Dec 23 2017

Merry Christmas INSIDE THIS WEEK

Washington Officials May Push for Unique Zip Code Following Identity Challenges. Page 7

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Vol. 2 – No. 17

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December 23 – 29, 2017

The Gift of Giving

PHOTO SUBMITTED

20 police officers from the Robbinsville Township Police Department and PBA Local #344 present a $3,000 check made payable to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, for cancer research, on behalf of Joe Barker, a man battling the disease.

Policeman from Woodland Helps Organize Fundraiser for Cancer Research on Behalf of Man Battling Colorectal Cancer and donate their monthly hair-maintenance

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

ROBBINSVILLE—Two policemen, including one who resides in Woodland Township, have brought holiday cheer to a Robbinsville man battling cancer, sending a message that no one has to fight the disease alone.

Ptl. Edward Vincent and Det. Wayne Haugh of the Robbinsville Township Police Department in Mercer County wanted to do something special this holiday season on behalf of their co-worker Joe Barker, Robbinsville’s recreation director.

Barker, beloved by PBA Local #344, of which the two officers are a part of, was

diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2014. He began working for Robbinsville Township in 2011.

“Joe Barker is not only a dear friend, but he is a true force of nature who has elevated our Recreation Division to heights never before seen,” said Robbinsville Mayor Dave Fried.

“He is larger than life and someone you are drawn to immediately upon meeting him.”

Since receiving the diagnosis, Barker, 55, has been on a quest to raise money for the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York to benefit cancer research.

The two officers, Vincent from Woodland,

and Haugh from Bricktown, began exploring “No-Shave November” earlier this year to help Barker reach his goal.

“The idea to donate to Sloan Kettering in the name of Joe Barker was easy,” Vincent said.

“He is one of the nicest human beings I have ever met and he deserves much more than we could ever do.”

No-Shave November is a month-long journey during which participants across the globe forgo shaving in order to evoke conversation and raise cancer awareness.

The rules of No-Shave November require participants to put down their razor for 30 days

expenses to a cancer-research cause.

Now promoted by the non-profit organizations Movember Foundation and No-Shave November Foundation, the initiative—which has become a November tradition for many across the globe—was started in 2003 by two friends, Travis Garone and Luke Slattery under the slogan “Movember.”

Garone and Slattery, who met in a bar in Melbourne, Australia, got together with 30 of their close friends and each grew a mustache for the month of November to help raise awareness

FUNDRAISER>>PAGE 19

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Send Us Story Ideas and News Tips: news@pinebarrenstribune.com

Saturday, December 23, 2017

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

LOCAL NEWS

Miller Sworn In to Finish Unexpired Term after Winning November Election

PHOTO SUBMITTED Dr. Gary Miller taking his oath of office.

By Mark Hatoff

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

MEDFORD LAKES—Two oaths of office highlighted a light agenda at a Medford Lakes Borough Council meeting on Dec. 13.

Dr. Gary Miller took a delayed oath of office for his council seat, following his victory over former councilman Joseph Aromando (1,093 to 390 votes) in a Nov. 7 election.

Miller did not get sworn in at a previous council meeting on Nov. 9 because the election results had not yet been officially certified by Burlington County.

On May 11, Miller began his third stint on council when he took over a seat that had been held by Dr. Robert J. Burton, who became the new borough manager.

Miller is now serving a 2½ year unexpired term.

William H. Thompson III was also sworn in at the meeting, as he was promoted to the rank of sergeant.

Thompson began his law enforcement career in 2001 with the former University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) Police Department. He joined the Medford Lakes Police Department in 2004.

After a short break for photos, council unanimously passed one ordinance and four resolutions.

The ordinance updated the municipality’s flood-damage prevention standards.

“This is what all municipalities are required to do in order to conform to FEMA guidelines,” said Mayor Thomas Cranston. “The agency had mandated new flood maps for the borough and other townships.”

The first resolution supported Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressive (FOP) awareness in response to an appeal from Mountainside (Union County) resident Gary Whyte at the Nov. 9 council meeting.

FOP is a disorder in which muscle and connective tissue such as tendons and ligaments are gradually replaced by bone (ossified), forming bone outside the skeleton that restricts movement. The disease is sometimes fatal.

As previously reported by this newspaper, Whyte, since 2001, has been on a crusade for FOP awareness in New Jersey. He has persuaded 537 out of 566 municipalities in the state (as of

ELECTION>>PAGE 21

ROUTES 70 & 206 SOUTHAMPTON, NJ 08088 (609) 859-2301

INDEX Automotive..................................... 23 Business Directory.......................... 14 Community..................................... 11 Fun and Games............................... 17 Health.............................................. 16 Home, Garden & Farming ............. 22

Local News....................................... 2 Marketplace..................................... 18 Opinion........................................... 10 Scanner.............................................. 8 Worship Directory........................... 11

The Pine Barrens Tribune is published weekly by Pine Barrens Media, LLC. The newspaper is distributed free at select locations in Bass River, Evesham, Hammonton, Medford, Medford Lakes, Pemberton, Pemberton Borough, Shamong, Southampton, Tabernacle, Washington, Whiting, Woodland and surrounding areas. This newspaper is protected under the Federal Copyright Act. Reproduction of any part is not permitted by mechanical or electronic means without the expressed written permission of the Publisher. The Publisher reserves the right to revise or reject any advertisement. No liability shall be attached to the Publisher for interruption of publication or limitation of size and/or number of pages due to shortage of material, failure of transportation, flood, fire, severe weather, winter weather, riots, strikes, acts of God, or other causes beyond his or her control. It is our policy to promptly correct errors. If you believe that you see a mistake, please call (609) 801-2392.

Saturday, December 23, 2017

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Saturday, December 23, 2017

Packed Agenda Welcomes Back Pemberton Council

By Vince DeBlasio

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

PEMBERTON—The Pemberton Township Council reconvened on Dec. 6 with a significant amount of business to address following a month lull between meetings.

An ordinance introduced on first reading would amend Chapter 190 of the township code pertaining to zoning. The measure would add language that would restrict new residential subdivisions in certain areas of the township.

“These changes came from the Pemberton Township Zoning Board some months ago,” said Business Administrator Dennis Gonzalez.

“In brief, this is to make sure that it is clear that no new residential construction is permitted in the non-residential areas indicated.”

Since the ordinance potentially involves changes to the classification of properties, members of council said that “200-foot notices” might need to be issued before a public hearing could be held.

After some confusion and deliberation, council decided to schedule a public hearing on the ordinance for Jan. 17.

A total of 38 resolutions received unanimous approval from council, with all but Councilwoman Letha Jackson in attendance.

The highlights are as follows: The township accepted, as a gift, a secure medication disposal unit from the Rite-Aid Foundation. This unit provides citizens with the convenience of using the township building to safely discard old medication.

“In the past, there were only two ways for people to dispose of old medication,” Gonzalez said. “There was an annual day, or we would direct people to take it to the New Jersey State Police Red Lion barracks (in Southampton Township).”

Council authorized $20,000 in Cinnaminson Township RCA Program funds to be used for a Housing Rehabilitation Program for a property in the township.

Property taxes totaling $11,739.24 were canceled for three residents qualifying for a veteran’s property-tax exemption.

A 2018 Ford Police Interceptor Sedan with related police package options was purchased for $29,523 from Cherry Hill Winner Ford.

The Cherry Hill Ford dealership is under a state contract, allowing such purchases.

Lt. David King, commander of the Pemberton Township Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division, received designation as custodian of a petty cash fund for the police department.

A $121,922 contract was awarded to Mac-Rose Contractors for the emergency repair of a stream bank in West End Park.

“This is where the stream has eroded out the embankment in West End Park,” said Mayor David A. Patriarca. “Where it’s eroded, it’s like a 10-to 12-foot drop straight down.”

Patriarca said the plan to fix the stream bank involves installing a line of gabion baskets, which are wired boxes filled with rocks or concrete, before and after a bend.

Various cancellations of balances received authorization. These are unexpended appropriations and other open balances at $17,138.70 and an unexpended balance in a Public Assistance Trust Fund at $14,843.62.

Gonzalez said the latter amount has “been on the books for years” since the county took over public assistance.

Grant applications were authorized to be sent to PSE&G, seeking a $500 contribution for pictures with Santa, and JCP&L, for a $1,000

AGENDA>>PAGE 20

Saturday, December 23, 2017

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE, WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM

PAGE 5

Medford Police Congratulated for Receiving Its Second Re-accreditation Ask the Expert!

By Dean Mainardi

Dean Mainardi is a 3rd generation contractor. He has built everything from new homes to restaurants. He and his company “Only The Best Builder LLC” have been on a mission to hire the “Best” people, use the “Best” products, and give the “Best” service anywhere. You can read more about this company and their mission at www.onlythebestbuilder.com. Make sure you check out the “Page of Shame.”

You are thinking about doing a project in your home, or an issue that just will not go away.

Who do you go to for sincere, honest advice?

In recent years, the economic situation that our country is involved in, has brought many people to the “Trades” with little to no experience. We have seen some of the worst workmanship and solutions to problems than ever before. In the end, hard-earned money is spent and bigger problems are created.

That’s why we are here. To help you!

This section is a direct contact to give you the advice and experience you need to help solve any Home Improvement concern or issue you may have.

The best part is it’s for FREE. No strings attached. Just good old-fashioned neighborly advice on the things you need to know. If I don’t have the answer, I will get it or refer you to the proper expert in our network of quality reliable contractors.

For every issue, I will choose the BEST question that I think will help the most people. If we publish your question, you will receive a $50 VISA gift card as a thank you from us for helping make this new section a success.

So, “We are what you have been waiting for.” Get to your computer and send your questions directly to me at AskTheExpert@ onlythebestbuilder.com or call directly @ 609-654-1698.

Question: Dear Mr. Mainardi, We had the interior of our home painted by a professional painter two years ago.

