Marching Clan takes first in weekend competition

The Vineland High School Marching Clan placed first in Group 2 at Saturday’s Cumberland Regional High School Competition, according to district spokesman John Sbrana.

The Marching Clan, performing under the direction of William McDevitt, also received the awards for Best Percussion, Best Music, and Best Overall Effect in Group 2, a categorization based on the band's size.

The competition was one of 10 held statewide on Saturday. 

The US Scholastic Band Association sponsors the event. The organization was formed in the fall of 1988 to provide high school marching band programs with a competitive circuit featuring the best adjudicators from across the country, Sbrana said.

The Marching Clan’s next competition will be at Absegami High School on Saturday, Oct. 3.

Growing program helps youth do the same

Staff photo/Cody Glenn

When South Jersey Young Marines started earlier this year, only a handful of local youth registered. But the program didn't keep its modest enrollment long. 

The program graduated 55 on Saturday - proof not only of the participant's success, but also that of the program itself.

When the Vineland branch started in April, it was the only Young Marines group in New Jersey and one of 296 across the country, Donald Shanks, deputy director for Young Marines National Headquarters, said.

Chapter commander and a U.S. Marine from 1978 to 1984, Frank Reyes called the Vineland youth program, "an assignment to keep these kids out of trouble and away from drugs."

As part of the program, Reyes and a handful of other instructors with military experience run a 26-hour orientation program affectionately called "Boot Camp," but designed with kids in mind. (Registration begins early next year for the next class. Learn more about South Jersey Young Marines, visit southjerseyyoungmarines.com or call Frank Reyes at (856) 794-8167.)

Graduation doesn't mean the end of this program. The students can return to learn new skills and earn a rank and ribbon awards, Reyes said.

Now, 55 youth between 8 and 18 can do just that, following a graduation ceremony Saturday. They represent New Jersey's first class of Young Marines, DJ Staff Writer Cody Glenn wrote.
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Teachers earn high honors going back to school

Thirty-seven Vineland Public Schools professional staff members have earned advanced degrees, according to district communications assistant Sheila Biagi.

Here's the list of staff, separated by degree and credits earned:

- 45 graduate credits beyond the Master’s Degree: Jennifer Frederico, Petway principal; Karen Malatesta, Petway assistant principal; and Sylvia Morano, Winslow assistant principal.

- 30 graduate credits beyond the Master’s Degree: Edward Benish, Vineland High School North administrative assistant; Lori Martini, VHS South guidance counselor; Bonnie O’Rourke, VHS South guidance counselor; Wendy Osborne, D’Ippolito teacher; and Edward Zatzariny, Veterans Memorial music teacher.

- Master’s Degree: Jeffrey Belmonte, Johnstone computer teacher; John Capizola, D’Ippolito health and physical education teacher; Valerie Carbonara, Sabater teacher; Lori Cummines, VHS choral music teacher; Brandi Dittus, VHS social studies teacher; Frances Finazzo, Landis teacher; Richard Gasior, VHS teacher; Carmella Heer, Landis teacher; Jason Lera, Dallago teacher; Rhonda Magee, Winslow teacher; Sydonie Maitland, Landis teacher; Lindsay McCarron, Johnstone teacher; Maria Oria, Johnstone teacher; Jordan Pla, VHS teacher; Melissa Pomante, Winslow teacher; Katherine Rivera, Wallace teacher; William Shropshire III, VHS teacher; Eric Sikorski, Landis teacher; and Jennifer Trivellini, Petway teacher.

- 30 graduate credits beyond the Bachelor’s Degree: Jenne Castellini, VHS teacher; Ana Cooley, D’Ippolito teacher; Denise Diorio, Durand speech therapist; Stacy Mainiero, Landis teacher; Erin Sparacio, Leuchter teacher; Terrence Spencer, Landis teacher; Barbara Thibodeau, school nurse; Brittney Tomlin, Durand teacher; Nicole Velazquez, Johnstone teacher; and Megan Ziller, Sabater teacher.

And then there were two: City sign loses more letters

Staff photo/Craig Matthews

The city’s new sign has lost six of its letters in less than a week.

First, it was an orange E, purple N and green N that went missing. Now, only the first and last letters in the city’s name remain — a blue V and a purple D — with the slogan, “a taste of culture and tradition, with the flavor of fun.”

Vineland Downtown Improvement District officials unveiled the sign on the southern side of Landis Avenue between the boulevards on Sept. 3.

“It will obviously be replaced,” Todd Noon, VDID executive director, said. “It’s a sad day when people continue to vandalize a sign that’s already been vandalized.”

See The Daily Journal online and in print for more on this story.

Buy mums, help fourth-graders

Staff photo/Charles Olson

Give the gift of autumn.

The fourth grade class at Gloria M. Sabater Elementary School will be selling mums to raise money.

The sale is scheduled from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Monday at the school.

