08037 Hammonton | Holiday 2022

style and community of Pitman. We are NMG media group, proudly providing over 50 publications within New Jersey and Pennsylvania, specializing in original local content. When the opportunity to reach the borough of Pitman arose the obvious answer was a resounding yes.

There is so much to explore with its vibrant downtown district full of shopping and dining and yearround events. Our goal is to connect you, the reader, with dynamic people and businesses in the community. Come with us as we take an inside look at what is happening locally throughout the seasons. Be sure to check out Planning in

contributors for their dedication in launching 08071. To our advertisers: thank you for starting this new adventure with us.

We are so excited to bring one-ofkind content directly to your door and look forward to future issues.

I hope you enjoy this first edition and look forward to seeing you in the spring.

Mackenzie

Chris Isaac

Drew Matson

Chloe Yanush

NJ Ackermann

Jamie Giambrone

ANNUAL HAMMONTON Christmas Parade

BY DREW MATSON

The trees have shed their vibrant fall leaves, our mornings have been greeted by blankets of frost, and if it hasn’t already happened, the promise of snow looms in clouds above. These environmental changes of the season prepare us for the forthcoming holidays. It’s a time to rejoice, to celebrate, to exchange gifts and gather with our communities. If you’re looking to take part in a community tradition, look no further than the annual Hammonton Fire Department Christmas Parade.

Since 1997, a full 25 years, attendees witness the decorated floats, watch the performances and support the Hammonton Fire Department. This year the parade takes place on Dec 10, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. and is happening on Bellevue Avenue/Route 54 from North Liberty Street through Egg Harbor Road. The theme is a simple, yet classic, approach: “An Old Fashioned Christmas”.

All floats are automatically entered in a contest to be judged by a panel of

Hammonton civic and community leaders.

The categories for competition are: best decorated fire apparatus, best decorated nonfire apparatus or float, judges award, best musical performance and farthest traveled. There will also be an eye kept on the local scenery because the judges will be awarding the best decorated Hammonton business along the parade route. The first through third place winners will receive a trophy and bragging rights, but all participating organizations will receive a plaque for adding to the Fire Department Christmas Parade.

There are usual sights expected from a parade; marching bands, musical performances, floats and service vehicles flashing their lights and sirens. The spectacular attraction to this event extends beyond the typical, and is heightened by the sheer amount of effort by many of the participants—an effort that isn’t always geared towards winning a placement from the judges, but just to entertain the street-lined crowds. Previous years have featured a steam-powered tractor in action, a long caravan of Jeep Wranglers adorned with hundreds (or more) lights and massive holiday inflatables on their roofs. The entire event is

capped with the one person all the children are there to see — Santa Claus riding atop a Hammonton fire truck.

The Hammonton Fire Department is very involved with getting Santa out to the children of Hammonton. Beyond the parade, they offer ‘Operation Santa’ and a ‘Letters to Santa’ service. Dr. Joe Lizza, a Lieutenant in the #2 Fire Company, explains, “The Hammonton Fire Department hosts the annual Christmas Parade as well as Operation Santa in which Santa is escorted around the community by fire truck visiting each street in Hammonton.” This will be occurring on specific dates and zones in Hammonton, be sure to verify with the official Hammonton Fire Department website or Facebook page for details. “Hammonton Ind. Vol. Fire Co. 2 has been hosting a letters to Santa program for the past five years, averaging 600 letters per year from communities around South Jersey. We believe that this is one of the area’s premiere no-cost letters to and from Santa programs.” Anyone is welcome to drop off a letter from their child in the “big red mailbox” at 51 North White Horse Pike from Nov. 8 to Dec. 15. All that please see PARADE, page 7

6 is required is the child’s name and a return address to receive a personalized letter from Santa.

continued from page

It is impossible to quantify the sheer amount of good an essential life-saving service the Hammonton Fire Department has offered to its town since 1896, but the amount they extend themselves to be tied into the community entrenches the level of respect in the hearts of the citizens of Hammonton. When asked about how these events impact the community Lizza responded, “Our fire department is 100 percent volunteer, all our members serve the community without compensation. This not only includes emergency response, but also community events

like our holiday programs. These events give our members an opportunity to get to know their neighbors while also putting a smile on children’s faces. These interactions can help build stronger communities and relationships between emergency personnel and the communities they serve. Firefighters often have the opportunity to help people during the most challenging parts of their lives, these events provide members an opportunity to help in a different and hopefully less stressful time in a person’s life.” 

