Atlantic County: Atlantic Christian School presents 'Peter Pan JR.', free vaccinations

From Staff Reports
·10 min read

Shore Auxiliary hosts Tree of Lights ceremony

SOMERS POINT – In communities across the globe, tree lighting ceremonies mark the official start of the holiday season, uniting friends and neighbors together in the spirit of the season. The same happens at Shore Medical Center each year with its Auxiliary’s Tree of Lights ceremony, but with an extra special touch.

Each year in advance of the ceremony, the Auxiliary invites community members to make a donation in honor or memory of a loved one in support of the medical center. The names of those individuals are inscribed in the Tree of Lights Book, with each light on the illuminated tree representing those who have been honored. The listing of inscribed names is posted on the Auxiliary page of Shore Medical Center’s website. This year’s event, held Dec. 1 in Shore’s lobby, raised more than $4,000 for the hospital.

At the ceremony, Shaun LaBoy, Shore receiving clerk, entertained on the piano and Michael Green, Shore orderly, opened the ceremony by singing “Grown-up Christmas List.”

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In her presentation, Brenda Martello, chairperson of the Shore Auxiliary, spoke on what the tree lighting is all about and how each year the Auxiliary pays special honor to a group or individual. This year, the Auxiliary honored the environmental services team at Shore for their hard work and dedication to keeping the hospital clean and safe, especially throughout the pandemic. After her presentation, she welcomed members of Shore’s environmental services team to help light the tree.

The Auxiliary of Shore Medical Center hosted its annual Tree of Lights Ceremony on Dec. 1. Brenda Martello is joined by members of Shore’s environmental services team in the lighting of the tree. This year, the Auxiliary honored the environmental services team at Shore for their hard work and dedication to keeping the hospital clean and safe, especially throughout the pandemic. Pictured, from left, at the event are Victory Valentine, Carmelo Ortiz, Marie Jeanty, Benita Vandervort, Brenda Martello and Joe Hutcherson.

For information on the Auxiliary of Shore Medical Center, call (609) 653-4646.

Stockton’s LIGHT and the New Jersey Tourism Industry Association launch tourism professional certificate program

GALLOWAY – The Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism at the Stockton University School of Business is partnering with the New Jersey Tourism Industry Association to offer a new online certificate program designed for employees looking to advance in the industry.

The new Certified Tourism Industry Professional program was announced recently at the New Jersey Conference on Tourism, which was held at Hard Rock Hotel Casino in Atlantic City, Dec. 1 and 2.

The program is scheduled to launch in January and includes four core courses and a series of electives. All are available online. Participants can work at their own pace, taking individual courses or earning the certificate by completing the full series.

“This program will give employees in the hospitality and tourism industry the skills necessary to advance and succeed in an evolving market,” said LIGHT Faculty Director Jane Bokunewicz. “Our partnership with the NJTIA ensures participants are learning the skills that area businesses are looking for.”

The core courses are Marketing and Brand Identity, Economic Policy and Sustainability, Strategic Planning and Assessment and Leadership. Electives include Experiential Tourism, Wellness Tourism, Social Media Marketing, and The Cannabis Industry: Understanding the Opportunities.

Faculty will include Stockton professors and industry professionals.

Lori Pepenella, president of the NJTIA and chief executive officer of the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce said its exciting to be able to offer professional development tailored specifically to the tourism industry.

“We believe this program will be an asset moving forward to best prepare for a new way of doing business in the 21st century,” Pepenella said. “Not only does this certificate provide industry and peer recognition, it delivers convenient, engaging online course work paired with an annual conference session, incentive for talent retention and a value to our members.”

The cost of the program is $200 to $800 per class and $4,000 to $4,400 for the entire certificate.

The CTIP program is part of a new series of LIGHT certificates being offered at Stockton in collaboration with the Office of Continuing Studies.

A new certificate in Strategic Digital Marketing is also scheduled to launch in early 2022.

For information, visit Stockton.edu/light.

Protect your health this holiday season with free vaccinations

With the holiday season upon us and increasing concerns about the rise in flu and COVID-19 cases across the country, the Atlantic County Division of Public Health reminds residents about the availability of free vaccinations at its weekly clinics, including flu shots and the choice of the Johnson & Johnson or Moderna COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters.

