SHORE LOCAL | Mainland | August 28, 2025 by Mike Kurov

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Savoring summer’s last hurrah

BUY & SELL CARDS

Letter from the editor

t’s hard to believe Labor Day weekend is already here. How did summer slip by so quickly? This holiday has always felt like summer’s grand finale, one last hurrah before the season gives way to sharpened pencils, new schedules and cooler days. For children, September means a new grade and fresh notebooks. For teachers, it’s lesson plans and classrooms waiting for eager faces. And for parents, it’s the start of carpools, sports practices and routines that reshape family life. Here at the shore, September marks both an ending and a beginning. The hectic pace of July and August slows, yet the calendar remains full. Festivals, air shows, farmers markets and community events give locals and visitors plenty to enjoy. Parking is easier, wait times at restaurants shorten and the beaches are quieter, but the weather is still warm enough to swim, stroll the boardwalk or catch a breathtaking sunset. Some even say the sunsets of September are the most golden of the year. Like many small business owners, I find that July and August leave little room to pause. September, however, offers a chance to breathe. I look forward to planting my toes in the sand

with a good book, or slipping into the back bays with a kayak or paddleboard. Area residents call it “locals summer” for a reason — these weeks allow us to enjoy the beauty of where we live without the whirlwind of crowds. Labor Day is also a moment to remember its deeper meaning. It was established as a tribute to workers, honoring the people whose labor

keeps our communities thriving. Here at the shore, it is especially fitting to recognize the servers, lifeguards, housekeepers, cooks, clerks and so many others who keep our summers running smoothly. Their dedication ensures that millions of visitors each year leave with memories of carefree vacations and treasured time by the sea. So as we savor these final golden days of summer, let’s carry a little gratitude with us. Thank the workers, treasure the moments and hold on to that summer spirit as long as we can.

Peace & Love, Cindy

Issue 350

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SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY'S NEWSMAGAZINE

Publisher– Bob Fertsch (609) 334-1691 shorelocalads@gmail.com Executive Editor - Cindy Christy Fertsch (609) 705-5323 shorelocalcindy@gmail.com Publisher Assistant - Julia Train Copy Editors - James FitzPatrick, Holly Fertsch, Julia Train Advertising Sales - Meg Perry (609)425-5407 shorelocalmeg@gmail.com Web Designer - Holly Martin, Digital Marketing - Liz Katz Contributors –Charles Eberson, Scott Cronick, Tammy Thornton, Rich Baehrle, Sarah Fertsch, Steffen Klenk, Rebecca Oldham, Brian Cahill, Dave Weinberg, Doug Deutsch, Rachael King, Elisa Jo Eagan, Joe Martucci, Heidi Clayton, Eric Reich, Chuck Darrow, Bruce Klauber, Alex Corson, Cat Pepe, Christina Martin, Delaney Crawford, Ursula Duffy, Robin Stoloff, Tynan Hand, Madison Russ Cover art by Bogy. His artwork is available at Staintons and Staintons Kids in Ocean City. Instagram: @bogy.art Website: bogyart.com

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Former Wonderland Pier site’s luxury hotel proposal struck down by City Council

he former Wonderland Pier will not be transformed into a hotel. Ocean City’s City Council voted 6-1 to reject the resolution that would have begun the process of designating the property as an “Area in Need of Rehabilitation” on Thursday, Aug. 21. The vote concluded an emotion-packed, two-and-a-half-hour meeting where more than 40 residents — both

By Julia Train

for and against the hotel — voiced their opinions before a standing-room-only crowd in Council chambers. Afterward, Eustace Mita, owner of the property and CEO of ICONA Resorts, said he will not move forward with the hotel and plans to put it up for sale immediately for $25 million, which is the appraised value. Mita also said he would “exit Ocean City with the hotel business,” the Press of Atlantic City reported.

heard. Throughout this entire process, we have listened, been transparent and complied with the procedures set forth in the Municipal Land Use Law,” Crowley said in a statement. “Now it’s time to move forward and work together to plan a bright future for our boardwalk and the entire town.” If the resolution had passed, it would have paved the way for Mita, who announced plans in fall 2024 to build the eight-story hotel on the boardwalk,

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“It’s over,” Mita told reporters at the end of the meeting. “That will be the end of it as far as ICONA is concerned.” Mita purchased the property in 2021 for $14 million, rescuing it from a sheriff’s sale after the then-owner, Mayor Jay Gillian, had defaulted on an $8 million mortgage. Mita said he also spent about $1.2 million annually in “carrying costs” under his ownership for the past four years, putting his total investment at $20 million. The Gillian family had operated Wonderland since 1965. The mayor continued to run it under Mita’s ownership, but closed it for good in October 2024 following years of financial difficulties. Mita hoped to revive the site by developing “ICONA in Wonderland,” a 252-room luxury hotel that would have included two of the park’s iconic rides: the 140-foot Ferris wheel and carousel. Moments before hearing the first remarks, City Council President Terry Crowley Jr. requested that the audience be cordial with each other. However, Mita was interrupted with shouts and boos at points, NJAdvance Media reported. “All Council members have heard both support and opposition to the hotel proposal, and I want to assure everybody that their voices were

which only allows retail shops, restaurants and amusements — not hotels. It marked his second attempt in five years to bring a hotel to the boardwalk — his earlier proposal for one next to Wonderland Pier was rejected about two years ago. The new plan has drawn both support and criticism. Backers said the hotel could’ve provided an economic boost, while opponents worried about overdevelopment and argued the city needs a second amusement park instead. While several council members expressed interest in the hotel proposal, all but one supported pursuing a master planning process with broader public input. Council member Pete Madden, the sole dissenting vote, said Friday the decision closed the door on fully considering the hotel option, Philly Voice reported. Julia is a recent Rider University graduate, where she studied multiplatform journalism and social media strategies. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, trying new coffee shops, photography and the beach. She can be reached at juliatrainmedia@gmail.com or connect with her on Instagram @juliatrain

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Top 10 ways to spend Labor Day weekend at the Shore to spend Labor Day weekend by the sea.

fresh food. A summer at the Jersey Shore isn’t complete until you’ve checked off your favorite waterfront dining spots, so now is your chance!

Soak up the sun on the beach

By Delaney Crawford

abor Day weekend is here at the Jersey Shore. This weekend marks the unofficial end of summer, and while that may seem like a sad thing, there’s also something magical about the weekend and the good vibes it brings. It’s the perfect time to soak up every last bit of sunshine, fun, and relaxation. Whether you’re planning to spend the long weekend on the beach, enjoy live music, indulge in local food, or make new memories with family and friends, there are countless ways to celebrate and make the most of the last weekend here at the shore. To help make your weekend unforgettable, we’ve rounded up 10 great ways

A must-do for Labor Day weekend is to spend as much time as possible on the beach. Whatever street, in whatever shore town you prefer, grab your sunscreen and towel, and claim your spot in the sand. Savor one last summer beach day with the sun on your skin, the sand beneath your toes, and the saltwater calling your name for a refreshing dip.

Catch a sunrise

There’s nothing quite like waking up early to watch the sunrise over the ocean. It brings the promise of a beautiful day, with warm breezes and pink skies stretching across the horizon. Labor Day weekend is the perfect time for a peaceful sunrise stroll on the boardwalk to really capture the magic of summer.

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Attend local events and live music

From beach bars in AC to concerts in Sea Isle, live music is everywhere this weekend. Ventnor and Somers Point both host weekly concerts, while local bars keep the music going all night long. It’s the perfect way to spend one of your final summer nights.

Seafood sesh

One thing about our area: The seafood is always fresh, always delicious, and always calling your name. Take this weekend to indulge and maybe even try something new. From Dock’s Oyster House in Atlantic City to The Lobster House in Cape May, there’s no shortage of spots to enjoy one last seafood feast of the season.

Boardwalk nights

Nothing says summer like a nighttime stroll on the boardwalk. Whether you’re going for the rides, the food, or simply the views, the boardwalk is alive with energy. Atlantic City and Ocean City offer plenty of shops, treats, and excitement to explore as you breathe in the salty air and stroll down the boards.

Take a boat ride

Boating and summer just go hand in hand. Whether you have your own or not, South Jersey has plenty of options. Book a dolphin-watching cruise in Cape May, hop on a Tiki boat in Atlantic City, or set sail from Somers Point at sunset. All are perfect ways to see the shore from the water and feel the magic of summer.

Shop at a farmers market

Summertime means weekly farmers markets, and if you haven’t visited one yet, this weekend is your last chance. Stroll through your favorite town’s market and enjoy fresh Jersey corn, tomatoes, peaches, flowers, baked goods, and more. It’s the perfect way to get produce for the week or a fun knickknack to remember the summer by.

Enjoy outdoor dining

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End summer with bayside or beachside dining. There’s nothing better than hearing the waves crash or watching the sunset over the bay while enjoying craft cocktails and

Water adventures

Summer isn’t complete without a little adventure on the water. Try paddleboarding in Ventnor, jet skiing in Wildwood, or kayaking through the back bays. It’s a fun way to stay active while seeing the shore from a whole new perspective and getting in the water one last time.

Beach nights

One of the best ways to close out summer is with a day-to-night beach experience. Arrive early to soak in the sun or come back around sunset when the crowds leave and the beach feels like your own slice of paradise. Order some pizza, spread out a blanket, and enjoy the simple magic of the beach at night. Labor Day weekend may mark the unofficial end of summer, but here at the Jersey Shore, it’s more about celebrating everything the season gave us. Soaking in all the long beach days, the sunsets, the laughs with friends, and the memories made by the water. Whether you’re chasing adventure, savoring great food, or simply soaking in the views, this weekend is your chance to send summer off in the best way possible. Here’s to one more unforgettable weekend at the shore and to the promise that next summer will be here before we know it. Delaney Crawford is a dynamic entrepreneur with a passion for storytelling and digital marketing. After earning a BA in Communications, Delaney built a successful career in the newspaper industry, honing skills in, news writing, media, and content creation. Driven by a desire to empower local businesses, Delaney founded DC's Social Media & Content Creation, a company dedicated to helping businesses enhance their brand image and thrive online.

August 28, 2025

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What we can expect for the rest of hurricane season By Meteorologist Joe Martucci

urricane Erin glanced the Jersey Shore with an indirect blow, causing historic summertime flooding, dangerous surf and beach erosion. It marks the beginning of the peak of hurricane season, which promises to be active in the Atlantic Hurricane Basin.

How will the rest of hurricane season be?

It will probably be more active than usual, with a typical risk to the Jersey Shore. Colorado State University updated its forecast for August. For the hurricane season as a whole, from June to November, they project that 2025

will have 16 named storms. Of those, eight of them are expected to become hurricanes and three of them major hurricanes – Category 3, 4 or 5 storms. On average, there are 14 named storms – seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes each year. This year is a bit more active than usual. As of Aug. 23, we’ve already had some storms in the Atlantic, so the forecast predicts 11 more named storms – seven hurricanes and two major hurricanes to come. There’s still a lot of energy left in the hurricane season and we hope it doesn’t hit New Jersey. Colorado State University estimates the chances of a storm coming within 50 miles of New Jersey from Aug. 5 to Nov. 30 as follows: 25% chance of a named storm 8% chance of a hurricane 1% chance of a major hurricane All of that is about the average for the state. While Hurricane Erin impacted the shore, the storm’s center was 450 miles away from New Jersey at its closest, so that didn’t count. The peak of hurricane season is here. On average, the most active

stretch of hurricane season is from mid-August to mid-October, peaking around Sept. 10, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla. Not only are there the most storms during this time, but they’re typically the most intense. That’s due to the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America) having their widest range of water temperatures: 80 degrees. Furthermore, Cabo Verde (or Cape Verde) storms are more likely during this time. Like Hurricane Erin, these are the far traveling storms that roll off the West Coast of Africa and travel across the ocean, giving it ample time to strengthen and organize.

Key factors for the rest of hurricane season

Colorado State University points to a few ingredients they’re paying attention to through November. The first one is sea surface temperatures. The central and eastern parts of the Atlantic Ocean were well above average in July. However, they’ve trended toward seasonable recently.

The highest hurricane activity happens when the tropical Atlantic Ocean is more above average than the rest of the Atlantic Ocean. In other words, if the tropical Atlantic Ocean is 2 degrees above average, and the rest is 1 degree above average, that usually means more tropical cyclones. That’s not the case now given that Hurricane Erin cooled the water as it passed through the tropics, but this will be studied. Also, hurricanes can be affected by something called El Niño, La Niña, or neutral conditions (sometimes called “La Nada” for fun). This year, we’re close to neutral or La Niña, which means a slightly more active hurricane season. The last significant factor is the high amount of wind shear in the Caribbean Sea. Wind shear weakens hurricanes during hurricane season by disrupting their spinning structure, similar to how a strong gust might disrupt a spinning top, making it harder for the storm to stay strong or grow. If that remains, the hurricanes will be torn apart and weaken if they try

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to move from Africa into the Caribbean Sea and then northwest into Mexico, Cuba or the United States Gulf Coast. Wind shear in the Caribbean Sea doesn’t impact New Jersey much, though.

Key messages for N.J.

Hurricane Erin was a good reminder of what tropical systems can do to the coastline. Always listen to public safety officials during a weather emergency. They know how to keep you safe. If they tell you to leave your area, do it right away. Closing beaches and businesses to evacuate is important, and only happens when it’s really dangerous. They ask you to leave because staying could be very risky. Now is a good time to make your "Go Bag." If you attended the Downbeach Community Meeting in Ventnor on Aug. 6, officials from Ventnor, Margate and Longport talked about this. Also, follow what we in the weather community are saying. Hurricanes.gov is the official resource for storm information. If you follow me on my website or social media that’s great and I love that. However, any degreed meteorologist is trained to deal with these situations. Look for those designated with a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist or

Hurricane Erin impacted the shore, even though the storm’s center was 450 miles away. Certified Digital Meteorologist seal for extra credibility.

Hurricane Erin recap

If you’re a summer resident or visitor to the Jersey Shore, it’s possible you’ve never experienced tidal flooding like this in your lifetime. Margate was the most significant location for flooding on the entire shore. A transformer fire, electrical fire, six vehicle rescues, evacuations out of Sofia’s and Tomatoes, and a gas leak occurred, according to the

Margate Fire Department. Water rescues occurred on the Black and White Horse pikes between Atlantic City and the Mainland. Looking at tide gauges for June, July and August, Hurricane Erin brought the highest storm surge on record to the following locations: Absecon, Atlantic City (Inside Thorofare), Sea Isle City, Avalon, Stone Harbor, Cape May (bayside) according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. If you weren’t in these locations,

then it was the highest summertime flooding since Tropical Storm Irene impacted north up the Jersey Shore in August 2011. The National Weather Service classifies flooding into three categories: minor, moderate and major. This was at the very high end of moderate. Moderate flood stage is when traveling around our coast is downright difficult. I was in Sea Bright, Monmouth County on Thursday night, reporting on the storm. Route 36, the main road in town, was washed out going south, causing us to exit the island north, near Sandy Hook instead. It was also bringing water into unraised homes and businesses. While moderate floods happen during the year, it’s almost always during nor’easter season, October to April, when fewer of us are at the shore. If you are here, it’s likely you’re not going out as much. Still, even this tide was unusually high, ranked among the top 10 highest tides of any month on record in Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties. Joe Martucci, a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist and Digital Meteorologist, is the President and Director of Meteorology for Cup A Joe Weather and Drone. You can connect with him at cupajoe.live.

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Somers Point’s Good Old Days Festival returns Sept. 6

he Good Old Days Festival, one of Somers Point’s most beloved traditions, returns to JFK Park on Saturday, Sept. 6, for a full day of live music, food, entertainment and community celebration. Organized by the Good Old Days Festival Committee in partnership with the Somers Point Historical Society, the event draws thousands of residents and visitors each year to celebrate the city’s heritage and community spirit. This year’s festival features performances by local favorites The Turtle Heads, The Notion and Plaid Salmon, promising a high-energy soundtrack to the day’s festivities. In addition to live music, festival highlights include: ● Antique car displays ● Children’s entertainment with carnival games, inflatables, face painting, a magician and a ventriloquist ● More than 25 vendors and community groups offering crafts, food and activities ● $1 hot dogs and hamburgers prepared by volunteers

The festival remains free to the public thanks to generous sponsors. Proceeds benefit the Historical Society’s preservation projects, student scholarships and educational programs. Also returning is the 5K Run to Remember, honoring first responders lost on 9/11. Sponsored by Shore Ace Hardware and Passion Vines, the race winds through Somers Point’s scenic golf course neighborhood. Runners and walkers of all ages are encouraged to participate while carrying or wearing items honoring first responders and military members.

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A Beer Garden with a wide selection of beverages “The Good Old Days Festival brings our community together in a way that few events can,” said Sean T. McGuigan, festival committee member. “It’s about celebrating our history, supporting our local organizations, and making lasting memories with family and friends.” ●

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▶Saturday, Aug. 30, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Brigantine Community School parking lot Sheridan Blvd. The Brigantine Farmers Market will be open to customers this Saturdays, rain or shine. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ brigantinefarmersmarket. C.R.O.P.S. Farmers Market

▶Fridays, 4 – 6 p.m.

Fisherman’s Park Community Garden Massachusetts & Drexel Ave. Atlantic City Purchase local fruits, vegetables, and herbs, enjoy nature’s beauty, and share gardening knowledge with C.R.O.P.S. Open Fridays through Sept. 19. Galloway Green Market

▶Thursdays, 4 – 7 p.m.

Historic Smithville Village Greene 615 E. Moss Mill Rd. Go Green Galloway hosts their weekly Green Market, featuring locally grown produce, baked goods, prepared foods, handmade crafts, specialty breads and more. Markets open Thursdays through Sept. 4. Visit gogreengalloway.org/greenmarket for information and updates. Ocean City Farmers Market

▶Wednesday, Sept. 3, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Ocean City Tabernacle Grounds Asbury Avenue from 5th – 6th Streets

Visit dozens of vendors on the grounds of the Tabernacle, and crafters in the street at 6th & Asbury Ave. For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ or visit oceancityvacation.com. Risley Square Farmers Market

▶Sundays, 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

319 E. Jimmie Leeds Rd. Galloway Shop local and support dozens of local vendors selling fresh produce, fantastic food, locally-sourced products, and crafts. Open Sundays through Sept. 28. Somers Point Farmers Market

▶Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Somers Mansion 1000 Shore Rd. The Somers Point Farmers Market is open for the 2025 season. Dozens of local food vendors, crafters, and hometown businesses will set up on the grounds of historic and beautiful Somers Mansion each week. Markets are open on Saturdays through Sept. 6. For more information, go to visitsomerspoint.com. Ventnor City Farmers Market

▶Friday, Aug. 29, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Newport & Atlantic Ave. parking lot at St. James Church brims with 70+ farmers, food vendors, and crafters who offer fresh, seasonal picks, delicious artisan foods, baked goods, beverages, and beautiful handmade wares. Visit vcfm.org for more.

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August 28, 2025

Concert at Lake Lenape East

Free Outdoor Concerts

support from The Weeklings, starring Glen Burtnik from Styx and ELO. Don’t miss the final Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk concert this season. For more information, visit tonymart.com. Ventnor City Goodbye to Summer Concert

▶Fri., Aug. 29, 5 – 7 p.m.

753 Park Rd. Mays Landing The Atlantic County Division of Parks invites the public to kick-off Labor Day Weekend with a free concert in the park. Pianist Shana Faith will perform pop, modern, and original songs. Bring your chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets. No alcoholic beverages permitted. EHT Rhythm in the Park

▶Thurs., Aug. 28, 7 – 9 p.m.

Robert J. Lincoln Amphitheater in Tony Canale Park Bring your blankets and chairs and join EHT Parks & Recreation for their final outdoor concert of the season at Tony Canale Park thisThursday evening, featuring the Acoustics of Ryan Wokock. Visit www.ehtrec. com or www.facebook.com/EHTRecreation in the event of inclement weather. Jazz on the Beach

▶Thursdays, 7 – 10 p.m.

Kennedy Plaza 2300 Boardwalk, Atlantic City Join the Chicken Bone Beach Historical Foundation for their free concert series every Thursday. On August 27, enjoy the sounds of the

August 28, 2025

▶Saturday, Aug. 30, 6:30 p.m.

The Concerts on the Beach in Somers Point. Photo by John Loreaux Papa Vazquez Band, with local jazz by Dawn Davis & Friends. On September 4, Helen Sung’s Big Band & Beyond will take the stage. In the event of rain, the show will be moved to the Celebrity Theater at Claridge Hotel, 4th floor. Visit www.chickenbonebeach.org for updates. Legacy Concerts on the Beach in Somers Point

▶Fridays, 7 p.m.

