SHORE LOCAL | Coastal | June 20, 2024

HEROtini Mocktail Challenge: Supplement Inside

Meet the Ocean City Hookers

Opponents to Wind Company: Cut The Cable

Remembering Iron Mike on the Boardwalk

You're Invited to AC's Chapel of Love

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Congratulations to the Class of 2024

From the Editor

School's out for summer!

Across the coast and mainland, caps were tossed in the air in celebration this week. The Class of 2024 is off to make their mark on the world. As we applaud their achievements, we also look ahead, wondering what paths they will forge in an ever-changing world.

When my daughters graduated from high school, they received memory books titled with the infinite wisdom of Dr. Seuss: "Oh, the places you will go..." Ten years later, as I watch their journeys unfold and reflect on my own, I have a renewed appreciation for the truth in that statement.

What an amazing expedition life is! The places we travel, the new technologies we embrace, and the love and loss we experience along the way. If someone had told me 35 years ago that I could work 9-5 anywhere I

like, rather than in a traditional office, I would have thought they were crazy. Yet, here we are, witnessing a transformation in the way we live and work. Imagine what life will look like in another 35 years!

With all the technological advances, the generation gap has never been greater. It can even be hard to understand many of the career choices of recent graduates. What exactly is an influencer?

When I was young, that might have gained you popularity, but nowadays it’s a bona fide source of income. How can you major in social media? In the last decade and a half, social media has become a profitable industry and a huge part of our culture, for better or for worse. The differences between recent generations seem to be greater than ever before. Although much of the technology has brought ease, I think it also puts a lot of pressure on today's youth. I am thankful that when I was young and may have made poor choices, no one had a phone in their hand that could

photograph or video it; then share it instantly on social media, potentially reaching thousands. I blush thinking about it! This instant connectivity, while powerful, comes with its own set of challenges and can be anxiety inducing.

I was recently explaining to my daughter how prior to GPS and Google Maps we would look at paper maps to figure out how to get from one place to another. If we got lost (which we did), we had to stop and ask someone for directions. She couldn't

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

Cover photo by Bob Fertsch.

fathom it, similar to how I couldn’t fathom how my grandmother grew up without indoor plumbing. every generation struggles to understand those that came before it.

Despite our differences though, we all want only the best for our youth and recent graduates. They are our family, our friends, and neighbors, and our future leaders. Their successes will shape the future, just as our efforts and those of our predecessors shaped the present.

We at Shore Local offer heartfelt best wishes and congratulations to the Class of 2024. Your journey is just beginning, and we can’t wait to see the incredible places you will go. embrace the challenges, savor the triumphs, and remember that every experience is a stepping stone on the path to your dreams. Here’s to the future and the wonderful possibilities it holds.

Peace & Love, Cindy

Wind plan would use protected A.C. beach for high-voltage cable

Atlantic Shores will hold a public virtual meeting on 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, to gather comments on their request for nJDeP approval to divert Green Acres Program protected land. The land will facilitate the onshore routing of high-voltage cables onto the Atlantic City beach, through Atlantic City streets, Pete Pallitto Park, past the Atlantic City Boathouse, and through Bader Field. These areas are valuable and highly utilized beach and parkland. There is concern that if approved, this project could jeopardize the health and safety of Atlantic City residents and significantly impact the local and county economy, which relies heavily on tourism. The people most affected, particularly Atlantic City residents, may not have been adequately informed about the project or its potential ramifications, including health, safety, and environmental justice concerns. Atlantic Shores 1 project is being fast-tracked.

Defend Our Beaches nJ will have a press conference on June 25, at 10 a.m. at S. Belmont and the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, featuring speakers

addressing this issue.

On July 27, 2023

Atlantic Shores held a public scoping meeting to solicit public and written comment on a proposal to divert 1.70 +/- acres of parkland, for a non-recreation and conservation use, which includes the installation of underground utility facilities and associated activities. The public was also informed that the project will temporarily impact 11.03+/- acres of parkland. The properties discussed above are owned by the City of Atlantic City and encumbered by nJD eP Green Acres restrictions, and therefore requires an application for a major diversion to the n ew Jersey Department of environmental Protection. All interested parties were invited to

attend and participate in the scoping hearing or supply written comments. This meeting saw a lot of local, angry opposition.

On June 25, 2025 at 6 p.m., Atlantic Shores will be holding its final hearing regarding the disposition of the land. The purpose of the hearing will be to receive public comments on the proposed diversion of an approximately 1.8-acre portion of cityowned parkland pursuant to n .J.A.C. 7:36-26.11(e). The affected properties owned by the city are as follows: 1. Block 1, Lots 58 and 59 (1.35 acres) – Beach/Boardwalk parcels between South Texas Avenue and Iowa Avenue. 2. Block 794, Lot 1 (0.19 acres) – Bader Field, 545 Albany Avenue. 3. Block 370, Lots 1.01, 2, and 2.01 (0.26 acres)–in-water Boat House parcel and Pete Pallitto Field located at the intersection of Fairmount Avenue and Sovereign Avenue.

end Avenue) that you can't use for open space recreation nor develop. Just by definition the diversion request to nJD eP should be rejected based on the proposed exchanged land being suggested.

n evertheless, let’s look at some other factors to also consider.

Atlantic Shores LLC has not proven that their project meets the criteria for compelling public need or significant public benefit as required

by n .J.A.C. 7:36-26.1(d). Specifically, their project does not:

The proposed land for exchange with their diversion request is supposed to be an equivalent or better parcel of land to be protected (i.e., encumbered). This is clearly not the case here.

Atlantic Shores is asking for land that is currently utilized as a public beach, a school park, boathouse, and part of Bader Field (which is developable land), and in exchange to protect BAY/Coastal Wetlands (off of West

● Improve regional air quality

● Provide artificial reef habitats without harming natural fish habitats

● Reduce carbon emissions enough to impact climate change

● Protect natural resources in the state

● Their justification is primarily to meet n ew Jersey’s renewable

↘Continued on 8

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energy mandate, which differs from directly combating climate change.

Additionally, many residents in climate justice areas of Atlantic City are likely unaware of the project's details. Public notice was limited to a short announcement in local media and scattered signs, insufficiently informing the affected communities. These neighborhoods, primarily minority populations (81%), would be significantly disrupted.

environmental justice laws, both federal (e xecutive Order 12898) and state (nJ Governor’s executive Order no. 23), mandate fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people in environmental matters. The nJ Department of environmental Protection (D eP) guidance requires that any adverse impacts on these communities be minimized.

Atlantic City's codes require:

● Right to a healthy environment

● Right to complete and accurate information about environmental impacts

● environmental Commission to promote conservation and public health

● equal employment opportunities with a focus on minority contractors

Atlantic Shores has not demonstrated compliance with these requirements or shown how they have informed and protected the affected communities. Questions remain about their efforts to engage and inform the public and to ensure job opportunities for minority populations.

Although this meeting notice was posted, many people were still not adequately informed or updated on the deep ramifications to them of what this diversion request really

means. even the residents of the Ritz Condominium Building, a Historic Landmark building in Atlantic City, right next to where the Atlantic Landfall Site will be, were completely surprised.

The purpose of the press conference organized by Defend Brigantine Beach, Inc. is to help inform the people of Atlantic City of this monumental event, to go to the public hearing and to voice their opinions of the Atlantic Shores diversion request. Source Defend Brigantine Beach, Inc.

triage

Meet your local farmers market vendors

By Christina Martin

As schools are letting out for summer, the farmers market season is getting into full swing. When you visit some of the local farmers markets in Atlantic County you will no doubt see the same vendors at different markets. Getting to know your farmer or where your food comes from takes on a new meaning. These vendors get to know you and you get to know them and their stories of bringing homemade or homegrown products to your table. There are many health benefits when buying seasonal foods, but there is also a sense of community when you shop locally.

This past weekend when I visited another shore town market I spoke to vendors that you will be seeing at Ventnor City, Somers Point, egg Harbor Township, Brigantine and many more local shore town farmers markets. As I make my way through these farmers markets I will be sharing with you their products and their stories. Food really does bring people together.

A blast from the past happened when I stopped at Grassia’s Italian Market Spice Co. Like many of you, I

am a South Philly transplant to South Jersey. Growing up I spent my summers with my Italian grandmother who lived a block from the Italian market. We walked the market daily to purchase produce, meats, cheese and bread for that day’s meals. Whether it was from the butcher shop, or fresh produce from the many produce vendors, bakery, or spice store, it was all within a few city blocks and a place where everyone knew your name. Meals were always fresh and local.

That was 45 years ago and I can still remember the shops and smells of the market. I occasionally return to the market and I’ve taken my culinary classes on field trips there. One shop we visited was called Grassia’s Italian Market Spice Co. Owners Tina and Anthony Grassia owned the shop for more than 24 years. It first opened its doors at the market in 1932 and has since been in the family. I can remember seeing all the family photos both of weddings and those that served

our country all hanging behind the cash register. Their shop recently closed and they have made the move across the bridge to South Jersey. You can find them at many local farmers markets including Somers Point and eHT. When we shared stories about the Italian market and about all the local mom and pop shops and places my grandmother took me to, Anthony said he got goosebumps from reminiscing about the neighborhood we both grew up in. What fond memories of food shopping.

made spices. They carry vanilla beans from Madagascar. It is always good to have fresh vanilla beans on hand to use in homemade desserts. Just walking by their tent at the market you can smell all the herbs and spices. Other blends can be used to make dressings and dips. Check out their website for market locations as well as pop ups they will be attending. https://www. italianmarketspiceco.com/

Get Pickled is another family owned business that you will see at many of the summer farmers markets. Owner Carol Talarico specializes in Korean dishes hand-crafted in small batches from her mom’s recipes. Available at the local farmers markets are her homemade kimchi, gochujang, Korean BBQ and Thai shrimp cakes. Kimchi is made with fermented vegetables such as cabbage. It is a

June 21-23

OPA National Championship Series "Atlantic City War at the Shore" Best viewing spot is at the Ocean Reef Bar at Steel Pier! Drinks & BBQ!

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

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

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.

Somers Point Farmers Market

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, 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Steve and Cookies Parking Lot 9700 Amherst Ave.

The Margate Farmers Market is open for the 2024 season. Markets will be open starting Thursday, June 20 through Aug. 29. For more information, visit margatehasmore.com.

▶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 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.

microbiome. They contain fiber, minerals and vitamins and are a natural probiotic. A simple lunch of cooked rice topped with kimchi is a delicious and wholesome lunch. Your gut will thank you. You can find Get Pickled at Ventnor City, Brigantine and Sea Isle farmers markets this summer. You can follow them on social media. Looking for a healthy snack while you are down the shore? Do you have guests that are vegan, vegetarian or

gluten free and you don't know what to serve them.? Stop by Anita’s Guacamole for homemade guacamole, traditional salsa and mango salsa. It’s all about the farm to table experience. Fresh guacamole and corn tortilla chips are a perfect snack for these

upcoming beach days. Avocados are a nutrient rich food, a healthier fat. Anita’s Guacamole is committed to sustainable sourcing. Guacamole, salsas, and chips are perfect to have on hand for your vegan, vegetarian and gluten free guests.

Other local vendors you will see at multiple markets include Far and Away Flower Farm, Harry and Beans Coffee, Jim’s Jams, Salty Acres, and Misty Meadow Sheep Dairy. I will be sharing more about these vendors as I visit more shore town farmers markets this summer.

I will be using their products to create simple, easy and healthy recipes that you can make while you are down the shore.

On this visit I purchased red bliss potatoes and cabbage from Potato Homestead, who’s owner I met at the Somers Point Market a few weeks ago. Potato Homestead is a no pesticide farm in Woodbine. I used all the vegetables in side dishes that I made this weekend. This recipe is an easy dish you can use for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Pair with some farm fresh eggs for breakfast, make a quick potato salad for lunch or roast the potatoes for dinner. I made summer roasted potatoes, veggie burgers and sautéed cabbage and onion for dinner.

Roasted Summer Potatoes

Ingredients:

● 1 Quart Red Bliss Potatoes (Potato Homestead)

● 2 Tablespoons Somers Point Spice Blend ( Grassia’s Italian Market Spice Co.)

● 1/4 teaspoon Sea Salt (Salty Acres)

● 2 tablespoons Olive Oil Procedure:

Preheat the oven to 375. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Wash potatoes. Cut in half, if larger potato cut in quarters. Drizzle to coat

with

Approximately half an hour.

Chef Christina Martin is a dedicated chef educator, passionate advocate for healthy eating, and mother. Christina’s expertise has been spotlighted in Independent Restaurateur Magazine and she has been awarded 2024 Chef Educator of the Year from the Professional Chef Association of South Jersey.

olive oil. Add Somers Point Spice Blend along with salt. Toss to coat. Spread onto sheet tray. Bake until fork tender.

Ciocca opens new Cadillac showroom in A.C. as Kerbeck steps aside

Business Buzz

By Rich Baehrle

There was a changing of the guard in Atlantic City on June 7.

Kerbeck Automotive, an iconic brand of automobile dealerships, located at the entrance of Atlantic City at 430 Black Horse Pike, officially gave way to Ciocca Automotive.

Kerbeck was a well-known and respected auto dealer at the site for decades. The iconic dealerships, which consisted of Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and the world’s largest volume Corvette dealer, caught the eye of Gregg Ciocca, CeO of the Ciocca Dealerships, and the rest is history.

“When the opportunity presented itself to purchase the dealerships

in Atlantic City, it really was an easy decision,” Ciocca said. “At the time we already represented General Motors at a few locations and we have long recognized what an iconic brand and great partner GM is. Similarly, the automotive business that the Kerbeck Family built and established in Atlantic City was worthy of its own praise and national recognition.

“Our goal was to build on a great foundation that already existed, while implementing some of the ideas and processes that make our existing businesses very successful. It is an honor for our family to adopt the legacy of another family business that has served this region so well for so long.”

Ciocca sees great opportunity for growth in this area. From day one their company was excited to get in -

volved with the community and meet the loyal customers from over the many years when Kerbeck was there. They plan to continue the five-star service and expand on it.

“There is a thriving community here in Atlantic City and the greater shore region, and we are thrilled to be here to support it,” Ciocca said.

Ciocca was not handed anything on a silver platter. He started in his mother’s garage 40 years ago where he purchased a used car which he fixed up and sold. His business grew from there with endless hours of dedicated hard work.

Today, four decades later, the Ciocca Automotive Dealerships have expanded to an impressive group of 54 dealerships consisting of 25 brands throughout Pennsylvania and n ew Jersey.

operations and Cole is sales manager of Philadelphia.

I had the pleasure of meeting the whole family June 14 at the ribbon cutting of the new Cadillac showroom in Atlantic City. I could tell immediately what a respectful and polite family they are. The strong bond radiates throughout the organization.

However, as large as it is, it is still run like a family business where each of the 2,000 plus associates is appreciated and treated as family. Annual sales are growing every year with a recent record of over $2 billion.

“We have a lot of great people here,” Ciocca said. “Our business philosophy is based on a four-legged stool: employee satisfaction + customer satisfaction + manufacturer relationships=success. It all starts with our associates.”

Speaking of family, Gregg and his wife, Sharon, have three sons: Dylan, Gregg, and Cole working in the business. Dylan is special projects manager, Gregg is vice president of dealer

The new, state-of-the-art showroom is an example of how the Ciocca Company elevates an already excellent company to a whole new level. Stop in and see the fabulous new look Cadillac showroom at 340 Albany Ave., Atlantic City or call 609345-2100.

Remember to support local businesses, especially small businesses.

Events and Happenings

Multiday

events

North to Shore Festival

▶now – 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.northtoshoore. com/atlantic-city.

Barefoot Country Music Fest

▶now – Sunday, June 23

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

Summer Book Sale

▶Friday, June 21, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday, June 22, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Ocean City Library Atrium 1735 Simpson Ave. Ocean City

Hosted by the Friends and Volunteers of the Ocean City Free Public Library. The book sales will be held in the Community Center atrium with fiction, non-fiction, children, and young adult titles along with puzzles, audio books, CDs and DVDs. Cash only. Please bring a tote bag for your purchases.

Offshore Powerboat Association: War at the Shore

▶Friday, June 21 – Sunday, June 23

Offshore powerboat racing makes its return to South Jersey. This grand prix will set hearts pounding and spectators on the edge of their seats.

The vendor village will be open to the public Friday – Sunday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. at Golden nugget Lot A, and the War at the Shore Races are set for Sunday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Go to www. oparacing.org/ac for the complete schedule.

Atlantic City Showcase Stage & Artist Village

▶Saturday, June 22 & Sunday, June 23, 12 – 6 p.m.

Orange Loop Festival Grounds 160 St. James Pl. Atlantic City

Get ready to groove and sway all day, with a lineup of talent set to fill the air and get your feet moving, with performances by Mara Justine, Angela Burton and Passion, Jersey Calling, Cason e xpress, the Stockton Dance Company, and many more. Over 50 artists will be setting up shop with paintings and sculptures, crafts, leather, and more. Plus, enjoy food truck fare and family-friendly fun. Admission is free. Visit www.northtoshore. com for the complete schedule.

Ventnor Community Yard Sale

▶Saturday, June 22 & Sunday, June 23, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Free for residents to participate. See the full map of participating houses and learn more at www.ventnorcity.org.

Fakefest

▶Monday, June 24 – Sunday, June 30

The Deck at Golden n ugget 600 Huron Ave. Atlantic City

Some of the hottest cover bands on the east Coast converge for this annual event that will make you do a double take all week long. See the complete schedule at www.goldennugget.com/atlantic-city and click on entertainment.

Thursday, June 20

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. entry is $20 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, 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 appx. 9 p.m.

Registration will include free snacks and a free Awards Buffet after the tournament. All events and weighin will be held at the e gg Harbor Twp. elks. To request a registration form or for additional information, send an e-mail 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.

Ocean City Gardens Yard Sale

▶8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Cardiff Road

Hosted by the Ocean City Gardens Civic Association. The yard sale will be held at Cardiff Triangle, located off the Gardens Parkway at Belfast Road. Proceeds will benefit annual scholarships. Call (609) 602-8482 for more information.

Antique Auto Show

▶9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Ocean City Tabernacle Grounds

6th & Asbury

Over 300 vintage vehicles will be on display, along with a boardwalk parade after 2 p.m. For more information, visit jerseycape.aaca.com.

British Car Show at Smithville

▶10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Historic Smithville 615 e . Moss Mill Rd.

Join Smithville for a memorable gathering of British cars, benefiting Samaritan’s Healthcare. All entrants qualify for a raffle prize drawing. More information is available at www. historicsmithville.com. Rain Date: Sunday, June 23.

Down to Earth Garden Tour

▶10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Somers Point

The Green Thumb Garden Club is sponsoring a Garden Tour through -

↘Continued on 18

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out Somers Point. It is a rain or shine event. Tickets will be available for purchase at Somers Mansion the day of the event. $15 per person. The event will also include a beehive display and a jazz trio from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. The Somers Point Arts Commission will also have an exhibit of flower-inspired student art at the Senior & Community Center on Ambler Rd. throughout the day. For more information, go to visitsomerspoint.com and click on events or email lisag@foxocnj.com.

Ken the Magician & Jazzy Jen Magic Show & Face Painting

▶11 a.m.

Otto Bruyns Public Library 241 W. Mill Rd. northfield

Join the Otto Bruyns Library as they kick off the summer with a magic show and face painting. Admission is free; space is limited. Attendees must pre-register by calling (609) 646-4476.

Summer Reading Kick-Off Party

▶11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Longport Library 2305 Atlantic Ave.

Calling all kids: join the library for a special event behind Longport Borough Hall. The Fire Department and Beach Patrol will host free demonstrations and activities. Get wet on the slip and slides, get a glitter tattoo or face painting, and make a fun craft.

Please call (609) 487-7403 to register or learn more.

Atlantic County Pride in the Park ▶11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Memorial Park Main St. & Cape May Ave., Mays Landing

Hosted by the Atlantic County Queer Alliance (ACQA). This free community event will include activities, resources, and more. Additional details can be found at www.acqanj. com.

AC Street Art

▶12 – 5 p.m.

2200 Fairmount Ave. Atlantic City

Join the n oyes Museum of Art of Stockton u niversity’s AC Street Artists Paint Out as they breathe creativity onto the vertical panels in Ducktown Park. Setting up their makeshift studios on bustling street corners of Mississippi Ave. and Arctic Ave., these artists will transform panels into captivating masterpieces. For more information, visit www.northtoshore.com/atlantic-city.

Skate AC’s Bash at Back Sov ▶12 p.m.

Back Sov Skate Park Sovereign Ave. Atlantic City

Skate AC returns to north to Shore for the ultimate skateboarding event of the year. This day-long extravaganza celebrates the awesomeness of skateboarding that will have you cheering on your favorite local skat-

Tire and Ser vice Experts

ers. There will be plenty of food trucks on hand, along with vendor booths, giveaways and prizes. For more information, visit www.northtoshore.com/ atlantic-city or www.skateac.org.

Global Grooves: Music & Arts in the Park

▶1 – 6 p.m.

O’Donnell Memorial Park, Atlantic City

Grab your family and friends and experience the vibrant arts scene of Atlantic City’s Chelsea neighborhood. This event will feature interactive activities including live musical acts, a magic show, face painting, chalk art, caricatures, dance contests, and a marketplace of local artists and vendors. Visit www.northtoshore.com for more information.

