Skip to main content

SHORE LOCAL | Mainland | August 13, 2026

Page 1

Free August 13, 2026

SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY'S NEWSMAGAZINE

Local Water Plants Targeted in Cyber Attack PETA: Replace Racing Crabs with Robot Crabs Home Development on the Rise in AC and EHT Sweet Plan for Former Taffy Factory


DISCOVER THE VERY BEST DEALS NOW DEMO DAY Sat. 8/15 10am-3pm


Ice Cream Parlor

Serving Ocean City for Over 50 Years

ENTERTAINING? WE CAN HELP!

510 New Road, Somers Point 609-927-4656 325 E. Jimmie Leeds Rd. Galloway 609-652-5252 Open Mon-Fri 8am-6pm Sat. 8am-5pm Sun. 9am-3pm

THIS WEEK'S SPECIALS 8/13 through 8/17

Eat In

Relax and enjoy homemade ice cream inside our cozy parlor!

SWEET JERSEY

CORN

Order a custom ice cream cake for large and small parties.

JERSEY

2 LBS FOR

BLUEBERRIES PINEAPPLES

Bring the group to eat-in or takeout their favorite treats. With 30+ flavors, 37 sundaes, and 12 Banana Splits, we have something for everyone. (even dieters!)

EASY IN & OUT EASY IN & OUT

Grab our Pre-Packaged Grab ourHalf Pre-Packaged Gallons & Gallons to & go! Cookie SandwichHalf Packages Cookie Sandwich Packages to go!

RAINY DAY SPECIALS 2pm p - 4:30pm Just mention "Rainy Day" to your server!

AMPLE FREE PARKING A

$3.00

$3.00 PINT

$1.99 EACH

$2.50

GREEN

2 LBS FOR

SWEET CALIFORNIA

2 LBS FOR

SEEDLESS

3 LBS FOR

PEPPERS

Have a large group on a Rainy Day?

$5.99 2 LBS FOR

TOMATOES

No time to bake?

DOZEN

WHITE SEEDLESS

GRAPES Try a few hand-dipped containers and let your guests sample our traditional and our unique flavors.

Somers Point location is now making subs fresh to order on Randos 10 inch rolls, using freshly sliced Dietz & Watsons meats and cheeses

PLUMS

MANDARINS

$2.00

$3.00 $3.99

AMERICAN CHEESE ................................................................................................ $ 5 . 2 9 L B GOURMET LITE HAM ............................................................................................ $ 7 . 9 9 L B GOURMET LITE TURKEY BREAST.................................................................. $11.49LB HONEY GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST................................................................ $ 7 . 9 9 L B STEAKHOUSE ONION CHEDDAR CHEESE..................................................... $ 7 . 9 9 L B ITALIAN STYLE ROAST BEEF............................................................................ $12.49LB PREMIUM BOLOGNA............................................................................................. $ 5 . 9 9 L B TAVERN HAM............................................................................................................ $ 7 . 9 9 L B COOKED SALAMI ..................................................................................................... $ 6 . 4 9 L B STORE SLICED PROVOLONE CHEESE ............................................................. $ 5 . 6 9 L B

Enjoy fresh, quality produce at wholesale prices. Santori's has the healthy food your family loves.

Check out our produce specials on

55th & Wes West est Avenue ue • O Ocean City | Call for Hours (609) 398-2207

www.alamodeicecreamparlor.com www.a alamo

August 13, 2026

3


Make the last three weeks count

I

Letter from the editor

was sitting on the couch the other night, perfectly content in my summer state of mind, when a commercial came on. “Back to school!" Backpacks. Notebooks. Lunchboxes. Happy kids in brand-new sneakers skipping toward a school bus. “Sharp pencils and sharp looks for back to school,” it said. I cringed. There is still sand in my car. Our patio umbrella is up. My calendar still has plenty of beach days left. Can we please stop rushing summer? It seems like just yesterday we were pulling beach chairs out of storage, counting down to Memorial Day and talking about everything we wanted to do this summer. Now, somehow, we’re staring at the final three weeks before Labor Day. Summer always seems to do that. We wait for it all year, and then it flies by faster than we ever expect. But despite the commercials, summer isn’t over yet. There is still plenty of time to do the things we said we were going to do back in June.

Mid-August is when I get serious about squeezing in all the things that make summer so special to me: boating trips, nights strolling the Boardwalk and long days in the surf. I encourage you to get serious too. Time has a way of slipping by faster in the summer. Go to the beach after work, even if you only have an hour. Take a walk on the Boardwalk without worrying about how many steps you’re getting. Get the ice cream cone — and order the sprinkles. Ride the Ferris wheel. Play miniature golf. Listen to live music under the stars. Watch the sunset over the bay. Take the kids crabbing. Go fishing. Ride your bike or rent a surrey. Sit on the beach until the lifeguards leave and the crowds thin out. Do something you haven’t done all summer. And take a picture. We sometimes think memories have to come from big occasions — vacations, celebrations or carefully planned outings. But years later, it’s often the ordinary moments we remember most.

Issue 400

The sandy feet in the back seat. The smell of sunscreen. The sound of the screen door slamming as kids run outside or a favorite song playing with the car windows down. Those are the pieces of summer that stay with us. August has a different rhythm at the Shore. By now, we know where we like to sit on the beach. We have our favorite ice cream order and our preferred route around summer traffic. The days feel familiar and comfortable. Maybe that’s exactly why they can slip past so fast.

Soon enough, backpacks will replace beach bags. School buses will return to the roads. The sun will set earlier, and another summer will become something we talk about in the past tense. There’s no reason to rush it. One of the gifts of living at the Shore is that summer surrounds us. People save all year to spend one precious week in the place we get to call home. Sometimes seeing the Shore through their eyes is a good reminder of just how special it is. So for the next three weeks, try to say “yes” more often. I know it's a little work but you'll find it's worth it. Say “yes” to another beach day. “Yes” to dinner outside. “Yes” to waking up early for a sunrise. “Yes” to one more outdoor concert, one more night on the Boardwalk. September will arrive soon enough. For now, summer is still here. Make some memories.

Peace & Love, Cindy

Established 2016

ng Life at The Southern NJ Shore Celebrating Publisher– Bob Fertsch (609) 334-1691 shorelocalads@gmail.com Executive Editor - Cindy Christy Fertsch (609) 705-5323 shorelocalcindy@gmail.com 10 Years!

Publisher Assistant - Julia Train Copy Editors - Holly Fertsch, Julia Train

LOCAL FOR LESS!

Advertising Sales - Meg Perry (609)425-5407 shorelocalmeg@gmail.com Web Designer - Holly Martin

FREE INSTALLATION Starting at

Contributors – Scott Cronick, Tammy Thornton, Rich Baehrle, Sarah Fertsch, Steffen Klenk, Brian Cahill, Dave

649

$

Weinberg, Doug Deutsch, Heidi Clayton, Eric Reich, Chuck Darrow, Alex Corson, Delaney Crawford, Ursula Duffy, Robin Stoloff, Alanna Stoloff, Tynan Hand, Lisa Segelman, Bruce Klauber, Charles Eberson

Per window

On the cover: Margate Beach Patrol celebrating winners of the Doubles Row, Chris Spiers and Bob Bechtel. Photo by Steffen Klenk.

Screens Included. Capping extra. Grids Optional. Up to 82 U.I. Other Fees May Apply.

FREE INSTALLATION

Scan to Read Online

, Features, Vide More NewhsoreLocalNews.coo at www.S ive our email newsletter every wem 0 that rece Join over 9,00

649

$

Per window

NO TAXES

Charged

ek

Follow us on Thank You to the 80,000 that already do!

4

August 13, 2026


GO FOR THE

FUN TIMES . AND THE TAN LINES.

GO FOR THE PROMOTIONS.

SPIN TO

Free Tickets.

WIN

Free T-Shirt.

NEW MEMBERS

Spin & Win up to $250 Free Play

NOW - SEPTEMBER 6

AUGUST 17

EVERY THURSDAY IN AUGUST

EVERY FRIDAY & SUNDAY IN AUGUST

GO FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT.

SLIGHTLY STOOPID AUGUST 14

THE STRAY CATS AUGUST 15

MODI

AUGUST 22

COLLECTIVE SOUL AUGUST 29

POOL SZN

WON’T LAST FOREVER. HAPPY HOUR TUESDAY - FRIDAY & SUNDAY SCAN QR CODE TO BOOK NOW

Indulge in bar bites, cocktail specials & more!

Must be 21 or older.

GO TO OCEAN | GO FOR THE WIN LEARN MORE AT T H E O C E A N A C . C O M Visit theOceanAC.com for full details. Must be 21 or older to wager or consume alcohol. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

WINNER | OVERALL CASINO

DARK STAR ORCHESTRA

SEPTEMBER 12


Cyber incidents temporarily disrupt remote access to Cape May, Woodbine water systems tect and defend our water supply and production. We he water systems supply water to the City of in Cape May and Cape May, West Cape May, Woodbine were tarLower Township, Cape geted in a cyberseMay Point, and the United curity incident late last month States’ only Coast Guard that temporarily prevented Training Center located in officials from remotely moniCape May City,” said Cape toring the systems but did not May City Mayor Zachary affect water supply or treatMullock, according to the ment operations, according to Aug. 6 press release. “We Cape May City Manager and are working with state and federal agencies to ensure City Engineer Paul Dietrich. In Woodbine, communicaour water desalination tions with the borough’s replant is protected from any mote monitoring system were adversarial threat.” lost around 12:15 a.m. Monday, Dietrich said the city’s July 27, according to an Aug. entire water system is 6 press release issued by the connected to the internet two municipalities. or otherwise remotely Environmental & Technical accessible, highlighting Services, LLC (ETS) arrived the importance of cyberabout 45 minutes later and security measures as water manually operated the water infrastructure becomes system while investigating the increasingly dependent on digital systems. loss of communication. The system remained under man- The cyber security incident that affected two Cape May County water systems temporarily prevented officials from The incident comes as ual operation as ETS and the remotely monitoring the systems. Photo credit: CapeMay.com federal officials continue to borough’s controller vendor warn about cybersecurity worked to troubleshoot the issue. In Cape May, the incident began slightly more than 24 hours. risks facing water and wastewater utilities. NJ.com reported that the By the early morning hours of around 1:30 a.m., when the city’s waWoodbine and Cape May were Cybersecurity and Infrastructure among water systems nationwide Wednesday, July 29, the vendor adter system alerted staff that communivised the ETS Licensed Operator that cations had been lost. City employees targeted in similar attacks. Security Agency had urged utilities to The attack did not alter the water the communication failure may have arrived around 2:30 a.m. and initially remove exposed control systems from been related to a potential cyberseinvestigated whether the problem was system’s operating settings or affect the internet when possible. curity incident. By 11 a.m., ETS and related to a more routine issue, such the quality or safety of the water, DiFor Cape May County residents conthe vendor had completed corrective as a power outage or loss of network etrich said. Staff were able to monitor cerned about the incident, Dietrich emactions and restored control of the connectivity, Dietrich told Shore Local. key parameters, including chlorine phasized that protecting public health borough’s SCADA system, allowing After staff could not identify an levels and pumping and treatment opand maintaining dependable water obvious problem, they began trouthe water system to return to autoerations, once they regained access. service remain the city’s top priorities. matic operation. bleshooting and took the system “It just prevented us from getting “We take it very seriously, and we By 11 a.m. Wednesday, ETS and off remote monitoring so they could remote access to the system. At no follow all of the standard and required the borough’s controller vendor had maintain direct control of it. Dietrich time did it change any settings within protocols from the DEP, and we'll concompleted the necessary corrective said the water system continued opthe water system. From a work quality tinue to do so … [and] make sure that actions and successfully regained conerating while employees worked to or safety standpoint, that was never we update our systems to meet those trol of the borough’s SCADA system. determine what had happened. affected. It just made it so that we standards,” he said. The water system was subsequently The city’s controller vendor arrived couldn't see the operating parameters Dietrich also encouraged residents returned to automatic operation. around 8 a.m. and conducted a more of our system remotely,” Dietrich said. to view the incident as a reminder to “Fortunately, Woodbine’s water detailed examination. By later that Officials said water service contake their own cybersecurity seriously. morning, officials determined that system is constructed in such a way tinued throughout the incidents, and “We can all take this time to realize that any outside attempts at gaining the communications problem was the routine testing confirmed the drinking that everyone is vulnerable to a cyber access to the system are caught imresult of a cyberattack. water remained safe in both Cape May attack. Whether it's the city directly mediately and resolved just as quickDietrich said the determination and Woodbine. They also said customthrough our water department [or] as was based in part on unauthorized ly,” said Borough of Woodbine Mayor er information was not compromised. individuals,” he said. William Pikolycky in the municipalities’ changes to passwords and IP addressThe identity of whoever carried Dietrich encouraged people to review their passwords and other joint press release. “Bad actors were es within the system. out the attack is still under investigaonly successful in interrupting our The New Jersey Cybersecurity tion, Dietrich said. security practices, noting that strong phone communication to the water and Communications Integration Cell cybersecurity habits are important system. This resulted in a few bad (NJCCIC) was notified later that day Cape May’s response both at work and at home. “I think it's just a good time for us hours for the Borough of Woodbine and arrived in Cape May the following In response to the incident, Dimorning to help assess the extent of Water Department personnel as they etrich said Cape May is working to to reflect. That's one of the things the incident. we train here, within the city,” he reactivated the system manually and eliminate one of the methods officials Cape May’s automated operations consulted with the contractor, CISA, believe was used to gain access to the said. “Good cyber hygiene is not just Homeland Security and the FBI. Once were restored by July 28, Dietrich system. Dietrich said the city plans a workplace thing. You have to take the information gathering was comsaid, allowing employees to once again to remove cellular modems and rely that and make sure you're doing it plete, the system was back online with remotely monitor the system. He said more heavily on hardline connections. at home to make sure your personal no further issues.” the overall impact on the city lasted “We are taking every effort to proinformation is protected.” By Julia Train

T

6

August 13, 2026


PETA calls for end to Ocean City’s Miss Crustacean Pageant, hermit crab races

By Julia Train

W

eeks before Miss Crustacean Beauty Pageant and hermit crab races, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is calling on Ocean City to end its longtime summer tradition, arguing that the events exploit animals and should be replaced with cruelty-free alternatives. On Aug. 5, Ingrid Newkirk, the animal rights group’s founder, sent a letter to Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian, requesting an end to the events. “Please retire these events, which celebrate an industry that tears wild animals from their natural habitats and condemns them to short, deprived lives in captivity,” Newkirk wrote. “Hermit crabs are not toys, trinkets, props, or pets. If the purpose of the pageant is truly to promote responsible ‘pet ownership,’ then the best way to support that goal would be to stop normalizing the purchase and confinement of hermit crabs altogether. Respecting crabs begins with recognizing that they are individuals

with their own interests, not forcing them into pageants and races for human amusement.”

PETA suggests alternative activities such as bobbing for crab apples, crab-walking races and using robotic hermit crabs.

Miss Crustacean participants dress their hermit crabs in costumes and decorate them with props Reilly Park, assistant manager of Youth Campaigns at PETA, said the organization is particularly concerned about how hermit crabs are obtained and kept in captivity.

“In nature, hermit crabs avoid humans and live in groups of 100 or more, and can live up to 40 years,” Park said. “They enjoy climbing, foraging and exploring, and even collaborate in teams to find food.” Park said PETA’s concerns extend beyond the city’s event to the broader hermit crab pet trade. She pointed to a PETA investigation into the industry, saying animals are “ripped from their homes, confined to tiny enclosures, fed improper diets, and die when they're only between one

and four years old.” According to Park, the pageant and races require animals to perform for entertainment and can reinforce the idea that hermit crabs are disposable pets. “The event itself is forcing animals who are either bred in captivity or stolen from the wild to perform for human entertainment,” Park said. She said hermit crabs displayed during the pageant may also face harmful conditions before and after the event.

8

8

August 13, 2026


Contestants compete for the title of Miss Crustacean and the coveted Cucumber Rind Cup. “They're roughly handled and fed improper diets, and they're forgotten when the novelty wears off, and they're doomed from the moment they're captured,” Park said. Park also raised concerns about the shells used for hermit crabs in the pet trade, saying some animals are removed from their natural shells and placed into decorative ones. PETA’s investigation, Park said, involved Brelean Corporation, which she described as a supplier of captive hermit crabs to retailers including PetSmart and Petco. She said investigators documented crowded con-

Bundle & Save Installation Discount

ditions in which crabs were unable to access food or water. “Workers were cracking open live crab shells, exposing their delicate bodies,” Park said. “And behind every hermit crab sold is a story of suffering.” Rather than ending Ocean City’s crab-themed traditions altogether, PETA is proposing alternatives. The organization has suggested activities such as bobbing for crab apples, crab-walking races and the use of robotic hermit crabs, which Newkirk said PETA could provide. “There are so many other ways to

entertain ourselves,” Park said. “So we're urging Ocean City residents and visitors to leave hermit crabs in nature, and instead support attractions that celebrate these animals without exploiting them.” Park said PETA has not yet received a response to its letter from Mayor Gillian. Gillian also has not responded to Shore Local’s request for comment. “We really urge Mayor Gillian to respond to our letter and to change this tradition to one that is compassionate and cruelty-free,” Park said, “because hermit crabs suffer in captivity, and Ocean City residents deserve better.” The Miss Crustacean Beauty Pageant will take place Wednesday, Aug. 19, at the Sixth Street beach. Registration is free and begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by the competition at 6 p.m. Kids, families, businesses and organizations are all welcome to participate with their hermit crabs. The event dates back to 1973, when Mark Soifer, Ocean City’s public relations director of 45 years, created the pageant as a playful spoof of the Miss America competition. Participants bring their creativity to the contest, dressing their hermit crabs in costumes and decorating them with props as they compete for the title of Miss Crustacean and the coveted Cucumber Rind Cup.

The winning crab makes its way down a miniature runway decorated with flowers as the event’s signature theme song plays. The festivities culminate with the winning crab making its way along a miniature runway decorated with flowers as the event’s signature theme song, “Here it comes, Miss Crustacean,” plays. 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.

e ing Spac s, Elevating m r Liv sfo n es a r T

Come Visit Our Showroom

Free Estimates

20+ Years Hands-on Experience

6636 Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Twp, NJ 08234 August 13, 2026

609-813-2323

Smartchoicekbf.com 9


Multi-day Events

Events and Happenings vendors selling prepared food, baked goods, and more. Parking is available in the lot on Monroe Ave. The market is open on Thursdays through Sept. 3. Ocean City Baby Parade

Summer Book Sale

▶Friday, August 14, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday, August 15, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Ocean City Community Center, 1735 Simpson Avenue Join the Friends and Volunteers of the Ocean City Free Public Library for their summer book sale. Whether you’re looking for that perfect beach read or somethingto read at home, you’re bound to find your next title here. Browse through a selection of fiction, non-fiction, hardback, paperback, children, and young adult books for sale, along with puzzles, audio books, CDs, and DVDs. Newsies Jr.

▶Saturday, August 15 & Sunday, August 16, 1 p.m. & 6 p.m.

Gateway by the Bay, 738 Bay Avenue, Somers Point Newsies Jr. brings Broadway’s favorite underdogs to life. This bold, high-energy performance follows the charismatic Jack Kelly who rallies other newsies, proving that united kids can spark change and fight for what is right. Tickets are available at www.gatewaybythebay.org. Yoga in the Park

▶Monday – Thursday, 5:30 p.m.

▶10:30 a.m.

The Little Miss Ocean City Pageant is Friday, Aug. 14. Photo credit: Ocean City, NJ Facebook O’Donnell Memorial Park, Atlantic City Find your balance with free yoga classes through October. Whether you are new to yoga or an experienced practitioner, these relaxing outdoor sessions offer the perfect way to unwind, recharge, and improve flexibility.

Thursday, August 13 Margate Community Farmers Market

▶8:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Steve & Cookie’s, Amherst & Monroe Avenues The Margate Community Farmers Market features over twenty local

Ocean City Boardwalk from Sixth to 14th Streets The 116th Annual Baby Parade will include a festive array of floats, musical acts, and appearances from special guests. More information is available at www.ocnj.us/babyparade. Sister Act

▶2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

Hughes Performing Arts Center, Sixth Street and Atlantic Avenue The Ocean City Theatre Company is teaming up with Ocean City Pops to present this feel-good musical comedy based on the 1992 hit film. With an original score of music and truly moving story, audiences will be left breathless and rejoice at this lively tribute to the universal power of friendship. Tickets are available at www.oceancitytheatrecompany. com. Ocean City Fishing Pier Open House

▶6 – 8 p.m.

14th Street and the Boardwalk

The Ocean City Fishing Club invites the public and shutterbugs to tour its pier and clubhouse this Thursday. Visitors will also be able to make a monetary donation or drop off canned goods to support the Ocean City Food Cupboard. This is one of two days a year when the pier is open to non-members. Weather Permitting. Rain date: Friday, Aug. 14. Thrilling Thursday Movies on the Beach

▶6:30 – 9 p.m.

Huntington Avenue Beach, Margate Grab your beach chairs and blankets and watch ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ on screen this Thursday, Aug. 13 along with pre-movie activities and food available for purchase. Plus, mark your calendars for a screening of ‘Wicked: For Good’ on Thursday, Aug. 20.

Friday, August 14

Ventnor City Farmers Market

▶8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Newport & Atlantic Avenues Over 70 farmers, food vendors, and crafters line the parking lot at

↘Continued on 12

Insurance Specialists Since 1879

BUSINESS ~ HOME ~ FLOOD ~ AUTO & MORE

COMPETITIVE RATES FOR THE PROTECTION YOU NEED AT THE SHORE AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES. 1601 New Road, Northfield 1001 W. Brigantine Ave, Brigantine 3 Harker Avenue, Berlin Open Everyday except Tues.

10

609-646-1000 www.insuranceagenciesinc.com We're not just your Agents, we're locals!

August 13, 2026


Lorem ipsum

Use promo Code “SplashSL” for $3 off per person

Ages 6+ with Small Splash sessions for ages 4-6.

NEW IN OCNJ! Sky-High Adventures in our netted playground Great for ages 4-10 with special activities for 1+ “under the net” Full Swing Golf & sports simulator inside Full Coffee Bar & snacks available!

ACTIV I

Book ONLINE or Call to Reserve!

(609) 398-9000 AquaParkOCNJ.com 228 Bay Avenue, Ocean City, NJ Use promo Code “SplashSL” for $3 off per person Book ONLINE or Call to Reserve!

BY: TY

ACTIV I

DOUBLE IN SIZE FOR 2026 SEASON

BY: TY

609-398-9000 TheYardOCNJ.com 741 West Avenue, Ocean City, NJ Use promo Code “SplashSL” for $3 off per person

LITTLE 6 person Tiki Boats Public and Private charters available Restrooms on board ALL vessels

Book ONLINE or Call to Reserve!

ACTIV I

BIG 32 person Tiki Boat

BY: TY

609-398-9000 BeachyTiki.com 228 Bay Avenue, Ocean City, NJ Use promo Code “SplashSL” for $3 off per person

Private charters Up to 6 people included Fun for the whole family Children welcome!

Book ONLINE or Call to Reserve!

ACTIV I

BY: TY

609-398-9000 www.SharkBaitFishingOCNJ.com 228 Bay Avenue, Ocean City, NJ


↘Continued from 10 St. James Church brims offering fresh, seasonal picks, delicious artisan foods, baked goods, beverages, and beautiful handmade wares. Visit vcfm.org for more information. Smithville Car Cruise

▶5 – 8 p.m.

Historic Smithville, 615 E. Moss Mill Road Cruise over to Smithville and hang out with fellow car enthusiasts. Drive to the side parking lot of the Village Green near the red-covered bridge and look for the orange cones set up. Move a cone and park your ride. Visit www.historicsmithville.com for more information. South Jersey Lifeguard Championships

▶6:30 p.m.

35th Street Beach, Avalon As one of America’s oldest lifeguard races, the South Jersey Lifeguard Championships welcome all fifteen beach patrols from Brigantine to Cape May for an exciting evening of competition. Events include the Doubles Row, Ocean Swim, and Captain G. Murray Wolf Singles Row. Avalon enters this year’s races aiming for their third straight title. Legacy Concerts on the Beach in Somers Point

▶7 p.m.

William Morrow Beach, 800 Bay

Avenue Pack your beach chairs and blankets and head to the beach in Somers Point for a spectacular tribute to the Allman Brothers performed by Melody Trucks, Vaylor Trucks, the Fitzkee Brothers, and Ryan Gregg. The concert is hosted by Tony Mart Presents. Little Miss Ocean City Pageant

▶7 p.m.

Ocean City Music Pier, 825 Boardwalk Find out who will become Little Miss Ocean City 2027 during this scholarship pageant for girls ages 8 – 11. Little Miss Ocean City 2026 Harper Juelg will be on hand to crown her successor.

Saturday, August 15 Brigantine Farmers Market

▶8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Brigantine Community School, Sheridan Boulevard Stop by the Brigantine Farmers Market on Saturdays for fresh produce, homemade food, specialty items, fresh-cut flowers, and appearances from local businesses and vendors. The market is open on Saturdays through Labor Day weekend. Somers Point Farmers Market

▶8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Somers Mansion, 1000 Shore Road

Enjoy a pleasant Saturday morning at the Somers Point Farmers Market. Dozens of local food vendors will set up along the grounds of the Mansion, along with crafters, and locally-owned businesses. The market is open Saturdays throughout the summer. Surfin’ OCNJ

▶2 p.m.

Ocean City Historical Museum, 1735 Simpson Avenue Ride the wave over to Ocean City Historical Museum for the grand opening of their latest exhibit highlighting the island’s surf origins. The exhibit will feature a plethora of memorabilia, stories, and photos of historic record. Admission is free. EHT Movies in the Park

▶6 p.m.

Robert J. Lincoln Amphitheater at Tony Canale Park Mark your calendars, pack your beach chairs and blankets for a movie night in the park. Enjoy a screening of the 2004 hit film ‘Miracle’, a sports drama based on the true story of the 1980 U.S. Men’s Olympic Ice Hockey team. Sponsored by EHT Clean Communities. Ventnor Summer Beach Jam

▶6:30 p.m.

Newport Avenue Beach The Summer Beach Jam concert series welcomes the Sons of Beaches Band to the stage this Saturday. The

group will perform favorites from Jimmy Buffett’s extensive catalog. Bring your beach chairs and blankets for this free concert. The music will begin at 6:30 p.m. with food and vendors opening at 5:30 p.m. Junior Miss Ocean City Pageant

▶7 p.m.

Ocean City Music Pier, 825 Boardwalk Find out who will become Junior Miss Ocean City 2027 during this scholarship pageant for girls ages 12 – 16. Junior Miss Ocean City 2026 Arianna DiAntonio will be on hand to crown her successor.

Sunday, August 16

Egg Harbor Township Community Farmers Market

▶9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

1 Swift Drive EHT’s farmers market is open, featuring dozens of local vendors and businesses, amazing food, local crafters, and more. The market is open weekly through mid-October. Risley Square Farmers Market

▶9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

319 E. Jimmie Leeds Road, Galloway Shop for fresh produce, homemade goods, fresh baked treats, and more every Sunday at Risley Square. This vibrant outdoor market features dozens of local businesses and vendors. Explore the market every Sunday through Sept. 27. Lee Greenwood with the Ocean City Pops

▶7:30 p.m.

Ocean City Music Pier, 825 Boardwalk Lee Greenwood is an American country artist known for bridging the gap between traditional and contemporary country music. He is best known for the patriotic anthem ‘God Bless the U.S.A.’ Tickets are

Join Us Every Sunday 9am-1pm June 7 thru October 11, 2026 Atlantic County Library Grounds 1 Swift Drive, EHT For vendor and market information, visit www.littlepawscrafts.com

12

August 13, 2026


available at www.oceancityvacation. com/boxoffice.