Within a few months, the ceiling in my upstairs hallway started peeling, right by the entrance to my attic and around a ceiling light in a hallway. The painter came out and established that there was no water damage to the ceiling from a possible leak in the attic. He said there was no other peeling in

any of the bedrooms or bathroom that are under the attic. The painter scraped the paint, applied a primer and repainted. Again it has started to peel. We never had any, problems like this before the painting was done. I am at a loss because it looks terrible.

I am not sure how to proceed and no one else seems to know the reason.

Thank you for your advice in advance.

Kim K

By Vince DeBlasio

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

MEDFORD—A brief Medford Township Council meeting on Dec. 5 featured a presentation on the Medford Township Police Department’s recent re-accreditation.

Harry J. Delgado, accreditation program manager for the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, spoke about the significance of the police department’s recent achievement.

The department received its second re-accreditation, an uncommon status in the state.

“There are about 500 law enforcement agencies in the state that are eligible to apply for accreditation,” Delgado said. “Out of those, only about185 have been accredited.”

He said the first re-accreditation process sees that pool of 185 agencies drop to almost 9 percent approved, with second re-accreditation cutting that group further to less than 1 percent.

“In the case of the Medford Police Department, I’m proud to say that in many instances (the department) exceeded many national standards,” he said.

Delgado also rattled off statistics linked with accredited agencies: 11 percent fewer police professional liability claims, 11 percent fewer workman compensation claims and 31 percent fewer auto liability claims.

Accepting the three-year certificate of accreditation, Police Chief Richard J. Meder gave credit to everyone who makes up the department. He offered special thanks to Lt. William Dunleavy, who serves as an accreditation manager for the department.

“This is not something that happens individually or by just the command staff,”

Meder said. “Every member of the agency— from the clerical staff all the way up the ladder—has to buy into this process.”

In other news, the following fire department and EMS personnel approvals were announced: Kevin Frysztacki and Matthew Williams as new Station 258 volunteer EMS members, David Wessner as a new Station 252 volunteer firefighter, Katherine Haggerty promoted from junior to regular Station 258 EMS Member, and John Ruonia as a new junior volunteer firefighter & EMS member for Stations 251 and 258.

The township accepted $200,000 in funding from a 2016 Municipal Park Development Grant Program. Council applied for the grant in fall 2016 so that it can rehabilitate Bunning Baseball Field and Medford Park.

Council authorized change orders for two projects due to decreased contract amounts.

A contract with Applied Painting, Inc., for a Fairview Road Standpipe Rehabilitation Project, saw a decrease of $91,150, from the original amount of $620,200.

A $782,073 contract with Gerald A. Barrett, LLC, for work that has been part of the township’s 2016 Road Improvement Program, was decreased by $18,401. $5,500 awarded to the township from the state’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Year-End Crackdown” grant program was inserted into the municipal budget.

Grant fund receivable and reserve balances of $4,501 (“Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Labor Day Crackdown”) and $58 (Medford Vincentown Halloween Parade) were canceled.

Councilman Jeffrey Beenstock was

POLICE>>PAGE 20

Response: Dear Kim, There are different reasons why that paint may be peeling. Moisture may be the # 1 reason. What I would suggest is that you take a moisture meter to the area and determine if there are any high levels of moisture related to that area. If the moisture level is the same as the wall, we can rule that out. If the moisture level is different in any way, cut out the drywall and inspect

immediately.

The other reason may be that there is residue under the paint that is not allowing for proper adhesion. If priming and painting did not work, I would suggest cutting out the drywall and replacing it with a fresh new sheet. Properly prime and paint after it is spackled and dried well.

That will assure the problem is solved 100 percent.

541 Barbershop......................................23 McElven Fuel Inc..................................22 Medford Eyewear...................................16 Medford Ford.........................................13 Spanky’s Candles...................................12 Southampton Auto.................................23

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Over 20 First Responder Groups Recognized for Recent Firefighting Efforts in Shamong

By Vince DeBlasio

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

SHAMONG—The Township Committee here expressed gratitude at a Dec. 5 meeting to several organizations for their efforts in quelling two, same-day house fires in Shamong last month.

A proclamation read at the beginning of the meeting recognized 23 organizations, some volunteer, which responded to the fires occurring hours apart on Nov. 10.

Response to the first fire that day, at 563 Atsion Road, came at about 1:45 p.m. The other blaze that demanded attention started around 8:15 p.m. at 467 Carranza Road.

The following emergency response

Staff Writer

WASHINGTON—Officials here, upset over Garden State Removal Co.’s recent rate increases to pick up residential trash, are considering hiring a new trash hauler beginning on Dec. 1, 2018.

However, for the interim, the Washington Township Committee awarded the business a contract for picking up residential trash at $5,581.44 per month by a 3-0 vote earlier this month.

“We don’t have enough time to go out for rebid,” said Township Clerk Kathleen D. Hoffman. “Garden State won’t extend the expiration date of the current contract.”

FIREFIGHTING>>PAGE 19

Hoffman said that Garden State wanted the township to agree to a new three-year contract.

“We are going to award the contract for a year,” she said. “We can look at it again for next year and consider whether we want to extend it by a year or two.”

The municipality sought bids for trash removal following a committee meeting in March when Garden State’s contract was extended for nearly seven months.

As part of the bid specs, the township required bidders to prohibit any trash truck in possession of the township’s trash from making other stops along the way to the county dump site, located in Mansfield Township.

TRASH>>PAGE 20

13th Annual Medford-Vincentown Rotary Club Prayer Breakfast Marks Start of Holidays

PHOTO SUBMITTED Fr. John Bishara, of St. Anthony’s Coptic Othodox Church, speaks at Medford-Vincentown Rotary Club’s Thanksgiving Prayer Breakfast last month.

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

MEDFORD LAKES—The 13th Annual Medford-Vincentown Rotary Club Thanksgiving Prayer Breakfast last month at Medford Lakes Country Club drew over 140 people.

Fr. John Bishara of St. Anthony’s Coptic Orthodox Church was the keynote speaker and reminded everyone “that giving thanks to God requires giving thanks in every situation with 100 percent of our devotion.”

The morning began with the Seneca High

Cookie Time! This Recipe Makes It Easy to Offer Fresh-baked Sweets to Holiday Guests

organizations were recognized: Atco Volunteer Fire Company, Burlington County Fire Marshal’s Office, Evesham Fire Co., Good Will Fire Co., Hainesport Fire Co., Hammonton Fire Co., Hampton Lakes Volunteer Fire, Indian Mills Volunteer Fire Co., Lumberton Township Fire Department, Medford Fire Department, Medford Lakes Fire Department, New Jersey Forest Fire Service, New Jersey State Fire Marshal, New Jersey State Police Red Lion Barracks, Pemberton Township Volunteer Fire, Pinelands CERT, Shamong Township EMS, Tabernacle Fire Co., Tabernacle Rescue Squad, Taunton Volunteer

Washington Contemplates Changing Its Trash Hauler Due to Rising Costs

By Douglas D. Melegari

Saturday, December 23, 2017

School Air Force JROTC, from Tabernacle, presenting the colors and included soloist Emma Di Lauro from Seneca and Emily Dunn from Shawnee High School in Medford.

The annual event was assisted by pastors from six different churches. It has become a permanent fixture that marks the beginning of the holidays.

For more information, the public is welcome to contact the Medford-Vincentown Rotary Club or David Stow at 609-953-7600.

PHOTO SUBMITTED Subtle but noticeable aromas and flavors of vanilla and cinnamon infuse the cookies.

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

Fresh. Baked. Cookies. Spoken together, those three words conjure feelings of homey warmth and goodwill that are the very essence of the holidays.

Many people consider cookies served straight out of the oven (or, to be a little less evocative but more realistic, cooled briefly after baking) the stuff of family memories. The sweet scent permeates the whole kitchen, and often the rest of the house, with toasty aromas. Even when they’re cookies that also keep well in an airtight tin for days or weeks, oven-fresh ones seem to fill our senses with the most vivid flavors and – depending on the type of cookie – textures either crispy, chewy or soft.

But, not all cookies lend themselves to last-minute baking or to being served soon after they leave the oven. Some, like bar cookies, need longer cooking and cooling times to set properly for cutting. Others, like sandwich cookies, filled cookies or elaborately decorated cookies, have more complicated recipe instructions that should include the dreaded words that appear on the boxes of too many children’s toys: Some assembly required.

None of those worries should concern you when you set out to make the following recipe for cinnamon sugar cookies. The simple, sweet, buttery dough itself takes just a few minutes to mix and then requires only a few hours of chilling; though you can keep it in the refrigerator for up to five days, ready to roll into balls and bake at the last minute when guests arrive. Shaping the dough and coating it with cinnamon sugar is also a fun activity in which you can involve willing visitors, who then have to wait no more than 15 minutes for the cookies to come out of the oven – and a few more minutes after that for them to cool.

How much easier could cookie baking be? The rewards – delicious rounds that are crisp but not too crisp, crumbly but not too crumbly, and rich but not overly rich, with subtle but noticeable aromas and flavors of vanilla and cinnamon – are far greater than any effort involved. You could also easily vary the cookies, if you like, by rolling out larger balls (be sure to place them farther apart), substituting another flavor extract for the vanilla, and even omitting the cinnamon sugar coating and instead icing the cookies any way you want after they’ve cooled.

Your options are almost limitless. But the wonderful results can always be summed up in just three words: Fresh. Baked. Cookies.

CINNAMON SUGAR COOKIES Makes about 5 1/2 dozen – 2 3/4 cups (685 mL) all-purpose flour – 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon – 1 1/8 teaspoons cream of tartar

– 1 teaspoon baking soda – 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt – 8 ounces (250g) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, at room temperature – 1 1/2 cups (375mL) plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar – 2 large eggs – 2 tablespoons vanilla extract In a mixing bowl, sift together the flour, 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

Put the butter in the large bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle or beaters; or in a large mixing bowl, using a hand-held electric mixer fitted with beaters. At medium speed, beat the butter until softened and smooth.

