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Cooperative Extension SNAP-Ed Team Wins Rutgers Outstanding Service Award : Newsroom

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Cooperative Extension SNAP-Ed Team Wins Rutgers Outstanding Service Award : Newsroom

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Some of the members of the Family and Community Health Sciences SNAP-Ed team pictured at the Presidential Employee Excellence Recognition Awards at the Rutgers Club. Photo credit: Nick Romanenko.

Rutgers Cooperative Extension’s Family and Consumer Health Sciences (FCHS) SNAP-Ed Team members were among the more than 40 employees honored with Presidential Employee Excellence Recognition Awards in December at the Rutgers Club. The universitywide awards recognized both individuals and teams for their service to students and employees, for their role in cultivating a beloved community, for making a lasting difference beyond the university’s borders and for excellence in their work.

The FCHS SNAP-Ed team was presented a Rutgers Outstanding Service Award, which recognizes faculty, staff and/or a team that demonstrate a relentless determination to make a lasting difference beyond the university’s borders. The recipients must “display a demonstrated commitment to moving society toward a greater common good and encourage constructive collaboration in service to our local and global communities.”

Team members include Luanne Hughes, Julie Frazee, Joan Healy, Brian Quilty, Katelyn Waldeck, Pierrera Brown, Elizabeth Vargas, Dawn Mcginnis, Carly Truett, Chantielle Harris, Melanie Brill , Angela Alexander De Ramos, Catherine Diamond, Odalis Macario, Heather Doerr, Marissa Colanzi and Isabella Tullio. 

The SNAP-Ed team strives to improve health and food security through nutrition education, social marketing and policy changes in New Jersey’s underserved communities. Their initiatives include direct education programs, social media campaigns and community partnerships to promote healthy eating and physical activity. Over the past year, they reached more than 35,000 residents in 30 communities and collaborated with numerous organizations to enhance food access and health resources.

This year, the 17-person team of faculty and staff also presented more than 1,600 direct educational sessions, contributing over 1,600 hours of teaching New Jersey residents how to live healthier, more food secure lives. Some of their noteworthy efforts included building edible gardens, adding pantry refrigeration to store perishables (meat, chicken, milk, eggs) that enabled community sites to provide high-quality protein for clients, adding signage and display units to promote nutritious foods, increasing access to safe, clean drinking water and establishing clubs and programs that created access to physical activity programs and sports for children. 

This story originally appeared in the Rutgers Today article on the Rutgers Presidential Employee Excellence Recognition Program.



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Sussex County Library System Kicks Off 2025 Winter Reading Challenge on February 1st

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Sussex County Library System Kicks Off 2025 Winter Reading Challenge on February 1st

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Contact: Julie Knapp

Sussex County Main Library

973 948-3660 ext. 3409

jknapp@sussexcountylibrary.org

Newton, NJ – The Sussex County Library System (SCLS) invites readers of all ages to join its 2025 Winter Reading Challenge: For the Love of a Good Book. The Winter Reading Challenge requires no initial registration and runs the entire month of February. Participants just read books, submit raffle tickets, and qualify for prizes.

How to Participate:

No Registration Required: Simply pick up a book and start reading!

All Ages Welcome: From toddlers to seniors, everyone can participate.

Submit Raffle Tickets: Visit your local branch to submit raffle tickets for reading.

Prizes:

There will be one winner in each age group at every SCLS location – 18 winners in all! Adult participants will qualify for Winter Reading Bundles – SCLS blanket, portable cutlery set, lanyard and Let’s Eat $25 Gift Card in a canvas tote. Teens ages 13 to 17 qualify for $25 Amazon Gift Cards while children ages 0 to 12 qualify for $25 Barnes and Noble Gift Cards. Participation is open to SCLS cardholders of all ages. SCLS library cards are free to anyone who lives, works, or attends school in Sussex County (except Sparta). Read library card policies on our website, or ask your local branch librarian.

The Winter Reading Challenge runs from February 1 to 28, 2025. Prize winners will be contacted in early March. To learn more about the Winter Reading Challenge and rules, visit: sussexcountylibrary.org/winter-reading.

Winter Reading Challenge 2025 - February 1st to February 28th - For the Love of a Good Book - Sussex County Library Systems

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Large East Coast Animal Hospital Achieves Level 1 Status

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Large East Coast Animal Hospital Achieves Level 1 Status

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Mount Laurel Animal Hospital

General Business

On Jan 10, 2025

Mount Laurel Animal Hospital has been accredited as a Level 1 facility by the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS). The certification program recognizes veterinary hospitals that meet and exceed rigorous standards for emergency and critical care.

