Tour of properties for real estate brokers, agents and investors

VINELAND -- As part of an ongoing aggressive plan to re-brand downtown Vineland for the future, Main Street Vineland is inviting area real estate brokers, agents, and investors to tour available retail, office, and other properties along downtown Landis Avenue in Vineland on Wednesday, Oct, 19.

This tour, which is sponsored by Coldwell Banker Excel Realty, Finance of America Mortgage, LLC, and Landis Title Corporation, will take place from noon to 4 p.m. It will start at the Main Street Vineland office, 603 E. Landis Ave., at noon for lunch and an overview by Main Street Vineland Executive Director Russell Swanson of the vision for the downtown and the incentives that can be offered.

The tour will follow, as those participating will be shuttled to each property. Property owners are being requested to have fact-sheets ready for the brokers, agents, and investors at the time of the visit. A wine-and-cheese reception and networking opportunity at the Main Street office will take place after the tour for the tour participants and Main Street Vineland representatives.

Interested brokers, agents, and investors need to contact the Main Street Vineland office by calling 856-794-8653 or e-mailing mainstreet@vinelandcity.org.

The past two broker tours was very successful, Swanson said, with several properties shown being rented, that another tour to show available properties seemed a natural.

For more information on all Main Street Vineland programs and events, visit the organization's website at www.mainstreetvineland.org or visit it on Facebook.

This item submitted by Samuel Levy for Main Street Vineland.

The Gala will be held Friday, Oct. 14, at the Centerton Country Club in Pittsgrove Township.

PENNS GROVE  -- The Puerto Rican Action Committee of Southern New Jersey will host its 45^th Annual Gala on Friday, Oct. 14.

The event will be held beginning at 6 p.m. at the Centerton Country Club, 1022 Almond Rd., Pittsgrove Township.

PRAC will honor six individuals with its 2016 Hispanic Heritage Award. Three individuals -- the prosecutors from Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties -- will be honored with PRAC's 2016 Diversity and Leadership Award.

For more information, including obtaining tickets, contact Stefanie Holmes at sholmes@pracnj.com or 856-299-5800 Ext. 11.

The 2016 Hispanic Heritage Award honorees include:

CARLOS ANDUJAR

Carlos Andujar is one of four children born to Carlos and Justina Andujar of San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico. He was born in Brooklyn and his family moved to Vineland when he was 12.

He was educated at Vineland High School, Stockton University, New York University, and Rutgers Newark Law School. After clerking for Justice John E. Wallace Jr. while on the Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court he became an Associate at Basile & Testa in Vineland. He later became a Partner at Robinson & Andujar in Millville. In 2014 he returned to Vineland and began his very own practice with an office location in Vineland.

His practice is dedicated to helping people in criminal cases, DWI and other traffic cases, domestic violence, family court, and real estate matters.  Recently in June he and Beatriz Andujar became the proud parents to their first child Carlos Miguel Andujar. They live in Vineland.

DR. LUIS F. AMBERTHS JR.

Dr. Luis F. Amberths Jr. is principal of the Penns Grove Middle School in Penns Grove.

Amberths was born to Luis F. Amberths Sr. and Carmen M. Amberths in Paterson. He is the eldest of three boys and one girl. The family has lived in Vineland since 1980.

He graduated from Vineland High School in Vineland in June 1992 and from Rowan University with a bachelor of arts in Spanish in May 2002.  He spent a semester at the University of Seville in Seville, Spain in 2002.  He went on to complete his master of arts degree in Education with a concentration in Administration and Supervision in August 2007 from the University of Phoenix.  He remained at the University of Phoenix and completed his doctor of education degree in Educational Leadership by successfully defending his dissertation, "The Lived Experiences of Former Alternative Education Students: A Phenomenological," in March 2014.

After completing his bachelor's in 2002, he accepted a position as Spanish teacher at the Memorial High School in the Millville Public Schools until 2004. In 2003, he accepted a part-time position teaching Spanish in the Alternative School Program in the Cumberland Regional High District (CRHSD) in the evenings.  In July of 2004, he accepted a position as Spanish/Social Studies Teacher at the Excel Program in the Bridgeton Public Schools until 2010.  In 2010, he went to CRHSD fulltime to teach Spanish/ESL during the day and Alternative Program in the evenings.  In June 2011, Amberths accepted the assistant principal position at the Pennsauken High School in the Pennsuaken Public School District until 2014.  In 2014, he became the principal of the Penns Grove Middle School in the Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District.

Amberths and his wife, Jasmine Amberths, are parents one daughter, Isabella Maria Amberths and a son, Luis Francisco Amberths III.  He coaches baseball and basketball for his son's local teams.

HERNANDO PEREZ

Hernando Perez, born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, came to the mainland in 1972. He began his education in the Vineland School System. He joined a group called the "Medical Explorers" in 8^th grade and that inspired him to go into the medical field.

He later honed his skills in the baseball field and this lead to an invitational tryout with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1984.

