SHORE LOCAL | Coastal | September 26, 2024

The power of connections and community

From the Editor

I’ve come to learn that the more people I meet, the richer my life becomes. It’s through these connections that we grow as individuals and as a community.

ted talk Vulnerability e xpert brene brown said, “Connection is why we're here. We are hardwired to connect with others, it's what gives purpose and meaning to our lives, and without it there is suffering.” recently, I was reminded of the value of these connections. As it gets darker earlier, I find myself getting cozy on the couch, and when friends reach out, I admittedly don’t answer their texts quickly. It’s all too easy to isolate when seasons change, but human connection is a crucial part of not only surviving, but thriving. A couple of weeks ago, I found

myself alone for the first time in years. m y daughters and bob attended a concert in the philly area and were staying overnight. How would I spend my night to myself? At first, it was daunting. In the end, I flipped to our very own Wahoo events page and browsed

day, we’re reminded that the good far outweighs the bad. It’s these moments and these people that inspire the stories you read in this magazine.

We are deeply thankful for the connections we’ve made within the community and remain committed to fostering even more. Our dedicated columnists work hard to reflect the dynamic, vibrant nature of our area, bringing you stories and information that matter.

for concerts or community activities. With a quick phone call, I found myself beside friends at a local restaurant, chatting about business down the shore and upcoming festivals. We even ran into more acquaintances on the way out!

O 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

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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, Bill Quain, Chuck Darrow, Bruce Klauber, Lisa Zaslow-Segelman, Julia Train, Ursula Duffy, John Loreaux, Marjorie Preston, Tynan Hand

Cover photo by Thomas E. Briglia /The Phillies

I’m thankful for my South Jersey community and everyone who makes it up. Our unique traditions, like the Creek Festival, Ocean City b lock party, m argate’s Funfest, and all the fall festivals, bind us together. this sense of community is something we at Shore Local hold close to our hearts. Our area is full of incredible individuals—kind, unique, talented, and endlessly giving. Despite the negativity that often dominates the headlines, the reality of life here is filled with positivity, generosity, and connection. every

As always, we value your feedback. Your thoughts and suggestions help us to continue improving and growing. please let us know what you think and what you’d like to see in future issues. You can reach us at shorelocalnews@gmail.com. Don’t forget, you can also flip through the pages of Shore Local online at Shorelocalnews.com, or check us out on Facebook, Instagram, and twitter for daily updates on local events and happenings. thank you for being part of this wonderful community.

Peace & Love, Cindy

There are plenty of upcoming events in the community where people can connect, like Margate Fall Funfest.

Photo credit: Tom Briglia

The best places to connect are community events. Photo credit: Margate Business Association Facebook

Look for early fall foliage this autumn

By Meteorologist Joe Martucci

Mark your calendars earlier than usual to explore peak fall foliage across the southern half of the state, according to an interview I did with the New Jersey Forest Service. the combination of a dry spring and a record to near record rain-free September has and will play a major role in leaf peeping this season.

If you’re like me, you’ve probably seen a handful of trees turn into their oranges and reds already in the early to mid-part of the month. Fall foliage is a season that goes on for months. However, seeing this much color this early is unusual. It’s a sign of low soil moisture, preventing the roots to transport nutrients to the leaves.

And after our rain-bust last week – where the tropical moisture did not bring precipitation as planned – expanding drought will be the key role

for the fall foliage season in the southern half of the state.

The perfect NJ fall foliage weather ingredients?

From the time the first green leaves sprout on the branches to when the last, crinkly brown leaf on the tree falls to the ground, there are four distinct ingredients that will bring the perfect fall foliage (note, we can group them into three ingredients, too, but I won’t for this story).

From April to June, you want precipitation to be above average. this gives the trees plenty of nutrients to provide for its growing foliage.

then, during climatological summer, from June to August, you’re looking for no extremes. No extreme heat and no extreme cool downs, either. If there is, the trees become stressed out.

Once Locals’ Summer begins in September, to the time of peak leaf change, you’re looking for sunny days and cool nights to allow those vibrant fall hues to develop.

Once we reach peak foliage, you’re simply looking for no heavy precipita-

tion or wind so the leaves won’t get ripped off the trees so early, and you have time to enjoy them.

the 1991-2020 peak fall foliage for inland South Jersey is late October, according to the mete-orologist led explorefall.com website. the Jersey Shore, as well as lower Cape m ay County, is early November.

For this story, we’ll use data for inland South Jersey, rather than the shore. While there are some beautiful fall sights at the beaches, the dense forests and majority of the trees are inland.

How wet was our growing season?

City International Airport, according to the National Weather Service. Another three had at least 50% sunshine.

the nights have generally been cool. We’ll wind up with more than half of September with a low temperature in the 40s or 50s.

However, the lack of rain has overpowered this positive mark. Adding up rainfall at the time of this writing, with forecasts through the week of Sept. 23, month-to-date precipitation should still be more than 75% below average for many.

Can we expect no big storms during leaf drop?

the Climate prediction Center has given the region a slight lean toward a wetter than average October. However, that could be a group of modest rains, with light winds. It could also be one or two severe storms with strong winds that rip the leaves off the trees.

In other words, it’s too early to tell. 2024 Fall Foliage Outlook, in detail

April through June was on the drier side. Inland South Jersey averaged 9.17 inches of precipitation during this time according to the Office of the New Jersey State Climatologist at rutgers University. the climatological mean is 11.32 inches.

In other words, it was roughly 20% below average.

So, it wasn’t the best start to the season.

How moderate was our summer?

Consider this part a small victory if you’re looking for vibrant fall foliage this autumn. the New Jersey Forest Service noted that there wasn’t much extreme heat this summer.

However, there was one stretch of notably cool weather. the third week of August, from Aug. 20 – 23 felt more like late September than late August.

m orning lows were between 50 and 55 degrees inland, with 40s in pine barrens towns like estell manor, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Highs were in the 70s, or low 80s at best. this is all below average.

that is what sparked the earlier than usual change in leaf color. However, what happened afterward only impacted the process more.

Has September had sunny days and cool nights?

the sun’s been shining all month long.

As of Sept. 19, 10 of the 19 days were classified as sunny at Atlantic

Adding up all of our ingredients, expect earlier and duller fall foliage this year. peak fall foliage should arrive in the second or third week of October for inland South Jersey. t hat’s about two weeks ahead of schedule.

b eing drier in the spring is okay as long as summer and fall can make up for it. While summer was wetter, September’s extremely dry weather is just too much for a full recovery to truly vibrant colors.

Furthermore, that autumnal third week of August accelerated the process of the fall foliage. m eaning, we needed that water and rain to come early in the month.

that being said, there will still be the oranges and reds. there will still be the crisp autumn air and there will still be wonderful leaf peeping spots like bass river State Forest, batsto and belleplain State Forest.

I say take a few hours and enjoy the sights. better to take in muted fall hues now than barren, brown trees later.

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

TEDx event at Atlantic Cape showcases Project Monarch’s butterfly-tracking initiative

By Julia Train

On thursday, Sept. 19, Atlantic Cape Community College hosted Sean burcher of project m onarch at its Cape m ay campus. the filmed event was the first of teDxCapemay Salon’s 13th season, titled “New Horizons.”

b urcher, who works for Cellular tracking technologies and the Cape may point Science Center, is working to track monarch butterflies – an endangered species. He has tracked birds, penguins, elephants, seals and sharks, in addition to monarchs.

He started his presentation with “a little monarch biology lesson,” discussing the creature’s annual migration cycle, which b urcher said starts during the spring and summer in m exico and then the butterflies migrate north to end their journey in m exico.

“ throughout the spring and summer months, these monarchs will live, mate, die and the cycle repeats. they live as an adult for about three to five weeks and you get about four

generations through the spring and summer,” explained burcher.

b urcher spent the rest of the 30-minute presentation discussing project m onarch, a high-tech community science effort to track the movements of monarch butterflies along their migration.

the project, which is a collaboration between the Cape may point Science Center and Cellular tracking technologies, focuses on capturing monarchs and attaching tracking devices to them that are the size of a grain of rice.

b urcher said the trackers don’t affect the butterflies’ natural ability to fly. t hey’re attached with fake eyelash glue and are so small that sometimes even he, someone who knows what he’s looking for, cannot see them on the butterflies. burcher said the longest time they’ve tracked a butterfly was 21 days.

the devices are transmitted over the same frequency as b luetooth, which allows cell phones to detect the tagged monarchs.

With the help of community members, the project has the potential

to create the world’s largest wildlife tracking network. All users need to do to help is go outside, look for monarch butterflies and use the app. t he app is set up like a game, similar to pokémon GO. While it’s open in the foreground, it can pick up the signal of any butterfly with a tracker on it and log it in the project’s database.

According to project m onarch’s website, “ t his data will allow scientists to track the movements of monarch butterflies in detail never previously imagined. We will see

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how monarchs utilize key stopping points along migratory routes and learn more about the speed and direction of migration, helping identify the most important sites for habitat conservation and restoration. Ultimately, this technology can help guide conservation planning and lead to increases in monarch populations.”

In order to be chosen for the spot at the teDx event, there was an application and audition process. Among many applicants, b urcher was chosen.

“He worked for the Cape m ay point Science Center so he was a natural fit for this,” said Krista m cConnell, director of campus and community outreach. “ teD likes to feature speakers that have ideas worth spreading and we thought this was very unique to Cape may County and certainly an idea worth spreading.” this event preempted the main teDx event, which will also be filmed, on Oct. 6 at Cape may Convention Hall. the event will feature nine presentations and go from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

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By Julia Train

Local boy welcomed home after 5 months in hospital

A3-year-old boy from Seaville is home after spending five months being treated at Children’s Hospital of philadelphia (CHO p).

Dylan Vanderhaeghen was hospitalized on April 13 after suffering severe, life-threatening injuries when he was struck by a riding mower.

After the accident, Dylan was airlifted to the closest trauma center and later transferred to CHOp, where he stayed in the pediatric Intensive Care Unit (pICU) with polytrauma to the lower half of his body.

Dylan’s aunt, Ginger beren, created a GoFundm e page for her nephew and his parents, Christine Lynch and ben Vanderhaeghen, on April 17.

On the page, beren wrote, “Dylan is an uplifting presence who spreads joy to those around him. He just celebrated his third birthday and is a sweet, silly, strong little boy, with boundless energy and a contagious smile.”

Since he arrived at CHO p, Dylan has undergone over 17 surgeries and Lynch has posted several updates.

throughout his time in the hospital, Dylan received words of support and wishes for him to get better soon.

“Dylan deserves a chance to live his best life. And I declare that He will in the mighty name of Yeshua. He will live to be mighty and strong in the earth and no one or nothing will stop him,” wrote roshay Wilson. “ may His light shine upon you, filling your hearts with hope, strength, and unwavering love. prayers up! Love and blessings.”

Heidi ray wrote, “Your family remains in my thoughts and prayers.”

On Sept. 14, Lynch wrote an update along with a family photo of her, ben, Dylan and Dylan’s sister.

“Dylan is finally home and it’s been 5 long months since his acci -

dent. the support you all showed, and continue to show, was not only helpful to secure his care financially but heartwarming,” she said. “It lifted our spirits and showed us there was light during our darkest times.”

Upon his arrival, Dylan was greeted by marmora and Seaville rescue Squads.

While he is home from the hos -

pital, his mother said his journey to recovery is far from over.

Dylan is left with a permanent disability and now wears a new prosthetic that’s “highly unique and specialized.”

It’s a modified boot lift that consists of a foot holder for his actual foot, then a bar going down to achieve equal length to his right leg, and then a prosthetic foot below that where a sneaker can go.

As he grows, more interventions and new prosthetics will be needed to fit.

“He will need many therapies, follow [up] care and a few major surgeries but we are so happy to have gotten past this major milestone,” Lynch wrote in her update. “ please continue to keep him in your thoughts. We are so happy to be home and living together as a family again. the 4 of us are so thankful.”

Dylan’s GoFund m e page can be found at gofundme.com/f/supportdylans-road-to-recovery.

As of Wednesday, Sept. 25, it has raised $56,190 of the $75,000 goal from 521 donors.

NERVE PAIN: CAUSE AND TREATMENTS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024

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Cape May County bridges expected to go cashless in 2025

By Sarah Fertsch Staff Writer

If you’ve driven down either the New Jersey or pennsylvania turnpikes, you’ve encountered the “drive now, pay later” digital payment structure applied to tolls. this usually isn’t a problem because 90% of drivers currently use e-Zpass.

For drivers in South Jersey, you can use e-Zpass to pay the toll to cross the five toll bridges that connect Cape may County’s beach towns along the beautiful Ocean Drive. but for the remaining 10% who still pay with cash and coins, that will change soon.

Starting in 2025, the Cape m ay County b ridge Commission is planning to switch to an all-electronic toll system, meaning cash and coins

will no longer be accepted. Kevin Lare, the commission’s executive director, says they’re aiming for the first quarter of 2025, but haven’t nailed down an exact date yet.

“It’s going to happen. It’s just a question of when,” Lare said. the goal is to roll it out early in the year, so there’s time to fix any issues before the busy summer season kicks in.

the commission operates five bridges along Ocean Drive: Ocean City-Longport, townsend’s Inlet, Corson’s Inlet, middle thorofare, and Grassy Sound.

they introduced e-Zpass on all of them back in 2018 to make life easier for drivers – no more hunting for cash or fishing out coins. At the time, you could still pay with cash or even use discount tickets.

the commission stopped selling those discount tickets in 2018, but they’re still valid if you happen to have any lying around. they used to cost $1.20 – a steal compared to the current $2.50 toll.

Speaking of those discount tickets, Lare said the commission will

put together a plan to buy back any remaining tickets once the all-electronic system is in place. they don’t know exactly how many tickets are still out there, but it’s not a lot. “We get so few of them anymore,” Lare said.

the move to a cashless system follows a larger trend in the region. the Atlantic City expressway is also going cashless in 2025, aiming for a m emorial Day weekend start, and the Garden State parkway and New Jersey turnpike are thinking about it, too, although they haven’t set any dates.

For those already using e-Zpass, nothing will change. If you’re not using it, no worries; you’ll just get a bill in the mail. When your car crosses the bridge, the e-Zpass cameras will snap a photo of your license plate, and an invoice will be sent to the registered owner.

Lare made it clear they want to make this process as painless as possible. Drivers will have 30 days to pay the toll, but there will be a small administrative fee if you’re late.

Currently, there's a $50 fee for unpaid tolls in New Jersey, but hopefully, you won’t let it come to that.

As for the toll rates, it’s still $2.50 to cross the bridges. In 2022, the commission approved a three-phase toll hike to help maintain its aging bridges – most of them were built in the 1930s and 1940s.

t hey’ve already raised the toll by 50 cents in both 2022 and 2023. there was supposed to be another 50-cent hike in 2024, but they held off to encourage tourism. Whether they’ll raise it in 2025 is still undecided.

In 2023, the five bridges saw nearly 2.1 million vehicles and generated $4.9 million in toll revenue. Once the cashless system is in place, there will no longer be a need for the 35 part-time toll collectors who currently staff the bridges. Lare said they will do their best to redeploy as many of them as possible as bridge tenders – the folks who operate the drawbridges for boat traffic.

Four of the five bridges: townsend’s Inlet, Corson’s Inlet, Grassy Sound, and middle thorofare – are old-school drawbridges, which still need to open for boats. Lare pointed out that bridge tenders are required 24/7 by U.S. Coast Guard regulations to keep boat traffic moving smoothly.

So, if you’re one of the few still using cash or those old discount tickets, now’s the time to switch over to e-Zpass before the big change hits.

In praise of piers for fishing and amusement

By Bruce Klauber

My first visit to Atlantic City, so I’m told, was in 1956. I was 4 years old. Our family stayed at the then grand traymore Hotel, but there was a purpose to the visit other than a vacation.

It seems I had an appetite issue, and the pediatrician’s advice was, “ take the kid to Atlantic City. the salt air will make him eat.”

In retrospect, I always wondered why the doctor specified Atlantic City rather than Wildwood, Cape may or Ocean City. No matter. After my first whiff of boardwalk food like taylor pork roll, corn on the cob, hot dogs and hamburgers, and whatever m r. peanut was serving up, there were no more issues with my appetite. And I’m not too proud to say that many of those food items remain staples of

my diet today.

I also became mesmerized by the lights and the honky-tonk of the amusement piers, and the amusement rides on the piers. In retrospect, million Dollar and Steeplechase piers were not really great amusement piers. Steel pier had no rides per se other than the diving bell, but to a 4-year-old kid in 1956, it was enough to drive me crazy.

I don’t know how my parents put up with my incessant nagging about going to ride the kiddie cars at million Dollar pier. And on top of it, being an impressionable youth, I became convinced that anything that looked like a pier in and around Atlantic City had to have rides.

Some years later, much to my disappointment, I learned that Central pier and Garden pier, written about in some detail in a previous Shore Local article, had no rides whatso -

ever. However, over the years, in my constant quest to discover new and exciting structures that were jutting out into the sea, I became aware of three very special ones. these piers have no rides and no honky-tonk. Ventnor p ier, m argate p ier and Longport pier offer something else, and that something else is one of the major tourist attractions in Atlantic City and surrounding areas: Fishing.

A relatively small Ventnor fishing pier was first built 1914. After a few years, a larger pier was built, but that was destroyed by an August 1940 fire. A third structure was destroyed by a march 1963 nor’easter. What stands now is 1,000 feet long and is said to be the longest ocean fishing pier in the state. It was renovated in 2007 at a cost of $3.2 million, and a snack bar was added in the last year or two. As many visitors to the pier know, it is free and open to the public, but only to a certain point on the pier. those interested in fishing can pay a daily or annual rate.

the margate City municipal Fishing pier was built in 1923 as a private fishing pier by the Angler’s Club of Absecon Island. It stood for 21 years until a hurricane destroyed part of the pier and the margate boardwalk. Yes, margate used to have a boardwalk. Another storm caused some damage in the mid-1960s and a 1989 fire destroyed the pier’s end. It was never the same length after that. there were no issues until 2008 when work had to be done on the pilings and other supportive hardware under the pier. In October of 2012, Hurricane Sandy came along and caused more damage. m ore repairs were done as existing pilings had to be replaced and new ones added.

It’s important to note that through the years, all of this was paid for by the Angler’s Club. there were more challenges in 2017, in the form of a state dunes and beach reclamation project, mandated to protect the shoreline. the bottom line was that to get the water levels back to where they were before the reclamation project, the Angler’s Club and the state worked together to extend the pier an additional 125 feet.

m ost recently, the club came up with funds to extend the pier by 175 feet. And so it stands today.

those in Atlantic City might not be aware that the Ocean City-Longport fishing pier was created from the remnants of the original 1946 Ocean City-Longport b ridge when it was replaced in 2002. While the views are breathtaking, maintaining the structure has been challenging at times. Wood railings that run the length of the pier had to be replaced and general maintenance – from cleaning to repairing benches sanitation – has been an issue.

t he Cape m ay County b ridge Commission has been in charge of keeping the pier in tip-top shape through the years, and the commission has done a stellar job.

For the record, there are two other piers in Ocean City: the “ beer pier” on the north side of the Ninth Street Causeway, and the Ninth Street b ridge piers that exist midway over the causeway.

Unless a risk-taking and wealthy entrepreneur decides to build a pier filled with amusement rides in Atlantic City, there will likely be no more m illion Dollar or Steeplechase piers in the area. there will, however, be plenty of great fishing!

Lawmakers debate automatic tickets for drivers who blow by stopped school buses

By Nikita Biryukov

Lawmakers have proposed a system to automate tickets for drivers who pass school buses as they slow and stop to drop off passengers, saying changes must be made to protect children from careless motorists.

t he plan is reminiscent of New Jersey’s doomed push for red-light cameras more than a decade ago, but the legislation’s proponents say allowing automated ticketing would help improve roadway safety and educate drivers on traffic laws that require they stop when school buses activate flashing red lights and children begin to disembark.