As one of the largest animal hospitals on the East Coast, with a dedicated staff of over 400 employees, the Mount Laurel Animal Hospital provides an extensive range of services, including advanced diagnostics, surgical procedures, emergency care, and specialized treatments.

Krista McDermott (CVT, CVPM), practice manager at Mount Laurel Animal Hospital, expressed her pride in this achievement, stating, “Achieving VECCS Facility Certification is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team. We strive every day to be cutting-edge in our approach to veterinary care, ensuring that we provide the best possible services to our patients and their families. This certification not only recognizes our commitment to excellence but also enhances our capability to serve our community better.”

The VECCS is a global professional organization made up of veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and practice managers dedicated to advancing knowledge and upholding superior standards in veterinary emergency and critical care. The certification program encourages facilities to provide exceptional care, aiming to elevate the standard of veterinary medicine while increasing public and professional awareness of emergency and critical care services.

The certification brings numerous benefits to Mount Laurel Animal Hospital, including recognition in the Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care. Additionally, the hospital will enjoy access to valuable resources such as counseling sessions for full-time staff members and subscriptions to clinical sites, enhancing the overall capabilities of the team.

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3 Takeaways from the Devils’ 3-2 OT Loss to the Rangers – The Hockey Writers –

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3 Takeaways from the Devils’ 3-2 OT Loss to the Rangers – The Hockey Writers –

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The New Jersey Devils are back on the East Coast after taking on several West Coast teams on this six-game road trip. They closed out the trip close to home, traveling to the other side of the Hudson River to face off against the New York Rangers. Both teams were evenly matched, but it was the Rangers who managed to take it 3-2 in overtime.

The Second Line Dominated the Game

With Jack Hughes at center and Jesper Bratt on his right wing on the second line, the pair was almost unstoppable. The two put up the two goals the Devils scored, with Jack earning a multi-point night.

Four minutes into the first, Jack kicked off the scoring for the Devils. Ondrej Palat, the left winger on this line, had the puck near the goal but close to the boards. He passed to an available Brett Pesce who was down by the blue line. He let a rocket of a shot fly, where it found Jack in front of the net. He used his stick to tip the puck into the net to put the Devils on the board.

Jesper Bratt New Jersey Devils
Jesper Bratt, New Jersey Devils (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

Jack was not done for the night. Palat had a chance at a goal, but the Rangers were able to get the rebound and start skating toward their goal zone. Dougie Hamilton laid out Will Cuylle, stealing the puck away from him. He passed to Jack, who then found Bratt alone on the other side of the ice. Once Bratt had control of the puck, he skated fast up to the net, dodging Rangers players who tried to block him. From the boards, he slowed down and took his shot, finding his mark in the back of the net.

The second line of Palat, Jack, and Bratt was exceptional during this game. The trio earned a total of four points, one point each and Jack got the extra. They usually play on the first line, but head coach Sheldon Keefe seemed to have switched this line and Timo Meier’s for the night. It’s time to bring this second line grouping back up to the top.

Close Game Overall

If it weren’t for Luke Hughes‘ goal being taken off the scoreboard, it would have been the Devils who came away with the win. Luke had a great chance, skating around the goal and taking a shot from the faceoff dot. It appeared to have gone in, but even the announcers seemed confused by this shot. The Rangers immediately called the play under review. After seeing the replay, it was made clear that the puck hit the crossbar and did not actually touch the back of the net.

In the end, it was the Rangers who came out on top and had the better chances. The home team had clear puck control, taking 32 shots compared to the Devils’ 23. It’s impressive that the Devils were able to make two goals come of these shots, but it was Igor Shesterkin who had the last laugh, blocking 21. Out of the three penalties the Devils took, the Rangers scored on two of their power plays. The extra man advantage was what put them on top to score their two regulation goals.

The Devils had decent plays and chances, but it was New York who capitalized on their chances more.

This Road Trip Didn’t Do the Devils Any Favors

Out of the six games on this road trip, the Devils only took home one win. Defeating the Seattle Kraken on Jan. 6 to close out the West Coast portion of the trip should have given the Devils more confidence going into Rangers territory. Unfortunately, this was not the case.

