July 29 2017

ALSO INSIDE THIS WEEK

Thunderstorm Displaces Medford Residents. Page 4

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Vol. 1 - No. 48

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Pemberton Police Chief Speaks Out Amid Spike In Crime Jantas Provides Progress Report and Discusses Sunbury Village Woes, Surveillance Cameras and Staffing Issues

PHOTO SUBMITTED Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina (right) speaks with Pemberton Township Police Chief David H. Jantas (center) and Lt. Dave King prior to going on patrol with Lt. King.

By Adam Tait III and Douglas D. Melegari Team Coverage

PEMBERTON—Police Chief David H. Jantas has gone on the record to respond to several residents and a landlord from the Sunbury Village section of Pemberton Township who have criticized police response and are calling for the installation of surveillance cameras to combat crime.

The camera and policing issues were first raised over a month ago during a meeting

called by a major landlord of Sunbury Village, Richard Gober. Gober owns 56 of the 270 homes in the Village, where crime has spiked. The issues were raised again during a June Pemberton Township Council meeting.

Jantas delivered a 20-minute speech to council this month in response to the concerns.

“I understand at your last meeting, you had a landlord and some concerned residents from the Sunbury Village section of our town come in and share some comments with you specifically regarding the possibility of video

systems and some of the activities of police in that area,” he said. “I have to tell you that a video system would be wonderful. It would be another tool that we could use. For a town like ours though, it raises some problems and concerns.”

Jantas said surveillance cameras are far more effective in New York City and London where the manpower and funding exists to monitor them.

“You have an officer sitting there or multiple officers monitoring those things for things he or

she may see as suspicious or a crime in progress,” he said. “I would be very reluctant to say we could deploy officers to sit and watch video for one section of town, 24/7, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.”

Jantas said that if the township were to install security cameras, they would have to go on poles and can’t be installed on homes.

He said that since the cameras could not be installed close to ground level by the township, costly models with high resolution video output

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LOCAL NEWS

Woodland BOE Appoints Gahles as Permanent Business Administrator; Authorizes Major Change to Student Transportation

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

WOODLAND—After an interim stint, George Gahles has been named the permanent business administrator and board secretary of the Woodland Township School District.

The Woodland Board of Education approved of Gahles’ hiring by a vote of 3-0.

Gahles succeeds Maria Funches who turned in a letter of resignation and relinquished all her responsibilities on Jan. 3.

Gahles was hired on Jan. 23 as the district’s interim, part-time business administrator and interim board secretary at a per diem rate of $400.

In his permanent position, he will receive an annual salary of $60,000. His contract is due for renewal on June 30, 2018.

Gahles will continue to work two days a week in the district. He will be on call one day per week for the district.

In response to questions about his schedule from a handful of teachers who attended the meeting, Gahles said he receives email on his cell phone and will answer any inquiries promptly.

Several other financial items and agreements were acted upon during the meeting.

A four-year lease agreement with the Wolfington Bus Company for two 54-passenger buses in the amount of $14,344 per year was approved. Maintenance of the buses is included in the contract.

The district currently owns two school buses and has been utilizing them to transport students to and from school.

However, Superintendent Misty Weiss said the buses are at the end of their lifecycle.

“This is something brand new,” said Weiss during a later interview. “Our current buses are aging out. School buses have a 12 to 13 year shelf life. We are going to try this out.”

She said the board opted to enter into a lease agreement rather than purchase two new buses due to cost.

“We will continue to employ our bus drivers through the district,” Weiss said.

One of the district’s current buses will be kept to transport children to and from field trips. The other will be disposed of.

Since March, Weiss has ordered a number of changes to school busing due to parent complaints. Preceding the changes, the superintendent personally rode each bus route.

A Memorandum of Agreement between the Chatsworth Elementary Teachers Association and board of education was approved.

Gahles said the agreement is “in theory” and officials can’t disclose the details yet.

A professional services agreement with the

Burlington County Special Services School District was OK’d along with a fee schedule.

An agreement with Educational Resources of New Jersey to provide three days of professional development was approved.

The board approved the submission of an IDEA grant report. The district received $41,671 this year to spend on basic and preschool education for students with disabilities.

A parent was approved to receive reimbursement at a rate of 31 cents per mile in lieu of the district providing transportation with an aide.

A number of personnel items were also approved at the meeting.

Merle Compton has been named the district’s payroll specialist through June 30, 2018. She will receive an hourly rate of $40 for an average of 12 hours per month.

Jessica Anderson (teacher) and Christine Peck (nurse) will serve as extended school-year staff.

Erin Eddy was added to the roster of teachers who will be leading the Chatsworth Heading to Achieve Readiness Goals in Education (C.H.A.R.G.E.rs) summer enrichment program.

Jessica Goodlow was hired as a specialeducation teacher for the upcoming school year with placement of Step 5 on a teacher salary scale.

Weiss said Goodlow was placed as a Step 5 because of needed experience for the position.

The board continued its overhaul of district policies.

24 policies were introduced on first reading to be revised.

Measures to abolish an independent study program policy and an early graduation policy were introduced.

Five proposed policies were introduced on first reading.

If passed on second reading, some of the policies would establish in-service training needs for professional and paraprofessional development, guidelines on school security, and guidelines regarding records retention.

Additionally, the policies introduced would address board of education website accessibility, district sustainability and any future bed-bug infestations.

Students Joseph Kahoun, Douglas Lombardo and Olivia Termi were lauded for perfect attendance. Christopher Weiss and Koro Greenberg were praised for their placement on Distinguished Honor Roll for the entire school year.

Gahles provided an update on the search for

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INDEX Automotive......................................23 Business Directory...........................10 Community........................................9 Fun and Games................................16 Health ..............................................15 Home, Garden & Farming ............. 22

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Local News....................................... 2 Marketplace......................................17 Opinion ............................................ 8 Scanner ............................................. 7 Supplement......................................S1 Worship Directory............................. 9

The Pine Barrens Tribune is published weekly by Pine Barrens Media, LLC. The newspaper is distributed free at select locations in Bass River, Medford, Medford Lakes, Pemberton, Pemberton Borough, Shamong, Southampton, Tabernacle, Washington, 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.

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Severe Thunderstorm Temporarily Displaces Residents from Two Medford Homes

Shamong Introduces Drone Policy and Tables Measure Governing Special Events

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

PHOTO SUBMITTED A pine tree landed on the roof of a home after a severe thunderstorm swept through Medford on July 22.

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

MEDFORD—A powerful thunderstorm came barreling through the southwestern portion of Medford Township just after 7 p.m. on July 22 and created pockets of damage.

Most of the damage was limited to the Lake Pine and Centennial Lakes sections of the township.

“We had two houses that sustained tree damage and we had numerous trees and wires down,” said Lt. Robert Dovi, municipal emergency management coordinator and member of Medford Fire and EMS. “The residents from the two homes were displaced

overnight until the trees could be removed from their homes.”

Resident Thomas Meisse, who lives on Pine Blvd., said he was on the phone with a friend when he peered out the window and noticed the trees in his yard fiercely waving back and forth.

“The crazy part of the storm lasted for a minute and a half,” he said. “The storm lasted for about 20 minutes.”

Meisse said he quickly ended the conversation with his friend and that is when one of the trees fell down in his yard.

“A 75-foot spruce tree came down, but it

THUNDERSTORM>>PAGE 18

Saturday, July 29, 2017

SHAMONG—Officials here have crafted two measures to enhance public safety at township recreation areas and special events.

The first would prohibit drone use over or within 100 feet of parking lots or a field of play during the use of that field for organized play; whether it be a practice, game, or the like.

“We would be permitting drone use still at our parks, but restricting it so it is not over fields of play and there is a certain buffer around that or over the parking areas,” said Township Solicitor Douglas Heinold. “If someone got a drone and they were to go out to one of our fields in the corner and try to figure out how to use it, that is fine. What we don’t want is somebody flying them over 10-year-olds as they are running up and down the soccer field.”

He said the concept behind the measure is to put some safety mechanisms in place to prevent an accident involving a drone crashing into something or someone.

Committeeman Michael Cooney asked if drones could be flown over recreational areas if an athletic game is not in progress.

“Yes, they could, as long as there is not any sort of practice or active play,” Heinold said.

“They have to stay away from parking areas.”

He added that the language was kept “really generic” so that the regulations would not become burdensome to potential pilots looking to partake in a “pretty common recreation hobby.”

“We wanted to have some guidelines in place,” Heinold said. “It is a deterrent kind of thing. The New Jersey State Police would have to be called to enforce it. At least we can point to something if somebody is out there and doing it actively.”

Mayor Tim Gimbel said some parents fly drones over athletic games to film their kids.

“Some people do it to follow the kids for college and they want a video of them now,” he said.

The Shamong Township Committee voted 4-1 to introduce the ordinance on first reading.

Deputy Mayor Michael Di Croce cast the dissenting vote, but did not explain his reasoning. The second reading and public hearing on this ordinance is scheduled for Aug. 1.

The second measure would govern special events and require organizers to submit a basic security plan to the township for review.

“This is not to belabor organizations, because the reality is that when these events happen, a lot of people in our town benefit from it,” Heinold said. “The primary objective to make sure that our EMS, Fire, and State Police are all aware of what the plan is and to ensure some thought has gone into basic things like emergency vehicle access, maintaining control of traffic, crowd parking, what kind of facilities will there be for patrons, trash collection and recycling.”

Gimbel said he did not want the ordinance to get “too fine with the details.”

“I want it to remain broad and general,” he said. “I don’t want the Office of Emergency Management (coordinator) now being the chief of police.”

Heinold said the idea of the measure is to pinpoint the issues the committee wants to cover and at the same time not make it a burden for people.

“This is not a revenue generator,” Gimbel said. “We are not asking for more permits. We just want proactive protection.”

POLICY>>PAGE 20

Saturday, July 29, 2017

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Lightning Blamed for Penn Swamp Forest Fire as Flames Scorch 3,500 Acres

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

WASHINGTON—Firefighters are mopping up the forest floor after the largest fire in several years scorched 3,500 acres of the Wharton State Forest.

