EXIT ZERO JUNE 2016 « $4.95
609.884.1300
1001 Lafayette Street, Cape May NJ 08204
Todd H. deSatnick / Broker of Record
www.deSatnickRealEstate.com
FOR SALE!
FOR SALE!
FOR SALE!
100 SECOND AVE., CAPE MAY $1,449,000
1056 IDAHO AVE., CAPE MAY $650,000
102 ROSEMANS LN., CAPE MAY $950,000
UNDER CONTRACT!
UNDER CONTRACT!
UNDER CONTRACT!
140 LEAMING AVE., WEST CAPE MAY $589,900
609.898.1600
1018 SHUNPIKE RD., COLD SPRING $350,000
1264 MISSOURI AVE., CAPE MAY $485,000
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Property Inspections Maintenance Specialty Contractor Liaison www.DREService.com
TWO DISTINCT EXPERIENCES, ONE ADDRESS...
Washington Inn
WKH ZLQH EDU
y Contemporary Dining y Classic Cocktails y Renovated Interior y Early Dining $27 3-course menu
y Dinner, Small Plates y Late-Night Menu y Over 15 Flights of Wine y Great Oyster Menu
801 Washington Street, Cape May
(609) 884-5697
washingtoninn.com
on the boardwalk at Beach & Jackson
LUCKY BONES BACKWATER GRILLE Lunch, dinner & late night
1200 Route 109 south, Cape May (609) 884-BONE (2663)
a barefoot beach eatery y Locally Roasted Coffee y gourmet burgers & doggs y 20 gourmet fixxins y Our famous mussels & salads y milk shakkes & summer fun!!
inside this issue around the island 7
8
All the news you need for the perfect vacation.
events around town 16 The happenings you need to know about
the ultimate food & drink chart 22 Seven-page guide... eat your way through Cape May!
grasso brings the greats 36 Victor Grasso curates a stunning new show at SOMA.
slavery, freedom and passover 42 A poignant new show from Cape May Stage.
a fine romance 44 East Lynne set for a lively musical revue.
46
happy 2ooth! 46 Celebrating a special landmark for Congress Hall.
the passing of the wiener 60 The new stores and restaurants you need to know about.
spicing up the creek 66 Building an exciting harborfront community.
history of the harbor 72 13 things you might not have known.
ghosts of the chalfonte 76 Craig McManus does a psychic investigation.
small wonders 86 The charming little cottages of Cape May Point.
the ultimate cape may bargain 98 How to spend $20 and save $450 while having an absolute blast!
the cape may activity guide 107 From kayaking to rollercoasters, history to whalewatching.
60
the definitive cape may trolley guide 116 From ghosts to time capsules... it’s all here!
property of the month 122 A light-ďŹ lled, amenity-rich home on the bayfront.
my perfect day 126 Katarina Elder of Cape May Day Spa.
picture of the month 128 By Charles Riter.
cover shot by charles riter EXIT ZERO
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! Y A M E P A C L O O C N I D O O F B U P D O GO A classic since 1926
ON THE MALL O ((609) 884-3459 ““Best clam chowder and llobster roll in New Jersey.” - TripAdvisor
Est. 2014 A new Irish classic!
ON THE MALL (609) 770-8559 “Everything we sampled was right on from fro wings to onion rings. Exactly what we were E looking for!” l - TripAdvisor Check our Facebook pages for live entertainment!
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about us editor/publisher/designer Jack Wright jack@exitzero.us operations manager Katie Repici katie@exitzero.us staff artist Mike DeMusz mike@exitzero.us contributing editor Diane Stopyra diane@exitzero.us special projects David Matagiese david@exitzero.us creative consultant Victor Grasso historical editor Ben Miller photographers Aleksey Moryakov, Charles Riter, Gabi Urda, Frank Weiss graphic artist Doree Bardes contributing writers Catherine Dugan, Karen Fox, David Gray, Lynn Martenstein, Tom Sims, Susan Tischler exit zero store & gallery team Carol Buggs, Martha Kesler, Sharon Holden, Margie McGee, Beth Olivero, Michelle O’Leary, Janet Westcott exit zero color magazine is published five times a year. Annual subscription is $27.50. Or $50 for these AND our black-and-white issues. It’s a great deal! To subscribe call (609) 770-8479 or visit ezstore.us Published by Exit Zero Publishing 109 Sunset Boulevard, Suite D Cape May, NJ 08204 Telephone: (609) 770-8479 Fax: (609) 770-8481
Serving Lunch & Dinner Daily
E-mail: info@exitzero.us Website: www.exitzero.us Online store: www.ezstore.us
(609) 884-9119 322 Washington Street Mall, Cape May www.tishasfinedining.com Pet Friendly Back Patio! EXIT ZERO
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editor’s letter editing Playboy (hey, I didn’t apply — I was headhunted) and came down here in the midst of what I guess was one of those existential crises that one goes through. (First World problems, right?) I felt burned out by the world of corporate magazines and by life in Manhattan, and I figured that a couple weeks at a quiet seaside resort would allow me to get my head straight. Turns out it wasn’t so quiet after all. I had never before met Cape May in August and was spectacularly unprepared for the job of managing the new Congress Hall pool bar, which Curtis Bashaw, in his infinite wisdom, had felt inspired to offer me. But I muddled through, learning just how impatient and picky the August tourist can be. While working at that pool bar, I met a strapping young Polish lifeguard with dreadlocks, a very large nose (much larger than mine) and a very quiet, passively aggressive demeanour. His name was Maciek Nabrdalik, and he was pretty pissed, in his quiet, sulky way, that Congress Hall had appointed a manager to run the pool — hitherto, he had been the de facto man in charge. But we made our peace, particularly after I gave him my credit card so that he could go online and buy a Canon digital camera. His first camera. We became friends and when Maciek returned to Cape May the following summer, he became the first photographer to work for Exit Zero, a publication I launched on July 3, 2003, with Curtis’s inspiration and help. That two or three-week journey I had envisioned turned into something altogether different. I had left a city of eight million souls, with all manner of distractions and indulgences, to visit a town of about 3,500 which, outside of the summer season, offered very few distractions and indulgences. And I was smitten. Quitting the well-paid corporate magazine job and coming to Cape May, with zero savings and zero clue about what I was going to do next, was the single best decision I have ever made in my life, and led to many more excellent decisions... launching Exit Zero magazine, opening a store, meeting my future best bud Victor Grasso, meeting a super-talented and super-enthusiastic young writer who later became my wife, opening a restaurant... I love working here and I love living here. Isn’t it crazy weird how your whole life can change because of one moment? In my case, it was one wild night in a dive bar in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District in April of 2002, which is where and when I met Curtis Bashaw and how I came to first visit Cape May. What if I hadn’t chosen to spend my night drinking at the Red Light bar that night? The chances are, I would never have come to Cape May and Exit Zero would never have existed. Would Maciek Nabrdalik, without that nudge into newspaper (I use the word loosely) photography have gone on to become an internationally renowned photographer who has produced acclaimed work on subjects such as the Syrian refugee crisis and the tragedy of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster? Who knows, but it’s fun to consider as I type these words while nursing a Johnnie Walker Black and contemplating my 15th summer season in Cape May. I’m hoping it will be a good one — down here (or up here, depending on your own home base), they tend to work out just fine. Enjoy the issue, and enjoy Cool Cape May. — JACK WRIGHT
Jack Wright working at Congress Hall pool bar in 2002, a year before establishing Exit Zero magazine
I
f you know Ben Miller you’ll know he’s a pretty useful researcher. If you don’t know Ben Miller, well, take my word for it... he’s a pretty useful researcher — among other things. Ben wrote The First Resort, a coffee table book about the history of Cape May that’s been a local best-seller since we first published it in 2008. More recently, he proved to be an invaluable help when I was working with Curtis Bashaw on the second edition of Tommy’s Folly, the history of Congress Hall that I wrote in the winter of 2002-03 after I first came to the Cape. A couple weeks ago, Ben posted a story on Facebook that had been published in the New York Post in July of 2002. It was a story in that paper’s media column and it mentioned that I had quit my job as executive editor of Men’s Journal. “I’m going down to Cape May to hang out for a few weeks,” was how the Post quoted me. I had forgotten that story existed, but Ben pulled it out of the ether because, well, he likes to just hunker down and do research when he’s in the mood. That New York Post story, along with the experience of publishing the second edition of Tommy’s Folly, got me thinking about my Cape May odyssey. I really HAD just planned to come here for a few weeks in the summer in 2002. I had recently been interviewed for the job of EXIT ZERO
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“BEST AMERICAN” and “TOP 25 RESTAUR ANTS IN THE STATE” New Jersey Monthly
3-course Prix Fixe $35 From 5pm-6:15pm
Oceanfront Porch Dining Available Weddings • Rehearsals • Private Parties BEACH AVENUE & HOWARD STREET AT THE
HOTEL MACOMBER
609-884-8811 UNIONPARKDININGROOM.COM
Spring 2016 TripAdvisor Reviews... “A dining experience that was perfect.” “The service was wonderful, as was the atmosphere. Highly recommended.” “The food was delicious and the service was superb. Much of the food is locally sourced, and the chef is talented!”
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AROUND THE ISLAND Busy Brewers
Dream Team at Merion Merion Inn owner Vicki Watson has hired not one but two acclaimed chefs to take over the kitchen at one of Cape May’s most beloved restaurants. Vicki had given the job to Rob Tyndall, who had previous experience at The Ebbitt Room and M’Ocean (now Iron Pier). But then Vicki received a call from Tony Clark, who cut his teeth at the Four Seasons in Philadelphia and later went on to open a restaurant bearing his name in the city. Long story short — both chefs are now working together, keeping some of the Merion’s classics but introducing some new dishes, including lobster and scallop pot pie in a lobster-fennel bisque. “I ended up with a dream team,” says Vicki. “I’m really happy about it.”
Lots going on at Cape May Brewing Company. In the spring, CMBC hired Jimmy Valm, formerly of Brooklyn Brewery, to be Director of Brewing Operations. Now they’ve launched an interactive, self-guided tour installation, conceived by local artist David Macomber. Tours are important: the state requires that you take one before you get a pour, no matter how frequent a guest you are. Now, the tour really IS worth taking. In actual beer news, CMBC has three new releases — Salty Lips, brewed with locally harvested salt from Cape May Sea Salt Company; a Belgian-style wheat called Summer Catch that will have you breaking up with Blue Moon; and an American pale ale called Beets by May (hat tip to the Dr Dre headphone line, Beats by Dre) that’s been brewed with Jersey Fresh beets. Bottoms up!
Beware the Kraken Kurry When Exit Zero Cookhouse opened last year, we were a little worried about the reaction to the only restaurant within 40 miles serving curry. But we fairly quickly went from just three curries to eight. Now we’ve added a ninth, and it’s a doozy. The Kraken Kurry will possess more than twice the heat of the Thai Lobster, which was previously the hottest dish on the menu. Chef Mike DeMusz (who is also Exit Zero’s artist — that’s him above in front of one of his fab new paintings) has concocted a devilishly hot sauce to go with calamari and shrimp. Anyone who finishes the Kraken will receive an ‘I Tamed the Kraken’ T-shirt and will have their name written on a chalkboard in the restaurant.
Welcome to the Iron Pier Did you know there used to be a huge iron pier that jutted 1,000 feet into the Atlantic Ocean? Unless you’re a student of Cape May history, chances are you didn’t. Well, there was, and it sat on the beach at Decatur Street, where Cabanas is now. Which is why the bar and restaurant upstairs from Cabanas is now called Iron Pier Craft House. There have been quite a few name changes at that location. In the last three years it went from Martini Beach to M’Ocean to Room 429. Judging by those expensive-looking branded tables in the restaurant, we hope the new name will stick. And the pier? It was demolished in 1909 after being damaged by a storm AND a barge. EXIT ZERO
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AROUND THE ISLAND
lucky bones
Beach Grill Lucky at the Beach Eating Out at the Farm Cape May truly joined the farm-to-table revolution in 2008 when Beach Plum Farm began supplying produce to The Ebbitt Room, Blue Pig Tavern and Rusty Nail, the restaurants owned by Cape Resorts, which also operates the 62-acre farm, tucked away in rural Stevens Street in West Cape May. Now the farm is no longer just a place to take a tour and learn the difference between butter lettuce and an iceberg. Thanks to the vision of Cape Resorts managing partner Curtis Bashaw (who loves getting his hands in the soil), the farm has added a kitchen to the gorgeous Amish barn that was erected last year. Now you can eat a ridiculously good egg and sausage (or bacon) sandwich, made entirely from Beach Plum meat and produce for breakfast, or take your pick from salads and sandwiches for lunch. There’s also a farm stand adjacent to the kitchen, selling freshly harvested produce, while upstairs there’s an expertly curated gift store.
Notice the sign that appeared on the outside of the Cape May Arcade in the last few months? Then you’ll know that something pretty cool is happening on the boardwalk at Jackson Street. Part of the arcade is the location for Lucky Bones Beach Grill, what the Craig family (who own the original Lucky Bones, Washington Inn, Cape May Winery, Cape May Roasters and Love the Cook) are calling a Barefoot Beach Eatery. There will be locally roasted coffee (naturally), juiced cereals, gourmet burgers and hot dogs, mussels and salads, and a nice range of milk shakes. Note: The new logo features the mysterious Lil, the same lady from the original restaurant, redrawn by Exit Zero artist Mike DeMusz.
Happy Birthday, Hotels! It’s a banner year for local hotels. Congress Hall is celebrating its 200th anniversary, with a fun range of events to mark the occasion, starting with a party on Sunday, May 29. Take a tour of the newly renovated guest rooms then enjoy a concert on the lawn, courtesy of Bay Atlantic Symphony. And make sure you buy a copy of the new anniversary edition of Tommy’s Folly, the book that tells the fascinating story of the hotel, by Exit Zero’s Jack Wright and Curtis Bashaw, the hotel group’s managing partner. See page 46 for an excerpt from the book. This year also sees the 50th anniversary of the Montreal Beach Resort. And there’s a book on that, too, written by Exit Zero contributing editor Diane Stopyra. See July’s color issue for more on that. EXIT ZERO
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AROUND THE ISLAND Extra Honey Here’s a bit of news that’s the bees knees — Doug and Andi Marandino of Cape May Honey Farm have opened Honey & Hive, at Central Square in Linwood. While the space will carry many of the same honey-inspired products as the flagship, the space has a different feel. “It’s not as rustic,” Andi says. Doug will continue harvesting from at least 40 hives, so the locally sourced options will wow you. (Madagascar Vanilla Bean Honey, says
Virginia’s New Man
Gaby Urda
Andi, “is great over peach ice cream.”) The couple
Congratulations to Jordan Rowan, who has taken over as general manager of the Virginia Hotel and Cottages. If you’re a regular on the Cape Resorts campus you’ll likely recognize him from his days at Congress Hall, managing the pool and beach service
will also expand their honey-sweetened chocolate selection. Truffles made from scratch with Catskills whiskey, anyone?
est. 1980
Cape May’s original farm to table Call for reservations ~ 609.884.5882 104 Jackson Street, Cape May
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and then The Blue Pig Tavern. The 26-year-old-native of Titusville (just outside Princeton) has been working in hospitality since he was 14, when he got his first dishwashing job. During college at Lehigh University, where he double majored in political science and sociology/ anthropology, Jordan thought he might look into a career as a lawyer, but he’s glad he returned to his roots. “Helping people discover their home away from home, that’s what this industry is all about and why I love it so much,” he says. “I’m excited for the opportunity to deliver those memories, and procure those relationships with guests.” On Jordan’s bucket list? Landing the Virginia on Conde Nast Traveler’s list of top 500 hotels in the world (it was named best in the Mid-Atlantic region last year). In the meantime, he’ll oversee an exciting makeover — the Virginia rooms will have new furniture by mid-June — and he’ll spread the good word about all of the happenings at Cape Resorts’ Beach Plum Farm. “Come to the farm during the day and see rhubarb being warmed by the sun in a planter,” he says. “Then come to our bar for a strawberry rhubarb fizz, made with that same plant. We’re making farm to table less mythical.”
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AROUND THE ISLAND Run for Fun So fun you’ll forget you don’t enjoy running. That’s the idea behind RunCape, launching June 4. Co-founded by national magazine journalist and veteran Exit Zero writer Diane Stopyra and state biologist Kashi Davis, the venture combines running with history and nature tours. “We’re going to show people not just the
Shaking up the Salt
buttoned-up, doilies-and-
What started as a hobby for Red Store chef Lucas Manteca — evaporating local ocean water to get sea salt — became a fully fledged business, Cape May Sea Salt Company, last summer… and the rave reviews are still rolling in. In fact, Whole Foods in Wall, NJ is now carrying the product. And now, with the help of Lucas’ wife, Deanna Ebner, who is the design and branding brains behind the business, the company has added bath salts and soaps to their line. The goods are available at the Red Store, as well as from a selection of island stores.
lace sort of history you expect, but the grittier side, too,” Diane said. “And we’re going show them all of the awe-inspiring natural attractions this island has to offer.” Also part of the tours? Tasty Gatoritas — margaritas made with Gatorade. Visit runcape.us for more information.
Awarded prestigious three stars by the Press of Atlantic City Nestled in the second oldest operating hotel in Cape May, La Verandah serves up mouthwatering dishes in a truly Victorian setting. Dine on the porch and take in the ocean breeze or enjoy your meal in an intimate dining room. Reservations encouraged.
107-113 GRANT STREET CAPE MAY (609) 884-5868 HOTELALCOTT.COM
CHOCOLATE BAR
106 Jackson Street, Cape May 609-884-5519
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Perfect venue for an elegant wedding by the sea
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Lunch Dinner Cocktails Featuring the very freshest, ÀQHVW RIIHULQJV IURP both land and sea.
142 DECATUR STREET ON THE WASHINGTON STREET MALL (609) 884-3449 • www.finscapemay.com EXIT ZERO
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AROUND THE ISLAND A Tribute
Cape May Music Festival The 27th Annual Cape May Music Festival gets underway with a free concert at Cape May Convention Hall on Sunday, May 29 at 8pm by the 35-piece Atlantic Brass Band, a longtime Cape May favorite.
With his sudden death four years ago, he left behind a hole that couldn’t be filled. But the memory of George Mesterhazy (left) will once again be celebrated in the fifth annual tribute concert to the great pianist, whose home base was the Merion Inn on Decatur Street, Cape May. Enjoy an evening of selections from the Great American Songbook, under the direction of Barry Miles, featuring performances by some of George’s favorite colleagues. The concert will be held at Cape May Convention Hall on Sunday, June 12 at 8pm. Tickets are $25, $20 for seniors and $10 for students.
Conducted by Salvatore Scarpa, the band will present a rousing concert of American music, perfect for a Memorial Day weekend celebration. Other highlights from the festival include performances by New York Chamber Ensemble on May 31, June 7 and June 16 at Episcopal Church of the Advent, 612 Franklin Street. Works by SaintSeans, Debussy and Faure will feature in the first concert; the second will explore Jewish music from Klezmer to Mendelssohn; the third will concentrate on Italian favorites by Puccini, Vivaldi, Albinoni and Respighi. On June 2, the engaging style and powerful voice of traditional Irish performer Deirdre Reilly will be on show at Cape May Convention Hall, at 8pm. On June 9, the festival orchestra, Bay-Atlantic Symphony, will performs a Bach’s Brandenberg Concertos program at the First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, 500 Hughes Street, with conductor Jed Gaylin. On June 14, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Chamber Players will play at Episcopal Church of the Advent, Washington and Franklin at 8pm. For more information on the festival, visit capemaymac. org.
Gifts from the hive and so much more! Honey & Hive
is now open at Central Square, Linwood
1 3 5 S u n s e t B o u l e v a r d , We s t C a p e M a y [ BE BEHI HII ND H ND E EX X IT I Z ZE E RO R O ST STOR T OR ORE] 6 0 9 - 4 2 5 - 6 4 3 4 CA C A PE P E MA PEMA M AY YH H ON N EY EYF FA A RM . C ARM CO O M F IIN N D US S ON O N FA FAC A CE C E BOOK BOO BO OK K EXIT ZERO
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Dining with the ultimate view Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Eclectic seafood, relaxed yet refined, inspired by the ocean just steps away... RESERVE OUR CHEF’S TABLE An intimate, private room for up to 14 people featuring the chef’s special tasting menu! Call for details.
SeaSalt Restaurant features fresh indigenous ingredients paired with specialty craft cocktails in an unforgettable beach chic setting.
At the
OCEAN CLUB HOTEL
1035 Beach Avenue, Cape May y seasaltcapemay.com y 609-884-7000
EVENTS AROUND TOWN All summer long, through October 10 Tommy’s Folly: The 200th Anniversary of Congress Hall Guest curated by Curtis Bashaw, the man behind the renovation of Congress Hall, and Exit Zero publisher Jack Wright, this exhibit features the history of Congress Hall, one of America’s most illustrious hotels. In the Carriage House of the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street. Admission is free. Open daily; times vary. Call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278, or visit capemaymac.org.
playing 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 All Wars Monument at 9am, and at Cape May Convention Hall at 11am. Call 609-8849565, or visit discovercapemaynj.com.
May 28 Tanya Tucker Concert She’s a modern-day country legend who has inspired many of the artists you hear on the radio today... and she’s coming to Cape May Convention Hall. Call 609-884-9563, or visit discovercapemaynj.com.
June 4-5 The Race of Gentlemen This living history event celebrates America’s racing and hot rodding heritage on Wildwood’s beaches. Founded by the Oilers, a car/motorcycle Club establshed in 1947. For exact times and locations, see theraceofgentlemen.com.
May 30 Memorial Day Ceremony Amidst all the barbequing and beach-
June 4 Fashion Show Get some inspiration for your next fierce look. 300 block of Washington Street Mall. 11am. Visit washingtonstreetmall.com.
