Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen Hosting a Holly Jolly Christmas Giveaway

On Monday, December 15, 2025 Victor Carstarphen, Mayor, City of Camden, Dr. Davida Coe-Brockington, Acting State District SuperintendentChuck Cerniglia, Executive Director, UnitedHealthcare of New JerseyJordan Davis, Defensive Tackle, Philadelphia EaglesWith the holidays around the corner, Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen hosted a gift giveaway at the Adventure Aquarium to celebrate the achievements of young students from across the city.

During the event, students and their families will be treated to a festive celebration. To make the occasion even more special, the mayor will be joined by Acting State District Superintendent Dr. Davida Coe-Brockington and Philadelphia Eagles’ Jordan Davis, who will be on site helping to distribute gifts and meeting families.

“The holidays are a special time to celebrate with loved ones, while spreading cheer to others,” said Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen. “This event truly demonstrates that holiday spirt. We are grateful to UnitedHealthcare for their generous donation and thankful to all our community partners who support this event. It brings joy to everyone involved knowing these toys will help make the holidays a little brighter for our Camden youth.”

“Moments like this reflect the joy and generosity that surround our students,” said Acting State District Superintendent Dr. Davida Coe-Brockington. “They work hard every day, and it means so much for them to be supported by people who believe in their potential. I am grateful to Mayor Carstarphen, UnitedHealthcare, and all of our partners for bringing added cheer to our young people. Today reminds our students that they matter and that they are deeply valued.”

The holiday gifts will be purchased thanks to a generous donation from main event sponsor UnitedHealthcare, whose representatives and volunteers will be also in attendance to assist with distribution. This event is the latest in UnitedHealthcare’s commitment to help people lead healthier lives and help local communities thrive across the country.

“We are honored to be part of this event with Mayor Carstarphen and help support the Camden community,” said Chuck Cerniglia, Executive Director at UnitedHealthcare of New Jersey. “We hope we can bring some holiday cheer to these bright, young students and their families!”

Camden Community Partnership’s Winter Wonderland

Camden Community Partnership presents Winter Wonderland on Friday, December 19th, 5 PM at Roosevelt Plaza Park. There will be live Christmas performances, food trucks, pics with Santa, free carousel rides, and more family-fun! Create holiday memories, share smiles, and enjoy the magical festivities. To learn more, Click Here.

Step Into CCPD’s Winter Wonderland

Join in the seasonal fun at Camden County Police Department’s Winter Wonderland, presented by Chief Rodriguez! Come meet Santa, explore the petting zoo, ride the holiday train, sip on some hot cocoa, and much more on Thursday, December 18th, 5 PM at the Police Admin Building, 600 Federal St. To learn more, Click Here.

Tess Herman Named All-American by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — Tess Herman of Rowan has been named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division III All-America Second Team for the second consecutive season, as chosen by the member coaches of the NFHCA and sponsored by Apex Field Hockey,

NFHCA ALL-AMERICA TEAM

Herman closes out her stellar career as the 50th All-American in Rowan field hockey history and the eighth player to earn the honor in multiple seasons.

The senior defender earned her third straight selection to the NFHCA All-Region IV First Team in 2025 while she has been an All-Region performer all four seasons. Herman was chosen as the 2025 NJAC Defensive Player of the Year, becoming Rowan’s first two-time recipient of the award. She was also recognized on the All-NJAC First Team for the third time in her career and was chosen to the NFHCA Division III Senior Team.

The team co-captain anchored the Profs’ defense which held the opponents to just 1.77 goals per game as Rowan outscored the foes by a 74-39 margin. She contributed offensively by totaling a career-high 13 points with three goals and a personal-best eight assists.
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DNREC Urges Safe Handling of Wild Birds

Hunters and Wildlife Watchers Encountering Dead or Sick Wild Birds,
Especially Snow Geese, are Advised to Report Location to DNREC

With the reopening this week of Delaware’s waterfowl hunting season, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control reminds hunters that safe handling of wild birds is imperative following the recent detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a sick snow goose found Dec. 8 in eastern Kent County. After returning presumptive positive for H5 avian influenza from the University of Delaware’s Allen Laboratory, the goose was sent for further testing at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory, returning a result of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza on Dec. 15.

The third and final segment of duck season opens Wednesday, Dec. 17, followed three days later by the migratory Canada goose season – and hunters are asked not only to handle waterfowl safely after harvesting them, but to fill out DNREC’s sick and injured wildlife reporting form for any affected waterfowl or other wild birds they might come across while hunting. This would include sightings of any wild birds showing uncoordinated movement and an inability to fly, which indicates they are likely in the throes of HPAI.

Avian influenza is a highly contagious airborne respiratory virus that spreads quickly among birds through nasal and eye secretions and manure. Due to close contact with thousands of other snow geese while feeding and roosting, they can get sick and die. Snow geese, which are waterfowl, migrate from the Arctic and form large flocks in Delaware each winter. It is unknown when or where these geese may have acquired the virus given their highly migratory nature and their association with other waterfowl and waterbirds throughout the Atlantic Flyway through which they travel into Delaware and more southern states.

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HOME COUNTRY: Dud was the first to figure out that it was.

When the new college opened in the next town – a somewhat larger town than ours – our folks began wondering if making the 30-minute drive to class would be worth it.

Dud was the first to figure out that it was.

“Boys,” he said, sitting at the Mule Barn philosophy counter and flipping his cup upright with one poetic motion, “I’m signed up over at J.H.T.. I’m going to get me an education.”

“That’s great, Dud,” said his mentor and straight man, Doc. “What are you taking?”