He was the president of the Spanish National Honor Society in 1985. He expressed his interest in education and wanted to become a pharmacist. His parents always championed education, so he enrolled in pharmacy school.  In the spring of 1991, he graduated from Long Island University Pharmacy School in Brooklyn. After many job offers in New York, he decided to bring his talents and education back to the community that honed those skills.  He immediately bought properties and worked for various companies like Thrift Drug, Acme, ShopRite, and other private pharmacies. 

He was inspired by Steve Magaziner, a private store owner in Cherry Hill, to go to the next level and to have a greater impact in his community, a vision shared by his wife, Kimberley, a registered nurse.

In 2012 he opened Hernando's Hometown Pharmacy in Vineland. He and his wife, along with their mascot and special dog Gatsby, have created "Cheers"-like atmosphere where customers are not just a number. 

They are proud of being involved with numerous non-profit organizations, such as Wounded Warriors, SPCA, breast cancer fundraisers, World Vision (feeding hungry children), and sending medical supplies and over-the-counter medicines to missionary groups that go to South America and around the world.

They also provide free meters so customers can test their blood sugars. "I know diabetes is rampant in our community, and we don't want anyone not being able to test because they don't have a glucometer, so we give them out for free," Perez said.

His pharmacy is the first Hispanic owned pharmacy in South Jersey and was named "Best of the Best" 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

LEONIDES NEGRON

Leonides Negron was born in Utuado, Puerto Rico, in 1958. From the start he showed interest in being a communitarian working in church groups as well as working for the municipal in his hometown. He moved to Vineland in the 1970's, working at Progresso, and than later became manager for Bally's Park Place and Casino for 23 years.

Always a hard worker, Negron wanted to make his mark in his community. At 18 be began community work in Vineland for different organizations including the National Puerto Rican Festival and he was a member of Mission 51. Negron then involved himself with the Puerto Rican Festival of Vineland for over 30 years.

Through all this work, Negron found the love of his life, Felicita Negron, whom he then married in 1986. Negron says his greatest accomplishment and joy was and continues to be his children, Kathelinie Negron, Leonides Negron Jr., Marilee Negron and Jennifer Negron. 

Today Negron is director of programs at WMIZ 1270 AM, a crossing guard for the City of Vineland, president of the Puerto Rican Festival of New Jersey and also president of the Holy Name Society at the Catholic Church, Divine Mercy Parish. Negron likes to live by the quote from President John F. Kennedy -- "My fellow American, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what can do for your country."

MARIBEL SANTOS

Maribel Santos was born in Utuado, Puerto Rico, and raised in Long Island, New York, and in her teenage years moved with her family to New Jersey. She studied and received her bachelor of science degree in Criminal Justice from Rutgers University.

She served as a probation officer in the criminal judicial system and state courthouse in Trenton for 13 years.

She married Arnaldo Santos, who is a retired New Jersey State Police detective, author, and deacon for the Diocese of Camden.

They have two children, Anjelica and Arnaldo Jr., currently in college.

In 2003, Santos incorporated her knowledge of the judicial system with her faith to form a youth ministry for girls.  It started with three girls and began to grow to include boys. The purpose was to empower the youth to become leaders, continue their education, become stronger in their faith and steer them away from gang violence. Today, many children have enrolled in college, the military service, studying to become law enforcement officers, have received educational scholarships and are youth leaders in their community and church.

As of 2013, Teens for Christ youth group has helped over 350 youth and was formally recognized by Bishop Joseph A. Galante of the Diocese of Camden and also recognized by the Mexican Consulate for outstanding community service. She is co-owner of GAAP Consulting, LLC with her husband. GAAP (Gang Awareness and Prevention) program that trains state facility employees, schools, healthcare organizations, judiciary, law enforcement agencies, churches, families, and communities. 

Santos was also presented with an award for Outstanding Presentation and effort to revitalize downtown Bridgeton from Bridgeton Main Street Association and an honor by Bridgeton Mayor Albert Kelly and Bridgeton City Council for securing women's right to vote through the ratification of the 19^th Amendment, guaranteeing women's right to vote.

Around 2008, she began to work with her husband as a contributing writer of their intended book on how to keep families safe from criminal street gangs by recognizing the signs and becoming more proactive parents.

Wanting to change her career to spend more time with her family, she began to work for Bottino's ShopRite in Cumberland County as a public relations coordinator. To date, she has been very successful in the community by bringing about a relationship between the stores and the Latino Community.  She coordinated the effort to open two Health Care Centers named "RiteCare" for the underserved in both of the Bottino's ShopRite stores located in Upper Deerfield and Vineland. She is active in Project Thanksgiving which feeds many families through The Salvation Army, and also connected Bottino's ShopRite with Coats for Kids, an organization through the Green Flag Committee held every year at the New Jersey Motorsports Park during the Christmas Season to provide food, new coats, books, gloves, hats, and mittens to needy children in the Cumberland County area.  She is also a Committee Member for the Barbara Cook Cancer Foundation and Bill Bottino Mud Run for Cancer.  She also received and award for her tenacity in bringing about awareness, education, and fundraising for the cause. She also continues to bring awareness and education to seniors with programs such as chronic illness management, nutrition classes, and senior empowerment.  She partnered with Perfil Latino through Bottino's ShopRite. 

