annual Oktoberfest. This event will include a lively evening of German food, music, beer & wine, and soft drinks. Celebrate authentic Oktoberfest cheer with family and friends. Admission is $30 for adults and $15 for children under 12. Please call 609-927-3082 for more information. Karaoke Party at the Library

▶5 p.m.

Longport Library, 2305 Atlantic Avenue Gather your family and friends for an fun evening of singing fun at the library. Please call 609-487-7403 to register or learn more.

Saturday, October 17 Pancake Breakfast at American Legion Post 158

▶8 – 11 a.m.

527 Philadelphia Avenue, Egg Harbor City Start your Saturday with a delicious breakfast and support a great local cause. The breakfast includes pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, orange juice, and coffee or tea. Admission is $12 for adults and $6 for children. Proceeds will support American Legion Post 158 projects and help the Post continue its service to the local community. For more information, call 609-965-0419. Mays Landing Yacht Club Car Show

▶10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Lake Lenepe East, 753 Park Road, Mays Landing Mark your calendars and spend the day in Mays Landing for its Open Car Show. Cars, trucks, and motorcycles are all welcome. Attendees are invited to bring their classic ride, custom car, lifted, lowered, fast, or loud. The event will also include food trucks, vendors, music, and a salute to

Veterans. Admission fee is $20. Rain date: Sunday, October 18. Somers Point Fall Fest

Mainland, Millville, Absegami, Seneca, Cherokee, and EHT. Tickets are available for purchase at the door.

Somers Mansion, 1000 Shore Road, Somers Point The creators of the Somers Point Farmers Market presents the second annual Fall Fest. Enjoy a full day of spook-tacular fun with appearances by local vendors and food trucks, along with a Halloween costume contest and tarot card readings. Visit @somerspointfarmersmarket on Instagram for more information. Sea Isle City Harvest Classic

Sunday, October 18

▶11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

▶10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Excursion Park Join Sea Isle City and enjoy a crisp autumn day by the promenade. The Harvest Classic will feature live music, a vendor market, face painting, balloon art, hayrides on the beach, pumpkin decorating, a kids coloring station, and pie baking contest. Plus, check out the decorated scarecrows throughout town and vote for your favorite. Porche Boardwalk Reunion

▶11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Ocean City Boardwalk More than 350 Porches will be on display on the Boardwalk from Sixth to 14th Streets. See models ranging from classic to new and custom. Cars will drive onto the Boardwalk from Fifth Street and proceeds southbound at 11 a.m. The event is free and open to the public. EHT High School Marching Band Home Show

Historic Smithville, 615 E. Moss Mill Road If you’re a Corvette fan or enthusiast, this show is for you. Hosted by The Original Garden State Corvette Club, the event will feature hundreds of corvettes ranging from classic models to the newest wheels. Port Republic Plein Air Invitational

▶9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Harry Bowen Memorial Park, 143 Main Street The Absecon Cultural Arts Alliance and Noyes Museum of Art at Stockton University host this special Plein Air event. This juried one-day painting competition celebrates the beauty, character, and history of Port Republic. Artists are encouraged to finish their work in just under four hours, working outdoors and on location. Visit www.abseconarts.com for more information. John R. Elliott HERO Walk and 1 Mile Fun Run

▶10 a.m.

Ocean City Civic Center, Sixth Street and Boardwalk

▶10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

319 E. Jimmie Leeds Road, Galloway Join Risley Square for a full day of autumn fun filled with local vendors, seasonal finds, festive shopping, and community spirit. Bring your family and friends and celebrate fall by shopping small and supporting local. Batsto Country Living Fair

▶10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Batsto Village, 31 Batsto Village Road, Hammonton This event will features locally-made crafts, collectables, historical exhibits, old-time engines and cars, farm equipment, food, antiques, and more. The fair will be held rain or shine.

↘Continued on 16

▶5 p.m.

24 High School Drive, Egg Harbor Township Join EHT High School as they present their Marching Band Home Show. Admission is $12 to see many local bands, including Pleasantville,

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Smithville Corvette Show

▶8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Join the HERO Campaign for their annual walk and fun run. This event raises awareness about the importance of safe and sober designated drivers, while honoring and remembering those who have lost loved ones to a drunk driver. Check-in opens at 9 a.m. Ther 1 Mile Fun Run will take place at 10 a.m., followed by an awards ceremony in the Civic Center at 10:30, and the walk on the Boardwalk at 11 a.m. Visit www.herocampaign.org for more information. Risley Square Harvest Market

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↘Continued from 15 The Comeback Collective

▶11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Leslie’s Dance Studio, Ventnor Join the local wellness community for an event supporting breast cancer survivors in recovery. Guests can sample workouts, shop from local vendors and make donations benefiting Living Beyond Breast Cancer. The event is presented with Fit Mom, Leslie’s Dance Studio and Fox Fitness 4 You.

Monday, October 19 Native Plant Society Meeting

▶7 p.m.

Stockton University Unified Science Center, 101 Vera King Farris Drive, Galloway Join the Native Plant Society Southeast Chapter for a general discussion of native plant garden tips and mistakes. Visit www.npsnj.org/ events for more information.

Tuesday, October 20 Library ‘Family’ Feud

▶6 p.m.

Longport Library, 2305 Atlantic Avenue Grab your buzzers and gather your friends at the library this Tuesday for a fun feud. Please call 609-487-7403 to register or learn more. OCUT Sustainable Book Group

▶7 p.m.

Join the Sustainable Book Group of Ocean City and Upper Township for their monthly meeting. The group will discuss the book ‘The Long Heat’ by Wim Carton and Andreas Malm. This meeting will be held online via Zoom. Sign up online at https://tinyurl.com/SBG20OctZoom. Senior Dance Society

▶7 – 9:30 p.m.

Somers Point Fire Co. No. 1, 447 Bethel Road Join in the fun and enjoy an evening of dancing with live music duos every Tuesdays. Activities include social dancing, line dancing, dance mixers and more. For more information, contact Sharon at kookiecar@yahoo.com.

Thursday, October 22 Business After Hours with Absecon Galloway Rotary

▶5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Villa Rifici’s Restaurant, 308 W. Absecon Boulevard, Absecon Join local business owners and community leaders for a fun, relaxed evening of networking, great food, and meaningful connections. Visit www.rotaryabsecongalloway.org to register or learn more.

Saturday, October 24 Beach Sweep in Longport

▶9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

33rd Avenue Beach

Volunteers are needed for the annual Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweep taking place next Saturday in Longport. Volunteers are encouraged to bring gloves, closed-toe shoes, and a reusable bucket, along with trash bags. Registration is open now at www.cleanoceanaction.org. Beach Sweep in Ocean City

▶9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Ocean City Music Pier, 825 Boardwalk Volunteers are needed for the annual Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweep taking place next Saturday in Ocean City. Registration is open now at www.cleanoceanaction.org. Check in at the Music Pier prior to the event and bring your own bucket and gloves.

Sunday, October 25 Upper Township Fall Festival

▶11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Amanda’s Field, 10 N. Sunset Drive, Petersburg Join Upper Township Special Events for their annual Fall Festival and Craft Show. The rescheduled event will feature live and local music by Lost Sailors, along with a beer and wine garden, and the Show and Go Car Show. Plus, enjoy mouthwatering food, NFL on the big screen, laser tag, and more.

Wednesday, October 28 South Jersey Women Fighting Hunger Luncheon

▶11 a.m.

The Carriage House, 25 S. Pitney Road, Galloway Join the Community FoodBank of New Jersey for an afternoon of conversation focused on hunger and food insecurity. Now in its fifth year, this luncheon raises critical funds and awareness needed to help CFBNJ address hunger and support children and families across the state and our region. This year’s featured speaker is Priya Fielding-Singh, a sociologist, author, and food policy expert. Tickets are available through Friday, Oct. 16 at https://cfbnj.org/women-fighting-hunger-luncheon/.

Health and Wellness Depression and Anxiety Group

▶Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m.

Atlantic Community Wellness Center, 1125 Atlantic Avenue Suite 617, Atlantic City This weekly in-person support group is offered to individuals seeking coping strategies, mutual support, self-care, wellness, and recovery. Meetings are led by peers who have lived experience. No cost to participate. Offered by the Mental Health Association in Atlantic County. For more information, call 609-6523800 or email jgimbel@mhanj.org.

Dog Days on Ocean City's Boardwalk is Saturday, Oct. 24. Free Breast Cancer Screenings

▶Saturday, October 24, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Advanced Shore Imaging Associates, 2605 Shore Road, Northfield October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Shore Medical Center, along with Advanced Shore Imaging Associates, are working together to offer free screening mammograms for those who are uninsured or underinsured. Shore will offer a clinical breast exam and will provide a medical script for those who need assistance. For more information or to book an appointment please call 609-653-3440. Dementia Support Group

▶Wednesday, November 4, 1:30 p.m.

Egg Harbor Township Community Center, 5045 English Creek Avenue Held on the first and third Wednesday of every month from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Call Diane Conover at 609-402-6966 for more information. NAMI Connections and Family Support Groups

▶Monday, November 9, 7 p.m.

St. Joseph Church, 606 Shore Road, Somers Point NAMI of Atlantic/Cape May offers free self-help, peer led support groups for family members, caregivers, and friends of individuals over the age of 18 living with a mental illness. Family Support and Connections groups meet on the second Monday of each month. Please visit www. namiacm.org for further information. Tai Chi at the Library

▶Saturday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m.

Longport Library, 2305 Atlantic Avenue Wake up your body with a gentle Tai Chi flow. Improve balance, flexibility, and coordination. Participants are invited to bring a friend, a mat, and wear loose-fitting clothes for this gentle workout. Please call 609-4877403 to register or learn more. Do you have an upcoming event? Let us know about it! Submit your next event to shorelocalevents@ gmail.com.

October 15, 2026

By Bruce Klauber

The Boardwalk Holocaust Memorial will soon be a reality

he sign, announcing the future construction of the Boardwalk Holocaust Memorial and posted on the Boardwalk at Roosevelt Pavilion, had been up for several years. However, during a good deal of that time, the website and the phone number listed on the sign were both down and those contacted at area synagogues knew nothing about the Memorial’s progress. Fund-raising efforts for the Memorial date back to 2008 when the Atlantic City Boardwalk Holocaust Memorial, Inc. was approved as a non-profit organization. It took ten or so years to raise the necessary funding, but in 2019, the Casino Redevelopment Authority “approved reserving” — the CRDA’s phrase — $500,000 in funding. There have been substantial private contributions through the years as well. After years of delays, on June 5, the following announcement came from the City of Atlantic City Department of Public Works: “A project

Rabbi Geller years in the making is now on the path to fulfillment. The Department of Public Works has begun removing boards from the future site of the Atlantic City Boardwalk Holocaust Memorial. The Atlantic City Boardwalk Holocaust Memorial Committee, with the support of Mayor Marty Small, Sr. and the City of Atlantic City, broke ground on Thursday, June 5, 2025. The monument is intended to honor and preserve the memory of the victims and survivors of the Holocaust. “The Memorial site, at Roosevelt

Pavilion on the Atlantic City Boardwalk overlooking the ocean, will encourage visitors to sit on the provided benches and reflect on remembrance and hope. The Atlantic City Boardwalk Holocaust Memorial is anticipated to be completed this fall.” Actual movement on building the Memorial, championed from the beginning by Rabbi Gordon Geller of Shirat Hayam synagogue in Ventnor, began two years after the non-profit was formed. In 2010, the organization sponsored an international design

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competition that drew over 700 entries. The winner was something called “Fractured Landscapes,” a design by architects Patrick Lausell and Paola Marquez. The actual structure would incorporate a symbolic “river of light” cutting through a buckled, broken section of the boardwalk. Lausell and Marquez said that the “river of light” actually represented a disrupted history and a collective hope for peace. Further details came via a July post on the Downbeach Buzz web site. “The memorial integrates multimedia educational features and infographics developed in collaboration with Stockton University’s Holocaust Resource Center,” according to the post. The ‘Genocidal Tsunami’ design is intended to raise the consciousness of visiting multitudes, for generations to come, about the continual need to urgently combat human intolerance.” The big question, of course, is why it took nearly 16 years to start actual work on the project. There was next to no information forthcoming during a lot of those years, save for a couple of articles in the Cherry Hill, NJ-based newspaper, Jewish Community Voice. The publication detailed some of the reasons behind the extraordinary delay. Location was initially an issue, and a number of options — including building the Memorial on Garden Pier, on Kentucky Avenue, or on Stockton’s Galloway campus — were found not to be suitable. It reportedly took years before the final decision to build on the Boardwalk at Roosevelt Pavilion

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in front of Stockton was made. Despite the striking beauty of the original design, a closer look at it by construction experts concluded that the “Fractured Landscapes” design could prove to be too expensive and complex, given the small size of the Boardwalk space. It had to be modified extensively. That, of course, meant that more essential funds had to be raised. Once all those factors were in place, Downbeach Buzz reported that construction challenges — and there have been a lot of them — contributed to the delays. Here’s a short list of some of those issues: Sometime in January, citing a harsh winter, contractors shut down their businesses for several months. Availability of materials, especially given the Memorial’s modified design, proved to be a problem, as did the rising costs of those materials and labor. The relatively new design also called for structural changes dictated by on-site conditions. More pilings had to be place, substructure girders and joists had to be added and all the old ones had to be trashed. The new pilings, hopefully, would support a new pavilion deck. City approval for this work, notoriously slow in these parts, was needed for the additional construction to begin and to ensure that the

of locals first came up with a plan for a Boardwalk Holocaust Memorial. But the idea came and went. The same thing happened in the 1990s. “I’m hoping people will understand that this is an idea whose time has come, because of the unprecedented degree of divisiveness, ethnically and racially, in our society. I’m hoping people will see this as a universal memorial to combat intolerance and will be willing to donate, will want the honor of seeing their name on a noble enterprise like this that will last for generations. The monument is intended to honor “Sometimes, and preserve the memory of the vicgood things take tims and survivors of the Holocaust. patience. You have safety of the Boardwalk would to wait for the right not be compromised. Next steps circumstances. I included hiring a framing conurge people to suptractor to resurface the deck, port the memorial by making a donahiring an electrical contractor, off-site building of benches and tion at www.acbhm. the actual monument, installaorg, the website for tion of a railing system and light The sign, announcing the future construction of the Boardwalk HoloAtlantic City Boardstandards. walk Memorial Inc.” caust Memorial and posted on the Boardwalk at Roosevelt Pavilion. All of this, and it’s certainly Bruce Klaub likely that there were and will be the Memorial was actually going to er is the author of four books, an additional construction issues, has become reality, Rabbi Geller gave award-winning music journalist, contaken a considerable amount of time. an extensive interview to the Voice cert and record producer and publiAnd given the additional work that a newspaper. “The project has been a cist, producer of the Warner Brothers modified design called for, even more long time coming,” Geller said. “Hisand Hudson Music "Jazz Legends" film funds had to be raised along the way. torically, the project goes way back series, and performs both as a drummer and vocalist. In 2019, when it appeared that into the 1980s. That’s when a group

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The ultimate Jersey Devil bucket list for Halloween By Sarah Fertsch

rom roller coasters and haunted trails to craft beer and hockey games, there are plenty of ways to embrace the legend of the Jersey Devil this fall. Deep in the heart of South Jersey's Pine Barrens, something sinister is said to lurk among the towering pines, cedar swamps and winding dirt roads. With the head of a horse, wings of a bat, hooves and a bloodcurdling scream, the Jersey Devil has terrorized generations of New Jersey residents — or at least their imaginations. For nearly 300 years, the legendary creature has been the subject of campfire stories, alleged sightings, books and television programs. Today, the Jersey Devil is more than a monster. He's a cultural icon, an unofficial ambassador of the Garden State and perhaps New Jersey's most recognizable resident. According to the most popular version of the legend, the Jersey Devil was born in 1735 near Leeds Point in Atlantic County. Frustrated by the prospect of giving birth to her 13th child, a woman known as Mother Leeds supposedly cursed her unborn baby, declaring that the child would be the devil. On a dark and stormy night, she gave birth to what initially appeared to be a normal baby. Moments later, the infant transformed into a grotesque creature, sprouting wings, horns and hooves before escaping through the chimney and disappearing into the Pine Barrens. The monster, originally called the Leeds Devil, has reportedly been spotted throughout South Jersey ever since. A particularly notorious series of alleged sightings in January 1909 sparked widespread panic, cementing the creature's place in regional folklore. While skeptics have offered explanations ranging from misidentified animals to elaborate hoaxes, the Jersey Devil's legend has only grown stronger with time. And although there is no scientific evidence that the creature exists, there is certainly no shortage of ways to celebrate him. This Halloween season, embrace your inner cryptid enthusiast with these Jersey Devil-themed adventures across the Garden State. Sip a Jersey Devil Mojito at Sweetwater Marina & Riverdeck The Jersey Devil may be notorious for haunting the woods, but his

influence extends all the way to the waterfront. Located along the Mullica River in Sweetwater, Sweetwater Marina & Riverdeck offers scenic views, waterfront dining and a lively atmosphere that celebrates the natural beauty of the Pine Barrens. The restaurant's signature cocktail lineup has featured the Jersey Devil Mojito, a spirited twist on the traditional cocktail made with Bacardi Dragonberry rum, mint, Red Bull Yellow Edition and lemon-lime soda. Guests can pair a drink with burgers, sandwiches, seafood and other menu selections while taking in views of the river. For those looking to extend the Halloween festivities, Sweetwater is also hosting a haunted trail this October featuring the Jersey Devil himself. The experience begins at a fictionalized Leeds family cabin, where visitors encounter the story of Mother Leeds and her cursed 13th child before venturing into a series of frightening scenes. The approximately 17-minute haunted walk concludes with a bonfire, pop-up bar and concession stand. Remaining scheduled dates include Oct. 16, 17, 23, 24 and 30, from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person, and the experience is recommended for ages 10 and older. Visit sweetwaterriverdeck.com for details and current menus. Paddle through the Pines with Jersey Devil Adventures What better way to appreciate the Jersey Devil's natural habitat than by exploring the rivers and forests where he supposedly makes his home? Based in Hammonton, Jersey Devil Adventures offers outdoor experiences that allow visitors to discover the beauty of the New Jersey Pine Barrens. The company specializes in kayak and canoe excursions through the region's waterways, along with additional outdoor adventure options. Participants can paddle along the tea-colored rivers that wind through Wharton State Forest, surrounded by dense forest, sandy banks and the distinctive vegetation that makes the Pinelands one of New Jersey's most remarkable landscapes. Although a Jersey Devil sighting isn't guaranteed, travelers may encounter turtles, birds and other wildlife while navigating the quiet waterways. The company coordinates transportation and equipment for its river trips, allowing visitors to focus on the

Visit nhl.com/devils for tickets and game information.