The “Penn Swamp Wildfire” was born just after 1:20 p.m. on July 20 when New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) personnel manning the Batsto fire tower spotted flames and smoke rising just a short distance away.

The fire developed in a remote area of Washington Township, about two miles north of Batsto Village.

Firefighters initially had “no access into the fire” due to its location.

New Jersey State Park Police and Conservation Officers assisted with the clearing of the Batona Trail as the fire spread.

Crews performed a multi-day and expansive burn-out operation to accomplish containment.

Firefighters employed backfires to improve containment of the fire and prevent any jumps beyond the containment line.

The containment operation ceased on Monday when the fire was declared 100 percent contained and 0 percent controlled (having a 0 percent risk of it expanding beyond the fire line).

“Overnight rains are aiding mop-up and suppression efforts with the fire,” said Bob Considine, a spokesman for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) which oversees the NJFFS. “Mop-up operations will continue as needed over the next few days.”

At the peak of the blaze, 50 NJFFS personnel, 10 attack trucks, two bulldozers, a water tender and an observation helicopter were on scene.

Firefighters contended with excessive heat and humidity as the fire burned. They fought the blaze with daytime temperatures in the 90s and heat indices around 100.

“They were provided with water and sports drinks to stay hydrated,” said Washington Township Emergency Management Coordinator Barbara Somes. “The Batsto Village Visitor Center served as a cooling area for them to come in and hydrate.”

She said incident commanders advised all firefighters about the warning signs of heat stress and exhaustion.

“All firefighters were advised to look out for themselves and each other and to immediately

report any heat issues and remove themselves from the fire line if they feel sick,” Somes said.

Considine said regular water deliveries were made to the spots where the fire was being fought.

“These guys have excellent situational awareness and no one is trying to be hero,” he said. “So, we are happy to report that everyone handled the heat fine.”

A large and intense smoke plume was produced by the fire. Most of the smoke was pushed south and southeast of the fire due to a north and northwest wind experienced throughout the course of the blaze.

The smoke became dense at times and significantly reduced visibility in parts of southern Ocean, southeastern Burlington and Atlantic counties.

Batsto Village and the visitor center were closed to visitors during the latter half of Thursday and Friday due to the smoke conditions. The tourist destination, which also served as the fire’s incident command post, was reopened on July 22.

Mullica River Camp, Lower Forge Camp, Hawkins Bridge Camp and Godfrey Bridge Camp were also closed for a time since they were affected by smoke and ash from the fire.

During a large forest fire, with the right wind conditions, embers can be blown far ahead of the main fire front. The embers can lead to spot fires ahead of the main fire front.

According to NJDEP Spokesman Robert Geist, most embers in Pine Barrens fires travel up to one mile away from the main fire front.

Embers from this fire traveled an abnormal distance, a sign of its intensity and size.

“Burnt oak leaves were found about 10 miles from the Batso fire,” Somes said. “They were found in a yard across the Wading River Bridge in Bass River Township. People with pools along the Wading River also found ash in them.”

The NJFFS led an investigation into the cause of the fire in conjunction with the Burlington County Fire Marshal’s Office.

Investigators from the New Jersey State Police, New Jersey State Park Police and New Jersey Division of Fire Safety also assisted with the investigation.

“An investigation found that the cause of the fire was a lightning strike on several trees on

LIGHTNING>>PAGE 18

PHOTO SUBMITTED Burnt oak leaves were found in a yard across the Wading River Bridge in Bass River Township, about 10 miles away from the Penn Swamp Forest Fire.

PHOTO SUBMITTED A massive smoke plume generated by the Penn Swamp Forest Fire.

Attractions Were Endless at Burlington County Farm Fair

By Vince DeBlasio

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

SPRINGFIELD—At the heart of the Burlington County Farm Fair grounds sat a large tent full of exhibits ranging in part from science to theater.

The projects of numerous clubs and individuals hung from display boards, a testament to a year’s work from children in the county’s 4-H Youth Development.

The 4-H program runs through the Rutgers Cooperative Extension, providing students in kindergarten to 12th grade the opportunity to take part in specialized clubs.

“Their clubs can be in various project areas,” said Carolyn Shelby, president of the Burlington County 4-H Leaders Council.

“We have a lot of animal clubs. We also have STEM through Lockheed Martin and clubs that specialize in horticulture. The project areas run a big gamut for the kids.

“The fair is really the culmination of the 4-H year, so kids can enter various contests and

shows for small animals.”

The 4-H tent was one of several informative showcases that was next to vendors, rides, and other attractions at the annual Farm Fair. Visitors attending the fair over its five-day running, from Tuesday, July 18 to Saturday, July 22, could take in all kinds of traditional sights.

In addition to the project exhibits, Shelby said that the program ran the small animal, goat and poultry tents.

“4-H is an integral part of farm fair,” she said. “The Farm Fair and 4-H go hand-in-hand and you’ll find that throughout the state—the county fairs all have 4-H meshed in.”

Another informative stop for visitors, just a short walk away, was the historical tent.

Historical Society volunteers from various towns in the area offered a look into their respective town’s storied pasts through pamphlets, photos and other materials.

Allison Pierson, executive director of

FAIR>>PAGE 18

PHOTO BY VINCE DEBLASIO A phalanx of farm machinery greeted visitors at the Burlington County Fair.

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Application for Controversial Branch Street Construction Involving Milton Allen’s School Postponed

Saturday, July 29, 2017

Presentation on Safety Given at Medford Council Meeting; Bench Policy Considered

By Vince DeBlasio

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

PHOTO SUBMITTED A historic photo of Milton Allen’s School (the original one), built in about 1860 at 19 Branch Street.

By Vince DeBlasio

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

MEDFORD—The Medford Township Zoning Board announced early in its July 19 meeting that it had to postpone discussion on a forthcoming application to tear down a historic residence for the construction of townhouses, much to the frustration of a packed audience.

Zoning will revisit the issue of the 17-19 Branch Street dwelling at its next session on Wednesday, Aug. 16, as requested by the applicant’s attorneys in a statement read prior to an official motion to approve the action.

The two-and-a-half-story house on Branch Street was built in approximately 1860, and served as the township’s first, fully free public school for a short time 14 years later. It’s known as Milton Allen’s School (the original one) for the resident who used it as a private boarding school in the early 1870s.

Before members of the public left the hearing, several gave the board an earful on its handling of the matter. Irritation among those in attendance grew out of the fact that the board did not notify the public about the postponement prior to the meeting.

Several board members said the board followed standard practice used by all land-use boards.

A back-and-forth exchange with the public took place for about 10 minutes, breaking the conventional structure of a meeting. Questions were called out from the crowd one after another.

A woman resident asked if there was a way for opinions to be heard and addressed at the July meeting. In her case, she would not be able to attend the August meeting because of a planned vacation.

Board Solicitor Christopher Norman responded to the question.

“It sounds like a great idea because you’re here,” he said. “The problem is the law requires the right of cross examination, so if the applicant’s attorney wanted to ask questions and have them on the record, he doesn’t have the opportunity to do that.”

Norman said they couldn’t legally open the public hearing without the applicant present.

The same resident then requested for the minutes to be turned off and a conversation be

had between the board and the members of the community.

Vice Chair Salvatore Cocivera said that part of the problem was that “there was no application” currently and it’s a tabled matter.

He suggested that the resident and others use the public portion of the meeting to convey their thoughts.

Norman said any comments made otherwise would not be part of the administrative record for the application, meaning they wouldn’t be considered in court.

As residents continued to raise their hands or spoke up with a question, board members appeared confused as to how to handle the situation.

A shared concern was that the matter would be continually postponed by the applicant as a way to wear down members of the public who are interested in being present for discussion.

“If there’s too many postponements, we can require a new notice, and if they’re not pursuing their application, the court can dismiss it without prejudice, meaning they would have to start all over again and re-file,” Norman said.

That statement appeared to only create more confusion, as one resident asked how many was “too many.”

Norman said in his experience it meant any more than one postponement.

The meeting soon devolved into a disagreement over the procedures used for notifying the public of the postponement of an application; the public felt it wasn’t fair to be given what they saw as little notice, while members of the board argued they were following the same process as usual and as done throughout the state.

“Please understand this happens all the time,” Cocivera said. “I realize most of you are not at every meeting; but this is actually quite normal, just not normal for you.”

One resident said she could understand that, but that “multi-complex buildings down the street are not normal,” referencing the potential townhouse construction on Branch Street.

No further discussion of the application took place once the correspondence section of the agenda was closed.

MEDFORD—A special presentation about different aspects of safety in the township marked the start of a busy Medford Council meeting on July 18.

Bonnie Ridolfino, risk management consultant with the Hardenbergh Insurance Group, read from a packet in a talk that ran about eight minutes referred to as “Safety on the Agenda.”

The topics addressed included inspections and wellness, as well as a note about ensuring security is arranged for National Night Out. Ridolfino said the township will receive $8,745 this year from the Burlington County Joint Insurance Fund (JIF) for safety measures.

She gave advice on how council can use those dollars wisely.

She also discussed how Medford can avoid fines during inspections, which can be costly. A list of the 15 most-cited citations was provided to the council members.

“We did have a public entity in Gloucester County tell an inspector that they weren’t allowed to come on site,” Ridolfino said.

“You’re not allowed to do that. They were fined $75,000. It was appealed, but unfortunately they had to pay $35,000.”

Township Manager and Clerk Katherine Burger provided some input on the matter.

“Let them in, they inspect, you have a chance to abate,” she said.

There was one discussion item on the agenda, that dealt with a park bench.

Vincent DiStefano Jr. wrote to council about putting in a bench with a plaque at Freedom Park in honor of his late father, a Korean War veteran. The park is the site of what was at one time his family’s farm.

“I thought it was a nice notion, but the thing that occurred to me is what happens when we run out of space for benches?” said Councilman Christopher Buoni. “I would accept this proposal, but do we want to maybe take the time to survey the area and have it mapped out?”

