08071 Pitman | Summer 2022

Summer has hit 08071! Pitman’s summer season has been packed with incredible events and tons of ways for the community to come together. This edition of the 08071 will cover some of the most interesting things Pitman had to offer.

This summer, the community opened their minds and their hearts during the Pride Month celebrations that took place in June. From rainbow flags delivered to doorsteps and a ‘Rainbow Window Walk’, the Pitman Pride Alliance (pg. 4) went all out to show LGBTQIA+ members of the community that they were loved and appreciated and had a safe space to come together.

Also, on the theme of opening hearts and minds, this edition of 08071 shares a profile on Kristin Harris, Founder of Seeds of Love Yoga in Pitman. She shares her story of self-love and passion for meditation and encourages locals to try something new at her local yoga studio. She believes yoga can do so much good for everyone that she offers her classes for free. (Pg. 6)

From community gatherings to cool downs, Pitman offered plenty of ways to stay chill during the summer heatwave we all experienced this year. One stop for locals is the Water Ice Station which offers tons of flavors, something for everyone (pg. 8.) For the adults, they can find a place in the

shade to cool down with some of the best brews at the Summer Swelter Beer Fest. (Pg. 10).

Every magazine also takes time to touch on what makes Pitman, Pitman. This season, we took a deep dive into the history of Pitman Grove, which has made its way onto the National Register of Historic Places. (Pg. 14).

While we like to display as much about Pitman as possible in our publication, there is not always room to fit all of the incredible events and programs the town has to offer. This is why we encourage you to also take a look at the Planning in Pitman pages to make sure you don’t miss a thing!

We hope you enjoy this season’s publication and we look forward to seeing you for our Holiday edition of 08071.

Mackenzie Fitchett Editor

The Pride Alliance of Pitman

MAKES ITS MARK

By LAUREN LAMANTIA

The month of June, known for its overwhelmingly hot heat waves and summer fun, also marks a month full of history and pride.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Queer Questioning, Intersex, Asexual/Aromantic/Ally (LGBTQIA+)

Pride month, according to the Library of Congress, is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall uprising in Manhatton, NYC. The Stonewall uprising, according to the Library of Congress, was the tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States.

Now, Pride Month is celebrated in June in the United States, internationally and in the small town of Pitman, New Jersey spearheaded by the Pride Alliance of Pitman.

The Pride Alliance of Pitman, who is in its first year as a 501c non-profit, is a group of local residents, business owners and community leaders within the LGBTQA+ community and their allies, dedicated to fostering a safe community where all people in Pitman, including LGBTQA+ persons can live authentically, said Chair of the Pride Alliance of Pitman Michael Grillo.

According to Grillo, the alliance moved from an association of individuals to a func-

tioning 501c3 due to the 11 members of the board naturally evolving. The members on the board consists of Grillo as Chair, Josh Hitchner as Vice Chair, Karen Stanwood as Treasurer, Gabi Bowen as Deputy Treasurer, Karen Knauss as Event Coordinator, Dani Cooke as Social Media and Community Outreach, Alex Oasin as Volunteer Coordinator, Randy Van Osten as School Liaison, and at large board members Lauren Banko, Nora Stanwood and Jennifer Trumpfheller-Griffiths. Grillo noted that the members range from people in their 20s to people in their 50s.

“It’s an amazing group of people,” Grillo said. “We have a large span of humanity.”

For the last three years, the alliance has made their mark on the community by distributing hundreds of rainbow flags and pride progress flags for residents to fly from their homes-in. Grillo noted that some residents keep the flags

up all year, not just to honor pride month.

The alliance has also facilitated pride-themed art in Uptown Pitman storefronts called the “Rainbow Window Walk” by pairing artists with Pitman business owners. For the last two years, the alliance has installed rainbow flags on the light poles along Broadway, the main street in downtown Pitman that is lined with historic architecture, restaurants and a variety of shops.

According to Grillo, this year, the borough’s newest Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee joined the alliance in putting the flags up in town.

