Dorothy McMonagle Kulisek, So They’ll Know, Inc. © 2012
Year 9
MARCH ~ APRIL 2012
No Beach Bag can be WithOut iT!
watch
the
tram
car
please
Where yesterday and today meet by-the-sea
Vol. 1
! Salt air, Sunshine. . . and a few Raindrops on every page
o C m e s e T h r e S ! u n e H by-the-sea!
doo-doo-! doo-doo
Wildwood Crest locals Anna Mae, Jersey Pearl, Jackson, Maddie and Tallula welcome Spring in all its windy-wetness. {Photo by Megan Rogers}
words written by Meg Corcoran/Designed by Dorothy Kulisek
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“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -- I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”~ Robert Frost
3300 Pacific Avenue Wildwood, NJ 609-523-1112
440 East 24th Ave., Unit A, North Wildwood. BEACH BLOCK CONDO located in North Wildwood just steps away from the beach and boards. It’s a first floor end unit that has been recently renovated inside and out. The condo consists of two BR, full BA, large eat-in kitchen and spacious living room. This year round condo is bright, cheery and delightfully decorated with seashore décor and is being sold furnished. Other amenities include a covered patio, private storage room, enclosed outside shower and two off-street parking spaces. JUST $235,000.
304 SW 18th Ave., North Wildwood. WATERFRONT LOT WITH FLOOR PLANS. Located in North Wildwood on Otten’s Canal. The lot is suitable for the construction of a single family home and is being sold with a new set of floor plans. This property has two boat slips and the bulkhead and docks are approximately 5 years old. This parcel of land is nestled between two newly constructed waterfront homes. A great place to build for a family that loves being on the water. The land is also being sold with CAFRA approvals. JUST $299,000. 210 East Stockton Rd., Wildwood Crest. CLOSE TO BEACH AND BAY. This adorable condo is nestled on the 2nd floor of the Austinian Condominium complex located in Wildwood Crest. The bright and cheery condo offers one spacious BR, full BA, living room, kitchen and dining area. Other amenities include off-street parking, on-site laundry facilities, outside shower and grilling area. Get the best of both worlds by being just 2.5 blocks to the beach and 1.5 blocks to Sunset Lake. This property is a short sale and is subject to 3rd party approval. JUST $110,000
716 West Shore Drive, Brigantine. WATERFRONT - BANK OWNED!! This spectacular bayfront single family home located in Brigantine can be your dream come true. This newly constructed home is situated on a double lot on the bay with amazing water views and a view of the Atlantic City skyline. There is approximately 7000 sq ft. of magnificent construction with incredible workmanship and with just about every room having a water view. Some of the features include two master suites with fireplaces, jacuzzi tubs and mini bars. Six of the bedrooms have glass doors or sliders that lead to waterfront decks. This three story home has a glass elevator for you to conveniently access each floor. The first floor waterfront deck is great for outside entertainment. The large area has cabinetry with granite countertops and a place for a built-in BBQ grill. Take a stroll along the long dock that is beautifully constructed with custom lighting. It can be enjoyed day or night. This home is a must see! CALL COLLEEN FOR MORE INFO.
Colleen Wilson Broker Associate
CELL: (609) 602-2008
952-954 Myrtle Avenue, Erma. This Single Family Home with attached apartment is located in a quiet residential neighborhood in Erma. The main house has two BR, 1.5 BA, living room with fireplace, eat-in kitchen and laundry room. The apartment consists of one BR, full BA, large living room, galley kitchen and a foyer with a skylight. Other amenities include a one car garage, stone driveway, covered front porch on both house and apartment, fenced rear yard and a large rear deck on main house for outside enjoyment. JUST $224,900.
203 Neptune Ave., West Wildwood. BUILD IT YOUR WAY. This is a cleared 40x80 vacant lot located in West Wildwood that is suitable for the construction of a single family home. This is a great opportunity and an inexpensive way to have a home at the shore and have it the way you want it. JUST $74,900.
225 East Wildwood Ave., Unit #301, Wildwood. SHORE GET-AWAY! This end unit situated on the third floor is a studio unit located in Wildwood at the Diplomat Condominiums. The condo is a short walking distance to beach, boards and restaurants. Amenities include elevator, off-street parking, on-site rental management, on-site laundry facilities, pool, spacious sundeck and game room. A Great and inexpensive opportunity to own at the Jersey Shore! JUST $49,900.
115 Atlantic Ave., North Wildwood. LISTEN TO THE OCEAN. This fabulous shore home is located in a sought after area in North Wildwood...just steps away from the sand and new seawall and walking distance to the restaurant and bar district on Olde New Jersey Avenue. This beach block home consists of 6 BR, 3 full BA, an open and spacious living room with sky lights, dining room, fully equipped kitchen and a family room with sliders that lead to a large wrap around deck where you can enjoy ocean views. The home is beautifully landscaped and has a sprinkler system. Some of the amenities include a large laundry room with washer and dryer, outside shower and 4 plus offstreet parking spaces. The property has been rented for the past two seasons and generates a significant income. Perfect for a large family or two families who like to vacation together. JUST $799,000.
email: Colleen-Wilson@comcast.net
www.weichert.com
1205 Surf Ave., Unit #6, North Wildwood. Golden Tiara Condominiums are located just two short blocks to the beach and boardwalk in North Wildwood. This cozy unit is positioned on the first floor with a pool view and offers a private BR, living room, galley kitchen and full bath. Other amenities include on-site laundry facilities and off-street parking. Enjoy some splash time in the pool or sunbathing around the patio. Either way, this is the perfect retreat at the shore. JUST $115,000.
www.FromBeachtoBay.net
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the Sun by-the-Sea
MARCH ~ APRIL 2012
“Blessed is the person who is too busy to worry in the daytime and too sleepy to worry at night.”
~Anon
from the editor Have you ever noticed that new habits seem to form so easily especially when they are of the not-so-good variety? Over the winter, it became part of my morning ritual to check the Weather Channel app on my iPhone, particularly the 10-day forecast~ watching and waiting for the inevitable storms to come, as if somehow knowing that they were approaching would alter their course. But instead of checking my iPhone, I should take a lesson from the birds who instinctively know the weather without an app. When a storm approaches, they simply take shelter until it passes and the sun shines once again. Instead of gazing too long at life’s myriad of problems, why not listen to that little voice inside that whispers… do not be overwhelmed, enjoy the moment you’ve been given. Like the kids on this issue’s cover and the birds in the yard, why not shed our bad habits (and maybe just check the weekend forecast) and remember what it was like to be the kid who loved to sing in the rain and search the sky for rainbows. In the spirit of St. Patrick, I’m reminded of an Irish blessing that says it best: “May God give you...For every storm a rainbow, for every tear a smile, for every care a promise and a blessing in each trial. For every problem life sends, a faithful friend to share, for every sigh a sweet song and an answer for each prayer.” As our little slice of Heaven comes alive once again, we must remember that storms are bound to occasionally come our way. Yet I am reminded that just as God cares for the sparrows, he cares for each one of us even more. Come rain or shine, here’s to another bright new year for The SUN!
Peace, Love & Lots of Sunshine!
Dorothy
Artist / Editor / Publisher The SUN by-the–sea, Wildwood, NJ
what’s inside {a step back in time to 1962}
Five Miles of Smiles Over 200 photos of what we do in the Wildwoods during wintertime! Pages 10, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 32, 35, 39, 44, 48, 49
50 Years Later . . .
“If I am anxious it is because I am living in the future. If I am depressed it is because I am living in the past.” ~Anon.
Please send us your nostalgic stories & photos to:
The SUN by-the-sea P.O. Box 2101, Wildwood, NJ 08260 sun-by-the-sea@verizon.net www.SunByTheSea.com
The Nifty New. . . Online SUN by-the-sea S tore! Order SUN-designed Beach Essentials with one easy click!
Managing Editor Rob Kulisek 609.435.2457
Artist, Editor & Publisher Dorothy McMonagle Kulisek 609.214.5608
2012 Publish Dates: March 8 • May 10 • July 5 • Aug 30 • Nov 8 The SUN by-the-sea©2012 is the original nostalgic bi-monthly magazine published by So They’ll Know, inc. no beach bag can be it! without
Published, Edited & Designed by Dorothy & Rob Kulisek with the help of those listed here:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment or religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of people peaceably to assemble and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” – 1st Amendment to the Constitution of the U.S.A.
on the Cover: Jackson, Jersey & Tallula Rogers, Maddie & Anna Mae Peterson on the beach at the Fishing Pier in Wildwood Crest, NJ.
Old Bar Series: Super Tully Nut by Josh Kinney Page 38 Churches on the island Page 40
LEFT: This picture of Grace Rogers was taken in 2004 at the Andrew Alameno Polar Plunge in Wildwood Crest, and featured in the very first issue of The SUN. Grace’s brother and sisters, and friends, meanwhile, posed for the latest cover. Grace, a freshman at Wildwood Catholic High School, was unfortunately unable to attend the photo shoot due to her hectic teenage schedule. See her column on p.16
Farewell Mr. Stevenson by Ione Laffey Page 41 We Love You Mr. Lynch by Glenwood Avenue students Page 42 Movie Buff Goes to Hollywood by Meg Corcoran Page 43 The Kid Was Good by Bob Ingram Page 45
See Pages 22, 24, 26, 27, 28, 30, 33, 34, 50 The Storm of 1913 by Steve Murray Page 8
Next issue of The sun by-the-sea:
”forever young” Group of Notre Dame de la Mer Parish on our fun-filled trips to benefit wildwood catholic high school
Featuring a news re-cap from: labor day til memorial day
APRIL 19, 2012 “Jonah” at Sight & Sound Theater, Lancaster, Dinner at Plain & Fancy All inclusive: $117 Kay 609-729-5773 or Doris 609-522-5830
Grace Rogers’ Broadway Moment Page 16
“While You Were AwAY”
Save the Date! Sept. 28-30, 2012
“The” Season by Marilyn Guidetti Page 18
Thoroughly enjoyed by summer home owners, visitors, & Locals alike
The Shell Shop by Meg Corcoran/Dorothy Kulisek P.11 Morey’s Forecast by Alison Heller Page 12
MAY 10th
here comes The Sun!
Louann Catanoso • Mia Chiarella • Meg Corcoran • Marilyn Guidetti Alison Heller Anita Hirsch •Bob Ingram • Josh Kinney • Al Love • Steve Murray Grace Rogers • Megan Rogers • Joe Russo • Gary Sloan • Anne Vinci Jessica Westerland • Danielle Wilson
This Old wildwood House by Jessica Westerland Page 46 FISHING / TIDES with Gary Sloan Page 48 Wildwood Historic Society Blast from the past! by Anne Vinci Page 50-51
We Remember the Storm of ‘62
Photographer Megan Rogers 609.425.0552
Philly Phanatic shares a Wildwood moment with Grace Rogers, March 2004
Wildwood High School Reunion 1963-73 “WHS Multiclass Reunion 2012”
thank a vet today.
Disclaimer The Sun by-the-Sea Newspaper© and So They’ll Know Inc. cannot pledge the accurateness or comprehensiveness of all editorial content in all of its constituent parts.
“Any society that needs disclaimers has too many lawyers.” ~Erik Pepke
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the Sun by-the-Sea
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Burning Bridget Cleary
Hydeaway
Soul Cruisers
Face Painter, Balloon Artist, Vendors, Stilt Walker, & Games
the Sun by-the-Sea
“Blossom by blossom the spring begins.”
March Events
April Events
March H ath 31 Days.
30 Days H at h April
“All nature seems at work. Slugs leave their lair, the bees are stirring, the birds are on the wing. And Winter, slumbering in the open air, wears on his smiling face a dream of Spring!” ~Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834)
3/8 Full EarthWorm Moon 4:39am 3/9-11 National Cheerleading Championship Wildwoods Convention Center. 1.866.52.CHEER. 3/10 Margaret Mace Alumni & Friends Reunion 5PM Westy’s, North Wildwood. 609-886-2463
3/11 Daylight Savings Time
begins at 2:00am. Don’t forget to spring ahead! 3/13 Crime Watch Meetings are held every 2nd Tuesday of the month at the North Wildwood Rec Center on 9th & Central. 3/17 St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Parade. 10th & Atlantic Ave. from City Hall to 1st Ave., North Wildwood.11:30am 609.522.2955 3/20 First Day of Spring- Vernal Equinox The date is significant in Christianity because Easter always falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox. THE FULL Pink MOON is Good Friday, April 6th, thus making Easter Sunday April 8th this year. 3/24-25 12th Annual Ocean Drive Marathon and Health & Fitness Expo Wildwoods Conv. Center. Sat. 10-5. 609.523.0880 or odmarathon.org/expo 3/25 Annual Spring Bridal Fair Wildwoods Convention Center. Starlight Ballroom,Win A Dream Honeymoon! 609.465.7181 Pre-register at WildwoodsNJ.com, capemaycountychamber.com
Do I smell jelly beans?
April begins. . . 3/31-4/1 Special Olympics of NJ Basketball Competition. Wildwoods Convention Center. 500+ athletes from the Garden State will compete in basketball competitions. FREE! Sat: 11 a.m., Sun: 9 a.m. 609-896-8000 or visit www.sonj.org. 4/5-7 War at the Jersey Shore Youth Wrestling Wildwoods Convention Center. SJWA hosts an annual event featuring National Folkstyle Wrestling Championships. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students age 6 and older, and under 6 are FREE 856.642.7592 or wwwsjwrestling.com. 4/6
Good Friday ~ FULL Pink Moon
4/7 First Day of Passover 4/7 Elks Egg Hunt. on the beach at 17th Ave. NWW. Noon. Children 11 and under can pick up eggs and collect prizes. FREE. 609.729.5776 4/7 Jaycees Egg Hunt. on the beach at Lincoln Ave. Wildwood. Noon. Children ages 1-12 are invited to dig for eggs buried in the sand. Each egg contains a toy and a golden egg is worth a bigger prize. Rain date 4/8/12. 609-729-5501
4/8 Easter Sunday See Page 40 for Churches on the island. “And he departed from our sight that we might return to our heart, and there find Him. For He departed, and behold, He is here.” -St. Augustine
“The sun was warm but the wind was chill. You know how it is with an April day.” ~Robert Frost
4/8 Resurrection “Son” Rise Service 6:15am. Hereford Lighthouse,, 1st & Central Ave., North Wildwood 609.522.2951 4/8 Morey’s Piers Easter Opening Day Celebration! Opening day celebration boasts fun for the kid in all of us including rides, food, entertainment and “Pick An Egg” for the kids. The Easter Bunny arrives at Morey’s Piers. Pier is open 11am to 5pm. www.MoreysPiers.com 4/10-12 Wildwood Wholesale Gift Show. Wildwoods Convention Center. Wholesale trade show only. Entrance fee for participants. Starts at 9am daily. 508.261.1800. FREE. 4/14 ECC Shore Showdown. Elite Cheer Championship. Wildwoods Conv Center. 866.52.CHEER 4/15 “Beast of the East” Cheerleading Competition Wildwoods Convention Center. 866.52.CHEER or www.CheerTech.net. 4/19 “Jonah” Lancaster with The Forever Young group at Notre Dame de la Mer Parish. Call Doris at 522-5830 or Kay at 729-5773. 4/21 Batter Up! Opening Day Greater Wildwood Little League 4/22 EARTH DAY “All the flowers of tomorrow are in the seeds of yesterday.” 4/25 Business At The Beach Expo 4-7pm Wildwoods Conv. Center. Hundreds of products and services for Cape May County businesses. 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. FREE admission. Exhibitor opportunities available. 609.465.7181 4/27-28 Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce Sensational Spring Concert Weekend. Fri. night Jerry Blavat Dance Party at the Wildwoods Convention Center 7pm-11pm. Sat 10am -5pm: FREE Street Fair, Fox Park. Classic cars, food and craft vendors, live entertainment, Doo Wop Bus Tour and so much more! Sat. Night concert 7pm Neil Sedaka and Lesley Gore. 609.729.4000 4/27-29 Spring Motorcycle Rally. Cape Classics Motorcycle Club. Oak & Atlantic 10am8pm. Sunday “Ride the Wave Motorcycle Run,” 609.729.8870 or WildwoodSpringRally.com
May begins. . .
5/3-6 Tournament of Bands Indoor Championships. Wildwoods Convention Center 856.935.4940 or www.njatob.org 5/5 FULL Flower Moon 11:35pm 5/9 Wildwood Restaurant Showcase A sampling of some of the Wildwoods’ finest restaurants and specialty shops. All proceeds benefit the Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce Foundation and area high school students. Bolero Restaurant. 6pm - 9pm. 609.729.4000 5/10-12 Tall Cedars Convention Wildwoods Conv Center. Parade, 21st and Atlantic Ave., proceed south to Andrews Ave., Wildwood. 717.232.5991 5/10-13 20th Annual East Coast Boardwalk Nationals Car Show Cars displayed on the Wildwoods Boardwalk from 8am-3pm Fri-Sat. FREE! Street Festival & Car Display on Sweet Briar Rd including a drive-in type movie at dusk. Fri. night at Garfield & Pacific Ave., then a Cruise 609.523.8051 or www.ThunderMoto.com.
