Gloucester County News in Brief

The New Jersey Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation recently honored Judith L. Roman, president and chief executive officer of AmeriHealth New Jersey, as its South Jersey humanitarian of the year.

"This award is a testament to Judith's commitment to supporting nonprofit organizations throughout the region," said Tanya Barbarics, community director for the foundation in South Jersey. "Her leadership skills, business contacts and tireless efforts have been instrumental in generating awareness and resources for many charitable causes."

Roman's contributions to the community include cochairing the American Heart Association's Southern New Jersey "Go Red for Women" fund-raising luncheon, which raised $250,000. She also serves on the board of trustees of the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial.

Rutgers University-Camden's Small Business Development Center is offering a growth program designed to help family-owned businesses from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Enterprise Center at Burlington County College, 3331 Route 38 in Mount Laurel.

The program will examine such issues as business-growth strategies, succession planning, and personnel management issues related to employees who also are family.

Sessions will be led by Reynold Cicalese, a shareholder in the accounting firm Alloy, Silverstein, Shapiro, Adams, Mulford, Cicalese, Wilson & Co., and Stevan Wolf of the Alternative Board of Southern New Jersey. Mitchell Koza, dean of the Rutgers School of Business-Camden, will offer perspective on the importance of family business to the regional and national economies.

Registration is $20. To register, call 856-225-6221.

The Appel Farm Arts and Music Center in Elmer was honored with an award for tourism excellence earlier this month at the Governor's Conference on Tourism in Atlantic City.

The regional arts center received recognition for its Arts and Music Festival, an annual event that attracts thousands of visitors to Appel Farm's venue in Salem County on the first weekend in June.

The festival was cited for its strong social conscience and artistic integrity, which highlights both established and emerging artists and musicians.

"We are thrilled to receive this prestigious award," said Mark Packer, executive director of the Appel Farm Arts and Music Center. "Close to 50 percent of the people who attend the festival come from out of state, and we are proud to be one of New Jersey's popular destinations for tourism."

This year, the festival is scheduled for June 7.

Six residents of Gloucester County are among the 20th Gloucester County Police Academy Special Officer II class, which is scheduled to graduate in a ceremony at 6 p.m. May 28 at the Physical Education Building on the Gloucester County College campus in Deptford.

They are Bryan M. Ciconte, Thomas C. Curl II and Raymond D. Gezzi of Greenwich Township; and Vincent A. Bucci, Richard J. Grassia Jr., and Steven R. Janton of Washington Township.

A total of 21 men from five counties are scheduled to graduate.

The keynote address will be given by John J. Marolt, Deptford's chief of police.

Special Officer II graduates are authorized to exercise full powers and duties similar to those of a permanent, regularly appointed, full-time police officers.

The trainees must complete 530 hours of instruction on topics such as professional development; the criminal justice system; police-community relations; law; arrest, search and seizure; evidence; communications; vehicle operations; emergency medical care; weaponry; and unarmed defense.

Finding a good home for a pet and caring for it until it can be placed can be a time-consuming - and sometimes thankless - task. Although the job offers rewards and satisfaction when accomplished, recognition seldom comes to those who do it not for money, but because they want to.

With that in mind, the Volunteer Center of Gloucester County recently honored 14 volunteers from the Gloucester County Animal Shelter.

They are Kathy Baldino and Rosemary Flaherty of Glassboro; Donna Carroll of West Deptford; Beth Ann Delia and Michele Rosley of Pitman; Donna Fair of Deptford; Judy Hibbs of Mantua; Cookie Gallagher of Laurel Springs in Camden County; Caroline E. Harris and Rita Sanders of Mullica Hill; Libby McDonald of Williamstown; and Cindy Messinio, Tanna Sammons and Jessica Van Mater of Sewell.

The volunteers provide a variety of support for the animal shelter, including assisting shelter staff, providing foster care to the animals, working at PetSmart and the shelter to facilitate adoptions, and participating in the annual open house.

"The animal shelter would not be a success if not for the volunteers," Freeholder Frank J. DiMarco said. "Their dedication and service is priceless to the county."