June, 2012

EXIT ZERO JUNE 2012 « $4.95

Washington Inn

the wine bar

Exceptional Cuisine in a Relaxed Atmosphere Highest Zagat Rating in Southern New Jersey Voted One of the Top 100 Restaurants in the Country by Open Table Early Dinner $24 Three Course Menu

Vote New Jersey Monthly 2011 Best Wine Bar Enjoy Dinner and Small Plates at the Bar from $10 Flights of Wine from our Cellar $1 Oysters Nightly

801 Washington Street, Cape May (609) 884-5697 • www.washingtoninn.com

Washington Inn & the wine bar... two distinct experiences, one address • Serving Lunch, Dinner, & Late Night • “Delicious” Breakfast everyday Memorial day till Labor day • Extensive Gluten Free Menu • Best Burgers • Best Thin Crust Pizza • Coldest Draught Beer in Town

LUCKY BONES BACKWATER GRILLE 1200 Route 109 south, Cape May (609) 884-BONE (2663) www.luckybonesgrille.com Where Friends Meet

FEATURES welcome to summer 7

contents

june 2012

16

The events and happenings you need to know about

the great outdoors 16 The best places to eat alfresco in Cape May... there are a lot!

lucky bones... the cookbook 40 Behind the scenes at one of Cape May’s landmark restaurants

ten things i’ve learned as a lifeguard 52 By our cover model, Jack Lindeman of CMBP

searching for something special 60 Where and when to find... glowing jellies, fireflies, ghosts...

in love with the general 72 A tasty new era for Cape May Point’s charming General Store

my father and cape may 80 Vincent Marchese on a lifetime of magical memories

40

your summer as a bird-brain 107 Educate yourself, naturally... you’ll be glad you did

cape may moments 114 A preview of Ben Miller’s unmissable new history book

ari blau is ready for his closeup 130 Meet a talented young Cape May-born filmmaker

cover painting by victor grasso 60

114

REGULARS quick chat melissa lomax 37 my perfect day peter karapanogiotis 78 nicole pense 94 gretchen whitman 143 arts coverage soma newart gallery 89 gail pierson gallery 96 east lynne theater 101 27 questions for... bob steenrod 137 puzzle time cape may crossword 144

about us editor & publisher Jack Wright jack@exitzero.us

®

advertising manager Jason Black jason@exitzero.us staff writers Kate Chadwick kate@exitzero.us Diane Stopyra diane@exitzero.us creative consultant Victor Grasso

Visiting CAPE MAY and leaving us off your itinerary would be like visiting PARIS... and skipping the EIFFEL TOWER!

historical editor Ben Miller ben@exitzero.us photographers Aleksey Moryakov, Sandy Maloney, Gabi Urda graphic artist Doree Bardes contributing writers Catherine Dugan, David Gray, Terry O’Brien distribution team Stephanie Grubb, Amy Wingate labeler Mary Smith exit zero color magazine is published five times a year.

Annual subscription is $25.

To subscribe call (609) 770-8479 or visit www.exitzero.us Makes a wonderful gift!

Published by Exit Zero Publishing, Inc. 109 Sunset Boulevard Suite D, Cape May, NJ 08204 Telephone: (609) 770-8479 Fax: (609) 770-8481 E-mail: info@exitzero.us Website: www.exitzero.us president Jack Wright vice-president Jason Black

The Lobster House Fisherman’s Wharf, Cape May (609) 884-8296 www.thelobsterhouse.com

tennis ball supervisor April Wright fluffy toy supervisor Friday Wright mouse supervisor Pascal Wright canine supervisor Begley Wright chief whiner Rudy Stopyra

Unchanging. Quintessential. Classic.

The BEST Live Entertainment in Town!

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and My Space to see who is playing live tonight!

426 WASHINGTON STREET MALL, CAPE MAY • « (609) 884-3459

“BEST AMERICAN” and “TOP 25 RESTAURANTS IN THE STATE” New Jersey Monthly, 2008

Open Seven Days Serving Dinner

from

5:30

pm

oceanfront porch dining available

Beach Avenue & Howard Street at the

H o t e l M a c o mb e r

609 884 8811 www.unionparkdiningroom.com

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editor’s letter

B

y the time you read this, it will be summer. At the time of writing, it just feels like summer.

But as we are keen to point out (again and again and again), pretty much every day in Cape May is a special one. You just need to take time to keep your eyes open for the beauty that is all around us in America’s Original Seaside Resort. We celebrate that magic in our first color issue of the year. Many of you have been itching for this moment... I hope it was worth the wait.

For us, it was a mild weather, meteorologically. But in terms of the amount of work we had to produce here at Exit Zero World Headquarters, it was an intense, torrential, tornadoesque whirlwind of a period.

You get the picture, right? We produced five books, three of which you are going to be really interested in. One is the new blockbuster from our Historical Editor, Ben Miller, author of our

best-selling The First Resort, now in its second edition. Ben’s new book is Cape May Moments, a wonderful collection of stories and photographs from the people who lived through a fascinating period in the city’s history. The book, a beautiful, full-color, hardcover keepsake, will be on sale in town from July 1. You can also buy it online at exitzero.us. The first chapter of the book is excerpted on page 114.

Watch out, too, for The Essential Lucky Bones Cookbook, which packs a load of recipes, secrets, tips and amazing photographs and illustrations by two geniuses who have graced our pages over the years... Maciek Nabrdalik and Victor Grasso.

And then there is our annual Cool Cape May, the ultra-informative guide book that tells you where to eat, shop, stay and play in this great place. It’s on sale at our store, and at some choice locations around town.

Now for a few notes on some of the stories you can look forward to in exit zero

A MOMENT OF REFLECTION Artist Frank Marchese’s affinity for Cape May is celebrated by his son Vincent, who wrote the story titled “My Father and Cape May...

A Love Story,” which begins on page 80.

Vincent Marchese

5 June 2012

this issue. Staff Writer Diane Stopyra assembled a story that’s equal parts fascinating and useful — it’s all about searching for special things in Cape May, from really exotic glowing comb jellies to those bewitching fireflies. We tell you where and when to look (see page 60).

Diane (she’s a busy girl) also chatted to Deanna Ebner, the new operator of the Cape May Point General Store and Restaurant, which is one of our favorite spots on the island (see page 72).

I also recommend you read the warming tale sent to us by artist Vincent Marchese, who writes of the many unforgettable moments he shared with his father, Frank Marchese, in Cape May. You’ll find Vincent’s story on page 80.

It’s shaping up to be another special summer. I hope it’s everything you’ve been dreaming of.

Enjoy the issue.

Jack Wright Editor/Publisher

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May through November 4 CAPE MAY’S 20TH CENTURY RENAISSANCE: FROM THE PAGES OF THE FIRST RESORT EXHIBIT This Carriage House Gallery exhibit at the Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street, is guest curated by the book’s author, Ben Miller. Visitors will be treated to rare photographs, video and a multitude of artifacts showcasing the years immediately before and after the city’s Urban Renewal movement.

Memories will abound for longtime visitors and residents, while more recent travelers will be introduced to a side of Cape May they’ve never seen. Free admission. Visit capemaymac.org.

May 17-20 SIDEWALK SALE Time to stash those boots and heavy winter jackets. For a whole new wardrobe — or a whole new anything — hit the Washington Street Mall from 9am to 7pm, and browse a variety of affordable merchandise from local stores.

May 19 ARMED FORCES DAY CEREMONY AT WWII LOOKOUT TOWER The recently restored World War II

HISTORY ON DISPLAY It’s hard to believe, but the magnificent Southern Mansion on Washington Street was once a ruin. This picture, which shows the renovation in 1994, is one of many fascinating photographs that form an exhibit based on Exit Zero Publishing’s best-selling book, The First Resort, which will be held at the Emlen Physick Estate (itself a former ruin) through November 4.

Lookout Tower is the perfect setting to pay tribute to the dedicated men and women who have helped preserve our freedom. Saturday, May 19, 11 am Free admission. Tower is located on Sunset Boulevard in Lower Township, near Cape May Point. Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-2754278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

May 19 DELAWARE BAY LIGHTHOUSE ADVENTURE Come aboard the Cape May Whale Watcher or the Spirit of Cape May to view and photograph historic lighthouses of the late 19th and early part of the 20th centuries. Most of these lighthouses stand on pedestals out of sight of land and are still operational. Each cruise also includes narration on Delaware Bay lore and legend, including information on fishing, spawning grounds and more. Includes complimentary continental breakfast in the morning and a lavish buffet lunch. A cash bar is available. From 10am to 5pm, tickets $99. Sponsored by the Cape May Whale Watcher and the Mid-Atlantic Center

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for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

May 19 FORD VS CHEVY MOTOR CAR RACE It was 1905 when Henry Ford and Louis Chevrolet raced along the beach in Cape May, so it’s high time their cars were put to the test again — only this time, with energy-efficient cars! The race takes place along Beach Avenue at 1pm. Log on to www.capemayforum.org for more information. See page 15 for more information.

May 26 CRAFTS AND ANTIQUES FOR MEMORIAL DAY Craft and antiques vendors offer a wide selection of country crafts, folk art, custom-designed jewelry, antiques and a choice selection of Victorian items. At the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street. Free admission. From 10am to 4pm. Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-2754278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

“

Everything about this restaurant was superb!

Not only do you have a fabulous view of the beautiful Cape May beach, but the food and service was top notch.

We will definitely be back!

–Open Table

”

26 Food 27 Decor 26 Service

1301 Beach Avenue • 609.884.9090 • petershieldsinn.com

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3/23/12 7:29 AM

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May 27-June 14 CAPE MAY MUSIC FESTIVAL Enjoy world-class orchestral and chamber music, a world traditions series and Bach’s Lunches at the 23rd annual Cape May Music Festival. Presented by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC) and funded by PNC Arts Alive. For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

of the arts. Two years ago, participants debated over whether humor can save the world. Last year, it was the politics of food in the 21st century that was the hot topic. This year, it’s the future of energy that’s on the table. For details, log on to www.capemayforum.org.

June 2 WEST CAPE MAY STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL The strawberry season in New Jersey is only a couple weeks long, and boy is it worth the wait. This annual event showcases the berry at its best. Come hungry, and enjoy the live music and local vendors at Wilbraham Park, across from the CVS.

May 28 MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY Amidst all the barbequing and beachplaying of a long weekend, it’s important to remember the reason for the holiday. Honor America’s fallen heroes at this event, held at the Columbia Avenue Monument at 9am.

May 30 BACH’S LUNCH Enjoy a mini-concert by members of the Bay-Atlantic Symphony and an elegant Tea Luncheon at the Carriage House Café located on the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street. Starts at 12:30pm, $30 per person. Presented by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities

a fruity kind of festival The West Cape May Strawberry Festival will be held in Wilbraham Park on Saturday, June 2.

(MAC). For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

June 2-3 CAPE MAY FORUM Grapple with some of the moral, political and social issues of the day, while experience the transformative power

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June 6 BACH’S LUNCH Enjoy a mini-concert by members of the Bay-Atlantic Symphony and an elegant Tea Luncheon at the Carriage House Café located on the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street. Starts at 12:30pm, $30 per person. Presented by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). For more information, call 609884-5404 or visit capemaymac.org.

June 7-10 32ND ANNUAL SHARK TOURNAMENT AT SOUTH JERSEY MARINA It’s the kick-off to big game fishing in South Jersey — the Super Bowl of shark fishing. You won’t get a ring if you win, but you will see big cash prizes — enough to make your jaws hit the floor.

(Get it? Jaws?) Call the South Jersey Marina at 609-884-2400.

June 9 VICTORIAN FAIR A traditional Victorian fair on the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street, Cape May’s only Victorian house museum. The day features music, crafts, collectibles, children’s activities and refreshments. From 10am to 4pm. Free admission and parking. Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-2754278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

June 9-10 BOARDWALK CRAFT SHOW This is the 20th craft show of its kind, but the first to happen at the new

party at the harbor Opposite page: The annual Harborfest, on June 16, is a celebration of Cape May’s maritime heritage.

Aleksey Moryakov

Convention Hall, so you’re not going to want to miss out. With 100 vendors displaying hand-crafted goods from 10-5pm, it’s the perfect time for treasure hunting. Call 609-884-9565.

June 13 BACH’S LUNCH Enjoy a mini-concert by members of the Bay-Atlantic Symphony and an elegant Tea Luncheon at the Carriage House Café located on the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street. Starts at 12:30pm, $30 per person. Presented by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800275-4278 or visit online www.capemaymac.org.

June 16 CAPE MAY POINT 5-MILE RUN Sometimes, it’s the adrenaline that gets a person through a long summer race. Other times — like with this run through the Point and around beautiful Lake Lilly — it’s the enchanting scenery. Registration begins near the fire hall at 8:30am. For more information, call 609-884-1087.

Down-home cooking... with a terrific view!

June 16 HARBOR FEST It’s a celebration of the sea, and you’re invited! Along the harbor, from 10am to 5pm, enjoy a lively festival, nature programs, a beer garden, live music, kayaking, kids’ activities and fresh Cape May seafood.

June 16 DELAWARE BAY LIGHTHOUSE ADVENTURE Come aboard the Cape May Whale Watcher or the Spirit of Cape May to view and photograph historic lighthouses of the late 19th and early part of the 20th centuries. Most of these lighthouses stand on pedestals out of sight of land and are still operational. Each cruise also includes narration on Delaware Bay lore and legend, including information on fishing, spawning grounds and more. Includes complimentary continental breakfast in the morning and a lavish buffet lunch. A cash bar is available. From 10am to 5pm, ickets $99. Sponsored by the Cape May Whale Watcher and the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). For more information, call 609-884-5404 or visit capemaymac.org.

on Broadway Chef Geoff has appearded on Rocco’s Dinner Party on...

ADULT CONTEMPORARY CUISINE Dinner from 5PM

Bill Caterini plays live on Saturday nights!

Beach Avenue & Grant Street, Cape May • 884-3772 exit zero

416 S. Broadway, West Cape May, 609-898-1555 10 June 2012

FISH & FANCY

SEAFOOD TAKE-OUT “The Local’s Favorite”

(609) 886-8760 • www.fishandfancy.com

2406 Bayshore Road, Villas (next to Robinson & Son’s Produce) Like Us on Facebook!

FRESH WEEKLY SPECIALS • FRESH HOMEMADE SALADS OUTDOOR PATIO SEATING • PARTY TRAYS Have it your way... fried, broiled, grilled, blackened or sautéed! exit zero

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June 23 ANTIQUE AND FINE CRAFTS FAIR Hunt for rare finds (and get a tan while you’re at it!) in beautiful Wilbraham Park between 9:00am and 5pm. Sponsored by the Greater Cape May Historical Society.

July 3 FULL MOON GHOST HUNT WITH GHOST-ONE Ghost-One, a paranormal research team based in Pennsylvania, has done extensive investigations and is hosting a full moon ghost hunt at 7:30pm at Cape May’s original haunted house, the Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street. Enter the haunted Physick Estate with a member of Ghost-One. Try your hand at some of their investigating tools and do EVP readings as you explore different rooms inside the Physick Estate. Afterwards, return to the Carriage House for dessert and to discuss your findings. Tickets are $30 per person and limited to 50 people.

Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

happy birthday, america Opposite page: Cape May’s 33rd annual Independence Parade will be held on Saturday, July 7.

Aleksey Moryakov

July 4 FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA Summertime is THE time for simple American pleasures — like running through sprinklers, chasing ice cream trucks and, of course, enjoying fireworks. From Congress Hall’s lawn or the surrounding beaches and streets, you’ll see a five-star show while savoring salty ocean breezes. Kicks off at 9pm.

July 7 KIWANIS PANCAKE DAY If you don’t like pancakes, you’re kind of a freak. Lucky for all of you nonfreaks out there, Kiwanis — that global organization dedicated to serving children of the world — will host its annual pancake breakfast at Congress Hall, from 7am to 12:30pm. The event benefits the Kiwanis Scholarship fund and local charities. Call 609-884-8421 for more information.

July 7 33RD INDEPENDENCE PARADE Who says the Fourth of July celebration has to end on the fourth? We’re still just as happy about our independence on the 7th, so why not have a parade? The fun starts 1pm in front of brand-new

Convention Hall.

July 6 LUNCH WITH THE PIRATES Lads, lasses, buccaneers and landlubbers are invited to the Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street, for a piratethemed lunch experience. Pirates invade the patio tent and take over the show. $18 for adults, $10 for children (ages 3-12). (Price includes lunch).

Starts at 11:30am Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). Visit www.capemaymac.org.

July 11 KIDS DAY AT THE EMLEN PHYSICK ESTATE Learn what life was like more than 100 years ago from the parlor to the playroom on a tour of the estate. Tromp around the grounds of the Estate, covered in tents filled with fun activities like dress-up, hat-making, singing, storytelling, face painting, Victorian games, Teddy Bear Tea Parties and more. From 10am to 3pm, $5 for children (ages 3-12), free for adults.

Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). Call

In a Victorian town... a sexy, modern twist.

Friday nights are Latin nights.

Saturday night there’s always something unique and special.

Chill at the poolside Tiki bar.

Let us stage your wedding or event in style.

Redefining the luxury Cape May experience...

at the

OCEAN CLUB HOTEL

1035 Beach Avenue, Cape May NJ 08204 609.884.7000 • capemayoceanclubhotel.com

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609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

July 11 TEDDY BEAR TEA PARTY BYOB — Bring your own bear (or dolly). Teddy Bear Tea Parties at the Emlen Physick Estate feature kidfriendly menus and teddy bear music.

Miss Jeanne and a special guest from The Cape May Teddy Bear Co. will be presenting stories and activities for the Teddy Bear Tea attendees as well as providing a goody bag. At 11am and 1pm, $18 for adults, $10 for children (ages 3-12). Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). To make reservations, call 609-884-5404 or 800-2754278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

July 11-15 23RD OCEAN/VIKING SHOWDOWN No, not THOSE Vikings… though you can wear a horned hat if you’d like. If you own either a Viking or Ocean fishing vessel, usher in the start of billfishing season by competing in this tournament, hosted by the South Jersey Marina. Call 609-884-2400.

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Legendary Cape May Car Race Gets A Redo

BIG WHEELS COME TO TOWN A rarely seen copy of the official program from the 1905 races, in which Henry Ford raced Louis Chevrolet on the beach in Cape May

«

On Saturday, May 19, from 10am to 3pm, the recently established Cape May Forum presents a re-creation of the famous 1905 automobile beach races in Cape May between Henry Ford and Louis Chevrolet — only this time as a contest of energy efficiency with the latest hybrid and electric cars from Ford and Chevrolet.

The event will re-create the historic contest with vintage cars, and also pair vintage Fords and Chevrolets with the most advanced models to illustrate how far we have progressed since 1905. Actors and performers will be used to re-create the look, and feel, of the old event. The races begin at 1pm in front of Convention Hall.

On August 25, 1905 Ford and Chevrolet drove a head-to-head race, which involved two other drivers. According to the records, Chevrolet finished second and Ford was last. According to eyewitness accounts, it was a rainy day, and Ford’s vehicle was hit by a wave, knocking him out of the race. Ford was disappointed as he was depending upon the race money to pay his bill at the Stockton Hotel. He offered stock in his new company to the hotel clerk, but it was refused...

For more information on the event, and on the Cape May Forum, visit capemayforum.org. exit zero

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609-884-4800 At the corner of Beach Ave. & Decatur Street www.CabanasOnTheBeach.com www.facebook.com/CabanasOnTheBeach

the great outdoors

THERE IS SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT EATING AL FRESCO...

HERE ARE OUR FAVORITE PLACES TO ENJOY IT

“A jug of wine, a loaf of bread, and thou – Singing beside me in the wilderness.”

T

his ancient nod to dining al fresco is hundreds of years old , so what is it about eating outside that speaks to us? There is simply something about the warm, open air, the sun (or stars) above, coupled with the sensual, almost primitive pleasure of putting food in one’s — or someone else’s — mouth that makes eating al fresco a singular experience.

And for some reason, that experience, like so many, seems to be intensified at the shore.

For me, it goes back to eating a warm peanut butter and jelly sandwich on the beach as a toddler — complete with the crunch of errant grains of sand — while seagulls screeched above and the sun beat down upon my curly little head, the smells in the air a heady concoction of brine and Coppertone.

I’m all grown up now (mostly), but that pleasure has never left me. And in Cape May, there are plenty of places to indulge the urge to sit out in the fresh salt air and partake in wine,

Story by KATE CHADWICK

food, and company. Below, for your dining and drinking pleasure, we have set forth a comprehensive guide to outdoor dining rooms with a view in Cape May.

Aleathea’s What you’re looking at: The stately old Inn of Cape May’s beautiful, romantic architecture is your backdrop for breakfast, lunch or dinner, whether you’re inside or out on the patio. And the bustle of the promenade and grandeur of the sea is your view just across the street.

What you’re eating: Aleathea’s serves breakfast daily from 8-11am. Lunch begins at 11:30, and the first dinner seating is a 5pm.

What you’re spending: Breakfast is anywhere from $6-12. For lunch, you can spend as little as $6.50 or splurge on a stuffed flounder entrée for $15.95. And for dinner, soups and starters average $6, entrées up through $30.

Who you’re bringing: Bring someone you want to relax and unwind with over a leisurely meal with a killer view.

Insider tip: Aleathea’s features live piano music during dinner on Friday and Saturday, July through September. They have a bar, so don’t worry about beverages.

At the Inn of Cape May, 7 Ocean Street, 609-8845555, innofcapemay.com exit zero

16 June 2012

Avalon Coffee What you’re looking at: You’ve got a straight shot at an ocean view, not to mention the brand-new Convention Hall. People-watching or staring at the sea — take your pick.

What you’re eating: Homemade bagels and fresh-brewed coffee, smoothies and freshbaked treats.

What you’re spending: Average price for a breakfast sandwich runs around $5.

Who you’re bringing: Whoever you were drinking with last night, for lots of good coffee and a belly-filling bagel sandwich.

Insider tip: Smoothies from scratch. In a hurry? Sip your breakfast through a straw with a healthy and refreshing fruit smoothie.

7 Gurney Street, 609-898-8188, avaloncoffeecompany.com

The Blue Pig Tavern What you’re looking at: The garden at the Blue Pig has a lush secluded feel to it, while still offering optimal people-watching, with folks heading to and from the beach and the mall, not to mention the hustle and bustle of the most iconic hotel in Cape May all around you.

What you’re eating: Top-notch breakfast, lunch and dinner can be had out in the garden, or the patio.

A FRESH TAKE The secluded patio of The Blue Pig Tavern at Congress Hall, and the deck at the Harbor View offer two very different vibes exit zero

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What you’re spending: Breakfast $5-14; lunch $6-22; and dinner, $6-32.

Who you’re bringing: Whether it’s a first date or a 50th birthday celebration with the whole family, you’ll fit right in.

Insider tip: Grab a breakfast bar and a coffee from Tommy’s Folly General Store, in the hotel lobby, and snag a rocker on the hotel veranda.

At Congress Hall, 251 Beach Avenue, 609-8848422, congresshall.com

The Chalfonte Hotel What you’re looking at: Horse-drawn carriages clip-clopping down the leafy picturesque streets of Howard and Columbia.

What you’re eating: Breakfast and dinner served here, where old-style Southern fare is the specialty, with traditional favorites like fried chicken, corn pudding and spoon bread.

What you’re spending: $34.95 buys you a scrumptious three-course dinner, and there’s a Sunday Southern buffet for $29.95.

Who you’re bringing: Bring the family — the more the merrier here. They even have special dining room for kids.

Insider tip: The King Edward Bar is one of the best-kept secrets in town. Fetch a cocktail and relax with it in on the porch.

301 Howard Street, 609-884-8409, chalfonte.com

Congress Hall Pool Cabana What you’re looking at: People in bathing suits and pool boys with umbrella drinks.

What you’re eating: Sandwiches, salads and smoothies. Eating poolside makes good food taste even better.

What you’re spending: Not as much as you’d think, considering you’re going to feel like a movie star in such sexy surroundings.

Who you’re bringing: Great for a romantic afternoon, or with the whole family.

Insider tip: Come by after work (if you’re a local or after the beach if you’re not) for the perfect happy hour spot.

Congress Hall, 251 Beach Avenue, 609-884-8421. congresshall.com

Cucina Rosa What you’re looking at: You’re on the corner of the Washington Mall and Perry Street — a prime spot for people-watching.

