Local Educator, NASA Researcher
Ocean City Dog Wins Westminster
Noodlemania Trivia Challenge has Kids Using Their Noggins
Innovative Farm Grows in Atlantic City
SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY'S NEWSMAGAZINE
Clearing the confusion:
Alaw signed by Gov. Phil Murphy in 2019 aimed to settle a long-standing debate: If you’re simply crossing the beach to access the ocean—whether for surfing or fishing—you shouldn’t need a beach tag.
But not every town got the memo. Or, if they did, they didn’t interpret it correctly.
Now, Assemblywoman Marjorie Donlon is taking another step to eliminate any lingering confusion. Last September, she introduced A-4816, a bill designed to reinforce that municipalities cannot require a beach badge if you’re there strictly to surf or fish. However, just before Valentine’s Day, the bill was amended, broadening the language from “surfing or fishing” to “using the ocean for a recreational activity.”
from trivial. Beach badge policies have long been a source of frustration for ocean lovers in New Jersey, with rising costs and ever-changing regulations.
For anyone who remembers the heated confrontation in Belmar, where a surfer was tackled by police over a beach badge, this issue is far
But here’s the key takeaway: There’s a difference between the sand and the surf when it comes to beach badges. With Memorial Day now just a few months away, it’s the perfect time for a refresher on what’s required—and what isn’t—before summer crowds return.
Spring
the St. Patrick’s Day Parade!
Letter from the editor
With each passing day, we inch closer to spring. In just 18 days, we “spring forward,” gaining delightfully longer evenings. The official start of the season is still 29 days away, and Memorial Day is 98 days out — but who's counting?
(Okay, I am!)
February may be short, but March seems to stretch on forever. Those extra three days make all the difference! Thankfully, signs of spring are already popping up, and one of my favorites is the Atlantic City St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Last year, Bob and I dressed as leprechauns and took part in our first-ever parade. We had such a great time that we decided to participate
in more! Since then, we’ve decked out our Shore Local van and joined in the Doo Dah, Halloween and other holiday parades in the area. usually, I drive while Bob, in costume, zips around on his one-wheel — a motorized cross between a skateboard and a hoverboard — handing out candy and giving high fives. I think he has more fun than anyone!
What I love most about parades is the energy — the laughter of children, the music, the colorful costumes.
Did you know the Atlantic City St. Patrick’s Day Parade first took to the Boardwalk in 1986? Since then, it has become one of the city's longest running and most celebrated events.
This year’s parade is set for Saturday, March 8, and the committee has named Deputy Chief Bridget Pierce of the Atlantic City Police Department as the 2025 Grand Marshal. A lifelong Atlantic City resident, Bridget has dedicated
nearly 30 years to public safety and made history as the first woman to achieve the rank of deputy chief.
Publisher– Bob Fertsch (609) 334-1691 shorelocalads@gmail.com
Executive Editor - Cindy Christy Fertsch (609) 705-5323 shorelocalcindy@gmail.com
Publisher Assistant - Julia Train
Copy Editors - James FitzPatrick, Holly Fertsch, Julia Train
Advertising Sales - Meg Perry (609)425-5407 shorelocalmeg@gmail.com
Web Designer - Holly Martin
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, Joe Martucci, Heidi Clayton, Eric Reich, Whitney Ullman, Jeff Whitaker, Chuck Darrow, Bruce Klauber, Christina Martin, Delaney Crawford, Ursula Duffy, Robin Stoloff, Marjorie Preston, Tynan Hand, Madison Russ Cover photo by John Loreaux
Bridget’s connection to the parade goes back to childhood — she and her sisters once carried banners down the Boardwalk. Now, she’ll be leading the way, a well-deserved honor recognizing her service, leadership and commitment to the city.
If you’ve attended the parade in years past, we’d love to see your photos! Share them with us and be part of this beloved tradition. And, of course, don’t miss the chance to celebrate Irish heritage on March 8 — because when it comes to St. Patrick’s Day, we’re all Irish!
And who knows? Maybe you’ll spot Bob and me in our leprechaun gear once again. If you do, be sure to wave — or better yet, catch a high-five from Bob as he zooms by!
For more details, visit acstpatricksdayparade.com.
Peace & Love, Cindy
Celebrating Life
The 37th Annual Atlantic City Saint Patricks Day Parade returns on March 8. Photo by Rob Johnson
NJBPU announces cost increases for electricity; Atlantic City Electric customers to be affected
By Julia Train
In a Feb. 12 news release, the New Jersey Board of Public u tilities (NJBPu) announced cost increases for electricity supplied to most residents and small- to medium-sized businesses by New Jersey’s four regulated electric Distribution Companies (eDCs).
The price hike is a result of New Jersey’s 24th annual electricity auction for Basic Generation Service (BGS). The increase will affect most residents and small- to medium-sized businesses and is set to start on June 1.
Atlantic City electric (ACe), which services a large portion of South Jersey, will see a 17.23% increase in electricity supply rates.
Customers served by PSe&G are expected to see a 17.24% rise. JCP&L customers will face a 20.20% elevation, and reCO customers will experience an 18.18% inflation.
“The supply rate, determined through this auction and the PJM Base residual Auction (B r A), is the cost of the electricity a customer uses, and that rate changes based on the purchase cost of electricity are reflected in the auction.
The supply and demand of electricity influences the auction prices,” the utility company said in a statement to Shore Local.
“This supply portion of a customer’s bill is passed directly to the customer from the generators of electricity, not Atlantic City electric. Atlantic City electric does not generate, set the price for electricity nor determine the supply portion of a customer’s bill. Atlantic City electric delivers that electricity to our customers safely and reliably.”
The increase in auction prices comes despite extensive advocacy efforts from the Murphy Administration and other states within the PJM Interconnection region, which have been struggling with escalating electricity prices.
PJM is a regional transmission organization (rTO) that coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity in all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.
“Once again, Atlantic City electric is trying to lay the burden of failed energy solutions and misguided mandates at the feet of the ratepayer,” stated Senator Vince Polistina in a Feb.12 news release. “Our focus should be on real solutions to increase the energy we produce in
New Jersey, so our residents don’t have to pay more for energy created elsewhere. Additionally, Atlantic City electric also has an obligation to make it easier for customers to be their own 'energy advocates' and ease their ability to connect their solar to the power grid."
ACe shared its enhanced support measures for customers to manage their winter energy bills and provide relief from high costs due to extreme cold, increased usage and the overall cost of energy. The company is also introducing new bill assistance and payment flexibility options to better support customers.
With expanded customer support options, ACe will implement:
● No late payment fees for January and February 2025 with extended repayment periods of up to 24 months.
● Suspension of disconnections for nonpayment in February 2025.
● Waiving deposit requirements for customers seeking to restore service after disconnection.
Additionally, Atlantic City electric customers are encouraged to explore resources at atlanticcityelectric. com/BillSupport that can help lower monthly bills, such as:
● energy efficiency programs
● Financial assistance options
● Billing and payment flexibility tools
EHTHS teacher under investigation for alleged social media post threatening Trump
By Julia Train
Federal authorities and South Jersey police are in the midst of an investigation involving a social media post allegedly made by a teacher from egg Harbor Township High School that may suggest a threat against President Donald Trump.
The post was reportedly shared on Facebook by Fred Wilson, an 11thgrade special education and social studies teacher who has been with the district since 2003, under the name “Frederick Norby.”
It said, “I think we are at the moment where assassination is at least a talking point.”
Screenshots of the post were initially shared by the right-winged social media account known as “Libs of TikTok” on X. Two other conservative accounts, “Wake u p NJ” on TikTok and “Jersey Shore emergency News” on Facebook, followed with similar content.
The screenshots include one of “Frederick Norby” updating his profile’s cover photo to a meme that said
"f**k Trump and f**k you for voting for him,” alongside his profile picture that contained an upside down American flag. They were accompanied by a photo of Wilson wearing a T-shirt that says “I support trans rights because I’m not an idiot.”
The egg Harbor Township Police Department received multiple reports about the post, and the investigation was swiftly referred to the u.S. Secret Service, which is responsible for protecting the president and other high-profile individuals.
about its authenticity.
Hazel Cerra, the resident agent in charge of the Secret Service’s Atlantic City office, confirmed that the agency was aware of the incident but did not provide further details due to policy restrictions, according to NJ Advance Media.
Wilson’s alleged Facebook account has since been removed, and its contents have raised questions
egg Harbor Township Police Captain Cherie Burgan cautioned the public not to jump to conclusions, noting that it is easy for people to manipulate online information, New Jersey 101.5 reported.
“Anybody can make anything look like anything these days,” Burgan said.
e gg Harbor Township School District Superintendent Kim Gruc-
cio said the district is investigating the matter, according to The Press of Atlantic City.
"The district is aware of the social media post that is circulating from one of our high school teachers. We take comments about and suggestions of violence very seriously," Gruccio said in an email. "The district is cooperating with law enforcement and is conducting an investigation; however, as this is a personnel matter under New Jersey law, I cannot comment further at this time."
Wilson's account has since been deleted.
It was unclear when the post was written and if the school still employs Wilson. His picture in the eHTHS staff directory is a rainbow heart with “ALLy ” inside. NJ records show his salary is listed at $98,671.
South Jersey Shore
By Meteorologist Joe Martucci
With two South Jersey Snow Specials down and another one possibly on the way, our area could beat out the typically snowy, hilly northwest New Jersey for the snowiest place in the Garden State.
As of this writing, we didn’t know what would happen with a nor’easter anticipated on Feb. 20, but there’s a good chance that the South Jersey shore sees the most snow for the third time this winter. If that happens, Feb. 20 would be added to Jan. 6 and Feb. 11-12 as the times when this area got the most snow in a storm.
To recap briefly, Jan. 6 saw Wildwood Crest’s 8-inch report as the highest snowfall total in the state; 4 to 6 inches of snow fell in places like Ocean City, Somers Point and Margate. Meanwhile, once you went north of the White Horse Pike, snow-
fall totals were generally below 2 inches. Then, just last week, we did it again. In an all-snow event, Cape May was in the top spot with 8.8 inches of snow. However, more than 6 inches of snow fell in eastern Atlantic County, as well as all of Cape May County; 8.1 inches were measured by Dan Forshaw in Somers Point, a volunteer weather observer for the Community Collaborative rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoraHS). In Ocean County, 6 inches fell as reported by another CoCoraHS spotter.
years when the southeastern corner of the state sees more snow than the typically snowier and colder northern fringes of New Jersey are uncommon.
Since the winter of 1939-1940, there have been eight times when either the Cape May area or Atlantic City International Airport got more
iest place and how much snow they received. All data are measured in inches.
● 1939-1940: Cape May area, 28.1.
● 1967-1968: AC Airport, 18.5.
● 1978-1979: AC Airport, 43.1.
● 1988-1989: Cape May (Lower Twp.), 21.2.
● 1989-1990: AC Airport, 23.0.
● 2009-2010: AC Airport, 58.1.
● 2021-2022: AC Airport, 33.3.
● 2024-2025 (thru Feb. 15); AC Airport, 13.8.
If it happened before, then this winter has the possibility of doing it again.
There are specific reasons why each winter had more snow here than the rest of the state. They can be grouped into a few categories.
snow than other major weather stations in New Jersey. These other stations are: Trenton, New Brunswick, Newark, and Belvidere. This information comes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA.
Here’s a look at those winters, along with the location of the snow-
This winter, just like in 2009-2010 and 1988-1989, the storms that make snow are coming from so far south that our area is getting the most of the snow in New Jersey. When you go north, you get too far from where the storms are so places like Belvidere or Newark didn’t get much snow because it was too dry there.
The winter of 2021-2022 had that as well. A storm on Jan. 3, 2022 brought over 8 inches of snow to the South Jersey shore. Meanwhile,
north of Interstate 195, there was no measurable snow.
However, later in the month, the Blizzard of 2022 happened on Jan. 28-29. The storm track was so far east that the Jersey Shore saw the most precipitation. Twelve to 20 inches of snow fell here, but Atlantic City International Airport only picked up 16 inches of snow. Meanwhile, Trenton and Belvidere saw less than half of that.
Some were just luck. The winters of 1967-1968, 1978-1979, and 19891990 all saw about the same amount of snow throughout the state. However, Atlantic City International Airport or the Cape May area saw just a little more than the others.
We need to wait and see how much snow we get from the anticipated Feb. 20 nor’easter. I think it’s possible for the South Jersey shore to get more snow than other parts of New Jersey this winter. But for that to happen, this storm would need to bring a lot more snow to the southern shore than in places farther north and west in the state.
