Its so hard to say goodbye

Well the end of the semester is here.  As 15 weeks of the semester have come and gone, I will be putting the WD Journal on hold for a while. I am very proud of the blog and how it turned out and I have to thank the people of West Deptford for your help.

I am very happy with what I was able to accomplish with this blog. I would also like to thank Mayor Shields, Detective McKenna, Mr. Brandenmarti, and Mr Sweeny for taking time to talk to me and really open up. Alot of people asked me why I chose to interview the people I did, and one of  the reasons is because on the NJ.com forum, politicians and prominent WD people are often bad mouthed and talked about unfairly. So I figured that with this blog I would give them a chance to defend themselves and basically clear-the-air on certain issues. So I appreciate their time and patience.

Now, this isnt a goodbye post. I will be maintaining this blog throughout, and remember, like I said before, if you have news, information or want your event covered, email me and I will do my best to cover it or feature it. Note: this is not a site to bash anyone or give your opinion. This is a news site. Not an editorial, or opinion site. I hope to keep this as fair and professional as I can. Also, I may be allowing other writers to write for this site. Again, if you would like to write about an event, or a story, contact me. KEEP IT FAIR-AND-BALANCED.  

 With the holidays here, I get as busy as most people and may not have time to continue my usual 2 post a week. But I will try to manage my time and keep up with it.

Thanks again to everyone for their time and dedication and have a good holiday and a good 2010. Remember to go see White Christmas in March; it is really set up to be a very good performance. Thanks and don’t forget to check back frequently for news.

Santa Claus coming to town…

NOTICE: Look for Santa around Greenfields and surrounding neighborhoods this week. 

So you better watch out.  

Holiday Drive

It’s Christmas time again!!! And in honor of the season of giving Mayor Docimo will be doing her annual Food and Toy Drive this week. So if you want, you can bring a new toy or some kind of food to the RiverWinds Community Center. From there, it will be donated to a less fortunate family for the Holiday season.

Simply bring your donated food or toy to the RiverWinds Community Center. You can then drop your donation off in the Multipurpose room which is located near the senior center. Donations are accepted until Wednesday.

Thank you for your support and have a good holiday.

Dreaming of a White…

…Christmas in March

 

            Broadway plays are as culture as you can get. It is the ultimate “must see” for anyone visiting New York City.  Plays in general have become a common ritual or a possible night out for stressed out adults or theater-loving individuals of all ages.

            For residents of West Deptford, New Jersey, Broadway or even the Avenue of the Arts is not too far away. West Deptford High School prides itself on learning, athletics, and now, theater. While athletics may dominate headlines, it’s the theater that is casting a new light on the school and the town.

            This year West Deptford High School will be performing White Christmas. A story about two World War II soldiers who make it big as Broadway producers, fall in love with two sisters and try to save a failing Vermont Inn that was run by their former commanding general. West Deptford is the first high school in the area that is trying a play of this magnitude.

            “I’m always out to look for shows, that other schools are not doing,” Said the shows director William Yerkes. “Basically, why should people come to see a West Deptford show, opposed to another schools show? So I look for shows that would separate us (West Deptford) from other schools.”

            It also has a lot to do with the abilities of the students in the program.

            “Some years we have kids who are better dancers, so maybe we’ll do more dancing,” said Yerkes. “Other years we may have kids who are better actors, so we may go with a more dramatic play. Sometimes we have kids with good comedic timing, and in that case maybe we’ll try a comedy. This year though, we have kids that can learn the dancing, the lines, all that.

            William Yerkes is no stranger to the theater. Aside from teaching at the high school, Yerkes has also directed numerous plays the school has performed. Over the last few years, West Deptford High School has put together such shows as Les Miserable, Beauty and the Beast, and The King and I, just to name a few.  But, White Christmas, a play never attempted in the area, was an idea that was in the works for a little time.

            “This play was actually on the waiting list for about a year and a half,” said Yerkes. “I had to ask for the rights from Rogers and Hammerstein. So I asked for permission to use it, was then put on a waiting list, and finally got approved a few months ago.”

Photo courtesy of applause-tickets.com 

***

            You often hear a lot about cast being somewhat of a family, or having a chemistry that nothing can disrupt. Well for the four stars of White Christmas, perhaps there is nothing that can come between their talent, desire, love for the atmosphere, the play, and the loyalty to each other. The stars of the play are Katie Knoblock, Lea D’Angelo, Scott Bass, and Neil Kirschling, who have a combined experience of roughly 29 years of acting.

