I Heart Art Youth Art Show: 4 to 7 p.m. Croft Farm Arts Center, 100 Bortons Mill Road (off Brace Road). View the art of local children in grades K-8. The show is a chance for young artists to share their love of art with the community. It will be on display through Feb. 25. Admission is free.
Saturday
Comedy night: 8 p.m. Katz JCC, Lahn Social Hall, 1301 Springdale Road. With comedian Joe Matarese, a 1985 Cherry Hill East graduate, and opening comedian Johnny Lampert. Tickets are $40. A portion of proceeds supports the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey’s Israel Emergency Campaign. Light refreshments are served after the show. Visit jewishfederationofsouthernnewj.regfox.com/comedy-night-with-joe-matarese-feb-2025for tickets and more information.
Wellness Walk: 9 a.m. Cherry Hill Mall. Join for the second monthly walk as part of the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign. Enter through the doors between Seasons 52 and Blue Fig Mediterranean Grill. Light refreshments and raffles after the walk. Visit chnj.gov.
Thursday, Feb. 20
Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting: 7:30 p.m. Zoom. Visit chnj.gov.
Saturday,March 1
Jazz night: 7 to 8:30 p.m. Croft Farm Arts Center, 100 Bortons Mill Road. Sponsors are Mayor Dave Fleisher and council. Event will feature the Abe Speller Trio. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Call (856) 488-7868 or visit chnj.gov/jazznight.
The Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Music Institute has announced the inaugural concert of one of its newest programs, Prysm Strings – New Jersey.
The performance will take place at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Katz JCC in Cherry Hill. The event marks the latest chapter in Prysm Strings’ sponsorship of world-class music education and performance opportunities in the South Jersey region.
Under the leadership of former Philadelphia Orchestra associate concert master and violin soloist Michael Ludwig, Prysm Strings – New Jersey will highlight the extraordinary talents of young musicians.
“Rachael and I are so happy to be part of this program that will richly serve the youth of our community in South Jersey,” said Ludwig, referring to his wife. “Our repertoire is wide-ranging. From Vivaldi and Mozart to Beauty and the Beast and beyond, our musical selections will cross genres and cultures, celebrating beautiful music from around the world and many time periods.”
“We are proud to contribute to Prysm Strings – New Jersey’s continued growth and excited to expand our reach,” Ludwig added of the program’s 85-year legacy, “offering even more young musicians the opportunity to be part of this transformative community.”
Courtesy of Karen Taylor Bass Author and yoga instructor Karen Taylor Bass will discuss her debut novella, “From Bitter to Better: A Chocolate Momma’s Journey to Self-Discovery” on Sunday at the township library.
It can often feel like second nature to expect the worst and wait for the other shoe to drop. But what if we woke up each morning anticipating that something wonderful will happen instead?
That’s exactly the mindset that Karen Taylor Bass hopes women from 30 up acquire after reading her debut novella, “From Bitter to Better: A Chocolate Momma’s Journey to Self-Discovery,” which she’ll discuss and read excerpts from on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Cherry Hill library.
Bass’ self-discovery journey began unexpectedly in 2019, when she found herself feeling stuck. After 35 years in corporate America as a media strategist with a focus on entertainment and sports, she felt she had outgrown her circumstances.
“Life changed. I was changing. My husband and I were changing,” acknowledged Bass, who moved three years ago from Long Island to Cherry Hill. “And I just started to journal what was happening. But I realized I was also becoming bitter, hence the title, and I had to take a moment to reflect, like, ‘Why was I becoming bitter?’
“I didn’t know what to do about it. How do you get unstuck in middle age?”
After speaking to a number of her female friends, Bass realized that a lot of them were feeling exactly the same. So she began meeting with like-minded women over potlucks that included chocolate and wine, and formed the Chocolate Momma’s Club, a safe space for women of all backgrounds and ethnicities trying to find their spark again.
“I wanted to have a space for women to feel ease, to be able to unburden, to be able to grow,” Bass explained, “but also know that it’s okay to reshape and pivot.”
Inspired by the club she created, Bass began compiling members’ stories – with their permission – into what would become “From Bitter to Better: A Chocolate Momma’s Journey to Self-Discovery.” The novella is simultaneously humorous and raw, since life isn’t without its moments of heartbreak and darkness. But what’s key in those dark times, Bass emphasized, is that pivot.
“I keep using pivot because Ross from (the sitcom) ‘Friends’is in my head,” she admitted with a laugh. “But you’ve gotta pivot because when it does get messy, when you do get broken, you can either stay in there or leave. And so for me, I left Long Island and moved here. We sold our family home.