Related: 3 Reasons for New Jersey Devils’ Recent Slump

This six-game trip comes right after the holiday break, where the Devils have played seven games in total. The first one was at home, where they defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2 on Dec. 27. Since then they have been on the road and not performing to the best of their ability. Luckily for them, in their next six games, they play five at home. This stretch is broken up in the middle by a trip to Toronto on Jan. 16. Hopefully some home-ice advantage works out for the Devils, so they can get back on track.

Home Sweet Home

The Devils look to pick themselves up again when they are back on home ice on Jan. 11, when they host the Tampa Bay Lightning.

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Comedian Laurie Kilmartin (CONAN staff writer) to Headline Four Shows in Rutherford

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Comedian Laurie Kilmartin (CONAN staff writer) to Headline Four Shows in Rutherford

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originally published: 01/10/2025

Photo by Bruce Smith

(RUTHERFORD, NJ) — Comedian and veteran CONAN staff writer Laurie Kilmartin is headlining four shows at Bananas Comedy Club in Rutherford on Friday, January 24 and Saturday, January 25, 2025. Kilmartin’s comedy is famously dark.

Her 2024 stand-up special Cis Woke Grief Sl*t was named one of the best stand-up releases of the year by NPR’s Bullseye and was praised as “dark humor at its finest” (Paste) and “the bravest set of her career” (Minneapolis Star Tribune). The special is available on AppleTV, Amazon Prime and YouTube. In a January 2024 profile piece, the Los Angeles Times says that “Kilmartin has become one of the most fearless, respected performer-writers in the L.A. standup scene.”

Laurie Kilmartin is a comedian and an Emmy-nominated/WGA Award-winning writer for CONAN. She has also written for the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, The Late Late Show, and Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn. She has performed standup on CONAN, The Late Late Show with James Corden, Comedy Central and Showtime. Her standup special 45 Jokes About My Dead Dad made Vulture’s list of Top Ten Comedy Specials of 2016. Major festival appearances include Just for Laughs, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Moontower Comedy Festival.

Laurie has written two books, Dead People Suck and the New York Times bestseller Sh*tty Mom. She and fellow comic Jackie Kashian host a popular podcast about standup comedy called The Jackie and Laurie Show. Her new album, Corset, was released at #1 on the iTunes charts. Laurie’s recent TV appearances include After Midnight (CBS), The Talk (CBS), Sherri (syndicated) and being interviewed by Hillary and Chelsea Clinton on Gutsy Women (AppleTV).

Performances take place Friday, January 24, 2025 at 7:00pm & 9:30pm and Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 7:00pm & 9:30pm. Tickets are available for purchase online. Bananas Comedy Club is located in the Renaissance Hotel (801 Rutherford Ave) in Rutherford, New Jersey.

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Bananas Comedy Club is a contemporary entertainment venue that bring stadium-sized talent to an intimate theater on a weekly basis. For a modest ticket price, patrons enjoy live standup comedy and other performance art from a nationally accredited act, no more than 60 feet away. Shows average 1 hour and forty minutes and comprise an opener, a feature, and a headliner with national entertainment credits. Bananas Comedy Club is a non-smoking facility. Guests can enjoy a wide selection of food and beverage, from perfectly-portioned appetizers to the hottest craft beers, as well as a full spread of entrees, desserts, and homespun cocktails in a relaxing, cozy atmosphere.


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Manhattan

Manhattan Comedy Night January

Saturday, January 11, 2025 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: comedy

View event page for full information

Charlie Berens: Good Old Fashioned Tour

Friday, January 17, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Count Basie Center for the Arts
99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
category: comedy

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Ben Bankas

Friday, January 24, 2025 @ 8:00pm
Avenel Performing Arts Center
150 Avenel Street, Avenel, NJ 07001
category: comedy

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What Hosting the 2026 World Cup Means for New Jersey

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What Hosting the 2026 World Cup Means for New Jersey

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Devils Snap Losing Streak, Beat Kraken 3-2 – The Hockey Writers – New Jersey Devils

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Devils Snap Losing Streak, Beat Kraken 3-2 – The Hockey Writers – New Jersey Devils

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The New Jersey Devils travelled up the West Coast to face off against the Seattle Kraken for the final game of their West Coast trip. After a poor performance on the trip so far, the Devils were looking to snap their losing streak. Lucky for them they were able to do it in this game, winning 3-2.

