Crier Column 9/13: Get a Woodie Burger; Tapas, Tractors Saturday; Bike Safety Law Discussed; Homecoming Court; Mums and Pumpkins from FFA; Wolverine football home game tonight

 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2024

The Woodstown High School 2024 Homecoming Court has been announced! The Homecoming game is slated for Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. Go see the King, Queen, and Court! More about these young royals in the Community section below.

Hear ye, hear ye! O yez, o yez!

Happy Friday the 13th!

Where did the superstitions come from? Difficult to pinpoint exactly. Some say the the numerology is connected with the Last Supper and Good Friday (Judas being the 13th disciple), others blame the arrest of the Knights Templar on Friday, Oct. 13, 1307. Still, others blame the death of Italian composer Gioachino Rossini on Friday, Nov. 13, 1868, or the 1907 superstitious Wall Street novel Friday the Thirteenth by T. W. Lawson. But, we all know the true reasons for the season: Jason Vorhees slashing naughty teenagers. Hahaha!

Nevertheless, avoid hockey masks tonight but do enjoy a good horror film!

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Who saw that extraordinary rainbow last Saturday? My sister and I were getting ready to leave for dinner when she rushed in the house and called for us to run outside and see the rainbow. We got plenty of pictures. I doubt I've ever seen one so vibrant.

The massive rainbow above Woodstown on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. Photo courtesy George Lipari.

I put a request out on Facebook for photos from the Double Rainbow on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 and received an overwhelming response. I'll be featuring those photos in another post this week!

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Woodstown's own Sneakers & Spokes Bicycle Shop is leading an effort to tighten safety laws for cyclists on NJ roadways in light of the death of hockey players Johnny and Michael Gaudreau who were killed in Oldman's Township late last month. They are selling the above signage for local lawns for $10.

The Sneakers and Spokes bicycle store on Main Street hosted a town hall meeting earlier this week to address local concerns following the tragic cycling deaths of hockey players Johnny and Michael Gaudreau. They are selling lawn signed that state "STATE LAW | GET OFF THE GAS | FOUR FEET TO PASS" for $10 (cash). Proceeds will go toward safety awareness. Here is a dispatch from their Facebook concerning the meeting: 

"Thank you to all who came out to our town hall meeting last night. It was well attended by our community members and local officials. There was a lot of good information presented by several speakers including Karen & Aaron Gerber, Kenny Smith, Chris & John from the Bicycle Coalition of Philadelphia, and many residents of surrounding communities which will all help towards safer streets for all of us. We have several community members who signed up to be on the committee to work towards this goal. There is much to be done. Small steps toward safety starts now. If you would like more information on how to get involved in our committee, email us at sneakersandspokes@yahoo.com"

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"The Woodie" a new, fantastic menu item from the Band Boosters. It may not be the prettiest sandwich, but the flavors leave nothing to be desired. Go get one at the home games!! This user submitted photo is from Jesse Stemberger. I give it a 10/10!

Should you have the pleasure of attending a Woodstown Football home game this season, run (don't walk) to the WHS Band Boosters concessions. They are debuting a new item on their menu: THE WOODIE. It's a char-grilled cheeseburger atop slow-roasted, gently seasoned pulled pork.

I'll admit, I had my doubts. That's a lot of meat. But, being an eternal lover of the WHS Marching Band ever since they welcomed me into their ranks when I had an extra period to fill during my senior year of high school (and ended up making some of the best memories of my life, I bravely ordered The Woodie. There's also a nearby table with assorted condiments — especially BBQ sauce. I went with ketchup (I don't have a taste for BBQ sauce, myself).

To my shock and awe, this sandwich is one of the best I've had. In fact, it is the reason I may return to every home game I can this season. I wish the Football players the best, and the Marching Band itself sounds outstanding, and the cheerleaders are tremendous, but wow. This sandwich. The combination of flavors is something I've never had before. 

I'm a picky eater, but The Woodie gets an absolute 10/10 from the Town Crier. Go get yourself a Woodie Sandwich, enjoy the rousing performance by the Marching Band, rave over the talented cheerleaders who reach new heights, and MAKE SOME NOISE FOR THE WOLVERINES!!!

Home game tonight, LET'S GO!