Residents age 18 and older may obtain vaccinations and/or boosters from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday through Thursday at 201 S. Shore Road in Northfield, and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at 310 Bellevue Ave., in Hammonton. Identification and insurance cards are not required, but vaccination cards should be presented.

COVID-19 boosters provide a “boost” of protection as vaccine efficacy can decrease with time, thereby reducing the amount of protection against the virus.

Boosters are available to all adults who received the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine two or more months ago and those who completed the two-dose Moderna or Pfizer vaccine six or more months ago. Residents may mix or match the booster vaccines according to current Centers for Disease Control guidelines. They may prefer the vaccine type they originally received or may choose to get a different booster.

The Division of Public Health also provides first and second doses of Moderna vaccines or one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine for age 18 and older.

For those who are 65 years and older and immunocompromised, a third dose of Moderna vaccine is available four weeks after completion of the primary two-dose regimen.

Clinics are available on a walk-in basis without an appointment.

Face masks are required for entrance.

For information, call (609) 645-5933.

COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are also available at pharmacies, pop-up clinics, through health care providers and more. To find a location, visit https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/finder.

David Beyel Jr., member of OAR13 and Shore Medical Center Board of Trustees, presents a $20,000 donation to David Hughes, chief development officer and chief financial officer, Shore Medical Center. The check represents the proceeds from the 2021 Kyle Evans Memorial Golf Outing and will be used for Shore Medical Center initiatives to help prevent opioid addiction. Nick Canderan (from left), pharmacist, Shore Medical Center, Shannon Burke, Beyel Jr., Hughes, Matt Piskun, director of pharmacy, Shore Medical Center, and Jessica Giles, development manager, Shore Medical Center, are pictured at the check presentation.

Shore Medical Center receives donation from the Kyle Evans Memorial Golf Outing

SOMERS POINT – Shore Medical Center announced that it has received a $20,000 donation from the proceeds of the 2021 Kyle Evans Memorial Golf Outing. This event focuses on preventing new opioid addictions, raising awareness, and helping people realize they are not fighting their addiction alone.

The donation will be used for Shore Medical Center initiatives to help prevent opioid addiction. The outing was held at Greate Bay Country Club in Somers Point on April 10.

The Kyle Evans Memorial Golf Outing will return in the spring of 2022.

The check was presented to David Hughes, chief development officer and chief financial officer of Shore Medical Center, and Jessica Giles, development manager of Shore Medical Center, by David Beyel Jr. and Nick Canderan on Nov. 23. Beyel and Canderan, along with Jason Dugan and Ryan Scully, are members of OAR13, a nonprofit organization focused on attacking the opioid epidemic at its source and supporting new treatment methods in the community.

“With the funds raised, we hope to promote more communication about opioid addiction and through our work with Shore Medical Center, do a better job in the community limiting exposure to these drugs and educating on alternative options,” said Beyel, who is also a member of the Shore Medical Center Board of Trustees.

OAR13 stands for Opioid Addiction and Recovery, with the 13 in honor of their friend Kyle Evans, who wore #13 as a star player on the Ocean City High School soccer team. In 2005, Kyle led the Ocean City High School boys’ soccer team to an undefeated season, the only one in Cape-Atlantic League history. Kyle passed away on Nov. 1, 2017, shortly after his 30th birthday.

“We know far too many people affected by the opioid epidemic and have lost numerous friends way too soon,” said Nick Canderan. “After Kyle's passing, we wanted to do something to remember him and realized while doing so that there were not many organizations out there trying to fight opioid addiction.”

For information, sponsorships and volunteer opportunities for the 2022 Kyle Evans Memorial Golf Outing, email info@oar13.org

For Shore Medical Center information, visit www.ShoreMedicalCenter.org.

Peter Pan, played by Kaia Barbour, flies in the bedroom of the Darling children, (from left) John, played by Anthem Correa, Liza, played by Emily Kinch, and Michael, played by Brantley Haltom, during a performance of “Peter Pan JR.” at Atlantic Christian School.
Peter Pan, played by Kaia Barbour, flies in the bedroom of the Darling children, (from left) John, played by Anthem Correa, Liza, played by Emily Kinch, and Michael, played by Brantley Haltom, during a performance of “Peter Pan JR.” at Atlantic Christian School.

Atlantic Christian students present “Peter Pan JR.”

