From the Editor
It is a great season to be an Eagles fan! In fact, it’s an all-around great year to be a Philly sports fan. It feels like we just got done celebrating the Phillies’ trip to the World Series, and now we get to do it all over again as the Eagles head to the Super Bowl!
With South Jersey’s favorite team headlining one of the most-watched sporting events of the year, it feels like the energy in our community has been collectively elevated. There is a buzz of excitement in the air as E.A.G.L.E.S. chants ring in our ears, and shades of green flood the streets.
Fist bumps and high fives are abundant as Eagles fans prepare for the big day. The other day in Boscov’s, I found myself exchanging excited smiles as I crossed paths with another Eagles fan wearing his Philadelphia swag. The energy is high as we look forward to bringing home the Vince Lombardi trophy again this year.
Yes, “we.” There is a reason they call us “the 12th man.” As fans, we are just as much a part of the game as the 11 players on the field. From draping ourselves head-to-toe in sports apparel to tailgating for hours in the stadium parking lot before the game, Americans love to love football.
I had the opportunity to attend an Eagles game earlier in the season, and what an incredible experience that was! Feeling the excitement from the fans was electrifying as hot dogs were grilled, music played, and drinks were poured. It didn’t matter who you came with; as long as you were wearing green, you belonged. That particular game was a close one, but in true Eagles fashion, we came out on top with the win. The enormity of it all was truly spectacular.
Why do we Americans love football so much? There was a commercial that played during the AFC and NFC championship games that told the story of young quarterbacks and how we are all big kids enjoying a “child’s game.” Football is a fun environment to be a part of that keeps the inner child alive in all of us. The camaraderie, the food, the passion, the excitement – it’s all part of being an American Football fan, and we love every bit of it.
As Super Bowl Sunday approaches, we wish all of you a wonderful “unofficial” National holiday. We hope that you have the opportunity to down some wings, enjoy the halftime performance, and watch the Birds bring the trophy back to Philly.
In this edition of Shore Local Newsmagazine, we are excited to share stories about the Eagles, Valentine’s Day, Black History Month, and so much more. This edition is full of feel-good stories about local people doing amazing things. Check out the story about Chef Andre Murphy and how PBS caught wind of his nonprofit’s commitment to feeding the community. Mays Landing native Johnny Berchtold shared some thoughts about his experience filming the Netflix movie Dog Gone alongside actor Rob Lowe. We also reached out to community leaders and Orstead for the latest on the offshore wind project. Unanswered questions still loom about the recent whale deaths, and local politicians are expressing their concerns. Don’t miss a ‘Deep Dive Into the World of Whales’ on page 6 to learn some interesting whale facts and migration patterns.
We hope you enjoy this issue of Shore Local. Please support our advertisers that make this publication possible.
One last note before you go:
E.A.G.L.E.S. GO EAGLES!
Peace & Love,
Cindy
