Vacations

By Susie Rempfer

Vacations are the perfect time to sit back, relax, and smell the roses. While vacations can be soothing to the senses, they can also be damaging to the checkbook, credit cards, and wallet.

Vacations don’t have to be expensive. Whether its spending a day at Six Flags or the Baltimore Aquarium, spending a few days visiting loved ones in California, or spending a week in Europe or Mexico there are simple ways to eliminate the amount of money spent.

When planning a vacation, research is essential to cutting back on cost. Researching things such as the locations of the cheapest gas stations and the airlines with the cheapest airfare can start saving you money right away. Another quick trick to budgeting for a vacation is to go on the Internet and look up prices for hotels and restaurants you want to visit. By doing so you will be able to estimate how much money to set aside each day for meals, and you will be able to relax about finding a four-star hotel without ridiculous pricing.

 Another key thing to remember when planning a vacation is to spend what money you do bring wisely.

Although it may be the kids’ first trip to Disneyland, spending hundreds of dollars on souvenirs that will soon be forgotten at the bottom of a toy box is unnecessary. And although you may see something and say to yourself, “I have to buy this,” remember to shop around first. Some stores offer the same merchandise for less, or may offer something else that will make the first spontaneous purchase seem asinine. One tip for shopping for souvenirs is to pick an amount you’re willing to spend in total on every souvenir you buy. After each purchase of a shot glass or stuffed animal subtract that from the initial souvenir fund and budgeting money for trinkets will be worry free for the remainder of the vacation.

Another thing to think about when buying souvenirs is to stop buying something for everyone. Although a co-worker might have sent you a post card and key-chain from Hawaii, that doesn’t mean you have to buy him a twenty-dollar Mickey Mouse paperweight. Buy souvenirs for yourself and forget about everyone else; let pictures show off all the places you visited to interested friends and family members.

 VacationBy considering these few things, planning that dream vacation is no longer out of reach. Spend an evening researching where you want to go, and get estimates on everything you can think of; it may surprise you to realize that you could already have enough money saved up for that trip to Bermuda you’ve been dying to go on.

The forgotten allure of Jersey foods

 

By MELISSA PILEIRO
Editor-in-Chief

 

Summer is fast approaching, and most of us will readily admit to daydreaming during class about our upcoming summer plans. For me, though, there’s one thing about summer in South Jersey that stands out the most: the food.

The Vineland area is well known for its ethnic diversity, and the Greek Festival sponsored by St. Anthony’s Greek Orthodox church always draws a crowd. It will be held this year the weekend of May 21 next to the church on Wheat Rd.

  New Jersey didn’t get its Garden State nickname for just anything—this half of the state is famous for its produce. Parts of Vineland are more rural and agricultural than even some sections of the South, and that only works as an advantage to us, whether you’re trying your luck at your own garden or just enjoying the spoils of someone else’s. Jersey tomatoes are a particular favorite, along with summer fruits like blueberries, raspberries and peaches. The 23rd annual Red, White and Blueberry Festival will be held in Hammonton, the blueberry capital of the world, on June 28.

  If you’re looking for summer flavors with something sweet, your best bet is ice cream. The Royal Crown on Rt. 30 is well known for homemade custard and ice cream that’s mixed with whatever fruit is in season at the time. You can also get a twist of more than one flavor, like strawberry and blueberry or peach and black cherry.

  Of course, if you aren’t willing to travel that far for a treat, there are countless ice cream stands in the area to satisfy your sweet tooth. One such place that is both extremely popular and unique to this region is Rita’s Water Ice. Those of us born and raised in the Mid-Atlantic United States might be surprised to learn that water ice isn’t a universal dessert; in fact, people not from this area have been known to mistake water ice for snow cones. Ice cream fans should also be warned that ordering custard in any other geographic region will earn you a sweet, egg based confection, and not the soft serve you’d expect. Don’t ask for rainbow or chocolate jimmies, either—they’re sprinkles.

  The majority of South Jerseyans can’t imagine a summer without at least one trip to the Boardwalk, be it in Ocean City or Wildwood. No matter where your favorite location is, though, most don’t deny that eating your way through is often the most fun. Mack & Manco’s pizza is usually a resounding favorite, and if you don’t live down the Shore, there’s still hope—most of their locations will deliver. For dessert, there’s always the infamous salt water taffy—not made with salt water, ironically—fudge, or even deep fried Oreos. The latter might sound a bit sketchy, but go ahead and take a risk; it’s like eating chocolate flavored funnel cake.

  Some people might feel like South Jersey is boring and offers very little. This summer, I’d like to challenge you to expand your horizons—you’ll be amazed at how many interesting things to see (and taste!) you’ll find.

 

Mack & Manco’s pizza is a favorite of the Wildwood Boardwalk.

 

Tomatoes are a staple of Jersey foods, and provide for a number of cool, tasty dishes.

Summer fun is closer than you think

 

The Boardwalk is one of Jersey’s famous attractions and is an incredible way to enjoy the summer with family and friends.

 

 

By KRISTEN TANTILLO
Staff Writer

 

Now that the sun is setting later and the weather is getting warmer, it is time to start having the summer fun we have all waited for.  There are many entertaining adventures to discover right here in South Jersey.

Take the Shore, for instance. Not only is catching up on that long anticipated tan an option, but parasailing and jet skiing is also something to look into. Those thrilling rides are reasonably priced. For family fun, there are water parks in Ocean City and Wildwood that are priced less than those at Six Flags or Dorney Park. The drive is a lot shorter too. They have rollercoasters and goofy little games that will light up anyone’s face. Prices vary according to the amount of tickets purchased. Go to www.wildwoodsnj.com for information. To make sure these memories last, there are picture booths along the boardwalk, so pile as many loved ones possible in for the snapshot.

If romance is what you are looking for, try walking shoeless along the water with only the lights from the old rollercoasters and the Ferris wheel guiding your steps. Taking a walk in a nearby park at sunset while feeding the ducks will always spark summer love. Barbequing is also a spicy option. Eating outside in the warm air will also be refreshing. Ice cream is the way to any person’s heart. A cheap dessert can turn into one of the most fun things to do this summer.

Town festivals are pretty prominent here. Vineland has many festivals throughout the summer where great food and amusing rides are found. Millville and Hammonton always have some gatherings to check out. This is a plus since there is a chance friends and maybe even family will show up. Signs will be posted around these towns, so keep an eye open.

Millville has recently opened up a Motor Sports Race Track where anyone is able to arrive and drive. A day or seasonal license is required

and the cost starts at $25.00. Celebrities are always arriving in Millville to race their cars when they have free time. The Motor Sports Park is close and not too costly. Go to www.NJMP.com for more information.

If all else fails and you find the urge to escape the confines of the state, baseball games are also exciting and enjoyable at any age. The Philadelphia Phillies have home games quite frequently and the drive is only a little less than an hour. Game tickets are also under $20.00 at www.stubhub.com.

Summer is the season where everything is possible. It is the time of year where memories are made and the days as well as nights will never be forgotten.