What you’re eating: Dinner only here, and Cucina Rosa has delectable Italian favorites: pastas of every shape and flavor, from children’s spaghetti and red sauce to veal and homemade Italian sausage dishes for the grown-ups. How about a spicy Seafood Fra Diavlo to shake things up?

What you’re spending: Appetizers average

around $8, entrées start at $16.

Who you’re bringing: Anyone — who doesn’t love Italian food, after all? Bring the boss, your best girl, bring your mom, your outof-town guests. If there’s a whole gang, they’ve got a private room (but that’s inside).

Insider tip: Cucina Rosa is BYOB, but if you don’t have time to stop at the liquor store, you can buy a bottle of their house table wine.

301 Washington Street, 609-898-9800, cucinarosa.com

Gecko’s What you’re looking at: Shoppers, strollers, gallery-goers and hand-holders. And on a busy night, all the other diners lined up, waiting patiently for their table, staring longingly at your Manchamantales.

What you’re eating: Outrageously good Tex-Mex in a casual city garden setting. Their house salad is legendary among locals.

What you’re spending: Lunches from $3.50 for soup, and under $10 for most entrées. Dinner appetizers in the $4-9 range, with most entrées coming in under $20, including salad.

Who you’re bringing: Your besties for a girls night out — or a boy’s night out too. Don’t bring anyone too impatient, though, as it’s not a huge place and you’ll probably have to wait.

Do it yourself Delicious!

Self Surf™ frozen yogurt is here!

JAPANESE • SUSHI • CHINESE • THAI

898-0088 315 Ocean Street, Washington Commons Mall (inside Acme Market Mall) Cape May www.capeorient.com

Just grab a cup, fill it up, weigh, pay and enjoy! With lots of creamy nonfat flavors of froyo and over 20 toppings,

Advertise in the 2012 COLOR Issues of Exit Zero!

Only $70 for an ad this size Contact Jason Black (609) 770-8479 • jason@exitzero.us exit zero

you make it the way you like it at Bonnie’s Toppings.

Washington Commons Mall 815 Ocean St, Cape May also at: Avalon 2166 Dune Dr & Stone Harbor 9410 2nd Ave

BonniesToppings.com

19 June 2012

low cholesterol low calorie natural probiotics!

Insider tip: Even if you’re a carnivore, their House Salad has the reputation as the best around. Put it on your list of things to try.

Carpenter’s Square Mall, 609-884-7750

Harbor View What you’re looking at: A sweeping view of the harbor. There’s not a bad seat in the house here — even inside.

What you’re eating: Casual, get-yourhands-dirty-but-who-cares-you’re-outside fare. Hamburgers, pizza, conch fritters, clams on the half-shell, soups, salads, and sushi.

What you’re spending: As little as $4 and change for some she-crab soup, up to the big splurge for the $50 sushi Special Combo.

Who you’re bringing: Don’t bring anyone uptight — it doesn’t get more relaxed and casual than this spot. It’s a classic at the shore to have a blast place.

Insider tip: The sushi here is hugely popular.

Find out what all the buzz is about.

954 Ocean Drive, 609-884-5444, harborviewcapemay.com

Harpoon Henry’s What you’re looking at: The stunning tableau of the Delaware Bay provides the perfect backdrop for the best sunset you’ll ever see.

and

What you’re eating: Lunch, dinner and over 250 frozen drinks — everything from casual finger foods like onion rings and crab balls to broiled scallops and back ribs. Sandwiches and burgers, and a kids’ menu too.

What you’re spending: Go small with a cup of soup for around $4, or think big with a Steak Chesapeake, topped with crabmeat and béarnaise for $26.99.

Who you’re bringing: This is a fun, casual spot no matter who you’re hanging with right this minute. Just you and your partner for a romantic sunset cocktail, or bring the whole happy hour gang for wings and a pitcher or two.

Insider tip: Don’t fret about waiting for a table if you’ve got little ones — they can frolic in the convenient sandbox. Speaking of sandboxes, the beach is across the street.

91 Beach Drive, North Cape May, 609-886-5529, harpoonhenrys.net

Harry’s Ocean Bar & Grille What you’re looking at: A straight shot at the beach, directly across the street. Try to pay attention to those delicious ocean breezes, while you’re scarfing down your great food.

What you’re eating: Breakfast, lunch and dinner — or check out the cocktail menu if you’re on one of those…. liquid diets. There are

CLIPPER SHIP PUB

SERVING DINNER FROM 5PM EARLY DINNER SPECIALS 5-6pm 1/2 PRICE RAW BAR ITEMS 5-6pm in the Pub Only Affordable Pub Menu Piano Music

Reservations: 609-884-5878 991 Ocean Drive, Cape May www.blueclawrestaurant.com

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20 June 2012

classics for breakfast like Challah French Toast, innovators for lunch like Grilled Ahi Tuna Sliders, or go for the homemade taste of Harry’s Meatloaf for dinner.

What you’re spending: Start your day with an omelet in the $7-9 range, or chipped beef for around $7. Most lunch entrees are under $10 Dinners run mid-teens to mid-twenty dollar range for entrées, Who you’re bringing: The slogan here is “Meet me at Harry’s!” so gather your besties and go!

Insider tip: Harry’s has the best craft beer selection on the island.

1025 Beach Avenue, 609-88-HARRY, harryscapemay.com

The Lobster House What you’re looking at: Boats bobbing, gulls gliding, happy people eating great food and drinking good drinks. Thus is The Lobster House experience at either the Raw Bar or The Schooner, where you’re surrounded by historic fishing memorabilia from Cape May’s past — and present.

What you’re eating: The Raw Bar and Schooner are both open from May through October. The Raw Bar menu, offered 11:3010pm, features raw clams and oysters, lob-

EATING OUT Harry’s is steps from the Atlantic Ocean, while The Lobster House has a prime harborfront location

Cape May

Winery & Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon • Merlot • Red Reserve Chardonnay • Pinot Grigio • Reisling • Blush • Apple Gift Certificates available

Tasting Room - Open Daily

Tours Daily at 3pm... Call for details!

(609) 884-1169 • 711 Townbank Road, North Cape May • www.capemaywinery.com exit zero

21 June 2012

20Reasons2CMYK/Ez

3/21/12

4:01 PM

Page 1

REASONS TO VISIT 20 GREAT Rio Station 20 Fresh, local seafood everyday 19 Early Birds...Monday through Friday 18 Acres of free parking 17 Best Prime Rib in the Universe 16 Tami’s Homemade Carrot Cake 15 Friday Night Terry-Oke! 14 Rio Happy Birthday Club 13 Cozy atmosphere 12 World Famous Crab Cakes 11 Everything is made from scratch 10 Full menu til 11 p.m.

9 Our Chocolate Covered Pretzel Martini 8 Best crispy hot wings in South Jersey 7 One of our new craft beers would taste great 6 Wine Spectator Wine List Award 5 You just don’t feel like cooking 4 Great kids menu 3 New $5 Happy Hour Menu 2 Killer Chicken Parm

And the #1 Reason to Visit Rio Station...

Serving amazing food for 25 years!

Grande Center Shopping Mall • Rio Grande, New Jersey

609-889-2000

exit zero

sters and more, including burgers and sandwiches for land-lubbers. The Schooner is open noon-10pm, weather permitting, of course — and is a big hotspot for locals. Enjoy lunch and a cocktail in this breathtaking spot and you’ll see why.

What you’re spending: For lunch, $4.25-$13.50, while dinner entrées range from $12.95 to the $48.50 lobster tail. A major bargain is the lobster roll for just $9.

Who you’re bringing: Someone (or several someones) who are looking to experience the tradition of a Cape May landmark.

Insider tip: Happy Hour at the Schooner is where the cool kids go.

Fisherman’s Wharf, Cape May Harbor, 609-884-8296, thelobsterhouse.com

McGlade’s on the Pier What you’re looking at: The sea, the sea, the glorious sea. This is the next best thing to a blanket on the sand. Okay, better, even.

What you’re eating: Breakfast, lunch and dinner, from Mother’s Day until Columbus weekend. Closed for dinner on Tuesdays. For a place that’s known for its legendary breakfasts (Uncle Tuse omelette, anyone?), the lunch and dinner menus rock too. Consider a crab and avocado platter for lunch, What you’re spending: Anywhere from $5-12 for breakfast, $5-15 for lunch, $8-25 for dinner.

Who you’re bringing: Anyone who appreciates downhome food with a great ocean view thrown in.

Insider tip: There will be a line for breakfast. It’s worth waiting.

722 Beach Avenue, On The Pier, 609-884-2614, mcglades.com

Rusty Nail What you’re looking at: Happy, sun-kissed, barefoot people enjoying a relaxed, casual atmosphere, good food, and the beachiest of beach vibes.

What you’re eating: Pull up a picnic bench or an Adirondack chair and kick back for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or beers around the bonfire with your best beach buds. Anything from fish tacos to pasta dinners, served up with a seriously chilled attitude.

What you’re spending: Two eggs, any style, less than $5. For lunch, a spinach salad for less than $10, or a bucket of clams for around $12. And a full rack of ribs with all the fixings for around $24 should take care of dinner nicely.

Who you’re bringing: We can tell you what you’re not bringing — a suit and tie. Roll right on in with sand in your shoes.

Insider tip: You haven’t had mashed potatoes or macaroni and cheese until you’ve had Chef Jimmy Burton’s mashed potatoes or macaroni and cheese.

Beach Avenue between Grant and Patterson, beachshack.com

Tisha’s Fine Dining What you’re looking at: You can sit outside either out front or around back; either way, Tisha’s provides prime people-watching vantage points, either on Carpenter’s Lane or the Washington Street mall, right in the hustle-bustle of pedestrian traffic.

What you’re eating: This is simple food with a fine dining twist — upscale but unfussy. Start your day right with Eggs Benedict or an outrageous Tisha’s Omelet. From small plates to two-fisted burgers at lunch (try the Bacon Egg and Cheese Burger!), they put a special spin on everything they make. Dinner…..

What you’re spending: For breakfast, prices range from around $7-12. For lunch, expect to spend $8-14, and dinner prices average $9-32.

What you’re bringing: Tisha’s is a BYOB, so stroll by, have a look at

22 June 2012

AVA L O N

C O F F E E

#7GURNEY

&

THE BEACH

OPEN EVERY DAY

8088 BAKERY

&

SPECIALTY

FROZEN COFFEE

DRINKS

HAND

GOODS

ROLLED BAGELS

CATERING

BREAKFAST

TRAYS

Serving fine food since 1988

MICRO

ROASTED COFFEES

&

SPECIALTY

SANDWICHES

TRY OUR NORTH CAPE MAY LOCATION

3704 BAYSHORE ROAD

Green Street Market

Natural Health & Gourmet

Open Daily for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (609) 884-9119 322 Washington Street Mall, Cape May www.tishasfinedining.com

exit zero

0rganic produce Grass fed organic meats Organic poultry Gluten Free Vegan Vitamins and Herbal Supplements OPEN 7 DAYS 3167 RT. 9 SOUTH RIO GRANDE NJ 08242 (NEXT TO AVALON COFFEE) 609-463-0606 www.greenstreetmarket.com email: info@greenstreetmarket.com

23 June 2012

the menu, then walk to Collier’s for your wine and be back when your table is ready.

Insider tip: A kids’ menu is available, so upscale doesn’t have to mean you leave the kids at home.

322 Washington Street Mall, 609-884-9119, tishascapemay.com

someone you hope becomes someone special.

Insider tip: There is also a dining table in the “back yard” at The Ebbitt Room — ask about it the next time you’re looking for someplace really special outside.

25 Jackson Street, 884-5700, virgniahotel.com

Zoe’s Beachfront Eatery

Ugly Mug What you’re looking at: Lots and lots of people — the Mug is always busy, so if you’re not people-watching at the next table, you can watch the tourists and locals doing the Washington Street mall stroll.

What you’re eating: Whatever you want, really. There’s a HUGE menu here, so whether it’s just some nachos to munch on with a cold beer to a prime rib dinner with all the fixings at a reasonable price, the Mug gets it done.

What you’re spending: That’s up to you, with a range of items and prices this big.

Who you’re bringing: The gang. The Mug has a great, and sometimes boisterous, chummy vibe. It’s very family-friendly too.

Insider tip: A great place to meet up with friends, order one of (almost) everything, and eat off each other’s plates. Elbows on the table are not a problem here.

426 Washington Street Mall, 609-884-3459

SLICE OF PARADISE Harpoon Henry’s has the leafy feel of the Caribbean, and unbeatable sunset viewing

Porch at the Virginia Hotel What you’re looking at: You’re in the middle of arguably the most picturesque street in arguably the most picturesque town around. Beach to your left, mall to your right. Enjoy.

What you’re eating: Exquisite, farm-fresh, locally crafted foods and absurdly creative cocktail (and mocktail) concoctions.

What you’re spending: It’s known as a special-occasion place, but you’ll be surprised at just how affordable this place can be. A small plate and a classic cocktail will set you back around $20.

What you’re bringing: Someone you want to hold hands with… someone special. Or

Harbor View RESTAURANT, BAR & MARINA

What you’re looking at: Smack across from the beach, the new Convention Hall, and the best people-watching the promenade has to offer.

What you’re eating: Scrumptious breakfasts at reasonable prices , right on the sidewalk in the middle of Beach Avenue. The breakfasts are so good, it’s easy to forget how wonderful the lunches are.

What you’re spending: Not a lot — breakfast will set you back less than $3 for cereal, or splurge on a Kitchen Sink Omelette for $7.99 – including home fries and toast. And everything on the lunch menu is under ten bucks.

Who you’re bringing: Dogs are more than welcome here. Great for families, too, with kidfriend plastic cutlery and unbreakable plates.

Insider tip: They roast their own turkey and beef here – try one of their sublime sandwiches.

715 Beach Avenue, 609-884-1233, zoescapemay. com

Waterfront Bar, Restaurant and Marina, and an Outside Bar that’s Classic Key West!

Enjoy Sushi on our Deck!

954 OCEAN DRIVE, CAPE MAY • (609) 884-5444 • HARBORVIEWCAPEMAY.COM exit zero

24 June 2012

a taste of THE sweet LIFE The porch at The Virginia hotel on Jackson Street, left, and Gecko’s, on Carpenter’s Lane, just off the mall

A family place A first-date place A dinner-and-a-movie place A perfect place for any occasion.

Modern American cuisine with a cool and casual vibe...

GODMOTHER’S

broadway & west perry street cape may (609) 884-4543 .godmothersrestaurant.com

1 Sunset Boulevard, Cape May (609) 898-0100 • www.blackduckonsunset.com

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25 June 2012

t s e d l O s ’ y e Ma

! n r e v a T t s

e i l d n e i r F &

Cap

C-View Inn Texas Avenue & Washington Street Cape May • (609) 884-4712

Oyster Bay STEAKS

The most unique cafe in Cape May!

SEAFOOD

A classic copper bar, a great martini list, and modern American cuisine.

ng Servi ic n Orga ade em Hom fast & k Brea Daily! h Lunc Vegan & Vegetarian Friendly

What more could you want?

Organic Fruit Smoothies Iced Coffee & Teas

FIND US ON

FREE WiF i Hot (with Spot purc hase

)

Pet Friend ly Outdoor Seating

ALL food is vegetarian, vegan, organic, local, made to order and DELICIOUS!

Coffee House & Organic Market

479 West Perry Street West Cape May 884-1131

(609) 884-2111 615 LAFAYETTE STREET, CAPE MAY exit zero

26 June 2012

The Ultimate Cape May Food & Drink Chart What you need to know about the food and the vibe

Meals served

Price range of entrées

Bar or BYOB?

Should I book?

Food for kids?

Other details

B, L, D

$15-$45 Cards: V, MC, AE, D

FULL BAR

YES

YES

ub HU

N/A

NO

YES

b H

ALEATHEA’S 7 Ocean Street, Cape May (609) 884-5555, Ext. 226 www.innofcapemay.com

Offers superb food in a graceful setting at the glorious old Inn of Cape May, plus a cozybut-elegant bar with access to the oceanfront patio. Check out the antique-filled lobby first.

AVALON COFFEE 7 Gurney St, Cape May, 898-8088 & 3823 Bayshore Rd, N. Cape May (609) 846-0040

Superior coffee that’s always fresh, and healthy food that’s perfect for breakfast and lunch.

First-class wraps, sandwiches and bagels, along with a good range of smoothies and cold drinks.

B, L

$3-$8 Cards: V, MC, AE, D

AXELSSON’S BLUE CLAW 991 Ocean Drive, Cape May (609) 884-5878 www.blueclawrestaurant.com

Enjoy fine dining near the harbor – just go over the quaint old drawbridge. There is an elegant dining room, a cozy fireplace, and the classic Clipper Ship Pub.

D

$24-$30 Cards: V, MC, D

FULL BAR

YES

YES

ub H

BACKSTREET 600 Park Boulevard (609) 884-7660 www.backstreetcapemaynj.com

Downhome cooking, a laidback vibe and superior desserts in this gem of a place, a few minutes from Cape May. They have plenty of free parking and delicious nightly specials.

B, D

$13-$29 Cards: V, MC, AE

BYOB

YES

YES

ub H

BELLA VIDA CAFÉ 406 N. Broadway, West Cape May (609) 884-6322 www.bellavidacafe.com

“The local café with a wholesome aroma” is what they call it... and that’s how we describe it. You can tell that everything is home cooked here. Always fresh, always delicious.

B, L, D

$5-$25 Cards: V, MC, D

BYOB

NO

YES

u H

BEN AND JERRY’S 414 Washington St. Mall, Cape May (609) 884-3040 www.benjerry.com

There’s ice cream, and then there’s Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. Centrally-located on the mall, it’s a great spot to take a break from shopping and people-watch for a spell.

Ice Cream

$3-$7 Cards: V, MC, D

N/A

NO

YES

ub H

THE BLACK DUCK 1 Sunset Boulevard (609) 898-0100 www.blackduckonsunset.com

A chic interior and stylish Modern American cuisine from acclaimed chef (and owner) Chris Hubert, but the ambience is anything but pretentious. There’s a nice laidback vibe.

D

$15-$28 Cards: V, MC

BYOB

YES

NO

ub H

THE BLUE PIG TAVERN 251 Beach Avenue, Cape May (609) 884-8422 www.congresshall.com

Congress Hall’s restaurant is better than ever, as evidenced by its usually filled dining rooms. The Pig serves classic tavern food with quite a a twist or two along the way.

B, L, D

$12-$36 Cards: V, MC, AE, D

FULL BAR

YES

YES

ub H

THE BLUE PIG TAVERN 251 Beach Avenue, Cape May (609) 884-8422 www.congresshall.com

Congress Hall’s restaurant is better than ever, as evidenced by its usually filled dining rooms. The Pig serves classic tavern food with quite a a twist or two along the way.

B, L, D

$12-$36 Cards: V, MC, AE, D

FULL BAR

YES

YES

ub H

BONNIE’S TOPPINGS 315 Ocean Street Cape May www.bonniestoppings.com

The ultimate DIY experience - grab a frozen yogurt and have at the endless array of toppings. For a tasty treat that’s distinctly yours, get to Bonnie’s Toppings.

Frozen Yogurt

$2-$6 Cards: V, MC, AE, D

BYOB

N/A

YES

ub H

THE BROWN ROOM 251 Beach Avenue, Cape May (609) 884-8422 www.congresshall.com

Congress Hall’s lovely lounge is called Cape May’s Living Room for a reason. The decor is elegant but casual, the drinks are great, the staff is cool, and the place just says “classy.”

Bar Menu & Cocktails

Cards: V, MC, AE, D

FULL BAR

NO

NO

CABANAS 429 Beach Avenue, Cape May (609) 884-4800 www.cabanasonthebeach.com

It’s always warm and friendly in this lively beachfront bar that features some of the best live bands around. A great spot to enjoy happy hour, with the sun pouring in the open doors.

B, L, D

$8-$25 Cards: V, MC, AE, D

BAR

YES

YES

SYMBOLS KEY

u

Onsite parking

Handicap accessible

exit zero

27 June 2012

Takeout available

u

b H

Great food, great drinks and great music...

Paradise found...

Good Food Friendly Atmosphere Waterfront Dining Awesome Sunsets!

Serving Lunch & Dinner Daily Live Music Nightly Free Parking

...are always guaranteed.

106 Decatur Street @ Columbia Avenue Cape May

91 Beach Drive, North Cape May

(609) 886-5529 www.harpoonhenrys.net

(609) 884-8363 www.merioninn.com

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28 June 2012

The Ultimate Cape May Food & Drink Chart What you need to know about the food and the vibe

Meals served

Price range of entrées

Bar or BYOB?

Should I book?

Food for kids?

Other details

Health Food Store

Cards: V, MC, AE, D

N/A

N/A

YES

u b

Winery

$5-$27 Cards: V, MC, AE, D

Winery

N/A

NO

ub H

L, D

$12-$19 Cards: V, MC, AE, D

BYOB

YES

YES

ub H

BYOB

YES

YES

u b

CAPE MAY ORGANIC MARKET 120 Park Boulevard West Cape May (609) 884-3200

New to the Cape May scene this year, Cape May Organic is already a favorite, with a great selection of organic necessities, and an emphasis on “fresh” and “local.”

CAPE MAY WINERY 711 Townbank Road, Cape May (609) 884-1169 www.capemaywinery.com

This beautiful winery is open daily. Make a reservation to take an informative tour ofthe winery – just call for more information and their current tour hours.

CAPE ORIENT 315 Ocean Street, Cape May (609) 898-0088 www.capeorient.com

It’s not often that one restaurant can do excellent Chinese, Thai AND sushi, but trust us, Cape Orient does. The service, led by owner Glendy, is superb, too.

THE CARRIAGE HOUSE 1048 Washington Street At the Emlen Physick Estate (609) 884-5111

The Carriage House offers everything from hearty wraps, salads, quiche and paninis to classic teas. Best of all maybe is the location – the gorgeous Emlen Physick Estate.

L

$12-$19 Cards: V, MC, AE, D

CORINTHIAN YACHT CLUB 1819 Delaware Avenue (609) 884-8000 www.cyccm.com

For a truly unforgettable wedding experience — or any big event, for that matter, check out the Corinthian Yacht Club. Harbor view plus excellent cuisine equals obvious choice.

Special Event Venue

Please call for more info

N/A

YES

N/A

CUCINA ROSA 301 Washington Street Mall (609) 898-9800 www.cucinarosa.com

Nicely located at the beginning of the mall, on the Congress Hall side, this Italian restaurant is a must-visit. Simply superb food in classy-but-casual surroundings.

D

$12-$29 Cards: V, MC, AE, D

BYOB

YES

YES

b H

C-VIEW INN Texas & Washington Avenues Cape May (609) 884-4712

A locals’ favorite, the oldest and friendliest tavern in town with great wings, excellent pub fare and cold beer. And these days they accept credit cards, too!

L, D

$4-$18 Cards: V, MC, AE, D

BAR

NO

YES

u H

DEPOT MARKET CAFÉ 409 Elmira Street Cape May (609) 884-8030

New owners Chris and Lisa Shriver are keeping the old favorites at this much-loved café AND adding new specials. Cape May’s movers and shakers often eat lunch here.

B, L, D

$6-$14 Cash Only

BYOB

NO

YES

ub H

ELLIE’S BAKERY 301 North Broadway, West Cape May (609) 884-4007

A from-scratch, small-batch bakery that uses only real and fresh ingredients in all their decadent baked goods, Ellie’s is a sweet tooth’s best friend.

Bakery

$1-$30 Cards: V, MC

N/A

NO

YES

FISH AND FANCY 2406 Bayshore Road, Villas (609) 886-8760 www.fishandfancy.com

Superb seafood however you like it – fried, broiled, grilled, blackened or sautéed. That’s choice for you. Also great salads. Eat in (there’s an outdoor patio) or take away.

L, D

$5-$19 Cards: V, MC, AE, D

BYOB

YES

YES

ub H

GECKO’S Carpenter’s Square Mall Cape May (609) 898-7750

On a balmy summer night there’s nothing quite like Gecko’s in Cape May. Serving superb southwestern food, including great vegeterian fodder, on a tropical-vibed patio.

L, D

$8-$24 Cards: V, MC

BYOB

YES

YES

b H

GODMOTHER’S Broadway & Sunset (609) 884-4543 www.godmothersrestaurant.com

Excellent downhome Italian food, just like your mama, or your grandma, or your aunt would make. Reasonably priced and great for a family dinner.