Sweetwater Marina features a Jersey Devil signature cocktail and haunted trail. experience rather than the logistics. Excursions can begin at the company's Hammonton location or Sweetwater Marina & Riverdeck, making it possible to combine an afternoon on the river with a meal overlooking the water. Fall is an especially beautiful time to explore the Pine Barrens, when cooler temperatures and changing foliage create an enchanting atmosphere. Jersey Devil Adventures is located at 847 South White Horse Pike in Hammonton. Visit jerseydeviladventures.com to explore trip options and seasonal availability. Cheer on the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center The Jersey Devil's influence extends well beyond the Pine Barrens, reaching all the way to the ice rink. When New Jersey's National Hockey League franchise relocated from Colorado in 1982, the team adopted the name New Jersey Devils in honor of the legendary creature. More than four decades later, the Devils remain one of the most recognizable tributes to the state's supernatural folklore. The Devils have several remaining October home games, including matchups against the New York Rangers on Oct. 15, Colorado Avalanche on Oct. 20, Anaheim Ducks on Oct. 22 and Los Angeles Kings on Oct. 24. Fans can sport the team's signature red and black, enjoy the atmosphere inside the arena and keep an eye out for NJ Devil, the team's mischievous mascot. For South Jersey residents, the outing offers an excuse for a road trip and a chance to celebrate a different kind of Jersey Devil.

Raise a glass at 13th Child Brewery in Williamstown Few businesses embrace Jersey Devil folklore as directly as 13th Child Brewery in Williamstown. The craft brewery takes its name from Mother Leeds' infamous 13th offspring, transforming one of South Jersey's creepiest legends into a celebration of locally brewed beer. Located at 345 South Main Street, the brewery occupies a historic former bank building dating to 1906, with original architectural features that add character to the taproom. Visitors can sample an assortment of craft beers, enjoy the atmosphere of the beer garden and participate in regularly scheduled events, including live music and trivia. The brewery's creative approach to its identity makes it an especially appropriate destination for fans of local folklore. Whether you're a craft beer enthusiast or simply searching for a fall outing with a distinctly South Jersey connection, 13th Child offers an opportunity to toast one of the region's most enduring legends. Visit 13thchildbrewery.com for current hours and beer selections. Visit the legendary creature's birthplace in Leeds Point For the ultimate Jersey Devil pilgrimage, head to the small Atlantic County community where the legend began. Leeds Point, located near Smithville in Galloway Township, is widely recognized as the setting of Mother Leeds' fateful encounter with her 13th child. Today, the quiet community offers a glimpse into the landscapes that inspired centuries of folklore. With its winding roads, surrounding marshlands and proximity to the Pine Barrens, the area feels worlds away from the bustling casinos and boardwalks just a short drive away. Although there is no official Jersey Devil house or attraction to tour in Leeds Point, visitors can appreciate the area's historical significance and imagine how isolated the community would have felt during the 18th century. For those hoping to explore further, nearby public natural areas offer opportunities for birdwatching, photography and peaceful walks. Just remember to respect private property, avoid trespassing and stay

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In support of our commitment to breast health awareness, and the importance of early detection through education and screening, The AMI Foundation offers the following events to help fight breast cancer! WITH YOUR SUPPORT… IMAGINE WHAT WE CAN DO TOGETHER.

FREE SCREENING MAMMOGRAM AMI will offer a FREE SCREENING MAMMOGRAM* during the month of October to women age 40 and older with no insurance and no current or previous breast issues. This program is made possible through the generous support of the AMI Foundation. Convenient evening and weekend appointments are available. Appointments will be scheduled starting October 1, 2026. To schedule an appointment, please call (609) 677-XRAY (9729), (732) 223-XRAY (9729) or (856) 459-3855. *A Screening Mammography is a routine mammography for women with no current or past breast issues.

GIRLS NIGHT OUT Tuesday, October 6 • 5PM - 8PM 1450 Almonesson Road, Suite 175, Deptford, NJ 08096 Tuesday, October 13 • 5PM - 8PM 6529 Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234 Tuesday, October 20 • 5PM - 8PM 864 Route 37 West, Toms River, NJ 08755 This breast health event incorporates the things women love most: pampering, snacking and time with friends. Not to mention, you are making a very important choice by taking charge of your body, and your health. FOR EVENT INFORMATION VISIT: www.amifoundation.net/girls-night-out-2026/

MAKING STRIDES WALK JOIN TEAM AMI IN THE ANNUAL AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY MAKING STRIDES AGAINST BREAST CANCER® WALK Sunday, October 11 • 10AM, Ocean City, NJ Sunday, October 18 • 10AM, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ Every step you take is personal, and every step will help people stay well and get well, find cures, and empower communities to fight back. FOR WALK INFORMATION VISIT: https://amifoundation.net/making-strides-2026/

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↘Continued from 20 on designated public roads and trails. The legendary creature may roam freely, but visitors should not. Spend an afternoon exploring the Pine Barrens Of course, no Jersey Devil celebration would be complete without a trip into the Pine Barrens themselves. Spanning more than a million acres across southern New Jersey, the Pinelands are home to some of the state's most distinctive natural landscapes, including pitch pine forests, cedar swamps and winding rivers. The region's immense stretches of undeveloped land have helped keep the Jersey Devil legend alive for centuries. Wharton State Forest offers numerous opportunities to explore the environment that inspired the folklore. Popular destinations include Batsto Village, a preserved historic ironmaking community, and hiking trails that showcase the area's remarkable natural scenery. Those seeking something more educational can explore the region's history through local museums, historical societies and the Pinelands Alliance, which offers information about both the natural environment and the folklore of the region.

And while a nighttime expedition into the woods might sound like the perfect Halloween adventure, visitors should stick to open, designated areas and follow park regulations.

has become a defining piece of South Jersey's identity, inspiring businesses, sporting teams, attractions and countless creative interpretations. Unlike many other legendary creatures, the Jersey Devil belongs to a very specific Take flight on the Jersey place. His story is inseparable Devil Coaster at Six Flags from the sandy roads, isolated Great Adventure communities and shadowy If you've ever wondered forests of the Pine Barrens. what it would feel like to soar Perhaps that is why the tale continues to resonate through the Pine Barrens like the Jersey Devil himself, after nearly three centuries. Six Flags Great Adventure in Take a ride on the Devil Coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure. The Jersey Devil repJackson offers an opportunity resents a little bit of evto find out. after dark, surrounded by the eerie erything that makes South Jersey Introduced in 2021, the Jersey atmosphere of Fright Fest, may be unique: history, mystery, imagination and a stubborn affection for the unDevil Coaster is a towering, single-rail the closest most visitors will ever usual. roller coaster that sends riders racing come to experiencing the creature's through a series of gravity-defying legendary nighttime flights. Whether you're racing through twists and turns. Younger thrill seekers can even the air on a roller coaster, paddling The ride climbs 130 feet before get in on the fun aboard the park's a quiet river or enjoying a locally plunging down an 87-degree drop, Lil' Devil Coaster, a family-friendly brewed beer, there are plenty of ways with speeds reaching approximately attraction with a considerably gentler to celebrate the Garden State's most 58 mph. The coaster features three approach to the monster's reputafamous cryptid this Halloween. inversions and nearly 3,000 feet of tion. And if you happen to hear an untrack, offering a thrilling tribute to For tickets and operating hours, familiar screech echoing through the New Jersey's most notorious monvisit sixflags.com/greatadventure. woods this October, you might want to keep walking. ster. A monster worth celebrating For an especially spooky expeSarah Fertsch of Egg Harbor rience, plan a visit during Six Flags Few places embrace their local Township holds a Bachelors of Arts Fright Fest, which runs on select monsters quite like New Jersey. in Public Relations. She is a locally nights through Nov. 1 this year. What began as an eerie story renowned poet, storyteller, and dog Riding the Jersey Devil Coaster passed down through generations lover.

October 15, 2026

Halloween happenings and Haunted Hallway will follow in the school parking lot. Margate’s Halloween Haunt and Treat

▶6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Tighe School rear parking lot, 7804 Amherst Ave. The community event will feature a Trunk or Treat, performances by Leslie’s Dance Studio and appearances by local businesses and organizations. Guests can also walk through the Haunted Hallway at Eugene A. Tighe School. All ages are welcome, and costumes are encouraged.

Egg Harbor City Halloween Parade

▶6:30 p.m.

Philadelphia Avenue The annual parade will feature costumes, floats and performances. It will begin at Claudius Street, travel south on Philadelphia Avenue, circle Arago and Liverpool avenues, and return by way of Campe Street toward London Avenue. Visit www. eggharborcityhalloweenparade. com.

↘Continued on 24

Lucy the Elephant Trunktoberfest

Multi-day events

Scullville Terror in the Junkyard

▶Now through Saturday, Oct. 31

Flemings Junkyard, 353 Zion Road, Egg Harbor Township Take a haunted hayride through the junkyard or enter the maze -- if you dare. Hours are 7 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 7 to 9 p.m. Sundays. Hayride tickets are $15, and maze tickets are $10. Combination rates are available. Purchase tickets at www.scullvillefire.org/hayride. Storybook Land Trick-or-Treat Weekends

▶Saturday, Oct. 17, and Sunday, Oct. 18, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

community organizations. A dance party will follow at Excursion Park. Call 609-263-0050.

Saturday, Oct. 17

Smithville Costume Pet Parade

▶1 p.m.

Historic Smithville, 615 E. Moss Mill Road Dress your pet in a Halloween costume for this parade hosted by Pet Dazzle. Registration opens at 10 a.m., and the parade begins at 1 p.m. Proceeds benefit Atlantic County Canines. Lucy the Elephant Trunktoberfest

6415 E. Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township Children will receive a free trickor-treat bag and can collect treats throughout the park. Activities include hayrides, a hay maze and a pumpkin patch. Tickets are available at www.storybookland.com. The event will also be held Saturday, Oct. 24, and Sunday, Oct. 25.

▶1 to 6 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 16

▶Noon to 2 p.m.

ACCC Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat

▶3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Atlantic Cape Community College, 1525 Bacharach Blvd., Atlantic City Activities include face painting, games, children’s crafts, a petting zoo and photo opportunities. The event will be held in the Atlantic City campus parking lot. Sea Isle City Halloween Parade and Dance Party

▶7 p.m.

Landis Avenue from 45th Street to Excursion Park Sea Isle City Recreation’s annual parade will feature costumes, decorated vehicles, businesses and

October 15, 2026

Come get your Crisp Apples, Apple Cider Bread, Pumpkin Bread, Pumpkins & Fall Decorations!

9200 Atlantic Ave., Margate The second annual Trunktoberfest will feature beach hayrides, a pumpkin patch, biergarten, food and a fall baking contest. Admission is $25 at the door. Children younger than 3 are admitted free.

Sunday, Oct. 18

Scullville Trunk or Treat Fleming’s Junkyard, 353 Zion Road, Egg Harbor Township The Scullville Volunteer Fire Company Auxiliary’s annual event will feature food, music and candy. Visit www.scullvillefire.org.

Friday, Oct. 23 Margate BooFest

▶4 to 6 p.m.

Tighe School fields, 7804 Amherst Ave. This Margate Educational Foundation fundraiser will feature a dunk tank, Halloween Plinko, face painting, a spooky sprint, food, treats and music. Admission is $20 at the door. A separately ticketed Trunk or Treat

↘Continued from 23

Saturday, Oct. 24 Smithville Monster Bash

▶10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Historic Smithville, 615 E. Moss Mill Road The Underground Monster Bash will feature live music, vendors, special guests and a costume contest with cash prizes. Admission is free. Galloway Trunk or Treat

▶1 to 3 p.m.

Galloway Municipal Complex, 300 E. Jimmie Leeds Road Galloway Township and Risley Square will host this free event for children ages 12 and younger. Call 609-241-0692 for information or to participate. HSOC Howl-O-Ween Parade

▶3 p.m.

Ocean City Boardwalk from Sixth to 14th streets The Humane Society of Ocean City’s annual dog parade invites participants and their pets to dress in Halloween costumes. Registration opens at 2 p.m. at the Sports and Civic Center. The parade begins at 3 p.m. Halloween Costume Skate

▶3 p.m.

Ocean City Skate Park, Fifth Street and Asbury Avenue Skateboarders are invited to wear Halloween costumes. Prizes will be awarded for best costume and best

trick, and candy will be available for participants. Mays Landing Ghost Walk

English Creek Ave. The event will feature trick-ortreating, themed activities, crafts and costume prizes. Preregistration is required by calling 609-272-8120. Hosted by EHT Parks and Recreation. Brigantine Trunk or Treat

▶5 to 8 p.m.

Mays Landing Presbyterian Church, 6001 Main St. Storytellers and historical characters will lead guided tours through historic downtown Mays Landing. Tours will depart every 10 minutes. Advance tickets are required, and the event is expected to sell out. Visit www.hamiltonhistorical.org. Absecon Lighthouse Haunted Tours and Paranormal Investigation

▶6 to 10:30 p.m.

31 S. Rhode Island Ave., Atlantic City Haunted walking tours will be offered at 6 and 7 p.m. A paranormal investigation led by the New Jersey Researchers of Paranormal Evidence will begin at 8 p.m. Purchase tickets at www.abseconlighthouse.org or call 609-449-1360.

Sunday, Oct. 25

Smithville Witches Day Out

▶Noon to 4 p.m.

Historic Smithville, 615 E. Moss Mill Road Registration opens at noon, followed by a parade and judging at 3

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▶ 6 to 7:30 p.m.

p.m. Prizes will be awarded in several costume categories. Activities will also include a scavenger hunt, a search for witches’ shoes and a candy corn guessing contest. Spooktacular Halloween Hayride

▶Noon to 3 p.m.

Funny Farm Rescue, 6908 Railroad Blvd., Mays Landing Enjoy a hayride and costume celebration at Funny Farm Rescue. Hayrides cost $10 and include hot chocolate or coffee. Proceeds support the care, food and treatment of more than 700 rescue animals. Somers Point Trunk or Treat

▶4 to 6 p.m.

Shore Medical Center parking lot, Harbor and Bay avenues The Somers Point Police Department and Somers Point Police Athletic and Activities League will host this family-friendly community event. Email kmackenzie@somerspointpd. org for information.

Tuesday, Oct. 27

Egg Harbor Township Trunk or Treat

▶5 to 7 p.m.

EHT Community Center, 5045

Brigantine Community School parking lot, Sheridan Place The Brigantine Chamber of Commerce will host an evening of music, costumes and candy. Businesses, organizations and families are invited to participate. Call 609-839-5619.

Thursday, Oct. 29

Ocean City Halloween Parade

▶7 p.m.

Asbury Avenue from Sixth to 11th streets The Exchange Club of Ocean City’s 78th annual parade will feature floats, bands, cheerleading teams, antique cars and costumed families. Registration is open. Email oceancity_halloween@yahoo.com.

Friday, Oct. 30

Mays Landing Halloween Parade

▶6:30 p.m.

Main Street from Mill Street to Farragut Avenue The 71st annual parade will feature costumes, floats and performances. It will begin on Mill Street and travel across Main Street to Farragut Avenue and Duberson School. Visit www.mayslandinghalloweenparade.com.

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How one South Jersey farm became a Halloween hotspot

creams echo through the trees, mysterious figures emerge from the darkness, and a trolley carries brave visitors into a world of unexpected frights. Welcome to Forever Forest, where Halloween has become more than a holiday. It's an experience. What began as a Christmas-themed attraction inspired by Hallmark movies has evolved into one of the region's growing destinations for spooky seasonal entertainment. With haunted adventures, elaborate sets, live scare actors, family-friendly activities and an atmosphere that blends small-town charm with theatrical thrills, Forever Forest is carving out its own place in South Jersey's Halloween scene. For owner Emil Polito, the attraction's success has been an unexpected second act following a 45-year career on Wall Street. About nine years ago, Polito retired and purchased a South Jersey farm with a farmhouse he had admired for years. At the time, he had no intention of becoming an entertainment entrepreneur. He didn't even realize the property had operated as a Christmas tree farm. After purchasing the property, Polito agreed to allow a relative of the previous owner to rent the land and continue selling Christmas trees. Watching the operation unfold convinced him there was an opportunity to do something different. Inspired by his love of Christmas and the picture-perfect holiday settings depicted in Hallmark movies, he envisioned transforming the farm into a winter wonderland.

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October 15, 2026

The concept took off almost immediately. Polito recalled that approximately 7,000 people visited during the first season, despite the property lacking much of the infrastructure necessary to accommodate large crowds. The overwhelming response forced him to make improvements, develop a more organized operation and eventually establish the Forever Forest brand. Initially, the attraction was a family affair, with Polito, his brother and other relatives pitching in to create the holiday experience. But as attendance grew, the demands of running the attraction became increasingly substantial. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than risk exposing young visitors and families, Polito chose to close the attraction for two seasons. When the business reopened, rebuilding its momentum presented another challenge. That's when his brother, Anthony, proposed an entirely new direction. Halloween. What began as an experiment would eventually transform the future of Forever Forest. Now celebrating its fourth Halloween season, Forever Forest has developed into a destination for thrill-seekers and families alike. The attraction, located at 354 Bremen Avenue in Egg Harbor City, occupies a 15-acre property near Renault Winery. Its Halloween programming transforms the Christmas tree farm into a landscape of fog, frightening characters, themed entertainment and interactive adventures. Among its signature experiences

are the Trolley of Terror and a haunted maze, where visitors encounter animatronics, costumed performers and plenty of surprises. The maze is particularly elaborate, incorporating theatrical scenery, mechanical creatures and live actors who lurk around corners, waiting for the perfect opportunity to startle unsuspecting guests. For visitors, the experience is part haunted attraction and part outdoor adventure. The farm's wooded surroundings provide a natural back-

drop for the scares, while the changing autumn weather adds another layer of atmosphere. The attraction has also earned a listing on The Scare Factor, a national directory dedicated to haunted houses, trails and Halloween entertainment. The website categorizes Forever Forest as a destination offering multiple haunts, a haunted maze and a haunted ride. Behind much of the spooky spectacle is Polito's brother, Anthony, a carpenter whose skills have helped transform the property into an elaborate seasonal attraction. "My brother is the mastermind," Polito said. According to Polito, Anthony builds and stages the attractions, bringing the Halloween concepts to life through hands-on construction and creative design. The brothers bring different strengths to the operation. While

↘Continued on 28

Fall for our Treats!

