SHORE LOCAL | Mainland | January 29, 2026

Winter Happenings and Live Music

Wing Fest Heats Up AC

Airport Lands Another Carrier

Hartzell to Challenge Mayor Gillian in OC

Ice Hockey Team Wins State Championship

Snowstorm Recap

Cabin fever: When winter brings us to a standstill

From the Editor

“I got cabin fever, it’s burning in my brain. I’ve got cabin fever, it’s driving me insane.”

Those lyrics from the classic Muppets song have been looping in my head lately, especially after the recent snow and ice storm.

I love snow — that is, in small amounts that melt away by afternoon. That kind of snow feels charming. This was not that kind of snow.

Day one was enjoyable. I couldn't wait for the first flake so I could break into the snacks I stocked up on, make hot chocolate and settled in with Netflix. In the morning, I loved watching my daughter’s puppy play in the snow — bounding, slipping, tasting and delighting in it. The day felt cozy and special.

Day two was different. The novelty wore off and the itch set in. I needed to get out of the house, to move, to

do something — but it wasn’t an option. Our street hadn’t been plowed yet, and beneath the snow sat at least two inches of solid ice. Staying put was the only sensible choice, even if it felt hard.

Cover photo of Carter Doorly by Dawn Doorly.

By day three, I technically could have gone out, but icy roads kept me home. Caution won out over my restlessness. I've always been what I like to consider a high-energy person. My parents used to say I was “always on the move,” and they weren’t wrong.

Publisher– Bob Fertsch (609) 334-1691 shorelocalads@gmail.com

Executive Editor - Cindy Christy Fertsch (609) 705-5323 shorelocalcindy@gmail.com

Publisher Assistant - Julia Train

Copy Editors - James FitzPatrick, Holly Fertsch, Julia Train

Advertising Sales - Meg Perry (609)425-5407 shorelocalmeg@gmail.com

Web Designer - Holly Martin, Digital Marketing - Liz Katz

Contributors – Scott Cronick, Tammy Thornton, Rich Baehrle, Sarah Fertsch, Steffen Klenk, Brian Cahill, Dave Weinberg, Doug Deutsch, Joe Martucci, Heidi Clayton, Eric Reich, Chuck Darrow, Alex Corson, Cat Pepe, Delaney Crawford, Ursula Duffy, Robin Stoloff, Alanna Stoloff, Tynan Hand, Madison Russ

Cover photo by Susan Allen

It’s also one of the first things that drew me to Bob when we met in college. He was endlessly curious, always ready for the next adventure. Our energy matched well. Thirty-five years later, he’s still on the go, though these few snowbound days slowed even him down.

Being forced to slow down doesn’t come easily to me. Stillness feels uncomfortable. Productivity is often mistaken for progress, and motion can feel like purpose. Yet there was

something quietly valuable in those days of pause. I suppose rest isn’t always chosen; sometimes it’s assigned.

Snow days remind us that we don’t control everything — schedules, plans, even our own momentum. They nudge us to postpone our plans, embrace stillness and find small moments of gratitude where we can. A warm drink. A shared laugh. A puppy in the snow.

As winter continues, I hope you’re staying safe, warm and patient — with the weather and with yourself. Spring will come. It always does.

Breeze Airways to launch service at Atlantic City International Airport

By Steffen Klenk

Officials at Atlantic City International Airport announced the arrival of Breeze Airways during a press conference Wednesday, Jan. 28.

The airline will offer nonstop flights to Charleston, South Carolina, and raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, with service expected to begin May 6 and June 11, respectively. Breeze will also provide BreezeThru one-stop service to Tampa, Florida.

Airport Director Tim Kroll spoke about the significance of the new partnership, noting long-standing regional ties. “When the casino industry started here, many workers came from North Carolina, so there has always been family traveling back and forth,” Kroll said. “This is one of the cities we’ve been looking to connect with for a long time.”

Kroll added that Charleston is expected to appeal to both residents and visitors. “We’re excited to welcome tourists and visitors here, but also to give our residents an easy way

to visit Charleston,” he said.

Gary Musich, president and CEO of Visit Atlantic City, highlighted the broader impact of the new service on tourism and the local economy. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with community leaders, adding, “We have momentum right now, and we need to continue to take advantage of it.”

Founded in 2021 by entrepreneur David Neeleman, Breeze Airways serves more than 60 cities across the u nited States, operating up to 170 year-round and seasonal routes.

landline bus service connecting passengers to and from Phila

delphia International Airport. Kroll said travelers can expect continued improvements in airport accessibility. “We’re exploring better transportation options from the airport and are working with transportation partners to bring those improvements online in the near future,” he said.

The announcement follows recent expansion at the airport. Last month, Allegiant Air began offering direct flights to Florida, with additional destinations scheduled to launch in February.

Officials said the addition of Breeze Airways is expected to strengthen regional connectivity and generate long-term economic benefits throughout South Jersey.

Breeze becomes the third commercial airline operating out of Atlantic City International Airport, joining Spirit Airlines and Allegiant Air. American Airlines also offers a

Galloway Township Police Department begins installing license plate reader cameras

By Julia Train

The Galloway Township

Police Department has begun installing license plate reader (LPr) cameras throughout the township after securing more than $60,000 in state grant funding. The initiative is part of the department’s ongoing efforts to combat crime while addressing community concerns about privacy and transparency.

According to a social media statement released by the department on Thursday, Jan. 23, installation of the stationary LPr cameras officially began that day following more than three years of planning.

The department was awarded $60,325 through a competitive grant process administered by the state, making Galloway Township one of only two police departments in Atlantic County — the other being the City of Brigantine — to receive the funding.

Police officials emphasized that LPr technology has become one of the most effective investigative tools available to modern law enforcement. In fall 2025, LPr data played a key role in identifying a suspect involved in a road-rage-related attempted murder in Galloway Township, the statement said.

The department outlined how the cameras function, noting that they scan license plates as vehicles travel along roadways, alert officers to stolen vehicles or vehicles connected to serious crimes, and help investigators identify vehicles that may be fleeing an area after an incident.

Officials also addressed common misconceptions circulating online.

“There is no live or recorded video to watch. Cameras capture still images only of vehicles and license plates,” the department stated.

Police added that video is not stored, downloaded or reviewed, the cameras are stationary and aimed only at roadways, and access to LPr data is limited to authorized New Jersey law enforcement agencies.

Despite those assurances, police said misinformation shared on social media created unnecessary fear and

confusion within the community. In a recent instance, false claims about the cameras’ capabilities led to heightened concern and resulted in a camera being unlawfully removed from a utility pole.

“Posts made without factual context can quickly escalate into public hysteria, erode trust, and distract from the true purpose of public safety initiatives,” the department said, urging residents to verify information through official sources before sharing it online.

The funding for Galloway’s LPr cameras is part of a broader statewide investment announced in April 2023 by then-Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin.

The Murphy Administration allocated $10 million in federal American rescue Plan (ArP) funds to expand LPr technology across the state. The money was allocated to support 34 law enforcement agencies in all 21 counties as well as the New Jersey State Police.

“ residents across New Jersey deserve to feel safe in their communities,” Gov. Phil Murphy said at the time. “As we continue to address the ongoing wave of auto theft in our state, it is important that we equip our law enforcement agencies with the necessary tools they need to identify and catch these bad actors.”

State officials reported the initiative contributed to a 16% reduction in vehicle thefts statewide between September 2022 and March 2023.

Galloway Township police said they remain committed to transparency, accountability and community trust. The department emphasized that the cameras are intended to enhance safety, deter crime and help solve serious incidents while respecting residents’ privacy.

Officials encouraged anyone with questions or concerns to contact the department directly.

“Honest conversations, not online speculation, help keep our community informed and safe,” the statement said.

Jan. 25 winter storm recap

By Meteorologist Joe Martucci

The biggest New Jersey winter storm of the 2025-’26 season so far brought the roads, rails and skies to a halt on Sunday.

An atmospheric river from the South Pacific collided with an Arctic air mass, creating near-perfect conditions for a significant winter storm on Jan. 25. However, this was not a pure snowstorm.

A layer of above-freezing temperatures roughly 5,000 to 14,000 feet high eventually turned powdery snow into sloppy sleet late morning and early afternoon. This transition, though, came after several inches of snow was recorded around the area.

Atlantic City International Airport recorded 6.2 inches of snow and sleet by the time the storm ended Sunday night, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

(NOAA). Other totals in Cape May and Atlantic counties included:

● Buena Vista – 6.7 inches

● Hammonton – 6.3 inches

● Ventnor – 6.0 inches

● Ocean City – 6.0 inches

● Woodbine – 6.0 inches

● Cape May – 5.0 inches

Similar to the Dec. 14 storm, the northern half of the Jersey Shore cashed in on the snow and sleet.

Point Pleasant reported 10.3 inches, Long Branch had 10.5 inches and Brick reported 10.9 inches.

The highest totals were in far northwest New Jersey. Not only was it all snow, but it was powdery snow. That was thanks to unusually cold temperatures during the snow. It was in the single digits with heavy snow. You just don’t see that often in New Jersey.

Also unusual was the split in precipitation type across the state. The Jersey Shore warmed from the teens to the upper 20s by late Sunday morning. It was snowing. However, along the New Jersey Turnpike corridor in South Jersey, it was sleeting, despite temperatures in the mid-teens. It could have been much snowier, too.

When you look at coastal storms you look at the track to give you an

idea of who will receive snow, a mix or rain. Typically, when low pressure systems go over 40 degrees north latitude, 70 degrees west longitude, that brings all snow to the I-95 corridor, with mixing where we are, farther east. This low pressure system was farther west, though, roughly 74 degrees longitude at 40 degrees north latitude.

Meteorologists call this the “benchmark.” However, the center of the storm was only about 50 miles east of Atlantic City at one point. Yet, we snowed and got sleet, with rain only falling in Cape May, Atlantic and Ocean counties. That was because of the brutally cold air mass we had Saturday. High pressure to the north was feeding in Arctic air. If the low pressure went over the typical benchmark, it would have been fair to say that 12 to 20 inches of snow and sleet would blanket the coastal counties, similar to the Blizzard of 2022.

Snowfall was mostly in line with expectations and road conditions remained treacherous into Monday.

The forecast for the rest of the week and into the weekend shows high temperatures remaining in the upper teens and 20s. Wind chills will make it feel even colder. Overnight lows will be in the single digits for inland areas and low teens for the immediate shoreline. Wind chills Friday morning will be below zero, as cold as negative 10 briefly.

With these types of conditions, frostbite can occur in as little as 30 minutes. Be sure to dress in layers to protect yourself and limit the amount of time spent outdoors.

What will be interesting about the brutal cold air is whether we will break any records. Looking at the data, Atlantic City International Airport has only recorded five consecutive

days with temperatures below 25 degrees three times, NOAA data shows. This occurred in January 1981, February 1979 and January 1968. So, if this happens this week, which is a good possibility, it will only be the fourth time on record.

The other record we will be watching for is for overnight lows below 10 degrees. It is going to be a close call, but it is certainly possible that we break this record as well. The last time we had at least five days with lows below 10 degrees was between Dec. 28, 2017, to Jan. 3, 2018, when we had seven consecutive days with lows below 10 degrees.

Sen. Frank S. Farley State Marina may go five days in a row with highs at or under 27 degrees by the time Saturday comes. That would be just the 11th time in its 152 years of record keeping.

The last time this occurred was from Dec. 28, 2017, to Jan. 2, 2018. The forecast also shows overnight lows at or below 15 degrees. Way back in 1994, we had eight days (Jan. 15 to Jan. 22) with low temperatures at or below that threshold.

As of the time of this writing it is too early to get into details. However, there is certainly a storm system signal for Saturday and or Sunday.

r emember, generic weather apps are not human curated and can change on a dime, as it just spits out whatever blend of computer models they use.

Joe Martucci, a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist and Digital Meteorologist, is the President and Director of Meteorology for Cup A Joe Weather and Drone. You can connect with him at cupajoe.live.

Multi-day Events

Greek Winter Feast

▶Friday, Jan. 30-Sunday, Feb. 1

Events and Happenings

Thursday, January 29

Let it Snow Paint Night

▶5 p.m.

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 7004 ridge Ave., Egg Harbor Township

The Holy Trinity Church Family invites you to its 18th Annual Greek Winter Feast, featuring traditional Greek dancing, authentic Greek food and homemade Greek pastries. DJ Khan will be playing popular Greek music for Saturday’s Taverna evening, along with group dance performances and church tours. The event will take place 5-10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30; noon-11 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31; and 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1. Admission is free. AnyScapes

▶Jan. 31-March 28

Galloway Library, 306 E. Jimmie Leeds road

The Absecon Cultural Arts Alliance has announced its newest exhibit, AnyScapes. The show invites artists to explore place, atmosphere and imagined worlds through 2D artwork. From landscapes, seascapes and cityscapes, to realistic and abstract works, this exhibit celebrates how artists interpret space, environment and mood. Artwork will be on display this Sunday through March 28.

New Day Family Success Center, 18 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Pleasantville

Bring the whole family out for a magical, winter-themed paint night. Join local artist Verneen as she guides participants step-by-step in creating a fun, snowy masterpiece. For more information, call 609-6520230.

Friday, January 30

Movie at the Library

▶2 p.m.

Longport Library, 2305 Atlantic Ave.

Join Longport Library for a screening of the film “ roofman.” For more information or to register, call 609-487-7403.

Green Drinks in Somers Point

▶5:30 p.m.

Somers Point Brewing Company, 705 W. New York Ave.

Join the Atlantic Cape May Sustainability Hub for good conversations with good people. Come out for an evening of informal networking with local Green Team members and others with an interest in sustain -

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Saturday, January 31

Saturday Family Storytime

▶10:30 a.m.

Egg Harbor Township Library, 1 Swift Drive

Join the Atlantic County Library in Egg Harbor Township for a family storytime this Saturday morning. Bring the family and enjoy a morning of songs and stories. register online at www.atlanticlibrary.org or call 609-927-8664.

Atlantic City Wing Fest

▶1-4 p.m.

Golden Nugget, 600 Huron Ave., Atlantic City

If you love wings, craft beer and live music, this event is for you. Atlantic City Wing Fest brings 21 of the region’s top restaurants together as they serve up their tastiest wings, along with craft beer tastings, cocktails, contests and live music by the Billy Walton Band. The event will be held inside the Grand Ballroom at Golden Nugget.

Afternoon of Board Games and Puzzles

with proceeds benefiting the Ventnor Home & School Association. To sign up, email BeSocial@ventnorsocial.com.

Old Friends: A Night of Songs and Stories

▶7 p.m.

Gateway Playhouse, 738 Bay Ave., Somers Point

Mark your calendars for a special fundraiser as singer-songwriter Brian Conover and all-around performer Debby Jenkins come together to sing for the first time after 40 years of friendship and mutual admiration. Pianist and singer Scott Breiner joins the two for a night of songs and stories about life, music and friendship. Tickets are $30 per person. Proceeds benefit the Gateway Playhouse and arts programs in the community.

Monday, February 2

Classic Film Night Series

▶6 p.m.

Ocean City Free Public Library, 1735 Simpson Ave.

Join Ocean City Library for a classic film night and enjoy a screening of the 1987 movie “House of Games” starring Lindsay Crouse and Joe Mantegna.

FREE WIPER BLADES and/or FREE OIL CHANGE SERVICE with any Brake Job Valid though 3/15/26 Tire Rotation and Brake Inspection with Any Oil Change FREE

▶2-4 p.m.

Egg Harbor City, 134 Philadelphia Ave.

Kickin’ with Kim Country Line Dancing

▶6 p.m.

Otto Bruyns Public Library, 241 W. Mill road, Northfield

Stop by Atlantic County Library in Egg Harbor City with your friends this Saturday for a fun afternoon of board games and puzzles. All skill levels are welcome. For more information, visit www.atlanticlibrary.org or call 609804-1063.

Ventnor Social Wing Bowl

▶5 p.m.

Ventnor Social, 6417 Ventnor Ave.

Calling all wing warriors. The inaugural Wing Bowl is coming to Ventnor this Saturday. Bring your appetite and enter if you dare. The first contender to eat 25 wings will be crowned the champion. The cost to enter is $20

Grab your cowboy hat and boots and head to Northfield this Monday for adult beginner country line dance lessons. This program is free to attend. Pre-registration is required. Call 609-646-4476 to register.

Tuesday, February 3

Thoughts from the Bookshelf ▶3 p.m.

Margate Library, 8100 Atlantic Ave.

↘Continued on 12

Join JFS Village for their monthly book club gathering as they discuss the novel “The Correspondent” by Virginia Evans. Attend in-person at the Margate Library Meeting room. rSVP by Feb. 2 by contacting Tina Serota at 609-287-8872 or tserota@ jfsvillage.org.

Furry Buddies ▶6-7 p.m.

Mays Landing Library, 40 Farragut Ave.

Join the Atlantic County Library in Mays Landing and read a story to therapy dogs Fritz and Frieda, who love sharing stories with children. registration is required and guardians must remain present. register online at www.atlanticlibrary.org or call 609-625-2776.

Wednesday, February 4

Dad & Kids Paint Party: Celebrating Love

▶4 p.m.

Inland Family Success Center, 3050 Spruce Ave., Egg Harbor Township

Love is in the air at Inland Family Success Center as dads, kids (mothers too!) are invited join their friendly staff to create Valentine’s Day art while celebrating family bonds. For more information, call 609-5690376.

Stamp Art ▶6 p.m.

Ventnor Library, 6500 Atlantic Ave.

Join the Atlantic County Library in Ventnor this Wednesday and learn how to make beautiful projects using rubber stamps and ink your way to fun. Open to adults and interested teens. register online at www.atlanticlibrary.org or call 609-823-4614.

