Feldman captures Miss Atlantic County Region crown

Competing in her first pageant, Brooke Erin Feldman of Margate captured the Miss Atlantic County Region title on March 6. She is now eligible to participate in the Miss New Jersey competition in June, which is part of the Miss America Organization.

The competition was held at Folsom Elementary School in Hammonton, where seven women competed for Miss Salem County Area and Miss Atlantic County Region.

Feldman also won the Preliminary Red Carpet Award for her evening gown.

“It is an honor to be selected to represent my county at the Miss New Jersey competition in June right in my backyard of Atlantic City,” stated Feldman. “I am now part of a legacy of intelligent, driven and confident women and feel so grateful.”

More: Stockton maple syrup project expands with education site, sugar hubs in South Jersey

More: DiDonato’s Easter EGGspress & Storybook Land set to open and more Atlantic County news

Feldman’s Social Impact Initiative is “Serve and Support Our Seniors: Bringing Generations Together.” “One of my main goals for my year of service is to help bridge the gap between generations and give seniors the attention and support that they deserve. They are a population that is often forgotten and isolated, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

She is a graduate of George Washington University, where she studied journalism and pre-med. She was captain of her Division I squash team. Also, performing is one of her greatest joys, whether it be TV/film or musical theater.

Stockton and Atlantic City to host community cleanup and party in the park

Stockton University and the City of Atlantic City will host the first citywide Atlantic City Community Day Cleanup and Party in the Park from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 23. The rain date is April 24.

The event, one of the highlights of Stockton’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2021-22, will bring together city residents, local employees, and Stockton students, faculty, staff and alumni to work together and have fun.

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The day will start with a cleanup at each of the city’s six wards and the beach from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. All that hard work will be rewarded with a block party in O’Donnell Park across from the Stockton Atlantic City campus.

“We talked to the neighborhood associations and there was a lot of support for having both a community service component and a party to celebrate the day,” said Stockton Atlantic City Chief Operating Officer Brian K. Jackson. “This is truly going to be a citywide event.”

The event is co-chaired by Jackson, who is coordinating the cleanup, and Noyes Arts Garage Executive Director Michael Cagno, who is coordinating the party.

Stockton President Harvey Kesselman said since Stockton held its very first classes in Atlantic City 50 years ago while the Galloway campus was under construction, it is only fitting that the university hold an anniversary party in the city.

“Atlantic City is where we got our start,” Kesselman said. “We are proud to be back in the city at our Atlantic City campus and invite residents to come join us in the celebration.”

Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, a Stockton alumnus, encouraged city residents to participate in the day.

“This is an opportunity for all of us to show our pride in our city,” Small said. “It’s always a great day in Atlantic City, and Stockton is making this a very special day for our residents.”

Neighborhood associations in each ward are helping to secure volunteers for the cleanup. Stockton students and employees, area churches, organizations and businesses have also committed to support and participate the event, including ACDevco, ACUA, Resorts Casino Hotel, AtlantiCare, South Jersey Industries, Hard Rock Casino, Orsted, Spencer’s/Spirit of Halloween, Surfrider Foundation of South Jersey and the Special Improvement Division-CRDA.

Jackson said he anticipates more organizations to sign on to participate, with a goal to have 1,000 volunteers on site that day.

The Party in the Park, scheduled to run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., will feature food trucks, music, games, a magician, art workshops, a hip hop corner, crafters and community organizations.

Cagno said they are still accepting food vendors, local crafters and artists for the event.

“We want area residents to have the opportunity to share and highlight their talents,” Cagno said. “This is a day for Atlantic City to shine.”

To register as a volunteer or vendor or for information, visit stockton.edu/50.

Somers Point to host Easter egg hunt

SOMERS POINT – The City of Somers Point will host an Easter egg hunt at 10 a.m. April 9 at John F. Kennedy Park. The rain date is April 10.

The hunt is open to children age 10 and younger and will feature candy and prized filled eggs.

Participants should bring a bag; but the first 250 people will receive a free bag.

The park is at 24 Broadway.