↘Continued from 27 Polito's background is in finance and business, Anthony provides much of the artistic and technical work that makes the attractions possible. Halloween has proven to be especially popular. Polito said that last year's Halloween season generated three times the gross sales of the Christmas attraction, an impressive development considering that Christmas had been the farm's primary focus for years. "Halloween started doing better than Christmas," he said. While the scares may draw visitors through the gates, Polito believes Forever Forest's biggest selling point is its atmosphere. Rather than operating like a traditional haunted house where guests wait in line, walk through an attraction and immediately leave, Forever Forest encourages families to explore the property and enjoy multiple activities during their visit. Polito describes his vision as a boutique experience, emphasizing personal attention, entertainment and affordability. "I don't want to have people come here and just feel like they're being rushed to do something," he said. To accomplish that goal, Forever Forest has expanded beyond its original attractions to include three

themed barns, each offering something different. One barn provides creative activities, including face painting, pottery and coloring. Another, which serves as a magic studio during the Christmas season, transforms into a karaoke space for Halloween, complete with music and entertainment. A third barn serves as a recreational and photo-friendly area, offering games, activities and opportunities for private parties. Visitors can also enjoy miniature golf, while additional entertainment includes a DJ and palm reading. Among the trees are bonfire areas, where families can make smores. These attractions provide opportunities for guests to socialize, explore and enjoy themselves between the main Halloween experiences. For parents bringing children, that variety can make a significant difference. Younger visitors can enjoy the festive atmosphere and hands-on activities without necessarily participating in the more intense nighttime scares. Forever Forest has previously offered separate daytime family sessions and nighttime experiences geared toward teenagers and adults. Its daytime programming

has featured decorated trolley rides, pumpkin painting, crafts and seasonal entertainment, while the nighttime attractions have included haunted trails, mazes and live scare actors. The result is an attraction that appeals to a broader audience than traditional haunted houses. Families can enjoy a fall outing, couples can plan a spooky date night, and groups of friends can challenge one another to brave the darker corners of the property. For Polito, creating those memories is just as important as delivering a good scare. The popularity of Forever Forest's Halloween experience has presented a welcome challenge for its owners: accommodating the crowds. During a recent October evening, Polito reported that approximately 600 guests visited the farm, significantly exceeding the attendance he typically plans for during individual sessions. He generally caps attendance at 350 people per shift to maintain a comfortable experience. However, the number of visitors arriving that evening prompted staff to accommodate additional guests. "People just started showing up," Polito said. The turnout was particularly no-

table because it was only the fourth operating night of the Halloween season. One of the attraction's earlier scheduled nights had been canceled because of rain. With Halloween still weeks away, Polito expects demand to continue growing as more families and thrill-seekers make their seasonal plans. The increased attendance has also highlighted areas where the operation may need improvements. Polito said he is considering changes to the timing of admission sessions and potentially adding another trolley to reduce wait times. "But I don't like that people wait too long," he said. It's a balancing act for an attraction that has grown significantly in a relatively short period. Unlike large amusement parks with extensive staffing and infrastructure, Forever Forest operates on a smaller scale, relying on the creativity and dedication of its owners and employees. As attendance increases, the challenge is preserving the intimate, family-oriented atmosphere that helped establish its reputation. Polito said the business reinvests in improvements each year, gradually expanding its offerings and enhancing the visitor experience. That approach has allowed Forever Forest to establish an identity in a region with no shortage of Halloween entertainment. What started as one man's Hallmark-inspired retirement project has become a place where Christmas magic and Halloween nightmares share the same address. And judging by the crowds, South Jersey is embracing both.

October 15, 2026

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Atlantic City businessman, philanthropist John Schultz bares it all in autobiography By Scott Cronick

always say if you are going to do anything, do it right. And that is especially true when it comes to writing an autobiography. How many times have you ripped open a celebrity’s supposed “tell-all” to find out they haven’t really told you anything you already didn’t know? I guarantee that will NOT be the case if you read “King of Clubs: Building my Atlantic City Gay Empire,” the four-year project of my good friend John Schultz, an Atlantic City icon who did not hold back anything in his autobiography that is available at Schultz-Hill.org. As he said, “no bulls—t!” If you know Schultz, the fact that he bared it all — including some pretty risqué photos of himself showing off his still impressive physique — is not a surprise. Whether you like it or not, or whether you like him or not, Schultz has made a career telling people the way it is. “This was a labor of love, if there ever was one,” Schultz said “It took

me four and a half years to write this book. There’s no BS in it. It’s really all factual. I didn’t exaggerate anything. You know, it’s funny. All my friends would tell me … I would tell stories about the clubs and the city and all of my experiences, and they would always say, ‘You should write a book, John, you should write a book.’ So, now it’s done.” Schultz is blunt, candid, to the point, proud, embarrassed, loving, angry and pretty much every emotion you would expect from a man who has lived a loud and proud gay lifestyle for most of his 85 years on the planet. In the 382-page riveting page-turner, Schultz could have easily

danced around subjects like his first gay encounter, coming out of the closet, politics, his response to the HIV/AIDS crisis and his time in prison, but that’s not how John Schultz approaches anything. What truly validates “King of Clubs” as a great biography is that you don’t have to know him to appreciate it. If you know him, it’s even more special, but if you don’t, it’s the kind of story that could be made into a movie for the masses. “I love it when strangers come up to me and tell me how much they liked the book,” Schultz said. “That means more to me than when my friends tell me they like it.” “King of Clubs” is a classic underdog story as Schultz chronicles his journey from living in poverty in Atlantic City and dropping out of school after eighth grade to become a prominent hotel owner, nightclub entrepreneur, legendary businessman, cutthroat politician, creative philanthropist and advocate and the challenges getting there. If you’re love reading about Atlantic City in its heyday, Schultz vividly describes pre-casino-era Atlantic City and its evolution to the second largest gaming empire in the United States. Like everything else Schultz does, the book is gorgeous. Every page of the hardcover is glossy, meaning Schultz can put black and white or color photos on any page he chooses to better illustrate each chapter.

That’s part of the reason why the book is $55, a little pricier than some. The other reason is that the proceeds of the book will go to the South Jersey AIDS Alliance, one of the many entities he helped create. “I wanted the book to be a classy book,” Schultz said. “I’m not worried about making a profit. There’s no profit. The profit all goes to the charities. I’m not going to make any money on the book, but I just wanted to do something in my life to finish off all the things that people told me I should do with my stories I told. And there’s some very interesting stories.” That’s an understatement.

Humble beginnings

Even though Schultz now lives part-time in Florida with his longtime partner and husband Gary Hill, Schultz is an Atlantic City guy through and through. “I grew up in the inlet section of Atlantic City,” he said. “My first business was when my father got a television. He was a truck driver, and a television got damaged. So, he got the television for $60, and we put it in our living room. And my first business at 7 years old was you could come see the ‘Howdy Doody Show,’ but you had to bring two 2-cent returnable bottles. That was my first business. I never got a bicycle for Christmas. We couldn’t afford the bicycle.” But Schultz grew up in a loving household even though it was a poor one. “I love my parents, Schultz said. “My parents were the best parents in the world. They were just loving, and my father was my mentor. He gave me all my advice. One of the things he said, ‘Son, you got to make your mark before you’re 30.’ And when I was 29 years old, I was doing really well. And a lot of it had to do with luck and perseverance. My father always said to me, ‘Son, what you have in your life is your word. Always keep your word. And admit it when you’re right. And

↘Continued on 32 October 15, 2026

ke f a y o to T very r to ure eli n e nit e D v n I Fur iat e g ly ed u H Po mm d rI n a r fo k a o Te me Ho

RE O SH ARS E H YE T NG R 20 I RV VE E S RO FO

↘Continued from 30 defend it when you’re wrong.’ And I get goose pimples talking about it because he was such a good mentor to me. He kind of said, ‘If somebody really hurts you bad, really, really bad, and you want real good revenge, the best revenge is make yourself better. That will piss them off more than anything.’ So that’s what I did in my life. I made myself better.” Hard work defined Schultz’s life, but luck and relationships also came into play. “The biggest break in my life was the cheapest break in my life,” Schultz explained. “That was when I bought the Larkin bar on the boardwalk. And I was working at the Flanders Hotel. I was there for 10 years. And I was making $15,000 a year, which was pretty good back in 1973. And I worked there. And I worked in Philadelphia. These two guys came in who owned the Larkin on the boardwalk at New York Avenue, and they said, ‘You want to buy the bar?’ And I said, I can’t afford it. I said there’s no way I can afford $25,000. They said, ‘How much can you afford? Can you afford $15,000?’ I said, ‘Yeah, but I don’t have the money.’ ‘Can you get us $5,000 down?’ I couldn’t believe it. They were giving me an offer I couldn’t refuse.” That resulted in Schultz getting into the bar and club business, which

would later make him a fortune. Schultz eventually systematically acquired real estate around the New York Avenue and Westminster Avenue corridors — now known as Schultz-Hill Boulevard. At his peak, he owned and operated nine gay clubs, discos, and hotels simultaneously, building what locals dubbed “Schultz World.” The narrative brings readers directly into the glitz of legendary properties like Studio Six, his crown jewel and a national nightclub phenomenon that hosted massive dance crowds before finally closing its doors in 2004; The Grand Central Resort, the largest gay hotel and resort complex on the East Coast; and The Brass Rail/Club Tru, Saratoga, and Chez Paree, high-energy entertainment hubs that attracted an estimated 250,000 LGBTQ+ tourists to Atlantic City during holiday weekends in the 1970s. “When I first started figuring it out, everybody wanted to get into disco business,” Schultz said. “And I’m saying to myself, ‘What about the older guys that went on a piano bar? Or what about the lesbians? Or what about the locals?’ And I started figuring this out. If a gay person is going to spend a dollar in Atlantic City, they’re not going to spend it in the disco. There’s going to be different markets. And I started covering all the markets.”

Schultz’s success even blew his mind, particularly after he went after the gay beach crowd. “The first weekend, the Memorial Day weekend, I went up to my office to count the money,” he said. “And everything was cash. There was no credit card. And all the money was soaking wet from the bar. It’s funny I remember stuff like that. But I would put a pile there and say, There’s the payroll. There’s the liquor bill. There’s the rent. There’s the insurance. And I put all the cash out there. And that weekend, I paid all the bills, and the last pile had $16,000 in it. Wow! I worked a whole year for $15,000. I went to my boss. I gave him my twoweek notice. He said, ‘I’ll give you $25,000.’ I said, ‘No, it’s too late now. I got it.’ Now I know I can make money.” Schultz attributes a great deal of his success to the way he treated others “I made sure I took care of my employees,” Schultz said. “They were the most important asset I had. And that’s one of the reasons why it was a good success. I took care of all my employees just like they were family. And they were honest and loved me back and helped me become a success. There’s no shortcuts in life. My father said to me, ‘Son, find a job you love and you’ll never work for the rest of your life.’ And I love bartending. I

love the bar business. And it’s true. I don’t know how I did it. I do not know where I got the energy from. I worked 23 hours a day. I guess I loved it.”

Touchy subjects

Throughout the 48 chapters, Schultz mostly chronologically tells his story starting from his first job peddling newspapers for The Press of Atlantic City to revealing fun, thorough stories of his sex life. “Some of the stuff in the book is a little touchy. I mean, I went on just a little bit about my sex life, but everything is the truth. A friend of mine said he wouldn’t have the guts to write a book that revealed so much about yourself. And I said, ‘Yeah, but I’m 85 years old. I have nothing to worry about.’ I was in my 20s, and I realized I was gay. I had girlfriends and good times and everything like that. But all of a sudden, I don’t know what happened to me. But I’m very happy now. I’m with Gary going on 40 years now.” One of the stories revealed how Schultz wouldn’t sleep with his customers when he was a bartender. “Oh, no, no. That would ruin my tips.” Schultz said with a laugh. “When you’re a bartender, honestly, you become a psychiatrist. Because everybody comes to bring to you their problems. And you learn a lot.

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You learn a lot about people. And you can figure out people real quick. And I could figure out people in my life really fast. I knew what to do to advance myself and what not to do.” The memoir takes a somber, analytical turn during the late 1970s and 1980s. Schultz explains how the legalization of casino gambling in Atlantic City artificially caused land values to skyrocket. Corporate casino developers bought out and demolished the historic gay resorts and bars. He outlines what historians call the “opportunity of emptiness” that allowed the neighborhood to flourish initially, and how corporate encroachment ultimately fractured the physical gay district. Schultz also wrote about his 6-month prison sentence. “I got 6 months for $32,000 if you can figure that out …. $32,000 I didn’t pay in taxes,” Schultz said. “It was a setup. I looked at it this way: I used it as a mechanism to retreat myself. When I went into prison, I knew what I was doing for the next two years. When I came out of prison, I knew what I was doing for the rest of my life. I analyzed myself. It was 6 months of calculating your whole life and realize what you are doing, and why I am doing it.” If he did hold back anywhere, it was not naming casino executives and pol-

iticians in a bad light, especially in his thoughts how legislation hurt Atlantic City by limiting casinos to 500-room hotels and other restrictions. “You could build a McDonald’s anywhere in the United States, but you can only build a casino in Atlantic City and Las Vegas,” Schultz said. “Had this town copied Las Vegas’ model, this town would have been booming, and the real estate would have been worth a fortune. They blew it.”

Celebrities and music

Music and entertainment plays a big part in the book and Schultz’s life. The book mentions Patsy Cline, Sinatra, Joan Rivers, Liza Minnelli, Billy Joel and a plethora of entertainers who came through Altantic City, many who Schultz got to know because they frequented his clubs. “Our motto in Studio 6 was, ‘We’re entertainers, we’re entertained.’ And the biggest part was when casinos had to close at 4 in the morning, all the entertainers would come to Studio 6. There was just so many of them that I can’t even name them.” Many of them were closeted looking for a comfortable place. “Of course. Yeah. Peter Allen used to come. He used to do Resorts for New Year’s Eve, and I used to have breakfast with him every day,” Schultz said. “You know, he’d come in the

club at night, we’d have breakfast, and then he’d go back to the hotel. But, Connie Francis, Michael Feinstein, all these entertainers, they would all come in. I would get a call at 4 in the morning saying, ‘So-and-so is here,’ and I had to get dressed and go over there and do all the stuff, you know?’ Some celebrities wanted privacy, some didn’t mind being bothered.”

More to come

Schultz also details his role as a foundational creator of the famous Miss’d America Pageant, a drag pageant born as a parody of the Miss America pageant that raised millions for HIV/AIDS charities, as well as the other philanthropic endeavors he still is part of, including the MBCA Foundation, which beautifies Atlantic City to make it a better place to live, work and visit, and the Schultz-Hill Foundation, which promotes the arts in Atlantic City. The book’s mid to late chapters shifts focus toward the devastating onset of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, chronicles his political organizing, his tenure as an Atlantic City Councilman, becoming a pilot and owning an airplane, his devoted partnership with Hill and facing getting older. Most of the buildings Schultz made his fortunes in are gone, but Schultz remains a fixture of Atlan-

tic City’s community scene, raising money for nonprofits and politicians and hosting some of the city’s most elaborate, chic parties like he always has with the who’s-who of South Jersey along with Hill. “Gary has never stopped supporting me,” Schultz said. “He has always been there for me. When they named Westminister Avenue Schultz-Hill Boulevard a couple of years ago, I was ending the book with the last chapter, ‘It’s a Sign,’ and was going to be about the sign and Schultz-Hill Boulevard, but Gary said, ‘I think you should end it with a chapter titled Sunrise/ Sunset’ because we have a house in Florida and we love our sunsets. The book ends by saying, ‘God, I’m in the fourth quarter of my life now. I’m just asking for a little overtime.’” Well said.

“King of Clubs: Building my Atlantic City Gay Empire” by John Schultz is available at Schultz-Hill.org.

Scott Cronick is an award-winning 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. He can be reached at scronick@comcast.net.

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October 15, 2026

Johnson’s strength goes beyond the field Eagles legend retires to focus on his mental health

By Robin Stoloff

ast Saturday was World Mental Health Day, an opportunity to consider a question: If you broke your leg, you would seek medical help. Why should seeking help for your brain be any different? You would not consider a cast a character flaw. Yet people experiencing depression, anxiety or overwhelming emotional distress often worry that asking for help will make them look weak. For Eagles fans across South Jersey, that question became especially relevant when legendary right tackle Lane Johnson announced his retirement Oct. 6, with the season barely underway. He chose to put his mental health and family priorities first. “Right now, it is critical that I focus on my mental health,” Johnson said in his announcement. A player celebrated for his strength and ability to protect quarterbacks was acknowledging his own need for care. As Eagles fans, we will miss watching him anchor the offensive line, but respecting Johnson means respecting the person beneath the helmet. His well-being matters beyond what he can contribute on Sundays. This conversation did not begin with his retirement. In 2021, Johnson missed three games while addressing anxiety and depression. He later spoke about struggles he had concealed from friends and family, helping challenge the silence surrounding mental health in football. His latest decision reinforces that earlier message. Speaking openly once does not mean a struggle

disappears. Mental health can require continuing attention and difficult choices, even for someone accustomed to performing at the highest level. Football celebrates endurance and playing through pain. Johnson’s example broadens our understanding of toughness. Sometimes strength means asking for help. Sometimes it means recognizing that our health deserves more attention than our job. Other sports stars have helped bring these conversations into the open, including Olympic gymnastics champion Simone Biles, Grand Slam tennis champion Coco Gauff and former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback and longtime Fox NFL broadcaster Terry Bradshaw. At the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Biles withdrew from several events while experiencing the “twisties,” a frightening loss of awareness of her position in the air. For a gymnast, that can create serious danger. Stepping back required judgment and courage. Her return to Olympic success in Paris in 2024, after openly discussing therapy, demonstrated the value of support. Gauff’s experience speaks especially to young people. In a 2020 personal account, she described struggling with expectations, pressure and her relationship with tennis before her breakthrough. Her father clarified that she had not been clinically diagnosed with depression, but her openness reminds us that we do not need an official diagnosis to seek help. A talented young person can appear successful while feeling overwhelmed. Bradshaw, a Hall of Fame quarterback and four-time Super Bowl

Lane Johnson champion, has spoken publicly about depression and treatment. His familiar television humor reminds us that someone can make others laugh while struggling privately. Those struggles exist throughout our community. Students may feel pressure in academics, sports and social media, while adults juggle work, finances, family responsibilities and health concerns. At any age, a busy schedule or outward success can hide distress. Making time to ask how someone is doing, and listening to the answer, creates room for an honest conversation. A first step can be talking with a primary care provider or licensed mental health professional. Treatment may include therapy, medication or both, depending on individual needs. Friends and relatives can listen without judgment and offer practical help with finding care or attending appointments.