REV. DR. BENJAMIN OCASIO SR.

Rev. Dr. Benjamin Ocasio Sr. is the senior pastor of the Rock of Salvation Church in Vineland. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he has been married to Naomi Ocasio for 37 years and they are proud parents of Rev. Benjamin Ocasio Jr. and daughter Stephanie A. Lopez.

He graduated from Vineland High School in 1977.  In 1982 Ocasio was the treasurer and Sunday school teacher for Rock of Salvation Church. He also started the radio program "Dulce Melodias" from 1982-1984 at radio station WREY in Vineland. Ocasio was later installed as the assistant pastor of Rock of Salvation Church and also founded the Children & Youth United for Christ Parade in 1993.  In 1995 along with his wife, they started a Christian block party on Grape Street in Vineland that has been very successful.

In 1966, Ocasio was ordained as a minister by Jameson Evangelistic Association and the following year he was installed as the pastor of Rock of Salvation Church. Ocasio received the degree doctor of divinity at Jameson School of Ministry in 1999.  He also started the radio program "Tiempo de Restuaracion y Redencion" at radio station 1270 AM in Vineland.  He started a TV program on Jan. 30, 2000 with the partnership of Tiempo de Actuar Ministries on Channel 2 in Millville and the program ended in 2015.  Ocasio has been on missionary trips to the Dominican Republic in 2005 and 2006.  In September of 2009 he started a radio program at LIFT FM 103.3. 

Ocasio is involved within his community. He is a collaborator with the Broaden Your Horizons Youth Program in Vineland, Advisory Board for Cumberland county Law enforcement and radio program "Conversando con el Pueblo" every Friday.  In 2003 he was elected the grand marshal of the Puerto Rican Festival of Vineland. He was a member of the Vineland Early childhood Advisory Council, New Jersey Cuidado Casero Hospice and member of the Cumberland County Sheriff's Traffic Safety Task Force.

Ocasio has received recognition from the Cumberland County Board of Chosen Freeholders on Jan. 17, 1998 saluting the Hispanic Clergy, Senate and General Assembly outstanding service to the community, Variedades 97-2000 Radio La Zeta personaje del mes, I Have A Dream Award in Jan. 15,2010, Fugitive State Surrender Program New Jersey Southern Region April 21-27, 2012, and Boys & Girls Club Hispanic Heritage Award on October 7, 2015.

The 2016 Diversity & Leadership Award recipients are:

JENNIFER WEBB-McRAE

Jennifer Webb-McRae is a native of Vineland and a proud graduate of the Vineland Public School System, Rowan University and Rutgers-Camden School of Law where she earned her law degree in 1994.

Webb-McRae is also a graduate of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers College in Macon, Georgia. She is admitted to the bars of the State of New Jersey, United States District Court and the State of Pennsylvania. She was an assistant deputy public defender for the State of New Jersey for six years.

She ventured into private practice between 2002 and 2009. Her practice concentrated in the areas of criminal and municipal court defense, business and real estate and wills and estates. She also served as Child Support Attorney for the Cumberland County Welfare Board, solicitor for the Fairfield Township Land Use Board and public defender for Maurice River Township.

Webb-McRae's professional affiliations have included the Superior Court of New Jersey -Vicinage XV Minority Concerns Advisory Committee, serving as a trustee and officer for the Cumberland County Bar Association and being a member of the County Prosecutor's Association of New Jersey and the Cumberland County Human Relations Commission. Prior to being appointed Cumberland County prosecutor, Webb-McRae was active in the community (as a past member of the Vineland Planning Board and Vineland Board of Education).

In January of 2010, she was nominated by Governor Jon S. Corzine to be the first African American and first female prosecutor of Cumberland County. In her capacity as prosecutor, Webb-McRae is the chief law enforcement officer of the county. She is responsible for overseeing the 110 person office which prosecutes indictable crimes throughout the county.

Webb-McRae preaches that while prosecuting crimes and keeping Cumberland County residents safe is her primary responsibility, helping people make positive choices is equally important. She has continued her work with the community by launching an Annual Back to School Initiative where the office attends 30-plus Back to School events per year to let parents know that the office has a Speaker's Bureau that can educate them about topics that keep kids safe (such as Anti-Bullying, Internet Safety and Gang and Drug Awareness). Additionally, she oversaw the production of videos on both Healthy Choices for Youth and Domestic Violence and the creation of an Anti-Bullying educational curriculum. Finally, she has hosted a Youth Outreach Symposium, a Prescription Drug Abuse Symposium, an Anti-Violence Summit and Substance Abuse and Gang Awareness Conferences for School Professionals.

