SHORE LOCAL | Mainland | October 8, 2026 by Mike Kurov

Free October 8, 2026

SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY'S NEWSMAGAZINE

Fall Fun & Festivities Van Drew Assesses Coastal Damage Haunted Hayride's 25 Year Reign of Terror Vineland Data Center Fined Grand Plans for OC Playground

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Stepping back in time: A visit to the mall Letter from the editor

ast weekend, I visited my daughter in Collingswood. We did what mothers and daughters have done for generations: We went to the mall. "But aren’t malls dead?" you may be wondering. No one told the Cherry Hill Mall. Walking inside felt like stepping back in time. The familiar names were there: Build-A-Bear Workshop, Piercing Pagoda, Banana Republic, American Eagle and so forth. More surprising was the crowd! Shoppers filled the corridors, stores were busy and the mall felt alive. This was not like the American Dream complex, with attractions such as an indoor water park, ski slope and ice rink. This was a traditional mall that was somehow still thriving. Like many Gen Xers, I grew up viewing the mall as more than a place to shop. It was where we met friends, strolled around, shared food court fries and giggled when cute boys passed. It gave teenagers their first taste of independence and a free place to go, especially on cold or rainy days. Fast forward and as a parent, I

enjoyed the Shore and Hamilton Mall with my own kids. We sipped lemonade, picked out toys at Kay-Bee and wandered through the Disney Store, where, to the attendants’ dismay, we picked up nearly every stuffed animal. I remember my daughters getting their ears pierced at the mall. They were scared, and I bribed them with a trip to Build-A-Bear, which was conveniently across the corridor. My son loved Hamilton Mall’s food court. On rainy days, we would head upstairs and get pizza from Cosimo’s. It was familiar, easy and welcoming. By 2019, however, more stores were closing. Anchor stores like Sears and JCPenney shut down, leaving what seemed like an empty shell. Many smaller stores followed. Atlantic County once supported two malls only a few miles apart along the Black Horse Pike. Shore Mall in Egg Harbor Township faded, and much of it was demolished in 2013. Boscov’s remains, along with the Motor Vehicle Commission, Spirit Halloween’s flagship store and newer businesses occupying former retail spaces. Hamilton Mall is still hanging on. During its better years, stores such as Aeropostale, Hot Topic, Forever

Issue 408

21 and H&M drew younger shoppers, while its restaurants and food court made it a destination for families. Today, much of Hamilton Mall sits empty. Only scattered shoppers move through corridors that once buzzed with activity, and vacancies continue to multiply. Online shopping is certainly part of the story, but it is not the whole story. Nationally, malls are experiencing a dramatic divide. According to Coresight Research, the malls that have survived are performing better than they have in recent years. Then

there are many that resemble ghost towns. These malls continue to decline rapidly. Malls provide something Amazon never can: shared public space. As more people work from home and life becomes increasingly digital, we need places where we can browse, eat, meet and simply be around one another. With redevelopment planned for the adjacent former Atlantic City Race Course property, I hope it is not too late for Hamilton Mall. New homes, businesses and visitors nearby could give the mall another opportunity to reinvent itself. As the holidays approach, please remember to shop local. When we do not support small businesses, they quietly disappear. Keeping our shopping districts and main streets alive benefit our communities in more ways than one. Thank you for picking up this issue of Shore Local. Beginning soon, Shore Local can be delivered directly to your mailbox each week. Look for more information in next week’s edition.

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Van Drew leads federal assessment of nor’easter damage along South Jersey coast and there was very serious studies involving coastal damage up and down our protection, erosion, wacoast,” Van Drew said in a ongressman Jeff Van terways and dam safety. Drew led federal and state news release. “But there is Among the priorities officials on a tour of South also a bigger picture here. are an expedited North Jersey shore communities The work we have done Wildwood storm damfollowing the nor’easter that battered over the last year made a age reduction project the coast over the last weekend of difference.” using sand from HereSeptember. The Oct. 1 outing includVan Drew pointed ford Inlet, an acceleratto $99 million in beach ed stops in Atlantic and Cape May ed erosion study for the replenishment funding counties to assess damage and disAtlantic City hot spot, and an assessment of cuss recovery and long-term coastal secured for South Jersey, the Great Egg Harbor protection. saying projects were comVan Drew was joined by Senior pleted under budget and River watershed. The bill also includes officials from the Federal Emergency on time and helped absorb Management Agency and U.S. Army some of the storm’s im- Congressman Jeff Van Drew leads federal, state and local officials on a provisions addressing Corps of Engineers, as well as reppact. the use of dredged matour of South Jersey shore communities hit by the nor’easter. Photo credit: resentatives from the New Jersey “Without that protec- Congressman Jeff Van Drew terials for beach nourDepartment of Environmental Protion, the damage could ishment and restoration tection and state, county and local have been much worse,” he said. funding process for beach replenishand directs research into erosion ment in Atlantic City and the rest of governments. In Atlantic City, Mayor Marty Small mitigation technologies. Absecon Island. The tour included Atlantic City Sr. said the storm presented serious Van Drew said the legislation is and Brigantine in Atlantic County, as challenges for the city and other Brigantine Mayor Vince Sera part of a broader effort to prepare well as Sea Isle City and North Wildcoastal communities, while praissaid during the tour that the city’s South Jersey communities for future wood in Cape May County. Officials ing the city’s Office of Emergency North End needs immediate prostorms. also visited other South Jersey shore Management, law enforcement and tection while officials work toward “South Jersey is surrounded by communities, including Long Beach regional first responders for their longer-term solutions. He also highwater. We know these storms are goIsland. response. lighted erosion on the South End and ing to come, so our job is to be ready “This was the worst storm we Van Drew said $30 million is althe condition of the Brigantine Jetty. for them,” he said. “We have made have seen here in more than a decade, ready moving through the federal “What we are seeing here in Brigreal progress, and we are going to antine is part of a larger challenge keep doing the work to protect South facing all our coastal communities,” Jersey.” Sera said in Van Drew’s release. The federal response began beIn Cape May County, Sea Isle fore the storm arrived. In a Sept. 25 City Mayor and Cape May County statement, Van Drew said his office Commission Director Len Desiderio was in contact with FEMA and the thanked Van Drew and federal and White House and urged residents state officials for inspecting the to prepare for possible flooding and storm damage firsthand. power outages. “The congressman has shown his After the storm, Van Drew said commitment to getting results for teams were assessing conditions our region, as demonstrated by the throughout the district and that he successful beach replenishment we would meet with FEMA and Army Corps officials to determine what just received, which helped spare the federal resources could be made city from more extensive damage,” Desiderio said. available. North Wildwood Mayor Sal ZamThe Oct. 1 tour was part of that pirri also thanked the officials for ongoing assessment, with officials visiting the city and assessing the examining damage in coastal comdamage. munities and discussing both imme“We remain hopeful that our diate recovery needs and long-term partners will continue to work with efforts to reduce the impact of future us and assist the City as we recover storms. “Our job is to be ready for them,” and rebuild following one of the most impactful coastal storms our area has Van Drew said. “We have made real experienced in recent years,” Zamprogress, and we are going to keep pirri said. doing the work to protect South The storm response comes as Van Jersey.” Drew continues to push for federal Julia graduated from Rider Uniinvestments in coastal protection. In versity in 2024 with a BA in mulSeptember, the U.S. House of Reptiplatform journalism and minor in resentatives approved the Water social media strategies. In addition Resources Development Act of 2026 to reporting on local news for Shore 3120 Fire Road, Suite 100, Egg Harbor Twp, NJ Local, she is a social media strategist by a 415-9 vote. 609-317-0801 The legislation includes 11 South for small businesses. Connect with kap@djd.law | djdlawyers.com Kelli A. Prinz, Esquire Jersey priorities Van Drew secured her: shorelocaljulia@gmail.com or @ in the bill, including projects and juliatrain on Instagram. By Julia Train

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

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Who was Atlantic City John Doe? DNA finally provides an answer

By Sarah Fertsch

or more than four decades, the identity of a man found in the ocean off Atlantic City remained a mystery. Now, advances in DNA technology and investigative genetic genealogy have finally given him a name. New Jersey State Police announced that human remains recovered about a mile off the Atlantic City shoreline

in May 1981 have been identified as Glen Napoleon Burbage, a retired U.S. Coast Guard chief warrant officer from Charleston, South Carolina. Burbage was 59 years old when he disappeared. Burbage had flown from South Carolina to Atlantic City in March 1981 and was never heard from again. According to investigators, he had been missing since March 23 of that year. Nearly two months later, on May 22, a group of recreational boaters discovered a man's

body in the Atlantic Ocean approximately one mile offshore from Raleigh Avenue in Atlantic City. Authorities at the time believed the man had been dead for several weeks. Despite investigators' efforts, there was no identification with the body, and traditional methods failed to determine who he was. DNA testing performed over the years also failed to produce a match through the Combined DNA Index System, or CODIS, the national DNA database used by law enforcement. Without additional leads, the man became known simply as “Atlantic City John Doe,” and the case remained unresolved for decades. That changed with the growing use of investigative genetic genealogy, a method that combines DNA analysis with genealogical records and family-tree research to identify unknown individuals. In 2026, investigators developed a more detailed SNP genetic profile from the unidentified man's remains and turned to the Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center at Ramapo College of New Jersey for assistance. The case became part of a collaborative educational effort involving Ramapo College, the Centre for Forensic Science at the University of Technology Sydney and the New South Wales Police Force in Australia. Researchers used genetic relatives connected to the unidentified man's DNA to essentially work backward and build a family tree. Ramapo students and investigators participating in the project eventually arrived at Burbage as a possible identity. “For 45 years, Glen Burbage had a name and a family, even though investigators did not yet know who he was,” Ramapo College Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center Director Cairenn Binder said in a statement reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer. She added that the technology allows investigators to return to cases that once appeared to have exhausted the forensic tools available at the time. Finding a possible name, however, was only the beginning. New Jersey State Police worked with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to locate a member of Burbage's family and obtain a reference DNA sample. A direct familial DNA comparison performed by the New Jersey State Police Central Laboratory conclusively confirmed that the remains recovered off Atlantic City in 1981 belonged to Burbage. The investigation received assis-

tance from several organizations, including Othram Inc., Ramapo College's genetic genealogy center, South Carolina authorities and the New Jersey State Police Central Laboratory. Federal Missing and Unidentified Human Remains grant funding has also helped New Jersey investigators apply newer technologies to unresolved cases involving missing people and unidentified remains. The identification is another example of how genetic genealogy is rewriting decades-old cold cases. Unlike conventional forensic DNA searches, investigative genetic genealogy can use matches involving more distant relatives. Researchers can then study public genealogical records and family connections to narrow down possible identities before law enforcement seeks a direct DNA comparison to confirm the result. Ramapo College's program has already helped identify people in numerous long-unsolved cases. In another South Jersey mystery, the center helped identify remains discovered at several locations along the Jersey Shore between 1995 and 2013 as those of Capt. Henry Goodsell, whose schooner was lost off Brigantine in 1844. That identification came more than 180 years after his death. While one major question surrounding the Atlantic City case has finally been answered, another remains. Authorities have not determined what happened to Burbage after he arrived in Atlantic City in March 1981 or how he died. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance and death remain under investigation. Anyone with information about Burbage's disappearance or death is asked to contact the New Jersey State Police Missing Persons Unit at missingpinformation@njsp.gov. Anonymous tips are accepted. Forty-five years after a group of boaters encountered an unidentified man in the waters off Atlantic City, investigators may still have questions about how his life ended. But at last, Atlantic City John Doe is no longer nameless.

October 8, 2026

By Christina Martin

C.R.O.P.S. fundraiser supports local food access programs

ommunity members gathered at Cardinal Restaurant in Atlantic City on Tuesday, Sept. 29, for the sixth annual Farm to Fork fundraiser benefiting C.R.O.P.S., a nonprofit working to expand access to fresh, locally sourced food. C.R.O.P.S., which stands for Communities Revolutionizing Open Public Spaces, serves more than 130 households through its Farm Share Program and conducts more than 735 produce distributions throughout the year. By sourcing food directly from area farms, the organization connects food-access efforts with the region’s agricultural community. Proceeds from the fundraiser’s raffle and silent auction supported the organization’s programs and initiatives. These include the Atlantic City Food Hub, the Farm Share Program, the Corner Store Refrigeration Program, farmers markets and community gardens at Fisherman’s Park and the Atlantic County Special Services School District.

October 8, 2026

Michelle Tomko served as sweet potato cake, wholewheat sourdough bread and master of ceremonies for the evening, which also featured herb butter. entertainment by CJ Sooy and Executive Director Lisa Big Body Kito. Outdoor fire pits Newcomb and Director of Opoffered guests an opportunity erations Alexis Flack coordinatto roast marshmallows and ed the fundraiser, which also make s’mores. included a cake marking the Cardinal chef and partner organization’s 10th anniversary. Michael Brennan hosted the The annual event brings together supporters, farmevent and joined several area chefs in preparing a farm-iners, chefs and students while spired menu using produce raising money for programs supplied by C.R.O.P.S. Brennan designed to make fresh food served roasted pork loin, salads more accessible throughout and dessert, while Northend the Atlantic City area. Grill chef Jim House prepared For information about smoked brisket, sweet potato C.R.O.P.S., including volunteer puree and grilled elote salad. and donation opportunities, Chef Amy Mazione, owner of visit cropsnj.org. Stir It Up, contributed a butterChristina Martin is a dedinut squash galette. Chef Kevin cated chef educator, passionate Kelly of Steve & Cookie’s By the advocate for healthy food, and Bay, a first-time participant, pre- Cardinal chef and partner Michael Brennan hosted the proud mother. She shares her pared a dish featuring Rancho event. passion for seasonal cooking, Gordo beans, farm greens and plant-based living, and supportbutternut squash, served with Florida direction of chef Christina Martin. ing local farms through both teaching Cold Cuts sourdough toast. The students prepared roasted beet and writing. Christina's plant based Absegami High School culinary salad with romaine, arugula, mint expertise has been spotlighted in students also participated under the and miso dressing, along with vegan Independent Restaurateur Magazine.

Bigger playground, new courts planned for Ocean City’s 34th Street

By Sarah Fertsch

or generations of Ocean City families, the recreation area at 34th Street has been a familiar place for playground trips, pickup basketball games and afternoons spent on the tennis courts. Now, the longtime neighborhood landmark is being completely reimagined. The former Sandcastle Park has been demolished to make way for an approximately $8 million recreation complex that will dramatically expand the activities available on the block. Construction is underway, with city officials targeting completion in time for the summer 2027 season. Rather than simply replacing aging playground equipment, Ocean City is rebuilding the property from the ground up. Mayor Jay Gillian described the project as a renovation of the entire block “curb to curb” during a town hall meeting earlier this year. Plans call for a much larger playground, new and renovated sports courts, family restrooms, shaded areas, gathering spaces and facilities

that could turn the site into a destination for recreation and community events.

schedule back. The old recreation area has now been removed, clearing the way for construction of its replacement.

More than a new playground

One of the biggest changes will be the size of the playground itself. Gillian said the new play area will be about twice as large as the original. The design will incorporate a Martin Z. Mollusk theme, bringing one of Ocean City’s most recognizable hometown characters into the new park. Martin Z. Mollusk has been part of Ocean City tradition for more than half a century, famously emerging each spring to predict whether summer will arrive early. City officials have said the theme will give the park more of an unmistakably Ocean City identity. Earlier plans for the property included five pickleball courts, six tennis courts, two basketball courts and a specialized dunk court, along with a large rubberized playground

Recreation away from the Boardwalk

surface. A multipurpose building was also proposed with restrooms, meeting areas and space for social gatherings. As the project evolved, city officials detailed a configuration that includes turf and hard-surface courts, renovated restroom and storage facilities, a small stage and turf gathering area for events. At least one basketball court is being designed to accommodate adaptive recreation. Shade is also a significant part of the redesign. Plans include covered areas intended to give families relief from the summer sun. The result will be less of a traditional neighborhood playground and more of a multi-generational recreation center, with amenities for young children, teenagers and adults.

A project years in the making

Public recreation on the property has deep roots. Records from the Ocean City Historical Museum show that the Sandcastle Park area has been used as a public recreation site since 1948. While equipment and facilities were added or replaced through the decades, city officials said much of the existing infrastructure had reached the end of its useful life. Plans for the latest overhaul have also changed substantially since the project was first unveiled. In 2025, the city was anticipating an approximately $6.5 million project and hoped construction could be completed for the summer of 2026. At that time, Cape May County commissioners approved $2.5 million in Open Space funding toward the work. By 2026, the scope and estimated price had grown. City officials put the overall investment at about $8 million and said county assistance toward the project had increased. Difficulties obtaining materials, including specialized playground equipment, also contributed to pushing the construction

The project is also part of a broader effort to provide attractions and community activities outside Ocean City’s downtown and Boardwalk districts. The 34th Street corridor serves residents, second homeowners and vacationers in the southern half of the island, while also functioning as one of the major gateways into Ocean City. Gillian has said the city wants to create more activity in neighborhood areas such as 34th Street, West Avenue and farther south around 52nd Street instead of requiring families to head downtown for entertainment and events. That makes the new recreation complex particularly significant. Pickleball and tennis courts can draw adults throughout the year, while the playground, basketball facilities and gathering spaces can serve families. A stage and event area also give the city another potential venue for programming outside of its traditional downtown locations. City officials have previously discussed using the improved facilities for regional events as well. During planning for the project, Community Services Director Dan Kelchner said Ocean City hoped to continue working with Special Olympics organizations and potentially host regional pickleball competition at the renovated complex.

A new chapter for a familiar corner

The disappearance of the old Sandcastle Park may be jarring for generations of families accustomed to seeing the playground at 34th Street. But Ocean City is betting that its replacement will become an even bigger part of community life. If construction remains on schedule, families returning to Ocean City in summer 2027 will find a dramatically different 34th Street recreation area. After nearly eight decades of recreation on the site, the next generation of Sandcastle Park is beginning to take shape.

October 8, 2026

Multi-day Events

Events and Happenings

Scullville Terror in the Junkyard

▶Now – Saturday, October 31

Flemings Junkyard, 353 Zion Road, Egg Harbor Township One of South Jersey’s most popular haunted attractions returns just in time for Halloween. Take a haunted hayride around an active junkyard or step foot into the maze… if you dare. The junkyard is open Fridays and Saturdays from 7 – 10 p.m. and Sundays 7 – 9 p.m. Hayride tickets are $15 per person, and maze tickets are $10. Combo rates available. Purchase tickets in-person or online at www. scullvillefire.org/hayride/. Smithville Irish Festival

▶Saturday, October 10 & Sunday, October 11, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Historic Smithville Grab your family and friends, break out your green, and head out to Smithville for a spectacular fun-filled day featuring dozens of crafters, an delicious food court, kids activities, non-profit appearances, Irish Dancers and live music on two stages. The festival is free to attend. A Grand Night for Singing

▶Friday, October 9 – Sunday, October 18

Ocean City Music Pier, 825 Board-

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

▶Thursday, October 15 – Saturday, October 17

Gateway Playhouse and Gregory’s Restaurant, Somers Point Join the South Jersey Jazz Society as they present their annual Jazz @ the Point Festival. This year’s event is themed: Red, White & Louis: A Tribute to Louis Armstrong. Select performances include headliners Wycliffe Gordon and Jon Faddis, along with Paula Johns, Ricky Riccardi, and Trumoeter Terell Stafford. Visit www.southjerseyjazz.org for more information.

Thursday, October 8 OCFD Open House

▶5 – 8 p.m.

