SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY'S NEWSMAGAZINE
Jump Into Summer!
Memorial Day Events and Ceremonies
OC Teen Performs National Anthem at Fenway Park
Banner Planes Soar In for Season
Farmers Markets Sprout Up
Salt air and sweet freedom
Memorial Day weekend kicks off summer of '25 at the Shore
Letter from the editor
Memorial Day weekend is upon us, and with it comes the unofficial start of summer along the Jersey Shore. Up and down the coastline, oceans will be ceremoniously “unlocked” as tens of thousands of visitors return to their favorite beach towns.
In atlantic City, the season kicks off with the annual drop of 5,000 beach balls along the world-famous Boardwalk — a colorful celebration of summer’s arrival. a few miles south, Ocean City will uphold its time-honored tradition: the Business Person’s Plunge, where hundreds of local merchants march into the ocean in full business attire. Bob and I will be among them, proudly representing Shore Local, wary of how cold the water may be.
On the boardwalks, bikers, walkers and joggers will begin their day with ocean views, while by lunchtime, the smell of boardwalk pizza and fries will fill the air. Steel Pier, Playland’s Castaway Cove and Wildwood’s iconic rides will spin once again, bringing joy to children and families alike.
The Jersey Shore is a happy place for so many — an escape from the pressures of everyday life, offering rest, recreation and memories in the making.
If you’re like me and love being on the water, now’s the time to tune up the boat, break out the kayaks or paddle through the back bays. There’s something about salt water that soothes the soul.
Looking for live music, festivals or farmers markets? you’ll find them all in the pages of Shore Local. Each issue includes a full calendar of family-friendly events and outdoor entertainment. For nightlife and adult entertainment, be sure to check out “Wahoo,” our entertainment guide, highlighted in yellow at the center of each edition.
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, Christina Martin, Delaney Crawford, Ursula Duffy, Robin Stoloff, Tynan Hand, Madison Russ Cover photo by Melinda Deaver.
Soon, the beaches will be dotted with colorful umbrellas, beach chairs and towels. The scent of salt air, the call of seagulls overhead and the rhythmic sound of waves meeting the shore provide a sensory welcome like no other. I’ll join my daughters on the sand, collecting shells, snacking on açaí bowls or walking along the tide.
a s we embrace the fun and excitement of the weekend, let us also take a moment to pause and remember the meaning behind Memorial Day: to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. We owe it all to their courage and devotion.
Wishing you a safe and joyful Memorial Day weekend. May God bless america — always.
Peace & Love, Cindy
By Meteorologist Joe Martucci
We shivered through our coldest winter in 10 years, held our hats during the windiest winter in 15 years, and lived the rollercoaster temperature ride of spring. Now Memorial Day weekend is here. It’s the unofficial start of summer.
There’s an old saying for our beach season weekend holidays. It’s some variation of:
● Memorial Day we shiver.
● Fourth of July we sweat.
● Labor Day we shine.
We all want a fun Memorial Day weekend. It helps our stores make money when visitors and part-time homeowners come back. It’s great for people who want to return to their favorite slice of sand for a few months, and it’s an awesome place
Memorial Day is here: So when will beach weather begin?
for our kids and grandkids to have a good time, and our families to make memories.
But Memorial Day is in late May, during spring. That means the weather can be unpredictable and change a lot.
Looking at my Shore Summer Weekend Weather Report Card, the holiday weekend earned an average grade of C-plus between 2019 and 2024. That being said, the past three years all earned at least a B.
Using climate as our barometer (no weather pun intended), steady beach or boating weather begins in mid-June and ends after the Labor Day holiday, in mid-September. I use criteria from my Shore Summer Weekend Weather Report Card as a guide, with temperatures at or above 75 degrees, winds under 15 mph and a lower risk of widespread rain makers as the main benchmarks.
Temperatures
Per the National Oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOaa), at Sen. Frank S. Farley State Marina in atlantic City, the average high temperature hits 75 degrees on June
14. It then peaks at 81 degrees from July 12 to July 27, then it falls, dipping under 75 degrees for the first time on Sept. 15.
For about three months, it’s usually warm enough to wear a bathing suit and stay outside all day. From July 4 to around aug. 20, beach weather is nearly guaranteed. There’s an 80% chance the temperature will be 75 degrees or higher, according to the Iowa Environmental Mesonet.
I checked the weather in Long Branch, Monmouth County, where the monitoring station is about a mile from the ocean. There, the average high temperature is 75 degrees or more from June 6 to Sept. 21. It’s nearly the same as atlantic City.
Winds
It’s proven that winds weaken in the summer. Our least windy time of year is July through September, which fits in fairly well with the temperatures. We look to atlantic City International airport for this data from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet.
● May: 9.5 mph
● June: 8.6 mph
● July: 7.9 mph
● august: 7.5 mph
● September: 8.0 mph
● October: 8.5 mph
a s the Earth’s axis tilts and the Northern Hemisphere warms, wind-making systems, including nor’easters and powerful cold fronts, stop passing here around mid-June. This lasts through about mid-October.
Of course there are tropical storms and hurricanes that bring plenty of wind. While we always need to prepare, our likelihood of experiencing one is fairly low. This year, Colorado State University gives New Jersey a 29% chance of a tropical storm, and a 9% chance of a hurricane impacting our coast.
Steady rain
From mid-June to mid-October, widespread rain makers are hard to come by here in New Jersey. Just like the winds, the nor’easters and
powerful cold fronts, the weather systems that would bring widespread rain don’t impact us this time of year.
However, this time of year is when thunderstorms happen a lot. They’re most common from June 15 to aug. 15, based on info from atlantic City International airport. a thunderstorm might change your beach plans for a few hours, but the all-day rainy days we see in spring are pretty rare.
Shifting climate
Interestingly, the warmest 91day period of the year has shifted to slightly earlier over the decades. In atlantic City, here’s the shift, according to the Iowa Environmental Mesonet.
● 1900: June 17 to Sept. 16
● 1980: June 15 to Sept. 14
● 2020: June 14 to Sept. 13
The average temperature during climatological summer – June through august – increased by 0.65 degrees between 2010 and 2020 in southeastern New Jersey, according to ClimateCentral. Since 1904, the average summer temperature has increased from 71.0 to 74.0 degrees, per NOaa
So where can you find true beach weather on Memorial Day?
Long-term weather averages say that once you go south to Virginia Beach, Va., average high temperatures reach at or above 75 degrees, according to NOaa . That being said, the beaches are better in Jersey, from what I hear.
Have a great Memorial Day weekend everyone, happy unofficial start to summer and let’s remember all of our fallen United States military members. It’s why we have Memorial Day in the first place.
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.
Memorial Day Observances
Friday, May 23
Atlantic County Veterans Memorial Program
Estell Manor Park 109 Route 50 S.
The public is invited to honor the sacrifice and service of its fallen military veterans in a program to be held at the Richard E. Squires Veterans Cemetery. Vietnam a rmy veteran John Dorrity, president of the National and New Jersey a ssociation of Veteran Service Officers, will provide the keynote address. The program will also feature the atlantic County Sheriff’s Color Guard, atlantic County Corrections Officers’ Honor Guard, and Sandpipers’ Pipes & Drums.
Monday, May 26
Absecon Parade
▶9 a.m.
absecon Firehouse 544 New Jersey ave.
Lineup at the Firehouse parking lot at 8:15 a.m. a contest for Best Decorated Bike will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a special guest judge, followed by the start of the parade at 9 a.m. Helmets are required. For the full parade route and more information, please email cparker@abseconnj.gov.
Atlantic City Ceremony
▶12 p.m.
a ll Wars Memorial Building 1510 adriatic ave.
Councilman Kaleem Shabazz invites the public to atlantic City’s Memorial Day Ceremony, recognizing and honoring Vietnam Era Veterans, with Guest Speaker Charles Garrett, Vietnam Veteran and Former atlantic County Commissioner, with Music by Rick Cason and the Vietnam Veterans. Refreshments will be provided.
Egg Harbor City Service
▶10 a.m.
Lincoln Park White Horse Pike & Buffalo ave.
The event will feature performances by the Cedar Creek High School Marching Band, under the direction of Valerie adams, and the Ceder Creek HS Select Choir, directed by Jim Goodrich. The public is invited to Egg Harbor City Fire Dept. Fire Hall following the event for refreshments and hot dogs.
Hosted by the City of Egg Harbor, Rudolph Elmer Post 158 a merican Legion and auxiliary and the Richard Mc anney VFW Post 5341.
Egg Harbor Township Parade and Ceremony
▶9 a.m.
Zion Rd. to Veterans Memorial Park on Ocean Heights ave.
COLLECTION
Join the Egg Harbor Township Veteran’s advisory Board for its annual Memorial Day Parade. Staging of marchers and vehicles will begin at 8:30, and the parade will commence at 9 a.m. starting at Diamond Dr., traveling west on Zion Rd. to North Mount airy ave. and continuing up Ocean Heights ave. to Veterans Memorial Park, where a ceremony will be held afterwards. additionally, two F-16 Fighter Jets will do a flyover in memory of our fallen.
Linwood Parade and Ceremony
▶10 a.m.
Shore Rd. and Laurel ave. to all Wars Memorial Park
Hosted by the Linwood Board of Recreation. The parade will start at 10 a.m., traveling down Shore Rd. from Laural ave. to all Wars Memorial Park.
Longport Parade and Ceremony
▶11 a.m.
33rd & atlantic ave. to 35th & Ventnor ave. to Reed Park
a merican Legion Post 469 will host its annual parade, starting at 33rd & atlantic, turning down 35th ave. to Ventnor ave. and proceeding to Thomas B. Reed Park near the
Longport Bridge. This year’s guest speaker is U.S. a ir Force Master Sergeant Roger Hopkins. Following the ceremony, a traditional hot dog picnic will follow behind Borough Hall.
Margate Parade and Ceremony
▶ 10 a.m.
Ventnor ave. from Union to Mansfield ave.
Parade line up will begin at 9:15 a.m. at Margate City Hall, 8900 Winchester ave. The parade will begin at 10 a.m., proceeding to Ventnor ave. and north along the Parkway. Following the parade, a ceremony will take place at all Wars Memorial Park on the Margate Parkway. Hosted by the Margate Mothers a ssociation.
Northfield Memorial Day Ceremony
▶ 9:30 a.m.
Veterans Park 1913 Oak ave.
The City of Northfield will host its annual Memorial Day Ceremony. Seating is limited. Pease bring a chair if you wish to sit. For more information, contact Shannon at 609-6412832.
Ocean City Service
▶11 a.m.
Veterans Memorial Park Wesley ave. between 5th & 6th St.
Join Ocean City in honoring all who served and those who gave their lives for our country. For more information, visit www.oceancityvacation. com.
Somers Point Parade and Service
▶11 a.m.
Dawes ave. and Shore Rd. to City Hall and Patriots Park
The parade will start at Dawes ave. School, traveling south along Shore Rd., continuing past City Hall, and up to Patriots Park. Participants will include vehicles, bands, and walkers. at the conclusion of the parade, the public is invited to attend the ceremony at Patriots Park. For information on how to participate, please contact a shley Mathers at 609-9279088 ext. 137.
Ventnor Ceremony
▶9 a.m.
City Hall atlantic & Cambridge ave.
Join Ventnor City at the flagpole for a ceremony honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Margate's Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony will go along Ventnor Avenue, from Union to Mansfield Avenue.
Ocean City teen performs national anthem at Fenway Park
By Sarah Fertsch
For Taylor Pontari, “The Star-Spangled Banner” isn’t just a song — it’s a heartfelt tribute to the men and women who serve the country. On May 17, the 19-year-old from Ocean City fulfilled a lifelong dream when she sang the national anthem at Fenway Park, one of america’s most iconic stadiums.
The journey to Fenway began in an unexpected way. Taylor, who performs gigs
across South Jersey with her father, Tony Pontari, was discovered while singing the national anthem during one of their sets at the absecon VFW.
“Someone came up to me after a performance and said their best friend was the CEO of the Boston Red Sox,” Taylor recalled. “It was surreal, like
lightning in a bottle.”
Her performances inspired her to
Taylor’s connection to veterans runs deep. Performing regularly at the absecon VFW, she’s had countless conversations with veterans who share their stories and offer tokens of gratitude. “a lot of times after I sing the anthem, veterans will tell me how much it means to them,” she said. “Some even give me their challenge coins. Those moments mean everything to me.”
Taylor Pontari from Ocean City sings the national anthem at Fenway Park.
give back. Leading up to her Fenway debut, Taylor raised nearly $2,500 for the absecon VFW to support local veterans. “It was important for me to use this opportunity to make a difference,” she said. “These funds help keep the VFW running and support the veterans who need it most.”
When the long-anticipated day arrived, Taylor was overwhelmed with emotion. Her family, friends, and supporters traveled to Boston, many carrying signs and wearing temporary tattoos with her face on them. “I couldn’t believe how many people came. Even people I didn’t know that well made the trip,” she said.
Fenway’s Ford Clubhouse offered a VIP experience, but the real magic happened on the field. With over 34,000 fans filling the seats, Taylor clutched the challenge coins she’d received from veterans and took a deep breath before stepping up to the mic. “I thought about the people who had sacrificed so much for our country,” she explained. “Singing from the heart was the only way I could honor them.”
a s her voice soared through the stadium, the crowd erupted in cheers. “Hearing that many people cheer felt like a movie,” Taylor recalled. “It didn’t seem real.” afterward, she embraced her parents and supporters in an emotional celebration.
The Fenway experience has only fueled Taylor’s aspirations. She dreams of singing the national anthem at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field and Citizens Bank Park, sharing her patriotism and passion with even more audiences. In the meantime, she’s focused on her studies at West Chester University, where she’s majoring in Spanish and american Sign Language with plans to pursue a master’s degree in speech pathology.
Despite her growing fame, Taylor remains grounded and deeply grateful for her roots. Growing up in Ocean City has given her a unique perspective. “I didn’t realize how lucky I was until I left,” she says. “Now, every time I’m home, I’m reminded of how blessed I am to live by the beach.”
This summer, Taylor and her father will continue performing at local venues across South Jersey. Fans can follow their schedule on Tony Pontari’s Facebook page, “Tony Pontari acoustic,” to catch a performance.
For Taylor, music is more than just a passion; it’s a way to connect with others and give back. Her performance at Fenway Park is a testament to her talent, patriotism, and heartfelt commitment to honoring those who serve. With her voice and vision, there’s no doubt she’ll con -
tinue to inspire audiences wherever she goes.
Be sure to catch Taylor perform the National anthem at the Ocean City Music Pier on Saturday, May 24th at 7 a.m. She will open the annual 31 Heroes Memorial Day Beach Challenge, a race to honor veterans who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Fenway park, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is home to the Boston Red Sox.
Holy Trinity Greek Festival returns to Egg Harbor Township June 5–8
The sights, sounds, and flavors of Greece are coming to South Jersey as Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church hosts its beloved annual Greek Festival from June 5–8. The four-day celebration promises authentic food, lively entertainment, and fun for all ages.
Festivalgoers can indulge in traditional Greek favorites such as gyros, souvlaki, spanakopita, pastitsio,
and baklava, all prepared by parish volunteers. The popular outdoor taverna will once again offer music and dancing on Saturday night, June 7, featuring DJ Khan.
Guests can also enjoy ethnic Greek dance performances on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, along with amusement rides — with special pricing available on Thursday and Sunday. Guided tours of the church will be held nightly beginning at 6 p.m., offering insight
Since 1982
A family-run, all-service tire and automotive facility. We pride ourselves on our customer service and honesty. Our great relationship with our customers has allowed us to service their vehicles for over 40 years at the same location! Drive in confidence and shop tires from the top trusted tire brands.
Front & Rear End Wheel Alignment for All Cars & trucks
into the history and traditions of the
Back by popular demand, fireworks will light up the sky on both Thursday and Sunday nights. Raffles will take place each day, including a 50/50 drawing and the grand prize: an X-Pro Milos 50 Moped.
The event runs Thursday and Friday from 5 to 10 p.m., Saturday from noon to 11 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 10 p.m. The festival is held at
all guests.
For more information, visit holytrinityeggharbor.com or contact the church at 609-653-8092 ext. 5. Communications Chair athena Sacco can also be reached at 609-412-1452 or athenaSacco@gmail.com.
Photos by Steffen Klenk
Greek Orthodox faith.
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, located at 7004 Ridge avenue in Egg Harbor Township. admission is just $1, and children under 5 are free. Parking is free for
At the beach, banner planes mean big business
By Steffen Klenk
Picture a day at the beach: you’re soaking up the sun, waves crash along the shoreline, and seagulls eagerly await their next snack. But there’s another distinct sound that is familiar to many beachgoers: The familiar buzz of small planes carrying large banners that fly up and down the shore and have kept sunbathers looking up for over 30 years.
“The first time taking a banner out over the ocean is surreal,” said Connor Bassi, who grew up visiting the Jersey Shore and admiring the banner planes from
ground level. Today, he is one of a dozen pilots flying for High Exposure aerial advertising, an experience he never thought he’d be doing. “We’re close enough to experience each little journey as we go along the beach; it’s pretty cool,” he said.
Inside one of the hangars at Woodbine Municipal a irport, the team at High Exposure is busy training new pilots ahead of a busy summer season. One of their most recent recruits is Solomon acheampong,
who graduated from the aviation program at Kent State University. “It’s so
unique and so novel,” he said. “Every time I go up, I’m soaking up the fact that I’m doing this.”
To fly a banner plane, pilots also must learn how to pick up the banner mid-flight. From just a few hundred feet above the ground, each plane will glide down, pick up speed, and pull up quickly
to pick up the ropes. The maneuver takes a few tries at first, but once the banner is in the air, it is an easy flight. Kevin Patterson is also a graduate from Kent State and one of the pilots at High Exposure. Patterson described his experience of having a bird's-eye view in a Cessna aircraft. “It feels like we’re at the beach (but) up in the air. It’s hot, we have the sun shining, and we get to see all the people. We wave our wings at each other sometimes.”
Synthetic Blend $19.99 (up to 5 quarts) Full synthetic $39.99 (restrictions apply) Valid through 7/1/25
The team at High Exposure is busy training new pilots ahead of a busy summer season.
The company operates over a dozen airplanes that fly up and down the eastern seaboard. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, their fleet can be spotted along the coast from Sandy Hook all the way to Ocean City, Maryland, but you also may notice these banner planes flying high at a Phillies game, an outdoor concert, or a private event.
Operations Manager Vinnie Simeone says the skills that each pilot learns translate into real-world experience for their future career en -
deavors. “Whether it be the ride for their passengers (or) equipment that doesn’t need to be jostled around, guys that have flown banners, that are in the airlines and going to be your pilots, tend to have the kind of skill that makes the ride just that much better.”
There are several colleges and universities that offer courses on the high-flying world of aeronautics. Locally, atlantic Cape Community College has programs that provide students with hands-on training to
become commercial pilots or work in various fields throughout aviation. Some of the young pilots we spoke to have their eyes set on working in the airline industry. “It takes several years of time building to gain experience and confidence and all the necessary skills to eventually fly for the airline,” Bassi said. For enthusiasts who are considering entering the world of aviation, Bassi says to go for it. “It’s such a tightknit community, everybody knows everybody,” he explained. “I would encourage a young person to come to an airport, knock on a door, shake a hand, and introduce yourself.”
a s you sit on the beach this summer, with blue skies above, you may see the small, yellow planes of High Exposure taking to the air. Be sure to wave hello to the pilots above as they pass by your town this summer.
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.
To fly a banner plane, pilots must learn how to pick up the banner mid-flight.
HugeInventoryof TeakandPolyFurnituretoTake HomeorforImmediateDelivery
SERVINGTHESHORE FOROVER20YEARS
Events and Happenings
Multi-day Events
Riddlesbrood AdventureFest
▶1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday, May
24
1 p.m. Sunday, May 25
Historic Smithville, 615 E. Moss Mill, Road
Join Smithville this Memorial Day weekend for Riddlebrood Theater’s annual outdoor spectacle. Watch as The Magic of Merlin takes center stage in an epic, spell-binding show. This fantastical journey into the world of Merlin is perfect for kids and families. Step into the magic and let every moment become a cherished memory. all shows are free and open to the public.
Thursday, May 22
Rotary Club OC-UT Program
▶5:30 p.m.
Point Diner 8 Mac a rthur Blvd., Somers Point
Join the Rotary Club of Ocean City and Upper Township for their upcoming meeting. Bernard Walker, chief of the Ocean City Fire Department, will be the guest speaker. additional program details and more information can be found at ocutrotary.org. Musical Tour of the ’50s
Ocean City Senior Center, 1735 Simpson ave.
Join the Ocean City Free Public Library for an unforgettable evening of big band jazz with the Cape Shore Jazz Orchestra. Enjoy the sounds of Dorsey Kenton and Count Ellington with surprise vocalists, led by Musical Director John Drechen and Band Leader Pete Muracco. admission is free.
Friday, May 23
The Shores Spring Market
▶10 a.m.-3 p.m.
2201 Bay ave., Ocean City
Join the Shores UMC Community for a day of outdoor fun and excitement, featuring a lively spring market with craft vendors, a photo booth, live music, spring games, ice cream and treats. Learn more at www.discovertheshores.org/events.
Unlocking of the Ocean and Business Persons Plunge
▶12 p.m.
Moorlyn Terrace Beach, Ocean City
Participants will dress in business suits, carry briefcases and march into the ocean to the strains of “Pomp and Circumstance” to welcome the new season. The festivities will take place
VALET COLLECTION SERVICE
Don’t Sweat Trash or Recycling Collection This Summer!
With Valet Collection Service, ACUA’s team will retrieve trash and recycling carts from your home, empty them, and return them to your designated location. No need to place items at the curb on the regular collection day!
