08037 Hammonton | Fall 2023 by nmg

FALL 2023

Hammonton celebrates

Hispanic heritage

TAKE A BITE:

A labor of love WHAT’S BREWING:

‘More than a brewery’

Media Group ECRWSS Local Residential Customer

PRSRT STD US Postage Paid Newspaper

Letter from the Editor:

Kathy Chang EDITOR

Fall Contributor

Nick Butler

Hello 08037! Can you believe it’s that time of year again - a new school year and ALL things Fall? I definitely can’t, but here we are! I am excited for you to check out our Fall edition magazine dedicated to the lifestyle and community of Hammonton. When Lorenzo and Mingui Garcia began their Tacos Al Carbon food truck in 1998, it was essentially only supposed to be a five-year business plan until their youngest child began school. Fast forward 25 years later, yes 25 years later! Not only is the Tacos Al Carbon food truck still in operation, their three children – Lorenzo A., Adriana and Joanna – are all grown up. Each have a role in the success of the business their parents started oh so many years ago. “It’s a big family business,” Mingui explained.” Learn more about their journey on page 5.

After you fill your bellies with tacos, quench your thirst at Three 3’s Brewing Company. Just outside Downtown Hammonton and 13th Street near Route 55, the brewery “aims to have something for everyone.” Established in 2016, the business has been doing its part to make the brewery experience anything but typical. Since opening, owner Mike Geller has been overwhelmed with how supportive the community has been. Get your quench on page 8. It’s hard not to feel the rich, vibrant Hispanic culture in Hammonton whether it’s through visuals, movements or taste, the community celebrates the culture in so many different ways especially in September and October. Hammonton offered a wide variety of events to celebrate. Check out the visuals, movements and tastes on page 13.

Kathy Chang Editor

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We round this issue with a feel-good story. Have you heard of the Women’s Civic Club of Hammonton? A lot of what they do is behind the scenes. It’s what they do that can warm anyone’s heart from providing those in need with hot meals and accessories during the holiday season to students in need of a dress or a tux during prom season. The organization began in 1908, which marks 115 years of servicing the community. Learn all about the club’s good deeds on page 17. Also check out our Hammonton Happenings for future community events on page 19. All of this and more awaits on the pages ahead! Enjoy!

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Take a Bite: A labor of love What’s Brewing: ‘More than a brewery’ Hammonton celebrates Hispanic heritage Feel good deeds Hammonton Happenings Q&A

Cover Photo By Andrea Mendoza Hammonton offered a wide variety of events to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which kicked off Sept. 15.

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Take a Bite

A labor of love TACOS AL CARBON CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF SUCCESS Story By Kathy Chang Photos By Andrea Mendoza

hen Lorenzo and Mingui Garcia began their Tacos Al Carbon food truck in 1998, it was essentially only supposed to be a five-year business plan until their youngest child began school.

“My husband actually worked at custom sales where they built the food trucks … so, we purchased one,” Mingui explained. “[At the time], we sold just two types of tacos with just two meats, shredded beef and carnitas (pulled pork). “I like to cook and it just so happened that [the food truck] worked out. We ran lunches from factory to factory while we were raising the kids.” see TACOS page 6 PHOTOS BY ANDREA MENDOZA

The Tacos Al Carbon Food Truck celebrates 25 years of success.

