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Walk to the Beach at Daddy O’s Boutique Hotel in Long Beach Island, NJ
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler At the Jersey Shore, everyone knows the best sand-like-flour beaches are in LBI, N.J. Better known as Long Beach Island, the scene is serene and you are literally on an island, far away from real life. For those who don’t want another kitschy Jersey motel and don’t have access to a beach house, Daddy O Hotel in Long Beach Island offers a unique, chic escape with amenities all in one place. It all began in 2006 when the first Daddy O hotel opened its doors in Long Beach Island, New Jersey. Two respected arbiters of taste, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal,…
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The ChopHouse Brings Back Lobsterfest Every Sunday Through Summer
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler One of our favorite go-to chop houses is… wait for it… The ChopHouse in Gibbsboro, N.J. The last time we were there, we had a delicious steak based dinner. This time we went toward the summer time favorite of seafood, greens and a medley of other surprising samples at one of South Jersey’s most acclaimed steak and seafood houses. The annual summer dining event “Lobsterfest!” is back. Every Sunday throughout the summer, lobster lovers are invited to feast on a menu of shellfish specials. Each Sunday until Labor Day, The ChopHouse serves up the following set menu: 1.5 pound steamed or broiled whole lobster, $35, Baked and stuffed…
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BRIO Tuscan Grille Brings Fresh Italian Taste to New Jersey
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler Imagine a chain restaurant grades above an Olive Garden that uses fresh ingredients daily and and quality flavors. Offering the high energy of a chop house paired with the lively atmosphere of an Italian restaurant, meet New Jersey’s BRIO Tuscan Grille. With rotating seasonal dishes on the menu, BRIO in Cherry Hill Town Place in Cherry Hill, N.J. and the Promenade at Sagemore in Marlton, N.J. are inviting guests to tempt their tastebuds and think outside of the Garden mentality. Whether you’re stopping in for a quick bite, happy hours to die for or toasting a milestone of life and love moments, it’s a casual yet upscale space with…
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School of Rock in Cherry Hill, N.J. Pipes Burst and Needs Your Help
Cherry Hill, N.J. School of Rock suffered a major disaster last month, when two sprinkler pipes and a main water line froze and burst in their ceiling, sending thousands of gallons down onto their entire facility. The raised ceiling first flooded, then collapsed, damaging the walls, floors, lights, electric and most of their musical equipment. Tens of thousands of dollars in damages were incurred on the equipment and infrastructure. The loss of business and labor was even larger. Owner Louis Faiola and General Manager Eddie Shiffler have begun a fundraising campaign to help speed up the recovery process, and get the school up and running again. Faiola has owned the…
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Brenna Joanne Weick from Mantua is Miss New Jersey 2016
Photos, story by Lou Perri Twenty-two-year-old Brenna Joanne Weick, of Mantua, N.J., won the title of Miss New Jersey 2016 Saturday night at the Ocean City Music Pier. It’s the fourth year Brenna has competed in the pageant, and held the local title as Miss Seashore Line. She advances to the Miss America Pageant held in Atlantic City in September. For talent, she sang “Someone Like You” from the musical Jekyll & Hyde. First runner up to Miss New Jersey was Miss Central Coast, Olivia Michael, of Tenafly; Second runner up was Miss Avalon, Kaitlyn Shoeffel, of Egg Harbor Township; Third runner up was Miss Monmouth County, Amanda Ross, of…
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Exploring Artist Charles Fazzino at Ocean Galleries, Dinner at Blue Pig Tavern and Congress Hall for MDW
Photos, story by Lou Perri Explore NJ traveled to South Jersey on Sunday, May 30th, to visit two Memorial Day weekend events. In Stone Harbor, N.J. on the way to Cape May, Explore NJ hit Ocean Galleries, which welcomed world-renowned 3-D artist Charles Fazzino for his first time exhibition in the seashore town over Memorial Day weekend. Considered the most popular 3-D artist in the world today and a pop culture historian, Fazzino brought his latest collection of 3-D limited edition fine art silkscreen serigraphs, including many New York and other regionally-themed pieces. Charles Fazzino: The Master of 3D Pop Art opened to the public on Friday, May 27, through Monday,…
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Lovely Ladies in Unique Hats Celebrated the 142nd Kentucky Derby at the Ebbitt Room in Cape May, N.J.
Photos, story by Lou Perri Fried Polenta. Truffle Risotto, Hot Browns, and Pork Rillette. Nope, not entrees in the Kentucky Derby, but light bites served to guests at the Second Kentucky Derby Day at Virginia Hotel‘s Ebbitt Room in Cape May, N.J., on Saturday, May 7th – the day of thoroughbred racing’s biggest day. Although the Ebbitt’s Room event didn’t select a chapeau winner, there were enough ladies wearing some unique bonnets to have selected a winner. Guests purchased tickets for $10 at the door. Tickets allowed each purchaser a chance to select a thoroughbred entered in the race and the time of finish. The price included served hors d’oeuvres…
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Ocean City, N.J.’s Eddie Shiffler Aims to be Next Lead Singer of Stone Temple Pilots
Alternative Rock legends, Stone Temple Pilots recently completed the first phase of an online audition for a new lead vocalist. Their original singer, Scott Weiland passed away, but was out of the band for a few years, due to substance abuse issues. Chester Bennington had filled in as a temporary replacement, but resigned from the group to pursue his original band, Linkin Park. One of the hopeful candidates for the newly opened position is Ocean City’s own Eddie Shiffler. Known for his celebrated career as a musician and songwriter throughout the region, Shiffler plans to make a splash in this process and get a face to face opportunity with the…
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The ChopHouse in Gibbsboro, N.J. Nails Surf and Turf Dinners Down to a T-Bone Steak
Photos, story by Cassie Hepler This isn’t a chain steakhouse. Luckily, you can taste that in every bite. Independently-owned by P.J.W. Restaurant Group, The Chophouse has been impressing Jersey guests in Gibbsboro, N.J. since 2002. We headed out on a frigid weekend night and it was packed so much that valet parking was the only option. People checked in with the hostess and bellied up to the bar to wait for the popular steakhouse to prepare their table. Cozy C-shaped leather booths were a romantic option for couples with stone walls and deep stained wood accents abounding the decor. The back of the restaurant’s outdoor patio is where there was a festive…
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Tropicana in Atlantic City Helps Get Rid of the Grinch for the Holidays
Photos, story by Cassie Hepler We’re not going to lie. We were feeling a little bit like a Grinch this holiday season. But somehow a weekend girls trip to the Tropicana in Atlantic City, N.J. made us get in the spirit of the season by the end of the weekend. We even ended up getting a few unexpected gifts for family and friends! Upon arrival, it is good to know there are two parking lots. Since we were staying all weekend, we opted for the $10 for the whole weekend lot (that’s only $5 a day, a steal in AC)! We parked on P2 (or was it 2P?) but regardless, know…