D

$12-$28 Cards: V, MC

BYOB

YES

YES

u H

SYMBOLS KEY

u

Onsite parking

Handicap accessible exit zero

29 June 2012

Takeout available

ub

uH

LITTLE ITALY II RISTORANTE

Home-cooked food that satisfies your family and your wallet!

Monday Prime Rib Night

Advertise in the 2012 COLOR Issues of Exit Zero!

Only $100 for an ad this size

Tuesday Pizza Night

Large 2 Topping Pizza $10.99 + tax

Wednesday Fish & Chips Night All-You-Can-Eat $9.95 + tax

Thursday Pasta Night All-You-Can-Eat $9.95 + tax

Early Bird Special... Complimentary Glass of Wine with each Early Bird Dinner.

Available Sunday thru Friday from 3:30-5:30

3704 Bayshore Road, North Cape May (Cape Plaza Shopping Center) • (609) 889-6610

Contact Jason Black (609) 770-8479 • jason@exitzero.us

Aleathea’s Restaurant A Local Café with ... a Wholesome Aroma 7-2:30 Saturday & Sunday 7:30-2:30 Monday-Friday Dinners from 5pm “Best Crab Soup on the East Coast” Family Affordable G Vegetarian & Gluten-Free Friendly Outdoor Doggie-Friendly Dining

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Daily Happy Hour - Monday to Friday 3-6pm 7 Ocean Street at the Inn of Cape May 609.884.5555 | www.innofcapemay.com exit zero

Costa Rican Coffee G Fresh Pressed Carrot Juice Breakfast Burritos G Hottest Hotcakes Sweet Potato Pancakes G Multigrain Waffles Homemade Soups G Sensational Salads Bella ½-pound Burgers G Signature Sandwiches Veggie Delights G Dynamic Dinners

406 N. Broadway, West Cape May • 609.884.6332

30 June 2012

The Ultimate Cape May Food & Drink Chart What you need to know about the food and the vibe

Meals served

Price range of entrées

Bar or BYOB?

Should I book?

Food for kids?

Other details

GREEN STREET MARKET 3167 Route 9 South, Rio Grande (609) 463-0606 www.greenstreetmarket.com

A family-owned and operated organic market, committed to providing healthy and fair trade cerftified foods and products.

Check out their rewards program.

Health Food Store

Varies Cards: V, MC, D

N/A

N/A

YES

u b

HARBOR VIEW 954 Ocean Drive (609) 884-5444 www.harborviewcapemay.com

A locals’ favorite for a reason. There’s a Key West vibe, good food, regular entertainment, and the views are spectacular. Spend the day – or night.

B, L, D

$6-$30 Cards: V, MC

BAR

NO

YES

ub H

HARPOON HENRY’S Beach Drive and Browning (609) 886-5529 www.harpoonhenrys.net

It’s become famous for its sunsets. There is no better place to sip on a cold beer or a funky iced cocktail, listening to fun live music, and watching a beautiful day slip away.

L, D

$10-$21 Cards: V, MC, D

BAR

NO

YES

ub H

HARRY’S Madison & Beach Avenue (609) 884-6113 www.harryscapemay.com

The Hirsch family relaunched their restaurant at the Montreal Inn. It successfully mixes a friendly, family feel with a stylish oceanfront vibe. And there is an indoor AND outdoor bar.

B, L, D

$8-$24 Cards: V, MC, AE, D

BAR

YES

YES

ub H

HAWK HAVEN VINEYARD 600 S. Railroad Avenue Rio Grande (609) 846-7347 www.hawkhavenvineyard.com

A hip vibe, relaxed, beautiful setting and superb wines make this winery a must-visit.

Open daily from 11am to 7pm. Enjoy wines by the glass and gourmet snacks!

Winery

$5-$34 Cards: V, MC, AE, D

Winery

NO

NO

u H

HEMINGWAY’S 1045 Beach Avenue (609) 884-5611 www.hemingwayscapemay.com

A relaxed yet elegant island ambience, featuring hand-cut USDA Prime Steaks, classic seafood creations and an outstanding wine selection. At the beachfront Grand Hotel.

B, L, D

$15-$38 Cards: V, MC, AE, D

BAR

YES

YES

ub H

HIGHER GROUNDS 479 W. Perry St., West Cape May (609) 884-1131 highergroundscapemay.com

The only fair trade coffee house in town, Higher Grounds is also the only organic and vegan cafe in Cape May. It’s a wifi hotspot, and also offers great garden seating.

B, L, D

$5-$15 Cards: V, MC, AE, D

BYOB

N/A

YES

bH U

HOTDOG TOMMY’S Jackson Street @ Beach (609) 884-8388 www.hotdogtommys.com

If there are better dogs at the Shore, we’ve yet to hear. Tommy and Mary Snyder are hot dog jedi warriors. Their menu is creative and as healthy as hot dogs get!

L, D

$1.40-$4 Cash Only

N/A

NO

YES

b H

ISLAND GRILL 311 Mansion Street Cape May (609) 884-0200

The interior design and menu concoctions are similar – Caribbean-influenced and very, very colorful. The sauces and combinations are creative and delectable.

L, D

$13-$26 Cash Only

BYOB

YES

YES

ub H

LA VERANDAH 107-113 Grant Street, Cape May (609) 884-5868 www.hotelalcott.com

The ambience at this restaurant in the Hotel Alcott may be High Victorian, but the fare is delicious, contemporary American. A superb, three-star restaurant with an attentive staff.

D

$19-$32 Cards: V, MC, AE

BYOB

YES

YES

THE LOBSTER HOUSE Fisherman’s Wharf, (609) 884-8296 www.thelobsterhouse.com

Take-out, fish market, restaurant, raw bar, breakfast, dinner... The Lobster House has it all. Drinks on the Schooner American before dinner is a lovely experience.

B, L, D

$5-$48.50 Cards: V, MC, AE, D

BAR

NO

YES

ub HU

LUCKY BONES 1200 Route 109, (609) 884-BONE (2663) www.luckybonesgrill.com

This harborfront restaurant is a huge hit for a reason. There is excellent food (including wonderful thin-crust pizza), a great bar vibe, and superb service. Gets it right every time.

L, D

$6-$22 Cards: V, MC, AE, D

BAR

For tables of eight or more

YES

ub H

SYMBOLS KEY

u Onsite parking

Handicap accessible

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31 June 2012

Takeout available

b

DINNER NIGHTLY FROM 5PM Reservations Accepted • Cash Only Free Parking • Catering Available Contemporary cuisine with a Caribbean flair.

Uncle Bill’s & FAMILY RESTAURANT Open Everyday!

Outdoor Seating!

BEACH AVENUE & PERRY STREET, CAPE MAY (609) 884-7199

For Catering Call Carol 609-408-0612

311 Mansion Street • 884-0200

Freshest Ingredients Fantastic Specials Friendly Atmosphere Reservations Recommended 600 Park Boulevard, West Cape May • (609) 884-7660 • www.backstreetcapemaynj.com

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The Ultimate Cape May Food & Drink Chart What you need to know about the food and the vibe

Meals served

Price range of entrées

Bar or BYOB?

Should I book?

Food for kids?

Other details

BAR

YES

YES

b H

MAD BATTER 19 Jackson Street (609) 884-5970 www.madbatter.com

The original fine dining restaurant in Cape May and still one of the best. The food is always creative and the breakfasts and brunches are very hard to beat – hence the lines.

B, L, D

$19-$30 Cards: V, MC, AE, D

MAGNOLIA ROOM 301 Howard Street, Cape May (609) 884-8409 www.chalfonte.com

This is as old school as it gets. The Chalfonte Hotel’s restaurant has had the same chefs for more than 60 years. These ladies know how to cook great Southern-influenced food!

B, D

$10-$34 Cards: V, MC, AE, D

BAR

YES

YES

MARIE NICOLE’S 9510 Pacific, Wildwood Crest (609) 522-5425 www.marienicoles.com

This classy-but-casual restaurant serves modern American cuisine with a European ambiance in a relaxed atmosphere, just a short drive from Cape May, in Wildwood Crest.

D

$19-$44 Cards: V, MC, AE, D

BAR

YES

NO

MARTINI BEACH 429 Beach Avenue Cape May (609) 884-1925

A lively nightspot with a friendly vibe, great Mediterranean dishes, and a panoramic oceanfront view. It’s also the place that brough tapas to Cape May – go ahead and share!

D

$15-$30 Cards: V, MC, AE, D

BAR

YES

YES

MERION INN 106 Decatur Street, (609) 884-8363 www.merion inn.com

The dim, amber lighting, dark wooden bar, period fittings and classy staff give this place a special ambience. Great food, great cocktails, and great piano from George Mesterhazy.

D

$18/Mrkt Cards: V, MC, AE, D

BAR

YES

YES

ub HU

OCEAN VIEW Beach & Grant Avenues (609) 884-3772 www.oceanviewrestaurant.com

A large and very reliable menu at this oceanfront staple. Classic diner food, and very reasonably priced. A locals’ favorite, and you know that is always a good sign.

B, L, D

$9-$30 Cards: V, MC, AE, D

BYOB

NO

YES

ub H

OYSTER BAY 615 Lafayette Street (609) 884-2111 www.oysterbayrestaurantnj.com

Lovely, airy dining rooms, a beautiful coppertop bar and classic, generous dishes are what you’ll find here. This is the kind of place where people keep returning.

D

$12-$29 Cards: V, MC, AE, D

BAR

YES

YES

ub H

PETER SHIELDS 1301 Beach Avenue, (609) 884-9090 www.petershieldsinn.com

The Georgian Revival mansion on Cape May’s beachfront is magnificent, and the creative modern American menu matches it all the way. This is one classy eating experience.

D

$22-$39 Cards: V, MC, D

BYOB

NO

NO

H

THE PILOT HOUSE 142 Decatur Street (609) 884-3449 www.pilothousecapemay.com

A classic pub and restaurant offering great burgers, excellent comfort good and an authentic ambience. The burgers are big favorites among locals.

L, D

$5-$25 Cards: V, MC, AE, D

BAR

YES

YES

H

PRIMO HOAGIES 605 Lafayette Street, Cape May (609) 884-1177 www.primohoagies.com

No need to drive all the way to Philly for an authentic hoagie experience with Primo conveniently located right on Lafayette. It’s not just a hoagie, it’s a Primo.

L, D

$6-$20 Cards: V, MC, AE

N/A

NO

YES

ub H

RIO STATION 3505 Route 9 South Rio Grande (609) 889-2000

While all around it has changed, the Rio Station is still serving excellent food with old-style, friendly service. Their chicken wings are particularly good.

L, D

$13-$29 Cards: V, MC, AE, D

BAR

YES

YES

ub H

SEASALT RESTAURANT 1035 Beach Avenue, Cape May (609) 884-7000 capemayoceanclubhotel.com

Whether you want to salsa on Latin night or chill poolside at the Tiki Bar, have a fabulous meal or book a spectacular event, it’s SeaSalt Restaurant at the Ocean Club.

B, L, D

$8-$20 Cards: V, MC, AE, D

BAR

YES

YES

ub H

SYMBOLS KEY

u Onsite parking

Handicap accessible

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33 June 2012

Takeout available

b

u b

Eat good, feel good.

An extensive selection of organic produce, groceries, dairy, bulk, vegan foods, wheat and gluten-free foods and items, organic meats, organic juices, teas, supplements, homeopathics, baking goods, chocolate and sweets, literature, organic pet food and supplies, baby products, health and beauty items and more.

LOCAL grass-fed, hormone & antibiotic-free, free range FRESH beef cuts and chicken.

LOCAL eggs, LOCAL honey, LOCALLY grown produce. We support LOCAL farming.

Registered dietician on weekends for free information and consultations.

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK, 9am-7pm 120 PARK BOULEVARD WEST CAPE MAY (609) 884-3200 Capemayorganicmarket@gmail.com

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The Ultimate Cape May Food & Drink Chart What you need to know about the food and the vibe

Meals served

Price range of entrées

Bar or BYOB?

Should I book?

Food for kids?

Other details

L, D

$4-$12 Cards: V, MC, AE, D

N/A

N/A

YES

ub H

L, D

$2.25$36.95 Cards: V, MC, AE

BYOB

YES

YES

BYOB

YES

YES

SEASIDE CHEESE COMPANY 600 Park Boulevard (609) 884-8700 www.seasidecheesecapemay.com

A huge plus for the area when it opened, and this place, a short walk from downtown Cape May, continues to delight with gourmet treats.

Private tasting room is available to reserve.

SUSHI UKAI 1500 Route 47 South, Rio Grande (609) 770-7773 www.sushiukai.com

Enjoy delicious, fresh and nutritious authentic Chinese, Japanese, Malaysian and Thai cuisine - all homemade!

TISHA’S FINE DINING 322 Washington Street Mall Cape May (609) 884-9119

In case you’re wondering why they’re not at Convention Hall – they moved to the mall, where they are still serving up irresistible concoctions, PLUS breakfast and lunch!

B, L, D

$18-$35 Cards: V, MC, AE, D

TOMMY’S FOLLY COFFEE 251 Beach Avenue, Cape May (609) 884-6522 www.congresshall.com

Situated in the lobby of Congress Hall, this shop has great coffee and some lovely to-go breakfast goodies, as well as healthy and tasty lunch wraps, plus soups, shakes and more.

B, Café

$2-$5 Cards: V, MC, AE, D

N/A

NO

YES

TURDO VINEYARDS & WINERY 3911 Bayshore Road, N. Cape May (609) 884-5591 www.turdovineyards.com

Turdo is a family-run, award-winning vineyard and winery, which is also the only one in New Jersey that is run on 100% solar energy. See what all the buzz is about.

Winery

$15-$31 Cards: V, MC, AE

N/A

NO

NO

THE UGLY MUG 426 Washington Street Mall Cape May (609) 884-3459

A Cape May legend, and even better now that they’ve put those wonderful booths in there. Such a treat. It has a classic pub vibe, and always a warm, friendly atmosphere.

L, D

$12-$25 Cards: V, MC, AE, D

BAR

NO

YES

b H

UNCLE BILL’S PANCAKES Beach Avenue & Perry Street Cape May (609) 884-7199

Reliably excellent food – there is a reason why people wait a while to eat here... Excellent breakfasts and brunches at this circular restaurant that overlooks the Atlantic.

B, L

$4-$9 Cash Only

BYOB

NO

YES

ub H

UNION PARK Beach Avenue & Howard (609) 884-8811 www.unionparkdiningroom.com

Elegant dining in a classic old hotel, and the food is magnificent and inventive. Voted one of the best restaurants in the state by New Jersey Monthly magazine.

D

$18-$35 Cards: V, MC, AE

BYOB

YES

YES

ub H

VINCENZO’S LITTLE ITALY II 3704 Bayshore Road North Cape May (609) 889-6610

If you want to bring the family for a fine and fun Italian meal, look no further than here!

The kids will love it. Excellent pasta dishes, and they’ve recent expanded their pizzeria!

L, D

$8-$20 Cards: V, MC, AE, D

BYOB

YES

YES

ub H

WASHINGTON INN 801 Washington Street (609) 84-569 www.washingtoninn.com

Superb gourmet food, and a great little cocktail bar to get your night off on the right foot. Amazing wine list and an all-new wine bar has opened with small plates available.

D

$18-$34 Cards: V, MC, AE, D

BAR

YES

YES

ub H

WILLOW CREEK WINERY 168 Stevens St., West Cape May (609) 770-8782 willowcreekwinerycapemay.com

Willow Creek is the newest and largest winery in Cape May. Check out the stunning villa, set on the idyllic 50-acre vineyard. This isn’t a tour - it’s an event.

Winery

$6 and up Cards: V, MC, AE, D

N/A

N/A

NO

ZOE’S 715 Beach Avenue Cape May (609) 884-1233

Zoe’s has large portions at affordable prices.

Plus one of the best vegetarian selections in town. And they have a great patio if the weather is nice... bring Fido!

B, L

$4-$12 Cash Only

BYOB

NO

YES

SYMBOLS KEY

u Onsite parking

Handicap accessible

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u b

Takeout available

H b

ub H ub

ub

b HU

A Cape May tradition for over 30 years!

Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner • Cocktails

19 Jackson Street, Cape May (609) 884-5970 www.madbatter.com

The trouble with eating Italian food

...is that five or six days later you’re hungry again. — George Miller

Cucina Rosa

898-9800 | 301 Washington Street Mall & Perry Street www.cucinarosa.com

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QUICK CHAT MELISSA LOMAX, CAPE MAY POINT POSTMASTER

Melissa Lomax... deliverer of good news

I

f you happen to be worried by the naysayers who claim that the US Postal Service is on its last legs, you may want to spend a little time at the office with Cape May Point Postmaster Melissa Lomax, as we recently did. Bouncing around her cheery little domain, under the watchful eye of a large photo of her son decorated with a red, white and blue hat and the

catering to the masses “Like a lot of businesses, it’s just going to be a matter of getting leaner, stronger and more efficient. I know I’m ready for the challenge,” says Melissa of the future of the USPS. Aleksey Moryakov

words “because my mom is the postmaster,” Melissa puts most multi-taskers we’ve seen to shame (and we know about multitasking), her infectiously cheerful demeanor never flagging.

Together with retired postmaster Wes Wright and a summer part-timer, they hold down the fort of this bustling little post office, and they do it with a smile.

During our visit of less than an hour, there were about 15 visitors, comprised

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of box-holders picking up mail and vacationers sending postcards.

The phone rang several times, which Melissa juggled easily while chatting with customers by name, making change, hanging a patron’s flyer for an upcoming event, and graciously accepting an invitation from a customer for breakfast. We managed a few questions to her on the fly.

So you’ve been Postmaster here for over three years, but you’ve been with

CARRIAGE HOUSE

e f a C & TEAROOM

At the Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May, NJ 1048 WASHINGTON ST.

All-new a la carte Menu with....

SIGNATURE SALADS SOUPS QUICHE PANINIS WRAPS TEA SANDWICHES CLASSIC TEA LUNCHEON AFTERNOON TEA

the USPS for quite a while now, correct? Yes, ever since I got out of high school. I started as a summer part-time mail carrier in the shore delivery offices, and then was rehired for the winter holiday delivery season. After that I became a full-time rural mail carrier, and then transitioned to management after I graduated from Atlantic Cape Community College and then Stockton with a degree in Business Administration. My goal is to work in our district or even headquarters’ Marketing and Public Relations Department.

Is there mail delivery in the Point? No, it’s all post office boxes; there is no mail carrier here.

How many box-holders are there? And I would imagine it fluctuates greatly between winter and summer, doesn’t it? Not as much as you would think. We have 514 box holders, and I’d say 400 of them are filled regularly. In the winter months, it drops off to around 380. Then of course there are the snow-birds, who travel back and forth to Florida, so they have mail forwarded here between April and October, then forwarded back to Florida the rest of the year.

What is your busiest day of the week, if you have one? That would have to be Monday, for sure, as far as influx of mail — lots of people are mailing things over the weekend. Tuesday is typically the slowest day.

What is the craziest thing anyone has mailed on your watch? Well, when I was a carrier, I delivered the remains of a customer’s husband to her. That was actually a very moving experience. Mail carriers develop a kind of relationship with their customers that I don’t think you come across in other lines of work. For instance, you read all the time about mail carriers who become concerned about customers that maybe they haven’t seen in a while, or who haven’t taken in their mail, only to check on them and find them in some sort of trouble. Oh! And I had a customer last summer who was interning at the Marianist convent. She would mail things like a piece of driftwood, or a coconut, or even a beach ball.

What do you mean — she would mail them not packaged? Right! She would find a nice piece of driftwood and write the address of a friend right on it in marker and send it off. It’s perfectly legal — as long as something weighs under 70 pounds, you can mail pretty much anything.

How do you respond to all the dire predictions about the postal service being on its last legs? Well, of course we have been affected by the explosion of the internet, as many businesses have. People don’t send letters quite as often as they used to, and even the bills have subsided somewhat, with so many customers choosing online bill payment. But our packaging division is way up, people still collect fun and interesting postage stamps, and overall l think the USPS will be able to adapt to a digital world. Like a lot of businesses, it’s just going to be a matter of getting leaner, stronger and more efficient. I know I’m ready for the challenge.

New in 2012! CHILDREN’S MENU • TAKE-OUT

Tuesday-Sunday: 11am-4pm

Take-out/Reservations, call

609-884-5111

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NOW HERE’S A FAMILY FASHION trend WE CAN REALLY GET BEHIND

«

John and Dorothy Tecklenburg and their two children, JC and Sabrina, have spent five of the last nine years living in Beijing.

Even during that time, they made it a point to get back to Cape May for vacations. Now, based in Western Pennsylvania full-time, it’s easier for them to make it to Cape Island where, we must say, they dress pretty darn snazzy.

Patio Dining

Seafood, Steaks & Cocktails Serving Lunch & Dinner Daily!

Kids Menu

See Our Full Menu Online at: pilothousecapemay.com

CAPE MAY’S HAPPIEST

x

Join Us for

OPEN MIC NIGHT!

HAPPY HOUR

Sunday thru Friday, 4pm-6pm.

Discounted drink specials and our Chef’s famous complimentary munchies!

Every Friday Night The talent has been awesome!

OPEN ALL DAY EVERY DAY • 884-3449 • WASHINGTON STREET MALL • WWW.PILOTHOUSECAPEMAY.COM exit zero

39 June 2012

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40 June 2012

lucky bones... the cookbook CAPE MAY’S ACCLAIMED RESTAURANT SHARES SOME OF ITS SECRETS Photography by MACIEK NABRDALIK exit zero

41 June 2012

I

t’s hard to believe it’s been six years since the Craig family, owners of the Washington Inn and Cape May Winery, opened Lucky Bones. That’s six years since David Craig taste-tested around 1,000 pizzas, looking for just the right crust. Six years since he and the rest of the Lucky Bones crew had the great napkin debate — paper or cloth. Six years since bartender Patty Behrens had a nightmare about being naked behind the bar.

It’s also hard to imagine what we’d do without “the Bone”, which has become, according to David, a “place of fellowship.” For fisherman, it’s the spot to relax with a cold beer after just coming into port. For couples, it’s the spot for a laid-back night out. For anyone, it’s a place to grab a quick bite, or to linger over a steak dinner and an affordable bottle of wine. A place for “bar food but better,” according to one of the restaurant’s executive chefs, Sean McCullough.

A place to meet old friends. A place to meet new friends. A place to meet people you don’t even like that much but, hey, the vibe is good so why not share a drink and at least agree on how good the pork chop is.

But as fanatical as these “boners” are, not all of them know the history of the restaurant. (It’s been a labor of “love, passion, and vision,” Michael Craig says.) Not all of them know the ins and outs of the Lucky Bone building (don’t be surprised if you hear a friendly ghost named George calling your name while you dine). And not all of them know the story behind Backwater Lil (actually, we’re not sure there is just one story).

The Essential Lucky Bones Cookbook (published by Exit Zero) reveals many of the restaurant’s secrets, “though not all of them,” David says. Out this month, the book is not just a group of recipes, but a collection of stories and insights from both staff and customers, the people who’ve “helped make Lucky Bones the warm, welcoming place it is.” The photography by Maciek Nabrdalik, Exit Zero’s original photographer, and illustrations by our cover artist Victor Grasso, help make the book a collector’s item.

“We weren’t sure we’d be able to capture the spirit of Lucky Bones,” David told us, “but we did… and against a backdrop of spectacular photography and compelling narrative, too.” No small task, considering that the spirit of Lucky Bones isn’t easily captured in words. (Though the shared plates section of the book does the job. “It represents this place best,” Michael said, “because here, it’s all about sharing good food with good friends.”) So grab some takeout (a Sofia pie, perhaps?), or curl up with a glass of wine (we love the pizza red), and enjoy this peek into the background of the island’s newest seaside classic. exit zero

the essential

LUCKY BONES COOKBOOK

Recipes, Insights, Secrets & Stories from a New Seaside Classic Restaurant

42 June 2012

IT’S A KEEPER The Essential Lucky Bones Cookbook was published on May 15 and costs $19.95. It is for sale at Lucky Bones, the Washington Inn, Cape May Winery, Love the Cook, the Exit Zero Store and Gallery, and Whale’s Tale.

Best Hummus: A Perfect Summer Appetizer There’s some evidence that the manganese of chickpeas helps repair sun-damaged skin, which is great if you’ve spent all day bronzing on the beach. Just make sure you’re using flat-leaved or Italian parsley as opposed to the curly kind; it tastes better.

