Meet the Team

Cindy & Bob Fertsch, founders of Shore Local

Bob was 21 years old when he began his newspaper career in South Jersey.

An Ocean City summer local and surfer, Bob was thrilled to build his career, home, and family in the area he loved. He spent 15 years learning with the Press of Atlantic City, then continued growing for another 9 years with the Current.

Our family grew through the years. We have been blessed with 3 beautiful children and a home in Egg Harbor Township. 

As the economy changed both nationally and locally, the industry began to change, as well.  Large corporate companies bought up much of Atlantic County’s media outlets, including our daily paper and 2 major weekly publications. 

From this turmoil, Shore Local was born. We are proud to be a locally owned, homegrown publication that focuses on the people, places and events in Atlantic County, Ocean City, and Upper Township. Bob and I had a vision to build a local business that spotlights and promotes other local businesses, and here we are!

When you support Shore Local, your dollars stay right here in our own communities. We are a grassroots family business with an authentic connection to the areas we spotlight, and we are proud to share our love for our shore towns with all of you.

Thank you for supporting our vision, and happy reading.

Cindy Fertsch, founder and editor

Steffen Klenk is a multimedia journalist and photographer,

Steffen Klenk is a multimedia journalist and photographer, and a proud member of the Shore Local team. A graduate of Ocean City High School, Steffen has spent his entire life in South Jersey, raised only blocks from our sandy beaches. He enjoys capturing the eclectic moments that make South Jersey unique.

An avid photographer, Steffen enjoys capturing the beauty of our wonderful nature and wildlife. You may notice him at various community events, capturing the smiles of attendees.  When it comes to writing, history is Steffen’s specialty, but what he particularly loves is sharing stories of the many people, places and organizations that make an impact in South Jersey.

Steffen also manages the Events and Happenings section, and presents the weekly Entertainment Update for Shore Local Live. During his free time, you can find Steffen at the beach, on the boardwalk, at an outdoor concert or enjoying the company of family and friends. Besides having a great sense of humor, Steffen also has a quick wit and enjoys making people smile.

Charles (Chuck) was born in Atlantic City

Charles (Chuck) was born in Atlantic City and has lived Downbeach for about 60 years. Charles graduated from Atlantic City High School and went on to graduate from the University of Charleston, West Virginia where he was on the varsity rowing team. He has competed in varsity and Masters races from Canada to Florida and threatens to get back on the water shortly. Charles worked at The Press of Atlantic City for 20 years as a Senior Advertising Executive and as a photographer for the Advertising Department. He then went on to continue his newspaper career at a local weekly, The Current where he also worked in Advertising before becoming Circulation Director. After the Current was sold to a large corporation, Charles moved on to the Shore Local Newsmagazine free from consultants and their buzz words of the day. At Shore Local, Charles worked in Advertising, has had his photos on the covers and he has written over 100 pieces for his column, Senior Moments. It is in these columns that Charles, as a senior citizen shares his memories of a life at the shore as well as views on aging, social media and the changing world. Photography continues to be a creative outlet for Charles as he is a prolific source of images for many stock agencies including a graphics agency in New York where he has been selling his work for around 20 years. Last year, Charles and his wife, Rubye completed a 10-week, 9,100 mile cross country camping trip traveling through 20 states visiting many of our National Parks. Of course, thousands of photos were made along the trip and Charles just finished self-publishing a book filled with photos and experiences from the journey. His photography may be view on his fine art website, Charles-Eberson.pixels.com

Holly Martin

Holly Martin has been working in media since 2012. She has worked as a photographer and videographer throughout her high school and college career. Early 2013, Holly started working as an intern for Longport Media and has worked her way up to being a producer for WOND radio as well as fill in DJ for 103.7 WMGM Rocks. She loves being a concert photographer and working as event staff. She has worked as a reporter for Temple University’s Philadelphia Neighborhoods and submitted Editorials to the Philadelphia Inquirer. She has done multiple multimedia articles for Temple as well as Shore Local Newsmagazine.

Whitney Ullman

Whitney Ullman, Stockton University graduate, and founder of gotowhitney.com is known as a “go to” resource, content creator, and influencer with established credibility in Atlantic City, The Jersey Shore, Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. Her approachable personality coupled with continuous positive coverage of all things entertainment, has earned her over 6 million views on the @gotowhitney & @thecitypulse social platforms. She played a personal role in forging hundreds of professional connections through her networking expertise, and created TheCityPulse.com as a go-to lifeline for all things happening in the city – with plans to bring Shore Local readers a fun list of events, so you can make the most of your staycation and vacation right here at the Jersey Shore!

