Yanick gets 100th hit as Raptors win fourth straight

COLLEGE

VILLE,

Penn.

(

March

, 2020) –

The

Rutgers University-Camden baseball team received strong pitching, a milestone performance and broke open a tie game with a five-run seventh inning on the way to an 8-2 victory here Monday at Ursinus College.

The win was the third in two days for the Scarlet Raptors, who swept a doubleheader from Oneonta Sunday, have now won four straight games and stand at 4-1 overall.

It was the season opener for Ursinus.

The Scarlet Raptors had heroes up and down the lineup, beginning with starting pitcher

Ethan Pritchett,

a junior transfer who was making his second appearance at Rutgers-Camden and his first start. Pritchett hurled five innings of two-hit shutout ball, walking four and striking out nine batters.

Sophomore pitcher

Stephen Brady

picked up the win for his first career decision at Rutgers-Camden. He worked three innings, allowing two hits and one earned run, while striking out three.

The Scarlet Raptors broke a scoreless deadlock in the fourth inning when sophomore designated hitter

Brett Yurgin

hit a leadoff home run to left field.

It was his second home run of the season.

The Bears tied the game in the sixth off Brady, aided by a leadoff triple from senior right fielder Alex Mumme. He scored on an infield error.

Rutgers-Camden unleashed its potent attack in the top of the seventh inning, sparked by a leadoff single from senior catcher

Thomas Gosse.

Gosse stole second and freshman shortstop

Danny Vazquez

was hit by a pitch. Junior center fielder

Billy Eisler

dropped down a sacrifice bunt and, one out later, Yurgin was intentionally walked, loading the bases for dangerous cleanup hitter

R.J. Concepcion.

The junior left fielder ripped a tie-breaking two-run single to left.

Senior first baseman

Matt Yanick

followed by etching his name in program history. Yanick unloaded a three-run home run to left-center field for his 100th career hit. He became the 37th player in program history to reach the century mark

. Ten of those hits are home runs, tying for sixth on the program’s career list with Connor Hall (2012-15). Yanick

will soon have more company

in the 100-hit club,

with Concepcion

on the verge of that milestone

. Concepcion, who went 3-for-4 with one run and two RBIs on the day, pushed his career high total to 96.

The Raptors added their final two runs in the eighth inning after a walk to Gosse and an error on a grounder by Vazquez. One out later, sophomore third baseman

Jesse Gerdes

delivered a two-run double to center.

Ursinus collected its final run in the ninth when Eisler came on to make his first collegiate pitching appearance. He worked one inning, allowing one hit and one earned run.

In addition to three hits by Concepcion, Gosse went 2-for-3. Gosse, Vazquez and Yurgin all scored two runs. Yanick’s three RBIs led the way in that category, while Gerdes and Concepcion had two apiece.

Pelosi & Murphy\’s Political Event Raises $1.75 Million for Congressman Norcross

Nikita Biryukov

February 29 2020

4:06 pm

A fundraiser for Rep. Donald Norcross headlined by U.S. Senator Cory Booker, Gov.

Phil Murphy

, former Gov. Jim Florio and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi brought in roughly $1.75 million, according to a campaign staff source.

The $2,800-a-head event was followed by a rally featuring the big-ticket Democrats.

“When I need help on the other side of the capitol for raising the minimum wage, for protecting retirement security, for making sure that working conditions are not so perverse that sexual harassment reigns in the workplace like we see in corporations like the McDonald’s, the champion of workers’ rights in the House that I turn to is Donald Norcross.” Booker said.

President Donald Trump’s name frequently came up during the rally, which lasted for roughly an hour.

Booker, Norcross and Murphy each attacked Trump and members of his administration, with Booker lending specific focus to Attorney General William Barr and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.

“Nothing compares to this. When we say god bless America, what are we talking about in America? we’re talking about America, our constitution, our rights, our liberties, our republic, our separation of power,” Pelosi told the crowd of about 900. “They are dishonoring our constitution.”

