Episodes

Welcome to part 2 in this series. Meg continues her conversation with David Wilson, Director of Marketing for Overdevest Nurseries, LP. Since 1952, when the nursery was founded by John and Jean Overdevest after they left Holland and settled in Bridgeton, Overdevest Nurseries has been a family-owned, wholesale-only nursery dedicated to providing the highest quality plant material by growing and selling over 2,000 varieties of trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, and patio plants to garden centers...

Meg continues her series on the agricultural industry in the Bridgeton and Cumberland County area by speaking with David Wilson, Director of Marketing for Overdevest Nurseries, LP. Since 1952, when the nursery was founded by John and Jean Overdevest after they left Holland and settled in Bridgeton, Overdevest Nurseries has been a family-owned, wholesale-only nursery dedicated to providing the highest quality plant material by growing and selling over 2,000 varieties of trees, shrubs, vines, per...

Almost 100 years ago, Jacobus Geradus Akerboom brought his passion for Horticulture to Bridgeton, NJ from his native Netherlands and J.G. Akerboom was born. Jacobus's daughter Rachel Elizabeth Sherman, and her husband James E., took over the operations in the mid-60's and moved to the current location in Cedarville, until their sons, John and Brian Sherman took over in the early 1990's. Meg kicks off The Bridgeton Beacon's series on the importance of the agricultural industry to Cumberland Co...

Almost 100 years ago, Jacobus Geradus Akerboom brought his passion for Horticulture to Bridgeton, NJ from his native Netherlands and J.G. Akerboom was born. Jacobus's daughter Rachel Elizabeth Sherman, and her husband James E., took over the operations in the mid-60's and moved to the current location in Cedarville, until their sons, John and Brian Sherman took over in the early 1990's. Meg kicks off The Bridgeton Beacon's series on the importance of the agricultural industry to Cumberland Co...

Welcome to part III in this series with Bob Woodruff, of Bridgeton, NJ. For over 150 years, five generations of the Woodruff family have serviced the South Jersey community’s fuel needs. In this three-part series, Bob Woodruff Sr. shares with Meg the history of the Woodruff family and the Woodruff Energy company, the long-standing tradition in the Woodruff family of service to the community, and his love for and support of the Arts. -Rotary -NJ State Board of Education www.woodruffener...

For over 150 years, five generations of the Woodruff family have serviced the South Jersey community’s fuel needs. In this three-part series, Bob Woodruff Sr. shares with Meg the history of the Woodruff family and the Woodruff Energy company, the long-standing tradition in the Woodruff family of service to the community, and his love for and support of the Arts. -Rotary -NJ State Board of Education www.woodruffenergy.com Join local conversations with the "beacons' of Bridgeton, New J...

For over 150 years, five generations of the Woodruff family have serviced the South Jersey community’s fuel needs. In this three-part series, Bob Woodruff Sr. shares with Meg the history of the Woodruff family and the Woodruff Energy company, the long-standing tradition in the Woodruff family of service to the community, and his love for and support of the Arts. www.woodruffenergy.com https://BridgetonBeacon.com Join local conversations with the "beacons' of Bridgeton, New Jersey at https://b...

Join local conversations with the "beacons' of Bridgeton, New Jersey at BridgetonBeacon.com 📻 YouTube: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8VBp2FMg5KKl5irPJc02YzacOkzURgnK Podcast clips on Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/NichePodcastClipstagram Podcast clips on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8VBp2FMg5KKBobI3Thlvw2XVWUHciiOM Produced by the Niche Podcast Network: https://nichepodcastnetwork.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/bridgetonbeacon

“For the country at large the eagle may remain the national bird, but for the National Capital the greatest bird that flies is the Goose,” sportswriter W.O. McGeehan once wrote. While he was a gifted slugger, Leon Allen Goslin’s outfield play included a penchant for flapping his arms as he tracked down fly balls, a task he had no small amount of difficulty with, as well as a general awkwardness about his mannerisms that earned him the title of “Goose.” The story of Goose Goslin begins many year...

On December 8, 2021, the Bridgeton Area Chamber of Commerce honored individuals and businesses who demonstrate a “Hometown Heart” through their work sustaining and strengthening others. 🪑 It should come as no surprise that Billy Sharp, owner of Tracy’s Corner, received one of the “Business Hero” Awards. Billy has owned a number of businesses in town, including Tracy’s Corner which he has owned and operated for over 50 years. Most significantly, Billy is a friend to everyone, and devotes ev...

On December 8, 2021, the Bridgeton Area Chamber of Commerce honored individuals and businesses who demonstrate a “Hometown Heart” through their work sustaining and strengthening others. It should come as no surprise that Billy Sharp, owner of Tracy’s Corner, received one of the “Business Hero” Awards. Billy has owned a number of businesses in town, including Tracy’s Corner which he has owned and operated for over 50 years. Most significantly, Billy is a friend to everyone, and devotes ever...

Meg continues the conversation with Kate Lairson. Learn more about Black Bird Local, a new farm to fork catering option for the discriminating South Jersey palette. Formerly the executive chef at the Red Eyed Crab in Port Norris, she has ventured into a fabulous new model that utilizes fresh local ingredients and personal touch. From savory to pastry, this conversation has you covered.

