During the waning minutes of the 10th annual South Jersey Invitational Basketball Tournament’s nightcap semifinal game, a free throw shot clanked off the rim and seemed to hang in the air for at least a half a beat too long.

As the players converged in the paint, your brain just assumed the ball would eventually land in the hands of one of the three tallest players on the floor, Cherokee High School sisters Ava and Alexa Therien or Moorestown Friends School’s Bella Runyan.

Not only are all three taller than the average high school basketball player but they’re athletic, too. It’s in the last name.

The ball finally followed the laws of gravity and toward the pack. It ricocheted off of a couple thumbs and fingers, not unlike the trajectory of a much smaller ball inside a pinball machine, and sophomore Ava Therien made a desperate, diving attempt to save it from going out of bounds, despite the fact that her team was up by more than a dozen points.

“They’re tough, tough kids,” Cherokee girls basketball coach Ron Powell said before the game. “When you have competitiveness, no matter what sport you play, it’s an intangible that some kids don’t have. They think they’re competing or playing hard, but these kids are really playing hard. I’m sure they get that from dad.”

The reality is the Therien girls get the basketball genes from their mom, Diana Dabrowksi Therien, a former varsity player at Highland Regional High School.

“(Dad) is awful, terrible,” sophomore Alexa Therien said with a devilish smile while sitting on the bleachers for her senior sister, Ava. “Can’t make a shot to save his life. He pretends he’s good.”

“We always say we get our basketball skills from our mom since our dad isn’t very good,” Ava adds, laughing along. “He thinks he’s good, but he’s not.”

The Therien girls (there’s a third, Isabella, who plays at Loyola (Md.) University) have a healthy perspective on life and basketball. It’s one of the advantages of having a former pro athlete for a father.

In South Jersey, where many Eagles and Flyers players in particular call home and often stick around after their playing days are over, it’s not uncommon to go to an event and see an athlete with a familiar last name. Barrett Brooks’ daughter plays basketball at Eastern Regional and Danny Briere’s son plays hockey for Paul VI, while Bishop Eustace has had Hextalls and Primeaus suit up for their hockey team within the last two decades.

Is it a burden to wear those names on your back if you’re a teenager? Or do the good genes and friendly fatherly advice outweigh the outside pressures?

The current crop of South Jersey kids who just so happen to be the sons and daughters of former Philadelphia pro athletes certainly don’t seem to be affected in a negative way. They’re all taking that name and making it their own with success on the hardwood and ice.

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON?

Nineteen-year-old Cayden Primeau is the youngest of former Flyer Keith Primeau’s four kids.

Cayden, who grew up in Voorhees and graduated from Bishop Eustace two years ago, is two years younger than Chayse Primeau, who plays hockey at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. They both have an older brother, Corey, who helped start Neumann University’s club hockey team, and a sister, Kylie, who played lacrosse at Villanova.

Despite dad’s resume and having to follow in the footsteps of his siblings, too, Cayden Primeau, a goaltender drafted by the Montreal Canadiens two years ago, has done more than just OK for himself. The Northeastern University sophomore was named the Most Outstanding Player of the annual Beanpot Tournament after leading the Huskies to their second straight title earlier this month.

Primeau is one of three Northeastern players who have former NHL star fathers.

“I know a lot of people aren’t as fortunate to have that kind of dynamic,” the youngest Primeau said. “I try to get to get as much information from him as I can all the time. … It’s not even in the things he says. I remember growing up and seeing how he carried himself on and off the ice, so I try to take that from him and people he played with.”

Since he plays a different position than his dad (Keith was a forward), Cayden doesn’t have to worry too much about people comparing him to a five-time NHL All-Star. His father doesn’t believe any of his kids had to overcome their last name.

“They’re all uniquely different and independent,” Keith Primeau said. “I can’t speak for other players’ kids, I can only speak for mine, but I think it’s partly because we didn’t create that environment. We just wanted them to do whatever they were passionate about, whether it was dance, music, another sport, whatever.”

FATHERLY ADVICE

Jon Runyan Jr., a Moorestown native, has had a bit of a different experience, perhaps in part because, as a football player at the University of Michigan, he’s playing perhaps the second or third most popular sport in America and at a premier program, too.

“This name kind of carries a lot of weight,” the redshirt junior told Michigan Daily in November. “I’m proud to have it, and I don’t pay too much attention to what everybody says about me.”

Bella Runyan, former Eagles lineman Jon Runyan’s youngest kid, saw her older brother deal with and then overcome the comparisons — it’s difficult not to when you’re playing the same position in the same sport with the same name as a former Pro Bowler — and understands it can follow her at times, too.

“People are still saying to him, he’s only getting recognized because of his dad … so there’s that, too, the ‘You’re only there because of your dad,’” said Bella, a junior at Moorestown Friends. “But I think everyone in South Jersey knows that I work for everything I’ve got. I don’t mind the pressure. It’s cool having that as my last name. It’s not anything to live up to; the only thing I have to live up to is to be a hard worker like my dad.”

Like her dad, older brother, and older sister, Alyssa, Bella can play a little, too. She recently eclipsed 1,000 career points in her high school basketball career — and she’s only a junior.

“She’s the best athlete in the family,” Jon said of his youngest, who also stars in soccer and lacrosse.

