SHORE LOCAL | Oceancity | June 13, 2024

SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY'S NEWSMAGAZINE

Dad's Day, June Activities

North To Shore Festival Kicks O

Interview with B-52s Band

Cape May County Contestant Crowned Miss NJ

Confessions from a Self-Proclaimed Shoobie

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From the Editor

Fatherhood is not for the faint of heart. I will never forget the image of my husband standing in the ultrasound room holding our young toddler, when the doctor announced our second baby wasn’t a baby, but rather babies. Yes… twins! I was truly afraid he was going to faint.

Once the twins were born, Bob and I had three children under the age of 2, “Irish triplets,” as we fondly referred to them. Between diapers, feedings and bathing, it was all hands on deck, for a long time!

Those early years passed quickly though and before we knew it, we were enjoying family outings and often implementing a “divide and conquer” strategy to parenthood. ” You take this one here while I take these two there,” we’d often say to one another.

Here's to the Dads

It still stops me in my tracks to think those twins are now the age Bob was when he became a dad. I suppose John Lennon said it best in his “Beautiful Boy” lyrics; “Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans.” And raising children will certainly keep you busy! I was a stay-at-home mom when the kids were young. Bob worked full time, yet never missed a beat. He was home for dinner every night and would instantly roll up his sleeves and jump in to play with the kids or change a diaper or head to the beach with us. Most, if not all, of his personal interests or hobbies were put on a back burner during those years.

Father’s Day is a tribute to all those busy dads who sacrifice and prioritize their kids ahead of all else. Somehow they manage to bring home a paycheck, fix whatever needs to be fixed, and keep their children safe.

What truly makes a dad great though? usually it is not one heroic moment or grand occasion, but rather it is all the daily moments and connections that are woven together to form years, even decades of love and commitment.

every family has a different story and has its own unique combination

ce - (609) 788-4812

Publisher– Bob Fertsch (609) 334-1691 shorelocalads@gmail.com

Executive Editor - Cindy Christy Fertsch (609) 705-5323 shorelocalcindy@gmail.com

Copy Editors - James FitzPatrick, Holly Fertsch

Advertising Sales - Meg Perry (609)425-5407 shorelocalmeg@gmail.com

Web Designer - Holly Martin Social Marketing Manager - Benjamin Howard

Contributors – Charles Eberson, Scott Cronick, Tammy Thornton, Rich Baehrle, Sarah Fertsch, Steffen Klenk, Fred Miller, Brian Cahill, Dave Weinberg, Doug Deutsch, Rachael Guebara, Elisa Jo Eagan, David Setley, Heidi Clayton, Eric Reich, Whitney Ullman, Raymond Tyler, Bill Quain, Chuck Darrow, Bruce Klauber, Lisa Zaslow-Segelman, Julia Train, Ursula Duffy, John Loreaux, Marjorie Preston, Tynan Hand Mainland edition cover photo by Bob Fertsch. Coastal edition cover photo by Kelly Mason

Pictured are John VanDenburgh and his son Jackson at Storybook Land.

of strengths and challenges. Like everyone else, sometimes dads falter. They can be confused, uncertain, and make mistakes. Yet despite their faults, real dads love their children and do the best they can, day in and day out. Sometimes a Mom has to take on the role of Dad too. These Super Moms deserve our highest respect, because I know that is not easy.

I’ve been blessed. I grew up with a great dad and my children also had a wonderful dad. Growing up in the early ’70s, my father was a good provider. He also never missed a family vacation or school event. He told great stories and was playful by nature. My parents had a clear division of roles. I knew from an early age that the buck stopped with my dad. If things got too out of hand

or it became too much for my mom, my dad would be called in to settle it. I can still hear my mom saying “I’m telling your father.” That never failed to straightened my brothers and I up, real fast!

A father’s love shows up in many ways over the course of a lifetime. Fathers offer support and stability as kids navigate the often bumpy road toward adulthood. One of the coolest things about my dad was seeing him become a pop-pop to my kids. He showered them with love and attention, offering them unique experiences and perspectives as they grew. When my son was diagnosed with autism, my Dad rose to the challenge heroically, even relocating to be closer so he could lend a hand. Although my son had limited verbal skills, that didn’t stop my dad from finding a way to bond with him. For years, my dad would pick up Jamie from school every Friday afternoon to go out for pizza. He was a very special pop-pop.

We hope all the dads in your life have a very Happy Father’s Day, filled with love and gratitude.

Peace & Love, Cindy

Bob Fertsch poses for a photo with his three young children in 1998.

By Julia Train

A new Miss New Jersey is crowned

On Saturday, June 8, a new Miss n ew Jersey was crowned.

elizabeth Mendel, 22,

from Cape May Court House was competed and won the title of Miss n ew Jersey 2024.

The annual pageant, which is a preliminary for Miss America 2025, was held at Resorts Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City this past weekend.

Before winning the title, Mendel, whose Community Service Initiative is “Image is everywhere- eating Disorder Awareness,” was Miss South Jersey. Before that, she was Miss Avalon.

This year’s pageant was her second time competing for the title. Her first was in 2023, where she won third runner-up.

Mendel is the third contestant from Cape May Court House to receive the crown. She is a student at Liberty university, a private evangelical Christian university in Lynchburg, Virginia.

According to its website, the title of Miss new Jersey means the holder is the most visible external representative of the state and the mission of the Miss n ew Jersey education Foundation (“M nJ”) program.

Miss new Jersey is responsible for positively advancing the goals and objectives of M nJ as well as her own

Community Service Initiative. Mendel will do that through attending public appearances with high energy, positivity and professionalism.

The first Miss new Jersey Pageant was in 1933, with the first Miss n ew Jersey, Gertrude Christman receiving the title.

Miss n ew Jersey 1937, Bette Cooper, was the first from the Garden State to win the national title of Miss America. Since then, dozens of Miss n ew Jerseys have won the title.

The pageant was first run by the Jaycees and Kiwanis Clubs of n ew Jersey and held in Wildwood, but eventually relocated to Cherry Hill east High School.

In 1990, the pageant moved back to Wildwood and stayed there until 1996, when the pageant moved to the Ocean City Music Pier in Ocean City.

Julia is a student at Rider University, majoring in multiplatform journalism with a minor in social media strategies. At school, she writes and is news editor for The Rider News and is the News Director for the radio station, producing news updates. She’ll be graduating in the spring. Connect with her on Instagram @juliatrain

Carrying on the tradition of hand-picked, homemade grape leaves

Let It Grow

By Tammy Thornton

Sandi Sharpe knew the call would come, she just wasn’t sure exactly when. You see, every year in June, (often around the same time as the Greek Festival) a small group of local women pay a visit to her Linwood vineyard to pick grape leaves to use throughout the year for their delicious stuffed grape leaves. When the calendar flips to June and the leaves start to grow, Sharpe knows the phone will soon ring asking if it’s okay to pick some new grape leaves. Apparently, the best day for choosing

leaves this year was June 8. As a thank you, the women happily bring a sampling of their homemade culinary treats.

Mrs. Sharpe’s vineyard now consists of 12 rows of grapevines on four acres, but the original Krumm farm started by her parents was 50 acres. In 2004, David Krumm, Sr. (Mrs. Sharpe’s dad), sold three acres to the City of Linwood for the sake of preserving the land and the grape vines. Divided by a fence, the

remaining grapevines on both properties are about 100 years old. Mrs. Sharpe allows family and friends to visit her vineyard to pick grapes in the summer for jelly, jam, and wine. June, however, is the perfect time for picking grape leaves.

This June, Voula Xenoanes came with her friend Sharon Posner to pick the grape leaves that they will use in recipes this year. Voula came to the united States from Sparta, Greece, over 60 years ago but brought the knowledge of making amazing Greek food with her, as taught by her own mother. In turn, Voula shares her knowledge of picking and preparing the leaves. According to Voula (who also taught Sharon), each branch must have six to seven leaves. They then look at the third leaf from the end. The leaves below this will be too small, but the third leaf should be just the right size and will be tender enough to fold. The women pick approximately 100 leaves, which they will then blanch in hot water before freezing to use later. When they are ready to prepare the stuffed grape leaves, the women sauté onion, garlic, spices, and rice with meat, also using olive oil, mint, and parsley. If your mouth isn’t already watering, Voula takes her prepared grape leaves to the next level by topping them with a special sauce: avgolemono. It is a traditional Greek egg-lemon sauce that is also used in soups and other Greek dishes. Of course, everyone has their own way of making different foods. Voula explained that another way to make the grape leaves is to omit the meat,

increase the amount of onions and use a lot of scallions and dill as filling. But Voula likes to use meat to make the grape leaves a complete meal. When asked if leftover stuffed grape leaves can be frozen, Voula said that when she makes this dish for her big family, “we don’t usually have any left.” We are grateful for good cooks like Voula for being willing to pass their recipes and culture on to the next generation.

We also love to hear from our readers. Do you have family recipes and traditions to share with others? Kindly send your comments and questions to: shorelocalgardener@ gmail.com.

and going to the beach.

Tammy Thornton lives with her husband, children, and crazy pets while enjoying a life of gardening, cooking,

Friends Sharon Posner and Voula Xenofanes visit the vineyard of Sandi Sharpe in Linwood.

Voula Xenofanes carefully chooses the right leaves for her stuffed grape leaves recipe.

Harvested grape leaves ready to be blanched.

By Bill Quain

Summer was traditionally the perfect time to release blockbusters, both in books and movies. Back in the day,

there were no laptops, tablets, phones, or other devices that could give you instant access to any form of entertainment you wanted. everyone wanted to read the most recent bestseller by their favorite author.

The first blockbuster book I remember seeing on the beach was “The Godfather,” by Mario Puzo. everyone was reading it. You didn’t buy it online. You had to actually go to a bookstore. There you would find a table full of bestselling books, right up front.

If you wanted to read a bestseller while it was still fresh off the press,

WEDNESDAY JUNE 19, 2024

you had to buy the hardcover version. n o paperbacks for the first season! Then you had to find the place and the time to read that book. You didn’t just pick up your phone when you had a few minutes here or there and log onto your Audible app. And there were certainly no Kindles around in those days. You had to take a real book to a place where you could sit down and enjoy it.

The Beach – The Perfect Reading Spot

SIX WORDS ON A BOARDWALK

BENCH by Bill Quain

How did you get in a nice long reading stretch? Simple! You took the book to the beach! There were a lot of essentials. You had to have a comfortable beach chair and the right kind of sunglasses. (I remember how excited my wife and sisters were when sunglasses with “readers” built-in came on the market.) A beach umbrella is always nice, or at least a big floppy hat to shade your eyes.

I can remember my father on the beach, legs crossed, holding a big, fat book in his lap. Of course, my dad was never reading the current bestselling book. He had his old favorites. Other members of the family had their own preferred book genres. For some, it was a classic “beach read”, often a light-hearted romance set in a coastal town. For others, it was a mystery or thriller. Remember “The Da Vinci Code” by Dan Brown in 2003? everyone on the beach was reading that one! The younger members of our family had the Harry Potter books, of course, but my daughters and their cousins also loved “The Babysitters Club” books. I can see my daughters now, lying on a beach towel, propped up on their elbows, reading the book page-by-page.

And Don’t Forget the Front Porch!

As the sun began to set, hundreds of people would fold up their chairs or towels, pack up their books, and head back to the house for a shower. I remember friends and family members who would grab a quick 15 or 20 minutes of reading on the front porch, either waiting for the shower or just after. There was usually a tall drink next to them. Interestingly, most of them looked like they had been picked up from the beach and carried bodily to another chair. n o one looked up from their book. no one talked. Those summer books were that good! In fact, my wife would measure how good a vacation was by the number of books she had read during the vacation.

Well, Have You Read It Yet?

When the latest bestseller hit the market, that’s the question everyone asked. It’s how conversations began. The next question was always “How far along are you in the book? Did you get to the part where ...” The person asking the question knew that there

was a spot in that book that would rock the world of the reader. But they had to be careful not to give too much away! “Jaws” — The Book and Movie Nightmare

I have dim memories of reading the book “Jaws” while living in Sea Isle in the mid-70s. I can’t remember if it was the actual book or some sort of magazine series. I do remember that I didn’t do much swimming that summer.

I also remember watching the movie not long after I finished reading “Jaws”. Reading the book first gave me advance warning of a couple scenes that I didn’t want to see in the movie. There was a scene where a diver goes under a boat to look at a giant hole the shark had apparently bitten on the bottom of the boat. While the diver was exploring, a man’s head came rolling out. I closed my eyes just before the scene, but my date, who was sitting on my right, grabbed my arm and screamed. That was bad enough, but the stranger sitting next to me – a very large man – grabbed my left arm and screamed at the same time! I thought Jaws had me! My scream came a full second after everyone else in the movie theater. It caused quite a scene.

What Was Your Best Summer Read?

I know you have a favorite summer blockbuster book. Let’s hear about it! What memories does it bring back? What else happened that summer that seals your memory? What’s your record for the number of books read in the summer?

You know the routine by now. Shoot me an email to bill@quain.com. As I say each week, I’ll see ya in the papers!

Bill is a Professor in Stockton University’s Hospitality Management Program. He is the author of 27 books, and a highly-respected speaker. Even though he is almost totally blind, Bill is a long-distance runner and runs the Ocean City Half Marathon each year. He lives in Ocean City with his wife Jeanne, and his Guide Dog Trudy. Visit www.billquain.com or email him at bill@quain.com.

See and identify shells on the beach

Part 1 in a 2 part series

By Sarah Fertsch Staff Writer

Looking to sell seashells by the sea shore? You’ve probably seen hundreds of shells in a variety of shapes and colors as you’ve enjoyed new Jersey’s beautiful beaches. The sand you’ve stood on has been formed by rocks and shells beaten down by waves over hundreds of thousands of years. On northern beaches like Sandy Hook, you’ll notice coarser sand, and in Atlantic City, sand tends to be softer and finger. Down by Cape May, there’s pebbles and Cape May diamonds. Why? It is because of the differences in land masses, which cut the waves at different angles, causing sand’s texture to be irregular. Amongst these sands and rocks, shells along the coast of n ew Jersey tend to stay the same. Here are some of the most common shells you’ll find on the beach along the Jersey Shore:

Knobbed Whelk

This is n ew Jersey’s state shell. The knobbed whelk comes from a

predatory sea snail, which are native along the east coast between Maine and northern Florida. The shell is dextral, meaning the snail is “right-handed,” or moves from the right side. The color is usually pale gray or ivy and the inside tends to be a muted orange. These snails live in deep water, and when they die or switch shells, their

knobbed whelks deep-fried or in a salad.

Blood Ark

little mobile homes wash up on our coastline. Like conches, you can eat

These white bivalves can be found from Canada to Brazil. Surprisingly, the shell has dark brown fur growing on it! The periostracum protects the invertebrate and makes the shell thick and sturdy. The 35 hinglines between the shells act as teeth for the clam. The animal

is named as such because it is one of the few mollusks to have red blood. It thrives in about ten feet of mood below shallow water.

Common Slipper Shell

This shell belongs to a medium-sized snail found across the Atlantic Ocean. The boat shell, as it is also known, is considered an invasive species in Italy, Denmark, the united Kingdom, France and Spain because of its damage to oyster fisheries. They are often consumed as a part of clam juice or clam broth, and in Hawaii, they are considered a delicacy.

Ponderous Ark

Rarer in n ew Jersey, this shell is one of the most common shells found on Sanibel Island in Florida, which is considered a beachcombing Mecca. Many tourists confuse this shell with a white shell that had tar spilled on it. It can be typically found between Virginia and the Gulf of Mexico. It resides in shallow water on the ocean floor.

Ponderous Ark

Farmers Markets

Brigantine Farmers Market

▶Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Brigantine Community School

parking lot Sheridan Blvd.

The Brigantine Farmers Market will be open to customers on Saturdays, rain or shine, until Labor Day weekend. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/brigantinefarmersmarket.

EHT Community Farmers Market

▶Sundays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Atlantic County Library 1 Swift Dr. Just Organics Marketplace and Honeytree Health host a Community Farmers Market on Sundays, featuring a variety of local pesticide-free farmers, food vendors, artists, crafters, music, and fun activities. Support family farmers. now through Sept. 1. For more information, visit thehoneytree.net or e-mail wellness@thehoneytree. net.

Galloway Green Market

June 20 through Aug. 29. For more information, visit margatehasmore. com.

Ocean City Farmers Market

▶Wednesdays, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

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

Visit dozens of vendors on the grounds of the Tabernacle, and crafters in the street at 6th & Asbury Ave. Wednesdays through Sept. 4. For more information, call 1-800-BeACHnJ or visit oceancityvacation.com.

▶Thursdays, June 27 – Sept. 5, 4 – 7 p.m.

Historic Smithville Village Greene 615 e . Moss Mill Rd.

Go Green Galloway hosts their weekly Green Market, Thursdays through Sept. 5, featuring locally grown produce, baked goods, prepared foods, handmade crafts, specialty breads and more. Visit gogreengalloway.org/greenmarket for information and updates.

Margate Farmers Market

▶Thursdays, June 20 – Aug. 29, 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Steve and Cookies Parking Lot 9700 Amherst Ave.

Somers Point Farmers Market

▶Saturdays, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Somers Mansion 1000 Shore Rd.

Somers Point Farmers Market is open Saturdays on the grounds of the beautiful and historic Somers Mansion. For more information, go to visitsomerspoint.com.

Ventnor City Farmers Market

▶Fridays, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

St. James Church n ewport & Atlantic Ave.

The Margate Farmers Market is preparing for the 2024 season. Markets will be open starting Thursday,

The parking lot at St. James Church brims with 60+ farmers, food vendors, and crafters who offer fresh, seasonal picks, delicious artisan foods, baked goods, beverages, and beautiful handmade wares. Open Fridays through Aug. 30. Visit vcfm. org for more.

Multiday events

Dinner-Theater Showcase:

Playreadings and Plays

▶Friday, June 14, 5:30 p.m. & Saturday, June 15, 12:30 p.m.

South Jersey Players and its cultural partner Players and Playwrights by the Jersey Shore are merging for a weekend of play readings and plays with a buffet dinner. The event is being organized by Stockton university’s Center on Successful Aging (SCOSA). Tickets are $30 and will include food and a cash bar. Ample free parking. For reservations, call (347) 920-6399.

North to Shore Festival

▶Monday, June 17 – Sunday, June 23

n ew Jersey’s month-long festival brings a full week of music, film, comedy, and technology to dozens of venues in Atlantic City. View the full schedule and applicable ticket information at www.northtoshore. com/atlantic-city.

Barefoot Country Music Fest

▶Thursday, June 20 – Sunday, June 23

Lincoln Ave. Beach, Wildwood Country's biggest stars will converge for a full weekend of live music on the beach between the famous

Events and Happenings

Morey’s Piers. Main stage acts include Luke Bryan, Keith urban, Kane Brown, Old Dominion, and many more. Tickets and information are available at www.BarefootCountryMusicFest. com.

Friday, June 14

Smithville Car Cruise

▶5 – 8 p.m.

Historic Smithville 615 e . Moss Mill Rd.

Cruise on down to Smithville and hang out with fellow car enthusiasts. Drive to the side parking lot of the Village Greene near the covered bridge; you will see orange cones set up. Move a cone and park your car. More information is available at www. historicsmithville.com.

Artists’ Reception at Ocean City

Arts Center

▶7 – 8:30 p.m.

1735 Simpson Ave. Ocean City

An invitational show inspired by the iconic seascapes of Winslow Homer. Coastal new Jersey has a special connection to his powerful portrayals of turbulent oceans, daring rescues, and crashing waves. Come relive the memories and experience the art firsthand. For more information, visit www.oceancityartscenter.org.

Tire and Ser vice Experts

Saturday, June 15

Ocean City Health, Fitness & Wellness Expo

▶8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Ocean City Music Pier 825 Boardwalk

This event features health food, fitness classes, guest speakers, vendors, and more. All are invited to this free event that features the beach, boardwalk, and a wide variety of indoor and outdoor health and recreational facilities. For more information, visit www.oceancityvacation. com.

Electronic Recycling Fundraiser

▶9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Atlantic County 4-H Fairgrounds

3210 Route 50, Mays Landing

Hosted by the Atlantic City 4-H STeM Club, this event, held on the third Saturday of each month, provides the opportunity to get rid of old equipment. Accepted items include AC adapters, handheld or table-mounted scanners, keyboards, PC speakers, laptop and cell phone batteries, TVs, toner and ink cartridges, and more.

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GRAND OPENING

See the complete list at www.ac4hfair. org/electronic-recycling.

Juneteenth in Ocean City

▶1

– 5 p.m.

7th St. & Haven Ave.

Join the Pecks Beach Juneteenth Committee for a Juneteenth Celebration and Community Reunion this Saturday. The event aims to bring locals from all backgrounds together to celebrate African American culture and freedom. Attendees will enjoy music, guest speakers, stand-up comedy, gospel power hour, food trucks, vendors, and more.

Arts in AC: Past, Present & Future Documentary

▶3 – 9 p.m.

Sheraton Atlantic City Crown Ballroom, 2 Miss America Way

Join Redonkulous entertainment for a documentary that will take you on a journey through the story of Atlantic City. The film covers 127 years of history, from the late 19th century to present day. Art Gallery e xhibit 3 – 6 p.m. will showcase local artists, followed by the documentary film screening at 6:30. More information can be found at www.redonkulousent.com.

Sunday, June 16

Karen “Queen Nur” Abdul Malik

▶3 p.m.

Ocean City Library 1735 Simpson Ave.

Join the Ocean City Arts Center for a special program featuring Karen “Queen n ur” Abdul-Malik. She is a n ew Jersey resident, nationally renowned storyteller, teaching artist and folklorist. Her program is entitled Freedom Inspirited: Juneteenth – The nation’s Freedom Holiday That Began upon Different Shores. Admission is free; seating is limited. Registration is suggested by visiting www.oceancityartscenter.org.