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from page 5 Fast forward 25 years later, yes 25 years later! Not only is the Tacos Al Carbon food truck still in operation, their three children – Lorenzo A., Adriana and Joanna – are all grown up. Each have a role in the success of the business their parents started oh so many years ago. “It’s a big family business,” Mingui explained. “When my husband and I go out to a different route or different location, or city, he’ll go, ‘Did you ever imagine us here?’ I’m like ‘No, no not at all.’” The food truck business allowed Mingui to be “mom” running to school functions, traveling soccer and dance when need be. At the same token, she became a successful businesswoman. In those early days, Mingui said pulling out the food truck in town often got quizzical looks. Food trucks were not as common or popular as they are now, she noted. “It was kind of like an adjustment for everybody, but after seeing us there every day, everybody had embraced us as part of the community … it was a good feeling,” she said. For 18 years, Tacos al Carbon was a regular at factory businesses in the surrounding area for breakfast and lunch six days a week. On Sundays, they parked outside the laundromat in town. Each factory stop had a window of about 15 minutes, which became hectic at times because if they ran late, they could miss “business.” They worked around employee breakfast and lunch breaks. Whatever they were not able to sell at the factory stops, Mingui said she would park the food truck in the family lot in town and wait until everything sold out. “Sometimes it took me an hour, sometimes it took me four hours,” she recalled. “Sometimes I would sit there all day and then just pack up and say, ‘OK guys we’re going to eat tacos for dinner.’ It just depended on how many hours it took me to sell everything out.” Today Tacos Al Carbon has immensely grown from its early days and catering is a big part of that growth. They travel throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania to even Maryland.

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“From starting out really small with only two items on the menu to being able for our name to reach out to somewhere that far [Maryland], it’s humbling,” Lorenzo A. said, noting growing up in a food truck business, “you learn the ins and outs of the business. “My parent’s food truck was the only Mexican run business in Hammonton for a long time. It put pressure on them to put a good foot forward and set an example for a lot of upcoming businesses.” The Garcia family has learned how much potential their food truck business has when they all work together. They learned this was the case during their first catering job – a wedding for a New York couple around 2015 and 2016. “We got challenged,” Mingui said. “I remember when they asked us … my husband was like, ‘Are you sure?’” She said she was confident that they could and in true Latino fashion, she gathered her entire family to help including her mom and sisters.

“It was a grand opportunity and we ran with it,” Mingui said, adding that she was grateful for the opportunity and trust the New York couple gave her and her family. The Garcia family learned that the husband was the owner of three restaurants in New York and he offered them the catering job after trying the food of 21 people. From that challenge on, the family has accepted many more challenges. With the challenges, they have expanded from one food truck to four and have a staff. “[The catering opportunity] opened our eyes to another part of the business that could exist,” Lorenzo A. said. Mingui said catering is fun and allows them to be part of people’s lives in a more personal aspect. “[With the food truck route] we get to see people on a daily basis because of their lunch shift and they get to see us,” she said. “We know a lot of people, a lot of faces – their likes and dislikes, but to be able to celebrate with them or sometimes mourn with them, it’s just different.” see TACOS page 10

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08037

FALL 2023

What’s Brewing THREE 3’S BREWING COMPANY AIMS TO HAVE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

‘MORE THAN A BREWERY’ Story By Nick Butler Photos By Andrea Mendoza

cozy tasting room. Check. A rotating wide variety of beer on tap. Check. And a Bougie Bubbles Hard Seltzer line. Check. That is what you get at Three 3’s Brewing Company, a small familyfriendly run business, just outside Downtown Hammonton on 13th Street near Route 55, according to its “About Us” page. “We aim to have something for everyone.” And something for everyone is spot on. Established in 2016, the business has been doing its part to make the brewery experience anything but typical. The outdoor Beer Garden allows guests to “enjoy the weather and catch some of the best sunsets around.” Their products are distributed in fine retailers and restaurants throughout New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania. Everyone’s welcome! Remember “family-friendly fun” business. Three 3’s has their own craft soda to serve those under the drinking age so they are able to “drink” as well. The craft soda currently on tap is a Peaches Soda described as “a tea-based

craft soda with ginger sweet peach herbal tea and smooth peach green tea.” How refreshing! A lot goes into the brewery process – cleaning, filling and preparing – the tanks for the beer, according to owner Mike Geller, who displays a sense of - not only knowledge, but love for his clean beer product. “As someone in the craft beer industry, I can tell you that it wasn’t about becoming rich,” Geller shared. “Just like an artist, you do your craft for the love of it. “For me, I get to come to work and use my love of science and creativity to create new and tasty beers.” As a small brewery, it can be challenging to stay with the likes of Yuengling or Sam Adams. But Three 3’s is holding its own as a small business, which can be tough at times. They don’t get the marketing and recognition power, however, thanks to “the amazing local community in Hammonton,” Three 3’s has been able thrive and survive through the pandemic and beyond.

