SHORE LOCAL | Mainland | September 5, 2024

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Locals’ Summer in full swing

From the Editor

As the rush of summer has faded into September, we find ourselves in a unique season affectionately known as “Locals’ Summer." For those of us who call this area home year-round, the summer months are a whirlwind of activity.

m any of our local industries, particularly those tied to tourism and hospitality, rely heavily on these busy months, with the lion's share of their annual income being generated in just a few months. by the time fall arrives, we’re more than ready to shift gears, unwind, and truly savor the quieter beauty of the Jersey Shore.

With the arrival of September, we are greeted with days that remain warm and sun-soaked, perfect for outdoor activities. the ocean’s waters are still inviting,

offering comfortable temperatures for a swim, while the beaches and boardwalks have thinned out, providing a serene environment for relaxation. Gone are the congested roads, and finding a parking spot is no longer a test of patience. restaurants that were once packed to the brim, now welcome us without long waits, and

chance to reclaim the very spaces that are often bustling with visitors.

Adding to the charm of Locals’ Summer is the festival season, which is now in full swing. the annual Good Old Days Festival in Somers point kicks off the celebrations this weekend, featuring a delightful mix of traditional offerings, family-friendly activities, live entertainment, and a beer garden.

promising two days of culinary delights and family entertainment. Dog enthusiasts won’t want to miss bark in the park, set to take place in mays Landing on Sept. 14, a perfect gathering for four-legged friends and their owners. meanwhile, over in Somer point, the community is gearing up for Art in the park, a celebration of local culture and natural beauty scheduled for the same weekend. t he festive events continue well into October!

We are fortunate to live in a place that offers year-round fun, and these fall festivals are a wonderful opportunity to come together with friends, family, and neighbors to celebrate the season and support local businesses.

shops tempt us with end-of-season sales. It’s a time we locals cherish—a

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, Julia Train

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 art by Great Blue Heron by Karen Haberland.

We are also eagerly anticipating several festivals in the coming weeks. t he Downbeach Seafood Festival, a beloved tradition, returns on Sept. 14-15 at Ventnor’s Ski beach,

Locals’ Summer is a time to slow down, connect with our community, and revel in the beauty of our surroundings. And there is still plenty of time to get your toes in the sand.

Happy Locals’ Summer!

Peace & Love, Cindy
Credit: Brian Reed

Summing up this summer's weather

Summer’s over!

Well, except for Locals’ Summer.

And as school starts for students, teachers, administrators and parents alike, our seventh annual Shore Summer Weekend Weather report Card is ready for its final grade.

every weekend, from the unlocking of the beaches m emorial Day to the Labor Day that just passed us, I grade the weather at the shore (shoutout to all of you who voted in the annual viewers’ choice on the Aug. 9-11 weekend, too).

the grading is subjective. However, after meeting and listening to you, I think it’s fair to say an ‘A’ means the weekend’s weather had:

1) A high temperature between 75 and 85 degrees.

2) No rain.

3) Anything from a partly sunny to sunny sky. We could all use a few clouds to break up the sun.

4) Low humidity.

5) A gentle breeze.

Since this is an average of all the days, a few hours of cloudy sky won’t ruin a perfect ‘A’.

At the same time, this is for the whole shore. A weekend where brigantine sees pouring rain while Cape may is dry won’t mean an ‘F’ either.

Since this is summer, the weekends start early. m y report card includes Friday, Saturday and Sunday. m emorial Day and Labor Day are also included in those weekends; Fourth of July this year was included in the July 5-7 weekend, too.

Summer 2024: A Very Good Student

Averaging the grades across all 15 weekends, summer 2024’s grade point average was a 3.3. that’s a ‘ b+’.

In the seven summers that I’ve done the report card, this is a tie for the third best season on record. Just last year, summer at the shore earned a 3.3 grade point average. the best scoring year was 2022, with a 3.4 grade point average. 2021 was the lowest scoring, with a 3.0 grade point average.

It’s only been seven years but its apparent that a ‘ b ’ or ‘ b +’ is typical for us at the Jersey Shore for our summer weekends. perhaps one year we’ll break into the ‘A’ range.

Summer 2024: In More Detail

We don’t grade on a curve here. However, for m emorial Day weekend standards, this year was pretty darn good. It earned a ‘ b ’. Friday through Sunday were all very nice days. there was plenty of dry time, sunshine and gentle breezes. the only blemish was on the thermometer. It was a bit cool Saturday and Sunday, where highs were 70 to 75 degrees, according to the rutgers New Jersey Weather Network.

m onday was the only poor beach day. Clouds, fog and storms made it tough to enjoy the shore comfortably.

In 2023 the weekend rated a ‘ b ,’ but it could be much worse. When many of the COVID-19 social distancing restrictions were lifted on the holiday weekend in 2021, the weather was a ‘D+’ in my book. It poured Friday night right through Sunday and temperatures barely budged out of the 60s. typically, our lower grades come in the first half of the season and our better marks arrive in the second half. that’s because, until mid-June, our climate is still subject to the nor’easters and chilly ocean breezes from spring.

However, this year was the opposite.

We ripped off a six weekend streak of ‘ b+’ or better grades from may 31 –June 2 to the Fourth of July weekend. that included a ‘ b +’ Independence Day weekend with excellent weather for the holiday weather itself and no washouts through Sunday.

Our lowest grade of the season came on July 12-14. that earned a ‘C’. that Friday was a washout and Saturday was dull and wet most of the time, too.

We had an ‘A’ the last weekend of July. then, four of the five weekends from August to Labor Day weekend

were a ‘ b ’. that’s certainly passing and provides plenty of at least decent weather for the beaches and bays. However, the first half did grade higher than the second half, unusually. In all, here was the letter grade breakdown.

A: three weekends

B+: Six weekends

B: Five weekends

C+: None

C: One weekend

D+ or lower: None

Comparing to 2024 to Prior Years

We continued the trend of having our weekends being graded at least a ‘C’ or higher throughout the season. the only two years with a ‘D+’ or lower were 2020 and 2021. typically, we never have a truly bad weekend to be outside at the Jersey Shore this time of year.

Labor Day weekend’s ‘ b ’, turns out, is the lowest grade for the holiday weekend in the seven years of doing this. every other year has been either a ‘ b+’ or an ‘A’. It just shows why we say “shiver on m emorial Day, sweat on the Fourth of July, smile on Labor Day”. Watch the Report Card Video As tradition goes, I’ll give out the final grades of the Shore Summer Weekend Weather report Card from Ocean City High School this weekend. Find it on my social media channels (@ JoemartWx).

Hope you all had a great summer! It’s a pleasure covering the summer for you here at Shore Local. Happy Locals’ Summer ahead!

Joe earned his Meteorology Degree from Rutgers University. He is approved by the American Meteorological Society as a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist and Certified Digital Meteorologist, the only one in the state with both. He's won 10 New Jersey Press Association Awards. You can find him on social media @joemartwx

Ventnor’s Senior Surfing Dudes:

Four local childhood friends catch waves in their 70s

Life

is What Happens

The Hawaiian Shaka hand gesture — the three middle fingers tucked into the palm while the thumb and pinky fingers are extended and waving back and forth — is understood by surfers all over the world. It means “everything’s okay”, “hang loose”, “take care” and “thank you”.

Surfers get it and apparently so does the rest of the world as it’s now an emoji, the acid test for concepts that have made it into pop culture. by choosing the “shaka emoji” you can text your pals that everything’s copacetic and tap into surfing culture at the same time.

but surfing wasn’t always so popular on Absecon Island and the rest of the east Coast and there’s people

around who remember just how primitive it was.

“When I was 7-years-old in 1959 in Atlantic City, there were maybe a couple hundred dedicated riders on the east Coast,” says Lou Solomon, one of the gang of four 70+ local surfers and co-director of the Ventnor City Surf School recreation. “I guess my friends and I were the trail blazers – or call it wave-blazers— before the sport was in full gear on the east Coast. there were no surf schools here in the 1960’s. We basically taught ourselves.”

Lou Solomon is a margate resident whose parents built the Strand motel in Atlantic City in 1954 and operated it successfully until selling it to developer Steve Wynn in 1978.

When Lou’s folks asked him in 1963 what he wanted for a bar mitzvah present, he answered “a surfboard.”

His parents’ response was, “Jewish boys don’t surf!”

Lou shot back, “but mark Neustadter does and he’s Jewish!” mark, now 70, along with pals Jay m izrahi, 72, and Glenn m agill, 70, began a lifelong friendship with surfing and each other.

“We all went to Atlantic City High School and graduated between 1970 and 1972” says Lou. “We listened to the b each b oys and ‘Wipe Out’ by the Sufaris and decided that Surfin’ USA should extend beyond Hawaii and California to include Atlantic City down to margate.”

even though it was much easier to be a part of the surfing culture in Hawaii or the California coast, the boys hung tough while hanging ten (the practice of hanging your toes off

2025 Somers Point Business Association Awards

the front of a longboard). by 1966, the east and West Coast surfing populations were nearly equal, at approximately 200,000 each. Surfing gear wasn’t what it is today on either coast, which made the sport more challenging.

“ b ack then there was only one thickness of wetsuit, and the way it hit your abdomen you ended up with black and blue marks,” says Lou. “Now the suits are made of various thicknesses to accommodate different water temperatures. Surfers are a lot more comfortable these days and all of the improvements help increase skill level.”

the senior surfers for the most part learned on 10-foot fiberglass boards. “Now beginner boards are very soft,” says Lou. “You can stand up with stability. If a softer board hits you in the head when you go under, it’s a much softer blow.” Once surfers improve they’re more likely to purchase a real performance board.

“ there were no paraffin wax bars to wax our boards in those days,” says Lou. “We used melted candle wax. I don’t want to make it sound like surfing 60 years ago was a hardship like

Mark Neustadter

Lincoln walking to school in the snow, it’s just that all of the advancements in gear has helped make the sport more accessible, easier to learn and more fun.”

Once the gang of four were up on their boards more than down, they rode the waves together for decades.

t he guys still use surfing lingo, slang that contains some the most descriptive, extensive and amusing terms for a sport or profession on the planet. the jargon connects surfers with each other while creatively expressing their love of the wave.

m uch of it peppers non-surfers’ everyday slang as well.

the guys still say they’re “stoked” when they’re pumped, really happy or excited about something. t hey talk about gremmies (beginners) and ho-dads— (people who come to the beach, board in hand, dip their heads in the water, and then tell everyone that they surf). the guys’ ultimate

goal, even to this day, is to be “barreled” or in the hollow part of the wave when it’s breaking, one of the most desired occurrences in surfing.

even though this tightknit foursome has been together for the better part of 60 years, catching a wave is not a team sport.

“Surfing is an individual pursuit, but the code of conduct amongst surfers is to always have each other’s backs,” says Lou. “We don’t surf alone so we’re there to help get our buddy back up on his or her board or seek help.”

younger unless I’m with the guys.”

the camaraderie of the group is unmatched. “I love surfing with these guys,” says m ark Neustadter, the other bar mitzvah boy with the first surfboard. “We’ve surfed together for a combined 220 years, traveling the world over.”

t he seniors respect nature as much as each other.

“You can ‘buy’ almost any other sport,” says Lou. “You can buy the best equipment, travel to the best locations, but all the money in the world can’t buy you good waves. even in exotic Fiji there’s no guarantee. It’s all up to mother nature. It makes us appreciate decent surf every time it happens, so we never get spoiled.”

“After a good morning surf, it’s fairly likely no one can mess up your day,” says mark.

these seniors love surfing with the succeeding generations as well. Lou surfs with his sons and grandson, and so does Glenn.

“ both of my sons have been surfing since a very early age. they’re very good,” says Glenn. “For me, most of the people I surf with now are much

Glenn’s son Shaun and senior surfer Lou are directors of the Ventnor Surf School, which is currently part of the Ventnor summer recreation program, but may expand into a private entity by next year. t his summer’s eight-week program accomodated 150 students. “ m ore waves, less digital time is what I love about teaching,” says Lou.

While Absecon Island and especially Ventnor Fishing pier will always be home base, the group does venture off the island to surf in other regions and even other countries.

“We like rincon, puerto rico which is an easy trip as it’s a U.S. territory,” says Glenn. the group has also caught

waves in barbados, Nicaragua and Costa rica.

Still, on any lovely morning, you can catch one or all of the senior surfers catching a wave on either side of the Ventnor pier.

“Our best surfing season on Absecon island is from August 1 to November 1,” says Lou. “ perfect conditions involve a major hurricane 1,000 miles off our coast that’s moving straight up north. We benefit from the groundswell effect it creates.”

I guess there’s no place like home.

“We have to say that” says Lou with a smile and a laugh, “ the last thing we want to do is make waves here in the ocean where it all started for us. Or maybe we do want to make waves.”

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

Lou Solomon
Lifelong friends and surfing buddies Jay Mizrahi, Mark Neustadter, and Lou Solomon

The secret is out about fall at the Jersey Shore

Goodbye summer; hello fall in Ocean City and the Jersey Shore towns. Years ago, Labor Day would come and the Jersey Shore would put away the welcome mats until the following year. today it is a different story. the Jersey Shore stays vibrant through the fall and into the holiday season. people are finally discovering that September, October and even through the Christmas holiday season is truly a fantastic time to enjoy our towns.

the crowds have thinned out, but more and more people are discovering that the Jersey Shore is a nice place to be year-round. Since the pandemic, many people have made the decision to make their shore home their permanent home. this trend is helping our local economies.

t he weekends in the fall are host to events all up and down the Jersey Shore. every weekend, there are events that draw visitors from all over the Delaware Valley and beyond that help our economy, ranging from block parties and car shows, to cultural events and much more.

When I look down Asbury Avenue in Ocean City nowadays, I realize it is a complete outdoor mall that rivals any retail district in New Jersey. the quality of stores that have established themselves there during the last 20 years makes it second to none.

In addition, people fill rental homes, motels and restaurants. even during the week, people are discovering how to take advantage of discount rates, great weather and warm ocean water. the secret is out that fall is the best season down the shore.

Visitors can find unique gifts that cannot be found in big box chains. Shoppers can choose from quality women’s clothing stores, shoe stores, unique merchandise from Stainton’s, the various surf merchandise from the new ron Jon’s and 7th Street Surf Shop and much more.

Let’s not forget all of the fantastic eateries. You have great breakfast,

lunch and dinner establishments, coffee shops along with many specialty food shops.

You come to Asbury Avenue for the total retail and food experience. You come to find unique items and support local entrepreneurs. You come for the block parties, Halloween parade, Christmas parade and all the events in our beautiful area. When you finish on the Avenue, the next stop for your getaway is a relaxing stroll down the boardwalk that night or the next day.

Whether you are a local or a visitor, remember your local business owners in Ocean City and the other Jersey Shore towns. they are open all year and need your support. Stop, shop, play and stay at the Jersey Shore all year.

Rich Baehrle, of Berkshire Hathaway Fox and Roach, can be reached at 609-266-6680 or 609-641-0011. Email richardbaehrle@gmail.com or see www.getrichinrealestateSJ.com

How one dog’s legacy helped local kids go back to school

My dog, Sushi, passed away in April. When I wrote about her loss in Shore Local, I was very touched by the many emails I received from strangers. In the grief of my loss, they shared their stories of losing their soulmate dogs.

When I was an Atlantic City police officer, I was a part of a tradition that gives children in need the Christmas every child deserves. to keep Sushi’s memory alive in my heart, I renamed the charity the Sushi Foundation.