550 Asbury Avenue, Ocean City The Ocean City Fire Department and IAFF Local 4032 will hold their annual Open House at the fire station on Asbury Avenue between Fifth and Sixth Streets. The community is invited to this free event which will feature live safety demonstrations, a helicopter landing, displays, face-painting, food, drinks, and educational handouts. The event coincides with Fire Prevention Month and provides the community a chance to learn more about how the department works. For more information, call 609-515-9182. OC-UT Rotary Club Meeting

▶6 p.m.

The Tavern, 16 Route 50, Seaville The Rotary Club of Ocean City-Upper Township will host their upcoming dinner meeting on Thursday. The meeting will feature a program by Atlantic Cape Community College President Dr. Jason Abreu. Walk-ins are welcome and Rotary Inter-Clubs, guests, perspective members, and the general public are welcome to attend. The Right Notes

▶7 – 10 p.m.

Greate Bay Country Club, 90 Mays Landing Road, Somers Point

The National MS Society and Passion Vines invite attendees to South Jersey’s largest philanthropic wine tasting. The event will include more than 100 top-scoring wines, along with craft beers and spirits, artisanal food, live music, and spectacular auction items, all to raise funds to end Multiple Sclerosis forever. Tickets are available via OneCause.

Saturday, October 10 Missions Pancake Breakfast

▶8 – 11 a.m.

St. Peter’s United Methodist Church, 501 E. Eighth Street, Ocean City Enjoy a hot breakfast with pancakes, sausages, scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, and coffee. $12 for adults and $8 for children. Proceeds benefit the St. Peter’s UMC Cuba Mission and Adopt-a-Pastor Program. Ocean City Fall Block Party

▶9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Asbury Avenue from Fifth to Fourteen Streets One of Ocean City’s most anticipated events of the season makes its return. Enjoy a day with over 400 crafters, food vendors, music, non-profit appearances, and more.

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MMSC Pup Strut

▶10 a.m.

16th Street and Ocean Avenue, Brigantine The Marine Mammal Stranding Center invites the public to their sixth annual Pup Strut and 1-Mile Walk with furry friends. Human and canine companions will be treated to a beautiful day at the beach, complete with lively music, pet-friendly vendors, and a goodie bag filled with treats and other fun surprises. Proceeds will benefit MMSV and their mission to rescue, rehab, and release stranded marine mammals in our region. Same-day registration starts at 9 a.m. Visit www.mmsc.org to register or learn more. Upper Township Apple Festival

▶10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Gandy Farmstead, 26 Tyler Road, Greenfield The Historical Preservation Society of Upper Township will host its annual Apple Festival this Saturday. Treat yourself to some fresh picked Jersey Apples, Warm Apple Shortcake with whipped topping, Apple Tarts with Ice Cream, and Apple Baked goods, along grilled food, cold Apple Cider, and more available for purchase. Activities include an Apple Pie Baking Contest, vendors and craft demonstrations, live music with Linda Beck, children’s games and activities. Free admission and parking. Tai Chi at the Library

▶10 a.m.

Longport Library, 2305 Atlantic Avenue Wake up your body with a gentle Tai Chi flow. Improve balance, flexibility, and coordination. Participants are invited to bring a friend, a mat, and wear loose-fitting clothes for this gentle workout. Please call 609-4877403 to register or learn more.

Brigantine Lighthouse 100th Anniversary Celebration

▶4 – 8 p.m.

Brigantine Boulevard and Bayshore Avenue Everyone is invited to join the Brigantine Chamber of Commerce in celebrating 100 years of history, heritage, and community. Fun for the whole family, this block-party-style event will include live bands and entertainment, vendors, food trucks, and a beer garden. Admission is free.

Sunday, October 11

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

▶8:30 – 11 a.m.

Ocean City Civic Center, Sixth Street and Boardwalk Join more than 5,000 walkers for the 19th annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of OCNJ. This celebration of courage of hope will bring the community together in an effort to end breast cancer. The event will start at 8:30 a.m., with the walk going off at 10:30 a.m. Participants can learn more at www.makingstrideswalk.org/OceanCityNJ. Egg Harbor Township Community Farmers Market

▶9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

1 Swift Drive It is the final EHT farmers market for the season, featuring dozens of local vendors and businesses, amazing food, local crafters, and more. Spooks N’ Kooks Costume Surf Contest

▶10 a.m.

Seventh Street Beach, Ocean City Surfers are invited to grab their wetsuit and zaniest costume and join in this annual surf festival. Event categories will include groms, open

↘Continued on 14

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↘Continued from 13 adults, and tandem. Entry fee is $20 gift card to ShopRite, ACME or Aldi, with all proceeds benefiting the Ocean City Food Cupboard. No-wave date is Monday, Oct. 13. Estell Manor City Reunion

▶10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Risley School, 134 Cape May Avenue The Estell Manor Historic Society ivites the public to reunite, remember, and relate this Sunday. Join this community celebration to share stories and memories with other longtime Estell Manor residents. Scullville Trunk or Treat

▶12 – 2 p.m.

Flemings Junkyard, 353 Zion Road, Egg Harbor Township Join the Scullville Volunteer Fire Company Auxiliary as they host their annual Trunk or Treat this weekend. This event will include plenty of food, music, fun, and lots of candy. Rain date: Oct. 18. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.scullvillefire.org. Galloway End of Summer Food Trucks Festival and Car Show

▶2 – 8 p.m.

Galloway Township Municipal Complex, 300 E. Jimmie Leeds Road Join Galloway Township as they close the summer season in style. Dozens of food trucks will be serving some of their most delicious grub,

along with a beer garden, kids activities, music from Class of 84, and a car show on-site. Stay late and enjoy a special fireworks show to end the night. Northfield Howl-O-Ween

▶4 p.m.

Congregation Beth Israel, 2501 Shore Road, Northfield Join the Northfield Business Association and Northfield Police Department for their annual HowlO-Ween Dog Costume Parade and Family Movie Night. Check-in opens at 3:30 p.m. The dog costume parade will take place at 4 p.m., with family movie night to follow. Registration is open online at www.northfieldbusinessassociation.com.

Tuesday, October 13 Musical Bingo at the Library

▶3:30 p.m.

Longport Library, 2305 Atlantic Avenue Join your friends at the library and gather for a fun-filled evening of bingo with plenty of prizes and great company. Please call 609-487-7403 to register or learn more. Upper Township Historical Society Meeting

▶6 p.m.

Upper Township Senior and Wellness Center, 1369 Stagecoach Road, Ocean View The Historical Preservation Society of Upper Township invites its members and the public to their upcoming meeting. Ed Bixby, owner of the Steelmantown Cemetery, will provide information about the history of natural burial in South Jersey. Admission is free. Senior Dance Society

▶7 – 9:30 p.m.

Somers Point Fire Co. No. 1, 447 Bethel Road

Join in the fun and enjoy an evening of dancing with live music duos every Tuesdays. Activities include social dancing, line dancing, dance mixers and more. For more information, contact Sharon at kookiecar@ yahoo.com.

Thursday, October 15 Author Bruce Feiler in Conversation with Rabbi Angela Buchdahl

▶1 p.m.

Join JFS Village for a conversation with author and first female Rabbi of NYC’s Central Synagogue, Senior Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, and best-selling author Bruce Feiler. The discussion will include their recent books that share unlikely stories of faith, identity, and belonging. This program will be held via Zoom. RSVP by Oct. 12. by emailing tserota@jfsatlantic. org or call 609-287-8872. Poetry at the Library

▶3 p.m.

Longport Library, 2305 Atlantic Avenue Join the library’s upcoming poetry class and turn your thoughts, feeling, and ideas into powerful words. Please call 609-487-7403 to register or learn more.

Friday, October 16 Beyond the Bookshelf

▶10:30 a.m.

Shirat Hayam, 700 N. Swarthmore Avenue, Ventnor Join JFS Village for a brunch and discussion of the book ‘Blurred Vision’ with award-winning editor and writer Susan Rosenbluth, whose reporting and fiction regularly appears in publications throughout the country. RSVP by Oct. 8 by emailing tserota@jfsatlantic.org or call 609287-8872.

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October 8, 2026

Saturday, October 17 Pancake Breakfast at American Legion Post 158

▶8 – 11 a.m.

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

▶5 p.m.

24 High School Drive, Egg Harbor Township Join EHT High School as they present their Marching Band Home Show. Admission is $12 to see many local bands, including Pleasantville, Mainland, Millville, Absegami, Seneca, Cherokee, and EHT. Tickets are available for purchase at the door.

Sunday, October 18

John R. Elliott HERO Walk and 1 Mile Fun Run

▶10 a.m.

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

Health and Wellness Yoga in the Park

▶Monday – Thursday, 5:30 p.m.

O’Donnell Memorial Park, Atlantic City Find your balance with free yoga classes through October. Whether you are new to yoga or an experienced practitioner, these relaxing outdoor sessions offer the perfect way to unwind, recharge, and improve flexibility. The class is open to all ages and experience levels and is free to attend. Yoga mats are provided. Classes are hosted by Chelsea EDC. For more information, call Halim at 640-282-5359. Depression and Anxiety Group

▶Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m.

Atlantic Community Wellness

5 Weeks Regular Season Games

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

groups meet on the second Monday of each month. Please visit www. namiacm.org for further information. Dementia Support Group

▶Wednesday, October 15, 1:30 p.m.

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

▶Monday, October 12, 7 p.m.

St. Joseph Church, 606 Shore Road, Somers Point NAMI of Atlantic/Cape May offers free self-help, peer led support groups for family members, caregivers, and friends of individuals over the age of 18 living with a mental illness. Family Support and Connections

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

Community Initiatives Warm Hearts for Veterans

▶Now – October 15

Wesley by the Bay’s is asking for the support of local businesses, vendors, and community members by donating new winter clothing and essential items. The donations will benefit homeless veterans throughout Atlantic and Cape May Counties. Suggested new donations include men’s or women’s winter coats, socks, gloves, hats, scarves, thermal shirts, hand and foot warmers, backpacks, and gift cards to McDonald’s, 7-Eleven, or Dunkin’. To learn more, please contact Kathy Speer at 609399-6702 or email kspeer@umccomminities.org. Do you have an upcoming event? Let us know about it! Submit your next event to shorelocalevents@ gmail.com.

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For information about becoming a League Sponsor, please contact Brian Adler at badler@jccatlantic.org. October 8, 2026

Atlantic, Cape May counties prepare for Nov. 3 general election

By Julia Train

n Nov. 3, voters across New Jersey will head to the polls for the 2026 general election, with federal, county and municipal offices on the ballot. New Jersey voters will decide a U.S. Senate race, while voters across the state will also choose representatives to the U.S. House. In Atlantic and Cape May counties, the ballot also includes races for county offices and municipal government.

U.S. Senate

One U.S. Senate seat is up for election in New Jersey this year. Democratic incumbent Cory Booker is seeking another term. Booker faces Republican Justin Murphy, Veronica Fernandez of the End the Corruption! (Independent) Party and Socialist Workers Party candidate Joanne Kuniansky. The U.S. Senate is the upper chamber of Congress, with each state represented by two senators. Senators serve six-year terms and

vote on federal legislation, presidential appointments and treaties.

U.S. House of Representatives

Atlantic and Cape May county voters will also cast ballots for members of the U.S. House. Atlantic County is split into three Congressional Districts. Most of Atlantic County is part of the 2nd Congressional District, while portions of the county and all of Cape May County are represented by the 1st Congressional District. Some parts of Atlantic County are also in the 4th and 8th districts. The 1st Congressional District includes Cape May County as well as Atlantic County communities including Corbin City, Estell Manor and Weymouth Township. The 2nd Congressional District includes Atlantic City, Absecon, Brigantine, Egg Harbor Township, Galloway, Hamilton Township, Linwood, Longport, Mar-

gate, Northfield, Pleasantville, Port Republic, Somers Point and Ventnor, among other communities. The 1st District race features Republican Damon M. Galdo and Democratic incumbent Donald W. Norcross. In the 2nd District, Republican incumbent Jeff Van Drew faces Democrat Zachary “Zack” Mullock and independent Ramon Mora Jr.

Atlantic County

In Atlantic County, voters will choose a county clerk, sheriff, two commissioners-at-large and a representative for Commissioner District 3. Republican Joseph J. Giralo and Democrat Elizabeth “Lisa” Bender are running for county clerk. The sheriff’s race features Republican Joe “Tokyo” O’Donoghue and Democrat Sean Riggin. Four candidates are competing for two commissioner-at-large seats: Republicans John W. Risley Jr. and June Byrnes, and Democrats Jonathan Marcellus and Kyle Gornick. In the District 3 commissioner race, Republican Andrew Parker faces Democrat Richard Healey. Several Atlantic County municipalities also have contested races. Absecon has City Council elections in wards 1 and 2. Brigantine voters will choose a mayor, though Republican Vincent Sera has no Democratic opponent. Meanwhile, two Republicans — Cornelius Kane and Michael Riordan — are running for two council-at-large seats. Egg Harbor City has three Common Council seats on the ballot, with eight candidates: Republicans Joseph M. Farnan, Donna M. Heist and Joseph Ricci Jr.; Democrats Steven Ortiz, Nate Ross and Karl Timbers; and independents Karen Adams and Mason Wright Jr.

In Egg Harbor Township, Republicans Paul W. Hodson and Laura Pfrommer face Democrats Junita Hyman and Tamika Gilbert-Floyd for two Township Committee seats. Republican Patrick Ireland and Democrat Anthony Calandrillo are running for a separate one-year unexpired committee term. Other Atlantic County communities with municipal races include Buena Borough, Buena Vista Township, Corbin City, Estell Manor, Folsom, Hamilton Township, Hammonton, Linwood, Mullica Township, Northfield, Pleasantville, Port Republic, Somers Point and Weymouth Township.

Cape May County

In Cape May County, voters will select a sheriff and two county commissioners. Republican Robert A. Nolan is running unopposed for sheriff, with no Democratic nominee listed on the ballot. The county commissioner race includes Republicans Patrick Rosenello and Curtis Bashaw, and Democrats David Temple and Eric J. Morey, with voters selecting two candidates. Cape May County also has several municipal contests. Cape May City’s nonpartisan Council race has three candidates — Lorraine Baldwin, Maureen K. McDade and Shaine P. Meier — for three seats. Dennis Township voters will select two Township Committee members from Republicans Thomas Van Artsdalen and Scott Turner and Democrats John Carson and Renee Pettit. Lower Township has contested races in all three council wards. Thomas Conrad is the only candidate listed for Ward 1. Ward 2 features Republican Joseph Wareham, Democrat Elizabeth Blair-Slemmer and independent Caroline Rankovic, while Ward 3 has Republican Roland A. Roy Jr. and Democrat Michelle Simmons. Middle Township, North Wildwood, Stone Harbor, Upper Township and Woodbine also have municipal races on the ballot. The election also includes a number of races in which one or more parties did not nominate a candidate. Voters can check their registration status, polling location and other election information through the New Jersey Division of Elections and their respective county election offices.

October 8, 2026

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By Steffen Klenk

Terror in the Junkyard celebrates 25 seasons of frights

ne of the region’s most popular seasonal attractions has returned for another spooky season. Now in its 25th year, the Scullville Volunteer Fire Company’s annual Terror in the Junkyard is bringing screams, scares and new surprises to visitors throughout October. Long before the gates open, volun-

teers arrive to prepare for the evening. Behind the scenes, makeup artists transform volunteers into frightening characters. Once guests enter, they are greeted by clowns, ghouls and ghosts roaming the grounds. The Haunted Hayride travels through the dark woods of Scullville, where zombies, clowns and other characters wait in the shadows. Guests never know what — or who — may jump aboard.

Terror in the Junkyard brings the scares every weekend throughout October at Fleming’s Junkyard, 353 Zion Road in Egg Harbor Township. Photo by Steffen Klenk

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

The Maze of Terror offers a different experience, challenging visitors to make their way through a series of dark passages with surprises waiting around nearly every corner. Several features have been added to this year’s attractions, giving returning guests a different experience from previous seasons. Scullville Volunteer Fire Company Chief Vernon Cruse said he is proud to see the event continue to grow. “There are not too many fire companies in the state that can pull this off,” Cruse said. “Countless hours go into it leading up to this.” All 40 members of the Scullville Volunteer Fire Company are involved with Terror in the Junkyard in some capacity. Cruse credited the volunteers with making the event possible. “It helps us provide equipment for our firefighters and gives us a better ability to serve our community,” he said. Since its inception, Terror in the Junkyard has grown into the fire company’s largest annual fundraiser. Dozens of volunteers, including firefighters and members of community organizations, support the event from start to finish. Participating groups this year include the Scullville Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary, Egg Harbor Township Crew Boosters, Scouting America, the Egg Harbor Township High School baseball team, the EHT Tornados softball team, Somers Point Volunteer Fire Company, Pomona Volunteer Fire Company and Galloway Public Safety Cadets. “It’s not just a Scullville thing,” Cruse said. “It helps us free up some manpower to do some other things within the event.”

The idea for Terror in the Junkyard came from a Scullville firefighter who was inspired by a Halloween event at Universal Studios while honeymooning in Orlando, Florida. “We were out in the market looking for a fundraiser to replace the one that we had, and he threw it out on the floor one day in a meeting, and it kind of grew,” Cruse said. Each year, Terror in the Junkyard also honors local firefighter Eric Jones, a member of the Somers Point Volunteer Fire Company who died in 2022. An on-site green tractor that Jones drove while volunteering at the event now serves as a memorial recognizing his years of service and dedication. Terror in the Junkyard is open Fridays and Saturdays from 7 to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 7 to 9 p.m. throughout October at Fleming’s Junkyard, 353 Zion Road in Egg Harbor Township. Hayride tickets cost $15 per person, while tickets for the Maze of Terror cost $10. A combination ticket is available for $20. Military members and first responders receive a $2 discount. The fire company will also host a sensory-friendly hayride from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities and their families. The experience will be free of loud noises, pop-out scares and long lines. Tickets may be purchased at the gate or online at scullvillefire.org/ hayride. For daily updates, including operating hours and weather-related information, call 609-927-2588 and select option 3. 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.

October 8, 2026

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

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

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

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

www.amifoundation.net

amifoundationnj

The AMI Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to developing opportunities to enhance the quality of life and improve the well-being of community residents through education and programs, as well as through financial support of charitable organizations with compatible missions.

The Blue Cactus brings a fresh twist to Cal-Mex cuisine in Ocean City

By Holly Martin

cean City is known for its beaches, boardwalk treats and classic seaside dining, but The Blue Cactus is bringing something a little different to the island. Serving up California-Mexican, or Cal-Mex, cuisine, the restaurant offers a fresh take on familiar Mexican favorites, along with a growing lineup of specialty coffee drinks. Some may remember The Blue Cactus from its boardwalk location in 2017. In July of last year, the restaurant moved into a larger space on Haven Avenue, giving it room to expand its offerings and create a new dining experience. Stepping inside, diners are transported from the familiar beach-town atmosphere into a colorful world of fresh food and creative flavors. One unexpected feature immediately catches the eye: a beautiful espresso machine displayed behind the order counter, hinting that there's more to the menu than tacos and quesadillas. Curiosity got the best of me.

