Miss America Camille Schier to Partake in Tournament of Roses Parade

Pasadena, California–For the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California,

newly crowned Miss America Camille Schier will throw the parade-ending football. She will join famous names and acts such as Rita Moreno, Gina Torres, and Laurie Hernandez, who were all announced as the 2020 Grand Marshals. They will ride in the 131st Rose Parade® presented by Honda, themed “The Power of Hope” and join in the pre-game celebration of the 106th Rose Bowl Game® presented by Northwestern Mutual. For more information about the Tournament of Roses, click

here.

Please note: Camille Schrier will be available for press interviews and/or other media efforts surrounding the event. For more information on Camille and the Miss America Organization, click

here.

To schedule an interview with Camille Schrier, please contact

info@missamerica.org

PATCO OFFERING FREE RIDES NEW YEAR\’S EVE

Free fares will begin at 8 p.m. on December 31

and run through 4 a.m. on January 1.

PATCO will offer free train rides for New Year’s Eve for the fourth year in a row. The free rides are aimed at offering a responsible, convenient travel option for those who wish to enjoy New Year’s Eve festivities.

The free rides will begin at 8 p.m. on December 31, 2019 and run through 4 a.m. on January 1, 2020. During those hours, station fare gates will be open to allow free passage. If a rider boards right before 4 a.m. and reaches their destination station after 4 a.m. when the fare gates close, they are asked to pick up the red phone located at the fare gates and a Customer Service Agent will open a gate to allow exit.

PATCO will operate a special holiday schedule on New Year’s Eve with 6-car trains running every 15 minutes from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. and every 30 minutes from 11:30 p.m. to 3 a.m.

PATCO thanks all of its customers and the community for the last 50 years and wishes everyone a healthy, safe and prosperous New Year!

Trains will operate on a special schedule on New Year\’s Eve & New Year\’s Day:

Tuesday, 12/31 | Eastbound & Westbound | New Year\’s Eve | All Day

Wednesday, 1/1 | Eastbound & Westbound | New Year\’s Day| All Day

New Year\’s Eve Entertainment in New Jersey

Sahara Sam’s Water Park offers a New Year’s Eve

Midnight at the Oasis

party from 7:00 until 12:30. The park’s water attractions will be open, as well as games, limbo and a Foam Party. Sahara Sam’s also provides food, party goods and a champagne/apple cider toast, all for $68.99. Kids under 2 go for free!

The Adventure Aquarium in Camden

The Adventure Aquarium in Camden’s New Year’s Splash begins at 10:00 a.m. and ends at 6:00 p.m. The day includes a DJ dance party, visiting the residents (fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals), a beautiful fireworks display over the Delaware River, and more. Prices start at $21.99 for children and $29.99 for adults. See

Adventure Aquarium

for more.

Ocean City’s First Night

Ocean City offers a First Night celebration with rides at Gillian’s Wonderland Pier and fireworks. The 60+ entertainment programs include magicians, puppeteers, Broadway shows, ice skating, games, music, a mentalist, comedy, dancing, inflatables, and skateboarding! The event promises tons of fun for adults and children alike, and there’s jitney service to transport everyone between locations. Buttons are $20 for

First Night Ocean City

10th Annual New Year’s Eve Fireworks In New Brunswick

For the tenth year in a row, the town of New Brunswick will be the site of

a spectacular fireworks display at midnight.

Ring in The New Year with a bang and also check out some of New Brunswick’s best bars and restaurants, all in walking distance. From 11:30PM-12:30AM at Monument Square Park on George Street & Livingston Avenue.

Family Overnight On Battleship New Jersey For New Year’s Eve

Military buffs and those looking for a unique experience will enjoy dinner and breakfast served at the chow line, a guided tour of the Battleship, a ride in the Flight Simulator, and trying out a bunk bed where the crew of the USS New Jersey slept. You can also pull the trigger of an historic 5-inch gun. The

New Year’s Family Overnight

is $79 per person.