“This was the second year of the Pitman Pride Festival, which included a run/walk costume contest, community yoga, fitness dance and LGBTQIA+ speakers from the local community and beyond,” said Grillo.

The event also hosts vendors and activities for kids on the property of the First Baptist Church in Pitman.

“Seeing all the young people turn out just really warms your heart,” Grillo said.

Aside from their involvement in the downtown area of Pitman, the alliance is also working toward greater involvement with LGBTQIA+ youth at Pitman High School by establishing a Diversity and Inclusion centered scholarship. Grillo hopes this will come into fruition next year for $2,000, all the while keeping a constant presence at local government meetings.

“Having the support and active involvement of several of our local council members is also a great help,” he said.

As a lifelong resident of Pitman, Grillo noted why the Pride Alliance of Pitman is so important in town.

“The answer, in short, is to continue to create a safe and welcoming community for the young LGBTQIA people in Pitman,” Grillo said.

He also noted that with the effort of spreading the word around town how the alliance can continue to make an impact in the future.

“Every flag hung, every sticker placed, every event that we have, and every time we speak up for our community at a meeting is a small part of weaving a large blanket of comfort and safety in our town,” he said. “For people, especially young people, there is nothing more important than feeling safe, feeling welcome and feeling like a natural and important part of the community,”

ket

For more information on the Pride Alliance of Pitman visit https://www.facebook.com/PrideAllianceofPitman/ 

INSET: Young attendees watching the

PHOTOS PROVIDED

TOP: Miss Pitman Emma Rentzel speaking at the Pitman Pride Festival

Yoga is a practice for everybody – literally and figuratively. For Kristin Harris, founder of Seeds of Love Yoga in downtown Pitman, the practice of yoga led to a path of self-love, acceptance and compassion that she is passionate to share with others in the community.

When she first started practicing yoga, Harris noticed a big difference between herself and many of the other students in her classes. She refers to herself as an “abundant” woman who doesn’t always have the same strength to lift her larger body upside down or twist and move her body in the same way others in her practice did. This often made her feel like she didn’t belong.

Around the same time, she was experiencing some financial hardships, and the cost of yoga classes was beginning to make her practice more challenging. She truly loved doing yoga and wanted to find a way to make it more accessible and affordable for herself and others in similar situations. Harris decided to get certified to teach yoga and went on to earn her 200-hour CYT and 500-hour CYT designations, as well as an Advanced Yoga for Sobriety certification.

“When I originally started practicing yoga I did it for the physical benefits and because it made me feel good,” says Harris.

“As I progressed through my practice, I realized how much yoga affected me emotionally, spiritually and mentally. It’s truly a healing modality.”

addition to meditation and reiki.

“We want everyone to feel like they belong here, regardless of how their body moves, what they look like, how much money they have, what they believe, or who they love,” says Harris. “We believe yoga, meditation, and other holistic practices are a tremendous way to reconnect with oneself and others to begin heading down a path of healing.”

BY MINDY TORAN

In 2018, she founded Seeds of Love Yoga, a non-profit yoga studio, with the vision that yoga should be accessible to everyone within a supportive community, regardless of physical body type, income, geography, age, race, or gender. The studio offers a variety of classes for a suggested donation of $10, including beginner, Vinyasa, flow, yin, and Kundalini yoga, in

In addition to yoga classes, Seeds of Love offers a variety of workshops, events and community gatherings with different styles of teachers and facilitators, so everyone has the opportunity to explore different practices and connect with whatever style allows them to grow.

“Our practice reaches beyond our four walls,” says Harris. “We love to bring classes to a variety of groups. Our goal is exposure and accessibility, so if you can’t come to us, we’ll come to you. Our teachers are trained to work with a variety of populations, including schools, community groups, drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, and much more.”

To learn more about classes, meditation or other programs offered, visit seedsofloveyoga.org. 