His point was well received by the other members of council, who noted this is the second park bench request in less than a month.

“They’re both worthy causes,” said

Councilman Jeffrey Beenstock, “But I just don’t want to get into a situation where we have to say ‘no’ to somebody because there’s no room.”

Council spent a few minutes discussing possible criteria for bench requests. They said they will create a policy for how to address bench requests and provide specifications for each requester to follow.

During her manager’s report, Burger acknowledged the approval of three new EMS members for the township. The individuals are Frank Menaquale and junior members Daniel Frey and Cody Lawrence.

“It’s great to have some more volunteers,” said Mayor Charles Watson.

Seven consent agenda resolutions were approved by council.

The first authorized the sale of surplus property on GovDeals.com. The second authorized the township to conduct an annual budget examination for the 2017 municipal year budget.

Another reappointed Tax Assessor Joseph Rahman.

The fourth authorized an execution of a municipal solid-waste contract with Burlington County, while the next authorized an agreement with Municipal Maintenance Company Inc. to perform emergency software maintenance as needed for a utility system.

The sixth approved a change order for repaving by Arawak Paving Company, Inc. in the Mimosa Lakes neighborhood.

The seventh amended Medford’s 2017 municipal budget to insert a special item of revenue and appropriation from the New Jersey Department of Transportation for the township’s bicycle network plan.

Council wrapped up by heading into executive session for about 30 minutes.

Discussion once again centered on a resolution regarding redevelopment of several areas in the township. There is still no action to report to the public, as council continues to negotiate the appointment of a redeveloper.

The next council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 1.

Pemberton Borough Plans Labor Day Crackdown on Drunk Drivers

By Adam Tait III

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

PEMBERTON BOROUGH—Be aware and forewarned!

Plans were announced here at last Monday’s council meeting for a strong police presence on Labor Day (Sept. 4) in a bid to curb drunk driving.

Although drunk driving is a year-round problem, it does appear to spike on holidays.

Fewer officers will have the day off, according to Police Chief Edward Hunter and patrols will be increased.

The end-of-summer holiday, combined with the re-opening of schools is often a busy time here and in surrounding communities.

The two consent agenda items on the crackdown were part of a package of seven, all winning unanimous approval from borough council.

In other action, a replacement was named to the position of chief financial officer, a

part-time job. She is Joanna Mustafa. The vacancy occurred last month, with the unexpected resignation of Dawn Tuliano.

A salary ordinance was approved on second reading. It doesn’t specifically list salaries, but rather minimum and maximum ranges for various positions. It will be in effect for at least the next two years.

This action follows one earlier this year that authorized two percent raises across-the-board for all municipal workers, except police. Police officers received a raise in different steps as directed in their contract earlier this year.

In other news, long-time resident Abigail Lake praised the placing of flowering baskets at various borough points, calling them, “very attractive.”

The meeting drew seven residents and lasted an hour and 15 minutes. Council will meet again on Monday, Aug. 21, at the regular 6:30 p.m starting time.

Saturday, July 29, 2017

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PAGE 7

SCANNER State Police Search for Suspect Who Allegedly Stole a Van in Southampton

Cool Off With a Cop Held in Pemberton

PHOTO SUBMITTED A man captured on surveillance video (still image above) loaded six catalytic converters from a property into a stolen van.

SOUTHAMPTON—New Jersey State Police the property into the stolen van. At about 4:26 are seeking the public’s assistance with a.m., the man is seen in the surveillance footage identifying a suspect who allegedly stole a Ford driving out of the lot in the van.

Econoline van in Southampton.

Police say later that morning, the van Police say on Thursday, July 6 at about 3:50 was recovered in Richard’s Trailer Park in a.m., a man was captured on surveillance video Southampton. in the parking lot of the Occupational Training Anyone with information is asked to contact Center on Route 38. the Red Lion Station, Criminal Investigation The man is seen operating a hand truck that Office at 609-584-5000, ext. 5004. Anonymous he used to load six catalytic converters from tips are welcomed by police.

PHOTO SUBMITTED Children eat their sweet treats alongside Pemberton Patrolman Robert Ettinger.

Man Struck by Lightning at Viking Yacht Club BASS RIVER—An isolated thunderstorm that developed in the extreme southeastern portion of Burlington County injured a man at a business in Bass River Township on July 19.

At approximately 1:36 p.m., troopers responded to the Viking Yacht Club for a medical assist. A 34-year-old male was struck by lightning.

“The man was conscious and alert and was transported to the hospital via an ambulance,”

said Trooper Alejandro Goez, a spokesman for the New Jersey State Police. “The man was not on a boat at the time of the incident.”

The storm, a prolific lightning producer, is also being blamed for sparking the Penn Swamp forest fire neighboring Washington Township.

Most of the rain from the storm fell in Bass River Township.

PHOTO SUBMITTED Two Pemberton police officers share water ice and laughs with two children.

Crop Duster Crash Lands in Pemberton Cranberry Field

PEMBERTON—Authorities are investigating the crash of a crop duster in Pemberton Township.

The yellow single engine, fixed wing aircraft crash-landed in a cranberry bog located near the intersection of Sheep Pen Hill and Magnolia Roads at around 6:45 p.m. on July 19.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the crash.

“A Weatherly 620 agricultural spraying

aircraft lost power and landed in a field in Pemberton, on July 19,” said FAA Spokeswoman Arlene Salac. “Only the pilot was on board.”

Pemberton Township Police Chief David H. Jantas said that the pilot sustained minor injuries in the crash.

Craig Augustoni, fire chief and emergency management coordinator for Pemberton Township, said the Pemberton Township

EVESHAM—The Evesham Township Police Department responded to the area of Barton Run Blvd. and Jessica Court on July 26 at 6:30 p.m. for a report of a black bear sighting.

Police say the bear entered a rear yard of a home at which time the homeowner took a video of the bear.

The bear then went into a wooded area behind the development and disappeared.

Police say the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife was contacted about the sighting.

The agency informed police that “the bear’s behavior was normal.”

The police department, taking no chances,

CRASH>>PAGE 20 Black Bear Spotted in Evesham

BEAR>>PAGE 20

PHOTO SUBMITTED Pemberton Twp. PBA Local 260 sponsored a “Cool Off With a Cop” event on July 18. Pemberton police officers took turns sitting on a dunk tank as children tried to dunk an officer into the water for a good cause.

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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, July 29, 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

Bravo to the Firemen Who Fought the Penn Swamp Forest Fire

Sunbury Village Landlord Says He Isn’t an Absentee Landlord

We commend all of the firefighters who responded to the Penn Swamp Forest Fire in the Wharton State Forest over the past several days. Their efforts to extinguish an intense blaze which scorched 3,500 acres should not go unnoticed.

Ironically, this past weekend marked the 40th anniversary of the deadly Bass River Forest Fire.

Volunteer firefighters Mark Cullen, Harold ‘Skip’ Cranmer, Herbert Blackwell and John ‘Red’ Baker lost their lives on July 22, 1977

after responding to the fire in Bass River State Forest.

The four men from the Eagleswood Fire Company were killed when their engine was burned over.

Firefighting in our state forests is dangerous work. Winds can shift and trap the men and women on the front lines in an instant.

Please take some time to remember and honor the selfless service our firefighters provide to the community.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS? E-mail us: letters@pinebarrenstribune.com

Social Media Sound Off (Re: Letter to the Editor: Idyllic Harrisville Lake Grove Now Lifeless) It looks so sad there now!

Cathy LaHiff DelleMonache (Re: Letter to the Editor: Idyllic Harrisville Lake Grove Now Lifeless) I hate it just as much as the next person, but I’d rather the trees go than the dams fail.

Cyndie Kuhl Haines (Re: Editorial: Recent Pemberton Violence Is Senseless and Horrific) I’m a DVRT for Pemberton and the township’s police officers are some of the finest men and women that serve. I’m sure they will embrace the extra manpower.

Debra Signorelli

I read a recent Letter to the Editor written by one of your readers “Surveillance Cameras for Sunbury Village Should Not Be Funded with Tax Dollars-Pine Barrens Tribune: July 1,” in reference to my request for camera surveillance in Sunbury Village.

Allow me to clarify for the writer that I never asked township taxpayers to fund the project.

However, two years ago I did ask Mayor David A. Patriarca and Business Administrator Dennis Gonzalez to try to seek out financial grants that might be available for them. They never did that. I even personally reached out to the Burlington County Bridge Commission, because I know they fund community projects.

I was told, “Mr. Gober, you are a business person, this request must come from your elected officials.” Both Mayor Patriarca and Administrator Gonzalez did not reach out to the bridge commission either.

Hardly a night passes when there is not a dozen mailboxes knocked off of their poles or a house is broken into. There is no one living in Cherry Hill who is planning on rob a house in Sunbury Village. However, there is someone living in Sunbury Village that is.

I believe 90 percent of the petty crime would be eliminated with camera surveillance.

95 percent of the residents who live in Sunbury Village are good, honest and hardworking people who are simply trying to pull themselves up by their boot straps. The majority of the residents pay their own rent without assistance. They are there for two simple reasons. The first is the opportunity for affordable housing. The second is they have

found a landlord, such as myself, who believes everyone is entitled to a second chance; even if it might be their “fourth” second chance.

Ultimately, they have a goal to find something better, but it works for them now.

The letter writer is missing the point of my request. The good Sunbury Village residents (and that is the majority) deserve to live in a community where they do not have to fear leaving their homes simply to go to the grocery store. Not to mention that the hard working Pemberton Township Police officers also deserve to work is a safe environment.

Their lives are in jeopardy every time they drive into Sunbury Village.

I am not offended and I am actually used to people choosing to beat me up a little; but I wanted your readers to know just a little more about me. I never hide behind the fact that I own 68 properties throughout Pemberton Township and this is what I do for a living. Yes, if the tenants do not pay, they do not stay.

I pay over $150,000 a year in taxes and utilities and employ four township residents to do maintenance. I am not an absentee landlord.