PHOTOS BY ANDREA MENDOZA

Three 3’s Brewing Company aims to have something for everyone from a wide variety of beer on tap to a Bougie Bubbles Hard Seltzer line.

FALL 2023

08037

Geller has been overwhelmed with how supportive the community has been. He has been using his brewery and platform to help different causes around town. “While I only get so many events a year, I do my best to try to help the community,” Geller said. “Whether I can host an adoption event for the local animal shelters or raise money for a great cause, it means a lot to be able to help a community that supported us through a difficult time.” Three 3’s is definitely more than a brewery with the feeling that you could enjoy “multiple beers and spend more than an hour” tasting the different beers on tap. It goes back to the phrase “it has something for everyone” – from Shandys and Lagers to IPAs and seltzers. Have a taste for sour or dark and roasty, Three 3’s has got you covered. Geller and his team are always experimenting with new flavors. “In the summer, craft beer fans want to find a beer they can drink that is not necessarily heavy like a typical IPA,” he said. “We started to experiment with some of our beers and found this Cold IPA recipe

and made our own twist to it.” Geller allows his employees who aren’t brewers to come up with a flavor and make a special batch of beer. Whether its Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal added in or Oreo Ice Cream to real fruit, Geller and his team have tried it all. With real fruit brewed into the beers, patrons truly get a whirlwind of flavors that absolutely compliment each other. If you didn’t know, Hammonton is known as “the blueberry capital of the world.” Hence one of the beers on tap is the Blue Devil – Blueberry Saison. It is described as a “classic light body Saison flavored with mosaic hops and then conditioned on a truckload of local Hammonton blueberries, creating a beautifully colored farmhouse ale! Three 3’s Brewing Company is located at 50 13th St. and is a member of the South Jersey Wine and Ale Trail. — 08037 Beer Garden/Tasting Room hours: Thursday: 5-8 p.m. Friday: 3-9 p.m. Saturday: noon to 9 p.m. Sunday: noon to 7 p.m.

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TACOS 08037 from page 7 Tacos Al Carbon has done it all from catering dog birthday parties to attending campus functions at Rowan and Stockton universities. Over the years, Mingui said there were times she thought it may be time to leave the food truck business whether to “get a real job” or from the urging of her children when they were younger to “try something new.” But she always found her way back to the family business. Mingui said her oldest, Lorenzo A., became the voice of reason. “He said, ‘you should look into different things, what are other food trucks doing?’” she recalled. “And honestly, [at the time, a food truck] was not something that was trending. So I had to really do a lot of research to get myself out there.” Slowly, but surely, Tacos Al Carbon has become a staple in the Hammonton area and even beyond. The menu has grown from those two tacos to sandwiches - sopes (fresh corn

dough) and tortas – to quesadillas and burritos. “Little by little, we started adding more items to the menu,” Mingui said. They now offer six daily meat selections. The recipes find neutral ground between Mingui’s family from the north side of Mexico to her husband’s family from the south side. The recipe difference comes down to spices and the simplicity of the dishes, Lorenzo A. said. The younger Garcia has also introduced his own spin of the recipes molding his Mexican culture with his American upbringing with the burrito chicano. “It’s one of the first things I introduced to the menu,” he said. “It’s kind of a line between both cultures. It’s one of my most favorite things to make in the food truck.” And the question is “What doesn’t the burrito chicano have?” from pico de gallo, beans, cheese, chips and avocado to cabbage, cilantro, more cheese and salsa taqueria.

