Vi s ito r s E n c hante d By Fai ry Fai r e

By Stephanie Faughnan FARMINGDALE

– Local residents experienced their first taste of fairy magic when they awoke to a beautiful sunny day after a long stretch of dreary weather.

Heavy rains forced the Farmingdale Recreation Commission to postpone the initial date for the Fairy Faire and Fairy Trail Lighting. However, unconfi rmed reports suggest that a band of fanciful sprites deployed fairy dust to disperse clouds in time for the rescheduled event. As news of fairy sightings went throughout the area, hundreds headed to the Community Center behind Borough Hall. Visitors couldn’t resist being drawn to the soothing sounds emanating from the melodious strumming of Michele Mountain, a harpist from (Enchanted - See Page 3)

Game Day For Jersey Shore’s “Magical” Community

By Andrey Nalbantov

BRICK – It’s a Wednesday, and 27 duelists from around the region are facing off to determine who will be champion.

Many are strangers, some are long-time friends, others even come from the same family. That night they all had something in common - playing their favorite trading card game.

They were all in a Brick hobby shop’s weekly Yu-Gi-Oh tournament.

Decks were heard shuffling, strategies were thrown around. Cheer-

Outdoor Classroom Transforms

With Food Forest

ful laughter and banter rung around the tables after the announcer gave all the COVID hygiene announcements.

Above all the cheers of victory and groans of defeat, something else stood out - a father asking his son if he

(Game - See Page 2)

By Alyssa Riccardi

HOWELL – A local middle school will now flourish with fresh fruits as their outdoor classroom expands with a “Food Forest.”

Howell Middle School South, in collaboration with the Howell Green Team/Shade Tree Commission began the planting of their Food Forest. About 30 trees were planted next to the school’s greenhouse, where students often take their learning outside.

(Classroom - See Page 11)

Game:

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Walter Ward, 51, started playing the game around the end of 2003 when it became popular here in the United States. He remembered that his son, who primarily was into Pokemon, developed an interest in Yu-Gi-Oh when the anime was released for western audiences.

“I got into the game with my son,” said Ward. “I learned how to play with him.”

He believes that the stores where the trading card community thrives are great places to meet new people and feel welcomed no matter a person’s background. Also, part of the fun is the competitiveness that these games promote.

The impact of the trading card scene spans worldwide, and has shuffled around the Jersey shore for decades. Magic the

Gathering was the fi rst of its kind, started in 1993 and going strong today. It incorporates fantasy worlds similar to Dungeons & Dragons. Pokemon is another popular one, where players collect and duel with “pocket monsters,” just like in the show. Many other licensed properties, from Star Wars to My Little Pony, have been adapted to card games.

Multiple stores around our county give access to enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds to express their hobbies by trading, collecting, building decks, and then challenging each other with a healthy dose of competitiveness and the occasional saltiness.

Trading card games also help to improve a good bit of tactical thinking, math, and imagination skills due to their spectacular art.

Joseph Coppinger, 22, who started playing when he was 10 years old, shared how he was enamored by how cool the monster cards looked, and that everyone can play their own deck.

When it comes to beginners starting out in the game, Coppinger and Ward share similar advice for new players. When newcomers fi nd something that they like and want to play with, they should stick with it and take the steps until they learn how to play it with ease.

Tournament events provided by the local game stores are the perfect spot for beginners to get a grasp on the game, Cottinger said. During those events, they will be able to see players using different decks and tactics, as well as meet new people. Most stores post their gaming schedule online or in the shop.

A piece of advice he also gives out to parents who might have kids that are interested in the game: “Let them go to events and talk to people… let them have fun,” said Cottinger.

Just like Ward enjoys spending quality father-son time with his boy while playing Yu-Gi-Oh!, he suggests that this can be a great way for parents to get involved with their kids.

And while it might be a challenge at the very start of a person’s dueling journey due to a learning curve, the trading card scene here at the shore has created a close-knit community where everyone is welcome.

Howell PAL Theater Company Presents: Peter Pan

Enchanted:

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Hamilton in Mercer County.

The delicate notes of the harp provided the perfect ambiance for those walking into a land of enchantment. Mountain said her selections all fit into the genre of fairy music.

“Fairies are very eclectic and like a wide range of music,” said Mountain. “They like everything from folk music to Irish music to Van Morrison and Bette Midler.”

Over time, the folklore surrounding fairies has varied from stories of good fortune to outright mischief. One can only imagine what was the case for one of the best-loved fairy princesses at last week’s event. Waffles, a tan greyhound, wore oversized red fairy wings that dazzled from her spot on the ground.

Waffles and her owners traveled from Central PA to the Fairy Faire, where the pup’s humans set up a tent selling mystical creatures, pottery, and various artwork. The charming canine appeared especially connected to fairy children roaming from vendor to vendor.

“Her teeth are chattering because that’s what greyhounds do when they get excited,” said P.J. Rossini, who confirmed that Waffles only planned to be a fairy for the day. “She loves that the kids are making such a big deal about her.”

The face-painting booth was the most popular attraction at the event, with dozens lining up for a chance to enhance their magical appearances. Many of the children were little girls dressed in flowing lace dresses and shimmering wings, while a couple of boys had large, pointed ears.

Howell resident April Pierce said she decided last minute to join the Fairy Faire as a vendor. Her display of various metaphysical items came with an explanation.

“Most of them are healing crystals,” said Pierce. “A lot of them have healing properties or physical properties that many people believe in.”

Pierce picked up a piece of rose quartz, a pink stone that appeared somewhat translucent. The young woman then expounded on the merits of that particular selection.

“This opens up the heart chakra,” Pierce shared. “It’s good for love; it’s good for self-care.”

A prospective customer stopped to ask

Pierce for her recommendation on a suitable healing stone for dealing with grief. Pierce quickly made a $2 sale after saying a dark Apache Tears stone would work to dissipate negative energy.

Many of the other vendors were crafters and artists who sold handmade items inspired by fairies and other mystical creatures. The selections included handcarved wands, jarred fairy gardens, and resin jewelry, all of which could be taken home as magical mementos.

Months of careful planning and preparation went into creating the Fairy Trail, with many community members taking the opportunity to leave their own unique mark.

The Farmingdale Fire Department also contributed its personal brand of magic by removing a large tree that had fallen during a recent storm, ensuring the trail would be safe and accessible for all visitors.

Birdhouses mystically transformed into fairy homes and decorated a trail highlighted by giant red and white mushrooms and colorfully painted rocks. Carefully arranged scenes were strategically positioned to welcome guests into tiny fairy gardens. Signs posted along the way delivered an assortment of messages, like Maribeth Quin’s quote, “The day I decided my life was magical, there was suddenly magic all around me.”

As darkness enveloped the evening, the Fairy Trail came to life on another level. Twinkling lights turned on and illuminated the path, filling visitors with awe. It was as if a touch of fairy dust had brought everyone closer to the magic within them.