Category: COMMUNITY EVENTS

Jefferson Health Hosts FREE Wellness Programs for Seniors Through May 2020

Join Jefferson Health experts for FREE community wellness programs for seniors through May:

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) – The Basics

;

Thursday, March 5, 2 p.m.; Kennedy Health & Wellness Center (405 Hurffville-Cross Keys Road, Suite 201, Sewell)

: COPD affects almost 15 million Americans. Learn what COPD is; how it affects the lungs; causes, signs and symptoms; and disease management.

Weight Loss and Fiber – What’s the Connection?

;

Wednesday, March 18, 11 a.m., at the

Margaret E. Heggan Free Public Library

(606 Delsea Drive, Sewell)

: Eating enough fiber is essential for a healthy diet. Join Jefferson Health’s Danielle Hall, RD, to learn how much dietary fiber you need, the foods that contain it, how it aids in weight loss, and how to add it to meals and snacks.

Understanding Alzheimer’s & Dementia

;

Tuesday, April 21, 2 p.m., at Jefferson Stratford Hospital (18 East Laurel Road, 3

rd

Floor, Room L)

: Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging. Join the Alzheimer’s Association to learn about Alzheimer’s impact, differences between Alzheimer’s and dementia, stages and risk factors, current research and treatments available for some symptoms, and Alzheimer’s Association resources.

Seconds Count when Stopping Strokes

;

Thursday, May 7, 2 p.m., at the

Gloucester County Library Mullica Hill Branch (389 Wolfert Station Road)

: Join Jefferson Health’s Kathryn Donley, BSN, RN, CCRN-K, CNRN, Program Director, Stroke & Life Support Education, for a discussion on ways to reduce your risk, identify early signs and symptoms of heart attack and stroke, and when to call 9-1-1. FREE blood pressure screenings are included.

Horticultural Therapy – Creating an Indoor Fairy Garden

;

Tuesday, May 19, 2 p.m., at Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital (2201 Chapel Avenue, Rooms 2 & 3)

: Discover the fun in designing your own “indoor fairy garden.” Adults all over are experiencing the magic in constructing them. Inspirational Horticultural Therapy’s Rachelle Hasenberg, will provide step-by-step instructions as participants plant in their own container and choose from a wide variety of items to create their unique miniature “fairy garden.” No experience necessary. A fee of $12 is due by Tuesday, May 5.

These programs are sponsored by Jefferson Health – New Jersey’s PrimeTime, a free health and wellness program for active older adults in South Jersey. All community members are invited. For more information and to register, visit

JeffersonHealth.org/NJclasses

or call

800-522-1965

.

DNREC-sponsored ‘Butterflies and Clean Water’ presentations March 2 and 30

LAUREL DELAWARE (Feb. 2020) – The DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship’s Reclaim Our River Program – Nanticoke Series, in partnership with the Delaware Nature Society’s Abbott’s Mill Nature Center, and the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance, will host two free presentations in March on saving the monarch butterfly, gardening for butterflies, and the importance of clean water.

The presentations will address the monarch butterfly population’s decline of more than 90 percent worldwide over the past 20 years. This is a critical environmental loss, since flowering plants depend on pollinators, including butterflies, to reproduce. Pollinators enable flowering plants to purify water and prevent erosion, through roots that hold the soil in place, and provide foliage that buffers the impact of rain.

On March 2, butterfly enthusiast Mike McFarlin of Milton will speak about his efforts to help repopulate Delaware\’s monarch butterfly population, by raising hundreds of them each summer. In addition, he will explain how attendees can volunteer as stewards, and adopt an area of land that supports pollinator habitat.

The second presentation, on March 30, will be led by Alice Mohrman of the Delaware Nature Society’s Abbott’s Mill Nature Center and focus on gardening for butterflies. She will also provide tips on how to landscape yards with attractive native plants that support wildlife habitat, and help reduce waterway pollution.

A limited number of free milkweed seeds will be available to participants, along with information on activities that support clean water. Attendees also will learn about the 2020 Reclaim Our River–Nanticoke Series, which offers numerous opportunities to learn techniques for keeping local waterways clean. Participants are encouraged to arrive early.