Galloway Summer Kick-Off Food Truck Festival

▶2 – 6 p.m.

Galloway Township Municipal Complex 300 e . Jimmie Leeds Rd.

Over a dozen food trucks will be ready to satisfy every taste bud, with kids activities, and live music by The Whitewalls. It will be a flavor-packed kickoff to summer. Rain date: Sunday, June 23.

Camp North to Shore & Beach Bonfire

▶7 p.m.

Chicken Bone Beach Georgia Ave. & the Beach, Atlantic City

This unique event offers festival-goers a distinctive experience beyond the typical celebration, inviting attendees to camp along the picturesque Atlantic Ocean beachfront or spend a few hours with the mesmerizing backdrop of a bonfire, complemented by fire performances, a DJ, community art projects, and more. Must be at least 21 or older to participate. For more information, visit www.campatlanticcity.com.

Sunday, June 23

Golf & Jazz

▶12 p.m.

120 euclid Ave. Atlantic City

Putt your stuff and enjoy the sounds of Tom Angello’s All Star Jazz Quartet. Purchase tickets at www. northtoshore.com.

Monday, June 24

We Walk Somers Point

▶8:30 a.m.

Kennedy Park 24 Broadway

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.

EHT Monday Morning Madness

▶11 a.m.

Robert J. Lincoln Amphitheater in Tony Canale Park

Presented by eHT Recreation. enjoy free weekly family entertainment at Tony Canale Park. This week, enjoy the Magic of Ken n orthridge. Visit www.ehtrec.com or www.facebook. com/ eHTRecreation for more information and updates in the event of weather.

Let’s Sing Taylor: A Live Band Experience Celebrating Taylor Swift

▶5 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

Ocean City Music Pier 825 Boardwalk

Produced by BR e Presents. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit www.ocnj.us/SummerConcertSeries.

Bike Rodeo

▶6 – 7 p.m.

Longport Library 2305 Atlantic Ave.

Bring your bicycles for a tune-up and bike check for the upcoming summer season. Please call (609) 487-7403 to learn more.

Movie Night at Ski Beach

▶6:30 p.m.

Dorset and Burk Ave. Ventnor

Join Ventnor City for a Movie night by the bay. Bring a blanket or beach chair and enjoy a free screening of Jaws. For more details and updates, visit www.facebook.com/ ventnorcityspecialevents.com.

Tuesday, June 25

Kenny G

▶7 p.m.

Ocean City Music Pier 825 Boardwalk

Produced by BR e Presents. For more information, or to purchase

tickets, visit www.ocnj.us/SummerConcertSeries.

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 26

Meet & Greet with Sir Lancelot the Therapy Dog

▶4:30 p.m.

Otto Bruyns Public Library 241 W. Mill Rd. northfield

enjoy a pawsome time at the library as Sir Lancelot will be signing special autographs and snuggles, plus other activities for the children. This is a drop in event; no pre-registration is required. For more information, call (609) 646-4476.

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 n ancy Monk at (856) 229-1758.

Somers Point Pinochle Club

▶6 – 8:30 p.m.

Somers Point Senior Center 22 n Ambler Rd.

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All are welcome to attend. For more information, go to visitsomerspoint.com and click on events.

Thursday, June 27

Author Talk and Book Signing with Laurie Halse Anderson

▶6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Ocean City Free Public Library 1735 Simpson Ave.

Ocean City Library welcomes bestselling author Laurie Halse Anderson. Winner of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, her writing spans various genres for young readers, teens, and adults. Two of her novels, “Speak” and “Chains,” were national Book Award finalists, and “Chains” was short-listed for the prestigious Carnegie medal. This event is free and open to the public. no registration required. For more information, visit www.oceancitylibrary.org.

Friday, June 28

American Red Cross Blood Drive

▶10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Somers Point Youth Center 599 Marks Rd.

The American Red Cross will be at the Youth Center in Somers Point for a partnered blood drive, hosted by the Somers Point Police Department. Appointments can be made by visiting www.redcrossblood.org. Click on

BEST INSURED Rates

‘Find a Drive’ and search: SPPD. Memoir Workshop

▶10:30 a.m.

Join JFS Village and award-winning author and Drexel u niversity Director of Certificate Program in Writing and Publishing, Harriet Levin Millan, in capturing life’s adventures, history, and ancestry. A laptop or pen and paper is needed. This program will be held via Zoom. RSVP by June 24 by calling (609) 287-8872 or email Tina Serota at tserota@jfsatlantic. org.

North Beach Atlantic City Fireworks Celebration

▶9:30 p.m.

north Beach between Ocean Casino and Resorts

n orth Beach will host its 4th annual summer kick-off with an oceanfront fireworks spectacular, hosted in partnership with Fireworks by Grucci. The event is free and open to the public and will feature several viewing locations throughout the north end of the boardwalk, including Steel Pier, Resorts, Hard Rock, Showboat, and Ocean Casino. More information is available at www.atlanticcitynorthbeach.com.

Saturday, June 29

Margate Beachstock

▶8 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Huntington Ave. Beach

The Planet’s Biggest Beach Party returns for a fun-filled day of activities. This year’s event features new food vendors, more kid’s activities, an eclectic live-music lineup featuring the n o Clue Trio, Sunset Cries, and nJ British Invasion, free surf and kite lessons, cornhole, volleyball, obstacle course, Tiki Beach Bar, and so much more. Plus, from 7 – 10 p.m., it’s Beachstock After Dark. enjoy live entertainment on the main stage, and at 9 p.m. Don’t miss a live performance by Kn OX, best known for the hit single “not the 1975.” The event is free and beach tags are not required. Learn more at www.margatehasmore.com.

Magic Show at the Library

▶10:30 a.m.

Longport Library 2305 Atlantic Ave.

Calling all kids: prepare to be amazed as our illusionist conjures

some fun and mind-bending feats. Please call (609) 487-7403 to register or learn more.

Concert and Bonfire on the Beach in Longport

▶6:30 p.m.

33rd Avenue Beach, Longport

Bring your beach chair or blanket and enjoy a bonfire and a concert by Pan Gravy. Please call Longport Library at (609) 487-7403 to register or learn more. Rain date: Sunday, June 30.

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.

MHA Atlantic Family Meetings

▶Thursday, June 27, 10 a.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.

Dementia Support Group

▶Wednesday, July 3, 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.

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.

The planet’s biggest beach party is bigger than ever!

Margate always heats up in June, and never more so than for Beachstock 2024 The Planet’s Biggest Beach Party. Admission is always free, and no beach badges are ever required at the event. This year features new food vendors, more kids’ activities, an eclectic live music lineup, free wiffle ball home run derby, sand-sculpting, surf and kite lessons, Margate Cornhole League, Tournament, AC Volleyball Factory tournament, Pickle Juice pickleball, the beachfront Tiki Bar with numerous new and unique adult beverages to sample and purchase, plus so much more! Beachstock, a Margate tradition for 13 years, attracts over 5,000 visitors and returns to the beach Saturday, June 29, 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. (Rain date June 30) between Huntington and Granville avenues.

New for 2024

Beachstock After Dark with stage performances beginning at 8 p.m.! This year Q102’s Beach Tour presents Atlantic Records recording artist Kn OX, who will headline the iHeart

Media WZXL main stage at 9 p.m. The nashville-based singer-songwriter has a fresh, clean sound inspired by Fall Out Boy; Panic! At the Disco; and ed Sheeran. KnOX’s first hit song “Sneakers” has amassed over 28 million streams and his follow-up smash “ not the 1975” is well on its way to eclipsing that number. Opening for KnOX is Q102’s DJ nico Oso, the “Prince of Philly” who captivates audiences whether it’s at Philadelphia u nion soccer games as their official game-day DJ or on Q102, Philadelphia’s most popular radio station, hosting “Saturday night Wired”. South Pacific Island Fire Dancers start heating things up at 8 p.m. along with the beach bonfire. The Tiki Bar will stay open and be ready to serve during each performance (must be 21 years of age and older).

Back by popular demand, and now a part of Beachstock on Saturday, is the free MBA Wiffle Ball Home Run Derby on the Granville Ave. beach

from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. All hitters will be divided into age groups and have 10 swings off a tee to hit the most home runs over the fence in their age group for awesome prizes. uSA DJ entertainment will provide player introductions and music. For contest rules and to register in advance, go to www. margatehasmore.com. Sponsored by Colmar Home Center, Wawa, uSA DJ entertainment, Hartman Home Team, Sunrise Wine & Tequila Bar, and Shore Local.

The annual Margate Cornhole League Spring Championship and

Beachstock Family Fun Cornhole Tournament will take place on the sand amid all the action of Beachstock. Official rules will apply, and teams can compete to win cash prizes. Spectators and guests can watch the tournament from the Colmar Home Center Chill Zone featuring comfy furniture and refreshments. Children and adults can participate in this family fun competition. Register for the cornhole tournament or the Beachstock Volleyball tournament at margatehasmore.com.

Beachgoers will have a wide array of food to choose from whether it’s sizzling hamburgers or ice cream from Margate Dairy Bar and Burger; savory authentic tacos from TacoCat; and tangy barbeque pulled pork and brisket courtesy of South Jersey Smokehouse. Arancini rice balls will be provided by the Little Sicilian and fresh seafood offerings from PJ Buckets. Culinary maestros

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from For Goodness Cakes will be selling mouthwatering cookies, cakes, breads, and brownies. Smoothie fans can stop by California Frozen Yogurt and Shakes for an endless variety of concoctions using only the freshest fruit. There’s something to satisfy every craving! There will be a beer garden with ice-cold selections along Huntington Ave. and the Tiki Bar on the beach is a can’t-miss (for 21 years and older) for a wide variety of refreshing samplings and opportunities to purchase your favorites.

One of Beachstock’s many highlights is the Sustainable Downbeach tent featuring terrapins, fun envi -

ronmental educational interactive activities, displays and more. Those wanting to learn more about what lives in our waters and all the beautiful aspects of our beach can meet at the iHeart 100.7 WZXL main stage for an environmental walk hosted by “Scuba” Steve Jasiecki, a member of the Sustainable Downbeach team. There are a ton of free activities like sand-sculpting lessons with Matthew Deibert, Margate Fire Department’s Cool Blast, Kids Treasure Hunt, limbo contests, surf lessons with Stacey’s Surf Camp, Air Circus Kite Shop single/double line stunt kite demonstrations and lessons, and Wawa Margate giveaways. The Mar-

gate City Police Department will be at their tent, providing valuable public information and giveaways. Popular character Troll Princess Poppy will be available for pictures along with Miss n ew Jersey elizabeth Mendel at the kids’ stage. Learn to hula hoop with Flow Bright’s demonstrations and lessons. Stop at the vendor tents on the way across the sand for a variety of goods and services. Creative face painter Alissa Dirato and east Coast Fairy Hair return to Beachstock to create the most unique facial looks and hair extensions at the shore. Also, try your hand at Tossin Ten’s family fun game that reimagines skeeball and cornhole. Then check out the Pickle Juice pickleball Beach Court at Granville Ave. behind the Martin Bloom Pavilion during Beachstock, from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Throughout the day, Pickle Juice of Ventnor will be offering complimentary play, kids’ clinics, and other fun pickleball activities. In addition, the Pickle Juice team will be giving out gear (T-shirts, hats, paddles, and more)!

bands no Clue Trio, Sunrise Cries, and nJ British Invasion. All are talented musicians and singers who know how to wow an audience. The 95.1 WAYV Kids Stage will have a variety of kid-friendly entertainers and activities to keep the little ones engaged all afternoon. The emerald Isle Academy of Irish Dance performers will again mesmerize Beachstock crowds with their highly choreographed, intense dance routines.

As the shadows lengthen and twilight turns to evening, the beach bonfire is lit and the excitement continues with a Samoan fire knife dance performance by the South Pacific Island Dancers. At dusk, children and their families can spread out their blankets, kick back in their beach chairs and enjoy the movie “Trolls Band Together” on a digital L eD big screen. On the other side of the dunes, DJ nico Oso will perform and then Kn OX will rock the beach with a set of his biggest hits: the perfect way to cap off another spectacular Beachstock!

JUNE 20 - 23

Barefoot Country 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

JULY 19 - 21

New Jersey Bronco Invasion

JULY 20

North Wildwood Christmas in July on the Beach

JULY 20

Wildwood Crest Christmas in July Festival

FRIDAY NIGHTS

JUNE 28 - AUGUST 30 Friday Night Fireworks

SATURDAY MORNINGS TO AUGUST 31

Downtown Wildwood Farmers Market

WILDWOODS ISLAND SHUTTLE - LEAVE THE DRIVING TO US Jitney Service from Diamond Beach to Olde NJ Ave...and everywhere in between! ~ Download the Free Jitney Surfer App ~

A major feature of this 14-hour event is nonstop entertainment on the iHeart 100.7 WZXL main stage. Local singing sensation Teddi Fusco kicks off the event with the national Anthem. The musical lineup will include ever-popular local feel-good music classic rock and pop cover

Festivalgoers can enjoy complimentary jitney shuttle service running 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. along Atlantic Avenue between Coolidge and Fredericksburg Avenues and the eugene A. Tighe School parking lot. Beachstock is organized by the MBA in partnership with Margate City.

Drawing from nostalgia for inspiration — Cypress vine and purple hyacinth bean vine

Let It Grow

By Tammy Thornton

Over 20 years ago, when my two older children were preschool age, we lived near a wonderful hidden gem called Leaming’s Run Garden on Route 9 in Cape May County. The children could run through the meandering paths of this magical family-run garden until they came to the old one-room log cabin (circa 1695), kitchen garden, peacocks, and pens of exotic chickens. Continuing on through the woods, we would come to the pond full of frogs and blooming lily pads, then pass by the serpentine garden and gazebo for a little rest. What an inspiring garden that was! At the end of the trail, we would come to the owner’s family home (circa 1706) with a gift shop

in the parking lot. For a few dollars, you could purchase a packet of seeds and dream about growing some of these same magical plants in your own garden. Back then, my family was renting the second floor of a house without a place of our own to plant flowers. One of the joys of having our own property and a little plot of land has been being able to experience the trials and errors of creating a garden that’s ours to do with as we please.

Though Leaming’s Run Garden permanently closed in 2016, I’m still inspired by two different vines that I remember seeing growing in their garden and the seeds that came in those little packets. This year, I happen to have both of these vines growing in my garden.

First, we have the Cypress vine. This dainty but vigorous vine has feathery, fern-like foliage that gently climbs and twists over whatever sup -

port you provide for it. easy-to-grow Cypress vine (also called cardinal vine) produces bright red tubular flowers that will entice hummingbirds. These starshaped flowers will open by day and close at night. Plant this vine in full sun and set it at the base of a trellis or fence to climb, since this twisting vine can grow from 10-15 feet long. Cypress vine is a true annual that completes its life cycle in one season and will eventually succumb to cold weather. However, you can collect seeds, allowing you to start the process again the next season. Though the plants are not cold-tolerant, you can start them indoors a few weeks before the last frost. When you are ready to plant the seeds, soak in water overnight to aid in germination since the seed pods have hard shells. Another interesting flowering vine that I nostalgically remember growing at Leaming’s Run Garden is the purple hyacinth bean. If you’ve ever seen this plant growing, it will have made an impression. While Cypress vine ambles gently and whimsically along, purple hyacinth grows with force. Be prepared to have a strong trellis or arbor for this robust climber. Like the Cypress vine, the purple hyacinth bean is not cold-tolerant but will grow vigorously in one season. Give

it a sunny location, and you will be rewarded with sprays of exotic lavender-purple flowers that resemble sweet peas growing on purple vines. As the flowers mature, they will form leathery purple bean pods. Butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds will be attracted to these fun flowers that grow with abandon. After the seed pods dry out, collect them to save for the next growing season. Then, you will be able to start them indoors a few weeks before the last spring frost.

In tropical climates, these two vines can become aggressive. However, in our Shore Local area, the annual vines will die back once it becomes cold. If you collect the seeds, you can be in control of where they grow and enjoy these delightful pollinator plants year after year. The creative gardens of others can make an impression and inspire

us for the future. An idea planted in our memories long ago can be the starting point of implementing a garden of your own that will be richer from the nostalgic value. We would love to hear about gardens and plant memories that have inspired you. Send your thoughts, questions, and garden pictures to shorelocalgardener@gmail.com.

Tammy Thornton lives with her husband, children, and crazy pets while enjoying a life of gardening, cooking, and going to the beach.

Whimsical Cypress vine (a/k/a cardinal vine) will attract hummingbirds to your garden with its tubular red flowers.

Purple hyacinth bean will climb to great heights in one season and form purple flowers and bean pods. Picture courtesy of Barbara Hood.

Meet Miss New Jersey 2024 Elizabeth Mendel

By Julia Train

On Saturday, June 8, as elizabeth Mendel, 22, was being crowned Miss n ew Jersey 2024, she made sure to take it all in so she’d never forget the moment.

Although Mendel repeatedly told herself to remember what was happening, as advised by Miss new Jersey 2023 Victoria Mozitis, she said the entire experience felt like a dream, and still does.

“It's still a little blurry because you go through so many emotions in a few minutes,” said Mendel.

The following morning, she woke up in her hotel room at Resorts Casino, checked her phone and thought to herself, “one more day of competing.” She remembered the night before when she saw her crown and sash on the desk.

Mendel, from Cape May Courthouse, was 16 years old when she started in the Miss America Opportunity.

It was because of a conversation with her longtime best friend, Miss new Jersey 2022 Augostina Mallous.

Mendel and the former Miss n ew Jersey were on the bus heading to cheer at a high school basketball game.

On the ride, Mallous, who held the title of Miss n ew Jersey’s Teen at the

time, excitedly told Mendel about pageants.

“She said, ‘Oh my gosh, you need to compete. There's one more pageant left.’ And I was like, ‘Auggie, there's no way. I wouldn't be good at something like that,’” Mendel recalled.

Mallous gave her the paperwork to get involved soon after, giving her two days to decide if she wanted to participate and one day to fill out the paperwork,

A few weeks later, Mendel ended up competing and winning Miss Stars and Stripes’ Outstanding Teen and later competed for Miss n ew Jersey’s Teen before aging out.

She then took a few years off to heal from an eating disorder, which is her Community Service Initiative (CSI), and won the Miss Avalon 2023 and Miss South Jersey 2024.

“I, as they say, ‘caught the pageant bug,’” said Mendel. “I knew I wanted to come back into the program and shed light on what I struggled with.”

When she was crowned Miss Avalon in September 2022, it was Mendel’s first year back in the program. The title granted her a ticket to the Miss n ew Jersey 2023 competition, where she was third runner-up.

This year, she was given another chance as she participated with the title of Miss South Jersey 2024 and won.

As part of her CSI, “Image is everywhere,” Mendel is currently working alongside the national eating Disorder Association to push for passing legislation regarding eating disorder awareness and speaking to students about her personal journey.

Mendel recalled her 10-minute private interview she had during the week of the Miss n ew Jersey pageant. She was asked if the program–or pageants

in general–makes her struggles worse.

“I said no. It's actually different because this holds me accountable for every little girl, boy, mom, dad, anybody that looks up to me and that uses me as a light,” said Mendel. “It holds me accountable because I know it's not just me.”

Looking to the year ahead, Mendel, who will compete to be Miss America 2025, said she’s most excited to see the organization’s growth, advocate more for her CSI and share her story.

“It's definitely a taboo topic that a lot of people don't want to talk about because it's an uncomfortable topic,” said Mendel. “And if I share my personal story, and it only helps one person, that's all that matters to me.” She also looks forward to advocating for the program and changing people's minds on what pageantry is.

“We're not just beauty queens that stand up on stage and smile,” she said. “Being Miss n ew Jersey feels like a dream … [it’s] one of the greatest blessings in my life. I can't believe it but I'm really grateful and I use that gratitude as a way to push me to make everybody in the state of n ew Jersey proud of me.”

Sumo takes Atlantic City by storm

By David Weinberg

The Atlantic City area has hosted a plethora of sports competitions in the last 50 years or so.

Almost every sport has been featured. It has run the gamut, with leagues, franchises, tournaments and events featuring baseball, basketball, beach volleyball, bowling, boxing, cycling, deep-sea fishing, football, golf, horse racing, lifeguard racing, mixed martial arts, powerboat racing, swimming, tennis and triathlon, among others.

Some of the greatest athletes in their respective sports swam, punched, dunked and pitched on or near the Boardwalk.

Paul Asmuth won the 22.5-mile

Summer Fruits Galore!

Around the Island Swim a record eight times in the 1980s. Mike Tyson knocked out Michael Spinks in 90 seconds in 1988 at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Dr. J played oneon-one at the former Trump Taj Mal in 1992. Tennis star Monica Seles’ first tennis match after being stabbed by a fan was against Martina n avratilova at Boardwalk Hall in 1995. Annika Sorenstam won three ShopRite LPGA Classic titles in 1998, 2002 and 2005 at Seaview in Galloway Township.

n ow, thanks in part to some of the former casino executives who helped bring those events and athletes to town, you can add sumo wrestling to the list.

A roaring, cheering crowd of approximately 2,000 saw some of the sport’s heaviest hitters –both in terms of weight and abilitystaged a thrilling tournament at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino last Saturday as part of the International Sumo League’s World Championship Sumo.

Japan 45 years ago.

When he sought to bring the sport to the u.S., he enlisted the help of Bernie Dillon, Rich Rose and Mark Taffet.