And for more freshness, just add more lemon. Yields 6 servings.

1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, washed and drained 4 cloves garlic 3 mint leaves 2 tablespoons parsley tops only Tahini paste Juice of ½ lemon Pinch of salt and pepper mix 2 ½ teaspoons champagne vinegar ¼ to 1 cup olive oil

1. In a food processor combine ¾ of the chickpeas, garlic, mint, parsley and blend well.

2. Add remaining chickpeas, tahini, lemon, salt and pepper, and vinegar.

3. Process until smooth.

4. Drizzle in olive oil until you’re happy with consistency.

5. Serve with your favorite veggies and pita.

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46 June 2012

Cuban-Rubbed Pork Chop: A Lucky Bones Favorite In Cuban culture, they’ll roast a suckling pig on a barbecue for about six hours or so. Lucky Bones wanted to do something similar for their menu, but they knew that the type of wet rub used in Latin America would never work in the restaurant. (A wet rub is a paste made of seasoning, spice, and a liquid. It adds moisture to a meat and locks in flavor.) The challenge was to turn what’s normally a wet rub into a dry one, made entirely of seasonings and spices. While such a rub won’t add moisture, it will lock it inside. Chef Wally Jurusz succeeded, and it’s probably better off this way (wet rubs have a higher tendency to catch on fire, anyway). For the bone-in pork chop you choose, they recommend a 10 ounce portion. It’s easier to do at home and finish off on the grill, if you prefer to do it that way. Finally, for the plantain chips here, the restaurant normally do long strips, but you’ll need a slicer for that. If you don’t have one, feel free to cut disc shapes instead; you’ll still get that great crunchiness. Yields 4 servings.

4 double-cut center pork chops Chef Walter’s Cuban Spiced Rub

1. Dust the pork chop with the rub. Mark both sides of the chop on the grill.

Plantain chip garnish: 1 large plantain sliced lengthwise about 1/8 inch thick

2. Finish in hot oven for 10-14 minutes depending on thickness of chop and desired doneness. A medium-well pork chop will be at 160 degrees internal temperature.

Fry the plantain slices in hot oil (350 degrees) until crisp. (It won’t take long!)

Remove from the oil and drain.

While the chip is still warm sprinkle with spice mix 1 tablespoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon cumin powder Pinch of black pepper All items ground in a spice mill to make the mix. exit zero

47 June 2012

G

Prime Steak | Sensational Seafood

As a premier vacation destination, the City of Cape May deserves a gourmet steakhouse and being a shore town, providing high quality seafood is a must. Hemingway’s in The Grand Hotel delivers on both fronts, in a comfortable, Key West themed atmosphere. From their USDA prime steaks to their sensational seafood, both locally caught and exotic, any dish you order is sure to keep you coming back.

“Hemingway’s crab cake would make a Marylander proud” Jeanee Donohue (At the Shore Magazine)

“Best Steak in Cape May” West Palm Beach, Florida

“[Thursday Night] Seafood buffet was wonderful!”

Delaware

“Ballyhoo’s will probably never be forgotten, but Hemingway’s makeover raised it to higher ground.”

Taylor Yarborough (Press of Atlantic City)

Oceanfront at 1045 Beach Ave • 609.884.5611 • HemingwaysCapeMay.com exit zero

48 June 2012

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49 June 2012

The ONLY place for Southwestern cuisine.

At the heart of the Historic District.

Open Daily for Lunch and Dinner!

CARPENTER’S SQUARE MALL CAPE MAY • (609) 898-7750

A Philadelphia classic, right here at the shore.

PARTY TRAYS • VEGGIE GOODIES LOW-CARB EATS • THE SIDES • WE SHIP TOO!

605 Lafayette Street, Cape May (609) 884-1177 www.primohoagies.com

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50 June 2012

Seaside Cheese Co. over 100 imported cheeses gourmet olives dipping oils... and lots more!

600 PARK BOULEVARD WEST CAPE MAY • 884-8700 Serving Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Eat In Take Out

TALK TO US ABOUT PLANNING YOUR NEXT CATERED EVENT! CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK OR CALL 609-884-8030 FOR OUR DAILY SPECIALS! Featuring The Depot’s popular homemade soups, salad selections, house roasted meats and local seafood specials

409 Elmira Street, Cape May (Next to the Train Station) • 609-884-8030 exit zero

The 10 things I’ve learned as a Cape May lifeguard He’s been a member of the Cape May Beach Patrol for four years, and Jack Lindeman knows first-hand that lifeguards take away more from their time on the beach than just a tan. Here, he shares the things he’s realized on the sands of Cape May...

1. My favorite time on the beach is when we first set up for the day until about noon. Normally, those first two hours are a bit cooler and a bit more relaxing. F. Scott Fitzgerald once said, “I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” That is exactly how starting each day feels on the beach in Cape May. You sit there, on the edge of the ocean, and there is nowhere else in the world that seems to exist. All you need is your coffee, and the feel of a new summer day.

2. The best part of summer is the very end of it. In early September, the air has a different feel to it; the sun, a different warmth; and in the breeze, there is a touch of fall. But the water stays warm and normally the waves are the best. The Fourth of July has its perks, the amount of people, the celebrations, the barbeque. August is always fun as you try to fit everything you haven’t yet done because you know the end is in sight.

But September is how I remember the beach all winter. I don’t think there is a better place in the world to be.

3. Lifeguarding is not the best-paying job available during the summer to a struggling college kid, but I am there because I want to be there. I became a guard because I love the beach and I love the ocean. It kills me as much as it kills you to close the beach.

4. No, we don’t get a lunch break. And yes, it can get boring sitting up there all day. But any day at the beach is better than a day at the desk.

52 June 2012

5. When the water is rough and a rescue is called, it’s hard to describe what I feel. It’s a mixture of excitement and worry. I am confident that I could handle anything the ocean throws at me, but at the same time, I have no idea what it might do. The unpredictability is what makes the ocean so dangerous, and what makes it so exciting. We are testing ourselves; fighting nature. It sounds cheesy, but in the moment our adrenaline is pumping and its addictive.

Quite simply, the BEST. Get in line!

6. We like it when you say “Hi.” We like getting to know the regulars. We like getting to know the people that are just down for a week. Some of us sit on a beach year after year and watch kids grow up. We feel like we know a bit about you and we love talking with you.

7. That being said, don’t be offended if we seem a bit distracted.

Sometimes the water can be a lot more dangerous than it looks. Also, please don’t be offended by the coned area around the stand. It’s not that we don’t like you, we have to keep the area clear for emergency trucks.

8. I have two huge pet peeves. The first is swimming near a pipe or jetty.

We hate having to keep whistling people away from them. Why anyone might want to swim next to an old, rusty pipe or giant pile of sharp rocks is beyond my comprehension, but people seem to keep doing it.

Second is people feeding the seagulls. What goes in is going to come out.

And the more birds there are, the more there is a chance of getting hit.

Sometimes, I feel like I am sitting up there with a target on my head for these birds. Please don’t increase my chances of being pooped on.

9. If you are unsure about the water, come talk to us. Rip currents are the worst. We can point them out to you and tell you how they work. I think its really cool why they occur, and I love telling people. Don’t be embarrassed; I was rescued when I was younger, and I remember it vividly. If I had understood the water a bit better then, it wouldn’t have happened.

jackson street at beach avenue (609) 884-8388

www.hotdogtommys.com

10. We love treats. You’ve got an extra slice of pizza? Send it over. A cup of coffee? Sure, I’d love one, thank you! A chili dog from the local eatery?

Sounds great — we’ve got mandatory workouts in the morning and I hate the word “diet.” We love when you bring us snacks, they break up the day, and although we’d never admit it, it might even help us keep an extra careful eye on you when you’re swimming.

An elegant, inviting, relaxing evening of wonderful food awaits...

DINNER NIGHTLY FROM 5PM 3 course $30 Pre-Fixe Available Anytime Late Menu, Desserts and Cocktails BROTHERHOOD OF THE BEACH If you’ve spent any time on Poverty Beach, you’ll recognize Jack Lindeman, our cover subject. But you might not know that his two brothers, Tommy and Steve, also work to keep Cape May’s beaches safe. exit zero

9510 PACIFIC AVENUE, WILDWOOD CREST 609 . 522 . 5425 • MARIENICOLES.COM 53 June 2012

Your search has ended...

CORINTHIAN YACHT CLUB offers you a unique wedding venue overlooking beautiful Cape May Harbor. Our ever-changing water view will lend a distinctive touch to your special day... a timelessness and sense of great things to come in your new life ahead.

• Unique location on Cape May Harbor • Spectacular sunsets • Beach weddings • Exceptional cuisine • Classic yacht club setting

Not just weddings... let us make make your birthday, anniversary, cocktail party, or holiday gathering spectacular!

Corinthian Yacht Club of Cape May 1819 Delaware Avenue Cape May, New Jersey 08204 (609) 884-8000 www.cyccm.com and www.capemaybeachwedding.com Find us on Facebook at Cape Weddings at Corinthian Yacht Club

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ARTS AN EXCITING NEW SEASON BEGINS AT CAPE MAY STAGE

Kicking off with a five-star play

A

ll the world is a stage, and the stage world is a very small one. According to Roy Steinberg, Artistic Director of Cape May Stage, word of mouth draws the “best kind of actors” to Cape May. “We treat artists well,” Steinberg says. Performers enjoy the supportive environment Steinberg has created. “They can do their work and stretch a little, knowing that we won’t let them fall off the tightrope. We work with love,” although that’s not enough. The team at CMS also keeps “everything at the highest

level,” so that the actors are free to do their best work.

Word of mouth also brings the best actors to Steinberg’s attention. When he received three separate recommendations on this “really wonderful actor” named Dominic Hoffman, Steinberg reached out, and Hoffman brings his award-winning one-man play, Uncle Jacques’ Symphony, to Cape May Stage May 11 to June 15.

Hoffman will likely feel at home.

This talented writer, actor and director describes an acting community far from the tabloid world of feuding reality “stars.” His conversation is peppered with praise for other performers, many of whom he met on the set of 1988s School Daze, and stories of how they Story by Catherine Dugan Photograph by Aleksey Moryakov help each other. For example, Hoffman exit zero

passion play “We work with love,” says Cape May Stage Artistic Director, Roy Steinberg Aleksey Moryakov

57 June 2012

accompanied his former girlfriend, Jasmine Guy, to an audition for moral support. She got the part, and he got a writing assignment on A Different World.

Eventually, the couple co-wrote War and Peace, one of the series’ most popular episodes, and one which remains sadly relevant. Hoffman continued to act, in theater, film and television, on everything from St Elsewhere to 24 to The Mentalist. All the while, he was writing and directing, seeking to “get in where you fit in.”

Unlike many seasoned actors, Hoffman does not waste time rhapsodizing about Hollywood’s past. Instead, Hoffman says, “Performing with all of your might” is still worth it. He’d rather aspire to something great and fail than not try. He quotes Oscar Wilde: “We

are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”

Hoffman has clearly landed among the stars with Uncle Jacques’ Symphony, a play that “combines humor and pathos” to celebrate “humanity as a musical notion.” One reviewer gave the play, “Five stars, five stars made of solid gold, encrusted with diamonds.” High praise, although Hoffman won’t “be moved by praise or diminished by criticism.”

At any rate, there is little time to bask. Uncle Jacques’ Symphony is a challenge to perform. It’s a 90-minute show “with more lines than Hamlet,” and although there are seven characters, there is only one performer ­— Hoffman. With movement, accents, and attitude, Hoffman transforms himself into the distinct characters who lend their music to Jacques Hoffman, a jazz drummer from Chicago who gave up performing to support his family with a government job. Jacques finds melody in everyone he meets, thus reminding us that even imperfect people are worthy of love.

Dominic Hoffman is a graduate of the University of California at Santa

One reviewer gave the play “Five stars, five stars made of solid gold, encrusted with diamonds.”

High praise, although Dominic Hoffman won’t “be moved by praise or diminished by criticism”.

Cruz. He went on to the American Conservatory Theatre, The London Academy, and NYU Film School. The Frenchspeaking gourmand looks forward to sampling Cape May’s restaurants, and exploring the town on his bicycle. He is “humbled” by the opportunity to work with Roy Steinberg.

Steinberg, for his part, is excited to bring Hoffman to CMS. In his fourth year as artistic director, Steinberg wants to be topical, bringing “ideas into the community” and blending “thought-provoking with funny.”

Steinberg believes that theater should make you “go outside of yourself and consider other lives and places and people.” He follows Uncle Jacques’ Symphony with God of Carnage, the brutally funny play addressing the lack of civility behind civilization. Steinberg sees this as a timely issue, considering the tenor of the presidential campaign, and welcomes the chance to “peel back the facade of civility and see the animal underneath.” God of Carnage, a “comedy of manners without the manners,” deals with two oh-so-civilized sets of parents meeting to calmly discuss a

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CMS keeps the laughs coming with The Thirty-Nine Steps, a comedy thriller combining “Hitchcock with hilarious” in the capable hands of guest director Penny Bergman; then turns more serious with Time Stands Still, the story of a wounded photojournalist adjusting to life on the home front. Steinberg brings us into Autumn with The Belle of Amherst, and gets into the Halloween spirit with Poe, Times Two. CMS finishes off the year with the very funny, and very topical A Tuna Christmas. This play uses two talented actors to simultaneously satirize and celebrate all 24 residents of the third-smallest town in Texas.

In addition, Steinberg brings back the popular Second Stage series, featuring one-night performances, with Broadway superstars Anthony Rapp, Christine Ebersole and Faith Prince.

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Glowing jellyfish, fireflies that light up the night, ancient Indian artifacts... there are some amazing discoveries on our little island. You just need to know where to look Story by DIANE STOPYRA

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I

f you’re looking for a new career, a better life, or even just a date for Friday night, you’re on your own. We can’t help you find any of that and quite honestly, we’d rather not be involved. Seeking out those things can be stressful — so stressful, in fact, we sometimes forget that searching should be fun. What follows is a list of the less obviously significant things people search for in Cape May, along with a guide to finding them. And who knows, maybe these tiny searches for the little pleasures of Cape Island will lead to a bit more happiness after all. As for that Friday night date, try searching the beach (those lifeguards are dreamy).

Ghosts Craig McManus is a gifted psychic medium and author of The Ghosts of Cape May series, and he knows a thing or two about the stuff that goes bump in the night. Hauntings, he says, don’t involve the headless ghouls you see in Hollywood blockbusters. “They are far more subtle than that,” he says. Examples: A

Boo! Craig McManus has been channeling spirits since he was a boy. Although he’d become a successful wine salesmen following high school, “natural evolution” kept pushing him toward a life of extra sensory perception, in the same way that someone who can play the piano is “drawn to a set of keys,” he told us.

slamming door, a hushed conversation heard in a distant room.

“There are ghosts tucked away in all those historical layers of Cape May,” Craig says. For this reason, the hotels and B&Bs of Columbia Avenue and Jackson and Perry, some of the oldest roads in Cape May, have been the scenes of many paranormal experiences. An encounter can happen anywhere, anytime, says Craig. We’ve heard about friendly ghosts frequenting local restaurants, guest rooms, and beaches. “It’s random,” Craig says, “They don’t come out every Thursday to rattle the chains in a certain attic.”

So if where you are isn’t all that important, what is? Here are four points to remember when searching for ghosts...

1. “Be open-minded,” Craig says. “If you have a skeptical spouse, it’s best to leave him or her at home.” (It’s also best to leave a grumpy spouse at home, but this has nothing to do with ghosts.)

2. Shoot for the off-season. In the summer, there are 50,000 other tourists here. “That’s a lot of noise and distractions from living people,” Craig says.

When it’s quiet, you’re more likely to be aware of a certain transparent someone

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doing ghostly things in the next room over.

3. Book a tour with the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities.

Craig partners with MAC to educate newbie investigators on all of the reasons why Cape May is such a “paranormal hotspot.” (Call 609-884-5404.)

4. And finally, don’t search TOO hard.

“It’s a lot like looking for love,” Craig says.

“It’s more likely to happen when you’re not trying.”

Ghost Crabs If you’d rather leave the paranormal activity alone, there is a different kind of ghost you might enjoy searching for — the ghost crab. “They’re hunkered down during the day,” says Gretchen Whitman, Director of the Nature Center of Cape May, “when there’s less chance of being eaten by gulls.” These cool-looking critters (they’re white, with eyes that look as though they’re floating above the head) come out of the sand under cover of dark to wet their gills at the water’s edge. For a $5 donation, the Nature Center will provide you with a flashlight as you and your fellow crab hunters head to the beach

from Mount Vernon Avenue. (For more info, call 609-898-8848.) But this isn’t to say you can’t spot a ghost crab in daylight from time to time… Gretchen recently caught one on Beach Avenue, heading toward Convention Hall. Even crustaceans, it seems, are growing excited for that Memorial Day opening.

Horseshoe Crabs These hardy crustaceans have been around for at least 300 million years — scuttling around before the arrival of the dinosaurs. The species is more closely related to a spider than a crab, but for some reason people feel an affinity for these “living fossils” that you just don’t see when it comes to spiders (or crabs, for that matter). Perhaps it has something to do with the way the horseshoe crab has saved so many human lives, not directly (that we know of), but via their blood, which contains a clotting agent used to test intravenous drugs for potentially fatal bacterial contamination. The

inching along Higbee Beach is a major part of Delaware University’s annual horseshoe crab census.

Every year in May and June, thousands of crabs head to the Higbee shoreline in order to mate.

Actually, the females head to the shore. The males simply hitch a ride on their backs.

John Loesch

horseshoe crab is also essential to shorebirds, who feed on the crab eggs in order to survive yearly migrations to the Arctic.

Sadly, the horseshoe population is rapidly decreasing. Overharvesting is largely to blame; the horseshoe crab makes great bait for conch and eel fishermen. To monitor their numbers, the University of Delaware’s Sea Grant Marine Advisory Service organized the first census of horseshoe crabs in 1990.

Volunteers tracked numbers during breeding, when thousands of the creatures pile onto the shoreline. To this day, kind-hearted souls gather at sites along the Delaware Bay that are loaded with crabs mating. Higbee’s Beach is just one hotspot.

“I have been taking part for five years now,” said Carol Ridler, horseshoe crab enthusiast and waitress at Lucky Bones.

“Once you participate, you get hooked.”

The census happens in May and June, usually during full moons. If you’d like to contribute, check out nature.org.

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Glowing Jellies We know — why on earth would you want to search for jellyfish? They’re slimy and freaky-looking. However, they also have special powers. Jeff Martin, Oceanography and Marine Biology teacher at Lower Township High School, says, “These guys glow.”

The comb jelly (which isn’t technically a jellyfish, but a jelly-filled ctenophora) doesn’t sting human flesh, but it does use its sticky tentacles to catch plankton and crustaceans. When disturbed, it turns into a “blob of light.”

The result is a beautiful greenish-bluish glow: bioluminescence.

If you’d like to search the comb jellies out, the warmer months are best.

Because they hunt for food where the marsh meets the water, a kayak is ideal.

Jeff also runs Aqua Trails, with his wife Tracey, and they will rent you a kayak, or host you on a full moon tour, held throughout the summer. Head along the marshes of Ford Creek, Skunk Sound,

or Mill Creek, and you might get lucky.

(Call Aqua Trails at 609-884-5600.)

The other bioluminescent creatures common to these shores are singlecelled algae known as dinoflagellates.

In the late summer and early fall, Gulf Stream eddies bring the clearest ocean water, along with clouds of these tiny planktons. When disturbed, a couple hundred thousand will emit a sparkly blue light that Jeff describes as “Fantasia-like.” He once experienced this while on a boat under the toll bridge leading to Wildwood Crest. “You might only see this a couple of times in a lifetime,” he says.

When disturbed, a group of comb jellies consisting of a couple of hundred thousand will emit a sparkly blue light that Jeff describes as “Fantasialike.”

Bald Eagles Every kind of shore bird and waterfowl found in America passes through Cape May at some point during the year.

Even this past winter, the time of year when diversity is at its lowest, the Cape May Bird Observatory recorded 150 different species. But there isn’t enough space here to tell you how to search for all of them, so we figured we’d single out the majestic bald eagle.

Throughout the 1980s, New Jersey

was down to a single nesting pair, primarily because of the DDT pesticide. By incubating and introducing eggs from other areas, the state was able to restore the population; today, there are more than 100 eagle pairs in New Jersey. It doesn’t seem like it would be all that hard to spot one of these birds; the signature white head and tail on an otherwise dark body are unmistakable. But, according to Brian Moscatello, a lifelong naturalist who leads field trips for the observatory, “It takes five years for an eagle to reach that plumage.” To spot an eagle who hasn’t yet achieved adult coloring, keep your eyes peeled for the largest bird in the sky. The bald eagles, which weigh 10 to 12 pounds, have a wingspan about six-and-a-half feet — that’s two-anda-half feet bigger than any other Jersey hawk or owl, and a foot-and-a-half bigger than the osprey. Another dead giveaway? Bald eagles glide, even in powered fight. “They’re very steady, regardless of wind,” Brian says, “with flat, airplanelike wings.”

Bald eagles can be seen all year long, although sightings are most common in the late summer and early fall. For

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your best chance, keep your eyes peeled around mile marker 3.2 on the Garden State Parkway, the spot with water on either side. But since you can’t exactly pull your car over there, Brian recommends bringing binoculars to the Cape May Point State Park or the Nature Conservancy’s Migratory Bird Sanctuary.

“But remember,” Brian says, “no matter where you find yourself, every once in a while, just look up.”

Dolphins We love dolphins. They’re cute, friendly. And brave. There are documented cases of dolphins coming to the aid of humas — like Todd Endris, the 24-year-old surfer who was attacked by a 12-foot Great White off the California coast in 2007. After Todd’s back was mauled, a pod of dolphins encircled the surfer, allowing him to make it back to shore. According to the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, such rescue stories date all the way back to ancient Greece.

Members of the Cape May Beach Patrol told us how silly it is when people ask what time the dolphins will be out —

they follow the tide, after all, and the tide is always changing — but there are ways to increase your chances of a spotting.

1. Get attacked by a shark, and hope a dolphin comes to your aid. We don’t recommend this approach.

2. Book a boat tour. You have two options in town. The Cape May Whale Watcher is located at 1218 Wilson Drive, at the harbor. Between the last weekend in March and the first weekend in December, the company hosts three tours a day, with a 98% chance of spotting dolphin and a 68% chance of spotting Humpback and Finback whales.

On the off-chance there’s no dolphins playing, bodysurfing or, uh, mating (they do this five to six times a day) within eye-shot, Captain Jeff Stewart will give a free pass for a future visit. “We’re looking to see 50, 100, 200 dolphins a trip,” he says. Alternatively, book an educational trip with The Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center, located at Utsch’s Marina.

3. If you’d rather have a more private dolphin-spotting experience, charter a smaller boat, says Mark Allen, the marketing specialist for South Jersey Marina.

finned friends Jeff Martin of Aqua Trails knows that being inches away from a dophin is an exhilarating experience... if you can stand the smell of its breath.

“The misconception is that the marina is all about fishing,” Mark says, but plenty of people rent a six-pack (a boat that seats six), before grabbing an actual six-pack of beer from Collier’s or Sunset Liquor. Then they hit the water with their closest friends or, even, family dog… that’s allowed, too.

4. To get really up close and personal, check out an Aqua Trail’s Cove to Higbee Beach kayak tour — dolphins are spotted on 95% of these trips. Owner Jeff Martin says paddlers are often close enough to “smell the dolphins’ breath,” and boy is it bad. No, really. “That’s what a fish diet will do,” Jeff says.

5. Stand on the beach and wait. You’re bound to see a pod eventually (Cape May is that popular of a calving area), especially if you’re at the Cove. Because this is where the ocean opens into the bay, dolphins look for bait fish here.

Indian Artifacts When Henry Hudson landed in Cape May in 1609, it was already inhabited by the Kechemeche Indians.

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Canal, these Native Americans carried “fannybags” full of stones, scrapers, knives and arrowheads. Bob’s been searching for such artifacts for 18 years, and he calls the practice addictive. “They’re little treasures. In the early spring, when I’m not fishing or hunting, I look for these.”

If you’re looking to start your own search, Bob warns that patience is key.