5 –Algernon Charles Swinburne, British poet (1837–1909)
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“Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.” ~Psalm 36:5
OPEN YEAR ROUND
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• Jewelry and Watch Repair • Computerized Engraving • GIA Graduate Gemologist
Awesome cover models having fun for The Sun!
Here comes The SUN !
325 W. Spruce Avenue North Wildwood 729-4900 • Fax 729-4050 Major Credit Cards Accepted www.stardinercafe.com
We want every issue of The SUN by-the-sea to reflect the heart of The Wildwoods, from its early beginnings ‘til today. That is why it is made up of a colorful and reminiscent quality, with true stories and vintage photographs, along with hundreds of photos of its people in every issue. Because we center our editorial on Wildwood’s rich history, we invite you to write poems, essays, tell your own true life stories or love stories, share personal memories and photos of the good old days. Each issue of The SUN by-the-sea is creatively and inspirationally designed and tucks perfectly into your beach bag. Contact us at The SUN... Where Yesterday and Today meet by-the-sea. tel/fax: 609.522.2721 e: sun-by-the-sea@verizon.net p.s. The only reason you hold this paper in your hands is because of our many, faithful advertisers. These businesses support The SUN because it is acknowledged that our paper is embraced by all who read it. So when you eat, shop, or drink... we hope that you will consider the people who make The SUN by-the-sea possible. Tell them you saw it in the SUN!
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the Sun by-the-Sea
MARCH ~ APRIL 2012
“You can tell a lot about a fellow’s character by his way of eating jellybeans.” ~Ronald Reagan
Have a Blast On The Boards R A C M TRA PASS DAY
APRIL 7-8
You can Purchase your Day Pass at Wildwoods Boardwalk Sightseer Tram Car Ticket Booths, or call 609-523-TRAM Discounted tickets may also be purchased at Morey’s Piers and Splash Zone Ticket Booths All Summer Long
Easter
Weekend THE 2012 SEASON KICK-OFF
Easter Egg Hunts! Prizes! Games! Rides! and the Easter Bunny himself at Easter Day Celebration on the Wildwoods Boardwalk! Tram Car service begins May 4th!
For more information please visit our website
www.DoWildwood.com
DAY PASS
5
$
‘TIL 5PM
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“So shines the setting sun on adverse skies, and paints a rainbow on the storm.”
~Isaac Watts
The Great Northeaster of 1913 by Steve Murray
The washout of the northeast corner of the Lighthouse after the storm of 1913
Anglesea residents gather round a storm damaged Lighthouse, 1913 Photo courtesy of Richard Dietz, featured in Steve Murray’s book “Guardians of the Hereford Inlet”
safe distance from the ocean. Erosion from subsequent storms, however, brought the high tide closer and closer to the Lighthouse with each passing year. A lighthouse board engineer, H. Bamber, conducted a thorough survey of the entire property in 1907. He reported to Washington that “the site is threatened by the encroachment of the south channel of the Hereford Inlet”. Six years later, in August, 1913, a severe Northeaster caused a washout of the southeast beach of the Inlet to a depth of about 10 feet. This undermined the northeast corner of the Lighthouse’s foundation so badly, it was perilously close to falling into the Inlet. One report says the building eventually began listing northward about 5 degrees. Government engineers had no choice but to plot out a new location for the building, approximately 150 feet toward the western boundary of the property, near Central Avenue. The new site was graded, a basement dug and a new foundation, 10 brick courses higher than the original was constructed on the lot. A house moving company removed the old brick foundation while at the same time laid a crib of huge timbers in its place. Trolley tracks were brought and installed and the entire four story building was pulled back to its new home, jacked up and set onto the new foundation, where it remains today. A huge seawall now protects the City’s historic landmark from harms way.
Pictured here the Lighthouse is supported on timbers ready to be moved.
Hereford Lighthouse Gardens & Gift Shop 1st & Central Ave., North Wildwood 609-522-4520 daily tours of this historical landmark
Save the Date!
Dorothy McMonagle Kulisek ©
the more serious drawbacks to living on a barrier island, three miles from the mainland. This was especially true in the early days of Anglesea when there were no weather reports or warnings, few seawalls or bulkheads and wood frame houses built without hurricane anchors, pilings and sometimes even without foundations. Some of those storms swept the Atlantic completely across the Five Mile Beach. One account even talks of the Ocean meeting the Delaware Bay in the area of Route 47. The Hereford Inlet Lighthouse was the first permanently occupied structure on the Island and for many years the tallest and sturdiest. Its original foundation was three feet high and although the building is sheathed in wood clapboard, there is an interior wall of brick. The historic building survived many storms because of this well engineered construction. In October 1878, wind driven, pounding waves worried Keeper Freeling Hewitt enough for him and his wife Abilene to leave the Lighthouse. They returned after the storm to their still standing home. Another flooding storm in 1881 had 18 local residents abandon their battered, submerged houses and take shelter in the Lighthouse. Though completely surrounded by water, everyone weathered the storm here quite safely. Hereford was constructed in 1874 and a bit further east of where it sits today. It sat on high ground in a grove of trees and at a
watercolor by
Ferocious storms have always been one of
Built 1874
www.herefordlighthouse.org
3rd Annual Maritime Festival Sat & Sun July 7th & 8th Vendors, Historic displays, artists, music, food 9 AM - 5 PM
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the Sun by-the-Sea
MARCH ~ APRIL 2012
“We must be careful how we use the terms ‘good’ and ‘bad’. Sand is good on a beach, but bad in the crankcase of your car.” ~Jerome Hines
Do You Have Property Damage? • Wind • Smoke • Water • Fire • Flood • Broken Pipes B&E Marina Fire, North Wildwood
Public Adjusters, Inc.
Let Us Get You the Maximum Settlement!
Cape May County’s Public Adjuster
Call for Free Consultation & Inspection
609.522.1954 609.780.1500 www.ElitePublicAdjusters.com
Serving Cape May County for Over 20 Years • Bill O’Connell, President
Building & Restoration
Modular Home Sales & Construction
10
the Sun by-the-Sea
“How can I be useful, of what service can I be? There is something inside me, what can it be?” - Vincent Van Gogh
Thanksgiving Dinner at ‘More Than Enough’ Food Pantry / Soup Kitchen Crest Community Church
5901 Pacific Aves., Wildwood Crest, NJ 08260 (609) 522-1618 November 20, 2011 kicked off the opening of the new soup kitchen on the island with Thanksgiving Dinner ~ thanks to the new ministry at Crest Community Church and the volunteer efforts of many kind people and of Michael Holmes (the man behind the project) who prepared 15 turkeys. Over 200 people were able to enjoy a wonderful homecooked, Thanksgiving feast. Worship music was provided by Andy Stone, Mark Vallese, Jamie Cramer, and Andrew Reeves and Dave Landis. The Soup Kitchen is made possible through donations, and is Open Every Monday at 4:30pm. To contribute, please call any of the numbers listed below, or send check to the church at above address, or go to www.CrestCommunity.com and click the “Donate” button.
Ministries at CCC include: Sunday Worship Contemporary 9:30a • Traditional 11a Soup Kitchen • Sunday Worship Breakfast • Food Pantry ~ Tuesdays 4:30-6:30 • Family Promise • Clothes, etc. Mike Holmes at (609) 780-6187 Jim Stanfield at (609) 408-3602 Amanda Holmes at (609) 846-8148 The Soup Kitchen is open every Monday from 4:30pm to 6:30pm serving the Wildwoods with the love of Jesus through many of his good and faithful people.
Anthony Giannini with Rev. Jeff Salasin of Crest Community Church who is giving thanks to God for the mighty work He is doing at Crocus & Pacific in Wildwood Crest
Veronica & Michael Holmes and Veronica Holmes Burdsall
Bill Morey, Jr. & Lou Hemingway
We w i L d w o o d
John Smalley, Jim Stanfield , Michael , Rob & Joe Piccoli
b y t h e S e a
“No matter what the weather. . . Always bring your own Sunshine!”
Worship Band~ Dave Landis, Andrew Reeves, Jamie Cramer, Mark Vallese and Andy Stone
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the Sun by-the-Sea
“Science has never drummed up quite as effective a tranquilizing agent as a sunny spring day.”
~W. Earl Hall
Still Local, Still Independent SINCE 1946
5200 New Jersey Ave. Wildwood, NJ 08260 (609)522-3406
917 Madison Ave. Cape May, NJ 08204 (609)884-3333
1032 Rt.9 South Cape May Court House, NJ 08210 (609)465-7710
200 Rt. 9 South Marmora, NJ 08223 (609)390-5566
1605 Bayshore Rd. Lower Township, NJ (609) 886-5888
A History of Experience, A Future of Excellence. We Look Forward to Ser ving You! www.jbyrneagency.com
Remembering: The Shell Shop
By Dorothy Kulisek and Meg Corcoran
The Shell Shop c. 1930s
The Shell Shop c. 1993.
Photo posted on Doo Wop Preservation blog
The Shell Shop c. 2001 Historic Photos courtesy of Wildwood Historic Museum
The Wildwood nostalgia buffs among us may affectionately recall Ed & Peg Culver’s Shell Shop that was once located on the road into North Wildwood. The ultimate seaside souvenir shop, it provided its visitors with unique mementos along with lasting memories. The Shell Shop was located across the street from North Wildwood staple Henri J’s. When its building was demolished in 2002, Henri J’s son, Hank, fortuitously managed to salvage the 10 foot hand-painted sign of the original Shell Shop for his Wildwood memorabilia collection. That sign has since found a home in Linda Radue’s New Hampshire woodshed. Linda and her family, having experienced many Wildwood summers, have a fond connection to the town and its rich history, so much so that she endured a long car ride to possess this sentimental part of that history. At some point, though, she plans on donating the sign back to the Wildwoods Historical Museum, bringing it closer to the home it once had. The Shell Shop was a one-of-a-kind place. It fit so well on the island and with its residents. It carried the best souvenirs and baskets filled with every kind of shell, a creative variety of shell-inspired items, driftwood, hermit crabs and many may remember the Mexican jumping beans. Ed & Peg Culver’s Shell Shop has since become a sweet recollection, a long-ago Wildwood treasure of simpler times, that is truly missed. To share Shell Shop stories, please send to sun-by-the-sea@verizon.net or to Linda at Lmrgem@aol.com
The Culver’s Shell Shop opened sometime in the 1930s on Spruce Ave. in North Wildwood. They also sold their shell novelties on the boardwalk.
One of the earliest advertisments of the Shell Shop
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the Sun by-the-Sea
“Our heads are round so that thoughts can change direction.” -Francis Picabia Established Cape May Artist
Neal McPheeters Brings Waterpark Renderings to Life for Morey’s Piers The Wildwoods, NJ – February 21, 2012 It’s hard to imagine what Raging Waters and Ocean Oasis will look like for the 2012 season with dust, dirt and bulldozers presently everywhere. “With two new waterpark attractions in the works, we needed a solid vision to focus the construction efforts,” said Jack Morey, Executive Vice President.“The artwork challenged the engineers and architects to bring it all to life.” Jack Morey commissioned Neal McPheeters, an accomplished local painter, to create high quality painted renderings of Morey’s Piers two new waterpark attractions for 2012. In 1994, McPheeters and his wife moved to Cape May where he began creating paintings depicting the beaches and wetlands along the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay. They opened a gallery, Peter McPhee Fine Arts, in Stone Harbor in 2003. “This project was a great opportunity to do a unique kind of landscape,” said Neal McPheeters. The paintings will be displayed in the Morey’s Piers offices.
The Nifty New. . .Online SUN
by-the-sea Store!
Order SUN-designed Beach Essentials with one easy click!
www.Sunbythesea.com
{More products available online.}
(Front)
Can Cooler $7.
Nautical Canvas Totes $22. Canvas Totes $15.
Address______________________________ City, State, Zip__________________________ Nautical Tote QTY._____ @$22. =$_________ Canvas Tote QTY.______ @$15. =$_________ can cooler QTY._______ @$7. = $_________ Ph. Number_____________TOTAL $__________
for 2012 By Alison Heller
Neal McPheeters
T he wind whistles down an empty
boardwalk. An occasional pedestrian pulls his coat a little tighter as he walks the quiet two-mile stretch of boards. It is the off-season and at first listen, everything seems silent. Then, through the wind carries the sound of a jackhammer, the pitchy voices of a chorus of drills. At Morey’s Piers, life is anything but calm. This summer, new attractions will take the boardwalk by storm!
(Back)
Name________________________________
Forecasting Fun
S&H Included
Send Check
or M.O.
to: Dorothy Kulisek
P.O. Box 2101
Wildwood, NJ 08260
Ride the tides with RipTide and two new waterpark attractions. The Sea Dragon has been replaced with a new model of the same ride. This version, called RipTide, features uniquely Wildwood theming as a lifeguard boat with Sunny C. Gull perched at the helm looking out for stormy seas. Float for hours among waterfalls and geysers in River Adventure. The Lazy River at Raging Waters has been completely overhauled into an expedition for family fun! Enjoy beautiful rock formations. Relax in the grotto. Experience Raging Waters waterpark in an adventurous new way!
At Ocean Oasis, race friends and family to a wet and wild finish on Wipeout!, a brand new six lane waterslide. Go head to head- head first on a mat- and try to get the best finish time! This thrilling new addition will give older generations a nostalgic feeling as it bears a striking resemblance to the ride that started it all in 1969- the original Giant Slide which bore the same name as the new water attraction. The Giant Wheel got a lightning bright facelift with brand new lights. The entire wheel, including the center sun will be fully lit with energy efficient LEDs, creating a vibrant light show each night. With hundreds of patterns and infinite colors, the new lighting scheme will dazzle the night sky! On Surfside Pier, a whirlwind of new family rides has blown in to delight the kid in all of us. Happy Feet seats up to 12 riders, swinging them to and fro like an ocean wave. Kang’A’Bounce packs up to 16 guests into kangaroo themed vehicles and sends them springing into action! Get ready for sunny summer skies and gale force fun at Morey’s Piers & Beachfront Waterparks in 2012!
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the Sun by-the-Sea
Page 1 “Feelings are much like2/14/11 waves,8:08 we PM can’t stop them from coming but we can choose which one to surf.” ~Jonatan Mårtensson
KONAspring2011-2.qxp:Layout 1
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the Sun by-the-Sea
“The grass is always greener right here!” ~Anon.
on
th
d ZA re te IZ Sho m Vo T P sey y.co S r ill E Je h B the FoxP on my
Sam’s PIZZA
k al s 5 w 5 ar ard o Ye e B
Travels with T he SUN
PALACE
Have The SUN, will travel? The Menichini family enjoys Christmas 2011 in St. Thomas And a Christmas dinner at Mim’s. Left to Right Mark, Anthony, Matt and Karin
Anthony, Raoul, Roberto, Tony, Madden, Ryder, Lauren, Toni, Crew, Steve, and Sam are all ready for Summer of 2012
26th & Boardwalk Wildwood, NJ
522-6017 Travelling Bedbugs!
Welcome Spring with. . . . . .Good Food. . . Good Friends . . . and Great Times!
CB aasey’s on 3 rd r & Restaurant
Monday $3 Burgers & .35¢ Wings Tuesday Primetime Dinner Specials Prime Rib starting at $10.99 Wednesday Pie Day Sheperd’s Pie/Chicken Pot Pie $9 w/Salad Thursday 2 for $22 Fri. & Sat. Blackboard Specials Sunday 3~Course Pasta Dinner $12 Soup or Salad, Entree and Dessert
Live Entertainment Fri. & Sat. All Year Long
Best Friday Happy Hour id! K with Gary the m p 6-10
Voted by “Best Bar” Freetime “Best Bar Food”
“Best Live Entertainment”
3rd & New York Aves., North Wildwood
609-522-7759 Open 11am ~ 3am Year Round
Wildwood natives and Wildwood High graduates, Audrey Mondelli (WHS 1968) and Carmen Mondelli (WHS 1969) took the summer SUN to Jerusalem, Israel, December 2011. Look for their high school photos inside this issue.
Pictured above are the Bedbugs costume that won some local gals a free trip at a Flip Flopz Hallowen party in North Wildwood. (Below)The girls flew to Vegas this past winter. The SUN made a special appearance with Whoopie Goldberg at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum along with Kathy Savard, Laurie DeGroff, Sandy Hall and Ann Devlin at the Venetian Casino in Vegas. (Kelly Hall also helped out with their winning costume.)
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the Sun by-the-Sea
MARCH ~ APRIL 2012
“I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden.”