“Getting a chance to compete in Atlantic City and at Hard Rock was a big step for us,” said egypt’s Oosuna Arashi, who placed second to Russia’s Soslan Gagloev in Saturday’s final. “The crowd was great and I’m hoping we’ll be back.”

The International Sumo League was created by n ew York’s n oah Goldman, who became enthralled with the tradition, beauty and respect associated with Sumo during a visit to

Dillon, a Mainland Regional High School graduate and Port Republic resident, started the boxing programs at both Taj Mahal and Hard Rock while also working for the u FC. Rose, who now lives in Florida and serves as a consultant, brought many big fights and the Caesars International Handicap horse race to town for Caesars before leaving for Las Vegas.

Taffet was ringside for a slew of big fights in Atlantic City while working for HBO Sports and also serves as co-manager for women’s boxing standout Claressa Shields in addition to working with Goldman.

Edobar Konyeha (right) prepares to flip Jared Tadlock

Oosuna Arashi

“I had never seen or heard of Sumo until about three years ago,” Dillon said. “A friend of a friend recommended me to n oah. We spent a lot of time working on it and we started in January of this year with two shows at White e agle Hall in Jersey City.

“We like to call this Sumo 2.0. When you look at traditional Sumo, it’s very staid, respectful, quiet. It’s a different vibe. We’ve tried to make it a lot of fun for the fans.”

Saturday’s event was filled with energy.

each of the 12 fighters emerged from backstage through a fog machine while a D.J. played high-energy tunes such as Gap Band’s “You Dropped a Bomb on Me,” and elton John’s “Saturday n ight’s Alright for Fighting.”

Pictures and bio appeared on giant screens, along with betting odds for each match. Gambling on the ISL is permitted in n evada, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois and Florida and is pending in n ew Jersey.

The wrestlers played to the crowd before stepping into the circular ring, called a dohyo for their bouts. each round was a best-of-three with the winner advancing. every bout was pure action and lasted from 10 to 30 seconds.

Wrestlers, called Rikishi, settled into four-point stances similar to an nFL nose tackle in a goal-line defense and launched themselves toward their opponents. Bouts were won by throwing or shoving the opponent out of the ring or to the ground under the watchful eye of referee (Gyoji) Oscar Dolan.

Dolan, who was dressed in white (including gloves), quickly became a fan favorite. Chants of “Oscar Dolan! Oscar Dolan” were heard before every match, which is apparently

the case in every venue.

“I’m not sure who started it,” said Dolan, who is also a top-rated lightweight Sumo wrestler. “It wasn’t any of my friends. Most likely it was some drunk frat guys.”

Goodman’s ISL has over 25 wrestlers that rotate among the tournaments, though Arashi and Gagloev are considered the top competitors and usually meet in the finals.

Gagloev, a 353-pound giant nicknamed “Big Bear,” also spent a season with the university of South Florida in 2012 as a defensive lineman before returning to Sumo. Arashi, a 340-pounder nicknamed “Sandstorm,” was the first African wrestler to succeed as a professional in Japan. He now lives in Clifton with his wife and three children.

Gagloev won the first match by deftly sidestepping Arashi’s charge, prompting Arashi’s momentum to carry him over the boundary. Arashi evened the fight by flipping Gaglo ev out of the circle before Gagloev clinched the win.

Gagloev celebrated while the fans cheered and said it was a great birth day gift for his mother. Arashi smiled as he walked backstage, pausing to kiss one of his three sons on the forehead.

Although they are rivals, they are also good friends, who shared hugs and laughs in the locker room after Saturday’s duel.

“Once again, he did that dirty move as he was about to be slapped,” Arashi said with a grin. “But I’m happy that my friend won … This time.”

n ext time will be later this month at the Prudential Center in n ewark. Hopefully, they will be back in Atlantic City in the near future.

“The crowd seemed to really enjoy it,” Dillon said. “We’d love to come back.”

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.

Soslan Gagloev celebrates after his win

Spend a night dancing while raising funds for cancer patients

By Julia Train

Getting treated for cancer can be a financial burden and Toast Pink, a Margate-based nonprofit organization, knows that and wants to help those dealing with the high costs.

According to the n ational Cancer Institute, in 2019, the national patient economic burden associated with cancer care was $21.09 billion, made up of patient out-of-pocket costs of $16.22 billion and patient time costs of $4.87 billion.

As one of their multiple annual fundraisers, Toast Pink is hosting a Summer Dance Party at Josie Kelly's in Somers Point on July 11 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Aria Mazer and Joseph Orazi co-founded the nonprofit in 2012 fueled

by the experiences of people around them. For Mazer, it was her friends who had needed some help and Orazi’s daughter survived cancer.

“I had something [happen] to some friends a while back and just did a small fundraiser for them and handed them the money and that’s when I realized how much it meant to them,” Mazer told Shore Local in a n ovember 2023 interview. “[Joe Orazi and his daughter] walked the walk and went through that struggle, so that was his inspiration.”

now, the 501(c)(3) helps individuals and their families who have unpaid expenses, such as: medical, mortgage, rent, utility, insurance, or car bills. The organization even helps with paying for groceries or transportation to treatment.

Since its founding, Toast Pink has raised $125,000 for those in need and pays the companies on behalf of those they’re helping.

The nonprofit has a team of 10 volunteers who work to assist its applicants with affording chemotherapy, transportation, housing, durable medical equipment and bridging the gap of uncovered medical expenses.

The process to receive aid from the nonprofit is simple. First apply on its website, then there’s a vetting process and once approved, the charity can then help you.

Since the crew is 100% volunteer, over 80% is sent to the applicants, the other 20% goes back into the organization to hold fundraisers, Mazer told Shore Local in november 2023.

next month’s event is the nonprofit’s second annual dance party fundraiser and is a more casual one, compared to its annual gala fundraiser, which is an elaborate and elegant evening with a cocktail hour, plated dinner, a 360 photo booth and auctions, complete with live music.

For $40 a ticket, attendees will get food, dance to music by DJ B eBO, get drinks at a cash bar, participate in trying to win auction items and a 50/50 raffle.

Gift cards, baskets and merchandise from local shops in Ocean City will all be up for auction, according to Christopher

Pusak, who handles the public relations for the nonprofit. Besides the dance party and the gala, Mazer also facilitates small-scale events to fundraise in her hair salon, Avant Girl, like giveaways with the help from other Margate businesses.

She said the nonprofit hopes to bring in at least 100 guests to the dance party. Those interested in attending can purchase a ticket at the nonprofit’s website: www.toastpink.org.

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

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Meet the Ocean City Hookers

By Steffen Klenk

Every month, a small yet artful group of individuals meet inside Ocean City Library for a unique social gathering. everyone arrives with a crochet hook, or knitting material, and some yarn, working diligently on their project of choice. Many who show up draw inspiration from each other, providing either tips and tricks, or basic instruction, interlaced with pleasant conversation in-between. Collectively, they are known as the Ocean City Hookers.

They are a group of crochet and knitting enthusiasts, consisting of beginners to the most advanced crochet artists, from many different walks of life. Individuals bring their own one-of-a-kind skill level to the group. Some work on fun projects such as granny squares while others work on more complex patterns.

Former Ocean City resident Suzanne Hornick formed the group in 2019 as a way for people to meet and participate in a fun, inviting, activity. “I advertised it on Facebook with the idea that everybody who had that particular interest could come and join.” upon entering the room, you are instantly part of a diverse, welcoming environment, filled with individuals who are not only encouraging but bring a positive energy and no judgment. e ach individual works on their own unique project. Members can choose to take their project home and continue working on it, sell it in a store or online, or donate to local organizations.

One member of the Hookers, Christine Mastrocola, recently moved to Ocean City from South Philly. Prior to discovering the group, she began crocheting 10 years ago, making a blanket for her great niece. “I could sit on the porch and watch TV at night and my brother will say “How do you do it?”’

Local resident Boo D’Ottavio has been a member of the group for several years. “I like sharing ideas and you get into conversations about

different things,” she explained. “You get to know people.”

“It’s a great gathering of people”, says Maryann Williams, who currently organizes the monthly Hookers group. “We have a lot of different discussions, share our projects, and help each other. We have a lot of fun.”

Crochet is defined by Merriam-Webster as needlework consisting of the interlocking of looped stitches formed with a single thread and a hooked needle. Its origins can be traced back to europe in the 19th century, when the first published instructions for crochet appeared in a Dutch magazine. early dated references can be traced back over 200 years. Whether you have just discovered fiber art or want to share your expertise with others, the Ocean City Hookers is open to everyone. The group meets every second Thursday of the month at the Ocean City Library. Residents, homeowners, and new members are welcome to join. You can also find the group on Facebook under the name Ocean City, nJ Hookers (Crocheters). There, you will find helpful advice, tutorials, videos, and event reminders.

Steffen Klenk is a photographer and multimedia journalist who enjoys capturing the eclectic moments of shore life. You may contact Steffen at shorelocalsteffen@gmail.com.

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Discover seaside nature at Corson’s Inlet State Park

By Megan Antosy

Looking for sea glass or beautiful unbroken shells in Ocean City? We have a place for you.

Corson’s Inlet State Park is located at the southend of the island. Park at 58th Street and look south. The park is sitting right in front of you. It’s pristine – different from anything else that Ocean City has to offer. The 341-acre section of sand dunes and undeveloped beachfront was established as a state park in 1969.

Corson’s starts on the ocean side of the island’s southern tip and wraps around to the bay. So strap your beach chair to your backpack, bring your phone for photos, grab your sunscreen and bug spray; bring your reusable water bottle and a bucket to carry your treasures and get ready to find more fun ways to experience life

ronment from experts. Tours are offered during July and August, perfect for locals or visitors. They are offered on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. every tour is different. You might get to see a lot of birds one time, but find a lot of shells another time. The tours start at the entrance to the state park at 59th Street and the beach.

on the southend of the island. Admission is free.

Hunting for Shells and Sea Glass

Corson’s Inlet is a nature preserve so the beach cleaners don’t come down to sweep it. This means that Corson’s might give you the best chance of finding whole shells and pieces of sea glass on the island.

Walk slowly along the water’s edge to find hints of green, clear, or red sea glass intermixed with shells. Search for large conch shells (aka the knobbed whelk, new Jersey’s state shell) or go on the hunt for hermit crabs, sand dollars, horseshoe crabs, or maybe even a seahorse.

Walking Along the Paths

There’s two ways to make your way to the nearby Rush-Chattin Bridge, which is the bridge between the drawbridge into Strathmere and Ocean City. You can walk through the trails, or you can stay along the coastline to make your way to the bridge that way.

Boating Through the Bay

There is a boat launch at the Rush-Chattin Bridge – permits and fees required. Fish off the bridge, fish from the sand, or slide your boat into the water. Popular fish species include bluefish, kingfish, striped bass and weakfish, according to nJD eP. Change it up and go crabbing, or take your kayak, paddleboard, sailboat, canoe, or Jet Ski out for a ride. You can finish your adventure by pulling up to the dock at the Deauville Inn for a drink and dinner.

Walk the trails through the park to see the native flora and fauna including grasses, nesting birds (be careful not to disturb their nests), and other animals such as foxes. You also get to see the native plants and trees along the path.

In the spring, you can see migrating birds returning for the summer season. This also kicks off saltwater fishing season, which includes striped bass. See the birds searching for food or playing in the surf while you walk along the coastline.

Touring the Park

Take a guided tour through the park to learn more about the envi -

Soak in the Sun

Lastly, the sunset at Rush-Chattin is one of my favorite sunsets. Stand on top of the bridge or look below and watch as the giant, orange ball dips into the water on the other side of the bridge.

Migrating birds, or birds searching for food fly over. Boats are going past soaking up the last rays of the summer day. Fishermen are looking for the last fish before they go home. It’s a peaceful place to take in the sunset. The park is open from sunrise to sunset. Swimming is prohibited and dogs are not allowed April 1 through Sept. 15. Admission is free. Phone 609-861-2404 or search the nJD eP website for info.

More Money, Less Problems: Easy ways to cut costs

By Sarah Fertsch Staff Writer

Picture this: you’ve finally arrived on the warm, white sand. You hear the waves crash on the shore, as little kids make sandcastles. everything smells like coconut and sunscreen and summer. Ping! Your banking app alerts you that your annual vacation is overdrafting your account.

search the distance between your stay and the beach, so you won’t stray too far from the action.

2. Bike When You Can

This hack is best applied on the island (Longport, Margate, Ocean City, Wildwood…etc). Parking will always be pricey. either rent or pack bikes so that you can easily run over to Wawa or join a yoga class, without wasting money on gas or off street lots. You’ll save time too, if the traffic is bad!

Pro Tip: Bring a beach chair with a strap so you can bike to the beach with ease!

3. Pack Snacks

Smoothie bowls and curly fries can make a hefty dent in your budget, so swap a couple of snacks for pre-packed treats. Pick up bunches of grapes or pretzel crisps to keep full between meals. As a result, you’ll have more options available for special dinners and fancy brunches.

This nightmare can be avoided (collectively breathe a sigh of relief). Down the Shore doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg, even when inflation threatens your good times. With a couple easy swaps, your sunny days can be protected from encroaching financial stress.

Here are five easy ways to save money on your trip to the beach this year:

1. Stay on the Mainland

If you don’t mind a little longer commute to the beach, consider booking an Airbnb or hotel off the island. You’ll save hundreds of dollars, and have guaranteed parking included. Somers Point has a great downtown with bayfront views and great restaurants, and you won’t have to worry about running out of booze!

Pro Tip: use Google Maps to re -

Pro Tip: If you are bringing a beverage cooler to the beach, add some cut watermelon, string cheese, or oranges along with the ice.

4. Don’t Forget the Essentials everyone knows that last-minute supplies at convenient locations tend to have inflated prices. Prepare effectively for your vacation by ensuring that your group has enough sunscreen, sunglasses, flip flops, towels and swimwear.

Pro Tip: use your notes App or an old-fashioned piece of paper to make a list of every supply you’ll need for your best vacation

5. Free Entertainment

Free activities and events will keep your family engaged without breaking the bank. Free beach concerts are held weekly up and down the coast, and on the mainland. Atlantic City beaches don’t require beach tags. Check out a local library for some free or discounted books. A little money saved goes a long way!

Pro Tip: Pack a deck of cards or board games to play with your family. The novelty of a new environment will bring the fun to the next level.

TEndless summer favorites

Fueled by both, the newly renamed Barbra rocketed to Broadway stardom at age 19, won an Oscar for her first film at 25, then began a quest for artistic influence that led to multihyphenate roles as writer-director-star of films like “Yentl,” “The Prince of Tides,” and “The Mirror Has Two Faces.”

that’s dogged her throughout her career, and defends her right to stand among the great auteurs of cinema, like William Wyler.

his week, it’s the new autobiography from Barbra Streisand; a tense murder mystery; women’s fiction with a supernatural twist; a fictional take on a sensational true crime; and a comic look at sports fandom.

My Name is Barbra

By Barbra Streisand Viking

Talk about an unlikely superstar: Barbara Streisand (yes, she was born with two a’s) was a poor urchin with a funny face who grew up in a crowded walkup on Brooklyn’s Pulaski Street. But she had two things going for her: a powerhouse voice and an indomitable will.

In this epic autobiography, the showbiz legend tells all: her lifelong yearning for the father she barely knew; her troubled relationship with a vain and distant mother; her meteoric rise and many romances, which ended happily ever after with James Brolin; and decades of global acclaim as a singer, actress, and political activist.

In “My n ame is Barbra,” Streisand rejects the diva reputation

At nearly 900 pages, this book is an investment of time, but one with a rich return. As someone who has always admired more than liked Streisand, I must say I enjoyed the person I met in this book, who is funny, warm, and as generous as she is demanding.

Girls Like Us

By Cristina Alger Putnam

FBI agent nell Flynn, on medical leave since an on-the-job shootout, goes home to Long Island to bury her father, a cop tragically killed in a motorcycle accident.

As she settles up Martin Flynn’s small estate, a body turns up in the dunes of tony Southampton, and n ell is drawn into the case. Acting as a behavioral consultant, she works alongside

her dad’s colleagues to determine if the murdered woman was the victim of a serial killer.

But as the investigation progresses, nell discovers disturbing evidence that points away from the usual suspects, to the bastions of influence of power.

This crime drama takes hold on page one and never lets go.

with Marjorie Preston

with Marjorie Preston

Soul Dancing

By Gail Priest

RedAdept Publishing

Caught between life and death, 90-year-old Shirlene Foster must decide where she belongs—in this world, or the next.

As the story begins, Shirlene is literally dying—sorry to leave her ailing husband, Stan, but longing to see the son she lost many years ago, in an auto accident.

Just as she moves into the light, Shirlene is yanked back to life— straight into the body of a young, beautiful woman about to give birth.

That woman is Rain DeLuca, who has a history of drug and alcohol addiction, but cared enough about her baby to stop using during pregnancy. But in the throes of labor, Rain shuffled off this mortal coil—in essence, opening a vacancy for Shirlene, who gets a second chance at living, but isn’t sure she wants it.

What’s it like to prepare for eternity, and be suddenly restored to vibrant youth and vitality? Shirlene’s dilemma is complicated by her love of the infant, Arlene; her growing

affection for Arlene’s uncle, Cameron, who wants to give the child a home; her simultaneous loyalty to Stan; and other complications.

Gail Priest has written a provocative novel about love, loss, and the enduring quality of devotion.

Lovely Rose Gold

By Stephanie Wrobel Berkley

This pulp thriller borrows heavily from the case of Gypsy Rose Blanchard, who conspired to kill her abusive mother, served time in prison, was released in 2023, and now, strangely, has become a red-carpet celebrity.

Her fictional counterpart is Rose Gold Watts, who was similarly victimized, but testifies against her mother, Patty, and sends her to prison. Five years later, when Patty is released, Rose Gold actually allows her to move in with her and her infant son, Adam.

The story, told by two narrators in alternating chapters, shows covert deadly intentions on both sides, in a page-turner that picks up intensity as it goes.

This beach read will keep you guessing.

Fangirl Down By Tessa Bailey Avon up-and-coming pro golfer Wells Whitaker has hit a serious career skid. He’s lost his game, his fans, and his nike sponsorship. These days, he’s better known for boozing and brawling than for athletic performance.

He’s about to hang up his cleats when he learns that his no. 1 fan—and sole remaining supporter—is in even bigger trouble: her Florida pro shop has been leveled by a hurricane.

Beautiful Josephine Doyle wasn’t a fair-weather fan. Known as “Wells’ belle,” she stuck with her favorite ornery golfer until the bitter end, when he stiffed her on a lesson and quit the PGA tour.

n ow Wells is at her door, hoping to do her a good turn. First, he begs the commission to put him back on the tour. Then, he hires Josephine as his caddy. Instant sparks fly (warning:

steamy scenes ahead), and the bad boy of the links becomes a winner once more.

This is a whip-smart book that crackles with sexy dialogue, like the screwball comedies of legend. Chicklit fans will adore it.

Marjorie Preston is a business writer, editor, ghostwriter and compulsive reader, who gobbles up books like potato chips. For more information (and more book reviews), visit marjorieprestonwriting.com.

What's happening in Ocean City Skate

TContest, Concerts and Car Show Highlight Start of Summer

he first day of summer is Thursday, and that means the summer events in Ocean City will kick into high gear.

The annual Skato for Kato event will feature a skateboard competition and concert by the punk-pop band

The Sheckies from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, June 20 at the Ocean City Skate Park (Fifth Street and Asbury Avenue). Registration for the contest is $20, but spectators and the concert are free. All proceeds benefit the Humane Society of Ocean City, where Kato was a beloved German Shepherd. Donations to the Humane Society are encouraged and appreciated.

The Friends of the Ocean City Pops are sponsoring a concert by the 40-plus member Philadelphia Wind Symphony at 8 p.m. Friday, June 21 at the Ocean City Music Pier (Boardwalk at Moorlyn Terrace). The group 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. Tickets available at oceancityvacation.com/ boxoffice.

The Ocean City Pops opens its own 2024 season on June 30 with a concert featuring Broadway star Bernadette Peters. For complete information a summer of great Pops music, visit oceancitypops.org.

More than 300 vintage vehicles will be on display at the Antique Auto Show on the Tabernacle grounds, Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 22.

A boardwalk parade of cars will begin at 2 p.m. For more information, visit jerseycape.aaca.com.

The Ocean City Gardens Civic Association will hold its annual Yard Sale at the Cardiff Triangle (Gardens Parkway and Belfast Road) 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 22. Proceeds benefit annual scholarships.

Olympics nJ Area 8 also calls Ocean City home to their annual swimming and track-and-field meets. For more information or to preregister, visit support.sonj.org/event/2024-walksonj-area-8-atlantic-cape-may-andcumberland/e557718.

The Friends and Volunteers of the Ocean City Free Public Library will hold a Summer 2024 Two-Day Book Sale in the atrium of the Ocean City Free Public Library, 1735 Simpson Avenue on Friday, June 21 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, June 22 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, go to friendsvolunteersocfpl. com. Attendees are requested to provide their own tote bags. Cash only.

The local division of Special Olympics nJ will host a fundraiser walk on the Ocean City Boardwalk at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 22. Registration will take place at the Civic Center (Sixth Street and Boardwalk) at 9 a.m. Walkers will then go from 6th Street to 14th Street and back. All money raised will benefit Area 8 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties) of Special Olympics nJ in aiding their athletes of equipment, uniforms, league competition and more. Special

The 2024 Summer Concert Series at the Ocean City Music Pier will open with two acts next week. Let’s Sing Taylor — A Live Band experience Celebrating Taylor Swift will perform two shows (5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.) on Monday, June 24.