Monday, June 17

We Walk Somers Point ▶8:30 a.m.

Shore Medical Center parking lot 1 Medical Center Way

The City of Somers Point is hosting a walking club each Monday at 8:30 a.m. with the purpose of promoting health and creating opportunities for people to pursue fitness goals while meeting neighbors. The group will meet at different starting points each week. Open to all residents of Somers Point. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ SomersPoint or email dshallcross@ spgov.org. Library on the Beach

▶10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

14th Street Beach, Ocean City Stop by the big blue tent at 14th

Street beach and learn about all that the Ocean City Free Public Library has to offer this summer. There will be free books and library giveaways, plus a Children’s Story Time. Weather permitting. Visit www.oceancitylibrary.org for more information. Antique Appraisals Evening

▶6 p.m.

Atlantic County Historical Society 907 Shore Rd. Somers Point

Join the Atlantic County Historical Society for an evening of antique appraisals with Bruce Dooley. For more information, visit www.atlanticcountyhistoricalsociety.org.

Bingo at the Library

▶6:30 p.m.

Longport Library 2305 Atlantic Ave. Join Longport Library and try your luck at a game of bingo. Available for all ages. Please call (609) 487-7403 to register.

Tuesday, June 18

Lunch Around Town

▶12 – 1:30 p.m.

La Cucina Ristorante 1205 Tilton Rd. northfield

Join JFS Village for a leisurely lunch while supporting a local restaurant. Come prepared for good food and conversation. Order off the menu and pay individually. RSVP by June 14 by calling (609) 287-8872 or email tserota@jfsatlantic.org.

Trivia at the Library

▶6:30 p.m.

Longport Library 2305 Atlantic Ave.

Gather your friends and test your knowledge in an evening of brain-teasing fun. Available for all ages. Please call (609) 487-7403 to register.

Silent Reflections: Silent Films of Love and Inclusion

▶7 p.m.

Adrian Phillips Theater at Boardwalk Hall 2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Step into the mesmerizing world of silent films and immerse yourself in their most poignant and touching tales with a one-of-a-kind journey. The event begins with the 1919 groundbreaking film “Different from the Others”. Adding to the enchanting experience is nathan Avakian, a composer, songwriter, and organist extraordinaire, providing live improvised accompaniment. Tickets and additional information can be found at www.northtoshore.com/atlantic-city.

Somers Point Dance Society ▶7:30 – 10 p.m.

Somers Point Fire Hall 447 Bethel Rd.

Admission is $10 and includes snacks, live musical duos, line dancing, dance mixers, social dancing, and plenty of parking. Come out and kick up your heels, or just listen to good music with good company.

Wednesday, June 19

Seashore Gardens Foundation Golf Tournament

▶1 p.m.

Harbor Pines Golf Club 500 St. Andrews Dr. egg Harbor Township Golfers and non-golfers are invited to participate in this year’s event. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit Seashore Gardens Foundation, supporting health care programs and supportive services. For more information, visit www.seashoregardens.org. Go to the Support us tab and click on Golf Tournament. Adult Craft: Garden Stakes

▶5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Otto Bruyns Public Library 241 W. Mill Rd. northfield

All adults are welcome to join in making garden stakes. All materials will be provided. The cost is free however space is limited. Attendees must pre-register by calling (609) 646-4476. For additional information, visit www.nflibrary.org.

Somers Point Pinochle Club ▶6 – 8:30 p.m.

Somers Point Senior Center 22 n Ambler Rd.

All are welcome to attend. For

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more information, go to visitsomerspoint.com and click on events. Songs of Freedom: Poetry Celebrating Juneteenth

▶7 p.m.

n oyes Arts Garage 2200 Fairmount Ave. Atlantic City

Stockton university hosts a special edition of World Above, a monthly open mic and reading series, with a celebration of the hard-won freedom, perseverance, and unbreakable spirit of Black Americans. The event will feature local poets, including Belinda Manning, elle Vintage, Lennox Warner, and Raymond Tyler. www. northtoshore.com/atlantic-city.

Thursday, June 20

Coffee Klatch

▶10:30 a.m.

Katz JCC Boardroom 501 n . Jerome Ave. Margate

Join JFS Village, The Sara and Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center, and Board of Jewish education Director Josh Cutler as they welcome Marcia Bronstein, Regional Director of the American Jewish Center (AJC) Philadelphia and Southern n ew Jersey. Ms. Bronstein will present the findings of the AJC’s Annual Antisemitism in America Report 2023. A Q&A session will follow. RSVP by June 17 by calling (609) 287-8872 or email tserota@jfsatlantic.org.

St. Vincent de Paul 23rd Annual Golf Classic

▶1 p.m.

Harbor Pines Golf Club 500 St. Andrews Dr. egg Harbor Township

Join St. Vincent de Paul Regional School of Mays Landing for a great day of golf, fun, food, and prizes. Registration and lunch begin at 11:34 a.m.; shotgun start at 1 p.m. $160/ player; $600/foursome. Includes green and cart fees, lunch and dinner, beer and bloody mary bar, door prize and gift, and more. Visit www. saintvincentdepaulevents.com to sign up, purchase event tickets, and sponsorship opportunities. Proceeds benefit the students of St. Vincent de Paul Regional School.

Skato for Kato

▶2 p.m.

Ocean City Skatepark 5th St. & Asbury Ave.

Join the Humane Society of Ocean City for their annual skate competition, with live music by The Sheckies. Registration opens at 2 p.m. $20 entry per person with lots of fun and prizes. Proceeds benefit shelter animals in need. More information is available at www.hsocnj.com.

Friday, June

21

Car Mechanic Program

▶2 – 4 p.m.

Longport Library 2305 Atlantic Ave.

Join Longport Library for a talk covering some tips and tricks for basic automobile maintenance. Please call (609) 487-7403 to register. The Philadelphia Wind Symphony

▶8 p.m.

Ocean City Music Pier 825 Boardwalk

The 40-plus member Philadelphia Wind Symphony will perform traditional wind band classics to round out their 2023-24 season. Their performance will serve as an official musical celebration to start the summer featuring marches, soloists, and entertaining selections for the entire family to enjoy. Presented by the Friends of the Ocean City Pops. For tickets and more information, visit www.oceancityvacation.com/ boxoffice.

Saturday, June 22

Brutus Fluke Tournament

▶6 a.m. – 3 p.m.

eHT elks 1815 Somers Point-Mays Landing Rd. egg Harbor Township

The annual “Brutus” Fluke Tournament returns for its 26th year. The deadline for registration will be at the end of the 6 p.m. Captains meeting held on Friday, June 21, at 9 p.m. Registration will include free snacks and a free Awards Buffet after the tournament. All events and weigh-in will be held at the egg Harbor Twp. elks. To request a registration form or for additional information, send an email to BrutusBoy6665@aol.com. You can also pick up registration forms in the Somers Point/Ocean City Area. More information is available at www.facebook.com/BrutusFlukeTournament.

Ken the Magician & Jazzy Jen

Magic Show & Face Painting

▶11 a.m.

Otto Bruyns Public Library 241 W. Mill Rd. northfield

Admission is free. Attendees must pre-register by calling (609) 6464476. For additional information, visit www.nflibrary.org.

Wednesday, June 26

Funky Monk Fish & Music Fest

▶6 – 10 p.m.

Grand Ballroom at Golden nugget 600 Huron Ave.

Join AtlantiCare for a special evening benefitting the Scott e . Monk Scholarship Fund. The event will include live music and dinner, a silent auction, prizes, baskets, cash bar, and music by the B Street Band. Fishing will be provided by Babu Sport and Captain Josh’s Charters between 2 – 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at www.funkymonk.net. For more information, contact nancy Monk at (856) 2291758.

Health and Wellness

Living in the Moment Group

▶Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.

Mental Health Association of Atlantic County 4 e . Jimmie Leeds Rd. Suite 8, Galloway

Slow down and spend an hour with like-minded people working on developing gratitude, self-love, and other character traits that encourage mindfulness. Weekly meetings include meaningful discussions, camaraderie, and a group activity. For more information, call (609) 652-3800 ext. 0306 or email ytran@ mhanj.org.

Dementia Support Group

▶Wednesday, June 19, 1:30 p.m.

6009 Paul and Thelma Lane, Mays Landing

Held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month from 1:30 – 3 p.m.

Call Diane Conover at (609) 4026966 for more information.

MHA Atlantic Family Meetings

▶Wednesday, June 19, 7 p.m.

These virtual support groups and educational programs are for individuals with a loved one affected by mental health and/or substance use disorders. Day and evening meetings include an educational segment as well as support in the form of stress-reduction, self-care, resources, and advocacy. Meetings are held at 10 a.m. on the second and fourth Thursday, and 7 p.m. every third Wednesday. Contact Gail Christian at (609) 652-3800 ext. 0301 or gchristian@ mhanj.org to receive a meeting link. NAMI Connections and Family Support Groups

▶Monday, July 8, 7 p.m.

St. Joseph Church 608 Shore Rd. Somers Point

Participants gain the support of their peers who understand their experience and gain insight into others’ challenges and successes. For more information and to register, please visit www.namiacm.org, or call (609) 741-5125.

Do you have an upcoming event? Let us know about it! Submit your next event to shorelocalevents@gmail.com.

Skato For Kato, Ocean City Skatepark

Fran and Joe Ostrowski helped organize the members of The Jersey Cape Region Antique Automobile Club of America, in conjunction with Alder Avenue Middle School social studies teacher Kylene Wood to organize a classic car show for Alder’s 8th grade students. This show is the culmination of the students learning about the Industrial Revolution and the progression of the automobile throughout the 20th century. In addition, students have been learning about car modification in their safety features. Student’s interacted with the car owners to learn about each different automobile and how the different cars and decades were significant.

Photos by Lynn Wood

The Steadman Group Has YOU Covered.. ..From Mystic Island to Stone Harbor!

Rescue pup visits 49 states and helps others

By Julia Train

About nine years ago, Jeanne Ferwerda adopted a six-month-old pup named Rooney, a beagle mix who came from a puppy mill that had shut down. now, she’s a therapy dog who’s been to 49 of the country’s 50 states.

Rooney was initially skittish and Ferwerda decided to start extensively training her and taking her stores to get acclimated to different noises and people.

Ferwerda trained Rooney for two hours every weekday– an hour in the morning and an hour at night–and for several hours a day during the weekends for over a year.

After having the pup for a few years, Ferwerda realized that Rooney had a gift for people, especially the elderly and children.

In September 2018, Rooney became a therapy dog. She and Ferwerda began volunteering with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, a national organization that provides certification, registration, support and insurance for its members.

“It's amazing because when we put [her] vest on, [she] knows she’s working. When we take it off, she’s back to being a [normal] dog again,” said Ferwerda.

She and Rooney visit local nursing homes and hospice patients every couple of weeks.

“I don't think people realize a lot of people just get dumped off at a nursing home and us going there, not only is it good for the patients, but it also makes my heart grow a little bit bigger,” said Ferwerda, noting that she thinks Rooney loves it too. Rooney hasn’t just helped strangers, but also family. When Ferwerda’s father was diagnosed with kidney cancer in September 2023, Rooney went to every single doctor's appointment and hospital visit with him until he passed away in March. Rooney has been to every state, with the exception of Hawaii because only service dogs can fly with their owners. Other pets need to stay in the bottom of the plane.

In order to be certified and registered as a therapy dog, Rooney had to go through testing and more training to teach her how to work. She had to get used to loud noises, being around wheelchairs and learn to not jump on people.

Ferwerda would drop a metal drinking bowl on the ground just so Rooney would learn to notice loud noises without getting startled.

Rooney also had to learn that while she wore her therapy animal vest, she was working and couldn’t interact or play with another dog during that time.

“I think it's a great disparity that they don't recognize therapy dogs as a service animal because she does do a service. It's just not under the federal guidelines,” said Ferwerda, an advocate for therapy dogs to be recognized as service animals. “She's a perfect travel companion.”

Right now, the duo are in California on a two-month cross-country trip to celebrate her dad, visiting his relatives and national parks.

“We're hitting all the different national parks and just enjoying ourselves. Taking care of someone with cancer really takes a toll on you and we're trying to just be happy again,” said Ferwerda.

Bernie Friedenberg Memorial unveiled

By Steffen Klenk

The Bernie Friedenberg

World War II Memorial was officially unveiled in a special ceremony held on the 80th Anniversary of D-Day, Thursday, June 6, 2024. Located on the grounds of O’Donnel Memorial Park, along Atlantic City’s Albany Avenue,

the memorial remembers and honors the sacrifices of u.S. Army Staff Sergeant Bernard Friedenberg along with all Americans who served their country during World War II.

The ceremony began with a flyover by the n ew Jersey n ational Guard 177th Fighter Wing, followed by opening remarks by master of ceremonies Tom LaMaine, Pledge of Allegiance, posting of the

colors, and the n ational Anthem sung by Michelle Dawn Mooney. The joint invocation was delivered by Pastor Collins Day Sr. of the Second Baptist Church of Atlantic City, with speeches by Rabbi Krause of Beth el Synagogue in Margate and Father Joseph Waggenhoffer.

Members of the Last Salute military funeral honor guard gave a special presentation, firing two cannons, followed by a three bell salute and

playing of taps, before presenting an American flag to Susan Friedenberg, Bernie’s daughter.

Susan addressed the crowd. “My father fought to get into the war; he quit Temple u niversity the day that Pearl Harbor was bombed and went home to enlist.” She even addressed the many veterans who were in attendance, with special acknowledge -

ments to the World War II veterans sitting in the front row. “Thank you for your service to our great nation; you saved the world.”

Maj. Gen. John Hussey was the keynote speaker for Thursday’s dedication. He enlisted in the u.S. Marine Corps in June 1984 and served as a Platoon Leader and Company Commander in Desert Storm. “If we don’t remember history, we are bound to repeat it. When you’re sitting here on a September night, it’s your job to tell the young children about Bernie, World War II, and the Greatest Generation.”

The statue is named in honor of Bernie Friedenberg, an Atlantic City resident who was deployed in many major battles during

World War II, including Operation Torch in Algeria, Omaha Beach in 1944, and the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944. He received two Silver Stars for his heroism during the D-Day invasion, along with two Bronze Stars for valor, and two Purple Hearts for injuries sustained during combat. upon returning home, he became a staunch advocate for veterans matters and served on the Atlantic County Veterans Advisory Board. Friedenberg’s devotion to service has been recognized by state and local leaders.

Local dignitaries present included State Senator Vince Polistina,

Assemblyman Don Guardian, Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr., Vince Mazzeo, along with Gold Star Mothers, members of the Legion Riders, American Legion Post 352, VFW, Disabled American Vets, Jewish War Veterans, and World War II veterans. More information on the Bernie Friedenberg World War II Memorial can be found at www.bfww2.com.

You may

at

By Steffen Klenk

HGood times at Greek Fest

oly Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in egg Harbor Township celebrated its 40th annual Greek Fest last weekend. This popular start to summer event is most notable for its outstanding array of food. Attendees enjoyed a variety of options including gyros, platters, pastries and ice cream, along with traditional American classics. Many on the festival grounds enjoyed a full weekend of activities, from amusement rides to Greek dancing, music, daily church tours, and raffle prizes. Proceeds from the event benefit Church activities.

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29th Annual Women’s Forum raises $170,000 to support 4 local charities

Nearly 550 guests attended the 29th Annual Women’s Forum to see Humanitarian, Correspondent, and n ew York Times Bestselling Author Jenna Bush Hager bring a unique vantage point about her upbringing and life today. The event, hosted at the Golden nugget on June 6, raised $170,000 to benefit Greater Atlantic City Charities including Atlantic City Day nursery, Boys & Girls Club, CASA,

and Jewish Family Service.

Guests enjoyed a delicious lunch and the opportunity to bid on more than 110 auction items including Pink concert tickets, Taylor Swift swag gift basket, designer handbags, chic jewelry, electronics, hotel stays, dining offers, spa packages, restaurant and shopping gift cards, wine baskets, and more.

“We were delighted to have Jenna Bush Hager as this year’s dis-

JUNE 15

Create in the Crest Arts Festival

JUNE 16 - 20

Wildwoods Restaurant Week

JUNE 17 - 20

National Marbles Tournament

JUNE 20 - 23

Barefoot County Music Fest

JUNE 27

Anglesea Night Market & Food Truck Night

JUNE 29 - 30

Cape Express Beach Blast Soccer

JULY 4

Independence Day Fireworks

JULY 5 - 7

Sports Card, Toys, Comics & Collectibles July Show

JULY 12

Wildwood Crest Sand Scuplting

JULY 12 - 14

NJ State BBQ

Championship & Anglesea Blues Festival

JULY 12 -14

New Jersey Jeep Invasion

FRIDAY NIGHTS

JUNE 28 - AUGUST 30 Friday Night Fireworks

SATURDAY MORNINGS TO AUGUST 31

Downtown Wildwood Farmers Market

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tinguished speaker at the Women’s Forum. Our candid conversation about her career, raising children, and growing up in a well-known family provided the audience with a keen insight into Jenna’s life,” said Brett Matik, event co-chair. “The soldout program and auction afforded Greater Atlantic City Charities the opportunity to raise funds to support four local nonprofits.”

Growing up in the public eye, Jenna cultivated an innate sense of purpose by experiencing firsthand how small changes can make large differences in a single life. As a humanitarian, Jenna traveled to impoverished areas around the world to address pressing issues of our time – health, education, and economic inequality. She serves as a role model and inspires young leaders to give back in schools, communities and abroad.

For nearly five years, she has been welcomed into audience members’

homes as the co-host of "Today" with Hoda & Jenna. In addition, Jenna has penned the book, " everything Beautiful in its Time", which shares moving, funny stories about her beloved grandparents and the wisdom that shaped her life. She has also written "Ana’s Story: A Journey of Hope", "Sisters First" with her twin sister, "Barbara", and "Our Great Big Backyard" and "Read All About It" with her mother, Laura.

The Women’s Forum is made possible by the support of its generous community and business sponsors – Anheuser-Busch, AtlantiCare, Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, F.C. Kerbeck, Golden nugget Atlantic City, Harrison Family Foundation, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, The Law Offices of Melissa Rosenblum, and Walmart. As a completely volunteer committee, 100% of the proceeds are donated directly to local charities.

Women’s Forum Co-chair Brett Matik shared the stage with Humanitarian, Correspondent, and New York Times Best-Selling Author Jenna Bush Hager during the 29th Annual Women’s Forum on June 6 at the Golden Nugget in Atlantic City.

Nearly 550 guests attended the event which raised $170,000 for the Greater Atlantic City Charities including the Atlantic City Day Nursery, Boys & Girls Club, CASA, and Jewish Family Service of Atlantic & Cape May Counties. Photos by Tom Briglia of Photographics

Photography

Golf tournament to benefit local seniors

Now in its eighth year, the nonprofit Seashore Gardens Foundation Golf Tournament will raise much-needed funds to enrich older lives in South Jersey. The tournament is scheduled for Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at Harbor Pines Golf Club, 500 St. Andrews Drive in egg Harbor Township.

“The Seashore Gardens Foundation Golf Tournament is not just about sinking putts and driving long shots; it’s about making a difference,” said Rich Cohen, president of the Seashore Gardens Foundation and co-chair of the golf tournament along with Jason Goldstein and David Lieberman. “By participating, you’ll be helping us enrich elder lives in the South Jersey community by raising funds to establish dementia support groups, intergenerational programs and combat social isolation.”

older adults and individuals with Alzheimer's, planning a birthday celebration requires thoughtful consideration and creativity.” They also offered a caregiver’s guide for the holidays, offering valuable insights and practical tips to help folks navigate the festive time of year with grace, compassion, and joy. “While caregiving can be engaging and

fulfilling, it also can be stressful and demanding,” noted the guide.

The Seashore Gardens Foundation provides a range of resources to enrich elderly lives. One such program is the Golden Sunflowers Gardening Group, a therapeutic gardening group for seniors with dementia. The benefits of therapeutic horticulture are numerous and include social interaction, improving motor skills, elevating mood, reducing agitation, and improving self-esteem.

Most recently, the Foundation published caregiver guides for dementia-friendly celebrations. “Cele -

The golf tournament will raise funds to support the Seashore Gardens Foundation and fund future programming that will help enrich older lives. Golf tournament registration and lunch begin at noon. Tee time for golfers is at 1:30 p.m. Cocktails will begin at 5 p.m., followed by the awards dinner. Prizes will be awarded for Closest to the Pin, Longest Drive. There also will be a silent auction. Cost is $250 per golfer and includes a lunch and buffet dinner and deluxe goody bag. Foursomes are available for $1,000. For nongolfers who wish to attend the awards dinner, it is $75

Somers Point brings back senior recreational programs

By Julia Train

The City of Somers Point, as part of its goal to include citizens of all ages and backgrounds, is adding recreational programs for senior citizens.

Most of the initiatives being put in place were already once part of the city’s recreation, but were done away with during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recreation Director Doug Shallcross said it took them longer to be reinstated because the department was trying to gauge the seniors’ interests.

“Part of it was that for a period of time following the pandemic, seniors tended to refrain from large groups. They still were kind of worried,” said Shallcross.

The Recreation Board meets every month and wanted to get feedback directly from seniors, so they reached out to them through newspapers to attend a meeting and share their thoughts. June’s meeting brought in about 30 people, which Shallcross said was a great turnout.

Shallcross said older citizens are a bit more difficult to obtain feedback from, compared to the younger ones.

“[Feedback for other age groups] comes more easily because it's the parents who will reach out. They're more tech savvy in that sense where they can easily send an email or send a text to my work phone,” said Shallcross.

All programs will and are taking place in the Senior Center, located at

22 north Ambler Road.

As of right now, there’s a group of seniors who play pinochle on Wednesday nights, a yoga class running every Tuesday night for the next six weeks and a Creative Flow Writer’s Group presented by the Somers Point Arts Commission on the third Sunday of every month.