“ this bill is very important to the safety of our children. We’ve seen so many numerous instances back and forth over the years of accidents happening because of irrational drivers just blowing past a stop sign when children are getting on the bus,” Assemblyman Sterling Stanley (D- middlesex) said during a legislative hearing thursday.

the proposal would allow towns

to install outboard cameras on school buses, whether on their own or in partnership with a vendor, that would automatically record drivers who pass a bus as children are embarking or disembarking and, upon approval from law enforcement, fine them $250. Unlike manually flagged violations, the automated violations would add no car insurance points.

We all sort of need to do a readjustment to our traffic patterns and remember that the school buses are on the roads.

– Assemblywoman p amela Lampitt

Sen. Declan O’Scanlon (r- m onmouth), a longtime opponent of redlight cameras, warned the bill would lead to a slew of faulty tickets issued to well-meaning drivers.

“We’ve all been in that dilemma zone when you’re right near a bus as it’s stopping. the yellow lights are flashing. Do I stop? Is he almost going to go by me? What do I do?” he said. “You proceed with caution. that’s

“It was in name only. they would review, and the cop spent like a fraction of a second on each one,” O’Scanlon said. “Any time there was a way to generate money, the ticket was issued, and they would leave it up to the motorist to have to come into court, which no one would do.”

perfectly reasonable, and if you’re passing a school bus in a situation like that where now you wouldn’t get a ticket because it’s reasonable, you would get a ticket under this system.”

New Jersey law requires motorists on either side of an undivided roadway to stop at least 25 feet from school buses that are dropping off or picking up children. Drivers on the opposite side of a divided roadway are permitted to continue moving but must proceed at no more than 10 miles per hour until the bus starts rolling.

Under existing law, bus drivers record violations at their discretion using onboard cameras and forward them to law enforcement. First-time violators can face fines of at least $100, up to 15 days jail time, the same amount of community service, and five car insurance points. On a second offense, the fines increase to $250.

t he bill, which cleared the Assembly education Committee in a unanimous bipartisan vote thursday, would raise penalties for manually enforced violations to $250 on the first offense, $500 on the second, and remove the possibility of jail time for an initial breach.

the school bus monitoring proposal in some ways resembles an ill-fated 2008 pilot program that installed red-light cameras at intersections in some New Jersey towns. the program was plagued with problems. m isalignments between traffic light timings and the cameras resulted in false positives and lawsuits that extended partial refunds to hundreds of thousands of motorists before the program shuttered in 2014.

Detractors argued tickets issued under the program did more to fill municipal coffers than it did to improve public safety, adding law enforcement was incentivized to approve citations where no actual violation occurred.

Dale Florio, a lobbyist for b us patrol, which operates school bus monitoring systems, said those incentives would be less present under the school bus plan, noting districts could install the cameras without an outside vendor or sever compensation to vendors from fines issued.

“ t hey can set up some sort of revenue sharing program or, increasingly, we’re seeing where the district/ municipality would pay just a monthly subscription fee, so it’s not based on whatever amount of fines that have been levied,” he told the New Jersey m onitor.

the Department of transportation in a 2013 report said select types of traffic collisions decreased at intersections with red light cameras but warned the data was too limited to draw conclusions on the cameras’ effectiveness as a traffic safety tool. Crashes that kill children getting off a school bus are rare. In a report published earlier this year, the National Highway traffic Safety Administration reported 76 pedestrians aged 18 and younger were killed in vehicular crashes nationwide between 2013 and 2022.

Of those, 39 were killed by a school bus or other vehicle used for school transportation. the agency’s definition of pedestrian includes any person on foot, meaning those fatality statistics include school-aged children who were not departing a bus when they were killed.

but motorists frequently pass by stopped school buses. A stop-arm camera pilot program that ran between Sept. 25 and Nov. 20 of last year in Woodbridge found that, on average, 17.5 cars drove past a stopped school bus each weekday.

“I think this is outside the realm of a red-light camera,” said Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia (r-Sussex). “I think this is very different. I truly believe that there are New Jersey drivers who are ignorant to the fact that they have to keep an eye out for that arm that comes out that says ‘stop.’”

Events and Happenings

Multiday Events

Margate Fall Funfest by the Bay ▶Saturday, Sept. 28; Sunday, Sept. 29

11 a.m.–5 p.m.

On Amherst from Decatur to Coolidge avenues

Celebrate the beauty of margate’s bay area and promenade at the Fall Funfest. t his free, family-friendly event features more than 100 booths of amusements, mouth-watering food, unique fine arts and crafts, margate retailers, sponsors, nonprofits, margate City municipal departments,

and kids activities, along with live music and a Kid’s Stage, ray Scott’s Dock Wetlands Wonderland, and two days of parades featuring miss New Jersey. Learn more at www.margatehasmore.com.

Scullville Terror in the Junkyard ▶Fridays and Saturdays 7–10 p.m.

Sundays 7–9 p.m.

Flemings Junkyard, 353 Zion road, egg Harbor township

One of South Jersey’s most haunted attractions has returned.

Hayride tickets are $15 each, maze tickets are $10, and combo tickets are

$20 per person. Get a $2 discount for military and first responders. Skip the ticket line and purchase tickets online at www.scullvillefire.org/hayride. For daily updates and weather information, call 609-927-2588 and choose option 3.

The Miracle Worker ▶thursday-Saturday, Sept. 26-28, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 29, 2 p.m.

m argate Community Church, 8900 Ventnor Ave.

passionate and profound, this classic tony Award winning play explores

the courage of Annie Sullivan and her student, Helen Keller, overcoming overwhelming challenges and blossoming into powerful lives. presented by Fool moon theatre Co. tickets are $30; $25 for seniors, and $10 for students. purchase at the door or online at www.foolmoontheatre.org.

Little Shop of Horrors

▶Friday, Sept. 27–Sunday, Oct. 6 Gateway playhouse, 739 bay Ave., Somers point

Described as a deviously delicious broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical, “Little Shop of Horrors” has become one of the most popular shows in the world. Upcoming shows will take place Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. purchase tickets online at www.gatewaybythebay.org.

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 the support of local businesses and vendors in donating new items of warm winter clothing for the 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 foot warmers. those interested in participating may contact Kathy Speer at 609-399-6702 or rebecca at 609-399-6701. please call or drop off donations by Oct. 15.

Friday, September 27

Oktoberfest at Grace Lutheran

▶5–8 p.m.

11 e . Dawes Ave., Somers point enjoy German food and desserts, beer and wine, and non-alcoholic drinks, live music by Not Another Oompah band, 50/50 raffle and lots of fun. tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Kids ages 6-12 are $15 per person, and children under 5 are free to attend. Call 609-927-3082 to reserve your tickets.

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. more information is available at www. historicsmithville.com.

Fall Concert Series at Ocean City Library

▶7 p.m.

Ocean City Free public Library, 1735 Simpson Ave.

Join OCFpL for their free weekly concert series. this week, David Cedeno and his Sextet present Salsa evening. Concerts will be held in the Chris maloney Lecture Hall. enter at the entrance closest to 17th Street. For more information, visit www. oceancitylibrary.org or call 609-3992434.

Saturday, September 28

MS City to Shore Ride

▶8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Fifth St. Ocean City

Over 7,000 cyclists will participate in an event that promises to be the best cycling experience on the east Coast. t he ride is fully supported with rest stops, bike support, and transportation. the ride will begin in Cherry Hill and end at the Ocean City Civic Center. the route will open for returning riders at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday. For more information, visit www.oceancityvacation.com.

Kilwins Ocean City Grand Opening

▶Noon–3 p.m.

eighth St. and Wesley Ave.

Celebrate the grand opening of Kilwins with live entertainment, giveaways, and free treats for the whole family. the ribbon will be cut at noon with visits from Kilwin the m oose, along with face painting and glitter tattoos, music and fun plus prize giveaways every hour.

Northfield Fire Department

100th Anniversary

▶Noon–4 p.m.

1475 burton Ave.

Join the City of Northfield Volunteer Fire Company in celebrating 100 years of service to the community. Apparatus judging with parade to follow the July 4th route of Shore road to mill road, burton Avenue to Station No. 2. m eet at the station for awards, music, food, beer, t-shirts, pint glasses, challenge coins, and much more.

Galloway End of Summer Bash

▶2–8 p.m.

municipal Complex, 300 e . Jimmie Leeds road

Join Galloway township in closing out the summer season with a spectacular event for the entire family. It is the biggest food truck event of the year, with over a dozen of your favorite food trucks in one location. plus, enjoy an on-site car show 2–4 p.m., music from Cheers the band, and a fireworks show at 8 p.m. to end the night with a bang. Visit www. facebook.com/Gallowaytownship for additional information and updates. Funfest After Dark

▶7:30–10 p.m.

Amherst and Washington avenues, margate

↘Continued on 18

enjoy an evening of live music and an exclusive wine and spirits tasting to keep the Fall Funfest excitement alive well into the night. this adults-only affair promises to deliver an evening of delightful entertainment as Steve moore and the m IA band provide their soundtrack to the event, along with adult beverage samplings, delectable finger foods, and non-stop dancing in the street. Learn more and purchase tickets at www.margatehasmore.com.

Sunday, September 29

Steve and Cookie’s

27th Annual Dog Show

▶1 p.m.

Amherst Avenue, Decatur to Coolidge avenues

Join Steve & Cookies for their annual Dog Show. Categories will include prettiest/ m ost Handsome (small and large dog), b est Dressed (small and large dog), m ost Obedient, and m ost talented. registration is $25 per event. proceeds benefit the Humane Society of Ocean City and NJ Aid for Animals. pre-register on site 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. this Sunday or via eventbrite. For questions or more details, visit www. facebook.com/annualdogshow.

Ventnor Community Pasta Dinner

▶1:30–6 p.m.

red room Café, 141 N Dorset Ave,

Join Ventnor’s fourth annual community event, held under the tent at red room Café. enjoy a delicious four-course meal while listening to Italian classics performed by Vic rubino. Dinner will be served at 2 p.m., followed by dessert. bYO b register online at www.facebook.com/ventnorcityspecialevents.

Monday, September 30

We Walk Somers Point

▶8:30 a.m.

DiOrio’s, 10 macArthur blvd.

Open to all residents of Somers point. this active walking club meets weekly to promote health and create opportunities for people to pursue fitness goals while meeting neighbors. Go to www.visitsomerspoint. com and click on the events tab for further information. m eeting locations change weekly.

Tuesday, October 1

Thoughts from the Bookshelf

▶3 p.m.

m argate Library, 8100 Ventnor Ave.

Join J eF Village bookshelf Facilitator pat Goldstein for a book club gathering. this month, the group will discuss the romantic novel, “You Are Here” by David Nicholls. t he book centers on two middle-aged protagonists who unexpectedly find them -

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selves on a long-distance walking trail through the english countryside.

rSVp by Sept. 27 by contacting tina Serota at 609-287-8872 or email tserota@jfsatlantic.org.

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.

Thursday, October 3

The Right Notes

▶7 p.m.

Greate b ay Country Club, 901 mays Landing road, Somers point

Join the 10th anniversary of South Jersey’s largest philanthropic wine tasting featuring more than 100 top-scoring wines from around the world, craft beers and spirits, artisanal food, live music, and amazing auctions to raise funds to end m S forever. Include a touch of orange in your attire. purchase tickets online https://nationalm Ssociety.org/ therightnotes.

Saturday, October 5

Witches Paddle

▶10–11:30 a.m.

100 taylor Ave., Strathmere

Join Stratty paddle Company as they close the season by dressing up as witches and warlocks for a spooky one-hour paddle followed by Halloween treats back at the dock. b ring your own board or rent one on-site. Visit www.strattypaddle.com for more.

A Cause to Celebrate

▶6:30 p.m.

Golden Nugget Atlantic City

Get ready for an unforgettable evening at Shore m edical Center’s largest annual fundraiser. this glamorous masquerade-themed event celebrates Shore and its impact on

our community. t he evening will honor Dr. Leonard Galler with the prestigious Art Ford, III, esq. Award. enjoy an evening of live music, dancing, gourmet food, top-shelf spirits, a silent auction, and more. tickets and information are available at www. shoremedicalcenter.org/a-cause-tocelebrate or contact Jessica at 609653-3986.

Saturday, October 12

ACAA Art in the Park

▶10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Heritage park, mill road and New Jersey Ave., Absecon

Calling all artists and fine crafters: the Absecon Cultural Arts Alliance is presenting its 10th Annual Art in the park in two weeks. this is your opportunity to showcase your paintings, photography, sculpture, pottery, and jewelry in a beautiful outdoor setting. to rSVp, visit www.abseconarts.com. rain date: Sunday, Oct. 13. John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band ▶7 p.m.

the Celebrity theatre at the Claridge Hotel, Atlantic City tony m art presents John Cafferty & the beaver brown band, the original “ eddie and the Cruisers” soundtrack recording artists, in an unforgettable evening of live music. the event will feature a pre-show at 6 p.m. in the Celebrity Lounge. VI p meet and greet tickets available for purchase. For tickets and more information, visit www.claridge.com. Go to the events & promotions tab at the top of the website and click on ‘John Cafferty & the beaver brown band.

Health and Wellness

Cancer: Thriving & Surviving ▶tuesdays through Oct. 29

4:30–7:30 p.m.

Shore medical Center Cancer Center, 100 m edical Center Way, Somers point

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living room with a gas fireplace, family room, recreation room and multiple decks The private fenced yard features a heated in-ground pool with whirlpool/spa and a large patio area For more info call Margaret at 609-703-9093 or Michael at 609-929-6582

presented by Cape Atlantic Coalition for Health and Shore m edical Center, this free, six-week week interactive workshop is for cancer patients, survivors and caregivers. participate in sessions where mutual support and success build confidence in your ability to manage your health and maintain an active and fulfilling life. registration is required as class sizes are limited. Call 609-653-3923. 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

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

MHA Atlantic Family Meetings

▶thursday, Sept. 26

7 p.m.

these virtual support groups and educational programs are for people with a loved one affected by a mental health and/or substance use disorder. Day and evening meetings include an educational segment as well as 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 609-652-3800 ext. 0301 or gchris-tian@mhanj.org to receive a meeting link.

Dementia Support Group

▶Wednesday, Oct. 2

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.

NAMI Family Support and Connection

▶monday, Oct. 14

7 p.m.

St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 606 Shore road Somers point Hosted by the National Alliance on m ental Illness (NAm I). the Family Support Group is peer led for families, care givers, and loved ones of individuals with mental illness; Connection is a recovery support group for adults 18+ living with a mental health condition. participants gain the support of peers who understand their experience and gain insight into others’ challenges and successes. Visit www.namiacm.org or call 609741-5125 for more information.

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

Steve and Cookie’s 27th Annual Dog Show is Sunday, Sept. 29. Photo Credit: Margate Business Association

Vote-by-mail ballots good to go despite error, clerk says

Atlantic County Clerk Joe Giralo is reassuring residents that the 24,000 vote-by-mail ballots that were recently distributed are error-free and can be used and submitted by 8 p.m. on election Day (tuesday, Nov. 5).

Giralo confirmed that an error on the fuchsia-colored instruction card that was included with vote-by-mail ballots has been discovered but he said it does not affect or compromise the ballot. “Option 3” on the instruction card included the date of last year’s election Day, Nov. 7, as the date ballots would need to be returned. the correct date is tuesday, Nov. 5.

“ this is an unfortunate error that was discovered after the vote-by-mail ballots were mailed. evidently the instruction cards from last year was inserted in the envelope with this year’s ballots,” stated Giralo.

“We are investigating how this mistake occurred.”

the county clerk explained that his office contracts with an outside commer-

cial printer for the printing and mailing of the ballots. According to Giralo, the Atlantic County Clerk’s Office has been using this printer for 15 years or more.

“All the files we provided to the printer were correct and were reviewed by multiple staff,” Giralo said. “ there is no problem with the vote-by-mail ballots, only the instruction cards. Vote-by-mail must be returned by 8 p.m. on tuesday, Nov. 5. All drop boxes will be locked at that time.”

County e xecutive Dennis Levinson said that while this human error is unfortunate, it is avoidable, as he does not believe there is a need for early voting or vote-by-mail.

“ these efforts to expand voting opportunities are rife with abuse and fraud, extremely costly and unnecessary. We should have one election Day to ensure the integrity of our processes,” he said. “We ‘fixed’ what wasn’t broken with our voting system.”

Anyone who has questions about the vote-by-mail ballot may call the Clerk’s Office at 609-625-4011.

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The annual Ocean City Jeep Invasion rolled onto the boardwalk Saturday, Sept. 21. Hundreds of Jeeps from all makes and models, even customs, were on display to huge crowds. those in attendance took in the sights and sounds of the event, while Jeep owners celebrated another successful event. this annual fall gathering of Jeeps is held annually by blinker Fluid productions. the group organizes an assortment of car shows throughout the region, including a roadster rally every may, and Classic Car and Street rod Show

fall. Keep

Whether you’re interested in the hottest new books, educational workshops, children’s activities, or online resources, the library has everything you need to spark your imagination this fall. Visit OceanCityLibrary.org for a complete list of events and resources.

Ocean

and visitors share memories of Gillian’s Wonderland Pier

By Julia Train

ith the final days of Gillian’s Wonderland p ier quickly approaching, Ocean City residents and visitors have been expressing their thoughts and feelings about the news of the closure.

t hose thoughts range from indifferent, saying that it makes sense they close after years of financial hardship, to heartbreak.

Ocean City visitors and residents shared their favorite memories and sentiments regarding the park’s closure.

“I think there's just so many people that are really just heartbroken over the closing,” said visitor Kimberly buehler Sehlin.

Sehlin and her sister grew up going to Wonderland and when she got married to her husband, they brought their daughters to the park.

She’s a third-generation homeowner. Her grandparents bought a duplex back in the ’60s that later went to her parents. Now, Sehlin

helps her mom rent it out during the summer.

“You still walk through there, and it's like you just go back in time to when you were a kid again,” said Sehlin. “I just think that it holds so much nostalgia for people.”

Sehlin worries about what the

Sarah Kasitz and family share a thank you message with Gillian's Wonderland Pier.

Photo Credit: Sarah Kasitz

closure will do for her summer rental property. She rents mainly to working-class families that can't afford the new, bigger places.

“Driving over that bridge on Ninth Street and seeing that Ferris wheel is just such a big part of Ocean City. So for me, I just worry about how it's going to affect my families that come back,” said Sehlin. “I just worry that people are not going to want to return if it doesn't hold that family-friendly atmosphere anymore.”

Andrew boylan has been going to Wonderland every summer since he was 2 years old in 1995.

When he was a kid, boylan would visit Wonderland with his family, cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents every summer during family reunions.

“ t hat was my favorite place. It just seemed like it had its own thing going on,” said boylan. “It felt like Disneyland in a small space; it had its own thing going on.”

resident for 10 years, visited Wonderland with her four sisters and two brothers in the ’60s and ’70s when they stayed at her paternal grandmother’s house on b righton place.

Her two favorite rides are the merry-go-round and the tilt-a-whirl. She’s been going back to ride the merry-goround as much as she can

b oylan didn’t just spend his childhood visiting the park, but he also has worked there for the past 10 years, starting as a ride operator and now as a maintenance person.

marianne b rewer, an Ocean City

ry-go-round as much as possible,” said b rewer. “I'm just hoping that m r. mita really hears us and doesn't knock it all down.”

before the park’s closure.

“I can't even explain how devastated I am. I've been going on that mer-

b rewer is also a member of a private Facebook group called “Save Wonderland.” the group’s sole focus is to get signatures for the change. org petition and raise awareness so that a hotel isn’t put in the park’s place, which is a main concern on people’s minds.

Along with b rewer, Ocean City

native Helen Struckmann is also a member.