Temperatures are expected to be colder than average for our area from Feb. 22 through the middle of March, according to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. While that doesn’t guarantee snow, that’s a help.
On the other hand, the forecasts
for the upper-level weather pattern suggest that winter storms will take a more northerly track. It could be that when it’s cold enough for snow, it’s dry, or when a storm arrives, it warms up. That would mean less snow here compared to climatologically snowier spots farther north in the state.
Plus, as we deal with every year, our snow season is just shorter. Our average last measurable snow in Lower Township is March 2, according to NOAA. At Atlantic City International Airport the average is March 6. Trenton, Newark and Belvidere’s are all at least 12 days later. That gives these locations a longer runway to make up their snow deficit.
In the final analysis, we’re at a good pace to make history again in this part of the Garden State, but we’ll need some help to do so.
If you have a small open space on your property and like weather, please consider joining CoCoRaHS. See https://www.cocorahs.org/application.aspx
Joe Martucci, a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist and Digital Meteorologist, is the President and Director of Meteorology for Cup A Joe Weather and Drone. You can connect with him at cupajoe.live.
Too much sugar is bad for your heart
By Robin Stoloff Health & Wellness
Let’s face it, February is a month of indulgence. From heart-shaped chocolates on Valentine’s Day to Super Bowl snacks and comfort food during the chill of winter, sugar is everywhere.
While it may sweeten the season, our love affair with sugar comes at a cost – especially to our hearts.
Americans consume an average of 17 teaspoons of added sugar per day, far exceeding the recommended limit of six teaspoons for women and nine teaspoons for men, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).
Valentine's Day and the Super Bowl just amp things up. Soda and sweet beverages, candy, desserts and a tidal wave of processed and sugary snacks make it a perfect storm of sweetness and a peak season for sugar overload.
We often associate sugar with weight gain and diabetes, but its impact on heart health is just as alarming. A diet high in sugar can lead to higher blood pressure, chronic inflammation and increased triglycerides – all major red flags for cardiovascular disease.
Studies show that people who get 25% or more of their daily calories from added sugar are more than twice as likely to die from heart disease compared to those who keep their intake below 10%.
Sugar is a sneaky culprit in weight gain. It spikes blood sugar levels, leading to insulin resistance and fat storage, particularly around the belly, which is a known risk factor for heart disease. Plus, those liquid sugars lurking in sodas and fruit juices? They're especially troublesome because they don’t trigger the same fullness signals as solid food, making it easy to overdo it.
Too much sugar over time can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, which doubles the likelihood of developing heart disease. One in 10, or 38 million Americans, already live with diabetes, and millions more are prediabetic.
It is no secret that cutting back on sugar is a crucial step for protecting our hearts. Here is the good news: we don’t have to give up sweetness entirely. Making small, mindful changes can help keep our heart healthy without sacrificing flavor.
Start by choosing whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains instead of processed, sugar-laden options. Small steps and mindful changes can make a big difference for our heart health. Sugar often hides under different names, so we need to be label detectives. Keep an eye out for ingredients such as high-fructose corn syrup, sucrose, glucose and maltose. If one of these is near the top of the ingredients list, it is not our best choice. rethinking our drink choices is another effective strategy. Swap out sugary sodas and fruit juices for water, herbal tea, or sparkling water with a squeeze of citrus.
When it comes to desserts, enjoy them in moderation. Choose dark chocolate or naturally sweetened treats instead of processed candies. And one of the best things we can do? Whenever possible, cook at home. Preparing meals from scratch allows us to control ingredients and avoid added sugars found in restaurant meals and packaged foods. reducing sugar can lower our risk of heart disease, boost our energy levels and help us feel our best – not just in February, but all year long.
So go ahead, enjoy the occasional treat. But remember, too much sugar is anything but sweet for our heart.
Robin is a former television reporter for NBC News 40. She currently hosts a podcast and radio program called Living Well with Robin Stoloff. It airs Sundays at 10 AM on Lite 96.9. You can email Robin at livingwellwithrobin@gmail.com
By David Weinberg
The eagles were the NFL’s class valedictorian for the second time in eight years this season.
They were among the league’s top teams for most of the regular season, then aced their final exam with a 40-22 thumping of the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.
No wonder they call New Orleans the “Big easy.”
Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts and a ferocious defense dominated the game, then earned the right to stage a joyous celebration among an estimated 1 million fans in Philadelphia last Friday.
As is the case every season, there will be some changes to the coaching staff and roster. They are already on the lookout for a new offensive coordinator since Kellen Moore be -
Eagles ace final exams
came the New Orleans’ Saints new head coach. Sixteen players, including standouts such as linebacker Zach Baun, guard Mekhi Becton, running back Kenneth Gainwell, defensive end Josh Sweat, and defensive tackle Milton Williams, are set to become unrestricted free agents and will no doubt draw interest from other teams. In addition, veteran defensive end Brandon Graham is expected to retire.
But the roster is still stacked with talent, enough to make the eagles a serious contender to win the NFC east and perhaps make the Super
Bowl again.
Hopefully, city officials have enough grease to rub on the poles again next season.
Final grades
Quarterback
Jalen Hurts was a bit inconsistent early in the season, but became developed into a consistent, reliable quarterback who really shined in the playoffs and Super Bowl. Hurts’ interception in the Super Bowl was his first since November 10th and was more than overshadowed by his two touchdown passes and “tush push”
TD run. Including playoffs, he finished with 23 TD passes against just six interceptions and added 824 rushing yards with a team-high 19 rushing TDs. GRADE: A.
Running back
Saquon Barkley enjoyed the best season by an eagles’ running back in franchise history. He became just the ninth NFL player to reach the magical, 2,000-yard mark, gaining 2,005 yards in 16 games with 13 TDs that featured a franchise-record, 255-yard performance against the Los Angeles rams. He added 499 yards in the playoffs to set an NFL single-season rushing record. GRADE: A-plus.
Offensive line
The expected dropoff after center Jason Kelce retired after last season never materialized. His replacement, Cam Jurgens, stepped in and stepped up to join tackles Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata and guards Landon Dickerson and newcomer Mekhi Becton to form the best offensive line in the NFL. GRADE: A.
Wide receiver/tight end
There were times when the eagles’ passing game was not a major factor in games, but that was due to Barkley’s output. A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith still enjoyed impressive seasons. Brown caught 67 passes for team-high 1,079 yards and seven touchdowns in the regular season. Smith led the team with 68 receptions for 833 yards and eight TDs. Both had TD catches in the Super Bowl. Tight end Dallas Goedert was hampered by injuries during the regular season, but was a key part of the offense in the playoffs. GRADE: A.
Defensive line
This group was better than its stats suggest. The front line registered 18.5 of the team’s 41 total sacks, but applied constant pressure
on opposing quarterbacks and was part of the league’s best run defense. edge rusher Josh Sweat led the team with eight sacks in the regular season and had 2.5 in the Super Bowl. Nolan Smith led the NFL with fours sacks in the playoffs. Tackle Jalen Carter was among the best interior linemen in the league, collecting 4.5 sacks and creating constant havoc. Tackle Jordan Davis was a solid run-stuffer, but not much of a factor as a pass rusher. Offseason acquisition Bryce Huff was invisible. GRADE: A-minus.
Linebacker
Zach Baun was an example of a player who took full advantage of an unexpected opportunity. Signed to a one-year deal, he flourished under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. Baun tied for sixth in the NFL with 151 tackles, tied for the league lead with five forced fumbles, then added a big interception in the Super Bowl while becoming a finalist for NFL Defensive Player of the year. Nakobe Dean also played well, notching 128 tackles in 15 games before suffering a season-ending knee injury. GRADE: A.
Secondary
The eagles have had some dynamic cornerback duos in their history, in -
cluding eric Allen and roynell young, Bobby Taylor and Troy Vincent, Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown, and Brown and Asante Samuel. rookies Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell are on track to add to the legacy. Mitchell was a finalist for NFL rookie Defensive Player of the year. DeJean’s pick six in the Super Bowl was a defining moment. Cornerback Darius Slay was good, not great. Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson returned to tie for third in the league with six interceptions. Safety reed Blankenship was steady. GRADE: A.
Special teams
Place-kicker Jake elliott finally had a down year. He was just 28-for36 on field goals during the regular
season, including 1-for-7 from 50 yards and over. He missed three PATs in the playoffs, but was 4-for-4 on field goals in the Super Bowl. Punter Braden Mann averaged 48.8 yards per punt. They struggled in other areas, allowing Cleveland to return a blocked field goal for a touchdown. Kelee ringo returned a blocked extra point for two points against Tampa Bay. GRADE: C.
Coaching
Head coach Nick Sirianni was on the hot seat after a 2-2 start, but is now the toast of the town. Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio were nothing short of terrific. GRADE: A.
Season awards
Offensive MVP: Barkley
Defensive MVP: Baun
Special teams MVP: elliott (because of Super Bowl)
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.
Black History Month: Highlighting Phillis Wheatley, the first African American to publish a book of poetry
Let It Grow
By Tammy Thornton
DChill out at the library this winter.
The library is the coolest place to be this winter! From best-selling books to workshops, and from online resources to children’s activities, the Ocean City Free Public Library has something for everyone, all season long.
Visit OceanCityLibrary.org for a complete list of events and resources.
www.oceancitylibrary.org 1735 Simpson Ave. | (609) 399-2434
HOURS Mon.-Fri. 9am-9pm Sat. 9am-5pm • Sun. 11am-5pm
CURBSIDE PICKUP Mon.-Fri. 9am-6pm Sat. 9am-4pm • Sun. 11am-4pm
uring the turbulent times of the revolutionary War, some names were forever etched into American history. From our earliest education, we were taught about George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, Samuel Adams and Betsy ross. However, you may have missed learning about a young African American girl named Phillis Wheatley. unfortunately, her story is a tragic tale, but she shined brightly despite her circumstances and her short, difficult life.
At a very young age, Wheatley was kidnapped from her West African village, forced into slavery in the 1760s, and sent to serve the Wheatley family in Boston, Massachusetts. By all accounts, the young girl was frail and sickly and most likely suffered from asthma, but she was found to have a great capacity for learning. The Wheatley family taught her reading, writing, religion, language, literature and history. In a short time, she was able to read Greek and Latin classics and British literature. The girl also showed an aptitude for writing poetry. She studied the works of poets Alexander Pope and John Milton, among others. Like Shakespeare, Wheatley often wrote in iambic pentameter, a rhythmic pattern common in english poetry and drama.
One of Wheatley’s first published poems that gained attention was an elegy written for George Whitefield, a famous preacher who traveled through the American colonies. The elegy was released as a pamphlet in 1770 in Boston, Newport, and Philadelphia. She was later taken to London, england, where she was able to gain support to publish her book, “Poems on Various Subjects, religious and Moral,” published in 1773. Because people of that time did not believe that an enslaved woman could write so well, prominent men from Boston, including John Hancock, signed the preface of her book to attest to Wheatley’s authorship. Shortly after the publication of her book, Wheatley
was finally manumitted from her life of slavery.
Wheatley wrote a letter that included a poem to George Washington in 1775, praising his leadership during the revolutionary War. He wrote back to her, praising her “elegant lines” and “great poetical talents”. This poem was published in 1776 in both the Virginia Gazette and the Pennsylvania Magazine. Historians believe that Wheatley and Washington met after he invited her to visit in 1776. Though she achieved international fame, life was not easy for Wheatley, especially as a newly freed slave during the revolutionary War and the hardships of its aftermath. In 1778, she married John Peters, and it is believed that they had three children, though none of them survived infancy. In 1785, her husband was sent to debtor’s jail, and Wheatley (Peters) went to work as a maid. It is thought that she died of pneumonia at the age of 31, in 1784.
Wheatley wrote about religious themes as well as the horrors of slavery. Her writing emphasized reason, moral virtue and individual rights. Here is a small portion from the third stanza of her poem “On Virtue”: But, O my soul, sink not into despair,
Virtue is near thee, and with gentle hand
Would now embrace thee, hovers o’er thine head.
Fain would the heaven-born soul with her converse, Then seek, then court her for her promised bliss.
Tammy Thornton lives with her husband, children, and crazy pets while enjoying a life of gardening, cooking, and going to the beach.
Photo credit: Historic Royal Palaces
Multi Day Events
Atlantic City Boat Show
▶Wednesday, Feb. 26-Sunday, March 2
Events and Happenings
Atlantic City Convention Center, 1 Convention Blvd.