“Toast it up and you’ll be full for a month,” quipped Lorenzo A. Woah!! Tacos Al Carbon offers something different every day. Today they have one spot in town at 107 Peach St. “We try to rotate the menu,” Lorenzo A. said. “We are transitioning [the menu] into the fall and trying to mix it up a little bit without messing with the authenticity of the food. Obviously, we want to keep it traditional when offering new options that could be a little bit more inventive.” And yes, those new options this fall will be the popular pumpkin spice. “We may be offering pumpkin spice horchatas,” he said. The rotating menu offers a special drink and special meal each day. And most important to note as Tacos al Carbon celebrates its 25-year milestone, the food day in and day out is made with love. “That is the key ingredient in all that we do with our cooking,” Mingui said. “We do it with a lot of love.” — 08037

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THE TOWNSHIP OFFERED A WIDE VARIETY OF EVENTS TO CELEBRATE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH, WHICH KICKED OFF SEPT. 15

Hammonton celebrates

Hispanic heritage through ‘visuals, movements & taste’ Story By Diana DeSimine Photos By Andrea Mendoza

t’s hard not to feel the rich, vibrant Hispanic culture in Hammonton whether it’s through visuals, movements or taste, the community celebrates the culture in so many different ways especially in September and October. Let’s begin with the reds, whites, and blues of two American flags — those of the United States and of Puerto Rico. The flags were raised high in the air on the last Sunday of August, as the Hammonton community listened to Zucky Morales sing two national anthems, the Star-Spangled Banner and La Borinqueña. She was one of many women at the Puerto Rican Civic Association’s 64th annual festival dressed in a festive jíbara ensemble - its white blouse, billowing red skirt, and blue sash - a gorgeous symbol of her heritage. see HERITAGE page 15

PHOTOS BY ANDREA MENDOZA

Hammonton offered a wide variety of events to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which kicked off Sept. 15.

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HERITAGE 08037 from page 13 The Puerto Rican Civic Association of Hammonton (PRCA) exists to represent and provide community for the town’s considerable Puerto Rican population. The president of PRCA, Edwin Negroni, was presented with a proclamation of recognition from a councilman and two state assemblymen, and was given a donation by the Atlantic County sheriff. After the ceremony, the fiesta began — food, music, and fun for two weekends back-toback on Old Forks Road in the heart of Hammonton. It was another successful entry in what has become a yearly tradition in Hammonton and while the PRCA celebration may have ended on Sept. 3, the fiesta was only the beginning. Hispanic Heritage Month starts on Sept. 15 and runs through Oct. 15. This month-long span encompasses the independence days of many countries historically colonized by Spain, including Mexico, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. What that means for South Jersey residents is an opportunity to learn, appreciate, and celebrate Hispanic cultures and their contributions to our own. Hammonton offered a wide variety of events to celebrate. The township hosted a Hispanic Heritage Month kick-off on Sept. 15 that took place from 5 to 8 p.m. on South Second Street, which detailed what was to come during the month. And those events included an art exhibit featuring the work of local Hispanic artists, as well as featuring local handcrafters selling their art and wares. Kids got a chance to participate by making crafts of their own. Folks got a chance to see the traditonal dresses of varying Latin American cultures up close, and dancers performed cultural danzas y bailes. Poetry readings captured the spirit of Hispanic cultural heritage and pride. see HERITAGE page 16 08037

