Welcome to the most wonderful local time of the year

courtesy photo

It is truly the most wonderful time of the year in Hammonton.

Don’t believe me? Let me list it for you: Graduations (high school, middle school, pre-K, college, etc.); blueberry season (the lifeblood of our town); Hammonton Swim Club is open; annual Red, White & Blueberry Festival on June 25 (it is also Chamber Executive Director John Runfolo’s birthday); Fourth of July (time for an annual visit to Batsto and to watch 1776); Jersey corn, tomatoes and other produce; the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (the best week in town hands-down. Just think of the food, faith and fellowship); busy roadside stands; squash flowers (if you don’t know, I’m sorry. If you do know, email me and I will come over for some of this summer deliciousness); warm weather; swim days; camp days and so many other things that make the next eight weeks in town absolutely magical.

I have been on edge with anticipation since Memorial Day because to me that marks the week or so before this magical summer holiday season begins.

The warm weather has sped up the blueberry growing season and the anticipation for my first pint is growing. That bright burst of sweet and tart is always such a pleasant surprise.

I can’t wait for the first pints to come in and make their way to my fridge. Our dog Fenway loves blueberries and she often receives a handful as a treat each day in the summer.

Someone tried to pitch me that Hammonton’s berries are not as good as other states’ berries.

I disagree. It would be like telling me that New York doesn’t have the best bagels or Boston the best mass transit system in the country or that lobster rolls in Maine are as good as lobster rolls from other places (they are not; trust me, I have done my research).

Enjoy Hammonton over the next eight weeks. The Gazette will be there to cover each fun happening or milestone event as it occurs. After all, we are writing the first version of the town’s history: the news.

If there is an event in town you think we may not be covering, let me know. Send me an email at grullo@hammontongazette.com or call me at (609) 704-1940. I love a good suggestion for a different view point.

I suggest putting down your phones for these moments in time and just enjoy the summer in Hammonton. We are fortunate to live in an amazing community. We don’t need to post it online for the world to see while forgetting to be in the moment and be present for our family and friends.

See you around town. And I mean it, call me if you are frying up squash flowers.

Gina Rullo is the editor-in-chief of The Hammonton Gazette. In 2022, she was named an “Editor Extraordinaire” by Editor & Publisher Magazine and in 2021 won two awards for investigative journalism.