I have been involved in this community 365 days a year for the last 49 years. I also just gave my 31st $3,000 annual scholarship to one Sunbury Village student (selected by the guidance department) who will be attending either Burlington County College or a Vo-tech school. I am simply trying to make a difference.

Richard Gober Sunbury Village Landlord Vetnor, New Jersey

(Re: Music Beckons Many to Serve: Almost 100 Years of Song as MUMC) This is a beautiful story. It’s so wonderful to hear of a vibrant music program with roots that go deep in a local church! Praise God for the talent in these musicians and their willingness to serve.

Marni Cunard (Re: NJDOT Denies Woodland Grant Funding for Sooy Place Road Repairs) It’s a shame. That road could of used it. Not to mention the throw and go method for potholes doesn’t help. I am not belittling anyone on their job, but if you just compact the asphalt after filling the potholes, it would last longer. But, I get that safety is an issue.

Justified Sealcoating & Infrared Repairs (Re: NJDOT Denies Woodland Grant Funding for Sooy Place Road Repairs) That road needs serious attention and has for years.

Janet Mullen

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE Established 2016

Douglas D. Melegari, Publisher, CEO

(Re: NJDOT Denies Woodland Grant Funding for Sooy Place Road Repairs) Do you know what another local Pinelands community did the last time a NJDOT submission was not granted? Watch out for road closure!

Barbara Bishop

Pat Carney, Senior Graphic Artist

(Letter to the Editor: Surveillance Cameras for Sunbury Village Should Not Be Funded with Tax Dollars) The property owner has not cared about that place for as long as I can remember and it’s a shame. It has always been a problem area. It could be decent, affordable housing for families if it was cleaned up. I’m sure there are some good people living there now.

Cathy Kennedy

Colleen Jordan, Copy Editor, Graphic Artist

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

Adam Tait III, Copy Editor P.O. Box 2402, Vincentown, NJ 08088 Locally owned and published.

Saturday, July 29, 2017

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

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

COMMUNITY Events

July 29

August 2

Event: Astronomy Presentation & Star Watch Location: Batsto Details: Come out to Batsto Historic Village (Route 542) for a presentation on astronomy and star watching conducted by the West Jersey Astronomical Society, from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. This is a free event. For more information, call 609-567-4559.

Event: Free Summer Concert Location: Southampton Details: Come out to hear the Bonsal Concert Band play marches and show tunes, 7:15 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Southampton Township Building, Route 206 & Retreat Road. Bring your own chair. In case of rain, the concert will be held at the Southampton Township School. This free concert is sponsored

by LeisureTowne Association.

Event: Acoustic Musicians Guild in Concert Location: Bass River State Forest Details: Come out to Bass River State Forest, Lake Absegami Beach Breezeway, for a concert by the Acoustic Musicians Guild, from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Bring a flashlight and something to sit on. Appropriate for all ages. ADA accessible. This is a free event; donations are welcome.

Event: Pemberton Township 49th Annual Water Carnival & Family Fun Day Location: Pemberton Details: The biggest and most historic event in Pemberton Township. Celebrating 49 years of the Water Carnival on Mirror Lake in the Browns Mills section of Pemberton Township. Family fun day with music, games, food and more is from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. At 8 p.m., floats set sail on the longest man-made lake in New Jersey. Fireworks begin to light up the sky at 9 p.m.

August 1 Event: Red Cross Blood Drive Location: Evesham Details: The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at the Evesham Branch Library, 984 Tuckerton Road, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, call 856-983-1444.

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Event: Adult Yarn Social Location: Evesham Details: Do you knit or crochet? Come join other knitting and crochet fans for an hour or more of relaxed yarn time. Share your current project, ask for pointers, swap patterns, and enjoy the fellowship of other enthusiasts. 11 a.m., Evesham Branch Library, 984 Tuckerton Road. For more information, call 856-983-1444.

August 3 Event: International Aromatherapy Conference & Wellness Expo Location: New Brunswick Details: The Alliance of International Aromatherapists in partnership with Rutgers University Plant Biology Department will present the International Aromatherapy Conference and Wellness Expo, Aug. 3-6, at the Heldrich Hotel, New Brunswick. Please visit www.aroma-therapyconference. com.

August 5 Event: Coyotes in New Jersey Location: Bass River State Forest Details: Come out to Bass River State Forest, Lake

Absegami Beach Breezeway, for a presentation on coyotes in New Jersey, given by Andy Burnett, NJ Div. of Fish and Wildlife.

8 p.m. Bring a flashlight and something to sit on. Appropriate for all ages. ADA accessible. For more information, call 609-296-1114.

Event: Pinelands Summer Zenith Nature Hike Location: Batsto Details: This guided hike starts at 10:30 a.m., and is 2-4 miles in length. Bring water & snacks. Meet at Batsto Historic Village, Rt. 542. Parking fee, $5. For more information, call 609-567-4559.

August 6 Event: Kirby’s Mill Annual Art Show Location: Medford Details: The Medford Historical Society will host their Annual Art Show & Sale at historic Kirby’s Mill, 275 Church Road, Medford, Sunday, August 6, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Live music will be provided by the Lackawanna Rail and the School of Music. The event is free to the public; donations are welcome.

August 8 Event: National Parks with L.L. Bean Location: Evesham Details: Want to visit our nation’s most prized jewels but not sure where to start? Come join us for a presentation filled with National Park wonders that will awaken the wanderlust in you!

Cindy Slawski, an avid outdoorsperson and traveler, will share tips, photos and highlights to get you started on the trip of a lifetime. 7 p.m. Evesham Branch Library, 984 Tuckerton Road.

Call to register, 856-983-1444.

Events should be submitted at least three weeks in advance.

PEMBERTON TWP. SENIOR CITIZEN COLUMN

Craft Class To Hold Sale; Office on Aging Provides Fresh Produce Vouchers

By Ebba Liguori

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

PEMBERTON—On August 1, a Tuesday, the Craft Class will be holding a special sale, featuring many of the crafts they have been making throughout the year.

Fran Love hosts the class and is extremely clever finding projects to keep the seniors busy.

Her main focus each year is designing and creating the centerpieces for the annual Senior Prom. The class makes at least two dozen centerpieces for the tables and each year there is a different theme. These projects take up most of their time during the first few weeks of the year. The class spends their remaining time

making any number of different projects.

The seniors involved in the class make decorative items to take home and feature them as part of their own décor. Sometimes there are extras and then the comments, “Let’s have a craft sale!” are spoken. Well, it’s that time of the year. Come and view the many items Fran and her class will be offering. There will be an abundance of “one of a kind” items. That is the best feature of crafting—every item made is an original. The group meets every Monday and Thursday mornings in the Pemberton Community Library. It is a happy group as they chit chat and work on projects. Usually someone enters the room and is interested in

purchasing the craft of the day. This sale will answer those requests. Come early for the best selection. Maybe you would like to join the group and attend the regular sessions.

Soon the class will be starting to work on the Senior Prom centerpieces for this year’s theme which will be “Springtime.”

If one attends the Senior Prom, the centerpieces are given away as door prizes.

There should be at least 20 winners, perhaps more. The date has not yet been selected, but it is usually held in April.

The high school students work that night to provide an elegant evening for seniors to celebrate. The meal is catered by Colonial

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

Village Caterers, located in Pemberton Borough. They also prepare the daily meals for the nutrition site. If you are retired, or will retire soon, plan to stop in at the center and check all the activities.

Also on August 1, the township will be celebrating “National Night Out” on the municipal grounds from 5 to 9 p.m. This is a perfect opportunity to take the grandchildren for a night out. There is always plenty to see and do. The Imagination Kingdom is just across the street. This is a great, no cost event.

There will be prizes and lots of giveaways.

There will be something for all ages to enjoy.

WORSHIP DIRECTORY

SENIORS>>PAGE 10

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SENIORS PAGE 9

On July19, representatives from the Office on Aging arrived at the center promptly at 8 a.m.

They were prepared to give out vouchers for fresh produce from local farms. Any senior meeting the income guidelines can receive these vouchers for free produce. There is a form to be completed and one must provide proof of income. The representatives completed their work by 10 a.m. and left the center for other locations. A few seniors did not get to the center in time, but the representatives plan to return.

Stop in and see Melissa Cuevas for further information. She will be in touch with them and arrange another date. Remember, there are many seniors and many sites. So, if you get an appointment, plan to arrive early.

Carla Fynan, dietitian for a nutrition program, also visited the center on Wednesday.

She handed out surveys for seniors to comment on the meals. Every effort will be made to answer the comments and attempt to solve any problems that were expressed. The menu changes once during the year, so there

are six-month cycles. The Spring/Summer menu has more cold salads and cold entrees than the Fall/Winter menu. While Fynan was at the center, she explained the new rules for labels on food products. The new labels must be on all products by 2018. Larger companies are already using the new labeling. The labels should help seniors make better choices in purchases. She discussed the various types of fats and carbohydrates and explained best choices for seniors, and others, to make. This instruction is useful to have a healthier diet.

Last Thursday was movie day. Seniors viewed “In the Beginning,” a Sight and Sound production in the morning, and “A Dog’s Purpose” in the afternoon. The center is air conditioned and there is a large screen available. It is enjoyable to view videos with your friends. Movies are shown on the third Thursday of each month. There is no charge to view the videos. Bring a snack and enjoy!

August will soon be here and the new Senior Gazette will be published with a menu and new trips.

On August 8, the seniors will travel to

Hunterdon Hills Playhouse to see “The Land We Love,” a patriotic original musical. Tickets are sold out for this trip, but a wait list is being maintained.

On August 22, the seniors will head to Lake Hopatcong to enjoy a day on the water. The Jefferson House is located on Nolan’s Point, a favorite spot on the lake. The water side has all large picture windows for a perfect view of the lake. Often there are watersports within view,` providing informal entertainment. The day will include a buffet lunch and country-western dancing. There is a large pontoon boat and

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

Saturday, July 29, 2017

groups will be taken out for a tour of the lake, weather permitting. This is always a fun trip.

Tickets are only $50 for resident seniors, so stop by soon to avoid disappointment.