For information, call Doug Shallcross at (609) 833-5428 or email [email protected]

Atlantic City Electric urges customers to secure energy assistance & establish payment arrangements

Atlantic City Electric recently hosted a virtual energy assistance summit to aid customers who continue to feel the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event provided a forum for nonprofits and other community partners to hear directly from state and industry leaders and energy assistance experts about available resources to support New Jersey energy customers with their bills. The collaborative summit delivered needed information to organizations that work to connect local residents facing hardships with energy assistance options.

“I urge anyone who is behind on their utility bills to contact their utility company as soon as possible to set up a payment plan and to enroll in one of the state’s many assistance programs,” said New Jersey Board of Public Utilities President Joseph L. Fiordaliso. “To help the many residents who face economic hardship brought on by the pandemic, the Board expanded our program eligibility requirements to meet their need. It is critical for everyone who is struggling to pay their bills to reach out for the help that is available.”

Through February, 100,651 ACE customers were behind on their energy bill, 1,136 customers less than the same time a year ago. Of those who are behind, only 18,037 customers have established payment arrangements. Customers must take action to secure available energy assistance and establish payment arrangements.

“We know that many of our customers are facing challenges and we are working hard to keep every customer connected,” said Doug Mokoid, region president, ACE. “Our community partners are on the front lines of connecting our customers with available energy assistance, and we need their support more than ever. There are millions of dollars in energy assistance available and we need to ensure we are supporting our customers in every way possible to get access to that support.”

ACE is committed to keeping every customer connected by offering payment arrangements and helping customers secure grants and other support from many available energy assistance programs.

In 2021, ACE helped 41,578 customers secure $33.1 million in energy assistance. These funds helped customers pay energy bills and requires no repayment.

For information, visit atlanticcityelectric.com/EnergyAssistance.

Atlantic County Elections Superintendent: Prepare now June 7 primary election

The June 7 primary election cycle is in progress and Maureen Bugdon, superintendent of elections and commissioner of registration for Atlantic County, reminds voters to register, and to check and/or update their voter registration information prior to important New Jersey election deadlines.

United States citizens, who are age 18 as of June 7, and who have lived in Atlantic County for at least 30 days prior to that date and are not currently serving a sentence of incarceration are encouraged to register to vote.

According to Budgon, simple steps can be taken to make sure your voter status is current and prevent any delays when voting by mail or at the polls on Election Day, Nov. 8, or during Early Voting, June 3 to 5 at various locations throughout Atlantic County.

“The simplest way to make sure you’re all set is to visit the website, www.Vote.NJ.gov,” noted Bugdon.

Once there, visitors who click on “Register to Vote” or “Am I registered?” will be taken to the appropriate online forms. From a computer or smartphone, they need only supply the basic identifying information along with the last four digits of their Social Security number or their New Jersey driver’s license number.

All information submitted is electronically transferred to election officials for input into the Statewide Voter Registration System.

Residents may also register or update their status via a traditional paper voter registration form, which should then be mailed or delivered to the Atlantic County Superintendent of Elections/Commissioner of Registration at 5920 Main St., Mays Landing, NJ 08330.

The registration deadline for new voters who want to vote in the New Jersey primary election is May 17.

For existing Atlantic County voters who wish to update their profile with change of name and/or address, etc., updates are also preferred by May 17, but not required by that date.

“Be sure to check your affiliation status if you haven’t done so in a while,” advised Bugdon. “Only voters who are registered Democratic, Republican or unaffiliated as of April 13 (Change of Party Affiliation deadline) are eligible to participate in New Jersey’s primary election.”

To change your party affiliation, you may also visit www.Vote.NJ.gov. Look for the blue bar at the top of the page that reads “Additional Forms” and click on party-affiliation-form.pdf. A paper Party Affiliation form is also available upon request through the Superintendent’s Office at (609) 645-5882.

Unaffiliated voters, those not affiliated with any party, may declare Democratic or Republican at the polls if they would like to vote in this year’s primary election.For information, call (609) 645-5882.

