Dorothy McMonagle Kulisek, So They’ll Know, Inc. © 2010
Year 7, VoL. 1
m aRch thru a P r iL ‘10
WAT C H
No B e a c h Bag ca n b e Wi th Out iT
T H E
T R A M
C A R
P L E A S E
!
!
Dear beautiful Spring weather, I miss you. was it something I said?
Artwork by Rob Kulisek for The SUN.
Doris Davenport, Miss Wildwood 1939
Deb Frymyer Croll, Wildwood Diner summer job, 1971
S U N B Y - T H E - S E A N E W S PA P E R
P . O . B OX 2 1 01 W I L DW O O D , N E W J E R S E Y 0 826 0
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WWW. SUNBYTHE SEA.COM
S U N - B Y - T H E - S E A @ V E R I ZO N . N E T
the SUN by-the-Sea
2
“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” —Hans Hofmann
CREST TRIPLEX 315 East Syracuse Avenue, Wildwood Crest. This year round triplex is located one block to the beach in Wildwood Crest and consists of 2 two bedroom units and a studio. Each unit also has a tile bath and kitchen. Off-street parking for 2 cars. Great investment opportunity. JUST $399,000
STUNNING!! 604 Surf Avenue, North Wildwood. Townhouse offering 4 BR, 3.5 BA, upgraded kitchen with a center island, beautiful custom cabinetry and granite tops. The living room is equipped with a gas fireplace and was recently two-tone custom painted. The crown molding and chair rails in this room really add a nice touch. There are three private decks, one of which overlooks the pool and Jacuzzi and one is a rooftop deck with fabulous views. The two car garage that was artfully designed to look like an old time pub. This is a true must see! JUST $579,000
NEW LISTING!!
NEW LISTING!!
BROKER BROKER ASSOCIATE ASSOCIATE
4701 New Jersey Avenue, Wildwood, NJ WHAT A VIEW!! 200 East Marina Court, Unit B6, North Wildwood. This one bedroom top floor condo is located in the Anglesea area of North Wildwood and offers breathtaking water views. The condo has been newly renovated and can be enjoyed year round. JUST $215,000
OCEAN TOWERS 5301 Ocean Avenue, Unit #110, Wildwood. Newly renovated condo situated on the newly renovated pool level. This condo offers one bedroom, full tile bath, living room with sliders to deck and pool area, fully equipped kitchen and dining area. Located in Wildwood and at the border of Wildwood Crest. Complex amenities include a large heated swimming pool, sundeck, sauna, exercise room, covered parking, year round security and so much more. JUST $342,900
VACANT LOT WITH VIEW OF SUNSET LAKE!! 107 East Louisville, Wildwood Crest. Suitable for the construction of a single family home in Wildwood Crest. There are new water and sewer laterals already in place. In addition, the street and sidewalks have been newly paved. Here is your chance to build your dream home!! JUST $349,000!!
EMAIL :
(609) 522-4400
Cell: (609) 602-2008
CUSTOM SINGLE FAMILY with FABULOUS WATER VIEWS!! 408 West Illinois Ave., Anglesea, North Wildwood. This home located in the Anglesea area of North Wildwood consists of 4BR, 2.5 BA, custom kitchen, dining area, LR with gas fireplace, 23 ft. ceiling and lots of windows. There are multiple decks that offer magnificent views of the protected waterways. Too many upgrades to list. THIS IS A MUST SEE!! JUST $699,000!!
VACANT LOT ~ 3018 Park Boulevard, Wildwood This vacant lot located in Wildwood is suitable for the construction of a single family home. There is an existing foundation on this parcel. Buyer is responsible for all permits and approvals. JUST $60,000
Colleen-Wilson@comcast.net
www.BlueOceanRealty.com
WILDWOOD CREST SINGLE 214 East Preston Avenue, Wildwood Crest. This single family home is located just two short blocks to the beach and offers 3 bedrooms, 2 full tile baths and a cozy living room with a large Bay window. The rear yard is spacious and is enclosed with a privacy fence that is perfect for entertaining. In addition, there is an attached storage room and outdoor shower. JUST $399,900
WATERFRONT LOT IN NORTH WILDWOOD!! 304 SW 18th Avenue, North Wildwood. This vacant land is located on Otten’s Canal and is suitable for the construction of a single family home. The bulkhead and dock are approximately two years old and the property is surrounded by newly constructed properties. The land is being sold with CAFRA approvals. Buyer is responsible for all building permits. JUST $299,000
OCEAN VIEW CONDO!! 300 Ocean Avenue, Unit 203, North Wildwood. This is a top floor condo at the European Condominiums located steps from the beach in North Wildwood. This delightfully furnished and decorated condo consists of one bedroom, custom tiled bathroom with jacuzzi tub, galley kitchen and living room with a fabulous view of the ocean. The complex amenities include a heated swimming pool, offstreet parking and on-site laundry facilities.JUST $199,000
www.FromBeachtoBay.net
the SUN by-the-Sea
“To dare is to lose one's footing momentarily. To not dare is to lose oneself.�
3 ~Soren Kierkegaard
the SUN by-the-Sea
4
“If we're not willing to settle for junk living, we certainly shouldn't settle for junk food.” T 2008 HOTLIS
Open Year Round
m myfoxphilly.EDcITIoON JERSEY SHORE
Star
Diner Cafe
VOTED Best Family Restaurant
OF BESTTH E SHORE VOTED Best Diner at the Shore OCEAN CITY , MAR
GATE, LBI, AVALON, STO NE HARBOR & 18 MORE TOWN S
2006 PHILAD ELPH MAGAZINE IA
lk 53arsrdwa a Ye Bo e
on
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~Sally Edwards
o B V m n th EST ote d yF e ox Jer PIZ Ph sey ZA ill Sh y. ore co m
Sam’s PIZZA PALACE
Star
Diner Cafe his wo
of t t u o e r ' We
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26th & Boardwalk in Wildwood 522-6017 (left-right) Toni, Ryder, Roe with Madden, Anthony, Roberto, Steve, Bo, Tony, Raoul, Sam, Dante, Laura, Walter
Children’s Menu
Early Bird Specials
SEAFOOD • STEAK • CHOPS • HOMEMADE PASTRiES & CAKES CRiSPiEST SALAD ON THE iSLAND! • BEST COFFEE ON THE iSLAND!
325 W. Spruce Ave. • North Wildwood • 729.4900
w w w . s t a r d i ne r c a fe . c o m
OFF
10% Check
Not Valid Sat., Sun. & Holidays 7% with Credit Cards
Must present coupon for discount. Not to be combined with any other offer. Expires April 31, 2010
the SUN by-the-Sea
5
“Love is strange and mysterious.. Just like Jelly beans..” ~Anon.
M ARCH H AT H 31 D AY S . Lamb-y, then Whammy! Get some tickets to Miami! Snow is easing, but we’re still freezing. It may be spring by the astronomer, but not by the thermometer. Mighty fine, the leonine! le·o·nine adj. ~relating to or characteristic of a lion, for example, in strength or appearance.
Benefit for the Gia Marcella Chiarella Foundation Bolero Blue Water Grill March 7, 2010 1:00 - 4:00 3/14 DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME begins!! Don’t forget to spring ahead! 3/12-14 National Cheerleading Championship Wildwoods Convention Center. 1.866.52.CHEER. or cheertech.net 3/13 St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Parade. Atlantic Ave. from City Hall to 2nd Ave., North Wildwood.11:30am 609.522.7722 3/17 St. Patrick’s Day May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow, and may trouble avoid you wherever you go. ~Irish Blessing
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 Worm MOON is March 29th, thus making Easter April 4th this year. 3/20 Passport Around the World Wildwoods Convention Center. Girl Scouts. 856.795.1560 or www.gscsnj.org. 3/21 Annual Bridal Fair 12n-5pm, Wildwoods Convention Ctr., Starlight Ballroom Win A Dream Honeymoon! Over 100 vendors! Florists, bakeries, caterers, salons, spas, limo companies, honeymoon destinations, D.J.'s, wedding announcements, photographers/ videographers, menu sampling, elegant wedding table top displays and much more! Live music by Shake, Rattle & Soul! FREE admission! For more info on a Wildwoods Wedding, visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com/cc, or call 1-800-9929732. John Kelly for vendor info 609-465-7181 3/27-28 Special Olympics of NJ Spring Sports Festival Basketball Competition. Wildwoods Convention Center. Sat: 9 a.m. 10 p.m., Sun: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Open to the public and FREE of charge. 609.896.8000 or www.sonj.org. 3/27-28 12th Annual Ocean Drive Marathon & Health and Fitnes Expo Sat.10am5pm 609.523.0880 or www.odmarathon.org. 3/28 Palm Sunday 3/29 Full Moon 22nd hour, 25th minute.
A PRIL H AT H 30 D AY S . 4/1 All Fools’ Day “Fool me once, shame on you; Fool me twice, shame on me.” –CHINESE PROVERB 4/1-3 War at the Shore Wrestling. The Wildwoods Convention Center. South Jersey Wrestling Association is hosting National Folkstyle Wrestling Championships. 856.642.7592 or www.sjwrestling.com. 4/3 Elks Egg Hunt. on the beach at 17th Ave. NWW. Noon. 609.729.5776 4/3 Jaycees Egg Hunt. on the beach at Lincoln Ave. Noon. Find the Golden Egg! 729-5501 4/3-4 Easter Egg Hunts. Win prizes. Free for children 12 and under. Free Food & Giveaways! Ed’s Funcade Boardwalk at 23rd Ave., 12:30 609.729.3223
4/4 EASTER SUNDAY See p. 34 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 4/4 Morey’s Piers Easter Opening Day Celebration! Fun for the kid in all of us! Easter Egg Hunt for the little ones! Easter Bunny arrives at Morey’s Piers. www.MoreysPiers.com 4/6 Wildwood Crest Centennial day. Borough incorporated 4/16/1910 4/6-8 Wildwood Wholesale Gift Show. Wildwoods Convention Center. Wholesale trade show only. 508.238.5800.FREE. 508.261.1800. 4/10 Used Educational BOOK SALE 9am-1pm. Sponsored by Families United Network. Upper Township Rec Center Indoors - Rain or Shine! Coffee, Muffins, Lunch Concession. Directions at http://FunCurriculumSale.tripod.com 4/17 Post Card Show & Open House Wildwood Historical Society, 3907 Pacific Ave.,Wildwood. Free. Refreshments. Post card vendors or other inquiries call 609.425.5308. 4/17 Batter Up! Opening Day Greater Wildwood Little League 4/17-18 ECC Shore Showdown. Beast of the East.Cheer Tech Competition. Wildwoods Convention Center. 1.866.CHEER or www.cheertech.net. 4/21 Business At The Beach Expo 4-7pm Wildwoods Conv. Center. Premier, free networking event in the county, attracting over 100 exhibitors & attendees. www.capemaycountychamber.com 4/23-25 Sensational ’60s Weekend >>>> Friday Record Hop 7pm to 11pm, Hosted by Popular ‘50s and ‘60s disc jockey Jerry “The Geator” Blavat. Saturday, The Sensational ‘60s 4/23-25 SPRING BIKE RALLY
4/4 Easter Worship Service Resurrection "Son” Rise Service 6:15am. Hereford Lighthouse Gazebo, 1st & Central Ave., N. WW 522.2951
4/24 EARTH Day 2010. Celebrating 40 Green Years! www.earthday.net 4/28 FULL Pink Moon
the SUN by-the-Sea
6
“Our house is clean enough to be healthy, and dirty enough to be happy.”