Both presentations will begin at 6 p.m. at the Laurel Library, located at 101 East 4th Street, Laurel, DE 19956.

For more information about the presentations, contact Alice Mohrman at 302-422-0847, or

alice@delawarenaturesociety.org

. For more information on the Reclaim Our River Program, contact Philip Miller at 302-608-5468, or

Philip.miller@delaware.gov

Making The Knights of Columbus More Appealing

Written by Peter G. Sánchez/

The Camden Diocese

BRIDGETON, NJ–Don Olbrich is nothing if not persistent.

Wherever he goes, he carries with him Form 100s, which are membership documents for the Knights of Columbus. Which is not surprising, as he is Grand Knight of his council, Liberty Council 1910 out of Bridgeton’s Parish of the Holy Cross.

“I took a Form 100 to my doctor’s office,” he says, but it wasn’t blank.

“I had already filled out his name and phone number, all I needed was his address,” he continues.

And then there was the time he tried to get his son, D.J., to join the council.

“He kept telling me no, so I told some of my brother Knights that if they could get him to sign up, I’d give them $100. It worked,” he says, laughing.

Olbrich’s methods have no doubt rubbed off on his brother Knights. From July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019, his council gained 40 new members, 800% of their recruitment goal. The effort made Liberty Council 1910 second in the country in recruitment for any Knight’s council.

Today, the 101-year-old council is 113 men strong, in ages ranging from 19 years old to the mid-80s, Olbrich says.

“We set monthly membership goals,” he says in explaining how the council achieved the milestone.

His doggedness and determination speak to his love of the church where he has been a Knight for 10 years.

“It’s all about helping the parish,” he says.

The Liberty Council Knights are a constant presence around the Holy Cross community, be it cooking for the annual fall parish festival, organizing a donation drive of baby wipes and diapers for single mothers and their children, or repainting lines in the church parking lot.

Olbrich was thankful for the leadership and guidance of Holy Cross pastor, Father Matthew Weber, who has shown “tremendous support” for the council.

“The Knights have been a wonderful blessing,” says Father Weber, himself a Fourth Degree Knight.

In addition to “stepping up” to help the parish in whatever needs to be done, such as helping out with maintenance issues or being extra hands at parish events, the Knights of Columbus are “leading men to a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ, and with each other,” he says.

As well, he is pleased that the council reflects the diverse nature of his Bridgeton parish — a bilingual community with a faithful and collaborative mix of Anglo-Saxon and Hispanic members.

“The Knights have been a beautiful bridge” between these communities, he says,

“I’m glad this council has blossomed. These men are pillars of charity, fraternity, unity, and patriotism,” Father Weber said, echoing the Knights of Columbus’ mission.

Following the call from Supreme Director Carl Anderson to make the Knights more appealing, the Bridgeton Knights will hold a public initiation ceremony after the 4:30 p.m. Mass at Saint Mary Church, Rosenhayn on Saturday, Feb. 22, with a spaghetti dinner afterward. All are welcome.

Home

Catholic Schools Still Different Where It Counts

Celebrate Catholic Schools Week came to a close on Saturday, Feb. 1. Throughout the Diocese of Camden, schools sponsored open houses; special liturgies and prayer services; academic competitions and showcases; meals for seniors, volunteers and other special people; events to celebrate diverse cultures;

activities to foster community spirit; and an onslaught of service projects.

Catholic schools are known for these activities and more throughout the year, so why the need for a concentrated week? For Sister Sheila Murphy, principal at Cape Trinity Catholic School in Wildwood, it’s all about tradition. She remembers the first Catholic Schools Week, 1974.

“‘Different Where It Counts.’ That was the first tagline and I’ve always loved it. It stayed with me,” said Sister Sheila. She said she thinks about the tagline at the opening Mass every year, a Mass that could not happen outside a Catholic school community, the perfect example of how Catholic schools are different where it counts. According to Sister Sheila, this year’s Mass was particularly special because it was also the conclusion of the parish mission at the school’s primary parish, Notre Dame de la Mer. Turnout from school families was high, and Mass was followed by a parish lunch.