Buena Vista Township to host Easter egg hunt

BUENA VISTA – Buena Vista Township Special Events Committee will host an Easter Egg Hunt for township children, ages 2 to 8 who can walk unassisted to participate, at noon April 23 at Michael Debbi Park. The rain date is April 30.

The hunt will include more than 2,000 candy-filled eggs and special bonus eggs with super prizes. Children should bring a basket or bag.

The Easter Bunny will arrive at the event on a Richland Volunteer Fire Company truck and will be available for photos with the children.

Children will receive free ice cream. Plus, the Municipal Drug Alliance will provide “goody bags” for participants and the Buena Vista Township Environmental Commission will provide raffle prizes.

Refreshments will be available for sale.

The park is on Cedar Avenue in Richland.

For information, call (856) 697-2100 or visit www.buenavistanj.com.

Shore Medical Center announces Employee of the Month

SOMERS POINT – Shore Medical Center recently announced that Hazel Hughes of Egg Harbor Township, a nurse on its 5 Hayes unit, was selected as its March Employee of the Month. Hughes has been with Shore since 2005 and is an important part of the 5 Hayes team since 2013.

Kelly Duma, nurse manager, 5 Hayes, called Hughes the definition of a team player. “She is always there to lend a helping hand to her co-workers and always with a smile on her face,” said Duma. Using words like “kind” and “respectful” in her interactions with patients and their families, Duma said, “Hazel is a true patient advocate.”

Enjoy ‘Landscapes of the Mind’ art exhibit in Hammonton

HAMMONTON – The Regional Center for Women of the Arts will present the “Landscapes of the Mind” at the Noyes Galleries at Kramer Hall through June 3.

The exhibit features artwork by Christine Stoughton, Fran Gallun, Katherine Fraser, Linda Dublin Garfield, Mary Putnam, Susan Foley Urban and Valetta.

Kramer Hall hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Wednesday and Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday.

The gallery is at 30 Front St.

For information, call (609) 626-3420 or visit www.noyesmuseum.org.

Dr. Alexandra Buford joins Shore Physicians Group

SOMERS POINT – Shore Physicians Group recently announced that Alexandra Buford, DO, has joined its Primary Care division.

Dr. Buford is Board Certified in Family Health with additional training in allergy and aerospace medicine, and a special interest in women’s health.

Dr. Buford will begin treating patients on April 5 at the SPG office at 401 Bethel Road. She will transition her patient care to the new location coming to the Festival at Hamilton Plaza in Mays Landing later this year.

A native of Mays Landing and a graduate of Stockton University and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Buford returns home to Atlantic County after serving full time in the U.S. Air Force since 2013. Her Air Force career includes serving as the medical director at the Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina and as the medical director of the Flight Medicine Clinic at the Moody Air Force Base in Georgia. In addition to seeing patients with SPG, she serves in the reserves one weekend each month as a physician at the Langley Air Force base in Virginia.

To schedule an appointment or for information, call (609) 365-6200 or visit www.shorephysiciansgroup.com.

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:

• 2 to 7 p.m. April 6, Buena Vista Township Municipal Building, 890 Route 40, Buena.

• 2 to 7 p.m. April 6, VFW Post 2189, 500 Bethel Road, Somers Point.

• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 6, Borgata Casino, One Borgata Way, Atlantic City.

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

• 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 11, St. Joseph’s Academy, 328 Vine St., Hammonton.

• 2 to 7 p.m. April 11, Harvey D. Johnson American Legion Post 295, 232 W. Mill Road, Northfield.

• Noon to 5 p.m. April 14, Beacon Evangelical Free Church, 420 6th Ave., Absecon.

• 2 to 7 p.m. April 18, Harvey D. Johnson American Legion Post 295, 232 W. Mill Road, Northfield.

• 12 to 5 p.m. April 19, St. Anthony’s of Padua, 285 Route 206, Hammonton.

• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 19, Sports Complex, Stockton University, 101 Vera King Farris Drive, Galloway.

• 1 to 6 p.m. April 20, Hamilton Mall, 4403 Black Horse Pike, Mays Landing.

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: Stockton and Atlantic City to host community cleanup & party