House tours to get you into the holiday spirit

The day after Thanksgiving marks the official start of the holiday shopping season and also the holiday decorating season.

Those who can wait a week or two to begin can get inspiration and ideas from house tours. The list that follows is a starting point for upcoming events focused on holiday decorating.

WOODSTOWN -- Dec. 2

Plans are underway for this year's Woodstown by Candlelight. One night a year this quiet little town dazzles visitors and residents alike with a spectacular Candlelight Tour, a tradition for over 35 years. Stroll down the lamp lit Main Street past Victorian and Colonial homes aglow with candles in all the windows. Smell the evergreen boughs and notice the trees decorated with old-fashioned ornaments. See the doors of businesses and homes decorated for the season. Hear the carolers as they stroll from house to house spreading holiday cheer. This year's tour is on Friday, Dec. 2 and is sponsored for the benefit of the Pilesgrove-Woodstown Historical Society.

Each year there are numerous homes, as well as businesses and churches open to the public. Homeowners share their collections of antiques and collectibles along with stories of the homes on tour. The craft show in the Woodstown Borough Hall opens at 4 p.m. and the private homes will be open from 6 to 10 p.m.

Enjoy a meal at one of Woodstown's many restaurants and then tour this charming town, which dates back to 1720. Enjoy displays of arts, crafts and musical presentations at homes, schools and churches throughout the town. Free transportation will be provided to various locations within the town.

No tour would be complete without the complimentary wassail and homemade cookies available at the First Baptist Church. Get into the spirit of the holiday season with a Candlelight Tour of historic Woodstown.

Tickets are $15 for adults ($12 in advance) and $6 for students. Additional information available at www.woodstownbycandlelight.org.

PITMAN -- Dec. 3

The Woman's Club of Pitman will sponsor its "Spirit of Christmas" House Tour on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 2 to 8 p.m. The tour will consist of six private residences -- outstanding examples of Pitman's unique homes. The Rock Church, McCowan Memorial Library and the Pitman Historical Museum, will also be on the tour. The Rock Church will feature seasonal music as well as beautiful, decorations for visitors to enjoy.  

As always, the homes will feature interesting collections and festive holiday decorations.

This is not a guided tour. Ticket holders are given a brochure of the homes on the tour and can start at house No. 1 or whatever one they prefer. When you buy your ticket you will be given the brochure. 

Tickets are available from members of the club and at local businesses. Ticket prices are $12 in advance and $15 on the day of the tour. On the day of the tour, tickets will be sold at Pitman Borough Hall, 110 S. Broadway from 1 to 6 p.m. For more information, contact Sandy at 856-589-1459 or email pitmanwcp@gmail.com.

MULLICA HILL -- Dec. 10

Two exciting events rolled into one are planned to kick of the holiday season in historic Mullica Hill Antique County this Dec. 10 from 2 to 7 p.m. The annual Christmas House Tour and Candlelight Shopping are combined to offer numerous holiday sights and sounds. Seven homes and churches will open their doors for a tour to show off their Christmas finery. Santa will be there along with carolers and live music throughout the town. Visit the Old Town Hall where you'll be treated to live music and readings of a "Christmas Carol." Aside from the homes on display visit Four Seasons for an old fashion tree display.

Come early and participate in a treasure hunt -- just pick up a form listing all the participating shops (open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and the items you will be looking for. First person with most items found in shortest period of time will win a $75 gift certificate, second person will win a $25 gift certificate. The shops will be decorated in holiday splendor, offer delicious treats for tasting, carolers will serenade and special discounts will be offered.

There is sufficient parking for all on the street and free parking lots with transportation to take you from one end of the village to the other. Price for the tour is $8 in advance and $10 day of. For more information visit www.mullicahill.com or call 856-223-5440.

WOODBURY -- Dec. 10

The Greater Woodbury Garden Club will present their Bi-annual Holiday house tour "A Woodland Christmas " on Saturday Dec. 10 from 3 to 8 p.m. This is a self-guided tour of 11 charming holiday homes and places of worship in and around Woodbury. Advance and will-call tickets $15. Day of tour $18 at Christ Episcopal Church, 62 Delaware St. Woodbury from 2 to 7 p.m. Call 856-384-1621 or 856-853-7147 for tickets or tickets can be purchased at Woodbury Library, 856-845-2611; Woodbury City Hall, 856-845-1300, 33 Delaware St.; Edwards Hairstyling, 14 S. Broad St., 856-845-2245; Flowers by Sweeten's, 530 N. Broad St. Woodbury; West Deptford Library, 420 Crown Point Road, Thorofare, 856-845-5593. 

GREENWICH -- Dec. 11

Celebrate a "Hometown Christmas" in Greenwich on the Cohansey River with an afternoon of festive activities that are sure to fill your heart with Christmas warmth. This 48th annual tour, sponsored by the Cumberland County Historical Society, will be held Sunday, Dec. 11 from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $15 per person, children 12 and under are free.

Tour through the town's historic homes and buildings that will be decked out in their Christmas finery. As you stroll along your self-guided tour, children will be able to visit Santa in his new workshop and drop off their letters to be sent to the North Pole.  Gingerbread creations will be on display and you may purchase hand-crafted holiday gifts and decorative items at the craft show. 

Lunch, snacks and treats will be available at several locations throughout the tour. All museums will be open during the afternoon.