The service is open to Brigantine, Longport, Margate and Ventnor residents. Perfect for Shore Homeowners! A ordable Rates
Service can begin soon after registration and runs through September 5. Optional extended service through September 26 is also available.
Easy Registration
Scan the qr code or visit acua.com/valet for details.
on the beach next to the Music Pier. Smithville Car Cruise
▶5-8 p.m.
Historic Smithville, 615 E. Moss Mill Road
Cruise down to Smithville and hang out with fellow car enthusiasts. Car Cruises are held on the second and fourth Friday of each month through September. Just drive to the side parking lot of the Village Greene near the red covered bridge. Move a cone and park your ride.
Saturday, May 24
Memorial Beach Challenge
▶7 a.m.
Ocean City Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and the Boardwalk
Hosted by 31Heroes, this annual soft-sand obstacle course event features Navy SEaL-approved obstacles. Teams of up to four can run together or participate in the Kids Fun Run. Proceeds benefit programs and financial support for service members, veterans and their families. Sign up or learn more at www.memorialbeachchallenge.com.
Jersey Genesis Triathlon
▶8 a.m.
Harry Bowen Memorial Park, 143 Main St., Port Republic
Hundreds of participants will gather at Nacote Creek for the annual Jersey Genesis Triathlon, Duathlon & aquabike. Race day registration opens at 6 a.m. all events will begin at 8 a.m. Cheer on the participants and check out the new vendors in attendance. For more information, visit www.jerseygenesistriathlon.com.
Richland Vintage & Toy Fest
▶8 a.m.-3 p.m.
1343 Route 40, Richland
Hosted by Shoreline Vintage and antiques, this event enters its fourth year with a variety of retro, antique, art and pop culture items for sale. The show will include dozens of vendors, original artist creations, baked goods and more. admission is free.
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Flea Market
▶9 a.m.-3 p.m.
2998 Bay ave., Ocean City
The annual Flea Market and Hoagie Sale will be held this Saturday. Vendors will be selling a variety of items, from antiques to collectables, clothing, jewelry, crafts, toys, plants, home goods and more.
Upper Township Strawberry Festival
▶10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Gandy Farmstead, 26 Tyler Road, Greenfield
The Historical Preservation Society of Upper Township presents its 36th annual Strawberry Festival and Craft Show, featuring delicious strawberry shortcake, ice cream and special treats. While visiting the farmstead, hear its history and browse the selection of handmade crafts for sale, with music by Linda and Ollie. For more information, visit www. uppertwphistory.org.
Ventnor Beach Opening Ceremony
▶10 a.m.
Suffolk ave. Beach
Join Ventnor City as they welcome the summer season with a Beach Opening Ceremony. The festivities kick off at 10 a.m.
Nature Heroes: Garden State Tortoise
▶2 p.m.
Ventnor Library, 6500 atlantic ave.
Meet Chris and Casey from Garden State Tortoise, along with Otis, the Eastern Box Turtle and youTube star and learn more about how the duo cares for turtles in the state. This program is part of atlantic County Library’s Local Heroes speaker series. all ages are welcome to attend.
Sunday, May 25
Kenny Wayland Memorial 5K and 10K Run
▶9 a.m.
Newport and atlantic ave., Ventnor
This annual Memorial Day weekend event will welcome hundreds of participants. Race Day Registration opens at 6:30 a.m. The 5K, 10K and 1-Mile Fun Run will begin promptly at 9 a.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit scholarship programs in our region. For more information, visit runsignup.com/kennywaylandmemorialrun.
Oddball Vintage Flea Market
▶12-4 p.m.
135 New Jersey ave., absecon
Hosted by Oddball Vintage, this event will feature over 30 vendors, a photo booth, a caricature artist and coffee. admission is free.
Tuesday, May 27
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, May 28
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. Early Shipbuilding in South Jersey
▶7:30 p.m.
Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 6001 Main St., Mays Landing
Join the Hamilton Historical Society for a presentation on early shipbuilding in our area, presented by Mark allen from the Mid-atlantic Center for the arts and Humanities in Cape May. admission is free.
Thursday, May 29
Celebrate! An Evening with The Arc of Atlantic County
▶6-9:30 p.m.
Golden Nugget, 723 Huron ave., atlantic City
Join The arc of atlantic County
as they kick off summer with a casual evening on The Deck, overlooking the Farley Marina. Guests can look forward to live music and dancing, chef-curated food, specialty drinks and mocktails, exciting silent auction items and a 50/50. Support friends and neighbors in your community. For more information, contact Mary at mmoyer@thearcatlantic.org.
Artists Reception at Noyes Galleries at Seaview
▶6-7:30 p.m.
401 S. New york Road, Galloway Noyes Galleries invites the public to see the newest group exhibition
For applications & schedule go to: Margatehasmore com
Registration will begin at Newport Ave , & Boardwalk Cycling helmets for children
Family Ride: 12 milesStart Newport Ave., Ventnor; turn around Atlantic City;
Point turnaround, end at
Barbeque at Tomatoe's. All participants are invited! Music from USA DJ and water ice from Margate Dairy Bar & Burger
PRE-REGISTRATION:
DAY-OF-RACE REGISTRATION:
The Magic of Merlin takes center stage in an epic, spell-binding show. at Riddlesbrood AdventureFest. Photo credit: Riddlesbrood Touring Theatre Troupe Facebook
featuring artists from the Ocean City Fine a rts League. Enjoy light fare and live music by Dan Barry while witnessing the art of Wanda Kane, Donna Mindish, Paula Pagliughi, Rae Jaffe and Linda Crane. The exhibition will be on display through July 13. admission is free.
Stand-Up Comedy Night at Gregory’s ▶7 p.m.
900 Shore Road, Somers Point Join Gregory’s and Count on Comedy for an evening of laughs and good times, with comedians Zachary Pickett and Brandon Ficara. Tickets are $15 and are available at the door or via Eventbrite.
Saturday,
May 31
Brutus Fluke Tournament ▶6 a.m.-3 p.m.
Egg Harbor Township Elks Lodge, 1815 Somers Point-Mays Landing Road
The 27th a nnual Brutus Fluke Tournament will be held next weekend. This perch and striper tourney will feature cash prizes and a dozen non-cash prizes. Proceeds benefit EHT Elks Lodge No. 2563 and Somers Point aMVETS Post No. 911. For more information, email brutusboy6665@ aol.com or go to www.facebook.com/ BeutusFlukeTournament.
Sunday, June 1
Le Tour de Downbeach
▶9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Newport ave. in Ventnor to Tomatoes in Margate
Next Sunday, join the Boardwalk peloton and wave the yellow shirts as Le Tour de Downbeach returns. The race will begin behind the Ventnor Library, travel through atlantic City and proceed through Margate and Longport, ending at Tomatoes on amherst avenue. Pre-registration is open now. Participants can sign up or learn more at www.margatehasmore.com.
Bus Trips
Longwood Gardens and Brandywine Art Museum
▶8 a.m. Saturday, June 14
The Ocean City arts Center will host a bus trip to two exciting points of interest in Chester County, Pa. Explore Longwood Gardens, with over 1,100 acres of meadows, gardens and woodlands, and a 4-acre historic conservatory. The Brandywine art Museum is home to a distinguished collection of 20th-century american art housed in a renovated 19th-century mill. Cost is $112 per person and includes all admissions. Call 609-3997628 to reserve your seat. Phillies vs. Yankees in New York ▶10 a.m. Saturday, July 26 EHT Recreation is hosting a bus
trip to see the Phillies as they take on the yankees in the Bronx. The bus will depart EHT Community Center at 10 a.m. Game time is 1:05 p.m. Cost is $125 per person and includes round-trip transportation, ticket and a $20 food voucher. Register online at www.ehtrec.com or call the Recreation Office at 609-272-8120.
Health and Wellness
Depression and Anxiety Group
▶5:30 p.m. Tuesdays
atlantic Community Wellness Center 1125 atlantic ave. Suite 617, atlantic City
This weekly in-person support
group is offered to individuals seeking coping strategies, mutual support, self-care, wellness and recovery. Meetings are led by peers who have lived experience. No cost to participate. Offered by the Mental Health a ssociation in atlantic County. For more information, call 609-6523800 or email jgimbel@mhanj.org.
Dementia Support Group
▶1:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 4
6009 Paul and Thelma Lane, Mays Landing
Held on the first and third Wednesday of every month from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Call Diane Conover at 609-402-6966 for more information.
NAMI Family Support and Connection Meeting
▶7-8:30 p.m. Monday, June 9
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 606 Shore Road, Somers Point Open to family members, caregivers and loved ones 18+. Participants gain the support of peers who understand their experiences and gain insight into others’ challenges and successes. Visit www.namiacm.org or call 609-741-5125 for more information.
MHA Atlantic Family Meetings
▶10 a.m. Thursday, June 12
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.
The 27th Annual Brutus Fluke Tournament will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
A deli with an Irish accent comes to Brigantine
Business Buzz
By Rich Baehrle
Brigantine is now known for more than their beautiful sandy beaches; it also has Sandy Jack’s Deli.
Located at 1206 W. Brigantine ave., the thriving business is the creation of Pam and Robert Hume, and has received an overwhelmingly positive welcome from locals and visitors alike.
Once people discovered the quality of the food, and the warm friendly service from Robert, Pam and their son, Jack, Sandy Jack’s quickly became a new foody hotspot.
Robert and Pam had a dream similar to other people who visit the Jersey Shore, and that was to establish a business that would be successful enough to enable them to work nine months and take a month or two off to travel.
Thirty-five years ago, Robert was like many students who come to the Jersey Shore for the summer months to work in our local business. That’s when Robert, who is originally from Ireland, decided that the States is the place he wanted to be.
Prior to opening the Brigantine business, Robert and Pam were not in the food business. Robert was direc-
tor of operations for Crystal Clean, while Pam worked in the medical field. Their dream of owning a shore business became a reality when they discovered the beautiful town of Brigantine.
They wanted to locate in a spot with heavy foot traffic, near the
wanting to come back for more.
Favorites include The Big Jack, a delicious chicken steak with pepper Jack cheese and a sian sweet chili sauce. There is also The Ma – pork roll egg and Irish cheese on brioche, and a specialty ribeye sandwich with onions, provolone cheese and hot roasted peppers.
However, what separates Sandy Jack’s Deli from others is the wide variety of imported food items from Ireland and Britain.
Customers can get items that are not offered anywhere else. In fact, Robert and Pam boast that they are South Jersey’s largest suppliers of specialty foods from Ireland and the British Isles. They offer breads, meats, biscuits, crisps, candy, sodas, teas, and coffees, to name just a few. Since Robert emigrated from Ireland, they wanted to offer foods that are often missed by people who have done the same.
So, if you are looking for a truly friendly Deli with an Irish flair, try Sandy Jack’s. you will be glad you did, and like many Brigantine locals and visitors you will keep coming back for more.
beach. The thought was to offer outstanding, quality food at a fair price, with friendly service in a convenient location. They thought it would result in success, and that it did.
Pam and Robert pack a big punch in a relatively small store with outdoor dining. They are hoping to soon add indoor dining and expand their imported food lines as well.
Sandy Jack’s is not your ordinary deli. They offer delicious, mouthwatering hoagies and deli-style sandwiches. all of their sandwiches are made with top-quality meats from Thumann’s. Deli items include a variety of salads that will leave you
By the way did I tell you to try the enormous breakfast sandwiches? It will be the only meal you will need all day.
Visit Sandy Jack’s at 1206 W. Brigantine ave. you can find them on Facebook.
Remember to support local businesses, especially small businesses.
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
Sandy Jack’s Deli is located at 1206 W. Brigantine Ave.
New roller coaster offers families fresh thrills at Storybook Land
Family Tides
By Madison Russ
fter more than two decades, Storybook Land has added a new roller coaster to its lineup of fairy talethemed rides.
The recently opened CindeRoller Coaster invites families to board custom-painted cars that look like pumpkin coaches, which spin through a castle-like facade, similar to a Tilt-aWhirl on a roller coaster track.
“It’s a spinning coaster, so that means the cars on the roller coaster spin as it goes around the track. There’s not necessarily any big drops or any loops,” explained Jessica Panetta, the park’s owner-operator.
The coaster is also New Jersey’s first triple-looping spinning coaster, featuring a unique track design.
“The figure eight pattern of the track is a triple, so it’s like a triple figure eight,” said Panetta. “It's pretty unique. We did that just to make it a little bit more special.”
The CindeRoller Coaster is the Egg Harbor Township-based park’s first new coaster since Bubbles the Coaster opened 25 years ago.
“It’s huge for us to have another one,” said Panetta.
Storybook Land is currently celebrating its 70th season. The family-owned and -operated park has delighted generations with whimsical, fairy tale-themed fun, featuring attractions inspired by beloved storybook characters like Jack and the Beanstalk, Mother Goose, alice in Wonderland, The Three Little Pigs and many more.
Santa and festive lights, as well as its Easter and Halloween events. It has also become a popular destination for school field trips.
The park is also known for its seasonal events, which have become cherished holiday outings for families, such as its Christmas celebration with
But when John and Esther Fricano of Vineland founded the park in 1955, it was little more than a picnic stop between Philadelphia and atlantic City. Panetta said the storybook theme was inspired by popular trends of the time, such as Disney.
“It was a very small picnic grove,” said Panetta. “From there, it just evolved from a playground and picnic area and a burger stand to what we are now.”
Over the years, the park continued to expand and adapt. adding rides in the 1970s was “huge” for the park, said Panetta.
“The rides kind of made it evolve even more. We started doing a lot of school trips, and we became more of a day trip destination for people, and then we added Christmas in the 80s, which is pretty legendary,” she said, noting Halloween was added around the early 1990s.
Even with the changing times and the park's expansion over the decades, some of its earliest attractions remain fan favorites, such as The Little Red Schoolhouse, a replica of a one-room schoolhouse that still stands where it was built.
“It was the first building, and that’s still there, and everyone really loves that still,” said Panetta.
The balance between tradition and progress has helped Storybook Land remain a family mainstay without losing its charm.
“We still have to keep up with things,” said Panetta. “It’s a good first park experience for a lot of families and people with young children … we found a way to keep up with the times, obviously keep up with our demand and our crowd, but also we
haven’t really changed too, too much.”
Looking ahead, the park has other projects on the horizon, including restoring a ride from the now-closed Gillian's Wonderland Pier in Ocean City.
“We have some ideas, some future plans. We acquired a ride from Wonderland when that
closed, so we’d like to get that restored and installed. We have a couple of other older rides that we’ve had or purchased from other parks that we want to restore,” said Panetta.
While she said there could be a third roller coaster one day, the park plans to focus on other projects for now.
a grand opening celebration will be held for the CindeRoller Coaster Saturday, July 12.
Riders must be at least 36 inches tall to ride the CindeRoller Coaster with an adult or 48 inches tall to ride alone. Guests taller than 77 inches may not ride. Visit Storybook Land’s website for more details storybookland.com.
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.
Farmers Markets
Brigantine Farmers Market
▶Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Brigantine Community School parking lot Sheridan Blvd.
The Brigantine Farmers Market will be open to customers on Saturdays, rain or shine, from May 24 – Sept. 6. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/brigantinefarmersmarket.
EHT Community Farmers Market
▶Sundays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
atlantic County Library 1 Swift Dr.
Just Organics Marketplace and Honeytree Health host a Community Farmers Market on Sundays, featuring a variety of local pesticide-free farmers, food vendors, artists, crafters, music, and fun activities. Support family farmers. Markets open Sundays through aug. 24. For more information, visit thehoneytree.net or e-mail wellness@thehoneytree.net.
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 from June 26 – Sept. 4. Visit gogreengalloway.org/greenmarket for information and updates.
Margate Community Farmers Market
▶Thursdays, 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Steve and Cookies Parking Lot 9700 amherst ave.
The Margate Farmers Market is preparing to open for the 2025 season. Markets will be open Thursdays from June 12 – aug. 28. For more information, visit margatehasmore. com.
Ocean City Farmers Market
▶Wednesdays, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Ocean City Tabernacle Grounds a sbury avenue from 5th – 6th Streets
Visit dozens of vendors on the grounds of the Tabernacle, and crafters in the street at 6th & a sbury ave.
Wednesdays from June 4 – Sept. 3. For more information, call 1-800-BE aCHNJ or visit oceancityvacation.com.
Somers Point Farmers Market
▶Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Somers Mansion 1000 Shore Rd.
This weekend, Somers Point opens its Farmers Market for the 2025 season. Local food vendors, crafters, and hometown businesses will set up on the grounds of historic and beautiful Somers Mansion. Markets open Saturdays through Sept. 6. For more information, go to visitsomerspoint.com.
Ventnor City Farmers Market
▶Fridays, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Newport & atlantic ave.
Entering its 9th season, the Ventnor City Farmers Market is one of the most delightful places to shop on Fridays. The 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. Open Fridays from May 23 – aug. 29. Visit vcfm.org for more.
Somers Point Farmers Market kicks off fourth season
By Steffen Klenk
The Somers Point Farmers Market made a lively return to Somers Mansion last Saturday, kicking off its fourth season with record participation. With over 40 vendors — the most in the market’s history — the grounds were buzzing with activity and community spirit.
Shoppers browsed a vibrant mix of offerings, including fresh fruits
and vegetables, locally prepared foods, baked goods, and handcrafted items. With new vendors joining throughout the season, each visit promises something different.
The Somers Point Farmers Market is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. For the latest updates and weekly vendor highlights, follow the market on Facebook and Instagram.
Photos by Steffen Klenk
The South Jersey Transportation authority (SJTa) will kick-off the summer season with its annual 100 Days of Summer Party at the Farley Service Plaza on the atlantic City Expressway (Milepost 21.3), Friday, May 23, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Highlighting the day for travelers on the Expressway will be eastbound tollfree passage from 4 - 5 p.m. at the Egg Harbor Toll Plaza courtesy of Chickie's & Pete's®, the Philadelphia-area sports bar and restaurant chain, who is also sending its Crabfries® Express food truck to dole out free crabfries throughout the day.
"We’re excited to kick off our annual 100 Days of Summer celebration and welcome travelers passing through Hammonton on the way to their favorite Jersey Shore destination," said SJTa Executive Director Stephen F. Dougherty. "This year’s festivities offer something for everyone, whether you're enjoying our diverse food truck lineup, checking out classic cars, browsing unique handmade goods, or letting the kids enjoy the petting zoo. It’s a great way to enhance your
of Summer
summer travel experience."
WlP Sports Radio 94.1 FM and WPHT 1210 Talk Radio will be there for live, remote broadcasts with their radio personalities on hand to give out prizes to lucky winners. applegreen, operator of the Farley Service Plaza, will be ready selling the smells, tastes and temptations of another Jersey summer as well as handing out free samples of their delicious goodies sold at the plaza throughout the year including Joe Tea, My Big Fat Cookies and Jersey Girl Chocolates, among others.
Ron's Gardens of Hammonton also returns to the Farley Service Plaza with regular hours during the entire summer offering a wide variety of Jersey Fresh® produce, fruits and garden plants in season, a favorite among shore-bound travelers, especially those spending vacation time at their summer homes or rentals.
The atlantic City International airport Fire Department will display some of its trucks and apparatus used to keep the public safe at the airport and in surrounding communities. and the South Jersey Transportation author-
ity’s RE aDl (Roadway Environmental advancement Initiative) will feature its conservation and wildlife programs. youngsters will also enjoy the chance to visit ambassadors from the Funny Farm, an animal rescue sanctuary that provides a home for unwanted farm and zoo animals. There’s a Sidewalk Chalk Fun Zone where children of all ages can showcase their artistic talents for everyone to see.
Close to 70 businesses, vendors, and artists will be participating including atlantic Cape Community College, Carmine’s Italian Restaurant, Comcast, Bass Pro Shop, Johnson’s Popcorn, The Irish Pub, atlantiCare, Resorts Casino atlantic City, Cape May
County Chamber of Commerce, Save Lucy Committee and dozens of local merchants offering gift items, jewelry, clothing, among others.
There will be food trucks to appease any craving, including DonutNV, Taylor Made Treats, Big Papa BBQ and Tacos al Carbon, to name a few.
The Hero Campaign will be showcasing two HERO Patrol Cars. a nd those who are proud of their classic car are invited to stop by to hang out with other automobile lovers in the designated Cruise Lot area.
While at the 100 Days of Summer celebration, visitors are encouraged to check out the Farley Plaza's 9/11 memorial and the 22-foot brass replica of the Battleship New Jersey built on a 1/48 scale.
and those with pets are welcome to take a pitstop with their furry friends in the secure fenced-in pet walk area. Travelers will find Farley Plaza nestled between the east and westbound lanes of the Expressway in a parklike setting at Milepost 21.3.
Make plans to stop and enjoy another 100 Days of Summer on your way to your favorite vacation destination!
Eligible low-income seniors can receive a $40 credit to purchase farm fresh produce
Low-income atlantic County residents 60 years and older can request a $40 credit to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs at participating local farmers markets beginning June 1 through Nov. 25, 2025.
The atlantic County Division of Intergenerational Services will provide access and information to interested residents who meet the age and income eligibility guidelines established by the state: annual gross income that does not exceed $2,413 per month or $28,953 per year for a single person and $3,261 per month or $39,128 annually for a couple.
Vouchers will be distributed in-person at select senior nutrition centers and senior facilities. a participating farmer will be in attendance on select dates. applicants must provide identification, proof of income and proof of residency. Those who meet the requirements will receive a QR code with a $40 balance that can be used all at once or in multiple trips to participating farmers markets. QR codes are non-transferable and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. a list of markets is available online at atlanticcountynj.gov.