Even though I was there for dinner, I couldn't resist sampling one of the restaurant's specialty coffees. I ordered the Salty Surfer iced latte, a combination of espresso, oat milk, butterscotch syrup and a touch of salt. I'll admit, I was skeptical at first. But one sip was all it took to win me over. The drink was rich, smooth and surprisingly reminiscent of caramel popcorn from the boardwalk. The balance of sweet butterscotch and a hint of salt made for a deliciously unexpected combination. Owner Ali Stokes is the creative force behind the restaurant, taking an active role in everything from preparing tacos to developing specialty coffee creations. Stokes says the coffee menu will continue to grow, blending traditional favorites with inventive, Mexican-inspired flavors. “We will be introducing things like the Salty Surfer and different Mex-twisted coffees with some traditional stuff too,” says Stokes. And coffee is just the beginning. The Blue Cactus has its sights set on breakfast, with plans to expand the

menu next season. “We want to completely lock into breakfast next season,” says Stokes. “But we may do a run of breakfast in November.” The thought of breakfast offerings had me looking forward to a return visit, but there was still plenty to explore on the dinner menu. I started with the shrimp tacos, served with tender shrimp, shredded cheese, lettuce and fresh salsa fresca. The salsa fresca was the standout, adding a bright, refreshing burst of flavor that complemented the other ingredients. Everything tasted fresh, and diners can choose their preferred

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taco shell. I opted for the crispy corn shell, which added a satisfying crunch to every bite. Next up was the chicken quesadilla, a classic comfort-food favorite that delivered exactly what I was craving. Generous chunks of chicken were layered with melted cheese and tucked inside tortillas toasted to a golden, crispy finish. Simple, satisfying and packed with flavor, it was hard to go wrong with this choice. Just when I thought I couldn't eat another bite, there was one more dish I had to try: birria tacos. Served in a set of two, these tacos quickly became the highlight of the meal. The tender, marinated meat was paired with gooey melted cheese and served alongside a rich, savory consommé for dipping. Every bite delivered a delicious combination of bold flavors and textures, making these tacos an absolute must-try for birria fans. With its expanded location, creative coffee menu and flavorful take on Cal-Mex cuisine, The Blue Cactus offers something a little different for Ocean City diners. Whether stopping in for tacos, satisfying a quesadilla craving or trying one of its specialty lattes, the restaurant brings a fresh perspective to the island's dining scene. The Blue Cactus plans to extend its season, making operating decisions month by month. Those hoping to stop in should check the restaurant's website and social media pages for the latest hours and updates, especially as the season winds down.

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Every Sunday 9am-1pm thru October 11 Atlantic County Library Grounds 1 Swift Drive, EHT Join us for Yoga at 11am For vendor and market information, visit www.littlepawscrafts.com

October 8, 2026

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Turn Breast Cancer awareness into action

By Robin Stoloff

reast cancer has touched many of our friends and families, including mine. My aunt, cousin, and several close friends have all had breast cancer. Thankfully, each was diagnosed early, received treatment, and is now a survivor. Watching someone you love face breast cancer changes your perspective. I have never missed my annual mammogram, but their experiences made screening more than a box to check. It is a commitment I would never postpone, for myself or for those who love me. Breast cancer is still far too common, but there is also some genuinely encouraging news. We are getting better at finding it, understanding it, and treating it. About one in eight women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer during her lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society. Early detection remains one of our most powerful tools, because breast cancer is generally easier to treat when it is found in its earliest stages. One of the biggest advances in screening has been 3D mammography, also called tomosynthesis. Instead of one flat image, it captures many thin

slices of breast tissue, giving radiologists a clearer picture, especially for women with dense breast tissue, where cancers can hide behind overlapping layers on a traditional mammogram. Studies have shown that 3D mammography finds more invasive cancers while also reducing the number of women called back for a false alarm. Artificial intelligence is increasingly part of that picture too, working alongside radiologists. AI software can scan through the many images a 3D mammogram produces and flag areas that may need a closer look, which helps radiologists catch things they might otherwise miss and manage heavy caseloads more efficiently. Research presented this year found that using AI alongside radiologists increased the cancer detection rate, including more invasive cancers found without an increase in false alarms. Every result is still reviewed and read by a radiologist. AI is a second set of eyes, not the final word. Family history goes beyond simply asking whether your mother had breast cancer. It helps to look at breast and ovarian cancers on both your mother's and your father's sides of the family,

the ages relatives were diagnosed, and whether several family members have had related cancers. Inherited changes in genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 can substantially increase breast cancer risk, and researchers now know there are a number of other inherited genes that can play a role as well. Genetic testing and counseling have become increasingly sophisticated and can help some families better understand their individual risk. If you have a strong family history, it is worth asking your doctor whether you should have a formal risk assessment or meet with a genetic counselor. Mammograms are still the primary screening tool for breast cancer, and regular screening can help detect tumors before they can be felt. The American Cancer Society recommends that women ages 45 to 54 at average risk get a mammogram every year. Women ages 40 to 44 have the option to begin annual screening, and women 55 and older may switch to every two years or choose to continue annual screening. Women at higher risk may need a different plan. For me, family history has always been part of the conversation. Having breast cancer in your family does not mean you will develop it, but it can affect your risk and may change the way your healthcare provider recommends screening you. Depending on family history, genetic mutations, and overall lifetime risk, some women may be advised to have both a mammogram and a breast MRI every year. That is exactly what my healthcare provider recommended for me, and after my first breast MRI, I was relieved to hear good news. Knowing your own risk matters, because the right screening schedule for your friend or neighbor is not necessarily the right schedule for you. One of the biggest changes in breast cancer care is that doctors are increasingly able to treat the specific biology of an individual tumor. Breast cancer is not one single disease. Different tumors behave differently, and treatment is increasingly built around those differences rather than a single standard approach for everyone.

Take HER2-positive breast cancer, a type that was once considered especially aggressive and difficult to treat. Today, medications designed specifically to target the HER2 protein have dramatically changed the outlook for many patients. Some newer treatments, called antibody-drug conjugates, essentially pair a HER2-targeting antibody with a cancer-killing drug, helping deliver treatment more directly to the cancer cells while limiting exposure to healthy tissue. Even more recently, some of these treatments have been shown to help patients whose tumors have much lower levels of HER2. These are people who would not have been considered candidates for HER2-targeted treatment just a few years ago. There has also been real progress for other types of breast cancer, including treatments that help the body's own immune system fight certain hardto-treat tumors. Research continues, from artificial intelligence that may help predict which early breast abnormalities are most likely to progress, to new drugs designed around the specific traits of a patient's tumor.

Turn awareness into action

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a wonderful reminder to support survivors, honor those we have lost, and celebrate how far treatment has come. The pink ribbon means the most when it prompts us to do something. Schedule the mammogram you have been postponing. Find out your family history. Talk with your healthcare provider about your personal risk and ask whether genetic counseling makes sense for you. If you notice a new lump, skin change, nipple change, or anything else unusual in your breast, do not wait for your next screening appointment to have it checked. I am extremely grateful that my aunt, my cousin, and my friends all survived breast cancer. Their experiences are a constant reminder to me that knowledge and early detection matter. This October, wear the pink, support the walks, the fundraisers, and the survivors, and most importantly, take care of yourself and encourage the women you love to do the same. Robin Stoloff is an award-winning health reporter in South Jersey. A former TV reporter, she now hosts Living Well with Robin Stoloff, Sunday mornings at 10 am on Lite 96.9 WFPG. “Empowering you to live a healthier life” is not just her tagline, it is her mission. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube at “Living Well with Robin Stoloff.”

October 8, 2026

Somers Point retail growth continues with Dave’s Hot Chicken, Jersey Mike’s Business Buzz By Rich Baehrle

omers Point’s retail market continues to attract investment, with Dave’s Hot Chicken and Jersey Mike’s Subs planned for Ocean Heights Plaza. The restaurants will join the ShopRite-anchored shopping center at 319 Bethel Road, along with Ross Dress for Less, which is scheduled to hold its grand opening Oct. 10. The additions provide more dining and shopping options for year-round residents and visitors from neighboring Shore communities. They also signal continued confidence in Somers Point as a regional retail destination. Dave’s Hot Chicken began in 2017, when chef Dave Kopushyan and childhood friends Arman Oganesyan and Tommy Rubenyan pooled $900 to launch a pop-up restaurant in an East Hollywood parking lot in Los Angeles. Rubenyan’s brother, Gary, later joined the founding team. Kopushyan previously trained in chef Thomas Keller’s restaurant organization, which includes The French Laundry in California’s Napa Valley. The founders combined that

Customers can choose from seven spice levels, ranging from “No Spice” to “Reaper.” The menu also includes fries, cheese fries, macaroni and cheese, chicken bites and shakes. The company advertises that it serves halal chicken. Dave’s Hot Chicken began franchising in 2019 through a partnership that included Bill Phelps, co-founder of Wetzel’s Pretzels. Franchise operators have driven much of the company’s expansion. Brixmor Property Group, the owner of Ocean Heights Plaza, lists a 3,000-square-foot space for Dave’s near Norman’s Hallmark. Jersey Mike’s has roots at the Jersey Shore. Its predecessor, Mike’s Subs, opened in Point Pleasant in 1956. Peter Cancro began working there as a teenager and bought the shop in 1975, when he was 17, with Bold color designs were hand painted at Dave's Hot financial assistance from Chicken last week. his high school football culinary experience with a simple coach, who was also a banker. concept centered on Nashville-style Cancro expanded the business and hot chicken offered at different heat began franchising in 1987 under the levels. Social media attention and a Jersey Mike’s name. favorable Eater Los Angeles review The company reported 3,378 helped the business gain a following. restaurants systemwide as of June The company announced in April 28, 2026. Its online directory lists 148 New Jersey locations. The 2026 that it had surpassed 400 company’s U.S. network included restaurants worldwide. Its New Jersey directory lists 13 locations, 3,322 franchised restaurants and 26 company-owned locations as of that including restaurants in Cherry Hill, reporting date. Sicklerville, Brick and Ocean Township. The Somers Point restaurant Jersey Mike’s is known for meats would be the company’s first Atlantic and cheeses sliced to order, bread County location. baked in its restaurants and subs preThe fast-casual restaurant specialpared for each customer. Ordering a izes in chicken tenders and sliders. sub “Mike’s Way” adds onions, lettuce,

October 8, 2026

tomatoes, red wine vinegar, olive oil and spices. The menu also includes hot subs, chips, cookies, beverages and catering options. Brixmor lists a 1,774-square-foot space for Jersey Mike’s near the other new additions. Grand-opening dates for Dave’s Hot Chicken and Jersey Mike’s had not been announced as of

publication. The development at Ocean Heights Plaza is part of wider commercial growth in Somers Point. Projects involving Chick-fil-A, Panera Bread, Aldi and independent restaurants are also contributing to the city’s expanding retail and dining market. Ocean Heights Plaza encompasses approximately 179,183 square feet, and Brixmor estimates that the center receives more than 3 million visits annually. Its mix of grocery shopping, discount retail, restaurants and services is designed to encourage repeat visits and provide additional customer traffic for neighboring businesses. Remember to support local businesses, especially small businesses. They are the lifeblood of the community. Rich Baehrle is a real estate broker-associate with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach, Realtors, in Northfield. With 43 years of experience, he specializes in commercial, investment and residential real estate throughout South Jersey. Contact him at 609-226-6680 or richardbaehrle@gmail.com.

Vineland data center released significant pollution from unpermitted generators By Sarah Fertsch

massive data center in Vineland released significant amounts of air pollution while operating dozens of natural gas generators without required state permits for nearly a year, according to newly obtained public records and an analysis reported by Floodlight and The Guardian. DataOne, a sprawling data center in Cumberland County, was fined $1.07 million by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection in September after inspectors discovered 62 large natural gas-powered generators installed and operating without required air pollution permits. Now, additional records are providing a clearer picture of how long those generators were running — and how much pollution they may have produced. According to an Oct. 1 investigation by Floodlight, generators began arriving at the Vineland facility in July 2025. Sixteen began operating in Oc-

tober 2025, another 16 went online in early February 2026 and all 62 were operating by June. By the time state inspectors identified the generators during a July 29 inspection, they had collectively logged more than 46,000 hours of operation, according to a letter DataOne sent to the DEP and obtained through a public records request.

Researchers estimate 140 tons of nitrogen oxides

Floodlight provided technical information about the generators to Xiaomeng Jin, an assistant professor in Rutgers University's Department of Environmental Sciences, and Bruce Buckheit, a former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency air enforcement official. Jin estimated that the generators released approximately 140 tons of nitrogen oxides, commonly known as NOx, during their operation. If compared with 2025 EPA emissions data, that amount would place the Vineland facility among New Jersey's largest sources of NOx pollution, according to the analysis.

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Nitrogen oxides are produced when fuels are burned. They contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter, both of which can pose health risks. According to the EPA, exposure to elevated levels of nitrogen dioxide, one of the primary nitrogen oxides, can irritate the respiratory system and aggravate asthma. Children, older adults and people with asthma may be particularly vulnerable. Nitrogen oxides also contribute to particulate pollution and ground-level ozone. At full operation, Jin and Buckheit estimated that DataOne's generators could potentially release more than 1,500 tons of NOx annually. New Jersey considers a facility capable of emitting more than 25 tons of NOx per year a "major source," a designation that triggers additional environmental review, pollution-control requirements and opportunities for public input.

State issues record fine

The DEP announced Sept. 22 that DataOne violated the New Jersey Air Pollution Control Act by installing and operating the 62 generators without required permits. Each generator has a capacity of 1,982 kilowatts. New Jersey requires permits for generators with a capacity of 37 kilowatts or greater. The DEP said inspectors discovered the generators during a July 29 inspection. The agency said they were not observed during its previous inspection of the property in December 2025. The state ordered DataOne to obtain the appropriate permits or cease operation of the generators. The company was given 45 days to comply. DataOne has disputed the DEP's determination that the generators required permits under the circumstances but said it intends to apply for them. The company has also said it is transitioning the facility to lower-emission fuel cells as its permanent power source. A Microsoft spokesperson said that the company expects its suppliers and partners to follow applicable environmental laws and said Microsoft was working with DataOne as the facility moves toward its permanent power system. DataOne provides computing capacity connected with Dutch artificial-intelligence infrastructure company Nebius and Microsoft.

Residents had complained for months

For some Vineland residents, the revelations follow months of complaints about noise coming from the massive facility. More than 100 noise complaints have been submitted to the Cumberland County Department of Health since March, according to records obtained by Floodlight. Several residents identified generators as a possible source. A county health inspector investigating one complaint in May reported that the noise appeared to originate from at least two generators and exceeded nighttime noise limits, according to the records. A City of Vineland inspection report from February also noted that generators associated with the project's first phase were online. The timeline has raised questions among residents about why the unpermitted equipment was not identified earlier. The DEP's enforcement action came after a Floodlight and Guardian investigation used visual and thermal imagery to document large numbers of operating generators at the property. State officials subsequently confirmed the units lacked the necessary permits.

A growing local and national concern

The controversy comes as data centers rapidly expand across New Jersey and around the country to support cloud computing and artificial intelligence. Data centers can require enormous amounts of electricity, prompting growing debates over how their power needs could affect utility infrastructure, energy costs and the environment. The DEP's order requires DataOne to come into compliance with state environmental regulations, but the generators are currently permitted to continue operating during the 45-day compliance period. According to the emissions analysis cited by Floodlight, the full generator fleet has the potential to emit more than four tons of nitrogen oxides in a single day. As state officials determine what comes next for the Vineland facility, residents who spent months questioning the noise surrounding the property are now asking a larger question: what, exactly, has been entering the air around their homes — and how will New Jersey ensure it does not happen again?

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The rise and fall of the Atlantic City Surf A short-lived baseball team

A difficult business model

By Sarah Fertsch

or more than a decade, summer nights in Atlantic City offered an attraction far removed from slot machines, beach bars and the Boardwalk. At Bader Field, fans could buy a ticket, grab a hot dog and watch professional baseball beneath the lights, with casino towers rising beyond the outfield. The Atlantic City Surf debuted in 1998 with a new stadium, a colorful identity and hopes of making professional baseball a lasting Shore attraction. The team immediately delivered a championship. Eleven seasons later, the Surf was gone. Its demise was not the story of a losing club. The Surf finished with an overall winning record and regularly reached the postseason. Its downfall instead reflected the difficult economics of independent baseball in a resort whose visitors did not necessarily become repeat customers. Nearly two decades later, nostalgia remains strong. As Atlantic City increasingly markets itself as a sports

Originally known as The Sandcastle, the approximately $15 million ballpark had a casino skyline beyond the outfield. destination, the question persists: Could professional baseball work here again?

A ballpark at Bader Field

The Surf was one of the original teams in the independent Atlantic League, which began play in 1998. Unlike affiliated Minor League Baseball clubs, Atlantic League teams signed their own players, often including overlooked prospects and former major leaguers. Atlantic City’s baseball history stretched back much further. The Bacharach Giants, a prominent Black baseball club based in the city, won

Eastern Colored League pennants in 1926 and 1927. Its players included Hall of Famer John Henry “Pop” Lloyd. The city built a roughly 5,500-seat stadium at Bader Field, then the municipal airport along Albany Avenue. Originally known as The Sandcastle, the approximately $15 million ballpark featured short foul lines and a casino skyline beyond the outfield. Under manager Doc Edwards, Atlantic City finished its inaugural season 60-40. The Surf then defeated the Bridgeport Bluefish three games to one to claim the first championship in Atlantic League history. It would remain the franchise’s only league title.

The Surf attracted more than 189,000 fans in 1998 and more than 206,000 in 1999. Fireworks, giveaways and other promotions could fill the stadium, but ordinary weeknight games often left thousands of seats empty. That inconsistency exposed a fundamental problem: Tourists were not necessarily season-ticket holders. Independent teams depend on repeat customers, group sales, sponsorships and business ticket packages. Atlantic City had fewer year-round corporate customers than some suburban markets, while many residents worked evenings in casinos, hotels and restaurants — the same hours when the Surf played. The casino industry never became the financial foundation the franchise needed. Before the 2006 season, founder Frank Boulton leased the team to a group led by sports executive Mark Schuster. The stadium’s naming rights were sold to Bernie Robbins Fine Jewelry, and The Sandcastle became Bernie Robbins Stadium.

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Schuster’s group later purchased the franchise. In 2007, the Surf left the Atlantic League for the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, commonly called the Can-Am League. Its shorter schedule was intended to make operations more manageable. The team continued to win, but its business problems persisted. The stadium deteriorated, and ownership and city officials disagreed over responsibility for repairs. After the 2008 season, ownership sought a buyer, but a proposed sale fell through. On March 30, 2009, the Surf ceased operations. Schuster cited the stadium’s disrepair, uncertainty surrounding Bader Field and the city’s unwillingness to extend the lease beyond three years as major obstacles to raising capital. The announcement came during a national recession and at the beginning of a turbulent period for Atlantic City’s casino industry. The financial crisis did not create the Surf’s problems, but it made finding new ownership more difficult.

After the Surf

The ballpark survived the franchise. It was repaired before a threeday Dave Matthews Band festival in 2011 and renamed Surf Stadium in 2012. It later hosted high school,

Our

35th

tion space, restaurants and entertainment.

Could the Surf return?