Friday, February 6

New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera presents Verdi’s ‘Rigoletto’ ▶7:30 p.m.

Stockton Performing Arts Center, 101 Vera King Farris Drive, Galloway Join Stockton PAC this Friday as they present Verdi’s “ rigoletto.” This Italian libretto was written by Francesco Maria Piave based on the 1832 play “Le roi S’Amuse” by Victor Hugo. For more information, visit www.stockton.edu/pac.

Sunday, February 8

Chief Arthur Brown Memorial Super Bowl Party ▶2-5 p.m.

The roost Pub and Grill, 500 St. Andrews Drive, Egg Harbor Township

Join the Chief Arthur Brown Memorial Foundation for their 34th Annual Super Bowl Tailgate Party, hosted by Cancer Support Community New Jersey at Gilda’s Club. Tickets are $30 at the door. All proceeds will be donated to CSCNJ and their mission to assist individuals with cancer throughout South Jersey.

Thursday, February 12

Absecon Galloway Rotary Club Meetings

▶8 a.m.

Phoenix Diner, 200 W. Absecon Blvd.

The Absecon Galloway rotary Club invites you to be their guest at an upcoming meeting. Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at Phoenix Diner, and the fourth Thursday of every month at Gourmet Italian restaurant at 5:30 p.m. Learn more about rotary, how they serve our local community and meet local community members. For club information, go to www.facebook.com/AbseconGallowayrotary or email rose McCarthy, club president, at bluerose46@aol.com.

Saturday, February 14

Winter Warrior Challenge

▶9 a.m.-2 p.m

Ocean City Civic Center, Sixth Street and the Boardwalk

This President’s Day Weekend

event will bring families and local businesses together in the heart of winter. The challenge will include multiple components, including an obstacle race for children, a Winter Warrior course for parents and individuals, and team challenges such as a fire truck pull. For more information and registration, visit www.ocnj.us/ race-events or contact lrumer@ocnj. us.

Mike’s Seafood Run Walk for Autism

▶12 p.m.

Excursion Park and the Promenade, 42nd Street and Pleasure Ave., Sea Isle City

Join Mike’s Seafood for their Valentine’s Day run Walk for Autism this President’s Day Weekend. This unique event encourages runners and walkers of all ages to participate with their families while supporting children with disabilities. Then meet in the heated tent outside Excursion Park for live music, awards and door prizes. registration is open at www. mikesseafoodrunwalkforautism. com.

OCTC Presents Love is in the Air:

Broadway Cabaret Love Songs

▶2 p.m.

Ocean City Music Pier, 825 Boardwalk

The Ocean City Theatre Company invites you to a special Valentine’s

Day matinee of Broadway love songs. Celebrate love with some of the most enchanting and unforgettable songs to grace the stage. Bring your special someone, your family, a friend, or let Broadway be your valentine. Tickets are available online at www.oceancitytheatrecompany.com.

Sunday, February 15

Washington-Lincoln Fundraiser

▶2 p.m

Josie Kelly’s Public House, 908 Shore road, Somers Point Liberty and Prosperity will hold its yearly fundraiser on President’s Day weekend. The event will include an appearance by keynote speaker, State Sen. Michael Testa. Tickets are $75 and include lunch, dessert and cash bar. For details, visit www.libertyandprosperity.com, email info@ libertyandprosperity.com or leave a voicemail at 609-927-7333.

Bus Trips

Philadelphia Flower Show

▶Tuesday, March 3

If you’re thinking about spring, join EHT recreation and hop on the bus to enjoy the wonder of the Philadelphia Flower Show. The bus will depart from the Egg Harbor Township Community Center. Space is limited. For more information, email recreation@ ehtnj.gov or call 609-272-8120.

Health and Wellness

Coffee Talk

▶Saturdays, 11 a.m.

Atlantic Community Wellness Center, 1125 Atlantic Ave., NJ Suite 617, Atlantic City

During this one-hour meeting, participants discuss, enhance and deepen their practice of gratitude, which is shown to reduce stress, improve mood and increase optimism. For more information, call 609-6523800 or email jgimbel@mhanj.org.

Monday Meditation and Stretching

▶Mondays, 11:30 a.m.

Mental Health Association in Atlantic County 4 E. Jimmie Leeds road Galloway

A weekly meditation, follow-up discussion and light stretch on Mondays. Newcomers and people with all levels of experience in meditation are welcome. For more information, call 609-652-3800 or email jgimbel@ mhanj.org.

Depression and Anxiety Group

▶Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m.

Atlantic Community Wellness Center, 1125 Atlantic Ave. Suite 617, Atlantic City

This weekly in-person support group is offered to individuals seeking coping strategies, mutual support, self-care, wellness and recovery. Meetings are led by peers who have

lived experience. No cost to participate. Offered by the Mental Health Association in Atlantic County. For more information, call 609-6523800 or email jgimbel@mhanj.org.

Dementia Support Group

▶Wednesday, Feb. 4, 1:30 p.m.

Egg Harbor Township Community Center, 5045 English Creek Ave.

Held on the first and third Wednesday of every month from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Call Diane Conover at 609-402-6966 for more information. NAMI Connections and Family Support Groups

▶Monday, Feb. 9, 7 p.m.

St. Joseph Church, 606 Shore road, Somers Point

NAMI of Atlantic/Cape May offers free self-help, peer-led support groups for family members, caregivers and friends of individuals over the age of 18 living with a mental illness. Participants gain the support of peers who understand their experience and gain insight into others challenges and successes. Family Support and Connections groups meet on the second Monday of each month. Visit www. namiacm.org for further information.

Do you have an upcoming event? Let us know about it! Submit your next event to shorelocalevents@gmail.com.

Dooney’s Irish Pub and Restaurant set to open at former Tilton Inn

Business Buzz

By Rich Baehrle

Iremember when I went to Stockton College, I read an interesting book called “Zero-sum Society.” The essence of the book is that in business, for every loser there is a winner; for every business that closes, another one opens in its place.

unfortunately that doesn’t always happen, especially in today’s competitive retail and restaurant environment. But sometimes it does, as in the case of the former Tilton Inn Tavern and Grill.

Established in 1963 by Al and Mildred ulrich, it was a beloved landmark location and popular establishment for 60 years, located at the corner of Tilton road and Hingston Avenue

in Egg Harbor Township. Al and Mildred operated the business in a “Cheers”-like atmosphere for 22 years. The children (Michele, Michael and Mark) ran it with the continued friendly theme for another 39 years until its closure in August 2023. The day it closed was sad for locals, employees and the many visitors who frequently stopped on their way to the shore.

Fortunately, this story is going to have a happy ending.

The new owners of 6823 Tilton road, Egg Harbor Township (the former Tilton Inn), Jim and Mary Dooney, are not only changing the name of the 9,000-square-foot establishment; they are changing the entire theme.

The new name reflects Jim and Mary’s last name, Dooney, hence Dooney’s Pub and restaurant. It will have a “Cheers”-like atmosphere too, but with an Irish accent.

Since Jim and Mary settled on the former Tilton Inn in August of 2024, they have worked non-stop renovating everything all the way down to the walls. There is a totally new kitchen, flooring, ceiling, lighting and

seating, including the centrally located custom bar that is situated to encourage interaction with the guests. The new layout has been modernized to include an expansive indoor dining area with all-new custom seating, highlighted by the integration of numerous, high-definition TVs.

The entertainment beyond sports will feature regular live music highlighting local artists, and of course, Irish bands to create an energetic, community-focused ambiance that goes beyond the former establishment.

The culinary is going to focus on traditional Irish dishes such as Jim

and Mary’s secret recipe for shepherd’s pie, along with chips and Irish nachos. They will also have American pub classics like their famous specialized wings, burgers and artisanal pizzas. Of course there is going to be much more to assure a total entertainment and food experience.

Jim and Mary are not newcomers to the restaurant business. They come to Egg Harbor Township with over 30 years experience building a reputation in the restaurant industry. The first Dooney’s opened in the summer of 2011 at 1361 Fairview Blvd., Delran. The other location is at 154 route 73, Voorhees. They are a totally family-owned and operated business.

Stay tuned for the Dooney’s opening in February.

Rich Baehrle, of Berkshire Hathaway Fox and Roach, can be reached at 609-226-6680 or 609-641-0011. Email richardbaehrle@gmail.com or see www.getrichinrealestateSJ.com

Brigantine author shares

By Delaney Crawford

Our beach towns hold a certain kind of magic. Between the steady lull of waves crashing and the feeling of sand beneath your feet, the shore becomes a place where creativity soars, inspiration strikes, and stories come alive.

One Brigantine local has fully embraced that inspiration, turning the calming presence of the sea into a children’s book series titled “Whispers from Heaven.” The series was made to remind children that God’s love and guidance are always present, even in the quiet moments.

Author Belinda Dawn Allen has called Brigantine home since 1985, when she moved from Pennsylvania to the shore full time. She credits her proximity to the beach and ocean with lifting her spirit and fueling her creativity each day.

That creativity has been a constant throughout Allen’s life.

“I’ve wanted to be a writer since high school, and by my early twenties I knew I wanted to write children’s

stories,” Allen said. “Over the years, I would jot down little ideas and ‘doodles,’ but I didn’t fully commit until a few years ago. After the birth of my grandson, whom I am currently raising, I felt called to finally pour myself into writing. All of my stories are inspired by experiences we’ve shared together.”

A retired educator, Allen felt naturally drawn to write stories that nurture faith, kindness, and curiosity, values she hopes shine through in her newest series. “Whispers from Heaven,” like all of her books, is written primarily for children ages 3-9.

Allen shared that her favorite place to write is in nature, where her ideas can flow freely. Whether sitting on the beach or reflecting after a long walk outdoors, that is where she does much of her brainstorming.

“The ocean and the countryside are the two places where I spend most of my time,” Allen said. “Living by the sea in Brigantine and visiting family in the mountains near the Shenandoah Valley both feel deeply connected to God’s creation, peace, and reflection, making them natural settings for my stories. Many of my stories will continue to re -

flect coastal life and visits to our family farm, but I’m open to wherever the stories may lead as I grow as a writer.”

On average, it takes Allen just three to six weeks to write each book. She works closely with an illustrator who helps capture both the emotional depth and physical details of every story.

Her books are currently available online through Amazon and locally

at Coast et’Atelier, a Brigantine boutique. Allen is also working to place her books in local libraries and Christian bookstores.

Since her writing is rooted in lived experiences and the feeling of shoretown life, South Jersey plays a significant role in both her creativity and her stories.

“I love the warmth, authenticity, and sense of togetherness,” Allen said. “South Jersey feels close-knit yet welcoming, with people who genuinely support one another, along with local families, schools, and small businesses.”

With ten books already published, three more in the publishing phase, and seven additional stories written and scheduled for release in the coming months, Allen stays busy soaking in nature, embracing experiences, and transforming everyday moments into teachable ones for her young readers.

“I hope children feel loved, reassured, and reminded that God is always with them,” Allen said. “My goal is to plant seeds of faith, kindness, courage, gratitude, and hope, showing that even small moments can carry big meaning.”

Community Options hosts first-ever South Jersey Cupid’s Chase 5K

By Delaney Crawford

Community Options is a nationally based nonprofit organization that helps individuals with disabilities find housing and employment opportunities. The organization serves thousands of individuals with disabilities across 12 states, including New Jersey.

In the South Jersey region, Community Options operates multiple homes and supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Atlantic, Camden, Cumberland and Gloucester counties.

Founded in 1989, Community Options began with a simple but powerful mission: to create inclusive housing and meaningful employment for people with disabilities. The nonprofit started as a small effort and has grown into a nationwide organization known for its person-centered approach and strong community partnerships. Over the years, Community Options has helped reshape the way communities support individuals with disabilities, focusing on

independence, dignity, and full participation in everyday life.

Community Options partners with municipalities across the state through affordable housing agreements. These partnerships allow the organization to develop new homes while municipalities receive affordable housing credits, a win-win that strengthens communities while expanding opportunities.

“We believe in the dignity of every person, and in the freedom of all people to experience the highest degree of self-determination. Embracing this philosophy, we provide housing and employment opportunities for people with disabilities,” the organization states on its website.

While this impactful work does not go unnoticed, a great deal goes into creating and sustaining these opportunities. Throughout the year, Community Options offers several ways for the public to support its mission, with one of the biggest fundraisers being the annual Cupid’s Chase 5K.

Held every February, this national race series celebrates Community Options’ founding. Last year, more than 11,000 runners nationwide participated, creating an incredible atmosphere while raising funds to support housing and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

The race welcomes runners, walkers, participants in wheelchairs, people with baby strollers, and sponsors alike, making it an inclusive and energetic community celebration. This year marks the 18th annual race nationwide.

While Cupid’s Chase has been held for 18 years in other states and parts of New Jersey, 2026 will mark the inaugural race year for the South Jersey region.

Liz Lowry, race chair for the South Jersey region, shared that the decision to expand the race locally was rooted in a desire to directly support individuals with disabilities in the area.

Each region that hosts a Cupid’s Chase 5K sees proceeds go directly back into supporting individuals served by Community Options in that specific region.

South Jersey’s first Cupid’s Chase 5K will take place on Valentine’s Day, Friday, Feb. 14, at 8:30 a.m. The event will be held at Stockton u niversity, with organizers aiming to make it a true community affair.

“Anybody is welcome to come out, families, kids, or individuals with disabilities,” Lowry said. “I’m most excited to see everyone come together and be part of the community. It’s just a fun day of fitness and togetherness, all while knowing the work goes toward a great cause.”

Lowry shared that Stockton university was chosen for its accessible location and scenic course. Participants will run along Lake Fred, a beautiful area behind Stockton featuring trails and views that everyone can enjoy.

runners can look forward to music, medals, and goodie bags at the finish line, with trophies awarded to the top three male and female finishers. Community Options is aiming for “lots of fun, good vibes, and community goodness.”

While a great deal of effort goes into planning the event, from spreading the word and connecting with local businesses to securing sponsors and fine-tuning logistics, the South Jersey team is thrilled to finally bring Cupid’s Chase to the area. Not only does the race provide a fun, feelgood community event, but it also helps create more opportunities for individuals with disabilities right here in our home.

“I’m just so excited to be a part of it and to bring it to South Jersey this year,” Lowry said. “I feel like we’re sending a message, creating awareness, and it’s just a really great feeling to be involved.”

runners, walkers or supporters can still register to join in the fun by going to cupidschase.org.

Atlantic City Sharks, 18UA hockey team, wins state championship

By Jessica L. Martin

There was something special about the Atlantic City Sharks 18 uA ice hockey team from the start. This group of young men, most from Atlantic County, exhibited a willingness to work hard and a hunger to win during their New Jersey Youth Hockey League (NJYHL) regular season, which ran from September through November.

Some were seasoned players with the Sharks while others were first-timers. The team also included boys who technically should be playing 16u, but with hard work, earned a spot on the 18u squad.

All of the Sharks’ home games and practices are held at the Atlantic City Skate Zone, which is also the home rink for EHT High School, Mainland regional High School, Stockton university and the Atlantic City Seals junior team. All of the other teams in the league are from North Jersey such as Old Bridge, union, Montclair, Nutley and Hunterdon. The Sharks have always been viewed as under-

dogs as other hockey teams have larger programs, rinks and more funding.

The 18 u Atlantic City Sharks players proved their potential with a 12-2-1 regular season record, with the Old Bridge Junior Knights being the only team to defeat or tie the Sharks. The playoffs and championship were held at the richard J. Codey Arena in Essex County with the top four teams competing in a round robin to determine the state finalists. The first game of states ended in a heart-stopping, 3-2 Sharks win over the Hunterdon Bears in four overtimes, but then the Sharks lost to the first-place Old Bridge Junior Knights, 3-4.

Facing a must-win game, the Sharks rallied to defeat the Montclair Blues convincingly, 5-2. This win brought them to the championship game against their biggest rival, Old Bridge. The Sharks fought hard and prevailed, 6-5, against the Junior Knights, led by Atlantic City High School junior Hayden Sarno with 3 goals, EHT senior Billy Christopher with 2 goals, and EHT junior Andrei radkevich with the game-winning

goal in double overtime. Postgrad goalie Jeremy Lennon had an incredible game in net. This was the first time since 2019 that the Sharks won the championship and qualified for districts.

Junior leftwinger and Assistant Captain Andrei r adkevich had a stand-out season, leading the Sharks and the NJYHL in scoring with 47 goals and 34 assists for a total of 81 points in 19 games.

Playing ice hockey since the age of 6 for the Dinamo Minsk organization in Belarus, radkevich has played for the Sharks since arriving in the united States two years ago. He loves everything about hockey including playing and watching it, but mentioned a particular challenge. “We had a lot of players that needed to improve, and they did improve during the season, which allowed us to win in the playoffs.”

One of the challenges that the Sharks now face going into districts, is that they haven’t practiced or played together since November. When the players are not on the ice for the Sharks, they are often opponents of each other as students

playing in the South Jersey High School Hockey League (SJHSHL). The majority of the team represents EHT High School or Mainland regional High School.

The Sharks needed some time together to play before districts coming up in March, so they competed in the One Hockey Philadelphia MLK Tournament Jan. 17-19 in Aston, Pennsylvania, and claimed that championship as well.

The Sharks won their opening game against the Mount Laurel Jaguars, 6-5, before falling to the Philadelphia Blazers, 4-7. Again, it came down to their last, round-robin game to stay alive and the Sharks tied the Delco Phantoms, 4-4, which sent them to the finals. Just like the states, the Sharks had to face the one team that beat them in the tournament, the Philadelphia Blazers.

The team fought hard and defeated the Blazers, 3-2, with 2 goals by Sarno and the game-winning goal from radkevich.