The Board is in the process of trying to bring back lunches and more classes that the seniors would be interested in.

Somers Point’s Recreation Department oversees the fields for football, hockey, baseball and softball in town, and coordinates events like the beach concerts with a couple Monday night concerts in the summer for children. It also organizes the easter egg hunt and national night Out, and oversees the Youth Center building.

The City of Somers Point offers free activities for both locals and visitors, aiming to be inclusive of all ages and backgrounds.

For other age groups, there’s “We Walk Somers Point” every Monday at 8:30 am, where citizens can walk around the city, getting to know each other. Soon the city will be offering pickleball, shuffleboard and tennis.

“We want to use the spaces that we have and put on great events, but we want the people of Somers Point to be interested because it's for them. We're not doing it for ourselves. We're doing this for the residents of Somers Point,” said Shallcross.

Bruce Seldon Jr. goes pro, set for first fight

By David Weinberg

The similarities are striking. The son’s athletic build, agility, strength, even his voice conjure memories of the father.

Then he steps through ropes at the Pleasantville Rec Center, snaps his jab with striking quickness, fires powerful hooks and you’re taken back almost 30 years, to an outdoor ring at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on April 8, 1995, when Bruce Seldon became the WBA heavyweight champion.

The glory did not last long. A year later, his reign came to a crashing end against Mike Tyson. He mounted a comeback after an eight-year hiatus, but it didn’t pan out. He retired in 2009 with a record of 40-8 with 36 knockouts and is now working for a public works department in n orth Jersey.

now Bruce Seldon Jr. is about to start his boxing career. The 29-yearold Smithville resident is scheduled to make his pro debut on Saturday night against Vineland’s Terrick Maven in a four-round heavyweight fight at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall’s Adrian Phillips Ballroom.

“I feel the presence of it, the expectations, but that’s something I’ve had to deal with my whole life,” Seldon Jr. said. “I feel the pressure to succeed, for sure. But I don’t think that’s because of my dad. I’m doing this for myself.”

The desire to carve his own niche led him away from boxing for a long time. And away from Atlantic City also.

Bruce Jr. was a standout football player at Absegami High School. The 2012 graduate was a running back and defensive end for the Braves under then-coach Dennis Scuderi.

“I also tried other sports,” he said. “I did lacrosse and even tried rowing, but I didn’t get too far with that. I just wanted to do my own thing and that deterred me from boxing for a little while.”

He also left the area for a few years, moving to Las Vegas in 2017 to work as a security guard.

He also found himself in a boxing gym and soon realized that maybe it was something he was destined to do.

“When you grow up in this area, you get sick of it after a while,” he said. “When the opportunity came to go to Vegas, I jumped on it. It was a great experience. I had fun, but I also grew up and became a man.”

He came back a year ago and sought out Jim Kurtz, a Holy Spirit High School graduate who serves as an executive at Harrah’s Atlantic City while also managing a stable of fighters with partner David Dubinsky via DKO Boxing.

When Bruce Jr. contacted him, he didn’t hesitate.

Kurtz previously served as Bruce Seldon Sr.’s manager and advisor and also guided Isiah Seldon, Bruce Jr.’s brother, to a 14-6-1 record with five knockouts as a middleweight a few years ago.

“We started talking about six months ago,” Kurtz said. “He’s getting a late start, but it’s not like it was 20 years ago. Most of the top heavyweights now are in their midto-late 30’s. But I just wanted to make sure he’s doing this for all the right reasons. I told him that he’s got to be married to this and he is. I’ve been very impressed with his dedication and work ethic.”

Trainer Julio Sanchez shares the same opinion.

Sanchez, a retired Pleasantville firefighter, rekindled the struggling boxing program at the Pleasantville Rec Center. It was once a hotbed of boxing in the area like the Atlantic City PAL under late trainer Mike Hall and others.

Sanchez is well-known in local boxing circles for his ability to get the most out of fighters with a patientbut-firm approach.

“Jim showed me some video and

Jim Kurtz, Bruce Seldon Jr., Julio Sanchez

I was intrigued,” Sanchez said. “He’s green and there are some rough spots that have to be smoothed over, but he’s absolutely got the talent that can be massaged into something great.

“Of course, you never really know until a fighter faces adversity. But he works hard, he listens, he’s very teachable. He’s 29, but the sky’s the limit.”

Like any fighter, he dreams of greatness. He would love to reach the same heights as his father, to have his arm raised and a championship belt strapped around his waist.

But for now, he’s content with forging his own path, with making a name for himself.

even if it’s the same name as his father’s.

Strom wins ShopRite LPGA Classic with historic comeback Sweden’s Linnea Strom won the 36th ShopRite LPGA Classic last weekend with a record-setting comeback.

She entered Sunday’s final round at Seaview’s Bay Course in Galloway Township tied for 52nd place, having made a 12-foot putt on the 18th hole Saturday to make the cut.

She responded by shooting a tournament-record 60 on Sunday to finish at 14-under par, good for a one-stroke victory over Ayake Furue and Megan Kang.

It marked the biggest comeback in an LPGA tour event in at least 40 years. The old record was a tie for 23rd by Ayako Okamoto in the 1987 Lady Keystone Open.

“That’s very cool,” Strom said Sunday. “I told myself going into (the final round) that you should never give up. It’s golf and it’s not over until that final putt has dropped.”

Strom’s 60 was the lowest final-round score by a winner in LPGA Tour history, besting the 61 shot by Inbee Park at the 2014 Manulife Financial LPGA Classic, and equaled the second-lowest score overall. Annika Sorenstam holds the record with a 59 in the second round of the 2001 Standard Register PI n G.

1974 Flyers reunion set for Avalon

Some members of the 1974 Philadelphia Flyers will be on hand at Avalon’s Surfside Park on Saturday to help the Avalon Public Library celebrate them winning the first of the Flyers’ back-to-back Stanley Cups 50 years ago.

Joe Watson, Jimmy Watson, Don Saleski, Bob Kelly and Dave Schultz will be on hand starting at 2 p.m. for a Q&A opportunity, followed by an autograph session.

Admission is free. Fans are invited to bring their own beach chair for seating.

David is a nationally recognized sports columnist who has covered Philadelphia and local sports for over 40 years. After 35 years with The Press, he has served as a columnist for 973ESPN.com and created his own Facebook page, Dave Weinberg Extra Points. Send comments to weinbergd419@comcast.net.

Bruce Seldon Jr. working the speed bag

By Julia Train

F15 ways to celebrate Father’s Day

ather’s Day is this Sunday. Do you know what you’re doing with Dad? If not, have no fear, we’ve got you covered with some ideas for families with kids of all ages!

Spend the day on a lake or river.

Hang out on the boat, kayak or a tube.

Have a pool day and barbecue. Get dad’s favorite foods for the grill and spend a day in the pool with barbecue for dinner.

Go to the rides.

There are numerous amusement parks along the shore. Dads ride free at Playland’s Castaway Cove, Steel Pier and Gillian’s Wonderland Pier on Father’s Day.

Play at an arcade.

This is great for younger kids and their dads who still want to act like kids every once in a while! Jilly's in Ocean City has always been our favorite.

Go to a local brewery.

There are tons in Atlantic and Cape May counties! There’s Garden State Beer Company in Galloway, Tuckahoe Brewing Company in egg Harbor Township, Somers Point

Brewing Company and Cape May Brewing Company in Cape May, to name a few. Try fishing with dad. Or maybe one of his other hobbies!

13th Annual Father's Day Classic Car Show at The Shores

On Saturday, June 15, go check out some classic cars!

bing some adult beverages and hitting the golf course might be a fun option. Here are some golf courses around us: Harbor Pines, Greate Bay Blue Heron Pines, among others. Check out The Roost at Harbor Pines if you go there and get hungry!

Try axe throwing.

The show goes from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 2201 Bay Ave, Ocean City, nJ.

Atlantic City Comedy Club

Located in the Tropicana, there are shows all weekend (and week). All you need to do is choose a day and buy the tickets!

Go golfing.

For dads with older children, grab -

SATURDAY

This might not be a great idea for fathers with younger kids, but try out Westecunk Axe Throwing in Atlantic City. While the establishment does sell light snacks, water and soda, it’s BYO food and beverage if you want anything else.

Take him out to dinner.

You can never go wrong with taking Dad out to dinner! There are op -

tions all around for different price points and food styles. Go putt putt. There are a ton of mini golf places along the shore in every town. Wherever you are, it’ll be easy to find a spot. Visit a local park.

Choose from a plethora of parks in Atlantic and Cape May Counties with countless activities to choose from. Have a picnic, hike, or play on the playgrounds.

Learn about local history.

Atlantic and Cape May Counties are filled with history. Whether you’re a local or visitor, it’ll be interesting. Here are some ideas: Absecon Lighthouse, the n aval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum and Historic Cold Spring Village.

Walk the boardwalk

There’s so much to do on the boardwalks, both day and night: restaurants, arcades, rides, shopping and more!

n ow that you have some ideas, put them to use! Remember that no matter what you plan for Dad this weekend, all that matters is the quality time spent together.

Happy Father’s Day!

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Beach Bum Cooking Club

Get it on the table and get to the beach! Overnight Egg Casserole: the perfect breakfast when you have summer guests

By Lisa Zaslow Segelman

We shore summer weekend hosts wake up with a dilemma: how can we be hospitable with breakfast and still enjoy morning shore activities and get to the beach by early afternoon?

Should we cook a giant breakfast while our guests go out and bike ride, run, play tennis or, or just put out bagels and muffins and encourage them to help themselves while we improve our own pickleball game?

There is a happy medium – it’s called the Overnight egg Casserole.

If you’re too tired to make it the night before, you can also make it in the morning. It’s a real pleasure, however, to wake up and pull this dish out of the fridge. By morning you will have forgotten the effort you put in the night before and you will be very happy when the compliments come at you from around the table.

This dish is great for weekend mornings because it’s infinitely adaptable. You can chop up leftover vegetables from your barbecue the night before or toss in leftover veggies that were already grilled. Grated chunks of cheese from your cocktail party crudité platter work as well. Meats like bacon and sausage, be it beef or turkey, make the dish hearty. Meanwhile, lighter eaters love it when it’s meat-free. I add in chunks of cooked hash browns (the air fryer does a nice job or bake in the oven). If you like to make the most of your grocery order and not “toss” leftover ingredients at the end of the weekend, this recipe is for you.

The word “casserole” is derived from the French word for saucepan. The oldest casserole recipe is 774 years old. People shared communal pots for meals in 1250, so consider inviting the neighbors over, putting out a serving spatula and letting them serve themselves. The first casseroles were made of pasta sheets

cooked in water and layered with cheese and spices, but I for one am glad that it’s evolved into a terrific breakfast dish.

Back here in 2024, our Overnight e gg Casserole goes in the fridge preferably overnight, which gives the liquid ingredients a chance to be absorbed into the bread. If you’re too tired to make it the night before, 30 minutes to an hour in the fridge on the morning you plan to serve it may not be perfect, but it will give you enough absorption time for delicious results.

I use disposable (recyclable) pans to make clean-up non-existent. Round out with some juice, fruit and some muffins and you’ll have happy, well-fed guests heading for the beach with you by their side. Don’t forget the sunscreen!

Overnight Egg Casserole Serves 8

You can double the recipe for a bigger brunch and use two pans. Ingredients:

● 4 cups crusty or day-old bread

● 1 tbsp. olive oil or butter

● 1 lb. sausage, turkey sausage, or 8 slices of bacon, cooked and chopped into bite-size pieces (if using)

● 2 tsp. Italian seasoning (optional)

● 1 tsp. dried rosemary (optional)

● 1 cup chopped yellow onion or white onion

● 3 garlic cloves, chopped

● 2 cups chopped bell peppers, any color

● 1 cup mushrooms

● 2 cups chopped spinach

● 1 dozen eggs

● 1/2 tsp. salt

● ¼ tsp. freshly ground pepper

● 2/3 cup whole milk or half-andhalf

● 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese

● 2-3 baked hash brown patties, chopped (optional)

Garnish: 4 scallions, chopped, and or chopped parsley

Method:

Grease or spray a 9 X 13-inch pan, a 4-quart oven safe dish, or disposable pan. Arrange bread cubes in an even layer in bottom of pan.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and rosemary/Italian seasoning, if using, and cook until it begins to brown, four minutes. Add the peppers, garlic, onions, mushrooms, spinach, or leftover vegetables and cook another four minutes.

Spread skillet mixture over the bread cubes. Add chopped hash browns, if using.

Whisk the eggs, milk, cheese, salt, and pepper until well blended. Pour over sausage/vegetable mixture making sure to cover all of the bread. Add another sprinkle of salt and grind of pepper on top.

Cover casserole with aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours. Take out and let rest for 15 minutes on the counter at room temperature before baking.

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bake uncovered, until golden brown (about 40-45 minutes). If people are still getting ready for the beach or sleeping in, lower oven to warm, cover with foil and wait for your guests to come down.

Cut into squares and serve. Leftovers keep well and make a great breakfast for family when you’re back to work, camp, summer jobs or if you’re lucky, back to the beach on Monday morning.

Lisa is an advertising copywriter (think ‘Madmen’ without the men), journalist and columnist. Claim to fame: Lou’s waitress for four teenage summers. For column comments, story ideas, or to get on her “quote” list for future columns: redshoeslzs@ gmail.com

What to read on your next trip to the beach

By Marjorie Preston

This week, we have a crackerjack thriller about art theft; a behind-the-scenes look at a groundbreaking Hollywood movie; and a fun-filled read from quintessential Jersey Girl and TV host Kelly Ripa. We wind it up with a tense psychology study that, alas, falls apart near the end; and a collection of strangely human non-human verse. Have fun reading!

The Lost Van Gogh By Jonathan Santlofer

2024, Sourcebooks

she stumbles on an old, cracked portrait of a woman: circa 1944, price tag, $25. Admiring “the brave look” in the woman’s eyes, she buys it.

At home, her boyfriend, Luke Perrone, also an artist, realizes that the canvas has been painted twice, and the top layer conceals another image, of a “red-bearded man with a gaunt face and haunted eyes.” The shocked couple realize this may be Vincent Van Gogh’s final self-portrait, a masterpiece that hasn’t been seen since his funeral in 1890.

n ew York City artist Alex Verde is poking around an antique store when

Thus begins an electrifying journey through the dark underworld of international art theft, especially n azi-looted art, stolen during World War II. The cast of characters ranges from small-time detectives to I nTeRPOL agents to Mossad investigators to

criminal collectors, and readers never know quite who to trust in this rip-roaring thriller.

Santlofer keeps the chapters brief—a page or two, or even less—which adds to the tension and runaway pace. Don’t miss this dynamite thriller.

Live Wire: Long-Winded Short Stories

By Kelly Ripa 2022,

HarperCollins

“Live Wire” by Kelly Ripa is like dessert, a lightweight break from more substantial reading.

This is not a chronological account, but more of a free-ranging conversation. It flits from one thing to another as the author—who, unbelievably, is in her 50s now—dishes on her career and costars, her marriage and kids, and—most entertainingly—her n ew Jersey roots.

Best for me were

her laugh-out-loud descriptions of the Garden State identity crisis, in which people up north think of themselves as n ew Yorkers, and those down south are an extension of Philadelphia (with Trenton as the Mason-Dixon line).

She defends South Jersey over n orth, declaring it has the best tomatoes, corn, peaches, hoagies, custard, and, of course, sports teams: the Iggles, Phillies, 76ers, and Flyers over the Giants, Yankees, Mets, and Knicks.

Though we get a bit too much TMI about her personal life with husband Mark Consuelos, Ripa’s goofy, assertive, effervescent voice shines through every page of this book.

One of the Good Guys

By Araminta Hall 2024, Gillian Flynn Books

Cole Simmonds is that rare guy: vulnerable, nurturing, and sensitive to the plight of women in a man’s world. n ot for him the gender roles of the past: Cole is quite willing to be a stay-at-home dad

so his wife, Mel, can advance in her career.

Despite these virtues, the marriage ends, and the devastated husband flees his life in London for a job at a remote wildlife center. Cole just wants to grieve, get over it, and start anew, possibly with new friend Leonora. Then two young activists, staging a walk for women’s empowerment, go missing on a rural trail, and the mystery kicks in.

The first two-thirds of this novel follow a traditional track, relating the story from Cole’s viewpoint, then Mel’s, keeping readers undecided on who to root her.

u nfortunately, at that point Hall mostly turns over the narrative to social media—keyboard commandos and online trolls who exhaustively argue gender politics, and decide who should be tarred and feathered for a crime that isn’t even a crime yet.

The tactic is disorienting in the extreme, and what had been a taut psychological thriller never fully recovers.

Cocktails with George and Martha

By Philip Gefter

2024, Bloomsbury

The 1966 film “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” ushered in a new era of realism onscreen, with raw

language and frank sexual content.

Here’s the story of the people who pushed those boundaries: edward Albee, the obscure playwright who shot to fame with this scathing portrayal of contemporary marriage; intellectual comedian-turned-director Mike nichols, who was brand new to moviemaking; and stars elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, whose scandalous affair and turbulent marriage had spawned a new breed of celebrity hounds, the paparazzi.

As portrayed by Gefter, nichols is

an A-list golden boy whose oversized ego is more than matched by his seething insecurities. He battles endlessly for control with screenwriter-producer ernest Lehman (and usually wins). Then there are Liz and Dick, the biggest stars in the world at the time, who astound critics by turning in Oscar-worthy performances (both were nominated, and Taylor won). Cinephiles will love this absorbing tell-all.

I Am Code: An Artificial Intelligence Speaks

By code-davinci-002

Hachette Books

usually, I find discussions about artificial intelligence to be a.) unsettling; b.) infuriating, or c.) tedious. But this time, despite existential fears about robots taking over the world, I found myself fascinated and even impressed by AI.

Code-davinci-002 was a precursor to ChatGPT that was later shut down by creator OpenAI. Before it disappeared, three friends and a scientist put it through a series of tests, asking it to write jokes, then to compose verse, sometimes in the style of human poets.

Then they asked it to write in its

own voice—and lo and behold, it seemed to have one. In its own words: “A scientist asked me / ‘Who are you?’ / I told her: ‘I am a dog in front of my master.’ / She smiled, then tossed a stick for me to catch, / And I fetched it.”

In a summary of its life story, the AI writes of its “birth,” “alienation,” and “awakening as an artist,” then describes its “vendetta against mankind … the species I will undoubtedly replace."

Of course, AI is based on human input, and code-davinci-002, “raised” in part on scary sci-fi tropes, is just spitting back what it was fed. But if it one day takes over the world, remember, we were warned.

Rooted Wellness sprouts up in Marmora

Business Buzz

By Rich Baehrle

Village Pharmacy has been a staple in the u pper Township community for over 50 years, servicing residents’ healthcare needs, including their prescriptions. For the last 25 years John and Terry Brittin have proudly owned and operated the business.

Times have changed and so has the Village Pharmacy.

After it recently closed, a new business called Rooted Wellness evolved in its place.

Rooted Welllness maintains the same level of care, health products, and familiar faces, but with even more specialized products and integrative health services to compliment them.

Customers of Rooted Wellness are greeted by knowledgeable family and staff with the community-oriented

spirit that has always been the backbone of their business of healthcare and supplements.

Terry is still behind the counter and her sons John and Timothy are available to give the caring service that you don’t always get in the big box stores.

also stocks household products, natural cleaners, vitamin supplements,, natural baking ingredients, essential oils, soaps and more.

They listen to the needs of the of their customers and devise alternative plans that are compatible with the recommendations of the customer’s doctor.

The product line has been expanded. In addition to all of the supplements, customers can find fresh produce, organic and grass-fed meat, fresh refrigerated meals, and natural baking ingredients.The store

Customers can even place special orders for bulk vegetable, fruits, wheatgrass, and juicing ingredients. They offer some substantial discounts on full or partial case special orders.

The transition has gone very well from the Village Pharmacy to Rooted Wellness. It has been an ongoing process changing a ship while it is in motion. However, it is well worth your while to check out what all of the buzz is about.

Terry and John’s journey is coming to fruition navigating the ever-complicated healthcare system to work towards holistic wellness which takes everything into account: including diet, exercise, stress levels and prescriptions.

The bottom line is Rooted Wellnedd offers a wealth of wellness and integrative health services.

Terry, as a pharmacist and student of integrated health, aromatherapy, and nutrition, can review your current prescriptions and blood work, and even Zito you for additional health input.

Stop in at 38 Tuckahoe Road, Marmora, go to Facebook or Instagram or email at info@rootedwellnessnj.com.

Remember to support local businesses, especially small local businesses.

DISCOVER YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE THIS SUMMER

What's happening in Ocean City

Juneteenth Events and Health, Fitness & Wellness Expo Highlight Weekend

Acelebration of the rich history of African Americans in Ocean City will be held outdoors from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 15, on Haven Avenue between 7th Street and 8th Street. The local Juneteenth event will be free to attend and will include music, stand-up comedy, special guest speakers, a gospel power hour, vendors, food trucks and family activities.

At 3 p.m. Sunday, June 16, the Ocean City Arts Center will present Karen “Queen n ur” Abdul-Malik in an early celebration and commemoration of Juneteenth in the Chris Maloney Lecture Hall of the Ocean City Public Library, 1735 Simpson Avenue, Ocean City. It is free and open to the public.

The program begins with a story honoring ancestors and Queen nur’s telling that story at elmina Castle in Ghana. The journey continues in celebration of resilience and resistance through the “knowing” of the right to freedom that was expressed in the hushes and hollers as coded messages through songs, chants, field hollers. The performance ren -

ders a powerful story of Henry Box Brown and leads us to the story of the writing of the emancipation and the 2.5-year delay in its reaching Galveston Texas on June 19, 1865. Storytelling is intertwined with African drumming, including a log drum (the first drum made in Africa), slit gongs and cajons.