Katie, who has been at it for 12 years, is playing Betty Haynes, one of the sisters that falls for Bob Wallis, which in the movie is played by Bing Crosby. Knoblock and D’Angelo may play sisters on the stage, are not that far from sisters off it either.

“The role called for sisters, and me and her [D’Angelo] just kind of looked at each other and said ‘we have to do this,’” remembers Knoblock. “This will be the first time me and her get to work together. We’ve been in plays before, but this is where we really get to work with each other with singing, dancing etc.”

The cast sits comfortably in Yerkes’s office and make jokes and small talk. They remain very dedicated to their roles and how much of an impact this show will have on different generations. It wasn’t until a senior citizen lunch when they realized what they were taking on.

“When Mr. Yerkes announced what we were doing at this lunch everyone there was like, ‘Whoa you’re doing White Christmas?’” said Knoblock. “Everyone was just moved by that and we realized how big it is.”

The movie was released in 1954, and has since become iconic for the people involved and its impact on American culture. Both the movie and the play have been seen by many generations and has brought the actors a new set of challenges to learn.

“I’m really looking forward to learning how to tap dance,” said Neil Kirschling, who plays Phil Davis, one of the soldiers. Kirschling who has been acting for about six years, made sure to do his research and has already seen the play in Philadelphia.

“We’ve already did a whole bunch of research in order to prepare for this,” said Kirschling. “Youtube is great and allows us to watch how different people perform it.”

All four stars of “White Christmas” have always shown major enthusiasm toward their roles and made it a point to do their homework when they were assigned their roles.

“I didn’t even have to sit them down and watch it (White Christmas),” said Yerkes. “After they got their parts, the next day they had watched the movie and knew what they needed to know. Their good kids and they’re very dedicated to this.”

“This is my dream show,” said D’Angelo. “It’s basically going to bring everyone together. We’re pretty much going to have Christmas in March.”

The play is not an easy one to perform. It requires a lot of time to the script, the music, and dancing. As a result of the tap dancing, the choreographer has already started working with some of the stars, even though the average length of practice time for a play is usually three months.

***

Senior year of high school can be both fun and sad. It’s a time to get ready to take that next step in life and begin a journey that will be filled with new challenges. It’s also a time to say goodbye to childhood friends,and teachers. This year is no different. The four main stars of the play are all seniors and the play which takes place in March, will be the final time for these four costars, classmates, and most importantly, friends to leave their childhood lives behind and take on a roll that may shape how they will forever be remembered in West Deptford.

“It’s really the last time were all going to be together on stage,” said Scott Bass who plays Bob Wallace, the other soldier in the play.

A musical takes a lot of time and dedication to the role and a theme like this will be required to break out some hard work. There are plenty of important figures involved in this play, including the director, assistant director, set design, props, business manager, stage manager, etc. The cast is really intrigued by such a professional atmosphere.

“I’m really looking forward to working with the set design,” said D’Angelo. The special effects, and all that stuff is outstanding. We’re even going to have snow, and everything. This play has the works.”

The cast is also looking forward to the long hours, tiring rehearsals, and preshow anxiety all for the comfort of the family atmosphere that is presented throughout the months.

“Basically everyone becomes a family,” said Knoblock. “The cast, crew, everyone becomes really close and we are like a family.

There’s no mistaking the maturity of these performers and the magnitude of the play they are set to perform. They know their roles and the cultural impact this movie has had on the country. The actors agree that this particular play represents an era, caters to different audiences, and has the chance to bring everyone together.

***

 

            Rehearsals are set for the week the students return back from Christmas break. The play will be held March 19, 20, and 21. March 19 and 20 show time is at 7:30 and March 21 is a Sunday and that time is set for 2:00.  The stage is set for what is promising to be a brilliant show with a brilliant cast and crew.

Q&A with Steve Sweeny

Now that the Fall semester is in its final stretch, I only have a few more post remaining. Which also means that this is my last Q&A. So I went big. I went for the guy who runs it all, I went for Gloucester County Freeholder and West Deptford resident Stephen Sweeny. I was very honored that he sat down with me and I feel like we had a solid discussion. This interview wasnt as long as my previous ones, but that was because he was busy, but still,  he was able to give me a good ten minutes of his time and I greatly appreciate it.

Q. What was your motivation for getting into politics?

A. I had a daughter who was born with down syndrome, and I started to realize how different you are treated at the point and I didn’t like it.  So thats the time I decided to get involved, and I hoped that it would change the way people look at you, or even, how they treat you. My plan is that nobody should have to go through that, the unfair treatment. It isn’t right.