“I know I have good genes because my siblings are also good at sports, but honestly it’s just the support to know I have someone so credible at home,” Bella Runyan said. “My dad is good about giving me advice, but the thing that’s really special about him is that he’s super low key about everything, he just stands there, quiet. And after a game, you might expect some parents to get on their kids about everything they’ve done. … (But) he knows what’s going on. It’s good to have someone to give me pointers.”

‘LET’S SEE HOW GOOD HE IS’

Maybe like Jon Runyan Jr., Christopher Therien, a sixth-grade hockey player, will have to wear the weight of his dad’s jersey when he’s a teenager.

“‘That’s Chris Therien’s son. Let’s go get him,’” Diana Dabrowski Therien said with a mocking voice, trying to imagine what her son might hear in a few years. “Or, ‘Let’s go see how good he is.’”

The Therien girls know how to ice skate, but basketball is their primary sport and, like Bella Runyan, they are among the best prep players in the state. Alexa Therien was recently named the MVP of the SJIBT after Cherokee won its third straight tournament. Fittingly, both of her sisters won MVP honors in the two previous years.

“I think Izzy has been a big inspiration on them,” the elder Chris Therien said of the oldest Therien girl. “She’s been so inspiring to them from a basketball standpoint. I’m just Dad.”

But the name is still there on the scorebooks and people hear it when starting lineups are announced before games.

“There’s definitely some pressure there because everyone always expects you to play great,” Ava Therien said. “Sometimes you don’t and everyone is putting you down, but you kind of have to play through it. … It should make you feel a little confident. It’s not that everyone is out to get you, but they want to beat you.”

Back home in Marlton, the Theriens feed off of each other. The sibling rivalries are healthy and bring out everyone’s best efforts.

“One of us always ends up coming in crying,” Ava said of family pick-up basketball games. “She likes to cheat.”

“I’m just big,” Alexa says with a grin. “I push them out.”

“The games are definitely fun but sometimes they get out of control,” Ava said. “We definitely have a lot of fun, though. It’s just making each other better, that’s what it’s all about.”

MAKING A NAME

Sharing the same name as a former, famous Philadelphia pro athlete isn’t something most teenagers think about. They’ve had it their whole life.

Whether it hinders or helps at times is just a part of the process as they find their own way and make a name for themselves.

“They all work hard, they’re dedicated, and they take pride in it, they each want to be the best at what they do,” Chris Therien said. “They’re also extremely good team players. If it’s a two-on-zero, my kid would give up the ball, it’s not even a thought to take the layup, they’d give it to the other kid.

Therien waited a beat.

“Unless it’s her sister.”

Making a Name for Themselves was originally published in The Marlton Sun on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

The Sun Newspapers has selected nine “Athletes of the Year” for each scholastic sport for the fall season from the 20 towns and more than 20 schools within The Sun’s coverage area. Learn more at the end of this article.

It’s not uncommon for high school athletes to experience periods of growth during their four-year careers, or for them to have a Eureka moment, when something clicks and they either decide to stick with a sport or change course and try something else entirely.

Cherokee High School’s Ethan Wechsler falls into both of these categories, and his combination of God-given talent and dedication to his craft has quickly catapulted him into the upper echelon of the state’s best runners.

Wechsler, a junior on Cherokee’s always-strong cross country team, won the Group 4 state championship and finished fourth in the NJSIAA Meet of Champions this fall, recording the fastest time by a South Jersey runner in three years in the process. He began to come into his own midway through the season and took that momentum and ran it toward a successful November, taking home some hardware and the distinction of being named Sun Newspapers 2018 Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year.

“It’s crazy,” Wechsler admitted of his meteoric rise in the last two seasons.

Maybe it isn’t so crazy when Wechsler relives the actual moment when he was running and the thoughts of how his future might play out were running through his head.

The scene: a summer day in 2017 when a dozen or so Chiefs were out running, preparing for the upcoming fall season, which would be Wechsler’s sophomore year.

“I was running with, not the front guys who I should have been running with, but guys who almost didn’t care, they were almost seniors, they were like, ‘Yeah whatever, we’re done,’” he said. “And I was like, ‘Ok, this is a point where I can either stick with them and just run and not really get good … or or run with the better guys, the people who are trying to improve, like my friends Chase (Miller) and David (Jackson).’ They were running with the front people. And I’d been close to Chase, running-wise, but I was running with the back people. So I was like, ‘OK, I have to run up there.’ And so the rest of the summer I ran with them and it paid off.”

Cherokee cross country coach Steve Shaklee noticed the difference almost immediately. And then it was difficult for everyone else to ignore it when Wechsler’s races steadily improved through his sophomore year in cross country and track, leading up to his breakthrough fall campaign this year.

“He changed the way he approached the sport, really starting from the beginning of last year’s cross country, and then through track he just got a lot better, and this year he just upped it again,” Shaklee said. “The training has been better, more volume, more intensity, more focus. … What Ethan has done over the last two years has actually surprised me, based on what I was expecting after his freshman year. I knew he was going to be a good runner, but he’s exceeded my expectations and coach (Jeff) Thompson’s expectations. So, it’s all good.”

It’s certainly good, especially when Wechsler’s steady improvement has come at the right time for a high school athlete hoping to take his career into college. Wechsler still has plenty of time to continue to boost his resume before that process increases intensity next summer.