I have wanted to do more with the Sushi Foundation as Sgt. Kevin Law, assigned to the Community Outreach Unit of the Atlantic City police Department (ACpD), is constantly coming across families in need

and has few resources available to help them. So when he told of a local woman who needed backpacks and school supplies for the kids in her neighborhood, I was happy to spring into action and help. Denise m oore (or “ miss Denise,” as she is known in the Adams, brooks, and Cedar Court neighborhood of Atlantic City), for the past few years, out of the goodness of her heart, has scoured the city for backpack and school supply donations for the kids in her neighborhood. m iss Denise then holds a

barbecue at the end of the summer to give them out. t his year, she was struggling to find donations, so Kevin asked if the Sushi Foundation could pitch in.

I have met so many generous and wonderful people through a shared love of dogs. So many of my clients, who have had the absolute pleasure of meeting and loving Sushi, sprung into action and helped. before I knew it, my den was overflowing with backpacks and school supplies.

When I went to Staples and was chatting with the woman who worked there about miss Denise, she was happy to volunteer ways to find discounts on supplies which enabled

me to purchase carts of notebooks, pencils, pens, crayons, and folders. I was thrilled to deliver over 120 backpacks stuffed with supplies to Chief James Sarkos and Sgt. Law, who made sure they were delivered to a very grateful miss Denise and her kids. We had so many backpacks that Kevin was also able to go to the homes of kids he knew needed them elsewhere in the city and make sure they were also ready to head back to school.

I want to thank Chief Sarkos of the Atlantic City police Department for always devoting the manpower needed to help with these events. t he department is constantly short of people to actually do police work, and I know the men and women of the department are low on morale right now. Giving them a chance to participate in events like this where they are appreciated is a morale boost for everyone. He has certainly picked the right man for the Community Outreach Unit in Sgt. Law,

Retired Atlantic City police officer Heidi Clayton wirh her late dog Sushi that inspired the non-profit organization The Sushi Foundation.

who gets the job done and is excellent to work with. these events not only show the very human side of police officers, but they serve as a reminder to all of us that there is still good in the world and people willing to help.

So on behalf of the Sushi Foundation, thank you to Chief Sarkos and the men and women of the ACpD, to Shore Local for plugging the fund -

raiser, and to all of the wonderful dog people who made it all happen and gave some very appreciative kids a good start to their school year.

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

South Jersey Remembers 9/11

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Absecon

▶6:30 p.m.

Heritage park 440 mill rd.

Join the Absecon 9/11 m emorial Founders Committee for a ceremony at the 9/11 memorial behind City Hall. please bring a lawn chair.

Atlantic City

▶10 a.m.

Jackson Ave. & the boardwalk the Saracini-O’Neil 9/11 m emorial Ceremony will include the Sandpipers pipes & Drums of Atlantic County providing music and patriotic songs, a 40-ton patriotic themed sand sculpture by world renowned artist John Gowdy, Last Salute’s three-round Civil War cannon volley, and a memorial flag presentation. Street parking is available on Atlantic Ave. and adjacent cross streets. rain date: thursday, Sept. 12, 10 a.m.

Longport

▶9 a.m.

t homas b reed park 28th & Ventnor Ave.

m embers of the public are invited to join American Legion post 469 at reed park, near the Longport bridge, for a brief but meaningful ceremony remember those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.

▶9 a.m.

m argate City Fire Department

Station No. 1, 1 S. Washington Ave. the public is invited to a memorial service to honor those who lost their lives in New York City, the pentagon, and Shanksville, p a. on 9/11. t he ceremony will include prayer by local clergy, music tributes, and comments by local dignitaries.

Northfield

▶9 a.m.

Northfield City Hall 1600 Shore rd.

Join city and local dignitaries for a ceremony commemorating the anniversary of 9/11.

Ocean City

▶6 p.m.

Location to be Determined

“A Day to remember” will include music, prayer, and reflections on the memory of lives lost and on the community spirit that was renewed in the wake of Sept. 11, 2001. All are encouraged to attend. For more information, visit www.oceancityvacation.com.

Margate

Events and Happenings

Multiday Events

Downbeach Seafood Festival

▶Saturday, Sept. 14, and Sunday, Sept.15

Ski beach, Ventnor

South Jersey’s original seafood festival returns for a full day of amazing eats from local South Jersey restaurants, along with the best live and local music, fantastic entertainment and the popular Chowder CookOff benefiting the Community Food bank of New Jersey. Hosted by Good time tricycle productions. tickets are on sale now at downbeachseafoodfest.com.

Warm Hearts for Veterans Clothing Drive

▶Now - Oct. 15

Wesley by the bay, 2409 bay Ave., Ocean City

United m ethodist Communities is asking for local businesses and vendors to donate new (not used) items of warm winter clothing for homeless veterans in Atlantic City. New items can be winter coats and jackets, winter socks, gloves, hats and scarves, thermal/flannel shirts, long johns and hand or feet warmers. Call Kathy at 609-399-6702 or rebecca at 609399-6701. Call or drop off donations by Oct. 15.

Thursday, September 5

Galloway Green Market

▶4-7 p.m.

Historic Smithville Village Greene, 615 e m oss mill road

Go Green Galloway hosts weekly Green m arket t hursdays 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.

Friday, September 6

Galloway Music in the Park

▶6-8 p.m.

Galloway township m unicipal Complex, 300 e . Jimmie Leeds road

Join Galloway township for their final outdoor concert of the season this weekend. Food trucks and a beer garden will be open from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Somers Point Beach Concert Series

▶7 p.m.

William m orrow b each, 800 bay Ave. the Somers point beach Concert Series concludes its 31st anniversary season with a colossal rock ‘n’ roll party with the tony m art All-Stars and popular recording artists and local rock ‘n’ roll party band red.

this will be a party dance marathon of over three hours of music. Visit somerspointbeachconcerts.com. Follow Somers point beach Concert Series on Facebook for updates.

Saturday, September 7

DRCF Surf for a Cause

▶8 a.m.

Decatur Ave. b each in front of Lucy the elephant, margate the 2024 Surf for a Cause is back for an incredible day of competition on the beach in margate. registration and additional details can be found at thedrcf.org/surf-for-a-cause.

Atlantic County 4-H Yard Sale

▶8 a.m.-1 p.m.

4-H Fairgrounds, 3210 route 50, mays Landing Shop or sell. Clean out your closet, garage or attic and join a community-wide yard sale. reserve your spot: $20 inside, $15 outside. proceeds benefit 4-H activities. For more information or an application, call or text barb at 609-703-1549. Hosted by the Atlantic County 4-H Fair Association. rain or shine.

Somers Point Good Old Days Festival

▶11 a.m.-6 p.m.

JFK park 24 broadway

It’s a celebration 45 years in the

making. presented by the Somers point Historical Society, the annual Good Old Days Festival will feature an entire day of fun for the whole family. Non-stop free music will headline the event featuring plaid Salmon, t he turtleheads and the Notion. plus, enjoy amazing food, crafters, vendors, kids’ activities, a classic car and boat display, and entertainment for all ages. transportation will be provided to and from the event grounds. Learn more at spgoodolddays.com

Ocean City Classic Car and Street Rod Show

▶Noon-4 p.m.

Ocean City boardwalk

the annual classic car and hot rod show is an annual tradition, bringing hundreds of car and street rod enthusiasts to the boardwalk for its 49th year. the show will take place along the boardwalk from Sixth-14th streets. the event is free to attend. those interested in participating can visit ocnjcarshow.com.

The Duprees with the Ocean City Pops

▶7:30 p.m.

Ocean City music pier, 825 boardwalk ↘Continued on 16

the Duprees are known the world over for their romantic interpretations of some of the most beautiful love songs ever written. today, the group has over 42 years of on-stage performances and are still going strong. the Duprees join the Ocean City pops in a spectacular show you won’t want to miss. For more information, visit oceancityvacation.com/ boxoffice.

Sunday, September 8

Boardwalk Corvette Show

▶11:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Ocean City boardwalk

Over 350 cars will be exhibited, with models from every year displayed on the boardwalk from Sixth14th Streets. Learn more about the show at boardwalkcorvettesac.com.

Monday, September 9

Sunshine Golf Classic

▶Greate bay Country Club, 901 mays Landing road, Somers point

Join the all-volunteer Ocean City Cape Atlantic Chapter of Sunshine Foundation for a day of charity and fun at their 18-hole golf tournament. t he annual Sunshine Golf Classic benefits children with severe chronic conditions. Visit sunshinefoundation. org for more information.

Concert at Longport Library

▶6:30 p.m.

Longport Library, 2305 Atlantic Ave.

enjoy music from the Fabulous Silver Wings. this amazing Americana/ classic country band of Nashville singers will blow you away. b ring a friend and enjoy an incredible night of music. Call 609-487-7403 to register or learn more.

Tuesday, September 10

Beekeeping in South Jersey

▶6:30 p.m.

Upper township Wellness and Senior Center, 1369 Stagecoach road, Ocean View

the Historical preservation Society of Upper township membership meeting will feature a program about b eekeeping in South Jersey led by Fred Steinman, master beekeeper and president of the Jersey Cape b eekeepers Association. For additional information, visit facebook. com/UppertwpHistory.

Free Introduction to Comedy Improv Class

▶7-9 p.m.

Studio Space, 112 Woodland Ave., Somers point

the public is invited to a free Introduction to Comedy Improv Class this tuesday. m eet fellow classmates and teachers from SpLIt-

Somers point Laughter, Improv and theater. everyone attending will also have a chance to win six classes of comedy improv. No skills or experience necessary. Classes will run Sept. 24 through Oct. 29. t he fee is $175. Classes open to anyone over 18; 16-18 with parental permission. For more information, email paul@forefront.com or call 443-852-2163.

Somers Point Dance Society

▶7:30-10 p.m.

Somers point Fire Hall, 447 bethel road

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, September 11

Positivity Project: Mindful Movers

▶9 a.m.

Newport Ave. beach, Ventnor

Start your day in an upbeat way while exploring mindfulness, gratitude and meditation, followed by a stroll with friends and neighbors on the Ventnor boardwalk. the program begins at the park behind the Ventnor Library. rSVp by contacting tina Serota at 609-287-8872 or tserota@ jfsatlantic.org.

Somers Point Pinochle Club

▶6-8:30 p.m.

Somers point Senior Center, 22 N. Ambler road

3120 Fire Road, Suite 100, Egg Harbor Twp, NJ Phone 609.317.0801 kap@djd.law djdlawyers.com

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

Thursday, September 12

Lunch Around Town with JFS Village

▶Noon-1:30 p.m.

Hannah G’s, 7310 Ventnor Ave., Ventnor

enjoy a leisurely lunch with friends while supporting a local restaurant. Come prepared for good food and conversation. Order off the menu and pay individually. Cash only. rSVp by m onday, Sept. 9, by contacting tina Serota at 609-287-8872 or tserota@ jfsatlantic.org.

Scullville Hayride Volunteer Signups

▶6-9 p.m.

Scullville Fire Station No. 1, 1709 Somers point road, e gg Harbor township

Hayride signups are here. Forms will be provided. to speed up times, you can retrieve the forms at scullvillefire.org/hayride.

Friday, September 13

Concert at the Library

▶2-4 p.m.

Longport Library, 2305 Atlantic Ave.

Join Longport Library for a screening of the movie “ the bike riders.” Call 609-487-7403 to register or learn more.

Smithville Car Cruise

▶5-8 p.m.

Historic Smithville 615 e moss mill road Cruise on down to Smithville and hang out with fellow car enthusiasts. Drive to the side parking lot of the Village Greene near the covered bridge; you will see orange cones set up. m ove a cone and park your car. m ore information is available at historicsmithville.com.

‘Dial M for Murder’

▶7 p.m.

Gateway playhouse, 739 bay Ave., Somers point presented by the Somers point and Ocean City Historical Societies. Opening reception will start at 5:30 p.m. the film begins at 7. reserved seating is $35 per person. Learn more and purchase tickets online at gatewaybythebay.org.

Saturday, September 14

Ocean City ALS United Walk

▶9 a.m.-noon

Ocean City Civic Center, Sixth St. and boardwalk

Join ALS United mid-Atlantic and hundreds of participants in a walk to support ALS patients, families and research, and advocacy. Check-in opens at 9 a.m. the walk will begin at 10 a.m. Sign up or learn more at oceancityalsunitedwalk.org.

Bark in the Park

▶10 a.m.-5 p.m.

4-H Fairgrounds, 3210 route 50, mays Landing

Dogs and their families are invited to the Atlantic County 4-H Fairgrounds for a dog-friendly fundraiser held by Absecon Veterinary Hospital. the event will include a dog show, costume parade, petting zoo, food trucks, vendors, beer garden, axe throwing and more. Admission is $7 per person. Kids 12 and under and people-friendly dogs are free. proceeds will benefit Laddie’s Legacy, a charity providing financial assistance for families who cannot afford lifesaving care for their pets. For more information, including sponsorship and vendor applications, contact Cherie at 609-646-7013 or email cscheurich@abseconvet.com.

Ocean City Airport Festival

▶10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Ocean City m unicipal Airport

Features include a ground display of unusual airplanes ranging from World War II warbirds to classics. the event will feature a parachute jump by team Fastrax. For more information, visit oceancityvacation.com.

↘Continued on 18

Smithville Art Walk

▶10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Historic Smithville, 615 e moss mill road

m ore than 75 local artists will set up displays along the Village Greene, located near the red-covered bridge. there will be special guests, live music and much more. rain date: Sunday, Sept. 15.

Somers Point Art in the Park

▶10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Kennedy p ark, 24 b roadway, Somers point

Join the Somers point Arts Commission for a traditional fine art show of paintings and photography. plus, enjoy great music, food and children’s art activities.

Star Wars Day at the Zoo

▶10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Cape may County park and Zoo, 709 route 9 N., Cape m ay Court House

Join the zoo for a day of family Star Wars fun. take in photo opportunities with your favorite Star Wars characters, take part in a Jedi training class, enjoy a fun starfighter craft, trivia, and special galaxy treats. m embers of the Northeast remnant 501st Legion will bring their authentic costumes and role play for this fun event.

Symphonic Dance with the Atlantic City Ballet

▶7:30 p.m.

Ocean City music pier, 825 boardwalk

After their breathtaking feature with the Ocean City pops in 2022, the stars of the Atlantic City ballet return to heat up the music pier stage. Forg-

neighbor. For more information, visit oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice.

Parachute Pyrotechnic Show

▶8 p.m.

Ocean City boardwalk, from Sixth14th St. t he show consists of several highly trained and specially licensed team Fastrax demonstrators exiting the aircraft 6,000 feet above Ocean City’s beach and boardwalk. brilliant white or multicolored projectile pyrotechnics will be ignited and flown in formation, creating a dazzling display for spectators. the landing will take place at Seventh Street and the show will be viewable along the entire b oardwalk. For more information, visit oceancityvacation.com.

Miss’d America Pageant

▶8 p.m.

Circus maximus theater, at Caesars 2100 pacific Ave., Atlantic City Hosted by Carson Kressley, this year’s event will feature m iss’d America 2024 Freeda Kulo, the m elanie rice Orchestra, and the m iss’d America Dancers. tickets are $25 per person and are available for purchase at the Caesars box Office or through ticketmaster.

Sunday, September 15

Boardwalk

Aerobatic Show

▶1 p.m.

Ocean City beach and boardwalk, Sixth-14th St.

thrill to some of the best stunt pilots and aerobatic champions in the world plus military demonstrations. For more information, visit oceancityvacation.com.

Port Republic Duct Tape and Cardboard Boat Regatta

uild a boat out of only cardboard and duct tape,

2024

As ouse Keeping, Witch Dance, g g ,

& Sip Magical Scene, Bath, Fire Ceremony, Yoga, Meditation, Pranayama, Inner Witch Workshop, Orgone Energy Piece Creation, c Development, Nourishing Meals, Magic & More

then paddle out on Nacote Creek, around a buoy and back to the beach. registration is open, but space is limited. Sign up now by visiting https:// portregatta.weebly.com. boat checkin opens Sunday at 11:30 a.m. Kristin Chenoweth Performing with the Ocean City POPS

▶7:30 p.m.