June 4-5 Free Village Sampler Weekend
Visit select buildings and learn about the trades and crafts of the Age of Homespun at Historic Cold Spring Village. Take guided walking tours and receive special discounts at the Country Store. Enjoy children’s crafts and activities. Free! Call 609-898-2300. June 6 Dr Emlen Physick’s 161st Birthday Party & Croquet Challenge Join the Friends of the Physick Estate and celebrate the 161st birthday of Dr Emlen Physick, Cape May’s illustrious Victorian citizen, on the grounds of the 1879 Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street. Watch or join a croquet match. Wear your summer whites and root for your favorite players. 11am-2pm. Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). Call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278, or visit capemaymac.org. June 11-12 Boardwalk Craft Show Hunt for rare finds... and get a tan while
restaurant, marina & bar open 7 days
Sushi on the Deck! Open Daily
Happy Hour
3-6 Mon to Fri
954 OCEAN DRIVE, CAPE MAY (609) 884-5444 HARBORVIEWCAPEMAY.COM EXIT ZERO
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EVENTS AROUND TOWN you’re at it! On the promenade from 10am-5pm. Call 609-884-9565, or visit discovercapemaynj.com. June 11-12 Hands-On History At Historic Cold Spring Village, try your hand at crafts and trades from the 1800s. Blacksmithing, basketweaving, woodworking and more. Step inside the Village’s 26 restored, historic buildings and interact with historical interpreters to learn and create... the way our ancestors did! Children can get their ‘Past-port’ stamped for each hands-on activity they complete, and redeem it for a free treat in the Country Store. Call 609-898-2300. June 18 Grand Lighthouse Cruise Come aboard the Cape May Whale Watcher to view and photograph seven historic lighthouses of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Most of these lighthouses stand on pedestals out of sight of land and are still
operational. Each five-hour cruise includes narration on the history of each lighthouse and more. Includes continental breakfast buffet and Captain’s Lunch buffet. A cash bar is available. 10am to 3pm. Tickets $85 (adults) $70 (children ages 7-12). Call 609884-5404 or visit www.capemaymac.org. June 18-19 Military Timeline Weekend At Historic Cold Spring Village, you’ll want to check out this exhibition of various conflicts spanning several centuries including the English Hundred Years War, Boer War, American Revolution and Civil War, World War II, Korean War and more. Call 609898-2300. June 20 Lighthouse Full Moon Climb Let the light of the full moon guide you up 199 stairs to the starry top. The Cape May Lighthouse is located in Cape May Point State Park, Lower Township. 8-10pm. $8 for adults, $5 for children (ages 3-12). Call
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609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278, or visit capemaymac.org. June 24, July 8 Sunset Lighthouse Cruise The beauty of the Delaware Bay is best experienced at sunset, and that’s exactly what you’ll get aboard the Spirit of Cape May. Along with seeing two lighthouses and hearing about their history from the captain and former lighthouse keepers, you will enjoy a wine tasting at each landmark... with hors d’oeuvres. A cash bar is also available. $55 adults, $25 children ages 7-12. Departs from the Miss Chris Marina at 6:30pm. Purchase tickets in advance or online. Call 609-884-5404 or 800-2754278, or visit capemaymac.org June 25 Cape May Hops Festival New in 2016! Celebrate the beginning of summer at the Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street, with a day devoted to regional and local craft beers, great food,
Curious kids will love the Hands-On History event at Historic Cold Spring Village on June 11-12. Aleksey Moryakov
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EVENTS GUIDE
Paradise found...
local wine, live music, crafts and collectibles and kids activities. Admission is free. 10am-6pm. Call 609-884-5404 or 800-2754278, or visit capemaymac.org.
Good Food Fun, Friendly Atmosphere
June 25-26 Cape May Quilt And Fiber Arts Show Historic Cold Spring Village’s 29th annual Quilt Show has expanded into a full-scale event celebrating all forms of fiber arts. In addition to voting for your favorite quilt, guests can take in workshops and demonstrations on knitting, crocheting, wool dyeing, even sheep shearing. Call 609-898-2300.
Waterfront Dining Awesome Sunsets! Serving Lunch & Dinner Weekends until mid-june
Live Music
June 27 Cape May Summer Concert Series: Rita Coolidge This pop/contemporary/country/jazz artist is a two-time Grammy award winner. Cape May Convention Hall at 8pm. Call 609-8849563, or visit discovercapemaynj.com
Plenty e ttyy oof Free ee Parking a
July 2 Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast If you don’t like pancakes, you’re kind of a freak. Lucky for all of you non-freaks out there, Kiwanis — the global organization dedicated to serving children of the world — will host its annual pancake breakfast at Convention Hall. 7:30-11:30a. Visit discovercapemaynj. com. July 2 Independence Parade Who says the Fourth of July celebration has to happen on the fourth only? We’re just as happy about our independence on the 2nd. The parade kicks off on Beach Avenue at 1pm. Call 609-884-9565, or visit discovercapemaynj.com. July 2 63rd Army Band Concert See the band that played at the 100th birthday celebration for the Statue of Liberty, and at the Vietnam Memorial dedication in Washington, DC. Now they’re coming to Cape May Convention Hall! Kicks off at 7pm sharp. Call 609-884-9565. July 2-3 Independence Day Celebration Historic Cold Spring Village, the living history museum just a short drive from downtown Cape May, will host afternoon concerts, family activities and traditional fun. Patriotic programs, including The Story of Old Glory and live music, take place both days. Call 609-898-2300. July 3 USCG Sunset Parade In this colorful ceremony, you’ll see bands, marching troops, even cannon fire. Open to the public and free to attend. Children are welcome, but should be accompanied by an adult. Be seated by 7:45pm.
91 Beach Drive, North Cape May (609) 886-5529 EXIT ZERO
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Don’t miss the annual Fourth of July fireworks display, best viewed from the lawn at Congress Hall. Aleksey Moryakov
A brand new season. Vegetarian & gluten-free options. Daily local seafood. Antibiotic-free chicken & beef. Fresh-grown vegetables & salads. Award-winning wine list. 20 Crafts. Second-generation, family-owned.
Just a damn good place to eat!
www.riostation.com
AMERICAN STEAK & SEAFOOD HOUSE Grande Center Mall • Routes 9 & 47 • Rio Grande, NJ 08242 • 609.889.2000 • Reservations Suggested
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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
FULL BAR
YES
YES
X E +U
ALEATHEA’S 7 Ocean Street, Cape May (609) 884-5555, Ext. 226 www.innofcapemay.com
Excellent food at the glorious old Inn of Cape May. There’s a cozy-but-elegant bar with access to the oceanfront patio. Check out the antique-filled lobby first.
B, L, D
$5-$32 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
AVALON COFFEE 7 Gurney, Cape May, 898-8088, 3823 Bayshore, North Cape May (609) 846-0040
Superior coffee 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
N/A
NO
YES
E +
BACKSTREET 600 Park Blvd, West Cape May (609) 884-7660 www.backstreetcapemaynj.com
Downhome cooking, a laidback vibe and superior desserts in this gem, 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
X E +
BELLA VIDA CAFÉ 406 N. Broadway, W. Cape May (609) 884-6332 www.bellavidacafe.com
“The local café with a wholesome aroma” is what they call 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
X +
BEN AND JERRY’S 414 Washington Mall, Cape May (609) 884-3040 www.benjerry.com
There’s ice cream, and then there’s Ben & Jerry’s. 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
X E +
THE BLACK DUCK 1 Sunset Boulevard, W. Cape May (609) 898-0100 www.blackduckonsunset.com
Chic interior and stylish Modern American cuisine from acclaimed chef (and owner) Chris Hubert, but the ambience is still laidback and casual.
D
$15-$28 Cards: V, MC
BYOB
YES
NO
X E +
THE BLUE PIG TAVERN 251 Beach Avenue, Cape May (609) 884-8422 www.caperesorts.com
Many of its menu items are coming from the local Beach Plum Farm. 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
X E +
BLUE ROSE INN 653 Washington Street, Cape May (609) 435-5458 www.blueroseinn.com
This is Cape May at its best — a fine, family-owned, recently opened restaurant in a newly renovated B&B on a beautiful, tree-lined street.
Brunch, D
$10-$32 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
BYOB
YES
NO
X
THE BOILER ROOM 251 Beach Avenue, (609) 884-8422 www.caperesorts.com
Congress Hall’s chic basement nightclub — all bare metal and brickwork — now has a brick oven serving thin-crust pizza, and has added a line of draft beers.
Pizza
Cards: V, MC, AE, D
FULL BAR
NO
NO
X
THE BROWN ROOM 251 Beach Avenue, Cape May (609) 884-8422 www.caperesorts.com
Congress Hall’s lounge is called Cape May’s Living Room for a reason. The decor is elegant, the drinks are great, the staff is cool, and the place just says “classy.”
Bar Menu
Cards: V, MC, AE, D
FULL BAR
NO
NO
X
CABANAS 429 Beach Avenue, Cape May (609) 884-4800 www.cabanasonthebeach.com
The party is here — always warm and friendly in this lively beachfront bar, featuring great food and some of the best live bands around.
B, L, D
$8-$25 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
FULL BAR
YES
YES
E +
SYMBOLS KEY
X Onsite parking
E Handicap accessible EXIT ZERO
22
JUNE
+
Takeout available
2016
U Dog-friendly patio
EVENTS GUIDE
Fabulous Food and Cool Cocktails
July 3, 4 Dinner and Fireworks An exclusive chance to see the area’s Independence Day fireworks from atop the Cape May Lighthouse. Participants will be transported by trolley from the Washington Street Mall Information Booth to the Red Store in Cape May Point for a seasonal, five-course dinner. Then, hop back on the trolley for a short ride to Cape May Lighthouse, where you will climb to the top to watch the fireworks. Limited to 12 people. 6:15pm. Tickets $100. Call 609-884-5404. 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 ocean breezes. Call 609-884-8421 for more information.
in a Casual Pub Atmosphere...
July 6 Croquet on the Lawn Gather family and friends and join in a friendly croquet game on the lawn of the Emlen Physick Estate. Equipment provided. Game begins promptly at 10am. Free parking. Free admission. Call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278, or visit www.capemaymac.org. July 8-10 Promenade Art Show We love hand-crafted pottery and jewelry, paintings of classic Cape May scenes, and awesome photography. We love them even more when they’re local. And EVEN more when we can peruse the goods next to the ocean. On the Cape May promenade from 10am-5pm. Call 609-884-9565, or visit discovercapemaynj.com. July 8 Sunset Lighthouse Cruise The beauty of the Delaware Bay is best experienced at sunset, which is exactly what you’ll get at this event. Aboard the Spirit of Cape May, you’ll see two lighthouses and hear about their history from the captain and former lighthouse keepers. At each landmark, you will enjoy a wine tasting with hors d’oeuvres. A cash bar is also available. $55 adults, $25 children ages 7-12. Departs from the Miss Chris Marina at 6:30pm. Call 609-884-5404, or visit capemaymac.org.
Happy Hour Daily 3-6pm & All Day Sunday
Wing Night Sundays 4-8pm ½ Price Wings $2 Bud Light Pints
July 9-10 Jersey Cape Foodways Weekend At Historic Cold Spring Village, you’ll get historical cooking demonstrations, and local food and beverage vendors. Call 609-898-2300. July 10 Champagne Jazz Brunch at Aleathea’s Linger over a Sunday morning champagne brunch buffet at Aleathea’s Restaurant at the Inn of Cape May, 7 Ocean Street, with live jazz from The Great American Songbook, featuring Mary Lou Newnam (saxophone, clarinet and flute) and Sonny Troy (guitar). Starts at 10am, tickets $35. Call 609-884-5404. EXIT ZERO
23
Serving Lunch & Dinner 7 Days a Week
Kitchen Hours: Sun.-Thur. 11:30am-10pm, Fri. & Sat 11:30am-11pm
3729 BAYSHORE ROAD, NORTH CAPE MAY (609) 889-7000 | 5WESTPUB.COM
JUNE
2016
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
Tasting Room
NO
NO
X E +
CAPE MAY BREWING CO. 1288 Hornet Road, Rio Grande (609) 849-9933 www.capemaybrewery.com
It’s the first microbrewery at the Jersey Shore, and it’s creating quite the buzz... they have won multiple awards for their beers. Check out the new tasting room.
Brewery
$5-$11 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
CAPE MAY HONEY FARM 135 Sunset Boulevard West Cape May (609) 425-6434
Offers local raw honey, imported honey, and home and beauty products that have been homemade using beeswax. Plus you can taste before you buy at their tasting bar.
Honey
$7-$35 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
N/A
N/A
YES
X E +
CAPE MAY OLIVE OIL CO. 324 Carpenter’s Lane Cape May 800-584-1887
This spot features 20 different varieties of olive oils and balsamic vinegars, pastas, spreads, jams, mustards, infused salts and sugars, and much more.
Olive oils and more
$3-$60 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
N/A
N/A
N/A
E +
CAPE MAY WINERY 711 Townbank, North Cape May (609) 884-1169 www.capemaywinery.com
Open daily from 12-5pm (7pm Friday and Saturday). Make a reservation to tour the winery on Saturdays and Sunday at 3pm. Look for their new wine releases!
Winery
$5-$27 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
Winery
N/A
NO
E + U
CAPE MAY PEANUT BUTTER CO. 516 Carpenter’s Lane, Cape May (609) 898-4444 www.capemaypeanutbutterco.com
A great idea... devoting a whole shop to peanut butter! And you will not be disappointed. There are various treats inspired by the American classic.
Snacks
$5-$27 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
N/A
N/A
YES
X E + U
CAPPELLETTI & SONS DELI 458 West Perry Street, Cape May (609) 600-1145
Great pasta dishes, hoagies, cheesesteaks, burgers soups, salads. Pretty much everything you need for lunch or afternoon snacks. A classic Italian deli.
B, L, D
$6-$16 Cards: V, MC, D
BYOB
N/A
YES
X E +
CARNEY’S Beach and Jackson, Cape May (609) 884-4424 www.carneyscapemaynj.com
Live music on the weekends, great early bird and happy hour specials, and casual fare that’s reliable... all across the street from the beach.
L, D
$12-$28 Cards: V, MC
BAR
NO
YES
E +
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 is the location — the gorgeous Emlen Physick Estate.
L
$12-$19 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
BYOB
YES
YES
X E
COASTAL BLUE 9701 Atlantic Avenue, Wildwood Crest, (609) 729-6600 www.coastalbluenj.com
Beautiful, airy restaurant located at Hotel Icona, in Diamond Beach, a short drive from Cape May. Gourmet dishes served in a vibe that’s best described as seaside chic.
B, L, D
$9-$36 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
BAR
YES
YES
XE +
CORINTHIAN YACHT CLUB 1819 Delaware Avenue (609) 884-8000 www.cyccm.com
For an unforgettable wedding experience — or any big event — 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
X E
CRAB HOUSE Two Mile Landing, Ocean Drive (609) 522-1341 www.twomilelanding.com
Owned by a commercial fishing family, the Crab House serves the freshest of seafood. The waterfront views and live entertainment are great bonuses!
L, D
$7-$25 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
BAR
NO
YES
X E +
SYMBOLS KEY
X Onsite parking
E Handicap accessible EXIT ZERO
24
JUNE
+
Takeout available
2016
U Dog-friendly patio
Movies on the Beach From the second Thursday in July to the last Thursday in August, enjoy this already entrenched Cape May tradition. Behind Convention Hall, lay out on the beach and enjoy a classic family movie. The lineup ALWAYS includes Jaws, which has drawn 1,000 people in the past. And if you don’t think Jaws is a family movie, well at least it’s definitely a classic. The week after Jaws, enjoy the warm and fuzzy contrast of Free Willy. Remember to bring a beach chair and blanket. For more information, visit the Chamber of Commerce at capemaychamber.com. July 7: Surf’s Up July 14: The Lego Movie July 21: Tomorrowland July 28: Finding Nemo August 4: Toy Story August 11: Jaws August 18: Free Willy August 25: Minions EXIT ZERO
25
JUNE
2016
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
NO
YES
X +
C-VIEW INN Texas & Washington Avenues Cape May (609) 884-4712
A locals’ favorite, this is the oldest 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
DELANEY’S IRISH BAR & GRILL 400 Washington Mall, Cape May (609) 770-8559 www.delaneyscapemay.com
What was once Jackson Mountain is now an Irish-style bar and restaurant, with some excellent pub food, and a very decent selection of drinks.
L, D
$13-$28 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
BAR
NO
YES
E +
DEPOT MARKET CAFÉ 409 Elmira Street Cape May (609) 884-8030
Locals love to eat here, which is always a good sign. Recently taken over by new owners, but what hasn’t changed is the quality of the food.
B, L, D
$6-$18 V, MC, D
BYOB
NO
YES
X E +
DOMINO’S PIZZA 2200 Bayshore Road, Villas (609) 886-5800 www.dominos.com
Unless you’ve been living on a desert island for the last couple decades, we don’t need to tell you much about this place. This is pizza done right!
L, D
$6-$21 Cash Only
N/A
NO
YES
X E +
THE EBBITT ROOM 25 Jackson Street, (609) 884-5700 www. virginiahotel.com
Enjoy your meal on the Ebbitt Room porch, overlooking tree-lined Jackson Street, or enjoy the simple beauty of this dining room, one of the finest in South Jersey.
D
$26-$33 V, MC, AE, D
BAR
YES
NO
X
ELAINE’S DINNER THEATER 513 Lafayette Street, Cape May (609) 884-1199 www.elainescapemay.com
It’s been voted one of the top five dinner theaters in the country by the Food Network. Call them for their current hours and schedule.
B, L, D
$27.95 to $47.95 for dinner and show
BAR
YES
YES
X E +
E. M. HEMINGWAY’S 1045 Beach Avenue, Cape May (609) 884-5611 www.hemingwayscapemay.com
Casual and family-friendly, E. M. Hemingway’s offers great seafood, prime beef and nightly specials. Enjoy their happy hours daily from 4-7pm and weekend DJs.
B, L, D
$15-$38 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
BAR
YES
YES
X E +
EMPANADA MAMA 600 Park Boulevard, West Cape May (609) 972-3977
Brooke Dodds’ empanadas were one of the big hits at local festivals. Now she has her own storefront. Great food, whether you’re carnivorous, veggie or vegan!
B, L, D
$5-$15 Cash Only
BYOB
NO
YES
X E + U
EXIT ZERO COOKHOUSE 109 Sunset Boulevard, West Cape May (609) 770-8479
Yep, the people who put out this magazine and run retail stores have a restaurant, too. Nine curries on the menu, along with some fun American dishes.
D
$18-$24 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
BYOB
NO
YES
X E + U
FINS BAR & GRILLE 142 Decatur Street, Cape May (609) 884-3449 www.finscapemay.com
Really cool decor and exciting food make this newish restaurant a welcome addition to the local landscape. It’s located at the former Pilot House, just off the mall.
L, D
$18-$34 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
BAR
NO
YES
E +
FISH AND FANCY 2406 Bayshore Road, Villas (609) 886-8760 www.fishandfancy.com
Expect superb seafood however you like it — fried, broiled, grilled, blackened or sautéed — and great salads, too. Eat in (there’s an outdoor patio) or take away.
L, D
$5-$19 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
BYOB
YES
YES
X E +
5 WEST PUB 3729 Bayshore, N. Cape May (609) 889-7000 www.5westpub.com
A gastropub from the owners of Tisha’s, a Cape May favorite. Expect exciting dishes, good drinks, and a scene that’s usually buzzing. A few minutes drive from town.
L, D
$6-$20 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
BAR
YES
YES
X E + U
SYMBOLS KEY
X Onsite parking
E Handicap accessible EXIT ZERO
26
JUNE
+
Takeout available
2016
U Dog-friendly patio
plan your spring or summer sneak-away STONE HARBOR’S ONLY YEAR-ROUND, LUXURY BOUTIQUE HOTEL Located directly on the bay and just steps from the beach, The Reeds at Shelter Haven is the most desirable seaside vacation resort at the southern New Jersey shore. 37 Luxurious Guestrooms and Suites Water Star Grille bayfront dining & cocktail lounge SAX at The Reeds year-round restaurant & lounge Celebration and Meeting Spaces for private gatherings & retreats Exclusive Resort Amenities dock & dine | beach service including branded chairs, towels & umbrellas | daily bayside yoga bay activities including pedal boats, paddle boards & kayaks | golf privileges Stone Harbor Golf Club
9601 Third Avenue | Stone Harbor | 609.368.0100 | reedsatshelterhaven.com
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
BYOB
YES
YES
X
410 BANK STREET 410 Bank Street, Cape May (609) 884-2127 www.410bankstreet.com
After more than 25 years, 410 still one of Cape May’s finest restaurants, serving food that’s as brilliant and inventive as ever. Always a lively atmosphere.
D
$25-$37 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
FREDA’S CAFE 210 Ocean Street, Cape May (609) 884-7887 www.410bankstreet.com
Chef Steve Howard and his wife, pastry chef, Carol have combined big-city quality with small-town vibe. A perennial favorite is the rack of lamb.
L, D
$21-$32 Cards: V, MC
BYOB
YES
YES
E +
FRESCOS 412 Bank Street (609) 884-0366 www.frescoscapemay.com
From the same owners of 410 Bank, this restaurant wins awards for its Italian food every year for a reason. This is authentic cuisine served in a beautiful location.
D
$18-$29 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
BYOB
YES
YES
X +
GECKO’S 479 West Perry Street, West Cape May (609) 898-7750
On a balmy summer night, there’s nothing quite like Gecko’s. Sit back in the lovely garden and sample excellent pasta dishes, salads, soups. Or get it to go.
L, D
$10-$15 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
BYOB
NO
YES
E +
GODMOTHER’S Broadway & Sunset (609) 884-4543 www.godmothersrestaurant.com
Excellent downhome Italian food, just like your mama, or your grandma, or your great aunt Roberta would make. Reasonably priced and great for a family dinner.
D
$15-$28 Cards: V, MC
BYOB
YES
YES
X +
GREEN STREET MARKET 3167 Route 9 South, Rio Grande (609) 463-0606 www.greenstreetmarket.com
It’s a family-owned and operated organic market, committed to providing healthy and fair trade cerftified foods. Check out their rewards program.
Health Food Store
Varies Cards: V, MC, D
N/A
N/A
N/A
X E
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
X E +
HARPOON HENRY’S Beach Drive and Browning (609) 886-5529 www.harpoonhenrys.net
It’s become famous for its sunsets. Sip on a cold beer or a funky iced cocktail, listen to fun live music, and watch a beautiful day slip away.
L, D
$10-$21 Cards: V, MC, D
BAR
NO
YES
X E +
HARRY’S OCEAN BAR & GRILLE Madison & Beach Avenue (609) 884-2779 www.harryscapemay.com
The Montreal Inn’s restaurant successfully mixes a friendly, family feel with a stylish oceanfront vibe. And you’re going to love the renovation, with the indoor/outdoor bar.
