Category: COMMUNITY EVENTS

Lines on the Pines ~ 15th Annual Event ~ \”Owls of the New Jersey Pine Barrens\”

Galloway

, NJ

–

Lines on the Pines

,

an

INDOOR

event

,

celebrat

ing the New Jersey Pine Barrens returns

, for the third time,

to

the

Stockton University

C

AMPUS

CENTER

,

located

at

101

Vera King Farris Drive

, Galloway, NJ,

08205

.

The

1

5

th

Annual Event

will be held

on Sunday, March 15, 2020

fro

m 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

15 YEARS on the 15th of MARCH!

This

popular

book-

signing

,

history

, arts

, humanities,

craft

show

,

and everything NJ Pine Barrens

is

FREE

and open to the public

. It

is presented by

It’s a Sign of the Pines

,

a 501

(c

) (3)

NJ non-profit corporation dedicated to sharing the wonders of our

Pine Barrens.

It\’s a Sign of the Pines

began as a conversation among friends sitting in a Piney bar: how could we bring like-minded people together to celebrate and maintain the cultural richness of the New Jersey Pine Barrens?

Fifteen

years ago our first weekend gathering, entitled

Lines on the Pines

, brought together

a few authors, an

archaeologist and a photographer

whose work reflected or was influenced by the Pines. The annual event has become a much anticipated networking opportunity for presenters and for local community members who attend by the hundreds to talk with authors about the newest Pine Barren\’s themed book,

and now

to look over hand-made jewelry made from nineteenth-century Jersey glass slag, or just chat about the Pines.

Nine

years ago

It\’s a Sign of the Pines

began a second event,

Lines on the Pines for KIDS

Goes to College

! During a one-day event, Pinelands-themed classes

were

offered to children aged 6-12 in Stockton\’s Kramer Hall in Hammonton, NJ. Both events reflect

ed

the core mission of

It\’s a Sign of the Pines

: to celebrate the

authors,

history,

and the

arts and humanities of the NJ Pine Barrens.

Now

,

the

two

events are combined

into

one

big event

.

Lines on the Pines

20

20

is proud to offer

once again

–

The PB&J\’

s

or

The Pine Barrens and Juniors

program

. This is a unique opportunity for KIDS to learn about the NJ Pine

Barrens and earn a patch at this

annual event.  Mi

ke

McCormick, of South Jersey Trails, has developed a booklet for Junior Explorers detailing the mission and the pledge of the

PB&J Program

.

T

his year the theme for KIDS is \”

Owls of the

New Jersey

Pine Barrens

\”

which

encourages

KIDS

of all ages,

to learn about

owls

.

Shannon Askins, a

local

graphite artist

has

put together a stunning

collection of original drawings of

NJ

owls

in a

book,

\”Owls of the New Jersey P

ine Barrens

.

\”

This book

will be available for folks to purchase. During the day, KIDS will have different activities that will enable them to learn more about

owls and other

live animals, snakes, birds of prey,

in the Pine Barrens

as well as meet our mascots, the crisis response dogs.

In addition, some fun activities will include basket weaving,

face painting

,

use

of the giant Word Board to create words relatin

g directly to the Pine Barrens and making pine cone owls.

Our sponsors, AtlantiCare

– A member of Geisinger,

Stockton University School of Arts and Humanities and the South Jersey Culture & History Center, ACUA,

Plexus Publishing,

NJM Insurance Group

and others

offer support in

making the

event a huge success.

This year

,

we welcome

back,

Paul Evans Pedersen, Nicki Giberson,

Kathy English

, Rich, Mary & Steven Carty

, Josh Westcott, Nance Jo Luciani

, Heather Hires, Holly Doyle,

Kirk Jarvis

an

d over 8

0 more artists, authors, historians

, historical socie

ties and groups.

Dinner

following the daylong event

h

ighlights

speaker Linda Stanton, Founder and President of

It\’s a Sign of the Pine

s

, who

will

present

\”

A

2020 Vision Lead

s

to a Wise Decision.

\”

The presentation will include the development of this 15 year-old program, its accomplishments and history. On hand, will also be several

\”Pine Barrens Celebrities\”

who will speak briefly on what

Line

s

on the Pines

means to them.

For more information:

Website

www.linesonthepines.org

and Facebook,

Lines on the Pines

.

##

on the Pines

~ 1

5

t

h

Annual Event

~

\”

Owls of the New Jersey Pine Barrens

\”

Galloway

, NJ

–

Lines on the Pines

,

an

INDOOR

event

,

celebrat

ing the New Jersey Pine Barrens returns

, for the third time,

to

the

Stockton University

C

AMPUS CENTER

,

located

at

101

Vera King Farris Drive

, Galloway, NJ,

08205

.

The

1

5

th

Annual Event

will be held

on Sunday, March 15, 2020

fro

m 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

15 YEARS on the 15th of MARCH!

This

popular

book-

signing

,

history

, arts

, humanities,

craft

show

,

and everything NJ Pine Barrens

is

FREE

and open to the public

. It

is presented by

It’s a Sign of the Pines

,

a 501

(c

) (3)

NJ non-profit corporation dedicated to sharing the wonders of our

Pine Barrens.