from the editor Let’s see . . .Where was I? . . . Oh, yes, I was telling you about my winter ‘happiness’ project to de-clutter and reorganize my home/office. I’m ‘happy’ to say I’m officially clutter-free! In the process of tackling the task, the past few months turned out to be somewhat insightful for me, acknowledging the fact that much of my life has been spent yearning for a sense of order and searching for peace. For years I believed whoever it was that said “our outer order of things contributes to our inner peace,” and I woefully failed at any attempt to achieve peace this way. Neither did it come by way of the “Flylady” and her 15 minute, power-cleaning program that I tried so hard to follow. My pursuit of happiness was to have my life in a reasonable order and to be able to fit it into a neat and tidy box. As impulse turned to obsession, I recall alphabetizing my spices, and over-labeling my file folders into sub-categories, and hopelessly arranging my junk drawer! Being hyper-organized, I learned, is counter-productive to achieving happiness. Somewhere deep inside one of my closets this winter, a peace came over me, effortlessly I might add, having nothing to do with any of the executive decisions I made as to what stays or what goes. Photographs, keepsakes, books, clothes, pens, socks and shoes are the things we accumulate.They do not have the power to make me happy, and no matter what order they are in, cannot control how I feel, nor define who I am. I’ve found that happiness consists in the serenity that can only come when I’m fulfilling my God-given purpose in life. So, what started out as an overwhelming and dreaded undertaking, soon turned out to pleasantly shorten the days of three long, winter months. Whereas some people try to ‘gain the whole world and wind up losing themselves in the process,’ (Matt.16:26), I was determined to gain peace & happiness by losing my stuff. Greek philosopher, Epictetus, pointed this out by saying, in essence, that a man should so live that his happiness shall depend as little as possible on external things. So when the town-wide yard sale arrives this May, I will be more than happy to unpack the garage full of my ex-stuff. (Early birds welcome!) (Of course, much like a kid at Christmastime, a part of me still eagerly anticipates a little therapeutic “spring shopping” at all my favorite island stores. I’m all for doing my part to keep the economy going while still holding on to life’s simplicities.)
what’s inside {treasure}
Five Miles of Smiles Photos by Megan Rogers Pages 14, 18, 24, 32, 35, 38 Wildwood Events Page 5 Summer Home to the Stars Steve Murray Page 8 Movie Buff Goes to Hollywood Meg Corcoran Page 10 P&O Boys George E. Anderson Page 12-13 Moving Targets Joe Russo Page 15 Wildwood Historic Society Notes Anne Vinci Page 16 Tom Jorgensen (Mr. J) Turns 90! Pages 20-21 Hoffman Agency “What’s Hot!” Centerfold Chuckie Gets his Mojo Back Bob Ingram Page 25 Beauty & the Beast of Burden Mia Chiarella Page 27 Riders on the Winter Storm Joe Van Blunk Page 28
My genuine desire is for every aspect of my business and personal life to be in harmony with God. I know that part of His ultimate purpose for me at this time of my life involves a special assignment. And that is doing my best to publish another season of Sun by-theseas! As I write this spring issue letter, there is a winter weekend snowstorm outside. I am warm and at peace inside my ‘new less-is-more décor’ home, melting in the happiness of listening to my son play his piano, content with all that I have been given me in my life, especially such an awesome job as the artist/editor/publisher of the Five Mile Beach Sun!
Memory Lane with Larry Lillo Jessica Westerland Page 30
My fortune cookie said, “Remember. . .A happy life is just in front of you.” May you each find your fortune happily waiting for you by the sea. Happy Spring!
Angels in Disguise LouAnn Catanoso Page 34
Eliminate physical clutter. More importantly, eliminate spiritual clutter. ~D.H. Mondfleur
Dorothy Artist, Editor, and Publisher The SUN by-the–sea, WILDWOOD, NJ
Churches on the Island Page 34
Spring Fishing & TIDES with Capt. Gary Sloan Page 37 Halcyon Summers Kevin McFadden Page 39 Wildwood Nostalgia & Recipes Bowman’s by Anita Hirsch Page 40-41
Artist & Editor
Photographer
Dorothy Kulisek 609.214.5608
Robert Kulisek 609.408.3021
Megan Rogers
Local Journalists featured in this issue: George Anderson • LouAnn Catanoso • Mia Chiarella • Meg Corcoran • Anita Hirsch • Bob Ingram • Kevin McFadden • Steve Murray • Joe Russo • Gary Sloan Joe Van Blunk • Anne Vinci • Jessica Westerland “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.
The Sun by-the-sea is a bi-monthly newspaper that debuted in 2004. Over the past seven years, readers have been drawn to The Sun by-the-sea for its colorful design and pride in the history of our island. Countless letters from our readers thoughtfully convey our intentions to bring our shore community closer together by sharing Wildwood’s great history as well as collective stories. (Feel free to send in your story!) We protect the hometown feeling our small island inspires. Readers also express their admiration for the original, artistic ads proudly displayed in each issue. Our cost-effective advertising rates respect small business owners anxious to avoid depleting their entire budget through advertising expenses. Our exclusive ads include Dorothy’s original artwork at no extra charge!
Hurry Now!
Time Flies!
Call now to find out about the best deal in the media.
609.522.2721
MAY 6
th
Featuring
“While You Were Away” {Including Blizzard Coverage}
The SUN by-the-sea © 2010 is published by So They’ll Know, inc.
Proof Reader~ Diane McMonagle Beach & Boardwalk Correspondent~ Sharon Miller
Wildwood’s first news publication was the Five Mile Beach Journal in 1895, which later became the Five Mile Beach Sun in the early 1900’s, and The Five Mile Beach Sun by-the-sea in 2004.
A NEWS RE-CAP FROM: LABOR DAY TIL MEMORIAL DAY
Photographer
Totally Published, Edited & Designed by Dorothy Kulisek with the help of all those listed here:
~Anon.
THOROUGHLY ENJOYED BY SUMMER HOME OWNERS, VISITORS, & LOCALS ALIKE
SCOOP
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. “In a perfect world we wouldn’t need this disclaimer, but in a perfect world, we wouldn’t need lawyers either.” ––PARRY AFTAB
The Sun pays homage to sweet bygone shore days, when the island was filled with neon hotel signs and Ford Fairlanes. As the original nostalgic newspaper of the Wildwoods, we center our editorial on homegrown stories and photographs about the people of the Wildwoods. Send us your story!
the SUN by-the-Sea
7
“You can tell a lot about a fellow's character by his way of eating jellybeans.” ~Ronald Reagan
Easter Weekend THE 2010 SEASON KICK-OFF! Easter Egg Hunts, Prizes, Games, Rides and the Easter Bunny himself at Easter Day Celebration on the Wildwoods Boardwalk! Limited Tram Car service begins.
Tram Car Day Pass
New in the 62 year history of the tram car, you can purchase your Day Pass at Wildwoods Boardwalk Sightseer Tram Car Ticket Booths, or call 609-523-TRAM.
New!
DAY PASS
$
5.
'TIL 5PM
F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n p l e a s e v i s i t o u r we b s i t e w w w. D o Wi l d wo o d . c o m
the SUN by-the-Sea
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“Those who live by the sea can hardly form a single thought of which the sea would not be part.” ~Hermann Broch (1886–1951)
When I was a youngster I thought I was the luckiest kid in the world. My grandparents had 3 apartment houses in North Wildwood! As a result, I got to leave the city each year and spend the entire summer at the shore.
to the stars by Steve Murray
Summers down here were like a dream for a young boy - a combination of Disneyland, carnival, island paradise and a little bit of Las Vegas. Every day was spent on the beach and most nights on the boardwalk. In between there was fishing, crabbing, boating, miniature golf, sand lot baseball (there were still lots in those days), and even horse back riding (in the Crest). No worries - never a boring day. Like Bobby’s song says “Every days a holiday ...” The tenants at my grandparents property fell into three categories. There were the Phila. working class families, usually taking apartments weekly. There were the bartenders and waitresses, doubling up in efficiency units for the summer. (You hardly ever saw these people they mostly worked and slept.) Then there were the show business performers, renting full size apartments seasonally. There were no condos at that time and these large well furnished, comfortable and affordable apartments offered a nice home away from home. Before the advent of casino era Atlantic City, the nightclubs on the island were numerous and impressive.Wildwood was known nationwide as a Mecca for the entertainment industry.There was Moores Inlet, Club Avalon, Club Lou Booth, Phil and Eddies Surf Club, the Manor, the Bolero, Valentinos, The Beachcomber and many more. My grandparents were landlords to band musicians, dancers, singers, comedians and at least one movie actor. Some were nationally known or were on their way to being so. Others just had regional recognition and followed the “circuit”, moving from town to town as seasons changed and work became available. My mother, Nancy, and my Aunt Irma were professional singers as well. They were billed as the “Lynne Sisters” and performed at all of the major clubs along the Atlantic corridor including locally, the original Moores Inlet. After my aunt retired, my mother continued on her own for many years. She was the “house singer” at the famed 500 Club in Atlantic City as well as Valentinos Supper Club in Wildwood. She worked with all of the top names in her travels, including Eddie Fisher, Dean Martin, Liberace and Charlie Spivaks Orchestra. Her theatrical agent was Eddie Suez of Phila. and Wildwood. He had a large and impressive stable of performers as clients, including our own local celebrity hero - Cozy Morley. In fact, Eddie was the original owner of Club Avalon before selling it to Cozy in the 1950’s. Nightclub owner Louise “Lou” Booth was also a friend of my mothers.
The Lynne Sisters (l-r) Nancy Murray and Irma Roma
Johnny Gilbert
Steve’s Grandparents rental property which still stands at 223 E. 18th. Jack Murray, Steve’s Dad standing beside Mickey Shaughnessy
Because of my mother’s show business roots and her close friendship with these three people, they would refer all of their entertainment associates to my family’s rental property. Although it was sold over 20 years ago, I have many memories of these celebrity guests from an early age in the late 1950’s, until the unfortunate decline of the industry in Wildwood in the late 1970’s, due to the casinos “non compete” clause. I have to say at the start, I never remember any of these folks being anything but nice and down to earth. There was never any snobbishness and they mixed right in with all of their neighbors. They were even very patient and kind to me, an inquisitive little pest that asked a lot of questions. (A combination of Opie Taylor and Dennis the Menace). The first “celebrity” I really became aware of at a very early age, was Johnny Gilbert. Johnny began his career as a night club singer and was contracted with a local club for the summer. He recorded a couple of albums but this was not the field in which he would make his mark. His fame would eventually come as a television host and game show announcer, recognized as one of the best in the business. He began hosting musical themed game shows such as “Music Bingo”, “Words and Music”, and “Yours for a Song”. His big break
came however, when he replaced the great Don Pardo (Sat. Night Live) as the announcer on the original “Price is Right”. After this he worked on the shows “Fast Draw”, “Beat the Odds” and finally as long time host of “Dialing for Dollars”. In 1973 an even bigger break came when he was hired as the announcer on the “Dinah Shore Show”. Anybody who was anybody appeared on this show which remained on the air until 1981. Finally and perhaps most noteworthy, Johnny has been heard (but not seen) as Alex Trebek’s announcer on the hugely popular “Jeopardy” for 20 years. Shortly after Johnny’s stay, we had another guest that was on his way to fame - rock legend Charlie Gracie. Even as a very little kid I thought it was pretty cool to have a rock and roll singer staying with us. (I liked his hip pompadour haircut a lot better than my own crew). Charlie, a Phila. native, is considered that city’s first rock star. I can’t remember which club he was working at during his stay with us. He recorded for the Cameo label with whom he released such hits as “Ninety-nine Ways”, “Wandering Eyes”, “Fabulous” and the mega hit that went gold, “Butterfly”. At 4 or 5 I used to lip sync and dance to this in front of the record player.