Read the full article here

EPA Exhibit at 2020 Philadelphia Flower Show

Highlights the American Riviera

PHILADELPHIA

— This year’s Philadelphia Flower Show showcases the

Riviera Holiday

and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) exhibit,

called “American Riviera,” is no exception. The exhibit shows the wonderful aquatic treasures of the Mid-Atlantic region and educates guests on the human health benefits provided by wetlands, streams, and rivers.

“Riparian areas are an extremely important component of healthy watersheds and ecological function,” said EPA Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio. “The establishment, enhancement and protection of riparian areas can promote clean and healthy water, while serving as a sustainable landscaping practice.”

EPA’s flower show team, along with other exhibitors, are setting up the exhibit this week at the Philadelphia Convention Center, 1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia where the flower show runs February 29 through March 8.

EPA’s exhibit will showcase a variety of native plants of the Mid-Atlantic region. Some of the environmental benefits of these native plants include: better adapted to local weather conditions; little to no need for pesticides, fertilizers, or supplemental watering; less maintenance; help to restore natural habitats; and provide buffers for aquatic resources to naturally manage stormwater – all of which can directly improve water quality.

Exhibit volunteers will engage with the public on the connection between healthy aquatic resources and drinking water, as well as provide visitors with information on the benefits of using native plants, sustainable landscaping, and stormwater management practices to instill positive ways of protecting our water. To learn more about these topics, visit EPA’s websites:

■

https://www.epa.gov/soakuptherain

■

https://www.epa.gov/wetlands/why-are-wetlands-important

For more information on the flower show, visit:

https://theflowershow.com/

First Grantees of New $1 Million Camden City Community Grant Program Announced

CAMDEN CITY, NJ (March 1, 2020)–Early last month, George E. Norcross, III, Chairman of Cooper University Health Care, announced that 29 Camden City based non-profit community organizations received grant awards from the first ever Camden City Community Grant Program.

Each organization was awarded a $5,000 grant to fund a significant community building activity and support vital programs and services.

Congratulations to these extraordinary Camden organizations:

Boys & Girls Club of Camden County

Boys of Sustainable Strength

Camden Day Nursery

Camden FireWorks

Cathedral Kitchen

Center for Aquatic Sciences

Center for Environmental Transformation

Cooper-Grant Neighborhood Association

Home Port Alliance for USS New Jersey

Hope Community Outreach Services, Inc.

Hopeworks Camden

I Dare to Care

Joseph’s House

Camden Dream Center Technology Training School

Lanning Square West Residents Association

Mighty Writers

Morgan Village Circle CDC

National Stop the Violence Alliance

Nazarene Community Development Foundation

Puerto Rican Unity for Progress

Saint Joseph’s Carpenter Society

South Camden Theatre Company

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

The Heart of Camden

The Hispanic Family Center of Southern NJ

The Salvation Army – Camden Kroc Center

VietLead

Volunteers of America

Your Education Consultants & Services

Click here

to read more about the 29 programs and projects supported by the Camden City Community Grant Program.

Girls in Scout Troop 51023 have Big Hearts

VINELAND, NJ–They may be small in size, but the four girls in Girl Scout Troop 51023 proved that their hearts are big. At Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden’s office in Vineland, these young helpers fastidiously filled backpacks with collected donated items to be given to the homeless in Cumberland County as part of the annual Point-in-Time Count.

Each year, Catholic Charities staff joins other agencies to participate in the statewide count, which takes place during the last 10 days of January and identifies people who are residing in emergency shelters, transitional housing programs, safe havens and living on the streets or other locations. This year, as Catholic Charities’ case managers and volunteers collect critical data about homeless populations in order to better their services, they will also be able to distribute backpacks filled with donations and packed with love.

\’I am my brother’s and my sister’s keeper\’

Steven B. Brooks

FEB 2020

Topsham, Maine–

There have been times when those participating in Corey E. Garver American Legion Post 202’s Winter Classic in Topsham, Maine, have slid on ice trying to run to first base, broken through a crusty layer of snow running down a fly ball, or even disappeared into a fluffy, four-foot pile of the white stuff attempting to dive for a ball in foul territory.

Not ideal conditions for softball, but that doesn’t matter at all to those who have been taking part in the annual fundraiser – some for all six years of its existence. From sub-zero temperatures to snow drifts lining the field adjacent to Post 202, the conditions don’t matter as much as the event’s cause: raising money to help end the veteran homelessness issue in Maine.