William Morrow Beach 800 Bay Ave. Kickoff your Labor Day Weekend with The Billy Walton Band. The Jersey Shore Rock and Soul Guitar Hero makes a stop on the beach, playing a

mix of originals and covers. Visit www.concertsonthebeachinsomerspoint. com for the full summer lineup. Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk

Ski Beach, Dorset & Burk Ave. It’s the final summer concert in Ventnor for the season. Dance the night away and soak up the summer vibes with Party Wave Band, playing top hits and classics from the 70s to today. The music begins at 6:30 p.m.

▶Wednesday, Sept. 3, 7 p.m.

Kennedy Plaza 2300 Boardwalk, Atlantic City This week, enjoy a classic pop star finale concert, featuring The Cowsills. With Ventnor City Beach Jam. Photo by Cat Pepe over a million albums sold and chart-topping hits, the group will Food and crafters will be ready to take to the Kennedy Plaza stage with serve you at 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, August 28

Events and Happenings

Market Day

▶10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Downtown Asbury Ave., Ocean City Enjoy a variety of free entertainment while strolling Asbury Avenue between Sixth-11th streets. For more information, visit www.oceancityvacation.com. Thrilling Thursday in Margate

▶7 p.m.

Huntington Ave. and the Beach, Margate Grab your beach chairs and blankets and enjoy a free movie on the beach. The festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. with pre-movie activities, followed by a screening of the film “Wicked.” Visit www.margatehasmore.com for more information. Mummers Nights

music of legendary female singers: Karen Carpenter, Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton and Carole King. Enjoy the classic hits that were made famous by these musical icons, performed by Cait Dailey, Alexis Ramagnano, Hannah Reiniger and Gillian Booth. Tickets can be purchased at the Music Pier, Box Office or online at www.oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice.

Monday, September 1 OCNJ Labor Day Race

▶

Friday, August 29 Beach Exercise: Low Impact

▶8-9 a.m.

Mummers Nights on the Ocean City Boardwalk.

Sixth Street Beach, Ocean City Photo by Cat Pepe Meet on the beach between the Boardwalk and volleyball courts Movie Night at Longport Library for free Low Impact exercise class▶7 p.m. es every Friday. Bring a towel and 2305 Atlantic Ave. ▶7-9 p.m. a friend. Hosted by the Ocean City Join Longport Library for Movie Ocean City Boardwalk Aquatic & Fitness Center. For more Night this Friday and watch “Lilo and The Mummers will strut the information, call 609-398-6900. Stitch” with family and friends. The Ocean City Walking Club Boardwalk twice a week, starting at movie focuses on a Hawaiian family Sixth and 14th streets and meeting ▶8-10 a.m. and a fugitive alien who helps bring at 10th Street. For more information, Ocean City Music Pier, 825 Boardthe family back together. Advanced visit www.oceancityvacation.com. walk registration is required. Call 609Four Fabulous Female Icons People of all ages and fitness levels 487-7403 for more information. Veterans Month Concert in Ocean ▶7:30 p.m. are encouraged to meet outside the City Ocean City Music Pier, 825 Boardticket booth at the Music Pier to walk the length of the Boardwalk. Stay acwalk ▶7 p.m. Join four immensely talented tive, meet friends and enjoy the ocean Ocean City Music Pier, 825 Boardsingers for an evening celebrating the breeze. Weather permitting. walk In honor of Veterans Month in Ocean City, local resident and Navy veteran Joe Stefano and his pop and jazz ensemble will perform a free concert for veterans and guests. The show will also feature performances Call Ahead by Philadelphia-based musician, vocalto Place ist and songwriter Camille K. AdmisYour sion is free. No advance registration is Orders required for the public to attend.

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Saturday, August 30 Sinatra Night

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ets can be purchased at the Music Pier, Box Office or online at www. oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice.

Gateway Playhouse, 738 Bay Ave., Somers Point Join Gateway for an evening of Jazz and Sinatra as stars of “America’s Got Talent,” Sal “The Voice” Valentinetti joins Siriusly Sinatra host Dave Damiani and the No Vacancy Orchestra for a Rat Pack-style evening in Somers Point. Tickets are available at www.gatewaybythebay.org.

Sunday, August 31 To Whitney, With Love with LaKisha Jones

▶7:30 p.m.

Ocean City Music Pier, 825 Boardwalk Join “American Idol” finalist LaKisha Jones in a celebration of the great ladies of soul from Diana Ross and Donna Summer, to Tina Turner, the legendary Aretha Franklin and the one and only Whitney Houston. Tick-

9 a.m.

23rd Street and the Beach Join Ocean City for their traditional, end-of-summer 5-mile beach run and 1-mile fun run and walk. Learn more or register online at www.ocnj.us/ocnj-laborday-race.

Tuesday, September 2 Senior Dance Society

▶7:30-10 p.m.

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

Wednesday, September 3

Somers Point Pinochle Club

▶6-8:30 p.m.

Somers Point Senior Center, 22 N. Ambler Road The Pinochle Club gathers every Wednesday night throughout the year to play. All are welcome to join. Ocean City Pops: Dueling Pianos

▶7:30 p.m.

Ocean City Music Pier, 825 Boardwalk This show is widely hailed as the most fun concert of the season. Dueling Pianos returns to the Music Pier for another showdown. Rejoined by long-time colleague and regular Ocean City Pops orchestral pianist, Eric Svejcar, 176 piano keys will be smoldering as Maestro Vince Lee and Eric scorch through some of the greatest hits of rock, pop, movies, broadway, classical and more. Tickets can be purchased at the Music Pier Box Office or online at www.oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice.

Thursday, September 4 HEROtini Happy Hour

▶5-7 p.m.

Gregory’s Restaurant and Bar, 900 Shore Road, Somers Point Join the HERO Campaign for an evening of summer fun at Gregory’s. Sip on delicious mocktails, enjoy free appetizers, live music and prizes. Plus, attendees will have the chance to win Phillies tickets and vote on their favorite mocktails. Be part of the mission, one sip at a time and support safe and sober driving.

↘Continued on 18 August 28, 2025

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↘Continued from 16 Summer Lectures at Ocean City Library

▶7 p.m.

1735 Simpson Ave. Join the Ocean City Historical Museum for an exciting presentation on the Lenape and Munsee Peoples and European settlers in the United States by New Jersey Historian Rick Geffken. The program is free and open to the public and will be held in the Library’s Lecture Hall. Seating is first come first served.

Friday, September 5 Memoir Workshop 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Join JFS Village by the Shore to experience the thrill of capturing life’s adventures, history and ancestry with a Memoir Workshop led by award-winning author Harriet Levin Millan. A laptop or pen and paper is needed. This program will be held via Zoom. RSVP by Sept. 3 by contacting Tina Serota at tserota@jfsatlantic.org or by calling 609-287-8872. Dinner and a Movie with Longport Library

▶6-8 p.m.

2305 Atlantic Ave. Join Longport Library for Dinner and a Movie next weekend. Enjoy a selection of subs, salads and drinks while watching “F1.” Advance registration is required. Call 609-487-7403 for more information.

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The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention invites participants to their Atlantic-Cape Walk next Saturday on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, in front of Hard Rock. Check-in starts at 9 a.m. The event will begin at 10 a.m. Registration and event information can be found at https://afspwalks.donordrive.comp/ Atlantic-Cape September Tai Chi

▶ 10 a.m.

Longport Library, 2305 Atlantic Ave. Join Longport Library for a gentle movement Try Tai Chi on Saturday, Sept. 6 at Longport Library class that improves focus, Saturday, September 6 balance and flexibility. Registration DRCF Surf for a Cause is required. Call 609-487-7403 for ▶7 a.m. more information. Somers Point Good Benson Ave. Beach, Margate Old Days Festival Join the Dean Randazzo Cancer Foundation for their signature surf fund▶11 a.m.-6 p.m. raising event, held on the beach in front JFK Park, 50 Broadway, Somers of Ventura’s Greenhouse. Catch a wave Point and support a wonderful cause. Proceeds Mark your calendars for the 46th benefit individuals battling cancer and Annual Good Old Day Festival. The their families. Sign-ups are now open onevent will include live music, antique line at www.thedrcf.org/surf-for-a-cause. cars, children’s entertainment, carnival AFSP Out of the Darkness Walk games, inflatables, a magician and over ▶10 a.m. 20 vendors and community groups. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 1000 There will be plenty of food and treats including hamburgers and hot dogs. Boardwalk, Atlantic City

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August 28, 2025

Saturday Night Dance Party

lived experience. No cost to participate. Offered by the Mental Health Association of Atlantic County. For more information call 609-652-3800 or email jgimbel@mhanj.org. Dementia Support Group

▶6 p.m.

St. James Memorial Hall, 6415 Ventnor Ave., Ventnor Get ready to twist and dance as the Knights of Columbus No. 7316 hosts its annual dance party next weekend. Enjoy an evening of your favorite oldies hosted by Fox 29’s Bob Kelly, with DJ Eric Bartello spinning the tunes. The event will include dinner, a silent auction, Geeter keepsake and door prizes. Put on your dancing shoes and bring your friends. For tickets and reservations, please call 609-432-6097.

▶1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3

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. MHA Atlantic Family Meetings

▶10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9

Health and Wellness Coffee Talk

▶Saturdays, 11 a.m.

Atlantic Community Wellness Center, 1125 Atlantic Ave., Suite 617, Atlantic City The Atlantic County Wellness Center hosts a weekly gratitude-themed group. During this one-hour meeting, participants discuss, enhance and deepen their practice of gratitude, which is shown to reduce stress, improve mood and increase optimism. For more information, call 609-6523800 or email jgimbel@mhanj.org. Monday Meditation and Stretching

▶Mondays, 11:30 a.m.

Mental Health Association in

Surf for a Cause on Saturday, Sept. 6 with the Dean Randazzo Cancer Foundation . Photo credit: Dean Randazzo Cancer Foundation Facebook Atlantic County, 4 E. Jimmie Leeds Road, Galloway The Atlantic County Wellness Center provides a weekly meditation, follow-up discussion and light stretch on Mondays. Newcomers and people with all levels of experience in meditation are welcome. For more information, call 609-652-3800 or email jgimbel@mhanj.org.

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 group is offered to people seeking coping strategies, mutual support, self-care, wellness and recovery. Meetings are led by peers who have

These virtual support groups and educational programs are for individuals with a loved one affected by mental health and/or substance use disorders. Day and evening meetings include an educational segment as well as support in the form of stress-reduction, self-care, resources and advocacy. Meetings are held at 10 a.m. on the second and fourth Thursday and 7 p.m. every third Wednesday. Contact Gail Christian at 609-652-3800, ext. 0301 or gchristian@mhanj.org to receive a meeting link. Do you have an upcoming event? Let us know about it! Submit your next event to shorelocalevents@gmail.com.

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September brings memorials, music and more to the Shore By Bill Sokolic

entnor and Atlantic City share a memorial at their border on Jackson Avenue inscribed with a growing list of names. Among the first were two Atlantic City residents: John O’Neill, retired FBI director of anti-terrorism and director of security at the World Trade Center, and Victor Saracini, pilot of United Flight 175. Both gave their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, and both will be remembered this Sept. 11. The memorial is one of many September events that remind residents and visitors the region does not close down after Labor Day. From festivals and concerts to outdoor recreation and historic attractions, Atlantic County offers plenty to see and do.

Outdoors and trails

Ventnor’s boardwalk remains a favorite spot for walking and biking well into the fall. Atlantic City, Ventnor and Ocean City have restricted weekend bike hours, but offer ample opportunities. Margate features

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dedicated bike lanes. Atlantic County also has a 7.5-mile bikeway in Egg Harbor Township, running behind the former Shore Mall to the Atlantic County Institute of Technology in Mays Landing. Walking is always in season, especially on the Boardwalk. For longer excursions, residents can explore Atlantic County’s expanding brewery and winery trails.

History and culture

The Atlantic County Veterans Museum in Mays Landing is open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., adjacent to Estell Manor County Park. The park also includes a nature center, historic ruins and hiking trails. Historic Smithville Village hosts the Antique Classic Car Show Sept.

7, an Art Walk Sept. 13–14, and the Italian Festival Sept. 27–28.

Festivals and food

The Downbeach Seafood Festival returns Sept. 13–14 at Ventnor’s Ski Beach, featuring fresh seafood from local and regional vendors. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the gate. Children 12 and under are free. In Mays Landing, Mary Ann and Daniel J. Murphy Jr. Memorial Regatta runs Sept. 6–7 at Lake Lenape Park East, followed later in the month by the Water Lantern Festival on Sept. 27. Somers Point hosts its Good Old Days Festival Sept. 6 and Art in the Park Sept. 13 at John F. Kennedy Park.

Atlantic City continues to deliver big-name entertainment and nightlife. ● George Thorogood and The Destroyers, Tropicana, Sept. 12 ● I Love the ’90s Tour with Vanilla Ice, Montell Jordan and more, Hard Rock, Sept. 13 ● Elvis Costello & The Imposters with Charlie Sexton, Borgata, Sept. 19 Comedy fans can catch nightly shows at A.C. Jokes in Resorts, the Atlantic City Comedy Club at Tropicana, or Joe Holiday’s “Magical Comedy Hour” Saturdays at Club Wyndham Skyline Tower. Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall and Anchor Rock Club add to the nightlife with karaoke, trivia, live music, DJ nights and themed events, including Anchor’s “Ghost Mart” Sept. 12. Hard Rock hosts the Atlantic City Jazz Fest on Sept. 13 with Gerald Albright, Pieces of a Dream and Rebecca Jade.

Year-round appeal

“September is often one of the best months to enjoy the shore with less crowds and more comfortable temperatures,” Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson said. “In addition to our beautiful beaches and boardwalks, Atlantic County offers a variety of amenities and activities free of charge for residents and visitors of all ages.”

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Parents share how they’re navigating back-to-school schedules, costs and more

Family Tides By Madison Russ

or kids, the end of summer usually means the end of freedom. For parents, the back-to-school season brings a mix of emotions and challenges. Families often face hurdles with new schedules and transportation. The transition can also bring stress or financial strain as everyone prepares for a new year. This season, parents shared the challenges they face and how they’re navigating them.

Finding a rhythm again

The last few weeks in August often mean scrambling for childcare as camps close. Half-day starts can

be especially difficult for working parents. Figuring out school pickups can be a challenge, too. “Every year, this is the hardest time,” said Kerry Sullivan of Northfield, whose daughter is going into fifth grade. “All of it is not conducive to anyone who works a job, unless you’re a teacher. Other than that, I

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don’t know how people really do it without family.” Sullivan said family support has helped, but she’s also leaned on fellow parents. “I know not everyone is fortunate enough to have family help, but I’ve learned to ask other moms for help, even if it was uncomfortable at first

— just being willing to trade off so nobody has the full burden all of the time,” she said. Brian Bovio, whose eldest son is entering his senior year, spent some of the summer juggling college visits and staying on top of application deadlines, senior photos and school parking passes. Bovio and his wife, who live in Williamstown and own a home in Atlantic City, said they’re easing their youngest back into an earlier sleep routine. “We’ve started the battle, for the last week or two, trying to get him used to going to bed a little bit earlier to get in the swing for school. I think that’s probably one of the tougher challenges. The other stuff we can figure out, but that’s the one we get the most resistance on,” the father of two said. For Jade Hutchison, Egg Harbor Township mother of three, the transition can be anxiety-inducing. “Them being out of the house for eight hours every day — it’s a lot to

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↘Continued from 23 put your trust in other adults that they’ll take care of your kids the same way you would and that their needs are being met all day long,” Hutchison said. “I think the transition to a school schedule is hard — getting up early, lunches being made in the morning, and getting the bus on time. The busing is always a struggle the first two weeks I feel like because they run so late. So, it’s a hard adjustment.”

Maintaining good sleep habits helps her family keep a routine. “I’m really big on structured sleep, so even while we’re on vacation, I’m really strict with bedtime,” Hutchison said. “Sleep is so important, and

I think it really does make a difference in those first weeks when you ease back into an earlier sleep schedule.”

Counting the costs

Back-to-school shopping can also be an expensive hurdle. “It’s an unexpected expense, though it shouldn’t be. We all know it’s coming, but then you forget about it,” Bovio said. “We’re fortunate it’s not a big issue financially for us, but it is an unexpected expense where we have to cut some other things we were thinking about doing out of the picture.” As children get older, backto-school costs rise, especially as they prefer namebrand i te m s . Hutchison said, for her, overhauling wardrobes for three kids is impractical. “I like to buy the kids a new outfit for the first day. Last year, my daughter did not get new shoes. I just washed and shined the sneakers she has, and I also have had a lot of luck with thrifting — thrifting sneakers and other newer clothes — instead of buying

an entire new wardrobe,” she said, noting she does get her kids a new set of pajamas for Pajama Day. Classroom supplies can add up, too. “ I wish that schools took care of teachers better, so teachers didn’t have to rely on parents to be a proxy of Staples, bringing in all these random supplies of tissues and paper goods and dry-erase markers,” Bovio said. “In the 17 years I’ve been a parent, this list has just kept continuing to get larger and larger.” With back-to-school costs adding up, parents shouldn’t feel pressured to replace everything — consignment and thrift stores can be a viable option. “There’s nothing wrong with thrifting back-to-school sneakers and book bags,” Hutchison said.

Staying connected and involved

Kids also feel the pressure of new teachers, homework or friends. Emotionally preparing them or finding out if they have a friend in their class can help, Hutchison noted. She also cautions parents not to get too hung up on what they’ve heard about teachers. “Everything always ends up being OK, whether the teacher is made of rainbows and butterflies or a little bit stricter. I feel like my kids have had a taste of both, and the years they’ve had a more strict teacher, the structure has been so great, and they’ve learned a lot,” Hutchison said. “Try

not to worry about what you might hear other parents saying about a certain teacher. They might not have worked for that kid, but they might work great for your kid.” Bovio, who served on the PTA for years, urged dads to get involved and parents to read school communications so they’re not caught unaware when they’re supposed to bring in certain items. Missing a notice about special events can also leave kids feeling left out. “Read what they send — I think that can be a frustration. They send so much stuff, and then you go, ‘They never told us about this,’ but it’s usually in there,” he said. Madison Russ is an awardwinning journalist , copy editor and adjunct professor of communication based in Atlantic County. An Ocean City native, Madison is passionate about telling stories that matter to locals , often spotlighting nonprofits and exploring the area's vibrant arts scene.