BY JAMIE GIAMBRONE

BY DANTE LONG

There are many places to go to enjoy a frozen treat. For many, places like Rita’s Italian Ice come to mind. However, for residents of the Garden State, there is one location that has filled the hearts and stomachs of Pitman residents for over 25 years. That location is simply known as the Water Ice Station. Moving from their original location of 54 Pitman Avenue to their current location at 303 North Broadway, one couple’s vision for a brighter future turned into a thriving business that has earned them best water ice in Gloucester County.

Celebrating their 30th anniversary, owners David and Robin Blowert enjoy the fruits of their labor and the smiles on the faces of four generations of customers satisfied by their unique, homemade water ice and ice cream flavors.

“It feels like we created friends,” says owner David Blowert, proud of the impact they’ve made.

Starting from a humble beginning, the Blowert family business blossomed from the quest to seek financial independence, fueled by the loss of Robin Blowert’s job. Determined to make it, David Blowert made sure to buy their first water ice truck in 1981.

“It seemed like an easy business,” he reflected on his decision. However, it was the not-so-friendly advice of, then owner of May’s Water Ice, operating in Chester, Pennsylvania since 1947, that changed his perspective on the business.

“It was more than putting water ice in a cup,” David remembered and cherished the lesson that got him kicked out of the building while learning the trade early on. According to David, “back then, you had to sell one product—either water ice or ice cream.” Today, such a standard seems unimaginable considering most water ice companies sell a variety of treats, including the Blowert. The couple began selling water ice part-time from Robin’s deli in 1983 to 1993, when the couple began selling full-time.

Coming a long way, David and Robin live comfortably knowing their business is still thriving in the nice, family-oriented town they know as Pitman, and that their most loyal employee handles the day-to-day operations. That employee is their beloved nephew Dennis, who has worked for his aunt and uncle since the age of 15 and is the main-man customers can expect to be greeted and served by. “The customer is always first,” says Robin, which explains the large variety of items on their menu. In terms of non-water ice items, you can now order ice cream in gluten free cones with your choice of flavor. They also mentioned the returning coffee ice cream, milkshakes, pretzels and Floats. Root beer gelatis as well. An old school treat of the Water Ice Station goes back to the mid-1900s, when a street vendor pushed his cart down the streets of

Philadelphia with a loud radio playing while serving a blend of water ice and hand dipped ice cream. This item became a bestseller. When it comes to water ice, the main treat you can expect from The Water Ice Station, there are a plethora of flavors that await you—cherry, lemon, sour apple, strawberry and orange. Perhaps the most interesting item on the menu happens to be David’s personal favorite—chocolate water ice. A treat that tastes just like a fudgsicle.

The Water Ice Station in Pitman is a special place for families of all sizes to enjoy a frozen treat on a hot summer day. Much like a landmark of deliciousness and inspiration to other aspiring entrepreneurs in

the Pitman community. This family-owned business is especially thankful for the love and support they’ve received since 1993 when their doors first opened and don’t plan to cool down anytime soon. “The customer is number one!” says Robin, and many familiar with the Water Ice Station brand would happily agree. 

PHOTOS BY JAMIE GIAMBRONE

Dennis Franklin of the Water Ice Station

BY JASMINE FERRELL

Food, music, covered seating, and—beer!

Join New Jersey’s craft breweries and fellow beer snobs at the annual Summer Swelter Beer Festival. On August 13th, at the Total Turf Experience, explore and taste your local- maybe even your new favorite beer.

breweries the Swelter Festival. Total taste Mazzola, Summer with carried of former the James, ested fest. Without beer plethora realized a

many local breweries, he never thought about organizing a beer festival himself. This year will be the fourth annual Summer Swelter Beer Festival. With four ‘fest planning’ years under his belt, Mazzola is focused on the purpose of this event as well as connecting with people.

A fellow beer snob himself, Adam Mazzola, organizational leader of the Summer Swelter Beer Festival, spoke with me about the wonderful event.

The Summer Swelter Beer Festival is carried by the Greater Pitman Chamber of Commerce (GPCC). Back in 2018, the former President of the GPCC, Vanessa James, asked Mazzola if he would be interested in creating or running a beer fest. Without hesitation, the proud twelve-year beer snob researched and reflected on the plethora of festivals he experienced. Once he realized for sure he could curate and bring a beer festival to life in Pitman, he told the board, “Yes.”