Monday, August 17

EHT Monday Morning Madness

▶11 a.m.

Robert J. Lincoln Amphitheater at Tony Canale Park Bring your family and friends and join EHT Recreation for Monday Morning Madness. This week, pack your chairs and blankets and witness the Magic of Chad Juros. Indigo Girls

▶7 p.m.

Ocean City Music Pier, 825 Boardwalk The Indigo Girls have sold more than 15 million records and continue to blaze a trail for generations of fans and artists. The Grammy-winning duo of Emily Sailers and Amy Ray have introduced legions of fans to powerful songs and signature harmonies. Visit www.ocnj.us/summerconcertseries for more information and to purchase tickets. Produced by BRE Presents. America 250: Lights Over Ocean City Drone Show

▶9 p.m.

Ocean City Beach and Boardwalk South of Sixth Street Ocean City celebrates the 250th anniversary of our nation with a weekly patriotic drone show over the beach and boardwalk. The show will feature hundreds of drones lighting up the night sky, creating animations that salute America. The 15-minute shows will be held after dusk on Mondays through Aug. 24.

Tuesday, August 18 Firefighting at the Shore

▶6:30 p.m.

Ventnor City Historical Museum, 6500 Atlantic Avenue

Join current and retired Ventnor City firefighters for an entertaining evening as they relay personal experiences along with the unique history of the department. The program will be moderated by former Ventnor Mayor Tim Kreischer. 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.

Free for kids with regular admission. Enjoy crafts and activities, coloring fun for all ages, and new themes weekly, including the Salty Sea, Pirates & Mermaids, and Fairy Tales. Boardwalk Hall Organ Recital and Tour

▶10 a.m.

Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, 2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City The Historic Organ Restoration Committee invites you to tour the largest pipe organ in the world, inside the walls of historic Boardwalk Hall. Attendees will tour the largest musical instrument in the world and enjoy a recital by Tim Schramm who will perform selections on the Mid-

Wednesday, August 19

▶10:30 a.m.

Ocean City Music Pier, 825 Boardwalk It’s the final Wacky Wednesday of the season in Ocean City. This week is Cookie Sculpting. Use your creativity to shape and sculpt a giant chocolate chip cookie into your very own unique masterpiece. The contest is free and limited to the first 150 participants. Participants must be present at the Music Pier at 10:30 a.m. to participate. Wacky Wednesdays at Absecon Lighthouse

▶11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

31 S. Rhode Island Avenue Join Absecon Lighthouse all summer as they host Wacky Wednesdays.

▶6 p.m.

Sixth Street Beach, Ocean City Join Ocean City for this beloved annual event. Families, kids, businesses, and organizations are invited to enter their crustacean in this annual beauty contest. The winner will receive the Coveted Cucumber Rind Cup and walk down a flowery runway.

↘Continued on 14

M&S PRODUCE & DELI

Ocean City Farmers Market

OUTLET 3 3

▶8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Ocean City Tabernacle, Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue The Ocean City Farmers Market features dozens of local vendors selling fresh food, produce, flowers, iced coffee, and other specialty items, along with craft vendors in-attendance. Wacky Wednesday in Ocean City

mer-Losh organ. The curator’s tour will start at 10 a.m. with the recital to follow at 12 p.m. Visit www.boardwalkorgans.org for more information. Hermit Crab Races and Miss Crustacean Hermit Crab Beauty Pageant

SEEDLESS

99¢

$

CUCUMBERS People who wantEACH the BEST for LESS shop at M&S

$ $ 1.99 2.50 Local 5.00 LIMES FOR 8 WHITE CORN FOR 2LB DOZEN TOMATOES $ $ $ 2.00 LONG HOTS 2.50 CARROTS FOR SCALLIONS 2.00 3LB PER LB FOR 3 Seedless $ $ $ BROCCOLI 3.00 WATERMELON 5.00 CELERY 1.75 EACH EACH $

Jersey

FOR 2LB

4.99

Hatfield

$

FRESH THIS WEEK!

9.99

Dietz & Watson $ FLAT CORNED

BOLOGNA POUND SALE PRICES BEEF Dietz & Watson $7.99 8/14/26 – 8/20/26 Galbani SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN BREAST

POUND

POUND

PROVOLONE

NEW LOWER PRICES! CHEESE

Boar’s Head

4.99

$

POUND

DARK IMPORTED SMITHFIELD

MAPLE GLAZED

5.99lb 5.99lb

CHEESE CHEESE TURKEY 3.99 4.99 $ 13.99lb

$

HONEY HAM

$

HONEY HAM

HERR'S CHIPS $ 2 FOR 7

HONEY COATED

Spring Lake Block & Barrel

AMERICAN AMERICAN

$

HAM AND CHEESE

HOAGIE

5.99

$

9 inch

lb

$

lb

GREAT ASSORTMENT

of SPICES, NUTS and HONEY

CURBSIDE PICK-UP AVAILABLE • CALL 609-383-8323

MONDAY – SUNDAY • 8AM – 6PM Serving the Community since 1991

6020 Black Horse Pike, EHT • 609-383-8323 August 13, 2026

13


↘Continued from 13 The Hermit Crab Races will take place shortly thereafter. Watch as some of the fastest crabs in the universe compete in this world famous race. Registration opens at 5:30 p.m. Sunset at Ski Beach Outdoor Concert

▶6:30 p.m.

Ski Beach, Ventnor Bring your beach chairs and blankets to Ski Beach this Wednesday and enjoy an evening of classics and party favorites by The Loop. The concert will begin at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy a delicious array of food from local restaurants and food trucks, and visit out the on-site vendors starting at 5:30 p.m. 34th Street Summer Series

▶6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Sandcastle Park, 3401 West Avenue Join Ocean City for an evening of family-friendly entertainment. Activities include themed entertainment, live performances, face painters, and balloon makers. The Summer Series will be held Wednesdays through Aug. 19. Somers Point Kids Concert

▶6:30 p.m.

William Morrow Beach, 800 Bay Avenue Join Somers Point Recreation for their upcoming family-friendly kid’s

concert. Celebrate Toy Story Mania with your favorite Woody, Buzz, and your favorite Toy Story characters.

Thursday, August 20 Nae Breeks Pipes and Drums

▶6:30 p.m.

William Morrow Beach, 800 Bay Avenue Join Somers Point Recreation for their upcoming family-friendly kid’s concert. Bring your beach chairs and blankets for a fun-filled evening with Nae Breeks Bagpipes and Drums, along with a vocal and instrumental performance.

Friday, August 21

VCBP Goudy Lifeguard Races

▶6:30 p.m.

Suffolk Avenue Beach The John T. Goudy Memorial Rescue Races welcome regional beach patrols in a skills-based lifesaving event. The competition will include a Doubles Surfboat Rescue, Individual Swim Rescue, Combination Rescue, and Individual Surfboat Rescue.

Health and Wellness Depression and Anxiety Group

▶Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m.

Atlantic Community Wellness Center 1125 Atlantic Ave. Suite 617, Atlantic City This weekly in-person support

The John T. Goudy Memorial Rescue Races is set for Friday, Aug. 21. Photo credit: Atlantic City Beach Patrol Facebook 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. Dementia Support Group

▶Wednesday, August 19, 1:30 p.m.

Egg Harbor Township Community Center 5045 English Creek Ave. 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. Overdose Awareness Day Event

▶Friday, August 21, 5 – 8 p.m.

Angels in Motion Community Wellness Center, 2 W. Glendale Avenue, Pleasantville The public is invited to attend this annual event that honors indi-

viduals who have overcome their battle with overdose while offering support, spreading awareness, and remembering those that we’ve lost. Local community organizations will be on site to provide information and resources to the community. NAMI Connections and Family Support Groups

▶Monday, September 14, 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. Do you have an upcoming event? Let us know about it! Submit your next event to shorelocalevents@ gmail.com.

Kelli is committed to helping you receive full and fair compensation.

14

August 13, 2026


Upgrade Today to receive a free WiFi thermostat and a bonus premium filter

Get it for FREE with an upgrade

Images are for illustration purposes only. Actual Wi-Fi thermostat, air filter, equipment, and accessories may vary. Promotional offers, financing, rebates, discounts, and included accessories are subject to equipment selection, qualification, availability, manufacturer requirements, and Comfort Now's terms and conditions. Complete details, exclusions, and final equipment specifications will be provided in your written proposal and must be reviewed and accepted before signing the final installation agreement.


Atlantic City Farmers Market

▶Fridays, 4 – 6 p.m.

Fisherman’s Park Community Garden, Massachusetts & Drexel Avenues Join C.R.O.P.S. for their weekly farmers markets, where you can shop for locally grown vegetables, fruit and herbs. Plus, enjoy free activities and a community garden with harvested vegetables and herbs. Markets are open Fridays through Sept. 18. Brigantine Farmers Market

▶Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Brigantine Community School parking lot, Sheridan Boulevard

Farmers Markets

The Brigantine Farmers Market will be open to customers on Saturdays, rain or shine, through Sept. 5. For more information, visit www. facebook.com/brigantinefarmersmarket. Egg Harbor Township Community Farmers Market

▶Sundays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

1 Swift Drive Join EHT for their weekly farmers market, featuring dozens of area vendors and businesses, food, crafters, and more. Markets are open weekly through Oct. 11.

Summer Fruits Galore! Order Your Party Sides and don’t forget corn on the cob!

Wholesale & Retail PREPARED FOODS • BAKERY ON PREMISES ORGANIC PRODUCE • GOURMET SNACKS DRIED FRUIT & NUTS • GOURMET TRAYS Live Chef Cooking Demonstrations Wed. & Fri. 10am-3pm

We Ship Gift & Fruit Baskets Anywhere!

Galloway Green Market

▶Thursdays, 4 – 7 p.m.

Historic Smithville Village Greene, 615 E. Moss Mill Road Go Green Galloway hosts their weekly Green Market, featuring locally grow n p ro du ce, baked goods, prepared foods, handmade crafts, specialty Ocean City Farmers Market Photo by Steffen Klenk breads and more. Visit gogreengalloway.org/greenmarket Come shop for produce, homefor information and updates. Markets made goods, fresh baked treats, local are open Thursdays through Aug. 27. crafts, and more. It is the perfect way Margate Community Farmers to spend a Sunday while supporting Market local and connecting with the com▶Thursdays, 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. munity. Markets are open Sundays Steve & Cookie’s, Amherst & Monthrough Sept. 27. Somers Point Farmers Market roe Avenues The Margate Community Farmers ▶Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. features dozens of local vendors sellSomers Mansion, 1000 Shore ing prepared food, baked goods, and Road more. Parking is available in the lot The Somers Point Farmers Market on Monroe Ave. Markets are open on is open for the 2026 season. Dozens Thursdays through Sept. 3. of local food vendors, crafters, and Ocean City Farmers Market hometown businesses will set up on the grounds of historic and beautiful ▶Wednesdays, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Ocean City Tabernacle Grounds, Somers Mansion each week. Markets Asbury Avenue from 5th – 6th Streets are open on Saturdays through Sept. 12. Visit dozens of vendors on the Ventnor City Farmers Market grounds of the Tabernacle, and crafters in the street at 6th & Asbury ▶Fridays, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Ave. Markets are open Wednesdays Newport & Atlantic Avenues through Sept. 16. For more informaThe parking lot at St. James Church brims with 70+ farmers, tion, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ or visit oceancityvacation.com. food vendors, and crafters who offer Risley Square Farmers Market fresh, seasonal picks, delicious arti▶Sundays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. san foods, baked goods, beverages, 319 E. Jimmie Leeds Road, Galand beautiful handmade wares. Visit vcfm.org for more information. loway

Thank you for making us your Local Choice

GIFT CARDS CARDS AVAILABLE AVAILABLE Open Mon-Sat 7am-6pm Sun 9am-4pm SHOP ONLINE ANYTIME!

609.641.6608 • www.bfmazzeo.com

We Deliver!

609-800-3177

barthtaxandfinancialservices.com 16

August 13, 2026


Schreiner, Fitzpatrick going for lifeguard racing trifecta By David Weinberg

C

harles Schreiner literally got cold feet – in addition to other body parts - before last Friday’s 80th Margate World War II Memorial Lifeguard Championships.

Brigantine's Joe Savell and Matt Dolan The Atlantic City Beach Patrol swimmer tested the ocean that morning and was soon shivering. “It was really cold,” Schreiner said. “To be honest, I didn’t know if I’d be able to race. But once the fog lifted, the water warmed up and I was fine.”

Once he thawed out, he delivered an impressive performance during the open swim that evening at Margate’s Huntington Avenue beach. The Egg Harbor Township High School graduate and Boston University standout continued his summer winning streak by earning first place in the swim while also leading Atlantic City to the team title for the third time in four years. Schreiner, who also won the men’s swim at the Dutch Hoffman Memorials two weeks ago, will be aiming to sweep the event at all three major races on the South Jersey lifeguard circuit when he competes in the South Jersey Championships in Avalon this Friday. He would become the first swimmer to complete the trifecta since Avalon’s Dolan Grisbaum did so in 2022. Unofficially, Schreiner would also be the first Atlantic City swimmer to accomplish the feat since John Kenney in 2002.

Atlantic City swimmer Charles Schreiner (left) and Cape May singles rower Mike Fitzpatrick are the favorites for Friday’s South Jersey Lifeguard Championships. Schreiner figures to fact stiff competition on Friday in his quest to win his third South Jersey title in four years. Grisbaum, the defending South Jersey champion, is not competing this summer, but there are a number of worthy contenders such as Ava-

lon’s Tim Hanway, Upper Township’s Logan Manning and Brigantine’s James Haney. “It’s always an exciting race,” Schreiner said.

↘Continued on 18

Atlantic and Cape May County Residents

CHANGE THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!

Discover the Power of Weight Loss Injections!

NEW PROVEN GLP-1 WEIGHT LOSS INJECTIONS

Lose Weight With Semaglutide or Tirzepatide

IN-PERSON OR TELEHEALTH APPOINTMENTS NO MEDICATION SHORTAGES! | INSURANCE NOT REQUIRED! NO EXTREME DIETING! | JUST GREAT RESULTS!

TIRED OF BEING OVERWEIGHT? LOSE 20-30%

OF YOUR BODY WEIGHT CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE A FREE, NO OBLIGATION CONSULTATION

609-382-TRIM NJTRIMCLINIC.COM

501 BAY AVE, STE 201 | SOMERS POINT NJ August 13, 2026

17


↘Continued from 17 Cape May singles rower Mike Fitzpatrick also has a chance to make history Friday. Like Schreiner, Fitzpatrick also won at the Dutch Hoffman’s and Margate Memorials. No Cape May competitors have ever won all three events. He would be the first Cape May lifeguard to win an event in the South Jersey’s since the late Kevin Murphy and Jim Wadlow won back-to-back doubles crowns in 1995-96. “This has been the best summer of my life,” Fitzpatrick said after winning at Margate. “I’ve been coming to Cape May my entire life and it’s an honor to represent the beach patrol in these races.” The latter victory was earned during a thrilling race. Fitzpatrick and Longport veteran Mike McGrath were stroke for stroke approaching the shore. Fitzpatrick caught a wave and turned sideways, but managed to right himself in time to edge McGrath at the finish line. “That was some wonky surf coming in,” Fitzpatrick said. “There were a couple of big waves and a couple of smaller ones. I just did my best to catch one.” The unpredictability of the ocean makes it difficult to predict results.

Mike McGrath and Sean Duffy of Longport earned second place in the Doubles Row. Strong currents and rolling waves can change outcomes in a matter of seconds, especially in the singles row. Fitzpatrick’s top rivals on Friday in Avalon figure to be McGrath, who is the defending champion, 2025 winner Ryan Finnegan of Avalon, Atlantic City’s Vince Granese and Wildwood Crest’s Jake Klecko. The doubles row could also be tight. Margate’s Chris Spiers and Bob Bechtel staved off Longport’s McGrath and Sean Duffey to win at the Margate Memorials. Granese and partner Nick Guidara took first for Atlantic City at the Dutch Hoffman’s. Special credit belongs to twin

Atlantic City Beach Patrol took home the team title with 11 points total.

sisters Molly and Maura Quinn of Sea Isle City. When a member of Sea Isle’s regular doubles crew was forced to withdraw due to injury, the Quinn’s stepped in and became the first women’s doubles crew to compete in the

also add a men’s and women’s paddleboard race – in front of the huge crowds that typically watch the men’s race would no doubt add to the excitement. Hopefully, it happens soon.

Photos by Steffen Klenk Margate Memorials in the 80-year history of the race. The Quinn’s, Egg Harbor Township graduates who row for the University of Delaware, will likely not be in Avalon on Friday. They are expected to skip the race in favor of the second annual Women’s South Jersey Lifeguard Championships in Ventnor on Wednesday. Atlantic City is favored to win the team title behind swimmer Ady Elko and singles rower Madison Lisitsin. They won their respective events at last week’s Bill Howarth Women’s Lifeguard Invitational in Ventnor. Ventnor’s Charlotte Thomas and Leah Nirenberg won the doubles row. Both South Jersey Championships should be great events, though they should not be held separately. The best way to determine a true South Jersey champion would be to allow the men and women to compete at the same beach on the same day and combine the results of each race. Allowing the women to row and swim – the powers that be should

18

Eagles set to open preseason

The Philadelphia Eagles will open the preseason Saturday at the Baltimore Ravens. If past preseasons under coach Nick Sirianni are any indication, don’t expect to see any starters in action. He typically likes to rest his top players during the preseason, which means Tanner McKee, Andy Daulton and rookie Cole Payton will be sharing reps at quarterback instead of Jalen Hurts. Fans will have to wait until the regular season opener on September 13 against the Washington Commanders to see Hurts, running back Saquon Barkley, wide receiver DeVonta Smith and company. 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.

August 13, 2026


ke f a o o T ery y or re t eliv t en nitu e D v In Fur iat e g ly ed u H Po mm nd for I a ak e or e T m Ho

RE O SH ARS E TH 0 YE G IN ER 2 V R SE R OV FO


By Sarah Fertsch

S

Shark sightings surge: Separating fear from fact

harks have always shared the waters off the Jersey Shore, but this summer, they seem to be getting more attention than usual. From tagged great whites passing offshore to bull sharks and a massive tiger shark caught by anglers, reports of shark activity have made headlines up and down the coast. In early August, a fishing crew caught and released a tiger shark estimated at roughly 12 feet long and 700 to 800 pounds off Monmouth County, adding to a string of encounters that has sparked both fascination and concern. The sightings have even prompted debate over shark fishing from Jersey Shore beaches, particularly when anglers use bait to attract large sharks close to shore. But marine experts offer an important reminder: seeing more sharks does not necessarily mean the Jersey Shore has suddenly become dangerous. Sharks are native residents and seasonal visitors in New Jersey wa-

ters, and the chances of a swimmer being bitten remain extraordinarily small. Researchers with the International Shark Attack File note that shark bites are rare worldwide, with drowning presenting a far greater risk to beachgoers.

Are there really more sharks?

There are signs that shark activity — or at least human awareness of it — is increasing along portions of the Northeast coast. New Jersey Fish and Wildlife biologist Greg Hinks recently described reports of bull sharks along the coast as unusually frequent, while abundant sand eels, squid and other prey have helped bring marine predators closer to shore. Warmer ocean temperatures can also influence where certain species travel and how long they remain in northern waters. At the same time, technology has made sharks much easier to spot. Satellite tags allow the public to follow the migrations of individual great white sharks, while drones, fishing videos and smartphones can

A nine-foot long great white shark was detected off the coast of NJ earlier this year. turn an offshore encounter into a viral story within minutes. A shark that might once have passed unnoticed can now be photographed, tracked and shared across social media. That distinction matters. An increase in reported sightings is not automatically evidence of an equal increase in the number of sharks swimming immediately beside crowded beaches. Shark populations have also benefited from decades of conservation measures and fisheries management after many species were severely depleted by fishing. For beachgoers, that can actually be viewed as a positive sign: sharks are an important part of a healthy marine ecosystem.

Who is swimming off the Jersey Shore?

New Jersey waters host a surprisingly diverse lineup of sharks, ranging from small, harmless dogfish to some of the ocean’s largest predators. Smooth dogfish are common in New Jersey’s estuaries and shallow coastal waters and generally grow to around three feet long. Their diet consists largely of crustaceans, squid, shellfish and smaller fish. Sandbar sharks are another familiar coastal species. They can grow to about eight feet and frequently use bays, harbors and river mouths. Barnegat Bay and Delaware Bay serve as important nursery areas, and sandbars are considered the most commonly encountered toothed shark in New Jersey’s coastal bays. Then there are sand tiger sharks, which can look intimidating thanks to rows of protruding teeth. Despite their appearance, they are generally considered docile. They can grow to nearly 11 feet and inhabit the surf

20

zone as well as shallow bays and offshore reefs. Delaware Bay may serve as a nursery for the species. Farther offshore, anglers and boaters may encounter thresher sharks, recognizable by tails that can measure nearly half their body length. Great white sharks also regularly migrate through the region, and scientists have identified the New York Bight — stretching from Cape May to Montauk — as nursery habitat for juvenile whites. Other occasional visitors include hammerheads, basking sharks, tiger sharks and bull sharks. A 9-foot, 423-pound tagged great white named Nori was detected between Ocean City and Sea Isle City earlier this season, while this summer’s tiger shark catch near Manasquan drew attention because tiger sharks are typically associated with warmer tropical and subtropical waters.

Shark fishing sparks a shore debate

The conversation surrounding sharks has become especially complicated because some of the summer’s most dramatic encounters have involved recreational anglers rather than unsuspecting swimmers. Shark fishing is legal under certain conditions, but it is heavily regulated. New Jersey anglers who recreationally fish for or retain sharks generally need a federal Highly Migratory Species angling permit with a shark endorsement. Regulations also differ among species, and many sharks are prohibited from being targeted or harvested. If an angler accidentally catches a prohibited shark, state and federal rules require it to be released immediately and in a way that maximizes its

August 13, 2026


chance of survival. Protected species such as sand tiger sharks cannot legally be dragged onto the beach for photographs before being released. The current controversy centers less on whether shark fishing itself is legal and more on how it is being conducted. Responsible shark anglers argue that catch-and-release fishing can be conducted safely and legally. But placing large quantities of bait near active swimming areas has understandably raised questions from local officials and residents. That concern also lines up with general shark-safety recommendations: researchers advise swimmers to avoid areas where people are actively fishing or where bait fish are concentrated.

What about 'Jaws?'

For New Jersey, any discussion of sharks inevitably comes with a century-old shadow. In July 1916, a series of shark attacks along the Jersey Shore killed four people and seriously injured another. The attacks became part of American folklore and are often cited as inspiration for Peter Benchley’s novel “Jaws.” More than a century later, that history can make every dorsal fin feel ominous.

But modern statistics paint a much less dramatic picture. Shark attacks remain exceedingly rare in New Jersey. One widely reported incident occurred in Stone Harbor in May 2023, when a 15-yearold surfer suffered injuries during an apparent shark encounter. There were no reported unprovoked shark bites in New Jersey in 2025, according to data referenced by the International Shark Attack File. Globally, researchers recorded 65 unprovoked bites that year, despite billions of visits to oceans and beaches around the world. In other words, sharks deserve respect — but not panic.

How to swim safely

For anyone who still feels a little uneasy wading past the breakers, shark-safety recommendations are fairly straightforward. The International Shark Attack File recommends swimming with other people and staying relatively close to shore. Swimmers should avoid dawn and dusk, when many sharks are more actively feeding, and stay away from large schools of bait fish or areas where birds are repeatedly diving into the water. It is also smart to avoid swimming near active fishing lines or chum, limit excessive splashing and follow any

5 Weeks Regular Season Games

October 19 - November 30 Mondays | 6:00 - 9:00 pm ***NO GAMES PLAYED ON*** Election Day 11/3 NJEA Conference 11/5 Thanksgiving 11/23 - 11/27

instructions from lifeguards. If a shark is spotted nearby, swimmers should remain as calm as possible, maintain awareness of the animal and slowly make their way out of the water rather than thrashing or attempting to approach it. And perhaps the most important rule is one that applies to every ocean hazard: swim at a guarded beach whenever possible and pay attention to lifeguards. Sharks may command the headlines, but rip currents, waves and ordinary drowning remain much greater dangers to Jersey Shore swimmers.

For most beachgoers, the sight of a shark should be less a sign that something has gone wrong than a reminder of what lies beyond the sand. The Atlantic Ocean is a thriving ecosystem, not a swimming pool. Sharks have been traveling the waters off New Jersey long before boardwalks, beach tags and umbrellas arrived, and sharing the Shore safely means understanding that we are visitors in their habitat, too. Sarah Fertsch of Egg Harbor Township holds a Bachelors of Arts in Public Relations. She is a locally renowned poet, storyteller, and dog lover.

Women’s 21+

BASKETBALL LEAGUE

Register online at jccatlantic.org

Open to Members & Guests $40 per player REGISTER AS A TEAM OR AN INDIVIDUAL.

For information about becoming a League Sponsor, please contact Brian Adler at badler@jccatlantic.org. August 13, 2026

21


By Delaney Crawford

Michaels Craft Store knitting their community together

want to do another knitting project similar to this, around Christmas time, but maybe knitting scarves. “I think this gave people an opportunity to give to someone else, which always makes everyone feel good that they helped other people. I’m very excited to bring them over to the Woodview residents,” Worthington said. “All these people did all this work, and now we get to go and hand them out and see their reactions.” The project showed how a simple idea can bring together a whole com-

T

he Mays Landing Michaels store has been running a community project, benefiting local senior citizens and gifting them with handmade blankets. The store’s regular customers have knit and crocheted 29 blankets, which will be given to residents of Woodview Estates, a senior living facility located in Mays Landing. Michaels Craft Store is a wellknown corporation that has been in operation for 53 years now. Today, the company operates over 1,300 stores across 49 U.S. states and Canada, making it a massive corporation. Due to its size, it has the ability to make a change in so many different communities. The company’s corporate offices reached out to each storefront, encouraging the managers and workers there to get involved within their individual communities and create community projects that spark togetherness and inspire others. The Michaels located in Mays Landing did just that with the help of manager Jessica Bertoldi, cashier Chriss Worthington and the whole crew that works there. Worthington, who works a few mornings behind the register, gets to talk to the regulars that come in, and she sees a lot of knitters and crocheters each day. She shared how they talk about knitting for others and making crafts for their community already, so it sparked the idea in her head.

Different skill sets and all levels of knitters joined in on Michael’s community project. The homemade blankets blankets were gifted to senior citizens at Woodview Estates. Worthington and Bertoldi got together and decided to utilize the knitting popularity at their store to make a community project of creating blankets for senior members in the Mays Landing community. With the help of all the workers in their store, they made flyers urging anyone who wanted to join in the initiative to create a lap blanket that would then be donated to Woodview Estates. Whenever customers made a blanket and came in to drop it off, they would receive a ticket to get a $50 gift card to Michaels, though just one would be given out. While the gift card was a great incentive, maybe these customers had simply wanted to be a part of this project and give back to the community just because.

“I feel like if you give someone an opportunity to do something nice, people are usually interested. Everyone wants to do something for somebody and if we just put it in their lap, I thought they would do it,” Worthington said. “We got 29 blankets total, which I thought, for our first attempt, was great. It was also really fun to talk with all the customers about it.” Worthington also shared how excited Woodview Estates was to be the recipient of this initiative. She had warned them that with this being their first community outreach, they might just get one or two blankets made. Those in charge had said they would be happy with any amount, and couldn’t wait to see what was made and brought over for their residents. Now, the Mays Landing Michaels store, after the success of their first community project, hopes to do this again soon. Worthington shared they

munity. With 29 handmade blankets going to local seniors, the Mays Landing Michaels team hopes this is just the beginning of more opportunities to give back and bring people together through something they already love to do. Delaney Crawford is a dynamic entrepreneur with a passion for storytelling and digital marketing. Driven by a desire to empower local businesses, Delaney founded DLC Media, a company dedicated to helping businesses enhance their brand image and thrive online.