Struckmann noticed families engaging with each other more than other places when she went. She witnessed parents not on their phones, watching their children on rides and being fully present.

“Wonderland has a certain magic to it and you could see that with the people that attend,” she said.

Her favorite memories include walking the b oardwalk after work at the Connoisseur Shop and stopping at Wonderland before going home at the end of the day.

“ t he carousel has always been a very, very important part of my life and one of the things I loved was the shooting gallery,” said Struckmann. “ t hat little shooting gallery started my love for target shooting.”

Gillian’s Wonderland pier is set to close after Columbus Day Weekend and the park’s fans are passionate about saving it from turning into a hotel. Anyone who wants to sign the petition can go to the “Save Wonderland” page on Facebook.

Specializing in Men's, Women's and K id's apparel, swim, foot wear, hard goods, board rentals and lessons for over 60 years.

A view of Wonderland's iconic skyline that visitors and residents have come to love. Photo credit: Claire Bach

The merry-go-round is a favorite ride for visitors young and old. Photo credit: Gillian's Wonderland Pier Facebook

the Park Theatre fire

A Look Back

By Fred Miller

“ park Fire Loss Set at $75,000” was the headline on the September 12, 1930, Ocean City Sentinel-Ledger. the article reported, “Less than 48 hours (after) it had closed for the season, the park theatre, at park place and the boardwalk, was destroyed

the flames threatened to consume it several times as they crept along to the front wall of the structure. the nearest building to the park was the Delaware Hotel 100 feet northwest from the rear of the park, but the wind was from the northeast and the hostelry became a vantage point instead a place of danger.”

the park theatre building, which opened in 1917, had much to offer visitors to America’s Greatest Family resort. b esides the theatre, the building contained a large bath house, a candy shop, restaurant, delicatessen shop, soda fountain, and a novelty and fishing tackle store.

by fire, m onday afternoon, despite the attempts of firemen to extinguish the flames.”

the article continued, “No damage was done to the boardwalk, although

While the park theatre was a loss, Ocean City boasted it had four other movie theatres on the boardwalk: Showboat, Strand, m oorlyn, and Doughty.

The Park Building, on the Boardwalk at Park Place, was a popular stop for Boardwalk strollers from 1917 to 1930.

What’s happening in Ocean City

MS City to Shore Ride rolls in for the weekend

Thousands of cyclists will descend on Ocean City this weekend for the mS City to Shore ride, a fall tradition in Ocean City that draws participants from across the nation.

With riders raising millions of dollars each year for the National m ultiple Sclerosis Society, the mS City to Shore ride boasts that it is the best cycling experience on the east Coast. the annual bicycle trek will begin in Cherry Hill early on Saturday, Sept. 28, and finish at the parking lot at Fifth Street and boardwalk in Ocean City, with many of the riders staying overnight and returning the next day. m otorists should expect delays along a route that travels from the 34th Street causeway to Fifth Street and boardwalk. For complete information, visit bikems.org.

VINCe pA pALe tO S erV e AS G r AND mArSHAL FO r HOWL-OWeeN pAr AD e ON OCt. 26

Ocean City will welcome Vince papale as the grand marshal of the annual Howl-O-Ween parade on Oct. 26.

papale was a 30-year-old teacher, coach and part-time bartender in 1976 when he attended a public tryout for the philadelphia eagles. Not only did he make the team, but he became a fan favorite and earned the team’s “ man of the Year” honors in 1978 for his gritty play on special teams. His story is the subject of the film “Invincible.”

Hosted by the Humane Society of Ocean City, the Howl-O-Ween parade will welcome costumed pets and start at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26. the event is part of Dog Days on the boardwalk Oct. 26 and 27. For more information, visit ocnj.us/DogDay.

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR HALLOWEEN PARADE ON OCT. 24

the 76th annual Ocean City Halloween parade is set for 7:15 p.m.

thursday, Oct. 24, and registration is now open for anybody who would like to participate.

t he parade travels from Sixth Street to 11th Street on Asbury Avenue and is sponsored by the Ocean City e xchange Club in partnership with the City of Ocean City. For those who want to join, please note the following divisions:

● Division 1 – Children or Groups of Children up to age 12

● Division 2 – Children or Groups of Children over 12 Or Family Groups

O r Adult Groups

● Division 3 – Animals & pets in Costume

● Division 4 – Organizations marching in Costume (Churches, Non- profits, etc.)

● Division 5 – Cheerleaders & Drill or Dance teams

● Division 6 – Non-Commercial Floats

● Division 7 – Commercial Floats to register, please email: oceancity_halloween@yahoo.com.

Include your name, name and age of participant(s), address, email / phone number and the division you are registering for. An email confirmation will be sent back to you with your registration number within 24 hours m onday through Friday.

m edals and trophies will be awarded to firstand second-place entrants. Judges will evaluate based on appearance, originality and artistry. All award winners will be notified by phone or email the day after the parade.

For more information on the Halloween parade, please visit Ocean City Halloween parade (ochp. blogspot.com).

Welcoming fall to the garden brings new opportunities and new tasks

Let It Grow

By Tammy Thornton

e ach season provides new opportunities in the garden. t hough

it’s tough to wave goodbye to hot summer beach days, fresh basil, and tomatoes ripening on the vine, fall offers its own unique allure. Cooler weather means we can plant colorful pansies and other cool-season plants, move perennials to a new home, and prepare the garden for the days to come.

Now that fall has arrived both meteorologically and astronomically, you can officially fill your garden with

mums and pumpkins to your heart's content. t hough mums (chrysanthemums) look lovely in pots and on your steps, don’t forget that they are perennials that will come back year after year. plant them directly in your garden in a sunny location and keep them well-watered and you won’t need to kick them to the curb in November. Your mums will most likely die back once it gets cold. In the spring, you will see new growth at the base of the mums. Once the weather warms, you can trim away the dead stems. As the mums grow in the spring and summer, give them a haircut a few times until July. this will help your mums maintain a nice rounded shape instead of growing tall and lanky.

p rotect your pumpkins from gnawing squirrels by spraying them with a layer of clear shellac. but don’t be surprised if they carve their own jack-o’-lanterns anyway. You may not appreciate the creativity of these rascals, but next year, you’ll have a bumper crop of pumpkins growing in your garden.

take advantage of cool fall weather to plant cool-season vegetables such as spinach, lettuces, and brassicas. pansies also love cool weather. their happy little faces will add fresh color to your garden. If you’re lucky, they will reappear in the spring after going a bit dormant in the winter.

move any diseased or dead leaves and stems. b e sure to clean your pruners between cuts so that you aren’t spreading the infection.

Fall is the perfect time to move perennials to a new location in your garden. my friend esther and I used to joke that our plants had wheels. I’m constantly making adjustments and moving plants around in my garden. Just be careful to dig deeply and get as many roots as possible. Cooler temperatures will help your plants adjust to the move and minimize the stress and shock that they would have during the hot summer months. Keep in mind that fall days can also get pretty hot; choose a cooler, overcast day to transplant. I love to move plants right before a solid rain. then I know that my plant will settle nicely into its new home. this time of year is also ideal for dividing plants that have gotten too large. Often you will find that an older plant flops over and has a bare spot in the middle. that’s usually a sign that it’s time to divide the plant. Now you have two plants! Or save one for yourself and give one to a friend.

You will also want to use this new season to prepare your garden for winter. Give your plants a nice layer of mulch to protect their roots from the cold and provide nutrients to your plants. You’ll also add a neat, polished look to your garden. It’s amazing how much nicer your garden can look after spreading a few bags of mulch around. Your plants will stand a little prouder and healthier.

As you make your rounds in the garden, inspect your plants for any problems. You want to treat and re -

Living along the shore, we have the opportunity to enjoy the variety of all four seasons. Our ever-changing gardens have special characteristics to value through each of the different stages of the year. As a gardener, we should never be bored as we appreciate the gifts and challenges of each season.

What is your favorite part of gardening in the fall? We would love to hear from our readers. Send your comments and questions to: shorelocalgardener@gmail.com.

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

On the road to Atlantic City When getting there was half the fun

By Bruce Klauber

Prior to 1964, if someone from philadelphia and surrounding regions wanted to visit Atlantic City by car or bus, there were only two routes to follow: the White Horse pike and the black Horse pike.

While those roads were picturesque and filled with fruit stands, farms, mom-and-pop restaurants and shops, and other roadside oddities, the journey to the shore was slow. If your car didn’t have air conditioning, the trip could be uncomfortably hot.

Around 1963, I decided to take a bus from philadelphia to Atlantic City. It was sweltering, and the Greyhound bus must have made more than a dozen stops. I never thought we’d get out of Camden.

taking the train was another option. philadelphia-to-Atlantic-City train service was at its height in the 1920s, as three lines – the Atlantic City railroad, the Camden and Atlantic, and the West Jersey and Seashore railroad – were providing service. It’s been said that for their time, those trains were actually pretty fast.

train service from philadelphia to Atlantic City circa 1964 was spotty. the three lines, which had been competing against one another for so many years, combined to form one line called the pennsylvania- reading Seashore Line.

With the rise of travel by car, not a lot of folks even thought about taking the train to the shore. records show that by the latter 1960s, the whole line had become nothing more than a commuter service that originated from a tiny terminal in Lindenwold.

Conrail took over what was left of the service in 1976, and by 1981, there was no train service to Atlantic City until the line was restored in 1989.

If a potential Atlantic City visitor had the time, the funds, and the desire, there was, for some years, commercial air service between philadelphia and Atlantic City. All American Airlines, operating out of bader Field, offered commercial air service as early as 1949. Four years later, All American changed its name to Allegheny Airlines, and in 1959, the commuter air operation was moved to Atlantic City International Airport. by 1990, the whole operation was discontinued.

Atlantic City, at the time, needed all the help it could get. tourism was down and word was getting around that the city was in decline. It didn’t

help that the 1964 Democratic Convention, held Aug. 24-27 that year, put the aging resort, and all its shortcomings, in the national spotlight.

the city fathers believed that a faster car route between philadelphia and Atlantic City could show the city in a positive light, demonstrate its commitment to improving tourism, and go a long way toward reversing Atlantic City’s decline.

the Atlantic City e xpressway, a 44-mile stretch of highway which runs from route 42 in turnersville to the one and only Queen of resorts, opened on July 31, 1964, just in time for the beginning of the Democratic Convention. the link between Atlantic City and the Garden State parkway was opened a year later. total cost for the roadway was a bit over $42 million, and it took less than two years to complete.

the concept of a modern highway linking philadelphia to Atlantic City was floated long before 1964. It came up as early as 1932, calling for a road that would originate from the foot of the New Jersey side of the b en Franklin b ridge, and go straight to Atlantic City. It never happened, and the idea didn’t come up again for more than 20 years.

If any one person can be deemed responsible for the building of the Atlantic City e xpressway, it would

be state Sen. Frank “Hap” Farley, who started pushing the idea of building an express route in the mid1950s. Farley was a forward-thinking politician who was also an early supporter of legalized gaming in Atlantic City.

Around 1959, what was then called the New Jersey State Highway Department started taking baby steps toward a new roadway by conducting a turnersville-to-Atlantic-City traffic survey. three years later, something called the New Jersey e xpressway

Authority Act was passed authorizing the issuance of bonds to raise the money for construction.

Unfortunately, the creation of the Atlantic City e xpressway did not increase tourism as expected. It turns out that the tourism issue had little to do with how to get to Atlantic City. the issue was with the city itself. the records show that it was not until gambling was legalized in 1978, that traffic on the e xpressway and the numbers of tourists visiting Atlantic City increased.

Whatever the numbers are in Atlantic City, the South Jersey transportation Authority continues to update, expand and modernize the Atlantic City e xpressway. One of the Authority’s biggest projects was detailed in last year’s annual report.

“One of the more active projects for the South Jersey transportation Authority is the third lane widening project that will add a third lane in each direction from interchange 31 to interchange 44 at route 42,” the report states. “ t he need for the project is to alleviate recurring congestion, particularly during the peak summer periods, which has resulted in a high number of rear-end and side swipe crashes. the project will improve safety, mitigate existing geometric deficiencies, and maintain a state of good repair for this essential transportation connection. Upon completion of this project, the entire corridor will be a continuous, thirdlane section.” this is very good news. Visitors have been coming to Atlantic City from philadelphia by car, bus, plane and train since the 19th century. tourists wanted to visit the Queen of resorts then, and if the Atlantic City e xpressway developments are any indication, plenty of visitors want to visit Atlantic City now. And they want to get here in record time.

Bargaintown Volunteer Fire Co. Open House designed to to educate EHT residents

By Stephanie Loder

Each year, the bargaintown Volunteer Fire Company gives egg Harbor township residents a chance to learn and interact with them at their annual Open House.

Why is it important?

t he two-hour event scheduled this year for 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 30 aims to show adults and children what to do in case a fire happens, said Dennis Hofmann, the fire company president.

t he awareness and education are also important because firefighters in the township aren’t paid.

Whether they are responding to a fire or a vehicle crash, standing on the road at a township intersection taking donations, or simply being on hand for the open house – all of the work is done for free.

the fire company relies on donations to buy new equipment.

they are always looking for more volunteers.

Last year, bargaintown firefighters responded to more than 450 calls, Hofmann said.

they are staffed with 30 volunteer firefighters, he said.

Hofmann said it takes everyone in the fire company and the auxiliary to put on the event each year, but the importance is big.

“We want people to know the fire department is their friend,” Hofmann

said. “We want them to realize how dangerous fire is.”

Firefighters demonstrate how a fire starts. One year they showed visitors a kitchen fire, and another year a Christmas tree fire.

t his year, Hofmann said, volunteers will use a makeshift room built out of light wood and plastic to show visitors how a fire starts in a room and quickly destroys the contents.

Attendees can watch safely through the sheet of plastic as the flames grow in the room and how firefighters extinguish them.

“It’s made of sheeting but has plastic in front so people can see how the flames consume the room,” Hofmann said. “It’s one thing talking about flames, but actually seeing it is different. It makes people realize the danger.”

Firefighters offer hands-on education at the Open House.

there’s an interactive fire extinguisher display that helps anyone who wants to learn how to use one.

t here will be a vehicle extrication demonstration. Firefighters will use a hydraulic extrication tool to show how a car is cut apart if someone is trapped in a crash.

“We have hotdogs and chips and soda and water to give out to people,” he said. “ people can look at the trucks, talk to firefighters. We have a band providing live music.” the egg Harbor township police Department provides Child ID and New Jersey Forest Fire Service sends a truck, Hofmann said.

t he goal of the open house –which will be at the fire station at 6550 m ill road in bargaintown – is to educate the public.

t he Open House includes fun things to do for children, like tour the firehouse and see the fire engines.

Children also get a chance to squirt water with a booster hose from a fire truck.

“We need more education to try to teach people about the dangers of fire. If there’s a fire at your house, you need to get out of the house and call the fire department. Nothing is worth your life,” Hofmann said.

Lollipop cookies that will make your party POP!

By Lisa Zaslow Segelman

There’s something about preparing desserts for an occasion one day, one week or even one month in advance that builds the excitement

and makes the whole celebration that much sweeter.

And speaking of sweet, one of my favorite ways to add innovative décor and a fun, delicious, creative dessert for a big bash is to make lollipop cookies that tie into the theme name, or type of occasion. You don’t have to be a pastry chef for a decent outcome either. You just need to be able to make sugar cookies, read and write.

Lollipop cookies can be the type you can buy in Starbucks –those small baked balls on a stick, which are a

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nice few bites but the ones I bake are round sugar cookies baked on a stick that are iced and decorated. t hese can be ordered from specialty bakers and yes, they come out perfect. these folks are most likely artists or bakers or both, and the results are amazing, but so is the price. It may be worth splurging for a really special occasion, but for your garden-variety child’s birthday or milestone celebration where you want to save a few dollars, you can do it yourself. Do it in advance, and bask in the glory of party guests telling you how cute and delicious they are, and “can they take one home for so-and-so?” And yes, they can be individually wrapped and double as truly wonderful party favors.

Let’s get started!

Sugar Cookie Lollipop Dough

makes 32 Cookies (more if choosing a smaller cookie cutter circle)

Ingredients:

Method:

Make the Cookie Dough

1. Lay out your cookie sheets and cover in parchment paper.

2. In the mixing bowl of a stand mixer (or a handheld mixer and large bowl) cream the butter and sugar together on medium speed for about 4 minutes until light and fluffy. Add the heavy cream, vanilla and almond extracts.

● cup softened, unsalted butter (2 sticks)

● cup granulated sugar

● 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

● 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

● 2 tablespoons heavy cream

● 1 large eggs

● 3 cups all-purpose flour

● 2 teaspoon baking powder

● ¾ teaspoon sea salt Lollipop Sticks 6”-8” (Amazon, 100 6” sticks for $5.99, or michaels)

3. With the mixer on low, add the flour and salt slowly. the dough should form a single ball. make four smaller balls out of the single ball, wrap in wax paper or saran wrap, and refrigerate for one hour. Roll the Dough and Cut Out the Circles

1. take balls one at a time out of the refrigerator to begin rolling them out to form the cookies. Using a scant amount of additional flour, sprinkle on a clean surface or board and roll the dough into a large circle about 3/8 inch thick. You want the stick to have a thick enough cookie to support

it. (You can also roll it between two sheets of parchment paper).

2. Use a round glass or cookie cutter with the desired diameter, 3-5” and make your rounds. the larger it is, the more room you have to write or decorate. Hearts, stars and other shapes can be used as long as they can accommodate the lollipop stick.

3. place a lollipop stick through the center of your dough shape but more toward the edge. m ake sure stick is covered with dough, pinching the dough with your fingers to cover the stick. place the lollipop cookies on your prepared cookie sheets. repeat with the remaining dough.

4. A spatula might help lift the cookies but be aware of the stick and be sure to keep them intact. Space cookies at least 2-inches apart on the cookie sheet.

5. preheat the oven to 350 degrees 20 minutes prior to baking. bake 10 to 12 minutes or until a little puffed and golden around the edges. Cool for 10 minutes; transfer the cookies to a cooling rack and let them cool completely. Now you’re ready to ice and decorate!

Make the Royal Icing

For the Icing:

Yield: 32 cookies, (more if smaller cookie cutters were used)

Ingredients:

● 3 cups powdered sugar

● 4 egg whites

● 3–6 tablespoons of whole milk or heavy cream

● ½ teaspoon almond extract

● ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Method:

1. beat egg whites in a stand mixer until frothy for 2 minutes.

2. Slowly mix in vanilla and sugar on low speed.

3. Increase speed to medium/ medium-high until a spoon inserted helps form stiff peaks.

4. If you want a color besides white, you can add color at this stage one drop at a time. If you would like a few colors, separate the icing into smaller bowls, leave one white and add the desired colors into the other bowls, mixing well with a spoon.

5. You can keep it simple by just using two colors, one for the background and one for the writing or decorations. the back of the m cCormick box of food coloring gives the formulas for various colors.

6. For the background you can use a spatula and spread icing on each cookie as if you were icing a cake.

7. For the writing or decoration, fill a pastry-decorating bag that comes with instructions for use. these can be found at michael's or Amazon, and aren't expensive. Alternatively you

can use do what as I do: Fill a freezer bag with icing and just snip off a corner, being careful not to make the hole too large or too small.

Allow to dry before adding a second color of decoration or writing.

8. Allow the writing decoration step’s work to dry as well. I put mine on the dining room table. Icing should have a nice shiny finish.

A Few Notes

Icing can be tricky:

1. Separate eggs when cold but then let the egg whites come to room temperature which allows them to whip up easier.

2. m ake sure to add the sugar slowly.

3. If the icing starts to harden, add a few drops of water to thin it out.

4. Gel food coloring is more concentrated, which means you can add less. be careful with liquid food coloring as it can thin out the icing if you use too much.