B, L, D
$8-$24 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
BAR
YES
YES
X E +U
HAWK HAVEN VINEYARD 600 S. Railroad Ave, Rio Grande (609) 846-7347 www.hawkhavenvineyard.com
Open year round. Tasting room open daily 11am to 6pm. Wine tasting and sales, wine by the glass and bottle, gourmet cheese plates to enjoy on premise.
L, Winery
$6-$32 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
Winery
NO
NO
X + 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-$4 Cash Only
N/A
NO
YES
E +
ISLAND GRILL 311 Mansion Street Cape May (609) 884-0200
What used to be a Caribbean-influenced menu and decor got a do-over. Now expect superb American food, using a great deal of local seafood and produce in a cool setting.
D
$13-$26 Cards: V, MC, D
BYOB
YES
YES
X E +
SYMBOLS KEY
X Onsite parking
E Handicap accessible EXIT ZERO
28
JUNE
+
Takeout available
2016
U Dog-friendly patio
The shore’s hottest gathering place for lunch, dinner & drinks Located directly on the bay, this stylish outdoor experience is the most desirable dining destination for waterside cocktails, large gatherings and breathtaking sunsets.
THE REEDS AT SHELTER HAVEN 9601 Third Avenue | Stone Harbor | 609.368.0100 | reedsatshelterhaven.com
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
KEY WEST TACOS 479 West Perry Street, West Cape May (609) 898-8226
Burritos, tacos, and quesadillas made with only the freshest ingredients. One step in the door and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to the Florida Keys.
L, D
$5-$16
BYOB
NO
YES
X E +U
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 Victorian, but the fare is contemporary American. An excellent three-star restaurant with an attentive staff.
D
$19-$32 Cards: V, MC, AE
BYOB
YES
YES
E
THE LOBSTER HOUSE Fisherman’s Wharf, Cape May (609) 884-8296 www.thelobsterhouse.com
Take-out, fish market, restaurant, raw bar... the Lobster House has it all. Drinks on the Schooner American, watching the boats before dinner, is a lovely experience.
B, L, D
$5-$48 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
BAR
NO
YES
X E +U
LOUISA’S CAFÉ 104 Jackson Street Cape May (609) 884-5519
This tiny, loveable spot has been a favorite for four decades. Expect fresh, simple, delicious food, using produce from the local Beach Plum Farm.
D
$20-$23 Cash Only
BYOB
YES
NO
E
LUCKY BONES 1200 Route 109, Cape May (609) 884-BONE www.luckybonesgrill.com
A huge hit and locals’ favorite for a reason. Excellent food, great bar vibe, superb service. Lucky Bones gets it right every single time.
L, D
$6-$22 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
BAR
For tables of eight or more
YES
X E +
MAD BATTER 19 Jackson Street (609) 884-5970 www.madbatter.com
It’s the original fine dining restaurant in Cape May. The food is always creative and the breakfasts and brunches, hard to beat — hence the lines.
B, L, D
$19-$30 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
BAR
YES
YES
E +
MAGICBRAIN CAFE 31 Perry Street, Cape May Carpenter’s Square Mall (609) 884-8188
Enjoy delicious, organic specialty drinks, high-quality coffee and tasty treats. Handily located, just a half-block from the beach at Congress Hall.
Snacks
$3-$7 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
N/A
N/A
YES
E +
MAGNOLIA ROOM 301 Howard Street, Cape May (609) 884-8409 www.chalfonte.com
Southern-style hospitality paired with excellent southern-style cuisine is what you can expect at the Chalfonte’s dining room. Stop by for cocktails at the King Edward Bar.
B, D
$10-$34 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
BAR
YES
YES
E
MARIE NICOLE’S 9510 Pacific, Wildwood Crest Diamond Beach (609) 522-5425, marienicoles.com
This award-winning restaurant serves modern American cuisine in a cozy, relaxed atmosphere. Savor summer nights on the terrace with a hand-crafted cocktail.
D
$19-$44 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
BAR
YES
NO
X E
MARIO’S PIZZA Washington Commons (609) 884-0085 www.mariosofcapemay.com
Homemade specialties and secret sauces, from classic pizza (using homemade dough daily) to paninis, garlic knots and pasta dishes.
L, D
$3-$19 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
BYOB
NO
YES
X E +
NORTH END AMERICAN GRILL 206 Olde New Jersey Avenue North Wildwood, (609) 435-5691 www.northendamericangrill.com
A premier destination for food and fun. Casual family dining offering upscale barfood and American cuisine. Experience a laidback California vibe at the shore.
L, D
$7-$25 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
BAR
NO
YES
X E +
OCEAN VIEW Beach & Grant Avenues (609) 884-3772 www.oceanviewrestaurant.com
At this oceanfront staple, expect a large menu, full of classic diner food that’s reasonably priced. Locals frequent it, and you know that is always a good sign.
B, L, D
$9-$30 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
BYOB
NO
YES
X E +
SYMBOLS KEY
X Onsite parking
E Handicap accessible EXIT ZERO
30
JUNE
+
Takeout available
2016
U Dog-friendly patio
EXIT ZERO
31
JUNE
2016
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
NO
YES
X E + U
ON THE ROCKS Cape May – Lewes Ferry, 1200 Lincoln Boulevard, North Cape May, 1-800-64FERRY
Casual waterfront dining watching the ferry and other vessels transit the Cape May Canal to and from the Delaware Bay. There is a very cool vibe at the outdoor bar.
B, L, D
$4-$10 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
ORIGINAL FUDGE KITCHEN Washington Street Mall Promenade, Cape May 800-23-FUDGE, fudgekitchens.com
It’s family-owned and operated, and you can tell. The service AND the fudge are exceptional. And their saltwater taffy? It’s the perfect seashore treat.
Treats
$3-$15 V, MC, AE, D
N/A
NO
YES
E +
OYSTER BAY 615 Lafayette Street (609) 884-2111 www.oysterbayrestaurantnj.com
A lovely dining room, a buzzy separate bar, a new bar menu, great martinis and classic, generous dishes. Check out their happy hour from 4-6:30pm.
D
$12-$29 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
BAR
YES
YES
X E +
PETER SHIELDS INN 1301 Beach Avenue, Cape May (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. A classy eating experience.
D
$22-$39 Cards: V, MC, D
BYOB
NO
NO
+
THE RED STORE 500 Cape Avenue, Cape May Point (609) 884-5757
Awesome food in a secluded, serene setting. Join them for a scrumptious breakfast, grab a coffee and muffin, or relax on the porch with a delicious lunch.
B, L, D
$5-$35 Cash Only
BYOB
NO
YES
X E +
RIO STATION 3505 Route 9 South Rio Grande (609) 889-2000
With a new menu, Rio Station offers steaks, local seafood, creative salads, vegetarian options and an award-winning wine list. Plus 14 beers on tap, including local crafts.
B, L, D
$13-$29 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
BAR
YES
YES
X E +
RUSTY NAIL 205 Beach Avenue, Cape May (609) 884-0017 www.caperesorts.com/rusty-nail
Coldest beer and coolest vibe in town. The iconic Rusty Nail is the place to be for a uniquely Cape May experience. And they even have non-alcoholic brew for dogs!
B, L, D
$10-$19 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
BAR
NO
YES
X E + U
SALT WATER CAFE 1231 Route 109, Cape May (609) 884-2403 www.saltwatercafecapemay.com
A fun new addition to the Cape May food scene. The harbor setting is mighty fine, and so is the food, which is freshly prepared. The soups are simply superb.
B, L, D
$6-$12 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
BYOB
N/A
YES
X E + U
SEASALT 1035 Beach Avenue, Cape May (609) 884-7000 www.seasaltcapemay.com
Black wood and granite tables, mother-ofpearl barfront, river rock decor... the vibe is as cool as the food is delicious. Reserve the chef’s intimate private table for up to 14.
B, L, D
$8-$20 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
BAR
YES
YES
X E +
SEASIDE CHEESE COMPANY 110 Park Boulevard (609) 884-8700 www.seasidecheesecapemay.com
A short walk from downtown Cape May, Seaside Cheese continues to delight with gourmet treats. And now you can also eat at in, courtesy of Café Fromage.
L, D
$4-$12 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
N/A
N/A
YES
X E +
STAR COFFEE SHOP 29 Perry Street, Cape May 800-297-3779 www.caperesorts.com/thestar
It’s important to get your coffee from people who understand how important quality coffee is. The Star is that place. Also features excellent pastries and treats.
B, Café
$1-$7 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
NO
NO
YES
+ U
SUNSET LIQUORS 106 Sunset Boulevard, West Cape May (609) 435-5052
Conveniently located on Sunset Boulevard, this friendly place offers spirits, wines, beers, ice and snacks — and some of the coolest light fittings you ever saw.
Liquor Store
Cards: V, MC, AE, D
N/A
N/A
NO
X E
SYMBOLS KEY
X Onsite parking
E Handicap accessible EXIT ZERO
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Takeout available
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“2015 Most Romantic Restaurants in America” - Open Table Diners’ Choice Hours of Operation April - December Open 7 nights January February Thursday thru Sunday March Thursday thru Monday
$40 Early Dinner Prix Fixe
Sunday thru Friday 5:30-6:300pm offseason 5:00-6:00pm inseason (Except holiday weekends/ no Saturdays)
Restaurant Week... June 5-12 $35 three course dinner
Mother’s Day Brunch Sunday, May 8 from 10am-3pm $40 adult / $25 child
Weddings Rehearsals Bridal Showers
Live Piano Saturday & Sunday Simple... Sustainable... Seasonal Award-Winning Cuisine in a Beautiful Beachfront Mansion
1301 Beach Avenue, Cape May EXIT ZERO
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petershieldsinn.com
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
BYOB
YES
YES
E U
TISHA’S 322 Washington Street Mall Cape May (609) 884-9119
A hot spot on the Washington Street Mall, where they serve up irresistible concoctions for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A great people-watching spot, too.
L, D
$18-$35 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
TOMMY’S FOLLY COFFEE 251 Beach Avenue, Cape May (609) 884-6522 www.caperesorts.com
Situated in the lobby of Congress Hall, this shop has great coffee and to-go breakfast goodies, as well as healthy and tasty lunch wraps, plus soups, shakes and more.
B, Café
$1-$7 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
NO
NO
YES
XE + U
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, and 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
X E
TWO MILE INN/CRAB HOUSE Two Mile Landing, Ocean Drive (609) 522-1341 www.twomilelanding.com
Good food with some seriously good views of the back bays. There are actually two restaurants to choose from here. What’s not to love?
D
$12-$35 Cards: V, MC, AE
BAR
NO
YES
X E +
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
E +
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 overlooking the Atlantic.
B, L
$4-$9 Cash Only
BYOB
NO
YES
X E +
UNION PARK Beach Avenue & Howard (609) 884-8811 www.unionparkdiningroom.com
Exquisite dining in a classic old hotel, where both the decor and the food are inspired. Voted one of the best restaurants in the state by New Jersey Monthly magazine.
D
$18-$35 Cards: V, MC, AE
BYOB
YES
YES
X E +
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. The kids will love it. Excellent pasta dishes, and they’ve recently expanded their pizzeria.
L, D
$8-$20 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
BYOB
YES
YES
X E +
WASHINGTON INN 801 Washington, Cape May (609) 884-5697 www.washingtoninn.com
Superb gourmet food, and a cool but cozy bar. Check out an amazing wine list of over 10,000 bottles; they’ve got the largest wine cellar in South Jersey.
D
$18-$34 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
BAR
YES
YES
X E +
THE WINE CELLAR Beach Avenue and Madison Cape May (609) 884-6114
The Montreal Resort’s liquor store is stacked with classics and new favorites. Grab a bottle of your favorite vino on your way to a BYOB, or stock up for a party.
N/A
$5-$25 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
Liquor Store
NO
NO
X E
YOZU 3845 Bayshore, North Cape May (609) 898-8888 www.yozusushihibachi.com
Offers a wide array of Japanese dishes, such as hibachi steak, chicken teriyaki, vegetable tempura, harumaki, seafood udon, California roll and squid sashimi.
L, D
$5-$25 Cards: V, MC, AE, D
BYOB
YES
YES
X E +
ZOE’S CAPE CAFÉ 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
E +U
SYMBOLS KEY
X Onsite parking
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Takeout available
2016
U Dog-friendly patio
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CAPE MAY CULTURE Victor Grasso Brings the Art Giants to Town A Victor Grasso solo show in Cape May is always a reason for great anticipation and celebration. The brilliant artist has annually caused a cultural sensation with his show at SOMA NewArt Gallery in his adopted hometown (he’s actually a Sea Isle lad by birth). But on June 4, the great Grasso is bringing an even headier display to the people of Cape May... he’s assembled some of his favorite artists in the country for a lineup that’s likely never been seen in America’s Original Seaside Resort. “This is a phenomenal opportunity for Cape May residents and visitors to view work by some of America’s finest contemporary artists,” says SOMA owner Janet Miller. This is a Major League lineup that includes Shepard Fairey, who shot to fame with his Andre the Giant street art and designed the instantly iconic Hope posters during Barack Obama’s first successful presidential campaign, and Bo Bartlett, one of the great American realists working today. It says a lot of Victor’s work that artists of this caliber agreed to be part of the show, which he is calling “Brine.” During a year in which Wynton Marsalis, perhaps the world’s greatest living jazz musician, returns to town for the Exit Zero Jazz Festival, this is wonderful stuff. “I’ve been wanting to put together a world-class art exhibition to Cape May for a while, though I never knew how or when it would happen,” says Victor. “Over the last few years I’ve met and made friends with some exemplary artists, so when I asked them to participate in a group exhibit at SOMA, well, they all answered with a “Yes!” The mission of “Brine,” says Victor, is “to bring a massive jolt of art and culture to Southern New Jersey and give everyone a chance to see these outstanding works of art. I couldn’t be more humbled, pleased and honored.” Since he’s the man who assembled this awesome lineup, we asked Victor to talk us through his selections... Bo Bartlett: One of my all-time art heroes. There’s so much to say and I don’t have the words. He is world class, one of the most accomplished contemporary realist painters alive. I had the pleasure of painting with Bo for three days last year and he blew my mind. His work is in the collection of many museums and his activism is non-stop, vying for humanitarianism and the arts. He’s also an accomplished filmmaker, making Snow Hill about the life of Andrew Wyeth, whom he became close friends with. Having
Victor Grasso will be showing this amazing work, titled “The Naturalist”, at the June 4 show he is curating at SOMA NewArt Gallery.
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Bo in this exhibit is a check off the bucket list. Shephard Fairey: I He’s one of the most recognizable, influential and prolific contemporary street artists and designers ever. And talk about activism, he rules the roost; it’s what his art is about. I love his work, his aesthetics and boldness. He brought street art to the gallery scene and kills it wherever in the world he’s making art. Graeme Cameron: Graeme and I have sparked up a friendship based on art and badassery. He is the creator and head honcho of Base Camp X. They make axes, as well as other sharp things made for outdoor destruction. A true woodsman, he built his log cabin by hand in the great white north where he makes his tools by hand. The thing that makes him such a standout is that he infuses his axes with aesthetics that make them worthy of wall hanging, yet you can still fell a tree to the ground. His art is a seamless mix
Re-Crafting a Cape May Tradition.
Fresh New Look for 2016! Open Air Dining Room & Al Fresco Patio Expansive Indoor/Outdoor Bar Preparing Fresh Cocktails, Specialty Brews & Wines Casual Contemporary Seaside Ambiance Serving Classic American Cuisine Rooftop Bar & Lounge with Live Music & Stunning Ocean Views The Wine Cellar at Harry’s - Cape May’s Only Oceanfront Wine & Liquor Shop
B E ACH AT M AD I S O N AVE NUE , CAPE M AY, NJ ( 6 0 9 ) 88-HARRY • HARRYS CAPE M AY.CO M
CAPE MAY CULTURE of form and function. Adam Wallacavage: We’ve become good friends over the last few years and every time we hang I learn something new and exciting about everything. Adam is a standout; nobody does anything close to what he does. Chandeliers that look like octopi dangling from the ceiling — he’s amazing. Everything Adam does is art; his house is an ever-evolving artatorium. He’s one of the grooviest guys I know. Danny Galieote: Danny’s a rad painter who’s got this awesome 1940s thing happening in all his paintings. I showed with him at Baker + Hesseldenz in Tucson, AZ last year and Arcadia Gallery in NY two years ago. When I saw his work in person I knew I wanted it to be seen here. He tells these comical noirish stories in his work that is so delightful and devious. He used to work as a Disney animator. I think Cape May is going to love his work. Ali Cavanaugh: Her watercolor paintings are like no other. I’m blown away. Her work is so haunting and luminous you just can’t stop looking at them, like, ever. She’s internationally represented and been in many major publications like Time and The New York Times. She’s one of those artists that I wish I painted like— I’m in awe of her work. Kris Lewis: Kris and I sparked up a friendship a year or two ago through the wonderful girls at Parlor Gallery in Asbury Park when we showed together. His portraits are an all-together different breed. Super realistic, edgy and oddball — my favorite combination. I can’t wait for him to show in Cape May — he loves the town and being a New Jersey native he just puts the icing on the cake. Steve Gibson: Steve and I have been friends since high school. He’s one of the first people who inspired me to paint; he introduced me to Dali, something I’ll never forget. Steve is one of those artists who are obsessed with process, which makes for some of the most imaginative ways of applying paint and he pushes the boundaries of what you paint on. His company specializes in painting automotives in a traditional painting manner. I’ve never seen anyone do what he can do with metal. Greg Bennett: I’ve known Greg for a while now and think his contribution in painting to the area is invaluable. There aren’t many artists who capture Southern New Jersey like Greg with his creamy brushstrokes and desaturated palette. Frank Weiss: Frank is the only photographer in the exhibit. At the ripe old age of 30 he’s shot documentaries featured at the Tribeca Film Festival, photojournalistic portraits in the Middle East, and short films on artists, musicians and humanitarianism. Frank Kallop: Frank is a great painter from the New York Academy School. I really dig his traditional
California-based artist Shepard Fairey rose to fame with his Andre the Giant posters in the 1990s. He later designed the iconic Hope poster that became the symbol of Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign. On June 4, he’ll be showing two works at SOMA NewArt Gallery, including “Unsinkable Consumption”, above.
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work but his art doesn’t stop there, which I think makes him special. Frank is always experimenting with subject and paint application so his work spans from portraits to abstract. He’s dark and exciting and that fits right into my world. Stan Sperlak: Stan is the face of art in Cape May. He has created a style all his own, painting landscapes in pastels through monumental form and color. You know when you see a Sperlak and it hits you right in the face. Stan can explode with color or put a spell on you with muted gray — it’s a lot more than a landscape. His work is a complete piece with emotion, history and environment rolled into one. It was important for me to include artists from Southern New Jersey and when you think of who those are, Stan is always number one. SOMA NewArt Gallery is located in Carpenter’s Square Mall, Cape May — somagallery.net for more information.
a cape may moment
Megan Leigh Kearney and Ryan Herting were engaged at Cape May Point on May 7 and had a party at the Virginia. Aleksey Moryakov
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a cape may moment
Gearing up for the season... some of the girls at Uncle Billl’s Pancake House on Beach Avenue. Aleksey Moryakov
Presenting... a spectacular harbor setting for your special event
CORINTHIAN YACHT CLUB of CAPE MAY
Our traditional clubhouse, gorgeous sunset views and exceptional cuisine lend a memorable, distinctive touch to any gathering. Relax around our new firepit before and after!
1819 DELAWARE AVENUE, CAPE MAY (609) 884-8000 • cyccm.com and capemaybeachwedding.com
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Curry! FINALLY... Indian food in Cape May!
in Cape May
Plus some fun American dishes!
109 Boulevard 109 Sunset Sunset Boulevard
ACROSS FROM THE GAS STATION ACROSS FROM THE GAS STATION
609-305-5203 ezcookhouse.com To-go available 609-305-5203 ezcookhouse.com To-go available RESERVATIONS FOR PARTIES OFEXIT SIX -PLUS ZERO 41ONLY JUNE 2016PS: WE HAVE A LOVELY DECK! RESERVATIONS FOR PARTIES OF SIX-PLUS ONLY PS: WE HAVE A LOVELY DECK!
CAPE MAY CULTURE
Anthony Simone, Justin Pietropaolo and Jesse Holmes in an early rehearsal for Cape May Stage’s The Whipping Man. Aleksey Moryakov
A Tale of Slavery, Freedom and Passover Cape May Stage opens its season with the poignant Civil War tale, The Whipping Man, which runs through June 24. The Civil War is over and Caleb Deleon, a Jewish Confederate officer, is home in Richmond, Virginia after being severely wounded. His two former slaves care for him on the last night of Passover, the ancient celebration of the freeing of the Hebrew slaves from Egypt, noting with particular satisfaction the parallels to their current situation. But the pain of their enslavement will not be soothed by this tradition, and deeply buried secrets from the past refuse to be hidden as the play comes to its shocking climax. “It investigates the meaning of freedom, so it’s the perfect play to launch our 2016 season,” says Roy Steinberg, Cape May Stage artistic director. “We have a presidential election where freedom is at the heart of the debate, and the Black Lives movement is part of a national dialogue as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the beginning of Reconstruction after the Civil War. The freeing of the slaves is where this play begins but with freedom comes responsibility and I aspire to make our audience talk about freedom in 2016 as our nation has important choices to make about our future. We have assembled the perfect cast and design team to tell this story and start that conversation.” Roy says he was surprised to discover that there were Jewish Confederate soldiers. “Celebrating Passover with people who you owned is mind boggling. I could not put the script down once I picked it up.” For more information, visit capemaystage.com or call the box office on 609-770-8311.
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500 FEET OF WATERFRONT DINING!
Open daily from 11:30AM
All-You-Can-Eat Blue Claw Crabs!
WHEN AVAILABLE
Try our famous Orange Crush!
FRESH LOCAL SEAFOOD
CRABBY HOUR 2-5PM
PLUS: Amazing Burger & Taco Boards! 12 Draft Beers & A Large Bottled List
At the bar only from 2-5PM daily $1 off all drinks & $5 food menu! Check website for our live music
Try our new craft list this season!