Rockin’ the Vineyard
Christmas Festival at Natali Vineyard
Vineyard officials:-) Betty Marshall, and brothers Al & Rich Natali (above) and Ray Pensari & Kevin Celli (below)
~Ruth Stout
IRISH PUB OPEN 7 DAYS YEAR ROUND
December 10, 2011
Natali Vineyards supported local charity Caring for Kids of Cape May County and Coat Drive during their two free holiday events this past winter. The 3rd Annual Rock & Wine Seafood Festival was held November 12th and included live music, award-winning wines and the finest seafood and non-seafood dishes. The Holiday Cheer Rock and Blues Festival was held December 10-11 and included unique holiday shopping, live bands, as well as their award-winning wines.
ic!! irish mus u!! irish men
Cel eb ra te S t. P at ri ck ’ s D ay Eve ry da y ! Sat., March 17 th
Murphys Law 12-3pm The Zone 10pm
St. Patrick’s Celebration Sat., March 10th Erin Express
“Third Degree”
St. Patrick’s Menu
$2 MILLER LITE, HIGH LIFE, MILLER CHILL BOTTLES $7 BUCKETS OF 7OZ. MILLER LITE $1-16OZ. PBR DRAFTS $1.50 PBR BOTTLES
Imports and Micro Brews
Ham & Cabbage Lenies • Sunset Wheat • Carlsberg $3 Corned Beef & Cabbage Sheperd’s Pie • 25¢ Wings • 99¢ Hot Dogs • $2.99 Cheeseburger w/Fries Lamb Stew. . . & more
10pm
From Rea’s Farm & Bakery in West Cape May, Vineyard vendors, Janis & Les Rea
4-7 at the Bar
happy hour every day
All Miller Bottles $2 • Miller Pints $2
Lunch • Dinner • Early Birds • Late Night • Live Entertainment
101 E. Walnut Ave. North Wildwood 609-522-4991 Screen Printing, Embroidery and More CUSTOMER INFORMATION 606 New Jersey Avenue
Eat Big. . . Spend Small! Company/Job Name:
North Wildwood, New Jersey 08260
Address:
609-729-2113
shop@shirtslave.com
ART PROOF
DAILY FOOD & DRINK SPECIALS
City:
State:
Contact:
Email:
Phone #:
Fax #:
Zip:
ARTWORK
From the Cape May County Chamber, Noelyn Gonzalez, Lauri Winsett & Sara Freeman
Cailin Callahan ~ Yoga instructor, Talented Musician, Gourmet Chef, et al
ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT
ear Round en Y p O Days
7
Matthew Smith parking attendant
Ron Hamann enjoying the fruit of the Natali vine
11:30am
THE UNDERSIGNED UNDERSTANDS THAT THE ABOVE ARTWORK IS FOR SAMPLE PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS ORIGINAL ARTWORK AND PROPERTY OF JAX LLC. DO NOT REPRODUCE.
17th Ave. North Wildwood Between NJ & Central (609) 729-7290
PRINT NAME:
X
TITLE
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DATE
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www.TheNorthWildwoodShirtShop.com · 606 New Jersey Ave · Wildwood, NJ · Phone: 609-729-2113 · Fax: 609-729-2117
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the Sun by-the-Sea
“You can always find the sun within yourself if you will only search.” ~Maxwell Maltz
A Broadway Moment with Grace Rogers
3301 Atlantic Ave. Wildwood, NJ
(609) 846-1110
Voted ‘Best Pot Roast’
2.
Lunch & Dinner Blackboard Specials {Updated Menu}
HAPPY HOUR 4-6PM every night at the bar
$
FROSTED MUGS Any Beer ‘til 6PM
We’re 11 Years Strong!
L i v e E n t e rta i n m e n t { o n o u r n e w s tag e } Ava il abl e for Cate r i ng ~ Pr ivate Pa r ti es
“A Touch of Paris in North Wildwood”
Claude’s
Restaurant & Sophie’s Bar
Grace & Darren Criss
How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying
On January 21st, I had the opportunity to go to New York City with my mom, and a friend, to visit the Al Hirschfeld Theater on Broadway. The show I saw was How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, starring Glee’s Darren Criss as J. Pierrepont Finch, the plucky window washer turned businessman, and Beau Bridges as J. B. Biggley, President of World Wide Wicket, a big name company in 1960’s New York City. The show starts with Finch (Criss) being lowered down onto the stage from midair, on a window washing platform. The audi-
5 Miles of Smiles!
11th Year in Anglesea
Re-Opening Easter Weekend April 6th Special Spring Menu Prix Fixe Fine Dining - Catering
Champagnes Fine Wines Cocktails
609-522-0400 100 Olde New Jersey Ave. North Wildwood
www.claudesrestaurant.com
Extreme Eileen!
ence then sees Finch reading a book, in the show narrated by talk show host Anderson Cooper. This book was called How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. How To Succeed became Finch’s best friend and dearest companion, as he often turns to it for guidance while making his way rather smoothly and quickly up the corporate ladder. Finch eventually stumbles upon World Wide Wicket Company, where he literally bumps into the president of the company, J.B. Biggley (Bridges). Taking the opportunity to chase his dream of becoming a real business man, Finch eagerly tells Mr. Biggley that he would like to apply for a job. Appalled that Finch did not know who he was; Biggley exasperatedly walks away from Finch, setting him up with Personnel Manager, Mr. Bert Bratt (Michael Park). On his way to Mr. Bratt’s office, Finch meets his nemesis, Mr. Biggley’s lazy, nepotistic, arrogant nephew Bud Frump (Christopher J. Hanke). Frump and Finch instantly start to bicker, but Finch is called into Mr. Bratt’s office by his secretary Smitty (Mary Faber). Diving into the future a bit, Finch has become very successful in the company. Finch marries Smitty’s friend Rosemary. The show ends with a big, flashy song-and-dance number titled “Brotherhood of Man.” How To Succeed in Business was by far my favorite show that I have seen. Not only was the singing and dancing perfectly on point, the show was funny, heartwarming and overall phenomenal. The casting made it even better. Darren Criss, co-founder of the musical theater group Team StarKid, which he started when he was enrolled at Michigan State University in 2009, is one of my all-time favorite actors, my very favorite on Glee, and I felt so privileged that I was able to see him live. Beau Bridges and the rest of the cast were also great. I loved Darren’s performance in the show and can only wish his successor Nick Jonas the best as he closes the show from January 24th to July 1st.
Eileen McGarry of North Wildwood recently traveled to Joplin, Missouri—the site of a devastating tornado that swept through the area in May, 2011. Her motivation for going was extreme, Extreme Makeover Home Edition that is. In a supposed-to-be 6 hour shift that turned into 24 straight hours at the build site, Eileen moved furniture, gardened, landscaped, painted, cleaned, and made lasting memories in and around the 7 houses under construction. These 7 homes, built in only 7 days, became the havens for 7 families greatly affected by last May’s storm. A recent Master’s level graduate of Sacred Heart University’s Isabelle Farrington School of Education, Eileen was unable to secure a permanent teaching position. She decided to make the best of her year off and use it to travel, explore, adventure, and help as many people as possible. The trip to Joplin was her first of many adventures, later travelling to Indianapolis, Indiana to volunteer at the 2012 Super Bowl. Eileen was seen on ABC TV in January as Extreme Makeover aired their 200th episode.
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the Sun by-the-Sea
“One half of the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other.” -Jane Austen 27
Fresh & Cooked Seafood Take-Out Platters Homemade Soups - Appetizers Side Orders • Sandwiches JUMBO maryland crabs LIVE ~ COOKED
Years!
on the main road into North Wildwood Call Ahead for Take Out!
729-9443 Call for Hours.
$5 Bloody Marys • $3 Mimosas
EASTER TRAYS AVAILABLE! Rick’s Platters...the finest & freshest seafood!
Put Rick’s fish on your dish. You will have a great meal and fantastic you will feel! by
SUNDAY BRUNCH! 10am - 3pm
Come to Good Night Irene’s! Where every night is a good night!
Crab Balls • Crab Fingers Clams Casino • Shrimp Cocktail •
OpenWkendsSun2012 Free Ice Packing2/23/12 for Travel Garrett Moretti
Open Every Day 11am - 3am
8:02 PM
38 Beers on Tap!
Page 1
Now Featuring 2 Taps from Cape May Brewing Co.
DINNER SPECIALS Fri - Sat - Sun 5-10pm Mexican Mondays 5pm~10pm $1 Tacos - $5 Nachos $3 Corona-Corona Lights $5 Margaritas
“Tiny Tuesday” 5pm~10pm $1 Cheeseburgers or Fried Mac & Cheese $2 Crabcakes, Buffalo Chicken $1 Mini French Fries $1.50 MIni Cassie French Fries Weds BOGO Pizza Night 5pm~10pm
FIND A MISTAKE?
Buy any Pie Get a Plain Pie Free Drink Specials 7pm-1am $3 we-call-it Shots $2 Miller Lite /Coors Light Bottles
It is our policy to include something for everyone. Since some people like to find errors, we regularly include a few in our publications.
The Bakery at Rea’s Farm
Open every weekend
Li ve Mus ic and
En te rt a inmen t
Friday & Saturday 10-3 • Sunday 10-2
Dedicated to High Quality Service Since 1948
.35¢ Wings & Blue Moon Steamers $1 Off Craft Beers • Quizzo starts @ 9pm all specials are subject to change
Visit us at www.GoodnightIrenes.com
Pies • LB Breads • Cookies • Nut Breads
4th & Bayshore • West Cape May • 609-206-3857
“Beer Geek Thursdays” 7pm~11pm
on the corner of Poplar & Pacific Ave. in Wildwood, NJ (609) 729-3861
Short on time?
Try our new Quick Deposit ATM
Specializing in Central Air Conditioning & Gas Forced Air Heat for 3 Generations
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cooling & heating, inc nj License # 13VH01834100
www.bowmansair.com
5104 Pacific Avenue, Wildwood • 609-522-0121 • Fax 522-7313
1-800-638-4393
We believe in you... Try us! 609.522.5115 www.crestsavings.com
This service is currently available only at our Wildwood Crest branch. * Check availability subject to review. Some Holidays excluded and other exceptions may apply. Read our Check Availability Policy or ask our staff for more details.
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the Sun by-the-Sea
“One thing a mother must always save for a rainy day is patience.” - Anon.
“The” Season By Marilyn Guidetti
Fine Italian Dining
• Fine Dining Marilyn gets ready for “the” season.
• Cocktail Lounge
Well its a new year, a chance to start
• Entertainment • Free Patron Parking in Rear
Chefs Vince & Mia Chiarella 3800 Pacific Ave. Wildwood, NJ Reservations: 609.729.5959 Open Year Round I Available for Catering I giaristorante.net
Gift Certificates make healthy gifts!
t a s u e e s e “Com ” h t n e T t a m the Gy thing you need!
anew and try to make this year better than last. Every magazine we pick up has an article about clearing the clutter, getting rid of stress, etc. It’s a new season, the winter holidays are over, time to relax (yeh! Right). Anyone with a summer home or a year-round residence in a resort town knows that it’s the “season” to plan for the summer season. During the Fifties my grandparents owned motels in the Wildwoods. That was when the natural dunes were on the beaches and doo wop entertainers were the thing in the bar section of Wildwood. The summers were hectic, but come September everyone either went back to the city or to Florida. I remember my Grandmother always planning ahead, it was the season to get ready for “the” season, then it was “the” season, then it was the season to close, then it was the season to go to Florida. In the late sixties my parents owned their own motel in North Wildwood. They moved into the living quarters and it became their main residence so they skipped the season of going to Florida. When the Firemen’s Convention came to the Wildwoods, it was considered to be the last weekend of “the” season. After the last fireman left on Sunday afternoon, mom would tell the maids to
stop working and come back to finish up during the week, then everyone headed for Sam’s on the boardwalk for pizza. Since they were not leaving for Florida, as my grandparents did, they extended the closing up season so they could enjoy the beaches, and take advantage of the still warm weather without the hassle of tourists. We all remember my mother’s famous warning; Do not get married or have a baby during “the” season because we will not be able to be there for you. That warning had a meaning to us when we were involved in the summer business. My family does not own motels anymore, although sometimes I think I have a Bread and Breakfast, but the idea of seasons is still there. Right now I am planning what maintenance and redecorating (much to my husbands dismay) has to be done before “the” season begins. We added a new sub season to our summer season. Christmas in July has become a tradition. We decorate and exchange gifts and have a special dinner. We all love it, but of course it takes planning. While I am taking down the decorations up North, I make a mental note of what I will need in July. Same thing with the menu and the gift shopping, guess the idea of seasons never goes away when you have grown up counting the days and months by seasons. It does make life interesting because you are always trying to get new ideas for the next season. My sister and I discussed having a summer Thanksgiving feast, so the extended family can be together again but that’s still on paper. The list of about 24 guests that we used to include, has grown to almost 60. But it would be unique to have a turkey and stuffing on the beach. Lets see, should I add another season to my list? Marilyn and her husband Bob enjoy their summers at their North Wildwood beach home with their 3 sons and 3 daughter-inlaws, 5 granddaughters and 1 grandson. She writes from her home in North Jersey.
Serving Breakfast Daily from 6am
ry We have eve
Breakfast Specials Fresh Pastries Daily
(609) 729-2286
10th & New Jersey Ave. North Wildwood, NJ Find us on facebook “The Gym at 10th Street” www.the gymat10thstreet.com
{former Gia location}
3001 Pacific Avenue Wildwood, N.J.
609.729.2222
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the Sun by-the-Sea
“They are happy men whose natures sort with their vocations.” -Francis Bacon
TONY LUKE’S
Styling for Men, Women & Children
Mon 10~2 Tues - Fri 9~5 Sat 9~4 Nighttime Appointments Available
O l d P h i l ly S t y l e S a n dw i c h e s
Perfect Cutz Jackie McDade, owner/operator
Yes, I’d like to order a Ton y Luk e’s ?
Perfection is what we achieve!
Specializing in 6000 Aster & New Jersey Ave., Wildwood Crest, NJ 609-522-5050
Free Parking
Cheesesteaks ~ Chicken Cutlet Roast Pork BREAKFAST SANDWICHES Served All Day Long
Marie’s
He y Mik e, It’s bee n a lon g win ter. Ya thi nk it’s tim e to cal l Sha rky Luk e bac k yet ?
Flower Shoppe
www.mariesflower.com
5918 New Jersey Ave. WILDWOOD CREST
609~770~7033
(609)729-0199
6200 New Jersey Ave. at Sweetbriar Rd. in Wildwood Crest
Serving The Wildwoods, Cape May & Cape May County with Quality & Excellence, Since 1973
Wishing everyone a prosperous 2012 season!
Strikes Bring You Closer
Affordable Fun for the Whole Family!
TOGETHER
attorneys at law
Stefankiewicz & Barnes, LLC 111 East 17th Street • Suite 100 • North Wildwood Tel: (609) 729-5250 • Fax: (609) 522-7532
BUST PINS Not Budgets!
Pizza, Pins & Coke!
David Stefankiewicz
• 2 hours of Bowling • Shoe Rentals • Lg. Cheese Pizza • Pitcher of Soda • Up to 5 people for one lane
welcome back to a new season
$49.95
And a warm welcome for: Daylight Savings time March 11. . . Saint Patrick’s Day March 17. . . our return to being open Thursdays through Mondays March 18. . . 1st day of Spring March 20. . . Good Friday April 6. . . Passover April 7. . . Easter April 8. . . and Tax Day April 16. . .
Algie’s Place BICYCLES
(over $70.00 value)
3401 New Jersey Ave.Wildwood, NJ
609-729-0111
Since 1979
sales ❈ parts ❈ accessories ❈ clothing ❈ service ❈ repairs
www.algiesplace.com (609)
729-5669
6207 New Jersey Ave. ❈ Wildwood Crest
Personal Service by Vic Our Expert & Owner
taiq major credit cards accepted
FREE Parking
Spring Hours
M - T - TH - F 4-12mid SAT 11-12mid SUN 12-10 Closed Weds
5.00
$
off
Pizza, Pins & Coke Fri- 5pm-9pm Sat-Sun noon-6PM Subject to lane availability. This special cannot be used for Birthday Parties.
20
the Sun by-the-Sea
“The three best sounds in the world are the rain, the wind and the ocean.” -Henry Beston Salads • Burgers • Jelly Fries • Paninis • Sandwiches
ls! Blackboard Specia
Follow us on facebook
5 Miles
of Smiles! The world always looks brighter from behind a smile.
www.ShoobiesGoodEats.com for our menu and daily specials
Uncle Dom Capacchione in Margherita de Savoia, Italy with The SUN
SPRING Hours:
Tuesday - Thursday 11am to 2:30pm Friday 11am to 4pm Saturday 11am to 5pm Closed Sun & Mon
Best Burger Best Lunch Spot Freetime
Jersey Shore Magazine
Jim Guidice’s 70th birthday with good old Wildwood friends, John McDowell, Jim Guidice (in a Wildwood Police Cap), Linda Guidice and Sue Waninger McDowell.