It\’s a Sign of the Pines

began as a conversation among friends sitting in a Piney bar: how could we bring like-minded people together to celebrate and maintain the cultural richness of the New Jersey Pine Barrens?

Fifteen

years ago our first weekend gathering, entitled

Lines on the Pines

, brought together

a few authors, an

archaeologist and a photographer

whose work reflected or was influenced by the Pines. The annual event has become a much anticipated networking opportunity for presenters and for local community members who attend by the hundreds to talk with authors about the newest Pine Barren\’s themed book,

and now

to look over hand-made jewelry made from nineteenth-century Jersey glass slag, or just chat about the Pines.

Nine

years ago

It\’s a Sign of the Pines

began a second event,

Lines on the Pines for KIDS

Goes to College

! During a one-day event, Pinelands-themed classes

were

offered to children aged 6-12 in Stockton\’s Kramer Hall in Hammonton, NJ. Both events reflect

ed

the core mission of

It\’s a Sign of the Pines

: to celebrate the

authors,

history,

and the

arts and humanities of the NJ Pine Barrens.

Now

,

the

two

events are combined

into

one

big event

.

Lines on the Pines

20

20

is proud to offer

once again

–

The PB&J\’

s

or

The Pine Barrens and Juniors

program

. This is a unique opportunity for KIDS to learn about the NJ Pine

Barrens and earn a patch at this

annual event.  Mi

ke

McCormick, of South Jersey Trails, has developed a booklet for Junior Explorers detailing the mission and the pledge of the

PB&J Program

.

T

his year the theme for KIDS is \”

Owls of the

New Jersey

Pine Barrens

\”

which

encourages

KIDS

of all ages,

to learn about

owls

.

Shannon Askins, a

local

graphite artist

has

put together a stunning

collection of original drawings of

NJ

owls

in a

book,

\”Owls of the New Jersey P

ine Barrens

.

\”

This book

will be available for folks to purchase. During the day, KIDS will have different activities that will enable them to learn more about

owls and other

live animals, snakes, birds of prey,

in the Pine Barrens

as well as meet our mascots, the crisis response dogs.

In addition, some fun activities will include basket weaving,

face painting

,

use

of the giant Word Board to create words relatin

g directly to the Pine Barrens and making pine cone owls.

Our sponsors, AtlantiCare

– A member of Geisinger,

Stockton University School of Arts and Humanities and the South Jersey Culture & History Center, ACUA,

Plexus Publishing,

NJM Insurance Group

and others

offer support in

making the

event a huge success.

This year

,

we welcome

back,

Paul Evans Pedersen, Nicki Giberson,

Kathy English

, Rich, Mary & Steven Carty

, Josh Westcott, Nance Jo Luciani

, Heather Hires, Holly Doyle,

Kirk Jarvis

an

d over 8

0 more artists, authors, historians

, historical socie

ties and groups.

Dinner

following the daylong event

h

ighlights

speaker Linda Stanton, Founder and President of

It\’s a Sign of the Pine

s

, who

will

present

\”

A

2020 Vision Lead

s

to a Wise Decision.

\”

The presentation will include the development of this 15 year-old program, its accomplishments and history. On hand, will also be several

\”Pine Barrens Celebrities\”

who will speak briefly on what

Line

s

on the Pines

means to them.

For more information:

Website

www.linesonthepines.org

and Facebook,

Lines on the Pines

.

##

Mayor George W. Shivery, Jr. Endorses Mehta For Senate

Shivery: “One thing is clear, Mr. Mehta is conservative.”

GIBBSTOWN – Saying, “I couldn’t sit back and watch my fellow Republicans attack a candidate because they are unhappy their pick for US Senate hasn’t won any county lines,” Greenwich Township Mayor George W. Shivery, Jr. weighed in on the Senate race today.

“I’ve met all the candidates who are still in the Senate race at least once at various events, early on I even took one of the candidates to meet a fellow regional vice president of the Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Clubs,” George Shivery said. “It’s time for these candidates to reel in their supporters and have them stop the online name calling.”

“It’s going to be tough enough for the eventual winner of the primary to beat Cory Booker and the name calling is not going to help.” Shivery added, “As a conservative Republican who has managed to win six consecutive elections in a town where the Democrats have a 5 to 1 voter registration advantage I think I know what I’m talking about. The name calling has got to stop!”

Shivery continued, “I was seated with Rik Mehta and his wife at a fundraiser and have spent time with him at other events. One thing is clear, Mr. Mehta is conservative. He is pro-life, opposes sanctuary cities, supports securing our southern border and believes in our right to bear arms.”

“Having met the candidates, heard their speeches and visited with the candidates, some more than others, I have no doubt Rik Mehta is the best candidate in the race.” Shivery said, “I’m proud to offer my personal endorsement of Rik Mehta for Senate and am hopeful Gloucester County’s screening committee sees in Rik the same qualities I see.