Ocean City music pier, 825 boardwalk emmy and tony Award winning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth’s career spans film, television, voiceover and stage. She has received a coveted star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and has received an emmy for her role in “ pushing Daisies.” She will perform with maestro Vince Lee and the Ocean City pops in their 2024 season finale. tickets and more information are available at oceancityvacation.com.

Health and Wellness

Cancer: Thriving and Surviving

▶tuesdays, Sept. 24-Oct. 29, 4:30-7:30 p.m.

Shore medical Center Cancer Center, 100 m edical Center Way, Somers point presented by Cape Atlantic Coalition for Health and Shore m edical Center, this free 6-week interactive workshop is for cancer patients, survivors and caregivers. the sessions are participative, where mutual support and success builds confidence in your ability to manage your health and maintain an active and fulfilling life. registration is required as class sizes will be limited. Call 609-6533923.

Living in the Moment Group

▶Fridays, 10:30 a.m.

m ental Health Association of Atlantic County, 4 e . Jimmie Leeds road Suite 8, Galloway

Weekly meetings include meaningful discussions, camaraderie and a group activity. For more information, call 609-652-3800 ext. 0306.

NAMI Family Support and Connection

▶monday, Sept. 9

7 p.m.

St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 606 Shore road, Somers point participants gain the support of peers who understand their experience and gain insight into others’ challenges and successes. Visit www. namiacm.org or call 609-741-5125 for more information

MHA Atlantic Family Meetings

▶thursday, Sept. 12

7 p.m.

these virtual support groups and educational programs are for individuals with a loved one affected by mental health and/or substance use disorders. Day and evening meetings include an educational segment as well as support in the form of stress-reduction, self-care, resources and advocacy. m eetings are held at 10 a.m. on the second and fourth thursday, and 7 p.m. every third Wednesday. Contact Gail Christian at 609-6523800 ext. 0301 or gchristian@mhanj. org to receive a meeting link. Dementia Support Group

▶Wednesday, Sept. 18

1:30 p.m.

6009 paul and thelma Lane, mays Landing

Held on the first and third Wednesday of every month 1:30-3 p.m. Call Diane Conover at 609-4026966 for more information.

Do you have an upcoming event?

Let us know about it! Submit your next event to shorelocalevents@gmail.com.

Rockin' J Ranch: a sweet potato farm transformed into a thriving equestrian center

When you arrive at rockin’ J ranch in e gg Harbor City, you’ll be greeted by Scrappy, Scooter and Dally, the three dogs who spend their days on the land.

the pups, two of which are Australian shepherds, belong to b rian Johnson and his wife m organ.

the Johnsons purchased half of the 40-acre property that was once a sweet potato farm in January 2020.

According to b rian, the transition didn’t require too much work, besides building fields, fences and sheds and ensuring proper drainage. the sandy soil, once ideal for sweet potatoes, also proved to give the

ranch an advantage.

“ the land is on an angle, which helps with drainage,” brian, 26, noted. “We don’t have to deal with much mud, thanks to the retention pond that catches excess water.”

b rian said their main goal is to ensure a safe environment for their horses. In order to do that, they had to dig down 3 inches to remove rocks

“ rocks can cause injuries to horses, so it’s crucial to keep them out,” he said.

further, potentially adding an indoor arena and a residence on the property.

and dirt, then use a sifter to clean the sand in the ranch’s arenas and horse pens.

OCEAN AQUARIUM

t he couple started with six horses and now manages a total of about 25, including both their own and those they board, or house and take care of for others.

they also have plans to expand

b rian, originally from Las Vegas, transitioned from a college rodeo scholarship at tarleton State University in texas to managing rockin' J ranch.

↘Continued on 22

Brian mentioned Boone, Morgan's professional barrel horse, has a quirky personality and loves to pose for pictures.
Brian and Morgan Johnson moved from Texas to New Jersey for an internship and wound up staying to start their ranch.

↘Continued from 20

He and m organ met while b rian was studying animal and equine science at the university and m organ was a veterinary technician attending texas Christian University.

with the neighboring Christmas tree farm that takes up the other half of the 40-acre lot.

As part of the mutually beneficial relationship, rockin' J ranch will help fertilize the trees with manure and

t heir shared passion for rodeo and ranching led them to New Jersey for an internship, where they met their two business partners who helped them get their business started.

One of the ranch’s standout features is its focus on Western riding, a rarity in the region.

“We’re one of the few Western riding facilities within an hour of here,” b rian explained. “ m ost places focus on english riding, like jumping, but we specialize in Western disciplines such as roping, barrel racing and rodeo events.”

the Johnsons are also working on a partnership in the next few years

people will be able to take a trail ride to pick out a tree.

brian and m organ are also exploring ways to incorporate gardening and farm-to-table practices into their offerings, such as community garden beds and selling fresh eggs from their chickens.

The Johnsons' two Australian shepherds, Scooter and Scrappy, love to herd animals on the ranch.
Brian says Morgan can tell which chicken each egg comes from.

Each horse on the ranch has a unique personality and responds differently to being around people. These two love to invade people's personal space.

rockin' J ranch is more than just a horse facility; it’s a community center with a small petting zoo. Visitors can interact with various farm animals, including goats, sheep, chickens and alpacas. b rian and m organ aim to make the ranch a hub for local activities and education.

the ranch also hosts numerous events throughout the year, with their biggest upcoming event being the Fall Fest Oct. 12. this festival will feature around 60-70 vendors, food trucks, trunk or treat and what they call a “fun show” that highlights the ranchers’ rodeo skills.

“ these events are a way to engage with the community and showcase what we do,” brian said.

Julia is a recent Rider University graduate, where she studied multiplatform journalism and social media strategies. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, trying new coffee shops, photography and the beach. She can be reached at juliatrainmedia@gmail.com or connect with her on Instagram @juliatrain

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In defense of beach tags

New Jersey is the most expensive state to go to the beach. Only a handful of beach towns let patrons enjoy the shore for free, and the rest require infamously-annoying beach tags.

For most beachlovers, acquiring a beach tag means another line item on the vacation budget and a brief stop at the municipal window. You’ll flash the pin to sunglasses-clad teenagers, and you’ve finally made it.

For others, it’s just frustrating. One hundred years ago, the beach wasn’t this commercialized. m aybe you are pinching pennies and need to vacation on a tight budget. Natural spaces should be free, right? You shouldn’t have to run in to the ocean to avoid tag enforcement. Is crawling under the boardwalk still a possibility?

p urchasing beach tags has changed significantly in the past 10 years, and with a little convincing, you might be in favor of tags, too.

Here are five reasons why you should buy beach tags with a smile:

1. It’s Fair

Let’s consider city funding. Local taxes, specifically property taxes, are poured back into the city budget. t herefore, home owners will be forking up almost all government services, including lifeguard protection, recreational events, and good schools. In Ocean City, the town budget supports the Ocean City Arts Center and the twice-annual b lock party.

thousands of folks, whether they are mainlanders or daytrippers or renters, enjoy the beach every day during the summer. Shouldn’t those that use the beach support the beach, not just those who own homes? Like paid parking, cities can collect revenue from those who visit the city, not just property owners.

2. beaches Are protected t he sand and surf are money-makers for the city, so the city is motivated to keep the beaches clean and accessible. Some shore towns dedicate profit earned from beach

The 2024 Ocean City military beach tag features the 31Heroes logo in recognition of the nonprofit organization that raises money and awareness for veteran programs and runs the annual Memorial Beach Challenge in Ocean City.

tags to direct support of the beaches themselves, mainly through beach replenishment, flood prevention, cleanliness and safety. On the other hand, because free beaches are free, the associated city has less resources (and motivation) to preserve the space.

3. Assurance of public Access the application of beach tags im -

↘Continued on 26

plies that the beach is city property. In America (particularly on the east Coast), if land is not claimed, it will be bought. If the beach were free, it’s possible that the beaches are not owned or operated. potentially, developers could build oceanfront mansions along the beach, or mark the space for expensive resorts. because cities like Avalon operate and regulate the beach, it remains available for public recreation and enjoyment (with the unlikely possibility that the city could sell the lucrative beach lot to developers in the future). State parks like Corson’s Inlet are free for park goers thanks to state wildlife

funding, but few other beaches have that level of support.

4. It’s Good for the economy

Consider how many seasonal jobs are created by the implementation of beach tags. Selling and enforcing beach tags creates seasonal work for locals, from beach attendants to enforcement officers, contributing to employment opportunities within the community. Also, by creating a sense of exclusivity, beach tags can attract more tourists, which in turn boosts local businesses like restaurants, shops, and hotels.

5. paying premium

Speaking of premium, beachgoers can expect a high-quality product

in exchange for their financial investment. these beaches may also provide more exclusive features, like organized events, beach chairs, and umbrellas for rent, or designated areas for sports and activities. As a result, tag-required beaches are often less crowded and more secure, attracting visitors who are willing to pay for a cleaner, more comfortable, and enjoyable beach experience.

Beach Tags Have Jersey Roots b each tags were first invented in New Jersey back in the 1930s as a way for seaside towns to manage and maintain their shores during the Great Depression. With budgets tight, local governments needed a

way to fund beach upkeep without raising taxes, so they came up with the idea of charging visitors a small fee to use the beaches. this new system started in the town of Sea Girt, where officials began issuing tags to beachgoers as proof of payment. the idea caught on, spreading to other towns along the Jersey Shore. Over the decades, beach tags became a unique tradition in New Jersey, turning into both a quirky local custom and a practical solution for keeping the beaches clean, safe, and enjoyable for everyone.

Beach Tags Are Digital Now

South Jersey’s iconic beach tags have made the leap into the digital age, making it easier than ever for visitors to enjoy the region's sandy shores. Sea Isle City has paved the way by introducing their own mobile app, m y b each m obile, so tags can be easily accessed on smartphones. margate has also adopted the same program, with Ventnor announcing conversion as well. the app was created by Carolina bevad, New Jersey mother of three and avid vacationer in Wildwood Crest. t he power of technology makes beach access efficient and modern.

Proposal: Towns Should Amend Rate

Structures

If your blood pressure still jumps at the thought of buying beach tags, consider lobbying your local government for changes in rate structures. For example, perhaps year-round locals could get a discounted pass, or boardwalk employees could get free access as a perk? Cities like margate offer free beach tags for veterans and active military members. If you buy beach tags during the off-season, you’ll surely pay less than midsummer. perhaps beaches could offer intermittent free days so that everyone, no matter their economic status, can appreciate the natural beauty? If beaches don’t require tags during shoulder season, we could attract more out-of-towners to stay at local hotels and purchase meals and save on beach tag fees.

The Future of Beach Tags

Gone are the cash-only payments! As mentioned earlier, beach tags are going digital. m ore and more shore towns are using mobile apps (similar to ticketmaster) for patrons to pay for tags through debit and credit cards, and even Apple pay. taggers don’t need to only visually validate the tags, they could also scan barcodes. this would allow cities to aggregate data on the types of passes purchased and amount of beachgoers per day.

Cities could even apply surge pricing, so that holidays like the Fourth of July are more expensive than weekdays in m ay. this would allow

municipalities to earn more revenue and control crowds through financial incentives. Further, cities could cap beach tags, meaning that if one family purchases a week of beach tags, they might be able to get a second week of tags for free. And if tourists get an extra week on the beach, perhaps they’ll extend their trip!

Conclusion beach tags get a bad reputation. In my opinion, we shouldn’t direct our frustration at beach tags, but rather the capitalistic culture around public spaces, no matter how beautiful. the United States doesn’t subsidize the maintenance and protection of nature, and there’s a need to employ

and train lifeguards, remove trash, and when a whale washes up, bury the creature and reset the beach for public use.

If this argument has not changed your mind on beach tags, visit a free beach! Strathmere, Atlantic City and the Wildwoods are completely free for beachgoers. enjoy the natural wonder of the Jersey Shore.

So when you inevitably purchase a beach tag, don’t think too much about the tag itself. envision a clean city with concerts on the sand with a long and successful future. And perhaps that beach tag will make for a cute ornament or collector’s item when that future gently arrives.

Eagles open season Friday

This is a great time of year for p hiladelphia sports fans.

the phillies are on their way to clinching the National east and appear poised to contend for a World Series berth.

And now the eagles are about to start their season.

the birds open on Friday against the packers in Sao paolo, brazil in the NFL’s first-ever game being played in that country.

For those who have had their heads stuck in the sand on a margate beach this summer, the eagles are again expected to be among the NFC’s top teams, along with the 49ers, Lions, packers and rams.

eSpN’s initial NFL power rankings for the season list the eagles fifth behind the Chiefs, ravens, Niners and

Lions, respectively.

the lofty ranking isn’t surprising, considering the amount of talent on both sides of the ball.

Quarterback Jalen Hurts leads a potentially dynamic offense that features wide receivers A.J. b rown and DeVonta Smith, plus new running

Lindy Hops

back Saquon barkley. Defensively, the eagles feature a terrific front that includes young tackles Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis, plus veteran b randon Graham, who has announced his 15-year career in philly will be ending after the season.

they also sport one of the NFL’s best place-kickers in Jake elliott.

Still, there are question marks. the eagles suffered a pair of huge losses in the offseason when center Jason Kelce and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox retired.

Cam Jurgens will get the first

crack at taking over for Kelce, while Carter and Davis will help fill the void on the defensive interior.

besides being top players, however, taylor Swift’s boyfriends’ brother and Cox were strong leaders in the locker room and that will be much more difficult to replace.

there are also new changes on the sideline. Head coach Nick Sirianni retained his job despite last season’s collapse, but he’ll be working with a pair of new coordinators in Kellen m oore and Vic Fangio. there was also an eSpN report this summer that suggested a strained relationship between Sirianni and Hurts, though both have indicated that whatever tension may have existed is gone.

the eagles expectations are as high as the giant ball atop Ocean Casino resort. How they handle it will determine whether Sirianni still has a job in 2025.

Here’s one guess as to how the regular season will pan out.