The Surf attracted more than 189,000 fans in 1998 and more than 206,000 in 1999. Fireworks, give-aways and other promotions could fill the stadium, but ordinary weeknight games often left thousands of seats empty. youth and college baseball. In 2018, Atlantic City authorized Boulton to seek an ownership group that could return professional baseball to the stadium. The effort did not produce a new team. The Surf was not the only professional franchise to struggle in Atlantic City. The city also hosted the Atlantic City Seagulls basketball team, Boardwalk Bullies hockey team, CardSharks indoor football team and, in 2019, the Blackjacks of the Arena Football League. All eventually disappeared. Atlantic City has since emphasized sports tourism, attracting tourna-

ments and competitions that bring visitors for several days rather than relying on local fans to support a full season. In its 10th year, the Atlantic City Sports Commission reported 69 events that drew more than 302,000 attendees, generated nearly 85,000 hotel room nights and produced an estimated $114.2 million in economic impact. Those events included basketball and wrestling championships, gymnastics, futsal, volleyball, pickleball, indoor auto racing and the Atlantic City Marathon. The model capitalizes on the city’s hotels, arenas, conven-

Personalized Service

The Surf remains memorable because it had a distinctly Atlantic City identity: teal-and-purple branding, casino towers beyond the fences, former major leaguers in uniform and fireworks beside an old airport. Unlike many defunct franchises, it also left a ballpark behind. Reviving the name would be easy. Building a sustainable team would require answering the same questions that defeated the original franchise: Who would own it? Would casinos and other major employers sponsor it? Could the team turn tourists into ticket buyers several nights a week and draw repeat customers from Atlantic and Cape May counties? Atlantic City has repeatedly reinvented itself, expanding beyond gambling into dining, entertainment, conventions and sports tourism. The Surf belongs to one chapter of that evolution. As long as the baseball diamond remains at Bader Field, so will the question of whether Atlantic City might someday hear “Play ball” again. Sarah Fertsch of Egg Harbor Township holds a Bachelors of Arts in Public Relations. She is a locally renowned poet, storyteller, and dog lover.

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Hotel competitions of old Atlantic City

By Roseann Smith

rom the 1930s through the early 1970s, Atlantic City hotel owners used spirited employee competitions to boost winter tourism. The goal was to keep the tourists and their money “down the shore” into the fall season. Legendary oceanfront hotels like the Traymore, Claridge, Chalfonte– Haddon Hall, and the Shelburne hosted the games. Hotel employees competed to see whose staff members would “rule the boardwalk.” These fun-filled contests created a boardwalk tradition which later became a key part of local history. Competitions like Bellhop Relay Races, Waiter Tray Races, and fastest Bed-Making drew crowds cheering for their favorite hotel and its employees. These lively events turned everyday tasks into exciting spectacles. Onlookers would bet big money on their favorite hotel staff members. For hotel employees who won, bragging rights meant becoming boardwalk royalty and ruler of the hotel lobby. “Those were fun days back then,” says Joe Criley, now in his mid-70s. “We had a blast during those games. Big crowds of people were out on the

boardwalk watching us. And all the employees would cheer each other on.” And Joe Crilley would know! He and his older brother Jim, now deceased, dominated the bellhop relay races for several years running. The competition required bellhops to stack a heavy brass luggage cart with suitcases of different sizes perfectly. Then, after sprinting with the cart a certain distance, they had to unpack the suitcases and stack them once again. But here’s the twist: Joe and Jim Crilley, then young teenagers, were bellhops at the Brigantine Hotel across the bridge. “The Atlantic City guys hated when we would come over to the boardwalk and win the races,” remembers Joe. “We would have so much fun beating those guys. They would get so mad at us.” Crilley laughs as he reminisces. In local newspapers, Joe and Jim Crilley earned the title, “fastest bellhops around.” Spectators who bet on them celebrated their victories and won a lot of money. The losing bellhops were left to try again the next year. Meanwhile, the Crilley brothers became legendary. They achieved bragging rights as the kings of the boardwalk and the Brigantine Hotel Lobby.

Waiter races were also a popular boardwalk competition. Judges inspected each server’s tray to make sure it held glasses of varying sizes and that each was properly filled. Servers would have to walk as quickly as possible a designated distance without spilling their drinks. If a waiter’s tray spilled too much liquid, they were disqualified— the waiter whose tray was most intact won. The prize was public adulation and bragging rights. There was also a contest to see which chambermaids could make

the fastest bed. “We would take our chambermaids over from the Brigantine Hotel,” recalls Joe Crilley. “The girls would do well in the competitions. They liked competing with employees from the Atlantic City hotels. Some of them were really fast at making beds.” Perhaps the biggest winners were the hotels that graced the Atlantic City skyline. “The big Atlantic City hotels were incredible in those days. The Traymore Hotel always dominated the competitions,” says Crilley. They had the best waiters and chambermaids. They set the standard for hospitality excellence.” Throughout Atlantic City’s Golden Hotel Age, rivalries weren’t just settled in boardroom meetings but on the Boardwalk. Real dominance wasn’t about hotel profits; it was about who could stack suitcases flawlessly, carry a full tray of drinks without spilling a drop, and make the fastest bed. The glory days of Atlantic City may have passed, but Joe Crilley still holds bragging rights. Roseann Smith is a local freelance writer who resides in Brigantine . A retired Atlantic City school teacher, Roseann enjoys writing feature and human interest stories. On a good day, Roseann is an artist in training.

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Phillies, Eagles fans seeing red

ost people in these parts love autumn. The air and the ocean are still warm enough to enjoy the beach, though it’s getting a tad tough to duck under waves without a wet suit. Brilliant, vivid colors abound. Orange, gold and red are everywhere, whether it’s leaves, chrysanthemums or pumpkins. Such is not the case for local Philadelphia sports fans, however. This is not the “Red October” Phillies fans were hoping for this season. Eagles fans are looking green around the gills after watching the Birds lost two straight. A Phillies team that was built to make deep playoff runs limped into the offseason after a first-round exit against the Atlanta Braves. Phils general manager Dave Dombrowski gambled by keeping the team largely intact for another season, only to see Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, J.T. Realmuto and company fall short once again. A window that was once wide open now appears to be shut. According to The Athletic, the Phils haven’t

won a post-season series in 1,086 days, since they beat the Braves in the National League Division Series (NLDS) in 2023. Blowing a 3-1 lead to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NLCS that year marked the start of a gradual slide. This season’s loss in the wildcard round was preceded by back-to-back defeats in the NLDS to the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers, respectively. Dombrowski and company rolled the dice and it came up snake eyes. The Phils have been through this before. After winning the World Series in 2008, the Phils’ brass kept the core intact for the next few years. Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, Shane Victorino, Carlos Ruiz and the crew faltered. Each year brought less success, losing in the World Series in 2009, the NLCS in 2010 and the NLDS in 2011. Then came the dry spell. No playoff appearances for the next decade. The Phils now face some tough decisions this offseason. “Each year is different than the year before,” Harper said. “This was a brand new team, but obviously we had the guys that are part of that core group that we are. I’d imagine this

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team is going to look a lot different next year. The guys that are leaving this clubhouse. We’ll see.” The Phils have more holes than the 27 at Union League National Golf Club in Swainton, but filling them will be tough. Third baseman/first baseman Alec Bohm, second baseman Luis Arraez, utility player Edmundo Sosa and reliever Jose Alvarado are among the free agents. If I was the GM, my first move would be to re-sign Bohm. He was their best player over the second half of the season and deserves to be back. I would also try to bring back Arraez, who finished one point behind Arizona catcher Gabriel Moreno in the N.L batting race with a .310 average after winning three straight batting titles. The fact that he is so well-traveled – the Phillies were his fifth team in the last four seasons – makes me wonder if he’s the right fit in the clubhouse, however. Turner and outfielder Brandon Marsh were among the team’s biggest disappointments. Turner, last season’s N.L. batting champion with a .304 average, hit a whopping 62 points lower this season and was a liability at shortstop. “Me, it’s that simple,” Turner said when asked to explain the Phillies’ offensive troubles this season. “This year is the biggest question mark for me offensively in a long time. I’ve got a lot of work to do this offseason.” Marsh endured an historic slump. He made the All-Star team after batting as high as .333, then a woeful .182 – the worst in the majors – afterward. Turner’s lofty contract means he will be back next season, but will probably be playing the outfield. Marsh is expected to be washing his hair between innings in a different dugout. Contracts being what they are, Harper, Schwarber and Realmuto will all be back, but Schwarber would appear to be the only lock. Realmuto endured an 0-for-34 slump late in the season and seemed to regress defensively.

Harper is a tougher call. He’s still extremely talented, but his attitude and leadership appear to be lacking at times. He’s tied to the Phillies through 2031, but a trade is not out of the question. Perhaps the biggest question is who will be the manager in 2027, assuming the owners and players can come to an agreement to avoid a lockout. Don Mattingly righted the ship after Rob Thompson was dismissed and steered it into the playoffs. But an early playoff exit might prompt yet another change in the dugout. As for the Eagles, they head to London this weekend to play the Jacksonville Jaguars with an injured list that’s longer than the Ocean City Boardwalk. Running backs Saquon Barkley (hamstring) and Tank Bigsby (core muscle), guard/center Cam Jurgens (concussion), cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (knee) and linebacker Jonathan Greenyard (ankle) were all hurt in last week’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The team is already missing guard Landon Dickerson (knee), wide receiver Devonta Smith (hamstring), tight end Dallas Goedert (knee) and linebacker Zack Baun (concussion), among others. In addition, new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion and head coach Nick Sirianni are feeling the heat for team’s lack of offensive production. No wonder Philly sports fans are feeling blue.

Local NFL update

Jacksonville Jaguars running back LeQuint Allen (Millville) had one tackle on special teams in a 22-17 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday. Dallas Cowboys safety Markquese Bell (Bridgeton) had one tackle in a 3430 victory over the Houston Texans. Green Bay Packers wide receiver/kick returner Bo Melton (Cedar Creek) saw action on offense and special teams in a 17-14 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Arizona Cardinals cornerback Max Melton (Cedar Creek), Bo’s brother, had four tackles in a 36-24 loss to the New York Giants. 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.

October 8, 2026

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

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

What’s happening in Ocean City

Ocean City gets ready for another Fall Block Party

he early weather forecast looks sunny and mild for the Fall Block Party, which will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10 along a mile of downtown Asbury Avenue. More than 400 crafters, food vendors and entertainers will line Asbury Avenue between Fifth Street and 14th Street for the annual celebration. The event helps draw tens of thousands of people to Ocean City to take advantage of the beautiful fall weather. Entertainers and bands will perform at various spots along the Avenue between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Just a few of the perennial favorites include the Robert Boney Band (7th Street), Pennsport String Band (13th Street) and Big Daddy (at 14th Street). Pony rides for children will be available on the grounds of the Ocean City Tabernacle (at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vendors including Asbury Avenue restaurants will offer food of every variety. Parking will be free at all municipal lots and metered spaces in the city. The weekend celebration also includes table sales by downtown and boardwalk merchants with discounted merchandise set up between Sixth Street and 14th Street on the boardwalk and Asbury Avenue throughout the entire weekend. The weekend slate of special events continues on Sunday, Oct.

11. Join more than 5,000 walkers for the 19th annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of OCNJ – a celebration of courage and hope to end breast cancer as we know it, for everyone. The event starts at 8:30 a.m. with the walk going off at 10:30 a.m. Participants can get more information and register online at makingstrideswalk.org/OceanCityNJ. The Spooks N’ Kooks Costume Surf Contest is set for 10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 11 at Seventh Street Beach. The event categories include groms, open adults and tandem. Entry fee is a $20 gift card to ShopRite, ACME or Aldi, and all proceeds benefit the Ocean City Food Cupboard. The no-wave date is Tuesday, Oct. 13.

OCTC presents ‘A Grand Night for Singing’

Experience the timeless music of Rodgers and Hammerstein with a new musical revue celebrating favorites from “Oklahoma!,” “Carousel,” “South Pacific,” “The King and I,” “The Sound of Music” and more. The revue was conceived by Tony Award-winning director Walter Bobbie with musical arrangements by Fred Wells. Rather than telling a single story, Bobbie’s concept brings together songs from across the Rodgers & Hammerstein canon and reimagines them in fresh and

↘Continued on 34

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↘Continued from 33 inventive ways. The original production premiered on Broadway in 1993 and received two Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical. “A Grand Night for Singing” is presented with permission from Concord Theatricals. The Ocean City Theatre Company will present “A Grand Night for Singing” at 7 p.m. Oct. 9, 10, 16 and 17; and 2 p.m. Oct. 11 and 18 at the Ocean City Music Pier. Visit oceancitytheatrecompany.com for tickets and more information.

Fire Department invites all to Open House on Thursday

The Ocean City Fire Department and IAFF Local 4032 will hold their annual Open House at the station at 550 Asbury Ave. from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. Everybody in the community is invited to this free event. It will feature live fire safety demonstrations, a helicopter landing, an Atlantic City Electric demonstration, face-painting, food, drinks and educational handouts. The annual event coincides with national Fire Prevention Month and gives the community a chance to learn more about how the department works. Off-duty firefighters from the local firefighters’ union vol-

unteer their time to produce the event. For information, call (609) 525-9182.

More family fun in October

Porsche Boardwalk Reunion (Oct. 17): Porsches will be displayed from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Boardwalk from 6th Street to 14th Street. John R. Elliott HERO Walk and 1 Mile Fun Run (Oct. 18): Register today at www.herowalkrun.org. Dog Days (Oct. 24-25): Leashed dogs will be permitted on the boardwalk from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. All are welcome and encouraged to bring their favorite furry canine friend. Activities for Saturday include dog-specific vendors along the boardwalk, photo-op stations on the boardwalk, and the Humane Society of Ocean City’s “Pet of the Year” announcement. HSOC “Howl-O-Ween” Parade (Oct. 24): Hosted by the Humane Society of Ocean City. Contestants are encouraged to dress themselves and their pooch in zany, fun Halloween costumes in the spirit

of the season. Registration begins at 2 p.m. at the Sports & Civic Center. The parade begins at 3 p.m. and the procession is from 6th to 14th Street on the Boardwalk. Registra-

Fall is A-Maze-Ing

at the Library

tion for vendors and parade participants is open at ocnj.us/ dogday. Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweep (Oct. 24): Volunteers are sought for the Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweep from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14. Register at cleanoceanaction.org and check in at the Ocean City Music Pier before the event. Bring your own bucket and gloves. Halloween Costume Skate (Oct. 24): The Ocean City Skate Park at Fifth Street and Asbury Avenue will celebrate Halloween 4 p.m. to dusk. Skateboarders are invited to come dressed for the holiday. There will be prizes for best costume and best trick, and candy for the participants. OC Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Welcome Night (Oct. 28): 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Ocean City Sports & Civic Center. Meet OC groups, businesses & organizations. Free event. Halloween Parade (Oct. 29): 7:15 p.m. on Asbury Ave. from 6th – 11th Street. Sponsored by the Ocean City Exchange Club. Registration for participants is open at ochp. blogspot.com.

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Ocean City Arts Center concert pairs classical music with ballroom dance

he Ocean City Arts Center will bring classical music and ballroom dance together for “Where Classical Music Moves: Strings & Piano Meet the Art of Dance” at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Ocean City High School. The free program will feature live performances by violinist Dr. May Strange, pianist Jean Kibler and the Music Studio String Quartet. Ballroom instructor Edward Fischer and several area dancers will join the musicians for a selection of performances demonstrating the connection between music and movement. Strange, Kibler and Fischer are teaching artists at the Ocean City Arts Center. The Music Studio String Quartet consists of Strange and Alex Mazak on violin, Yoon Yon on viola and Dr. Kevin Hunter on cello. Bassist Scott Sheppard will join the ensemble for selections requiring bass. The program will include classical and international works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Claude Debussy, Johannes Brahms, Astor Piazzolla and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Featured selections will include “Clair de Lune,” “Hungarian Dance No. 5,” “Oblivion” and “Waltz of the Flowers” from “The Nutcracker.” Following intermission, live music and ballroom dance will share the stage. The dance portion of the program will feature the foxtrot, waltz, East Coast swing, hustle, cha-cha, rumba, slow rock and tango. Musical selections will include

“Fly Me to the Moon,” “Kansas City (Here I Come),” “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and the classic tango “Por una Cabeza.” The featured ballroom dancers will be Fischer and Carol Miller, Bernie McMonagle and Jenny Fischer, and Andy and Susan Nebl. Organizers said the program was designed to showcase classical music beyond the traditional concert format by illustrating how rhythm, melody and emotion can be expressed through movement. The combination of live musicians and dancers will offer audiences a different way to experience familiar classical works and popular songs. The performance is free and open to the public, but reservations are requested. Ocean City High School is located at 501 Atlantic Ave. in Ocean City. Reservations may be made by calling the Ocean City Arts Center at 609-399-7628 or visiting oceancityartscenter.org/events.

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Beyond the pink: Honoring loved ones and supporting breast cancer awareness By Marcella Curcio

ctober brings crisp autumn air, falling leaves, pumpkin patches and spooky seasonal activities. It also brings a familiar color to storefronts, local businesses and community events: pink. Pink ribbons, decorations and fundraisers mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to education, early detection, research and support for those affected by the disease. Behind the pink is a difficult reality. According to the American Cancer Society, about one in eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer during her lifetime. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women, excluding skin cancers. For me, the disease is deeply personal. My mother, Ghisele Curcio, first battled breast cancer in 2001. She faced it again in 2014 and was eventually diagnosed with incurable but manageable metastatic stage 4 breast cancer. After years of treatment, she died from the disease in 2025. Groundbreaking medications helped prolong my mother’s life, giving her more time with family and friends. But despite advances in treatment, metastatic breast cancer remains incurable. My experience as my mother’s caregiver gave me insight into the physical

and emotional challenges of cancer and the importance of community support.

Walking for a cause close to home

One way to make a difference during Breast Cancer Awareness Month is by participating in local events that raise money for research, patient support and education. The American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk returns to Ocean City on Sunday, Oct. 11, for its 19th annual event at the Ocean City Sports and Civic Center. Activities begin at 8:30 a.m., followed by a survivor and thriver celebration at 9:30 a.m. The 5K walk begins at 10 a.m. The event is free, but donations are encouraged. I attended last year’s walk with friends just a few months after losing my mother. It was inspiring to listen to those affected by the disease and hear their stories of hope. The experience connected me with others who understood the impact of breast cancer, whether through their own diagnosis or the loss of a loved one. I plan to attend again this year to honor my mother’s memory and support the cause.

The realities of caregiving

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than appointments, medications and scans. For caregivers, the experience extends well beyond the doctor’s office. During the final months of my mother’s life, I became her full-time caregiver. The routine was physically demanding, while the emotional toll brought stress, anxiety and uncertainty. Still, I searched for ways to make the experience feel less overwhelming. The night before chemotherapy, I often took my mother to get her nails done. At home, we made time for face masks and other self-care activities. I also assembled a chemotherapy bag filled with practical and entertaining items. Along with supplies to help manage potential side effects, I packed stress-relief squishies, sudoku books, coloring materials and her laptop so she could watch movies during treatment. Even in difficult circumstances, small moments of joy and connection can become treasured memories.

Supporting the caregiver, too

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While much of the attention naturally goes to the person battling cancer, caregivers often put their own needs aside. I allowed my physical and mental health to take a back seat while caring for my mother. The constant stress and anticipation of loss made it difficult to prioritize myself. My support system helped carry some of that weight. Friends regularly checked in, offering encouragement and reminding me that I was not alone. A close group of college friends went a step further while I was in hospice with my mother. They put together a care package filled with new loungewear,

Marcella Curcio walks in loving memory of her mother, Ghisele Curcio. skin care products, hair products and other self-care items. Taking breaks, accepting help and staying connected with friends are important parts of caregiving. A meal, a thoughtful text or an offer to drive someone to an appointment can make a meaningful difference. Checking on the caregiver is just as important as asking how the patient is doing.

Turning awareness into action

Residents can support breast cancer initiatives by attending local walks, donating to reputable organizations, volunteering and supporting families affected by the disease. For me, the meaning of October has changed. Pink is no longer simply a pretty color. It represents the strength of survivors, the dedication of caregivers, the compassion of friends and the memories of loved ones lost. As the community gathers in Ocean City on Oct. 11, every step along the Boardwalk will represent hope, support and remembrance. Behind every pink ribbon is a story. Sometimes, the most meaningful way to honor those stories is simply to show up.