To date, Webb-McRae's proudest accomplishment has been steering the move of the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office to its new home at 115 Vine Street in Bridgeton in August of 2014. The move consolidated 100-plus employees from five buildings to the renovated, historic Vine Street School and has increased productivity due to consolidation of resources.

Webb-McRae's motto for her work is "I will go anywhere, at any time to help the citizens of Cumberland County make healthy, positive choices."

SEAN F. DALTON

Sean F. Dalton is currently serving his second term as Gloucester County Prosecutor.  He has served in this position since 2002.

During his tenure, Dalton has promoted a philosophy of community involvement within the law enforcement community.  He has formed several public-private partnerships such as the Gloucester/Salem County Security Initiative, Gloucester County Anti-Crime Partnership and the Gloucester County Mental Health Committee.  Prosecutor Dalton has also reopened old homicide investigations dating back to 1972 resulting in the arrest and conviction of individuals for the 1979 murder of Rose Twells and the 1998 murder of Charles Mosley.

Prior to his appointment as county prosecutor, Dalton was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly serving parts of Gloucester and Camden counties. In 1995, he was re-elected to the General Assembly, for a second term. He was elected by his colleagues as an Associate Minority Leader for the General Assembly. He has also served as municipal prosecutor for the boroughs of Glassboro and Paulsboro as well as first assistant county counsel for Gloucester County.

JOHN T. LENAHAN

John T. Lenahan has served as Salem County Prosecutor since July 2003. He was formerly a partner in the firm of Lenahan, Telsey & Puma in Salem City. He has served as the municipal solicitor for the Borough of Woodstown and the townships of Alloway, Pittsgrove and Lower Alloways Creek, as well as the municipal prosecutor in Salem, Pittsgrove, Alloway, Pilesgrove, Upper Pittsgrove and the Lower Alloways Creek-Elsinboro Joint Court. 

Lenahan is a life-long resident of Salem County. He graduated from Woodstown High School and received an appointment to the United States Military Academy, where he subsequently graduated and served in the United States Army as an Airborne, Ranger, Infantry Officer. During his tenure in the Army, he received a master's degree from Central Michigan University.  After leaving military service, he obtained his law degree from Widener University School of Law and has practiced law in Salem County since 1989.

He lives in Woodstown with his wife, Cindy, who is a kindergarten teacher in the Woodstown-Pilesgrove Regional School District.  He has two sons, Sean and Scott.  Sean and his wife, Anne, have two children and live in Alexandria, Virginia.  His son, Scott, lives in Boston, Massachusetts. 

Information provided by the Puerto Rican Action Committee of Southern New Jersey.

Two men were found dead in Salem County over the weekend of apparent heroin overdoes. Officials are investigating if they were connected or a coincidence.

SALEM -- Authorities are investigating whether there is a connection between the deaths of two men found dead of an apparent heroin overdose in Salem County this weekend, officials said.

One victim was discovered in a car in the parking lot of a business on East Broadway in Salem early Sunday evening, according to Salem Chief of Police John A. Pelura III.

The man, said to be in his 20s, is from Cumberland County, the chief said.

The other victim, 35, was found in his home on Pennsville's North River Drive Sunday, according to Pennsville Chief of Police Allen J. Cummings.

In both cases there was drug paraphernalia nearby, authorities said, which indicated that the deaths are likely linked to heroin use.

Names of the victims were not released.

After the Salem death, Pelura posted a note on his Facebook page warning there was potentially a new deadly batch of heroin on the streets.

It was done "in hopes we can save someone's life," Pelura said Monday.

Authorities are trying to determine whether the heroin believed used by the victims was from a similar batch and if it was of a more deadly type.

Man found with 500 bags of heroin goes to prison

Evidence found at an overdose scene is collected -- especially the baggies that heroin comes in -- and turned over to the New Jersey State Police.

Each bag is usually stamped with a mark identifying the dealer, a key to helping police track down the source of the drugs and whether it is from a similar batch. 

Officials from the Salem County Prosecutor's Office said Monday that lab analysis of the drugs used by the two weekend overdose victims will indicate if there is a connection between the two deaths.

Heroin users have mixed the opioid fentanyl with the drug, making it more deadly.

Cummings said the number of heroin deaths in his township are actually down from previous levels. He believes this is because of wider use of the antidote Narcan, administered to overdose victims by first responders, and because of "the education people are getting about how dangerous (heroin use) is."

He also credits numerous drug busts by police, which has seen hundreds of bags of heroin destined for local sale taken off the streets.

The chief says this to anyone who has toyed with the idea of experimenting with heroin: "The message is don't try any of it. It could be deadly and don't let anybody talk you into trying it."

Bill Gallo Jr. may be reached at bgallo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Bill Gallo Jr. on Twitter @bgallojr. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

A test of the emergency sirens around the Artificial Island nuclear generating complex is conducted guarterly.

LOWER ALLOWAYS CREEK TWP. -- Emergency sirens in the 10-mile radius around the Artificial Island nuclear generating complex will be tested Tuesday morning.