The mums are $4 each. The flowers are available in white, bronze, red, purple and yellow.

Supplies are limited and available on a first come basis, so get there early to help the students.

Anyone wishing to purchase mums should use the rear entrance to the school building, which can be accessed from the Almond Street entrance near South East Boulevard.

Local family seeks help after son injured in crash

A motorcycle accident has seriously injured a 2001 Sacred Heart High graduate. Now the family needs help covering the now 25-year-old's medical expenses.

Robbie Zapar is pictured here in this undated photo the family submitted.

Robbie Zapar got in a serious crash in Pinellas County, Fla., shortly before he planned to return home to Vineland for a visit with his family.

Now, Zapar is battling what investigators called "life-threatening injuries" after he was ejected from his motorcycle, DJ Staff Writer Deborah Marko reported. Doctors put Zapar in a medically induced coma to allow his brain to heal within his fractured skull, according to Robert J. Haydak Jr., Zapar's uncle.

He is staying at the neurological intensive care unit at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, Fla. Zapar didn't have medical insurance at the time of the crash, Haydak said. Zapar was going to school part-time and doing odd jobs.

You can help Zapar and his family cover his hospital expenses by attending a fundraiser set for 4 p.m. Sunday at Uncle Ricky's Outdoor Bar at 470 E. Wheat Road, Vineland.

Family and friends can also track Robbie Zapar's recovery at www.caringbridge.org. Enter "Robbiesrecovery" in the search box to be directed to the family's blog and friends' comments.

Read more on Zapar's accident and the others helping the family here.

Richland Glass helps students get supplies they need

Mennies School staff from left includes: Social Worker Tiffany Miller, Lisa Faix, Doreen Migliaccio, Carol Rosario, and Jackie Loth, all top collectors from Richland Glass, Assistant Principal Kristen Estep, and Principal Lisa Arena.

Richland Glass started “Project Back To School” in August to afford its employees the chance to give back to their community.

Mennies Elementary School was the beneficiary of the company's plan.

The employees at Richland glass collected more than 40 supply items for the children, from crayons to backpacks, said John Sbrana, spokesman for Vineland Public Schools.

Richland Glass issued tickets for each item donated and the winner received a token gift from the company and the opportunity to pick, which school would receive the school supplies.

Sandie Donato won the contest and selected Mennies School.

“I am very proud to say that our employees came thru and contributed far more than expected," Kim Guinan, human resources manager for Richland Glass, said in a news release.

Lisa Arena, Mennies principal; Kristen Estep, assistant principal; and Tiffany Miller, school social worker; all said they were "thrilled and proud that Mennies was the recipient of this wonderful community outreach sponsored by Richland Glass.

County health official predicts H1N1 could kill hundreds here

As many as 700 Cumberland County residents could die of swine flu this year, the county’s health officer said Thursday.

Herb Roeschke, Cumberland County Health Officer said the H1N1 virus could kill up to .5 percent of the county population, DJ Staff Writer Joel Landau reported.

His department expects to receive swine flu vaccinations early next month and will begin a massive immunization drive in late October.

“From mid-October to end of the December, a lot of what we’ll be doing is administering these vaccines,” Roeschke said during a meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Millville.

Roeschke said he expects to get enough vaccine to immunize everybody in the county, but the stock will come in shipments, not all at once.

He said the health department will focus first on immunizing residents between 6 months old and 24 years old as well as health care workers and those in contact with young children.

The department will work with local schools to set up vaccination clinics.

The shots will be administered free of charge to residents.

Read The Daily Journal online and in print for more on this story.

Note this change for seasonal flu shots

Cumberland County Health Department is experiencing a high volume of phone calls regarding the flu clinics, especially since Vineland's own department ran out.

Due to high demand for the flu vaccine, department official Brenda Burke said the county will only be able to provide flu shots for residents served by the Cumberland County Board of Health - in other words, no Vineland residents.

"Unfortunately, at this time we are unable to serve Vineland residents," Burke wrote in an e-mail notice sent out Wednesday. "Vineland residents should contact their physicians, go to area pharmacies, or visit local grocery stores that provide flu clinics. If there is flu vaccine left at the end of all Cumberland County Health Department flu clinics, then we will be able to provide the vaccine for Vineland residents."

For more information for the Vineland residents, contact the City of Vineland Health Department at (856) 794-4000, ext. 4806.

Army sergeant gives local students depiction of war

The father of a military family recently visited Terry Kuhnreich's classroom. Pictured from left, back row: Marquee Hartsfield, Sean Smith, Kuhnreich, Sgt. Jose Ramos, administrative assistant for Liberal Arts Jeffrey Perez, Jazmin Ramos (wearing her father’s jacket), Dennis Gonzalez. Front row: David Cohen. Submitted photo.