Friday, Sept. 6, 8:15 p.m. - eagles- packers in Sao paulo: packers W r b o m elton (Cedar Creek High School) catches a long t D pass against eagles rookie Quinyon mitchell. LOSS

Monday, Sept. 16, 8:15 p.m. - Falcons at eagles: eagles honor retired Qb Nick Foles by reintroducing “ philly Special.” Hurts catches a t D pass from te Dallas Goedert. WIN

Sunday, Sept. 22, 1 p.m. - eagles at Saints: b irds should enjoy an “ easy” win in “ the big easy.” Derek Carr is no Drew brees. WIN

Sunday, Sept. 29, 1 p.m. - eagles at b uccaneers: b irds should have plenty of fans in tampa, but it won’t matter. b ucs Q b b aker m ayfield throws three tD passes. LOSS

Bye

Sunday, Oct. 13, 1 p.m. - browns at eagles: this season marks the 40th anniversary of Cleveland’s famous “Dawg pound.” b ut the game is in philly. the eagles will pound them at the Linc. WIN

Sunday, Oct. 20, 1 p.m. - eagles at Giants: Saquon b arkley is likely salivating over returning to his old home. He rushes for 200 yards. WIN

Sunday, Oct. 27, 4:25 p.m. - eagles at b engals: Joe b urrow and Ja’ m arr Chase will cause more heartburn than a bowl of Cincinnati’s Skyline Chili. LOSS

Sunday, Nov. 3, 8:20 p.m. Jaguars at eagles: Dougie p. outcoaches Nick Sirianni. trevor Lawrence throws three tD passes to Christian Kirk. LOSS

Sunday, Nov. 10, 4:25 p.m. - eagles at Cowboys: Cowboys Safety markquese b ell (b ridgeton) returns an interception for a touchdown. LOSS

Thursday, Nov. 14, 8:15 p.m.Commanders at eagles: eagles Cb Darius Slay returns two interceptions for tDs against rookie Q b Jayden Daniels. WIN

Sunday, Nov. 24, 8:20 p.m. – eagles at rams: rams wide receivers and quarterback m atthew Stafford make Vic Fangio puka all over his Nacua. LOSS

Sunday, Dec. 1, 4:25 p.m. - eagles at ravens: birds defense has no answer for ravens Q b Lamar Jackson. LOSS

Sunday, Dec. 8, 1 p.m. - panthers at eagles: Former eagles Wr Jordan m atthews is now a backup te for Carolina. WIN

Sunday, Dec. 15, 4:25 p.m. - Steelers at eagles: Jalen Hurts outduels both russell Wilson and Justin Fields. WIN

Sunday, Dec. 22, 1 p.m. - eagles at Commanders: Washington always seems to play them tough, especially late in the season. b ut the eagles prevail. WIN

Sunday, Dec. 29, 4:25 p.m. –Cowboys at eagles: Cowboys running back ezekiel elliott sprains his ankle trying to jump into the Salvation Army kettle in the end zone. WIN

TBD – Giants at eagles: eagles clinch NFC east and earn the Number 3 seed in the NFC playoffs with a victory. WIN

2024 SEASON RECORD: 10-7, first place NFC east.

Local NFL update

b ell and m elton are among five local players from Cape-Atlantic League high school who are on active rosters to start the NFL season, along with bills Dt Austin Johnson (St. Augustine prep, Galloway township), Cardinals rookie Cb max m elton (Cedar Creek HS), who is bo’s younger brother, and Chiefs rb Isiah pacheco (Vineland).

In addition, DL Abdullah Anderson (Absegami) is on the titans practice squad after being released last week. rookie Lb Yvondy rigby (egg Harbor township) was released by the ravens and is looking to sign with another team. OL J.D. Di renzo (St. Joseph Hammonton) was released with an injury settlement by the panthers last month.

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.

Happy endings and new beginnings in the September garden

Each September, a new school year allows everyone a clean slate. Armed with pre-sharpened pencils and fresh notebooks waiting to be filled, students can look forward to new ideas, new friends and opportunities to excel. In the garden, September offers new beginnings as well, while bridging the gap between hot summer days and cool fall nights. Gardeners can reap the harvest of their hard summer work, while clearing paths for a fresh start of new plantings that will reward them in the fall.

August heat waves may have taken their toll on your garden. When it’s too hot, plants go into survival mode. Herbs and other plants bolt and go to seed to preserve their legacy, and flowers and vegetables halt production and shelter in place to conserve energy. Other plants call it quits for the season, turn brown and fizzle away. b ut once cooler temperatures arrive on the scene, you may see your garden revive and “wake up” for the last hurrah for summer.

tomato plants that seemed destined as fried green tomatoes will suddenly turn red — seemingly overnight. Spring-blooming flowers such as New Dawn roses and Weigela will offer fresh new blooms in what my friend, esther, called a “fall spring.”

For plants that have withered from the heat, trim dead or damaged stems and leaves. Otherwise, the plant will spend needless energy trying to heal the ailing parts. Unhealthy plants are also more susceptible to pests and disease. Once annuals have gone to seed, harvest the seeds for next year, but leave some for your feathery friends. Goldfinches love pulling on the remnants of zinnias and the thistle-like seed heads of purple coneflowers.

Once you have harvested your

crops, collected seeds, and cleared some space, it’s time to begin anew. September is the perfect time to plant cool-season crops. Warm, sunny days will aid in germinating the seeds, but by the time the plant begins to grow, cooler weather will keep these herbs and vegetables happy. Lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, cabbage, carrots, radishes, broccoli, and beets are all great candidates for September planting. plant a bowlful of mesclun mix today, and you’ll have a salad waiting for you in the garden by October. this month also provides a good time to grow a second round of herbs such as cilantro and dill. read the seed packets and choose fast-growing varieties to ensure the plants will mature before it gets too cold. Fortunately, some of these vegetables, such as kale, can handle a light frost and will taste better afterward, since the cold temperatures cause the plant to convert their starch to sugar.

September is the month for locals to reclaim our beaches and gardeners to reclaim their gardens. enjoy the sunny days of harvesting, collecting seeds, and digging in the dirt to plant cool-season crops for a fresh start. b ut make sure you also save time to get your feet in the sand while a gentler sun shines on your face.

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

Proceeds will benefit Absecon Veterinary Hospital’s 501(c)3 charity, Laddie’s Legacy. Dogs and their families are invited to the 4th Annual bark in

the park on Saturday, Sept.14, 2024, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Atlantic County 4H Fairgrounds, 3210 NJ-50, mays Landing, N.J. this dog-friendly fundraiser is held by Absecon Veterinary Hospital to benefit its non-profit charity, Laddie’s Legacy, which provides financial assistance for families who cannot afford lifesaving care for their pets.

Admission is $7 per person. Kids 12 and under and dogs are free. Dogs must be people, kid and other dog friendly and up to date on vaccines. Dogs also must be on non-retractable leashes. b ark in the park will feature local vendors, food trucks, a beer garden with craft beer from Dr. brewlittles beer Company, and a ton of dog friendly games and activities.

“We’re not talking about games like cornhole or ladders where your dog just sits next to you, looking cute; we mean games and activities that INCLUD e your dog,” said Cherie Scheurich, executive director of Laddie’s Legacy. “Dog vs. Human pie eating contest, musical sit, a fun treasure hunt for treats, and more will be available for your pups to play!”

Bark in the Park activities include:

● beer Garden ● Axe throwing ● electric Cars for Kids ● Dog Show ● Dog Costume parade ● petting Zoo ● Human/Animal Zen Center

Food trucks ● Vendors

Pie eating contest, dog versus human will take place

● Dog training Demonstrations

● Doggy m usical Chairs

● Human vs. Dog pie eating Contest

● Dog Nose painting

● Face painting (for people)

● Duck pond

● raffle baskets

● Future Vet Workshop (additional fee – rSVp and pre-payment required)

the Future Vet Workshop is for children ages 6-11 and teens ages 12-16. this year’s hour-long class will focus on horses and will be taught by the staff from Absecon Veterinary Hospital. each student will receive a summer learning packet with flash cards that will help prepare them for their workshop at bark.

Last year’s event helped raise over $17,000 dollars for Laddie’s Legacy, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping save pets' lives. Laddie’s Legacy is a veterinarian-referred vet bill assistance program that has saved countless lives since its inception in 2022. Laddie’s Legacy commemorates the life of Laddie, a maine Coon

kitty that was surrendered to Absecon Veterinary Hospital because his owner could not pay for increasing medical fees. For more information on Laddie’s Legacy and all the lives saved, visit www.laddieslegacy.org.

For sponsorships, vendor applications or more information about the event, contact Cherie Scheurich at 609-646-7013 or cscheurich@ abseconvet.com. progressive 50/50 tickets will be on sale soon.

Where were you the day the world stopped turning?

My morning began like any other on that fateful day. I dropped my kids off at school and completed my walk around the neighborhood. We didn’t have cell phones yet, so I was oblivious as history was unfolding.

the hours that followed seemed surreal. Although all flights were suspended, I will never forget the sound of the military jets roaring overhead as I lay awake in bed that night.

We watched the stories of despair on the news, lives lost, and families desperately looking for their loved ones, through rubble and debris. We also heard stories of heroism, courage, and faith.

“Something terrible happened… turn on the television,” my husband spoke in a somber tone. I froze as I watched the first tower fall. the reporter, along with thousands ran and cowered from the debris. I couldn’t believe this was happening. I watched as first responders climbed stairwells in an attempt to save those trapped in the burning tower.

then the unthinkable happened. the second tower collapsed. thousands of innocent lives were lost in that horrible moment.

As we began to hear about the plane crash in pennsylvania and at the pentagon, it was clear America was under attack. I feared what could be next. A half day of kindergarten never seemed so long as I waited to bring my children home and hold them close. everything I took for granted felt uncertain.

We will, nor should we, ever forget. We honor the first responders that put themselves in harm’s way to help others that day and every day, along with the soldiers that fight to preserve our freedom.

Never forget and God bless America.

What's happening in Ocean City Car

Shows and Pops Concert Highlight Ocean City Weekend

Street rods and other classic cars will be on display on the Ocean City boardwalk during the 49th annual Street Rod Show on Saturday, Sept. 7. Street rods are classic cars (1994 or older) modified with modern parts. On Sunday, Sept. 8, it will be Corvettes taking the spotlight.

On Saturday, classic cars and street rods will be displayed in the municipal parking lot at Fifth Street and boardwalk from 8 a.m. to noon and will then proceed to the Ocean City boardwalk to be displayed from Sixth Street to 14th Street until 5 p.m. An awards ceremony will take place at 4 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 7) in front of the m usic pier (at b oardwalk and m oorlyn terrace).

On Sunday, more than 450 cars from throughout the history of Corvettes will be on display in one of the largest shows of its kind on the east Coast. the cars will be on the boardwalk between Sixth Street and

14th Street from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 8. For more information, visit boardwalkcorvettesac.com

As part of the weekend festivities, tickets are on sale now for a Saturday night concert (Sept. 7) with the Ocean City Pops performing with The Duprees the doo-wop legends are known for their harmonies and interpretations of some of the most beautiful love songs ever written. the show is at the Ocean City m usic pier at 7:30 p.m. tickets are available at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or 609-399-6111.

9/11 Remembrance

Ceremony (Sept. 11): 6 p.m. outside Ocean City Fire Department headquarters (550 Asbury Avenue).

Ocean City Airport Festival (Sept. 14): Annual festival at the m unicipal Airport (26th and bay Ave.) features a ground display of unusual

and classic airplanes and a parachute jump from team Fastrax. Festival runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Parachute Pyrotechnic Show (Sept. 14): An 8 p.m. show includes the team Fastrax parachute team creating a dazzling display of lights and pyrotechnics for spectators on the ground. t he show is viewable along the entire boardwalk with the landing area on the beach at Seventh Street.

COMING UP IN SEPTEMBER

The Atlantic City Ballet With the Ocean City Pops (Sept. 14): return of an artistic partnership at the Ocean City m usic pier. tickets available at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or 609-399-6111.

Ocean City ALS United Walk Presented by Village ShopRite (Sept. 14): the walk starts at 10 a.m. (with check-in at 9 a.m.) at the Ocean City Sports and Civic Center. Joining the walk is free, but online registration is encouraged at oceancityalsunitedwalk.org.

Boardwalk Aerobatic Airshow (Sept. 15): Some of the best stunt pilots and aerobatic champions in the world put on a display starting at 1 p.m. and best viewed from the beach and boardwalk from Fifth Street to 14th Street.

Kristin Chenoweth with the Ocean City Pops (Sept. 15): t he emmy- and tony-winning singer helps the Ocean City pops close the 2024 season. t ickets available at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or 609-399-6111.

British on the Boardwalk (Sept. 18): Sponsored by the Austin-Healey Sports & touring Club, more than 50 examples of this iconic sports car will be on display on the boardwalk from noon to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 18. m ore information: austin-healeystc.org/show.html.

Ocean City, NJ Jeep Invasion (Sept. 21): Jeeps will be displayed on the boardwalk between Fifth Street and 14th Street from noon to 5 p.m.

For more information, visit www. NJJeepInvasion.com.

OCNJ Half Marathon, 5k & 10 Mile Non-Competitive Walk/Run (Sept. 22): Choose your distance and participate in one of New Jersey’s favorite race events. Advance registration required for the half marathon. Sign up early to save on registration fees at www. ocnj.us/ race- events.

MS City to Shore Ride (Sept. 28-29): About 7,000 cyclists raise millions of dollars through a two-day charity ride from philadelphia area to Ocean City and back. For more information, call 1-800-445- b IKe or visit www.mscycling.org.

This week is full of romance, drama and mystery in four novels that are ideal for the waning days of summer. We round out the list with a non-fiction look at a golden girl and American prince whose love story ended in tragedy 25 summers ago.

"All the Summers in Between"

this one’s perfect for a long day at the beach. It’s the summer of ’67. rich girl margot is visiting her family’s summer place in east Hampton when she befriends a working-class islander named thea.

Despite differences of caste and class, the girls form a fast bond. their friendship grows stronger as they work side by side in a local record

store. t hen, one terrifying August night, the idyllic summer comes to an end, margot flees the island, and the friends lose touch.

ten years later, margot reappears, one step ahead of danger and begging for help. And thea must decide how far she will go in the name of old loyalties.

You may grow impatient waiting for the big plot reveal, but that’s what makes this a page turner. “All the Sum -

mers in between” is a mystery and a coming-of-age saga that will keep you riveted.

"The Best Life Book Club"

poor Karissa Newcomb. After discovering her husband is having an affair (with her best friend, no less!), she’s forced to start all over again—in a new town, with a new job, a confused

young daughter, and a heart full of hurt and self-doubt.

b ut Karissa isn’t alone. Her new neighbors all are facing their own challenges. Alice is mourning the loss of her husband. margot is dealing with divorce, unemployment and dashed dreams. Judgmental Josie is on the outs with her daughter and son-in-law. the women start a reading club, and start with self-help books to nudge them toward change and greater fulfillment. eventually, they start writing a mystery of their own.

“ the best Life book Club” is about the power of friendship, especially female friendship. though it’s a bit formulaic, you’ll root for Karissa as she dares to hope for new love, m argot as she launches a new business, and Alice and Josie as they turn the page on past regrets.

"Just for the Summer"

For originality, this entry from Abby Jimenez gets an A-plus. the hero, Justin, is convinced he is cursed: every woman he dates dumps him, then goes on to find the man of her dreams. His predicament becomes the subject of a reddit thread, which

with Marjorie Preston

is discovered by a nurse named emma.

Frustrated in her search for lasting love, emma proposes a pact: the two will date for a few months, then break up by mutual agreement. that, presumably, will break the curse, and both can go on to separate happily-ever-afters.

Of course, what starts as a summer fling grows deeper as they learn about each other’s lives, hopes and sorrows. Could Justin and emma be meant for each other? Jimenez delivers on a slightly madcap promise in this romance filled with tenderness and humor.

As a child, Allegra Dixon was abandoned by her mother, then her father, and finally banished to the custody of grim grandparents.

this Cinderella life leaves her longing for love and connection. As a young woman, she seems to find it with West point cadet Shep, who is pursuing a military career. but war hardens Shep, and Allegra finds love a second time with a film composer named Henry. No spoilers, but our valiant heroine keeps searching for joy in life, though

life thwarts her at every turn.

Danielle Steel doesn’t depart from the tried-and-true in her latest, which has all the glitches typical of her work: chronic repetition, as if she can’t remember what she wrote from page to page, and paper-thin characterizations. but it’s a lightweight romance you can finish in an afternoon at the beach, and Steel fans will enjoy it.

"Once Upon a Time"

It's been 25 years since a small plane carrying John F. Kennedy Jr., his wife Carolyn bessette and his sisterin-law Lauren crashed off the coast of New england, dashing hopes for a second Camelot.

In 2005, JFK intimate Carole radziwill wrote “What remains,” a moving book about that tragedy, and the subsequent loss of her own husband, Anthony, Kennedy’s cousin. beller’s book focuses on Carolyn, a golden girl who got the prince, but paid a heavy price in public exposure, tabloid criticism, and harassment by the paparazzi.

“Once Upon a t ime” is neither memoir nor biography, but reads like a long, fawning “Vanity Fair” article. this passage is typical: “Carolyn possessed an inimitably, wildly engrossing brand of magnetism that held those around her spellbound,” with “an energy that affects every facet of one’s being.”