Presentation

Lollipop cookies can be displayed for a party in drinking glasses, flower vases, or my favorite, a Styrofoam ring used for floral arrangements that has been painted or spray painted in your party colors, also available online or in a home goods store. Now you have a dessert and a decoration in one.

Lollipop cookies also make terrific party favors. Just wrap in cellophane and tie with nice ribbon. A fun and personalized idea is to write the names of all of the party guests on the cookies. people have fun looking for their names and taking their cookie home for a sweet remembrance of the party!

Lisa is an advertising copywriter (think ‘Madmen’ without the men), journalist and columnist. Claim to local fame: Lou’s waitress for four summers. To be a featured host in Coast-HostPost or to get on her “quote” list for future columns, email: redshoeslzs@gmail.com

Eagles tailgate draws hundreds to Ski Beach

Photos by Steffen Klenk

t was a great day for eagles fans Sunday, Sept. 22, as the Ventnor business Association hosted its annual tailgate event at Ski beach. Hundreds of area residents turned out to watch the b irds take on the Saints in an epic game that was broadcast on a huge LeD screen. t hose in attendance enjoyed fantastic food, drinks, and deals on game-day merch, along with appearances from several local craft vendors. Overall, the weather was superb and the eagles walked away with a 15-12 victory going into Week 4.

Staying active while injured: Can you still work out?

Women’s

Fitness

By Rachel Guevara

When you're dealing with an injury, one of the first questions that comes to mind is, "Can I still work out?" t he answer isn't as straightforward as you might hope—it varies depending on the type of injury, the severity, and your overall fitness level. but here's the good news: in most cases, injury doesn't mean giving up on your fitness goals. In fact, staying active can aid recovery if done correctly and cautiously. Why the answer varies Injuries differ and so do their impacts on your ability to work out. For example, a sprained ankle won't affect your ability to do upper-body exercises, while a shoulder injury might

limit arm movements but not leg workouts. It's essential to first understand the nature of your injury before diving back into any fitness regimen.

A doctor or physical therapist should always be your first point of contact to assess the severity of the injury and help guide you on safe ways to remain active. Skipping this step could lead to more severe damage, prolonging your recovery or even causing a long-term setback.

The benefits of staying active while injured

Just because you're injured doesn’t mean you have to pause all physical activity. there are several reasons why continuing to move your body—safely—can be beneficial:

1. prevents muscle Loss: Inactivity can lead to muscle atrophy (loss of muscle mass), which can delay your recovery process. Finding ways to keep your non-injured areas strong can help you stay in shape.

2. Improves Circulation: Gentle, modified exercises can improve blood

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circulation, which speeds up healing by delivering nutrients and oxygen to injured tissues.

3. boosts m ental Health: Staying active, even in a limited way, keeps those endorphins flowing. It helps reduce stress, maintain a positive outlook, and keeps your confidence intact as you heal.

4. maintains routine: Consistency is key when it comes to long-term fitness. even if you’re working at a lower intensity or modifying exercises, maintaining a routine keeps you on track and reduces the chances of losing motivation.

How to exercise safely with an injury

the key to working out with an injury is to modify your routine in a way that avoids putting stress on the injured area while still allowing other parts of your body to stay active. Here are some alternatives based on common injuries:

10/31/24

Avoid anything that puts pressure on your neck or requires excessive head movement, such as running or certain types of weight training.

Important tips for success

1. Listen to Your body: pain is a sign that something isn’t right. If any exercise causes discomfort or pain, stop immediately. No workout is worth further injury.

2. Use m odifications: t here are often safe modifications for many exercises. For example, if lunges aggravate your knee injury, try step-ups instead. Work with a personal trainer if you're unsure about how to adapt your routine.

3. embrace Low-Impact Workouts: Yoga, pilates, and swimming are great options for low-impact exercises that can help maintain strength, flexibility, and balance without straining your injury.

- Lower b ody Injuries (Ankles, Knees, Hips): Focus on upper-body workouts, such as seated dumbbell presses, chest presses, or even bicep curls. You can also try water-based exercises like swimming or aqua aerobics to reduce pressure on your joints.

4. Stay Consistent: Injuries may be frustrating, but they don't have to derail your progress. Adjust your goals—maybe now is the time to focus on mobility, flexibility, or endurance until you're fully healed. Don’t let an injury stop you It’s natural to feel discouraged when you're injured, but that doesn’t mean you need to abandon your fitness journey. With careful planning, a focus on recovery and the right modifications, you can stay active and continue progressing toward your goals. Working out is about more than physical gains; it's a way to care for your mind and body.

Stay positive, stay safe, and remember that injuries are temporary—your commitment to health and fitness can be lifelong!

- Upper body Injuries (Shoulders, Wrists, Arms): Shift to lower-body-focused workouts. You can engage in leg presses, lunges, squats, or resistance band exercises that don’t involve your arms.

- b ack Injuries: Work on gentle core stabilization exercises, like pelvic tilts, bird-dog, or modified planks. Avoid heavy lifting or any movement that strains your back, but keep your core and surrounding muscles engaged.

- Neck Injuries: engage in low-impact exercises like walking, light stretching, or stationary biking.

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

Tremendous End-of-Season Savings

Community FoodBank launches fourth annual diaper drive

Nearly 1 in 2 families can’t afford enough diapers for their babies

The Community Food bank of New Jersey (CFb NJ) is hosting its fourth annual #Great b igDiaperDrive, a campaign to address the need for diapers throughout the state. Kicking off with National Diaper Need Awareness Week, Sept. 23 – 29, the drive runs through October. Spearheaded by CFbNJ’s Women Fighting Hunger volunteers, it will help raise awareness and collect diaper products and funds for New Jersey families in need.

Individuals, businesses and groups are invited to take part in the drive by running their own collections, donating products at CFbNJ’s egg Harbor township warehouse, or making an online donation at: give. cfbnj.org/sjwfh.

Since 2021, CFb NJ and Women Fighting Hunger have raised funds, generated awareness, and collected diaper products. Last year, the campaign collected over 410,000 diapers,

tens of thousands of wipes, and other necessities for neighbors in need. Nearly 1 in 2 families in the U.S. struggles to afford diapers, which are not covered by most federally funded public assistance programs, like SNAp and WIC.

“Our annual drive helps remove barriers for families who need access to diaper products. Our goal with

this campaign is to raise awareness and encourage donations so that all families have enough of these essential products,” said elizabeth m cCarthy, president & CeO of CFb NJ. “At CFb NJ, we do more than just provide food.

Often, families who struggle to keep food on the table also lack access to critical hygiene supplies, like diapers, to keep their babies clean, dry, and healthy.” b abies require up to 12 diapers per day, which adds up to $80$100 or more per month per child, a cost many struggling families simply cannot afford. every $1 donated can provide six diapers to families in need.

CFb NJ is a longtime member of the National Diaper b ank Network and accepts diaper product donations year-round. most-needed items include diapers, wipes, and diaper cream. For more information, contact torrina b ennett- m ichael, Director of e xternal Affairs, (609) 380-3671, at the eHt Warehouse, 6735 b lack Horse pike.

Port Republic Heritage Society rallies to raise funds for museum

By Stephanie Loder

Plans are underway for a more than 100-year-old unused firehouse in port republic to get a new life as the city’s Heritage Hall and m useum thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers who are raising funds to refurbish the building.

t he old firehouse on b lakes Lane was the city’s first firehouse, which closed in the 1960s, said Jim Schroeder, vice president of the port republic Heritage Society.

the building is located on blakes Lane next to the current port republic Volunteer Fire Company station. president of the port republic Heritage Society Donna riegel organized the society two years ago after

the previous historical society disbanded. She said many of the city’s historical artifacts have been stored in a resident’s home because there is nowhere else to put them.

r iegel’s group convinced the city to sell them the old firehouse for one dollar, with the promise that the society would raise money to renovate it.

“We had been trying for 13 years to get the building. City Council finally decided to sell it to us for a dollar, but we have to do all of the repairs,” said riegel, who is also a member of City Council.

“It won’t cost taxpayers a dime. We are trying to do a lot of fundraising. the building needs an extensive amount of work, but we have a lot of craftsmen and workmen in town we hope will step up,” she said.

riegel estimated the cost of the repairs to be between $150,000 and $200,000.

She envisions the renovation creating not only a museum for artifacts but a place where local children can learn about the city’s past.

“We want it to encompass all ages,” she said.

the port republic Heritage Society is a nonprofit with about 25 members.

“ port has a great history. A lot of people in this city have recorded their family history to preserve the information,” said Schroeder, a former city councilman who was an egg Harbor township history teacher from 19701985.

Schoeder’s wife, b everly bowen Schroeder, traces her family’s history back to her grandfather, Harry bowen, who was a sea captain.

the society plans to use its Second Annual Heritage Day celebration on Oct. 5 to rally people who might be interested in volunteering. Schroeder said they also need people to help with renovation work, carpentry and most importantly, to help raise money.

“It’s a pretty ambitious project. there’s a whole lot that has to be done,” Schroeder said. “ the building needs new windows and there have been some masonry problems that developed over the years.”

A new roof and upgrades to the building’s electrical and plumbing are needed, he said. the old firehouse overhead doors that opened for the fire engine need to be replaced too.

“ the cost for rehab is going to be significant, but not insurmountable, and donations are most appreciated,” Schroeder said. “ t here’s so much history here.”

During the r evolutionary War, the b attle of Chestnut Neck was fought on Oct. 6, 1778 near port r epublic. A 50-foot monument erected by the Daughters of the American revolution in 1910 commemorates the colonial militiamen who died in the battle.

With the british holding philadelphia and New York during the winter of 1777–78, Gen. George Washington at Valley Forge was cut off from his source of provisions.

Supplies were brought into Little egg Harbor, unloaded at Chestnut Neck, taken up the river in flat-bottomed boats to b urlington, across the Delaware river and then over the land to Valley Forge.

many british cargoes intended for Sir Henry Clinton in New York were seized by American privateers and reached Gen. Washington via Chestnut Neck and the described route.

Schroeder said Sir Henry Clinton became so upset at the loss of his ship, that he decided to “clean out the nest of rebel pirates.”

the heritage society will present narrated tours of three cemeteries –boling Cemetery, Clarks mills burial Grounds, and b lackman Cemetery. Visitors are asked to gather at 2 p.m. Oct. 5 at City Hall, 143 main St., port republic.

there will be refreshments, pumpkins for children, ghost stories, and hayrides.

t he guided cemetery visits are at 3 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. and hayrides begin around 4:30 p.m.

Donations can be made to the port r epublic Heritage Society, c/o City Hall, 143 m ain Street, port 08241.

Stephanie is a freelance writer with 40 years experience covering NJ news for The Asbury Park Press, The Courier Post, The Catholic Star Herald and The Press of AC. Email her at stephanieloder59@hotmail.com

A 50-foot monument erected by the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1910 commemorates the colonial militiamen who died in the Battle of Chestnut Neck.

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A.C. Boxing ready to again relive its glory days

By David Weinberg

Atlantic City, once regarded as the “ boxing Capital of the World,” is going to relive those glory days again this weekend.

m any of the fighters, trainers, promoters and other officials who were part of that special era will be gathering at Hard rock Casino resort for the eighth edition of the Atlantic City boxing Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

the official induction ceremony will be Saturday, when 21 of the sport’s most influential and successful figures will be honored.

the list includes nine former fighters, many of whom competed in the 1980s and ‘90s, when boxing hit its peak on the boardwalk.

the heyday was a four-year span from 1982 and 1985, when the re -

sort hosted an amazing 521 fight cards, including 139 in 1982 and 143 in 1985. Virtually every Atlantic City casino hosted boxing shows. tropicana owned “ tuesday Night Fights” while other venues such as b ally’s, Caesars, resorts, Sands, trump plaza, trump Castle and trump taj mahal held cards on the weekends either at their properties or Jim Whelan boardwalk Hall.

Sometimes it spilled over into the week. One fun fact about the epic mike tyson- michael Spinks heavyweight bout at boardwalk Hall in 1988 was that it was held on a monday (June 27).

Former heavyweight Gerry Cooney, who is being inducted Saturday, was part of that special chapter in Atlantic City boxing history.

Cooney had memorable fights with m ichael Spinks and George Foreman in Atlantic City in 1987 and 1990, respectively. His final fight was a second-round loss to Foreman at boardwalk Hall on Jan. 15, 1990. both

Lindy Hops

Spinks and Foreman are in the Atlantic City boxing Hall of Fame. the Hall of Fame boxers also include mark breland, James “ buster” Douglas, tyrone m itchell Frazier, mario maldonaldo, Sergio martinez, Sharmba mitchell, paul Williams and eva Jones-Young.

Jones-Young is believed to be the third female fighter to enter the Hall of Fame, joining Kathy Collins and Jamillia Lawrence.

martinez and Williams staged two epic fights at boardwalk Hall. Williams won the first meeting via majority decision in 2009. martinez scored a stunning, second-round knockout in the rematch a year later.

In between, m artinez won the WbO and WbC middleweight belts with a unanimous decision over A.C.

boxing Hall of Fame member Kelly pavlik there and also scored an 11th-round knockout over Darren barker in the same ring in 2011.

When it comes to choosing fighters for induction, Atlantic City Hall of Fame president r ay m cCline and his crew do a great job of nominating world champions from various eras while also providing an outlet for local fighters to be considered.

One of this year’s inductees, Vineland resident mario maldonado, is a great example.

He was never a world champion, yet used an aggressive style to enjoy a degree of success and also become a fan favorite.

Half of his 42 professional fights were in Atlantic City. He was a staple on the casino circuit in the mid80s, then incredibly returned after a 20-year hiatus in 2005 at age 45 and posted a respectable 2-1 record before retiring for good.

two other local boxing figures - trainer b ruce b lair of egg Harbor township and local boxing writer Guy Gargan from Ocean City – are being inducted in the special contributor category with trainer James “ buddy” mcGirt, manager/promoter Sampson Lewkowicz, matchmaker eric bottjer and media member randy Gordon. b lair worked with a number of local fighters in his career, including former junior-lightweight and lightweight contender John b rown of Atlantic City, who is in the ACb HOF.

Gargan, a longtime writer for the press of Atlantic City, covered bouts with fellow Hall of Famers and press writers Dave b ontempo and yours truly.

m cGirt has the rare distinction of earning acclaim in Atlantic City as both a fighter and trainer. He fought 14 times there in the '80s and '90s, then later served as Arturo Gatti’s trainer during his memorable bouts at boardwalk Hall.

Olympic gold medalist Howard Davis, longtime Showtime b oxing executive Jay Larkin and referee eddie Cotton will be honored posthumously.

b oxers Joey Giardello, George Godfrey and eric Seelig will be inducted in the new pioneer category that was created last year.

Giardello won the world middleweight title with a 15-round decision over Dick tiger at Atlantic City’s Convention Hall on Dec. 7, 1963.

Eagles earn last-minute win

It wasn’t pretty by any stretch. then again, the NFL doesn’t award bonus points for aesthetics.

t he eagles (2-1) took over sole possession of first place in the NFC east with a 15-12 victory over New Orleans last Sunday.

You can thank running back Saquon b arkley, tight end Dallas

Goedert and the defense for the win. the defense stymied a Saints offense that had put up 91 combined points in its first two games. barkley and Goedert delivered big plays that helped the b irds overcome some questionable decisions by coach Nick Sirianni.

barkley, the NFL’s leading rusher, gained 147 yards and scored two touchdowns. Goedert stepped up 10 receptions for a career-high 170 yards.

t heir efforts compensated for Sirianni’s puzzling penchant for eschewing field goals in favor of going for it on fourth down. He did it twice at New Orleans and both attempts came up short.

Winning no doubt eased the pressure, but while he may not be on the hot seat, that chair is at least lukewarm.

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.

New Jersey Supreme Court declines to bar casino smoking

High court says emergency injunction is unwarranted on short notice

By Nikita Biryukov

The New Jersey Supreme Court declined to speed casino workers’ request for an injunction that would suspend an exemption for gaming houses in the state’s indoor smoking ban, finding the request did “not warrant adjudication on short notice.”

thursday’s decision is the latest in a series of roadblocks for a coalition of casino workers that has unsuccessfully sought to ban smoking in casinos through legislative means and, more recently, the courts.

“ my clients are disappointed that the daily assault on their health is not concerning enough to require at least a pause while we litigate the legal issues,” said Nancy erika Smith, an attorney representing the United Auto Workers Union that lodged the suit.

the high court’s decision, earlier reported by politico New Jersey, will keep the challenge in the Appellate Division, where Smith said the plain -

tiffs had also requested an expedited appeal.

the union and Casino employees Against Smoking effects, a co-plaintiff, argued the impact of second-hand smoke has imperiled the health and lives of workers on the casino floor, urging the court to extend the indoor smoking ban to gaming houses while the litigation continues. they have argued the exemption runs afoul of safety guarantees in the New Jersey Constitution and is unconstitutional special legislation — laws that single out individuals or groups and do not apply to others similarly situated — that impermissibly singles out casino workers.

He rejected claims that the exemption is special legislation. b ecause Atlantic City has a unique constitutional status that allows the Legislature to permit and regulate gambling there, casino workers are a distinct class, and the exemption is not arbitrary, bartels ruled. p laintiffs charged the judge erred on both counts and repeated warnings that continuing to allow smoking in casinos would leave workers’ lives and health at risk.

On Aug. 30, Superior Court Judge p atrick b artels ruled the casino carveout in the 2006 New Jersey

Smoke-Free Air Act passes constitutional muster, finding the state’s constitution provides only a right to pursue safety, rather than a right to safety itself.

“ t he [Centers for Disease Control and p revention] notes that 60 minutes of exposure to second-hand smoke can cause bodily changes that lead to cancer, stroke, heart disease, and other serious illnesses. the pregnant workers are particularly devastated that the Court did not accept the urgency of their health concerns,” Smith said. the fight to end casinos’ smoking exemption has dragged on for years. though legislation to end the carveout once won sponsorships from majorities of legislators in both chambers, the bill has never reached Gov. phil m urphy’s desk.

m embers of legislative leadership feared ending the exemption would drive gamblers to casinos in neighboring states where indoor smoking is allowed, a charge echoed by the gaming houses themselves and a separate union that represents other casino workers.

m urphy has repeatedly said he would sign the bill if it reached his desk, most recently on thursday, but has rejected calls to take executive action on this issue, as he did for more than a year in the early stages of the pandemic.

t hat pause was issued under emergency powers and would almost certainly fail to survive a court challenge absent a state of emergency.

“It would be struck down probably within 24 hours,” m urphy said during a radio show t hursday, adding, “I hope folks out there have heard me say this now probably 100 times: If a bill gets to my desk to ban smoking in casinos, I will sign it.”

Credit: NJ Monitor

A group of casino workers have argued the impact of second-hand smoke has imperiled the health and lives of workers on the casino floor. Photo credit:

Dana DiFilippo

FallintoFunFestival StartsSept.28th!

Trick-or-TreatWeekendsOct.19th&20th, 26th&27th

Open Fri., Sat. & Sundays. Columbus Day Monday.

American colleges don’t give a C.R.A.P.

By Bill Quain

In last week’s column, I announced that I would be writing a multi-week series based on my upcoming book, “ bankrupt U – Students, parents and Alumni Are Going broke, & Colleges Don’t Give a C. r .A. p.”

my co-author, Joe Corabi, and I have each been college professors for more than 40 years. As such, we seek to give our readers an insiders’ view of how colleges are big businesses.

We want prospective and current students to get the most from their college experience, while paying the least amount of money possible. And we give them information on making money – information that colleges don’t bother to teach their students. to kick things off, I want to first explain what a “C. r .A. p.” is and why

American colleges “Don’t Give a C. r .A. p.”

“C. r .A. p.” is an acronym for Creating richer Alumni playbook. It’s what every student should get while they are still in college, and what every college should continue to give its alumni after they graduate. b ut no American college we know about does anything to guide their students into a more prosperous life after graduation. And certainly, none of them give their students a playbook.