Add 1 cup (250mL) plus 2 tablespoons of the sugar and continue beating at medium speed; then, when the sugar is fully incorporated, raise the speed to high and continue beating until the mixture is fluffy, stopping the beaters as needed to scrape down the side of the bowl and the beaters with a rubber spatula. Reduce the speed to low and gradually add the flour mixture, beating just until fully incorporated.

Scrape out the dough onto a clean, lightly floured work surface. With clean hands, form the dough lightly into a ball and wrap well in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until firm, at least 2 to 3 hours or as long as four to five days.

When ready to bake the cookies, position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 F (175C). Line one or two baking trays with parchment paper.

Remove the dough from the refrigerator. In a small bowl, stir together the remaining 1/2 cup (125mL) sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon, then spread the mixture on a small, flat plate.

With clean hands, pinch off a mound of dough weighing about 1/2 ounce (15g) each; then, roll it between your palms into a ball about 1 inch (2.5cm) in diameter; roll the ball in the cinnamon sugar until evenly coated; and place it on the prepared baking tray. Continue the process, placing the balls about 2 inches (5cm) apart.

When a baking tray is full of dough balls, bake until the cookies have spread and turned golden brown around the edges and slightly firm to a quick, careful fingertip touch, 14 to 15 minutes total time, reversing the trays front to back halfway through for even baking. With a wide spatula, remove the cookies from the trays and transfer to a wire rack to cool. If reusing a baking tray, cool slightly before arranging more balls of dough on it.

Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at cool room temperature for up to three weeks.

Saturday, December 23, 2017

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PAGE 7

Washington Officials May Push for Unique Zip Code Following Identity Challenges

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

WASHINGTON—Officials in Washington Township may soon act due to growing angst among residents over identity mix-ups and the municipality often being overlooked due to zip codes assigned by the U.S. Postal Service.

“Is there any way we can get our own zip code?” said Washington Deputy Mayor Daniel James during a Dec. 5 meeting of the Washington Township Committee.

The northern end of the Burlington County municipality, including areas such as Jenkins and Hog Wallow, share the 08019 zip code with most of neighboring Woodland Township.

The delivery facility responsible for overseeing mail delivery in the 08019 zip code is located in the Chatsworth section of Woodland, so the zip code is tagged “Chatsworth, N.J.” Often, those unfamiliar with the area don’t realize that Chatsworth isn’t a municipality and that it is only a downtown area in Woodland.

The southern end of Washington, including areas such as Green Bank and Lower Bank, share the 08215 zip code with neighboring Egg Harbor City in Atlantic County.

The delivery facility responsible for overseeing mail delivery in the 08215 zip code is located in Egg Harbor City, so the zip code is tagged “Egg Harbor City, N.J.” GPS users often can’t find addresses in Washington, because satellites, ground stations and receivers used for positioning bring the users to the start of the Egg Harbor City limits.

The sharing of a zip code with a municipality

that is part of a different county has also possibly affected the municipality’s access—maybe even the rest of Burlington County’s access—to federal disaster assistance administered by FEMA. In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy in 2012, municipalities in Atlantic County were eligible to receive federal disaster assistance for uninsured and underinsured damages and losses.

Municipalities in Burlington County did not qualify for the Sandy assistance.

“It (municipalities qualifying for federal disaster assistance) is based on how much damage the county gets,” said Washington Mayor Dudley Lewis.

Several officials and residents here say they have evidence that Sandy claims made by residents and businesses in the southern part of Washington were made under the Egg Harbor City zip code and thus their reported damages were considered to have occurred in Atlantic County.

Part of the evidence is that Washington residents with an Egg Harbor City zip code received a letter that said their Sandy damages were eligible for federal disaster assistance.

“Back during Hurricane Sandy, we originally received FEMA letters because we have an Egg Harbor City mailing address, which is (associated with) Atlantic County, (saying that) we were all eligible for grant money,” said resident Lynda Sypherd. “(That is) until we called and they said we weren’t one of the impacted towns (when we gave them the name of our municipality that we resided in).”

Sypherd said she called Governor Chris Christie’s office about the mix-up, to no avail.

“I said, ‘Who made that decision?” as I was speaking with Governor Christie’s office and (the person I spoke with) said President Barack Obama,” Sypherd said. “I told them that I didn’t believe that.”

James said the identity mix-ups caused by the shared zip codes are also presenting other financial woes for residents.

“Whenever we are talking to someone who is not in the area, that person thinks we are Atlantic County and we are residents of Egg Harbor City,” he said. “We are not (part of) Atlantic County, which impacts everything that we (as residents of Washington) do, including obtaining automobile insurance and house insurance, and getting FEMA to help.”

While it is believed that the shared zip codes may have affected Washington’s access to Sandy federal disaster assistance, several officials and residents here also questioned FEMA’s reliance on county boundaries to determine aid eligibility for municipalities.

“One of the problems is that most of the county has to deal with the Delaware River, which is not as likely to have the same kind of damage that we had (along the Mullica River),” Lewis said. “So, we are kind of stuck again at the narrow end of the county.”

Sypherd said she finds FEMA’s reliance on county boundaries to hand out aid to be disturbing.

“It is disturbing because the (county) line is in the middle of the (Mullica) River,” Sypherd

said. “Houses on the other side of the river got grant money, but we didn’t.”

The zip code issue has been raised before at Washington meetings.

However, the issue was brought to the forefront at this latest meeting because the committee passed an ordinance that updated the township’s flood-damage prevention standards to be in accordance with newlyissued state and federal standards.

Officials said FEMA and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) recently threatened to not provide any funding to N.J. municipalities that refuse to incorporate the new standards as part of municipal code.

“If we don’t adopt this, we won’t be able to receive FEMA funding and residents won’t be able to apply to the New Jersey Flood Insurance Program, which offers lower rates for residents living in flood-prone areas,” said Township Clerk Kathleen D. Hoffman.

The ordinance passed 3-0.

“Let’s just focus on this right now,” said Solicitor Tom Coleman in response to James calling on township officials to look into getting a municipality-specific zip-code for Washington.

James still appeared anxious to have Washington get a zip code of its own, despite Coleman indicating that the zip code issue had no bearing on flood-damage prevention standards.

“We have Egg Harbor City addresses,” he said. “Therefore, everyone feels we are Egg Harbor City…which is not the case.”

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Saturday, December 23, 2017

SCANNER Man Found Dead in Vehicle Pulled from the Mullica River

Pemberton Police Officers Donate Dinners to Needy

PHOTO SUBMITTED A vehicle with a dead man inside was found partially submerged in the Mullica River, along the Mullica Township and Washington Township line, last week.

PHOTO SUBMITTED Officers from the Pemberton Township Police Department donated Thanksgiving dinners to eight township families in need this year.

SWEETWATER—A man is dead after his vehicle was found partially submerged in the Mullica River along the Mullica Township and Washington Township line.

Officers from the Mullica Township Police

Department were summoned to the 4500 block of Pleasant Mills Road, in the Sweetwater section of Mullica Township, on Dec. 11 at 7:08 a.m. for a report of a car in the Mullica River.

RIVER>>PAGE 20

Masked Armed Robber with Money Sack Robs TD Bank

The donations were arranged by Pemberton Township PBA Local 260.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

PHOTO SUBMITTED Police in Evesham Township are seeking the public’s help with identifying and apprehending a masked man, pictured, who robbed a PNC Bank located at 300 Greentree Road on Dec. 8.

EVESHAM—Authorities are seeking the public’s help with identifying and apprehending a masked-man who robbed a

bank earlier this month in Evesham Township.

On Dec. 8, 2017, at 5:54 p.m., officers from

BANK>>PAGE 21

ShopRite of Medford Speedily Reopens Following Fire MEDFORD—A local ShopRite store reopened within hours following a fire on Dec. 13.

The blaze broke out at around 9:53 p.m., inside the ShopRite of Medford Township, located at 208 Route 70.

Township police officers and firefighters were quickly dispatched to the store and evacuated it upon their arrival.

“An active fire was located in the rear receiving room of the establishment and was

FIRE>>PAGE 20

PHOTO SUBMITTED Some of the donated meals were distributed outside the Acme store in Browns Mills, while others were home-delivered.

Saturday, December 23, 2017

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PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

OPINION

Letters submitted to the Pine Barrens Tribune must include the name, address and phone number of the writer. Letters may be edited for length, clarity and taste. Because of space limitations, letters should be 150 words of less.

How to Send Items to the Editor: letters@pinebarrenstribune.com, put “Letter” in the subject line.

Saturday, December 23, 2017

Guest Commentary submitted to the Pine Barrens Tribune can be submitted by an appointed or elected official, political candidate, organization leader, or community leader. Guest commentary submitted to the Pine Barrens Tribune must include the name, photo, address, affiliation, title, and phone number of the writer. Commentary may be edited for length, clarity and taste. Because of space limitations, commentary should be about 450 words or less.

Editorial

Letter to the Editor

Feel the Magic of Christmas

Recalling My Youth Causes the Spirit of Christmas to Fill My Soul

We want to wish all of our loyal readers and advertisers a Merry Christmas! May the peace and joy that Christmas brings always be with you and your family.

Christmas is all about love, family and children. We hope you will be able to spend the holiday weekend with loved ones.

To our men and women serving overseas—

who may be reading the electronic copy of the newspaper online: May God bless you and keep you safe. We hope you’ll be able to rejoice in the spirit of Christmas, wherever you may be stationed.

Christmas is also the time to remember the past and hope for the future. Spend your time meaningfully this Christmas with the people close to your heart.

Social Media Sound Off (Re: Editorial-Stop the Firebreak Permit Proposal for Good and Protect Your Home from Wildfire) No politics in fire protection. The Pinelands Commission wants the pines to burn.