“You might go 10 or 15 times and not find anything and then, all of a sudden, there’s three in one trip.” He also says that you need a discerning eye. “An itsy-bitsy piece of stone that is chipped might turn out to be an arrowhead someone used 5,000 years ago.” Other finds are more obvious — Bob knows local firemen who have dug up caches of beaded necklaces, shards of pottery and ceramic pipes.

Bob recommends searching any plowed agricultural fields or beach, although “bay beaches tend to turn up more than ocean-side shores.” He’s also had luck searching in a skiff along the canal, just behind Lucky Bones. But it’s likely there are hot spots Bob hasn’t discovered yet. “I’ve heard stories of oldtimers bringing home five-gallon buck-

ets worth of artifacts, but no one wants to reveal their secret spots.”

Monarch Butterflies Every year, weighing just half a gram each, Monarch butterflies make the 2,000 mile journey from eastern Canada to Mexico. The tiny travelers — sometimes tens of thousands of them, sometimes millions — pass through Cape May. Pete Dunne is Chief Communications Officer for the Cape May Bird Observatory, which hosts the longest continuous quantitative study of Monarchs in the world. “They’re beautiful,” he says, “and our species delights in beautiful things. We like creatures that take great risks. The idea of a great migration is evocative.”

The best time to experience this evocative migration for yourself is the middle of September through the first couple of days in October. Because the concentrations are cold-front driven, a cooler day might bring the best luck.

A northwest wind is also important, as this is what drives the butterflies to the coast. The animals don’t stay long; if they even spend the night, it’s only to “go to roost,” or catch a few Zs, before moving on. Insider tip: When they sleep, the Monarchs festoon a tree. “It’s generally a conifer or a spruce,” Pete says, “with a southern exposure that catches the first sunlight in the morning.”

Cape May Diamonds Ninety-one year old Marvin Hume is known as the “rock man” around town, and for good reason. As a young man, he owned a science and nature store in Atlantic City that sold minerals, gems, shells, and fossils. Forty years ago, he opened Cape May’s Sunset Beach gift shop, overlooking Sunset Beach, where he continues sharing his knowledge of geology (and his charm).

Of the most popular items in Marvin’s shop are the Cape May diamonds, which aren’t true diamonds, but quartz crystals (though it’s tough to tell the difference). The crystals travel through the Delaware Water Gap, where they’re tumbled for hundreds or even thousands of years, until the tide washes them ashore, many of them on Sunset Beach. You can search for them yourself here (Marvin recommends the fall and winter, when

The original Cape Mayniacs The Kechemeche Indians were a sub-division of the Lenni Lenape, who inhabited this area in the 1600s.

They called South Jersey Scheyichbi, or “land along the water.” If you know where to look, you might find an arrowhead or two that they left behind.

the wave action is heaviest), or you can search for the finished products — cut by professional diamond cutters, tumbled, and mounted on rings, earrings and pendants — in Marvin’s shop. “The diamonds are not extremely valuable by any means,” Marvin says, “but finding something beautiful that’s also natural, that’s joyful.”

Buried Treasure While we’re talking about Marvin, we should mention this. “If you ever come down to the beach at night,” he told us, “and I’m out there with my metal detector, just leave me alone.”

It’s widely believed that Captain Kidd may have hidden his treasure here, because Cape May was a popular stopping point for pirates in need of fresh water in the 1600s. Well, that, and Captain Kidd also had a girlfriend in Cape May, according to Marvin. “A man needs companionship, you know?”

At the end of his life, the sailorturned-pirate was brought up the east coast to New York, before being shipped to England, where he was hanged. “He didn’t have the treasure when he arrived in New York,” Marvin said, “so where did he hide it?”

If you can figure that one out, you probably also have the secret to finding

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an open parking spot. We grouped these things together, because one seems just as elusive as the other.

Sea Glass Sea glass comes from broken bottles, windows, and plates that have made their way into the ocean. In the water, salt leeches lime out of the glass, making it porous. Once near a shoreline, the glass is tumbled in the tides until it becomes worn smooth and frosted in appearance.

Darlene Eldredge, affectionately referred to as “the funky mermaid,” has made a career out of sea glass searching in Cape May. She uses her finds to craft jewelry — award-winning pieces for sale at Splash, just off the mall on Carpenter’s Lane. But for Darlene, it’s not about the acclaim; it’s about the joy of searching.

“This is a big treasure hunt,” she says.

One of her coolest finds? A light bulb, circa 1920, “full of water and sand but still, somehow, intact.” It’s not unheard of for avid searchers to come across shards of soda cans from the 1960s, 18th-century gin bottles, or Great Depression-era plates.

For someone just starting out, Darlene recommends bayside spots, including Higbee Beach. A map from the 1970s shows that an ocean dumping ground used to exist right off this shore — a good

thing only in terms of sea glass searching. Areas frequented by fishermen are also hotspots, as are the Cove and Poverty. The latter has been “giving up” a lot of aqua-colored glass recently which, Darlene says, “is the most coveted, gorgeous color.”

If you prefer to do your searching in a shop, Darlene warns against being fooled by “disreputable people” who sell imitation sea glass. The real thing, she says, will have “c-shaped etchings” on the surface.

To connect with others who harbor a passion for sea glass, check out the sea glass sisters group at seaglasssisters. com. Members meet in Cape May, have breakfast, and go on searches led by Darlene. “It’s not as simple as it sounds,” she says.

Not, indeed. On sea glass excursions over the years, Darlene has come across more than she’s bargained for, including naked men, 50-pound turkeys, stranded seahorses “taking their last breaths in a tidepool,” and a group of coyotes who, she says, once led her out of the woods when she was lost.

Lightning Bugs Some people call them fireflies.

Some call them lightning bugs. Kyle Rossner, a Cape May Court House local

glass works Don’t be fooled by people peddling fake seaglass. The real deal will have c-shaped etchings on the surface.

who is working toward a graduate degree in bug studies, AKA entomology — says there’s probably a town somewhere in West Virginia that calls them sparkle bugs. “It’s depends on what the common vernacular dictates,” he says.

But whatever we call them, we are drawn to the glowing little insects. (They appear in literature, pop culture, even the lyrics of songs by Taylor Swift, and Mason Jennings.) “They’re harbingers of summer,” Kyle says, “so it’s hard not to be stoked when you spot them. They’re charismatic.”

The same bioluminescence that lights up the glowing jellies gives these fireflies (which aren’t really flies at all, but beetles) their backside bulb — pretty to us, scary for would-be predators.

“That light turns off birds and bats,” Kyle says.

That light also attracts potential mates. And, sometimes, dinner. The females of one group mimic the flash patterns of females from a different group, so they can lure in the males and eat them. Of course, not all glows are created equal. “There are different colorations,” Kyle says. “Some are a steady light, some flash. It’s a show.”

If you’d like to see the show for yourself, Cape May is a good spot to start.

“They like wet areas,” Kyle says. “Wet-

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lands, wet woods, wet fields.”

We’ve spotted a couple of hotspots ourselves — one at the place where Park Boulevard turns into Central Avenue, near the creek, and one on Stevens Street, just off Bayshore Road. Insider tip: You’ll have the best luck between May and August, but peak season is June and July.

Beach Plums Because it grows wild on natural dunes from Maine to North Carolina, the Beach Plum tree withstands seriously depleted soil and harsh gusts of salty air… and it looks that way. Gnarled and windblown, this isn’t the cutest shrub you’ll ever see. But for those who’ve gotten a taste of the sweet, tart fruits that bloom on these branches every April, the Beach Plum tree is a thing of beauty.

Fanatical hunters won’t give away their favorite spots; this is a practice nearly as secretive as truffle hunting, especially since development on Jersey’s barrier islands has depleted the population. But since 2010, when the beach plum was named the official fruit of Cape May County, keeping hot spots under wraps has proved difficult (and we’re prepared to take heat for making it even harder).

David VanVorst, president of the Cape May County Beach Plum Associa-

tion, says that for this “treasure hunt,” it’s best to look on the coastal plain.

Hunters will have the best luck the week before Labor Day and on the secondary dune, or the side facing away from the water. While the fruit grows on the entire lower peninsula — including Cape May Point Park and along the

harbor — Higbee Beach is a hunter’s heaven. Every August, the Cape May Nature Center hosts a “What’s Yum About Beach Plums” workshop here.

But what exactly are you searching for? Joe Alvarez, the “local guru of wild beach plum hunting,” says the plant, which ranges between eight and 12 feet,

sweet find The beach plum tree blooms in April, but you can enjoy the pure Beach Plum wine sold at Natali Vineyards anytime

looks a great deal “like a cherry tree.”

The fruits, which are generally the size of a nickel, can be deep blue, purple, rosy or yellow. You’ll know they’re ripe when they’re sweating sugar onto your fingertips. Once you find them, Joe says, “put them on your toast or bring them up to your lips.” (Or use them to make cordials, cobbler, cheesecake…there are heaps of possibilities.) Just make sure to stay on path; aimlessly traipsing through the dunes causes erosion, the very thing the beach plum trees help prevent. But if you’re not yet ready to set out on your own search, look into one of Joe’s summer beach plum tours, sponsored by the Cape May Library and the Rutgers University Cooperative Extension Service.

If you’d rather cheat, Lucky Bones and the Washington Inn serve mojitos and mimosas made with beach plums, Love the Cook on the Washington Street Mall sells a Beach Plum vinaigrette, jam and jelly, while Natali Vineyards, the only winery in the world to do so, sells a pure beach plum wine for just $20.

Whatever you are looking for this summer, happy hunting.

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The all-new Exit Zero Store & Gallery 109 SUNSET BOULEVARD, CAPE MAY (across from Shell Gas) (609) 770-8479 exitzero.us Open daily 9am to 9pm

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in love with the general

A NEW ERA BEGINS AT A CAPE MAY POINT CLASSIC, THE GENERAL STORE

D

eanna Ebner has told it so many times, to so many eager listeners, she’s sick of her own story. It goes something like this: born in California, moved to Pennsylvania, moved to Avalon, then Colorado, back to Avalon, North Carolina, back to Colorado, Miami, Avalon, Asia, then Costa Rica. (Costa Rica is where, at the age of 28, she fell in love with her Argentinean husband, Lucas Manteca. He barely spoke English. She didn’t speak Spanish. But they taught each other on a hammock between surfing overhead waves and eating Lucas’ homemade sticky buns.

“All the girls who tried them fell in love with Lucas,” Deanna says.) Then, it was back to North Carolina (this time with sticky-bun making husband in tow), Miami, North Carolina, New York City, and, finally, back to Cape May County. (We’d heard that Deanna had lived in Puerto Rico and Panama, too, at one stage. When we asked her, she said, “Oh, yeah…”) Now, Deanna is making another one of life’s big moves. At the age of exit zero

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GATHERING SPOT Top: The Cape May Point General Store serves breakfast and lunch (and homemade ice cream), with 30 seats inside and another 30 on a breezy outdoor patio. The restaurant, which also does take-out, features a special smoothie or juice of the day, made with seasonal fruits and vegetables.

Opposite: A refreshing gingerade, made with fresh ginger, meyer lemon, and honey, is the perfect thing to sip when you need a break from your bike ride to the lighthouse or Sunset Beach Previous pages: The General Store in 1971, when it was owned by the Berghaus family — note the gas pump out front. And Deanna Ebner, who’s excited about the challenge of taking over the business.

“I’ll never forget the day in 1962 that Marilyn Monroe died. Everyone was gathered inside, talking about her. It was the place you went to buy basic necessities, to catch up on business, to share the news.” exit zero

forty, she’s taken over the General Store and restaurant in Cape May Point.

This place, affectionately referred to as the “red store,” has quite a story of its own. Built in the 1930s, it wasn’t registered as a commercial business until 1946. The McCullough family ran it in the 40s, followed by the Kreiger family in the 50s and the Thomas family in the 60s. Not only was the General Store the place where kids would buy their penny candy, Archie comic books and little paper bags full of cracked corn for feeding ducks, it was the place where many of them felt their first taste of freedom.

Leslie Kurtz Fog, who spent every childhood summer in the Point, told us this was “the first place I could go alone.” It was her job to buy the daily newspaper for the family. “I’ll never forget the day in 1962 that Marilyn Monroe died,” she said. “Everyone was gathered inside, talking.

It was the place you went to buy basic necessities, to catch up on business, to share the news. A place where you knew everyone, and they knew you.”

In 1969, the Berghaus family took over. “My parents moved me to the General Store when I was nine,” Jean Berghaus Quinn, who now works for Cape May Winery, told us. “It was a meeting place in town. My dad made hoagies behind a deli counter that he didn’t make money from, because he stuffed them so full. And kids loved it here because we had a shed where you could take your bikes or rubber rafts in need of repair. Because we lived upstairs, we’d answer the door at all hours of the night.”

Eight years later came a turning point. The building was sold to Harriet Golabiewski, who turned the home’s little kitchen into a commercial one, meaning the General Store would no longer sell just “basic necessities;” it would operate as a restaurant as well.

In 1994, Cape May Point — which was once home to grocery markets, pharmacies, bath houses, even a horse rental company — was rezoned as a residential area. Because The General Store was grandfathered in, it would become one of only two commercial businesses in town. (The other is the book store that operates out of Cape May Bird Observatory.)

Without any competition, it should have been smooth sailing for Jennifer Buchanan, the store’s current owner. But she was forced to close after flood damage caused by a broken pipe in 2004 destroyed half of the building, buckling the wooden floors and collapsing the ceiling.

Finally, after an intense period of gutting and renovating, the red store — complete with crown molding, butcher block countertops, and “arctic gray” walls — reopened for business in July of 2011. “But I realized that my kids didn’t want to take over,” Jennifer told us. “The idea of working in mom’s shop is cool when you’re 12, but it’s a different story when you’re 18. So I needed someone else.”

Enter Deanna Ebner — six-foot tall, statuesque and “unable to sit still.”

“It’s not that Deanna was the only one who wanted the store,” Jennifer told us. “Interested people came from all over. But I wanted someone who would fit with the Point. Someone who would keep the General Store what it’s always been — a simple place where local kids want to ride their bikes. And I wanted someone who would make it even better than that, by selling high-quality, slow food. I want the General Store to continue being a source of memories for people in town.”

We caught up with Deanna the day after she’d moved in to the upstairs apartment. Milk crates full of paint brushes still blocked the doorway; artwork cluttered the floor; piles of pink underpants belonging to the couple’s three-year-old, Catalina, lined the couch, waiting to be tucked away.

Deanna tugged on her long brunette hair, permanently streaked with blonde from sun and salt water, and told us about the time she took a boat across a patch of Indonesian seaweed farms in order to surf. “There was a shark feeding frenzy happening 50 yards behind the boat,” she said, “but

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Clockwise from top left: Roasted onions and potatoes seasoned with herbs from The General Store’s own garden; steel cut oatmeal with toasted almonds, bananas, and fresh Jersey blues; Avocado and cheddar toast with cherry tomatoes and red onion. Opposite page: Buttermilk flapjacks with seasonal preserves made on-site.

“The Point is a special place. Unlike most shore towns, they’re not ripping down the two-bedroom cottage here. The Point is still low to the ground. And this is a happy building.” exit zero

they didn’t bother with me.” Then, she pointed to a table in the corner of the dining room. “I am so excited about that,” she said. “Look, it has five leaves. I can make it eight feet long. People can have their coffee there in the morning.”

For Deanna, sharks and great tables for morning coffee offer the same adrenaline rush. There’s adventure within the walls of the Cape May Point General Store. “I feel like this could be an exciting process forever,” she said, “trying to find the right light fixture for the dining room, trying to get the preserves just right, figuring out what else we can pickle and smoke and what else can we offer.”

When Deanna says “we,” she mostly means “I.” Lucas, now Executive Chef for The Ebbitt Room, won’t be as present as he was when Deanna and he launched their first restaurant, a 40-seat BYO in Stone Harbor called Sea Salt that was well-liked but too seasonable to be viable. Or their second, a wildly popular seafood shack in Stone Harbor called Quahogs that Deanna is still managing. Or their third, a South Philly spot that failed after a year and a half. (“It was too small,” Deanna said, “and in a city we didn’t know well enough.”) Unlike all the others, this venture is entirely Deanna’s. And yet — maybe it’s the surfer girl in her — she seems calm.

“I don’t think it’s anxiety I’m feeling,” she said, patting her 10-yearold pittbull, Emma, on the head. “I feel as though it’s all going to work out, and I’m excited to see how it does. It helps that I’m so comfortable in the restaurant industry.” It’s true — Deanna hasn’t simply been gallivanting around the globe chasing waves; she’s been waitressing, managing and bartending since she was 14 years old, working behind the counter of a “ridiculous” five-and-dime that sold hardware and short order breakfasts. So, after a career involving 30 or 40 restaurants (“I honestly don’t know how many it’s been”), why the General Store?

“The Point is a special place,” Deanna told us as we made our way onto the outside patio. “Unlike most shore towns, they’re not ripping down the two-bedroom cottage here. The Point is still low to the ground.

And this is a happy building. I love the cedar shake, the natural light that pours in through all of these windows. It’s kind of bare here. Not a lot of bric-a-brac. Simple.”

Kind of like Deanna.

Next to the “monster garden” that surrounds the outdoor dining

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space, Deanna paused, wondering if she should change her shoes before the Exit Zero photographer arrived to take her photo. “What am I saying?” she said. “I’m a flip-flop person. I did buy real shoes for my wedding day, but they were ridiculous.” So was Deanna’s wedding, at least by some standards. “We couldn’t pull ourselves off of the beach,” she told us. “It was such a beautiful day. So by the time we made it to the magistrate’s office to get our license, they were practically shutting the window on us.

Then we got married at the Dare County Detention Center in North Carolina, with inmates in orange suits behind us.”

Deanna’s never been a conventional woman, and the General Store is not a conventional place. They serve breakfast and lunch, made with as many local ingredients as possible, and served with fresh slices of Jersey melon. From a coffee counter, they also offer breakfast sandwiches, homemade baked goods (including those Costa Rica-inspired sticky buns), artisanal breads and meats, and seasonal smoothies and juices (including Deanna’s favorite: the carrot, apple, ginger).

The store portion, which will be complete by Memorial Day, carries exit zero

“high-quality basics,” like eggs, milk, dried pastas and homemade sausage patties. Into the evening, they serve homemade ice cream (and free blankets to sit on, in case you want to take your dessert with you across the street to the Pavilion Circle, or just down the road to Lake Lilly.) “We love the idea of people doing take-out and then having a picnic,” Deanna told us. “I mean, look at these views.”

It’s hard to picture Deanna — whose personal belongings consist mostly of inexpensive tchotchkes collected from different countries and a couple of weathered suitcases — being content in the Point forever. Or maybe not. As we spoke, her linen delivery man showed up with a free stack of holy, frayed rags. “I get so excited when he does that,” Deanna said, jumping out of her chair to retrieve them. “Rags are like gold in the kitchen.”

But does Deanna think this could be her last stop? “If I say yes,” she told us, smiling, “I’ll be moving tomorrow. That’s how it goes. So I’d rather not say anything.”

77 June 2012

my perfect day PETER KARAPANAGIOTIS OF THE Y.B.

Farmers markets, good food, and scotch

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ummer is the perfect time to be in Cape May, although it’s not really the best time for me to get a day off from my restaurant, The Y.B. So on a rare day off, it usually goes something like this...

I drive into Cape May, listening to the Beastie Boys, before making a stop at Coffee Tyme for an iced chai tea — those things reall are addictive. This will not be my first coffee break — I need caffeine many, many times throughout the day.

Then it’s time to decide where to have breakfast. I usually decide on either the Pier House or The Mad Batter. I love the former’s Eggs Cape May, which is basically an Eggs Benedict with tomato, spinach, and crab meat... and it’s really, really good!

At the Mad Batter, I’ll go for the Chorizo and Eggs dish, if they have it on special,

while I do some people-watching on the porch.

After breakfast, I walk along the Washington Street Mall, which always includes a visit to the Whale’s Tale; they have such wonderful things. I usually stop at Up in Smoke in the City Center Mall on Washington Street, too. And of course, it’s a given that if I’m on the mall, I visit Love The Cook; I don’t think anybody who cares about cooking can walk by that place and not stop in.

I’m not really too much of a beach guy, but if I do go, you can usually find me hanging out between Jackson and Perry Streets.

And if my perfect day happens to be a Tuesday, I always pay a visit to the West Cape May Farmers Market. It’s a great way to spend an hour or two, checking out the vendors and grabbing a bite to exit zero

The man with a pan Even chefs have to eat out every once in a while. Pete Karapanagiotis of The Y.B. has several go-to spots.

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eat. Sometimes, they even have live music.

I always make a stop at the Empanada Mama’s stand, and The Flying Fish stand is a must-visit spot for me, too; I love to check out what’s new with them.

Time for dinner, and while I’m in the neighborhood, Panico’s is right down the street. The brick oven pizza is my favorite, but everything they do is consistently good. It’s always a treat to be on the other side of the kitchen door.

After dinner, if I’m up for a drink, (which isn’t too often because I usually wake up super early on summer mornings for work), I head to The Boiler Room at Congress Hall. I’ll end my perfect day with a drink, usually a nice Johnny Walker Black.

I’m a Scotch fan, and it’s something I can sip on and enjoy for a while — a relaxing end to a relaxing, perfect Cape May day.

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my father and cape may... a love story

VINCENT MARCHESE RECALLS SOME SPECIAL MEMORIES OF A SPECIAL PLACE WITH FRANK, HIS BEST FRIEND AND HIS DAD exit zero

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ike my father, Frank, I was born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey, about 160 miles north of Cape May. Dad was the son of immigrants who labored in the silk and dye mills that gave Paterson its moniker, Silk City. Few people in my working class neighborhood had ever even heard of Cape May. For me, New Jersey ended just past Atlantic City.

That all changed when my father gave his mother, my sister and me “a vacation down the shore” to Wildwood. I couldn’t imagine a place more enchanting or exotic than Paterson, with its hardscrabble neighborhoods and smoke stacks rising like so many church steeples.

Our trip would take about five hours.

Parts of the Garden Sate Parkway had yet to be completed, so most of the traveling was on Route 9, or Old Route 9, as it was known. I was transfixed by the metamorphosis of the landscape, as we chugged down 9 in my father’s Oldsmobile 88, watching the land transform from urban to rural, the dark soil turning to clay and sand, the forests of oaks and maples becoming scrubs of pine and holly. And there was the all-encompassing smell of the sea and wetlands, a briny, sulfur odor that permeated the air and announced your arrival at the shore.

A LOVER OF CAPE MAY Previous pages: Frank Marchese at his favorite spot, the beach at Cape May Point, near St Mary by the Sea; and at the movie theater that used to be in Congress Hall in the early 1990s.

This page: The only two photographs the author, Vincent Marchese, has of he and his father in Cape May. The photo on the right was shot at a Columbia Avenue B&B in 1981, and the photo below was taken in Cape May Point around 1972.

Opposite page: Frank at Cape May Point in the mid-1980s

I practically lived on the boardwalk, frequenting piers like Hunt’s, Sportsland and Marine. Early adolescence through late teens, my rite of passage was Wildwood. After I got my license and wheels, we no longer relied on Dad for our annual journey — I was now making the trip solo or with Grandmother.

As if loyalty were a tether, I adhered to our familiar Old Route 9. I have never tired of driving that road with its unique folk-art roadside attractions and small towns dotted with antique shops and assorted ephemera.

One year in the early seventies, during our annual Wildwood visit, serendipity struck. It was mid-September and the coast was being pummeled by a particularly nasty Nor’easter. It’s no fun in Wildwood with weather like that, so one particularly stormy evening I headed out of town. I’d been to Cape May Point with my Grandmother, where we’d take the canvas roof off my Land cruiser and explore the back roads of Lower Township, hunting for fruit and vegetable stands.

This time I headed into the town of Cape May, and even with a four-wheel drive, navigating a wind and rain-swept Ocean Drive was a challenge. Cape May city was deserted, and reminding me of the Twilight Zone pilot episode “Where Is Everybody?” The wind howled and things blew all over the place like so many tumbleweeds.

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By chance I turned onto a side street and saw a number of people entering a side entrance to a local bar. Several of the fellows were wearing brightly colored rain gear as if they’d just gotten off a fishing boat. Upon entering, I was greeted by a packed crowd of locals. Despite the boisterous crowd and nasty weather, the feeling inside was one of coziness and warmth and everyone seemed to be having a roaring good time. My eye was drawn almost immediately to the ceiling, which was lined, row after row, with white ceramic beer mugs with names and numbers on them. Several years later, at the insistence of a local band member, Tim Joyce, my name would join the ranks of the “Royal Order of the Ugly Mugs.” My mug number is 387.