Although Mazzola has enjoyed several festivals and explored and supported

Although Mazzola has enjoyed several

“The whole purpose of this festival is to help businesses, both breweries and our Pitman businesses directly through the chamber [GPCC]. It’s a cool synergy to see everybody pick up the benefits from these festivals,” he said.

Summer Swelter Beer Fest is a nonprofit, volunteer-led event that has been supported by loyal breweries from the very beginning. Zed’s Beer has sponsored the beer fest with shot glasses for patrons. Kelley Green Brewing, Pitman’s very own, and Neck of the Woods Brewing have been supportive since 2018. Neck of the Woods will also be the brewery to host this year’s Summer Swelter Beer Festival, and understandably so, being that the brewery is right behind the Total Turf

connecting with people. see the nonbeen Beer has the with Kelley Neck Brewing of Woods will also be the and being that the brewery is right behind the Total Turf Experience.

please see BEER, page 11

If you’re not really into beer and only tagging along as the responsible driver, there are designated driver tickets available. The sober-goers can enjoy music, various food vendors and swag bags. Newly launched breweries will also be there such as Bear Brewing from Cape May, which opened in February of this year. The single-day event will have over 100 beers to taste from. So, returnees be sure to be on the lookout for the newbies!

When asked what he loved most about organizing the beer fest, Mazzola beamed and replied:

“What I love most is meeting the brewers. A lot of times when you meet people who are in the same industry, there’s not always a sense of comradery. There’s a lot of competition. I don’t see that with 99 percent of the brewers. They all wanna work together. They realized, ‘Hey, we’re doing a community thing here.’ The way they talk about each other, the way they work together… They’re genuinely some of the best people I’ve ever met…I’ve met some very good

friends through this festival for the past four years.”

You don’t want to miss out on meeting new people who just might be newfound pals!

Although the lead organizer doesn’t own a brewery, he’s open to owning one in the future. For now, his love of the craft, community and supporting local businesses is what drives him forward annually to organize the beer fest. Volunteering for the Summer Swelter beer fest and seeing people happy is satisfying enough for him.

If you’re reading this now and you still

haven’t purchased your ticket, you’re in luck. Adam has given 08071 a promo code. Use the promo code: 08071MAG at checkout to save 15% on the price of admission (excludes Designated Drivers).

Tickets can be found at www. uptownpitman.com and click on events. 

NJ

PHOTOS BY JAMIE GIAMBRONE

Planning in Pitman

August 11 and 18 - Pop Up Park

(6pm - 8pm, Ballard Park) Bring the family Uptown every Thursday evening in the summer and enjoy FREE summer fun! Each Pop Up Park will be sponsored by a local nonprofit organization and will include games and activities for our youngest residents!

August 13th - Summer

Swelter Craft Beer Festival

(1pm - 5pm, Total Turf Experience) Summer Swelter is proud to partner exclusively with 40+ New Jersey craft breweries to bring ticket-holders a full day of the best beer in the state! The festival also offers on-site food trucks, live music, and curated vendors. VIP ticket holders can take advantage of an extra hour of early entry, smaller crowds and small-batch brews available first to VIPs! Purchase your tickets now at www. UptownPitman.com.

August 20th - Sidewalk SaleBack to School

Shop and dine with your favorites in Pitman! Meet a friend or bring the family Uptown to add some new pieces to your fall wardrobe or decor. Spend some time painting together or share a meal. It will be a great day to spend in Pitman

August 26th - Fourth Friday: Gone to the Dogs!

(6pm - 9pm Ballard Avenue) Bring your very best pups to the park and enjoy some treats and fun dog-centered games! Our amazing farmers from Laurel Market will also be Uptown, and joining them is a street filled with curated vendors and unique food trucks. All happening right alongside your favorite Uptown shops & restaurants. Spend Fourth Fridays in Uptown Pitman! Farm Market • Vendors • Food trucks • Live Music • Mini Golf

Face Painting

Games • And More!