The Discover Boating Atlantic City Boat Show will have a large selection of boats, an abundance of must-see attractions and fun features for all ages. Hours are Wednesday-Friday, 12-8 p.m.; Saturday, March 1, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., and Sunday, March 2, 10 a.m.6 p.m. Tickets and information are available at www.acboatshow.com.
We Walk Somers Point
▶Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 8:30 a.m.
The City of Somers Point hosts its walking club promoting health and opportunities to pursue fitness goals while meeting neighbors. residents are invited to meet behind City Hall on Mondays, at the Football Field on Wednesdays and Kennedy Park on Fridays. For more information go to www.visitsomerspoint.com.
Beginner Yoga for Seniors
▶Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m.
Somers Point Senior Center, 22 N. Ambler road
Take part in a one-hour relaxed gentle flow. Classes will focus on yoga poses linking movement with breath, increasing strength and flexibility. Time will be spent on the mat in seated, kneeling and standing positions. residents of Somers Point can register by calling 609-226-4389 or emailing helbigshore@icloud.com.
Friday, February 21
Simple Newsletters using Microsoft Word
▶9-10:30 a.m.
Ocean City Free Public Library, 1735 Simpson Ave.
Learn how to create eye-catching newsletters for personal use or for your group or club. Learn to set up and save a masthead, format columns, add pictures and enhancements to your project. No signups needed.
Young Adult Game Day
▶3-5 p.m.
Ocean City Free Public Library, 1735 Simpson Ave.
Play games on the Nintendo Switch or Xbox, play a classic board game or learn a new game. Make new friends, eat pizza and have a good time. Admission is free. recommended for teens.
Saturday, February 22
South Jersey Indoor Rowing Championship
▶8 a.m.
Ocean City Music Pier, 825 Boardwalk
Join the Ocean City High School Crew Boosters for an indoor rowing competition over the Atlantic Ocean. The top three competitors in each category will be awarded, and the South Jersey Team Title will be given to the best high school team of the day. Visit the Ocean City High School Crew Boosters on Facebook or email info@ ochscrew.com for more information.
Yoga for Kids
▶10:30 a.m.
egg Harbor Township Library, 1 Swift Ave.
Open for children ages 5-12. Join the library for children’s yoga. Participants will be doing a variety of animal poses while learning yoga foundations. remember to bring your yoga mat. registration required. Call 609-827-8664 or visit www.atlanticlibrary.org to register.
All About Hair
▶11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Mays Landing Library, 40 Farragut Ave.
Open to kids and teens. Learn about self-esteem and hair artistry. registration required. Call 609-6252776 or visit www.atlanticlibrary.org to register.
Chess Club
▶12-4 p.m.
Ventnor Library, 6509 Atlantic Ave.
If you love chess, or have always wanted to learn, this event is for you. The Chess Club is for all ages and levels of experience. Feel free to bring your own chess board or use one of the library’s.
Remembering Jamie Foundation
Italian Night Dinner
▶4-8 p.m.
elks Lodge 2563, 1815 Somers Point road, egg Harbor Township
Join the r emembering Jamie Scholarship Fund for their annual February Italian Dinner event. enjoy an allyou-can-eat buffet with salad, entrée, dessert and drinks, along with music, raffle prizes and more. Admission is $15 for adults, $5 for children. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at www.rememberingjamie.org.
Sunday, February 23
Professional Chefs Ball
▶6 p.m.
Hard rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, 1000 Boardwalk
Join the Professional Chefs Association of South Jersey for their 51st Annual Scholarship Ball. Guests will enjoy an amazing evening of live entertainment, fantastic food and spirits. This culinary event of the year
will raise money for the association’s scholarship fund, ongoing educational programs and Chefs in Need fund. Tickets may be purchased by contacting Maggie at 609-703-6159.
Monday, February 24
Memory Connections
▶1-2:30 p.m.
Katz JCC, 501 N. Jerome Ave., Margate
Join JFS Village for a gathering of Caregivers of loved ones with dementia and the person living with the disease. Caregivers will participate in a support group led by a trained professional while their loved one enjoys music therapy. rSVP by Feb. 18 by emailing bnketia@jfsvillage.org. Tom Angello’s All-Star Jazz Series
▶7 p.m.
Gregory’s, 900 Shore r oad, Somers Point
Join the South Jersey Jazz Society for an evening of live jazz music, with Tom Angello on the drums, Jon Thompson on saxophone, Shawn Qaissaunee on guitar and Jason Fraticelli on the bass. Admission is $15 for Jazz Society members, $20 for non-members.
↘Continued on 18
Tuesday, February 25
Toddler Tuesday Storytime
▶10:30 a.m.
Brigantine Library, 201 15th St. South
Join the library for stories to inspire curiosity and joy. Call 609266-0110 or visit www.atlanticlibrary. org to register.
Furry Buddies
▶6 p.m.
Galloway Library, 306 e . Jimmie Leeds road
read a story to therapy dogs erin, Kody, Fritz and Frieda, who love sharing stories with children. Open to all ages. Children 9 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Call 609-652-2352 or visit www. atlanticlibrary.org to register.
Wednesday, February 26
Offshore Garden Club Meeting
▶10 a.m.
Otto Bruyns Library, 241 W. Mill road, Northfield
The Offshore Garden Club will host a presentation by Lin Conover, owner of Wood Song Mushrooms. She will be discussing the process of growing cultivated mushrooms, the integral role fungus has for our living planet and identifying wild species and more. All are welcome to attend. For more information,
contact Janet Toland at 609-3690449 or email golfer_nurse@hotmail.com.
ACAF Winter Art Mixer
▶5-7 p.m.
Anchor rock Club, 247 S. New york Ave., Atlantic City
The Atlantic City Arts Foundation invites the public to their Winter Mixer. The event will feature the debut of ACAF’s 100th Mural documentary. Plus, enjoy an arts showcase and sale and surprise music video set. Free admission. All ages welcome.
Sustainable Jersey Regional Hub Mixer
▶5:30 p.m.
Hidden Sands Brewery, 6754 Washington Ave., egg Harbor Township
Sustainable Jersey Atlantic-Cape May Counties will hold a special in-person mixer to offer information on “green schools” this Wednesday. This free event will highlight local school champions and resources available to schools. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, visit https:// AtlanticCape regionalHub.wordpress.com.
Somers Point Pinochle Club
▶6-8:30 p.m.
Somers Point Senior Center, 22 N. Ambler road
The Pinochle Club gathers every
Wednesday night throughout the year to play. All are welcome.
Thursday, February 27
Throwback Thursday
▶10:30 a.m.
Katz JCC, 501 N. Jerome Ave., Margate
Join JFS Village for an educational brunch program retracing the history of Atlantic City and Downbeach. This program will be held in-person at the Katz JCC Boardroom. rSVP by Feb. 17 by emailing bnketia@jfsvillage.org.
Captain’s Table at the AC Boat Show
▶6-8 p.m.
Atlantic City Convention Center, 1 Convention Blvd.
Join Cooper Levinson for a night of food, fun and fellowship at the 10th annual Captain’s Table. Guests will enjoy delicious food selections from local restaurants while sampling spirit tastings by local breweries, wineries and distilleries. Supporters will also enjoy the added benefit of visiting the Boat Show. This event benefits ‘Let us eat, Please,’ supporting summer eating programs provided by the Community FoodBank of New Jersey.
Health and Wellness
MHA Atlantic Family Meetings
▶Thursday, Feb. 27, 10 a.m.
These virtual support groups and
educational programs are for individuals with a loved one affected by mental health and/or substance use disorders. Meetings are held at 10 a.m. on the second and fourth Thursday and 7 p.m. every third Wednesday. Contact Gail Christian at 609652-3800, ext. 0301 or gchristian@ mhanj.org to receive a meeting link. Dementia Support Group
▶Wednesday, March 5, 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 Meeting
▶Monday, March 10, 7-8:30 p.m.
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 606 Shore road, Somers Point
Open to family members, caregivers and loved ones 18+. Participants gain the support of peers who understand their experiences and gain insight into others’ challenges and successes. Visit www.namiacm.org or call 609-741-5125 for more information.
Do you have an upcoming event? Let us know about it! Submit your next event to shorelocalevents@gmail.com.
Noodlemania 2025 brings the heat to local fourth graders
By Delaney Crawford
Are you smarter than a fourth grader? Maybe, but probably not as sharp as the students who dominated the competition at Northfield Community School’s annual Noodlemania Trivia Contest held this year on Saturday, Feb. 8.
Noodlemania is all about brain power, teamwork and a whole lot of fun. This year’s fourth-grade knowledge bowl was the biggest yet with 17 teams from 10 schools across Atlantic and Cape May counties battling it out in five rounds of trivia. Questions covered a wide range of topics, including Disney, geography, math, logic, New Jersey, science, pop culture and brain teasers.
As I’m sure the name announces,
Noodlemania isn’t like just any academic showdown. Between rounds, the Northfield gym transforms into a dance floor for segments like, Best Fan Dance and Mascot Dance-Off, while the Kindness Kidmittee spread good vibes (and snacks) throughout the day. The kids cover the dance floor during these breaks, getting to jump around before jumping right back into their brains as the next round of competition begins. With school spirit soaring and the competition remaining fierce, this year, Noodlemania once again proved that learning can be anything but boring.
Fourth-grade teachers Barbara Shenkus and Megan Hoti co-chair this event each year, ensuring it remains special and exciting for students. This was their fourth year organizing Noodlemania, and according to Shenkus, they are very excited for next year’s competition.
“All schools in Atlantic and Cape May counties are invited to send up to two teams to the competition,” Shenkus explained. “ each team consists of six students and a coach, and this year was our most competitive yet,
with 10 local schools and 17 teams participating.”
This year’s competing schools included Northfield, Linwood, Somers Point, Margate, Brigantine, egg Harbor City, Folsom, Lower Township, Woodbine and Stone Harbor. With such a strong lineup, the competition was intense, and all the kids got to challenge themselves in different ways against students from all over South Jersey.
academic and social competition opportunities for elementary students. They noticed that while middle and high school students had various academic contests, there was a lack of similar events for the younger students. As fourth-grade teachers, they were eager to offer something for their own grade as well.
Linwood’s fourth graders took home first place in this year’s competition, with the home team from Northfield securing second and Margate’s fourth graders claiming third. But beyond the trophies and rankings, the real victory was in the learning, teamwork and fun all the students had.
Shenkus and Hoti originally created Noodlemania to provide more
“Our focus was on fourth grade because we felt they were ready for the challenge, and this also prepares them and gets them excited to participate in similar competitions as they get older,” Shenkus said. “After coming up with a plan, we presented it to our incredibly supportive principal, who immediately put our vision into motion. And just like that, Noodlemania was born!”
Noodlemania is more than just a contest, it’s an opportunity for students to showcase their knowl -
Fourth-grade teachers Barbara Shenkus and Megan Hoti have co-chaired Noodlemania for four years.
At Noodlemania, students learn how to collaborate, problem solve and have sportsmanship while competing with peers from across the region.
edge, work as a team and develop confidence in a fun and engaging environment. each student plays a unique role in their team, learning valuable skills like collaboration, problem-solving and sportsmanship while competing with peers from across the region.
While the event is a major success, organizing it each year requires an enormous amount of planning.
“We start making plans for the next Noodlemania the day after the competition,” Shenkus said. “But this event wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support from our fourth-grade students who volunteer, local schools and coaches, Northfield staff, our own fourth-grade team, and of course, our principal. everyone comes together to make this happen.”
Above all, Shenkus and Hoti want every student who participates in Noodlemania to have a memorable and rewarding experience, one that makes learning feel exciting, fun and cool.
“We are so proud of our students and school, as we’re sure every school that participates is,” Shenkus said. “Bringing schools together and celebrating academics in such a positive way is truly something special.”
With another successful year in the books, the countdown to Noodlemania 2026 has already begun. If this
year was any indication, next year’s competition will be bigger, better and brainier than ever.
One thing is for sure clear, Noodlemania is more than just a trivia contest. It’s a celebration of curiosity, teamwork and the students' joy of learning. Whether they walked away with a win or just knowing they had a fun day, the hope is that each student left inspired, more confident, and eager for the next challenge.
With Shenkus and Hoti already brainstorming for next year, we can bet that Noodlemania 2026 will be another unforgettable showdown of smarts, spirit and, of course, a little bit of dancing!
Delaney Crawford is a dynamic entrepreneur with a passion for storytelling and digital marketing. After earning a BA in Communications, Delaney built a successful career in the newspaper industry, honing skills in, news writing, media, and content creation. Driven by a desire to empower local businesses, Delaney founded DC's Social Media & Content Creation, a company dedicated to helping businesses enhance their brand image and thrive online.