COMMUNITY

HOMECOMING: Congrats to the 2024 WHS Homecoming Court! They are, as pictured above:

Top row (left to right): Bryce Belinfanti, Jake Ware, Sebastian Smith, Cole Lucas, Joe Kurpis

Front Row (left to right): Talia Battavio, Megan Donelson, Shelby Foote, Hannah Hitchner, Ty'Onna Husser

    - Congrats to the court, from a WHS homecoming king of long ago! (2005)

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FLOWERS The Woodstown FFA is selling Mums at the Woodstown Agriculture Education Center (188 E. Millbrooke). Pumpkins, too! Cost is $8 or 4 for $28. Self-service.

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TRACTOR FUN: Tapas, Taps, Tractors Event at Friends Village on Saturday, Sept. 14 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will feature:

• Tractor Show

• Complimentary Food, Beer & Wine Samplings featuring Farmers & Bankers Brewery and Wagonhouse Winery

• Live Music

• Pick Your Own Sunflowers in our Sunflower Field and more!

Additional food and beverages will be available for purchase.

This is a free event, no tickets required!

Click here for more information.

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CONNECTION: Join the W-P, Alloway, and Upper Pittsgrove school districts for Community Connection Day on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 at Marlton Park beginning at 5 p.m. Rain location is WHS Gym. Contact Diane Cioffi at Cioffi.d@woodstown.org for more details. The dispatch states:

"Grab a blanket or lawn chair! McKinney-Vento for Homeless Children & Youth is excited to host Devin Wyman from the Youth Alliance Network! Join us at 6 p.m. to hear from our hero and mentor speaker, the former NFL New England Patriots player #72 as he delivers a motivating message to our families."

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FALL FESTIVAL: The 20th Annual Woodstown Fall Festival will be held Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will be kicked off with a W-P School District 5K Run and Kids Dash at 8 a.m. at Marlton Park. Vendors, click here to sign up (deadline is Sept. 20, cost is $50/vendor). Admission is free to the public. Here is a dispatch from the organizers: 

"Each year in September, Woodstown's historic downtown shopping district comes alive; scarecrows by the dozens keep watch along the streets; historic houses are decorated in their fall best; and vendors, crafters and local shops line their food and wares along Main Street eager to greet the thousands of tourists and towns people who come out to celebrate fall during Woodstown's Annual Fall Festival"

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PARK: While at the Fall Festival, head over to the Pilesgrove-Woodstown Recreation Association. The association is seeking community input and donations for the betterment and future of the park. This year, 20 percent of their budget will come from donations, and they are seeking to raise $15,000. I'll be paying them a visit!

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INTERGENERATIONAL: Woodstown Friends Meeting will host Intergenerational Family activities throughout the fall. See the list below:

• September 29, 2024 – 9:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.. -Let’s celebrate the coming of fall with the game “As the Wind Blows” and decorate and bake cookies to take home.
• October 27, 2024 – 9:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – Join Teacher Kate, the popular music teacher at Friends School Mullica Hill, for an interactive hour of music making and dance. We will sing both new and familiar songs, enjoy some interactive folk dancing and play percussion instruments as a group.
• December 8, 2024 – 9:15 AM to 10:30 AM—We will celebrate the holidays with holiday-themed story and craft time. You won’t walk away empty-handed!

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FARMER'S MARKET: There will be a Farmer's Market held on Oct. 19, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The organizers are seeking vendors with vegetables/fruits, pumpkins/plants, cornstalks/flowers, breads, honey, crafters, and quilters. Contact Linda Fritz at LAFritz19@Yahoo.com.

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FLU CLINIC: The Salem County Department of Health and Human Services will host the following Flu Clinics for residents ages 3 and older. No appointment necessary.

• Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. Salem County Fair Grounds, Rt. 40, Pilesgrove. Drive-Thru. 
• Tuesday, Oct. 1, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. Salem County Dept. of Health. 110 5th St., Salem. Walk-in.
• Wednesday, Oct. 9, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. Lower Alloway's Creek Fire & Rescue. 15 New St, Hancock's Bridge. Drive Thru.
• Thursday, Oct. 17, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. Salem Community College, Davidow Hall. 460 Hollywood Ave, Carneys Point. Walk-in.
• Tuesday, Oct. 22, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. Shalick High School, 718 Centerton Rd., Pittsgrove. Walk-in.
• Wednesday, Oct. 30, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. Oldmans Municipal Building, 40 Freed Rd., Pedricktown. Walk-in.
• Wednesday, Nov. 13, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. Carney's Point Municipal Building, 303 Harding Hwy, Carneys Point. Walk-in.