At The SUN by-the-sea we Love to share the story of “I Met My True Love in Wildwood”. . . Linda and
A new eatery with an eclectic menu at 25th and New Jersey
in always sunny North Wildwood (609) 522-7466 (Shoo)
Pre-Owned Bike Sales
609-408-8956
Sue were roommates at Rider College. Sue lived in Wildwood and persuaded her roommate to come to the shore for the summer in 1963. They worked at the Atlantic Diner on the night shift. The summer cops always came in for coffee after the bars closed. Jim and Linda fell in love that summer. The couples were in each other’s weddings and have been wonderful friends all these years. Jim went on to become a doctor of pulmonary medicine and a professor at UMDNJ. He was presented a basket of “Wildwood Memorabilia” for his birthday.
Vacationers. . . Students. . . Leave your bikes at home!
Lou & Marie Flacco dining at GIA
Fran Scully with her daughter Janet Ford with Bobby Villone enjoying good friends, and great food at Tucker’s Pub
3Js Bowling Alley Staff~ Tyler Prince Crazy Lou Sabatini enjoyed his Holiday SUN on a beautiful winter morning on a new bench by-the-sea in North Wildwood d Or Abandoned Ca oun ll... If F
• We sell reconditioned bikes at a fair price • Offering a buy-back program • We buy bikes Find us on Facebook
4203 Pacific Ave. Wildwood NJ
ww
Members of Greater Wildwood and Cape May County Chamber of Commerce
w. Zi
609-408-8956
ppy
s B ike
s.com • Pre-Own
ik ed B
eS
al
es
Jordan Archibald catches some winter waves
Santa & Jen Arthur at the Dennisville Christmas Historic House Tour, Dec. 17th, 2011
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the Sun by-the-Sea
“Every path hath a puddle.”
~George Herbert, “Jacula Prudentum”
Wildwood Memories by-the-Sea
Bennett & New Jersey Ave. Wildwood by-the-sea, N.J.
“At the beach, life is different. A day moves not from hour to hour but leaps from mood to moment. We go with the currents, plan around the tides, and follow the sun.” ~Sandy Gingras, How to Live at the Beach
609-522-7894
Take Out & Restaurant SPRING HOURS *Fri - Sat 4pm-10pm extended hours Palm Sunday weekend Friday Night Buffet 4 ‘til 10
pasta & pastry shop SPRING HOURS Fri - Sat 10am-10pm & SUN 10am - 4pm Full Assortment Re-Opening of Your Favorite th! Friday, March 9 Italian Pastries
NOW TAKING EASTER ORDERS!
Flooding at Burk & Pacific Ave (Spatz Pharmacy location) Sept. 5, 1935
Shop ! Online
Cookie Trays, Cakes Pies, Easter Breads & more
Full Line of Products available at www.raviolihouse.com
TD Limousine Service “A Fantastic Excursion Everytime” tdlimos.com 609.224.4833 609.224.4147
Flooding along Pacific Avenue in front of Silen’s August 24, 1933
tdlimos@hotmail.com
NYC • weddings • sporting events • special occasions
BEECHER-KAY
Realty Co.
Flooding in Wildwood circa 1934, location unknown Photos above courtesy of Dave Williams
Providing Service to the Wildwoods for 105 Years! 1907-2012 Homeowners • Motels • Restaurants Boats • Retail Stores • Auto • Flood Sales & Rentals Available
101 E. Wildwood Ave., Wildwood, NJ 609-522-2434 Fax: 609-522-6280
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the Sun by-the-Sea
“A rising tide lifts all boats.” ~ American proverb
50 Years Later . . .
We Remember the Storm of ‘62
The following pages are a collection of memories and photos of a severe nor’eastern that embedded itself forever in the minds of those who lived on the barrier islands of Cape May County in March of 1962.
The Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962 occurred on March 6–8, 1962 along the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States. It was considered by the U.S. Geological Survey to be one of the most destructive storms ever to affect the mid-Atlantic states. One of the ten worst storms in the United States in the 20th century, it lingered through five high tides over a three day period. The massive storm was caused by an unusual combination of three pressure areas, combined with atmospheric conditions of the Spring equinox which normally cause exceptionally high tides. The storm stalled in the mid-Atlantic for almost 3 days, pounding coastal areas with continuous rain, high winds, and tidal surges, and dumping large quantities of snow inland for several hundred miles.
Memories. . . as seen through the Craven’s front window at 104 W. 17th by Scott Jett
Giles (Bud) Craven was the North Wildwood Fire Chief at the time. And like every other fireman at the time, he spent 3 days and nights working around the clock. His wife Pat took this photo of the firehouse boat parked in front of their home, in which her husband used to go back and forth to the 15th St. firehouse in. The photo below noted her neighbor “Kelly” on his way home from work. Photos courtesy of Scott Jett{who hadn’t been born yet}
Cape May County Statistics from the Wildwood Historic Museum
City of Wildwood Report written by Winfield Ingles, Chief of Wildwood Police On or about 9:55pm, Monday, March 5th, 1962, this agency received an informational originating from the United States Weather Bureau, Atlantic City, NJ stating “As of 9:30pm gale warnings are displayed. NE winds up to 35 to 45 knots per hour. Tides will run higher tomorrow.” Other sources of weather news media reflected a drop in temperature with the forecast of snow. Best sources of information depicted that two low pressure systems were moving into the general area; one from the Midwest and the other moving from the Southwest. Preparations were made for snow, however, the precipitation continued as rain. Early Tuesday morning, March 6th, 1962, Mr. Albert Neill, Civilian Defense Director, appeared at headquarters and as the various needs developed, expeditiously arranged for additional equipment, inclusive of mobile units from the National Guard, designating Wildwood High School and the Recreation Center as evacuation centers. As the hours of Tuesday, March 6th , 1962 advanced, areas not normally subject to flooding were noted, causing an acceleration in the frequency of “Called for Services.” This agency shared the responsibility of rendering aid, in its numerous forms, to the residents of the Borough of West Wildwood. It is further noted that as the flooding continued with increased winds, numerous simultaneous fires were reported. Although no tabulation was made, many residents who were forced to move from their homes were moved to homes of friends or relatives or evacuation centers. Approximately 8000 phone calls were received during the 3 1/2 day period. A power failure during the evening hours of Tuesday, March 6th, 1962 further caused complications.
Memories of a NJ Bell Employee by Phyllis Bilotti Bethel Phyllis received a phone call from her work, the NJ Bell Phone Company on Pacific Ave. in Wildwood, on the morning of March 6th, 1962. She was told to pack a few days worth of clothes to bring with her to work that day. One of her most vivid memories are the cinders flying outside the window from various fires in town and most of them were probably coming from the Nesbitt’s furniture store fire.
~The full report can be read at the Wildwood Historical Museum
Aftermath of the storm.
NJ BELL Get Together: (Table L-R) Mary Lou Mattera, Kathleen Alexander, Phyllis Bilotti Bethel, Fran Botzenhart, Marie Patrizi, Rose Cologero Montefusco, (Standing) Bunny Viall, Mary Taylor continues on page 24
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50 Years Later . . . We Remember the Storm of ‘62 . . . Another Way to Remove the Sand
Photos below submitted by Margaret Wade McAteer of her parents’ Starfire Motel located at Leaming & Ocean Aves. where a double occupancy room could be reserved for as little as $8 per night (according to its brochure!). If you booked it on a Thursday night, you would even get a free family barbeque included in that price! Allan & Doris Wade built their motel in 1960 and owned and operated it until 1980. It is still in operation today.
One Way to Remove 3 Feet of Sand!
Memories of the Storm of ‘62 from an older interview with Pop & Connie by Dorothy Kulisek
Doris Wade writes... at the Starfire we had several feet of mud in the pool, parking area, and covering the office steps and in front of the units. We had to hire a frontend loader for a couple of days in order to scrape it all up, then hose it all down...a nightmare!!! We had many water leaks in the units as well. Debris from other buildings and homes scattered every which way. Hopefully we will never see the likes of that type of storm again. I will add, that when we were warned to evacuate the island during last August’s Hurricane Irene, I did not hesitate to move my family out of here. I’ve lived through many Wildwood storms in my 85yrs on this island, that was only the second time we had to evacuate.
In the early 1960’s, Ed (aka “POP”) and Connie Redding opened a rooming house at Magnolia & the Boardwalk called “Connie’s Rooms for $3. a Night.” During an interview I did with them back in 2004, they recalled the Storm of ‘62 that left the bottom floor apartments filled with three feet of sand. Soon after, a group of college kids came looking for a summer place and Ed and Connie showed them the bottom floor. They proposed to the students that if they could remove the sand they could have the apartment for the summer for free. The students seized the opportunity, turning it into a fun project. Not only did they remove all 3 feet of sand, but they offered to paint the rooms! “The one was purple and the others,” Connie smiled, “had each wall painted a different color. Oh, how I loved my summer kids!” She said, “They were like our own. We always had the kitchen open, and I would iron their work uniforms if they needed, or sew something for them. I cried every year when Labor Day came because I hated to see them go.”
The corner of Magnolia & Pacific Ave., old St. Ann’s Church
continues on page 26
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“Any proverbs about weather are doubly true during a storm.”
50 Years Later . . . Memories of an Anglesea Firefighter
by Reds Van Note When North Wildwood resident, Reds Van Note thinks back 50 years ago, he recalls 3 days of rescues while working at the Anglesea Firehouse. While Reds was out on duty, Mayor Catanoso promised to help transport Reds’ expectant wife Tootie (Jean) to the hospital, in the event she went into labor. He can still envision oil tanks and boats floating down every street. He will never forget the helpless feeling he had while watching Bob McCullion’s family’s house, (located on Pine Ave. behind Henry Js) burn to the ground after a telephone pole fell on their home. The firefighters could see the flames from the firehouse, but were unable to get through the 4-5 feet of water in the streets. (Jeannie Van Note was born April 1st, 1962, just 3 weeks after the storm)
We Remember the Storm of ‘62
~Terri Guillemets
Below photos from the collection of Bill Callahan
The Park Grill floated from 26th to Magnolia & Park Blvd.
The motel that once stood where the Bal Harbor is today at Stanton Ave. in Wildwood Crest. The Callahan family built the Saratoga Inn soon after the storm, one block up from here on Farragut.
Photos Below from Reds Van Note collection The Park Grill after floating 3 blocks south.
A crew of workers at Magnolia & Park Blvd. after the storm
Photo inside Park Grill circa 1952 L-R, John “Porky” Carlson, Teki, Magnus Ekstrom, Ev, Harry and Big J.
Thank you Wildwood Historical Society and all those who contributed their memories and photos from 50 years ago on March 6-7-8, 1962.
Looking north on NJ Ave. by Sunset Lake in Wildwood Crest
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“And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, ‘Peace, be still.’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” ~Mark 4:39
50 Years Later . . .
We Remember the Storm of ‘62
Dear Friends: The storm was over Wreckage was left. West Wildwood indeed Was a place bereft. Then into our area Came help from outside Rescuing those who’d Been caught in the tide. Workers came to help us Remove the debris. Food, clothing, and money Poured in here to me. I want to say “thank you” To each thoughtful one, But to write each a note Why, I’d never get done! To express our gratitude The right words I can’t say. Help in disaster One can never repay. But “thank you” and “Thank You” For every kind deed That was given West Wildwood IN HER GREAT HOUR OF NEED.
Gratefully, Va. Kavanaugh For the Boro of West Wildwood
“I can see clearly now that the rain is gone, I can see all obstacles in my way. Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind, it’s gonna be a bright, bright sun shining day.” - Johnny Nash
Aerial view of the storm damage over West Wildwood
When the ocean met the bay. . .
by Al Love I was away in the Army in 1961, but I recall my father was not permitted down to check on our house for almost a week after the storm. Our house on W. Glenwood Ave. is 4 steps up from the sidewalk. The ocean had met the bay and the water mark inside our house was over 4 inches. We had to replace mostly everything. Our electric wiring was also ruined. There was sea debris all over our yard and front porch. One positive thing for me was a rowboat drifted into our driveway and was stranded there. We left it on our front lawn thinking someone would see it and claim it. After four weeks it still sat there. Finally I dragged it down to the bay and tied it up to a pier. I used it for 3 summers and rowed it around the island of West Wildwood. It was my only boat. In 1963, when I was on the Wildwood PD, I heard the guys talking about the storm. They were helping the citizens in West Wildwood evacuate their homes. Two officers, (I believe it was officers W. Ostrander and D. Romeo,) got stranded there with a senior couple during the height of the storm. They were on the second floor of the home and the National Guard truck could not get back to them. All night they watched the homes in West Wildwood floating down the streets and into the bay. They survived it, but it had to be a nightmare. That is why almost all the homes there now sit high off the ground. That Nor’Eastern storm was the worst to hit the Wildwoods in history I believe.
My Father and the ’62 Flood by Joe Russo Certain images from the great storm of March 1962 that were deposited in my memory bank remain indelible to this day. I recall standing at Joe & Joe Russo the back door of our house on Rambler Road and watching the water cross Atlantic Avenue and playing in a sand pit with my sister and cousins amidst the wreckage of the Gingham Club. But the most enduring memories are those of my father, one of the many who dealt with the ferocious uppercut delivered by Mother Nature with courage, aplomb, and a steadfast determination. His actions during the storm and the days afterward impressed me then and they still do today. This is his story: “On the first day, the water rose up to four feet and then receded,” he recalled when I asked him about the storm recently. “We cleaned up and opened the restaurant at five o’ clock. We had one customer. Catherine Furio came in for dinner. Then the tide started to rise again for the second time. I said to Catherine, ‘You’d better put your feet up.’ Then we got four more feet of water. We heard a horn blowing and couldn’t figure out where it was coming from. It turned out that it was my mother’s Cadillac. It was under water in the garage behind the kitchen. “There was a fire boat full of firefighters that came up Davis Avenue and turned up Park Boulevard right into the northeast wind. They started to go backwards and they yelled over to us and threw us a rope to help them keep from drifting away. You remember Uncle Jamie’s shop was right behind the restaurant?” “Yes,” I said. “We were building some boats for a jungle land ride up at Palisades Park; eight of them in all. They ended up in a pile at the intersection of Artic and Cresse.” “Tell me about West Wildwood.” “Your cousin Bill Thompson was dating Sue Wanninger at the time and she lived over there. She had called him and asked, ‘Can you come and get us?’ I had the dinghy from our sail boat in the back yard. We loaded it into my convertible and drove over to the West Wildwood Bridge. “How were you able to get there?” I asked. “New Jersey Avenue and Central Avenue were dry because they were built up high for the railroad bed. The fire company was
blocking the bridge, so we put the dinghy in the water and rowed over to Sue’s house. We got Sue, her mother, and two sisters out. Her father Nick, who was the mayor of West Wildwood back then, said he was staying at the house. All he wanted was for me to go get him a pack of cigarettes. Later on, when we got back home, Nick called me. ‘You’d better come back,’ he said, ‘my house is moving!’ Bob Hentges told me that West Wildwood lost one hundred houses. They had to raise the bridges to let them pass through. Three of them wound up in Sunset Lake.” “I remember that!” I said. “One of them sat on the point by the inland waterway for years.” “That’s right,” said Dad. “A lot of places burned, didn’t they?” I asked. “The fires were horrible,” he replied, his face sagging. “From my mother’s back porch it looked like the whole town was on fire. They lost two whole blocks on New Jersey Avenue where the bowling alley is.” The one story that I wanted to hear, the one that I saved for last, was the story of how he got his business back on its feet. “What about the bar?” I asked. “During the storm customers still came in to drink. They sat on the bar with their feet hanging in the water while bottles floated by. We closed the bar for a week so we could move it out of the dining room and into the liquor store. The ABC came in and took every bottle in the place, even the ones that were up high. They took them over to the old city dump and ran over them with a tractor. “We set up a bar using plywood sheets set over half kegs on a dirt floor. The seats were planks on top of cinder blocks. Uncle Jamie even built a makeshift restroom out of plywood and curtains in the dining room.” “I went to see the Coombs brothers, George and Kenny, who owned Sellright Beverage. I asked them to front me some product to get started and they gave me five hundred dollars’ worth of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer plus some other stuff. ‘Pay us at the end of the summer, when you have money,’ they said. We put the beer in coolers and opened up. “Well, at the end of the summer, I went over to settle up with them and they said, ‘Don’t worry about it.’ They forgave the loan. I was so overwhelmed that I cried all the way home. And that is why I remained loyal to them and Pabst beer all of those years. I never forgot. That is something that people don’t do anymore.” Storm of ‘62 continues on page 28
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“Bless the beast and the children; give them shelter from the storm. Keep them safe, keep them warm.”