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY HAMMONTON FIRE DEPARTMENT Parades festivites from years past.

Holiday Worship in

BY CHLOE YANUSH

Many people take it upon themselves to volunteer their money, old belongings, or time to charities in their area, especially around Thanksgiving and Christmas. The holidays are commonly known as the “season of giving”, and who better to give to than those who need it most? Giving back to the community during the holidays is a great way to get into the spirit, as well as make someone else’s season a bit brighter.

If you are looking for a way to give back this holiday season, there are a few churches right in Hammonton that are organizing wonderful charity events that you can participate in.

Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral, a traditional roman catholic church located in the

ducted internally by parish members. However, if you would like to help the church give back, they are also collecting toys for infants up to age 5 or 6, which will be distributed at Christmas time.

Keeping with the spirit of Thanksgiving, the First United Methodist Church of Hammonton will hopefully be hosting a free Thanksgiving dinner. For the past 12 years, the church has fed over 200 people each Thanksgiving, and hopes to continue the tradition pending some roadwork around the church.

“We have everything from soup to nuts. The dinner has all of the classics, mashed potatoes, green beans, stuffing, turkey and more. And everything is free

Calvary Chapel has two donation drives that you can participate in. For the last three

please see CHURCH, page 9

Hammonton

years, they have organized a clothing drive in partnership with the Atlantic City Outreach.

“We collect the coats and then the Atlantic City Outreach will distribute them to homeless or needy people in Atlantic City”, says secretary and youth leader at Calvary Chapel, Vincent Lombardo.

If you don’t have any spare coats, but do need to donate some toys, the Calvary Chapel is also having a toy drive. “We work with ‘Operation Christmas Child’ as well, who gives the toys we collect to children in third world countries,” says Lombardo. This is a great opportunity to make Christmas a bit more special for a child in need.

There are lots of churches and religious organizations, in Hammonton and around the world, that work hard each holiday season to bring joy to someone who needs it the most. If you would like to know more about how you can help any of these great organizations give back during the holidays this year, give any of them a call. Charitable work can be just as rewarding for you as it is for the people you help. 

PHOTOS BY JAMIE GIAMBRONE

Back: Hammonton Presbyterian Church. Top: First United Methodist Church of Hammonton. Middle: Spanish Pentecostal Church. Bottom: Calvary Chapel

Shopping Town

IN HAMMONTON

BY NJ ACKERMANN

I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with shopping. As a teen, I’d be wide-eyed and gawking at the mannequins, so excited, collecting clothes from the racks until I staggered under the weight and struggled to see over the pile. Sleeves dangling all around me, I’d make my way to the fitting room, where the face of the attendant said it all. “Hang them here,” she would sigh, wearily pointing to the rack inside the door. She’d hand me tag number six, her highest one, nowhere near the size of my haul. After thirty minutes I was a beast, my hair standing up in static rebellion, my face red and hot with smeared makeup and a scratch or two to boot. I would rush through what was left on the rack and bolt, vowing never to shop again. And, that was only shopping for me. For others? Even more impossible.

As a child, my mother favored the small-town shopping experience. I remember feeling a charge of excitement as we walked up and down the avenue, peering into big glass windows and taking in the decorations and lights. In my adult years, I have found that this kind of shopping experience can actually de-stress me during the hectic holiday season. So, I recently took to the streets of Hammonton to try and tick a few things off my shopping list, while knocking my stress level down a notch or two.