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August 28, 2025

Thunder Over the Waves Airshow kicks off the Wildwoods’ exciting second season

he Thunder Over the Waves Airshow, produced by David Schultz Airshows and presented by the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority (GWTIDA) on Sept. 5 and 6, launches the resort’s high octane fall events schedule. The Thunder Over the Waves Airshow features impressive aircraft and aerobatic performances ranging

from custom built planes to military aircraft to highly skilled aerialists to parachuters. The airshow has nearly a dozen headliners, all of which plan to show off their unique hardware and skillsets to hundreds of thousands of onlookers. The airshow celebrates the start of “second season,” otherwise known as shoulder season, the vibrant months following summer that are packed with exciting events, less

summer crowds, lower hotel rates, mild temperatures, beautiful beach days and great dining options. It picks up right where the summer leaves off with thrilling events, holiday celebrations and mild temperatures. All without the peak-season crowds. The beach and boardwalk continue to offer the iconic fun the Wildwoods are known for long after Labor Day. “The airshow is going to be an unforgettable event,” Louis M. Belasco, GWTIDA executive director, said. “We’re ready to give spectators a truly memorable experience in the sky and invite them to enjoy everything our resort has to offer this fall.” The Wildwoods’ fall schedule of events is jam packed and includes Boots on the Beach Country Music Festival and the Monsters on the Beach Monster Truck Races in September, The Race of Gentlemen in October and countless holiday events, craft shows, parades, festivals, sporting events and more during the fall and winter months. Thunder Over the Waves Airshow Schedule Below is the schedule of current acts in the lineup for the airshow (subject to change):

▶11:30 Airspace Closes. TFR in effect. Radio Remote Broadcast Starts ▶11:50 Opening Ceremonies ▶12:00 National Anthem with Army Golden Knights Flag Jump ▶12:06 Army Golden Knights Mass Exit Show ▶12:14 Military Flyovers Window ▶12:24 Mark Meredith DHC-1

Chipmunk Aerobatics ▶12:34 Scott Francis MXS Aerobatics ▶12:49 Jerry Conley DH-115 Vampire Jet Aerobatics ▶1:04 USCG MH65E Search & Rescue Demo ▶1:14 Jersey Jerks 4-ship SNJ Formation Demonstration ▶1:24 Kevin Russo SNJ-6 Aerobatics ▶1:39 Patrick McAlee Pitts Aerobatics ▶1:54 Full Throttle Formation Team ▶2:10 Army Golden Knights Mass Exit Show ▶2:30 ACEMAKER T-33 Jet Aerobatics ▶2:45 P-5D Mustang Demonstration ▶2:58 Fighter Jets MiG-17 Jet Aerobatics ▶4:00 Airspace Re-Opens, Airshow Ends

After the excitement of the Airshow, visitors are welcome to join the unofficial afterparty, The Wildwoods Food and Music Festival, at Byrne Plaza in Downtown Wildwood from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Food and Music Festival will feature food vendors serving up delectable food, sweets, classic boardwalk eats and more, in addition to craft vendors, a beer garden and live bands providing excitement following the performances at the Airshow. For more information on the Thunder Over the Wave Airshow and the Wildwoods fall events schedule, please visit www. WildwoodsNJ.com

August 28, 2025

AirFest 2025: Meet the pilots and crews

aval Air Station Wildwood (NASW) Aviation Museum is thrilled to announce the return of AirFest, NASW’s signature event and largest annual fundraiser, taking place Thursday, Aug. 28, through Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Now celebrating its 29th year, AirFest continues to grow in both size and popularity, with this year promising to be the biggest and most exciting event ever. If you’ve never attended before, this is the year to experience it. AirFest 2025 will feature an extraordinary lineup of historic aircraft and the unique feature about this event is you get up close and personal with the aircraft, and attendees get to meet the pilots and crews. Highlights include the Messerschmitt Me 262, the world’s first operational jet fighter, capable of flying over 500 mph and forever changing the nature of air combat. The Goodyear FG-1D Corsair nicknamed “Whistling Death,” will be on display all four days of the festival. The C-53 “Beach City Baby,” a rare troop transport variant of the beloved DC-3, brings history

to life with its fully restored wartime interior and exterior (interior tours available). Returning to honor NAS Wildwood’s legacy as a training base, the SNJ (AT-6 Texan), a staple at past AirFest’s, represents the thousands of pilots trained right here during the war. Also appearing is the rare Fuji LM-1 “Nikko,” a Japanese postwar trainer with only three airworthy examples remaining in the U.S. AirFest offers more than aircraft; it’s a weekend-long celebration for the whole family. Attendees will enjoy full access to the museum’s collection of over 28 aircraft and helicopters, including NASW’s most

recent acquisition, the AV-8B Harrier II+, as well as special exhibits like the Longest Yarn and Warbirds of Glory’s B-25J SandBar Mitchell nose section and operating turret. The grounds will be filled with military vehicles, fire trucks, reenactors and beloved guests like Smokey Bear. Saturday brings a unique fly-in by the Aero Club of Pennsylvania and the Experimental Aircraft Association, along with performances by the Magnolia Sadies, a vintage dance troupe. Throughout the weekend, guests can enjoy live entertainment, food vendors, local artisans, free face painting and caricatures, and Ted Schwartz’s

1940s-style radio broadcast for a nostalgic twist. Community partners, including AtlantiCare (Saturday and Sunday), the New Jersey State Police (TBD) and the United States Coast Guard (TBD), will also be on site. This exciting weekend is made possible in part by the generous support of our Title Sponsor: J. Byrne Insurance Agency, whose ongoing commitment to community and history helps ensure AirFest continues to thrive year after year. As always, all aircraft attendance and scheduling are subject to change based on mission requirements, weather conditions and maintenance needs.

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August 28, 2025

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Business sparks up on the Black Horse Pike Business Buzz By Richard Baehrle

park Car Wash recently settled on 6 acres of land at a fabulous location: 6024 Black Horse Pike, between the well-known M&S Produce and Deli, and the Aldi Grocery store. This area is the hottest location on the Pike with great neighbors including the Home Depot, Lowe’s,

The business was begun by Michael Riley and Sam Feinstien. It became so popular at the original location that they built a big, beautiful 9,000-square-foot, full-service produce and deli business, which became a must-stop along the Black Horse Pike. The business, located at 6020 Black Horse Pike, was sold to Drew Parra in 2006, who successfully ran and expanded the business for 16 years. It

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was sold again in 2022 and operated until July when the Patels took it over. Dipen and Jalpa have great plans to upgrade the store. Dipen had a successful career in IT, and they both have a home care business. They intend to expand M&S Produce and support local farmers. The store will be reorganized to offer a more convenient experience for their customers. Dipen is also in the process of determining what specialty products would complement the existing merchandise. Eventually the goal is to offer delicious deli sandwiches. Dipen and Jalpa are proud of the improvements they have already completed in four short weeks, but it is only a start. They pride themselves on offering excellent quality products at reasonable prices, and they already have a reputation for being friendly to customers and employees who appreciate their sincere, genuine care. It will be a pleasure to watch Dipen and Jalpa take M&S Produce to a whole new level.

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Chick-fil-A, Canal’s Liquor, Wendy’s, ShopRite, Chickie’s and Pete’s, Dunkin’ and much more. Spark Car Wash, headquartered in Summit, Union County, started a very successful journey in 2018, with the vision of founder and CEO Kyle Van Decker of seeing clean cars everywhere at a reasonable price. 48 95ÿ 8 5ÿ ÿ528 ÿ 85 ÿ 5ÿ ÿ 3245ÿ18car 5ÿÿ23 95ÿ suc2313456ÿ Spark’s full-service wash cess can be attributed to service, with its state-of-the-art, High Tech Express Tunnel. It utilizes advanced technology for a fast, precise and cost-effective wash, making weekly car washes feasible for customers. Their system is also “green friendly” as it uses less than 25 gallons of filtered water per wash. In addition, biodegradable soaps are used to avoid environmental harm. Spark Car Wash plans to break ground this fall, with an opening expected in the spring of 2026. Stay tuned for the various membership programs they will be offering. A neighbor of the new Spark Car Wash is the well-known and very successful M&S Produce, which dates back to 1991, but has had new owners as of July 29 in Dipen and Jalpa Patel. M&S produce actually started at 6024 Black Horse Pike, the site where Spark Car Wash will be located, when it was a little, 2,000-square-foot building.

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Rich Baehrle, of Berkshire Hathaway Fox and Roach, can be reached at 609-226-6680 or 609-641-0011. Email richardbaehrle@gmail.com or see www.getrichinrealestateSJ.com

What’s happening in Ocean City

Holiday weekend features Labor Day Run and special concerts

cean City will celebrate Labor Day with its 34th annual Labor Day Race on the beach at 23rd Street on Monday, Sept. 1. The beach runs include a 5-mile race on the beach from 23rd Street to 46th Street and back, along with a 1-mile health walk/ run from 23rd Street to 18th Street and back. The races start at 9 a.m., and race-day registration opens at 7:30 a.m. For more information, visit www. ocnj.us/OCNJ-LABOR-DAY-RACE.

In honor of Veterans Month in Ocean City, local resident and Navy veteran Joe Stefano and his pop and jazz ensemble will perform a free concert for veterans and guests at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29 at the Ocean City Music Pier. The group will perform classical, jazz, big band and Broadway hits. The show will also feature performance by Philadelphia-based musician, vocalist and songwriter Camille K. No advance registration is required for the public to attend this

free show. The event is part of Ocean City’s monthly celebration of veterans in August. The Ocean City Pops will perform a special concert featuring LaKisha Jones on Sunday, Aug. 31, at the Ocean City Music Pier. In a show titled “To Whitney, with Love,” American Idol finalist LaKisha Jones will celebrate the great ladies of soul — Diana Ross, Donna Summer, Tina Turner, the legendary Aretha Franklin and the one and only Whitney Houston. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. The Ocean City Pops will also perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, with another tribute to “Four Fabulous Females.” Guest vocalists will sing the music of Karen Carpenter, Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Carole King. For tickets to any of the Pops shows, visit oceancityvacation.com/ boxoffice, call 609-399-6111 or stop by the welcome centers at City Hall, the Ninth Street causeway or the Music Pier Box Office.

Coming up in September

Maestro Lee at the Keys – Dueling Pianos (Sept. 3): Ocean City Pops Maestro Vince Lee and longtime colleague Eric Svejcar perform rock, pop, movies, Broadway, classical and more. Concert at the Ocean City Music Pier, and tickets available at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or 609-399-6111. Fall Cruisin’ the Boards Car Show (Sept. 6): Classic cars on display on the Boardwalk from noon to 5 p.m. Under the Streetlamp with the Ocean City Pops (Sept. 6): The former stars of “Jersey Boys” join the Ocean City Pops. Concert at the Ocean City Music Pier, and tickets available at oceancityvacation.com/ boxoffice or 609-399-6111. Corvette Show (Sept. 7): Cars exhibited from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Ocean City Boardwalk. More information: boardwalkcorvettesac.com. 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony (Sept. 11): 6 p.m. outside Ocean City

Fire Department headquarters (550 Asbury Ave). Ocean City Airport Festival (Sept. 13): Annual festival at the Municipal Airport (26th and Bay Ave.) features a ground display of unusual and classic airplanes and a parachute jump from Team Fastrax. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Carmina Burana performed by the Ocean City Pops (Sept. 13): The Pops performs one of the greatest symphonic choral works ever written. 7:30 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. Tickets available at oceancityvacation. com/boxoffice or 609-399-6111. Parachute Pyrotechnic Show (Sept. 13): An 8 p.m. show includes the Team Fastrax parachute team creating a dazzling display of lights and pyrotechnics for spectators on the ground. The show is viewable along the entire Boardwalk with the landing area on the beach at Seventh Street. Boardwalk Aerobatic Airshow (Sept. 14): Some of the best stunt pilots and aerobatic champions in the world put on a display starting at 1 p.m. and best viewed from the beach and boardwalk from Fifth Street to 14th Street. Ocean City, NJ Jeep Invasion (Sept. 20): Jeeps will be displayed on the boardwalk between Fifth Street and 14th Street from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www. NJJeepInvasion.com. OCNJ Half Marathon, 5k & 10 Mile Non-Competitive Walk/Run (Sept. 21): Choose your distance and participate in one of New Jersey’s favorite race events. Advance registration required for the half marathon. Sign up early to save on registration fees at www.ocnj.us/Race-Events. MS City to Shore Ride (Sept. 27-28): About 7,000 cyclists raise millions of dollars through a two-day charity ride from the Philadelphia area to Ocean City and back. For more information, call 1-800-445-BIKE or visit www.mscycling.org.

August 28, 2025

DISCOVER YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE THIS SUMMER LATE SEASON SALE

Collect seeds from your plants now for a free garden next year

s you notice the flowers in your garden begin to fade, you can look to the future and collect seeds from your plants now for a free garden next year. Growing plants from seed can be very gratifying, but using seeds that you have harvested from your own plants takes gardening to the next level. In some cases, growing plants from seed can be a daunting endeavor. However, others germinate and grow so easily that you will wonder why you haven't tried this years ago. Certain flowers, like zinnias, marigolds, four o’clocks, and honesty, make gardening look like a cakewalk. Let’s start with zinnias. These colorful annuals are a gardener’s delight, attracting birds, bees, and butterflies to your garden. Once you sprinkle a packet of zinnias in your garden, you will be smitten with their unending blooms. Collect the seeds from only a handful of zinnia flowers, and you will find yourself with a limitless This brown zinnia flower is almost dry enough to collect the supply. To make sure mature seeds. the seeds are ready to harvest, you must wait until the flowhedgehog, and true to their name, ers are completely withered, brown, these seeds will become very prickand crispy. While it is best to allow ly when they are ready to harvest. the flower heads to dry out naturally However, coneflower seeds should be on the stem, if it hurts your eyes to treated a little differently. These perennials need a period of cold (called see brown, dried-out flowers in your garden, you can clip them. Once cut, cold stratification) before they will keep the flower heads in a dry area to germinate. Left to their own in the make sure the seed has fully matured. garden, these seeds would naturally You can test the seed heads by giving be exposed to all that winter can a little tug. If the seeds are ready, they throw at them. A period of wet, cold, should fall out easily. But if they give and freezing conditions followed by resistance, wait a few days or weeks the warmth of spring will break the longer for the flowers to completely dormancy of these seeds, allowing dry out. them to germinate at just the right Marigolds are also easy to grow time. You can mimic this cold period from seed, and their strong scent reby storing the seeds in the refriger-

August 28, 2025

ator or freezer for a period of time before spring. They are also perfect candidates for winter sowing, a method that leans into germinating seeds as nature intended. Honesty plants (Lunaria) are known for their very distinctive seed pods. These spring-blooming biennial plants have purple, white, or pink flowers. After blooming, honesty plants form disc-shaped, translucent seed pods

that look like coins. As the seed pods mature, you can see the black seeds inside. Crumble these dried pods to release the seeds, or collect the seed pods to store whole in a mason jar and share with a friend. Make a fun dried arrangement with honesty plants by cutting the dried stems, leaving the unique seed pods intact.

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pels certain “bad” insects and pests. Plant them as a wall to guard your tomatoes and other vegetables. As the flowers fade and dry out, you can prick off the flower head. Once completely dried, pull apart the flower to reveal the numerous seeds. Each flower head can contain up to 30-35 seeds. After the seeds are collected and fully dried, you can store them in a dry, cool place until the following spring. Follow the same basic method with purple coneflowers (Echinacea). The petals will fall off of the flower, and the thistle-like center will turn dark brown and become hard and spiky. If they are soft or pliable, they are not ready. The word “echinacea “is derived from the Greek word for

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some for our fine-feathered friends. Certain birds, especially goldfinches, You can also easily collect seeds love to eat seeds from our flowers. from sunflowers, cleome (spider One of the few goldfinches that I flower), and cosmos. Once you start spied visiting my garden this summer collecting seeds from your garden, was attacking one of my spent zinnia you may find that you have exposed flowers. It was so fun watching him yourself to a new sub-section of enjoy this flower, and I didn’t mind gardening addiction. Don’t limit since I have plenty to spare. Other yourself to flowers. This spring, I flowers that goldfinches can also be planted tons of cilantro from seeds found devouring are the seedheads of coneflowers, sunflowers, and verbena that I had saved. The previous year’s plants had also self-seeded, and bonariensis. volunteer plants popped up in variStore your seeds in a cool, dry spot ous pots around my garden. By this with low light. They can be kept in July, these cilantro plants were full little paper packets, envelopes, or mason jars. Just be sure that they are free of moisture so that they don’t begin to rot or prematurely germinate. Most of all, do not forget to label your seeds. Months from now, you will not remember which seeds you have so lovingly collected. Even if you can expertly identify one seed from another, you will not be able to tell what color they were unless you labeled them right away. Choose seeds from the healthiest plants that are free from powdery mildew or other types of fungus. Over time, you will develop a seed base that has become acclimated to your Coin-like, translucent seed pods of honesty plant reveal garden, giving you strong, the seeds within. viable seeds that will allow you to enjoy the full circle of of dried seeds (coriander), allowing life year after year. the process to begin anew. I planted some of these seeds a few weeks Tammy Thornton lives with her ago, and now I have little cilantro husband, children, and crazy babies happily growing in my garden. pets while enjoying a life of I’m looking forward to a big bowl of gardening, cooking, and going homemade pico de gallo. to the beach. When harvesting your seeds, leave

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August 28, 2025

A senior’s observations, opinions and rantings

Klondike memories

Senior Moments By Charles P. Eberson

o say I have an addiction may be too strong a term, plus it has such a negative connotation. A passion or a weakness might be more accurate. What I am talking about is ice cream. My wife learned early on about my proclivity for consuming this sweet, creamy concoction of pleasure when I brought home a half gallon of Breyer’s ice cream. After a few days I heard the freezer door open and close and she asked, “Where is the ice cream we just bought?” I gave her the look of a puppy who just ate her new Christian Louboutin shoes. “I didn’t even have any,” she said. In a feeble effort to defend myself, I replied, “Well, it was there for you any time you wanted.” Needless to say, no more ice cream came into the home except for special occasions, when we had guests over and there was pie and ice cream for dessert… just a little ice cream. But for every weakness, there is an enabler. One day, long ago, we were driving down Tilton Road in Northfield and my wife asked if we could stop for ice cream. Not sure if this was some kind of sick joke or a test, I slowly nodded my head and pulled into the parking lot of the ice cream stand. I suggested we share a cone. She got out of the car and returned with a banana split. I was quivering. That banana split was life-changing and as we drove home, ignoring the rumbling in my stomach, all was right with the world. That was the last ice-cream experience we shared until this week. I purposely avoid the ice cream aisle in the supermarket, but I was left unattended for a few minutes and wandered into the Forbidden Zone. I stopped in front of the Klondike Ice Cream bars and memories flooded back to me. Shoppers must have been puzzled seeing a man just standing there, gazing into the freezer. Allow me to explain. When my mom was in her early 80s, her Type 2 diabetes could not be managed anymore without insulin injections, but because of neuropathy

August 28, 2025

in her fingers, she couldn’t manipulate the syringe and needed assistance. This was the start of my lunchtime visits every day for years to administer the insulin shot to her. What began as a chore turned into a gift. We shared an hour every day together. I would give her the injection, and she would give me half a sandwich and half a Klondike Bar. She would allow herself the other half. Occasionally she would call me and ask if I could take her to ShopRite because eggs and Klondike Bars were on sale, so I would take those couple of hours and use my gas so she could save 80 cents on

eggs and a dollar on Klondike Bars. Having those couple of hours was well worth it. Years went by and my mom was no longer here, but I would still buy Klondike Bars. When our son would come over he would say, “Dad, why is there always half a Klondike Bar in the freezer?” As I forced a smile, I replied, “Son, how come when you leave there is not a half a Klondike Bar in the freezer anymore?” Recently, my wife and I were checking out at ShopRite. While putting our groceries on the belt, she spotted a box of Klondike Bars. She looked up and asked, “What are these?”

I sheepishly replied, “They are on sale, two dollars off.” She just smiled and nodded. When we got home and unpacked everything, I took out a Klondike Bar, cut it in half and paused thoughtfully for a moment before putting the other half back in the freezer where it will remain. Charles Eberson has been in the newspaper business for over 25 years. He has worked as a writer, advertising executive, circulation manager and photographer. His photography can be viewed at charles-eberson. fineartamerica.com

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OPINION

Bad zoning laws kill good hotel In Ocean City By Seth Grossman

L Ahoy! The Ocean City Free Public Library has something for everyone this summer, from best-selling books to workshops, and from online resources to children’s activities.

Visit OceanCityLibrary.org for a complete list of events and resources.

ast Thursday, the City Council of Ocean City, New Jersey killed the plan by Eustace Mita to build a luxury Icona Hotel there. Mita wanted to build the hotel on the site of the closed Wonderland Amusement Park at 6th Street and the Boardwalk. The Park had been losing money for years. Mita bought the site in 2021 from the Gillian family for $14 million. The property was in foreclosure and near sheriff’s sale. For three years, Mita leased the property to the Gillian family to run the amusement park. During this time, Mital paid real estate taxes, insurance and other costs to carry the property. During this time, Mita paid architects, engineers and marketing experts to plan a better use for the property. They designed a $150 million, 252-room, 8-story Icona Hotel for the site. Mita also paid expensive lawyers, consultants and public relations experts to get public and political support. This was needed to get needed approvals and permits. The proposed hotel would have been perfect for Ocean City. Eustace Mita is a first-class builder and operator. He has built and operated successful Icona hotels in Avalon and Wildwood Crest. The hotel would have brought needed real estate

taxes to the city and upscale tourists to a struggling part of the Boardwalk. It would have been less of a burden to taxpayers than the previous amusement park. It would have required fewer police, parking spaces, and other city services.

Mita needed approvals from Ocean City’s government because the hotel is not permitted by Ocean City’s zoning laws. That is normal in New Jersey. Most zoning laws are written to make almost all proposed projects in violation of something. Most existing buildings are also “non-conforming”. They are too tall, too close to the sidewalk or neighboring properties, lack enough parking spaces or have signs that are too big. The particular use may not be permitted in that particular zone. If the building were to burn down, the owner would not be permitted to replace it.