~Karen Carpenter
50 Years Later . . . We Remember the Storm of ‘62 “And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.” ~ Matthew 7:25
Shelter From the Storm by LouAnn Catanoso
There are more than a few moments from my early childhood that have left a mark on my memory. I can remember watching little ‘Shirley Temple’, (one of my favorite actresses), tap dancing with the great ‘Bill Robinson’. I have a modest collection of her black and white movies, and a few dolls. I can also still hear the sound of ‘Santa and his reindeer’ landing on the roof of our house Christmas evening. (Really!!) But, one of my most vivid memories is the one that I have of watching rowboats go past my house during the flood of ’62. I woke up a little confused on the morning of March 7th, 1962. Somehow I could just tell that I had overslept and missed school. I grew up in a three story home; the bedrooms being on the third floor. My house was located at 19th and New Jersey Ave. When I went downstairs I noticed my family (minus my dad) staring out of our dining room window which faced New Jersey Ave. When I joined everyone in looking out the window, my confusion only grew more intense. The street was completely submerged under moving water. I climbed up on the radiator (which was cold) and watched in amazement. My mom stood by in silence holding my baby brother, Billy, on her hip. (She gave birth to Brother Joe, #6, 12 days later.) I can’t imagine why I didn’t hear the fire whistle blow at 6:30am that morning. Perhaps it was because I was immune to the sound. My dad was a volunteer fireman, and we were accustomed to him running out of the house at all hours of the day and night. So, on this infamous morning, my dad and the other fireman were already out of their own homes, putting out fires and rescuing people from their flooded homes. All I knew, was it meant ‘a day off from school.’ The tide receded a bit during the day, but rose again by 6pm that evening. We had two apartments on the ground floor of our home which had three feet of water in them. The tenants that lived in them joined my family and I for the next few days, along with many other people that had been rescued from their cold, flooded homes. We were fortunate enough to have a huge wood burning fireplace in our living room. We had cots set up all over,
North Wildwood Firehouse at 15th & Central Aves. The calm before the storm Charlie Catanoso’s family home at 102 E. 19th.
and I can remember seeing faces in the glow of the fire. Everyone was grateful and calm. My mom went above and beyond the call of duty, making sure we all had plenty to eat. Being just 7 years old myself, I just thought it was kind of an ‘exciting adventure’. Only later on, when I got older, would I come to understand the seriousness of it all, and learn of all the heroics and good will that took place during those few days. People were rescued from their homes in army trucks; and some people who were on foot were rescued in boats. The North Wildwood firehouse was a safe haven for many people, and the ladies auxiliary made sure they all had hot meals. Recently when going over these memories with my mother, she reminded me of how when one of us kids would need to use the bathroom on the third floor, we would ‘all’ follow her up the stairs as she led the way with a flashlight. I can only take positive things away from this whole experience. Of course I’m only speaking from my perspective, but as far as I know, no one was seriously injured during those few days in our little town. I only saw the goodness and selflessness in people in a time of trouble. Funny how things are seen differently through the eyes of a child. Dedication: This story is dedicated to the memory of Mother Teresa; one of my lifelong heros who devoted her entire life to helping the unfortunate in the world.
The calm after the storm ~ Louise Catanoso with baby Joe who was born 2 weeks after the storm.
An abandoned firetruck at 17th & Delaware on its way to fight a fire at 18th & the canal
Two homes were destroyed by fire on Otton’s Canal on the morning of March 6, 1962. Firemen were forced to battle the flames from rowboats with portable equipment.
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50 Years Later . . .
We Remember the Storm of ‘62
We Lived Through the Storm of the Century~ One Family’s Account of the March ’62 Storm By Louise Garrison
Looking out of their windows, all that could be seen for 3 days was the bay.
Looking south from the Garrison’s front door during low tide. The storm surge lasted for 5 high tides. Water did not recede until the 4th day.
Nothing in the house was salvageable after the storm
The night the March Storm hit we went to a Wildwood High basketball game at Southern Regional High. Coming home that night the winds were high on Delsea Drive even in Cumberland County. Little did we know in a few hours Wildwood would be hit by The Storm of the Century. The next morning we were awaken by voices calling my name. It was 7:30 am on March 6th. I went to my door to see my neighbors waist high in water. There were four of them. They lived in a house on Q. Avenue in West Wildwood. It was a rancher, which was the latest style of home at that time. The only bad thing about this beautiful modern home was it was built right on the ground. All that was visible a few hours later was the peak of the roof. We had nine people, a dog, and a canary stranded for three days in our house. Tuesday was the worst part of the storm-rain-wind-tide. Tuesday night high tide we had eight feet of water in our living room. When the tide went down about midnight we went downstairs to light the wood stove to warm up. The water had receded to about two feet. We sat in the living room with water around the chairs bundled up in heavy clothes and blankets. The wind was about 90 miles per hour. The electric pole down the corner was sparking. We were praying the wind would not cause a fire that would spread to our house. The tide came back in and all nine of us went back up to the dormer attic which was furnished with two full size double beds and one single feather bed. We all huddled together fully clothed wrapped in old fashioned comforters. Come Wednesday morning we went downstairs to retrieve what nonperishable food we could. We prepared cereal and tuna fish sandwiches for nourishment. We had to feed three children and six adults, one of which was eight months pregnant. We were rescued at four o’clock Thursday afternoon by an amphibious boat. They took us to the Wildwood Recreation Center on Rio Grande Avenue which was the shelter. The shelter was crowded so my husband and his buddy Richard Crawford went out to make other arrangements. We ended up in Rio Grande at Tomlins Farm. They had a few cabins. They took in several flood victims. Nine people in three rooms, a bedroom, a kitchen, and a bathroom. We stayed a few days and from there we ended up in Wildwood Crest. We rented a house Dot Kroman owned and stayed until after Easter. Every day I would take the 5 Mile Beach Bus to Glenwood Avenue with empty suit cases and cleaning supplies to clean out our house in West Wildwood while Woody worked driving a Red Top Cab. I walked from Glenwood and Pacific Avenue to 210 Avenue P West Wildwood for two weeks. Cleaning three inches of bay mud off our floors. I opened the front door and back door and poured pine oil on the floor and hosed the mud and sand out the back
The Crawfords in the Garrison’s West Wildwood home. Note several inches of water on the floor.
Richard Crawford in the Garrison’s West Wildwood home. Note water level and piano in background.
door. Chopped up the furniture including an old player piano and put it out on the curb for trash pick up. After refurnishing and painting we finally returned before Memorial Day. We went through a lot, but when I saw all the devastation in West Wildwood and the other towns I was just thanking God we all made it out alive. It made us all stronger. They haven’t seen anything like that since and with the grace of God they never will. FOOTNOTE: The Red Cross paid for our rent when we were relocated as well as for paint, furniture, flooring, and food. Even a pair of shoes for my daughter Deborah. After we were evacuated we discovered she didn’t have any shoes on inside her boots. Everything was paid by vouchers. ~The Garrison family, Woody, Louise, Deborah, and Maryann
Storm of ‘62 continues on page 33
the Sun by-the-Sea
MARCH ~ APRIL 2012
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“Four things come not back: the spoken word, the sped arrow, the past life and the neglected opportunity.” ~Proverb
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t n h i r e Wildwoods! e t n i W Dec. 15, 2011 Wildwood Chamber of Commerce Holiday Mixer
Dec. 19, 2011 MORE THAN ENOUGH Soup Kitchen christmas community dinner
Friday December 2, 2011 Hereford Inlet Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and Wildwood jaycees Christmas parade & Tree Lighting Ceremony
Sisters Grace Salasin & Joy Salasin Presley with Joy’s baby 1 year old twins Viviana & Felicity. Love how the twins are holding hands
(L-R) Joanna Redburn, Mayor Bill Henfey, Chase, Bill, Molly, Lori, & Diane Henfey at the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse Christmas Tree lighting ceremony Angel Daniels, Ron Gelzunez, Alan & Joyce Gould at the Wildwood Chamber of Commerce Holiday Mixer
Donna Jean, Christine Love, Veronica & Rich
North Wildwood Brownie Troop 42540 in the Jaycees Parade including a few original Daisies. Bud Steinbronn from Penn Jersey Paper Products with his favorite Paper:-) Front center Julian, (L-R) Brittany, Zaria, Lita, Jaimie, Tanya & Delyse
Pat & Paul Amenhauser enjoyed seeing Jerry & Jon Rosenberg and the Good News Players in the Tabernacle church Christmas Play.
Rico & Jamie Mancini of Neil’s Steak & Seafood Restaurant
Gwenn Tempest, Biker Bob & Sharon McMonagle
the Sun by-the-Sea
MARCH ~ APRIL 2012
33
“Even on cloudy days the sun waits to break through.” ~Anon.
Three Sisters Remember the Great 1962 Nor’easter The Storm of 1962 came as a big surprise to everyone, especially to the Newell family and their three little girls. At that time we lived in Wildwood in a second floor apartment on Juniper Avenue, very close to Park Boulevard. There were five Newells in 1962; Dad (Paul), Mom (Joan), Donna (10), Paula (8), and Anna Marie (5). Our young mother of twenty-nine years had to have gallbladder surgery at Mercy Hospital in Sea Isle City just a few days before the storm. But she had an urge to go home the day before the storm, and reluctantly her doctor allowed her to leave. That turned out to be a good thing. Had she stayed, she would have been evacuated from the hospital with the rest of the staff and patients during the storm! The rain poured down from a darkened sky on that day on March 7, 1962. As the tides rose and the wind pushed them in even further, the flooding began. Dad decided to move his 57’ Chevy to New York Avenue thinking it would be safe from the water. No deal, New York Avenue along with Dad’s Chevy ended up being completely submerged. As the storm raged, water began to surround our apartment building. Dad put on his knee high boots to check on the Hipples, an elderly couple who lived on the first floor below us. Our landlady Mrs. Morley, also on the first floor with her two daughters Kathy and Bea, called Dad to have him check out her water pipes. She was concerned the pipes had ruptured because water was coming through her floor boards. But Dad realized that it was sea water rising under the house, so he led the Morleys to our second floor apartment. With the water rising above the front porch, Dad and the Morleys (with Dad carrying their cat), had to balance themselves as they walked as quickly as they could across the porch railing! Once the Morleys were safely upstairs Dad rushed downstairs to get the Hipples. By this time he had to use the rear steps outside the apartments. Using a screwdriver, he pried open the Hipple’s bedroom window. As he crawled in through the window, he was surprised to see the Hipples standing on their bed. Produce from the kitchen, like onions and potatoes, were floating along with much of the Hipple’s furniture. Dad helped them get out of the window and onto the back steps where they made a hasty retreat to our second floor apartment. As the storm raged, seven adults, three little girls, and
one cat, not knowing what was going to happen to us, huddled together in our tiny two bedroom apartment. By nightfall, with power gone, we lit candles for light. Oil tanks were spilling into the water and the sky was ablaze with fires from the oil being ignited. Nesbitt’s Furniture Store had caught fire and was a flaming inferno lighting up the sky for miles. We all had a frightening feeling as we watched water lapping against windows in so many vacant summer homes. Oil slick, debris, and furniture was floating everywhere. Mom said, “I think it’s the end of the world!” Our apartment building shook and swayed under the relentless wind, rain, and seawater. A neighbor’s outside shower stall was ripped up and blown into the air where it hit electric wires. It burst into flames and landed in our backyard. Donna, Paula, and I were so scared that, as we snuggled together on the bottom bunk bed, we fell asleep praying for God to save us. By morning the rain had stopped and everything was calm. As we looked out from our second floor porch, it was as if we were in the middle of the bay. Mrs. Jone’s porch was floating past us. A chair was sitting on that porch, and the porch stairs and screen door were still attached. Dad tried to add humor by making a lasso to catch the porch so he could use it to rescue us. We were evacuated by the National Guard. I was thrilled to ride in a big Army truck. We were transported to the second floor of the Wildwood recreation center on Rio Grande Avenue where there were rooms for us. I remember the late Dr. Robert G. Salasin coming to examine Mom who was still recovering from her gallbladder surgery. Little did I know then that in fourteen years I would marry Dr. Salasin’s youngest son, Jeffrey. Mom had to stay overnight at the recreation center. The rest of the family were picked up by our friends, Kenny and Linda Lee, who owned the Yellow Cab Service. They took us to stay in their home in WIldwood Crest until we were able to safely return to our home. The three little girls, now Donna Davis, Paula Brennan, and Anna Marie Salasin, dedicate this story to our Dad, who we consider to be our hero. We love you, Dad!! XOXOXO Also: Special thanks to Anita Hirsch for helping to write this story.
Susan Laird, Donna & Anna Marie Newell on Juniper St., before & after church, 1963
A cottage that floated away
The Newells lived on the 2nd floor at 236 W. Juniper (above). Mrs. Jones’ porch rested on the sidewalk after the storm.
The Park Grill made landing on the corner of Magnolia & Park Blvd. Here it is shown being prepared to be moved back to its 26th St. location
Some houses completely collapsed during the great flood of 62.
Devastation can be evidenced in this photo of debris and eroded streets, taken near Otten’s Harbor Storm of ‘62 continues on page 34
34
the Sun by-the-Sea
“Every picture tells a story.”
50 Years Later . . .
~Rod Stewart
We Remember the Storm of ‘62
My Family’s Furniture Store Fire During the Storm of ’62
by Pat Nesbitt Nagel At the time of the March 1962 storm, my parents owned Nesbitt’s Furniture Store on the corner of Cedar & N.J. Aves. (now the 3Js bowling lanes). During the storm we were all safely at home in Wildwood Crest, where there were no signs of flooding. I was listening to the radio in my room when the announcer from WCMC broke through the music and told everyone that Nesbitt’s was on fire. He said he could see the engines on NJ Avenue but the street was so flooded they couldn’t get to the fire. I ran to the kitchen and told my parents the bad news. We later learned because it was a wooden building filled with flammable Nesbitt’s Furniture Store on the corner of Cedar mattresses, carpets, sofas, etc. it burned & NJ Aves., looking south to the ground in minutes leaving only a large safe sitting in the middle of the lot.
My Family Storm of ‘62 Memories by Lisa Lauriello Bukowski
. . .The bay is rolling down the Boulevard and the Ocean is coming to meet it! My house on Taylor and Park Blvd. and had two giant concrete steps and a front porch with what seemed like a million jalousie windows. I remember my Uncle Freddie coming by and telling my Dad “Joe, the bay is rolling down the Boulevard and the Ocean is coming to meet it” and I thought what does that mean? I soon found out. The storm raged, the sky turned orange - there was a horrible fire in the middle of the storm - Nesbitt’s Furniture burned down. . . and the water just kept coming, filling Park Blvd. like a giant pool. The chatter in the house was focused on what step the water reached. You see, we had a floor heater and even though it was March, it was cold and windy and we
feared losing our heat. It was frightening and fascinating at the same time. My father rescued our neighbors, they lived on the first floor and he found them huddled on top of their bed. He moved them to higher ground. Daylight brought the spoils of the storm my brother Steven and I watched through the windows - we saw people’s belongings floating by - we saw a neighbor “Willie, the Coke Man, Cardaci” rowing in a concrete mixer - I remember it like it was yesterday - I can still here the giant splash when the huge National Guard trucks went through the water. . . but mostly I remember that after the storm, all of my friend Roseann’s dolls were blue, but we played with them anyway!!!
The ruins of Nesbitt’s Furniture Store on the corner of Cedar & NJ Aves., looking south
Many cars on the island were lost during the storm of ‘62 when the ocean met the bay. Photo courtesy of Wildwood Historical Museum
The ruins of Nesbitt’s Furniture Store, looking at Schellenger Ave.
The ruins of Nesbitt’s Furniture Store, looking at Cedar Ave. Photo by Richard Dietz
The ocean forced its way over the bulkhead at Hereford Inlet. From the collection of Woody Garrison Most people would recognize this location as right in front of the Greek Church Storm of ‘62 continues on page 30
the Sun by-the-Sea
MARCH ~ APRIL 2012
“Shine as stars in the world.” ~Phil. 2:15
Community Christmas Dinner at Crest Community Church Soup Kitchen December 19, 2011
“What I’m interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families” ~Isaiah 58:7, The Message version
Kitchen elves~ Veronica, Joe, Annie, Mike, Pat, and Donna Jean helped to feed over 300 delicious holiday dinners
Make new friends, but keep the old! Stevie Ballantine & Michael Holmes are good ‘old’ Wildwood friends. “More Than Enough” Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry at Crest Community is not only spreading joy to visitors, but is a chance for all of those who live here to get together and fellowship while serving the community. It is in giving that we truly receive.
Greeters ~ Pat, Lori, Stephanie
Kathy Clark & Michael Callahan. Miracles do happen and God does hear our prayers! Michael is healthier than ever after his long bout with Leukemia this past year. He & Kathy happily spent some winter fun on the slopes.
