“THE YEAR THE PHILLIES BLEW THE PENNANT” OPENS 6/12 ASHLEY ARTS -BRIDGETON

                                         Media Release

                                                          

CONTACT:                                                                       FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kevin C. Rabago, Sr.

City of Bridgeton

(856) 451-3407

“THE YEAR THE PHILLIES BLEW THE PENNANT” OPENS 6/12 ASHLEY ARTS -BRIDGETON

 Vineland Playwright Lou Mascolo kicks-off 2014 season of performances in downtown Bridgeton

As an avid Phillies fan, the opening performances at Bridgeton’s Ashley Arts Center evoke distant and bittersweet memories for Bridgeton Mayor Albert Kelly, but the knowledge that the performing arts are alive and well in Bridgeton more than make up for those memories.

Starting on Thursday, June 12^th, “The Year the Phillies Blew the Pennant” written by Vineland playwright Lou Mascolo, will open at the Ashely McCormick Center at 40 East Commerce Street in downtown Bridgeton with performances running Friday, Saturday and Sunday June 13^th through June 15^th.

“I appreciate Bob Dragotta’ s vision for the Ashley and his commitment to nurturing and expanding the arts here in the Bridgeton community. We are in the midst of our own small renaissance and this season of performances gives our downtown a big lift” said Kelly

The play, bound to elicit laughter and perhaps a few tears, traces some highs, like Jim Bunning’s perfect game on Father’s Day; and the lows like the never-ending losing streak that ultimately became the 1964 season…the year the Phillies blew the pennant.

This weekend of performances along with the rest of the season, is the brainchild of Bridgeton resident Robert Dragotta, president of National Media & Marketing, Inc. Through his Broadway and off-Broadway work, along with some backing by Kelly and City Council, Dragotta is planning performances throughout the summer and into December.

“I am grateful to the City of Bridgeton for their support; the community has a terrific performance and entertainment venue in the Ashley Arts Center in downtown, and having a variety of performances there is something that will be a win for everyone involved” said Dragotta

In addition to the City’s support, which entails $15,000 in UEZ funding; Dragotta will be tapping a lot of talent to fill out the full theater season which includes July readings for the new play “Simon Says”, scheduled to open at the Lynne Redgrave Theater in NYC this autumn.

September features world famous Irish comedienne Maeve Higgins;; while actress and singer Jane Seaman takes the stage in October. “Tony & Tina’s Wedding”, which recently re-opened in NYC for its 25th anniversary, runs in November, and the 2014 season closes out with “Sister’s Christmas Catechism” written by Maripat Donovan.

Ticket prices vary from regular seating, purchased at the door ($25), to students and seniors ($15), to purchasing a subscription series for the full season of performances ($120). Anyone interested in the subscription series or finding out more about the season of performances is encouraged to visit   www.entertainmentevents.com or by calling (877) 386-6968.

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              To learn more about the City of Bridgeton please visit www.cityofbridgeton.com

                                                                             

VOLUNTEER EFFORTS PAYING OFF AT BRIDGETON’S JOHNSON REEVES PLAYGROUND

                                                        Media Release

                                                          

CONTACT:                                                                               FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kevin C. Rabago, Sr.

City of Bridgeton

(856) 451-3407

rabagok@cityofbridgeton.com

VOLUNTEER EFFORTS PAYING OFF AT BRIDGETON’S JOHNSON REEVES PLAYGROUND

Lowes of Millville, R & S Construction of Bridgeton, Ranch Hope and Revive South Jersey Team up on Bridgeton Playground

In what Bridgeton Mayor Albert Kelly calls “game changing partnerships”; Lowes of Millville, R & S Construction of Bridgeton, Ranch Hope, and regional non-profit Revive South Jersey came together last week in a volunteer effort aimed at rehabilitating the Johnson Reeves Playground in the Milltown section of Bridgeton.

“We are extremely fortunate to have corporate partners, community groups, and volunteers who are willing to donate their talents and resources to make our city a better place. In the life of any community, these are game changing partnerships and for this playground, it makes all the difference” said Kelly.

The restoration of Johnson Reeves Playground is a multi-phased effort that will include a new entrance, playground equipment, basketball hoops, soccer goals and a number of other improvements with the goal of opening a restored park for the Milltown neighborhood and providing organized recreation activities for children.

The June 6^th kick-off was made possible by Lowes of Millville, donating $1,500 in roofing materials, flowers, and mulch; along with nearly a dozen store volunteers to lend some muscle. “We’ve done several community projects in Vineland and Millville, so we were delighted to come to Bridgeton” said Millville Lowes Store Manager Frank Vegliante. “Lowes does a number of projects to give back to our customers, so we welcome these kinds of opportunities” Vegliante added

To help oversee the roof work, Bridgeton-based R & S Construction volunteered to provide technical expertise and equipment for the roof replacement on the playground clubhouse. “When the City called asking for help on the project, we wanted to participate. We care about Bridgeton, it’s where we live and work so we did not hesitate to volunteer” said Sangeeta Scott, President of R & S Construction.

While the volunteers from Lowes and R & S Construction labored on the roof, Ranch Hope’s Independent Living Program Coordinator Doug Cooper supervised Charlie Pitts and Reed Francis as they cut down weeds, removed limbs and trimmed grass throughout the playground.

“Ranch Hopes’ Independent Living Program is a real opportunity for our youth. T.D Bank provided $10,000 in funding to Ranch Hope to make this program possible and the result is that we can give them hands-on experience and a resume, while helping communities with projects like this” said Cooper.

Bringing the whole effort together and coordinating the volunteers was the work of Revive South Jersey; a local non-profit group partnering with churches, businesses and other non-profit organizations to strengthen families and communities throughout the region.

“We’ve done a lot of work in Bridgeton over the months including a weekly program of lessons, activities, crafts, and games with the children at Bridgeton Villas Apartments. The Johnson Reeves project is right in line with what we do, which is focused on strengthening individuals, families and communities” said Revive South Jersey Executive Director Jon Cummings.

In addition to new facilities and equipment, Kelly and City officials are working with Revive South Jersey to provide a supervised setting with activities for children when the Johnson Reeves project is further along. “It may take a season or two to get there, but we want to provide children with a safe place in their own neighborhood, which is what this playground can do. I have my own memories of playing here as a child, so I know its value” Kelly said.

For now though, it comes down to the volunteers and donors putting in the sweat equity and some money to help make it all happen. “I want to thank Lowes and R & S Construction for being fantastic corporate partners and I want to express my gratitude to Ranch Hope and Revive South Jersey for their volunteer spirit; they all give our community a big lift” Kelly said.

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                    To learn more about the City of Bridgeton please visit www.cityofbridgeton.com

                                 To learn more about Revive South Jersey, visit www.revivesj.org

                         To learn more about products and services from Lowes, visit www.lowes.com

              To learn more about Ranch Hopes’ Independent Living program call (856) 935-1555

                      To contact R & S Construction of Bridgeton, call (856) 451-2142

Lowes of Millville, R & S Construction of Bridgeton, Revive South Jersey, and Ranch Hope work on Johnson Reeves Park

Sangeeta Scott, Art Sooy, and Jerry Williams, Jr., of R&S Construction work on Johnson Reeves Park

Lowes of Millville donated $1,500 in roofing materials and volunteers to repair the roof at Johnson Reeves playground

Jon Cummings, Executive Director of Revive South Jersey strips off old roof shingles at Johnson Reeves Park

Ranch Hope Program Coordinator Doug Cooper helps Charlie Pitts off-load at Johnson Reeves Park,