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There are obvious reasons for this. Zoning laws are prepared by planning “experts”. Very few have ever run a business. It is almost impossible for anybody to know the particular use and history of every property affected by a proposed zoning plan. Yet these “experts” propose detailed rules on exactly what can and cannot be built and one on every single parcel of land in town. These “experts” hold “public hearings” before they make their final plans. However, few people attend. Most of those who do have narrow and selfish interests. Some own businesses and want to zone out competition. Some are people who enjoy good views, little traffic and easy parking when they are surrounded by vacant lots and rarely used properties. They want to keep things that way. Even when planners make good zoning laws, those laws quickly become outdated. People are constantly moving and changing. People constantly want new products and services in new places. No planner could possibly know what businesses and buildings will be popular years later. The end result is that most zoning laws do not permit any new major project that is likely to succeed. Developers who want to build such projects have three ways to build projects that do not comply. They can request that: The City Council and Planning Board change the city’s zoning law. The “Zoning Board of Adjustment” grant a “variance” The Board of Adjustment can grant a “variance” if it finds that “strict application” of zoning laws to a particular property would cause “peculiar and exceptional practical difficulties” or “hardship” to the developer. To grant a variance,

the Board must find that there are “physical features uniquely affecting a specific piece of property” or “an extraordinary and exceptional situation uniquely affecting a specific piece of property”. The City Council declare the property “blighted” and “in need of redevelopment”. That would let the City Council and the Planning Board make the property a special “Redevelopment Zone” and write a special zoning law just for that property. New Jersey enacted the law permitting this in 1948 to eliminate slums in big cities. Eustace Mita and his lawyers chose the third “blighted” and “redevelopment” option. Last Thursday, the City Council of Ocean City rejected Mital’s request in a 6 to 1 vote. The other options were just as bad. It is extremely expensive and complicated for one owner to persuade a town to change its entire zoning plan. Doing this also stirs up controversy in every neighborhood. Getting a variance is just as difficult. It is hard to prove that a large lot by the Boardwalk is “exceptional” and “uniquely” suited for the hotel Mita wants to build. Even if the Zoning Board of Adjustment granted such a “variance” someone would have appealed that decisions, and a court would have probably reversed it after years of costly appeals. After his request was denied, Mita announced that the project is dead. He said he is now arranging to sell the property to minimize his losses. This is bad for everyone in Ocean City. New Jersey’s motto is “Liberty and Prosperity”. It means that Liberty brings prosperity and that one cannot exist without the other. New

Jersey zoning laws destroy liberty. They deny people the basic right to decide what is best for their own properties. Why do we have them? What purpose do they serve? Who benefits from them? Zoning laws are a relatively new invention. They started in New York City in 1922. People complained that tall skyscrapers were blocking their sunshine. And so, New York passed a law to limit where tall buildings could be built and how tall they could be. Later, New York City later made laws controlling everything that could be built in every part of the city. Soon other cities and towns adopted similar laws all over the country. Atlantic

City enacted its first zoning laws in 1929. Hardly anything was built during the Great Depression. Cities and towns began adopting zoning laws again in the 1950s. Today, almost all cities and towns have zoning laws. Houston, Texas is one of the few major cities that does not. Zoning laws did little to change what was built. People with money and political power usually built whatever they wanted anywhere they wanted. They elected or bribed politicians. Their public relations consultants convinced the public that their projects were essential for the public

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good. They hired “community leaders” who opposed them when needed. The developers usually got their projects. However, they were usually a lot more expensive than what was built before zoning. And much better projects proposed by people without wealth or political connections were never even considered. Old, failing buildings stayed in business and decayed because it was too expensive to replace them. Bad politicians were elected and re-elected because they had the support of developers. Before zoning laws were adopted, anyone could build whatever he or she wanted on his or her own property, as long as that use did not interfere with the equal rights of others to use and enjoy their properties. Property owners could not allow water, noise, vibrations or smells on their properties to “unreasonably interfere” with neighbors. Such uses were “common law nuisances” that were quickly stopped. Property owners who permitted them were punished and forced to pay damages. People who did not want changes in their neighborhoods had an easy way to do that. They moved to planned developments where every property in the neighborhood had “restrictive covenants” in their deeds. Those deeds

did not permit properties there to be used for commercial or industrial purposes. Some required that properties be used only for single family homes surrounded by spacious yards. At one time, some planned developments had restrictive covenants which did not allow properties to be sold to blacks, Asians or Jews. However, those discriminatory restrictive covenants were made unenforceable by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1948. The case was called Shelley v. Kraemer. Other restrictive covenants are still enforced. Today, they are very common in condominiums and in “Planned Unit Developments” like the “Towne of Historic Smithville” in Galloway Township. Atlantic City was the World’s Playground between 1880 and 1920. During that time there were no zoning laws. In 1903, the Chalfonte Hotel was built at North Carolina Avenue and the Boardwalk. It was the first brick and steel skyscraper hotel in Atlantic City. It was eight stories tall and had a thousand rooms. It was built in eight months. The owner got permits to build the hotel on the site of an old wooden hotel. The old hotel closed after Labor Day in 1903. It was demolished during the next two months. Construction began on the new hotel several days later. The eight-story brick and steel new Chal-

fonte Hotel opened on July 2, 1904, just in time for the holiday weekend. Between 1904, and 1930, dozens of modern brick and steel skyscraper hotels were built in Atlantic City in much the same way. Now we have zoning laws. It now takes years just to get needed government approvals for most major projects. Most zoning laws in New Jersey are completely detached from reality. They do not permit most new projects that most people want and need. They put most existing in violation of something. If a building burns down in a fire, it is usually not possible to rebuild it without going through a long and expensive variance process. Most people are more comfortable with what they already have than with something new they are not familiar with. That is human nature. If people have the power to prevent change, they will tend to do it. In Ocean City, many people claimed that Mita’s proposed hotel on the site of a failed amusement would “destroy the character of Ocean City”. However, what would they say if there was a large failing hotel at 6th Street and the Boardwalk instead of an amusement park? What if Mita had proposed to demolish that hotel and replace it with an amusement park? Would those same people claim that replacing a hotel with an amusement

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park would “destroy the character of Ocean City”? America was once great because business developers, entrepreneurs and innovators were free to build what they wanted on their own land with their own money. The only people they had to please were their investors, lenders, and customers. If their project succeeded, they would all benefit. The creators, investors and lenders would all make money. Customers and consumers would enjoy new products and services at low prices. If the project failed, the creators, investors and/or lenders would lose money. Their customers would get what they wanted somewhere else. The failed project would be torn down and a better one would be built. In Atlantic City, it was very common for failed businesses to be torn down after Labor Day and new buildings and

businesses to be built, open and ready in time for the next summer. We would all be better off if every town got rid of most zoning restrictions. However, at a minimum, towns like Ocean City would be far more vibrant, affordable and successful if they would allow almost any resort commercial use in almost any resort commercial district in the city. There is no logical reason to permit an amusement park with an 8-story high Ferris wheel, but not an 8-story hotel.

Seth Grossman is the Executive Director of the nonprofit group Liberty and Prosperity. Learn more about them at LibertyAndProsperity.com. Email info@ libertyandprosperity.com and phone (609) 927-7333.

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Top fall festivities you need to check out this year efitting the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, Sept. 13 and Sunday, Sept. 14. Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased in advance online or at the gate. By Steffen Klenk

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Airshows in Wildwood and Ocean City

The month of September will welcome two airshows to our region. Wildwood will host its first ever Thunder Over the Waves. The beach and boardwalk will provide spectacular views of the show, with scheduled appearances from the Somers Point Good Old Army Golden Knights, Scott Francis MXS, U.S. Coast Guard Search & ResDays There is always something specue, Jersey Jerks and Full Throttle cial about Good Old Days in Somers Formation Team. Practice will take Point. This end-of-summer tradition place on Friday, Sept. 5, followed by at John F. Kennedy Park has one of the main event Saturday, Sept. 6 from the area’s best atmospheres. Guests 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. can enjoy an antique car show, live If that wasn’t enough, Ocean City will host its annual Airport music, magicians, carnival games and Festival the following weekend, inflatables. More than 20 vendors and on Saturday, Sept. 13 at the Mucommunity groups will be in attendance along the festival grounds. nicipal Airport on 26th Street and Bay Avenue. For those who enjoy While you’re there, grab a hot dog all things aviation, this event is for you. There will be multiple ground displays, consisting of World War II planes, classics and warbirds, along with a parachute jump by Team Fastrax. The following Sunday, Sept. 14, at 1 p.m., is the Boardwalk Aerobatic The historic Somers Mansion's first annual Fallfest is on Show. Bring your beach Saturday, Oct. 18. chairs or grab a bench along the boardwalk or hamburger from the grill, or saand enjoy a roaring display of classic vor a frozen treat. Good Old Days is planes and demonstrations. scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 6 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Admission is free. Margate Fall Funfest Margate’s bayside provides the perfect backdrop for this beloved Downbeach Seafood event. More than 110 booths will be Festival Ventnor’s Ski Beach will transform set up along Amherst Avenue with itself into the ultimate food event of mouthwatering food, amusements, the season. Nearly two dozen food unique arts and crafts, local retailers, vendors will fuel your appetite with nonprofits, city services, and kid’s acfresh seafood and local flavors. Sip on tivities. Additional festivities include a wide selection of craft brews, enjoy two stages of live entertainment, live and local music, stop by the local parades featuring Miss New Jersey, vendors, watch cooking demos, and characters, a beer garden, and much more. Fall Funfest will be held Satursoak up the amazing bayside vibes. While you’re there, be sure to check day, Sept. 27 and Sunday, Sept. 28. out Chowder Cook-Off, where you Admission is free. can sample some of the region’s fin↘Continued on 42 est seafood chowders, all while ben-

he season of football, cooler nights and pumpkin spice is upon us, and with that comes a spectacular array of fall festivals every weekend.

August 28, 2025

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↘Continued from 40 If that wasn’t enough, you also have Funfest After Dark, an adults-only affair featuring live music, beverage samplings and finger foods, and non-stop dancing. Tickets are now on sale for this after-hours soiree.

Shopping, dining and fun in Historic Smithville

There is nothing quite like the glory of Historic Smithville, especially during the fall. Guests can stroll the quaint village while visiting over 60 shops and eateries, going on a scenic train ride or

hopping aboard the merry-go-round. Adding to the excitement are a plethora of activities, including the annual Smithville Italian Festival, to be held for Saturday, Sept. 27. Irish Festival weekend is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 11 and Sunday, Oct. 12. And mark your calendars for the return of Oktoberfest, Saturday, Oct. 4 and Sunday, Oct. 5. Admission is free.

Ocean City Fall Block Party

Over 350 vendors and artisans will line Downtown Asbury Avenue for a full day of shopping, food, and fun. Enjoy the splendor of America’s

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not all. This event also includes a flea market with crafts, antiques, collectibles and tools. Don’t miss the variety of engines and tractors that will also make an appearance. The Pumpkin Run is coming Saturday, Nov. 1 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission is $10 at the gate and children under 12 are free.

The Ocean City Fall Block Party is on Saturday, Oct. 11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Greatest Family Resort and shop for amazing deals. Block Party is set for Saturday, Oct. 11 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission is free.

stories, a costume contest and other fun activities. This brand new event will take place from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Admission is free.

Spook-tacular celebration coming to Somers Point

Flemings Pumpkin Run

The historic Somers Mansion is hosting its first annual Fallfest on Saturday, Oct. 18. This event will not only feature vendors and food trucks, but promises to bring out the Halloween spirit with tarot card readings, candlelit mansion tours, ghost

It’s never too early to add the Pumpkin Run to your weekend planner. Thousands of vehicles, ranging from classic cars to antique vehicles, street rods, muscle cars, motorcycles and vintage racecars, will line Flemings Junkyard in Egg Harbor Township for an entire day. But that’s

More events galore

As you can see, these are just a few of the many activities that will be held in Southern New Jersey this fall. As you’re flipping through the pages of Good Old Days is on Saturday, Sept. 6 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Shore Local, be sure to check out the Wahoo section for Steffen Klenk is a photographer your complete guide to what’s hapand multimedia journalist pening each week. And if you know who enjoys capturing the of something fun that’s happening in eclectic moments of shore life. our area, we’d love to know about it! You may contact Steffen at Send an email to shorelocalevents@ shorelocalsteffen@gmail.com. gmail.com.

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Rev. Collins Days Sr. chosen to fill late Commissioner Ernest Coursey’s seat

By Julia Train

he Atlantic County Democratic Committee has selected Rev. Collins Days Sr., a longtime Atlantic City pastor and community leader, to fill the county commissioner seat left vacant by the passing of Commissioner Ernest Coursey. Days, who had already announced his candidacy for the First District seat on Feb. 19, will be sworn in at the board’s Sept. 2 meeting in Northfield. He is the pastor of the 2,000-member Second Baptist Church in Atlantic City, the largest congregation in Atlantic County, and has served the community for more than 30 years. Two days before Days announced his candidacy, his church hosted the kickoff for Mayor Marty Small’s re-election campaign. Known for his strong connections to the city and its leadership, Days has been active in civic, faith-based and nonprofit efforts focused on improving the lives of residents across Atlantic County.

“I fell in love with this area when I first came to preach here 30 years ago,” Days said in a news release. “Atlantic County is a wonderful place to live, but many of our folks are struggling to make ends meet. When I heard that Commissioner

Coursey was not seeking re-election, I knew that the residents of Absecon Island needed a strong advocate like Ernest to help lower costs, improve our roads, and help those in need. That’s why I’m proud to announce my candidacy for County Commissioner.” Coursey, who decided not to seek a fifth term due to health issues, had publicly endorsed Days before his death. “I am so honored and humbled that my dear friend Ernest Coursey has been so encouraging of my candidacy,” Days said. “My goal is to be as effective of a county commissioner as Ernest was to improve the quality of life for residents of the First District.” The First District includes Atlantic City, Ventnor, Margate and Longport. Days will serve as the only Democrat on the nine-member Board of County Commissioners until the end of the year, when Coursey’s term was set to expire. He will also be on the ballot in the November General Election, facing Atlantic City Councilman George Tibbitt, a former Democrat who switched parties earlier this year to run as a Republican.

Beyond his pastoral leadership, Days has a long record of public service. In 2021, he was unanimously approved by both Republicans and Democrats to join the Stockton University Board of Trustees. He has also served as president of the Fellowship of Churches of Atlantic City & Vicinity and was a member of the Atlantic City Long Term Recovery Group, which supported Absecon Island residents rebuilding after Hurricane Sandy, according to Days’ website for his candidacy. His nonprofit work has focused on addiction recovery, expanding homeownership opportunities and mentoring at-risk youth. Days graduated from South Carolina State University, where he first felt called to the ministry. In 1982, while still in college, he accepted a pastoral role at Round-O Baptist Church in Darlington, South Carolina. He went on to serve the Darlington congregation and community for 13 years before relocating with his family to Atlantic City, where he still lives with his wife. Together, they have four children and eight grandchildren.

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Life is What Happens By Lisa Zaslow Segelman

kip ahead to the bio at the end of this column and you may be surprised at what I’ve included: Claim to fame, waitress at Lou’s for four summers. Lou Adelman and wife Helen opened Lou’s of Ventnor in the winter of 1946, which began the restaurant’s 60-year lifespan. Located at 5011 Ventnor Ave. at Nashville Avenue, it was a Jewish deli, table and counter service, full menu establishment that offered whatever dining experience you were after, at almost whatever time of day or night you wanted. There was always action at Lou’s. Breakfast was served all day, along with soups, burgers, deli sandwiches,

salads, blintzes, potato pancakes, milkshakes, pies, cakes, and in the evenings — a four-course dinner. Yes, you heard that correctly. I still have the menu. The appetizer course included a choice of juice, soup, chopped liver, herring in cream sauce or gefilte fish. Next, a dinner

salad with your choice of dressing, followed by a main course like chicken in the pot, chopped steak, seafood, roast chicken and choice of two vegetables/potatoes. Dessert was Jello, ice cream, pie, cake, ice cream roll — all included. No one referred to side dishes as carbs

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and veggies in those days. People generally just ordered their favorites, enjoyed their meal, and talked about it for the next 50 years. The price? An average full course dinner was $5 .25 , which is the equivalent of about $26.00 today. That’s a nice deal for a four-course meal. Lou’s was enormously popular, and the line wended its way around the corner, making Nashville Avenue as much of a Lou’s landmark as Ventnor Avenue. Lou serially expanded his seating space into neighboring buildings. One room was called “new room” even though it was decades since it was built. The final addition, which was massive, was called “Siberia” as it was so far from the original restaurant space. The whole restaurant was basically a walk-out basement with simple wood, yet cozy booths. And of course, a rack to hang your hat. The food was spectacular, but before gambling came to Atlantic City in 1978, Lou’s was also the place to see and be seen at any hour, often until 2 a.m. on Fridays and 3 a.m. on Saturdays. Everyone you knew would be there. With fewer entertainment options, Lou’s turned late night dessert into a bustling business, catering to the classic shore tradition of “going out for ice cream,” often after a movie at the original Ventnor theater “Fantasia” or ”Dirty Harry,” anyone?

A family affair for the Adelmans

Lou’s daughter, who now lives in Ohio, grew up in the restaurant. “Lou’s was bigger than life,” Arlene Adelman Swindell said. “My favorite time of the year was when everyone from Philly was returning to the shore for the summer, greeting each other and so glad to be back.” Lou’s right hand man, a woman in this case, was the manager Nancy who lived above the restaurant. “Nancy was like a mother to me, and I loved her dearly,” Arlene said. “I grew up with so many of the waitresses; Norma, Stella, Esther, Vi and the kitchen guys like Walter, Blair, Riley, T and George the fountain guy. That’s

August 28, 2025

the people. The food? Corned beef on rye with coleslaw and Russian dressing…white fish, hot roast beef and turkey sandwiches. We had great burgers and fries. It was the best food ever… Helen’s famous cheesecake (my mom’s recipe), hot fudge sundaes, waffles and ice cream at night.” Arlene got that all out in one breath. Margate resident Jonathan Lipner’s grandmother also lived above Lou’s. “When I’d take a bath as a kid the water would often seep down to the kitchen in Lou’s below,” Jonathan said. “Lou would bang on the ceiling to get us to stop running the water.” A steel staircase was attached to the outside of the building from his grandmom’s apartment to a phone booth below. “I’d wait for the call to end and the caller to leave the booth. Then I’d head down the stairs to check for dimes. Made a couple dollars a day that way,” Jonathan added.

Working summers at Lou’s: A family affair for my family too

My association with Lou’s was a family tradition. Half of my family of six worked there over the course of 11 years. In the 1970s, we lived on Aberdeen Place in the house that had once belonged to William S. Cuthbert,

August 28, 2025

Atlantic City’s public safety commissioner during Nucky Johnson’s wildly corrupt 1920s reign. From our front porch, it was just a short walk or bike ride to Lou’s. Two of my three brothers paved the way as busboy, ice cream guy and eventually sandwich man. “The ice cream bar where I worked was nearly 25 feet long and

staffed by three people during peak hours,” my brother Mike Zaslow, eight years my senior, said. “When I worked the sandwich bar, it was more crowded as was the grill. Behind the production area, (which interfaced with customer seating), was a labyrinth of storage rooms, walk-in refrigerators and freezers. There was so much work to be done in the freezer that employees sometimes wore winter coats.” Orders came in on paper, piled onto stacks on one thin metal spike. The pace was happily frenetic; most of the staff had worked together for years. They liked the pay, the work, the staff and the owner. “The place had a mystical harmony and efficiency,” Mike added. “Lou was calm and quiet. He stayed at the cash register near the entrance the entire night, splitting his time between the customers and watching every employee with an eagle eye. Before credit cards, oceans of cash flowed from wallets to register to staff; booths full of waitresses counted out at the end of the night.” “Three consecutive words from Lou was a lot, but he commanded and

attained the employee’s respect,” Mike said. “Lou’s strategy was to find the best people, pay them 10% more than they could earn anyplace else, and focus on customer satisfaction from an iced tea to a family dinner for 10.” My brother Darry followed in Mike’s footsteps with a year-after-year summer job at Lou’s bussing tables. He liked the 5% tips earned from the waitress’s haul, knowing that his friendly demeanor with customers might help increase the tips for the night. The bus carts were huge, but no one cared if it meant your table would be cleared, cleaned and ready faster.

A move away from Lou’s and a move back

When my parents sold their Aberdeen home in 1973 to move our grandparents near us, our summers at the shore suddenly disappeared for three years. At 17, I told them how much I wanted to work at Lou’s, so they came up with a plan. They would rent a small apartment for the summer on top of a house on Little Rock Avenue near the restaurant. I would ask a girlfriend to join me for the summer, work at Lou’s, and they would come down on the weekends. Catch? I had to be in by midnight. If

↘Continued on 48

↘Continued from 47 they called and I wasn’t home, it was home-James! I complied. Training at Lou’s was imperative. First summer waitresses were assigned to the day shift. In the heat of the day, I would stare out the small windows in the front of the restaurant and watch people enjoying the summer sun, but the initiation was worth it; if you had a successful summer working days, the lucrative night shift followed the next summer. My most famous day shift customer was comedian David Brenner whose parents lived in Ventnor. “I know you!” 17-year-old me said. He was not amused. The only smile came when his corned beef on rye with a pickle arrived. Lesson learned: comedians aren’t there to entertain you in real life. Lou’s staff were from all different backgrounds. There was no discrimination, but purposeful diversity was not something that was practiced at the time like it is today. There were no male waiters, only waitresses. There were no female cooks. No one was called a server. Seasonal employees were high school and college kids; year-round employees were career restaurant staff. It didn’t matter where you came from or where you were going, learning how to be an efficient cog in the gi-

ant wheel that was Lou’s was all that mattered. Lou taught me never to stand with my hands on my hips as a waitress because you were taking up too much room, and that “86 corned beef and cabbage” meant we were out of it. Adam and Eve on a raft, wreck ‘em were eggs on toast with broken yolks. I learned about teamwork, shift work and how working hard led to better results and better pay. Just before gambling, my parents bought a townhouse and Lou’s was secured for good as my summer job.

