Hammonton students
receive many awards
p. 23
16-page Sports Year in Review
for HHS and SJHS
Time to vote for the
p. 27-42
p. 22
ST. JOE GRADUATES 89
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Volume 19 • Issue 23
by Paul J. Macrie IV
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—On June 4,
St. Joseph High School held its
graduation ceremony at St. Mary of
Mt. Carmel St. Joseph Church, bidding a final farewell to the 89 sen-
www.hammontongazette.com
DiRenzo, Ordille top 2; Tropicana’s Tony Rodio addresses students
iors. It was the 76th commencement exercise at the local Catholic
high school. Dana DiRenzo was
the valedictorian of the class;
Rocco Ordille was the salutatorian.
Dean of Students Robert Mc-
Surgicare OK’d
Closkey introduced the class of
2015 salutatorian, Rocco Ordille.
Ordille is heading to Bucknell University in the fall where he plans to
major in finance. He will also be
playing football.
Ordille began his salutatorian address by thanking his parents, Paul
and Joanne, and retelling how he
received the news of earning the
distinction.
“I was summoned to Mr. Matt’s
[Christopher Matarazzo, Vice Principal] office. I took a seat; he congratulated me and asked me a few
questions so I’d have somewhere
to start working on this speech. It
See SJHS, Page 3
Sub-acute beds wanted at former Kessler
by Gabe Donio
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—More details
of the continuing plan to redevelop
the former Kessler Memorial Hospital, now known as Kessler Medical Arts Complex, were detailed
by Stephen Kirby, managing partner of Community Healthcare As-
sociates, the owners of the former
hospital, at a special meeting of the
town council held on June 8.
Kirby went before the council,
which voted to approve a letter of
support on behalf of the town for
adding 60 sub-acute beds for patients of any age, such as those
who have received a hip replacement or need transitional care, to
Distillery, breweries
plans move ahead
by Paul J. Macrie IV
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—Hammonton
continues to seek ways to draw
tourists to the town, and at the
same time, create a more diverse
marketplace. Councilman Thomas
Gribbin and Tourism and Development Committee Chairman Ryan
See COUNCIL, Page 12
Mayer are two individuals who
have spearheaded this initiative.
The potential openings of two
local breweries and a distillery
could be one way to fulfill this
mission. Lou Giansante, and his
brother, Joe, are seeking to open a
distillery called Pineland Distillers
LLC on South Egg Harbor Road
Cancer Foundation walk raises more than $12K
See BREWERIES, Page 4
THG/Lauren Crescenzo. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
Jessica Bergbauer, Gabrielle Bekisz, Dominique Ostermueller and Lucia Petrongolo carrying the St. Joseph High
School banner on their way into graduation on June 4.
by Paul J. Macrie IV
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—On June 6,
the Hammonton Cancer Foundation held its Third Annual “Walk
for our Neighbors” at the Hammonton Middle School William T.
Capella complex. All proceeds are
donated to the South Jersey Cancer Fund. Last year, the local cancer foundation raised $30,000 for
the fund with the two events, in-
cluding the annual fundraising dinner in October.
Participants of the event were
walking in honor of family and
friends who have either survived
or died of cancer.
Brian and Andrea George of
Shamong were two of the attendees of the event that walked the
track in honor of several individuals, including David Mauriello, the
president of the Hammonton Cancer Foundation who is a cancer
Tractor Supply app.
postponed until Jun. 17
by Paul J. Macrie IV
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
THG/Paul J. Macrie IV. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
Andrea and Brian George walking on the track at the Hammonton Middle School during the event.
SUBSCRIBE TO The
HAMMONTON—On June 3,
the Hammonton Planning Board
held its regular meeting with one
application on the agenda. According to board solicitor Michael
Malinsky, the application for com-
See WALK, Page 10
pleteness, preliminary and final
major site plan from applicant Primax Properties, LLC was postponed until the June 17 planning
board session. There will be no
new notices posted in regard to the
application, which is for approval
to permit a Tractor Supply Com-
Gazette • $20 FOR 52 WEEKS • CALL 609-704-1939
See PLANNING, Page 14