Volume 25 • Issue 20 www . hammontongazette . com

by Gabe Donio

GAZETTE STAFF WRITER

HAMMONTON — Peter T . Ranere Jr ., 96 , of Hammonton , died peacefully at home on Sunday , May 16 . A devoted family man and former mayor of Hammonton , he was

HAMMONTON — While the novel coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) pandemic has presented challenges to people in all age groups , it has been particularly difficult for students — especially those in their senior year of high school . born and raised in Hammonton at the Ranere Estates home , which is still located on the White Horse Pike as part of the AtlantiCare Health Park at Hammonton . He attended the Hammonton School System and Brown Prep School in Philadelphia ,

Students at both Hammonton High School and St . Joseph Academy ( SJA ) experienced varying degrees of remote , in-person and hybrid models of learning throughout the year , and are now getting ready for commencement .

“ Our first graduating class from St . Joseph Academy has been nothing short of amazing this past

by Joseph F . Berenato GAZETTE STAFF WRITER

HAMMONTON — The Hammonton Environmental Commission held their regular monthly meeting at 7 p . m . on May 12 via Zoom teleconferencing software .

Town Solicitor Michael Malinsky was present during the meeting to discuss matters of enforcement for tree removal violations .

“ We referred the issue of what to do about a number of them to Solicitor Malinsky . He ’ s taken a look at the issue ,” chairperson Dan Bachalis said .

Councilman Jonathan Oliva explained further , noting that he in-

See COMMISSION , Page 10 graduating in 1943 . After an honorable discharge from the U . S . Navy at the end of World War II , he earned his bachelor ’ s degree from Villanova University and a law degree from Rutgers University .

He returned to Hammonton in 1952 as

by Kristin Guglietti GAZETTE STAFF WRITER

HAMMONTON — Hammonton Board of Education President Sam Mento III announced a tax decrease by almost half a cent at the board ’ s May 6 meeting .

by Joseph F . Berenato GAZETTE STAFF WRITER

part owner of the family business , P . T . Ranere Inc . Chevrolet , Buick and Cadillac , until his retirement in 1987 .

Ranere was elected to Hammonton Town Council in the mid-1960s and elected as

See RANERE , Page 19

THG / Joseph F . Berenato . To purchase photos in The Gazette , call ( 609 ) 704-1940 .

St . Joseph Academy ( SJA ) held its Red & White Celebration on May 15 at The Westin in Mt . Laurel . Honoree Celeste

Lomax ( second from left ) posed with Chase Lomax , Taylor Westfall and Derek Lomax . More photos and an article in the May 26 edition .

by Joseph F . Berenato GAZETTE STAFF WRITER

See SENIORS , Page 4

Board President Sam Mento III called the meeting to order and all board members were present at the Samuel A . Donio Memorial

See SCHOOL , Page 8

HAMMONTON — The Little Italy district of Hammonton is home to three long-standing social organizations with origins deeply rooted in the town ’ s Italian-American heritage . While the facades of these buildings may be familiar to residents , the interiors of said structures are often only seen by a select few .

The Our Lady of Mount Carmel Society

See ITALY , Page 3

THG / Joseph F . Berenato . To purchase photos in The Gazette , call ( 609 ) 704-1940 .

Alison Brita , owner of Mamma Bella Cello , stands beside some of her products inside of Annata Wine Bar at the Fourth Annual Cello Day on May 14 . Article on Page 19 .

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