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I worked at Lou’s from 1977-1980 — ages 17-20, six nights a week, and as I like to put it, “made a fortune” — helping to pay for extras at college and eventually, additional funds needed for a semester abroad. Many of us waitresses worked in partnerships. I worked with another Lisa my age who lived in Margate all year. On some busy Saturday nights, we’d clear $50 each, which is $275 in today’s dollars. Excellent, right? The staff were like family. We would often go out after our late nights at work to clubs like the Chez Paree in the height of the disco age. Sleep, beach and back at work. Lou’s closed for good in early 2006 after final owner Alf Adelman passed away, and a fire and costly repairs led to the decision to shut the doors. Another restaurant opened in its place, but it wasn’t open on Sundays, hardly the Lou’s vibe, and that closed too. After years of an empty lot, private homes now fill the block, but the legend of Lou’s lives on. Before the Water Dog Restaurant closed recently in Ventnor to open as Betty’s Seafood Shack in Margate, it had a Lou’s sandwich on the menu as a tribute to Lou – ½ pound of corned beef piled with coleslaw, Russian dressing or just mustard. Lou would like that the corned beef was lean, the portion generous and the customer happy! The first 20-year-old summer help when Lou’s opened in 1946 turned 99 this year. But whatever the age we waitresses, busboys and sandwich men are now, we will forever share a unique work life for a legendary establishment. I still have my menu, my order pad and my 48-year-old T-shirt. Atlantic City even had a “Miss Prettiest Waitress” contest if you can be-

lieve that! Lou told me “Patty” edged me out by just a smidge. I guess he did the nominating, something that would also never happen today.

Learning and legacy

In 1981 I left Lou’s for an internship that led to a career as a copywriter in New York, stepping into the post-Mad Men, still rarified world of Madison Avenue. But it was Ventnor Avenue — and Lou and Helen, manager Nancy, and head waitress Norma — who gave me, and scores of teenagers like me, the building blocks for how to work hard, learn from the experience of successful businesspeople like Lou and his staff, and love every minute of it.

Lou didn’t just run a restaurant — he ran a masterclass in work and camaraderie. If you could make it there, you could make it anywhere on the Jersey shore and beyond. Thank you, Lou. Lisa is an advertising copywriter (think ‘Madmen’ without the men), journalist and columnist. Claim to fame: Lou’s waitress for four teenage summers. For column comments, story ideas, or to get on her “quote” list for future columns: redshoeslzs@ gmail.com

August 28, 2025

Entertainment & Dining at the Shore

Top Weekly Entertainment Picks and online for all that’s happening in our area.

By Steffen Klenk

abor Day Weekend has arrived in South Jersey and now is the best time to soak up the summer fun. This week’s Entertainment Picks are filled with an array of activities including outdoor concerts, headline shows, laugh out loud comedy, a Jimmy Buffett tribute and a dazzling fireworks display. Whether you are making plans for the weekend or catching up on all that is happening, be sure to read the Wahoo section in-print

Who: Billy Walton Band on the Beach in Somers Point Where: William Morrow Beach When: Friday, Aug. 29 Time: 7 p.m. Website: www.somerspointbeachconcerts.com Celebrate the start of Labor Day Weekend with a free outdoor concert featuring the Billy Walton Band, the Jersey Shore’s rock and soul guitar hero. Kick off your shoes and dance in the sand to a set of original songs and popular favorites. It’s all part of the Legacy Concerts on the Beach in Somers Point presented by Tony Mart Presents. What: That Arena Rock Show Where: The Music Box at Borgata

When: Friday, Aug. 29 Time: 9 p.m. Website: www.visitatlanticcity.com/ event/that-arena-rock-show/6117/ That Arena Rock Show is the ultimate celebration of ’70s and ’80s rock that will have you out of your seats. Hear some of the most powerful melodies that defined a generation, from Led Zeppelin to AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses to Bon Jovi and so much more. Who: Tiesto Where: HQ2 Beachclub at Ocean Casino When: Saturday, Aug. 30 Time: 11:30 a.m. Website: www.hq2ac.com/tiesto-0 Start your Labor Day Weekend with global EDM superstar Tiesto. The Grammy-winning Dutch DJ and “Godfather of EDM” has toured all ov er the world and is known for big

hits, including “The Business,” “Red Lights” and “The Motto.” Enjoy a high-energy performance and party atmosphere.

Who: Gabriel ‘Fluffy’ Iglesias Where: Borgata Event Center

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When: Saturday, Aug. 30 Times: 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Website: https://borgata.mgmresorts.com/en/entertainment/ event-center/gabriel-iglesias.html Enjoy a night of laughs with one of the world’s most successful standup comedians. Gabriel Iglesias is one of the most watched comedians on YouTube with more than 2 billion views and 34 million fans on social media. He is one of the top comedy performers of all time.

Who: Live & Collective Soul Where: Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino When: Saturday, Aug. 30 Time: 6:30 p.m. Website: www.theoceanac.com/ live-collective-soul Get ready for an unforgettable rock concert experience as two of the most iconic names in ’90s rock come to Ovation Hall for one night only. Hear the muti-platinum band Live and Collective Soul on one stage during

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their Summer Unity Tour, with special guests Our Lady Peace. What: Ventnor Goodbye to Summer Concert Where: Ski Beach When: Saturday, Aug. 30 Time: 6:30 p.m. Website: www.ventnorcity.org/special-events Join the City of Ventnor for the final outdoor concert of the summer season. The Party Wave Band will perform top hits and classics from the ’70s to today. The music starts at 6:30 p.m. Food and vendors will be on-site and open at 5:30 p.m.

Website: www.resortsac.com/ entertainment/fins-up-tailgate-celebration Parrotheads are invited to the ultimate Jimmy Buffett celebration on the Boardwalk this Sunday. This free event will include live music by the Glenn Roberts Band, along with games and activities, including face painting, corn hole and photo ops. Hawaiian shirts are encouraged. The event leads up to a performance by Changes in Latitudes, America’s Premier Jimmy Buffett Tribute Band, performing live at Resorts Superstar Theater Sunday night at 8 p.m.

What: Summer Fireworks in Atlantic City Where: Tropicana Casino When: Saturday, Aug. 30 Time: 10 p.m. Website: www.caesars.com/tropicana-ac Experience the excitement of a spectacular end-of-summer fireworks display. This dazzling show can be viewed both from the beach and the iconic Atlantic City Boardwalk. What: Fins Up Tailgate Celebration Where: Atlantic City Boardwalk at Resorts When: Sunday, Aug. 31 Time: 12-5 p.m.

Who: LaKisha Jones: To Whitney, with Love Where: Ocean City Music Pier

When: Sunday, Aug. 31 Time: 7:30 p.m. Website: www.oceancityvacation. com/what-to-do/box-office “American Idol” finalist LaKisha Jones joins the Ocean City Pops in a celebration of the great ladies of soul, performing the music of Diana Ross, Donna Summer, Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin and the one and only Whitney Houston. What: The Cowsills and The Weeklings Where: Kennedy Plaza, Atlantic City When: Wednesday, Sept. 3 Time: 7 p.m. Website: www.tonymart.com Transport yourself back to the ’60s with an evening of classic pop and rock with The Cowsills, best known for their smash hit “The Rain, The Park and Other Things.” The show will open with The Weeklings, an allstar tribute to The Beatles featuring Glen Burtnik from Styx. The concert is free and part of Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City. 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.

Hooked on flavor

Fresh local seafood takes center stage at Downbeach Seafood Festival with music and coastal fun

By Scott Cronick

he bad news: Summer is almost over. The good news: Fall-ish events like The Downbeach Seafood Festival are coming … very soon! No one appreciates summer like I do, but the fall at the shore does have its upsides: fewer people at the beach, less traffic, easier to get reservations at your favorite restaurants and festivals galore. Yes, locals summer is right around the corner. And while summer may not officially be over by the time The Downbeach Seafood Festival hits Ski Beach

in Ventnor on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 13 and 14, the fall bells are ringing hard. The greatest seafood festival in South Jersey returns — as you have now come to expect from anything Good Time Tricycle Founder and Events Producer Jon Henderson is involved with — better than ever. Not bigger, mind you, but better. And that’s intentional. “We started off in 2012 in Atlantic City and would attract about 30,000 people,” Henderson said of the event when it was held at Bader Field. “In 2019, we moved it over to Ventnor to Ski Beach, which turned out to be a really intimate setting for it, and it ended up being its forever home. It’s a celebration of the treasures of the ocean. Everybody who’s there is either a

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restaurant or a fishery or a food truck right here in New Jersey and South Jersey. It’s important to us that as the season kind of wraps up, we give local culinary folks an opportunity to put an extra few clams in the coffer.” So, size doesn’t matter? In this case, not really. “Is it as gigantic as it once was? No, but it gives this great, intimate, green space feel right there on the water,” Henderson said. “There’s trees, there’s manicured green grass under your feet. There’s no charge for parking. So, there are a lot, a lot of little wins.” According to its press release, the Downbeach Seafood Festival is more than a tasting event, it’s an invitation to explore Atlantic County through the lens of its food, people and traditions. Visitors will find the laid-back rhythm of beach life perfectly balanced with vibrant culinary offerings, Jersey-made craft beer, chef-led cooking demos and the sounds of live music filling the air. Locally crafted art, interactive exhibits, family-friendly activities and sand sculpting add even more texture to this dynamic weekend.

Grub it up

Like any seafood festival worth its Old Bay seasoning salt, the main attraction is the food, and this year’s

stellar lineup of restaurants and food trucks is perhaps the most impressive yet. Think everything from lobster empanadas to ceviche, crab and salmon cakes, lobster rolls, seafood tacos … if it can be made with seafood it’s probably on the menu. And, yes, there are plenty of options for you landlubbers out there, from cheesesteaks to chicken parm. Standouts include Back Bay Ale House from Atlantic City, Bacon on a Stick — which will also offer scallops this year, too — Chef Michael Brennan’s Cardinal from Atlantic City, Cousins Maine Lobster, Dak Daddy’s Oyster Shack — my favorite oysters in the state — Decadence Food Truck, Del Toro Tapas, House of Cupcakes, Ike’s Famous Crabcakes, Chef Bobby Hettmansperger’s always fantastic Il Porcellino from Egg Harbor Township, Jay’s Crab Shack, Las Olas, P.J. Buckets, The Queen Bean Bistro, Star of the Sea Seafood, Vagabond and one of my favorites, TacoCat, where I highly recommend the shrimp or mahi tacos (or both!). There are a bunch of new faces offering seafood this year, including 279 Social Kitchen & Craft Bar (formerly Romanelli’s) from Galloway, the new Ventnor restaurant Drift, Italian seafood from L’Acquario and Scallops Shack Farms. As part of National Hunger Action Month, the festival continues its partnership with the Community Food Bank of New Jersey with the always-popular “Chowder CookOff,” where guests can make a $10 donation and sample a wide variety of chowders from area restaurants and cast their votes for the best bowl. All proceeds from the Cook-Off go directly toward providing meals for families in need, with the 2025 goal set to surpass $5,000, enough to provide roughly 15,000 meals across the state. “This year, we’ve got 21 restaurants participating,” Henderson said. “So, if you think about it: It’s 21 restaurants, and you’re trying 2 ounces of chowder.

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↘Continued from 52 That’s a lot of chowder. And all the money goes to the Food Bank. In my opinion, the Food Bank is easily the most valuable charity partner in our market. They feed people.” Last year also marked the debut of “The Oyster Tour of The Shore,” and it returns in a big way as it allows guests to sample oysters harvested from waters up and down the coast and meet the farmers who cultivated them to learn the art of oyster shucking from professionals at the Demo Stage presented by Cape Harbor Shellfish. Featured oyster farms are Cape May Salts, Sloop Point Oyster

Co., McGee’s Shellfish, Salty Soul Oyster Co., Sapphire Shoals Oysters and Tucker Island Oysters. “It’s an immersive addition to the event’s mission of honoring the bounty of the sea and the hardworking individuals behind it,” Henderson said. “We bring in six oyster farms, and for $25, you get 12, which is well below market value, and you’re going to meet and have a conversation with each of these oyster farmers and see the difference between Salty Souls and Cape May Salts and others. The oyster farmers are shucking and talking about their whole culture, creating a very cool experience. The whole oyster culture from coast to

coast is different, the mouth feel is different, the flavors are different. Try the different oysters and you can really get a taste for the different regions and oysters. Water matters.”

More than just food

There are more festivals than not that line up food trucks and vendors and call it a “festival,” but The Downbeach Seafood Festival truly lives up to its name. That’s why, other than the aforementioned chowder cook-off and oyster sampling, there’s food and booze tastings, live music, cooking and cocktail demonstrations, a crab cake eating competition and so much more. “I don’t subscribe to the ‘If you build it, they will come’ scenario,” Henderson said. “I think people need distractions. People need entertainment. These things need layers, and to just do something kind of one dimensionally doesn’t work. It just doesn’t work. There’s just so much

out there that is fighting for your attention. People want more for their dollar. They want more for the hour, two, three, four hours they’re going to spend with you. So, if you layer all that, you stand a better chance of success. You stand a chance of people talking about you. You stand a chance of people having a better overall experience.” This year, festivalgoers can hula hoop, check out the interactive butterfly garden, get your face painted, learn how to cook seafood properly and creatively, enjoy beer and wine tastings and witness — or participate in — the Crab Cake Eating Competition presented by Jay’s Crab Shack. “This is something we’ve done since we started the festival,” Henderson said. “We take six people, and they have to eat five crab cakes in 4 minutes. Winner gets $100. Everybody else gets lunch. It’s aggressive. I couldn’t do it.” Of course, beer is a major part of any Good Time Tricycle production. The creators of the Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival will offer “Great Brews of New

August 28, 2025

to take home. It would be bushels of blue claws. It would be Chef Michael Brennan from Cardinal and Chef Bobby Hettmansperger from Il Porcellino and other great chefs using the seafood from the vendor right next to them and preparing that fish and seafood right in front of you. It would highlight our local seafood treasures even more than we already do. How cool would that be?” Pretty cool … we can’t wait! The Downbeach Seafood Festival will take place 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 14. It is located on Ski Beach, Dorset and Burk avenues, Ventnor. Street parking is available,

and shuttle buses are also provided. For tickets, which start at $10, and more information, go to DownbeachSeafoodFest.com Scott Cronick is an awardwinning journalist who has written about entertainment, food, news and more in South Jersey for nearly three decades. He hosts a daily radio show – "Off The Press with Scott Cronick" - 4 to 6 p.m. weekdays on Newstalk WOND 1400-AM, 92.3-FM, and WONDRadio.com. He can be reached at scronick@ comcast.net.

Photos courtesy of Charles Eberson Jersey” at the seafood fest, The tasting tent becomes a mini beer fest where 12 of New Jersey’s favorite breweries offer 10 tastings for $10. Also — and these are personal recommendations — hunt down Brian Ireland from Alibi Gin and devour some of his oyster shooters, and have your iPhone camera ready for a selfie with Matt Deibert’s sand creations.

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Entertainment plays a major part of the festival, too, including the South Pacific Island Dancers on both days. Saturday’s music lineup includes Yanni the Band, Funk Daddy and DJ Rashaun, while Sunday’s offerings are Party Wave, The Wayouts and DJ Patrice McBride.

What’s next?

When you look at the evolution of the Downbeach Seafood Festival over the last dozen years or so, it’s hard not to be impressed. It transformed from a festival that relied too much on fried frozen seafood and “carny” vendors, offering very little locally farmed seafood, to its present form as a local seafood mecca featuring amazing South Jersey chefs. So, what does Henderson & Co. have in store for us seafood lovers in the years to come? “I would like to see us really showcase the fisheries of South Jersey,” Henderson said. “We started that with the ‘Oyster Tour,’ and I want to continue that. It would be a real showcase with a fresh seafood market so you can grab stuff

Atlantic City Theatre Company brings Broadway spirit to the Shore By Delaney Crawford

tlantic City has always been a place for entertainment, but this September, a new kind of spotlight will shine through. The Atlantic City Theatre Company, the community’s first premier nonprofit theatre group, is stepping onto the stage with its inaugural licensed musical production, “Forever Plaid,” the beloved doo-wop musical celebrating the hits of the 1950s and ‘60s. Performances will run Sept. 12, 13, 14, and then again from Sept. 19 to 21, at the Claridge Celebrity Theater. This performance promises to bring both nostalgia and fresh energy to the local arts scene here in Atlantic City. The Atlantic City Theatre company was originally founded in 2019 by Jeremy Rotolo, a Stockton University graduate, Off-Broadway performer, and singer/songwriter. Alongside several fellow Stockton graduates, Rotolo launched the organization with a vision of producing high-quality performances while creating opportunities for local artists to live, work, and grow at the Shore.

That vision found a strong partner in Thomas Smith, who later joined the group and now serves as managing director. A resident of Absecon, Smith has quickly become a key local presence for the company. “I felt lucky to have found them a few years ago and get involved,” he shared. “Living here, I get to do a lot of the footwork, building local ties

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and helping the company connect with the community.” Choosing “Forever Plaid” for their debut show was no accident. Known for its charming story and unforgettable harmonies, the musical has deep resonance in Atlantic City. “It’s a musical celebrating a lot of the doo-wop hits of the 50s and 60s,” Smith explained. “Jazz and doo-wop music were a massive part of Atlantic City’s history, and so many people here are fond of that kind of music.” The production will feature a team of local professionals, each bringing their own artistry to the stage. Thomas Smith himself will perform alongside three other accomplished actors: Erik, a music educator from Egg Harbor Township; James, an Atlantic City-based actor and choreographer currently working with the Ocean City Theatre Company; and Jack, a Philadelphia-based actor and singer who has appeared at The Walnut Street Theatre and the Arden Theatre. “The show is built to show off the performers in it,” said Smith. “Even though the score and script remain consistent, every performance is unique because of the incredible group of guys we have in this cast.” For the Atlantic City Theatre Company, the production is about more than just a single show. Their broader mission is to help shape the community through performance and arts education, creating opportunities for creative professionals who call Atlantic County home. “Our dream is to stage smaller-scale productions in assorted showrooms around the area,” Smith said. “But we also want to be an avenue for casinos to present larger, accessible productions. The ultimate goal is to foster an arts scene at the

Shore that stimulates the local economy, especially in the off-season.” That dream already feels within reach. The cast and crew have been energized by rehearsals and by the warm welcome they’ve received from the Atlantic City arts community. “The arts scene here has just been great about showing that the Jersey Shore has this potential to offer truly great things,” Smith reflected. While “Forever Plaid” marks their first licensed musical, the company has staged other performances since its founding. Still, this show represents the beginning of a new chapter. “This is the first of many productions we hope to bring to the community,” said Smith. “Our goal is to ramp up and potentially stage a summer show every year. Within the community, we want this to truly be Atlantic City’s theatre company, in every sense of the word.” Smith, who has worked in theatre outside the region, is thrilled to be bringing his experience back home. “The thing I like the most about being a part of this group is taking what I’ve learned in my career and bringing it back to the place I grew up,” he said. “It’s incredible to see the developing talent here. There’s a very probable artist renaissance on the horizon in Atlantic City, and it’s so exciting to be part of it.” At its heart, Forever Plaid is a story about four friends who share a dream, weather life’s ups and downs together, and come to realize that their struggles were some of the best times of their lives. “We hope the audience will enjoy the music and also walk away with a little gratitude for the life they live and the people they share it with,” Smith said. Community members who want to be part of the Atlantic City Theatre Company are encouraged to reach out. “We’re always looking to collaborate with new artists,” Smith said. “We’re very proactive about finding local talent and finding ways to show it off.” Aspiring performers and supporters can connect through the company’s website, atlanticcitytheatrecompany. com, or by emailing atlanticcitytheatrecompany@gmail.com. With “Forever Plaid” taking the stage this September, the Atlantic City Theatre Company is ready to write the first chapter of what promises to be a vibrant, long-lasting story for local arts. And for audiences, it’s the perfect chance to sit back, enjoy the music, and celebrate life.

