Category: SOUTH JERSEY

Paramus Inspection Station Closed February 26

TRENTON – New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) customers are advised that the Paramus Inspection Station, located at 20 W. Century Road, Paramus, NJ 07652, will be closed on Wednesday, February 26, 2020.

The MVC has been notified by PSE&G that it will be doing electrical work in front of the entrance and exit to the inspection facility that will require closing access points. The electrical work is in connection with a Bergen County bridge refurbishing project that requires PSE&G to relocate its overhead wires and equipment.

The MVC apologizes for any inconvenience.

Alternate inspection stations include:

Wayne

481 Route 46 West

Wayne, NJ 07470

Lodi

8 Mill Street

Lodi, NJ 07644

The MVC reminds customers to always check our website before visiting a local office and to take advantage of driver license renewal and other online services, such as vehicle registration renewals, driver abstract requests, and surcharge and restoration payments.

For more about the ongoing positive changes at the MVC, visit

njmvc.gov

.

Ash Wednesday Services at Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez

will be the main celebrant and homilist at the Ash Wednesday Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Wednesday, February 26, 2020.

Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent for Christians throughout the world. Lent is a 40-day penitential time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving from Ash Wednesday through Holy Thursday in preparation for the Easter celebration.

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

12:05 p.m.

Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Faithful across the Archdiocese will receive blessed ashes on their foreheads, marked in the sign of a cross, reminding them to repent and believe in the Gospel as the 2020 Lenten Season begins. In addition to the celebration of Mass with the distribution of Ashes, there will be Celebrations of the Word of God and the distribution of Ashes in each of the nursing facilities within the parish boundaries on Ash Wednesday.

The Cathedral Parish offers the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation on weekdays beginning at 11:30 a.m. for the Lenten Season in addition to other scheduled times. Alternative dates and times for this Sacrament are available at individual parishes throughout the Archdiocese.

The Bishops of the United States prescribe that all Catholic persons who are fourteen years of age and older should abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all the Fridays of Lent. Further, all persons eighteen years of age and older, up to and including their fifty-ninth birthday, are bound to fast by limiting themselves to a single full meal on Ash Wednesday and on Good Friday, while the other two meals on those days are to be light.

ShopRite of Medford’s Remodeling Project is Finished

Matches Trends for At-Home Meal Prep

The store\’s produce section has been upgraded along with a new catering office,  and the wellness section.

MEDFORD, N.J. – ShopRite of Medford is wrapping up a 6 ½-month major remodel that focused on

matching the store’s features to modern customer needs. Aside from updating equipment, the project reconfigured floor space and doubled size of the kitchen to recognize that many people shop for ready-made foods in addition to pantry staples.

Survey data from Nielsen

captures the trend with two contradictory statistics. In 2018 the data analytics company found that dinner meals are not planned in advance in 3 to 4 households, but also that dinner is prepared at home in 7 to 10 households. In other words,

meals are often tossed together

. That’s the driver behind the demand for grocery stores to stock meal components – both raw and cooked – so busy customers can still enjoy the process and the personalization of cooking at home.

From eight months in the planning stages to another six months of on-site work, ShopRite of Medford’s remodel affected the floor, the ceiling, and nearly every aisle and shelf in between. Management describes it as an intense effort to make ShopRite of Medford very “customer-centric.”

“Some of the aspects of our remodeling project were no-brainers, like installing energy-efficient refrigerated cases and boosting the lighting throughout the store,” said Store Manager Carney Siciliano. “Other pieces required much more thought as we acknowledged how food shopping has changed and how to meet our customers’ expectations.”

Expanded ‘Grab and Go’ Cases:

Several areas of the Deli and Prepared Food sections were overhauled to dedicate more floor space to match the way customers shop. Four new rotisserie ovens are more efficient and expand the store’s capacity to roast whole chickens and other meats to keep up with market demand. Team members will assemble custom sandwiches on the spot. In addition to complete cooked meals, additional cases hold meal components so customers can select a main and sides that will please various palates.