He’s already laid out goals for the track seasons, hoping to improve his two-mile run while bringing his times down across the board. With a competitive mindset, a growing maturity, and the momentum from his memorable fall season, it’d be foolish to bet against Wechsler.

Maybe it is crazy to think it was just a little over a year ago when he was running with the back of the pack. Success can certainly change a young athlete’s perspective.

“Freshman year was all about getting to the top of the team, you’d see there was 10, 11 people in front of you and (you’re thinking), OK, I have to beat them, so it’s like a game,” he said. “Now it’s all about branching out, who I can beat from other schools and in the state and in the region, and, everyone, whoever the best is in any part of the country.”

For the first time, The Sun Newspapers is expanding its sports coverage by selecting Athletes of the Year for each scholastic sport after the conclusion of each season.

This fall, The Sun sports staff selected nine winners from a collection of high school athletes from the 20 towns and more than 20 schools within its coverage area. A story on each of the nine winners will run in their respective hometown Sun newspaper.

This season’s Sun Newspapers Fall Athletes of the Year are:
· Football — Wade Inge, Williamstown
· Boys soccer — Jake Logar, Washington Township
· Girls soccer — Kelli McGroarty, Eastern
· Field hockey — Kara Heck, Eastern
· Girls tennis — Renna Mohsen-Breen, Moorestown Friends
· Girls volleyball — Sarah Pintel, Cherry Hill East
· Boys cross country — Ethan Wechsler, Cherokee
· Girls cross country — Katy Storti, Bishop Eustace
· Gymnastics — Felicia Poblete, Shawnee

Visit The Sun’s various websites to read the stories on all nine athletes.

Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year: Cherokee junior Ethan Wechsler was originally published in The Marlton Sun on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

HighTower Ewing/Cona Wealth Management, with an office at 5 Greentree Centre, 525 Route 73 North, Marlton, is partnering with the Delaware Valley chapter of the Volunteers of America to collect a wide variety of items to support their Homeless Outreach Team.

The following items are needed and can be dropped off at the Ewing/Cona Wealth Management Marlton office between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays through Dec. 11: coats, jackets, scarves, gloves, boots, sneakers, shower shoes, slippers, hats, jeans, belts, underwear, T-shirts, soap bars, handi-wipes, 1.5-ounce shampoo/conditioner, long underwear, hoodies/sweatshirts, socks, shoes, sleeping bags, deodorant, women’s hygiene products, razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, pop-a-top canned goods, hot chocolate (containers), snacks (cakes, cookies, chips) and 1.5-ounce lotion, mouthwash and hand sanitizer.

HOT workers seek out individuals in need (homeless families, homeless veterans, those suffering from addiction, behavioral issues and intellectual disabilities) who are living on the streets, under bridges, in local wooded areas and at shelters within the supported counties, as well as other places not meant for human habitation. The goals of the program are to both help with immediate needs as well as provide a pathway to longer term success.

Ewing/Cona Wealth Management has nearly filled its conference room with donations, and the company would love to fill another room! Questions? Call (856) 291–9300 or email ewingcona@hightoweradvisors.com.

Marlton office collecting donations for the homeless was originally published in The Marlton Sun on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

The Lenape Regional High School District will showcase the musical talents of students at all four district high schools throughout December.

In addition to various instrumental and choral concerts at Cherokee, Lenape, Seneca and Shawnee high schools, the district will host a holiday concert to bring together students from all of the schools for one powerful performance.

Following the series of performances this December, the district will soon announce additional winter performances in January and February 2019.

All performances are open to the public.

The schedule is as follows:

• Cherokee Instrumental Concert, Lenape Regional PAC, Thursday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m.

• Cherokee Choral Concert, Lenape Regional PAC, Thursday, Dec. 13, 6:30 p.m.

• Lenape Instrumental Concert, Lenape auditorium, Thursday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m.

• Shawnee Choral Concert, Shawnee auditorium, Thursday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m.

• District Holiday Choral Concert, Lenape Regional PAC, Monday, Dec. 17, 6:30 p.m.

• Shawnee Instrumental Concert, Shawnee auditorium, Thursday, Dec. 18, 7 p.m.

• Lenape Choral Concert, Lenape auditorium, Tuesday, Dec. 18, 7 p.m.

• Seneca Winter Concert, Seneca auditorium, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 7 p.m.

The Lenape Regional PAC is located at 130 Tomlinson Mill Road, Marlton. Shawnee High School is located at 600 Tabernacle Road, Medford. Lenape High School is located at 235 Hartford Road, Medford. Seneca High School is located at 110 Carranza Road, Tabernacle.

LRHSD winter concerts announced was originally published in The Marlton Sun on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Local nonprofit Advancing Opportunities invites the community to enjoy some holiday “cheers” from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 12, at Zed’s Beer, 19 N. Maple Ave., Marlton. The event is “friend”raising the low-key, local way.

The nonprofit welcomes the community to enjoy craft beer and learn about its mission and how it advances the independence of people with all types of disabilities. The New Jersey-based nonprofit has been helping individuals with disabilities live independently for more than 60 years.

Attendees will enjoy a tour of the brewery and, with a $25 donation, a flight or beer on Advancing Opportunities, as well as light appetizers.

Register online at https://advopps.org/product/zeds/.