So many people love antiques, and Hammonton has a lot of them. My good friend adores anything cobalt and in Antique Marketplace, I found a gorgeous, heavyweight set of crystal goblets for her. With a conglomerate of 50 vendors sharing 5,000 square feet, here you can find treasures from prim-and-proper to cozy farmhouse, from delicate to useful, and from Victorian to sim-

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ply vintage. Two times a year they have a store-wide party with karaoke and a 20 percent discount off everything. As I perused their two floors of endless curiosities, an imaginary ringmaster cried out in my mind, “Something for everybody!” I bought a lovely Italian dipping set for a heritage-proud sister-inlaw, and a groovy original lava lamp for…okay, me. On the other end of town in a place called Vintage Betty’s, I discovered a working slide projector, something my brother had been talking of getting for years.

As I continued to indulge myself, I wandered down a side street to a row of sunny picnic tables at a brewery called Chimney. Outside it was reminiscent of a beer garden, inside it was cool and cool beans, with tantalizing brew flavors such as “That Kid is on the Escalator Again!” and four packs to go. On another side street was a tattoo parlor and a crystal shop, right up the alley of the centennials and millennials on

please see SHOPPING, page 14

PHOTOS BY JAMIE GIAMBRONE

VINTAGE BETTY’S ANTIQUES & MORE

ANNATA WINE BAR

BETTY’S ANTIQUES & MORE

NEW ERA OF MYSTICAL TRENDS TOY MARKET

CHIMNEY RUSTIC ALES

MAZZA’S ANTIQUE MARKETPLACE

MAZZA’S ANTIQUE MARKETPLACE MAZZA’S ANTIQUE MARKETPLACE

my list. Hence, a gift card and celestial charms for my daughter and her boyfriend. For the little ones there’s a dance studio and Ultimate Martial Arts, as well as a corner toy shop. Tick, tick, nieces and nephews off my list.

Passing a wine bar called Annata my mind returned to the goblets, and I chose a bottle I thought she would like from their immense selection. They have a wonderful atmosphere complemented by live music, and I found a new place to dine.

Two doors down I read on a window, “Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegar On Tap.” Hmm. I entered and stood dumbstruck by an impressive wall of chrome vats filled with olive oil variously infused with fruits, herbs and spices. When I was able to tear my eyes away, they were met with culinary delights and gleaming kitchenware. I wanted everything. I may have started drooling, because Rachel, the attendant, came over as if to save me. Friendly and knowledgeable, she showed me around the warm and inviting inventory including olive oil skincare. To make me feel even better, they support locally. Blueberry blossom honey is sourced from Rosedale, and they carry blueberry sauce and jams made from the berries of Hammonton, the “Blueberry Capital of the World.” Couldn’t be fresher.

I went “safe,” and completed the dipping set with their most popular oil, the Tuscan Herb, but I will definitely return to satisfy my interest in the fruit flavored and a vinegar or two. Also, when it gets closer to the holidays, I will order a gift basket for mom.

Yep, passing the test, shopping in downtown Hammonton had proven to de-stress me with the satisfaction of unique and quality gifts, a shorter shopping list, and a wonderful experience. 

PHOTOS BY JAMIE GIAMBRONE

a take

Mary’s Café is Serving Up Homemade Family Recipes in Hammonton

BY CHRIS ISAAC

If you are a longtime resident of New Jersey, then perhaps you already know what a fixture Mary’s Café has been to the area. For around five decades, the eatery has been a family business serving homemade meals to the locals. It originally opened up in Marlton, New Jersey, which is where it would remain for 32 years. Afterwards is when it came to the town of Hammonton, where it has remained ever since, passing down through the generations.

Michele Jennings is now the youngest of the family to work at the café, doing so alongside her mom, Marion. The café’s eponymous Mary was Michele’s grandmother, who opened the business. While Mary has since passed away, her legacy lives on through her relatives who now manage the

Warren R. Heymann, MD

Steven M. Manders, MD

Justin J. Green, MD

Lacy L. Sommer, MD

Camille E. Introcaso, MD

Donald J. Baker, MD

Patrick J. McMahon, MD

Julianna Jarvis, PA-C

Christina Urday, PA-C

Christina Ponzio, PA-C

PHOTOS BY JAMIE GIAMBRONE Mary’s Café serves up a homemade family favorite chicken parmigiana.

business and prepare the recipes the same way Mary did when she first created them. Michele is proud to have preserved that aspect of her grandmother’s touch through the years.