Game Recap

At 7:56, the action kicked off as the visitors drew the first goal of the night. Off a pass from Timo Meier, Nico Hischier took a shot at the net from in between the two faceoff circles. Phillipp Grubauer managed to save it, but Dawson Mercer grabbed the rebound and scored the first goal of the night. It took a little bit of time, but the Kraken were able to answer back eight minutes later. Andre Burakovsky made a shot attempt, but it was stopped by Jacob Markstrom. Adam Larsson got a hold of the saved puck, passing it up to Chandler Stephenson, who was up by the net. He did not have a clear shot, so he sent it down to Adam Larsson who was by the blue line. The former Devil skated up toward the bottom of the faceoff circle and took a shot, scoring the first goal of the night for the Kraken. As the period came to an end and the score tied 1-1, there was plenty of work to be done heading into the second.

Dawson Mercer New Jersey Devils
Dawson Mercer, New Jersey Devils (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

The second bout of 20 minutes was full of shot attempts. The Devils had 11 while the Kraken only had four. However, it was that last Devils’ shot that really sealed the deal. With only 25 seconds left, they got to work. Johnathan Kovacevic sent the puck down the ice where it was caught by Mercer. He then sent it to Paul Cotter, who was able to score for the Devils. The home team did not like that and immediately caused a disturbance. Jonas Siegenthaler was forced to take a seat for two minutes after cross-checking Jaden Schwartz. In defense of their team, Brandon Montour and Brett Pesce each got a five-minute major for fighting. Things were heating up heading into the third period.

It was that power play that came in handy for the Kraken, as they were able to score their second of the night on the extra man advantage. Jared McCann shot the puck from the blue line to Kappo Kakko, who was up by the goal. From his vantage point, he was able to see Shane Wright in front of the net. Kakko passed to him, where he was able to net the second goal of the night for the Kraken just 1:24 into the third period. Just 37 seconds later, the Devils answered back. Jesper Bratt was able to skate the puck out of the Kraken scoring zone, sending it to Dougie Hamilton in the neutral zone. He powered through to the Devils’ scoring zone, where he passed to Jack Hughes by the boards. He saw Ondrej Palat in the middle of the faceoff circle and passed to him. Shooting the puck through the two Kraken defensemen, he was able to send it to the back of the net and solidify the win for the Devils.

Next Games

The Devils head back to the East Coast with the cryptid cup. They will face off against the New York Rangers on Thursday, Jan. 9. The Kraken will also head to the East Coast, facing off against the Columbus Blue Jackets also on Jan. 9.

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More People Leaving NJ than Entering, According to 2 New ‘Moving’ Reports

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More People Leaving NJ than Entering, According to 2 New ‘Moving’ Reports

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moving

General Business

On Jan 3, 2025

Two weeks ago, North American Van Lines’ 2024 Annual Migration Map ranked New Jersey fourth in the nation for outbound migration. This week, United Van Lines and U-Haul have reported similar findings, underscoring the fact that more people are leaving the Garden State than entering.

According to U-Haul Growth Index data analyzing one-way customer transactions during the past year, New Jersey is the No. 48 growth state of 2024. The Garden State inches back one spot from the 2023 ranking. Meanwhile, South Carolina climbs three spots to dethrone Texas as the No. 1 growth state.

U-Haul customers coming to New Jersey accounted for 48.1% of all one-way traffic last year while out-of-state departures was 51.9%.

Looking at year-over-year changes, U-Haul arrivals into New Jersey fell 1% while departures remained the same in 2024.

U-Haul ranks growth states according to each state’s net gain (or loss) of one-way equipment from customer transactions in a calendar year. The U-Haul Growth Index is compiled from more than 2.5 million one-way U-Haul truck, trailer and U-Box® portable moving container transactions that occur annually across the U.S. and Canada.

New Jersey’s notable leading growth markets include (in alphabetical order): Bridgeton, Bridgewater Township, Cherry Hill Township, Franklin Township, Glassboro, Jackson Township, Jersey City, Lakewood Township, Mount Laurel, Ocean Grove, Vineland, Wildwood and Williamstown. Bayonne, Bloomfield and Hamilton Township are break-even markets.

North Carolina, Florida and Tennessee round out the top five growth states for 2024. It’s the same top five from 2023, but in a slightly different order.

California ranks 50th for the fifth year in a row with the largest net loss of one-way U-Haul customers. Oklahoma (+30), Indiana (+19) and Maine (+18) are the biggest risers YOY, while Colorado (-31), Nevada (-24), Wyoming (-22) and New Mexico (-21) saw the biggest slides.

Meanwhile, United Van Lines’ 48th Annual National Movers Study reported that, for the seventh consecutive year, more residents moved out of New Jersey than any other state, with the state having a 67% outbound migration. The top motivations for moves out of New Jersey were driven primarily from those looking to retire (22%) and wanting to be closer to family (20%), with more than 40% of movers aged 65 and older. Of those moving from New Jersey, 20% moved to the sunshine state of Florida.