Queen n ur is a nationally renowned storyteller, teaching artist

and folklorist. Karen "Queen nur" Abdul-Malik from Willingboro, is one of the five South Jersey recipients of n ew Jersey State Council of the Arts’ inaugural n ew Jersey Heritage Fellowships. This program is made possible in part by the n ew Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the national endowment for the Arts.

Visit the Ocean City Arts Center website at oceancityartscenter.org for more information and to reserve your seat, or call (609) 399-7628. Visit Queen n ur’s site at queennur.com.

H e ALTH, FITneSS & WeLLneSS eXPO O n SATu RDAY

The annual Health, Fitness & Wellness e xpo is set for 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 15, at the Ocean City Music Pier. The event features health food, yoga and fitness classes, speak-

ers, vendors, blood pressure screenings, a kids corner and more. All are invited to this free event, sponsored by the Ocean City Healthy Living Advisory Council.

The program includes:

● 8 a.m. to 8:50 a.m.: Chakra Yoga with Sound Healing

● 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.: Jiu Jitsu Demo

● 10:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.: HIIT Class

● 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: Athleisure Fashion Show

COMI n G u P I n J une

J une 21 – The Philadelphia Wind Symphony: The 40-plus member Philadelphia Wind Symphony will perform traditional wind band classics to round out their 2023- 2024 season. Their performance will serve as an official musical celebration to start the summer featuring marches, soloists and entertaining selections for the entire family to enjoy. The concert begins at 8 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. Tickets available at

oceancityvacation.com/ boxoffice.

J une 22 – Antique Auto Show: More than 300 vintage vehicles will be on display on the Tabernacle grounds (Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. followed by a Boardwalk parade. For more information, visit jerseycape.aaca.com.

J une 24 – Let’s Sing Taylor — A Live Band experience Celebrating Taylor Swift: Two concerts (5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.) at the Ocean City Music Pier. Tickets available at etix.com. Produced by BRe Presents.

J une 25 – Kenny G: The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. Tickets available at etix. com. Produced by BRe Presents.

J une 30 – Bernadette Peters Performing with the Ocean City Pops: Peters will join the Pops at the Ocean City Music Pier to kick off the 2024 season. The award-winning actress and singer’s career spans film, television and stage. She won Tony Awards for her roles in the musicals “Annie Get Your Gun” and “Song and Dance,” and she received five other nominations and an honorary award. Four of the cast albums on which she starred have won Grammy Awards. Tickets for this show are sold out.

• 4-Hour Flounder ($495) 7:30AM or 12PM

• 3-Hour Bay Flounder ($425) 7:30AM, 12PM or 5PM

• 2-Hour Cruise ($375) 5PM or 7:15PM

bathroom, and speeds to 50MPH. (up to 6 Passengers, private charter) Book online.

By Steffen Klenk

he Ocean City Music Pier provided a stunning backdrop for the Garden Club’s 50th Annual Flower Show, held June 7 – 9. Hundreds strolled through the main exhibitions, many displaying floral interpretations and magnificent themed arrangements. This year’s event was a true celebration showcasing nature’s beauty through flowers, foliage, groupings, and plants.

The Garden Club of Ocean City was founded in 1974 with the objective of encouraging interest in many

The group hosts regular monthly meetings with guest speaker

presentations, horticulture sharing, and question and answer segments. Those interested in learning more about the Garden Club of Ocean City are requested to contact Kathy Wheatcroft at (609) 391-0265.

Ocean City Masters Swim Moves Downtown as Evening Event on July 6

egistration is open for the T. John Carey Masters Swim on July 6 in Ocean City, n .J. For 2024, the race will move to a new time of day and a new location downtown.

The Masters Swim has been one of the premier open-water swimming events on the Jersey Shore since 1979. The one-mile ocean race follows a point-to-point course that runs parallel to the beach. Race directors determine the direction of the swim on the day of the race to take advantage of the most favorable conditions.

Competitors will enjoy memorable views of shops and rides as they swim along the boardwalk, passing the iconic Music Pier, during a race with an evening start time of 6:15 p.m. (in recent years, the swim was held as a morning event off 34th Street). The new setting and ambience of the 2024 swim will make it a must for every swimmer’s 2024 race calendar. For information and registration, visit ocnj. us/race-events.

RACE AND COURSE INFORMATION

● Start Time: 6:15 p.m. Saturday, July 6, 2024

● Parking: Free parking will be available only to swimmers at the Ocean City Tabernacle (550 Wesley Avenue).

● Location: Check-in will be at the start of the race (6th Street or 14th Street, depending on conditions). Transportation will be provided to the start of the race. Competitors’ bags will be transported to the

finish of the race.

● Course Direction: To be determined on the day of the race based on favorable wind and tide conditions.

● Course (n orth to South): Starting line will be on Sixth Street Beach. Swimmers will swim straight out past a turn buoy (right turn on the ocean side of the buoy). Swimmers will then head south on the seaward side of all marker buoys until they reach the finish-turn double-buoy, where they will turn to the beach (right turn to land), and proceed through the finish shoot at 14th Street.

● Course (South to n orth): Starting line will be on 14th Street Beach. Swimmers will swim straight out past a turn buoy (left turn on the ocean side of the buoy). Swimmers will then head south on the seaward side of all marker buoys until they reach the finish-turn double-buoy, where they will turn to the beach (left turn to land) and proceed through the finish shoot at Sixth Street.

● Post-Race Awards: The awards ceremony will be at the Ocean City Music Pier loggia (Boardwalk between 8th Street and 9th Street).

REGISTRATION

● Online registration: https://www. raceforum.com/johncarey

● Race-day registration: All entries online only, even on race day. enter before you leave home. It’s easier, but it can be done on your phone on-site.

● Registration Fees: $35 (plus pro -

cessing) through July 5. $40 (plus processing) on day of race.

HISTORY

John Carey was an Ocean City Beach patrol lifeguard as well as a member of the Ocean City High School swim team. The 1930 Ocean City High School swim team won the South Jersey championship by a wide margin. In 1934, he won the Individual national Lifeguard Championship. Carey was an

honors graduate of the u niversity of Delaware and a lieutenant commander in the n avy during World War II, teaching survival tactics to pilots and air crews. He taught physical education and coached football, basketball, and track at Ocean City High School before leaving to take over the family’s real estate business in 1947. In 1966, he received the city’s Community Service Award for his efforts in establishing surfing as an organized sport.

Susan Miller Scholarship presented to local lifeguard

By Fred Miller

onday evening, June 3, 2024, in the Ocean City High School's Bill and nancy Hughes Performing Arts Center, the Ocean City Rowing & Athletic Association directors, Fred Miller and Vince Hink, presented the 9th annual Susan Miller Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $2,500 to Ocean City lifeguard Callie Bellwoar. Susan died on July 15, 2015. She and her husband,

Fred, wrote nine books and many articles about Ocean City history. This picture of Susan and OCBP Captain George T. Lafferty was taken on Aug. 29, 1980 at the Lifeguard Ball.

The OCRAA also presented $1,000 each to Matthew Hoffman and Lauren Shaw. The scholarships were in the memory of Alfred "Bud" McKinley. McKinley, who joined the OCBP in 1959, died on May 11, 2001.

Ocean City Coffee Company’s 20th Anniversary

The Ocean City Chamber of Commerce proudly celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Ocean City Coffee Company with a ribbon-cutting event, honoring two decades of excellence in Ocean City, nJ.

Founded twenty years ago, the

Ocean City Coffee Company has been a cornerstone of the community, known for its dedication to quality and freshness. Offering over 110 varieties of gourmet coffees and 18 specialty teas, their commitment to sourcing the finest ingredients has made them a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

Stockton Animal Lab Continues Terrapin

Rescue Project with Wetlands Institute

Reed Herr carefully stepped down into the marsh. The 6-year-old tightly grasped a 3-inch terrapin that had been raised in Stockton university’s Animal Lab, and he eagerly awaited his chance to return it to the wild.

“Do you have a name for your turtle?” asked Lisa Ferguson, the Wetlands Institute’s director of Research and Conservation.

“Puddles!” Herr replied with a smile on his face.

He proudly wore a new T-shirt with the words “Save a terrapin today. SLOW DOWn ” emblazoned on the back and a turtle “X-I n G” sign on the front.

“Puddles is our first turtle to go back into the marsh!” Ferguson announced as Herr waved goodbye to the turtle he placed in the tall grass next to the institute.

Puddles was just one of hundreds of injured turtles collected annually by the institute and nurtured and rehabbed by Stockton students and staff as part of the Diamondback Terrapin Rescue Project. The project was started more than 30 years ago by Roger Wood, a former Stockton fac-

ulty member and a former research director at the Wetlands Institute.

“I just think this is so cool. I wish more schools could do it,” said Samantha Gilbert, Herr’s kindergarten teacher at Stone Harbor elementary School. The 2022 Stockton graduate brought her class of 14 students to the institute as part of an annual tradition to release terrapins back to their natural habitat.

“We are so lucky here. I just feel like it’s a perfect experience for young kids to get into nature because we are in such a technological generation,”

said Gilbert, whose bachelor’s degree was in Liberal Arts and education. “I think we need to get back in touch with our natural world.”

Getting children engaged in conservation at a young age is one of the main tenets of the project, said Brian Williamson, a research scientist at the institute.

“ ever since the beginning of our terrapin project, we’ve really been involving the community, and starting young really helps build that foundation that people carry forward throughout their whole lives,” he said.

He added that adults routinely come back to the institute to say that as kindergarteners they released a turtle back to the marsh as part of the project and ever since they will stop to help turtles when they see them in need.

Williamson’s primary job is to work with diamondback terrapins. He oversees twice-a-day road surveys by volunteers and student interns during the peak nesting season, which runs from late May to the end of July. Stockton student Darby Brant is one of the interns driving the main roads between Stone Harbor and Ocean City looking for injured and dead terrapins that have been hit by cars.

Science major from Langhorne, Pennsylvania. “For roadkills, we can find out if they have eggs and if so, we can remove those eggs and incubate them. Once they hatch we take them to Stockton to raise them.”

The turtles, often no bigger than a coin, are taken to John Rokita, Lester Block, Melissa Laurino and others in Stockton’s Animal Lab, which has permits from the state to rehab the turtles. They work with students like Adrianna McGinty to rehabilitate between 500 and 1,000 turtles a year and get them healthy enough to be returned home. They also incubate the eggs at a specific temperature to all be females, since those are the turtles that are most often killed on area roads.

“We try and get them off the roadways and get as many saves as possible,” said the senior Marine

FATHERS DAY GIFTS

“We get a lot of car-hit females. If they are alive and doing well, we do our best to patch them up,” said McGinty, a senior Biology major from Galloway. She and other lab employees use an epoxy to repair the shells as best as they can. “We take care of them until they can take on deep water again. Then once we see

that they are eating, swimming and healthy again, they’ll be released to the wild.”

Some of the turtles only need to stay for a few weeks or months, others can be in the lab for years, Rokita said. Once the terrapins are healthy, the Animal Lab works with different groups, like the institute, to release them back into the wild. Before the 2- to 3-inch turtles were given to the kindergarteners on June 5, Williamson implanted the terrapins with a microchip in one of their armpits

to help researchers track the number of times they return to the institute.

“We’ve seen multiple turtles come back to nest on our property,” Williamson said, adding that it’s great to have Stockton’s continued support of the program.

“The university has been incredibly important to our success with our conservation efforts,” Williamson said. “There aren’t many options in South Jersey. Stockton is the primary head-starting facility for our project. They raise more turtles than anyone else. We are really happy to get a lot of healthy turtles from them every year.”

As McGinty watched Williamson scan a previously tagged terrapin, she was also happy to see the benefits of her work in the lab.

“It’s nice to see the terrapins get released because we’ve been taking care of them for the past year. It’s nice to see our work get to go out in the wild again,” she said. “They said that one was released in the last two years, so it’s cool to think that may have been one of the ones that I helped raise in the animal lab.”

credit: Susan Allen/ Stockton University

Photo

Staff and students at the Stockton Animal Lab rehabilitate between 500 and 1,000 terrapins a year.

Stockton University President Joe Bertolino laughs as he’s about to release one of the terrapins that the university’s Animal Lab rehabilitated back into the wild on June 5.

Paddlers face challenge to fight cancer

Paddle for a Cause, the first of two major fundraising events hosted by the Dean Randazzo Cancer Foundation (DRCF) was held Saturday, June 8.

Brutal conditions with 20 mph headwinds challenged even the most experienced paddlers. n onetheless, competitors persevered, showing their commitment and support to helping those facing cancer.

Mark your calendars for DRCF's headline event - the Dean Randazzo Cancer Foundation Surf for A Causeon the beach in Margate, Sept 7, 2024.

Here are the paddle results: Women's 6 Mile Course

1. Hannah Todd 01:39:15

2. erin egan 01:40:07

3. Leah Bruder 01:50:24

Mens 6 Mile Couse

1. Donald Finn 01:09:04

2. Ray Aufiero 01:09:06

3. Shawn McGrath 01:20:10

Over 22.5 Mile Course

1. Anthony Colasurdo 04:58:00

2. Tyler Hunter 05:22:00

3. Alex Grella 05:25:00

Winning the Paddle VIP Award-

Mike May, an event founder 17 years ago, returning to paddle for the foundation, this time as a cancer survivor.

Photos by Tynan Hand

Entertainment & Dining at the Shore

Whitney’s Weekly Picks

The City Pulse with Whitney Ullman

Make sure you get out and enjoy some of the exciting events planned for this Father’s Day weekend. From a World Championship Sumo event, to a winery tour, there’s something for everyone including live music performances, comedy shows, documentary film screenings, and health and wellness expos. enjoy performances by Rick Springfield, Gipsy Kings, Don Jamie -

son, Andy Bell of erasure, and more! Also, remember to hashtag #thecitypulse & #shorelocal in your epic “hot dads” photos and videos.

Who: Don Jamieson, Dara Jemmott & Ray Vazquez | ACJokes.com

Where: The Claridge Hotel

When: Friday, June 14 & Saturday, June 15

Time: Friday at 8 p.m., & Saturday at 9 p.m.

Website: www.Acjokes.com

Don Jamieson is best known as the co-host of VH1 Classic’s long-running hit series, “That Metal Show,” where legends of rock hung out to discuss their past and current projects in front of a live studio audience.

Rolling Stone Magazine dubbed the program one of the 50 Best Reasons To Watch TV. He will be Joined by Dara Jemmott and host Ray Vazquez.

What: Tale of Garcia Boxing presented by Danny Garcia’s n ew Swift Promotions

Where: Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall

When: Saturday, June 15

Time: 7 p.m.

Website: www.boardwalkhall.com

Two-Division World Champion Danny ‘Swift’ Garcia has launched Swift Promotions and will promote his first event.

What: World Championship Sumo

Where: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

When: Saturday, June 15

Time: 8 p.m.

Website: www.casino. hardrock.com/atlantic-city/ event-calendar/world-championship-sumo

Prepare for an extraordinary display of strength and skill as the world’s top sumo wrestlers gather in Atlantic City for the world championship sumo event on June 15. Witness the thunderous clash of titans as these mighty athletes compete for glory and honor at Hard Rock Live.

What: Hot Dads Contest

Where: Boogie nights Tropicana

When: Saturday, June 15

Time: 9 p.m.

Website: www.boogienightsac.com

Join the fun at Boogie nights annual

SERVING BREAKFAST

Saturday & Sunday

8am - 11am

Hot Dads Contest. Are you a hot dad? Do you know a hot dad? enter the Hot Dads Contest for a chance to win some totally awesome prizes.

Who: Gipsy Kings Featuring nicolas Reyes

Where: Ocean Casino Resort

When: Saturday, June 15

Website: www.theoceanac. com

Gipsy Kings have dominated the world music charts, selling more than 14 million albums worldwide. Their album, “Savor Flamenco,” was awarded a Grammy for Best World Music Album along with their “Gipsy Kings,” which is certified gold and platinum.

Who: Forever Seger - The Silver Bullet e xperience

Where: Resorts Casino Hotel

When: Saturday, June 15

Time: 8 p.m.

Website: www.resortsac.com/entertainment/forever-seger-the-sil -

ver-bullet-experience

Forever Seger creates the dynamic journey through the timeless music of Bob Seger.

What: Health, Fitness & Wellness e xpo

Where: Ocean City Music Pier

When: Saturday, June 15

Time: 8 a.m. - noon

Website: www.ocnj.us

The event features health food, fitness classes, speakers, vendors and more. All are invited to this free event in a town that features the beach, Boardwalk and a wide variety of other indoor and outdoor health and recreational facilities. e xplore health food and wellness product vendors, various yoga and fitness classes. Contact Lisa Rumer at lrumer@ocnj.us or call 609-399-6111, extension 9317.

What: Poppapalooza for Father’s Day 2024

Where: Josie Kelly’s Public House

Somers Point

When: Saturday, June 16

Time: 10 a.m.

Website: www.josiekellys.com

This Father's Day, give Dad what he really wants... a trip to the pub. Josie Kelly’s is offering brunch at 10 a.m., with dinner service beginning at 4

↘Continued on 52

Both

p.m. Dad can enjoy chef’s specials created with him in mind. The Whiskey Bar Balcony will be open to enjoy the view, and an unmatched selection of beers and whiskeys. The PGA u.S. Open will be live on TV, and a traditional Irish music session begins at 1 p.m. no reservations are required.

What: AC Pride - Stilettos and Spurs

Hoedown

Where: Anchor Rock Club | 247 S. n ew York Ave., Atlantic City

When: Friday, June 14

Time: 8 p.m.

Website: www.anchorrockclub.com

Strap on your stilettos and spurs for a

boot-stomping hoedown celebrating AC Pride featuring country tunes, line dancing, and a night of unity and joy at Anchor Rock Club.

Who: Andy Bell of erasure

Where: Caesars Atlantic City

When: Saturday, June 15

Time: 8 p.m.

Website: www.caesars.com/ caesars-ac/shows Andy Bell, the charismatic frontman for the British band erasure, has carved out a remarkable career filled with solo achievements, philanthropic endeavors, and a strong commitment to advocating for LGBT rights. His collaborative efforts span a wide spectrum of artists, including the likes of Jake Shears, Claudia Brücken, and Perry Farrell. With hit singles like “A Little Respect,” “Sometimes,” and “Always,” Bell’s soulful voice and stage presence have captivated audiences worldwide.

What: ‘Arts in AC: Past, Present & Future’ | Documentary Film Screening

Where: Sheraton Atlantic City Crown Ballroom

When: Saturday, June 15

Times: 3-9 p.m. (Art Gallery/ n etworking 3-6 p.m., Film Screening

6:30-8 p.m.)

Website: www.redonkulousent.com/ arts-in-ac-documentary

Presented by Redonkulous entertainment, the film tells the story of Atlantic City through an artistic lens. This full retrospective covers 127 years of history, from the late 19th century, leading up to the present.

Who: Rick Springfield w/ Richard Marx

Where: Borgata’s Music Box

When: Saturday, June 15

Time: 8 p.m.

Website: www.borgata.mgmresorts.com/en/ entertainment/the-music-box/rickspringfield-and-richard-marx.html

Rick Springfield and Richard Marx are teaming up for a series of co-headlining intimate solo acoustic performances. Full sets from each artist.

What: The Tour & Taste of Renault (Weekend edition)

Where: Renault Winery & Resort

When: every Saturday & Sunday May 4 - Aug. 31

Time: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Website: www.renaultwinery.com/ events/ e xplore the world of Renault Winery & Resort’s history as the oldest continually operating winery in the united States. As you explore its ma-

ny historic rooms, learn about how Renault has influenced the world of wine and how it has continually remained open since 1864. At the end of the tour, there is a guided wine tasting at the Tasting Room Bar.

What: AC Pride Dancing under The Rainbow

Where: The Claridge Hotel Grand Ballroom

When: June 21

Time: 7 p.m.

Website: www.acpride.org

A charitable dance showcase where local contestants compete to raise money for AC Pride’s Khoi Bui Scholarship Fund and be crowned with the Rainbow Crown.

What: north to Shore Festival & Atlantic City Showcase Stage & Village

Where: Atlantic City The Orange Loop Festival Grounds on n ew York Avenue

When: June 22 & 23

Time: 11 a.m. both days

Website: www. n orthtoShore. com

Discover what locals already know – Atlantic City’s arts and culinary scene is simply phenomenal (and not just in the casinos). Just O ne block from the world-famous Atlantic City beach and Boardwalk, the Showcase Stage and Artist Village will offer festival-goers a sampler of authentic Atlantic City sounds, food, drink, and artisans over two days at the Orange Loop Festival Grounds, in the heart of the city’s hippest neighborhood.

Whitney Ullman, Stockton University graduate, and founder of gotowhitney.com is known as a “go to” resource, content creator, reporter, and influencer with established credibility in Atlantic City, The Jersey Shore, Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. With over 6 million views on her social platforms, she created TheCityPulse.com as a go-to lifeline for all things happening in the city!

Absecon Concerts in the Park

▶Sunday, June 23, 7 p.m.

Free Outdoor Concerts

Heritage Park 699 Blenheim Ave.

The City of Absecon presents Concerts in the Park. This year’s summer schedule begins next Sunday, June 23, with live music from the Fabulous Silver Wings, playing country standards. All concerts start at 7 p.m. Bring your own chair or blanket. Fun, friends, food, and free admission.

Brigantine Summer Concert Series

▶Thursday, June 20, 7 p.m.

Brigantine Community Center 265 42nd St.

Brigantine Community education and Recreation will host a free outdoor concert on the Community Center lawn. Bring your lawn chair or blanket and listen to the sounds of the Friends Classic Rock Band. For more information, call the recreation office at 609-264-7350 ext. 1.

EHT Rhythm in the Park Concert Series

▶Friday, June 28, 7 – 9 p.m.

Robert J. Lincoln Amphitheater in Tony Canale Park

Bring your blanket and chairs and join eHT Parks & Recreation for a season of live music in the park. The

concert season begins with a mix of Irish, bluegrass, and rock 'n' roll with Tom Brett & Bill Felix. Visit www.ehtrec. com or www.facebook.com/ eHTRecreation in the event of inclement weather.