Q. What has been your proudest accomplishment through your political career?

A. Wow. Well there have been a lot of things that I’ve been proud of. I feel like I was able to change a lot for the better, and help other people throughout the years. But I guess one thing I’m most proud of is family pass and pay.  It has to do with family leave. So basically, for the people who don’t know, pass and pay is that a person can take off up to six weeks to care for a loved one, and you don’t lose your job or anything. It is a program that when you take the time off, you still get up to 524 dollars in pay. That has to be the thing I get a lot of feedback on. And the whole concept, I feel has helped take us a long way as a county.

Q. There has been a lot of speculation about you possibly running for governor of New Jersey.Is there any truth to that?

A. Well…thats an option. If not governor, I would also like to be president of the State Senate. Which is second most powerful seat in the state.  But then again, if I don’t run for governor, I may try for U.S. State Senator of New Jersey. As of right now, all these things are options and are plans for the distant future, as of now, I still have work to do.

Q. When you started, did you ever see yourself getting this far?

A. No. Not at all, but you just got to work hard, put your time in, and sometimes these things take care of themselves. Sometimes you just put your time in, be willing to go the extra step, and things work out for you. And if they don’t, you still have to work hard because life may take you in a different direction.

Q. How does the Gloucester County plan to work with Governor Chris Christie?

A. The way we should; cooperatively. We have to work towards a common goal, and at this point, is the best thing to do for the county residents. I think it should be fine though, I get along with Christie, I’m more of a fiscal conservative. I think we will be ok, and I think the county will move in the right direction.

Q. What do you see for the future of West Deptford?

A. I see a lot of opportunity here, and it just depends on the economy if the opportunities get fulfilled or not. One big opportunity is the hotel which would be located down by RiverWinds. Those talks are still up in the air, but there is also, and a lot of people don’t know about this, but we are excited about the possibility of a ferry birth. What that is, is if the hotel gets built we talked about a possible ferry that would be docked right in front of the hotel and it would link from the hotel to the Philly airport. And if things workout real well, we talked about linking the ferry to the Camden Waterfront, and Pennslanding, which will link four major areas together (West Deptford, Camden, Pennslanding, and Philly international).

At this point, West Deptford is no different then any other town in New Jersey, in that the national economy has taken its toll and is effecting small towns and we really just have to grow and work to get out of this. It’s not going to happen over night, and it’s not going to last forever.

Thanks to Mr. Sweeny for taking the time to sit and talk while also providing me with a lot of good information and for really opening up.

Eagles lose in a heartbreaker

Friday night, in front of a somewhat bland and non energetic crowd, the number two ranked West Deptford Eagles lost in the final seconds to the Haddonfield Bulldawgs 15-13.

As a result, the Eagles were bumped out of the playoffs and had their championship dreams thwarted. The offensive and defensive lines looked out of character and were not as stellar as shown in previous games.  Running back Jimmy Owens managed to do all he could dispite constant pressure and little blocking in front of him.

The Eagles will play one more game Saturday morning in what has become a tradition in West Deptford. The annual Thanksgiving game against the Paulsboro Red Raiders.

You can read the full game story about last nights defeat.

Mapping it out

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RiverWinds Blackout

On Friday November 13, RiverWinds Community Center blacked out. The sudden scare left members in the dark. Excuse the pun. Anyway, for those involved it turned in to quite a bizarre and freaky Friday the 13th.

It has been stated that the cause of the blackout was the result of a drunk driver who hit a pole on Crown Point Road, which sent the entire road black.

Because the Community Center did not have a backup generator the building remained pitch black for at least an hour, causing the building to close at 9pm instead of its usual 10pm scheduled time. At the time of the power outage, members were both swimming and exercising in the gym, when after the power went down, members were escorted out by staff members and what little light available.

A police officer told me that there was nobody else in the car, other then the driver, and he was not sure where the alledeged drunk driver was coming from, or what bar he was drinking at.

Q&A: Nick Brandemarti Sr.

 

For every parent in the world, the worst feeling is losing a child. unfortunately, on September 11, 2001. many people had that unlikely feeling. Children lost parents, nephews lost aunts and uncles, sisters lost brothers, brothers lost sisters, and parents lost children. While most parents found a way to honor their son, one South Jersey father is honoring him while allowing others to achieve their dreams.

This week I sat down with Nick Brandemarti Sr. A father of three, who has lived in the town for many years and has seen the beauty of a community. But behind those eyes is a pain that is unlike anything we can ever know.

Q. Tell me about the Nick Brandemarti Foundation?                                                                                                                                                                        

A. It was started in the memory of my son who was killed on 9/11. Basically, the purpose of the foundation is to help support high school kids who are graduating with high scholastic and athletic abilities.  Every year, we give away $1000 to a male and a female in all Gloucester County High Schools.