Young Charlie Gracie
Charlie was a featured performer in Alan Freed’s concerts, the Ed Sullivan Show and Bandstand. He appeared in the rock and roll musical film “Jamboree” and toured with the likes of Chuck Berry, Bo Diddly, the Everly Brothers and Eddie Cochran. When I got older and really interested in music I realized Charlie was one of the most talented guitar players of that era. This was a much recognized fact by many of the British rockers such as Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Graham Nash, Joe Cocker, Van Morrison and others. They all credited his rock-a-billy sound and guitar work as a major influence on their music. I’ve heard that he’s as big as Elvis in that part of the world. Charlie is still going strong, touring and recording, and despite his fame, never turned his back on a town that helped to launch his career. He still performs regularly in the Wildwoods every year. I have many other celebrity stories to relate, especially with another of our famous house guests, actor and comedian, Mickey Shaughnessy. Mickey appeared in over 40 motion pictures including “From Here to Eternity”, “Pocket Full of Miracles” and “Jail House Rock”. He stayed with us for about 6 seasons and became like a family member. I’ll share some personal stories about him in a future article. Those sure were great times.
the SUN by-the-Sea
9
“What great thing would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?� An Old-Fashioned Market with Old-Fashioned Prices! H O T
N J L O T T E R Y
Hot Breakfast Sandwiches!
G R I L L
Philly Soft Pretzels ~ Old Fashioned Delicatessan ~ Party Trays ~ Groceries ~ Newstand
24TH STREET MARKET • 24th & NJ Aves. North Wildwood • 729-4732
~Robert H. Schuller
We Buy Old Gold
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF RECORD GOLD PRICES!
HIGHEST POSSIBLE PRICES PAID! IMMEDIATE PAYMENT!
Exclusive
Trend
Setting Jewelry Designs
YARD SALE MULTI-FAMILY 2� White Wooden Blinds 30�x60� 5 are new! Lamps • Frames rry Hu Antiques • Knick-Knacks Over!! Shelves Bikes Collectibles . . .
Gardens by Simonne Helping you create beautiful. . . maintainable. . . • Annual ~ Perennial Gardens • • Herb ~ Vegetable Patches • • Patio Planters • No Plot too Small. Call Simonne 609-972-1510
HEARTS ON FIRE
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Swiss Army
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Denny Wong Designs
Citizen • Seiko
Steven Douglas
And so much more.
Rebecca • Bellarri 250 96TH STREET, STONE HARBOR, NJ
609-967-4653 (GOLD)
Saturday, May 8th
WWW.JEWELRY-STUDIO.COM
309 E. 7th Ave. North Wildwood Rain Date: Saturday, May 15th
RESTAURANT SHOWCASE Wednesday ~ May 12th @ 6p.m. NEIL’S STEAKHOUSE~WILDWOOD
For Sale
A sampling of some of the Wildwoods’ finest restaurants and specialty shops. All proceeds benefit area high school students. 609-729-4000 or www.gwcoc.com Deadline for Scholarship Application: Friday, April 16th, 2010 @ 4pm, GWCOC office. Applications will be in schools,
WATCH and JEWELRY REPAIR GIA GRADUATE GEMOLOGIST
14th & New Jersey Aves. North Wildwood, NJ Plenty of Free Parking
Eat in or Take Out
on website & GWCOC office on March 5th.
Monday, JULY 19th, 2010 at 10:00 am
2001 Mexican Beetle New/Old style, built in Mexican VW plant in 2001, using a new 1972 Body. 1600CC Fuel Injected 4 Cylinder engine with a 4-speed manual transmission. Runs and drives excellent. 60,000 miles. Red Exterior, Dark Gray and Black Interior. Indash Pioneer am/fm CD player.
$8,000. Call 609-522-2721
E Voted Best Diner 14 Years Running! M BEST SALAD BAR L C O E W in town! BEST BREAKFAST in town!
DR. MACE BABIES
M OF
A SA
& those born at
LONG’S Maternity will gather together for the first time for a Reunion & Group Photo Hereford Inlet Lighthouse 1st & Central,N.Wildwood Call (609) 522-2721 for any questions
G PLIN
SERVING
Breakfast Lunch & Dinner 7 Days a Week Homemade Cakes & Pastries
Early Bird Specials
• Broiled Seafood Combo ..... $13.95 • Broiled Salmon .................. $11.95
MON. - FRI. 3:00-5:30
• Broiled Tilapia .... $10.95 • Chicken Parm .... $10.95
Blackboard Specials
10% OFF
• 8 oz. Filet Mignon .................... $15.95 • Stuffed Salmon w/Crabmeat... $15.95 • Tilapia Mykonos ....................... $15.95 • Broiled Seafood Combo ......... $15.95
Not Valid Sat. - Sun. & Holidays 9am - 2pm 7% with Credit Cards
Menu
View our Large Menu & Download Coupons at www.vegasdiner.net
the SUN by-the-Sea
10
“On Easter Day the veil between time and eternity thins to gossamer.”
Meg the Movie Buff
KBUSheT-sEeaR BLOCOO D by-t
Goes to Hollywood
WILDW
Aves. Rio Grande & New Jersey
609-522-7957
1
$
2010 SPRING MOVIE GUIDE by Meg Corcoran ©2009 PARAMOUNT PICTURES. STAR TREK and related marks and logos are trademarks of CBS Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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©2009 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights Reserved. HASBRO logo, G.I. JOE and related characters are trademarks of Hasbro. All Rights Reserved.
SPRING HOURS: OPEN 7 DAYS SUN-THURS 10-9 FRI-SAT 10-11
With winter holding on until The Last (snowy) Song is sung, The Bounty Hunter is on a mission, searching for signs of springtime amidst sparkling seascapes.Traveling far and wide, he follows the clues leading to our spring-loving seaside town. Tracking his sandy footprints is The Repo Man, who promises to take back all things winter in exchange for infinite sunshine (and unlimited movie passes).Together they travel the sand-spotted streets, hunting for bright days, big screen adventures, and concession stand treats. They soon cross (boardwalk) paths with the rest of our springtime cast and decide to take a sunny walk on Wall Street (2): where Money Never Sleeps. Feeling rejuvenated, they refuse The Clash of the Titans in favor of an agreeable dose of bright beach days and magical movie nights... Before getting your dose of movie star nights, be sure to check your local listings for release date changes.
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
pick up your copy at: THE WILDWOOD HISTORICAL SOCIETY George F. Boyer Museum
3907 Pacific Avenue • Wildwood, NJ • 523-0277 VIDEO
$25
.00
DVD
.00
$30
includes shipping & handling
order form
DVD VIDEO
Name _____________________________________
to: Bob Ingram
Address ___________________________________
706 North Wildwood Blvd. Lot 29 Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
City, State, Zip _____________________________
or call to order:
609.465.9968
The Bounty Hunter (Gerard Butler, opens March 19th) targets his reporter ex-wife (Jennifer Aniston), leading the bickering duo on a dangerous Adventure Pier journey. The Clash of the Titans (opens March 26th) occurs when Greek god/man Perseus (Sam Worthington) battles Hades (Ralph Fiennes) who’s trying to gain power over Zeus (Liam Neeson) searching for a sunless, beach-free environment, (a.k.a. hell on earth). A once small-town cop turned convicted con artist (Jim Carrey) makes several jailbreak attempts, desperate to find an Ocean Oasis where he can declare, “I Love You Phillip Morris” (Ewan McGregor, opens March 26th) to a former lovable cellmate.
Bob Ingram is a contributing editor for the SUN
or send check or m.o.
~Douglas Horton
Phone _____________________________________ Quantity ________ Total ___________
Unemployed and unmotivated, Roger Greenberg (Ben Stiller, opens March 26th) travels from New York to Los Angeles where he house-sits for his much-stabler brother and falls for his brother’s assistant (Greta Gerwig), a fellow lost soul (and skeeball aficionado). A U.S. Army officer (Matt Damon) travels through the Green Zone (Opens March 12th) during the early days of the Iraq war, living a High Flyer existence as he searches for Weapons of Mass Destruction. Also stars Greg Kinnear.
A defiant young woman (Miley Cyrus) reluctantly spends an eventful summer at a small beach town, building castles in the sand while singing The Last Song (opens April 2nd) to the father (Greg Kinnear) who abandoned her. From the Nicholas Sparks’ novel. The Repo Man (Jude Law, opens April 2nd) who repossesses organs from people who can’t pay, gets a new heart then falls on hard financial times, ironically preventing him from a pre-summer shore vacation to fill his newfound heart with joy. A bored suburban married couple (Steve Carell,Tina Fey) too tame for spins on the Screamin’ Swing, have a wild Date Night (opens April 9th) complete with a case of mistaken identity. Tired of waiting for Mr. Right but ready for Merry go round rides, a single girl (Jennifer Lopez) forms The Back-up Plan (opens April 16th) then meets a prospective husband (Alex O’Loughlin) quickly following her artificial insemination. A recently released from prison former stockbroker (Michael Douglas) and a young Wall Street trader (Shia La Beouf) learn on Wall Street (2): Money Never Sleeps (opens April 23rd) as they search for a killer, alert others about a looming financial crash, and still find time away from the street for a (boardwalk version) Raging Waters experience. As the rest of our cast closes in on spring, Greenberg spends his time off enjoying long beach walks, boardwalk rides, and movie style popcorn. During an idyllic day of soaking up the presummer rays, he makes elaborate plans for the perfect Date Night. With so many seaside things to do, he carefully weighs his options, brilliantly forming The (ideal) Back-up Plan: a big screen double feature followed by a romantic beach stroll. Following a star-filled movie night, our loving cast of characters enter the tranquil Green Zone, where warm breezes and sunshine live. They serenely welcome a bright new season, tenderly proclaiming I Love You Phillip Morris (the eventual finder of the illustrious spring)!
the SUN by-the-Sea
~Here’s a Thought from Sand Jamm!
11
“The need to be certain is just procrastination.”
MMOMGM!
Juniper Ave. & The Boardwalk
Across from Sam’s Pizza
Wildwood NJ
609-522-4650
the SUN by-the-Sea
12
“We do not remember days; we remember moments.”