Take Action

Help is available, and no one should have to face these struggles alone. Anyone experiencing emotional distress or a suicidal crisis can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Locally, the Mental Health Asso-

ciation in Atlantic County provides support, education and resources for individuals and families. It also offers suicide prevention training called QPR, which stands for Question, Persuade and Refer. The 90-minute global program teaches participants to recognize warning signs, ask directly about suicidal thoughts, encourage someone to seek help and connect them with support. I took the QPR course and learned a great deal about approaching someone who may be struggling and how to start a conversation that could save their life. As CPR prepares us to respond to a physical emergency, QPR prepares us to recognize and respond to a possible suicidal crisis. With online and in-person training options available, it is something I encourage everyone to consider. Call 609-652-3800 or visit mhaac.info for information. Johnson and his fellow athletes have helped open the door to more honest conversations about mental health. We can keep it open by listening with compassion and responding to vulnerability with respect. Healing a mental health condition may look different from healing a bone, but both deserve care. You would seek medical help for a broken leg, so give your brain the same consideration. Like Lane Johnson, recognizing your struggle and asking for help may be your strongest move yet. Robin is a former television reporter for NBC News 40. She currently hosts a podcast and radio program called Living Well with Robin Stoloff. It airs Sundays at 10 AM on Lite 96.9. You can email Robin at livingwellwithrobin@ gmail.com

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ANNIVERSARY

What’s happening in Ocean City Porsche Boardwalk Reunion, HERO Walk highlight weekend

he Ocean City Boardwalk will be host to two major events this weekend: The Porsche Boardwalk Reunion on Saturday and the HERO Walk on Sunday. More than 350 Porsches of models from 1954 to the present will be on display on the Ocean City Boardwalk between Sixth Street and 14th Street from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, as part of the Porsche Boardwalk Reunion. The Ocean City Music Pier will be host to various free tech sessions on Porsche-related topics. For more information, visit www.boardwalkreunion.org. The John R. Elliott HERO Walk and 1-Mile Fun Run on the Ocean City Boardwalk will take place on Sunday, Oct. 18. The HERO Fun Run will take place at 10 a.m. HERO ceremonies are at 10:30 a.m. The 5-kilometer HERO Walk along the Ocean City Boardwalk commences at 11 a.m. The organization raises awareness of the importance of sober designated drivers. Final registration begins at 9 a.m. at the Sports and Civic Center, Sixth Street and Boardwalk. For more information, visit herocampaign.org.

OCTC presents ‘A Grand Night for Singing’

Experience the timeless music of Rodgers and Hammerstein with a new musical revue celebrating favorites from “Oklahoma!,” “Carousel,” “South Pacific,” “The King and I,” “The Sound of Music” and more. The revue was conceived by Tony Award-winning director Walter

Bobbie with musical arrangements by Fred Wells. Rather than telling a single story, Bobbie’s concept brings together songs from across the Rodgers & Hammerstein canon and reimagines them in fresh and inventive ways. The original production premiered on Broadway in 1993 and received two Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical. “A Grand Night for Singing” is presented with permission from Concord Theatricals. The Ocean City Theatre Company will present “A Grand Night for Singing” at 7 p.m. Oct. 16 and 17; and 2 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Ocean City Music Pier. Visit oceancitytheatrecompany. com for tickets and more information.

Registration open for Oct. 24 Howl-O-Ween Parade during Dog Days

Registration for the sixth annual Howl-O-Ween Parade on Saturday, Oct. 24, is now open. The event encourages owners and their leashed dogs to dress in costume for a procession down the Boardwalk from Sixth Street to 14th Street. Registration and more information are available at ocnj.us/dogday, and all proceeds benefit the Humane Society of Ocean City. Visit the same page for information on being a vendor for the event. The parade is one of the highlights of Dog Days on the Boardwalk, which permits leashed dogs to walk the boards 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sun-

October 15, 2026

day, Oct. 25. The parade starts at 3 p.m. Saturday. Other Saturday activities will include dog-specific vendors along the Boardwalk, photo-op stations, and the Humane Society’s announcement of Ocean City’s “Pet of the Year.” On Sunday, leashed dogs again will walk the Boardwalk, where they are prohibited during the rest of the year.

Registration open for Halloween events

Registration is now open for anybody who would like to participate in Ocean City’s annual Halloween Parade or in the Halloween House Decorating Contest. The 78th annual Halloween Parade will start at 7:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026 and travel a route on Asbury Avenue from Sixth Street to 11th Street. All are welcome to watch or participate in this fun community event, which is organized by the Exchange Club of Ocean City in partnership with the city. For those who want to join, please note the following divisions: ● Division 1 – Children or Groups of Children up to age 12 ● Division 2 – Children or Groups of Children over 12 OR Family Groups OR Adult Groups ● Division 3 – Animals & Pets in Costume

Division 4 – Organizations Marching in Costume (Churches, Nonprofits, Etc.) ● Division 5 – Cheerleaders & Drill or Dance Teams ● Division 6 – Non-Commercial Floats ● Division 7 – Commercial Floats To register to be in the parade, email: oceancity_halloween@yahoo. com. Include your name, email / phone number, the division you are registering for, and a brief description of your marchers, costume and/or vehicle. An email confirmation will be sent back to you with your registration number within 24 hours Monday through Friday. Medals and trophies will be awarded to first- and second-place entrants. Judges will evaluate based on appearance, originality and artistry. All award winners will be notified by phone or email the day after the parade. ●

For more information on the Halloween Parade, please visit Ocean City Halloween Parade (ochp.blogspot.com). For more on The Exchange Club of Ocean City, please visit www. ocxc.org. The seventh annual Halloween House Decorating Contest in Ocean City will award prizes to homes and businesses in a variety of categories. The deadline for registration is 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21. A list of participants will be posted, so everybody can see the decorated homes. Judging will take place the evenings of Oct. 22 and 23 between the hours of 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Winners will receive gift certificate prize packages. For more information and to sign up, please visit ocnj.us/halloweenhouse. Other Halloween events include the Halloween Costume Skate at the Ocean City Skate Park at Fifth Street

Fall is A-Maze-Ing

at the Library

and Asbury Avenue 4 p.m. to dusk on Saturday, Oct. 24. Skateboarders are invited to come dressed for the holiday. There will be prizes for best costume and best trick, and candy for the participants. The Ocean City Free Public Library will host its Halloween Fest, an enchanting celebration for witches, wizards and sorcerers of all ages, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27. The free family event at the library (1735 Simpson Avenue) will include games, candy, stories, music, crafts, dancing, a dry-ice station and more. All ages are welcome and costumes are encouraged. Hours for traditional trick-ortreating will be 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.

More family fun in October

Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweep (Oct. 24): Volunteers are sought for the Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweep from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14. Register at cleanoceanaction. org and check in at the Ocean City Music Pier before the event. Bring your own bucket and gloves. OC Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Welcome Night (Oct. 28): 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Ocean City Sports & Civic Center. Meet OC groups, businesses & organizations. Free event.

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No matter which way you turn, there’s always something great in store at the Ocean City Free Public Library. Be sure to find your way to us this fall for best-selling books, online resources, workshops, children’s activities, and more.

CURBSIDE PICKUP Mon.-Fri. 9am-6pm Sat. 9am-5pm • Sun. 11am-5pm Visit OceanCityLibrary.org for a complete list of events and resources. CHECK OUT OUR APP

October 15, 2026

Millville’s Mike Trout thrills local youngsters at baseball camp

By David Weinberg

ike Trout would have been forgiven if he wasn’t in the best of moods last Sunday. The longtime Eagles season-ticket holder had just watched from his Millville home as the Birds suffered a last-second, 20-18 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. In addition, a torrential rain kept him from an early-morning or late-afternoon round at his new golf course, Trout National – The Reserve. But his smile was as bright as ever. Trout, the three-time American League Most Valuable Player for the Los Angeles Angels, hosted approximately 200 local children at Total Turf Experience in Pitman for the Mike Trout Youth Baseball Camp. “It all started right here for me, in a small town just down the road,” Trout to WPVI-Channel 6 at the camp. “It’s pretty cool to see all the kids here. It’s going to be a fun day and I look forward to meeting all of them.” The group included a certain 10-year-old, who happily participated

in the camp while his Poppy watched from the sidelines. Hampton bounced from station to station, fielding grounders, catching popups, hitting off a tee and doing soft toss with an instructor, during a three-hour session. The highlight for him – and me – was undoubtedly having a catch with Trout and posing for a photo with him. “Mike is from here, he’s one of us,” Total Turf Experience owner Jerry McGough told the TV station. “He’s very giving to the world around him. We received a call to scholarship some kids who normally couldn’t afford the camp and that warmed my heart. That’s what Mike’s all about. He’s here to make sure every kid has a good time.” I know one kid who had a great time. And a Poppy, too. Fourth-and-44 Pleasantville High School punter Raliel Wiggins made one of the most amazing plays in recent seasons last Friday night in a 20-18 win over Lower Cape May Regional. Back-to-back sacks by the Caper

Tigers and a personal foul penalty had backed Pleasantville to its own 9-yard line, leaving them with a fourthand-44 late in the third quarter. Wiggins caught the snap at his own goal line, but instead of kicking, he tucked the ball in the crook of his right arm and took off upfield. He bolted up the right sideline, then veered across the field, evading at least a half-dozen Lower defenders along the way, en route to an 86-yard gain to the Lower 5-yard line. “I was going to punt it, but my long snapper (Jayden Duncan) told me to run it, so I did,” Wiggins said. “I saw an opening and I knew they couldn’t catch me, so I took off.” It marked the second time in as many seasons he pulled off a fake punt. According to Wiggins, he also had a 60-yard gain last season. “He’s an electric player,” Pleasantville coach Elijah Glover said. “You never know what to expect.”

Local NFL update

Jacksonville Jaguars running back LeQuint Allen, Jr. (Millville) made two tackles on special teams in a 19-17

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victory over the Eagles, including a big stop in the first quarter. After the Jaguars scored a touchdown, Eagles returner Britain Covey broke loose and was headed for the end zone before Allen made a touchdown-saving tackle after a 42-yard gain. Dallas Cowboys safety Markquese Bell (Bridgeton) had three tackles and a pass defense in a 24-16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Green Bay Packers wide receiver/ returner Bo Melton (Cedar Creek) had two receptions for 20 yards and returned two kickoffs for a combined 48 yards in a 31-7 victory over the Chicago Bears. Arizona Cardinals cornerback Max Melton (Cedar Creek), Bo’s brother, had three tackles and a pass defense in a 45-21 loss to the Detroit Lions. David is a nationally recognized sports columnist who has covered Philadelphia and local sports for over 40 years. After 35 years with The Press, he has served as a columnist for 973ESPN.com and created his own Facebook page, Dave Weinberg Extra Points. Send comments to weinbergd419@ comcast.net.

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October 15, 2026

Entertainment & Dining at the Shore By Steffen Klenk

Top Weekly Entertainment Picks Jazz @ The Point

here’s no shortage of entertainment at the Shore this week, with big-name concerts, live theater, comedy, jazz and Halloween-inspired fun. See Ricky Martin and Daughtry take the stage in Atlantic City, celebrate the music of Louis Armstrong in Somers Point, experience “Rocky Horror” rock spectacular, or catch the cult favorite “Little Shop of Horrors.” Here are this week’s Top Weekly Entertainment Picks.

Ricky Martin

Where: Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena When: Friday, Oct. 16 Time: 8 p.m. Website: casino.hardrock.com/atlantic-city/event-calendar/ricky-martin

If you’re “Livin’ la Vida Loca,” you won’t want to miss global superstar Ricky Martin as he takes the stage in Atlantic City. Known as one of Latin music’s most popular performers, Martin brings his electrifying energy, charismatic stage presence and international hits to Hard Rock Live.

Where: Gateway Playhouse and Gregory’s, Somers Point When: Thursday, Oct. 15, through Saturday, Oct. 17 Time: 7 p.m. Website: southjerseyjazz.org Enjoy three nights of live jazz in Somers Point. Hosted by the South Jersey Jazz Society, this year’s event pays tribute to music icon Louis Armstrong. The lineup features Armstrong historian Ricky Riccardi and the Bob Ferguson All-Stars, Wycliffe Gordon, Paula Johns, Jon Faddis and trumpeter Terell Stafford.

Superstition Nights

Where: The VÜE Rooftop Bar at The Claridge When: Friday, Oct. 16, and Saturday, Oct. 17 Time: 8-11 p.m.

Website: claridge.com/events-promotions Prepare for an evening of mystery, magic and intrigue. Superstition Nights invites guests to discover what their future may hold with tarot card and fortune readings. The evening also features spooky signature cocktails, fall-inspired flavors, rooftop vibes and oceanfront views.

Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey

Where: Absecon Lighthouse When: Saturday, Oct. 17, and Sunday, Oct. 18 Time: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Website: lighthousechallengenj.com The Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey returns this weekend. The family-friendly activity invites participants to visit 11 lighthouses and lifesaving stations throughout the

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“Bat Out of Hell: Celebrating Meat Loaf and Rocky Horror”

Where: Tropicana Showroom When: Saturday, Oct. 17 Time: 7:30 p.m. Website: caesars.com/tropicana-ac/ shows Two iconic Halloween soundtracks come to life in this rock spectacular. “Bat Out of Halloween” welcomes Meat Loaf’s band, The Neverland Express, for an unforgettable concert led by vocalist Andrew Polec. The show features the legendary music of Meat Loaf along with favorites from “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

October 15, 2026

Daughtry

Where: Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Resort When: Saturday, Oct. 17 Time: 7 p.m. Website: theoceanac.com/daughtry One of rock’s biggest names comes to Atlantic City. Daughtry celebrates its 20th anniversary with a special unplugged performance featuring guest Ryan Perdz. Led by vocalist Chris Daughtry, the band will perform its biggest hits, including “It’s Not Over” and “Home,” along with songs from its latest album, “Shock to the System.”

“Little Shop of Horrors”

Where: Resorts Casino Hotel When: Saturday, Oct. 17 Time: 8 p.m. We b s i te : resor t sac.com/

events-and-promotions/theater-show The Atlantic City Theatre Company presents a hair-raising night of comedy as the beloved Broadway musical comes to the intimate Screening Room at Resorts. Directed by Patricia Durante, the cult classic follows a down-on-his-luck florist who discovers Audrey II, a fierce plant with an unusual appetite. The show is rated PG-13 for mature themes.

Comedian Brad Upton

Where: Stockton Performing Arts Center When: Saturday, Oct. 17 Time: 7:30 p.m. Website: stockton.edu/pac Comedy veteran Brad Upton has toured the country and the world for more than 37 years. A former fourthgrade teacher and part-time track

coach, Upton draws on his life experiences to deliver unique stories, sharp observations and plenty of laughs.

Country Music Thursdays

Where: The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock When: Thursdays Time: 7-11 p.m. Website: casino.hardrock.com/atlantic-city/nightlife/the-lobby-bar Grab your cowboy hat and boot-scootin’ boogie over to Atlantic City for Country Music Thursdays. Local favorites, including Triple Rail Turn and the Megan Knight Band, perform popular country hits along with other songs and audience requests. Events are subject to change due to weather. Please check venue websites and social media for updated information.

Friday, October 16

Atlantic City Headliners

Ricky Martin

▶8 p.m.

Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena

Saturday, October 17 Daughtry

▶7 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Little Shop of Horrors

▶8 p.m.

Superstar Theater at Resorts Jimmy Dore

▶8 p.m.

Celebrity Theater at the Claridge Bat out of Halloween: Celebrating Meat Loaf and Rocky Horror

▶8 p.m.

Tropicana Showroom

Friday, October 23

Saturday, October 24

Brian Regan

▶8 p.m.

The Music Box at Borgata Bored Teachers

Whose Live Anyway?

The Concert Venue at Harrah’s Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox

▶7:30 p.m.

The Music Box at Borgata Aretha: Greatest Live Tribute to Aretha Franklin

▶8 p.m.

Superstar Theater at Resorts

Saturday, October 31 Alice Cooper

Sound Waves at Hard Rock

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Jesse McCartney

▶9 p.m.

Tropicana Showroom The Sixties Show

▶8 p.m.

The Music Box at Borgata

Chicago

▶8 p.m.

Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena Steve Martin & Martin Short

▶8 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Will Dempsey

Friday, November 13

▶8 p.m.

▶7:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 7

▶9 p.m.

Tropicana Showroom Brass Against

Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena John Mulaney

▶9 p.m.

Circus Maximus Theatre at Caesars

▶8 p.m.

Friday, November 6

▶8 p.m.

▶9 p.m.

▶8 p.m.

Godsmack

▶9 p.m.

▶7 p.m.

Chicago

Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena Jon Stewart

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Mike Epps

Borgata Event Center Babyface ▶9 p.m. Tropicana Showroom

The Grand at Golden Nugget

Sugarland

▶8 p.m.

Borgata Event Center Aries Spears

▶8 p.m.

The Music Box at Borgata

Saturday, November 14 Freestyle Free for All

▶8 p.m.

Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena Anthony Rodia

▶9 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino

Photo credit: Jesse McCartney Facebook Official Freestyle Afterparty

▶10 p.m.

Sound Waves at Hard Rock Taylor, Simon, and King Tribute

▶8 p.m.

Superstar Theater at Resorts MJ Live Michael Jackson Tribute Concert

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The Grand at Golden Nugget

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October 15, 2026

Rod Stewart and Atlantic City: Perfect together The Casino File By Chuck Darrow

ecently, British classic-rock god Rod Stewart announced that his upcoming world tour (which, shockingly, doesn’t include Atlantic City — nor New York, Philly, Las Vegas or any other major U.S. city) would be his last due to what has been reported as heart-related issues. “Ladies and gentlemen, after much deliberation and sadness, I have to announce that next year will be my

last tour ever, ever,” Stewart said in a statement. “I'm not retiring, but this will be the last rock 'n' roll tour. So, I want to thank you for everything you’ve given me and hopefully I've given you something in return.” When I read it, my thoughts went to the life Rod the Mod (or Sir Rod as the Brits know him) and I have shared the past 50-plus years. I don’t mean in the sense of shared together. I mean that when I was in high school, Rod was one of the deities of rock 'n' roll awesomeness at whose altar I worshipped.

I’m going to skip putting on my critic’s chapeau and enumerating the reasons for my Rod fandom; suffice it to say he was a cherished part of my formative years, musically speaking. Instead, let’s take a quick look back at Stewart’s local history. According to online research, he has performed here six times. The most historically significant gig was his Aug. 3, 1989 performance at the Grandstand Under the Stars, the al fresco concert venue erected by what was then Bally’s Grand Hotel & Casino on a lot across Boston Avenue from the gambling hall. For two summers, (’88 and ’89) the Grandstand, which held 4,000 people, yanked the local gaming industry into the classic-rock era once and for all. To be sure, other casinos had occasionally booked those types of acts, but with some notable excep-

tions (e.g. Diana Ross, Frank Sinatra), rock music of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s ruled at the Grandstand. Among the artists who made their local debuts there were Bob Dylan (in what would be the first of several local-casino gigs); Jackson Browne (who was memorably joined onstage by his buddy Bruce Springsteen, who, when he heard Browne was in Atlantic City, jumped into his vintage Corvette, headed south on the Garden State Parkway and joined him for a few tunes); the first (and very best) iteration of Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band and Neil Young. And Stewart was part of that little piece of show biz history in Our Town. Of the shows Stewart subsequently did here, the one that sticks most prominently in my mind is the Aug. 22, 2008 show at Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa. The gig itself, if memory serves, was vintage Rod, part sweaty rock 'n' roll workout, part glitzy show-biz extravaganza and part house party. And that made it, as always, a lot of fun. But not for Rod: Late into his set (can’t recall the exact song), Stewart abruptly cut the piece, motioned to the band to stop playing and then angrily started cursing at some unidentified audience

October 15, 2026

members. A minute or three later, the house lights went up, and with no explanation, the program was finished. But a source who witnessed the entire episode up-close told me a little later that evening that Stewart had taken offense to some high-rollers sitting close to the stage who were apparently more interested in what each other had to say than in what the star of the show had to sing. To him, it was a brazen display of rudeness and disrespect, and he felt he didn’t have to put up with it. His most recent local address has been Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, where he’s performed three times (most recently on March 7). I saw him there on Feb. 22, 2025 and am happy to say he was every bit as cool, entertaining and downright fun as he was at Philly’s old Spectrum more than a half-century ago. Bottom line: Rod Stewart was a popular and dependable act who did exactly what he was hired to do: Bring well-heeled baby boomers through the doors of our casinos and entertain them. He unfailingly did it with style and panache — and a trunkfull of beloved songs — and he’ll be missed going forward.