Tickets available on the day of the event at the Doctor's Office, located on the grounds of the Gibbon House (960 Ye Greate St.) and at the Morris Goodwin School (839 Ye Greate St.).

For additional information, call 856-455-8580 or plan your afternoon by visiting cchistsoc.org.

The Carroll House is a late example of the Gothic Revival style built with two and a half story frame, three bays wide, and a tall cross gable in the center of the facade. The center front door has an original arched transom and three-light sidelights. The door is sheltered by an original, one-story porch with molded square columns topped with heavy scroll brackets. Herbert Carroll is enumerated in the 1900 census as a 55-year-old widowed merchant living in the house with three sons and a daughter. The house currently serves as parsonage for the Dennisville United Methodist Church. Submitted photo 

DENNISVILLE -- Dec. 17 

The 27th Historic Dennisville Christmas House Tour is a premier fundraising event. A minimum of eight beautifully decorated 18th and 19th century historic homes, as well as several public buildings and two churches, will be open to the public. The Dennisville Historic Home Owners Association Inc. is sponsoring the event.

The tour takes place on Saturday, Dec. 17 from 3 to 8 p.m. Tickets, $10, will be sold at the Dennisville Post Office, 24 Hall Ave. in Dennisville the day of the tour beginning at 2:30 p.m. Advance ticket sales are available online. Greeters will distribute programs and get tour goers started on their way. Houses open at 3 p.m. Soup and sandwich supper at the South Dennis Trinity United Methodist Church beginning at 2 p.m. until food runs out ($8 for adults, and $3.50 for children under 12).

Refreshments and comfort stations at the Dennisville United Methodist Church Social Hall and Dennis Volunteer Fire Station. The Middletones Carolers (Middle Township High School a cappella vocal quartet) will perform through the village in period costume. Dennis Volunteer Fire Company will be open with new and antique equipment on display. Light refreshments will also be available there. For further information visit http://dhhoa.org or contact Jack Connolly at 609-861-1338 or at Dennisvillechristmashousetour@verizon.net.

Carol Rhodes writes that the Democrats' 2017 front-runner is too much like Jon Corzine.

To the Editor:

Will New Jersey Democrats be faced with a bout of "buyers' remorse" if they coalesce behind Phil Murphy, now the favorite to be the party's nominee in next year's gubernatorial race?

"Draining the swamp" resonated with voters in the 2016 presidential election. So what chance does Murphy have in galvanizing a general electorate that nationally rejected Hillary Clinton's"... we came out of the White House (in 2001) not only dead broke, but in debt" plea? She made those remarks in 2014, while she and Bill Clinton were enriching themselves with hundreds of thousands of dollars in speaking fees.

Also, just like Jon Corzine -- the former New Jersey governor who was later implicated in a Wall Street scandal -- Murphy's resume is similar. He's a multi-millionaire and previously worked for Goldman Sachs.

Having a past governor who worked for Goldman Sachs didn't help the finances of New Jersey residents. It's not helping Corzine negotiate plea deals to avoid trial over the $1 billion that was misappropriated from from MF Global, the Wall Street firm he headed after he was governor.

To paraphrase that famous philosopher Yogi Berra, a Murphy governorship would be "deja vu all over again."

Carol Rhodes

Barnsboro 

Avoid tyrrany of voter majority

To the Editor:

I have read several opinions opposing the Electoral College and supporting potential movements to elect presidents directly through the popular vote.

May I say a few words to defend the current system?

The Founding Fathers felt the Electoral College would enforce the division of power between state and national governments. Fearful that the magnificent country they created would fall to the tyranny of the majority, they put a system in place that ensured all states would be represented in the election of a president.

An election by popular vote could mean that people in the most populous states,  such as California and New York, would elect the president every four years, while the many other states would have little or no say. This is exactly what the founders wanted to avoid. They created a representative democracy that allows citizens to rule through periodically elected representatives, and that holds those representatives accountable to the voters.  

Not including the 2016 election -- its final tally is not complete, although Hillary Clinton leads by about 1.5 million votes -- only three presidents in our 227-year history have lost the the popular vote but won in the Electoral College. (Additionally, John Quincy Adams in 1824 won neither, but was declared the winner in the House of Representatives.)

These occurrences are rare and have not resulted in the collapse of the country. The hysteria to change the system is not warranted, and it would require a constitutional amendment approved by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and ratified by three-quarters (38) of the 50 states.

Rose Wakemen

Turnersville 

New Vineland leaders offer thanks

To the Editor:

On behalf of the entire "Team Fanucci" and myself, Vineland Mayor-elect Anthony Fanucci, allow me to express how honored and grateful we are to have received the ultimate vote of confidence from residents to lead our city over the next four years.

One of the most important freedoms we enjoy as citizens is the right to vote. Thanks to all who took the time to participate in this process. Your voice has truly been heard.

We would also like to take this opportunity to personally thank our volunteers and contributors, as well as our families and friends who supported us throughout a hard fought campaign. 

We are anxious to serve and ready to work with all of our residents, city employees, and community leaders to move Vineland forward.  We will work every day with a sense of urgency to achieve our goals of a cleaner, safer and more prosperous Vineland. It will not be easy. But if we work together, there is nothing that we cannot do.