Don’t forget the annual Water Carnival will be held at Mirror Lake Beach on Saturday night, July 29. There will be activities for the children and plenty of entertainment. The Parade of Floats begins as dusk approaches, followed by the fireworks. Come early and bring your chairs and blankets to find a good viewing spot. There will be road closures, so arrive early and park your car.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY SAVE Even More with our DO-IT-YOURSELF Shed-KIT

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PAGE 11

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

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Chromebooks Transform Medford Public Schools One Device at a Time

Rash Named New Principal at St. Mary of the Lakes School

By Judy Cohen Minches For the Pine Barrens Tribune

MEDFORD—Chromebooks are transforming the Medford Township Public School District, one device at a time.

Starting with the 2014-2015 pilot at Kirby’s Mill Elementary School with then-principal Mark Damon, who integrated 30 of the laptop-like devices with fifth-grade class instruction, there has been no looking back.

Damon, who became the district’s educational technology coordinator for the K-8 Medford Township Public School District in 2016, is moving the use of Chromebooks forward, as part of a larger initiative of advancing 21st Century learning goals with all the possibilities that technology offers.

The use of Chromebooks is perfectly aligned with the district’s education goals, offering a plethora of free G-Suite programs which serve to advance instruction of the district’s focus on the 4 Cs: Communication, Collaboration, Creativity and Critical Thinking.

There were 1,500 devices in the district this past school year and when students return to school in September, the number of Chromebooks will top 2,400. Chromebooks will be assigned to every student in grades two through six. In the middle school, students will tap into the devices for language arts and social studies.

Next year, with the addition of every middle-school student also having a Chromebook throughout the day, the rollout will have been completed.

A big hit for both students and staff in Medford as well as in other local school districts, Chromebooks are equipped with an operating system that allows the user to access the internet, use online resources and collaborative tools, and perform research via online databases.

Instead of traditional software installed on each laptop, Chromebook users can tap into cloud-based programs (e.g., Google Docs, Slides and Sheets) and the configuration provides web-based storage of files that the

user can access anytime and anywhere in the world.

Damon said that the benefits of Chromebooks over laptops are numerous, with two topping the list: there is a significantly smaller chance of downloading viruses or malware and the district’s information technology department can centrally manage Chromebooks through an administrative console vs. having to “touch” every device to manage, maintain and upgrade.

The district’s big-picture technology plan also involves the redesign of the elementary labs, which will start with modular furniture “to convert into learning spaces that will help us infuse more engineering, coding and design throughout our schools.”

An engineering curriculum spanning concepts that include, but are not limited to geotechnical engineering, transportation engineering and civil engineering is also in the works.

A sixth-grade Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program at the Haines School will allow every sixth-grade student in the district to cycle through a 40-day class covering chemical engineering and biomechanical engineering.

The cost of Chromebooks and all necessary ancillary purchases (management systems) has been covered in the school budget and the G-Suite is free for education use.

The elementary technology lab and professional development for engineering was made possible by a generous donation for $61,000 from the Medford Education Foundation.

At the 6th-grade center, the Home and School Association donations that they raise each year have been instrumental in supporting STEM initiatives.

“Clearly, we are blessed to have amazing community members who have been critical to the success of this program, ultimately touching the lives of every child in Medford… not just while they are in school, but for the rest of their lives,” Damon said.

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PHOTO SUBMITTED Amy Rash, the new principal at St. Mary of the Lakes School in Medford.

By Judy Cohen Minches For the Pine Barrens Tribune

MEDFORD—Welcome Amy Rash, the new principal at St. Mary of the Lakes School in Medford.

Her first day on the job was Monday, July 24, overlapping for a week with outgoing principal, Nina Hoover.

“I’m so looking forward to this,” said Rash of her new endeavor at the helm of the Catholic school.

Rash started her career in education as

a seventh grade teacher after having earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from the College of New Jersey.

She went back to school to earn a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from William Paterson University and became an assistant principal at Delran Intermediate School (grades three to five). From there, she became the assistant principal at Delran Middle School (grades six through eight) before embarking on the St. Mary of the Lakes opportunity.

Her tenure as an assistant vice principal in two schools with different age groups was “a great experience” that she is confident will be very helpful in helping her to shape her new role as principal for the K-8 school.

In addition, Rash went to Catholic school in grades K-12 and believes the “solid” education she received coupled with her experience in Delran makes her uniquely qualified to lead St. Mary of the Lakes School.

She is thrilled “to incorporate my faith into my profession.”

Looking ahead, Rash said she will continue the school’s focus on community service as she shares that passion.

She wants to help cultivate well-rounded kids; to not only bolster their strength in academics but to be good people, to teach the kids “to look at the world all around them, to learn to give back, to be humble, to be kind, and to smile.”

Rash has two children, ages three and four, and they will begin their education at Resurrection Catholic School in September.

She and her family are parishioners of Christ Our Light Parish in Cherry Hill.

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The Old Fashioned Way

Saturday, July 29, 2017

Saturday, July 29, 2017

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The Grace Place Preschool is now enrolling for the 2017-18 school year!

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PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

HEALTH

Tackling the Great Cow’s Milk Debate

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.

Alzheimer’s is a Guessing Game There are a few words that terrify people as soon as they’re uttered by a physician. One of them is Alzheimer’s disease. When you hear that word, it’s like time stops.

A new report has considered the fear that we have when it comes to Alzheimer’s.

Researchers evaluated 1,641 adults over the age of 50 and found that certain factors are known to increase our fear of developing Alzheimer’s, not the disease itself, but fear of getting it.

What are the three factors?

1. Stress 2. Genetics 3. Self determined faulty memory Stewing about these factors doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going down the rabbit hole.

I worry more about you getting diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, when you don’t have it!

That’s the sad reality that happens every day!

How do I know? People get smacked with labels constantly, and dropped into the sinking ship called the “medical system” that is frequently too quick to cut, poison and burn.

There’s a difference between an ailing memory and Alzheimer’s disease. It’s common sense.

According to preliminary results from a new study presented recently in London, diagnosing Alzheimer’s is a guessing game. Doctors evaluated 4,000 Medicare patients who had mild cognitive impairment or dementia, and discovered that that many of them definitively do not have Alzheimer’s! Could you be one of those elderly people that has reduced memory function, but not actually Alzheimer’s disease?

The treatment differs, you know.

The average retail price for a month’s supply of a popular Alzheimer’s medication

is $497, cold hard cash. One challenge we have is that well-meaning doctors don’t even think twice about prescribing Alzheimer’s medications.

Adding to the challenge, pharmaceutical companies promote the glories of said drugs, adding to the indiscriminate prescribing problem which, in my humble opinions is already haphazard.

So unfortunately, Alzheimer’s is a guessing game. We know patients tend to have sticky clumps of beta-amyloid in their brains. You can see these using PET-scans (often not reimbursed), or via painful spinal taps. So obviously most people do not endure these expensive or invasive procedures. They are told they have Alzheimer’s anyway, without a definitive diagnosis, often based on their poor memory recall or recent personality changes.

Down the rabbit hole you go.

Some practitioners don’t think with enough compassion or they wouldn’t toss the name “Alzheimer’s” out so fast. I’ve been on the other side of this (not personally), but close enough to see how families get ruined, how lives and finances become catastrophic due to one word, perhaps mold, or Lyme, or Alzheimer’s, or “insert your disease here.”

What can be measured? Quinolinic acid (from the substrate L-tryptophan). It can be evaluated and while having high levels doesn’t equate to Alzheimer’s, it’s better than diagnosing on symptoms. We do know this compound is generated in excess in people with Alzheimer’s disease. If you’d like to read a more detailed version, sign up for my newsletter at SuzyCohen.com and I’ll email it to you.

By Sue Hubbard, M.D. Once children turn age 1, the American looked for height differences between those Academy of Pediatrics recommends that they children “who consumed about 8 ounces of transition from formula to milk; cow’s milk, non-cow’s milk per day compared to those who that is. But, more and more of my patients state drank the same amount of cow’s milk.” that they prefer to drink almond milk, soy milk, The children who drank non-cow’s milk were rice milk, coconut milk, hemp milk and even about 0.15 inches shorter than average for their goat’s milk. I am constantly having to look age. Although this is just one study, it will be up the calcium, protein or fat content of all of important to continue to evaluate this data to these “cow’s milk alternatives.” In the majority see if the height differences continue into of cases there is not a medical issue driving the adolescence. This is a good study to keep choice of milk, but rather parental preference following. for nondairy, lactose-free, etc.

While I am always concerned about the Interestingly, I read an article from the calcium intake in children and their long-term American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that bone health, here is yet another concern. It may found that children who drink non-cow’s milk be time to rethink your family’s milk choice. may be “slightly shorter” than those children of Unless there is a medical reason to avoid dairy, the same age who drink cow’s milk. There is try good old cow’s milk. It may actually make an ongoing research project that studied about you a bit taller.

5,000 children between the ages of 2 and 6, and Dr. Sue Hubbard is an award-winning pediatrician, medical editor and media host. “The Kid’s Doctor” TV feature can be seen on more than 90 stations across the U.S. Submit questions at http://www.kidsdr.com. The Kid’s Doctor e-book, “Tattoos to Texting: Parenting Today’s Teen,” is now available from Amazon and other e-book vendors.

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.

We’ve Moved 3 Doors Down!

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Saturday, July 29, 2017

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?”

‘Hurry - He’ll Be Gone for Two Hours!’

Back in the day, my mom was an interior decorator and beautifying our home was always her thing.

She loved to make interesting arrangements, hang attractive window treatments, and pull it all together with just the right statement piece.

Following that six-month re-decorating activity, she then took it all apart and started the whole process all over again.

This would all be fine and dandy if it weren’t for one thing—my dad doesn’t like change. He is organized, tidy and likes some semblance of order, which never, even once, included putting a potting sink where the “hose hanger used to go.”

But that never stopped Mom. She has always been driven, undeterred and would climb a proverbial mountain just to redo an art niche.