West Virginia was the state with the highest percentage of inbound migration (66%), among states experiencing more than 250 moves with United Van Lines. The Mountain State jumped nine spots on this year’s inbound list, compared to the 2023 National Movers Study.

North American Van Lines annual report, which uses state-by-state movement to highlight trends in population movements within the US, found that New Jersey experienced a 44% population inbound rate vs. a 56% outbound rate.

To access more business news, visit NJB News Now.

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Blue Man Group co-founders Chris Wink, Matt Goldman, and Phil Stanton to Return to the Stage for Special Performances During Final Shows in NYC

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Blue Man Group co-founders Chris Wink, Matt Goldman, and Phil Stanton to Return to the Stage for Special Performances During Final Shows in NYC

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originally published: 01/05/2025

Photo by Evan Zimmerman

(NEW YORK, NY) — Blue Man Group, the international entertainment phenomenon known for its world-famous music and distinctively non-verbal forms of communication, will conclude its history-making residency in New York City next month. As part of the farewell celebration, Blue Man Group co-founders Chris Wink, Matt Goldman, and Phil Stanton will return to the stage as Blue Men for two special performances. They will perform at an additional show that has been added on January 9 at 4:00pm, and they will also perform during the January 24, 2025 performance at 8:00pm.

The final performance of Blue Man Group’s New York residency will be on February 2, 2025. Tickets to all performances are available now and can be purchased at www.Blueman.com.

For over 30 years, three bald and blue men took millions of people beyond any language barrier and introduced a new imaginative art form through music, comedy, and unexpected elements of surprise to tell the universal story of what it means to be human. The truly euphoric expression of shared humanity became a cultural icon because of the vibrant theatre community in New York, and their overwhelming support for the Blue Men’s unique eccentricities.

“I am honored and humbled to be part of the historic evolution of Blue Man Group, which started in New York back in 1991, and so it is with deepest gratitude to announce the final performances in New York,” said Jack Kenn, Managing Director of Blue Man Group. “Blue Man Group is unlike anything else in the world and is undeniably one of the most recognized and successful entertainment productions because of the hardworking cast, crew and creative team. It was because of them that these shows captured millions of hearts night after night, and we give our utmost thanks.”

Blue Man Group is committed to its unique theatrical spectacles in the United States with performances in Boston (entering its 30th year), Las Vegas (entering its 25th year), and its newest remount in Orlando (opening early April 2025). Audiences in current cities can expect even more fun-filled surprises and innovations from the renowned performance ensemble. To stay up to date on the latest news and to purchase tickets, please visit Blueman.com.

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Blue Man Group is a global entertainment phenomenon, known for its award-winning theatrical productions, iconic characters and multiple creative explorations. Blue Man Group performances are euphoric celebrations of human connection through art, music, comedy and non-verbal communication. Since debuting at New York’s Astor Place Theatre in 1991, the live show has expanded to additional domestic residencies in Boston, Chicago, and Las Vegas, an international residency in Berlin, and multiple North American and World tours, reaching more than 50 million people worldwide. Blue Man Group is universally appealing to a broad range of age groups and cultural backgrounds, and continually injected with new music, fresh stories, custom instruments and sensory-stimulating graphics. Blue Man Group is owned and operated by Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group.


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Count Basie Center’s Turner Academy of the Arts Presents Disney’s NEWSIES the Musical

Wednesday, January 08, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Count Basie Center for the Arts
99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
category: theatre

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Vivid Stage presents “Gemstones” by Phoebe Farber

Wednesday, January 08, 2025 @ 2:00pm
Oakes Center
120 Morris Avenue, Summit, NJ 07901
category: theatre

View event page for full information

Count Basie Center’s Turner Academy of the Arts Presents Disney’s NEWSIES the Musical

Thursday, January 09, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Count Basie Center for the Arts
99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
category: theatre

View event page for full information

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Timo Meier Is the New Jersey Devils’ Missing Puzzle Piece – The Hockey Writers – New Jersey Devils

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Timo Meier Is the New Jersey Devils’ Missing Puzzle Piece – The Hockey Writers – New Jersey Devils

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In February 2023, the New Jersey Devils were looking to bolster their roster, poised to make the postseason for the first time since 2017-18. Led by now-established stars Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt, the team needed secondary scoring to guarantee their spot in the playoffs and finally make the jump from pretender to contender. They needed a bonafide star, someone who would make a difference. Enter: Timo Meier.