Anthony Fanucci

Mayor-elect

Vineland

Note: This letter was also signed by five city council, candidates, all aligned with Fanucci, who won election Nov. 8.

Laud Sweeney for seniors' tax cut

To the Editor:

I work with senior citizens every day as a county government official and I know the challenges they face as they age. In many cases, their incomes do not keep pace with the ever-rising costs of living in New Jersey. 

Although seniors want to remain in their home state and be close to their children and grandchildren, the cost of staying in a state with high taxes can be financially prohibitive. This makes moving to states with lower taxes on retirement income, such as Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland, or Florida -- which has no state income tax --a more practical decision for many or our elderly residents.

Thankfully, state Senate President Stephen Sweeney and other government leaders have taken action on tax relief for New Jersey senior citizens with taxable pension or similar retirement income. This is a very welcome development for this population. 

Because of these efforts, seniors will be able to exempt much more of their income from their state income taxes. The state estate tax is being phased out, as well.

Additionally, some low-income seniors can qualify for a larger larger tax credit. These changes will have a very positive impact on seniors across the state. They can afford to continue living here, which is beneficial to them and advantageous for our state. 

I thank Sweeney for making New Jersey seniors a priority and always working to achieve actual results. 

Leona G. Mather

Elk Township 

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

The fire occurred Sunday afternoon.

DEPTFORD TWP. -- A family of five was displaced after a wind-fed fire tore through their home on the 400 block of Dickinson Road on Sunday afternoon.

Investigators believe the fire was caused by a smoldering cigarette discarded in a trash can outside the home, according to township Fire Marshal Robert A. Burkhardt Jr. The homeowner thought the cigarette was fully extinguished when he put it in the can, Burkhardt said.

The can caught fire around 3 p.m. and, because of high winds, the blaze spread to the home and a car parked next door.

A neighbor alerted the homeowners to the blaze and three adults and two children escaped the home unharmed.

The Red Cross provided assistance to the family with temporary lodging, food and clothing.

Deptford firefighters were assisted by units from Woodbury, Woodbury Heights, Mantua and Wenonah, Burkhardt said.

Firefighters battle a blaze on Dickinson Road in Deptford on Sunday. (Submitted photo/John Hernisey)
This was one of several area fires whipped up by high winds in the last two days. Other fires were reported in Woodbury, where four people were injured, and Trenton, where nine homes were damaged and three people were injured.

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

Which teams made their mark in the semifinals?

On Monday, American Red Cross teams were in Mercer, Gloucester, Cumberland and Passaic counties.

Ten residential fires across the state since Friday afternoon has the American Red Cross assisting 98 people, the New Jersey chapter said Monday afternoon.

On Monday, volunteers were assisting residents burned out of their homes in Trenton, Woodbury, Bridgeton and Paterson with with temporary lodging, food and clothing.

In Trenton, Red Cross volunteers are assisting 28 people in nine families after a 5-alarm blaze destroyed a row of nine homes in North Trenton.

And in Woodbury, flames damaged three homes, injuring four. The Red Cross was assisting five people in two families.

In Bridgeton, the agency was assisting a family of three following a fire on Hampton Street, and in Paterson, a Red Cross Disaster Action Team responded to a fire on East 18th Street and provided emergency assistance to nine people in five families. 

On Sunday, the Red Cross assisted a nine people in two families in Garfield, which were displaced by a fire at their Cambridge Avenue home  and in Newark, seven people in two families were aided after a fire on South 18^th Street.

4 injured when fire ravages 3 homes

On Saturday, volunteers provided comfort and emergency assistance to 12 people in six families displaced by a fire on Georges Avenue in Linden.

And on Friday, the Red Cross was in the Sicklerville section of Winslow Township, and Clementon and Paulsboro and assisted a total of six families following fire in those towns.

Red Cross Disaster Action Teams are on call around the clock to respond to home fires and other disasters throughout the region to help neighbors in need, the agency says.

In addition to assisting displaced residents with temporary housing, and food and clothing, volunteers provide comfort kits containing personal care items and refer refer people to other organizations for future needs, the Red Cross says.

The Red Cross in New Jersey trains and mobilizes more than 5,300 volunteers who last year went to 767 local disasters and helped 1,803 displaced families.

To make a donation of become an American Red Cross, more information is available at redcross.org/nj.

Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Chilly winds should be a reminder that warm coats are needed.

It has been so warm that retailers' best Black Friday sales might be on the racks of coats and piles of sweaters that have been sitting around until consumers' thoughts match the date on the calendar. 

Who wants to try on bulky stuff when it's still 75 degrees outside?

Well, we're getting a rude awakening. The temperature fell into the 30s Sunday night, accompanied by strong winds that made it feel even colder. A small temperature moderation is expected, but Miami-like weather is likely gone until next spring.

If you haven't thought about people who can't afford new cold-weather gear even at steep discounts, now is the time. Some charities say that coat donations are down because -- well, who wants to see if this bulky stuff in the closet still fits when it's 75 degrees outside?

In Bridgeton, Bethany Grace Community Church gave out coats to the needy on Saturday, hours before the thermometer plunged. The distribution was co-sponsored by Century Savings Bank. The church and its pastor, Dr. Robin Weinstein, also spearhead Cumberland County's groundbreaking Code Blue program. It enlists several churches as warming centers for the homeless and others vulnerable to the cold.