Between rounds, the Northfield gym transforms into a dance floor for segments like, Best Fan Dance and Mascot Dance-Off.
Seventeen teams from 10 schools across Atlantic and Cape May counties attended this year’s competition.
Local dog wins Westminster Best in Show
By Heidi Clayton
On Feb. 11, history was made at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show when a Giant Schnauzer was the first of his breed to win Best in Show. Grand Champion Gold Hearthmore’s Wintergreen Mountain TI CGC TKN FITB, also known as Monty, was selected from over 2,500 other entries and won what is considered the most prestigious dog show in the world. Monty was bred here in New Jersey, and his owners are from Ocean City. It takes a village of dedicated people to get to participate in Westminster. Most importantly, it takes a great dog, and Monty is a great dog. Monty’s team started with his breeder Cherlann Ambrose, whose kennel prefix is Hearthmore Giant Schnauzers. Cherlann is a member of the Giant Schnauzer Club of America, and she responsibly healthtests her dogs before breeding. I can only imagine the sheer joy and pride of watching a puppy born into your hands whose life you nurtured before he was even born being selected as Best in Show at Westminster. Sandy and Bob Nordstrom of Ocean City are Monty’s co-owners. Their dedication to Monty’s show career and, most importantly,
giving him such a loving home is a breeder’s dream. They saw something in their puppy that led them to ask professional handlers, Katie and Adam Bernardin, to show him. Katie saw something special in this “big puppy.” Together, Team Monty kept him physically and, most importantly in this breed, mentally on his A-game.
Monty is also the first dog in Westminster History to win three consecutive Working Group one placements. Watching Monty and Katie show this year was poetry in motion. Both of them were at the top of their game, and the boy was undeniable.
The Best in Show lineup this year at Westminster was, in my opinion, a truly stellar lineup. Best in Show Judge Paula Nykiel awarded Monty the coveted win, because she thought, of the dogs standing there, Monty most closely fit the AKC breed standard for
the Giant Schnauzer.
Giant Schnauzers are big dogs. Males stand as tall as 27.5 inches and weigh up to 95 pounds. They are working dogs that originated in the German Alps in the mid-1800s and are widely used as guard dogs. They are the largest of the three Schnauzer breeds and are known for having high energy mixed with high intelligence. Therefore, they will need training that
involves physical and mental stimulation.
According to the AKC webpage, “Giants want to be with their owners and cannot abide being ignored or left in the yard. A Giant Schnauzer needs to have a job, even something as simple as chasing a ball. The Giant is a 'high-energy, protective, territorial guard dog,’ says one prominent breed fancier. 'The breed is not for the casual owner.’”
So, while you may see Monty in all of his glory and want a Giant Schnauzer, be sure to know that you will be putting in some work with them in the training department. I have watched Monty show over the years, and I completely understand why everyone on his team had such faith in him. His breeder must be over the moon. His owners gave so much to get him out to shows and trusted Katie and Adam to give Monty the skills needed to be that level of show dog. To all of Monty’s team, I offer my sincere congratulations on your historic win.
Monty is now retired, and who knows? you may see him in all of his glory strutting through Ocean City very soon. Good boy, Monty!
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net.
Monty and his handler, Katie Bernardin, pose for a photo after the win.
Photo credit: The Canine Chronicle
Launching a love for learning: How one educator is sharing science and inspiring young minds
By Madison Russ
If there’s one thing Michelle Stella riordan doesn’t do, it’s slow down. She even jokes that those close to her say she has two speeds: high speed and asleep.
Whether she’s spearheading local STeM programs and clubs or researching the cosmos, the e gg Harbor Township-based educator is constantly in motion.
“I will keep going on and on and on until I can’t move anymore,” she laughed.
Stella riordan, who is also a NASA Solar System Ambassador and NASA Astro Camp partner, fell in love with the night sky at an early age.
As she puts it, the first time she looked through her grandfather’s old telescope at the moon, she was “hooked.”
Today, that passion is the driving force behind inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers and astronomers at the Police Activities League and throughout the local community, particularly middle school students.
“I was a middle school kid who was introduced to science by some amazing teachers, and I thought, that’s where you hook them,” she said. “If you wait until high school, they already have their tendencies on what they like and don’t like. elementary kids love everything, just about. But middle school is where you really start to inspire them and mentor them.”
“I feel extremely grateful and fortunate to have followed my goals, my dreams, my passion—I am one of those that firmly believes you’re never done learning. So, I will continue learning and sharing,” said Stella riordan, the STeM director for the Police Activities League of egg Harbor Township and Atlantic County and a professional photographer of 30 years.
While raising her children, Stella r iordan fostered opportunities
Michelle Stella Riordan is a local educator, photographer, and STEM director for the Police Activities League of Egg Harbor Township and Atlantic County. She is also a NASA Solar System Ambassador and NASA Astro Camp partner. Photo courtesy of Michelle Stella Riordan.
for exploration through creative projects and experiments. So when her youngest, then in first grade, brought home fliers for the Cub Scouts and a LeGO workshop at the Police Activities League, she encouraged him to try both, eventually becoming involved herself.
“I started using some NASA resources along the way for my Cub Scout den,” she explained, noting she later became an instructor at the Police Activities League.
Still involved with Boy Scout Troop 389 and as the STeM director for the Police Activities League, she continually seeks new ways to inspire students.
“We’re constantly looking for newer stuff to inspire the kids,” she said. “If you give them a safe space to do something and be creative, it builds their confidence, and they can become good problem solvers.”
Around eight years ago, Stella riordan explained that she started looking into developing the Police Activities League’s astronomy program.
“I found a great course to do at NASA Goddard to certify in NASA Afterschool universe to bring these programs back to PAL (Police Activities League),” she said, which then became a launchpad for her involvement in other NASA programs.
More recently, she pursued a coveted opportunity to conduct real astronomical research through the NASA/IPAC Teacher Archive r esearch Program (NITA r P) on active galactic nuclei (AGN), which
are highly luminous cores of galaxies that outshine the stars in that galaxy.
AGNs are supermassive black holes that interact with nearby matter by pulling it into an accretion disk.
The NITA r P program aims to provide educators with an authentic astronomical research experience using data housed at NASA’s Infrared Processing and Analysis Center (IPAC) at the California Institute of Technology.
As part of NITArP, Stella riordan joined a year-long research project, collaborating with a research astronomer, other educators and students. Their research culminated in a presentation at the American Astronomical Society winter meeting, where Stella riordan and her team shared their findings.
hopefully, stay in a STeM field,” she said. “I’ve been very fortunate that I have met some amazing, amazing kids that are inspired.”
She’s also been able to share this knowledge with other educators interested in astronomy.
“The more I learn, the more I can share—science is for sharing,” she said.
Looking ahead, Stella riordan is preparing for this year’s STeM e xpo at the Police Activities League, an event that has evolved from an open house into a free community day filled with hands-on, interactive STeM activities—yet another initiative shaped by her passion and dedication.
The event, which is hosted during New Jersey STeM month, will be held on March 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“It’s a great day to share the science," she said.
Stella r iordan said the experience has given her more confidence to discuss AGNs, including with her students.
“If they’re thinking about it, then we can continue to talk about it; I can answer their questions about the research, the research process and inspire them to continue and,
Madison Russ is an awardwinning journalist, copy editor and adjunct professor of communication based in Atlantic County. An Ocean City native, Madison is passionate about telling stories that matter to locals, often spotlighting nonprofits and exploring the area's vibrant arts scene.
Michelle Stella Riordan (in blue) working with the Rover Observation and Discoveries in Space (ROADS) Challenge team at the Police Activities League of Egg Harbor Township and Atlantic County.
Photo courtesy of Michelle Stella Riordan.
Aviation park taking off with development of second building
Business Buzz
By Rich Baehrle
e are all aware that Atlantic County has a desperate need to diversify its economy from its reliance on the casino industry. u nfortunately, due to many factors such as substantial new competition, online gaming and sports betting, local brick and mortar gaming has been hit hard. We are surrounded by competition. Our one-time casino monopoly is gone, with New york casinos waiting in the wings. All of these factors have had a heavy negative impact on the local labor market.
Approximately 12 years ago, in recognition of the forecast change in the casino industry, Atlantic County e xecutive Dennis Levinson,
along with Howard Kyle, his chief of staff at that time, decided that they were not going to sit idle and let the county economy continue to slide backwards. They realized we had a hidden gem with the William J. Hughes Technical Center which was not meeting its full potential.
That’s when the Atlantic County economic Development Committee, which I chaired at the time, took the topic into consideration and ran with it. After many meetings with numerous stakeholders, the National Aerospace research and Technology Park (formerly Stockton Aviation research and Technology Park) was born.
The project took off with the construction of an impressive first building out of a total of seven planned buildings. Groundbreaking on the first building took place in 2017, and it became operational by 2018. It is now fully occupied.
The 400,000-square-foot Aviation Park is on a 58-acre site directly adjacent to the world-renowned William J. Hughes Federal Aviation Administration Technical Center. With its proximity to the Atlantic City Airport, tenants are able to conveniently test their innovative products and procedures.
NArTP tenants are doing important, cutting-edge work pioneering advancements in aerospace technology including drones for delivery and emergency response, electric flying taxis, and autonomous robots for airfield maintenance and security. They are also improving air traffic control systems and working on cybersecurity to protect aerospace infrastructure.
NArTP’s major tenants include General Dynamics, Woolpert, the National Institute of Aerospace, the FAA, NASA, ACIT and Stockton u niversity, which are assisting with
research and preparing students for careers in aviation and technology.
Building 1 offers high-speed connectivity to FAA data systems and laboratories, a rooftop deck which is used for social events. Other aspects of the first building encourage continuing education where they host onsite symposiums, conferences, open-houses and demonstrations. The success of completely occupying the first building led to the groundbreaking of the second building in October of 2024. The Atlantic County Improvement Authority awarded a $14.3 million contract to T.N. Ward for the 40,000-space-foot Building 2 with completion expected in 16 months.
Currently there are no tenants committed for it, but there is a lot of interest. The feeling is like Building 1, build it and they will come.
As the park continues with its momentum, creating a synergy in this vital industry, it will undoubtedly establish much-needed, higher-paying jobs. The economic impact will be felt throughout the region.
If you want to learn more about this exciting industry and the NArTP, you can visit the website at www. NArTP.com or call the e xecutive Director Howard Kyle at 609-365-2183.
We need to learn more about it and embrace it. Maybe you can thank Howard for having the vision and tenacity to see this dream come to fruition and grow.
remember to support local businesses, especially small businesses.
Building 2 is set to be complete in 16 months.
Healthcare costs in retirement
By Eric Reich
One of the biggest concerns for retirees is the cost of healthcare, and rightly so. Medical expenses are estimated to run a retired couple around $315,000 over their retirement. This can obviously take up a significant portion of a retiree's budget, making it essential to plan ahead. understanding Medicare, supplemental insurance and out-of-pocket costs can help individuals better prepare for a financially secure retirement. Medicare is the primary health insurance program for retirees in the u.S., but it does not cover everything. Here are the key components:
● Medicare Part A: Covers hospital stays, skilled nursing facilities and some home healthcare services.
● Medicare Part B: Covers outpatient care, doctor visits and preventive services.
● Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage): Private insurance plans that offer an alternative to traditional Medicare and often include additional benefits.
● Medicare Part D: Covers prescription drugs and requires separate enrollment. Since Medicare does not cover all healthcare costs, retirees often rely on supplemental insurance. Medigap policies help cover out-of-pocket
expenses like copayments and deductibles. These policies are typically more expensive than Advantage plans. Personally, I prefer them, because while they might cost more up-front, they cover more when you need it the most, which is later in retirement. We don’t get healthier as we age. There are also employer retiree plans, in which an employer offers supplemental insurance for former employees.
Medicare Advantage Plans often provide broader coverage, including vision and dental care. These are cheaper than supplemental plans, but beware, they also can ultimately leave you with higher out-of-pocket costs. Again, I prefer a supplemental plan instead.
As mentioned above, according to research, the average 65-year-old couple may need around $315,000 to cover medical expenses in retirement. Key factors that influence costs include chronic conditions, ongoing treatments, prescription drug costs and long-term care needs. Of these factors, long-term care can be a major financial burden for many retirees. It is important to consider ways to cover long-term care costs. This includes long-term care insurance; hybrid policies, which combine life insurance with long-term care benefits; or self-funding strategies, such as savings set aside specifically for long-term care needs.