In trying to defend bessette against the media frenzy and rumor-mongering that dogged her in life, beller turns her into a saint, a victim, and unfortunately, almost a caricature. this is an interesting book, but you may come away wishing for a more realistic portrait.

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.

"Joy"

The great monarch migration begins: the odyssey of the butterfly

As September rolls around, kids are heading back to school and butterflies are headed to Cape may.

m onarch butterflies, despite their delicate appearance, travel from New england to m exico every autumn, making a pit stop in South Jersey around September. the New Jersey Audubon Society tracks the butterflies to ensure that they have a safe flight to their sunny destination. Hundreds of monarchs are identified and tracked as they fly across the country. their census begins in early September and ends around Halloween.

In the early to mid 20th century, tourists would flock to Cape may to awe at the hoards of beautiful butterflies gathering around the beach. today, sadly, the monarch butterfly population is in severe decline, primarily because of increased pesticide use and greater land development by humans. the New Jersey Department of environmental protection writes, “ the presence of the monarch

butterfly represents environmental health and well-being in the state. As the butterfly population has diminished, the environment and earth are in danger.”

butterflies travel up from m exico to enjoy warm NJ weather each spring. In summer, they mate and females lay eggs in milkweed bushes (otherwise known as butterfly bushes). It is the only plant that supports the growth of young caterpillars. there are approximately 140 species of milk weed, so the monarch butterfly has lots of opportunities to lay her eggs.

tering the pupal stage. the caterpillar will be in its chrysalis for fifteen more days, then spread its wings for the first time as a butterfly.

Newly-formed butterflies then enter an age of sexual immaturity, called diapause. In this stage, the butterfly is focused on learning migration patterns and eating flower pollen. t he young monarchs grow thicker abdomens to maximize fat storage to maintain energy for their long flight.

Once an egg is laid on a milkweed bush, the egg will develop into a caterpillar after three to five days. the caterpillar will feast on milkweed leaves for approximately five days, and after fifteen days of life, the caterpillar will start to develop into a fully-grown monarch butterfly, en -

A butterfly lives for approximately eight to ten months, so once it’s time to head back to NJ in the spring, the butterfly will lay eggs then sadly pass away. the next generation is born, and ready to grow up and migrate far distances.

monarchs have a unique migration pattern. the eastern population from New england and Southern Canada travel to m exico and Southern Florida, while the western population in

the rocky mountains travel to western California and Arizona. During their trip, the monarchs have “stopovers,” meaning they will pause their travel to store nectar from flowers for energy. Cape may is one of those spots.

If you see butterflies this next month, be sure to care for the creature by keeping your distance and removing any hazards, such as a frisky cat or electrical wires. If you would like to support the endangered monarch butterfly population, you can plant a milkweed bush in your backyard. they are easily found in garden stores and easy to maintain. they require fairly-dry conditions, so make sure they are planted around rocks, clay, or shells. these bushes grow between two to four feet tall and require full sun exposure. they bloom a beautiful pink color in the summer. Do not spray this plant with fertilizer, as it may harm the butterflies and their babies. Support the monarch butterfly and plan a milkweed bush. You’ll love the views of vibrant orange and black wings fluttering by your window.

Tremendous End-of-Season Savings

his week’s column features some of the feedback I’ve received from my readers. In regard to the title – I was an executive chef in my early career. While I loved getting feedback, I hated getting food back from guests. Although my wife rolls her eyes at me when I say, “Give me feedback,

not food back,” it does make a great six-word title and an excellent introduction to this week’s column.

I Heard it on the Boardwalk earlier this summer I heard from Susan Liberto, who responded to my July 18 column “I Heard it on the boardwalk.” Susan shared three experiences from the Atlantic City/ Ventnor boardwalk. they are just the kinds of snippets we all hear.

Good morning. I read with delight your article published in the Shore Local, and since I'm on the boardwalk most mornings, I am happy to share the conversation snippets I overhear with you.

As a couple were at the side street entrance to the boardwalk on their bikes:

Him: "Watch out for the bikes."

Her: "I don't care," as she proceeded to cross directly in front of me.

m e: (Instead of ramming her with my bike) I slammed on my brakes and said, "She doesn't care.”

Walking towards Ventnor, a gentleman said, “ my heart rate is 50 on the beta blocker." On the way back from Ventnor to Atlantic City, to the complete disinterest and boredom of his companions, " my heart rate has been 50 for the last 30 years.”

Lastly, "His internet should be perfect, but at his apartment it sucks.”

Have a wonderful day and thanks again for the great article. Happy running!

Kind regards,

Susan those were great Susan, and I’m glad that other biker didn’t get you!

Selective Garbage from Families of Distinction

my Aug. 22 column “Selected Gar-

SIX WORDS ON A BOARDWALK BENCH

bage from Families of Distinction” brought memories back to Kathy miller. Kathy wrote:

How could a girl born in the m idwest (Wisconsin to be exact!) surrounded by no ocean (but tons of lakes) end up at the Jersey Shore? the Jersey Shore was on neither of my parents’ radar. my mother grew up in Wisconsin, and my father was a philly city boy. my parents met when my mother was at UW madison and my father was in the Air Force and sent to eau Claire to train. Discharged from the Air Force, my father needed a job to support his new family, and his uncle had one for him back in philly.

Settling in on the other side of the river in the Jersey suburbs, the shore seemed far away. Shortly after moving into their new home, my mother passed away. Out of this tragedy, when my father remarried, it was to a woman who had the original family of distinction as they spent a lot of time down the shore. Her mother would rent in OCNJ for the whole summer, forcing the father to commute to work by the shore train. (Families only had one car back then!) this became a shared experience with my grandparents that I benefited from.

Until my parents could afford to be away a whole summer we would take day trips, so I knew firsthand every back road that led to the shore, and what being a shoobie on the beach was! Later my parents repeated the same routine as the grandparents, except my father drove back and forth – and this was before the AC e xpressway!

m auch. He was my nextdoor neighbor on the 2500 block of Asbury Ave. for many years. ray passed away about 10 years ago. He was quite a character and beloved in our neighborhood for a long, long, time.

Joe r yan thanks for your correspondence Joe, and keep on running those boards!

Dear readers: Thanks for the memories!

I really appreciate the feedback and emails I get from my readers. I’ll keep writing if you’ll keep follow-

ing me! Feel free to send suggestions for future columns. And as I always say, I’ll see ya in the papers!

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

Finally, when my parents retired, they sold their home and moved permanently to OCNJ. this was the ultimate dream – to have a shore home full time where I could visit! Now that they passed, I couldn’t NOt find a way to be at the shore. So I now own a condo. And although I do not live here full time, I have broken free of that landlocked little girl and become the ultimate beach bum whose shore town will always be OCNJ.

Kathy miller

Kathy, this reminds all of us of just how lucky we are to have shared experiences here at the Jersey Shore. m any of us came here from other places, but all of us have decided to stay – in one fashion or another.

Things I “See” On the Boardwalk

After my Aug. 29 column “ things

I ‘See’ on the boardwalk,” I received an email from a fellow runner – Joe r yan. Joe filled in the puzzle with information about r ay m auch, who was the mystery man who stamped people’s hands if they touched the railing when they got to the end of the boardwalk. Here are excerpts from Joe: Hi bill,

I have to tell you how much I enjoy your column in the weekly Shore Local. this week's especially hit home with me. I have been involved with long-distance running, cross-country, road races, etc. for over 60 years. I ran, coached, and organized races. And I am still officiating to this day. I agree with you that running the loops on the OC boardwalk is always a wonderful experience. It is great that you can still enjoy your runs with Jeanne as your guide.

the man who used to sit on the bench at the North end [and sometimes the South end], and "stamp" people's hands was named r ay

Photo Credit: Ocean City Boardwalk Facebook

Is an inheritance demotivating?

My kids are at an age where they are now working during the summer. With hard work comes the realization that decisions

have to be made about what to do with their money. In my house, we require a spend/save/share approach. they must do all three with their money. I request that they save one-fourth and donate one-fourth. the last half is for them to spend however they want. the reality is that over time, they have started to save 60%, share 20% and spend 20%. the balance of their share money is made up in service hours. Interestingly, I did not push for them to save more, but rather they came to realize the value of it by being active with their own investment choices and

watching those investments grow. Seeing how your kids react to having their own money can help guide your own estate planning. If your kids are frivolous with their own money, you can get a sense of how they might be with an inheritance from you. In my experience, money inherited is not treated as carefully as money earned. With this in mind, it begs the question: Is an inheritance demotivating?

Warren buffett said one of my favorite quotes: “I want to leave my kids enough money so that they can do anything, but not so much as to do nothing.”

m y deeper question then is how do I keep my kids motivated after an inheritance? How do I keep them from spending the rest of their lives doing as little as possible and living off their inheritance?

Since my kids are young, I designed my trust to make all of the decisions for them. Once they get older, some of those decisions can start to shift over to them within the guidelines I set. For example, first, in order to receive distributions from my trust, they must be employed on a full-time basis or disabled. I have given my trustee discretion for things like staying home to raise kids, etc. I don’t care what my kids do for work. However, if they want money, they have to work for it. If my children need additional money other than their scheduled distributions, which are based on my kids' ages, they can have it for things like college or a first home purchase, but not for purchases such as a fancy sports car.

Keeping kids motivated when leaving them an inheritance involves more than just the restrictions put on them in your trust, will, etc. It also involves teaching them how to handle money throughout their lives. One way to keep them motivated is to give them incentives for hard work or smart decisions. the more they do, the more they get. I’d gladly give extra money to heirs who “earn it”. Sadly, I have seen too many people leave their kids a large sum of money, many of whom didn’t even know it was coming, only to see it gone in a few short years. money without the knowledge of how to handle it is a potentially dangerous combination.

m y advice is this: Start to think about what you want to happen with your money when you are gone. Yes, I know it isn’t a fun thing to think about, but you need to address it. Second, you need to seek out an experienced estate planning attorney. When I say that, I mean an expert in that specific area, not necessarily someone you may have used for a totally unrelated matter. A great attorney can help to

facilitate getting all of your wishes down on paper in a way that isn’t too restrictive and is easy for executors/ trustees to carry out.

Lastly, you need to discuss your plan with your heirs. t his isn’t a popular topic either, but again, it is a necessary one. You don’t have to go into every detail, but you also can’t drop tens of millions of dollars or even $50,000 into someone’s lap without guidance. At least discuss what your wishes are and explain that you have made a plan, even if you don’t tell them the amount of money you have. If you don’t know who to call, then call us. We can refer you to a qualified estate planning attorney to get the process started. A little planning today saves an awful lot of heartache in the future.

Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FIN r A/SI pC. 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. t his 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.

Entertainment & Dining at the Shore

Whitney’s Weekly Picks

The City Pulse with Whitney Ullman

Experience a weekend filled with excitement, from philadelphia eagles legend Jeremiah trotter, to the enchanting ambiance of Diner en blanc and the lively Atlantic City Latino Festival, get your tickets for these captivating events. Capture the magic and share your experiences using the hashtags #shorelocal #gotowhitney and #thecitypulse.

Who: Free m eet and Greet with Jeremiah trotter

Where: resorts Casino Hotel | DraftKings Sportsbook

When: Friday, Sept. 6

Time: 7-8 p.m.

Website: resortsac.com/entertainment/draftkings-meet-jeremiah-trotter

enjoy a free meet and greet with former eagles linebacker Jeremiah

trotter. If you want to stay longer, there’s an exclusive opportunity which includes a private meet and greet at 8:30 p.m. for $35 in the VI p section of DraftKings Sportsbook, and a seat to watch the e agles season opener. Call 609-402-1053 for more information.

Who: God Save the Queen

What: Galloway m usic in the park

Where: Galloway municipal Complex, 300 e . Jimmie Leeds road, Galloway

When: Friday, Sept. 6

Time: 5:30-8:30 p.m.

enjoy an evening filled with great music, delicious food and refreshing drinks. bring your friends and family for a fantastic night out in Galloway.

Where: Hard rock Hotel and Casino | Sound Waves

When: Friday, Sept. 6; and Saturday, Sept. 7

Time: 8 p.m.

Website: casino.hardrock.com/atlantic-city/event-calendar/god-savethe-queen

Get ready to rock Atlantic City like never before with God Save the Queen,

the ultimate Queen tribute band. Don't miss your chance to witness the magic of Freddie m ercury and Queen brought back to life on stage. b ook your tickets now and prepare to be transported to a world of legendary music and electrifying performances.

What: New Jersey Cannabis Convention

Where: Atlantic City Convention Center

When: Friday, Sept. 6; and Saturday, Sept. 7

Time: 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Website: necann.com/new-jersey-convention

With a projected turnout of over 200 exhibitors and 4,000 attendees, this convention will be one of the largest, most important industry events ever in the northeast. reserve your exhibit space and sponsorship today.

What: boy Scout Showcase

Where: Historic Smithville

When: Saturday, Sept. 7

Time: 10 a.m.

Website: historicsmithville.com/ uncategorized/scouting-expo-at-historic-smithville

Come out to Historic Smithville and meet scout units, participate in various activities and demonstrations including archery, fishing, camping, pinewood derby and more. For boys and girls ages 6 to 20 years old.

What: Diner en blanc Atlantic City

Where: Location tb D

When: Saturday, Sept. 7

Time: tb D

Website: atlanticcity.dinerenblanc. com/city

In the blink of an eye, thousands of guests dressed all in white will arrive

GAME DAYS Beach Days to

at a secret location for a chic picnic en masse – a global culinary phenomenon with “joie de vivre” and local flair.

Who: Crowded House

Where: Ocean Casino resort | Ovation Hall

When: Saturday, Sept. 7

Time: 8 p.m.

Website: theoceanac.com/ crowded-house

Join multi-platinum-selling Australian rock band, Crowded House, on their Gravity Stairs tour at Ovation Hall.

Who: Jane’s Addiction and Love and rockets

Where: Hard rock Hotel and Casino | etess Arena

When: Saturday, Sept. 7

Time: 8 p.m.

Website: casino.hardrock.com/atlantic-city/event-calendar/janes-addiction

Feel the energy surge through the air as these iconic bands take the stage, delivering electrifying performances that will leave you buzzing long after the music fades.

↘Continued on 48

Who: Subculture

Where: Anchor rock Club

When: Saturday, Sept. 7

Time: 10 p.m.

Rocking for 31 Seasons!

ATLANTICARE CONCERTS ON THE BEACH IN SOMERS POINT

The history of Tony Marts nightclub in Somers Point is a window into the evolution of popular music from the late 40’s to the 80’s. That “Jersey Shore Good Time” perspective on the history of American Music, is the model for our legacy business, Tony Mart Presents, it’s productions, our volunteer work for the City of Somers Point on the Somers Point Beach Concert Committee and all of the events that Tony Mart Presents.

Nancy and I are truly grateful we are able to receive funding, sponsorship and recognition that we can capitalize upon in order to proudly present the free concerts, low admission and donation only events that Tony Mart Presents.

Simply put, we want to express our sincerest appreciation and love for all of you who put forth these efforts which allow us to” Let the Good Times Roll”!

Nancy & Carmen Marotta

Tony Mart Presents Tonymartpresents@gmail.com

Tony Mart Cares www.Tonymart.com

Samantha Fish works her guitar magic

Tune In, Turn On

Anyone who attended the memorable Samantha Fish concert on the Atlantic City boardwalk at Kennedy plaza last Wednesday night will quickly agree that the guitar clinic put on by the star blues-rock guitar-

ist and vocalist ranks as one of the most memorable shows at the Jersey Shore in some time.