Distribution events are scheduled as follows, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at each location:
● Tuesday, June 3 at the Leinweber Senior Center, Northfield
● Thursday, June 5 at the Ventnor Senior Center
● Wednesday, June 11 at the Galloway Senior Center
● Thursday, June 12 at the Shalom House, Ventnor
● Tuesday, June 17 at the Egg Harbor Township Senior Center
● Thursday, June 19 at the Egg Harbor City Senior Center
● Tuesday, June 24 at the Buena Senior Center
● Thursday, June 26 at Jeffries Towers, atlantic City
● Tuesday, July 8 at the Hammonton Senior Center
● Thursday, July 10 at the Brigantine Senior Center
● Tuesday, July 15 at Beron Jewish Older adult Services, atlantic City Residents may call 1-888-426-9243 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. for more information. applications will not be accepted via phone until the week of July 21 for those who were unable to attend an in-person event. Vouchers will be provided on a first come, first serve basis.
NEW 2025 BATHING SUITS ARE
Farmers Market Summer: Line up for the 2025 season
By Chef Christina Martin
As we say goodbye to winter and all of its warming foods, we are like caterpillars shedding our coats for spring. For local farmers market volunteers it has been a busy winter and now we are ready to enter into the farmers market season with all of its local produce and artisan vendors. Supporting our New Jersey farmers is so important, as is getting veggies that have not been sprayed with harsh chemicals.
Many of the produce vendors at our local markets use sustainable, no-spray practices. Some farms are organic and many use organic meth ods, but are not certified. Just ask them and they will be happy to share their growing practices with you.
We as consumers should know
what is on our fruits and veggies, especially since vegetables are a big part of a healthy diet. The best nutritional quality comes from buying them fresh and as local as possible.
That is the benefit of shopping at our local farmers markets and farm stands, because it’s all about the freshness. If you haven’t eaten corn the same day it is harvested, you are missing out.
School is ending for the summer and the farmers market season is kicking off. Here is a roundup of the local farmers markets. I will be visiting them this summer and writing about what is available seasonally. Hope to see you at the markets!
Somers Point Farmers Market
1000 Shore Road, Somers Mansion Saturday 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
food vendors. Dog friendly.
Ventnor City Farmers Market
6421 atlantic ave., Ventnor City
Friday 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
May 23-aug. 29
Follow on Facebook @ventorcityfarmersmarket
Follow on Facebook @MargetCommunityFarmersMarket
Local farmers, bakers, prepared foods and artisans.
Dog friendly.
Galloway Green Market
615 E. Moss Mill Road
Thursday 4 p.m. -7 p.m.
June 26-Sept. 4
Follow on Facebook @GallowayGreenMarket
Fresh produce, local honey, flowers, prepared food and food trucks. Dog friendly.
Strawberries are coming into season in New Jersey. Here is my healthier, vegan version of strawberry cobbler.
Strawberry Cobbler yield: 8x8 baking dish or 6-8 individual ramekins
Ingredients:
Where Fashion Meets The Beach
Spartina
Mud Pie
IBKUL
Oh My Gauze
Tommy Bahama
Johnnie O
Psycho Bunny
Southern Tide
Escape
Vintage Havana
Dress Forum
Ronaldo
Brighton Scout
Sand Clouds
Hey Dudes
Sanuk Reef
Cobian
Ray Bands
Oneils
Blenders
Enewton
BEACH SUPPLIES & CHAIRS
8000 Ventnor Ave, Margate Next To Casels
609-541-4472
Farmers, food vendors and crafters. Dog friendly.
Brigantine Farmers Market
Shop fresh from local farmers and
Community School Parking Lot, Sheridan Place off Roosevelt Saturday 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
May 24-Sept. 6
Follow on Facebook @brigantinefarmersmarket
This market has local produce and artisan goods. Service dogs only.
Community Farmers Market in Egg Harbor Township
1 Swift Drive, EHT Library
Sundays 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.
May 25-aug. 31
There will be many local farmers, food vendors, artists, crafters and fun activities for the kids. Dog friendly.
Ocean City Farmers Market
Tabernacle Grounds, Sixth and a sbury ave.
Wednesday 8 a.m.- 12 p.m.
June 4-Sept. 3
This market features a wide variety of locally grown produce as well as crafters.
Dog friendly.
Margate Community Farmers Market
Corner of Monroe and amherst avenues
Thursday 8:30 a.m.- 11:30 a.m.
June 12-aug. 28
● 6 cups, about 2 1⁄2 pounds, strawberries, medium diced
● 1 lemon, juiced
● 1⁄3 cup organic sugar
● 2 tablespoons arrowroot
Topping:
● 1 1⁄3 cups unbleached all purpose flour or gluten free flour
● 1 1⁄4 cups coconut sugar
● 3/4 cup vegan butter, melted
● 2⁄3 cup old fashioned rolled oats
Procedure:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine the strawberries and lemon juice in a mixing bowl. In a small mixing bowl, combine the sugar and arrowroot. Stir into the strawberry mixture. Pour into a 8x8 baking dish or individual ramekins. If using ramekins, place on a parchment-lined sheet tray. (I use the unbleached parchment sheets found at many grocery stores).
Topping:
Mix together the flour, coconut sugar, melted butter, and oats. Sprinkle over the strawberries.
Bake 30-35 minutes until topping is golden.
Chef Christina Martin is a dedicated chef educator, passionate advocate for healthy eating, and mother. Christina’s expertise has been spotlighted in Independent Restaurateur Magazine and she has been awarded 2024 Chef Educator of the Year from the Professional Chef Association of South Jersey.
Smithville Mayfest celebrates small businesses and community fun
By Rebecca Oldham
From crocheted stuffed animals to homemade pickles and original artwork, Historic Smithville once again hosted another successful Mayfest. The two-day event, held Saturday and Sunday, May 17-18, featured over 100 vendors, an international food court and a lineup of live music that kept the atmosphere exciting over the weekend. Drawing a crowd of around 10,000 people, the event provided family-friendly activities such as carnival games, sand art stations, paddleboat rides and lots
of shopping. Visitors also enjoyed a wide variety of food and beverages from multiple local vendors and food trucks.
“Oh, I love the Mayfest. It's such a great place and the shopping is so nice,” said Maria Zampolino, a Smithville resident. “I walk over every year.”
The visitors range from Smithville locals all the way to Cape May residents. It’s an event for everyone, and the vendors appreciate the exposure and fun atmosphere. Dakota Palumbo and Jack McLaughlin, owners of Philly
Bill’s Dills, were excited to sell at Mayfest this year.
“My dad started this, and we’ve been doing it for over 10 years now,” Palumbo said. The pair produces homemade pickles and made sales early in the day. Philly Bill’s Dills participated in the two-day
event, stating that it’s the welcoming environment that makes Smithville a great place for events like these. They noted that events in Smithville consistently provide opportunities to connect with new customers and brand their small business.
“It feels fun, and honestly, it doesn’t even feel like work half the time,” said McLaughlin.
Photos by Tynan Hand
Other vendors showed their appreciation and eagerness to sell their craft because of the supportive community. Spoonable Spirits, established in 2018, was another popular vendor at this year’s event. Lines formed as the dessert liquors piqued the interest of curious customers.
“This is my first year doing the Mayfest,” said owner Kelli Lipson. “My friends did it, so I signed up.” The seller admits it’s the community support that excited her about the event. “It’s a great community and great event, so I’m excited to see what the weekend will bring,” she said.
Not only was Mayfest a great suc-
cess for the more than 100 vendors, but it brought in significant foot traffic for the home storefronts as well.
Raquel DeFino, owner of Raquel’s Home and Garden, celebrated her 15th Mayfest this year. The storefront, which opened in 2010, sells a multitude of decorative garden pieces and vintage-inspired jewelry and clothing. When asked what brings people to the Mayfest year after year, the owner pointed out that the strong sense of community and the support for small businesses were the festival’s biggest attractions.
“People are looking for something to do,” DeFino said, “and I think they
are looking to support independently-owned small businesses.”
While business owners appreciated the support from the community, attending families also had plenty to say about their time spent at Mayfest. Many were excited to walk around the town and for the chance to spend their day together as a family. Mayfest acted as a great way to spend quality time together shopping, eating, and playing. One family noted that their children look forward to Mayfest every year.
The success of the event showed yet again why Mayfest is such a
HIP · KNEE · SPINE · SHOULDER & ELBOW · HAND & WRIST · FOOT & ANKLE · SPORTS MEDICINE
JOINT REPLACEMENT · ORTHOPAEDIC TRAUMA
FRACTURE CARE
loved tradition in
Every year, it brings the community together in an effort to support independently-owned businesses, allowing families and friends to spend quality time with one another. Organized by Smithville’s very own Colonial Inn, the Mayfest continues to be a tradition to look forward to.
Rebecca Oldham is an emerging journalist and writer located in South Jersey’s Pine Barrens. She enjoys writing about the arts and all things community.
Historic Smithville.
Photos by Tynan Hand
N.J. explores new nuclear power to meet soaring energy demands, affordability goals
By Julia Train
As electricity demand continues to rise and supply struggles to keep pace, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) issued a Request for Information (RFI) “to explore the role and opportunity to develop new nuclear energy resources to advance the State’s affordability, resource adequacy, and clean energy goals,” according to a May 6 press release.
The May 5 RFI, which is a significant step toward potentially expanding nuclear power generation in the state, invites stakeholders and the public to weigh in on the role it could play in delivering affordable, reliable and clean electricity.
This move comes as part of the
ongoing update to New Jersey’s Energy Master Plan in response to an increasingly strained electricity grid, with supply rates set to rise up to 20% on June 1. The NJBPU emphasized that the request aims to bolster the role of nuclear energy in advancing affordability and reliability needs.
Currently, the state operates three nuclear power reactors — Salem 1 and 2, and Hope Creek — all located in Salem County. These facilities produce 40% of the state’s electricity and account for 85% of its carbon-free generation. The three nuclear generation units, like most in the country, are known as third-generation (GEN III) nuclear reactors, according to the NJBPU’s May 6 press release.
The NJBPU and the Governor’s Office have emphasized the critical need for “clean firm capacity” beyond 2035 to maintain system reliability.
“New Jersey is committed to addressing the regional cost crisis. a s part of my administration’s all-ofthe-above energy strategy, we con -
tinue to explore ways to bring online new sources of electricity generation and improve and expand our nuclear fleet to grow the supply of resources as the U.S. faces increasing demand. at the same time, we’re pushing PJM Interconnection to bring new resources online faster and reduce prices,” said Governor Phil Murphy, according to the press release.
The RFI calls for input on how new nuclear technologies, including advanced reactors and small modular reactors (SMRs), could contribute to
reducing emissions, meeting growing demand from industries like a I-powered data centers and addressing environmental challenges.
The NJBPU is also seeking advice on whether the state should offer financial incentives for new nuclear projects and how to protect ratepayers if it does.
New Jersey’s renewed focus on nuclear energy comes amid a broader regional trend. The PJM Interconnection, which manages the electricity grid across 13 states including New Jersey, has forecasted a nearly 40% increase in electricity demand over the next 14 years, according to the press release. This surge is driven in large part by new manufacturing and data-driven industries.
Despite its promise, nuclear energy remains a polarizing issue, especially after decades of public skepticism, intensified by past accidents like Three Mile Island, Chernobyl and Fukushima.
Environmental groups have long opposed nuclear expansion due to concerns about groundwater contamination and waste disposal. Their advocacy helped lead to the 2018 closure of the Oyster Creek plant in Lacey Township.
The draft 2024 Energy Master Plan, released in March 2025, states that nuclear power is essential for reducing dependence on fossil fuels and imported energy. The issue is expected to feature prominently in New Jersey’s June primaries and the November general election, as electricity rates and energy reliability remain top concerns for voters.
In addition to the NJBPU’s RFI, a bill advancing in the state a ssembly would mandate a study into the role of small nuclear reactors in expanding power generation.
The NJBPU set its deadline for written responses to its request as 5 p.m. on June 23.
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
3120 Fire Road, Suite 100, Egg Harbor Twp, NJ
Phone 609.317.0801 kap@djd.law djdlawyers.com
ACUA sends important reminders ahead of Memorial Day weekend
Place your materials at the curb on Memorial Day, and please keep our waterways clean
The atlantic County Utilities a uthority (aCUa) reminds residents and visitors that regularly scheduled trash, recycling and yard waste collections will continue to be performed on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, 2025.
The authority also reminds beach goers to use the trash and recycling receptacles provided on the beach, or bring a trash bag to carry items for disposal at home. Litter that is left behind gets washed into the ocean which pollutes our waterways and harms marine life.
“Litter and waste increases as our population grows during the summer,” said aCUa President Matthew
DeNafo. “We invite the community to enjoy and preserve our beautiful beaches by being mindful to dispose of trash and recycling responsibly.”
For more information, please visit www.acua.com.
Operation Bounce Back delivers aid and hope to thousands across the East Coast
By Julia Train
Chef a ndre Murphy has fed thousands of people through several different avenues, both as a chef and by giving free meals to those in need. Murphy’s feeding initiatives include his nonprofit Healing For The Soul, the Racing To Feed campaign and Operation Bounce Back.
Operation Bounce Back is a wide-reaching economic relief campaign designed to provide immediate support to individuals and families facing financial hardship. It was born out of grassroots feeding efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since evolved into a full-scale operation offering food, essentials and financial assistance across the East Coast.
Operation Bounce Back combines both in-person outreach and a virtual support platform. The campaign officially launched its online aspect through a Facebook-based initiative called OBB Live, which offers real-time aid distribution via livestreamed popup events.
Followers can log on to receive
grocery gift cards, gas vouchers and even auto repair support. The platform is structured to eliminate red tape — help is often granted to the first people who comment during live sessions, with no complicated application processes involved.
The initial weeks of the program have focused on distributing hundreds of gift cards and launching “relief baskets” containing essential household items such as canned goods, sanitizing wipes, hand sanitizers and other staples. These baskets are assembled by a team of seniors from Egg Harbor City. Since the start of the pandemic, Murphy’s team has fed more than 25,000 seniors through regular outreach events.
While the current focus is on groceries, hygiene items and mental health support, the campaign is designed to scale up quickly. In the coming months, the initiative plans to expand into helping families with utility bills, rent, mortgage payments and auto relief.
Instead of hosting events as fundraising vehicles, Murphy and his team rely on community partners to cover
The “relief baskets” are filled with essential household items such as canned goods, sanitizing wipes, hand sanitizers and other staples.
the cost of relief items and services, which are then distributed under their names. To date, the campaign has secured more than 85 sponsors and continues to build momentum.
a growing number of local businesses and sponsors are stepping
in to contribute directly, whether by donating goods or hosting their own pop-ups on the Facebook account to distribute aid.
Mental health is also a key aspect of Operation Bounce Back. The campaign features appearances by advocates, motivational speakers and faith leaders who join the livestreams to offer emotional and psychological support. The aim is to address the emotional toll of financial stress and help people "bounce back" not just economically, but mentally.
In 2026, Operation Bounce Back is planning a six-month East Coast tour beginning in the second half of the year after six months of campaigning. This economic relief tour will target 70 cities along the East Coast — primarily the five most impoverished cities in each state from Maine to Florida.
The goal, Murphy said, is to inject approximately $400,000 of aid into each location through direct community support. This will include instore grocery giveaways, bill payment assistance and one-on-one support for families at risk of eviction or businesses struggling to survive.
Visit Atlantic City Soar and Shore Festival announces initial lineup of performers
New Jersey ANG F-16s, the MiG-17 and a World War II B-25 bomber among the thrilling aerial displays over the New Jersey shores
Visit atlantic City announced the initial lineup of acts scheduled to perform at the Visit atlantic City Soar and Shore Festival, taking place July 15 - 16 over the beaches of atlantic City. Flying is scheduled to kick off around noon each day and conclude around 2:30 p.m. a mong this year’s initial slate of performers for the returning air show are a Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 fighter and the legendary WWII-era B-25 Mitchell Bomber. Crowds will also be treated to an array of additional top-tier performances, including a flyby of four F-16s from the 177th Fighter Wing of the New Jersey air National Guard. The supersonic F-16 Fighting Falcon is known for its lightweight frame and powerful engine generating 31,000 pounds of thrust, propelling it to speeds in excess of Mach 2.
The Soar and Shore Festival is a free, family-friendly event filled with nonstop entertainment, including aerial performances and a weeklong lineup of exciting festivities across atlantic City, including:
• Beachfront Fireworks Display by Grucci , Wednesday, July 16 at 9 p.m.: Take in a spectacular display of fireworks along the atlantic City skyline. The viewing location will be on the beach and Boardwalk at Missouri avenue in front of Tropicana atlantic City.
• Second Annual Car Show and Silent Movie , July 16 at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, 2 - 7:30 p.m.: Immediately following the air show, guests are invited to a free classic car show on the arena floor from 2 - 5 p.m., with live demonstrations of the World’s Largest Pipe Organ, organ tours and on-site food trucks. at 6 p.m., organist Brett Miller will accompany Buster Keaton’s silent film “Sherlock, Jr.,” followed by the Laurel and Hardy short “Two Tars.” This event is presented by the Historic Organ Restoration Committee in partnership with the Ducktown Community Development Corporation and Visit atlantic City.
• Jimmy Johnson’s Atlantic City “Quest for the Ring” Championship Fishing Week (JJFISHWEEK aC), July 13 - 19: Returning to the Frank S. Farley State Marina at Golden Nugget atlantic City Hotel, Casino & Marina, this highstakes tournament welcomes anglers from across the country and is hosted and organized in partnership with Visit atlantic and the atlantic City Sports
Commission. Catch the action at the nightly weigh-ins from 5 – 9 p.m.
• ESPN’s Operation: Slippery Stairs Competition, July 17 from 12 – 2 p.m. at Missouri Avenue: Contestants will compete to take on a hilariously slick staircase in this fan-favorite sports game show. The first to reach the top and ring the bell advances, with multiple rounds determined by the number of competitors.
Produced by Herb Gillen airshows, known for delivering premier air show experiences nationwide for more than two decades, this festival promises to deliver an unforgettable summer spectacle.
“audiences will be thrilled by the diverse lineup of performing acts and talent we have assembled for this summer,” said Gary Musich, President and CEO of Visit atlantic City. “atlantic City is built on top-quality entertainment, and the Soar & Shore Festival is guaranteed to deliver the fun and thrills people have come to expect from our seaside destination.”
Featured aircraft highlights:
• Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 Fighter: The Soviet MiG-17, with a top speed of
711 mph and a ceiling of 54,450 feet, was a formidable Cold War-era fighter known for its durability. Operational since 1952, the aircraft is still in use in some parts of the world today.
• B-25 Mitchell Bomber: The World War II-era B-25 Mitchell is best remembered for its role in the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo in 1942. Used across all major theaters of the war, it was renowned for both offensive and defensive capabilities.
“The Soar and Shore Festival air Show brings together the best of summer entertainment elements,” said Herb Gillen, president of Herb Gillen airshows. “Crowds will be treated to top-tier air show performances by state-of-the-art aircraft in a festive atmosphere on a gorgeous beach and all free of charge. There is truly nothing like the Soar and Shore Festival air
Show, and we can’t wait for the fun to begin.”
Additional Soar and Shore Festival fly-bys and demonstrations include:
• Four F-16s from 177th Fighter Wing of the New Jersey air National Guard will perform fly-bys
• Nathan Hammond’s Super Chipmunk and his intense aerobatic routines
• Third Strike Wingwalking, home of the highly sought Double Barrel dual wingwalking act and aerobatic solo act
• Misty Blues Parachute Team, the remarkably talented all-women thrill-seekers who have amazed audiences across the globe for more than forty years
• UH-1H Huey with Smokey Bear, known for its air mobility and medical evacuation missions in Vietnam, the Huey became an indelible symbol of that conflict
• Skip Stewart, the award-winning, high-energy, fearless aerobatic wonder
• F4F Wildcat, flown by air show legend Thom Richard, an american carrier-based fighter aircraft that entered service in 1940 with the United States Navy Credit: Visit Atlantic City
Open Memorial Day!
Open Thurs, Fri., Sat & Sundays in May
Pinkies up! Enjoy high tea at Ocean City's iconic Flanders Hotel
By Delaney Crawford
Picture this: you, sitting in the iconic and long-standing Flanders Hotel, located just steps off the Ocean City Boardwalk and beach. The views are breathtaking, the staff is friendly, and the vibes are high. But that’s just any ordinary day at the Flanders. Let’s make it even more special and introduce you to the Flanders Hotel High Tea events, where class, old-school charm, and beach vacation vibes all come together. a must-do event for anyone visiting, friends getting together, or locals looking to have a good time.
For over a century, The Flanders Hotel has stood as a symbol of elegance and charm in the heart of Ocean City. Built in 1923, the hotel
blends old-school architecture with seaside vibes. With its grand lobby, shining chandeliers, and great views, The Flanders offers the perfect place to host an afternoon of High Tea.
The Flanders invites guests to slow down and savor a tradition that matches its past.
The Flanders High Tea events are offered to the public year-round. They’re held every first Thursday and third Sunday of each month, giving everyone ample opportunities to join in the fun. Through the summer months, the community has even more time to raise a teacup. From June 5 through Sept. 4, there will be weekly Thursday tea times starting at 2 p.m.
These special events offer customized menu selections and can accommodate anywhere from one to 40 guests.
a s an added highlight, guests looking to book bridal showers, baby showers, or other social events can enjoy private High Tea experiences.
Each High Tea event changes location within the hotel and features a unique theme, depending on the size and time of the year. Most are held on the Promenade level, with seating in the beautiful and vintage Crystal Ballroom, the traditional Can -
dlelight Ballroom, or the bright and cheery Terrace Room that overlooks 11th Street.
“Our event is open to the public; we encourage everyone to join us for High Tea. It is a great experience with an ever-changing menu, along with our white-glove service,” said Lisa Torquati, Flanders director of catering.
High Tea events have been all the rage at the Flanders for over 10 years now, drawing people from near and far to experience a dining occasion like no other. Over time, they’ve become a beloved tradition. The Flanders Hotel sets the stage for a High Tea experience the moment you walk through its doors.