August 28, 2025

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Tony Mart Allstars with classic South Jersey guest stars Legacy Concerts on the Beach – Sept. 5, 7 p.m. By Carmen Marotta

he Legacy Concert Series on the beach will close out the summer season with a special night Friday, Sept. 5, at 7 p.m., as the Tony Mart Allstars perform alongside South Jersey favorites Lew London, Patty Blee, Dr. Bobby Fingers and Howard Isaacson. The show will be dedicated to Herb “Bubba Mac” Birch, founder of the Bubba Mac Shack. The evening will also begin with a posthumous tribute to Somers Point rock ’n’ roll icon Bob Campanell, with members of the Campanell family performing one of his beloved songs. The concert promises a nostalgic journey through more than 40 years of South Jersey music history. London will play his fiddle on “Orange Blossom Special” and other tunes from his many years at The Library and other clubs. Blee will lend her vocal talents in a tribute to Linda Ronstadt. Isaacson is set to perform his smooth jazz hit “Daylight” and Marvin

Gaye’s “What’s Going On,” a longtime Allstars staple featuring Campanell and Ernie Trionfo. Other highlights include Jimmy Glenn performing Bruce Springsteen’s “Rosalita,” Brian Conover with Conway Twitty and The Eagles’ “Desperado,” and “Big Bob” Ernano with “Rocky Mountain Way” and “Whipping Post.” London will also join Brian Varhelyi for a guitar jam. Photos by John Loresux Dr. Bobby Fingers will lead a beach-wide singalong with courtesy of sponsor Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the Sam Trocki, who is donating the venue USA” before closing the night with for the after-party. the music of Bob Dylan and The Band. The post-concert After 2½ hours of nonstop muevent will feature a sic and dancing, the celebration Bobby Fingers sinwill continue at Tavern on the Bay, galong and appearances by Allstars and friends, keeping the spirit alive well past curfew. The free beach concert will end around 9:30 p.m., with music continuing next door at the Inn on the Bay. Organizers say it’s not only a way to extend the evening but also a fitting finale to the 2025 summer season in Somers Point.

The Tony Mart Allstars and guest performers thanked Trocki and his team for their hospitality, late-night menu and bar service. The season closes with gratitude for the music, the memories and the community that made it all possible. Let the good times roll!

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The Beach Boys’ Al Jardine surfs into Borgata

The Casino File By Chuck Darrow

nytime a member of The Beach Boys takes the stage, you can be sure a jukebox-worth of hits from the legendary band’s prodigious songbook will fill the air. But charter member Al Jardine is digging deeper while on his current tour that brings him to Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa on Sept. 5. Jardine, who turns 83 two days before the Borgata show, is using the road trip to highlight as many as eight of the 11 songs that comprise the Beach Boys’ relatively obscure 1977 album, “The Beach Boys Love You.” The idea to break out this material predates the June death of Beach Boys’ guiding light Brian Wilson at age 82, Jardine explained during a recent phone chat. “It was something we talked about when Brian was touring with [the Beach Boys],” he recalled. “We always said, ‘Why don’t we do some-

thing really esoteric and different?’ And then the ‘Love You’ album came up time and time again, but it just never happened. So now it’s just time for it, I guess. And it’s really charming.” Jardine explained that touring is a far better alternative than sitting around his California ranch, as he is estranged from fellow band founder Mike Love, who continues to tour under the Beach Boys banner. “I got sick of staying home,” he said with a chuckle. “We wanted to get out there and spread the word, and to bring the Brian Wilson Band back into action. And then Brian passed away, of course, but we had already planned to do this before he passed. We really wanted to get out and work again and bring the music to the folks.” As he noted, Jardine’s musical support is being provided by the same group of musicians (including Jardine’s singer-percussionist son, Matt) who backed Brian Wilson on his solo tours. The unit has been dubbed The Pet Sounds Band after the Beach Boys’ game-changing 1966 album. Actually, Jardine continued, the original idea was to include Brian in the project. “I was hoping Brian would be there to help us to some degree, but it wasn’t meant to be. So, we’re out there now as a tribute to Brian’s

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independence into a tour de force with a lengthy spoken-word segment that included everything from an Al Pacino (in “Dog Day Afternoon”) impression to quick snippets of the voices of three “Simpsons” characters he does (Moe Szyslak, Police Chief Clancy Wiggum and Comic Book Guy) to the hilarious tales of the two times he got up-close-andpersonal with the Bard of Asbury Park (neither meeting turned out well for our narrator). Interestingly, while this and a couple other stories were about Azaria, he told them in his Springsteen voice. This portion of the show proved that Azaria is an engaging entertainer

with a masterful delivery and impeccable timing (as befits a Tony Award — for “Spamalot”— nominee). Azaria and the band also knocked it out of the park with their renditions of a trio of revered cuts from the “Born to Run” album (which marked the 50th anniversary of its release this past Monday) — the title track, “Thunder Road” and “Jungleland.” Bottom line: Here’s hoping “EZ Street” is a regular addition to the AyCee map. Chuck Darrow has spent more than 40 years writing about Atlantic City casinos.

Al Jardine music, because it’s so important, especially now.” To be clear, there is more to the set list than the “Beach Boys Love You” material which has been presented as its own segment. For instance, last Saturday night’s concert in Des Plaines, Ill. included, among many Beach Boys signatures, “California Girls,” “Surfer Girl, ”God Only Knows” and, of course, “Good Vibrations.” Jardine wasn’t sure whether or not the Borgata audience will hear all eight “Love You” songs because of gambling dens’ traditional imposition of a 90-minute limit on shows in order to get patrons into the casino. Hopefully, that won’t be the case: Last Saturday’s turn by Hank Azaria & the EZ Street Band at the Big B’s Music Box theater was a two-hour affair (see below). His current road trip isn’t Jardine’s only 2025 dip into musical waters. In May, he released a four-song digital EP called “Islands in the Sun,” which includes the track, “My Plane Leaves Tomorrow (Au Revoir)” which features Neil Young on vocals and Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ bassist Flea, who plays the “Taps” sequence on trumpet. The song was recorded in 2010. So why did Jardine wait 15 years to make available to the public the track about a soldier heading off to fight in a war? At first, he simply said “I don’t know” when the question was posed but ultimately added that “There was so much going on in the Beach Boys’ world” at the time of its recording. However, he did offer his reason for releasing it when he did. “When I released it,” he said, “there was a lot of stuff going on [in the Middle East].” I thought, ‘We better get this out there now,’ because in the beginning of the song,

August 28, 2025

you hear the BBC commentator say, ‘The president cannot start a war with Iran without Congressional approval.’ It’s an actual recording that I took from the BBC [in 2010], and I thought, ‘Wow, that thing’s never changed.” For tickets, go to ticketmaster.com.

Azaria pours on the ‘Bruce juice’

Acclaimed actor Hank Azaria and his eight-member EZ Street Band were mighty impressive as they brought their tribute to Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band to Borgata last Saturday night. The 61-year-old, four-Emmy-winning co-star of “The Simpsons” proved he’s not just a slumming Hollywood type with rock-star pretensions, but a true disciple who has clearly put in a lot of work to vocally emulate his musical hero of 50 years. Opening the show with a thunderous troika of “Candy’s Room,” “The Promised Land” and “Badlands,” Azaria wasted no time showing off his ability to approximate Springsteen’s rough-hewn baritone. At least as often as not, his efforts put him in “close-your-eyes-and…” territory. And throughout the set — which primarily keyed on Springsteen’s 1970s catalog — the EZ Streeters captured the swagger and 1,000-volt energy of Bruce’s revered troupe of supporting musicians. Pretty much every song of the two-hour romp was a highlight, but the set’s zenith was reached during an extended rendition of “Growin’ Up,” from Bruce’s 1972 debut LP, “Greetings from Asbury Park.” As his subject has done many times through the decades, Azaria turned the declaration of personal

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TONY MART PRESENTS LEGACY CONCERTS ON THE BEACH IN SOMERS POINT

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Patty Blee, Lew London, Dr. Bobby Fingers, Howard Isaacson

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Campanell Family Tribute to Bobby Campanell Special Meet & Greet sing-along party with The Allstars & Guest Stars at The Inn on the Bay after the concert!

Drink Up! By David Setley

gnon was created by grafting together Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, plant geneticist Carole Meredith, from the University of California in Davis, California, utilized DNA fingerprinting techniques in 1997 to confirm its heritage. Cabernet Sauvignon has its origins specifically in the Bordeaux wine region of France. In Bordeaux, red wine is traditionally blended. You may occasionally find single-varietal red wines there, but the vast majority are blends. This technique has become so associated with this region that wine-

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The Tony Mart Allstars Special Guest Twisted Livin' Band

Tony Mart Cares gives back to musicians in need Location changes due to inclement weather will be posted on Tony Mart Presents Facebook/ Instagram page.

Our 32nd Season

August 28, 2025

makers far and wide refer to their blended red wines as Bordeaux-style blends. In Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon is typically blended with Merlot, Malbec, Petite Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. As you likely have read in prior articles, the French believe that terroir – a combination of soil, climate, elevation, and winemaking tradition – is everything. Bordeaux is divided into the Right and Left Banks by the Garonne, Dordogne, and Gironde rivers. Both banks have Continental climates, but the Left Bank has a much stronger maritime influence due to its closer proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. This results in cooler summer temperatures than the Right Bank experiences. The soil of the Left Bank is composed of gravel, limestone, and clay. Having seen this firsthand on a trip last year, I would have thought this soil would be incapable of supporting vegetation, but it is perfect for growing Cabernet Sauvignon! The vines develop an incredible root structure that grows deep into the soil for nutrients and water. French winemakers would say that stressed vines produce grapes with more vibrant flavors, more balanced acidity, and smoother tannins. The Right Bank has less rocky, more fertile soil that is perfect for Merlot. So, why is Cabernet Sauvignon so popular, especially here in the United States? A report published earlier this year stated that the combined sales of rosé and white wines have now surpassed red wine. That said, among all wine drinkers in our country, Cabernet Sauvignon was the top pick, followed by Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Zinfandel. Cabernet Sauvignon has a flavor and texture that is well-suited to the American palate. Cab is dry and full-bodied, with smooth, rich tannins, mild acidity, and the robust flavor of dark fruit and notes of wood. This profile pairs well with the foods many Americans favor, including steak, barbecued meats, hamburgers, lamb, pizza, almost all Italian food with red sauce, meatloaf, beef stews, Yankee pot roast, cheesesteak sandwiches, and so on. It is extremely food-friendly with the traditional American diet. Cabernet Sauvignon is grown in nearly every major wine-producing country in the world. For recommendations, I’ll start in this wine’s homeland, France. Some French Bordeaux wine can be rather pricy, but the Chateau Haut Grignon - Medoc - Rouge and the Chateau Barreyres - La Griffe de Barreyres Haut-Medoc are excellent, award-winning examples of Left Bank, Cabernet Sauvignon dominant wines at prices you will not believe. These wines are smooth and dry with plenty of dark fruit flavor. Notably, the tannins in these wines have a level

August 28, 2025

of restraint that demonstrates the gravel soil and the mastery of centuries of winemaking in the region. A wonderful, splurge-worthy option is the Bouquet de Monbrison from Margaux. This wine is 74% Cabernet Sauvignon with a bit of Merlot and Cabernet Franc to round out the flavor profile. The United States has become the home away from home for Cabernet Sauvignon, with California Cabs being the most famous. The Mediterranean climate of the Golden State is great for growing wine grapes with awesome terroir. The climate provides

a long growing season, warm days, and cooler nights. The soil is rich in many of the minerals and nutrients that contribute to the wonderfully complex flavors of Cabernet Sauvignon. Two fantastic examples are the Juggernaut Hillside Cabernet and the Treanna Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon. From Carneros, California, the Truchard Cabernet Sauvignon is an outstanding example of one of California’s fastest-growing Cab appellations. Quick note, while each of these wines only lists Cabernet Sauvignon on the label, all of them have other varietals blended in. California

only requires a concentration of 75% to name the wine by that varietal alone. A great splurge-worthy wine from Napa Valley is the Post & Beam Cabernet Sauvignon by Far Niente Family of Vineyards. And finally, a few recommendations from areas you may not expect. From Washington State, try the Intrinsic - Cabernet Sauvignon. The Columbia Valley benefits from a maritime influence, much like the Left Bank of Bordeaux, providing moderate year-round temperatures in the Pacific Northwest. From South America, try the Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon from the Colchagua Valley of Chile or the El Esteco Don David Cabernet Sauvignon from the Calchaqui Valley, Argentina. Finally, from Australia, try Penfolds - Max's Cabernet Sauvignon. I hope you enjoyed this spotlight on Cabernet Sauvignon. As always, contact me with questions at dsetley@passionvines.com or stop by the Somers Point store. Until next time, Happy Cabernet Sauvignon 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.

Atlantic City Headliners

Thursday, August 28

Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena Get the Led Out

Magical Mystery Doors

▶8 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino

Sound Waves at Hard Rock George Thorogood and the Destroyers 8 p.m. Tropicana Showroom

Friday, August 29 Jimmy O. Yang

▶9 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino

Saturday, September 13

Saturday, August 30

I Love the 90s Tour w/ Vanilla Ice, Montell Jordan, Rob Base, Young MC & Joe Denim

Live & Collective Soul

▶6:30 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Gabriel ‘Fluffy’ Iglesias

▶8 p.m.

▶5 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.

Comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias performs two shows at the Borgata Event Center, Saturday, Aug. 30. Photo credit: Gabriel Iglesias Facebook

▶9 p.m.

▶7 p.m.

Borgata Event Center Will Dempsey Golden Nugget Atlantic City

Sunday, August 31 Changes in Latitudes

▶8 p.m.

Superstar Theater at Resorts The Super 70s Rock Show feat. Super Trans Am

Kennedy Plaza

Friday, September 5

Sound Waves at Hard Rock Maxwell

▶8 p.m.

Borgata Event Center John Daly

Friday, September 12

▶8 p.m.

Wednesday, September 3

▶8 p.m.

Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena The Machine

▶9 p.m.

▶8 p.m.

The Cowsills w/ The Weeklings

Old Dominion

▶7 p.m.

Garden State Live: Billy Walton, Twisted Livin’ & Debra Devi

▶4 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino

Saturday, September 6

Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena

Golden Nugget Atlantic City Voyage: Celebrating Journey Borgata Event Center

Buju Banton

▶8 p.m.

Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena Atlantic City Jazz Fest

▶7 p.m.

Sound Waves at Hard Rock

On Sale This Week Friday, Oct. 31

John Fogerty Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena

Saturday, Feb. 28

Sal Vulcano Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Tickets on sale Fri. Aug. 29, 10 a.m.

August 28, 2025

DISCOVER THE ALL NEW

Live & Local Music Calendar

Thursday, August 28

Atlantic City LandShark Bar & Grill Smokey Starr 4 – 8 p.m. 1133 Boardwalk Steel Pier Tiki Bar Troy Rusnack 7 – 11 p.m. 1000 Boardwalk The Deck at Golden Nugget B Street Band 7 – 11 p.m. 600 Huron Ave. The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Austin City Nights 7 – 11 p.m. 1000 Boardwalk Brigantine LaScala’s Beach House Stealing Savanah 6 – 10 p.m. 1400 Ocean Ave. Linwood Fox Den at LCC Adam Holcombe 6 – 10 p.m. 500 Shore Rd. Margate Betty’s Seafood Shack Cosmic Charlie 5 p.m. 9315 Amherst Ave. 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 2 Old Friends 6 – 9 p.m. 2 Broadway Crabby Jack’s Tommy Nic 6 – 9 p.m. 2 Broadway Fitzpatrick’s Glen Eric 5 – 8 p.m. 650 New Rd. Gregory’s Dion Paci 6 p.m. 900 Shore Rd. Josie Kelly’s B’Jam Band 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. 908 Shore Rd. The Point Billy Walton Band 6 – 10 p.m. 998 Bay Ave.

Friday, August 29

Atlantic City Anchor Rock Club All R&B: New Age vs. Classics 11 p.m. 247 S. New York Ave. Hard Rock Café No Standards 8:30 p.m. – 12 a.m. 1000 Boardwalk Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino Lisa Bouchelle Duo 7 p.m.

Happy Hour Everyday Mimosa Sundays Lunch & Dinner Everyday Breakfast & Brunch Fri, Sat, Sun

Stealing Savanah performs at LaScala’s Beach House, Thursday, Aug. 28. Photo credit: Stealing Savanah Facebook

August 28, 2025

The Brandon Ireland Band plays Caroline’s by the Bay, Friday, Aug. 29. Photo credit: Brandon Ireland Band Facebook The Royals 10 p.m. 500 Boardwalk Steel Pier Tiki Bar One Hot Mess 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 1000 Boardwalk The Deck at Golden Nugget M80 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 600 Huron Ave. The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock The Audio Files 5 – 8:30 p.m. 80’s Revolution 9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m. 1000 Boardwalk Villain and Saint at Ocean Casino The Coconutz 9 p.m. 500 Boardwalk Brigantine LaScala’s Beach House Kono Nations 6 – 10 p.m. 1400 Ocean Ave. Egg Harbor Township The Roost Pub & Grill Chris Yoder Band 6:30 p.m. 500 St. Andrews Dr. Galloway 279 Social Kenny Curcio Duo 7 – 10 p.m. 279 S. New York Rd. Linwood Fox Den at LCC Cosmic Charlie 6 – 10 p.m. 500 Shore Rd. Margate Bocca Common Ground Acoustic Duo 7 – 10 p.m. 7805 Ventnor Ave. Johnny’s Café DJ Frankie Strati 6 p.m.

August 28, 2025

9407 Ventnor Ave. Maynard’s Café Aaron & Eve 6 – 9 p.m. 9306 Amherst Ave. Memories LeCompt 8 – 11 p.m. 9518 Amherst Ave. Ventura’s Greenhouse Steve Moore & Company 6:30 p.m. 106 S. Benson Ave. Marmora Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern The Turtleheads 6 p.m. 316 Roosevelt Blvd. Somers Point Caroline’s by the Bay Brandon Ireland Band

4 – 8 p.m. The Core Band 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 450 Bay Ave. Crab Trap Lew London & Bob Mower 6 – 9 p.m. 2 Broadway Crabby Jack’s Jeff X 6 – 9 p.m. 2 Broadway Josie Kelly’s The Bumpuses 9 p.m. 908 Shore Rd. Tuckerton The Lizzie Rose Music Room Katie Henry 7:30 p.m. 217 E. Main St.

↘Continued on 68

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Jawn of the Dead performs a Grateful Dead tribute at Anchor Rock Club, Saturday, Aug. 30. Photo credit: Jawn of the Dead Facebook

↘Continued from 67

Saturday, August 30

Atlantic City Anchor Rock Club Jawn of the Dead: Grateful Dead Tribute 8 p.m. 247 S. New York Ave. Borgata Beer Garden No Filter 1 – 5 p.m. 1 Borgata Way Hard Rock Café Dan Jost & Friends 8:30 p.m. – 12 a.m. 1000 Boardwalk Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino Andrew Moorer Duo 7 p.m. Steal the Sky 10 p.m. 500 Boardwalk Steel Pier Tiki Bar Teddi Fusco 3 – 7 p.m. 1000 Boardwalk The Baywalk at Harrah’s Chris Yoder Band 2 – 6 p.m. 777 Harrah’s Blvd. The Deck at Golden Nugget The Exceptions 2:30 – 6:30 p.m. Don’t Call Me Francis 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 600 Huron Ave. The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Jumper 5 – 8:30 p.m. Embers the Band 9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m. 1000 Boardwalk The Terrace at Hard Rock Gypsy Joe Vlado

7 – 9 p.m. 1000 Boardwalk Villain and Saint at Ocean Casino Incognito 9 p.m. 500 Boardwalk Wyndham Skyline Tower Magic Comedy Hour feat. Joe Holiday 4 p.m. & 7 p.m. 100 S. North Carolina Ave. Brigantine LaScala’s Beach House The Whitewalls 1 – 5 p.m. FM Band 6 – 10 p.m. 1400 Ocean Ave. Galloway 279 Social Originaire 7 – 10 p.m. 279 S. New York Rd. Linwood Fox Den at LCC Go Ham 6 – 10 p.m. 500 Shore Rd. Margate Bocca Petty Cash 7:30 – 10:30 p.m. 7805 Ventnor Ave. Johnny’s Café DJ Johnny Looch 8 p.m. 9407 Ventnor Ave. Maynard’s Café Mas Tequila Orchestra 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. 9306 Amherst Ave. Marmora Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern Going Rogue 6 p.m. 316 Roosevelt Blvd.