Whitney frequently contributes to FOX29 Good Day Philadelphia, 94.3 WIBG fm radio and other major publications on a freelance status. She is the Vice Chargé de Média Sociaux for the national gastronomic society Chaîne des Rôtisseurs – Atlantic City, a Game Show Host for ResortsLive.com, and the founder of WIN Promotions, a talent staffing company which places promotional staff in events around the area.

You may have also seen Whitney’s content on platforms such as: TMZ, TMZ Live, E! News, i24 News, Access Hollywood, Dr. Oz, New York Post, DailyMail, FOX News, Wendy Williams Show, Philadelphia Style, New Jersey Lifestyle, and more.

David Weinberg

David is a nationally recognized sports columnist who has covered Philadelphia and local sports for over 40 years. After 35 years with The Press, he has served as a columnist for 973ESPN.com and created his own Facebook page, Dave Weinberg Extra Points. He can also be heard on 97.3 ESPN as part of Weinberg Wednesday’s with Josh Hennig and on Newstalk 1400 and 92.3 WOND on Monday’s and Thursday’s as part of Off the Press with Scott Cronick.
David who is a member of the Atlantic City Boxing, New Jersey Boxing, and New Jersey MMA Halls of Fame, is a Cape May native who spends his spare time on the golf course, riding his SUP in the Cape May Harbor, sitting on the beach with his wife, Karen, and playing with his three grandsons Hampton (6), Graham (4) and Nixon (1). Send comments to weinbergd419@comcast.net.

Rachel Guevara

Rachel Guevara is the dynamic owner of Lift & Glitz Training Studio in Northfield, NJ. With 13 years of experience in the fitness industry, Rachel holds certifications in Personal & Group Fitness through ISSA and is a Zumba Fitness Instructor. A proud single mother of two, Rachel balances her professional and personal life with grace and determination. She earned her BA in Communications from Stockton University and resides in Northfield, NJ. At 39 years old, Rachel enjoys dancing, traveling, and camping, passions that fuel her vibrant and energetic approach to fitness and life.
 
 

Scott Cronick 

Journalist. Entrepreneur. Community activist. Those are a few of the titles Scott Cronick has held since moving to South Jersey exactly 30 years ago.

As an award-winning journalist, Cronick celebrated a 28-year run at The Press of Atlantic City that included him working as an editor in sports, news and eventually entertainment, where he would excel as a music and food critic, eventually becoming the Director of Entertainment Publications for The Press of Atlantic City, including At The Shore magazine and Atlantic City Weekly. While there, he helped grow those brands, reinvigorated events such as Top 40 Under 40 and the Nightlife Awards and created new events such as Burger Bash and Wing Wars, the latter which he still runs that is called Atlantic City Wing Fest, held the week before the Super Bowl every year at Golden Nugget.

While at The Press, Cronick was mentored by the late Bob Burns and Pinky Kravitz to begin a radio career at Longport Media, hosting his own one-hour show and then taking over for Kravitz with the legend’s blessing upon his retirement. Cronick has held Kravitz’s longtime 4 to 6 p.m. time slot on Newstalk 1400-AM, 92.3-FM WOND since 2015, where he is the No. 1 drive time talk show in the market, interviewing celebrities, politicians, sports figures and newsmakers locally as well as from around the globe.

His public profile has also allowed Cronick to be very involved in helping and working with the community.

He is honored to serve as the co-executive director of the MBCA Foundation with Gary Hill. The 30-plus-year-old organization started by legends Hill and John Schultz launched a new mission to beautify Atlantic City to make it a better place to live, work and visit.

Cronick is also a freelance journalist, working for various publications,

Cronick is also part of the Tennessee Avenue Renaissance Project in Atlantic City, co-owning Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall – a 40-tap, indoor/outdoor bar and restaurant – with developer Mark Callazzo that has been named one of the best beer pubs in the country by USA Today.

Cronick’s other charitable work includes being a former member of the executive board of The Food Bank of New Jersey, Southern Branch, for which he has helped collect tons of food and tens of thousands of dollars during his annual Thanksgiving broadcast for Longport Media’s Operation Help. He is co-founder of Dancing Under the Atlantic City Stars, which raised more than $1 million for local charities in just two years.He also serves on the boards for two Atlantic City renewal projects: the Midtown CDC and the Chelsea EDC.