Explaining how she became involved with the business, Michele says it was part of her life since childhood when it was still in Marlton. “They used to drag me up there in the summers when I was a kid,” she says with a laugh. Trying to recount how long ago she began there, she went on to say, “A long time. Since I was a baby.”

As far as the food, Michele had a tough time picking out the café’s signature dishes due to how fond she is of all of them. Some of the recommendations she made off the top of her head included the café’s meatloaf and mashed potatoes, their roasted turkey, the chili, macaroni and cheese and she says the chicken parmigiana and the eggplant parmigiana are also popular selections. Nearly every item on the menu is made from scratch.

When asked what food she believes the café is most known for, she named the meals that start your day. “We have a really great breakfast, that’s number one. Our pancakes are always voted number one. They’re light, they’re fluffy. We have all types of concoctions I make-up, but we have fresh sauteed vegetables, fresh squash every day, fresh

spinach, sauteed broccoli rabe and fresh long hots. You name it, we have it.”

While Michele did not initially plan to be at the café, it seems like a fitting role. Her early plans had been to go to pastry school, but that never wound up coming to fruition. However, her whole family has always

please see BITE, page 19

loved cooking, so in a way she got that education from Mary’s instead. Michele personally works in the kitchen now, so in the end she did fulfill a semblance of her ambition.

“At one point I left, I moved to Mexico,” Michele said. “But it’s been just like a family. My brother had a wife, she worked there at one time, a few years ago when my grandmom had it on route 73.”

And that family touch is something that the community has appreciated. Mary’s has been in its current location for 10 years now and has built up a loyal customer base of regulars. While many eateries were not able to survive the challenges of COVID, Mary’s endured and found their patrons were still there for them once they were able to resume routine business. Michele’s mother Marion has the most experience with the customers now and many of them have become longtime familiar faces.

“She knows the whole town,” Michele said of her mom. “I never really did when I was young. I went a different way up in Marlton. But she knows everyone in town, let’s put it that way.”

Mary’s Café is open every day except Wednesdays, and can be reached at (609) 704-5230. 

BY JAMIE

parmigiana and a side salad at Mary’s Cafe in Hammonton.

Hot Chocolate or Egg Nog?

PHOTOS BY JAMIE GIAMBRONE

PHOTO 1: (L-R) Mark Duncan and Joe D’Smico. Mark prefers “egg nog so you can put a little something in it to kick it up a notch.” Joe prefers “hot chocolate because me and the grandkids like it.”

PHOTO 2: Christian and Megan Jeffries. They prefer hot chocolate. “We’re just not egg nog fans and the kids really like hot chocolate.”

PHOTO 3: (L-R) Erin Verbel, Martha Lacovelli and Louie the dog. “Hot

chocolate for sure! Neither one of us are egg nog fans. It is too thick and creamy.”

PHOTO 4: Pete and Lauren Nistico prefer hot chocolate because “we like to add a little adult cheer to hot chocolate but either way we like hot chocolate better than egg nog.”

PHOTO 5: Carlos Figueroa standing in front of Fresh Cutz where he works prefers “hot chocolate because I like chocolate.”

From our Family toYours

The staff of 08037 loves to celebrate the holidays and we are excited to share some of our traditions with our readers!

We would love to hear all about yours too. Share your traditions by visiting us on Instagram @08037_hammonton.

For as long as I can remember, my mom has been the baker of the family. Every family get-together there is at least one of her family favorite desserts, from chocolate chip cookies, banana cake and whoopie pies to her lemon meringue pie. The holiday season is no different, but instead of the standard pumpkin pie, she puts a twist on a traditional sweet and bakes a pumpkin pie cake. It is a fairly simple recipe and contains similar flavors of a pumpkin pie, but with a little more crunch!