Coat drives are easy to find this time of year. If you're bargain hunting to replenish your own wardrobe, don't forget to repurpose your style-challenged garments for the truly needy. For some, buying a coat at 40 percent off remains an unattainable dream.

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

The surprise of the little-film-that-could continues to provide a parallel story for Philadelphia and its environs.

Forty years ago Monday, a 120-minute slice of Americana delivered a technical knockout to Philadelphia's long-standing inferiority complex.

Nov. 21, 1976, was the first day that the public could view "Rocky," the iconic movie about boxing, about accomplishment of the underdog and about the culture of Philadelphia.

Fittingly at the time, the premiere the previous evening was in New York City.

According to IMDb, Philadelphia didn't get to the see the film that would provide its greatest fictional hero even a day before the national release on Dec. 3. Our region still gets independent films weeks later than New York does, but in many other respects, "Rocky" gave us respect.

Made for the tiny sum of $960,000, it wasn't even a "Million Dollar Movie" on the production end. The low budget likely forced writer/star Sylvester Stallone and director John Avildsen to use so many real-life Philly locations that give "Rocky" such authentic charm.

"Rocky" went on to win three Oscars and gross $225 million worldwide. But, that's Hollywood talk. "Rocky" matters to Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley because it forever nullified the image of a second-class city, replacing it with a triumphant fight song, and the scene of a million selfies from around the world replicating Rocky Balboa's run up the art museum steps.

Only Benjamin Franklin has done more for Philadelphia's image. The city built upon "Rocky's" fame to become the convention sweetheart, the foodie destination and the magnet for millennials and empty-nesters that it is now. The feel-good effect may be mostly subliminal, but today, few "deciders" of where to take a vacation or locate a restaurant reject Philadelphia out of hand.

Yo, Adrian: You're still looking good 40 years later.

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

G.E. Green asks how much more Bridgegate evidence prosecutors need before filing charges against the governor.

To the Editor:

Concerning the "Bridgegate" guilty verdict of two aides of Gov. Chris Christie, and Christie's own possible involvement in the lane-closing scandal:

Through my years I have had a few jobs and, in any of them, if I had a thought, idea or a plan, I would first run it by my boss for approval. No way would I just go out and do it on my own. 

So, how it is that Christie --  several witnesses testified that he knew about the George Washington Bridge incident earlier than he claims -- wasn't put on trial like the people who worked for him?  

If the governor was notified, and did nothing to stop the lane closings, isn't that being an accessory to the fact or crime? In a sense, he approved it. 

It baffles me to no end that the federal prosecutors apparently dropped the ball on this one. How much evidence or how many witnesses do they need?

I also blame the rest of the politicians in this state who sat on their hands while Christie did whatever he pleased without as much as a blink from them. Now we have to put up with the worst governor this state has ever had for the rest of his so-called term. 

If there is a fast-track impeachment, as a few Democrats have advocated, they should hit the button and get in someone who will do the job -- and not Lieutenant Gov. Kim Guadagno.

G.E.Green

Glassboro

Investigators believe he could be linked to other recent burglaries.

EAST GREENWICH TWP. -- Police have arrested a Paulsboro man in connection with a store burglary earlier this month and believe he could be responsible for several other burglaries around Gloucester County.

Daniel E. Holmes, 27, of Paulsboro. (Salem County Correctional Facility)
 

Daniel E. Holmes, 27, was arrested in the Nov. 1 smash-and-grab burglary at the Heritage's store on Kings Highway in Clarksboro, East Greenwich Police reported.

A brick was used to break the glass in the front door to gain entry. Cigarettes were the only items reported stolen in that burglary, according to a previous report.

Holmes was charged last week with burglary, criminal mischief, conspiracy and theft of moveable property and jailed on $30,000 bail. He has since been released from Salem County Correctional Facility, according to jail records.

Investigators believe someone else assisted in this burglary and that Holmes allegedly participated in other recent smash-and-grab burglaries in the county.

Police offered no additional details on the ongoing investigation.

East Greenwich Police did credit West Deptford detectives with locating and interviewing Holmes in connection with the Heritage's case.

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

WTHS National Honor Society students organize the annual drive

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP - A couple of dozen boxes lined the wall in Bernadette Bogacki's classroom at Washington Township High School on Nov. 18. Over the past month, the WTHS National Honor Society has been organizing its annual "Stockings for Soldiers" drive -- a fundraiser benefiting the Delaware chapter of Stockings for Soldiers, which is in its 11th year of sending personalized holiday greetings -- including stockings full of supplies -- to brave young men and women in uniform serving their country around the world.

With boxes and donations ready for delivery, members of the NHS Executive Board helped haul the items to Bogacki's pickup truck. A group of students joined Bogacki on Nov. 19, transporting the items to Stockings for Soldiers' North Wilmington headquarters to prepare for shipping. More than 10,000 stockings -- plus 1,000 K-9 stockings -- are stuffed every year.

Among the items that the NHS was collecting this year were:

• Cash
• Ramen noodles
• Canned tuna and chicken
• Bubble gum
• Fruit snacks
• Lip balm

For more information regarding Stockings for Soldiers, check out their website at www.stockingsforsoldiers.org.

This item submitted by Matthew Pesyna for Washington Township School District.

Firefighters waited an hour for utilities to be shut off while a fire spread across three properties, injuring seven residents and a firefighter.