“It was tough winning this tournament with all that time off and only two practices (since November)

before this weekend,” said Kristopher Walsh, a postgrad assistant captain who came back to play for the Sharks after being a part of the Mount Laurel Jaguars.

Head Coach Joshua Mander and Assistant Coach Tim Vant are both Atlantic City Sharks alumni who played several years and won the state championships as players in 2014.

Both of them went on to play junior hockey and Coach Vant also played in college. Coach Mander said he knew this team had potential to win the state championship from the start.

“This championship is a reflection of the kids’ commitment to each other. They showed up every day willing to work, learn and support their teammates,” Mander said. “I couldn’t be prouder of this group. They trusted the process, played for the logo on the front of the jersey, and every player accepted their role. This was truly a team effort.”

needs to focus on at districts.

The defenseman and assistant captain said “the hardest part of districts will be getting past the first round. If we win the first round we’ll have the momentum to keep us going to win it all.”

He said he is grateful for this team.

Coach Vant grew up playing for the Sharks from 5 years old until age 13 when he left and played for other programs including juniors in college.

“I’m super grateful to be able to come back with Josh (Mander) and

coach this team as players on the ice and people off the ice,” he said.

The Sharks’ captains feel the same way.

“It’s very rewarding to get this far,” said team Captain Cooper Olivieri, a senior forward from EHT. “We’ve been practicing so hard on the ice and outside workouts starting in July and August. We knew we had a shot and

“It’s great to be on a winning team for the first time. I’m thankful to have the opportunity to play for the Sharks and that my dad (Ken Cleveland) agreed to be our manager as he has supported me all through my years of hockey.”

The Atlantic City Sharks 18uA team will be playing in the Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association (AAHA) Tier II Championships March 6-8 at Hollydell Ice Arena in Sewell, Gloucester County. As a community let’s cheer on these local teen boys in this exciting opportunity!

we got the job done.”

Walsh, who can play goal or defense, added: “The Sharks are honestly one of my favorite teams, and it’s a great way to end my final season.”

Sean Cleveland, a junior at St. Joseph Academy in Hammonton, has played for the Sharks for four years. Cleveland talked about what the team

The Atlantic City Sharks Ice Hockey Club has programs for 8 u, 10 u, 12u, 14u, 16u and 18u. All practices are held at the Atlantic City Skate Zone. Game locations vary depending on the opponents. Tryouts for next season will be held in March and April. To learn more about the Atlantic City Sharks Youth Ice Hockey Club visit www.acsharks.com.

FRIDAY: 7:30-10 SUNDAY AFTERNOON: 1:00 - 3:30

Supersweet Valentine’s Day events for kids to get excited about

Family Tides

By Madison Russ

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be all about romance — for families, it can be a simple excuse to slow down and celebrate the love they share through play, creativity and time together. If you’re looking for sweet, hands-on ways to celebrate with your littlest loves, several local, kid-friendly spots are offering events designed to do just that.

Celebrate love through music, movement and crafts

Celebrate with your little valentine at The Kindly Co in Linwood at the Montessori studio’s Sweethearts Dance Party on Feb. 14 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Designed for children up

to age 5, the event includes a guided music and dance class, a Valentine craft station, access to the indoor play space and a grown-up-and-me photo booth. Light bites will be available for children, while canned lattes from Jessie’s of Linwood and treats and sourdough from ruby Moon will be available for purchase. Cost is $37 per child; siblings under 1 are free with a paid registration.

Older children can join the Made With Love: Big Kids Valentine Party on Feb. 14 for ages 5 to 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. The afternoon features hands-on activities, including a patch party to design a canvas travel bag, Polaroid frame decorating with charms and beads, styled Valentine photo opportunities and a themed, kid-friendly charcuterie spread. Tickets are $45. register for either event at thekindlycoplay.com.

Savor sweet memories

Head to Electric Donuts in Northfield for two Valentine-themed

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events that pair playtime with plenty of sprinkles. On Feb. 8 from 9 to 11 a.m., children can meet Cinderella, make a Valentine with her and enjoy open play, donuts and juice boxes. Tickets are $35.

Then on Feb. 14 from 9 to 11 a.m., Electric Donuts will host Sprinkled With Love, a Valentine’s Day sensory party featuring Valentine-themed sensory play, festive crafts, open play and donut decorating. Tickets are $30. Tickets are limited for both events and can be reserved at electricdonutsplaycafe. com.

all while enjoying three hours of open play. Tickets are $35 per child or $15 for children under 18 months.

The fun continues Feb. 15 with the Love Bug Playdate from 3 to 6 p.m. Designed for ages 1 to 5, the event features open play, a Play-Doh station, a Valentine-themed sensory table, a candy jar bar, themed snacks and a group craft. Chil -

dren will decorate a love bug cupcake to take home. Tickets are $25 per child. Families can bundle both events for $50. For details and registration, visit minimindsplaytime.com.

Check out some heartfelt fun at the library

The Atlantic County Library System is offering several free Valentine-themed events for kids. The Craft-Tastic Kids Club invites children ages 5 to 12 to make conversation heart picture frames at the Absecon branch on Feb. 5 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

The Mays Landing branch will host a Valentine’s Day Crafterama on Feb. 10 from 6 to 7 p.m. for children ages 4 to 12, featuring themed crafts. Then, on Feb. 14 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the Ventnor branch will host a felt heart craft event. registration is required for all events. For details and more Valentine-themed events, visit atlanticlibrary.org.

Share the love with pizza and play

Mini Minds Playtime is serving up a full weekend of Valentine fun. On Feb. 14, the Galloway-based indoor play space will host its Love at First Slice pizza party from 12 to 3 p.m. Kids can grab a slice, create Valentine crafts, explore a themed sweets table, enjoy sauce sensory fun and games, dance to music and take home party favors,

Create something sweet

Bright Stars Academy is embracing some hands-on Valentine’s Day fun with two creative evening events for children ages 4 to 7. The fun begins Feb. 6 with Valentine Slime Time from 6 to 8 p.m. Kids will mix and stretch slime to take home, enjoy a snack and burn off energy with gym time.

The celebrations continue Feb. 13 with a Valentine Paint Party, also from 6 to 8 p.m. The evening includes canvas painting, a snack and gym time. Both events cost $35 per child and require preregistration. For more information, visit brightstarsgym. com.

Madison Russ is an awardwinning journalist, copy editor and adjunct professor of communication based in Atlantic County. An Ocean City native, Madison is passionate about telling stories that matter to locals, often spotlighting nonprofits and exploring the area's vibrant arts scene.

Ice skaters had lots of fun on Bargaintown Pond in Egg

here in 1948. The frozen pond attracted skaters from Atlantic City,

and areas in between. The Linwood police were assigned to handle traffic on the roads leading to the pond. Night skating could be enjoyed with the help of flood lights. The gals in the front are Betty McNeill, Joan Ellis, and Judy Smith. Other popular places to skate were Ott’s Pond near Mainland regional High School in Linwood, Birch Grove Park and Smithville Lake. Credit: Greate Egg Harbor Township Historical Society

Councilman Keith Hartzell is getting ready for Ocean City mayoral rematch

By Julia Train

Ocean City Councilman

Keith Hartzell is preparing to officially announce his second run for mayor. This race will set up a rematch against incumbent Mayor Jay Gillian, who has held the office since 2010 and is currently serving his fourth term.

Although Hartzell, a 2nd Ward city councilman, has not yet formally entered the race, he is making what he described as a “soft announcement” by spending time meeting with voters across the city.

“What I like to do is knock on doors and talk to people, and make sure that what I'm thinking is what they're thinking,” Hartzell said. “So when I go to announce, and I have my platform, it will be vetted from doorto-door activity every day.”

Hartzell said he is developing his campaign strategy by finding what he calls a “sweet spot,” formed through direct conversations with constituents about what will work.

He said he targets a cross section of registered voters when canvassing

neighborhoods and relies on those discussions, rather than polling, to shape his message.

“I'm formulating my strategy. I'm out talking to people… This is a time when I go knock on doors every day, and I talk to people, and I gather information and research,” he said. “I mean, you can poll or

Hartzell previously ran for mayor in 2022 but lost to Gillian. As a result, he also lost his council seat at that time before returning to council two years later. He said his approach this time is centered on listening directly to residents before finalizing his platform.

exist one day, and that Mr. Mita would want to build a high-rise hotel,” Hartzell said. “And that's exactly what happened.”

He added that while he supports redevelopment, he opposed a high-rise hotel at the site.

“I don't mind some kind of a hotel, but not a high rise,” he said.

Hartzell said that issue is not the only reason he is running again, but it remains part of his broader vision for the city. He has publicly supported a mixeduse redevelopment concept for the Wonderland property.

The councilman described a vision that maintains boardwalk-style entertainment along the boardwalk while placing lodging toward the rear of the property.

you can go talk to people. I go talk to people. I'm a living room, front porch guy.”

He said an official announcement is expected toward the end of February.

In explaining why he ran for mayor in 2022, Hartzell pointed to development concerns, particularly surrounding the former Gillian’s Wonderland Pier site.

“I was very concerned that Gillian's [Wonderland Pier] would cease to

When asked how his leadership would differ from Gillian’s, Hartzell said details would be shared once his campaign is formally launched.

For now, Hartzell said his focus remains on listening.

“This is just a time to go out and talk to people and listen,” he said.

2026 health advances: New tests, smarter scans, better options

By Robin Stoloff

e don’t think much about medical advances, until they hit closer to home. It is the phone call after a test, the scan we are waiting for, the family member hoping for better options, or the simple desire to stay healthier as the years go by. That is why the most encouraging breakthroughs expected in 2026 are not the ones that feel flashy or futuristic. They are the ones that quietly make care better, faster, and more supportive in real life, when we need it most. They will show up in everyday moments, a blood test that nudges someone to follow up sooner, a scan that gets reviewed more quickly, a medication that is easier

to take, or new tools that quietly give doctors more time to focus on people, not paperwork.

One of the biggest storylines this year is cancer detection by blood test. We are going to hear more about multi cancer early detection tests (MCED), often called liquid biopsies, that look for cancer signals in the bloodstream. Beyond the simplicity of a blood draw, the hope is that these tests could help detect certain cancers earlier, especially the ones that do not have reliable screening tests today. However, the question that matters most remains the same, does this truly increase the number of people diagnosed at an earlier stage?

That is why so many eyes are on large studies like the NHS Galleri trial in the united Kingdom. researchers are trying to learn whether adding a blood test to the mix can help find more cancers earlier, in a way that truly changes outcomes. If the results are encouraging, it could shape how health systems think about screening in the future, not as a replacement for mammograms, colonoscopies,

or other recommended tests, but as something that might someday work alongside them.

Here in the u.S., there are also large studies underway looking at how these blood tests perform in real world settings when they are added to routine screenings. It is important to note that a positive blood test does not equal a diagnosis. It usually means more steps, imaging, follow up, sometimes a specialist visit, and the need to confirm what is actually going on. In 2026, we will also hear more about how doctors and patients handle these results, getting the potential benefit of earlier detection without creating unnecessary fear.

At the same time, it is important to keep expectations realistic. We are still learning who benefits most, how to minimize side effects, and what long term maintenance truly looks like. For some people, these medications can be life changing. For others, they may not be the right match. In 2026, we should get clearer answers as more research is published and more real-world data adds to the picture.

Another area that is moving forward quickly, and may affect more of us than we realize, is medical imaging. AI in radiology may sound futuristic, but it is already here. In many cases, it helps care teams spot urgent findings sooner and reduces the chance that something gets overlooked. Much of this happens behind the scenes, so we may never “see” it as a patient, but we might feel it in shorter waits, faster decisions, and clearer next steps when time matters.

Medications are also evolving in a way that is very personal. If the last couple of years were about weight loss medications becoming part of mainstream medicine, 2026 may be the year we stop thinking of them as injections only. Weight loss pills are moving into the spotlight, and that matters because for many people, a pill is simply easier to take and easier to fit into real life. Coverage, cost, and long-term results are still big questions, but the direction is clear, more options are coming, and that often means more chances to find the right fit.

With new advancements, we may have more choice, more flexibility, and potentially fewer barriers in supporting our health and wellness.

Then there is the category that always feels like the future arriving early, gene therapy and gene editing. For families facing rare diseases, progress here can mean everything. There is growing attention on how to move research forward safely, how to evaluate treatments when patient populations are small, and how to make sure breakthroughs do not remain out of reach because of cost or access. The science can sound complicated, but the heart of it is very human. It is the idea that a disease once considered untreatable might become manageable, or even preventable, for certain patients. Finally, keep an eye on Alzheimer’s research. The story here is not just one miracle drug, it is the steady push to do better, to improve how treatments reach the brain, and to explore combinations that may work more effectively over time. It is a reminder that progress often comes in steps, not lightning bolts, and those steps still matter for families living with memory loss every day.

The most encouraging theme of 2026 is that progress that feels practical. The headlines can sound exciting, but the best breakthroughs are the ones that help people live longer, feel better, or get answers sooner, without creating new confusion or unnecessary stress. So, as we watch these advances unfold, the questions to keep in mind are simple. Does this improve real outcomes, for real people, and what are the tradeoffs? If the data keeps moving in the right direction, these developments will not just make news, they will make a difference in everyday lives.

Robin is a former television reporter for NBC News 40. She currently hosts a podcast and radio program called Living Well with Robin Stoloff. It airs Sundays at 10 AM on Lite 96.9. You can email Robin at livingwellwithrobin@gmail.com

OPEN WEEKENDS

11am-4pm in Jan, Feb& March

Open Presidents Day, Monday, Feb 16 from 11-4pm

Guided Tours Through the Interior of Lucy Every 45 Minutes

Lucy’s Gift Shop is temporarily located across the street from Lucy at the corner of Washington & Atlantic Avenues.

To the Editor

We are now more than a year and a half following the closure of the Wonderland amusement park. While the Boardwalk Subcommittee is doing serious work — and I look forward to its presentation on Feb. 7 — the broader conversation in town is stuck in the same place it was almost two years ago: a high-rise hotel, or nothing. Yet, in all that time, the hotel developer has shared no new information about his hotel, what it will include, how high it will be, how it will incorporate the entertainment he promised to include, or whether he is open to compromise. His plan and diagrams remain vague, and there is still no clear, updated proposal the public can evaluate.

Why is this?

Mr. Mita has heard the voices in town. He knows there is significant opposition to the scale of what has been floated — not necessarily to a hotel in concept, but to the size, and to the loss of family entertainment. He has been rumored to be open to

reducing the height — but by how much? He has heard the objections to tax relief, (and even his own attorney suggested the project could proceed without it) — but what is his position, really?

He has heard major concerns about parking, with his resort unable to accommodate guests and workers, with the result being cars packing neighboring streets, which are already above capacity. Yet the answer we keep getting is a sales pitch: “I’m not bringing a problem — I’m bringing a solution!” But what is it, exactly?

On amusements, his story has veered all over the map, sometimes with the Ferris Wheel gone; other times with him gifting it to the City. Who’s paying for its repair? Or will it be just a light show, and not a ride? Other rides seem to come and go — they were taped over in some presentations. What’s really proposed?

I get it — this is sales. Mr. Mita is a salesman and he is market-testing. Floating ideas, promising different things, seeing what sticks and what draws pushback, learning what matters and what doesn’t. That’s to be ex-

pected…in the beginning. But normally, market testing leads somewhere: an updated proposal that reflects what you’ve heard, and moves an idea along. Instead, we have division and confusion.

Here’s a crazy idea: how about he answers these questions the straightforward way — with updated drawings. Show a plan where the resort actually fits the property. Show the beach as it exists today, in its narrow state — not an idealized version. Show the carousel, Ferris wheel, and any proposed rides in their real, proposed locations. Show a lower height. Put it on paper so the public can react to something concrete.

And since he is seeking special approvals that effectively grant a very valuable development right, then it’s also fair to ask for a bit more transparency on the fundamentals. Yes, the finances are “his business.” But before the city contemplates granting expanded build rights — or reshaping the future of the Boardwalk around one private project — the public deserves to understand, at least at a basic level, how the project can be sustainable,

which is a legitimate question. Outside of Atlantic City, no hotel of this size has been built on the NJ Shore in decades. How will this one be different? That doesn’t mean disclosing proprietary details. It means providing enough information to evaluate whether his promises match the economics: the project budget range, the capital structure in broad strokes, the occupancy and pricing assumptions, and what exactly is being financed (and what isn’t). If the proposal depends on optimistic assumptions, the public should know that before we lock in irreversible land-use decisions. We don’t want the city approving what it thinks is a hotel that quickly becomes condos. (remember The Soleil.)

Along the same lines, the city should sponsor a third-party market study that answers the questions residents are actually asking: How many incremental visitors would this resort bring, if any, or does it just cannibalize business at other hotels? When would the visitors come? Where would they likely spend money — on the Boardwalk, downtown, elsewhere, or mostly on-site? How does that spending compare to other potential uses of the site? And importantly: would the resort strengthen the Boardwalk’s ecosystem, or siphon activity away from it?

These are reasonable questions. They’re not anti-business. They’re basic due diligence.

And all of this — updated plans, basic sustainability assumptions, and independent market analysis — would be useful input for the Boardwalk Subcommittee as it evaluates whether any zoning changes are truly warranted, and if so, what changes actually serve the public interest.

In the end, I know we need to move forward, and that some compromise is necessary. But to compromise, we need a solid starting point. It’s time we had one.

Sincerely,

Bill Merritt Ocean City 2050

Seven bull terrier puppies welcomed into the world

By Heidi Clayton

Regular readers may know that I own a dog-training business while participating in dog shows and breeding bull terriers. As many of you know, Miki, a beloved bull terrier of mine, has been getting ready to have babies!

