hammontongazette . com Wednesday , March 13 , 2024
Celebrating a century of excellence in the beverage industry
Local food from Mannino ’ s Cannoli Express highlighted on Cuisine
Page 22
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Volume 28 • Issue 11
Locals protest DEP plan for Wharton State Forest
BY KRISTIN GUGLIETTI GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
WATERFORD WORKS , N . J .— More than 100 people protested against road closures in Wharton State Forest on March 9 at 1136 Old White Horse Pike .
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection ( NJDEP ) plans to close 278 miles of roads in Wharton State Forest
The NJDEP released a map designating legal driving routes within the Wharton State Forest .
March 9 was supposed to be the last day the NJDEP was accepting comments from the public for the proposed Wharton State Forest Visiting Vehicle Use Map .
The NJDEP has extended the public comment period to April 8 .
Open Trails NJ President John Druding of Tabernacle , N . J . led the rally , which was rescheduled to 10 a . m . because of the rainstorm in the afternoon .
“ One of our strategies is to encourage the local municipalities to pass resolu-
See RALLY , Page 3
hammontongazette . com Wednesday , March 13 , 2024
Lions celebrate 60 years of service
Alvino , Wiessner honored as Life Members
Courtesy Photo
More than 100 locals attended the rally on March 9 protesting against road closures in Wharton State Forest .
Kramer Beverage turns 100
Celebrating a century of excellence in the beverage industry
BY KRISTIN GUGLIETTI GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
Courtesy Photo
Mark ( left ) and Charles Kramer continue to run Kramer Beverage , which is celebrating 100 years in the beverage industry .
Courtesy Photo
Hammonton Lions Club President Lori Orsi ( left ) presents Lions International Life Member Certificates to Lion Thomas Alvino ( right ) and Lion John Wiessner ( center ). For story and more photos , see Page 8 .
MainStreet Gala celebrating 40 years of downtown revitalization
BY KRISTIN GUGLIETTI GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON — MainStreet Hammonton will be celebrating the Hammonton Revitalization Corporation ’ s 40th anniversary with the first MainStreet Hammonton Gala on April 13 at 6 p . m . at Tomasello Winery . Executive Director of MainStreet Hammonton Mica McCullough said the Hammonton Revitalization Corporation ( HRC ) started in 1984 . The HRC is the organization that runs the MainStreet Hammonton
HAMMONTON — The Mt . Carmel Society ’ s application to construct a lean-to structure on Mt . Carmel Lane was reviewed once more with additional information provided by the applicant during the March 6 Planning Board meeting . The meeting marked the return of Raymond Scipione ’ s service to the Joint Land Use Board and the appointment of an alternate , Phillip Barbagallo .
The Our Lady of Mt . Carmel Society first presented their application on Feb . 7 but adjourned their presentation until March 6 to provide the Board with more information on the site . The applicants requested a C Variance to construct a leanto structure — a freestanding
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program . Last year , MainStreet Hammonton celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Main- Street Hammonton program that started in 1993 .
“ This is our first Gala . It ’ s pretty special that it coincides with our 40th anniversary ,” McCullough said .
During the Gala planning process , Main- Street Hammonton has looked at old photos to see what things looked like in town then and to imagine what the next 40 years will
Planning Bd . approves lean-to structure on Mt . Carmel Lane
BY DELANEY SMITH FOR THE GAZETTE
See GALA , Page 4
structure that typically has a slanted roof . This lean-to structure would be attached to Mt . Carmel Hall .
The proposed structure would measure to be 456 sq . ft . placed overtop an existing concrete pad , meaning that there would be no changes to drainage or any other facilities . The applicants testified that the primary reason for the lean-to structure would be to provide more comfortable working conditions for the employees of the Mt . Carmel Society Festival , which happens every year in July .
The application was presented by James Sassano , a civil engineer , and Frederick Declement , an attorney .
“ The structure from our prior testimony is the same ,” James
See PLANNING , Page 2
HAMMONTON — Kramer Beverage , a leading name in the beverage distribution industry , proudly announces its centennial milestone , celebrating 100 years of success , growth and unwavering commitment to its customers , suppliers and employees .
Founded in 1924 by Benjamin Kramer , Kramer Beverage began as a soft drink bottler and distributor with four trucks and ten employees in Atlantic City . Following the repeal of Prohibition in 1933 , Benjamin ’ s son , Arnold , joined the business , and the company purchased the distribution rights to both the Ballantine and Piels beer brands , which led to the purchase of a 35,000 sq . ft . warehouse on Virginia Ave . and steady growth through the 1950s .
Arnold ’ s son , Charles , entered the business in 1964 . Following Arnold ’ s retirement and during the financial decline of Atlantic City during the ‘ 60s and ‘ 70s , Charles became President . Charles ’ s wife , Lynn , entered the business in the ‘ 70s and became the company ’ s CFO for over 30 years . In ad-
See KRAMER , Page 10
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