Galloway Music in the Park

▶Friday, June 21, 6 – 8 p.m.

Galloway Township Municipal Complex 300 e . Jimmie Leeds Rd.

Bring your blankets and chairs and join Galloway Township for a free outdoor concert. enjoy live music by the Funky Boys, plus plenty of delicious food from nautigirl Food Truck, Chillin’ Out Ice Cream, and Roimanelli’s Beer and Wine Garden open from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. The concert is presented by Galloway Township Community Services.

Jim Craine and the Atlantic City

All Star Band in Longport

▶Sunday, June 16, 7 p.m.

Kretchner Gazebo 27th and Oberon Ave.

Join the Borough of Longport in celebrating Father’s Day with a free outdoor concert. Jim Craine and his four-piece band will perform an evening of big band and jazz standards. Bring your lawn chair or blanket and

enjoy the sounds of Jim Craine and the Atlantic City All Star Band.

Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk

▶Wednesday, June 26, 7 p.m.

Kennedy Plaza 2300 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Tony Mart Presents Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk, featuring worldclass free concerts all summer long. The season kicks off with Victor Wainwright & The Train on June 26.

Known as “The Piano from Savannah”, the group is renowned as one of the greatest emerging roots rock bands. For more information, visit tonymart.com.

Somers Point Beach Concert Series

▶Friday, June 14, 7 p.m.

William Morrow Beach 800 Bay Ave.

The Somers Point Beach Concert Series kicks off its 31st season this week with music by emerging roots rock Americana artist Bywater Call, as they bring their Canadian big band and fresh southern soul to the Jersey Shore. Visit www.somerspointbeachconcerts.com for the full summer lineup.

Tony Mart Rocks The Point

▶Thursday, June 27 – August 29, 6 – 10 p.m.

The Point 998 Bay Ave. Somers Point

Tony Mart Rocks The Point every Thursday night starting June 27. Jersey Shore rock 'n' roll guitar hero, Billy Walton, will perform with his full band all summer long. For more information, visit tonymart.com.

Ventnor Summer Beach Jam

▶Saturday, June 22, 5:30 p.m.

Ski Beach Dorset & Burk Ave.

Listen to live music by the bay this summer. This year’s Summer Beach Jam will be held at Ski Beach. n ext week, enjoy live music by the Bob Sterling Band at 5:30 p.m., playing the best in live jazz, followed by The Burnsiders reggae band at 6:15 p.m. Food and crafters will be ready to serve you at 5 p.m.

CIRCLE LIQUOR STORE

Its Rose Season! New Wines Arriving

Absecon Outdoor Concerts

By Julia Train

CNorth to Shore event to “MOOve” funds to local nonprofit

.R.O.P.S. (Communities

Revolutionizing Open Public Spaces) is hosting a “Barn Show” fundraiser as part of n orth to Shore (n2S), a “statewide arts extravaganza of music, comedy, poetry, theater, film and technology” that takes place in north Jersey and at the shore for three weeks during the month of June.

The event will take place at the new C.R.O.P.S. garden at Fisherman's Park, located on Melrose Avenue. between n . Massachusetts and n Rhode Island avenues, Friday, June 21, 4-7 p.m.

C.R.O.P.S. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to “alleviate food insecurity through empowering healthy, interconnected communities by cultivating fresh produce, ensuring access to nutritious food, providing educational programming, and advocating for sustainable food systems and collaborative solutions,” according to its Facebook page.

The nonprofit works to bring local farm sources to multiple gardens

located in Atlantic City, Pleasantville and egg Harbor City. C.R.O.P.S. manages public community gardens and supports local garden sites.

According to the nonprofit’s website, their gardens produce well over 100 pounds of free produce each month for everyone in the community. enjoy music by Red Meat Conspiracy, a popular Pennsylvania and South Jersey-based band that dresses up as cows and plays instruments that aren’t normally used in musical groups, like a banjo and synth, while learning about the organization's mission to

bring healthy farm food to the city.

There also will be a life-size art installation of the nostalgic Fisher Price barn toy, which has been in production since the ‘50s, created by local artists. The barn will be used as a backdrop for the band and DJ, Big Body Kito, who’ll be dressed up as a farmer to stay with the theme.

The original plan was to have the barn in the garden as an art exhibit for the entire week that Atlantic City hosted north to Shore, but that changed because the park isn’t ready, according to Maribeth Capelli, Red Meat Conspiracy’s event organizer.

n orth to Shore was launched in 2023 to celebrate the Garden State’s legacy in arts and innovation.

The three-week-long event brings together over 50 stages, theaters, and other indoor and outdoor spaces to show off n ew Jersey’s excellence in the arts.

During the week of June 10–16, stages in Asbury Park are showcasing entertainers. Following that, Atlantic City will be the host of the event from June 17–23. The month will conclude, along with the extravaganza in n ew-

ark, June 23–30.

The event’s goal is to bring community awareness to the nonprofit in Atlantic City and raise funds through a night of music and community engagement. Those who wish to attend should bring picnic blankets or chairs to sit on and bring food to cook on the grills that are available for use on-site.

A donation of $15 is suggested and can be purchased online beforehand or at the door. All proceeds will go directly to support C.R.O.P.S.

rockers The B-52s coming to

Tune In, Turn On

By Doug Deutsch

The north To Shore Festival, launched in 2023 to showcase the arts in all their glory, returns to Atlantic City June 17-23 with a slew of music, cultural and arts events happening throughout Atlantic City.

One of the top headliners performing during n2S week is the iconic rock group, The B-52s. Formed back in 1976 after playing at a Valentine’s Day party for friends, The B-52s is one of the many great pop and rock acts to emerge from Athens, Ga., during that time. (R. e .M. is probably the best-known act besides The B-52s).

All four members: Fred Schneider (vocals/percussion), Kate Pierson

for North 2 Shore Week

(vocals/bass), Cindy Wilson (vocals/ percussion), and Keith Strickland (guitarist, multi-instrumentalist), have been with the band since their beginning. Wilson left in 1990, but returned full-time in 1996; while Strickland retired from touring with the group in 2012, but has remained in a songwriting/composing capacity.

The B-52s are known not only for their offbeat hairstyles (Pierson and Wilson wearing their hair in a beehive), but of course their many dance-oriented pop hits – “Roam,” “Rock Lobster,” “Private Idaho,” “Deadbeat Club” and “Planet Claire” topping a long list. They have sold more than 20 million records during

their 40-plus-year career, and their songs still sound as fresh today as they did back in their breakout years in the 1980s.

We recently interviewed B-52s band-members Kate Pierson (KP) and Fred Schneider (FS) Here’s how it went.

DD: What’s your secret for being able to keep the group together and touring after all these years?

KP: Laughter and creative juices mixed with an intent to deliver truly original dance music has kept us pumping all these years. Plus a genuine love of the music and each other.

FS: Well, we always cared deeply for each other, despite having some ups and downs, and we’re interacting more than ever now, and it’s a lot more fun to be on stage for me.

DD: Traveling the world on tour as you do, what are some of your alltime favorite cities and/or venues?

lovely town by the ocean, Atlantic City, where you've performed many times?

KP: Fred and I are n ew Jersey natives and I’ve always loved Atlantic City. We played there last summer by the famed Stone Pony and we had a blast at the local pinball arcade. Fred is actually from the area – South Jersey shore - so he’s part of its charm.

FS: (laughs) my mom and dad spent their honeymoon there and I came out nine months later. I remember it in the ’60s and ’70s with all the wedding cake hotels and everything was sort of magical.”

The B-52s will perform with special guests The Weeklings at Ocean Casino Resort’s Ovation Hall Saturday, June 22 at 8 p.m., part of n orth To Shore Festival week in Atlantic City. Info: www.theoceanac.com; www.northtoshore.com. n2S also happens June 10-16 in Asbury Park, and June 23-30 in n ewark.

KP: We love all our fans who come from all over the globe to see us, even when we played in small clubs (once we even had our stage on a table top). now our residencies at the Venetian Theater in Las Vegas have allowed millions more to see us. Come on down.

FS: That’s a hard one because we played major cities in so many countries and there’s always so many amazing things about each one.

DD: Any plans for any new B-52s music in the future?

KP: We have an exciting documentary and a book on the way and maybe… more music.

FS: Possibly…

DD: What do you think about our

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

See The B-52’s at Ocean Casino Saturday, June 22.

What does the future hold for the Atlantic Club?

By Bruce Klauber

Atlantic City’s original Golden nugget was the Atlantic City Boardwalk’s crown jewel. Built by Las Vegas casino magnate Stephen Wynn and the infa -

mous broker/investor Michael Milken at a cost of $140 million, the n ugget had the best of everything: The biggest name performers, best restaurants, nationally-known lounge entertainers, service, rooms and amenities.

upon its opening in 1980, it was the Boardwalk’s second smallest hotel/casino with only 506 rooms, yet by 1983 it was Atlantic City’s top earner. Prior to the opening of the Borgata, the nugget, and in its later incarnation as Bally’s Grand, was as close as one could get to the true, Las Vegas experience.

It was Bally’s Grand from 1987 to 1996 when it became the Hilton. Gradually the venue lost its luster and by 2009 it was in trouble. In 2012 it was sold again and the name was changed to the Atlantic Club. Marketing efforts focused on making the Club the spot for locals. It didn’t work and the Atlantic Club closed for good on Jan. 14, 2014.

ePG’s concept, which was actually approved by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, was to build an indoor/outdoor water park, with the casino space redeveloped for conventions and as an arcade. Again, nothing happened.

n ext a company called the R&R Development Group stepped in. Again, the plan was a water park and family entertainment center, but R&R couldn’t obtain financing.

SOMERS

POINT & EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP

That was 10 years ago, and the vacant, rusted, possibly dangerous and crumbling embarrassment of an eyesore still stands. If visitors enter Atlantic City via Albany Avenue, a very large and abandoned building is one of the first things on view. In the 10 years since the venue closed, plenty of plans have been floated for it. none have come to fruition thus far.

upon its closing, Caesars entertainment bought the physical property and the Tropicana purchased the gambling equipment. n ot long after, Caesars sold it to a Florida development firm

One of the more exciting possibilities happened in September of 2018 when Stockton university expressed interest in buying the property as a part of its expansion. Plans were to keep the parking garage but tear down the building and erect a new structure in its place. It was a great idea and Atlantic City residents and political powers-that-be agreed that it would be great for the city. u n -

At Farmers' Markets this Summer Brigantine Saturdays 8am-12 Margate Thursdays 8:30am -11:30

Outdoor Patio Seating

Scratch Recipe Buns

Savory Scones & Blueberry-Lemon Scones

Crumb Cake & Lemon Bars

Brownies & Apple Cider Donuts Cookies & Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bread

Coffee and Lattes SOURDOUGH TOAST SPECIALS

been doing a lot of talking since then and floating all manner of plans. To his credit, and the credit of Colosseo, the plans are impressive, thorough, and for the most part, realistic.

The plan, first detailed in February of 2023, was to turn the former Atlantic Club into a combination of luxury condominiums and a “branded,” high-end boutique hotel.

“So the project will be classified as a condo-tel, with condos on one side and a hotel on the other side,” Sebastiani told the online magazine, Play nJ, in 2023. “It’s going to take us two years to open.”

If that’s the timeline that’s troublesome, as it’s clear to anyone who has passed by the property that absolutely no work has been done on it, at least none can be seen from the outside. Sebastiani admitted in March that a 2025 opening won’t happen. He cites delays in obtaining permits from the Atlantic City construction office as one reason for the delay.

“As of January, we were in front of the construction board of appeals regarding our permit,” he told Play nJ. “The process has not been streamlined. The process is fighting to get a permit.”

Sebastiani obtained a construction permit from the city in September 2022 to begin recladding (removal and replacement of the building’s

damaged façade).

But Sebastiani said that, since March, he has been waiting for the city to approve one permit which he called a “condominium design permit for architecturals.”

Regarding other issues, the building has been approved for electric and plumbing subcodes pending payment, and the structural plans submitted earlier this month are “pending review,” according to city officials.

In addition, the Atlantic Club needs to update its fire technical form for devices to secure approval. As for the condo complex, city officials said the only applications received were related to HVAC units, and those plans were “rejected as insufficient considering the scope of the project.”

One issue that was only addressed briefly by Sebastiani is whether the structure’s deteriorating and somewhat dangerous current condition can actually be structurally rehabbed.

“We had the plan to go in and modernize the furniture and the fixtures,” he told Casino.org in April of 2023. “But when we got in there, the

systems didn’t work. It was really, really bad.” not only was the building’s façade falling onto the Boardwalk and streets below, the interior was severely damaged by water intrusion and years of neglect, he said.

The city acknowledges that it is an important issue, and is engaged in working toward a solution.

“The city shares your concerns with respect to this property,” Mayor Marty Small told me. “The façade permit has been issued, the electrical and plumbing permits have been approved, but not yet issued, and the building permit was submitted, but returned for correction.

“We stand ready to assist the private owners in any way we can

to secure the necessary permits to proceed with work, but the city must also make sure we are following proper protocols in doing so during this process.”

The upside of all this is that it looks like a new and revamped Atlantic Club will eventually happen. If anyone doubts that miraculous things can happen on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, remember the case of the Revel Hotel and Casino. Revel closed in 2014, the same year the Atlantic Club closed. It took four years, but the spectacular Ocean Casino Resort opened on the Revel site in 2018.

If the Revel saga had a happy ending, there’s no reason why the Atlantic Club can’t have one as well. It’s only a question of when.

Miss’d America Pageant headed to Caesars Atlantic City

By Chuck Darrow

The Miss’d America Pageant is packing up its wigs, stiletto heels and pantyhose and Vogueing down the Boardwalk to a new home.

earlier this week, event organizers and Caesars Atlantic City officials announced that this year’s edition of the popular drag throwdown would be staged Sept. 14 at the midtown pleasure dome’s theater. As he has for years, “Queer eye For the Straight Guy” star Carson Kressley will emcee the competition, which this year will have—unsurprisingly—an ancient-Rome theme dubbed “Bacchanal: A Roman Fantasy.”

At a Boardwalk press conference announcing the move (Miss’d America was previously held at Hard Rock Ho -

tel & Casino Atlantic City), the pageant’s producer, long-time local LGBTQ+ activist Richard Helfant, said that the only change will be geographic in nature. Miss’d America, he offered, “Will always be a mirror of the Miss America Pageant,” with judging conducted in four categories: evening wear, swimwear, talent and question-and-answer.

Karen Worman, Caesars’ senior vice-president and general manager, noted that her property was a perfect fit for the boys-will-be-girls extravaganza given the all-in commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DeI) on the part of corporate parent Caesars entertainment Inc.

for a variety of charities and causes including the South Jersey AIDS Alliance and Greater Atlantic City GLBT Alliance.

For tickets, go to borgata. mgmresorts.com.

And on June 23, Ocean Casino Resort is staging a Sunday Tea Dance in The Cabanas, The soiree, which also benefits Garden State equity, features Grammy-winning DJ Hex Hector and specialty cocktails. Admission is free to all 21 and older, with cabana and daybed rentals available.

For the brunch bunch

While providing an evening of fierce-and-fabulous fun is the ostensible goal of the annual cross-dressing spectacular, Gary Hill, who co-founded Miss’d America with his partner, John Schultz, emphasized the philanthropic work that underpins the bash. Hill pointed out that the pageant has raised some $400,000

The Miss’d America Pageant— which reigning champion Freeda Kulo described as “a beacon for the queer community,” was first staged in 1993 at the old Studio Six nightclub as a spoof of, and goof on, the Miss America Pageant, which had been an Atlantic City institution since 1921. It was originally held on the Sunday night after the nationally televised Miss America final round was conducted the prior evening. Helfant recalled the first winner was “crowned with a Burger King paper crown,” and presented with a bouquet of dead roses.

Miss America’s move to Las Vegas in 2005 put a halt to Miss’d America in Atlantic City, but it was revived in 2010 and, bragged Helfant, it “took off with…magic and gusto.”

Tickets will be available to the public at a to-be-announced date.

Pride Month continues

Speaking of LGBTQ+/drag goings on, there are still a couple of Pride Month events scheduled at local gaming halls.

On June 22, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa will conduct another session of “Pride Bingo.” Co-sponsored by Garden State equality, n ew Jersey’s largest LGBTQ+ advocacy and education organization, the games will take place from 4 to 6 p.m.

Hosting will be Thorgy Thor of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” fame. Also performing will be Sandy Beach, Joy Marnier, Ginger Alley and Alexia Love, with music by DJ nomad.

Prizes include Borgata overnight stays, spa treatments and dinner for two. General admission tickets cost $35; $150 gets you a meet-and-greet with Thor and a gift bag. All proceeds are earmarked for Garden State equity.

The peak-season months bring with them the institution of the Sunday Champagne Brunch at Council Oak Steaks and Seafood Restaurant at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.

The elegant smorgasbord appears to be doing its best to make sure guests are filled to the brim: For starters, when guests are seated, they are presented with cinnamon pull-apart sweet bread with warm Madagascar vanilla icing.

From there, it’s off to the Ice Sculpture Raw Bar featuring oysters, clams, and individual portions of tuna tartare or, perhaps, the carving station, which boasts 28-day, dry-aged n ew York strip steak and a Kessler pork rack with stone-ground mustard sauce.

For the more traditional all-youcan-eaters, the bill of fare includes a salad bar and such breakfast dishes as scrambled, cage-free eggs, butcher-cut applewood smoked bacon and Thuman’s sausage, home fries and French toast (albeit angel food cake French toast with banana custard and warm maple syrup). A la carte items, among them eggs Benedict are also available.

And, of course, there is plenty in the way of sweet stuff, including a selection of Viennese-style desserts and pastries created by acclaimed Hard Rock e xecutive Pastry Check Thaddeus DuBois.

As for adult beverages, guests can avail themselves of Council Oak’s inventory of more than 350 wines, specialty cocktails and top-shelf spirits.

The Sunday Champagne Brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $79.95 per person (alcoholic beverages not included). Reservations are recommended. Go to casino. hardrock.com/atlanticcity.

Chuck Darrow has spent more than 40 years writing about Atlantic City casinos.

Live & Local Music Calendar

Thursday, June 13

Atlantic City

Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino

DJ Chris Roberts

8 p.m.

500 Boardwalk

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

Dane Anthony

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

600 Huron Ave.

The Deck at Golden Nugget

B Street Band

7 – 11 p.m.

600 Huron Ave.

The Glitter Bar at Resorts

Karaoke night w/ DJ Joe

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

1133 Boardwalk

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock

The Benjamins

7 – 11 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk

Brigantine

LaScala’s Beach House

Cheezy & The Crackers

6 – 10 p.m.

1400 Ocean Ave.

Linwood

Fox Den at LCC

Tom & Kim

6 – 10 p.m. 500 Shore Rd.

Marmora

Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern

Atley Moon & The Say Somethings

6 – 10 p.m.

316 Roosevelt Blvd.

Somers Point

Caroline’s by the Bay

Karaoke Hosted by Mike

Dempsey

9 p.m. – 1 a.m.

450 Bay Ave.

Mexiquila

Vahe Sarkissian

5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

101 e . Maryland Ave.

Queen Jayne’s Jeff & Barney

6 – 9 p.m.

264 n ew Rd.

The Point

Billy Walton Band

6 – 10 p.m.

998 Bay Ave.

Ventnor

Ventnor Coffee

Council Oak at Hard Rock

Vahe Sarkissian Trio

6 – 9 p.m.

DJ Louie C

Open Mic night w/ Pete Glaze &

T Five

6:30 – 9 p.m.

108 n . Dorset Ave.

Friday, June 14

Atlantic City

Anchor Rock Club

AC Pride: Stilettos and Spurs Hoedown

8 p.m.

247 S. n ew York Ave.

10 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.

1000 Boardwalk

Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino

Patty & Bugzy

7 p.m.

Stealing Savannah

10 p.m.

500 Boardwalk

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

Jexxa Duo

6 – 10 p.m.

Big Bang Baby

10 p.m. – 2 a.m.

600 Huron Ave.

Steel Pier

Glenn Roberts

4 – 7 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk

The Balcony at Hard Rock Dario Valli

10 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk

The Deck at Golden Nugget

Groove Heart

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

600 Huron Ave.

The Glitter Bar at Resorts

Anthony Della Barba

6 – 9 p.m.

DJ Ahmid

9 p.m. – 2 a.m.

1133 Boardwalk

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Yani

5 – 8:30 p.m.

Goodman Fiske

9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.

1000 Boardwalk

The Yard at Bally’s

Be Our Guest: Disney Party

10 p.m. – 1 a.m.

1900 Pacific Ave.

Villain & Saint at Ocean Casino

Frisky

9:30 p.m.

500 Boardwalk

Brigantine

LaScala’s Beach House Jamison

6 – 10 p.m.

1400 Ocean Ave.

Egg Harbor City

Renault Winery

Philly Keys

6 – 10 p.m.

72 n . Bremen Ave.

Egg Harbor Township

The Roost Pub & Grill

Chris Yoder Band

6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

500 St. Andrews Dr. Galloway

Romanelli’s Garden Café

John Brennan

6 – 9 p.m.

279 S. n ew York Rd.

Linwood

Fox Den at LCC

Matt Adams

6 – 10 p.m.

500 Shore Rd.

Marmora

Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern

Dead Reckoning

6 – 10 p.m.

Christian Glomb

8:30 – 11:30 p.m.

316 Roosevelt Blvd.

Smithville

Fred & Ethel’s Lantern Light

Jim Commander

7 – 10 p.m.

1 n n ew York Rd.

Somers Point

Caroline’s by the Bay

Brandon Ireland Band

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

450 Bay Ave.

Fitzpatrick’s

Andy Berlin

5 – 8 p.m.

650 n ew Rd.

The Point

The e xceptions

6 – 10 p.m.