Brittany Rought, Publisher

Pumpkin Pie Cake

FOR THE CRUST:

1 Box Yellow Cake Mix

1 Egg

1/2 cup Butter, melted

FOR THE FILLING:

1 Large Can Pumpkin (3 cups)

3 Eggs

2 tsp. Cinnamon 1/2 cup Brown Sugar

3/4 cup Evaporated Milk

FOR THE TOPPING:

1/2 cup Sugar

1 cup Cake Mix

1/4 cup Butter

Nuts, chopped (Pecans preferred)

DIRECTIONS:

For the crust, first reserve one cup of cake mix and set aside for the topping. Combine the rest of the mix with the egg and melted butter. Press into a greased 9x13 inch pan.

For the filling, mix all ingredients and pour over the crust.

For the topping, mix the sugar, reserved cake mix and butter to make crumbs. Top cake with this mixture. Sprinkle with chopped nuts. Bake at 350º F for one hour.

Coquito is a creamy, coconut-based beverage that is a staple during Christmas in Puerto Rico. There has never been a Christmas, that I can remember, without this creamy coconut drink, which is very similar to eggnog. Just thinking about the cheers from my very large, family when someone shows up with the coquito always warms my heart. They are on my mind each time I make a batch.

Arlene Reyes, VP of Sales

Coquito

INGREDIENTS:

20 Cinnamon Sticks

Handful of Cloves

1 Cup of Water

12 Egg Yolks

4 Cans of Evaporated Milk

4 Cans of Coconut Milk

3 Cans of Sweet Condensed Milk

2 Cans of Cream of Coconut

3 Tbs of Coconut Extract

1 tsp of Vanilla Extract

Cinnamon & Nutmeg to taste

4 Cups of White Rum (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

Boil cup of water. Add cinnamon sticks and cloves while water is boiling.

Cook egg yolks and evaporated milk, stirring constantly, until it reaches 160º F or coats the back of the spoon.

Move to a large mixing bowl (so that the egg mixture does not continue to cook) and combine the remaining ingredients including the cinnamon-clove water.

Add additional spices to taste and rum (optional).

Tatiana Tabile, Regional Account Manager

INGREDIENTS:

1 lbs Rigatoni Pasta (add salt to taste)

8 oz broccoli florets

2 tbsp olive oil

3 tbsp sun dried tomatoes finely chopped

3 garlic cloves sliced 1/2 cup reserved pasta water 1/2 cup white wine

DIRECTIONS:

Set a large pot of water on high heat and bring to a boil. Add salt and pasta.

Cook according to pasta package directions. Do not overcook, pasta should be al dente. Add broccoli, tender but still firm. Should take between 7 to 9 minutes.

While pasta & broccoli are cooking, slice garlic. Cook it over low heat in a large pan with olive oil and chopped sundried tomatoes for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add wine. Cook for 5 minutes. Drain pasta and broccoli, reserving 1/2 cup of water from pasta. Add both pasta and broccoli with sundried tomatoes and toss!

From our FamilytoYours

A little over 10 years ago, I was preparing to host my in-laws for a Christmas dinner and wanted to find a recipe that would differ from our Christmas Eve dinner, a roasted picnic pork shoulder. In my search, I came across a Cinnamon Citrus Glazed Ham from Emeril Lagasse (you remember “bam bam”). Since then, this dish has been the centerpiece of our Christmas dinner. The aroma of the ham fills the house beautifully, so much so that my niece once walked into the house and said, “Oh, it smells like Christmas.” That is when you know you have created not only a Christmas tradition, but a Christmas memory.

Arlene Reyes, VP of Sales

Cinnamon-Citrus Glazed Ham

From Emeril’s Test Kitchen

INGREDIENTS:

One 7 to 8 pound fully cooked ham, bone-in, scored 1/4 inch deep in a diamond pattern

10 3-inch cinnamon sticks cut in half lengthwise

4 Navel oranges, sliced crosswise into 1/3-inch slices (20 slices)

5 lemons, sliced crosswise into 1/3inch slices (20 slices)

10 bay leaves

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 325º F.