Nonprofit hosting fundraiser at Zed’s Beer was originally published in The Marlton Sun on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

It’s no secret Santa Claus needs to be in tip-top shape for Christmas Eve. After all, he has just one night to deliver trillions of presents to billions of children around the world, all the while enjoying milk and cookies at every stop along the way.

And you thought your job was demanding.

Luckily for Santa, the doctors with Rowan Medicine are going to ensure the jolly old elf is pre-flight ready with a check-up at the South Jersey Kids Expo on Saturday, Nov. 17. At the free family event, set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Rec Center at St. Matthew’s in Williamstown, the Rowan doctors will make a list — they’ll check it twice — to see that Santa is healthy for his big night.

Of course, it’s not just St. Nick who needs to stay healthy for the holidays; from kids to grandparents, everyone hopes to keep the jingle in their bells throughout the season. And while it’s easy for healthy habits to fall to the wayside, family physician Dr. Adarsh Gupta took time out of his busy schedule as director of the Rowan Medicine Center for Medical Weight Loss and Metabolic Control to discuss how prioritizing health this holiday is just as important as compiling that perfect holiday playlist.

Holidays, Gupta said, are all about social activities with food involved.

“Stay focused on socializing and less on food,” Gupta said. “Talking is calorie-free.”

Of course, it’s OK to indulge sometimes.

“It’s not about cutting out the food that you really like. I think when you start doing that, you start increasing your craving,” Gupta said. “The best thing to do is to watch your portion size and eat it very slowly, so the craving won’t be there and you don’t take in too much calorie.”

Also, eat your veggies, Gupta said. Even Santa’s belly that shakes like a bowl full of jelly needs its vegetables.

No matter how busy you are, skipping meals is another no-no. It’s important kids are eating all of their meals, too.

“They should not skip their breakfast, lunch and dinner. The hunger builds up in time,” Gupta said, “and when they’re super hungry, whatever they see first is in their mouths.”

To balance out those extra sweet treats, staying active is key. For many people, however, getting to the gym is not so easy in November and December. According to Gupta, though, it’s not as hard as one may think to get in a workout.

“My focus is remain active,” Gupta said. “Everything is activity, whether it’s a program for physical activity like a treadmill or running, or a lifestyle activity like walking a dog or housework — they all are activity and burn calories.”

Need to do some Christmas shopping? Park farther from the store entrance to get in those extra steps. Stroll the mall. Take steps, not elevators or escalators.

“Try to track your steps. If you can reach 10,000 steps, that is great,” Gupta said.

Another important aspect of a healthy lifestyle is sleep. Santa may stay up all night on Christmas, but that doesn’t mean anyone else should. Sleep, Gupta explained, is important, and seven to nine hours is optimal. Children need more sleep than adults, and less than five hours of sleep is not recommended for anyone.

Even though not everyone is delivering trillions (that’s 12 zeros!) of toys on Christmas Eve, it’s no secret that stress can go hand-in-hand with the holidays. The best way to minimize this stress, according to Gupta, is by making time for yourself.

“Give some time for your mind to think. Ten to 15 minutes a day for yourself,” Gupta said.

He also advises people not to go for perfection.

“The most important thing, I feel, is to be realistic about what you can achieve. Don’t overcommit yourself. It’s OK to skip some (gatherings). That way, you can enjoy the time at the gatherings you do go to.”

Register for the free South Jersey Kids Expo, set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 17 at The Rec Center at St. Matthew’s in Williamstown, by visiting nmg.ticketleap.com/2018kids/.

Healthy for the holidays: It’s important to stay on track was originally published in The Marlton Sun on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

The leaves are still just changing to fall colors, but it’s never too early to make sure Santa Claus knows what you want for Christmas — he’s got an awful long list of people to get to on Christmas Eve.

The one and only Santa Claus is arriving at the Cherry Hill Mall for the start of his six-week-plus stay on Nov. 10. The mall’s SantaFest event is free but does require tickets, which can be purchased at cherryhillmall.com.

Personalized photos with Santa from SantaFest can be purchased, too, and you can take care of that ahead of time as well: https://www.santasfastpass.com/view/5809. If you are a member of the mall’s PREIT Perks program you can get in the Fast Pass line to see Santa, receive complimentary face painting, and receive a $10 shopping reward.

This year’s theme at SantaFest is the movie “A Christmas Story.” Before they sit on Santa’s lap, children can tour Ralphie Parker’s house. (Just don’t shoot your eye out, kids).

SantaFest also includes holiday treats, games, crafts and appearances by other characters, including Rudolph, the Nutcracker, Raggedy Ann, a snowman and the Thanksgiving Turkey.

A couple of weeks before arriving at SantaFest, while he was still in the North Pole preparing for trick or treaters, Santa Claus himself took out some time for a One-one-One with The Sun.

The Sun: You’ve got a lot going on in the next few months. Is that exciting or stressful?

Santa Claus: Oh, very exciting.

The Sun: But when you say that, it still is a lot of work, isn’t it?

Santa Claus: A lot of work. It is a little bit stressful, but it’s always exciting ready to go into the season.

The Sun: What’s your advice for kids who are just starting to put their wish lists together?

Santa Claus: I have a lot of kids that tell me that they have just about everything they need and (they tell me) to give whatever gift I was going to give to them to some needy kid. So I tell all of them to keep in mind that there are kids less fortunate than them.

The Sun: That’s great advice. Because for every family that celebrates Christmas and takes for granted how great it is, there are surely kids that didn’t grow up with that experience or kids that don’t have that experience. So that’s smart advice.