Q. What made you decide to start it?

A. It started because, well, I was approached by some community members and friends, who felt that because of Nicky’s reputation, that an event like this would be a way of setting up a charity, that would be very supportive to the community. And it was something that Nicky would of wanted. He was very caring, and giving and by doing this in his name, it represents what my son was all about. Now it has boomed into this big thing and we hope to keep his memory alive by doing this.

Q. How has it grown since the first year to this year?

A. Well, we’ve been doing this for 7 years, and we have generated over 500,000 dollars. We are gaining more and more sponsors every year and is growing into a big time thing that we became very proud of. I don’t remember all of our sponsors, but there will be an ad on Thanksgiving that will list all of our sponsors. But they are great, and we are truly appreciative of them and their support.

Q. What has been the reaction from some of the students who have received the scholarship?

A. Well, they have been great. Some have gone on to some great schools. Some of the recipients were Anthony Scirrotto, Kordell Young, both athletes played at some great schools and had successful athletic careers, so it makes us proud to see what they have accomplished. But its also an honor that this year Nicky will be inducted into the South Jersey Hall of Fame.

Q. How has the community supported your family?

A. They really did a lot for me and my family. They dedicated the football field at RiverWinds in his name(“Nick Brandemarti Field”) and they also have a memorial out there too, which really shows a sense of caring. Local newspapers like the Gloucester County Times and Courier Post continually write stories about the events we take part in. Like for example, we also take part in an event called “Operation Call Home” in which we purchase phone cards so Marines that are involved in the Middle East can call home without the money coming out of their personal finance.

    We also give to the police academy, we actually have a scholarship with them as well. But we also take part in other charitable events for West Deptford kids.

Q. What do you hope to achieve from all of this?

A. My overall goal is to give to as many needy causes that I can, that falls within the realm of academics and/or September 11th. So basically, what I mean by that is we try to give to schools or we have even given scholarships to military families.

    Now, it’s not that I have anything against other organizations, it’s just that this is what we know. I am in favor of all charities and organizations, but we try to focus on those effected by 9/11, military families, or academics.

Q. What are some celebrities that have taken part in this?

A. Yogi Berra, Brent Celek, Stewart Bradley, AJ Feely and Ron Jaworski.

Q. You have held it at Westwood Golf Course, and the RiverWinds Golf Course, is there a certain place you have in mind for this year?

A. We hope to have a chicken Bar-B-Q held at Riverwinds. We think it’s possible considering that this year given the tough economy we managed to have around 300 people show up. And what really made it great was that Nicky’s old college football teammates from Fordham made it out to play in the tournament. Thirty-two former players, if I’m not mistaken, so that was really an honor, and a fun afternoon.

    We also received a letter of acknowledgement from Governor Corzine.

Now for anyone interested in donating can visit the Nick Brandemarti Website.

     I want to thank Mr. Brandemarti for taking the time to sit with me and discussing his story as well as his organization.

 

Local Hero

Photo courtesy of CNN.com

By now, you read stories, seen documentaries, and saw horrific photos. September 11, 2001, was a nightmare in this country’s history. People remember where they were, who they were with, and their first thoughts when seeing the black smoke drift into the morning sky.

When living in a small town, you often live in the shadows of legends, or hero’s. Those who have made such an impact on the town, you will forever see photos, or hear their names mentioned.

Well for me, I never realized how much one person made such an impact on a town, more then Nick Brandemarti. I didn’t know Nick, and I feel like I was one of the unfortunate ones. But attending West Deptford High School, I was surrounded by his legacy. From teachers, former students, and athletics. By the end you almost felt like you knew him.

He was loved by all who knew him, and even by those who didn’t know him. “He was always smiling,” said West Deptford Police Officer Sean McKenna. “He was never in a bad mood.”

Brandemarti set the school record for most rushing yards in a game (347), and rumor has it, that record will most likely stay for a while, because West Deptford High football coach Clyde Folsom has allegedly stated that if anyone gets close to breaking the record, he will get taken out.

“The kid was a horse,” said McKenna, remembering him as an athlete. “He was a powerful running back, and just barrel kids over.”

The days after 9/11 when the country was still at a lose for words, the feeling in West Deptford was no different. People wondered what was going on, who was responsible, and: did anyone hear from Nick?

This week in my Q&A. I will sit down with Nick Brandemarti senior. It is my honor to talk with him, and I’m truly interested to hear his story.

In an article on the Courier Post Website, the story of the Brandemarti family is chronicled and describes what Nick meant to the community, his family, and those who knew him.