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Entertainment & Dining at the Shore By Steffen Klenk

Top Weekly Entertainment Picks

classics from hit shows like Carousel and South Pacific all in one show. Presented by Ocean City Theatre Company.

utumn-like weather is on the horizon for this weekend and we have an inside look at all the biggest happenings in Southern New Jersey. Take a musical trip back in time at Golden Nugget, see Gladys Knight on stage in Atlantic City, and do the time-warp again in Galloway. Read all about it in our Top Weekly Entertainment Picks. What: A Grand Night for Singing Where: Ocean City Music Pier When: Friday, October 9 – Sunday, October 18 Time: 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays Website: www.oceancitytheatrecompany.com The magic of Broadway comes to life in this one-of-a-kind musical.

Audiences will enjoy a joyful and romantic musical revue celebrating

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s beloved arrangements. Sing along to timeless

What: Flashback Friday Where: The Wave at Golden Nugget When: Fridays Time: 9 p.m. Website: www.goldennugget.com/ atlantic-city/nightlife/the-wave/ flashback-fridays/ Flashback Fridays are back. Grab your friends, tease your hair, and enjoy an evening of live music by your favorite tribute bands. This month, take a trip back to the '70s with the sounds of Eric Clapton, get adrenalized by the music of Def Leppard, and celebrate the legendary rock of Ozzy Osbourne. Doors open at 7 p.m., attendees must be 21+ to enter.

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Who: Voyage: Celebrating the Music of Journey Where: The Music Box at Borgata When: Friday, October 9 Time: 7:30 p.m. Website: https://borgata.mgmresorts.com/en/entertainment/themusic-box/voyage.html The classic sounds of Journey come to life in this sensational show. VOYAGE faithfully recreates the iconic passion and energy of this legendary rock group with vocal precision, blended with blistering guitar solos and keyboard arrangements. Fans will sing along to the timeless songs that have made Journey one of the most beloved bands on the planet.

October 8, 2026

What: Ocean City Fall Block Party Where: Asbury Avenue from Fifth to Fourteenth Streets When: Saturday, October 10 Time: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Website: www.oceancityvacation.com/events-calendar/ fall-block-party-4/ One of Ocean City’s most anticipated seasonal events will return this weekend. The Ocean City Fall Block Party features over 400 vendors selling specialty items, gifts, apparel, and clothing. Plus, enjoy live music, delicious food, and nonprofit appearances.

Time: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday Website: www.historicsmithville.com/ s m i t h v i l l e - e v e n t s/ irish-festival/ Irish eyes will be smiling on the Village Greene this weekend. Enjoy a lively weekend of traditional Irish music, energetic Irish dance performances, a full Irish marketplace with specialty vendors, family-friendly activities, and plenty of mouthwatering food. Spend the day, ride the historic carousel or train, paddle around the lake, and enjoy the charm of Historic Smithville.

What: Smithville Irish Festival Where: Historic Smithville Village When: Saturday, October 10 & Sunday, October 11

Who: Gladys Knight Where: Borgata Event Center When: Saturday, October 10 Time: 8 p.m. Website: https://borgata.mgmresorts.com/en/ entertainment/event-calendar/gladys-knight.html

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Seven-time Grammy Award winner Gladys Knight makes her Atlantic City return this Saturday. Experience an unforgettable night with one of the most celebrated voices in all of music. With a catalog of more than 38 albums, and chart-topping hits spanning multiple genres, the "Empress of Soul" continues to amaze audiences with her signature artistry.

What: The Rocky Horror Picture Show with Live Shadowcast Where: Stockton Performing Arts Center When: Saturday, October 10 Time: 8 p.m. Website: stockton.edu/pac Take a jump to the left, then a step to the right, and do the time-warp again at the Stockton PAC in Galloway. The Rocky Horror Picture Show, one of the most beloved cult-classics, comes to the screen and stage this Saturday, with a live shadow cast provided by TNP. Audience participation is strongly encouraged. This event is for audiences 18 and over. Prop bags will be available for purchase. What: Brass Transit: A Tribute to Chicago

Where: Grand Ballroom at Bally’s When: Saturday, October 10 Time: 9 p.m. Website: https://casino.ballys. com/atlantic-city/entertainment/ brass-transit/ The legendary sounds of Chicago come to life as Brass Transit returns to Southern New Jersey. As one of the premier tribute bands in the country, audiences will hear reimagined sounds capturing the entire Chicago catalog, complete with a soaring horn section.

October 10 Time: 7 – 11 p.m. Website: www.witchcraftnj.com Get ready for a spook-tacular evening of thrills, chills, spirits and broos at the annual Witch-Craft. Attendees will be entertained by a lineup of fun interactive programs, live comedy, fortune-telling, silent disco, pumpkin pie eating contests, and a Costume Contest. This mystical encounter is open to all adults 21 and over.

What: Witch-Craft Where: Paradise Lakes Campground, Hammonton When: Friday, October 9 & Saturday,

Events are subject to change due to weather. Please check venue websites and social media for updated information.

October 8, 2026

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Harvest wines that are organic, biodynamic, sustainably farmed, and natural Drink Up! By David Setley

appy harvest! Le vendange 2026 est arrivé! (“Vendange” is the French word for the wine harvest season). For most of the Northern Hemisphere, this can be as early as late August or as late as the end of October. It varies by region and varietal. In parts of California, this season can even extend into early November. Global temperatures this summer in many wine-growing countries, including Italy and France, have resulted in some of the earliest grape harvests in recorded history. Regardless of location, we are in the midst of the wine-grape harvest season now. To celebrate the harvest, this article looks at a segment of the industry that is becoming increasingly popular: organic, biodynamic, sustainably farmed and natural wines. The term “organic” has been popular for decades. Simply put, organic wines are those produced with organically grown grapes, meaning they are grown without the use of syn-

thetic chemicals, pesticides, or added sulfites. Non-chemical additives, including yeast, egg whites and rennet, a filtering agent, may be utilized by certified organic wine producers. The approved list of non-chemical additives varies from country to country. You may be familiar with the term “sulfites,” the sulfur dioxide (SO2) found in wines. Sulfites are present in many consumables, including cured meats, cheese, canned soup, dried fruit, French fries, etc. This compound naturally occurs in wine, so virtually all wine has some sulfites at low levels. In the United States, a wine is considered “organic” when it is made from organically grown grapes and contains no added sulfites. So, if sulfites, or other synthetic additives, are a concern for you, organic wines may be a good option. The Villarini wines from Sicily, Italy are great examples of excellent organic wines. They are available in the Villarini Nero D’Avola, and the Villarini Grillo. You will be amazed at the quality of these wines and the incredibly reasonable prices. Sustainable agriculture practices

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have become more common in the wine industry. A sustainable certification requires the vineyard to use practices that conserve energy and water, and to promote the long-term health of the earth and the surrounding environment. Wine production takes a holistic corporate social responsibility approach to sustainability, following the three pillars of economy, society, and the environment. California is a leader through their statewide sustainability program, with about one-third of vineyards representing more than 85% of commercial wine production that is sustainably certified. J. Lohr Wineries is one of the many Golden State winemakers to earn this certification, with vineyards that produce the company’s very popular Arroyo Seco Monterey Chardonnay, the Falcon’s Perch Pinot Noir, the Paso Robles Merlot, and my favorite, the Tower Road Petite Sirah. Biodynamic winemaking is a practice that incorporates aspects of organic and sustainable agriculture, and more. The philosophy behind biodynamic winemaking goes back a hundred years to an Austrian philosopher named Rudolph Steiner. Mike Benzinger, of Benzinger Family Vineyards in Sonoma, California, says, “At its core, biodynamics is an energy management system.” Biodynamics works on a calendar of activities that include fruit days, root days, flower days, and leaf days. Prescribed viticultural activities, including everything from watering to harvesting, are allowed or forbidden depending on the day’s classification. Montinore Estates in Oregon has been practicing biodynamics since the early 2000s and received the Biodynamic Certification in 2008. The winery states that these practices are the most complete approach to land stewardship and the highest level of ethical farming practices in the industry. Montinore produces outstanding certified biodynamic and organic wines including its Borealis Pinot Noir, Red Cap Pinot Noir, and Pinot Noir Reserve. What are natural wines? The principal philosophy of natural wine is summed up in two words: minimal intervention. Grapes are allowed to grow and mature naturally in the vineyard, with no chemical pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. Organic farming practices are used, and many producers have also adopted the biodynamic approach to vineyard management. Spontaneous fermentation is employed, utilizing only the yeast

present on the grapes and in the environment, rather than using commercial yeast. Minimal or no sulfites are added to natural wine. Also, natural wine producers do not add sugar or other additives to enhance the flavor, color, or texture of the wine. Finally, many natural wine producers do not filter the wine to clarify it. As a result, many natural wines appear cloudy. The goal of natural winemakers is to allow the grapes and the wine made to express the terroir of the vineyard. Although they have been produced for more than 8,000 years, orange or amber wines have become more popular in recent years. Christine Orange is a natural orange wine from Austria, made primarily from the Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Winemaker Christina Nitzl has produced a very enjoyable wine with notes of tangerine, apricot, and peach, with a touch of white pepper and a notable minerality. This wine pairs well with curried Thai dishes, grilled fish or chicken, as well as shellfish. Field Recordings Super Gnario 2024 Red Blend wonderful natural wine from Santa Barbara, California. Founder and winemaker Andrew Jones created a unique blend of Nebbiolo, Barbera, Legrein, and Montepulciano. This awesome wine is fermented for 45 days with native yeast and aged 10 months in French oak barrels. You will taste rich, dark cherry fruit with notes of spices. This wine is great with mushroom risotto, burgers, or classic Italian dishes with red or brown sauce. Coralie et Damien Delecheneau’s Ad Libitum is a natural red wine from the Touraine appellation of the Loire Valley in France. This is a blend of estate-grown Côt (the name used for Malbec in that region of France), Gamay, and Cabernet Franc from their family-owned-and-operated vineyards. This is classic red wine of this wonderful region of France and features the fruit taste of bright red grapes and a subtle earthiness. This is the ideal harvest season wine and earns my top pick for the season. Autumn is grilling season, and this wine is perfect with everything from grilled vegetables to steak to ribs. The name means “at one’s pleasure,” and is the Latin that brought us the word “ad lib.” Open a bottle and adlib. As always, contact me with any questions or comments at dsetley@ passionvines.com. Until next time, happy vendange and happy wining!

October 8, 2026

JOIN US FOR BREAKFAST AND THE BIRDS

THE EAGLES PLAY IN LONDON AT 9:30AM —WE’RE OPENING EARLY AT 9AM TO SERVE BREAKFAST

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11 DOONEY’S PUB, 6823 TILTON RD, EGG HARBOR TWP, NJ

By Bruce Klauber

Three nights of swinging jazz

he powers that be who book jazz festivals across the country should consider taking a serious look at what the South Jersey Jazz Society is doing with the Jazz@ThePoint festival, taking place at the Gateway Playhouse and Gregory’s restaurant in Somers Point from Oct. 15-17. While there are a lot of factors to consider when choosing performers for a jazz fest — including costs, availability and drawing power — SJJS’s

main considerations have been talent, the importance of an artist in the jazz world and how often, if at all, an artist has appeared in the immediate area. The fact that such-and-such may have sold a million records is not high on their list of priorities when putting together jazz talent for a festival. The confab, which carries a subtitle of “Red, White & Louis,” is a salute to our country’s 250th birthday, and a celebration of the late and great WRTI Radio broadcaster Bob Perkins, and the legendary Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong. The fest opens at 7 p.m.

Jon Faddis on Thursday, Oct. 15, at Gregory’s, with Armstrong historian/author/ record producer and Director of the Louis Armstrong House Museum’s Director of Research Collections, Ricky Riccardi. Riccardi’s knowledge and the understanding of Pops’ contributions to jazz is encyclopedic, and through his extensive work, he’s accomplished something of a miracle: He’s somehow made Old Satch contemporary. Appropriately swinging music that evening will be provided by trumpeter Bob Ferguson’s All-Stars. Headlining at Gateway Playhouse on Friday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. is trombonist, bandleader, composer, and educator Wycliffe Gordon. Gordon, who played in fellow trumpeter Wynton Marsalis’ small group and also composed the theme song for National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered,” has extensive list of credits, but at heart, he’s a straight-ahead, swinging trombon- Wycliffe Gordon ist. Ed Berger of Jazz Times magazine recently wrote, “In an art form too often rife with factionalism and stylistic myopia, Wycliffe Gordon is a breath of fresh air. He’ll play with anybody, bringing his commanding technique, sense of history and sheer exuberance to any musical setting. He is equally at home on the stage at Lincoln Center, on the ‘jazz party’ circuit, in repertory bands, touring with the venerable Statesmen of Jazz and even on the fringes of the avant-garde.”

After Gordon’s show, the action moves to Gregory’s restaurant where the star, beginning at 9:30 p.m., is the one and only “La Chanteuse De Jazz,” versatile vocalist Paula Johns. Johns, long a favorite of shore audiences, has performed a number of tribute shows throughout her career, including celebrations of Dionne Warwick’s work with Burt Bacharach and Nancy Wilson. For this occasion, Johns will reprise her popular and spot-on homage to Ella Fitzgerald. Ella, of course, recorded three, landmark albums with one of this festival’s honorees, Louis Armstrong, and no doubt, Paula Johns will be singing some songs from those iconic projects. The booking of trumpeter/bandleader Jon Faddis at Gateway on Saturday at 7 p.m. is a real coup, given that Faddis has rarely, if ever, visited the Jersey shore as a performer. Faddis first hit the national scene as a protégé of Dizzy Gillespie — and to be accurate, he was something of a Gillespie clone in his earlier years — as a member of Lionel Hampton’s band. He later graduated to working with the famed Thad Jones/Mel Lewis orchestra and then as a member of bassist Charles Mingus’ group.

Though he became an in-demand studio artist, he always worked as a jazz player on recordings, and as director of Dizzy Gillespie’s 70th Birthday Big Band and Diz’s United Nations Orchestra. The non-jazz public at large began to take notice of this extraordinary artist when he became the leader of the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, a stint that lasted from 1992 until 2002. He continues to record in a variety of settings and teaches internationally, notably at the

October 8, 2026

Ricky Riccardi

Terrell Stafford Conservatory of Music at Purchase College/SUNY, in Westchester, New York. Like many who initially fell under the spell of giants like Dizzy, Faddis eventually became his own man as an improviser — and has added almost another octave to his already impressive range along the way — though the influence of John Birks Gillespie is still very much evident, as it is with just about everyone who has ever played jazz trumpet. This evening is certain to be quite the event. Ending the festival at Gregory’s that evening is another world class trumpeter, Terell Stafford. Philadelphians may be familiar with Stafford by way of his noteworthy position as Director of Jazz Studies at the Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University. But he’s a fine, swinging improviser, fluent in all styles and a Grammy Award-nominated artist who has recorded extensively as a leader and with famed mainstreamers like flutist Herbie Mann, organist Shirley Scott, and yes, Dizzy Gillespie. None other than pianist McCoy

Tyner, pianist in the legendary John Coltrane Quartet, described Stafford as “one of the great trumpeters of our time.” Endorsements don’t get better than that. What will make this mini-festival extra special is the fact that all involved will be paying tribute to the artist who virtually invented jazz trumpet playing, Louis Armstrong. It’s nice to know that there are still those in the world of jazz who have all carefully and intelligently evolved, but none have forgotten their roots. Armstrong influenced all of those who play or sing jazz. The artists slated to appear at the Jazz@ThePoint festival are well aware of that and no doubt, they’ll come out swinging. For ticketing and other details on the Jazz@ThePoint festival, visit SouthJerseyJazz.org. Bruce Klauber is the author of four books, an award-winning music journalist, concert and record producer and publicist, producer of the Warner Brothers and Hudson Music "Jazz Legends" film series, and performs both as a drummer and vocalist.

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October 8, 2026

By Chuck Darrow

Five really bad ideas from Atlantic City’s legal-gaming era

he advent of state-sanctioned casinos in Atlantic City in May 1978 was inarguably the launchpad of countless smart and beneficial ideas. Besides legal gambling itself, these include the construction of the Convention Center; the transformation of what is now called James Whelan Boardwalk Hall into a nationally rec-

ognized entertainment venue; the creation of The Walk retail district and The Quarter at Tropicana Atlantic City, Our Town’s only Las Vegas-style retail, dining and entertainment complex, and the opening of Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa, which forever set the bar for the local gaming industry. But this does not mean that every brainstorm has been a winner. As a matter of fact, some of the most mind-bendingly illogical concepts

found anywhere can claim Atlantic City as their birthplace. What follows is a rundown of five of the most, shall we say, impractical and ludicrous ideas of the past 48-and-change years:

Diving animals

Donald Trump’s swap of Resorts International Hotel-Casino for what would open as Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort included Steel Pier where, years before, animal activists succeeded in cancelling the entertainment complex’s world-famous diving horse. But Trump thought he had the animal-rights crowd outsmarted when, in the summer of 1993, he introduced a program featuring a mule, a miniature horse and a dog plunging several stories into a pool. Not surprisingly, protesters returned and by Labor Day of that year, all three four-legged performers were history.

Morton Downey Jr.’s singing debut.

For a thankfully brief time at the

turn of the 1990s, the most controversial figure in national media was Morton Downey Jr., whose bile-dripping syndicated talk show (produced out of WOR-TV, Ch. 9 in Secaucus) helped fuel America’s drift to the political hard right. Five nights a week, Downey would excoriate, in the most-demeaning and vulgar terms allowed by FCC rules, anything that,

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October 8, 2026

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↘Continued from 50 politically or culturally, was to the left of Genghis Khan as an audience of proto-MAGA types egged him on. For AC entertainment-booking legend Tom Cantone, then running the show biz operations at the three properties owned by Trump, Downey was a perfect target as Cantone built his career on recruiting 15-minutesof-fame types just as their popularity and notoriety were peaking. That Downey — whose father, Morton Downey Sr., was a successful radio Irish tenor of the 1930s — had never sung in public before was hardly an impediment to having him vocalize at what was then Trump Castle Hotel & Casino. So, on the first weekend of August, 1990, Downey Jr. headlined the Castle’s King’s Court showroom. Well, it turned out Downey did not inherit much of his dad’s talent. By the end of his three-night run, his opening act, comedian Freddie Roman, had claimed the majority of stage time.

Mini ice shows

Forty years later, this still makes me chuckle. Back in the day, the main entertainment venue at the long-gone Bally’s Grand Hotel-Casino was the Opera House which, at about 400 capacity, was by far the city’s smallest showroom.

As a result of that intimacy, the stage was what could be considered “postage stamp” size. Nonetheless, the powers-that-be there obviously thought that ice pageants would be a good fit. So, they brought them in and each was pretty much identical to the other: For 75 or 90 minutes, be-glittered blade-borne performers would glide four or five steps, rotate, and take another four or five steps back to where they had been seconds before. To say it was silly doesn’t begin to describe the absurdity on display.