Tony Donofrio (Re: Air Force Captain from Browns Mills Accused of Having Sexual Contact with Minor) I hope authorities round them (the 76 alleged child predators busted) all up and put them behind bars for life, if these allegations are true! Disgusting! Parents: monsters are real. Keep a close eye on your kids. Snoop through their phones, pay attention to their conversations and if something is off, look into it!

Cindy Reynolds Boggess (Re: Amendment to Woodland Twp. Employee Manual Tabled for Second Month) I would have to agree with Committeemen Herndon and DeGroff since there is such a very select few volunteers that use township vehicles. My suggestion would be that they propose an amendment that all township employees and officials must pass mandatory yearly and random drug tests.

Russ Adams (Re: LRHSD Donates 89,585 lbs. of Clothing to Goodwill) The CEO of Goodwill made more money on your donation, sad.

Vince Neuroth (Re: Police Find Trash Bags Filled with Decapitated Birds) I guess we better keep those pesky off-road vehicles out of the pines, while someone is decapitating birds by the bagfuls.

David Powell Please comment on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Twitter: @PineBarrensNews with the hashtag #SoundOff or Facebook: www.facebook.com/pinebarrenstribune.

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE Established 2016

Douglas D. Melegari, Publisher, CEO Pat Carney, Senior Graphic Artist Adam Tait III, Copy Editor Colleen Jordan, Copy Editor, Graphic Artist Vince DeBlasio, Copy Editor P.O. Box 2402, Vincentown, NJ 08088 Locally owned and published.

Three days before Christmas in 1953, Tony Arzullo and I were walking home from P.S. # 10, during a very beautiful and exciting snowfall.

As we continued our trek home, with our faces tilted skyward catching snowflakes with our open mouths, Christmas never tasted so good.

Continuing onward, feeling the cold snow reach inside our socks, the chilling sensation accelerated our march. Suddenly, without reason, a stranger threw a snowball hitting Tony Arzullo right in the face, real hard!

Tony’s tears blended with the Christmas snow, creating a saline taste.

Seemingly out of nowhere, almost like a shooting star, a streak of snow whizzed by our gang and struck the stranger’s face square on, silencing his laughter.

The early evening became quiet once again.

One could almost hear the snowflakes fall and touch the ground.

Tony Arzullo died a few years ago in a private airplane crash over the Sierra Madre Mountains, which border California and Nevada.

I received a letter from his eldest daughter, Cindy Clearmountain. It was an emotional surprise! I hadn’t heard from the Arzullo’s since graduating from grammar school back in 1953.

Cindy, introduced herself briefly and seemed to know me well. She said, “My father always talked kindly of you, especially during family gatherings and over the holidays.” Cindy explained she had enclosed a letter to me, written by her father a few years before his death.

She said she accidentally came across some of Tony’s personal stuff, including the letter, while rummaging through her parent’s basement looking for Christmas ornaments.

Tony’s letter read as follows: “Hi Larry Fishman! The last time I saw you was at our grammar school graduation! Larry, you were almost a foot taller than me at graduation. Do you remember? I was at the front of the processional and you were at the rear. I’m 44 years old now, married with three children.

Cindy, my oldest child will be graduating college next year. You’re my age too! Ha! We live in a beautiful desert community between Las Vegas and Southern California. My air-conditioning installation business has been doing well. We employ about 10 people, etc.

Life, my family, children and God has been wonderful to me.”

“Larry, do you remember our gang? Do you remember us? I’ve enclosed an old photo–

that’s me with Mrs. Winthringham, our music teacher. Remember her voice and how we use to laugh together? Larry, do you also remember walking home from school with our gang in a December snowstorm? We were in eighth grade, then, the year was 1953. I remember it well because somebody hit me square in my face with a snowball. I began crying—my tears mixing with blood and snow creating a saline taste. Larry, I never understood why that stranger selected my face as his target. But, I know it was your freshly packed snowball which silenced his laughter into that evening’s beautiful snowfall. Thank You. If any of this encourages you to write me, please do- it will be nice to hear from you.

Thanks for being my friend. Merry Christmas! ~December 19, 1986, Tony Arzullo.”

I folded Tony’s letter and placed it on our kitchen table.

Picking up my nylon, down-filled jacket, slipping it on as I walked out the door, I walked down the side steps, compressing the freshly fallen snow under the soles of my Wolverine boots.

The temperature felt brisk at 25 degrees.

Inhaling deeply, I trudged over to the edge of our pond and tested the thin sheet of ice by pressing my boots through its surface. Water flooded around my feet, but the Wolverine boots lived up to their warranty by keeping my toes warm and dry.

Looking skyward at a 45-degree angle, I could feel snow flurries gathering around my face. I licked some of the accumulated snow, while also tasting my tears.

That saline mix of tears and snow brought back vivid memories.

Cars were beginning to fill my driveway.

Christmas Eve would be celebrated at our house. Lauren, my daughter, was walking towards me with my grandson, Marki.

Marki stopped and reached down to accumulate some freshly fallen snow. It seemed to me he was making a snowball. My grandson ran over to me and as I lifted him skyward, he handed me a not so well packed ball of snow.

I took my grandsons creation and licked it.

The snow really tasted good and the spirit of Christmas filled my soul. It was a great feeling and a pleasure to be alive with family, and to know that something wonderful was taking place.

Lawrence Dellolio Medford, New Jersey

Saturday, December 23, 2017

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PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

COMMUNITY

E-Mail Story Ideas and Community Events: news@pinebarrenstribune.com

Events

December 24 Event: Christmas Candlelight Service Location: Lumberton Details: Lumberton United Methodist Church invites you to a Christmas Candlelight Service, 7 p.m., located at 5 Municipal Drive, Lumberton. 609-267-5536.

Event: Christmas Eve Service at Chatsworth United Methodist Church Location: Chatsworth Details: Join Chatsworth UMC at 6:30 p.m. for their Christmas Eve worship service. Located at the corner of Main Street and 2nd Street, in Chatsworth. 609-268-0200, chatsworthumcnj.org Event: Christmas Eve Service at Tabernacle United Methodist Church Location: Tabernacle Details: Join Tabernacle UMC for Christmas Eve worship 9 a.m.; 4th Sunday of Advent 4 p.m.; Family Lessons and Carols 9 p.m. All are welcome. 166 Carranza Road, Tabernacle.

609-268-0200. Tabernacleumc.com Event: Christmas Eve Candlelight Services Location: Shamong Details: Indian Mills United Methodist Church invites you to a Christmas Eve Candlelight Services at 5 p.m. and at 8 p.m., located at Willow Grove & Indian Mills Roads in Shamong.

609-268-5699, 609-980-3527.

January 1 Event: The Little Red Schoolhouse Exhibit Location: Browns Mills

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Details: The Little Red School House turns 100 years old in 2018! An exhibit of this iconic building will be on display January through February, at the Pemberton Community Library, 16 Broadway, Browns Mills.

Event: First Day Hike at Barnegat Lighthouse Location: Barnegat Lighthouse State Park Details: Barnegat Lighthouse State Park is hosting a First Day Hike. Join members of the Southern Ocean Birding Group as they lead a free 1.5-mile walk from the lighthouse to the end of the jetty. Meet in the parking lot at 10 a.m. – no registration required.

Event: First Day Hike at Bass River State Forest Location: Bass River State Forest Details: Begin the New Year with a free 7-mile, familyfriendly “West Pine Plains Ramble,” 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Meet along Route 72 at the eastern boundary of Coyle Field (approx.

11.3 miles east of the intersection of NJ 72 & NJ 70). For more info, call 609-296-1114, or visit www.njparksandforests.org

a Legacy Information Day from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., in the Parish Hall. A panel of professionals will discuss matters of family importance such as wills and estates. For more information, call 732-350-2121.

January 9 Event: Tech Class – Google Drive Location: Jackson Details: The Jackson Branch of the Ocean County Library is hosting a tech class, spotlighting Google Drive. Learn to upload files and folders, organize documents and more. 2 p.m. Located at 2 Jackson Drive. Participants must have a Gmail account and know their passwords.

January 17

Event: Free Diabetes Self-Management Workshop Series Location: Pemberton Details: Are you a person with Medicare living with diabetes or know someone who is? Take control of your health through a free and fun six-week workshop series. Learn about preventing complications, healthy eating, exercise, medication management, January 4 dealing with stress and depression, action planning and much Event: Tech Class – Windows 10 more. The workshop series will take place at the Pemberton Location: Jackson Township Recreation Department on 69 Tensaw Dr. in Browns Details: The Jackson Branch of the Ocean County Library Mills. Workshops are on Wednesdays, Jan. 17 to Feb. 21, 2018, is hosting a tech class about Windows 10. Attendees may bring from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. their own laptop. Learn to be comfortable with the features of FREE literature and resources will be provided. To register, this operating system. 2 p.m. Located at 2 Jackson Drive. call Jarmaine Williams at (732) 955-8168.

Please register before the second workshop session.

January 7

Event: Legacy Information Day Location: Whiting Details: St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Whiting is hosting

Events should be submitted at least four weeks in advance.

PEMBERTON TWP. SENIOR CITIZEN COLUMN 120 Seniors Enjoy Annual Christmas Dinner at Garden State Diner

By Ebba Liguori

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

PEMBERTON—The Pemberton Township Senior Citizens’ annual Christmas party was held at the Garden State Diner in Wrightstown on Saturday, Dec. 16—despite snowy weather less than 24 hours before the festivities kicked off.

The Dec. 15 snowfall really affected the roads and a number of scheduled activities the night before the party, causing seniors to worry about

the party and transportation the next day.

But, fortunately, the weather cooperated for the party as the snow stopped early in the evening Friday and only about two inches accumulated. This allowed road crews to clear the roads of snow and ice during the overnight hours, when traffic was light. By the morning of the party, conditions became safe for seniors to head for the diner.

As usual, a few hearty souls made it to the diner before 9 a.m. to enjoy a breakfast and

Come

prepare for the day’s feast.