ENTERTAINMENT

The WHS Band visited youngsters at Mary S. Shoemaker School. This is a special first step for future generations of musicians in our school and community!

YOUNG BAND: A dispatch from Mary S. Shoemaker School:

"On Friday, our 4th-grade students at Mary Shoemaker School had a special treat! Woodstown high school band members visited and shared their love of music.

"The students got to see and hear the instruments up close, and it was amazing to witness their excitement! Mrs. Sheridan will be providing band interest forms to current 4th and 5th grade Shoemaker students."

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ACTORS NEEDED: A dispatch from Salem Main Street and the Blue Moon Theatre:

The 37th Annual historic Yuletide tour of Salem County is looking for reenactors to participate in their event on December 7th from 1-6 rain or shine. This is a Paid position (with donations from those involved in the event).  Currently they are looking for:

Fredrick Douglas (1st lawyer) and Fredrick's daughter a teacher, Hetty Reckless a slave who went on to help free other slaves. Her owner was the governor in Salem and his wife was very hateful to Hetty., Harriet Tubman, and a Father Christmas who could also be like a town crier, Decreeing the day dedicated to the many people celebrating the upcoming holiday season.

If you are unfamiliar with any of the characters, please research them.  You will find them to be amazing individuals. 

If you are interested, please contact Cheryl Stark at Cherstark@hotmail.com or call at 856-905-5840.

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OPEN MIC: The Blue Moon Theatre will host an Open Mic Comedy night on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Sign up when you arrive for performing. Tickets are $5.

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THEATRE: The Blue Moon Theatre presents "Little Shop of Horrors" on Sept. 20, 21, 27 and 28 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, September 22 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25. The cast was just announced and features Nicholas Renna, Rachel Grodek, Greg Hanmell, Tyler Kulik, Taye Hopkins, Aimee Ferenz, Celeste Daesy Moon, Shabria Moore, and Andrew Fralinger. Click here for tickets.

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AUDITIONS: The Blue Moon Theatre will host auditions for "RUMORS" by Neil Simon on Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with callbacks on Monday, Sept. 30. Director Dominic Spadaccini is seeking four men, four women, and three actors of any gender for the comedy. Sign up here.

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WHITE CHRISTMAS: I'll be starring alongside fellow Woodstown actors Lori and Rick Thompson in WHITE CHRISTMAS at the Levoy Theatre in Millville this November! I love to see Woodstown talent on the big stage! Get your tickets here.

SPORTS

The Wolverines had an outstanding debut at their home game last Friday vs. Delsea, winning in overtime thanks to Bryce Belinfante, Jake Ware, and an incredible amount of teamwork all around. More coverage here.

Home game tonight — play hard, sweat orange, bleed blue!

The Woodstown Athletic Department website, a hub for all things Woodstown High School sports, can be found here.

SCORES

SCHEDULE

WATCH LIVE EVENTS HERE

GOVERNMENT

Woodstown Borough Council and Pilesgrove Twp Committee meet the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.

WEEKEND WEATHER

FRIDAY: Sun. High of 84F. Low of 59F.

SATURDAY: Sun. High of 86F. Low of 58F.

SUNDAY: Sun. High of 83F. Low of 59F.

Forecast: Sun and scattered clouds to start the week, highs in the upper 70s to 80. Clouds and rain starting Wednesday into next weekend. 

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Woodstown Crier: Where there's always a rainbow above Woodstown & Pilesgrove — above our schools, above our students, above our artists, above our churches, above our shops, above our theater, above our parks, above our diner, above our cemeteries, above our laundromat, above our bookstore, above our banks, above our lakes, above our ponds, above our wildlife, above our farms, above our rodeo, above our livestock, above our pets, above our trees, above our bugs, above our flowers, above our Veterans, above our first responders, above our hometown heroes, above our government, above our yards, above our homes, above our families, and above our colossal water tower emblazoned across with the name of the greatest town in America, welcoming us home.

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Want to share your Woodstown-Pilesgrove news in the Crier Column? Email Jim Cook at WoodstownCrier@gmail.com