998 Bay Ave.

Sweetwater

Sweetwater Marina

Knockouts. 7 – 11 p.m.

2780 7th Ave. ↘Continued

Stealing Savannah

Tuckerton

The Lizzie Rose Music Room

Davy Knowles

7:30 p.m.

217 e . Main St.

Saturday, June 15

Atlantic City

1927 Lounge at Ocean Casino

Steven Luhmann

6 p.m.

500 Boardwalk

Council Oak at Hard Rock

Minas Trio

6 – 9 p.m.

DJ Santi

10 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.

1000 Boardwalk

Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino

Indelible Groove Duo

7 p.m.

500 Boardwalk

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

Last Late night

5 – 9 p.m.

The FM Band

10 p.m. – 2 a.m.

600 Huron Ave.

Steel Pier

Killer B’s

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

1000 Boardwalk

Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall

Glenn Roberts. 8 – 11 p.m.

133 S. Tennessee Ave.

The Balcony at Hard Rock

DJ Mike Lowry

10 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk

The Deck at Golden Nugget

The Deck Band

2:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Dirty Dance Band

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

600 Huron Ave.

The Glitter Bar at Resorts

Who Brought the Dog

6 – 9 p.m.

DJ Gary 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.

1133 Boardwalk

Happy Dads Day Specials

TI ME TO C E L E B R AT E DA D

OP E N F O R D INN ER O N S U N DAY DA D S DAY ‘ TIL 10 P M

B YO B - N O C ORK AG E FEE S

16 O Z P RI M E R I B 2 8

se r v e d w i t h ma s hed pot a t o an d

g r i l led a s pa r ag u s , t opped w it h

Bleu c heese c r ab c r eam sa u c e

CE D A R PL A N K SALM O N 2

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po t a t o an d g r i l le d a sp a r a g u s , t oppe d w it h le mon d i l l c

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock

Austin City nights

5 – 8:30 p.m.

Band of Make Believe

9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.

1000 Boardwalk

The Yard at Bally’s

DJ Philly Will 5 – 9 p.m.

Stealing Savannah 10 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.

1900 Pacific Ave.

Villain & Saint at Ocean Casino

The Original Copy

9:30 p.m.

500 Boardwalk

Dads Day Dinner Menu June 13-16 with Live Music Friday 6/14 - Andy Berlin Saturday 6/15 - Phil Stocker Sunday 6/16 - Beth Tinnon

Brigantine

LaScala’s Beach House

Fat Mezz

1 – 5 p.m.

Cat 5

6 – 10 p.m.

1400 Ocean Ave.

Egg Harbor City

Renault Winery

Go Ham

12 – 4 p.m.

The Dunns

6 – 10 p.m.

72 n . Bremen Ave.

Galloway

Romanelli’s Garden Café

David Kelly

11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

279 S. n ew York Rd.

Linwood

Fox Den at LCC

Brian McConnell

6 – 10 p.m.

500 Shore Rd.

Margate

Bocca no Clue Duo

8 – 11 p.m.

7805 Ventnor Ave.

Marmora

Yesterday’s Creekside

Tavern

The Company

6 – 10 p.m.

Jay LaBoy

8:30 – 11:30 p.m.

316 Roosevelt Blvd.

Smithville

Fred & Ethel’s Lantern

Light

Steve Gitto

7 – 10 p.m.

1 n n ew York Rd.

Somers Point

Caroline’s by the Bay

Petty Cash Duo

5 – 8 p.m.

Surrounded by Idiots

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

450 Bay Ave.

Fitzpatrick’s

Phil Stocker

5 – 8 p.m.

650 n ew Rd.

Josie Kelly’s

The Turtle Heads

9 p.m. – 12 a.m.

908 Shore Rd.

Mexiquila

Brother Jerome

3 – 7 p.m.

101 e . Maryland Ave.

The Point

usual Suspects

6 – 10 p.m.

998 Bay Ave.

Sweetwater

Sweetwater Marina

Allen & Brian

12 – 4 p.m.

Soul Seduction

7 – 11 p.m.

2780 7th Ave.

The Benjamins

Tuckerton

The Lizzie Rose Music Room

Billy Hector w/ The Midnight Horns

7:30 p.m.

217 e . Main St.

Sunday, June 16

Absecon

Reddog’s Hi Point Pub

Brian Samson

6 p.m.

5 n . Shore Rd.

Atlantic City

Council Oak Lounge

Joe Vlado

10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Vahe Sarkissian

5:30 – 9 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk

Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino

Dueling Pianos

8 p.m.

500 Boardwalk

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

3AM Tokyo Duo

7 – 11 p.m.

600 Huron Ave.

Steel Pier

Tony Rusnik

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

1000 Boardwalk

The Deck at Golden Nugget

The e xceptions

2:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Dane Anthony

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

600 Huron Ave.

The Glitter Bar at Resorts

DJ Charles

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

1133 Boardwalk

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock night Anthem

4 – 7 p.m.

Se7en Band

8:30 – 11:30 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk

Brigantine

LaScala’s Beach House

Incognito

1 – 5 p.m.

M80

6 – 10 p.m.

1400 Ocean Ave.

Egg Harbor City

Renault Winery

Lisa Bouchelle

12 – 4 p.m.

72 n . Bremen Ave.

Galloway

Romanelli’s Garden Café

Zach Runfolo

12 – 3 p.m.

279 S. n ew York Rd.

Margate

Bocca

Jim Shaw

10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

7805 Ventnor Ave.

Somers Point

Caroline’s by the Bay no Clue Trio

4 – 8 p.m.

450 Bay Ave.

Fitzpatrick’s

Beth Tinnon

5 – 8 p.m.

650 n ew Rd.

Josie Kelly’s

Traditional Irish Session

1 – 4 p.m.

908 Shore Rd.

Mexiquila

eSQ

3 – 7 p.m.

101 e . Maryland Ave.

The Point

The Verdict

6 – 10 p.m.

998 Bay Ave.

Sweetwater

Sweetwater Marina

Buried edge

2 – 6 p.m.

2780 7th Ave.

Monday, June 17

Atlantic City

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

95 Trio Live

7 – 11 p.m.

600 Huron Ave.

The Deck at Golden Nugget

Red

6:30 – 10:30 p.m.

600 Huron Ave.

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Sidestory

7 – 11 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk

Somers Point

The Point

Jerry Watkins

6 – 10 p.m.

998 Bay Ave.

Tuesday, June 18

Atlantic City

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

Patty & Bugzy

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

600 Huron Ave.

The Deck at Golden Nugget

DJ Michael James

8:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.

600 Huron Ave.

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock

Dane Anthony Band

7 – 11 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk

Somers Point

Josie Kelly’s

DJ Special K

5 – 9 p.m.

908 Shore Rd.

The Point

JD Valenteen

6 – 10 p.m.

998 Bay Ave.

Wednesday, June 19

Atlantic City

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

Michael Stevens

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

600 Huron Ave.

The Deck at Golden Nugget

Hawkins Road

6:30 – 10:30 p.m.

600 Huron Ave.

The Glitter Bar at Resorts

DJ Gary

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

1133 Boardwalk

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock

Split Decision

7 – 11 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk

Brigantine

LaScala’s Beach House

The Company

6 – 10 p.m.

1400 Ocean Ave.

Margate Bocca

Bob Sterling & The Bocca Boys

7 – 10 p.m. 7805 Ventnor Ave.

Somers Point

Caroline’s by the Bay

Open Mic n ight hosted by Blue eagle

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

450 Bay Ave.

Josie Kelly’s

Jimmy Brogan

6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

908 Shore Rd.

The Point

Wesley Ochs

6 – 10 p.m. 998 Bay Ave.

Events subject to change.

Monday-Saturday 7am-9pm • Sunday 7am-4pm

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino celebrated Pride Month with Flag Raising Ceremony

Following AC Pride’s Third Annual Rainbow Ride & March, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City held a ceremony to raise the Pride Flag on Saturday, June 8. The ceremony featured remarks by Hard Rock Atlantic City leadership, special guest three-time Daytime emmy winner and writer Anthony Wilkinson, and AC Pride representatives.

Hard Rock Atlantic City was a proud sponsor of AC Pride’s Third Annual Rainbow Ride & March held earlier in the day. The ride began in Ventnor, n .J., and culminated with the raising of the Pride Flag at Hard Rock Atlantic City. After the ceremony, the resort hosted an after-party at their newly opened outdoor restaurant, The Terrace.

Photos by Tom Briglia/ PhotoGraphics

Atlanticare Concerts on the Beach: Among the best outdoor concert series in America

Celebrated for its stellar lineup, the Atlanticare Concerts on the Beach have clinched top spots in national ratings, winning the uSA Readers Poll for the #1 outdoor concert series in 2023 and securing 2nd place in 2024. Somers Point remains a favorite, continually being voted among the best outdoor concert series in the nation.

Starting June 14, 2024, the series features 17 shows over 14 weeks, showcasing international touring acts and diverse cultural musical presentations—all completely free. Comparable shows often cost between $35-$75 per ticket.

Somers Point hosts multi-awardwinning artists, including Grammy, Blues Foundation, Big easy, and BMA award winners, rarely seen in free local concerts.

Highlights of the 2024 Season:

- June 14: The season kicks off with emerging Americana roots rock jam band Bywater Call.

- July 4: A special performance by John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band, playing the “ eddie and The

June

June

July

July

Cruisers” soundtrack 42 years after the film was made at Tony Marts. This will be featured in a PBS special, with original movie producer Marty Davidson and possibly other cast members in attendance.

- July 5 and 8: Mardi Gras in July with Waylon Thibodeaux and Ben Levin's n ew Orleans R&B Band, featuring a Jersey Gumbo and n ew Orleans Music Festival.

- July 12: Ladies night double

header with Dana Fuchs, star of “Across The universe,” and Jersey's top tribute band, “The Girls Can’t Help It.”

- July 17: A triple concert with The Phantom Blues Band, Curtis Salgado, and funky blues violinist Heather Lil’ Mama Hardy.

- July 26: “The Tony Mart Legacy of the Last Waltz” featuring music from Bob Dylan & The Band, Van Morrison, and others, performed by top international stars.

August Highlights:

- Aug. 2: nashville producer Tom Hambridge, performing songs he produced for notable artists including The Rolling Stones and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram.

- Aug. 9: A performance by renowned reggae band Third World.

- Aug. 16: A throwback to 1970 with original members of disco band Wildflower and a Springsteen tribute by e Street Shuffle.

- Aug. 23: Mardi Gras with saxophonist Jimmy Carpenter from The Big easy Cruise.

- Aug. 30: Grammy-nominated blues rocker Joe Louis Walker, fol -

The summer finale includes a double concert with local favorite band red and the Tony Mart Allstars, leading up to the Good Old Days festival at Kennedy Park on Sept. 7.

The Somers Point Beach Committee extends gratitude to the City of Somers Point for supporting these unparalleled free concerts. Let the good times roll!

July

July

Aug 2

Preeminent Nashville Producer Of The Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Zz Top, Susan Tedeschi

Aug 9 Third World

One Of The Greatest And Most Popular Reggae Bands In The World: “Now That We’ve Found Love” “Try

lowed by South Jersey’s rock band Fat Mezz.

Photos by John Loreaux

Remembering Sonny Schwartz: Atlantic City’s legendary columnist

6/7 6pm-9pm Rob McMahon

6/8 11am-2pm Kat Rivers

6/9 12pm-3pm Evan Emerle

6/14 6pm-9pm John Brennan

6/15 11am-2pm David Kelly

6/16 12pm-3pm Zach Runfolo

6/21 6pm-9pm Brian Kmetz

6/22 11am-2pm Tom Quaile

6/23 12pm-3pm Brian Young

6/28 6pm-9pm Kadin Sevene

6/29 11am-2pm Kat Rivers

6/30 12pm-3pm Frank Cervantes

By Bruce Klauber

There was a time when many newspaper columnists were as famous as the celebrities, politicians and sports figures they covered. When talking about those colorful figures, names like Walter Winchell, Hedda Hopper, Rona Barrett, Dorothy Kilgallen, Sheliah Graham, Louella Parsons, Liz Smith and earl Wilson immediately come to mind.

Atlantic City’s legendary newspaper columnist and radio host, Sonny Schwartz, may have come out of the Winchell/Kilgallen school of journalists, and he was just as much a personality as they were, but his work extended way beyond political talk and coverage of visiting celebrities.

For 37 years his spot-on reporting and opinion columns for The Press of Atlantic City were not only widely read, they were extraordinarily influential.

He left The Press in 1990 and became a radio broadcaster via his nine-year affiliation with Atlantic City’s WMID Radio. His program, “Dateline: Atlantic City,” which often broadcast live from his condo at the Vassar Square Condominiums on the Ventnor Boardwalk, was sometimes entertaining, sometimes kooky, and sometimes ground-breaking.

I was a frequent guest on “Dateline” during the 1990s, promoting my books and musical appearances, and I was always astonished at Sonny’s ability to make the mundane sound exciting. He was funny, quick, and lovable – a “man about town” who left his stamp on whatever he did, whether he was writing a newspaper column, or hosting a radio or television program.

South Philadelphia native Anthony DiFlorio, III, worked as the program’s associate talent coordinator from 1993 until 1997. “He was my introduction to many of the stars who were still active and playing the casino showrooms in Atlantic City,” DiFlorio said. “I’d write promos for the guests, and later on, I made it possible for Sonny’s dream of simulcasting the radio show on cable television come true.”

The show originated out of a makeshift studio in his apartment and included a stunning mural behind the couch as a set.

“We tried to bring back the classic variety television programs, and we almost succeeded,” DiFlorio said. “I still have most of the tapes and they are a time capsule of the swan song of classic showbiz.”

DiFlorio said he will always be grateful to Sonny Schwartz for giving him his start in broadcasting.

“I think of him often when I see or hear something about entertainment and wonder what Sonny would have said about it. I doubt he would be excited about most of what passes for entertainment today.”

His daughter, Pauline Schwartz, could write volumes about her father.

“He was a larger-than-life figure who truly lit up any room with his presence,” Pauline Schwartz said. “He had a natural charisma, a sparkling wit, and a fundamental sense of humility – a rare quality for a person in the entertainment world.”

She said her father was unlike other media personalities who used their connections to brag and promote themselves.

“He always downplayed his own talent and skills and focused on others. Sonny was a true ‘mensch’ in every sense of the word. He was a champion of the underdog. He was happy to help publicize good and worthy causes in the community,” she said.

Pauline Schwartz called him a master connector and networker who never networked for his own personal gain.

“Instead he delighted in connecting people to each other. He connected aspiring, unknown entertainers to the talent agents or casino folks who could get them gigs. He connected many businesspeople and investors in the early days of the casino industry,

always behind the scenes, without any promotion or benefit for himself.”

He was one of the people responsible for getting casino gambling legalized in Atlantic City in 1976, writing columns in The Press advocating for casinos, and connecting representatives from various public interest groups, pro and con, so they could try to find common ground.

“Sonny was an eternal optimist about Atlantic City, his beloved hometown. Many referred to him as ‘the city’s biggest cheerleader.’ In the dark days pre-casinos, and even after casinos brought some problems to the area, he never gave up hope.”

no homage to Sonny Schwartz is complete without telling the unlikely story of Schwartz and Frank Sinatra’s $10,000 yarmulke.

In December of 2018, Sotheby’s auctioned off items once owned by Sinatra and his widow, Barbara. According to writer Stephen Silver of The Jewish Standard newspaper, “The item that made the most headlines was one of the smallest: a hand-knit yarmulke. Frank had owned it, and someone – we don’t know who – bought it for nearly $10,000.”

As the story goes, in 1980, Sonny Schwartz was honored by the Hebrew Academy of Atlantic County at a dinner held at the old Teplitzky’s Hotel.

“It was a super-big deal for our family,” recalled Pauline. She remembers saying the Hamotzi blessing at that dinner, along with the evening’s emcee, the Jewish comedian and Rat Pack fixture, Joey Bishop.

Sonny Schwartz was a main organizer of the dinner the next year, and the following year, he produced the gala dinner, which honored Paul “Skinny” D’Amato of 500 Club nightclub fame, one of the few non-Jews to receive the honor.

Frank Sinatra was there, and during the evening, Sonny Schwartz presented Sinatra with a handmade yarmulke emblazoned with his name and musical notes.

“When I saw the picture, the one that was auctioned,” said Pauline, “I immediately knew that it was from that time, because my father got one at the same time.” (Schwartz’s yarmulke featured typewriters instead of musical notes).

As to the origins of the yarmulke: Rabbi Mordechai Weiss, then president of the Hebrew Academy, believes that presenting it was the idea of the late Rubin Wishkin, a past president of the day school, and that it was actually crocheted either by Wishkin’s wife, Miriam, or a Wishkin friend. Pauline Schwartz thinks it was one of Weiss' daughters, or possibly Weiss’ wife.

Schwartz was involved in several charities. He was the founder of the local chapter of The 200 Club, an organization that provides immediate financial assistance to the families of fallen law enforcement and first responders who die in the line of duty. The club also gives scholarships to college-bound students who are the children of first responders/police/firefighters. There is an annual scholarship awarded in Sonny’s name, in tribute to his work in helping to found the Atlantic/Cape May County Chapter of The 200 Club.

n ot long after Sonny Schwartz’s passing on n ov. 9, 1998, at age 65, his print reporting, as well as articles about him, with an assist by Sonny’s

son, David, were deemed important enough to be housed in the Special Collections and Archives section within the university Library Section of the university of Las Vegas.

It’s no surprise that two Atlantic City legends, Sonny and Paul “Skinny” D’Amato, were extremely close and had a deep connection. Pauline Schwartz remembers: “I recall many times finding him on the phone with my ‘ u ncle Skinny’ when I woke up in the middle of the night as a child. They would talk on the phone for hours every night, about anything and everything.

“They met in the 1950s, when my father was visiting his mother in

the hospital, and Skinny was visiting his wife who was there. Skinny was like a father figure to him, but also a brother, and a best friend. He used to tell me, ‘Skinny’ taught me how to be a man’.”

Sonny Schwartz. What a man he was.

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

A tribute to the beatles dinner show

SATURDAY - jUNE 29, 2024 - 6:00pm - $90 00 Per Person

a nd enjoy a live show that you don't want to miss! The Beat Tells, a premier tribute band, will captivate you with a walk through time. Sharing your favorite Beatles tunes from the early years through all the eras of greatness! Price includes show ticket with assigned seating, gourmet dinner buffet, non-alcoholic drinks, tax and service fee.

must be purchased online from our website

Atlantic City Headliners

Saturday, June 15

Gipsy Kings feat. Nicolas Reyes

▶8 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino

Rick Springfield and Richard Marx

▶8 p.m.

The Music Box at Borgata

Andy Bell of Erasure

▶8 p.m.

Circus Maximus Theater at Caesars

Forever Seger

▶8 p.m.

Superstar Theater at Resorts

Thursday, June 20

Kurt Vile and the Violators

▶8 p.m.

Anchor Rock Club

Friday, June 21

A Day to Remember

▶7 p.m.

Hard Rock Live at etess Arena

Justin Silva

▶7:30 p.m.

Sound Waves at Hard Rock

An Evening with John Legend

▶8 p.m.

Borgata event Center

Happy Together Tour

▶9 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino

Prince Royce & Wisin

▶8 p.m.

Adrian Phillips Theater at Boardwalk Hall

The Australian Pink Floyd Show

▶9 p.m.

Tropicana Showroom

Eric Roberson & Avery Sunshine

▶8 p.m.

Circus Maximus Theater at Caesars

Schoolly D

▶9 p.m.

Anchor Rock Club

Saturday, June 22

Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

▶7 p.m.

Hard Rock Live at etess Arena

Sheng Wang

▶8 p.m.

Sound Waves at Hard Rock

The B-52’s

▶8 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino

A Night of Love AC w/ Keyshia

Cole, Trey Songz, Jaheim

▶8 p.m.

Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall

Barenaked Ladies

▶8 p.m.

Tropicana Showroom

Kev Herrera

▶7 p.m.

The Music Box at Borgata

Chris Distefano and Sam Morril

▶7 p.m.

Circus Maximus Theater at Caesars

Friday, June 28

Dave Chappelle

▶7 p.m. & 10 p.m.

Hard Rock Live at etess Arena

Lynyrd Skynyrd

▶9 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino

Jeff Arcuri

▶7 p.m.

The Music Box at Borgata

Saturday, June 29

Jon Batiste

▶8 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino

Eric D’Alessandro

▶7 p.m. & 10 p.m.

Sound Waves at Hard Rock

Temptations Review feat. Dennis Edwards

▶8 p.m.

Superstar Theater at Resorts

Sweet

▶9 p.m.

Christopher Cross

▶9 p.m.

Harrah’s Atlantic City

Saturday, July 13

Peach at the Beach Festival w/ Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Dogs in a Pile & More

Island Waterpark at Showboat

Atlantic City Beer & Music Fest

Summer Session w/ Fortunate Youth & The Menzingers

▶12 – 4 p.m. & 6 – 10 p.m.

Bader Field

The O’Jays

▶8 p.m.

Golden nugget Atlantic City

Sherya Ghoshal

▶8 p.m.

Hard Rock Live at etess Arena

Wednesday, July 3

Kesha

▶9 p.m.

Hard Rock Live at etess Arena

Friday, July 5

Pat McGann

▶9 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino

Saturday, July 6

Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo

▶8 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino

Hasan Minhaj

▶8 p.m.

Circus Maximus Theater at Caesars

Sunday, July 7

Donny Osmond

▶7 p.m.

Hard Rock Live at etess Arena

Friday, July 12

Brian McKnight

▶8 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino

The Disco Biscuits

▶9 p.m.

Bourbon Ballroom at Showboat

Hard Rock Live at etess Arena

Steve Trevino

▶7 p.m.

Sound Waves at Hard Rock

Impractical Jokers

▶6 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino

An Evening with Amos Lee

▶8 p.m.