WOODBURY - Woodbury officials will meet with PSE&G to review actions taken at a fire that left seven residents and a firefighter injured and three homes destroyed.

Early Monday morning, around 3:40 a.m. firefighters from Woodbury, West Deptford, Woodbury Heights, Deptford and several other agencies responded to the scene of a fire on Mehorter Boulevard in Woodbury. The fire spread from 729 Mehorter Boulevard to two neighboring properties, sending embers and ash throughout the neighborhood. 

Seven residents of 729 Mehorter were taken to various medical care facilities following the fire to be treated for unspecified injuries. Three of the injured were discharged from Inspira Medical Center Woodbury and a fourth was reported to be in critical but stable condition at Cooper University Hospital on Monday afternoon.

As of Tuesday morning, two patients are reported to be in stable condition and a third was in critical condition at Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday.

At the time of the fire, Woodbury Fire Chief Randall Gartner criticized what he said was a slow response from Public Service Electric & Gas to shut off electricity to the downed wires, noting that firefighters had to wait about an hour for utility crews to arrive.

PSE&G officials didn't respond to a request for comment about the delay.

According to city administrator Mike Theokas, city officials will be meeting with PSE&G to discuss the incident as well as clarify the processes for these incidents moving forward.

"The city appreciates its long positive relationship with PSEG and looks forward to that relationship continuing in the future," Theokas added.

Woodbury officials are still working to contact the owners of the home but for now the property has been secured by the city.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. 

Caitlyn Stulpin may be reached at cstulpin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitstulpin. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Dantavis Dukes is charged with attempting to kill Anthony Montalvo on Nov. 9, police say.

PENNS GROVE -- A local resident has been charged with attempted murder in connection with a shooting earlier this month in which a man was struck by bullets in his head and leg, authorities said.

Dantavis Dukes has been arrested on an attempted murder charge, police say. (Salem County Correctional Facility) 

Dantavis Dukes, 22, of Penns Grove, was arrested this week for the shooting that left Anthony Montalvo, 21, wounded, Penns Grove Police Sgt. Orlando Pagan said Tuesday.

Dukes was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals around 3 p.m. Monday in a Westville courtroom. Dukes was in that court on a matter unrelated to the Penns Grove shooting.

According to Pagan, police were called to South Broad Street at 7:25 p.m. Nov. 9 to investigate the report of a shooting. There they found Montalvo wounded.

Montalvo was taken to Christiana Hospital in Newark, Delaware for treatment. Although shot in the back of the head and in his leg, he survived the incident, police said.

Man murdered, car with son inside stolen

Pagan credited the work of Penns Grove Det. Jason Spera, who headed the investigation, and partnering agencies in arresting a suspect.

"We thank the Salem County Prosecutor's Office and U.S. Marshal's Service or their help," Pagan said Tuesday afternoon. "As a team we were able to remove a violent criminal from the streets of Penns Grove."

Dukes was charged with attempted murder, robbery, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and theft, according to Pagan.

Dukes is being held in the Salem County Correctional Facility, Mannington Township, on $150,000 cash bail.

The number have coyote sighting has increased recently, Tenafly police say

TENAFLY -- Borough police are warning residents after a reported spike in coyote sightings this month. 

"We have been experiencing an increase in the number of coyote sightings across town," police wrote in a Facebook post. "We would like to remind our residents that coyotes are indigenous to this area."

Capt. Michael DeMoncada said the number of reported coyote sighting has been increasing over the last two years and peaks during the fall. 

Residents who come across coyotes should take precautions and call the state Department of Environmental Protection Division of Fish and Wildlife, DeMoncada advised. 

"We are not going to respond to coyote sightings," DeMoncada said. "We don't have the tools or ability to handle the animals."

DeMoncada said there have been no reports of attacks but residents with small animals and children should be careful. He encouraged residents to not leave dogs or cats outside at night. 

Police did not say if the reported sighting were centered around a certain area. On Facebook, a commenter on the post said he spotted a coyote at Walnut Park. 

In May, two coyotes reportedly lunged at dogs that were being walked in Saddle River County Park. 

In January, residents in Gloucester County were warned to be vigilant after a large coyote was spotted in Gibbstown.

State officials say coyotes have been seen in all 21 counties, and the number of hunters getting special coyote-hunting permits in N.J. has increased dramatically in the past 10 years.

Fausto Giovanny Pinto may be reached at fpinto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @FGPreporting. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Zeroing in on a little-known East Coast record

It's  the day before Thanksgiving and there's a bird to be cooked but my wife is ready as can be for, ta-ta, Christmas.

Bob Shryock | For NJ.com 

In fact, she's zeroing in on a little-known East Coast record held by my mother: Earliest to put up and decorate Christmas tree, Christmas 1942, Lib Shryock. In early October.

That was also the year Mom obliterated another coveted mark: Most consecutive days kept tree up, 146. Until Easter Monday. She had an unofficial contest every Christmas with a friend around the corner, Kitz Weagly, to determine which of them would keep their trees up the longest. Mom usually won; by the middle of March, a big pile of needles, assembled under the tree, was all that was left.

Nobody loved Christmas as much as my Mom. When i was growing up, my holiday job was to collect and count the Christmas cards delivered by Charlie the postman. We got more than 150 cards every year. It seemed everyone in the small town sent cards, some with flowery notes.