Lastly, there are several ways to save for healthcare costs efficiently. Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) provide tax-free savings for medical expenses if enrolled in a high-deductible plan. Funds deposited in an HSA, once you turn 65, can be used for anything. Prior to age 65, they must be used for qualified medical expenses. Flexible
Spending Accounts (FSAs) allow pretax savings for healthcare costs, but funds must be used within the year. roth IrA withdrawals can be used taxfree for medical expenses if needed. Planning for healthcare expenses is a crucial aspect of preparing for retirement. By understanding Medicare, securing supplemental insurance and setting aside funds for medical costs, retirees can reduce financial stress and ensure they receive the care they need. Taking proactive steps today can make a significant difference in the quality of life during retirement. While we don’t handle Medicare insurance ourselves, if you need a referral to a Medicare insurance specialist, just reach out. We can point you in the right direction to someone who can help.
Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS),
member FIN r A/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. reich Asset Management, LLC is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kestra AS. The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect those held by Kestra Investment Services, LLC or Kestra Advisory Services, LLC. This is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual. It is suggested that you consult your financial professional, attorney, or tax advisor with regard to your individual situation. To view form CrS visit https://bit.ly/KF-Disclosures.
Eric is President and founder of Reich Asset Management, LLC. He relies on his 25 years of experience to help clients have an enjoyable retirement. He is a Certified Financial Planner™ and Certified Investment Management AnalystSM (CIMA®) and has earned his Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®) and Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designations.
A farm grows in Atlantic City
By Chef Christina Martin
Recently I visited the CrOPS (Communities revolutionizing Open Public Spaces) food hub located at 167 S. Tennessee Ave. in Atlantic City. I sat down with Director of Operations Alexis Flack, who has been with CrOPS since 2022; and food distribution coordinator Soph Milone, who started as an intern in 2024, and is now working full time for CrOPS.
I was familiar with CrOPS, but learned so much more about it during my visit and what they have to offer.
C r OPS is a nonprofit with a mission “to alleviate food insecurity through empowering healthy, interconnected communities by cultivating fresh produce, ensuring access to nutritional food, providing educational programming and advocating for sustainable food systems
and collaborative solutions.”
The uCAN (urban Coastal Agriculture Network) is a farming training program which teaches Atlantic City residents farming and business skills. This hands-on program teaches how to farm using field trips to farms, as well as handling the accounting and the marketing side of running a business. The program allows the farmers in training to build an urban farming business as part of Atlantic City’s Farm to Fork City program. It’s funded through CrDA (Casino reinvestment Development Authority), a New Jersey Food Security Initiative grant and a partnership with AtlantiCare.
The uCAN urban farming locations include Farmers row on Pacific and Texas avenues which has eight indoor hydroponic systems created by Fork Farms and purchased through a grant. These systems are able to produce 30 pounds of produce in a growing cycle.
Fresh lettuces, and herbs such as basil, dill and cilantro can be grown
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hydroponically. The farmers can then sell their produce at the CrOPS farmers market, in Atlantic City stores, to local restaurants or as part of the Farm Share Program.
C r DA-funded AC r efrigeration Program, in which refrigerators are being set up in corner stores so they can supply fresh produce to their customers. Pacific Market, Cedar Basic Food and Oceanside Family Success Center are some of the places the community can find these refrigerators of fresh, locally grown produce.
How they get community feedback is something Soph was happy to discuss with me. They have a Q r code through which residents can access a survey and share their needs and preferences. The survey can be taken in english or Spanish. It helps with planning and to elimi -
The other two locations are outdoor farms; one is Fisherman’s Park and Community Garden, and the other is Our Lady Star of the Sea School’s Peace Garden in Atlantic City.
Farmers market locations run weekly, June through September, at the WIC office in Atlantic City. A weekly market that runs June through August is offered at the Fisherman’s Park Community Garden.
Biweekly, the Farm Share Program offers a share of locally produced vegetables, herbs and fruits from reed’s Farm in egg Harbor Township, as well as vegetables raised by the CrOPS uCAN farmer participants in Atlantic City.
The program runs February-March. Pickup location is at the Food Hub on Tennessee Avenue. Cost per box is on an income-based, sliding scale. They accept credit, debit, eBT and SNAP.
The farm share will be available every other week, September through November, with pickup on Thursday and Friday. In the farm share boxes, Soph includes recipe cards created to teach recipes using ingredients from the box.
Another source of getting fresh food to the community is with the
nate food waste, something Soph is passionate about.
On the CrOPS website you can find upcoming education workshops. During June-September there are garden clubs located at Fisherman’s Park on Thursdays, 4-6 p.m.; and at the Arc Community Garden every Monday, 4-6 p.m.
CrOPS is working toward their mission and doing wonderful things for the community. Stop by the food hub to see it in action. There is a hydroponic growing system there as well. They hope to obtain more partners to help bring healthy, local, sustainable food to Atlantic City. To learn more visit www.cropsnj. org.
Chef Christina Martin is a dedicated chef educator, passionate advocate for healthy eating, and mother. Christina’s expertise has been spotlighted in Independent Restaurateur Magazine and she has been awarded 2024 Chef Educator of the Year from the Professional Chef Association of South Jersey.
UCAN’s Farmers Row location, on Pacific and Texas avenues, has eight indoor hydroponic systems created by Fork Farms.
Fresh lettuces, and herbs such as basil, dill and cilantro can be grown hydroponically.
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
Get ready for a jam-packed week of entertainment featuring a diverse lineup that includes the likes of Theresa Caputo, rod Stewart and Anjelah Johnson- reyes. Brace yourself for thrilling entertainment and make the most of every moment with this exciting mix. Share your experiences using #shorelocal and #thecitypulse. Join us in spreading the excitement.
Who: Better Than ezra
Where: Borgata’s Music Box
When: Friday, Feb. 21
Time: 9 p.m.
Website: borgata.mgmresorts.com/ en/entertainment/the-music-box/
better-than-ezra.html
Better Than ezra, known for their hummable melodies, unshakable guitar riffs and confessional lyrics, have quietly cemented themselves as an enduring force in rock music. Don’t miss them at Borgata.
Who: Theresa Caputo (the Long Island Medium)
Where: Ocean Casino resort | Ovation Hall
When: Friday, Feb. 21
Time: 9 p.m.
Website: theoceanac.com/entertainment/headliners/theresa-caputo
Theresa Caputo, the Long Island Medium, will exhibit her talents on Friday, so you don’t want to miss this awe-inspiring event.
Who: Anjelah Johnson- reyes
Where: Tropicana Casino and resort
When: Saturday, Feb. 22
Time: 8 p.m.
Website: caesars.com/tropicana-ac/ shows
Get your tickets to see comedian Anjelah Johnson- reyes before it’s sold out.
Who: rod Stewart
Where: Hard rock Hotel & Casino | etess Arena
When: Saturday, Feb. 22
Time: 8 p.m.
Website: casino.hardrock.com/atlantic-city/event-calendar/rod-stewart
Mark your calendars as the iconic
singer takes the stage at Hard rock.
Witness a musical genius who has captivated audiences worldwide for decades. Whether you’ve been a fan since the early days, or recently discovered his music, this concert is a must-see.
Who: Teen Idle, Nylon Ghost, Those Looks, Maria Mirenzi
Where: Anchor rock Club
When: Saturday, Feb. 22
Time: 8 p.m. Doors open 7 p.m.
Website: anchorrockclub.com Indie artists Teen Idle, Nylon Ghost, Those Looks, Maria Mirenzi perform live. Must be 18+.
What: CZW Combat Zone Wrestling
Where: ACX1 Studios Atlantic City
When: Saturday, Feb. 22
Time: Doors open at 6 p.m., Bell at 7 p.m.
Website: czwrestling.com
Celebrate the 26th anniversary of Combat Zone Wrestling as CZW returns to action in Atlantic City at ACX1 Studios.
What: Sinatra Sundays
Where: ByrdCage AC
When: Sunday, Feb. 23
Website: byrdcageac.com/events
This is the launch of Sinatra Sundays for ByrdCage AC featuring a weekly special Italian dinner menu with the music from Old Blue eyes.
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!
Almost Queen: tribute band royalty
The Casino File
By Chuck Darrow
It would be a daunting, if not impossible, task to quantify every musical outfit out there whose act is limited to the performance of songs by a single, specific artist. It’s a lot easier to identify those who qualify as the best-of-the-best: They’re the groups who perform nationally (and internationally) and command performance fees large enough to provide full-time employment for their members.
By any measuring stick, that august list must include Almost Queen, which on March 1 checks into the Superstar Theater at resorts Atlantic City.
Given that tribute bands weren’t the pop-culture phenomenon they are today when AQ was founded some 20 years ago, as well as the deceptive complexity of much of
Queen’s material and, especially, the one-of-a-kind vocal artistry and electrifying showmanship of the British quartet’s beloved lead singer, the late Freddie Mercury, the level of success Almost Queen has achieved is impressive—even more so given that unlike other Queen-focused acts which employ auxiliary musicians, this group, like its subject, is a quartet.
Not that the New york Citybased unit’s success was guaranteed at its inception.
“Pretty much everyone, I think,” laughed bassist-co-founder randy Gregg during a recent phone call when asked how many people told him he was out of his mind to want to form a Queen tribute band. “It was like, ‘Oh, really? That's what you're doing? All right. Good luck with that!’”
By his own admission, Gregg and his fellow charter members--lead singer Joseph russo and drummer John Cappadona (guitarist Steve Leonard joined a couple years later)—didn’t come out of the box fully formed. But repetition and perseverance took care of that end of things.
“When you're playing for the first year or two, you're looking at each other going, ‘ yeah, man, sounds cool,’ offered Gregg, who also handles much of the band’s behind-thescenes business. “And then two, three years later, you look back and you're like, ‘That was terrible; we're so much better now.’
“And then two, three years later, you look back and you go, ‘That wasn't really that good; we're so much better now.’ And it just keeps snowballing and snowballing.”
Not surprisingly, according to Gregg, the highest hurdles were vocal in nature.
“There were times in the beginning we were unable to pull off some songs live—like how are we gonna do ‘Somebody to Love?’ There's a choir going on there.
“ everyone thought ‘Bohemian rhapsody’ was gonna be the hardest song,” he continued, “but I think for us, it was ‘We Are the Champions.’ There's like a barbershop quartet [vocal arrangement] on that.”
But the band members ultimately rose to the challenge.
“There was a point a few years in when [Leonard, Cappadona] and I locked ourselves in a room and didn't come out until we had those songs. It took a little time, but 20 years in, we’re on autopilot.”
Although the members of Almost Queen have spent a huge chunk of their lives portraying Mercury, bassist John Deacon, drummer roger Taylor and guitarist Brian May, they have been very careful to avoid being subsumed by their alter egos.
“That's a strange, fine line,” said Gregg. “I recall years ago seeing a Doors tribute band. even offstage,
the guy just really acted like Jim Morrison.
“It's cool when you walk on that stage to become that [person]. That's what people are coming to see. They come to see this recreation of a band, they can't see anymore. And that's great.
“But when you're offstage and you're down the block at McDonald's ordering a double cheeseburger, don't act like Jim Morrison. There's no need for it.”
While the guys in Almost Queen have never met their real-life counterparts, they have been on the latter’s radar for years, thanks, in part, to AQ’s affiliation with a Queen-created charity.
“They’re aware of us because of the Mercury Phoenix Trust,” offered Greg, referring to the global AIDS charity formed by the three remaining Queen members in honor of Mercury, who died of the disease in 1991.
“We have been donating money to them since day one,” explained Gregg. And I get letters from emma Beach [daughter of Queen manager Jim Beach] thanking us. So, I know they're very aware of us. And they're happy with the tribute bands doing what they're doing; we're helping keep their music alive.
“Some of us have jobs because of this band,” he continued. “And to be
able to give something back makes us feel fantastic.”
For tickets, go to ticketmaster. com.
Rod’s last AyCee dance?
It’s always special when rock megastar rod Stewart plays Atlantic City, but Saturday’s scheduled performance at Hard rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City is shaping up as extra-special because it appears it could be his final visit to Our Town— at least his last time performing the material that made him one of the world’s biggest rock stars.
rod the Mod, 80, whose “One Last Time” world tour launches at the rock, has publicly floated that the road trip will likely be his last full-blown tour of large venues. Stewart, who claims to be in great physical condition, isn’t retiring; he just suggested that going forward, he’s more inclined to limit his gigs to smaller rooms. And, he suggested, he’s contemplating a return to performing pre-rock pop songs rather than his own hits like “Maggie May” and “Tonight’s the Night.”