●

Revel

As epic fails go, there was nothing amusing about Revel, the $2 billion glass-wrapped pleasure dome that opened at Boardwalk and Connecticut Avenue in April 2012. That Ocean Casino Resort—which rose from the closed-in-2014-Revel’s ashes in 2018—is today one of the city’s best-performing properties proves it wasn’t the building (which boasts over two million square feet of public space) that was the problem, but the management thereof. Suffice it say it appeared the executive team that built and opened Revel (comprised mostly of people who’d been successful at other local gaming halls) used a manual that was titled, “How Not to Open A Atlantic City Casino.” Among the miscues:

●

No private lounge for top-tier customers. When deciding where to gamble, premium players tend to look at the accommodations offered to patrons who gamble at higher levels. At Revel such a retreat was nowhere to be found. A player-card reward system that didn’t differentiate between levels of play (e.g. a $10 dollar-a-hand blackjack player received the same level of comps as a $500-per-hand player). No buffet. Post-pandemic, when casino buffets are getting harder to find here and elsewhere, this looks downright prescient. But in 2012, buffets were still an important marketing tool for luring people through casino doors. Ridiculously high prices. One morning, I joined three Revel staffers for coffee and Danish in the “casual” restaurant. The bill came to $62—before tip!

A reliance on a market that simply didn’t exist. Pre-opening, much was made of Revel’s targeting affluent New Yorkers in their twenties and thirties who, it was believed, were just dying to spend their disposable income at an Atlantic City gaming hall. If they existed at all, those folks simply never showed up at Revel.

Covering the Boardwalk

This article doesn’t rank the misguided ideas, but if it did, this would absolutely be number one. In November 1988, a North Jersey-based businessman proposed covering the Boardwalk from what was then Showboat Hotel, Casino & Bowling Center on the eastern end to Bally’s Grand Hotel-Casino on the western side. His grandiose, if unhinged, plan included enclosing the oceanside promenade in a clear plastic bubble, thus cutting off all access to the (pre-dunes) views, salt air and cooling breezes that has made the Great Wood Way an American icon for more than 150 years. Obviously, the idea never gained traction and the ‘Walk remains topless (and side-less). But what’s really wild is that according to historical research, the idea of putting the Boardwalk indoors dates back to at least 1903!

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Gregorysbar 53

Final in-person Elephant Talk Indie Music Awards show this weekend at Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall Tune In, Turn On With Doug Deutsch

here are many people involved behind the scenes in the Jersey Shore local music scene. One of them is Jerry Ryan, founder of both the Elephant Talk Indie Music Festival and its companion event, the Elephant Talk Indie Music Awards. Both annual events have been embraced by the music community and have taken

place for the past several years at Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall in the rapidly developing Orange Loop section of Atlantic City. Ryan recently announced on social media that the 2026 ETIMA — happening Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10 and 11 — would be the final physical, in-person awards show. ETIMA will continue as an online event. Tune In, Turn On thought it was fitting and proper to interview Ryan about Elephant Talk’s past, present and future.

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Jerry Ryan, Founder of the Elephant Talk Indie Music Awards, poses with his final in-person event poster. Photo by Doug Deutsch

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Here’s how it went. Doug Deutsch: You’re on record as saying that 2026 will be your last year for the Elephant Talk Indie Music Festival and Awards events. Can you elaborate on this? Jerry Ryan: It’s true that 2026 will be my last in-person awards show, as I plan to transition the ETIM Awards into an online event going forward. That said, the Elephant Talk Indie Music Festival isn’t going anywhere! It just won’t be a multiday event anymore. I’ve already booked April 10, 2027, for the 18th annual Elephant Talk Indie Music Festival, and I’m really looking forward to it! Less is more for me these days. DD: Maintaining and curating events the size of Elephant Talk obviously takes a deep devotion to the music and artists. What motivates Jerry Ryan? JR: I’ve always been self-motivated. I use both the positives and negatives in life to fuel the fire inside me. I’m in constant competition with myself, always striving to grow, improve and become a better version of myself each and every day. I can only speak for myself and the changes I can make. I don’t focus on what others are doing — I focus on leading by example and hopefully motivating others through my actions. DD: If you could make any changes in the New Jersey original music scene, what would they be and why? JR: I like the direction the local music scene is heading, and some of

the key players have been nothing short of inspiring. It’s encouraging to see people putting in the work, creating opportunities and continuing to push the scene forward. If you go: Live music begins on the indoor stage Saturday at 11:30 a.m. with a one-hour open mic and concludes at 11 p.m. Dylan Gano will perform from 10:15 to 11 p.m. Music on the outdoor stage begins at noon Saturday with Ugly Noise and ends with a set by The Surf Jerks from 9:15 to 10 p.m. On Sunday, music begins on the indoor stage at noon when Billy T. Midnight takes the stage and ends with a set by Mindful Melodies from 7:15 to 7:45 p.m. The outdoor stage opens Sunday with a set by School of Rock/Deptford from noon to 1:15 p.m. and concludes with the final set of the night by The Shane Set from 7:45 to 8:30 p.m. Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall is located at 133 S. Tennessee Ave. on the beach block, with free parking across the street. Admission is $15 each day. This is an all-ages event. For additional information, visit facebook. com/elephanttalkindie. The Elephant Talk Indie Music Awards will take place rain or shine. Doug is the owner/operator of Doug Deutsch Publicity Services, which since 1995 has been servicing nationally touring acts, and working record release campaigns for clients. Doug can be reached at ShoreLocalDoug@gmail.com

October 8, 2026

Atlantic City Headliners

Friday, October 9

Atlantic City Comedy Festival

▶8 p.m.

Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall Voyage: Celebrating the Music of Journey

OCTOBER SPECIALS • OPEN DAILY 7AM - 8PM •

Saturday, October 10 Gladys Knight

▶8 p.m.

Borgata Event Center The Revivalists

▶8 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Atlantic City Comedy Festival Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall Little Shop of Horrors

▶8 p.m.

Superstar Theater at Resorts Jamey Johnson

CHICKEN SCHNITZEL 20

▶8 p.m.

Topped with mushroom cream sauce or white wine butter sauce. Served with braised red cabbage and spaetzle.

PORK SCHNITZEL 2O

Topped with mushroom cream sauce or white wine butter sauce. Served with braised red cabbage and spaetzle.

SAUSAGE PLATTER 22

Served with braised cabbage and spaetzle. One each of bratwurst, knackwurst, applewood smoked sausage.

CREME BRULEE 9 NY CHEESECAKE 7 COBBLER DU JOUR 7

The Music Box at Borgata

▶8 p.m.

ENTREES

DESSERTS

▶7:30 p.m.

Tropicana Showroom Nurse Blake

▶8 p.m.

The Concert Venue at Harrah’s Brass Transit: A Tribute to Chicago

▶8 p.m.

Grand Ballroom at Bally’s Wheel of Fortune

GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE 7.50

▶8 p.m.

Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena

Saturday, October 17

Whose Live Anyway?

▶8 p.m.

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

▶7:30 p.m.

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

▶8 p.m.

Superstar Theater at Resorts

Saturday, October 31 Alice Cooper

Tropicana Showroom Brass Against Sound Waves at Hard Rock

Friday, November 6 Chicago

▶8 p.m.

Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena Jon Stewart

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Little Shop of Horrors

▶9 p.m.

Superstar Theater at Resorts Jimmy Dore

▶8 p.m.

▶8 p.m. ▶8 p.m.

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

Friday, October 23 Godsmack

▶9 p.m.

Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena John Mulaney

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Mike Epps

Borgata Event Center Babyface

▶9 p.m.

Tropicana Showroom Brian Regan

▶7 p.m.

The Music Box at Borgata Bored Teachers

▶9 p.m.

Circus Maximus Theatre at Caesars

Saturday, November 7 Chicago

▶8 p.m.

▶9 p.m.

▶8 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Jesse McCartney Tropicana Showroom

Saturday, October 24

▶9 p.m.

Ricky Martin

Tropicana Showroom

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

The Music Box at Borgata

Friday, October 16

Sound Waves at Hard Rock

▶8 p.m.

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▶7:30 p.m.

▶8 p.m.

Daughtry

S AT U M U S I C RDAY S

The Sixties Show

▶4 p.m. & 8 p.m.

▶7 p.m.

LIVE

Photo credit: Jesse McCartney Facebook

Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena Will Dempsey The Grand at Golden Nugget

October 8, 2026

Live & Local Music Calendar

Thursday, October 8

Atlantic City Bar One at Resorts Karaoke w/ Joe 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 1133 Boardwalk Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino Live DJ 8 p.m. 500 Boardwalk Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget Dane Anthony 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 600 Huron Ave. The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Karly C & The Rebel Y’all Band 7 – 11 p.m. 1000 Boardwalk Egg Harbor Township Dooney’s Pub Joe Grasso 7 – 9 p.m. 6823 Tilton Rd. Somers Point Caroline’s by the Bay Karaoke Night w/ DJ Mike 8:30 p.m. – 12 a.m. 450 Bay Ave. Crab Trap That 70’s Band 6 – 9 p.m. 2 Broadway

Friday, October 9

Atlantic City Anchor Rock Club Dead Love Triangle, Her Side of the Bed, Cable-Knit 8 p.m. 247 S. New York Ave. Bar One at Resorts Odyssea 6 – 9 p.m. DJ Gary 9:15 p.m. 1133 Boardwalk Borgata B Bar Adam Holcombe Trio 7:30 – 11 p.m. No Standards Trio 11:30 p.m. – 3 a.m. 1 Borgata Way Council Oak Lounge at Hard Rock Indelible Groove Trio 6 – 9 p.m. 1000 Boardwalk Hard Rock Café Five Dollar Shakes 8:30 p.m. – 12 a.m. 1000 Boardwalk Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino Kono Nation Duo 7 p.m. The Event Horizon 10 p.m. 500 Boardwalk Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget Vahe Duo 6 – 10 p.m. Core Band

October 8, 2026

Photo credit: Street Survivors - A Lynyrd Skynyrd Experience Facebook 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. 600 Huron Ave. The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Big Bang Baby 5 – 8:30 p.m. Have Fun Don’t Die 9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m. 1000 Boardwalk The Wave at Golden Nugget Slow Hands Band 9 p.m. 600 Huron Ave. Egg Harbor Township The Roost Pub & Grill Steve Gitto & Joe Faunce 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. 500 St. Andrews Dr. Galloway McGettigan’s No Clue Trio 7 – 11 p.m. 500 S. New York Rd. Margate Bocca Jim Shaw 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. 7805 Ventnor Ave. Mays Landing LaScala’s Mays XII Caled Demmerle 7 – 10 p.m. 1855 Cates Rd. Millville Levoy Theatre Classic Stones Live 8 p.m. 126-130 N. High St. Somers Point Caroline’s by the Bay Steve Moore & The MIA Band 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 450 Bay Ave. Crab Trap That 70’s Band 6 – 9 p.m. 2 Broadway Tuckerton The Lizzie Rose Music Room Street Survivors: Lynyrd Skynyrd Experience

7:30 p.m. 217 E. Main St.

Saturday, October 10

Atlantic City Anchor Rock Club ¡DALE! Un Fiesta de Bailes Latino 9 p.m. 247 S. New York Ave. Bar One at Resorts Gerald Esposito 6 – 9 p.m. DJ Gary

9:15 p.m. 1133 Boardwalk Borgata B Bar Jimmy Brogan Trio 7:30 – 11:30 p.m. Cheezy and the Crackers 11:30 p.m. – 3 a.m. 1 Borgata Way Council Oak Lounge at Hard Rock Beth Tinnon Trio 6 – 10 p.m. 1000 Boardwalk Hard Rock Café Sidearm 8:30 p.m. – 12 a.m. 1000 Boardwalk Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino Chris Yoder Duo 7 p.m. Who Brought the Dog 10 p.m. 500 Boardwalk Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget Escape Plan Trio 5 – 9 p.m. Chatterband 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. 600 Huron Ave. The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Dane Anthony Band 5 – 8:30 p.m.

↘Continued on 58

↘Continued from 57 Garden State Radio 9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m. 1000 Boardwalk Egg Harbor City Renault Winery Beth Tinnon 1 – 4 p.m. 72 N. Bremen Ave. Egg Harbor Township Dooney’s Pub Justin Taylor Duo 8 – 11 p.m. 6823 Tilton Rd. Mays Landing LaScala’s Mays XII Bobby Williams Duo 6 – 9 p.m.

1855 Cates Rd. Ocean City Ocean City Fall Block Party Big Daddy Duo 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. 14th Street Somers Point Caroline’s by the Bay Kabin Fever Band 7:30 – 11:30 p.m. 450 Bay Ave. Josie Kelly’s Big Daddy Duo 7:30 – 10:30 p.m. 908 Shore Rd. Crab Trap That 70’s Band 6 – 9 p.m.

2 Broadway Tuckerton The Lizzie Rose Music Room The Outcrops w/ Eclipse: Original Progressive Jazz Fusion 3 p.m. 217 E. Main St. Ventnor Ventnor Coffee Open Mic w/ T. Five 1 – 4 p.m. 108 N. Dorset Ave.

Sunday, October 11

Atlantic City Bar One at Resorts Bar Bingo & Music w/ DJ Eric & DJ Proud 3 p.m. – 12 a.m. 1133 Boardwalk Council Oak Lounge at Hard Rock Camille K 5 – 9 p.m. 1000 Boardwalk Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino Dueling Pianos 8 p.m. 500 Boardwalk The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock My Hero Zero 4 – 7:30 p.m. Stealing Savannah 8:30 – 11:30 p.m. 1000 Boardwalk Egg Harbor City Renault Winery Fat Mezz 1 – 4 p.m. 72 N. Bremen Ave. Galloway McGettigan’s Haley Daly 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. 500 S. New York Rd. Somers Point Caroline’s by the Bay Will Murray Tribute Concert w/ Scarlet Rae and Friends 1 – 4 p.m. Big Foot Band 4 – 7 p.m. 450 Bay Ave. Josie Kelly’s Traditional Irish Session 1 – 4 p.m. 908 Shore Rd.

Monday, October 12 Atlantic City The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Five Dollar Shakes 7 – 11 p.m. 1000 Boardwalk

Tuesday, October 13 Atlantic City Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget Patty & Bugzy 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 600 Huron Ave. The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock The Loop 7 – 11 p.m.

Photo credit: Garden State Radio Facebook 1000 Boardwalk Somers Point Caroline’s by the Bay Music Bingo w/ DJ Chris 7 – 9 p.m. 450 Bay Ave. Josie Kelly’s DJ Special K 5 – 9 p.m. 908 Shore Rd.

Wednesday, October 14

Atlantic City Bar One at Resorts Karaoke w/ Kelli Glover & Friends 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 1133 Boardwalk Council Oak Lounge at Hard Rock Oldies Trio 5:30 – 9 p.m. 1000 Boardwalk Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget Michael Stevens 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 600 Huron Ave. The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock The Event Horizon 7 – 11 p.m. 1000 Boardwalk Margate Bocca Live Jazz with Bob Sterling & The Bocca Boys 7 – 10 p.m. 7805 Ventnor Ave. Mays Landing LaScala’s Mays XII Gene Shepherd 6 – 9 p.m. 1855 Cates Rd. Somers Point Caroline’s by the Bay Open Mic Night w/ Blue Eagle 7:30 – 11:30 p.m. 450 Bay Ave. Crab Trap Jesse Deane 6 – 9 p.m. 2 Broadway Josie Kelly’s Jimmy Brogan 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. 908 Shore Rd. Events subject to change.

October 8, 2026

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Your guide to Halloween fun at the Shore

By Delaney Crawford

he pumpkins are ready to be carved, and a chill is back in the air. Halloween at the Shore is almost here, and with it comes costume contests, dog parades, candy eating and drink sipping. From hayrides, pumpkin patches and Halloween parties, there is always a little bit of something for everyone to enjoy and dive into the season fully around here. But this year, we wanted to give the adults a little Halloween fun and have set aside some of the most-anticipated Halloween-themed events happening in our area, just for you. Grab your ghouls, girls, and ID, and step out to one event or all this spooky season. Here’s our list of just a few of the Halloween magic moments you can find at the Shore this year.

Paw Dazzle Pet Parade and Costume Contest – Smithville

This one’s for our four-legged friends. Historic Smithville’s annual

Paw Dazzle Halloween Pet Parade and Costume Contest is back and bigger than ever, with this year’s event being held on Saturday, Oct. 17, on the Village Greene. With a $15 donation, your pet can participate in the parade and costume contest. A portion of all proceeds benefits Atlantic County Canines. This fun day runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and includes pet portraits, a photo booth and raffle baskets. The perfect wholesome daytime activity before the night adventures kick off.

The Haunted Hotel – The Claridge

On Oct. 31 from 8 p.m. to midnight, The Grand Haunted Ballroom comes alive for a chilling and spooky Halloween night. Dining, spirits, music, a buffet, a live DJ, dancing and costume contests await all who dare come for a night out like no other. For $89 per person, you get a fourhour spirit bar, with plenty of themed drinks to sip on throughout the night. For adults over 21, this promises to be a fun way to spend the holiday while making new friends and diving into the spirit.

Halloween Bash – Tomatoes

Every year, Tomatoes Bar in Margate hosts an epic Halloween Bash full of dancing, costumes and fun times with friends. Head to this local favorite spot on Oct. 24 for cash prizes for the best costumes, DJ tunes all night long and themed Halloween beverages. Your favorite bar gets turned up with spooky vibes, all while the same good crew and crowd continues to serve up the fun and the spooky vibes.

October 8, 2026

The AC Official Halloween Bar Crawl – Atlantic City

A bar crawl through the city on Halloween night sounds like the perfect way to party. On Oct. 31, starting at 3 p.m., enter, if you dare, into the fun. Expect Halloween-themed drinks and entertainment at some of your favorite Atlantic City bars. Included in the 2026 crawl are Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall, Bar 32, King's Pub, Anchor Rock Club and VUE Rooftop Bar & Lounge. Make your way through the city, stopping at different spots along the way and celebrating Halloween with friends, all in the city we love.

Ultimate Halloween Bash – Boogie Nights

Boogie Nights Nightclub in the Tropicana in Atlantic City is getting the creatures boogieing down this Halloween. Head there on Halloween night, Saturday, Oct. 31, at 9 p.m. for some festively frightening fun. Between a midnight costume contest, dance classics and themed music playing along with some special performances, it will be a night to remember on this iconic dance floor.

Halloween Haymakers – Showboat Resort

A different way to celebrate Halloween is offered at Atlantic City’s

Showboat Resort. Starting at 3 p.m., this event is the perfect pregame to a spooktastic Halloween night out. On Saturday, Oct. 31, Showboat will become home to a spooky-themed indoor spectator fight night, with competitive boxing matches set in a high-energy, adult-only environment. The amateur card starts at 4 p.m., with the pro card matches starting at 7 p.m. A night of thrilling action and adrenaline awaits.

...When nothing else will do!!!

LaPizzatega

Restaurant & Pizzeria

Serial Killer Speakeasy – Anchor Rock Club

Get in the spooky mood prior to Halloween with Anchor Rock Club. They’re hosting three separate nights of an immersive experience where four infamous stories unfold live on stage. Think your favorite truecrime podcast, but on the Anchor Rock stage, with cocktails, double the horror and double the fun. These performances will hit the stage on Oct. 15, 16 and 17. We’re just here to help you make the most of Halloween at the Shore. Whether you’re dressing up your four-legged friend, heading out for a night on the town or immersing yourself in the horror, there are plenty of ways to celebrate Halloween here. Grab your costumes, gather your friends, and get ready for a season full of spooky and tasty fun.