In the lead-up to the big day, Miki had a veterinarian appointment with Dr. Agnew on Jan. 23. Dr. Agnew performed an ultrasound, checked her GI motility, and checked Miki’s progesterone to make sure she was ready to deliver her puppies. She got the all-clear for her C-section to go ahead as planned on Jan. 26.

On Jan. 25, I was full of anticipation, even in the midst of what was predicted to be the storm of the century. As I happily awaited our newest bull terrier additions, I began writing this article, since the next day would hopefully bring their arrival.

Puppies are an altricial species, meaning they are born slightly underdeveloped. Puppies are blind and deaf with both their eyes and ears closed at birth, are unable to regulate their body temperatures, and do not have full coats of fur. This is why a dog's gestation period is only roughly 63 days, as opposed to species like horses or cows, whose offspring are born with their eyes open, full coats, and are able to walk almost immediately. Since Miki’s veterinarian advised that it would be safest for these puppies to be born via a C-section at an animal hospital, I have prepared a plastic bin filled with a fleece crate pad and blankets that will contain a heating pad that will keep them warm while I drive home. We also planned on letting the puppies nurse, once Miki comes round from the anesthesia, so I can get them home with full bellies.

At 1:15 p.m. on Jan 26, I welcomed seven healthy, loud, and beautiful bull terrier puppies into the world! I may have briefly passed out when I heard that there were seven puppies and not just the five that I expected, but we love the two little stowaways so much already. There are six boys total and one little girl. Six of them are Colored Bull Terriers, in the form

of dark rich brindle coloring, and we have one little white boy whom I am calling Yuki, which is the Japanese word for snow.

Miki did fantastic during the surgery. As of the time of this writing, she is a bit loopy from the anesthesia but is letting the puppies nurse, and boy are they nursing, and she wants to be with them. She is getting oxytocin injections so that her maternal instincts kick in since she gave birth via a cesarean section. As the anesthesia wears off, she will start to clean them exclusively and will stimulate their peeing and pooping process. right now, I am cleaning the newborn puppies while she recovers. Before leaving the clinic, we, of course, made sure Miki was stable and kept the puppies nice and warm in an incuba-

tor, in between two feedings. Newborn puppies nurse about every two hours, and this crew is ravenous. Keeping on top of Miki getting enough food and good nutrition will be a high priority.

The puppies will be sleeping in the whelping box with Miki, and I’ve been gearing up for their first night at home. I’ll be weighing the puppies daily to make sure they are steadily gaining weight. I am relieved that all went well and that everyone is home safe, and I already love the babies so much. Miki and Czar, the puppies’ father, did such a good job! Welcome to the world, little babies; I cannot wait to watch all seven of you grow and thrive!

Heidi Clayton started Four On the Floor Dog Training to provide positive, rewardbased dog training in South Jersey. She breeds, trains and shows bull terriers under the SoraBully’s Bull Terriers kennel name. Email questions to heidi@ fouronthefloordogtraining. net or learn more at https:// fouronthefloordogtraining.net

Oven-baked potstickers: Comfort food for cold, snowy days

By Tammy Thornton

As we sit in our homes surrounded by snow and ice, a little comfort food straight from the oven can warm up our souls. This dish comes together quickly with ingredients that you can keep on hand for whenever you need a quick and easy meal. Different versions of this recipe have gone viral on social media, so you can tweak the ingredients to suit your own taste. Best of all, you can make these oven-baked potstickers using only one dish, making for an easy cleanup.

So, while the combination of ingredients really gives this dish a lot of flavor, two things in particular are having a moment in my kitchen — red Thai curry paste and coconut milk. If you had asked me before if I like

curry, I would have said, "Definitely, not.” But after using red curry paste in a Thai chicken soup with coconut milk, I have become a believer. Thai curry adds a certain nuance to dishes without being overly spicy or having

a 3D body scan performed in under a minute

the same strong taste that I have associated with curry in the past. Coconut milk is the perfect ingredient for someone who is lactose intolerant or is following a plant-based diet. When I make these potstickers, I am usually feeding a crowd, so I use a 9 x 13 dish. You can downsize this dish, but the next day, you will wish you made more. Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees. Into my glass dish, I added one can of coconut milk. using “regular” coconut milk will give it a richer, creamier flavor. I have also used cans of lite coconut milk, and this works fine, but the consistency of your sauce will be less creamy and a bit more watery. In the same baking dish, swirl in one to two tablespoons of red Thai curry paste (which can be found in small jars at the grocery store), one fourth cup of soy sauce, one to two cloves of minced garlic, one tablespoon of

brown sugar, and one tablespoon of rice wine vinegar. After stirring these ingredients together, squeeze one lime into the mixture and grate fresh ginger over the top.

Next, you will want to add your potstickers to the dish. You can find potstickers in the frozen food section of your grocery store. They can be found with pork or with chicken and vegetables. Ones with just vegetables are also an option, to keep it vegetarian. You can also substitute frozen dumplings. I like to add these before the vegetables so that I can stir them around and make sure they are covered in that delicious sauce. Once you have mixed them in the sauce, arrange them in a single layer. For a 9 x 13 dish, I was able to fit most of a large bag of potstickers. Now you have a choice for your vegetables; you can add chopped baby bok choy, a few handfuls of chopped fresh baby spinach or a combination of both. Lastly, I topped everything with some cilantro and green onions, and drizzled some chili oil crunch over the top. Don’t be overwhelmed if this seems like too many ingredients. recipes are always meant to be adapted for your own personal taste. If you think chili oil is too spicy for your palate? Skip it. Are you fresh out of cilantro and green onions? No problem. use the ingredients that you have at your disposal and make substitutions. You may develop your own favorite way of enjoying this dish.

Once everything is assembled, cover with foil and bake for a half hour. At this point, the potstickers should be steaming hot, and you may want to remove the foil and allow them to rest for a few minutes. Hopefully, you will enjoy the sauce as much as we did and start imagining other ways to use it. My daughter and I were thinking that the leftover sauce would taste really good over rice or rice noodles. After making the potstickers a few times, I bulked up the meal by adding some leftover chicken to the dish for a hearty dinner. We would love to hear from our readers. If you have tried this recipe, what changes did you make to suit your style? Send your questions or comments to shorelocalgardener@ gmail.com.

Tammy Thornton lives with her husband, children, and crazy pets while enjoying a life of gardening, cooking, and going to the beach.

The Forecast Calls for Fun

Whether you want a book to read by the fire or fun indoor activities, the library has you covered. Choose from best-selling books, helpful workshops, children’s programs, concerts, online resources and more this winter.

Visit OceanCityLibrary.org for a complete list of events and resources.

HOURS Mon.-Fri. 9am-9pm Sat. 9am-5pm • Sun. 11am-5pm

CURBSIDE PICKUP Mon.-Fri. 9am-6pm Sat. 9am-4pm • Sun. 11am-4pm

www.oceancitylibrary.org

What’s happening in Ocean City Ocean

City gets ready for spring events

Memorial Day and another summer season are just four months away, and our frozen temperatures have nowhere to go but up.

In the meantime, Ocean City is planning another great lineup of winter and spring events.

Valentine’s Day Weekend will kick things off with the Winter Warrior Challenge, the Nature & Environment Family Fun Day and “Love Is in the Air: Cabaret of Broadway Love Songs.”

The Winter Warrior Challenge returns for its third year on Feb. 14. The event will be run out of the Ocean City Civic Center and include multiple components: an obstacle course race for children, a “Winter Warrior” obstacle course race for parents and individuals and team challenges such a fire-truck pull. registration is open at ocnj.us/race-events.

The seventh annual Ocean City Nature & The Environment Family Fun Day is set for 9:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 14 in the cafeteria at Ocean City High School (501 Atlantic Avenue). The event is a great chance to get the kids out to do something educational, interactive and have loads of fun this Presidents Day Weekend.

The Greater Ocean City Theatre Company will celebrate Valentine’s Day with a showcase of Broadway love songs at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14 at the Ocean City Music Pier. A postshow reception has been canceled, but tickets for the show remain on sale at oceancitytheatrecompany. com.

Market Madness on March 14 and 15 will bring together all of Ocean City’s favorite stores under one roof at the Ocean City Civic Center for two days of pre-season shopping

specials.

The Ocean City regional Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Job Fair 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. March 21 at the Ocean City Music Pier.

The spring season starts with annual Easter events. The Great Egg Hunts on March 28 and April 4 will invite children to stop by participating boardwalk stores in their search for eggs and treats. The Easter Dueling Pianos Show will be on Sunday, April 5, outside the Music Pier.

The spring calendar continues with Girls Weekend from April 10 to April 12, and the OC Con Comic Book and Memorabilia Show on April 11 and April 12 (artist registration is open at ocnjcon.com). The madcap Doo Dah Parade falls on April 18 this year and will feature the usual brigade of basset hounds

The Sports Memorabilia Show returns to a two-day event on April 25 and April 26 at the Music Pier. Stay posted for announcements about this year’s special guests. Vendor registration is open at ocnj.us/ SportsMemorabiliaShow.

Martin Z. Mollusk seeks his shadow on May 1, and we’re betting that he’ll bring us another early summer. The Spring Block Party returns on May 2.

May 9 brings the Spring Cruisin’ the Boards Car Show on the Boardwalk and the Ocean City Schools Art Showcase at the Music Pier.

The Ocean City Skate Park hosts the all-girls Chica De Mayo skateboard party on May 17.

That all leads to the moment we wait for each year: the Unlocking of the Ocean and Business Persons Plunge. This traditional start to the summer season falls on Friday, May 22 this year.

Pleasantville’s Toure granted eighth season of eligibility

By David Weinberg

Eight is enough for Pleasantville High School graduate Mohamed Toure. The standout linebacker for the university of Miami has gained national attention after announcing that he will be playing again for the Hurricanes next season.

It will be his eighth season of eligibility.

On the surface, it seems outlandish. The 24-year-old began his college career at rutgers in 2019, the same season as current NFL players such as Philadelphia Eagles’ linebackers Nakobe Dean and Nolan Smith, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens, and New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson.

Toure just helped lead Miami to the National Championship game. He was the Canes’ leading tackler during the season and was also a standout in the playoffs, which ended with a 27-21 loss to Indiana.

Dean, Pickens and Wilson all just finished their FOurTH NFL seasons. But it’s important to note that

Toure isn’t playing his eighth season of college football. Injuries and other circumstances led the NCAA to grant him an eighth season of eligibility.

College football’s version of Van Wilder can’t be faulted for taking advantage of an opportunity.

Toure was a terrific player for Pleasantville High coach Chris Sacco, helping the Greyhounds gain respectability after years of struggles. As a junior and senior he led the team to a combined 15-6 record in 2017-18.

There were personal challenges along the way.

During his sophomore year at Pleasantville, poor grades nearly ended his football career.

“My mom had a one-strike rule and she told me I couldn’t play anymore,” Toure said on a podcast a few years ago. “Later that day, my teacher, Ms. (Barbara) Potter, said, ‘if I talk to your mom for you, and she lets you play football, you come to my classroom and do your work. I did that and my mom let me play.”

Before the first game of his junior season at Pleasantville, he received word that his grandmother, Mariam, had died unexpectedly in the family’s original home in Liberia.

He decided to play, anyway, and returned a fumble in overtime 90 yards for a touchdown to give the Greyhounds a 13-7 win.

“He went through some adversity

↘Continued on 32

today,” Sacco told The Press after the game. “I just can’t be more proud of the way he responded. That says a lot about him, to hang in there.”

He would deal with more adversity at rutgers.

u pon signing with the Scarlet Knights, he redshirted as a true freshman in 2019. In 2020, the NCAA granted all players a free year of eligibility because of the Covid 19 pandemic-shortened season.

In addition, Toure tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee twice, in 2022 and again in 2024, both of which resulted in medical redshirts.

Having played in 2021 and 2023, Toure still had two more seasons of eligibility and he decided to use them by transferring to the u niversity of Miami.

“I wanted the opportunity to play (with and against) elite talent and play for something bigger,” Toure said during the playoffs.

He immediately became a standout for the Hurricanes. He led the team with 84 tackles and added three tackles for loss, two sacks and six pass breakups in 16 games.

Toure really stood out when the stakes were highest. He posted eight tackles against Texas A&M, seven in an upset of Ohio State, four in a semi -

final win over Ole Miss and matched his career high with 11 stops in the national championship game.

Just as importantly, he emerged as a leader off the field.

“Just him as a person, who he is and how he is around his teammates, how he is around the staff, to me he’s a no-brainer in any department,” Miami defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman told the New York Post.

“He’s a guy I want around my family. I want him around the players. I want him in the locker room, because he pulls everyone up. He gets everyone better around him.”

Now he gets to do it one more season.

Toure could have declared for the 2026 NFL draft, but with NIL opportunities now available, using up one’s eligibility is not a bad option. It gives him a chance to prove that this season was not a fluke, ease the concerns from NFL scouts about his injury history, perhaps improve his draft stock for next season, while also making some money.

After all the injuries and uncertainty, after the personal challenges he’s overcome, he can’t be faulted for playing one more season.

“I know what it feels like to be at the bottom,” Toure told the New York Post. “I know what it feels like to have to fight and go through adversity and

have to overcome obstacles and just through hurdles to get to where I am today.

“It’s a blessing, man. I don’t take any of this for granted. Every opportunity, every game, every practice, I just take a deep breath and make the most of it and I try to have fun every single time I can.”

Local NFL update

Six local players from Cape-Atlantic League schools saw action in the NFL this season.

Jacksonville Jaguars rookie running back LeQuint Allen, Jr. (Millville) had 23 carries for 94 yards (4.1 yards per carry) and 10 receptions for 54 yards in the regular season. In the playoffs, he had one carry for 3 yards, one reception for 9 yards and a 26-yard kickoff return in the Jaguars’ 27-24 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Dallas Cowboys safety Markquese Bell (Bridgeton) registered 33 tackles in his fourth season and recorded his first career interception against the Las Vegas raiders.

Jaguars nose tackle Austin Johnson (St. Augustine Prep, Galloway Township) finished his 10th NFL season with four tackles and a sack in his first season with the Jaguars and added a tackle in the playoffs.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver/ defensive back Bo Melton (Cedar

Creek) played a variety of roles for the team in his fourth season. He opened the season as a defensive back, but also saw time at wide receiver and had four receptions for 107 yards and a 45-yard touchdown against the Chicago Bears. He also had 35 yards on five carries and averaged 24.6 yards on 19 kickoff returns. The Packers lost 31-27 to the Bears in the playoffs.

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Max Melton (Cedar Creek), Bo’s younger brother, saw action in 10 games during his second season and had 31 tackles with five pass defenses while dealing with a variety of injuries.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (Vineland) was the Chiefs’ second-leading rusher with 462 yards and a TD on 118 carries (3.9 yards per carry) in his fourth season. He added 19 receptions for 101 yards and a TD.

David is a nationally recognized sports columnist who has covered Philadelphia and local sports for over 40 years. After 35 years with The Press, he has served as a columnist for 973ESPN.com and created his own Facebook page, Dave Weinberg Extra Points. Send comments to weinbergd419@comcast.net.

Entertainment & Dining at the Shore

Top Weekly Entertainment Picks

By Steffen Klenk

Shake away the cabin fever this weekend and warm up to a fun activity in our Top Weekly Entertainment Picks. Take in the thrill of indoor auto racing at Boardwalk Hall, get your appetite ready for Atlantic City Wing Fest at Golden Nugget and enjoy a taste of Greece in Egg Harbor Township.

What : Indoor Auto racing

Where: Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall

When : Friday, Jan. 30 and Saturday, Jan. 31

Time: 7 p.m.

Website : https://www.boardwalkhall.com/events/detail/indoorautoracing-2026

One of the most exciting events of the winter returns to Atlantic

City. The 24th running of the NAPA Auto Parts Atlantic City Indoor Midget Car races take place this weekend. Fans can expect two nights of thrilling shorttrack racing featuring some of the region’s top auto racers. Highlights include the BlackJack 21 and Gambler’s Classic.

What : Atlantic City Wing Fest

Where: Golden Nugget Atlantic City

When : Saturday, Jan. 31

Time: 1-4 p.m.

Website: www.goldennugget.com/ atlantic-city/entertainment/upcoming-events/atlantic-city-wing-fest/

If you love wings, craft beer and live music, this event is for you. Atlantic City Wing Fest brings over 20 South Jersey restaurants together to de -

cide who has the best wings and it is all determined by your votes. Plus, enjoy craft beer, cocktails, contests and live music by the Billy Walton Band.

What : Holy Trinity Greek Winter Feast

Where: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

When : Friday, Jan. 30-Sunday, Feb. 1

Time: 5-10 p.m. Friday; 12-11 p.m. Saturday; 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday Website: www.holytrinityeggharbor. com/greek-winter-feast-2026/ Bring your family, friends and appetite to Egg Harbor Township this weekend for Holy Trinity’s annual Greek Winter Feast. Enjoy authentic Greek food, Greek dance group performances, DJ entertainment, homemade Greek pastries and cocktails. Dine in and take out available.

What : Controversy: The Prince Tribute

Where: Anchor rock Club

When : Friday, Jan. 30

Time: 8 p.m.

Website: www.anchorrockclub.com

Controversy: The Prince Tribute arrives at Anchor rock Club this Friday with special guest Johnie Jupiter. Hear all your favorite Prince songs from “1999” to “Purple rain,” “ raspberry Beret” and many more. The show will feature two live sets of incredible music. Attendees must be 18+.

Who: Mojo Brookzz

Where: The Music Box at Borgata

When : Friday, Jan. 30

Time: 8 p.m.

Website: https://borgata.mgmresorts.com/en/entertainment/themusic-box/mojo-brookz.html

Dyon "Mojo" Brooks is an iconic actor, writer, producer and stand-up comedian. He is best known for touring alongside longtime industry legends such as Mike Epps, Martin Lawrence and Deon Cole. His nationwide tour has received wide acclaim from audiences nationwide. See Brooks live at Borgata this Friday.