U.S. Army Sgt. Jose Ramos recently spoke to Terry Kuhnreich’s history classes at Vineland High School, where his daughter, Jazmin, is among the students, district spokesman John Sbrana said.

Ramos has a long military career and has received a number of awards for his service. He also served as part of the President’s Honor Guard from the Clinton administration until fairly recently, Sbrana said.

Ramos was stationed in Somalia during the turmoil as well as a tour of duty in war-torn Bosnia in the 1990s. Ramos also fought in Iraq, and explained to the students the current military situation in that country, Sbrana said. He also answered a number of questions about terrorism.

The career soldier is preparing for another deployment overseas next March. This time he is bound for Afghanistan.

Despite his military record, Sgt. Ramos said he feels his “greatest achievement is that of fatherhood,” and explained how difficult it is for soldiers to leave their families behind when they are deployed overseas, Sbrana said.

“Sgt. Ramos told the students he serves his country so that his daughter and all Americans can continue to enjoy freedom,” Kuhnreich said in the release.

A 5-year milestone for city’s Boys & Girls Club

Executive Director Chris Volker works with Kenny Kennison, 11, on the club's latest venture: a community garden. Staff photo/Charles Olson

The Boys & Girls Club of Vineland turning 5 this year.

To celebrate the agency is holding a anniversary reception on Tuesday. The party begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Carl Arthur Recreation Center, located at 300 W. Plum Street.

The evening reception will include presentations and entertainment by Club youth.

For more information or to RSVP, call (856) 896-0244.

Hauntings planned for Palace

Staff photo/Cody Glenn

There’s a new haunted house in the city this year.

The Palace of Depression will become a concrete home of ghouls, witches and zombies for three October nights, Kevin Kirchner said.

Kirchner, the city’s director of licensing and inspections, has been working for years with Jeff Tirante to restore and reopen the old city landmark.

The late George Daynor built the palace during the Great Depression. It is located on South Mill Road just south of West Landis Avenue.

The haunted house will cost $5 per person and will run 6 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 17, 23, and 24.

Kirchner plans to pour concrete to create a parking lot that could accommodate about 30 cars in time for the first event, so parking will be available on site.

How to get a flu shot

Staff photo/Craig Matthews

In case you didn't hear, Vineland health officials canceled, for now, the next four seasonal flu vaccine clinics.

About 850 vaccines disappeared into the arms of (mostly) city residents on Monday at the U-Sell Flea Market drive-thru clinic. (Read DJ staff writer Deborah Marko's story.)

Based on demand, the city's Health Department annually purchases about 1,500 seasonal flu vaccines to give out.

Two weeks ago, about 500 people attended the city's seasonal flu clinic at Sabater Elementary School after the school district put out an automated call alerting parents.

 That left 1,000 remaining vaccines to give out Monday, of which about 850 were administered. What's left went to those who already signed up for a clinic Tuesday at Vineland Senior Center.

Health Director Dale Jones asked City Council to consider adding funds to the municipal budget to enable the department to purchase more seasonal flu vaccines as they come available. If this occurs, department officials will annouce a new schedule.

In the meantime, where can you go?

The county Health Department hasn't canceled any of its planned clinics. See "More" to read a list of the remaining clinic dates for seasonal flu shots.
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Live music comes to the mall

Some of the area’s finest musicians will be at Cumberland Mall starting next Friday for “Music on the Mall.”

A variety of ensembles from Cumberland County College's music department and other community groups perform in the mall's Center Court the first Friday of the month throughout the year.

“Music on the Mall” features CCC’s Jazz Band, Wind Symphony, Gospel Choir and Chorus, as well as The Brass Consort Quintet and The Cumberlads. A different group performs at each concert, according to a news release.

Next week, a brass concert quintet will play at 7:30 p.m.

According to the release, the quintet is in its 10th year of music making in South Jersey and Pennsylvania and has been featured in performance in such locations as: Wheaton Village, Dutchneck Village, Coldspring Village, Peddler’s Village in Lahaska, Pa., The Whitman Stafford House in Laurel Springs, numerous church and wedding appearances, and serves as a primary ensemble for the Camden County Musical Interludes Program throughout South Jersey.

The “Music on the Mall” program is a collaboration of the Cumberland County College Music Department and Cumberland Mall to provide the community with an ongoing series of light repertoire concerts showcasing local musical talent, the release said.

121 ways to enjoy the season

File Staff Photo/Charles Olson

Summer seems to end when the kids go back to school, but today is officially the first day of fall. It begins at 5:18 p.m.

That marks the beginning of a season of Halloween, pumpkin and harvest activities and festivals, elections, Thanksgiving and, unfortunately, even flu shots.

The Daily Journal staff compiled a long list of fun things to do this fall from haunted houses to wine tours to high school football games. You can view the publication here and make your own autumn to-do list.

If you do anything on the list, take a picture and be sure to post it on the blog.