Meals of the Week:

Like a mail-order kit but with customization options, each week ShopRite of Medford showcases two meals consisting of protein + grain + produce. Not only are all the key ingredients available in one place for easy shopping, so are the recipe cards and prep tools such as foil. Customers can select a recipe (or both), swap chicken for fish based on their preferences, and walk into their homes with the prep work done.

Catering Office:

What used to be just a table and chairs tucked next to the deli case is now a bona fide Catering Office connected to the kitchen. The space is quieter and more welcoming, and a result of the strong market growth of customers who seek a little help with their workload.

“Our Catering Department doesn’t just handle large-scale events like bridal showers and office parties,” Siciliano said.  “Catering has evolved to play a role in smaller-scale celebrations; a labor-intensive portion of holiday meal-making; when guests are coming for dinner; or when a guest is expected to contribute to the meal. Our remodeling project really took that trend into account.”

ShopRite of Medford, 208 East Route 70, plans activities throughout March to celebrate the completion of the store’s remodel and as a show of appreciation for their patient and loyal customers. Events will begin with a Grand Re-Opening Celebration on March 1 and continue through March 28 with giveaways, special visitors, a health fair, and several contests.

ShopRite of Medford, 208 East Route 70, is part of the Wakefern Food Corp. cooperative founded in 1946 and based in Keasbey, New Jersey. ShopRite of Medford is the flagship store of the Zallie-Somerset group of stores owned by David and Renee Zallie, which also includes ShopRite of Lawnside and ShopRite of Gibbstown.

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FACE OF DEFENSE: United States’ only Heavy Icebreaker completes Antarctic Treaty Inspections

MCMURDO STATION, Antarctica — The 159 crewmembers onboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) departed McMurdo Station Wednesday after escorting three refuel and resupply vessels and assisting with a five-day inspection of foreign research stations, installations and equipment in Antarctica.

MCMURDO STATION, MCMURDO STATION, ANTARCTICA 02.05.2020 Photo by Senior Chief Petty Officer NyxoLyno Cangemi U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area Subscribe41 The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB-10) is moored Feb. 5, 2020, next to the Maersk Peary in McMurdo, Antarctica. The crew of the 44-year-old icebreaker created a channel in the ice near McMurdo Station as a part of Operation Deep Freeze – the U.S. military’s contribution to the U.S. Antarctic Program, which is managed by the National Science Foundation. U.S. Coast Guard photograph by Senior Chief Petty Officer NyxoLyno Cangemi

The departure marks the Polar Star’s 23rd journey to Antarctica in support of Operation Deep Freeze, an annual joint military service mission to resupply the United States Antarctic stations, in support of the National Science Foundation, the lead agency for the United States Antarctic Program.

The Seattle-based 399-foot, 13,000-ton

Polar Star

created a 23-mile channel through the ice to McMurdo Sound, which enabled the offload of over 19.5 million pounds of dry cargo and 7.6 million gallons of fuel from three logistics vessels. Together these three ships delivered enough fuel and critical supplies to sustain NSF operations throughout the year until Polar Star returns in 2021.

Two scuba divers are lowered to the ice Feb. 1, 2020, from the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB-10) approximately seven miles north of McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Scuba divers from the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army and the Royal Canadian Navy are serving aboard the Polar Star in order to effect emergency repairs if needed to the 44-year-old heavy icebreaker. The crew of the Seattle-based Polar Star is working near Antarctica in support of Operation Deep Freeze 2020, the U.S. military’s contribution to the National Science Foundation-managed U.S. Antarctic Program. U.S. Coast Guard photograph by Senior Chief Petty Officer NyxoLyno Cangemi

The Polar Star also supported a team of U.S. government officials from the U.S. Department of State, National Science Foundation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and U.S. Coast Guard who

conducted a five-day inspection

of foreign research stations, installations, and equipment in Antarctica.

The United States continues to promote Antarctica’s status as a continent reserved for peace and science in accordance with the provisions of the Antarctic Treaty of 1959. The inspection serves to verify compliance with the Antarctic Treaty and its Environmental Protocol, including provisions prohibiting military measures and mining, as well as provisions promoting safe station operation and sound environmental practices.

The team inspected three stations: Mario Zucchelli (Italy), Jang Bogo (South Korea), and Inexpressible Island (China). This was the fifteenth inspection of foreign research stations by the United States in Antarctica, and the first since 2012.

