Wednesday , September 27 , 2023

Volume 27 • Issue 39

HAMMONTON — The turf field at Moss Mill Park is expected to be done between Sept . 24 and Sept . 30 . Most of the field has been laid down and is in place . Councilman Steve Furgione said that the field is about two-thirds of the way done .

“ I will say , at this point in time , by the middle or end of next week , this thing is done , tested , finished , ready to go ,” Furgione said .

Both Furgione and Councilman Sam Rodio think the field looks “ beautiful ” after seeing what has been laid down so far .

Furgione mentioned that he wanted to have members from the Hammonton Youth Soccer Association

HAMMONTON — Allies in Caring ( AIC ) celebrated the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month outside Convivir Wellness Hub on South Second Street on Sept . 15 .

The event included traditional dances , poetry readings , an art exhibit , kid crafts and a soccer tournament .

AIC Communications Specialist Tania Rivera was the master of ceremonies at the event who introduced speakers and translated when needed .

“ Welcome to our exciting kickoff of the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month ,” Rivera said . “ It is an honor and a privilege to be here today as we come together as a community to celebrate and honor the rich and diverse heritage that the Hispanic culture brings us .”

AIC Founder and CEO Ivette Guillermo-McGahee later spoke .

“ Thank you to everyone who has joined us today . This is the third year that we are celebrating

Kristin Guglietti / THG

Allies in Caring celebrated the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month outside Convivir Wellness Hub on S . Second St . on Sept . 15 . Pictured are Baile Folklorico with Tania Rivera ( second from left ) and Copelia Morales ( third from right ). For more photos , see Page 4 . by Kristin Guglietti GAZETTE STAFF WRITER

Hispanic Heritage Month ,” Guillermo-McGahee said . “ I celebrate this with gratitude today . The town of Hammonton who has embraced us , our culture and this celebration has contributed to significant change in Hammonton .”

Guillermo-McGahee talked about the significance of Hispanic Heritage Month .

“ We know Allies in Caring as an organization that provides mental health services and promotes well-being that embracing who we are , our culture , our identity and having a strong sense of belonging is what contributes to our health and well-being , so this is why we feel that this is very significant ,” Guillermo-McGahee said . “ It ’ s beyond just an entertaining event . It ’ s not just for entertaining . It ’ s really to help us embrace who we are , embrace our culture and our identity . And this is an event that is possible thanks to our collaboration of many partners of the Hammonton Health Coalition .”

She thanked the volunteers for helping with the event .

See KICKOFF , Page 4

by Donald Yamasaki FOR THE GAZETTE

“ The fall festival idea was already there by the parishioners of St . Anthony Church . They had started the fall festival , and last year we decided we could try to add the carnival , and one of our parishioners suggested it and we looked into it and it seemed like it made sense so we did ,” Rivera said .

The carnival was added last year to the fall festival .

“ Last year with the addition of carnival , it really expanded , and a lot of people really appreciated the addition of the carnival especially in October when there ’ s not too much to do in the area , so it was very successful . And this year we ’ re going to have more live music and some expanded rides for the carnival , and so we ’ re excited about that ,” Rivera said .

Rivera said the Carnival and Fall Festival is not only a fundraiser for the parby Kristin Guglietti GAZETTE STAFF WRITER

HAMMONTON — Festivalgoers will get to enjoy carnival rides , delicious food and live music during the St . Mary of Mt . Carmel Parish ’ s ( SMMCP ) Carnival and Fall Festival , which will be held at St . Anthony Picnic Grounds at 285 Route 206 from Oct . 5 to Oct . 8 .

SMMCP Pastor The Rev . David Rivera said there will be more carnival rides this year .

“ We ’ ll have more carnival rides this year . The carnival company hasn ’ t told me which ones exactly they ’ re bringing , but one of the things they ’ re hoping to bring is a Ferris wheel , so we ’ re hoping to have a Ferris wheel for the carnival ,” Rivera said .

The idea for the fall festival came from the parishioners of St . Anthony of Padua Church .

See SMMCP , Page 3

( HYSA ), St . Joseph Academy and others to discuss how things like the lighting controls work and just making sure everybody is on the same page .

The Commission was made aware that there is a problem with the transformer near the field that affects the lights and the electricity surrounding . A lighting con-

See PARKS , Page 8

Kristin Guglietti / THG

The Shoppes held a ribbon cutting ceremony at 128 Bellevue Ave . on Sept . 21 . Pictured ( l-r ): Councilman Ed Wuillermin , Allison Caracciolo-Gallagher , Robert Egan , owner Amber Egan , Andrew Egan , Corinne Egan , MainStreet Hammonton Executive Director Mica McCullough and Greater Hammonton Chamber of Commerce Executive Director John Runfolo .

75 cents