Jazz saxophonist Kenny G will keep the Music Pier sound alive at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 25. Tickets for Let’s Sing Taylor and Kenny G are available through etix.com, and a limited number are available (by cash or check only) at the Music Pier Box Office.

More information on the entire 2024 Summer Concert Series is available at ocnj.us/SummerConcertSeries.

Tickets on Sale Thursday for Night in Venice Concert and Viewing Area

Tickets for a July 19 concert featuring the Jimmy Buffett tribute band The Landsharks will go on sale starting at 9 a.m. Thursday, June 20.

The show will start at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 19, at the Ocean City Mu -

sales will open for a special viewing area at the Bayside Center for night in Venice.

sic Pier and will be a perfect warmup for Ocean City’s n ight in Venice on Saturday, July 20. The night in Venice theme this year is “Summertime Vibes: A Tribute to Jimmy Buffett.”

Also at 9 a.m. Thursday, ticket

The Landsharks are one of the premier Jimmy Buffett tribute acts. They have even opened up for, backed up, and played with Jimmy Buffett in concert in Key West and at Margaritaville. After playing with The Landsharks in Key West, Buffett hired them “on the spot” to be the house band at Margaritaville. In a Radio Margaritaville interview, Buffett said the “The Landsharks were great showmen” and that “they knew the songs better than I did.”

The Bayside Center at 520 Bay Avenue will be open with family entertainment and activities for the 2024 night in Venice boat parade on July 20, and tickets go on sale starting at

9 a.m. Thursday.

The viewing area will include a picnic spot and snack stand, face-painting, a DJ, and bleacher seating. Ticket prices will be $6 for children (12-and-under) and $10 for adults (with service fees included). The area will remain open and provide a perfect spot to view a spectacular fireworks display after the boat parade.

The boat parade starts at 6:30 p.m. and the fireworks display will

go off at approximately 9:30 p.m. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. entertainment will be provided until the parade arrives and will resume until the fireworks start. no alcohol is permitted, and no parking will be available, but the free shuttle service will be available from remote parking at the Ocean City Municipal Airport, Ocean City Community Center and Shelter Road parking area. Admission is limited, so don’t wait to make your purchase.

Tickets for the concert and the viewing area will be available online at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, by calling 609-399-6111 or in-person at the Music Pier Box Office, City Hall, the Welcome Center on the n inth Street causeway, and the 46th Street Information Center.

Presenting sponsors for 2024 n ight in Venice are ACM e Markets and OCnJ Watersports.

THE FUN STORE AT THE SHORE

National Marbles Tournament at The Flanders

A Look Back

By Fred Miller

June 28, 1929, was the fifth and final day of the 8th annual national Marbles Tournament held a the Flanders Hotel. It was the first time the event was held in Ocean City. It started in 1922 by the Scripps Howard newspaper chain as the nationwide contest for young people. The first eight tournaments were held in Atlantic City.

J. Howard Slocum, president and manager of the Flanders was looking for a way to attract national attention for his hotel and he believed the n ational Marbles Tournament was what he needed. He did some tough campaigning to win the 1929 event away from Atlantic City.

n ewspapers all across the country ran articles under the headline, “Who will win the Marble Championship and a Free Trip to Ocean City, n ew Jersey.” Games were held in grade schools around the country to determine area champions. The winners converge in Ocean City for the finals to be held from June 24 to the 28.

It was a huge success and J. Howard Slocum was very happy with the national publicity the beachfront hotel received.

Two articles on the front page of the July 3, 1929, Ocean City Daily told of the success of the Flanders Hotel: “MIBS TOu RneY WI nS PRAISe” and “3 ne W POOLS OPen J u LY 4 AT FLAn D eRS.

Charles “Sonny” Albany, 13, from Philadelphia won the 1929 National Marbles Tournament.

Anyone seen my last 50 years?

By Bill Quain

Jeanne and I just got back from my 50th college reunion at Cornell university. It was a wonderful weekend, except for one thing: Who invited all those old people? Of course, my classmates were thinking the same thing about me. Where did those 50 years go?

As my classmates and I reminisced about days gone by, many of us were surprised at how some things that were important to us when we were in school really didn’t matter in the long run. And other things that happened became the most important events of our lives. I’d like to share a few of those things with you because I think they will bring a smile to your face, and maybe give you a moment of pause.

It’s all a matter of perspective. Here are a couple of examples of things that really didn’t matter after all. I was not a very good student as an undergraduate. However, in my junior year, I managed to get a “B” in an advanced accounting class. Once the grades came out, a group of classmates and I went down to a local bar to celebrate the end of the semester. I saw one girl who looked very upset, and I asked her why she was so sad. She said, “I’m so angry! I got a B in accounting class.”

My reply? “ n o, you don’t understand. This is my very first B too!” I learned a valuable lesson as an undergraduate. Once you’re out of school, nobody cares what you got for a grade. In the many years since I graduated, I’ve only had one prospective employer ask me what my GPA was. I looked that guy straight in the eye and said, “I was a top student!”

His reply? “So, you were a C student?” He hired me. He liked my style and optimism!

I replied, “We must have different perspectives. I’m happy because I got a B in accounting!”

She then said, “You don’t understand Bill. This is my very first B.” She had received an A in every other class up till then.

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Use your first 25 years wisely.

Confession time: I was on academic probation at Cornell. One semester, I got a 1.79 GPA. For those of you who don’t know if that is good or bad – it is really bad! I got a terrifying letter from Dean Robert Beck of the Hotel School. He suggested that I try another major or another university – anything, rather than staying at Cornell. He was very disappointed in me.

Being the type of guy I am, I framed that letter and hung it on the wall of my room. I still have that letter! It is on the wall of my office at Stockton university. Whenever a student says to me, “Dr. Quain, I have to get an A in this class,” I show them the letter.

Then I say, “ n o, you don’t. You have to graduate from school, but you don’t have to have a certain grade in any of your classes.”

I eventually went on to get a Master’s degree and a Ph.D. And 25 years after I received my letter from the Dean, I was asked to be the Master of Ceremonies at a high-level weekend event for the Cornell Hotel Society. We had alumni flying in from around the world. It was a big deal. Dean Beck had retired, but he was invited back to be an honored guest at the event. The Dean apparently thought I’d done a great job at the event and later sent me a handwritten thank you letter.

The Cornell Hotel Society repeated that event five years later, and I was once again asked to serve as the Master of Ceremonies. And there in the audience was Dean Beck, enjoying the event. I knew he would be in attendance, so I brought something along to show him. It turned out to be the highlight of the event for me. At the Saturday night closing dinner, I brought both the “maybe you should consider another school …” letter, along with his glowing handwritten letter of thanks. everyone had a good laugh. It proved to be a great lesson

SIX WORDS ON A BOARDWALK

BENCH

by Bill Quain

as well. If you fail at something, get your act together! n o one will remember your past mistakes as long as you turn things around and step up your game.

Wow, who is that beautiful girl?

n ow that was something that mattered! In early October 1973, 51 years ago this fall, my fraternity was planning a party. We wanted to invite some girls. My roommate John Williams (who I saw at the reunion last week) called a nearby college, where he knew a girl from his hometown. He told her about the plans and said, “Come to the party and bring girls.” She did bring several girls, but there was one that I really remember.

Why do I remember her so well? Because last weekend, she drove up from Ocean City with me to go to my reunion. It was my wife, Jeanne, of course! That chance encounter became one of the most important events of my life. We dated off and on for a few years, but eventually things worked out. On June 30, we will celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. I got a lot of great things from Cornell, but Jeanne was the best!

Life teaches you what’s most important.

n ow, maybe it hasn’t been 50 years since you graduated, but I’ll bet you’ve already learned that life teaches you what’s most important. So, no matter how long it’s been since you had your last formal lesson, what has life taught you? How about sharing it with us? We’d love to hear it. As always, just shoot me an email at bill@ quain.com. And as I say each week, “I’ll see ya in the papers!”

DISCOVER YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE THIS SUMMER

By William Kelly

For many years the Smuggler’s Shop on the Ocean City Boardwalk, between 13th and 14th streets, was one of the most popular places to visit for locals and tourists alike.

With a nautical motif, it offered a variety of seashells from all over the world, some from the beach out front, as well as whaler’s harpoons like those portrayed in “Moby Dick,” the backbone of a whale, and the most interesting item – Iron Mike, a pre-scuba era deep sea diving suit like those used in the movie, “Beneath the 12-Mile Reef.”

The only thing more fascinating than Iron Mike was the old salt smuggler himself, Sam McDowell, who certainly looked and lived the part.

Born in 1929 in Somers Point, McDowell worked as an Ocean City lifeguard (1948-’53 and ’58-’59), a period which included a stint in the Air Force. McDowell was a fine artist who worked in various mediums including painting, sculpture and scrimshaw.

During the winter, when the Boardwalk shops were closed, he taught art at Princeton u niversity where in the 1950s he met then Sen. John F. Kennedy collected scrimshaw and admired some of McDowell’s work. Kennedy encouraged him to concentrate on the almost lost art. Discovering that he could earn more money carving scrimshaw than he could from the Smuggler’s Shop and teaching art, he moved to the West Coast beach community of

City Boardwalk story

Carmel, Calif., seasonally spending time in Bequia in the West Indies. In Carmel, McDowell lived as a neighbor and friend of Clint eastwood, and kept an Ocean City lifeguard surf boat on the beach that he used to take early morning rows.

At Bequia he owned a house on a farm and actually went whale hunting with the natives, who were permitted to continue their tradition of hunting whales for sustenance.

When McDowell donated some of his art to the Ocean City Historical Museum and to the Somers Point Historical Society, he included a painting he did from memory of the Launch Haven trolley stop at Christmas time, I wrote an article about him on my blog, and interviewed him over the phone at the time.

“It’s a great spot to grow up,” said Sam McDowell of Somers Point and Ocean City, where he and his eight sisters and brothers lived, went to school and worked on the beach and Boardwalk. McDowell’s memories of the Jersey Shore are reflected in his art.

“I’ve been very lucky and feel I owe it to the people to tell them how nice it really is,” McDowell said in a telephone conversation from his home in Carmel, Calif.

“I lived in Somers Point, and liked Ocean City very much, the High School, the Beach Patrol – it’s a great spot to grow up, so I wanted to give something back to the community.”

Working as an art teacher in Princeton, McDowell spent summers at his Boardwalk shop from the ’50s

through the ’70s, where he worked next to Iron Mike, the antique diving suit, and sold nautical gifts, including scrimshaw carvings on whalebone.

While whale bones are no longer legal tender, he began carving scrimshaw on faux ivory, and became a scrimshaw trader.

“I realized that I could make more money doing scrimshaw than I could teaching or working at the Smuggler’s Shop,” explained McDowell. So putting everything else aside, he concentrated on the bone carvings and is now considered one of the foremost scrimshaw artists in the world.

n ot just a rare, contemporary scrimshaw artist, McDowell has actually been whaling, having accompanied some natives from Bequia, where they are permitted to hunt four whales a year, as they have done for centuries.

”I could row, so they let me go along with them,” said McDowell, “and it was scary because they do

it exactly like they did it 200 years ago. They throw a harpoon into the whale and hope for the best,” going on what they call a “ nantucket sleigh ride.”

Although his scrimshaw earns the bread and butter, his other artwork is also popular, and prized by collectors. Some of his paintings reflect his early life in Somers Point, including his family’s Sunny Avenue home which is still there.

Having recently made prints of some of his paintings, McDowell gave two of them to each of the local museums, including “Christmas Shopping on the Shore Fast Line,” and “Decoration Day on Bay Avenue.” “Christmas Shopping on the Shore Fast Line” shows people getting off the trolley at the Launch Haven stop in Somers Point, some holding bags from Talese’s tailor shop and Stainton’s Department Store, two iconic businesses from Ocean City past. Decoration Day, now Memorial Day, has people getting ready for the big parade which ends at the Somers Point beach where they laid wreaths in the water for those who died during wartime.

There’s a schooner sailing on the bay with Ocean City in the background. Accompanying each picture is an essay McDowell wrote explaining what he was trying to convey in the paintings.

Sally Hastings, then president of the Somers Point Historical Society, said “These pictures are really special because they capture a sense of family and community that we would like

to preserve. We are very appreciative of all that the McDowell Family has done for us. Although spread across the country, they have remained a close family and always remember their roots growing up here in Somers Point.”

As for Iron Mike, the deep sea diving suit, Steve Garza tracked him down. Sam told Garza that in 1980 he sold Iron Mike to a nautical museum at City Island in the Bronx, n .Y., but Garza learned that today it resides in Islamorada, Fla., at the Florida Keys History of Diving Museum.

Their research discovered that Iron Mike was built in the early 1930s by the empire Marine Salvage and engineering Corporation of new York City, which was headed by Thomas P. Connelly. A patent filed in 1934 lists Connelly as the inventor.

The company had an address at 17 Battery Place in n ew York. But the salvage operations were based across the Hudson River in Jersey City.

Iron Mike’s primary “occupant” was a well-known commercial diver Roy R. Hansen of Perth Amboy.

According to the patent, Iron Mike was designed with a number of innovative features, most of which were significant improvements over standard diving equipment of the times. Iron Mike was fully pressurized and self-contained, with an oxygen tank that provided approximately four hours of air time, which was included within the suit, so no air hoses were necessary, and a bottle of caustic soda would absorb the carbon dioxide emitted by the diver.

A telephone line was attached so the diver could keep in contact with the vessel on the surface. Mechanical “hands” of a permitted him to grasp objects.

The suit consists of a top and bottom pieces, secured together with a threaded ring, which could easily be opened. The buoyancy of the suit made it naturally return to an upright

position, a feature the diver could take advantage of to lean over to closely inspect an object, as the suit would upright itself.

Iron Mike undertook three dives that received notable press coverage, and made him something of a celebrity. There were likely other dives, but without the company’s records they can’t be documented. If Iron Mike could speak, he probably would have many fascinating stories to tell.

The Hussar was a British ship carrying pay for their soldiers during the American Revolution. In 1780 The Hussar hit a rock and sank in the Hell Gate, a treacherous waterway in the east River off n ew York City. Connelly’s company was one of at least three parties that attempted to locate the ship in the mid-1930s.

For this mission, Iron Mike was outfitted with a huge light above its head and one on each arm, and dragged through the water behind a tugboat called The Terminal. Despite the relatively shallow depth of about 120 feet, Hansen called the job one of the nastiest of his career due to the strength of the currents.

The search continued along the shores of the Bronx for about a month, during which Hansen identified six shipwrecks, none of which was The Hussar. The search was then called off because Simon Lake, the inventor of the modern submarine, and Pleasantville, native, claimed to have exclusive rights, granted by the Treasury Department, to recover The Hussar. Lake was ultimately unsuccessful in this effort.

The Merida was a passenger steamer carrying gold and silver bullion from Mexico in 1911 that collided with another ship and sank off the Virginia coast in about 270 feet of water.

Connelly and company dove the wreck with Iron Mike in August 1936, and according to some reports, they did salvage some of the cargo, but no details were provided. The cargo had an estimated value of $26 million in 1936 dollars, or about $425 million today.

A n ew York Times article about the expedition reveals some interesting insights about the mission and Iron Mike. Roy Hansen, by this point very experienced using Iron Mike, was supremely confident in the suit and the chances of success on this mission.

Shortly after The Merida dive, Iron Mike was used to recover the body of a 13-year-old boy who drowned in a flooded quarry in Pennsylvania.

It is not clear what became of Thomas Connelly and his company, or when Iron Mike was retired from commercial diving. Iron Mike was reportedly stored at the Philadelphia

naval Ship Yard at some point in the 1940s, and after that was part of a live diving demonstration in Atlantic City, probably at Steel Pier.

From there he was acquired by Sam McDowell and spent his years in Ocean City. Around the time Sam closed the Smuggler’s Shop, around 1980, he sold Iron Mike to the northwind undersea Institute in City Island, Bronx, n .Y., a museum co-founded by folk singer Richie Havens.

From there Iron Mike was acquired by Drs. Joe and Sally Bauer, the founders of the Florida Keys History of Diving Museum in Islamorada, Fla., and the museum has been his home ever since.

Some time before he got to the museum, his upper body was painted yellow for an unknown reason. The museum is interested in restoring him to his original finish, but does not have the resources to do so at this time.

After reading my article on his art donations to the Somers Point Historical Society, Sam sent me a gift, one of his classic scrimshaw carvings of a whale on a pen knife.

I recently learned that Sam McDowell passed away in his late 80s a few years ago, though I couldn’t find an obituary. He most certainly was one of the most interesting characters I’ve known.

The right gear can make a better beach day

By Lisa Zaslow Segelman

Imet my husband 35 years ago when I ran a summer share house on Fire Island in n ew York. Decades before singles went on the dating app Hinge, a popular way to get hitched was to get a share in a beach house. Here in South Jersey of course, we call it a shore house. Back then, my now-husband would grab a chair and a towel and hit the beach.

Once we got married, our summer shares ended, and we were more inclined to go “down the shore” to visit my folks in Ventnor. Within five years we were toting three kids to the beach to play in the sand, swim in the ocean and the rest of it.

My husband’s days of a chair and a towel were clearly behind him. Beach chairs, umbrellas, coolers, pack ‘n plays, and beach toys hit him like a

ton of plastic, metal, and canvas all compressed together. I packed the cooler and the diaper bag, but getting the gear to the beach was his job.

We’d go to Walmart every couple of years and purchase a mesh beach cart that would topple over with even one extra umbrella. Then we’d try a folding beach cart with lackluster wheels. These carts were okay on the pavement, but it was an arduous, unpleasant task to pull one across the sand in the hot sun or a sudden rainstorm. The wheels were like crabs in their eagerness to imbed themselves in the sand.

Watching my husband gear himself up for a beach day haul brought the same image to mind every time – that of Sisyphus, the man of Greek legend who betrayed the gods and was condemned for eternity to repeatedly roll a boulder up a hill, only to have it roll down again once he got it to the top. My husband would schlep the cart with great effort down to the beach, only to struggle with pushing it back to the boardwalk at the beach day’s end.

n ot much changed as the years went on – just more beach gadgets and games were added to the cart. And what’s the rallying cry for a day at

the beach?

“I’ll meet you down there,” said every kid ever, followed by, “Dad will take it.” And heaven forbid he’s still at the house when someone forgot something. Then the ask became, “can you bring down sunscreen, a sweatshirt, a hat, snacks, water?”

More weight.

Then last year on a jaunt to Richman’s, the Brigantine burger joint, my husband saw a cart in a beach gear store that caught his eye. Giant

balloon wheels. White trellis sides made of that plastic you might use for a vegetable garden – the same plastic design that surrounds the giant trash cans on the Ventnor beach. It looked handmade, and it was. He took it for a spin.

The cart wasn’t even for sale; the owner was just using it to hold cumbersome items. So who created this promising cart?

enter C&C Beach Carts, a family-owned and family-operated business in Blackwood, Camden County, whose motto is, “We help people become beach happy, one cart at a time!”

Greg Coco and his sister-in law Patty Carroll, made their first beach cart for their own personal use in 2019. They are a large family full of lifelong beach lovers, and getting their tribe of grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, and kids to the beach was never an easy task, let alone getting it all back at the end of the day.

The family tried numerous carts – the kind you drag, the wheelbarrow cart with bungee cords, and loading up humans with backpacks and beach bags. They knew they needed something different.

Kahuna

Life is What Happens

They created their first cart in Coco’s Blackwood garage. They designed it with giant balloon wheels, garden fencing and PVC pipe. It was a homegrown, kitchen sink collection of elements – but it worked.

“The cart held all of our chairs, umbrellas, toys, coolers and more. So much room,” said C&C Beach Carts co-owner Grego Coco.

Much to their delight, the cart they created glided easily across the sand. People that saw Coco and Carroll with their cart on the beach would approach them and ask where they got it.

“That’s when our family decided to make carts for anyone interested in lightening their load. Our goal was to take the stress away from beaching,” said Greg. And thus their garage business was born.

The carts are not inexpensive, but for folks who are die-hard beach people with big families and a lot of visitors, it can be a good investment. I ordered mine as a 30th anniversary present for my husband. I couldn’t think of a more useful, special happiness engendering gift.

C&C Beach Carts offers two same-sized carts, but with different wheel sizes. The larger wheels are more expensive, but hold more weight. The price of a beach cart with 12-inch wheels is $595, and the price

of a beach cart with 16-inch wheels is $875 which includes delivery.

Rentals are also offered for $130 per week, delivered.

If you’re handy, and the price is too steep, you can make the cart yourself.

“If they can make one, that’s great, but we’ve found that most people don’t have the time, patience or ability to figure it all out,” said Greg.

My family of Zazz-Seggs fell into that category. My husband and kids may have been able to build one with

YouTube videos and trips back to Home Depot for stuff they forgot, but they knew they’d lose many beach days, or even rainy days constructing it.

This month we took our beach cart on its maiden voyage to our Somerset Avenue beach. Instead of the protestations and groans we usually get when we ask kids to “help carry something,” my family now vies for who gets to push the cart across the sand, but my beach cart captain husband doesn’t like giving up his post.