~Cesare Pavese, The Burning Brand
A Blast From the Past! PHOTOS COURTESY OF WILDWOOD HISTORIC SOCIETY
P & O Friends
3401 Pacific Ave., Jackson’s Drugstore on the SE corner of P&O, 1960s Lana L. Turner WHS 1965
J. Edward McLaughlin WHS 1964
John J. Neborak WHS 1963
Joseph C. Hess WHS 1964
Kenneth A. Petrosky WHS 1964
Carol L.Turner WHS 1967
A postcard of Hilltop Diner from the collection of Wildwood Historic Society
Michael J. Burke WHS 1963
Robert Ansell 1962
Ronald P. Borden WHS 1963
Robert Osborne 1962
John Kill WCHS 1963
Carmen ‘Splat’ Bersani WCHS 1963
212 E. Oak Avenue, next door to Hilltop, 1960s
the SUN by-the-Sea
13
“There are some truths about life that can be expressed only as stories, or songs, or images.” ~Dana Gioia
George reminisces on the corner of P&O Summer of 2006
The P & O Boys 1959
…a brief history From the 60’s to our 60’s…wow! As Labor Day passed so did the end of summer and the beginning of fall. Back then the day after Labor Day meant that the town was basically empty, except for the locals and a handful of ‘shoobies’. The town was ‘ours’ again.The majority of tourists have departed, most of the clubs were closing or closed, the restaurants and diners were being boarded up, the boardwalk was once again void of people, the beaches were lonely again, save for a handful of people, mostly natives, most of the traffic lights were turned off or put in the blinking mode.The streets were again safe and somewhat lonely and the noise had abated. And Starlight Ballroom had played the last record of the summer. Mack’s had served it last slice of pizza and cup of Birch Beer. In a way it was great. A few young men, who had been close friends for quite some time, growing up on the island were looking for something different to do. Not much to do in Wildwood after Labor Day, especially in 1959. The guys had played sports, at the old ‘rec’, went to dances, went to parties, hung out together and just had fun. Never any major trouble with the law, a warning from time to time, but that was part of growing up. They were very close, always there for one another.You know ‘All for one, and one for all.’ They were basically inseparable.Then the bright idea of hanging out on a corner came up. Like their summer friends from Philly did. Pacific & Oak Avenues seemed like the ideal spot, it was mainly the focal point of the town.At that time Jackson’s Drug Store occupied the corner and was connected to a soda shop. So a few of the boys started spending their idle time standing on the corner, at least it was something to do. Joe Hess, Ronnie Borden, Mike Burke, Eddie ‘The Flea’ McLaughlin, Benny Mawhinney and George ‘Virgil’ Anderson became known as the original P & O Boys.
by George E. Anderson, Co-founder of the P&O Boys As time went by and winter came and passed, and as spring and summer of 1960 was approaching, the group attracted a few more members. John ‘Rateye’ Neborak, Bob ‘Ozzie’ Osborn, Carmen Bersani, Johnny Kill and Jimmy ‘Brownie’ Brown. There were even a few girls that liked to come by and be with the boys. Lynda Phillips, Donna Phillips, Brenda Giacalone, Jonlyn Fulton and Linda Donovan became the P & O Girls. We couldn’t wait until Easter Sunday, when Mack’s Pizza opened, and Memorial Day which meant the start of summer and soon Starlight Ballroom would be rocking again, and we spent almost every night there. Talking and dancing with the Philly girls and hoping to walk them home. We spent most of our days on the beach at Maple Avenue, usually near the boardwalk where we played ‘buck buck,’ ‘mum freeze’ or some other game we learned from our Philly friends. Then Labor Day came again and it was back to the corner. Doo Wop became a passion for us and most nights you could hear us out there harmonizing.At that time the songs we were singing weren’t that old. This was what we enjoyed, and it made the winter pass a little more quickly.Along with playing ‘Stinky Joe’ on occasion. (Stinky Joe was a version of hide and seek.) Hopping parking meters, lying down in the middle of Pacific Avenue waiting for a car to come, became a pass time as well. Sometimes we would go to Bargain Night Wednesday at the Shore Theater where a double feature cost a quarter.We would hop that old gray wooden fence that once surrounded Maxwell Field and sneak into a Wildwood High School football game. Sometimes we would get caught, but were successful more times than not. A couple of the boys played for WHS then, and it was fun watching them. In the spring of 1961 we invited two more guys to join us. Harry Hastings and Kenny Petrosky were new in town and thus became the newest members of the P & O Boys.
As time passed, others came by just to sing doo wop with us. Bobby Ansell, George Sloan and a few others whose names I cannot recall. Charlie Sangillo came by just to hear us sing. He really liked doo wop, and was a collector of records.The old 45 RPM’s, which many he still has today.A few of the Kelleher girls and the Turner girls, Lana and Carol, and Marci Liemberg and other young ladies from the area would hang out occasionally, just to hear us harmonize and pretend to swoon. It was truly a great experience, one I will never forget. The police would come by and ask us kindly not to congregate on the corner. So we would go to the Hilltop Diner and sit for a while. Or we would go up to the boardwalk by Starlight and hang out there until it was time to go home. We grew up at the right time in the right place. I was part of the greatest bunch of guys and girls you could ever imagine. We survived the flood of 1962 and a couple of us even wound up at Margaret Mace School after being evacuated, where we spent a couple of days and nights, falling asleep counting Kellehers’.We got through the assassination of JFK in 1963 and the start of The Vietnam War and the beginning of the Beatles, Rolling Stones and the entire British Invasion. Eventually in the mid to late 60’s most of us got married. Some of us were in each other’s weddings. A couple of the boys got married to a couple of the P & O girls. We still hung out from time to time, went to dinner, to the movies, had parties, talked about the ‘good old days’ and how much fun we had when we were kids.We’re all in 60’s now. Our hair is a little thinner and grayer now, our steps are not as brisk, our faces have a few more creases, our eyes have become weaker, our hearing not as astute and our memories may not be as sharp. Some of us have had major surgery and minor set backs. All of us have lost loved ones over the years.We’ve had aching hearts and proud moments. Some of us have maybe even gained a pound or two. Perhaps our dance moves may leave something
George & Eddie McLaughlin- P&O Jackson’s Drugstore- December 1963
to be desired now.We’re all on different kinds of medication now, and visit doctors regularly, but we made it this far. (If I knew I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself.) (From the 60’s to our 60’s wow!) We have grown children of our own now and grandchildren to share our stories with. Some of the guys and girls still live in the area and others in different states and countries. Unfortunately there are a few that aren’t with us any more. Eddie ‘The Flea’ McLaughlin, Kenny Petrosky, John ‘Rateye’ Neborak, Harry Hastings, and George Sloan. Although the corner of Pacific & Oak has gone through many changes in the last fifty years, as has the town itself, the memories will always be there. The friendship and togetherness we shared. The long winters and short summers we spent with each other. Starlight and the Hilltop Diner are long gone. Jackson’s Drugstore is just a memory. But the corner is still there. Every time I come back to Wildwood and go to the boardwalk, I hesitate at Oak Ave., look in the direction of where Starlight Ballroom once stood, and remember the nights of my youth and how the floor would sway whenever a ‘stomp’ record played. When in town I always stop, park the car, and go stand on that corner for a few minutes. I take a deep breath. I look around and reflect on what was the happiest times of my life. I’d give anything just to go back for one day, or one hour to stand there once again with all those guys and girls. Just to hear the laughter, the voices, to see the smiling faces, and enjoy the company of the P & O Boys once more. I’ve been told that if you drive by there in the winter and stop, lower your car window and listen very intently, you can still hear a few of the boys singing their version of ‘Over The Rainbow.’ Photos courtesy of George Anderson & Wildwood Historic Society. Thank you George for sending in your memories, The Sun by-the-sea
the SUN by-the-Sea
14
“May you have warmth in your igloo, oil in your lamp, and peace in your heart”~ Eskimo Proverb
FIVE MILES of Smiles! “Watch out where the doggies go, don’t eat yellow snow!”
good food, good drink & good friends DAILY SPECIALS - ALL DAY 11:30am to 10:00pm
Winter, Wildwood Style! February 6th, 2010 ~ No power, and nothing better to do, resulted in a weeklongwintersnowstorm project called the Unicornigloo—a built-from-iceblocks igloo at 110 W. Rio Grande Ave. (a celebratory bonfire was quickly held!) Depending on future snowstorms, more rooms may be added!
Open Year Round 7 Days ~ 11:30am
Sunday Roast Turkey Dinner ............... $7.99 Sirloin Steak, Popcorn Shrimp & Coleslaw .. $8.99 Monday Mini Cheese Steaks ................ $1.95 Tuesday Pasta, Roll & Butter ................ $2.95 Wednesday Wings Hot, Mild or BBQ .... $1.95 Served with celery & bleu cheese
HAPPIEST HAPPY HOUR
Thursday Cheeseburger ...................... $2.50
Monday to Friday 11:30am to 7:00pm
Your Neighborhood Bar at the Shore!
Eileen Regan
(Bar Only)
Domestic Pints .99¢ Domestic Bottles $1.50 Import Pints & Bottles $2.99 Mixed "House "Drinks $2.50 Mixed "Top Shelf" Drinks $2.99 Wine $2.99 Half Price Appetizers~Bar Only Monday thru Friday 3:00pm to 6:00pm
17th Ave. NORTH WILDWOOD 609-729-7290 Between Central & New Jersey Avenues
(l-r) Jeremy & Travis Richards, Xavier, & Anekah Graff with mom, Dena, little Toni Howard & Nick Busher(architect /mastermind), Josh Palumbo of OWEN’S PUB & Widgit. Other builders missing from the picture are Patrick Furey, Chris Gallagher, & Raven Schell
January 16, 2010 Polar Plunge, Wildwood by-the-sea OPEN 7 DAYS YEAR ROUND
IRISH PUB irish music!! irish menu!!
4-7 at the Bar
HAPPY HOUR EVERY DAY
St. Patrick’s Celebration Sat., March 13th Erin Express DOWNSTAIRS
5-9
DJ Bob D’Persia Dennis & David
10-2
UPSTAIRS
DJ Jerry Smith
9-1
Wed., March 17th Mark Hanson 3-7 DJ Bob D’Persia 9-2
$2 MILLER LITE, HIGH LIFE, MILLER CHILL BOTTLES $7 BUCKETS OF 7OZ. MILLER LITE $1-16OZ. PBR DRAFTS $1.50 PBR BOTTLES
Tom Cassidy proudly took the plunge for the Special Olympics.
Keith O’Brien & Dave Buchanan proudly plunge in honor of their friend Shawn Scott, a Millville Police Officer serving in Iraq.
IMPORTS AND MICRO BREWS LENIES • SUNSET WHEAT • CARLSBERG $3
St. Patrick’s Menu Ham & Cabbage • 25¢ WINGS • 99¢ HOT DOGS Corned Beef & Cabbage • $2.99 CHEESEBURGER W/FRIES Sheperd’s Pie ALL MILLER BOTTLES $2 • MILLER PINTS $2 Lamb Stew. . . & more
Lunch • Dinner • Early Birds • Late Night • Live Entertainment
101 E. Walnut Ave. North Wildwood 609-522-4991
Shampoo Bar Plungers with supporters & friends from Flip Flopz Beach Bar & Grill~ Joe Mahoney, Kelly & Aubrey New, BettyAnn Moretti, Lainey, and brave plungers Kelly Murray & Jody. Missing from picture is Christine
the SUN by-the-Sea
15
“The older I get, the greater power I seem to have to help the world. I am like a snowball- the farther I am rolled, the more I gain.”
Moving Targets by Joe Russo
-Susan B, Anthony, fSyman Says.com
&
Fine Wines Spirits Wildwood’s Largest Selection of
Beer • Wine • Liquor
Open 7 Days The product of a late winter storm, a bountiful supply of fresh snow is welcomed with the open arms of three young boys standing on the corner of Davis Avenue and Park Boulevard. The afternoon sun is unusually warm, turning it rapidly into slush. Yet, it is still pliable; the ideal density for what a skier might call “squeaky powder,” and what the boys knew better as “packing snow,” the precise concentration for the perfect snowball. The jackets are unzipped and the gloves, shaken off of hands, fall to the sidewalk. Scott fires the first round at a car heading south on Park Boulevard. His form resembles that of a baseball pitcher: pushing off with his back leg, weight out over his front foot after delivery and his throwing arm trailing through in a wide arc, just like Tom Seaver. The snowball finds its target with a thud and the car continues on, with a clump of snow sliding off of its rear end. I pick up my snowball and attempt to imitate his form in my own awkward manner. After a stutter step and late release my snowball rises in an imperfect hump and falls to earth with a splat, reminding me of those failed Atlas rocket launches from Cape Canaveral that we have seen on the evening news. Rick, whose own athletic ability is closer to my own than to his brother’s, wisely decides to stay behind the front line to act as ordinance; forming flawlessly rounded snowballs that look like giant meatballs. The ammunition dump increases in volume and we ramp up our assault of the passing vehicles that sometimes honk in retaliation but never brake. Scott launches a snowball. It streaks through the air like a missile, its fantail trailing droplets of snow behind as it rises and strikes its target, a box truck, well ahead of his intended point of impact. Instead, it
Two Convenient Wildwood Locations
passes through an open window and strikes the driver square in the ear.