1 FISH DOCK ROAD, WILDWOOD CREST BASE OF WILDWOOD CREST BRIDGE 609-522-1341 • twomilelanding.com EXIT ZERO
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CAPE MAY CULTURE A Fine Romance East Lynne Theater Company presents the New Jersey premiere of Rodgers’ Romance, opening on June 15 and running through July 23. The show is directed by David-Michael Kenney, who first created this musical event for Sellersville Theatre, Pennsylvania, in 2004. Four singers present 24 songs by American greats Rodgers and Hart and Rodgers and Hammerstein, accompanied by musical director Charles Gilbert. Since the show harks back to a time before microphones, none will be used in this production, allowing the singers’ voices to be heard naturally — which will work well with the excellent acoustics of ELTC’s performance space, in the First Presbyterian Church on Hughes Street. This musical revue is also a trivia competition, with the winner of each night’s performance receiving a gift certificate to a local business. There’s an after-show opening party at the Washington Inn on June 15. For The work of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart will be celebrated in Rodgers’ Romance.
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more information, visit eastlynnetheater.org.
a cape may moment
A Kentucky Derby party was held at Corinthian Yacht Club of Cape May. Aleksey Moryakov
A cool, relaxed setting in a tin-roofed Victorian. A warm welcome and contemporary coastal cuisine. A quaint byob with parking.
LITTLE ITALY II RISTORANTE
We accept reservations.
Home-cooked food that will satisfy you, your family, AND your wallet.
Open Thursday through rough Monday. Catering available.
CHEF l S DINNER CLUB SERIES A SEASON-FOCUSED CULINARY EXPERIENCE with CHEF JOSHUA DAY Please call to reserve
311 MANSION STREET Behind Colliers Liquor Store 609-884-0200 islandgrillofcapemay.com FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM
PIZZA PIZ ZA • VONG V NGO OLE ALLA OLE OL A CA CAS ASINO • PEN NNE N ALL ALLA GIOVANN G NI SHR H IM HR IMP M FR FRA A DIAV IIA AVOLO OL • FLO LOUND UND N ER ME EDIT EDITE ED TE T ERRA RRA RR RANEA R EA AN VEA EAL L ALL LLA VI VINC NCE CENZO NZ • CHI NZ C CKE CK N SALT TIMB BOCCA A ALLA LLA RO ROMAN MANA
3704 BAYSHORE ROAD, NORTH CAPE MAY (Cape Plaza Shopping Center) • 889-6610
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Congress Hall, America’s oldest seaside hotel, is celebrating a special birthday. Read about its fascinating early years in this excerpt from the new edition of Tommy’s Folly.
This Th is illllus ustr us sttrrattio ion, n, bel e ie i ve ed to t be th he ea earl r ie rl estt ex e xiisstiingg ima m ge g of Co Cong nggre ress ss Hal all,l,l, is fr f om 183 38. 8
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T
hese were most likely the words that started it all for Cape May: “The situation is beautiful, just on the confluence of Delaware Bay with the ocean in sight of the lighthouse, and affords a view of shipping which enters and leaves the Delaware. Carriages may be driven along the margin of the ocean for miles; and the wheels will scarcely make any impression upon the sand, the slope of the shore is so regular that persons may wade out a great distance. It is the most beautiful spot that citizens can retire to in the hot season.” So stated an advertisement placed by Ellis Hughes, a Cape May innkeeper, in the Philadelphia Aurora and General Advertiser in 1801. And Hughes’ words had the desired effect. Soon, the wealthier folks in America’s first capital city were heading for Cape May in horse-drawn carriages and, later, stagecoaches — a two-day trip through the sandy roads of southern New Jersey. The first sloops from the city (also a two-day trip) began arriving around 1815, to be followed by schooners and steamboats. It’s to these visionary travelers that Cape May owes its proud status as the country’s first seaside resort. The Philadelphians were, in fact, among the first people in the world to recognize the benefit of a vacation by the sea. The concept had been invented, along with many other of the best things in life, by the Romans. They built large seaside villas in the town of Herculaneum, where they would retreat to escape the intense heat of Naples. However, Herculaneum’s reign as the world’s first resort ended abruptly in 79 AD when it was buried, along with its neighbor Pompeii, in the EXIT ZERO
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Victorians took to the ocean in Cape May for its supposedly restorative qualities, though the idea of a swimsuit took quite a long time to catch on.
eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Remarkably, the idea of taking a seaside vacation apparently never re-emerged until the mid–1600s, when the British started bathing in the North Sea town of Scarborough and later in the southern resort of Brighton, across the English Channel from France. As for Cape May, its ocean breezes, soothing waters and magnificent beaches also began to attract visitors from Maryland, Delaware, Washington DC and New York. This surge in demand was outstripping the facilities, a fact not lost on Jonas Miller, who in 1812, the year of the second war with Great Britain, erected a small boarding house 100 yards from the ocean and just over a block west of Jackson Street, then the town’s main thoroughfare. Four years later Miller’s building was replaced by another, larger construction, under the ownership of Ellis Hughes’ son, Thomas, a popular and commanding figure in town who was sheriff, then assemblyman, before being elected to Congress from 1829–33. Hughes’ place accommodated 100 guests, making it one of the largest hotels in America, as well as the first to be built by the shore. By today’s standards it was more of a boarding house than a hotel, boasting very few home comforts. “The building was one hundred feet long and thirty five feet wide, with not a square inch JUNE
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of plaster on its walls and not an ounce of paint upon its boards. You would hardly call it much of a hotel — much of a palace,” one elderly native later recounted to the Cape May Ocean Wave. The rooms were significantly smaller than you find in today’s hotel rooms (though you will find some exceptions to that rule in the middle of Manhattan), while some of the guests slept in common dormitory-type areas. There were not many townspeople who thought that Hughes was on to a good thing. In fact, what was officially called Hughes’ or the Big House was dubbed by locals as Tommy’s Folly. No one thought that this building would work. Except Hughes. The tourists kept on coming, to stroll along the wide, golden strand. They were covered to their necks in cotton and wool, yet went wading into the salt water to take advantage of what was believed to be its recuperative powers. Hughes’ gamble was looking like an inspired piece of business. In 1818, calamity struck when the hotel was destroyed by fire, a fate which would curse this beachfront site for decades to come. But Hughes quickly rebuilt, even bigger than before. More trouble came in September of 1821 when a storm blew the roof off and left the “frame considerably injured,” according to New York’s Spectator newspaper. In 1826, Hughes and his wife Leydia sold the hotel for $3,000 to Samuel Richards, who, two years later, gave it the name Congress Hall in honor of Hughes’ ascension to the House of Representatives. In 1835, Richards made a tidy profit when he sold the hotel to Jonas Miller, the man who had first broken ground on the site in 1812, for $25,000. EXIT ZERO
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Jonas Miller, left, built the first hotel on the Congress Hall site, later bought the rebuilt hotel from Thomas Hughes, and then sold it to his son Waters, right.
Congress Hall continued to flourish and in 1851 Miller sold the hotel for $42,000 to his son, Waters Burrows Miller. During his ownership the younger Miller made his mark on the hotel. In 1853, a gas line was installed for the first time. But that was just a preamble to the main event — in 1854, Miller added a 300-foot and a 200-foot wing in an L-shape that dwarfed the 1818 building, which remained, squeezed between the new additions. The additions increased capacity to 800 guests and incorporated the tall columns that gave Congress Hall the style of a Southern plantation, a look for which the hotel remains famous. Miller also built bath houses on the beach and a pavilion on the huge grassy lawn to accommodate a band. Apparently, Miller was a man who cared about the details. While overseeing major construction, he was also paying close attention to the food that was being served at the hotel. In July of 1855, the Baltimore Sun raved about Congress Hall’s menu, noting that Miller had his own farm which supplied the hotel. (Today, much of the hotel’s produce comes from a farm in West Cape May owned by Congress Hall’s managing partner, Curtis Bashaw.) Wrote the Sun correspondent: “We have a most excellent table, supplied with everything the Philadelphia market affords, in addition to the products of a farm belonging to the proprietor, W. B. JUNE
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Miller, in the immediate vicinity, which furnishes us with a profusion of the finest fresh vegetables, an advantage we enjoy over all the other hotels on the island. We had a great treat a few days since, in the shape of a splendid silver salmon, weighing sixty pounds, which was caught near the steamboat landing.” In an advertisement announcing the 1855 season, Miller wrote that the hotel boasted “a dining hall unsurpassed by any in the United States.” That year, one of the hotel’s guests was President Franklin Pierce, who became the first of four incumbent US presidents to enjoy the hospitality of Congress Hall. On June 29, 1855 the Baltimore Sun reported that Pierce arrived in Cape May to take part in the Fourth of July celebrations: “President Pierce and his lady arrived here this afternoon and took apartments at Congress Hall. The weather is delightful, and there is every prospect of a brilliant season.” On Friday, July 6 the Evening Star of Washington, DC described the afternoon of July 4 at Congress Hall. After the Declaration of Independence was read by William Bigler, Governor of Pennsylvania, President Pierce was introduced to the crowd. “The President rose, expressed his surprise at being called upon to speak under the circumstances, spoke briefly of the American Union, its origin in the Revolution, the humble part which his ancestors had taken in securing the independence which they were celebrating; alluded to the value of the Union, the importance of preserving it, his determination to maintain it, and enforce all the laws essential to preservation, and took his seat amid general applause.” The weather may have been delightful that day, but that wouldn’t be the best word to describe the life of the Pierce family. Indeed, Pierce is generally known as “the saddest president,” a man who battled tragedy and alcoholism for much of his life. EXIT ZERO
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The smaller building in the center of this picture is the second Congress Hall, built in 1818 after a fire destroyed the original 1816 structure. It is nearly identical to the first hotel in style, though slightly larger. The huge building next to it is the first of two additions that were made by Waters B. Miller. A smaller, one-story wing was also built perpendicular to the rest of the hotel, along Perry Street.
The Pierces’ first son lived just three days. Their second died of typhus at the age of four. The death of Benny, the youngest, was shocking. Franklin, much to the disapproval of his wife Jane, had recently won the presidential election and was three months from inauguration as the nation’s 14th president. In January of 1853, the family took a train home from a family funeral in Andover, Massachusetts. Two miles into the journey, the train derailed — Franklin grabbed Jane, but he couldn’t reach Benny, who was thrown to the other end of the carriage as the train lurched down a 15-foot embankment. The couple found their son in the rubble, dead from a devastating head injury. Already a chronically sick and desperately unhappy woman, Jane fell into a deep depression. She took to composing letters to Benny from her room upstairs in the White House. Tragedy seemed to hover over the Pierces. A grief-stricken Jane asked Abigail Fillmore, the outgoing First Lady, to replace her at Pierce’s inauguration. Fillmore did so, caught a fever the next day and succumbed to pneumonia. A couple weeks later, Pierce’s vice president, William King, died of tuberculosis. Pierce never returned to Congress Hall, but the hotel’s reputation continued to soar. Back in those heady days of the 1850s, Congress Hall was no longer simply the pride of Cape May, America’s first seaside resort town. It was now regarded as one of JUNE
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This view of the previous Congress Hall shows both the wings that were added to the 1818 structure, by Waters B. Miller, in 1854. At that point, the main area of the hotel was still across from the ocean and the Perry Street addition held dining facilities, the hotel office, and quarters for the proprietor.
Celebrating Our 45th Year! A CAPE MAY TRADITION
THE ORIGINAL FUDGE KITCHEN 728 Beach Avenue & 513 Washington Street Mall 800-23-Fudge • fudgekitchens.com • We ship anywhere! EXIT ZERO
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the finest hotels in all of America, where the wealthy industrialists from the North would mix with the gentlemen plantation owners from the South. Pre-Civil War, Cape May was the playground of America’s elite. During that period, and including the hectic weeks following the Rebellion, “Cape May was visited by a greater number of nationally prominent Americans and distinguished foreign visitors than any other city in the country, the metropolis of New York and Washington, DC, alone excepted,” declared A Book of Cape May, published by the Star and Wave newspaper in 1937. The perceived healing powers of sea water and the town’s incomparable beach, cooling summer breezes and world-class hotels made the town irresistible for those who could afford to make the journey in comfort. Pierce presumably spoke highly of the hotel to his Minister for Great Britain, James Buchanan, who followed him into the White House and, subsequently, into Congress Hall’s guest book. Buchanan, who became the 15th President of the United States in 1857, stayed at Congress Hall for a few days in the summer of 1858. Buchanan, however, presumably preferred the woods to the beach — he summered each year of his presidency at what is now the Bedford Springs Resort, in western Pennsylvania, near Buchanan State Forest, which was named for him. Buchanan, a lawyer by profession, was the only president who never married. He had been engaged to a woman once, in 1819 — but after a fight between the couple, she called off the engagement. She died later that year in what some have said was a suicide. Buchanan had a ward named Harriet Lane who served as his First
Lady while he was in office. Although he would later support President Abraham Lincoln, Buchanan believed in a state’s rights to secede and in the constitutional right to have slaves. He also, however, did not want to see slavery expand and used the US Navy to enforce the ban on slave trade from Africa. He was president in 1859 when abolitionist John Brown led a raid to seize the armory in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, with the goal of provoking an uprising that would eventually lead to a war against slavery. Buchanan sent the US Marines and Robert E. Lee to capture the raiders — Brown was hanged for murder, treason, and conspiring with slaves. It would be two decades before another American president would visit Congress Hall. As with the rest of the country, Cape May was about to experience the turbulence wrought by Civil War. “Affairs are in a dark state in this city,” wrote the Washington correspondent of the Wave on December 22, 1861. “It is feared that no compromise can be made between the antagonistic parties. The southern fire-eaters inform us they intend to capture Washington on or before the 4th of March.” Although New Jersey was one of the last northern states to permit slavery, Cape May vigorously supported the Union at a mass meeting at city hall on December 27 of that year, after which guns were fired in the streets to celebrate the event. On March 2, 1862, the rebel flag that had been adopted by South Carolina — a palmetto tree and a single red star — was seen flying from the lofty flag pole on Congress Hall’s lawn. It was taken down and burned in front of the post office that night.
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In 1855, Franklin Pierce, a former brigadier general during the Mexican-American War, became the first of four US presidents to stay at Congress Hall. The hotel had only recently been expanded by then owner Waters B. Miller, who added two large wings on to the building that had been built in 1818. Although Handsome Frank, as President Pierce was known, was a charismatic presence, he was an ineffective president and an unhappy man whose heavy drinking would claim his life in 1869, at the age of 64.
President James Buchanan stayed at Congress Hall in 1858. Although he apparently much preferred the woods to the beach (he summered each year at a hotel near what later became Buchanan State Forest in Western Pennsylvania) he did return to Cape May in 1867. In a letter to his niece that August, he said, “I have been much pleased with my visit here, and have, I think, been strengthened, but much more by the sea air than the bathing. I am not quite certain that the latter agrees with me. We have had a great crowd all the time; but the weather has been charming and the company agreeable.”
The war years were hard on Cape May — the southern visitors disappeared and it would be years before they would return. One man who suffered badly was Richard R. Thompson, proprietor of Congress Hall in the early 1860s. (In Victorian times, the owner of a hotel would often regard the business as an investment, and would lease it to a proprietor, who would appoint his own managers and staff to run the business.) In Thompson’s obituary, which appeared in the Wave of January 26, 1878, the paper wrote that his connection with the hotel “being at the time of the breaking out of the war, resulted in financial disaster, leaving him stripped of the savings of many years.” After the summer season of 1863, midway through the Civil War, Waters Miller sold Congress Hall to Jacob Cake for $120,000. Although that was more than double the price he had paid 12 years before, it’s difficult to believe Miller was left with any profit, con-
sidering the substantial additions he made in 1854. Miller, like Thomas Hughes before him, went on to become one of Cape May’s most prominent citizens. He was twice mayor, in 1869 and in 1873, and was twice elected a state senator from 1880 to 1885. He also played a major role in bringing the Cape May & Millville Railroad to town, mortgaging much of his property to help finance it. When the railroad took a dive, so, too, did Miller’s financial standing. When he died in 1892, aged 68, he was not a wealthy man. Cake’s dealings with the Millers were not limited to financial business — he married Water’s sister, Pauline (their son, Horace, went on to manage the hotel in 1905). By 1869, Cape May was buzzing again and according to the local newspapers, that summer season was the most profitable on record. The Evening Telegraph in Philadelphia had this to say about Congress Hall on May 31 of
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that year: “Everybody has visited Congress Hall, on Cape Island — everybody has eaten, drank, or danced there — consequently everybody is interested to all that relates to the place. Well, tomorrow the Hall opens for the season and, of course, still continues under the management of Mr J. F. Cake, the mention of whose name is a sufficient augury of comfort and pleasure to the guests.” But as well as the 1869 season began for Cape May, it ended very badly. On the last night of August, a fire broke out in a store on Washington Street and wiped out all but one of the hotels between Ocean and Jackson. Congress Hall, one block to the west, was spared. Next time, it wouldn’t be so lucky. Presumably emboldened by the success of the 1869 season and maybe sensing the opportunity to steal a march on the hotels which had been wiped out by the fire, Cake decided to make his own mark on Congress Hall. In time for the 1870 season he added a huge wing running toward the beach, demolishing the 1818 building in the process, at a cost of $250,000. This was Congress Hall at its largest and mightiest. This is how the Evening Telegraph described Cake’s improvements... “The whole building has been renovated, improved and refurnished in first-class style. The main entrance is twenty-five feet in height on the ground floor, supported in front by beautiful colonnades. This portion of the building will be brilliantly lighted with gas reflected from chandeliers and hanging globes. The new parlors will each have a 16-light chandelier and the dining room will be radiant with mellow light. Gas will be in every room in the
house and to secure a certain supply, new gas works have been constructed with a sufficient capacity to meet any emergency. “The interior arrangements of the house are excellent, and the guests can enjoy the most luxurious comfort. The ocean view is magnificent and unobstructed. On the side facing the ocean the new wing is provided with separate balconies from each room... a fine, open balcony extends the full length of the parlors, affording a delightful view of the ocean and bathing grounds. “The piazzas around the entire building are twenty-five feet in width and directly front the lawn and the ocean. “The furniture in the main parlor is of the rich Pompadour style and alone cost over $5,000. The music parlor is equally grand. There are also 10 etageres, or hall pieces, made of French walnut. The parlors are covered with rich Axminster carpets. In all these improvements Mr J. F. Cake, the proprietor, has displayed fine taste, great enterprise and liberality.” It was this magnificent building that President Ulysses Grant visited on July 13, 1875. But, as the Baltimore Sun reported, a misunderstanding prevented him from receiving his proper salute from Congress Hall pier. “The reception of his excellence, President Grant, was not so enthusiastic and brilliant as was due to so august a personage, from an unfortunate occurrence which, so to speak, quite took the wind out of his sails,” reported the Sun. As President Grant and “his distinguished party” were setting sail from the Navy Yard in Philadelphia at 6pm on a Saturday evening, an old government tug that had been chartered for the use of
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This is the rarely seen Perry Street entrance to Congress Hall, added when Jacob F. Cake enlarged the hotel in 1870. Unlike today's Congress Hall, the original hotel’s front door was facing the beach. The north side of the building was blocked by stables, employee quarters and other outbuildings, so the only street entrance was on Perry.
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President Ulysses Grant stayed at Congress Hall in July 1875, though his arrival at the hotel was undermined when the hotel set off a five-gun salute... to the boat that arrived at the hotel pier just BEFORE President Grant’s presidential cutter.
Clearly, breakfast was a meal taken quite seriously at Congress Hall in the 1850s. Owner Waters B. Miller supplied the hotel with produce from his local farm, an act that would be replicated around 160 years later by Congress Hall’s current ownership.
Congress Hall left at the same time, arriving in Cape May, at the hotel’s pier, just ahead of Grant’s party. Sadly for the presidential party, and Congress Hall management, the hotel’s five-gun salute was wasted on the rather surprised occupants of the old tug who, unsure of how to respond to the salute, had the boat’s engineer respond with a blow from his steam whistle. “Suddenly the expectant crowd waiting for the return were greeted with a most unearthly steam screech, which drove half of them away, and quite disgusted all,” wrote the Sun. “As the mistake become apparent, the [presidential] cutter hove in sight, but alas, the cartridges were all out and the party robbed of its honors landed without even trumpet, drum, or fife, and came quietly to the hotel.” This low-key arrival in Cape May was, opined the Sun, a harbinger of more to come. “It can hardly be said that General Grant is here incognito, but one really might think so, from the very little notice of him, or from the figure that he makes. He has less of that ‘majesty which doth hedge a king’ than one could or would expect from a man in a position which should be so exalted. The suit of
dingy black has decidedly a slop-shop hang about it; his hat has seen better days. If any one still thinks that General Grant is going for the race for the third term, one has only to see him now to be convinced that no man was ever more thoroughly out of training. Beyond the gentlemen he brought with him, he seems to have a very small following. He excites no enthusiasm.” During Grant’s visit he met with local councilmen — except he didn’t, according to a story reported in the Junction City Daily Union of Kansas City, Missouri. The mayor of Cape May at the time was Waters B. Miller, who was apparently not enthused by the idea of his “common councilmen” meeting President Grant. According to the paper, “They would have to abandon their boots with their pantaloons tucked inside of them, their blue shirts for boiled shirts, and old caps for high hats. Miller, knowing the opposition which would be put up by the local city fathers, picked out among his patrons at the Congress hotel nine best-dressed men to pass them off as the city council of Cape May... While Grant congratulated them upon their fine appearance, it was believed that he saw the joke, but
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never gave the least intimation that he was being deceived as to the resort’s government.” After leaving office in 1877 and going on a highly praised, twoyear world tour, Grant actually did try for a third term, but failed to secure the Republican nomination in 1880. In order to help pay off crippling debts, Grant completed an acclaimed memoir (with the help of his friend Mark Twain) a month before dying of throat cancer in 1885 at the age of 63. Debts would also be the undoing of Jacob Cake’s Congress Hall dream. By 1876 it became clear that his huge investment hadn’t paid off. According to an article in the Cape May Wave he had liabilities of $687,000 and in 1878 the hotel passed into the hands of Richard J. Dobbins, a Philadelphia businessman, who bought Congress Hall for $66,000 at a public auction. He later paid another $24,000 for the furniture and set about getting the hotel ready for the 1878 season, which would prove to be not only one of the greatest on record thus far but would also be followed by perhaps the single most traumatic, and influential, event in the history of the town. Congress Hall was at its majestic best in the season of 1878, opening on June 29 under the new management. Hardly a week went by without the Wave extolling the virtues of the place, which was at the center of Cape May society and which was still attracting some of America’s most prominent people. On August 24 the Wave wrote, “Cape May is the place of places for an epicure. Everything that the world gives in the edible line is to be found in the bills of fare of our Cape May hotels... Congress Hall, for example, has a head cook who came near being drowned here at the
commencement of the season. His name is G.F. Seger and he has for a number of years filled the same position at the Continental Hotel, Philadelphia. As a cook he has no superior in the world — no equal probably at this or any other resort in the country. He gets a big salary and he earns it.” And the hotel’s hot sea water baths, on its private beach, were “a boon of health to the afflicted and a luxury even to the healthy.” The hotel’s pier received steamboats and sailing ships from Philadelphia, Maryland and New York. In short, the hotel was at the peak of its powers, at a time when Cape May was booming. “In all the experience of the oldest hotel men here, and for that matter, of the oldest inhabitant, Cape May has never known what it was to be jammed for six weeks in succession, with a rich prospect in store for its continuance through another month,” wrote a New York paper at the time. The Wave reported on August 3 of that year that, “The patronage bestowed upon Cape May the present season is unprecedented in its history as a watering place... Notwithstanding the ‘doublingup’ system that has been adopted by many of the houses, the liberal use of cots in every available space, and the renting of cottages and rooms, the proprietors have been compelled to turn scores away, who sought rooms in all parts of the city. “It was not until a very late hour on Saturday night that all were accommodated, their baggage delivered, and the streets resumed their wanted quiet.” But not for the first or last time, outside forces were about to intervene and reshape the future of Cape May, and Congress Hall.