“And so, it’s about being okay no matter what age you are to go on a transformational journey.”
The novella, released in summer 2024, currently boasts a five-star rating on Amazon, much to Bass’ excitement. She reflected on how, at past author events, readers approached her in tears to inform her that it made them feel seen for the first time.
“I’m so ecstatic,” Bass noted. “Who knew a 57-year-old would be on this journey. It was not on my bingo deck. I am humbled and I am overwhelmed, and it just reaffirms that I’m doing the right thing.”
Bass is particularly excited for her township library event, which takes place during Black History Month in a collaboration with the Cherry Hill African American Civic Association, whose president will host. Bass’ discussion – which she promised will be over before the start of Sundy’s Super Bowl – will include an author reading, Q&A, book signing and a meditation.
“All of my talks so far have been a space where people come, they relax, they breathe, then I read,” Bass explained. “And we make it very engaging. I’m not here to read to you. I want to get your feedback. But I also want to offer a space that, when you leave, you feel more charged, more empowered to go on this new journey of yours.
“I always say, as long as you have breath, there’s room for you to do something new. We generally just flow with the audience and see what’s needed.”
Courtesy of Karen Taylor Bass Through yoga, Karen Taylor Bass helps others heal. Her go-to song during class is Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature.”
Outside of meetings on her novella, Bass still helps others tap into their inner strength as a yoga instructor at Katz JCC, keynote speaker and corporate wellness trainer.
“This is something that happened to me at middle age, so this for me is where you really cement your roots in this third quarter of life,” she noted. “Every time I’m around others, I heal also as a person, as I’m able to offer them action steps to be able to be better for themselves.”
Looking ahead, Bass is excited for 2025, which she has deemed her “year of yes.” One month into the new year, Bass has already said yes to serving as the wellness correspondent for Philadelphia station WURD-AM’s “Reality Check,” which allows her to write scripts, speak to guests and lead listeners through a meditation first thing in the morning.
“You have to show up in life, but you also have to let life happen to you,” Bass insisted. “The one thing I learned is, be okay with the yummy. I think in life, we look and anticipate the floor falling underneath us. How about if we just enter the day expecting something yummy to happen? It doesn’t have to be monumental, but it’s just a shape shift.
“Get up expecting the best to happen. That’s what ‘Bitter to Better’ is. It’s really expecting the best to happen on this journey called life.”
Courtesy of Cherry Hill Public Schools Aaralyn Camp will meet with U.S. officials – including the president – during the U.S. Senate Youth Program Washington Week in March.
A senior at Cherry Hill High School East has been selected to join senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim in representing New Jersey at the 63rd annual U.S. Senate Youth Program Washington Week.
Aaralyn Camp – along with Union County’s Sriya Tallapragada – was selected from among the state’s top student leaders to be part of a 104-person national delegation that will attend meetings and briefings with senators, the president, a Supreme Court justice, members of the president’s cabinet and other officials throughout the week of March 1. Each delegate will also receive a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate study.
“I am incredibly excited about this opportunity, as I have always been deeply fascinated by politics,” Camp told The Sun. “Being selected to represent New Jersey in the U.S. Senate Youth Program is a tremendous honor, and I am grateful for the chance to contribute to such a distinguished initiative.
“This week in Washington promises to offer invaluable insight into the inner workings of the political landscape,” she added. “I am also eager to connect with individuals from across the country who share a similar passion for politics and embody the hope and ambition that define our generation.”
Camp is a student representative on the board of education at East, co-secretary general of Model UN, an officer of Mock Trial and vice president of the French Honor Society. Her leadership extends to the arts as well; she is an officer in Belles of East, the school’s auditioned vocal ensemble.
Camp is president of East Musicians on Call, a club dedicated to raising funds for elementary music programs, and serves in the same role for the Cum Laude Society and Tutoring, which promotes academic excellence and intellectual curiosity in her fellow classmates.
Outside of school, Camp is the outreach director for A Little More Love, a local nonprofit that offers care for terminally ill patients at local facilities. She plans to pursue a degree in political science and later attend law school, with the goal of becoming a champion for equity and reform.
The Senate Youth Program was founded in 1962 by the sons of publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst and senate leaders of the day – Mike Mansfield and Hubert Humphrey among them – a response to the divisiveness that followed the McCarthy era of Communist witch hunts in the 1950s. The founders outlined a plan to encourage America’s most talented young people to consider public service as an important, life-long and noble pursuit.