Best Selection of All Natural Soap, Skin Care and Bath Products

• BODY BUTTERS • FACIAL AND LIP CARE • ROOM SPRAYS • GIFTS AND FAVORS FOR ANY OCCASION • SUGAR SCRUBS AND SO MUCH MORE

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

www.lehsoap.com VISIT Egg Harbor Township • Boardwalk OC • Asbury Ave OC OUR Smithville, NJ • Rehoboth Beach, DE ONLINE SHOP Studio: 609-390-9500

22

August 13, 2026


JUST MINUTES FROM THE BEACH!

CREATE YOUR OWN STORY AT STORYBOOK LAND!

• FULLY SHADED • DISCOUNTED TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE • BOOK YOUR BIRTHDAY PARTY WITH US!

WWW.STORYBOOKLAND.COM 6415 BLACK HORSE PIKE EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, NJ 08234


Historic Atlantic City taffy factory poised for $20 million transformation

By Sarah Fertsch

A

building that once helped produce one of Atlantic City’s most famous souvenirs could soon become a new hub for artists, residents and visitors on the Boardwalk. The former James Candy Company property at 1519 Boardwalk is slated for an approximately $20 million redevelopment into Taffy Lofts, a mixed-use project envisioned as a place where artists can live, work and display their creations. Plans for the historic property include artist studios, gallery space, a coffee shop and live-work loft apartments, giving new purpose to a building deeply connected to Atlantic City’s salt water taffy tradition. Developer Pat Fasano is behind the project, which would preserve the historic structure while adapting it for a new generation of uses. The proposal continues a wave of investment around Atlantic City’s Orange Loop and Boardwalk area, where vacant and underused properties have increasingly been targeted

for restaurants, arts spaces, entertainment and residential development. The building was once home to the James Candy Company, one of the businesses that turned salt water taffy from a local Boardwalk treat into an enduring symbol of Atlantic City. Official site plans filed with the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority identify the project as “Taffy Lofts” and call for the adaptive reuse of the former James Candy property. Earlier plans for the site contemplated hospitality, restaurant and other mixed-use components, showing that redevelopment of the property has been in the works for several years.

Arts foundation already helped reimagine the space

The transformation from candy factory to creative hub has, in some ways, already begun. In 2023, the Atlantic City Arts Foundation selected the former James Candy building for the 10th installment of ARTeriors, its signature program in which artists temporar-

BEST BAGELS BEST BAGELS BEST BAGELS BEST BAGELS BEST BAGELS BEST BAGELS BEST BAGELS

Developer Pat Fasano plans to transform the history taffy factory to loft apartments. ily transform vacant or transitional properties into immersive art installations. More than 25 artists took over the former candy company building for ARTeriors at The James, creating installations inspired by the structure, its history and one another. The foundation described the exhibition as an opportunity to showcase both Atlantic City’s artistic community and the possibilities for buildings awaiting redevelopment. The monthlong project attracted hundreds of visitors to receptions, exhibits and other activities, according to the Arts Foundation. Many of the installations deliberately played with the building’s sugary past, bearing names including “The Candy Parlor,” “Garden of Sugary Delights,” “Sweet Mementos” and “No

Bitter Without The Sweet; No Sweet Without The Bitter.” When the exhibition opened in November 2023, then-Executive Director Kate O’Malley described its return to the Orange Loop as significant because of the neighborhood’s growing identity as an arts and cultural district. That temporary experiment now feels particularly relevant to the Taffy Lofts concept. ARTeriors is specifically designed around buildings that are “in transition,” allowing artists to demonstrate how otherwise dormant properties can be activated through creative uses. The James exhibition effectively gave visitors an early glimpse of how the former factory could function as an arts destination before permanent redevelopment began.

Locations in: Margate • Somers Point • Northfield • Atlantic City

24

August 13, 2026


The Arts Foundation had used a similar model elsewhere in the Orange Loop. Its first ARTeriors exhibition was held in 2015 at 121 S. Tennessee Ave., when that portion of Atlantic City was only beginning its redevelopment. The building later became MADE Atlantic City Chocolate and subsequently Bar 32.

An investment in an Atlantic City landmark

The Taffy Lofts project is expected to represent an investment of approximately $20 million, with plans centered on creating a multi-use artistic community rather than simply renovating the former factory for a single commercial tenant. Artist studios and gallery areas would make parts of the property accessible to the creative community and the public, while live-work residences would give artists the ability to both create and reside in the same complex. A coffee shop would add another public-facing component to the development. The concept also fits into a broader effort to establish more year-round activity beyond Atlantic City’s casinos and major tourism attractions. An exact opening date remains dependent on construction and redevelopment progress. Earlier planning documents demonstrate that proposals for the site have evolved over time, making projected completion dates subject to change as the final version of the redevelopment advances.

More than a century of taffy history

Although Taffy Lofts is focused on what comes next, the project’s identity remains closely tied to what came before it. Salt water taffy became associated with Atlantic City during the late 19th century, when the young resort was drawing growing numbers of visitors to its Boardwalk. The Atlantic City Arts Foundation traces the James Candy site’s candy-making history to 1880, describing the former company as a landmark in the development of the confection. One of the best-known stories surrounding salt water taffy involves an Atlantic City candy merchant whose stock was supposedly soaked by ocean water during a storm. When a customer later asked about the candy, the shopkeeper reportedly joked that he had “salt water taffy.” The precise origins of the term have become part of Boardwalk folklore, but Atlantic City became firmly associated with the chewy confection by the late 1800s. Candy makers including Joseph

August 13, 2026

Fralinger and Enoch James helped turn taffy into a tourism industry. Fralinger famously packaged pieces into boxes that travelers could bring home as souvenirs, while James developed his own taffy recipes and production techniques. The candy even attracted celebrity customers. According to a history of the company, Frank Sinatra once placed an order for hundreds of pounds of taffy while performing in Atlantic City during the casino era.

NEW 2026 BATHING SUITS ARE HERE!

From old to new

For generations, colorful boxes of taffy became almost as synonymous with an Atlantic City vacation as the Boardwalk itself. The former James property therefore offers something increasingly rare in a city that has repeatedly reinvented itself: a physical connection between Atlantic City’s earliest tourism era and its next one. If the Taffy Lofts project comes to fruition, the machines that once pulled strands of candy may be gone, but creativity would again be produced inside the walls of the old James building. Only this time, instead of boxes of salt water taffy leaving the Boardwalk, the finished products may be paintings, sculptures and other works from Atlantic City artists.

Everyday 11am-5pm

The Original Discount Broker Will Meet or Beat Any Others - Total 2% Commissions plus you get the Owner and Top Producer GUARANTEED

COMMISSIONS ROBERT SHAMBERG Owner, VP of Sales

AS LOW AS

2%

Top 99% Producer = Excellent Full Time Service Why Pay More Continuous Multimillion Dollar Winner in Sales For The Same Service? Selling at Top Dollar at Lowest Commission, Saving you Thousands of Dollars Call Today To List Your Property &

SAVE THOUSANDS!

609-335-5711 Cell

RobShamberg@comcast.net The Courtyard at Galloway 28 S. New York Rd (Route 9) Galloway NJ 08205 www.bhhsdiversified.com

Are You Ready to Buy or Sell Your Home Now? 25


Miss Ocean City was crowned Saturday By Marcella Curcio

K

ayla Magazzu, a rising junior at Ocean City High School, never expected to walk away from the Miss Ocean City pageant with the crown. On Saturday, Aug. 8, Magazzu was crowned Miss Ocean City 2027 at the Ocean City Music Pier, marking the beginning of a year she hopes will be filled with community events, new experiences, and opportunities to represent a town she has grown to love. “I never went out expecting to crown,” Magazzu said. “This was very unexpected for me.” Magazzu, who lives in Margate, is a student at Ocean City High School and entering her junior year this fall. Her journey to the Miss Ocean City stage began with a suggestion from her dance coach, Alyssa Morrison. Morrison, who founded Ocean City High School’s Dance Team, encouraged Magazzu to give the pageant a try. Magazzu first competed in the Junior Miss Ocean City pageant last year, where she was named second runner-up. After enjoying the experience, she decided to return to the

26

stage again this year. “I just had so much fun and wanted to go back out for it again this year, and here we are,” she said. For Magazzu, however, the pageant was about more than winning a title. She said she valued the opportunity to meet different people, interview with others, and gain experience on stage. “I really was in it for the people and the learning experience,” Mag-

of her favorites is the Halloween Parade. “I love the parades. I love the show,” she said. “I'm excited to actually be a part of it.” She is also looking forward to Ocean City's Christmas celebrations, including the annual tree lighting. For Magazzu, representing Ocean City is especially meaningful because of her family's connection to the Shore. She said Ocean City has maintained a sense of character that allows it to remain a favorite place for children and families, even as the city continues to evolve. “I feel like it pretty much stayed the same and held onto its character for so many years,” she said. Her family grew up visiting the Shore, and she hopes those traditions continue with future generations. “I really think that is special to Ocean City, and makes it different than other places,” Magazzu said. As she begins her reign, Magazzu said she is grateful for the opportunity to represent a place she has grown up visiting and loving.

azzu said. “Getting that on-stage experience can help improve you as a person.” She believes that experience is one of the most important parts of participating in a pageant. “You can benefit from it no matter what,” she said. Now, as Miss Ocean City, Magazzu hopes to be someone younger members of the community can look up to. “I think that Miss Ocean City is a great way for little kids to have someone to look up to,” she said. “I think that it’s great to be able to represent such an amazing town.” Magazzu said she believes a successful title holder should be charitable, approachable and energetic, while genuinely wanting to serve in the role. “It’s really important to want to do it,” she said. Her experience as a dance teacher has also allowed her to develop leadership skills. Magazzu has taught at Lesli’s Dance Studio in Ventnor City for the past few years and said she sees her new role as another opportunity to be someone others can approach. “Being a title holder Kayla Magazzu was crowned Miss Ocean City 2027 definitely comes with lead- on Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Ocean City Music Pier. ership,” she said. Photos credit: Kerri Janto With the title also comes responsibility, including attending “I aim carry this title with grace,” events and communicating with she said. “I'm excited that I get to repthe community. It is important to resent a place that I grew up loving be present, and showing up proud so much.” of the community is also important, And while the crown may have Magazzu commented. been unexpected, Magazzu is ready During her upcoming year as Miss for the year ahead. “I'm really so grateful to hold this Ocean City, Magazzu is particularly looking forward to the city’s many title,” she said. “I can't wait for this parades and community events. One year.”

August 13, 2026


By Tammy Thornton

Delicious ways to use basil and parsley from your garden

T

his time of year, I usually have an abundance of basil and parsley. Of course, this is the best sort of problem to have in the garden. While nothing beats fresh basil on a tomato and mayonnaise sandwich in the summer, you can use these wonderful herbs in so many other ways. Combine your ripe Parsley, olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, and red cherry or grape tomatoes pepper flakes can be combined to make chimmichuri from the garden, and make sauce for steak, chicken, or vegetables. bruschetta for the perfect to follow anyone else’s rules of what summer appetizer. Slice Italian bread, pesto “should” be. Try adding lemon brush the slices with a little olive oil, and toast in the oven to make crostini zest or juice to add a fresh flavor to as a base for your bruschetta. When I your pesto. Incidentally, the word make this summer treat, we can nev“boss” translates to “chef” in French. er get enough. If you happen to have So as the boss/chef, come up with leftover bruschetta, add it to pasta or your own combinations and invent a new recipe. In addition to adding peon top of grilled chicken. Of course, one of the best ways to sto to pasta, my family enjoys chicken enjoy your fresh herbs is by making ciabatta sandwiches with mozzarella, pesto. While my favorite pesto uses tomato, and pesto. basil as a base, you can make pesto Another way to use your parsley with any type of herbs. The word is by making chimichurri sauce. Add pesto comes from the word in Italian parsley, oregano, garlic, olive oil, red which means to crush or pound. So wine vinegar, kosher salt, pepper, oregano, and a few pepper flakes you can pound or crush all types of flavorful herbs to your heart’s conto your food processor and whiz it tent for some delicious dishes. In altogether. You will have a wonderful addition to basil, you can make pesto topping for steak, pork, chicken, powith parsley, cilantro, mint, and batatoes, or roasted vegetables. I made sically any leafy greens that you feel this for my family, mixed with basil like smashing together with garlic and and mint for an herb sauce over flat olive oil. Remember, it’s your kitchen, iron steak, and we all went back for so you are the boss. You do not need seconds. Originating in Argentina and

making it more of a dry seasoning. Therefore, gremolata is more often used on dishes that already have a sauce or have been slow-cooked. The lemon zest adds a fresh, citrusy flavor, perfect for summer. In addition to using your fresh herbs to make wonderful summer dishes, you will want to save some to enjoy in the winter. You can freeze basil and parsley Flat iron steak topped with chimmichuri sauce. in water or oil in ice cube Uruguay, this flavorful condiment can trays. Once they are frozen, pop them be used both as a marinade and a topout of the cubes and store them in ping. It would also taste delicious over freezer-safe ziplock bags. When cold fish. While similar to its Italian cousin, and dreary winter days arrive, you will gremolata, these two herb mixtures be able to enjoy the taste of summer once again. have subtle differences and uses. We love to hear from our readers. Chimichurri contains liquids, such as olive oil and red wine vinegar, and Send your questions and comments works well with dishes that are on to: shorelocalgardener@gmail.com. the drier side. Gremolata is also made Tammy Thornton lives with her husband, children, and crazy pets with parsley and garlic, but with the while enjoying a life of gardening, addition of lemon zest. Traditionally, it does not have olive oil or vinegar, cooking, and going to the beach.

El Jardin Flower Shop

Brighten Your Day! Send to Someone You Love! We Deliver. (609) 727-5560

3912 Ventnor Ave Atlantic City, NJ 08401 www.eljardinflowershop.com August 13, 2026

27


T

Sensational Soul Cruisers bring classic hits to Margate beach

he sounds of classic soul, Motown and rhythm and blues filled the air in Margate as the Sensational Soul Cruisers performed before a beachfront crowd Saturday, Aug. 8. Hosted by the Margate City Public Library, the free summer concert was held at the Martin Bloom Community Pavilion on Huntington Avenue. Residents and visitors gathered near the beach for an evening of live music overlooking the ocean.

The Sensational Soul Cruisers brought the sound and energy of a classic show band to the outdoor stage. The 11-member horn group, fronted by four vocalists, is known for performing

In Todays Fast Paced Real Estate Market It Is Even More Important To Choose The Right Agent To Represent You!

music inspired by the soul, Motown, R&B and disco eras of the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s. The two-hour performance gave audience members an opportunity to sing and dance along to familiar favorites. The band’s vocal harmonies, choreography and horn arrangements helped create a lively

concerts, educational presentations, children’s activities and community events. Saturday’s performance brought that programming outside, combining live entertainment with the sights and sounds of a summer evening at the Shore.

atmosphere along the beachfront. The concert was part of Margate’s summer tradition of offering community entertainment in an outdoor setting. The beachfront pavilion provides a gathering place for concerts, recreational programs and other seasonal activities throughout the summer. The Margate City Public Library regularly hosts programs beyond its traditional library services, including

As the band performed, beachgoers and music fans filled the pavilion area for an evening that blended nostalgia with the relaxed atmosphere of Margate’s beachfront. The concert offered longtime fans a chance to revisit familiar songs while introducing younger listeners to music that has endured across generations. Photos by Tom Briglia/ PhotoGraphics

Over 40 Years of Real Estate Expertise, Knowledge, and Experience to Assist You!

Elisa Jo Eagan

• ABR-Accredited Buyer Representative- Expert Negotiator To Get You The Home That You Want ! • CRS-Certified Residential Specialist-To Optimize The Highest Sales Price For Your Home and Get SOLD Quickly! • GRI-Graduate Realtor Institute-Continuing Education and Technology Like No Other! • MRP-Military and Relocation Specialist-Proficient in All Aspects of Veteran and Active Military Real Estate! • Full Time Awarded Professional Realtor Since 1985 and NJ Real Estate Broker Since1989-Experience Counts!

Trust Your Biggest Investments to a Proven Professional With The Know-How To Get You Successfully To Your Closing!

609-703-0432 28

• Lifetime Membership in the New Jersey Association of Realtors Distinguished Sales Club and National Association of Realtors. Up to $50,000 of Down Payment Assistance Available to Qualified Buyers in Atlantic City and Surrounding Area

TheRealEstateGodmother.com "There's No Place Like Owning Your Own Home"

August 13, 2026


Named America’s #1 Best Roadside Attraction by USA Today! Now Open Daily. Weekdays 11am - 4pm Sat. & Sun. 10am-5pm

1 Lucy Plaza (9200 Atlantic Ave.) Margate, NJ 08402 (609)823-6473 www.LucyTheElephant.org

Gift Shop is temporarily located across the street at the corner of Washington & Atlantic Ave.

TAKE $1 OFF ADMISSION OR RECEIVE 10% OFF YOUR GIFT SHOP PURCHASE *Coupon must be surrendered at the time of purchase and may not be combined with any other offer. No cash value. Discount is limited to four (4) admission tickets. Gift Shop discount excludes the purchase of selected jewelry as well as Steven Winkelstein (a.k.a. “The Winkle”) and Aunt Evelyn books. Coupon expires December 31,2026. Valid in-store only. Coupon Code: SL The Save Lucy Committee, Inc. received an operating support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State.


Game on: Ocean City's arcades continue to create family traditions By Marcella Curcio

N

RNFS SU SSO LE

INCLUDES THE USE OF BOARD &WETSUIT

othing quite compares to walking into an arcade and instantly feeling like a kid again. The sounds of tickets pouring from machines, flashing lights, friendly competition, and excited cheers create an atmosphere that's hard to resist. Whether the goal is hitting the jackpot, trying your luck at a claw machine, or challenging friends and family to a game of Skee-Ball, arcades have been bringing generations together for decades. For many families, a trip to the Ocean City Boardwalk isn't complete without stopping at one of the island's iconic arcades. They offer the perfect escape when afternoon showers roll in or a fun way to spend time together after dinner. Beyond the games and prizes, these arcades have become part of countless family traditions, creating memories that last long after summer ends. From longtime favorites to modern attractions, Ocean City's Boardwalk arcades continue to welcome visitors of all ages while preserving

a tradition that has entertained generations. Although Gillian's Wonderland Pier closed its amusement rides, visitors can still step inside the iconic castle to experience one of the Boardwalk's most recognizable arcades. Walking through the castle doors brings a wave of nostalgia for many families who remember spending

summers riding the Giant Wheel, taking a spin on the carousel, or enjoying a day inside Wonderland. While the rides may be gone, familiar Wonderland characters still decorate the entrance, serving as reminders of the memories created there. Today, the arcade continues that tradition. Families can still enjoy classic games, newer attractions, and friendly competition inside one of Ocean City's most recognizable landmarks. For many visitors, stepping inside the castle is just as much about reliving childhood memories as it is creating new ones. Across from the Ocean City Music Pier, Hollywood Arcade welcomes visitors with bright lights, colorful attractions, and a family-friendly atmosphere. Inside, guests are greeted by games featuring recognizable characters, including Clifford the Big Red Dog, along with interactive rides, ticket games, and classic arcade favorites. One attraction that continues to draw families is the photo booth,

Book Online www.7thStreetSurfShop.com

SURF CAMPS SURFBOARD RENTALS 654 Boardwalk, OC 1118 Boardwalk, OC Asbury ry Ave, OC 720 Asbur Asbu

609.391.1700

30

August 13, 2026


where groups can capture a keepsake together before continuing their Boardwalk adventure. While winning tickets is always exciting, many visitors find the photos become just as memorable as the prizes they take home. Just a few blocks away, Jilly's Arcade has remained a Boardwalk staple for generations and is one of the few arcades open year-round. Located next to the Surf Mall on 12th Street, Jilly's features more than 100 games, offering something for nearly every age and interest. Visitors can test their skills at timeless favorites like Skee-Ball, Dance Dance Revolution, basketball challenges, racing simulators and dozens of claw machines. Part of what makes Jilly's special is its ability to appeal to every generation. Parents often introduce their children to the same games they played growing up, while teenagers challenge each other to the latest interactive attractions. After working up an appetite, visitors don't have to go far. Connected to the arcade is Jilly's Ice Cream Factory, where families can cool off with ice cream, cotton candy, and other sweet treats before heading back onto the Boardwalk. Farther down the Boardwalk, it's impossible to miss the giant pirate

August 13, 2026

ship entrance and bright orange octopus welcoming visitors into Playland's Castaway Cove arcade. Known for combining thrilling amusement rides with classic arcade entertainment, Castaway Cove offers guests another chance to continue the excitement even after stepping off the rides. Inside, visitors will find a mix of traditional ticket games, interactive attractions, and newer arcade experiences. Families often move from roller coasters and spinning rides directly into the arcade, where the competition continues over basket-

ball games, racing simulators and prize machines. The arcade also provides a comfortable place to cool off during the hottest summer afternoons while still keeping the excitement of the Boardwalk going. While each arcade has its own personality, they all share one thing in common: bringing people together. Parents teach their children the tricks they once learned for winning Skee-Ball. Grandparents smile as younger generations discover the excitement of hearing hundreds of tickets spill from a machine after a

big win. Friends cheer each other on while trying to beat the high score, and siblings continue long-running rivalries over basketball games, air hockey, and racing simulators. Then there's always someone convinced this will finally be the time they win the giant stuffed animal from the claw machine. Even when they don't, the laughter often becomes the biggest prize of the day. In an era where so much entertainment happens through phones, tablets and video game consoles at home, Ocean City's arcades continue offering something different. They encourage families to interact faceto-face, celebrate each other's victories and make memories together. As the sun begins to set and the Boardwalk lights come alive, the sounds of arcade games blend with the laughter of families making one more stop before heading home. Children carefully count their tickets while parents browse the prize counters, and another generation begins creating traditions they'll remember for years to come. For many visitors, the prizes eventually fade, but the memories don't. Ocean City's arcades continue doing what they have for decades — bringing families together, one game at a time.

31


What’s happening in Ocean City

T

Baby Parade returns to Boardwalk on Thursday for 116th Year

he 116th annual Ocean City Baby Parade begins at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026 on the Boardwalk. The annual tradition offers a chance for parents to show off Ocean City’s newest generation. The parade features children ages 10 and under cruising the Boardwalk in themed strollers, wagons and floats. It starts at Sixth Street with children finishing at 12th Street and all other entries continuing to 14th Street. The parade is free to watch from either side of the boardwalk. Spectators are welcome to bring beach chairs to watch from the railing along the ocean side of the boardwalk. On the parade morning, the boardwalk will close to bicycle traffic at 9:30 a.m. In addition to the array of themed Baby Parade entries, participants will include: the Absegami High School Marching Band, Interboro Marching Band, Gelana Brass Band, newly crowned Queen Infanta Abigail Herrington, a float honoring veterans, the Ocean City Beach Patrol, Miss Ocean City, Junior Miss Ocean City and Little Miss Ocean City contestants, a “Toy Story” float, local dignitaries,

local businesses, local organizations and more. Each child receives a memento at 12th Street for participating in the parade, and winners will receive their awards when they complete the parade at 12th Street. In addition to division awards, special honors will include the Leo Bamberger Founders Award, Hanscom Award, Dahlhausen Award, Canale Award, Outstanding Twins or Triplets, Baby Traveling the Greatest Distance to Participate, Best Float, Chris Janson is bringing country Best Musical Act and the music to Ocean City. Mark Soifer Award. In the event of heavy rain, entries mances on Thursday, should still report to the Civic Center Aug. 13 at the Bill and Nancy Hughes where judging will take place. The Per forming Ar t s parade will not proceed down the Boardwalk. Center in Ocean City (within Ocean City ‘Sister Act’ shows High School at Sixth Street and Atlantic continue through Aug. 13 The Greater Ocean City Theatre Avenue). Company and the Ocean City Pops Based on the beloved 1992 film, Orchestra will continue their run of “Sister Act” with two final perfor“Sister Act” features infectious songs, high-energy dance numbers, and plenty of heart. Produced by the City of Ocean City and featuring the acclaimed Ocean City Pops Orchestra, the production continues the longstanding collaboration between OCTC and the Pops, bringing Broadway-caliber entertainment to audiences at the Jersey Shore. This partnership offers visitors the opportunity to experience professional musical theater accompanied by a full live orchestra. The performances will take place Aug. 13 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. For tickets ($30 to $35), visit oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, call 609-3996111 or stop by the Music Pier Box Office.

Chris Janson brings country to the Music Pier on Thursday

Chris Janson will bring his “Wild Horses Untamed” tour to the Ocean City Music Pier on Thursday, Aug. 13. The country music star’s No. 1 hits include “Buy Me A Boat,” “Good Vibes,” “All I Need Is You” and “Done.” He recently performed as part of the 250th Anniversary of the United States’ Armed Forces “America Salutes You” concert in Nashville. Janson has amassed more than 10 million in sales as a solo artist, and more than 15 million in sales com-

32

bined with hits recorded by other notable artists such as Tim McGraw, LoCash and Hank Williams Jr. The show is at 7:30 p.m. at the Music Pier. Tickets are available at www.oceancityvacation. com/boxoffice

Second Fishing Pier Open House set for Thursday

The Ocean City Fishing Club invites visitors to tour its pier and clubhouse at

14th Street and the Boardwalk from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13. Visitors will also be able to make an optional monetary donation or canned goods donation to support the Ocean City Food Cupboard. This is one of two days a year when the Pier is open to non-members, weather permitting. The rain date is Aug. 14.

Ocean City pageants at the Music Pier

The Little Miss Ocean City Pageant starts at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14 at the Ocean City Music Pier. The pageant will include girls ages 8 to 11 competing in talent and other categories. Reigning Little Miss Harper Juelg will crown her successor at the conclusion of the pageant. Tickets for the event are $15 and will be available at the Ocean City Music Pier Box Office, by visiting oceancityvacation.com/ boxoffice or by calling 609-399-6111. The Music Pier will host the annual Junior Miss Ocean City Pageant at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15. Contestants will compete in interview, talent, evening gown and onstage question in the pageant. Junior Miss Ocean City 2025 Arianna DiAntonio will crown her successor after a dynamic year of service. Contestants range in age

↘Continued on 34 August 13, 2026


↘Continued from 32

Cape May Scallops & Flounder Shrimp, Crabs, Clams, Mussels, Lobster Homemade Crab Cake, Deviled Crab, Crab Imperial Live Lobster, Tuna, Mahi, Swordfish, Halibut

Celebrating 45 Years! Homemade Soups

Manhattan Clam Chowder, New England Clam Chowder, Lobster Bisque, Maryland Crab

Take Out Lunch & Dinner Hand Breaded Fried, Broiled & Steamed Seafood Custom Party Trays

OUTDOOR SEATING

Made Fresh, Never Frozen! LOCAL CRABS Live & Clean

from 12 to 15 and are either year-round residents in Ocean City, attend Ocean City High School, or are the daughters of Ocean City property owners. Tickets for the event are $20 and will be available at the Ocean City Music Pier Box Office, by visiting oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or by calling 609-399-6111. Miss Ocean City, Junior Miss Ocean City and Little Miss Indigo Girls Ocean City serve as ambassadors for the City of Ocean City at Monday, Aug. 17 iconic traditions like Night in Venice, ● Indigo Girls at the Ocean City Pamper Scamper, Baby Parade, Music Pier: The folk-rock duo Indigo Girls first hit the charts with Christmas Parade, Wacky Wednessingles like “Closer to Fine” in the day activities and more. 1980s, and they have performed Ocean City’s has at the Music Pier in 2016 and 2018. a full schedule of Tickets available at etix.com. events this week: ● America 250 — Lights Over Thursday, Aug. 13 Ocean City Drone Show: Ocean ● Market Days: Ocean City’s City will celebrate the 250th downtown shopping district anniversary of our nation this along Asbury Avenue features summer with a weekly patriotic entertainment, face-painters, drone show over the beach and balloon-sculptors and more from boardwalk south of Sixth Street. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The show will feature hundreds of ● Mummers Night: String bands drones lighting up the sky and crestrut the Boardwalk between ating animations that salute AmerSixth Street and 14th Street beica. The 15-minute shows will be tween 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. held at 9 p.m. on Mondays through Aug. 24. The weekly event is made Sunday, Aug. 16 possible through a $25,000 grant from the Cape May County Board ● Lee Greenwood with the Ocean City Pops: Lee Greenwood is of Commissioners, sponsorships an American country artist who from Boardwalk merchants and bridged the gap between tradicity funding. tional and contemporary country ● Family Night on the Boardwalk: music. He is best known for his A variety of family-friendly enpatriotic anthem “God Bless the tertainers — including magicians, USA.” The show is at 7:30 p.m. at musicians, characters and more — the Music Pier. Tickets are availwill be stationed on the Boardwalk able at oceancityvacation.com/ between Sixth Street and 14th boxoffice. Street.