Opening with the 1969 classic, “Kick Out the Jams” by the m C5, showing her knowledge and fondness for bands and rock music of the past, Fish’s electric, 90-minute-plus, 13-song set contained such SF staples as “ b ulletproof,” “Wild Heart,” “Kill Or be Kind” and “Gone For Good,” while demonstrating on song after song that the Kansas City, mo., native is way more than a pretty face. She is an astute bandleader who, on this night, had an audience of several hundred crowding the stage, anxious to get closer to the high-energy, blues-rockin’ music emanating from her tight, four-piece band.

t hanks to Carmen and Nancy

marotta, and the CrDA (Casino reinvestment and Development Authority) for presenting these wonderful, 100% free shows on the AC b oardwalk from mid-June through September. In a summer of solid m ardi Gras on the boardwalk shows (phantom blues band, Devon Allman, Dirty Dozen brass band, bonerama, Stanley Jordan), the Samantha Fish/Nighthawks twin-bill stands out as this summer’s best.

If you were fortunate enough to be there watching ms. Fish work her guitar magic, this concert is one I’m sure you won’t soon forget.

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.

Samantha Fish performs on the AC Boardwalk last Wednesday night. All photos by John Loreaux

Are you ready for some football? … And wine?

Drink Up!

Mornings are cooler, the kids are back in school, and the beaches are less crowded. According to songwriter and performer Darius rucker, “ there are two seasons: football season and waiting for football season.” I know, I know, I know. I’m the wine guy; football fans drink beer! Well, not all of us. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a good beer. However, in my experience, most beer drinkers do not match the style of beer (lager, stout, I pA, etc.) to what they are eating. Instead, they drink the style they prefer, perhaps changing things up seasonally. On the other hand, wine drinkers tend to pair their wines with their food. As we prepare for the starting weeks of the NFL season, allow me to offer wine pairings for the foods that many folks enjoy when settling in for a

game: steak, burgers, tacos, brats, and veggie trays with queso dip.

Grilled food and football are a natural pair. Statistica.com reports that the favorite grilled food for over 50% of Americans is steak (34%) and burgers (19%). For steak or beef burgers, the perfect wine pairing is a good Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabs are full-bodied and well-balanced with dark, rich fruit flavors plus relatively high tannins and acidity that stand up well to the richness of these hearty entrees. Go with the Juggernaut Hillside Cabernet from California or the Intrinsic Cabernet from the Columbia Valley of Washington state. both will give you the flavor I described above. For something different, try a malbec from Argentina. the rich, dark fruit flavor and tannins are similar to Cabernet Sauvignon, but with a touch of smoke and black pepper.

tacos are a great football party food with nearly unlimited options. A taco bar that allows everyone to choose his or her own fillings is a surefire way to please everyone. For those who choose a steak or ground beef taco, a Spanish red, such as tempranillo, would pair perfectly. try the Volver Single Vineyard tempranillo from the tierra de Castillo.

SUNDAY, MONDAY & TUESDAY ONLY

wine is a great choice for spicier dips. pick up a portuguese wine, like the Vera Vinho Verde or the Adega de m oncao-Vinho Verde m uralhas. Or choose the Antxiola-txakolina Getariako from the b asque Country region of Spain. All of these are light and dry with the flavors of white peaches, green apples and a touch of coastal minerality. If you prefer a red, choose a rich, flavorful wine from the Alentejo region of southern portugal such as the encantado or the Adega Cartuxa- evora tinto.

Well, if you’re anything like me, you are now hungry and eagerly an -

the flavors of ripe plums and cherries with notes of exotic spices will be a perfect complement. For those who prefer grilled fish tacos, the Nora Albariño from the Galicia region of Spain would be perfect. If you’re scooping in shredded chicken, the Avaline White blend from Catalonia, Spain would be a great choice. bratwurst sausages on a roll (with or without cheese or sauerkraut) with a good quality mustard is a football-season favorite of mine. those who know me may be thinking, “I thought you and your wife were vegetarian/pescatarians.” You are correct, but we have found some very nice plantbased brats that fit the bill nicely. b rats are one of those magical foods that pairs equally well with a lighter-bodied red or white wine. For a red wine, try the Oppenauer Zweigelt. If you are unfamiliar with the Zweigelt grape, it is one you will want to get to know. It is a light-bodied dry red wine with a red berry fruit flavor and a minerality that demonstrates the terroir of Austria. this is one of those reds that actually benefits from chilling it, making it a great porch wine as we head into locals’ summer at the Jersey Shore. If white is your preference, try the mantlerhof Gruner Veltliner from Austria or the Leitz Weingut rheingau riesling from Germany.

A vegetable platter with dip has a place at many parties, often as a side or snack. Add a cheesy queso dip, and it can be hearty enough to be the main dish. Queso can be made with different cheeses and levels of spiciness. there are so many recipes online to choose from. For the vegetables, the classics are broccoli, cauliflower, baby carrots, bell peppers, radishes, and snap peas. Go with what you like and be creative, colorful, and in-season. For the wine, the options are limitless. A light white

ticipating the return of the college football and NFL season. It’s a long season with many games and many opportunities to try something new with your favorite snacks. I hope this article encourages you, at the very least, to split your time between beer and wine as you enjoy your football festivities. Feel free to contact me with any questions, or let me know your favorite football food pairings, at dsetley@passionvines.com. Until next time, Happy Wining! (p.S., I know this is e-A-G-L- e-S country, but go Saints!)

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

Thursday, September 5 Atlantic

8

Live & Local Music Calendar

Ventnor

Open mic Night w/ pete Glaze & t Five. 6:30 – 9 p.m. 108 N. Dorset Ave.

Friday, September 6

Atlantic City

1927 Lounge at Ocean Casino Steven Luhmann

6 p.m.

Dominick martino

9:15

1000

One Hot Mess Band

Tuckerton

The Lizzie Rose Music Room

Janis Joplin e xperience starring Lisa polizzi

7:30 p.m.

217 e main St.

Saturday, September 7

Atlantic City

1927 Lounge at Ocean Casino

Jeremy Oren

6 p.m.

Dominick martino

9:15 p.m.

500 boardwalk

Anchor Rock Club

Subculture with DJ’s baby berlin

& Ivy Oh. 10 p.m.

247 S. New York Ave.

Bar One at Resorts

ricky Stevens

6 – 9 p.m.

DJ Gary

9 p.m. – 2 a.m.

1133 boardwalk

Council Oak at Hard Rock

Vahe Sarkissian trio

6 – 9 p.m.

evan edge

10 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.

1000 boardwalk

Hard Rock Café

Dueling pianos

9 p.m. – 1 a.m.

1000 boardwalk

Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino

Dueling pianos

7 p.m.

Stealing Savannah

10 p.m.

500 boardwalk

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

Steve m oore & m IA

5 p.m.

tragic remedy

10 p.m.

600 Huron Ave.

The Deck at Golden Nugget

John m cNutt band

2:30 – 6:30 p.m. party Wave

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

600 Huron Ave.

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock

No Standards

5 – 8 p.m.

Liquid A

9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.

1000 boardwalk

Villain and Saint at Ocean Casino

Late Last Night

9:30 p.m.

Margate Bocca

ORDER

SOMERS POINT & EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP

500 boardwalk

Egg Harbor City

Renault Winery billy Walton trio

12 – 4 p.m.

72 N. bremen Ave.

Egg Harbor Township

The Roost Pub & Grill

Chris Yoder band

6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

500 St. Andrews Dr. Linwood

The Fox Den plaid Salmon

6 – 10 p.m.

500 Shore rd.

CJ Sooy

6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

7805 Ventnor Ave.

Smithville

Fred & Ethel’s Lantern Light

Steve Gatto

7 – 10 p.m.

1 N. New York rd.

Somers Point Crab Trap that 70’s band

6 – 9 p.m.

2 broadway

John McNutt Band

Crabby Jack’s

bob & Nick

6 – 9 p.m.

2 broadway

Fitzpatrick’s Andy berlin

Continued from 54

5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

650 New rd.

Josie Kelly’s the O’Fenders

8 p.m.

908 Shore rd.

The Point

Usual Suspects

6 – 10 p.m.

998 bay Ave.

Sunday, September 8

Atlantic City

1927 Lounge at Ocean Casino

Dueling pianos

8 p.m.

500 boardwalk

Bar One at Resorts

DJ eric

3 – 8 p.m.

DJ proud

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

1133 boardwalk

Council Oak at Hard Rock

NGXbr

5:30 – 9 p.m.

1000 boardwalk

Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino

Dueling pianos

8 p.m.

500 boardwalk

The Deck at Golden Nugget the e xceptions

2:30 – 6:30 p.m.

600 Huron Ave.

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock

Garden State Groove

4 – 7:30 p.m.

Cheers the band

8:30 – 11:30 p.m.

1000 boardwalk

Egg Harbor City

Renault Winery

Hawkins road

12 – 4 p.m.

72 N. bremen Ave.

Somers Point

Crab Trap

Lew London Duo

6 – 9 p.m.

2 broadway

Crabby Jack’s

Chris Yoder

6 – 9 p.m.

2 broadway

Monday, September 9

Atlantic City

Bar One at Resorts

DJ proud

7 p.m. – 12 a.m.

1133 boardwalk

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock

Kicking Sunrise

7 – 11 p.m.

1000 boardwalk

Somers Point

Crab Trap

Keith Hickman

6 – 9 p.m.

2 broadway

Crabby Jack’s

Lew London Duo

6 – 9 p.m.

2 broadway

Tuesday, September 10

Atlantic City

Bar One at Resorts

DJ raff

8 p.m.

1133 boardwalk

Rush Lounge at Golden

Nugget

patty & bugzy

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

600 Huron Ave.

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock

billy Walton band

7 – 11 p.m.

1000 boardwalk

Somers Point

Crab Trap

Keith Hickman

6 – 9 p.m.

2 broadway

Crabby Jack’s

Steve m ullary

6 – 9 p.m.

2 broadway

Wednesday, September 11

Atlantic City

Bar One at Resorts

DJ Gary

8 p.m.

1133 boardwalk

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

michael Stevens

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

600 Huron Ave.

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock

Slay town City

7 – 11 p.m.

1000 boardwalk

Margate Bocca

bob Sterling & the bocca boys

7 – 10 p.m.

7805 Ventnor Ave.

Somers Point

Caroline’s by the Bay Open m ic Night hosted by b lue eagle

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

450 bay Ave.

Crab Trap that 70’s band

6 – 9 p.m.

2 broadway

Crabby Jack’s

Kevin burns

6 – 9 p.m.

2 broadway

Events subject to change.

R E N A U L T W I N E R Y

U P C O M I N G S E P T E M B E R E V E N T S

LARGER THAN LIFE BOY BAND TRIBUTE | TOURS & TASTINGS

CHEF’S DINNER: AUTUMN HARVEST | MASTERCLASS: MIXOLOGY 101

CHEFS TABLE | PICK & PRESS | YOGA & BRUNCH | CIGAR & SIP

Led Zeppelin fans will feel a 'Whole Lotta Love' at Hard Rock

Get The Led Out, Jason Bonham coming to AC

Tune In, Turn On

Labor Day has come and gone and the official summer season is over, but our local music scene (happily) did not get the memo.

the casinos and most local clubs from Atlantic City and Downbeach, to Somers point and the m ainland continue to offer full music schedules throughout the week, and especially on weekends.

AC continues its long, strong love affair with classic rock bands from the past. two upcoming Hard rock Casino bookings pay homage to the great english rock band Led Zeppelin: top LZ tribute Get t he Led Out 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, and Jason

bonham’s Led Zeppelin evening 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. both shows take place at Hard rock’s Soundwaves Arena.

Having seen both acts in concert last year, I can attest that they each present a different take on Led Zeppelin, a band some call the greatest rock ‘n’ roll group of all time (with apologies to the beatles and the rolling Stones).

rockAtNight.com called Get the Led Out completely different.

“ they’re one of the best live concert experiences that fans of real rock ‘n’ roll will ever have. the unanimous, frenetic response of the audience throughout their brilliant set confirms that.”

p aul Sinclair, lead vocalist and front-person for the philly-based GtLO, adds, “Led Zeppelin are the classical composers of the rock era. I believe one hundred years from now they will be looked at as the bach or beethoven of our time. As cliche as it sounds, their music is timeless.”

Jason b onham’s Led Zeppelin

evening played a solid set last July when they opened for Govt. m ule (also at Hard rock). t hey feature Jason b onham, son of Zeppelin’s drummer John b onham, on vocals and of course, drums.

r eviewing a performance by b onham’s LZe , the Adelaide Australia upsidenews.com writes, “assembling an excellent band around him and interspersing the songs with anecdotes about his father, this is a

thoroughly enjoyable night for any Zeppelin fan, with some stunning recreations of the back catalog.”

In addition to his own group, b onham has toured and recorded with some of the biggest rockers in the business, including guitar great Joe bonamossa, while his long list of collaborations includes a 1993 tribute to muddy Waters album recorded with, among others, paul rodgers, Slash, David Gilmour, and the late Jeff beck.

Jason was also a drummer with super-group Sammy Hagar and the Circle, formed in 2014, who consisted of bonham, bassist m icael Anthony (from Van Halen), guitarist Vic Johnson, and Sammy Hagar (m ontrose, Van Halen) on vocals.

tickets an info for Get the Led Out and Jason bonham’s Led Zeppelin evening available at: casino.hardrock.com/atlantic-city/ event-calendar

Get The Led Out will perform 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept.14, at Hard Rock’s Soundwaves Arena. Photo by Lisa Schaffer

Seeing r ed in Somers point: Here’s a fitting way to end another fine AtlantiCare-sponsored tony m art Somers point b each Concert Series this Friday, Sept. 6: A concert by red, a well-known and highly-regarded South Jersey-based band who just played their final Golden Nugget/Deck show for the year this past m onday (Labor Day).

“It’s always a fun show to play to close out the season,” says red drummer/bandleader, bob Kimmel.

“Come out for a rockin’ good time. bring your beach chairs and relax on the sand with some classic rock and some of our original red music. We’ll be playing classic rock mixed with red originals from our three albums.”

Kimmel is bringing along some

talented local musicians for the gig: patty balbo, Danny eyer, Andy Schlee, rich Kurtz, and likely a few surprise musicians. t he shoobies have gone home, for the most part so it’s time to come out again (if you were laying low during the summer) and enjoy/ support our talented local music scene and musicians. time is 7-10 p.m. and admission is free.

See somerspointbeachconcerts. com.

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.

Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening takes the stage 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 at Hard Rock’s Soundwaves Arena.

Friday, September 6

Clutch & Rival Sons w/ Fu Manchu

▶8 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino

Atlantic City Headliners

Squeeze/Boy George

▶7:30 p.m.

tropicana Showroom

Sunday, September 15

Tom Jones

Saturday, September 7

Jane’s Addiction & Love and Rockets w/ Crawlers

▶8 p.m.

Hard rock Live at etess Arena

Crowded House

▶8 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino

Friday, September 13

Jordan Davis

▶8 p.m.

Hard rock Live at etess Arena

Bachman-Turner Overdrive

▶8 p.m.

the m usic box at borgata

Saturday, September 14

Kevin James: Owls Don’t Walk

▶7:30 p.m.

Hard rock Live at etess Arena

Get the Led Out

▶8 p.m.

Sound Waves at Hard rock

Sal “The Vlice” Valentinetti

▶7 p.m.

resorts Atlantic City

▶7 p.m.

Hard rock Live at etess Arena

Saturday, September 21

Atlantic City Jazz Fest

▶7 p.m.

Hard rock Live at etess Arena

Felipe Esparza

▶8 p.m.

Harrah’s Atlantic City

Friday, September 27

Rob Schneider

▶9 p.m.

Sound Waves at Hard rock

Nate Jackson

▶9 p.m.

tropicana Showroom

Saturday, September 28

Creed w/ 3 Doors Down & Finger

Eleven

▶7 p.m.