Inquiring minds want to know: what is your favorite Christmas cookie?

Santa Claus: Well my favorite is chocolate chip. And/or whatever the current child’s favorite is.

The Sun: OK. That’s a politician’s answer, that’s not Santa’s answer!

Santa Claus: [Laughs for a while]. But they love it when you love the same cookie that they do.

The Sun: That’s smart. But then again I guess Santa knows kids pretty well.

Which reindeer have you had the longest?

Santa Claus: That would be Dasher.

The Sun: And is Dasher your favorite then or are you not allowed to have favorites?

Santa Claus: They’re all my favorite.

The Sun: [Laughs] What can you tell me about Dasher that not all kids might know.

Santa Claus: He’s very intelligent.

The Sun: OK. Is that kind of the older they are the wiser they are kind of thing?

Santa Claus: That seems to be the case. He is a very intelligent reindeer.

The Sun: Do you have a favorite Christmas movie or holiday TV special. It seems like everyone has a favorite. How about yourself?

Santa Claus: Well, of course I like the classics like “Miracle on 34th Street.” But of the new ones, there is one called “Christmas Angel” that I particularly like.

The Sun: “Christmas Angel” [writing it down], huh. OK, cool. That title reminds me of one I remember watching as a kid, “One Magic Christmas.” There’s an angel in that one, I enjoyed that movie.

Santa Claus: This one would have been title Secret Santa if there hadn’t already been a “Secret Santa.” Because that’s what he is. They’d already made one called “Secret Santa” so they called this one “Christmas Angel.” And it fit. If you ever get a chance to watch it, you’ll love it. It’s a great movie.

The Sun: I’m putting it on my list for sure.

Santa Claus: Alright.

The Sun: Do you have a favorite Christmas song?

Santa Claus: “Joy to the World.”

The Sun: “Joy to the World,” why do you say that?

Santa Claus: Well because that’s what we’re trying to do, bring joy to the world.

The Sun: Smart, and a good message. There is a lot of Christmas music and, man, you didn’t waste any time, picked that right off the top, didn’t have to think about it. I like that.

What’s your favorite non-Christmas holiday?

Santa Claus: Easter.

The Sun: Why is that?

Santa Claus: Well, we’re still on the same theme of unconditional love to all of the kids.

The Sun: Yea, that’s smart. And the weather is always a little nicer than Christmas.

What does Santa get up to on New Year’s Eve?

Santa Claus: Oh, the beginning of an exciting new year.

The Sun: Oh yeah? Do you have any special party with Mrs. Claus, or anything you guys do?

Santa Claus: We usually bring in the new year and then take a long nap.

The Sun: Do you stay up until midnight at least?

Santa Claus: Oh yes. Always see the new year in and listen to all the bells and the firecrackers and fireworks. When the ball drops, we snuggle down and go to sleep.

The Sun: OK, that makes sense. My next question goes back to those holiday specials. One of the ones I liked as a kid, I think it was called “Christmas Eve on Sesame Street.” It’s a good one, they do the Gift of the Magi story with Bert and Ernie, it’s really good. But one of the subplots is Oscar, you know, the Grouch, he keeps wondering how Santa is going to do this, and how he’s going to do that, and one of the questions he asks is [mimics Oscar’s tone] “How’s he going to get into the house without a chimney?” So my question to you: are houses without chimneys more troubling?

Santa Claus: They’re not troubling at all. I have a magic key.

The Sun: Oh. So those kids don’t have to worry is what you’re saying.

Santa Claus: Yep, I have a magic key so I can get in without a problem.

The Sun: I have a chimney but it hasn’t worked in a while.

Santa Claus: Right.

The Sun: What’s your all-time favorite Christmas gift? I know you give quite a few out, but is there any particular one you received that you liked?

Santa Claus: Absolutely. Mrs. Claus.

The Sun: [Laughs]. That’s smart! What does Mrs. Claus do on Christmas Eve and Christmas? Because we all know what you’re doing and have going on, but what is she doing behind the scenes?

Santa Claus: Well, cooking.

The Sun: Cooking, huh?

Santa Claus: Lots of cookies. And I’m very hungry when I get back so she has a nice big meal for me.

The Sun: That’s great. What’s your favorite thing to eat besides cookies?

Santa Claus: Turkey.

The Sun: That’s good, always a good holiday staple.

Santa Claus: Oh yeah. Love turkey.

The Sun: Me too. My last question for you is a broad one and you may have answered it before but you can elaborate a little, the question is, what is the true meaning of Christmas?

Santa Claus: Well, it’s teaching the kids, all of us, about unconditional love. It’s sharing that with one another.

The Sun: And what’s the best way people can do that? Is it the small things?

Santa Claus: Oh, yes, absolutely. Sometimes it’s the smallest things that make the most impact in my experience. It’s the little things that count.

The Sun: OK, great. This is your platform here, so before I go, anything else Santa wants to share before we begin the holiday season?

Santa Claus: Well I just want everyone to have a Merry Christmas this year.

Happy Holidays: ‘SantaFest’ is coming to town was originally published in The Marlton Sun on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Newspaper Media Group, publisher of The Sun Newspapers, is excited to announce it is holding its second annual holiday food drive!