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 13-oz jar marmalade

1/4 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup orange juice

1/2 cup water

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/8 teaspoon ground ginger pinch of cloves and nutmeg

While oven is preheating, prep your ham. Place the ham cut-side down in a deep oven-safe roasting pan or dish. Evenly insert the halved cinnamon sticks partway into the scored ham, and skewer one orange slice and one lemon slice onto each cinnamon stick, sliding snugly against the ham. Tuck the bay leaves around the ham, secured by the orange slices. Sprinkle the ham with black pepper. Put the ham into the preheated oven uncovered.

While the ham first begins cooking, prepare your glaze. Combine the marmalade, brown sugar, orange juice, water and spices in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture reduces to a glaze and can coat the back of a spoon.

The ham should bake for approximately two hours until it reaches an internal temperature of 150º F. During the last hour of cooking, baste the ham with the prepared glaze.

About seven years ago my cousin made this for a family potluck and it was delicious!! I knew I had to have the recipe. I gave it a try that same year for Thanksgiving and it was such a hit! Now, it comes highly requested by my in-laws and extended family before the holidays. Seven years later, I have made it for every single Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. If you don’t love sweet potatoes, you will after trying this dish.

Casey Meglino, Marketing Consultant

Sweet Mashed Potatoes

INGREDIENTS:

6 Medium Sweet Potatoes

1 stick of butter 1/2 cup of sugar

1 tsp of Vanilla 1/3 cup of Milk 2 eggs

DIRECTIONS:

Peel & cube sweet potatoes. Boil for 20 minutes. Drain sweet potatoes. Add 1 stick of butter and beat with mixer. Add sugar, vanilla & milk. Beat both eggs and drizzle in slowly while mixing. Spread in 13” x 9” pan.

TOPPING:

1/3 cup of butter

1 cup of brown sugar 1/2 cup of flour 3/4 cup of walnuts or pecans

DIRECTIONS FOR TOPPING: Mix topping ingredients and spread on top of sweet potatoes. Bake uncovered @ 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

Enjoy!

Hammonton Happenings

ART EXHIBIT “Lilt”: Now to January 20 at the Noyes Museum Gallery at Stockton Kramer Hall. This new, vibrant exhibition is produced in collaboration with Philadelphia Sculptors. Free and open to the public during gallery operating hours. www.noyesmuseum.org

LETTERS TO SANTA: Now to December 15 at Hammonton Independent Volunteer Fire Co. No. 2. Drop off letters to Santa in the big red mailbox in front of the fire house on the White Horse Pike and get a reply by Christmas. Please make sure to put a return address. www.hammontonfire2.com

ALL ABOARD DIDONATO’S MAGICAL HOLIDAY EXPRESS: Now to December 30 at DiDonato Family Fun Center. Train ride through millions of Christmas lights, meet and greet and photo ops with Santa, Mrs. Claus and elves, present from Santa, holiday movie tent, cookie treat, walk-through village and so much more. (Days and times vary.) 609-561-3040. www. didonatofuncenter.com

HOLIDAY WREATH WALK: November 26 to December 10 in Downtown Hammonton. Stroll through Downtown and see twelve decorated wreaths, enter to win one for yourself. 609-567-9014. www.downtownhammonton.com

HAMMONTON FIRE DEPARTMENT OPERATION SANTA: December 2, 4, 16 & 17 in four zones throughout Hammonton. Santa has asked both fire companies in town to help escort him as he visits our Town on special dates in December. For details, dates, a map with zones and to track Santa as he travels through Hammonton, visit www. hammontonfire2.com.

INTO THE WOODS: December 2 to 11 at Eagle Theatre. Musical performed by Conservatory students in grades 9 through 12. Your favorite Brother’s Grimm fairytale characters come together for a timeless yet relevant piece. (Dates and times vary.) 609704-5012. www.eagletheatre.org

MEXICAN HAMMONTON FOOD DISCOVERY TOUR: December 3 - 1 PM in Downtown Hammonton. Enjoy a sampling of some of the Downtown’s eateries finest selections. Must book in advance.  www.onthetownfoodtours.com

HOLIDAY STOCKING SEWING FOR TEENS & ADULTS: December 3 from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM at the Hammonton Public Library. Learn how to sew by hand

choose fabric.