September

17th - Lori Poisker

Memorial Pitman Craft Show

(9am - 4pm, Broadway) Our Fall Craft Show is the largest and most popular event in Pitman! Over 200 hand craft vendors will line the streets of Uptown Pitman! Many Pitman businesses join in this time-honored tradition! We cannot wait to see you at the show! Parking shuttles will run from 9am - 4pm from the Sony Parking Lot (400 Woodbury Road).

September 23rd - Fourth Friday: Pitman Pep Rally! (6pm - 9pm, Ballard Avenue) You Got The Spirit? WHAT?! We’ve got Pitman Panther Pride during our last Fourth Friday of the year. Our amazing farmers from Laurel Market will also be Uptown, and joining them is a street filled with curated vendors and unique food trucks. All happening right alongside your favorite Uptown shops & restaurants. Spend Fourth Fridays in Uptown Pitman! Farm Market • Vendors • Food trucks • Live Music • Rock Wall • Face Painting • Balloon Art • Games • And More!

September 24thTown Wide Yard Sale (9am - 1pm, throughout town) Residents open their yard for your shopping pleasure. Stay tuned to the Borough Website for more information on this annual event.

October 8th - Brews Cruise (10am, The Caffeinated Cyclist) 25 mile bicycle ride through South Jersey departing from The Caffeinated Cyclist and ending in Uptown Pitman. All riding levels are welcome!! Post ride festivities at Merryman’s Pub and Kelly Green brewery in Pitman!

October 15th - Panther Prowl (8am, Pitman High School) Support the Pitman Education Foundation at their annual 5k run or walk! Proceeds benefit the classrooms in all five amazing Pitman schools!

October 15th - Witches of

Pitman Shoppe Hop

(All Day, Uptown Pitman) Grab your brooms and fly over to the 6th Annual Witches of Pitman Shoppe Hop. Pitman will have fun-filled, witchy activities scattered along Broadway.

October

31st - Community

Halloween Parade (4pm, Ballard Park) Bring your ghost or ghoul to Ballard Park to kick off Trick or Treating in Pitman!

November 5th - PPD Annual Food Truck Festival (4pm, Broadway) Chow Down Uptown! and sample food from over 20 food vendors setup along Broadway. Support the Pitman Police Department K-9 Unit while enjoying your favorite food on wheels.

November 26thShop Small Saturday (all day) There’s nothing small about this day in Uptown Pitman! Join our amazing community as friends and neighbors come together to shop and celebrate the diverse and thriving small businesses throughout town!

November 26thPitman Bucks Sale (10am, Borough Hall) Who likes free money? Everyone! Especially when it can be spent at our favorite shops and restaurants in Pitman! The Greater Pitman Chamber of Commerce kicks off Small Business Saturday with the sale of Pitman Bucks! Spend $50 and receive $70 in Pitman Bucks. Start making a plan now to spend your free money in Uptown Pitman! 

Pitman Grove

BY CHRIS ISAAC

Near the center of Pitman, New Jersey you will find Pitman Grove, a part of the town so full of history that in 1977 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. All of Pitman Grove converges at the auditorium, a structure that was created as a hub for religious meetings in 1871 and became the foundation for the formation of Pitman as a whole.

When it comes to describing what makes the area special, the mayor of Pitman, Michael Razze, has a lot to praise. He has been mayor of the town since 2020, and part of what makes Pitman unique is that their politicians operate on a purely volunteer basis. Though it is uncommon for politicians to not be compensated for their positions, Razze speaks to how his history with the town is what makes him glad to take on the responsibility.

