Fenway ’ s picks of the week

Chieco : Pre-K grant OK ’ d

p . 6

Animal group amazing rescues

p . 49

Muffin the Elf comes for a visit

p . 35-46

New Kids on the Block on tour

p . 65

Wednesday , December 22 , 2021

Volume 25 • Issue 51

Rivera officially installed www . hammontongazette . com

ARREST MADE AT

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

The Most Rev . Dennis Sullivan and the Rev . David Rivera signed the necessary paperwork to officially install Rivera as pastor of the parish .

TRAIN STATION

Man charged with stealing bike

by Gabe Donio

GAZETTE STAFF WRITER a . m . on December 16 , Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel said .

Officer Richard Carpo observed a subject taking a bicycle that was sitting by the

Front Street pavilion and riding it away , Friel said .

Matthew Reichart , 48 , of Villas , admitted that the bi-

HAMMONTON — Police cycle was not his , and that he made an arrest at the Hammonton Train Station at 1:09

See POLICE , Page 2

Fall , winter busy for local farmers

by Joseph F . Berenato GAZETTE STAFF WRITER HAMMONTON — The Most Rev . Dennis J . Sullivan served as principal celebrant for the Mass of Installation for the Rev . David Rivera as pastor of St . Mary of Mt . Carmel Parish on December 11 . Rivera was assigned to the parish in July	of 2018 as its parochial vicar and became its administrator in July of 2019 . He assumed pastoral duties on July 15 , 2020 , and noted the delay while addressing the congregation prior to the Mass . “ It ’ s a beautiful ceremony , and symbolic . Sadly , because of COVID it was pushed back , but we ’ re having it today ,” Rivera said . See RIVERA , Page 12	by Joseph F . Berenato GAZETTE STAFF WRITER HAMMONTON — For many , the perception exists that farming is a part-time operation , taking place primarily during the	warmer months . However , Pineland Farms ’ Judee DeFiccio said that nothing could be further from the truth . “ People everywhere think that , but farming is not a three-to-four month operation . See FARMING , Page 14
Mento : Board seeking to hire bus drivers

by Kristin Guglietti GAZETTE STAFF WRITER

HAMMONTON — During the buildings and grounds committee report at the December 9 meeting of the board of education , Hammonton Board of Education President Sam Mento III said the board was seeking to hire bus drivers .

“ We will train . It ’ s not a job . It ’ s a fantastic career . We provide healthcare and anyone interested we have a large sign on the White

Readers share fav holiday films

Horse Pike . Please contact us and we will do our best to continue to train up and hire some more bus drivers . I believe [ Business Administrator Barbara ] Prettyman we have two in the pipeline right now ?” Mento said .

“ I think we do yes ,” Prettyman said .

“ It ’ s hard to get bus drivers right now . You look around other districts particularly districts where they may have outsourced their bus companies , their busing department , they ’ re having a tough time right now ,” Mento said .

Prettyman added that there is a Federal law coming into effect in February and “ that law will require for bus drivers and other CDL drivers to go for professional training .”

See SCHOOL , Page 4

Santa , Mrs . Claus at Apron Cafe

by Joseph F . Berenato GAZETTE STAFF WRITER

HAMMONTON — From the very first moment that Santa Claus appeared in a motion picture — 1898 ’ s Santa Claus directed by George Albert Smith — watching Christmas movies has become a time-honored tradition .

Everyone who takes part in this tradition has their favorite , and the residents of Hammonton are no exception .

For Tony Macrie , 1947 ’ s Miracle on 34th Street , starring Maureen O ’ Hara , John Payne , Natalie Wood and Edmund Gwenn , is at the top of the list .

“ It is reminiscent of Christmases of the past ,” Macrie said .

Macrie also noted personal reasons for enjoying the film so much .

“ It reminds me of several Christmases during my youth , where I visited New York City

See FILMS , Page 10

Town ’ s

holiday decor

HAMMONTON — Few things are as emblematic of the holiday season as the decorations that adorn the town — particularly the lighted snowflakes that are inby Joseph F . Berenato GAZETTE STAFF WRITER

See DECORATIONS , Page 16