Local Legend Transcends Technology
by Jay Dubya 
Jack Donio is not only Hammonton’s Fire Chief for fifteen years. The good-hearted citizen is also a local living legend and a favorite hero of area mythology. Move over Jersey Devil. If big Jack Donio happened to be an American Indian, he would more-than-likely carry the name Chief Big-Heart. His widespread reputation is not only because of his volunteer service to his town. You’ll soon know why.
All kinds of fascinating tales abound about “Big Jack.” For some inexplicable reason I always want to believe these incredible stories, no matter how exaggerated their redundancy may sound. Having a literature background, this former English teacher enjoys myths and relishes their perpetuation.
One popular tale has Jack Donio on his former Winslow farm surrounded by fifty silent and obedient migrant workers. Wthout making any announcement in either Spanish or English Jack holds two huge sledgehammers perpendicular to the ground. Standing erect, the mammoth man casually twists his wrists upward and the dual sledgehammers instantly rise to waist level before his very amazed and spellbound audience. Then Big Jack Donio casually drops the dual heavy objects to the ground and departs the barn area in a nonchalant gait as the impressed and astounded employees chatter.
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Copyright-The Hammonton (New Jersey) Gazette
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