When I left that day, I realized that Cape May would now be the place I visited for my yearly respite from the hustle and bustle of urban life. The following day I returned to explore, checking out the side streets with their myriad of Victorian homes, none of which were B&Bs at the time. I mentioned my newfound discovery to my father, suggesting he might enjoy it well, as it offered a lot of potential for the artistic eye. Dad was an artist who had a brief employ as a muralist under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal Federal Arts Program, while I had a budding interest in photography.

The first time Dad and I went together to Cape May was Columbus Day weekend in 1973, the year my father turned 58. Planning our father-son road trip was fun, and we agreed that we’d take Route 9. My grandmother packed us a homemade, old-world style Italian lunch of egg, pepper and potato sandwiches. We meandered down Route 9, stopping occasionally at an antique or thrift shop or, in my case, to snap photos of some weathered old building or roadside oddity. A traditional part of our journey became a stop at the Old Smithville cemetery for lunch, where we became well acquainted with the cemetery’s local residents, with old South Jersey names like Higbee, Leeds, and Somers. I once jokingly asked Dad if he thought they, unseen, ever joined us for lunch.

At this time there were no bed and breakfast inns, at least that I knew of, just boarding houses. Unlike the ones in Wildwood, these boarding houses were huge Victorians. We stayed in a variety of places on Jackson and Deca-

A shore store on the mall had a 50% mark-down sale, and he had bought 15 pairs of shoes. I told him, “Dad, you’ll never wear all those shoes as long as you live!”

I was right.

From that day forward, I called him “the bagman of Cape May.”

tur streets — nothing fancy, just rooms.

We never made reservations; they weren’t required back then. One of the more interesting, even fancier, rooming houses was a place called the Beverley, a large structure in the Queen Ann style, painted white. The proprietress, Faye DeVito, was an accommodating soul who went out of her way to make guests comfortable.

Since there were no meters and the Cape did not yet see the crowds it enjoys today, parking was no problem. Washington Street ran straight through from Ocean to Perry, as the mall was still a few years off. We both took an immediate liking to the many shops along Washington Street. Both book lovers, we had a keen interest in the Antiquarian bookshop, located where The Washington Street Gallery presently resides.

The most unique thing about this shop was its owner. The door was always open but the owner rarely seen, and on many occasions purchases were made on the trust system — take your book and leave your money in the basket on

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the way out. Another favorite was Barry’s Fine Men’s Clothing store; it would become an annual tradition to shop for fall clothing here before we departed for home. Washington Street eventually became a mall with a wider variety of merchants, and many of our visits to Cape May would coincide with fall outdoor clearance sales. Often Dad would “cruise” the mall while I was off doing something else, usually photography.

On one occasion I went looking for him, and in the distance spotted this fellow carting what appeared to be five shopping bags. Sure enough it was him.

A shoe store on the mall had a 50 percent markdown sale, and he had bought 15 pair of shoes. I told him, “Dad, you’ll never wear all those shoes as long as you live!” I was right. From that day forward, I called him “the bagman of Cape May.” As years passed, many new shops appeared on the mall; others relocated or shut their doors forever. Dad was sad to see Keltie’s close; he’d looked forward to getting his morning paper there. And from a young age Dad had been a pro-

ponent of the health food movement, so he often frequented the only health food store in Cape May at the time, Our Daily Bread. Dad quickly befriended the owners, Willie and his wife Gwyn, enjoying frequent conversations about health and natural living. Another shop would become Dad’s all time favorite, Bath Time. Every year he stocked up on exquisite scented soaps, lotions and other great-smelling things. Owner Bonnie Mullock grew quite fond of Dad, and looked forward to his annual visits to her shop.

Around the late seventies, Dad and I started rooming in separate locations.

It started because I wanted to stay at the Washington Inn, now well-known for its fine dining. Because this place was a little too fancy for Dad, he found a spot on Columbia for ten dollars a night. I stayed at the Washington Inn for a couple of years while dad kept his place on Columbia, even though the owner eventually raised her rates to $15 a day.

Then, one year, everything changed.

I had called to make reservations at the Washington Inn, but owner Toby Craig told me, “Vince, I’ve decided to give up the rooms and concentrate on the restaurant. But a new young couple in town bought the old Beverly and they are converting it to a bed and breakfast. Give them a call — I’m sure they’d be happy to have you.” I did, and the rest, as they say, is history.

We’d spend all day at the Point, talking about life, philosophy, and art. I always had my camera with me, and dad would have his sketchpad.

Together, we would roam the Point and “make art.”

He was my best friend, fellow artist, and my longsuffering model.

I stayed with the new owners of The Queen Victoria, Joan and Dane Wells, from the time they opened in 1980 until their retirement in 2003, a total of 24 years. The Wells had a natural talent for inn-keeping and business acumen to match. Throughout the years I stayed with them, they expanded the “Queen’s Empire” to include the Prince Albert, Queens Hotel, Queens Cottage and more. My father insisted on continuing his Spartan tradition of 15-dollar-anight rooming houses, until the owner of the place he was staying sold and the new owners converted into a bed and breakfast. He found another place just down the road, a rooming house owned by a sweet elderly couple, the McGee’s.

Even though the McGee’s place was only a few short blocks away from the Queen Victoria, we frequently wouldn’t see each other for days on end. He did his thing, shopping and sketching, while I did my photography. After a few days I’d usually bump into him on the mall or he’d pass me on his bicycle while I was photographing some side street. I’d yell out, “Hey Pop, why don’t we meet for dinner tonight?”

Despite our independent activities we managed to spend quite a lot of time together. One of our favorite locations was Cape May Point. For many years we’d travel to the Cape in September when the weather and water temperature still permitted bathing. Our “spot” was near Saint Mary’s, with its large sea wall of giant granite blocks. It was great to come out of the water and just lie on one of those stone beds heated by the sun. We’d spend all day at the Point, talking about life, philosophy and art.

I always had my camera with me, and Dad would have his sketchpad. Together

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we would roam the Point and “make art.”

After awhile Mrs. McGee lost her husband and eventually gave up the business. By now almost all the homes in the area had converted to bed and breakfasts, and the days of the twentydollar-a-night room were gone. Dad was getting on in years and not quite as independent as he once was, so I suggested a stay at the Queen Victoria so I could keep an eye on him. We still maintained our own spaces — I stayed in the main building and he roomed at the Queens Hotel across the street.

My father quickly warmed to the bed and breakfast scene; I’d usually find him at breakfast with a captive audience.

Dad was quite the conversationalist and would usually have Dane or Joan and the guests chatting about art or health food or his beloved Paterson. He also loved just sitting on the porch with a good book. His advancing age compelled us to do nearly everything together, including his favorite past time, shopping on the mall. Dad’s eyesight precluded us from bike rides, so more of our time was spent using the car for exploratory jaunts.

As time passed and I started in teaching, our stays at Cape May became limited to an extended weekend in November. Too cold for swimming, we still managed to get to the Point to photograph and sketch. But dad grew tired faster and our stays only lasted a few hours before he needed to get back and relax. One year we learned that Mrs McGee had passed away; then Joan and Dane sold their business and retired after a long and successful career as innkeepers — an end to an era. The new owners, Doug and Anna Marie McMain, are just as accommodating

and gracious and the business has not skipped a beat. My father and I kept our tradition of staying at the Queen, but life was a little more challenging for us both.

Dad still enjoyed going to Bath Time for his soaps and gifts, but now I led him by the hand. Going to dinner became more of a challenge as well, but we managed.

In 2009, Dad was in his 95th year. To celebrate this landmark, I treated him to an especially nice room at The Prince Albert. We’d been traveling together to Cape May for over 35 consecutive years now, and even though he was slower and his eyesight limited he was still excited about making the trip. My grandmother had long since passed, so on the way out of Paterson we’d stop at our favorite Italian deli and order egg and pepper sandwiches, just like grandma use to make.

We made our traditional stop at the Smithville cemetery for lunch and as a special treat, a stop at the Noyes Museum of Art in Oceanville. I had entered some photography in the first ever Weird New Jersey Photography Exhibition, which was being showcased at the museum — two of my pieces were

LAST PHOTO Above: The last image Vincent shot of his father in Cape May, at the Point in November of 2009. It was the last time they traveled here together. Frank passed away the following May, at the age of 95.

Opposite, top: Frank with his ever-present sketchpad in Cape May Point.

Opposite below: Frank chats to a passer-by on the mall, around 1983

accepted and hung in exhibition. Almost since I started doing photography I’ve used my father as the subject of my art.

Despite my good intentions, the room at the Prince Albert didn’t work out quite as planned. I was a little concerned about leaving him alone in his room but still, even at this age and dependence on me, he insisted on his own space.

Early one morning, I went to check on him and bring him to breakfast, and received quite a fright when he was not in his room. I started searching for him, fearing he may have wondered off or fallen. But I found that he’d made his way to breakfast and had, in traditional Dad style, a captive audience, engaging the guests in lively conversation.

That weekend we went to the Point and climbed one of the walkways to check out our favorite spot of years past.

By the time we reached the top, Dad was winded and sat at the bench, laying his head and cane on the table and nodding off. I was taking photos, and spontaneously snapped a picture of him all bundled up against the chilly November wind. It was to be the last photograph I

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would ever take of him in Cape May. On the way home to Paterson I mentioned to my father “let’s do this just one more year,” and he enthusiastically agreed. But it was not meant to be. In May of 2010 my father passed away at home, in his sleep.

My dad and I had a special bond. He was of course, “Dad,” but also my best friend, fellow artist, and my long-suffering model. Cape May was our special place, and it always will be. When I travel to the Cape now, I can feel his spirit with me as I make the traditional lunch stop at the Smithville cemetery.

And I can hear his gentle voice whisper to me in the rush of wind as it flits through the tall sawgrass and holly at Cape May Point, 160 miles due south of Paterson.

About the author: Vincent T. Marchese is a lifelong resident of Paterson, NJ and an Educator with the Paterson Public School District as well as an accomplished photographer whose work of Cape May has appeared in national magazines and sold as posters at the Washington Street Gallery.

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(609) 884-6282 Open Year Round 10:30-4:30 (Sundays 11-4) 600 Park Boulevard, West Cape May www.theantiquedoorknob.com

Exquisite jewelry; world-class advice; friendly service; Victorian charm.

We make it easy to celebrate those you love.

ENGAGEMENT RINGS | HEART & ARROWS | BALL WATCHES |

REPAIRS

ARTISANS ALCOVE ESTATE JEWELERS

523 Lafayette Street, Cape May (609) 898-0202 • www.artisansalcove.com Now open in second location!! 714 Asbury Ave., Ocean City, NJ • 399-2050

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88 June 2012

ARTS SOMA NEWART GALLERY PREPARES FOR A BUSY SEASON OF SHOWS

A long, hot summer at SOMA

S

OMA NewArt was Cape May’s first fine arts gallery. Since its opening just six years ago, SOMA has earned a reputation for its cool Manhattan style, and the even cooler way it promotes and celebrates regional talent… and what talent there is to celebrate.

Owner Janet Miller continually highlights emerging and mid-career artists from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York, and this summer is no different. The exhibit running from May 19th to June 17th will spotlight three local artists, all of whom have some-

NATURAL BEAUTY Terri Amig will display this 3’x4’ oil on linen entitled “Permission,” one of the works meant to highlight the “interdependencies that bind us all.”

Original clothing, designed and printed right here in Cape May.

F LY I N G F I S H S T U D I O

1 3 0 PA R K B O U L E VA R D, W E S T C A P E M AY ( 6 0 9 ) 8 8 4 - 2 7 6 0 • T H E F LY I N G F I S H S T U D I O. C O M Also Visit Our 2 Locations at West End Garage! exit zero

89 June 2012

new and familiar Greg Bennet’s 30x60 oil on linen painting, called “Huddled” will be on display in Gallery 3 at SOMA

Transmutation The untitled painting above is a 10x 13.5 oil on dura-lar matte, done by John Monteith

thing pretty spectacular to show.

John Monteith’s exhibit Transmutation, “finds its origins in a desire to articulate infinite nuance within a finite framework.” Maybe it takes an artist to understand this; we certainly don’t know what that means.

But we do know that John’s pieces are beautiful, anchored “within the real,” but alluding to “a completely fictional space.”

Then there’s Greg Benett’s pieces, entitled New and Familiar. Fans of Benetts will recognize some of his sub-

jects, while others are never before seen. As with all of this artist’s paintings, these are inspired by events in his life, “rarely anything dramatic, just simple observations inspired by walks along the shore or travels to nearby states.” It’s the little things, like a bonfire with friends or the sound of an acoustic guitar, which bring out the best in Bennett. He describes his process as “very personal,” saying it’s impossible to describe the journey in words. We think there’s a good chance this show will leave you without words, too.

Last but not least, SOMA will host Terri Amig’s Terra Famila, which is an exploration of the “interdependencies that bind us all.” (We especially love the painting of the two cows on the previous page; who knew cattle could be so powerful?)

Be on the lookout also for SOMA favorites Sean Taylor (who you can read more about on page __), and Harriett Sosson, who will be showing July 23 through 29. They will be joined

by John Borrero, who is having his first SOMA show. Visit somagallery.net.

C A P E M AY L I N E N O U T L E T

110 Park Blvd., West Cape May | (609) 884-3630 | www.CAPEMAYLINEN.com | Open Daily 10am-6pm

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90 June 2012

The Italian Garden

Still the best way to say... well, anything.

SHEA’S CLOSET Cool, Comfortable, Unique Clothes & Accessories

ALL ITALIA, ALL IMPORTS

The New Summer Line...

Just In From Italy! Fantastico!

(609) 884-2300 • 510 Carpenter’s Lane, Cape May

KATE’S FLOWER SHOP 600 park Blvd. west cape may 884-6181 • katesflowershop.com

Cape May Sports Memorabilia Large selection of high quality vintage sports cards & memorabilia at reasonable prices.

Current Stars, Hall of Famers and Rookies Certified Autographed Items Vintage Yearbooks, Programs & Publications Located in Cape May at Antiques Emporia 405 W. Perry Street

Phone: 609-898-3332 email: SprtsCardsRus@aol.com www.capemaysportsmemorabilia.com

Advertise in the 2012 COLOR Issues of Exit Zero!

Only $70 for an ad this size Contact Jason at (609) 770-8479 or jason@exitzero.us Made in the USA!

315 Ocean Street Washington Commons

(609) 898-8080 www.yarnsRus.net

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484 Perry St.

91 June 2012

Located in the

Cape May, NJ

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92 June 2012

musthaves

from the shops of cape may

BAY SPRINGS ALPACA FARM

CAPE MAY BIRD OBSERVATORY

Cape May Linen

542 New England Road, Cape May, (609) 884-0563 bayspringsalpacas.

And now for something completely different. Some people send postcards from summer vacation, you send an alpaca. Okay, maybe not the actual alpaca, but you can get something from the Bay Springs Alpaca store – including the warmest socks around.

701 East Lake Drive, Cape May Point (609) 884-2736 birdcapemay.org You don’t have to be a birder to appreciate the shop at the CMBO. And if you are a birder (or you love a birder), you’ll hit the shopping jackpot here. Binoculars, books and bird-inspired can canvas totes. And who your love for the Cape May birding scene with a hat or tee!

Cape May Sports Memorabilia

Cape Winds Florist

405 West Perry Street, Cape May (201) 306-0076 capemaysportsmemorabilia.com Maybe you’re a sports nut. Maybe you just know and love a sports nut, and buying gifts for him or her is a challenge. Fret no more – one visit to Cape May Sports Memorabilia will have you squared away.

The highest quality sports memorabilia at the lowest-possible prices.

110 Park Boulevard, West Cape May (866) 884-3630 capemaylinen.com

120 Park Boulevard, West Cape May (609) 884-3200

This Cape May must-visit is simply packed with wonderful home furnishings at rock-bottom prices. It’s also packed with bargain-savvy locals and visitors all year-round. Everything you could possibly need for bed and bath (kitchen towels and curtains, too!), conveniently corralled in one hot little spot.

Brand new this year to the Cape May scene, Cape May Organic Market is a runaway hit. All your organic necessities are here, from gluten-free foods and supplements, frozen foods, meats and cheeses, and organic body and bath lines, organic pet products, and much more. Eat local, eat fresh, eat organic.

Flying Fish Studio

860 Broadway, West Cape May (609) 884-1865 capewindsflorists.net

130 Park Boulevard, West Cape May (800) 639-2085 theflyingfishstudio.com

The old ad campaign says it best — if you want to say it right, you should say it with flowers. Cape Winds is your go-to florist for any occasion, and they ship anywhere. So whether it’s something as big as a wedding, as small as a pick-me-up bouquet for even a gift item, give Cape Winds Florist a call.

Anyone how knows and loves Cape May (and this means you) will appreciate something from our good friends over at the Flying Fish Studio. This favorite spot of locals and vacationers produces original, high-quality and hand-printed apparel and one-of-a-kind accessories.

Get out of those cookie-cutter clothes.

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CAPE MAY ORGANIC MARKET

93 June 2012

Good Scents

327 Carpenters Lane, Cape May (609) 884-0014 sensia.com The folks at Good Scents have been in business for over 25 years now, and that doesn’t happen by accident. They carry fragrances for the body and home - incense, candles, oils, plus home accents, jewelry, and CDs, too! These lighted flowers are a customer favorite, and come in two sizes - brighten your corner of the world with Good Scents.

my perfect day NICOLE PENSE, OF BLISS HOMEMADE ORGANIC ICE CREAM

Yoga, ice cream, and Mesterhazy

I

would love to wake up on a beautiful June morning, feeling uncommonly rested because no one called for “mama” all night.

I head outside for a long shower before waking my husband Mike and the kids, Sage, Hudson, and baby Aria. We head to the beach, where the girls romp in their pajamas and Mike and I sit wrapped in a blanket, watching the sunrise.

A bike ride along the promenade follows, with a detour for fruit smoothies from Ella’s. We return home, pull on swimsuits and head to Higher Grounds for happy eggs. Then it’s off to the beach to build sandcastles and jump waves. I fall asleep to the sounds of laughing children and the smell of salt air.

Beach time always makes me hungry,

so its Freda’s for lunch. We share a smorgasbord of seafood bisque, crab focaccia, onion rings, and lemonade, served by our favorite Freda’s waitress, Catherine. Then we walk to the Kiwanis Club playground — or, as Sage calls it, the “goose and geese park,” where swings and slides help expend some energy.

Now it’s “me” time, so Mike takes the kids to the library while I go to Balance Pilates and Yoga for a yoga class and massage. I stop at Seaside Cheese for a small wedge of whatever triple cream they have in — the perfect after-yoga snack! I meet Mike at the Washington Street Mall, where the kids throw coins in the fountains.

Time to eat... again! Tonight it’s Gecko’s, for Randy’s house salad... so exit zero

Just Beachy “Then it’s off to the beach to build sandcastles and jump waves.

I fall asleep to the sounds of laughing children and the smell of salt air,” says Nicole Pense, who runs Bliss Homemade Organic Ice Cream with her husband, Mike Boschen.

Aleksey Moryakov

94 June 2012

good even Sage wants one. The corn bread muffins with jalapeno jelly must be removed from me or I’ll be full before my pork entrée arrives.

After dinner we head to Sunset Beach, stopping by Park Boulevard first for the best ice cream place in town, Bliss.

Okay, I’m biased because I’m the one who makes it... but it’s the only homemade ice cream in town and you can’t beat local, homemade, AND organic.

We arrive at Sunset Beach just in time for the sunset flag ceremony. Then it’s home; bed time for the kids. The babysitter arrives and we’re off to The Merion Inn. I end my perfect day with Mike, fresh strawberry shortcake and a glass of wine, while George Mesterhazy makes magic on the piano.

Cre ati n g yo u r ow n b a c k ya rd h e ave n?

We c a n h e l p.

indoor & outdoor fur niture | c a n d l e s | d e c o r a t i o n s | c u s h i o n s | s o u v e n i r s

2 03 S U N S E T B O U L E VA R D, W E S T C A P E M A Y (6 0 9) 8 8 4 -18 49 exit zero

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ARTS ONE WOMAN’S REMARKABLE 12-YEAR MISSION TO SAVE THE ANIMALS

NEW OILS ON CANVAS AND BOARD. SEASCAPES AND LANDSCAPES. NOW AVAILABLE. VISIT MY GALLERY OR SEE THEM AT MY SHOWS...

UPCOMING SHOWS Emlen Physick Estate May 5 & May 26 Strawberry Festival West Cape May - June 2 Boardwalk Craft Show June 9 & 10 Art In The Park West Cape May - July 21 & August 18 Promenade Art Show July 13-14-15

Patricia Rainey Studios

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Joan and her amazing technicolor quilt

W

HAT do Bill Clinton, Paul Newman, G l o r i a Steinem, Colin Powell, Rush Limbaugh, and just this year, Hugh Jackman all have in common? And why have John Glenn, Jane Goodall, Betty White, Bill Gates, Mel Brooks and David Hockney joined with them? Actors and actresses, musicians, athletes, TV and radio hosts, writers, comedians, an astronaut and more….

They have all signed, and have contributed pictures of themselves and their pets, for Joan VenezianoD’Avanzo’s patchwork quilt. Known as the “Animal Compassion Quilt …

Signed by the Famed for the Millions Unnamed,” this work of art has been over a dozen years in the making, and is not even now complete. The signatures and pictures of well over 100 celebri-

ruff, ruff!

Joan VenezianoD’Avanzo, who will be at the Gail Pierson Gallery this summer, has been working on her patchwork quilt, signed by celebrities who champion the cause of animal rights, for 12 years. It will be on display at Cape May’s Gail Pierson Gallery from May 26.

ties, all lovingly sewn into four-inch squares, colorfully attest to a shared concern for the welfare of animals in a quilt that is now twenty-two feet long.

The quilt will be on exhibit at the Gail Pierson Gallery, on Washington Street, Cape May from May 26 through June 27, along with other work by the artist.

At the opening reception on Saturday, May 26, you can meet the artist and learn firsthand the backstory of this dynamic cause and the art it has inspired.

Joan is a retired art teacher and formerly a spay/neuter clinic volunteer.

Moved by the plight of the millions of unwanted cats, dogs and other animals facing death if they are not adopted, the artist conceived of a way to use her particular art medium — textile — to bring attention to these creatures.

Her project was inspired by a visit to New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art where she saw a quilt from the 1860s signed by notable Civil War

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97 June 2012

heroes. She was propelled forward by her family’s own encounter adopting a rescue dog, where she was saddened by the dirty and noisy shelter conditions.

She was influenced by her brother-inlaw, a collector of famous autographs, who shared his guidance on how to begin to collect her signatures.

And last but not least, the artist was inspired by her own creativity — the ability to create wonderful art from textile and a sewing machine. And so the many signatures and pictures have been sewn together in this dynamic and inspiring patchwork.

Joan is pleased to report that the many celebrities she has asked have contributed their signatures because they are as dedicated to animal welfare as she is. Tippi Hedren is one example — she runs an 80-acre animal preserve in California. Then there is Mary Tyler Moore, who co-founded “Broadway Barks.” Longtime Price is Right host Bob Barker has turned animal activist.

Autographs for a good cause Artist Joan VenezianoD’Avanzo buys tickets to celebrity performances, in order to recruit them to her cause, So far, the quilt is twentytwo feet long.

Here, actress Lily Tomlin offers her support.

Kim Basinger’s square was returned with a whole list of pet signatures. Mel Brooks was the first to include a paw print. Frequently, Joan buys a ticket to a celebrity performance, enjoys the show, then introduces herself to the star. Harry Connick Jr, Hugh Jackman, Lily Tomlin, Glenn Close, Emmylou Harris were all collected in that way.

She is determined.

The artist is seeking a permanent public home for the “Animal Compassion Quilt. “ She wants many more people to see the quilt and to understand its messages: Unwanted animals need your help and a home, and the most effective way to lessen the number of unwanted animals is to make spaying and neutering programs widely available.

Joan wants the quilt to be in a spacious public place, where she can include educational materials on improving animals’ lives. Maybe there is a casino in Atlantic City or a busy New York Gallery that would like the quilt?

Tradition. Wit. Supreme Craftsmanship.

Above: Patagonia ottoman box padded and upholstered inside and out in a fabric all our own. Victorian mahogany dining chairs upholstered in a classic red-and-cream toile pastoral.