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Sunday, October 11, 2026

8:00 p.m. • Circus Maximus Theater @ Caesars Atlantic City

Hosted by Carson Kressley and featuring

Miss’d America 2026 Cherry Poppins • Melanie Rice Orchestra • Miss’d America Dancers

Tickets: $25.00

•

$65.00

•

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Tickets available at the Caesars Box Office or ticketmaster.com

October 8, 2026

Check out these local spots for fall gathering comfort foods By Marcella Curcio

here is something about fall that makes gathering around a table feel a little more special. Fall at the Shore may look a little different from the summer season, but there is no shortage of reasons to get together. Whether you are hosting a football Sunday, heading to a friend's house for a potluck, or looking for a place to relax and catch up with loved ones, the food often becomes the centerpiece of the gathering. And let's be honest: Everyone loves being the person who shows up with the dish that disappears first. From creamy mac and cheese and caramel apples to wings and warm pretzels, here are a few local spots serving up favorites to make your next fall gathering a little more delicious.

The mac and cheese everyone will be talking about

If there is one dish that belongs at just about every fall potluck, it is mac

and cheese. Creamy, cheesy, and comforting, it is the kind of side dish that fits right in at a Friendsgiving dinner, a casual Sunday gathering, or a cozy night in. It is also one of my personal favorites. There is something about a warm serving of mac and cheese that feels like the ultimate comfort food, especially when the weather starts cooling down.

For your next gathering, consider picking up the signature mac and cheese from Crust & Co. in Somers Point. Made with a blend of three cheeses, it is a satisfying option for anyone who wants to bring something hearty and crowd-pleasing without spending hours in the kitchen. Mac and cheese is one of those dishes that works alongside almost anything. Pair it with barbecue, chicken, sandwiches, or traditional Thanksgiving favorites. Better yet, bring it to a potluck and watch how quickly people return for seconds. Sometimes the simplest dishes are the ones everyone remembers.

olate and sea salt. My dad and I both love this combination. The sweetness of the caramel and chocolate, the hint of salt, and the freshness of the apple come together for the perfect balance of flavors. They are also a fun addition to a grazing board. Put a few caramel apples alongside chocolates, cookies, fruit, and other bite-sized desserts, and you have a dessert spread that guests can enjoy throughout the evening. For a seasonal sweet treat, Jagielky's Homemade Chocolates, with locations in Margate and Ventnor, offers caramel apples that are ideal for fall gatherings.

A sweet and salty taste of fall

Football Sundays call for wings

Nothing says fall quite like apples. From apple picking and cider to seasonal desserts, apples are a staple of the season. And when you add caramel, chocolate, and a sprinkle of sea salt, you have a dessert that is hard to resist. One of my favorite treats is a caramel-dipped apple topped with choc-

Fall also means football season. Whether you're cheering on your favorite college team or settling in for an NFL game, Sundays are made for good company, snacks, drinks, and a little friendly competition. For many people, watching football is as much about the gathering as it is about the game. Friends come over,

It 's A lways S u m m e r at

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October 8, 2026

everyone catches up, and the food makes its way around the room while the television keeps the action going. And when it comes to football food, chicken wings are a classic. Charlie’s Bar in Somers Point is one of my favorite spots for wings. It has that hometown-bar atmosphere where you can walk in as a longtime regular or a first-time visitor and feel welcomed. It is the kind of place that makes you want to stay awhile, catch up with friends, and enjoy the game. The wings are a personal favorite of mine. As soon as football season rolls around, they are one of the foods I start craving. They are also a great takeout option for a watch party. Instead of spending the afternoon cooking, pick up an order of wings, add a few sides, and let everyone settle in for kickoff. Whether you're watching the game at home or heading out to enjoy the atmosphere at the bar, wings are one of those reliable football-season staples that bring people together.

be part of the fun, one food item is almost always welcome: the soft pretzel. For a local pretzel stop, Twist in Linwood is worth a visit. With its colorful, retro-inspired interior, Twist offers a fun atmosphere alongside its soft pretzels. The pretzels have the combination every pretzel lover wants: a little crunch on the outside and a soft, warm center. They are easy to share, simple to serve, and perfect for a fall gathering. Set them out with mustard, cheese dip, or other favorite toppings, and they become an easy appetizer for guests to enjoy while catching up. Pretzels are also a natural fit for an Oktoberfest-inspired spread. Pair them with German-style sausages, potato salad, or other hearty dishes for a casual menu that celebrates the season. Even if you are not attending a formal Oktoberfest event, a few warm pretzels can bring some of that festive atmosphere into your own home.

Oktoberfest season: Pretzels, beer and a little German tradition

Skip the hosting and enjoy a fall escape

Fall is also the season for Oktoberfest celebrations. Think festive gatherings, traditional German food, beer, and plenty of seasonal spirit. And while lederhosen and dirndls may

Of course, not every fall gathering has to take place in someone's living room or around a crowded dining table. Sometimes the best plan is to let someone else handle the setting while you relax and enjoy the com-

preparing a big meal and inviting everyone over. Other times, it means finding a beautiful place to meet, relax, and enjoy the company.

The best part of fall is gathering together

pany. Renault Winery & Resort in Egg Harbor Township is a beautiful option for a fall outing with friends or family. With its winery, scenic grounds, and opportunities for overnight stays and relaxation, it offers a chance to slow down and enjoy the season. I personally love Renault Winery. The grounds are stunning, and the atmosphere makes it an inviting place to spend time with friends and family. It is the kind of setting where you can sit back, enjoy a glass of wine, take in the surroundings, and catch up without feeling rushed. For a group looking to plan a fall outing, the winery provides a different alternative to hosting at home. It can be a place to celebrate a special occasion, spend time with visiting family, or simply enjoy an afternoon together. Fall is a season that encourages us to reconnect. Sometimes that means

From football Sundays and Oktoberfest celebrations to Friendsgiving dinners and casual neighborhood get-togethers, fall gives us plenty of reasons to come together. The food does not have to be elaborate, and hosting does not need to be complicated. A tray of mac and cheese, a plate of wings, a seasonal dessert, or a basket of soft pretzels can be enough to make a gathering memorable. And the Shore has plenty of local spots where you can pick up something delicious or enjoy a meal and a change of scenery. For me, some of the best parts of fall are the simple moments: sharing favorite foods, catching up with friends, spending time with family, and enjoying the little traditions that come around each year. So, as football season gets underway and Friendsgiving invitations start arriving, consider supporting a local favorite for your next gathering. You might just bring the dish everyone talks about long after the game ends.

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October 8, 2026

Time to overwinter your tender and frost-sensitive plants

By Tammy Thornton

ooler evening temperatures in South Jersey mean we need to make some decisions in the garden. Depending upon your proximity to the coast, you may have another month before you need to worry about frost killing your outdoor plants. That said, nighttime temperatures dipping below 50 degrees can do serious damage to the most vulnerable plants. You have several options when it comes to tender plants in the garden. An easy option would be to thank them for their contribution, think of them as expendable annuals, and allow nature to take its course. However, this can become costly, as you seek to replace them every year. And if you found a plant that gave you much joy, you won’t want to give up that easily. A better option would be to overwinter your plants until spring brings us warm weather once again. You may not be able to save them all, but by saving your most prized plants, you will have a jump start for the next year.

Once you decide which you can reacclimate your cutplants you would like to pretings to the great outdoors serve, you have several ways and have a jump start to the to overwinter them. You can new season. bring them in as houseplants, You can also overwinter take cuttings, or allow them plants such as geraniums (and to go dormant in a cool area, begonias, but less reliably so) by storing them as bare-root such as a garage or basement. Tropical plants should plants. Prune them back, trim be first on the list, since they the leaves, and remove all will need to come inside long flowers (heartbreaking tough before the first frost. They love, but necessary). Gently are the least tolerant to cold remove all soil and place the temperatures and will start plant in a large brown paper to show damage below 50 bag or shoebox. Just make degrees. Though they may Grow colorful plants such as coleus as houseplants during the sure that the container is breathable. Store in a cool survive, cooler temperatures winter months. (but not freezing), dry, and may cause them irreparable dark location, such as a garage or scale, mealybugs, and white flies damage. By bringing them in sooner rather than later, you will have can live on the stems and leaves of unheated basement. Check the plants healthier plants that will have a better your plants, fungus gnats, ants, and every few weeks. If they are looking chance of surviving winter indoors. earwigs can live in the soil. Don’t let too dry, remove from the container this discourage you from saving your Some great candidates are peace and lightly mist the roots. Allow the lilies, crotons, geraniums, begonias, plants, but do not skip this step of water to dry before placing it back and coleus. prevention. First, thoroughly inspect No matter the plant, your first oryour plants for hitchhikers and kick der of business needs to be making them out. Spray the leaves and stems sure that you are not accidentally with a blast of water and clean the bringing uninvited guests into your leaves. You can use insecticidal soap home. While aphids, spider mites, or neem oil to clean the leaves. You will also want to prevent insects from coming in the soil of your plants. Carefully remove the plant from the container to check for large pests hiding in the bottoms and edges of the insides of the soil. Use caution not to disturb any delicate roots. You can also give your plant an outdoor bath, and soak the soil with water and a few drops of insecticidal soap. Remove the plants from the bath after 15-20 minutes and allow them to drain thoroughly. Scrape away and discard the Overwinter plants such as this hibiscus for top few inches of soil (where most a jump start on next season. eggs and larvae will hide) and replace with fresh indoor potting soil. When your plants are ready to come inside, into the bag or box. In the spring, rehydrate the roots in water, and repot give them a few weeks of quarantine about six to eight weeks before your from your existing houseplants. This way, if you missed any bugs, you can last frost. Allow the plants to grow keep the problem from spreading in their happy pots until they can be reintroduced to your garden. to your healthy plants. Expect some We would love to hear about your leaf loss and signs of stress, since the big move can give your plant a bit of successes and failures of overwintershock. Hopefully, after a few weeks, ing plants. I have enjoyed overwinterthey will feel at home again. ing plumeria and brugmansia “sticks” If space is an issue, you can save as well as fuchsia plants. This year, I’m your plants by taking cuttings. Good planning to overwinter my beautiful candidates for this are geraniums, hibiscus plants and experimenting begonias, and coleus. Choose a fourwith different ways of overwintering to six-inch non-flowering stem, cut geraniums. Send your comments and just below a node, and remove the questions to: shorelocalgardener@ bottom leaves. Dip the end in rooting gmail.com. hormone and add the cutting to a Tammy Thornton lives with her husband, children, and crazy pets loose potting soil. Keep your cutting while enjoying a life of gardening, humid, but not overly wet, and keep it out of direct sunlight. In the spring, cooking, and going to the beach.

October 8, 2026

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Jill Ojserkis: A commitment to community, leadership and service Coastal Conversations By Alanna Stoloff

aking a difference in a community often means wearing many hats, and Jill Ojserkis is no stranger to that. As a partner at Cooper Levenson, chair of the Mainland Regional School District Board of Education and a board member for several charitable organizations, Jill has dedicated her time and expertise to helping strengthen the community around her. Through her professional work, education advocacy and involvement with local charities, Jill brings a commitment to service to everything she does. Jill shares what motivates her to give back, the importance of community involvement and the experiences that have shaped her approach to leadership. AS: Can you tell us a little about your background and what led you to become involved in law, education and community service? JO: I have been practicing law for about 40 years, and my professional and personal life has been centered in South Jersey. I’m a partner at Cooper Levenson and chair our Healthcare Law Practice Group. Community service came very naturally to me. I have always believed that if you are fortunate enough to build a career and a life in a community, you should find a way to contribute to it. Over the years that has taken many different forms — education, healthcare, HIV/ AIDS services, libraries, economic

development and charitable and civic organizations. AS: As a partner at Cooper Levenson, what aspects of your legal career do you find most rewarding? JO: The relationships. Healthcare law is complicated, but at the end of the day I am helping people solve problems. I also enjoy the variety. On any given day I may be working on a hospital or medical staff matter, a transaction, a contract, a regulatory issue or something involving health information technology. Clients want to know: What can we do, what are the risks, and how do we get this done? AS: You serve as chair of the Mainland Regional High School Board of Education. What inspired you to become involved in the school district, and what does that role mean to you? JO: I joined the Mainland Board of Education in 2009. Education is one of the most important things a community does, and I thought my background and experience could be helpful. Being Board President is both an honor and a responsibility. The decisions we make affect students, families, teachers, taxpayers and ultimately the future of our communities. AS: What are some of the biggest opportunities and challenges facing local schools today, and how can the community support them? JO: Schools are being asked to do much more than simply provide traditional academics. We need to prepare students for a world being

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transformed by technology and artificial intelligence while also supporting their social and emotional well-being, keeping schools safe and attracting and retaining excellent teachers. The community can help by staying engaged — attending events, supporting the arts and athletics, volunteering, mentoring students and recognizing the good things happening in our public schools. AS: You also serve on the boards of several charitable organizations. What motivates you to give your time to so many different causes? JO: They are different organizations, but there is a common thread: they make the community better. I’ve been involved with the South Jersey AIDS Alliance since its inception and serve on the Atlantic City Library Foundation Board because libraries are one of the great equalizers in a community. I also have a long history with the Miss America Organization and Foundation. I’m continually impressed by these accomplished young women. AS: How has your legal background influenced the way you approach leadership, decision-making and community service? JO: Being a lawyer teaches you to listen carefully, ask questions and recognize that there is usually more than one side to a story. It has also

October 8, 2026

taught me the difference lawyers. In the community, between disagreement I want to continue contriband disrespect. Good uting where I can make a leadership isn’t about windifference — particularly ning every discussion. It’s in education and organizaabout making a thoughttions serving people who ful decision, explaining it need an advocate or an and then moving forward opportunity. Sometimes together. an organization simply AS: With a busy proneeds someone who will fessional and volunteer show up, do the work and schedule, how do you care about what happens. balance your career with Giving some of that time your commitment to the back doesn’t feel like an community? obligation. It is one of the JO: I’m not sure “balthings that has made my ance” is the word I would life richer. use! I have a very full calThank you, Jill, for sharendar, and I have learned ing your story and for the time you dedicate to your to be organized and make good use of my time. But profession, local schools, I don’t view community and charitable organizainvolvement as something tions. Your commitment competing with the rest to serving the community is greatly appreciated. of my life. It is part of my life. You should find the Coastal Conversations organizations and causes highlights people in our you genuinely care about, community who are makdetermine where your Jill Ojserkis dedicates her time and expertise to helping strengthen the ing a meaningful impact. particular skills can be community around her. If you know someone who useful and give them your would be a great fit for a time and energy. JO: Professionally, healthcare confuture column, please AS: Looking ahead, what are you tinues to change at an extraordinary contact me at ShoreCoastalConvermost passionate about accomplishpace. I want to continue helping my sations@gmail.com. From the shore to your door, let’s ing, both professionally and through clients navigate those changes while keep the conversation going. your community and charitable work? mentoring the next generation of

Botox and fillers for beginners: Making informed choices about injectables

By Rachel King

here was a time when Botox was something women rarely discussed. You might notice that someone looked more refreshed, had a smoother forehead or fuller lips, but few people announced what they had done. That has changed. Botox, fillers and other aesthetic treatments have become increasingly mainstream. Women discuss their appointments with friends, share their experiences on social media and are generally more open about getting a little help with their appearance. But greater openness does not mean everyone feels comfortable trying injectables. Many women are curious but have plenty of questions: Will I still look like myself? Will my face appear frozen? Could filler look unnatural? Does it hurt? How much do I need? Perhaps the most important question is: How do I know whom I can trust with my face? That concern is understandable. Your face is not something you want

to take chances with. Social media can make the decision even more confusing. Before-and-after photos, filtered faces, beauty trends and conflicting advice can make it difficult to determine what is realistic, necessary or simply fashionable. That is why education is important. The conversation should move away from “What do I need to fix?” and toward “What makes me feel good?” I see a similar mindset in the fitness industry. Women do not necessarily walk through the doors of Lift & Glitz because they dislike their bodies or want to become different people. Many simply want to become stronger, have more energy, feel confident in their clothes and appreciate the woman looking back at them in the mirror. Aesthetic treatments can be approached similarly. Wanting to enhance something does not mean you do not like yourself. At the same time, no one should feel pressured to change something because of social media, beauty trends or another person’s opinion. The decision should be personal and informed.

That is why I invited Taylor and Valerie, owners of Smoothline Co., to join me for an upcoming episode of the Lift & Glitz Podcast. The episode, “Botox & Fillers for Beginners,” is intended for people who are curious about injectables but do not know where to begin. I did not approach the episode pretending to know everything about aesthetic treatments. Instead, I asked the questions women often have: What is the difference between Botox and filler? What should a client expect during a first appointment? Can treatments begin conservatively? How can someone avoid looking overdone? What qualifications should clients consider when choosing an injector? And when should a responsible injector say no? We also discuss the fear surrounding injectables. Some people are not necessarily opposed to Botox or filler; they are afraid of making the wrong decision. That is where choosing a qualified provider and having an honest consultation become especially important.

Botox and fillers are not for everyone, and that is perfectly fine. This episode is not intended to convince anyone that they need an aesthetic treatment. Its purpose is to remove some of the mystery and help listeners make informed decisions. Whether the subject is fitness, nutrition, beauty, business or anything else that affects how people feel about themselves, education is more valuable than influence. If you have ever considered Botox and then immediately thought, “Absolutely not. Nobody is coming near my face with a needle,” this episode may help answer some of your questions. Taylor and Valerie join me on the Lift & Glitz Podcast to explain the basics and make the world of injectables feel less intimidating. Stay tuned for “Botox & Fillers for Beginners” with Smoothline Co. Rachel King is the founder and CEO of Lift & Glitz Training Studio, a women-only fitness community with locations in Northfield and Galloway, New Jersey, and the host of the Lift & Glitz Podcast: Lift Your Strength. Glitz Your Life.

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Weekly Horoscopes

The Cosmic Connection By Ursula Duffy

Rising sign horoscopes for Oct. 8-14

Aries: It’s an ideal time to review your closest partnerships and relationships. Consider the flow of giving, receiving, and the balance of reciprocity. Refinement may be a requirement. Taurus: Consider how you can incorporate more harmony into your daily life. Retuning your routines can create beautiful enhancements to wellness in body, mind, and spirit. Gemini: There’s probably a way for you to place greater value on enjoyment and pleasure. Infuse more of whatever lifts your spirits into your life every single day. Fun isn’t overrated. Cancer: Feel into the parts of your domestic life that are due for renovation. Home improvement projects apply to all roots. A balanced, solid foundation supports the rest. Leo: It’s an ideal time to take in the aesthetics of your immediate surroundings. Freshen up anything that may be a source of disharmony to your inner and outer dialogue. Virgo: Consider how you can put more effort into achieving greater equilibrium in your life’s balance sheet. The right amount of tweaking can foster greater equity and confidence. Libra: Focus your attention on yourself. Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and evaluate the root of anything that seems out of balance in your body. It’s your time to restore inner harmony. Scorpio: Pause and reflect

on how much you feel in tune with yourself. More time for rest, retreat, and space away from the daily grind may be overdue. Solitude will benefit your being. Sagittarius: Having a support network is good for your well-being. It’s an ideal time to evaluate your social circles, and create new connections and community wherever it’s missing. Capricorn: Consider whether you are able to contribute your art to the public arena. If yes, do more! If no, know part of your life’s mission is to create and contribute beauty to the world. Aquarius: If there’s any longterm adventure you’ve been pondering, now’s the time to begin planning. Adjustments in your occupation may be necessary to the corresponding execution. Pisces: A reconsideration or perspective shift can foster deeper intimacy. Finding a comfortable balance in how you energetically merge with others requires inner soul-searching.