Clint Adams on the Bongos
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the Sun by-the-Sea
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with Danielle Wilson General Manager Ruben Amaro Junior wasted no time this offseason snatching up the players that will make the 2012 Philadelphia Phillies something to behold. Much to the fans’ delight, the longesttenured Philadelphia athlete, Jimmy Rollins, will remain in red pinstripes for at least three more years. Cole Hamels will also be returning this year, hoping to soon sign a long-term deal with this club. However, we will be seeing a few new faces on the field, and one face who’s making a one-year return with the Phillies: Jim Thome. Thome, traded to the White Sox in 2005, will return this year to fill a spot on the bench, and the spot of Ryan Howard. It has been reported that Thome will start in 2-3 games per week this season. John Mayberry will also help out at first base. Newly acquired utility men Laynce Nix and Ty Wigginton will be able to play left field if needed. The bullpen has certainly changed its appearance. After rumors swirled of closer Ryan Madson returning for four more years, they were proved untrue when the Phillies signed former Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon to a four-year, $50 million deal. He is the highest paid closer in all of baseball. Along with Papelbon, the club signed left-handed reliever Dontrelle Willis, right-hander Chad Qualls, and minor leaguer Jeremy Horst, who was dealt to
Philly from Cincinnati for infielder Wilson Valdez. Another minor leaguer, Frank Gailey, was traded to Philly from Toronto for right fielder Ben Francisco. With an overwhelming amount of help on the bench and in the bullpen, the Phillies are set for what should be another winning season. As for the starting rotation, it lost one of its aces, sadly. Roy Oswalt will not be returning this year due to free agency. He will not sign with Philadelphia, his agent recently stated. The rotation will now be Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Vance Worley, Joe Blanton. Although, Worley and Blanton may be switched. The bullpen is now home to Kyle Kendrick, Jose Contreras, Papelbon, Willis, Qualls, Antonio Bastardo, and David Herndon and/or Michael Stutes. The roster may or may not have room for both Herndon and Stutes. Pitchers and catchers reported to spring training on February 19th, while the rest of the team along with non-roster invitees reported on February 25th. Utley and Howard will both be eased into spring training. Howard will miss time during the regular season due to his recovering from a torn Achilles. It is predicted that he will return by early May. As for the pitchers, there isn’t a single thing to worry about. Roy Halladay is still a workhorse, getting to the ballpark bright and early. Cole Hamels feels ready to go after undergoing a surgery which removed loose bodies in his elbow, and repaired a hernia. Everyone is in fantastic shape, especially Joe Blanton who lost a lot of weight. They’re ready for the 2012 season, are you?
Starting pitcher Cliff Lee takes ground balls during fielding drills.
Brian Schneider looks on as his fellow catchers take batting practice.
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the Sun by-the-Sea
MARCH ~ APRIL 2012
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the sun by-the-sea magazine
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the Sun by-the-Sea
“Men love to wonder, and that is the seed of science.”
#1
Tavern
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
THE HOME OF THE SUPER TULLY NUT
~A Series of old Wildwood Bar Stories~
PHOTOS & STORY By Josh Kinney Mark Tully has a secret formula. He has it written down, audio recorded and videotaped. These three things are locked away in “the spot.” Only one person knows where that spot is, however, that person has no access to it, but Mr. Tully’s wife Lillian does. On the other hand, she can only go to ‘the spot’ when ‘the person’ tells her where it is. The recipe is Mark Tully’s world famous Super Tully Nut, the house drink of #1 Tavern. It’s a mixture of 5 liquors served with an umbrella, straw, cherry and a slice of orange and can only be purchased at North Wildwood’s #1 Tavern on 1st and Atlantic Avenues across from the Sea Wall. Romolo Leomporra is his real name, though being an entertainer his stage name became Mark Tully. During the 1970’s Mr. Tully owned a nightclub for 14 years at the corner of Old New Jersey Avenue. It was called Mark Tully’s Nut Club and the performances were extraordinary, with lights and the latest technology at the time to enhance the show. As an artist, Tully put a great deal of creative energy into what he did so it wasn’t surprising that his secret recipe would be distinctive and matchless. During the winter of 1968-69, Mark experimented in his home, putting drinks together. He ended up with two with four liquors and two with five liquors. One evening he presented the drinks to his wife, father, a trusted bartender and himself. No one was allowed to talk about the drinks while tasting but each had a piece of paper. They sat and chatted about other things and when they had finished the fourth drink everyone had written down which one they had liked the best. Everyone had written down the same, and thus produced ‘The Super Tully Nut’ taken from Mark’s last name and the club he owned at the time. The drink became extremely popular in the Wildwoods and customers were going to other bars asking for it, but Mark Tully’s #1 Tavern was and is the only place in the world where it is sold. “It’s like an Italian mom who makes great Italian gravy. It’s a little bit of this and a little bit of that, every bit is blended so you can’t pick out any one thing which makes it great,” said Mark. And the drink has been known throughout the country in places like Chicago and Hawaii and throughout the world from England to Russia, the Caribbean to India. Families have come to the Tavern and introduced the drink to
Mark Tully and his son mixing up the ‘secret’ Super Tully Nut
2012 marks the 44th season for #1 Tavern at 1st & Atlantic Aves. in North Wildwood
their kids and grandkids, passing down the unique flavor that “everyone seems to taste differently with their own exclusive pallet.” This will be the 44th season for #1 Tavern which happens to be one of the oldest bars in the entire area that has the same name, owner, and management. “I really don’t know how to run a bar, but this bar I do know how to run,” he said, saying that his favorite part about being the owner is the customers. “The people who come in here and the way they act, it’s just phenomenal. They’re so respectful and thank me and say they had such a great experience. That’s why I’ve been here 43 years.” Mr. Tully is very respectful of the neighborhood and as a resident feels to the need to take good care of area. Just this summer vacationers had told him that they wished they could buy a house across the street just so they could be close to his bar. Eventually Mark plans on retiring and when he does his sons, Romolo Jr. and Christian will take care of the business. “And they’ll know The Super Tully Nut,” he said with a devious smirk, “but this how they’re gonna know it: one son is going to know part of the recipe and the other son is going to know the other part.” Both sons are to not tell each other their half of the formula. One will do one thing and the other will do another and together they will combine it and the secret will be kept. This summer the theme will be, “Have you had your Super Tully Nut experience?”
“I know that everyone who reads The Sun must enjoy it as much as I do!”
~George Anderson
There’s a Memory on Every Page! Reminiscing is what we do best!
E-mail: sun-by-the-sea@verizon.net Snail-mail: The SUN p.o. Box 2101, Wildwood, NJ 08260 Phone: 609-522-2721
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the Sun by-the-Sea
“When I no longer thrill to the first snow of the season, I’ll know I’m growing old.”
5 Miles of Smiles! Hey! I’ve got nothing to do today but smile.
i n s a t h m e t W s i ildwoods! r h C 11th Annual “Sounds of Christmas” Concert
Friday December 2, 2011 Hereford Inlet Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
The Sittineri Family enjoyed the tree lighting ceremony at the Lighthouse. L-R Mary, Nicky, Cindy, Julianna & Nick
~Lady Bird Johnson
Friday December 2, 2011 Wildwood jaycees Christmas parade & Tree Lighting Ceremony
John Lynch, Christine Mattera, Jodi DiEduardo & John Siciliano~ of the Jaycees Christmas Parade & Family Celebration held at the Wildwood Convention Center that kicks off Christmas in the Wildwoods on the first weekend of December.
Assumption Church Christmas Concert with Santa and the beach buddies from Hollywood Avenue, WC (L-R) Jean O’Brien, Ione Laffey, Santa, Ione Wenrich, June Barkovitch
Melanie & Sharon with Santa-baby Jimbo Feketics & Brad Vogdes had the privilege of driving the Underdog Queen for the Wildwood Christmas Parade. Pictured here with Wildwood Police Officer Laura Frontz
Barbara, Xiao YuLiu & Tony Flacco
Nick Nastasi & Carole Pantalone who have been helping to bring this exquisite Christmas event to Wildwood Crest for the past 11 years
Mikki & Kim McMonagle made a special trip to the shore for this Christmas event
Kathy & Dee enjoyed this lovely night.
Austin & Bob Neri never miss a concert.
Claudia & Katie Von Savage
Thank you Mary, Nick Nastasi & Aurora
In the beautifully decorated Lighthouse Gazebo, Peter Harp entertained the crowd with his seaside maritime folk music. There was also singing by the Margaret Mace school choir and a guitarist, a bagpiper playing Christmas music, and Dolly McGee singing the national anthem.
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the Sun by-the-Sea
“If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me...” ~Psalm 139:9
Calvary OPC celebrates 75th Anniversary November 13, 2011 Members & friends of Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church gathered together to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the founding of the church. Their first Sunday service was held at a rented building located at Davis & Pacific Aves. in Wildwood in July 1936. Calvary OPC is one of 24 original congregations of that denomination that is still in service today. The church at 119 E. Rio Grande Ave. was dedicated on July 7, 1946. They have always been known for their interest in foreign missions, which was originally fostered during its early beginnings. The Boardwalk Chapel has also been part of their ministry for over 60 summers.
Churches in the Wildwoods
Eureka Baptist Church
“On Easter Day the veil between time and eternity thins to gossamer.”
142 W. Spencer Ave. 522-1028 Sunday School 9:45am Sunday Service 11am Wed Prayer 7-8pm
~Douglas Horton
Anglesea Baptist Church
3rd & Atlantic Ave. 522-2951 Sunday Worship 10:30am Eve. Prayer Meeting 6pm Wednesday Family Bible Classes 7pm
Asbury A.M.E. Church Calvary Pastors: L-R George Kostas,1984-94, David Cole 1980-84, James Zozzaro (1995-present), Richard Gerber 1971-79
First Presbyterian Church 4511 Pacific Ave. 522-1244 Sunday Service 11am Wed. Bible Study 10am Youth Program Fri. eve
First U. M. C. of Wildwood Crest
6700 Atlantic Ave. 729-4265 Sunday Service 9:30 Women’s Bible Study Tues. 9:30am Pastor’s Bible Study Wed. 11am
Young & New Jersey Ave. 729-5584
Notre Dame de la Mer Parish Assumption RC Church 7110 Seaview Ave. Wildwood Crest 522-4114 Mon-Fri 8:30am Sat. 4pm Sunday 8:30am
St. Ann’s RC Church 2900 Pacific Ave. Wildwood 522-2709
Bruce Fenton & Elder Ron McGowan
Sat. 5:30pm / Sun. 10am Weekday Masses Mon-Fri 7am, Marian Devotions Sat. 9am Sun 7pm, Spanish Mass
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 2810 Atlantic Ave. 522-5000 8am Spoken Service w/Communion 10:30am Traditional Service w/Communion ~ Sunday School. Third Sunday of each Month 10:30am Contemporary Blended Service w/ Communion
North Wildwood United Methodist Church 2nd & Central Ave. 522-2271 Sunday Service 9am
Beth Judah Temple Pacific & Spencer Aves. 522-7541 Shabbat Services Saturday 9:30am
Rev. George Kostas with Elder Emeritis Joe MacClain
301 Anglesea Ave., 522-0152 Orthos 9am Divine Liturgy 10am
Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian 119 E. Rio Grande Ave. 522-8489
Plenty of parking
Lifetime Friends and charter members Rebecca Mullen & Phoebe McGowan
Sunday School 9:45 Sunday Service 11am Eve. Service 6pm Sunday 6pm 97.9fm radio
Crest Community Church Crocus & Pacific Aves 522-1618
Ray Forbes, Connie Hunt & Rich Kayander
Bev Roach, Grace Mullen, Charlotte DeVries, and Wendy Cole
Sunday Services Very Casual: 9:30am Kind of Formal: 11am ‘MORE THAN ENOUGH’ FOOD PANTRY
First Baptist Church Maple & Atlantic Ave. 522-2981 Sunday School 9:30am Sunday Service 11am
The Carpenter Shop
Bunny McGowan with son-in-law Norm Beischer and daughters Tracey & Michelle
St. Simeon’s by-the-Sea Episcopal 26th & Central Ave. 522-8389 Sun. Holy Communion 9am Wed. Healing 6:30pm
Central Bible Church 18th Ave. & Central Ave. 522-5917 Sunday Service 11am & 6pm
3 Generations: Jennifer Collins, Jan McDonough, and Farrah Collins
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox
tcsministries.org
4501 Park Blvd. 523-1444 Sunday 10am Thurs & Fri 6:30pm Tues. Intensive Care Prayer 6:30pm
West Wildwood Bible Church 9 Neptune Avenue 523-8863 Sunday Service 10am Eve. Prayer 6pm Wed. Prayer 7pm
HOPE Pregnancy Center 3808 Rt. 9S Rio Grande 609-886-7022
321 West Ave. Ocean City 609-398-9449
Find Help and Healing DivorceCare is a 13-week program and support group that meets every week to help the recovery of those hurting from separation or divorce. Tues 7pm-9pm at Seaview Baptist Church, 2025 Shore Rd., Linwood, NJ. 609-927-5015 www.divorcecare.org
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the Sun by-the-Sea
“The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery.” ~Mark van Doren, Writer/poet
Wildwood Middle School Teacher Retires After 25 Years
Farewell Mr. Stevenson
by Ione W. Laffey Middle School Special Education Wildwood School District written by Meg Corcoran
Teacher Jon Stevenson began his road to discovery in Los Angeles, CA, where he lived until he reached the 7th grade. He and his family then moved to the island of Guam in the Pacific. It was there that he continued his education, ultimately earned his high school degree. For the next two years, he attended Northwestern University. He completed his college education at Dordt College in Iowa, where he gave weather reports on the local radio station (farmers were very interested in their corn). Ever the world traveler, Jon spent summers with his granddad in Vineland, NJ, where he eventually would meet his wife, Marian. His love for Wildwood (and Marian) began, as the two of them made the trip to Wildwood’s Boardwalk Chapel. They would also both love to ride the Wild Mouse on the boardwalk. Following their wedding in 1969, Jon and Marian lived in Puerto Rico on the island of Vieques for three years, where Jon did Christian broadcasting. The first of their five children was born there. The Stevenson’s were happily lured back to the seaside town of Wildwood when a position at the Boardwalk Chapel became available, a position he would proudly hold for many years. Jon soon became a substitute teacher at Wildwood High School where he earned the distinct honor of working in “the Pit” as the in-school suspension teacher. Having survived that task, he spent one year as a truant officer before finding his place at Wildwood Middle School as a social studies teacher. The newly-retired Jon shared with fellow teacher/comrade Ione Laffey a love of teaching and a sense of humor (having learned a wise life lesson that one must never take one’s self too seriously). She and Jon worked together for 16 years (sharing a classroom for six). Ione recently recalled how he managed to hold the students’ attention with his vast knowledge of history, his ability to fix any computer problem, and his affection for corny jokes. She remembers the best joke she ever played on him was on his “60” birthday. She had him called away to handle a computer problem. When he returned to the classroom, his students were holding up 20 head-on-a-stick pictures of him while they all sang Happy Birthday!
Inspiring through knowledge and humor (and the occasional corny joke), Jon remained dedicated to the craft of teaching. He holds the distinction of having had only one sick day (and that’s only because the school nurse made him go home) during his tenure. He was committed to the long list of students who marched through his classroom on the way to fulfilling their own dreams, grateful to have had such a supportive guide. Jon officially retired on December 31, 2011 after 25 years of serving the district, leaving behind a void that will be hard to fill.
One of our themed dress up days, Mrs. Laffey, Ms. Pierce, Mr. Stevenson
Another themed dress up day, Mrs. Laffey was Flava Flav and Mr. Stevenson was Wyatt Earp
One of the best jokes Mrs. Laffey played on Mr. Stevenson was when she pasted his picture in as one of the Presidents and he did not notice it until the end of the day.
Mr. Stevenson made a square box of his head for a mask during ‘spirit week’
Mr. Stevenson’s head-on-a-stick picture that was hung at the copy room door!
With the help of Mrs. Laffey, Mr. Stevenson’s students surprised him for his 60th birthday, with his head-on-a-stick.
Jon & Marian Stevenson in 1969
Jon & Marian Stevenson, 2011
Jon & Marian’s favorite boardwalk ride, The Wild Mouse. Photo by Tom Kinneman, Courtesy of the Wildwood Historical Museum
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the Sun by-the-Sea
“No one is more cherished in this world than someone who lightens the burden of another. Thank you.”
We LOvE Mr. LYnCH!
