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Volume 28 • Issue 39 hammontongazette . com Wednesday , September 25 , 2024
35 years and counting : Fountain continues to honor Chiofalo
Courtesy Photo
Orsi family members gather at the Dr . Anthony Chiofalo Memorial Fountain to mark the 35th Anniversary of its dedication . Pictured ( l-r ): Lori Orsi , John DeKlerk , Lisa DeKlerk , Julianne DeKlerk , Arthur Orsi , Carol Orsi , Santina Pfleeger , Russell Brown , Tina Chiofalo , Angela Chiofalo Phillip Brown , Daniel Chiofalo , Michelle Brown and Kimberly Pfleeger . Not pictured : Anthony , Amilee and Ava Chiofalo .
Map restoration discussed at council mtg . One of the oldest artifacts at Historical Society
BY KRISTIN GUGLIETTI GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON — The Historical Society of Hammonton ( HSH ) discussed plans on restoring a 1850s map at the September 23 Town Council meeting .
HSH Treasurer Eileen Unger said the HSH hopes to raise $ 5,000 to $ 6,000 to restore the map and eventually have the map displayed somewhere in town hall along with a plaque describing the map and recognizing sponsors who made restoration possible .
“ It ’ s one of the oldest artifacts we have in our collection , and we ’ re undertaking a fundraising project to restore it ,” Unger said .
The 24 in . x 36 in . map known as the “ Plan of the Town of Hammonton ” is in fragile condition and needs cleaning , scroll reattachment and preservation in an airtight shadow box .
According to the HSH , “ This map was used in the 1850s when Charles Landis and Richard Byrnes launched an advertising campaign to attract settlers to Hammonton from New England , New York , Philadelphia and beyond . They highlighted the area ’ s fertile land and abundant water . The ‘ Plan of the Town of Hammonton ,’ shows land for sale at prices ranging
See COUNCIL , Page 14
Parks & Rec . addressed renovation updates on 11th Street Park
BY SAVANNA PERRY FOR THE GAZETTE
HAMMONTON — The Parks and Recreation Commission discussed the beginning updates on the 11th Street Park Project at their Sept 17 . meeting .
“ The initial cleanup shows how much potential there is . You drive by and it looks twice its size ,” board member John Iacovelli said .
During the cleanup , the materials were separated into two dumpsters for metal and concrete . Two steel high beams that supported the scoreboard were the only things left behind according to Councilman Sam Rodio . The Hammonton ’ s Public Works Department contributed to the cleanup by cutting the metal poles into 12 ft . sections .
James Borda visited the field this past weekend to see affordable nets were installed on goal posts .
“ I ’ m really glad we started this , it looks fabulous ,” Chairman Lou Cappuccio said . “ We ’ re on a good roll here .”
Retouching the baseball fields , irrigation and eventually seeding are the next steps in the renovation process .
“ We ’ ll see what it ’ s [ the park ] like by next spring ,” Rodio said .
In addition to the 11th Street Park discussion , board member Borda provided a quick update on the Hammonton Youth Soccer Administration ( HYSA ). Between rec and 12 travel teams , HYSA accumulated 500 kids for the season .
Recreation will play on Saturday mornings from either 8 a . m . - 12 p . m . or 8 a . m . - 1 p . m . Girls travel will play Saturday afternoons and boys Sunday afternoon .
See PARKS AND REC , Page 2
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BY KRISTIN GUGLIETTI
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON — For the past 35 years , the Orsi family has helped care for the Dr . Anthony Chiofalo fountain next to the town clock on Central Avenue . The family gathered at the Orsi residence for a visit in August and spoke about how much the fountain means to them . Dr . Chiofalo ’ s wife , Tina ; son , Daniel , daughters Santina and Angela , granddaughters , Michelle and Kimberly , and great-grandsons , Phillip and Russell joined the Orsi family , Arthur and Carol , Lori , Lisa , John and Julianne to reminisce and also give the youngest members a history and an appreciation of how valued their great grandfather and great-uncle was to the Hammonton community .
Arthur Orsi has taken care of the fountain since its dedication in 1989 with the help of his family . During the past 10 years , John DeKlerk , Arthur ’ s son-in-law , has earned the title of co-manager of the fountain . He now does most of the fountain ’ s opening in May and closing in October .
“ It has been a labor of love to be able maintain the fountain in memory of my brotherin-law for all these years ,” Arthur Orsi said .
Dr . Chiofalo ’ s wife , Tina , expressed her appreciation of the family ’ s efforts to keep the fountain a fitting tribute to her husband . “ Every time I visit Hammonton , the fountain site always looks so beautiful .”
“ It ’ s a family affair and we really do love caring for the fountain . It just gives us that connection ,” Carol Orsi said .
The Chiofalo family has always given financial support to repair or purchase components of the fountain , and the town has paid for external repairs .
Next year , the family plans on adding digital lighting to the fountain to light it up different colors for holidays and special occasions . History of the Fountain The stone fountain sits in the triangle where Third Street and Central Avenue converge , and was originally a fishpond built by Joseph Falciani . It was later filled in and shrubbery was added . When Dr . Anthony Chiofalo died in May 1989 . Dr . Leonard Streitfield , a local optometrist and close friend of Chiofalo organized a campaign to raise funds to restore the stone structure into a fountain in memory of Chiofalo , a wellrespected physician who practiced in Hammonton for 30 years . In addition to donations from residents and businesses , support of the town and labor donated for the restoration , it should be noted that his daughter , Angela , installed the tile lining . The fountain became a fitting tribute to a man who loved Hammonton and served his community , state and nation with distinction .
History of the Family
Chiofalo came to Hammonton with his wife , Tina and children , Santina , Phillip and Daniel in 1958 and started his practice . In 1964 , his youngest daughter , Angela was born . The practice grew so quickly that Chiofalo asked his friend ,
See FOUNTAIN , Page 12
Third Thursday ’ s ‘ Fiesta ’ celebrates Hispanic Heritage
Kristin Guglietti / THG
The “ Fiesta ” themed Third Thursday celebrated Hispanic Heritage with traditional dances , food and music on September 19 in downtown Hammonton . Pictured is Rita Rojas who sold hand painted skulls at South Second Street . Inset : Mariachi Mauricio sings for the crowd . See inside for more photos from Third Thursday . one dollar