What Does a Playbook Look Like?

A playbook is a tool used by coaches and players on a sports team. Usually, it is a three-ring binder filled with… well… plays. e ach playbook is created for a specific sport, and all of the plays in that book work. the real power behind the playbook is that each of those plays is designed for a specific situation.

While the team learns each play and practices it relentlessly, the coach is the one who chooses which plays to run throughout the game. Let’s take a football playbook, for example. the players have practiced all of their plays to prepare for the

big game. the coach stands on the sideline with a list of the plays from the playbook. this list is called the “play sheet.” the plays on the play sheet are divided into categories, such as “First Down” plays and “Short Yardage” plays. When it’s time to run a play, the coach calls in the name of the play, and the team responds.

See an Opportunity? Call an ‘Audible’

In real life and in a football game, situations change. Suppose the coach has sent in a running play, but at the last minute, the quarterback notices that a defensive player is looking the wrong way. the quarterback can quickly call an audible (a change in the play) that sends the receiver down the field, wide open. the pass is complete, and the audible results in a game-winning touchdown.

Was that audible made up on the spot? No. It was a play in the playbook, and the team had practiced it all season. the quarterback used it to take advantage of an opportunity.

$100,000+ Should Buy You a Playbook

When you pay $100,000 and give up four years of your life, your college should give a C. r .A. p each student should receive a Creating r icher Alumni p laybook, full of winning plays that will generate personal prosperity after graduation. And each alum should be able to use that playbook, calling audibles from it when situations change, and opportunities arise.

but no American college is doing this. It just doesn’t happen. Why? b ecause colleges aren’t thinking about their students’ prosperity. Instead, they concentrate on getting as much money as they can from every student that enrolls, because the colleges, as big businesses, must pay their bills.

All American Colleges Have a ‘C.R.E.P.’

A “C. r e p.” is a Creating richer employees playbook. Your college has practiced the plays from this playbook relentlessly, and they call an audible for every student who applies.

You see, each university is full of administrators and faculty members who are seeking their own personal prosperity. Some studies estimate the salaries for all those employees account for 75% of the total budget.

When those employees get raises, (as they do almost every year at many schools), this puts pressure on the tuition prices that students need to pay. this tuition isn’t driven

SIX WORDS ON A BOARDWALK

BENCH

by Bill Quain

by a single play from the playbook. Instead, college admissions officers apply an audible to fit each student’s special circumstances. that’s correct. Colleges use an audible for each student who gets an offer from the college. they’ve studied your (and your family’s) financial situation. t hey look for opportunities to make you a specific offer, designed to make you think you are getting a great deal, so you’ll come to that college instead of going somewhere else. It is called “enrollment management,” and it works.

I’ll Get You ‘In the Game’

Over the next few months, I’m going to get you “in the game.” my co-author (a former college football player and coach) has agreed to let me dig into our playbook for college students, parents and alumni, and share some insiders’ secrets to help you get the most from your college experience, save you money on college, and give you the tools to create personal prosperity after you graduate. We call ourselves, “ the professors Who pay You back,” because we appreciate the great livelihoods you gave us, and we want to help you prosper.

If you are a prospective college student, or a parent of one, you will love these columns. even if college is not on your horizon, you will enjoy the lively discussion of this important and hot-button issue.

Stay tuned. Shoot me an email with your thoughts to bill@quain. com. And as I say each week, “I’ll see ya’ in the papers.”

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

Lucy the Elephant 1881

First Gasoline Powered Car 1889

First Airplane flight 1903

First Philadelphia Phillies Game 1883

Entertainment & Dining at the Shore

Whitney’s Weekly Picks

The City Pulse with Whitney Ullman

This week's edition of Whitney's picks offers a variety of thrilling performances and events. Join in the excitement with comedian r ob Schneider, the Atlantic City boxing Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony, and a performance by teddy Swims. there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Don’t forget to share your epic moments with the

hashtags #shorelocal, #gotowhitney and #thecitypulse.

What: Coppelia Atlantic City ballet

Where: Caesars Atlantic City

When: Friday, Sept. 27; and Saturday, Sept. 28

Times: 8 p.m. Friday and 7 p.m. Saturday

Website: acballet. org/coppelia

When Franz falls for a mysterious girl on a balcony, Swanilda must win him back. Unbeknownst to Franz, the girl is a doll created by toymaker Dr. Coppelius. Filled with mystery, humor, and beautiful dancing, “Coppélia” is a beloved comedic ballet set to Léo

Delibes’ melodic score. mystery, intrigue, and a dancing life-sized doll contribute to the comedic charm of this ballet favorite. With magnificent dancing, and Léo Delibes’ famously melodic score, “Coppélia” is one of ballet’s greatest comedies and perfect for all ages.

Who: rob Schneider

Where: Hard rock Hotel & Casino | Sound Waves

When: Friday, Sept. 27

Time: 9 p.m.

Website: casino.hardrock.com/atlantic-city/event-calendar/rob-schneider

rob Schneider is an accomplished actor, comedian, screenwriter and director. Don't miss him at Hard rock Atlantic City on Sept. 27.

Who: Nate Jackson: Super Funny World tour

Where: tropicana Atlantic City

When: Friday, Sept. 27

Website caesars.com/tropicana-ac/ shows

Comedian Nate Jackson will be live at the tropicana Showroom. Get your tickets before it’s sold out.

What: t he At-

lantic City boxing Hall of Fame 8th

Annual Induction and Awards Ceremony

Where: Hard rock Hotel & Casino | Sound Waves

When: Friday, Sept. 27 - Sunday, Sept.

29

Time: Check website for various times

Website: www.acbhof.com

Celebrate boxing history. m ix and mingle with boxing legends at the annual awards and induction weekend. there are various events throughout the weekend including a Friday night fight with Hard Hitting promotions, Saturday’s Fight Fan e xperience, VI p pre and post parties, along with a red carpet VI p reception and the much-anticipated induction ceremony. You can also smoke cigars, sip and

mingle with boxing legends at tennessee Avenue tobacco Company.

Who: b runch & Comedy Show by Sharmba mitchell and comedian Alycia Cooper

Where: back Stage Café at Hard rock Hotel & Casino

When: Sunday, Sept. 29

Time: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Website: acbhof.com/ticket-hub two-time World Champion Sharmba m itchell presents a Comedy boxing brunch at Hard rock’s back Stage Cafe featuring comedian Alycia Cooper. Get your tickets for this fun event to end the Atlantic City boxing Hall of Fame Weekend.

Who: teddy Swims SOLD OUt

Where: Ocean Casino resort

When: Saturday, Sept. 28

Time: 8 p.m.

Website: theoceanac.com/teddyswims-breland-sold-out

Singer-songwriter teddy Swims makes a stop on his everything. but therapy tour with breland, bringing his r&b , soul, country and pop hits.

Who: Nick b osse & t he Northern roots

Where: b ally’s Atlantic City | t he Yard

When: Saturday, Sept. 28

Time: 8 - 11 p.m.

Website: casinos.ballys.com/atlantic-city/events-calendar.aspx

Nick bosse is a New england-based singer-songwriter and Nashville re -

↘Continued on 52

cording artist. A lifelong musician, Nick’s first forays into the scene took place in 2013 with a series of cover gigs in local bars, shortly after which he formed his backing band the Northern roots, who have been traveling and performing with him ever since.

What: margate Fall Fun Fest

Where: Amherst Avenue

When: Saturday, Sept. 28 - Sunday, Sept. 29

Times: Saturday 11 a.m-6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

tickets: Free

Fall Fun Fest features a variety of unique and seasonal crafters, kids

What: Galloway’s end of Summer

bash Food truck Festival

Where: Galloway township municipal Complex

When: Saturday, Sept. 28

activities, entertainment and food vendors on Amherst Avenue from Washington to Coolidge.

Time: 2-8 p.m.

Celebrate the end of summer with Galloway’s biggest food truck event of the year. plus music by Cheers the band from 4-8 p.m. trophies for the best food trucks plus fireworks at 8 p.m.

What: t he turtle Heads rock ‘N’ roll

Dance party

Where: Josie Kelly’s public House

When: Saturday, Sept. 28

Time: 9 p.m.

tickets: No Cover

t he turtle Heads are back. Keep the Local’s Summer going and get turtlefied.

What: Haus of Qweens Daddies & baddies Amateur Night

Where: Kiss Kiss Nightclub tropicana

When: Sunday, Sept. 29

Time: Doors open at 7 p.m. Showtime is 8.

t ickets: $10 in advance $15 at the door

It’s a fun night with two different categories, the Drag Daddies and the Daddies. bottle service is available. Contact info@kisskissnightclub.com or call 509-300-1615.

What: rooftop Wednesday rewind with DJ Skyline

Where: t he Vue rooftop at t he Claridge Hotel

When: Wednesday, Oct. 2

Time: 5-11 p.m.

Happy Hour is 7 p.m. with food and drink specials. m usic will be from the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and 2000s.

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

Fine Italian Cuisine

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City to host Wigs & Wishes Gala Saturday, Oct. 5

DJ-Based Disco Dance Party Gimme Gimme Disco to Perform at Official After Party at Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena

Nestled between the end of Childhood Cancer Awareness and beginning of breast Cancer Awareness months, celebrity hairstylist martino Cartier will host the 2024 Wigs & Wishes Gala at Hard rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 4 p.m. Wigs & Wishes is a non-profit organization that provides over 25,000 wigs and hundreds of wishes to recipients fighting cancer each year at no cost.

Cartier, the foundation’s founder and New Jersey 101.5 morning show host bill Spadea will preside over the gala’s festivities featuring drinks, hors d’oeuvres, dancing, and more. During the event, Cartier will crown a queen of the night during a live performance by Frankie Zulferino, who will also grant a wish to a child battling cancer during the event. Additionally, guests will be treated to a 30-minute concert by Zulferino at the start of the gala. Highlights from the 2023 gala can be

viewed here.

“ t he Wigs & Wishes Gala is the culmination and celebration of the efforts our dedicated team puts forward throughout the year,” Cartier said.

“Our mission is to give these courageous people a chance to honor their journey and enjoy a special evening dedicated to them.”

“Hard r ock Atlantic City is honored to host the Wigs & Wishes Gala,” noted George Goldhoff, Hard rock Atlantic City president. “We are humbled to be a part of these brave individuals’ journeys and look forward to giving them an unforgettable eve -

ning of fun and celebration.”

Following the gala, DJ-based dance party Gimme Gimme Disco will transport Hard rock Live at etess Arena back in time to the 1970s with a disco-themed celebration. Guests

are encouraged to dress in their favorite disco attire as the DJ takes them to the heart of the era with all the classic hits from AbbA, t he b ee Gees, Donna Summer, Cher, and more. tickets cost $20 and proceeds from tickets sold will directly benefit Wigs & Wishes. For more information or to purchase tickets for the Wigs & Wishes Gala visit WigsandWishes.org. to purchase tickets for Gimme Gimme Disco please visitHardrockHotelAtlanticCity.com and ticketmaster.com or 800-7453000

Jasmine brings magical flavors to Indian and Asian cuisine in Galloway

By Scott Cronick

If you love food, prepare for something original and special. my wife and I weren’t prepared for the mind-blowing experience of Jasmine Desi Asian Grill, a new Indian, thai and Chinese eatery located in the former W.L. Goodfellows on the White Horse pike in Galloway.

Sure, we love Indian food, but trust us when we tell you Jasmine takes Indian cuisine to another level for several reasons – its beautiful space, the melding of different ethnic cuisines, the originality, the passion – and that’s saying something … because South Jersey already has some very notable Indian restaurants.

One thing that no one can argue is that Jasmine is different from any-

thing else in South Jersey. It’s original and unique to the area, and it’s certainly welcome.

“We are a multi-cuisine restaurant that is Indian with inspiration from thailand and China,” said romesh ruthnaswamy, a native of India whose love of travel and food led to him opening his first restaurant with two terrific chef/partners, rikhi pandeya and Navjot Arora. “India is a very diverse country, and it has a lot to offer with menu items that we have included in our menu here. b ut we believe that anything you taste has to be an experience, so we are big on getting the textures, the flavors, the sweetness, the saltiness, the spiciness in every dish. It’s what diners are looking for.”

Meet Team Jasmine

careers and go where his passion truly lies: food.

ruthnaswamy, a radiologist by trade who felt burned out by the COVID pandemic, decided to switch

Having traveled extensively throughout Southeast Asia and experiencing its food and culture, he knew he could bring something different to South Jersey if he took a shot. that shot was buying the former W.L. Goodfellows, a landmark American restaurant on the White Horse pike in Galloway that was originally built as a t.G.I. Friday’s but then converted into its own American chain-looking brand when the former owners didn’t get the franchise. Goodfellows was a huge part of the community, and ruthnaswamy wanted to bring it back from the ashes since it has been sitting vacant since 2019.

While ruthnaswamy had the passion for food and the business mind, he knew he needed some great partners who knew the back of the house.

So, he recruited two of the best chefs he knew, pandeya and Arora, to bring the Jasmine big 3 together. b oth chefs have stellar credentials.

Arora is the chef/owner of Chutney masala, an acclaimed michelin bib Gourmand restaurant that has been voted the best of West Chester, N.Y., six years in a row. His romance with Southeast Asian cuisine was kindled by many trips to thailand, Singapore and malaysia, where he spent weeks immersed in authentic Asian gastronomy, which invigorated and excited his passion. Not only has his restaurant gotten some m ichelin credit, but he has also been on “ beat bobby Flay” and was a judge on “Shop rite Cooking Star.”

A few years ago, he teamed up with pandeya to create Sambal, a t hai/ m alaysian restaurant on the banks of the Hudson in Irvington,

N.Y., that has become one of the best restaurants in that area.

pandeya grew up in Nepal in humble surroundings with a deep passion for travel. He started his career working with the tandoor – a large, vase-shaped ovenand moved to Delhi, landing at the taj Delhi, where he went on to win the coveted “ taj Culinary Award.” the chef then found an opportunity with Asian cuisine working in Shangrila, Delhi’s premier Asian restaurant, which properly began a culinary journey and other travels to Singapore, thailand and malaysia, which you can taste in his cooking.

He eventually landed in New York and was mentored by Arora, where he fine-tuned his skills and began a creative partnership that now expands to South Jersey, where they feel they can make an impact.

“I am so blessed to have good partners,” ruthnaswamy said. “ they work together well and created this special place with me that we are very proud of.”

Introducing Jasmine

For starters, ruthnaswamy and his crew had to make Goodfellows not look like a chain restaurant anymore. With lots of dark woods to compete with, they decided to work them in as much as they could. they accented those woods with some stunning chandeliers, a yellowand-green palette and upscale touches like beautiful two-seat, flowered banquettes for some of the seating. the 85-seat main dining room, which is in the former bar area where a bar no longer exists, offers an elevated private area for a decently large group.

“We brightened up the space, renovated it extensively, used fantastic color combinations for the walls, and it’s a clean, chic and bright environment with beautiful lighting,” ruthnaswamy said. “It’s very airy and comfortable, and you can enjoy your meal in a very open setting.”

the former main dining room will now be the Jasmine banquet room, an equally beautiful space that holds up to 150 people that is filling a needed void in the Absecon and Galloway

Jasmine partners Romesh Ruthnaswamy, left, and Chef Rikhi Pandeya show off some of their amazing cuisine.

area. It has already hosted weddings, fundraisers and banquets, and it is booked four times next month for parties of up to 150 people.

“I think that part of the business is going to be a tremendous boost to us as a business,” ruthnaswamy said. “It was something needed in the area.”

Experience Jasmine

t he name of the restaurant is inspired by the flower Jasmine for its exotic fragrance, elegant stature and deep cultural meaning that has earned it the coveted position of “flower of choice” widely across the globe. Jasmine has become synonymous with the unity, purity and innocence of love, and is commonly used in various festivities and religious ceremonies.

the main attraction, of course, is the food, and Jasmine offers a layer of cuisines that is unique and unrivaled in the area.

“ these are dishes that are not regular things you see on other regular

menus,” ruthnaswamy said. “While we have items that will be familiar, we thrive on menu items that really differentiate us from another Indian place you might have gone to.”

t hat is no lie, but don’t expect fusion cuisine.

“You don’t see the dishes crossing over,” ruthnaswamy said. “ they all stand on their own as thai, Indian or Chinese. there are any similar ingredients that tie them all together, but is the way they are cooked what really differentiates everything?

"For example, you will see many Indian items coming out of the tandoor, and if you get a tour of the kitchen you will see the Asian chef cooking in a wok over a high flame controlled by his leg while his hands are occupied cooking and getting all of the spices, sauces and proteins together. that quick heat injection is the key to the Asian side of the menu.

“And Indian cuisine is more of letting things simmer and take time, so the spices all blend together nicely. the way you approach the cooking of these cuisines makes all the difference,” ruthnaswamy said.

make sure you start off with some zero-proof cocktails – Jasmine is bYO b – including the spicy guava margarita and my favorite, the thai iced tea, that offers some half-andhalf to cool down some of the spicier moments of your meal, if you choose to order that way.

t he hardest part of your meal will be deciding what to order from the voluminous menu that is nicely labeled into sections and styles.

For starters, check out the spinach cheese dumplings ($11.95) that are handmade daily and have very little spice, letting the ingredients speak for themselves in these gorgeously made dumplings; the crispy honey chili lotus root ($11.95), which is fantastically crispy, savory and sweet; and the show-stopping pani poori ($9.95).

“ the pani poori is a fun experience and fantastic to look at,” ruthnaswamy said. “It has such rich flavors. It’s a semolina shell that is deep fried, and we add chickpeas, mint, tomato and a little bit of the tamarind sauce. It comes with a vessel to pour more tamarind sauce in those balls made out of mint, coriander, rock salt and green peppers. then you take that entire thing in your mouth and get ready for the flavors to explode in your mouth.”

t here are also homemade samosas, salads, soups – check out the sweet corn soup – and biryani, a fragrant combination of long grain b asmati slow cooked in a copper

vessel with fresh herbs, spices and served with raita, a cucumber yogurt cooler served in a variety of ways including with chicken, vegetables, lamb, shrimp and even goat.

the tandoori specials and breads, as well as Naan, are incredibly popular and all made in house.

“When you cook in the tandoor, that high temperature with heat rising from the bottom just makes the most succulent piece of chicken that you could ever want,” ruthnaswamy said of the melai chicken kebab, which is served on a skewer after it’s barbecued.

We n e e d e d t h i s .

S o m e r s P o i n t ’ s

h a p p i e s t h o u r.

t here is also tandoori chicken, paneer tikka, chicken tikka masala, rice and noodle dishes including pad thai and what is possibly the most sold dish, so far, the pineapple fried rice ($16.95) served beautifully in a half pineapple.

“ the tikka masala is also very popular because people are familiar with it, and I think we have an amazing version of it,” ruthnaswamy said. “It is creamy and tasty and made with such complex flavors.”

On the Indian side, don’t sleep on the raarha goat ($24.95) served on the bone stewed to perfection; the prawns blachao ($24.95), shrimp sau -

teed in a chunky garam marsala; and the malai Kofta ($17.95), homemade cheese and potato dumplings in a creamy sauce that I will be trying on my next visit.

On the Asian side, must-haves include the green, yellow penang or red curry ($16.95); the whole red snapper ($27.95) with crispy whole fish, oyster garlic sauce and chili-garlic reduction; and the lamb shank massaman ($28.95) that is slow simmered with diced potatoes, peanuts and tamarind.

“I think what we are seeing is that people are yearning food that has different flavors and experiences,” ruthnaswamy said. “I am blown away

by the amount of customers who are experiencing Asian and Indian food for the first time, and they are loving it. they keep coming back, so that’s a good sign.”

Don’t be intimidated the best advice I can give is to not be intimidated. the chefs will cook to your spice level, and many of the dishes are mild by nature. Have a question? Just ask!