For tickets, go to ticketmaster.com.
Chuck Darrow has spent more than 40 years writing about Atlantic City casinos.
Live & Local Music Calendar
Thursday, February 20
Atlantic City
Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino
DJ Jason e
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
My Hero Zero
7 – 11 p.m.
1000 Boardwalk
XO Bar at Resorts
Karaoke Night w/ DJ Joe
8 p.m. – 12 a.m.
1133 Boardwalk
Somers Point
Caroline’s by the Bay
Danny eyer
4 – 7 p.m.
Karaoke Night w/ Mike Dempsey
8:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.
450 Bay Ave.
Crab Trap
yachtzee Duo
6 – 9 p.m.
2 Broadway
e 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.
Josie Kelly’s
Toni Teschner + Billy Walton
6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
908 Shore rd.
Friday, February 21
Atlantic City
1927 Lounge at Ocean Casino
Jeremy Oren
6 p.m.
Kevin Story
9:15 p.m.
500 Boardwalk
Anchor Rock Club
Neanderthals, Three Women, Food Fight, Lone
8 p.m.
247 S. New york Ave.
Council Oak at Hard Rock
eSQ Trio
6 – 10 p.m.
1000 Boardwalk
Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino
Dan Jost Duo
7 p.m.
Sean Patrick
10 p.m.
500 Boardwalk
Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget
Vahe Duo
6 p.m.
Love Jones
10 p.m.
600 Huron Ave.
The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock
Grooveheart
5 – 8:30 p.m.
The Cliffs
9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.
1000 Boardwalk
The Wave at Golden Nugget
Flashback Friday: Who’s Next
9 p.m.
600 Huron Ave.
Villain and Saint at Ocean
Casino
yani
8:30 p.m.
500 Boardwalk
XO Bar at Resorts
DJ Gary
9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
1133 Boardwalk
Egg Harbor City
Renault Winery
The Philly Keys
6 – 9 p.m.
72 N. Bremen Ave.
Egg Harbor Township
The Roost Pub & Grill
Tony and Kim Duo
6:30 p.m.
500 St. Andrews Dr.
Somers Point
Caroline’s by the Bay
The rooftop Dogz
8 p.m. – 12 a.m.
450 Bay Ave.
Crab Trap
Starr
6 – 9 p.m.
2 Broadway
Gregory’s
Celtic Night
6 p.m.
900 Shore rd.
Josie Kelly’s The O’Fenders
8 p.m.
908 Shore rd.
Tuckerton
The Lizzie Rose Music Room
James Maddock
7:30 p.m.
217 e . Main St.
Saturday, February 22
Absecon
Reddog’s Hi Point Pub
Flip N Mickey’s
8 p.m.
5 N. Shore rd.
Atlantic City
1927 Lounge at Ocean Casino
Kevin Story
6 p.m.
↘Continued on 38
Dominick Martino
9:15 p.m.
500 Boardwalk
Anchor Rock Club
Teen Idle, Nylon Ghost, Those Looks, Maria Mirenzi
8 p.m.
247 S. New york Ave.
Council Oak Lounge at Hard Rock
Chris Farrell Trio
6 – 10 p.m.
1000 Boardwalk
Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino
Patty & Bugzy
7 p.m.
Garden State radio
10 p.m.
500 Boardwalk
Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget
Tailspin
5 p.m.
Cheers the Band
10 p.m.
600 Huron Ave.
The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock
Aftershock
5 – 8:30 p.m.
Sky City Social
9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.
1000 Boardwalk
Villain and Saint at Ocean Casino
Slay Town City
8:30 p.m.
500 Boardwalk
XO Bar at Resorts
Glenn roberts
6 – 9 p.m.
DJ Gary 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. 1133 Boardwalk
Egg Harbor City
Renault Winery
DJ John DiJoseph
12 – 4 p.m.
San Noche reggae Duo
6 – 10 p.m.
72 N. Bremen Ave.
Somers
by the Bay
Josie Kelly’s
rd.
Tuckerton The Lizzie Rose Music Room
Billy Hector and the Midnight Horns 7:30 p.m. 217 e . Main St.
Sunday, February 23
Atlantic City
1927 Lounge at Ocean Casino
Dueling Pianos
8 p.m.
500 Boardwalk
Anchor Rock Club
Headcase Hair Show
7 p.m.
247 S. New york Ave.
Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget
3am Tokyo Duo
7 p.m.
600 Huron Ave.
The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Audio riot
4 – 7:30 p.m.
Austin City Nights
8:30 – 11 p.m.
1000 Boardwalk
Egg Harbor City
Renault Winery
Nash Vegas Girls Country Duo 12 – 4 p.m.
72 N. Bremen Ave.
Somers Point
Caroline’s by the Bay Sindi raymond Band
3:30 – 6:30 p.m.
450 Bay Ave.
Monday, February 24
Atlantic City
Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget red. 8 p.m.
600 Huron Ave.
TailSpin will perform at Golden Nugget's Rush Lounge on Saturday, Feb. 22. Photo credit: TailSpin Facebook
The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock
Slaytown City
7 – 11 p.m.
1000 Boardwalk
Somers Point
Caroline’s by the Bay Trivia Night with DJ Bill
7 – 9 p.m.
450 Bay Ave.
Gregory’s
Tom Angello’s All-Star Jazz Series
7 p.m.
900 Shore rd.
Tuesday, February 25
Atlantic City
Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget
Patty & Bugzy
8 p.m.
600 Huron Ave.
The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock
Big Bang Baby
7 – 11 p.m.
1000 Boardwalk
Somers Point
Caroline’s by the Bay Music Bingo hosted by DJ Chris
John
7 – 9 p.m.
450 Bay Ave.
Wednesday, February 26
Atlantic City
Anchor Rock Club
Vinyl Wednesdays w/ DJ Sleep until Dark. 7 p.m.
247 S. New york Ave.
Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget
Michael Stevens. 8 p.m.
600 Huron Ave.
The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Sidestory
7 – 11 p.m.
1000 Boardwalk
Margate Bocca
Jazz by Bob & The Bocca Boys
7 – 10 p.m. 7805 Ventnor Ave.
Somers Point Caroline’s by the Bay
Open Mic Night hosted by Blue eagle. 7:30 – 11:30 p.m.
450 Bay Ave.
Crab Trap
Starr. 6 – 9 p.m.
2 Broadway
Josie Kelly’s Jimmy Brogan
6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
908 Shore rd.
Events subject to change.
Slaytown City will perform at Hard Rock's Lobby Bar on Monday, Feb. 24. Photo credit: Slaytown City Instagram
Atlantic City Headliners
Friday, February 21
Better Than Ezra
▶9 p.m.
The Music Box at Borgata
Theresa Caputo
▶9 p.m.
Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino
Saturday, February 22
Rod Stewart
▶8 p.m.
Hard rock Live at etess Arena
Anjelah Johnson-Reyes
▶8 p.m.
Tropicana Showroom
Saturday, March 1
Almost Queen
▶8 p.m.
resorts Atlantic City
Friday, March 7
America
▶9 p.m.
Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino
Saturday, March 8
Smokey Robinson
▶8 p.m.
Hard rock Live at etess Arena
Friday, March 14
Burton Cummings of The Guess Who
▶9 p.m.
Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino
SIncluding Traveller Bourbon Whiskey
“Complex aromas of vanilla,
f ruit and buttery shortbread
Saturday, March 15
Sevendust
▶7:30 p.m.
Tropicana Showroom
Alton Brown: Last Bite
▶7:30 p.m.
Circus Maximus Theatre at Caesars
Saturday, March 22
Il Volo
▶8 p.m.
Hard rock Live at etess Arena
Friday, March 28
Mary J. Blige
▶7 p.m.
Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall
Yacht Rock Revue
▶9 p.m.
Hard rock Live at etess Arena
Air Supply
▶9 p.m.
Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino
Friday, April 4
Peter Frampton
▶7 p.m.
Hard rock Live at etess Arena
Saturday, April 5
The Wallflowers
▶8 p.m.
Hard rock Live at etess Arena
On Sale This Week
Kelly Clarkson
▶Friday, May 9 & Saturday, May 10
Hard rock Live at etess Arena
Dropkick Murphys & Bad Religion
▶Friday, August 15
Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino
Sebastian Maniscalco
▶Thurs., Sept. 18 – Sun., Sept. 28
Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino
Tickets on sale Friday, Feb. 21 at 10 a.m.
Live in Touch with Your Soul
By Douglas Keefe
WA look at elongated coins
hile traveling, I have encountered a machine at many locations, that for fifty-one cents (2 quarters and 1 cent) you can choose 1 of 4 designs to be pressed onto the 1 cent coin you place in the machine. The coin you get back (it is the same one you placed in the machine) is known as an elongated cent, that is it has been pressed flat (elongated) with a roller and had a design impressed on it that usually represents something about the locality of the machine. For example, there are elongated cent machines in Disney World that offer designs of Disney characters. Ones I have seen on my trip, usually in museums or attractions such as the Grand Canyon, feature designs that pertain to that exhibit or location. There is even one in the rest stop on the Atlantic City e xpressway.
elongated cents first appeared at the Columbian e xposition in 1893. Although it is thought the intent was to use one-cent coins, I have many examples of five-cent coins that went through the process. The design was pretty basic, with the words "Columbian" across the top, " e xposition" along the bottom and the date 1893 in the middle. From that time forward, it seemed every major exposition and fair had a vendor who offered a design that was a souvenir of that event, and the designs became more elaborate as time went on with renditions of some of the prominent buildings at the event. Because major fairs didn’t occur every year, it behooved these vendors to expand their market rather than wait for the next major fair or exposition, so they created dies for different purposes such as the Lord's Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Collecting elongated cents is a fun undertaking that doesn’t cost a lot of money, even for the earliest examples. It comes under the category of exonumia and is divided into three periods of time. The first, beginning with 1893 and lasting until 1965. The second period began around 1965 when there was a proliferation of individuals who had dies engraved for different events of a more local nature, such as one produced here for the 100th anniversary of the Atlantic City Boardwalk. The third period is from the mid-1980s forward, which covers when the machines I first mentioned came into use.
The early machines were hand crank devices that, using gears, transfers a lot of pressure to the coin. The coin is placed in a slot and when the crank is turned, a roller with the die engraved in it grabs the coin and pulls
Elongated cent from 1933 Chicago Exposition
it through with the design pressed onto the coin. The pressure on the coin causes it to come out oblong. This was a manual operation requiring someone
to turn the crank and to keep peoples fingers away from the machine. The modern machines are automatic with the total operation enclosed and powered by electricity, but still with the same gear reduction to create the necessary pressure. The concern that doing this to coins is against the law is unfounded as the law governing the mutilation of coins only applies to coins that will be reintroduced to commerce.
I have one of the original hand crank machines that I bought from the person who created the board -
walk anniversary elongated cent. Also amongst his creations were cents that had the signs of the Zodiac. Since 1983, our one-cent coins have been made of zinc with a copper coating. When these coins are pressed, they come out with a zinc streak. To get a uniform copper appearance, use a cent dated 1982 or earlier.
Douglas Keefe and his wife Linda are owners of Beachcomber Coins and Collectibles in Egg Harbor Township.
Fox Manor, Madison Hotel, Atlantic Club: Comeback possibilities for 3 vintage AC hotels
By Bruce Klauber
grand hotels still standing and thriving, there are several other vintage properties in the city that currently have a chance at making a comeback. Though not as grand or as successful as the ritz, they still have concrete possibilities.
The key word here is currently.
Given that various Atlantic City properties have a history of miraculous comebacks through the years, including the rebirth of the Steel Pier and the success of Ocean Casino resort, there is good reason to believe that the current, less-than-grand state of these properties is only temporary.
Fox Manor
Located at 2707 Pacific Ave. and close to the Tropicana, Fox Manor was originally built more than 100 years ago as the embassy Apartments. It was purchased by Mildred and Thomas Fox sometime in the 1930s.
The couple changed the name to Fox Manor and turned the venue into a 48-room hotel. Over time the rather elegant Manor gained the reputation of being the perfect spot to honeymoon. The Foxes also kept up with the times. In the 1950s, the hotel was the first in the city to offer color televisions in every room.
By 1987 Fox Manor was still running the property, but it was a shadow of its former self. Around that time the hotel was sold to a Florida developer named Sean reardon, who also bought several other properties in the area, pledging to “clean them up.”
Sadly, as the city’s fortunes declined, so did the fortunes of the hotel. By 2018 Fox Manor was a certifiable mess. The city found 70 code violations, and there were reports of squatters and drug dealers living there. Finally, Atlantic City deemed it “unfit for human occupancy” and ordered the property vacated. It’s been said that, even at that point, some 25 people were living there.