“The simplicity of tea and the social connection it creates is a beautiful thing to see. It is an educational dining experience to some extent,”
Torquati said. “In addition, there are proven health benefits linked to different types of tea. It’s a win-win while pairing with our light fare menu that offers something for everyone. Our staff enjoys serving guests and assisting them with all our tea service has to offer.”
gloves,” Torquati said. “While we encourage guests to dress up and enjoy the full experience, we do not require it. Many guests are visiting during the peak season and often attend tea when taking a break from hanging poolside, so casual summer attire is welcome too.”
Guests of these High Tea events can expect white-glove service and three courses of delicious offerings. Starting with small bites, quiche, and scones, followed by tea sandwiches, dessert, and a variety of herbal and organic teas. The experience is both authentic and filling, ensuring guests never leave any way other than happy and full.
a variety of flavored teas are available at each High Tea event, and guests are guided through a wide range of offerings from the strongest teas to the most delicate. White gloves are a staple, and the menu includes a bite from each course for every guest, ensuring a complete and satisfying experience.
“We love guests enjoying the experience of High Tea. Most of our guests are excited to wear their favorite fascinator, and many experienced guests bring their white
High Tea at The Flanders is gaining popularity across all age groups. Many guests return time and time again, often bringing friends along to share in the fun, which goes to show the success and timelessness of this event.
“Our goal is to showcase The Flanders Hotel and our commitment to great service while offering a traditional experience to our guests,” Torquati said. “We look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming teas and making it a tradition for years to come.”
Eager to be part of the fun?
Guests are required to make reservations and can do so by calling 609-399-1000, Ext. 7889 or emailing catering@theflandershotel.com. Stay tuned for access to online reservations coming soon as well.
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.
Joint statement on Memorial Day weekend law enforcement
e're looking forward to a fun and safe Memorial Day weekend, and we're ready to welcome back all of our residents, homeowners and guests for another great summer season.
But we want to send a clear and simple message: Don't come if you don't want to behave.
Like many other Jersey Shore towns, Ocean City and Sea Isle City in recent years have experienced issues related to disorderly conduct
by juveniles during the start of Memorial Day weekend. Our police departments will be fully staffed with every available full-time and seasonal officer, and we will have zero tolerance for any disturbance or violation of the law. We also want to make it clear to parents that
everybody will be held accountable for their actions to the fullest extent possible. Please be aware of what your unsupervised teens may be walking into and help them stay out of trouble.
Let's all work together to make sure everybody can enjoy the holiday weekend and another awesome summer.
Photo credit: Ocean City Police Department New Jersey/ OCPD Facebook
Buzzworthy Books, Events, And More
From best-selling books to workshops, and from online resources to children’s activities, the Ocean City Free Public Library has something for everyone this spring.
What’s happening in Ocean City
Ocean City ready to ‘unlock the ocean’ and take a plunge
After a long winter and chilly spring, city officials will finally turn a ceremonial wooden key to “unlock the ocean” for the season at noon Friday, May 23. The free public event provides an early start to Memorial Day weekend and welcomes a long-awaited summer. It takes place on the beach between the Ocean City Music Pier and Ninth Street. With the ocean officially open, a fully-clothed entourage will then march into the chilly atlantic Ocean
www.oceancitylibrary.org 1735 Simpson Ave. | (609) 399-2434
HOURS Mon.-Fri. 9am-9pm Sat. 9am-5pm • Sun. 11am-5pm
CURBSIDE PICKUP Mon.-Fri. 9am-6pm Sat. 9am-4pm • Sun. 11am-4pm
to celebrate the annual Business Persons Plunge. The Ocean City High School band will play “Pomp and Circumstance” as local business owners and employees take the first swim of the summer.
The Business Persons Plunge has grown in popularity since it first started in 2004, and anybody is invited to participate. It’s a chance to get some exposure for your business or organization or just to start Memorial Day weekend with a splash. Participants are asked to muster on the beach at 11:30 a.m. for instructions from longtime event organizer and promoter John Walton.
The daily boardwalk flag-raising ceremony — a beloved tradition in Ocean City — will begin for the 2025 season at the Ocean City Music Pier starting on Friday, May 23. The event includes the playing of the national anthem and Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S. a .” The ritual will take place at 9 a.m. every morning through Sept. 11.
Saturday morning (May 24) brings the Memorial Beach Challenge, a spectacle to behold as athletes complete a two-mile Navy Seal-in -
spired obstacle course that covers much of the beach on both sides of the Music Pier. Proceeds from the event benefit The 31 Heroes Project, an organization that specializes in creating programs, financial support systems and future opportunities for service members, veterans and their families. The race begins at 8:05 a.m. near the Ocean City Music Pier (with welcome ceremonies starting at 7:35 a.m.). It also includes a Kids Fun Run. Visit memorialbeachchallenge.com for more information on the races and for registration.
Ocean City’s Memorial Day Service starts at 11 a.m. Monday, May 26 at Veterans Memorial Park (500 block of Wesley avenue). all are encouraged to attend. The ceremony will recognize Gold Star Mothers and pay tribute to a 102-year-old World War II veteran from Ocean City.
The National Moment of Remembrance is also set for May 26. Established by Congress, the event asks americans, wherever they are at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day, to pause in an act of national unity for one minute. Greg Murphy of Taps for Veterans will sound Taps from the Ocean City
Music Pier to commemorate the moment. The performance will be broadcast on the boardwalk public address system.
By Tammy Thornton
othing can compete with the flavor of fresh herbs like basil in bruschetta or cilantro in homemade pico de gallo. Even if your cooking level is more basic, adding herbs right from the garden can elevate all of your favorite foods. Growing your own herbs makes it easy to snip a little of this or that as dinner cooks on the stove. Fortunately, herbs are fairly easy to grow and a perfect way to try your hand at gardening.
If you are short on space, you are in luck, because a few herbs in small terra-cotta pots should be all you need to add some flavor to your dishes. Plant your herbs close to your kitchen door so that they are easily accessible when making a meal. Keep in mind that not all herbs like the same growing conditions, so you will want to group those with the same preferences together. Most herbs will need to have good drainage and a bit of sun, but some are less fussy than others. In South Jersey, basil and rosemary will take as much sun as you can give them. But, while basil will benefit from a loose, fertile soil, rosemary (like lavender) prefers soil that is poor, rocky, sandy, and dry. It is essential that rosemary
has well-drained soil and is allowed to dry out between waterings, since it is very sensitive to root rot. Rosemary is a perennial and should survive through winter. Basil, on the other hand, is an annual and will give up the ghost after the first hint of frost and prefers temperatures above 50 degrees. (Can you blame it?) When picking basil, snip the stem just above the second set of leaves from the top instead of pulling off a leaf here or there. This will cause new leaves to branch out, giving you a bushier, more fertile plant. Use these tasty leaves over pizza, in pasta dishes, or pick a large amount for pesto. at the end of the season, when lower temperatures are in the forecast, harvest the last of your basil to preserve it for the winter months.
Edible dill flowers look pretty in the garden or when added to your dill pickle jars. Dill will also attract the Eastern Black Swallowtail Butterfly to your garden.
Chop the basil leaves and add them to olive oil in ice cube trays to freeze. The other sun-lover, rosemary, is an essential ingredient in my focaccia bread, but it is also delicious when used on chicken, steak, or red bliss potatoes. Snipping the pine needle-like leaves with kitchen scissors is the easiest way to cut small pieces of rosemary. you can use both basil and rosemary to infuse vinegar or olive oil.
Some herbs will take over the garden if not taught their place. Mint can be a refreshing addition to iced tea and other beverages, and also tastes delicious when added to tabbouleh. Oregano is a must-have in Italian dishes. But both of these plants are aggressive growers and need to be contained in their own spaces. Grow both of these herbs in separate pots, and avoid planting them in a main garden bed. Both mint and oregano will come back year after year and can grow in full sun. However, mint can handle part shade and prefers soil to be on the moister side.
Cilantro and dill are cool-season herbs and easy to grow from seeds. Directly sow their tiny seeds in early spring. When hot weather arrives, the plants will bolt and go to seed. The mature plants may self-seed, and you will find surprise plants popping up all around next spring. We call the seeds of cilantro “coriander”. However, in other countries, they call the entire plant coriander. Once the tiny balls of coriander seeds are brown and dry, you can collect them to save for planting the following growing season. Enjoy cilantro in salsa or tacos. When dill matures, it produces pretty, umbrella-shaped flower heads. The flowers make a nice addition to the garden and will also add a unique touch to cut flower arrangements. Dill tastes delicious in tzatziki and in seafood dishes. The seeds are often used to make dill pickles, but you can also add the flowers, which will look very pretty in the canning jars.
While some herbs will attract adult butterflies with their flowers, others are host plants for the caterpillars of butterflies. If you are growing parsley, fennel, or dill, you may be alarmed to see caterpillars eating your crop. But if you are willing to share, you will soon find that they turn into beautiful black swallowtail butterflies. you may wish to plant extra herbs so that you can freely offer some of them to the caterpillars.
We would love to hear about your favorite herbs to grow. Send your comments and questions to Shorelocalgardener@gmail.com.
Tammy Thornton lives with her husband, children, and crazy pets while enjoying a life of gardening, cooking, and going to the beach.
Basil tastes delicious with bruschetta or on your favorite pizza.
New arcade and eatery open at former Wonderland Pier
Something
iar
Boardwalk.
Eustace Mita says it’s all about avoiding an empty “black hole” on the Boardwalk and giving the site a new identity for the summer season.
Photo by Cindy Christy Fertsch
A Look Back
By Fred Miller
Memorial Day, or Decoration Day as it was originally called, has been commemorated in Ocean City for 144 years. While the day signals the beginning of the summer in america’s Greatest Family Resort, residents and visitors have always remembered the country’s war dead.
The patriotic tradition dates back to May 30, 1881, when Gainer P. Moore, a local resident and veteran of the Civil War, led a small group of men along a sbury avenue in the city’s first remembrance of america’s fallen soldiers. Moore was elected mayor in 1884, and under his leadership, the parade grew and became an important annual event. People were also encouraged to go to the mainland and decorate gravestones with flowers.
Under the headline, “Memorial Day,” R. Curtis Robinson, editor and owner of the Ocean City Sentinel, wrote the following article in the
May 26, 1898 issue of the newspaper: “One of the most beautiful and sensible anniversary days of the year is the 30th of May, called Decoration
Day.
“The beautiful custom of strewing the graves with flowers, with patriotic music and orations. The day should be one of blessings.
“In 1861, there were about 900,000 inhabitants in our little state of New Jersey, and yet this State sent over 90,000 men to fight the battles of the Union (in the Civil War)—one tenth of her population, counting men, women and children. Nearly every family in the State had one or more members in the Union armies and many of these never returned to their homes alive, while some were buried in unknown graves on the battlefields.
“The day is not a religious holiday, but rather a patriotic, memorial, decoration day. The right way to spend the day will be largely according to the individual or community’s selections. It is first in order to visit the cemeteries with muffled music and to strew to the heroes’ graves with flowers, but we do not spend the entire day in the cemetery nor in memorial services. It is a great thing to have a holiday on our hands.”
Originally a day set apart in memory of those who fought and were killed in the Civil War, after World War I, Memorial Day observances have been held in honor of all of the country’s war dead.
Ocean City’s Memorial Day tradition will continue on Monday, May 26 at 11:00 a.m. with a ceremony at Veteran's Memorial Park between 5th and 6th streets, on Wesley avenue.
TIRED OF BEING OVERWEIGHT
Lose Weight With Semaglutide or Tirzepatide
You can now get this medication for a fraction of the price of brand names
GLP-1 Injections Really Do Work
LOSE 20-30% OF YOUR BODY WEIGHT
C ALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE A FREE, NO OBLIGATION CONSUL ATION
Sizzle into summer with these mouthwatering Memorial Day recipes
By Sarah Fertsch
As the unofficial kick-off to summer, Memorial Day is all about sunshine, good company and, of course, great food. Here at the Jersey Shore, it’s also about salty breezes, beach bonfires and savoring the best flavors of the season. It’s a time to honor those who served while also gathering around grills and picnic tables to enjoy seaside favorites. If your Memorial Day menu needs a little inspiration, don’t worry — we’ve got you covered with a spread that’s as vibrant as it is delicious. Let’s dive into these mouthwatering recipes that are guaranteed to make your holiday sizzle.
Dijon grilled chicken
Say goodbye to bland grilled chicken with this zesty upgrade. Dijon mustard brings tang and depth, while honey adds a subtle sweetness. Pair it with local Jersey corn on the cob for a true Shore-style feast.
Ingredients:
● Four boneless, skinless chicken breasts
● One-fourth cup Dijon mustard
● Two tablespoons honey
● Two tablespoons olive oil
● Two cloves garlic, minced
● One teaspoon smoked paprika
● Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. In a bowl, whisk together Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, garlic, smoked paprika, salt and pepper.
2. Coat the chicken breasts with the mixture and marinate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for best results.
3. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken for six to seven minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
4. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. Pair with your favorite side dishes for a standout main course.
Classic cornbread
What’s a barbecue without cornbread? This recipe delivers golden-brown, buttery perfection with just the right amount of sweetness. For a local twist, consider adding a drizzle of honey from a nearby apiary.
Ingredients:
● One cup cornmeal
● One cup all-purpose flour
● One-fourth cup granulated sugar
● One tablespoon baking powder
● One-half teaspoon salt
● One cup buttermilk
● One-third cup unsalted butter, melted
● Two large eggs
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and grease a 9-inch square baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, mix buttermilk, melted butter and eggs. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until combined.
4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
5. Cool slightly before slicing and serving. Pro tip: Serve warm with a dollop of honey butter.
Pink lemonade sangrias
Cheers to the perfect holiday drink! This refreshing cocktail is a crowd-pleaser with its blend of sweet, tart and fruity flavors. add some fresh mint picked from your backyard garden or a local farmers market for a touch of Boardwalk charm.
Ingredients:
● One bottle of rosé wine
● Three cups pink lemonade
● One cup sparkling water or club soda
● One-half cup vodka (optional)
● One cup sliced strawberries
● One lemon, thinly sliced
● Fresh mint leaves for garnish
Instructions:
1. In a large pitcher, combine rosé wine, pink lemonade, sparkling water and vodka (if using).
2. add sliced strawberries and lemon to the mixture. Stir well.
3. Refrigerate for at least one hour to let the flavors meld.
4. Serve over ice, garnished with fresh mint leaves.
Blueberry pie bars
End your meal on a sweet note with these portable pie bars. Made with
fresh blueberries, these bars are a nod to the Shore’s bountiful berry farms.
Ingredients:
● One cup unsalted butter, softened
● One cup granulated sugar
● One-fourth teaspoon salt
● Two cups all-purpose flour
● One-half cup blueberry preserves
● One cup fresh blueberries
● One-half teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar, and salt until creamy. Gradually add the flour and mix until crumbly.
3. Press two-thirds of the dough into the prepared pan to form the crust. Spread blueberry preserves evenly over the crust and sprinkle with fresh blueberries and lemon zest.
4. Crumble the remaining dough over the top.
5. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool completely before slicing into bars.
With these recipes in your arsenal, your Memorial Day barbecue is sure to be a hit. Whether you’re firing up the grill or raising a glass of sangria, these dishes and drinks will keep your guests coming back for seconds — and maybe thirds. Here’s to a flavorful holiday filled with good eats, great memories and the unmistakable magic of summer down the shore.
Lucy the Elephant 1881
First Gasoline Powered Car 1889
First Airplane flight 1903
First Philadelphia Phillies Game 1883
Entertainment & Dining at the Shore
Top Weekly Entertainment Picks
By Steffen Klenk
It’s Memorial Day weekend and there’s no better place to kick off the unofficial start of summer than right here at the southern New Jersey Shore. From festivals to farmers markets, beach concerts and headline shows, we’ve compiled some of the most popular activities into one place, giving you an inside look at what’s happening across the region. a s the weather heats up, be sure to check out the Wahoo section all season long for all you need to know.
What : Ocean City Unlocking of the Ocean and Business Persons Plunge
Where : Moorlyn Terrace and the Beach
When : Friday, May 23
Time: 12 p.m.
Website: www.oceancityvacation.com
Ocean City welcomes summer in style. With the turning of a key, city officials will mark the beginning of the season, while business owners, clad in their business suits and attire, will march into the ocean to the strains of “Pomp and Circumstance.”
What : Beach Ball Drop on the atlantic City Boardwalk
Where: Resorts atlantic City
When : Friday, May 23
Time: 12-5 p.m.
Website: www.resortsac.com
Celebrate the start of Memorial Day
weekend with Resorts. The festivities begin just after 12 noon with the Opening of the Sea. Enjoy live music by Sidestory, model painting, fun promotions and prizes, and special giveaways. and at 5 p.m., join special guest Kelsey Grammer for the annual Beach Ball Drop along the world-famous Boardwalk to kick off summer.
What : Ventnor Kickoff to Summer Concert
Where: Ski Beach
When : Saturday, May 24
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Website: www.ventnorcity.org
Ventnor City welcomes the 2025 summer season with a special concert at Ski Beach. This free show will open with "The Voice of Ventnor" Ricky Stevens, followed by an exceptional show by The Exceptions. Bring your chairs and blankets and dance the night away. Food trucks and crafters will be on site.
Who: alice Cooper
Where: Ocean Casino Resort
When : Saturday, May 24
Time: 8 p.m.
Website: www.theoceanac.com
alice Cooper returns to atlantic City as part of his "Too Close for Comfort" tour. Witness a night of extraordinary melodic hard rock and metal, featuring songs from Cooper’s solo career, and hit songs like “Poison,” “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” and “School’s Out.”
What : Dead Zep + Dylan Tribute
Where: The Claridge
When : Sunday, May 25
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Website: www.claridge.com
Tony Mart Presents invites you to experience a night of musical legends featuring the music of Grateful Dead of Led Zeppelin, performed by Waynard Scheller. Plus, relive
Check Out Our Winning Happy Hours!
Bob Dylan’s legendary “My Back Pages” 30th a nniversary Concert with special guest Jaden Lehman from Oteil & Friends. Don’t miss this extraordinary tribute to rock history with special guests, being held this Sunday at the Celebrity Theater.
What : Riddlesbrood Theater: ‘The Magic of Merlin’
Where: Historic Smithville
When : Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25
Time: Saturday, 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m.
Website: www.historicsmithville.com
Riddlesbrood Theater returns to Smithville for a mystical outdoor spectacle. This show is a spellbinding adaptation of the tale of Harken, woven together with a signature comic flair that is sure to make you laugh. Join this fantastical journey into the world of Merlin and experience this magical tale for yourself. The event is free and open to the public.
What : Tropicana Summer Fireworks Display
Where: Tropicana Casino and Resort
When : Saturday, May 24
Time: 10 p.m.
Website: www.caesars.com/tropicana-ac
Experience the excitement of Tropicana’s stunning fireworks displays. These breathtaking shows can be seen from the beach and iconic atlantic City Boardwalk. Each show will dazzle and light the night sky and is the perfect way to cap off your evening.
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.
‘Hair hanger’ Miranda Menzies brings locks of thrills to ‘The Hook’
The Casino File
By Chuck Darrow
If you attend a performance of the current edition of “The Hook” at Caesars atlantic City, you will see Miranda Menzies hanging around. Literally.
The 34-year-old Edinburgh, Scotland native who recently joined the cast of the R-rated variety show, practices the ancient art of hair hanging; that is, she performs acrobatics suspended in the air by her hair.
While many hair hangers are traditional circus artists who carry on generations-long family traditions, Menzies’ father works in finance, and though her mother has served as a radio weather forecaster and a local-level producer, it was more fate than family that put her on her
unusual career path.
Not that she was unfamiliar with off-the-ground performing. Menzies started out acting, but soon found she had a talent for performing aerial stunts: “If you did a production of [Shakespeare’s] ‘a Midsummers Night Dream,’ let’s have Puck fly,” is how she explained it during a recent pre-show chat.
Menzies soon enough abandoned straight acting and developed an aerial act that had her performing with a hoop above the stage. While gigging in Berlin, Germany, she went to see a show that included a hair hanger. “I immediately connected to it,” she recalled. “and became obsessed.”
The reason, she continued, is that “It's pure movement and it's entirely body work. a nd to see the center-point of someone's body being their head, you can almost feel what that must feel like for your spine, how everything hangs in a different place. In my opinion, it’s as close to flying or being free in the air as you can get.”
Not that making the transition from hoops to hair was quick or easy. a s Menzies explained, it, the
Kicko to
SUMMER
key to hair hanging is the knot into which a performer’s hair is tied. Traditionally, those who perform it are, as a rule, reluctant to share their hair-knotting secrets. a s such, “For two years I was kind of annoying and just asked and asked and asked. It took me two years to find a teacher who would share the knot with me.”
To those on the ground, hair hanging can appear to be a particularly painful way to make a living: after all, think of how much it hurts to have your hair pulled. But Menzies has figured out how to minimize the pain and discomfort.
“It can hurt,” she allowed, “but I was a yoga and Pilates teacher, so I had done loads of breath work and loads of work like with fascia and with the nervous system. you also find a lot of contortionists that have already kind of worked with their parasympathetic nervous system to dull their ‘fight-or-flight’ [reflex]. you don't panic; your body is always fine, but your mind is not. and pain is kind of in our mind.”
Menzies, who noted that she has to keep her hair at shoulder-length in order to perform, suggested her style of aerial work poses dangers other forms of the craft don’t present.
“It does have a kind of different safety risk involved because your apparatus literally is your head and your backup is your neck muscles and your [trapezius muscles],” she reasoned. “and so, you need to be overly cautious with hair-hang. I think it's just kind of like working out what your levels are every day. Every knot is like having a new rope or a new silk.”
Menzies who started in the show about a month ago, is scheduled to perform in “The Hook” through the end of July (she’ll rejoin the cast in October). a s such, she’s a temporary atlantic City resident-- something she described as an unexpected bonus.