Timo Meier Shifts Dynamic

Nearing the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline, the Devils traded for coveted forward Timo Meier. Nearing a point-per-game pace with the San Jose Sharks that season, he was the perfect forward to place alongside Hughes on the first line. During the second half of the season, he produced 14 points in 21 games. In his first full season with the club, he produced 52 points in 69 games, while scoring almost 30 goals. 

The Devils have not seen production like this from a forward since the likes of Ilya Kovalchuk, and Zach Parise, and recently former Devils Kyle Palmieri and Taylor Hall. Consistently finding the scoresheet was what each player brought to the team, despite losing seasons in the past. When those players left, the team struggled to find a forward who could replace the production and physical play that each of them displayed. Meier has revived that role, and stepped into it quite nicely. Bringing in a player like Meier’s caliber has been the missing puzzle piece that the team has needed for years, and have found in Meier.

Timo Meier New Jersey Devils
Timo Meier, New Jersey Devils (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

During his 10-year career, Meier has always been the prototypical power forward. With a knack for scoring goals, he had tallied over 20 in each full season with the Sharks. He strengthened the Devils’ roster and pushed them into the 2023 Playoffs, where they saw success against their rival New York Rangers in the first round before losing to the Carolina Hurricanes in the second.

A Step in the Right Direction

In the 2024-25 season, Meier is poised to hit close to 30 goals for a second time. Last month alone, he had eight points in 12 games, including five goals. In this recent stretch of solid play, he hit a milestone, scoring the 200th goal of his career – the eventual game-winner against the Seattle Kraken in a 3-2 victory on Dec. 6.

“When you grow up in Switzerland and your dream is to play in the NHL,” Meier told The Hockey News. “Time flies by, and the next thing you know, you score 200 goals. You reflect on that and realizing how nice it is to be in this position.”

Meier has found success playing alongside fellow countryman Nico Hischier and Stefan Noesen. They have been the team’s second-best line behind Hughes’ line. Since the game against the Kraken, the trio has put up a combined 12 points in five games.

Maintaining a High Performance Level

As the Devils push on in the new year, Meier looks to continue his scoring success in the second half of the season. If he can keep pace, it would be a huge boost for a team that has lacked secondary scoring behind Hughes and Hischier. By pairing up Meier and Hischier, the team sees two of its most dynamic players work alongside each other and give the team some much-needed depth that they have been looking for all season. With the hopeful scoring increase, the Devils will be poised to remain in the conversation as contenders, and propel themselves as real threats come playoff time. The key for Meier and the Devils is to keep pushing to hold their position at the top of the Metropolitan Division standings. If they keep pace, the sky’s the limit for the club. 

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Sharks Defeat Devils 3-2 – The Hockey Writers – San Jose Sharks

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Sharks Defeat Devils 3-2 – The Hockey Writers – San Jose Sharks

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The San Jose Sharks hosted the New Jersey Devils for some matinee hockey. The game was a close one, but ultimately it was the Sharks who were victorious, 3-2.

Game Recap

Right off the bat, the excitement began. Jonas Siegenthaler had to sit for two minutes after high-sticking Tyler Toffoli 26 seconds into the game. Play continued afterwards, with not a lot happening until the 15-minute mark. It was Brendan Dillon’s turn to sit, this time for hooking Macklin Celebrini. The Sharks were not able to score with the extra man advantage. They did, however, score immediately after the Devils got back to full strength. William Eklund was driving the puck up toward the net when he was thwarted by two Devils players. Luke Kunin got a hold of the puck, passing it back up to Eklund. He spotted Nikolai Kovalenko and passed it to him. With a great wrist shot, he scored his first goal as a Shark.

The second period kicked off with the Sharks earning their first penalty of the game. Celebrini was called for high-sticking Dillon. With the Devils on an extra man advantage, they made the most of it. Birthday boy Nico Hischier scored to put the Devils on the scoreboard. Jesper Bratt sent a pass to Jack Hughes from the blue line. From here, Hughes saw Hischier up in front of the net and passed to him where he was able to send the puck into the back of the net. Not a bad way to spend a birthday. With the score tied at 1-1, the pressure was on for both teams.

Macklin Celebrini San Jose Sharks
Macklin Celebrini, San Jose Sharks (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

Not even two minutes into the third, the Sharks were able to break the tie. From the Devils scoring zone, Colin Graf got possession of the puck and sent it up towards his team’s zone. Will Smith got a hold of it and skated up from the neutral zone with Celebrini. With an excellent pass from Smith to Celebrini, the rookie was able to score his 13th goal of the season.