Kate Lairson joins the Bridgeton Beacon Podcast to discuss Black Bird Local, a new farm to fork catering option for the discriminating South Jersey palette. Formerly the executive chef at the Red Eyed Crab in Port Norris, she has ventured into a fabulous new model that utilizes fresh local ingredients and personal touch. From savory to pastry, this conversation has you covered.

In this episode, Meg and Paul J. Ritter III discuss the history of the PJ Ritter Company and Cumberland Mutual in the context of why “embracing opportunity” has always been - and always will be - the key to turning a business into a thriving industry in Bridgeton. Topics include: PJ Ritter Co. - Cumberland Mutual Insurance - Lester Brown - Owens Illinois - Sea Brook Brothers & Sons - Jersey Tomato - Catsup - Paul Hunsberger

The 53rd annual Bridgeton Invitiational Baseball Tournament just wrapped up its Spring Classic last month at the iconic Alden Field. The legacy and impact of the BIBT is indispensable - not just to the history of Bridgeton - but also to the history of baseball. Dave Hitchner sat down for breakfast with Meg at the Golden Pigeon Diner for breakfast to discuss the history of this tournament. Dave has been involved with the tournament since its inception, first as a player, then as a committee mem...

In this episode, Meg and local rehabber Austin Headrick test out the new Bridgeton Beacon podcast studio and brainstorm with friends about potential future guests. What Austin didn’t share, is that he is exceedingly generous with his time and talents to anyone and everyone (who needs any kind of help) and for that – he’s a Bridgeton Beacon Topics include: Bridgeton NJ Canoe House | JD's BBQ Bridgeton | Billy Sharp | Dave Price | Tom Daly | Daly's Hardware | Renovation in Bridgeton NJ |Bob ...

Retired reporter and educator Dave Price describes his approach to teaching and communication and why he believes Bridgeton is filled with real-life "Batmans" and other Super Helping Heroes. Topics include: John Fuqua - Bridgeton High School - Bridgeton Evening News - Paul Hunsberger WSNJ

John Fuqua 1996 graduate of Bridgeton High School. John has a Bachelors in English from William Patterson. As the founder of the Life Worth Living nonprofit, and an advocate for Stronger Families nonprofit, John is a genuine beacon of Bridgeton.  He  lives a life centered around purpose and community, and we're proud to feature him on the podcast.

Harvey Paul Johnson (June 22, 1919, Bridgeton, New Jersey – August 8, 1983) was an American football player and coach. He served two separate stints as the head coach for the Buffalo Bills, first in the American Football League and then in the National Football League. Johnson played as a linebacker for the New York Yankees of the All-America Football Conference from 1946-49. In 1951 he played as a linebacker for the NFL's New York Yanks. After 8 years as an assistant coach and then defensive ...

🧵 James Galanos ([gulAn´Os]) was an American fashion designer, couturier and photographer. He was born 20 September 1924 in a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Galanos graduated from Bridgeton High School in Bridgeton, New Jersey in 1942 and went to New York City intending to enroll at a school headed by Barbara Karinska, a Russian stage designer and costumer. When the school failed to open in the autumn, he enrolled at the Traphagen School of Fashion. He attended two semesters at Traphagen, the firs...

Join local conversations with the "beacons' of Bridgeton, New Jersey at https://bridgetonbeacon.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8VBp2FMg5KKl5irPJc02YzacOkzURgnK Podcast clips on Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/NichePodcastClipstagram Podcast clips on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8VBp2FMg5KKBobI3Thlvw2XVWUHciiOM Produced by the Niche Podcast Network: https://nichepodcastnetwork.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/bridgetonbeacon Music credits: Licensor: http://pixabay...

The Cohanzick Zoo opened its gates as New Jersey’s first zoo in 1934. Home to nearly 100 animals representing more than 45 different species from around the world, the zoo has been a regional destination attraction for generations. We are a small free zoo, situated on approximately 15 acres within the city of Bridgeton’s 1100 acre park, but we provide a home for some larger than life animals including Holly, our Asiatic black bear! We’ve been described by many as a hidden gem nestled in the woo...

Meg sits down with Karen E. Barnett, Director of the Bridgeton Municipal Alliance - Youth to Youth group, since it's formation in 1991. Ms. Barnett describes the ingredients and recipes to create the menu of programs and platforms to help kids lead drug-free, bias-free, violence-free lives. Ms. Barnett shares how she draws on her mentors including her parents, Bridgeton legend De Edwin Hursey - and others - to keep the program evolving as it enters its 30th year.

Bridgeton (formerly Bridge Town) 🌉 straddles the tidal Cohansey River and is located near the center of the Delaware Bay lowlands. It derives its name from the original movable bridge that offered the option of regular overland travel on the "King's Highway" across the Cohansey watershed region for the first time in 1716. Bridgeton Historic District — which covers a quarter of the city — includes more than 2,000 properties, ranging from the early Federal architecture to the 1920s, including man...