The test will take place at approximately 10:20 a.m. and the sirens will sound for three minutes.

The sirens are part of the alert system that would inform those who live near the Artificial Island complex of an emergency -- especially the release of a large amount of radiation at one of the nuclear plants.

The 10-mile radius includes parts of Salem and Cumberland counties as well as parts of New Castle County, Delaware.

Feds OK permit for a new reactor in N.J.

The Salem 1, Salem 2 and Hope Creek reactors at Artificial Island -- operated by PSEG Nuclear -- comprise the second largest commercial nuclear complex in the U.S.

During the tests, residents are not required to do anything.

In an actual emergency, the siren is residents' signal to tune to radio stations WENJ-FM 97.3 or WJKS-FM 101.76 for official information.

Bill Gallo Jr. may be reached at bgallo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow South Jersey Times on Twitter @TheSJTimes. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

If it's too late for "The Donald" brand, good minds working in concert hopefully can perform one more miracle rescue for Atlantic City.

Once you stop crying, you have to laugh:

Just 26 months ago, Donald Trump filed a lawsuit to have his name taken off of the two Atlantic City casinos that still bore his name.

It was August 2014. Trump was still called a "real estate baron," not a presidential candidate. Trump Plaza (now long gone) and the Trump Taj Mahal (which gave up the ghost Monday) were still operating, if unprofitable.

"I want it (my name) off both of them," Trump told the Associated Press at the time. He'd already sold 90 percent of his stake in the gaming halls.

In his Superior Court lawsuit, Trump's lawyers wrote that the Taj and the Plaza were in "an utter state of disrepair." He was was distressed that this would harm the "Trump" trademark.

After all, the Trump name "has become synonymous with the highest levels of quality, luxury, prestige and success," the filing continued.

Funny how the lawsuit didn't list "refinement" and "impeccable good taste" among the brand's attributes.

As if he hadn't damaged his trademark enough already, Trump's lewd remarks on the "Access Hollywood" tape unearthed Friday likely made the brand into a pariah. Sponsors and licensees are running from Trump faster than from an athlete who was caught doping. 

There's one place, though, where all vestiges of Things Trump have disappeared. The name no longer sits atop any operating building in Atlantic City. (It was still  "Trump Taj Mahal" at Monday's bitter end because Trump dropped his litigation in 2015.)

So, laugh at how Donald Trump devalued his own brand in 2015 and 2016 far more than a few dirty rugs or some peeling plaster on two gaudy buildings could ever do.

But, cry for the 3,000 people who lost their jobs Monday because neither Trump nor his Taj Mahal successors could keep Atlantic City's biggest casino healthy, even after four others had closed. 

With the Taj shutdown, there's a lot of finger-pointing between corporate raider Carl Icahn, who bought the hotel out of bankruptcy, and the labor union whose workers went on strike this summer.

The decline of the casino city and the devaluation of the Trump name are parallel and intertwined, but differences can be instructive. 

Atlantic City's woes have lots of fingerprints besides those of Trump, Icahn and Local 54. A city government couldn't stop spending when times got bad. State government wavered between lavishing and withdrawing aid. Market conditions required a casino "right-sizing" sooner than it actually occurred. The bones of Atlantic City's non-gaming assets were stripped when gambling taxes were used instead to shore up the casinos' immediate environs.

Conversely, Mr. Trump has only Mr. Trump to blame if Trump Collections dress shirts and ties now sit lonely in clearance bins.

Resets are overdue for both the city and the candidate. If it's too late for "The Donald" brand, good minds working in concert hopefully can perform one more miracle rescue for Atlantic City.

Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at sjletters@njadvancemedia.com

Check out some of the top plays of the week.

Some of the plants were more than 6 feet tall, police say.

VINELAND -- A city man was charged with multiple drug offenses after authorities found 91 marijuana plants growing at his property, according to Vineland police.

Radames Gonzalez-Ruiz, 63, was charged with operating a marijuana grow facility, possession of marijuana over 50 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia.

A citizen tipped off police last week that the plants were being grown in the backyard of a property in the 700 block of Maurice River Parkway.

Police responded and noticed some plants growing higher than the 6-foot privacy fence around the rear of the home.

Armed with a search warrant, police entered the property and found the 91 plants, a "substantial" amount of loose marijuana throughout the home, a large digital scale and packaging materials, including styrofoam coolers and zip-lock bags.

Gonzalez-Ruiz was processed and released pending a court appearance.

Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

Sign up now for Main Street Vineland Parade on Nov. 26

VINELAND -- Main Street Vineland is seeking vendors, participants, and volunteers for the annual Main Street Vineland Holiday Parade, to take place on Saturday, Nov. 26 at 5 p.m., on Landis Avenue, in Vineland.

The parade, a longtime Vineland holiday tradition, will have as its major sponsor this year BB&T. It will have the theme "Holidays on the Avenue" and will again feature float and fire truck contests.

Volunteers are currently being sought to help coordinate on the night of the parade.