Charlie was so busy that from early December he frequently made  two, sometimes three, stops to deliver cards in the same day.

"Charlie was here again," I'd yell to Mom. "His third delivery of the day."

"How many did we get this time?" she asked.

"Eleven this afternoon and 27 for the day," I said.

Then, at night after Pop got home, we hung up the new cards around the fireplace.

I think the Shryock record for most cards received in a given year was just under 200. Today, not too many folks get that many cards. But the first card every year was from Jack Sheppard Sr., former 25-year Wenonah mayor, and his wife Helen Mae. You could book it.

My wife, who always finds plenty to do, decided last week to get an early start on Christmas 2016 by putting up the Christmas trees.

At last count, there were three in the house. One in the living room, one in the rec room, and one in the bathroom.

"Just wanted to enjoy them now," she explained.

My wife is giving my mother, rest her soul, a run for her money.

She vows the three trees are staying put until Valentine's Day, at least. Or perhaps later.

"Maybe," she says, "I'll just keep them up the whole year."

As long as I'm not the dismantler.

-- -- -- 

My wife is vying for another record: Most visits by UPS in one calendar month -- 14 so far in November.

The dogs let me know when UPS arrives.

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

Williamstown Middle School held a food drive to help approximately 100 families of students enjoy a full Thanksgiving dinner.

MONROE TWP. -- Approximately 100 families of Williamstown Middle School students will enjoy a full Thanksgiving dinner thanks to a school-wide food drive.

Over the past week, food for breakfast, lunch and all the fixings for a Thanksgiving dinner were donated by students, faculty and staff to those in need of assistance this holiday season.

Students from the Builder's Club, a community service club, then sorted and bagged the items, preparing them for delivery.

Club advisor Pat Bramble, who started the food drive more than 30 years ago, smiled as she watched her students work side by side with the Monroe Township Police Department as they loaded cars with the bags filled to the brim with donated food. 

"Watching my students work with the Monroe Township Police was something words cannot express," Bramble said. "Some of the officers were former students who donated to the food drive as students, and now they are there helping to deliver the Thanksgiving baskets."

More than 14 volunteers from the police department helped load patrol cars and a limousine donated by Buckingham Limousine and Chauffers in Williamstown. 

The officers then personally delivered the meals to each family. 

"My heart was touched by this event and will always hold a special place in my life," said Bramble, who is retiring in June. "Doing for others is an important lesson that cannot be learned from a textbook." 

Tim Hawk may be reached at thawk@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @photogthawk. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Fans can check out the picks by the NJ.com writers for every Thanksgiving rivalry game in the state including Top 20 teams on Nov. 23-24

THANKSGIVING RIVALRY SCHEDULE/PICKS:

TOP 20 TEAMS

No. 4 Timber Creek (10-0) at Winslow (2-7)
Thursday, 10 a.m.
The Chargers rallied in the second half to beat Shawnee, 38-14, in the South Jersey Group 4 semifinal last week and keep alive hopes of an undefeated season. Winslow has played some top teams tough despite its record. Charger QB Devin Leary can set the state single-season touchdown record with four more scores. Timber Creek 42, Winslow 14.

No. 10 Lenape (10-0) at Shawnee (8-2)
Thursday, 10:30 a.m.
This is a tricky game for the Indians, who will be facing No. 4 Timber Creek in two weeks for the South Jersey Group 4 title while the Renegades will look to finish a good season on an impressive win. Two years ago, in a reverse situation, Lenape stunned the undefeated Renegades, who bounced back to beat the Chargers in the championship game. Lenape 14, Shawnee 10.

No. 10 Westfield (10-0) at Plainfield (1-8)
Thursday, 11 a.m.
Westfield will play for a chance to repeat as North Jersey, Section 2, Group 5 champions. But before that, the Blue Devils have a chance to knock off rival Plainfield, which was winless in the regular season until a Crossover game with Newark East Side. Westfield will likely take it easy with such a big game on the horizon, but expect Philip Martini to have a big day throwing the ball anyway. Westfield 35, Plainfield 10.

Paulsboro (9-1) at No. 17 West Deptford (10-0)
Friday, 7
The Red Raiders have won nine straight, including a couple impressive victories on the way to reaching the South Jersey Group 1 final in two weeks. The Eagles have been even more dominant on their way to another appearance in the South Jersey Group 2 title game. West Deptford 31, Paulsboro 21.

No. 18 Millville (9-1) at Vineland (7-2)
Thursday, 10:30 a.m.
This Turkey Day rivalry dates back to 1894 and there is certainly a lot of emotion behind it. Throw in the fact both these schools have their best teams in years and it has the makings of a tremendous game, though its possible the Thunderbolts could rest several starters for the Group 5 final in two weeks. The Fighting Clan are looking to finish off their best season in over a decade with a win after losing their last two following a 7-0 start. Vineland 27, Millville 21.

No. 18 Rumson Fair Haven (8-2) at Shore (6-4)
Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Shore, eliminated from the playoffs for the first time in years, has all the motiviation. However, this Rumson-Fair Haven senior class may actually take this one seriously to help cement their legacy. QB Michael O'Connor was slowed by a bad toe most of the season and may want to add some yards to his total. Rumson-Fair Haven 24, Shore 14.

