Upper Township

An Easter Message

gazette@catamaranmedia.com (Opinion) — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 18:53:16 GMT

When the storm clouds all are parting,

And the light is streaming through;

When the mists are slowly rising,

And the world comes into view,

Parity the theme in So. CMC softball

cmcgazettesports@yahoo.com (Brian Cunniff) — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 18:17:06 GMT

There figures to be a lot of parity in area high school softball this season.

The two best teams in the area – Middle Township and Wildwood Catholic – will both still be competitive but have some holes to fill due to graduation losses. Meanwhile, Cape May Tech, Lower Cape May and Wildwood all seem to have a chance to be better than they were last season.

The following is a look at each of the area’s high school softball teams:

Southern Cape May County baseball preview

cmcgazettesports@yahoo.com (Brian Cunniff) — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 17:58:15 GMT

It may seem hard to believe, the way the weather has been around here, but most of the area high school baseball teams are scheduled to begin their regular seasons next week.

Middle Township and Wildwood figure to be the area’s best teams, as both teams bring back some excellent players from last year and feature deep pitching staffs. Cape May Tech, Lower Cape May and Wildwood Catholic will be rebuilding, the latter two under new head coaches.

The following is a look at each of the area’s teams:

Marmora ShopRite employees honored for helping fight hunger

addesign@catamaranmedia.com (Staff Reports) — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 14:00:00 GMT

MARMORA – ShopRite honored two Marmora employees last week for helping raise more than $17,000 for the Partners in Caring program, which provides funding to food cupboards in five states.

ShopRite associates collected donations at check-out and stores held various events to support regional food banks in communities served by ShopRite stores. In total, ShopRite employees raised $1.27 million this year, according to a press release.

Upper Township schools look to save $4M with solar power purchase agreement

chiggins@catamaranmedia.com (Columb Higgins) — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 19:08:04 GMT

UPPER TOWNSHIP – The school board voted unanimously last week to approve a Solar Power Purchase Agreement with three companies to build and operate solar generation systems that could save the district $4 million in energy costs over 15 years.

Cambria Solar Construction, LLC, Marina Energy, and EZnergy were the successful bidders for the project. The power purchase agreement sets a year-one energy price for the Upper Township School District of 4.25 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh).

Palombo, Barr file petitions for Republican primary

chiggins@catamaranmedia.com (Columb Higgins) — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 18:05:58 GMT

Mayor Richard Palombo and Committeeman Edward Barr filed petitions with township clerk Barbara Young on Tuesday, March 24 to run in the June 2 Republican primary.

The incumbents are supported by the Cape May County Regular Republican Organization. Also in attendance were Upper Township Republican Organization president Richard Phillips, Committeeman Jeffrey Pierson, Freeholder Leonard Desiderio, Cape May County Clerk Rita Fulginiti, Freeholder and county GOP vice-chair Kristine Gabor and Committeeman Hobie Young.

LCM, Middle excited for lacrosse season

cmcgazettesports@yahoo.com (Brian Cunniff) — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 14:40:00 GMT

The four area high school boys and girls lacrosse programs each posted winning seasons last spring. The Middle Township girls were the best of the lot, enjoying an undefeated league season and a Cape-Atlantic League championship. The Middle boys won 16 games, the Lower Cape May boys were over .500 and qualified for the state playoffs for the first time and the Lower girls had a more-than-respectable 12-win season.

All four teams have a good chance for more success this spring.

In fact, Lower Cape May’s teams have already experienced some success. Both posted victories over Atlantic City in their season openers on Wednesday, the boys winning 16-0 behind four goals from Pete Tomlin and the girls victorious by 14-1 behind six goals from Ashley Hunt.

Spring Bridal Fair at The Flanders

front.desk@catamaranmedia.com (Staff Reports) — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 05:00:00 GMT

The Gazette and Current Newspapers present their Spring Bridal Fair and Fashion Show 12:30-4 p.m. Sunday, March 29 at The Flanders Hotel, 11th Street and Boardwalk in Ocean City. The fashion show, which starts at 2:30, is presented by Tesi Bridal & Formal Boutique and At Your Service Formalwear. This event is free to attend, however brides must pre-register at www.shorenewstoday.com to qualify for door prizes. Brides can also register at the door.

Upper Township Republicans ask ‘What’s in a name?’

chiggins@catamaranmedia.com (Columb Higgins) — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 05:00:00 GMT

UPPER TOWNSHIP – What is the difference between the Upper Township Republican Organization and the Upper Township Republican Club?

A whole lot, if you ask their members.

Richard Phillips, president of the UTRO, said in an interview March 4 that the similar names have caused confusion amongst local Republicans. The UTRO changed its name from the Upper Township People’s Republican Organization last year in an effort to rebrand, he said.

Former committeeman and running mate file for Republican primary

chiggins@catamaranmedia.com (Columb Higgins) — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 05:00:00 GMT

PETERSBURG – Former committeeman Tony Inserra and resident John DeSalvo filed petitions Monday, March 23 to run against Mayor Richard Palombo and Committeeman Edward Barr in the June 2 Republican primary.

There are two seats on Township Committee up for a vote this year. Democrats have not nominated a candidate here for many years so the Republican primary is likely to be the main event.

