The top stories of the year in Medford

As we come to the end of 2024 and look forward to the new year, here’s a look back at the top stories in Medford.

Triple win

Not one, not two, but three Shawnee High School sports teams have won state titles this fall, setting and breaking records in the process.

The girls tennis team and boys and girls soccer teams were cited for their Group III championships at Shawnee’s annual turkey trot on Nov. 27. The tennis team was the first to take home a title. Coached by math teacher Sarah Doyle, the players won their final match against West Windsor-Plainsboro North High School on Oct. 17 with a score of 3-2.

It was the first state championship in Shawnee history for girls’ tennis.

Next to take home a state title was the girls soccer team. Coached by Shawnee phys-ed teacher Drew Wagner, the team took on Northern Highlands Regional and scored a 3-0 victory on Nov. 23. It also marked the first state championship for the soccer program in Shawnee history.

The next day, it was the boys soccer team’s turn. Coached by history teacher Ryan Franks, the players took home their Group III title after beating Randolph High School 2-0 on Nov. 24. It was the eighth overall state championship for boys’ soccer; the last was in 2006.

First responder monument

A new monument honoring all first responders from Burlington County now sits in the middle of Freedom Park in Medford.

Officials hope it will be a place of “honor and reflection for first responders” and “a permanent reminder of the sacrifice made by these men and women” for park visitors.

The Medford Sunrise Rotary and township officials welcomed neighborhood first responders throughout the county as they unveiled and dedicated the Burlington County First Responders Monument in April. Police Chief Arthur E. Waterman offered thanks to the parties involved, including the First Responder Monument Committee for making the monument a reality.

“This monument, this place, this tremendous block of stone is dedicated to those who operate in chaos,” he said. “We put the uniform on and face evil that exists in our society and to protect all people who need assistance on their worst days. This monument is dedicated to those currently serving as police officers, firefighters, EMTs (emergency medical technicians), telecommunicators and civil volunteers.”

The chief also noted that the monument is “about our future.”

“It’s a place for our children to come and dream, to learn what it means to help and bring shape to their desires to serve others,” he explained.

The monument was gifted to Medford by the all-volunteer monument committee, which raised almost all the funds needed for the memorial and pavers, officials said. Dave Stow, owner of the Bradley Stow Funeral Home, was also acknowledged for his efforts and contributions in the design, construction, transport and installation of all of the monuments in Freedom Park, valued at close to $100,000.

Charmony

When Kristine Costello, owner of the Shoppes at Medford Mill, was approached with a business deal, she just couldn’t turn away.

Behind the business deal were Anthony Chiusano, Riley Orio and Avery DeMarco, who run and manage Charmony Bracelets and sell handmade bracelets and pens. Costello has 60 plus vendors at the Shoppes, so what made Charmony Bracelets stand out?

“Anthony walked in and asked about margins,” she recalled, adding she was taken by their story.

“He was also polite and had the firmest handshake,” Costello added of Chiusano.

He and his partners happen to be the youngest vendors Costello has at the historic Medford Mill, a group of three middle school students who attend the same school.

Orio is creative director of Charmony Bracelets. She started making the products when her aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer. Orio raised $3,500 and donated every last penny to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. It takes her two minutes to make a bracelet.

DeMarco is also a bracelet creator and inspirational bracelet manager of Charmony Bracelets. Chiusano is on the business end as salesman and marketing director.

Charmony Bracelets offers handmade products, and the store has branched out to offer keychains and pens.

Poker face

A game of cards was a favorite pastime as Darren Elias was growing up and attending family get togethers.

The bets were minimal – $5 to $10 – at most. But over the years, that favorite pastime has evolved tenfold.

Elias is considered one of the best poker players in the world. He holds the record for most World Poker Tour titles with four and his career earnings surpass $12.6 million.

In an interview, Elias shared how it essentially all started. It was in college, he was introduced to online poker and it opened his eyes to a possible career in the game. He found himself winning thousands and hundreds of thousands of dollars.

“It was overwhelming,” Elias recalled of winning that kind of money at 18 and 19 years old. “With all the success … I was all in.”

Elias practiced his craft day in and day out, evaluating different hands and going over mistakes during tournaments. Nowadays, that practice involves playing with AI (Artificial Intelligence) poker software. And although the software will generate hands believed to be the best outcome, it does not beat a live high-roller poker game playing against some of the best around the world.

“You can do all the right things to execute and still lose,” Elias explained, admitting those losses can be challenging.

After playing poker tournaments on six continents, Elias, who lives in Medford, said he is pretty comfortable in those high-roller games. Today, he is a BetMGM Poker Ambassador who helps market the game. His home casino for 15 years has been the Borgata in Atlantic City.