Hildreth & Pacific Ave. 609-522-WINE (9463)
“KERPLOW!” The flash of red brake lights is our signal to retreat. High-tailing it into the bar I stop and, as casually as I can, take a seat and ask for a soda, confident in the knowledge that my father, who is working, has my front, my flank, and all other sides. Scott and Rick streak through the dining room and find safe haven in the bomb shelter, which is in reality the walk-in box in the kitchen, where they know they will never be discovered until someone enters for the purpose of business.
26th & New Jersey Ave. 609-729-WINE (6463)
Springtime never fails to keep its promise. . . Promise you won’t drink and drive! Bienvenue Canadiens
www.greensliquor.com
A man enters the bar smacking the palm of his hand against his cherry-red ear and demands to know where the culprit who dared inflict such a mess upon his person might be. My father shrugs his shoulders in an unknowing manner and professes to know nothing about the incident of which he speaks. I stare innocently into my glass, suddenly engrossed in the texture of ice cubes while silently pleading with myself not to look up and meet him face to face. The man with the cherry red ear glances around the bar: the customers have taken to our defense, staring him down in a way that suggests that he, in his best interest, leave the matter alone. He backs out of the room and his on his way when I run to the bomb shelter, open the door, and announce to the two pairs of eyes glaring out at me from behind the lettuce cases that the angry driver has departed.
Open 11am-3am Every day Year round!
Upon our return to the front line, we scan the horizon to make perfectly sure that our opponent is in retreat. Behind us lies the pile of well-rounded snowballs. Cars and trucks move past us in a leisurely pace. Our eyes narrow, wicked grins creep across our faces. The coast is clear and Scott issues the command: “FIRE AT WILL!”
TGIF Happy Hour Gary & the Kid 1/2 price Apps
Full Lunch & Dinner Menu Served Daily
{You must be at least 21 to read this ad.}
Live Entertainment Every Weekend!
Monday $3 Angus Burgers Tuesday & Sunday All-U-can-eat Dungeness Crabs 4-9 Wednesday All day/All night All-u-can-eat U-Peel Shrimp $14.99 Thursday 2 for $22
(Bar Only 5-7)
3rd & New York Ave.North Wildwood 609-522-7759
Spring into Casey’s! Sat. March 13th ~ St. Patrick’s Party ‘Sindi Raymond Band’ Wed. March 17th Happy St. Patrick’s Day! ‘Mr. Moose’ March 27th & April 24th ‘Hardluck’ April 26th & 30th
$2 Domestic Bottles
Go Phillies!!
(11am-9pm)
Home of the Dollar Dogs & Dollar Pints!
the SUN by-the-Sea
16
“And in today already walks tomorrow.” 24 Years!
Notes from the Wildwood Historical Society
Fresh & Cooked Seafood Take-Out Platters Homemade Soups - Appetizers Side Orders • Sandwiches JUMBO MARYLAND CRABS LIVE ~ COOKED
located at 3907 Pacific Ave. in Wildwood. 609-523-0277 Bob Scully, Curator
PARTY TRAYS AVAILABLE! on the main road into North Wildwood Call Ahead for Take Out!
729-9443 Call for Hours.
Put Rick’s fish on your dish. You will have a great meal and fantastic you will feel! BY GARRETT MORETTI
Rick’s Platters...the finest & freshest seafood! CRAB BALLS • CRAB FINGERS CLAMS CASINO • SHRIMP COCKTAIL
. . .just a sampling! FREE Ice Packing for Travel
HEREFORD LIGHTHOUSE GARDENS & GIFT SHOP
1st & Central Ave., North Wildwood 609-522-4520 DAILY TOURS OF THIS HISTORICAL LANDMARK VISIT OUR GIFT SHOP LIGHTHOUSE & NAUTICAL THEME Items & Collectibles B UILT 1874
Bennett & New Jersey Wildwood by-the-sea
609-522-7894
Take Out & Restaurant
March-april Hours *Fri - Sat - Sun 4pm-10pm Friday Night Buffet 4 ‘til 10 Extended hours mid-April
pasta & pastry shop
March-april Hours Fri - Sat - Sun 10am-10pm
Full Assortment of Your Favorite Italian Pastries
NOW TAKING EASTER ORDERS! Cookie Trays - Cakes Pies - Easter Breads - & more SHOP ! E N I L ON Full Line of Products available at www.raviolihouse.com
WATERCOLOR BY
Dorothy Kulisek 2009 ©
www.herefordlighthouse.org
~Samuel Taylor Coleridge
SPRING HOURS 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM Thursday, Friday and Saturday Closed Sundays and National Holidays
Over the last few months we have stirred up some old memories about various establishments that were popular on our island during the 50s. There were places like Marsh’s Bakery and the Tom Cat Restaurant. At one point, I had mentioned if anyone remembered the Crest Pier Bowling Alleys. Being a Wildwood kid, I don’t remember much about them, but I heard from some “Crest kids” who told me all about it. Don Grosse,WHS Class of 1957, from Florida wrote me in detail about his experiences there. He said growing up in the Crest, “The Pier” was a second home to them. If you weren’t going to the boardwalk, you were going to the Pier. It was also a great way to pick up some quick spending money by setting up pins. According to Don, “Their regular guys would take a break and the manager, ‘Jelly’, would let you set up pins. It paid seven cents per person per game and when the bowlers were done, they would throw some change down the alley to you, maybe as much as fifty cents. If you were real lucky, you could ‘jump lanes’ and handle two lanes at the same time and make twice as much. Of course, if it were a slow night, you would only make enough for the pinball machines and maybe an ice cream cone. You could also go into the Ballroom for dancing or Amateur Hour.” By the late 40s and 50s, the alleys were warped and the building had settled so the ball didn’t always run true. There was no air-conditioning in those days, so behind the alleys were windows that the pin boys would open. Don said, “Being the wise-guys that we were, on occasion, we would try to roll the ball hard enough to fly out the open window. The pin boys would complain and Jelly or Chief Murray, the owner, would holler at us. Those were great days!” Another “Crest Kid” that I heard from was Larry Berardelli who now resides in Pennsylvania. He recalled that there were about ten alleys and a jukebox that was rarely quiet. One of his first part-time jobs was setting up pins. He concluded with “Those fun-filled days have long ago surrendered to automatic pin-setting machines. So, yes, I remember!” I also heard from Bill Mitchell. I had put out an “SOS” for names to go with a Wildwood High School graduation photo of the Class of 1962 that was donated by Joan Bransfield Graham. Thank you Bill for taking the time to name all of the graduates for the museum. Whenever possible, we like to put names to the faces of the people in our photographs. Also, if anyone has any special memories about Ganser’s Bakery on Pacific Avenue or “Snuffy’s Luncheonette” in Wildwood Crest, I would like to hear from you. E-mail me at wildwoodhistoricalsociety@hotmail.com. If you happen to have a photo of Snuffy’s, please share it with us. Just a reminder - the museum will be hosting their Annual Post Card Show on April 17. This year we have decided to incorporate a second event. We are planning to hold a one-day symposium honoring women who are in the military or have been in the military. The free event will be open to the public, especially to present or former servicewomen. It will be called “A Salute To Women In The Military.” Drop by to meet some ladies that have served our country, take a look at the post cards, and enjoy the refreshments. Until next time . . . . . be happy and be well!
Anne Vinci, PRESIDENT OF WILDWOOD HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC.
the SUN by-the-Sea
17
“Progress always involves risks. You can't steal second base and keep your foot on first.”
~Frederick B. Wilcox
www.avaloncoffeecompany.com
2 1/2 year old Bull Terrier Zoe, a rescue from the local animal shelter, stands tall as she takes her place in history alongside Bob Bright at the Wildwood Historic Museum. Museum visitors will fondly recall Buddy, a much-loved German shephard who recently passed away.
The U.S. Navy used to serve alcoholic beverages on board ships. However, when Admiral Josephus “Joe” Daniels became Chief of Naval Operations, he outlawed alcohol onboard ships, except for very special occasions. Coffee then became the beverage of choice, hence the term “Cup of Joe.”
8 Great Places with Smiling Faces ! AVALON
C.M. C.H.
N. WILDWOOD RIO GRANDE
N. CAPE MAY
CAPE MAY
CLERMONT Cape Center 3167 Rt. 9 Bayshore & Townbank Beach & Gurney 1944 Rt. 9N 29th & Dune 9 Mechanic 7th & NJ 967-4499 463-8200 846-0041 463-0275 898-8088 624-1464 846-0040
• • • •
SEA ISLE CITY 4116 Landis Ave 263-7333
Ice Cream Appetizers Burgers Many Favorites!
• Fountain Classics • Floats
Magnolia Ave. on the Wildwood Boardwalk
the SUN by-the-Sea
18
“I have a tickle in my brain. And it keeps making the corners of my mouth point toward the heavens.”
~Jeb Dickerson
FIVE MILES
of Smiles! If I had my way, I would introduce everyone in the whole world to each other.
Christopher Johnson with team mate Katie Queen
Photos by Megan Rogers A smile costs nothing but gives much. It enriches those who receive without making poorer those who give. It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever. None is so rich or mighty that he cannot get along without it and none is so poor that he cannot be made rich by it. Yet a smile cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away. Some people are too tired to give you a smile. Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to give. ~AUTHOR UNKNOWN
Colin & Maddison Hamlin with Eric Sorensen, Aidan & Mackenzie Bradley & Alyissa
Terry Mathews with her son Brandan
2nd grade elves at Crest Memorial
Via & Anthony Zampirri
Lauren McCallion with coach Vince
Alex Hunt & Conner Heym.
Tommy Belansen with Carli Johnson
Jack & Karen Holland
Nick Holland and Friends
Kim & Ava Sorensen
Sam Rogers And Gia Tammaro. Matt & Linda Tomlin
Ella McIIhinney with her mom Megan.
Nikki Cannuli and Ed Gorski.
Olive Grace Cray with Her Mama Joanne Lafferty Cray.
Emma Cleffi with her friend Hannah Fascaldo.
Patrick & Kyle Killen
Mack Scully as Mrs Potts & Madison Hunt as Chip.
Tracy Kita & Megan D’Amico
the SUN by-the-Sea
19
“You'll always miss 100% of the shots you don't take.”
Still Local.
~Wayne Gretzky
Still Independent.
Our Newest Location!
We Look Forward To Serving You! a history of experience . . . a future of excellence
SINCE 1946
917 Madison Ave. Cape May, NJ 08204 609-884-3333
5200 New Jersey Ave., Wildwood, NJ 08260 609-522-3406 200 Rt. 9 South, Marmora, NJ 08223 609-390-5566
Dig Out Your Old Photos!