STRYKE New Year’s Eve

STRYXE in Madison offers 3 hours of unlimited bowling, signature and specialty food items, and unlimited soft drinks. There’s even champagne for guests over 21! You can reserve lanes from 5:30 p.m. -12:30 a.m. ($345/lane or $295/lane) at 6 guests per lane. The event sells out every year, so make sure to reserve soon at

STRYXE

Statue Of Liberty Fireworks, Courtesy of Spirit of New Jersey

Spirit Cruises of New Jersey’s New Year’s Dinner Cruise

Celebrate the start of 2020 from the water, with fireworks over the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty.

Spirit Cruises of New Jersey

’s luxury New Year’s Eve cruise offers a dinner buffet, an open bar, and a DJ. Board the ship at 9:30 p.m. in Lincoln Harbor, NJ and cruise from 10:00 p.m. till 1:00 a.m. Packages start at $309 per person.

iPlay America in Freehold

Photo Courtesy of iPlay

iPlay America

is a game- and ride-filled destination that will keep your whole family entertained. They offer an Unlimited Ride Pass, $10 game card, party favors, a DJ and light show, prizes, laser tag, mini-bowling, child and adult rope courses, and more! You can even watch the ball drop on one of their 5 monitors. Entry is $39.99 per person in advance, and $49.99 per person at the door.

Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson

Six Flags Great Adventure Fireworks, Photo Courtesy Of Six Flags Great Adventure

Six Flags Great Adventure’s

Holiday in the Park

makes for the perfect daredevil’s New Year’s Eve. You and your kids can ride Nitro, Batman: The Ride, or Superman: Ultimate Flight, and then warm up with s’mores and hot chocolate. The park opens at 1:00 p.m. and closes after the 9:00 p.m. fireworks at A Main Street Christmas. General tickets are $24.99.

Ice At The Pier New Year’s Eve at Pier Village In Long Branch

If you’re in the mood to gracefully glide a figure-eight, head to Long Branch. Ice skate by the beach in festive Pier Village from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.! The shops and restaurants will be open and a magnificent fireworks show begins at 9:00 p.m. For more information, visit

Ice At The Pier

The price is $10 for children under 12 and $14 for adults. Skate rentals are $4.

source

NJ NEXT

Recording Artist CC Miles Named Youth Ambassador for Food Bank of South Jersey

PENNSAUKEN, NEW JERSEY – With a focus on increasing awareness of the impact of food insecurity and the importance of healthy eating in the youth community of South Jersey, the Food Bank of South Jersey announces recording artist CC Miles, 18, will serve as Youth Ambassador 2020.

Recording artist CC Miles

As Youth Ambassador 2020 for the Food Bank, Miles will bring the message of food insecurity and hunger awareness to regional schools, communities and organizations, as well as work directly with the Food Bank of South Jersey’s Health & Wellness and Community Engagement & Impact teams to distribute information and resources to support healthy eating, nutrition awareness and an understanding of the many faces of food insecurity in South Jersey communities today.

“I am honored to support the Food Bank of South Jersey’s mission to spread food insecurity awareness and health and wellness strategies and eating habits to young people throughout South Jersey,” CC Miles shares. “Nutrition is a very important topic for me, personally, and I can see no better way to share my enthusiasm for healthy eating and proper nutrition while, at the same time, assist young people in South Jersey in understanding the disaster of everyday hunger that impacts so many children, families and entire communities.”

Currently, in Camden County alone, there are 17,200 food-insecure children, 24% of whom are currently ineligible for federal nutrition programs, and 76% of whom are currently income-eligible for nutrition programs – at least, as of today.

Overall in Camden County alone, the total food-insecure population is over 60,000. Food insecure populations in Burlington, Gloucester and Salem counties are equally sobering. Burlington County currently has 41,680 food-insecure residents, of which 10,960 are food-insecure children. Gloucester County holds 8,180 food-insecure children in a total food-insecure population of 26,860 individuals. Suffering the impact of rural hunger, the less populated farmlands of Salem County shows 8,080 food-insecure individuals, of which 2,550 are children – all of which may live more than 10 miles from the nearest grocery store.