“See you at home!” he said as we watched him and our buoyant beach cart cross Atlantic Avenue into the setting sun.

For more information about C&C Beach Carts, visit www. candcbeachcarts.com or C&C’s Facebook page @C&Cbeachcartssalesandrentals

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

Postcards From The Past

The Cape May County Bridge Commission was created by the county in 1934 in order to build a series of toll bridges linking the coastal communities of Cape May County and Atlantic City. With the creation of this agency, the bridges were to receive federal funding through the New Deal. In 1940, several of the bridges comprising Ocean Drive were built,

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cruises depart from Historic Gardner’s

Northfield's family-owned market

By Celeste Costante

Nestled in the heart of n orthfield, Tilton Market has been a local gem since its establishment in 1970. Known for its freshest meats, deli delights, and reasonable daily specials, the market has earned a great reputation among the community. Tilton Market has been family-owned and operated by the Senese family for over five decades. Most recently, Rich Senese's daughter, Alisa Kember, has taken over the reins following her father's retirement, continuing the family tradition of excellence.

My first visit to Tilton Market left a lasting impression. I was there to pick up some freshly made Ambrosia salad, crafted that morning by Lauren, the diligent deli manager. This special order was for TowboatuS Shamrock Marine Towing. As soon as I stepped

inside, the aroma of freshly baked rolls greeted me, setting the stage for a delightful shopping experience.

During that visit, I had the pleasure of meeting Matt, the Butcher Pro and manager with twelve years of experience at Tilton Market. Matt shared an exciting new offering from the market that promises to be a game-changer for patrons and clients of Shopping by the Shore LLC: the BBQ Box.

The BBQ Box is designed to take the hassle out of planning your next

barbecue, party, or gift. Starting at just $29.95, each box can be customized to suit your needs. Imagine arriving at your gathering with a box filled with eight patties of quality ground beef. Your sides, including onions, lettuce, and tomato, come washed, sliced, and ready to serve. The box also includes a pack of Martin's quality potato hamburger buns. e ach BBQ Box comes with chips and can be further customized and upgraded to your liking. You can substitute the

beef patties with Morningstar veggie burgers, Beyond Burger patties, turkey patties, or Sweet Botto's Italian sausage patties. You can also enhance your box by adding extra sides like potato salad, hot dogs, or coleslaw.

The convenience and quality of the BBQ Box make it an ideal choice for any gathering, big or small. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, attending a potluck, or simply looking for a thoughtful gift, the BBQ Box is a versatile and delicious solution.

In a world where convenience often comes at the expense of quality, Tilton Market strikes a perfect balance, offering both in abundance. n ext time you’re in northfield, make sure to stop by Tilton Market or call me at Shore Shopping LLC and I'll deliver it to you.

Celeste Costante is the owner and operator of Shopping by the Shore LLC. Celeste has many years of experience and thousands of reviews making her the personal shopper expert if this area. Download her free app https://shop.dumpling.us/ shoppingbytheshorellc

Entertainment & Dining at the Shore

Whitney’s Weekly Picks

The City Pulse

with Whitney Ullman

Indulge in a spectacular array of entertainment this weekend across the Atlantic City area’s premier venues! Dive into nostalgia with the iconic Happy Together Tour featuring The Turtles at Ocean Casino Resort or bask in the soulful melodies of John Legend at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. From comedy nights to powerboat races and a food truck festival in Galloway, there's a vibrant tapestry of experiences

awaiting you. embrace the excitement and create unforgettable memories. Show some love to your local venues and let’s make our section of the Jersey Shore shine. Oh and, remember to hashtag #gotowhitney, #thecitypulse & #shorelocal in your epic photos and videos.

Who: Happy Together Tour 2024 with The Turtles, Jay & The Americans, Badfinger & More Where: Ocean Casino Resort

When: Friday, June 21 Time: 9 p.m. www.theoceanac.com/ entertainment/headliners/happy-together

C'mon and Get Happy! Join the fun at Ovation Hall on Friday, June 21, with The Turtles, Jay & The Americans, The Association, Badfinger, The Vogues and The Cowsills.

Who: An evening with John Legend Where: Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa

8am - 11am

Both locations are now open for summer to kick back island style! Whether you choose to indulge in one of our new hand-crafted menu items or a guest favorite like the Cheeseburger in Paradise, when quality comes first, it is easy to relax in paradise. Enjoy an ice cold Margarita or Boat Drink because it’s always 5 o’clock here!

When: Friday, June 21

Time: 8 p.m.

Website: borgata.mgmresorts.com/en/entertainment/ event-center/john-legend.html

This special solo performance will feature songs and stories with 12-time Grammy winner John Legend.

Who: Prince Royce & Wisin

Where: Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall

When: Friday, June 21

Time: 8 p.m.

Website: boardwalkhall.com/ events/detail/prince-royce-wisin north to Shore's 2024 Jersey Festival is bringing Prince Royce & Wisin to Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall! Prepare for high-energy, dynamic, Latin pop and reggaeton spectacle.

Who: eric Roberson & Avery Sunshine

Where: Caesars

When: Friday, June 21

Time: 8 p.m.

Website: caesars.com/caesars-ac/ shows

n eed some happy vibes and smooth grooves in your life? You won’t want to miss eric Roberson and Avery Sunshine. Get ready for a concert experience that will leave you inspired and filled with joy.

Who: Justin Silva

Where: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

When: Friday, June 21

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Website: casino.hardrock.com/atlantic-city/event-calendar/justin-silva

Get ready for a night of side-splitting comedy as Atlantic City welcomes the hilarious Justin Silva.

What: AC Pride Dancing under The Rainbow

Where: The Claridge Hotel Grand Ballroom

When: June 21

Time: 7 p.m.

Website: www.acpride.org.

The charitable dance showcase features local contestants competing to raise money for AC Pride’s Khoi Bui

Scholarship Fund and the Rainbow Crown.

What: DJ Skyline Dance Party

Where: Rhythm & Spirits

When: June 21

Time: 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Website: northtoshore.com/event/ dj-skyline

Get ready to dance the night away at the Secret Garden in Rhythm and Spirits for the Prudential presents n orth to Shore Festival with DJ Skyline! From classic hits to modern mixes, DJ Skyline brings an eclectic mix of music that will keep you on your feet.

Who: Schoolly D

Where: Anchor Rock Club

When: Friday, June 21

Time: 9 p.m.

Website: anchorrockclub.com

Part of n orth to Shore Fest, oldschool hip-hop legend Schoolly D is coming to Anchor Rock Club for a throwback night with special guest J Tha Poet plus DJ Able & KJ Butta on the 1’s and 2’s.

Who: The Philadelphia Wind Symphony

Where: Ocean City Music Pier

When: Friday, June 21

Time: 8 p.m.

Website: oceancityvacation.com/ boxoffice

The 40-plus member Philadelphia

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Wind Symphony will perform traditional wind 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. on the Ocean City Music Pier.

What: Offshore Powerboat Racing

Where: The Golden n ugget, Ocean Resort, Bader Field and off the beach in Atlantic City

When: Friday-Sunday, June 21-23

Times: Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.,-7 p.m. War at the Shore Races 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Website: njcrda.com/news/offshore-powerboat-racing-roars-back-to-atlanticcity-june-21-23/

Attractions include Vendor Village, Kick Off Party, Speed Garvey Race, (Bader Field) Racer Meet & Greet, Pre-Race Party, and Awards Ceremony. The world class competition offers a captivating blend of high-octane action and scenic beauty. Pit areas located at Golden nugget.

What: Power Boat Racing

Where: Bally’s Atlantic City | Beach Bar

When: Sunday, June 23

Time: 8 a.m. - noon

Website: casinos.ballys. com/atlantic-city/beachbar.htm

Join Bally’s for the Power Boat Races on the beach in front of Bally’s. Packages are available for two chairs, an umbrella, and lunch for $75 for two people.

Who: Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons: The Last encores

Where: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City | etess Arena

When: Saturday, June 22

Time: 7 p.m.

and-the-four-seasons

Website: casino.hardrock.com/atlantic-city/event-calendar/frankie-valli-

Get ready to be transported through time as the iconic voice behind The Four Seasons takes the stage for an unforgettable performance.

Who: Barenaked Ladies

Where: Tropicana

When: Saturday, June 22

Time: 8 p.m.

Website: www.caesars. com/tropicana-ac/shows Barenaked Ladies combine folk-pop melodies with clever, playful lyrics to create catchy and smart alt-rock. Their hits include “One Week,” “Pinch Me,” and “It’s All Been Done.” They were nominated for a Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group in 2001.

display at the Tabernacle Grounds, Sixth & Asbury avenues in Ocean City with a boardwalk parade at 2 p.m. For more information visit jerseycape.aaca.com.

What: A night of Love Ft. Keyshia Cole, Trey Songz & More

Where: Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall

When: Saturday, June 22

Time: 8 p.m.

Website: boardwalkhall.com/events/ detail/a-night-of-love-ft-keyshiacole-trey-songz-more north to Shore Presents: A night Of Love Ft. Keyshia Cole, Trey Sonz & More!

Who: An evening with Chris Distefano and Sam Morril

Where: Caesars Atlantic City

When: Saturday, June 22

Time: 7 p.m.

Website: caesars.com/caesars-ac/ shows

Chris Distefano and Sam Morril bring the laughs to Atlantic City with a night of comedy.

Who: Antique Auto Show

Where: Ocean City Tabernacle Grounds

When: Saturday, June 22

Time: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Website: jerseycape.aaca.com

Over 300 vintage vehicles will be on

What: Galloway Township Food Truck Festival

Where: Township Municipal Lot

When: Saturday, June 22

Time: 2-6 p.m.

Get ready for a flavor-packed kickoff to summer! Join Galloway Township for their Summer Kickoff Food Truck Festival on Saturday, June 22 (rain date June 23) at the Municipal Complex on Jimmie Leeds Road. enjoy delicious bites from a variety of food trucks, groove to live music by The Whitewalls, and enjoy funfilled activities for the kids. For more information contact Mackenzie at 609-241-0692.

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What: n orth to Shore Showcase

Stage and Artist Village

Where: Orange Loop Atlantic City

When: Saturday-Sunday, June 22-23

Time: 11 a.m.

Website: northtoshore.com

Discover what the 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.

What: Ocean Pride Sunday Tea Dance

Where: Ocean Casino Resort The Cabanas

When: Sunday, June 23

Time: 6 p.m.

Website: theoceanac.com/entertainment/dining-event/oceanpride-sunday-tea-dance

The Cabanas at Ocean will present a picturesque setting to dance under the summer skies as the sun sets, while the legendary and Grammy-winning DJ Hex Hector spins classic and current dance anthems. Dance the night away with specialty rainbow cocktails and enjoy picturesque photo opportunities!

What: Disco Inferno

Where: Bally’s Atlantic City

When: Sundays, June 23-Sept. 8

Time: 8 p.m.

Website: casinos.ballys.com/atlantic-city/showroom.htm

Get ready to boogie down at Disco Inferno, the ultimate disco party in Atlantic City. This event is perfect for anyone who loves disco music and wants to relive the sounds of the ’70s and ’80s.

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

Where: Renault Winery & Resort

When: every Saturday & Sunday 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 many 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.

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!

Mystic Lobster Roll Co. makes shellfish the Maine attraction

By Scott Cronick

Sometimes, life takes you in a certain path based on the people you meet.

In Robert Hulmes’ case, that was Renee and Philip Tretola.

The Tretolas owned the Buck Tavern, a one-time legendary Cape May County watering hole and restaurant where Hulmes worked as a cook, pizza maker and eventually general manager.

When the Buck Tavern closed, Hulmes went on to work in other places, including various Randazzo’s Pizzeria locations in Cape May County and Scotto Pizza in Berlin in a journeyman role many in the food and beverage industry are familiar with.

But in his heart, Hulmes wanted to have his own restaurant, something that would make him the captain of his own journey.

enter the Tretolas, who started Mystic Lobster Roll Company in 2020, a brand that started as one small shop in Ship Bottom and has quickly blown up to a national franchise with seven locations in Florida, one in Las Vegas, Texas and Tennessee, and 10 in its home state, with other close locations in Brigantine and Wildwood. And there are many others in the planning stages.

Philip Tretola and Hulmes became friends over the years, and Tretola kept urging Hulmes to control his

– then a 21-year-old minor league baseball player – began working in restaurants to supplement his paltry baseball income. When his Major League Baseball dream faded, Tretola found himself attracted to the food and beverage industry, converting his passion from swinging at 95-milehour fastballs to char-broiling 500-degree steaks.

In 1993, Tretola fell in love with lobster rolls when he traveled the n ortheast from Connecticut to Maine. The aspiring entrepreneur, who at that point worked in some amazing restaurants including with a Michelin Star chef, spent the next 25 years working in more high-profile restaurants and owning a few, as well. Along the way, he developed his own lobster roll recipe and put it on many of those menus.

Then in February 2020, the Tretolas banked on that passion and recipe to open the first Mystic Lobster Roll Co. in Ship Bottom.

And they have never looked back. The lobster rolls, along with the entire seafood-centric menu, resonated quickly, lighting the entrepreneurial lightbulb in their heads to expand and even franchise.

“Overnight we found instant popularity in our rolls and have grown to four locations and grew fast in a

very short time,” the Tretolas said on their website.

“Our goal is for everyone to experience what a true Maine lobster roll taste like. We thrive on perfection only using the best and freshest in Maine cold water lobster meat.”

Lobster … and more If you are a seafood nut, Mystic Lobster is for you.

So, anyone who knows lobster rolls knows there are two main types: the Maine-style, which features a mix of lobster meat rolled in mayonnaise and served like a cold lobster salad; and the n ew england-style, which is basically lobster meat served warm with melted butter.

The Mystic Lobster Roll Co. has you covered with both … and more. Ranging in price from $23.99 to $42.99 for double the meat on a longer roll, the restaurant also features the n ew england with mixed greens and lemon; the LBI with avocado, mayo and tomato; the Deep South with chipotle mayo, jalapeno aioli and candied jalapenos; the BLT with lettuce tomato and bacon with bacon aioli; and the

Florida Roll with citrus mayo and pineapple.

“We have the variations, but it’s really a simple thing,” Hulmes said. “We are not trying to reinvent the lobster roll. But it’s about using great ingredients and the lobster roll being our main event. We specialize in it. You can get lobster rolls in a lot of

places, but this is what we do best.”

Hulmes isn’t kidding when he says making a lobster roll is pretty simple. He said when you use the finest cold-water Maine lobster as the main ingredient, you don’t even have to season it.

“It’s really about the quality lobster and the toasted, buttered Martin’s potato roll,” Hulmes said. “You have to have that toasted, buttered bun. That said, I think the BLT one is just fantastic. The combination of the Maplewood bacon and lobster is just fantastic. They go well together.’

One of the more interesting offerings is the lobster waffle roll ($19.99) served warm with butter and honey; but we highly recommend the amazing bacon Maine lobster bites ($16.99), five pieces of lobster wrapped in bacon served with dipping sauce. not a lobster fan? Don’t fret. There’s the jumbo n ew england shrimp roll ($16.99) with mayo, celery, dill and lemon; California shrimp roll ($18.99) with avocado, tomato and celery; a snow crab roll ($17.99) with mayo or butter; and a Devil’s Crab

Roll ($19.99) with chipotle mayo, candied jalapenos topped with jalapeno aioli and sriracha. And there’s a tasty Maryland crab cake ($18.99) platter served with fries.

“The crab cakes are made in house and are fresh made using jumbo crab and Ritz cracker as a binder,” Hulmes said. “They are excellent.”

And what would a seafood restaurant be without some quality and Maine lobster bisque ($10) or n ew england clam chowder ($10)?

But I don’t like seafood …

If the delicacies of the sea won’t do it for you, then maybe chicken will. Although not their selling point, if someone in your party doesn’t eat seafood, Mystic Lobster Co. offers a slew of fried chicken offerings ($13.99 for four pieces to $39.99 for 12 pieces), wings and tenders ($6.99 to $10.99) and popcorn chicken ($9.99 to $18.99).

There are four chicken sandwiches ($10.99 to $12.99) including barbecue and buffalo styles.

And sides include various french fry offerings ($5.99 to $16.99) including Old Bay-style and loaded cheese

crab fries, as well as coleslaw, potato salad, macaroni salad, baked beans, mac and cheese and more.

If you have a finicky kid, they have you covered there, too, with a kids menu offering a hot dog ($8.99) or chicken fingers ($9.99) both served with fries.

More lobster roll, please?

If you are hoping a Mystic Lobster Roll Co. opens near you, it probably will. Hulmes has committed to opening two more locations in South Jersey – possibly Somers Point and downbeach –and he believes the brand is exploding.

“I think by this time next year, you will see 10 more of these around the country,” Hulmes said. “We just trained people here who are opening a location in Texas. We are moving and grooving.”

n ow that Hulmes is his own restaurant owner, there’s no looking back.

“Although I was slow to come around to the idea, after training and now seeing people eat here, I get it,” Hulmes said. “They absolutely love it. We bring them something different yet familiar. They look at me and say, ‘This is really, really good!’ I love that I did this. I feel great about it and want to keep serving the community and expand.”

Mystic Lobster Roll Company is lo -

cated at 3003 English Creek Ave, Egg Harbor Township in the English Creek Shopping Center. Call 609-377-8850 or go to MysticLobsterRolls.com

Scott Cronick is an awardwinning journalist who has written about entertainment, food, news and more in South Jersey for nearly three decades. He hosts a daily radio show – "Off The Press with Scott Cronick" - 4 to 6 p.m. weekdays on Newstalk WOND 1400-AM, 92.3-FM, and WONDRadio.com, and he also coowns Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall in Atlantic City, while working on various projects, including charitable efforts, throughout the area. He can be reached at scronick@comcast.net.

Italian Wine Tour: Part 3

Drink Up!

By David Setley

It’s week three of our Summer Wine Tour of Italy. The last two weeks’ articles explored the northern regions of Piemonte, Alto Adige, and Veneto. This week we are heading south to the central section of the country to investigate the land of Sangiovese, the regions of Chianti, Montepulciano, and Montalcino, as well as San Gimignano and Abruzzo. Let’s start in the heart of Tuscany, in the wine region of Chianti and the home of Sangiovese.

According to legend, Sangue di Giove, translated to “the blood of Jupiter,” was the original name for the Sangiovese grape. It is the most cultivated grape in Italy — in fact, 98% of Sangiovese comes from Italy — with the overwhelming majority of it grown in Tuscany. Interestingly, the soil there is awful. I’m talking sandy, rocky soil composed of clay and lime -

stone that is terrible for most crops, yet is somehow excellent for the Sangiovese grape. Winemakers often say vines that struggle the most produce the best wine; that must be the case for Sangiovese! The Mediterranean climate there features warm days and cool nights, yielding light rain in early spring and late fall but little to none in summer. Yet, the gentle hillsides of Tuscany create a perfect terrain, and the sunny summer days allow for a relatively long growing season. Add to that over 3,000 years of winemaking tradition, and you can see how Sangiovese has become the soul of the wines from this region.

Fans of Italian wine are likely familiar with the Chianti and Chianti Classico varietals, but may not have known that the primary grape within them is Sangiovese. Chianti and Chianti Classico are subregions of Tuscany, or DOCs (Denominazione di Origine Controllata). For a wine from this region to have the name “Chianti” on the label, the grapes used must be grown in the DOC and must be 70% Sangiovese grapes. To be a higher-valued Chianti Classico wine, the grapes must be grown in that much smaller DOC and must be made from at least 80% Sangiovese.

Additionally, the growing, harvesting, wine-making, and aging traditions of these regions must be certified.

A wonderful example of a Chianti is the Renzo Masi-Chianti Rufina Riserva. This medium-bodied red wine features notes of tobacco, cherry, cedar, spice, and almonds that are classically found in great wines from the region. For an excellent, yet reasonably priced Chianti Classico, reach for the Castello di Volpaia-Chianti Classico. The elevation of the Volpaia Vineyards is slightly higher than many of the others in the DOC, resulting in a higher acidity level. That acidity manifests as a freshness in the wine that, along with the classic flavors of red fruit, tobacco, spice, and balsamic notes, gives this wine a notable bold -

ness for a medium-bodied wine and an intense ruby red color. n ow let’s talk Montepulcianos. There is the Vino nobile di Montepulciano from the town in Tuscany that bears the same name, and there is its cousin, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, from the central Italy province of Abruzzo to the east. The Vino nobile is made from Sangiovese, while the Montepulciano di Abruzzo is made from the thicker-skinned Montepulciano grape. Like Chianti DOC wines, the Vino nobile must have a minimum of 70% Sangiovese. However, this DOC requires a minimum of 2 years of aging prior to sale, with at least 1 of those years in oak barrels. For an excellent example, try the Dei - Vino n obile di Montepulciano 2019. This vibrant wine has bright acidity and gentle tannins with aromas of ripe red fruit and spice, and flavors of dark ripe berries, notes of plum, and hints of earthiness from the extended aging.

The Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wines are not Sangiovese-based, but rather are produced from the Montepulciano grape. The most popular Montepulciano di Abruzzo is

Continued on 62

↘Continued from 60

Cantina Zaccagnini-Tralcetto Montepulciano, a.k.a “the stick wine,” named for the small piece of vine that is attached to each bottle. Feudi

dried flowers and wild berry fruit.