The motto for the event, which took place on Feb. 22 this year, is concise and to the point: “We play in the cold so that veterans don’t have to live in the cold.”

“That’s all this is about,” Post 202 Commander Nancy Laffin-Gillespie said. “Yes, we’re having fun. It’s a unique thing playing in the snow. But the reality is people live in the cold. Everybody here knows the reason why they’re here is to keep people out from the cold.”

The idea for the Winter Classic came from former Post 202 Commander Nik Hamlin, who helped save a nearly defunct Post 202 in 2013 and now is a member of American Legion Post 158 in Lisbon to be closer to home. But Hamlin doesn’t like to take credit for a vision that has grown bigger every year.

“I can’t take credit for this event because it’s a community event,” Hamlin said. “I can’t do this without everybody. When it comes to tackling any kind of issues that affect society, it’s going to take the community to do it.”

Laffin-Gillespie said the post is in the right community to make something like the Winter Classic a success. “We are very lucky here in the state of Maine. Our veteran community is amazing,” she said. “We all come out together and try to help in any way we can for any veteran problems.”

Each year the money raised has gone to a local or state program that includes among its mission eradicating veteran homelessness. This year’s funds went to Maine Veterans In Need, a non-profit that consist of members of the Maine American Legion, the Bureau of Maine Veteran Services, the Department of Veterans Affairs and other service organizations.

Teams were asked to donate $200, but many upped that donation. Additional funds raised and donated, along with a raffle and 50-50 drawing, brought this year’s total raised to more than $4,500 – triple what the event raised in 2019.

While Hamlin was pleasantly surprised by the donation total, “I feel if I wasn’t able to (donate that amount) this whole thing would feel hollow,” he said. “To be able to do that … I can see the fruits of my labor. I can see where the money goes. I can see those affected by it. I owe it to the people that come here to donate it to a place that’s a good place to accomplish the mission.”

Post 202 has thrived in part because while embracing traditional American Legion programs, it also takes a unique approach to carrying out its other missions – such as the Winter Classic.

“What we found with this is you can do it in a fun way,” said Department of Maine Commander Matthew Jabaut, a member of Post 202. “Too many times our events are maybe a little too solemn or a little too formal. If you can do a lot of cool, good, serious work in a fun way, it’s able to reach people, and then people really want to get active and engaged and be part of that. And then there’s that good feeling when you leave … and you’re not just having fun to have fun. You’re also doing it for a good cause.”

Laffin-Gillespie transferred to Post 202 around two years ago because of what the post has been able to accomplish over the past six-plus years. “I really like this post has a good grasp on the mission of The American Legion,” she said. \”It has a good grasp on veteran issues that need raised (and) that people need to be educated on. And we make progress in trying to help these problems.”

One of those problems is veteran homelessness, which has dropped considerably in part due to the efforts of Maine Veterans In Need, but still remains an issue in a state with a long, brutal winter season. “Veterans, especially when they’re transitioning, can fall into a lot of holes. I, myself, was a couch surfer for a while when I got out,” Laffin-Gillespie said. “Having a place that’s your home – your own home – means a lot. That’s why it’s important to me that I can help any veteran that I can. If this helps them to get a hotel room for five days just to get them off the street … that’s great.”

Those who participate in the Winter Classic share the same sentiment. Russ Taylor, a longtime member of the Sons of The American Legion and the current SAL Squadron 86 commander, has been a part of four of the six years of the Winter Classic, playing on a team consisting of American Legion Family members from Post 86 in Gray, Maine. Every year Post 86 has fielded a team for the event.

“We’ve never done very well, but we have fun and it’s for a good cause,” Taylor said. “We can go play in the snow for one day (and) a homeless veteran doesn’t have to live in the cold – that’s why we do it.\”

Team Grateful, which plays out of Lovell, Maine, has won the past two Winter Classics. But while the squad celebrated after its most recent championship, that’s not what motivated the squad to drive 90 minutes each way to play at Post 202.