“We are delighted to appoint CC Miles our Youth Ambassador for 2020,” reports Fred Wasiak, CEO, Food Bank of South Jersey. “The message of food insecurity and its impact on children throughout our region is a vital point of understanding for today’s youths – awareness can, and will, create power and change in the effort to end hunger in South Jersey.”

ABOUT CC MILES

Recording artist and songwriter CC Miles has released three albums in less than five years, with her most recent album,

Almost

, released in August 2018. Popular on iTunes, Apple Music and Spotify, CC engages her growing

Instagram

and

YouTube

followers with new releases and original music between touring the country performing live in Nashville, New York, throughout the United States and internationally, including performances in Italy. Whether on stage, on tape, or on-screen, 18-year-old recording artist CC Miles invites everyone into her world. By way of candid lyrics, genuine charm, and undeniable charisma, the singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist imparts a storytelling sensibility on impassioned and irresistible pop. Driven by her voice as a writer and augmented by personal instrumental prowess, she shines through each side of every song. At first listen, you might just feel like you know her. CC Miles was born and raised in Medford Lakes, New Jersey. For more information, visit

www.ccmiles.com

ABOUT FOOD BANK OF SOUTH JERSEY

Marking its 35th year in 2020, the Food Bank of South Jersey (FBSJ) is the leader in providing safe and nutritional food to people in need throughout South Jersey. FBSJ distributes food, provides nutrition education and cooking courses, and helps food-insecure families and seniors find sustainable ways to improve their lives. Throughout 2019, FBSJ distributed 14 million pounds of food, including 75,000 after school snacks, over 200,000 summer meals and more than 15,000 senior food boxes, as well as serving 95 health and wellness programs to more than 6,000 residents. Providing community impact through local support, FBSJ ensures that local donations stay local. FBSJ is a member of Feeding America, our nation’s largest hunger-relief organization. To learn more, visit

www.foodbanksj.org

Mike and Peaches Luken, Just One of the Many Reasons Ocean City is America\’s Greatest Family Resort

After 30 years, Mike and Peaches Lukens are wrapping up what is expected to be their last Community Christmas Dinner.

By TIM KELLY/

Somers Point News

OCEAN CITY, NJ–Ocean City Councilman Keith Hartzell, a longtime volunteer and benefactor to Wednesday’s Community Christmas Dinner in Ocean City, took a moment to consider the event organizers, Mike and Peaches Lukens.

The couple conceived the event in 1989, organized it and executed it every year since.

“They are the heart and soul of what it means to call Ocean City ‘America’s Greatest Family Resort,’” Hartzell said. “We’re a beach resort in the summer. In the other nine months, we’re a Norman Rockwell painting. We’re Mayberry. We’re small town America coming together as a community. Nothing says it better than this event.”

Peaches and Mike, who started the event by serving approximately 150 people at the old Ocean City Youth Center, have seen their idea grow into one of the town’s most beloved events. For more than 20 years now, it has taken place at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church.

“We will serve more than 800 meals today,” Mike Lukens said of the event, which ran from noon to 3 p.m. Christmas Day. “We were prepared to serve 1,200. We served more than 500 dinners in the first hour alone.”

He and his wife announced earlier in the year that this would be their last at the helm of the event. The couple relocated to Cape May, and found it more difficult to accomplish the many details of the dinner from a long distance.

Mike did leave some wiggle room, though. “Maybe someone will rope us into it one more year,” he said with a laugh, and added, “We will be involved in some way. It just won’t be the same.”

No, it won’t. Mike and Peaches and Jennifer Bowman, who handles much of the marketing side of the dinner, were in search of sponsorship to take over the financial cost of the dinner, possibly in exchange for the sponsor’s name on the event.

Enjoying the community dinner are (clockwise from bottom left) Connie Henry, Bill Henry, Jim Kelly, Donna Kelly, Rob Kelly, Shannon Kelly, Mason Henry and Jordan Henry.

They were also considering crowdfunding as an option to help keep the tradition intact.