What : red Mondays

Where: rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

When : Mondays

Time: 7-11 p.m.

Website: www.goldennugget.com/ atlantic-city/nightlife/rush-lounge/ Every Monday is a rockin’ good time at the rush Lounge as one of South Jersey’s premiere rock bands takes the stage for an evening of original songs and stellar covers. Gather your friends, get on the dance floor and tap your toes to the sounds of red.

What : Trivia Night

Where: Gregory’s restaurant and Bar

When : Wednesdays

Time: 7 p.m.

Website : www.gregorysbar.com/ events

Grab your friends and enjoy a night of trivia at Gregory’s in Somers Point. Test your knowledge and enjoy delicious food and beverages and prizes every round. The fun starts at 7 p.m.

What : XO Bar Valentine Themed Pop- up Bar

Where: resorts Atlantic City When : Now-Feb. 22

Website: www.resortsac.com/entertainment/valentine-pop-up-bar

Feel the love at resorts all month long as Bar One is transformed into the ultimate Valentine’s Pop- up experience. XO Bar invites guests to a romantic paradise with Valentine-inspired décor, themed cocktails and live entertainment, perfect for date nights, Galentine’s gatherings, or a solo toast to self-love. XO Bar is now open daily.

Steffen Klenk is a photographer and multimedia journalist who enjoys capturing the eclectic moments of shore life. You may contact Steffen at shorelocalsteffen@gmail.com.

10% OFF HAPPY HOUR

Early Bird 8am-9am Nite Owl 9pm-10pm

Friday, January 30

Mojo Brookzz

▶8 p.m.

The Music Box at Borgata

Saturday, January 31

Jason Aldean

7:30 p.m.

Hard rock Live at Etess Arena

The 3 Kings Ultimate Elvis Experience

▶3 p.m. & 8 p.m.

Sound Waves at Hard rock

Joe List

▶8 p.m.

Atlantic City Headliners

Saturday, February 7

Dancing with the Stars Live

The Concert Venue at Harrah’s

Friday, February 6

Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo

▶8 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino

Treaty Oak Revival

▶7 p.m.

Hard rock Live at Etess Arena

Zeppelin USA

▶9 p.m.

The Music Box at Borgata Musiq Soulchild

▶9 p.m.

Tropicana Showroom

▶3 p.m. & 8 p.m.

Borgata Event Center

Billy F Gibbons and the BFG Band

▶8 p.m.

The Music Box at Borgata

Million Dollar Experience: A Celebration of Sun Records

▶8 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino

Josh Johnson

▶6:30 & 9:30 p.m.

Tropicana Showroom

Alfred Robles

▶8 p.m.

The Concert Venue at Harrah’s

Friday, February 13

Trevor Noah

▶8 p.m.

Borgata Event Center

Oh, What a Night: The Ultimate Tribute to Frankie Valli

▶9 p.m.

Superstar Theater at resorts

Saturday, February 14

Diana Krall

▶8 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino

Chelsea Handler

▶8 p.m.

Hard rock Live at Etess Arena

JANUARY SPECIALS

2 COURSE MENU

CHOICE OF SO UP OR S AL A D

BEEF BOURGUIGNON 24

Rich beef sauce with braised short rib, carrots, and potatoes over wide egg noodles.

BRAISED PORK LOIN TOMATO RAGU 20

Tender braised pork loin in spinach and mushroom tomato ragu. Served over wide egg noodles.

BLACKENED SALMON 24

Fresh salmon served over butternut squash risotto and sauteed spinach with garlic.

GRILLED FLAT IRON STEAK 24

with mashed potatoes and asparagus topped with caramelized mushrooms and onions.

BLACKENED SHRIMP & SPINACH SALAD 20

Blackened shrimp with fresh spinach, apple, feta, tomatoes, and almonds in balsamic vinegrette.

BROWN BUTTER GNOCCHI 18

Ricotta cheese gnocchi in a garlic brown butter sauce with sauteed spinach.

TUES - SAT 7AM - 8PM SUN - MON 7AM - 4PM

UpDating

▶8 p.m.

Sound Waves at Hard rock

The R&B Lovers Tour: Keith Sweat, Joe, Dru Hill & Ginuwine

▶8 p.m.

Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall

Boat House Row: Yacht Rock Experience

▶8 p.m.

Tropicana Showroom

Monday, February 16

Harlem Globetrotters

▶2 p.m.

Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall

Friday, February 20

Kool & the Gang

▶9 p.m.

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino

Black Violin

▶8 p.m.

The Concert Venue at Harrah’s

On Sale Now

2026 MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships

▶March 5 – 10

Jim Whelen Boardwalk Hall

NJSIAA Wrestling Championships

▶March 12 – 14

Jim Whelen Boardwalk Hall

DESSERTS

Mike Tyson’s ‘Return of the Mike’ a winner at Hard Rock

By Chuck Darrow

Although Mike Tyson’s performance last Friday of his one-man

show, “ return of The Mike” at Hard rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, did not quite meet the expectations of this audience member, it was nonetheless a compelling and entertaining affair that proved the former boxing champ is a legitimate show business heavyweight.

For reasons I cannot begin to understand, much less explain, I had never seen “Mike Tyson: The undisputed Truth,” the Spike Lee-directed

performance film that debuted on HBO in 2013. So, the night before his Hard rock gig, I decided to stream it. It turned out to be as astounding as it was impressive.

In the 87-minute presentation, the now-59-year-old Tyson put under the microscope his extraordinary life, from his horrific early childhood in the ghettos of Brooklyn to his ascension to being the most successful professional boxer on the planet to his spectacular, multi-faceted fall from grace that included drug addiction and incarceration for a sexual assault conviction, to his so-far-successful personal and professional redemption.

But the revelation was how he told his tale that literally made this viewer laugh and cry. rather than perform a monologue, Tyson took a different route and, when appropriate, assumed the personas of the people he quoted in his anecdotes. More to the point, he did it with an astonishing degree of theatricality that showcased a wholly unexpected wide and deep acting range. His was also quite a physical performance as he used his body to punctuate his material and give it three-dimensional contours.

So, it was easy to see where my expectations were parked last Friday night as I entered the rock’s cavernous Etess Arena. The bad news was

those expectations were not met. The good news was, it was still an awfully entertaining way to spend 65 minutes or so.

While Tyson donned the actor’s mantle for “ u ndisputed Truth,” this time he assumed the identity of a standup comedian. Instead of regular segments of dialogue (with Tyson assuming both roles), there was a monologue. And while the previous show was 100-percent documentary in nature, “ return of The Mike” — which was written and directed by his wife, Lakiha “Kiki” Tyson — found Tyson still mining his you-can’tmake-this-stuff-up life story, but often using his biographical riffs as jumping-off points for commentary about life — and the contemporary world — in general.

It is to Tyson’s credit that neither of his programs have been about self-aggrandizement. To the contrary, he may be the most unabashedly self-critical celebrity who ever exist-

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ed. That certainly seemed the case at Hard rock as time and again he delved into episodes of his life — most with video documentation displayed on the hall’s huge screens — that showed him at his worst: drugged up, threateningly bellicose and altogether unhinged. It takes a person of extraordinarily high self-confidence and self-awareness to acknowledge such embarrassing missteps, let alone acknowledge them to thousands of strangers. And to do so in such a humorous and engaging way is truly something special.

If nothing else, this strategy successfully humanized a man who so often in the past was characterized far and wide as borderline inhuman.

While there was much to laugh at throughout the proceedings, most of it was context-based; sharing lines that were quite funny when Tyson uttered them would likely not seem amusing at all when read here. Also, so much of the material’s success was borne on Tyson’s stellar delivery; watching him work, you’d think he’d spent years honing his craft and developing his excellent timing in the nation’s comedy clubs.

Not surprisingly, Tyson wasn’t nearly as hyperkinetic as he was in “ u ndisputed Truth.” After all, even “Iron Mike” isn’t immune to the laws of nature. And he certainly isn’t the only person who at almost 60 years old can’t do what he did in his forties.

As strong as the overall performance was, not every bit was, well, a knockout. Tyson spent altogether too much time discussing his gastrointestinal issues in explicit detail which, suffice it to say, was kind of hard to stomach. And he didn’t hesitate to repeatedly use the N-word,

that just by hiring her, the restaurant has upped its game.

Resorts does the right thing

A few weeks ago, this column offered some unsolicited suggestions that we thought might help the local gaming industry improve its bottom line. Among them was to quit gouging the public with ridiculous parking fees.

Well, we claim no credit (we’re sure this was in the works well before the column appeared), but we were delighted nonetheless to receive an advisory from resorts Casino-Hotel that free parking is now available there through March.

The offer applies to self-parking (surface lot and garage) only; there is still a charge for valet parking (note the surface lot is only open from Friday afternoon through 6 a.m. Monday). Best of all, there are no minimum-play requirements to qualify for free parking.

The one catch is that you can only take advantage of the freebie by swiping a resorts “Star Card” players card, which is available (for free) at the casino (legal identification required).

Chuck Darrow has spent more than 40 years writing about Atlantic City casinos.

although it didn’t seem to be quite as ubiquitous as it was in “ undisputed Truth.”

But most of all, “ return of The Mike” reinforced the opinion here that Tyson is a legitimately gifted entertainer. As such, his next foray into the performing arts is eagerly awaited. Here’s hoping that whatever he does, he does it in Atlantic City.

Back in action

We’re thrilled to inform you that one of our favorite people — and a true local hospitality-industry icon — is back in the game.

Betty McHugh, who spent decades as the “hostess with the mostest” running restaurants at Caesars Atlantic City (where she was the public face of the now-gone Nero’s Steakhouse) and Hard rock has been named general manager of LaScala’s Fire, the casual Italian eatery inside Ocean Casino resort.

We wish her the best and know

RIP New Jersey cultural treasure Uncle Floyd; his ties to A.C. ran deep

Tune In, Turn On

With Doug Deutsch

If it seems to you like our musical heroes have been passing away at a rapid clip, you’re not imagining it.

As a journalist, I feel compelled to always shine a light on the accomplishments of those who had a career, or were active in music, and who also had a connection to where we live here in southern New Jersey. Of course I wish I didn’t have to write these tribute to the dearly departed, but it’s important to honor the legacies of those who helped shape our musical/cultural experiences; people like Floyd Vivino, aka uncle Floyd, a cable television host and performing comedian/songwriter who passed away on Jan. 22 at age 74.

For the uninitiated, Floyd was

a colorful, offbeat kind of guy who was known for his plaid, porkpie hats and sport jackets, who hosted a variety program, “The u ncle Floyd Show,” on uA-Columbia Cable TV of New Jersey from 1974 to 1998 – a solid 23-year run.

The irreverent, unscripted program was once described as a “cross between ‘PeeWee’s Playhouse’ and ‘The Soupy Sales Show,’" blending music, sketches, puppets (Oogie and Bones Boy), and parody. During its run, “The u ncle Floyd Show” was recognized as the longest-running, New Jersey-based television show in history.

Floyd, who came from a family of musicians, also booked musical guests. Among the more than 500 big-name guests to perform on his show were Cyndi Lauper, Bon Jovi, Squeeze, The Smithereens, Tiny Tim and countless others. Many

were lip-sync performances, which only added to the irreverent nature of Floyd’s show.

Floyd) at Borgata Music Box when they ran the Borgata Comedy Club there. He was great,” said Mike Kelly, who booked Floyd for both Elks performances.

Floyd’s connection to Atlantic City goes back to his childhood. He was on stage at the Steel Pier during the 1960s as a child performer in the “Stars of Tomorrow” shows, a regular feature on the pier.

Perhaps most telling are the scores of quotes from famous musicians and people in the music industry praising Floyd.

Jon Bon Jovi, in a recent social media post, wrote, “ uncle Floyd gave me a shot on his show first before anyone. Thank you, Floyd. rest easy, my friend.”

Longtime shock jock Howard Stern wrote, “Those of you from the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut area would know who uncle Floyd was. He was this guy who I loved. I did his show once. His show was charming.”

Floyd also had a wicked sense of humor. South Jersey rock accordionist Malcolm Tent, who performed on uncle Floyd in 1984, told us, “After I performed a few songs, Floyd held up my two singles and said to his TV audience, ‘Here’s Malcolm’s two records. They’re selling like hotcakes; too bad they’re not selling like records!”

Perhaps his brother, Jimmy, summed it up best.

Legendary punk rock band the ramones, who also appeared on the “The uncle Floyd Show,” recognized him in their song “It’s Not My Place (In the Nine To Five World).” ramones guitarist Johnny ramone could often be seen wearing an uncle Floyd T-shirt in pictures taken with the band. Lead singer Joey ramone often wore an “ u ncle Floyd Show” button on the lapel of his leather jacket. Famed New Jersey rockers Dramarama feature “The uncle Floyd Show” in the lyrics of their 1994 hit “Work For Food.” The Wayne, N.J., group also appeared on Floyd’s show.

Mercury records took Floyd seriously enough to release an album, “The u ncle Floyd Show Album,” in 1984. No less a luminary than the Thin White Duke (late superstar David Bowie) even wrote a song about uncle Floyd, “Slip Away,” for his 2002 album, “Heathen.” A 2023 documentary called “Flipside,” by filmmaker Chris Wilca about his attempt to save a New Jersey record store, included an uncle Floyd segment.

Vivino performed here many times, including two sold-out appearances at the Elks Lodge in Brigantine in 2018 and 2021.

“We would go to see him (u ncle

“When my brother Floyd was made, there was no mold to be broken,” musician Jimmy Vivino told us by text. “God works completely freehand sometimes. Floyd was one of those creations.”

In a state known for having produced many world-class musicians and entertainers through the years, u ncle Floyd will be remembered as well as one of the Garden State’s greats.

rIP uncle Floyd Vivino.

Doug is the owner/operator of Doug Deutsch Publicity Services, which since 1995 has been servicing nationally touring acts, and working record release campaigns for clients. Doug can be reached at ShoreLocalDoug@ gmail.com

Live & Local Music Calendar

Thursday, January 29

Atlantic City

Bar One at Resorts

Karaoke w/ Cowboy Kevin

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

1133 Boardwalk

Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino

Live DJ

8 p.m.

500 Boardwalk

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

Dane Anthony

8 p.m.

600 Huron Ave.

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock

Austin City Nights

7 – 11 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk

Egg Harbor Township

A Touch of Italy

Paul Dempsey. 5 – 8 p.m.

6629 Black Horse Pike

The Roost Pub & Grill

Trivia Thursdays

6 – 8 p.m.

500 St. Andrews Dr.

Somers Point

Anchorage Tavern

Music Bingo

8:30 – 10 p.m.

823 Bay Ave.

Caroline’s by the Bay

Karaoke Night w/ DJ Mike

8:30 p.m. – 12 a.m.

450 Bay Ave.

Gregory’s

Steve Tulli

6 p.m.

800 Shore rd.

Josie Kelly’s

Toni Teschner & Billy Walton

6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

908 Shore rd.

Friday, January 30

Atlantic City

Anchor Rock Club

Controversy: The Prince Tribute feat. Johnie Jupiter. 8 p.m.

247 S. New York Ave.

Bar One at Resorts

One Hot Mess

6 – 9 p.m.

DJ Chazz

9:15 p.m. - late 1133 Boardwalk

Borgata B Bar

Brandon Ireland Trio

7:30 – 11 p.m.

The Original Copy Trio

11:30 p.m. – 3 a.m.

1 Borgata Way

Byrdcage

Piano Bar with Nick Myers

5 – 8 p.m.

3426 Atlantic Ave.

Council Oak Lounge at Hard Rock

Greg Farnese Trio

6 – 10 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk

Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino

Jimmy Brogan Duo

7 p.m.

Audio riot

10 p.m.

500 Boardwalk

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

Amy Lee Duo 6 p.m. Loop

10 p.m.

600 Huron Ave.

The Wave at Golden Nugget

Black Dog: Led Zeppelin Tribute 9 p.m.

600 Huron Ave.

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock

B Street Band. 5 – 8:30 p.m.

Sean Patrick & The Alibis

9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.

1000 Boardwalk

The West at Caesars

Kono Nation

10 p.m. – 2 a.m.

2100 Pacific Ave.

Egg Harbor Township A Touch of Italy

Joey DeNoble

6 – 9 p.m.

6629 Black Horse Pike

The Roost Pub & Grill

Nolan Quinn

6:30 p.m.

500 St. Andrews Dr. Galloway

279 Social

Vinnie Trav Duo

7 – 10 p.m.

279 S. New York rd.

Fred & Ethel’s Lantern Light

Shaina Faith

7 – 10 p.m.

1 N. New York rd.

Margate Bocca

Bev & Dan Duo

6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

7805 Ventnor Ave.

Maynard’s Café

Taylor Lenahan. 6 – 9 p.m.

9306 Amherst Ave.

Somers Point

Caroline’s by the Bay

Jump the Line

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

450 Bay Ave.

Crab Trap

NYC

6 – 9 p.m.

2 Broadway

Josie Kelly’s

The Bumpuses

8 p.m.

908 Shore rd.

Tuckerton

The Lizzie Rose Music Room

Glenn Alexander & Shadowland

and James JB Barnes

7:30 p.m.

217 E. Main St.

Saturday, January 31

Absecon

Reddog’s Hi Point Pub

Brandon Ireland

8 p.m.

5 N. Shore rd.

Atlantic City

Anchor Rock Club

Battle of Atlantic City: Live Trib -

utes to rATM, Blink-182 & Linkin Park

8 p.m.

247 S. New York Ave.

Bar One at Resorts

Stereomotion

6 – 9 p.m.