While she said she’s aware that atlantic City has its “big-city” issues— and she understands what is needed to remain safe, especially after dark-she described her temporary residency as an unexpectedly delightful job perk.
“The beaches are spotless, so peaceful in the mornings,” she said. “It's beautiful to go out for walks. and everyone is very friendly.
“I wasn't expecting the beaches and everything to be so lovely. I think summer here will be great!”
For tickets and show info, go spiegelworld.com/shows/the-hook.
Time to drop the balls
If it’s Memorial Day weekend, it’s time to get the summer party started with the 11th annual Beach Ball Drop on the Boardwalk in front of Resorts Casino-Hotel.
at 5 p.m. Friday, TV sitcom legend Kelsey Grammer (“Cheers,” “Fraiser”) will preside over the gravity-induced release of 5,000 beach balls onto the Great Wood Way.
The festivities begin at noon with the traditional Opening of the Sea ceremony followed by an afternoon-long slate of activities including live-model painting, contests and giveaways and music from the popular cover band Sidestory. after the balls are dropped, the party moves inside to the new Let’s Glow pop-up bar on the casino floor, which is hosting a “Wear White” after-party.
Expanded menu at Coastal Craft Kitchen
Coastal Craft Kitchen, the breakfast-and-lunch outlet at Harrah’s Resort atlantic City, has upped the ante by adding several items to its menu.
The new offerings include: Tacos (choice of chicken or pork); Coastal Burger (dry-aged beef burger, pepper jack cheese, smokehouse barbecue sauce, onion ring, lettuce, tomato, pickle); Cantonese Roasted Duck Noodle Soup (roasted duck, scallions, cabbage, egg noodles, chicken broth) and Chicken & Penne alla Vodka (chicken, asparagus, pink vodka sauce).
Chuck Darrow has spent more than 40 years writing about
Friday, May 23
Yachty By Nature
▶9 p.m.
The Music Box at Borgata
Saturday, May 24
Alice Cooper
▶8 p.m.
Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino
Sunday, May 25
Dead Zep
▶8 p.m.
Celebrity Theater at the Claridge
Atlantic City Headliners
Friday, May 30
Lynyrd Skynyrd
▶9 p.m.
Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino
Saturday, May 31
An Evening with Heart
▶8 p.m.
Hard Rock Live at Etess arena
Friday, June 6
Khalid
▶9 p.m.
Hard Rock Live at Etess arena
Ledisi w/ Marsha Ambrosius
▶9 p.m.
Circus Maximus Theater at Caesars
Saturday, June 7
Australian Bee Gees
▶9 p.m.
Golden Nugget atlantic City
Trisha Paytas
▶8 p.m.
Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino
Friday, June 13
Queens of the Stone Age
▶8 p.m.
Hard Rock Live at Etess arena
Happy Together Tour 2025
▶8 p.m.
Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino
Saturday, June 14
Robin Trower
▶8 p.m.
The Music Box at Borgata
David Foster & Chris Botti feat.
Katharine McPhee
▶8 p.m.
Circus Maximus Theater at Caesars
Sunday, June 15
Erykah Badu
▶7 p.m.
Hard Rock Live at Etess arena
Friday, June 20
Tom Segura
▶8 p.m.
Hard Rock Live at Etess arena
311
▶8 p.m.
Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino
Ms. Pat
▶9 p.m.
Tropicana Showroom
Tickets to see Old Dominion on Saturday, Sept. 6 at Hard Rock are on sale Friday, May 23 at 10 a.m. Photo credit: Old Dominion Facebook
Randy Rainbow
▶9 p.m.
Concert Venue at Harrah’s
Saturday, June 21
Tom Segura
▶8 p.m.
Hard Rock Live at Etess arena
Tiny Fey & Amy Poehler
▶4 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino
The Allman Betts Band w/ Mattie Schell
▶8 p.m.
The Music Box at Borgata
On Sale This Week
Old Dominion
▶Saturday, Sept. 6
Hard Rock Live et Etess arena
Rickey Smiley
▶Saturday, Sept. 27
Hard Rock Live et Etess arena
Tickets on sale Friday, May 23, 10 a.m.
BAR | RESTAURANT | HAPPY PLACE BRUNCH Sat & Sun 11am-3pm
Johnny Van Zant leads Skynyrd into seventh decade of jamming Southern-style
By Scott Cronick
When you talk about pioneers of music, you think how Bob Dylan bridged the gap between folk and rock, how the Beatles changed music forever by invading the United States with their new brand of rock ’n’ roll, how Chuck Berry made it OK to be a showy guitarist, how Led Zeppelin paved the way for hard rock and metal, and how Nirvana created a genre called grunge … just to name a few.
Lynyrd Skynyrd deserves the pioneer tag for creating a Southern rock brand while ushering in a rocking style of live improvisation at the same time that The Grateful Dead was creating its own, more trippy version of what would later be labeled “jam band.”
Now, 61 years after forming in Jacksonville, Fla., Lynyrd Skynyrd is not only still jamming, but rocking as hard as ever, and they will jam their way into Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Resort 9 p.m. Friday, May 23.
Known for their bluesy riffs with a touch of country twang, hits such as “Tuesday’s Gone,” “Gimme Three
Steps,” “Sweet Home alabama” and the jam-frenzied anthem “Free Bird,” Skynyrd music is as american as apple pie.
With more than 60 albums recorded and sales beyond 30 million worldwide, Skynyrd was named one of the “100 Greatest artists of all Time” by Rolling Stone and was inducted into
the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Kid Rock in 2006.
Johnny Van Zant, the brother of founder and former lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, who died in an airplane crash in 1977, has been the frontman for the classic rockers since 1987, and in this interview talks about their upcoming performance as well as the band's strong connection with atlantic City fans while reflecting on the band's legacy.
Scott Cronick: Atlantic City always seems to be a perpetual tour stop for Lynyrd Skynyrd. You definitely have a great rapport with audiences here, don’t you think?
Johnny Van Zant: yeah, you know what, man? We got great fans in your neck of the woods. and, you know, the whole area, there’s always been strong support. Whenever I started with Skynyrd back in ‘87, I was so amazed because I had never played with Skynyrd in your area, and I was like, “Holy crud, man. Look at all these fans up here!” So, it’s always good to come back and see everybody. and, you know what? We try to do that every summer and get out there and
see the Skynyrd nation, and we love seeing them. We love seeing the new generation, the old generation, and the one in between. Somebody said the other day … our crowds are 8 to 80.
SC: When you say 1987, that means almost 40 years with the band. Is that mind-blowing to you?
JVZ: It is, but you know, in a lot of ways, it seems like 40 seconds. Time don’t blink, man, because time goes by. Enjoy every minute. and you know what? We’ve been through a lot in those years, and to keep the music going and coming to the fans, you know, Skynyrd made great records, won’t take that away. But coming and seeing a Skynyrd live performance is a spiritual thing to a lot of fans, and that’s a great thing.
SC: You took the words right out of my mouth. Why are you still here after all these years? It’s the live show, right?
JVZ: and not only for the fans, but for us in the band. It really is. We never go out there and just phone it in. Everything’s live. If I’m sick, I’m going to sound like crap. and if somebody has got a hurt finger, they may not play the lead part right, but it’s live. and it really is a special time for us. years ago, probably about the first 10 or so years, we were all partying pretty good. We were having a good time, and we didn’t
soak it in, and it’s good to still be here and bring it to the crowds and soak it in these days. We love doing it. We love getting out there and just seeing the smiling faces.
SC: Is it challenging after all these years to keep that live energy and creativity intact so it doesn’t look like you are phoning it in like so many nostalgic acts do?
JVZ: No. a gain, man, I’ve been on stage and had kidney stones and didn’t know I was having them, but I was real sick. I thought I had food poisoning. and Gary Rossington, before
his passing, man, he went through a lot of health trouble. But that adrenaline, that emotion and that spiritual thing that goes on with Skynyrd is a powerful, powerful thing. Once you hear that intro come on and those lights go down, and you see the fans, it just brings it out of you no matter what you’re going through. and I love doing it, too, because for two hours, somebody leaves their problems behind, enjoys the music, and that goes for me, too. I can be going through a bad day, but when I hit that stage, it’s a different story.
My biggest thing about touring these days is traveling. The other night, I spent five-and-a-half hours on the runway in atlanta because of storms, and they turned the plane off. and there was some old guy that was 85 years old next to me, and I was watching him the whole time because it was hot … It's hot down here in the South already. But the storms were coming in, and I was like, you know what? We really don’t get paid for playing because that’s a joy. We get paid for traveling.
SC: I think you were 28 years old when you joined Skynyrd. And you had your own band at that point and were doing just fine. Was there a moment where you thought that Skynyrd wasn’t for you? Now it seems like a no-brainer, but back in ’87, that’s not such an easy decision, right?
JVZ: I walked into a room in 1986 with the surviving members of that horrible day, you know, in ’77. a nd Ronnie was the father figure and the alpha dog, and those guys were all still in their 20s. and this is what they did. This is what they planned for their lives. and, of course, that plane crash happened and changed everything. and they asked me to be a part of it. I was a Skynyrd fan before. I never
looked at my brother Ronnie as a rock star. He was the guy who picked on me, made me learn how to fight and be the person that I am.
They counted on him, and he was gone. and for them to ask me to be a part of it … to not do it would have been the wrong thing to do for them and for the legacy of Skynyrd. and you know what? I’m so glad I did it.
I’ve been able to make different records. I just did a gospel album with my brother Donnie that we put out last year. It’s been on our bucket list. It’s called Van Zant: “a lways Look Up.” and I’ve been able to do certain records here and there and have that single artist thing going on, along with being able to do Skynyrd. It’s been a great ride for me. I hope one day I’m sitting on my front porch here in Florida having a glass of tea or a good beer or something or a good shot of Hell House Whiskey that we have out with a cigar and going, “Wow! That was something else!”
SC: Skynyrd has a new album coming out called “Celebrating 50 Years, Live at the Ryman.” Another chapter of the legacy, right?
JVZ: Sure. It was a wonderful night. We were in the mother church of country music, and to stand on that stage and be able to play these great skinted songs too was an amazing
night. We have great guests on there like Jelly Roll, Brett Smith from Shinedown, my brother Donnie, Marcus King, who’s a wonderful, wonderful guitar player, singer, great guy, and John Osborne from The Brothers Osborne, and he’s just a phenomenal rock guitar player. It was a great, great night. We didn’t plan it, but God works in mysterious ways. There’s also a great documentary that’s coming out with it. and I can’t wait for our Skynyrd Nation to hear it.
SC: Getting back to that Hell House Whiskey. Seems like it pairs well with Skynyrd?
JVZ: Me and (former guitarist) Gary Rossington used to drink an awful lot of whiskey, and we said, “We should start our own.” and it came to fruition, and it’s been a great thing
SC: So, when it comes to the roster, I guess the other guy who has been there a hell of a long time is (guitarist) Rickey Medlocke, right?
JVZ: Oh yeah, man. Once upon a time, Gary called Rickey and said, “Hey man, I’ll pay you $1.50 and a Snickers bar to join the band.” and Rickey said, “I’m all in!” He gives it his all every night, and we’ve become really close. It’s a great thing. It really is.
SUNDAY, MONDAY & TUESDAY ONLY
SC: How do you keep that setlist fun for you?
JVZ: There’s so many great songs. For me personally, I’d like to do a whole night of obscure songs, like “all I Can Do is Write about It,” “Things Goin On,” … God, there’s so many of them, but you still got to get into the hits. and I can’t imagine not doing “Sweet Home” and “Free Bird.”
SC: It’s funny you bring up “Free Bird” because that song has become a punchline in some ways that cover bands don’t want to play it, but when you see Skynyrd, you have to hear it!
JVZ: Definitely. We’ve been ending with that since it was written, and I think it’s only fitting. and we got a really special thing we do during the song. For those people who haven’t seen us lately, you have to come out and check it out. It’s a really special time.
SC: How do you keep things fresh for you personally?
JVZ: I never have and never will phone it in. I go out, and I give it my all. and I’m enjoying the moment. I really am. I’m enjoying the moment, and I know that someday I’m probably not going to be able to do that. I’m not
getting any younger. and I’m trying to enjoy this and soak up every, every ounce of this pleasure of being out there and doing this.
SC: Will we see new Skynyrd music?
JVZ: There are songs — before Gary passed — we had written, and we had all intentions of making a new studio album, but his health got too bad. So, who knows? I put everything in God’s hands, man. He leads us in the right direction.
SC: For those who have never been to a Skynyrd show before, what can they expect?
JVZ: a lot of energy. We’ve been doing this for a long time, and I call myself the head cheerleader. I love seeing people have a good time. Come on out, check it out, and I promise we’ll blow your mind!
Lynyrd Skynyrd performs 9 p.m. Friday, May 30, at Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Resort. Tickets, starting at $77, are available at Ticketmaster.com or go to TheOceanaC.com.
Scott Cronick is an awardwinning journalist who has written about entertainment, food, news and more in South Jersey for nearly three decades. He hosts a daily radio show – "Off The Press with Scott Cronick" - 4 to 6 p.m. weekdays on Newstalk WOND 1400-AM, 92.3-FM, and WONDRadio.com, and he also coowns Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall in Atlantic City, while working on various projects, including charitable efforts, throughout the area. He can be reached at scronick@comcast.net.
Johnny Van Zant has been Lynyrd Skynyrd's frontman since '87.
Absecon Concerts in the Park
▶Sunday, June 22, 7 p.m.
Heritage Park
Free Outdoor Concerts
absecon will be the place to be on Sundays for the city’s weekly Concerts in the Park. The season begins June 22 with the Fabulous Silver Wings , performing popular country standards. Concerts will be held on Sundays at 7 p.m., with refreshments available for purchase.
Brigantine Summer Concert Series
▶Wednesday, May 28, 7 p.m.
Brigantine Community Center 265 42nd St.
Brigantine Community Education and Recreation will host a free outdoor concert on the Community Center lawn this Wednesday. Bring your lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the sounds of Brenda Bass & The Swingettes . In the event of rain, all concerts will be held the following Thursday. For more information, call the recreation office at 609-2647350.
Live Jazz at the Somers Point Beach
▶Friday, June 6, 7 p.m.
William Morrow Beach 800 Bay ave.
The South Jersey Jazz Society
presents Jazz on a Spring Evening. Enjoy a free outdoor jazz concert featuring Blue Note recording artist and eight-time Grammy Winner Arturo O’Farrill and his 17-piece Latin Jazz Orchestra. Free will donations to SJJS will be accepted.
Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk
▶Wednesday, June 25, 7 p.m.
Kennedy Plaza 2300 Boardwalk, atlantic City
Mark your calendars for the first Mardi Gras concert of the season in atlantic City. The festivities get underway with a Jammin’ Jersey NOL a Funk Fest, featuring the Ocean Avenue Stompers , and Soul Project NOLA , with special guests Jimmy Law and Jeremy Kaplan from Dogs in a Pile. For more information, visit tonymart.com.
Somers Point Beach Concert Series
▶Friday, June 13, 7 p.m.
Photo by John Loreaux
"Conan O’Brien Show," with special guest G.E. Smith from "Saturday Night Live". Visit www.somerspointbeachconcerts.com for the full summer lineup.
Summer Concerts at Gardner’s Basin
▶Saturday, June 21, 1 – 7:30 p.m.
William Morrow Beach 800 Bay ave.
The Somers Point Beach Concert Series kicks off its 32nd season with the musical stars of late-night TV, featuring Jimmy Vivino from the
800 N. New Hampshire ave. atlantic City
Join the National R&B Music Society for a free outdoor concert next week, featuring atlantic City artists The Ty Turner Band, The Cason Ex-
press Show Band with SiSi Dash, Judah Dorrington & Paradise. Bring your lawn chairs, coolers, and umbrellas for this free community event while enjoying the scenic backdrop of Gardner’s Basin.
Ventnor City Kickoff to Summer Concert
▶ Saturday, May 24, 6:30 p.m.
Ski Beach
The first Ventnor concert of the season kicks off this Saturday with The Exceptions , playing all your favorite party tunes. The concert begins at 6:30 p.m. Food and crafters will be ready to serve you at 5:30 p.m.
Ventnor City Summer Beach Jam
▶Saturday, June 28, 6:30 p.m.
Newport avenue Beach
The first Summer Beach Jam of the season begins on June 28. Mark your calendars to hear "The Voice of Ventnor" Ricky Stevens , and pop and rock by The Usual Suspects all concerts will be held on Saturdays starting at 6:30 p.m. Food and crafters will be ready to serve you at 5:30 p.m.
Live & Local Music Calendar
Thursday, May 22
Atlantic City
Anchor Rock Club
Line Dancing with Caitlin and Mike
7 p.m.
247 S. New york ave.
Bar One at Resorts
Karaoke Night w/ Cowboy Kevin
8 p.m. – 12 a.m.
1133 Boardwalk
Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino
DJ Dags
8 p.m.
500 Boardwalk
Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget
Dane anthony
8 p.m. – 12 a.m.
600 Huron ave.
The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock
Split Decision. 7 – 11 p.m.
1000 Boardwalk
Linwood
Fox Den at LCC
Billy Walton Band
6 – 10 p.m.
500 Shore Rd.
Marmora
Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern atley Moon
6 p.m.
316 Roosevelt Blvd.
Somers Point
Caroline’s by the Bay Radio Revolution Duo
4 – 7 p.m.
Karaoke Night w/ Mike Dempsey
8:30 p.m. – 12 a.m.
450 Bay ave.
Crab Trap
Doug Jennings
6 – 9 p.m.
2 Broadway
Gregory’s
Brandon Ireland
6 p.m.
900 Shore Rd.
The Point animal House Duo
6 – 10 p.m.
998 Bay ave.
Friday, May 23
Absecon
Reddog’s Hi Point Pub
DJ Will
9 p.m.
5 N. Shore Rd.
Atlantic City
Anchor Rock Club
Emo Night w/ DJ David Earl & Karle Gwen
8 p.m.
247 S. New york ave.
Bar One at Resorts
Stereomotion
6 – 9 p.m.
DJ Gary
9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
1133 Boardwalk
Council Oak Lounge at Hard Rock
Minas Trio
7 – 11 p.m.
1000 Boardwalk
Hard Rock Café
Sidearm Trio
8:30 p.m. – 12 a.m.
1000 Boardwalk
Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino
Indelible Groove Duo
7 p.m.
Kristen & The Noise
10 p.m.
500 Boardwalk
Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget
abby Lee Duo
6 p.m.
Big House
10 p.m.
600 Huron ave.
The Deck at Golden Nugget Groove Heart
7:30 – 11:30 p.m.
600 Huron ave.
The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Cheers the Band
5 – 8:30 p.m.
My Hero Zero
9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.
1000 Boardwalk
Topgolf Suite at Ocean Casino
Kelli & Friends
6 p.m.
500 Boardwalk
Villain & Saint at Ocean Casino
andrew Moorer
8:30 p.m.
500 Boardwalk
Brigantine
LaScala’s Beach House
Jamison
6 – 9 p.m.
1400 Ocean ave.
Egg Harbor Township
The Roost Pub & Grill
Glenn Roberts
6:30 p.m.
500 St. andrews Dr.
Galloway
279 Social
Radio Revolution Duo
7 – 10 p.m.
279 S. New york Rd.
Linwood
Fox Den at LCC
Triple Bugey
6 – 10 p.m.
500 Shore Rd.
Margate
Bocca
Debra Jacobs
7 – 10 p.m.
7805 Ventnor ave.
Memories
White Walls
7 p.m.
Jason Weiss
10 p.m.
9518 amherst ave.
Marmora
Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern
Megan Knight Band
6 p.m.
316 Roosevelt Blvd.
Somers Point
Caroline’s by the Bay
Brandon Ireland Band
8 p.m. – 12 a.m.
450 Bay ave.
Crab Trap
Joe Staffieri Duo
6 – 9 p.m.
2 Broadway
Crabby Jack’s
One Hot Mess
6 – 9 p.m.
2 Broadway
Josie Kelly’s Mid Life Crisis
8 p.m.
908 Shore Rd.
The Point
The Exceptions
6 – 10 p.m.
998 Bay ave.
Tuckerton
The Lizzie Rose Music Room
Sean Chambers & The Savoy Brown Rhythm Section. 7:30 p.m.
217 E. Main St.
Saturday, May 24
Absecon
Reddog’s Hi Point Pub
Brandon Ireland. 9 p.m.
5 N. Shore Rd.
Atlantic City
Anchor Rock Club
MDW: We Outside w/ DJ Fah D,
Frex & Iroc. 11 p.m.
247 S. New york ave.
Bar One at Resorts
anthony Della Barba. 6 – 9 p.m.
DJ Gary. 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. 1133 Boardwalk
Council Oak Lounge at Hard Rock
Christopher Farrell Trio. 7 – 11 p.m.
1000 Boardwalk
Hard Rock Café
The Lenahan Trio. 8:30 p.m. – 12 a.m.
1000 Boardwalk
Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino
Dan Jost Duo.
7 p.m.
yani. 10 p.m.
500 Boardwalk
Ryfe
Bruce Klauber Swings Frank Sinatra. 6 – 8 p.m.
4101 atlantic ave.
Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget
Steve Moore & MIa , 5 p.m.
Cat 5. 10 p.m.
600 Huron ave.
Steel Pier Tiki Bar
Glenn Roberts. 3 – 7 p.m.
Bar None. 8 p.m. – 12 a.m.
1000 Boardwalk
The Baywalk at Harrah’s Element K
2 – 6 p.m.
777 Harrah’s Blvd.
The Deck at Golden Nugget
Bar None Band
2:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Party Wave
8 p.m. – 12 a.m.
600 Huron ave.
The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock
Dane anthony Band
5 – 8:30 p.m.
Who Brought the Dog
9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.
1000 Boardwalk
Topgolf Suite at Ocean Casino
Naked Nation Trio
7 p.m.