“I actually grew up in Pitman, I’ve lived there all my life,” he said. And it didn’t take him long to realize he wanted to be mayor, laughingly saying that goal started when he was just in elementary school. “It was a

Funds raised will support Ray Kratz raising funds for Habitat for Humanity during the Greater Woodbury Chamber of Commerce’s Dancing with the Gloucester County Stars competition

About Dancing with the Gloucester County Stars: DWTGCS held its first dancing competition 15 years ago, mimicking the hit show “Dancing with the Stars,” with the goal to raise money for Gloucester County charities. The event, hosted by the Greater Woodbury Chamber of Commerce, is now entering its 15th year with a big goal in mind. The way the contest works is there are six dancers who are dancing for nonprofit organization located in and serving Gloucester County. Each dancer is also woking with a professional dancer, just like the TV show.

dream of mine to be the mayor. It didn’t matter whether it was paid or not, I’m sure I didn’t even contemplate that at that time.”

Though it is the auditorium that is at the physical center of Pitman Grove, Razze considers the Broadway Theater of Pitman to be the core that has allowed the area to flourish. Just a short walk from the auditorium, the theater opened in 1926, originally being used primarily to show movies. However, over time it came to feature all manner of entertainers for performances and musicals. Though it eventually fell into disuse for a time, Razze explains what a big moment it was when the theater reopened.

“When the Broadway Theater was purchased by Peter Slack back in 2006 at Sheriff’s sale,” he recollected. “Peter had wonderful plans for bringing live theater to Pitman and that’s what he’s done.” The theater currently features local performances of musicals like Chicago, and Jimi Hendrix and Van Halen cover bands. However, historically it has also featured quite a few celebrities performing there, including George Carlin, Bing Crosby and Abbott & Costello.

“In the early years of the theater, it was a who’s who of actors and actresses of the time period,” said Razze, who, while in college, saw George Carlin perform at the theater. Razze considers the theater reopening in 2006 to have started the revitalization of the area, and the catalyst for a lot of restaurants opening nearby in the last decade.

For those interested in learning more about the history while visiting the area, the Pitman Historical Museum is also a crucial visit. The museum building itself is even an homage to Pitman Grove’s history, as it was designed to resemble the many older historic homes in the region despite only being built within the last two decades. The staff at the location rotate out the exhibits inside to focus on whatever is most relevant to the area at the time. Currently, that means focusing on the area high school, which is celebrating a century in operation. Last year, the exhibits focused on celebrating the 150th anniversary of the auditorium and the first Pitman Grove camp meeting.

Providing more context to the significance of the camp grove, Razze spoke on its founding, saying, “Folks would come to the community, they would summer there, they would spend two or three weeks there, whatever it might be, in tents in the area that is now the grove. And they would hear

from a variety of preachers that traveled the area.” The auditorium became a hub for the Methodists in the area who helped the area grow into what it has become.

The auditorium is now also used to hold events throughout the year, such as Pitman Grove’s Memorial Day service, weddings and concerts. And when the building has needed to be renovated, the town strives to ensure it is restored in its original 1871 style. However, additions are also made to enhance the surrounding area, such as the adjacent community garden.

Pitman Grove is an area big on its history and people being willing to lend each other a hand, which is why Razze has no problem serving in his duties as a volunteer. He said he wouldn’t feel right taking a salary when so many others in the community have long served as volunteers, such as the area fire fighters.

“It is a very close-knit community,” said Razze. “When someone is in need in one of our neighborhoods, the neighbors come to their aid. When something needs to be done around town, we have volunteers who are willing to step up and do it.”

He said that was especially evident during COVID, when the community rallied around supporting their small local busi-

nesses. It is a point of pride for the area that they have continued to grow even through hardships. Razze recalls how full the stores were when he was a kid, but how that dwindled over the years as malls put a lot of stores out of business. But since that time, it has bounced back again with new life from

time Razze says he assisted with the economic development committee to plant the seeds for helping the business community thrive.

Pitman Grove’s aesthetic does, in many ways, feel like it is preserved from a different era. But sometimes leaving history untouched can be part of the charm, as Razze alludes to. “Really just kind of an America in miniature, if you will,” said Razze about Pitman as a whole. “We have a lot of people who refer to us as a Mayberry [from The Andy Griffith Show]. I don’t know if I like that,” he said with a chuckle, “I’m not sure. But it is that quaint little town.” 

Photos by Jamie Giambrone

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