The extremely competitive, merit-based program each year chooses two outstanding high-school students from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity. Each student’s $10,000 college scholarship is intended to encourage course work in government, history and public affairs.
The Hearst Foundations has fully funded the youth program since its inception, without government money. Program delegates and alternates are selected by state departments of education nationwide after their nomination by teachers and principals. The chief state school officer for each jurisdiction confirms the final selection. This year’s delegates and alternates were designated by Kevin Dehmer, acting commissioner of the state’s Department of Education.
In addition to outstanding leadership abilities and a strong commitment to volunteer work, the student delegates rank academically in the top 1% of their states among high-school juniors and seniors.
There are currently more than 6,200 alumni of the program, including Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, the first alumnus to be elected senator; Pete Buttigieg, secretary of transportation in the Biden administration and the first alumnus to be appointed a cabinet secretary; and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, the first alumnus to be elected governor.
Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting: 7:30 p.m. Visit chnj.govfor full details.
Monday, Feb. 10
Township council meeting: 7:30 p.m. N. John Amato Council Chambers. Visit chnj.gov for full details.
Thursday, Feb. 13
I Heart Art Youth Art Show: 4 to 7 p.m. Croft Farm Arts Center, 100 Bortons Mill Road (off Brace Road). View the art of local children in grades K-8. The show is a chance for young artists to share their love of art with the community. It will be on display through Feb. 25. Admission is free.
Saturday, Feb. 15
Comedy night: 8 p.m. Katz JCC, Lahn Social Hall, 1301 Springdale Road. With comedian Joe Matarese, a 1985 Cherry Hill East graduate, and opening comedian Johnny Lampert. Tickets are $40. A portion of proceeds supports the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey’s Israel Emergency Campaign. Light refreshments are served after the show. Visit jewishfederationofsouthernnewj.regfox.com/comedy-night-with-joe-matarese-feb-2025for tickets and more information.
Saturday,March 1
Jazz night: 7 to 8:30 p.m. Croft Farm Arts Center, 100 Bortons Mill Road. Sponsors are Mayor Dave Fleisher and council. Event will feature the Abe Speller Trio. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Call (856) 488-7868 or visit chnj.gov/jazznight.
Special to The Sun Several members of Muslim nonprofits and organizations around South Jersey came together to plan the second annual South Jersey Muslim Heritage Month Festival last month.
The second annual South Jersey Muslim Heritage Month Festival organized by the Muslim Heritage Month Coalition of New Jersey was just one of several events across the region that celebrated the meaning of January.
Held at Eden Gardens Banquet in Pennsauken, the festival saw thousands of people treated to an international bazaar, global cuisine, cultural performances and more.
“It was such an incredible experience having the community come out, whether they were Muslim or non-Muslim, to support the Muslim community, which was extremely heartwarming,” said festival co-organizer Anam Raja.
“Whether you’ve been in this country for generations or you’ve been in this country for just a few years, the roots of Muslims in this country go deep,” noted festival co-organizer Asma Kasuba. “As Muslims, we consider ourselves to be part of one family … Whether it’s Muslim or European Muslim or Middle Eastern … it’s all part of our shared history, and that’s what we really wanted to emphasize.”
Gov. Phil Murphy signed a proclamation designating January as Muslim Heritage Month in 2023. Townships across New Jersey that have done so include Moorestown, Cherry Hill, Voorhees, Evesham, Mount Laurel, Haddonfield and Pennsauken. The state has one of the highest percentages of Muslim residents in the country, and according to the website for the Heritage Month Coalition, Murphy emphasized that the designation is a recognition of the rich histories, cultures and principles of Muslim Americans, highlighting their roles in sectors such as patriotism, philanthropy, advocacy, civic engagement and culture.
“You may or may not already know that you know a Muslim person and that you’re working with them and eating with them, and some of the myths and propaganda that is sometimes more media driven isn’t true,” said festival co-organizer Aysha Hasan. “Sometimes that’s more of a political aspect in nature than it is a faith-based or heritage background of commentary, and so we want to show that we’ve been here since Christopher Columbus’s age …
“There’s so much that we have contributed, but a lot of people don’t know because it’s been overshadowed by other things,” she added. “We want everyone to know that we will continue to have a positive contribution to society as we have had in the past.”
Christine Harkinson/The Sun The festival saw thousands of people treated to an international bazaar featuring global cuisine, cultural performances, jewelry and garments.