Applications to be in the parade or to be a vendor can be obtained by going to the Main Street Vineland website www.mainstreetvineland.org where the rules and regulations can also be reviewed and printed out. 

Those wanting to be in the parade can print out an application from the website, complete it, and send it to the address provided, or they can fill it out online and e-mail it to www.mainstreetvineland.org.

Vendor applications must be mailed in along with the appropriate fee.

Registration for parade participants is free for forms dropped off or postmarked by Friday, Nov. 4, with a $20 fee for all applications received after that date. The deadline for all registrations will be Friday, Nov. 11. Registration is required to participate in the parade and no registrations will be allowed the night of the parade.

"The Holiday Parade continues to be one of our biggest downtown events of the year and we are planning it," said Main Street Vineland Executive Director Russell Swanson. "We are looking forward to making this, as usual, a great parade -- full of holiday cheer to the entire family."

Parade rain date Sunday, Nov.27. 

For more information, or if you do not have access to the Internet to obtain an application, call the Main Street Vineland office at 856-794-8653. All Main Street Vineland events are subject to change without notice.

This item submitted by Samuel Levy for Main Street Vineland.

The company is a fully volunteer force

SALEM -- On Oct. 8, Senate President Steve Sweeney, Assembly Deputy Speaker John Burzichelli and Assemblyman Adam Taliaferro joined Centerton Fire Company leaders, members, and their families at the Centerton Country Club in Pittsgrove to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the fire company.

"I would like to congratulate the Centerton Fire Company and all of its members on this momentous occasion," said Senate President Sweeney. "Your valuable service promotes public safety and strengthens emergency preparedness throughout the region."

The Centerton Fire Company was incorporated on Sept. 29, 1966 and is one of three fire districts in Pittsgrove Township. The company is a fully volunteer force and responds to calls in both Salem and Cumberland counties.

"The work of our first responders in emergency situations all too often goes unnoticed and unrecognized," said Deputy Speaker Burzichelli. "The 50th anniversary of a fire company is an important milestone and an opportunity to pause and reflect on the service of our first responders." 

 "Every day, our first responders put their lives on the line to protect and serve their communities," added Assemblyman Taliaferro. "We want to thank all of the past and current members of the Centerton Fire Company for their service and sacrifices."

This item submitted by Eric Sparks on behalf of the Third Legislative District. 

Rev. Eric Hafner writes that disrupting solid yellow lines is a bad way to support police.

To the Editor:

It is outrageous that some New Jersey communities such as Mantua Township in Gloucester County and Mahwah in Bergen County are painting blue lines in between the double yellow lines on local roads. This is meant to  indicate unwavering support for police amidst protests over so many citizens, mostly black ones, being killed by police officers.

These municipal governments risk confusing drivers with such unknown markings, threatening road safety. This also sends a negative message toward minority groups and others who have called for much-needed reform in U.S. policing.

As long as these blue lines are present, no one should face a traffic ticket for improper passing. The lines are confusing and obscured by this town-sponsored vandalism that sends a chilling message to black drivers.

Rev. Eric Hafner

Toms River

Paving job in Deptford rocks

To the Editor:

I want to publicly thank our elected officials for the great road resurfacing work that's being done around Deptford Township.

The quality of work by the contractor, South State Inc., which was selected by Township Manager Rod Hatalovsky, is very much appreciated.

Mayor Paul Medany and the rest of the township council have once again shown why  so many residents are proud to live in Deptford. 

Thank you one and all.

John Maier

Deptford Township

Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at sjletters@njadvancemedia.com

Students voted on real machines for the candidate of their choice

Cumberland Christian School students had the opportunity to vote for president on a real voting machine provided by the Cumberland County Board of Elections.

The students were able to enter the voting machine and cast their votes, just like their parents will be doing next month.

Students were able to enter the voting machine and cast their votes, just like their parents will be doing next month.Submitted photo 

Students from the school's American Government and Civics classes volunteered as our poll workers. Eighth grade students made posters to celebrate the event.

It was a great educational experience for the school's students.

Trump won 119 to 51.

This item submitted by Margaret Weyman for Cumberland Christian School.

The long wait is over for those that enjoy the homestyle food that Jim's Lunch in Millville is known fore.

 MILLVILLE -- The wait is over.

Jim's Lunch, the landmark Millville restaurant that has been serving customers for generations, has reopened for a new season.

At 6 a.m. Tuesday the doors at the eatery at 105 E. Main St. in downtown Millville welcomed back longtime customers.

They came for breakfast and lunch and all of the homemade, homestyle daily specials Jim's Lunch is known for. 

And of course there is the "secret sauce" that's used on burgers, steak sandwiches and more. 

Once a favorite spot for workers from area factories when Millville was a booming industrial town, their families continue to gather there. Baseball great and Millville native Mike Trout was long a Jim's Lunch regular.

Founded in 1923 by James Arnes, Jim's Lunch is still family owned after more than 90 years. Today, Arnes' granddaughter, Rochelle Maul, along with her family members continue the Jim's Lunch tradition.