1032 RT. 9 SOUTH CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, NJ 08210 609-465-7710
www.jbyrneagency.com
Marie’s FLOWER SHOPPE 3rd & New Jersey Aves., North Wildwood
(609)729-0199 www.mariesflower.com Specializing in Fresh Floral Design,Weddings, Sympathy Flowers, Fruit & Gourmet Gift Baskets & Balloons Serving The Wildwoods, Cape May & Cape May County with Quality & Excellence, Since 1973
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Easter Sunday is April 4th
{See front cover for details.} Walk-ins WELCOME
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the SUN by-the-Sea
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“Sport is a preserver of health.” January 16, 2010~ Surprise 90th Birthday Party was held at the Holly Beach Volunteer Fire Hall for Tom Jorgensen
~Hippocrates
Tom Jorgensen - Wildwood’s Living Legacy by Michael Kutepow
S
Jim, Tom & Tom Jorgensen
Tony Chrietzberg presents his coach with a special birthday gift~ a framed print of his 1968 championship team.
Mike & Alice Savino
Rev. Jim & Kristen Zozzaro and their 3 sons, Jacob, Joey & Joshua
Tim, Renee & Anna Jean Cummings Joan Flickenger, John & Jane Freeman, Jon & Marian Stevenson, Ron & Bunny McGowan
Dave & Carol Troiano Joe MacClain & Tom Jorgensen
Ray & Beth Forbes
Jay Heritage, Bev & Butch Roach
John & Carol Hauser
{Most of above are from Tom’s church family}
Charlotte DeVries
ometimes it is hard to think of the right adjectives to describe someone.The term noble elder is most fitting to the character of Tom Jorgensen, a 90 year-old Elder of Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church on Rio Grande Avenue and member for over 55 years. Tom’s personal life story is a classic American dream that adds to our culture here in Wildwood and it all began January 18, 1920 in Stavanger, Norway. He was born Asbjorn Tarald to his father Gunnar, a Norwegian whaler. His father found work in Texas, saving enough money to move his family from Norway to Staten Island. Young Asbjorn, along with his mother Theresie and one brother and one sister came through Ellis Island in 1925.They lived on Bodine Street in Staten Island. Everybody in the neighborhood was poor and life was very hard. Nobody in his family spoke English very well. His brother died of Polio at the age of four. By the time Asbjorn entered kindergarten, he was picking up some street English from his friends. The first day the teacher asked what his name was and he said, “Asbjorn Tarald Jorgensen,” in his thick Norwegian accent. Without a pause the teacher said, “That’s no good. We’ll just call you Tommy,” she replied and the name followed him throughout his life. At a young age Tommy’s passion was sports. He and his friends played everything, year round, from dusk till dawn. He excelled in baseball and soccer. He enjoyed basketball, football, and even boxing. But baseball in that era in New York City was every kid’s dream. Noone could afford real equipment in those days so they played tireball.They would chop a rubber bicycle tire into small pieces for a ball and use a broomstick as a bat.The object of the game was the same as in baseball but the difficulty was greatly increased. Because of the odd shapes of the tire pieces, they would curve like screw balls every time they’re tossed. And trying to hit them with a broomstick demanded extra practice. But practice is all Tom would do. He had the personality as to where he would train diligently every day, almost to the point of obsession. Even as a child, those endless hours of practice had the opportunity to pay off. He was once offered a place on the Staten Island Soccer Club but his mother forbid him to play with the much older guys in fear that he may get injured. He was invited to try out for the New York Giants baseball team at the old Polo Grounds. He was one of the youngest on the field but had a true talent for hitting due to his practice from playing tireball. It was a real honor just to be invited and a chance of a lifetime; he was just too young at that time. It was a long, unforgettable train ride back to Roe Street in Staten Island. He was a freshman in high school on Staten Island when he moved to Wildwood with his sister and brother-in-law. His sister Sigarid married Arthur Andersen who worked for
Fairbanks & Morse and then soon opened a machine shop on Burke and Arctic Avenues. Tom was employed but restless as a teenager. He claims he rode his bicycle all the way back to Staten Island in sixteen hours just for fun, to meet his parents and friends again. When he arrived he kissed his mother hello and went and played a game of tireball. The story typifies Tom’s personality and discipline. When he puts his mind to something, there is no turning back. He continued to play baseball throughout his teenage years with the American Legion in Wildwood. He played on the Wildwood High School baseball team, then later on Cape May County’s adult league. Pop Risley’s sponsored the Wildwood City Team he was playing for when a pro scout approached him from the Detroit Tigers with a contract in hand. It was one of the harder decisions Tom had to make when he declined the offer. He couldn’t, with a clear conscience, just up and leave a steady job at the machine shop and more importantly his new wife. World War II was threatening everyone in the country at that time. Tom knew his number would eventually be called so he enlisted after Pearl Harbor in the U.S. Navy’s ship fitter 3rd class 82nd construction battalion. He was sent to the South Pacific where he would build airfields and repair damaged equipment. Of all his war stories the one that seems most eminent was how the atomic bomb probably saved his life. He and his forces at Okinawa were about to invade Japan. It would be a certain D-Day and a likely tragedy for thousands if that plan went forth. But after Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan surrendered and the war soon ended. Tom returned to Wildwood, eventually starting his own Wildwood WeldingWorks business, and became a very influential coach to hundreds of kids in the Wildwood little league. He was very successful as a coach on top of raising his own three children- Tom, Jim and Sharon. Tom’s conversion from a self-centered life to a life lived for Jesus Christ is the most significant day in his biography. On that fateful day, Pastor Dunn of Calvary OPC paid him a visit at his welding shop. Tom was asked to repair the bracket in the bell tower of the church. He was invited to a church dinner and reluctantly attended. God used Tom’s craftmanship to bring him to a saving knowledge of Christ. Since then, that bell has continued to ring for the past 60 years in the very church that Tom worships in every Sunday. From his youthful days in Staten Island to his life now in Wildwood Crest, God blessed Tom with a full life. Tom Jorgensen, a Norwegian immigrant, child of the Great Depression, World War II Veteran, and a believer in the Gospel, is a beacon of light in our community. With these blessings behind him and an eternity of glory before him, he can be found as a smiling, helping hand at the Calvary OPC.
{ARCHIVE: Year 2, Vol. 5} Unedited version published in the 2005 Holiday issue
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“People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.” ~Rogers Hornsby
Opening Day League e tl it L d o o w d il W Greater th Batter Up! April 17 , 2010. . .
Photo & names courtesy of Tony Chrietzberg, 1968 Scrivani Team
Coach Tom Jorgensen’s 1968 Wildwood Little League Baseball Team Champions ~ Scrivani Buick Top Row (standing) L-R: Mr. J (Coach Tom Jorgensen), Stanley Delcorio, Bruce Sicilia,Wally Carty,Woody Hall, Mike Nardi, Joe Diehl,Tony Chrietzberg, Michael John,Tom Nazaro, Hank Korzeniowski Front Row L-R: Unknown Bat Boy, Don Long, Tim Shoffler, Bat Boy, Unknown, Tom Bradley, Lou Suppa, John Barret, Mark Sicilia, Mike Diehl
A 90th surprise birthday party was held on Saturday, January 16th for much-loved baseball coach Tom Jorgensen. Proud team member Tony Chrietzberg (1965-1969) presented “Mr. J.” with a framed print of his Championship 1968 Scrivani Buick Little League Baseball team. Tony fondly remembers, “there were no super all-stars, it was just that we all played really well together.” Most of the players, all of whom Mr. J. personally remembered by name, played for four years under his expert care. He was a dedicated coach who taught his players what it meant to be a part of a team and how to play the game with heart. From Mr. J. they learned the true meaning of sportsmanship. Tony believes it was Mr. J.’s influence that enabled him to become a successful tennis coach. With the opening of baseball season, we here at the SUN by-the-sea would like to take a moment away from sand and surf to say, “Let the Games Begin!”
the SUN by-the-Sea
22
“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind b Serving: Angelsea • The Wildwood's Island • Diamond Beach • All of Cape May County
Are you ready for all the buyers looking for their new investment Kate?
HOFFMAN AGENCY INC. 6301 Pacific Ave Wildwood Crest, NJ 08260 Local: 609.522.8177 Fax: 609.523.0472 www.hoffmanagencies.com
Carole in the Wildwood Crest Office
STEPS TO THE BEACH. Completely renovated 2 BR 2nd fl year round unit has A1 upgrades. Covered deck, patio area. Furnished. North Wildwood. $265,000.
CHARMING HOME, LARGE LOT. 3 BR home with spacious Kit, big LR, nice Sunroom. Well maintained. Attached garage. Villas. $246,900.
Call the Wildwood Crest Office
Call the Wildwood Crest Office
FURNISHED CONDO. This roomy 2nd fl year round unit has 2 BR, 1 Bath. Large closets, wall/wall carpet, eat-in Kit. Front deck. Wildwood Crest. $205,000. Call the Wildwood Crest Office
FABULOUS FOUR-PLEX. Only 2 blocks to beach and boards! 1 BR totally upgraded rental units plus 2 story Owner’s quarters with ocean view. Wildwood. $349,900. Call the Wildwood Crest Office
SEAPOINTE VILLAGE GEM. 3 BR, 3.5 Baths with Den. Meticulously maintained Townhouse has never been rented. Every amenity in complex. Diamond Beach. $550,000.
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SPACIOUS 3 BR, 2 Bath 2nd distance to beach attic and central nished. Wildwood $339,0
Call the Wildwood Crest Office
Call the Wildwo
CAPE COURT HO This Victorian Era story single fam many recent upg great location c shopping and ni beautifully lands kler system and a and fenced in bac 930 South Route $289
PRISTINE SHORE COTTAGE. 2 BR and Bath on 1st Fl of bright, airy single; MBR suite on 2nd Fl. Has been extensively renovated. Wildwood Crest. $475,000.
SPECTACULAR LAKE VIEWS. Each fl of this Duplex has 2 BR, 1 Bath, front decks, sliders to rear decks, central AC. Fenced rear yard. W Wildwood. $350,000.
VIEWS OF SUNSET LAKE. Two 2 BR, 1 Bath units each w/ LR, eat-in Kit, gas heat and central AC. Heated garage. Priced to sell. Wildwood Crest. $499,000.
Call the Wildwood Crest Office
Call the Wildwood Crest Office
Call the Wildwood Crest Office
www.hoffmanagencies.com
Ye
Call the North
THERE’S NO PLACE LIK
“No matter how long the winter,
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blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.“ ~Charles Dickens
ear 7, VoL. 1
FFMAN
NCY INC. what matters.
CONDO. fl condo, walking and lake, has full l AC. Partly furCrest. 000
ood Crest Office
E MAY USE SINGLE a 3br/2 bath two ily home has had grades and is in a close to beaches, ght life. Home is caped with sprinabove ground pool ck yard. 47 9,900
Wildwood Office
MaRch & APriL ‘ 10 Is sUe
Well it is a Buyers’ Market Carole, and the Hoffman Agencies got the best market for our buyers!