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Dr. Stephen Trzeciak Honored With Inaugural National Schwartz Compassion Champion Award

CAMDEN, NJ) Cooper University Health Care is proud to announce that Stephen Trzeciak, MD, MPH, the Edward D. Viner Endowed Chief of Medicine and Medical Director for the Adult Health Institute at Cooper, has been awarded the inaugural Schwartz Compassion Champion Award by the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare. The honor was presented at the 30th Annual Kenneth B. Schwartz Compassionate Healthcare Dinner held recently in Boston.

The event brought together health care leaders and supporters from across the country and raised more than $900,000 to fund programs supporting compassionate patient care. Dr. Trzeciak, who also serves as Professor and Chair of Medicine at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, delivered the evening’s keynote address.

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Lamberti Restaurants Present Tableside Caroling, Feast 7 Fishes, New Year’s Eve Celebrations

Philadelphia, PA and Cherry Hill, NJ – Aldo Lamberti and family celebrate the spirit of the season with their beloved Christmas and holiday traditions in Philadelphia and South Jersey at Positano Coast in Old City, Lamberti Pizza and Market in Jewelers Row, Caffee Aldo Lamberti in Cherry Hill and Tutti Toscani in Cherry Hill. Caffe Aldo Lamberti (2011 Marlton Pike W, Cherry Hill, NJ, 08002) will host tableside Christmas carols with students from Cherry Hill East and West on December 19, 20, 21 and 24 (Christmas Eve) from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Caffee Aldo also announces its annual Christmas Eve Dinner and New Year’s Eve Dinner. Also in Cherry Hill, Lamberti’s Tutti Toscani (1491 Brace Rd, Cherry Hill Township, NJ 08034) will host a special grand finale to their 40th anniversary with Christmas Eve Dinner and New Year’s Eve Dinner. In Philadelphia, Positano Coast in Old City (212 Walnut Street, Philadelphia) announces four special holiday events including Feast of the 7 Fishes, Christmas Eve Dinner, New Year’s Eve Dinner and New Year First Friday Jazz. All restaurants are available online for reservations at OpenTable or by calling each restaurant directly. Lamberti Pizza & Market, Caffee Aldo Lamberti, Lamberti Tutti Toscani and Positano Coast all have GC promotions valid through Christmas Eve for the perfect and delicious gift for everyone on Santa’s list. They also make great host gifts. For more info, visit lambertis.com.

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Marion Walicke, 96, of Pemberton

Pemberton, NJ. Formerly of Medford, NJ. On December 13, 2025. Age 96.

She was predeceased by her husband, Anthony Walicke on September 25, 2013, and her daughter, Jan Vinicombe on January 30, 2023.

Graveside services will be celebrated on a date and time to be announced later in Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 350 Province Line Road, Wrightstown, NJ.

Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries may be made through: McCann-Healey Funeral Home, Gloucester City. Ph: 856-456-1142 www.mccannhealey.com

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Marion Walicke, please click here to visit our sympathy store.

The Rise of Social Casinos: Why Millions Are Choosing Free-to-Play Gaming in 2025

The online gaming landscape is experiencing a dramatic transformation. While traditional online casinos continue to operate, a new wave of entertainment has captured the attention of millions of American players: social casinos. These innovative platforms combine the thrill of casino-style gaming with a risk-free, entertainment-first approach that resonates with modern players seeking fun without financial stress.

Among the newest entries making waves in this space is Cashoomo casino, which has quickly established itself as one of the top-rated social casino platforms in the United States. With exceptional reviews on Trustpilot and growing praise across Reddit communities, Cashoomo represents everything players love about the new generation of social gaming.

Understanding the Social Casino Revolution

Social casinos operate on a fundamentally different model than traditional gambling platforms. Instead of wagering real money, players use virtual currencies to enjoy their favorite casino games. This approach removes the financial risk while preserving the entertainment value that makes casino gaming so appealing.

The appeal is straightforward: players can experience the excitement of slots, table games, and other casino classics without worrying about losses. For many Americans, this represents the ideal balance between entertainment and responsibility.

Why Players Are Making the Switch

Several factors drive the growing preference for social casinos. First, accessibility plays a crucial role. Social casino platforms are legal and available in virtually every US state, unlike traditional online gambling which remains restricted in many jurisdictions.

Second, the entertainment-focused model attracts players who enjoy casino games but prefer not to gamble with real money. Whether due to personal preference, budget considerations, or simply wanting stress-free entertainment, these players find social casinos perfectly suited to their needs.

Third, modern social casinos offer impressive game libraries that rival their real-money counterparts. High-quality graphics, engaging gameplay mechanics, and regular content updates keep players entertained for hours.

The Community Factor

One aspect that sets social casinos apart is the emphasis on community. These platforms often incorporate social features that allow players to connect, compete, and share their experiences. Leaderboards, tournaments, and friend systems create a sense of camaraderie that pure gambling sites rarely achieve.

This community-driven approach explains why platforms with strong reputations on social media and review sites tend to thrive. Players share their positive experiences, recommend games to friends, and build communities around their favorite platforms.

Looking Ahead

The social casino industry shows no signs of slowing down. As more players discover the benefits of risk-free casino entertainment, established platforms continue to grow while new competitors enter the market. For players seeking quality entertainment without financial worry, social casinos offer an increasingly attractive option.

Whether you’re a seasoned casino enthusiast looking for a more relaxed experience or a newcomer curious about casino games, the social casino model provides an accessible, enjoyable entry point into this exciting world of entertainment.