Maul was there front and center Tuesday hard at work and greeting longtime and new customers.

Jim's Lunch closes Memorial Day Weekend and opens again after Columbus Day.

Not thrilled with Halloween — other than the Reese's I'm able to pilfer

Grandson Dan was in a slight panic. Told I was dragging him to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg on a mini vacation, Dan, who'd just turned 7, bristled and yelped, "But Pop-Pop, isn't that the place that has the clowns outside to welcome visitors? I HATE clowns. You know that, right?"

Bob Shryock | For NJ.com 

I'd forgotten that Dan was deathly afraid of clowns and didn't care who knew it. But when we were ushered to the welcome center an employee dressed in clown garb made a fuss over Dan that scared the daylights out of him. How scared? Teary-eyed Dan refused to go inside the park for about an hour while we somehow talked him into it. Then Dan spent the rest of his day checking nooks and crannies in the park to make certain no frightening clowns were following him.

So it turns out that I understand, sort of, the current clown craze that has infiltrated area schools as a negative as Halloween 2016 rolls around.

I'm not thrilled with Halloween, other than the Reese's I'm able to pilfer from the grandkids' cluttered goody bags, and haven't been a fan since I was a pre-teen brat who made a nuisance out of myself in the weeks leading up to the big day.

In my hometown, we started pre-Halloween pranks around the start of October and didn't wrap things up until Halloween night. That makes 30 days, or thereabouts, of candy or else.

And it isn't funny to report that one year I unfortunately was saddled with the lone blemish on the police blotter simply because of being a royal pain in the butt.

Here was the deal:

Three or four friends and I planned to begin annoying mostly elderly folks with the time-tested "trick or treat" edict on Oct. 1. We took Sunday nights off.

Most were gracious for the first week or so, parceling out candy and other goodies at a surprising pace until some ran out. Mrs. Nicodemus was creative upon rejecting our demands about  mid-way in October: "I'm saving what's left  for the nice kids on the other side of town," she said, stressing "nice." Some were ridiculously nice to us, Mr. Caron giving us rolls of pennies until telling us we made him broke.

But Mr. Miller was a  thorn in our sides. He adamantly refused to give in and let us beat Halloween, and took that stand on Oct. 1.

We went to his house first on one particular Halloween and were dutifully rejected. "You're nothing but little thugs," he said.

We weren't thrilled with being called thugs and so we retaliated by egging Mr. Miller's house.

In turn, Mr. Miller called the cops, and we were unceremoniously dispatched to the police station. Our parents had been summoned in the meantime and each of us was given a stern verbal reaming. But not booked. Hey, I think we were 10 or 11.

It was one of two or three  times in my life I thought for sure dad would waffle me, but I got a tongue-lashing of epic proportions instead.

Dad made me apologize to Mr. Miller.

And, worst of all, he cut off all the Reese's I'd stockpiled.

Bob Shryock may be reached at bshryock@njadvancemedia.com. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

The woman's wallet had $200 inside

A teenage girl returned a wallet full of cash she found outside a Burger King in South Jersey.File photo

VINELAND -- A 13-year-girl found a wallet containing $200 outside a fast-food restaurant and turned it into police, who thanked her for the good deed, according to a report.

The 13-year-old was walking into Burger King with her grandfather Saturday night when she spotted a woman's wallet on the ground in the parking lot, according to 6ABC.com.

The two went to the police station and handed the wallet off. Police located the wallet's owner and returned it.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

A Cincinnati company will pay $60 million for the Vineland company

VINELAND -- A South Jersey company that manufacturers Philly cheesesteak products has been sold for $60 million to a Cincinnati-based firm.

A Vineland company that makes meat used in cheesesteaks has been sold for $60 million.Wikipedia Commons 

AdvancePierre Foods announced Tuesday it bought Vineland-based Allied Specialty Foods Inc.

The company produces thinly-sliced meat products used in Philly cheesesteaks and fajitas for restaurants. Their products go to food distributors and restaurants.

AdvancePierre distributes ready-to-eat sandwiches, sandwich components and other entrees and snacks to convenience and other stores.

The company employs 4,000 and had 2015 revenues of $1.4 billion, according to a news release announcing the purchase.

In June, Allied began building a new 70,000-foot facility which will house seven raw slicing/breakaway lines and four cook lines. It is expected to open in the first quarter of 2017.

The expansion will also include offices and cold storage. When Allied announced the $14 million expansion in January, it said it planned to add 70 jobs. Its current building is 20,000 square feet.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Vote in our second round of polls.

Vote in our second round of polls.

The incident took place at a home on East Avenue in Bridgeton early Wednesday morning, police say.

BRIDGETON -- A city resident awoke early Wednesday to find a masked burglar inside of the house, police said.

Around 3:30 a.m. an unidentified resident of East Avenue stepped out of the bedroom and found a burglar inside the house.

Startled by the resident, the burglar ran through the kitchen area and fled through a kitchen window, police said.