500 Boardwalk
Villain & Saint at Ocean Casino
Ballistic Berry
8:30 p.m.
500 Boardwalk
Brigantine
LaScala’s Beach House
The Whitewalls
1 – 5 p.m.
Steal the Sky
6 – 10 p.m.
1400 Ocean ave.
Galloway
279 Social
Brendan Marro Duo
8 – 11 p.m.
279 S. New york Rd.
Linwood
Fox Den at LCC
Rey Triboletti. 6 – 10 p.m.
500 Shore Rd.
Margate
Bocca
Ken Nicholas. 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
7805 Ventnor ave.
Maynards Café
Mas Tequila. 5:30 p.m.
9306 amherst ave.
Memories
Dom the Saint. 10 p.m.
9518 amherst ave.
Marmora
Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern
Going Rogue. 6 p.m.
316 Roosevelt Blvd.
Somers Point
Caroline’s by the Bay
Big Foot Duo. 4 – 7 p.m.
Xstream Band. 8 p.m. – 12 a.m.
450 Bay ave.
Crab Trap
Joe Staffieri Duo.
6 – 9 p.m.
2 Broadway
Crabby Jack’s
One Hot Mess. 6 – 9 p.m.
2 Broadway
Josie Kelly’s
Local Noise. 8 p.m.
908 Shore Rd.
The Point FunZaLuv
6 – 10 p.m.
998 Bay ave.
Tuckerton
The Lizzie Rose Music Room
Billy Walton Band. 7:30 p.m.
217 E. Main St.
Sunday, May 25
Absecon
Reddog’s Hi Point Pub
Troy David. 4:30 p.m.
5 N. Shore Rd.
Atlantic City
Anchor Rock Club
Frankie Mermaid w/ Dirt Birth,
Linus Blanket, youth.
8 p.m.
247 S. New york ave.
Bar One at Resorts
DJ Eric & DJ Proud
3 p.m. – 12 a.m.
1133 Boardwalk
Council Oak Lounge at Hard Rock
E. Shawn Qaissanee
7 – 11 p.m.
1000 Boardwalk
Hard Rock Café
Indelible Groove
8:30 p.m. – 12 a.m.
1000 Boardwalk
Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino
adam Holcombe Duo
7 p.m.
DJ Dhave
7:50 p.m.
500 Boardwalk ↘Continued on 68
AUGUST
AUGUST
SATURDAY, AUGUST 23
Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget
Camille K Duo. 6 p.m.
Dane anthony. 10 p.m.
600 Huron ave.
Steel Pier Tiki Bar
Glenn Roberts. 3 – 7 p.m.
Killer B’s. 8 p.m. – 12 a.m.
1000 Boardwalk
The Baywalk at Harrah’s New Normal. 1 – 5 p.m.
777 Harrah’s Blvd.
The Deck at Golden Nugget
Don’t Call Me Francis
7:30 – 11:30 p.m. 600 Huron ave.
The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock
Liquid a . 4 – 7:30 p.m.
austin City Nights. 8:30 – 11:30 p.m.
1000 Boardwalk
Villain & Saint at Ocean Casino
John McNutt Band. 8:30 p.m.
500 Boardwalk
Brigantine
LaScala’s Beach House
Incognito. 1 – 5 p.m.
Goodman Fiske
6 – 10 p.m.. 1400 Ocean ave.
Egg Harbor City
Renault Winery
Dave Cunningham. 12 – 4 p.m.
The Dunns Duo. 6 – 10 p.m.
72 N. Bremen ave.
Galloway
279 Social
Taylor Lenahan. 12 – 3 p.m.
279 S. New york Rd.
Margate Maynards Café
Frankie and the Flatliners. 5 p.m.
9306 amherst ave.
Memories
DJ David Joel Stephens. 6 p.m.
9518 amherst ave.
Marmora
Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern
Local Noise
6 p.m.
316 Roosevelt Blvd.
Somers Point
Caroline’s by the Bay
Danny Eyer Band
4 – 8 p.m.
450 Bay ave.
Crab Trap
Lew London & Bob Mower
6 – 9 p.m.
2 Broadway
Crabby Jack’s
Richie Pignatore Trio
6 – 9 p.m.
2 Broadway
Gregory’s Backyard Bar
May Day
6 p.m.
900 Shore Rd.
Josie Kelly’s
Traditional Irish Session
1 – 4 p.m.
908 Shore Rd.
The Point
The Verdict. 6 – 10 p.m.
998 Bay ave.
Monday, May 26
Atlantic City
Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget
Tommy & The Hot Flashes
8 p.m. – 12 a.m.
600 Huron ave.
Steel Pier Tiki Bar
Glenn Roberts. 2 – 6 p.m.
Teddi Fusco. 7 – 11 p.m.
1000 Boardwalk
The Deck at Golden Nugget Red. 2:30 – 6:30 p.m.
600 Huron ave.
The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Hometown Radio. 7 – 11 p.m.
1000 Boardwalk
Brigantine
LaScala’s Beach House
adam and Min. 12 – 4 p.m.
1400 Ocean ave.
Somers Point
Caroline’s by the Bay Trivia Night with DJ Bill.
7 – 9 p.m.
450 Bay ave.
Tuesday, May 27
Atlantic City
Bar One at Resorts
Karaoke Night w/ Cowboy Kevin
8 p.m. – 12 a.m.
1133 Boardwalk
Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget Patty & Bugzy
8 p.m. – 12 a.m.
600 Huron ave.
The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock
Sidestory. 7 – 11 p.m.
1000 Boardwalk
Somers Point
Caroline’s by the Bay
Music Bingo hosted by DJ Chris John. 7 – 9 p.m.
450 Bay ave.
Crab Trap
Bittersweet Duo. 6 – 9 p.m.
2 Broadway
Wednesday, May 28
Atlantic City
Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget
Tommy & The Hot Flashes
8 p.m. – 12 a.m.
600 Huron ave.
Margate
Bocca
Jazz Night w/ Bob Sterling & The Bocca Boys. 7 – 10 p.m.
7805 Ventnor ave.
Somers Point
Caroline’s by the Bay
Michael LaGuardia
4 – 7 p.m.
Open Mic Night hosted by Blue Eagle
7:30 – 11:30 p.m.
450 Bay ave.
Crab Trap
Joe Staffieri Duo 6 – 9 p.m.
2 Broadway Events subject to change.
SATURDAY, JULY 19
Rockabilly Uprising returns to Smithville June 7
Tune In, Turn On
With Doug Deutsch
Rockabilly has always been one of this column’s favorite music genres. From the upbeat sound of bands ranging from The Stray Cats and Link Ray, to Robert Gordon, The Cramps and Flat Duo Jets, it’s always had a hipness and swagger we find appealing.
Mike Spagnola, curator and promoter of Rockabilly Uprising, set for Saturday, June 7 in Smithville, digs rockabilly, too.
“This is Uprising's 11th year. The event just comes from a love of rockabilly, psychobilly music and pin-up culture,” said Spagnola, who also owns a cool music-culture shop at Smithville called Underground.
“We’re the promoters of two other yearly events in Smithville (artwalk and Monster Bash), but Uprising is my
personal favorite. It just brings out the coolest people.”
Rockabilly Uprising, which takes place at Village Greene in Smithville, features sets by popular New Jersey acts The atomic Bats (pictured) and, from Red Bank, Dr. Void and the Death Machines.
“The music and the Pin-Up Contest are both held in the gazebo on the Greene,” added Spagnola. Check www. rockabilly-uprising.com for additional information.
We were curious to know more about Mike’s background.
“I've been involved in music subculture and underground music all my life,” he said. “Opening a store like Underground was something I always wanted to do. It finally came to fruition in 2007, almost 18 years ago. at Underground we sell our original designs along with top subculture brands. We are raucous and irreverent; some Smithville visitors might even say, obnoxious (he laughs).
“We have a loyal following of cus-
Come Dine With Us!
tomers because of our authenticity and our DIy ethic. We’re known for standing out in an otherwise quiet and quaint little town.”
What bands does Spagnola listen to?
re-enacted by local and national stars at Dylan Dead Zeppelin 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 25, at The Claridge’s Celebrity Theatre in aC. Renowned guitarist Jaden Lehman (who collaborated with Oteil Burbridge of Dead & Company on his debut EP “Reflection”), is the featured guest, performing the part of George Harrison doing Harrison's Dylan tribute. Dead Zep, led by Waynard Scheller, renowned for his work with Bob Weir, the Jerry Garcia Family and the yoko Ono Foundation, will lead Dead Zep in a set of melodic medleys combining Grateful Dead and Led Zeppelin classics before
“If you come into Underground, the bands you'll always hear are The Misfits, The Koffin Kats, Type O Negative, Ravagers, Blitzkid, and Vision Video. Depending on the mood of the day: old punk, horror punk, psychobilly or traditional goth.”
Does he play any musical instruments?
“I play guitar...badly. I've never been in a band.”
There are musicians, and there are people who provide a place for bands to perform. Mike Spagnola is happy to be in the latter category, and he’s doing a great job of providing a live music venue for indie bands.
Rockabilly Uprising takes place at Historic Smithville, 615 E. Moss Mill Road, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, June 7. Music runs 1-3 p.m.; vendors 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Info: www.rockabilly-uprising. com.
Tune-Ups: Tony Mart Presents Dylan Dead Zeppelin. Bob Dylan's 30th a nniversary Concert, which took place in October of 1993 at Madison Square Garden, is musically
performing the tribute to Bob Dylan, and many all-stars who performed with Dylan on that occasion, including Tom Petty, Eric Clapton, Neil young, Roger McGuinn, Chrissie Hynde and The Band.
General admission tickets for the three-hour show, which include some limited VIP seating, are available at Claridge.com or www.Tonymart.com.
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.
War at the Shore power boat racing returns to Atlantic City
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 6, 7 and 8
North Beach atlantic City has officially signed on as the presenting sponsor of the 2025 War at The Shore, one of offshore powerboat racing’s most thrilling and anticipated competitions, which is relocating to atlantic City’s iconic Boardwalk.
The Offshore Powerboat a ssociation (OPa), a major force in offshore powerboat racing, returns to atlantic City this summer for the War at the Shore power boat races — presented by North Beach atlantic City, Visit atlantic City, and the atlantic City Sports Commission — on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 6, 7 and 8.
North Beach atlantic City has officially signed on as the presenting sponsor of the 2025 War at The Shore, one of offshore powerboat racing’s most thrilling and anticipated competitions. This exciting new partnership brings with it a bold move: relocating the heart of the event to a tlantic City’s iconic Boardwalk, promising unprecedented exposure and excitement for fans and competitors alike.
“The atlantic City race has always been a favorite among the racers who prefer a challenge,” said Nick Smith, president of OPa Racing. “With North Beach’s help, now we can begin to fund the racers for their participation and add levels of importance to the already daunting task, which is to win the War at The Shore.”
prominent places to get an amazing view of the action.
View the boats up close and meet the drivers on Friday, June 6 and Saturday June 7 starting at 10 a.m. The boats will be on display at the Showboat Water Park located on Pacific avenue.
Sunday, June 8 is Race Day! There will be four races, each taking place at noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m.
Can't make it to a race? No problem! you can watch every event the OPa produces from the comfort of your own home. OPa's official announcers Brad Harrington and Brian Baldry will keep you in the loop with
Partnering with North Beach atlantic City, Visit atlantic City, the atlantic City Sports Commission and other businesses, the OPa will ignite excitement along the atlantic Ocean.
The event moves from its long-standing home at The Golden Nugget to more prominent and spectator-friendly locations along the Boardwalk. Now in its second year back, the War at the Shore offers prize money to racers, raising the stakes and attracting top racers nationwide.
Top teams from around the world will compete in three separate races starting at noon. North Beach along the Boardwalk offers dozens of
expert commentary all day long. Visit youtube.com/@OPa _Racing. a radio pre-race show will start at 10 a.m. on 97.3 FM.
The 2025 War at The Shore is set to become a marquee spectacle on the summer calendar. With beautiful oceanfront accommodations, sunkissed beaches, amazing indoor and outdoor dining options, and of course casino fun, spectators can make a weekend of this event by reserving a room now at one of the many North Beach Casino Hotels.
For more information about all there is to do and see in North Beach atlantic City, visit atlanticcitynorthbeach.com.
For more information about PaC and War at the Shore visit oparacing. org.
Celebrate the start of summer with an unforgettable evening of live music as Bruce Klauber brings the timeless sounds of Frank Sinatra to life at Ryfe in atlantic City on Saturday, May 24. Two showtimes are available, at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Titled "Bruce Klauber Swings Frank Sinatra," the performance features
Klauber on vocals, accompanied by acclaimed musicians James Dell’Orefice on piano and Bruce Kaminsky on bass. Located at 4101 atlantic avenue, Ryfe offers the perfect setting to enjoy dinner and a show. Don’t miss this chance to swing into the holiday weekend with style and nostalgia. For reservations, call 609-4286993 or visit ryfeac.com.
Remembering when AC was the ‘American Monte Carlo’
Remembering When
By Chuck Darrow
In four days, Resorts Casino-Hotel will mark its 47th anniversary as the first legal casino to open outside of Nevada.
The stories of that epochal day— about entertainer Steve Lawrence rolling the dice after making the first-ever state-sanctioned bet (fun fact: his “point” was five and he made it); about the surreally long line of gamblers on the Boardwalk caused by players who refused to relinquish their places at the tables and slot machines, and about the Hefty bags staffers were forced to use to store the unexpectedly copious amounts of cash that came off the casino floor-are indelibly stored in Our Town’s institutional memory.
But what is forgotten by--or unknown to-- some is that the casinos of 1978 and 1979 were significantly different from those we know and patronize today. Below is a look at some of those differences:
Jackets required
When the pro-casino forces were martialing their arguments for legalization, chief among them was that the glitz and shlock of Las Vegas would be avoided. Instead, the model would be the gaming halls of
the South of France, where affluence, understated elegance and sophistication ruled. Part of this intention to make atlantic City the “american Monte Carlo” was the edict that men would be required to wear a suit jacket; when what was initially called Resorts International opened its doors, that rule was enforced.
However, it didn’t take all that long for the nascent gaming industry to realize the mid-atlantic region wasn’t the South of France: americans were in the process of de-formalizing society and casino patrons didn’t want to have to play dress-up in order to see a show or throw $20 into a slot machine. By the dawn of the 1980s, any notion of atlantic City establishing itself as a bastion of elegance and sophistication was but a quickly dissipating memory.
Gaming options
Today, atlantic City visitors have a multitude of games from which to choose. For instance, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa offers five table games that are based on Texas Hold ‘Em poker. But in the early years, local gamblers were legally limited to just six options: Craps, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, slot machines and the Big Six wheel, which was the casino version of the kinds of games generations of visitors have played
at Boardwalk stalls and amusement piers.
One significant “Thou Shalt Not” of the Casino Control act of 1977 was the prohibition of the touching cards by blackjack and baccarat players. The liberalization of the gaming menu began in earnest in 1991, when Pai Gow Poker was introduced. It led to permitting players to handle the cards (Pai Gow players must do that in order to make the two separate hands out of the seven cards that are dealt to them as required by the game’s rules). This, in turn, led to the 1993 introduction of poker.
The early days also saw gaming tables at which the minimum bet was $2. and of course, in that pre-digital age, all slot machines were coin-operated.
Hours of operation
Today, the nine local casino floors are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. But that wasn’t the case back in the day.
For the first 14 years of legal casino gaming, state law mandated that gambling could take place between 10 a.m. and 4 a.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. and 6 a.m. weekends and holidays. But in the summer of 1992, roundthe-clock gambling was approved—a move that stands as one of the most significant in the industry’s history.
Headliner entertainment
Today’s casino bookings comprise a roster that reflects the nature of the town’s diverse demographic targets. But the first generation of headliners was far-less heterogeneous.
Back then, the primary casino patron was a member of the “Greatest Generation” who came of age in the 1930s and ’40s. That meant pop crooners (e.g. Tony Bennett, Jerry Vale, Jimmy Roselli and, of course, Frank Sinatra) were in high demand. Likewise, such “old school” comedians as alan King, Don Rickels and Buddy Hackett were regularly booked. It wasn’t until the mid-1980s-when Tom Cantone, the entertainment director at the long-gone Sands Hotel & Casino, began booking acts (including Eddie Murphy, Robin Williams and Linda Ronstadt) who appealed to Baby Boomers--that local properties awoke to the fact that there was a place for younger, hipper artists in their venues.
Lounges
a s my colleague Bruce Klauber has authoritatively noted in these pages, there was a time when live music in casino lounges was as essential as slot machines and dice. While some current gambling dens still offer a regular schedule of live acts in their bars (Hard Rock Hotel & Casino atlantic City does so 365 days a year), those who perform today are pretty much locally based and are strictly musical in nature.
But in the early days, intimate spaces like the Rendezvous Lounge at Resorts and Elaine’s at (the original) Golden Nugget spotlighted “show bands,” among them Sam Butera and The Wildest, The Treniers and Freddie Bell & The Bellboys, all of whom were legendary because of their years working similar venues in Las Vegas. Besides showcasing virtuoso musicianship, these high-energy groups often incorporated scripted comedy bits into their sets, creating a unique, and sadly missed, form of entertainment.
The day the wine world turned upside-down
Drink Up!
By David Setley
Forty-nine years ago, on May 24, 1976, a wine tasting event in Paris, France, changed the wine world forever. Steven Spurrier, an Englishman,
a wine expert, and an entrepreneur living in Paris, brought together the crème de la crème of French winemakers, sommeliers, and wine experts to taste and evaluate wines from Bordeaux and Burgundy, France, against wines from California’s Napa Valley. you may have heard of the 2008 film, “Bottle Shock,” a film that loosely depicts the blind tasting in Paris and Spurrier’s trip to California beforehand. Interestingly, Spurrier was not happy with the film, as it was “fast and loose” (his words) with many of the details. That said, the film is
entertaining and features some wonderful performances by Chris Pine, Bill Pullman, and the late, great alan Rickman. If you have an opportunity to watch it, enjoy! Just know that it largely fictionalized the true story.
In truth, Spurrier and his colleague, an american named Patricia Gallagher, intended for the blind tasting to be a celebration of the american bicentennial and the 200-year relationship between the U.S. and France, as well as an opportunity to showcase the strides that California winemakers had made in producing good-quality wine. In the 1970s, California wines were still in their infancy and generally assumed to be of low quality. at the suggestion of Gallagher, Steven and his wife traveled to California to tour vineyards and wineries in Napa Valley and to select wines he thought might show well in Paris. He chose six Cabernet Sauvignon and six Chardonnay,
the two classic French varietals that were also in production in California.
The 1976 blind tasting, which has since become known as The Judgement of Paris, was the first time that new-world wines shared space on an international stage with old-world wines. On the day of the tasting, nine judges, all French, arrived. a mong them were the esteemed Madame Odette Kahn, editor of a highly prestigious wine magazine in France, and aubert de Villaine, the director of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, a Burgundy estate producer of some of the world's best and most expensive wines. The tastings commenced first with Chardonnays from both countries, and then Cabernet Sauvignons. George Tabor, the only reporter willing to accept an invitation to the event, was the only person who knew which wines were from France and which were from the U.S.
Live in Touch with Your Soul
URSA ALCHEMY is a unique blend of Astrology, Aromatherapy and Cosmic Guidance co-created with the Cosmos, Plants and Spirit.
Offering Astrological Aromatherapy, a variety of Astrology readings, Aromatherapy consults and products, the Becoming Chiron podcast, downloadable classes and guided meditations.
Ursula is the author of The Cosmic Connection weekly horoscopes and astrology summaries featured here in
When the scores were totaled, I can just imagine the shock felt throughout the wine world. California dominated the white wine category, with a 1973 Chardonnay from Chateau Montelena named the winner, and three additional Ca wines in the top five. In the red category, a 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon from California’s Stag's Leap Wine Cellars came out on top, edging out a 1970 Chateau Mouton-Rothschild from Bordeaux. Upon hearing the results, Madame Odette Khan demanded (unsuccessfully) her scorecard back so that the world would never know how she scored the wines. aubert de Villaine later described the event as "a kick in the rear for French wine."
George Tabor wrote an article for Vanity Fair titled “The Judgement of Paris,” the event’s eventual namesake. you can even see the score cards and some of the bottles from the event at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. So why was this important? Did it mean that California wine is better than French wine? Not necessarily. However, the event did draw attention to the existence and quality of new-world wines produced throughout the world.
Blind tastings have become very popular in wine bars, but you can certainly simulate the Judgement of Paris at home. First, select com -
parably priced wines from California and France. For a red, reach for the Chateau Paloumey Haut Medoc 2021 as a Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine from Bordeaux and compare it with a California Cab, such as the Truchard Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine from Carneros, Napa Valley. Try a Merlot-dominant Bordeaux blend, such as the Chateau Carbonneau Sequoia 2022, and compare it to the J. Lohr Merlot 2022 from Paso Robles, Ca . For Chardonnay, try Saint
Veran 2020 from Collovray & Terrier 2022 against a Balletto Russian River Valley Chardonnay from Sonoma. Or, select a Burgundy Pinot Noir like the Domaine Chevrot Hautes Cotes de Beaune 2022 to have head-to-head with the Juggernaut Pinot Noir 2021 from Russian River Valley. Have a friend or partner pour samples of each wine without letting you know which glass was poured from which bottle. Evaluate the appearance of each wine based on
color and viscosity. Slowly swirl the wine in the glass and observe the “wine legs” that drip down the side. Generally, the more “legs” you see and the slower they cascade down, the fuller the body of the wine. Then, compare the aroma. Think F-E-W: fruit (cherry, plum, lemon, apple, etc.), earth (forest floor, soil, sea mist, etc.), and wood (oak, cedar, pencil shavings, etc.). Finally, compare the taste. Is it fruit-forward or more earthy? Is it dry, sweet, or somewhere in between? Is the taste long-lasting, or not so much? Which glass do you think is from which country? Lastly, which do you prefer overall? you be the judge! you can conduct blind tastings for other varietals, regions, and countries. Try Sauvignon Blanc, comparing bottles from New Zealand, California, or France. Test your sense with Pinot Noirs, comparing Burgundy to Willamette Valley, Oregon to New Zealand. The possibilities are endless. a s always, contact me with any questions at dsetley@passionvines.com or stop into the store. Until next time, happy wining!