Original

®

Order Online and Get Discount Specials 932 Haven Ave. Ocean City

609-398-6703

34

HOMEMADE SOUPS SERVED DAILY

SOUP & BREAKFAST SANDWICH SERVED SPECIALS ALL DAY

Open Daily 7am-3pm, Sunday 7am-2pm

Take Out Available

Enjoy Indoor or Outdoor Dining

415 Eighth Street • Ocean City • 609-399-4418 August 13, 2026


Pamper Scamper brings baby crawlers to Sixth Street Beach marked racing area and crawl toward parents or guardians waiting at the perimeter. Some competitors move quickly toward the finish, while others pause, change direction or remain at the starting point, adding to the fun for families watching. The racers competed in heats, with encouragement from relatives and spectators. While the event included competition, the morning focused largely on family fun and

By Marcella Curcio

O

cean City’s youngest competitors crawled into the spotlight Tuesday morning during the annual Pamper Scamper at Sixth Street Beach.

creating memories at the beach. The Pamper Scamper traditionally serves as a prelude to Ocean City’s annual Baby Parade, one of the city’s longest-running family events. This year’s 116th Baby Parade is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 13, on the Boardwalk. The crawling race reflects Ocean City’s emphasis on family-friendly traditions. Photo by Marcella Curcio

The Aug. 11 event brought babies, parents and spectators to the sand for a lighthearted race. Open to children 15 months old and younger, the free competition began at 9 a.m. following registration. During the Pamper Scamper, babies begin near the center of a

SACK O’ SUBS

SUBS • SALADS • SANDWICHES • SOUPS PICK-UP • EAT-IN • DELIVERY Order Online! om bs.c SackoSu n City a - Oce

SPECIALS Daily Lunch & Dinner Specials on Facebook & Instagram

August 13, 2026

THURSDAY PIZZA SPECIAL $11.95 Large Cheese (Toppings extra)

FREE KITE, YO-YO & JUGGLING LESSONS!

Local Delivery Available

926 Asbury Ave. Ocean City 609-525-0460 55th & Central Ave. Ocean City 609-525-0434

35


Satisfy your sweet tooth with these Ocean City favorites bag with their favorite treats, there's something about a sweet treat that completes a day at the shore. As a kid, a trip to the candy store always felt like a reward after a day on the beach or an evening spent riding the amusement rides. Even today, I find myself stopping for a piece of chocolate or browsing the colorful displays just for the nostalgia. If you're looking to satisfy your sweet tooth, here are a few Boardwalk fa-

Boardwalk Bites By Marcella Curcio

O

ne of my favorite things about the Ocean City Boardwalk is that no matter your age, it has a way of bringing out your inner child. Whether you're carrying a bag of saltwater taffy home as a souvenir, stopping for a piece of creamy fudge after dinner, or letting kids fill a candy

Events Here are some of the fun events happening in the Wildwoods: AUGUST 14 -16 MudHen Beach Baseball Tournament

SEPTEMBER 11 - 12 Mummers New Year’s in North Wildwood

AUGUST 19 MindTravel Live-toHeadphones ‘Silent’ Piano Beach Concert AUGUST 21 Wildwoods PigDog Regatta & Beach Party

TUESDAYS and THURSDAYS

Arts in the Parks 7 p.m. | June 23 - August 27

TUESDAYS and THURSDAYS

Doo Wop and Neon Night Tours 8 p.m. | June 16 - August 27 SATURDAY MORNINGS UNTIL AUGUST 30

AUGUST 23 - 27 Wildwoods August Restaurant Week AUGUST 28 - 30 OPA Greek Fest Sports Card, Toys, Comics & Collectibles August Show at the Wildwoods Convention Center SEPTEMBER 5 Ed’s Funcade World Championship Skeeball Tournament SEPTEMBER 6 Wildwood End of Summer Block Party at Fox Park

Downtown Wildwood Farmers Market

LIVE MUSIC EVERY WEEK Sundays at Fox Park 7:30 p.m. | June 28- August 30 Mondays at Sunset Lake 7:30 p.m. | June 29- August 24 Tuesdays at Crest Arts Pavilion 7 p.m. | June 30 - August 25 Wednesdays at Centennial Park 7 p.m. | Food Trucks 5-9 p.m. July 1 - August 26 Thursdays at Byrne Plaza 7:30 p.m. | June 18 - September 10 Saturdays at Centennial Park 7 p.m. | June 27 - September 5

WILDWOODS ISLAND SHUTTLE—LEAVE THE DRIVING TO US Jitney service from Diamond Beach to Olde New Jersey Avenue... and everywhere in between! Download the free Jitney Surfer app. Plan your visit today and enter to win a free family vacation. WILDWOODSNJ.COM 800.992.9732

vorites worth visiting. When people think of the Jersey Shore, one of the first treats that comes to mind is saltwater taffy, and Shriver's has been a Boardwalk tradition for generations. Located on Ninth Street, Shriver's is known for its colorful window displays and wide variety of classic saltwater taffy flavors. Every summer, I have friends visiting from out of town who never leave without picking up a box to bring home for family and friends. Beyond the taffy, visitors will also find chocolates, gummies, nostalgic candies, homemade fudge, and even gelato, making it easy to satisfy every sweet craving in one stop. Walking past the windows at The Original Fudge Kitchen is enough to make anyone stop. Watching fresh fudge being poured and cut while the smell of chocolate fills the air is part of the experience. Located across from the Ocean City Music Pier, the shop offers a variety of fudge flavors made fresh throughout the day. While there are plenty of creative options to choose from, I always find myself going back to the classic chocolate. Sometimes you just can't beat a timeless favorite. Bright colors, oversized candy displays, and shelves packed with sweet

treats make IT'SUGAR hard to miss. Located on Ninth Street, this candy store offers everything from nostalgic favorites to trendy treats and novelty candies. One of the best parts is creating your own mix-andmatch candy bag, letting you fill it with exactly what you're craving. You'll also find fun candy creations that look like everyday foods, making it just as entertaining to browse as it is to shop. After an evening of rides at Playland's Castaway Cove, Jilly's Candy Factory is always a fun stop.

th

TAKE OUT PLATTERS PARTY TRAYS KID’S MENU

STREET

SEAFOOD

Fresh Market & Cooked Seafood Platters

TRY OUR TASTY HAND-BREADED CHICKEN!

Homemade Crabcakes

Clams & Shrimp • Local Fresh Scallops & Flounder

609.399.0016 www.16thstreetseafood.net

5 OFF

$

Your $60 Order 2026 Season

Corner of 16th & Haven Ave. • Ocean City, NJ 08226 Plenty of off street parking

36

August 13, 2026


One of my favorite features is the chance to create your own Pixy Stix by mixing different flavored powders into one tube. It's become a tradition whenever I'm babysitting. We spend the evening on the rides, then end the night picking out candy before heading home. With its colorful characters, welcoming atmosphere and endless selection of sweets, it's easy to see why families return year after year. While many visitors know George's for its ice cream, the candy selection inside deserves just as much attention. Located on Seventh Street, the shop offers chocolates, candy, and chocolate-covered treats, including pretzels topped with colorful sprinkles and other fun toppings. Whether you're looking for a quick snack or a gift to bring home, there's plenty to

#1 PARTY TRAY STORE AT THE SHORE Chicken Tender Trays Chicken Cutlet Trays Filet Mignon Trays Shrimp Trays Charcuterie Trays

Hoagie, Wrap, Sandwich Trays Fruit and Veggie Trays Grilled Vegetable Trays Hors d’oeuvre Trays Rib Trays

BAYVIEW MARINA & WATERSPORTS One Location - Loads of Fun on the Bay 312-316 Bay Ave. Ocean City 609-399-5100

BAYVIEW JET SKI WAVERUNNER RENTALS 00

609-399-51

choose from. Just steps from the Surf Mall, Douglas Candies has welcomed Boardwalk visitors for generations. As soon as you walk through the doors, you're greeted by the rich aroma of chocolate. The shop offers homemade fudge, chocolates, saltwater taffy, and beautifully packaged assortments that make great gifts or the perfect late-night snack after a day on the Boardwalk. Known for its handdipped waffle cones and premium ice cream, Kilwins is also one of my favorite places to satisfy a chocolate craving. Located in the heart of the Boardwalk, the shop offers handcrafted chocolates, caramel apples, fudge, and other sweet treats. While the ice cream often steals the spotlight, don't overlook the chocolate display. As someone who loves chocolate, Kilwins is always near the top of my list. Some traditions never change, and for many families, stopping for a sweet treat before heading home is one of them. Whether it's a box of saltwater taffy to share with family, a piece of fresh fudge after dinner, or or a bag filled with your favorite childhood candies, the Ocean City Boardwalk has no shortage of ways to end the day on a sweet note. Sometimes it's not just about the candy itself — it's the memories made while picking it out, sharing it with loved ones and carrying on traditions that keep families coming back to Ocean City year after year.

bayviewjetskirentals

312 BAY AVENUE OCEAN CITY (Between 3rd. & 4th. Street on Bay Ave)

Ride The Duck

Surf The Bay

All New Water Sports! 609-398-0008 314 Bay Ave. Ocean City

Kayaks • Paddle Boards • HOBIE Cat Sailing • Lessons, Rentals, Tours, Camps, Sales

316 Bay Avenue Ocean City NJ 609-391-7960

PARASAILING

Full Selection of House Made Entrées & Side Dishes Half pans - Full pans Baked Ziti, Lasagna, Eggplant Parm, Chicken Parm Filet Mignon - New York Strip Steak - Ribeye Steak - Prime Rib - Fresh Ground Sirloin Fresh Poultry - Pork Chops - Roasts - Baby Back Ribs - Serra Italian Sausage-Hand Press Burgers

1340 Asbury Ave. Ocean City Menu on Boyarsmarket.com

August 13, 2026

399-1343 398-5466 Delivery Available

609-398-1000 314 Bay Ave, Ocean City, NJ

www.FLYOCNJ.com 37


Ten ways to romanticize the final weeks of summer down the Shore

By Sarah Fertsch

T

here is something about late August at the Jersey Shore that feels precious. The days are still long, the ocean is still warm and the boardwalk still hums at night, but suddenly every beach day comes with the quiet realization that summer will not last forever. Instead of mourning the season before it is over, consider this your excuse to lean all the way in. Here are ten ways to romanticize the final moments of summer before a new season begins:

1. Browse the farm market and let what’s in season plan dinner

Skip the carefully organized grocery list for a morning and wander through a local farm market instead. Late summer is one of the best times to shop with your eyes first, when tables are piled with tomatoes, sweet corn, peaches, peppers, melons and other produce that practically plans dinner for you.

Pick whatever looks best and build a meal around it. Maybe that means thick tomato sandwiches for lunch, grilled corn alongside dinner or sliced peaches with vanilla ice cream for dessert. Bring a canvas tote, grab an iced coffee on the way and take your time. The goal is less about checking groceries off a list and more about letting the season decide what ends up on the table.

2. Bike the boardwalk before the beach crowds arrive

There is a completely different version of the boardwalk waiting for anyone willing to visit early. Rent a bike or bring your own and cruise alongside joggers, families and other early risers while the ocean breeze is still cool. Stop for coffee or breakfast along the way. Pull over for a few minutes to watch the waves. Notice the smell of sunscreen beginning to mingle with funnel cakes and salt air as another

BAIT & TACKLE

BAITS

DOCKSIDE ENTRANCE

WEIGH SCALE

CRABBING

HUGE INVENTORY!

Sunflower season conveniently arrives just when summer starts feeling like it is slipping away. Make an afternoon of visiting a sunflower farm, wandering between rows of towering yellow blooms and cutting a bouquet to bring home. Wear something you would not mind getting a little dusty, take too many photos and give yourself permission to fully embrace the cheerful absurdity of standing in a giant field of flowers.

3. Ride a Ferris wheel at sunset

Time a trip to the amusement pier so you are climbing into a Ferris wheel car just as the sun begins to sink. Playland's Castaway Cove or the Wheel at Steel Pier will offer stunning panoramic views of both the coast-

August

ROD &

REEL REPAIR

4. Pick a bouquet of sunflowers

beach day wakes up. It is one of the simplest ways to experience a Shore town you may have visited dozens of times from a slightly different perspective.

inlet jetty

609 - 601- BAIT (2248)

PREMIUM

line and sunset on the bay Phones are optional. Looking dramatically out over the coastline as if you are in the final scene of a coming-of-age movie is encouraged. Stay afterward as the lights flicker on and the evening crowd begins arriving. Few things capture the fleeting magic of a Jersey Shore summer quite like being suspended above it for a few minutes.

High

Low

AM

PM

AM

PM

Rise

Set

14

Fri

9:43

10:03

3:44

3:50

6:10

7:55

15

Sat

10:29

10:47

4:24

4:38

6:11

7:53

16

Sun

11:14

11:30

5:04

5:25

6:12

7:52

17

Mon

11:59

5:44

6:15

6:13

7:51

18

Tue

12:14

12:46

6:25

7:07

6:14

7:49

19

Wed

1:00

1:36

7:10

8:06

6:14

7:48

20

Thu

1:52

2:32

8:02

9:10

6:15

7:47

21

Fri

2:52

3:34

9:01

10:15

6:16

7:45

22

Sat

3:56

4:35

10:02

11:14

6:17

7:44

23

Sun

4:57

5:30

10:59

6:18

24

Mon

5:51

6:20

12:09

11:53

6:19

7:41

25

Tue

6:39

7:04

12:57

12:41

6:20

7:39

26

Wed

7:22

7:43

1:37

1:25

6:21

7:38

27

Thu

8:01

8:20

2:11

2:05

6:22

7:36

28

Fri

8:38

8:5

2:43

2:43

6:23

7:35

29

Sat

9:15

9:32

3:14

3:21

6:24

7:33

30

Sun

9:54

10:11

3:46

4:02

6:25

7:32

31

Mon

10:36

10:53

4:2

4:48

6:25

7:30

Moon

7:42

10% OFF MILITARY/ POLICE/FIRE FIGHTERS

www.tightlinesnj.com tightlinesnj@yahoo.com

38

GOT BAIT?

August 13, 2026


Then put the bouquet somewhere you will actually see it — on the kitchen table, beside your bed or on your desk — so a little piece of late summer sticks around for another week.

5. Spend an entire day on the water

By the end of summer, it can be tempting to think you have already “done” the beach enough. Consider swapping the beach chair for something that floats. Rent a kayak or paddleboard. Gather friends for a boat day. Explore calmer back bays and waterways that offer an entirely different view of the Shore. Or, if your idea of adventure involves considerably more splashing, spend the afternoon climbing, jumping and inevitably falling off obstacles at an inflatable water park.

6. Browse the end-ofseason sale racks

Late summer can be one of the best times to wander through Shore boutiques because stores are often beginning to make room for fall arrivals. Take a slow shopping afternoon and browse the sale racks for summer dresses, beachwear, accessories and vacation pieces you can either squeeze another month out of or

August 13, 2026

save for next year. Asbury Avenue in Ocean City is particularly well suited for this kind of leisurely browsing, with blocks of local shops, boutiques, cafes and places to stop for something sweet between purchases. The trick is not to approach it like a mission. Wander. Pop into stores you normally pass. Buy the slightly impractical beachy accessory that makes you happy.

7. Spend the day at the Cape May County Zoo

Not every perfect summer day needs to involve sand. Pack a picnic and head to the Cape May County Zoo for a slower-paced day surrounded by shady pathways, animals and greenery. It is especially nice toward the end of summer, when you may be craving an outdoor adventure that does not require hauling chairs, umbrellas and coolers across hot sand. Take your time walking through the zoo, stop for lunch and resist the urge to rush from exhibit to exhibit. Afterward, extend the day with dinner somewhere nearby or keep driving south toward Cape May for an evening stroll.

8. Take the dog to the beach

Your dog deserves one more summer adventure, too. Ventnor beaches allow leashed dogs in the evenings from 7-9pm, and you can bring a leashed dog on Margate beaches from 6-8 a.m. For less scheduling stress, visit Dog Beach along the Longport Bridge. For dog owners, there are few better ways to close out summer than watching a happy pup race along the shoreline.

9. Get ice cream and eat it outside

Ice cream deserves to be an activity, not just dessert. Pick a local ice cream shop. We recommend A la Mode on the south end of Ocean City, but feel free to

visit Kohr’s Frozen Custard, Little’s Dairy Bar, the Fractured Prune, Fudgy Wudgy carts on the beach, or anywhere that offers frozen treats. Take it to a boardwalk bench, stroll through town or sit near the bay as the sun goes down. Bonus points for sprinkles, a waffle cone or a sundae large enough that everyone at the table immediately questions your judgment. There will be plenty of time for pumpkin spice. Late summer still belongs to soft serve.

10. See an outdoor concert

Nothing stretches a summer night quite like live music outside. Check the outdoor concerts listings in the Wahoo section of this publication (outlined in yellow). Bring a blanket or folding chair, grab dinner beforehand and settle in as the evening cools down.Get there early for extra time to choose the perfect spot. There is something especially nostalgic about hearing a familiar song while the sun disappears and families, couples and groups of friends gather under an open sky. Sarah Fertsch of Egg Harbor Township holds a Bachelors of Arts in Public Relations. She is a locally renowned poet, storyteller, and dog lover.

39


Build it and they will come: Housing development expands in Atlantic City, EHT Business Buzz By Rich Baehrle

F

or years, local officials and business leaders have discussed Atlantic County’s need for additional housing. Developers are now responding with projects that could add hundreds of single-family homes, townhomes and apartments in Egg Harbor Township and Atlantic City. Tides at Ocean Club features 140 two-story townhomes, with 134 reported sold. Projects ranging from large planned communities to smaller infill The largest project is D.R. Horton’s to $526,990, with 76 homes reported developments are under construc657-home Ocean Club community sold. tion, approved or moving through the off Westcoat Road. The development The Freeport and Neuville models development process. is divided into three neighborhoods include patios, while the Bristol and Egg Harbor Township continues targeting different segments of the Clifton models offer covered porchto experience significant residenhousing market. es. Homes range from approximately tial development. Touch of Modern Winds at Ocean Club consists of 1,500 to 2,500 square feet. Inc., the developer associated with 259 traditional single-family homes. Plans for the Coves include a Ridgewood Point, received approvPlans include a 7,500-square-foot 3,500-square-foot clubhouse, swimals in 2025 for a 20-lot single-family clubhouse, outdoor swimming pool, ming pool, pickleball courts, gazebo subdivision on approximately 14.5 basketball and tennis courts, playand walking and biking trails. acres at 34 and 70 Chelsea Ave. The grounds and walking trails. Tides at Ocean Club features proposed custom homes would add The Coves at Ocean Club will 140 two-story townhomes, with 134 another residential development contain 258 ranch-style homes for reported sold. The approximately near schools, shopping and major residents 55 and older. Current prices 1,500-square-foot homes offer three highways. range from approximately $369,000 bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms and onecar garages. Community amenities include a clubhouse, swimming pool, basketball court, playgrounds and trails. Sales have been brisk, according to Patty Djokovich, the community’s on-site new-home specialist. Another major Egg Harbor Township development is Patcong Farms, near Patcong and Blackman roads. The project will consist of 60 single-family homes on more than 56 acres, including seven open-space lots. D.R. Horton is marketing Patcong Farms as a luxury single-family community along Patcong Creek. Plans include ranch and two-story homes on larger homesites. The development is also located near major highways and within driving distance of Atlantic City and Ocean City. Across the bay, Atlantic City is also seeing significant residential investment as developers pursue projects in several sections of the city. Kushner Companies’ Caspian Point project is expected to bring 180 market-rate rental apartments to the city. K. Hovnanian has received approval for 152 for-sale townhomes in the South Inlet. The company is also beginning development of the Terraces at Absecon Inlet, a project consisting of 38 waterfront townhomes near New Hampshire and Pacific avenues.

40

A ceremonial groundbreaking is scheduled for Aug. 12. Nearby, developer Keith Groff has started Phase II of Lighthouse Row after Phase I delivered eight market-rate townhomes near the Absecon Lighthouse. The project represented the first new residential construction on the site in approximately two decades. Development is also underway in the Orange Loop, where former Villanova basketball player Brian Zoubek’s Zoubek Properties has completed the first 10 townhomes at the Residences at the Orange Loop. Plans allow for construction of an additional 19 units. The residences include rooftop decks, ocean views and other amenities and are within walking distance of restaurants and entertainment in the Orange Loop district. In Chelsea, Colosseo Atlantic City received approval for 74 four-story townhomes near the former Atlantic Club casino. Plans call for four-bedroom residences with rooftop decks, private parking and landscaping. The developer has also discussed plans to redevelop the former casino hotel property as a combination hotel and condominium destination. The most ambitious proposal is the $3.4 billion Renaissance at Bader Field, which could transform the former municipal airport property into a large mixed-use district. Plans call for townhomes, duplexes, condominiums, residential towers, a hotel, retail space, promenades, entertainment attractions and an automotive-themed motorsports complex. The proposal remains subject to additional government approvals. Collectively, the projects represent a substantial expansion of the housing inventory in two of Atlantic County’s largest communities. New residential development can generate construction activity, expand the local tax base and bring additional customers to stores, restaurants and professional services. The volume of projects underway or proposed also indicates continued developer interest in both Egg Harbor Township and Atlantic City. As always, remember to support local businesses, especially small businesses. Rich Baehrle, of Berkshire Hathaway Fox & Roach, can be reached at 609-226-6680 or 609-641-0011 or by email at richardbaehrle@gmail. com.

August 13, 2026


Live Fully. Retire Confidently.

At Reich Asset Management, we help retirees simplify complexity, protect their wealth, and enjoy the retirement they’ve earned.

Visit our website to register for one of our upcoming seminars! 105 Roosevelt Blvd • Marmora, NJ 08223 • 609-486-5073 www.ReichAssetManagement.com 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. To view form CRS visit https://bit.ly/KF-Disclosures.


By Bruce Klauber

Rollin’ on the Boardwalk: Roller Derby at the shore

A

confession: I could never understand what the sport of Roller Derby is about, beyond roller skating men and women who skate quickly on an oval track and try to knock each other down. Obviously, there’s more to it than that, given its tremendous popularity through the years nationally and in the Atlantic City area. Though the Roller Derby record books maintain that the sport reached its peak in our region in the 1970s, history shows that the sport was still quite popular, here and elsewhere, before and after. Leo Seltzer was a Chicagoan who held various jobs in the 1920s, including that of motion picture distributor, and dance marathon, walkathon and bicycle race promoter. Observing 24-hour roller skating races and marathons, called “roller derby” in advertisements, and believing there might be a market for such a thing, Seltzer trademarked the name in July of 1935. A month later, he brought his new concept, which also included women skaters, to the Chicago

42

Coliseum. More than 20,000 people packed the venue to enjoy what Seltzer called the “Transcontinental Roller Derby,” which was actually not more than a marathon race and endurance test. Popularity spread, but it didn’t

last. What Roller Derby needed was rules, and in the late 1930s, Seltzer teamed up with none other than sportswriter Damon Runyan to come up with the concept of having five men and five women on a team—men and women skate for alternative periods—who play against each other for eight, 15-minute periods, which was later reduced to 10 minutes. Scoring occurs when two offensive players, called jammers, make points by passing opposing players while two blockers try to stop them. That, of course, is the very simplified version. Seltzer’s teams toured with some success, but Roller Derby really hit the nation’s consciousness when, like professional wrestling, it hit the television airwaves in 1948 on New York television. By the following year, the derby was being broadcast nationally and was regularly selling out Madison Square Garden via the formation of the National Roller Derby League, spearheaded by Seltzer’s son, Jerry. The derby had a good deal in common with pro wrestling, with scripted story lines, manufactured rivalries and plenty of fighting. It worked for a while, but overall interest declined by the early 1950s as, apparently, pro wrestling was quite enough for early, blood thirsty audiences. Television or no television, the popularity of the sport as an in-person attraction was consistent. For whatever reason, Roller Derby proved to be quite the attraction in Atlantic City, beginning in the 1970s. A series of matches in the early 1970s at what was then called Convention Hall drew large crowds. While Atlantic City never had a “dedicated,’ pro team, a

favorite teams in this area were the Philadelphia Warriors and Detroit Devils. The sport was so popular in the Atlantic City region, that almost 50 years after those famed matches at Convention Hall, some enterprising fans formed a “Who’s Who in Roller Derby” Facebook group, which focuses on the fondly-remembered matches here. Like anything else in show business—and make no mistake about it, although Roller Derby is sport, it is also, like pro wrestling, showbiz—popularity is cyclical. As a result of the popularity of the “Rollergirls” reality television show broadcast in 2006, five women in the Toms River area formed “Jersey Shore Roller Derby.” Three years later, the league had 60 skaters in its ranks, and it became a member of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association. Shore Points Roller Derby & Juniors was founded in 2007, and its schedule was filled with match-

August 13, 2026


es from the likes of the Boardwalk Brawlers through 2015. In that year, Shore Points merged with the Atlantic Coast Rollergirls, but it wasn’t enough, and both ceased operations in 2015. Other organizations and leagues were also popular for a time, including New Jersey Roller Derby, but it didn’t last. Roller Derby still goes on today, albeit not at the national level it once was, mostly with teams emanating from smaller cities like Pottstown. The exception is an organization called Philly Roller Derby, a member of Women’s Flat Track Derby Association and formed 20 years ago. Philly Roller Derby has a full schedule, playing teams in Boston, Pottstown, South Plainfield, NJ, and Springfield, PA. It would not be surprising to see a match or two come to Atlantic City

Our

35th

one of these days soon. In some ways, Roller Derby was way ahead of its time. Hazel Roop was 97 years of age when she was inducted into the National Roller Derby Hall of Fame in November of 2010. She was fond of recalling just how the sport broke new ground. “In the 1930s, roller derby was the only sport where a woman could be a professional athlete,” Roop told writer David Block. “There were no opportunities for women to do other sports and get paid. The derby also welcomed the handicapped and minorities. Jay Levy was deaf. Because he couldn’t hear the whistle blow, officials turned on strobe lights whenever a jam started, so that he would not be caught off guard. Sammy Skobel, who skated from around 1945-1965, was legally

blind and unable to see faces or read uniform numbers. He recognized his teammates and opponents by the way that they skated. And from the beginning, Roller Derby welcomed African Americans and all other minorities. When unruly fans harassed African American skaters, the ushers threw those fans out.” Will we again see professional Roller Derby matches in Atlantic City? That’s doubtful, as currently, there are no pro leagues ala the days of yes-

Personalized Service

teryear, although the enthusiastic and dedicated amateur teams do keep it going. Like minor league baseball, professional roller derby, as least for the moment, is just a memory in Atlantic City. Bruce Klauber is the author of four books, an award-winning music journalist, concert and record producer and publicist, producer of the Warner Brothers and Hudson Music "Jazz Legends" film series, and performs both as a drummer and vocalist.