The suspect was last seen climbing down a fire escape.

Bold thieves aren't only striking in Bridgeton. A Clementon woman woke up on Oct. 4 to find that someone had burglarized her home while she slept.

The intruder was bold enough to even go through the woman's nightstand as she slept, authorities said. In this case the burglar also fled through a kitchen window and was observed leaving by a neighbor who called police.

It's not clear whether the the Clementon burglary -- one of several recently in that area -- and the Bridgeton case are connected.

In Wednesday's Bridgeton case, the resident reported that a pocketbook containing $2, a pair of gold earrings and various paperwork was stolen, according to police.

The suspect was described as having a medium build, approximately 5-foot-7 and weighing 170 pounds.

The suspect was also wearing a full face mask, police said.

Bill Gallo Jr. may be reached at bgallo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Bill Gallo Jr. on Twitter @bgallojr. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Republican candidate Tom Sheppard writes that the commercial is a stretch.

To the Editor:

I am proud of my six-year record as a Republican Cumberland County freeholder, during which I have never voted for a tax increase.   

In the last three years, a Democratic majority outvoted me and raised the county property tax levy each year to the state-allowed maximum. Previously, the board kept the countywide rate stable by working in a bipartisan way to cut our expenses and sell off money-losing parts of government. 

I feel, as do many of you, that the alternative to higher taxes is more efficient government.

I am running this year with my GOP running mate, Joseph Sparacio. Our Democrat opponents, Darlene Barber and Jack Surrency, are running a cable TV commercial, parts of which are such a stretch that I'm not sure what they're talking about. How does a freeholder whose party has been in the board minority for five of the past six years help "cronies?"

It is bizarre for the commercial to state I have lost jobs for Cumberland County. In 2012, we were voting on a contract to renovate a school for the county prosecutor's office, and the Democrats wanted to include a Project Labor Agreement (PLA). Such agreements greatly favor union contractors and require union-scale prevailing wages to be paid in exchange for a no-strike clause. 

We voted not to do the PLA. The winning bid was $1 million less than the original estimate. That is your money as taxpayers. Ironically, the job went to a union contractor, but all had an equal chance to bid, with no discrimination.

I have known our two opponents for 40 years and am very disappointed that they are allowing this commercial to be aired. Let's talk about the positive things we have done and will do in the future, not sling mud that has little basis in truth.

Tom Sheppard

Cumberland County Freeholder

Cedarville 

Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at sjletters@njadvancemedia.com

Writer / director Mario Cerrito of Mullica Hill will debut his first feature film, 'Deadly Gamble,' at the Delsea Drive-In on Oct. 13.

When filmmaker Mario Cerrito of Mullica Hill was a child, he and his family would make the trek from their home in Woodstown to the Delsea Drive-In theater in Vineland to watch the latest movies, under the stars.

While he loved watching films at the drive-in, Cerrito had other goals.

"When I was sitting at the movie theatre one time about five years ago, I dreamed of sitting among a group of people watching a movie that I made," Cerrito said.

Cerrito began filming his first feature film in October 2013, and on Oct. 13, that film, "Deadly Gamble," will make it's big-screen debut at the historic drive-in.

The thriller was released through Comcast OnDemand, Verizon, Dish T, and Cox in March 2015, but has yet to play in a theater.

"Having the film go straight to distribution, I never got that chance because it was released on other platforms and never got a release on a big screen at a theatre," Cerrito said. "This is very special to me because I have many memories of the Delsea Drive-In."

His film, "Deadly Gamble," will kick off Delsea Drive-In's Horror Night on Oct. 13 at 7 p.m., just before the main event, "Nightmare on Elm Street."

Cerrito described "Deadly Gamble" as a horror/thriller based on addiction.

"The main character can't handle his gambling addiction," Cerrito said. "We watch his downward spiral, and see what it can do to the person and their loved ones. This is something I feel strongly about and I know how devastating it can be. Hopefully someone will take something away from it."

Cerrito is currently filming his second feature film, "The Listing," which is scheduled to be released in 2017.

Delsea Drive-In's Horror Night begins at 7 p.m. with "Deadly Gamble" -- rated R -- and continues with "Nightmare on Elm Street" -- rated R -- at 8:20 p.m. The box office opens at 6 p.m.

For more information, visit delseadrive-in.com.

The yard sale will be eld 8 .m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. The sub sale will be held 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

UPPER PITTSGROVE TWP. -- Elmer Grange is holding its 8th annual yard sale and sub sale on Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Grange Hall.

The yard sale is from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. that day and spaces are $5 each.

The sub sale is from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. The subs are a 10-inch subs and are $7 each.

Subs must be reserved as well as the yard sale spaces. Reservations may be made by calling 856-769-4371.

All proceeds will go towards the hall improvements. The Grange Hall underwent a major rebuilding in the past year.

The Elmer Grange Hall is located at 535 Daretown Rd. in Upper Pittsgrove, near the Pole Tavern Circle.

Information provided by the Elmer Grange.