“When people think of spice, they think heat, and spices are not just heat, they add flavor,” ruthnaswamy said. “ people think of curry when they think Indian food, but it’s so much more complex with all of the spices

we have to offer. And we are going to introduce people to this cuisine and use stepping stones, so they learn about the flavors of what this style of cuisine offers. And everyone is always very surprised by the range of flavors and heats that are here.”

And, if you come for just one dish, get this dessert: Daar Saan ($8), honey-glazed, crispy noodles with sesame accompanied by homemade, creamy vanilla ice cream. I am still thinking about it days after eating it.

Keeping Good Spirits for over 85 Years!

“It’s something to die for,” ruthnaswamy said.

As for Jasmine’s future, ruthnaswamy said they are already exceeding expectations, doing well for lunch and dinner.

“I really didn’t set high expectations,” ruthnaswamy said. “I knew it would take time to introduce people to the various cuisines and flavors we offer, but I am blown away but he support we have been receiving. We have been rocking every night.”

Jasmine is located at 310 E. White Horse Pike, Galloway, and is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week beginning at 11:30 a.m. Call 609-3807831 or go to JasmineAC.com.

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

The Best Draft Picks!

Atlantic City Headliners

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 r ock Live at etess

Arena

Friday, October 11

Giggly Squad Live

▶8 p.m.

Hard rock Live at etess Arena

John Mulaney ▶8 p.m.

borgata event Center

Becky Robinson ▶8 p.m.

the m usic box at borgata

Saturday, October 12

John Cafferty and the Beaver

Brown Band

▶8 p.m.

Whitney Cummings

▶8 p.m.

Sound Waves at Hard rock

The Rascals

▶8 p.m.

Superstar theater at resorts

Bryson Tiller

▶8 p.m.

borgata event Center

Atsuko Okatsuka

▶8 p.m.

the m usic box at borgata

the Celebrity theatre at the Clar-

idge Hotel

Brad Paisley

▶8 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino

Friday, October 18

Marlon Wayans

▶8 p.m.

Circus maximus theater at Caesars

Saturday,

October 19

Diana Ross

▶8 p.m.

Hard rock Live at etess Arena

Vic DiBitetto

▶7 p.m. & 10 p.m.

Sound Waves at Hard rock

Brad Williams

▶8 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino

Jesse McCartney

▶8 p.m.

tropicana Showroom

Joe Gatto

▶8 p.m.

Circus maximus theater at Caesars

Yachtley Crew

▶8 p.m.

Harrah’s Atlantic City

On-Sale This Week

Pitbull

▶Friday, Dec. 27 and Saturday, Dec. 28, 8 p.m. & tuesday, Dec. 31, 10 p.m.

Hard rock Live at etess Arena

Umphrey’s McGee

▶Saturday, Jan. 25, 8 p.m.

Sound Waves at Hard rock

On sale Friday, Sept. 27, 10 a.m.

Photo credit: Tynan Hand

Schultz-Hill Foundation brings arts, neighbors together at Orange Loop Community Block Party and Concert

It was an afternoon filled with live music, art demonstrations and interactive activities at the Orange Loop Community block party and Concert at the tennessee Avenue beer Hall, on Saturday, Sept 21. Sponsored by the Schultz-Hill Foundation, this event brought the arts to the Atlantic City community, fostering a spirit of connectivity and creativity.

Dave Damiani and his Quartet captivated the crowd with classic American standards. Damiani is a singer, songwriter and producer based in Los Angeles.

performance artist m ichael Indorato, known as “the Flying Artist,” added an exhilarating visual dimension.

the event also featured engaging activities, including caricature artists and Face & body painting by Heather, ensuring a fun experience for all ages. Attendees enjoyed delicious food available for purchase, creating a festive atmosphere that highlighted community spirit.

“ t he Orange Loop Community block party is a testament to what we can achieve together,” said Gary Hill of the Schultz-Hill Foundation. “We are grateful to our sponsors—OceanFirst bank, the Orange Loop, and the m idtown Community Development Corporation—whose support helped make this event possible. We also thank our many generous donors and

benefactors who help us continue our mission.”

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.

The “Flying Artist” Michael Indorato took creativity to new heights.

Executive Director of Midtown in Motion CDC Kacy Wilkins, a sponsor of the event, stands with Schultz-Hill Foundation Co-founder Gary Hill.

Local residents enjoyed body/face painting as part of the Orange Loop ARTS/ Block Party.

Thirteen Jersey Shore promoters who can help

land a gig

Tune In, Turn On

With Doug Deutsch

Time and time again, while talking with bands and solo artists, this subject comes up: Who books this room? Who books this club? How can we get into casino lounges to perform? to this end, tune In turn On has compiled a short list of promoters and people to know if you’re looking to play music at the Jersey Shore (the list is alphabetical) with a short description of each.

Anthony Baker: t he premier cover acts booking agency in the triState (pA/NJ/pA), baker – whose dad was booking agent legend Freddy baker – has an excellent roster that includes young rockers Fat m ezz, philly/Jersey legend mike LeCompt, earcandy and many others. b aker

also drums in the popular Goodman Fiske band.

Cronick: Scott is part proprietor and booker at tennessee Avenue b eer Hall, an important midsize, non-casino, indoor/ outdoor venue in AC’s Orange Loop. Coming off a capacity crowd for a blues gig featuring b illy t he Kid and t he regulators recently, tAb H has a few cool upcoming gigs, including highly-regarded Allman brothers band tribute Live At the Fillmore there Sunday, Oct. 6.

Jon Henderson: If he’s not the best area promoter, Henderson is certainly in the top three. His family-operated Good t ime tricycle productions company does important local annual events such as the Atlantic City beer & music Festival Downbeach Seafood Festival, and more.

Dan Mulhern: t he brother of jazz guitarist John m ulhern, books acts into the lounges at Hard rock Casino, borgata, and Golden Nugget.

Tina Notaro: Her Noetrope company puts on such groovy regular events as New moon Night m arket & Dance p arty. Notaro is also active with many high-profile community events in Atlantic City.

Near Dark Entertainment: Owned and operated by Jason Goldfarb, Near Dark books all of Caesars entertainment’s properties and casino lounges (i.e. Caesars, Wild West, b ally’s, tropicana and Harrah’s).

John Loreaux: You can’t be playing music in the South Jersey area

and not be familiar with Loreaux and his ever-present 35mm camera, as Loreaux is one of the premiere music photographers in the entire region. What many people don’t know is that John (and his lovely wife Cammie) also support local musicians by giving them gigs at his eHt compound (that’s where we first saw up-andcoming blues group twisted Livin’).

MariBeth: One of the first non-casino promoters we met when moving back to AC in 2022, maribeth presents some of the coolest, avantgarde events, such as the recent Ghost town Ship at Anchor rock Club, most of which involve performances by either eclectic rock/emo groups and/or DJs.

Lou Reichert: One of the more colorful characters we’ve come in contact with, reichert runs and books the Lizzie rose m usic room in tuckerton, perhaps the most vital non-casino live music venue in all of southern New Jersey. this Sunday, Sept. 29, blues artist Katie Henry plays Lizzie rose.

Jerry Ryan: Ah, Jerry…another character in a business full of them. r yan is best known for his elephant talk Indie m usic Festival (and) etI m Awards, the latter taking place Oct. 18-20 at tennessee Avenue beer Hall (indoor/outdoor, rain/shine; feature coming in this column soon).

Stephen Weiss: Weiss’ NorStep productions, with significant other Noranne thompson, used to book bourre in AC (which became Cardinal restaurant), plus Atlantic palace, Le Grand Fromage, the boneyard, and others venues. He has recently turned his attention to 420-themed events with music.

Carmen Marotta: When it comes to promoters of roots/blues/Americana concerts, m arotta is certainly the most high-profile, coming off a superlative 2024 summer season that featured appearances by Samantha Fish, Devon Allman, phantom b lues b and and so many more. m arotta, along with wife Nancy, present all the big-name tony mart-sponsored free shows on the AC boardwalk and at the bay Avenue beach in Somers point. Coming up Oct. 12, tony mart presents John Cafferty & the beaver brown band at the Claridge Celebrity theatre.

Greg Mungan: A terrific guy (and former musician) who books the Anchor rock Club in AC, m ungan is the type of club booker musicians love to deal with. the Anchor has some solid shows coming up, including singer/ songwriter rhett miller, front-person for alt-country band Old 97s, on Oct. 11.

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.

Rhett Miller will perform Oct. 11 at Anchor Rock Club in Atlantic City. Photo by Vivian HW Wang.

The Boo Bar returns to Resorts Casino Hotel

Halloween-themed cocktails, entertainment and more haunt b ar One starting Friday, Sept. 13

It’s spooky season at resorts Casino Hotel, which marks the return of the boo bar, a Halloween-themed pop-up bar located at b ar One. Guests can enjoy spine-chilling drink specials, eerie live music and fang-tastic giveaways through the end of October!

Drink Specials

● the bride of Frankenstein ($14) –Crown royal XO, Cointreau, lemon juice, sugar rim

● Frank-N-tini ($14) – Vodka, melon liqueur, blue Curacao, orange juice, lemon lime soda

● perfect pink Cosmo ($10) – New Amsterdam Vodka, Cointreau, lime, cranberry

All proceeds from the Perfect Pink Cosmo benefit Resorts Casino Hotel’s Men Wear Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign.

Live entertainment

It wouldn’t be Halloween at the b oo b ar without entertainment! Guests can monster mash to live DJ sets every night during September and October, plus partake in trivia nights on m ondays from 7 – 10 p.m, Karaoke on thursdays from 8 p.m. to midnight and bingo on Sundays from 1 p.m. – 3 a.m. the boo bar Halloween party takes place on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 7 – 11 p.m. Guests can enjoy face painting, promotional giveaways and a ghoulish costume contest.

For more information about the boo bar and other exciting offerings at resorts Casino Hotel, visit resortsac.com.

Photo credit: NuYawk

Photo credit: NuYawk

Live & Local Music Calendar

Thursday, September 26

Atlantic City

Bar One at Resorts

Karaoke Night w/ Cowboy

Kevin

8 p.m.

1133 boardwalk

Council Oak at Hard Rock

Andriana markano

5:30 – 9 p.m.

1000 boardwalk

Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino

DJ Chris roberts

8 p.m.

500 boardwalk

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

Dane Anthony

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

600 Huron Ave.

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock the Cliffs

7 – 11 p.m.

1000 boardwalk

Somers Point

Caroline’s by the Bay

Karaoke Night w/ mike Dempsey

8:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.

450 bay Ave.

Crab Trap Keith Hickman

6 – 9 p.m.

2 broadway Gregory’s Glen eric

6 – 8 p.m.

900 Shore rd.

Mexiquila

bronson tennis

5 – 8 p.m.

101 e maryland Ave.

Queen Jayne’s

Jeff & barney

6 – 9 p.m.

264 New rd.

Ventnor

Ventnor Coffee

Open mic Night w/ pete Glaze & t Five

6:30 – 9 p.m.

108 N. Dorset Ave.

Friday, September 27

Atlantic City

1927 Lounge at Ocean Casino Dominick martino

6 p.m.

Jeremy Oren

9:15 p.m.

500 boardwalk

Anchor Rock Club

t he Washups w/ m ules of the Cellar, m onstertruck Firetruck, Amphiuma

8 p.m.

247 S. New York Ave.

Bar One at Resorts

Killer b ’s

Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino

Who brought the Dog Duo

7 p.m. the benjamins

10 p.m.

500 boardwalk

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

m egan Knight Duo

6 p.m. the Deck band

10 p.m.

600 Huron Ave.

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock

Sky City Social

5 – 8:30 p.m. the benderz

9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.

1000 boardwalk

Topgolf at Ocean Casino Country Night

7 p.m.

500 boardwalk

Villain & Saint at Ocean Casino big bang baby

9:30 p.m.

500 boardwalk

Egg Harbor City

Renault Winery

philly Keys

6 – 10 p.m.

72 N. bremen Ave.

Egg Harbor Township

The Roost Pub & Grill

tony & Friends

6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

500 St. Andrews Dr.

6 – 9 p.m.

DJ Chazz

9 p.m. – 2 a.m.

1133 boardwalk

Council Oak at Hard Rock

Dan Jost trio

6 – 9 p.m.

DJ Dr1ft

10 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.

1000 boardwalk

Hard Rock Café

Dueling pianos

9 p.m. – 1 a.m.

1000 boardwalk

Margate Bocca

bob & Nicky

6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

7805 Ventnor Ave.

Smithville

Fred & Ethel’s Lantern Light blue Street band

7 – 10 p.m.

1 N. New York rd.

Somers Point

Caroline’s by the Bay 99 reasons ↘Continued on 68

Photo credit: Big Bang Baby Facebook

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

450 bay Ave.

Crab Trap that 70’s band

6 – 9 p.m.

2 broadway

Crabby Jack’s

Haley & timmy Duo

5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

2 broadway

Fitzpatrick’s Glen eric

5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

650 New rd.

Josie Kelly’s the Jenny barnes band

9 p.m.

908 Shore rd.

Tuckerton

The Lizzie Rose Music Room the Cinelli brothers

7:30 p.m.

217 e main St.

Saturday, September 28

Atlantic City

1927 Lounge at Ocean Casino

Kristina pruitt

6 p.m.

Dominick martino

9:15 p.m.

500 boardwalk

Bar One at Resorts

tom and Kim

6 – 9 p.m.

DJ Gary

9 p.m. – 2 a.m.

1133 boardwalk

Council Oak at Hard Rock

eSQ trio

6 – 9 p.m.

DJ Capps

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 patty & bugzy

7 p.m.

3Am tokyo

10 p.m.

500 boardwalk

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

bar None

5 p.m.

party Wave

10 p.m.

600 Huron Ave.

Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall

tony DeLuca and the polka Dots

3 p.m.

Glenn roberts

8 – 11 p.m.

1133 boardwalk

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock ballistic berry

5 – 8 p.m. pulse

9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.

1000 boardwalk

Topgolf at Ocean Casino

m elanie & patty Duo

8 p.m.

500 boardwalk

Villain and Saint at Ocean Casino

Chris Yoder band

9:30 p.m.

500 boardwalk

Egg Harbor City

Renault Winery

John King

12 – 4 p.m.

Dan Krochmal

6 – 10 p.m.

72 N. bremen Ave.

Margate

Bocca

No Clue Duo

8 – 11 p.m.

7805 Ventnor Ave.

Margate Fall Funfest

teddi Fusco

12 – 12:50 p.m.

1818 Shakedown Street

1 – 1:50 p.m.

Artese & toad

2 – 2:50 p.m.

pour m outh Henry

3 – 3:50 p.m.

No Clue trio

4 – 4:50 p.m.

Swing that Cat

5 – 5:50 p.m.

Jefferson & Amherst Ave.

Smithville

Fred & Ethel’s Lantern Light

Chad miller

7 – 10 p.m.

1 N. New York rd.

Somers Point

Caroline’s by the Bay radio revolution band

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

450 bay Ave.

Crab Trap that 70’s band

6 – 9 p.m.

2 broadway

Crabby Jack’s bob m ower Duo

5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

2 broadway

Gregory’s Live DJ

9 p.m.

900 Shore rd.

Fitzpatrick’s phil Stocker

5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

650 New rd.

Josie Kelly’s the turtle Heads

9 – 11:30 p.m.

908 Shore rd.

Tuckerton

The Lizzie Rose Music Room

rockin’ the Yacht

7:30 p.m.

217 e main St.

ENTERTAINMENT FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS

Sunday, September 29

Atlantic City

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

Camille K

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

Audio riot

4 – 7:30 p.m.

Cat 5

8:30 – 11:30 p.m.

1000 boardwalk

Egg Harbor City

Renault Winery

Nashvegas Girls

12 – 4 p.m.

72 N. bremen Ave.

Margate

Margate Fall Funfest

Dan barry

12 – 12:50 p.m.

Friend of a Friend

1 – 1:50 p.m. Sunrise Cries

2 – 2:50 p.m.

blue Street band

3 – 3:50 p.m. the Company

4 – 4:50 p.m.

Jefferson & Amherst Ave.

p.m.

126-130 N. High St. Tuckerton

The Lizzie Rose Music Room Katie Henry 7:30 p.m. 217 e main St.

7 p.m.

900 Shore rd.

Tuckerton

The Lizzie Rose Music Room

Chris O’Leary band

Monday, September 30

Atlantic City

Bar One at Resorts

DJ proud

7 p.m. – 12 a.m. 1133 boardwalk

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock the Way Outs

7 – 11 p.m.

1000 boardwalk

Somers Point Gregory’s tom Angello’s All-Star Jazz band

Somers Point

Josie Kelly’s

DJ Ken

5 – 9 p.m.

908 Shore rd.

Wednesday, October 2

Atlantic City

Bar One at Resorts

DJ Gary

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

1133 boardwalk

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

michael Stevens

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

600 Huron Ave.

Margate Bocca

bob Sterling & the bocca boys

7 – 10 p.m.

7805 Ventnor Ave.

Somers Point

Caroline’s by the Bay

7:30 p.m.

217 e main St.

Tuesday, October 1

Atlantic City

Bar One at Resorts

DJ raff

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

1133 boardwalk

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget patty & bugzy

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

600 Huron Ave.

Open m ic Night hosted by b lue eagle. 8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

450 bay Ave.

Crab Trap bow m ower Duo 6 – 9 p.m. 2 broadway

Tuckerton

The Lizzie Rose Music Room Vanessa Collier

7:30 p.m.

217 e main St. Events subject to change.

Photo credit: The Exceptions Facebook

Remembering when the Sands was the hot spot in AC

By Chuck Darrow

It was, if memory serves, breezy, crisp and clear in Atlantic City the evening of Oct. 18, 2007. What would have normally been a sparsely populated section of midtown was instead filled with people eager to watch a local landmark be reduced to a dust-swirling pile of rubble in a matter of seconds. And at 9:37 p.m., that’s exactly what they saw as the Sands Hotel & Casino passed into memory.

the demolition of the 27-year-old adult playpen was ostensibly a time for celebration; a $2 billion, nautically themed mega-resort was to be built on the site by the now-defunct gaming company, pinnacle entertainment of Las Vegas. No spoiler alert is needed to report that the project re -

sulted not in a glittering casino-hotel complex, but an empty lot that remains as you read this. t he Sands started life on Aug. 13, 1980 as Our town’s fourth legal gambling den (and, of course, the nation’s fourth legal casino outside of Nevada). back then it was called the b righton Hotel & Casino; it was built on the site of the b righton Hotel, which was one of the city’s first grand hotels. b ut it was never profitable, and in early 1981, Inns of America, which owned the legendary Las Vegas Sands, bought it and rechristened it with that famous brand (Inns of America ultimately sold the Sands properties, but the Atlantic City outpost entered into a yearslong licensing deal to maintain the name).

there’s much more to the Sands’

story. b ut we’ll focus primarily on what can be considered the property’s golden age—a 15-20-year-stretch when, thanks to a savvy entertainment policy and ownership (pratt Hotel Corp.) that clearly understood you have to spend money to make

money, the Sands was a show biz giant.

b efore we get into that end of things, a brief description of the Sands is probably in order for those who may never have actually been there:

It was situated not on the b oardwalk, but on a piece of land separated from the Great Wood Way by what was the site of the iconic traymore Hotel, one of the grand palaces of the city’s early-to-mid20th-century halcyon days. b ecause of the geographical limits of the tract, the Sands’s 21-story hotel tower had but 500 rooms and the casino was 60,000 square feet, both of which were the absolute minimums mandated by the state’s gaming rules and regulations.