At the five-minute mark, the Devils tied it up once again. Luke Hughes skated the puck around Jacob Markstrom, circling him like a shark. He passed the puck up to Paul Cotter at the blue line, who skated up toward the Devils’ scoring zone. He juked out two of the Sharks defending him and got up to the net, where he was able to even the score. As the time began to wind down, it looked more and more like this game was heading to overtime. With 25 seconds left on the clock, the Sharks had other plans. Alex Wennberg had control of the puck up by the slot but did not find an opening. He passed the puck to Cody Ceci at the blue line. With a slapshot, he sent the puck into the back of the net, saving both teams from overtime.

Next Games

The Sharks look to continue their momentum when they host the Vegas Golden Knights on Jan. 7. The Devils look to break their losing streak when they play the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena on Jan. 6.

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Projected Lineups for the Devils vs Sharks – 1/4/25 – The Hockey Writers – Projected Lineups

Don Lichterman
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Projected Lineups for the Devils vs Sharks – 1/4/25 – The Hockey Writers – Projected Lineups

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The New Jersey Devils take on the San Jose Sharks at the SAP Center today. Here are the projected/expected lineups sourced from NHL.com staff writers, independent correspondents, and others.

DEVILS (24-14-3) at SHARKS (12-23-6)

4 p.m. ET; MSGSN, NBCSCA, SN

Devils projected lineup

Ondrej Palat — Jack Hughes — Jesper Bratt
Timo Meier — Nico Hischier — Stefan Noesen
Paul Cotter — Erik Haula — Dawson Mercer
Tomas Tatar — Curtis Lazar — Nathan Bastian

Brenden Dillon — Dougie Hamilton
Jonas Siegenthaler — Johnathan Kovacevic
Luke Hughes — Brett Pesce

Jacob Markstrom
Jake Allen

Scratched: Nick DeSimone, Kurtis MacDermid, Justin Dowling

Injured: Santeri Hatakka (shoulder)

Status report

Neither team held a morning skate. … Markstrom was the first goalie off the ice during Devils practice on Friday.

Latest for THW:

Sharks projected lineup

William Eklund — Mikael Granlund — Fabian Zetterlund
Collin Graf — Macklin Celebrini — Will Smith
Klim Kostin — Alexander Wennberg — Tyler Toffoli
Barclay Goodrow — Luke Kunin — Nikolai Kovalenko

Henry Thrun — Cody Ceci
Mario Ferraro — Timothy Liljegren
Marc-Edouard Vlasic — Jan Rutta

Yaroslav Askarov
Alexandar Georgiev

Scratched: Ty Dellandrea, Shakir Mukhamadullin

Injured: Vitek Vanecek (broken cheekbone), Jake Walman (lower body), Nico Sturm (lower body), Carl Grundstrom (upper body)

Status report

Eklund (upper body) could return to the Sharks lineup after missing the past four games. He was a full participant during Sharks practice on Friday. … Granlund, Wennberg, and Ceci didn’t practice on Friday but should be available to play, according to Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky. … Sturm (lower body) is a game-time decision.

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Bramnick Makes the Reorganization Rounds

Don Lichterman
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Bramnick Makes the Reorganization Rounds

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MORRISTOWN – Jon Bramnick was there – which is really the goal when you are running for governor. Just be seen by a hundred or so active Republicans.

Not only that, Bramnick had a role in the proceedings; he administered the oath of office to Tayfun Selen, the 2025 director of the Morris County Board of Commissioners.

This was at the board’s Friday reorganization meeting.

These “reorgs” are a big deal for elected officials and their supporters.

There are the formalities of officials elected last November being sworn-in, speeches looking ahead and the appointments to various boards and positions. And sometimes, as was the case here, a nice, post-meeting food spread featuring shrimp and beef Wellington.

“Pomp and circumstance” to be sure, as Commissioner Stephen Shaw noted.

Shaw was sworn-in to a new term on the board, as were Deborah Smith and John Krickus. Likewise for Surrogate Heather Darling, who was reelected.

It’s common for candidates and like-minded souls to make as many of these events as possible.

Bramnick talked about maybe going down to Gloucester County after leaving Morris. That’s a long ride, but when you want to be governor, you can’t worry about that.

In the same vein, Democrat Josh Gottheimer sent out a release highlighting his attendance at Teaneck’s reorganization, where he swore in some members. He wants to be governor too.

