Welcome to the very first issue of South Jersey Living! We are so excited to finally bring this community newsletter to life and share the stories, events, and people that make South Jersey such a special place to call home. From local business spotlights to community events and everything in between, this newsletter is for you and about you. We can't wait to grow this community together. Let's get started!

-Grace Hopper

Looking for some new food spots nearby? Want to meet new likeminded foodies? This is the event for you!

Haddon Township is a hidden gem for food lovers, and this walking food tour is the perfect way to taste what makes it special! Stop into Que Ricas for authentic Venezuelan arepas bursting with bold flavor, then head to Franco's Place for their legendary Original Tarantini Panzarotti™. Swing by Reunion Hall for a standout sandwich in one of the township's favorite gathering spots, and satisfy your sweet tooth at Basak Turkish Bakery and Superbloom Bake Shoppe.

Between bites, you'll stroll through the heart of Haddon Township, soaking up local history, discovering hidden gems, and browsing the eclectic small shops that give this community its one-of-a-kind charm.

Spring Break is winding down, but there's still time to roll into the fun at Millennium Skate World in Camden, NJ! With only a few days left, don't miss out on family skate sessions, glow skates, special events, and tons of exciting activities. It's the perfect spot for kids and families to stay active, make some unforgettable memories, and go out on wheels in style!

Looking for something fun, new, and creative to try? This is the class for you!

In tribute to the Boston Tea Party, participants will create sepia-toned artwork using real brewed tea as paint - a truly unique medium that connects craft with history. You'll leave with a beautiful keepsake and a new appreciation for this one-of-a-kind art form.

Presented by: Smriti Sangal, multimedia artist & educator with 10+ years of teaching experience

Registration required - space is limited.

This weeks local business is quite unique.

Giampolo Law Group is more than a law firm, it's a lifeline for the LGBTQ+ community. Through the Caravan of Hope, Angela Giampolo takes legal services directly to those who need them most, piloting a 32-foot mobile law office into underserved communities across the country.

The 2026 tour covered 17 cities in 31 days, a response to the rapidly shifting legal landscape around name changes, gender markers, family law, and workplace protections. As Angela puts it: if you can't get to justice, justice will come to you.

After more than three decades, families in Camden County have some long-awaited answers. Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay announced that DNA evidence has identified Francis T. Schooley, a Mantua Township man who died in 2000, as the killer of 16-year-old Jennifer Persia and 24-year-old Marebeth Welsh. Welsh was killed in 1993 and Persia in 1994, and the two cases had remained unsolved for years. Modern forensic testing connected Schooley to both crime scenes, closing a painful chapter for the victims' families and linking the two murders to a single perpetrator who was never brought to justice during his lifetime.

The Collingswood High School girls basketball team turned in one of its finest seasons in recent memory, finishing 20-9 under first-year coach Mike McKeown. Junior guard Tatum Hinson led the way, averaging nearly 20 points per game and entering her senior season with 1,212 career points, while junior Norah Roseboro added 14.2 points per game. Freshman Grace Eife made an immediate impact as well, earning all-Colonial Conference honors and recording a team-high 75 steals. The Panthers' 1,364 total points scored is believed to be the most in school history.

Collingswood fell to Haddonfield 32-27 in the South Jersey Group 2 quarterfinals, but the future looks bright. With six of seven rotational players returning next season, Coach McKeown says expectations will only grow. The Panthers will say goodbye to just one senior, Sophia Angelucci, who led the team with 243 rebounds.

Haddonfield, NJ, was the site of the first nearly complete dinosaur skeleton (Hadrosaurus foulkii) discovered in 1858

Thanks so much for reading! This newsletter is only as vibrant as the community it covers, so if you know of an upcoming event, program, or local business that deserves a spotlight, we'd love to hear about it. Send your suggestions to [email protected] and we may feature it in a future issue.

And if you attend any of the events we've highlighted, tag us! We love seeing the community in action.