Years ago, Dad was an engineer on the railroad, which oftentimes required him to be out of town for days at a time. Upon his return, Dad would step into the house, step back out to double check the address and then call out to no one in particular, “For the love of all that is normal, what have you people done now?”

Apparently it wasn’t easy to leave a house decorated with sage green sectionals and coordinating lamps and return to a Spanish décor that included, but wasn’t limited to, bullfighters and red and black chairs.

Yet, there was no holding Mom back. Mom has always been handy with hammers, had a knack for a utility knife and could handle a drill like it was her job. From the time I could handle a paintbrush, she made me her cohort. Together we laid carpet, hung wallpaper and refinished the furniture.

I learned on the day that Dad came home and saw the family room had been painted a light shade of pink, that I should bury my face in an Archie comic book and act as if I hadn’t a clue.

Mom was nothing if not self-preserving and she certainly wasn’t above throwing me under the bus with a, “Well, Lori really liked this color!”

A mother’s love at its best.

It’s been years since those early days of house revamping. Some things have changed and some not so much. I’ve aged and Dad has retired.

But he still doesn’t like change and meanwhile, Mom continues with her redecorating ways.

A couple of years ago, we were sneaking in the redecorating while Dad was at coffee or running his errands. “Hurry,” Mom would exclaim, “he’ll be gone for two hours. Grab his drill, pick up that hammer and while we’re at it, let’s rearrange the living room!”

My goal back then was to do her bidding and get out of the house before Dad’s imminent return.

But lately, we just don’t have that kind of time.

Although Dad still runs his errands, he doesn’t do them in the afternoons when I can be there to help Mom hang a shelf or take out a wall.

So, just last Monday when I took the time out for a lovely visit, my dear and sweet mother came at me with a hammer and slipped it into my hand all cloak and dagger like.

“I have two plates that I want you to hang on the wall,” she said as she looked over her shoulder and then she slipped two nails into my hand.

“Does Dad know?” I asked matter-of-factly.

I saw her spine stiffen. Mom held her head up high and being the strong and independent woman that she is, she said, “I don’t have to ask him what to do. Now hurry and get it hung before he comes back from the mail box!”

I grabbed the nails post haste, had Mom do an eyeballing in lieu of a tape measure and had her decorative plates hung faster than Dad could exclaim, “What in the world are you women doing now?”

“Oh, it’s Lori,” my dear and sweet mother remarked. “She can never leave anything alone!”

Dad eyeballed the situation and although I don’t think he minded the plates that I hung, I do think he got a kick out of the fact that I was sitting in the corner with my face buried in an Archie comic book.

© 2017 LORI CLINCH

C R O S S W O R D

P U Z Z L E

Across 1 Discussion 5 Untidy situation 9 Zodiac transition points 14 “The Time Machine” people 15 Fairly large fair 16 Guitarist Eddie Van __ 17 Reddish horse 18 Birthstone for many Libras 19 Stopped snoozing 20 Chicago bluesman nicknamed for the creek he played in as a child 23 “The Raven” poet 24 Tenth of ten in a race 25 Harvest machine 27 Filled with cargo 30 Wise guy sometimes “wearing” pants?

32 Magnate Onassis 33 Fancy wineglass 36 Pretty good 39 Little more than 41 Find another purpose for 42 Biker’s distance unit 43 Enjoys a buffet 44 Walked proudly 46 Mo. city on the Miss.

47 New Haven alumni 49 “The Boy Who Cried Wolf”

storyteller 51 Daily food allowance 53 Bungee __ 55 Bus station abbr.

56 Ill-gotten gains 62 Damp 64 Fifth of 13 popes 65 Use gentle persuasion on 66 Game show host 67 Soft French cheese 68 Work the copy desk 69 Bare 70 Agile 71 Family rooms

13 Disdainful grin 21 Yin partner 22 Not family-friendly, moviewise 26 Molecule part 27 Flimsy, as an excuse 28 Wallpaper hanger’s calculation 29 Fast one 30 Fails to enunciate 31 “You’ve Made __ Very Happy”: 1969 Blood, Sweat & Tears hit 34 Family name of three popes 35 __ noire 37 Range above tenor 38 Sharp cry 40 Actor Morales Down 45 British peer 1 School session 48 Hit high in the air 2 Matty of baseball 50 Drew out, as latent talent 3 Washer capacity 51 Japanese noodle dish 4 Reader with Paperwhite and Fire 52 Dunkin’ Donuts emanation models 53 “You’re preaching to the __!”

5 Kitty cries 54 Yiddish “Egad!”

6 Political exile, for short 57 Barristers’ degs.

7 Tiny tiff 58 Maryland athlete, for short 8 Shoe bottom 59 Morse creation 9 Beer drunk after a shot 60 Ball game delayer 10 Detroit labor gp.

61 Nos. requested by receptionists 11 Greeting from an affectionate dog 63 “Get it?”

12 Black tea variety

S U D O K U

ANSWERS ON PAGE 22

Saturday, July 29, 2017

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THUNDERSTORM

Saturday, July 29, 2017

FAIR

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PHOTO BY VINCE DEBLASIO

PHOTO SUBMITTED A roof on a home partially caved in after tree branches fell on top of it. only hit a red maple tree,” he said. “Two pine tree tops were also twisted off by the storm and fell in my yard.”

The storm also knocked down Meisse’s beloved flag pole. The pole was bent and broken at its base from the load of the wind.

However, he said he was able to salvage the pole and it’s now back up.

“I’m happy about that,” Meisse said. “I’m fortunate my home was not hit by the trees. It was something else.”

The fallen trees and branches blocked his driveway. However, neighbors came to the rescue within a half hour.

“I have great neighbors,” he said. “Six neighbors came over with chainsaws and had my driveway cleared out in about a half hour.”

Meisse is no stranger to severe weather.

“This is the third time since I moved here in 1973 that we’ve had a wicked storm come through and do some significant damage to trees,” he said.

A woman neighbor of Meisse’s, who wished to remain anonymous, said she pulled into her driveway just as the storm started.

“It sounded like bullets hitting my car as pine cones kept coming down and hitting it,” she said. “Then I heard a loud bang and the car shook.”

The bang, she later determined, was the spruce tree that fell in Meisse’s yard.

“I am very lucky that no trees fell on my house and we are OK,” she said.

The two homes that sustained tree damage were a block up from Meisse’s home.

One had a large pine tree resting on top of its roof.

The other had its roof partially caved in from the weight of fallen tree branches.

In addition to the damage in the Lake Pine and Centennial Lakes sections of town, a tree fell onto Gottliebs Field Road and blocked one lane of the roadway.

LIGHTNING PAGE 5

the evening of Wednesday, July 19,” Considine said. “Three trees were struck, including a large pine tree where the fire started and spread.

The fire spread to other trees before the fire’s discovery from a tower at 1:20 p.m. on Thursday, July 20.”

Despite the fire’s intensity, evacuations were never ordered due to the remoteness of the area.

Washington Township Mayor Dudley Lewis said he spent about seven hours at the scene of the fire as he is also an ambulance driver for the Green Bank Volunteer Ambulance Company.

“We were released at 9 p.m. (on Thursday, July 20) as the NJFFS determined no local property was in serious danger and the need for water or tanks no longer existed,” he said.

Considine thanked, on behalf of the NJFFS, local volunteer fire departments and Emergency Medical Services of Burlington County for their assistance.

As of press time, the Red, White, and Blue hiking trails (Batsto Lake Trails) and all of the bike trails originating from the Batsto Village visitor center remain closed. The Batona Trail is also closed from Batsto to Quaker Bridge.

“Root systems can burn underground for weeks or months and re-ignite explosively when exposed to oxygen,” said Wharton State Forest officials in a social media posting. “Some areas

and trails in the Wharton State Forest may be closed for several weeks as a result.”

Officials also wrote that after Labor Day, personnel will be looking for volunteers to work on trails damaged by the fire.

“This will include vegetation clearing—both dead and living, replacing destroyed markings, signage, etc.,” said Wharton State Forest officials in social media posting. “Feel free to stop by one of our offices to fill out a form.”

In the wake of the fire, officials reiterated that campers must make reservations and check in when camping in state parks.

An incident was cited involving a couple who were stopped heading in the fire’s direction with no knowledge of the situation.

“They were intending to camp overnight without a permit,” said Wharton State Forest officials in a social media posting. “This endangers the emergency responders as well as the campers. Please always properly register when planning overnight camping.”

Considine said that while the cause of this fire was natural, a vast majority of forest fires are the result of human activity; whether made in error, out of negligence or by deliberate actions.

“Visitors to state parks and forests are encouraged to follow safety protocols when traveling through or camping in or near these fire-prone areas,” he said.

The entrance to this year’s Burlington County Farm Fair.

Whitesbog Preservation Trust, said the tent provides good visibility for the different towns.

“I personally learned about Whitesbog at the tent a few years ago before I actually started working there,” she said. “Learning about Elizabeth White’s story and blueberries was really interesting to me. It’s a way to kind of pique people’s interest and if they hear about an event later, they can say ‘Oh, I heard of that place.’”

This was the second year that local historical groups put together a history passport or a booklist which lists different sites for people to visit. Those who have the book can then get their pages stamped as they visit the sites.

“It’s great because it tells people about historic sites that they may have never heard of, like the Old Telephone Museum in Vincentown,” Pierson said.

Among other notable fair moments was the Farm Fair Queen Pageant, won this year by Jamie Specca. The Burlington County Junior Equestrian of the Year went to Mia Rose and Senior Equestrian to Morgan Puglisi.

Early evening on Wednesday, the fair held its draft-horse pull competition, which drew in a sizable crowd.

The Sue Wee Flying Pig Races took place each night and guests could catch a variety of musical acts during the week.

CHANGES PAGE 2

a board member. Colleen Jaggard resigned in May to spend more time with her children.

He said the district received three applications for the vacancy and the applications would be discussed in executive session.

Ed Vincent, vice president of the board, said that no immediate appointment was expected because the school board likes to interview each applicant first, which hasn’t happened yet.