Wildwood senior selected for state all-star game

cmcgazettesports@yahoo.com (Brian Cunniff) — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 01:07:16 GMT

The Wildwood High School football team won just one football game last fall. That didn’t stop standout two-way starter Mikal Poteat from getting some major recognition, however.

Poteat, a 6-2, 265-pound senior offensive lineman and linebacker, has been selected to play in the prestigious Phil Simms New Jersey North-South All-Star Football Game on June 29.

“I was surprised to get picked,” Poteat admitted. “I didn’t expect that a lot of people were watching our games or seeing my stats.”

Childhood gift pays dividends for Tech grad

cmcgazettesports@yahoo.com (Brian Cunniff) — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 01:05:15 GMT

A little more than 15 years ago, Brian Ferrante was a wide-eyed 8-year-old on Christmas morning eagerly waiting to open the last of his gifts in his family’s Dennis Township home.

“We kind of had a little tradition in our family where we’d save the best gift for last,” he recalled.

After tearing the wrapping and ripping open a box that was too big for its contents, however, Ferrante was a bit disappointed to see a new set of Spaulding golf clubs.

“I was absolutely upset at the time because I had no idea what golf was then,” he said with a laugh. “But being an 8-year-old kid, I never knew it would be the best gift ever.”

Award-winning cheer career winds down for Middle grad

cmcgazettesports@yahoo.com (Jacob Schaad Jr.) — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 01:01:59 GMT

It is not inevitable, despite the nature of their athleticism, that all cheerleaders will suffer the wounds of their accomplishments.

One of the cheerleaders who has not been so fortunate is 21-year-old award-winning Gabby Mattera of Middle Township who, in her 15 years as cheerleader, acrobat and tumbler has broken her foot twice and suffered a multitude of muscle pull injuries in her legs.

Not too many years in the future, however, Mattera may be going the opposite route as an emergency care doctor giving medical help to cheerleaders whose bodies have rebelled against the stresses forced by the field of athletics. This September she will begin her education and training to become an emergency care doctor.

Pack 79 celebrates with Blue and Gold Dinner

front.desk@catamaranmedia.com (Staff Reports) — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 20:16:46 GMT

Pack 79 of Upper Township celebrated another great year of scouting with its annual Blue and Gold Dinner marking its Webelos II den transitioning from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. The celebration had a carnival theme. It was attended by scouts and their families from kindergarten through fifth grade.

Planning board tables Butter Road application over drainage, landscaping concerns

chiggins@catamaranmedia.com (Columb Higgins) — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 20:06:08 GMT

PALERMO – Members of the Upper Township Planning Board last week tabled an application for a new commercial building on Butter Road in Palermo over concerns about drainage and landscaping on the property.

The property was largely flooded on Monday, March 23 after snow and sleet the previous Friday. In November, residents expressed concern to planning board members about the clear cutting of trees at the property. Most of the trees there had been cut down by then and crushed stone placed on the ground.

Troop 95 goes to Washington

front.desk@catamaranmedia.com (Staff Reports) — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 19:46:46 GMT

A trip to the nation’s capital capped recent work by members of Boy Scout Troop 95 to earn the Citizenship in the Nation merit badge

"They have been watching historic speeches, and discussing the Constitution,” said Troop 95 chairman John Castaldi. The trip to Washington, D.C. was the finale of their efforts, but since they are Boy Scouts it was also a weekend camp-out.

School board asks for deadline on voting representation change

chiggins@catamaranmedia.com (Columb Higgins) — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 18:08:13 GMT

PETERSBURG – The Upper Township Board of Education voted last week to amend a resolution approved in February seeking to expand sending districts’ voting rights on receiving districts’ boards of education.

The school board’s resolution, which requests state legislation to make the change, was approved at the Feb. 23 meeting. The New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) said this month that it approved a policy in favor of expanding sending districts’ voting rights last year, and asked the Upper Township school board to rescind its resolution.

Over lunch, fed up with politicians of the world

joewilkins@shorenewstoday.com (Joe Wilkins) — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 17:55:42 GMT

“Come take us out to lunch,” she said. “Becky’s upset. She needs a break from the news.”

Such a call from Aunt Tess is the local equivalent of a command performance at Buckingham Palace. You dare not refuse, lest you be stricken off the list forever.

“What’s got her upset?” I asked.

The Mom's Beat: Kan we stop the N-sanity 4 krying out loud?

laura.stetser@catamaranmedia.com (Laura Stetser) — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 17:04:11 GMT

I will never understand the need to purposely misspell words in business names.

While I know and appreciate that language evolves, there are basic some rules to it, and in the cases when these businesses are marketing toward kids, I find it even more intolerable.

Why do we need to call a social group designed for kids a Kids Klub instead of a Kids Club? Don’t they have enough trouble figuring out when to use C or K appropriately anyway? There are hundreds of others that add insult to injury. Klub 4 Kids, Kiddie Korner, Kidz Club and Kidz Klubhouse are just a few examples.

School board thanks ShopRite for food storage

front.desk@catamaranmedia.com (Staff Reports) — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 15:22:33 GMT

MARMORA – The Upper Township Board of Education last week approved a resolution thanking the Marmora ShopRite for providing storage of frozen food while the Upper Township Primary School freezer was repaired.

School board president Michele Barbieri said the supermarket agreed to house several pallets of food so it would not spoil while the primary school’s freezer was down.