Seasonal Items

Year

Visit our climate controlled 21,000 square foot facility! New Dealers Welcome! Come spend the day!

Cash & Cards Now Accepted

Jersey Shore's Largest Со-Ор • Open 7 Days а Week • 1Oam-6pm

August 13, 2026

150 S. New York Road (Route 9), Galloway, NJ 609.652.7011 • DaysofOldeAntiques.com

43


Sensory friendly care: Rethinking the patient experience Sherri Richmond, administrative director of Pediatrics and ER at Shore Medical Center

Coastal Conversations with Alanna Stoloff

S

herri Richmond, MSN RN EMT, has plenty of letters after her name as proof of years of education and training. But ask anyone who’s worked alongside her, and they’ll tell you what those letters don’t capture: a career spent making healthcare feel human. She’s built her work around expanding access to quality care and meeting patients where they are as their needs change. As administrative director at Shore Medical Center, she’s focused on something simple but not always easy: making sure every patient’s experience feels personal. That includes Shore Medical’s sensory-friendly initiatives, designed for patients who experience sound, light or touch differently, from dimmed lighting to noise-reducing headphones to extra time and patience built into a visit. Sherri joins me to talk about that work, along with her broader vision for healthcare leadership and community partnership across South Jersey. AS: Can you share a little about your background and what led you to your role with Shore Medical? SR: I came to Shore about 10 years ago as a house supervisor and immediately fell in love with the culture here. When the leadership position in the Emergency Department became available, I applied because emergency medicine has always been my background. I was honored to be selected for the role. AS: What led to Shore’s sensory-friendly care program? SR: One of the best parts of working at Shore is meeting people from all walks of life. We care for a very diverse community, and every patient has unique needs. One of the most impactful moments came in 2019 when our pediatric nurses approached me and said we needed to improve how we cared for neurodiverse patients. Together, our team began researching best practices and developed a proposal to create what has become our sensory-friendly care program. That effort really reinforced the importance of listening to frontline staff and partnering with the community to improve patient care. AS: How did the partnership with Atlantic County Special Services School begin? SR: When we started researching sensory-friendly care in 2019, we

44

quickly realized we needed expert guidance. One of our pediatric nurses had a family connection to Atlantic County Special Services School, which led us to Jen Cruickshank, supervisor of CST/Related Services at Atlantic County Special Services School District. From that point on, Jennifer and the team at Atlantic County Special Services School have been with us every step of the way. We consult with them regularly on patient care, and they've helped us design our sensory-friendly rooms, develop communication storyboards and determine the best patient flow

throughout our departments. Their partnership has been invaluable. AS: What accommodations and resources are available for neurodiverse patients? SR: We offer a call-ahead program for both adult and pediatric patients who are neurodiverse. Families can contact our Emergency Department before arriving and speak with the clinical supervisor. We'll prepare for their visit ahead of time, designate specialized parking, meet them outside and escort them directly into a patient room so they can avoid the waiting area. We have a wide variety of resources designed to reduce stress and anxiety. We use storybooks and visual teaching boards developed with Atlantic County Special Services School, as well as tablet-based communication tools, weighted blankets, fidget toys, sensory balls and other calming tools. Each room also includes a television and a distraction lighting system with interchangeable images, including fish, ocean scenes, space themes and other calming visuals. AS: How does sensory-friendly care improve the healthcare experience? SR: When families see that our staff understands how to care for neurodiverse patients, it builds confidence and trust. That makes communication easier and often allows

us to complete important tests, whether that's lab work, X-rays or CT scans, with much less stress. Ultimately, it helps patients, parents and caregivers actively participate in care and leads to a much better overall experience. AS: How has the community responded? SR: The community has embraced the program. Our local EMS providers have participated in continuing education on caring for neurodiverse patients and now carry sensory boxes on ambulances serving communities including Egg Harbor Township, Sea Isle City and Upper Township. Our Community Advisory Committee also plays a tremendous role in guiding our work. It includes representatives from Atlantic County Special Services School, Autism New Jersey, Somers Point Police Department, Ocean City Police Department, hospital leadership and community members who help ensure we're continually improving the program. AS: Can you tell us about the sensory-friendly outpatient testing program? SR: Through conversations with parents and caregivers, we learned that obtaining routine blood work was one of their biggest challenges. Many families delayed important laboratory testing because they were concerned their loved one would have a negative experience. We launched our sensory-friendly outpatient laboratory program last June. As of this interview, we've successfully completed 58 lab draws for neurodiverse patients. Having this specialized program has made a tremendous difference, and it's very possible that many of those patients would not have received the testing

they needed otherwise. AS: Why is recognizing each patient’s unique needs important? SR: It's simply the best practice in healthcare. Every patient has unique medical, psychological and emotional needs. When we understand those needs, and the needs of their caregivers, we're able to provide truly personalized care. That results in better communication, a better patient experience and ultimately better outcomes. While our sensory-friendly program focuses on neurodiverse patients, that philosophy applies to every patient we care for at Shore Medical Center. AS: Where can patients and families learn more? SR: Families interested in our sensory-friendly outpatient testing program can call 609-653-3737 to schedule an appointment. Patients who would like to use our sensory-friendly Emergency Department call-ahead program can contact us at 609-653-3558 before arriving. Sherri Richmond’s work at Shore Medical demonstrates how listening to patients, families, and frontline staff can lead to effective changes in healthcare. Through sensory-friendly initiatives and community partnerships, Shore continues to create a more welcoming experience for patients with different needs. Thank you to Sherri for sharing her time and perspective with Coastal Conversations. 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.

August 13, 2026


Your summer memories may be on pause, but your home still needs care. We’ll be there to help protect your home until you’re back.

Heating / Cooling Install & Repair

Ductless Systems

Generators

Indoor Air Quality Solutions

Preventative Maintenance Plans

Financing Available: $0 DOWN, as low as $123 / Month

50 OFF

$

$

Tankless Tankless or or Standard Standard

Any Any Repair Repair Work Work

500 OFF

Hot Water Heater Install Restrictions apply. Must be presented at the time of service. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Call for more details. Expires 8/31/2026

Cooling • Heating • Gas Furnaces Generators • Indoor Air Quality Restrictions apply. Must be presented at the time of service. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Call for more details. Expires 8/31/2026

1,000 OFF

$

79 Heating Tune-Up

$

aa new new

Heating/Cooling System Restrictions apply. Must be presented at the time of service. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Call for more details. Expires 8/31/2026

Restrictions apply. Must be presented at the time of service. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Call for more details. Expires 8/31/2026

Why Homeowners Choose McAllister • Fast response for emergency repairs • Honest, upfront pricing • Highly trained HVAC professionals • Reliable products and installations • Maintenance plans to protect your system • Flexible financing and rebate options

4.8

Schedule a FREE estimate ON NEW INSTALL today! Call (609) 228-9063 or visit McService.com License: NJ Lic 13VH01483100 | M Burt-Plumbing Lic. # 8389 | Joseph P. Leto Electric Lic. #17479 | Electric Business Permit 6808A | S Needham-Master HVACR Lic. # 3980


Entertainment & Dining at the Shore By Steffen Klenk

Top Weekly Entertainment Picks

When: Friday, August 14 – Sunday, August 16 Time: 8 p.m. Website: https://casino.hardrock. com/atlantic-city/event-calendar/widespread-panic Legendary live music comes to Etess Arena this weekend as Widespread Panic brings three nights of southern rock and jam to the stage. Known for their devoted fan base and electrifying performances, fans will enjoy a unique, high-energy show.

I

t’s the middle of August and we’re feeling the hot summer vibes all throughout South Jersey. Kick off the weekend with country’s own Chris Janson, jam out to the sounds of Widespread Panic, celebrate an annual Atlantic City tradition, and cruise into Somers Point for classic cars and soul. Read all about it in our Top Weekly Entertainment Picks. Who: Chris Janson Where: Ocean City Music Pier When: Thursday, August 13 Time: 7:30 p.m. Website: www.oceancityvacation. com/events-calendar/chris-jansonwild-horses-untamed/ Country music star Chris Janson has

earned more than ten million in sales as solo artist, and a global audience of fans. He has recently performed as part of the 250th Anniversary of the United States Armed Forces. Janson’s number one hits include “Buy

Me a Boat”, “Good Vibes”, and “All I Need is You”. See him on his Wild Horses Untamed Tour this Thursday. Who: Widespread Panic Where: Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena

An Elevated Beachfront à la Carte Brunch Experience SUNDAYS | 9AM – 3PM | FREE PARKING

LAST CHANCE!

EARN DOUBLE COMPS ALL SUMMER

Summer Pop-up Bar

THE VAULT CLOSES AUGUST 16

Play your favorite slot or table games and earn double comps!

Who: The Marshall Tucker Band Where: The Music Box at Bor-

gata When: Friday, August 14 Time: 7:30 p.m. Website: https://borgata.mgmresorts.com/en/entertainment/the-music-box/the-marshal-tucker-band.html

Music, Dancing, Contests and Fun! SEPTEMBER 5 | NOON – 4PM | BOARDWALK

MARGARITAVILLE CRUISE

Earn 40 Tier Points Day of To Claim! SEPTEMBER 5 OR 6

2026 FORD MUSTANG ECOBOOST® RWD FASTBACK & $25,000 SLOT CASH SWEEPSTAKES

EXCLUSIVE PERKS FOR ATLANTIC & CAPE MAY COUNTY RESIDENTS:

The Boo Bar Pop-Up — Witches Edition

Earn Entries Through September 6

• Free Parking Every Day • 15% off at All Resorts Owned Restaurants

LIVE MUSIC

LIVE MUSIC

Uptown Motown

Rumours ATL — A Fleetwood Mac Tribute

GRAND PRIZE DRAWING SEPTEMBER 6

THE HAUNT RETURNS AUGUST 21!

VISIT RESORTSAC.COM FOR DETAILS

RESORTSAC.COM Visit the Promotion Booth for more information. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

46

AUGUST 29 | 8PM

SEPTEMBER 18 | 9PM

August 13, 2026


Slightly Stoopid The Marshal Tucker Band formed in 1972 as a young and hungry six-piece Southern rock band. Today, they continue to captivate audiences around the world with their unique blend of original songs and masterpieces. See the band live on their While I’m Young Tour. Who: Slightly Stoopid Where: Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino When: Friday, August 14 Time: 7:30 p.m. Website: www.theoceanac.com/ slightly-stoopid Spend your Friday night with laid back vibes provided by Slightly Stoopid, along with special guests The Elovaters and DENM. The Cal-

August 13, 2026

ifornia rockers deliver a signature blend of reggae, rock, hip-hop and funk with ultimate precision. Formed by Miles Doughty and Kyle McDonald, the group has built a devoted global following and infectious rhythms. What: Rewind ’69: Peace, Love, and Rock & Roll Where: Showboat Hotel When: Friday, August 14 – Sunday, August 16 Time: 2 – 9 p.m. Friday, 4:30 – 9 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Sunday

The Wedding of the Sea Festival is on Saturday, Aug. 15. The summer of love is reborn this weekend in an immersive live event that brings the spirit of Woodstock back to life. Fans will enjoy three full days of performances honoring such legends as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Santana, Grateful Dead, and more.

Website: www.visitatlanticcity.com/ event/re-wind-69-3-days-of-peacelove-and-rock-n-roll/6978/

What: Wedding of the Sea Festival Where: Hard Rock Hotel and Casino When: Saturday, August 15 Time: 10 a.m.

↘Continued on 48

47


↘Continued from 47 Website: www.weddingofthesea.org This beloved Atlantic City tradition is rooted in centuries-old Venetian culture. The annual festival honors the Feast of the Assumption with a special Mass at the Seminole Ballroom, followed by a seaside procession and ceremonial blessing of the Atlantic Ocean, highlighted with a symbolic “wedding” of the city and sea. The event is free and open to the public. What: Dog Day Where: Renault Winery When: Saturday, August 15 Time: 12 – 4 p.m. Website: www.renaultwinery.com/ dog-day-at-renault-2/ Dog Dog is back at Renault this Saturday. Guests are invited for a “fur-st” class day of fun with outdoor dining, a special dog-friendly menu with homemade biscuits and pup cups, and special plush toy for your four-legged friend. Momma’s Gonna Rescue will be on-site with adoptable dogs looking for their forever home. What: Melvin Seals & JGB Where: Tropicana Showroom When: Saturday, August 15 Time: 8 p.m. Website: www.visitatlanticcity.com/ event/melvin-seals-jgb/7323/ Experience an unforgettable eve-

Melvin Seals & JGB ning of classic melodies and soulful grooves with Melvin Seals & JGB. Led by longtime Jerry Garcia Band keyboardist Melvin Seals, the group delivers the beloved improvisation and spirit that defined a generation of live music fans, complete with heartfelt vocals and free-flowing performances. Who: Sensational Soul Cruisers Where: The Point Tiki Bar When: Thursdays

Dog Dog is back at Renault on Saturday, Aug. 15. Time: 6 p.m. Website: www.dothepoint.com/ somers-point/

The Sensational Soul Cruisers meet sensational street cruisers every Thursday in Somers Point. Dance the night away to the sounds of soul and disco while seeing classic cars. Whether your car is chrome, low, slow, or fully restored, bring it out and let it shine. Steffen Klenk is a photographer and multimedia journalist who enjoys capturing the eclectic moments of shore life. You may contact Steffen at shorelocalsteffen@gmail.com.

DINE LOCAL THIS SUMMER!

Josie Kelly's 609-904-6485

The Point 609-626-4692

Websters 609-657-3470

Northend Grill

609-788-4422

www.somerspointba.org

PIZZA Crab Trap 609-927-7377

Gregory's 609-927-6665

Pablo 609-469-6991

Primo Pizza 609-927-4464

Somers Point Business Association Proudly Supports Our Community

48

August 13, 2026


O

Original ‘Soul Man’ Booker T. Jones to grace Kennedy Plaza

ne of the original legends of Memphis soul music, Booker T. Jones continues to perform songs that helped define generations of American music.

As the leader of Booker T. & the M.G.’s and a key figure at Stax Records, Jones helped shape the Memphis sound. His work earned him induction into the Rock & Roll

Hall of Fame and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. His musical legacy stretches from Booker T. & the M.G.’s instrumental classic “Green Onions” to recordings with some of the biggest names in soul and R&B. Jones worked with Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave and Aretha Franklin, and contributed to Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” Eddie Floyd’s “Knock on Wood” and Albert King’s 1967 blues classic “Born Under a Bad Sign.” Jones also collaborated with Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire. As a musician, songwriter, arranger and producer, he became a central figure in the Memphis recording scene and helped create a body of music that remains instantly recognizable more than half a century later. The influence of Booker T. & the M.G.’s extended well beyond Mem-

phis. Their music was featured in “The Blues Brothers” films and has been covered and performed by countless artists around the world. Now in his early 80s, Jones continues to perform with his own band and has shared the stage or worked with an extraordinary range of artists over his career, including Santana, Bob Dylan, Barbra Streisand, Willie Nelson and Neil Young. South Jersey audiences will have the rare opportunity to see Jones

perform for free Wednesday, Aug. 19, at Kennedy Plaza on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. The evening begins at 7 p.m. with South Jersey rock and soul guitarist Billy Walton, who will pay tribute to the soul sound backed by the full Plaid Salmon horn section. Then Booker T. Jones takes the stage, bringing to Atlantic City the unmistakable sound and songbook that helped make Memphis soul music part of the soundtrack of our lives.

­

August 13, 2026

49


Blues vocalist Dana Fuchs to perform free Tony Mart ‘Lundi Gras’ concert on AC Boardwalk Tune In, Turn On With Doug Deutsch

B

lues-rock vocalist Dana Fuchs will return to the Jersey Shore on Monday, Aug. 17, for a free Tony Mart Presents “Lundi Gras” concert at Kennedy Plaza on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. The New York-based singer arrives following the March release of her latest album, “Live in Denmark,” recorded during a Scandinavian tour last fall. Fuchs said the idea for the live recording developed through discussions with her manager, agent and

50

Germany-based label, Ruf Records. Her previous album, “Borrowed Time,” was released during the COVID-19 pandemic, limiting opportunities to tour behind it. “Last fall, I went to Denmark for a mini-tour; my label, Ruf Records, and my manager decided we should record a live album there,” Fuchs said in press materials. “My previous record, ‘Borrowed Time,’ was underserved because of the pandemic, and this felt like a chance to make things right.” “Live in Denmark” captures Fuchs and her band performing at Godset, a music venue in Kolding, Denmark. The album features the blues-rock sound and emotionally direct song-

writing that have become central to trying to say to begin with. her work. DD: You’ve performed at the Tune In Turn On recently spoke Jersey Shore several times as part with Fuchs about the album, the perof Tony Mart concerts and return sonal experiences behind her songs Monday, Aug. 17. What do you enjoy and her return to the Jersey Shore. about playing here? DD: Let’s start by discussing your DF: I love it. Most people know by new album, “Live in Denmark.” How now that I was born in New Jersey. and when did you decide to make a There’s something about the Shore live recording, and why Denmark? crowd that’s completely its own thing. DF: The decision came together People come out ready to have a real faster than I expected. My agent, night, not just watch a show. manager and label president all conAnd a certain faction of that spired and brought it up to me, and Jersey crowd — you know who you we moved quickly. Godset in Kolding are — always brings fresh tomatoes, which Kev loves. is an incredible venue. We had been touring hard through Scandinavia, so The energy is immediate and the band was locked in. warm, and there’s no pretense to European crowds, especially in it. Tony Mart has such a legendary Denmark, bring a kind of attentivehistory at the Shore, and being part of ness that gives you permission to that tradition really means something really go somewhere. Once we were special to me. onstage that night, everything else fell away. The audience was right there with us from the first note, and I think you can hear that on the record. It just felt like the right room at the right moment. DD: There have been some difficult times in your life, many of which you address in your songs. Which songs are particularly personal to you? DF: “Ready to Rise” is one of the most personal things I’ve ever put into a song. I wrote it while navigating the loss of both Powerhouse blues vocalist Dana Fuchs: headlines Lundi Gras my parents, my sister concert on the AC Boardwalk Monday, August 17 at 7p.m. and my brothers, all (Photo Courtesy Ruf Records) back-to-back. That kind of grief buries you. There were Playing Kennedy Plaza on the Boardwalk on a summer night is moments when I felt like my eyes were open, but I wasn’t really there. about as good as it gets. The Shore Writing that song was part of how I has always felt like home turf to me, and I can’t wait to get back there on found my way back. the 17th. “Borrowed Time” cuts deep for similar reasons. It’s about reckoning Fuchs performs Monday, Aug. 17, with what you have while you have it. at Kennedy Plaza on the Atlantic City “Curtain Close” is a tribute to a dear Boardwalk as part of the free Tony friend we lost not long ago, and it has Mart Presents “Lundi Gras” concert become an anthem for all of our lost series. loved ones. Doug is the owner/operator of Even some of my older songs carDoug Deutsch Publicity Services, ry a weight I didn’t fully understand which since 1995 has been servicing when I first wrote them. Songs have nationally touring acts, and working a way of revealing themselves over record release campaigns for clients. Doug can be reached at ShoreLocaltime, especially after you’ve lived Doug@gmail.com through more of what they were

August 13, 2026


At the Shore Since '44

World Famous Wings & BBTs (Boneless Tenders) Entrees, Burgers, Sandwiches, Wraps, Soups, Nachos, Tacos and Fries.

Fine Dining at it's Casual Best! GET CRUSHED!

Enjoy a Fresh Squeezed Orange or Grapefruit Crush!

Phillies Game Specials $3 Budweiser Drafts $5 Nutrl Cans

16 Beers On Tap! Front Bar & Back Bar!

Watch All The Phillies and Sports Action on 21 TVs! Sunday Breakfast 9am-11am

Serving our nearly famous Pork Roll, Egg and Cheese

BEST BAR

BEST WINGS

800 Shore Rd. Somers Point (609) 927-3663

www.charliesbar.com


Live & Local Music Calendar

Thursday, August 13

Atlantic City Angeloni’s Club Madrid Brian Newmann Trio 6 p.m. 2400 Arctic Ave. Landshark Bar & Grill Smokey Starr 5 – 9 p.m. 1133 Boardwalk Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget Dane Anthony 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 600 Huron Ave. The Deck at Golden Nugget B Street Band 7 – 11 p.m. 600 Huron Ave. The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Not Leaving Sober. 7 – 11 p.m.

52

1000 Boardwalk Brigantine LaScala’s Beach House Amish Outlaws 6 – 10 p.m. 1400 Ocean Ave. Egg Harbor Township A Touch of Italy Mike Dugger 6 – 9 p.m. 6629 Black Horse Pike Linwood Fox Den at LCC Tom & Kim 6 – 10 p.m. 500 Shore Rd. Margate Tideline Joey DeNoble 6 – 9 p.m. 9317 Amherst Ave.

Marmora Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern Going Rogue 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 316 Roosevelt Blvd. Somers Point Caroline’s by the Bay Sindi Raymond Band 5 – 8 p.m. Karaoke Night w/ DJ Mike 8:30 p.m. – 12 a.m. 450 Bay Ave. Crab Trap NYC. 6 – 9 p.m. 2 Broadway Crabby Jack’s Chris Nickey 6 – 9 p.m. 2 Broadway Fitzpatrick’s Phil Stocker

5 – 8 p.m. 650 New Rd. Gregory’s Kim & Nate 6 p.m. 800 Shore Rd. Pablo DJ Jay Bonax 6 p.m. 101 E. Maryland Ave. The Point Sensational Soul Cruisers 7 – 11 p.m. 998 Bay Ave.

Friday, August 14

Atlantic City Anchor Rock Club Recession Pop Dance Party: New vs. Old 9 p.m. 247 S. New York Ave. Bally’s Beach Bar Band of Make Believe 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 1900 Pacific Ave. Borgata B Bar Megan Knight Trio 7:30 – 11 p.m. Sami Eldebs Trio 11:30 p.m. – 3 a.m. 1 Borgata Way Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino Original Copy Trio 7 p.m. The Benderz 10 p.m. 500 Boardwalk Phil’s Carousel Bar DJ Sepper 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. 1900 Pacific Ave. Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget Mike Gibbins Duo 6 – 10 p.m. Former Strangers 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. 600 Huron Ave. Steel Pier No Clue Duo 7 p.m. 1000 Boardwalk Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall Andy Frankel 7 – 10 p.m. 133 S. Tennessee Ave. The Deck at Golden Nugget Don’t Call Me Francis 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 600 Huron Ave. The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Modern Luxe 5 – 8:30 p.m. Daddy Pop 9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m. 1000 Boardwalk The Yard at Bally’s Xtreme Queen 9 p.m. 1900 Pacific Ave.

August 13, 2026


Villain & Saint at Ocean Casino Stage One Duo 9 p.m. 500 Boardwalk Brigantine LaScala’s Beach House Anger Management 6 – 10 p.m. DJ Jojo 10 p.m. – close 1400 Ocean Ave. Egg Harbor Township A Touch of Italy Robin Gazzara 6 – 9 p.m. 6629 Black Horse Pike The Roost Pub & Grill Chris Yoder Trio 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. 500 St. Andrews Dr. Linwood Fox Den at LCC Matt Adams Duo 6 – 10 p.m. 500 Shore Rd. Margate Memories The Whitewalls 8 p.m. 9518 Amherst Ave. Tideline Brian Kmetz 4 – 7:30 p.m. 9317 Amherst Ave. Ventura’s Greenhouse Tiki Bar Steve Moore & Company 7 – 10 p.m. 106 S. Benson Ave. Marmora Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern EarCandy 7 – 11 p.m. 316 Roosevelt Blvd. Somers Point Caroline’s by the Bay Plaid Salmon 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 450 Bay Ave. Crab Trap Starr 6 – 9 p.m. 2 Broadway Crabby Jack’s The Budesa Brothers 6 – 9 p.m. 2 Broadway Josie Kelly’s The Bumpuses 8 p.m. 908 Shore Rd. Pablo DJ Nico O. 6 – 10 p.m. Saxophone 7 – 10 p.m. 101 E. Maryland Ave. The Point Jumper 7 – 11 p.m. 998 Bay Ave. Sweetwater Sweetwater Marina Screaming Matilda

August 13, 2026

6 – 10 p.m. 2780 7th Ave.

Saturday, August 15

Atlantic City Anchor Rock Club Kitofest Music & Arts Festival. 7 p.m. 247 S. New York Ave. Bally’s Beach Bar The Chatterband 2 – 6 p.m. Hoopskirt Factory 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 1900 Pacific Ave. Borgata B Bar Dan Jost Trio 7:30 – 11 p.m. The Pickles Trio 11:30 p.m. – 3 a.m. 1 Borgata Way Flagship Resort Karaoke Night w/ Beth Tinnon 6 – 10 p.m. 60 N. Maine Ave.

Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino Brandon Ireland Duo 7 p.m. Audio Riot 10 p.m. 500 Boardwalk Phil’s Carousel Bar Tony Malandro 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. 1900 Pacific Ave. Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget Seaspray 5 – 9 p.m. Philly Heart & Soul 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. 600 Huron Ave. The Deck at Golden Nugget The Loop 2:30 – 6 p.m. Party Wave 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 600 Huron Ave. The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Kono Nation

5 – 8:30 p.m. Kenny Raye Band 9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m. 1000 Boardwalk Villain & Saint at Ocean Casino Stage One Duo 9 p.m. 500 Boardwalk Brigantine LaScala’s Beach House Beer: 30 1 – 5 p.m. Goody Blue Shoes 6 – 10 p.m. DJ Pat Man 10 p.m. – close 1400 Ocean Ave. Egg Harbor Township A Touch of Italy Tim McGlynn 6 – 9 p.m. 6629 Black Horse Pike

↘Continued on 54

53


↘Continued from 53 Linwood Fox Den at LCC Twisted Livin’ 6 – 10 p.m. 500 Shore Rd. Margate Maynard’s Cafe Lenahan Duo 6 – 9 p.m. 9306 Amherst Ave. Memories Fat Mezz 8 p.m. 9518 Amherst Ave. Tideline Adam & Min 12 – 3 p.m. 9317 Amherst Ave. Marmora Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern Bar None 6 p.m. 316 Roosevelt Blvd. Ocean View Meyers Lighthouse Mitchell Faber 6 – 9 p.m. 2576 Route 9 Somers Point Caroline’s by the Bay The O’Fenders 5 – 8 p.m. Hickstown Road 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 450 Bay Ave.

Crab Trap Starr. 6 – 9 p.m. 2 Broadway Crabby Jack’s Hailey Rose 1 – 4 p.m. Jeff X 6 – 9 p.m. 2 Broadway Fitzpatrick’s Glen Sarkis 5 – 8 p.m. 650 New Rd. Josie Kelly’s Jenny Barnes Band 8 p.m. 908 Shore Rd. Pablo DJ Sojo. 6 p.m. 101 E. Maryland Ave. The Point Sidestory. 6 – 10 p.m. 998 Bay Ave. Sweetwater Sweetwater Marina 80’s Revolution. 6 – 10 p.m. 2780 7th Ave.

Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino Dueling Pianos 8 p.m. 500 Boardwalk Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget Camille K Duo 7 – 11 p.m. 600 Huron Ave. Steel Pier No Clue Duo 7 p.m. 1000 Boardwalk The Deck at Golden Nugget The Exceptions 2:30 – 6 p.m. Dane Anthony 7:30 – 11:30 p.m. 600 Huron Ave. The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Yacht Kings 4 – 7:30 p.m. Lulu 8:30 – 11:30 p.m. 1000 Boardwalk Brigantine LaScala’s Beach House Incognito 1 – 5 p.m. Steal the Sky 6 – 10 p.m. 1400 Ocean Ave. Egg Harbor Township A Touch of Italy Rick & Laura Duo 5 – 8 p.m. 6629 Black Horse Pike

Sunday, August 16 Atlantic City Bally’s Beach Bar The Big House Band 2 – 6 p.m. The Loop 6 – 10 p.m. 1900 Pacific Ave.