Antique and vintage furniture meticulously restored by master craftsmen using the traditional techniques of fine English upholstery.

New designs hand-crafted in unique fabrics.

We invite you to pay a visit to our provocative new online gallery at

www.BigButtonUpholstery.com.

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THE WEDDING SHOPPE Beachy Invitations, Favors, Tiaras, Veils, Jewelry, Sand Sets, Accessories

a i c i r t a P ackjeswoelenrs J ce

sin

0 198

Contemporary

& Estate Jewelry

Extraordinary 18kt 5.32ct Alexandrite & 7.5 Diamond necklace.

F Designers of the original Cape May and Exit 0 charms F On-premises custom design & repairs

WEDDING PLANNING

The Beach Wedding Experts Catherine J. Walton ~ Certified Bridal Consultant

BEACH CEREMONY RENTALS Chairs, Arbor, Feather Banners Sand Pouring Ceremonies

F Specializing in original designs F Platinum, 18K/14K gold & sterling silver in diamond and gemstone jewelry

SAND POUR UNITY SETS 6 designs 14 sand colors

www.weddings-bythesea.com catherine@weddings-bythesea.com

139 Broadway, West Cape May 609-884-7900 • Open All Year The Heart, Soul & Sand of Cape May Weddings

414 Bank Street Cape May (609) 884-0323 www.patjacksonjewelers.com

Inspired by Nature, Beautiful Home & Garden Decor for you and the Birds!

The

BIRD HOUSE of Cape May

109 Sunset Boulevard West Cape May (609) 898-8871 birdhouseofcapemay.com exit zero

Engagement Rings • Estate Jewelry • Lladro • Antiques Hummels • Antique Dolls • Jewelry Repair

WE BUY DIAMONDS, GOLD & SILVER 511 WASHINGTON STREET MALL CAPE MAY • (609) 898-8786

Fun for the Kids and grownups too!

The

Easy Water Ballon Fun! The Pumponator® makes filling water ballons fast and easy. Stop in and pick up one of our best selling toys and let the wet fun begin!

Toy Shop of Cape May

OPEN EVERY DAY!

Wildly Imaginative Toys 510 Washington St. Mall, Cape May • (609) 884-0442

99 June 2012

ELEGANCE Sitters at the Shore Atlantic City to Cape May, NJ Your Premium Child Care Sitting Service Professional & Screened Sitters Since 1998

609-465-0840 sittersattheshore.com Owned and operated by a NJ certified Elementary Teacher

Never has history been so irresistible.

Whiskers is now located with us!

ANTIQUES EMPORIA

405 West Perry Street, Cape May • (609) 898-3332

FREE In-Home Consultation www.budgetblinds.com

609-513-8595

If you love tea, or know someone who does, this is paradise.

TEA BY THE SEA

Shutters | Blinds | Shades | Draperies Hunter Douglas-Signature Series

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405 West Perry Street Cape May 609 . 898 . 4832 www.teaincapemay.com

100 June 2012

ARTS EAST LYNNE THEATER COMPANY FEATURES WORK BY RUTH DRAPER

Turning the spotlight on a special lady

R

aised in Manhattan society, Ruth Draper observed everyone around her, from the German governess to Irish immigrants, to telephone operators and British socialites. Performing her touching and humorous character studies only for family and friends led to an incredible 40-year career that took her to the world’s greatest stages. Eleonora Duse declared “Ruth Draper is theater.”

Lily Tomlin sites Draper as a great influence on her own solo shows, stating that Draper’s “characterizations are wonderful and have great humanity.”

The award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company is only the second production company to be allowed to produce this incredible material since Draper’s death in

showstopping good Suzanne Dawson, left, and Karen Case Cook (seen here with Kevin Maloney in the ELTC production of You and I) will be playing characters created by the legendary Ruth Draper at East Lynne this summer

1956. ELTC favorites Karen Case Cook and Suzanne Dawson are bringing A Cocktail Party, Opening a Bazaar, At a Telephone Switchboard and other character monologues to life under the direction of ELTC’s artistic director Gayle Stahlhuth.

Karen Case Cook was in ELTC’s You and I, The Ransom of Red Chief, and Two Headed (with Gayle Stahlhuth) — a co-production with the Women’s Theater Company (WTC) of New Jersey.

Suzanne Dawson has played leading roles off-Broadway in: CBS Live, The Last Musical Comedy, The Great American Backstage Musical, and the revival of New Faces of ’52 Gayle Stahlhuth has worked in the entertainment industry for more than 40 years, performing off-Broadway, in national tours, regional theater, television, film, and on radio. Since becom-

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ing ELTC’s Artistic Director in 1999, she has produced 60 different plays/musicals (some returned for another season), including 15 world premieres and 8 NJ premieres, and directed over half of them.

She’s performed her own solo shows at The Smithsonian Institution, Manhattan Theatre Club, the NYC International Fringe Festival, The Arvada Center in Denver, and on Voice of America.

Ruth Draper’s Company of Characters opens on June 13 and runs through July 21 at The First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes Street, Cape May, where the company is in residence. Performances are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:30pm, except for Wednesday, July 4.

There is an added show on Sunday, July 8. There is an after-show opening night party on June 13 at Pier House restaurant, 1317 Beach Avenue, where patrons have

the opportunity to mingle with actors and fellow theater lovers while indulging in complimentary hors d’oevres. On Friday, June 22, there will be an after-show Q&A with the cast and director, and on Friday, July 13 is an American Sign Language interpreted performance.

The rest of the season includes the usual classic gems, a world premiere, and a radio show.

Next up is The Poe Mysteries, from July 25 to September 1, a World Premiere. Follow the adventures of Auguste Dupin as he solves macabre mysteries in Paris of the 1840s, as created by Edgar Allan Poe. A cast of 6 portray 50 characters in these haunting tales. From October 24-28, the show goes to the newly formed 600-seat Ocean Professional Theatre in Barnegat.

Then it’s the screwball comedy It Pays to Advertise, running from September 19 to October 13. It was a Broadway hit in 1914, and made into a film with Carole Lombard. The premise — that anything can be sold in America — is at its core, but it also examines the very nature and romance of advertising and its influence.

On November 2 and 3, ELTC’s popular radiostyle adventures returns: Sherlock Holmes Adventure of the Norwood Builder, complete with live sound effects and commercials. The evidence points to a young lawyer as the murderer. Is he being set up?

For the holidays, from November 23 through December 14, it’s Louisa May Alcott’s Christmas.

Three of Alcott’s tales, including the opening of Little Women are beautifully brought to life in storytelling fashion by Gayle Stahlhuth.

ELTC’s Student Workshop production, Storybook Theater: Old Fables with a New Twist is Monday, July 2. Students are already signing up.

Special events are scattered throughout the season. On August 12 at 8:30pm, in Cape May Opry: Nashville Comes to Jersey, eight of Cape May’s finest musicians take to the stage, organized by Barry Tischler. With The Cape May Film Festival, ELTC is showing Classic Silent Films with live organ accompaniment played by Wayne Zimmerman. This year, it’s The Mark of Zorro on Sunday, August 5 at 8:30pm; Seven Chances with Buster Keaton on Saturday, September 8 at 8pm; and Nosferatu on Sunday October 14 at 8pm .

Season tickets are available: four tickets for $80. Patrons may see four different productions, or bring friends to see one or two shows! Prices in 2012 are still $30 for general admission; $25 for senior citizens; and $15 for full-time students.

Anyone age 12 and under is still free.

ELTC is partnering with the following restaurants for further savings: Aleathea’s, The Washington Inn, 410 Bank Street, and Frescos.

If staying at The Henry Sawyer Inn or The Vic-

CAPE MAY

The

w a v e

Scott Thomas for Henry’s nry’ss Custom Originalss

torian Lace Inn, ELTC tickets are $20. New this year, ELTC is offering Gift Certificates for $25, to be put toward one of our exciting Mainstage Productions.

Single tickets, season tickets and gift certificates may be purchased through ELTC’s website at eastlynnetheater.org, or by sending a check to ELTC’s office at 121 Fourth Avenue, West Cape May, NJ 08204. Call 609-884-5898 for more information.

East Lynne’s production season would not be possible without season sponsors Curran Investment Management and Aleathea’s Restaurant; Show Sponsors La Mer Beachfront Inn, The Henry Sawyer Inn, and Exit Zero; The NJ Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism; NJ State Council on the Arts/Dept. of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts; and the generosity patrons.

East Lynne’s Tales of the Victorians is every Thursday at 4pm, beginning June 7. Now in its 23rd year, this popular pastime is embraced by all ages. Enjoy sitting in a tea shop or on a porch of a B&B, sipping tea or lemonade, and tasting homemade treats, while listening to an popular American short story. Tickets are $10. For location and reservations, contact ELTC at 609-8845898, eastlynneco@aol.com, or online through the web site at eastlynnetheater.org.

Cape May’s Signature

Destination Designs ®

™

The All New “ANNIVERSARY” Cape May Destination® Bracelet

The “ORIGINAL” Cape May Destination® Bracelet

HENRY’S

Henry’s Is Also Your Exclusive Cape May Headquarters for:

Cape May’s Landmark Jeweler Since 1972

407 Washington St. Mall • Cape May, NJ 08204 • 609.884.0334 exit zero

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Branches • Bonsai • Bouquets

CAROLINE BOUTIQUE

Good Scents Jackson & Carpenters Lane Cape May 609-884-0014

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CAROLINE 103 June 2012

BOUTIQUE

• Johnny Was • Chan Luu • Susana Monaco • Rachel Pally • Splendid • Michael Stars

Light Garden Illuminated Floral Designs

Michael Stars • James Perse • Ella Moss • Eileen Fisher • Sanctuary • Johnny Was •

Michael Stars • James Perse • Ella Moss • Eileen Fisher • Sanctuary

Chairman, Foundation for Defense of Democracies Venture Partner with Lux Capital Management Former Director of Central Intelligence (1993-95)

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musthaves

from the shops of cape may

Henry’s Fine Jewelry

Italian Garden

Mary Ann’s Jewelry

Original Fudge Kitchen

If you’ve haven’t been to Henry’s lately, you should go. Stunning contemporary jewelry like the beauties displayed here (we like the one on the right) in a sleek, sexy setting. Are you looking for something a little less sparkly? Pick up an original Cape May Hook Bracelet for the Cape May lover in your life — even if it’s you. Especially if it’s you.

Italian Garden is full of little luxuries — and they’re the best kind, are they not?

Unique fragrances and luxurious skin care products imported from Italy, as well as these gorgeous Alviero Martini upscale bags. imprinted with an old world map

by Italian designer Alviero Martini.

These lovely bags bespeak world travel, elegance and beauty.

Talk about bang for your buck. The tiniest store in town has some of the most stunning jewelry around, with a staggering collection of contemporary and estate gems to suit every taste and budget, including a huge selection of tanzanite. They also buy diamonds, gold and silver, and they have lay-away, too, if you see something you simply must have.

Nobody does it better — their motto is “Simply The Best.” We could go on about Irish Potatoes, Easter eggs, and salt water taffy. But it’s called the “fudge” kitchen for a reason — their outstanding, creamy, hand-whipped homemade fudge, made fresh every single day. Added bonus: they ship anywhere in the world.

407 Washington Street (609) 884-0334

Pink

511 Washington Street, Cape May (609) 898-8786

510 Carpenter’s Lane (609) 884-2300

Splash

VICTORIOUS

513 Washington and 728 Beach Drive (800) 23-FUDGE fudgekitchens.com

Whale’s Tale

33 Perry Street, Cape May (609) 898-1113

513 Carpenter’s Lane, Cape May (609) 846-7100

251 Beach Drive (in Congress Hall) (609) 898-1777

312 Washington Street, Cape May (609) 884-4808

Fashionistas, unite — your Mecca is in a small pink house in a charming seaside Victorian town. Let your inner cover girl shine in up-to-the-minute clothes, shoes, boots, handbags, scarves, jewelry and other accessories. We know you’re fabulous. Now show the world you are, too, with a little help from Pink.

Tucked behind the mall on Carpenter’s Lane, this sparkling store is the little sister shop of Cape May mainstay Whale’s Tale, and has really come into its own. Splash has evolved in short order into destination shopping for lovers of handmade objets d’art and stunning hand-crafted jewelry. Dive into Splash.

Specializing in stunning estate jewelry, Victorious also has unique home furnishings and charming antiques to please the most discerning shopper, all displayed in a lovely, serene setting in the retail wing of majestic Congress Hall.

Look for the spectacular crystal ship (and yes — it is for sale!).

Sure, the Whale’s Tale can’t be beat for the coolest, most eclectic greeting cards around. But it’s also the place to find gorgeous ornaments, toys, puzzles and books, not to mention jewelry, decorative shells and other home décor under one charming roof. They’re in their 37th year of business for a reason.

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whalestalecapemay.com

SOMA NewArt GALLERY presents Currently on view to June 17, Three Solo Exhibits

Terri Amig, John Monteith and Greg Bennett

Terri Amig, “Permission” 3x4’

John Monteith, 10x13”

oil on linen

oil on dur-lar

SOMA GALLERY is d e l i g h t e d to p r e s e n t t h e se thr e e s olo a rt i s t e x h i b i t i on s .

T he

h i g h ly i n d i v i d ua l s ty le of each

arti s t c omp l e me n ts t h e ot h e rs .

W alk

t h r ou g h g a ll e r i e s

1, 2 & 3

experien ce t h e e c le ct i c r a n g e of work , explore e a c h a rt i s t ’ s s i n g u la r v i sion of t h e fa mi l i a r a r ou n d u s .

Greg Bennett, “Huddled” 30x36”

oil on linen

Opening Artist Reception, Saturday, June 23: 6-9pm SEAN TAYLOR, HARRIETT SOSSON AND JOHN BORRERO We invite you to join us for our lively opening receptions, meet the artists, enjoy light refreshments and view three exciting new solo exhibitions.

SOMA NewArt GALLERY 31 Perry Street, Cape May | 609.898.7488 | www.somagallery.net

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Your summer as a bird-brain

T

hink fast. Name the four key elements of summer in Cape May. If you said: sun, surf, sand and birds you are right! Take away any one of these ingredients and your vacation at the shore goes flat as failed soufflé.

You scoff? You don’t think birds are up there with sun, sand, and surf? Then I ask you, what is the first thing you hear when you wake on the first morning of your vacation? Right. The keening cry of a gull coming in through the open window.

And do you remember your very first trip to the shore? With your parents and siblings? There were shells, and starfish and castles on the beach. All good stuff. But when summer ended, and you attended the first day of school, didn’t the

Story by Pete Dunne

feathered friend The Royal Tern, found only along ocean beaches, might have Friar Tuck’s haircut, according to our guy, but we think he’s pretty cute.

Scott Whittle

teacher hand you a piece of paper and a crayon? And instruct you to draw your best summer experience?

And didn’t you draw the beach? And the ocean? And put some clouds in the sky. And then, because it seemed so empty and lifeless, didn’t you add a gull or two or three that resembled the McDonald’s restaurant chain logo? Of course you did. Don’t you wish you had the presence of mind to copyright it?

So let’s not have any more of this nonsense about birds not being a key element of the shore experience. Heck, take gulls and sandpipers and herons out of the equation and half the towels, plates, lampshades and other tchotchkes sold in the local shops would be artless.

What you may not know is that not only are birds central to summer in Cape May, when it comes to birds, Cape May has no rivals. Know it or not, you are vacationing at the bird watching center of the universe. People come from all over the world just to see Cape May’s birds.

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In fact, the bird watching here is so fantastic some people spend their entire vacation here and never get to the beach.

The Crossroads of Migration More than 400 species of birds have been recorded in Cape May since records have been kept. There isn’t a comparably sized bird rich place in all of North America.

What’s more, there are between 130 and 200 species on the peninsula as you are reading this. The low-end figure falls around mid-June when all you’ll find locally are breeding birds. The upper end of the scale occurs when the ranks of breeders are augmented by hosts of migrating birds.

Like in October, you’re thinking? No. Like in July and August. Many bird species are early migrants. Many shorebirds, i.e. a group of birds that breed mostly in the Arctic and winter in South America, begin flying south as early as June 21.

JUNE 21!!!

Uh huh — the official first day of

summer. And some of our local nesting birds are gone by July 4. The natural world is a dynamic place. Birds are almost always coming or going and Cape May is the crossroads of migration.

Tag with the Waves You’re familiar with sandpipers right?

The tiny birds that play tag with the waves. If you are here in mid-June, I defy you to find one. That’s right. They’re not here. They’re in the Arctic. And not just that, but Sanderling breed about as far north as you can go before you hit ice... way up in the Canadian archipelago.

If you return to Cape May in mid-July, guess what. There’s lots of Sanderling again. The birds have called it a nesting season and are on their way south. In fact, many Sanderling even spend the winter here. The only month you won’t find them here is June.

By the way, there are lots of different shorebird species. Sanderling is the one you are most familiar with. When most people think of shorebirds, they are being more general. Thinking of gulls and terns and skimmers and herons and egrets and rails and...

And that’s just a small sample of the summer riches of Cape May. If you look up, you’ll find that the air is filled with swallows (including the big, burley, Purple Martin; one of North America’s all time favorite birds). If you go into the woodlands, you’ll find colorful breeding birds like Summer Tanager, Prothonotary Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Yellow-billed Cuckoo...

If you want to find out what birds are around during your visit, you are invited to stop by the Cape May Bird Observatory and pick up a Free Bird Checklist for the Birds of Cape May. The seasonality and relative abundance of every species is calculated.

If you’d like to see some of these birds in person, pick up a schedule of events, too. There are bird walks scheduled for almost every day of the week (sometimes two per day).

A Bird Walk?

Sure. Humans are bipeds. Walking is more in our style than flying. The walks last about two hours and are leisurely paced. They visit a number of habitat types (because different birds use different habitats).

long-necked beauty Though the species is threatened, the Yellow-crowned Night Heron is a common sight on Cape Island.

You’ll have the best luck spotting one of these birds on a boat trip through local saltwater inlets.

Scott Whittle

But if you’d rather just sit and enjoy birds, then head on over to the Hawk Watch Platform at Cape May Point State Park. The elevated platform (handicap accessible) overlooks Bunker Pond which always has an array of birds on it.

In late summer, with water levels drawn down, there may even be hundreds of herons, egrets, terns, and migrating shorebirds.

Chances are you don’t have binoculars or a field guide with you. These are the tools of the bird watching trade. One makes birds appear super close. The other helps you pin names to the birds you find.

Bird watching is like a treasure hunt or a search for shells on the beach. But instead of collecting the shells in your pockets, you collect birds on your check list. But let’s say you haven’t gone to the Cape May Bird Observatory to pick up your free check list. So you don’t know about their big selection of quality optics or dozens of field guides and other books about birds. Let’s say you just want to see some birds.

Okay. Here’s a quick primer.

The big white herons that are moving slowly? They’re Great Egrets. The little ones that are moving quickly, mostly along the shore. They are Snowy Egrets.

If you get closer you’ll see that the Snowy has yellow feet (or rain shoes).

The terns? They’re mostly Forster’s Terns. If you see any larger terns among them (terns with Friar Tuck’s haircut and a bright orange carrot for a bill) those are Royal Terns.

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They don’t nest here. After the breeding season they leave colonies farther south and head, just as you did, for the Jersey Shore.

The large, long-winged birds that are all black above, and white below and fly over to skim the surface of the water with their long bills? You’re probably going to think I’m making this up but they are called Skimmers.

The gulls you’ll find on the beach are mostly Herring Gulls. The smaller ones that stay down near the surf are Ringbilled Gulls. The black headed ones are...

Sorry. Of course, you know Laughing Gull. Want a challenge? Find the gull that is really dark backed and larger than the Herring Gulls. That’s Great Black-backed Gull. The largest gull in the world — right here — on our beaches.

Want a real challenge? Try and find the dark backed gull that is smaller than Herring Gull. That’s a Lesser Blackbacked Gull. They breed in Europe but they have become increasingly common in North America.

Hint, hint. Like Ring-billed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gulls like to forage close to the waves. A good place to search is the beach in front of The Nature Conservancy’s South Cape May Meadows.

Which is right on the way to Lighthouse Pond and Cape May Bird Observatory.

When you head on over to the Cape May Bird Observatory to check out those binoculars and field guides I mentioned, take a look at the bird feeders. Among the regular visitors you’ll find chickadees.

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splish splash...A clapper rail takes a bath Clapper rails are chicken-like salt marsh birds with long, thin, downturned bills. This year, because it was so mild, the Clapper Rail wintered here. It’s distinctive “Rah, rah” sound distinguishes the Clapper from other “oinking” species of rail. Scott Whittle

Chickadees? Big deal? Well it might be. Providing you come from northern parts. These are Carolina Chickadees. If you live in northern New Jersey or north of Philadelphia, you’re more familiar with Blackcapped Chickadees. It’s a different species. Welcome to the south, my friend. Cape May’s vegetation has a Carolina Zone flavor and so do our birds. But the visitors who come here to watch birds herald from all over the planet.

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Did you know that bird watching is North America’s second largest outdoor activity? Yep. Second only to gardening. It is also the fastest growing outdoor activity.

Cape May Bird Observatory offers birding walks designed with beginners in mind. Take about two hours, enjoy a relaxing information packed walk led by local experts who can answer your questions and make sure you see many of the birds mentioned.

You don’t need experience. You don’t need anything but high expectations. You don’t even need optics or a field guide. We supply the views and the expertise, and even the loaner binoculars. Cape May supplies the birds.

And when you get home and your neighbors want to know how you spent your summer vacation,

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you can pull out a piece of paper and crayon and draw a beach, surf, clouds and... Well, I don’t know.

Part of the allure of bird watching is that you never know what you are going to find.

Those Great Egrets and Royal Terns are pretty easy to draw. Brown Pelican is going to take a pretty big piece of paper.

The Cape May Bird Observatory, is THE place for all your nature needs. CMBO is located at 701 East Lake Drive overlooking Lake Lily in Cape May Point (609.884.2736) and is open daily 9:30am to 4:30 pm throughout May; beginning in June, they are closed on Tuesdays. Check out the view of the lake from the wide selection of scopes and binoculars, pick up a free map, checklist, and schedule of daily walks and programs. Or visit us online BirdCapeMay.org — where birding Cape May is only a click away!

New Jersey born and bred, Pete Dunne is the Director of the Cape May Bird Observatory and Chief Communications Officer for New Jersey Audubon.

Pete uses his talents and energy to make the natural world real for others. Author of several books on and about nature (available at CMBO) he weaves information, insight and even fantasy into a net that captures minds and hearts. He has written for virtually every birding publication and for the New York Times.

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Thursday – Monday 10:00 – 5:00 670 Washington Street New Spaces • Renovations • Traditional • Transitional • Contemporary Cape May, New Jersey • 609-846-3326 • www.DragonflyInteriorsLLC.com exit zero

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Then it was a left turn back towards town. Often we’d stop at the old Brick Church cemetery where mom would pay her respects to her dad and grandmother.

Then it was back over the other old canal bridge towards West Cape May. Sometimes we’d take a detour and go out to Higbee’s Beach for a walk.

Dad would tell us about the concrete bunkers that were built during the war.

If it was still early enough in the day we’d head out to Cape May Point and dad would tell us a story about when the lighthouse was built... dad always said that when they started to build it a mistake was made because one of the construction workers had a drinking problem. The original plan was abandoned, and construction was re-started in its current location... We’d return home in time for mom to fix Sunday dinner.” *** Jean Berk Bradley: “The best memory was being able to go to sleep at night, windows wide open, listening to waves.

No need for air conditioning then... so sad those days are gone! Also, having the milk delivered to our house and placed at the back door in a metal crate. Even my

Easy Rider This photo, of one of the automobiles in the antique car parade in the 1950s, was shot in front of the Old Green Mill.

George Rea

lemonades stands made money!” *** Kath Scullion: “In the mid-70s, we didn’t have a TV in our house on Windsor.

There was an open lot next door to us, and we would play football or soccer and Kim Marie Dellas and Norman Jr would come over and play with us. When I was little, Kiddie Land was still open and I loved going there. It closed when I was

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around four or five and my older brother took such glee in telling me it had closed.

I think I cried all day.” *** Mitze Blomkvest: “At the time that the Pink House was being restored, there was a movie being made in town and the house was filmed for it. The actor involved was Robert Mitchum.