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WHERE TO BUY Get your special commemorative 200th anniversary copy of Tommy’s Folly, signed by Jack Wright and Curtis Bashaw, from Exit Zero Store at 109 Sunset & 316 Beach. Or buy it online at ezstore.us/books
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The Passing of the Wiener HotDog Tommy’s changes ownership, just one of many changes in the eating, drinking and shopping landscape in America’s Original Seaside Resort. Article by Susan Tischler / Photography by Aleksey Moryakov
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Bruce Carlino, new owner of HotDog Tommy’s, accepts the famous wiener hat from the retiring Tom Snyder.
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C
ape May saw lots of changes over the winter, including the demolition of Rotary Park. Never fear — the old will make way for the new in the form of a much-needed makeover. Grand opening for the Lyle Lane-Lafayette Street, $1.3 million park project is slated for July 1. In addition to grants which will cover the cost of the redo, the Fund for Cape May donated more than $400,000, courtesy of the annual Ice Ball. While we’re talking parks, phase one of the four-pronged Lafayette Street Park project, near Cape May City Elementary School, is also underway with an expected completion date of July 26. Grand opening, however, will be delayed until close to Labor Day to allow the sod to set. But what about the restaurant scene, you may be asking yourself. First of all, there was an official passing of the wiener when Tommy Snyder handed over the reins of HotDog Tommy’s to Bruce Carlino, an Ocean City-based former car salesman who is excited to be stepping into some pretty big shoes. “We love coming to the beach in Cape May and we’ve enjoyed HotDog Tommy’s from the very beginning,” says Bruce, who has decades of experience in perfecting his own dogs. Bruce is keeping all of the HotDog Tommy’s favorites but is adding a pretty amazing sounding breakfast sandwich. He’s also committed to reducing the size of the lines at the iconic hole-inthe-wall. Yianni and Peter Karapanagiotis of George’s and Y.B. fame, are relocating their popular Pano from City Centre Mall to their 658 Washington Street spot where Michael Kara was. So what, you’re asking yourself, is going in its place? Shamone, also owned by the Karapanagiotis brothers. It opens Memorial Day weekend. One seating only at 7pm... 15-course tasting, $30 per person. The menu changes daily. What inspired this new venture? “After our appearance on CNBC’s Restaurant Startup in February, my brother Pete and I wanted to do it,” Yianni said. “Shamone seats 45 and nobody else is doing it, why not us? And no menu. Nobody knows what they’re getting. It’s a spinoff from our brothers’ cookoff, held at Y.B. every fall.” Yozu Japanese Restaurant, in the old Gecko’s location, is gone after only one year. Taking its place is La Dõna, serving
traditional Mexican food. Restaurateurs Lucy and Andrea Corvino own two Italian restaurants, one in Millville and one in Sea Isle. Lucy, an Oaxaca native, said the couple were walking around Cape May one evening and saw that the Carpenter’s Square Mall location was empty. They also noticed that there was no Mexican restaurant in town. “We wanted to try something new,” says Lucy. “When I saw the location, I thought it would be perfect.” She explained that traditional Mexican dishes have many components to them and the couple wants to offer “authentic” Mexican cuisine, not a Tex-Mex menu. Doughnuts and coffee anyone? The high-end women’s boutique Between the Lines has left Carpenter’s Lane for Wildwood. In its place is RSK Doughnuts. Proprietors Joe and Lisa Griesbach, encouraged by the success of RSK Doughnuts at festivals and outdoor events, decided to move into a brick and mortar. This is their ninth season of making minidoughnuts right before your eyes, but this is their first store. While the couple will still be doing markets and summer festivals, their son Ryan has stepped up to help out in the store. And — bonus — they are thinking of “siestaing” their hours, being open 8am to noon, then reopening at 5 and bringing mac-n-cheese, hot dogs and chili onto the menu for the evening hours. They will also have cookies and cakes by the slice. Looking for take-out? Visit Cape May Gourmet at Washington Commons Mall, just off Washington Street. Owners Susan and Carl Spatocco of Cape May Peanut Butter Co. and Cape May Olive Oil Co. opened their gourmet store late in the season but are up and running now, offering meals made with their homemade pasta, homemade mozzarella and homemade sauce. Longstanding Cape Orient, also at the Washington Commons Mall, has changed ownership and has morphed into Asian Legends. Juice Caboose at 656 Washington Street also opened late in the season last year. It is a year-round juice bar which also offers salads and soups to aid you in your healthy eating quest. On the beachfront, Zoe’s Cape Café has expanded into the old Sunglass Hut/Holy Smokes Vap and Hookah Shop location. Around the corner on Gurney Street, Mickey Chew of Big Wave Burrito fame EXIT ZERO
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Jonathan Hirsch at the completely renovated Harry’s Ocean Bar and Grille, at Montreal Beach Resort.
is opening Aloha, featuring smoothies, healthy snack and food. The original Aloha is on the Wildwood boardwalk. Local landmark Lucky Bones is opening an exciting newlocation, Lucky Bones Beach Grille, at the arcade on the boardwalk near Jackson. The micro-eatery will offer natural burgers, fries, milk shakes and gourmet soft serve. Owner David Craig says, “It’s
a burger joint with a few surprises.” He didn’t want to reveal too much before the Memorial Day weekend opening, but did say they were working on a “new concept” that will feature breakfast cereal, juiced by the staff and then prepared like soft serve. Now there’s a morning wake-up call that will get the kids going. This year marks the 50th anniversary celebration of the Montreal Beach Resort. You’ve come a long way baby and nowhere is the change more apparent than with the recent renovations to Harry’s Ocean Bar and Grille. “It was time to freshen up the place,
but we decided to take things a few steps further,” says food and beverage director Jonathan Hirsch of the extensive wall-towall renovation recently wrapped at the restaurant. Updates include a new indoor/ outdoor bar area, with expanded seating for 30. The bar will now flow seamlessly from the inside to the outside patio. Be sure to order a glass of Chateau Montreal bottled in honor of the anniversary. Off island, the Bayshore Inn is undergoing more than a facelift. Sherri Hemingway of Back Bay Bistro is Jim Linnington’s new partner in the venture and EXIT ZERO
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there are some major changes underway including a name change. By the time you read this, it will have been rechristened the Red Brick Ale House & Grille with an appropriate décor to match and a new menu that includes brick oven pizza. Also off island, Willow Creek Winery owner Barbara Bray Wilde has purchased the LeGates Farm on Bayshore Road which has had some frequent turnover in recent years. Speaking of farms, Beach Plum Farm Market now includes the Beach Plum Farm Kitchen. In addition to the wonderful
Will Riccio is expanding his candy empire... the owner of Louisa’s Chocolate Bar has opened Cape May Sweet House on the mall.
produce and free-range eggs they already sell, they are now offering farm-raised poultry, ground turkey and pork items in addition to gourmet groceries. By the Memorial Day weekend you will also be able to grab to-go items made from their farm-fresh selection. Picnic tables will be available so you can relax and enjoy the view. And there’s more. Upstairs there will be a home decor venue for, as market manager Roz Johnson puts it, “the sophisticated farm home,” including linens, vases, lanterns. You get the idea. And look for Nauti Spirits, a new distillery featuring vodkas and other spirits, to open midsummer. Located on Shunpike between Jonathan Hoffman Road and Ferry roads, Nauti Spirits is the brainchild of Corey Bryan of the old Lemon Tree restaurant on the Washington Street Mall. A couple of food spots turned nonfood… the former Italiano Pizza at Park Center on Park Boulevard is now MerMade. A spa for little girls where they can get, you guessed it, mini-makeovers. Owner Kylie Bush says she has worked in the spa industry for 17 years “and we always turned
kids away. I wanted something for them.” They will get facials, pedis and manis and can even play dress-up and have fashion shows. Kids can also make their own spa products. The perfect idea for a whimsical birthday party. After 35 years in business, Cape May Bakers is shutting up shop. The spot will transition to an adjunct (and coffee shop) of the very popular West End Garage. Some changes to the Washington Street Mall landscape include the closing of the venerable Morrow’s Nut House. But hold the tears. Will Riccio of Louisa’s Café and Louisa’s Chocolate Bar, is here to save the day. Cape May Sweet House will be open by Memorial Day weekend, if not before. Will says they will roast their own nuts, sell old-fashioned candies like gummies and have an assortment of chocolates and other candy. He is also restoring the circa late 1800s building. Why this business? “I didn’t like the idea of losing a candy store here. I wanted to continue that tradition and I was inspired by old candy stores in the past. This shop was a candy store in 1900. So it has a sweet shop legacy.” The décor motif was EXIT ZERO
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taken from some old candy store wallpaper Will found during the renovations. Also in the 300 block, American West is gone. South of Jackson opened with owners Tony and Jennifer Palmer offering a new concept for those in need of a zen moment. The gift store is designed to, as Jennifer says, “offer something for the modern blended family.” There are gifts geared toward expectant parents, be they adoptive or otherwise. Gifts for mom, dad, grandmom and all the other assorted siblings and extended family. Although Tony and Jennifer are new to the area by way of Philadelphia, Tony’s parents, Pam and Steve Smarro own Madame’s Port and his sister Maggie owns Across the Way — so they had a lot of expert help in finding just the right mix. While we’re on Jackson, Neversink is gone and SeaStar Boutique is in its place. The boutique has been at the West End Garage since 2008. Owners Joanne Long and Tracy Goldstein saw a need when the Free Shop boutique closed a couple of years ago. The eclectic shop offers clothing made by smaller designers. A departure from
Joe and Lisa Griesbach with their son Ryan at the new RSK Doughnuts on Carpenter’s Lane.
their West End location is the addition of shoes and pocketbooks plus all the little accessories that make an outfit a statement. The April 30 opening of the Queen May Estate Jewelry & Fine Luxury Goods at the corner of Elmira and Lafayette streets promises to fill the gap created by the closing of Artisans Alcove last year following the death of its founder William Scott last summer. Managing partner Amanda Adams says the store will offer a curated collection of jewelry from the past to be worn in the present. The store will “specialize in fine estate jewelry, antique jewelry, rings and engagement rings, and we’ll also offer an array of fine luxury goods, which includes designers Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Hermes.” Heading toward the beach on Jackson, longtime B&B owner Harriett Sosson of Poor Richards Inn fame has decided to retire which means another B&B is lost. The new owners are turning the historic house into a — yes, you guessed it — whole house rental. At the opposite end of Jackson, near Swain’s Hardware, Steve Mullock of
Mariah’s gift shop has also decided to retire after over 30 years in retail (though he will be keeping a booth at West End Garage). In this place will be a new shop called Free Love Cape May. Owners Betsy and Tim Gay are planning a June opening featuring a “fine gifts and luxury goods market” Betsy said. “Life was telling us to be ourselves, be free, and live beautifully. Opening a shop in town and being able to walk to work has been a dream of ours since moving here from the West Coast several years ago. With the opening of Free Love scheduled for this summer, our dreams are coming true! We created the shop to express our vision and share the love with the people who live and visit Cape May.” Let’s head back up to the mall. In the 400 block, check out D’May Home Gallery which opened midsummer last year. This high-end gift/décor shop is owned by John and Dawn DeMayo, who are also the proprietors of Gallery DeMay in the 300 block of the Mall and Victorian Walk at Washington Commons shops. In the City Centre Mall, Ragtime is gone. Owners Brian and Diane Close have EXIT ZERO
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retired after more than 30 years in retail. No one had leased the space as of press time. In the 500 block of the mall, along Liberty Way, Sunglass Menagerie has closed. Jennifer Fittipaldi has moved a children’s clothing shop, Peanut and Choobie, into the spot. “The boutique is inspired by my children,” says Jennifer. “Once they were born, I had a difficult time finding clothing and accessories that were unique, modern, and high quality. The clothing, toys, and accessories we carry come from a range of small US designers and well respected international brands.” In property acquisition, a group of investors, fronted by Exit Zero’s Jack Wright and Curtis Bashaw of Cape Resorts, bought the gas station on Sunset Boulevard last year but it remained closed. This year it is open for business as Sunset Gas Station. Next year it will be the Exit Zero Filling Station with plans for development including the relocation of Exit Zero Cookhouse and Exit Zero Store in a brand new building. So happy trails to all of you who have decided to retire and welcome to all of you who have decided to take the plunge.
Spicing up
a nEw hArBoRfRoNt cOmMuNiTy tHaT’s cHaNgInG tHe fAcE oF tHe eAsT eNd EXIT ZERO
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the Creek
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Here is how this caption would look in all bold. does it look strange?
I
Article by JACK WRIGHT
t started around 2008 with the erection of a Victorian-style condo with a turquoise metal roof at the end of Lafayette Street. Seven more buildings followed, and it seemed like something interesting was brewing at Cape May Marina, home of a planned new harborfront housing development called Osprey Landing. In 2011, the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities held their seventh annual Designer Show House at Osprey Landing, starring a $2.2 million four-story waterfront townhome. It was the first time MAC had featured a new property for the annual event — previously they had always chosen historic homes. The designers chosen to transform the property were inspired by the wildlife of the harbor and the wetlands, where stirring sunrises are followed by spectacular sunsets.Then the real estate market tanked and construction at Osprey Landing halted. But the dream of creating an exciting new harborside community was only on hold. In January of 2013, the marina and the development was bought from the Kocis family by Scarborough Properties, a developer based in Ocean City with decades of experience in creating waterfront communities. Now renamed Spicers EXIT ZERO
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Creek (it’s the waterway that connects Cape May Marina to the canal), the plan for a harborfront community looks like it’s coming along nicely. Scarborough Properties, who own six marinas between here and Atlantic City, sold the remaining seven townhomes from the initial development and revised the original plans, creating 29 new home sites, three of which have sold. Last year, I enjoyed a couple visits to the home of Ryan Krill, an owner of Cape May Brewing Company, whose four-story townhouse sits on the waterfront, allowing him to grab his paddleboard from the first-floor garage and slip right into the water. A pretty nice way to start the day. At night he can head up to the roof with a cocktail to enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the island. I’d never seen Cape May from this vantage point before — it looked like a whole new place to me. I could get used to this — if I only learned how to paddleboard without falling into the water every 20 seconds. I spoke recently with John Michael Gartland and his wife Mary Lou, who put their condo at the Devonshire, in downtown Cape May, on the market and moved into a new five-bedroom townhome at Spicers Creek. “We loved living at the Devonshire — we could walk everywhere, it was so convenient,” says John. “But we JUNE
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Here is how this caption would look in all bold. does it look strange?
Fenwick Architects created the designs for the homes being planned for Spicers Creek. Opposite: Sean Scarborough and Todd deSatnick. EXIT ZERO
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Above and opposite: Rooms at the Schaeffer Homes show house at Spicers Creek.
were really excited about what’s happening at Spicers Creek. Scarborough and Schaeffer Homes are creating a sweet residential and recreational hub, and we wanted to be a part of it. “We think the harbor district is on its way to becoming a vibrant quarter of the city, its own separate community,” says John. “We love going to Lucky Bones, the Lobster House, Saltwater Cafe. The folks at South Jersey Marina are doing a great job of bringing events there. I think it’s really coming together nicely.” Buying a property at Spicers Creek has a few perks over and above the views — there’s the chance to join the members-only Paddle Club, which offers two swimming pools, and also rent out The Spicer Room, which boasts great waterfront views — The Washington Inn is the caterer of choice at Spicers Creek. If you’re lucky enough to own a boat, Cape May Marina has 210 deep water boat slips. And if you need to stock up on ice, bait, tackle and other nautical equipment, SeaGear opened a ship’s store at Cape May Marina. So, yes, it’s a pretty cool development that’s springing up there. I spoke with Todd deSatnick, whose real estate company are parterning with Scarborough and Schaeffer Family Homes to market Spicer Creek. Todd told me that the homes would range from EXIT ZERO
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2800 to 4000 square feet. There are several approved designs, created by Fenwick Architects. I asked Todd if he thought the Spicer Creek community would appeal more to year-round or seasonal occupants. “The majority of marina district owners are seasonal residents, but Cape May is becoming more of a year-round community and I think the lifestyle created at Spicers could be appealing to many who’d like to call Cape May home,” he says. “Our goal is to promote the waterfront lifestyle — coastal living in Cape May. Boating, fishing, paddleboarding and birding.” I’ve always felt that the harbor district is underutilized and underdeveloped. So many people drive over the bridge into Cape May, intent on their beach vacation, without taking much time to consider the harbor. In fact, for many, their only experience of it is visiting the Lobster House or Lucky Bones. Does Todd feel that Spicers Creek could have a significant impact on the harbor district? “I feel that more residents in the are will create more life on the east side of town. We hope more people translates into more action for the businesses throughout town.”
Next page: A brief history of the harbor district JUNE
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ape May fell into a slump at the end of the 19th century, as Atlantic City and Newport, Rhode Island emerged as the jewels of the east coast. In the early part of the 20th century, there was an ambitious plan to revive America’s Original Seaside Resort, and the harbor was front and center. In 1903, William Flinn, a power broker from Pittsburgh, began dredging 500 acres of marshland, intent on using the dredge material to built up the east end of town. Think golf courses and posh yacht clubs. Although this never came to fruition, the dredged harbor became an integral part of Cape May that helped revive the city nonetheless — providing huge economic and recreational opportunities. Here, 13 pieces of harbor trivia you can impress your friends with at the bar... y During Prohibition, the harbor was a hotspot for rum runners. y In the 1950s and 1960s, children’s television host Sally Star, aka America’s
most famous cowgirl, lived where the offices of South Jersey Marina are now located. y The Mid-Atlantic $500,000 fishing tournament, hosted out of South Jersey Marina, is the pride and joy of the state’s fishing industry. At the after-party, $45,000 is spent on booze, and we have it on good authority that Jimmy Buffet once performed. y Miss Chris Marina — formerly a restaurant, candy shop and ice cream store known as Black Harbor Wharf and formerly, formerly a commercial fishing dock known as Buck’s Landing — was nearly developed into condominium units in 1992, but Captain Jeff Stewart stepped in to save the day. Now, 100,000 people come through the marina a year — some to fish, some to rent kayaks or take a bird-watching tour, and some to take a ride with the Cape May Whale Watcher. Aluminum-bottomed boats help whales get their bearings so they’re not afraid. y The is home to the second biggest EXIT ZERO
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fishing port on the eastern seaboard. In fact, when the Wall Street Journal this month published a photo series on the fishermen of the east coast, all 13 were shot in Cape May, or on the boats that dock here. y Utsch’s Marina, a family-run business of more than 50 years, is owned by a World War II veteran named Ernie Utsch, who once worked in Philadelphia’s candy business. When his wife — his kindergarten sweetheart — passed away, his sons Ernie Jr and Charles took over the daily operations. They can tell you about the times Walter Cronkite and George Patton Jr docked here. y It’s not unheard of for a couple to get hitched while in the air, thanks to East Coast Parasail. y The Fishermen’s Memorial, a granite statue of a fishermen’s wife and her two children looking out over the harbor, was designed by a local sixth grader and erected off of Delaware Avenue in 1988 as a way to honor those who’ve been lost
to sea. There are 75 names on the statue. y The oldest kayaker to take a nature tour with Aqua Trails, which offers both kayaking and paddleboarding, was 86, and she did a full six-mile trek. y In 1988, 17 acres of the harbor area were slated to become a 300 slip marina and restaurant. A grassroots effort was launched to preserve this space, and it was successful. The Nature Center of Cape May, which started as little more than a trailer, was born out of this struggle. y Eighty-three percent of the US Coast Guard’s entire workforce goes through Training Center Cape May, aka the only bootcamp of its kind in the nation, located on the Cape May harbor. And only four percent of applicants are accepted for enlisted duty… the four percent who can make it through eight workouts a day on only four to five hours of sleep a night.
seafood packager in the country in 1939. Owned by Jesse Laudeman, Cold Spring Fish and Supply Company operated on Fisherman’s Wharf, or what we know today as The Lobster House docks. At the time, a rail line meant to accommodate the fishing industry – which had surpassed tourism as Cape May’s number one money maker — helped rocket the company to success. Jesse also ran a small restaurant here called Bateman’s. He turned it over to his son, Wally, who renamed it The Lobster House before turning it over to HIS children. Now, Keith Laudeman team runs the Cold Spring Fish and Supply Company and 550-seat restaurant, a Cape May institution. y Lund’s Fisheries, leading producer of fish caught in the Mid-Atlantic region — including mackerel, herring, monkfish, bluefish and fluke — serves 15 of Cape May’s highly regarded restaurants. Like the calamari you see on your menu? Lund’s is the only company commercially harvesting all three of the most popular squid species.