Weekly astrology summary:

A peaceful, sweet spot of October arrives this week! The cosmos is beckoning us to look up and enjoy the sights of two cosmic events. First up is the annual Draconids meteor shower, which peaks on Oct. 8-9. Occurring during the waning moon, this one should have excellent visibility here in southern New Jersey, weath-

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er-permitting of course. Check out timeanddate.com for more details and information (be sure to set your viewing location). As meteor sparks fly, the sun and moon embrace on Oct. 10, gifting us a lovely Libra new moon (exact at 11:50 a.m.). Depth is added to this new moon due to Venus retrograde in Scorpio presiding over it. The lunar cycle’s beginning in the sign of the scales asks us all to peer deeper beneath the surface of what we want to harmonize in our lives, and what is the true root of any imbalances. The next invitation to look up occurs on Oct. 11-12, as Venus and the waxing crescent moon meet up again in Scorpio after sunset. Technically, this one should be visible, but it’ll be very close to the horizon and may not be visible everywhere. After this month’s connection between them, the Venus and moon meetups will be with waning crescents gracing the pre-dawn skies once Venus becomes visible again after the retrograde. Eyes on the skies! This week’s horo-

scopes are focused on the Libra new moon; see the above horoscope for your rising sign for more specific insight and guidance. If you’re unsure what your rising sign is, you can email me at ursaalchemy@ gmail.com, learn more in my tutorial video on my Ursa Alchemy YouTube channel, or cast your own birth chart for free on astro.com. Ursula Duffy is a Professional Astrologer, Certified Aromatherapist and founder of Ursa Alchemy. www.ursaalchemy. com or ursaalchemy@gmail.com.

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Meet the breed: The herding group

By Heidi Clayton

nce a part of the sporting group, herding breeds received their own group designation from the American Kennel Club in 1983. Consisting of 33 different breeds, the dogs of the herding group vary in size. However, they all share the same common theme of being incredibly active dogs who possess an innate ability to move other animals. While the herding group may have only been formed in 1983, the breeds themselves span from all over the globe, with some tracing back thousands of years. Perhaps the oldest herding dog breeds are the two types of Corgis. The Cardigan Corgi can be traced back to Cardiganshire in Wales to at least 1200 B.C., when they were developed by Celts living in that region. The Pembroke, made famous by Queen Elizabeth, can be traced back to as early as 1107 A.D. Both Corgis were bred to move herds of cows by jumping and nipping them to move them. Made popular by the television show “Lassie,” the Collie was a favorite of Queen Elizabeth’s great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria.

The livestock that herding breeds were bred to move range from cattle to reindeer. The Border Collie was developed in England and its territories. This breed is a likely cross of dogs being brought into the region by invading armies, specifically the Romans and the Vikings. The Roman and Viking herding breeds were too stocky to move sheep through the rolling hills of England and Ireland and were downsized to create the Border Collie we know today that excels in the movement of sheep. Australian Cattle Dog was developed in Australia by the invading British whose herding dogs couldn’t handle the rough climate of Australia and were bred to the native wild dog, the dingo, to herd cattle. Another ancient breed is the Icelandic Sheepdog that is native to that country and was bred specifically to herd sheep and to endure their brutal sub-zero temperatures. So were the Swedish Lapphunds, who herd reindeer to this day. While each breed may have been bred to move a different kind of animal, herding dogs’ common purpose was the same: to move animals as a flock and develop a bond with them, which was important in terms of not harming valuable stock.

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Herding dogs were not only bred to move the flock; some also served as a living fence to protect flocks from predators. Most people associate German Shepherd Dogs and Belgian Malinois as being working breeds because of their successful uses in police work. Both breeds were actually bred to serve as living and moving fences that also kept the flock safe. They were used in the mountains of Germany and Belgium to run circles around the flocks and fend off predators. Breeds like Bouvier Des Flandres, native to Belgium, and the Canaan Dog, the official dog of Israel, were not just responsible for moving the flocks but would also defend them against predators. The herding breeds of modern times rarely get to do the jobs they were created to do, so it is not uncommon for them to resort to herding their families. Keep in mind that

many of the herding breeds used their mouths to nip the livestock into moving, so they may not be a wise choice for a family with children. If you are considering one of these breeds, you will need to give them a purpose and be very ready to be extremely active to keep them entertained. Most people are not equipped to manage the intense work ethic of a Malinois or a Border Collie, so be sure to spend some time with one before you commit to getting one. Finally, most herding breeds have very thick or corded coats, which were necessary to live outside, so they will require regular grooming. The breeds of the herding group include the Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Shepherd, Bearded Collie, Border Collie, Beauceron, Belgian Laekenois, Belgian Malinois, Belgian Sheepdog, Belgian Tervuren, Bergamasco, Berger Picard, Bouvier des Flandres, Briard, Canaan Dog, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Collie, Entlebucher Mountain Dog, Finnish Lapphund, German Shepherd Dog, Icelandic Sheepdog, Lancashire Heeler, Miniature American Shepherd, Mudi, Norwegian Buhund, Old English Sheepdog, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Polish Lowland Sheepdog, Puli, Pumi, Pyrenean Shepherd, Shetland Sheepdog, Spanish Water Dog, and the Swedish Vallhund. Heidi Clayton started Four On the Floor Dog Training to provide positive, reward-based dog training in South Jersey. She breeds, trains and shows bull terriers under the SoraBully’s Bull Terriers kennel name. Email questions to heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining. net or learn more at https://fouronthefloordogtraining.net

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What you need to know about the estate planning process By T. Eric Reich

ctober is National Estate Planning Awareness Month, and of all the topics I’ve discussed, estate planning draws the most attention. It affects all of us, especially seniors. Often, however, people don’t seek out advice regarding estate planning because, quite frankly, they don’t know where to begin. The process can often start with your CPA, attorney, or financial advisor before having a qualified estate or elder law attorney complete your plan. Only an attorney can draft your documents to complete your plan, but the others mentioned can certainly help get the process started if they have experience or expertise in that area. By asking a lot of questions up front, these professionals can help figure out what clients are really trying to accomplish and can help them to articulate those goals to the attorney. So what should you start thinking about before you begin the process? First, you really need to decide who will manage your affairs when you are

October 8, 2026

gone. This person is known as your executor/executrix. If you have a trust, they are called the trustee. This person is extremely important to the process and should be selected with a lot of thought and care. Unfortunately, many estate plans never get off the ground because people often cannot decide who they should choose for their executor/executrix. Also, I am not a fan of selecting more than one person for the job to prevent hard feelings among children. While the person you select doesn’t need to be close by in today’s digital age, often the person selected isn’t someone who lives very far away. This is especially true of a person chosen as a medical power of attorney (POA). Your medical POA carries out your end-of-life medical decisions, based on an estate document known as an advance directive. Once you know who will carry out your affairs after you’re gone, the next question is who gets what. How do you want to divide up your estate among your heirs? For retirement accounts like an IRA, 401(k), annuity, or life insurance policy, you will name a beneficiary directly on those accounts

and not in your will. For everything else, such as your home and cars, that will all pass via your will. Another consideration is who will make decisions for you if you are alive but unable to make those decisions yourself. This is known as power of attorney. This person will manage your daily affairs, such as paying bills. Now that you have a will, a power of attorney, and an advance directive (or POLST- Portable Medical Orders), and possibly a trust (if you want more control over the heirs), don’t forget to review your plan every few years or when tax/estate laws change. Be sure to ask your CPA, financial advisor, or attorney if recent law changes may affect your situation. Keeping your plan current is very important. The final thing I’ll say is that the most important step in the process is the first one. Just get started because the longer you wait, the harder it can be to make those decisions. Think about who you want to manage your affairs and who you want your estate to go to, and then go talk to a professional to help you through the process. Register for Reich Asset

Management’s upcoming estate planning seminar with Jeffrey Barnes, Esq of KingBarnes on Thursday, Nov. 19 by visiting https://www.reichassetmanagement.com/events.

Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. Reich Asset Management, LLC is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kestra AS. Neither Kestra IS nor Kestra AS provides legal or tax advice. 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. 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.

Restore your vitality

Vitality Event on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 4-6 p.m. Looking better, feeling better, moving better—and living more By Scott Hernberg, D.O.

fter many years in medicine, I find myself thinking about aging differently than I once did. I have become increasingly interested not simply in how long we live, but in how well we live during those years. Aging is something we see as well as feel. We notice changes in our skin, facial volume, texture and tone. We may also notice less muscle, reduced stamina, changes in metabolism, slower recovery or pain that interferes with the things we enjoy. I don’t believe wanting to look your best is superficial. Looking good can be an important part of feeling good. Skin rejuvenation and aesthetic medicine therefore remain an important part of my practice. We offer injectables, advanced lasers, light and energy-based treatments, resurfacing, skin tightening and regenerative approaches to soften the visible effects of aging and restore a natural, refreshed appearance—not to change who someone is.

I think of this connection between skinspan and healthspan as SkinGevity. Caring for how we age on the outside can exist naturally alongside caring for how we age on the inside. Today, we can measure much more of what is happening inside. Body-composition testing can evaluate muscle, body fat and visceral fat. Cardiopulmonary testing can tell us about aerobic fitness, metabolism and exercise capacity. Laboratory testing adds another part of the picture.

Your birthday tells your age. What does your biology say?

I find epigenetic testing particularly fascinating. TruDiagnostic® examines DNA methylation—small chemical marks on DNA associated with how our biology changes over time. Your chronological age tells us how many birthdays you have celebrated. Epigenetic measures ask a different question: How is your body actually aging? Measures such as DunedinPACE grew out of long-term human aging

research and have been studied across multiple populations. They are not a crystal ball and cannot tell you what disease you will develop. Instead, they provide another window into biological aging and health risk. For me, the interesting question is what comes next: What can we learn from this information, what can we change, and can we measure whether we are moving in a healthier direction?

Beyond pain relief: Restore function

There is another part of vitality that has become increasingly important to me: being able to move comfortably and remain active. For selected musculoskeletal problems, advanced energy-based

technologies provide opportunities to treat pain without medications or invasive procedures while working to restore function. At Tomorrow’s Wellness Center, STORZ focused shockwave, THOR Laser photobiomodulation and EMSCULPT NEO® neuromuscular stimulation provide complementary approaches to pain, muscle dysfunction, mobility and recovery. Muscle, metabolism and cardiovascular fitness complete the picture. InBody® body-composition analysis, PNOĒ metabolic and VO₂ testing, CAROL Bike REHIT, oxygen therapy, photobiomodulation and other approaches help us look beyond weight alone and focus on preserving physical capacity. At this point in my career, this has become personal. I want for my patients many of the same things I want for myself: to remain active, independent, healthy, comfortable with how I look, and able to continue doing the things that make life enjoyable. That, to me, is vitality. I invite you to join me and our team at the TWC Vitality Event on October 13 from 4–6 PM. Come meet us, see some of the technologies we use, ask questions and learn more about what healthier aging can mean for you. We’ll also have raffles throughout the evening. I hope to see you there. Scott Hernberg, D.O. Tomorrow’s Wellness Center • Northfield, NJ. 609407-1119 • TomorrowsWellnessCenter. com. Look great, feel well, live more. Sponsored Content

October 8, 2026

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SUDOKU Solution on page 78

THEME: OKTOBERFEST

OPEN FROM 11AM CLOSED MONDAY

609-645-0500

ACROSS 1. Worry 6. Fleur-de-____ 9. One of Egyptian christians 13. Nary a soul 14. Dot-com address 15. Pretend, two words 16. Flogger's tool 17. Romanian money 18. Dostoyevsky's masterpiece, with The 19. *Royal Brewery in Munich, a.k.a. ____ MÃ¼nchen 21. *Original Oktoberfest location 23. Tree juice 24. Cathedral part 25. Lysergic acid derivative, acr. 28. Children's author Roald 30. Bivouac 35. Heroic poem 37. Taro or cocoyam, technically 39. Relish tastebuds' sensation 40. Russian governmental agency 41. Musketeers' weapons 43. Presidential "No!" 44. Make corrections 46. Kind of palm 47. A in B.A. 48. Indian Ocean's saltwater inlet 50. Carvey or Plato 52. "Sesame Street" watcher 53. One-horse carriage 55. Sunday newspaper inserts 57. *Kind of Oktoberfest band 60. *Salty snack 64. Meltable abode 65. Go wrong 67. Sore spot 68. African prairie 69. "Wheel of Fortune" vowel request 70. All-season ones, on a car 71. Affirmatives 72. Beaver's construction 73. Noise of contempt

DOWN 1. Egyptian hieroglyph for "life" 2. "You're not allowed!" to a baby 3. Mistake 4. Spurns 5. Between triad and pentad 6. Comic strip Moppet 7. Anger management issue 8. Economic crisis 9. Ghana monetary unit 10. Ear-related 11. Tubby little cubby 12. Ted Turner's TV acronym 15. Bedding and towels 20. Lickety-split 22. Wear and tear 24. "So soon?" 25. *____hosen 26. Sea foam 27. Like United States Capitol 29. *Flower used in beer-making 31. Spanish sparkling wine 32. Deflect 33. *"O'zapft is!" or "It's tapped!" 34. *Cheers! 36. Without, Ã Paris 38. Start of something big? 42. Echo sounder 45. Joseph Stalin was one 49. "Eureka!" 51. Experts 54. In the lead 56. *Beer garden mug 57. Curved molding 58. Paella pot 59. '60s British teenagers 60. "Hunger Games" sister 61. Goose egg 62. Second to last word in a fairytale 63. Just in case 64. Woody creeper 66. Biochemistry acr.

See Solution on Page 78

October 8, 2026

New Jersey minimum wage will rise to $16.48 in 2027

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he New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development announced the new rate Tuesday, Sept. 29. The annual adjustment is tied to changes in the federal Consumer Price Index, a measure of inflation. Different wage requirements apply to certain groups of employees, including agricultural workers, tipped workers and those employed by small or seasonal businesses. Agricultural workers paid by the hour or by piece rate will reach a significant milestone in 2027, with their minimum wage increasing from $14.20 to $15 an hour. The agricultural wage is scheduled to continue rising through 2030. Employees of small and seasonal businesses will receive a larger increase, from $15.23 to $16.25 an hour. Their wage schedule will continue under the state’s phased-in increases through 2028. Direct-care employees at longterm care facilities will earn a minimum of $19.48 an hour, an increase of 56 cents. The minimum cash wage for tipped employees will rise from $6.05 to $6.61 an hour. Employers must make up the difference whenever a worker’s cash wage and tips do not equal at least the state’s general minimum wage.

New Jersey voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2013 requiring the minimum wage to be adjusted annually based on inflation. A separate law signed by then-Gov. Phil Murphy in 2019 established a series of scheduled increases designed to move most workers toward a $15 minimum wage. That law initially raised the general minimum wage from $8.85 to $10 an hour and called for annual increases of at least $1 through 2024. Higher inflation prompted an increase greater than $1 in 2022. The state’s general minimum wage surpassed $15 in 2024 and has since continued to rise through the constitutionally required inflation adjustments. The 2019 law remains in effect for categories of workers placed on longer schedules to reach the $15 threshold.

Solutions to page 77 puzzles. Check yourself!

October 8, 2026

1 Barr Court

102 Julie Drive

1607 Shore Road

Linwood $999,000

Northfield $775,000

Northfield $749,000

222 N New Road

Pleasantville $730,000

Versatile 4,500± SF industrial, includes warehouse/oﬃce space, two overhead doors, loading dock, 600-amp electrical service, high ceilings, parking, and easy Atlantic City Expressway access—ideal for an owner-user or investor.

Secluded Linwood waterfront retreat with 5,800+ SF, direct Patcong Creek access, stunning water views and sunsets, spacious luxury interiors, ﬁnished walk-out basement, and an incredible outdoor entertaining area. 5 Bedroom 4.5 Baths

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Lisa Alper Russo 609-289-2384

Dominika Narewska 609-271-8032 and EJ Nistico 609-377-6371

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87 Marshall Drive

27 Schoolhouse Road

128 Crystal Lake Drive

Michele Zelig 609-4323589

Linwood $685,000

Goldcoast living with room to spread out! This beautifully updated Linwood home blends style, ﬂexibility, and indoor-outdoor living with a spacious three-season room, fenced yard, and plenty of space to make it your own. 4 Bedroom 2 Bath

Lisa Alper Russo 609-289-2384

EHT $659,990

New construction is underway! This spacious South Jersey home combines modern design, ﬂexible living space, and smart-home features with easy access to beaches, dining, entertainment, and everything the Jersey Shore has to oﬀer. 4 Bedroom 2.5 Baths

Art Barrera 609-287-0923

EHT $650,000

Nature meets one-of-a-kind living! This custom-built home oﬀers a private, park-like setting, soaring ceilings, a spacious open layout, incredible outdoor living, and direct access to the beauty of the nearby Nature Reserve. 4 Bedroom 2 Full Bath 2 Half Baths

Art Barrera 609-287-0923

Egg Harbor Township $634,900

Modern style meets spacious featuring a first-floor primary suite, updated kitchen, hardwood floors, oversized loft. Enjoy exceptional indoor/outdoor entertaining with a large deck, amazing views, fenced yard, fire pit, 2-car garage, abundant storage, and solar panels. 4-bedroom, 3 full + 2 half-bath

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4108 Filbert Ave

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200 Barr Ave

Somers Point $539,900

Atlantic City $479,000

Egg Harbor Township $449,000

Linwood $439,000

Renovated, beautifully positioned, and just minutes from the beach, bay, golf, and Somers Point’s vibrant waterfront—this is Shore living at its best. 2 Bedroom 2.5 Baths

Nick Brennan 609-204-2287

605 Salma Mays Landing $334,900

Charming ranch on nearly half an acre in Mays Landing, oﬀering comfortable one-level living, a primary suite with private sunroom, front porch, rear deck, and beautiful wooded lot. A well-maintained home with plenty of potential! 3 Bedroom 2 Bath

Matt Boyd 609-442-4957

��

Beautifully updated Chelsea Heights home with plenty to oﬀer! This residence features a renovated kitchen and baths, new roof, solar panels, large lot, rear deck, detached garage, and fenced garden area—all conveniently located in Atlantic City. 4 Bedrooms 3 baths

Spacious Delilah Oaks home featuring a private first-floor in-law suite, fireplace, first-floor laundry, generous storage, walk-in closets, and back deck—conveniently located near the Expressway, White Horse Pike and AC Airport. 4 Bedroom 3 Baths

Karen Oostdyk 609-432-0506

Ireany O'Donnell 609-457-3578

Bike path living in the heart of Linwood! This oversized ranch offers a renovated kitchen, cozy fireplace, flexible living space, and a private fenced yard—all within walking distance of schools, fields, and everyday conveniences.

550 Central Ave #I-16

98 Iroquois Drive

1536 Mediterranean Ave

Linwood $259,500

Enjoy easy 55+ living in the Village at Linwood with this bright second-ﬂoor end unit featuring cathedral ceilings, updated ﬁnishes, and private balconies. Residents enjoy a pool, clubhouse, tennis, pickleball, walking paths, and a convenient location near shopping, dining, and the Shore. 2 bedrooms 2 baths

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Galloway $204,900

Beautifully updated second-ﬂoor condo in Society Hill II featuring luxury vinyl ﬂooring, modernized kitchen and baths, fresh paint, and new bedroom windows. Enjoy a spacious private balcony and community pool in this conveniently located, low-maintenance home. 2 bedrooms 2 baths

Alex Terranova 973-615-5061

Marlene Barrera

Nicholas P. Brennan

609-287-4032

609-204-2287

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Michele Zelig 609-432-3589

City meets shore living! This move-in-ready home oﬀers fresh updates and an unbeatable location just minutes from the beach, Boardwalk, dining, shopping, casinos, and all the excitement Atlantic City has to oﬀer. 3 Bedroom 1 Bath

Ireany O'Donnell 609-457-3578

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