DJ Gary

9:15 p.m. - late

1133 Boardwalk

Borgata B Bar

Indelible Groove Trio

7:30 – 11 p.m.

Big Bang Baby Trio

11:30 p.m. – 3 a.m.

1 Borgata Way

Council Oak Lounge at Hard Rock

Dan Jost Trio

6 – 10 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk

Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino

Embers the Band

7 p.m.

Live DJ

7:50 p.m.

500 Boardwalk

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

Chris Yoder Band

5 p.m.

Cheers the Band

10 p.m.

600 Huron Ave.

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock

Not Leaving Sober

5 – 8:30 p.m.

Steal the Sky

9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.

1000 Boardwalk

The Wave at Golden Nugget

Jagged Little Thrill: Alanis Morrissette Tribute. 8 p.m.

600 Huron Ave.

The West at Caesars The Loop

10 p.m. – 2 a.m.

2100 Pacific Ave.

Egg Harbor Township

A Touch of Italy

Nicki Sbaffoni

6 – 9 p.m.

6629 Black Horse Pike

Galloway

279 Social

Jimmy Brogan Duo

7 – 10 p.m.

279 S. New York rd.

Fred & Ethel’s Lantern Light

Maya & Natalie

7 – 10 p.m.

1 N. New York rd.

Margate

Maynard’s Café

Brian Kmetz

6 – 9 p.m.

9306 Amherst Ave.

Millville

Levoy Theatre

Dead On Live: Grateful Dead Tribute

8 p.m.

126-130 N. High St.

Somers Point

Caroline’s by the Bay Hickstown road

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

450 Bay Ave.

Crab Trap

NYC

6 – 9 p.m.

2 Broadway

Josie Kelly’s Twisted Livin’

8 p.m.

908 Shore rd.

Tuckerton

The Lizzie Rose Music Room

The John Fogerty Tribute Project

7:30 p.m.

217 E. Main St.

Sunday, February 1

Atlantic City

Bar One at Resorts

DJ Eric & DJ Proud

3 p.m. – 12 a.m. 1133 Boardwalk

Byrdcage Jazz Brunch

12 – 3 p.m.

3426 Atlantic Ave.

Nola’s

8

Tuesday, February 3

Atlantic City

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

Patty & Bugzy

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

600 Huron Ave.

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock

Gab Cinque

7 – 11 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk

Somers Point

Caroline’s by the Bay Music Bingo w/ DJ Chris

7 – 9 p.m.

450 Bay Ave.

Josie Kelly’s DJ Ken

5 – 9 p.m.

908 Shore rd.

Wednesday, February 4

Atlantic City

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

Michael Stevens

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

600 Huron Ave.

Margate Bocca

Live Jazz with Bob Sterling & The Bocca Boys

7 – 10 p.m.

7805 Ventnor Ave.

Johnny’s Café DJ Johnny Looch

Monday, February 2

Atlantic City

Byrdcage

Music Monday with Kelli Glover

7 – 10 p.m.

3426 Atlantic Ave.

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

red. 8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

600 Huron Ave.

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Cat 5

7 – 11 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk

6 p.m.

9407 Ventnor Ave.

Somers Point

Caroline’s by the Bay

Open Mic Night w/ Blue Eagle

7:30 – 11:30 p.m.

450 Bay Ave.

Crab Trap

That 70’s Band

6 – 9 p.m.

2 Broadway

Events subject to change.

Paul Whiteman: ‘The King of Jazz’ in Atlantic City

By Bruce Klauber

Ground-breaking bandleader Paul Whiteman may have been many things, but “The King of Jazz,” a moniker foisted on him in 1923 by a publicist during a photo shoot for a musical instrument manufacturer, was not one of them.

For the historically minded, what Whiteman did during the time he led his most famous ensemble – roughly 1920 through the early 1930s – was to orchestrate small-group jazz and introduce symphonic elements to hot music. Indeed, he commissioned “ rhapsody in Blue,” premiered by the Whiteman band with composer George Gershwin himself at the piano, and an orchestration by the iconic Ferde Grofé.

Furthermore, Whiteman introduced a number of future jazz legends to the general public, including trumpeters Bix Beiderbecke and Bunny Berigan, trombonist Jack Teagarden, and a young singer named Bing Crosby, who fronted the band’s singing group, The rhythm Boys.

Whiteman was a frequent visitor to Atlantic City as well. He performed often, with Crosby in tow, at the ritz Carlton’s Terrace Nightclub from the

time of its opening in 1921, and he was an early and popular headliner at the Steel Pier. More than 100 years later, it’s difficult to put Whiteman’s enormous popularity into perspective.

According to a jazz history timeline commissioned by the All About Jazz website:

“Whiteman became the most popular band director of the 1920s. In a time when most dance bands consisted of six to 10 men, Whiteman directed a more imposing group that numbered as many as 35 musicians. By 1922, Whiteman was earning over $1 million a year.” That would be about $19.3 million in 2026 dollars.

As a result of his popularity, in person and on record, and because he was quite the personality and the showman, he was able to successfully branch out into radio and motion pictures.

He began on radio in 1929 and had a program on the airwaves on and off until 1954. In the 1950s, he became music director for the ABC radio Network, and also appeared in several films playing himself, including the 1944 film, “Atlantic City.” It was only a matter of time before he would sink his teeth into television.

Perhaps because the big band era was over by the time television

became popular, big bands – no matter how charismatic the leader – just didn’t make it on the tube. Trumpeter ray Anthony had a short-lived show sponsored by Chesterfield Cigarettes. Sweet bandleader Guy Lombardo starred in a syndicated show that aired briefly. Progressive jazz’s Stan Kenton tried his hand at something called “Music 55,” and the Dorsey Brothers starred in “Stage Show” for two seasons. None of them were highly rated.

On television, Whiteman was more successful than all of them. His first foray into television came in 1949 with a show called “The Paul Whiteman Goodyear revue,” a variety show that lasted until 1952. This was followed by “Paul Whiteman’s TV Teen Club,” broadcast on ABC television from 1949 through 1954.

Iconic TV dance show host Dick Clark first hit the airwaves on Whiteman’s show doing commercials for Tootsie roll. According to author John Jackson, author and Dick Clark historian, Whiteman’s show proved to be an inspiration for “American Bandstand,” WFIL-TV’s afternoon dance show hosted by Clark.

Whiteman then moved his television operation to the Steel Pier in Atlantic City. “On the Boardwalk with Paul Whiteman,” which aired on ABC on Sunday nights from May 30, to Aug. 1, 1954, may have been the first live television show ever broadcast from Atlantic City.

Taking a cue from Arthur Godfrey’s top-rated “Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts,” each episode of Whiteman’s show featured eight young performers during the first half hour who were rated by a panel of four show business people. The top four performers returned the following week to perform again after having a week of professional coaching.

Among the program’s stars were second-line television personalities that included Olympic athlete Bob Mathias, golf pro Ben Hogan and singers Mindy Carson and Earl Wrightson. A press release issued in conjunction with the program’s premiere explained the features of the show:

“‘On the Boardwalk with Paul Whiteman’ centered on an amateur talent contest set against the vibrant backdrop of Atlantic City’s boardwalk, capturing the essence of a seaside vacation atmosphere through lively music, variety acts, and the summer resort vibe of the Jersey Shore. Broadcast directly from the Steel Pier in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the show aimed to showcase undiscovered performers while promoting the city's attractions during its centennial celebrations.

“The format featured an amateur

talent contest in the first 30 minutes, where six performers competed weekly in short acts, judged by a panel, with the top (four) advancing to the following episode for expanded performances. This competitive structure highlighted youthful talents aged 10 to 19, emphasizing quick, engaging routines to maintain viewer interest amid the boardwalk's festive setting. The second half of the hour-long program shifted to professional entertainment, including musical numbers, comedy sketches, and appearances by established artists from Whiteman’s prior productions.”

Though the show was a low-budget, summer replacement series, ABC and Whiteman were serious about its production. According to the show’s notes.

“The program originated as an ABC initiative to provide summer replacement programming in 1954, capitalizing on the network’s need for affordable live content during the off-season.

“Whiteman was selected as host due to his established star power, extensive experience in live broadcasts, and ongoing role as ABC’s vice president and music director since 1948. The Steel Pier was selected as the show’s primary location to evoke a boardwalk atmosphere.”

Production wasn’t always easy back then, especially with a program emanating from the Steel Pier.

“Weather dependencies were notable,” read the show’s notes. “High temperatures during early broadcasts contributed to participant discomfort – host Paul Whiteman appeared in a dark blue suit while the audience was described as ‘limp’ from the heat – though no major disruptions were reported.

“Audience integration was facilitated through community involvement, as local merchants and hoteliers contributed $25,000 alongside the city’s $25,000 investment to cover costs and promote Atlantic City as a convention destination, effectively turning the production into a civic event that drew on summer tourists for energy and promotion.”

Whiteman’s final decade – he passed in 1967 – was spent in semi-retirement in his New Hope, Pa., home, though he made a number of appearances in the late 1950s and 1960s as a guest conductor, and played Las Vegas from time to time until 1962.

Today, if Paul Whiteman is remembered for anything, it’s likely for his “discovery” of Bing Crosby and for featuring trumpeter Beiderbecke, who would later be known as one of the most influential soloists in the history of jazz. Not a bad legacy for the man known as “The King of Jazz.”

Valentine’s Day perfection: Chocolate and wine

Drink Up!

By David Setley

Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and it’s a prime opportunity to show your significant other how much you care. For my wife and me, Valentine’s Day plans are pretty simple: a nice meal, wine (of course), and something sweet. Chocolates are top of mind for most as the quintessential Valentine’s Day gift, with or without the frilly, heart-shaped box. read on for a few recommendations of wines that pair well with various chocolates. If dark chocolate is in your heartshaped box, pair it with a port wine from the Douro Valley of Portugal, or with a bottle of Pedro Ximenez (PX) Sherry from the Andalusia region of Spain. Port is a fortified wine, meaning it contains a distilled spirit, such as brandy. Port wine is made from the same indigenous grapes of Portugal that many of the red wines

from the Douro and Dao wine regions are made of, including Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinto Cão, Tinta Francisca and others. Production of port wine begins similarly to any other red wine. During fermentation, when an alcohol level of approximately 5-6% and a high residual sugar content are reached, the wine is refrigerated to stop the fermentation process. At this point, the 40% alcohol distilled spirit is added, resulting in a rich, relatively sweet, high-alcohol (approximately 20%), dessert wine. I would recommend the Quinta do Infantado Tawny Port or the Quinta do Infantado 10-Year Tawny. These fortified wines are full-bodied and rich, with notes of black fruit and cherries. They are both an outstanding compliment to dark chocolate.

Pedro Ximenez is the name of the grape from which the sweet sherry produced in the Jerez-Xérès-Sherry region of Spain is made. PX Sherry is also a relatively high-alcohol (about 20%) fortified wine. The process of making sherry is rather complicated and takes up to three years to

complete. Classic PX Sherry has the aromas and flavors of raisins, dates, and dried figs with notes of chocolate. Try my favorite, the Baron, Pedro Ximénez Xixarito. The taste is velvety and creamy, with an acidity that balances the sweetness and warmth of the alcohol, and has a long, delicious finish.

If you prefer a non-fortified wine, a Petite Sirah or Zinfandel from California works nicely with dark chocolate as well. In my opinion, Petite Sirah is a varietal that California produces better than any other wine region. I highly recommend the J. Lohr Tower

road Petite Sirah from Paso robles as a wonderful dry red with dark fruit flavor that pairs with dark chocolate perfectly. The Old Soul Petite Sirah is also a great pairing. For a Zinfandel, try the OZV Old Vine Zinfandel. This wine is an easy-drinking, dark red wine with the excellent flavors of blackberries and raspberries. It would be great with dark chocolate. Or, get the best of both varietals! Caymus Wines introduced an incredible red blend of Petite Sirah and Zinfandel, called the Caymus-Suisun, Walking Fool. It is a gorgeous blend of what are, in my opinion, California’s best red wine grapes. You and your valentine will love this. If milk chocolate is more to your (or your significant other’s) liking, no worries. I have two great Italian options that will make your mate say, “Sii il mio San Valentino.” First, La Gerla Poggio gli Angeli Sangiovese, a 100% Sangiovese Grosso from the region of Montalcino in Tuscany.

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This is a great choice if you and your partner prefer a full-flavored, dry red wine but with a lighter body. On the other hand, if fuller-bodied wines are your preference, I recommend the Cantelle Primitivo from Puglia, Italy. Primitivo represents the Italian (Old-World) version of the grape we know in California (New World) as Zinfandel. Primitivo’s flavor is more restrained than its California cousin and therefore shares the stage with milk chocolate very well. The flavor profile has notes of raspberry and vanilla, creating a match that is reminiscent of chocolate-covered cherries. I am confident either of these wines would delight your valentine.

For those of you with white chocolate-loving valentines, I offer a white, a red, a rosé, and a bonus option. For a white wine, I recommend the Nik Weis Dry riesling from Mosel, Germany. It is a wonderful dry white wine with outstanding minerality and a light tropical palate that pairs incredibly well with white chocolate. For a red wine, my recommendation comes from the Beaujolais region of France, the home of one of the more misunderstood grape varietals in the world: Gamay. Gamay is an excellent dry, lighter-bodied wine with a light red fruit flavor that pairs beautifully with white chocolate. The palate is

raspberries and cherries, which work wonderfully with this confection. I recommend the L. Tramier & Fils Moulin A Vent. Or, for a rosé, choose the Lionel Osmin Villa La Vie En rose rosé wine made in the southwest of France. This wine has light flavor notes of strawberry and peach. My bonus recommendation is the Quinta do Infantado White Dry Port. Golden in color, this white port is fresh with citrus fruit and peach aromas and a touch of almond nuttiness from the oak aging. At only 3% residual sugar, this wine is just sweet enough and classifies as a dry port. At 19.5% alcohol, it provides a lovely nightcap for your evening. If I were asked to bring a wine that pairs with a white chocolate dessert, this white port would be my top selection.

The chocolate choices you and your significant other have are limitless. I hope this article has shown you that your wine choices are as well. Contact me with any questions or comments at dsetley@passionvines. com, or stop into the Somers Point store. until next time, Happy Wining!

David Setley is enjoying his retirement from higher education as a wine educator and certified sommelier at Passion Vines in Somers Point, New Jersey.

Live Music by The Billy Walton Band

Jan. 31, 2026

Golden Nugget

Atlantic City

Atlantic City Wing Fest 2026 Contenders

279 Social Kitchen & Craft Bar

Bill’s Bar & Burger at Golden Nugget

Careme’s at Academy of Culinary Arts

Carmine’s at Tropicana

Chelsea Five at Tropicana

Dos Caminos at Golden Nugget

Gordon Ramsay Steak at Harrah’s Resort

Hooters at Tropicana

Il Porcellino Italian Market

King’s Pub

Michael Patrick’s Brasserie at Golden Nugget

Professional Chefs Association of South Jersey

South Jersey Smoke House

YOUYU Noodle Bar at Hard Rock

Angeloni’s Club

Snow or Shine: It may

be cold

outside, but Wing Fest 2026 will be hot as ever in Atlantic City

By Scott Cronick

It’s winter. It’s Super Bowl season. It’s Wing Fest time. Atlantic City Wing Fest, which has become an annual tradition thanks to its amazing food and fun vibes, returns — Snow or Shine! – to the Golden Nugget on Saturday, Jan. 31.

Will it snow? Maybe! But we won’t let a little white powder get in the way of more than 1,200 people stuffing their faces with as many delicious wings as they can while simultaneously judging very carefully which restaurant is South Jersey’s ultimate Wing Warrior!

Atlantic City Wing Fest, which we think is in its seventh year or so — who’s counting? — is once again sold out! It will feature a capacity 22 of South Jersey’s best restaurants and pubs — beating last year’s record of 21 restaurants — offering the most creative and finger-licking wings and dipping sauces to go

Atlantic City Wing Fest 2026

Where: Ballroom, Golden Nugget

Atlantic City

When: Saturday, Feb. 1., Noon to 4 p.m. for Early Admission Ticket Holders, 1 to 4 p.m. for General Admission Ticket Holders

Price: SOLD O uT! No tickets will be sold at the door. Do not buy tickets from any third-party ticket company or anyone unless you know them personally; they are likely fraudulent tickets and will be rejected at door.

Weather: This is an all-weather event. No refunds. Check Atlantic City Wing Fest on Facebook for updates in case of emergency.

Sponsors: WMGM rocks 103.7-FM, Visit AC, OceanFirst Bank, Golden Nugget, Paris Produce

Online: Like Atlantic City Wing Fest on Facebook

with awesome music, fun contests, awards, craft beer, cocktails and more!

If you were smart enough to get your tickets early — and after

consecutive sellout after sellout, it’s your fault if you didn’t buy them early — you will not only be able to eat wings that range from the mild to hot to Asian- and Mexican-inspired to sweet to spicy and everything in between, but The Billy Walton Band, one of the most rocking cover bands in the tri-state area, returns for an encore performance after wowing the crowd in its debut last year!

Those who bought Early Admission Tickets get to arrive at noon, giving them a jump on those with General Admission tickets, who will be able to join the festivities at 1 p.m.

Golden Nugget will offer a stellar bar featuring specialty cocktails and craft beer, and there may even be a few retail vendors to kick things up a notch this year. And, if you were smart enough to pre-order, you can strut around wearing your limited-edition, Mike Bell-designed T-shirt with our KISS-like chicken breathing fire over Atlantic City. A few shirts may be available for purchase on the day of the event thanks to Imprint World of Egg Harbor City.