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Top: The dredge Pittsburgh works to carve out the new harbor, which was supposed to be the centerpiece of what turned out to be the failed East Cape May project. Above: The Fishermen’s Memorial on Delaware Avenue honors those who have been lost at sea.
GhOsTs oF tHe cHaLfOnTe a pSyChIc eXpLoRaTiOn By CrAiG McMaNuS
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uildings that have stood for over 100 years, and have a history of paranormal activity, are common in Cape May. With many of these places, past owners have become so accustomed to “bumps in the night,” these occurrences are simply ignored or dismissed. It’s difficult to dismiss what happens at the Chalfonte Hotel. Located on Howard and Sewell, the Chalfonte is one of Cape May’s oldest surviving hotels. It was built in 1875 by local builder Charles Shaw and opened on January 1, 1876 by Civil War hero Colonel Henry W. Sawyer. This venue is about as picturesque as they come. Luckily for me, it also has a ghost or two tucked in all that wonderful southern-laced history. In a previous visit, as I took a group of about 25 people during a MAC event through the hotel, I started to sense the presence of an older gentleman. A psychic image popped into my mind, that of a man carrying tools. I assumed he had worked at the hotel, and had a reason for remaining behind in spirit. I sensed him first in the lobby, just standing there, watching us. He disappeared as quickly as he came. By the time we reached the third floor he was already there, ahead of us. Before I could psychically hone in on him, he vanished again. When he disappeared, the energy changed. The hallway felt empty now. This is how a medium senses ghosts. A feeling of someone unseen nearby, or a feeling of total emptiness in that space. Walking up and down the third floor hallway, my group was definitely getting in the mood for ghost hunting. A sudden strong breeze pushed against us from the end of the hallway where one of the windows had been left ajar. It was a perfect setting for a ghost investigation; a long ancient hallway with louver doors on each room and remnants of old gas lights protruding from the walls. This was the oldest section of the hotel, so I figured our chances might be better for finding a permanent spirit in residence. One room in particular felt “occupied.” I asked my group to tell me what room they thought was haunted. I feel many people possess some level of innate psychic or intuitive ability. Several of them were drawn to the same room (somewhere in the 80s) as I was. I started to explain that several of us were on the same paranormal page as to where there was a ghost, when two young women who happened to be staying in that room walked up to us and enquired if we were talking about their room being haunted. Before I could confirm or deny anything, one of them shouted, “You bet it’s haunted! All night we kept hearing someone tapping on our brass bed!” Apparently whatever was sharing the room with them the night before was trying to communicate in Morse code by tapping on and off at the foot or their bed. They opened their room door, and I felt a blast of icy cold air whoosh past us, from inside the room. I take it I had now wrecked the privacy of whatever was trying to nap in that room. Luckily, the ladies enjoyed the story and asked to join our tour.
A sUdDeN sTrOnG bReEzE pUsHeD aGaInSt uS fRoM tHe eNd oF tHe hAlLwAy wHeRe oNe oF tHe wInDoWs hAd bEeN lEfT aJaR. It wAs a pErFeCt sEtTiNg fOr a gHoSt iNvEsTiGaTiOn; a lOnG aNcIeNt hAlLwAy wItH lOuVeR dOoRs oN eAcH rOoM aNd rEmNaNtS oF oLd gAs lIgHtS pRoTrUdInG fRoM tHe wAlLs
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Colonel Henry Sawyer, a Civil War hero, was the builder and original owner of the Chalfonte.
I returned to do a formal investigation of the Chalfonte this winter. Since my last visit, Bob Mullock and his family had purchased the property and they were doing some much needed upgrading and renovation. Heating and air-conditioning were added for the first time in over 130 years, rooms were renovated and more bathrooms were added. The southern charm instilled by previous generations of owners was still alive and well at the Chalfonte, and now the upgrades and modern amenities introduced by the Mullock family had returned the hotel to its former status of one of Cape May’s finest lodging places. On a cold February morning, I met Chalfonte manager Nancy Granick in the lobby of the darkened hotel. The place was empty and the town was dead. It was the perfect setting for a ghost investigation. The first floor lobby was where I sensed the most energy the first time around and it was here that I came face-to-face with a number of ghosts. I told Nancy I felt the strong presence of an older man sitting back behind a counter. “It’s this one over here!” Nancy exclaimed, pointing to a glass showcase filled with souvenirs. Apparently a former employee named Theodore Jackson always sat behind this counter. I could tell from things I was sensing and seeing in my mind he was now a spirit in residence. Nancy told me that Theodore served as bellhop from this station during the summer months. Guests would ring bells from their rooms and a signal would tell Theodore who wanted what, where. A few years earlier, between my first visit to the Chalfonte and writing this article, I was in the Virginia
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Hotel having cocktails, and I ran into some former Chalfonte employees (living ones) who, upon hearing my ghostly experiences, also exclaimed “That’s Theodore! We know he’s there, a few people have seen him!” Why was I the last one to know about this ghost? Theodore had a wonderful energy and did not move away this time. I started to sense his words, but they were not audible; he was communicating mindto-mind. He made me understand how much he loved the hotel and how certain work still needed to be done. He lamented that the old chimney for the fireplace in the lobby should be repaired. When I told him most historic hotels really don’t use them any longer, he sent a psychic response of “You try spending every winter in a cold hotel for eternity without a fireplace going!” I heard him say “eternity,” but why? What was keeping him there? Closing my eyes, I could start to see and feel Theodore, an older African-American gentleman with a friendly laidback nature. His presence was so strong, with my eyes closed I felt like he was alive and in the room with us. The offices are heated throughout the winter, so I asked Theodore why he didn’t go where it was warm in the building. “This is my job, right here,” was the psychic reply. He was truly a dedicated soul. People tend to think of ghosts as earth-bound souls haunting and lurking in the shadows. The more I investigate the spirit world I realize it’s just another layer of existence. We finish up here and move on to
ClOsInG mY eYeS, I cOuLd sTaRt tO sEe aNd fEeL ThEoDoRe, aN oLdEr AfRiCaNAmErIcAn gEnTlEmAn wItH a fRiEnDlY lAiDbAcK nAtUrE.
there. There is an overlap. Some ghosts seem to be able to see and interact with the living, while some don’t realize their lives have ended — they see things as they were, not as they are. Theodore was definitely the spirit-in-residence and he stayed in the hotel to watch over things. Now whether or not he has regular ghost guests is a different question. There was at least one woman “upstairs” who he said he “couldn’t get to go.” I took that to mean an unwanted boarder who overstayed her welcome. I then had a psychic vision of a bigger woman and a more petite woman. They seemed to be friends and were standing in the background watching us and smiling. I described them to Nancy and she knew immediately who they might be — former owner Mary “Mimi” Satterfield and her best friend Martha Nash. Nancy said the two were best of friends and came up from Virginia each year and spent the summer season at the Chalfonte. They did not attempt to communicate with me. The vision was there and then gone. Was this just a residual imprint left by two living people years ago? I made my way around the lobby area and adjoining rooms, stopping for a moment to gaze at a rather ghostly looking organ. Unfortunately, it did not begin playing. It would have been a perfect touch for a ghost investigation. I ran an audio recording of the entire investigation in an attempt to capture a few EVPs (Electronic Voice Phenomenon) which are thought to be ghostly voices.
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There were several EVPs of male voices on the recording and one female voice in the lobby, the sound artifacts were very soft and barely audible. At one point, I felt Theodore was complaining that the lobby was cluttered with too much furniture. Nancy told me they had recently added the new furniture near the front desk. At that point on the tape, an EVP of a man’s voice can be heard saying, “Sit a second.” We passed through the second floor and I sensed nothing unusual. Climbing the old wooden stairs to the third floor, the energy began to change. There was definitely a strong presence up there. On the audio recording, a strange rumbling is heard, like an electronic purring sound, which appears on the recording every time I sense a presence. An EVP of a man’s voice says “Miss (inaudible) heard you.” Next there is the sound of a small dog barking twice on the recording. There were no dogs in the hotel at the time of the investigation — at least none that were alive. The energy grew stronger as I walked past the rooms near the middle of the hallway. Willy recalled that he thought it was the same room I sensed years earlier on the MAC tour. Could the Chalfonte have a long-term guest haunting a favorite room on the third floor? A male voice on the tape says, “Hear me” or “Here.” A faint woman’s voice is also heard in the background, but the words are inaudible. As I am trying to determine the source of the strong presence on the third floor, a man’s soft voice is heard saying, “He’s mad as hell.” Right after that, a deeper
We pAsSeD tHrOuGh tHe sEcOnD fLoOr aNd I sEnSeD nOtHiNg uNuSuAl. ClImBiNg tHe oLd wOoDeN sTaIrS tO tHe tHiRd fLoOr, tHe eNeRgY bEgAn tO cHaNgE. ThErE wAs dEfInItElY a sTrOnG pReSeNcE uP tHeRe.
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male voice is heard coming from down the hall yelling “McManus, **** you!” I listened to the “B Class” (audible, but not completely clear) EVP about 20 times and then had my partner Willy listen to it. A ghost was actually telling me off — by name. I think that is a first for Cape May for me. I have had several EVPs at different locations exclaim “It’s him!” but never was addressed by name. Maybe this ghost thinks I have been following him from hotel to hotel and he finally had enough of my psychic snooping. Slowly winding my way down the labyrinth of hallways, I was drawn to a particular old wooden door. I unbolted it to find yet another stairway winding upward to a lighted room above. Since we were already on the third floor, I knew the stairs must lead to the cupola on top of the roof. The bright and airy cupola, with large Gothic windows on all sides stretching to the high vaulted ceiling, offered the most amazing views of both city and sea. While I did not sense a ghost or ghosts in the cupola, a man’s voice does appear on the tape, just as I arrive at the top of the stairs, and exclaims, “Oh my god!” After reviewing the tape I thought to myself, did I walk in on yet another ghost wintering at the Chalfonte who was not happy to see me snooping around? The spirit must have jumped right out the window when he heard me coming, as I sensed nothing at the time. I must send the dead running for cover. Note to self: don’t die in Cape May. Walking down a different third floor hallway (the
WhIlE I dId nOt sEnSe a gHoSt oR gHoStS iN tHe cUpOlA, a mAn’s vOiCe dOeS aPpEaR oN tHe tApE, jUsT aS I aRrIvE aT tHe tOp oF tHe sTaIrS, aNd eXcLaImS, “Oh mY gOd!”
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Chalfonte is a labyrinth of corridors and stairways) we spotted a group picture on the wall. Willy asked Nancy, “Is this Theodore?” Sure enough, it was. At the same time a man’s voice says, “We’re gettin’ ‘round.” Theodore was front and center in the group picture and you could see everyone loved him. Nancy said he was beloved by all the staff and the guests. That positive energy stays with a person in the afterlife. Each time I encountered his spirit, I just had a great feeling, like I was visiting an old friend. A few of his ghostly guests, however, could take a few lessons in southern cordiality! We finished the investigation in what is called the Lincoln Wing. This wing was added by Henry Sawyer after the Great Fire of 1878 when he saw a looming shortage of hotel rooms. Many of the large Cape May hotels had burned to the ground with the exception of the mammoth Stockton Hotel and the Chalfonte. Sawyer thought it woudl be a good time to invest in the property. Most of the Lincoln Wing is devoted to the large dining room at the Chalfonte where fabulous southern-style dinners have been serving patrons for generations. Henry Sawyer would be a good candidate for spirithood. He died at the age of 63 during his tenure as hotel manager, in a place that he built and loved, and he left behind a young second wife, a three-year-old son and a three-month-old son. Ghosts stay earthbound for a reason. Strong attachments, emotional or material, can create a strong ghost. Sawyer certainly had good enough reason to stay behind — but shouldn’t he be tired of the hotel business by now? I felt it was time to wrap it up and go home. At least that’s what I had planned to do, until we entered the adjoining “railroad cottage” that fronts Sewell Street, near Franklin Street, at the back of the property. According to Nancy, this mysterious old cottage is thought to date back earlier that the hotel and was possibly built in the late 1860s and moved to the property around 1875. On various historic maps, the cottage is labeled “help,” meaning it was used for staff quarters. Whenever it was built and wherever it came from, the energy was nothing like the rest of the hotel! As we moved through the first and second floors of the cottage the energy just felt different—unplugged from the main hotel. This one had a really heavy feeling and something was pushing me back. Moving slowly up the darkened staircase, which had all the trappings of a classic haunted house movie, I was drawn to the room on the left. Upon entering the old bedroom, isolated high up on the third floor, I felt as if I were walking through a wall of water. While I could feel “something” above while walking through the second floor, it wasn’t until I actually walked into that old attic room that the energy hit me. This room had a presence, or as I would later find out, multiple presences. My first impression was of a young man in the room, possibly an older boy. I could sense him and
ThE bOy wOuLd nOt iDeNtIfY hImSeLf. EaCh tImE I tRiEd tO cOmMuNiCaTe, mY cHaNnEl wOuLd bE jAmMeD. SoMeThInG tOuChEd mY eAr, aNd tHeN bRuShEd uP aGaInSt mE. My sKiN wAs cRaWlInG aNd I nEeDeD tO dIsTaNcE mYsElF fRoM tHe eNeRgY. It wAs nOt bAd, jUsT iNtEnSe.
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I knew he could sense us. At first, my photographer Steve thought I was just overreacting, then upon entering the room he exclaimed, “Wow!” We were caught in a paranormal eddy and it was all around us. My first reaction was to identify the ghost and leave. Looking back on that day, I think whatever it was occupying that room just wanted to be left alone and was putting a psychic “get out” into my head. The room was small and sparsely furnished with a small bed, dresser and a chair that was oddly placed on a ledge, near an old wooden door that led to the fire escape. The space felt physically cold and empty, yet my brain overloaded with psychic input. I sensed the child telling me the children didn’t come to play with him any longer. He had few visitors. Nancy told me that the rooms used to be for the children of guests staying at the Chalfonte, however they no longer separate the kids into a different part of the hotel — a practice more common in the Chalfonte’s past. The boy would not identify himself. Each time I tried to communicate, my channel would be jammed. Something touched my ear, and then brushed up against me. My skin was crawling and I needed to distance myself from the energy. It was not bad, just intense. I had two more investigations slated for that day and could not afford to drain my energies. As I went down, I asked Steve to take a few shots. He asked Willy to go back up and prop the door to let light in. When Willy did so, he noticed the upstairs door was now closed — and locked. It had been deadbolted from the inside. No one, living, was in the room at the time. The audio during that part of the investigation had sounds of being underwater, like someone talking underwater in a bathtub. An older male voice says, “Who is here with me?” Another man’s voice replies, “Who is with us?” Finally, a child’s voice says, “Get them…close that door.” The room was not that large. What were all these ghosts doing in one small space? Did they see each other or were they oblivious of each other’s presence? There were no other EVPs on the recording, not a peep. We had walked in on someone’s paranormal party, and I was satisfied enough with the results and decided it was time to leave. After reviewing the tapes and hearing the responses of these ghosts, I guess I should have knocked first. We made our way back to the main lobby. All of the energy was gone. Had I cleared out the ghostly staff? The ghosts in the hotel were moving faster than us. Ghosts typically want to avoid living people. This group was no exception. There was not a blip on my psychic radar now. The ghosts could have left for Wildwood, for all I knew. They were gone. You can read about the Chalfonte investigation in more detail in Craig’s new book The Ghosts of Cape May — New Haunts & Old Ghosts, due out this July.
The Chalfonte Hotel during Colonel Henry Sawyer’s day
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In the Land of Exit Zero
&
A Journey Through Cape May, America’s Original Seaside Resort Illustrations by Janelle Di Lizio
WORDS BY BEN MILLER
The Cape May kids book that is equally cool for adults!
A beautifully illustrated keepsake that tells the story of Cape May’s most interesting landmarks, in charming, must-read rhymes. Available from the Exit Zero Stores at 109 Sunset and 316 Beach, along with Whale’s Tale, Good Scents and Cape Atlantic Book Company. Or buy online at ezstore.us/books $15 EXIT ZERO
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a cape may moment
Rush hour in Cool Cape May. Aleksey Moryakov
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Chan Luu Gypsy05 ag stateside xcvi Michael stars Velvet elvett
Michael stars Velvet James Perse wilt johnny was Rails Micha
Michael stars Velvet James Perse wilt johnny was Rails Chan Luu Gypsy05 ag stateside xcvi
Small Wonders BlInK aNd yOu mIgHt mIsS sOmE oF CaPe MaY PoInT’s mOsT bElOvEd bUiLdInGs, ThE LiTtLeS article by karen fox
paintings by carol king hood
hey are called the Littles, small cottages which add color, charm and mystique to the architectural patchwork of Cape May Point. They are not confined to any particular time zone. Some were built in the 1800s, others in the eras defined by World War I, the Depression and World War II. The Point is unusual for its variety in architecture. There are the high Victorians, the survivors of the founding of the religious enclave Sea Grove. There are federal, colonial and stick style; plus farm houses, craftsman bungalows, ranch homes, A-frames and unusual contemporaries. All are linked by these little cottages with screened or open porches, the classic expressions of seaside living. In the past few years, several of the Littles have fallen victim to the wrecking ball as buyers find them too small and minimalist for today’s idea of a family vacation at the beach. They have been replaced by larger structures with multiple bathrooms, air conditioning and chef kitchens. Former mayor Anita vanHeeyswyk, now deputy mayor, says there have been efforts to define Cape May Point’s architectural vernacular. The best answer, she recalls, is that the Point’s character is not defined by a single style, but by its architectural diversity; a diversity that creates a quirkiness that embraces its diverse wildlife and environment — the sea, the bay, the lake, the marshlands, all in one place. “One architect,” says Anita, “described the small cottages as jewels in the necklace.” Anita is a resident of one of the Littles. “The cottages enable a way of living with what’s precious
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here — the sea, the salt, the breezes, the old cedars and hollies, the birds. I took out our screens so the birds can fly through and sing to me when I rock on the porch.” The most picturesque street of Littles can be found on Knox Avenue, where in the 1880s the Sea Grove Camp Meeting Association developed a campground for religious services. It was built by the United Brethren in Christ for week-long revivals. Parcels of Sea Grove were measured out for the erection of tents, 12 by 12 feet. Architect Joe Jordan writes in his book Cape May Point, An Illustrated History: 1875 to Present, “A tent with a wooden floor could be rented for two months for 10 dollars. Furnishings were extra. In this 144-square-foot space, a family of six might have a stove with cooking utensils, dishes, a table and dining chairs, and cots for all.” There were no bathrooms, water or gas. Those needs were served by an outdoor privy, and water carried in buckets and kerosene stoves for cooking. As summer camp seasons evolved, tents were replaced by small, rough sheds that eventually were rebuilt into sturdier, artful cottages, the survivors of which line Knox Avenue. Each is distinctive, whether it be by the color, shutters, fences, gardens or inventive add-ons. That the Littles have endured and have been preserved is a gift from owners who love their uniqueness and in living large in small spaces. Carol King Hood’s paintings are part of an exhibition showing at SOMA NewArt Gallery, in Carpenter’s Square Mall, through May 30.
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Amber Rose Cottage, 201 Cape Avenue This sweet little cottage, once a plain fisherman’s shack, was built in 1945 on Yale Avenue, a short walk from the ocean, before being moved to Cape Avenue. It has sprightly tones of amber, eggplant and blueberry, with hot pink mandevilla vines winding up the porch posts and amber roses poking their heads through the fence. Only 800 square feet, the cottage is the home of artist Carol King Hood and her husband Ned. Despite that, they found room for his-and-her studios — Carol for her painting and Ned for his antique train collection. They are year-round residents, downsizing from a 3,500-square-foot home in 2009 when they decided it was time to live their dream at the beach. “We love living small,” says Carol, “but this lifestyle has its own set of challenges. I paint on large easels and sometimes I have three easels going at the same time. I paint in oil, and it’s messy — so it requires I be neat, getting the paint all over myself, not on my good sofa. “We have a storage unit. It’s a priority. We celebrate Christmas here and decorate inside and out. Christmas is taken down and stored seasonally as are our summer clothes, our winter clothes, our outdoor furniture and screens.” Carol spent her young life of summers at Cape May from toddler to adult. It’s where she became serious about painting. For several years she and Ned and their four children summered at a 40-foot trailer parked at Goshen, commuting the 20 or so miles to the beach. “One day Ned had it,” says Carol. “‘We’re buying a house,’ he said. EXIT ZERO
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“And so the search began. “Ned’s an outdoorsman, a naturalist,” says Carol. “He gravitated to the Point for the birds, the bugs, the fish, the fog. It’s expensive here; a challenge to find something we could afford. “The real estate lady said, ‘Let’s look at some littles.’’ ‘Littles?’ I said. “‘The little cottages,’ she said. ‘They are a big part of the Point’s uniqueness.’ “She took us to Knox Avenue. We were instantly charmed by the many little cottages scattered about the Point.” The Hoods chose their cottage because of the soundness of its construction. “We rode out Sandy at Amber Rose,” says Carol. “We didn’t hear the wind except for whistling at the back garden door.” Their cottage is built from native hemlock — massive boards, two inches thick, a foot wide and 10 foot long. “When we gutted it to transform to our needs,” says Carol, “our contractor was amazed how strong, how tight the cottage is.” Although their home is petite, Carol and Ned are collectors — of pottery, sea glass and clocks, all of which are artfully displayed, along with Carol’s paintings and ceramics. The centerpiece is a wood stove, a Norwegian Jotul, a warming hearth in raw shore weather. “I love the littles,” says Carol. “They provide a wonderful way of living by the sea. Each is special, unique. That’s why I decided to paint a series of them — too many littles have fallen victim to the wrecking ball for the construction of new, too-big houses on little lots.” JUNE
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La Petite Maison, 407 Central Avenue The original sign of La Petite Maison now hangs prominently in the living room of Anita vanHeeyswk’s little cottage. “The sign dates from 1932,” says Anita, “when my mother-in-law Caroline Reed and her sister Mary, young professional women in Philadelphia, followed their father’s advice. He said, ‘Young ladies, you are spending too much money at Strawbridge’s and Wanamaker’s. You need to invest in some real estate.’ The sisters had vacationed with their family at Wright’s Villa, on Cape Avenue, so they were familiar with the Point and its carpenters. They got in touch with Frank Rutherford Sr, builder of many of the small cottages of that era, and ordered one for themselves at the cost of one thousand dollars. “I still have Caroline’s notes to Frank Rutherford,” says Anita. “She wrote, ‘We would like the same cottage that you built next door, but we want a full porch and plaster walls.’” It took three weeks to build the 800-square-feet cottage on blocks of concrete at 407 Central Avenue — with two bedrooms, a bath and an outdoor shower. Eighty four years later, the front looks much as it did when the Reed sisters first opened the door of their Rutherford Special, as the builder’s little seaside dwellings were called. No matter where they were living and working, Anita and her late husband John always set their compass for the cottage. “John spent all of his summers here,” says Anita. “ever since he was born in 1943. I arrived on the scene, John’s sweetheart, in 1966.” Anita became a full-time resident in 1985; John commuted from his city job on the weekends until 1996 when the two were focused on adding a 1,200-square-feet addition. La Petite Maison’s plot is large — almost the size of four lots — a boon for Anita and her green thumb. She has had a vegetable garden and an orchid collection. In 2002 she won the Cape May Point Garden Awards Grand Prize for “creating an enchanted woodland garden carved out of the wild forest of the original natural area. It makes walking into this garden like entering a magical world where artistry has embellished, but not disturbed the natural ecology.” Anita’s daughters, Jennifer and Amy, and grandsons, John and Ethan, spend as much time as possible at the family cottage. “I feel blessed to be in this place and doing what I love,” says Anita, who is a former mayor of Cape May Point and is now deputy mayor. “It felt like home to me when I arrived 50 years ago, and I knew I would give back in some way to this charming, fragile little town on the edge of the continent.”