The board concluded the meeting by entering into executive session to discuss confidential matters, a collective bargaining

agreement and matters of employment.

Gahles said afterwards that no action was taken.

The public portion of the meeting, which drew six members of the public, mostly school employees, was held in a stifling cafeteria with a room temperature flirting around 100 degrees.

An exhaust fan built into the wall provided unsubstantial relief and was turned off during the meeting due its loud noise creation. Board members, officials and attendees kept fanning themselves with their paperwork to try to stay cool.

Saturday, July 29, 2017

CHIEF PAGE 1

would be needed.

He cited University Park Apartments where “cheap” cameras, installed at an elevated position, monitor a garbage container.

“We can’t identify people, we can’t see tags, and we can just barely make out the type of people that it is,” he said. “There is the old joke out there that ‘You can catch somebody on a roller coaster going down and get the expression on their face, but you can’t see somebody robbing the bank.’ It is all about the investment in the technology that you are going to make.”

Councilman Jason Allen agreed with Jantas’ breakdown of the limitations and said there are back-end expenses involved with the installation of cameras.

He said the concerned parties don’t think about the manpower needed to put the cameras up, the wires needed for transmission of the video feed, the equipment and cost involved with archiving video and the manpower needed to monitor them.

“The cost—they don’t see that,” Allen said.

“All they see is just the cameras (going) up.”

Jantas said the police department recently upgraded cameras in police vehicles so that they produce high resolution picture quality.

He said the recorder’s storage space had to be increased from 4 terabytes to 10 terabytes to archive the high resolution video feed. He said the storage upgrade was an additional expense.

“It (the cost) is also the reason why the Pemberton Township Police Department at this time does not have body cameras,” he said. “I would love to see body cameras on my officers.

The problem is it is not the $600 camera you see officers walking around with on their shirts.

It is the $40,000 cost on the back-end where we are spending that money on officers right now.”

Jantas called on Gober to make an investment in his properties, rather than taxpayers, to help curtail some of the crimes that are happening.

“I applaud the landlord for his energy put into looking at cameras,” he said. “I do, however, wonder since he has so many properties in that area and he sees cameras as such a valuable tool, why he wouldn’t invest in his own properties like many, many other residents of Pemberton Township. Why would he want all the taxpayers in Pemberton Township to take the burden to protect his property?”

Jantas said that he has been asking Camden County Police Chief Scott Thompson and Burlington City Police Chief Alan Snow about the ways they funded cameras for their metropolises.

“We are still looking into it,” he said. “I don’t have a solid answer for you. But I can tell you we have looked into grant possibilities before.”

Jantas, after discussing his stance on cameras, addressed police response in Sunbury Village.

He said he analyzed incident statistics from the department’s records management system and tried to do an “apples to apples” comparison with several other sections of town.

“I will tell you that we pay a lot of attention to Sunbury Village,” he said. “Sunbury Village gets a lot of attention from the police department and administration agreed with me when I met with them.”

Jantas cited an officer being shot at twice in Sunbury Village in early 2014.

“If the landlord or any of the residents are going to make the assumption that the police department is not out there in that area, trying to do the good work, I beg to differ with them,” he said. “The numbers prove it.”

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE, WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM

The police chief blamed a “pay me now, pay me later situation” for the recent spike in crime in the village. He said that his department conducted saturation patrols in response to the situation in attempt to quell the violence.

“I am paying the overtime or the taxpayers are paying the overtime and it is not sustainable,” Jantas said. “We just can’t do it with the organic, minimum manpower shifts that we are often working with.”

He said his department has worked with the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office to go on a “full-court press” during the past two months to apprehend criminals. He cited his recent work, in partnership with the Prosecutor’s Office, to bring additional manpower in from other county towns.

Jantas also placed blame on the judicial system. He said that many of the individuals responsible for recent shootings and stabbings in the village were out of jail and awaiting sentencing.

“One gentleman was awaiting sentencing,” he said. “For some reason the judge told him, ‘Go home and come back in 30 days because you are going into state prison.’ During that time he was awaiting sentencing, he shot a man and hit him in the ear. He was with another guy and both of them were arrested for attempted homicide. But if he was in jail, he wouldn’t have been out there to do that.”

Jantas said the judiciary and the police department are two separate entities and “it is kind of frustrating.”

The police chief said the department has captured five or six “big players” since spring.

He said the department is now working with the Prosecutor’s Office to perform “aftercare” because the individuals caught were terrorizing the village and threatening residents who come forward with information.

“I can report to you now, while nothing is perfect and there are no guarantees, the atmosphere in Sunbury Village is much better than it was four or five months ago,” Jantas said.

The police chief also addressed recent criticism over the use of a flash grenade or flashbang which was thrown into one of Gober’s homes on Kinsley Road. Gober has alleged the flashbang caused nearly $7,000 in damage after starting a fire.

“He was very unhappy with the way we went after a homicide suspect and the TEAMS or SWAT Unit threw a flashbang and unfortunately there was some fire damage to the house,” Jantas said. “That is unfortunate and we weigh those decisions.”

He said that before a flashbang is deployed, the on-scene commander assesses the danger.

“Those aren’t light decisions,” Jantas said.

“We just aren’t going to say, ‘Let’s throw our toys in there.’ That is not the way this works.

That is not the way any of this works. I am sure there was discussion before they decided to throw that in there.”

He said the men and women who were involved in the operation “were doing the tough work and making the tough decisions that needed to be made.”

Jantas also came out swinging against Gober’s proposal to change the name of Sunbury Village.

Gober called for the name of the village to be changed last month because he feels it is associated with a negative image. He said 95 percent of the people who live in Sunbury Village are good, hard working, and honest.

“The residents of Sunbury should not be embarrassed to tell people where they live,” Gober said.

“The good people need to have an opportunity to be judged for who they are, not

where they live.”

Jantas said changing the name of Sunbury Village isn’t going to make things different.

“I don’t see how that could,” he said. “I don’t think there is any stigma to the name ‘Sunbury Village.’”

Jantas said there are some great people in Sunbury Village who work hard during the holidays to decorate their homes.

“They are not just maybe as fortunate as a lot of the other residents in that area,” he said.

“Those people should not be stigmatized because of the name of the section of town they live in. I think it is a shame that would even be the accusation.”

Jantas said he also doesn’t see any wisdom in wholesale change (tearing down the homes).

“But I do see wisdom in having some strong management and performing some good background checks on the people,” he said.

Jantas said strong management has significantly reduced crime in University Park Apartments.

“Back in the early 90s and even during the mid-90s when I came on as a police officer, the University Park Apartments was the Wild West,” he said. “The police officers didn’t go in there unless they went in there with two. As a matter of fact, we had one officer who was severely, severely injured in a fight. So what happened in University Park Apartments? Well they got strong management. Government and the police department cannot do it all for you.

We go in and help and enforce the laws and we want to do the good work for the people of this community and we do.”

While much of Jantas’ remarks were centered around Sunbury Village, the police chief also addressed a number of other topics of interest.

He briefly discussed the security situation at the Acme in Browns Mills.

A recent stabbing in the store’s parking lot, thieves targeting a woman’s purse and panhandling has left residents concerned.

“What is Acme’s responsibility to supply some sort of security for the people who shop in their store?” he said. “We can’t (always) be there and be Acme’s private security. We understand there are people there saying can we carry your bags for a dollar or people panhandling. We do try to get out there as much as possible because we want businesses in here.”

He said the department is using a data-driven policing model.

“People tell me all the time they never see a cop car down their street and I say that is a very good thing because right now I have to put them where the crimes are,” Jantas said. “So that is data-driven policing. It is not random patrolling or routine patrolling anymore where you see the guy going down your street and you get a wave.

We have to put them where they are needed and where the problems are.”

He discussed the dangers his department’s officers are facing while out on the street.

“I will tell you, I love to see a cop helping some young man learn how to tie his tie or getting out to play basketball or recently they had one going down a slide with a child,” Jantas said. “That is all cute and nice stuff.

“But my heroes in law enforcement are the guys who will go into a neighborhood where there are problems and put themselves in harm’s way. We had a house that was shot up

PAGE 19

off of Evergreen and that night and the next day, the officers were out there stopping cars for any violation they could find and not necessarily writing tickets. They were talking to people.

Some days later we did get a 9 mm handgun with an extended magazine from a certain person. Those are my heroes; guys who put themselves out there and are talking to a guy they don’t know has a handgun on him. (It was) a situation that could have gone sideways for our men and women really, really quickly. My hair is standing up on my arms as we are talking about it.”

Also mentioned was how the township leads the county in the application of Narcan, an opioid reversal drug.

“It has come to the point where we have had to order some doses out of pocket,” Jantas said.

“It’s scary.”

However, the police chief said it was important for the community to realize that the use of heroin and other opioids is “not just a Pemberton problem.”

Speeding motorists and several motor vehicle accidents this year has also prompted concern throughout the township.

Council members asked Jantas if he was in support of the township acquiring a radar speed sign trailer. The police chief said he prefers to invest in the 10 police recruits who were just hired by the township.

“The police department has a wish list,” Jantas said. “I would love to have a speed monitoring trailer. It is a nice request. It flashes at you and says you are going too fast. But, right now, I think our best answer to this problem is going to be these 10 officers, once we get them out on the road. That is our good investment at this time. Before we start buying the nice to have stuff, and the requesting stuff, I think we need to get our manpower up. I think the administration agrees with me on that. We’ve been working on that for several years.”

Jantas said the township “desperately” needs the recruits out on the street as police officers.

“It is going to take eight months to a year before they are viable officers where they are fully functioning—where we know they are going to be competent on call,” he said. “(They will go through) 24 weeks in the academy, 14 weeks of field training, service training on top of that, the attorney general mandated courses and any other training and professional development.”

All 10 of the recruits are from Pemberton Township.

“We were very pleased with that,” Jantas said. “It is the most diverse hiring that we have ever had in this town and I couldn’t be prouder of that.”

Before departing the meeting room, the police chief praised the department’s current officers and detectives for their work in identifying and apprehending a man who sexually assaulted a woman at gunpoint.