Linwood Jessie’s of Linwood The D’Arc Brothers 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. 136 W. Poplar Ave. Margate Tideline Fin 1 – 4 p.m. 9317 Amherst Ave. Marmora Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern Philly Keys 6 p.m. 316 Roosevelt Blvd. Somers Point Caroline’s by the Bay Yachtzee Band 4 – 8 p.m. 450 Bay Ave. Crab Trap The Budesa Brothers 6 – 9 p.m. 2 Broadway Crabby Jack’s Doug Jennings 1 – 4 p.m. Chris Yoder 6 – 9 p.m. 2 Broadway Josie Kelly’s Traditional Irish Session 1 – 4 p.m. Billy Mac 5 p.m. 908 Shore Rd.

­ ­­

54

August 13, 2026


Pablo Queso Mixto DJ Trio 6 p.m. 101 E. Maryland Ave. The Point The Verdict 6 – 10 p.m. 998 Bay Ave. Sweetwater Sweetwater Marina Five Dollar Shakes 2 – 6 p.m. 2780 7th Ave.

Monday, August 17

Atlantic City Landshark Bar & Grill Smokey Starr 5 – 9 p.m. 1133 Boardwalk Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget Lisa Bouchelle 7 – 11 p.m. 600 Huron Ave. The Deck at Golden Nugget Red. 6:30 – 10:30 p.m. 600 Huron Ave. The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Steve Moore & The MIA Band 7 – 11 p.m. 1000 Boardwalk Brigantine LaScala’s Beach House Adam & Min Duo 6 – 10 p.m. 1400 Ocean Ave.

August 13, 2026

Somers Point Crab Trap NYC 6 – 9 p.m. 2 Broadway Crabby Jack’s Don Ellsworth 6 – 9 p.m. 2 Broadway

Tuesday, August 18

Atlantic City Landshark Bar & Grill Duval Street Duo 5 – 9 p.m. 1133 Boardwalk Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget Patty and Bugzy 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 600 Huron Ave. The Deck at Golden Nugget Hawkins Cove 6:30 – 10:30 p.m. 600 Huron Ave. The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Embers the Band 7 – 11 p.m. 1000 Boardwalk Brigantine LaScala’s Beach House Tim Daley Band 6 – 10 p.m. 1400 Ocean Ave. Margate Tideline Caleb Demmerle

6 – 9 p.m. 9317 Amherst Ave. Somers Point Caroline’s by the Bay Music Bingo w/ DJ Chris 7 – 9 p.m. 450 Bay Ave. Crab Trap One Hot Mess 6 – 9 p.m. 2 Broadway Crabby Jack’s Chris Lax 6 – 9 p.m. 2 Broadway The Point Mike Carney 7 – 11 p.m. 998 Bay Ave.

Wednesday, August 19 Atlantic City Landshark Bar & Grill Brian & Mindy 5 – 9 p.m. 1133 Boardwalk Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget Michael Stevens 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 600 Huron Ave. The Deck at Golden Nugget Triple Rail Turn 6:30 – 10:30 p.m. 600 Huron Ave. The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Sky City Social

7 – 11 p.m. 1000 Boardwalk Brigantine LaScala’s Beach House New Normal 6 – 10 p.m. 1400 Ocean Ave. Margate Tideline Zach Runfolo 6 – 9 p.m. 9317 Amherst Ave. Somers Point Caroline’s by the Bay Stephanie & Dan Duo 5 – 8 p.m. Open Mic Night w/ Blue Eagle 7:30 – 11:30 p.m. 450 Bay Ave. Crab Trap Jesse Dean 6 – 9 p.m. 2 Broadway Crabby Jack’s Lew London & Bob Mower 6 – 9 p.m. 2 Broadway Josie Kelly’s Jimmy Brogan 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. 908 Shore Rd. The Point Dan Ward 7 – 11 p.m. 998 Bay Ave. Events subject to change.

55


At Mike & Anna’s Pasta House, family recipes and homemade pasta take center stage By Holly Martin

T

here are restaurants that serve Italian food, and then there are restaurants that make you feel as though you’ve been invited to an Italian family dinner. Mike & Anna’s Pasta House in Northfield falls firmly into the second category. From the moment guests walk

56

through the door, the restaurant has the welcoming atmosphere associated with a traditional Italian dining room. The intimate space, attentive service and steady stream of comforting dishes create an experience centered less on culinary trends and more on the time-tested appeal of family recipes, homemade pasta and generous hospitality. The restaurant’s philosophy is straightforward: fresh ingredients,

traditional recipes and food prepared to order. That approach is reflected throughout the menu, which features house-made pasta alongside chicken, seafood, and vegetable-forward dishes. During a recent visit, the restaurant was busy, but seating was relatively quick despite the intimate dining room being nearly full. The first course, Chicken Tortellini Soup, took longer than expected to reach the table. Rather than leaving guests wondering about the delay, owner Anna personally stopped by to apologize and explain that the kitchen prepares food to order and that larger parties can put additional pressure on the kitchen. That kind of personal interaction is part of what gives Mike & Anna’s its family-restaurant character. When the soup finally arrived, it proved worth the wait. The broth was flavorful, with a generous amount of cheese tortellini and fresh vegetables. It was a comforting, traditional start to the meal and a good introduction to the kitchen’s approach. The standout entrée was the Ravioli Salmon Girasoli, which pairs perfectly cooked salmon with four pillowy cheese-filled ravioli, all topped with a creamy spinach pesto Alfredo sauce. It is a dish that could easily become a signature favorite. The combination of flavors works remarkably well. The richness of the Alfredo sauce is balanced by the spinach pesto, while the tender salmon and creamy cheese ravioli provide plenty of texture and flavor. Each element complements the next without competing for attention. For longtime customers, the dish also represents the depth of the restaurant’s menu. Mike & Anna’s is already a familiar choice for family catering, where its generous portions and value have made it a go-to option. The Salmon Girasoli, however, offers another reason to visit the restaurant for a sit-down meal. My husband’s entrée, Tortellini with mushrooms, peas and prosciutto ham in a creamy Parmigiano sauce, demonstrated another strength of the restaurant: portions that are substantial without sacrificing flavor. The plate arrived filled with cheese tortellini, vegetables and savory prosciutto in a rich Parmesan-based sauce. There was enough food left over to provide lunch the following day. A welcome bonus for diners who appreciate a generous restaurant portion. The meal also received perhaps

the strongest possible endorsement: silence. Once the plate hit the table, conversation stopped and the focus shifted entirely to dinner. For diners seeking nonalcoholic beverages, Mike & Anna’s offers an extensive mocktail selection, an increasingly popular feature at restaurants throughout South Jersey. The Summer Strawberry combines strawberry, açaí, goji, acerola and maqui berries and arrives in an impressive glass that adds a touch of elegance to the meal. The flavor, however, was more subtle than expected, with a primarily strawberry-forward taste. The Aloha Pineapple, ordered with pineapple, banana and coconut, offered another tropical combination that sounded refreshing. Again, the flavor was faint, but the beverage was delightful. The mocktails may not have been the strongest part of the experience, but their presence on the menu gives guests looking for alcohol-free options considerably more choice than they might find at many traditional Italian restaurants. Ultimately, what makes Mike & Anna’s Pasta House memorable is not one particular menu item. It is the combination of food and hospitality. Staff checked on the table throughout the meal, fresh bread was brought out regularly, and the owner made a point of personally addressing the kitchen delay. Those details matter. In an era when dining out can sometimes feel rushed or impersonal, Mike & Anna’s maintains the warmth of a neighborhood restaurant where the goal is to make guests feel welcome and well fed. And the food delivers on that promise. The restaurant’s house-made pasta, generous portions and traditional Italian flavors make it a particularly appealing destination for diners looking for a classic Italian meal in the Northfield area. For diners craving homemade pasta, hearty Italian comfort food and a family-style atmosphere, Mike & Anna’s Pasta House offers an experience that feels refreshingly familiar: come hungry, settle in, and expect to leave well-fed. Holly Martin has been immersed in the media world since 2012, building a dynamic and versatile career that spans nearly every corner of the industry. She has also hosted as a DJ and created the blog SNJ Sober Party Girl. She enjoys sharing stories that inspire connection and community.

August 13, 2026


Music is healing: ‘Cosmic’ Charlie Wigo finds strength onstage amid cancer battle

AUGUST SPECIALS • OPEN DAILY 7AM - 9PM •

ENTREES ST. LOUIS BBQ RIBS 25

Slow roasted St. Louis ribs served with buttered corn and house made cole slaw.

KOREN BBQ SHORT RIB 25

Sweet and salty Korean BBQ short ribs served with mashed potatoes and asparagus..

By Karen DeWalt

A

nyone who enjoys the music of the Grateful Dead and lives at or spends time at the South Jersey Shore has likely heard of “Cosmic” Charlie Wigo IV. When he isn’t filling in with Philadelphia-based Grateful Dead tribute band Jawn of the Dead, Wigo can be found performing with his band, Dead Reckoning, playing in duos and trios with bandmates or performing solo at venues throughout the Shore. Watching Wigo perform, "Cosmic" Charlie Wigo of the Grateful Dead tribute few would know he is fighting band Jawn of the Dead. Photo by John Loreaux for his life against stage 4 rectal cancer. & Company concert at the Sphere in Wigo first noticed a warning sign Las Vegas. He was diagnosed that in March 2025 while attending a Dead September. Since then, he has under-

BBQ PORK CHOP 27

Grilled 12 oz bone-in pork chop smothered in BBQ sauce served with mashed potatoes and asparagus.

DESSERTS CREME BRULEE 9 NY CHEESECAKE 7 COBBLER DU JOUR 7

MONDAY SNOW CRAB 30 TUESDAY 12 oz PRIME RIB 25 FRIDAY LOBSTER TAIL 42

58

LIVE

THUR M USIC S&S AT

650 New Road Somers Point, NJ (609) 653-8155

August 13, 2026


gone rounds of chemotherapy and tumor removal and is preparing for surgery that he hopes will improve his chances of survival. Cancer has forced Wigo to reassess his priorities, including the importance of staying grounded and living in the moment. He credits his wife, Dara, with helping him through the most difficult moments. “Without her, I’d be dead,” Wigo said, calling her his rock and his reason for fighting. Cancer, he has learned, affects not only the person diagnosed but also the family and friends who endure the uncertainty alongside them. Wigo expressed gratitude to the team caring for him at Cooper Cancer Center, including Dr. Cho, Dr. Morrison and his surgeon, Dr. Kwiatt. He is especially thankful to his uncle, godfather and primary physician, Dr. Fred Nahass, who he said takes his calls regardless of the time of day or night. Wigo also has a message for others: Get screened for cancer. Early detection can make a critical difference. Through everything, music has remained one of Wigo’s greatest sources of strength. “Playing music has helped me immensely because it is the only time I feel normal and I don’t focus

on the pain and the mental aspects of possibly dying,” he said. “There’s magic in this Grateful Dead music. And it is healing magic.” For Wigo, the connection between musicians and Deadheads has always gone beyond the songs. There is an exchange of energy between performer and audience and a sense of community built through music, shared experiences and lasting bonds. Now, that connection has taken on even greater meaning. Wigo continues to maintain an active performance schedule throughout August. He performed with the Dead Reckoning Duo and special guests Aug. 10 at Robert’s Place in Margate and solo Charlie Wigo undergoing recent cancer treatments Aug. 11 at Crabby Jack’s in Somers Point. BBQ in Margate and Aug. 28 at the Upcoming appearances include Crab Trap in Somers Point. the Dead Reckoning Duo at the Rusty On Aug. 29, he will be a special Nail in Cape May on Friday. On Aug. guest with Jawn of the Dead at Anchor Rock Club in Atlantic City. 22, he will perform with his other band, The British Invasion, which The Philadelphia-based tribute band features music by the Rolling Stones, performs the music of the Grateful Beatles and other British rock acts, at Dead along with an eclectic selection Mooncussers in Cape May. of other songs the musicians affecWigo is also scheduled to perform tionately call “jawns.” solo Aug. 25 at Betty’s Seafood and When Wigo joins Jawn of the

Dead, his musical instincts fit naturally with the improvisation and unpredictability that define the group. He previously sat in with the band at Brooklyn Bowl in February for a tribute to the late Bob Weir and also performed with the group at Snipes Farm in Pennsylvania. Wigo’s final electric performance with Dead Reckoning before his scheduled surgery will be Aug. 30 at the Asbury Park Food Truck Festival. He is also scheduled to perform at a benefit for Go Big for Hunger, a charity that helps provide meals to children in need. The event is expected to feature jam-band musicians Warren Haynes, Jon Fishman, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi. For Wigo, continuing to perform while undergoing cancer treatment is about more than keeping a busy schedule. Music offers a place where, for a few hours, illness recedes into the background. Onstage, surrounded by musicians, friends and Deadheads, Wigo can simply be Charlie — playing the music he loves and drawing strength from the community around him.

...When nothing else will do!!!

LaPizzatega

Restaurant & Pizzeria

Veal • Chicken • Seafood • Pizza • Pasta • Subs Salads • Party Trays • Gluten Free Pizza & Pasta

Serving Up Quality and Value for nearly 30 Years

Dining Room Fully Open Take Out - Delivery Catering For All Occasions

Linwood Greene Shopping Plaza 210 New Road (Rt 9), Linwood

August 13, 2026

653-8442 59


Atlantic City Headliners

Thursday, August 13

Friday, August 21

▶8 p.m.

▶8 p.m.

Friday, August 14

▶8 p.m.

Magical Mystery Doors

Diana Ross

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Keith Urban

Widespread Panic

Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena UpDating

▶8 p.m.

▶9 p.m.

Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena Slightly Stoopid w/ The Elovaters, DENM

Sound Waves at Hard Rock Kathleen Madigan ▶8 p.m. The Music Box at Borgata

▶7 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Howard Jones ▶8 p.m. Borgata Event Center Slightly Stoopid

▶7:30 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Dogstar

Photo credit: UpDating Facebook Photo credit: Keith Urban Facebook

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Hot August Nights: Tribute to Neil Diamond

Sunday, August 16 ▶8 p.m.

Golden Nugget Atlantic City The Clairvoyants

▶4 p.m.

The Music Box at Borgata Melvin Seals and JGB

Monday, August 17

▶8 p.m.

▶9 p.m.

▶8 p.m.

▶7:30 p.m.

▶7:30 p.m.

Sound Waves at Hard Rock The Marshall Tucker Band

The Music Box at Borgata Zoso: The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience

▶9 p.m.

The Concert Venue at Harrah’s

Saturday, August 15 Widespread Panic

▶8 p.m.

Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena

Saturday, August 22

The Stray Cats w/ Pete Bernhard

▶8 p.m.

Keith Urban

▶8 p.m.

Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena Modi

Widespread Panic

Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena Boat House Row Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino

Dana Fuchs

▶8 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Kathleen Madigan ▶8 p.m. The Music Box at Borgata Bee Gees Gold

▶3 p.m. & 7 p.m.

Sound Waves at Hard Rock Ali Siddiq

SUMMER SUMMER CAPE MAY SUMMER

Tropicana Showroom Matteo Lane

▶7 p.m.

Circus Maximus Theatre at Caesars Murder of Oz

Wednesday, August 19

On Sale This Week

▶7 p.m.

▶Friday, Oct. 2 – Sunday, Oct. 4

▶8 p.m.

▶5 p.m. & 8 p.m.

Starlight Ballroom at Resorts

Kennedy Plaza

Booker T. Jones

Kennedy Plaza

▶5 p.m. & 8 p.m.

Tropicana Showroom

Phish

Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall

CONVENTION HALL

2026 CONCERTS Music for the Milestones SUNDAY, AUGUST 23

BLUE OYSTER CULT

s a Land

m k ar

50 Y

r ea

T AND ONL RS FI CAPE MAY Y

60

y

17

5

it

Ye a a C rs

609.884.9565

CAPEMAYCITY.COM CAPEMAYFIRSTANDONLY.COM

PURCHASE TICKETS

August 13, 2026


CIRCLE LIQUOR STORE Now Delivering to Margate, Ventnor & Longport!

Cheers To Summer!

Its Rose Season! New Wines Arriving

Check Out Circle's Outstanding Selection of Wine, Beer & Liquor....Helpful Service Too

Open 7 Days a Week 9am-10pm

1 MacArthur Blvd., Somers Point, NJ • 609-927-2921 www.circleliquors.com Delivery Available to Ocean City, Somers Point, Linwood, Margate and Longport. Also Order thru Uber Eats.app


Porch party celebrates National Lighthouse Day in Atlantic City

C

ommunity members gathered at the Absecon Lighthouse in Atlantic City for a Wine Tasting Porch Party celebrating National Lighthouse Day. The summer evening brought guests together on the lighthouse grounds for wine, music and light fare in a relaxed setting. The event

31

JULY

NOLAN QUINN

1

JERSEY BEACH BOYS

7

GLENN ROBERTS

AUG AUG

13 AUG

BOURBON TASTING DINNER ticketed event

CHRIS YODER TRIO

21

YACHTZEE DUO

AUG

28

AUG

STEVE GITTO & JOE FAUNCE

Weekly Music Bingo Tuesdays & Trivia Thursdays 6:30 - 8:30PM

At Harbor Pines Golf Club 500 St. Andrews Dr., EHT | 609-927-0006 www.harborpines.com/roost-entertainment/

62

served annually on Aug. 7 to recognize the role lighthouses have played in guiding ships and protecting mariners along the nation’s coastlines. The porch party combined local history, food and entertainment, giving guests a chance to celebrate the occasion during a warm summer evening at the Shore. Photos by Tynan Hand

~ ~

TRIBUTE SHOW - ticketed event

14 AUG

offered participants an opportunity to recognize the history and significance of the Absecon Lighthouse while enjoying one of Atlantic City’s best-known landmarks. The lighthouse, located in the city’s North Beach section, has long served as a reminder of the area’s maritime history. National Lighthouse Day is ob-

­ ­

­ ­

August 13, 2026


Gateway Playhouse to present ‘The Vagina Monologues’ as part of Community Spotlight season

G

ateway Playhouse continues its Community Spotlight season with Eve Ensler’s groundbreaking “The Vagina Monologues,” an intimate and thought-provoking production that has inspired audiences around the world for nearly three decades. Performances will take place 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, and 1 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23. Bold, empowering and deeply human, “The Vagina Monologues” gives voice to real stories from women around the world through humor, honesty and raw emotion. The play explores topics such as consent, sexual violence, reproductive rights, genital mutilation, sex work, aging, love, and identity while celebrating strength, resilience and the shared experiences that connect us all. Created in 1996, “The Vagina Monologues” has become an international movement, raising awareness of violence against women and girls while serving as a catalyst for education, advocacy and healing. Traditionally presented as a benefit production, Gateway Playhouse will donate $1 from every ticket sold to Avanzar, the Atlantic County nonprofit dedicated to empowering individuals and families impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking. Following the matinee on Aug. 23, audience members are invited to stay for an optional talkback featuring cast members and a representative from Avanzar. The discussion will explore the themes from the play, their relevance within the local community

and the cast’s experience performing these powerful monologues. Avanzar will also have information available to learn more about the organization’s services and mission. “‘The Vagina Monologues’ is a brave piece of theater,” said Director Kim Tucker, who said accepting the opportunity to direct the production required careful reflection because of its emotional depth and fearless honesty. “As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and someone whose family spans the gender spectrum, I know firsthand how shame can silence people. The more we don’t talk about these experiences, the more they’re allowed to continue. Sharing our stories may make some people uncomfortable, but it also empowers others to find their own voices.” The production features a diverse cast ranging in age from women in their early 20s to performers in their 70s, reflecting the play’s representation of a broad spectrum of experiences. Among the cast is a 75-year-old transgender woman, whose participation underscores the production’s inclusive spirit and message that every voice deserves to be heard. “‘The Vagina Monologues’ is exactly the kind of work we created our Community Spotlight series to make room for,” said Katie Calvi, board chair of the Gateway Playhouse. “This series gives us the opportunity to spotlight important voices, share stories that can create meaningful conversations and bring awareness to

a local organization working directly in our community. Kim Tucker has brought tremendous heart and in-

tention to this production, and partnering with Avanzar allows us to take that conversation beyond the stage and directly support an organization doing the impactful work.” Tickets are $15 and available at the Karen S. Sutherland box office or at GatewayByTheBay.org. Information on Avanzar can be found at AvanzarNow. org. The Gateway is located at 738 Bay Ave. in Somers Point.

HARBOR PINES GOLF CLUB PRESENTS

PM

PER PERSON inclusive of Sales Tax

The New Talk of the Town!

“Excellent Food” “Friendly Service” “Great Healthy Options” “We’ll be Back!”

Open for Breakfast & Lunch Deli – Catering - Dine In - Takeout – Delivery Outdoor Seating Center Point Plaza, Northfield Tilton Road & Route 9 (609) 380-4937 Closed Monday

August 13, 2026

63


Free Outdoor Concerts

Absecon Concerts in the Park

▶Sunday, August 16, 7 p.m.

Heritage Park Bring a chair and blanket and enjoy an evening of rock and pop hits by the Brandon Ireland Band. Snacks and beverages will be available for purchase. Brigantine Summer Concert Series

▶Wednesday, August 19, 7 p.m.

Brigantine Community Center Side Lawn, 265 42nd Street Join the Brigantine Community, Education, and Recreation Department next Wednesday for their outdoor concert series, featuring the Seth Kibel Trio. Bring a beach chair or blanket. In the event of inclement weather, the show will be moved to the Brigantine Community School Auditorium. The Brigantine Summer Concert Series will be held on Wednesdays throughout the season. EHT Rhythm in the Park

▶Thursdays, 7 – 9 p.m.

Robert J. Lincoln Amphitheater at Tony Canale Park Join Egg Harbor Township Parks and Recreation for their weekly concert series. On Aug. 13, enjoy an evening of live music by The Dinamics, and mark your calendars as the Shore

It’s Pure AC Concert Series Photo by John Loreaux Thing band takes the EHT stage on Aug. 20. It’s Pure AC Concert Series

▶Tuesday, August 18, 7 p.m.

Kennedy Plaza, Atlantic City Spend your Tuesday evenings with a free family-friendly summer concert series hosted by acclaimed band leader Dave Damiani and the No Vacancy Orchestra. This week, the Grant Geissman Quartet brings award-winning songs to life with an evening of blues and jazz favorites. Jazz on the Beach Concert Series

▶Wednesday, August 19, 7 p.m.

Kennedy Plaza, Atlantic City The Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk Concert Series continues this Wednesday as multimillion-selling Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Icon Booker T. Jones, of Booker T. & The M.G.’s, takes the stage, with support by the Billy Walton Band. Visit www. tonymart.com for more information.

▶Thursdays, 7 p.m.

Kennedy Plaza, Atlantic City The Chicken Bone Beach Historical Foundation presents their annual Jazz on the Beach Concert Series. Enjoy live music by Marcus Gilmore, along with local jazz by the Tony Day Quartet this Thursday, and mark your calendars as the Amina Figarova Sextet, and Carrie Jackson take the stage on Thursday, Aug. 20. Legacy Concerts on the Beach in Somers Point

▶Friday, August 14, 7 p.m.

William Morrow Beach, 800 Bay Avenue The Legacy Beach Concerts in Somers Point presents the living legacy of the Allman Brothers Band, featuring Melody Trucks, Vaylor Tricks, and the Fitzkee Brothers. Enjoy an evening of jammin’ roots rock and classic southern rock. Visit www. somerspointbeachconcerts.com for the full summer lineup. Lundi Gras on the Boardwalk

▶Monday, August 17, 7 p.m.

Kennedy Plaza, Atlantic City Join Tony Mart Presents for their weekly Lundi Gras on the Boardwalk concert series. Enjoy an evening of live music by Dana Fuchs as she brings her musical film performance to the stage. Plus, Funktastic Voyage presents a ten-piece tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire, the Ohio Players, Chaka Khan, and Prince. Visit www.

64

tonymart.com for more information. Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk

Sunset at Ski Beach Photo credit: Ventnor City Special Events Facebook Sunset at Ski Beach

▶Wednesday, August 19, 6:30 p.m.

Ski Beach, Ventnor Join Ventnor City for their upcoming concert at Ski Beach concert. Mark your calendars for an evening of classics and modern hits by The Loop. The concert will begin at 6:30 p.m. Plus, enjoy delicious food and check out the vendors starting at 5:30 p.m. Ventnor Summer Beach Jam

▶Saturday, August 15, 6:30 p.m.

Newport Avenue Beach Join Ventnor City for their upcoming Beach Jam, featuring the Sons of Beaches Band. Audiences will enjoy an evening of Jimmy Buffett hits and island favorites. The concert will begin at 6:30 p.m. Plus, enjoy delicious food and check out the vendors starting at 5:30 p.m.

August 13, 2026


Standup star Modi is not your typical comic The Casino File By Chuck Darrow

M

ordechi “Modi” Rosenfeld may be a Jewish comedian from New York City, but forget any preconceived notions you may have about him. The 56-year-old funnyman who performs Aug. 22 at Ocean Casino Resort doesn’t “fit into a lot of the stereotypes,” he insisted during a recent phone chat. “I'm not depressed. I'm very happy. My comedy comes from a place of happiness, not from a place of sadness and depression [as it does for many comics]. I told my parents it's almost a shame I didn't have a harder life. Maybe I'd be funnier.” Even his ascension to the ranks of headliner doesn’t mesh with the usual career trajectory of those who ply the comedian’s trade. A standard-issue origin story is of a young person who, influenced by established performers, decides the comedy world is the only place in which they can fit. But when he was in his twenties, the man who bills himself simply as “Modi” was already in a comfortable place. Although he’s an observant Or-

thodox Jew who studied cantorial music at New York’s Yeshiva University, by the early 1990s he was firmly ensconced in the financial world working for Merrill Lynch. It was there that he discovered his gift for comedy, regularly cracking up his friends with what he calls “table humor.” “There's a difference between a ‘table comic’ and a standup, a stage comic,” he explained. “At the table with friends, I was able to make them laugh. The question was, will that work onstage? And it did. I began doing the open mics and it translated and I moved ahead very, very fast.” In 1994, the Israeli native whose family moved to Long Island when he was 7 became a regular attrac- Comedian Mordechi “Modi” Rosenfeld tion at the Comedy Cellar, a Greenwich Village chuckle hut that has keeping alive the “Borscht Belt” trabeen a launching pad for the careers dition of playing to primarily Jewish of such A-listers as Dave Chappelle, audiences (it’s no surprise he numAmy Schumer, Ray Romano and Jon bers such Catskill Mountain-forged Stewart. For the next five years, he gagsters as Alan King, Jackie Mason led a double life, banker by day and and 1980s-and-’90s AyCee favorite standup comic by night. By the time Mal Z. Lawrence as influences). That, Y2K arrived, the financial world was he noted, was organic, as opposed to in Modi’s rearview mirror. a calculated career blueprint. Part of his success has been due “Being a Jewish comic kind of to his embracing his culture and chose me more than I chose it,” he

said. “When I began doing comedy, I was more like an over-the-top character. And then, when you build your voice, it begins to define your comedy. “My comedy is not so much that the material is so Jewish, although there are times and places where it is, but the voice is Jewish. So, my voice in comedy came out as a Jew. “When you see Chris Rock on stage, you know you just saw a Black comedian because of what he looks like, and how he sounds, and what he says and what he talks about. With me, it's the same; you know that you're looking at a Jew from New York on stage, the same way Jackie Mason was a Jewish voice. But the Jewish voice now has become a lot stronger. It's become, accepting of [LGBTQ lifestyles] It's become handsome. It's become Israeli. That's that voice for me.” While plenty of Modi’s material is universal — and as such, you don’t have to be Jewish to understand or enjoy it — he has nonetheless established himself as the acknowledged “go-to” comedian for Orthodox Jews. When asked about performing for a demographic that is, by definition, so-

Cool Down This Summer at

Coupon expires 8-31-26

66

August 13, 2026


The quintet is in its fifth annual, once-a-week, summer residency at the Big O. It is scheduled to perform tonight, Aug. 20, Aug. 27 and Sept. 4. MMD is ostensibly a tribute to three classic-rock immortals: The Beatles, The Doors and Led Zeppelin. While the bands are stylistically diverse, MMD convincingly handles all of the songs — including such revered numbers as the Fab Four’s “Help” and “Elanor Rigby,” Led Zep’s “Kashmir” and “Ramble On” and “Light My Fire” and “Roadhouse Blues” by The Doors — with solid musicianship and heaping helpings of flashy stage presence. Nonetheless, the real draw is the

unit’s clever, one-of-a-kind mashup format. For instance, while the band thrashes out the four-note riff of Zep’s “Misty Mountain Hop,” lead vocalist Vinny DeRenzis sings the lyrics to The Doors’ “Hello I Love You.” Another example is the combining of the lyrics to Led Zep’s “Stairway to Heaven” with the chord progressions to The Beatles’ “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” Bottom line: Don’t miss Magical Mystery Doors! For tickets, go to ticketmaster. com. Chuck Darrow has spent more than 40 years writing about Atlantic City casinos.