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Love Cottage, 310 Central Avenue The little cottage at 310 Central Avenue is a rescue. Its legend, passed down in the neighborhood, is that it was once just three rooms, built about 100 years ago during World War I. It somehow survived although streets in front of it and several neighboring cottages were victims of erosion and washed out to sea. This particular cottage was found stranded on the sand after a hurricane, picked up and moved to its current location. “It’s extremely well built for the wind and weather,” says owner Mollie Falk. “That’s obvious in the attic when looking at the roof design. The original three rooms are the core of the cottage, and then there are the stick-ons. They stuck on a kitchen. They stuck on an enclosed porch. The owner before us stuck on a lovely front room with a cathedral ceiling and windows all around. Then my husband and I stuck on a back room to echo the front of the house.” A series of happy fates led Mollie and her husband Omar Lerman to Cape May and the Point. “We are New Yorkers,” says Mollie. “My husband went on an adventure helping a friend bring up a sailboat from Miami to Long Island. They stopped along the way at Cape May harbor. My husband said, ‘What a wonderful little seaside town I discovered.’ So we spent some weekends, and then rented this little place at the Point. EXIT ZERO
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“When the owner put it up for sale, we could not bear to have it go to someone else and lose our special spot. My husband said every time we left, every time we arrived, ‘I love you, little house.’ We had never owned property, being city dwellers. And we didn’t have a lot of money. The owner said he would hold the mortgage. Bravo! That we could manage.” That was 20 years ago. “The furnishings,” says Mollie, “included some treasures, old antique trunks, and we added our own finds. I say our decorating theme is Asian-Scandanavian-yardsale-IKEA-eclectic, topped off with a flamingo lamp in the window, the gift of a friend.” Omar, a theatrical producer, whose later career was staging fireworks for the likes of the Brooklyn Bridge and Statue of Liberty centennitals, passed away six years ago. Mollie is a professor of law, now semi-retired, her schedule allowing her to spend long summers at the cottage, a half-block from the beach. “A beach house with a shade tree in the back yard,” says Mollie. “I love little seaside cottages, without air conditioning where you can feel the breeze, smell the salt air, hear the surf, let the ivy and clematis climb naturally and enjoy the neighbor’s gifts of herbs and tomatoes. I say, in summer I just warm up the fresh stuff. “I don’t really welcome the gigantic plastic houses that cut off the natural elements. What’s the point?” JUNE
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a cape may moment
Celebrating Mother’s Day at Aleathea’s in the Inn of Cape May. Aleksey Moryakov
Inspired by Nature... Beautiful Home and Garden Decor for You and the Birds.
Introducing Cape May’s Newest Candy Store! 321 Washington Street Mall, Cape May
109 Sunset Boulevard, West Cape May (609) 898-8871 • birdhouseofcapemay.com Also, visit us at West End Garage!
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Tree House, 205 Knox Avenue In the beginning, it was one tiny room. “A stove, a sink, a cot, table and chairs, and a miniscule bathroom,” says Beth Ann Margolis Rupp, whose family cottage is located at 205 Knox Avenue, the site of a religious revival campground in the 1890s. “It’s a love affair,” says Beth. “A love affair of Cape May, Cape May Point, and our little cottage. My first official date with my husband was in Cape May. We kept coming back. My husband, David Rupp, is an architect, and we rented a place at the Point with other architects. Then we had our first son, and we wanted a place of our own. We were accustomed to living little — we lived in a row house in Philadelphia.” “It was a miracle we found our Knox Avenue cottage, all we could afford, in the late ’80s.” The Rupps and baby Alexander summered in the tiny space for a season or two before a series of renovations designed by David accommodated the growing — two more sons, Nathan and Ethan, came along. The front porch was enclosed as a bunk room for the boys. The kitchen was enlarged. Beth insisted on keeping the original sink and found a petite tub at a yard sale to fit the small bathroom. Two bedrooms were added. And, on the top, they added a mini tower or, as Beth prefers to call it, the Tree House. A ladder was installed for the boys to crawl up to a perch for reading, and pretending to be in lighthouse, a forest lookout or an airport control tower. Beth is a teacher and was able to take off summers with her boys. “The Point was a wonderful, carefree place for them to grow up,” she says. “Go to the beach at St Peter’s. Dinner. Go to Lake Lily to feed the ducks, go to the beach and watch the sunset. Go home and crawl up to the Tree House for stories before bed in the bunks. It was magical and remains so for our sons when they come home.” The cottage remains a family gathering place since most of the year Beth and David live 25 stories high in an apartment overlooking the Crown Prince’s Palace in Abu Dhabi, capital city of the United Arab Emirates. There, David is project director of the Louvre, Abu Dhabi, nearing completion this year after an agreement with the Louvre in Paris, and both governments. Artwork from around the world will be showcased in the 260 thousand-square-foot, domedroof museum which appears to be floating. David previously was involved in the design of Comcast Tower One and the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. Beth is an educational consultant and ambassador for the Roots and Shoots environmental program in Abu Dhabi. Global as they are, Beth says that she and David enjoy winging home for some summer, relaxing at their little cottage overlooking Knox Avenue and Delaware Bay.
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Whooooo’s Cottage, 211 Knox Avenue This pretty pastel grey, lavender and pink cottage is built on the footprint where a religious campground tent once stood. Owners Tom and Heidi Congalton’s inspiration for its reconstruction came from a visit to the site of another historic religious campground, the Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association at Oak Bluffs. There, 300 colorful gingerbread cottages, now preserved, were built on tiny tent lots where in the 1800s families gathered for spiritual refreshment. Tom and Heidi discovered the old campground cottages at Cape May Point when visiting a friend on Knox Avenue. A few doors away, in 1998, they noted a for sale sign at Whooooo’s Cottage and decided they’d like it for their own seaside getaway. “The name Whoooo’s apparently reflected the owner’s fascination with owls,” says Tom. “Various bits of owl bric-a-brac and oddments were scattered about the cottage, but we soon exterminated them! We have not come up with a new name, but are open to suggestions.” Heidi says they lived in the “as is” condition for five or six years before tackling the “obvious need for extensive renovation. There was an ugly kitchen tower, several persistent leaks that caused electrical problems, and the stairway was essentially a ladder. Doorways, including the one to the bathroom, were but four feet tall.” The extent of the renovation would have required that the cottage be elevated on pilings, but it was too fragile for lifting. The solution was to raze the structure and build anew on the footprint. “In retrospect, whoever built the ugly tower did us a favor,” says Tom. “It allowed us EXIT ZERO
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to grandfather in the extra square footage. We have a bit over 1,200 square feet, two bedrooms, two baths. It’s a nice airy livable space with high ceilings.” Tom and Heidi designed their cottage to be large enough for guests. They are rare book dealers, travel a lot, and enjoy entertaining friends from near and far. Their bookstore in Gloucester City, New Jersey is in an old school house, and at 15,000 square feet is many times the size of their vacation cottage. Called Between the Covers Rare Books, the store’s inventory numbers more than 250,000 books, which they sell online and at fairs. Do they have bookshelves at the cottage? “A small case of books on Cape May — birds, butterflies, some fiction,” says Tom. “But our profession as rare book dealers does put us in the way of some very interesting historical material — early photo albums of Cape May, maps, sheet music, souvenirs of the area. Recently we bought an autograph letter written by then ex-President Benjamin Harrison to his daughter, describing shutting up and selling his Cape May Point cottage which served as the summer White House.” The Harrisons’ large oceanfront Victorian was a gift from John Wanamaker, also a Point resident, and other Philadelphia politically connected businessmen — and viewed as an ethical scandal at the time. Tom says that “treasure hunting is in many ways what we do.” Heidi, who insisted on moving from a house once because of too many books, says that living small required a rule: “Anything new gets brought into the cottage, something of equal size has to go out!” JUNE
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The Beach Peach, 700 Cape Avenue Beloved Cape veterinarian, and recently elected mayor of the Point, Dr Bob Moffatt lives in a little that’s painted peachy pink with bright blue and green trim — the colors inspired by French impressionist Claude Monet’s home at Giverney. Dr Bob says he has long been a student of Monet’s lifestyle, including the master’s way with food. Like Monet, and despite his small cottage, Dr Bob entertains friends and family at Sunday suppers. He doesn’t have Monet’s two-acre kitchen garden, but gathers similar premium fresh ingredients from neighboring farms and local markets. “I think I have prepared every recipe from the book Monet’s Table,” he says. The kitchen was an addition to the cottage, but is its centerpiece. “I love to cook,” he says, “and do a lot of it. My father and I expanded the space, building on a porch designed with cross-board railing, like the original porch at Giverney, with its many details, including the wood buttons.” Dr Bob first experienced cottage living at the Point in 1976, when, with a degree in English literature, he spent a season in a small rented place attempting to be a serious writer. He commuted by train from Philadelphia, his old Schwinn bicycle parked at the Cape May station for his transportation to and from the Point. In the 1980s he rented a fisherman’s cottage on Cape Avenue, sharing it with friends and family. After veterinary school, riding his bike one fine day in 1991, he saw a for sale sign on a plain, small bungalow, and decided on the spot — this is the place. “My father said, ‘You will never see your money out of this house.’ A few years later when I brought my parents to live with me — they loved the Point and the Beach Peach as much as I do — my dad would sit in his chair and with regularity say, ‘I really called that one wrong, Bob. You have a piece of heaven here on earth.’ He was right! “I love small houses with separate rooms and intimate spaces. Here the outdoors is the big room — the changes in the light, the smells, the character of the landscape and seascape that come with the changing of the season. I think these changes are magnified at the beach. Sometimes it is like living in four different places without moving.” The Beach Peach is older than most littles. Dr Bob says it was built at the turn of the last century; he has photos from 1910. He doesn’t know the builder, but found in the walls during renovation, tintype photos and a bible. “The walls are not plaster,” he says. “It’s all wood — the walls, the ceilings. It’s always been at this location — never moved. It was built without a bathroom and closets — so those remedies have been a challenge to owners, including me.” Dr Bob’s family lives large in the small cottage. It is where his parents spent their last years; the place where his sisters and brother, nieces and nephews gather for Easter and Christmas. “My brother’s children have spent every summer of their lives here. It’s a coming home of sorts,” he says. “My father grew up in Germantown, and in the 1920s, his family – parents and four boys – vacationed here in summer at the McPherson farm on Shunpike. “I knew from the first this is the place I wanted to be.”
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Cape May’s funkiest shirts!
The Flying Fish 130 PARK BLVD, WEST CAPE MAY OPEN DAILY @ 10AM EXIT ZERO
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a cape may moment
The green-fingered gang at the flower show at Cape May Convention Hall. Aleksey Moryakov
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CAPE MAY WICKER
Your source for beach, nautical & casual home décor
203 SUNSET, WEST CAPE MAY 609-884-1849 1930 ROUTE 9, CLERMONT 609-624-3031 EXIT ZERO
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SPECIAL PROMOTION
HOW TO HAVE FUN IN COOL CAPE MAY & SAVE $450!
Presenting the greatest collection of money-saving offers you’ve ever seen... elegantly packaged as a designer deck of cards. Turn the page for more details. EXIT ZERO
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THE EXIT ZERO DISCOUNT DECK 2016
U
SUALLY, something that seems too good to be true is just that. Well, here’s the exception to that rule! The Exit Zero Discount Deck, from Exit Zero magazine, really IS everything it appears to be... which is THE best way to enjoy Cape May while saving a lot of money. To be precise, you will save $450 if you use all 52 cards in the elegantly designed pack of cards. And all you pay is $20. Go for dinner at The Ebbitt Room or Island Grill, followed by breakfast at SeaSalt the next morning and you already got most of your money back! And unlike many other special offers, there are no exceptions or blackout days. These cards are good for every single day this year, through December 31, 2016. You can buy The Exit Zero Discount Deck from the Exit Zero Store and Gallery, 109 Sunset Boulevard, our beachfront store at 316 Beach Avenue and Jackson, online at www.ezstore.us (with free shipping)or call us on 609-7708479 and pay by credit card. You will also see it for sale at selected establishments around town.
` participating restaurants
Aleathea’s Save $5 on breakfast/lunch — min. spend $20. Backstreet Save $10 on dinner — minimum spend $50. Blue Pig TAVERN Save $10 on breakfast — minimum spend $20. CAPE MAY Brewing Company Save $5 on a minimum spend of $30. CAPE MAY Fish Market Save $10 on lunch/dinner — min. spend $50. CAPE MAY Winery Save $5 on a minimum spend of $45. delaney’s irish bar & grill Save $10 on dinner — minimum spend $50. THE Ebbitt Room Save $15 on dinner — minimum spend $75. empanada mama’s Save $5 on lunch/dinner — minimum spend $30. exit zero cookhouse Save $10 on dinner — minimum spend of $40. 5 West Pub Save $10 on lunch/dinner — min. spend $30. Harpoon Henry’s Save $5 on lunch/dinner — minimum spend $25. Harry’s OCEAN BAR & GRILLE Save $5 on B/L, beach service — min. spend $20. hawk haven vineyard Save $10 on a minimum spend of $50. Island Grill Save $10 on dinner — minimum spend $50. Mad Batter Save $10 on dinner — minimum spend $50. MagicBrain CAFÉ Save $5 on a minimum spend of $15. Merion Inn Save $15 on dinner — minimum spend $75. Oyster Bay Save $10 on dinner — minimum spend $50. SeaSalt Save $5 on breakfast — minimum spend $15. SeaSalt Save $10 on dinner — minimum spend $30. Tisha’s Save $10 on breakfast/lunch — min. spend $30.
Savings you can taste! There are no hidden catches with your Discount Deck. For example, you can save $10 off the cost of breakfast or lunch at Tisha’s. You can go any day of the week, even a Saturday in August. So get out there and use your deck to enjoy the tantalizing Cape May eating experience!
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Ugly Mug Save $10 on lunch, dinner — min. spend $50. washington inn Save $10 on dinner — minimum spend $50. Zoe’s CAPE CAFÉ Save $5 on B/L/D — minimum spend $25.
2016
a cape may moment
The Coastguard Festival was held in town on May 7. Aleksey Moryakov
Real Books for Real People Family Owned & Operated Since 1973
Serving Cape May County & Beyond!
Shutters Blinds Shades Woven Woods Draperies
(609) 884-2545 desatnicks.com
CaPe AtLaNtIc BoOk CoMpAnY NOW OPEN DAILY FROM 10am! City Centre Mall 2nd floor Washington Street Mall, Cape May (609) 846-7688 y capeatlanticbookcompany.com
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THE EXIT ZERO DISCOUNT DECK 2016 ` participating stores
Savings that will inspire you
T
HE best thing about The Exit Zero Discount Deck? It’s packed with the kind of establishments you already frequent, like the soaptastic Bath Time store on the mall. Enjoy $5 off some high quality bath and beauty products. Or wander down the mall to Red
A Place on Earth Save $5 on a minimum spend of $30. Bath Time Save $5 on a minimum spend of $30. Bird House of cape may Save $10 on a minimum spend of $35. Cape may gourmet Save $10 on a minimum spend of $35. Cape may Olive Oil Company Save $10 on a minimum spend of $35. Cape may peanut butter company Save $5 on a minimum spend of $25. Exit Zero store & gallery Save $10 on a minimum spend of $40. Exit Zero beachfront store Save $10 on a minimum spend of $40. Exit Zero magazine Save $5 on a magazine subscription. Flying Fish studio Save $10 on a minimum spend of $40. Good Scents Save $10 on a minimum spend of $50. ORIGINAL FUDGE KITCHEn Save $3 on a minimum spend of $20. red oak trading Save $10 on a minimum spend of $50. seaside Cheese Save $5 on a minimum spend of $30. TOMMY’S FOLLY AT CONGRESS HALL Save $10 on a minimum spend of $40. Wanderlust Save $10 on a minimum spend of $40. ` participating salons & spas accent on Beauty Save $5 on a minimum spend of $25. Artizan Salon & SPA Save $5 on a minimum spend of $25. Sea Spa at congress hall Save $15 on a minimum spend of $75.
Oak Trading, which only opened last year and offers a great range of fashion and accessories. Or sample the goods at Cape May Olive Oil Company, where you could save $10 in minutes!
` participating activities
your $25 investment. Spoil yourself with a signature treatment
osprey cruise Save $3 on any trip. Minimum spend of $28. Cape May Stage Save $10 on a show ticket. (Regular $38)
at Accent on Beauty, Sea Spa at Congress Hall or Artizan Salon
Cape may Whale Watch & research Save $10 on a trip. Minimum spend of $30.
and Spa. If you’re feeling a little bit adventurous and in need
East Coast parasail, Jet ski & jet Boat Save $10 on some fun. Minimum spend of $40.
of some activity during your vacation, go see the good folks at
East Lynne Theater company Save $10 on a show ticket. (Regular $32) Ecoventures Save $20 on kids camp. Minimum spend of $70. historic cold spring village Save $5 on a minimum spend of $12.
Wherever you choose to go, it won’t take long to get a return on
East Coast Parasail, Jet Ski and Jet Boat. And for some quality theater, Cape May Stage and East Lynne are offering $10 off their regular ticket prices. That’s a saving of around a third! Let
Miss Chris Kayak rentals & TOURS Save $5 on a kayak rental. Minimum spend of $20.
the fun, and the savings, begin.
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a cape may moment
Celebrating Cinco de Mayo at Fins Bar and Grille on May 5. Aleksey Moryakov
10% Off with Promo Code “EZMAG” ***Offer available to Exit 0 readers only
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OPEN ALL YEAR 318 Washington Street Mall 609-884-9234 bathtimecapemay.com EXIT ZERO
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Exit Zero Store & Gallery 109 Sunset & 316 Beach, Cape May 609-770-8479 Open daily Online at ezstore.us EXIT ZERO
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a cape may moment
The Feasting on History event was held at Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum May 3. Aleksey Moryakov
33 Perry Street Congress Hall Washington Commons Mall victoriousincapemay.com EXIT ZERO
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THE COOL CAPE MAY TO-DO LIST ` Kayaking
`surf/PADDLEBOARD
Float in the back bays
See what all the fuss is about
WHY: Because it’s a good workout (especially if you paddle board instead) in the serene setting of the wetlands. WHERE: From Aqua Trails at the Nature Center of Cape May, 1600 Delaware Avenue, 609-884-5600, aquatrails.com. WHEN: Call for daily and sunset kayak tour times, beginning mid-May. Paddleboard tours begin in June. For an extra layer of enchantment, try the full moon kayak tours in June — makes for a change from the usual date night!
WHY: Because you’re never too old to learn to ride the waves. (Okay, if you’re 96, then maybe you’re too old.) If surfing’s too much of a challenge, try paddleboarding, which is a great core workout. WHERE: Surf anywhere before 10am and after 5:30pm. Otherwise, stick to Poverty or the Cove. WHEN: Schedule a surfing or paddleboarding lesson with Steger Beach Services (609-884-3058).
` parasailing
` biking
Beat the traffic, enjoy the beauty
` volleyball
Sweat it out on the beach WHY: Because you get to enjoy the beach AND get a killer workout. WHERE: On the sand, across from Cabanas. WHEN: Hone your skills any time; the nets are up all season long. Or show off your prowess at the annual Cape May Beach Volleyball Tournament on July 21, with divisions for beginners, amateurs, and professionals. Visit discovercapemaynj.com for more information.
Enjoy the best views of the cape WHY: There are few better ways to enjoy an aerial view of Cape May, and it’s super-safe. WHERE: East Coast Parasail, at Utsch’s Marina (609-898-8359), who also offer two more fun ways to hit the water — jet ski and their exciting jet boat. WHEN: Mid-may through September, see the early morning light reflecting off the water, or take in a sunset from the air... there’s no bad time.
WHY: Because driving in Cape May during the summer is NOT fun, while biking is a pleasure AND a workout. Randomly explore the island or maybe go on a wine trail of the area. WHERE: There are four on the island: Bike Shop at Congress Hall (609884-8421), Cape Island Bike Rentals (609-8987368), Shields Bike Rental (609-898-1818) and Village Bicycle Shop (609884-8500). WHEN: That’s up to you! ` yoga
Strike a pose on the sand
` PHYSICK ESTATE
Tour the ultimate open house WHY: Because the Emlen Physick Estate is a 19th century masterpiece by famed architect Frank Furness. WHERE: At 1048 Washington Street, next to the tennis courts. WHEN: Call 609-8845404 for the complete schedule... there are a lot of options, including a spooky midnight experience!
WHY: Downward dog is more fun on the beach. WHERE: In summer, Balance is at the Cove Monday to Wednesday; Thursay to Sunday at Jackson Street. Visit balancecapemay. com. Karen Mannette Bosna teaches behind Convention Hall Saturday and Sunday; at Cape May Point State Park Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday. Visit yogacapemay.com.