Hard rock Live at etess Arena

Teddy Swims

▶8 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino

Friday, October 4

Trace Adkins

▶8 p.m.

Hard rock Live at etess Arena

Dirty Honey

▶8 p.m.

Sound Waves at Hard rock

The Doobie Brothers

▶8 p.m. borgata event Center

Saturday, October 5

Gimme Gimme Disco

▶8 p.m.

Hard rock Live at etess Arena

Wanda Sykes

▶7 p.m. & 10 p.m.

Sound Waves at Hard rock

Grand Funk Railroad

▶8 p.m. the m usic box at borgata

Sunday, October 6

Luis Fonsi

▶8 p.m.

Hard rock Live at etess Arena

Photo credit: Teddy Swims Facebook Photo credit: Trace Adkins Facebook

Rockin’ was their business

During the 1980s, the rendezvous Lounge within what was then called r esorts International was one of the most exciting spots

to hear live music in any hotel/casino in Atlantic City. One-time Louis prima saxophonist Sam butera, whose story was detailed within these pages not long ago, deserves a lot of the credit for the raw excitement generated within that lounge.

but there were two other groups that shared the spotlight at the rendezvous in those days, and those combos not only generated a load of excitement, they were also among the most innovative and historically important groups in pop music history.

When resorts opened in 1978, the only frame of reference talent buyers had was: “What worked in Vegas?”

So when it came time to book resorts’ main lounge, they booked Sam butera and the Wildest, the treniers and Freddie b ell and the b ellboys, three of the most successful groups in Las Vegas lounge history.

the treniers were a family act, originally from m obile, Ala., and built around identical twins, Claude and Cliff. both paid their dues in the mid1940s as vocalists with the popular big band of Jimmie Lunceford. When they left the band they formed a small group which included alto saxophonist Don Hill and another brother, b uddy. the group, known as “ the rockin rollin’ treniers,” recorded their first sides for m ercury records in 1947.

comics, mainly Jerry, hammed it up with the treniers during their rendition of “ rockin Is Our bizness” (their spelling). the group also appeared in a few movies, including “ the Girl Can’t Help It” and “Don’t Knock the rock.”

before being pegged to perform in the resorts’ lounge in the 1980s, the group appeared often at the Jersey Shore, mainly at the Club Harlem in Atlantic City and the Hurricane and beachcomber nightclubs in Wildwood. When they finally hit the stage of the rendezvous Lounge, the treniers had already been in the business for more than 40 years, though there

m usically, their style was a combination of swing, jump blues and what later became known as rhythm and blues. Whatever they played in a performance, save a love ballad or two by Claude, was performed with an infectious, heavy backbeat that was simply irresistible. b ut there was much more to a treniers’ show than just singing. t hey were in constant motion with their dancing, frenetic saxophone solos and acrobatics. bill Haley, among others, listened to them and watched them carefully, and used more than a little of the treniers’ shtick in his own act with the Comets.

the group was so visual, so musical and so entertaining that they were among the first rock-oriented groups to appear on national television. the group appeared on the m artin and Lewis television show, “ the Colgate Comedy Hour,” in may of 1954. the

was no letup in the group’s electric energy.

When Cliff died in 1983, Claude took over leadership of the band with nephew Skip on vocals and original member Don Hill on saxophone. the group continued working until Claude passed away in November of 2003. He worked until two months before his death at 84.

↘Continued on 64

the late and great broadcaster, Jerry blavat, knew more about early rock than most. About the treniers he said, “In the heyday of Las Vegas, the treniers were one of the major lounge acts, even before Louis prima. they sang, mimicked, danced and performed. they also had many outstanding recordings and set the pace for other lounge acts. they appeared in Atlantic City way before gambling, at the Club Harlem on Kentucky Avenue. they were one of Sammy Davis Jr.'s favorites, and I spent many an enjoyable night in Sammy's suite after their performance when Sammy was appearing

at Caesars and they were appearing in Atlantic City.”

Ferdinando Dominick b ello, who later became known as Freddie b ell, was born in philadelphia and began his career in show business as a singer and multi-instrumentalist with various bands in philadelphia and New Jersey, most notably in the band of Charlie Ventura’s brother, ernie. Captivated by the sounds of early rock, bell formed his first band, the bellboys, in 1952, said to be the first white groups to play rock songs of the day.

In the mid-1950s, the group landed at the Sands in Las Vegas. Freddie bell and the bellboys became a mainstay

of Las Vegas lounges of the Sands, Sahara, Desert Inn, and the Flamingo well into the 1960s. Summers were often spent in Wildwood at clubs where the treniers often performed, the Hurricane and beachcomber.

In 1955, the group recorded a song for the miniscule teen records label, that was first recorded by big mama thornton. t he song was called “Hound Dog,” and it was bell’s version that elvis presley heard during a visit to Vegas. the group became important in the development of 1950s rock via a series of popular recordings, including “Giddy Up a Ding Dong.” bell and the gang were also one of the first rock ‘n’ roll groups to tour england. they also appeared in several films, such as “ rock Around the Clock” with b ill Haley and His Comets, “ rumble on the Docks,” and 1964’s “Get Yourself a College Girl.”

though the b ellboys disbanded in the mid-1960s, b ell continued performing in Vegas, sometimes in tandem with his wife, singer roberta Linn. He continued playing in Vegas into the mid-1990s. He was one of the last acts to perform in the Sands lounge, which closed in 1996.

Las Vegas lounges popularized by b ell, Louis prima, Sam b utera, and the treniers may have been on the decline by the late 1970s and early

offered new life for butera, the treniers, and the reconstituted Freddie b ell and the b ellboys. though b ell was into his 50s when he returned to the shore, all his energy — and then some — was on view on the lounge’s stage. b ell’s old Wildwood fans turned out in droves to hear “Giddy Up,” “Stay Loose m other Goose,” and of course, “Hound Dog.” though Freddie b ell died at the age of 76 in 2008, his music lives on. Several record companies, including the bear Family records collector’s label, have issued boxed sets of bell’s m ercury recordings and other gems. the music, as the song says, never ends.

Bruce Klauber is the author of four books, an award-winning music journalist, concert and

The casinos that never happened

Casino gambling was legalized in Atlantic City on June 2, 1977. that’s when the floodgates opened for developers, entrepreneurs, real estate magnates, those with casino interests in Nevada and elsewhere, and a fair share of bunko artists, all of whom believed there was big and quick money to be made in the hotel/casino business at the struggling resort.

t hey knew they had to move quickly to cut through Casino Control Commission red tape, and to beat the

owned by the flamboyant bob Guccione. the company had opened hotel/ casinos elsewhere, but for various reasons, none of them lasted very long. Guccione, however, was convinced that a hotel/casino could be built in Atlantic City, and that penthouse would finally have a successful gambling operation.

In early 1978, about the time resorts International opened, penthouse bought the 4 Seasons and Holiday Inn motels, and had plans to buy surrounding properties in order to build. A homeowner named Vera Coking, who had a home in the middle of the block where penthouse want-

dozens of possible competitors who were lining up to buy up vacant land, and in some cases, existing hotels, to build a money-making machine on or near the Atlantic City boardwalk.

Some proposed projects never made it beyond the idea stage. Some had financing, but the deals ultimately fell through. A few started building, only to be abandoned early on. In the end, only a very few were actually built.

the most spectacular failure was to be called the penthouse boardwalk Hotel and Casino, located near the monument around South missouri Avenue, Columbia place and the boardwalk.

For those who don’t remember, penthouse was an adult magazine

rocky Aoki, who owned the chain of popular benihana restaurants, also came very close to opening a casino on the boardwalk.

He leased (didn’t buy) the old Shelburne Hotel, which stood at michigan Avenue and the boardwalk since the mid-1920s.

Aoki and his group of investors planned to refurbish the hotel and add a 31-story tower. Aoki and his people invested $25 million in the project, and work began on the hotel in 1983. Unfortunately a series of disagreements between Aoki, the investors

and the Casino Control Commission led to the project’s shutdown. In 1986 another developer bought the property and planned to open something called the Carousel Club Hotel and Casino. Nothing ever came of it until bally’s bought it in 1997 and opened their Wild Wild West Casino. there was also some construction done on a proposed Dunes Hotel and Casino, which was to be located near Albany Avenue, right next to the Golden Nugget when it was on the

Friday - Sept. 6

Frankie G. & Johnny Keys 5pm-8pm Eagles Season Opener in Brazil!

Saturday - Sept. 7

Jump the Line Band 8pm-12am

Thursday - Sept. 12

Sindi Raymond Band 4pm-7pm

Friday - Sept. 13

Tropical Soul Band 5pm-8pm

Caribbean Music Party

DJ Nick 8:30 - 12:30am

Saturday - Sept. 14

Dr. Phil & the Heartattacks Band 3pm-7pm

The Turtle Heads Band 8pm-12am

Sunday - Sept. 15

Football Sunday!

Now Serving Pizza

ed to build, refused to sell. penthouse began building around the Coking home, but never got beyond building a four-story steel framework.

penthouse ran out of money, and the steel frames stood as a rusting eyesore until 1993 when the trump Organization bought the property and eventually built the trump plaza.

Guccione, however, didn’t give up. He wanted to turn the old mayflower Hotel on tennessee Avenue into a casino, but that didn’t work out, nor did his plan to build a ramada Inn near the Atlantic City entrance. After a series of bankruptcies and lawsuits, Guccione was forced to sell almost all of his assets, including his home and a valuable art collection. He died in October, 2010 at the age of 79.

WEDNESDAY 8pm-12am KARAOKE THURSDAY 8:30pm -12:30am

b oardwalk. the Las Vegas-owned company purchased the president Hotel and mayfair Apartments, tore both of them down, and began construction in 1979.

two stories of a metal frame skeleton were completed. A year later, financing fell through, and after the principals declared bankruptcy and ran into legal problems, work on the project ceased.

It opened in 1921 as a hotel and quickly garnered a reputation as the Atlantic City vacation destination for the wealthy. Over the years there were renovations, bankruptcies — the first one happened during the Great Depression — and in 1969, a conversion to an apartment hotel.

In 1978 a group of investors bought it with the intention of turning it into a hotel/casino. It never happened.

In 1983, another company came in with hopes of continuing the building, but two years later, that operation declared bankruptcy. Others tried to do something with it property through the years, but all failed. the structure stood until 1991, when it was finally demolished. Nothing happened on that site until years later. today, student housing for Stockton University, built in 2018, stands on the site.

In addition to the issues of financing that fell through during construction or financing that never materialized, several of the proposed projects were beset with legal problems and corruption.

A good example was the idea to turn the ritz-Carlton Hotel on the boardwalk into a hotel/casino. the ritz, on Iowa Avenue and the boardwalk, lives on as a luxury condominium and a gorgeous structure with a rich history.

Several of the investors were linked to the Abscam Fb I sting operation in which then U.S. Sen. Harrison Williams was caught telling investors he could save them millions if they renovated the ritz instead of building something new. Not only did Williams want a $1 million finder’s fee, his wife was found to be both a paid consultant on the project and a shareholder in the company that was backing the deal.

Williams was eventually convicted on unrelated charges and was sentenced to three years in prison. He served 21 months.

there were other ideas floated through the years, some of them in the pie-in-the-sky category, but as the market changed and other states legalized gambling, there hasn’t been talk of anything new for years. b ut who knows what tomorrow will bring?

The house with care in front is Vero Coking. the large building is Ritz-Calton

Schultz-Hill Foundation

Hosts Orange Loop Community Block Party

The Schultz-Hill Foundation is hosting an afternoon of music, art, and family fun at the Orange Loop Community block party and Concert on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. (rain date Sept. 22). this free event brings the community together for a memorable day of entertainment and activities. participants should bring their own folding chairs.

the event will feature a live concert by Dave Damiani and his Quartet, known for their classic American standards. Damiani is a singer, songwriter and producer based in Los Angeles.

performance artist michael Indorato, also known as "the flying artist," will showcase his unique talents. Indorato is renowned for creating large-scale art pieces while suspended in the air, blending creativity and spectacle in a way that is truly one-of-a-kind.

Attendees will enjoy free face

painting and caricatures. Food will be available to purchase from food trucks.

t his event is made possible through the generous sponsorship of OceanFirst b ank, the Orange Loop, and the m idtown Community Development Corporation. For more information, contact the Schultz-Hill Foundation at (609) 344-3122.

the nonprofit 501(c)3 Schultz-Hill Foundation supports the arts, history, and education throughout South Jersey. programs include the DINA Scholarships, Senior m usic Series, Free ArtS Community Concerts and Student Youth program with Stockton University, and an Arts Outreach collaborative with the b ay Atlantic Symphony and students in the Atlantic City region. For additional information, visit www.schultz-hill.org.

Professional Theatre at The Music Pier continues with “SHOUT! The Mod Musical” - A Musical Tribute to The 60s

This Fall musical theater meets "Laugh-In" Oct. 11 through Oct. 20 in this all-new production of "SHOUt! the m od m usical" presented by the Ocean City theatre Company at the Ocean City m usic pier. t his bright vinyl time capsule tracks five groovy girls as they come

of age in the '60s and flips through the years, taking you back to the music, fashion, and freedom of that liberating decade. p acked full of songs, dance, and nostalgia, SHOUt! features a cavalcade of almost 30 hits, including "Downtown," "Son of a preacher man," " these boots Were made For Walking," "You Don't Have

SEPTEMBER 6 - 7

New Year’s in North Wildwood

SEPTEMBER 7

PigDog Puppa Palooza

SEPTEMBER 7

The Wildwoods Food & Music Festival

SEPTEMBER 12 - 14

New Jersey State Firemen’s Convention & Parade

SEPTEMBER 13 - 14

Boots at the Beach

SEPTEMBER 20 - 22

Annual Irish Fall Festival

SEPTEMBER 20 - 21 Fall Classic Car Show

SEPTEMBER 27 - 28

Monsters on the BeachMonster Truck Beach Races

SEPTEMBER 27 - 28

Olde Time Italian Festival

SEPTEMBER 28

Hispanic Heritage Celebration

OCTOBER 4 - 6

The Race of Gentlemen

OCTOBER 4 - 6

Wildwood RV Show

OCTOBER 5 Run the Crest

OCTOBER 18 - 19

Wildwoods ’50s, ’60s & ’70s Weekend

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 ~

to Say You Love m e," "Shout," and many more.

"SHOUt! the mod musical" tracks the decade that brought us Alfred Hitchcock's " p sycho," the peace Corps, b etty Friedan's " the Feminine mystique," the Civil rights Act, the Vietnam War, "Star trek," the first heart transplant, the first Super

$25.00 and available at oceancitytheatrecompany.com or at the box Office 45 minutes prior to curtain on show days.

"SHOUt!" features five professional triple-threat performers under the direction of accomplished director/choreographer Jordan Cyphert. It was created by phillip

bowl, the first man on the moon, the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Jr., martin Luther King Jr. and robert F. Kennedy, mary Quant's mini-skirt, the beatles, "Laugh-In," and second british Invasion.

"SHOUt!" runs at the Ocean City m usic pier on Oct. 11, 12, 18, and 19 at 7:00 p.m., with matinees on Oct. 13 and 20 at 2:00 p.m. tickets are

George and David Lowenstein and is presented through a special arrangement with m usic t heatre International (mtI).

With its irresistible blend of hip-swiveling hits, eye-popping fashions, and psychedelic dances from the 60's, this fun-filled musical will make you want to throw your head back and SHOUt!