For Woodside it’s Westward ho!

In a slightly related note, the guy

who brought Stewart to Hard Rock the past few years has left the building — and the rest of New Jersey. First as vice-president of marketing at Borgata and then as entertainment vice-president at the Rock, Michael Woodside was one of Our Town’s best and brightest. Throughout his tenure, he brought to his respective properties an inordinate number of top-shelf acts, from the classic (Santana, Tom Jones) to the soon-to-be-superstars (Sebastian Maniscalco and the bluegrass wizard Billy Strings). Beyond his job, Mike has always been what they used to call a “class act” and, on a personal note, someone who was always willing to accommodate this pain-in-the-posterior columnist when such accommodation was required on his part. To answer your next question, Mike’s headed to the Nevada desert to join the executive team that will open Hard Rock’s outpost on the Las Vegas strip next summer. There, he’ll reunite with Joe Lupo, under whom he worked at both Atlantic City properties. To say we wish Mike (and Joe) the best of everything would be a most-extreme understatement. Chuck Darrow has spent more than 40 years writing about Atlantic City casinos.

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Angelo’s Fairmount Tavern: A taste of old Atlantic City since 1935

By Holly Martin

hen it comes to historic restaurants in Atlantic City, Angelo’s Fairmount Tavern has earned its place among the city’s longtime favorites. Located in the Ducktown section of the city, the restaurant has been serving generations of diners since 1935, building a reputation for classic Italian cuisine, welcoming hospitality, and an atmosphere that reflects Atlantic City’s rich history. During a recent drive through the city, we wanted something different from the familiar casino restaurants, buffets and national chains. We were looking for a place with character, somewhere that felt personal, comfortable, and reminiscent of home. Angelo’s Fairmount Tavern was the perfect fit. The menu features Italian-American favorites, including chicken Parmesan, pasta with meatballs and flounder Francaise, alongside seafood and steak dishes that offer something for a variety of tastes.

We began our meal Angelo’s Fairmount with the sautéed mussels Tavern offers more than a in marinara, a dish that has neighborhood bar or Italian become a personal favorite. restaurant. It provides a Served in a steaming bowl connection to an earlier era piled high with mussels and of Atlantic City, when familtopped with rich marinara iar faces, hearty meals, lively sauce, it was every bit as music and attentive service helped define a night out. satisfying as expected. The mussels were tender and Nearly a century after its flavorful, and the sauce was founding, Angelo’s contintoo good to leave behind. Fortunately, our server brought extra bread, allowing us to soak up every last Angelo’s Fairmount Tavern has been serving generabit. tions of diners since 1935. For my entrée, I chose the stuffed flounder, a seafood dish crispy potatoes completed the plate. that stood out from others I’ve tried. No dinner would be complete The delicate, flaky fish was wrapped without dessert, and the cookie butaround a generous portion of golden ter tiramisu was a memorable way crab imperial, creating a rich comto finish the meal. Light and fluffy, bination of flavors. A side of mixed it delivered the rich, unmistakable vegetables rounded out the meal. flavor of Biscoff cookie butter in My husband ordered the T-bone every bite. steak special, which arrived cooked While waiting for the check, The sautéed mussels are served in a steaming we took time to appreciate the bowl piled high with mussels and topped with to perfection and topped with portobello mushrooms and grilled shrimp. restaurant’s surroundings. Atlantic rich marinara sauce. Steak sauce and roasted red peppers City memorabilia and references to added another layer of flavor, while the city’s musical past decorate the ues to bring those elements together, space, while wood accents and historgiving longtime patrons and first-time ic architectural details contribute to visitors alike a chance to experience its old-school charm. Even the walk to a different side of Atlantic City. One the restroom feels like stepping into plate of classic comfort food at a time. another era, with details that evoke Holly Martin has been immersed in the atmosphere of a traditional Italian the media world since 2012, building establishment. a dynamic and versatile career that All the while, the music of Frank spans nearly every corner of the inSinatra and Dean Martin played dustry. She has also hosted as a DJ overhead, adding to the feeling that and created the blog SNJ Sober Party we were transported to “the good Girl. She enjoys sharing stories that ol’ days.” inspire connection and community.

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October 15, 2026

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Miss’d America brings the magic to Atlantic City By Sarah Fertsch

he gowns were glamorous, the performances were dazzling, and the competition was fierce. But beyond the sequins, spotlights and towering wigs, the 2026 Miss'd America Pageant delivered something even more powerful: a celebration of individuality, acceptance and community. Nine contestants took the stage at Caesars Atlantic City on Sunday, Oct. 11, competing for the coveted title of Miss'd America in an evening filled

with elaborate musical numbers, laugh-out-loud comedy and heartfelt moments. When the final scores were tallied, Amnesia Martini was crowned the newest Miss'd America, earning the title after competing in swimsuit, evening gown, talent and question-and-answer categories. For longtime host Carson Kressley, the annual pageant represents one of the highlights of his year. "I really enjoy doing it. It's one of the most fun nights of the year for me, and I get to see great drag, see

The 2027 Miss’ d America Royal Court (left to right) 1st Runner-Up Miss Bev the Drag Queen, Miss’ d America 2027 Amnesia Martini, and 2nd Runner-Up Miss Tiffany FOXX old friends, have a couple drinks, celebrate the community," Kressley said. "All those things keep me coming back." The television personality, fashion expert and former "Queer Eye" star described the atmosphere as an evening-long celebration that extends beyond the competition itself. "People have come to expect that Miss'd America is a party, the pageant, the after-party, the pre-party," Kressley said. "All of it is meant to be a good time."

Behind the curtain

While audiences witness a polished production reminiscent of Broadway, executive producer Rich Helfant said much of the magic happens in a remarkably short time. "These people come together on Saturday morning, most of which have never met each other, and certainly never worked together. In only 24 hours, Mark creates a cohesive show that would rival any musical on Broadway," Helfant said. Mark Dahl, the pageant's writer and director since 2012, has been involved with Miss'd America since its earliest days. A South Jersey native now living in California, Dahl originally assisted Bobby Hitchen, the drag performer known as Sandy Beach, who helped shape the original production. Contestants are responsible for developing their own talent performances, costumes, choreography and props. Meanwhile, professional dancers rehearse for weeks in New York City under choreographer Gabriel Reyes. Helfant had a rare opportunity to attend the final rehearsals this year, witnessing firsthand the countless adjustments necessary to bring the production together. "So many components go into this

that nobody knows – because Mark makes it look effortless, and it's not," Helfant said.

Nine queens, one crown

The contestants brought their own personalities, humor and artistry to the stage, with performances ranging from theatrical comedy to deeply personal storytelling. Kressley particularly enjoyed first runner-up Bev's unconventional talent presentation, a lip-sync performance featuring Julia Sugarbaker from the classic television sitcom "Designing Women." The competition culminated in Martini's victory, determined through a computerized scoring system designed specifically for the pageant. Ten judges evaluated contestants across four categories, with the highest and lowest scores removed before the remaining scores were averaged. Helfant said that although he had not yet reviewed the complete judging results, he had heard particularly favorable reactions to Martini's evening gown presentation and question-and-answer response. Among the judges was Suzette Charles, Miss America 1984, who also performed during the evening. For Kressley, the question-and-answer competition provides some of the night's most entertaining and meaningful moments. "I love asking the questions. It's very funny and campy, and then we get some great, serious, meaningful answers that really showcase why Miss'd America is still very important and still very relevant," he said.

A performance with a powerful message

Among the evening's most memorable performances was Tiffany

October 15, 2026

Foxx's emotional interpretation of Beyoncé's "If I Were a Boy," which explored identity, parental expectations and acceptance. Foxx performed a number depicting a difficult interaction between a parent and child. Her mother participated in the performance, portraying a parent who disapproved of her child's self-expression. As the number unfolded, Foxx removed her makeup, creating a vulnerable moment that resonated with the audience. "It was so beautiful that the mom was there taking part in it," Kressley said. He described the performance as a reflection of the misunderstandings that can occur between LGBTQ+ children and their families, and the possibility of acceptance. For Kressley, moments like these demonstrate why representation matters. "Shining a light on these people allows other people, young people usually, to see them and say, 'Hey, I can be exactly who I'm meant to be. I don't have to pretend to be anyone else. There's a community for me where I'm loved and accepted.'" He added that hearing queer stories, whether through comedy or serious performances, can help build understanding beyond the LGBTQ+ community. "We are really more the same than we are different, and we share the same hopes and dreams and feelings," Kressley said. "I think that fosters a sense of unity in our community at large."

to raise awareness for HIV/AIDS and causes supporting South Jersey's LGBTQ+ community. For both men, the pageant is an opportunity to entertain while reminding audiences of the importance of inclusion. "We celebrate diversity, we celebrate inclusion, we celebrate being who we are, and we don't discriminate," Helfant said.

The next chapter

The production "Fantastical Fairytale” was written by Director Mark Dahl. The show took Place at Caesars Casino where nine contestants took place in the high energy pageant. through the efforts of Helfant and the Atlantic City GLBT Alliance. Since then, the production has established itself as a major entertainment tradition with its own identity. Helfant estimated this year's attendance exceeded last year's by approximately 350 to 400 people, despite the unusual Sunday night scheduling. Kressley, who grew up near Allentown, Pennsylvania, has longstanding ties to the Jersey Shore. His family regularly vacationed in Ocean City, and he recalled visiting Atlantic City in 1978 to see the newly opened Resorts International casino. He believes events like Miss'd America contribute to Atlantic City's tourism economy and help reinforce its identity as an entertainment des-

the most wonderful people live and work there." He credited local hospitality businesses for their support of Miss'd

As the newly crowned Miss'd America, Martini will represent the organization at community events and Pride celebrations throughout her reign, with potential appearances in Philadelphia, New York City, Asbury Park and other destinations. Organizers are also exploring a reunion performance featuring former Miss'd America titleholders. Meanwhile, Helfant is already looking ahead to the 2027 pageant, with hopes of announcing the next date

Miss' d America was hosted by Emmy award winner Carson Kressley. America through sponsorships and partnerships. "I think some a little bit less conventional things like Miss'd America can help do that," Kressley said, referring to promoting Atlantic City's future.

More than sequins and glitter

The celebrity judge panel, including special guest Miss America 1985 Suzette Charles

Atlantic City's enduring connection

Miss'd America began in 1994 as a lighthearted parody of the traditional Miss America Pageant, created by John Schultz and Gary Hill. After Miss America departed Atlantic City, Miss'd America went on hiatus before returning in 2010

October 15, 2026

tination. Kressley recalled speaking with longtime Caesars employees who remembered how the traditional Miss America Pageant once attracted visitors and national attention to the resort. "There's so much potential in Atlantic City," Kressley said. "We know

For Helfant, the pageant's significance extends well beyond entertainment. He pointed to Atlantic City's history as a welcoming destination for LGBTQ+ travelers, decades before the modern gay rights movement. "This pageant is so much more than sequins and glitter," Helfant said. "It's about diversity and inclusion and acceptance." He also emphasized the importance of providing performers with a platform to address issues such as bullying, discrimination and challenges affecting transgender youth. Kressley echoed that sentiment, noting that Miss'd America continues

and venue by Pride Month. And Kressley has no plans to trade his microphone for a crown anytime soon. Asked whether he would ever consider competing himself, the host laughed at the amount of work required to prepare a drag performance. "I'm just too lazy," he joked. "I'll just do what I do, which is host." Kressley is content to remain the master of ceremonies, helping bring together an evening where humor, artistry and heartfelt storytelling share the spotlight. As another Miss'd America Pageant comes to a close, its message remains as enduring as its glittering crowns: Everyone deserves a place to shine. For information about upcoming events and appearances, visit MissdAmerica.org. Sarah Fertsch of Egg Harbor Township holds a Bachelors of Arts in Public Relations. She is a locally renowned poet, storyteller, and dog lover.

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Atlantic City Bar One at Resorts Karaoke w/ Kelli Glover & Friends 7 p.m. – 12 a.m. 1133 Boardwalk Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino Live DJ 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 Triple Rail Turn 7 – 11 p.m. 1000 Boardwalk Egg Harbor Township Dooney’s Pub Bubba Bayer 7 – 9 p.m. 6823 Tilton Rd. Somers Point Anchorage Tavern Music Bingo 8:30 – 10 p.m. 823 Bay Ave. Caroline’s by the Bay Bob Kelly’s Dance Party 5 – 8 p.m. Karaoke Night w/ DJ Mike 8:30 p.m. – 12 a.m. 450 Bay Ave. Josie Kelly’s Toni Teschner & Billy Walton 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. 908 Shore Rd.

Friday, October 16

Atlantic City Bar One at Resorts Glenn Roberts 6 – 9 p.m. DJ Ahmed 9:15 p.m. – 2 a.m. 1133 Boardwalk Borgata B Bar Embers Trio 7:30 – 11 p.m. Porch Trio 11:30 p.m. – 3 a.m. 1 Borgata Way Council Oak Lounge at Hard Rock Minas Trio 6 – 10 p.m. 1000 Boardwalk Hard Rock Café The Original Copy 8:30 p.m. – 12 a.m. 1000 Boardwalk Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino Jimmy Brogan Duo 7 p.m. Garden State Radio 10 p.m. 500 Boardwalk

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget Amy Faden Duo 6 – 10 p.m. Party Wave 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. 600 Huron Ave. The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Yani 5 – 8:30 p.m. Mi Gente 9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m. 1000 Boardwalk Brigantine LaScala’s Beach House Adam & Min Duo 5:30 – 9 p.m. 1400 Ocean Ave. Egg Harbor Township The Roost Pub & Grill Friday Night Music Bingo 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. 500 St. Andrews Dr. Galloway 10th Hole at Pomona Freddie Maul 5 – 8 p.m. 400 W. Moss Mill Rd. Lakeside Lodge at Stockton University Lake Fred Radio Fest w/ Malcolm Tent, Samantha May, Soup, Starikova, Deardarkhead 3 p.m. 101 Vera King Farris Dr. Margate Bocca Jesse Dean of 2 Old Friends 6 – 9 p.m. 7805 Ventnor Ave. Mays Landing LaScala’s Mays XII Taylor Lenahan 7 – 10 p.m. 1855 Cates Rd. Millville Levoy Theatre The Artimus Pyle Band 8 p.m. 126-130 N. High St. Somers Point Anchorage Tavern DJ Chris 9 p.m. 823 Bay Ave. Caroline’s by the Bay The Maxx Band 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 450 Bay Ave. Josie Kelly’s The Turtle Heads 8 p.m. 908 Shore Rd. Tuckerton The Lizzie Rose Music Room Curtis Salgado 7:30 p.m. 217 E. Main St.

October 15, 2026

Saturday, October 17

Atlantic City Bar One at Resorts One Hot Mess 6 – 9 p.m. DJ Gary 9:15 p.m. – 2 a.m. 1133 Boardwalk Borgata B Bar Dan Jost Trio 7:30 – 11 p.m. Sami Eldebs Trio 11:30 p.m. – 3 a.m. 1 Borgata Way Council Oak Lounge at Hard Rock Amy Faden Trio 6 – 10 p.m. 1000 Boardwalk Hard Rock Café Indelible Groove 8:30 p.m. – 12 a.m. 1000 Boardwalk Lobby Bar at Harrah’s Big Daddy Duo 4 – 8 p.m. 777 Harrah’s Blvd. Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino Camille K Duo 7 p.m. 3AM Tokyo 10 p.m. 500 Boardwalk Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget Sindi Raymond Band 6 – 10 p.m. Sidestory

Photo credit: One Hot Mess Facebook 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. 600 Huron Ave. The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Band of Make Believe 5 – 8:30 p.m. Sean Patrick & The Alibis 9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m. 1000 Boardwalk Egg Harbor Township Dooney’s Pub Good Delivery 8 – 11 p.m. 6823 Tilton Rd. Galloway McGettigan’s The Lenahan Band 7 – 11 p.m. 500 S. New York Rd. Margate Bocca No Clue Duo 7 – 10 p.m.

7805 Ventnor Ave. Mays Landing LaScala’s Mays XII Steve Moore Duo 6 – 9 p.m. 1855 Cates Rd. Somers Point Anchorage Tavern Megan Knight 9 p.m. 823 Bay Ave. Caroline’s by the Bay The O’Fenders 3 – 7 p.m. Backyard Boys 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 450 Bay Ave. Josie Kelly’s

Chris Yoder Band 8 p.m. 908 Shore Rd. Tuckerton The Lizzie Rose Music Room Denise Miller & Son and Friends 7:30 p.m. 217 E. Main St.

Sunday, October 18

Atlantic City Bar One at Resorts Bar Bingo & Music w/ DJ Eric & DJ Proud 3 p.m. – 12 a.m. 1133 Boardwalk

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↘Continued from 51 Council Oak Lounge at Hard Rock Camille K 5 – 9 p.m. 1000 Boardwalk Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino Dueling Pianos 8 p.m. 500 Boardwalk The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Lulu & The Scouts 4 – 7:30 p.m. Sky City Social 8:30 – 11:30 p.m. 1000 Boardwalk Galloway McGettigan’s Kevin Kelly 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. 500 S. New York Rd. Somers Point Josie Kelly’s Traditional Irish Open Session 1 – 4 p.m. 908 Shore Rd.

Monday, October 19

Atlantic City Bar One at Resorts Karaoke w/ Kelli Glover & Friends 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 1133 Boardwalk The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Party Till Dawn 7 – 11 p.m. 1000 Boardwalk

Photo credit: Embers the Band Facebook

Tuesday, October 20 Atlantic City Bar One at Resorts Karaoke w/ Joe 7 p.m. – 12 a.m. 1133 Boardwalk 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 Caroline’s by the Bay Music Bingo w/ DJ Chris 7 – 9 p.m. 450 Bay Ave. Josie Kelly’s DJ Special K 5 – 9 p.m. 908 Shore Rd.

