By SHANNON CAULFIELD
The Shamong Sun
As December comes to a close, here are some of the big stories from 2012.
Local residents
A giant gorilla moved from the shore to Shamong, not only as an attraction, but also as a monument.
The gorilla, located at Mighty Joe’s Gas, Grill and Deli on Route 206, is dedicated to a special person in the lives of the business owners.
Lawrence Valenzano has owned Mighty Joe’s since 1986. He said he used to see the statue on the side of Rio Grande Avenue going into Wildwood. It reminded him and his wife, Barbara, of their son, Joe, who had been a body builder.
Joe passed away from a brain tumor at the age of 29.
Valenzano purchased the statue for $2,000.
“We’re trying to keep him in our life a little bit,” Lawrence said. “It’s a memorial to him.”
Additionally, a box for donations is located in front of the statue to collect donations for a brain tumor research foundation.
“That’s what we lost our son to, and we want to try and give them something,” Lawrence said.
Eagle Scout Kevin Motylinski had a lot to be proud of this year.
The Shamong native has been a Scout for five years with Troop 20 in Medford, and he was a Cub Scout from first through fifth grade.
For his Eagle Scout project, Motylinski built a walkway at Birchwood Lakes Colony Club in Medford. Motylinski converted the 4’ x 96’ path from a stone-gravel driveway to a brick driveway.
“Once you’re a Scout, you’re always in that kind of family,” Motylinski said. “They know what you’ve gone through.”
Motylinski would like to attend the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and hopes the Scouts helped his possible future acceptance.
A local artist showed her work displaying her love of New Jersey nature.
Watercolorist Joyce Gagen displayed her work at the 28th-Annual Ocean County YMCA Art and Decoy Show. Gagen has been exhibiting at the show for about 20 years and has a collection of decoys.
Gagen paints for 16 hours a week. She has been showing her watercolors in various art festivals for the past 20 years.
Her achievements include a one-woman exhibition at the National Wildlife Center, Laurel, Md., for the U.S. Dept. of the Interior Fish & Wildlife Service in April 2002 and again in March 2004.
She also exhibited at the National Agricultural Center Hall of Fame, Bonner Springs, Kansas City in April 2001 and is in its permanent collection. In September 2000, she was the first recipient of the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary Excellence Award for Artistic Impression, and represented the state at the White House Easter egg hunt in 2000.
Gagen said her most gratifying accomplishments included showing at the Waterfowl Festival Invitational, Easton, Md., and exhibiting at the National Zoological Park, Washington, D.C., from 1995 to 1999. She’s also exhibited at the Rotunda of the Cannon Office Building at the U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C., in January 1994 and again in January 1996.
Local authors showed their pride to be a resident in the Pine Barrens in annual festival.
Linda Stanton started the “Lines on the Pines” seven years ago, as a celebration of writing about the Pine Barrens. Her curiosity about the area sparked the annual event.
More than 50 participants, whom Stanton calls “celebrities of the Pine Barrens,” attended this year’s event in Hammonton.
Stanton, an eight-year resident of the area, fell in love with the Pine Barrens while kayaking in the Mullica River. She later bought a house along the river.
“The area that we’re in is just filled with history and lore and tales of the Pine Barrens,” Stanton said. “I’ve met some of the most incredibly talented people I could have hoped to meet.”
A dedication to the historic Still family was held this year.
A monument was installed for the historical figure, Dr. James Still, considered the first African American doctor to the Pinelands.
“In some way or another, I feel you’ve contributed to the success of this project,” said William H. Still president of the Still Family Society Inc. He called the undertaking of the project “monumental.”
Seneca shines
Seneca students showed their Golden Eagle pride throughout the year. From fashion shows, to plays and homecoming, here are some of their brightest moments.
Students learned first hand how to put together a fashion show this year. The event, planned by DECA, is done following the lesson on marketing and sales in the classroom.
Approximately 60 students work as a team in preparation for the show, they learn about organizing an event, including how sponsorship works and how to publicize to the public.
“As they learn something then they actually apply it,” said Grace McCloskey, Seneca High School business teacher and advisor for the DECA club. “They work hard.”
Senior Tom Monaghan, 18, said the show is “just a really positive event for the entire student body.
“Everybody always gets together and we have a good time and it helps generate funds for the DECA club.”
Seneca High School librarian Amy Rominiecki was named president of the New Jersey Association of School Librarians (NJASL) this year.
“I’m very excited and honored,” said Rominiecki, an eight-year employee at Seneca. “It is a huge responsibility to be the leader of more than 700 school librarians in the state of New Jersey.”
She was already a member of the NJASL board when the nomination committee asked her to run for the position once it opened.
“I am scared, also, because it’s a huge job, but I’m very confident that I’ll do a good job,” Rominiecki said.
Brittany Snow dominated Seneca’s scoring records this year. It wasn’t just a Snow day it was a Snow year.
Snow surpassed both girls’ and boys’ all-time scoring record in varsity basketball with 1,083 points.
“My family always pushed me to do my best,” Snow said, noting her parents are always 100 percent behind her.
Snow has always pushed herself to the limit.
“I don’t give up,” she said. “I just keep going and even when things look too hard, I know somehow we’ll get them done.”
Michelle Graf has never missed a day of school, ever. That encompasses her years through elementary school, middle school and high school.
“I just never really was sick enough to stay out of school. By the time I was halfway through middle school, I took it as a challenge and wanted to keep going through high school,” explained Michelle.
There were instances where Graf wanted to stay home, for example, all of her senior year.
“I just wanted to stay home,” she admitted. “I’m excited to get out of (high) school.”
After high school, Graf will be attending Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, where, if she feels sick, she’ll take the opportunity to miss class.
“Once I’m sick in college, I’m staying in bed,” she said.
Events
Church of the Holy Eucharist held its 23rd annual Pine Barrens Festival in July.
Between 35,000 and 40,000 visitors visited the festival grounds this year and supported a good cause.
“The money goes directly to the parish and its upkeep of the year — it’s a major fundraiser for the church,” said Father Jamieson.
The festival has seen improvement over the years between growing crowds and an increase in interest.
“I would say there has been gradual improvement over the past few years. Three years ago we got the new rides from Majestic Midway, and everyone loved the safety, cleanliness and the professionalism,” said Jamieson.
“We’re just glad to have them at the Pine Barrens Fest.”
Each night of the festival honored a different Pinelands town and a volunteer who stood out for their accomplishments.
This year, Shamong night was held the second to last night of the festival, July 27 and honored John Volpa for his dedication to the community and his work as a science teacher at Indian Mills Memorial School. Volpa retired in June.
Shamong’s own Valenzano Winery held its 10th annual WineFest in mid-September.
“Our goal is really just to put on a great party that everyone will enjoy,” said Tony Valenzano, owner of Valenzano Winery, in a statement. “It seems we know how to throw a party, because WineFest has grown from
a few hundred people in 2002 to New Jersey’s largest wine festival.”
Valenzano’s had a sample table, in addition to the other wineries in attendance.
Additionally, each bottle of Red, White and Blue Sangria sold will contributed $1 to Operation Troop Aid, a fundraiser Valenzano’s has donated $64,000 dollars to.
“To date, Valenzano Winery has donated over $64,000 to our foundation. Their contributions have been extremely helpful and greatly appreciated by the men and women serving our country,” said Mark Woods, founder of Troop Aid in a statement.