In conjunction with the Food Bank of South Jersey, Newspaper Media Group has coordinated a list of local businesses throughout Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties where you can drop off food for those in need this holiday season.

The Newspaper Media Group food drive will last the entire month of November, and all donations collected will be given to the Food Bank of South Jersey, which will then distribute the items throughout the South Jersey community!

Donation bins will be set up at a number of businesses throughout South Jersey.

Among the most needed items for the Food Bank are high protein foods such as peanut butter, canned tuna or salmon, canned chicken or ham, canned or dried beans, peanuts, sunflower seeds or almonds; canned vegetables and fruit, fruit cups, applesauce or dried fruit, macaroni and cheese, canned soups, canned stews or chili, canned spaghetti or granola bars; shelf-stable milk; oatmeal, breakfast cereals, pancake mix, rice or pasta,
and stuffing mix, cranberry sauce, canned gravy, instant mashed potatoes and canned pie fillings.

The Food Bank cannot accept previously opened containers, repackaged and homemade items, outdated products, or perishables — i.e. breads, pies, cakes, produce, meat (fresh or frozen) or baby items. When choosing foods to donate, kindly consider the nutrient value so that our South Jersey children, adults and seniors are receiving healthy and nutritious meals year round.

Any donation, big or small, is much appreciated. Help us make the holiday season a little brighter for those in need in our community!

If you own a business and would like to be considered as a drop-off spot for our food drive, please email Angela Smith at asmith@newspapermediagroup.com.

Burlington County

• Lion Self Storage, 691 Main Street, Lumberton
• Fashions by Penina, 11 E. Main Street, Marlton
• Health Via Pharmacy, 300 E. Greentree Road, Suite 8, Marlton
• MindBytes, 300 E. Greentree Road, Ste. 205 & 206, 2nd Floor Meetinghouse Sq., Marlton
• The Promenade — Concierge Services, 500 Route 73 South, Suite E1, Marlton
• Big League Dreams, 15 Fostertown Road, Medford
• Fabrix Dry Cleaner, 185 Route 70, Medford
• Flying W Airport — Patty Wagon Area, 60 Fostertown Road, Medford
• The ARTery Studio, 31 S. Main St., Medford
• Edward Jones Investments, 67 East Main Street, Moorestown
• Moorestown Hardware, 300 Mill St., Moorestown
• Moorestown Orthodontics, 110 Marter Ave., Ste. 404, Moorestown
• Spavia Day Spa, 1670 Nixon Drive, Moorestown
• Fabrix Dry Cleaner, 1155 Route 73, Mount Laurel
• Larchmont Pharmacy, 200 Larchmont Blvd., Mount Laurel
• Mount Laurel Animal Hospital, 220 Mount Laurel Road, Mount Laurel
• The Max Challenge, 300 S. Lenola Road, Maple Shade
• Lion Self Storage, 124 Eayrestown Road, Southampton
• Upper Crust Pizza & Italian Restaurant, 1576 Route 206, Yates Plaza, Tabernacle
• Alloway Associates Realtors, 2 Retreat Road, Route 206, Vincentown
• Medford Municipal Center (Township Building), 18 N. Main St., Medford
• Medford Arts Center, 8 N. Main St., Medford
• Lower Forge Brewery, 14 S. Main St., Medford
• Wonder World Toys, 23 S. Main St., Medford

Camden County

• Rosenblatt Roofing, 249 South White Horse Pike, Berlin
• AristaCare at Cherry Hill, 1399 Chapel Ave., Cherry Hill
• Cherry Hill Volvo, 1810 Route 70 West, Cherry Hill
• Holiday Inn, 2175 West Marlton Pike, Cherry Hill
• Mathnasium, 1892 Marlton Pike East, Cherry Hill
• Newspaper Media Group (Sun Newspapers), 2 Executive Campus, Ste. 400, Cherry Hill
• Wild Birds Unlimited, 1619 Kings Hwy., Cherry Hill
• Yoga for Living, 1926 Greentree Road, Cherry Hill
• Westmont Diner, 317 N. Haddon Avenue, Haddon Township
• Dr. Shari Saluck, 212 N. Haddon Ave., Haddonfield
• Haddonfield Information Center, 2 Kings Court, Haddonfield
• Inkwood Books, 31 Kings Hwy., Haddonfield
• Interfaith Caregivers, 242 Kings Highway E., Haddonfield
• Lisa Wolschina & Associates, Keller Williams Realty, 224 Kings Highway East, Haddonfield
• Mathnasium, 676 West Cuthbert Blvd., Haddon Township
• Davis CPA Group, 1400 Chews Landing Road, Ste. 5, Laurel Springs
• PDQ Restaurant, 610 Cross Keys Road, Sicklerville
• Ristorante Fieni’s, 800 S. Burnt Mill Road, Voorhees
• Sal Vito Pizza, 910 Haddonfield-Berlin Road, Voorhees

Gloucester County

• Colony Travel, 1647 Almonesson Road, Deptford
• Noelle’s Dance Academy, 570 Bridgeton Pike, Mantua
• Bloomers, 344 Hurffville-Cross Keys Road, Sewell
• Dolores “Dee” Wood, Century 21 Rauh & Johns, 508 Huffville Cross Keys Road, Ste. 2, Sewell

To find additional locations near you, visit newspapermedia group.com.