Wednesday, October 21 Atlantic City Bar One at Resorts DJ Gary

8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 1133 Boardwalk Council Oak Lounge at Hard Rock Oldies Trio 5 – 9 p.m. 1000 Boardwalk Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget Michael Stevens 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 600 Huron Ave. The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Embers the Band 7 – 11 p.m. 1000 Boardwalk Margate Bocca Live Jazz with Bob Sterling & The Bocca Boys 7 – 10 p.m. 7805 Ventnor Ave. Mays Landing LaScala’s Mays XII Connor Lenahan 6 – 9 p.m. 1855 Cates Rd. Somers Point Caroline’s by the Bay Open Mic Night w/ Blue Eagle 7:30 – 11:30 p.m. 450 Bay Ave. Josie Kelly’s Hope Music Fest 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. 908 Shore Rd.

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Fall wines from the Piemonte region of Italy Drink Up! By David Setley

all means cooler weather, evenings on the porch, pumpkin-spiced lattes, and, for wine enthusiasts, the return of red wine after a summer of whites and rosés. Though it may feel a bit early for the more full-bodied wines that take the lead in winter, you may be craving the depth and complexity of red wine on a cool autumn evening. In my opinion, the wines of the northern regions of Italy are among the best medium-bodied reds. In this article, we will look at the Piedmont region of Italy and the wines of a fabulous winery that has been there for four generations: Canine Povero. The Piemonte region is in the foothills of the Alps in the northwestern corner of Italy near the borders of Switzerland and France. Though much of Italy has a warm Mediterranean climate, this region is notably cooler, with a Continental climate similar to Burgundy, France. Vineyards in the region are commonly planted on the slopes of hills at elevations of 500-1200 feet. Almost 90% of winemaking occurs in the southernmost portion of the re-

gion, near the towns of Alba, Asti, and Alessandria. Winemaking in Piemonte is centuries old and dates to the Roman Empire. An outstanding winery from the Piemonte region is Cantine Povero. The history of this family-owned winery dates to 1837 when Francesco Povero purchased his first vineyard in D’Asti. In 1948, Bortolomeo Povero, known to the family as Nonno (Grandpa) Tumlin, inherited the vineyard and expanded operations. It is Tumlin’s love for the region’s land that is credited as the reason the wines of Cantine Povero are still valued and enjoyed today. In 1964, Grandpa Tumlin’s sons Giovanni and Michelino produced the first bottles of wine with the Cantine Povero brand on the label. Throughout the coming decades, the vineyards and winery have been expanded and modernized, allowing the Povero brand to expand distribution beyond the Piedmont region. Tumlin’s love for the environment was manifested in 2010 when the winery installed a photovoltaic system capable of generating 353,000 kW of energy per year on the roof of the environmentally modernized winery and again in 2019 when Cantine Povero earned organic certification.

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October 15, 2026

Today, Nonno Tumlin’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren are leading vineyard and winery operations. The dominant grape of the Piemonte, Nebbiolo, derives its name from a notable weather feature of the region. Nebbiolo is derived from “nebbia,” meaning fog. Although the Alps to the north shield the region from rain, the fog created by cool air to the north and much warmer air to the south is common. Fog may not be enjoyable to us, but it is certainly excellent for growing Nebbiolo! The Piedmont appellation most known for Nebbiolo is Langhe, located in the far southern section of the region. Langhe’s unique location makes for very cold and snowy winters, but very warm summers, allowing for a long growing season. Nebbiolo wines feature fruit notes of cherry, plum, and strawberry with earthy tones of leather, licorice, and herbs. Cantine Povero Langhe Nebbiolo is an affordable and perfect example of this varietal. Barbaresco is another appellation that produces a wine that, in typical Old-World fashion, bears the name of the subregion. This wine is also made from Nebbiolo grapes; the difference between the two is attributed to terroir. The soil in Barbaresco has higher nutritional content, which produces a grape/ wine with more fruit-forward aromatics and taste and less pronounced tannins, making it a perfect lighter-bodied red.

The lighter tannins and fruitier palate make Barbaresco wines very friendly with diverse foods, including lamb, duck, chicken, pork, salmon, tuna, and vegetables. A great one to try is the award-winning Cantine Povero Batù Barbaresco. Aged in oak barrels for at least two years and six months in the bottle, this wine has an aromatic profile of cherries and sweet baking spices. It is elegant and classy, with a delightful balance of fruit and savory earthiness. The tannins are light on the palate but provide a strong foundation that gives the wine structure and support. If you haven’t tried Barbaresco wine, autumn is the time. Barolo is known in Italy as the king of wines and the wine of kings due to its popularity with European royals in the 19th century. Once again, Barolo is 100% Nebbiolo grapes and is aged in oak barrels for a minimum of three years and an additional 6 to 12 months in the bottle. The Cantine Povero Priore Barolo is a classic DOCG-certified Barolo wine. The flavors are tart red cherry, raspberry, fresh violet, licorice, and subtle baking spices. This wine has well-structured, assertive tannins that are soft on the palate. Barolo wines can be quite expensive, but you will be very pleasantly surprised at how affordable Cantine Povero’s Priore Barolo is. The Piemonte is sometimes called the land of the three Bs: Barolo, Bar-

baresco, and the third, Barbera. Unlike the first two, Barbera is a grape, not an appellation, that grows in numerous locations, most of which are in this region. The wines made from Barbera are lighter-bodied with less tannins and a slightly higher acidity. If you like Pinot Noir, you will likely enjoy Barbera. The Cantine Povero Contrada Maestra Barbera d'Asti is 100% Barbera and is aged in stainless steel rather than oak. This allows the wine to express its beautifully fresh, bright cherry notes. Don’t confuse fruit with sweet. This is a dry wine with a fruit-forward flavor profile. I’d like to make one more stop in Monferrato, in the southeastern section of the Piemonte region. Dolcetto is one of the most misunderstood wine grapes in Italy. In Italian, “dolce” means sweet, which leads people to think this is a sweet wine. It is not! The Cantine Povero Capitano del Palio Monferrato Dolcetto is a dry red wine and is a wonderfully affordable example of this varietal. You will taste the fruit of black cherry, ripe plum, blackberry, blueberry, and dark raspberry with notes of black pepper, licorice and aromatic spices. I hope you enjoyed this brief tour of the Piemonte region and the wonderful wines of Cantine Povero produced there that are perfect for your fall enjoyment. As always, contact me with any questions or stop in the store. Until next time, arrivederci and happy wining!

October 15, 2026

Seasonal cocktails to bring a little flavor to your fall gatherings

By Marcella Curcio

s the weather gets cooler, our drink preferences start to change right along with the seasons. Warm spices, crisp apples, and tart cranberries feel right at home around a dinner table, at a holiday gathering, or during a cozy night in. Whether you are planning a holiday party or simply looking for something different to sip on after a long day, seasonal cocktails are an easy way to add a festive touch. Here are five fall-inspired drinks that bring together seasonal flavors, simple ingredients, and a few fun additions to make your next gathering feel a little more festive.

1. Apple Cider Margarita

Apple cider is a fall staple, whether served warm on a chilly afternoon or poured over ice for a refreshing seasonal drink. For a fun twist, why not give this classic autumn flavor a margarita makeover? This cocktail combines the sweetness of apple cider with smooth te-

quila and a hint of citrus. It is a great option for anyone who loves a margarita but wants something a little different from the traditional lime version. The cinnamon-sugar rim adds a touch of warmth, while thinly sliced apples or a cinnamon stick make the perfect garnish. What you’ll need: ● 2 ounces tequila, preferably a smooth blanco tequila ● 3 ounces apple cider ● ½ ounce fresh lemon juice ● ½ ounce triple sec, optional ● Cinnamon and sugar for the rim ● Thinly sliced apples or a cinnamon stick for garnish ● Ice How to make it: Mix cinnamon and sugar on a small plate. Moisten the rim of a glass with lemon juice and dip it into the mixture. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, tequila, apple cider, lemon juice, and triple sec if using it. Shake well and

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a fruit-forward red such as Tussock Jumper Malbec. A dry, medium- to full-bodied red is a good starting point for this recipe. Ask your local wine shop for a recommendation that suits your taste and budget. For an extra finishing touch, add a fresh orange slice and cinnamon stick to each mug. It is cozy, fragrant, and ideal for a chilly evening with friends.

3. Apple Cranberry Moscow Mule

strain into your prepared glass over fresh ice. Garnish with apple slices or a cinnamon stick. Optional twist: For an extra fall-inspired presentation, use a cinnamon-sugar rim and a thin apple slice. This one would be a fun addition to a fall dinner party or a Friendsgiving cocktail menu.

2. Slow-Cooker Mulled Wine

Some drinks are practically made for chilly weather, and mulled wine is certainly one of them. With its rich red-wine base and fragrant combination of warming spices, it is a timeless choice for fall and winter gatherings. The best part? It can be prepared in a slow cooker, allowing the aromas of cinnamon, cloves, citrus, and apples to fill your home while guests arrive. It is an especially nice option for hosting because it can stay warm throughout the gathering. What you’ll need: ● 1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine, such as Malbec ● 2 cups apple cider ● ¼ cup apple brandy, optional ● 2 cinnamon sticks ● 4–6 whole cloves ● 4–6 allspice berries ● A small pinch of freshly grated nutmeg ● 2–3 tablespoons honey, to taste ● 1 orange, thinly sliced ● 1 apple, thinly sliced How to make it: Add the wine, apple cider, brandy if you choose to do so, spices, honey, orange slices, and apple slices to a slow cooker. Heat on low for approximately two hours, allowing the flavors to mingle. Avoid bringing the mixture to a boil. Taste and adjust the sweetness if needed, then serve warm in mugs or heat-safe glasses. My recommendation: If you are looking for a bottle to try, consider

Cranberry and apple are two flavors that seem to belong together once fall arrives. Add the zing of ginger beer, and you have a refreshing cocktail that balances tartness, sweetness, and spice. A traditional Moscow Mule combines vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice. This seasonal version adds cranberry juice and sparkling apple juice for a festive twist. It is a great choice for those who prefer a lighter, bubbly cocktail rather than a warm, spice-forward drink. What you’ll need: ● 1½ ounces vodka ● 2 ounces cranberry juice ● 2 ounces sparkling apple juice ● 3 ounces ginger beer ● ½ ounce fresh lime juice ● Fresh cranberries and apple slices for garnish ● Ice How to make it: Fill a glass or traditional copper mug with ice. Add the vodka, cranberry juice, sparkling apple juice, and lime juice. Top with ginger beer and stir gently to combine. Finish with fresh cranberries and an apple slice. Optional twist: Use sparkling apple juice rather than regular apple juice to give the drink extra bubbles and a little celebratory feel. Fresh cranberries also make the presentation pop.

4. Cranberry Aperol Spritz

As an Aperol Spritz fan myself, I love the idea of bringing a little of that summer feeling into fall and winter. The familiar combination of bubbly prosecco and bittersweet Aperol gets a seasonal update with cranberry and orange juice. The result is bright, citrusy, and slightly tart, with a festive color that works beautifully for holiday entertaining.

↘Continued on 58 October 15, 2026

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↘Continued from 56 What you’ll need: 3 ounces prosecco ● 2 ounces Aperol ● 1 ounce cranberry juice ● ½ ounce orange juice ● A splash of sparkling water, optional ● Ice ● Orange slices, fresh cranberries, and a sprig of rosemary for garnish How to make it: Fill a large wine glass with ice. Pour in the prosecco, Aperol, cranberry juice, and orange juice. Add a splash of sparkling water if desired and stir gently. Garnish with an orange slice, a few cranberries, and fresh rosemary. Optional twist: Rosemary is an easy way to elevate the look of this cocktail. Paired with the orange slices and cranberries, it creates a festive presentation without adding much extra work. If you prefer a less sweet drink, start with a smaller amount of cranberry juice and adjust to taste. This cocktail is proof that you do not have to give up your favorite summer drinks just because the temperatures start to drop. ●

5. Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini

If you are like me and love a good espresso martini after a meal, adding

How to make it:

a little pumpkin spice is a fun way to give this popular cocktail a fall makeover. Coffee, vanilla, and pumpkin spice bring together some of the season's most recognizable flavors. What you’ll need: ● 1½ ounces vodka, preferably vanilla vodka if you enjoy a sweeter flavor ● 1 ounce coffee liqueur ● 1 ounce freshly brewed espresso, cooled ● ½–¾ ounce pumpkin spice syrup, to taste ● Ice ● Pumpkin spice whipped cream, optional ● A dash of cinnamon for garnish

Add the vodka, coffee liqueur, cooled espresso, pumpkin spice syrup, and ice to a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously until well chilled and frothy. Strain into a chilled martini glass. For a dessert-inspired finish, top with a small dollop of pumpkin spice whipped cream and a light sprinkle of cinnamon. My recommendation: Start with a smaller amount of pumpkin spice syrup and adjust according to your preference. The espresso and coffee liqueur already bring plenty of flavor, so a little pumpkin spice can go a long way. If you prefer a less sweet cocktail, use regular vodka and skip the whipped cream. It is a fun way to combine two

favorites — espresso martinis and all things pumpkin spice — into one seasonal drink.

Sip into the season

Fall entertaining does not have to mean an elaborate menu or hours spent preparing for guests. Sometimes, all it takes is a few thoughtful ingredients, a seasonal cocktail, and the people you enjoy spending time with. From the comforting warmth of slow-cooker mulled wine to the bright flavors of a cranberry Aperol Spritz, these recipes offer something for different tastes and occasions. Here’s to a flavorful fall, festive gatherings, and finding your next seasonal favorite — one sip at a time.

October 15, 2026

The new face of aesthetics: Looking like yourself, only refreshed

By Rachel King

hen we hear the words Botox and fillers, many of us pictured frozen foreheads, oversized lips and faces that no longer resembled the people we once knew. Social media hasn’t helped change that perception. The conversation surrounding injectables is changing. Many women aren’t looking to change their appearance. They want to preserve the features they have loved about themselves. I recently discussed the subject with two aesthetic providers for an episode of the “Lift & Glitz Podcast” titled “Botox & Fillers for Beginners.” We talked about misconceptions, fears surrounding injectables and the importance of choosing the right provider. One part of our conversation stood out. Women are bringing pictures of their younger selves to appointments. Not pictures of celebrities or filtered Instagram influencers. They are bringing pictures of themselves from five, 10 or 15 years ago and saying, “This is what I want to look like.”

That changes the narrative surrounding aesthetic treatments. We have long associated Botox and fillers with a desire to look different. But what these providers described was more personal. Women aren’t asking for completely new faces. They want subtle enhancements that help them feel more like themselves. As women, we experience many changes throughout our lives. Our bodies, skin and priorities change. Along the way, we may look in the mirror and notice that our reflection doesn’t match how we feel inside. One of the biggest misconceptions about Botox and fillers is that the results have to be obvious. We have all seen treatments that look exaggerated, and those images can make someone who is curious about injectables hesitant to schedule a consultation. However, there is growing interest in a natural-looking approach. The goal isn’t for everyone to notice

that someone has had something done. For many women, it is about looking well-rested and refreshed while still looking like themselves. Of course, every treatment is not right for every person. Botox and fillers are medical procedures with potential risks. Choosing a qualified, experienced provider who understands your goals is essential. Trust was another important part of our conversation. When considering an aesthetic treatment, especially for the first time, you should feel comfortable asking questions, discussing concerns and understanding what is realistic. A good consultation should address what you want and what makes sense for you. Sometimes, the right decision may be to do less — or nothing at all. I couldn’t help but connect this conversation to what I see at Lift & Glitz Training Studio. Women enter our studios with different goals and ideas about confidence. Some want to build

muscle or lose weight. Others want to feel stronger, healthier and more comfortable in their own skin. I always emphasize that the journey shouldn’t be about becoming someone else. It should be about becoming the best version of yourself. Whether we are discussing fitness or aesthetics, confidence shouldn’t be defined by someone else’s standards. There is nothing wrong with changing your appearance, just as there is nothing wrong with aging naturally without cosmetic treatments. What matters is understanding why you are making the decision and ensuring it is your own. And sometimes, that choice starts with an old photograph and the words, “I just want to look like me.” Whether you choose injectables or not, the goal should never be to look like someone else. It should be to feel confident being yourself. Rachel King is the founder and CEO of Lift & Glitz Training Studio, a women-only fitness community with locations in Northfield and Galloway, New Jersey, and the host of the Lift & Glitz Podcast: Lift Your Strength. Glitz Your Life.