HOFFMAN AGENCY NORTH 2nd & New Jersey Ave. North Wildwood, NJ 08260 Local: 609.522.6333 Fax: 609.522.8350 www.hoffmanagencies.com
Kate & Sunny in the North Wildwood Office
NICE OPPORTUNITY LOADED WITH AMMENITIES Efficiency unit located at The Lodge in North Wildwood. Complex offers pool, tennis courts, clubhouse and a garden center courtyard. Located close to the beach, shopping, dining and entertainment, you can’t go wrong here. 144B Allen Drive $114,900 Call the North Wildwood Office
NORTH WILDWOOD SINGLE Two bedroom one bath single family home on a large 50 by 100 foot lot, located in the North end of North Wildwood, close to restaurants, bars and a short walk to all of the festivals. Front patio has a retractable awning and the rear yard has plenty of room for all outdoor activities and a large storage shed.114 w. 2ND Avenue
$289,000
Call the North Wildwood Office
RENTAL POTENTIAL Newly renovated first floor 1br/1bath unit located in a central location. Amenities include pool on-site laundry facilities, and outside shower. Building is pet friendly and has great rental potential. 1100 New Jersey Avenue $195,000
~Proverb
GREAT UNIT This two story 4br/3 bath condominium is in fantastic condition and is located just one short block to the beach. Great location, close to all North Wildwood has to offer. 905 Surf Avenue $459,000 Call the North Wildwood Office
Call the North Wildwood Office
$229,000
NEAR BAY Totally renovated 3 bed 1 bath rear unit of two unit condo. Close to the bay, large living room with gas fireplace and open eat in kitchen with breakfast counter. New carpet and tile floors, new plumbing and electric, new kitchen with plenty of cabinets and counter space along with new appliances, including laundry rm. with washer and dryer and pantry. No condo fees, only insurance split. 118 W. Forget-Me-Not Road $279,000.
Call the North Wildwood Office
Call the North Wildwood Office
NORTH WILDWOOD CONDO 3 bedroom, 1 bath condo in a great location close enough to all the action but far enough away that when you have had enough you can enjoy some peace and quiet. Only 4 units in this building, this unit has been well maintained and is being sold fully furnished. NO CONDO FEE. 333 W. 19th Ave.
KE A HOME BY THE SEA
, spring is sure to follow.”
This 3br/1bath single family sits on a large 60X100 lot and is located in a nice residential neighborhood in Wildwood Crest. Upstairs there is a bonus unit which can be used for rental income or to accommodate extra guests. A must see! 141 West Buttercup $449,000 Call the North Wildwood Office
CLOSE TO EVERYTHING This 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom condominium is in FABULOUS condition. Well built, well maintained and easily rented. This property offers fireplace, corian counters, nice size deck and great location. Close to Fox Park, convention center and beach and boards. Large private access deck. Very spacious. 246 East Burke Avenue
$279,000 Call the North Wildwood Office
www.hoffmanagencies.com
the SUN by-the-Sea
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“There is no such thing in anyone’s life as an unimportant day.” ~Alexander Woollcott
FIVE MILES of Smiles! Everybody needs a hug. It changes your metabolism.
Hi there! I am not sure what type of an explanation I should give for the attached picture. I spoke with your son through Facebook a few days ago, telling him how much I simply love The Sun! I am not sure if he passed the word along to you about it, but I got the impression he was going to, because he told me I could email a picture. So attached are a few pictures of me enjoying my collection of The Sun on a nice fall day...sitting on my beach chair. :) I truly cannot thank you enough for putting out such a wonderful publication. It helps there always be a little piece of Wildwood with me even when I can’t be there! Keep up the great work! Lori Altman Pittsburgh, PA
The hottest show in NYC this winter was Burn the Floor starring Maks & Kym from Dancing with the Stars. Carol Schoening and Jean Antanite, childhood friends who were next door neighbors in Philadelphia and are now neighbors in Wildwood Crest, departed Wildwood Bus Terminal at 8a.m. on December 12th, with their 7th row, center stage BTF tickets in hand headed for the Longacre Theater. Carol writes, “while we were having lunch, the manager told us that after the show we should go to the back stage door to see the stars.That is all Jeannie had to hear! So after a wonderful and fabulous show, we fought through the crowds to see Maks as he exited the theater. Jeannie gave him a big hug and a kiss and asked for his autograph. When I took the first picture the flash didn’t go off. You should have seen Jeannie face! Maks waited for me to take another picture. I had to send it into The Sun for Jean because it was her dream-come-true. After that we had trouble finding a cab since it was 2 weeks before Christmas, the busiest time of year in New York. We had no choice but to take a gypsy cab for $20 to Port Authority Bus Terminal. We learned that he was from Russia and that is how he earned extra money for his family. We told him he was our angel. We would have been waiting all night if it weren’t for him. We arrived back in Wildwood safely at 11p.m.
WAY TO GO JEFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
St. Patty’s Day party at the Quinn’s house on Glenwood Ave. 1974. Tom Quinn, Debbie Sinn Quinn & LouAnn Catanoso - still the best of friends! SENT IN BY LOUANN CATANOSO
Wildwood Local Special Olympian Athlete Skiier Jeff DiAntonio, age 25, brought home 2 gold medals at the Special Olympics NJ State Winter Games in Mt Creek Ski Resort on Feb. 1st-3rd in the Giant Slalom/Alpine Skiing Events. Jeffrey had the fastest time of all the 42 race participants across all age groups in the Giant Slalom event! Maureen Larsen of sea Isle also won the Gold in both her Slalom and Giant Slalom events. For more information on Special Olympics New Jersey call 609-896-8000
A Terrifying Journey of Hope Man of perseverance was transported on a terrifying journey Thorns upon his head sword piercing his side
SENT IN BY CAROL SCHOENING OF HOFFMAN AGENCY
Blood and tears upon his countenance His hands and feet nailed to the old rugged cross To give up his life and sacrifice to die
Joe & Carla Russo became first time grandparents on December 15th with the birth of little Riley Popona. Congratulations!!
Feb. 10, 2010~ Happy 30th Birthday Lauren! Love, Mom Cousins, Lauren Rucci & Carli Catanoso Quinn enjoy the times when they get together for a night out!
The Fabulous Fran Flynn from North Wildwood was a long time member of the “Dancing Grannies of Cape May” in her younger years. She is the jitterbug queen, her favorite to dance to of course, The Andrew Sisters’ Boogie Woogie Bugel Boy. Fran has been a dancer all her life. She belonged to the Irish Dancers.The above photo was taken before a performance at the Wildwood Catholic Minstrel. Fran’s mother, who came from Ireland, taught her to dance when she was just a little girl in their kitchen, listening to songs on the radio.
Have to deliver and preserve the good people from the wicked ones Still demonstrating to the world compassion and grace. ~Submitted by Lunchbox, West Cape May, NJ
the SUN by-the-Sea
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“Effort is only effort when it begins to hurt.”
Chuckie Gets His Mojo Back by Bob Ingram PHOTOS, ANDREW HABRUNER
The rest of the way, Mussachio shellacked Bobby Rooney with a left jab as educated as The Professor himself. Indeed, in the third round he pasted Rooney with seven consecutive jabs at one point and mixed in some beautiful right hand counters to set a pattern that was to harden into a concrete victory. Before the sixth round, Mussachio semaphored his arms upward to further stir up his already raucous Wildwood fans, who spent a good part of the night competing with the Bayonne cheering section that Rooney had brought to town. It was South Jersey versus North Jersey both in and out of the ring. Chuckie gave the Wildwooders something to really cheer about in the sixth round with a beautiful right hand off a moving feint.The next round, he put his defense on display, but nonetheless ate a good Rooney right hand; he answered immediately with a hard jab and a right of his own. Mussachio finished strong with a Michigan check hook in the eighth that was as cute as a basket of kittens and encored it with a ducking hook that found the mark. It was his best round of the scrap. It was a very necessary win for Charles Constantine Mussachio, coming as it did after his first professional loss, a suspect decision in Morgantown, West Virginia, to local hero Tommy Karpency in late August.The Rooney victory brought The Professor’s ledger to 141-2, with 5 knockouts, and gave him back his passion for the sweet science.
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“I can’t breathe,” Wildwood light heavyweight Chuck “The Professor” Mussachio told his father/trainer Al after the first round of his eightround main event with scrappy Bobby Rooney of Bayonne back in November at the Taj Mahal. Mussachio, 30, had gone into the fight with an unacknowledged broken nose suffered in training and a mild fever, so it was no mystery why he wasn’t breathing normally. The lanky Rooney had put together combinations and body shots to take that breathless first round, but The Professor sucked it up and hit Rooney with some big shots the next round and after that put what old-timers call a paint job on the 37-year-old Bayonne battler.
~José Ortega y Gassett
The Mussachio-Rooney bout had been moved up to the main event of the evening because Camden’s Prince Badi, who was to defend his National Boxing Association light heavyweight title against Brookyn’s Daniel Judah, weighed in at ten pounds over the 175-pound limit, and was disqualified. At a press conference at the Ducktown Tavern in Atlantic City the day before the weigh-in, “The Boxing Prince,” obviously knowing he would never make the weight, held the floor for fifteen minutes, rapping away like he didn’t have a care in the pugilistic world. Boxing breeds some strange cats indeed. For his part, Bobby Rooney ran into Al Mussachio in a Taj Mahal bar after the fight and admitted that the younger Mussachio’s educated left jab had simply been too much for him. “But we had fun, didn’t we, Al?” he asked. Spoken like a true sportsman.
MON 2PM-12MID, TUES 3PM-11PM, CLOSED WEDNESDAYS TH 3PM-12MID, FRI 3PM-12MID, SAT 10AM-12MID, SUN 11AM-10PM
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Addendum: The best fight of the night was a four-round draw between Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano of Brooklyn, and Ela “Bam Bam” Nunez of Rochester, New York, that had the capacity crowd on its feet from the first bell until the last. Round one saw each fighter score a knockdown, and the rest of the way was total war — toe-to-toe, non-stop action, and a draw was an altogether apropos decision. Great, great fight between two true warriors.
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“Taking joy in living is a woman's best cosmetic.”
~Rosalind Russell
Dear Friends,
609.463.0606
OPEN Mon. - Fri. 10-6 Sat. - Sun. 10-5
Natural Health & Gourmet 3167 Rt. 9 South • Rio Grande, NJ ( L o c at e d n ex t t o Ava l o n C o ffe e ) w w w. g re e n s t re e t m a r ke t . c o m
A belated Christmas thank you for the most successful “Gift From Gia” ever! On December 21st, we delivered a moving van filled with 1,473 gifts to Cooper University Hospital in Camden. Your most generous donations will provide happiness for many months for the children in the P.I.C.U., and more importantly, a much needed distraction from the realities of the hospital. I am almost at a loss for words when I think about the Saturday night prior to our hospital delivery, when almost every guest at Gia came bringing gifts for our GIA tree. I’d like to offer special thanks to our very good friends of the Anglesea Irish Society, Mr. Ted Snyder, Mr. and Mrs. Tom DiDonato, Steve and Linda Ritchie, Lainie and the girls from the Shampoo Bar, Adam and Connie, Gi and John Misieczko, Gary and Bonnie Sloan, Mrs. Pam Way, Jackie and Joe Finnegan. Also the Optimist Club of Wildwood, St. Ann’s School, Wildwood Catholic High School, Margret Mace School, Crest Memorial School, and a very, very special thanks to Mrs. Kass Fitzpatrick and Mrs. Lamb, who each spent hours hand crocheting and sewing beautiful handmade gifts for the children. I am forever grateful to my kids who picked up, tagged, boxed, and delivered all of the gifts: Jimmy Flynn, Kelly Belasco, Lauren Zuccarello(with her very helpful assistant, Brody),Allison Venturini, Jamie and Josh, and Nicole. Much love to our “family” at “GIA” who came for dinner bearing gifts, and left enthralled with the floor to ceiling toys.