FALL 2023

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from page 15 For those who looked for something more fast-paced, a friendly soccer tournament was held as well as a chance to break a piñata. That’s right! The Third Thursday in Hammonton in September was dedicated to Hispanic heritage. The Noyes Museum of Art, located in Stockton University’s Kramer Hall, hosted a workshop from 5 to 7 p.m., instructing attendees on how to make mosaic coasters in the style of Spanish artist Antoni Gaudi. Hammonton Arts Center on 2nd Street offered ceramic painting. Diego Rojas from Convivir Hub displayed his art at the Casciano Coffee Bar & Sweetery, and special Mexican hot chocolates was served. Yum! Artworks by Hispanic artists were on display throughout Downtown Hammonton. Let’s talk about delicious eats before one’s mid-day siesta. Hammon- ton is home to plenty of Latin American restaurants. If your tastebuds want to travel south of the border, Marquez Mexican Grill on 8 Railroad Ave. can fill your cravings for tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and more. Fiesta Mexicana on 12th Street is an excellent option for authentic Mexican cuisine, with a full bar with an extensive list of tequilas to boot. El Mariachi Loco is a quaint venue on Bellevue Avenue, offering a large menu that will suit diners of every taste. You may have seen the Tacos Al Carbon food truck at different events; currently, it’s parked at 107 Peach St. Support a newer, family-owned business, and try a taste of Puerto Rico, by visiting El Morro on Egg Harbor Road. Finish off with authentic dessert at La Zacatecana right next door, serving ice cream, strawberries and cream and fried bananas, and elotes and esquites, Mexican street foods made from corn. Mouthwatering Yum! So whether it was through visuals, movements or taste, there has been plenty of ways to celebrate the Hispanic heritage culture in Hammonton. — 08037

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08037

FEEL GOOD DEEDS WOMEN’S CIVIC CLUB OF HAMMONTON ARE IN THE PROCESS OF CREATING A BLUEBERRY COOKBOOK TO CELEBRATE 115 YEARS

ong are the days of meeting at member homes and enjoying tea sandwiches for the ladies of the Women’s Civic Club of Hammonton. Members like Linda Bucci, who is a past president, remembers those meetings growing up. And even though those days are no more, the feel-good deeds of the club’s mission remains. Today, members of the club meet at 418 S. Liberty St., a location they have had since they took over the building in 1959. The organization began in 1908. This year marks 115 years of servicing the community. “We really try to help the local families in need,” said Pat Berenato, president of the club, who said most of the work is essentially done behind the scenes. If there is a fire, the Women’s Civic Club steps in; if there is a tragedy, the club steps in; if a family falls on hard times, the club steps in; if a family is suffering from a medical need, the club steps 08037

Story By Kathy Chang Photos By Andrea Mendoza in. They work with the local schools and nurses in Hammonton, Folsom, Atco, and Mullica, local police departments, and the Family Success Center for community contacts. “We do several different projects in the year to help the families,” Berenato explained “We try to partner with different organizations and different groups to see where the need is.” During the pandemic, the club helped families that lost jobs and children who lost parents. They helped single parents get on their feet. And even though they are a women’s organization, if a man needs help, they will jump in. The club’s entire basement is essentially their Kids Closet filled with donated toys, clothing and accessories for children and teens in need. Also located in the Kids Closet, is the organization’s Prom Project. The organization provides free donated beautiful prom dresses, jackets, 17

clothes, shoes, and more. They have also helped young men with suits and tuxes. Just in the past three years, they have dressed close to 35 girls. They have dressed a bridal party. They even dressed young ladies for the Tim Tebow Foundation Night of Stars. The club also assists in providing work wear for women stepping out into the workforce. They sponsor a local high school junior girl annually to the Girls’ Career Institute at Douglas College. The organization is currently in its busy season from September to December. A welcome back dinner and paint night was held in September. An open house, vendor night is scheduled for Oct. 20. A Friendsgiving Thanksgiving dinner is planned in November inviting anybody who would like to join the club. see CIVIC CLUB page 18 FALL 2023