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A Halloween tradition made accessible

By Cindy Christy Fertsch

hildren with autism and other developmental disabilities had an opportunity to enjoy a Halloween tradition designed with their needs in mind during the Scullville Volunteer Fire Company’s sensory-friendly hayride. Approximately 200 children, adults and family members attended the special event Saturday, Oct. 10, at Flemings Junkyard in Egg Harbor Township, home of the fire company’s annual Terror in the Junkyard attraction. Terror in the Junkyard is a longtime Halloween fundraiser featuring a haunted hayride and the Maze of Terror. During its regular operating hours, the attraction uses costumed characters, darkened trails, startling sounds and unexpected scares to create a frightening experience for visitors. The sensory-friendly hayride offered a different experience. Volunteers reduced the intensity by eliminating loud noises, flashing lights, sudden scares and lengthy waits. Children and their families could enjoy the decorated trail and

Halloween atmosphere in a calmer, more predictable setting. For families of children with sensory sensitivities, those adjustments can make the difference between attending an event and having to stay home. Crowds, flashing lights and unexpected sounds can be overwhelming for some people with autism and other developmental disabilities. Scullville Volunteer Fire Company Chief Vernon Cruse said the hayride is especially meaningful to him because his family has been personally touched by autism. “This is my favorite night of the year,” Cruse said. “The families are incredibly appreciative, and the event is especially meaningful to me because my son, Colton, is on the autism spectrum. It has become a favorite night for many of us.” The tradition began in 2012, when one local family approached then-Fire Chief Michael Fiedor about their son, who had autism. Their boy wanted to experience the hayride, but the noise, flashing lights and sudden scares of the traditional attraction would have been too overwhelming. Fiedor immediately expressed a willingness to help in any way possible. Other families in the community

the hayride. Shore Medical Center representatives provided families with information about the hospital’s sensory-friendly emergency room, laboratory and imaging services. “As a mom, seeing my kids experience the joy of a hayride in a place where they felt comfortable, safe and included meant more than words can express,” Kendall Rogers of Egg Harbor Township said. “For some families, it’s just a hayride. For ours, it was a chance to make beautiful memories without the worry of being overwhelmed. Seeing their smiles meant everything to me. We all appreciated everything they did for us.” The sensory-friendly hayride reflects what inclusion can look like in practice. The heart of the attraction remained intact, but thoughtful changes made it accessible to children who experience Halloween events differently. Through its continued commitment to the sensory-friendly hayride, the Scullville Volunteer Fire Company has created more than a seasonal event. It has created a welcoming tradition that allows families to celebrate Halloween together.

facing similar challenges were invited to join them. What began with one family’s request quickly became a beloved community event. The event has continued to grow, giving children with disabilities an opportunity to participate in the same seasonal traditions enjoyed by their siblings and peers. Egg Harbor Township Clean Communities was also on hand, distributing small gifts to each participant on

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October 15, 2026

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Meet the guard dogs of the AKC working group By Heidi Clayton

nown as the “blue-collar” workers of the dog world, the working group was established by the American Kennel Club in 1983 and consists of 32 breeds that were bred for the purposes of protecting humans and their property, protecting livestock, performing water rescue, or pulling carts or sleds. The majority of the dogs in the working group are big, powerful, and muscular breeds that might not be the best choice for firsttime dog owners if you are not ready to put some work into training them. This week, I am going to focus on the protectors of the working group. While the AKC may have only created the working group in 1983, the breeds within it are some of the oldest known to man. The Neapolitan Mastiff can be traced back to at least 700 B.C., when they were used by the Romans to fight in wars, pull carts, and later to instill fear into intruders merely by their intimidating looks. The Akita was developed in the Akita Prefecture of Japan roughly 10,000 years ago and was not only used to protect Japan's elite members of society but also to hunt boar, elk, and

even bears. The Mastiff breeds are the largest dogs in the working group and can range in weight anywhere from 160 to 230 pounds. Plus, all of them were bred for protection. While they are docile with their owners and fiercely loyal, breeds like the South African Boerboel were bred to protect rural South African farms from both livestock thieves as well as predators like lions and baboons. While they are incred- The majority of the dogs in the working group are big, ibly loyal to their families, they powerful, and muscular breeds. are wary of strangers and will not back down when provoked. The from harm. The Doberman was creatBullmastiff, who was bred to chase ed by a German tax collector named and hold poachers down, will also be Louis Doberman, who used the sleek suspicious of strangers. Both breeds and formidable dog to travel with him are known for their ability to be in and bite anyone who attempted to sync with their owners and take cues rob him. Rottweilers were bred to from them on who is safe and who protect the Roman legions’ livestock isn’t. The Tibetan Mastiff is an ancient and valuables. Money and valuables guard dog that was bred specifically were tied around their necks, almost to endure the cold winters of Tibet daring thieves to try and steal from and be a guard dog supreme. They them. The Black Russian Terrier was specifically created by the Red Army weigh in over 100 pounds and can stand 26 inches high at the shoulders. circa 1930 to chase down prisoners Breeds like the Doberman Pinin the Russian gulags. All of these scher and Rottweiler were one hunbreeds will need early training and dred percent bred to protect humans socialization, with an understanding of what they were bred to do. Breeds such as the corded Komondor and the Great Pyrenees were bred to protect livestock. Both have very thick, heavy coats designed to help them live outdoors and blend into the flock. While they are not outwardly aggressive in nature, they may be aloof with strangers and thrive when fulfilling their innate duty of keeping their flocks safe from harm. Both were formidable fighters

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against bears, coyotes, and wolves. They are known for having an imposing presence when confronted. The Anatolian Shepherd was imported to the United States to protect flocks and is known for having the ability to intimidate predators like wolves away from their herds. The guard dogs of the working group are all known to be incredibly loyal and devoted to their families. As the need for having a protector dog has decreased in our modern times, many of their temperaments have been fine-tuned to not be as outwardly aggressive. However, their innate need to keep everyone safe remains. If large, powerful dogs and challenges intrigue you, give the guardians of the working group a try. The guard dogs of the working group include the Akita, Anatolian Shepherd, Black Russian Terrier, Boerboel, Bullmastiff, Cane Corso, Doberman Pinscher, Dogue de Bordeaux, Giant Schnauzer, Great Pyrenees, Komondor, Kuvasz, Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Rottweiler, and the Tibetan Mastiff. If you have any questions, please email me at fouronthefloorschool@ gmail.com. Heidi Clayton started Four On the Floor Dog Training to provide positive, reward-based dog training in South Jersey. She breeds, trains and shows bull terriers under the SoraBully’s Bull Terriers kennel name. Email questions to heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining. net or learn more at https://fouronthefloordogtraining.net

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October 15, 2026

She got the house A Senior’s Observations, Opinions and Rantings

Senior Moments By Charles P. Eberson

ecently, I accepted some freelance work that required my presence at one of Atlantic City’s marinas for nearly a month. I must say, the experience was enlightening because I met a variety of interesting people, some of whom could have come straight from the movie industry’s Central Casting. Some lived on boats that would have made tiny houses look palatial. The sleeping quarters I was going to use were not much larger than the space inside an MRI machine.

The boaters ranged from the old and bedraggled, drinking and dancing to music provided by a live band, to well-heeled Ralph Lauren model look-alikes. I found the boating community to be very welcoming, especially when people learned I was photographing boats for a yacht sales company. Of course, there is always one. While I was walking along a dock, a man approached and challenged me about what I was doing there, demanding to know who I was. In response, I asked who he thought he was and told him I had no obligation to answer his question. While he stuttered and stammered, apparently shocked that I had the temerity to answer him, I beat a hasty retreat. I was not looking to escalate matters any further. I took special interest in the ingenuity boaters showed when naming their vessels and wondered how the practice became commonplace. Practicality is one reason. A name provides a way to identify a vessel for communication and registration.

October 15, 2026

But I prefer the explanation rooted in ancient maritime folklore: the belief that an appropriately named vessel would protect its crew from danger and misfortune at sea. It was a sort of offering to the gods of the sea, whether Neptune or Poseidon. I doubt many of the names I encountered would do much to protect their crews, but I still found them amusing. As the title of this column states, "She Got the House" was a favorite. Several others also had a financial focus, including Alimony, Kid’s Inheritance, Knot Working and 401K. Then there were Sole Custody and Joint Custody, docked next to each other. I later learned they were owned by the same person. I guess they worked things out. O t h er b oat s had names with a more musical slant, familiar to fellow baby boomers: Here Comes the Sun, Just Another Day in Paradise, Peaceful Easy Feeling, Rock the Boat, Summer Wind, Rock Me Gently and Easy Like Sunday Morning. Other favorites stood out for their creativity: Anchor Management, DIJABRINGABEERALONG, Now Who’s the Loser Dad, Never Too Late, Partners in Crime, Shaken Knot Stirred, Nauti Buoys and Key of Sea. The last one was obviously owned by a musician, with musical notes displayed on the stern. Joy Sea, an apparent nod to the Garden State, along with Reel Estate and Saline Solution, nearly rounded out the names that caught my attention. Then, while I was caught up in my duties, one name caused me to pause and laugh at myself. Right there on the stern of a boat facing me was the name its owner had chosen. Perhaps it was a reminder to himself or a message to whoever needed to read it: PATIENCE. Charles Eberson has been in the newspaper business for over 25 years. He has worked as a writer, advertising executive, circulation manager and photographer. His photography can be viewed at charles-eberson.fineartamerica.com

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Bringing South Jersey together to fight hunger: A conversation with Torrina Bennett-Michael Coastal Conversations By Alanna Stoloff

ood insecurity affects neighbors across South Jersey, including children, students and families who may struggle to find their next meal. Addressing that need takes more than food. It takes people willing to bring a community together. As senior director of external affairs at the Community FoodBank of New Jersey’s Southern Branch, Torrina Bennett-Michael helps connect community support with efforts to fight hunger across the region. That spirit of giving will be on full display Oct. 28, when the South Jersey Women Fighting Hunger Luncheon brings supporters to The Carriage House in Galloway. Bennett-Michael shares what led her to this work, the needs facing local communities and how an afternoon together can inspire people to stay involved long after the event ends. AS: What first drew you to community service, and what brought you to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey? TBM: I've always viewed myself as a servant leader. Throughout my career, I've been drawn to roles that allow me to make a meaningful difference in people's lives. Whether working in higher education to support students, serving individuals with intellectual and developmental dis-

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abilities, or now working with neighbors experiencing food insecurity, the common thread has always been a commitment to helping others thrive. For me, this work is about more than providing food. It's about dignity, equity, and ensuring that every person has the opportunity to reach their full potential. AS: How does the CFBNJ reach neighbors across Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties? TBM: The Community FoodBank of New Jersey reaches neighbors across Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties through a network of approximately 300 community partners, including local food pantries, soup kitchens, churches and other nonprofit organizations. Our work is truly collaborative. We may provide the food, but it's the collective efforts of our partners, volunteers, donors and community supporters that allow us to reach so many neighbors and make a meaningful impact. AS: What are you seeing right now in terms of local need, and what do you wish more people understood about hunger in our coastal communities? TBM: What we're seeing is that

October 15, 2026

food insecurity affects people from all walks of life. It's working families, seniors on fixed incomes, individuals with disabilities and even people who have lived and worked in these communities for years. The cost of housing, utilities and other basic necessities can put tremendous pressure on household budgets, leaving families with difficult choices between buying groceries, paying rent, covering utility bills or filling a prescription. I wish more people understood how close to home hunger really is. I want people to understand that food insecurity is not a personal failing; it's often the result of economic pressures that make it difficult for people to keep up. AS: What is Women Fighting Hunger, and what makes this group's approach to supporting the FoodBank meaningful to you? TBM: Women Fighting Hunger is a volunteer group of passionate, community-minded women who are committed to supporting the Community FoodBank of New Jersey and helping address food insecurity in South Jersey. These women are not simply writing a check or attending an event; they are investing their time, talent, relationships, and resources to make a difference in the lives of their neighbors. AS: What can guests look forward to at the Oct. 28 luncheon at

October 15, 2026

The Carriage House, and what do you hope they take away from the experience? TBM: Guests can look forward to an inspiring afternoon of connection, conversation, and purpose. This year, we're excited to welcome Priya Fielding-Singh, sociologist, researcher and author of "How the Other Half Eats." My hope is that guests leave feeling both inspired and informed, with a deeper understanding of the realities of food insecurity and a Torrina Bennett-Michael helps connect community renewed sense of what they can support with efforts to fight hunger across the region. do to help. AS: How does support from the has really stayed with me. A mother luncheon translate into help for chilat our Community Assistance Pantry dren, students and families here in shared that her child's birthday was South Jersey? approaching, but she didn't have the TBM: For children, access to numeans to purchase a birthday cake. tritious food helps them focus, learn, It was something many of us might and grow. For college students, it can take for granted, but for her, it was mean being able to concentrate on one more thing she was struggling their education without the constant to provide for her child. Our team stress of wondering where their next immediately sprang into action. Coinmeal will come from. And for families, cidentally, we had received a donation it can provide some breathing room in of bakery goods from a local store, household budgets, allowing them to and we were able to help make that stretch their resources to cover other birthday a little more special. That essential expenses. moment reminded me that our work AS: Is there a moment from your is about so much more than putting work that has stayed with you, one food on the table. that captures the difference a caring AS: For someone inspired to get community can make? involved, how can they attend or supTBM: There's one moment that port the luncheon and stay engaged

in fighting hunger throughout the year? TBM: There are so many ways to get involved, and we welcome anyone who shares our commitment to fighting hunger. Attending the Women Fighting Hunger luncheon on Oct. 28 at The Carriage House in Galloway is a wonderful place to start. Beyond the luncheon, there are opportunities to volunteer, donate, support food drives, and help spread awareness about hunger in South Jersey. Fighting hunger is a year-round commitment, and it takes all of us working together. To learn more about the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, visit www.cfbnj.org. Thank you, Torrina, for sharing your story and for your dedication to our neighbors. Your work reminds us that when a community comes together, it can bring comfort and hope to families across South Jersey. Coastal Conversations highlights people in our community who are making a meaningful impact. If you know someone who would be a great fit for a future column, please contact me at ShoreCoastalConversations@ gmail.com. From the shore to your door, let’s keep the conversation going.

Shore Medical Center to honor board chairman David Beyel at annual gala

or nearly four decades, David Beyel has helped Shore Medical Center provide exceptional health care to the community. His involvement extends beyond the boardroom, encompassing major decisions about the hospital’s future and personal connections with caregivers and patients. Shore Medical Center will honor Beyel, chairman of its Board of Trustees, at the annual “A Cause to Celebrate” Gala on Friday, Nov. 6, at the Golden Nugget Casino Hotel in Atlantic City. The event will recognize Beyel’s contributions while raising funds for patient care. Beyel’s relationship with Shore began in 1987 when he joined the hospital’s Properties Board. He later served on the nursing home board before joining the Board of Trustees in 1992. Early in his tenure, Beyel visited an employee undergoing dialysis at Shore and learned about improvements that could make treatments more comfortable. He helped secure new dialysis equipment that shortened treatments by approximately

45 minutes and made the unit more welcoming. When he returned, patients greeted him with applause. “I have a tear in my eye right now,” Beyel recalled more than three decades later. The moment made him realize, “I’m helping people.” It also reinforced a lesson from his father: It is better to give than receive. In addition to serving on the board, Beyel financially supports Shore and regularly attends employee recognition dinners, Guardian Angel ceremonies, volunteer celebrations and fundraisers. “I don’t want to miss anything,” Beyel said, explaining that he values representing the community and supporting hospital employees. Rick Traa, who joined Shore’s board in 1974 and has served alongside Beyel for more than three decades, has witnessed that commitment. “He gives his time, he gives his talent, he gives his finances,” Traa said. “His goal has always been to see the hospital be the best possible hospital it can be.”

Traa recalled Beyel joining a Joint Commission review meeting by telephone while vacationing in France. He also praised Beyel’s preparation and interest in employees. “He just goes the extra mile for every individual,” Traa said. “He cares about the employees.” Pattye Herron, secretary to the board, said Beyel brings passion and intensity to his role.

“He’s very focused on the hospital as a family, as the people, not just as an institution,” Herron said. “He’s in the trenches.” Shore Medical Center President and CEO David R. Hughes praised Beyel’s guidance, generosity and dedication. “When you add up the hours he has devoted to this hospital over the years, it’s the equivalent of working 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for an entire year,” Hughes said. “That speaks volumes about the kind of person he is and how much Shore means to him.” Beyel credits his wife, Sandi; son, David Jr.; and daughter, Casey, for supporting his work with Shore. For Beyel, the reward comes from seeing the hospital’s impact. “I don’t get tired of it at all,” he said. “It’s in my blood.” Tickets and sponsorship opportunities for the Nov. 6 gala are available, with proceeds benefiting patient care. For information, contact Business Development Manager Jessica Giles at 609-653-3986 or Jessica. Giles@shoremedicalcenter.org.

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October 15, 2026

Allen B. Townsend

Ruth M. Halliday

Allen B. Townsend, 97, of Egg Harbor Township, entered into God’s kingdom peacefully on October 10, 2026, at The Shores, a UMC community. Born on August 31, 1929, at Scotch Hall in Ocean City, New Jersey, Allen was the son of the late Dr. John B. Townsend and Edna Sonenwald King. He was also predeceased by his stepmother, Matilda Boose Townsend; stepfather, Judge Franklin King; brother, Dr. John B. Townsend, Jr.; and great-grandson, Julian Tarves. Allen was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his beloved wife, Joanne; sons, Mark of Mullica Hill and John of Estell Manor; daughters, Linda and her husband, Rob Aponte, of St. Cloud, Florida, and Laura and her husband, Gavin Taormina, of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania; and stepsons, Robert Gillinder and his wife, Kristy, of Pflugerville, Texas, and Michael DeFranco and his wife, Anne Shuniak, of West Chester, Pennsylvania. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jessica Tarves of Houston, Texas; Shannon Tarves of Marmora, New Jersey; Kyle Townsend of Ocean City, New Jersey; Brooke Townsend of Richmond, Virginia; and Katelyn Zubey of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania; step-grandchildren, Isabella Gillinder and Noah Gillinder, both of Pflugerville, Texas; and his faithful companion, Molly. The family extends special thanks to Kathleen DeFranco for the many fried peanut butter sandwiches she shared with Allen and to Brian DeFranco for always being there whenever he was needed. Allen graduated from Ocean City High School in 1949, where he played football and served as senior class president. He continued his education at Susquehanna University, Monmouth College, and Stockton College, as well as a South Jersey trade school specializing in air conditioning and refrigeration. He later earned a certificate in engineering from Temple University. Allen proudly served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army Signal Corps in Germany during the Korean War from 1949 to 1953. A board-certified electrical contractor in New Jersey, he owned and operated Beesley’s Point Enterprises, Inc. He also dedicated 40 years of service to the New Jersey Highway Authority, working as an electrical supervisor for the Garden State Parkway. A lifelong supporter of service and community, Allen was a member of the Boy Scouts of America as a child. He remained actively involved in the Ocean City Masonic Lodge No. 171, the Crescent Temple of the Shriners, and the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. He was also a founding sponsor of the National Museum of the U.S. Army. Allen was a longtime member of Central United Methodist Church in Linwood, where his faith was an important part of his life. He enjoyed boating, embraced his enthusiasm for technology, and remained a faithful Philadelphia Eagles fan. Allen will be remembered for his devotion to his family, his commitment to his work and community, his enduring faith, and the many personal connections that enriched his life. His funeral service will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026 at 11 am at Central United Methodist Church, 5 Marvin Avenue, Linwood, New Jersey, where friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will follow at Seaside Cemetery in Palermo, New Jersey. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org

Born May 9, 1934 in Collingswood, NJ the beloved daughter of Laura and Russell Moore and sister to Russell Jr., Alice, Bette, and Louise Moore. Ruth was a graduate of Collingswood High School where she met her late husband Albert F. Halliday and started a family for the ages. Ruth and Al had five children in Collingswood before moving to the south end of Ocean City in 1966. The “south end” was a different world in 1966 and Ruth built a special place for the family with so many memories. Soon after moving to Ocean City Ruth went to work for the family insurance business of Chattin-Halliday Insurance Co. while managing the affairs on the home front. Ruth was a very efficient account manager in the day. In 1991 the family business was sold and became The McMahon Agency where Ruth worked until deciding to get into the construction business. She then went to work for Halliday Leonard General Contractors where she became insurance specialist and developed many close relations throughout the community. Aside from Ruth’s career life she was a frequent patron of “Ready’s Coffee Shop” along with “Sugar n Spice” market and “Kessel’s Korner”. Ruth and Al were dedicated members of the First Presbyterian church for over 50 years where Ruth lead her bible study group which brought her so much joy. Ruth and Al set the example for their children and grandchildren prioritizing faith and family throughout their lives. Ruth’s main focus in life was her family who visited her regularly. Her family grew from five children, Scott (Janie), Andrew (Lorraine), Craig (Amy), Kevin (Viva), Susan (Matthew) to eighteen grandchildren and forty one great grandchildren. Ruth was dedicated, devoted and entirely immersed in her family. Her kind, comforting and sweet touch was present to all in her family and all who knew her. To know her was to love her. Ruth’s sweet touch was also accompanied by a fierce and ferocious presence at any OCHS sporting event. Her intensity level and protectionist behavior at any football game or wrestling match was nothing you wanted to mess with. Through the sporting events, church activities and community venues Ruth and Al created bonds that have lasted for life. Ruth and Al moved to The Shores at Wesley Manor in 2023. The family would like to sincerely thank those who cared and comforted them through their stay. Most importantly, the family would also like to thank Shore Medical Center for the care and compassion they experienced for their medical needs over the years when they needed care. Ruth’s Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 11 O’clock at First Presbyterian Church of Ocean City, 7th Street at Wesley Avenue, Ocean City, NJ where her viewing will begin at 9 O’clock. She will be buried next to her beloved husband Al immediately following the church service. In memory of Ruth and the newborn chimes, donations can be made to Shore Medical Center, Maternity Unit, at 100 Medical Way, Somers Point, NJ 08244. Arrangements by The Godfrey Funeral Home of Ocean City. Condolences for the family may be left at www.godfreyfuneralhome.com

Postcards From The Past

The Blue Comet was a luxury train that ran between Jersey City NJ and Atlantic City from 1929 to 1941. You could travel from Manhattan to AC in 3 hours for a round trip fare of $5.20 (by 1941, that fare was $8.40) The train had a dining car, an observation car, a smoking car, a ladies' lounge, and was air conditioned. Its top speed was 90 MPH, but it averaged 70 MPH.