Despite all of those accomplishments, it’s the people in his life that give drive Cronick the most, including his wife LaRissa, his son Sam, his mom and his in-laws.

Ursula Duffy

Ursula Duffy is a Professional Astrologer, Certified Aromatherapist and Cosmic Guide. With her brand Ursa Alchemy, she blends intuitive and healing arts to support the Soul. Ursula answered the calling from the universe over 10 years ago. Throughout that journey, she learned how to develop her intuition and communicate with Spirit while learning the healing arts of Astrology and Aromatherapy. For over 15 years Ursula worked as a certified professional Geospatial Scientist mapping for local and federal government. She has been a team leader in every position specializing in organizing, teaching, training and managing projects. As an Astrologer Ursula, is shifting into her true calling to create and retrieve cosmic maps to help people navigate and discover their Soul’s journey. She assists and supports her clients during their own personal transformation by guiding them to open their minds and hearts to the language of the plants, planets and spirit, and to Live in Touch with Their Soul.

Ursula is available for Astrology readings and Aromatherapy/Astrological Aromatherapy consults, and two years ago launched her own podcast: Becoming Chiron – The Key to Unlocking Healing and Personal Alchemy. Ursula also created the signature aromatherapy blend for Sea Goddess Healing Arts, available for you to experience and enjoy in an Energy Cleansing Spray and Roll-on perfume. She is the founder of Ursa Alchemy and founding partner/Goddess of Operations (GOO) of Sea Goddess Healing Arts. She grew up in Margate and currently resides in Atlantic City.

Ursula’s Website Links:

https://www.seagoddesshealingarts.com/

https://www.seagoddesshealingarts.com/ursaalchemy

https://www.ursaalchemy.com/

Ursula’s Socials Links:

Instagram: @ursaalchemy and @seagoddesshealingarts

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeaGoddessHealingArts/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@seagoddesshealingarts

Ursula’s Podcast: Becoming Chiron – The Key to Unlocking Healing and Personal Alchemy available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, most popular podcast platforms and both websites below:

Sea Goddess Website: https://www.seagoddesshealingarts.com/podcasts

Ursa Alchemy Website: https://www.ursaalchemy.com/podcast

Joe Martucci

Joe is the CEO of Cup A Joe Weather and Drone.  Joe thrives on the leading edge of media in meteorology, earning the American Meteorological Society’s first Certified Digital Meteorologist seal in 2023. He also holds the Certified Broadcast Meteorologist seal. He looks forward to writing about weather and climate happening at the Jersey Shore for Shore Local every week.
 
Joe is born, raised and educated in New Jersey, graduating from Rutgers University with a degree in Meteorology. A native of Union, he moved to the Jersey Shore when he began his position as meteorologist at The Press of Atlantic City in 2017. Since then he’s been to every town from Sea Bright to Cape May, probably more than once. He’s been named to Atlantic City Weekly ‘s Top 40 Under 40 in 2020.
 
Joe’s wanted to be a meteorologist for as long as he can remember. One of his first memories in being in his grandma’s basement, seeing Al Roker (TODAY Show) and thinking that he was going to be like him.
 
In addition to The Press of Atlantic City and Shore Local, News 12, Triax 57, Longport Media as well as more organizations have used Joe to be their voice for weather. A commercial drone pilot, he’s completed dozens of shoots across New Jersey.
 
Joe has been profiled in The New Yorker and Rutgers magazine. He also has been featured in The Deadliest Catch TV series. 
 
Joe has mentored dozens of people interested in news or meteorology as a career. He also loves coaching youth basketball at his local church, traveling (Italy specifically), being the event organizer for his friend group and more. 
 
You can follow Joe @joemartwx on nearly any social media platform. 

Chef Christina Martin

Chef Christina Martin is a dedicated chef educator, passionate advocate for healthy eating, and mother. After earning her BS in Business Administration from Rowan University and gaining experience in the accounting field, Christina followed her culinary passion and obtained a degree in Culinary Arts.

With a diverse background, Christina has honed her skills in numerous kitchens across Philadelphia and the Jersey Shore area. Currently, she works as a Culinary Arts teacher at Absegami High School in Galloway, NJ.
Christina’s expertise and commitment to promoting healthy, local, and sustainable plant-based cooking have earned her recognition, including a feature article and cover appearance in Independent Restaurateur Magazine and 2023-2024 Chef Educator of the Year from the Professional Chef Association of South Jersey.
Through her work, Christina aims to inspire others to embrace the joy of cooking  while prioritizing health and sustainability.