NMG launches holiday food drive was originally published in The Marlton Sun on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

The Chiefs cross country team is a perennial South Jersey power because of the sheer talent it fields year in and year out, like Wechsler, who had a strong performance recently at the Shore Coaches Invitational

The best high school sports programs — the ones that can sustain success for over a decade — are the teams that can continually reload rather than rebuild, that can graduate seniors but have underclassmen more than ready to step in and step up.

Cherokee cross country is built this way. Thanks to a strong feeder program, a committed coaching staff, and strength in numbers of quality athletes and kids, the Chiefs are a regular South Jersey power.

The current Cherokee team — which will make a run at a state crown next month — should be very good in 2019, too as it’s not very senior-heavy this fall. One of the Chiefs coming into his own this fall is junior Ethan Wechsler.

The 16-year-old Wechsler was Cherokee’s top finisher at the Shore Coaches Invitational the first weekend of October, finishing in fourth place in his race but also sporting the sixth-best time overall in a field of more than 1,200 runners.

A few days later, Wechsler took part in The Sun One-on-One.

Q: How long have you been running?

Ethan Wechsler: Oh, God, I’ve been running track since like second grade. Marlton rec didn’t have cross country and my friend’s dad, Bill Shea, Brett is his son, and he has an older son, Jack, who graduated from here, he was super good. He founded that program when I was in like fifth grade, so I’ve been there. That’s how a lot of the guys on the team started out, in there and then progressively into high school.

Q: Cherokee has a strong reputation in cross country. Does that bring the best out of you?

Wechsler: Yeah, it’s encouraging. Last year there were always two guys ahead of me, before there were probably 10 guys ahead of me. So you’re always trying to get better by seeing how they’re doing, try to match what they’re doing, then do better and beat them, eventually, you know?

The Sun: Right, you have a barometer right there, can always test yourself.

Wechsler: It sets the path to where you should go.

The Sun: You had a pretty good race over the weekend (Shore Coaches Invitational), how did that feel, doing well on a big stage?

Wechsler: So I felt awful the whole week, sickness-wise, congested a lot. So I was like, ‘Oh no, this might not go well.’ But I don’t know, I just wanted to go out and have a good race. I didn’t want to look at any results before, but one of old teammates texted me, ‘Did you hear what this guy ran?’ and then I’m like, ‘Oh my God, I can’t believe (that time))’ I just went out and tried to stay with Chris (Spisak). He kind of fell off and I went on my own, and it felt good at the end, [laughs], yeah, definitely.

The Sun: Does that change your goals for end-of-season?

Wechsler: [Sigh]. Yeah, so I didn’t want to stay second guy forever … so my goal is to catch up with Chris and be closer to him. Because a few weeks ago he beat me by 35 seconds, and I’m like, oh God, if this is the remainder of the season is going … I would get kind of angry because I’d go to races and see kids on other teams winning, and I know that if they went against us, they’d lose two two or three of our guys, but they’re getting all this attention because they won. You can’t win anything unless I become №1. So, just be close to Chris, he’s still really good. … I just want to break 16 (minutes) in the 5K. And just win a race, sectionals, county or conference.

The Sun: Do you play any other sports?

Wechsler: Nah. [laughs].

The Sun: When was the last time you played something else?

Wechsler: I played basketball. My dad likes basketball a lot. I think I stopped that in like seventh grade. That was the last time.

The Sun: Did your dad (Frank) play basketball in high school?

Wechsler: Yes. He ran, but it wasn’t that serious. He did basketball, too, even though he’s super short.

The Sun: Your dad is short, huh? How tall are you?

Wechsler: I’m 5–11 and he’s like 5–8. My mom is like 5–9.

The Sun: So you get your height from your mom.

Wechsler: Yeah, her side. Her parents were giants.

The Sun: Do you want to run in college?

Wechsler: Defintiely, yeah. After seeing other kids who have graduated go on to do good things, that’ll definitely be an interest of mine in the future.

The Sun: Do you have a favorite school subject?

Wechsler: Ooooooh… [Head coach Steve Shaklee chimes in and suggests physics, since the assistant coach is his physics teacher]. Physics is rough right now. Probably pre-calculus. I’d like to think math is my strongest subject, even know my grades wouldn’t say that, I just think I can always get better in there.

The Sun: Who is your favorite teacher? Maybe you guys just answered this earlier. [Laughs].

Wechsler: I definitely chose to do physics because I knew (Jeff) Thompson, our assistant coach, was the teacher, so he’s one of my favorite teachers, but, I have to think …

The Sun: It doesn’t have to be this year.

Wechsler: I really like my math teacher from last year, Mrs. (Nicole) Muller and my German teacher, too, who I’ve had for three years, Mr. (William) Ivory.

The Sun: My mom is a teacher so I want to make sure they get their due.

Do you have a TV show you’re currently into?

Wechsler: I’m obsessed with “Game of Thrones,” I always talk about it, my teammates get sick of me talking about it. I’m obsessed with it.

The Sun: I’m also a “Game of Thrones” fan. Who’s your favorite character?

Dave Nemetz on Twitter

My take on the #GameofThrones finale, starring Darth Cersei and her glass of victory wine: https://t.co/9EXDqDpH1o https://t.co/LOxy5s7OT4

Wechsler: I love Cersei.

The Sun: Cersei, wow, that’s evil.

Wechsler: I know, she’s evil but she’s good.