While Atlantic City’s ritz Condominiums may be the last of the city’s
Despite reardon’s plans to gut the property and rebuild, nothing really happened until 2022 when an outfit called Atlantic City Beach Properties announced plans to transform it into a 29-unit apartment house. reports at the time stated that the plans were approved by the Casino reinvestment Development Authority, and that groundbreaking would be announced sometime that year. There’s no doubt that the Covid crisis was the cause of delay on many projects like this, as was the notoriously slow Atlantic City licensing process. Still, three years after the announcement to redevelop, there has been no progress on Fox Manor. It’s available for $3.5 million.
The Madison Hotel
The Madison Hotel, at 125 South Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd., has also been a victim of the city’s declining fortunes and is also currently vacant, though it was temporarily “saved” several times through the years.
Built in 1929 and added to the National register of Historic Places in 1984, the Madison was a 14-story luxury hotel. The first sign of trouble was a bankruptcy in the 1960s, though the venue hung on until 2004 when it became a part of the now-defunct Sands Hotel and Casino.
Despite having troubles of their own in that year, the Sands hoped to expand the number of hotel rooms offered, so they invested a reported $7 million into renovating the Madison. The result was a 126-room hotel, complete with fitness center, which stood as a hotel adjunct to the Sands.
Though the Sands closed in 2006, the Madison continued to exist as a hotel, and in 2014, it became part of the Wyndham hotel chain and was called The Baymont Inn. The Baymont closed in 2021, and the next year, was purchased for $2.5 million by a company called ratan Hotel Group.
Its final days were unfortunate. Before its official closing in July of 2024, the Madison was being used
as a home by 30 squatters who lived there without water or power. It’s been up for sale since last July, and various plans have been floated since then, mostly related to making it a “boutique hotel.” Asking price is $3.5 million.
Atlantic Club Hotel
As reported in these pages last week, there is finally good news on the horizon about the future of the Atlantic Club Hotel and Casino, which has been standing vacant at Boston Avenue and the Boardwalk since 2014. The venue’s owner since 2020,
Continued on 44
rocco Sebastiani, head of the Colosseo Development Group, announced several years ago that his company planned to remake the property into a “condo-tel.” One 330-room tower would be a hotel, and tower two would be a 108-unit condominium.
A year ago, the Atlantic City Mayor’s Office confirmed to us that Sebastiani’s plans had been approved, and that Colosseo was merely waiting on approval for various licenses. Nothing happened since that report until just weeks ago.
For various reasons, including the resignation of Anthony Cox, long in charge of handling the city’s subcode
licensings, the licensing procedure was moving at snail’s pace. A frustrated Sebastiani decided to bypass the city’s red tape.
He went directly to the state of New Jersey’s Division of Codes and Standards. That department, Sebastiani says, is now allowing him to proceed with the plans for the Atlantic Club, without any involvement of Atlantic City. Lisa r yan, spokesperson for the state’s Department of Community Affairs, confirms that the State of New Jersey is now in charge.
“The state’s Division of Codes and Standards will now have jurisdiction over the project,” said r yan. If all goes according to this latest plan,
Next Miracle Leave?”
Sebastiani says the project will take two years to complete. It has been recently announced that the Hilton Hotel chain has interest in operating the hotel portion of the venue, once it’s refurbished.
“We recognize the opportunity for growth in Atlantic City and look forward to announcing exciting details in the future,” said a Hilton spokesperson.
When looking at situations like Fox Manor, Madison Hotel and Atlantic Club, I’m reminded of the title of a song recorded by Frank Sinatra in 1980 called “What Time Does the
When it comes to Atlantic City’s redevelopment of these and other properties, there are a lot of people out there who hope that miracle leaves soon.
Bruce Klauber is the author of four books, an award-winning music journalist, concert and record producer and publicist, producer of the Warner Brothers and Hudson Music "Jazz Legends" film series, and performs both as a drummer and vocalist.
What’s happening in Ocean City
Two more shows added to 2025 Summer Concert Series
Mickey Dolenz of the Monkees and Mavis Staples will be featured during the 32nd annual Summer Concert Series on the Ocean City Music Pier.
Dolenz, drummer and vocalist for the Monkees, is the only surviving member of the band, and his new group will pay tribute to the music of the Monkees in a show at 7 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 11 at the Music Pier.
Staples, a Grammy-winning r &B and gospel legend, is famous for songs like “I’ll Take you There” and “Let’s Do It Again.” She will perform at the Music Pier at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 25.
Tickets for Mickey Dolenz and Mavis Staples are on sale now through etix. com.
The Summer Concert Series features a lineup of rock and popular music concerts, typically on Monday nights at the Ocean City Music Pier. Shows already announced include the Beach Boys, Killer Queen, The Wailers, Let’s Sing Taylor: An u nofficial Live Band Tribute, and The Orchestra Starring Former Members of electric Light Orchestra and eLO Part II. Check ocnj.us/SummerConcertSeries for the current lineup and updates on the complete series as new shows are announced.
Ocean City businesses team up for ‘Market Madness’ on March 8 and 9
Ocean City businesses will gather under one roof for the fourth annual Market Madness event on March 8 and March 9. The two-day shopping extravaganza offers an early sample of summer with discounts and specials on everybody’s favorite local merchandise, brands and attractions.
This year, the event moves to the Ocean City Civic Center, just off the Boardwalk between Fifth and Sixth
streets, with plenty of free and convenient parking adjacent to the building (access from Fifth Street).
In addition to more than 40 vendors from Ocean City’s Boardwalk and Downtown districts, Market Madness will feature a live DJ, hourly giveaways, food trucks and more. Hours for the event are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days.
Registration open for Doo Dah Parade participants
The Doo Dah Parade — Ocean City’s annual tribute to humor — is set for Saturday, April 12, and registration is now open for anybody who would like to participate in the parade. The procession features marching bands, floats, a grand marshal and a brigade of basset hounds. The parade route starts at Sixth Street and travels downtown Asbury Avenue to 12th Street, then turns to the Boardwalk at 12th Street and finishes on the Boardwalk at Sixth Street. For more information and to register, visit ocnj.us/doodahparade.
Tuesday March 4th at 5pm
Levoy Theatre in Millville booking big-name headliners
Tune In, Turn On
With Doug Deutsch
We South Jerseyans are pretty fortunate when it comes to seeing/hearing live music. All nine Atlantic City casinos
offer live music of one form or another seven nights a week.
Many clubs and restaurants, from Atlantic City to Mays Landing, feature entertainment almost-nightly – Anchor rock Club, Charlie’s, Gregory’s and The roost, to name a few. Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall, reopening Feb. 22, will feature live music again, we’re told.
There’s also several quality music rooms within driving distance including Lizzie rose Music room in Tuckerton, Albert Music Hall in Waretown, Landis Theater in Vineland and Levoy Theatre in Millville. We’re not even
listing the dozens of quality music venues in Philadelphia, live music rooms in Asbury Park, r ed Bank and other North Jersey locations, nor the multitude of music venues 120 miles to the north in New york City.
Levoy Theatre’s storied history goes all the way back to 1908 – that’s when the first Levoy Theatre opened. It was much smaller than today’s structure and there were two floors – a theatre on the lower floor and a dance floor on the upper.
The first admission prices were 5 cents for one ticket, or 25 cents for six. The early silent flickering films shown in the original Levoy were often accompanied by a vocalist or piano player.
Levoy Theatre in Millville will host The Lovin’ Spoonful (March 2), Emerson, Lake & Palmer (March 8), The Neil Diamond Experience (March 9), Pink Talking Fish (March 14), and Jefferson Starship (April 24). Photo By Jim Cook Jr.
Fast forward to the present: The beautiful Art Deco-styled structure holds almost 700 patrons (696 to be exact) and has significantly increased its schedule of headliners.
“We’ve been stepping it up here,” Charlotte Zappile, Levoy Theatre’s general manager, told us regarding the music bookings. “Last year we had Taylor Dayne, Debbie Gibson, Nick Carter, Ambrosia and Jane Lynch,” said Zappile, who used to be director of entertainment for Tropicana Casino.
Here’s a few of the headliners coming to the Levoy Theatre: Sixties stalwarts The Lovin’ Spoonful (“Do you Believe In Magic,” “Summer In The City”) visit the Levoy March 2.
On March 8, the Levoy presents legendary prog-rock trio emerson, Lake and Palmer, with a twist. The only surviving member of eLP is drummer Carl Palmer. The other two eLP members, bassist/vocalist Greg Lake and keyboardist Keith emerson, who both passed away in 2016, will be represented here via holograms and rare classic live performance footage.
March 9 it’s The Neil Diamond e xperience featuring robert Neery in the headlining role.
On March 14, Pink Talking Fish, a hybrid mashup tribute featuring the music of Pink Floyd, the Talking Heads, and Phish, come to the Levoy.
On April 24, ’80s-era rock greats Jefferson Starship present their 50th Anniversary/The r unaway Again World Tour. While concertgoers attending this show won’t see or hear any of the original Jefferson Starship (nee Jefferson Airplane) members such as Grace Slick, Paul Kantner or Marty Balin, this JS version is still pretty tight, and features a very com -
petent vocalist in Cathy richardson, who’s been with the ‘Starship since 2008.
The Levoy Theatre is located at 126-130 N. High St., Millville. Call 856327-6400 or see www.levoy.net.
Singer/Songwriter Showcase at The Wickie Room: Another area venue presenting live music is The Wickie room located inside LBI National Golf & resort in Little egg Harbor Township. We were there for dinner last week, highly recommended.
On Wednesday, Feb. 26 there will be a Live Music Showcase featuring some of our area’s best musicians including vocalist Destinee Monroe, rising blues trio Twisted Livin’, singer/ songwriter Amy elizabeth, and alt pop-rockers Lilies of David, who we’ll be profiling at a later date.
This free show runs from 5 to 10 p.m. It’s located at 99 Golf View Drive, Little egg Harbor; call 609-857-5656 for details.
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.
Drink Up!
By David Setley
“Que Sera, Sera” (meaning “whatever will be, will be”) was a very popular song made famous by the late Doris Day in 1955. I remember my mother singing this to me as a child. I am loosely using a variation of the song’s title to introduce a few wine questions I frequently hear. Are Syrah wines and Shiraz wines the same thing? What about Petite Sirah? Well, the answer is yes, and no!
The exact origin of the Syrah grape and the wine produced from it is not known with certainty. Most believe that the grape was first planted by the romans in the northern rhone Valley of France, in a region known today as the Côte- rôtie. Some believe it was brought to this region by the Greeks 500 years before the romans arrived, as it was the Greeks who first cultivated wine in the rhone Valley. Though its origins are foggy, it was
Syrah, Shiraz or Sirah?
in this region that this grape became famous. The Hermitage subregion of the rhone Valley is arguably the best demonstration of Syrah at its finest. In fact, the only red grape allowed to be grown in the Côte- rôtie and Hermitage Appellations d'Origine Contrôlée (AOCs) is Syrah.
So, what is Shiraz? Genetically speaking, it has been proven that Syrah and Shiraz are the same grape. What is different is that wine term that I use so often: terroir! Shiraz is the Australian interpretation and spelling of this grape. In 1788, the British established a penal colony in Australia with 1,000 inhabitants. Crops, including grapevines, were planted immediately to feed the inhabitants. The colony’s first governor, Arthur Phillip, is credited as the first to plant vines at his residence at Parramatta. Initial attempts at growing wine-worthy grapes were unsuccessful. In 1833, a Scotsman named James Busby, known as the “first British resident of New Zealand,” returned to his new home in the South Pacific from a trip to europe. Busby stopped in Australia with hundreds of grapevine clippings from France, which included Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Grenache
and, you guessed it, Syrah. Of all the varietals planted in Australia, none adapted better to the soil and climate than Syrah. How it became known as Shiraz is not known, but it is not surprising. In Australia, a chicken is a “chook,” breakfast is a “brekky” and a mosquito is a “mozzie.” So, it became known as Shiraz, mate!
Moving on to Sirah, as in Petite Sirah. Is it also the same grape in another location with another spelling? No, in this case, Petite Sirah is a totally different grape varietal. It seems likely that Petite Sirah, or Durif, as it was known in the 1800s, had its roots in France. This grape never grew well in its homeland. However, in 1884, a vineyard owner named Charles McIver brought cuttings to his Mission San Jose in Alameda County. It took beautifully to its new home in Southern California. Although the popularity of California’s Petite Sirah wine peaked in the 1970s, in my humble opinion, it is one of two varietals California does better than anywhere else on earth. The other, I believe, is Zinfandel.