Phil and Tammy Murphy are not running for anything – one presumes – but a check of their public schedule shows them popping up at reorg meetings in Somerset County, Bergen County and elsewhere around the state.

During these meetings, It is common for officials – county commissioners in this case – to speak at length about the virtues of their domain. That is quite common in Morris, where the rule of thumb is that the county is not merely the best in New Jersey, but one of the best in the nation.

Republican commissioners never tire of quoting Murphy, who said that Morris County “runs like a top.” That was when the governor visited a Covid vaccination site.

Shaw, however, was a bit philosophical about all this, noting that Morris has been around a long time. It, in fact, predates the United States, having been founded in 1738.

He said credit for many of the attributes the county has – a great park system, good services, a collection of appealing communities – must go to the hundreds of those who served the county before the current crop of commissioners. It was a worthy acknowledgement.

There was another meaningful moment.

As a body, the Morris commissioners have been strong supporters of Ukraine and Israel after the Russian and Hamas attacks respectively. They have attended many services at temples and Ukrainian churches.

The Russian invasion was in 2022 and the Hamas attack in 2023.

Time moves on and memories fade, which was something newly re-elected Smith addressed.

After stressing the board’s collective support for Ukraine and Israel, she said:

“It is deeply troubling to witness the growing apathy toward these struggles and the rise of anti-Semitic statements, often amplified by misinformation and ignorance.”

It was serious, but very welcome, commentary.

 

 

 

 

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The 33rd Annual First Night Morris County is Dec. 31 – Morris County, NJ

Don Lichterman
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The 33rd Annual First Night Morris County is Dec. 31 – Morris County, NJ

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Published on December 30, 2024

New Year’s Eve in Downtown Morristown Features More Than 70 Performances

First Night Morris County 2025 on December 31st is the biggest and brightest New Year’s Eve celebration in New Jersey, providing a magnificent, family-friendly, substance and alcohol-free celebration in the heart of Morristown.

This year’s program features more than 70 performances at 23 venues located throughout downtown Morristown, with live stream and on-demand access. More than 30 films will be presented at the Film Festival, and there will be complimentary parking as well as shuttles starting at 4:30 PM.

It is all for an affordable admission price: $30 for individual tickets or $23.75 each in a Family 4-Pack ($95).

Tickets (Buttons) are available for purchase prior to the event, in-person or by phone through the Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) Box Office by visiting FirstNightMorris.org/Purchase or at one of three purchase locations during the event.

New to First Night Morris County is a historical programming element in honor of the upcoming 250th Anniversary celebration of America’s independence. Attendees will enjoy guided tours as they go back in time to the Revolutionary days and meet famous historical figures who were regulars, such as Alexander Hamilton, Elizabeth Schuler and Morristown’s first doctor, Jabez Campbell. Learn how they lived by visiting the famed Schuyler Hamilton House located on Olyphant Place, where you also will discover more about the encampments of General George Washington and the Continental Army, the growth of Morristown and the growth of our country.

“Our 250th is a great opportunity for our county. We invite everyone who wants to learn about the American Revolution to visit, explore, enjoy and learn how Morris Coounty played a major role in establishing the best country the world,” said Morris County Commissioner Director Christine Myers.

New offerings include Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre, singer/songwriter Megan Chappius and Gabrile Gonzales, and New Jersey favorite Grover Kemble with vocalist/guitarist Bob Marks. At MPAC, catch The Outcrops, a quartet led by lead singer Cassidy Rain and lead guitarist Bryan Schroeder, and stay for The B-Street Band, the longest running Bruce Springsteen tribute band. The group has been a favorite in the tristate region for more than four decades.

Another new site is Macculloch Hall which will feature three venues including a Thomas Nast Exhibit, a Children’s Seasonal Craft Activity and The Dolce Trio, celebrating their 30th anniversary as they perform music of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Our own Dr. Lynn Siebert will play violin joined by flutist/recorder player Kris Lamb and cellist Loni Bach.

ABOUT FIRST NIGHT MORRIS COUNTY

First Night Morris County, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, seeks to foster the public’s appreciation of visual and performing arts through an innovative, diverse, and high-quality New Year’s Eve program which offers a shared cultural experience that is accessible and affordable to all. The program began in 1992 and is the largest First Night in New Jersey, attracting some 10,000 participants each year. For ticket information, go to www.firstnightmorris.org.

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New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Board Elects Six New Members

Don Lichterman
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