For white wine lovers, our tour is next going to the amazingly beautiful, medieval town of San Gimignano, near Siena. My wife, Gwen, and I spent

ATLANTICARE CONCERTS ON THE BEACH IN SOMERS POINT

June 21 The Billy Walton Band with Destinee Monroe

Jersey Shore Rock and Soul Guitar Hero Be part of the PBS filming for Eddy & The Cruisers Documentary

June 28 Dane Anthony Band Rock, Motown, Funk, Disco, Soul & Blues One of The Best Party Bands In The Northeast

July 4 John Cafferty & Beaver Brown Band

Celebrate Somers Point Legacy of Eddie & The Cruisers: Hear “Dark Side” “Wild Summer Nights” “Tender Years”

July 5 Mardi Gras In July

Waylon Thibodeaux, World Class Cajun Fiddler Party Music with Danny Eyer and The Tony Mart Allstars

July 12 Ladies Night Double Header

Dana Fuchs Off Broadway “Across The Universe” To The Beatles Music Movie And Her Songs On The Billboard Charts "The Girls Can't Help It" Tribute To The Women Of Rock N’ Roll, 60’s To Today

July 19 The Phantom Blues Band

Special Guest Star Curtis Salgado

Multi Grammy Awards Winners, Soul Blues and BMA Award Winners

Heather 'Lil' Mama' Hardy on violin

July 26 Tony Mart Legacy Last Waltz

Starring The Radiators’ Dave Malone, Bonerama’s

Mark Mullins, Honey Island Swamp Band, Bob Margolin & Johnny Sansone Doing Original Songs From The Martin Scorsese Movie

Aug 2 Tom Hambridge & The Rattlesnakes

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 Jah Love” “96 Degrees In The Shade”

Aug 16 Wildflower 70’s Night at Tony Mart’s

With Original Members Who Played Somers Point In 1970! Popular Horn Band Sounds of Chicago, Earth Wind & Fire And Philly Funk E Street Shuffle

Premiere Springsteen Tribute Band

Aug 23 Jimmy Carpenter Band

Saxophone Star & Musical Director Of The Big Easy Cruise New Orleans Party Music

Aug 30 Joe Lewis Walker & his Big Band

Grammy nominated blues rock star! Fat Mezz

South Jersey's hottest young rock & rollers

Sept 6 Tony Mart Allstars Classic Rock, Country Rock, red New Wave Dance Party, World Class Original Music

31st Season Fridays 7pm VOTED USA TODAY BEST OUTDOOR CONCERT SERIES

Attendance is free to the public, and there will be limited snacks and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase at each concert. In the event of inclement weather, concert venue changes or cancellations will be posted to the Somers Point Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SomersPoint.

Platinum Sponsor

Controversial comics, Valli’s farewell among summer highlights at AC casinos

By Chuck Darrow

To be honest, the talent rosters that Atlantic City’s nine casinos have put together for the summer, ’24 season are hardly the most glittering or star-studded lineups we’ve ever seen.

There are no equivalents of, say, Whitney Houston, Cher, Bob Dylan or Frank Sinatra, all of whom made the AyCee gaming-hall scene in summers past. But there certainly are a number of notable bookings covering a large swath of show business. Among those slated to appear before the autumnal equinox are a few controversial comics and various musical acts covering a wide variety of genres and generations.

Here’s a (mostly chronological) look at some of them; for tickets to

any of the shows, go to ticketmaster. com.

Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons (June 22; Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City).

At this point, with the exception of Johnny Mathis, no one has been performing in Atlantic City longer than Valli. But all his tomorrows were yesterday; the 90-year-old pop immortal has declared his current road trip with the latest incarnation of the Four Seasons—dubbed “The Last encores”--will be his final road trip.

So, if you’ve never seen the man who voiced such beloved songs as “Dawn,”

“Rag Doll,” “Can’t Take My eyes Off of You” and “Grease,” this is your last chance to see him perform live in the region.

Dave Chapelle (June 29; Hard Rock).

even if you’re not a big fan of the funnyman who seems to have controversy as a permanent companion, there’s always a chance he’ll say something that will dominate at least one 24-hour news cycle—thereby giving you the opportunity to say, “I was there.”

Pat McGann (July 5; Ocean Casino Resort)

Chicago-area native McGann has spent the better part of the past decade in the enviable position as permanent show-opener for superstar gagster Sebastian Maniscalco. now, the very funny (and PG-13 rated) comic who specializes in observations about the absurdities of everyday life, is topping the bill.

Hasan Minhaj (July 6; Casears Atlantic City).

Speaking of controversial comedians, last fall, Minhaj was the subject of a n ew Yorker magazine article that revealed that (gasp!) he made up stories just for the sake of making people

laugh. That bombshell expose reportedly cost him the host’s chair on “The Daily Show;” it will be interesting to see if he addresses the incident when he hits the stage at Caesars.

Blue Oyster Cult (July 13; Golden Nugget Atlantic City).

The high-volume ‘70s band out of Long Island didn’t have the commercial track record or artistic impact of contemporaries like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, but it did give us two of the most enduring (and melodic) hard-rock hits of that era: “Don’t Fear the Reaper” and “I’m Burnin’ For You.”

But what makes them worth checking out is that the original unit’s creative core—composer/guitarist/ co-lead vocalist Donald “Buck Dharma” Roeser and composer/multi-instrumentalist/co-lead singer eric Bloom remain in the band.

Totally Tubular Festival (July 19; Hard Rock).

The 1980s will come roaring back-at least for one night—as a slew of artists who contributed to the pop soundtrack of the Ronald Reagan era convene at the Rock. The lineup includes Thomas Dolby (“She Blinded

Me with Science”); Tom Bailey of the Thompson Twins (“Hold Me n ow”); Modern english (“I Melt with You”); Bow Wow Wow (“I Want Candy”) and Men Without Hats (“The Safety Dance”).

Matt Rife (July 25-28; Ocean).

Last year, the now-28-year-old Ohioan was standup comedy’s “It” boy. But earlier this year, he found himself in the PC bull’s-eye after it was reported he’d made some jokes about domestic abuse during a performance. n onetheless, there are obviously plenty of folks who simply don’t care: All four of his Ovation Hall shows—accounting for some 20,000 tickets—are sold out, which means if you want to see him, the secondary-ticket market is where you need to be.

BoyzIIMen (Aug. 16; Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa).

The Philly-bred unit that brought sweet harmonies and melodies back to R&B music are always guaranteed to provide an evening of sonic delights.

The Stray Cats (Aug. 16; Ocean).

The Stray Cats—led by guitar slinger extraordinaire Brian Setzer-combined 1950s rockabilly with modern (for their time), MTV-influenced sensibilities to become one of the biggest acts of the early 1980s. For what it’s worth, the trio’s March, 2019

rave-up at Ocean was one of the most exhilarating gigs I’ve ever seen along the Great Wood Way.

Tony Danza “Standards & Stories” (Aug. 16; Resorts).

This benefit for the locally based Schultz-Hill Foundation is recommended for anyone interested in what live, mainstream entertainment looked like in the post-war years before pop culture was subsumed by the “youthquake” of the 1960s.

The popular TV star will serve up a one-man variety show that includes songs, jokes, anecdotes from his personal and professional lives and, perhaps, even a little tap dancing.

Extended run shows

Once upon a time (when bus-tripping visitors were a major source of casino revenue), the summer entertainment schedule was top-heavy with production shows that would be staged six or eight times a week. That Golden Age was killed years ago by the legalization of casino gambling in nearby states, but there are four once-a-week revues on the books for the upcoming busy season.

Three of them are from AyCeebased impresario Allen Valentine: “The Burlesque Show,” which runs Thursday nights at Borgata, “Disco Inferno,” which will put on its boogie shoes Sundays at Bally’s Atlantic City (starting June 23) and “Divas of Pop,”

a salute to female pop-rock titans of the past six or so decades that debuts July 4 (and runs Thursdays) at Ocean.

Also at Ocean is “Super Trans Am,” which is dedicated to the chart-topping songs of the 1970s (Sundays beginning June 23).

Paying tribute

Of course, tribute presentations of all stripes populate the summer schedule. Among them are The Australian Pink Floyd Show (June 28, Tropicana); Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift (June 29, Resorts); Zoso: The ultimate Led Zeppelin experience (July 5, Tropicana); Who’s Bad: The ultimate Michael Jackson experience (July 13, Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City);

Roy Orbison & The everly Brothers Reimagined (July 20, Casears); Bat: The Official Celebration of Meat Loaf (Aug. 9, Borgata) and Bee Gees Gold (Aug. 23-25, Hard Rock).

And on a personal note, I have to include a booking that is especially near and dear to me: It’s a salute to David Bowie’s epochal 1972 album, “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars,” which only happens to be, in my humble opinion, the greatest LP of all time.

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

Live & Local Music Calendar

Thursday, June 20

Atlantic City

Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino

DJ Gabor Kiss

8 p.m.

500 Boardwalk

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

Dane Anthony

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

600 Huron Ave.

Steel Pier

Bar none

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

1000 Boardwalk

The Deck at Golden Nugget

Hell’s Belles

8 p.m.

600 Huron Ave.

The Glitter Bar at Resorts

Karaoke night w/ Cowboy Kevil

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

1133 Boardwalk

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock

Kicking Sunrise

7 – 11 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk

Brigantine

LaScala’s Beach House

Amish Outlaws 7 – 9 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.

Fitzpatrick’s

Glen eric. 5 – 8 p.m.

650 n ew Rd.

Mexiquila

Shawn Q 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

101 e . Maryland Ave.

Queen Jayne’s Scott Horner

6 – 9 p.m.

264 n ew Rd.

The Point

Billy Walton Band

6 – 10 p.m.

998 Bay Ave.

Tuckerton

The Lizzie Rose Music Room

Bywater Call. 7:30 p.m.

217 e . Main St.

Ventnor

Ventnor Coffee

Open Mic night w/ Pete Glaze & T

Five. 6:30 – 9 p.m.

108 n . Dorset Ave.

Friday, June 21

Atlantic City

1927 Lounge at Ocean Casino

Kristina Pruitt

6 p.m.

500 Boardwalk

Council Oak at Hard Rock

Dan Jose Trio

6 – 9 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk

Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino

Who Brought the Dog

7 p.m.

Liquid A

10 p.m.

500 Boardwalk

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

Lauralea Duo

6 – 10 p.m.

Priceless

10 p.m. – 2 a.m.

600 Huron Ave.

Steel Pier

Bob Sterling Band

5:30 – 9 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk

Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall

Shore Dogs

8 – 11 p.m.

133 S. Tennessee Ave.

The Balcony at Hard Rock

DJ Cream

10 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk

The Deck at Golden Nugget

Don’t Call Me Francis

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

600 Huron Ave.

The Glitter Bar at Resorts

Anthony Della Barba

6 – 9 p.m.

DJ Gary

9 p.m. – 2 a.m.

1133 Boardwalk

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock

Slay Town City

5 – 8:30 p.m.

Stealing Savannah

9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.

1000 Boardwalk

The Yard at Bally’s Turning the Tide

10 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.

1900 Pacific Ave.

Villain & Saint at Ocean Casino

Chris Yoder Band

9:30 p.m.

500 Boardwalk

Brigantine

LaScala’s Beach House

Cheers. 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

Brian McConnell

6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

500 St. Andrews Dr.

Galloway

Romanelli’s Garden Café

Brian Kmetz

6 – 9 p.m.

279 S. n ew York Rd.

Linwood

Fox Den at LCC

Dead Reckoning

6 – 10 p.m.

500 Shore Rd.

Margate

Bocca

Ian & Christina

8 – 11 p.m.

7805 Ventnor Ave.

Marmora

Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern

Plaid Salmon

6 – 10 p.m.

Dean Dunlevy

8:30 – 11:30 p.m.

316 Roosevelt Blvd.

Smithville

Fred & Ethel’s Lantern Light

Tony Caine

7 – 10 p.m.

1 n n ew York Rd.

Somers Point

Anchorage Tavern

Cole Moore

9 p.m. – 12 a.m.

823 Bay Ave.

Caroline’s by the Bay

The Company

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

450 Bay Ave.

Fitzpatrick’s

Andy Berlin

5 – 8 p.m.

650 n ew Rd.

The Point

Jumper Band

6 – 10 p.m.

998 Bay Ave.

Sweetwater

Sweetwater Marina

Mystery Machine. 7 – 11 p.m.

2780 7th Ave.

Tuckerton

The Lizzie Rose Music Room

Bees Deluxe & The Daniel Keiser Band. 7:30 p.m.

217 e . Main St.

Saturday, June 22

Absecon

Reddog’s Hi Point Pub

70s Party w/ DJ Troy

8 – 11 p.m.

5 n . Shore Rd.

Atlantic City

1927 Lounge at Ocean Casino

Kristina Pruitt. 9:15 p.m.

500 Boardwalk

Anchor Rock Club

Coastal Chaos: Gecko Country, Pusch, Apollo, Innlet

7:30 p.m.

247 S. n ew York Ave.

Continued

Council Oak at Hard Rock

Paula Johns Trio

6 – 9 p.m.

DJ Wreckless

10 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.

1000 Boardwalk

Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino

Black Car Gina

7 p.m.

event Horizon

10 p.m.

500 Boardwalk

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

Devin Lyn & Whiskey Tango

5 – 9 p.m.

Zone Band

10 p.m. – 2 a.m.

600 Huron Ave.

Steel Pier

Jarrod Clemmons

3 – 7 p.m.

Killer B’s

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

1000 Boardwalk

Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall

DJ Skyline. 10 p.m. – 1 a.m.

133 S. Tennessee Ave.

The Balcony at Hard Rock

DJ Bad. 10 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk

The Deck at Golden Nugget

The Deck Band

2:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Party Wave

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

600 Huron Ave.

The Glitter Bar at Resorts

Ricky Stevens

6 – 9 p.m.

DJ Gary

9 p.m. – 2 a.m.

1133 Boardwalk

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock

Sky City Social

5 – 8:30 p.m.

Don’t Call Me Francis

9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.

1000 Boardwalk

The Yard at Bally’s

DJ Reed Streets

5 – 9 p.m.

Garden State Radio

10 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.

1900 Pacific Ave.

Brigantine

LaScala’s Beach House

LeCompt

1 – 5 p.m.

Richie Baker Band

6 – 10 p.m.

1400 Ocean Ave.

Egg Harbor City

Renault Winery

Sensational Soul Cruisers

12 – 4 p.m.

Beth Tinnon

6 – 10 p.m.

72 n . Bremen Ave.

Galloway

Romanelli’s Garden Café

Tony Quaile. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

279 S. n ew York Rd.

Margate Bocca

CJ Sooy. 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

7805 Ventnor Ave.

Marmora

Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern

40 north

6 – 10 p.m.

Colin York

8:30 – 11:30 p.m.

316 Roosevelt Blvd.

Smithville

Fred & Ethel’s Lantern Light

Brandon Ireland

7 – 10 p.m.

1 n n ew York Rd.

Somers Point

Anchorage Tavern

John Wood

9 p.m.

823 Bay Ave.

Caroline’s by the Bay

Dr. Phil & The Heart Attacks

4 – 8 p.m.

99 Reasons

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

450 Bay Ave.

Fitzpatrick’s

Andy Berlin. 5 – 8 p.m.

650 n ew Rd.

Mexiquila

The Raggamuffins

5 – 8 p.m.

101 e . Maryland Ave.

The Point

Philly Rock & Soul

6 – 10 p.m.

998 Bay Ave.

Sweetwater

Sweetwater Marina

Taylor Lennihan

12 – 4 p.m.

Sidestory

7 – 11 p.m.

2780 7th Ave.

Tuckerton

The Lizzie Rose Music Room

Alexis P Suter Band. 7:30 p.m.

217 e . Main St.

Sunday, June 23

Absecon

Reddog’s Hi Point Pub

DJ Troy

4 p.m.

5 n . Shore Rd.

Atlantic City

Council Oak Lounge

Joe Vlado

10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Luke Carlos O’Reilly

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

J Soul. 3 – 7 p.m.

Bar none. 8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

1000 Boardwalk

The Deck at Golden Nugget

The e xceptions

2:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Dane Anthony

7:30 – 11:30 p.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.

Goodman Fiske

6 – 10 p.m.

1400 Ocean Ave.

Egg Harbor City

Renault Winery

Jobe Fortner

12 – 4 p.m.

72 n . Bremen Ave.

Galloway

Romanelli’s Garden Café

Brian Young

12 – 3 p.m.

279 S. n ew York Rd.

Margate Bocca

Steph Owens. 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

7805 Ventnor Ave.

Somers Point

Caroline’s by the Bay

Chris Yoder Band

4 – 8 p.m.

450 Bay Ave.

Josie Kelly’s

Traditional Irish Session

1 – 4 p.m.

908 Shore Rd.

Mexiquila

Bronson Tennis

4 – 7 p.m.

101 e . Maryland Ave.

The Point

The Verdict. 6 – 10 p.m.

998 Bay Ave.

Sweetwater

Sweetwater Marina

Suitcase Murphy Band

2 – 6 p.m.

2780 7th Ave.

Monday, June 24

Atlantic City

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

Tommy & The Hot Flashes

7 – 11 p.m.

600 Huron Ave.

Steel Pier

Glenn Roberts. 3 – 7 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk

The Deck at Golden Nugget

Girls Can’t Help It: Girls of Rock Tribute

6:30 – 10:30 p.m.

600 Huron Ave.

Marmora

Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern

Josie Tolson

6 – 10 p.m.

316 Roosevelt Blvd.

Somers Point

The Point

Mike Tobin

6 – 10 p.m.

998 Bay Ave.

Tuesday, June 25

Atlantic City

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

Patty & Bugzy

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

600 Huron Ave.

Steel Pier

Troy Rusnik

3 – 7 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk

The Deck at Golden Nugget Winslow: The eagles Tribute

6:30 – 10:30 p.m.

600 Huron Ave.

Somers Point

Josie Kelly’s

DJ Special K 5 – 9 p.m.

908 Shore Rd.

The Point Virus

6 – 10 p.m. 998 Bay Ave.

Wednesday, June 26

Atlantic City

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

Michael Stevens

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

600 Huron Ave.

Steel Pier

Bobby Williams 3 – 7 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk

The Deck at Golden Nugget Glass Houses: Billy Joel Tribute

6:30 – 10:30 p.m.

600 Huron Ave.

The Glitter Bar at Resorts

DJ Gary. 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. 1133 Boardwalk

Brigantine

LaScala’s Beach House

nine Deez night

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.

The Point

AJ Jesson

6 – 10 p.m.

998 Bay Ave.

Events subject to change.

Atlantic City Headliners

Thursday, June 20

Kurt Vile and the Violators

▶8 p.m.

Anchor Rock Club

Friday, June 21

A Day to Remember & The Story

So Far w/ Four Year Strong

▶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 Board -

walk Hall

The Australian Pink Floyd Show

▶9 p.m.

Tropicana Showroom

Eric Roberson & Avery Sunshine

▶8 p.m.

Circus Maximus Theater at Cae -

sars

FRIDAY - JUNE 21

The Company Band 8pm-12am

SATURDAY - JUNE 22

Dr Phil & The Heart Attacks Band 4pm-8pm DJ Nick, Starshield Entertainment 8:30pm-12:30am

SUNDAY - JUNE 23

Chris Yoder Band 4pm-8pm

THURSDAY - JUNE 27

Sindi Raymond Band 5pm-8pm

FRIDAY - JUNE 28

Radio Revolution Band 8pm-12am

SATURDAY - JUNE 29

Doug Jennings 4pm-7pm

The Core Band 8pm-12am

SUNDAY - JUNE 30

The O'Fenders Band 4pm-8pm

OPEN MIC WEDNESDAY 8pm-12am

Schoolly D w/ J tha Poet

▶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-52s

▶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.

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

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

▶2 – 11 p.m.

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

THURSDAY 8:30pm -12:30am

Sound Waves at Hard Rock

Temptations Review feat. Dennis

Edwards

▶8 p.m.

Superstar Theater at Resorts

Sweet

▶9 p.m.

Golden nugget Atlantic City

Shreya 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.

The O’Jays

▶8 p.m.

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

Tropicaliente Max

▶Saturday, nov. 30, 8 p.m.

Hard Rock Live at etess Arena

All tickets on sale Fri. June 21, 10 a.m.

Dave Chappelle

Philly rap icon Schoolly D to perform at Anchor Rock Club Friday

Tune In, Turn On

By Doug Deutsch

Forgive yourself if you thought rap, specifically the gangster (or

gangsta) rap genre, was created by rap artists on either the West Coast or n ew York City. It’s actually credited to longtime rapper Jesse Bonds Weaver Jr., also known as “Schoolly D,” from Philadelphia, not far from here at the Jersey Shore.

His music has been sampled by a wide range of well-known music artists including Lil Wayne, the Chemical Brothers, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and The Roots.

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

Deemed a pioneer by no less a hip-hop authority than Jay-Z, and credited by Ice-T as having the first gangsta rap record (PROPS magazine), Schoolly D's career has given inspiration to countless musicians and fans alike.

Songs such as “Gucci Time,” “Saturday night,” and “P.S.K. What Does It Mean?” are classics and illustrate the uncompromising narrative of hardcore gangsta hip-hop of the 1980s. His true-to-life lyrics tell tales of the streets in his aforementioned hometown, and the influences that drugs and gang life had on him as a young man.