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` tennis
Try courting on your vacation WHY: Because the feeling, and sound, of connecting racket with ball on an aesthetically pleasing tennis court is a satisfying experience. WHERE: The lovely William J. Moore Tennis Center, at 1020 Washington Street, has 16 courts. Call 609-8848986. WHEN: Courts open at 7am. Best to call in the morning to book your game. Private lessons cost $60 per hour. ` antiquing
Explore a city full of treasures WHY: Antiquing on an island full of historic buildings is so right. WHERE: West End Garage on Perry; Antiques Emporium on West Perry; Cape May Antique Center at the harbor; Out of the Past on West Myrtle; plus several scattered on Broadway, in West Cape May. WHEN: Any time you want a break from the beach — or when it’s raining.
THE COOL CAPE MAY TO-DO LIST fishing. Across the road, at South Jersey Marina, join a charter trip or rent a private boat. WHEN: Any time. PS: South Jersey Marina’s Mid-Atlantic $500,000, the world’s richest marlin tournament, takes place August 21-26.
` vintage village
Watch history come to life WHY: Because Historic Cold Spring Village is a wonderful way for the whole family to see how folks lived in the 18th and 19th centuries. WHERE: On 22 beautiful, wooded acres at 720 Route 9, three miles from downtown Cape May. Call 609-898-2300, or visit hcsv.org. WHEN: There are themed events, from antiquing to Civil War weekends. There’s a free Village Sampler Weekend on June 4-5, followed by Hands-on History on June 11-12.
` fishing
` lighthouse
Catch your own dinner
Take the stairs for an epic view
WHY: Because being on the water is a calming experience... that can end in a very tasty meal. WHERE: Every year, 100,000 people make their way through the Miss Chris Marina, many of them looking to go
WHY: Because skipping this landmark would be like going to New York and cold-shouldering the Empire State Building. It’s beautifully maintained, and the views are stunning. Plus you’ll get a little bit of a workout
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from climbing the 199 steps. WHERE: In beautiful Cape May Point State Park. Take Lighthouse Avenue off Sunset Boulevard. WHEN: Open seven days in the season, evenings too. For more information on romantic moonlit climbs, call 609884-5404.
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` ferry
Visit Delaware just for the day WHY: Although we don’t encourage you to make a habit of leaving Cape May, taking a trip across the Delaware Bay can be a pretty magical experience, especially if you’re watching a pod of dolpins while sipping a glass of wine on a sundappled evening. WHERE: The Cape MayLewes Ferry terminal is at the end of Ferry Road in North Cape May. WHEN: The ferry runs several times a day during the season. Visit capemaylewesferry.com to check schedules.
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THE COOL CAPE MAY TO-DO LIST ` carriage ride
` county zoo
Travel the streets in grand style
Imagine you’re on the savanna
WHY: It’s such an obviously tourist-type thing to do, but so what? It’s also the best way to see the historic district. And that clip-clopping sound is so good for the soul. WHERE: Pick up your horse from Cape May Carriage Company at Washington Commons, across from the mall. WHEN: Every day during the season, from 10am to 10pm. If you want to layer on the romance (and avoid the heat of the day), twilight is probably your best option.
WHY: Because — ready for this? — Cape May County Park and Zoo is rated the fifth best zoo in America by TripAdvisor right now. It has more than 200 species on 80 beautiful acres, including an African savanna.
` lookout tower
Experience the wartime cape WHY: For decades, the former World War II lookout tower (used for surveillance on German submarines) was nothing more than an iconic sentinel on the island. In 2008, the Mid-Atlantic
Center for the Arts and Humanities developed a museum there. WHERE: At the end of Sunset Boulevard. WHEN: Open every day during the season. Become a charter member of the Friends of the WWII Lookout Tower, and you’ll get unlimited free admission.
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WHERE: Exit 11 on the Garden State Parkway. WHEN: Open every day, 10am-4:45pm. Admission is free, but donations are welcome (and needed!) ` eco tour
Get up close with the sea life WHY: Because with the Original Skimmer Salt Marsh Safari, you can explore the area’s normally inaccessible wildlife and plant life. WHERE: On placid inlet waters, where there’s slim chance of a sea-sick safari goer. WHEN: The boat sails every day in season. Call 609-884-3100 for info.
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Other Can! We’ll Show You Marine Life Like Noh Cen ter The Cape May Whale Watch and Researc ri to the oceanic presents an unparalleled seafaring safa king sights of wonders of the Atlantic. Thrill to breathta Our naturalist whales, dolphins, seabirds... and more! spotting and gives valuable information and tips on SKRWRJUDSKLQJ \RXU ÀQGV s often sell out! Advance purchase recommended... Trip
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NEW! Last cruise of the day is A Siren’s Call There’s a missing mermaid, a heartbroken captain and a mystery that needs to be solved by sunset! 6200 PARK BLVD, WILDWOOD CREST (609) 729-DARK (3275) dar ksta rpir atec ruis es.c om EXIT ZERO
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THE COOL CAPE MAY TO-DO LIST ` dolphin watching
` mini golf
` 18-hole golf
Cruise with the coolest creatures
Take a silly game very seriously
Play a course you won’t forget
WHY: Because it never gets old seeing these beautiful creatures. And if you’re lucky, you might catch a sight of a humpback whale. WHERE: Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center, at Utsch’s Marina. Call 609-898-0055 or buy tickets at capemaywhale watch.com. WHEN: There are four tours every day in season (lasting from two to three hours), starting at 9:30am and ending at 6pm with the Sunset Dolphin Watch, which includes free pizza and hot dogs.
WHY: Because it’s still one of the best ways to give the whole family a laugh (while trying your best to beat them). WHERE: Cape May Miniature Golf on Perry Street; Ocean Putt on Beach and Jackson; Stockton Golf on Beach and Howard; and Sunset Beach, Sunset Boulevard. Worth the 15-minmute drive is the remarkable new Starlux course, across from the iconic Wildwood sign. WHEN: We recommend building up an appetite by playing pre-dinner.
WHY: Because Cape May National Golf Club is a 50-acre sanctuary where you will hear birds singing, waterfowl landing in the lakes, bass leaping, ospreys circling overhead then diving to capture a fish for breakfast. And the course is pretty great, too! It’s been acclaimed by magazines across the country. WHERE: Two miles north of Cape May, on Route 9 at Florence Avenue. Call 609-884-1563 or visit cmngc.com. WHEN: Course is open daily.
` sunset beach
Taste a slice of Americana WHY: Because it has become a Cape May tradition to visit this gem of a site and listen to “God Bless America” by Katie Smith over the tannoy while a veteran’s flag is lowered. Plus,
there is some great shopping, mini golf and a snack bar. WHERE: Aim for the flashing red light at the end of Sunset Boulevard. WHEN: In the morning, shop and grab breakfast; play mini golf in the afternoon; but don’t miss the sunset ceremony in the summer.
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MORE WHOA! FOR YOUR SUMMER THE BOARDWALK
WILDWOOD, NJ
RIDES
•
WAT E R PA R K S
•
HOTELS
moreyspiers.com moreyspiers com
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THE COOL CAPE MAY TO-DO LIST ` MOREY’S PIERS
` birding
Enjoy the best rides of your life
See something really amazing
WHY: Because the Cape May Experience isn’t complete without a visit to the iconic Wildwood boardwalk and, particularly, to one of three piers owned by Morey’s. There are more than 100 rides and attractions and two world-class waterparks WHERE: Exit 4A on the Garden State Parkway or, better still, drive via idyllic Ocean Drive. Visit online at moreyspiers. com. WHEN: We favor an early evening on the boardwalk.
WHY: Cape May is the capital of the known birding universe. WHERE: A great birding bonus? Taking in the island’s most beautiful spots... by trail or boat! WHEN: See the Cape May Bird Observatory’s schedule of tours at njaudubon.org. Or call 609-846-3807 for the Young Birders Club.
` aviation museum
Discover a hangar of war planes WHY: Because at Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum you will see a collection of aircraft dating back to the Second World War.
The collection includes an F-14 Tomcat and an AH-1 Cobra helicopter, used in Vietnam. WHERE: In a hangar at Cape May County Airport, on Forrestal Road. Call 609-886-8787, visit usnasw.org. WHEN: Open daily from 9am to 5pm.
` ALPACA FARM
Hang with cute, cuddly animals WHY: Because the animals at Bay Springs Farm are so cute and
curious. Your kids will love them. Plus, you can treat yourself to some world-class woven goodies in the alpaca shop. WHERE: A couple miles west of downtown on beautiful, rustic New England Road. Call 609-884-0563, visit bayspringsfarmalpacas. com. WHEN: Only open Friday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm.
Serving Cape May & Lower Township 609-884-3793 y spilkerfuneralhome.com DENNIS J. SPILKER Manager/Funeral Director NJ Lic. 4038 y DAVID M. DANAHER Funeral Director NJ Lic. 3285 EXIT ZERO
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3 DAYS 45 SHOWS 1 WORLD CLASS FESTIVAL NOVEMBER 11-13, 2016 Featuring
WYNTON MARSALIS QUINTET
All Event Passes & Festival Hotel Packages on Sale June 1.
and
CECILE c M LORIN SALVANT
609.849.9202 EXIT ZERO
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The definitive trolley guide If you haven’t seen those cute trolleys rolling through the streets of Cape May then there are one of two explanations: Either you’re really not paying attention, or this is your first time visiting America’s Original Seaside Resort. In any event, here is a handy guide that tells you the what, when and why of trolley tours. For even MORE information, get in touch with the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities, who run the trolleys, as well as very many other fun things in Cape May. Visit them online at capemaymac.org. GHOSTS OF THE LIGHTHOUSE Where It Goes: Begins and ends at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth, traveling through parts of West Cape May to the Cape May Lighthouse. How Long It Runs: One hour. When It Runs: Sunday, May 29 at 8:45pm; Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning June 21 at 8:45pm. What It Is: Knees shaking, heart pounding, terror in your eyes... are you possessed? No, it’s the Ghost of the Lighthouse trolley tour, where you get spooky stories on the way to the lighthouse, accounts of ghosts at the tower from a costumed guide, and a chance to climb to the top. Who It’s For: People who know what an “orb” is — or would like to find out.
A healthy pet has lots to smile about.
Cape May Time Capsule Where It Goes: Throughout Cape May, including the Cape May Lighthouse How Long It Lasts: About 90 minutes. When It Runs: Call for information. What It Is: Time travel seems distinctly possible on this tour of Cape May from the 1880s to the 1970s. Colorful characters from Cape May’s past come to life, including a lady gambler of dubious repute, a ubiquitous news reporter, a Cape May Lighthouse keeper, a passionate historic preservationist, and others, who together weave the fascinating tale of Cape May’s history by sharing their stories. Who It’s For: You can easily imagine speaking to John Philip Sousa or President Benjamin Harrison in your living room.
Robert Panaccio, VMD Robert Moffatt, VMD Nancy Reilly, VMD 694 Petticoat Creek Lane, Cape May • 884-1729 • www.capemayvet.com
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Ghosts of Cape May Where It Goes: Through the streets of Cape May.
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a cape may moment
A special naturalization ceremony to oďŹƒcially recognize new US citizens was held at Congress Hall on May 3. Aleksey Moryakov
For the Perfect Escape THE
Make a date with the Cape May Day Spa and treat your body to an uplifting, luxurious spa experience. The Cape May Day Spa is a full-service spa oering state-of-the-art spa services in a tranquil, richly-appointed ambiance of total comfort.
DAY SPA & HOLISTIC CENTER
Book your appointment today by calling 609.898.1003.
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` the definitive cape may trolley guide
How Long It Lasts: About 30 minutes. When It Runs: Offered in the evening Fridays and Saturdays through May 28 and every evening beginning May 29. Hours vary. What It Is: What was that?! That was the undead of Cape May come back to settle their scores. Just be grateful that you’re in a trolley with an experienced guide to tell you about the many hauntings discovered by the Ghost Writer, Craig McManus. Who It’s For: Those who enjoy a good ghost story.
2016 YOGA ON THE BEACH Starts Memorial Day Weekend, May 28! Flow into the summer...
Historic District Where It Goes: Through Cape May’s historic district. How Long It Lasts: About 45 minutes. When It Runs: Daily; hours vary. What It Is: It’s beautiful. It’s charming. Cape May — one of the few places you can wander through and feel that it’s more than 100 years ago. Tour guides will explain how and why it survived. Who It’s For: Anyone and everyone who finds Cape May charming. Insider Tip: Combine this tour with a guided tour of the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate and save $4.
Plenty of free parking! Visit www.yogacapemay.com for a complete schedule. Or, for more information, contact Karen at 609-827-8886 or call Cape May Recreation Department at 609-884-9565
Mansions by the Sea Where It Goes: Along Beach Avenue, through the early 20th century East Cape May development areas How Long It Lasts: About 40 minutes. When It Runs: Daily from May 27 through June 16, at 12:45pm; daily beginning June 17 at various hours. What It Is: See how the rich lived in the early 20th century. When $1 million really meant something — before income tax. Also, see new beachfront second homes, which run the gamut from the mere wealthy to the fabulously rich. Who It’s For: Anyone who’s curious how the one percent lives.
Rain or Shine... there is Shelter from the Storm with Ocean Views
Apex Realty
Welcome to Cape May Where It Goes: Throughout Cape May How Long It Lasts: About 45 minutes. When It Runs: Daily from May 27 through June 16, at 11:45pm; daily beginning June 17 at various hours. What It Is: This is the best introduction to Cape May for firsttimers. Find the hidden gems and the little known treasures as well as natural and cultural points of interest. Who It’s For: You just arrived to Cape May and can’t wait to see the town. You’ve been to Cape May before, but it’s been awhile. You’re a local, but you’ve never taken this delightful tour that celebrates your hometown.
Theresa Senico o
ABR, CRS, GRI, SRES
Cape Mayhem Where It Goes: Through the historic district. How Long It Lasts: 30 minutes. When It Runs: Fridays beginning May 27 at 8:45pm; Saturdays, May 28 through June 11 at 9pm; Saturdays beginning June 16 at 8:30pm and 9:30pm; Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning June 21 at 7:15pm and 8:30 p.m. What It Is: Headless photography? Electric corsets? Coffin torpedoes? You won’t believe some of the strange beliefs, oddities, fads and superstitions of the Victorians. This trolley tour explores them. Hear stories from Cape May’s history that are bizarre, unexplained or just plain weird.. Who It’s For: You have the latest true crime novel in your beach bag and by your bedside.
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At Cape May Point State Park/Lighthouse and on the beach behind Cape May Convention Hall.
Quality service... with that personal touch 2505 Bayshore, Villas (609) 408-4655 www.jerseyshorehomesbytheresasenico.com
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Cool Cape May Summer 2016 - Spring 2017
a
The one book you need!
Cool Cape May Where to Eat, Shop, Stay & Play! 344 pages of great info & photography Available from Exit Zero Stores at 109 Sunset and 316 Beach, along with Whale’s Tale, Good Scents, Cape Atlantic Book Company and more. Or buy online at ezstore.us/books exit zero
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Sol Needles Real Estate
110 JEFFERSON STREET, CAPE MAY Charmer just 4 buildings to beach. 4 beds, 4 baths. Remodeled in 2000s. Ground flr has 2-car parking, loads of storage, full bath. 2nd flr has master brm w/ fireplace, small deck, private bath. 2nd fl also offers brm w/ bath & small deck. Ocean views from front brm. $935,000
201 BEACH AVENUE, UNIT #6, CAPE MAY 3-story townhouse at Seaboard Walk Condominiums. 4 beds, 4 ½ baths. Across from Cape May beaches w/ oceanview deck. 2-car attached garage, large, open living/dining areas, state-of-the-art kitchen, excellent rental history. $1,179,000
932 SHUNPIKE ROAD, COLD SPRING 4 bed, 3 bath with over 2500 sq. ft., including full basement, situated on nearly an acre. Eat-in kitchen, formal dining room, 2 living spaces on 1st flr. The 2nd flr has 4 beds, including enormous master with walk-in closet as well as a master bath and Jacuzzi. $369,000
1506 NEW JERSEY AVE., UNIT#3, CAPE MAY Beach block, ocean views, spacious and open 5 bed, 4 bath, 3-story townhouse. Top floor is open combination living/dining/kitchen w/cathedral ceilings. Large deck with ocean views. Master suite on 2nd flr offers ocean views, walk-in closet. 2-car garage, elevator. $1,500,000
512 WASHINGTON STREET MALL, CAPE MAY 609-884-8428 / 1-800-441-8428 www.cbcapemay.com Serving the Cape May area for 115 years for all of your Sale & Rental needs LYNN GLEESON/WILLIAM BEZAIRE, OWNERS
Life Is Better At The Beach! EXIT ZERO
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We now accept credit cards
2016 5/15/2016 4:17:37 PM
Property of the Month 4005 Bay Drive, Cape May Beach
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his custom, fully-loaded upside down home boasts a rare level of detail, plus upgrades galore. There are nine-foot ceilings, wood flooring and crown moldings throughout the living room and dining room, with tile in the kitchen and third-floor bath room. Kitchen cabinets are custom hardwood with recessed accent lighting. Add in granite counters and breakfast bar, with stainless steel appliances. Adjacent is a large dining area and living room with flat-screen TV and gas fireplace with custom bookshelves. Nearby, enjoy water views from the large deck. On this floor there is also a bedroom
(currently used as an office), full bath, and oak stairs that lead down to the sleeping level and an elevator. The second floor has three spacious bedrooms with nine-foot ceilings, one with a walkin closet, and a laundry closet with washer and dryer, master bedroom with stunning bathroom, a huge tiled shower, and a rear deck with water views. The first level has a stamped cement parking pad for two cars, a two-car garage, elevator access, equipment room, storage area, workshop area, well pump for irrigation and a door to the fenced rear yard. Other items included in the sale range
from designer window treatments to a Generac natural gas generator to an Omni computerized automation system which includes hardwired, high-speed computer interface wiring to rooms, remote monitoring of home heating/cooling, alarm conditions and interface to thermostats to change settings from your cell phone. There’s also a natural gas grill interface on the third-floor patio, while the sprinkler system has its own well water supply and the natural gas is used in the water heater, stove and clothes dryer — which makes the home environmentally conscious. View by appointment only. $675,000
For more information, contact Carol Menz of Coastline Realty on 609-884-5005, 609-374-0325 or email carolmenz@coastlinerealty.com EXIT ZERO
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Want to keep up to date with all that’s happening in Cape May? Subscribe to Exit Zero!
® $50 for a year’s worth of weekly issues PLUS our 5 fabulous glossy color issues! ® $27.50 for the 5 fabulous glossy color issues! HOW TO SUBSCRIBE... Call us on 609-770-8479 Or visit ezstore.us/publications exit zero
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A must for every beach lover!
Photographer Kathy Fallon’s gorgeous coffee table book is a love letter to the ocean and the beach. A Coastal Journey is filled with compelling, inspiring photography from Cape May, the Wildwoods and the Outer Banks. Available from the Exit Zero Stores at 109 Sunset and 316 Beach, along with Whale’s Tale, Good Scents and Cape Atlantic Books. Or buy online at ezstore.us/books
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my perfect day Katarina Elder, owner of Cape May Day Spa
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Dreams do come true. Katarina Elder’s did last fall when she bought Cape May Day Spa from Carrie and Andy O’Sullivan. The native Slovak majored in business in Europe, where the spa industry flourishes. “I actually wrote a spa business plan for a competition in my post-graduate work,” says Katarina, who landed a job managing Cape May Day Spa, which she did for eight years — but never thought her dream of owning it “would actually come true.” Katarina reckons that her business acumen coupled with her people skills is a good match for an enterprise that requires a lot of effort to make each client’s experience a relaxing one. “Owning a business,” she says, “is quite different from managing it. Once the client walks in the door they feel whether the staff is balanced, relaxed and whether or not you love what you’re doing. This isn’t a job. It’s a profession, an art really.” Her other job — that of a wife and a mother-of-two — makes her one busy lady. She and husband Rob have a daughter Kate who is almost six and an 18-month-old son, Jack. Both jobs require her greatest skill — listening. We sat down to ask Katarina about her Perfect Day in Cape May. Like the perfect hostess, she immediately offered her guest a perfect cup of chai. Interview by Susan Tischler
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hen my husband Rob and I started dating, we would stroll in the morning and see the town waking up. That would be the start of my Perfect Day. But first I would run out to the Little Store, my favorite new place, and grab a cup of Fishermen’s Brew and one of baker Michel Gras’ wonderful chocolate croissants. Then we would begin our walk. My favorite place to walk is along the water, but not necessarily the beach. I like the views from the harbor near the Lobster House. I love watching the boats come in. I would take my time, sitting by the harbor, enjoying the moments. And then I would be ready to go back into town for lunch. People need to laugh more. They need to spend quality time with family and friends. On my Perfect Day I would probably do a nice lunch with friends. I love George’s, but I would be just as happy eating a sandwich on a bench on the promenade. It doesn’t have to be a long lunch. It’s more important to have a nice time with people you love. Then I have to tell you, I would go to Cape May Day Spa with friends or family. It’s important to relax with the ones you love. Bring your own wine, cheese and have a nice time. It’s super-hard to own your business and be a patron because I am so vigilant about every detail. Fortunately, there are a couple of treatments where I really zone out and am laughing at the end because I’m drooling — yes, it’s that relaxing. One treatment is a Caribbean body scrub which has all the aromas of the islands. The other is a combination of a Swedish massage with foot reflexology. Anything with reflexology is awesome. At the beginning of the treatment my mind is spinning, and at the end I’m like a zombie. After that, I would go window shopping and visit all the lovely art galleries in town. There are so many hidden gems here. Then it’s time for dinner. I love the Washington Inn, especially desserts. I think massage and chocolate go really well together. When anyone asks me what my favorite entrée is, I tell them Chocolate Tower. Whenever I go there I think, ‘Why did I eat that food, now I don’t have room to finish my Chocolate Tower.’ And that would be my Perfect Day — laughing and spending time with friends and family in Cape May. What could be better?
2016 5/15/2016 4:17:46 PM
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picture of the month By Charles Riter
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Plans for independent contractors, families, individuals and groups AT COMPETITIVE RATES
610-222-9400 www.millennium-tpa.com
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