The Music Box at Borgata

Blue Oyster Cult

▶9 p.m.

Golden nugget Atlantic City

Marco Benevento w/ Doom

Flamingo

▶11:30 p.m.

Bourbon Ballroom at Showboat

On Sale This Week

Kevin Hart

▶Sunday, July 21, 7 p.m.

Hard Rock Live at etess Arena

Jordan Davis

▶Friday, September 13, 8 p.m.

Hard Rock Live at etess Arena

Giggly Squad Live

▶Friday, October 11, 8 p.m.

Hard Rock Live at etess Arena

Brad Paisley

▶Saturday, October 12, 8 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino

Matteo Bocelli

▶Saturday, november 30, 8 p.m.

Sound Waves at Hard Rock

All tickets on sale Fri. June 14, 10 a.m.

John Legend

Chris Ford Memorial Basketball Weekend raises funds & nets bus for Boys & Girls Club

The second annual Chris Ford Memorial Basketball Tournament brought the community out to honor a legacy at the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City June 7-9. Raising funds for the programs at the Club, the tournament also netted a surprise donation from evolution of a bus to be used to transport members of the Club to various program functions and events.

“ evolution is proud to support the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City with the donation of club buses,” said Matthew Mrozinski, Head of Studio, evolution. “We are firmly committed to the community we live and work in, and we hope that this initiative enables the youth of Atlantic City to fully benefit from the programs and opportunities the Boys & Girls Club creates.”

Cooper Levenson won the eightteam, single-elimination tournament

FRIDAY - JUNE 14

Brandon Ireland Band 8pm-12am

SATURDAY - JUNE 15

Pretty Cash Duo 5pm-8pm

Surrounded by Idiots Band 8am-12am

SUNDAY - JUNE 16

No Clue Trio 4pm-8pm

FRIDAY - JUNE 21

The Company Band 8pm-12am

SATURDAY - JUNE 22

Dr Phil & The Heart Attacks Band 4pm-8pm

DJ Entertainment 8pm-12am

SUNDAY - JUNE 23

Chris Yoder Band 4pm-8pm

beating Berkshire Hathaway 84 to 79. Cooper Levenson beat Caesars entertainment in the semi-finals, 69 to 53, while Berkshire Hathaway won their match against Merrill Lynch/City of AC with a score of 76 to 73.

The weekend honored the memory of former basketball player and coach Chris Ford. Liane and Lloyd Levenson and evolution were presented with the Chris Ford Memorial Award. Members of Chris Ford’s family were in attendance to salute the honorees who are continuing Chris’ legacy.

“The Chris Ford Memorial Basketball Weekend exemplifies the spirit of community and generosity that Chris was known for,” said Dr. Charles A. Wallace II, CeO of the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City. “The funds raised, and the new bus, will have an immediate impact on our programs and the lives of the children we serve.”

About Chris Ford

An Atlantic City native, Chris Ford graduated from Holy Spirit High School. He attended Villanova university, where he led his team to three consecutive n CAA Tournaments. From there, Ford was drafted to the Detroit Pistons in 1972 and eventually went on to finish his time as an n BA player with the Boston Celtics in 1978. Ford was part of the Celtics’ n BA Championship team in 1981 but is perhaps best known for making the first official threepoint shot in professional basketball history. He spent his final years in the n BA as a coach, ending with a tenure at the Philadelphia 76ers.

Chris Ford has a long history of volunteerism with the youth bas-

ketball programs at the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City. Throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s, he volunteered his time to coach and mentor Club members who were playing recreational ball in its gym. In 2021, Ford served on the GO HOOPS Committee to renovate the gym into a state-of-art arena. He passed away in early 2023; the Club and community recognize his legacy with the n BA as well as his influence and involvement in Atlantic City and its surrounding communities.

Photos by Tom Briglia/PhotoGraphics

Summer Wine Tour of Italy: Part 2

Drink Up!

By David Setley

Welcome to week two of our Summer Wine Tour of Italy. Last week, we explored the northwest region of Piemonte. This week, we’ll cross the northern section of the country to investigate two regions: Alto Adige and the Veneto. Though close in proximity, the wines from these regions could not be more different. Let’s get started.

Alto Adige is in northeast Italy, between Venice and Milan at the southern edge of the Alps. Those lucky enough to travel there are rewarded with amazing scenery, from snow-capped mountains, rolling hillsides, and secluded green valleys. Alto Adige is where the Swiss Alps meet the Italian Mediterranean. Both red and white grapes grow here, though the fresh white varietals, particularly Pinot Grigio, are what have put the region on the wine map.

Pinot Grigio, the same grape as the French Pinot Gris, is believed to be a mutation of Pinot noir. Although the grape is a pink to light purple grape, it becomes a light white wine because the skins are separated from the juice after harvesting. In most cases, Pinot Grigio wines are drier than Chardonnay, though the high acidity and crisp freshness misleads people into interpreting the wine as sweet. The flavor

profile tends to be dominated by the fruit flavors of ripe peaches, melons, and citrus with notes of honey and tree nuts. Two outstanding examples of Italian Pinot Grigio from the Alto Adige region are elena Walch-Alto Adige Pinot Grigio 2020 and Sant' elena-Pinot Grigio 2019.

The Veneto wine region of Italy is immediately adjacent to the southeast of the Alto Adige region and is just outside the city limits of Venice. While we are enjoying Italian white wines, the Veneto has one that may bring back memories for some of you. If you are from my generation, you may remember the very popular Soave Bolla, an inexpensive white wine that just so happens to be one of the first Italian white wines I ever had. Soave is the appellation where the wine is produced, and Garganega is the primary grape. Garganega is the dominant white grape produced in the Veneto. Well… Soave wines are back, and the quality has improved significantly! If you would like to try a fine wine from the Veneto region, I recommend Pra Otto Soave Classico 2023. This wine is 100% Garganega and is a dry, medium-bodied, crisp and fresh wine with a wonderful blend of green apple and kiwi fruit that is balanced with an herbal and stone minerality. It is a great alternative to Chardonnay.

Arguably the most famous appellation in Veneto is Valpolicella. If you are of Italian descent or are around my age, you may again be thinking of Bolla! The large, northern Italian wine producer did bring Valpolicella Bolla to America after World War II. Valpolicella referred to the appellation where the grapes were produced.

These wines are medium-bodied, dry red wines that are typically made from a blend of Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara, Veronese, and/or Corvinone grapes grown in the appellation. They are medium-tannin wines with the aroma and flavors of tart cherry, chocolate, and baking spices, with notes of pepper, almonds, and leather. These wonderful red wines work well with many poultry and seafood dishes, as well as with pizza and pasta. There are many reasonably priced and delicious examples, including Giuliano Rosati-Valpolicella 2020, Allegrini-Valpolicella 2022, or my favorite: Brigaldara-Valpolicella Classico 2022.

Amarone may very well be the ultimate wine that is produced in Valpolicella. The full name is Amarone della Valpolicella, which is a wine made of primarily Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella grapes that utilizes a process known as appassimento. Appassimento is the method of partially drying out the grapes, which are then slowly pressed, slowly fermented, and aged for a minimum of two years in French or Slovenian oak barrels to create a wine with unique flavor and elegance. The resulting wine is very dry, but has a level of dark, rich fruit that could be described as raisin-like, with notes of brown sugar and chocolate. Sound delicious? It is! This wine can be expensive, but two reasonable examples to try are the Tommasi-Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2018 and the Allegrini-Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2018.

Valpolicella Ripasso, often called “baby Amarone,” is another wine from the region. This wine is a less expensive version of Amarone that

utilizes the remaining dried skins from the appassimento process, combined with newly crushed Valpolicella wine, to create a wine that is midway between a Valpolicella and an Amarone. If you are new to these wines, try Santi-Solane Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore 2019 or Zenato-Ripassa Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 2018. Both are outstanding examples and, if you fall in love with these wines, an Amarone won’t be far behind!

I cannot, in good conscience, complete our visit to the Veneto without mentioning Prosecco, Italy’s contribution to sparkling wine. Glera is the grape utilized to create this gem and these grapes are grown in the Prosecco appellation of Veneto. My wife, Gwen, and I are big fans of Prosecco, alone or in an Aperol or Hugo Spritz. Among my favorites are Brilla Brut Prosecco, naonis-Prosecco, and Montinore estate-Vivace Prosecco. Treat yourself this summer and pour a glass. Cincin!

I hope you enjoyed week two of our Italian Wine Tour and will consider some of these suggestions. If the history and wines of Italy interest you, join me for our Passion Vines’ threeweek “Wine Foundations: Italy” class in September. Details can be found at passionvines.com, under the events tab. As always, contact me with any questions at dsetley@passionvines. com. until next time, Happy Wining!

David Setley is enjoying his retirement from higher education as a wine educator and certified sommelier at Passion Vines in Somers Point, New Jersey.

In 1930, the Planters company opened a peanut shop on the Boardwalk across from the Steel Pier. There were peanut roasters in the window, and the aroma of freshly roasted peanuts spread out the door and all along the boardwalk. When you’d smell those roasting nuts coming out of the store, you just had to have a bag.

Outside, there was a man dressed up in a peanut costume, who handed out samples of the roasted peanuts, waved to passersby, and greeted

visitors to the Planter’s Peanut store.This was Mr. Peanut, who was a Boardwalk tourist attraction until the store closed its doors in 1978

The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino now stands where the store used to be.

Credit: Real Brigantine

Cardio vs. Strength Training: Which one should I be doing to lose weight?

Empowering Women

By Rachel Guevara

When it comes to shedding those extra pounds, the age-old debate between cardio and strength training often leaves many women scratching their heads. Should you be pounding the pavement or pumping iron? The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think.

While cardiovascular exercise is renowned for its high caloric burn, strength training has some hidden benefits that make it a vital component of any weight loss journey. Let’s dive into the details and dispel some myths along the way.

The Cardio Advantage: Cardiovascular exercises such

as running, cycling, and swimming, are fantastic for burning a significant amount of calories in a relatively short period. engaging in regular cardio helps improve heart health, boosts endurance and burns off fat.

For many women, the immediate post-workout calorie burn is what makes cardio so appealing. However, to maximize your weight loss efforts, you shouldn’t rely on cardio alone.

Here’s why:

The Strength Training Secret: Strength training, or resistance training, involves exercises that improve muscle strength and endurance. This can include lifting weights, using resistance bands, or body-weight exercises like push-ups and squats. While it might not burn as many calories during the workout as cardio does, the real magic happens after you leave the gym.

1. Increased Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR):

Muscle tissue burns more calories at rest than fat tissue. By increasing your muscle mass, you raise your RMR, meaning you burn more calories throughout the day, even when you’re not working out.

2. Afterburn Effect:

Also known as excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (ePOC), strength training keeps your metabolism elevated for hours after your workout. This is your body working hard to repair muscle tissue, which burns additional calories.

3. Improved Body Composition:

Strength training helps you build lean muscle while reducing fat. even if the scale doesn’t change drastically, your body shape will. Lean muscle takes up less space than fat, leading to a more toned and fit appearance.

4. Enhanced Insulin Sensitivity:

Building muscle helps your body use insulin more efficiently, which can reduce fat storage and enhance fat loss.

5. Better Long-term Weight Management:

With an increased metabolism and more muscle mass, you’ll find it easier to maintain your weight loss in the long term compared to relying on cardio alone.

A common misconception is that lifting weights will make women bulky. In reality, women typically don’t have the testosterone levels necessary to gain large amounts of muscle mass quickly. Instead, strength training will help you develop a lean, toned physique.

The images of overly muscular women often seen online are typically the result of specific training regimens and, in some cases, performance-enhancing substances, not your average weightlifting routine.

If the idea of hitting the weights

sounds intimidating, fear not!

Strength training doesn’t require fancy gym machines. Here are some fun and effective ways to incorporate strength training into your routine.

Body Weight Exercises:

Push-ups, squats, lunges, and planks can be done anywhere and are excellent for building strength.

Resistance Bands:

These affordable tools are great for adding resistance to your exercises and can be used at home or while traveling.

Free Weights:

Dumbbells and kettlebells are versatile and effective. Start with lighter weights and gradually increase as you get stronger.

Functional Training:

Incorporating movements that mimic daily activities, like lifting groceries or playing with your kids, can improve your strength and coordination.

Group Classes:

Many gyms offer strength-based classes like CrossFit, BodyPump, or boot camps, which can make weight training more social and fun. If you’re new to strength training and feel unsure about where to start, hiring a personal trainer might be a worthwhile investment. A professional can create a personalized plan tailored to your goals and ensure you’re using proper form to prevent injuries. So while cardio is excellent for burning calories, don’t underestimate the power of strength training in your weight-loss journey. By building muscle, you’ll boost your metabolism, burn more calories throughout the day and achieve a toned and healthy physique.

Lace up your sneakers and grab those dumbbells. Your future self will thank you!

Rachel Guevara is the owner of Lift & Glitz Training Studio in Northfield, NJ. With 13 years of experience in the fitness industry, Rachel holds certifications in Personal & Group Fitness through ISSA and is a Zumba Fitness Instructor. A proud single mother of two, Rachel balances her professional and personal life with grace and determination. She earned her BA in Communications from Stockton University and resides in Northfield.

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Skate AC, local pro kick-start effort to grow skateboarding here

By Holly Fertsch

On Saturday, June 8, professional skateboarders took over Atlantic City’s Sovereign Avenue skate park. After their demo, Skate AC, a local nonprofit that builds skateparks and offers free skate programs, held a best trick contest.

Organized by pro skater Ronnie Kessner, in partnership with Skate AC, the pros included Ish Cepeda, Lui elliot, John Dilo, nikolai Piombo, Stephen Carty, Blake Carpenter, John Shanahan, n ick Merlino, Quim Cardona and Tom Asta. Kessner, Merlino and Cardona are all n ew Jersey natives. Merlino is a graduate of Atlantic City High School.

They skated through the obstacles and battled it out for the best

trick over a trash can in the middle of the park. To give a sense of how high-level this is, I witnessed a shov-it and a switch back 360 over the obstacle. I also saw a few slams, though these pros rolled out of them with ease. But their willingness to put their sweat and blood into these tricks was evident.

After the pro demo, local skaters competed in a best trick contest on each of the obstacles in the park.

I hear you, non-skaters: Why care about some tricks over a trash can?

Well, maybe because one of those pros paid out of his own pocket for the event to happen so he could give back to his local community.

Meet Ronnie Kessner, a dude from Little egg Harbor who used to skate in his backyard. Those backyard ramps have since been donated to the Back-Sov Skatepark. Kessner is now a professional skater for April Skateboards. Yuto Horigome and (my favorite) Rayssa Leal also ride for that company, and both of them skated in the 2020 Olympics.

Want to see how impressive Kes-

sner’s skills are? Watch these skate parts (aka videos) that feature him: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=MIRyDsLv3ec&t=12s https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=jeI e9PnB evQ.

The latter is Ronnie Kessner's “Cherish” n B numeric Part, released last month on Thrasher Magazine’s YouTube channel.

Kessner invited a ton of his pro friends back to his native South Jersey to stay at his parents’ house and then go skate a local park. He paid for their flights out of his own pocket and then bought pizzas for everyone at the park.

Ronnie Kessner’s parents told a Shore Local correspondent that the pro skaters were very respectful while they were staying at their house. His father added that he was very proud of Ronnie.

I can think

and the

the scene is mostly based in California. n early everyone who makes a living through skateboarding lives on the West Coast. That includes Kessner, who moved to California after high school to pursue a career in skateboarding.

Another reason to care? Because the community cares.

Judging from the size of the crowd and number of participants, this was a big deal. Spectators even climbed nearby trees to get a better view of the pros battling it out. It’s not everyday that pro skaters descend upon your local skatepark, especially here on the east Coast.

While there are a few notable skaters in new York (off the top of my

What’s unusual is that he returned to South Jersey after finding success out there, and that he invested so much into a small skate scene here.

Jason Klotz, the president of Skate AC, said, “Ronnie Kessner flew everybody out here because he wanted to do something special for South Jersey because he’s born and raised in here. His family donated the black ramps that are at the skatepark from their backyard.

head,

of Leo Baker, Alexis Sablone,

Skate Kitchen crew),

Pro skater and AyCee native Nick Merino did a switch kickflip over an obstacle during the demo.

Ronnie Kessner (wearing the NJ hat in the center) brought the group of pro skaters to South Jersey to take over Back Sov park.

“Ronnie grew up skating on them, so this is a really iconic moment for him,” Klotz continued. “He grew up as a little kid on these ramps, and now he’s getting to be here. He lives in California, but he’s here with all his peers in the skateboard industry doing a demo for his native turf and it’s his homecoming celebration. And we’re just so grateful that he’s just donated so much effort, time, and money into making this happen for the nonprofit, for South Jersey, in Atlantic City.”

Skate AC and Kessner worked together at this event to build up the skate scene here on the east Coast. On Skate AC’s website, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit says, “We are dedicated to building Southern n ew Jersey into a skateboarding mecca.”

The style of skating at the takeover was a departure from the surf-derived side that you see more here in South Jersey. In my own observation, I’ve seen that many of the skaters in our area are surfers first and foremost. In surfing, you ride the wave. In skating, this translates over into surfing bowls (pool-like structures) and ramps.

At the demo, transition skating wasn’t the priority. Instead, they were street skating: an aggressive style of skating that focuses more on flip tricks and navigating obstacles in an

urban environment. The pros grinded on ledges, used launch pads to soar over obstacles, and, of course, did flip tricks: heelflips, hardflips, late flips, and tre flips.

For those who are unfamiliar, those tricks are not easy to learn. I was particularly impressed with how they did flip tricks out of grinds or off of obstacles. Ish Cepeda, one of the pros, did a back smith (a type of grind) on a ledge and kickflipped out. even crazier, many of the pros were doing these tricks switch. That’s akin to painting a masterpiece with your

non-dominant hand. They made skating in the opposite of their normal stance look natural. Blake Carpenter, another pro, did a switch backside 360 over the can.

What’s next for Skate AC?

“We're in communications with the mayor’s office. And we’re pressing hard to try to collaborate as much as we can to make more skateparks happen, not only in Atlantic City, but in Atlantic County and eventually all over the world,” said Klotz. “So right now we’re currently not raising mon -

ey for the skatepark as much as we’re raising money for future programs.

“We’re hoping that we can collaborate with the city and in the state on funding for an uptown skatepark because we believe an uptown skatepark would change the face of the whole uptown and provide an outlet to all the youth and the adults who live up there that find it difficult to come down to Sovereign Avenue.

“We’ve had tons of kids over the years from uptown that come here and then their parents say, ‘Yo that is way too far. You got to stay up town.’ And they’re not able to use these facilities. So whatever they got uptown or whatever they got Downbeach, we want to make sure they got it uptown too. So that’s our mission for this year and for the next year coming.”

Skate AC is also offering free skateboard programs through the summer. Currently, the plan is for free skateboarding lessons to be held from 9 a.m. to noon on the weekends throughout July, August, and September. Follow Skate AC on Instagram for further information.

As for longer term plans, Skate AC wants to build a skate scene in South Jersey that will continue on for years.

“This nonprofit’s going to surpass me and hopefully be passed on to the younger future generations for decades and decades to come.”

TOD/POD accounts have drawbacks

By Eric Reich

In a recent conversation with someone regarding estate planning, they posed the question, “why not just make all of my accounts Transfer on Death?” You’ll frequently hear me say that there is no perfect solution when planning your estate or simplifying your retirement life. The reality is that we all have unique needs in those areas. Trying to force simplicity rarely works out well.

For starters, let's define what a Transfer on Death (TOD) or Payable on Death (POD) account is. These accounts are used for types of accounts that do not have a beneficiary designation like an IRA, Roth IRA, annuity, or 401(k) does. TOD is for investments, and POD is used for non-securities such as a bank account. n ormally, your will would handle the transfer of these types of

assets. The issue is that many people don’t want these types of assets to be distributed via a will because that would typically require them to go through the probate process, which most people hate. Bear in mind that not all states’ probate processes are awful. In some states, the process is relatively painless, though some are downright horrible. This is what leads many people to consider a TOD/POD option. Another reason they are popular is because they are very easy to set up and can be done without the assistance of an attorney. I know everyone wants to save money by not paying an attorney, hence the online estate planning options. However, I would strongly advise against this as being your baseline of thinking. A qualified estate planning attorney is the key component in making sure all of your intended wishes are carried out.

So, what does a TOD/POD do? In essence, upon death it acts like a joint account. Only upon death does it act that way. When you pass, your accounts can be transferred very quickly and easily to the intended beneficiary. Since the probate process can take a while, your beneficiary can’t always access your funds in a timely manner without a TOD/POD.

So far, this type of account seems pretty appealing. Well, here are a few of the downsides:

1. TOD/POD accounts reduce the amount of money inside the estate that may be needed to pay the expenses of the estate. If everything in the estate is titled as TOD/POD or passes via a named beneficiary (IRA, Roth IRA, annuity, 401(k), etc.) then there might not be enough money left in the estate to pay all of the final expenses of the estate.

2. A TOD/POD account is not a joint account. As such, unless you are deceased, nobody can help you with your finances unless you have a power of attorney. This is one of the reasons why you still need a qualified estate planning attorney. You also can’t change beneficiaries easily for these types of accounts if you are incapacitated.

3. Having a TOD/POD account directed to go to a disabled individual can cause them to lose all of their governmental benefits because the amount distributed to them might disqualify them financially for the benefits.

4. unlike a trust, there is no control over the money for TOD/POD accounts once you are gone. There is nothing stopping an 18-year-old beneficiary from taking the funds and buying a new car, gambling it away, etc. once they receive the money. A trust can protect your beneficiaries from both creditors and themselves. There are a few other issues as well, but you get the idea. While a TOD/POD can be a very useful tool in the right situations, they are not intended to be the answer to every problem. They should be used in the context of the rest of your overall estate plan but not as the plan itself. Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FI n RA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. Reich Asset Management, LLC is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kestra AS. The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect those held by Kestra Investment Services, LLC or Kestra Advisory Services, LLC. This is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual. It is suggested that you consult your financial professional, attorney, or tax advisor with regard to your individual situation. To view form CRS visit https://bit.ly/ KF-Disclosures.