Last question: Are they all pretty much the same? Au contraire, mon ami! Terroir is everything! First, let me address Syrah vs. Shiraz. The wines produced from both of these grapes are full-bodied and have the fruit flavors of dark fruit, such as blackberries. But the Syrah versions, especially those from France, are classic Old-World wines with lower alcohol levels, less intensity of fruit flavor, more noticeable earthiness, and smoother tannic structure. The Shiraz from Australia are New-World wines. The alcohol levels tend to be higher, the boldness of the fruit flavors is more intense, there is less earthiness and the tannins are much tighter. Which is better? That is totally up to you to decide. Have
your own taste test comparison by trying a French Syrah, such as Michel Chapoutier Bila-Haut-Côtes du roussillon Villages rouge 2021 or the Domaine Jaume-Côtes du rhône 2020. In Old-World tradition, these are blended wines with Syrah sharing the marquee with Grenache, Mourvèdre or Carignan. Then try an Australian Shiraz like Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz or South Australia Koonunga Hill Shiraz. It is best to taste your choices side-by-side to notice firsthand how the two distinct terroirs are demonstrated in the same grape. Petite Sirah stands alone. This is a New-World wine with bold fruit flavors of black raspberry and plum, notes of pepper, plenty of tannins and, oh, yes, relatively high alcohol levels. I am a big fan of this varietal. A few excellent examples include J. Lohr-Petite Sirah Tower road from Paso robles or Old Soul Petite Sirah from Lodi, California. If you are looking for your new favorite California red wine, start with one of these! A truly outstanding example of Petite Sirah blended with Zinfandel is the Caymus-Suisun The Walking Fool red Blend. Suisun Valley in California is a relatively new appellation that is getting a lot of attention. Try this wine and see why.
The best way to enjoy this article is with a glass of one of these wines in your hand. As always, contact me at dsetley@passionvines.com or stop by the Somers Point store if you have any questions or comments. u ntil next time, happy wining!
David Setley is enjoying his retirement from higher education as a wine educator and certified sommelier at Passion Vines in Somers Point, New Jersey.
Photo credit: La Cave Éclairée
Weekly Horoscopes
The Cosmic Connection with Ursula Duffy
Horoscopes for Feb. 20-26
♈ Aries: Take stock of the vulnerabilities in your home, family and personal space that have been shown to you. In your review, identify action steps for repairs.
♉ Taurus: Second-guessing your instinct can lead to misaligned decisions and actions. Consider how you’ve ignored your inner compass and readjust direction accordingly.
♊ Gemini: An assessment of your resources, whether proactive or not, has occurred. The importance of your own self-worth will become clearer moving forward.
♋ Cancer: Simultaneously defending and caring for yourself takes grit. Give yourself a high-five for developing a new sense of personal power and recognize where additional inner work is needed.
♌ Leo: The truth about who is a friend and who is a foe has been shown. The knowledge and information are yours, as are the paths to acceptance or denial.
♍ Virgo: The benefits of separating from the socials will become clear. enhancements to your closest relationships will likely be one of the major themes revealed.
♎ Libra: A severance of something related to your work is directly connected to your daily life. The crux of it all has been to restore your own inner balance, peace and harmony.
♏ Scorpio: Feel into the experience of pressing pause on new learning and travel endeavors. renewal of passion and creativity is the result of allowing rest and integration time.
♐ Sagittarius: Detangling from others should purify your vessel. If any entanglements remain, practices such as cord-cutting or guided meditation can assist in completion.
♑ Capricorn: A truce is coming to the battleground of your closest relationships. Cutting loose anyone who doesn’t feel like home will help you hoist the flag.
♒ Aquarius: There is a direct connection between your vitality and your values and resources. As you begin feeling more energized, that which truly deserves your efforts will become apparent.
♓ Pisces: you’ve become aware of what takes away joy, creative flow and pleasure from your life. Allow these things to wash away and disappear from your existence.
Weekly astrology summary:
The Mars retrograde that started on Dec. 6, 2024, begins to end on Wednesday, Feb. 23, slowly restoring some forward momentum to our lives. The post-retrograde, or integration, period is the perfect time to see how we performed under pressure and during the times of intense emotional challenges over the last 2 ½ months. 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 my ursa Alchemy youTube channel or cast your own birth chart for free on astro.com.
Cosmic Connection activity: The Cosmic Connection offers guidance for the energies moving forward and content for reflection. We can now look back to the weekly astrology summary for the weeks of Oct. and Jan. 3, when the themes first began to develop and when the retrograde was occurring in the zodiac sign Cancer. you can find the Cosmic Connection for Oct. 3-9 and Jan. 3-8 online at shorelocalnews.com by searching for “mars”. I’d love to hear about your cosmic connections! Share with me at ursaalchemy@gmail.com.
Ursula Duffy is a Professional Astrologer, Certified Aromatherapist and founder of Ursa Alchemy. Find her astrology readings and astrological aromatherapy services, teachings, podcast, get in touch and more at www.ursaalchemy.com or ursaalchemy@gmail.com.
By Jeff Whitaker
Iget stopped at least once a week by someone telling me how much they miss NBC 40 and our local television news. For the record, I miss it too. The next question I get asked is what I’ve been up to since leaving broadcasting. The answer is that I’ve been utilizing the skills I gained over the years and passing them on to businesses, nonprofits and government agencies. In short, I teach, coach and train people in leadership, communications and public speaking skills. From time to time, I’ll write about these topics in my weekly column.
For the next couple of weeks, I wanted to talk about leadership. you might think that doesn’t really interest you because you don’t consider yourself a leader. Before you jump ahead of me, hear me out. We are all leaders in one way or another. you
Who are you leading?
may not be at the top of the corporate ladder at work or have people who report to you, but that doesn’t mean you don’t lead. Whether on the job, at home or in our private lives, there is at least someone who looks to you for advice, guidance, direction and influence.
This week, I wanted to share my thoughts on leadership from a business standpoint. The truth is much of what I’ll share can apply to any level of leadership on the job or in our personal lives. If I hear one thing over and over again, it’s that we have a vacuum of real leadership right now in the corporate world and elsewhere. So, if there is such a need to develop leaders, what is the solution?
When you boil it all down, it’s not enough to teach textbook theories and ideas. People model what people see. Think about it. It’s the same way in our personal lives. If you have children, you know that they watch us as parents. What they see, they repeat or act out. That’s why great leaders model the values and actions they want to see in others. This applies to work and at home.
Harvard Business review asks that question and offers this answer. The authors of an article in the publication say that the traditional way of developing leaders (through higher education classes, degrees and even companies bringing in outside consultants) just isn’t working. Here is why: They say that much of the approach
to training and leadership development until recently has focused on understanding financials, theories of management, and, too often, skills that may be considered important but difficult to apply on the job. There has been what Harvard Business review calls a “skills transfer gap.” This is the idea that what is rarely learned is rarely applied.
So, what does that mean for those in leadership? What is needed in the workforce now is practical, everyday insight and wisdom on how to lead. We don’t have time for a lot of high and lofty theories.
My mentor, John Maxwell, says that leadership is influence, nothing more and nothing less. What kind of influence are you, and who is looking to you to lead them?
Jeff Whitaker is a veteran broadcaster here in South Jersey. He now draws on his experience and training to work with companies and individuals to develop effective storytelling, communications and leadership skills. Find free resources and ways Jeff can work with you at jeffwhitaker.com
SUDOKU
ACROSS
1. Fake deal
5. Dashboard acronym
8. Oxen connector
12. Guesstimate phrase (2 words)
13. Give a darn
14. exhibitionist
15. It's OTAN in French
16. Carbon monoxide lacks this
17. Geometry class prop
18. *Lou reed: "She says, "Hey babe, take a walk on the ____ ____"
20. european "curtain"
21. Mustangs, e.g.
22. Campaign pro
23. Cause of wheezing
26. Men's Colonial headgear
30. Fib
31. *Bon Jovi: "Take my hand, we'll make it I swear. Woah, livin' on a ____"
34. The only thing to fear?
35. Small and round, eyes description
37. Future fish
38. Alabama civil rights site
39. Tangelo
40. Shape clay, e.g.
42. James Corden's network
43. Awaited deliverer
45. Same as lathees
47. 0 meridian acronym
48. World-weary
50. Prefix with legal
52. *Aerosmith: "Sing with me, sing for the year. Sing for the ____"
55. Siberian prison
56. Pakistani language
57. *Dionne Warwick: "I think I'm going out of my ____"
59. rapidly
60. Cheese app
61. "Cogito, ____ sum"
62. Diamond's corner
63. european economic Community
64. Whiskey grain, pl.
DOWN
1. *Kansas: "Carry on, my wayward ____"
2. "Stick in one's ____"
3. Italian wine region
4. Dough
5. *The Buggles: "Video killed the ____"
6. Cattle controls
7. Bébé's mother
8. *elton John: "And it seems to me you lived ____ ____"
9. Capital of Norway
10. Hiking sandals brand
11. Mess up
13. Show's other star
14. rap sheet listing
19. Negative house description
22. p in #5 Across
23. Michael Jackson's "Thriller", e.g.
24. Military blockade
25. Bluish greens
26. Banana leftover
27. ____'s, grape jelly brand
28. Many iambs
29. *Guns N' roses: "Take me down to the paradise city where the ____"
32. Missouri capital tourist attraction
33. *ABBA: "Waterloo - knowing my fate is to be with ____"
36. *Queen: "you got mud on your face, you big ____"
38. Hiding place
40. Aptitude test acronym
41. Black Death
44. Picture
46. restraint
48. Ballet rail
49. Playful
50. Immature butterfly
51. unfortunately, exclamation
52. Jiffy's grease
53. Spooky
54. uncontrollable anger
55. Loquacious person's gift
58. Not don'ts
THEME: FINISH THE LYRICS
It’s time to hire a buyer’s agent
Estate Matters
By Elisa Jo Eagan
ith an exciting football season coming to a grand finale with the e agles’ victory in Super Bowl LIX, our Shore Local area is still all abuzz, but now the enthusiasm is shifting to the official kick-off to the spring 2025 real estate market.
New listings are coming on the market every day. Buyers are making offers, going under agreement and staying ahead of the curve because they are prepared and ready.
There is a swirl of positive activity as open houses are being held and buyers are looking to own their new home. With sellers ready to sell and buyers looking to buy, it’s time to hire a buyer’s agent to assist you.
Finding the perfect place to call home includes many factors and decisions in the home-buying process. There are many details to consider when finding the perfect home, including:
● Location
● Number of bedrooms
● Size and style of the home
● Convenience to work, relatives and friends
● School system and proximity to higher education
you’ll also need to decide on the type of home that suits your needs, whether it’s:
● A condo
● A residential single-family home
● A 55+ community
● A property with multiple acres
● A home within a homeowners association
Other important features to think about include:
● A pool
● Well water vs. city water
● Septic system vs. city sewer
● Curbs and sidewalks – or not It can be overwhelming.
Now more than ever, having a professional real estate agent is a necessity. Newly mandated real estate procedures, which went into effect as of August 2024, require all sellers to fill out and provide seller disclosure forms on the property they are selling. Additionally, when requesting to view a property with a real estate agent, the agent must ask if you currently have a buyer/broker agreement in writing with another agent. If not, then the real estate agent must obtain a written buyer/broker agreement from you before showing you the property. This agreement outlines the obligations, fiduciary duties and responsibilities of care and loyalty to you in assisting with finding your new home.
Here are more good reasons and benefits of hiring a real estate agent: real estate agents are your trusted advocates in the buying process.
According to the National Association of realtors, about 90% of all homebuyers and sellers have found
and sold their homes through a real estate agent.
The term “ realtor” may only be used once a licensed agent, along with their broker of record and real estate office, belongs to their local, state and National Association of realtors. These professionals are held to a higher standard of practice, with continuing education and a strict code of ethics required.
real estate agents are licensed with the state and are trained to assist buyers and sellers in the home buying and selling process. Only after obtaining additional years of education, completing multiple transactions and gaining full-time real estate experience may some agents become licensed associate brokers or real estate brokers.
your agent is a well-trained, strong negotiator who will get you the home you want. They will help you find and guide you in making the best choice in a home for you and your family, one you will enjoy for many years to come.
For More Real Estate Questions, Information and Advice Contact Elisa Jo Eagan "The Real Estate Godmother" (609)703-0432 and Remember..."There's No Place Like Owning Your Own Home!"