Service is the other element of Catholic Schools Week Sister Sheila cherishes. Like many other schools, Cape Trinity Catholic honors local first responders during the week. Students bring items for gift baskets, which are hand-delivered by families to several police and fire stations. Toiletry bags are also assembled by students and delivered to The Branches, a center in Rio Grande that cares for individuals who are homeless.

“We do some things just for fun, too,” said Sister Sheila, citing the teacher-student volleyball game as a highlight.

For anyone who might have missed the chance to visit during Catholic Schools Week, no worries. The doors to South Jersey Catholic Schools are open for visits, and students are welcome to shadow and discover the difference in a Catholic school education. Find a school near you at

www.southjerseycatholicschools.org

2020 JerseyArts.com People’s Choice Awards

Camden County\’s very own XPoNential Music Festival at Wiggins Waterfront Park, along with a number of other Camden County arts and music organizations, has been nominated for the 2020

JerseyArts.com

People\’s Choice Awards. Also nominated were:

Mainstage Center for the Arts Harmony Show Choir (Blackwood)

Scottish Rite Auditorium (Collingswood)

Ritz Theatre Company (Haddon Township)

South Camden Theatre Company (Camden)

Symphony in C (Collingswood)

Perkins Center for the Arts (Collingswood/Moorestown)

African American Film Festival (Camden)

Voting is now open at

JerseyArts.com/vote

. Support the arts that Camden County has to offer by casting your vote. Don’t delay; voting ends

February 20th,

and winners in each category will be announced on

March 11, 2020

.

Read More.

*Shamrock Celebration Honoring Principal Ed Beckett

Please join us for a fun-filled evening honoring Gloucester Catholic Principal Ed Beckett, whose exemplary guidance and direction has ushered in the next generation of our community leaders.

**Music will be rocking with a live performance by

The Broken Shillelaghs

**Lovely, lively Irish dance by Jordan – Hunt School of Irish Dance

**Delicious traditional dinner, as well as dessert selection and cold beer! Full cash bar with extensive selection, including Irish Coffee in commemorative glass mug, will be available.

**The event will also feature an “Irish Auction” with gift baskets, 50/50, and door prizes, as well as our Queen of Ireland Specialty

Imports Shop!

Friday, March 6, 2020 – 6:30 PM. $25

Elizabeth’s Ballroom

,

419 Highland Blvd, Gloucester City, New Jersey 08030

Tickets:

Purchase tickets

online

, or in person at

St. Mary’s Rectory

,

Carr’s Hardware

,

Sunshine Flowers and Gifts

PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE

NJ IRISH SOCIETY, 420 MONMOUTH STREET, GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ, 08030

Congressman Kim Joins Burlington/Ocean County Schools to Deliver Valentines for Veterans

WASHINGTON, D.C.

(February 14, 2020)––

Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03)

joined Toms River Regional and North Hanover Schools to participate in Valentines for Veterans, an effort as part of the annual “

Salute a Veteran Patient Week

” to thank New Jersey veterans for their service and remind them of their special place in our

communities.

“Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country, we owe them our thanks and gratitude,” said Congressman Kim. “It is incredibly inspiring to see students from Toms River and North Hanover come together to provide that thanks to our veterans. I want to thank the Toms River and North Hanover schools for their leadership and initiative. They’ve shown the importance of coming together to support those who served.”

Students from Toms River Regional Schools and the North Hanover Township School District participated in this program, making Valentine’s Day cards for veterans. Congressman Kim delivered these valentines to the VA’s Philadelphia Medical Center to be distributed to local veterans.

“The district is always proud to support our local veterans, especially when doing so highlights the talent and compassion of our students,” said Toms River Regional Schools Superintendent David Healy. “We’re thankful to Congressman Kim and his team for helping facilitate this project, we’re proud of our teachers and students for their work and creativity, and we’re hopeful these cards brighten the days of our veterans in VA facilities throughout the area.”

Congressman Kim has been a vocal proponent for a

new veterans’ health care facility in Ocean County

, and has introduced bipartisan legislation to

protect veterans from VA errors

and help

veterans identify employment opportunities

during their transition to civilian life. More information about Congressman Kim can be found on his website by

clicking here

.