The Garden State Diner is owned and managed by Zach and Theresa Rotsides. Zach Rotsides manages and runs the kitchen and Theresa Rotsides manages the dining room.

This team has several of their relatives serving as wait staff, so it truly is a family business.

This year, all of the tables were decorated with poinsettias and red and green napkins upon the seniors’ arrival. The chairs were covered in white draping and red or green

Worship With Us

accent bands.

The room looked so festive. Many seniors were in awe as they first entered the room.

Soon, 120 seniors were gathered for the celebration.

Many Christmas cards and small gifts were exchanged by friends and the fun was ready to begin. “Side-Car Charlie” arrived with his equipment and music filled the room.

Side-Car Charlie is a wonderful musician.

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He has an extensive repertoire of music and can play almost any tune that you name. He is truly a “one-man band.”

The floor filled quickly with seniors taking the opportunity to dance. He plays most of the “Big Band” music for ballroom dancing, and then does a little rock and roll, followed by lots of line dancing. He added a few Christmas carols and at one point sang, “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” causing everyone in the room to clap in time with the music.

There was an abundance of door prizes as Pemberton Mayor David Patriarca brought several bags full of gifts and Pemberton Senior Council member Lucy Graham came in the restaurant with many more gifts to donate.

The Senior Council also provided several gifts. Someone at almost every table was a lucky winner and there were lots of smiles as seniors headed home. Actually, 25 door prizes were awarded.

The meal was fantastic, as usual.

It began with a fresh fruit cup, followed by

a delicious homemade vegetable soup. The diner makes their own soup daily and it is always rich and hearty, loaded with a variety of veggies. Soon, a fresh, crisp, tossed salad with house dressing was served. The cinnamon rolls arrived hot from the oven and were so delicious. The entrée was another special treat.

Then there were three main courses available for choosing: A half chicken platter held a large, meaty half chicken with more than enough to fill one up and still bring home a “doggie bag.”

Stuffed flounder was also served and consisted of more than one filet, filled with a tasty seafood stuffing—again more than enough was served to take some home.

There was also roast beef, which was exceedingly tender. Few seniors could finish eating the serving of roast beef, so take out boxes were available for all.

A large baked potato was included with each meal and family style baby carrots were placed on each table.

Door prize winners were called while cream layer cake, with a scoop of ice cream for dessert, was served. This was a fitting end to a

holiday feast.

Many seniors remarked that this was the best meal ever. This diner always serves a good meal, but this meal was even better. There were a lot of happy seniors.

Pemberton Township Seniors will return to the Garden State Diner for a Valentine’s Day party on Saturday, Feb. 17, to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Tickets will again cost $15 for resident seniors and $30 for guests. Tickets are on sale at the senior center daily from 9 a.m. until noon.

There was some sad news to share with partygoers.

Favorite bus driver Marty Gravenstein’s son, Matt, succumbed to a fatal disease on Thursday evening. Matt Gravenstein was in his twenties and fought a battle with Muscular Dystrophy.

For the past few weeks, Gravenstein’s son had been hospitalized several times for a related complication: pneumonia. On Thursday evening, he finally gave up his lifelong battle.

Matt Gravenstein’s family loved him so much and he will be sorely missed by all.

The seniors made voluntary donations for the

Saturday, December 23, 2017

family and these will be sent to Marty Gravenstein, with all our sympathies and condolences.

Holidays are a sad time to lose a beloved family member, but we all know he is now “walking with God,” no longer constrained by the weakness of his disease. Please remember the family in your prayers.

Please do not forget that the Pemberton Township Senior Center is closed on Monday, Dec. 25, and Tuesday, Dec. 26, for the Christmas holidays. Combined with the preceding weekend, this will give workers four days to celebrate Christmas and time to visit family and friends.

The Aspen Hills Breakfast Bingo will be held on Thursday, Dec. 28. Reservations are required.

Have a blessed holiday season and a healthy New Year!

The Pemberton Township Senior Center is located in Browns Mills, on Brook Street, across from the U.S. Post Office, and open from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. daily. Further information is available by phoning 609-8934400.

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AUTO

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State Inspection

CRAIG’S AUTO INC. Goodyear Tires

109 Route 38 Pemberton, NJ 08068 (609) 894-4258

24 Hr. Towing Flatbed Service Road Service

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Call for Free Estimates

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PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

HEALTH

Dear Pharmacist

By Suzy Cohen, R.Ph.

Suzy Cohen is the author of “The 24-Hour Pharmacist” and “Real Solutions.” For more information, visit www.SuzyCohen.com.

The 6 Best Foods to Eat If You Have Arthritis If you have arthritis, you know what to expect every day when you get up in the morning, trying to find a comfortable way to sit, grocery shopping where it’s one painful step in front of the other, difficulty buttoning your shirt. But, wouldn’t it be nice to be flexible around the holidays? I don’t mean in terms of parties, events and trips, I mean with your joints.

Eating certain foods reduces inflammation and pain. But first, here are three food groups you should avoid, since these harm your brain, joints and cartilage: –Anything with artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners –GMO foods because they are so “hardy” they pierce the gut, leaching toxins into your body and poisoning your bloodstream.

–Pesticides (organic is better, especially if you have a PON1 gene SNP) Now, let’s look at 6 of the best foods to include in your diet if you have arthritis pain: 1. Organic ginger Ginger is highly anti-inflammatory.

Researchers found that ginger relieves pain in patients with osteoarthritis, helping 63 percent of participants. Another study found that ginger can block the manufacture of inflammatory cytokines in the body. Make tea or grate into meals.

2. Tart cherries Like blueberries, cherries are rich in a compound called anthocyanin, which gives cherries their deep blue-red hue. A 2013 study found that patients who drink tart cherry juice saw improved levels of pain and stiffness from arthritis. It’s known to help with gouty arthritis, too.

3. Garlic

Garlic is good for so many health-promoting effects in the body. It’s cancer preventative and a potent anti-inflammatory food. In one study of 1,082 twins, researchers found that those who ate the most garlic experienced the least symptoms from osteoarthritis.

4. Fennel Fennel has long been used as medicine in ancient Rome and Greece. Fennel is a delicious way to spice up a salad, by making your salad virtually cancer preventative and helping to drastically reduce inflammation in the joints and tissues.

5. Beet Greens Dark, leafy greens like beet greens are full of phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals that reduce inflammation all over the body. Beet greens (not beets) are extremely high in vitamin K, another potent anti-inflammatory. Two cups of these will provide about 4,700 mg of potassium, which can help regulate blood pressure. Sauté these with garlic in some grass-fed butter. They wilt within a minute.

6. Spinach A recent 2017 study showed how kaempferol (which is found in spinach) reduces inflammation and prevents the progression of osteoarthritis, the wear-and-tear type of arthritis. Kaempferol also decreases the effects of inflammatory cytokines associated with rheumatoid arthritis, the autoimmune form that affects bone marrow.

If you want to be more flexible, now and into the new year, think clean, green, organic, non-nitrate, natural foods as best you can. It may sound difficult if not stifling, but if you set your mind to it, you’ll notice changes within a month.

This information is not intended to treat, cure, or diagnose your condition.

For more information, please visit www.SuzyCohen.com.

© 2017 SUZY COHEN, RPH. DISTRIBUTED BY DEAR PHARMACIST, INC.

Saturday, December 23, 2017

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PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

FUN AND GAMES Are We There Yet?

By Lori Clinch

Lori Clinch was born and raised in North Platte, Nebraska, a hotbed of material for writers whose passion it is to make people laugh. Lori Clinch is the mother of four sons and the author of the book “Are We There Yet?”

The Most Unwelcome Visitor of All It’s the heart of the Christmas season and you know what that means…it’s time for that least favorite of seasonal visitors to darken the door.

Sometimes he just does a drive by, other times he does a ring and run. But most often, he pounds on the door in a way you can’t ignore, so you reluctantly open it, knowing all too well what is to come.

It’s Fred Flu, showing up unannounced, uninvited and worse yet, planning on staying for about three to seven days longer than even a good guest should stay.

This holiday season, Fred showed up first at my parents’ house and didn’t knock so much as barged right in. He shared his personality with my poor father, who normally is quite hospitable and welcoming but who is seriously NOT a Fred fan.

Fred came back to share the wealth of all that he is with my poor mother. She called me on Friday to let me know that he had arrived.

She texted me on Saturday to inform that he was taking over, and then she PM’d me on Sunday to announce that it was time for us to update her will.

It would be nice if Fred would only stop in on one family member at a time, give others time to prepare and perhaps, brace for impact. But you see, that’s just not how Fred rolls.

Apparently Fred likes to think that he is adored and welcomed by all, because he also paid a visit to my poor and dear sister, who was recovering from abdominal surgery.

I’ll say it for you, “Ouch!”

Nobody wants to see Fred, as he’s not exactly the best of guests. He’s obtrusive, invasive and downright offensive. But that, my dear friends, is the epitome of the unwelcome Fred Flu visits.

I didn’t even hear that dirty so and so ring the bell, so I’m assuming he snuck in unnoticed when he visited our Lawrence, here at our family home last weekend. He stayed about two days too long and to assure ourselves that he was truly gone, we wiped down every light

switch and doorknob known to man.

Still, knowing how intrusive Fred is, we here at the Clinch household are shaking in our shoes.

We’re taking our temperatures, trembling at any roll in our bellies, and begging for a reprieve.

After all, some of us have presents to buy, eggnog to consume and a Christmas season to put on.

We checked the guidelines, precautionary procedures as well as how long Fred’s germs can live on common surfaces and we think that we can safely assume, here at the Clinch household, that Fred is gone—for now.

Yet we are quite fearful that he still lurks at my parents’ home and we are taking all precautions.

“Do you need anything?” I asked of my dear mother who won’t even drive by our house when Fred is in the vicinity, much less toss out a roll of toilet paper.