October 15, 2026

Common estate planning mistakes: Part 1 By T. Eric Reich

ast week, I wrote about the general estate planning process. While it can be simple in some cases, there are certain things you’ll want to look out for and mistakes you’ll want to avoid. Poor estate documents can lead to people accidentally cutting loved ones out of inheritances, paying big tax bills unnecessarily, and saddling families with expensive, head-scratching legal battles. Here are five mistakes – from the obvious to the obscure – people tend to make when planning their estates:

1. Beneficiary blunders

Not naming a contingent beneficiary on retirement accounts and insurance policies — or failing to review beneficiaries often enough — can be a big mistake. The default if no contingent beneficiary is picked is likely your estate, which may be subject to probate, creditors, delays, etc. Forgetting to change an ex-spouse on an IRA can have unfavorable consequences for your new spouse or family. Note that in a retirement plan, your new spouse

becomes your beneficiary the day you get married, but not in an IRA. If you don’t want your current spouse to be the beneficiary of your retirement plan, then they must agree to you naming someone else. And no, your prenuptial agreement doesn’t matter in this case, because only a spouse can waive those rights, and a fiancée isn’t a spouse yet.

2. 'Selling' property for $1

This was popular years ago in areas that saw very rapid land appreciation. For example, when my grandfather moved to Avalon, he paid almost nothing for his bayfront properties. Today, those lots would sell for millions of dollars. The theory was that you could sell it for a very low price and not have to pay taxes on the gain and remove it from your estate. You can sell property for whatever you want. However, the IRS will deem it a gift if it is less than market value, and your heirs will lose the “step up” in value. Here is an example: If you inherit a property worth $1 million and sell it for $1 million, you may pay no tax. But if you “buy” it for $1 and sell it for $1 million, you pay tax on the $999,999 gain.

3. Naming specific investments in your will

Specific bequests are handled first, and the person who died might not even own that investment anymore. Their estate might be required to purchase the investment at a much higher price, which could hurt all of the other beneficiaries.

4. Not having a residuary clause

A residuary clause deals with everything you didn’t specifically name in your will, forgot to put in your will or trust, things you don’t yet own but will before your death, and things you might not know you own. This happens more than you think.

5. Leaving assets directly to a minor without assigning a custodian

Who will handle the money for them? In addition, you’ll want to choose the custodian carefully. Define “for their benefit.” Does a new Escalade count because the kids won’t fit in my Honda Civic? That phrase welcomes a whole host of potentially abusive interpretations. Be sure to read next week’s column, which will cover five more

mistakes. In the meantime, consider contacting a qualified estate planning attorney to review your situation. Feel free to reach out if you have questions or need a recommendation.

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.

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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October 15, 2026

Weekly Horoscopes

The Cosmic Connection By Ursula Duffy

Rising sign horoscopes for Oct. 15-21

Aries: A creative endeavor that may have had a fleeting feeling becomes closer to reality. Hold your own ground and personal authority as a potential partner may show up just in time. Taurus: This week reinforces the adage that the universe has your back. A more solid foundation forms to support you. Devote your attention equally between waking life and dreaming. Gemini: The gift this week holds for you is the potential to finally be heard by your peers. Striking the right

balance between your roar and your spark is key to holding the microphone. Cancer: The devotion you have in your occupation could be rewarded this week. The boost is accompanied by lasting effects for you personally, professionally, as well as in your domicile. Leo: In response to any recurring challenges to your beliefs or perspectives, you may find it easier to roar with grace. As your personal power is amplified, embody your inner crusader! Virgo: This week may feel akin to an underworld journey. Getting pulled deeper into the undercurrents of yourself creates space for profound self-discovery. You are your greatest resource.

Live in Touch with Your Soul URSA ALCHEMY is a unique blend of Astrology, Aromatherapy and Cosmic Guidance co-created with the Cosmos, Plants and Spirit. Offering Astrological Aromatherapy, a variety of Astrology readings, Aromatherapy consults and products, the Becoming Chiron podcast, downloadable classes and guided meditations. Ursula is the author of The Cosmic Connection weekly horoscopes and astrology summaries featured here in Shore Local Newsmagazine!

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Libra: Being in committed partnership with others can open doors to new networks. Staying true to oneself and maintaining balance within are magnetic to those with like-minded passions. Scorpio: Dedication to your vessel and holistic wellness is key to the vibrance of your work. Balancing rest, retreat, and refilling your own well with your daily grind is essential to shining your light. Sagittarius: It’s an ideal week for a leap of faith. Give yourself the nudge to pull the trigger on something you’ve been waiting to introduce to the world. Create momentum with courageous action. Capricorn: It’s your week to shine in the public arena, Capricorn. Lean into your own resourcefulness and the solid foundation you’ve worked so hard to build. It’s OK to ask for help. Aquarius: Speak up for yourself. This is an excellent week to be your own advocate in a relationship that’s no longer supporting your best interests. Pruning is essential to new growth. Pisces: The whisper to change things up in your daily routines grows louder this week. You’ll feel better about yourself by pumping the brakes on anything that depletes your vitality.

Weekly astrology summary:

Endurance, stamina, and finally pushing over the hump of something that has had us feeling like Sisyphus are abundant in this week’s cosmic energies. The first breath of some forward momentum comes from the end of potent Pluto’s annual retrograde on Oct. 15. The underworld lord’s re-

peating review of the early Aquarian degrees has turned some more hidden molecules into fuel, which in turn fuels us in our connection to this part of the zodiac and ourselves. The next is a harmonious connection between a fiery, inspired Mars in Leo and steadfast Saturn in Aries that persists all week. When these two work together, it can show up for us as a breakthrough, or that final push that was needed to get through something or have something we’ve been working toward finally begin to come to fruition. The light at the end of the tunnel can be seen, and that last bit of potential energy to get there is available. How this week’s energies support each of us personally is also met with a sense of mastery and reliance on muscle memory. The source of this comes Oct. 21 as the sun in relationship-oriented Libra opposes Chiron in independent Aries for the last time in many decades. We’ve been experiencing this face-off once per year for the last seven years. This is a final checkpoint about remaining true to one’s own identity versus one’s identity in relationships. With the supportive backbone from the Mars and Saturn connection, mastering the lesson during this final challenge should come with ease. Your own power may surprise you! This week’s horoscopes are focused on the endurance of Mars in Leo connecting with Saturn in Aries; see the above horoscope for your rising sign for more specific insight and guidance. If you’re unsure what your rising sign is, you can email me at ursaalchemy@gmail.com, learn more in my tutorial video on my Ursa Alchemy YouTube channel, or cast your own birth chart for free on astro.com.

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Infuse your garden with the rich colors of fall By Tammy Thornton

sk anyone what their favorite thing about fall is, and the most likely response will be the beautiful colors of the season. Falling leaves with golden, orange, and ruby-red colors somehow bring a much-needed warmth to the otherwise cool, crisp autumn air. In contrast, gardens during this time of year are often past their prime and tend to look brown and crumbly. But why should trees have all the fun? With minimal effort, you can infuse the colors of fall into your garden, giving it new life. Plant velvety cockscomb celosia in your garden for its unique flowers The cheery “ faces” of pansies will bring happiness to your fall garden. Of course, chrysanthemums and vibrant color. schach test, based on your interpre(mums) are the quintessential fall to grow fuller and tation of these flower heads. flower. Who can resist their rich burceous perennial. When frost arrives less “leggy.” Give them another hairPansies will not only add color to gundy, yellow, orange, red, bronze, in South Jersey, the plants will die cut in summer, but stop pruning by pink, purple, and pink colors? We off above ground, but underground, the Fourth of July, so that you are not your garden, but a bit of cheer. These often use them as annuals, enjoying the roots will go into a dormant state. cutting off future blooms. To maxcool-season flowers have happy little their colorful flowers for a short time, In the spring, you can cut away the imize the blooms of potted mums, “faces” that will smile back at you and then tossing them to the curb after brown and dried tops of the plant to choose plants that have tight and parlaugh at the cold. I have seen these reveal fresh new growth as the plant blooming. But mums are actually petially closed flowers, make sure you flowers, which come in a myriad of rennial flowers that can be planted in wakes up from its winter slumber. By give them plenty of water, and do not colors, blooming under the snow. Ofthe ground and will bloom year after late spring, you will see your perenlet them dry out. Make sure the pots ten in the earliest days of spring, you year. As you add new mums each fall, will find new blooms on your pansies nial mums take off and begin to grow have good drainage, and deadhead over time, you will soon have a taptaller. At this point, you will want to the flowers as they finish blooming. in an amazing feat of survival. If the For some nontraditional fall flowestry of colorful flowers brightening trim your mums and snip off one or flowers grow tall and lanky, simply your path. Mums are a type of herbatwo inches. This will encourage them ers, celosia can add color and interpinch off spent blooms low in the est to your garden, while attracting stem, and they will bloom more fully. pollinators. You will often find three In addition to these cheery flowers, different types of celosia at our garden nurseries, and each variety is widely different from the other. Wheat or spike celosias are the most attractive to pollinators, and you will see bees humming and butterflies dancing around their spiky magenta and pink flowers. Plumed celosia will make your garden look like it is on fire with Mums, the quintessential fall flower, can be planted in the its flaming flowers garden and will return year after year. of red, yellow, and orange. When you see these flowers, offer pollinators “Autumn Joy” sedum you will understand why the name is that will provide late-season nectar derived from an ancient Greek word for bees and butterflies. This type meaning burning. Cockscomb is one of sedum is one of the easiest types to propagate from cuttings. You can of the most unique types of celosia. Depending on your perspective, you soon fill your garden with sedum or might describe this variety as living have enough to share with a friend. We would love to hear about your velvet, and you won’t be able to resist favorite fall flowers. Send your comtouching the fascinating flowers. On the other hand, you might think the ments or questions to: shorelocalgarunique curvy flower heads look like dener@gmail.com. coral, or with thoughts of Halloween Tammy Thornton lives with her husband, children, and crazy pets ahead, you could describe them as while enjoying a life of gardening, looking brain-like. Perhaps celosia could be used as a modern-day Rorcooking, and going to the beach.

October 15, 2026

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Scary Movies

Shore Local Trivia: Name That Springsteen Song

G W G

O W

U HALLOWEEN PSYCHO N O C R E O SHINING B Y S U M T EXORCIST NIGHTMAREONELMSTREET E A C X E K RING POLTERGEIST R W Q W U N GETOUT I W F N K I ALIEN SALEMSLOT Q M F U T G OMEN K A U W K H SCREAM FRIDAYTHETHIRTEENTH H E F A C T SAW L R S S D M CONJURING SMILE R C Z S M A CARRIE T S O J R R

H W

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A. Jersey Girl

B. Sandy

C. Atlantic City

Bruce Springsteen has romanticized the Jersey Shore for a half century since releasing Greetings from Asbury Park in 1973. Can you match the lyrics with the songs? 1. “It’s all cold down along the beach, the wind’s whipping down the boardwalk” 2. “Cause down the shore everything’s all right, you and your baby on a Saturday night” 3. “And you know that tilt-a-whirl down on the south beach drag, I got on it last night and my shirt got caught” 4. “And my tires were slashed and I almost crashed, but the Lord had mercy, And my machine, she’s a dud, out stuck in the mud somewhere in the swamps of Jersey” 5. “Everything dies, baby, that's a fact, but maybe everything that dies some day comes back. Put your makeup on, fix your hair up pretty, and meet me tonight in…..”

D. Rosalita (Come Out Tonight) E. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

Postcards From The Past

Castle Dracula was a combination walk-through and boat ride on the Wildwood boardwalk. The castle was built in 1977 by the Nickels family on top of a pre-existing old mill ride. The old mill, which was originally constructed in 1919, was transformed into the dungeon boat ride, and the upper level became known as Castle Dracula. Castle Dracula met its drastic death in a massive fire on January 16th 2002. Two teenagers were charged with arson

October 15, 2026

SUDOKU Solution on page 74

THEME: THINGS GHASTLY AND MACABRE

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ACROSS 1. *Like Freddy Krueger's fingertips 6. Roman goddess of fertility 9. Late comedian Bob 13. Painter's support 14. Ornamental pond dweller 15. New York's amusement Island 16. *Morticia to Fester 17. Not decaf. 18. *____ hell, or cause trouble 19. *Bram Stoker creation 21. *Dea de los ____ 23. Geological period 24. Queen of Spades, e.g. 25. It's all the rage 28. *Like Zombie's skin color 30. Fine-____ pen 35. Miners' passage 37. Marinate, e.g. 39. Miss America's topper 40. Unacceptable 41. Proprietor 43. Jet black 44. One thousand in a kilogram 46. Country dance formation 47. Cincinnati players 48. Croatia's neighbor 50. Shower with affection 52. *Horror movie actor Christopher 53. Fireplace conduit 55. French vineyard 57. *Like some Mansions 61. *Paris Opera House inhabitant 65. Come to terms 66. Indigo extract 68. Quickly fry 69. Sucrose 70. Long time 71. "Sesame Street" Muppet 72. Jury colleague 73. Tire depression 74. Slap

DOWN 1. Email button 2. *Medusa's snakes 3. Between ports 4. Reconnaissance, for short 5. Lung-covering membrane 6. Southern stew staple 7. *Author known as Master of the Macabre 8. Fraternal letter 9. Gray-haired 10. "Put a lid ____ ____!" 11. Acapulco money 12. *Coraline's buttons 15. Kudos 20. Rodeo rope 22. *Crematorium jar 24. *Jonestown poison 25. *Vampire's canines 26. Love intensely 27. 1/100 of a rial 29. *Werewolf's cry 31. *Coffin's stand 32. Confusion of voices 33. Wear away 34. *____ Macabre 36. *Mummy's home 38. Lotto variant 42. Throw up 45. Flour fluffer 49. A in IPA 51. Wipes blackboard 54. Bovine milk dispenser 56. Render harmless 57. Door fastener 58. Chills and fever 59. Strong desire 60. Getting warm 61. Closely confined 62. Chicken of the sea? 63. Related to ear 64. Spiritless 67. *"He Knows ____'re Alone" See Solution on Page 74

October 15, 2026

By Delaney Crawford

Community FoodBank helps families in need of diapers

hen you think about helping your community and giving back, the first thing you probably think to provide is food. While food insecurity continues to be an issue in many communities, something not as well-known is the struggle many families have in affording diapers. Roughly 1 in 3 families in New Jersey alone struggle to afford an adequate supply of diapers for their infants and toddlers. Broader national surveys also show that nearly 40 to 60% of households worldwide with young kids struggle with diaper affordability. The Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ) sees that struggle and is currently hosting The Great Big Diaper Drive in hopes of receiving donations and increasing awareness about these struggles that exist right here in our community. This is now the sixth year of this drive, and this year, the hope is that it’s bigger than ever. The goal is to receive $2,000 in cash donations and 2,000 pounds of products. In addition to diapers, people can also donate wipes, adult incontinence products, and other needed items. The drive is currently underway and will run until the first week of November. People can make monetary donations online, and the FoodBank will purchase the goods, or you can go online to the Amazon Wishlist, buy the products directly and have them delivered to the FoodBank. Donated

diapers can also be dropped need for diapers just continues off directly at the FoodBank’s to rise,” Chairman said. “It just warehouse at 6725 Black Horse pulls at my heartstrings to know Pike in Egg Harbor Township, that our neighbors are hurting though note that drop-offs are like that, so I wanted to help out, and this drive really helps.” only permitted during business hours. The website for all donaWhen a mother cannot aftions can be found here: cfbnj. ford to provide her child with org/diaper-drive. safe, clean diapers, the effects As far as monetary donations can go beyond the child’s health go, one dollar can go as far as and well-being. Diaper insecurity providing six diapers. can also contribute to increased The FoodBank partners with stress and depression for parents a local initiative called Women The Community FoodBank of New Jersey is currently who are already struggling to Fighting Hunger. This is a volun- hosting The Great Big Diaper Drive. make ends meet. Helping provide teer group that works with the something as simple as a clean FoodBank to host various drives, like volunteers who are doing this strictly diaper can make a difference in crethis one, throughout the year. Two to build up their own communities. ating a safer, healthier environment members of that group, Terry Budd They shared that they have received a for the whole family. and Leigh Chairman, are co-chairs of great amount of donations so far and While food insecurity is something The Great Big Diaper Drive this year. hope to continue spreading awaremany people are familiar with, diaper “This drive came about by need. ness of this need to others. insecurity is another very real need SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition “I think we always get an excellent that exists right here in our communities. Through The Great Big Diaper Assistance Program, doesn’t pay for response,” Budd shared. “I believe diapers. So as the cost of diapers has that once it’s in front of people, they Drive, the Community FoodBank do want to help. Whether it’s a case of New Jersey and its volunteers gone up, along with food and everything else, a lot of families really need of diapers or a pack of wipes you hope to remind people that even the smallest donation can make a differassistance with diapers,” Budd said. can donate, nothing is too small. It “If you’re working and have to take all helps.” ence. Whether you donate money, your child to daycare, if you don’t The co-chairs also noted that purchase diapers and wipes through bring diapers to that daycare, you the Amazon Wishlist or simply add a while The Great Big Diaper Drive is can’t leave your child. There are also a going on now, you can donate diapers pack of diapers to your next Foodlot of health issues with not changing at any point throughout the year to Bank donation, every little bit helps a your diapers in a timely fashion, and the FoodBank. The hope is that this family in need. I just realized that families have to drive brings awareness to diaper inDelaney Crawford is a dynamic entrepreneur with a passion for make decisions sometimes between security so that the next time you’re storytelling and digital marketing. food, rent and diapers. Knowing that dropping off cans at the FoodBank, hardship exists, plus having a soft you can maybe throw a diaper or two Driven by a desire to empower local spot for babies, I wanted to get inin as well. businesses, Delaney founded DLC volved.” “I know that families are really Media, a company dedicated to helpstruggling, and they’re forced to Both Budd and Chairman are ing businesses enhance their brand South Jersey-based locals. They are make these tough decisions, and the image and thrive online.

Solutions to page 73 puzzles. Check yourself!

October 15, 2026

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