FBI Alert: Avoid Becoming a Victim of Romance Scams

Valentine’s Day and other opportunities for romance can be exciting, but they can also lead to heartbreak, embarrassment, and financial loss if you’re not careful.

Criminals search dating sites, apps, chat rooms, and other social media networking sites attempting to build “relationships” for the sole purpose of getting your money or your personally identifiable information.

Romance scams, also called confidence fraud, affected 114 victims in New Mexico in 2019 for a loss of more than $1.6 million, according to the FBI’s Internet Crimes Complaint Center.

To avoid becoming a victim, the FBI Albuquerque Division recommends the following:

Only use reputable, nationally-recognized dating websites; however, be aware that scammers may be using them too.

Research photos and profiles in other online search tools and ask questions.

Never provide your financial information, loan money, nor allow your bank accounts to be used for transfers of funds.

Do not allow attempts to isolate you from family and friends.

Do not blindly believe the stories of severe life circumstances, tragedies, family deaths, injuries, or other hardships geared at keeping your interest and concern.

If you are planning to meet someone in person you have met online, meet in a public place and let someone know where you will be and what time you should return home.

If you are traveling to a foreign country to meet someone check the State Department’s Travel Advisories beforehand (

http://travel.state.gov/

), provide your itinerary to family and friends, and do not travel alone if possible.

Victims may be hesitant to report being taken advantage of due to embarrassment, shame, or humiliation. It’s important to remember, romance scams can happen to anyone at any time.

If you suspect your online relationship is a scam, cease all contact immediately. If you are a victim who has already sent money, immediately report the incident to your financial institution, file a complaint with the Internet Crimes Complaint Center (

www.ic3.gov

), and contact law enforcement.

The Garden State Film Festival

ASBURY PARK, NJ

– Celebrating its 18th Anniversary, the artistic philosophy of the

Garden State Film Festival

is rooted in the celebration of the independent film genre and celebrates this spirit through dramatic screenings and unparalleled film collaborations attracting a diverse audience from around the world. From

Wednesday, 25

–

Sunday, 29 March 2020

in

Asbury Park, New Jersey

, GSFF unveils world premieres, Hollywood stars, industry panels, and as a nonprofit enterprise, serves as an added economic engine for Asbury Park’s vitality through art, commerce and culture. Make your plans to be a part of intriguing panel discussions and can’t miss parties, all held in numerous locations all over the city by the sea.

This year\’s notables include

Linda Hamilton

(

Terminator

) who will receive the

Icon Award

,

Matthew Modine

(

Stranger Things

) who will receive the

Lifetime Achievement Award

,

Robert Patrick

(

Terminator

)

Patriot Award

,

Ashley Platz

(

Grey’s Anatomy

)