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the best way to describe the first two (public) levels—and, really, the entire property—is to say that the Sands’ vibe was what is now generally called “old-school Vegas.” And indeed, the atmosphere absolutely was reminiscent of Vegas icons like the Golden Nugget and Horseshoe downtown and Sahara, Stardust and, yes, the Sands, on the Strip. Suffice it to say, it was pretty darn cool, if not luxurious by modern standards.

two second-level dining rooms-the b righton Steakhouse and the Italian-focused m edici--were classic examples of 1980s—and-‘90s casino gourmet eateries: posh, with firstclass kitchens and top-flight service. but the center of attention was the Copa room.

the Copa room was a carpeted, upholstered, mid-century-style nightclub that seated about 850 at long, rectangular tables and—for high-rollers and other VI ps—plush, half-moon booths. Its layout and intimacy were such that even the “worst” seat afforded great sightlines. the acoustics were likewise superb. but it was those who appeared on the Copa room stage who created indelible experiences and memories.

thanks to some of the sharpest entertainment bookers of the legal-gaming era, the Copa hosted a dizzying array or megas-stars who otherwise would be found in sports arenas and stadiums:

tom Cantone, who today stands as the dean of casino-entertainment programming as president of Sports & entertainment for the m ohegan Sun casino organization of Uncasville, Conn., came aboard in the mid-’80s and singlehandedly changed the gambling den-entertainment game by realizing—and proving--there was a huge and growing (read: younger, hipper) audience that wasn’t interested in traditional “casino acts” like Steve Lawrence & eydie Gorme, Alan King and Jerry Vale. Cantone’s bookings included the casino debuts of robin Williams, eddie m urphy and Linda ronstadt. And it was Cantone who elevated Jerry Seinfeld to co-headliner status in the years right before the debut of “Seinfeld.”

Cantone was succeeded by the late Jay Venetianer, whose booking coups included Cher (her 1990 shows were the first in city history to have tickets cost $200) and, most importantly, Frank Sinatra, who did an unprecedented 49 shows there, according to setlist.fm.

Sinatra, of course, was no stranger to the local scene, having played Steel pier with bandleaders Harry James and tommy Dorsey, the legendary 500 Club in the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s and resorts International and the

long-gone original Golden Nugget before being lured to the Sands by Venetianer at the turn of the 1990s. there has never been anything like the electricity that shot through the Sands when “ the Old man” was performing there.

typically, he would perform two or three times a year, with each engagement running thursday through Sunday. by the middle of thursday afternoon, the craps tables—which normally would have had $5 or $10 minimum-bet limits—were filled with high-rollers playing at a $100 minimum.

that and the excitement generated by the ultimate casino headliner being on property created an atmosphere that was rivaled during that time period only by the buzz at the trump plaza on the nights when m ike tyson was fighting next door at boardwalk Hall—and which hasn’t really been duplicated at any local property in many years, if at all. And seeing Sinatra in such a small venue (accompanied by a 35-piece orchestra) was an unparalleled concert experience.

Venetianer and his wife, paulajane D’Amato—daughter of notorious/beloved paul “Skinny” D’Amato, Sinatra confidant and owner of the equally venerated 500 Club--ultimately left AC for Florida, where Venetianer died of a heart attack while attending a 1997 World Series game in miami. the Sands, under a second Cantone administration and that of his successor, Jim Wise, currently the vice-president of marketing and sports/online gaming at Firekeepers Casino Hotel in battle Creek, m ich., continued to book high-powered acts despite the Copa’s intimate size. Among the superstars who headlined there throughout the 1990s were: Whitney Houston; Dixie Chicks; bob Dylan; Willie Nelson; Aretha Franklin; barry manilow and Joan rivers. by 2005, the local gambling industry was reaching its zenith, revenue-wise, and the future seemed unlimited. So, pinnacle’s purchase of the Sands from billionaire Carl Ichan for $250 million seemed anything but imprudent. b ut a perfect storm of the economic meltdown of 2006-’07 and the institution of legal casinos in pennsylvania ultimately put the kibosh on pinnacle’s plans.

b ut while competition and economic disasters can kill construction projects, they can’t destroy memories. And the Sands provided at least as many, and possibly more, than any local gambling den ever has.

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

Looking for lower- tannin red wines?

Drink Up!

By David Setley

“ tannins” seem to be one of the more complicated wine terms that I am frequently asked about. On the one hand, some folks associate tannins with issues such as headaches, stomach discomfort, and even hot flashes. On the other, tannins are an important component in red wine, as well as a compound found in some foods. Let’s look at tannins and consider alternatives for those seeking to enjoy great red wine with lower tannins.

tannins are a phenolic compound. According to sciencedirect.com, phenolic compounds are among the most common chemicals found in many plants throughout the world. they are one of the most significant secondary metabolites (the most important components behind the health benefits and medicinal properties of plants) and are largely responsible for the antioxidant attributed to many “superfoods.” tannins are present in the skins of wine grapes as well as most fruits, coffee, tea, legumes, nuts, chocolate, and some leafy, green vegetables.

After harvesting grapes, the winemaking process continues with what is commonly called the crushing of

the grapes. I know we all just had an image of Lucille ball stomping grapes in a gigantic barrel in Italy, right? In modern winemaking, Lucille stays on the sidelines as crushing is accomplished by a machine that very gently squeezes the grapes enough to separate the juice, referred to as “must” in wine-speak, from the skins, seeds, and stems, called “pomace”.

If a red wine is the winemaker’s objective, the “must” and the “pomace” remain in contact during maceration. Simply stated, maceration is a soaking process where the tannins are gradually transferred from the skins to the juice. the juice takes on the color, the flavor, and the antioxidant qualities discussed above. the duration of maceration depends on how tannic the winemaker wants the wine to be. For most reds, maceration can be as short as a week, and as long as a month or so. rosé wine is accomplished by

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allowing the skins to macerate for a very short time in the juice, resulting in the familiar pink color. In general, the longer the skins have contact with the juice, the higher the concentration of tannins. the thickness of the grape skin can also play a part in this. It is all part of the science and artistry of winemaking.

In addition to color, tannins affect wine by adding to the flavor and mouthfeel of the wine. tannins have a slightly bitter taste that, together with any remaining residual sugar, adds complexity. bitterness may not sound appealing, but think of how tea, coffee, and dark chocolate have significant bitter components but are still considered delicious. It is the same for wines. Finally, tannins give wine an astringent effect, commonly referred to as dryness. tannins bind proteins. the saliva on your tongue and in your mouth is full of proteins that the tannins bind, making your tongue, gums and palate feel dry.

Do tannins cause headaches, stomach distress and other issues?

According to Harvard Health publishing Online, maybe, for those who are particularly sensitive to tannins, but for the majority, no. the likely suspect for most is alcohol. Alcohol can cause blood vessels to dilate, thus causing headaches and other temporary dis-

comforts. If you experience negative issues when drinking red wine, try drinking a glass of water for each glass of wine to help alleviate the problem. Or drink a white wine, rosé, or some of the lower-tannin red wines recommended below.

pinot Noir is produced around the world and is among the lowest tannin red wines available. burgundy, France is considered the birthplace of this varietal and produces many reasonably priced options. try the Domaine moissenet- bonnard- bourgogne La Cuvee de l'Oncle paul 2021. this is an outstanding 100% pinot Noir. the russian river Valley of Sonoma California also produces great pinot Noir. try the balletto Vineyards- pinot Noir 2020. the

Willamette Valley of Oregon continues to gain more fame in this varietal. try the montinore estate- pinot Noir 2020 or Lemelson Winery-thea's Selection pinot Noir 2021.

Northern Italian red wines are also a great option. barbera wines from the northwestern piedmont region is another lower tannin red varietal. In fact, some consider barbera to be the pinot Noir of Italy. try the mauro m olino- barbera D'Alba 2022 or the roberto Ferraris- barbera d'Asti 2022. both are reasonably priced and guaranteed to please. the wines of the Valpolicella region of the Veneto in northeastern Italy are also wonderful. the primary grapes used for red wines in this region are Corvino, rondinella, and Corvinone; all produce a delicious, yet lower-tannin red wine. try the reasonably priced b rigaldara-Valpolicella Classico 2022 or the Giuliano rosati-Valpolicella 2021.

Halloween Dance Party

Arguably the lowest tannin red wine is Gamay, found in the b eaujolais region of France. You may know about the beaujolais Nouveau that is produced in November for the harvest celebration. What I am describing is made in the same region and with the same grape but is a high-quality aged wine that is among the most popular red wines in France. try the Jeanpaul b run terres Dorees- b eaujolais Vieilles Vignes 2022 or the Jean- paul Dubost- m oulin-À-Vent “ en b renay” 2021. either of these, or any of the recommendations above, will satisfy your craving for a great red wine while offering a lower tannic effect.

I hope this short discussion has given you a bit more understanding of tannins, as well as some lower-tannin options to try. As always, if you have questions or comments, contact me at dsetley@passionvines.com or stop by the Somers point store. Until next time, Happy Wining!

David Setley is enjoying his retirement from higher education as a wine educator and certified sommelier at

By Eric Reich

Many people are skeptical when I discuss their Social Security benefits as a part of their retirement plan. the common refrain is that they don’t want to count on Social Security because “it’s going to run out of money soon.” today, I thought we should clarify what it means for Social Security to “run out of money” and what the implications are for those planning for retirement.

First, what is the Social Security trust fund? It is actually two separate funds that are set up to pay regular Social Security benefits and the other is for disability benefits.

the “regular” Social Security trust fund currently has a surplus of around $2.9 trillion dollars. However, starting with 2021, that reserve has started to deplete. the fund is expected to be depleted by 2033 according to the Social Security Administration. the disability trust fund is scheduled to run out in 2057.

If a solution to the problem is not reached prior to 2033, then the administration would only be able to pay benefits equal to 76% of the current retirement benefit level through 2098. Yes, that’s longer than most of us will be alive. but how about our kids? this is a really important statistic because it tells us a lot about what contributes to your Social Security retirement benefit.

Since 76% of retirement benefits will still be payable after 2033, that means that the trust fund only accounts for a small percentage of your total benefit. So where do Social Security benefits come from? Of the total $1.24 trillion dollar expense for retirement benefits, $1.05 trillion comes from current taxation. that is made up of taxes that both you and your employer each pay (6.2% of your income) towards the program. Another $50 billion comes from the taxes you pay on your Social Security retirement benefits. $63 billion comes from interest on the trust fund assets, and the remaining approximately $70 billion comes from depleting the trust fund itself. this hopefully puts into perspective what the trust fund means to the overall program. While I don’t mean to downplay its importance, the fund could easily be made fully solvent with a few minor changes.

So how do we “fix” Social Security?

● Cut benefits. t his is by far the least appealing option for retirees. politicians would likely never let it happen because it would be nearly impossible to allow this to happen and still get reelected. I would say this is the least likely option.

● raise the retirement age. Currently, the latest you can be considered fully insured for Social Security benefits is age 67. t he age has only changed from age 65 to age 67 since inception. m eanwhile, life expectancy has continued to rise. If anyone younger than say age 40 had their benefits delayed until age 70, the program would likely become solvent.

● raise or eliminate the earnings limit subject to taxation. Currently, you are no longer taxed for Social Security above $168,600 per year (indexed for inflation). this number could increase to a level that would make the fund solvent again.

● raise the 6.2% tax rate. If the 6.2% tax both you and your employer currently pay to fund Social Security were to be raised, even slightly, the shortfall could be eliminated as well.

While none of these options are particularly favorable, they are better than the reduction of benefits to current retirees. Since most of our GD p in the U.S. is based on consumer spending, the more money in the hands of retirees, the better. Clearly, it isn’t particularly hard to “fix” Social Security. the problem is coming up with the best solution (or combination of several). my point is, even if the Social Security retirement trust fund runs out of money, it likely wouldn’t be the end of the world. the government could easily maintain current benefit levels with a few minor tweaks.

All statistics sourced from SSA.gov. 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.

Explore the world of dog sports: AKC Junior Showmanship

By Heidi Clayton

Do you have a dog-obsessed kid? take a look at the AKC Junior Showmanship program to channel their obsession into a fun and healthy hobby. Since the creation of the American Kennel Club 140 years ago, they have been devoted to preserving the world of purebred dogs. the AKC has been welcoming children to participate in their events since the early 1920s. Originally called the “Children’s Handling Class,” this is now called AKC Junior Showmanship. to participate in Junior Showmanship, your child must be between 9-18 years of age. You must register with the AKC to obtain your AKC Juniors number. Once you’ve got a number, you just need to get a dog! many of the

breeders I know would love to have a Junior to mentor in their breed and openly welcome placing a dog with a family that has a Junior interested in showing.

Just like other sports, AKC Junior Handling teaches a great deal about learning good sportsmanship. Learning how to groom and show a dog is a skill in and of itself. Unlike the regular classes of an AKC conformation show where the dog is being judged against a written standard, AKC Juniors are judged on the presentation of the dog by the Junior. Juniors show in classes that are separated by age groups: Juniors, ages 9-12 years; Intermediate, ages 12-15; and finally the Senior class, which is 15-18 years old. regardless of the age at which one starts, beginners enter the Novice level of competition and stay there until they have won three first-in-class placements. From Novice, you advance to the Open and then to masters.

the AKC has established the National Juniors Organization, which helps Juniors find events to participate in and has a scholarship program that awards scholarships to multiple

Juniors throughout the year. Junior Sportsmanship has also grown to include performance sports such as agility, nose work, and obedience. the AKC also has a class for children 5-9 years of age called “ peeWee.” It is an absolute delight to

watch! parents are required to be on hand. However, for the most part, the little ones get to take their dogs into the ring and show them by themselves. I have watched many young boys and girls come through the Junior Showmanship program who all started as simply dog lovers who wanted to be around dogs all of the time. they then learned how to train and show them. many go on to apprentice under professional dog handlers. they learn everything from the time management involved in showing multiple dogs, grooming skills, training a dog, and experience the thrill of winning and, of course, the agony of defeat. All of the Juniors I know support each other and encourage each other both in and out of the ring. Lifelong friendships are developed from AKC Juniors as well as many lifelong skills.

If your child loves dogs and you’d like to expose them to a family-friendly and safe hobby, check out the American Kennel Clubs website and give Junior Sportsmanship a try. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net.

Kitchen, Bathroom

Renovations

SEASONS ARE CHANGING IS YOUR SYSTEM READY?

TRUSTED SINCE 1949

Tom Kelly, Margate’s Medal of Honor hero

By William Kelly

After seeing the movie, “Hacksaw r idge,” about the U.S. Army medic who was awarded the Congressional m edal of Honor for saving the lives of some 75 soldiers during the battle of Okinawa in the pacific during World War II, I couldn’t help but think of tom Kelly.

Kelly, originally from b rooklyn, served as an Army medic in europe during the war. After the Army, he obtained an education degree and eventually a law degree from Fordham University in New York before becoming a lawyer and moving to margate.

I met him in the early 1980s at the Longport Inn. When I learned that he was a m edal of Honor recipient, I had a few drinks with him and asked him what he did to earn the highest award the military offers.

Kelly said he was an Army medic advancing with his unit into Germany late in the war in April 1945. As they were crossing an open field in a small town, they were mowed down by machine gun fire. Some were killed, many were wounded, but Kelly and a handful of men made it to safety

some 300 yards away.

Kelly then crawled back to lead some of the wounded to safety, carrying one on his shoulders. He returned to the battlefield 10 more times to retrieve the wounded while being peppered with machine gun fire. two other men assisted him, but both were mortally wounded.

He told me that, with a wounded soldier over his shoulders, he had to zigzag back the length of a football field to avoid the gunfire that kicked up dirt around his feet. Kelly said the thought of one of his grade school

nuns hitting him with a ruler and saying, “Go tom, Go!” inspired him to press on.

t hen he crawled back to the machine gun nest that was raining fire on them. He broke in, pulled a teenage boy off the gun and had to protect him from the other men in his unit who wanted to kill him for all the damage he inflicted.

president truman awarded Kelly the Congressional m edal of Honor on Nov. 1, 1945, with the citation that reads:

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Corporal Thomas Joseph Kelly, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty on April 5, 1945, while serving with Medical Detachment, 48th Armored Infantry Battalion, 7th Armored Division, in action at Alemert, Germany. Corporal Kelly was an aid man with the 1st Platoon of Company C during an attack on the town of Alemert, Germany. The platoon, committed in a flanking maneuver, had advanced down a small, open valley overlooked by wooded slopes hiding enemy machineguns and tanks, when the attack was stopped by murderous fire that inflicted heavy casualties in the American ranks. Ordered to withdraw, Corporal Kelly reached safety with uninjured remnants of the unit, but, on realizing the extent of casualties suffered by the platoon, voluntarily retraced his steps and began evacuating his comrades under direct machinegun fire. He was forced to crawl, dragging the injured behind him for most of the 300 yards sepa-

rating the exposed area from a place of comparative safety. Two other volunteers who attempted to negotiate the hazardous route with him were mortally wounded, but he kept on with his Herculean task after dressing their wounds and carrying them to friendly hands. In all, he made ten separate trips through the brutal fire, each time bringing out a man from the death trap. Seven more casualties who were able to crawl by themselves he guided and encouraged in escaping from the hail of fire. After he had completed his heroic, self-imposed task and was near collapse from fatigue, he refused to leave his platoon until the attack had been resumed and the objective taken. Corporal Kelly's gallantry and intrepidity in the face of seemingly certain death saved the lives of many of his fellow soldiers and was an example of bravery under fire.

Shortly thereafter, while attending a wounded German soldier, a tank came around the corner and pointed its guns at him. the tank commander opened the hatch, emerged and saluted him.

then, entering a town believed to be held by the Germans, Kelly found that the enemy had left behind 35 wounded soldiers whom he began to assist. When the Americans came and found him they asked him how he took the town without a weapon

and he responded: “I shot them with morphine.”

Kelly’s ordeal happened near the close of the war, when many of the German combatants were young boys and old men. the Germans, for the most part, had no medics and often surrendered to him as he carried no weapon.

It reminds me of when I was in berlin in 1990. I was backstage at roger Waters’ “ the Wall” concert, when the real b erlin Wall was still standing. I went outside for some fresh air and

Medical Reserve Corps Volunteer

low he shot it down. the old men applauded him, picked him up on their shoulders and carried him to the crashed plane – an American p-38. pulling back the cockpit canopy, he saw the dead pilot he had just killed and thought, “Another mother’s son. So much for heroes.” He then got sick.

tom Kelly never fired a gun, but saved the lives of 17 men that day, including the boy who wounded them with a machine gun.

After the war Kelly was a guest of honor at a parade and ceremony before 50,000 people in his native b rooklyn. When handed the microphone, he had a difficult time finding his words.

watched a tall, thin gentlemen with a handlebar mustache call up limos for the rock stars. When things got slow, he came up to me and said, “You are an American, yes? Well I have a quick story to tell you.”

the man said that he was a teenage boy during the war manning an anti-aircraft gun with a group of old men only a few hundred yards from where we were.

the old men couldn’t see or shoot well enough so they put him behind the gun, and when a plane came over

A local newspaper reported: “And all he could say was, ‘I want to tell you about my friends.’ He welled up and he cried and he fainted. And they carried him off the stage. the entire audience welled up and started to cry. And then even the skies wept, as it began to rain.”

In 1988, after playing in a golf tournament, Kelly returned to his hotel room where he suffered a fatal heart attack. He was 65. Kelly was wearing his m edal of Honor at the time.

He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. with full military honors.

The top 10 home improvements for fall

Real Estate Matters

By Elisa Jo Eagan

There are many ways to add value to your home, but expensive and extensive renovations may not always offer the best return on your investment. In fact, according to the National Association of realtors’ most recent remodeling Impact Survey, it is not always the big-ticket items that pay off when it is time to sell.

t his list includes a variety of home improvements that are ideally suited for fall DIY and weekend warrior projects. each offers the chance to add to your enjoyment of your home today, and each will add value and market appeal when it comes time to sell in the future. best of all, these affordable projects offer exceptional return on investment (rOI) potential.

Jo Eagan

1. Lawn maintenance and upgrades t hink about how much of your home’s curb appeal is dependent on the condition of the lawn.