and machines. Also learn how to take measurements, choose a pattern and choose fabric. Registration required. 609-561-2264. www.atlanticlibrary.org

HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING EVENT: December 3 from 6 PM to 9 PM in Downtown Hammonton. Horse and carriage rides, live music and entertainment, an outdoor market, shop and restaurant specials, along with a visit from Santa to magically light up the Town’s Christmas tree. 609-5679014. www.downtownhammonton.com

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA: December 4 – at 9 AM and 11 AM at the Hammonton Woman’s Civic Club. Enjoy a delicious breakfast and pictures with Santa Claus. For tickets and information call 609-517-8868 or email hammontonwcc@gmail.com.

FIRE DEPARTMENT CHRISTMAS PARADE: December 10 – 7 PM in Downtown Hammonton. The parade features decorated firetrucks along with floats, dance groups and music as it travels through a beautifully decorated historic residential neighborhood and into charming Downtown Hammonton. 609-567-9014. www.downtownhammonton.com

SIP & SHOP WITH PSYCHIC READINGS: December 11 from 1 PM to 4 PM at DiMatteo Vineyards. Enjoy a glass of wine while shopping unique vendors and arrive early for a reading with one of the psychics. www.dimatteofamilyvineyards.com

THE HOLIDAY OPERA GALA: December 11 - 2 PM - Tomasello Winery in Hammonton. Experience an elegant afternoon of music, wine and fine dining. Thoughtfully selected arias by world class artists in an intimate setting. 800-MMMWINE. www.tomasellowinery.com

THIRD THURSDAY – “JINGLE AND MINGLE”: December 15 from 5 PM to 8 PM in the Downtown Hammonton Art District. Star light, start bright, Downtown Hammonton lights the night! Experience the ambience of the holiday season created by your favorite downtown as you eat, shop and enjoy. 609-567-9014. www.downtownhammonton.com

HAMMONTON NEW YEAR’S EVE BASH & GIANT BLUEBERRY DROP: December 31 from 10 PM to 12:30 AM in Downtown Hammonton. A free event featuring live music, a countdown to midnight on the Town Clock and the world’s largest blueberry drop, culminating with fireworks.

HAMMONTON’S SECOND ANNUAL

“NOON” YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION:

December 31 from 11 AM to 1 PM in front of Town Hall. Enjoy a family fun event celebrating the New Year with a countdown at noon for the kids, confetti streamers, food, interactive crafts, games, character appearances. goodies, music and more. Sponsored by the Town of Hammonton in collaboration with the Hammonton Drug Alliance. 609-703-3131.

ebrating the New Year with a countdown at

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY OF SERVICE: January 16 at Stockton University – Kramer Hall in Downtown Hammonton. Volunteers join forces to give back and take on worthy projects throughout the region. 609-626-3840. www.stockton.edu/hammonton

THIRD THURSDAY – “GIRLS NIGHT OUT”: January 19 from 5 PM to 8 PM in the Downtown Hammonton Art District. Bring your crew to your favorite Downtown to eat, shop and enjoy. 609-567-9014. www. downtownhammonton.com

WILD PARTY - THE MUSICAL: February 9 to 26 at Eagle Theatre. This hit musical from Andrew Lippa, produced and performed by professional actors and musicians. Two explosive lovers are throwing a party-to-end-all-parties and you’re invited. It’s Manhattan in the 1920s and anything can happen! (Dates and times vary.) 609-7045012. www.eagletheatre.org

THIRD THURSDAY – “THAT’S AMORE”: February 16 from 5 PM to 8 PM in the Downtown Hammonton Art District. Make it a special night with the one you love as you eat, shop and enjoy. 609-567-9014. www.downtownhammonton.com

This is a partial listing of events and activities in the Hammonton area compiled by Destination Hammonton, as of this magazine’s print publication deadline. Events are subject to change or cancellation. Check with event organizers to confirm details. For the most updated list, please visit www. hammonton.com. Want to be listed in the next issue? Email your listing to brought@newspapermediagroup.com.