The
SOUTHERN OCEAN Times Vol. 12 - No. 24
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
Church Tells Christmas Story With Live Nativity
In This Week’s Edition
December 14, 2024
5K Held For Mental Health In Memory Of Berkeley Officer
BREAKING NEWS @
Photo by Chris Lundy Participants at the 5th Annual Survivor Day 5K Run/Walk was held in Island Heights.
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Community News Pages 9-14
Dr. Izzy Sound News Page 16
Inside The Law Page 19
Classifieds Page 22
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan Santa removes his hat to express his devotion to the Baby Jesus at the live Nativity scene. Courtney and Jeff Lake portrayed Mary and Joseph, and their baby Fiona portrayed Jesus. By Stephanie Faughnan WARETOWN – Under a blanket of stars and the glow of a warm bonfire, the Waretown United Methodist Church once again brought the Christmas story to life with its annual live Nativity. The event, a beloved community tradition since 2017, drew more than 400 attendees who braved the winter chill to celebrate the reason for the season.
“This is our gift to the community,” said Pastor Dawn Corlew. “We are a neighborhood church whose mission is to faithfully serve God and our community with love and hope.” Corlew said she was inspired to bring the rain-or-shine live Nativity to Waretown after witnessing its popularity at a Medford church (Nativity - See Page 4)
By Chris Lundy ISLAND HEIGHTS – It takes strength to be a police officer. It takes strength to put your life on the line as a first responder. It takes strength to ask for help. The 5th Annual Survivor Day 5K Run / Walk was held in Island Heights as a fundraiser to promote mental health awareness. The walk is held on the third Saturday in November, recognized as International Survivors Of Suicide Loss Day. This year’s race was
dedicated to Berkeley Police Lt. Anthony “Butchie” Kurnel III. He was born and raised in Bayville. He was married with three children and a grandchild. “He was the cornerstone to his family and held such a bright presence in the community,” organizers said. “He was 55 years old when he lost his life to the silent killer of mental health and suicide. His legacy will live on as we remember the countless lives he (Officer - See Page 5)
Local Filmmaker Provides Sequel To Holiday Favorite
By Bob Vosseller JERSEY SHORE – Have you ever wondered what happened next for Ebenezer Scrooge after his epiphany about the spirit of Christmas and what matters most in life? A New Jersey filmmaker is exploring that premise with “Ebenezer The Traveler” a film that premiered on Apple+TV on December 6.
It will also be available on Amazon Prime and over a dozen streaming services. Gravitas Ventures, an Anthem Sports & Entertainment Company has acquired U.S. and Canadian rights to Joe Valenti’s holiday drama which he described as a charming family holiday film written by Leland R. Prater that stars Jerry Parisi, Amanda Rae
Dodson, Leland R. Prater, Michael Bertolini, Austen Shane, Emily Jeanne Phillips, Christopher Brian Roach and Lou Martini Jr. The movie was directed, filmed, edited and produced by Valenti, a Toms River resident who heads Valenti Vision Films. Following the merriest Christmas day of Ebenezer Scrooge’s long and mis-
erable life, the day after finds him much less merry, and instead much more dead. Reunited with his old partner Jacob Marley, a no longer quite so Tiny Tim, and his beloved sister Fan, together they are tasked with ear ning their own redemptions, and regaining Scrooge’s second chance, by crossing over time and the (Filmmaker - See Page 6)
Photo courtesy Valenti Vision Films A scene from “Ebenezer The Traveler” made by local filmmaker Joe Valenti.
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