David Setley is enjoying his retirement from higher education as a wine educator and certified sommelier at Passion Vines in Somers Point, New Jersey.
Cosmic Jerry Band to perform Grateful Dead tribute at Showboat’s Spirit Bar
The beloved Grateful Dead tribute act Cosmic Jerry Band is set to bring their signature jams to the Spirit Bar at Showboat Resort on Saturday, May 24. Hailing from a sbury Park, the group channels the soul of Jerry Garcia with faithful renditions of Dead classics and improvisational energy that appeals to longtime Deadheads and new fans alike.
Known for blending deep cuts, fan favorites, and exploratory jams, Cosmic Jerry Band creates a nostalgic yet fresh live experience. The performance begins at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door, available now on Eventbrite.
Presented by Rubenstein Entertainment Group, JD Live, and Pro Creative, the show promises a night of soulful celebration. The intimate setting of the Spirit Bar provides the perfect backdrop for a multisensory musical experience
filled with psychedelic grooves and good vibes.
Don’t miss this chance to dance, sway, and sing along to the timeless sounds of the Dead, reborn through Cosmic Jerry Band.
Where: Showboat Resort, 801 Boardwalk, atlantic City
When: Saturday, May 24 | Doors 7 p.m. | Show 8 p.m.
Tickets: Eventbrite
Jaden Lehman to join ‘Dylan Dead Zeppelin’ tribute concert at Claridge Hotel
On Sunday, May 25, the Claridge Hotel’s historic Celebrity Theatre will come alive with the sounds of rock legends as the “Dylan Dead Zeppelin” concert takes the stage. This unique performance will feature renowned guitarist Jaden Lehman of “Oteil & Friends,” whose musical roots trace back to collaborations with the a llman Brothers and Dead & Company.
Lehman will perform a special tribute as part of a live reenactment of Bob Dylan’s iconic 30th anniversary concert, “My Back Pages.” He is set to play the role of George Harrison, delivering Harrison’s moving tribute to Dylan during the celebratory event.
The concert is headlined by the band Dead Zep, led by keyboardist and musical director Waynard Scheller. Scheller is widely recognized for his work alongside Grateful Dead founding member Bob Weir, the Jerry Garcia Family, and The yoko Ono Foundation. Known for blending musical artistry with historical reverence, Dead Zep will open the evening with a medley of beloved Grateful Dead and Led Zeppelin classics.
Following the opening set, the band will dive into a full-scale tribute to Dylan’s 1992 anniversary concert at Madison Square Garden, where a roster of rock royalty joined Dylan on stage. The performance will honor legendary guests such as Tom Petty, Eric Clapton, Neil young, Chrissie Hynde, Roger McGuinn, and members of The Band.
The “Dylan Dead Zeppelin” experience promises a one-of-a-kind journey through music history, with masterful performances and a deep reverence for the icons who shaped generations.
Tickets are available through the Claridge Hotel box office and online ticketing platforms. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m.
Guitarist Jaden Lehman of Oteil & Friends
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month
By Health Reporter Robin Stoloff
After a long, cold winter, it is finally here. Memorial Day weekend signals more than just the unofficial start of summer at the shore, it marks a return to everything we enjoy about this time of year.
The beach chairs come out, the boardwalk fills up and we finally feel the warmth of the sun that we’ve been craving since January. a s someone who loves this season as much as anyone, I also want to share a timely reminder: May is Skin Cancer aware -
ness Month. That may not be as fun to talk about as our holiday cookout or a new restaurant in town, but it’s worth our attention, especially in sun-loving communities like ours.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S., with millions of cases diagnosed each year, and the numbers are rising. yet, here’s the good news: it’s also one of the most preventable forms of cancer.
a s days grow longer and we spend more time outdoors, now is the ideal time to think about how we can protect ourselves. The american academy of Dermatology has launched a month-long campaign to raise awareness about early detection, prevention strategies and the importance of regular skin checks. Here at the shore, where UV exposure is practically a lifestyle, it’s a message we can’t afford to ignore.
The aaD’s message for Skin Cancer awareness Month focuses on the following key points:
Prevalence of skin cancer: Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States.
Importance of early detection: Early detection significantly increases the chances of successful treatment.
Sun protection measures: The aa D recommends seeking shade, wearing protective clothing and applying a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
Regular skin examinations: Conducting regular self-examinations and scheduling professional skin exams can aid in early detection.
There are three major types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.
Basal and squamous cell cancers are the most common and usually appear on sun-exposed areas of the body like the face, ears, neck and hands.
Melanoma is less common, but much more aggressive and can spread quickly if not caught early. Fair skin, a history of sunburns, excessive UV exposure, including tanning beds, and a family history of skin cancer all increase your risk. But anyone, regardless of skin tone, can develop skin cancer.
The aBCDE rule is a helpful guide for identifying moles or spots on the
skin that could be signs of skin cancer. Be aware that potentially harmful moles or spots on your skin may be in areas that never see the sun. Here’s what each letter stands for:
A – Asymmetry: One half of the mole doesn’t match the other in shape, color, or size.
B – Border: The edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred.
C – Color: The color isn’t uniform and may include different shades of brown, black, pink, red, white, or even blue.
D – Diameter: The mole is larger than 6 millimeters across (about the
size of a pencil eraser), although melanomas can be smaller.
E – Evolving: The mole is changing in size, shape, color, or texture, or it starts to itch, bleed, or crust.
If you notice any of these warning signs, it’s a good idea to see a dermatologist. Early detection is key to treating skin cancer, especially melanoma, successfully.
Recent studies offer hope in the fight against melanoma and other skin cancers. Researchers are exploring improved diagnostic tools, including aI-powered imaging, that can help dermatologists identify sus-
picious lesions with greater accuracy. There’s also growing evidence that daily sunscreen use, even on cloudy days, significantly reduces the risk of skin cancer over time.
In another promising development, scientists are studying personalized skin cancer risk assessments based on genetic markers and skin type, a tool that could help tailor prevention strategies to individual patients.
Most skin cancers are highly treatable if caught early. This includes melanoma, which is the deadliest form of skin cancer. That’s why dermatologists emphasize the importance of checking your skin regularly, using sunscreen daily and seeing a dermatologist at least once a year.
Choosing the right sunscreen
Of course, not all sunscreens are created equal. Dermatologists recommend looking for broad-spectrum formulas (that protect against both UVa and UVB rays), with an SPF of 30 or higher and water resistance, especially important on beach or pool days. Mineral sunscreens, made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, are great for sensitive skin, while chemical sunscreens tend to apply more smoothly.
↘Continued on 84
apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before going outside and reapply every two hours – more often if you’re swimming or sweating. Remember the phrase I have coined, “Redo in two,” so you don’t forget to reapply it. Be sure to cover the commonly missed spots: your ears, the back of your neck and the tops of your feet. I often wear a wide-brimmed visor, so I use sunscreen designed specifically for the scalp to protect the part in my hair.
Living by the ocean means we are also dealing with reflected UV rays from the water and sand, which can intensify sun exposure. So, on long beach days, it helps to bring a tent or umbrella, wear a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses, and choose lightweight, long-sleeved shirts when you can.
Staying hydrated is another easy way to keep your skin healthy. If possible, reduce time in the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when the rays are the strongest. Teach your kids sun protection habits early and model them yourself. Make sun protection part of the beach day routine, just like packing snacks and towels.
sure your kids know the importance of sun safety, a small step now can make a big difference later.
So, as we get ready for cookouts, boardwalk strolls and endless afternoons in the surf, let’s also make space in our beach bags for sunscreen, a good hat and maybe even a little extra shade.
See you on the beach. I’ll be the one under the umbrella, with the big visor and SPF 30.
This summer let’s all commit to looking out for ourselves and each other. Whether it’s encouraging a friend to book a skin check, or making
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
Email Brutusboy6665@aol.com for registration forms and more information
Quick, effective workouts for busy women: At-home and minimal equipment options
By Rachel King
In today’s fast-paced world, finding time to prioritize fitness can feel like just another thing on a never-ending to-do list — especially for women balancing work, family and personal responsibilities. But here’s the good news: you don’t need an expensive gym membership, fancy equipment or hours of free time to stay active and feel strong. In fact, some of the most effective workouts can be done right at home with little to no equipment.
The key? Efficiency and consistency. Short, focused workouts, when done regularly, can be just as powerful (and sometimes more realistic) than long, time-consuming sessions. Whether you’re a busy mom, a remote worker or just someone who prefers the comfort of home, here are ways to make movement work for you.
Why short, at-home workouts work
First, let’s bust the myth that you need to sweat for an hour to see results. Research shows that 20 to 30 minutes of moderate-to-high-intensity movement can improve cardiovascular health, support weight management, reduce stress and boost energy levels. It’s not about how long you work out, it's about how consistently you show up.
Quick workouts can also be easier to stick to, which means you’re more likely to build a sustainable fitness habit over time.
No equipment? No problem.
If you’ve got a little floor space and a willingness to move, you’ve got everything you need. Here are a few types of workouts that require zero equipment but deliver big benefits:
• Bodyweight circuits : Think squats, push-ups, lunges, planks and jumping jacks. These movements use your own body for resistance and can be scaled for any fitness level.
• HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) : alternate between bursts
of effort (like 30 seconds of mountain climbers) and short rests. These fastpaced sessions burn calories and boost metabolism long after your workout is over.
• Yoga or mobility flows : These low-impact options are great for flexibility, core strength and mental clarity — and you can follow along with free videos online.
• Dance or cardio combos: Put on your favorite playlist and move! Dance workouts are not only fun, but also a great way to get your heart rate up and boost your mood.
Minimal equipment, maximum impact
Want to build in a little more variety or intensity? Just a few affordable tools can take your home workout up a notch:
• Resistance bands – Perfect for adding challenge to lower and upper body movements
• Dumbbells or kettlebells – Great for strength training and functional fitness
• Gliders or sliders – Ideal for core work and low-impact cardio on hard floors
• Jump rope – a space-saving, high-intensity cardio option
Make it work for you
The beauty of at-home fitness is the freedom and flexibility it offers. you can move early in the morning, on your lunch break or while dinner’s in the oven. you don’t need to be perfect — you just need to start.
Even 10 minutes of movement is a win. Over time, those minutes add up to better health, more energy and greater confidence.
Remember: fitness should support your life, not stress you out. Keep it simple, stay consistent and choose movement that makes you feel good.
Paws & Pours returns to Somers Point to benefit Beacon Animal Rescue
Dog lovers, mark your calendars! On Sunday, June 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., The a nchorage Tavern will host Paws & Pours, a dog-friendly fundraiser that brings the community together to support Beacon animal Rescue, a local no-kill shelter in Ocean View.
Presented in partnership with Tito’s Handmade Vodka and its Vodka for Dog People initiative, the event promises a fun-filled day of tail-wagging activities—all for a good cause. Proceeds will support Beacon’s mission to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome homeless pets throughout South Jersey.
“This community always shows up with heart,” said a representative from The anchorage Tavern. “We’re proud to host an event that highlights the incredible work being done at Beacon a nimal Rescue and gives people a chance to connect over something they love—dogs.” attendees are encouraged to bring their pups along for a variety of activities, including:
• Doggie fashion show – Dress
up your dog to impress and compete for fun prizes. a $10 entry fee benefits Beacon animal Rescue. Pre-registration is required via the Tavern’s Facebook page.
• Adoptable dogs on-site – Meet furry friends looking for their forever homes.
• Chip & putt dog bowl game – Test your skills and win prizes courtesy of Tito’s.
• Photo contest – Post your best pup pic using #PawsatTheanchorage for a chance to win a free pet photo shoot.
• Local pet vendors –Shop grooming services, portraits, treats, and other pup-related goodies.
Jillian Shoffler of Beacon Animal Rescue (above) and a fellow volunteer hold adoptable pup, April, spreading awareness for Paws & Pours hosted by the Anchorage Tavern on June 8th.
adding to the fun, from May 1 through June 8, The anchorage Tavern is donating $1 to Beacon animal Rescue for every Tito’s Orange Crush sold. It's an easy and refreshing way to support a great cause.
Nina from Tito’s Handmade Vodka shared, “We created Vodka for Dog
People to support the organizations that make a difference in the lives of pets. Partnering with beloved community spots like The anchorage Tavern helps bring that mission to life.”
The anchorage Tavern is located at 823 Bay avenue in Somers Point. For more information, visit www. anchoragetavernrestaurant.com or contact anchoragetavernmarketing@ gmail.com.
Whether you're looking to adopt, shop, or sip for a cause, Paws & Pours is the place to be for a paw-sitively perfect Sunday at the Shore.
Eagles hoping for another playoff run
By David Weinberg
It’s tough to repeat.
Only nine NFL teams have won back-to-back Super Bowls in the last 59 seasons.
Will the Eagles’ become the 10th? It’s way too early to tell how the season will pan out, but that has never stopped me in the past. The official regular-season schedule was released tonight and as always, here’s my initial prediction as to how the Birds will fare in 2025.
In contrast to diehard fans such as atlantic City Mayor Marty Small and longtime friends Frank “Tater” Smith and Tom “Shag” Shagren, I don’t think they’ll go 17-0. Nor will they become the first team to go 0-17.
Barring injuries, they have the talent to at least be in among the contenders for the NFC East and to get back to the big game for the third
time in four seasons.
a s always, I reserve the right to update my picks as the season progresses. (Last season’s record: 10-11).
Week 1: Thursday, September 4: Eagles vs. Dallas (8:20 p.m.). Eagles and Cowboys meet in an opener for the first time since 2000. Break out the pickle juice (WIN).
Week 2: Sunday, September 14: Eagles at Chiefs (4:25 p.m.). Big Red and Vineland’s Isiah Pacheco get revenge from Super Bowl (LOSS).
Week 3: Sunday, September 21: Eagles vs. Rams (1 p.m.). Eagles shut down Rams’ powerful offense. Saquon Barkley rushes for 150 yards. (WIN).
Week 4: Sunday, September 28: Eagles at Bucs (1 p.m.). Large contingent of Eagles fans won’t be enough to avoid yet another defeat at Tampa. Baker Mayfield throws three TD passes. (LOSS).
Week 5: Sunday, October 5: Eagles vs. Broncos (1 p.m.). Bo (Nix)
doesn’t know Philly. (WIN).
Week 6: Thursday, October 9: Eagles at Giants (8:15 p.m.). If I watch on amazon Prime, can I also order an Eagles jersey for my wife? She currently wears a No. 9 Rodney Peete jersey. (WIN).
Week 7: Sunday, October 19: Eagles at Vikings ( 1 p.m.). Nick Foles
doesn’t make the trip to Minnesota this time. (LOSS).
Week 8: Sunday, October 26: Eagles vs. Giants (1 p.m.). another season sweep against Big Blue. Jaxson Dart throws three interceptions. (WIN).
Week 9: ByE
Week 10: Monday, November 10: Eagles at Packers (8:15 p.m.). Cedar Creek High School grad Bo Melton catches two TD passes for the Packers. (LOSS).
Week 11: Sunday, November 16: Eagles vs. Lions (8:20 p.m.). a matchup of two big NFC contenders. aiden Hutchinson gets two sacks and Jared Goff throws three TDs. (LOSS).
Week 12: Sunday, November 23 (4:25 p.m.). Eagles at Cowboys. George Pickens and Cee Dee Lamb get into an argument in the end zone. (WIN).
Week 13: Friday, November 28: Eagles vs Bears (3 p.m.). Da Bears will be
better behind Caleb Williams, but not good enough to beat the Birds. (WIN).
Week 14: Monday, December 8: Eagles at Chargers (8:15 p.m.). This is the year the Chargers finally live up to their potential. … Maybe. (LOSS).
Week 15: Sunday, December 14: Eagles vs. Raiders (1 p.m.). Raiders try to redeem their Vegas comps in atlantic City to no avail. (WIN).
Week 16: Saturday, December 20: Eagles at Commanders (TBa). Jaden Daniels and the Commanders take over first place in NFC East. (LOSS).
Week 17: Sunday, December 28: Eagles at Bills (4:25 p.m.). Saquon Barkley runs through the snow for 200 yards. (WIN).
Week 18: Date TBD: Eagles vs. Commanders. Both teams rest their starters to get ready for playoffs. Rookie Kyle McCord leads the Eagles to a win. (WIN)
Prediction: 10-7, wildcard playoff berth.
Eagles coach Sirianni signs extension
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni will be sticking around for at least a few more years.
Sirianni agreed to terms on a multi-year contract extension on Monday. Official terms were not released.
Sirianni guided the Eagles to a Super Bowl appearance in two of the last three seasons, losing to the Kansas City Chiefs 38-35 in Super Bowl 57 and beating them resoundingly 40-22 last season.
He enters this season with a 4920 record (.702 winning percentage) and has made the playoffs all four seasons.
Only former San Francisco coach George Seifert (52) has more wins after his first four seasons than Sirianni.
“He’s done an outstanding job,” Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said last month.
The Eagles’ impressive performance in 2024 quieted the critics who questioned the coach in the wake of an alarming collapse a year earlier, when they lost five of their last six regular-season games after a 10-1 start, then lost 32-9 at Tampa in the first round of the playoffs.
Rumors that Lurie was considering changing coaches began to circulate, but the owner opted to stay the course and was rewarded with the second Super Bowl in franchise history.
“Everything that I had hoped for with Nick, he embodies,” Lurie said.
“Football intelligence, emotional intelligence, managing of people, hiring assistant coaches, growth mindset at all times.”
Mainland grad gets second start with Reds Cincinnati Reds rookie pitcher Chase Petty, a Mainland Regional High School graduate, suffered his second loss in as many starts last week. The 22-year-old allowed four runs on six hits and six walks with four strikeouts in three innings in a 6-0 loss to Houston.
“Can’t give up the free bags (walks),” Petty said. “I can’t walk six guys.”
Petty was slated to start last Saturday against the Cleveland Guardians, but Reds manager Terry Francona opted to go with reliever Brent Suter.
David is a nationally recognized sports columnist who has covered Philadelphia and local sports for over 40 years. After 35 years with The Press, he has served as a columnist for 973ESPN.com and created his own Facebook page, Dave Weinberg Extra Points. Send comments to weinbergd419@comcast.net.
Nick Sirianni
Can technology help lost dogs return home?
By Heidi Clayton
Technology is making it easier and easier to find lost dogs with the advent of GPS dog collars and the apple airTag. But what if your dog gets loose and they aren’t wearing their collars? Having your dog microchipped might not bring them home as fast as GPS tracking, but it is highly effective if your dog goes stray and is picked up by animal control or a good citizen.
The american Veterinary Medical a ssociation conducted a study from august 2007 to March 2008 on the effectiveness of microchipping in stray dogs and cats. Fifty-three shelters reported taking in a total of 7,704 stray dogs and cats. Of that number, over four thousand had microchips.
The success rate for dogs being reunited with their owners because of being chipped was 74 percent. Those that were unable to be reunited with their owners were a result of the original information in the chip being outdated. While GPS collars are amazing, I highly recommend you chip your dogs, as collars can be torn off. Some dogs, like
their software, which ranges from $99 for six months to $189 for a year.
mine, also do not wear collars while at home.
Microchips are small and easy to inject into the dog. They are only activated when a microchip scanner
is used to try and find the chip. you can get your dog microchipped at any vet appointment, and the procedure does not require your dog to be sedated. The chip is injected via a hypodermic syringe. your vet will then instruct you to register your contact information with the chip's manufacturer. If you don’t update the information, the vet clinic that provided the chip will be the contact. Some microchips are also now capable of providing your dog's body temperature. Chipping your dog takes no time at all, and there are very rarely any side effects. GPS collars are amazing. There are several brands, but the two brands that are the highest rated are Fi and the apple airTag. The highest rated is the company Fi, whose GPS collar also monitors activity level, gives escape alerts, is waterproof, and has an LED light for nighttime walking. all of the features are monitored via a downloaded app. Fi does require that you sign up for a membership to
a pple a irTags are also highly rated. I was excited to see that they now offer a keychain-style attachment to a dog collar so that you can hook the a irTag to a martingale-style collar instead of being forced to use a buckle collar if you don’t typically use them. What is great about the a irTag is that when it is put into “lost mode,” its technology is designed to use the millions of iPhones around it to send its signal to you. When the airTag is put into lost mode, the device can connect to those phones anonymously and alert you to where your pet is.
Spending the money on a GPS dog collar can be worth it if your dog is an escape artist. It may alleviate the worry about your dog being safe. add a little extra “just in case” insurance by making sure they are microchipped as well.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net.
Heidi Clayton started Four On the Floor Dog Training to provide positive, rewardbased dog training in South Jersey. She breeds, trains and shows bull terriers under the SoraBully’s Bull Terriers kennel name. Email questions to heidi@ fouronthefloordogtraining. net or learn more at https:// fouronthefloordogtraining.net
Atlantic City Arts Foundation paints the town with new public art as summer nears
As atlantic City gears up to welcome summer visitors in the millions, the atlantic City a rts Foundation (aC aF) is adding even more color and vibrancy to the cityscape with the completion and progression of several new public art installations. Much like residents preparing their shore homes for the season — from dusting off beach chairs to planting vibrant flowers — aCaF is ensuring the city looks its best with captivating art in its diverse neighborhoods as we spring into summer.
The aCaF, a nonprofit arts organization, is contributing to atlantic City's pre-summer refresh with public art that showcases our talented local art community and highlights civic improvements throughout the city.
