Judge Michael Donio retires
from the bench after 20 yrs.
p. 7
Maps of Hammonton
landmarks: DOWNTOWN
p. 21
Heading to the beach?
Bring these books
p. 31
WHP HIT & RUN ON JULY 31
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Volume 19 • Issue 31
by Gabe Donio
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—A hit and run
accident occurred at 9:41 a.m. on
July 31 at the intersection of the
White Horse Pike (Route 30) and
Route 206, Hammonton Police
Det. Sgt. Edward Slimm said.
“The driver was traveling west-
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Theft of tires, burglaries and more reported to police dept.
bound on Route 30. He stopped at
the intersection of Route 206, and
the box truck he was operating was
rear-ended. The vehicle that struck
him fled the scene, traveling westbound on Route 30,” Slimm said.
The possible accused vehicle is
a blue Ford Escape, Slimm said.
According to Slimm, the victim’s vehicle is a 2000 white
Chevrolet box truck. The driver of
the vehicle is Christoph Fitts, 35,
of Forked River, Slimm said.
Slimm said there weren’t any injuries sustained in the accident.
Cpl. John Panarello is investigat-
ing the accident, Slimm said.
In other police news, a theft of
tires was reported to police on August 1 at 1:23 p.m., Slimm said.
“The theft of four TSL Bogger
tires 35 by 16 with American racing rims valued at $1,200 from the
resident’s lawn on side of his home
on the 600 block of N. Egg Harbor
Road occurred on August 1,”
Slimm said.
Anyone with any information
should contact the Hammonton
Police Department at 561-4000,
Slimm said.
Arts district sees Peaches make for a sweet day
continued success
by Paul J. Macrie IV
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—The Hammonton Arts District continues to
offer a variety of activities and opportunities for inspiring artists,
professional artists and the general
See POLICE, Page 10
community, along with the surrounding areas. The Hammonton
Arts Center, Hammonton Artist
Studios, Noyes Museum and the
Eagle Theatre are four of the main
locations of the local arts district.
The arts initiative has increased in
recent years, and it has had a posi-
Professionals offer
retirement advice
by Paul J. Macrie IV
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—For those
who are beginning their professional careers, now is the time to
start planning for retirement.
Though that day may feel like it
will take a lifetime, local professionals indicate procrastination on
saving for retirement isn’t the best
See ART, Page 3
course of action. Several professionals spoke to The Gazette about
retirement, how to get there, when
to start planning and weighed in
on life insurance and Medicare.
Benjamin Ott is a financial advisor with Edward Jones, located
on Bellevue Avenue in Hammonton. Ott tells his clients that retirement has never been more
THG/Paul J. Macrie IV. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
Juan not clowning around when it comes to cruises
See RETIREMENT, Page 12
Peach pie contest winner Gretchen Guatier and runner-up Lisa Tucker pose next to Tom Mature’s 1928 Ford Orchard
Truck during the Hammonton Peach Party on August 1.
by Paul J. Macrie IV
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—”If you can
make them believe or wonder,
then you get to see something special … the look on their faces.”
Hammonton resident Miguel
Angel Juan has lived by that quote
since his early career days of
working in the circus. He said it is
about the moment of awe from the
people who are being entertained
and what is happening is real.
Since becoming a professional
performer 18 years ago, Juan, 34,
has enjoyed entertaining people of
all ages, but particularly adults.
“Little kids are easy to entertain.
They already believe. When I
worked for Disney, I had someone
say to me ‘Is Mickey Mouse a girl
‘Peach Party’ packs
the downtown area
by Paul J. Macrie IV
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
Courtesy Photo
Miguel Juan (pictured above) has been in the entertainment industry for years. He is spending the month of August
entertaining English and Spanish-speaking guests on an Italian cruise ship, MSC Lirica.
SUBSCRIBE TO The
HAMMONTON—On August
1, the Third Annual Hammonton
Peach Party took place at the Vine
Street parking lot behind Casciano
Coffee Bar and Sweetery. On a
gorgeous summer day, people
from around the area attended an
event dedicated to everything
See CRUISE, Page 14
peaches. There were approximately 10 to 12 vendors selling a
variety of goods, including handmade wired wrap jewelry, peaches
from Pastore Orchards, peach pies
and a food truck called Shore
Shake offering a variety of peachflavored shakes and smoothies.
Home Cookin’, a bluegrassstyle band, entertained the crowd
throughout the three-hour Saturday
Gazette • $20 FOR 52 WEEKS • CALL 609-704-1939
See PEACH, Page 4