Schoolly, whose first hip-hop memories were of West Philly row houses (since burned down) and watching Royal Rhyme and other rappers rehearse for a neighborhood block party, consented to an interview prior to his show this Friday, June 21 (9 p.m.) at Anchor Rock Club in Atlantic City tickets: https://www.tixr.com/ groups/anchorrockclub/events/ schoolly-d-105333

DD: It's said you more or less invented gangster rap when you rapped about the gang Park Side Killerd in the early ’80s. What is your reply to that?

Schoolly D: When it comes to inventing gangster rap, yes, the cadence of the music and vocals was me. The subject matter is a bit of a toss-up because there was hardcore rappers and rap around back then buuuuut I told the story of what it was really like on a Saturday night in almost every black neighborhood in America, which scared the sh** out of America. Spin magazine did a story on the gangs and the music they listened to and it was PSK, so they coined it gangster rap.

DD: What do you think of the rap scene as it exists today, and where do you see rap and hip-hop going in the future?

Schoolly D: I don’t usually talk about the state of hip-hop or where I think it’s going.

DD: Talk about your longtime collaboration with filmmaker Abel Ferrara. How did that come to be?

Schoolly D: I met Abel while he was editing the film “King of n ew York.” He loved my music so much he asked me to leave making music for record companies and join him for making music for films, and that was the beginning of my composer life, which I’m still part of (such as) “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” on the Cartoon n etwork.

DD: Are you planning on recording any new music or making any videos?

Schoolly D: Yes, I have a new album out now, “Cuz Schoolly D is Crazy.”

Also This Weekend: Start the weekend off Thursday night, June 20, with guitarist Kurt Vile and The Violaters, presented by n orth to Shore and Philly radio station WXPn , also at Anchor Rock Club.

Vile, former lead guitarist for popular rockers The War on Drugs, previously sold out the 600-plus Anchor in January 2022, on a frigidly cold January night and while one of the Covid strains was active, no less! Come kick off summer with South Jersey rock heroes Billy Walton Band, at Morrow Beach in Somers Point, Friday, June 21. Word has it that BWB is set to record some singles of their original music; we've heard the tracks and they're killer.

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.

Philly native Schoolly D is known as the creator of gangsta rap.

Chicken Bone Beach ‘Jazz on the Beach’ Concert Series kicks off June 27

6/22

6/23

6/28

By Bruce Klauber

The nonprofit Chicken Bone Beach Historical Foundation was formed to pay tribute to the history of segregation of African Americans on Atlantic City beaches; specifically, the stretch of beach between Missouri and Mississippi avenues. The name came from the fried chicken bones that visitors left in the sand.

With the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Atlantic City beaches were open to everyone. Henrietta Sheldon, who founded the historical foundation, believes that remembering that time in history is essential, as is celebrating jazz.

“Jazz represents more than just musical entertainment; it is a progressive, gathering force of inclusion,” states the foundation’s mission statement. “Turning the memory of an unfortunate chapter of American history into a positive force of good through jazz is what the Chicken Bone Beach Historical Foundation stands for.”

And good jazz is what this season’s 24th Annual Chicken Bone Beach Jazz on the Beach free concert series is all about.

The concert series, which will take place Thursday nights on the Boardwalk at Kennedy Plaza, between Mississippi and Georgia avenues at 7 p.m., is one of the most imaginatively, thoughtfully and intelligently programmed jazz series in recent memory.

While there are a couple of veterans among the headliners this season, several performers are younger players and singers from around the globe who have just started making a considerable mark in the worldwide jazz community.

What’s extra special about all of this is that each concert will have an artist from our region opening the show. That’s something that rarely happens, especially in a weekly series of concerts that runs throughout the entire season.

The series opens June 27 with drummer and vibraharpist Jason Marsalis. The youngest member of

the famed Marsalis family is, like his famous brothers Wynton and Branford, at home in any jazz genre, from n ew Orleans and swing, to bop, neobop and beyond. Marsalis’ respect for the jazz tradition was on view some years ago when he fronted the Lionel Hampton big band. Marsalis swung like mad on the vibes, as did the band. The opener is an area favorite, drummer Tony Day and his band. Bassist/composer and Grammy winner Linda May Han Oh, who will appear on Thursday, July 4, has performed with a number of jazz icons, including Pat Metheny, Kenny Barron, and Joe Lovano. A native of Malaysia, she’s won numerous awards including the Jazz Journalists Association Bassist of the Year from 2018 to 2023, and Jazz Times Bassist of the Year in 2022. Sharing the bill that night will be the group of pianist/organist Keith Hollis.

Another Grammy winner, vocalist/ pianist/arranger nicole Zuraitis, takes to the Kennedy Plaza stage on July 11. “ nicole has positioned herself as one of the top artists and prolific songwriters to watch,” said Broadway World. Opening the show is area favorite, the soulful vocalist Angela Burton.

Indicative of the diversity of this year’s series, the July 18 concert features the Colombian-born jazz ↘Continued on 76

Jason Marsalis

Gina Roche

harpist edmar Castaneda, recently nominated in the Best Latin Jazz Album category by the Grammy organization. Since the passing of Dorothy Ashby and Alice Coltrane, there just haven’t been a lot of jazz harpists on the national jazz scene. Like guitarist Stanley Jordan, who makes the guitar sound like an entire orchestra, Castaneda has technique to spare, and has a unique way of applying that technique to the harp.

“His technique is the real astonishment,” said national Public Radio. “Castañeda juggles lead, rhythm and bass lines, using a variety of hard and soft string attacks to keep those

voices distinct. His amazing technique raises the bar for every harpist.”

Philadelphia’s versatile, smooth jazz-focused Vertical Current, opens the show.

ekep n kwelle is a 24-year-old Cameroonian-American jazz vocalist who has worked with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, as well as Russell Malone and Cyrus Chestnut.

The opener, eddie Morgan and Rek’D 4, is a tight-knit unit that can play it all, from jazz standards and ballads to funky R&B. Whatever the genre, Morgan is an exceptional improviser on trumpet, and quite the crowd-pleaser as a leader.

A tribute to the beatles dinner show

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

Drummer Sean Jones, who will appear with this group, the Baltimore Jazz Collective, on Aug. 8, is a straight-ahead player who also has close ties to Wynton Marsalis. He worked with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra for only six months before Marsalis offered him the position of lead trumpeter, a prestigious position he held from 2004 to 2010. He’s worked, in person and on record, with a number of certifiable jazz legends including Illinois Jacquet, Jimmy Heath, Frank Foster, nancy Wilson, Dianne Reeves, Gerald Wilson and Marcus Miller.

Youth will be well represented via the opening ensemble, the Camden-based ID e A Youth Collective. The group is an outgrowth of the ID e A Center for the Arts, located in downtown Camden, which has 1,800 square feet of space for youth creative workshops, a jazz cafe, open mic sets, movie screenings and other performing arts projects.

The Chicken Bone Beach concerts are truly international in scope, and the Aug. 15 concert, starring Trinidad’s singer/songwriter Olatuja, is a perfect example.

Olatuja specializes in a type of music called soca, an offshoot of calypso, with influences from east Indian rhythms and hooks. Olatuja, whose high-energy performance has charmed audiences worldwide, effectively combines elements of soul, funk and reggae along with sosa to form a unique and engaging style.

Singer/guitarist/songwriter Gina Roche, who opens for Olatuja, has been a refreshing favorite of shore audiences for as long as I can remember, and for good reason. She is a great versatile artist.

Grammy-winning drummer and educator u lysses Owens, Jr., and veteran trumpeter and hard-bop specialist John Lamkin and his band are the stars of the Aug. 22 program. Owens, deservedly, is one of the most in-demand percussionists around.

“He’s a musician who balances excitement gracefully and shines with innovation,” said The n ew York Times, and he’s as at home with funk as he is with straight-ahead, swinging jazz.

The Aug. 29 show features Chilean saxophonist Melissa Aldana and her Quartet and saxophonist/educator Dwain Davis. Aldana is quite the player and has an interesting story. She was born in Chile, moved to Boston to study at the Berklee College of Music, and then moved to n ew York City where she promptly won the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition. Then she signed with one of the top jazz record

labels around, Blue note Records. Aldana first showed the influence of Sonny Rollins, but later became immersed in the music and style of Wayne Shorter. To her credit, she’s successfully synthesized elements of both, and has listened carefully to some of the older saxophone masters as well. Aldana’s tone is simply beautiful.

The final show in the series on Sept. 5 features a real jazz legend. Bandleader/trumpeter/recording artist and 10-time Grammy winner Arturo Sandoval was discovered by trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie in 1977 when Dizzy was visiting Cuba. Gillespie became Sandoval’s friend and mentor and helped him defect from Cuba.

He became an American citizen in 1998 and in 2013, President Barack Obama awarded Sandoval the Presidential Medal of Freedom. n ow 74 years of age, Sandoval shows no sign of slowing down, and though he’s long become “his own man” as a trumpeter, you can always hear a little bit of Dizzy in his playing. And that’s a good thing.

High notes: The South Jersey Jazz Society has announced that bassist Andy Lalasis, profiled in these pages not long ago, has been awarded their highest honor, The George Mesterhazy Jazz Master Award. Andy, a true jazz master, will be recognized at a gala dinner Sept. 25 at the Greate Bay Country Club.

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.

Arturo Sandoval

Nicole Zuraitis

Absecon Concerts in the Park

▶Sunday, June 23, 7 p.m.

Heritage Park 699 Blenheim Ave.

Free Outdoor Concerts

The City of Absecon presents Concerts in the Park. This week, enjoy 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.

Atlantic City Summer Concerts at Gardner’s Basin

▶Saturday, June 29, 1 – 7:30 p.m.

800 n n ew Hampshire Ave.

enjoy live music from The Manhattans ft. Gerald Alston, Honey Cone, Skyy, Full Force, Allure, Helen Bruner & Terry Jones, Dennis Taylor, and Kim Pinder-Garner. Opening acts include The Cason e xpress Show Band, Judah Dorrington & Paradise, and Calvin Alson. Bring your coolers, lawn chairs, and umbrellas. Rain date Sunday, June 30. Hosted by the national R&B Music Society.

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

▶Friday, June 28, 7 – 9 p.m.

Robert J. Lincoln Amphitheater in Tony Canale Park

Bring your blankets 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 Romanelli’s Beer and Wine Garden open from 5:30 –8:30 p.m.

Jazz on the Beach

▶Thursday, June 27, 7 – 10 p.m.

Kennedy Plaza 2300 Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Join the Chicken Bone Beach Historical Foundation for their free concert series every Thursday. The 24th Annual CBB Jazz on the Beach kicks off with live music by Jason Marsalis, and local jazz artist the Tony Day Quartet. In the event of rain, the show will be moved to the Claridge Hotel Stage 4th floor. Visit www.chickenbonebeach.org for updates.

Longport Library Music Series

▶Saturday, June 29, 6:30 p.m.

Longport Library 2305 Atlantic Ave. enjoy flashy guitar pieces from the '60s, '70s, and more as the Joe Dalton Trio performs. The concert will be held at the gazebo behind Borough Hall or inside in the event of rain. Please call (609) 487-7403 to register or learn more.

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 world-class free concerts all summer long. The season kicks off this week 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 21, 7 p.m.

William Morrow Beach 800 Bay Ave.

The Somers Point Beach Concert Series celebrates the start of summer this week with legendary Jersey Shore rock and soul guitar hero The Billy Walton Band with vocalist Destinee Monroe. Visit www.somerspointbeachconcerts.com for the full summer lineup.

Tony Mart Rocks The Point ▶Thursday, June 27, 6 – 10 p.m.

The Point 998 Bay Ave. Somers Point

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. n ewport Avenue Beach

Listen to live music by the beach this summer. The Summer Beach Jam will be held at n ewport Avenue Beach. This week, enjoy live music by Gino Cortopassi 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.

Ventnor City Sunset at Ski Beach ▶Wednesday, July 10, 6 p.m.

Ski Beach Dorset & Burk Ave.

Want to watch the sunset and listen to live music by the bay? Join Ventnor City at Ski Beach in Ventnor Heights on Wednesdays starting July 10. This year’s concert lineup kicks off with live

Scratch Recipe Buns

Savory Scones & Blueberry-Lemon Scones

Crumb Cake & Lemon Bars

Brownies & Apple Cider Donuts

Cookies & Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bread

Fresh Coffee and Lattes

SOURDOUGH TOAST SPECIALS

Photo by John Loreaux

Remembering a night of comedy madness at the Trop with Pat Cooper

Bruce Klauber

In terms of entertainment, Atlantic City in the mid-1980s was pretty close to what the Las Vegas experience was in its heyday. There were legendary performers on the main stages of almost every casino, and a good number of the lounges had top-name entertainment as well.

elaine’s Lounge at the original Golden nugget frequently presented the biggest names, and one of those names was the singer, Joanie Sommers.

I had never heard Sommers sing until one Saturday night in elaine’s, somewhere around 1985. Though I knew of her by way of her hit record, “Johnny Get Angry,” and as the commercial voice of Diet Pepsi, that’s as far as it went. But what I heard that evening was absolutely sublime. While there was a jazz focus to all of her numbers, she was a sensitive ballad singer who had a singular way of handling bossa novas, jazz waltzes, and all else. I was sold and had to find out more about her.

I learned that she was on the comeback trail after being out of the business for some years to raise her children. I also suspected that Sommers, like many other superior pop artists with a jazz orientation, faced career challenges not long after The Beatles arrived. As Julie LaRosa once told me, “We used to be happy if we could fill a 400-seat room. After The Beatles came in, if you couldn’t fill a 10,000-seat stadium, you were nothing.”

Still, I thought there was room in this business for someone like Sommers. Given my show business experience as a performer, and a writer who was just getting his feet wet as a producer and publicist, I pledged to use whatever connections I had at that young age to help revitalize the stagnant career of Joanie Sommers. note that I ignored the opinions of most of my colleagues who told me I’d be getting involved in an almost hopeless, uphill battle.

Joanie Sommers

I managed to accomplish some things, including a meeting with the influential Maynard Sloate in Las Vegas, securing her a booking in elaine’s while Frank Sinatra was in the main room upstairs; and I facilitated her booking at the Tropicana on the the

Boardwalk as opening act for Pasquale Caputo, aka the popular comic, Pat Cooper. This is where our story begins.

Cooper had been one of the country’s top comics for years since his big breakthrough on “The Jackie Gleason Show” in 1963. He worked all the top places, with everyone from Sinatra to ella Fitzgerald in Las Vegas. He also guested on television talk shows and worked everywhere else top comedians appeared. His live comedy albums were best-sellers, to boot.

Professionally, Cooper began to change around 1981. He became outspoken and bitter, focusing on various big names in the business whom he believed were charging nightclub owners ridiculous amounts of money. The problem was he worked with many of these name performers through the years, so his career, by choice or by chance, took a different turn.

He did some films, continued ranting on the talk show circuit, and became a regular on Howard Stern’s radio show. As a result of the Stern appearances, Cooper was still able to get headline work. He may have hoped that the Stern broadcasts would help him get a younger audience. From what I saw at the Trop, it didn’t. The middle-aged audience came to see the old Pat Cooper, and by and large, they got it.

Joanie Sommers did well as Cooper’s opening act, and Cooper was still funny when he wasn’t ranting and raving.

I visited Joanie backstage after the show and she let me know that we were “all getting together” at the Trop’s comedy club, The Comedy Stop at the Trop, “in an hour or so.” The “we” consisted of Pat Cooper, local comedian Sal Richards, “Golden Boys of Bandstand” promoter Dick Fox, Joanie, and me.

The local comic heading the bill at The Comedy Stop was clearly excited when we all walked in, mainly because Pat Cooper was there, and he introduced Cooper, Fox, Richards and Joanie from the stage. I had no doubt that Cooper, and maybe Sal Richards, would be invited to the stage to perform.

Richards was invited to the stage first. The plan – actually more of a protocol than a plan – was that af-

ter Richards completed a short set, the star himself, Pat Cooper, would be asked to perform in front of The Comedy Stop’s lucky customers. Richards, who passed away in 2020, was one of the funniest and most popular comics in the shore region and beyond. I knew Sal, and he was a beautiful guy through and through, and one of the hardest workers in the business. He managed to parlay his success as a comic into a number of small film roles, and the future looked bright for him in motion pictures. He took to the stage

of The Comedy Stop “ready to kill,” as they say in the comedy business. He went into his standard routine, which I had heard several times. So had Pat Cooper.

Cooper began to yell toward the stage from our table. “I don’t want to hear your regular act,” he shouted. “Let’s hear some ad-libs, dammit.”

The whole club laughed heartily, thinking this was all planned. Richards continued his act. So did Pat Cooper, who was getting more obscene and out-of-control by the minute. “I don’t want to hear that crap,” Cooper shouted. “I told you, I want to hear some ad-libs. Can’t you ad-lib?”

Sensing that Cooper was really angry, the crowd was beginning to get uneasy, and Richards tried to resume. Then Cooper bolted up from our table and started running toward the stage, yelling and cursing at Sal Richards all the while. This was truly inconceivable. A nationally known performer was literally going nuts in public. It was like witnessing a car wreck in slow motion.

Things finally calmed down to an extent, but there was a great deal of discomfort in the air. I was writing my “Backstage” column for Atlantic City

magazine and several other publications at the time, and I commented to Joanie Sommers and Dick Fox that this would make one hell of a story. Joanie looked me in the eye and said, “You will never write about this.” Dick Fox agreed. I didn’t. until now.

I contacted Sal Richards a few years before his death just to confirm that this incident actually happened. “It sure did,” Richards said. “I’ll never forget it.”

“But why, Sal?” I asked. “Why

would a guy do this?” Sal Richards’ answer: “Because Pat Cooper is a (expletive deleted) nutbag!”

Pat Cooper’s autobiography, “How Dare You Say Dare Me?” was published in 2011. While reading it, I recalled that in his earlier days as a headliner and guest all over the airwaves, he was funny. Somewhere along the way he became angry. On his Stern radio appearances, he publicly feuded, on air, with his son, and aired his many other grievances about life, family and show business. While he did gain a younger following of curious listeners, that was about as far as it went.

In 2013, at the age of 84, he publicly announced his retirement saying he was “too old to continue anymore.” He died in 2023 at the age of 93.

As a result of his venting and bad-mouthing family members on the Stern show, at the time of his passing, he was estranged from all the members of his biological family, including a son, daughter, an adopted daughter, two grandsons, and three granddaughters.

Pat Cooper

Sal Richards

Protein intake for women on a health wellness journey

Empowering Women

By Rachel Guevara

Protein is an essential part of a balanced diet, particularly for women on a health and wellness journey. By understanding your protein needs and incorporating a variety of protein sources, you can support your fitness goals and overall well-being. Whether through whole foods or the occasional protein shake, there's a protein solution that fits every lifestyle. understanding the role of protein is crucial. Protein is one of the three macronutrients, alongside carbohydrates and fats, that our bodies need to function properly. It's composed of amino acids, which are often referred to as the building blocks of life. Protein helps in building and repairing

tissues, including muscles, skin and nails. For those who exercise regularly, protein is especially important for muscle recovery and growth. A diet rich in protein can aid in weight management by promoting satiety, which means you'll feel fuller for longer.

The amount of protein a woman needs can vary based on age, activity level and overall health. On average, a sedentary woman should aim for about 46 grams of protein per day. However, if you are active or trying to build muscle, you might need more—around 1.2 to 2.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. For example, a 68 kg (150 lb) active woman might aim for 82 to 150 grams of protein daily.

Measuring protein without a food scale can be surprisingly simple with some practical and easy methods. Like using your hand as a guide is a convenient way to estimate protein portions:

Measuring these portions with a food scale will give you the most accuracy and can be purchased at stores like Walmart, Target and Amazon. no food scale, no problem!

Palm Size: A serving of protein-rich foods like chicken, fish, or beef should be about the size of your palm. This is roughly equivalent to 3-4 ounces or about 20-25 grams of protein.

Handful: For nuts and seeds, a small handful (about 1 ounce) typically contains 5-7 grams of protein.

Fist: A serving of cooked beans or legumes about the size of your fist is approximately 1 cup and contains around 15-20 grams of protein.

Timing your protein intake can make a difference, especially if you're working out regularly.

Breakfast: Starting your day with a protein-rich meal can help stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce cravings.

Post-Workout: Consuming protein within 30 minutes to an hour after a workout can enhance muscle repair and growth.

Throughout the Day: Spreading your protein intake across meals and snacks ensures a constant supply of amino acids to your muscles.

When it comes to choosing protein sources, variety is key. Here are some excellent options:

Lean Meats: Chicken, turkey and lean cuts of beef or pork are great animal-based proteins.

Fish: Salmon, tuna and mackerel are not only high in protein but also rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

e ggs: A versatile and nutrient-dense source of protein.

Dairy: Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and milk are good sources of protein and calcium.

For those who prefer plant-based or non-GMO options, there are plenty of protein-rich foods to choose from:

Legumes: Lentils, chickpeas and black beans are not only high in protein but also in fiber.

n uts and Seeds: Almonds, chia seeds and hemp seeds provide healthy fats and protein.

Tofu and Tempeh: e xcellent sources of complete protein for vegetarians and vegans.

Quinoa: A unique grain that offers all nine essential amino acids.

One common misconception is that all protein sources are created equal. For instance, while nuts and seeds are high in protein, they are also calorie-dense due to their fat content. It's important to balance them with other protein sources to avoid consuming too many calories.