Magical Mystery Doors cially conservative, he suggested that there isn’t a separate set of rules, and that the secret to his success among that particular cohort is simply one of show business’ foundational imperatives: Know your audience. “There's no topic that's off the limits,” he declared. “How you present it is what's important. You can talk about the Holocaust, you can talk about sex, you can talk about dating. You can talk about anything. But, he added, “There's a line you get to. The closer you get to the line,

the funnier. But once you cross that line, you've lost them. Every topic is OK as long as you do it with respect.” For tickets, go to ticketmaster. com.

MMD remains a unique tribute act

And speaking of Ocean entertainment, you still have four more chances to catch the wildly entertaining Magical Mystery Doors at Ovation Hall.

Join American Friends of Soroka

MEET and MINGLE IN MARGATE The Rebirth of Soroka: Stories of Heroism and Healing

with Special Guest

5

Sarah Williamson

Australian journalist Newsmax correspondent featured in Heroes of Truth

Sunday, August 16 Sofia’s Rooftop · 5 PM

RSVP: Soroka.org/SorokaHeals Couvert: $80

View a display of portraits from the Heroes of Truth Project, presented by photographer Limor Garfinkle Championing Mental Health Care at Soroka Medical Center

Co-Chairs: Mindy Gale Zeigerman & Jeffrey Amtman Committee: Donna & Michael Brenner, Renee Stemmer, Pam Lehrer & Howard Drossner

(914) 725 - 9070 | Friends@Soroka.org

August 13, 2026

67


Drink Up! By David Setley

Raise a glass to Prosecco!

T

hursday, Aug. 13, is International Prosecco Day, so I thought I would take the opportunity to salute the world’s most consumed sparkling wine. While wine production and sales are flat or slightly falling in many categories, sparkling wines, led by Prosecco, continue to rise. The United States is a major exporter, responsible for nearly one-quarter of all exports, growing in volume by more than 8%. So, how did Prosecco get its sparkle? Pour a glass, and let’s explore. Prosecco is made from the Glera grape that grows in the Veneto region of Northeastern Italy. In fact, Glera is the second most widely grown grape in all of Italy. The earliest records of this grape were recorded by Pliny the Elder in his document “Naturalis Historia,” where he referred to the “Puccino,” a still wine identified by historians to have been made from what is now known as Glera. Pliny stated that this wine was favored by the Empress Livia, the first powerful Empress of Rome, wife of the Emperor Augustus, and mother of Emperor

Tiberius. In 1593, an English traveler named Fynes Moryson first referred to the wine as “Prosecco,” in reference to the name of the nearby town. The name stuck and has been found in numerous writings over the ensuing centuries. An Italian poet named Aureliano Acanti even wrote in 1754 that he wanted to “sacrifice my (his) mouth for that apple-aromatic Prosecco.” It wasn’t until 1876 that Prosecco was given its sparkle because of three oenologists: Antonio Carpenè Sr., Federico Martinotti, and Eugene Charmat. That same year, Carpenè established the Oenology School of Conegliano, Italy’s first school of viticulture in the heart of the Prosecco wine region. He is largely considered the father of Prosecco. Martinotti was initially recognized for the secondary fermentation method, which gives wine its effervescence. Charmat made significant improvements to the method, making it more economical and consistent, resulting in the process being more associated with his name. The primary difference between Charmat’s secondary fermentation method with Prosecco and the meth-

FULL BAR

HAPPY HOUR 7 DAYS A WEEK 4-7PM

Reduced Price on a Selection of

Bottles of Wine Sun-Thurs 1pm-10pm • Fri & Sat 1pm-11pm GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE

www.miyakomargate.com

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

68

od used with Champagne is where it takes place. For Prosecco, secondary fermentation takes place in a sealed containment vat; in Champagne, it takes place in the bottle. This is the principal reason why Champagne is bubblier (6 to 7 bars of pressure) than Prosecco (1 to 4 bars of pressure). It is also why Prosecco is a fraction of the cost of Champagne. Champagne is generally considered to be drier than Prosecco, due to a lower residual sugar. The average Brut Champagne sold in America has about 12 grams per liter of residual sugar, while Brut Prosecco has 12-17 grams per liter. The most significant reason for this is terroir. The Veneto region of Italy is far warmer than the Champagne region of France, resulting in those Italian grapes starting their journey into wine production at a slightly higher sugar level. Additionally, Champagne is traditionally aged longer, creating more dry flavors and less fruitiness. Nonetheless, both wines are available in varying levels of dryness from Extra Brut (the driest) to Brut to Demi-Sec (the sweetest). Two very important things happened to the Prosecco wine region and its wine in 2009. First, the grape used for making Prosecco, Glera, got its name. Before then, it was referred to simply as the Prosecco grape. Second, the Italian DOC agency established Prosecco as a DOC-certified region. Prosecco wines can be produced anywhere in the larger Prosecco wine region and be classified as a DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) or DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) wine. However, the finest wines come from the appellations of Conegliano-Valdobbiandene, Asolo Prosecco, and Prosecco Trieste/Treviso. Valdobbiadene, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is internationally famous for being the birthplace of Prosecco. Called the Crown Jewel of Prosecco, the wines from this area are considered the best example of this style of sparkling wine. To see for

yourself, try Col Vetoraz Valdobbiadene Brut Coste di Levante. This wine is very dry and has a lovely effervescence. The flavors of white peach and pears are beautifully balanced with a crisp, chalky-mineral finish. This is my top pick for Prosecco Day. From the Asolo Prosecco subregion, the Belle Casel Asolo Extra Brut Prosecco is a great choice. This is the driest style of Prosecco (only 4 grams per liter of residual sugar) and has the fresh aromas of golden apples and a touch of grapefruit. This is a well-balanced sparkling wine. From Treviso, the La Gioiosa et Amorosa Prosecco and the Bortolomiol Miol Prosecco Treviso Brut are, in my opinion, the best Prosecco wines for the money. Both have fine and persistent “perlage” (bubbles), which are wonderful as an aperitif, or mixed into a spritz or cocktail. The flavor is classic golden apple with notes of mountain flowers and minerality. The vineyard planted Glera grapes in 1760 under Bortolomeo Bortolomiol. Current owner Giuliano Bortolomiol and his brothers launched the winery operations after service in World War II. Today the winery is run by Giuliano’s four daughters, whose concern and love for the environment led them to full organic certification for the vineyard and winery. The Bortolomiol daughters said, “Giuliano left us a great gift, the desire to look forwards always and imagine the future, among the traditions of our hills and with the constant desire to get better.” You can taste that dedication in their wines! Another favorite of mine is Brilla! Prosecco. This wine is available in a traditional Prosecco and a Rosè Prosecco. Both are bright, crisp, and fresh, and come in a beautiful bottle that will look amazing on your table. In Italian, Brilla! loosely translates to “shine” or “sparkle”; I can promise you, this Prosecco will add sparkle to any occasion. There are many Prosecco wines out there and, though you may already have your favorite, I hope you consider trying some of my suggestions above. You will not be disappointed! As always, if you have questions or comments, contact me or stop by the Somers Point store. Happy International Prosecco Day, and happy wining! David Setley is enjoying his retirement from higher education as a wine educator and certified sommelier at Passion Vines in Somers Point, New Jersey.

August 13, 2026


GO FOR THE

BIGGEST ACTS. AND THE HOTTEST TRACKS.

THURSDAYS

SUNDAYS

NOW - SEPTEMBER 3

NOW - SEPTEMBER 6

This tribute act blends and layers the music of The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and The Doors to create something new and unique for music fans everywhere.

Get Ready for the ultimate tribute to the 70’s & 80’s, featuring soft rock such as Hall & Oates, Michael McDonald, Kelly Loggins, Christopher Cross, Steely Dan, Toto, icons of a sound that defined an era.

*No show on July 9.

Ticket purchase required.

AUGUST 28

GO TO O C EA N | GO FO R T H E WI N LEARN MORE AT T H E O C E A N A C . C O M Visit theOceanAC.com for full details. Must be 21 or older to wager or consume alcohol. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

SEPTEMBER 17 - 20 SEPTEMBER 24 - 27


Your Home Course At The Shore Just Minutes From Ocean City

Gov. Sherrill targets ‘big tech’ with new law aimed at kids’ social media use Law limits data gathering, bars some algorithmic recommendations

NJ Monitor By Nikita Biryukov

Golf Club

Finish A Round In Under 2 Hours 30 DAY MEMBERSHIP $200 WALKING UNLIMITED PLAY! If you choose to continue yearly Just $650 additional

Ten Round Passes $250 Yearly membership $850 Scan to Book Online Please Call Ahead Tee Times Required Book online at golfheritagelinks.com

70

S

ocial media platforms will face a bevy of new restrictions in New Jersey that limit their use of children’s data, restrict algorithmic content recommendations to minors, and block notifications during school hours, among a range of others. The new restrictions, which are set to take effect in September 2027, flow from legislation Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed Tuesday and are New Jersey’s bid to regulate tech giants the governor said federal policymakers had largely left to their own devices. “Big tech isn’t just the big tobacco of our era. They are worse. They designed platforms that highjacked our kids’ attention spans,” Sherrill said at a bill signing ceremony in Jersey City. “The typical American teen spends about 35 hours a week, almost a full-time job, on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.” The restrictions in the New Jersey Kids Code Act would require privacy settings on minors’ social media accounts be set to their strictest mode and would limit platforms’ ability to request minors change those settings. It would restrict platforms’ use of children’s data to the purposes for which it was collected and bar algorithmic content recommendations unless a minor specifically requests more or less content from a given account or of a specific type. The restrictions mandate that social media platforms limit the discoverability of children’s accounts, both to adults on their own sites and through search engines. And the law will bar social media platforms from sending notifications to minors between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on school days between Labor Day and Memorial Day and block notifications between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. at all times of the year. “Half of parents say their children’s mental health has suffered

over the past year because of social media,” said bill sponsor Assemblywoman Andrea Katz (D-Burlington). “Nearly half of teenagers say they lose sleep every single night because they feel stuck on these platforms.” The law permits both parents and the New Jersey attorney general to sue over violations. If they’re victorious, courts could award $5,000 per violation or treble damages — an amount equal to three times the harm suffered — whichever is greater, plus attorney fees. They can also order punitive damages for reckless or knowing violations and injunctions to bar offending conduct. Lawmakers on Tuesday described a social media landscape that had sold children’s mental health for engagement and shifted threats that once appeared in physical spaces to digital ones. “When I was a kid, our parents worried about strangers and who’s talking to us at the park or at the mall,” said bill sponsor Sen. Raj Mukherji (D-Hudson). “Today, we have to worry about who’s DMing them, what algorithms are pushing into our kids’ feeds, and what sensitive information is being collected, used, even sold before they’re old enough to understand what they’re giving away.” Meta, which operates Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Other bills Sherrill signed Tuesday order the creation of a social media research center at one of the state’s public four-year universities and direct it to begin studying the efficacy of social media warning labels and disclaimers in curbing social media addiction among children. The state’s higher education office began accepting proposals for the center Tuesday and aims to open it sometime this fall with a $500,000 appropriation from the state’s budget.

August 13, 2026


New law to expand microtransit to seniors, disabled residents statewide

NJ Monitor By Lilo Stainton

M

ore state aid would be available for county programs that provide seniors and residents with disabilities with on-demand microtransit programs under legislation signed by Gov. Mikie Sherrill. New Jersey lawmakers voted unanimously in late June to pass a bill that expands NJ Transit’s existing accessibility program to include microtransit options, vehicles people can hail from their phone to take them to work, school, or doctors’ appointments, or to connect with existing public transportation.

rides through a service called Via that operates in Passaic and Clifton. Trenton residents can take GoTrenton for $2; it’s also available for free to maternal health workers and women who are pregnant or recently gave birth under a partnership with the New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority. NJ Transit has the MicroLink pilot program that serves a half-dozen towns in Bergen and Monmouth counties. New Jersey is home to some 1.7 million seniors, roughly 18% of the state’s population, and more than 25,000 people with disabilities receive services from the state. “Every New Jerseyan deserves the opportunity to remain independent

A bill signed by Gov. Mikie Sherrill on Friday seeks to expand access to microtransit for seniors and disabled residents statewide. (Photo by Dana DiFilippo/New Jersey Monitor) “For too many seniors and residents with disabilities, the biggest barrier isn’t whether transportation exists — it’s whether they can actually access it when they need it. This law gives counties another tool to bridge that gap,” bill sponsor Assemblyman Kenyatta Stewart (D-Passaic) told the New Jersey Monitor. The law, signed by Sherrill on Friday, allows counties to seek funding from the state’s senior citizen and disabled resident transportation assistance program to pay for their microtransit options. The state budget has about $56 million for that fund this year. Passaic County now runs a microtransit program that offers $1.90

August 13, 2026

and connected, and this legislation helps move us closer to that goal,” Stewart said. The law does not specify what counties must include in their plans, but it defines “on-demand microtransit” as a shared motor-vehicle service that allows a rider to select pick-up and drop-off locations by phone or mobile app, with transportation provided at a time of their choice or as “as soon as possible” after the rider logs on. It also requires that programs funded through the program and operated by the county, even via a subcontractor, to pay drivers as regular employees as opposed to independent contractors.

TRADE IN, TRADE UP Trade in your Old Clubs Trade up for New Clubs

Follow us on

71


By Rachel King

Everyone starts somewhere

W

hen people walk into one of my studios today, they see a business owner. They see two fitness studios, a team of dedicated coaches, classes filled with strong women and, now, a podcast. What they don’t see is where it all began. They don’t see the young mom who simply loved helping people. They don’t see the woman who was nervous to teach her first strength class, questioned whether she was good enough or experienced enough and had no idea that saying “yes” to one opportunity would change the direction of her life. The truth is, none of us starts where we finish. We live in a world where success is often measured by what people have accomplished, but we rarely discuss what it took to get there. We celebrate the finished product without appreciating the years of uncertainty, mistakes, sacrifices and growth that happened behind the scenes. If I’m being honest, I didn’t have a master plan. I wasn’t working from a five-year business strategy or

72

dreaming about opening multiple locations. I simply loved fitness, enjoyed encouraging other women and believed that if I showed up consistently, something good would come from it. One class turned into another. One opportunity led to the next. Before I knew it, Lift & Glitz wasn’t just a place to work out — it had become a community.

Along the way, life wasn’t always easy. Like so many people, I experienced setbacks that tested me personally and professionally. There were times when I questioned myself, wondered whether I was making the right decisions and felt that giving up would be the easier choice. But every challenge taught me something. It taught me resilience and patience. Most importantly, it taught me that growth doesn’t happen when everything is going your way. Growth happens when you choose to keep moving forward, even when you can’t see what lies ahead. That’s why I always encourage women to stop comparing their beginning with someone else’s middle. We spend so much time looking at people who inspire us and assuming they were somehow born confident,

successful or fearless. They weren’t. Every entrepreneur had a first customer. Every athlete had a first workout. Every speaker had a first audience. Every business owner had a first day. Every successful woman you admire has a chapter in her story that almost nobody knows. If there’s one thing I hope you take away from my journey, it’s this: Don’t wait until you feel completely ready. You may never feel ready. Start the business. Take the class. Apply for the job. Launch the idea. Have the conversation. Take the first step. You never know where one small decision might lead. Looking back, I never could have imagined that teaching one strength class would eventually become my career and passion, giving me the opportunity to affect the lives of thousands of women throughout our community. Everyone starts somewhere. The question is: Where will your first step take you? Rachel King is the owner of Lift & Glitz Training Studio in Northfield, NJ. With 13 years of experience in the fitness industry, Rachel holds certifications in Personal & Group Fitness through ISSA and is a Zumba Fitness Instructor. A proud single mother of two, Rachel balances her professional and personal life with grace and determination. She earned her BA in Communications from Stockton University and resides in Northfield.

August 13, 2026


HERE YESTERDAY HERE TODAY

WILL BE HERE TOMORROW IN BUSINESS SINCE 1970

Beachcomber Coins and Collectibles

6692 Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Twp. Our only location.

WE ARE BUYING (still)

Gold and Silver Jewelry

Gold and Silver Bars and Coins

Sports and Non Sports Cards

Memorabilia

Comic Books

Old Paper Money

Silver Dollars

Coin Collections

Train Collections

Wrist and Pocket Watches Antique and Modern Firearms

? ASK

(APPOINTMENTS ARE REQUIRED FOR FIREARMS)

NOW SELLING (CASH ONLY)

Gold Eagles All Sizes

Silver Eagles 1 Ounce

Silver Rounds 1 Ounce

Silver Bars 1 Ounce - 5 Ounce 10 Ounce

Open Mon. Tues. Thurs. Fri. & Sat. 10am-5pm Closed Sun. & Wed. Appointments Suggested Visit beachcombercoinsinc.com for current buy and sell prices 609-645-1031


Try this leash-reactive training exercise to make walking your dog safer

By Heidi Clayton

W

h en training a leash-reactive/aggressive dog, the first consideration I have is that everyone from the owner, the dog, and other dogs is always safe. If you have never experienced a dog fight, they can be chaotic and terribly frightening for people. So, my first rule is that the dog being trained will be kept under their threshold of excitement. With that in mind, many owners are surprised when I tell them that we are not going to be walking the dog until a few criteria are met. Step one is to take the dog where you will see other dogs, but you have a decent amount of space between them and you, and there is no worry about another dog getting terribly close to you. With the threshold for excitement kept very low, your dog should be able to voluntarily check in with you and lock eyes with you for as many sec-

onds as possible. They should also be able to accept a treat from you and not be so distracted that they do not have an interest in taking treats. If your dog can do neither, they certainly are not ready to go for a walk, where distractions increase and where they might be given the chance to practice the bad behavior you are trying to fix.

If your dog is checking in and taking treats, a very effective way

Positive & Reward based training for Dogs of all ages Group Classes, Rescue Reboot & Behavior Modification

We spec ializ e in

Pup py Tr ain

in g!

(609)377-6208 www.fouronthefloordogtraining.net fouronthefloor@gmail.com

74

to change how they feel about seeing other dogs is to feed them something so fantastic that they do not want to fire off or lunge. This may take time, but is a vital step in managing a reactive dog on walks. Starting from a safe distance, have about 30 to 45 seconds’ worth of something like chicken or bits of meat in your hand and be ready to feed it to your dog the very second they see another dog. So the second they see the other dog, you are going to simply start feeding them one piece of food after another until the dog disappears from their view. When the dog is gone, stop feeding them. When you are doing this with your dog, there should be zero behavior expectations. So don't ask them to sit or look at you, but instead, remain perfectly silent and calm and try to get as many pieces of food into their mouth as possible. I

like to do this exercise in a parking lot where you most likely see other dogs and have a decent amount of space between you and them. Also, try to do this for five to six dog appearances, then quit and leave. The next time you try this exercise, repeat all of the safety steps such as maintaining a safe distance from dogs and keeping calm. This time, instead of feeding your dog the very second they see another dog, count to three and see if your dog will do an automatic check-in, looking for a tasty treat from you instead of being reactive. If they do, reward them with a jackpot of several treats and make a huge fuss of this check-in. If they don’t, simply repeat the first step until they do. Sometimes progress with a reactive dog is very slow, as it takes time to rewire a behavior that they have been practicing. I promise it will pay off if you stick with it. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net. Heidi Clayton started Four On the Floor Dog Training to provide positive, 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

DOG WASTE REMOVAL Local family owned and operated business Flexible Scheduling to fit your busy lifestyle Gate Photos and On The Way Texts Over 100 5 star reviews

DOG WASTE MANAGEMENT PROS (609)356-8999

dogwastemanagementpros.com info@dogwastemanagementpros.com

August 13, 2026


Saltwater Taffy is New Jersey’s most nostalgic summer food, finds survey By Hayden Torres

W

hen it came to nostalgic foods, New Jersey’s top three were ranked as follows:

1. Boardwalk saltwater taffy

A box of saltwater taffy is one of those New Jersey Shore traditions that often comes home long after the beach day has ended. Wrapped in bright paper and sold in countless flavors, the chewy candy is easy to share, carry and save for the journey back. Its connection to boardwalk shops, amusement rides and seaside vacations gives it an appeal that goes beyond sweetness. One piece can bring back the noise, color and anticipation of a summer afternoon by the ocean.

2. Pork roll

Pork roll carries the comfort of a New Jersey breakfast or lunch that people tend to order exactly

August 13, 2026

the way they remember it. Griddled until browned at the edges, it is often served in a sandwich with egg and cheese on a roll. Picked up from a diner, deli or shore-town counter, the meal can become part of a summer routine before the beach or during a road trip. Salty, filling and deeply local, it offers familiarity in its most straightforward form.

3. Jersey tomato sandwich

At the peak of summer, a ripe Jersey tomato needs little more than soft bread, mayonnaise and a pinch of salt. Thick, juicy slices make the sandwich both simple and unmistakably seasonal, especially when the tomatoes have come from a backyard garden or nearby farm stand. The bread may soften and the juice may escape, but neatness is hardly the point. It is a quick meal that can recall porch lunches, family kitchens and the particular satisfaction of eating produce at exactly the right time.

75


Beach games the whole family can play this summer By Chloe Cramutola

F

amilies have enjoyed outdoor and beach games for hundreds of years, across all different cultures. Nowadays, families and friends still play these games, as leisurely competition is an enjoyable and timeless pastime. Whether they are classic or new games, these outdoor activities have been easily translated into beach entertainment, spanning from volleyball to ring toss to Spikeball. Beach volleyball originated in the early 1900s, while beach tennis was born in Italy, Brazil and Spain in the early ‘70s. Spikeball, a fairly recent and popular game, was not invented until the late ‘80s. Here’s a list of fun games, both classic and new, to try at the beach this summer.

Beach Volleyball

A classic game of volleyball is sure to get the entire family in an engaged and competitive mode. This is also a great way to entertain both kids and adults alike. While there are portable volleyball nets available for purchase, beachgoers can create a makeshift net using beach towels tied between

poles or held up by other family members. Players can divide themselves up into teams and use a beach ball or an actual volleyball to launch over the net. This is also a fun bonding exercise that will require players to communicate and work together. Of course, the first thing needed is a frisbee. Pick a preferred disc and then decide with family and friends — will this be a free-for-all, a serious game or an organized game of ultimate? Regardless of the kind of game chosen, there are a few techniques that are good to know. The backhand is gripped with the rim in the palm of the hand, while the forehand has the middle finger against the inside rim of the disc, and the arm is extended out to the side with a slightly bent elbow. There are also catching methods like the pancake catch and the crab catch.

Ring Toss

This is a game where players throw rings at a target to score

Our professional team is here to ensure your home gets the look you deserve. With over 30 years experience, your home will be in good hands. Call for a FREE estimate 609-601-2601 today.

In Atlantic & Cape May County 609-601-2601 609-516-3103 OR

S

O R

•

S

•

N N G G

D O DO

acwindowsanddoorsl@gmail.com

I SI D I SI D

Honest, Up-Front Pricing Honest, &Up-Front Top Quality Work Pricing By Dedicated & Top Quality Crew. Work By Windows Dedicated Crew. Installed By In-House WindowsProfessionals Installed By In-House Professionals

sionals

76

Since its rebirth as a company in 2007, Spikeball has grown into a popular game that can be played anywhere outside — the beach is no exception! An exciting blend of

points. There are portable ring toss games beachgoers can order online or in stores. To play, each player starts with five rings at the starting line and throws all five in a single turn. The goal is to get the rings to land over the pins on the other side. Each pin has a different score written down, and the middle pin is worth the most points — 25. After playing for eight rounds, all players tally their total game score and the player with the most points wins.

Beach Tennis

A match can be played to the best of three sets, as singles or doubles. Unlike normal tennis, there is no advantage to scoring, no service let and no second serves. Score can be kept as follows: 15 (first point), 30 (second point), 40 (third point), and then the fourth winning point. Unlike regular tennis, the ball does not bounce — if it touches the sand, the point is over. There are also no advantages in beach tennis.

Sandcastle Competition

609-515-3103 609-516-3103

sionals

Spikeball

Frisbee

The Premier The WINDOWS, AND SIDING A T L AWindow, NDOORS T I C Premier CRoofing APE WINDOWS, DOORS ANDRoofing SIDING &Window, Siding Company & Siding Company In Atlantic & Cape May County

ork Crew. ork Crew..

gets the point. Whoever gets closer to the stake and is within the 6 feet will receive the point.

This one is a classic — just sit on the sand, use shovels and buckets and build! Sand and water are usually the only materials allowed, but some contests may also allow items found on the beach, such as shells, seaweed or sticks. Have as many family members and friends participate, with a few standing to watch and judge each castle. Have players build freely or based on a theme, and create a judging system out of 10 points.

Horseshoes

This classic outdoor game can be brought to the beach with a plastic portable set found online or in stores. A horseshoe must lie within 6 feet of the stake. If each team throws a toss that lands exactly the same distance within the 6 feet, the throws cancel each other out and no one

volleyball and foursquare, this game is played 2 on 2. The Spikeball net should be placed at the center of the two teams. A player starts a point by serving the ball down onto the net so it bounces up at a team’s opponents. The returning team has up to three hits between them to return the ball back onto the net. This will continue until a team cannot return a ball onto the net within those three touches.

TidalBall

TidalBall, a game born in South Carolina and one meant for the beach, combines elements of cornhole and bocce ball. Here, the ball is lighter and it is thrown into either a small hole for three points or the long trench for one point. With one teammate on the starting side and another teammate at the end, tosses are alternated. This game can be bought online or in stores for $30, and it is waterproof, sandproof and fits easily into a beach tote.

Bask in the sun with family and friends

Even if the family simply wants to lounge on beach towels, chat under umbrellas or get a nice tan, there is plenty to enjoy a day at the beach with loved ones! Chloe is a multimedia editor and journalism major at Boston University, where she is Editor at The Daily Free Press. She will be graduating Spring '25. Connect with her on LinkedIn @ chloecramutola

August 13, 2026


IT'S HEATING UP! IS YOUR AC SYSTEM READY?

oil, heat pumps, hot water, ductless units and forced air systems. We install tank and tankless water heaters.