Rich Massey, a member of Team Grateful, has participated in five Winter Classics with his team. “I think the biggest reason I do this is I didn’t serve,” he said. “This is how I try to pay it back: doing stuff like this and contributing any way I can. We love this, and we’ll be back every year.”

The double-elimination tournament started at 10 a.m. and wrapped up at around 5:30 that evening. Music played throughout the day, while those attending could get assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ mobile Vet Center, which was set up outside the post.

Also in Post 202’s parking lot was a trailer converted over to

temporary homeless veteran housing

by Charles E. Sherman Jr. Post 36 Legionnaires Ed Harmon and Arthur Richardson. The Winter Classic gave participants and spectators a chance to check out the trailer, which is intended to be a prototype for a larger future fleet of similar trailers.

Harmon said it’s important to work together to end veteran homelessness. “It’s going to take a team to solve this issue,” he said. “It won’t just be one individual.”

But the Winter Classic started with one person: Hamlin. And it’s a cause that gets him emotional at times. Prior to the start of this year’s tournament, he shared with the participants the story of Navy veteran Russell Wilson, who died this winter in his sleeping bag near railroad tracks in Brunswick.

“We’re here to stop that. We’re here to make that (stuff) never happens again,” Hamlin said, his voice breaking a bit. “Help me make sure that never happens again. It takes a community to save a community.

\”I am my brother’s and my sister’s keeper.”

SOURCE THE AMERICAN LEGION

STATEMENT OF JOSH ROESCH, CAMPAIGN MANAGER FOR AMY KENNEDY, ON MENENDEZ ENDORSEMENT

“It’s ironic that on the day Amy Kennedy lays out her aggressive policy to end corruption in New Jersey’s elections, George Norcross flexes his political muscle to bring in an endorsement for Brigid Harrison. Brigid’s name may be on the ballot, but we all know who’s pulling the strings.

“Make no mistake, rigging endorsements is the Norcross way. He is doing everything in his power to make sure the voters don’t get to choose their own candidate, just like he did for his last favorite candidate, Jeff Van Drew– and look how that turned out for Democrats.

“Brigid Harrison, Jeff Van Drew, George Norcross, and this entire rigged process are a great illustration of why we need to finally end machine politics in New Jersey.”

###

If You Want to Succeed on Instagram, Listen Up

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(March 1, 2020)–Here\’s the problem when it comes to social media marketing. A lot of people are under the impression that they have to just post the right content and everything will be fine.

Well, on an absolute level, this is 100% correct. There is nothing to debate. There is nothing to discuss. This is absolutely spot on.

But there are a lot of details to explore. There are a lot of gaps there.

What content? When do you post these materials? Who do you address this to? How do you position this content? I can go on and on. The list is actually quite long.

While we can talk about basic truisms, like you have to buy Instagram likes or social proof so you can get an organic critical mass going, you have to read between the lines. You have to dig deeper. This requires an overall day to day strategy. Simply buying social proof from places like

buzzvoice.com

isn’t going to be enough.

Now, please understand that this is very different from an overall holistic strategy. I\’m not talking about that. I\’m not talking about your big picture strategy or 30,000 bird\’s eye view perspective.

There\’s a place for that. It\’s absolutely important, but we\’re talking about day to day practical tasks that you need to do every single day for your Instagram marketing account to be successful.

So, what are these daily activities that you need to take care of? Well, first of all, you need to make sure that you use the right hashtags.

Now, how do you know which hashtags to use? Well, it\’s very simple. You mix and match.

You experiment with different hashtags that you lifted from other places. You can reverse engineer your competitors\’ hashtags. Wherever they come from, make sure you experiment and see which hashtags are actually delivering solid value.

How do you know? Well, you can call people to action. You can run little contests. Whatever the case may be, get your followers themselves to supply the hashtags through some sort of feedback so you can see if you are on the right path.

The second thing that you need to do is call people to action in terms of your content. Ask them, \”Is this the kind of content that you want?\” If not, please suggest the right content.

Offer them some sort of incentive. Here\’s the secret: it doesn\’t have to be money.

You have to understand that on the internet, especially on social media, symbolic or purely non-monetary incentives work as well, if not better, than monetary incentives.

