As the weather heats up, so do the activities in Voorhees.
On May 11, I enjoyed being part of the grand opening of Burger 21, another addition to our Restaurant Row on Voorhees Town Center Boulevard. Burger 21 offers a unique variety of craveable burger creations, gourmet hot dogs, a variety of French fries and delicious milkshakes. Later that same day, Modern Gear Sign & Apparel opened in the Echo Shoppes offering a variety of graphic needs.
On May 14, I enjoyed visiting with the residents of Kresson View Center and presented a commendation in recognition of National Nursing Home Week.
On May 18, I joined the Kirkwood Lake Clean Up Group to pick up trash in the area surrounding the lake in an effort to improve the quality of life and increase use of the area by our residents. Later in the day, I had a great time at the Annual BocceBrookE Tournament at Kirkwood Park.
On the morning of May 19, I attended the Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation Annual 5K Run and was honored to present the winners with their medals. The ARVF continues to improve the quality of life of young people battling cancer by installing Teen Centers in hospitals throughout the world.
On May 22, the Nemours DuPont Hospital for Children opened a facility on Laurel Oak Road. We are thrilled to have such a wonderful pediatric institution join our community.
On May 26, I was honored to be part of a ceremony welcoming home a Voorhees hero. Captain Will Carney, USMC, safely returned home after tours in Afghanistan and South Korea.
Memorial Day weekend was kicked off with the opening of the Voorhees Memorial Day Soccer Tournament organized by the Voorhees Soccer Association. Hundreds of teams from all over the east coast converged on our community to participate in this first-class event. On Memorial Day, I was honored to participate in the Annual Memorial Services at the Mt. Zion AME Church and the Ashland Presbyterian Church. I was once again privileged to be the guest speaker at the Annual Kirkwood Memorial Day Parade, which honors the fallen heroes who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. Thanks to the volunteers on the parade committee, particularly the Vandegrift Family, as well as the Voorhees Township Fire Department and the Eastern Marching Vikings for making the parade and ceremony memorable.
On the evening of May 31, the second annual “Relay for Life of Voorhees” was held at Eastern Regional High School in partnership with the American Cancer Society. The event raised over $42,000 to fight cancer and help people get well and stay well. It was a wonderful, yet emotional evening that has become a Voorhees tradition.
On June 2, I was privileged to attend the Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Voorhees resident, Blake Burnett, on the USS Battleship New Jersey. Blake’s Eagle Scout project was the refurbishing of an 18-foot parade model of the Battleship New Jersey for the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial.
On June 8, I was part of the Philippine Independence Picnic Celebration at Cooper River Park. Hundreds of members of the Voorhees Filipino Community enjoyed a daylong celebration of their heritage. Later in the day, I was honored to swear in the officers of the Voorhees Senior Citizens Club at the Installation Luncheon at The Mansion.
On June 9, I joined hundreds of residents at Avian Plaza Day, celebrating 27 years of the shopping center being a part of our business community. Even the Phillie Phanatic showed up!
On June 11, Voorhees was honored to host Congressman Rob Andrews for a tour of Town Hall and the Town Center. The Congressman met with students of Rizzieri Aveda School, answering questions and sharing information.
On June 15, I attended the Stafford Woods Open at our Stafford Woods Disc Golf Course where 44 players competed on our 9-hole course, which has already been rated one of the top courses in the area.
On June 19, the monthly meeting of the Voorhees Business Association was held at The Mansion. The VBA provides a forum for businesspersons in the Voorhees area to meet and share concerns and interests of a civic, cultural or economic nature. The VBA presented scholarships to two graduating seniors of Eastern Regional High School. Later in the evening, I attended the monthly meeting of the Camden County Mayor’s Association. The group affords area mayors the opportunity to discuss common issues and share useful information concerning our respective municipalities.
On the evening of June 20, hundreds gathered on a beautiful evening at Connolly Park to enjoy the sounds of Dr. K’s Motown Revue. This was the first show in our Annual “Summer Twilight Series”
I was once again pleased to participate in the 47th commencement at Eastern Regional High School on June 21. Congratulations to all of the graduates.
On June 22, I visited with the residents of Emeritus Assisted Living Facility and presented a commendation to Marie Lario on her 100th birthday. Later in the day, I cut the ribbon at the grand opening of Nimit Palace Indian Restaurant on White Horse Road. They serve a wide variety of high quality delicious authentic Indian food, both vegetarian and non- vegetarian.
On the evening of June 28, I had a great time at the first 21st Birthday Beef and Beer for The Ashley Paul Memorial Foundation. Ashley was a caring, vibrant young woman who was very involved in our community, coaching field hockey at the Voorhees Middle School and in the Voorhees Girls Lacrosse Program. She was also involved with the Interact Club at Eastern. On June 9, 2012, Ashley passed away at the tender age of 20 after being involved in an ATV accident. The foundation will carry on Ashley’s spirit and will foster volunteerism and involvement in the Voorhees Community. Thanks to all who attended.
Upcoming events include the Voorhees Town Center Farmer’s Market, held every Saturday through October 5 from 8 a.m. until noon on Town Center Boulevard. Vendors include Duffield’s, Fruitwood, Bellview Winery and more, supplying “Jersey Fresh” and locally grown produce, meats, cheeses, wines and other delicacies.
The next show in our “Summer Twilight Series” is Thursday, July 11 (rain date July 18) as we welcome back Strawberry Fields: A Tribute to the Beatles. They were the only band chosen to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the historic 1965 Beatles Concert live at Shea Stadium. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. at Connolly Park and is free.
** Voorhees Township is offering discounted tickets to Morey’s Piers in Wildwood. Tickets are available in the Municipal Clerk’s Office at Voorhees Town Hall. Prices vary according to the type of ticket and several options are available to residents and nonresidents. Voorhees also offers discounted tickets to Clementon Lake Park via our online services. For more information about tickets or to order online, visit www.voorheesnj.com.