Inspections emphasize that all of Antarctica is accessible to interested countries despite territorial claims and reinforce the importance of compliance with the Antarctic Treaty’s arms control provisions. The United States will present its report on the inspection at the next Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting in Helsinki, Finland, in May 2020.

“I am immensely proud of all the hard work and dedication the men and women of the Polar Star demonstrate each and every day,” said Greg Stanclik, commanding officer of the Polar Star.

“Maintaining and operating a 44-year-old ship in the harshest of environments takes months of planning and preparation, long workdays and missed holidays, birthdays and anniversaries with loved ones. The Polar Star crew truly embodies the ethos of the Antarctic explorers who came before us — courage, sacrifice and devotion.”

Commissioned in 1976, the Polar Star is the United States’ only operational heavy icebreaker, capable of breaking ice up to 21 feet thick. Reserved for Operation Deep Freeze each year, the ship spends the winter breaking ice near Antarctica, and when the mission is complete, returns to dry dock in order to conduct critical maintenance and repairs in preparation for the next Operation Deep Freeze mission.

If a catastrophic event, such as getting stuck in the ice, were to happen to the

Coast Guard Cutter Healy

(WAGB 20) in the Arctic or to the Polar Star near Antarctica, the U.S. Coast Guard is left without a self-rescue capability.

By contrast, Russia currently operates more than 50 icebreakers – several of which are nuclear powered.

The Coast Guard has been the sole provider of the nation’s polar icebreaking capability since 1965, and is seeking to increase its icebreaking fleet with

six new polar security cutters

to ensure continued national presence and access to the Polar Regions.

In April, the

Coast Guard awarded VT Halter Marine Inc.

of Pascagoula, Mississippi, a contract for the design and construction of the Coast Guard’s lead

polar security cutter

, which will also be homeported in Seattle. The contract also includes options for the construction of two additional PSCs.

\”Replacing the Coast Guard\’s icebreaker fleet is paramount,\” said Vice Adm. Linda Fagan, commander of the Coast Guard\’s Pacific Area. \”Our ability to clear a channel and allow for the resupply of the United States\’ Antarctic stations is essential for continued national presence and influence on the continent.\”

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Kirstin Lynch-Walsh Named 2019-2020 Outstanding Educator of the Year

(Sewell, NJ) – New Jersey Thespians, an affiliate of the Educational Theatre Association, have honored Kirstin Lynch-Walsh as the 2019-2020 Outstanding Educator of the Year. Lynch-Walsh is currently the teacher of Speech Arts & Dramatics for the Gloucester County Institute of Technology (GCIT) School of Performing Arts.

New Jersey Thespians honored theatre educators across the state for their commitment to theatre education and the promotion of the fine arts in his or her community. This is the second year that educators have been honored.

“Kirstin is a prime example of a teacher who goes above and beyond for her students and school,” Freeholder Director Robert M. Damminger said. “In addition to teaching and directing the Speech Arts & Dramatics program at GCIT, Kirstin also serves as the Outreach Co-Chair for NJ Thespians, advisor for GCIT’s Thespian Troupe 5480 and founder of ACTing Out.”

ACTing Out is a touring company in which students write and produce shows based upon issues such as domestic violence, racism and mental health awareness. Lynch-Walsh has also been a member of the New Jersey Thespians State Board of Directors for more than 10 years.

Although the official awards ceremony recognized Lynch- Walsh on December 8, 2019, Freeholder Jim Jefferson visited her classroom and presented her with a certificate from the Gloucester County Board of Chosen Freeholder’s recognizing her achievement of receiving The NJ Thespians award.

“It was great to meet Kirstin and see the impact she has made on her students,” Freeholder Jim Jefferson said. “This award is well-deserved and I can tell she not only has a passion for theatre but for creating an environment at school where students can learn and master their craft.”

Kutztown University Women\’s Lacrosse Roster Includes Players from New Jersey

KUTZTOWN, PA (02/21/2020)– Kutztown University will have 22 student-athletes representing its women\’s lacrosse program for the 2020 season.