OThe other Margate: our neighbors across the pond

ur m argate sits close to Atlantic City and is known for its beaches, beautiful homes, art scene, and of course, Lucy the elephant. However, this quaint town was named after m argate, england, which is also a beach town. What makes this town unique from its namesake? Here’s the scoop on our neighbors across the pond.

m argate is a seaside town in the region of Kent, which is located on the southeastern tip of Great b ritain. Similarly, m argate became a popular destination in the 19th century, thanks to the invention of the steam engine. m argate in england has an amusement park (Dreamland), making them a popular destination for families. Our m argate is a popular vacation spot for people from philadelphia, while the other m argate draws crowds from London.

South Jersey has fairly temperate weather, similar to our b ritish friends. m argate in england receives more rain generally than our town

but is considered one of the drier areas in england. b oth cities receive a lot of sunshine, perfect for the beach. b oth have similarly-sized populations.

m argate in england has been a seaside tourist attraction for 250 years, and they have offered amusement rides since the early 20th century. t hey have two classi cal theatres, hosting Shakespeare productions as well Samuel b eckett’s political productions. t hey have an Arnold p almer miniature golf course, which was illegally converted to a skate park, but closed recently due to safety concerns. t hey host an annual jazz festival in June and an automobile

festival every September.

Our b ritish namesake has been referenced in a t.S. e liot poem (“Oh m argate sands, I can connect, Nothing with nothing”), and in a Chas & Dave song. It has a 16th century tudor house that’s protected by the m argate historical society.

It’s been featured in the p eaky b linders series. It’s also home to a minor league soccer (or b ritish football) team. m ost importantly, it has miles of beach for vacationers to enjoy.

So what makes our m argate special? t here are great restaurants, bayside attractions (like charter fishing boats), and miles and miles of glorious beaches. t he town is only a few miles away from casinos and the Ocean City boardwalk. t he city hosts an annual Fall Funfest by the bay and a competitive cornhole event. t here are aquaparks, spas, surf shops, a Jewish Community Center, boutiques, and fantastic restaurants.

We salute you, m argate of england, but I’m pretty sure New Jersey has the better m argate. Lucy the elephant would agree.

MudGirls Studios debuts

MudGirls Studios – a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women through ceramics arts – will be hosting its third annual fundraising celebration, “ the Artful table,” on thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 in Atlantic City’s historic Dante Hall.

“ the Artful table” is a cocktail reception where guests can meet the artists, mingle, and view new one-ofa-kind m udGirls ceramic pieces. Appetizers will be provided by Atlantic City’s legendary Knife and Fork Inn. the event will also feature a soulful

performance by the behn Gillece trio with b ehn Gillece, Chris Simonini & b ob Shomo. All proceeds will support a new studio space, a growing workforce, studio operations and the purchase of clayworks materials.

much as a church’s warm embrace of those seeking support, m udGirls Studios does the same – offers to

those who need it most a seat at the table. Sitting around a table and creating art is a double blessing. A tableside seat in an art studio gives an at-risk woman a safe and contemplative space in which to work, where she communes with others and gathers the sustenance she needs. that table is a symbol of togetherness, and a celebration of human connection. m aking the m udGirls unique clayworks, which now adorn Atlantic City buildings and private homes, gives value to each individual woman’s life. this event would not be possible if not for our generous sponsors including our event sponsor, the Atlantic City Development Corporation and the event host, Stockton University.

We invite the community to be a part of this special event. tickets are $100 and can be purchased via eventbrite at bit.ly/theartfultable. Sponsorship opportunities can be found at www.mudgirlsstudios. org.

MudGirls Studios

mudGirls Studios is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that empowers disadvantaged women through training and employment. m udGirls Studios helps women transition onto a pathway towards self-sufficiency and out of poverty. We use clay as the vehicle to change lives through the creation and sales of functional art and aesthetic utilitarian objects. these women gain a source of long-term supplemental income along the way. Learn more at https://www.mudgirlsstudios.org/.

ISix recipes to take from farmers market to table

t’s finally September, so many local farm markets are getting smaller or even closing for the winter. Utilize this awesome community resource while it lasts, and serve up the freshest food. Here are six recipes you can make that include ingredients fresh and available this time of year:

1. Homemade Marinara Sauce making homemade pasta sauce will spice up your dinner. You can create a rich, citrusy flavor at home, in your kitchen. All it takes is a couple of hours, and lots of tomatoes.

Ingredients:

● 12 medium to large tomatoes

● 7 cloves of garlic, diced

● Handfuls of fresh basil, parsley and oregano

● A dash of salt

● A dash of pepper

● ½ cup of lemon juice

● A dash of red pepper flakes

● 1 tsp of olive oil

● ½ cup of dry white wine

Chop tomatoes in large, thick

chunks and strain them to remove seeds.

In a large pot, pour olive oil inside and turn on medium heat. Once the oil warms, add diced garlic.

Once the garlic has browned, add white wine. Let it reduce for five minutes.

Add tomatoes, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for three hours.

Once the sauce has become thick and smells savory, add herbs. Stir and turn off heat. Serve over cooked pasta or on a meatball hoagie.

2. Goat Cheese Peppers this fresh take on stuffed peppers makes for the perfect appetizer. It’s spicy and creamy and fresh. And it only takes 30 minutes to make!

Ingredients:

● 12 ounces of goat cheese

● 10 poblano or jalapeno peppers

● Salt and pepper to taste

Clean peppers thoroughly. Cut them in half vertically and remove seeds. place on a non-stick sheet pan.

Scoop goat cheese into pepper halves. Add salt and pepper. place in a

375-degree oven for 20 minutes. Allow cool and serve. enjoy!

3. Lemon Blueberry Cake

t his sweet treat serves up tart tastes. It’s moist and buttery and covered in buttercream frosting.

Ingredients:

● 3 cups of all-purpose flour

● 1 cup of granulated sugar

● 1 tsp of baking powder

● 1 tsp of salt

● 2 eggs

● ½ cup of canola oil

● 3 tbsp of butter, softened

● Zest of three lemons

● ½ cup of lemon juice

● ¾ cup of blueberries

For Frosting:

● 1 small container of cream cheese

● ½ cup of powdered sugar

● ½ cup of granulated sugar

● 2 tsp of vanilla extract

In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt.

In a stand mixer, combine on medium speed eggs, sugar, butter, lemon juice, and oil. Slowly add dry ingredients into the wet mix.

Stir in zest and blueberries and pour in a nonstick cake pan. b ake at 400 degrees for 35 minutes.

While the cake is in the oven, in a stand mixer, combine powdered sugar, cream cheese, vanilla extract, and granulated sugar on medium speed until the frosting is thick. remove cake from the oven after

Continued on 78

SEASONS ARE CHANGING IS YOUR SYSTEM READY?

Kitchen, Bathroom

Renovations

TRUSTED SINCE 1949

35 minutes. Allow to cool in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. Once cooled, frost cake and serve.

4. Farm-Fresh Buddha Bowl

Looking for an easier way to sneak in some veggies? Combine a grain, some protein and veggies to create a satisfying meal everyone can love.

Ingredients:

● protein of choice (shrimp, chicken, or chickpeas work great)

● Grain of choice (quinoa, rice, or noodles)

● Veggies of choice (roasted carrots, radish, microgreens, cucumber)

● Spices of choice (paprika, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, soy sauce)

In a saute pan, sear protein of choice. If you are going for beans, rinse them well, hydrate them (if needed), and cook in a saucepan over medium heat for 10 minutes.

On a sheet pan, cut and roast veggies for 30-50 minutes depending on the density of the vegetable. Add salt for extra flavor!

Use the cooktop to make grain of choice. If you are deciding on rice, quinoa or noodles, cook over medium heat in a pot full of salty water. Cook as directed on the box.

In a serving bowl, add cooked grain, veggies, and protein. Cover in spices and flavorings (such as lemon juice, hot sauce, or crispy onions). eat and enjoy!

5. Oatmeal with Farm Favorites this breakfast classic goes great with almost anything. So scour your market and pick up some great addons to this starchy meal.

Ingredients:

● ½ cup of steel-cut oats

● ½ cup of milk of choice

● Add-ons of your choice (nut butter, bananas, diced apple, cinnamon) In a saucepan over medium heat, add oats and milk. Stir until thick and creamy. pour mixture in a serving bowl. Add additional ingredients for flavor and enjoy this warm and comforting dish.

6. Frozen Lemonade b eat the summer heat with this refreshing drink. Add unique flavors to make your mix stand out.

Ingredients:

● 12 lemons, juiced

● 2 cups of water

● 2 cups of ice

● 1 cup of sugar

● Add-ons of choice (ginger, raspberries, strawberries, orange zest) Juice lemons and pour into a pitcher. Combine with water and sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved.

Add additional ingredients and stir. pour mixture into a blender with ice. blend until thick and frosty. enjoy with a fun garnish like a lemon wheel, lime rind, or inside a watermelon!

Moving tips for first-time homebuyers

If you thought that moving into your 900-square-foot apartment was tough, moving into your first home can be a real challenge. It is an exciting time; however, sometimes it is hard to make the transition into your first home, knowing what items should be replaced and what needs to be purchased to fill a larger space.

Keep these moving tips for firsttime homebuyers in mind for a smooth transition:

Do not be afraid to ask for help

Chances are, as a first-time buyer, you don’t have an overabundance of items to pack up. Unless you have been renting for over a decade, it is best to think minimally when moving into a home for the first time. How-

ever, the prospect of packing up (especially if it is just you) can feel pretty intimidating. Consider hiring professionals if it becomes too overwhelming. t here are plenty of reasonable businesses out there, plus you may be able to secure a deal if your possessions fall under a certain space limit.

Map it out

Whether you consider yourself a planner or not, moving is one thing that you can’t do on the fly and hope for the best – you need to plan. You can start by taking a picture of each room in your current space to remember how you have items organized. You won’t be able to replicate every area in your new home (nor would you likely want to), but this can help you keep track of what fits together and where. It is also a good idea to look at the floor plan of your new home and to map out where the biggest items will go so you know exactly where to put them on move-in day.

Start with the biggest projects

You can’t fit a square peg into a round hole, and the same goes for the moving process. If you fill every room with all of your smaller items before moving the big stuff, you will end up running out of space quickly. Sofas, lounge chairs, large appliances, and the like should be moved first before the rest of the decorating process begins. You will have plenty of time to add the finishing touch. Get the most important items down first.

PROTECT VULNERABLE ADULTS

Give yourself time think you can move in one day? think again. the thought of spending weeks of your life in limbo between your old space and your new space sounds pretty miserable compared to trying to cram weeks’ worth of moving into 24 hours. If you feel rushed, you are bound to make mistakes or forget something essential. taking your time is a much more realistic approach to having a successful transition.

Also, feel free to reach out and ask about how you may qualify for up to $17,000 in New Jersey State First-t ime Homebuyer Assistance to purchase your new home.

It’s September, with the children back to school and the scent of pumpkin spice in the air. be safe and enjoy.

For More Real Estate Questions, Information and Advice Contact Elisa Jo Eagan "The Real Estate Godmother" (609)703-0432 and Remember..."There's No Place Like Owning Your Own Home!"

Real Estate Matters

V

SHORE FUNNY

SUDOKU

Solution on page 86

THEME: FOOTBALL

ACROSS

1. Hunk

5. Cough syrup amt.

8. "Scene one, ____ one"

12. Grand theft target

13. broflovski of "South park"

14. polished surface of gem

15. Simpleton

16. A in A = b x h

17. tarzan's swing rope

18. *Dream football destination

20. medley

21. Olden-day Celts

22. *mo. of NFL preseason games

23. Confine a river

26. Khufu's resting place

30. tsu

31. First little piggy

34. List of chores

35. *First black head coach to win Super bowl

37. Computer network acronym

38. rank

39. "... happily ____ after"

40. *team conference

42. Dress like Ancient Greeks

43. What's left

45. *NFL teams play at least 8 games here

47. Slow-witted

48. Like Cinderella's ball gown

50. blade in Litchfield

52. *Worth 6

56. "madama butterfly," e.g.

57. mythological hominid

58. Annette Castellano on "the mindy project"

59. evil one

60. ____ gum on a list of ingredients

61. pains

62. Site of original sin

63. Operations

64. Fountain order

DOWN

1. Cul de ____, pl.

2. Lululemon on NASDAQ

3. At the apex

4. Hispanic grocery and wine shop

5. Innsbruck's province

6. Lots and lots

7. Sound of thunder

8. *What fans do before the game

9. ____ bowl, brazilian dish

10. bingo-like game

11. 7th letter of Greek alphabet

13. Japanese theater

14. miller's product

19. Went past

22. Sailor's "yes"

23. Village V.I.p

24. Shade of violet

25. Fox crime drama, 2005-2017

26. "On Golden ____," movie

27. *"Go pack Go" to Green bay packers?

28. "pulling my leg," e.g.

29. evade a ball

32. It binds

33. Little bit

36. *playing field

38. "bring back!" to Fido

40. refrigerator sound

41. Jousting match participant

44. parlor piece

46. monster with nine heads, pl.

48. Get overcast

49. Saintly glows

50. Hightailed it

51. blood component

52. pizza for home, e.g.

53. *Home to bengals

54. Join by heating

55. U.S. space agency

56. Schiller's poem

See Solution on Page 86

The Cosmic Connection

Astrology, by definition, is the study of time and light. One’s personal horoscope, also known as a birth chart 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 and characteristics. It 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

Weekly horoscopes

here in 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 Sept. 5 – 11

♈ Aries: How have your closest relationships changed over the last year? there’s grace in allowing the release of people who disturb your peace. Let go with gratitude for the lessons you’ve learned about yourself.

♉ Taurus: Having balance in your daily life is of the utmost importance to your work, physical health and mental health. Disconnect from that which disrupts your equilibrium.

♊ Gemini: Do you value joy? Consideration of this has likely been a theme in your life for a while. It’s a good time to actively focus on increasing your overall happiness.

♋ Cancer: the balance of work and home/family has been in your awareness for over a year. It’s a good time to direct attention to creating a more nurturing and harmonious household.

♌ Leo: Life has been quite adventurous since last summer! What more can you do to realize the fullest potential of all you have learned and how much you have grown?

♍ Virgo: What are you still allowing in your space that doesn’t make you feel good? be honest with yourself. remove belongings, resources and anything else that takes your time away from feeling fulfilled and confident.

♎ Libra: the path to becoming the best, healthiest, most spec-

tacular version of you has been an ongoing journey. the final push in releasing anything no longer serving this journey is here.

♏ Scorpio: r emember that everything is energy. Disruption of your peace can come from things unseen such as the emotions of others. protection of your energy and reinforcement of boundaries are oftentimes necessary daily practices.

↘Continued on 86

SHORE PRO MARKETPLACE

♐ Sagittarius: Following your dreams and passions is a usual course of action. Sometimes though, it’s necessary to let go of something holding you back. plans and intentions for the future require a fair and diplomatic approach.

main theme of active participation in releasing what disturbs our peace. this theme has been prevalent since July 2023, and the final phase is upon us. the cosmic connection for everyone individually and collectively is to be truthful about the value placed on having harmony, balance and fair-

♑ Capricorn: t he end of an 18-month chapter is coming near. this chapter in your story involves your work/career and your roots. If there are any changes that still need to be made, take action sooner rather than later.

♒ Aquarius: How has your perspective changed over the last year? Sometimes focusing more closely on one’s immediate surroundings can foster the most cosmopolitan point of view.

ness in life. that also means being OK with letting go of the relationship to whatever or whoever takes that away from us. 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 info/tutorial video on our Sea Goddess Healing Arts Youtube channel, or cast your own birth chart for free on astro.com. ↘Continued from 84

♓ Pisces: Despite one’s best efforts, sometimes the best path forward for oneself is through breaking promises and/or canceling contracts. Compassion, fairness and equality in negotiations can foster the best results for all parties involved.

Weekly summary: this week’s energies will have a

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

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