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – A 46-member cast of Atlantic Christian School students from elementary to high school whisked the audience away to Neverland with their production of the musical, “Peter Pan JR.,” on Nov. 19 and 20, where they encountered Tiger Lily and her Indian tribe, the Lost Boys, a band of bungling pirates, and the treacherous Captain Hook.

Hundreds of parents, family members and friends enjoyed the action-packed shows in the school’s gymnasium.

The show featured creative choreography and strong vocal performances by the students playing the lead roles of Peter Pan, Wendy, Captain Hook, Smee, Tiger Lily, and the Darling Family, including their St. Bernard, Nana, as well as by those in the ensemble groups of the Pirates, Lost Boys and Brave Girls.

Cast members included:

  • Kaia Barbour, a 10th grader, as Peter Pan, who was able to fly, to the surprise and delight of the audience, thanks to the creativity of the backstage crew.

  • Rowynn Shevlin, a seventh grader, as Wendy on Nov. 19.

  • Chloe Weyman, an eighth grader, as Wendy on Nov. 20.

  • Vera Huff, a 10th grader, as Captain Hook on Nov. 19.

  • Evan Power, an 11th grader, as Captain Hook on Nov. 20.

  • Destiny Brewer, a 12th grader, as Captain Hook’s loyal first mate, Smee.

  • Megan Connolly, a 4th grader, as Tiger Lily.

  • Asher Dawkins, a 12th grader, as Mr. Darling.

  • Caeli Barbour, a 12th grader, as Mrs. Darling on Nov. 19.

  • Jada Logan, an 11th grader, as Mrs. Darling on Nov. 20.

  • Anthem Correa, a fourth grader, as John.

  • Emily Kinch, a fifth grader, as Liza.

  • Brantley Haltom, a fifth grader, as Michael.

  • David Barker, a seventh grader, played the role of Nana, the Darling family’s dog.

The cast and crew of Atlantic Christian School’s production of the musical, “Peter Pan JR.”
The cast and crew of Atlantic Christian School’s production of the musical, “Peter Pan JR.”

The production team and crew included: Genevieve Huff, director; Tim Rosie, musical director; Amy Parker, choreographer; Lee Martin, technical director; Mark Huff, technical assistant; Rhapsody Hahn-Chaney and Bethany Kiefer, costumes; Sherry Mirakian and Lucy Huff, makeup artists; Sherry Mirakian, Gabe Capito, Sophia Capito, Rebecca DiMaio, Aine Dorsey, Gabriella Goodwin, Lucy Huff, Ryleigh Martin and Heather Milstead, scenery painters; Tony Boules, Mike Capito, Mark Huff, William Cornelius and Travis Shafer, set construction; Marilyn Harris, prop assistant; Dara Kimmerley, Lauren McCartney, Abby Meza and Amy Williams, backstage managers; and Gabrielle Goodwin and John Smith, stage crew members.

American Red Cross announces area blood drives

The American Red Cross Penn-Jersey Blood Services Region has issued an appeal for blood donors. All blood types are needed, but especially O positive, O negative, B negative and A negative in order to meet patient demand and prevent a blood shortage.

The following blood drives are scheduled in Atlantic County:

  • 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 12, Hamilton Mall, 4403 Black Horse Pike, Mays Landing.

  • 2 to 7 p.m. Dec. 13, Harvey D. Johnson American Legion Post 295, 232 W. Mill Road, Northfield.

  • 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 16, Fusion Church, 6300 E. Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township.

  • 2 to 7 p.m. Dec. 17, Presbyterian Church, 6001 Main St., Mays Landing.

  • 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 20, Pleasantville Recreation Center, 411 Brighton Ave., Pleasantville.

  • 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 22, VFW Post 2189, 500 Bethel Road, Somers Point.

  • 1 to 6 p.m. Dec. 22, American Legion Post No. 28, 560 Jersey Ave., Absecon.

  • 1 to 6 p.m. Dec. 23, Congregation Beth Israel, 2501 Shore Road, Northfield.

  • 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 26, AtlantiCare Life Center, 2500 English Creek Ave., Egg Harbor Township.

To make an appointment, call (800) GIVE-LIFE or visit www.redcrossblood.org.

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This article originally appeared on Vineland Daily Journal: Shore hosts tree lighting ceremony; free vaccinations available