Beyond the Cat Dome:
News from the World Around Us
Portofino's Pantry
A local business rallies to help local families during the trying times of the Covid-19 outbreak.
by Christine Carrubba
The support this community offers one another became abundantly evident in the beginning of March when the state shut down because of the Corona Virus pandemic. When the state closed, schools shut their doors, as did many people’s places of employment. Due to the shut down and lack of income, local families had a hard time affording necessities such as food, toilet paper, and other household goods.
One of the leading examples of the support this community has for one another was shown by Portofino’s Italian Restaurant, located in Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey. When the owners, Mike and Dina Iovine saw the crisis at hand, they began handing out free food to anyone who called the restaurant or came to their door. Portofino’s also worked with local churches who were practicing the same act of charity.
“At first, we started donating meals and food out of our own pocket. The need was overwhelming and more than we expected. That is when our wonderful community members joined us by donating food and money to our own food bank that we made in our restaurant's closed dining room,” says Dina Iovine.
Although this act of kindness did not benefit their business financially, the Iovines’ only worried about making sure families had food to eat every night, necessities, and other staples they could use. Portofino’s is a respected restaurant, and it could be argued that after the selfless acts of the Iovines during the hard months people were out of work, everyone’s respect for the restaurant grew even more.
Dina Iovine reports, “Helping families has filled my heart. Knowing that we have helped families from going to bed hungry means everything to me. We have made connections with many members of our community that we will always cherish.”
Portofino’s Italian Restaurant is located on Radio Road in Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey.
Tuckerton Seaport Faces Covid-19
What there is to know about the historic attraction that is Tuckerton Seaport and the pandemic
by Lauren Tatro
The Tuckerton Seaport is one of the greatest gems of Little Egg Harbor and Tuckerton. The Seaport serves as a muesum that works toward the preservation of the towns’ history as well as educating the public. It consists of 17 buildings, of which the centerpiece is the Tucker Islands Lighthouse. The Seaport allows visitors to have flashbacks to the past to see how people almost a hundred years ago lived. It also allows people to see the wildlife that is known to live in the area. There are plenty of fish, birds, plants, and other life that flourishes in Tuckerton Creek. In the months following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the people working at the Tuckerton Seaport were able to see and experience something that they had never seen before. Brooke Salvanto, the Executive Director of the Tuckerton Seaport & Baymen’s Museum, gave a detailed account of what happened to the wildlife during the pandemic.
Salvanto says, “During the COVID 19 Stay-at-Home Order in NJ, I noticed an abundance of wildlife along Tuckerton Creek, more than usual. While it was not unusual to see the following birds, it was unusual to see the variety and abundance on a daily basis. Normally, we do see wildlife early in the morning before people and traffic make noise, but with decreased traffic and visitors the wildlife was visible throughout the day.”
During the boat tours that the Seaport would give daily, the workers and visitors were able to experience the rapid increase of wildlife surrounding the area. The Seaport saw an increase in visitors as well. Because of the Stay at Home Order, people found interest in going outside and being with nature, and the Seaport was the perfect place to do so. The boat tours that they had always had to offer became very popular with the public.
A note to make as a guest visiting places like the Seaport and other outdoor places, be aware of the trash, especially disposable masks and gloves. The masks and gloves that people are using more than usual can be very harmful to wildlife if not disposed of properly. It is also important to visit smaller places like the Seaport to support them and keep them running. These types of places are very important to preserving history and wildlife.
“You can support Tuckerton Seaport in a variety of ways: Visit the Seaport this December for our holiday exhibit in the Lighthouse, purchase a Family Memberships, make a donation, donate a toy or food for their annual holiday drive, and look for volunteer opportunities this Spring at the Seaport!” Salvanto says regarding ways of supporting the Seaport.
The Missing Link
How adopting senior and disabled pets can change someone's life
by Christine Carrubba
Cataleena DiElmo was in search of a new member to add to her family when she discovered Link, an 11 month old Border Collie. Instantly, DiElmo fell in love with Link’s quirky personality and welcomed him into her family (her then fiance and her dog, Rye) with open arms. After bringing him home, DiElmo noticed something off about Link.