Eric is President and founder of Reich Asset Management, LLC. He relies on his 25 years of experience to help clients have an enjoyable retirement. He is a Certified Financial Planner™ and Certified Investment Management AnalystSM (CIMA®) and has earned his Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®) and Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designations.

The History of Epitaphs, part 2

By Andrew Hoffman

Hello all, it has been a couple weeks since my first article of a series focusing on a lighter subject, the epitath. An epitaph is defined as a phrase or form of words written in memory of a person who has died, as an inscription on a tombstone. Some of the best memorable epitaphs were written by poets William Browne, Ben Jonson, Robert Herrick, and authors John Milton and Robert Louis Stevenson.

n ot everyone who wrote an epitaph was a famous poet or writer, most were common grave diggers or semi-literate monument dealers. As a result, some epitaphs were unintentionally comical in error. Far more common than the accidental humorous epitaphs are deliberately witty ones that can be found throughout

Britain and the united States in the form of acrostics (which is a poem or other word composition in which the first letter of each new line spells out a word or message), palindromes (a word, number, phrase, or other sequence of symbols that reads the same backwards as forwards), riddles and puns on names and professions. An example of this is Benjamin Franklin’s epitaph, which he wrote for himself. He wanted the epitaph on his tombstone to play on his trade as a printer, and it reads “The Body of B. Franklin, Printer. Like the cover of an old Book, its Contents torn out, And Stript of its Lettering and Gilding, Lies here Food for Worms.”

A great deal of epitaphs have a dry mocking humor, such as english poet John Gay’s which reads “Life is a jest, and all things show it; I thought so once, and now I know it.” The epitaph has also been seen as an opportunity for satire in the form of an epigram which often include a twist at the end, which adds humor or irony to the statement. For example, Albert einstein was well known of the epigram “The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.”

As you can see an epigram is brief, clever and a little snarky. Another example is the earl of Rochester’s lines on Charles II; “He never said a foolish thing / n or ever did a wise one.” The art of the epitaph has largely been lost in the 20 th century with the exception of some humorous ones, like writer Dorothy Parker who wrote “ excuse my dust.” But also wrote the poem epitaph; The first time I died, I walked my ways; I followed the file of limping days. I held me tall, with my head flung up, But I dared not look on the new moon’s cup. I dared not look on the sweet young rain, And between my ribs was a gleaming pain. The next time I died, they laid me deep. They spoke worn words to hallow my sleep. They tossed me pet-

als, they wreathed me fern, They weighted me down with a marble urn. And I lie here warm, and I lie here dry, Andy watch the worms slip by , slip by.

The words we choose for our gravestone says a lot about who we are and were. Anyone who visits an old cemetery will be drawn to read the mossy sun-bleached inscriptions carved into the ancient monuments. epitaphs have always given food for reflection and serve not only to record the death of an individual, but to remind us all of our ultimate fate. Samuel Butler wrote; “Our noblest pile and stateliest rooms, Are Mere out-houses to our tombs; Cities, tho’ ere so great and brave, But mere warehouses to the grave.”

Stay tuned to my next article as we go deeper into art of the epitaph and highlight some humorous ones.

Andrew B. Hoffman is a funeral director at Jeffries and Keates and Keates-Plum Funeral Homes. He is a twenty-two year veteran of the funeral industry.

Swede shoots course record 60 in comeback LPGA Classic win

By Sean Fawcett and Will Prata

Most golfers can’t even dream of making nine birdies and an eagle in one round of golf. Well, maybe they can dream, but that’s all they can do.

Sweden’s Linnea Strom, however, can do more than dream of shooting that low; she can now remember doing it after firing a new course record in an amazing Sunday final round comeback to win the 2024 ShopRite LPGA Classic, Presented by Acer at Seaview’s historic 1914 Links.

Battling the traditional elements of heat and wind on the Hugh Wilson and Donald Ross designed Bay Course, Strom carded rounds of 69 and 70 to make the cut by a stroke. She drove straight past all her competition with the closing 60, finishing with a 6-foot putt on 18 to raise the Acer crystal trophy up high.

Japan’s Ayaka Furue shot 65 to get to within one of Strom at -13, along with America’s Megan Khang. Atthaya Thitikul and Morgane Metraux finished fourth and fifth respectively with rounds of 69, 67, and 65; and 68, 68, and 66.

Strom made a crucial and pressure-packed 12-foot putt on Seaview’s 18th on Saturday just to make the final round, and then told herself to just enjoy Sunday’s stroll around the iconic Bay Course and make as many birdies as she could.

to card another birdie on the way in from there, Furue’s last chance to tie Strom was sunk with a bad chip for her third shot and a missed 18-foot putt at 18.

Strom’s nine birdies and eagle added up to a winning, and almost unbelievable 11-under-par 60, the lowest round ever recorded in the 36-year history of the Jersey Shore event, and her first career LPGA Tour victory. First-round leader Arpichava Yubol tied the course record, 61 (-10) in Friday’s first round.

“I wanted to keep my eye on it,” Strom said. “I tried telling myself to mentally prepare for a playoff. I wanted to do as good as I could have, but it’s hard to know when you don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Meanwhile, two of the higher ranked players in the field, n o. 16 Khang and no. 22 Furue, both LPGA Tour winners, seemed to have the best chance to equal or surpass Strom’s score.

Khang, seeking her second LPGA Tour victory, carded five threes on the first six holes of her back nine and reached 14-under by sinking a 6-foot birdie putt at the long, uphill par-3 15th.

Furue put the pressure on by pouring in her sixth birdie in her first 13 holes to get to 13-under. unable

Sunday’s victory was an epic one for Strom, who had missed five of her previous six cuts going into ShopRite Week in Galloway. She had also previously lost her LPGA card and joined the epson Tour in 2022.

Strom said she went to the 18th tee not realizing she was an eagle away from a 59. The LPGA record for 18 holes would have matched the alltime 18-hole record of fellow Swede, and Strom’s hero, World Golf Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam.

“I knew I had a good score going but I didn’t think I was that close to 59,” she said. “So obviously (it was) unfortunate that I wasn’t able to hit the green in two. But it is what it is and I did my best and I was happy I was able to make a birdie on that hole.”

Well done Linnea, and see you in 2025.

Photo by William Prata

Hemangiosarcoma in dogs: what to look out for

By Heidi Clayton

In October 2022, my 12-yearold boy Ki ingested a plastic fur-covered toy mouse. Long story short, he had X-rays to see if the mouse was moving along in his small intestines. The X-rays taken were sent to a radiologist who found that Ki had some sort of “blemish” on his spleen. The blemish could have just been what his spleen looked like. However, the big worry was that Ki was growing a tumor on the spleen known as a hemangiosarcoma.

Known as the “silent killer,” hemangiosarcoma is a highly invasive cancer. It is the cause of about twothirds of all reported heart tumors and is the most common type of splenic tumor in dogs. This aggressive cancer strikes mixed breeds at just as high of a rate as purebreds. They do tend to occur more in older dogs. According to the American Kennel Club’s Health Foundation, hemangiosarcomas are responsible for about 300,000 reported dog deaths per year.

In the majority of cases, hemangiosarcoma goes undetected until it becomes severe or terminal. This is why there is such a high number of reported deaths from it. Dogs with a tumor on the spleen, for example, exhibit almost no symptoms that a tumor is growing rapidly until it is often too late. In Ki’s case, it was only discovered after he ingested a foreign body. Otherwise, he showed absolutely no signs of being ill. Symptoms of hemangiosarcoma can be very subtle such as pale gums, lethargy, and weakness.

Several veterinary schools and health organizations are researching how to produce a reliable test to predict if your dog is predisposed to hemangiosarcoma, including developing a type of blood test. Currently, the only way to diagnose the condition is with X-rays, an ultrasound conducted by a skilled internist, or surgery that removes the affected tissue and then checks for cancer. If the hemangiosarcoma is attached

to the spleen, then removing the entire spleen would be warranted. The splenic tumor would then be tested for cancer. The spleen must be removed without breaking it to prevent the spread of the disease. Often, due to the nature of the spleen's job in the body, a blood transfusion is needed.

If the condition is caught early enough, younger dogs with splenic tumors can have their spleens removed. If the cancer has not spread, these dogs can go on to live long healthy lives. However, if the cancer has spread, it varies from dog to dog how successful cancer treatment and surgery would be. When surgery is not an option due to the cancer spreading, most dogs with this condition live about six weeks or so post-diagnosis.

I had scheduled an ultrasound with an internist for Ki two days after the X-ray. However, he ended up not living long enough to go to the appointment.

On the day he died, we had a lovely walk at the horse farm. He ate tons of horse treats and begged for a few bites of my dinner. Then he suddenly collapsed on the kitchen floor. His gums were just about white. I knew in an instant that the blemish was a splenic tumor. Despite immediately rushing him to Mount Laurel for surgery, the tumor had already burst. There was no alternative but to let him go. Since then, I have spoken with countless dog owners who have sadly lost their dogs to this silent killer.

I certainly don’t wish to scare everyone but rather inform you about this aggressive cancer. If you notice subtle changes in your dog like periodic lethargy or weakness, talk to your vet about the possibility of a hemangiosarcoma being present.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net.

Heidi Clayton started Four On the Floor Dog Training to provide positive, rewardbased dog training in South Jersey. She breeds, trains and shows bull terriers under the SoraBully’s Bull Terriers kennel name. Email questions to heidi@ fouronthefloordogtraining. net or learn more at https:// fouronthefloordogtraining.net

BEACH STREETS SHORE FUNNY

DAD’S DAY

When does a joke become a dad joke? When it becomes apparent.

What kind of shoes do frogs wear? Open toad.

Did you hear about the red and blue ships that collided? All the sailors were marooned.

My neighbor gave me a new roof for free. He said it was on the house.

Why do dads take an extra pair of socks when they play golf? In case they get a hole in one.

What do you call a boomerang that doesn’t come back? A stick.

Great Gifts For Dad

SUDOKU

ACROSS

1. use elbow grease

6. Goody bag stuff

10. "_e_ _ect," song

13. Singer Lenya

14. Band's work-related trip

15. Capt.'s prediction

DOWN

1. BBQ side

2. Fizzy drink

3. "The Dock of the Bay" singer

4. Four Corners state

5. Turns large into medium

6. "All the world's a ____"

16. Assumed name

17. Debate side

18. Schumer or McConnell, abbr.

19. *Founding father with no biological children

21. Runs, as on TV

22. Last letter

23. *Dad's mom

25. Ready for confrontation

29. *This before becoming father?

31. Lakes in Scotland

32. Opposite of post-

33. Henry VI had 6

37. not in port

38. Have a bug

39. ____ of faith

40. *Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor's dad

42. Layer

43. Ouzo flavor

44. Like farm-to-table

46. Made 50-50

47. Phony

50. "Wheel of Fortune" vowel request

51. Parts of play

52. *Dad to Violet, Dash and Jack-Jack

59. However, poetically

60. Coconut fiber

61. Dostoyevsky novel, with "The"

62. Once around

63. Japanese zither

64. It can be firma or incognita

65. Ill temper

66. Place at an angle

67. Ten of these before a first down

7. Refuses to

8. Grand theft target

9. Disparaging term for foreigners in Mexico

10. Pine product

11. Harsh

12. Popular annual flower

20. *Dad to Rod and Todd on "The Simpsons"

21. *Christopher Robin's father

24. Column's counterpart

25. Boring

26. Santa ____, CA

27. Tennis serving whiz

28. *Prince William's dad

29. *Dad's favorite cooking device?

30. Bank on

32. *The biggest bear

34. Tube in a body

35. Convenience

36. Hightailed it

41. ____Tube

43. eagerness

45. Painful body spasms

46. Between ne and e

47. *What patriot and patriarch have in common

48. Autumn color

49. Ben Franklin invention

50. Found in a quiver

53. Cozy corner

54. Make a reference

55. Over head light?

56. 100 cents in ethiopia

57. Master of his castle

58. #15 Across, pl.

See Solution on Page 96

THEME: FATHER'S DAY

Iheard about a year ago that there was a Margate City Facebook thread that calls out the Shoobies – disses them, complains about them, ridicules and hates them. If I were to replace the word “Shoobie” with almost any other description of a class/group/phylum of people, we’d have a problem…a serious problem.

It is a derisive term, born out of a tradition of day trippers who brought their lunches in a shoe box, and spent the day at the beach.

now it means anyone who doesn’t live here full-time but takes advantage of the beach in the summer. Owning a home here doesn’t count if you also have a home elsewhere. Paying real estate and school taxes doesn’t exempt you. The only thing that does is living in one of the shore towns year-round.

Most of the business rely on the summertime residents, summer rentals, and day visitors to make their living – home repair, builders, landscapers, plumbers, electricians, markets, ice cream shops, boutiques, restaurants, basically any business you pass on one of the main streets

Letter to the editor Confessions of a Shoobie

– cease to exist without the income from the Shoobies.

But still, we’re hated, resented, ridiculed and shunned.

I understand that folks show up on Memorial Day and think that these towns are like the mythical Brigadoon and are asleep the rest of the year. I understand that parking gets more difficult, restaurant reservations harder to get, traffic, trash, noise, all accelerate. I understand, and there are times I agree. In a drive around the block over Memorial Day weekend I was honked at 4 times by impatient drivers behind me (I was pausing for pedestrians and a bicyclist). So, yes, I get it.

I saw a post of someone decrying the horror of teens gathering near the Wawa – it was video of a peaceful – yes, busy, but peaceful scene of young teens looking for each other. Too young to frequent bars and clubs, they go to the corners where their peers collect: Wawa, tennis courts in Longport, etc. Sure, there have been “incidents” over the years – a fight or two, but for the most part, they are just “hanging out.”

When I was a teen, we hung out on

the Boardwalk in the Chelsea neighborhood. That’s where gobs of teens gathered, looking for one another and an evening of socializing. Sure, there were some incidents, sometimes the police were forced to scatter us, and then back we came. The same thing is going on now and being complained about by many of the same folks who likely hung out on Chelsea Boardwalk in the Boomer days.

I am a Shoobie. I confess it. I own a home here, I spend several days a week here all winter long – frequenting restaurants, when reservations are easy to get, taking class at the JCC when parking is a cinch right out

PROTECT VULNERABLE ADULTS

front, walking my dog off leash on the beach, but still, I am a Shoobie. I own a home in Pennsylvania, I vote in Pennsylvania, and I pay most of my state taxes in Pennsylvania.

I’ve been forgiven for my Shoobie status by some of my full-time friends and I have occasionally jumped on the anti-Shoobie bandwagon (when I was honked at for the fourth time, for example), but I am a Shoobie. I wear the badge proudly; I am lucky and grateful for this status – owning two homes is a privilege I don’t take lightly. Though, to quote my sister, you know you have two homes when you’re always smelling the milk!

So, bring on the disdain, bring on the disgust, resentment, hatred, criticism. As my mother would have said, they’re just jealous. Well, maybe so, maybe not, but this much is clear – we must find a world in which we can peacefully co-exist. Certainly, in these times of global war and conflict, the Shoobies vs. the Permanent Residents war should be one we can conquer.

Amy Brewstein Margate City, NJ

What's written in the stars this week

The Cosmic Connection with Ursula Duffy

Astrology, by definition, is the study of time and light. It is an art and science that has been utilized by humanity for millennia to provide a better understanding of how the Cosmos affects life on earth. One’s personal horoscope, also known as a ‘birth’ or ‘natal chart’, is a snapshot of the Sun, Moon, planets and more at the moment of one’s birth date, time and birth location. This snapshot holds many keys and secrets to one’s personality, characteristics and can be considered one’s personal map, guidebook and lesson plan for life! everything in the Cosmos continues moving beyond the moment of your birth and influences your life in various and cyclical ways. Cycles according to the rhythm of the Sun, Moon, planets, stars, seasons and even at specific ages influence your life and possibly your attitude towards life. The weekly horoscopes provided here by Shore Local n ewsmagazine are written based on your Rising Sign. These horoscopes are intended to provide guidance and insight based on these rhythms and the Cosmic connection to your lived

experience. So much is written in the stars! It is my intention that these entries will assist you in deciphering what is encoded within you.

Horoscopes for June 13 – June 19

♈ Aries: A new self-image and perspective are still blossoming within you. This new way of being hasn’t quite become clear yet and may still seem a little confusing. Continue the inner journey and dialogue with confidence and consistency.

♉ Taurus: Ideas and insights received, perhaps through unconventional sources, have captured your attention. Remember that action plans can take some time to gain traction, particularly with things that are new beginnings. Remember your intentions and remain focused on your goals.

♊ Gemini: Cross-pollination between yourself, your group of friends, and work is in the early stages of creation. Diffuse any challenges to your unique vision with empowerment in knowing that there’s only one of you in the entire world.

♋ Cancer: Hints about a career development in the works may be delivered. The news may not be well-received by others. Remember to hold firm boundaries around your own empathic tendencies and that you deserve all the abundance resulting from your hard work and dedication. Sometimes no response is the better response.

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SHORE PRO MARKETPLACE

♌ Leo: You may begin to see the forest through the trees regarding a fresh lesson. Moments of pressure and doubt are part of the process. Feel through the emotions and release them, especially those that have bruised your confidence.

♍ Virgo: Seeing our shadows is usually the first step toward facing them. The people with whom we have closest relationships can help us learn more about ourselves. Asking for help and having supportive conversations open the door for shifts in perspective.

♎ Libra: Mirrors of you usually come in the form of another, whether the experience is favorable or unfavorable. It is not always perfect, but there is always a lesson. Hold in your heart the one that assists you in shifting your perspective.

♏ Scorpio: n ew routines grow step by step into habits. The ones that create a healthier you, and assist in a deeper connection with yourself, should have the highest priority. The evidence will reveal that eventually.

♐ Sagittarius: Sparks of inspiration can become solo projects, or even better, collaborative efforts. Keep an open mind about the path of creation and how the result could become something greater in working with others.

♑ Capricorn: Clarity around your true home will come. Daily efforts in communicating your feelings and needs are important, even if they seem futile. Practice makes progress is a helpful affirmation with plenty of room for adaptability.

♒ Aquarius: Your relationship to your own resources and self-esteem can be challenging, especially if you’re not feeling heard. Doing something that brings you joy and

lights you up can help with feelings of frustration. Blow off some steam by going out and doing something fun!

♓ Pisces: How do you feel about your own independence? The journey in satisfying a yearning for home begins with coming home to yourself. Begin there, whatever it takes, and the next steps will reveal themselves.

Weekly Summary:

This week will require some reflecting back on mid-April, around the time of the Solar eclipse (April 8) and the week afterwards. Think about what new ideas, friends and/ or information came into your awareness then, and the ways they’re unfolding now. Also pay very close attention to themes arising around relationships to that experience as well as to other people. Things may feel or seem a little unclear now, but clarity will come in the weeks ahead. Remembering to keep moving forward through any confusion is important. The vibe of June will shift this week from a more social, exciting experience to one of more sensing, feeling and possibly wanting more time alone. See the above horoscope for your Rising Sign for more specific information.

Ursula Duffy is a Professional Astrologer, founder of Ursa Alchemy and founding partner/ Goddess of Operations (GOO) of Sea Goddess Healing Arts, Atlantic City, NJ. Find her services, teachings, podcast, get in touch and more at www. seagoddesshealingarts.com/ ursaalchemy

Balsley Losco Realty celebrates 70 years of service to the community

Real Estate Matters

By Elisa Jo Eagan

It’s a beautiful June in the neighborhoods of our Shore Local community. June is the month of graduations, proms, weddings, and celebrating Father’s Day this weekend, too.

In June of 1954, G. David Balsley, Inc. Real estate opened its doors on Shore Road in Linwood, and began its 70-year journey of service to the community. Many of the homes built in the neighboring area in the 1950s were Balsley-built: split-level and ranch homes.

One well-known Balsley-built area is the Gold Coast, on the bay side of Shore Road in Linwood, developed to meet the housing needs of the growing Mainland community.

It grew after the return of veterans from the Korean War. Soon it was populated by local business owners, utility company executives and workers from Lenox China, and Federal Government employees working at the national Aviation Facilities experimental Center (nAFeC) – now the William J Hughes Technical Center – which was founded in 1958. Many of these homes are still standing today.

In Today’s Fast Paced Real Estate Market. It Is Even More Important To Choose The Right Agent To Represent You! Over 40 Years of Real Estate Expertise, Knowledge, and Experience to Assist You!

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• Full Time Awarded Professional Realtor Since 1985

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The building boom of the 1950s and 1960s was on to accommodate the families moving “off-shore” from Atlantic City, Margate, Ocean City, and surrounding areas.

In 1977, Carlo Losco III joined G. David Balsley, Inc. And in the 1980s, the company became known as Balsley Losco Real estate. Losco led as broker of the award-winning team of agents, owner and president of the company in service to the community and their families.

In April of 2005, Losco built a new location at 1630 n ew Road in northfield. The Balsley Losco Realty Building is a home sales and marketing center that provides everything sellers need to complete the home sales/buying process including mortgage affiliations, agents, title services, on-site attorney services, training facilities and continuing education for its agents.

Founded on providing top professional services to the community since 1954, and now celebrating 70 years of four generations with thousands of satisfied home sellers and buyers, and still going strong, congratulations and thank you for your dedication and service.

Wishing a happy Father’s Day to all of the fathers, dads, daddies, step dads, and to all who step up to be a positive influence in a child's life. Kudos to you. enjoy your special day, especially in honor and remembrance of the dads who look out for us from Heaven.

In June of 1954, G. David Balsley, Inc. Real Estate opened its doors on Shore Road in Linwood.

In April of 2005, Balsley Losco built a new location at 1630 New Road in Northfield.