The Sun: See, I like Arya so you and I aren’t going to get along.

Wechsler: No…

The Sun: I want Arya to take out Cersei so bad …

Wechsler: … I think it’s going to happen, too.

The Sun: She’ll put Jamie’s face on.

Wechsler: That’s what everyone is saying, I think it’s going to happen.

charlie 17 on Twitter

It's been 1 year since arya single handedly wiped out house frey and it still gives me chills every time. "Leave one wolf alive and the sheep are never safe." https://t.co/V6OOUlw35D

The Sun: Jamie already almost died. How many people will even survive the whole show, like three people?

Wechsler: Or maybe no one. They’ll kill everyone.

The Sun: That would be very George R.R. Martin.

Wechsler: Definitely.

The Sun: Who is your funniest teammate?

Wechsler: Oh, God. Hmmm. I have to say Chase, Chase Miller.

The Sun: What makes him funny?

Wechsler: He’s just a character, plus I talk to him a lot, too. He makes everything fun, or, it’s not a word, but funner.

The Sun: Do you have a role model?

Wechsler: Running-wise I would say Justin Kelly, he’d helped me a lot last year and still talks to me this year about running in college. He’s at Stonybrook. And my dad obviously, my parents (Jen and Frank Wechsler), they just help me with so much.

The Sun: Last question: Whom do you consider to be the best runner in South Jersey?

Weshcler: In South Jersey? Well, I mean I’d have to say … [laughs]. I can’t say myself?

The Sun: I like that answer. Just finish it there.

Wechsler: I’d like to believe it’s myself.

The Sun: That’s a good mindset, that’s how an athlete should think.

Wechsler: There are others out there. [Shaklee interjects: “If I’m answering that, I’m saying he’s potentially the best. There are probably four or five people that could be in the mix, and he’s one of them.”] In our one race this year, a few weeks ago, I was so far behind Chris in part due to the fact that I thought I couldn’t beat him. And then, if I think that about everyone now, if I think that way, then I’ll stay behind them.

The Sun One-On-One with … Cherokee junior Ethan Wechsler was originally published in The Marlton Sun on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

The South Jersey Wedding Reception and Bridal Show will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Moorestown Mall

There’s a wedding in Moorestown, and everyone’s invited!

The South Jersey Wedding Reception and Bridal Show comes to the Moorestown Mall from 5 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 10. The free event will be staged similar to an actual wedding, and guests can expect an interactive and informative evening filled with fun, games and, of course, wedding cake.

“Planning a wedding can be overwhelming — there are seemingly endless options for every detail, from floral arrangements to officiants, linen colors to invitations and everything in between. Bridal shows are the perfect opportunity for brides to understand what their options are, meet vendors personally, and, most importantly, have fun!” said Jennie Morton Able, wedding specialist with the South Jersey Wedding Reception and Bridal Show sponsor The Grove at Centerton. “With all the hustle and bustle that happens leading up to your big day, it’s so important for brides — and grooms — to take time to soak in this special time.”

The event begins with a cocktail reception from 5 to 7 p.m., giving guests the opportunity to check out an array of bridal show vendors while enjoying DJ music from Xplosive Entertainment and sampling cocktails and light appetizers courtesy of Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar. Vendors include Formal Expressions, GFit Women, All Nite Limo LLC, Shaun Reilly Photography, DiBartolo Bakery, Mary Kay, Touchstone Crystal by Swarovski, Amanda Goodwin of Happily Nourished Nutrition Counseling, Pure Romance, HelloFresh, The Business, and many more. The Grove at Centerton will also showcase its venue, which is based in Pittsgrove Township.

“Since our grand opening this past July, we’ve found that couples are drawn to The Grove’s simple, yet elegant design, accented with rustic farmhouse style,” The Grove at Centerton General Manager Will Arabea said. “Offering over 15,000 square feet of newly renovated space, contemporary cuisine, and a collection of reasonable catering menus within an hour’s drive of Philadelphia, The Grove at Centerton is the perfect woodland wedding destination for couples in the Southern New Jersey region.”

The bride and groom’s first dance will commence at 7 p.m., followed by guest participation in a dance lesson by KN Entertainment.

Thinking about a five-tiered, marzipan-clad masterpiece of a cake for the big day? Or maybe a simple yet elegant display of buttercream-topped cupcakes? Whatever your sweet tooth
style, guests can enjoy cake samples when the bride and groom cut their cake from 8 to 8:30
p.m.

The evening is capped with a chance to win prizes with a bouquet and garter toss. Brides-to-be can win a gift card by catching a bouquet courtesy of Flowers By Elizabeth, and grooms-to-be can catch a garter for a $100 Yard House gift card.

If all that wasn’t enough to keep guests busy, Tumbling Dice will provide table games in a Groom’s Room throughout the evening, and officiant Donna Mount will offer free vow renewals. And those envisioning a fairy tale wedding can get some tips from Cinderella herself, who will visit the bridal show courtesy of Laura’s Princess Appearances. Flower girls are encouraged to wear their Cinderella gowns!

While the South Jersey Wedding Reception and Bridal Show and all activities are is free, registration is requested at www.nmg.ticketleap.com/sj-bridal.

The Moorestown Mall is located at 400 Rt. 38, Moorestown.

There’s a wedding on Oct. 10 — and everyone is invited! was originally published in The Marlton Sun on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.