Additional statewide Muslim Heritage Month events included the Central Jersey Muslim Heritage Month Festival in Edison, the Muslim Heritage Month Celebration open house in Newark and the Muslim Heritage Month Committee of New Jersey’s cultural expo in Teaneck, all events that featured vendors, bazaars, art exhibitions and more.
The second annual South Jersey Muslim Heritage Month Festival featured cuisine from all different parts of the world, jewelry, garments, Ramadan decorations, books, children’s accessories and custom-made pieces. There were also prayers, performances, a Tanoura dance and children’s programs. The festival was an event that had help from lots of hands, including youth.
“This event is building for our new generation,” explained festival co-organizer Tasama Soltan. “If you could see how many young volunteers there were … they’re learning how they can create these events, how they can work together, not only with the Muslim community, they can work with other communities …
“They are proud of themselves,” Soltan added. “They are in … We’re trying to help them to get more involved and look forward to a better future together.”
Other festival co-organizers include Sameen Butt, Sarah Bernardo, Shehla Hasan, Sofia Basar, Sonia Uppal, Sumaiyya Asim, Quadsia Niaz, Anuum Baig, Aliaa Moktar, Aya Salem, Lena Sidiqqi, Maiada Ramadan and Mahreen Syed. All the organizers thanked leadership at the local and state levels for their support in attending the event.
The Muslim Heritage Month Coalition aims to inspire a legacy of unity, cultural exchange and appreciation that transcends boundaries and promotes a shared sense of belonging among all New Jersey residents. Several of the co-organizers are from different Muslim organizations, including the Moorestown Muslims, the Mount Laurel Muslim Association and Marlton Muslim Families, among others, and some didn’t know each other before planning the festival.
“We wanted everybody to be a part of it, so we could also advocate for our own townships, we could support local initiatives and Muslim-owned businesses, and just simply learn and share knowledge with everybody,” Bernardo said of the festival.
“I think that was, for me, one of the things that really hit it off and I was happy to be a part of it.”
Courtesy of the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)recently awarded more than $226 million to state, county, city and tribal governments, and to nonprofits, to protect children and families from home health hazards.
Among recipients is the nonprofit Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey, which got just over $1 million for its Older Adults Home Modification Program. The funding will pay for complete safety and functional home modifications and limited repairs to primary residences of 264 eligible senior homeowners and renters over 62 with low or very low income.
The nonprofit’s work will improve general safety, increase accessibility and improve residents’ functional abilities in the home for their safe and successful aging in place.
“We commend the efforts of our public and nonprofit partners as we seek to make homes safer,” said HUD’s agency head, Adrianne Todman. “These grants fund programs and research that will improve health, build community capacity, support older adults and strengthen housing affordability.”
“By providing these grants, HUD makes it clear that making homes healthy and safe is a priority for communities,” explained Matthew Arrmon, director of the Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes. “HUD is committed to protecting families from the effects of unhealthy housing and to improving the health and economic stability of communities.”
“HUD’s Healthy Homes grants go a long way in helping homeowners and renters improve their living spaces and ensure their safety,” noted Alicka Ampry-Samuel, a HUD regional administrator for New Jersey and New York.
“While home maintenance is always important, these grants prioritize the health and safety of families, an often overlooked area when budgets are limited,” she added. “Addressing issues like lead poisoning and fall prevention promptly supports the well being of both young children and elderly residents.”
Courtesy of Cherry Hill Public Schools Phase 1 of a four-phase plan is underway at Carusi Middle School and includes renovation of the A wing, gym, locker rooms and main office area.
Renovations and additions funded by the 2022 bond referendum of $363 million are continuing at township schools.
During a recent board of education meeting, Lynn Shugars, assistant superintendent and business/board secretary, shared project updates. The biggest initiative at the moment, she said, is the addition of all-purpose rooms at numerous schools.
“For the most part, we are moving indoors into the buildings and starting some of the work,” Shugars explained.
Work most recently began at Joseph D. Sharp Elementary, including a new roof on the building and the finalizing of brick and waterproofing. Upgrades at Clara Barton Elementary are a little farther along, with an almost-complete roof. Upcoming work includes wall panels, the installation of windows and bathroom tile and outside painting.
Work is still being completed outside of Horace Mann Elementary, including storm drainage and fencing. Once that’s complete, interior renovations such as wall painting will be underway. James Johnson Elementary is also coming along, with painting and bathroom tile being installed while wiring, ceiling grips and bathroom accessories are in the works. Wiring is also being worked on at Knight Elementary, where a drop ceiling, HVAC and gym equipment, bathroom accessories and interior doors are forthcoming.