He also commended an officer who patronizes a local Wawa daily, even when off-duty, in an effort to hold conversations with residents and chase away troublemakers.

“We understand we are not getting to everything,” Jantas said. “We are trying. But these men and women do not come to work to fail. They are doing good work. The future is bright for this agency. It really is.”

PAGE 20

POLICY PAGE 4

Cooney asked if graduation exercises at the township school would fall under “special events.”

Gimbel said that the event would because the township would be responsible for public safety, especially once attendees leave school property.

Committeeman Sean Gray asked if the measure would govern neighborhood gatherings such as block parties.

Heinold said the intent is to govern bigger events such as a walkathon, festival, carnival, concert or any large show. He said it is up to the committee whether they want to include block parties in the ordinance. He added that he is not sure block parties are a concern for a town like Shamong.

“I remember one year we had a concert at the Dingletown Recreation Complex,” he said. “I think we want to be somewhat conservative in drawing these lines.”

The committee pondered whether to craft the measure so that it would only govern events involving more than 50 or 100 people.

“You have to be careful, because if people want to get married in their backyard, you might have 100 people there,” said Township Administrator and Clerk Susan Onorato.

Heinold said the public has to be invited for the township to be able to govern a special event and the measure would not apply to private events.

“So if it is a private event, we are not going to bother with it,” he said. “We can’t police those types of events.”

The committee chose to table the introduction of the measure for another month citing discomfort with the language in the current

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE, WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM draft.

In other news, the committee introduced an ordinance which would place a five-year moratorium on road openings if a street is paved or repaved, unless an emergency arises.

The second reading and public hearing on this ordinance is also scheduled for Aug. 1.

The committee “cancelled” a grant provided by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT).

“This is a cancellation of a grant for Forked Neck Road for a 2015 road project,” Onorato said. “Basically, we have spent all of the money that was in that grant with the exception of $879.86. In order for us to cancel it and get it off of our books, we need to have a resolution passed. It is housekeeping that our financial officer presented to us.”

Valenzano Winery was granted a social affairs permit from the committee to have a beer garden at the winery’s Winefest on Sept.

16 and 17.

The winery has donated $27,000 to Semper Fido and this event will allow the winery to make another financial contribution to the organization. The mission of Semper Fido is to provide wounded warriors suffering from PTSD with homeless, rescue shelter dogs to nurture healing.

A Tuckerton Road homeowner received a refund of $391.20 in permit fees.

“The owners of that parcel decided not to go through with a solar-panel project,” Onorato said.

The committee decided to donate an athletic field groomer purchased by the township to the Indian Mills Athletic Association for compensation of $1.

“This is a groomer we purchased for the athletic association in 2007 and they have been using it ever since,” Onorato said. “I looked up the remaining value and it is only $1,000.”

All action unrelated to the drone measure was unanimous.

Onorato announced that she received a letter from the NJDOT informing the township that a bridge will be replaced on Route 206 at Springer’s Brook, which is near Scoot’s Liquor Store.

“It may take up to five years before they actually get there,” she said.

Committee members, along with township officials, reviewed FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps.

Five township properties received

CRASH PAGE 7

Volunteer Fire Department, Good Will Fire Company, Virtua EMS and Burlington County Health Department’s Environmental Response Unit responded to the crash as a hazardous-materials incident because about 60 gallons of fuel spilled into the water.

According to the FAA, the plane is registered

BEAR PAGE 7

has added extra patrols to the area throughout the next few days.

“If you encounter a bear, remain calm and avoid sudden movements,” said Evesham Township Police on social media. “Give the bear plenty of room, allowing it to continue its activities undisturbed. If it changes its behavior, you’re too close, so back away. If you see a bear, but the bear doesn’t see you, detour quickly and quietly.”

Police also advised residents to never run from a bear as they can chase a person and run

Saturday, July 29, 2017

“individual flood terminations” as a result of the maps.

There was a new face taking meeting minutes.

Joanne Robertson was hired to replace Barbara Valenzano, who served as deputy township clerk for nearly 36 years and retired last month.

“Joanne joined our team in mid-June which allowed some direct training with Barbara before her retirement at the end of June,” Onorato said.

to Jersey Devil Dusters LLC which is based out of the New Lisbon section of town. The plane was manufactured in 1980.

The pilot, a 53-year-old man from Southampton, was out of the aircraft when police arrived at the scene. Authorities have not released the man’s identity.

A call to Jersey Devil Dusters was not returned.

faster than 30 mph.

“If a bear attacks, be loud, waive your arms, stand your ground and fight back,” police said. “Fight back! Be aggressive and use any object you have. Only if you are sure the bear attacking is a mother who is protecting its cubs, play dead. If you have pepper spray, use it.

Begin spraying when it’s within 40 feet so it runs into the fog. Aim for the face.”

Residents were also urged to avoid climbing a tree to get away from a charging bear.

“Black bears and some grizzlies can climb trees and many bears will be provoked to chase you if they see you climbing,” police said.

Saturday, July 29, 2017

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE, WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM

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5

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Saturday, July 29, 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.

Dew Point The sun’s steady rise slowly spreads its brown-stained nubbin. The break was done gathering light on the morning dew until the when the cigarette was done. Jackie was no lawn dances with sparkles and the day with slacker.

A couple of hours later, the morning’s dew was possibilities.

The July dew, soaking wet and glistening gone, the hay stacked, and the cows milked. If bright, almost always promised a day of there was more hay to mow, my father usually sunshine, heat, and humidity on the southern assigned me the job. Jackie would be directed to Illinois dairy farm of my youth. Jackie, mow, chop, and chew through the many acres the farm’s main field hand, explained the of “government ground” that the current farm dew-heavy sun forecast this way: “God doesn’t program required us to “set aside.”

These government, or non-farmed, acres grew waste water.”

The epigram, my brothers and I learned, every weed known to mankind and one, giant meant that a morning with heavy dew usually ragweed—which we called “horseweed”—was delivered a day with heavy sun and dry, and a a local specialty. By late July they were more no-dew morning often delivered a day with a like trees than weeds, taller than the Oliver 770’s exhaust pipe and sturdy with woody stems good chance of rain.

Neither forecast mattered much to Jackie. as thick as your wrist. Worse, all were topped Salaried, he was paid rain or shine, drought or with brooms of yellow pollen.

Those drawbacks—the height of the flood. It did, however, matter to my brothers and me because we had our 50-cents-per-hour horseweeds, the hot sun, the choking pollen, pay tied to work. Sunshine brought us dollars; the heat of the no-cab, hardworking tractor— combined to make rotary mowing these rain brought my father a better corn crop.

The heavy work on those dewy mornings set-aside acres one of the hottest, dirtiest jobs on began early. Jackie, my brothers, and me the farm. Jackie often returned at noon soaked usually unloaded two, maybe three, loads of in sweat and stained, head to toe, in the fine, square alfalfa bales in the cavernous hay shed yellow pollen.

Then, when the alfalfa was fit to bale in the attached to the raised parlor where my father and Howard, Jackie’s older brother and our early afternoon, we baled. Although I never dairy’s herdsman, milked the farm’s 100 saw Jackie stack a load of hay in my life, I saw him unload nearly every load of hay in my life.

Holsteins.

It was a hard beginning to any day and the This seemed to be some long-ago compromise effort it required brought grunts from Jackie, a between my father and him: we loaded hay, small man whose deeply brown arms, neck, and Jackie unloaded hay. Done deal.

After my father left us for the evening face would glisten with sweat after just a few bales. He always worked the wagon—tossing milking each day at 4, Jackie drove the baler bales to those who were stacking in the barn— while my brothers and I loaded the day’s final two or three wagons before his 6 p.m. quitting and said little while working.

His silence led to our silence and together time. These were the loads that, like the dew, we worked like a bale-tossing, bale-stacking would await us in the morning.

Back then each day’s quiet, hard work machine. Most mornings we worked so quietly we could hear the milking parlor radio give a delivered clear, solid results. No one shouted. No one called anyone any names. No one bragged. weather forecast we already knew.

In between loads, Jackie moseyed to the We worked because work was required. It was shady, north side of the tin-clad barn for a brief that simple. And, no, the times weren’t better respite. His preferred method was to squat on than today.

We, however, were. his haunches to slowly roll a cigarette and, even more slowly, smoke it to a pinched, © 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, July 29, 2017

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PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

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 Ford Expedition The all-new 2018 Ford Expedition—the smartest, most capable and most adaptable Expedition ever—provides families generous space, connectivity and smart new technology.

An all-new high-strength, aluminum-alloy body and redesigned high-strength steel frame form the foundation for Expedition’s rugged off-road and strong towing capabilities.

Powered by a 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine with standard Auto Start-Stop plus a class-exclusive new 10-speed automatic transmission, the 2018 Expedition is the most powerful Expedition ever. A newly available electronic limited-slip differential on models with Intelligent 4WD enables improved off-road capability by sending power where it’s needed.

The Ford Expedition has a roomy, flexible interior. With seating for up to eight people and their gear, this full-size SUV makes modern family adventures more comfortable during short and long trips alike.

The Expedition is the first full-size utility to feature a sliding second-row seat with tip-

and-slide functionality, providing easy access to the third row without the need to first remove a child safety seat. Once in the third row, even adults will appreciate more legroom and reclining seats.

Expedition’s second- and third-row seats can be quickly folded flat with the push of a button to open up a cargo area wide enough to handle 4x8-foot sheets of plywood and other gear, depending on cargo weight and load distribution, even with the liftgate closed.

Even the drive is more adaptable, with Expedition’s all-new Terrain Management System that lets customers choose between drive modes for optimal vehicle handling in different conditions. This includes normal for around-town driving, sport for more spirited trips, tow/haul for improved towing and hauling performance, eco for enhanced fuel economy, grass/gravel/snow for loose terrain, sand for low traction situations, and mud/rut for uneven surfaces.

Compiled by Motor Matters.

2018 Ford Expedition.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

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Saturday, July 29, 2017