CIVIC CLUB 08037 from page 17

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FALL 2023

“During Thanksgiving, we donate meals to a family in need,” Berenato said. “Last year, we delivered a Thanksgiving meal to a dad with three children.” The many projects during the Christmas season rounds out the year from delivering poinsettias to those who cannot leave their home to transforming their hall for a Santa meet-and-greet. “During Christmas time, we adopt 12 families providing full meals, toys, and clothing for all the children,” Berenato said. “This past year, one of the families had 11 children and we found out they didn’t have pillows or blankets. Our members got together and got 12 pillows, 12 blankets.” The club also holds donation drives for children with cancer for their state project with Emmanuel Cancer Foundation as well as a food drive for local pantries. “We donate books to Camden County free books project,” Berenato said, collecting craft supplies and things for the children at the children’s hospital. To say the club is busy, busy, busy is an understatement. Berenato said they have roughly 47 members, half of which are active. The women range from their early 30s to women in their 90s and meet the third Tuesday each month. Each meeting, they try to have a different speaker and discuss different topics. For their continued efforts, the Women’s Civic Club of Hammonton earned the Leadership Award this year through the New Jersey General Federation of Women’s Club. And to celebrate 115 years, the members plan to make a blueberry cookbook filled with blueberry recipes from appetizers and desserts to meals and jams and jellies to drinks and smoothies. “Anything made with blueberries,” Berenato said of their special anniversary project. The hope is to have the book ready for the 2024 Red, White and Blueberry Festival in Hammonton. For those who submit recipes, their name will appear in the cookbook. — 08037 08037

Hammonton Happenings TAROT TEA PARTY: October 18 from 5:30 - 7:30pm at the Hammonton Library. Suggested for ages 12 and older. Learn about tarot cards and their meanings, attendees are encouraged to dress in costume or special fashion and are welcome to bring their own decks of cards too. Tea and other refreshments will be served. Registration required.

Question & Answer HAYRIDE VS CORNMAZE WHICH DO YOU PREFER? WE ASKED OUR NEIGHBORS, HERE’S WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY!

THIRD THURSDAY – “GHOSTS”: October 19 from 5 PM to 8 PM in the Downtown Hammonton Art District. Get ready to fright the night away. Join us for Ghost Stories Walking Tour, 6-7:30pm behind Casciano Coffee Bar, 212 Bellevue Ave. Space is limited. DOWNTOWN TRICK-OR-TREAT: October 21 from 2 PM to 4 PM in Downtown Hammonton. Join the Halloween fun in Hammonton for our 17th annual Downtown Trick or Treat event. Visit participating businesses throughout the Downtown District for candy & treats, then enjoy music, crafts & goodies, participate in costume contests, and have some 'scary good' fun with the whole family. We'll see you there! Rain date Sat. October 28th from 2-4 pm GREEN DAY FESTIVAL: November 4 from 12-4pm Veterans Park on Vine Street Join us for this annual eco-friendly festival, featuring arts, crafts, green vendors, music, activities, workshops & more. Rain date November 5.

Lori and Michael Pepenella Lori- Hayride Definitely Hayride, we seen to many of thosecornmaze movies! Michael- Hayride Don’t want to get lost!

Claudia Palacios/ Melissa Vargas Melissa- Cornmaze I like working with my friends or with whoeverI go with to figure how to get to the end. Claudia- Cornmaze I prefer cornmaze because its so much funwalking around and viewing the sun.

DOWNTOWN OPEN HOUSE: November 11 from Kick off the holiday season in Hammonton! Downtown–the perfect place to find the perfect gifts; enjoy store specials, food, drinks, music & more. THIRD THURSDAY – “GRATEFUL”: November 16 from 5 PM to 8 PM in the Downtown Hammonton Art District. Customer Appreciate Night. We appreciate YOU! Join us downtown as we celebrate the beginning of the holiday season with festive treats & specials. This is a partial listing of events and activities in the Hammonton area. Events are subject to change or cancellation. Want to be listed in the next issue? Email brought@newspapermediagroup.com 08037

Tonia and Erik Estrada Tonia - Hayride I rather sit and view something then verses walking around. Erik - Cornmaze Never did either one but got to go with Cornmaze. Cornmaze seems likemore fun! I want to run around instead sitting on truck riding through hay. 19

Helen and KJ Tandoc Hayride Vs Cornmaze Helen - I never done either and I think cornmaze will be more exciting then justsitting on the back of a truck. KJ- I prefer a cornmaze, I think it’s morefun!

Morgan Mcgrogan / Dan Betz Morgan- Hayride I prefer a hayride just because I like to see thesights more. Dan- Hayride I like to sit around and watch. FALL 2023

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