Work at Kingston Elementary is the farthest along. The playground area has been turned over to the school; bathroom tiles are being put in; and finishing touches are going on the electric, drop ceilings, HVAC, bathroom accessories and interior doors. Kingston is also the first building to see the installation of theatrical equipment, including stage lighting and curtains.
“So we’re moving right along with those projects,” Shugars noted at the board meeting.
She then highlighted the four-phase upgrades at Carusi Middle School. The district is in the process of wrapping up Phase 1, which includes the renovations of A wing, along with the gym – which will also get insulated panels – locker rooms and the main office area.
Carusi is now preparing to begin Phase 2, which entails abatement and renovation of the school’s B wing, along with the renovation of C wing spaces between the cafeteria and gym. That work is set to begin in June and run through May of 2026. Next steps include the purchase of TCUs (temporary classroom units); installation plans for those are still being discussed.
Other work includes: additions and renovations at Rosa International Middle School (bid awarded Dec. 17); renovations to the front entrance at Beck Middle School (anticipated completion is February); lighting and ADA accessibility at the Cherry Hill High School West stadium (work to start after July 7); and upgrades to the J.F. Cooper Elementary front parking lot, Beck Middle School west parking lot, auditoriums at both high schools and the F wing at Cherry Hill East over the next two years.
Shugars also highlighted upcoming preschool additions that will be funded through a ROD grant that is separate from the bond referendum. Project work includes an eight-classroom pre-K addition at both the Estelle V. Malberg Early Childhood Center and Joyce Kilmer Elementary, along with the conversion of 13 individual toilet rooms at Malberg to preK-suitable facilities. The Kilmer site will also get two new playgrounds.
Further bond referendum project updates will be presented by Shugars at the first board of education meeting of each month.
In other board news, public information officer Nina Baratti presented findings from a recent communications audit and subsequent updates to the district’s strategic communications plan. Parents and guardians can expect stronger transparency regarding inclement weather announcements, health emergencies and similar events, and they will also receive weekly newsletters from both Superintendent Dr. Kwame Morton and school principals.
There is also now a Superintendent Spotlight on social media, highlighting individuals who are doing great work across the district.
Looking ahead, Baratti promised there will be listening opportunities to gather feedback from the public on what is and isn’t working, especially regarding the newly-launched district website. She’s also updating communications around the referendum projects that will eventually include fresh photos, videos and digital tours, both on a dedicated webpage and social media, to show how the work is coming along.
Other goals for the near future include the implementation of a district branding guide (standardized logos, colors and fonts) and enhanced engagement with non-English-speaking families.
The board also discussed the possible extension of the district’s Wireless Communications Device Policy – which bans cell phone use in the classroom – to its members during meetings. The goal is to set an example for students. A vote is expected to take place during the next meeting.
Wellness Walk: 9 to 10 a.m. Cherry Hill Mall, 2000 Route 38. Join Mayor Fleisher, council members and township representatives. The event will mark the official kickoff of the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign, sponsored by Jefferson Health. The mayor will welcome walkers and talk more about the goals of the campaign. Participants will be treated to a quick warm-up led by Lisa Silver of Jazzercise Cherry Hill and there will be raffle prizes. Register at chnj.gov/Activities/Activity/Detail/Wellness-Walks-18.
Monday, Feb. 3
Planning board meeting: 7:30 p.m. Visit chnj.govfor full details.
Thursday, Feb. 6
Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting: 7:30 p.m. Visit chnj.govfor full details.
Monday, Feb. 10
Township council meeting: 7:30 p.m. N. John Amato Council Chambers. Visit chnj.govfor full details.
Thursday, Feb. 13
I Heart Art Youth Art Show: 4 to 7 p.m. Croft Farm Arts Center, 100 Bortons Mill Road (off Brace Road). View the art of local children in grades K-8. The show is a chance for young artists to share their love of art with the community. It will be on display through Feb. 25. Admission is free to view art.
Saturday, Feb. 15
Comedy night: 8 p.m. Katz JCC, Lahn Social Hall, 1301 Springdale Road. With comedian Joe Matarese, a 1985 Cherry Hill East graduate, and opening comedian Johnny Lampert. Tickets are $40. A portion of proceeds supports the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey’s Israel Emergency Campaign. Light refreshments are served after the show. Visit jewishfederationofsouthernnewj.regfox.com/comedy-night-with-joe-matarese-feb-2025 for tickets and more information.