Rising Star Award

, director

Tara Wood

Independent Spirit Award

,

David Burke

Home Grown Hero  Award

,

Perry Lang

Renaissance Award

,

Rock & Roll Forever Foundation

Broader Vision Award

,

Arianna Bocco

Exceptional Women in Film

,

Robin Kampf

Educator of the Year Award

,

Nick Falcone

MVP

,

Jack Ford

Honorary Chair

, alongside films that feature

John Goodman

(

The Big Lebowski

),

Harry Shearer

(

Spinal Tap

),

Jodie Foster

(

Taxi Driver

),

Dash Mihok

(

Ray Donovan

),

Uzo Abuda

(

Orange is the New Black

),

Vanessa Williams

(

Ugly Betty

),

Richard E. Grant

(

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

),

Devon Bostick

(

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

),

Frank Stallone

(

Rocky

),

Cathy Moriarity

(

Raging Bull

),

M Emmet Walsh

(

Blade Runner

),

Xander Berekely

(

The Walking Dead

),

Jessica Siposa

(

DC’s Legend’s of Tomorrow

),

Joel McHale

(

Ted

),

Jason Mewes

(

Clerks

), Supermodels

Chanel Iman

,

Elsa Hosk

,

Jessica Stam

,

Nadine Leopold

,

John Carter Cash

(

Walk the Line

),

Sam Waterston

(

Law & Order

),

Catherine Hardwicke

(Director,

Lords of Dogtown

),

Lou Gossett Jr

(

Officer and a Gentlemen

), E

van Handler

(

Sex and the City

),

Gary Pastore

(

The Sopranos

),

Barry Primus

(T

he Irishman

),

Charles Dance

(

Game of Thrones

),

Chad L. Coleman

(

The Walking Dead

),

Kevin Kane

(

Inside Amy Schumer

),

Natalia Dyer

(

Stranger Things

),

Tate Donovan

(

Argo

), memorial music video for

Avicii

by

Chris Martin

(

Coldplay)

, original music by

Patrick Carney

(

The Black Keys

),

The Bouncing Souls

, members of

Gaslight Anthem

,

Travis Barker

(

Blink 182

),

James Arthur

(musician), NBA superstar

Shaquille O’Neal

’s award-winning film

Foster Boy

and many more.

This 5-day event brings a large number of producers, directors, actors, investors, distributors, and industry talent to the State of New Jersey, the birthplace of American filmmaking.

In one weekend, you can enjoy over 240 films on all subjects, in a variety of lengths, showing in numerous locations all around Asbury Park, plus parties, celebrities, seminars, networking, free shuttle rides, and lots more. It’s a fast-paced weekend of non-stop fun for all ages. Films are shown in two-hour-long screening blocks that include a variety of works like shorts, feature-length, music videos, and trailers. Each screening block concludes with a question and answers session with the filmmakers and actors. Other events held throughout the festival include panel discussions and seminars on topics such as

SAG-AFTRA Contracts 101 for Filmmakers

,

ESports & Virtual Reality

,

Demystifying SAG-AFTRA for Actors

, Directors Panel entitled

Small Screen, Big Screen: Directing Choices Different or not,

and film distribution. Planning ahead and using the Garden State Film Festival App will help you not miss a thing. For more information including schedule, tickets, and travel visit

Home

Letters to Aunt Hattie Event February 22

Burlington County Freeholder Director Felicia Hopson announced today that the Women’s Advisory Council is hosting an event to celebrate 100 years of women’s suffrage. The year 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing and protecting women’s constitutional right to vote.

“The performance, Letters to Aunt Hattie, celebrates women’s suffrage as well as the contribution of African-American women to the movement,” said Freeholder Director Felicia Hopson. “This one-woman show is truly inspirational and allows us to reflect on and appreciate the legacies of women like Harriet Forten Purvis and Charlotte Forten Grimke who shaped the women’s rights movement.”

The event will be held on Saturday, February 22 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Burlington County Library Auditorium on Pioneer Blvd. in Westampton. It is free and open to the public.

The play is written and performed by Gilletta McGraw based on the real-life activists Harriet Forten Purvis and Charlotte Forten Grimke.

Charlotte Forten, a young, bright student, begins writing letters to her favorite aunt, Aunt Hattie. Through these letters, Charlotte shares her thoughts during her studies and learns about some of the monumental accomplishments of the women in her family. During their back-and-forth correspondence, Charlotte grows in her activism and dedication to serve the oppressed and fight for equality.

Additionally, Harriet Forten Purvis was an African-American abolitionist and first-generation suffragist. With her mother and sisters, she formed the first biracial women’s abolitionist group, the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society, which was the first biracial women’s abolitionist group. She also hosted anti-slavery events at her home and bravely ran an Underground Railroad station, and fought against Segregation.

“This is just one of the events that the Council will be hosting this year to celebrate 100 years of women’s suffrage,” concluded Freeholder Hopson. “We hope that everyone will join us. The anniversary gives us the opportunity to recognize those who have made a difference in history and empower younger generations.”

The Burlington County Women’s Advisory Council works to identify and address issues that affect women in Burlington County, raise public awareness of the special needs and roles of women, provide mentoring opportunities for women, and enhance the quality of life for all women. For more information follow the Council on Facebook at @BurlingtonCountyWomen or visit: http://co.burlington.nj.us/263/Womens-Advisory-Council