Last week, after reading of the event’s situation in an OCNJDaily.com article, Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian personally donated a new commercial grade refrigerator to the church after learning the old one needed to be replaced right away.

Individual and group donations poured in after the story, raising most of the funds needed to pay for this year’s dinner and its staging.

Bowman was quick to point out that while the dinner has fed thousands of people in need over the years, it is not designed for that purpose alone.

“Mike and Peaches wanted a nice, free, fun event for people who had nowhere else to go. Or people who have family elsewhere and can’t get away.”

Peaches Lukens serves beverages at the holiday dinner at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church.

Hartzell, who has donated beverages for the dinner for years, said he was a good example. A traveling sales executive, he said Christmas “is one day where I can relax and my phone won’t ring. I live in the neighborhood and I can walk here. I’m able to volunteer and help.”

“But I’m also able to enjoy it, have a great meal and take some food home,” Hartzell continued.

Throughout the dining area, individuals, couples, families and larger groups were seen interacting and enjoying each other’s company and a great holiday meal.

“This is a fantastic thing for the community,” said “Lenny B,” a DJ and karaoke singer who kept the Christmas music flowing. “I’m here every year, and I’m happy to be a part of it.”

In addition to food and music, candy, toys and toiletries were handed out to those in need. People needing rides were transported to and from the event, and shut-ins were the recipients of donated and delivered meals.

Hartzell summed up the Christmas and community spirit that permeates the dinner year in and year out.

“Ocean City was founded by God-fearing people,” he said. “Today’s event shows once again that we are still a God-fearing community.”

DJ and karaoke master “Lenny B” provides the entertainment.

The Sixth Most Charitable State is Pennsylvania

By Dave Fidlin |

The Center Square

Pennsylvanians are more likely to help their neighbors, stick with a volunteer activity and partake in fundraising compared to most other areas of the country, according to a recent

study.

Researchers with personal finance website WalletHub recently combed through various data for the study, “

2019’s Most Charitable States

.” Pennsylvania ranked sixth of the 50 states.

Charitable giving, naturally, is a front-and-center topic amid the holidays. WalletHub asked a number of academics and experts to weigh in on this topic in a broad sense.

Femida Handy, professor and director of the University of Pennsylvania’s social welfare program, offered her insight and views on a number of topics, including the percentage of income households should donate to charity.

“All households, with incomes above the median income, should donate, and they should donate anywhere from 2 to 6 percent of their incomes,” Handy said.

According to WalletHub, study data was analyzed into two overarching categories – the first being volunteering and service, the other under the overarching umbrella of charitable giving. Pennsylvania ranked No. 12 in the first category, and No. 11 in the second one.

However, more granular analyses within both categories were weighted differently, which pushed Pennsylvania into its single-digit position within WalletHub’s analysis.

A look at states’ numbers of volunteer hours per capita carried 12.5 points, for instance, while a metric on the number of charities per capita carried 2.78 points. All told, Pennsylvania notched 65.88 points in both categories.

WalletHub financial writer Adam McCann said multiple sources were considered for the analysis, with data gleaned from such organizations as the Corporation for National and Community Service, Charity Navigator, Gallup and U.S. Census Bureau.

Pennsylvania landed in the top 10 in five metrics. The state tied for No. 1 in the metric of state regulations deemed friendly to charities.

According to the report, 43.61 percent of Pennsylvanians engage in fundraising or sell items to raise money for a specific cause. The statistic landed the state in No. 4 for the individual metric.

Pennsylvania also landed in the top 20 percent of all states in the nation using Google to search for charities (No. 6 ranking). Data also revealed 58.9 percent of the state’s population reported doing favors for neighbors, resulting in a No. 8 ranking in the metric.

Additionally, the state was singled out for having a higher than average volunteer retention rate. Data suggested 69 percent of Pennsylvanians stick with a charity after pledging to volunteer time and money to the cause.

On the other end of the spectrum, Pennsylvania fell into the bottom 10 of all states in one specific metric: share of income donated. According to WalletHub, Pennsylvanians on average donate 1.12 percent of their income – a statistic that landed the state at No. 40.