August 28, 2025

The Point Cheers the Band 6 – 10 p.m. 998 Bay Ave. Tuckerton The Lizzie Rose Music Room Janis Joplin Experience starring Lisa Polizzi 7:30 p.m. 217 E. Main St. Ventnor Ventnor Coffee Open Mic 6 – 9 p.m. 108 N. Dorset Ave.

Sunday, August 31

The Exceptions perform at The Deck at Golden Nugget on Sunday, Aug. 31. Photo credit: The Exceptions Facebook Somers Point Caroline’s by the Bay Dr. Phil & The Heart Attacks 4 – 8 p.m. X-Stream Band 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 450 Bay Ave. Crab Trap Lew London & Bob Mower 6 – 9 p.m. 2 Broadway Crabby Jack’s

August 28, 2025

Doug Jennings 1 – 4 p.m. 2 Broadway Fitzpatrick’s Phil Stocker 5 – 8 p.m. 650 New Rd. Josie Kelly’s Mid Life Crisis Band 8 p.m. 908 Shore Rd.

Atlantic City Borgata Beer Garden The Nutz 1 – 5 p.m. 1 Borgata Way Hard Rock Café Camille K Band 8:30 p.m. – 12 a.m. 1000 Boardwalk Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino Originaire Duo 7 p.m. The Benjamins 10 p.m. 500 Boardwalk

The Baywalk at Harrah’s New Normal 1 – 5 p.m. 777 Harrah’s Blvd. The Deck at Golden Nugget The Exceptions 2:30 – 6:30 p.m. Cheers the Band 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 600 Huron Ave. The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock The Loop 4 – 7:30 p.m. Turning the Tide 8:30 – 11:30 p.m. 1000 Boardwalk Brigantine LaScala’s Beach House Incognito 12 – 4 p.m. Goodman Fiske 5 – 9 p.m. 1400 Ocean Ave. Galloway 279 Social Evan Emerle 12 – 3 p.m. 279 S. New York Rd. Margate Maynard’s Café Quixote Project Duo 6 – 9 p.m. 9306 Amherst Ave. Memories DJ Joel Stephens

Devon Allman keeping the blues alive at the Jersey Shore

Tune In, Turn On With Doug Deutsch

t’s a lot to label someone the future of the blues, yet what we witnessed last week, when Devon Allman’s Blues Summit came to Atlantic City, clearly felt like the most successful way to keep the genre alive. While beloved by its core audience, the blues audience is aging into their 50s and beyond, while not being replaced by a younger crowd. Maybe those 30-somethings need to pay more attention to Devon Allman’s Blues Summit when they come to town. Allman, 53, is no stranger to Atlantic City, having performed here last summer as part of Tony Mart

Mitch Ryder, who performed with his band the Detroit Wheels at Tony Mart’s in the 1960s, will play the last Somers Point beach concert of the season Friday, Sept. 12. Photo by Alejandro Saldana

Presents Mardi Gras Concerts on the Boardwalk, with Allman Betts Band in June at the Borgata, and again last Wednesday (another Tony Mart show). The concert was moved inside to the Claridge’s Celebrity Theatre due to inclement weather, the second consecutive year this happened, but that did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the packed theatre, which holds 550 people. Devon didn’t come to town alone. The musical friends he brought along included legendary harpist/frontman Jimmy Hall – ex-lead frontman of Southern rock greats Wet Willie, and longtime band leader for Hank Williams Jr., who played with Devon’s dad in Gregg Allman Band. The lineup included respected New Orleans-based blues ‘n’ soul singer Sierra Green, and veteran blues guitar ace Larry McCray. Also in Allman’s band: in-demand Hammond B-3

keyboardist (and Morristown, NJ native) John Ginty; and Jackson Stokes who, besides playing lead guitar for Devon Allman’s Blues Summit, fronts his own successful band and has been playing on the road professionally over half of his life (he’s just 31). Assembling a touring ensemble of this magnitude not only shows there’s always strength in numbers, it’s also the smartest, most effective way to package an album featuring multiple artists such as Devon Allman’s latest. Ruf Records has a history of putting together successful ensemble tours such as their yearly, multi-artist Blues Caravan, and last year’s wildly popular Ruf 30th Anniversary Tour featuring Samantha Fish, Canned Heat, Mitch Ryder and others (more Ryder later). “Devon Allman really put that show together brilliantly,” said Tony Mart promoter Carmen Marotta. “It was so well-orchestrated and managed with Jimmy Hall playing the leads and Larry McCray showing his soulful blues guitar artistry. Devon and his fellow gui-

Saturday, September 6, 2025 8:00 p.m.

Circus Maximus Theater

Hosted by Carson Kressley and featuring Miss’d America 2025 Aria B. Cassadine The Melanie Rice Orchestra * The Miss’d America Dancers

Tickets: $25.00

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August 28, 2025

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Veal • Chicken • Seafood • Pizza • Pasta • Subs Salads • Party Trays • Gluten Free Pizza & Pasta From left are Devon Allman, Ghalia Volt and Jackson Stokes.Photo by John Loresux tarist in Blues Summit (Stokes) were fabulous, and Sierra Green really lit it up with New Orleans neo-soul. The way all those players performed the different elements of Devon’s legacy and Americana blues-rock music was a truly rewarding experience.” After a spirited solo opening set by Belgium-born guitarist/vocalist Ghalia Volt, who also records for Ruf, Allman and company took the stage. What unfolded was the perfect ensemble set: A few songs by Devon and the band, then a few by Hall, Green, and McCray, with a terrific ensemble rendition of Allman Brothers Band classic, “Midnight Rider,” at the end. Devon shined on his guitar solo during another ABB gem, “Melissa.” This, friend, is the future of the blues. Allman, and the folks who manage him. Rueben Williams/Thunderbird Management, who was in AC for the show, are leading the way. The aforementioned Ryder, who turned 80 in February, first performed at the famed Tony Mart nightclub back in the 1960s. He’s still rockin’ and recording new music, releasing two well-received records on Ruf in 2024. Ryder will headline Tony Mart’s final free Somers Point beach concert of the season 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12. “In his several wildly popular performances at Tony Mart in the early 1960s, Mitch Ryder was intense and hard-core as a serious rock and roller before many others were,” said Marotta. “His soulful driving rock, and his fabulous stage show with the tight Detroit Wheels (band), made him the perfect choice for Tony Mart when he needed a headliner to replace the tremendously popular Levon and the Hawks when Bob Dylan took them away from Tony Mart’s in late August of 1965. “Mitch Ryder gave Tony Mart’s a wild and memorable end to the greatest musical summer at the iconic rock and roll bar in South Jersey.” Happy Labor Day! Be safe everyone.

August 28, 2025

Doug is the owner/operator of Doug Deutsch Publicity Services, which since 1995 has been servicing nationally touring acts, and working record release campaigns for clients. Doug also hàs experience writing for the one time shore-based weekly publication, Whoot! He also was a team member with Chip Braymes Advertising. Doug loves bicycling and aspires to bring the Blues to Atlantic City. He can be reached at ShoreLocalDoug@ gmail.com and www.facebook. com/dougdeutschpublicity.

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Gateway Playhouse presents Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Into the Woods’

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ollowing a tremendous Williams and Bernadette Peters, who response to auditions with have famously performed some of more than 100 people vying Sondheim’s most beloved characters for a role, Gateway Playhouse from the show in other stage and of Somers Point will present Stephen screen versions, as well as to endeavSondheim’s classic musical “Into the or to make them relevant for today’s audiences. Woods” from Sept. 25 through Oct. 5 with two casts. For the first time ever, Gateway will have Thursday- night performances in addition to Friday and Saturday evenings, plus Sunday matinees. With words and music by Sondheim and book by James Lapine, “Into the Rebecca Worthington and Danielle Cordivari portray the Baker’s Woods” beautifully Wife and Cinderella, respectively, in Gateway Playhouse’s blends the plots of production of Stephen Sondheim’s classic take on popular fairy multiple Brothers tales ‘Into the Woods.' Grimm fairy tales, with main characters taken from “Little Red Riding Two cast members who are embracing the challenge are Molly Hood,” “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “Rapunzel” and “Cinderella.” The musical Pugliese as Cinderella and Toni Ann revolves around a childless baker and Pugliese as Cinderella’s mother — a his wife who, in order to conceive, real-life mother-and-daughter team must venture deep into the woods from Egg Harbor Township. Both have to find an array of magical items – a serious acting and performance chops, white cow, a red cape, yellow hair and as mom Toni Ann was the original “Mola gold slipper — to break a curse. ly” in the 1982 movie “Annie” starring “Into the Woods” is a brilliant theCarol Burnett, and daughter Molly atrical dichotomy. It’s a bright and is currently Miss South Jersey 2025 lively fantasy, but one that also dives within the Miss America Opportunity. into the darker side of fairy tales, “Into the Woods” marks the first prompting the characters to question time that the Gateway will have perwhat really happens following “once formances on Thursdays. The cusupon a time.” tomer-focused decision was finalized “‘Into the Woods’ is about dreams, by Gateway’s board after discovering choices and consequences, and ulthat audience demand for tickets this timately, how we learn to face the season has far surpassed expectations. unknown together,” said Phil Pallitto, “Audience satisfaction is our No. 1 Gateway’s artistic director and the priority, so we listened to their feedback and are happily opening up our director of this show. “At its heart, ‘Into the Woods’ is about communitheater on Thursday nights for ‘Into ty. It asks: ‘What do we do when the the Woods’ to satisfy the demand,” stories we told ourselves no longer said Katie Calvi, board president. “We hold up?’ And ‘how do we stand toare so excited to offer this additional gether when the world feels broken?’ night to Gateway audiences and truly In a time when division often feels give them what they’re asking for.” easier than unity, Into the Woods “Into the Woods” takes place 7 p.m. Sept. 25-27 and Oct. 2-4, 2 challenges us to find strength in connection, compassion and the stories p.m. Sept. 28 and Oct. 5. Tickets for we share.” “Into the Woods” are $25 at GatePallitto is challenging his talented wayByTheBay.org and at the Karen casts to bring their unique interS. Sutherland Box Office. Gateway pretation to each role and to avoid Playhouse is located at 738 Bay Ave., becoming a “carbon copy” of popular Somers Point. For info, go to Gateactors and actresses, such as Vanessa wayByTheBay.org.

August 28, 2025

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Remembering when Miss America became a modern woman

Remembering When By Chuck Darrow

t wasn’t the best of times for the Miss America Pageant. By the time the 1970s dawned, American society was significantly different than it had been just a decade earlier. Among the most visible and wide-ranging changes were those in the status and “acceptable” behavior of women. American women no longer accepted the role that was depicted in such 1950s TV shows as “Leave It to Beaver” and “Father Knows Best.” Those and other programs portrayed women as adjuncts to their husbands whose only value was as homemakers and mothers. And younger women were pushing back against the notion that

2017 Miss America finalist Kaitlyn Schoeffel of Egg Harbor Township Photo credit: Donald B. Kravitz

their only responsibility was to be as attractive as possible in order to land a husband, regardless of their talents and intellectual capacities. But those were the philosophies the Miss America Pageant seemed to be upholding even as the ’70s melted into the 1980s and those views likewise dissolved to a large degree. But the Miss America Pageant still appeared to buttress the outmoded ideals of womanhood. By the late 1980s, the annual contest — still a crucial part of Atlantic City’s identity — had become a joke to a large number of Americans because it had not adjusted to the times. To them, it was still a “beauty pageant” that objectified young women and generally presented them as vacuous trophies. But all of that changed in 1987 when a local attorney named Leonard Horn assumed the position of president and CEO of the Miss America Organization (MAO), based in Atlantic City at the time. Horn had been a member of the MAO board. As a matter of fact, he became the entity’s first paid CEO during a phone call with his prede-

August 28, 2025

cessor, Albert Marks Jr.; he’d called Marks to proffer his resignation from the organization’s directorate but hung up as the new boss. From the jump, Horn, who served in the position until 1999 when he resigned to move to his wife’s hometown in Tennessee and resume his law career, recognized the beloved, 66-year-old competition was pathetically behind the times. “We used to have state pageants sending us 21 year olds that looked like 40-year-old Stepford Wives," he told the Washington Post in 1996. "Society had changed. Women had changed. I didn't want people turning on the TV and thinking they had stepped into a time warp.” Horn was especially inspired to drag the pageant into the late-20th century by Miss America 1988 Kaye Lani Rae Rafko, whose traditional post-victory press conference included the 24-yearold contestant from Michigan speaking about her work as an oncology nurse. Among the topics she referenced was the very un-Miss-America subject of death. Prompted by reporters, she also addressed such foreign-to-the-pageant topics as AIDS and assisted suicide. According to a 2021 article on lithub.com, Horn was galvanized by Rafko’s remarks and thought to himself, “Why can’t we have this every

August 28, 2025

year?” As CEO, he was in a position to make that a reality, and the 1989 Miss America Pageant introduced the “platform issue” portion of the event. Not only were contestants judged in the traditional talent, swimsuit and evening gown categories, now they had to adopt — and give a formal speech about — a cause for which they’d be activists throughout their reign as Miss America. Creating the platform portion of the competition was one of several radical changes Horn implemented. Among others were banning the wearing of high heels during the swimsuit-judging segment, prohibiting professional hairdressers from being in the contestants’ dressing rooms and rebranding the event as a “scholarship pageant.” But it was the institution of the platform issue that proved to be Horn’s most controversial move; pageant purists hated the idea of reality intruding on the anachronistic world the contest had existed in for decades. But Horn was adamant, and today, the platform requirement for contestants is as much a part of the Miss America experience as the winner’s crown and scepter. Chuck Darrow has spent more than 40 years writing about Atlantic City casinos.

The Who cancels Atlantic City concert Legendary rock band’s farewell tour hits a bump in the road

he Who postponed their show due to take place last Saturday, Aug. 23 Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall due to illness, the band announced Friday, Aug. 22 on social media. “Unfortunately due to illness we had to postpone the shows in Philadelphia on August 21 and Atlantic City on August 23,” stated the band. “Hang onto your tickets as we work quickly to schedule a new date. Thank you.” No information about who is ill or the nature of the illness has been released. Atlantic City was set to be the fourth stop on The Who’s “The Song Is Over North America Farewell Tour” dates, which began Aug. 16 in Florida. The Rock and Roll Hall of

Fame group features original singer Roger Daltrey, 81 and guitarist Pete Townshend, 80. With hits like “My Generation,” “Baba O’Riley,” “Behind Blue Eyes” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again:, The Who performed at the original Woodstock festival in 1969 and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

Atlantic City vintage collectibles: Memories are made of these By Bruce Klauber

ome folks collect stamps. Others collect rare coins, vintage musical instruments, Barbie dolls, VHS videos or

celebrity autographs. And yes, some people collect all kinds of Atlantic City memorabilia. While the market for Atlantic City collectibles is not as large as the market for stamps or coins, it is nonetheless quite impressive. These vintage Atlantic City collectibles include matchbook covers, restaurant menus, show programs, ashtrays, photographs, old books about the shore, postcards, posters, jewelry,

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ticket stubs, plates and cutlery from long-gone hotels, newspapers, magazines, and unauthorized video and audio recordings of live Atlantic City concerts. A clearinghouse for many of these items is Bob Ruffolo’s Princeton Antiques Book Shop, profiled in these pages recently, as well as Ruffolo’s in-the-works website, atlanticcitymemorbilia.com. There are also several area antiques markets including Days of Olde Antiques and Collectibles on Route 9 in Galloway Township. But the undisputed, go-to stop for “all things vintage Atlantic City” is eBay, where the selection and sheer number of available items is astounding in scope and size. Those new to the world of collecting vintage Atlantic City memorabilia ask pretty much the same question: Is any of this stuff worth anything? It depends on the type of item, the condition, the age, the scarcity and demand, and a number of other variables. Ebay has more than 14,000 Atlantic City-focused postcards described

as “vintage” up for bid or sale. The highest minimum bid price for postcards is currently $199.99 for a lot of 98 vintage cards. For a single card, bids begin at $124.95 for an 1890 card that features a photo of a long-forgotten pharmacy called Deakyne’s. What’s fascinating about matchbooks is that many of them come from places we never knew existed, and each one represents a small piece of history. A matchbook from the city’s longgone Blue Hawaii Restaurant has a starting bid of $150, likely because of its rarity. This Polynesian restaurant was actually located within the President Towers and Apartments building, on Albany Avenue and the Boardwalk, during the 1968 to 1978 period when the historic President Hotel, which was imploded in 1979, was an apartment building. Then there’s the matchbook from Michael J. Fiore’s Famous Riptide Room, located in The Hotel Penn-Atlantic at South Carolina and Atlantic avenues. Bidding starts at $45. Interestingly, Fiore became one of the managers of the famed Hack-

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A poster advertising The Rat Pack at the 500 Club is clearly a fake as Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dean Martin were never billed as ‘The Rat Pack’ or ‘The Pack’ for their performances.

ney ’s seafood restaurant, and later joined the management team at the Shelburne and Dennis hotels. All this history, just from a little book of matches. Ashtrays generally get a higher asking price than other collec tibles, presumably because of their scarcity, weight and permanence as a collectible. A starting bid of $225 will get the auction bids rolling for an ashtray from the Flamingo Motel. In 2010, the Flamingo, still located at 3101 Pacific Ave., got a $2 million makeover, which included elimination of the somewhat infamous cocktail lounge. The infamy occurred in February of 1978 when

Judge Edwin Helfant was shot five times by Nicholas Virgilio, a convicted mobster and associate of crime boss Nicodemo “Little Nicky” Scarfo. It was said that Judge Helfant accepted a bribe to fix Virgilio’s impending court sentencing, but the judge failed to make the promised arrangements. In organized crime circles, that’s generally a no-no. Another popular, collectible ashtray comes from Alfred’s Villa, a once-popular Italian restaurant located at 3413 Pacific Ave., just down the block from another well-remembered Italian eatery called Lido Village, at 3006 Atlantic Ave. Not a lot is known about Alfred’s except that it had seven dining rooms, that it billed itself as “One of America’s Most Picturesque Restaurants,” and that it was likely in existence from the early 1950s until the mid-1960s. Vintage photographs command some of the highest starting bids on eBay, especially those listed with the “panoramic photo” description. A photo described as a “1943 Miss America Pageant Steel Pier 40.5-inch Panoramic Photo” has a starting bid of $699.99, while a panoramic photo, taken on the Boardwalk of what is said to be “IBM’s first sales office,” commands $6,000 as a starting bid. On the more reasonable side at $5,000 is a negative, said to be from a

late 1920s Atlantic City air show, that shows Curtiss B-2 Condor military bi-planes over the city. It looks real enough, but there is, of course, no way of authenticating it. The old adage, “let the buyer beware,” should specifically apply to those interested in the Atlantic City vintage poster market, as there are a lot of fakes out there. For example, a Steel Pier poster advertising Frank Sinatra, featured with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra from 1942, is an obvious fake as Mr. S., in those days, never got top billing over his employer, Tommy Dorsey. Likewise, a poster advertising The Rat Pack at the 500 Club in 1962, is also clearly a fake as Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dean Martin were never publicly billed as “The Rat Pack” or “The Pack.” A Steel Pier poster advertising Gene Krupa’s 1967 appearance, is also clearly bogus, in that it reads, “One Night Only! Sunday, August 6th” Krupa’s Steel Pier appearances from 1939 through 1967 were never for one night. Krupa always played for one week. Other, ultra-expensive Atlantic City collectibles include Beatles concert ticket stubs, which list in the $1,000 to $2,000 range, and various

↘Continued on 78

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A ticket for the Aug. 30, 1964 appearance by The Beatles at Atlantic City Convention Hall will run you upwards of $2,000 on eBay.

↘Continued from 77 items from hotel/casinos no longer with us, including the Playboy, Sands, Trump Plaza and Taj Mahal. The winner in terms of the highest starting bid for any item is $8,965 for a Patek Philippe 18K watch, said to be from the 1940s or 1950s, and “in beautiful original condition,” according to the description. What makes this so valuable, according to the seller, is that the watch is engraved to Elwood Kirkman, a wealthy Atlantic City banker who was closely associated with legendary state Senator and Republican political boss Frank “Hap” Farley. Lest you think there is no market for such an expensive item, note that, as of this writing, 14 people from around the world are thinking about placing a bid. Those thinking about taking up collecting Atlantic City memorabilia as a hobby need to be careful, as “certificates of authentication” are frequently not worth more than the paper they’re printed on. And if anyone tries to sell you a ticket stub to Elvis Presley’s appearance at the Steel Pier in 1958, pass it by. Elvis never appeared in Atlantic City.