While many homeowners spend their weekends on lawn maintenance during the spring and summer, in fall we tend to focus more on leaf raking and removal.

b e sure to take the time to properly aerate your lawn and prepare it for hibernation. Cover planting beds with fresh straw or mulch, and have irrigation systems drained and prepared for winter.

2. Plant a new tree

3. Upgrade your curb appeal

According to the Arbor Day Foundation, fall is an ideal time to plant new trees. Fall planting offers an added growing season after the stress of the hot summer months, and encourages optimal root growth. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, healthy, mature trees can add an average of 10% to a home's value, as well as providing insulation and energy savings. that means that planting a tree this fall could pay dividends for years to come.

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Your

t here are a variety of ways to add curb appeal with simple and affordable upgrades. these can include painting the front door (black is a color with high return on investment), replacing the hardware, street numbers, mailbox, and light fixtures, and painting or power washing the front steps. If you are looking for an even bigger impact, consider having a new garage door installed – it can practically pay for itself in value when it comes time to sell.

4. Upgrade your outdoor space Fall is the perfect time to upgrade your outdoor spaces and install a firepit for those cool autumn evenings. this upgrade is simple to do yourself and it can improve your home’s marketability as part of an overall outdoor refresh. Consider repairing, refinishing, or expanding an existing deck or terrace, adding landscape lighting, or having an irrigation system installed for additional appeal.

5. Install an elegant wet bar

You may remember the giant 1970s rec-room bars, but today’s wet bars are sleek and chic. You probably have space in an existing coat closet or unused nook where you can fit shelving, a small counter and sink, plus an under-counter wine fridge. this provides a lovely accent and helps to simplify serving when entertaining at home.

6. Upgrade your closet space reimagine or reconfigure your current closets for added appeal and user-friendly convenience.

Knock out a wall to turn a step-in closet into a walk-in, or borrow some space in the bathroom to create dual closets. Install an updated organizational system in an existing closet for a custom design and optimal space utilization. Add upgraded lighting and finishes for a high-end look and feel.

7. Refinish or repaint cabinets

If you don’t have the budget for a kitchen overhaul, start with the most prominent visual feature – the cabinets. Just by painting your existing outdated plain wood cabinets white, gray, a shade of light blue, or even

a cheery turquoise, you can totally transform the look and feel of your kitchen at minimal cost. this can be a fun DIY project. Check online for how-to and design ideas. Changing your cabinet hardware will also add to the refresh of your kitchen.

8. Repaint the interior repainting the interior of your home can have a significant impact on the way buyers see your home, and the way you do as well. According to the National Association of realtors (NAr) survey, repainting helps homeowners enjoy their space while also offering a simple DIY way to add additional value. Choose from a neutral palette to make the interior more appealing to eventual buyers. Or, if you do not have the time or energy to repaint the entire interior, start simple with a fresh coat of paint in the entryway or foyer.

9. Replace fixtures and finishes

If you are looking for a super simple and inexpensive way to upgrade your home’s interior, changing outdated fixtures and finishes is the way to go. replace mismatched light switches and outlet covers with new, neutral styles. replace old-fashioned interior door hardware with a cohesive, contemporary finish throughout. Change out cabinet hardware, update lighting fixtures, and switch out faucets to create a modern look and feel throughout your space.

10. Install smart home upgrades Smart-home upgrades offer the benefit of energy efficiency while you are living in the home, and a “wow” factor when it’s time to sell. there are a lot of technology items now available. Start simple with smart door locks and light bulbs, and then invest in a smart-home thermostat and security setup. plan ahead to ensure that all of your smart-home devices work well together for a simpler, more integrated, and more enjoyable system.

If you are not sure where to start, or want advice on what upgrades will increase your home’s resale value based on your specific home, contact elisa Jo eagan, the “ real estate Godmother,” at 609-703-0432. Learn more at www.t he real e stateGodmother.com.

The Allure of toned silver dollars

By Douglas Keefe, Beachcomber Coins

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying beauty is in the eye of the beholder, which literally means two people viewing the same thing can have two different opinions as to its attractiveness. Nowhere is this truer than with coins. I’ve written in the past about how detrimental cleaning coins can be to the value of the coin. A novice collector will look at a coin that has been toned due to storage and think that it can be returned to its’ original brilliance through a little elbow grease. Wrong! A true collector can tell when a coin has been cleaned and as such will probably not want it in his collection. two opinions about the same coin. Original toning can greatly enhance a coin's value. this is especially true for uncirculated m organ silver dollars dated 1878 through 1904 and to a lesser degree all other uncirculated silver coins. What I am referring to is the natural toning that occurs on these coins due to how and where these coins were stored. Silver is prone to oxidation which can result in turning a coin anywhere from gray or black to having a rainbow hue of

gold, green and/or blue colors. the colors will only occur on uncirculated coins. Once coins have circulated, the original mint patina is lost and only gray or black toning will occur, not the colorful toning. this toning is a chemical reaction to the environment and container surrounding the coin. And coins that have some or all of those rainbow colors can command a premium price, especially if they are uniformly and attractively arranged on the coins’ surface.

A Naturally Toned, Multi-Colored Silver Dollar

up the entire surface of the coin, not just a portion.

rainbow look, be prepared to pay a premium for appearance, that is unless you find a dealer who doesn’t care, uncirculated is uncirculated in his mind, toned or not. Once again, the same coin with 2 different opinions. b e careful though, because some unscrupulous dealers have started artificially coloring coins to mimic toning, hoping to sell them for a premium price. A sharp eye can tell the difference.

One collector will say he wants the coin in its original bright condition where another collector will treasure the colorful coin and appreciate what nature did to affect the coins’ appearance. two opinions, but the second one is worth more money. A more desirable coin will have a combination of all three colors, blue, green and gold appearing on the coins’ surface, which can be on either the front (obverse) or back (reverse) of the coin. Uniformity can also affect the desirability of the coin, that is it takes

I mentioned the silver dollar series, but this colorful toning can occur on any silver coin. but even advanced collectors will have a differing opinion, one wanting a bright uncirculated coin where as another will cherish the toned example. Unfortunately, this colorful toning only occurs on silver coins, not copper or gold. Copper coins go from a bright red color to a rich brown as they respond to their environment, and gold may have a mint patina, but it doesn’t change color.

Depending on your tastes, if you wish to collect silver coins with a

Since the only silver coins minted today that are not released from the mint encapsulated in air tight plastic are the American silver eagles, these are the only current issues you can hope to find toned. I was fortunate to come across a silver eagle which features Lady Liberty walking toward a rising sun with the sun and front of Liberty toned a golden color, giving the appearance of golden sunshine shining on Lady Liberty while the back of Liberty looked as though she was in the shadows. A truly unique coin, but probably only attractive to this beholder.

Plein Air in Atlantic County Parks

Saturday, Oct. 5

Calling all artists of any skill level or experience to participate in a plein Air event on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. participants will be able to sketch and paint outdoors at any of the natural, historical or recreational locations within the Atlantic County p ark at e stell m anor, 109 route 50, estell manor.

All participants must register the day of the event beginning at 8 a.m. at the park’s Nature Center and submit completed artwork by 4 p.m. that afternoon. there is a $20 entry fee for up to two pieces of artwork created that day.

In addition to plein Air fine art, there will be a Children’s plein Air Workshop, 10-11:30 a.m. the $5 entry fee includes instruction and all materials. the workshop is limited to 15 and pre-registration is required at: julieakers56@gmail.com.

Artists and photographers are also invited to submit any artwork created during any season in any of the Atlantic County parks that include Gaskill and Lake Lenape parks in mays Landing, Weymouth Furnace,

Oscar e m cClinton Waterfront park in Atlantic City, Leeds point Nature Area in Galloway, the 7.5-mile county bikeway and more. entry fee is $10 for one submission and an additional $5 for a second submission.

t he plein Air event is co-sponsored by the Friends of the parks, Inc., a non-profit citizens group established in 1985 to help promote

Atlantic County parks, and Atlantic Cape Community College, which will hold an exhibit of submitted works, Oct. 17 through Dec. 6, at the college’s art gallery on its mays Landing campus. A Children’s Wall will display the submitted work of our younger artists.

the opening reception of the exhibit will be held on Oct. 17, 5-6:30 p.m. monetary prizes of $100, $75 and $50 will be awarded to the top three adult plein Air artists in addition to a people’s Choice prize of $100 for the winner among other submissions. All participating children will receive an award.

For more information, please contact Cathie Skinner at (609) 5762388 or Julie Akers at: (609) 4323280 or julieakers56@gmail.com.

Somers Point Business Association announces the 2025 SPBA Awards

Our region has many great “best of” awards, but in a unique town, we deserve to have unique recognition. these awards recognize SpbA member businesses and organizations that have made an impact on the people who live, work, and play in Somers point. Votes can be cast at www.somerspointba.org through Nov 1.

“Our members are the backbone of Somers point. We aim to support and recognize their contributions that make us thrive as a place of commerce, creativity, excitement, and so much more." said robin Joyce, SpbA president. " these aren’t your ordinary awards. When creating categories, we wanted them to be unique and fun- just like Somers point."

● We’ve got the best taste Awardbest place to dine or grab a treat

● m ixology m aster Award- Spot with the best bartenders- crafting perfection, one cocktail at a time.

● David vs. Goliath Award- Celebrating triumphs of small businesses against the giants.

● best Face Forward Award- Honoring the best looking storefront/ building entrance.

● partner You Can bank On or Has Your back Award- recognizing a reliable and trustworthy financial ally.

● Art Appreciation Award- Applauding excellence in all forms of art and entertainment. Go with ro Award- business that provides exceptional business/legal service.

the following are the categories for the 2025 S pbA Awards, each designed to rec ognize SpbA members who have set the high standard for excellence in customer service, creativity, culture, service, and growth. Only businesses and organizations that are members of the SpbA were selected to be eligible to win in each category.

● Service with a Smile Award- recognizing unwavering dedication and outstanding customer/patient care.

● New Kid on the block Award- Celebrating an emerging business and new perspectives.

● b uzz b uilder Award- m ost outstanding social media presence.

Winners will be announced at the annual S pbA holiday party in early December, at which all members will be invited to join the celebration.

t he S pbA is an organization that brings together businesses and professionals interested in the promotion, improvement, development and advancement of the business climate of Somers point. the SpbA has served as the Voice of the Somers point business Community for more than 40 years. For more information on the Somers point business Association or to become a member, visit www.somerspointba.org or email somerspointba@ gmail.com.

The pumpkin craze is back

By Steffen Klenk

With the return of fall comes cooler weather, football, Halloween, and jack-o-lanterns. even pumpkin pies are hitting store shelves once again. pumpkins are such a major part of the season that there’s a tradition of consuming anything pumpkin! How did this tradition start?

back in January 2003, Starbucks developed a pumpkin spice latte drink. t his came after the success of seasonal cold-weather drinks like the eggnog latte and peppermint mocha. b etween 2003 and 2015, the iconic beverage had been sold more than 200 million times.

fying meal to go with any cool day. For this recipe, you’ll need four small pumpkins, 15 ounces of pumpkin puree, 11 ounces of butternut squash puree, 2 cups of chicken broth, ¼ teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, ¼ tsp of nutmeg, ½ tsp of pepper, 12 ounces of evaporated milk and ¼ cup of sour cream. Slice the top of the pumpkins and scoop out the seeds (you will use the pumpkins later for presentation). Combine the pumpkin puree, broth, squash and seasonings, and stir. Add evaporated milk and let simmer for 15 minutes. Once completed, pour the mixture directly into the small pumpkins and garnish with sour cream and cinnamon.

From that day forward, a new trend swept the globe. every year, pumpkin spice items hit store shelves across the country in many forms. researchers from the Institute of Food technologists suggest people associate pumpkin flavor with the nostalgia that comes from the holidays and being with family.

Starbucks, among other corporations, has created a flavor that tastes and smells exactly like fall and Halloween every single time you order it. Here’s an interesting fact: in its original inception, the pumpkin spice latte did not have any pumpkin in its recipe! t he average mix of pumpkin pie spice contains nearly 340 flavor compounds, while most pumpkin spice lattes contain only 10% of natural blends.

With a unique blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and allspice, it’s no surprise that pumpkin has an aromatic flavor guaranteed to transport you into the season. I’d like to offer up several pumpkin food recipes you can try with friends or relatives. pumpkin soup is a simple, satis -

If you’re looking for a tasty snack the entire family will love, try making roasted pumpkin seeds. take 1 ½ cups of raw whole pumpkin seeds, 2 teaspoons of melted butter and a pinch of salt. preheat the oven to 300 degrees, toss all ingredients into a bowl and mix together. Spread the seeds onto a baking sheet and bake for approximately 45 minutes or until golden brown, stirring on occasion. Cool and serve. t his delicious, healthy snack is only 83 calories per serving.

t hese are just a few examples of things you can do with pumpkins. If you’re looking for more inspiration, look up recipes for pumpkin cheesecake. You can also find easy recipes for pumpkin muffins. enjoy!

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

Fall Favorites

N

S

V R V N N L U A B P R P

T

C O F E R B D E Y A C I

C

APPLE BONFIRE CIDER CORNSTALK FESTIVAL FOOTBALL

GINGERSNAP

GOURD

HAYRIDE

HOMECOMING

JACKET LEAF

PUMPKIN

SCARECROW

SWEATER HALLOWEEN HOODIE

SHORE FUNNY

Why is Citizens Bank Park the coolest place to be? Because it is full of fans.

What did the baseball glove say to the ball? "Catch you later!"

Which position has the best water boy? The pitcher.

Why are most baseball games at night? Because bats are nocturnal.

Did you hear about the frog that could play baseball? It was great at catching files.

Why was Cinderella taken out of the game by her manager? Because she ran away from the ball.

Why did the police officer rush to the baseball game? Because someone stole second base.

How do baseball players stay friends? They touch base every once in a while.

SUDOKU

Solution on page 94

ACROSS

1. Worry

6. Fleur-de-____

9. One of egyptian christians

13. Nary a soul

14. Dot-com address

15. pretend, two words

16. Flogger's tool

17. romanian money

18. Dostoyevsky's masterpiece, with the 19. *royal brewery in munich, a.k.a. ____ münchen

21. *Original Oktoberfest location

23. tree juice

24. Cathedral part

25. Lysergic acid derivative, acr.

28. Children's author roald

30. bivouac

35. Heroic poem

37. taro or cocoyam, technically

39. relish tastebuds' sensation

40. russian governmental agency

41. musketeers' weapons

43. presidential "No!"

44. make corrections

46. Kind of palm

47. A in b.A.

48. Indian Ocean's saltwater inlet

50. Carvey or plato

52. "Sesame Street" watcher

53. One-horse carriage

55. Sunday newspaper inserts

57. *Kind of Oktoberfest band

60. *Salty snack

64. meltable abode

65. Go wrong

67. Sore spot

68. African prairie

69. "Wheel of Fortune" vowel request

70. All-season ones, on a car

71. Affirmatives

72. beaver's construction

73. Noise of contempt

DOWN

1. egyptian hieroglyph for "life"

2. "You're not allowed!" to a baby

3. mistake

4. Spurns

5. between triad and pentad

6. Comic strip moppet

7. Anger management issue

8. economic crisis

9. Ghana monetary unit

10. ear-related

11. tubby little cubby

12. ted turner's tV acronym

15. bedding and towels

20. Lickety-split

22. Wear and tear

24. "So soon?"

25. *____hosen

26. Sea foam

27. Like United States Capitol

29. *Flower used in beer-making

31. Spanish sparkling wine

32. Deflect

33. *"O'zapft is!" or "It's tapped!"

34. *Cheers!

36. Without, à paris

38. Start of something big?

42. echo sounder

45. Joseph Stalin was one

49. "eureka!"

51. experts

54. In the lead

56. *beer garden mug

57. Curved molding

58. paella pot

59. '60s british teenagers

60. "Hunger Games" sister

61. Goose egg

62. Second to last word in a fairytale

63. Just in case

64. Woody creeper

66. biochemistry acr.

THEME: OKTOBERFEST

Litter Challenge

The Atlantic County Clean Communities program, administered by Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA), is excited to announce its 2024 Fall Litter Challenge.

the challenge invites groups of Atlantic County residents to clear litter from roads, parks or other public areas between Oct. 4 and 20. the group that collects the

most amount of litter will take home rewards: $500 for first place, $300 for second place, and $100 for third place. A $100 prize will also be awarded to the group with the strangest litter find.

“ the challenge provides an opportunity for residents to join us in our mission to remove litter from Atlantic County neighborhoods,” said Atlantic County Clean Communities Coordinator rebecca turygan. “Whether you’re an established adopt-a-road group, civic club, or just a group of friends, we invite you to participate,” turygan said.

Volunteers are invited to create a team (limited to 15 people or less) to remove litter from public areas throughout the two-week period. teams must report each cleanup, including the number of bags collected and pictures to verify, through an online form at acua.com/litterchallenge. Safety gear and supplies can be provided by ACUA before the challenge begins.

Since ACUA began administering the program in 2005, more than 60 percent of Atlantic County roadways have been adopted. So far in 2024, 223 cleanups have been held, 728 bags of trash and 532 bags of recycling have been removed from local roadways, and 296 miles were cleaned.

to learn more about the litter challenge, visit www.acua.com/litterchallenge.

The Cosmic Connection with Ursula Duffy

Horoscopes for Sept. 26 – Oct. 2

♈ Aries: Your relationships remain an area of focus this week. However, it's now about letting go rather than balance. trust your feelings and consider no longer investing in people who don’t honor your truth, negatively affect your mental well-being or invade your privacy.

♉ Taurus: Having your daily needs met is important. there’s a direct connection between feeling truly satisfied and your vitality. Increase what makes you feel more alive and decrease what doesn’t.

♊ Gemini: being in a state of flow is a joyful experience. You may be getting a nudge to detach from things that are creative blocks. take action and enjoy more pleasure!

♋ Cancer: If you’re feeling more aggressive than usual lately, channel it into doing something fun, learning something new or a new exercise routine, especially if home life is a contributing source. remember that emotions are energy in motion.

♌ Leo: How have you been seeing yourself differently within the last month, and how have you been communicating your new perspective? be intentional about having awareness of what’s been shown to you about yourself.

♍ Virgo: It’s time to put your natural talents to work! Clearing out clutter, getting organized and detaching from “stuff” that’s no longer serving you are the tasks at hand. Yard sales or local markets may even present opportunities to sell some things.

♎ Libra: t he perspective shift that comes with learning how to put oneself first can overflow into other areas of life. be mindful of changes stirring in your work, partnerships and home life.

♏ Scorpio: there may be an energetic house cleaning of sorts this week. With the cobwebs spun in the deepest corners of your psyche being brushed away, clarity and a new mindset have space to grow.

♐ Sagittarius: It’s OK to desire a different direction in your life. When things aren’t feeling fully in alignment, take action and set foot on a new path. Set the sail for the winds of change.

♑ Capricorn: the final phase of a career shift that’s been in the works for a while may be incoming. Get excited for a new chapter that encourages self-expression.

♒ Aquarius: You may be feeling more driven to achieve tasks or a larger, long-term goal. Welcome the motivation and use it to your advantage.

♓ Pisces: You may be even more aware of emotional baggage and behavior patterns that you’ve outgrown. Active release and surrender are the way forward. maturity, personal authority and grace are benefits of the process.

Weekly Summary:

the final eclipse of 2024 is incoming this week with the Libra new moon/total solar eclipse on Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 2:49 p.m. Unlike the last total solar eclipse on April 8, this one won’t be visible in New Jersey or anywhere in the United States. the energy of it will still be felt, however, with emphasis on carrying forward the balance themes from the equinox. A maturation of any new ideas, perspectives or creative projects that began in August could also be a prevailing theme. there will be undercurrents of our deepest desires rising to the surface and taking action to instigate much-needed change. 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.

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