Glenwood Avenue 5th grade students pose for a picture in perfectly silly ‘Mr. Lynch’ style, excited to surprise him in The SUN Lunch with Lynch is a non-profit organization partnered with the Fraternal Order of Police that works to help children in need, with a focus within the area of Wildwood City. Many students at the local schools fall below the poverty line, and according to recent New Jersey Census data, Wildwood City was reported to have the highest percentage. One result of the students’ situation of poverty is that they have limited opportunities to gain experiences that occur off the island and outside of Wildwood. The Lunch with Lynch program believes that these experiences are an important component to the development of their character, so the focus has been to fund unique experiences for them. The program has accomplished this by assisting with the costs of transportation and admission for field trips, and also by securing speakers to come to the school to share their experiences. The Lunch with Lynch program has accentuated the school children’s education by enriching them in many ways. Here are a handful of ‘Thank Yous’ from a handful of children that have been blessed through the compassionate efforts of Mr. John Lynch, aka MR. LUNCH. To learn more visit www.LunchWithLynch.com Mr. Lynch is energetic because he never seems tired Mr. Lynch, Mr. Lynch is a creative person because he always to do stuff for our school. He likes kids alot, and his Thanks from me. Thanks to you. has something brilliant and cool to say. He is a very job too! ~Angelina Panzini I don’t know what I would do without you. You’re delightful person and I like him just the way he is! the best of all the rest. You’re not a Grinch, Mr. Lynch! You’re a star thats high in the sky. Thanks for all the pizza and thanks for the smile that your face brings. Love, Kahlia Jones, 5B
Mr. Lynch you’re always making me feel special and I like your southern accent too. I want to thank you for doing all the nice things for my family. I hope God blesses you wherever you go. Love, Soledad I like Mr. Lynch. I know he’s not a Grinch. He likes to jump and be funny. When he brings us pizza it’s really yummy. He likes to laugh and smile. I can see it from a mile. ~Jonathan Halas 5B Dear Mr. Lynch, You help us be better learners, you are funny, happy and crazy about kids. I love the way you talk with a Southern accent. Your friend, Bryea Brown 5A
~Rayiana Shockley
I remember when we wrote to Georgia, went to Sams Pizza, and Dairy Queen. I remember when you had the Tootsie Roll contest, when you bought pizza to school, and when you got us notebooks. But my favorite memory is yet to come. ~Thalia Ortiz 5B
Mr. Lynch is a nice person he gives us stuff for the holidays. He comes to see us at lunch time whenever he can. ~Alex Mujica
Mr. Lynch is a busy man and our school loves him for all he does for the kids. ~Dalton Nava
When he comes to visit our school we get all excited. We can’t wait to see this happy, nice guy again! Your good friend, Pedro Garcia
Thank you for the cute lucky ducks. We are so grateful for you, Mr. Lynch. We struck luck! Where do you get all the money to buy us stuff? ~Rocio 5B I like when you make arrangements so we can cone to the Convention Center for field trips. I also like when you have contests so we can have small parties in class. And i like when you give us books right before Christmas Break. Thank you Mr. Lynch. Your friend, Frank Gerace 5B
Mr. Lynch is the kind of person who would do anything for anybody. He is tall and skinny and loves to joke around. He just randomly comes to our class and yells “HELLO EVERYBODY”. I love Mr. Lynch! ~Angelic Goodson Mr. Lynch has a big heart because he helps people when they need it. Mr. Lynch can make anyone smile. ~Deyaneira 5B
the Sun by-the-Sea
MARCH ~ APRIL 2012
43
“Love is strange and mysterious.. Just like Jelly beans.” ~Ian Philpot
Meg the Movie Buff Goes to Hollywood
CAPE MAY • STONE HARBOR • WILDWOOD • OCEAN CITY
The Original
2012 SPRING MOVIE GUIDE
We mail anywhere in the world!
by Meg Corcoran
Whipped Creamy Fudge • Premium Chocolates • Saltwater Taffy
Our cool cast of characters makes the
frosty leap from a wintry 21 Jump Street straight into spring, where the shore version of the American Reunion is being held on every beach block. As the pre-summer cast gets reacquainted, The Three Stooges are eagerly anticipating the day the boardwalk, and all its thrill rides, spring magically back to life. A lone John Carter, meanwhile, is enjoying each peaceful moment, content to simply admire the pristine, panoramic view. Our big screen beauties gaze upon the Mirror, Mirror on the wall, admiring their beauty while inquiring what springtime by the sea will bring. Without waiting for an answer from their glamorous reflection, they make a motion-picture plan for the ultimate spring, complete with chilly beach breaks and a larger-than-life list of must-see movies! Before planning the ultimate spring movie marathon, please check your local listings for release date changes… Civil War vet John Carter (Taylor Kitsch, opens March 9 th) travels to Mars, a planet inhabited by disturbing 12-foot tall barbarians. Following his escape from their creepy clutches, he meets a desperate princess (Lynn Collins) searching for an Ocean Oasis escape. Having graduated from an arcade existence, two unlikely cops (Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum) posing as students leap past 21 Jump Street (opens March 16th) on their way to the local high school to thwart a drug ring. Seeking more than priceless beachfront property, an evil queen (Julia Roberts) gains control of a beautiful kingdom. Desperate to recapture her territory, a banished Snow White (Lily Collins) looks beyond the Mirror, Mirror (opens March 16th) on the wall and finds help from seven tiny, imaginative rebels. A distraught husband (Nicolas Cage) Seeking Justice (opens March 16th) for his brutalized wife (January Jones) gets caught up with a corrupt vigilante group, who take him on a trip with dips more terrifying than The Great White. The Wrath of the Titans (opens March 30th) can be felt far beneath an oth-
erwise calm sea when Perseus (Sam Worthington) fights to rescue Zeus (Liam Neeson) from his enemy (Ralph Fiennes). A group of friends (including Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan and Seann William Scott) from East Great Falls reminisce about their youthful days of miniature golf and skeeball when they reunite for their American (high school) Reunion (opens April 6th). Looking to save their childhood orphanage, The Three Stooges, (Sean Hayes, Chris Diamantopoulos, Will Sasso, opens April 13th) fondly remember their innocent days spent burying each other in the sand before landing in the middle of a murder plot and becoming the stars of their own reality show. On what’s meant to be a carefree vacation, five friends (including Chris Hemsworth and Jesse Williams) realize to their horror that The Cabin in the Woods (opens April 13th) holds far less charm than a cottage by the sea. Following three tours in Iraq, a Marine (Zac Efron) bypasses the War at the Jersey Shore Wrestling on his way to North Carolina in search of The Lucky One (Taylor Schilling, opens April 20th) he believes served as his good-luck charm. A couple (Jason Segel, Emily Blunt) looking for a break from the trials and triumphs of The Five-Year Engagement (opens April 27th) take an engaging walk to the Sensational Spring Concert Weekend. The Wrath of the Titans reaches far and wide as our silver screen idols are caught Seeking Justice against short, sunless days and long chilly nights. The Lucky One, who quickly commits to The Five-Year (rental) Engagement complete with ocean view in favor of The (creepy) Cabin in the Woods, shuns winter retribution in favor of soothing sunny days. Outside their cozy cottage, the stars and starlets look to the Heavens, where they glimpse upon many blissful days to come filled with fabulous fun and sun (and fantastic films)…
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BOARDWALK As Seen on PBS 2003 longshore films
greetings from
Wildwood -by -the -sea
Written by Bob Ingram and Joseph Van Blunk Narrated by Bob Ingram Produced by Bob Ingram, Joseph Van Blunk & Gustave Rosanio and Directed by Joseph Van Blunk and Gustave Rosanio Bob Ingram is a contributing editor for
the SUN
pick up your copy at:
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3907 Pacific Avenue • Wildwood, NJ • 523-0277
or send check or m.o. video
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the Sun by-the-Sea
“While we try to teach our children all about life, Our children teach us what life is all about.” ~Angela Schwindt
5 Miles
of Smiles!
Supper with Santa
December 4, 2011
at Cape Trinity Grade School in North Wildwood
This little light of mine… I’m gonna let it shine
The Byrne Family~Tom, Julia & Angel
Mary Sawyer and her 3 kiddies, James, Sienna and little Lilah
Ravioli House Kitchen Crew: Ricky Ulrich, Steve Jakel & Big Dee
Katie & Joseph Jett
WCHS students: Chris Canyoa, Ariana Alosi, Paige Stefankiewicz, Grace Philips, Sarah Visalli, Katie & Joseph Jett
Ingrid, Joe, Olivia & Isabella Pasciucco
Emmy & Isabella making ornaments
Chip Watson & Louise Lloyd with Max and Halle
Marie McFadden, Fran & Jean Feketics and Christina Schroeter
Festive Musical Entertainment by Ryan McAteer, Pat & Tom McGuigan, and Michael Walsh
the Sun by-the-Sea
MARCH ~ APRIL 2012
45
“An honorable defeat is better than a dishonorable victory.” ~Millard Fillmore
The Kid Was Pretty Good By Bob Ingram
He came into the gym the first time with his
old man and he never showed up after that without him. After awhile, I got the feeling that the father was keeping an eye on what he thought was going to be his meal ticket. He was a good looking Spanish kid, about nineteen, already a welterweight, although he probably wasn’t done growing yet. The father did most of the talking that first time – all the time really – and got the paperwork from Al to get the kid signed up. This was at the Wildwood Boxing Club on Park Boulevard, an old transmission shop that’s as funky as any gym in North Philly. Virgil Hill, the exlight heavy weight champ, had helped start it up with a donation of a thousand dollars and back then, when he was still fighting, he’d come down from Atlantic City to spar with Chuckie Mussachio, the Wildwood light heavy who’d founded the club with his father, Al, Ronnie G. and a few other guys who were out of the picture by the time I started hanging there. Virgil said that he liked the club because it reminded him of some of the gyms when he was coming up in North Dakota. Anyhow, at this time there were mostly Spanish kids from the neighborhood using the club. This was before they built the new community center and most of the kids were just getting off the winter streets; maybe a few of them were really into training; the others were mostly yakking with each other or into their ubiquitous cell phones. For a while they even had their girlfriends in there, pretending they were going to be female fighters, until Al put his foot down and ran them off. So this kid made sort of a big splash. He had athletic ability, fast hands, was in good shape, and learned real fast from Al, Richie, and Mickey, who were the trainers then. Al’s an ex-Philly cop who had a good amateur career. Richie had fought some pro and his son, Richie “the Bandit” Bennett, had a good pro career in Philly. I remember seeing him fight at the old Spectrum back when Russell Peltz was
putting on some good shows there. My guy was Mickey, though. He was from Brooklyn and had fought 24 times as a lightweight in the old Garden in New York. He never fought a main event there because the guy who managed him was connected and his people thought they could do better with Mickey on the undercards. That was all he would say about it. Mickey was in his early seventies and could still rattle the heavy bag. He had a hard up-jab that was a thing of beauty, and he told me that he did nothing but practice it for six months until he had it down. It never left him. He and Joey Giardello were running buddies for about five years when they were both training at the old Stillman’s Gym, two blocks from the Garden. Mickey had boxing pedigree. The kid was pretty good. He was coming along. And because he was the only amateur in the gym with any potential, Al, Richie, and Mickey made a big fuss over him and began telling him he had a real future. Plus he was beating up regularly on any of the neighborhood kids they could get to spar with him. His father, who usually came in eating a burrito from a bodega on Pacific Avenue, was getting more mouthy the better the kid got. He was a pretty big dude who wore a finger-tip leather coat and a turned around Jeff cap. He was always vague about his life before he came to Wildwood, and most of us thought he’d gotten out of town about an hour ahead of the posse. He thought he knew more about boxing and boxing history than the rest of us put together, and tried to talk over anybody who didn’t agree with him. He was a conversational bully, just as his kid was beginning to be a bully in the ring, whacking the local kids all around and then sneering at them when they couldn’t keep up with him. He bloodied a few noses and it looked like it was only a matter of time before he did some serious damage. He was getting real cocky. You could tell. Then one evening, after he’d been hitting the heavy bag, the kid passed by Kenny, who was lacing up his ring shoes. Kenny was a prison guard in his early forties who’d had eleven or twelve pro fights, winning only a couple. He was just an opponent at this point, but he loved the game, and trained regularly and religiously. He was a light heavy weight who was as efficient and comfortable in the ring as a guy his age could be, and he had heavy hands. When he and Chuckie sparred, Chuckie would wince at some of Kenny’s body shots. This night, the kid was feeling his oats, and leaned down and rubbed the top of Kenny’s head and said, “Want to go a couple, old man?”
Kenny looked up and wrinkled his brow, sort of puzzled at the kid’s rudeness. Then he looked over at Al, who nodded. “Okay,” Kenny said. They got their hands wrapped and taped on the heavy sparring gloves, and then everybody in the place trooped into the adjoining room where the ring is. Sparring was always a show that everybody watched. The kid’s father was in his corner and Al was Kenny’s second. They put the mouthpieces in, and the buzzer on the clock sounded for the start of the three-minute round. They touched gloves and the kid hit Kenny on the break with a stiff jab. Kenny cocked his head a little, and gave the kid another puzzled look. For the first two minutes, the kid put on a good display, on his toes and moving well, then dart-
Back Home Again
ing in to throw two and three-punch combinations. Kenny stayed mostly in one place, pivoting to meet the kid’s attacks, blocking some, slipping others, but the kid was getting to him. The kid backed up a little and rasped through his mouthpiece, “Is this all you got, pops?” He came in again and Kenny hit him with a body punch that sounded like a firecracker. The kid went down like he’d been shot, writhing on his back, his legs giving little involuntary kicks. Kenny looked down at him. “He’ll be all right in a few minutes,” he said to the kid’s father, who had vaulted into the ring and was kneeling helplessly by his son. The kid was still woozy when he and his father left the gym after those few minutes. We never saw them again.
over to Sunset Beach in Cape May Point. We can continue to do the things that we like but we don’t have to cram everything in to 10 days. We can take our time now and enjoy what we have come to love- no need to rush around and do this- what we didn’t do or see today we can now do or see tomorrow-We often talked about coming back here to live and now we live here. Thanks to Dave & Lana MacDonald who made most of this possible…I am home again. George E. Anderson
Apparently ‘you can go home again’. I am living proof of that. Although it took a little over 40 years, my wife Tanya & I have moved back to the town of my birth in November of 2011. We started coming back to the island in July of 2006, and have been returning every July since. We spend 10 glorious days and enjoy almost everything that the ‘Wildwoods’ have to offer. The beaches, the ocean, the sunrises, the boardwalk, the diners, restaurants etc. We love walking on the North Wildwood, N.J. formerly of Westland, MI beach in the early morning and at dusk, looking for odd shaped sea shells or some other unusual things that may have washed ashore. We enjoy watching the little children as they scream and laugh with joy as they splash and flail around in the surf. We watch the pre teens go about their business with not a care in the world. The teenage girls working on their tans while the teenage boys do whatever they can to impress the teenage girls. We love watching the sunset at Sunset Lake or we take at least one ride George & Tanya Anderson happy to be home
46
the Sun by-the-Sea
“The vision must be followed by the venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps - we must step up the stairs.”
~Vance Havner
This Old Wildwood House
by jessica westerland Many people dream about living in a small village, filled with quaint cottages, walkways and shrubs. Michael Polizze not only lives in one, but created one! On 5300 Atlantic Ave, there sits The Ala Moana Motel, Ala Moana suites, Ala Moana Cottages, Quiet Cottage, Beach House and the Tiki House. All of the buildings have a beachy, relaxed feel, and are impeccably detailed as well as pristinely clean and maintained. Michael and his wife Patricia started the whole project by purchasing the Ala Moana motel in March of 1999, and renovating and refurbishing it. Michael was a Union Carpenter, and put his skills to use by designing and helping to construct and remodel every area of his property. Gradually, the Polizzes acquired other homes on the block, and while other contractors were demolishing the old Wildwood homes, Michael revamped, refinished, and rebuilt them into the cluster of 6 buildings that form the Ala Moana Resort that you see today. The Ala Moana means “path to the sea” in Hawaiian, and was the motel’s original name, so they kept it and used it throughout the rest of the properties. Patricia handles the rentals, and as Michael proudly boasted, “She answers every single phone call that comes through here, of 1,000 phone calls she will answer every single one! She is very important.” Michael is the mastermind behind the project, the one with the vision. “I am a detail fanatic; I like everything to have detail.” He meticulously maintains and inspects the whole premise. He holds everything to a high standard - and he doesn’t miss a thing. Each building has a slightly different look, feel and personality, but they have enough
similarities that you can tell they are all part of the same resort. The palm tree motif runs through all the buildings, effectively tying all the separate areas together - the Motel, the Suites, the Cottages, the Tiki house, the Beach House and the Quiet Cottage and giving them a cohesive, small town feel. All of the rooms are coordinating, with the same soft green and beige paint, marble bathrooms and accents, and wood furnishings that give you the island feel. There are little stone paths that connect all of the areas together in the backyards. The backyard areas between all of the properties are grassy little getaways with barbeques, picnic tables, and lush landscaped little areas tucked in every corner that connects them all together. Most of the buildings are the original structures, just gutted and redone, and some lifted up to allow more parking space. This was a great way to keep some of Wildwood’s original buildings intact, but give them a whole new life and look. “It is important for the island to keep businesses here,” Michael said. Michael Polizze spent his summers growing up on the island, and thinks of the island as his home. The Polizze family, including Michael and Patricia’s two kids, Valerie and Nicholas, live in Cape May Court House but move into the owner’s quarters at Ala Moana Resort in May to spend the busy summer on the island. What makes the Ala Moana different from the others is the thought, care, and hard work the Polizze family puts into the running and maintaining of their properties. The Ala Moana Resorts’ charm, quaintness and quality make them a thing of beauty, and an asset to the island they are built on. Photos courtesy of Dave Williams and the Wildwood Crest Historical Museum
Of all the buildings he owns, even though he can’t pick a favorite, Michael will admit that the ‘Tiki House’ was the most unique to construct.