You don\’t have to spend one red cent. Just get people to believe that they are getting value. Oftentimes, the perception of value is more important than the actual value. When your fans believe they are getting value, they spread the word about you. This is one of the cheapest and most sustainable ways to

grow your Instagram following

The third thing that you need to do is to constantly pay attention to your competition. This is the great thing about Instagram. Everything is transparent.

So, if you see that your competitors are up to something and they\’re experimenting with different types of postings as well as different types of media and hashtags and descriptions, sit up and pay attention. See if you can copy some of that and improve what you\’re doing.

By sticking to these three daily, highly practical tasks, you will be able to take your account to the next level in terms of reach and effectiveness.

Spend a Night inside Lucy The Elephant

AN ELEPHANT-SIZED HOME ALONG THE JERSEY SHORE NOW LISTED ON AIRBNB

Guests will be transported back in time with a stay inside Lucy the Elephant, one of the last standing pieces of roadside Americana

Margate, New Jersey (February 27, 2020) — Pack your trunk (err, bags)! Three lucky Airbnb guests and their friends will have the chance to stay inside

Lucy the Elephant

, one of the first and only National Historic Landmarks now on Airbnb. A tribute to the golden age of roadside Americana, Lucy was built in 1881 and is older than the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

image courtesy of Wikipedia

Starting on March 5, longtime Lucy fans — or anyone who has had the Jersey Shore on their travel bucket list — can book a stay inside Lucy’s storied walls, which will take place on March 17, 18 or 19. Each of the three one-night overnight stays is priced at $138, to honor the number of years Lucy has served as a New Jersey Shore icon.

Standing a regal six stories high, Lucy calls Margate, New Jersey, home — a tight-knit community that has proven its resilience in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, and that couldn’t be prouder of its unofficial ‘mascot.’ Lucy hosted her first stay in 1902 and over the years, she’s been a tavern and even hosted former United States President Woodrow Wilson.

During the Airbnb stay — which is modeled after what Lucy’s interior would have looked like when she was briefly a summer vacation home in the early 20th century — guests will take a journey through her fascinating history. They will also have the chance to experience the best of what the Jersey Shore has to offer, from delicious meals by top local chefs to scenic ocean views. And Lucy’s human counterpart,

Richard Helfant

, Executive Director of the

Save Lucy Committee

— the organization that restored and preserved Lucy for the past 50 years — will be on hand to share his memories of the majestic structure and offer local tips.

“I’ve been by Lucy’s side for 50 years, and she’s been a part of so many unique moments — together we’ve hosted weddings and now we are hosting on Airbnb — I can’t wait to show guests what Lucy is all about,” says Helfant.

To celebrate this historic stay, Airbnb will make a donation to the Save Lucy Committee, supporting efforts to keep Lucy the Elephant standing “Jersey strong” so new generations can visit for years to come.

If you want to stay inside a piece of history that continues to invigorate the Jersey Shore, you can request to book* this experience. Reservations open March 5 at 12:00 p.m. EST on

airbnb.com/lucy

Maureen D. Auletto, of Audubon Park

Maureen D. Auletto (nee McCormack), on February 28, of Audubon Park, formerly of Gloucester Township. Age 68.

Proceeded in death by Bernard and Gloria (nee Oelenschlager) McCormack. Devoted mother of Danielle Hennessy (John), Renee Auletto (Frank Olsen), and Nicole Auletto. Loving mom mom of Desiree

(Andy), Brittanee, Johnny, Danny, Georgia, and Jaidyn. Great granny of Giani, Lorenzo, Angelo, Drew Keith. Former wife of Daniel Auletto for 38 years. Devoted sister of Bernie McCormack (Micki). Loving aunt of BJ (Nicole), Colleen (Jeff), Sean, and many other nieces and nephews. Lifelong and best friend of Anna Damerau.

There will be a viewing 9am to 11am Tuesday morning at GARDNER FUNERAL HOME, RUNNEMEDE, 126 S. Black Horse Pike, Runnemede, NJ 08078 (856-939-2095).

Entombment New St. Mary’s Mausoleum, Bellmawr.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Maureen’s memory to the Animal Orphanage 419 Cooper Road Voorhees, NJ 08043.