"a s our community anticipates the arrival of summer weather and visitors, we are thrilled to unveil these new additions to atlantic City's thriving art scene," states Michael atkins, executive director of the atlantic City a rts Foundation. "With these and other public art projects, we've now reached an impressive 102 murals
installed across the city. This rate of mural creation, per capita, keeps atlantic City on pace with esteemed cultural mecca, Philadelphia, the mural capital of the world. There are many more public artworks that we look to install or refurbish throughout the city. We encourage everyone — locals, tourists and anyone coming down the shore — to explore these fantastic new artworks and to support aCaF's continued efforts to enliven our city through public art. Visit our website, attend our upcoming events and become an active supporter of the arts in atlantic City!"
Recent and upcoming projects include the playful “Z is for Zebra” by author and artist Stephanie Segal Miller. This mural, which draws from the artist’s children’s book “U is for Urial,” was originally installed in 2021 near Shore Park Hi Rise at 900 Mediterranean ave. and is now freshly repainted by Miller and local artist assistants after necessary repairs to the wall.
One of the city’s largest and most iconic murals, “Close Encounters” by Charles Barbin, is slated for refurbishment to restore its vibrancy. Originally installed in 2018, this mural depicts a pod of jellyfish floating amongst a lively psychedelic backdrop.
The Brigantine artist will touch up the paint and add new aesthetic elements throughout the piece at 7 S. South Carolina ave., following restoration to the building’s exterior.
These murals are the first of eight public art projects made possible through a grant from the New Jersey Economic Development authority (NJEDa) that funds the restoration of signature murals in the Inlet, Midtown and Chelsea neighborhoods. In addition to the NJEDa grant funding, these restorations are also supported by generous contributions from the Casiello Foundation and Destination Philly aC. The success
“Mind Power” by Luz Sanchez and Marcus Hughes will also undergo restoration. This mural at 111 N. Sovereign ave. is one of aCaF’s earliest installs and shares messages of positivity and literacy for the adjacent Sovereign avenue School students, where lead muralist Luz Sanchez graduated middle school. The artists will return to atlantic City to restore and refresh the mural design.
of the aCaF mural program is made possible through an ongoing partnership with The Casino Reinvestment Development authority to protect completed public art murals against the elements and graffiti.
These partnerships are instrumental to the aCaF mission of engaging the community through public art, creating opportunities for working artists and further inspiring residents and visitors to connect with the city's unique cultural identity.
The 100th Mural at Cardinal restaurant on New York Ave. In Atlantic City Photo courtesy of the Atlantic City Arts Foundation
Close Encounters Mural. Photo courtesy of the Atlantic City Arts Foundation
Common estate planning mistakes: Part 2
By Eric Reich
In last week’s article, I covered five common estate planning mistakes, such as beneficiary errors, naming specific investments in your will, and more. Here are some more things to be aware of and to discuss with your estate planning attorney:
1. Not planning for the death of a beneficiary
If one of your two beneficiaries dies, where does the money go? Is it the other one, or is it the family of the one who died? I could accidentally disinherit grandchildren by picking the first option and leaving everything to the other beneficiary and their family. This is known as per capita (Latin for “by heads,” meaning per person) as opposed to per stirpes (Latin for “by branch,” meaning each branch of the family would receive
a share). One way to word the latter option might be to leave your assets to “all lawful children equally, per stirpes”.
2. Ownership mistakes and imbalances
If too many of the assets are in one spouse’s name, it could accelerate or increase some taxes (see your tax adviser). Frequently, one spouse may have worked longer and will have a much larger IR a . They may also have a vacation home or investment accounts in their name only. By shifting the house or investment accounts to the other spouse, the estate becomes more equalized and therefore reduces the possibility of owing taxes after the first death.
3. Not thinking through a well-intended gift
Let’s say a client wanted to make sure that after she passed away, her three daughters always had a home to go to at the shore. Her will stated that her children couldn’t sell her house unless everyone had a house in that town. Two of the three children did, in fact, live in that same town. The third, however, several years before her mother’s death, moved
across the country to San Diego and didn’t want to own a house at the shore. Because of the way the will was written, the heirs had to go through a lengthy process with the courts to finally get permission to sell their mother’s home. Worse, during this time period, the home’s value declined dramatically. When the house was ultimately sold, the heirs lost over $500,000 in addition to the legal fees.
4. Not planning for the unexpected
There could be a sudden decline in your health or your spouse’s. also, there could be a change in your assets. What about the divorce of your kid? your kids’ creditors? Can your heirs handle that much money? There are a multitude of things that you have probably never even thought about. This is commonly addressed by having assets go to a trust where you can control how, to whom, and when money gets distributed, unlike an outright inheritance from a will. Personally, mine goes to a trust, and my children get distributions at ages 25, 35, and 45, unless my trustee deems them to be a danger to themselves.
5. Not dealing with your own mortality
yes, you are going to die someday, whether you want to face that reality or not. Do not leave your family with a complicated situation because you don’t want to deal with an uncomfortable situation.
6. Naming co-executors who have to act together
While I understand people often do it in order to avoid having to choose one child over another, this
adds an unnecessary layer of complication. It is far more likely that they won’t agree on an issue, which could delay the process of settling the estate and add unnecessary costs. There are plenty of things that can go wrong after someone dies. Don’t make matters worse by failing to plan properly. If you’re worried about the cost of a qualified estate planning attorney, I can tell you it’s less expensive than litigation.
Securities are offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINR a /SIPC. Investment advisory services are offered through Kestra advisory Services, LLC (Kestra aS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. Reich a sset Management, LLC is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kestra a S. 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.
By Bruce Klauber
The unique beginnings of two Boardwalk hotel/casinos
Two atlantic City hotel/casinos – one still standing, the other no longer with us – had rather unusual beginnings.
The Brighton Hotel & Casino is barely remembered today, although it was actually the fourth hotel/ casino to open in atlantic City, and the resort’s first totally new hotel/ casino. The three that opened prior to Brighton – Resorts, Caesars, and Bally’s – were all built, to varying degrees, on existing structures.
The concept for the Brighton, which opened on aug. 1, 1980 on South Indiana avenue, was to create a quiet, sophisticated atmosphere that would appeal to Boardwalk high rollers. Sadly, what the developers
didn’t realize was that such a market simply didn’t exist.
Brighton booked the notable, and generally low-key jazz legends who did well in the lounges of Las Vegas, including vibraphonist Red Norvo, pianists Teddy Wilson and Earl “Fatha” Hines, and the singing jazz duo of Jackie Cain and Roy Kral. However, the first commercial spokesperson for Brighton was anything but lowkey as it was none other than longtime Miss america pageant host, Bert Parks.
There were problems from the start. a month after the Brighton opening, the Holiday Inn chain signed a deal to buy the venue for $121 million plus stock options, which was actually a pretty good deal in that it cost Brighton $80 million to build.
Something happened in less than a month to sour the deal, and the Holiday Inn buyout never went through, leaving Brighton in a precarious position. Its small size, and the idea of a quiet place for high rollers were concepts that just weren’t working.
In 1981, about a year after it opened, an outfit called Inns of amer-
ica came up with $10 million to help Brighton keep the doors open. Not long after that, Inns of america, a corporation which also owned the Sands in Las Vegas at that time, bought a 60 percent interest in Brighton for $30 million, took over the property and renamed it the Sands. The
newly-renamed hotel/casino finally began to show a profit. Perhaps the very name, “the Sands,” promised the Vegas flash and glamour that atlantic City gaming customers really wanted. Over the years there were a num -
ber of changes in ownership, several expansions, and extensive redevelopment efforts. The Sands’ storied history, especially when it came to entertainment, has been detailed in these pages previously.
Park Place opened as the third hotel/ casino on the atlantic City Boardwalk. Its beginnings were unique as it was built on the site of two of the city’s most historic hotels – the Marlborough-Blenheim and the Dennis Hotel. The deal was brokered by noted
The end came for the troubled venue on Oct. 18, 2007, when it became the first hotel/casino on the East Coast to be imploded. a much more successful story began on Dec. 29, 1979, when Bally’s
atlantic City art dealer and showman Reese Palley, and lawyer Martin Blatt. The two bought the Marlborough with the intention of spending more than $30 million to renovate it, keeping the Blenheim wing intact and
tearing down the Marlborough section to make room for a casino. In the midst of this, Palley used his connections and gift of gab to get the Blenheim portion listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Though some viewed Palley as a blowhard, he was plenty smart. He knew that properties listed on the National Register could qualify for federal rehabilitation tax credits equal to 20 percent of the owner’s renovation costs.
With that in mind, Palley and Blatt engineered a deal with the Bally’s Corporation, then the world’s larg-
ago, the venue has undergone various changes in ownership and several renovations. Despite all the updates through the years, Bally’s has never been the flashiest of the hotel/casinos, and in terms of entertainment, has stuck mainly to cover bands and DJs.
Like other atlantic City casinos, things have been tough as of late for Bally’s. In 2023 it showed a profit of $11.1 million, but plummeted to $2.5 million in 2024 for a slide of nearly 77%. Bear in mind, however, that atlantic City casino profits as a whole dropped by 9 percent last year, when compared to 2023 numbers.
The good news at Bally’s is that it continues to stay in the game with
est manufacturer of slot machines, to lease – not buy – the Marlborough for 40 years, with a 100-year option. Not long after that deal was made, Bally’s bought the Dennis, next door to the Marlborough, for $4 million from the First National Bank of South Jersey.
With Bally’s at the helm, the company decided to tear down the Dennis, the Blenheim and Marlborough, much to the chagrin of many, to make way for an $83 million hotel/casino.
In the interest of speed and as a cost-cutting measure, Bally’s held on to the Dennis and used it as its hotel.
In 2000, the Bally’s Park Place name was changed to Bally’s atlantic City.
Since its opening almost 46 years
new restaurants, a new VIP Players Club Lounge, new high-limit slot lounge, new rewards center, two new slot rooms, high-limit table rooms, new spa and lobby, more suites, newly-renovated hotel rooms, and other updates. and yes, the Dennis Hotel still stands.
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.
Stay safe this summer: Tips to avoid traffic accidents and what to do if one happens
By Kelli Prinz, Esq.
As the weather warms and the days grow longer, summer brings more than just sunshine and vacations — unfortunately it also brings a significant increase in traffic accidents in our area. Between road trips, holiday travel, teen drivers on break and more pedestrians and cyclists on the road, summer can be one of the most dangerous times to be behind the wheel.
Specifically, South Jersey areas, including atlantic and Cape May counties, saw a significant number of fatal auto accidents last year. Fifty-eight people died in traffic fatalities in atlantic County — the highest number in a decade. Less serious, but also of great significance and concern is that last year 1,912 car accidents with reported injuries occurred in atlantic County.
a s a local injury attorney, I’ve seen firsthand how a moment of distraction or poor judgment can change lives forever. My goal with this article is to help keep our community safe by
sharing a few tips to avoid accidents — and what to do if the unexpected happens.
Why summer traffic is so risky
Summer typically sees a spike in traffic volumes due to vacations, concerts and outdoor play (including e-bikes and golf carts these days).
Weekends like Memorial Day and the Fourth of July bring increased traffic, and that comes with more accidents, especially in our crowded shore towns and on the busy (and often backed up) Parkway and Expressway. additionally, summer often brings more teen drivers with less experience, increased alcohol consumption at social events, road construction projects, causing detours, delays and driver fatigue from long road trips. all of these factors contribute to a perfect storm for accidents. How to stay safe on the road
The good news is, most accidents are preventable. I want you to be safe. Here are a few simple steps to reduce your risk:
• Plan ahead. Know your route, check traffic updates and avoid peak travel times if possible.
• Avoid distractions. Keep your eyes on the road — not your phone, the radio or the GPS.
• Stay sober. Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Watch your speed. Obey limits and adjust for weather, traffic or road conditions.
• Take breaks. If you're on a long drive, pull over and rest every two hours.
If you're in an accident: What to do next
Even with every precaution, accidents still happen. If you’re involved in a crash, try to stay calm and take these essential steps:
1. Check for injuries. Make sure everyone in your vehicle is safe. Call 911 immediately if there are any injuries.
2. Move to safety. If it’s safe to do so, move your vehicle out of traffic to prevent further harm.
3. Call the police. Even for minor accidents, having a police report can be crucial later on for claims of injury and/or property damage.
4. Exchange information. Get names, contact details, driver’s
license numbers, insurance information and vehicle descriptions.
5. Document the scene. If possible, take photos of the vehicles, damage, license plates and surrounding area.
6. Avoid discussing fault. Stay polite but don’t admit blame or argue about responsibility at the scene.
7. Seek medical attention. Some injuries take hours or days to appear. Don’t skip a medical evaluation — it protects both your health and your legal rights.
Final thoughts
Summertime should be about making memories — not recovering from an accident. By driving attentively and responsibly, you can help protect yourself, your passengers and everyone else on the road.
If you or a loved one is injured in an accident, I’m here to help. Understanding your rights, navigating insurance claims and ensuring fair compensation can be overwhelming. you don’t have to face it alone. Drive safe and enjoy your summer! Kelli Prinz, personal injury attorney at D’Arcy Johnson Day Lawyers
Harbor Apartments and Triad Associates have announced that Preliminary Applications are currently being accepted for their Affordable Rental Program, in Egg Harbor Township, NJ To be eligible for an affordable housing rental unit in this region, your household may not exceed the established regional income limits listed below
Nineteen of the rental units will be designated as affordable units The first units are projected to be available by July 2025 They consist of one, two, and three-bedroom units at the very low, low, and moderate-income levels, ranging from $355 95-$1 , 250 55 per month
PROFESIONAL
Interested households must submit a free preliminary application by July 11 , 2025 at 12pm to be included in the lottery randomization that will take place on July 14, 2025 at 1pm Preliminary Applications submitted after this date will be added to the applicant pool in the order that they are received
For details and to submit a Preliminary Application please visit
Beach Bound Routes
Just as
SHORE FUNNY
Bumper stickers that may amuse you while you're sitting in traffic.
SUDOKU
Solution on page 102
ACROSS
1. Smoothing tool
5. Broadband access overseeing org.
8. attorneys' org.
11. Length times width
12. *Lined up single ____
13. Lump of stuff
14. Carpet attribute
15. Cut the crop
16. Lingo
17. *Entire ship's company
19. Toothy wheel
20. Gives a helping hand
21. They're from mars?
22. Language family, includes Turkic and Mongolian
25. Indian spice mix, pl.
29. Bachelor's last words
30. Baby Ruth component
33. One of the Earnhardts
34. She goes by Lo?
36. actors' grp.
37. Mister in Madrid
38. Colossal
39. With no effort
41. american cuckoo
42. Leave hastily, two words
44. *Commissioned officer of the lowest rank
46. "____, drink, and be merry"
47. *Omaha ____
49. Baby whale
51. *It's a wall to a civilian
54. Hands, to #12 Down
55. Check out
56. Cambodian money
58. Welcoming sign
59. Went down slippery slope
60. *Date of allied landing
61. *Opposite of stern
62. "For ____ a jolly good.."
63. Dried-up
DOWN
1. Grammy category
2. Diva's solo
3. Unload
4. Saffron-flavored rice dish
5. Evil one
6. Wears
7. Porcini mushrooms
8. aquarium scum
9. Uncouth one
10. address abbreviation
12. Spanish dictator, 1939-1975
13. *Throwing weapon
16. Ice, dark, and middle, e.g.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers' ____ Field
21. Dojo turf
22. Was sick
23. Parkinson's disease drug
24. african antelope, pl.
25. Gaspar, Balthasar and Melchior
26. Veranda in Honolulu
27. "____ came a spider..."
28. European finch
31. *"Excellent in all we do" org.
32. None left when on E
35. *____ formation, or on diagonal
37. Make synchronous
39. Credit card payment alternative, acr.
40. What Deep Throat did
43. Stumblebums
45. Type of shards
47. *announcement device
48. Island off Manhattan
49. Head of family
50. all over again
51. Silly talk or writing
52. *____-de-camp
53. Letter opening
54. Flash dancers
57. NaOH
See Solution on Page 102
THEME: ARMY AND NAVY
The Cosmic Connection with Ursula Duffy
Rising sign horoscopes for May 22 – 28
♈ Aries: This week brings a gentle reminder to focus on your own balance and sense of peace. a s you step more into your personal authority, think about who or what is taking you away from the peaceful nature of your soul. Create or reinforce boundaries where necessary.
• Fencing
• Railing
• Decking
• Gates
Let Progressive Help You! & More!
• Pergolas
• Arbors
• Roofing
• Siding
• Windows
• Trim Boards
• Column Wraps
• Awnings
• Sheds
• Play-Sets
• Outdoor Showers
• Trash Enclosures
Weekly Horoscopes
♉ Taurus: The guidance from your inner voice is one of your greatest tools to navigate life, decisions and discernment. Learning to trust it is key, and like exercising a muscle, it grows stronger with practice. This is a new assignment from your soul.
♊ Gemini: Being a leader is within your character. Embrace and embody this part of yourself by practicing acts of service. Giving and helping others feels good, raises your vibration and opens your heart through the process.
♋ Cancer: Boss energy and consolidation are incoming in your work/ career! Say yes to opportunities for growth and promotion. Don’t hold yourself back by worrying about the outcome. your power resides in the current moment and in positive thoughts.
♌ Leo: This week brings a dose of seriousness to your sense of adventure and higher learning efforts. Growing into a new role is oftentimes accompanied by change within. Grieving the parts of yourself that have changed creates space for love, appreciation and release.
♍ Virgo: It’s time to get more serious about connecting with and becoming more intimate with the essence of yourself. When facing big decisions or fears, tap into your inner wisdom and your body for messages and guidance.
♎ Libra: your relationships come under a sharper lens this week. Be real and truthful with yourself about which relationships instill happiness and joy. This check-in includes the relationship with yourself; like attracts like.
♏ Scorpio: you are responsible for your own health, wellness and well-being. Examine how you can make better choices every day, so you feel good and vibrant. you have the freedom to make the decisions that honor your true self and path.
♐ Sagittarius: The relationship between yourself and your creations becomes more serious this week. Expanding your consciousness and awareness of how each creation is an opportunity to learn and grow can lead to higher levels of understanding.
♑ Capricorn: you already have the tools you need to traverse the arising themes related to home and family. Trust your intuition to guide your every step correctly. your soul already has the map for your life.
♒ Aquarius: Evaluate your immediate surroundings for sources of resentment. The flow of life, love and manifestation can become blocked by resentment, anger or blame. Break the pattern and reopen the dam through forgiveness.
♓ Pisces: your finances and resources come under the microscope. Restriction fosters creativity. Consider this an opportunity to learn to be more responsible and mindful. Seeking guidance from a professional advisor can be helpful.
Weekly astrology summary:
a nother planet straddling the threshold between the end and beginning of the zodiac makes a temporary move this week on Saturday, May 24, as steadfast Saturn dips into aries. Saturn has been paddling through the Piscean waters since early March 2023, teaching us about paradox and
how to contain and create structure around the formless. The last time Saturn visited this part of the zodiac was 1996-1999. This shift will bring a new spark, directing our attention to the self rather than the collective and to the warrior within. The change will also bring gravity to our drive to ignite intention and passion with fierce devotion. We will all get a preview of the call to remember our personal authority and to remember who we are. We’ll be challenged to feel into rather than precisely define the overall experience for many months to come. It’s a good idea to be receptive and vigilant of your boundaries while wholeheartedly trusting your intuition at this time. This shift is followed by and harmoniously supports the Gemini new moon on Monday, May 26. Saturn’s influence will bring seriousness to a usually lighter new moon, offering an opportunity to more sharply and specifically focus intentions. 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 info/tutorial video on my Ursa alchemy youTube channel, or cast your own birth chart for free on astro.com.
Ursula Duffy is a Professional Astrologer, Certified Aromatherapist and founder of Ursa Alchemy. Find her astrology readings and astrological aromatherapy services, teachings, podcast, get in touch and more at www.ursaalchemy. com or ursaalchemy@gmail.com.
Six factors to consider when choosing the location of your next home
Real Estate Matters
By Elisa Jo Eagan
While the number of bedrooms and the size of the backyard are both important when searching for a home, location should not be overlooked. In fact, it is often said that in buying real estate and in choosing your place to call home, it is often said that the most important factors are location, location and location.
Here are a few things to keep in mind to help you find the perfect location, and property, for you.
School district
Certainly if you are looking for a location for your own children, this would most likely be your top priority. If you do not have school-aged children, upon first glance a school district may not seem like an important factor. But regardless of your age, a highly rated school district can drastically impact the value of your home, for better or for worse.
Crime rate
The safety of your neighborhood impacts everything from your happiness and security, to your home’s resale value. If you are considering moving out of town, or to another state, there are numerous online tools that can shed light on crime rates.
Transportation
If you move somewhere that pushes your commute over an hour, you are likely to get pretty tired of the location fairly quickly. It may be more ideal if public transportation or highway access is nearby.
Neighborhood
Whether it is peace and quiet surrounded by acres of land; being closer to the ocean, beach or the water to enjoy fishing or boating; the hustle and bustle of the city nightlife, or being near public transportation that appeals to you, scoping out what a neighborhood offers will make you happier in the long run.
Unfortunately, neighbors are non-negotiable, unless you purchase your own remote private island.
Property taxes
Property taxes play a large role in a monthly budget. While you have little control over mandated costs, it is best to check the tax history before you take a look at a home.
Geography
The most obvious component of your home’s physical location, geography certainly will have a huge impact on how you live. Think about factors like the climate, landscape, and environmental changes that will impact you down the line.
Only you can decide the best location for you.
This weekend, when celebrating Memorial Day with family, friends and loved ones, remember all of those who have given their lives for our freedom and paid the ultimate sacrifice. Truly freedom is not free!
God bless the men and women in our United States armed Forces, and God bless america! 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!"