If you have a noteworthy “Old Wildwood House” story, please contact The SUN at 609-522-2721 or email sun-by-the-sea@v erizon.net
47
the Sun by-the-Sea
“More good has been launched by more people from kitchen tables than any other platform in the land.” ~Jim Hightower
Ernest Troiano, Jr. PRESIDENT
609-522-3355 Concrete & Masonry Contractors
Four Generations Serving THE WILDWOODS & Cape May County for over 93 years! Quality Commercial & Residential Work
48
the Sun by-the-Sea
“If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there’d be a shortage of fishing poles.”
•
Gary Sloan’s
•
F sh Stor es Hello and welcome to our first issue of the year. Unless you have lived in a hole with ground hogs, how can I continue without a reference to this year’s version of winter. I believe Mother nature kissed us on the cheek in appreciation for our tolerance over the past couple of harsh winters. We can only hope it continues into a early spring. I always harp on the impact of weather on fishing. You might ask what does weather mean to fishing? It means only everything. The best striper fishing can occur on a rainy and howling Northeaster. Those same conditions can crush many other types of fishing. I believe one benefit from this warm winter will be an early start to the spring run of fishing. Warmer ocean waters will bring the bait into our area followed by the migratory species of fish. The only thing left for us is to wait for Big Brother ( National Marine Fisheries) to tell us what, when, and how much fishing we can do according to their crystal ball of regulations, questionable data, and a misguided agenda. We have come a long way from when President Hoover stated “Americans believe they have a divine right to unlimited fishing, inherited from ten thousand generations of free fishermen.“ President Bush Sr., known for his love of fishing and the inability to catch them, was obviously an environmentalist at heart. Even gentlemen President Jimmy Carter became a committed fly fishermen. He stated “ The trout don’t give a darn if
you are President or a local farmer. It’s a disciplinary thing to do.” Over the years, I supported the fisheries service and their regulations. The last several years, I have come to question much of what they put forth on recreational fishing. Looking ahead, fishing for the offshore species, like cod, can be accomplished by boat and decent weather. March should see the beginning of some stripers in the surf and back bays. Surf clams will be the bait of choice. Winter flounder can be caught also using clam and a small hook. Red sinkers and rice in a chum pot can help produce more fish. What they lack in size they make up for in taste. The surf will improve and start producing stripers when the water temperature ranges in the mid to upper fifties. April brings some weakfish and bluefish in the latter part of the month. The Mackerel history is based on an Easter time frame, but they have been so inconsistent the past few years. The early season can be difficult to figure so check with your local Bait and Tackle shop or a knowledgeable friend. I am hoping the drum season will be early and better than last year. These fish look like a prehistoric creature. They give a good fight on light tackle and are good table fare. The down days due to winter refusing to let go, can be great for cleaning and fixing the tackle. ( which you should have done last fall) I’ll vouch for the difficulty of reverse engineering of maintenance failures. At times, I have made procrastination an art form. While on vacation in Florida, I caught a glance of a real funny bumper sticker. It said, “Even Jesus had a fish story.” We had a few stories ourselves while fishing in the Keys this past winter. Now is the time to plan your future Fish Stories.
tides roll in. . . tides roll out
~Doug Larson
5 Miles of Smiles! “A cloudy day is no match for a sunny disposition.” -- William Arthur Ward
Chris & Jim McMonagle at the Boardwalk Basketball Classic. Chris holds a first place trophy from his team Archbishop Ryan’s win of the Bill Osborn Memorial bracket.
Harry & Mary DiSilvestro pose in front of their home on Easter Sunday, 1960 Sent in by Harry & Mary’s daughter Barbara DiSilvestro Flacco
Snooks Bailey, a local volunteer at the Boardwalk Basketball Classic Congratulations Lauren Rucci, (daughter of Mark Rucci, of North Wildwood & LouAnn Catanoso of Townbank) who was engaged to John Foti in London on Feb 13, 2012. She was there visiting him while he was performing a show at the Barbican Theatre. John proposed to Lauren at the top of St. Paul’s Cathedral in the ‘Whispering Dome!’ The couple and their cat Tiger live together outside Manhattan where Lauren works as a design color consultant, as well as owner/ operator of her successful line of accessories, Curly Hair Conspiracy. John, a professional guitar/piano/accordion player has toured with Dan Zane’s & friends, most recently the theatre group Improbable, and performs his own music as well.
God Bless,
Gary Sloan,
North Wildwood, NJ Best Times for Fishing
• One hour before and one hour after high tide and low tide. • During the “morning rise” after sunup for a spell and the “evening rise” just before sundown and the hour or so after. • When the barometer is steady or on the rise. But even during stormy periods, the fish aren’t going to give up feeding. Smart fisherman will find just the right bait. • When the breeze is from a westerly quarter rather than from the north or east. • When the water is still or rippled, rather than during a wind. ~Taken from the Farmer’s Almanac
On February 12, a benefit was held at the Bolero for Thomas Kane who recently had heart transplant surgery. Tom is a local resident that grew up in Wildwood. Over 300 of his friends and family came out for the event, thanks to strong effort from the committee members who worked diligently to put this event together. The proceeds from the benefit will help Tom defer the cost of his medical expenses. The Kane family would like to thank everyone that helped make this event a great success and they are forever grateful for your help.
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the Sun by-the-Sea
“Nobody can contribute to the best of humanity who does not make the best out of himself.” ~Johann Gottfried von Herder 14th Annual Boardwalk Basketball Classic Dec. 26 ~ Jan. 2 featured an impressive lineup of over 70 teams of high school boys and girls from the South Jersey and Delaware Valley areas. Included in this year’s holiday tournament was an additional all day competition “Battle at the Boards” made possible thanks to additional sponsorship by Crest Savings Bank, which in-
cluded 3 games each of boys & girls teams from Cape May County. The Boardwalk Basketball Classic was founded in 1998 and continues to be the largest coed high school holiday basketball tournament in the USA. To date it has raised over $300,000 in college scholarship money for graduating seniors of host teams at Wildwood and Wildwood Catholic High Schools. 100% Wildwood fans, Brendan, Kelly & Jerry Phillips
Wildwood’s McWade family were out in full force routing for Wildwood Catholic & #41 Eddie McWade.
Volunteers Mike Szeligowski & Joe Schiff
Wildwood Catholic girls~ winners of the Andrew Alameno Girls Island Championship Game
Mayor Ernie Troiano, Jr. & Frank Accardi Wildwood High Basketball teammates
Wildwood Catholic’s T-John Casiello #12, Joined the 1000 Point Club January 28th!
Wildwood Catholic’s Jenna Long, Wildwood High’s Jess Freeman with Adaejha Lewis shooting
Wildwood Catholic’s George Cook #5
Wildwood High Boys~ winners of the Andrew Alameno Boys Island Championship Game
Wildwood Catholic’s Becky Andress #32 and Wildwood High’s Serena Seijo #14
Wildwood High’s Zak Barret #15 Joined the 1000 Point Club Feb. 14th!
Wildwood Catholic’s Eddie McWade #41 Middle Township’s Tommy Catanoso #13
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the Sun by-the-Sea
“Take care of all your memories, for you cannot relive them.” ~Bob Dylan
the Storm of ‘62
SPRING hours
March~Saturday 9:00AM to 2:00PM April~ Thursday, Friday and Saturday 9:00AM to 2:00PM Closed Sundays and National Holidays
Notes from Wildwood Historical Society
3907 Pacific Ave. in Wildwood 609-523-0277
Even though we have limited our
This photo was taken inside the Wildwood Leader newspaper office. There was no heat or light and the guys were perched above the water level. From left to right are John Haslem, Tom Kinnemand, Bob Penkethman, Bill Neill and Unknown.
The first major fire to strike the area is shown in this photo as it consumed two homes at 18th and Otten’s Canal in North Wildwood, on Tuesday morning on March 6, 1962. Firemen were forced to battle the flames from rowboats with portable equipment.
“open” time at the museum, it doesn’t mean we haven’t been putting in time. Over the last few months, during our roof repair project, Board Members, Al Brannen and John Roat took one of the back rooms apart, made small repairs, painted over the old paneling, and replaced the ceiling tiles that were coming down from the leaks. They continue to explore the former “embalming room” (which is now our storage room) and are busy unearthing very interesting artifacts. Lorraine Roat (John’s wife) was drafted in cleaning out one of our curio cabinets and she did an excellent job. Our own Phyllis Bethel spends countless hours going through files, sorting, arranging and cleaning out those cubby holes that were neglected for years. In addition, Chris Mento, one of the younger members of our Board, and also one of the more “cyber savvy”, has set us up on FACEBOOK. How about Liking us on Facebook @ http:// www.facebook.com/pages/Wildwood-Historical-SocietyGeorge-F-Boyer-Museum/315971775102375. Chris will try to keep everyone up-to-date on what’s happening at the museum. Thank you ALL for all that you do for the museum! A Koken barber chair was donated to the Wildwood Historical Society by the family of Robert and Irma McVey; children Diane McVey, David McVey and Linda Sterrett. The Koken barber chair is a vintage chair made during the 1800s and early 1900s. Al Brannen and John Roat are in the process of trying to get it refurbished. It is turning into a rather costly project. If there is anyone out there that can upholster in leather, and would like to donate their time to this project, it would be very much appreciated. Mark your calendar for Saturday, June 16, 2012. We will be having our Annual Post Card Show and Open House at that time. Since it is the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, we expect to have a display of items from the motion picture “Titanic” including two original newspapers reporting the actual sinking of the ship. The
display is made possible through the courtesy of Lew and Carolyn Vinci. We have asked our post card dealers to include any items they might have relating to the Titanic. It is also the 50th anniversary of the 1962 Storm that ravaged this area. There are many of us that still remember the three days that saw people driven from their homes, the flooding and fires, destruction and loss of homes that were never covered by flood insurance at that time. There will be a photo collection of the aftermath for your perusal. Most of the photos are made available through Tom Kinnemand, retired local photog. Tom was working for the Wildwood Leader during the storm and many of his photos appeared in the Leader at that time. If anyone would like to share photos that they might have, I would be glad to scan and return them. We have a file of 1960 property photos for the City of Wildwood and a 1982/83-property photo file for North Wildwood. While we may not have every property, we have most. If anyone is interested in seeing what their property looked liked, we can do an 8 x 10 glossy of their property for $10. Another of our Board members, Klaas Kramer has come up with the more elaborate idea of featuring what your property looked like in 1960, and the way it looks now. Very shortly this particular feature will be on FACEBOOK. Look for it there. The cost will be $50 and will include “then and now” photos, properly framed. It would make a lovely gift for a parent or grandparent whose early years were spent on this island. People are asked to call the museum and see if the image of their property is available. Another fund-raiser that we will be promoting is the sale of pavers for the sidewalk outside of the museum. The cost will be $100 for a 4 x 8 paver and $225 for an 8 x 8 paver. Any orders in by July 15, will be part of the fall installation. Mayor Ernie Troiano has promised to personally provide the labor to take up the concrete and install the pavers. We are very grateful for his contribution. We have forms on hand at the museum, or e-mail us at wildwoodhistoricalsociety@ hotmail.com, and we will send one to you. That concludes the activity at the museum. Again, we are open Saturdays only, until April 1, 2012. Stop in to see us and remember, life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift. See you all at the museum. Until next time . . . . . be happy and be well!
Anne Vinci,
President of Wildwood Historical Society, inc.
I Remember the Storm of ‘62 Wildwood ~ March 6, 7, 8 1962
This photo was taken inside the Margaret Mace School in the lobby. Cots were set up in various facilities around the island to accommodate the people who were driven from their homes.
Photos above by Tom Kinnemand
The first day we got about 5 or 6 inches of water in our house. My parents, dog Duke & cats Topsy & Pierre left for my brother’s house in Linwood. I decided to ride it out, not knowing what was to come. I didn’t sleep much that night & the next morning another 18 to 20 inches of water greeted me. I was evacuated in late afternoon. I was taken to Wildwood High School where I was told there was no more room. I was then transported to Margaret Mace School where I spent the next 4 nights. When we were finally told that it was safe to leave, I started the long walk home to W. Montgomery Avenue. I was
by George E. Anderson amazed at the destruction, devastation & debris that I saw on every street. When I eventually reached our house, I didn’t know what to expect. Several houses on my street had been moved off of their foundations. Fortunately our house was still standing. Once inside I was saddened, knowing that just about everything in there would have to be thrown out. Most of our belongings were ruined. However in the days, weeks & months that followed, we rebuilt as did many people on the island. That Nor’easter is one storm that I will never forget. It’s been 50 years, but it is as clear in my mind as if it were yesterday.
the Sun by-the-Sea
MARCH ~ APRIL 2012
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“Today is the oldest you’ve ever been, yet the youngest you’ll ever be, so enjoy this day while it lasts.” -Thomas Ellsworth, www.symansays.com
A Blast From the Past! Photos Courtesy of Wildwood Historic Society
Audrey Bozarth WHS ‘68
Carmen Mondelli WHS ‘69 {See Mr. & Mrs. Mondelli in Israel on P. 14 }
Frank (Mickey) McBrearty WCHS ‘60
Rick Davis builds the coastline one house at a time. From installing a door, to building a large condominium complex. . . from start to finish. . . from drawing up plans for your dream home, to building it. . . Rick Davis wants you to know. . . there’s no job too big or too small for Coastline Construction. Ken Layre WHS ‘63
John Hinke WCHS ‘80
Sean McDermott WHS ‘77
Glenn Krause WCHS ‘80
Lew Vinci WCHS ‘80
Vic D’Andrea WCHS ‘80 Another new home built by Coastline for the Livingstone’s
Paul Gusty WCHS ‘80
Tim Lowry WCHS ‘80
Joseph DeMuro North Catholic ‘68 Sent in by Joe DeMuro, bartender at Alfe’s
If you would like your Wildwood High or Wildwood Catholic High School yearbook photo featured in The Sun, please send us an email with your name, graduation year, & maiden name for girls. Include in Subject line: “Yearbook Photos” email: sun-by-the-sea@verizon.net or call (609) 522-2721
Coastline is finishing up this new home built for the Gugliemucci’s just in time for Spring
• Incorporated since 1993 • Fully licensed and insured NJ13VH04275700 • Free Estimates • Free Plans & Drawings • Large local customer reference base • Senior Citizen Discounts • Born & Raised in the Wildwoods Rick Davis - WCHS ‘74 Rick is also on the following committees• Volunteer North Wildwood Fire Co., 20 yrs. • President Wildwood Rotary • Volunteer Five Mile Beach Firemen’s Assoc.
Serving all of Cape May County
Times are Tough! Building shouldn’t be rough! Ask us about local discounts.
Stop in our New Office at 2500 New Jersey Ave., North Wildwood
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the Sun by-the-Sea
“The best thing one can do when it’s raining is to let it rain.”
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
NEW FOR 2012...
RIPTIDE, RIVER ADVENTURE AND WIPE OUT!
MARCH 26 - APRIL 13 SEASON PASS • $315 Good for one ride wristband per day and one 3 hour session per day at one of our two waterparks. EASY RIDER • $235 Offers the same privileges as the Season pass at a special price for children under 42” (in shoes) at the time of activation or for adults over 25 years of age. Great for parents! WATERPARK ADMISSIONS • 4 admissions for $125 • 10 admissions for $230 Includes all day waterpark (general admission). Only available during our sale. Great to share with family and friends. MOR-EZ CARD • $35 • Includes 60 ride tickets plus valuable coupons. SIGHTSEER TRAM CAR • 25 Rides $35 Sightseer Tram is owned and operated by Wildwoods’ Boardwalk S.I.D. Tickets do not expire. ADVENTURE MAZE • 4 admissions for $49 • 10 admissions for $99 Includes UNLIMITED same day admission to Adventure Maze and one same day admission to lazer maze. BREAKFAST IN THE SKY • 2 admissions for $85 • 4 admissions for $165 Gift Certificates for a delicious breakfast served in style on the Giant Wheel. Advance Reservations Required. Limited availability.
Order a gift for someone special online at www.MoreysPiers.com or by dialing 1866-MOREYS1 (1-866-667-3971) during sale dates, 7am to midnight, 7 days a week. Add $10 UPS or $3 First Class Mail shipping and handling fee. Walk up purchases start March 26 at Morey’s Mariner’s Landing Pier Guest Services located on the Boardwalk at Schellenger Avenue,Wildwood. Monday through Friday, 10am to 3pm.
www.MoreysPiers.com
A message from The Sun. . . Between Winter And Summer, Lies A Beautiful Spring.