No. 20 Piscataway (8-2) at Franklin (1-8)
Thursday, 10:30 a.m.
Piscataway is riding high after exacting revenge on Old Bridge in the Central Jersey, Group 5 semifinals, and the Chiefs can get even more revenge against Manalapan in the final. But first comes Franklin, which was winless before beating North Brunswick in a Crossover game. Elijah Barnwell is playing very well at running back for Piscataway right now and should be the difference. Piscataway 35, Franklin 7.

QUICK PICKS

X-Denotes winner

WEDNESDAY
MID-STATE 38
North Warren at Belvidere, 5:30pm
NJSFC
North Warren at x-Belvidere, 5:30pm
SHORE CONFERENCE
X-Barnegat at Pinelands, 6:30pm
X-Rumson-Fair Haven at Shore, 7pm
WJFL
X-Cherry Hill West at Cherry Hill East, 6pm
X-Egg Harbor at Mainland, 6pm
Cumberland at X-Schalick, 6pm
Delran at X-Cinnaminson, 7pm
X-Camden Catholic at Paul VI, 7pm

THURSDAY
GMC
North Plainfield at X-South Plainfield, 10am
X-Middlesex at Dunellen, 10:30am
J.P. Stevens at X-Edison, 10:30am
X-South Brunswick at North Brunswick, 10:30am
Metuchen at X-Highland Park, 11am
East Brunswick at X-Old Bridge, 11am
X-Carteret at Perth Amboy, 11am

MID-STATE 38
X-Roselle at Roselle Park, 10am
North Plainfield at X-South Plainfield, 10am
Linden at X-Union, 10am
X-Gov. Livingston at New Providence, 10:30am
X-Easton (PA) at Phillipsburg, 10:30am
X-Johnson at Rahway, 10:30am
New Hope-Solebury (PA) at X-South Hunterdon, 10:30am

NJSFC
X-Paterson Kennedy at Paterson Eastside, TBA
Tenafly at X-Dumont, 10:30am
Teaneck at X-Hackensack, 10:30am
Bloomfield at x-Montclair, 10:30am
x-Clifton at Passaic, 10:30am
Shabazz at x-Weequahic, 10:30am
X-East Orange at Barringer, 11am
Millburn at x-Madison, 11am

SHORE CONFERENCE
Holmdel at X-Raritan, 10am
X-Red Bank Regional at Long Branch, 10:30am
Middletown South at X-Middletown North, 10:30am
Asbury Park at X-Neptune, 10:30am
Wall at X-Manasquan, 11am
Lakewood at X-Toms River South, 11am

WJFL
Triton at X-Highland, 10am
Atlantic City at X-Holy Spirit, 10am
Lower Cape May at X-Middle Township, 10am
Bordentown at X-New Egypt, 10am
Absegami at X-Oakcrest, 10am
Northern Burlington at X-Pemberton, 10am
X-Pennsville at Penns Grove, 10am
X-Ocean City at Pleasantville, 10am
X-Williamstown at Washington Township, 10am
X-Timber Creek at Winslow, 10am
Kingsway at X-Clearview, 10:30am
Gloucester at X-Gloucester Catholic, 10:30am
Lindenwold at X-Overbrook, 10:30am
X-Clayton at Pitman, 10:30am
Woodstown at X-Salem, 10:30am
X-Lenape at Shawnee, 10:30am
Hamilton West at X-Steinert, 10:30am
Millville at X-Vineland, 10:30am
Gateway at X-Woodbury, 10:30am
X-Haddon Township at Audubon, 11am
X-Woodrow Wilson at Camden, 11am
Seneca at X-Cherokee, 11am
Sterling at X-Collingswood, 11am
Haddon Heights at X-Haddonfield, 11am
Burlington City at X-Palmyra, 11am
Bishop Eustace at X-Pennsauken, 11am
X-Florence at Riverside, 11am

FRIDAY
Paulsboro at X-West Deptford, 7

Joe Zedalis may be reached at jzedalis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @josephzedalis. Like NJ.com HS sports on Facebook.

A family-fun holiday show for all ages

The Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents the holiday spectacular, "Once Upon a Christmas Dream," on Dec. 2-4, 9-11 and 16-18.

Prepare to be entertained as you follow Daniel in his travels through his family members' dreams on Christmas Eve. Learn what Daniel's grandpa, mom, dad, sisters and even dog are dreaming of on the special holiday night. Anticipate a night filled with singing and dancing to holiday classics along with some new original songs that are sure to be a treat.

Come to The Broadway Theatre of Pitman for a family-fun holiday show that will captivate people of all ages.

The performance schedule is as follows:

• Dec. 2: 8 p.m.                                                          
• Dec. 3: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Dec. 4: 2 pm.
• Dec. 9: 8 p.m.
• Dec. 10: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Dec. 11: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• Dec. 16-17: 8 p.m.
• Dec. 18: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Reserved seating is currently available for $28. Contact the Theater Box Office at pitmanbroadwaytheatre.com or call 856-384-8381 to guarantee your seat today!

The Broadway Theatre of Pitman is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Having undergone major renovations in 2006 and 2016, the theater is now restored to its original splendor.

This item submitted by the Broadway Theatre.

Jack Sheidell agrees with a past Donald Trump call to keep all Syrian refugees from entering the United States.

To the Editor:

The politically correct call for acceptance of refugees does not define the American character or our values. 