Read the full season preview.

Every season under third-year head coach Jackie Stezzi, the Kutztown University women\’s lacrosse team has had its win total increase. Now in its third season in the regime, the KU program looks to continue to build upon the success and reach even bigger heights during the 2020 campaign.

The Golden Bears finished the 2019 season with a 7-9 overall record, with five of those victories coming in conference play. The five Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) victories are the second most in a season in KU history. KU looks to match the program record of six league wins this year.

Kutztown opens its regular season Saturday, Feb. 22, at the University of Bridgeport at 1 p.m. The home-opener for KU is slated for Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 4 p.m., against Caldwell University at Keystone Field.

Brittany Dieterle of Somerdale (08083)

Devon Fitzpatrick of Marlton (08053)

Marissa Giancola of Cape May (08204)

Allison Mccormick of West Deptford (08096)

About Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Founded in 1866, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is a proud member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education located on 289 acres nestled in the beautiful East Penn Valley in Berks County, between Reading and Allentown, Pennsylvania. KU is just two hours from New York City; 90 minutes from Philadelphia.

As the region\’s center for excellence in academics, culture and public engagement, KU\’s programs and reputation for quality offer students the opportunity to discover lifelong avenues of learning and discovery. KU students select from more than 100 areas of study within four colleges in a diverse liberal arts academic environment. To complement their studies, KU\’s NCAA Division II athletics program with 21 varsity sports joins the more than 160 student clubs and organizations providing students with a variety of activities for learning and discovery.

*Avalon Spring Dune Grass Planting

AVALON, NJ (February 2020)–Volunteers are needed to help plant dune grass on Saturday, April 18

th

, 2020. Everyone is welcome to participate in this important project.

Volunteers should report to Avalon Community Hall at 30

th

Street and Avalon Avenue, at 8:30 am. A brief demonstration of planting will be given and specially designed utensils for planting the dune grass will be handed out. A light breakfast will be served around 9 am, in Community Hall, prior to the planting.

Please contact Chuck McDonnell at Community Hall, 609-967-3066 or Sue Keen at 609-967-5924, to sign up for the dune grass planting.

In the event of rain, the planting will be postponed until Sunday, April 19

th

, 2020.

Kathleen Coll (nee Gamble), of Blue Anchor, formerly of Bellmawr

Beloved wife of Stephen. Devoted mother of Stephen and the late Timothy. Survived by Alicia McHugh and her children Emma, Olivia and Mia. Loving

Kathleen Coll (nee Gamble) age 63

sister of Charlotte Connuli (Frank), Edward Gamble (Beth) and Maria Gamble. . Daughter of Edward(89)and Charlotte Gamble(87). Dear Aunt of Frankie Connuli, Jaquie Gamble, Billy Stewart, Katie Stewart, Michele Beck, Patty Ann Siligato and Mario Barel. Sister in law of Patty Ann (Jimmy) Lyons and Margaret (Jimmy) Barel.

Kathleen was a loving and dedicated Wife, Mother, and friend. She treasured her family and friends, and embraced every moment spent with them. In addition to being a kind and selfless woman, she had a vivacious personality, a contagious smile, and beauty that radiated from within. She was known for her ease in frequent conversation, and her willingness to help those in need. She enjoyed taking trips to the shore, as well as walks through the woods to enjoy the simplicity of nature.

Kathleen was also a music enthusiast which went hand-in-hand with her love for dancing and the Arts. She was an active member of The Compassionate Friends Network, and proprietor of the Tim’s Light Foundation. Throughout her life she maintained a sweet and simple demeanor that won the trust and hearts of many, who even now are being changed by her witness of constant nurturing, love, and faith. She will always be remembered for the joy she brought to all of those that knew and loved her.

There will be a viewing from 12pm to 1pm on Friday at

GARDNER FUNERAL HOME, RUNNEMEDE.

Funeral Service 1pm at the funeral home.

Interment New St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bellmawr.

Although flowers are welcome, donations may be made to help the family with funeral expenses.