“Well,” Mom responded in a barely audible voice, “we could use a can of disinfectant spray to sanitize the place and your father thinks that a can of lime soda might settle his stomach.”

Later that afternoon, I walked up their steps, armed with disinfectant wipes in tow, sanitizing as I went with gloved hands.

In an attempt not to expose me, Mom opened the door nary an inch and took the precious items I had brought, one at a time.

I must admit the whole thing felt a little shady, as if Fred lurked in the shadows, full of maliciousness and ready to infect at any given moment.

My dear and precious mother shows strength in the face of adversity, along with a sense of humor.

“Thanks, Mugs,” she said as if she was a gangster in a hideout in an old 1950s film. When she took the last item, she looked furtively from side to side into the makeshift shadows. Then she whispered, “We have folks who are going to deal with Fred. My people will contact your people and let you know if we need reinforcements.”

© 2017 LORI CLINCH

C R O S S W O R D

Across 1 Provoke 7 Cliched currency 14 Cone site 16 Crop duster, e.g.

17 Unhelpful helper 18 Like garden gnomes 19 Subject for a meteorologist 21 Respiration point 22 It’s often twisted 26 Slangy 21-Across 30 Holy recess 34 Holy jurisdiction 35 Rude dude 36 Subject for an oceanographer 39 Summed up 41 Nullified 42 Subject for an electrician 44 French sky 45 Cycle starter?

46 Cry of enlightenment 47 Homecoming cry 48 Kitchenware 50 Formerly floppy medium 53 Subject for a news team ... and a description of 19-, 36- or 42-Across?

P U Z Z L E

61 “Hogwash!”

64 Personal __ 65 Somewhat 66 Femur or fibula 67 Butterflies on ankles, say 68 Teammate of Duke and Jackie

25 Tease 26 Wrong move 27 “Wrong, wrong, wrong!”

28 Get the better of 29 Oklahoma tribe 31 Sonar pulse 32 “The Mikado” weapon, briefly Down 33 Tube traveler 1 “Concord Sonata” composer 36 Ceremonial accessory 2 Lower-class, to Brits 37 And 3 Chowder bit 38 Diplomacy 4 China’s DF-31, e.g.

40 Gay syllable 5 Gift of the gifted 43 Teased 6 Opener for Don Quixote?

47 Long cold spell 7 It has big teeth 49 2013 Masters champ Adam __ 8 “Gramma” in the comic strip 51 Airport abbr.

“Stone Soup” 52 Bad bug 9 Chowderhead 54 Biblical connector 10 He was on deck when Blake 55 Move, in real estate lingo was up 56 Saloon and deli offerings 11 “And more” letters 57 Weird feeling, perhaps 12 Masked drama 58 Plenty of poetry?

13 Crack 59 Island goose 15 Space balls 60 Word with farm or house 20 Raise 61 Stick for 10-Down 23 The way things stand 62 In the style of 24 Atone for 63 Bombed

S U D O K U

ANSWERS ON PAGE 22

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Saturday, December 23, 2017

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

MARKETPLACE Submit a Classified! E-mail sales@pinebarrenstribune.com to receive a form and pricing.

HELP WANTED

AUTO PARTS AND SVCS SCRATCH AND DENT REPAIR BY AUTO BODY STORE. First class body repairs and painting. Cars, trucks, trailers, or tractors. Free estimate visits in LeisureTowne. 609-859-3670.

FLIGHT TRAINING Learn to Fly. Discovery flights and gift certificates. Free Flight Aviation. www.FreeFlightAviation.com. 609-2650399.

FOR RENT Browns Mills, one bedroom house with shed, gas heat for rent. $900.00 plus one month security. No smokers, no pets. Call 609-744-5522

FURNITURE REPAIR Adam’s Furniture Restoration LLC. Twenty (20) years experience. Furniture repair, kitchen cabinet refinishing.

Touch-ups, re-gluing, upholstery, leather repair. 856-979-6210. www.facebook.com/adamsfurnres

Graphic artist/paginator needed to make print and online advertisements and lay out newspapers and assorted special sections in a fast-paced office located in the Greater Philadelphia area.

Candidate needs to have a mastery of Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign and Photoshop.

This job requires the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently, meet several deadlines per week, and quickly adapt to design systems to maintain the company’s brand identity throughout its products.

Previous newspaper pagination experience is a plus. This is a fulltime, immediate opening.

Send cover letter, resume and link to work (portfolio) directly to Doug Melegari, publisher of the Pine Barrens Tribune, by contacting him at resumes@pinebarrenstribune.com or 609-801-2392.

Area claims writer. No experience.

PT/FT flex. NJ/PA. Call or text 609-548-3108. Target income $30k/ $80k.

Full-time HVAC Installers and Technicians; minimum 3 years of experience with gas, oil, and central air. Hourly and commissions; robust benefits package. Good driving record required. Apply in person at Harriett’s Energy Solutions, 101 South Main St., Medford, NJ, or email your resume to lynn@ harriettses.com.

Technician/Mechanic Wanted. As a Technician/Mechanic, you will provide accurate and efficient services to customers by trouble shooting, diagnosing, and repairing heavy duty semi-truck trailers in a safe, reasonable and responsible manner.

You will be required to have a “whatever needs to be done” work ethic and attitude, be mechanically inclined, and a team player with neat appearance. You should be a self-motivated, dependable person, and work well with others. Qualified candidates must possess a high school diploma or GED; pass a background

check and drug screening and have a valid driver’s license. 401k-benefits and paid training. Please apply online at www.mypetro-job.com.

LAWYERS Erwin Apell Attorney, 57 Juliustown Road, Browns Mills. All Legal Matters.

Free hotline 24/7. Visa and Mastercard.

609-220-3059. Erwinapell@gmail.com.

MISCELLANEOUS Brotherton Indian Tribal Offices Brotherton Indian Reservation, Tribal Lands Office of the Chief Brotherton Indian Reservation Indian Mills, New Jersey 08088 Attention Dr. Sam Beeler, Chief 973-222-1920 973-432-8894

Saturday, December 23, 2017

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FUNDRAISER PAGE 1

about men’s health diseases, including prostate cancer.

Garone and Slattery knew a woman who was battling breast cancer and her battle gave them inspiration to start their own foundation to help raise awareness about men’s health diseases.

The Australian spelling of “mustache” is “moustache,” so the two men combined the words “moustache” and “November” to formally create the slogan.

In 2009, the initiative grew exponentially under the “No-Shave November” slogan as members of the Hill family in Chicagoland partnered with Facebook followers to grow facial hair and compete with each other over style for their No-Shave November charity.

The Facebook competitions, which went viral online, were intended to draw attention to Matthew Hill, a father of eight children, who passed away from colon cancer in November 2007.

The Robbinsville Township Police Department, since its inception, has required all of its officers to be clean shaven at all times, minus a well-groomed mustache.

But last month, for the first-time ever, a number of Robbinsville officers, with the blessing of Fried and Chris Nitti, chief of the Robbinsville Township Police Department, got permission to participate in No-Shave November due in part to the efforts of Vincent and Haugh.

“Ptl. Edward Vincent and Det. Wayne Haugh came up with the idea (to participate) and raise money for cancer awareness and make a donation to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center on behalf of our Recreation Director Joe Barker, who is battling cancer,” Nitti said.

“You are not going to meet a better person than Joe Barker. Joe is a pillar of hope, strength and represents all that is good in our great town.”

Vincent said the idea to not shave was his, while Haugh set the rules for the department’s competition.

“What made me look into it was my hate for shaving,” Vincent said. “I have been a police officer since I was 18 years old, and other than say a week of vacation, I have never gone without shaving.”

Participating men on the force were allowed to grow a goatee last month for a $50 donation to the center or a full beard if they made a $100 donation.

Women officers, who made a $50 donation to the center, were permitted to paint

PHOTOS SUBMITTED Ptl. Edward Vincent (left) and Det. Wayne Haugh of the Robbinsville Township Police Department display their beards after they organized and participated in a No-Shave November fundraiser. their fingernails or wear ribbons, headbands or barrettes last month—items also typically prohibited on the job.

The department’s dispatchers, while not bound to the same dress code the officers must follow, were also provided an opportunity to be part of the competition.

The public had an opportunity to vote for the participant who had the best facial hair growth on Facebook. Votes were cast by “liking” the posted photographs of participants.

Vincent, also outgoing president of PBA Local #344, was the winner of the competition with 140 “likes” on Facebook. Haugh came in a close second place with 128 “likes.”

More importantly, participants raised $3,000 for the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center on Barker’s behalf by November’s end.

“We had 18 officers and two dispatchers

participate,” Nitti said. “I am proud of the enthusiasm and the initiative of all of the officers.”

A check was presented on Barker’s behalf, made payable to the cancer center, at a Robbinsville Township Council meeting on Nov. 30.

“Even through the challenges of the past few years, Barker’s focus is always on others and making sure everyone else is okay,” Fried said. “Over the past few months, we have been able to put the focus on him, his care and his passion for raising more funds for cancer research through Sloan Kettering.”

Twenty officers from PBA Local #344 participated in the presentation. Barker said the police officers’ efforts have been a humbling experience.

“I still can’t wrap my head around

the amount of support I have received from everyone, far and near, and the ‘No-Shave November’ contest was truly uplifting,” Barker said. “The fact that 100 percent of the donations are going to research at Sloan Kettering makes me very, very happy.”

Robbinsville officials say that while the fundraiser was uplifting, for a good cause, and fun, cancer awareness needs to remain front and center. They hope their fundraiser helped bring awareness of the disease to local families.

“When Joe told me about his diagnosis, I had my colonoscopy within three weeks,” said John Nalbone, director of Robbinsville Township’s Office of Communications & Public Information, who thought of his own family while thinking about Barker’s wife, Jane, along with their three sons. “So, I can personally attest to the fact awareness does work.”

between local fire departments and residents in the areas the fire departments serve.