Our immigration history has limited and classified who can enter. Immigrants from any one country may not exceed 2 percent of all the U.S. visas granted in a single year. China, Japan and African and South American countries have all been limited in this way. 

President-elect Donald Trump's call to halt acceptance of Syrian refugees and those from other nations with terrorists until the United States has a better screening process is a concern for some even after the election. Crime committed by immigrants who are here illegally has become a contentious issue, as have "sanctuary cities," where such immigrants are not reported to the federal government by local law enforcement.  

These "catch-and-release" policies are supposed to demonstrate our tolerance. This is a national security issue that should not be guided by the need for President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton to embrace diversity.

Does commitment to diversity outweigh our security? It should not. Does commitment to security make us racist and Islamophobic? I adamantly say "No."

Current Secretary of State John Kerry seems to have a globalist view of a world without borders. Are we ready to give up our rights and s a nation-state under the Constitution? Commitment to diversity over our sovereignty is suicide. Political correctness and tolerance without properly vetting Syrian refugees would destroy our nation's fabric. 

In my view, questioning religious beliefs is compatible with the Refugee Act and the Constitution. The Rule of Naturalization in the Constitution gives Congress the power to regulate immigration and to block political correctness advocates and, hopefully, terrorists.

Jack Scheidell

Turnersville

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

Investors Bank CEO speaks at Catholic Business Network Breakfast

On Friday, Dec. 9. from 7:15 to 9 a.m. The Catholic Business Network will hold a breakfast at the Woodcrest County Club, 300 E. Evesham Road in Cherry Hill. Cost of breakfast is $20. RSVP, sjcbn@comcast.net.

Kevin CummingsVinnie Amesse 

Special guest speaker is Kevin Cummings, president and CEO of Investors Bank Corp. -- a man who leads by example and drives his organization to success through four core values:

• Cooperation: The act of working together towards a common purpose or benefit.
• Character: The combination of features and traits that form trust.
• Community: A self-organized network of people.
• Commitment: A pledge, promise or obligation.

Cummings was appointed president and CEO in January 2008. He was also appointed to the board of directors at the same time. Prior to 2008, he served as the Bank's COO. Cummings and the executive management team are guiding the bank's evolution into a full-service community and commercial bank

The bank's performance was recognized on Forbes' "Best Banks in America" list since 2012 and appeared on Fortune's listing of the "Top 100 Fastest Growing Companies" in 2012. In addition, Cummings received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2011 New Jersey Award for transforming the bank into a growth company.

Prior to joining Investors Bank, Cummings had a 26-year career with KPMG LLP, where he became a CPA and Partner. Cummings serves on the boards of The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children, Liberty Science Center, Visiting Nurse Association, Independent College Fund of NJ, All Stars Project of NJ, The Federal Home Loan Bank of NY (FHLBNY), Greater Trenton and The Community Foundation of New Jersey (CFNJ). In addition, he is a member of the Development Leadership Council of Morris Habitat for Humanity and has served as the former chairman of the board of the NJ Bankers Association.

Cummings holds a Bachelors degree in Economics from Middlebury College. He earned an MBA from Rutgers University School of Business and gave the commencement address to the 2013 MBA graduating class. He and his wife, Patricia, have four children. He has coached youth basketball in his local community, and has served as the athletic director of St. Theresa's of Avila.

The Catholic Business Network of South Jersey seeks to build community through fellowship, share Catholic values and strengthen the Catholic faith. As business people, members seek to be enriched in the faith, build community and by their generosity of time, talent and treasure --  strengthen parishes and Catholic schools. With a commitment to Catholic education, the Catholic Business Network of Southern New Jersey seeks to glorify God in our work.

This item submitted by Jeff Morris for Catholic Business Network.

This is the 10th year for the Kathy Megee Memorial Meals program

WASHINGTON TWP. -- The Kathy Megee Memorial Meals Program, celebrates its 10th year of preparing and delivering meals to the elderly, disabled, shut ins, and those in need throughout Gloucester County. On Thanksgiving morning over 30 volunteers will be on hand assisting in the preparation and delivery of more than 300 meals at the Washington Township Senior Center on Greentree Road.

Ten years ago, Kathy Megee discovered that Meals on Wheels in Gloucester County did not deliver meals on the holidays of Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter, because they were closed on those days.

Kathy went into action.

With no budget and just an idea, she approached the Knights of Columbus in Washington Township and a few friends and started a holiday meals program. The program got its start at the Washington Township Senior Center, who graciously opened their doors to make this happen. The first year of the program managed to prepare and deliver meals to 80-100 people and the program now feeds more than 300 people. The program each holiday has 40-45 volunteers.

On Nov. 24, 2013, tragedy stuck the program as Kathy Megee passed away. The only thing that could be done was to carry on her legacy, continue the program, and name the program after her, The Kathy Megee Memorial Holiday Meals Program.

Looking at numbers, the program over the years has managed to feed approximately 7,500 people. The one thing that resonated with all of the participants was Kathy's own words, "Everyone deserves a warm meal on the days we hold most sacred in this country."

Thanksgiving this year falls on Nov. 24, the day she passed away in 2013. It will be such a special day as the program continues to create great moments for new participants and volunteers.

This item submitted by Paul Dilks for the Kathy Megee Memorial Meals Program.