NRA-ILA: Gun Bills Stall in Senate Committee

New Jersey:

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2020

SUPPORT NRA-ILA

It’s a good day in Trenton when nothing happens, and that’s exactly what occurred today.  The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee failed to advance a pair of gun control bills on Monday’s agenda.  A few of the committee members were absent, and those who were there couldn’t agree on the legislation.

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S.120 by Sen. James Holzapfel increases penalties on those who fail to secure firearms from minors resulting in death.  New Jersey already prosecutes negligent storage, however, S.120 increases the penalty in these cases.  This year’s bill at least takes into consideration an objection raised by NRA and ANJRPC in previous hearings, and provides an exception for minors who gain access for self-defense purposes.  However, despite this modest improvement, we have learned that anti-gun groups and lawmakers have huddled, deciding the bill doesn’t go far enough.  We obviously do not have access to forthcoming amendments, so our analysis has been confined to the original bill.

Another bill, S.746 by Sen. Vin Gopal, would prohibit those convicted of “animal cruelty” from purchasing or possessing a firearm.  Clearly, animal abuse is a serious issue and offenders should be prosecuted, and New Jersey already prohibits serious animal abusers from owning firearms.  However, there seemed to be a good deal of confusion about the particulars of the bill, specifically what constitutes “animal cruelty.”  A consensus emerged among committee members and even a couple witnesses that the bill was overly broad, and they are going to re-examine the definition of “animal cruelty.”

Thank you to the NRA members who contacted members of the committee.  Please continue to follow NRA-ILA alerts for updates on these bills and others.

For those wishing to continue to express concerns, please contact the committee members below:

Members of the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee:

Linda Greenstein

(Chair) (D14)

SenGreenstein@njleg.org

Phone: 609-395-9911

Joe Cryan

(Vice Chair) (D20)

SenCryan@njleg.org

Phone: 908-624-0880

Anthony M. Bucco

(R25)

SenBucco@njleg.org

Phone: 973-627-9700

Nia H. Gill

(D34)

SenGill@njleg.org

Phone: 973-509-0388

Declan O\’Scanlon

(D13)

SenOScanlon@njleg.org

Phone: 732-933-1591

Nick Sacco

(D32)

SenSacco

@

njleg.org

Phone: 201-295-0200

Gloucester County Republicans Announce Endorsements

Vigilante predicts electoral success in 2020

MULLICA HILL – Gloucester County Republican Chairwoman Jacci Vigilante announced today the organization has endorsed Rik Mehta for U.S. Senate, Congressman Jeff Van Drew in the Second Congressional District and Claire Gustafson in the First Congressional District.

“In the US Senate race, after a thorough screening process through a Screening Committee, whose recommendations were made to the Executive Committee, Rik Mehta was awarded the Party line,” Jacci Vigilante said. “The thoroughness of our screening process ensured the Executive Committee that Rik Mehta is a conservative Republican with a keen grasp of the issues who is ready to take the fight to Cory Booker.”

Vigilante continued, “Also earning the party’s endorsement for the Second Congressional District is incumbent Congressman Jeff Van Drew. The Congressman is an excellent addition to our GOP family who cares deeply for our country and is a tireless advocate for South Jersey. Gloucester County GOP is proud to join President Trump in endorsing Congressman Van Drew.

“In the First Congressional District Claire Gustafson has earned the party’s endorsement. Claire has a history of stepping up for the Camden County GOP, is a former member of the School Board in Collingswood, is the Collingswood Republican chair and most recently resurrected Camden County’s Republican women organization. She’s got the experience and the ability to build the organization necessary to mount a competitive campaign against Donald Norcross.”

Vigilante added, “Both, Congressman Van Drew and Claire Gustafson care about our county and respect our process, so much so that while no other candidates for Congress in either district asked to be screened they both appeared before the Screening Committee because they wanted to earn our endorsement and not simply be given the line.”

“President Trump won Gloucester County in 2016 and Bob Hugin won Gloucester County in 2018, I believe in 2020 these candidates, along with our team of Freeholder candidates, Greenwich Township Mayor George Shivery, entrepreneur Chris Konawel and Franklin Township School Board member Nick DeSilvio will keep voters in the column all the way down to the municipal level and Gloucester County Republicans will enjoy electoral success in 2020,” Vigilante said.