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Volume 28 • Issue 15

BY CRAIG RICHARDS GAZETTE PUBLISHER

HAMMONTON — Brisk weather and chilling winds could not stop local anglers from hooking their trout . But it seemed the fish had a few allies .

A week of rain had made the lake water cloudy in spots . That coupled with choppy waters from the heavy winds early Saturday , left the local anglers a daunting challenge . The lure of choice across the banks for opening day was PowerBait .

Spring trout season opened Saturday morning April 6 at 8 a . m . across the Garden State . Some headed to the creeks , streams and lakes as early as 6 a . m . to stake out their spots . As the hour passed and lines cast toward the water , anglers found a docile dose of trout .

By mid-morning at Hammonton Lake many of those at the lake ’ s edge and in boats had little luck . In the cove to the right of the park , a few fishermen had managed three decent size trout , while much of those fishing had a tougher go .

Regardless of the action at the end of the line , those young and old , man , woman or child that The Gazette caught up with Saturday morning didn ’ t focus on the biting winds or chill in the air . They were happy to be lake side with a pole in their hand .

New Jersey waterways will be stocked with more than 180,000 rainbow trout , as well as broodstock this season . Efforts by the state ’ s Pequest Trout Hatchery have improved this year ’ s season in terms of preparation of trout and quantities available for stocking .

In a release , state officials encouraged citizens to take advantage of the season .

“ I can ’ t think of a better way to welcome spring than to enjoy the crisp morning air while fishing for trout with my family ,” NJDEP Fish & Wildlife Freshwater Fisheries Bureau Chief Shawn Crouse said .

“ The quality of New Jersey ’ s trout fish-

See FISHING , Page 2

Dan Russoman / THG

Dan Benedetto ( center ) spoke on the life of Dorothy “ Dottie ” Cartica at the Historical Society of Hammonton ’ s ( HSH ) April 4 Speaker Series . He is pictured with HSH Honorary Trustee Bill Parkhurst ( left ) and HSH President Greg White .

BY DAN RUSSOMAN GAZETTE NEWS / SPORTS DIRECTOR

HAMMONTON — Legendary field hockey coach and local icon Dorothy “ Dottie ” Cartica ’ s life was remembered and celebrated during the Historical Society of Hammonton ’ s Speaker Series on April 4 at the Canoe Club Senior Center at Hammonton Lake Park .

Cartica ’ s nephew , Dan Benedetto gave a 45-minute multi-media presentation about Cartica , highlighting a life that was robust and filled with joy .

“ When we think about Aunt Dot , field hockey comes to mind right away , but there ’ s so much more . that I can share with you other than just field hockey . She was a Girl Scout , a pianist . High school sports figure , NHS ( National Honor Society ) member , referee , coowner of the Town House . Teacher , mentor . Friend to so many , but there is absolutely so much more about her . To my brother and I , she was simply Auntie . She was our fun aunt ,” Benedetto said .

Benedetto went on to describe his aunt ’ s birth and upbringing , detailing her love of writing poetry and short notes , many of which he and his relatives found scattered around her house after she died in 2021 .

“ She was always writing notes to herself and to others ,” Benedetto said .

In high school , Dottie was an out-

See CARTICA , Page 2

Jaime Wuillermin / THG

Staff of Harbor Freight stand outside their new Hammonton location , which opened on April 9

at 30 N . White Horse Pike .

BY KRISTIN GUGLIETTI GAZETTE STAFF WRITER

HAMMONTON — The Hammonton Planning Board approved a curb and sidewalk waiver for a property on North Myrtle Street on April 3 at town hall .

Before reviewing the application , Planning Board member Edward Wuillermin nominated Ralph Capaccio for vice chair , seconded by Jonathan Baske .

The Planning Board members voted unanimously for Capaccio to be the vice chair .

During the meeting , the Planning Board reviewed an application from Michael Galli of North Myrtle Street who sought

approval for a curb and sidewalk waiver .

Galli said he ’ s going to build a singlefamily home on the property , and he currently has an existing steel building used for storage .

“ I ’ m looking for a waiver on sidewalk and curb just because there is no drainage system even if the road is paved . There ’ s still no drainage system in place to hold it . If we were to put a curb there , it would run off into the neighboring properties ,” Galli said .

Town engineer Mark Herrmann said putting curb there would be a detriment to the road because it would affect drainage

See PLANNING , Page 3

Jaime Wuillermin / THG

Steve and Stephen Mahon watched the Solar Eclipse outside their home on the afternoon of April 8 . For more photos , see next week ’ s edition of The Gazette . one dollar