Bidding for an ashtray from the Flamingo Motel starts at $225.

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

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Overcoming the end-of-summer blues and finding joy in what’s next

Healthy Living By Robin Stoloff

h, summer—carefree days, warm weather, and plenty of time outdoors. There’s something special about long beach days, backyard barbecues, and boardwalk nights with family and friends. That’s why so many of us cringe when the first back-to-school ads appear or pumpkins pop up in the supermarket. Summer barely feels underway, and suddenly fall is at our doorstep. By Labor Day, it can seem as if summer has passed in the blink of an eye. Here in South Jersey, late August means kids swap flip-flops for sneakers and sandcastles for school

desks. But it’s not just children who feel that pang of back-to-school anxiety. Parents shoulder the pressure of schedules, carpools and endless to-do lists. Even adults without kids often experience their own version of “end-of-summer sadness.” The shift from easygoing summer days to the

structure of September can be tough on everyone. The first step in managing these emotions is to acknowledge them. Kids may worry about new teachers, classmates or homework. Parents often stress about balancing work and family demands. Others simply grieve

the loss of a season they love. Instead of brushing aside these feelings, it helps to recognize them as a normal part of seasonal change. For children, reassurance goes a long way. Studies show nearly one in three kids feels heightened stress during the back-to-school season. Let them know nerves are normal and usually fade once they get into the rhythm of school again. Creating structure can also smooth the transition. A simple morning routine—such as laying out clothes, packing lunches or planning breakfast—sets the stage for a calmer day. Building independence is another helpful step. Younger kids can practice opening their lunchboxes or walking to the bus stop. Older students may benefit from organizing supplies or learning to use a planner. These small actions boost confidence and reduce uncertainty, which is often at the root of anxiety. Parents, meanwhile, need to keep tabs on their own stress. Children are like emotional sponges; they pick

↘Continued on 82

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up on your energy. If you’re frazzled, they’ll feel it. Give yourself permission to let go of perfection. Mornings won’t always run smoothly, and that’s OK. Showing your kids that you can handle transitions with patience and flexibility will help them do the same. Even if you don’t have school-aged children, it’s common to feel the letdown of summer ending. Psychologists call this “transitional stress.” The slower pace, long evenings and rituals we’ve come to love are suddenly behind us. One way to ease the sting is to keep a bit of summer alive. Take a September beach walk, host a barbecue on a warm evening or eat dinner outdoors. Plan something to look forward to, like a weekend getaway, a bike ride or a cozy fall dinner with friends. Shifting your mindset from what you’re losing to what’s ahead makes the transition easier. Here’s the good news: fall truly brings its own kind of magic. The crisp air, colorful leaves and new routines can be refreshing after the intensity of summer. Pumpkin spice may get all the attention, but autumn also offers crisp apples, hearty soups and evenings made for blankets and movies. It’s a season to reset, recharge and enjoy traditions that only come once a year.

September at the Shore is underrated. Locals know it, and visitors who vacation at this time get the best of both worlds. The weather is still warm, the ocean water is often at its peak temperature, and the sunsets are breathtaking, but the crowds are thinner, the traffic lighter and it’s much easier to get a dinner reservation at your favorite restaurant. For many, September is the best time of year here. It’s summer without the stress. So, while back-to-school season and the close of summer will always bring mixed emotions, they don’t have to overwhelm us. Whether you’re helping kids adjust to a new classroom or managing your own end-of-summer blues, remember that every season brings something valuable. Summer may be winding down, but joy doesn’t end with Labor Day. At the Jersey Shore, September is a gift, and fall offers countless opportunities to slow down, savor and embrace what’s next. Robin is a former television reporter for NBC News 40. She currently hosts a podcast and radio program called Living Well with Robin Stoloff. It airs Sundays at 10 AM on Lite 96.9. You can email Robin at livingwellwithrobin@gmail.com

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id you know that, according to a blog post by Sanskriti Jain on getastra. com, cybersecurity statistics indicate that there are 2,200 cyber attacks per day, with a cyber attack happening every 39 seconds on average? Many cybercriminals are using social engineering to access computer systems, gather information, or make money. Social engineering is when someone tries to manipulate you into performing an action or sharing confidential information,

and unfortunately, most successful attacks are caused by human error. If you educate yourself about some common social engineering methods, you may be able to recognize them and stay safe from an attempted attack. There are several different social engineering methods that cybercriminals may use to trick you. Here are three common methods and examples of each one: 1. Malicious links Cybercriminals may use malicious links to trick you into downloading dangerous software or opening an unsafe webpage. You may receive a phishing email, which is an email that may try to convince you to share sensitive information, click an unsafe link, or even download a malicious attachment. For example, you might receive an email with a link to access track-

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ing information for a shipment. If the email appears legitimate, you may be tempted to click the link, which could download malicious software that allows the cybercriminal to control your computer. 2. Fake webpages Cybercriminals may create fake webpages to trick you into logging into the website or entering sensitive information. For example, you may receive a phishing email containing a link to LinkedIn. If you click on the link and enter your login credentials, the cybercriminal now has those credentials and can log into your actual LinkedIn account. Now they can view your personal information and change your password, preventing you from further accessing your account. Another very common example is phishing emails containing links to DocuSign. 3. Impersonation Cybercriminals may impersonate a celebrity or even someone you know to try and trick you into revealing sensitive information, clicking an unsafe link, or downloading a malicious attachment. For example, you

could receive a phone call from a cybercriminal posing as your internet provider. They could tell you your payment is overdue and mention your account number and date of birth, which may lead you to provide your payment information. These types of impersonation attacks can also occur over email, text message or social media. So how do you stay safe from social engineering? Here are some tips you can use to help protect yourself: ● Before clicking on a link, hover your mouse over the link to make sure that the link is secure and matches the website you’re looking for. ● Instead of clicking a link or a button in an email to go to a website, visit the website directly by entering the URL into your address bar. ● Before sharing any sensitive information, such as your date of birth or banking information, you should always verify that the source you’re sharing the information with is legitimate. ● If someone you know messages you to ask questions about your organization or sends you a link, you should contact that person directly to make sure the request

is legitimate. If a message or call seems suspicious, it is likely suspicious. By taking a few minutes to exercise caution before clicking on links or providing sensitive information, etc, you may be able to prevent a cyber attack from occurring. Register for our upcoming elder fraud seminar on Oct. 8 by visiting the following link: https://www.reichassetmanagement. com/events. 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.

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Channeling the ’60s and ’70s at the ‘Brady Bunch’ home

Real Estate Matters By Elisa Jo Eagan

his summer has brought me back to memories of my childhood, growing up in the 1960s and 1970s here in our Shore Local area. When I was 4 years old, in the summer of 1966, my father, mother and I were living in Margate, on Amherst Avenue in the newly built Benson Court Apartments, located across the street from the Bay and Ray Scott’s Docks, the area known as the Barbary Coast. My father, William Eagan, worked at NAFEC (the National Aviation Facilities Experimental Center), and known today as the William J Hughes

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the sale didn’t go through. He was disappointed, yet still determined to buy a home for us. As the search continued, my dad met with a Margate builder named Mr. Mahoney, who had started to develop and build homes “off shore” on the Mainland in Northfield, which was closer to my dad’s work, and where a number of builders at the time were developing new neighborhoods. There was a strong demand for housing in the growing Atlantic City area. This beautiful new neighborhood included Oakview Drive and Holly Drive. I remember my mom and dad driving over the old Margate Bridge Causeway with me in the backseat as we went to look at this neighborhood. My father wanted the vacant lot located at 12 Oakview Drive. But Mr. Mahoney said, “I am sorry, Bill, Mr. and Mrs. Holmes (who were living in Linwood at the time), just gave me a deposit and they will be building their home there.” As things were meant to be, my father and mother ended up purchasing a Notaro-built home at 11 Henry Drive near Birch Grove Park, and everyone ended up living happily ever after in my great American hometown of Northfield. The closing for 12 Oakview for Mr. and Mrs. Holmes was May 1, 1967. For our home, at 11 Henry Drive, it was May 7, 1967. All went well, proving that sometimes dreams really do come true. In June, I received a referral and a phone call from the grandsons of the original Oakview Drive owner, Peggy Holmes, who recently passed

away at the age of 91. When they called me and I met with them both, all of the treasured memories flooded back, and in unison we said, “The Brady Bunch House,” referring to the home located at 12 Oakview. It was what we all affectionately called it growing up. This custom, multi-level home is filled with details that make you feel like you’re stepping back in time, from the homesite and the circular drive framed with tall trees, to the exterior of brick, the orange front door with center doorknob, and the unique architecture of the windows and planters. This home is the ’60s and ’70s preserved in a time capsule. The original 1960s Frigidaire Flair Electric Range Oven is a piece of pure history that belongs in either the Smithsonian, or at least a Frigidaire museum of appliances, if there is one. It’s a marvel. The great room with original hardwood floors has a brick, wood-burning fireplace and beamed ceilings, an original orange sectional sofa and a baby grand piano. The triple stairway has the original, wrought iron railings, leading upstairs to rooms that Mike, Carol and the whole “Brady Bunch” gang would have loved. There’s a Marsha-, Jan- and Cindy-inspired pink bedroom with shag carpet. The primary suite is huge with a private bath, sitting room, dressing room and even a huge balcony that overlooks the beautiful surrounding neighborhood, backyard, bikepath and the Northfield Clocktower. On another ’60s note. Remember “Hey Hey We’re the Monkees”? Well, “I’m a Believer!” I had an awesome time walking down Memory Lane on Monday, Aug. 11, on the Ocean City Music Pier. Micky Dolenz, the last survivor at 81 years old, of the 1960s TV show, “The Monkees” was live. “The Monkees” entertained the audience with awesome, storytelling songs from the 1960s and 1970s, and a wonderful time was had by all, singing and dancing to the music. I even got an original logo drumhead autographed by Micky Dolenz and the Monkees. For More Real Estate Questions, Information and Advice Contact Elisa Jo Eagan "The Real Estate Godmother" (609)703-0432 and Remember..."There's No Place Like Owning Your Own Home!"

August 28, 2025

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

Test Your Local Knowledge

ASBURY ATLANTIC CENTRAL FIRE LANDIS MILL MOSSMILL OCEANHEIGHTS PACIFIC PITNEY SHORE STAGECOACH WASHINGTON WESLEY ZION

This was the first Atlantic City casino to open back in 1978: a) Caesars b) Resorts International c) Trump Plaza d) Tropicana

2. What do you call the elastic rope that attaches to a surfer's ankle? a) Leash b) Cord c) Keeper d) Rubber band 3. These pedal-powered fourwheeled vehicles roll down the Ocean City boardwalk. a) Wheelie b) Coaster c) Push Cart d) Surrey

5. These prehistoric crabs thrive along our shores: a) Hermit Crab b) Helmet Crab c) Needle Nose Crab d) Horseshoe Crab Bonus Question! What Cape May County town on Route 9 could be accused of false advertising? Answers on page 60. All Correct - SURELY LOCAL. You’ve got sand in your toes and pines needles by your feet. 4 correct - SOLID LOCAL. You know your way around. 3 correct - SEMI LOCAL. Not born and raised, but not bad. 1 or 2 correct - NEWBIE. Take another exit. You should get around more. All incorrect - SHOOBIE – Welcome to South Jersey. The beach is that way.

4. Since this town's beach-side walkway is made of concrete, its called the promenade. a) Sea Isle b) Atlantic City c) Margate d) Avalon

SHORE FUNNY 1/2

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August 28, 2025

OPEN FROM 11AM CLOSED MONDAY

609-645-0500 THEME: MOVIE ANIMALS

SUDOKU Solution on page 94

ACROSS 1. Deli side 5. *"Breakfast at Tiffany's" animal 8. Songs for one 12. What formica and biochemical have in common 13. Prefix for partly 14. Dark 15. Crew equipment, pl. 16. Steinbeck's "East of ____" 17. Golf shirt 18. *"Marmaduke" animal 20. *"Away & Back" animal 21. Game "field" 22. Slightly insane 23. Casual top 26. Vending machine 30. Rocks, to a bartender 31. Bowling prop 34. Lush 35. Trots and canters 37. Broadcasting medium 38. Inflammatory swelling 39. Highland tongue 40. Sock pattern 42. Bring into play 43. Go back over 45. Theater passages 47. Part of a cheer 48. Lump of anything 50. Milo and Otis, e.g. 52. *"Dunston Checks In" animal 56. Wheel on a spur 57. CISC alternative 58. Private theater box 59. Resembling wings 60. MacFarlane or Rogen 61. Go-____ 62. *Bullseye, Hamm and Lotso Bear, e.g. 63. Lyric poem 64. Immediately, doctor's jargon

DOWN 1. Air quality concern 2. Fibber 3. Farm measure 4. Sushi condiment 5. Natural moth repellent 6. To change, as in the U.S. Constitution 7. Fork prong 8. *"Harry Potter" animal (2 words) 9. Earthenware pot 10. *"Born Free" animal 11. I in T.G.I.F. 13. Administer diazepam 14. When Cinderella wins 19. Civil wrongs 22. "Some Nights" band 23. *"Life of Pi" animal 24. Close call 25. Bank job 26. Gossamer 27. Cry like #5 Across 28. Liquorice flavored herb 29. Hues 32. Backgammon predecessor 33. *"Babe" animal 36. *"Anchorman" and "The Wizard of Oz" animals 38. Kundera's "Unbearable Lightness of ____" 40. "That feels good!" exclamation 41. Set in motion 44. Like a go-getter bird 46. Lies in ambush 48. Wept 49. It makes waste? 50. Singular of #17 Across 51. Home versus ____ game 52. Guesstimate phrase (2 words) 53. To perfection (3 words) 54. Taj Mahal city 55. As opposed to gross 56. *"Willard" animal See Solution on Page 94

August 28, 2025

Weekly Horoscopes

The Cosmic Connection By Ursula Duffy

strology, by definition, is the study of time and light. It is an art that has been utilized by humanity for millennia to provide a better understanding of how the cosmos affects life on Earth. One’s personal horoscope, also known as a birth chart or natal chart, is a snapshot of the sun, moon, planets and more at the date, time and location of one’s birth. This snapshot holds many keys and secrets to one’s personality and can be considered one’s personal map, guidebook and lesson plan for life! Everything in the cosmos continues moving beyond the moment of your birth and influences your life in cyclical ways, according to the rhythm of the sun,

moon, planets, stars, and seasons at specific ages. The weekly horoscopes provided here in Shore Local Newsmagazine are written based on your rising sign. These horoscopes are intended to provide guidance and insight based on these rhythms and the cosmic connection to your lived experience. So much is written in the stars! It is my intention that these entries will assist you in deciphering what is encoded within you.

Rising sign horoscopes for Aug. 28 – Sept. 3

Aries: Your sense of self is changing. Reflect on what you’ve been shown about your personal growth and maturity, as well as the parts of you that are also parts of the collective. Taurus: You’ve been gifted a sneak peek into the liminal space that is your connection to the universe. Trusting divine flow to manifest your dreams requires releasing self-limiting beliefs. Gemini: Resilience grows from accepting and facing challenges. You can rise to the top and become an

authority figure through embracing the lessons that come from adversity. Cancer: You can be a great leader. The inner knowing is there. Enroll in whatever is calling you to fully believe in and surrender to your highest potential! Leo: There’s still a self-discovery journey underway. Remember to have compassion for yourself as you dive in again to explore even greater depths of yourself. Virgo: You’ve learned a lot about your closest relationships and about facing your fears. Another

round of lessons is coming. Truth and honesty with yourself are of the utmost importance. Libra: Surrendering to the flow of life in some way every day fuels your soul. Surrender with intention and discipline, rather than numbing and escapism, is the ideal form for your vitality. Scorpio: There are things in this life that simply cannot be controlled or changed. Acceptance is a learned skill. It doesn’t need to be so serious! Joy, pleasure and play keep the heart open.

August 28, 2025

Sagittarius: You are learning how to wield your arrow with more bravery. This can be challenging with an unbalanced footing. Something in your foundation requires your attention. Capricorn: One achieves greatness in linguistics, being a vocalist, and/or an expert communicator through practice. Return to training; something deep within wants freedom. Aquarius: It may be time to tighten the reins again on your fiscal responsibility. A little more discipline and frugality now can produce greater resources in the future. Pisces: There is an eternal flow within you like the endless movement of an ocean. You are at the helm of the invisible forces. Happiness comes from riding the waves with ease and grace.

Weekly astrology summary:

Planets begin to retrace steps that the ocean has already hidden. The liminal space between the beginning and end of the zodiac is revisited once again as structured Saturn cautiously wades back into the zodiac sign Pisces on Sept. 1. Saturn’s been constructing the hearth and tending the slow burn in the early degrees of Aries since May 24; the preview of Saturn’s influence on this brand new, cosmic fireplace temporarily ends until early 2026. There are still lessons to learn,

driftwood to gather, illusions to dispel, and dreams to form. The experience can bring a revisitation of themes that may have felt out of reach earlier this year. There’s supporting, harmonious flow in the cosmos to try again, to reimagine, to intuit, to realign with flow, and to tackle previous challenges with diplomacy and motivation. The process and plan may require more grounded attention to detail, which will be supported as messenger Mercury shifts into Virgo, its favorite sign, on Sept. 2. Pay close attention to sparks of insight! They are the voice of your soul. Trust your gut and allow your inner knowing to guide you. Personal and collective growth and expansion are underway. 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 A s t r o l o g e r, Cer tif ied Aromatherapist and founder of Ursa Alchemy. Find her astrology readings and astrological aromatherapy services, teachings, podcast, get in touch and more at www.ursaalchemy.com or ursaalchemy@gmail.com.

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August 28, 2025

How breed and training affect dogs’ reactivity

By Heidi Clayton

ne of the biggest issues I deal with, in terms of people asking for help with their dogs, is dog reactivity. These are the dogs that lose their minds when they see another dog by barking, snapping, lunging, or trying to drag their owners toward the dog to start some sort of trouble. I personally feel that reactivity, while

not desirable in a dog, is a completely normal dog behavior. Again, this is not desirable, but not necessarily indicative of the dog being a bad dog. That being said, if you do own a dog that is reactive towards others, you absolutely have a responsibility to train that dog to walk nicely out in public and manage their lives for the safety of not only other dogs but your dog as well. Circling back towards temperament and what makes a dog's personality, I want to caution everyone who thinks that dog training or behavior modification can change the core of what makes your dog “them.” It can’t! What you can do is train your dogs to offer certain behaviors instead of being reactive. However, I do not feel that dogs that have a prey drive

or simply do not like other dogs for whatever reason will ever change their core beliefs on the subject. But you can learn to manage these behaviors. I will use examples of terrier breeds to show how their temperaments play a significant role in their training. Most of the people I know from dog shows are terrier breeders. From Scottish Terriers to my breed, the Bull Terrier, we all have breeds that were bred to extinguish some sort of vermin independently of their owners and of other dogs. They are not pack animals like hound breeds. Most of these breeds have an innate prey drive. I do not know any Scottie that does not still hunt or who does not openly have a disgust for other dogs getting into their space. Yet all of them are show dogs that go to a dog show and ignore other dogs and behave themselves. That said, not one of their owners would feel comfortable letting their dogs off-lead on dog beach to work it out with other dogs. I know that all of my girls feel that small furry dogs resemble chipmunks, so I am never going to let them play with a toy poodle. So training terriers to modify or manage their reactivity is absolutely possible. However, training them to “like” other dogs is not. So if you are the owner of a reactive dog, the above should give you a great deal of hope that, yes,

you can train your reactive dog to do better out in the world. But I will caution you that it does involve a significant amount of dedication and work. You will have to change how you approach walking these dogs and put a great deal of time into working on your dog’s ability to ignore other dogs. That might mean possibly just standing in a parking lot as your dog learns not to react to other dogs. The biggest factors of this training succeeding are their temperament and the owner’s dedication to making them more model citizens. I want to ask a favor of the rest of you who do not have a reactive dog: to lose your judgment of those that do. It is perfectly normal in the dog world to sometimes flex, if you will, toward other dogs. Dogs not liking each other is as common as us humans not liking each other. I commend anyone who is trying to put the time and effort into their reactive dogs and help them enjoy more of the outside world. Next time, I will talk about how your dog's reactivity is a slippery slope towards dog aggression and why I believe you should seek training help if you own a reactive dog. If you have any questions, please email me at heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net. Heidi Clayton started Four On the Floor Dog Training to provide positive, rewardbased dog training in South Jersey. She breeds, trains and shows bull terriers under the SoraBully’s Bull Terriers kennel name. Email questions to heidi@ fouronthefloordogtraining. net or learn more at https:// fouronthefloordogtraining.net

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August 28, 2025

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