“He was bumping into things and when you would call him or make noises he would almost tilt his head up trying to figure out where the sound came from, when I would be right in front of him. Around 2.5 weeks of owning him, I noticed his eyes were ‘twitching’ and that his pupils weren’t reacting to light. As a nurse, I knew something was wrong,” says DiElmo.
“Turns out though, Link was definitely the missing link our family needed. He is the happiest dog ever, and doesn’t let any of his disabilities hold him back,” DiElmo reports.
Link is blind. Due to numerous optical abnormalities, he unfortunately lost his ability to see. Thankfully though, Link has his older sister, Rye, to guide him around. After discovering his disability, the love Link’s family has for him only grew.
Many people shy away from adopting disbabled or senior pets for the challenges they know they might face with owning one. DiElmo and Link are proof that the challenges are worth it. It’s extremely important that these loving pets find their forever home.
One of the American Humane Society’s/Popcorn Park Zoo’s missions is to advocate for senior and disabled pets. They are also working with shelters around the state and will not stop until every pet, no matter their age or limitations, finds their forever home.
“Families can share in the experience of knowing what it is like to be so selfless together in caring for a senior pet who needs time and attention. Knowing they are giving a senior pet a peaceful, loving existence inside of a warm home instead of an animal shelter can be a very rewarding experience,” says Renee, an advocate at American Humane Society/Popcorn Park Zoo.
American Humane Society/Popcorn Park Zoo has found so many homes for amazing senior pets. These senior pets include, Dutch and Septia. These senior dogs with a remarkable bond have recently been accepted into a foster home, where they will begin their journey of finding a forever home. Dutch, a 15 year old Shepherd Mix, and Septia, a 12 year old Brown Lab, were surrendered to Popcorn Park Zoo after their owner fell ill. Their bond and love for each other was so strong, AHS knew they could not separate them. Unfortunately, because of their ages, it was challenging to find anyone interested in adopting them. Thankfully though, a wonderful woman took Dutch and Septia under her wing as foster dogs.
Anyone can learn more about the incredible work American Humane Society/Popcorn Park Zoo has done through their website. Visitors can read about the animals they saved, which range from wildlife to small, indoor pets, and learn more about the shelters they work with.
Photo credits: Cat McDowell
Representation Matters
In November's election, Americans saw the changing face of our national landscape earn political power.
by Olivia Greeley
Earlier this November was a very important time in history for Americans in the LGBTQ+community and American POC (people of color). It has been confirmed that Ritchie Torres and Mondaire Jones will soon become the first black and openly gay members of Congress. Torres also identifies as Latino, which will make him the first openly gay latino Congress member. This is a very important event, as it shows that America is becoming more open to elect more diverse representatives.
Both Torres and Jones struggled with their sexuality growing up. Torres was met with negative reactions after coming out as a teenager. Jones felt as if he could not be his true self due to his religion’s beliefs and struggled to find gay role models who were similar to him. Both of their successes are marked as a huge step for gay black Americans especially, as there now is some representation in Congress. The election of these two individuals shows hope for more representation for gay men of color in the future.
Torres and Jones were not the only elected politicians to add diversity to the U.S. government. There have been fifteen more elected politicians. The list of elected politcians includes women, many of whom are part of the LBGTQ+ community, as well as several nonbinary individuals who have won elections all over the United States. Nora Vargas, for example, will become the first Latino representative of California District 1 of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. Vargas’ election is not only a huge step for women, but for the Latino community as well. In Oklahoma, Mauree Turner will be the first Muslim member of the Oklahoma Legislature as well as the first non-binary U.S. state lawmaker. In Kansas, Christina Haswood will become the youngest elected legislator at only 26 years old, as well as the second Native American to serve in the Kansas state House of Representatives. Joining her will be Stephanie Byers, the first Native American and openly transgender woman to be elected to American office.
With these new elected politicians, American politics is now starting to become more diverse. Those who face types of discrimination due to sexual preference, gender identity, and/or race will now have people involved in politics who can understand the struggles they are going through, as they have faced similar issues. Although it will take some time and lots of hard work, the United States will become a better place for all Americans.
Sources: "Torres and Jones Win and Will Become 1st Gay Black Members of Congress" (NY Times), "15 Women and Nonbinary Candidates Who Just Made History By Winning Their Elections" (Supermajority News), "Christina Haswood is Running for Health…and for Office" (Women's Running)
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