Another myth is that plantbased proteins are not as effective as animal-based proteins. In reality, combining different plant proteins throughout the day can provide all essential amino acids.

Protein shakes can be a convenient way to meet your protein needs, especially if you're on the go. They can be used as a quick breakfast, post-workout recovery drink or a midday snack.

For women, especially those focusing on plant-based options, consider protein powders made from peas, brown rice, or hemp. Look for non-GMO and organic options to ensure you're getting a clean product without unnecessary additives.

If you have any questions or a suggestion for future articles, please email info@lliftandglitz.com.

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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What's written in the stars this week

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 newsmagazine 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 20 – June 26

♈ Aries: Burning the candle at both ends and climbing the career ladder can lead to unhealthy exhaustion. Goals will be achieved, although this time it may take a little longer than usual. use the lull to your advantage with extra rest, relaxation and time off. A mental health day is overdue!

♉ Taurus: You’re watching your dreams unfold despite some bumps in the road. Stay in the driver’s seat by holding the vision in your mind and heart. With continued courage to speak your truth and effective communication, the bumps will be smoothed, and path ahead cleared for brilliant manifestations.

♊ Gemini: Serious career changes can lead to deep soul-searching. Questioning things is in your nature.

An open heart and creative mind are your greatest assets in receiving the answers to be revealed.

♋ Cancer: The spotlight is on you and your closest relationships. Your connection to the answers within is your truest guide in navigating waves of rising emotions. Allow your voice to surface and speak up about what is disturbing your sense of balance and peace.

♌ Leo: A change of scenery affecting your day-to-day life will begin to take root. n ecessary traveling will begin to subside, and you’ll finally be able to rest, feel settled and adjust to the new surroundings.

♍ Virgo: Creation takes time and patience. Sometimes a delay comes with deviations from the plan that are important to the result. Stay grounded through any feelings of frustration with awareness of learning opportunities.

♎ Libra: Remember the line “If you build it, he will come” from the movie "Field of Dreams"? Your beautiful construction project is almost ready for habitation. Continue creating with passion and lovingly tending to the finishing touches.

♏ Scorpio: It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood, right? Knowing things about your neighbors, local community and relatives allows discernment. embrace your keen senses and take any action steps necessary to protect yourself from disadvantageous relationships.

♐ Sagittarius: A payoff is in the works on a bold creation. The form could be financial, a confidence boost or both. Some extra work and dedication may be required.

♑ Capricorn: Beautiful light within you is surfacing. Feeling deeply into what you’re being shown about yourself cracks the walls and allows the light to shine. Show up, be seen and fully glow in your authenticity.

♒ Aquarius: It’s a good time to pay very close attention to what your dreams are showing you. If you don’t usually recall your dreams, try learning something new that can help you remember. If you do remember your dreams, journal, journal, journal!

♓ Pisces: A new path began to reveal itself earlier this year. It’s now becoming clearer and clearer, as well as what’s necessary to bring yourself into alignment with that path. Be brave in doing so, and you’ll find more joy along the way.

full moons follows shortly afterwards on Friday, June 21 at 9:07 p.m. (The second Capricorn full moon will be in July). Celebrate the longest day of the year by spending time with family, practicing self-care, enjoying delicious meals and making fond memories. Surround yourself with people who you hold dearly in your mind and in your heart. The moon will reach peak fullness as it rises over the ocean just after sunset,

which is always a beautiful, serene sight! See the above horoscope for your rising sign for more specific information. If you’re unsure what your rising sign is, you can learn more in my information/tutorial video on our Sea Goddess Healing Arts YouTube channel, or cast your own birth chart for free on astro.com. More detailed information is also available in my Capricorn Full Moon Astro-Weather Check video.

Weekly Summary:

The summer solstice is this week on June 20 when the sun shifts into the maternal, nurturing zodiac sign Cancer. The first of two Capricorn

The Cosmic Connection with Ursula Duffy

When to spay or neuter your dogs

By Heidi Clayton

One of the most frequently asked questions I get regarding raising a puppy is when to spay or neuter. My stance on this issue might not be a total surprise to people because I do breed Bull Terriers, but I hold off on doing either. However, my reasons for delaying the procedure in both males and females have nothing to do with breeding. This decision has to do with my dogs’ overall physical development. Hormones grow our dogs’ bones, brains, and ligaments. I want my dogs to develop healthy bones, brains, and ligaments, so I delay spay/neuter until at least 18 months of age.

In 2013, the university of California (uC) Davis released a study on possible negative effects that early spay/neuter had on the Golden Retriever. Drs. Lynette and Benjamin Hart led the study. They picked Goldens because they are

one of the most popular breeds in the country and because of their use as working service or therapy dogs. The focus was whether early spay/neuter led to a higher risk of certain joint disorders and cancers. As a result of their study, the Harts concluded that early spay/ neuter in Golden Retrievers increased the risk of certain cancers and led to an increase in joint diseases such as ACL tears. One of the primary reasons for the rise in joint diseases is that removing the sex organs also removes vital hormones that are produced that are needed to close puppy growth plates and develop the ligaments that hold all of their bones in place. This is particularly true for larger breed dogs that will carry more weight than a toy-sized breed.

The study has been updated, with other breeds added to the list of recommended spay/neuter ages. According to their study, female Golden Retrievers should not be spayed at any age, German Shorthaired Pointers should not be spayed/neutered before the age of one year, and male Dobermans should remain intact for the duration of their life. The Siberian Husky breed shows no evidence of increased risks of cancers or joint diseases when spayed or neutered early or not altered at all.

The Harts’ study also showed that

early neutering does not decrease the incidence of prostate cancer in dogs. This cancer, while rare, is actually seen more often in dogs that have been altered. Research also showed that in both male and female dogs, less exposure to their sex hormones has been associated with increased levels of fearfulness and aggression. Spaying or neutering dogs also does not alone change that behavior.

I am not a veterinarian and do not claim to have in-depth scientific knowledge of the canine reproductive system. My understanding is based on my breeding of dogs and working with dogs on a daily basis. One takeaway I garnered from this study as well as talking to my own reproductive vets and surgeons is the need for a shift in the relationships between clients and veterinarians. At the end of a thoughtful, well-informed discussion on spaying/neutering, the choice of when or if remains in the hands of the dog owner.

As a breeder who studies the conformation of dogs, I would like for vets to consider the lifestyle a dog is going to live and the physical structure of a dog before suggesting spay or neuter. For example, every single doodle mix that I work with has knees that point out to the left or right as well as front

legs that, when standing, face outwards to an alarming degree. I would like to see their bodies be given every chance possible to develop strong ACLs and ligaments to hold the joints in place since they are not structurally sound to start with.

If you are interested in learning more about the pros and cons of early spaying/neutering you can read the study in full at ucdavis.edu or https://www. frontiersin.org/files/Articles/1322276/ fvets-11-1322276-HTML-r2/image_m/ fvets-11-1322276-t001.jpg. And as always, talk to your vet about spay/ neuter and do what you think is best for your dog.

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

By Julia Train

PAtlantic City’s first Vegas-style wedding chapel to open

lanning a wedding often takes several months or years to plan and costs tens of thousands of dollars. You need to decide on a venue for the ceremony and reception, find a dress, pick a cake and find entertainment, and that’s just scratching the surface.

Atlantic City’s first Las Vegas-style wedding chapel is opening up for lovers who wish to get married or renew their vows in a unique way without the expenses or hassle.

Located in Tropicana Casino Hotel’s decades-themed club, Boogie n ights, the Atlantic City Chapel of Love is a pop-up experience equipped with anything you may need to have your dream wedding: a venue for the ceremony and after-party, music, drinks, a dance floor, decorations and more.

Complete with light-up arches on the stage, a light-up dance floor, a giant video wall, a disco ball, effects like bubbles or snow coming from the ceiling, a state-of-the-art lighting and sound system, and celebrity imper-

sonators, the chapel does all the work for you.

With a starting price of $999, couples can tailor their experience to be as elaborate as they wish.

Couples will be placed with a designated wedding curator who will help them fine-tune every detail.

Pairs can customize their officiant, whether it be a world-famous elvis impersonator or a loved one, the altar where they will share their first kiss as newlyweds and specialty details such as signature cocktails served in souvenir disco cups, and performances from the iconic Boogie nights characters.

Because Boogie nights has been around for quite some time, the business has connections to celebrities in Hollywood, which offers guests the chance to even have a real celebrity there, based on their availability, either virtually or physically.

“It's exciting because it's essen -

tially like producing an event with a couple and we love to hear their ideas, thoughts and visions,” said David Peña, owner and creator of Boogie nights and the Atlantic City Chapel of Love.

He also mentioned that they’ll help coordinate bachelor or bachelorette parties within the casino for guests

VULNERABLE ADULTS

because Tropicana has everything they may need under one roof, including gaming, hotel suites, 20 dining options, bars and nightclubs, pools, spas and more.

While most weddings need to be planned months in advance, it’s a relatively quick process at the Chapel of Love. After obtaining a marriage license, which is a three-day process in n ew Jersey, you’re set.

The idea for a Vegas-style chapel came to Peña after spending a lot of time in Las Vegas and has been occupying his mind for over five years.

“I've always been obsessed with wedding chapels in Las Vegas and I thought, ‘that's something we don't have in Atlantic City.’ And so I decided, let's make it happen in Atlantic City,” said Peña. “It's something new. It's something exciting.”

After being in the works for one year, his vision is coming to life.

Don’t overlook the Roth 401(k)

By Eric Reich

The days have long passed since workers had pensions, at least for the average person (15% vs. 80% 30 years ago). Since then, workers are typically defaulted to a 401(k) or similar type of plan. The intent of the change was to shift the burden of retirement planning from the companies to the workers. The early years of 401(k)s, as you can imagine, didn’t go so well. Many people didn’t contribute at all, and if they did, they certainly weren’t contributing enough. Fast-forward a few decades, and workers are starting to embrace the 401(k) as the primary savings vehicle for retirement savings.

Over the years, the 401(k) has been refined and improved by both Congress and plan providers alike. Arguably the best of those enhancements has been the adoption of allowing 401(k) s to have Roth components. Just as a refresher, a traditional 401(k) allows you to defer income into the 401(k) and defer the income taxes on the amount you defer until you withdraw that money some time in the future. Those withdrawals

are generally allowed after age 59 ½. The Roth, by contrast, does not provide for an immediate tax deduction, but instead allows not only tax deferral but also tax-free withdrawals in retirement. The same rules of being post-59 ½ generally apply.

So how do you decide which option to take? Well, that depends on a few factors. First, how badly do you need the tax deduction? If you are in a high marginal tax bracket, then that deduction today might be worth more to you than in the future. Second, do you have an idea of what your future retirement income might look like? If so, we can get a general sense of whether or not the tax deduction is better today or later. Lastly, what are future tax rates likely to look like? This is impossible to know so I wouldn’t get too hung up on trying to predict. I always advise clients to “go with what we know”. Assume that the tax rates stay the same. Which option is better?

Where the Roth 401(k) option really shines is both for younger savers, and those who are good savers or covered by good pensions. For younger savers, perhaps those just starting out, they most likely are not at the top of the marginal income tax bracket. Given the particularly low income tax environment we are currently in, a younger worker in a lower tax bracket might not benefit all that much from a traditional income tax deduction. Sure, the deduc-

tion is nice, but if your effective tax rate (the actual percentage of tax that you pay relative to your total income after deductions, etc.) is 10-15%, for example, then I’m not sure you got the best bang for your buck on that deduction. By contrast, if that same worker retired with a pension and a large 401(k), etc. then their future income tax liability could be huge. By utilizing the Roth 401(k) option, all of that future income from the 401(k) would be tax-free, which could save them from being in a much higher future tax bracket, thereby saving them a lot of money in taxes relative to choosing the traditional 401(k). Roth 401(k) s also do not have a requirement to take out mandatory distributions like traditional retirement assets do (RMDs).

The more income you think you’ll have in retirement, the better the Roth 401(k) option looks, and the less you make today also strengthens the argument for the Roth 401(k). Lastly, if you intend to leave some or all of those retirement assets to the next generation, the Roth 401(k) is tax-free to them as well. If you fit either of these categories, then you will certainly want to look into picking the Roth 401(k) option over the traditional option. As always, consult your tax adviser for more guidance on your specific situation.

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.

This Might Bee the Right Place for Your Advertising Space

Call or Email Meg 609-425-5407 shorelocalmeg@gmail.com

CLEVELAND Fri. 6/21 2pm-pm

ATLAN TICCITY BRO WN EYED GIRL BO YSO FSU MMER

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THEME: HEALTH AND FITNESS

ACROSS

1. undesirable row

5. *Genetic stuff

8. *Public health org.

11. Fairytale start

12. Aphrodite's son

13. Once more

15. Bakery unit

16. *Blood component, pl.

17. Like plum turned to prune

18. *Type of fitness class

20. Type of hot sandwich

21. not taken and taken

22. M in rpm, abbr.

23. *Beginning of a workout

26. *A, B or C

30. ____ Khan

31. not wholesale

34. Russian governmental agency

35. *Juice cleanses, e.g.

37. Michael Jackson's early hit

38. *Green entre

39. never without n

40. Remove from political office

42. Computer-generated imagery

43. Gets ready for publication

45. *An apple a day keeps this one away

47. Boiling blood

48. Fire in one's soul

50. Spanish lady

52. *end of workout

55. ____ de la Frontera, Spain

56. What pep talkers do

57. Bye in Palermo

59. *estrogen producer

60. Spot to hang a heavy picture

61. Grams, e.g.

62. 4 qts.

63. Greek letters on campus

64. Like baby's bottom

DOWN

1. Between Fa and La

2. Door opener

3. International Civil Aviation Org.

4. Twist out of shape

5. Scary movie consequence

6. Socially acceptable behaviors

7. Make haste, in a letter

8. Be unsuccessful

9. *Prescribed food selection

10. Common conjunction

12. "The Shawshank Redemption" theme

13. "____ One" on a ticket

14. Lesser Antilles island

19. What band does

22. A cool one, as in money

23. nilla ____, sing.

24. Tequila source

25. Torn down

26. Cheney or Pence

27. Defraud

28. Idealized image

29. Rock bottom

32. *Soaks in D

33. *Traverse and oblique muscles

36. *Personal helper

38. "The Day the World ____ Still"

40. Beehive State native

41. Befuddled

44. Has bats in the belfry

46. Croci, sing.

48. *Largest artery in human body

49. Scallywag

50. Deity in Sanskrit

51. *Like dental exam

52. Spew profanities

53. Drunkard

54. Lack of guile

55. *not a walk in the park

58. Baseball Giant and hall-of-famer

SHORE PRO MARKETPLACE

20 ideas to add to your Summer 2024 Bucket List

By Julia Train

School’s out for the summer! That means the kids have a ton of free time to be filled … but with what?

If you’re struggling with ideas on what to do, have no fear. Here are some for your kids’ Summer 2024 Bucket List.

1. Visit Dave and Busters.

The newly opened location in Atlantic City’s Tanger Outlet is a great idea to get the kids’ energy out on a rainy day.

2. Go to a waterpark. There are a handful to choose from in Atlantic and Cape May Counties in the price range of $30-$90. There’s Island Waterpark, OC Waterpark, and Splash Zone Waterpark among others.

3. Have a beach day. This may seem like a no-brainer, but the beach is always there for people of all ages!

2016 with a price starting at $45.

6. Mingle with alpacas at Jersey Shore Alpacas.

Spend a day among the alpacas, located at 521 nJ-47, Cape May! Feed and mingle with the furry guys, starting at $25 for one to two people. Just make sure to book an appointment on their website. They can’t accommodate drop-ins.

7. Play or relax at local parks and playgrounds.

4. Spend a day at Cape May County Park & Zoo.

Learn about all your favorite (or new) animals for free.

5. Check out Tree to Tree Adventure Park.

Want a bit of adventure? The zipline course was added to the Cape May County Park & Zoo property in

Spend some time walking around, relaxing or playing! There are so many parks and playgrounds nearby. Just search up “parks near me” and there you go!

8. Climb a lighthouse.

Feeling fit? Go climb either the Absecon Lighthouse in Atlantic City or Cape May Lighthouse. You and

your kids will definitely be ready for a nap after. Purchase tickets to climb Cape May Lighthouse on their website. It costs $12 for adults, $8 for children ages 3-12, and $8 for veterans. To climb Absecon Lighthouse, it costs $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and college students, $6 for children ages 4-12, and $5 for Atlantic City residents (with ID). Admission is free for kids under 4 and active-duty military. Tickets can be purchased on location.

9. Spend a day at Storybook Land.

Do your kids love fairytales? Bring them to Storybook Land on the Black Horse Pike in egg Harbor Township and let them spend a day pretending to be in one! General admission is $37.99, and season passes are $199.99 per person.

10. Play a round or two of miniature golf.

It’s a classic summer activity with tons of options in Atlantic and Cape May Counties. Ocean City’s Boardwalk is lined with them, and there are plenty in each shore town.

11. Spend a day at Cape Square Entertainment Complex.

Bowling, movies, food: What more could be needed for a family outing? especially when the weather isn’t the best, this can be a good option.

12. Attend the beach concert kids series.

During the summer, Somers Point puts on free concerts each week on its beach. There are a few times during the season that they put together concerts for kids.

13. Check out local history.

Atlantic and Cape May Counties are filled with history. Whether you're a local or a visitor, learning each town's story will be interesting. Plus, it can be cheap or even free. You can really tailor it to your price point. Here are some ideas: n aval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum, Historic Cold Spring Village, emlen Physick estate, and The Museum of Cape May County, among many others.

14. Spend some time at the Showboat.

Located on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, there’s so much to do: Go-karts, Lucky Snake Arcade, and Island Waterpark.

15. Break out of an escape room.

Get some family bonding in by putting your brains together to escape a room. They’ve become incredibly popular within the past few years, so it’s easy to find a location.

16. Bike on the boards.

Rent a bike or bring your own to the boardwalk and see the sights. Make sure to follow the bike riding rules of whatever city you’re in (Ocean City’s Boardwalk doesn’t allow bikes after noon). Of course, if the town you're in doesn't have a boardwalk, like Cape May, there will still be sights to see around the area!

17. Go souvenir shopping.

even if you’re a local, it could be fun to find a trinket that reminds you of your love for your hometown.

18. Play at an arcade.

This is a fun way to bond with your kids because you get to feel like you’re one again too! Check out Jilly’s Arcade on the Ocean City Boardwalk.

19. Play on the boardwalk.

Go to Ocean City, Atlantic City or Wildwood and enjoy a day or night at the amusement park, playing games, mini golfing, shopping, eating and more.

20. Visit Lucy the Elephant.

Check out the beloved six-story elephant-shaped roadside attraction and learn about its fun history. It’s free for those who just want to visit the grounds, but visitors who wish to take the guided tour through Lucy the elephant must pay for admission. Tickets are sold there for $8.50 for adults (ages 13 and up) and $4 for children 3-12 years old. Admission is free for those 2 years old and under.

n ow that you’ve got quite a few ideas, take out some paper and a pen and add them to your kids’ Summer 2024 Bucket List!

Buying and selling during the summer season

Real Estate Matters

By Elisa Jo Eagan

Summer is a time to relax and enjoy some well deserved relaxation, but it is also a great time to look for a new home. These tips will have you ready to house hunt and to sell your home simultaneously.

We have had a very active late spring and now an early summer market is expected to develop, allowing hopeful buyers and sellers to fulfill their 2024 real estate goals.

How should you plan for this summer market? Here are the best tips for both buyers and sellers for an effective summer real estate market.

Bargain Hunt

While a large amount of days on the market might usually have a negative connotation, remember that many homes sitting without offers

may have been listed early in the selling cycle. They may be perfectly nice, move-in ready homes that simply hit the market at the wrong time.

At the same time, due to the economic conditions, many homeowners may be moving to find a new job or to get out from under their current debt now while they can. This may make them highly motivated and looking for a quick sale.

In either case, sometimes you may be able to negotiate more than you normally would, even in this hot market. Ask your real estate professional to do research for you and to provide and discuss with you the most current comparable homes listed and sold in the surrounding neighborhood of the homes that you are most interested in.

Think Logistics

It's easier to be charmed by a home in the summertime, when it is at its lightest and brightest. You will no doubt imagine long days on the deck, grilling outside with friends, and plenty of backyard playtime for the kids.

Remember, however, that fall will turn to winter, and those indoor spaces will once again become the

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most important parts of the home.

Make sure that the home's interior works for you the way that your family lives now. Do you all spend time gathered together in the family room or do you like your own individual space? Do you and your husband both work from home? Do you each need a home office, preferably far away from each other? Thinking through the way you and your family live each day is an important part of making sure that you are all comfortable and productive.

Consider Upkeep

umbrella, newly painted porch furniture, or some easy-care plants may take your porch or deck from good to great. These affordable updates can really improve your home's curb appeal without breaking the bank.

An elaborate garden, manicured shrubbery, and other impressive landscaping may give a home tremendous appeal. However, if you are not an experienced gardener, will you be able to maintain that look? How much will it cost to hire a professional to do so?

Consider the home you are looking at from every angle, including upkeep, maintenance, and utility costs throughout the year.

Those lush green trees will drop

Lighten Up

Before photography, video tours, or in-person showings, open every curtain and blind, turn on all of the lamps, and flood your home with light. Replace heavy draperies with light and gauzy linen.

This is the time to open up the window coverings and let the sun shine in. If you have overgrown trees or shrubbery, consider having them