76 OFF

$

12381


Weekly Horoscopes The Cosmic Connection By Ursula Duffy

Rising Sign Horoscopes for Aug. 13 – 19

Aries: What gets you into the zone? The zone relates to getting your body and mind deep into a creative flow where time disappears. Find your zone and the golden nuggets waiting there. Taurus: How can you meditate more? Meditation can be anything that quiets the mind to tune more deeply into your heart and your spirit. Meditate more this week; the root of your being is beckoning. Gemini: How can you amplify your voice? Your heart’s loudspeaker is stronger than your words alone. Align the two with the same message and send it out into the Aether from both sources to manifest your dreams. Cancer: Are you your biggest cheerleader? Your own self-confidence is an inside job, which you can then project in your outside job. Mindset is everything. Believe in yourself, assert yourself, and welcome the growth. Leo: How do you express your inner child? Regardless of age, the inner child is present to remind you to play and invite joy into your life. Do whatever brings you that buoyant feeling and puts a smile on your face. Virgo: Do you self-sabotage? It’s a time of great soul-searching for you, and escapism, avoidance, and numbing are patterns to identify. Be gentle with yourself and know that it’s OK to be vulnerable. Libra: Are you open to meeting new people? As potential for new so-

Let Progressive Help You!

cial circles grows, having an open mind and heart is important. Regaining your footing in relationships is ongoing, and new community can be supportive. Scorpio: Are you ready to present your big idea? Regardless of your profession or daily work, remember the adage “strike while the iron’s hot.” It’s the ideal week to express yourself or your big idea in the public arena. Sagittarius: What are you waiting for? There’s a creation of yours that’s ready for “publishing” or birthing into the world. Push through any real or perceived limitations, and go for it. Capricorn: Is your family wealthy? Consider wealth outside of solely monetary definitions. The ways in which your family’s wealth and your inheritance may still be hidden are coming to light. Aquarius: Is there a golden opportunity right under your nose? Look no further than your immediate partnerships and family for support. Sometimes all that’s needed is to let your guard down and ask. Pisces: Where is there unnecessary excess? Look at your daily, weekly, and monthly habits to identify overspending, overindulging, and overconsuming. Trimming in these areas will help your overall budget.

Weekly astrology summary:

Messenger Mercury is having big conversations this week. Mercury will

SOLVE THE MEDICARE PUZZLE

Long-Term Care Planning Steady Income Solutions

• Fencing • Railing • Decking • Gates • Pergolas • Arbors • Roofing • Siding

• Windows • Trim Boards • Column Wraps • Awnings ! • Sheds & More • Play-Sets • Outdoor Showers • Trash Enclosures

• Annui�es for income or growth • IRA & Pension Discussions Disability Income Protec�on Planning for Re�rement

Reduce taxes and risks in retirement • Tax-smart income strategies • Market vola�lity planning

I can help you put the pieces together.

609-449-8079

www.ProgressiveFenceAndRail.com NJ Loc#: 13VH07478800

78

first meet up with Jupiter in Leo’s den on Aug. 15. This is a time to be more passionate about big ideas and big dreams that align with your heart’s biggest desires. Mercury and Jupiter come together roughly once per year; this time in Leo is a great time for inspiration with support from the cosmos. The support comes with duty and reinforcement from Mercury’s next connection, which is with Saturn on Aug. 17. Mercury and Jupiter together encourage the expansive dream and Mercury and Saturn together provide the scaffolding for the dream to become reality. They will communicate across the zodiac by what’s called a trine of the fire element from Mercury in Leo to Saturn in Aries. Fire is inspiration itself, so take advantage of these two almost simultaneous alignments. A little extra rest to foster dreaming time may be required as Mars squares off with Neptune on Aug. 17 as well. Mars/Neptune interactions may decrease motivation and increase sluggishness on and around the day

they occur. The shift of the nodes of the moon into Leo (south node) and Aquarius (north node) is finally permanent by both calculation methods on Aug. 18. This secures the nodal energy for the next approximately 18 months (this was covered in greater detail back on July 30). This is a great week to look up! The annual Perseids meteor shower peaks this week on Aug. 13. It’ll be prime viewing time since the peak occurs during the new moon’s darkness. Find more viewing details on timeanddate.com and, for local spectators, in my article from last year: “Five best places to watch a meteor shower,” published in Shore Local on Oct. 9, 2025. A sparkling Venus and the waxing crescent moon come together exactly on Aug. 16. Look up just before, during, and after sunset to enjoy this beautiful cosmic connection. This week’s horoscopes are focused on the conversations between Mercury and Jupiter, and Mercury and Saturn; 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. Ursula Duffy is a Professional Astrologer, Certified Aromatherapist and founder of Ursa Alchemy. www. ursaalchemy.com or ursaalchemy@ gmail.com.

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!

RICHARD T. GERBER LUTCF, CSA, RMC, MMC 327 Central Avenue, Suite 101 Linwood, NJ 08221

(609) 653 - 9101

Save 10% OFF a 60-Minute Astrology Reading with Ursula! Use code: URSALOCAL | www.ursaalchemy.com

August 13, 2026


Hospice myths can prevent families from seeking care sooner

M

isconceptions about hospice care can lead patients and families to delay seeking services that may provide comfort and support during serious illness. For some, the word “hospice” is associated exclusively with the final days of life or with giving up treatment altogether. Hospice care, however, can begin earlier and may continue for months when a patient meets eligibility requirements. Hospice generally focuses on comfort and quality of life for people with terminal illnesses rather than treatments intended to cure the underlying disease. Services can include symptom and pain management, nursing care and emotional, social and spiritual support. One common misconception is that hospice is only appropriate during the final days of a person’s life. Depending on a patient's condition and eligibility, services may begin well before that point. Earlier involvement can give patients and caregivers more time to receive support and assistance managing symptoms and other challenges. Another misconception is that entering hospice means all medical care stops. Instead, the goals of care change. Treatment generally focuses on managing pain and other symptoms and maintaining comfort and quality of life. Hospice care is typically provided by an interdisciplinary team that may include physicians, nurses, aides, social workers, chaplains, volunteers

Hospice Music Therapist Karen Melita with patient Carol and her daughter Sandy. NJHealth Hospice and Palliative Care is one of only a few hospice providers to offer additional services like music and massage therapies. and other professionals. Services may be provided in a patient's home, nursing facility, assisted living community or other setting, depending on individual circumstances. Patients and families may also struggle with the perception that choosing hospice means abandoning hope. For people facing terminal illness, goals often change as a disease progresses. Priorities may include controlling pain, spending meaningful time with family, remaining in familiar surroundings or receiving additional emotional and practical support. Some hospice programs also provide complementary services such as music and massage therapy. Music therapy may be used to help with

relaxation, anxiety, mood and communication, while massage therapy may be offered to promote relaxation and help alleviate discomfort. Hospice providers may also offer programs tailored to particular populations. Veterans, for example, may

have physical and emotional needs related to their military experiences. Specialized services can incorporate an understanding of military culture and experiences into their care. Patients with dementia and other cognitive disorders can present different challenges. Hospice services for eligible patients may include symptom management along with education and support for family members and caregivers as cognitive and physical abilities decline. The specific services provided through hospice vary based on the patient's medical condition, needs, preferences and care setting. Care plans are generally developed individually and adjusted as a person's condition changes. Families considering hospice can discuss eligibility, available services and the appropriate timing for care with the patient's physician, health care team or a hospice provider. Understanding what hospice does — and does not — provide can help patients and families make informed decisions about care during advanced illness.

Transform Your Bathroom and Change Your Life.

FREE TOILET + $2,000 OFF* For your FREE information kit and our Senior Discounts, Call Today Toll-Free

1-855-417-1306 *Free toilet with purchase and installation of a walk-in tub or walk-in shower only. Offer available while supplies last. No cash value. Must present offer at time of purchase. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Market restrictions may apply. Offer available in select markets only. CSLB 1082165 NSCB 0082999 0083445 13VH11096000

August 13, 2026

79


By Robin Stoloff

H

New protein guidelines: Are you getting enough?

ow much protein did you eat today? If you are like many Americans, it may not have been enough, especially under the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which put much more emphasis on protein than previous recommendations. The average American man eats roughly 90 to 100 grams of protein a day, while the average woman gets closer to 65 to 75 grams. That may sound like plenty, but whether it is enough depends on your body size, age, activity level and overall health. The newest Dietary Guidelines for Americans, covering 2025 through 2030, recommend a daily goal of about 1.2 to 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, adjusted for individual calorie needs. That is considerably higher than the longstanding Recommended Dietary Allowance of 0.8 grams per kilogram, which is the amount generally considered enough to meet basic nutritional needs. So, what does all of that mean when we are standing in our kitchen

VISIT OUR SHOWROOM

80

trying to decide what to eat? Here is how to figure it out. Divide your weight in pounds by 2.2, then multiply that number by 1.2 and 1.6. A 130-pound woman weighs about 59 kilograms, putting her range around 71 to 94 grams per day. A 200-pound man weighs about 91 kilograms, putting his range around 109 to 145 grams. A person who weighs 150 pounds, or 68 kilograms, needs roughly 82 to 109 grams of protein a day. To add more protein, do not have to eat a huge steak or three chicken breasts every day. We simply need to be a little more intentional about adding protein throughout the day. Greek yogurt at breakfast, chicken or chickpeas on our salad at lunch, and cottage cheese, an egg or a handful of nuts for a snack can all help. It adds up faster than you might think. Of course, protein is not one size fits all. Our needs can vary depending on our age, size, activity level, health and goals. Someone who exercises regularly or is trying to build or

maintain muscle may need more than someone who is less active. Certain medical conditions, kidney disease in particular, can also affect how much protein is appropriate. If you are unsure, talk with your doctor, nutritionist, or a registered dietitian. Protein becomes especially important as we get older. Many people are surprised to learn that we can gradually begin losing muscle in our thirties. Age-related muscle loss, known as sarcopenia, becomes more noticeable with each passing decade, especially if we are not staying active. It also helps to spread protein throughout the day instead of saving most of it for dinner. Many of us eat very little protein at breakfast, a little more at lunch, then load up at dinner. Personally, I aim for about 30 to 35 grams of protein per meal. One of my go-to breakfasts is an omelet made with one whole egg, about a cup of egg whites, mixed vegetables and some shredded cheese, plus collagen in my coffee. Altogether, that gives me about 37 grams of protein before I even leave the kitchen. Your breakfast certainly does not have to look like mine. Greek yogurt with berries, cottage cheese with fruit, or eggs with whole-grain toast are easy options. Lunch could be a turkey wrap, tuna salad, lentil soup or a grain bowl with beans and chicken. Dinner might include fish, poultry, lean meat, tofu, beans or another plant-based protein. Protein bars and shakes can certainly be convenient, but they do not need to become the center of your diet. Whole foods also provide vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, fiber and other important nutrients. More protein should not mean less produce or fewer whole foods. Beans, lentils, peas, nuts, seeds and whole grains can help boost your protein while adding valuable plant nutrition too. Most importantly, do not let the numbers overwhelm you. You do not

need to weigh your food or track every gram of protein for the rest of your life. Just spend a few days paying attention to where your protein is coming from and look for a few simple ways to add a little more. And then, just as importantly, use those muscles. I talk about protein all the time in my fitness classes because nutrition and strength training go hand in hand. We can lift weights, use resistance bands and challenge our muscles, but our bodies still need the right building blocks to repair and rebuild afterward. In my opinion, strength training combined with good nutrition is about as close as we get to the fountain of youth. The good news is you do not have to lift heavy barbells or spend hours sweating in a gym to benefit. Squats, wall pushups, resistance bands and dumbbells can all challenge your muscles. What matters most is consistency and gradually asking your muscles to do a little more over time. That might mean doing a few extra repetitions or picking up a slightly heavier weight. For most healthy adults, working the major muscle groups two or three times a week can make a real difference. Of course, having more muscle on our bodies improves our appearance and boosts our metabolism, but it is so much more than that. It helps us climb stairs, carry groceries, get up from a chair, play with our kids or grandkids, stay active and even catch ourselves if we stumble. Building our strength can help us keep doing the things we enjoy and, perhaps most importantly, maintain our independence as we get older. That is really the goal. It is not about hitting some perfect protein number or looking a certain way. It is about staying strong enough to get up off the floor, play a sport, travel, and continue doing the things that make life fun. We cannot stop the clock, but we can have a say in how we age. Fuel your body with protein, keep challenging your muscles and build the strength to keep doing what you love for years to come. Robin Stoloff is an award-winning health reporter in South Jersey. A former TV reporter, she now hosts Living Well with Robin Stoloff, Sunday mornings at 10 am on Lite 96.9 WFPG.

August 13, 2026


Atlantic County sees continued declines in drug deaths, shootings and homicides

T

he Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office (ACPO) released county wide crime statistics showing sustained, multi-year declines in drug-related deaths, fatal traffic crashes, shootings and homicides, with figures through July 31, 2026, continuing trends seen since 2021. Prosecutor William E. Reynolds attributed the results to close coordination among Atlantic County’s municipal police departments, the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office, and the assistant prosecutors, detectives, and professional staff of the ACPO.

Lives saved: Drug deaths and traffic fatalities down sharply

Drug-related deaths in Atlantic County have fallen from 255 in 2022 to 86 for all of 2025 and stand at 24 through the first seven months of 2026 — placing the county on pace for its lowest annual total in this six-year period. Fatal accident investigations have followed a similar trajectory, down from 49 in 2021 to

16 through July 31, 2026, compared to 29 for the full 2025 calendar year.

Shootings and homicides: Fewer incidents, higher clearance rates

Non-fatal shooting incidents county-wide dropped from 45 in 2021 to just 8 through July 31, 2026, with investigators clearing 7 of those cases for an 88% clearance rate — up from 64% in 2021. In Atlantic City specifically, non-fatal shootings fell from 40 in 2021 to 5 so far in 2026, with a 100% clearance rate. Homicide investigations show the same pattern. County-wide homicides declined from 14 in 2021 to a total of four (4) through July 31, 2026, while Atlantic City homicides fell from 11 in 2021 to just one (1) so far this year — matching the 100% clearance rate the department has posted in each of the last three years for city homicides.

Protecting victims and children

The Special Victims Unit (SVU) opened 471 cases through July 31,

2026, continuing a level of operational tempo consistent with recent years (66 incidents and 55 warrants in all of 2025).

Statement from Prosecutor William E. Reynolds

“These numbers reflect the work of a lot of dedicated people — the chiefs of police and officers of our municipal police Prosecutor William E. Reynolds credits local law departments, Sheriff Joseph enforcement and ACPO staff for the decline. O’ Donaghue and the men and women of the Atlantic County Sher2026, keeping pace with a caseload that has grown steadily from 511 iff’s Office, and the assistant prosecases in all of 2021 to 859 in all of cutors, investigators and staff of the 2025 — reflecting both increased Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office staffing and resources and the unit’s who show up every day to keep our continued outreach to victims. The residents safe. When you see drug Internet Crimes Against Children deaths, shootings, and homicides (ICAC) unit has already surpassed its all trending down at the same time, full prior-year total, opening 123 cases that is not an accident. That is the through July compared to 84 for all direct result of coordinated, profesof 2025. sional law enforcement,” Reynolds said. “I want to specifically recognize Tactical response our municipal police chiefs for their The SWAT team has responded leadership. They set the tone for their to 55 total incidents and served 28 departments, and it shows in these search warrants through July 31, numbers. This is a team effort.”

... to Lives Well Lived Now publishing Every week. 12,000 copies to Atlantic County, Ocean City and Upper Twp in Cape May County. E-edition readership 7,000 per week. Online at ShoreLocalNews.com Facebook post on Mondays, with a reach of 65,000

Publishes every Thursday Submissions accepted until Monday 5pm Email to shorelocalads@gmail.com for information

August 13, 2026

81


What financial independence really means By T. Eric Reich

"Financial independence" is one of those phrases we hear thrown around constantly, but if you ask 10 people what it actually means, you'll probably get 10 different answers. Some picture a beach, an early retirement. Others picture a giant number sitting in a brokerage account. A client asked me recently what the "magic number" was to be financially independent, and my honest answer surprised him. There isn't one. This week, let's talk about what financial independence really means, because I think a lot of people are chasing the wrong definition. Financial independence is not a number; it's a choice. The most common mistake I see is treating financial independence as a single dollar figure, as if crossing some finish line suddenly makes you free. In my opinion, that's backwards. It isn't about hitting a specific number; it's about reaching the point where money is no longer the thing making your decisions for you. It's the day you could walk away from a job you dislike, help out a family member, or take a year off, and know your life wouldn't fall apart. The number matters, but only

because of the freedom it buys, not for its own sake. I like to think about independence in two directions. There's "freedom from," and there's "freedom to." “Freedom from” is the obvious part: Freedom from debt, from paycheck-to-paycheck stress, from lying awake wondering if one bad month will sink you. But the part people forget is “freedom to:” Freedom to change careers, to be generous, to spend time with the people who matter, to say no to work that drains you. Plenty of people build enough to escape the "from" and never once use the "to." Real independence is having both, and actually using them. It's also about "enough," not "more." Here's a truth that took me years in this business to fully appreciate. The people who feel financially independent aren't always the ones with the most money. They're the ones who have figured out what "enough" looks like for them. I've met people worth a small fortune who still feel behind, and people of modest means who feel completely free. The difference usually isn't the size of the account; it's whether their lifestyle and their expectations are under control. If your definition of

"enough" keeps moving every time your income does, no number will ever get you there. I call that moving the goalposts. You don't have to be rich. Somewhere along the way, financial independence got tangled up with being wealthy, and I think that scares a lot of people off before they even start. The truth is, independence has far more to do with the gap between what you earn and what you spend than it does with a big salary. Someone who lives on 70% of what they make and saves the rest will reach independence long before someone who earns twice as much and spends every dime. It isn't about how much comes in. It's about how much you keep, and how well that keep is put to work. So how do you actually get there? Start by building margin. Live on less than you make, get rid of the debt that's working against you, especially debt that isn’t tax-deductible and put the difference to work consistently over time. That's the unglamorous engine behind every financially independent person I've ever worked with. There's no shortcut or magic bullet, just the boring discipline of spending less than you earn and letting compounding do the heavy lifting over the years. Do that long enough, and one day you'll look up and realize your money is finally working for you instead of the other way around. I like to say that when your money earns more money than you do from going to work every day, then working becomes optional.

And because everyone's version of independence looks a little different, this is exactly the kind of thing worth mapping out with your advisor. Sitting down and defining what independence actually means for you, then building a plan around that specific goal, is what turns a vague wish into an enjoyable retirement. Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. Reich Asset Management, LLC is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kestra AS. The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect those held by Kestra Investment Services, LLC or Kestra Advisory Services, LLC. This is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual. It is suggested that you consult your financial professional, attorney, or tax advisor with regard to your individual situation. To view form CRS, visit https://bit.ly/KF-Disclosures.

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

609-710-3408

12-31-26

82

12-31-26

12-31-26

August 13, 2026


the area’s largest slection of

outdoor clothing & boots!

$

10

$

5

OFF OFF

any purchase of $50 or more (excludes boots) Not to be combined with any other offer or on sale priced items

any purchase of $25 or more (excludes boots) Not to be combined with any other offer or on sale priced items .

Expires 8-31-26

Expires 8-31-26

Petsmart Center

259

• 609-926-0688

We Shorten Pants for FREE


NAME:_______________________________ DATE:_____________

Shore Local Trivia

U T D O K A M R L X T W G H K C O X E W T E W F B R N W A L F W L P O H A E T I H W T A E R G A S S Q Q L D H Q N S D M K H O T T W P W Z E C M I E S I L V E R T I P E N R V K R W T V T P T R G H Q E Q G Z N I U X H O O G C I Y G P R F S E O I L H N O F W W J O A T Y Q L B B Q F P M W D B U L L D V K Z Q B S E H A I W J B L U E Q D T J N U A A E N K N P N S F T G C G M L V U Q A X B V N N X O C V O O S E C J A H Y W K B N W U X

ANGEL THRESHER GREATWHITE WHALE GOBLIN BASKING BLUE MAKO TIGER HAMMERHEAD SAND SILVERTIP BULL

SHORE FUNNY

Test Your Local Knowledge

1. These native American indians were the original locals in the area: a) Cherokee b) Lenape c) Shawnee d) Absegami 2. Finish the chorus to this 1960 song. "On The Way To _________ a) Atlantic City b) Under The Boardwalk c) Wawa d) Cape May 3. Route 40 takes drivers from Atlantic City to what bridge out of NJ? a) Walt Whitman b) Delaware Memorial c) Ben Franklin d) Betsy Ross 4. The birthplace of The Jersey Devil: a) Somers Point b) Mays Landing c) Leeds Point d) Pomona 5. Where is Ski Beach? a) Brigantine b) Ventnor Heights c) Mount Pocono d) Mays Landing 6. When did Hurricane Sandy hit NJ? a) 2012 b) 2010 c) 2014 1/2 d) 2009 7. At 12 miles long, it’s the longest local barrier island: a) Ocean City b) Absecon Island c) Sea Isle d) Brigantine 8. This casino called itself the 8th wonder of the world: a) Trump Taj Mahal b) Borgata c) Harrah’s d) The Claridge

84

9. What iconic bar and restaurant had a neon lobster on the roof? a) Tony Marts b) Bookers c) Maloneys d) Macs 10.This town is “Cooler by a Mile”: a) Somers Point b) Ocean City c) Avalon d) Brigantine Bonus Question! What Cape May County town is named after a building? All Correct - SURELY LOCAL. You’ve got sand in your toes and pines needles by your feet. 8 or 9 correct - SOLID LOCAL. You know your way around. 6 or 7 correct - SEMI LOCAL. Not born and raised, but not bad. 3 or 5 correct - NEWBIE. Take another exit. You should get around more. 0 to 2 correct - SHOOBIE – Welcome to South Jersey. The beach is that way.

Answers: 1 - B, 2 - D, 3 - B, 4 - C, 5 - B, 6 - A, 7 - B, 8 - A, 9 - D, 10 - C Cape May Court House

Shark Hunter

August 13, 2026


SUDOKU Solution on page 86

THEME: AMERICAN LIT

OPEN FROM 11AM CLOSED MONDAY

609-645-0500

ACROSS 1. Popular cook-off dish 6. School of thought suffix 9. *"The Fountainhead" author 13. Example of an eclipse 14. Roman road 15. Red fluorescent dye 16. Binary digits code 17. Part of circle 18. New Mexico's state flower 19. *"The Age of Innocence" author 21. *"The Absolutely True Diary of a PartTime Indian" author 23. Not bright 24. Like Roman god Janus 25. Explosive network? 28. Hindu wrap 30. ____ and talented 35. Age of Aquarius flick 37. Field worker 39. Olden-day marriage tradition 40. Bumpkin 41. Rose oil 43. Not top-shelf at a bar 44. Artemis' companion 46. Maori war dance 47. Muscovite or biotite 48. *"Bloodchild" author 50. Bank on 52. A Bobbsey twin 53. Printer button 55. *"To Kill a Mockingbird" author 57. *"The Color Purple" author 60. *"The Crying of Lot 49" author 64. Spasm of pain 65. Not well 67. Nary a soul 68. Like Al Yankovic 69. Born, in society pages 70. Island off Manhattan 71. "For Your Eyes ____" 72. President Taft's addition to the White House 73. Fare reductions

DOWN 1. Old-fashioned tub foot 2. Movie theater admonition 3. Machu Picchu builder 4. Scottish landowner 5. Inflammation of iris 6. Psychologist Pavlov 7. McCartney or Starkey, e.g. 8. Last European colony in China 9. Fat and flour sauce 10. Fungal spore sacs 11. Santa's preference 12. Genetic info carrier 15. Pupil protector 20. Nebraska's largest city 22. Jet travel fatigue 24. Relating to food intake 25. Pulsating pain 26. a.k.a. Pleasant Island 27. Lhasa land 29. *"American Pastoral" author 31. W-2, e.g. 32. *"A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" author 33. *"Fear of Flying" author 34. *"Chronicles: Volume One" author 36. Not counterfeit 38. Leaf gathering tool 42. Pep gathering 45. Decorated 49. Kind of caviar 51. Pined 54. Newspapers and such 56. Cause for food recall 57. One of Five Ws 58. Seed coat 59. Type of parrot 60. Commoner 61. Golfer's destination 62. "Put a lid ____ ____!" 63. Nessie's loch 64. Pencil type 66. Romanian money

See Solution on Page 86

August 13, 2026

85


Since 1982 A family-run, all-service tire and automotive facility. We pride ourselves on our customer service and honesty. Our great relationship with our customers has allowed us to service their vehicles for over 40 years at the same location!

THANK YOU FOR VOTING US BEST TIRE CENTER

YOUR FULL SERVICE SHOP

$30 OFF

Set of 4 New Tires Dept. Not to be combined with other offers. Expires 6/30/26

$12.50 OFF Pair of 2 New Tires

Not to be combined with other offers. Expires 6/30/26

Shore Fast Line once connected mainland towns with resort cities By Lynn Wood

F

or more than four decades, the Shore Fast Line carried passengers between Atlantic City and Ocean City, passing through the mainland communities of Pleasantville, Northfield, Linwood and Somers Point. Operated by the Atlantic City and Shore Railroad, the electric interurban railway opened in 1907. Its approximately 11-mile route offered residents and visitors a direct connection between the two resort cities at a time when trolley travel played a central role in transportation along the Jersey Shore. The line traveled over mainland tracks before crossing Great Egg Harbor Bay into Ocean City on a trestle. Its cars became a sight as they moved passengers to work, shopping districts and shore destinations. The railway also helped connect communities that were growing alongside the tourism industry. The Shore Fast Line survived changing travel habits and the increasing popularity of automobiles, but its operation became more difficult during the 1940s. Storm damage to the viaduct in 1948 proved costly at a time when trolley systems across the country were declining. Rebuilding the structure was considered too expensive, and the railway ended

service that year. Although the trolley cars disappeared, part of the former route remains visible today. About 6 miles of the old right of way between Pleasantville and Somers Point were repurposed for a bike path, creating a recreational corridor through mainland communities. The railway also may have left its mark on one of America’s best-known board games. Historical accounts have linked the Monopoly board’s Short Line railroad to the Shore Fast Line, whose name was reportedly shortened on an early handmade version of the Atlantic City-themed game. Today, the path and surviving photographs offer reminders of an era when electric rail connected South Jersey communities and made travel between Atlantic City and Ocean City possible long before the region became dominated by automobiles.

Solutions to page 85 puzzles. Check yourself!

86

August 13, 2026


You Won't Leave Hungry!

Serving consistently delicious Breakfast and Lunch for over 25 Years! Oversized omelets, home fries made fresh daily. Huge sandwiches served with french fries, coleslaw and a dill pickle! Homemade Soups! Delicious Daily Specials

Lunch Served From 11:00 a.m.

The Area's Best Kept Secret!

ShopRite


BENNETT SUMMER SELL-DOWN SAVE up to

20%

Bring in this ad for an Extra $500 Off! Non Commissioned Sales Staff. Our sales team is paid based on Customer Satisfaction, Not Profit. NO COMMISSION MEANS A BETTER PRICE! Before you stop at another dealer and spend more money, make the short drive to Bennett Chevrolet, you will not be disappointed.

$10,000

YOUR VEHICLE COULD BE WORTH EVEN MORE!

GUARANTEED MINIMUM TRADE VALUE!

JUST GET IT HERE, RUNNING OR NOT AND WE WILL PAY YOU A MINIMUM OF $10,000 TOWARDS ANY PRE-OWNED VEHICLE IN STOCK!

www.bennettchevy.com

Serving the community since 1935

6721 Black Horse Pike Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234

609-641-0444

NOBODY BEATS A BENNETT DEAL!

TOGETHER, LETS DRIVE! THANK YOU FOR BEING AN EDUCATED CONSUMER! NO GAMES HERE, JUST UPFRONT REAL DEALS. PLUS YOU’LL LOVE OUR NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF! MIN $12,000 FINANCED. WITH APPROVED CREDIT. REQUIRES ALLY FINANCING. MUST BRING IN COPY OF AD. EXCLUDES PRIOR SALES. OFFERS END 8/31/18. 26.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
SHORE LOCAL | Mainland | August 13, 2026 by Mike Kurov - Issuu