Topping Off Ceremony Held for $184M Patient Tower at Jefferson Washington Township Hospital

Jefferson Washington Township Hospital reached a major milestone on Thursday, February 20th, as a “topping off” ceremony was held for its new $184 million patient tower, slated to open in summer 2021. Jefferson leadership and staff — including Dr. Stephen Klasko, President of Thomas Jefferson University and CEO of Jefferson Health — were in attendance, along with NJ state and local officials, as the final beam was lifted by a crane and put in place.

The 7-floor, 243,500-square-foot tower, being named in honor of Jefferson board member and benefactor John P. Silvestri and his family, will feature 90 private patient rooms, a two-story lobby, Same-Day Surgery Unit, roof helipad, café with outdoor dining, and more. The $222 million overall Washington Township hospital campus transformation began in 2018, with construction of an 8-level enclosed parking facility, completed in April 2019.

Shown at the Topping Off ceremony, from left, are

: Stephen M. Sweeney, New Jersey Senate President; Joseph W. Devine, President, Jefferson New Jersey Division and Chief Experience Officer, Jefferson Health; John P. Silvestri, Vice Chairman, Jefferson Health New Jersey Hospital Board of Trustees; Joann Gattinelli, Washington Township Mayor; and John W. Graham, Chief Administrative Officer, Jefferson Washington Township Hospital.

Tabernacle Fire Co. Receives Grant from SJ Gas

TABERNACLE, NJ (February 18, 2020)—-South Jersey Gas recently presented a $4,681 grant to Tabernacle Fire Company No. 1 as part of its First Responders Grant Program. Pictured, from left, is Lauren Hurtt, Supervisor of Government Affairs with South Jersey Gas presenting the check to Kate Holden, Al Freeman and Chief Andy Cunard of Tabernacle Fire Company No. 1.

The grant funds, awarded in late-2019, were used by the fire company to purchase a thermal imaging camera and two gas detection meters.

“Our First Responders Grant Program provides crucial financial assistance to support operations, improve safety and provide training to departments throughout the South Jersey region,” said Dave Robbins, president of South Jersey Gas. “Through this investment, South Jersey Gas can help hardworking, courageous first responders and express gratitude for the work they do each day to ensure our communities remain safe. We are proud to partner with Tabernacle Fire Company No. 1 and commend them for their efforts.”

The thermal imaging camera and gas detection meters are vital safety tools that will aid the fire company in various situations. Thermal imaging cameras greatly enhance search and rescue capabilities in zero visibility environments, and gas detection meters gauge the levels of various types of gas, alerting the crew to atmospheric hazards so they can react accordingly.

The First Responder Grant Program will be offered again in November 2020. Program information and eligibility guidelines are available at southjerseygas.com/community.

Moms and Daughters Weekend of Connection at Appel Farm

Elmer, New Jersey – Appel Farm Arts and Music Campus will create a weekend packed with intentional opportunities for connection at this year’s Mother Daughter Art Retreat March 13-15, 2020.

Mother Daughter Art Retreat is an opportunity to laugh, listen, and create while participating in movement, writing, and visual arts workshops that explore the concept of dreams. Mother Daughter Art Retreat creates a supportive and safe environment that fosters community and personal growth for participants as they enjoy time for intentional and meaningful connection and communication.

Moms get to hear about their daughter’s hopes and dreams for the future. Daughters will discover that mom is not only “mom” but a woman just like them, with her own dreams and aspirations.

“This retreat is not only for mothers and daughters. We’ve had grandmothers and grandchildren, aunts and nieces, and everything in between. This retreat is a special place to connect and create,” said Arts Integration and STEAM Education Director, Kristina Hill.

Attendees will spend the weekend sleeping in a cozy, dorm-style bunk and enjoy delicious meals in a spacious dining hall overlooking the Appel Farm organic garden. Moms and daughters will make new friends while getting to know other women in workshops, campfires and even an afternoon wine tasting for moms!

The retreat costs $260 for a pair of participants. This includes 2 nights of overnight accommodations, 5 meals, all workshops and materials, s’mores, snacks, and the afternoon wine tasting for moms. Additional family members are $120 per person.

Mother Daughter Workshops:

Imagine learning some American Sign Language, taught by a mother-daughter duo? Sip some wine during a wine and painting pairing. Try your hand at a sketch journaling class. And that’s just a few of the workshops for this year’s Mother Daughter Art Retreat, with more to come! The ASL Workshop is going to be so special, taught by Hands Up Silent Theatre‘s Kristy Whilden and her daughter! Appel Farm teaching Artist Zoungy will offer a sketch journaling class early on Saturday to encourage attendees to sketch throughout the weekend, and he’s also teaching a painting lesson!

To learn more and register for Mother Daughter Art Retreat, visit

appelfarm.org/mother-daughter-art-retreat

. Contact Kristina Hill with any questions at

khill@appelfarm.org

or 856-358-2472.

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.