Please remember to support all 22 contestants vying for Wing Supremacy with wing orders for the Super Bowl. Pay particular attention to our 7 new entries this year: Angeloni’s Club Madrid, Byrdcage and Tony Boloney’s of Atlantic City, the legendary Pic-A-Lilli Inn in Shamong, rhythm & Spirits Philadelphia, Hank Sauce in Sea Isle City and TacocaT Food Truck.

If you are attending, you can choose your favorite wing of the day since you will also serve as a judge. Attendees will receive a poker chip to vote for your fave. Just drop it in the token box at the restaurant’s wing booth, and they will be counted to see who wins the three Eaters Choice Awards. There are also several special Fat Boy Munch Club Awards by Journalist r yan Loughlin and Wing Fest Founder, Organizer and Journalist Scott Cronick, and three judges (see sidebar) from the Philadelphia area will rate all of the wings in a blind-judging procedure that will determine the Top 3 Judges Choice Awards.

Sean Patrick, a stellar DJ and personality from 103.7-FM WMGM rocks, will co-host the event with Cronick and Loughlin, and sponsors for 2024 include Visit Atlantic City, OceanFirst Bank, Paris Produce, Golden Nugget and WMGM rocks! Atlantic City Wing Fest will certainly be one for the culinary ages. Here are the record 22 wing contestants and their offerings so you can do a little homework before the big day.

279 Social Kitchen & Craft Bar (Formerly Romanelli's Garden Café)

Last year, Owner Drew Huggard used Wing Fest as a coming out party for his new concept, 279 Social Kitchen & Craft Bar, formerly romanelli’s. This year, the Galloway powerhouse is showing off wings that have been an absolute smash at this relatively new concept. Last year, 279 went classic. This year, they are thinking out of the box with their popular Sticky root Beer Wings. Crispy fried wings are tossed in a root beer soda reduction that is the perfect amount of sweetness and slight heat. For those who love those wings, Huggard is taking it up a notch for Wing Fest, pairing them with a Sweet Vanilla Ice Cream Dipping Sauce — made with real vanilla ice cream — to create the ultimate root beer float fusion! They are as good as they sound. Trust me! (279 Social Kitchen & Craft Bar is located at 279 S. New York Road, Galloway. Go to 279Social.com)

Angeloni’s Club Madrid

A newbie that is wowing the masses with their Italian food, craft cocktails and classy, creative atmosphere is Angeloni’s Club Madrid. They are pretty confident that their Wing Fest creation could end up a fixture on their already awesome menu. They are throwing down with their Triple B — Blueberry, Bourbon BBQ — Wings with Housemade ranch. A savory barbecue sauce mixed with fresh blueberries and aged bourbon combined with a homemade creamy ranch shows these rookies know how to play ball.

(Angeloni’s Club Madrid is located at the corner of Arctic and Georgia avenues. Go to ClubMadridAc.com)

↘Continued on 54

The Judges

Jonathan Deutsch

No one looks forward to judging wing events more than Jonathan Deutsch. The lead judge of Atlantic City Wing Fest knows food so well that he decided to teach others about it for a living. Deutsch is not only a professor of culinary arts and food science at Drexel university, he is not only the director of Drexel’s Food Lab, he not only is the director of Food Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programs at Drexel, but is also a columnist for restaurant Business magazine and has authored and/or edited about 10 books, including “Barbecue: A Global History.”

“It’s always a pleasure to see the culinary creativity of A.C.’s best chefs as they make wings from perfectly executed classics to never-seen-before flavor innovation,” said Deutsch, who, by the way, is also a classically trained chef. “It’s an honor to judge, which gives me a seat at the most exclusive 22-course tasting menu in the world!”

And, just for good measure, Deutsch also plays the tuba. But not as well as he cooks.

returns for a sophomore attempt at the enviable task of judging 22 wings at the Wing Fest Judging Table. To is the managing partner of Ogawa Sushi and Kappo and Almanac in Old City, Philadelphia. She has a background in the finance industry but found her true passion in hospitality. Her restaurants were named 2024's best new restaurants by The Infatuation Philly. The success of Almanac continues as it is a James Beard finalist this year. She lives in South Philadelphia with her husband and two sons. She loves learning about culture through food and how food brings people together!

A Philadelphia-based chef, educator, culinary food wellness coach and interdisciplinary creator who embodies healing practices through cooking, Hicks is in her rookie year as Wing Fest judge. Hicks earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science from Drexel university and is pursuing her Master’s Degree in Mind-Body Medicine with a concentration in Integrative and Functional Nutrition from Saybrook u niversity. She has worked in high-profile restaurants in Philadelphia and Mexico, honing her skills while broadening her perspective on food as a form of creative and personal expression. Her journey through teaching, community engagement, recipe writing and food research has deepened her understanding of how food can nourish not just the body but the mind and soul with prestigious fellowships and residencies with the James Beard Foundation, Stone Barns Center & Blue Hill, The Philadelphia Museum of Art and The Free Library of Philadelphia. Welcome to Wing Fest!

Bill's Bar & Burger at Golden Nugget

Bill's Bar & Burger always scores well thanks to its traditional approach. This year, they are taking their Traditional Buffalo Wings and adding a little sweetness for good measure. The result: BBQ Buffalo Wings that are sweet and savory and hit the spot. Dunk them in their homemade, straightforward Blue Cheese Dipping Sauce with blue cheese crumbles, mayo, sour cream and some seasonings and you have a perfect combination. Sometimes, a simple, old-school approach with just a little something sweet and tangy — is just what the Wing Doctor — and the judges — ordered.

(Bill’s is located inside Golden Nugget Atlantic City Hotel, Casino & Marina. Go to GoldenNugget.com)

Byrdcage

New to the event — and to Atlantic City — this year is Byrdcage, a fantastic bar and restaurant right near the Stockton campus that loves to have fun with its menu names and everything they do. Their submission — Muscle Swingers with Sweet & Tangy Sassy Sauce — certainly lives up to expectations. Golden, ultra-crispy chicken wings dredged in seasoned rice flour and fried to a delicate, shatter-crunch finish, these babies are tossed hot in house-made Sweet & Tangy Sassy Sauce — a bold balance of sticky sweetness, bright acidity and just enough sass to keep things interesting. Finished with a side of their rich, house-made blue cheese dressing, you are in store for the perfect cool, creamy contrast. Here' a bonus: like all Byrdcage menu items, these are naturally gluten-free deliciousness!

(Byrdcage is located at 3426 Atlantic Ave., Atlantic City. Go to ByrdcageAC.com.)

Careme's Restaurant at the Academy of Culinary Arts

For the past three years, the Academy of Culinary Arts has been part of Wing Fest to show its students the food industry in a different way by introducing them to an event of this magnitude. It has proved so successful, it has become part of their annual curriculum, and the students really look forward to competing against each other to see whose wing and dipping sauce will represent the school at Wing Fest. So, for the fourth straight year, under the guidance of Academy Director Joe Sheridan, student teams once again competed in a wing-off, and this year’s entry will once again not disappoint!

Students Jasmine Gonzalez-Alegria, Kenneth Valente and Kaden Boyd came up with Dulce Paralso Wings made with mango nectar, crushed pineapple, honey, ginger, garlic, hot sauce and a lot of other awesome seasonings for a culinary creation worth a taste. Things get even more interesting with their Cilantro Lime Crema dipping sauce that is creamy and zesty. Hopefully these wings will end up on Careme’s menu later in the semester if they win some awards!! While you are there, make sure you pick up some tickets for the Atlantic City restaurant Gala, a great event that supports the Academy and will have a table in the lobby.

(Careme’s is located at the Academy of Culinary Arts at Atlantic Cape Community College, 5100 Black Horse Pike, Mays Landing. Go to Atlantic.edu/aca/Caremes)

Carmine’s at Tropicana

returning after a stellar rookie performance is Carmine’s, one of the best Italian restaurants on the planet that offers handmade pastas, salads, meats and desserts at the Tropicana, as well as other locations including their landmark New York City destinations. Carmine’s best-kept secret is their Spicy Scarpariello Wings, some of the most tender and flavorful Italian-influenced wings that will bring a

whole new dimension of flavors and expectations to Wing Fest. First off, the chicken is marinated for at least 24 hours in rosemary, oregano, sage, lemon, garlic and some other secret perfection before they are fried and tossed in a sauce featuring roasted garlic, shallots, white wine, rosemary, oregano and other Italian delights. And, if that wasn’t enough, you can dunk ’em in some of the chunkiest, creamy Homemade Fennel Blue Cheese this side of Sicily.

(Carmine’s is located inside The Quarter at the Tropicana Atlantic City. Go to CarminesNYC.com)

Chelsea Five at Tropicana

Only one of the 22 restaurants this year can say there are the returning Champions, and that’s Chelsea Five at the Tropicana, which won First Place Judge’s Choice with their Honey Sriracha Wings. They would be absolutely foolish not to bring them back to defend their title, and that’s exactly what they are going to do. They are some of the best you will ever have and are exactly as they sound: A little sweet, a little spicy, the sauce is loaded with garlic, onion, chilis, cayenne and secret ingredients, and when you dip them into their homemade Smoked Blue Cheese Dipping Sauce, you will see why they wowed the judges and the entire Wing Fest crowd. Can we say repeat?

(Chelsea Five is located at Tropicana Atlantic City. Go to Caesars.com)

Dos Caminos at Golden Nugget

Making

their third appearance

The Band

The Billy Walton Band Atlantic City Wing Fest is known for its entertainment value as much as it’s known for its wings.

The Billy Walton Band, which made its Atlantic City Wing Fest debut in 2024, joins a long list of amazing acts that have previously performed at the annual wing extravaganza, including LeCompt and The Anthony Krizan Band with Sandy Mack featuring Krizan, a former guitarist for the Spin Doctors. If you’re looking for your typical cover band that you find at many events, The Billy Walton Band is anything but.

However, if you are looking for an amazing, rock ’n’ roll band that recently went through some lineup fluctuations to make it more rocking than ever, The Billy Walton Band is for you!

Walton and his bandmates have developed one of the finest musical reputations in the tri-state area. Fronted by Walton, who is also known for his guitar-slinging abilities, The Billy Walton Band should definitely impress.

An accomplished guitar master from the Jersey Shore, Walton is a rock soldier, earning his musical stripes in the rock trenches playing lead guitar for many years with Jersey icon Southside Johnny. Along the way he has headlined all over the world and has shared the stage with music legends including Little Steven Van Zandt, Gary u.S. Bonds and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler.

Known for their high-energy live shows and devoted fan base, The Billy Walton Band is the perfect next chapter for Atlantic City Wing Fest.

in honor of their upcoming third anniversary, Dos Caminos inside the Nugget will once again showcase its Mexican roots and creativeness, offering their awesome Hot Honey Citrus Wings made with ancho chile, taco seasoning, honey, brown sugar, molasses, hot sauce and even some orange juice to cover all of the bases. Dip them into some awesome blue cheese, and these Mexican-inspired wings will show why our countries are such great neighbors.

(Dos Caminos is located inside Golden Nugget Atlantic City Hotel, Casino & Marina. Go to GoldenNugget.com)

Gordon Ramsay Steak at Harrah’s Resort

When it comes to pedigree, there is no bigger name on the Wing Fest 2026 roster than Gordon ramsay Steak. The most popular chef in the world really brings his A-list name to the event, but his team also brings one heck of a tasty and creative wing, as you would expect. ramsay’s Atlantic City team is showing

its diverse influences once again with their Mediterranean Wing with roasted red peppers, garlic, cumin, coriander, EVOO and sherry vinegar. They will certainly make Chef ramsay super proud, and the Mediterranean Salsa with pickled cherries peppers, Kalamata olives, garlic, sundried tomatoes, onion, celery, capers and fresh herbs make Gordon ramsay Steak one of the most out-of-the-box submissions this year.

(Gordon Ramsay Steak is located inside Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City. Go to Caesars.com)

New to the scene is Hank Sauce, and it's about time since we always loved their huge assortment of finely made hot sauces. Many years back, Hank’s bottled an original sauce for all attendees, and this year they are using Wing Fest to show off a bunch of them. So, what they are doing is offering Hank's Baked Wings, which are rubbed with olive oil, various dried spices and then tossed in salted butter. You will be able to choose from a variety of their sauces to complement their moist, tender wings, but which one will they choose to wow the judges? The mystery awaits?!

(Hank Sauce is located at 8605 Landis Ave., Sea Isle City. Go to HankSauce.com)

Holy City Publick House

When Holy City Publick House from Gloucester City made its Wing Fest debut three years ago, they did so with a bang. The out of towners — for the second time Wing Fest has been in existence — came out of nowhere to win the 1st Place Judge's Award along with some others. Since then, the boys from Gloucester have been winning more awards for their wings around the country, including more hardware from Wing Fest in subsequent years. Owner richard Dolson is about as competitive as you can get, so he’s not messing around in 2026, hoping to reclaim the Wing Fest championship by bringing his award-winning Chiodi wings back … with a twist! The Chiodi Truffle Shuffle takes all of the great flavors of the Chiodi wing — hot sauce, garlic and parmesan with a smooth pure maple syrup finish

— and adds a hint of truffle for ultimate wing perfection. Will Holy City reclaim their title? Not if the other 21 restaurants have anything to say about it!

(Holy City is located at 332 Jersey Ave., Gloucester City. Go to HolyCityPublickHouse.com)

Hooters at Tropicana

Perennial favorite and a Wing Warrior since Day 1 is Hooters of Atlantic City. Hooters’ awesome GM ronnie Disalvo and his fantastic team always offer something different at every Wing Fest — along with some lovely ladies — whether it was their awesome chipotle honey style or last year’s show-stopping Garlic Habanero Dry rub Wings. This year, Hooters will feature their Honey Thai Wing with rockin ranch, and it may very well be the best yet with touches of jalapeño

↘Continued on 56

for heat and flavor and the sweetness of pure honey for that perfect balance. Add some rockin' ranch, and it could mean a match made in Hooters Heaven. Go check them out at the Trop for the full experience!

(Hooters is located inside the Tropicana Atlantic City. Go to NortheastHooters.com)

Il Porcellino Italian Market

The royal family of Wing Fest — the Hettmannspergers — have been part of the event since Day One. And consider Chef Bobby the Mayor of Heat. Last year, Il Porcellino made people run for the milk jug with his super hot wings, winning the Damn! Those Wings Are Hot! Trophy. So, just like you would expect from Bobby, he’s making them hotter with their Hellboy Hot Chicken Wings. First, the amazing Italian market and eatery will slow roast the wings to perfection before tossing them in a five-chili sauce made with Calabrian peppers, finger peppers, long hots, Supreme Peppers and other secret goodness. Then, instead of sensibly cooling them down with some blue cheese or something, Chef Bobby kicks the heat up to 11 with their Gorgonzola Cheese Dipping Sauce that is infused with super spicy pepper oil along with gorgonzola cheese, heavy mayo and sour cream. Ouch … with tons of flavor!

(Il Porcellino Italian Market is located in the Cardiff Plaza Shopping Center, 6701 Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township. Go to Il-Porcellino.com)

Entering their third year in the

competition, the best bar on Tennessee Avenue — and possibly the entire city — King's Pub — is back to do some major damage this year. Chef David Wong is super stoked about their Fire Glaze Wings tossed in a honey spice glaze with Cooper cheese drizzle and crispy sweet potato crumble. And he should be: That sounds creative and over the top! Loaded with flavor thanks to paprika, scallions, cumin, garlic, onions, chilis, honey and some specialty flour, these amazing creations are only made better when you dunk them in that cheesy sauce and then experience a crunch from the sweet potatoes.

Super clever.

(King’s Pub is located at 229 S. Tennessee Ave., Atlantic City. Like King’s Pub on IG and Facebook.)

Michael Patrick's Brasserie at Golden Nugget

When it comes to taking home some major hardware at Atlantic City Wing Fest, Michael Patrick’s Brasserie inside the Golden Nugget might be the biggest all-time winner overall. Michael Patrick’s is always a big winner when it comes to audience votes, and they will once again also keep things relatively traditional because if it ain’t broke, why fix it? Their Garlic Buffalo Wings will kick things up in the garlic department while also offering a little sweetness to the mix thanks to some fresh honey. Dip those puppies into the creative and awesome Lime Dijon Aioli with fresh thyme cumin, garlic, cayenne and honey, and you have another winning recipe for MP. They better build a bigger shelf!

(Michael Patrick’s is located inside Golden Nugget Atlantic City Hotel, Casino & Marina. Go to GoldenNugget.com)

Pic-A-Lilli Inn

When you talk about the best wings in New Jersey, the Pic-A-Lilli Inn in Shamong is right up there. Between you and me, the Pic is my favorite wing on the planet.

That perfect mixture of sweet and just a touch of heat — I prefer the mild — are the dream wing for me. There’s something about sitting in that roadhouse bar and having a cold beer with a bunch of these wings that make life worth living. The Pic uses farm-raised, local young birds, and they serve the whole wing, so there’s no choosing from flat or drum because you get both — and they are attached! The Pic also has an amazing homemade blue cheese that ranks up there with the best of ’em. So, consider it a personal milestone that the Pic is finally at Wing Fest. Now, it’s up to you and the judges to agree.

(The Pic-A-Lilli Inn is located at 866 US 206 in Shamong. Go to PicALilli.com)

Professional Chefs Association of South Jersey

The supergroup of chefs reassemble at Wing Fest 2026 thanks to the Professional Chefs Association of South Jersey, which places some of the greatest South Jersey chefs under one banner, kind of like if the Traveling Wilburys got together with aprons. The Professional Chefs Association features some of the best award-winning chefs that represent all restaurants in the area — including some talented retired chefs — generally donating their time to events to help raise money for charities and people in need. This time they are showing off their joint culinary skills to raise awareness for their group, as well as their big Chefs Gala coming up on Feb. 23 at Hard rock. Chefs Larry Alexander, David Goldstein and the entire Association went to the lab and came out with Hot Honey Slap Ya

Mama Wings, which is funny by name but serious as a heart attack with flavor thanks to secret seasonings, smoked paprika, Mike’s Hot Honey and more. Dip ’em in some Habanero ranch Dipping Sauce and you will see how this chef supergroup rocks and rolls.

