Adding 946 sq . ft .
Reading celebrated in the schools p . 19
The best of Hammonton Memorabilia featured
p . 25-36
Stay in a Scottish Castle like Belle p . 45
Wednesday , March 8 , 2017
Volume 21 • Issue 10 www . hammontongazette . com
RADIO LEGEND JIM RODIO DIES
by Gabe Donio
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON — James M . Rodio , 85 , of Hammonton , who followed his dream of owning a radio station with “ Unforgettable ” WRDR 104.9 FM and WRDI AM ,
Was 85 ; Owned ‘ Unforgettable ’ FM 104.9 WRDR , WRDI AM
died at home on March 1 , surrounded by his family , his obituary said . [ Rodio ’ s obituary appears on page 2 .]
Born and raised in Rosedale , NJ , and a lifetime resident of Hammonton , NJ , Rodio graduated from
Grave vandalized at Oak Grove
Friel said . by Gabe Donio Police were notified about the
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER vandalism at 10:26 a . m . on February 28 , Friel said .
HAMMONTON — Police are “ The vandalism was discovered investigating the vandalism of a on February 27 at 4:30 p . m . The gravestone that was toppled at site was last seen intact a week Oak Grove Cemetery on the prior . A family member was visiting his niece ’ s grave and noticed
White Horse Pike ( Route 30 ), Hammonton Police Lt . Kevin See POLICE , Page 13
Expansion plans for Maplewood
by Stephen Pistone
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
Adding 946 sq . ft .
square-foot addition to the restaurant , located at Block 3904 , Lots
HAMMONTON — The planning board approved a minor site 43 and 44 , Zone H-B at 470 S . plan for JRI and Sons LLC , the White Horse Pike during its meeting on March 1 . company that operates Joe Italiano ’ s Maplewood Inn Italian Maplewood Inn owner James restaurant , to construct a 946- See PLANNING , Page 4
Sharing the joy of reading
THG / Stephen Pistone . To purchase photos in The Gazette , call ( 609 ) 704-1940 .
Second-grade student Gianna Eichinger ( left ) picks out a book with her mother , Kristen ( right ), at the book fair during WES Elementary School ’ s Family Reading Night on March 2 . See related article on Page 11 and photos on Page 13 .
St . Joseph High School in 1949 . In that same year he began his radio career at the Columbia School of Broadcasting , until the United States Army called him to serve in the Korean War . He served in the |
honorable discharge in May of 1954 .
Upon his return , he started his radio journey at WCMC Wildwood , WFPG Atlantic City , and then WPBS Philadelphia before
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his own station , WNJH Hammonton . As a radio pioneer , he saw the future of FM radio and in September of 1971 received license approval for what would become “ Unforgettable ” WRDR Radio |
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Armed Services Radio until his coming back home and purchasing
See RODIO , Page 14
Taste of the Town is sweet
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THG / Stephen Pistone . To purchase photos in The Gazette , call ( 609 ) 704-1940 .
Mary-Jo Ricca , of Cannoli World , fills cannoli shells during the Hammonton Education Foundation ’ s 14th annual Taste of the Town at Hammonton High School on March 5 . For more photos , see Page 13 .
by Stephen Pistone
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON — No matter the culinary craving , there was a sample available to satisfy it at the Hammonton Education Foundation ’ s ( HEF ) 14th annual Taste of the Town event at Hammonton High School ( HHS ) on March 5 . The HEF enjoyed another successful Taste of the Town event with an approximate turnout of 500 people raising about $ 11,570 in ticket sales alone . This year ’ s event brought more
HAMMONTON — On March 3 , Senate President Stephen Sweeney , Senator Dawn Addiego and Senator Jim Whelan , who were invited by Folsom Representative John Thomas , met with the Hammonton Board of Education
SUBSCRIBE TO The Gazette • $ 20 FOR 52 WEEKS • CALL 609-704-1939
than two dozen vendors into the HHS gymnasium , serving everything from authentic Italian dishes courtesy of eateries including , but not limited to , Annata Wine Bar , Andy ’ s Pizza and Ristorante and La Campagnola Restaurant , in Shamong Twp ., to the sweet and decadent offerings of Bun in the Oven Bakeshop , Emma ’ s Farmhouse Confections , Cannoli World and more . The event hosted many returning vendors , such as Kitchen 19 catering service , whose owner Linda Cashan has worked the
See TASTE , Page 10
Sweeney , Addiego , Whelan on funding
by Tania Rivera
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER and the public at the Hammonton High School Media Center to discuss the SFRA ( School Funding Reform Act ) Formula , its effects on the Hammonton School District and to present their fair school funding proposal , SR-100 .
Board President Sam Mento III and Superintendent Dan Blachford stated that Hammonton is one
See SCHOOL , Page 10