Neighboring states had across-the-board overall ranks in the analysis. Maryland ranked No. 3, Ohio was No. 5, New York was No. 19, New Jersey was No 29 and West Virginia was No. 42.

The most charitable state, according to WalletHub, is Minnesota, while the least charitable is Arizona.

published here with permission of The Center Square

DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation hosts First Day Hikes across Delaware

DOVER (Dec. 27, 2019) – New Year’s Day is a great time to kick the 2020s off on the right foot with one of 18 First Day Hikes hosted by DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation. First Day Hikes is a national movement sponsored by America’s State Parks to encourage the celebration of fitness in the nation’s great outdoors.

There’s no need to register for any of the hikes listed below; just show up prepared to walk! Items hikers may want to bring along include comfortable hiking/walking shoes, a camera, a bottle of water, appropriate layers for the weather, a hat, sunglasses, a backpack, and snacks. Some hikes may require water-resistant shoes, or have age or pet restrictions. Not all hikes are suitable for strollers.

Check out one of the following hikes to celebrate the New Year at a Delaware State Park.

10 a.m. – Alapocas Run State Park, Wilmington – 2 to 3 miles – Easy/Moderate

Meet at Blue Ball Barn. Leashed, well-behaved dogs welcome.

10 a.m. – Fort Dupont State Park, Delaware City – 1.1 miles – Easy

Meet at the parking lot closest to the river, at the end of Wilmington Avenue/Old Battery Lane.

10 a.m. – Trap Pond State Park, Laurel – 2 miles – Easy

Meet at Baldcypress Nature Center.

11 a.m. – Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes – 1.5 miles – Moderate

Park in the Point Comfort Station Parking lot and walk north to the Point parking lot. Minimum age: 7 years old with an adult.

12:30 p.m. – Brandywine Zoo, Wilmington – 1/4 mile – Easy

Meet at the gift shop.

12:30 p.m. – Fort Miles Museum and Historical Area, Lewes – 1.7 miles – Easy

Meet at Fort Miles Parking Lot. Minimum age: 7 years old with an adult

1 p.m. – Bellevue State Park, Wilmington – 1.5 to 3 miles – Easy

Meet at Bellevue Arts Center. This hike is for all ages and is stroller friendly.

1 p.m.

–

First State Heritage Park, Dover – 1/4 mile – Easy

Meet at the John Bell House.

1 p.m. – Holts Landing State Park, Bethany Beach – 1.7 miles – Easy

Meet at Holts Landing Picnic Pavilion

1 p.m. – Killens Pond State Park, Felton – 1 to 3 miles – Varying Difficulty

Meet at the Nature Center.

1 p.m. – Lums Pond State Park, Bear– 2.5 miles – Easy/Moderate

Meet at Area 1 Pavilion/. Pets are permitted but must be on a 6-foot leash.

1 p.m. – Auburn Valley State Park, Yorklyn – 1.1 miles – Moderate

Meet at 1516 Snuff Mill Road Trail lot.

1 p.m. – Brandywine Creek State Park, Wilmington – 2-2.5 miles – Moderate

Meet at the Nature Center.

1 p.m. – White Clay Creek State Park, Newark – 1 to 2.5 miles – Multiple Difficulties

1.3 miles – Moderate – Millstone Pond Trail. Meet at Carpenter Recreation Area.

2 miles – Moderate/Difficult – Arc Corner Monument Loop. Meet at Nature Center.

2 miles – Moderate – PennDel/Pomeroy Trail. Meet at Nature Center

2.5 miles – Moderate/Difficult – Twin Valley Trail. Meet at Carpenter Recreation Area.

3:30 p.m. – Auburn Valley State Park – Easy – 1 mile

Meet at the Paper Mill Parking Lot on Benge Road.

For more information about the Delaware State Parks First Day Hikes and to see maps of the park trails beforehand, go to

https://destateparks.com/firstday

or call 302-739-9220.

