Launched in 2022 by its Board of Trustees , The Rising is St . Joseph Academy ’ s most significant fundraising effort . The event recognizes a member of the St . Joseph Academy community who has demonstrated unwavering dedication and support through the awarding of the school ’ s highest honor , The Heart of a Wildcat Award . Past recipients include 2022 recipient , Kellyanne Conway ‘ 85 and 2023 recipient , The Sam Donio Foundation for Education . This year , St . Joseph Academy is excited to bestow this honor to the Bagliani family . hammontongazette . com Wednesday , April 17 , 2024
Hundreds gather to celebrate Little League Opening Day
See Page 37
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Volume 28 • Issue 16
Inaugural MainStreet Gala a resounding success
Photo Courtesy Elizabeth Pantalone / Elizabeth Grace Photography
The MainStreet Hammonton / Hammonton Revitalization Corporation board and leadership team is pictured at the Inaugural Gala on April 13 at Tomasello Winery . Pictured ( l-r ): Jim Bacon , Eileen Unger , Dave Ingemi , Rich Rehmann , Christina Birchler , Bertha Velazquez Iacovelli , William Olivo , Allison Caracciolo Gallagher , Jason Michelini , MainStreet Executive Director Mica McCullough , Ellen Lauletta and Ben Ott . For more photos from the event , see Pages 10 and 23 .
BY CRAIG RICHARDS GAZETTE PUBLISHER
HAMMONTON — The debut of the Main- Street Gala on April 13 proved to be a unifying force , much like the vibrant downtown itself . Hosted at Tomasello Winery , the event marked 40 years of dedicated growth and commitment to Hammonton ’ s downtown region and community overall .
Dubbed “ Cheers to 40 Years in the Making ,” the gala attracted a diverse array of attendees , including public officials , MainStreet leaders , volunteers , business owners and community supporters . It was a joyous occasion that brought together every facet of Hammonton for an evening filled with delectable cuisine , warm camaraderie and lively entertainment .
The ambiance of the Tomasello ballroom , coupled with the exquisite meals and lively atmosphere , set the stage for reflection on the
SJA fundraiser to honor Bagliani family
BY CRAIG RICHARDS GAZETTE PUBLISHER
HAMMONTON — An evening filled with camaraderie , entertainment , honor , and opportunity awaits those attending the St . Joseph Academy ( SJA ) 2024 event “ The Rising .” The premier fundraising event for the private school combines an elegant evening with the tradition of honoring those who play a vital role in the school ’ s rich history and continuing service to the community and its students .
Taking place on April 20 at the esteemed Tavistock Country Club in Haddonfield , this year ’ s event promises to be a memorable affair . Beyond its fundraising aspect , the evening holds deeper significance . SJA , true to its commitment to faith , family , and future , seeks to pay tribute to key figures within the community who have made a profound impact on the Academy . At this year ’ s event the Bagliani family will be honored .
Launched in 2022 by its Board of Trustees , The Rising is St . Joseph Academy ’ s most significant fundraising effort . The event recognizes a member of the St . Joseph Academy community who has demonstrated unwavering dedication and support through the awarding of the school ’ s highest honor , The Heart of a Wildcat Award . Past recipients include 2022 recipient , Kellyanne Conway ‘ 85 and 2023 recipient , The Sam Donio Foundation for Education . This year , St . Joseph Academy is excited to bestow this honor to the Bagliani family . hammontongazette . com Wednesday , April 17 , 2024
Hammonton Revitalization Corporation ( HRC )/ MainStreet ’ s numerous achievements while also providing a backdrop for a night of celebration , networking , music and dance .
Beyond its celebratory nature , the gala served a crucial secondary purpose . Like many nonprofit endeavors , Hammonton MainStreet relies on significant resources to host its impressive lineup of community events each year . The gala serves as an additional means to generate funds that offset the costs of these numerous events , which are offered free to the community .
Richard Rehmann , President of HRC , expressed the gala ’ s significance : “ Tonight , we hope to establish an annual tradition of celebrating HRC / MainStreet ’ s accomplishments while also generating the necessary funds to sustain our success . This event symbolizes both emotional and financial support for dedicated indi-
See GALA , Page 2
“ As multi-generational alumni and ardent supporters of the school , they were an ideal and obvious choice as our awardee . The Bagliani family is a family that embodies our values and lives our mission of Faith , Family , and Future ,” SJA President Stephen Cappuccio said .
In addition to the Heart of a Wildcat , the evening includes cocktails , dinner , dancing , live , and silent auctions . The live auction has some unique prizes and a “ speed painting demonstration ” that should prove to be quite the spectacle . All proceeds from this evening directly impact the academic and social service initiatives of St . Joseph Academy and create new opportunities for its young women and men .
See RISING , Page 2
DUI ends in downtown crash
BY KRISTIN GUGLIETTI GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON — A man ultimately arrested for DUI and several other charges , crashed his vehicle hitting utility poles and trees while attempting to evade police in Hammonton . HPD caught the individual after he attempted to escape on foot .
Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel said there was a motor vehicle stop and motor vehicle crash on April 14 at 2:55 a . m . on Bellevue Avenue and N . White Horse Pike .
Officer Richard Carpo observed a dark-color sedan completely stopped in the middle of Rt . 206 near Rizzotte Drive .
Carpo turned around , and as he came back to the intersection of Rt . 206 , he observed the sedan now to be moving , approaching the traffic signal , but traveling in the southbound lane .
The vehicle then continued straight across Rt . 30 improperly almost colliding with a vehicle and failing to maintain its lane of travel .
At which time Carpo attempted to stop the vehicle , the vehicle fled .
Little League honors its history on Opening Day
Dan Russoman / THG
Ralph Capaccio ( left ) was one of four men inducted onto the Al Mulliner Wall of Fame at the Hammonton Little League ’ s Opening Day Ceremony on April 13 . Capaccio is pictured with Little League President Brandon Watson . The other three inductees were James Borda , Dave Cappuccio and John Massarelli . For more photos from Opening Day , see Page 37 and our online photo gallery .
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Carpo discontinued a pursuit .
The vehicle then traveled southbound on Rt . 54 striking utility poles and trees at which point the vehicle became disabled and the driver ran on foot from the scene .
The driver was located and identified as Jonathan Longshaw , 25 , of Medford , N . J .
Longshaw was taken into custody , placed under arrest , transported to police headquarters for processing and charged with following criminal charges and citations : driving under the influence , criminal mischief , another count of criminal mischief , resisting arrest by flight , eluding , hindering apprehension , refusing to be fingerprinted , obstruction the administration of law and refusing to submit to breath testing , Friel said .
Other motor vehicle charges include the following : open container alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle , careless driving , unregistered vehicle , reckless driving and maintenance of lamps .
Longshaw was transported to the Atlantic County Justice Facility on the charges .
See HPD , Page 2
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