“It’s similar to Firewise communities (another national program),” he said. “I thought that it might be a nice plan to pick some of the developments that make sense for us, target that audience, and leverage our volunteers to distribute materials (in the township).”

Administrator and Clerk Susan Onorato said the township will be going out to bid again for Pinelands Memorial Park, a forthcoming cemetery. She explained at a Nov. 8 meeting that the first try drew only a single bid for the work, at much higher price than an estimate received.

The committee adopted four ordinances on second reading.

One ordinance updated the township’s flood damage prevention standards to bring them in accordance with state and federal requirements.

“This (update) is mandatory,” said Township

Solicitor Douglas Heinold. “There are new FEMA flood maps which necessitate replacement of our existing chapter.”

Another established new regulations pertaining to community cat colonies, previously known as feral cats. Shamong has adopted a trap-neuter-return (TNR) program, at no cost to the township, as a means to address the size of colonies.

Representatives from the Burlington County Animal Shelter are pushing for all municipalities in the county to set similar

guidelines.

The third ordinance amended a section of the code pertaining to township permit fees, which determines “if the cost equaled service costs.”

An 11-page breakdown details numerous changes made to four chapters in total.

The last increased a fee for obtaining a sign permit to $50, up from $10. Heinold said the previous fee was “woefully out of date.”

A single resolution was also approved.

This canceled $186.12 in taxes on a property purchased by the township in August.

FIREFIGHTING PAGE 6

Fire Co., Union Fire Co., Vincent Fire Co., and Waterford Fire Co. In other news, John C. Lyons provided an update on Shamong Township Office of Emergency Management happenings, for which he serves as coordinator.

Lyons said the township’s application for an Emergency Management Agency Assistance (EMAA) grant was approved, which allows for up to $10,000 in national funds for emergency operations to be given to the township.

The application, submitted through New Jersey Emergency Management (NJEM) Grants, was completed in the summer.

Additionally, Lyons introduced the committee members to a program called “Ready, Set, Go!” According to the program’s website, “Ready, Set, Go!” provides for better communication

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AGENDA

RIVER

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PHOTO SUBMITTED Robert Ramos, 31, of Buena Vista, engaged to Rachel Leanne-Levin, of Tuckerton (right), was found dead inside a vehicle found partially submerged in the Mullica River last week.

Police say that responding officers, upon arrival, observed a Honda Civic partially submerged in the river which also separates Atlantic and Burlington counties.

Members of the Sweetwater Fire Department Cold Water Rescue Team and New Jersey State Police T.E.A.M.S Unit were called to the scene and worked with a heavy tow recovery service to safely remove the vehicle from the water.

As rescuers pulled the vehicle out of the water, they found Robert Ramos, 31, of the Newtonville section of Buena Vista, inside. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

It is not believed anyone else, besides Ramos, was inside the vehicle at the time of the crash and police presume he was the driver.

Police say that an investigation has revealed that the vehicle was being driven northbound on Elwood Road in Atlantic County.

The vehicle, for reasons undetermined, then

passed through the intersection of Pleasant Mills and Elwood roads, through a yard of a nearby residence and went into the water.

John Thompson, chief of the Mullica Township Police Department, said investigators are not yet sure when the incident transpired.

“It is possible that the incident occurred the evening before and was discovered this morning,” Thompson said.

Ramos’ fiancée, Rachel Leanne-Levin, of Tuckerton, started a GoFundMe page to raise money for his funeral expenses. Leanne-Levin also hopes to raise money to help support a baby that the couple has been anticipating will soon be born.

As of press time, Leanne-Levin raised $415 and is hoping to raise a total of $10,000.

Readers can donate by going to https://www. gofundme.com/y44ej-funeral-funds.

FIRE

PAGE 8 quickly extinguished by employees and police using fire extinguishers,” said Richard J. Meder, chief of the Medford Township Police Department. “The Medford Fire Department arrived (at the scene) a short time after and contained the remaining fire and prevented further damage.”

Meder said an investigation by the Medford Township Fire Marshal’s Office determined

POLICE PAGE 5

temporarily designated as mayor on Dec. 12 for a menorah lighting, part of a Festival of Lights celebration on the second night of Chanukkah.

Officials said the special designation was made because Beenstock has continually attended this event over the years.

Appropriation transfers in the amount of $87,500 were made in this year’s budget, and a refund of a 2017 tax overpayment was issued.

A sole ordinance passed on second reading updated the township’s flood damage prevention standards to meet state and federal standards. It was adopted, 4-0, with

that the fire was caused by an electrical malfunction. The malfunction involved a charging device for floor cleaning and maintenance machines.

The ShopRite, which was closed for the rest of the evening, reopened for regular business hours on Dec. 14.

“The ShopRite was later authorized to return to normal business after being cleared by the Burlington County Health Inspector,” Meder said.

Councilman Chris Buoni absent.

Council went into an executive session to discuss litigation matters related to redevelopment in the township, the Burlington County Library system, MVE Restaurants LLC and the Gravelly Hollow Public Works Yard.

Upon return to public session, council passed a resolution that made an addendum to a settlement agreement with MVE Restaurants.

MVE Restaurants initially agreed to open a business by June 15 at the former Izzy’s restaurant location in the Cross Keys Shopping Plaza. A series of resolutions have been passed in recent months providing an extension for the opening date.

contribution towards the township’s recreationholiday activities.

A road-opening performance bond of $2,000 was released to Ronald Miller.

A $2,892,865 contract for 2018 township employee medical benefits, with stop-loss coverage, was agreed to.

In a related matter, council approved a purchase of a public-official liability and employment practices liability insurance policy from Chubb at a cost of $58,616.60 for 2018.

Additionally, council purchased life insurance and an accidental disability policy from Mutual of Omaha, for township employees, at a cost of $7,202.56.

An $85,000 Municipal Park Development Grant from Burlington County was accepted for various park improvements, including an expansion project in West End Park.

A request to the $85,000 along with $6,500 from the Drunk Driving Enforcement Fund, and $13,542 from the N.J. Transportation Trust Fund Authority for Sepulga Drive, was approved.

TRASH PAGE 6

Garden State was the only company that agreed to the stipulation and was the lone bidder.

Mayor Dudley Lewis said that when a truck completes Washington’s trash route, it is usually not filled to capacity due to a small number of households in the township.

“Our trash hauler does not collect a full truck of material,” Lewis said. “The hauler is required to take the material directly to the disposal place. The weight of the material is calculated and the tipping fee is billed to us.”

However, he said officials have learned that most waste removal companies, after completing a municipal trash route, find it financially feasible to perform pick-ups at other locations along the way to the dump site, if a truck is not filled to capacity.

Therefore, he said the township is considering removing the stipulation when it goes out to bid for trash removal services again to entice more companies to place a bid on the job.

“If we can rebid the project such that tipping fees are paid as part of a contract, a removal company can take someone else’s trash,” Lewis said.

Committeeman Barry Cavileer said the committee learned that the stipulation was turning away potential bidders during a recent League of Municipalities convention in Atlantic City.

“We happened to run into (the owner of) another trash collection company that we have used in the past, who did not put in a bid (this year), and he explained that they would have put in a bid if tipping fees were included in the contract, because they can’t fill their truck here,” Cavileer said. “They would like to go to a business after they get done here and fill it (a trash truck) up.”

Cavileer said the committee needs to bring competition into the township due to rising costs.

“At this point...we want to try and save the taxpayers some money,” he said. “The (previous) two years—even this year—the prices have gone up substantially from the last contract. Each year, it goes up substantially more. So we want to get some competition in

Saturday, December 23, 2017

A previously-passed resolution authorizing the use of Small Cities Community Development Block Grant for a housing rehabilitation program at 733 Lakehurst Road was amended to increase the funding amount by $800.

Appointments were made for risk management and an insurance broker of record.

Council also gave consent to appoint an attorney, special counsel pool, engineer, prosecutor, public defender, and professional planners for 2018 general planning projects.

Under the new business portion of the agenda, council moved to set their 2018 reorganization meeting for Jan. 3 at 6 p.m., as a combined meeting with a regular session to follow.

Additionally, two purchases of more than $2,000 were authorized.

ArcGIS Basic Concurrent User License 10.5.1 Software for community development was purchased for $2,885.

Uniforms for Pemberton Township Department of Public Works employees from Action Uniform were purchased for $13,071.25. here.”

Cavileer said there were no complaints made about Garden State in the past month. Readers may recall that in September, Cavileer spoke about a number of complaints involving Garden State.

The situation even prompted Code Enforcement Officer Bill Ward to “confront” the company’s owner.

In other news, the committee voted to install and enforce a stop sign at the intersection of Lovers Lane and VanHool.

Lewis said the stop sign will regulate traffic pulling out of the Wharton State Forest Maintenance Yard.

Deputy Mayor Daniel James and Cavileer raised concern with a recent purchase of N.J. Employee Law Posters by township officials.

The posters, which are required to be displayed in any workplace that has employees, cost $285. “$285 seems like an awful lot of money for them,” Cavileer said.

Solicitor Tom Coleman suggested that the cost was reasonable.

“They are all laminated,” he said.

The bills list, which included the purchase, was eventually passed by a 3-0 vote.

Lewis provided an update on a project to overhaul the municipal building’s bathrooms.

“The project is well underway,” he said.

“From what I understand, the tile man will be here tomorrow. We have planned on this being done well before the next meeting.”

Hoffman said that the township’s new website was recently hacked by someone.

Cavileer said the hacker wrote “offending remarks” on the website.

Hoffman said the remarks have been removed.

Cavileer discussed numerous complaints he had received.

He said the first complaint he contended with involved a Burlington County recycling truck that was turning around in a private driveway.

He said he told the county to have its operator turn around the truck at the Lower Bank Tavern.

“That has been taken care of,” he said.

Cavileer said the second complaint involved a public school bus that was turning around in private driveways, creating ruts.

TRASH>>PAGE 21

Saturday, December 23, 2017

ELECTION PAGE 2

late November) to issue a resolution or proclamation for FOP awareness.