(For more information on the Professional Chefs Association of South Jersey and their anniversary gala, go to ACFPCASJ.com)

Rhythm & Spirits Philadelphia

It was a sad day when rhythm & Spirits shut its doors in Atlantic City on Tennessee Avenue. But we can all be happy again as Creator Lee Sanchez has opened this fantastic concept in Philadelphia, right near City Hall. So, while it’s certainly worth the hour drive to the City of Brotherly Love for their creative cocktails and modern Italian menu, you can get a sample of what they are all about with their Handsome Devil Wings. Fermented, roasted and Smokey Jimmy Nardello Peppers with a whisper of habenero peppers, blended subtle sweetness of golden raisin and black garlic made these wings somewhat hot but not overwhelming … and scrumptious. Dip ’em in some Dill Pickle Buttermilk ranch, and we’re talking legendary wings.

(Rhythm & Spirits is located at 1617 JFK Blvd., Philadelphia. Go to RhythmAndSpiritsPhilly.com)

South Jersey Smoke House

Last year, Dan and Sandy Greenberg — the awesome and nicest forces behind South Jersey Smoke House — learned how Wing Fest works. As rookies, they observed wisely and still delivered an awesome product. This year, they are shrugging off the sophomore slump and is ready to win this thing. They are taking this com -

petition very seriously. As expected, they are offering Smoky Wings, which are slow smoked to perfection and nicely and simply seasoned with a top-secret combination of sweet and savory spices. They will be accompanied with a Smoky Wing Dipping Sauce that will deliver Greenberg’s awesome knack for all things barbecue. Expect greatness.

(South Jersey Smoke House is located at 40 Boston Ave., Egg Harbor City, inside Hammerbacher. Go to SouthJerseySmokehouse.com)

TacocaT

When TacocaT was around the corner from me at The Exchange in Linwood and then right over the bridge in Margate, I was in Mexican food heaven regularly. Since taking

things mobile as a food truck and catering operation, I have to wait for special events to satisfy my queso and other TacocaT cravings. So, I am thrilled that Mike and randi Talley are showing off their awesome wings that have that South of the Border character. Their Meow-ch That's Hot! Wings have a little bit of honey sweetness but pack a powerful heat punch, and their homemade Chipotle Blue Cheese sticks to their brand and is one of the best dipping sauces we have had the delight in sampling. These guys may scratch and claw their way to some hardware.

(To have the Tacocat truck at your next location for a special event or private party, learn more at TacocatSouthJersey.com)

Tony Boloney’s

One of the most exciting newcomers is no stranger to wowing the masses with their incredible menu

that offers everything from pizza to mozzarella sticks and, of course, wings, and that's Tony Boloney’s! Mad Scientist Michael Hauke went to the lab again and came out with rOME IS B ur NING, which are Mad Mutz roman Style Cacio Pepe fresh mozzarella–stuffed wings finished in a crunchy chili crouton crust glazed with Calabrian chili and classic Caesar flavors — anchovy, garlic, and roman umami heat. They shall be dipped in Nero Needs a Pepe Talk ranch, which is Cacio e Pepe-style ranch that is cool and creamy with sharp cheese, cracked black pepper and savory depth to balance the heat. This is over-the-top insanity! What else did you expect from Tony Boloney’s.

(Tony Boloney’s is located at 300 Oriental Ave., Atlantic City. Go to TonyBoloneys.com)

YouYu Noodle Bar at Hard Rock

Last year was the first year for Hard rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, and they went home with some major hardware thanks to their slammin’ wing from YouYu Noodle Bar. A joint collaboration from Hard rock’s team, including YouYu Chef Eddie Fong and Kuro Chef Leslie Daniel, they wlll bring back their Korean Fried Chicken (KFC) wings with housemade Gochuchang Sauce. Judges — and

attendees — raved last year about the crunchy, flavorful wings made with garlic, ginger, sesame, soy sauce and other Asian flavors. It's the special and mysterious “Chicken Dust” — not a dipping sauce — from this Asian hot spot that puts them over the top.

(YouYu Noodle Bar is located inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. Go to HardRockHotelAtlanticCity.com)

Scott Cronick is an awardwinning journalist who has written about entertainment, food, news and more in South Jersey for nearly three decades. He hosts a daily radio show – "Off The Press with Scott Cronick" - 4 to 6 p.m. weekdays on Newstalk WOND 1400-AM, 92.3-FM, and WONDRadio.com. He can be reached at scronick@ comcast.net.

Honoring a legacy while advancing the fight against MS

Coastal Conversations

By Alanna Stoloff

Michael Bray, owner of Passion Vines and Queen Jayne’s, is the founder of The right Notes, a wine tasting fundraiser that supports the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

AS: The right Notes was founded in honor of your mother, Jayne. How did her experience living with MS inspire you to create this fundraiser?

MB: My mother, Jayne, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1990, when I was 11 years old. I watched her face the uncertainty and unpredictability of the disease, and I saw how it slowly changed her life, and mine. What stayed with me most was the ache of watching someone you love struggle and feeling powerless to help. That sense of helplessness became a driving force: I didn’t want to stand by and

do nothing. The fundraisers we’ve held are my way of turning that pain into action, transforming it into support, awareness, and tangible help for others living with MS. The right Notes grew out of a need to honor my mother’s strength by giving back in a way that could make a real, practical difference in people’s lives.

AS: How did the first right Notes event come together, and how has it evolved since then?

MB: The first right Notes event came together from a shared love of wine and jazz, and a powerful, personal connection. Nick regine, president of the South Jersey Jazz Society and a good friend and customer at Passion Vines, told me he had been diagnosed with MS while shopping in our store. That moment sparked a collaboration: we sketched out a plan to fuse our passions for wine and live music with a meaningful purpose, support for people living with MS. Since then, we’ve continued to refine the format, add value, and increase impact while keeping costs low and the experience memorable. We’re grateful for a supportive community that helps us keep the mission front and center.

AS: How does working with the

National Multiple Sclerosis Society shape your goals and planning process?

MB: Working with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is foundational for our planning and goals. It gives us a clear sense of where the funds go, who leads the programs, and how they help people, from those newly diagnosed to long-time sufferers.

AS: What has been the most meaningful moment or event for you personally since launching The right Notes? What are some major milestones?

MB : There have been many meaningful moments in our 11 years of producing The right Notes. A particularly poignant milestone was the 2021 event, which was the last one my mother attended before her passing in June of 2022. Sharing that moment with her made the mission feel deeply personal and real. Beyond personal moments, reaching the milestone of raising $1 million stands out. It’s a testament to the dedication of our committee, the generosity of our supporters, and the strength of our community, all united by a shared commitment to MS impact.

AS: How has the community responded to the wine tasting fundraiser over the years?

MB: The community has been everything to The right Notes. It’s not just about the financial side, though that matters, it’s about people coming together in person to share a meaningful experience. Without the community’s participation, enthusiasm, and generosity, there would be no right Notes. Their support sustains the event, fuels our mission, and reminds us daily why we do it: to bring people together, celebrate resilience, and make a real impact

in the lives of those living with MS.

AS: What have you learned about MS and the needs of those affected since becoming involved with the Society?

MB : I’ve learned that no two MS diagnoses are the same. The disease is incredibly uncertain and often scary, and people live with that daily. Those affected need more than treatment; they need someone to talk to, guidance, and a community that understands what they’re going through. MS reminds us that empathy, connection, and practical support are as vital as medical care.

AS: How can readers get involved with or support The right Notes moving forward?

MB : The easiest is to reach out directly to me at Michael@PassionVines.com. We welcome volunteers, donations, and sponsorships, as well as partnerships with local businesses who want to amplify the impact.

AS: Looking ahead, what do you hope The right Notes will continue to accomplish in honor of your mother’s legacy?

MB: She would love to know that the work we’re doing is making a difference in the lives of those living with MS.

Many thanks to Michael Bray for sharing his story and the heart behind The right Notes. What began as a deeply personal tribute has become a powerful community-driven effort to generate funding to provide assistance for people living with MS.

Coastal Conversations highlights people in our community who are making a meaningful impact. If you know someone who would be a great fit for a future column, please contact me at ShoreCoastalConversations@gmail.com. From the shore to your door, let’s keep the conversation going.

2026 economic outlook

By Eric Reich

Every Monday, reich Assets Management, my firm, produces a market week video, where we provide commentary on the previous week and share our thoughts on the week ahead. It has become one of the more popular things we do at our firm. I believe the reason is that people are always trying to figure out where the economy and, subsequently, the markets are heading. I always caution investors that while we can have an opinion on the subjects, everything ultimately is affected by a multitude of factors that could change the markets overnight. That said, here is our firm’s opinion on how we are viewing the economy and markets for 2026. Personally, I think it is hard to make the argument for a recession in 2026 when you have the policy of the current administration, which

includes low tax rates, high deficit spending, and a Federal reserve that is likely to continue cutting rates. From a policy standpoint, this could be a positive perfect storm for a good economy and stock market. As I’ve mentioned before, I believe the u.S. economy is very much driven by consumer spending. Tax cuts that will reflect in 2025 tax returns should provide extra disposable income for Americans, which may translate into higher spending levels, and as a result, a likely boost to the u.S. economy. The administration’s tariff policy has compressed trade imbalances, but deficit spending has increased to high single-digit percentages, which is an elevated level, especially during times of strong economic growth.

After policy, you have the general economy itself. We are currently seeing solid corporate profits, steady asset prices, and improving global economies, particularly in Asia but also throughout Europe and Australia as well. Tariff fears have subsided, which I’m happy to see, though they are still higher than before. As long as it doesn’t lead to higher inflation, I’m fine with the current tariff levels.

On the investment front, as much as I hate gold as an investment, I think

•

2026 will still be a positive year for gold. I think after that, the party will likely be over. I like u.S. stocks, particularly larger companies, more than international stocks this year, in what I expect to be a reversion back to the last few years. My guess (obviously no guarantee) is that the market should return somewhere around 12%-14% based on all of the data I mentioned. Obviously, this could change easily, positively or negatively, based on many different factors throughout the year. I think volatility will be higher in 2026 than it was in 2025, and I would not be surprised at all to see a correction at some point during the year above 10%. That said, I think those who ride it out may ultimately be rewarded just as they were in 2025.

I would be particularly focused on diversification in 2026 and not rely on the AI sector to be the driving force again. As is typical, diversification is likely to be your friend in 2026, and over-concentration is not. While 2026 might look ugly at times, in the end, the year-end performance is what really matters, and I intend to stay the course in 2026 through the likely storms we will see.

Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS),

member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. Reich Asset Management, LLC is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kestra AS. The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect those held by Kestra Investment Services, LLC or Kestra Advisory Services, LLC. This is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual. It is suggested that you consult your financial professional, attorney, or tax advisor with regard to your individual situation. To view form CRS, visit https://bit.ly/KF-Disclosures.

Eric is President and founder of Reich Asset Management, LLC. He relies on his 25 years of experience to help clients have an enjoyable retirement. He is a Certified Financial Planner™ and Certified Investment Management AnalystSM (CIMA®) and has earned his Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®) and Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designations.

SHORE FUNNY

ACROSS

1. Moonshine maker

6. *Artist with most 2024 Grammy nominations

9. Not his

13. "roots" author

14. That guy

15. Full of emotion (2 words)

16. relating to #3 Down

17. Tarzan's mom, e.g.

18. Caribbean island destination

19. *The recording ____, voting organization

21. *"What Was I Made For?" movie

23. *"A Boy Named ____," 1970 Grammy winner

24. Prickle on a wire

25. Drench

28. Waiter's handout

30. *Grammy-nominated Lauper song, "True ____"

35. Amusement destination

37. rachel renee russell's "____ Diaries"

39. Extend subscription

40. South Korean boy band

41. Type of wrap

43. Italian wine region

44. Forearm length unit

46. Honey-producing facility

47. Saw incision

48. Nauseant

50. Fancy marbles used as shooters

52. u.S. Marine Corps gift recipient

53. Eu currency

55. Aglet on a shoelace, e.g.

57. *____.com Arena

60. *Miley Cyrus' Song of the Year nominee and popular romantic gift

64. Texas cook-off dish

65. *"In the ____ Tonight," by Grammy-winner Phil Collins

67. Send, as payment

68. Safe place

69. Bird word

70. Leave out

71. Bookkeeping entry

72. refrigerator sound

73. Scatter

DOWN

1. Not Sunni

2. Baby powder ingredient

3. Pelvic parts

4. Shows the way

5. Aristotle's school

6. One-horse carriage

7. Mailing "code"

8. Single-cell protozoan

9. *Grammy-winner, ____ Alpert

10. *Purse for the red carpet

11. Bumpkin

12. Pampering place

15. Bar ____, ME

20. rewards, in the olden days

22. Pendulum's path

24. Cantina staple

25. *Ice ____, Best New Artist nominee

26. Wooden ship caulking

27. Space exploration mission

29. *Grammy host for the fourth time

31. Plumbing problem

32. Early stages of illness

33. reminiscent of the past

34. *"Anti-Hero" performer

36. Not purl

38. Pacific Islanders' herbal drink

42. Handrail post

45. Neckwear decoration

49. use scissors

51. Soft palate vibrations

54. House pest

56. resided

57. Social media conversation

58. Bank of Paris

59. Big Bang's original matter

60. Word on a gift tag

61. Arabian bigwig

62. Fair attraction

63. Hot pot

64. Denoted by symbol X

66. Debtor's letters

See Solution on Page 66

Astrology, by definition, is the study of time and light. It is an art that has been utilized by humanity for millennia to provide a better understanding of how the cosmos affects life on Earth. One’s personal horoscope, also known as a birth chart or natal chart, is a snapshot of the sun, moon, planets and more at the date, time and location of one’s birth. This snapshot holds many keys and secrets to one’s characteristics and can be considered one’s personal map, guidebook and lesson plan for life! Everything in the cosmos continues moving beyond the moment of birth and influences life in various, cyclical ways, according to the rhythm of the sun, moon, planets, stars, and seasons at specific ages, which influence your life and possibly your attitude towards life.

The weekly horoscopes provided here in Shore Local Newsmagazine are written based on your rising sign. These horoscopes are intended to provide guidance and insight based on these rhythms and the cosmic connection to your lived experience. So much is written in the stars! It is my intention that these entries will assist you in deciphering what is encoded within you.

Weekly Horoscopes

Rising sign horoscopes

for Jan. 29 – Feb. 4

Aries: A heart-centered creation reaches fruition. The gift is in its contribution to the collective. Be brave and take the risk; the results and reception will be worthwhile.

Taurus: The hunt for home produces results, although tension with your professional life may be part of the experience. Follow through; a solid foundation is worth its weight in gold.

Gemini: Short-term efforts that fuel longer-term goals are paying off. Effective communication is the cornerstone of lasting results. Be sure you’re speaking your truth.

Cancer: A boost in your finances and resources that also boosts your confidence is incoming! There’s a dynamic between what’s yours and what’s shared. Take pride in your contribution.

Leo: It’s time for a glow-up, Leo. Focus your attention on that which makes you feel good in your body. Play with a new style or your appearance, and beam from the inside out!

Virgo: Something hidden or a blind spot comes into your awareness. The unknown becomes known when the time is right for your own well-being. Integration is important.

Libra: A vision you’ve held in your heart becomes reality. Manifestation is rooted in your creative force, along with aligning with authentic support. Whether dreams come true is up to you!

Scorpio: As the saying goes, all the world’s a stage, Scorpio, and you are the star of your life. Professional growth and a gleaming public image

are direct results of your courage to shine your light.

Sagittarius: The finish line of a long journey is within sight. Perseverance with your unique voice has been essential to the adventure. Wisdom comes from navigating learning curves.

Capricorn: Independence versus interdependence is highlighted this week. The lesson lies in showing you how you navigate the balance between relying on yourself and trusting others.

Aquarius: Great personal transformation isn’t solely an inside job. relationships with friends and partners catalyze learning about yourself and personal growth. See the reflection.

Pisces: Dedication to your overall wellness shines through in your health and your work. remember the balance between rest and play, and the importance of both to your vitality.

Weekly astrology summary:

January closes out with maturing Mercury and Venus connecting and embracing, ensuring that there’s authentic alignment between the mind

and the heart. February kicks off with more heart-centered focus as the moon grows to fullness in Leo on Sunday, Feb. 1 (at 5:09 p.m.). The full moon is at odds with the sun and many planets concentrated in the zodiac sign Aquarius, characterizing the energies and interplay between the Leo/Aquarius polarity. Leo reminds us to radiate our inner light through courage, playfulness, and creativity. Aquarius reminds us of our uniqueness and how important that uniqueness is to the collective community. Sometimes the individual can get lost in the crowd. As tensions arise between these dynamics, and with contributing underlying energies, remembering and persevering with the radiant and unique is imperative.

The moon will reach fullness just before it rises at sunset on Feb. 1, so if it’s clear, be sure to watch the beautiful moonrise if you can! See the above horoscope for your rising sign for more specific insight and guidance. If you’re unsure what your rising sign is, you can email me at ursaalchemy@ gmail.com, learn more in my tutorial video on my ursa Alchemy YouTube channel, or cast your own birth chart for free on astro.com.

Ursula Duffy is a Professional Astrologer, Certified Aromatherapist and founder of Ursa Alchemy. Find her astrology readings and astrological aromatherapy services, teachings, podcast, get in touch and more at www.ursaalchemy.com or ursaalchemy@gmail.com.