Holiday Events in SOUTH JERSEY

Adventure Aquarium\’s Christmas Celebration

Through December 30

1 Riverside Dr, Camden, NJ

A unique experience you can’t miss! Visitors can experience Scuba Santa and his elf swim alongside the Aquarium’s habitants while enjoying the twinkling lights, glowing trees, and falling snow of the Aquarium. AAA Members can save on Adventure Aquarium tickets.

LEARN MORE

New Year’s Fireworks from the Battleship @ Battleship New Jersey

December 31 • 4PM – 12:30AM

The annual tradition continues! Ring in the New Year with fireworks aboard the Battleship New Jersey. Music, concessions, and cash bar service will be available for both showtimes – 6pm and 10pm. Tickets required.

Purchase tickets here

Additionally, families can spend the night on the ship on December 31, with breakfast the next morning.

Purchase tickets for the overnight event here.

Smithville Holiday Light Show On The Lake

Thursday – Sunday until January 5 • Dark until 8PM

Historical Smithville 615 E. Moss Mill Rd., Smithville, NJ 08205

In addition to exploring a variety of shops, families can explore over 120 Christmas trees magically floating on the lake while listening to orchestrated lights and music.

LEARN MORE

WinterFest Ice Skating at Cooper River

Thursdays – Sundays through February 17

Cooper River Park, Cherry Hill

Tasty treats, outdoor games, a heated tent with arcade games, an all-around family fun – visit Cooper River Park to experience this and more!

LEARN MORE

(Video) Philly Team Mascots Surprise and Spread Cheer To Holiday Travelers

New Video Features Philly’s Favorite Friends Welcoming Travelers At Philadelphia International Airport

To inspire people to give the gift of memory-making, share-worthy Philadelphia experiences, VISIT PHILADELPHIA® released the “Gift of Philly,” a video featuring the city’s five professional mascots—Phillie Phanatic (Phillies), Gritty (Flyers), Swoop (Eagles), Franklin (Sixers) and Phang (Union)—collecting and gifting iconic Philly treats to unsuspecting travelers at Philadelphia International Airport.

The two-minute, 15-second video begins by showing the mascots gathering holiday goods at popular locations all over the city: Gritty secures a tree from Rittenhouse Square, Swoop grabs hot chocolate from Franklin Square, Franklin gets baked goods from Termini Brothers Bakery, the Phillie Phanatic borrows lights from the Miracle on South 13th Street and Phang sets the mood with music from The Wanamaker Organ at Macy’s. All of this activity was in preparation for a surprise-and-delight moment at the Philadelphia International Airport, taking place on December 11 at Terminal D baggage claim.

“The Philadelphia region is full of fun and festive holiday traditions,” said Jeff Guaracino, president & CEO, VISIT PHILADELPHIA. “We hope our video motivates locals and potential visitors to enjoy these magical experiences and gift them to themselves and others this holiday season and well beyond.”

“Gift of Philly” can be seen on VISIT PHILADELPHIA’s Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn accounts and on visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com. It was directed and produced by VISIT PHILADELPHIA and ChatterBlast Media and filmed by VISIT PHILADELPHIA, Dave Tavani and Keystone Pictures.

VISIT PHILADELPHIA is our name and our mission. As the region’s official tourism marketing agency, we build Greater Philadelphia’s image, drive visitation and boost the economy.

On Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website and blog, visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com, visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets.

Richard Thompson: Solo Acoustic

Presented by the Camden County Board of Freeholders in association with BRE and the Borough of Collingswood, the Scottish Rite Auditorium welcomes Richard Thompson: Solo Acoustic on

Sunday, January 26th, 2020.

Doors open at 6 PM, showtime at 7 PM.

Tickets go on sale October 11th

Tickets are $69, $59 and $39

Tickets Available from:

www.ticketmaster.com

Camden County Store at Voorhees Town Center  (Echelon Mall)

1 Echelon Road, Voorhees, NJ 08043

(856) 566- 2920

Scottish Rite Auditorium

315 White Horse Pike, Collingswood, NJ, 08108, United States

Sunday, Jan 26th, 2020 @ 7:00 pm