“Being a small town, we usually try to stick to local business, but given (Whyte’s) tenacity in trying to get every municipality in the state to pass a resolution, he’s down to just a handful,” Cranston said. “He made it very difficult to say ‘no,’ especially when he took the time to come down here—probably a two-hour drive. This is not something we normally do, but we didn’t want to deny his goal.”

Deputy Mayor Robert Hanold agreed, but offered a word of caution.

“It has to be very, very important (to Whyte) and what he’s gone through to support it,” he said. “I just hope we didn’t open a Pandora’s Box in N.J. as there’s a lot of other important causes (to also recognize).”

Whyte was not present at the meeting, but Cranston said that a copy of the resolution would be mailed to him.

The second resolution appointed Burton as fund commissioner to the Camden County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund (JIF).

Medford Lakes is part of the Camden County JIF even though the town is located in Burlington County.

The third resolution awarded a $199,002 bid to the Municipal Maintenance Company of Cinnaminson for a replacement project involving the borough’s computer system that is used to monitor and control the borough’s sewage plant.

According to Hanold and Borough Clerk Mark McIntosh, the project will probably be

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completed within six months.

The last resolution set council’s 2018 meeting dates.

Council will meet at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month, with the exception of July and August (just the second week). There is the possibility of just single meetings being held in November and December too, but a definite decision for these two months will come at a later date.

A number of other dates were brought up during the reports portion of the meeting.

Budget hearings will take place at 6 p.m., an hour before the scheduled council meetings, on Jan. 11 and Jan. 25, 2018.

The reorganization meeting for the borough, during which the mayor, deputy mayor and subcommittees will be selected, will take place on Monday, July 2, 2018.

The borough’s new website was set to go live on Dec. 18.

A demonstration for a new recycling asphalt machine was set for Dec. 19.

McIntosh said surplus items from the Department of Public Works were sold in an auction for $10,444. The items included John Deere tractor equipment attachments that were never used and an ambulance (for $8,272).

Finally, Hanold asked for clarification on a previously-discussed paving project on Lenape Trail, questioning if there had been a drainage problem.

“We have the money to finish Lenape Trail, but because of the weather, we’ll have to finish in the spring,” Burton said. “There were a couple of problems with the way the areas were pitched, as that caused water to gather. We’ve identified six or seven other spots in town with drainage problems as well.”

BANK PAGE 8

the Evesham Township Police Department responded to a PNC Bank located at 300 Greentree Road after receiving a report that an armed bank robbery was in progress. The suspect fled before police arrived.

However, responding officers viewed surveillance camera footage of the robbery which showed the armed man, dressed in all

TRASH PAGE 20

“I did talk to Larry Priest, our road guy, and he has repaired a couple of driveways where the school bus truck has been turning around and creating problems,” he said.

Cavileer said the rest of the complaints involved the care of a township tractor. He said he had a few residents question why the tractor was not being placed in the township’s maintenance barn to protect it from the weather. He explained that work was being done on a truck, requiring extra room, and the tractor would be placed back into the barn now that the work has been complete.

During public comment, township officials actually spoke.

Ward asked the committee to contact Atlantic County to see if deer crossing signs could be

PAGE 21 black and wearing a facemask, entering the bank with a black sack. The man takes the sack up to the front counter, points a handgun at a bank teller and demands money.

After the teller fills the sack with an “undetermined amount of money,” the man flees on foot towards Greentree Road.

The surveillance camera footage of the robbery has been posted on the police department’s social media pages. If anyone knows the identity of this suspect, you are asked to contact police at 856-983-1116.

placed on County Route 652—known as the “two-mile stretch.”

“There are a lot of deer on that road this year,” he said.

While the roadway is in a different municipality and county, Washington residents frequently use the roadway as they do most of their commerce in Egg Harbor City.

Emergency Management Coordinator Barbara Somes said she had a resident inquire about the lack of street lighting at the intersection of Burlington County Routes 563 and 679, located in the Jenkins section of the township.

Hoffman said she would have Atlantic City Electric review the lighting at the intersection.

A special meeting of the Washington Township Committee is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Dec. 28 to close out the year.

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Saturday, December 23, 2017

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

HOME, GARDEN, AND FARMING Farm and Food File

By Alan Guebert

Alan Guebert is an award-winning agriculture columnist who was raised on a 720-acre, 100-cow southern Illinois dairy farm.

Grandmother’s Quilt, Grandfather’s Ghost A slightly frayed, white and peach-trimmed quilt now lays unfolded on one of our spare beds. Twenty-nine of its 30 squares each feature the carefully stitched name of one member of the Ladies Aid of Immanuel Lutheran Church in rural Rising City, NE. The stitching on the quilt’s 30th and final block, also in peach and positioned in the bottom right corner, is testament to its making.

It reads: “Aug 1914 Nov 1936.”

Neither I nor anyone I know can explain the “Aug 1914” date. My mother, however, knows exactly what the “Nov 1936” date means. It was the month and year she, her three siblings, and parents left Nebraska to return to their native Illinois after Grandpa lost his 160-acre Butler County farm to hard weather, hard luck, and hard times.

But that black stain can’t be seen in the quilt’s subtle colors and simple elegance. What comes through clearly, though, is its many names.

They are sturdy, solid names like Etta Bauer, Maggie Buck, Anna Poppe, and Eda Hahn.

Sturdy and solid, I suspect, because during the awful, terrible year of 1936, sturdy and solid were all they had left after almost a decade of poor crops and poorer prices. Throughout it, however, the ladies brought their needles, thimbles, and love to their country church to make my grandmother a treasured keepsake I now treasure.

And these solid, sturdy workers—Alice Klingemann, Esther Glock, Mattie Hoeft, and Anna Ditmar—were modest because they reserved the very center of the quilt for the block that carries my grandmother’s solid, sturdy name, Lottie Hanebutt. It floats amid her neighbors’ names: Cente Glock, Metta Jaenike, Frieda Voss, Emma Hinze, Agnes Hinze.

Most of those last names can still be found at Immanuel today. They are chiseled into gray granite and white marble and they stand sturdy and solid still during winter’s fiercest wind or summer’s sweetest breeze.

Only my mother remains to remember the

site of her family’s Depression farm and her memories are mostly of a hungry little girl tired of meal after meal of flour pancakes and cabbage. She never looked back or ever went back.

I did last week, however, and through happy coincidence and uncanny luck, was able to talk with the sons of two of the quilt’s makers.

Both knew the exact location of the farm my grandparents operated until their lives, like most of American agriculture, unraveled in the 1930s.

A stop at the county courthouse yielded an aerial photograph of the farmstead before most of its buildings were razed decades ago to grow corn no one needed then or now.

Three buildings remain: a cobweb-filled livestock barn, a drive-through corncrib, and a sagging, weathered brooder house. None have held anything other than mice, raccoons, and owls since Berlin, not Mexico, had a wall.

Thirty yards south, a car-sized hole marks the farm’s collapsed cistern. Nearby, an equal-sized pile of bricks points to where the house once stood.

As I look around, sparse clouds begin to stack against the eastern horizon and a cold wind finds its way through the neglected shelterbelt.

A passing shadow, slight and quick moving like my grandfather, sends a chill through me and the pain the land still holds hits my chest like a hammer.

I look to the east to see, just a mile away, the church where the quilting ladies of Immanuel had, more than three generations ago, gathered in warmth and love despite the swirling dust and growing fear. Sunlight strikes the white building to make it look like a dove resting in a brown, thousand-acre nest.

Was this the last image my grandfather saw as he walked off his lost farm 81 years ago? I hope so. Did he cry as he left or was he simply empty after watering the land with years of sweat and tears? I don’t know.

I do know, however, that I will never return to where he still walks.

© 2017 AG COMM.

The views expressed in this column are the author’s own views and do not reflect the view of the Pine Barrens Tribune.

CROSSWORD

SOLUTIONS

SUDOKU

Saturday, December 23, 2017

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AUTOMOTIVE New Vehicle Buying Guide Compiled by Motor Matters

E-mail Questions To: info@motormatters.com Mail Questions To: PO Box 3305, Wilmington, DE 19804

2018 GMC Yukon Denali GMC elevates the 2018 Yukon Denali lineup with styling and trim enhancements, as well as a new, advanced 10-speed automatic transmission.

A new, sculpted grille design distinguishes the Yukon Denali, while new Mastique Ash real wood trim adds depth and richness to the interior.

The new Hydra-Matic 10-speed transmission – paired with Yukon Denali’s 6.2L V-8 engine – enhances refinement with world-class shift smoothness and quietness response.

GMC designers evolved the iconic Denali grille with a multidimensional, sculpted interpretation that, like other contemporary GMC elements, was designed in a layered manner. The new grille offers greater airflow to the radiator. Active aero shutters behind the grille close in certain conditions on the highway to reduce aerodynamic drag and enhance efficiency.

The Yukon Denali’s new 10-speed automatic leverages the engineering experience of General Motors’ multispeed transmissions to

deliver improved performance.

A wider, 7.39 overall gear ratio spread, compared to the Yukon Denali’s previous eight-speed automatic, enables a lower numerical top-gear ratio and contributes to greater efficiency.

The transmission’s optimized gearing and proprietary controls allow the 6.2L V-8 engine to deliver a winning combination smooth operation and aggressive response.

Standard and available features include: 420-horsepower, 6.2L V-8 engine with direct injection and Active Fuel Management, StabiliTrak, tow/haul mode, trailer sway control, auto grade braking and hill start assist, and Magnetic Ride Control for improved body motion control.

The Denali trim is offered in Yukon and Yukon XL models, with the XL featuring a 14-inch-longer wheelbase (20 inches longer overall), for increased third-row legroom and more than double the cargo room behind the third-row seat.

Compiled by Motor Matters.

2018 GMC Yukon Denali.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

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Saturday, December 23, 2017