“One day my husband Mickey looked

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HOOP DREAMS The Cape May Rockets basketball team from 1949. Back row: Hoagie Collins, Jack Dunne, Herb Anger, Ski Sherba, Harvey Williams, Jim Dunne, Francis St John. Front row: Bob Greenfield, Jo-Jo Maraini, Bill Matthews, Bill Thorton, Junior Hawkins, Don Brown.

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up from his work of installing a kitchen floor and Robert Mitchum was standing in the doorway watching. Mitchum said, ‘That doesn’t look too hard to do’, and Mickey said, ‘If you think it is so easy come on over here and help me.’ And Mitchum did.” *** An excerpt from Thanhouser Films: An Encyclopedia and History by Q. David Bowers: “I was very surprised to learn that aside from a few feature films, Cape May had a significant role in silent movie history. This information about Cape May’s early movie history was sent to me directly by Ned Thanhouser, grandson of the founder of Thanhoser Films, Edwin Thanhouser. During the third week of August 1913, the so-called Cape May Company of Thanhouser players was sent to the New Jersey resort of that name, a seaside area which had been a favorite summer vacation spot for Lloyd F. Lonergan for many years.

Now, Lonergan led a contingent of players, including Florence LaBadie, William Russell, Charles Hite’s sister Violet, and the Benham family, consisting of Harry, Ethyle, and young Leland. Carl Louis

Lights, Camera, Action Going Home, a seventies movie starring Robert Mitchum, was filmed partly in Cape May’s Pink House George Rea

the

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ay

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The Cape May County Historical & Genealogical Society 504 Route 9 North • Cape May Court House NJ 08210 PH 609.465.3535 • FX 609.465.4274 • museum@co.cape-may.nj.us

Gregory went along as the photographer, accompanied by his sister Fannie, an actress for the studio. Although Charles J. Hite stayed at home on the weekend, in the middle of the players’ sojourn he paid a visit, coming by sea on board his ocean-going yacht, The Dividend.

During the next two weeks six films were produced there: Louie, the Life Saver (released October 7, 1913), A Deep Sea Liar (October 12, 1913), Beauty in the Seashell (October 19, 1913), The Mystery of the Haunted Hotel (October 21, 1913), The Water Cure (November 2, 1913), and Little Brother (November 7, 1913). The players returned Monday evening, September 1st. [NOTE: From reports in The Moving Picture World August 30 and The New Rochelle Pioneer Sept. 6, 1913] Louie, the Life Saver, issued on October 7th, was the first of the films taken at Cape May the preceding August.

Reviewers liked the comedy.

A Deep Sea Liar, issued on October 12th, was another Cape May story.

Reviewers found the plot disappointing.

Next on the Thanhouser schedule was Beauty in the Seashell, on October 19th, a fantasy filmed at Cape May, which was

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immediately followed on October 21st by another film taken at the same place, The Mystery of the Haunted Hotel, which drew the attention of The Moving Picture World: “This story, while well enough photographed, lacks dramatic effect, and without this it is not very successful for a story of its kind. The manner in which the young doctor restores the girl sleepwalker to health makes a pretty love story, but the ending was abrupt.”

The Water Cure, distributed on November 2, 1913, was the fifth picture in the Cape May series. The Moving Picture World reviewed it: “This entertaining film shows what the good-looking Thanhouser players can accomplish with a light plot. Flo finds herself at Cape May, surrounded by many suitors. She says, ‘Isn’t the ocean cute?’ Later, when her canoe upsets, she is rescued in turn by numerous aspiring heroes. A lot of good humor in this and pretty summer resort pictures.” Once again, a film was found to have good acting but a weak scenario.

Little Brother, issued on November 7th, was the sixth and last film in the Cape May series. The Moving Picture World commented: “In this courtship, William

MOVIES ON THE BEACH A rarely seen still from a silent movie, Little Brother, that was filmed in Cape May in 1913.

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Russell and Flo LaBadie play the roles.

The little brother brings them together after a quarrel. The scenes picturing the crabbing expedition were very interesting and will be particularly appreciated by people who have indulged in the sport. A light comedy offering of a pleasing sort.”

Subsequently, little Leland Benham, son of Thanhouser actor Harry Benham, was to recall his work in the title role (The Photoplay Magazine, June 1914): “Last summer I went to Cape May with father to take Little Brother, a picture that Mr. Lonergan had wrote for me. In one part of the picture we had a crabbing party. So, as Pop says, we combined business with pleasure and really caught a lot of crabs, all but Pa, he only caught a little one. We put the big ones in a bag to give to the man at the hotel to cook for our folks, but I asked Pop to give me the little one he caught to play with. He did, but I didn’t play with it for very long, because it got hold of my finger and I had a hard time getting it off; and, gee, it did hurt and bled; then all the people laughed at me because I cried, but I will bet if they were only seven and had a crab on their finger they would cry too.’

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If you enjoyed the excerpt from Ben Miller’s compelling new book (pages 114-126), don’t miss the beautiful full-color hardcover book, CAPE MAY MOMENTS It will be published July 1!

You can find it at the Exit Zero Store & Gallery, along with Whale’s Tale, Tommy’s Folly at Congress Hall, the Emlen Physick Estate, Sunset Beach & more!

Or order it online... just visit exitzero.us and click on the link!

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Stroll the shaded lanes of the Village and visit 26 restored, historic buildings on a 22-acre site. Here you will find a variety of interpreters in period clothing who demonstrate the trades, crafts and lifestyles of a rural 1800s community, including blacksmithing, basketweaving, farming, spinning, woodworking, open-hearth cooking and more!

Special events are held every weekend from late June through mid-September Open Tuesday through Sunday from June 19 - September 2, 10am-4:30pm.

Special weekday family activities!

Welcome Center, Old Grange Restaurant by Tony Clark, Country Store, Ice Cream Parlor, Bakery Historic Cold Spring Village has received operating and project grants from the New Jersey Historical Commission in the Department of State, The 1772 Foundation and the County of Cape May including NJSCA/Cape May County Culture and Heritage Commission Regrants. Endowment funds have been awarded from the NJ Cultural Trust in Department of State. Advertising and printing has also been funded through the Cooperative Marketing Grant Program of the New Jersey Division of Travel & Tourism in the Department of State, www.visitnj.org.

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WE HAVE MOVED!

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120 June 2012

Ari Blau is ready for his closeup

A

t a pizza shop in downtown New York, Ari Blau’s face hangs above Barbara Streisand’s. Not too far from Bill Clinton’s. Just a few frames away from Arnold Schwarzenegger’s.

When Ari sits down in this pizzeria to eat a slice of pepperoni, usually on his way home from class at NYU, customers look at him… and then at his picture…and back to him. They’re trying to figure out who he is, why his photo would be hanging next to the New York Knicks and that rapper with the platinum-selling record.

Ari pulls his head of black hair into his hood, smiles, and averts their eyes.

Twenty-two-year-old Ari Blau is not

That’s a rap Ari Blau takes a break from filming No Love Intended, which he directed and starred in.

About a scene in which the leading actress needed to cry, Ari said, “It was important for me to get that tear. Other directors might have rushed through it, but we needed that tear.”

Story by DIANE STOPYRA

the famous filmmaker he would like to be.

At least, not yet. But he’s convinced the owner of Famiglia’s Pizzeria — and plenty of others — that he will be some day.

Recently, we caught up with Ari — thin, olive-skinned and dressed in a Dolce and Gabbana leather jacket that was gifted to him by an uncle until he can afford a leather jacket of his own — so we could find out what makes a boy from Cape May so sure he’s going to make it big.

“I’m not striving to be the next anybody,” he told us, leaning against one of the decorative throw pillows in The Brown Room. “I dream bigger than that.”

Ari was 11 when he asked for his first camera. When he was a kid, he thought films were real. “Once I realized they weren’t, I figured I could do it. I could put

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a story on the screen.”

After graduating from Lower Township, Ari left for Temple University and, eventually, the Big Apple, where he’s been studying at one of the best film schools in the country. He’s launched his own production company, Half-Full productions (“because you always have to look at the glass as half-full”). He’s completed eight documentaries, including one focused on “all of the positive things” happening in the Bed Stuy neighborhood of Brooklyn, known mostly for “drug busts and cop killings.” And he’s completed four shorts, including his newest, No Love Intended, which will debut at the Cape May Film Festival in October. “You can’t limit yourself,” Ari said. “You have to get your hands dipped into nearly every aspect of whatever it is you’re trying to do.”

Ari, we learned, dips his hands into every aspect — writing, directing, acting, producing, editing — and then some. Since moving to New York, in addition to making comedic films, he’s been doing stand-up comedy. One of his acts was seen by an agency in Los Angeles, which recruited him for an audition for an upcoming Adam Sandler film, I Hate You, Dad. Ari will play an extra. “It makes me happy to make people laugh. When I’m out, I’m looking all over the room, looking for new material, new characters.”

Last fall, he gleaned inspiration from his part-time job working for Jimmy Fallon. “There wasn’t a day I was there I didn’t think: There is going to be a Late Night with Ari Blau one day.”

About nine months ago, Ari started managing a Cape May rap group called Mula Mafia, who will produce the music for and star in one of Ari’s action-heavy films, The Return of the Badman, slated for completion in August. “I experiment with different genres,” he told exit zero

122 June 2012

us, “but the goal is always the same.

If you don’t finish watching something I’ve made with either a better understanding of something or a new outlook on something, I haven’t done my job as a filmmaker.” We tagged along as Mula Mafia filmed a promotional video, directed by Ari, on Broad Street. (The children pogo-sticking through the streets just behind the shot might have detracted from the authenticity of the scene — muscly men in Black Jordans and baggy pants performing not-so-G-rated lyrics next to cars with blacked-out windows.)

In all of his endeavors, Ari says he’s inspired by Cape May. “When I was working on No Love Intended,” he told us, “I would go to Sunset Beach.

I come here as much as I can. I miss it. I was lucky to grow up here.”

And if he ever does get so famous that people in Famiglia’s Pizza shop don’t have to wonder who the guy above Barbara Streisand is? “In that case,” Ari laughed, “I will still always come back to Cape May.”

quiet on set Ari Blau takes a moment to check the camera angle. “When it comes to making a name for myself,” he told us, “I don’t stop trying.”

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124 June 2012

Broadway Stars Head To Cape May

M

ULTIPLE award-winning Broadway celebrities light up the stage Monday nights in July and August during Cape May Stage’s popular Second Stage Broadway Series, sponsored by Chris and Dave Clemans.

Audiences will delight in seeing Broadway stars in exclusive cabaret performances in the intimacy of the Robert Shackleton Playhouse. Look for them Mondays throughout the summer.

The Broadway series begins July 2 with the consummate Obie Award-winner Anthony Rapp, of Rent fame. Anthony’s concert, Without You, based on his best-selling book, is touring extensively following an Off-Broadway run in 2010.

The entrancing Lee Roy Reams brings Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance! to the stage on July 16. The man who columnist Liz Smith called “Broadway’s Darling” will enthrall audiences with his song and dance. Lee Roy won critical acclaim as Roger DeBris in The Producers, as Lumiere in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and a Tony nomination for his role in 42nd Street.

July 23 will see the inimitable Faith Prince at Cape May Stage in her latest concert, Total Faith.

This Southern Belle’s unforgettable and hilarious adventures are brought to life with songs from some of America’s greatest composers, including Harold Arlen, Alan Mencken, and Stephen Sondheim.

The two-time Tony Award-winning Christine Ebersole is joined by jazz violinist Aaron Weinstein for an evening showcasing classic songs by Fats Waller, Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer and Cannonball Addeley in Strings Attached on July 30.

Andrea Marcovicci kicks off the month of August with No Strings on August 13. This “Queen of Cabaret” has created over 30 nightclub acts, performing with national orchestras in venues as storied as the White House and Carnegie Hall.

No Strings takes the audience on a touching journey about the life of a performer: a candid tale

Lee Roy Reams will hit town on July 16

Two-time Tony winner Christine Ebersole

of balancing life on the road with the stresses of motherhood.

Jill Eikenberry and Michael Tucker return to Cape May Stage on August 27. This Emmywinning real-life husband and wife team starred for eight seasons on the hit drama L.A. Law, and bring Cape May audiences the world premiere of Mike’s Shorts. These tales, written by Tucker, weave life lessons with gastronomic delights, taking the audience on travels through New York and Italy. Like a good meal, this show will have something for everyone.

This season has two money-saving options for you to see as many of the Second Stage Broadway Series as you’d like without breaking the bank: $250 gets you all six in the Broadway series, or for $170 you can select four shows of your choosing.

Otherwise, each show in the Broadway series is $50. Cape May Stage has expanded their seating with the addition of a mezzanine, but these shows will sell out quickly, so get your tickets as soon as possible!

Call 609-884-1341 for tickets, or visit capemaystage.org.

Faith Prince will perform Total Faith on July 23

HERE’S WHAT’S COMING TO CAPE MAY STAGE Anthony Rapp of “Rent” Stars In “Without You” Monday, July 2, 8pm Tickets $50

Faith Prince Stars In “Total Faith” Monday, July 23, 8pm Tickets $50

«Call (609) 884-1341

Two Money-Saving Broadway Series Discount Options Expanded Mezzanine Seating Six Tix $250, Four Tix $170

This column is made possible through the generosity of Second Stage Series sponsors CHRIS and DAVE CLEMANS as part of their support of the arts in Cape May

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THIS MAN’S best friends Bob Steenrod with pups Jameson and Guinness at the dog-friendly Billmae on Washington Street

27 Questions for... Bob Steenrod

I

t’s difficult to open a weekly issue of Exit Zero and not run across a photo of Bob and Linda Steenrod in its pages.

This “retired” pair, along with adorable dogs Guinness and Jameson, run the dog-friendly Billmae Cottage bed-and-breakfast on Washington Street, along with The Billmae Cottage Too! on Lafayette, which is a whole-house rental that also caters to canines and their families.

And that’s just their day job. We caught up

Interview by KATE CHADWICK Photograph by ALEKSEY MORYAKOV

with one half of this energetic pair to find out what life is like in Cape May in the “slow” lane.

You’re a busy guy for someone who is “retired.” How many committees and boards do you serve on? Oh, it’s not that many — the Fire Police, Cape May Chamber of Commerce, Cape May Historic Accommodations.

Where were you employed in your previous life? I worked for Campbell’s Soups – I was very fortunate to have a long career there.

And tell the truth — do you still eat Campbell’s Soup? I love it! Gumbo, chicken and dumplings. And is there anything better than Grilled Cheese and Tomato soup? I don’t think so. And if you combine Chicken and Stars with Chicken Noodle, you get stars and stripes. exit zero

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How long have you and Linda been married?

Twenty-seven years, and we have two sons, three grandsons and a granddaughter.

What possessed you to run a B&B? We didn’t really plan it, we just sort of fell into it. I heard the place was for sale, and kind of bought it without telling Linda. It was an apartment house then, which we kept for a while. But then Linda had the brilliant idea of a dog-friendly bed and breakfast, and here we are.

What is the best part of being your own boss? I can’t answer that one, because I am not the boss. Linda is the boss.

So you can’t tell us the worst part of being your own boss then? There really isn’t a worst part. My boss and I make a pretty good team.

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Would you say you have more trouble with your canine or human guests? We have never had a problem with a canine guest. And our dogs usually bring good humans along to stay with them. Usually.

What is your favorite breed of dog? We love all dogs, but we’re especially partial to mutts and rescue dogs around here.

What’s the worst thing a dog has done as a guest here? Nothing too terrible — a dog will occasionally go through a screen or something like that. But we just chalk that up to the cost of doing business — I have a policy never to charge for the first screen.

And the worst thing a human has done? We had one human who showed up during last year’s hurricane, and then had a fit when we wouldn’t let her check in. This was after she was called and notified that the county was under a mandatory evacuation order. She showed up. She was a difficult person to deal with all the way around. It was her husband I really felt sorry for. I’m pretty sure it was a long ride home for that poor guy.

When you were younger, is this how you envisioned retirement? I always knew that I’d stay pretty active, but I really thought I’d be teaching more. I did teach for a while — some marketing courses at St Joseph’s University — but the back and forth got to be a bit much.

What is your favorite thing about Cape May? The serenity of it. And really, there are no major problems, just minor issues, like any good dysfunctional family. The problem is that there are too many smart people who care about this town. But it’s a good problem to have. And I like that it’s a safe place.

If you could change anything about Cape May, what would it be? The parking. And I’m pretty sure I’m not the first person to say that.

Is there anything you’ve learned about running a B&B that you didn’t anticipate?

Not really. Although there’s some things that I COULDN’T anticipate, if you know what I mean.

You’ve worked for others and now for yourself — which is better, and why? Myself, no question. If I want to take a nap, I take a nap.

Do you like cats, or are you strictly a dog guy? We have a cat, Joey. We did briefly consider taking cats as guests here at the B&B, but we did a little research and decided against it for a couple of reasons: cats tend to mark their territory in an unpleasant way. Also, more people are allergic to cats than to dogs. And frankly, cats don’t really like to travel, and they don’t really like strange places. And we want happy guests here.

Do your dogs, Guinness and Jameson rule the roost? Pretty much. Actually, I shouldn’t say that – it’s Joey who is in charge around here.

1901-2012

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You and Linda are always in Exit Zero. I don’t really have a question here — just making an observation. Yes, well, I have to admit, we do like being out there.

Where do you like to go when you get out of town? St Maarten is our number one destination. We also like to travel in our RV. And we have a condo in Philly, on Rittenhouse Square.

What’s your favorite place for breakfast in Cape May? Zoe’s — they have great food and they take dogs.

What about lunch? Probably Lucky Bones.

What’s your favorite place to dress up and go out to dinner? It’s a toss-up between the Washington Inn, The Merion Inn, and the Mad Batter.

What’s your favorite place to dress down and go out to dinner? I’d say Carney’s or Cabanas.

Favorite place for a cocktail? That would be in my living room with neighbors and friends.

And some dogs.

Did you guys watch the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show? Absolutely — every year.

And what did you think of this year’s winner? We would like to have seen the Ridgeback win it.

There’s a rumor around town (as of press time) that your wife is debating a run for mayor of Cape May. Any comment on this? My comment is that I recommend you ask her about that.

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129 June 2012

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132 June 2012

my perfect day GRETCHEN WHITMAN, DIRECTOR OF THE NATURE CENTER

Pedaling and paddling the day away

I

love my job, but a rare day off is an occasion to be treasured. I’d lounge in bed with an iced tea and a copy of the Atlantic City Press.

(Not a laptop or iPad version, but a good old, get-your-hands-soiled-withink newspaper.) After scanning the headlines, I’d spend some serious time with the region section, followed by a horoscope promising a five-star day.

After the paper (and some snuggle time with my foster dog, Booger the Chihuahua), it’s time to ride bikes to the Lobster House Coffee Shop. While my boyfriend Mark and I split the breakfast special, Marg and Holli take excellent care of me by keeping my iced-tea glass filled. I’m addicted! I even get an iced-teato-go, plopping it into my bicycle’s handy cup holder before traversing the town for yard sales. I’d play a game with myself to

see how many compliments I could garner about my Electra beach cruiser. Seriously, I have the coolest bike in town.

After bargain hunting, it’s time to head to the US Coast Guard base pool. Mark is a retired Air Force Lt Colonel, so he has base privileges. After a fast 1600-meter swim, 30 minutes on the stationary bike, sauna and shower, I’d head home, grab my bike and bungee cord a beach chair to the basket. Then off to the beach — any one, I’m not picky — with a magazine and some munchies. A little sun, a little nap and some body surfing are splendid additions to my perfect Cape May day.

It’s time for dinner at George’s Place, where Mark and I would share a bottle of Gamay Rouge (specially ordered from the Napa Valley), the hummus sampler, the flaming cheese “thing” and a huge Mediterranean salad. We’d need to pedal off those exit zero

HARBOR DREAMS “We’d pedal over to the harbor by the Nature Center. In Mark’s ancient canoe, we’d paddle to the middle of the harbor, the sun setting over my left shoulder as the full moon rises over my right,” says Gretchen Ferrante, Director of the Nature Center of Cape May. Aleksey Moryakov

133 June 2012

calories so it’s off to the Cove for a wave check. We’d still have time to pedal over to the harbor by the Nature Center. In Mark’s ancient canoe, we’d paddle to the middle of the harbor, the sun setting over my left shoulder as the full moon rises over my right. Add in a blazing fire in my backyard fire pit, howling coyotes, shooting stars, flittering bats and good friends, and my Cape May Day would be almost perfect, but not quite complete.

True perfection must include my two awesome children, Chris and Nikki — Chris as he conducted the Congress Street Brass Band playing the march he composed, and my beautiful daughter as she prepped for her first prom. These are just two of the moments I recall from time spent watching my children grow up in this picturesque Cape May community. Now my day is both perfect and complete.

The Cape May Crossword SO YOU love crosswords and you love Cape May? Great. Sit down, get a cup (or glass) of your favorite beverage, relax and enjoy this puzzle. The answers to this crossword are all related to the content in this magazine.

The solution can be found on our website, exitzero.us. Compiled by Kate Chadwick.

ACROSS 2. I t’s the official fruit of Cape May County, and we like it in a mojito at the Washington Inn or in jam from Love the Cook.

4. O n her Perfect Day, Nicole Pense would spend time with her family and take a break from her organic ice cream shop, called this.

6. A mong the 10 things learned by lifeguard Jack Lindeman is that this is the best month to be on the beach in Cape May. 8. T he liquor store at this beachfront hotel has the cure for your Empty Glass Syndrome.

10. The Essential Lucky Bones Cookbook arrives in May. Michael Craig, of the Craig family, says this is his favorite section of the book.

11. A ccording to our historical editor, Ben Miller, Cape May in the mid-1900s looks like a collection of paintings by this quintessentially American painter.

13. M elissa Lomax is running a tight ship over in Cape May Point in this busy position.

19. Husband-and-wife artists Sean Taylor and Peri Richmond have this fun, quirky little shop in the Carpenter’s Square Mall.

16. This Washington Mall jewelry shop has the largest selection of rare yellow diamonds in the area.

20. Bring Fido along to breakfast or lunch at this Beach Avenue eatery, and ask his opinion of the new Convention Hall across the street.

21. Festivities begin at 4pm for the Fourth of July gala, featuring kids’ games, a sing-along, and fireworks at this beloved Cape May hotel.

7. B ob and Linda Steenrod’s Washington Street bed and breakfast caters to the canine set, as well as their human companions.

9. C ape May Stage’s popular Second Stage Broadway Series opens on July 2 with this Obie-winning veteran of Broadway’s Rent.

22. On his perfect day, Peter Karapanagiotis grabs an iced chai from this coffee shop near his restaurant, The Y.B.

12. Having recently expanded, this retail shop is now officially the coolest place for souvenirs in town. But if you’re reading this, you already know that.

23. The newest on a growing list of wineries gracing the grape-friendly Cape May area.

14. This annual “celebration of the sea” festival will be held this year on June 16.

24. The name of the movie, directed by 22-year-old Ari Blau, that will be in this year’s Cape May Film Festival.

15. G retchen Whitman’s perfect day would wind down with a Mediterranean salad from this iconic Cape May restaurant.

DOWN

16. A home on this quaint street is listed for sale and can be yours for $2,100,000.

1. It’s not lemonade, but it’s even more refreshing. Stop by the General Store in Cape May Point for one of these.

Take a tour here — twice, if you like! See 5 down.

5. T ours of this famous bed and breakfast on Washington Street are offered twice daily.

3. I n his tribute to his dad and Cape May, Vincent Marchese says he belongs to the “Royal Order of….” as one of these. exit zero

134 June 2012

17. A Friar Tuck haircut and a bright orange carrot for a bill can be found on these birds populating our shores.

18. This West Cape May business is known for its somewhat cheesy Facebook posts.

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June 2012

Fabulous Food, Great Reviews, Exotic Settings

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of

A m e r i c a ’ s T o p R e s tau ra n t s ” — ZAGAT 2011 R e s e rvat i o n s 609.884.2127 w w w .410 b a n k s t r e e t . c o m

FRESCOS RESTAURANT

V ot e d B e s t I ta l i a n R e s tau ra n t i n S o u t h J e r s e y 412 B a n k S t r e e t , C a p e M ay R e s e rvat i o n s 609.884.0366 w w w .F r e s c o s c a p e m ay . c o m

S e rv i n g D i n n e r N i g h t ly Free Parking exit zero iv

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5pm