Hope to see you all at the annual”Gia Marcella Chiarella Benefit”, on March 7th, at the Bolero. Thank You All Once Again, Vincent, Bethie, and Mia Chiarella
GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE
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the SUN by-the-Sea
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“Love stretches your heart and makes you big inside.” ~Margaret Walker Jubilee
by Mia Chiarella Beauty/byu-te 1.The quality or aggregate of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses or pleasurably exalts the mind or spirit.” That’s beauty according to Webster and his dictionary. I’d love to agree with him, but sad to say, it realistically doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface. To be a beautiful woman today, you have to dig much deeper, and you’d better have a really big shovel. The reality is that being a beautiful woman takes an extraordinary amount of time and work. It’s not our fault, it’s what society has put on the end of its fishing line, and boy do we bite. I consider myself to be an attractive woman, giving pleasure to the senses, mind, and spirit (okay Mr.Webster.) That all comes to a crashing halt when we are paging through the latest issue of Vogue, and halfway in have convinced ourselves that we’re totally unfit to ever venture outside again. I know that a Vogue model’s beauty comes by way of creams, pencils, tubes, and professionals who know how to apply them. Well, luckily for the rest of us it’s all within our reach, right there at the cosmetic counter. We happily throw our money at the beautiful ladies in their beautiful white coats for the latest products such as mascara, which for a reasonable forty dollars, promises to lengthen and thicken our lashes a hundred percent more than the last forty dollar tube we bought. We slop on wrinkle cream (who has wrinkles at eighteen?) because the white coat ladies ooh and ah at how our skin has magically become translucent and radiant. We paint our faces until we look like a Picasso extravaganza, yet we’re sure we finally mastered that “cover girl” look (To be honest, who really wears neon green and gold eye shadows during the day, or at anytime, for that matter). So we buy it, we buy it all. Our lives will improve; we will not only look better, but feel better as well. Society has reeled in the line. We are caught. Clothes shopping, another treat for women everywhere! The store mannequin is attired in a very peculiar outfit in very unforgiving shades of pink and orange. However, the mannequin is beautiful! So we try on the exact same outfit right down to the accessories, for we know that this mannequin is a true fashionista. (We only wish she could talk so we could ask her if the crotch of the pants is really supposed to hang so low, or if we really must wear the hat pulled down over our eyes.) She can’t, and we don’t, and we buy it, and we look beautiful, crotch and all. This could be a side effect of our lack of blood circulation; our six inch stilettos have now made our feet swell into watermelons, and the pants that we lay on the floor six hours ago to zip have not relented one inch. We are beautiful.
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Our Facilities - 10,000 Square Feet The key to running a successful Full Service Health Club is having the right equipment. We've cut no corners on quality and have invested in your comfort and safety. • Program Development Every membership includes sessions with a Trainer to develop a workout and encourge proper form. • Personal Training You don't have to be a seasoned athlete or bodybuilder to enjoy the benefits of a personal trainer. Working one-on-one with our personal trainers will provide you with a highly efficient and more productive workout. Each new yearly Membership includes 3 free program development training sessions. • Cardio Fitness Room Aerobic Fitness - Spinning - Yoga - Kick Boxing taught by skilled, certified instructors. Our Cardio Room is complete with its own sound and lighting system. www.exerciseroomfitness.com for latest schedule • Customer Rewards Program Take 9 fitness classes, get 10th free.
Personalized Attention for Every Member FREE HEALTH AND FITNESS FAIR HOSTED BY THE GYM AT 10 STREET IN NORTH WILDWOOD
The gym is the bane of every woman’s existence. The experience goes something like this; you buy a membership, then you buy 900 very cute outfits so you’ll look good when you work out. Then your membership expires. Or, you do all of the above except this time you actually go, and after the first day you can’t even bend over and tie your own shoes.You decide to wait until you feel better. Then your membership expires. A hearty workout can awaken a hearty appetite; anyone knows that a good, solid fifteen minutes on the treadmill will make you ravenous! What to eat....so many choices. Quarter- pounder (skip the cheese, unhealthy), small Italian hoagie (large is much too big, and surely all of that lettuce and tomato must be good for you), personal pan pizza (they are so cute and tiny), or a Lean Cuisine? That’s a smart choice right there, four bites of something extremely inedible, and only four hundred measly calories (not to mention 9,000 grams of sodium)! What I’ve just written is generally satirical, although I have seen it firsthand. I find it just a touch scary. I don’t obsess over my looks; I am a fairly attractive girl with my own sense of style. I do love buying makeup, and get excited when a new product comes on the market. I enjoy experimenting with different colors to compliment my complexion. I probably spend a little too much time and money on clothes shopping, but then again it’s my time and my money. Even though it is said that “ beauty is in the eye of the beholder”, I know an attractive and well kept appearance does make a difference. “Beauty is only skin deep” rings more true in our society, unfortunately.
Daily Gym@ 10th St. regulars, Jack & Jo Bair, lovingly captured in time on Valentine’s
Gary McBride, Bill Burke, and Bernie McCann (an infamous local DJ and Spin instructor) take time out of their daily gym routine, generously displaying their movie-star looks as they pose for the camera.
Day 1950, haved worked hard during their 60 years together to maintain their healthy, shore-loving lifestyle.
I do have an obsession with fitness, but in a healthy way. I love going to the gym; a good long workout five times a week really pumps me up and gives me the stamina and vitality I need to get things done. I am very careful about the foods that I eat, again in a healthy way. I don’t follow fad diets or take supplements of any kind, as I don’t believe in a quick fix. I consistently watch my daily intake of trans-fats, sodium, cholesterol, etc.When I eat healthy I feel healthy. It’s never too soon to start taking care of yourself.. The results are most rewarding. With that being said, women everywhere, listen up! That Vogue model that makes you feel like crap; when the makeup is off and the cameras stop flashing, you’d never ever recognize her. Mannequins usually tend to look ridiculous, and those white coat ladies are probably laughing at you as they eagerly ring up your purchases.To society from me; put your rods away because this fish swims in her own pond.
~ Mia works out daily at the Gym @ 10th St.
Jamie Bottoms has her vitals taken by an on-hand healthcare professional while stressing the importance of a good exercise routine for both the young and the young-atheart.
the SUN by-the-Sea
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“Time does not stand still, nor are the rolling seasons useless to us, for they work wonders in our minds. They came and went from day to day, and by there coming and going implanted in me other hopes and memories.” ~The Confessions of St. Augustine In addition to my many other sojourns to the South Jersey Shore at least once a year I take a roundtrip ride to this same locale with one of my old friends,Tony Mecca.The last several years we drove down in July to participate in Crabby Ed Sherretta’s Hootenanny held in his big back yard just outside Cape May. Everyone brings potluck food and drink plus their kids and dogs if they choose to. A bunch of truly local musicians start showing up with potluck instruments and gear. After the food is laid out blue-collar banquet style on the big kitchen table and counters and the barbecue is lit and the booze tap turned on....There begins a quintessential long summer day that melts into a classic fire-fly summer night at the shore full of sweet live music, laughter and high-spirited conversation. But this year Tony and me reverted to our old ways and took the back roads drive in late winter several weeks after the first big storm in December. Wanting to crack some of the ice that had gathered in our minds it was the contrast of seashore winter that we were after and a chance to drink in the serene desolation of that season when you are as far away from summer as you can be.You are in the middlespace of things with a long view to boot. After being cooped-up for so long and trying to regain ballast from the psychic turbulence of the holiday season the contrast makes you feel like you can take a very long breath in and let an even longer breath out. Taken in the right doses, the wintry shore can be a very refreshing, calming and invigorating tonicas long as you can get back in the heated car when you’ve had enough. Besides being an old friend and fellow seashore aficionado, Tony somehow finds time to wear several hats and he wears all of them very well: father, husband, son, salesman, coachjust like millions of others out there in our frenetic Republic. In addition to all of the above mentioned credentials there is one more that is just as important and integral to him as the others-he is a long practicing artist. Mecca is a musician and a composer of his very own hybrid brand of rock, rock n roll and folk. To date he has made four album length cds. He has a tight little band that he both records and plays live with throughout the year. To support all of this he has a first-rate website that he built from scratch. I often ask myself, our mutual friends and Tony himself-Where do you find the time?! His answer, of course, is simple and true if not exasperating: When you really want to do anything make sure you really want to, put it in your appointment book and when that day arrives-do it. In our often absurdly molar-grinding crankedup world Tony Mecca is not alone. Many of us in one form or another have the same load of responsibilities and burdens, if not more. We strive and we struggle; we thrive, run amok and somehow muddle through. But what we don’t seem to do enough of is relax, observe, reflect, contemplate and-in general-look up from our lives. At least for a day or more every now and then especially when you feel like your life is an inch from your face and you’re scraping your head against the sky.And this is where our annual winter seashore road trip comes into play-and it pays off every time.
Riders on the
Winter Storm BY JOE
VAN BLUNK
sheets billowing slowly in the wind. At first we just looked at it all and let it cast its spell. It felt like deep brain tissue massage.Then we got out of the car and took pictures, posing like shivering little kids, impatient to break from the pose and hustle back into the car. After crossing the last drawbridge before Cold Spring Inlet and the open Sea we were quickly into one of my favorite areas of Wildwood Crest-The Crown Jewels of Motel Row: Armada, Blue Fin, Royal Hawaiian, Admiral, Jolly Roger and all the rest.The contrast, which we were seeking, was a bit sad but not gloomy. And how could it not be? On a warm summer night these aging well-kept palaces glow like neon votive candles. There’s laughter and the tinkling of cocktail ice along with someone cannon-balling into a pool full of aqueous underwater light. I drive through here (often out of my way) on any given summer evening when all of it languidly pulls you in like the full moon August stars high above it all.
First we talk the trip up in advance:What back roads we might take? What time of day we should leave? Where we might have breakfast, lunch or dinner enroute to or from our destination? In a very positive way we make a very simple thing into a big deal. And then somewhere in the middle of this verbal ritual Tony finds time to make a very eclectic cd mix which will serve as our soundtrack. Every ride we take has a unique home made mix which can be comprised of any artist from Captain Beefheart, Zappa and Dr. John to Humble Pie, Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, Purple Monkeys and John Prine.There is nothing like it in on your local radio station and we dig it all day long. We let the holiday season pass and simmer down.Then about two weeks after New Years day we made our move. It was a clear but very cold 10a.m. Friday morning when we left the rock salt stained streets of South Philadelphia for the empty two-lane blacktops of South Jersey. The night before there had been a light but steady snowfall which left the roads clear but the woods, fields and meadows heavily dusted. The wind picked up as we drove closer to the coast and every now and then a punching gust would blow a swirling cloud of snow from the tree tops, a hedge or a fallow field. The trees and the hedges would shudder with the force of the gust and the dead corn stalks in the field rose up from the dead and quickly died down again. First we would hear it whooshing then we could see it and feel it buffeting the car. Along with the music we were enveloped in it all had a quiet refreshing edge as we drove on and the snow crystals covered the windshield and lightly blanketed our mechanical four-wheeled womb.
After almost three hours of musical meandering through Cumberland and Cape May counties we finally reached Route 9.We drove south on 9 to Cape May Court House where we turned east to the New Jersey Parkway. We took the Parkway to its southernmost end at what many now refer to as Exit Zero, Cape May. All along this last stretch of highway we gazed as much as possible at the unending sky over the passing dormant frost covered Salt Marshes. At our first stop we had an excellent seashore lunch at a counter style establishment snug up against the Trawler stacked harbor in Cape May. The victuals served here were basic yet classic: snapper soup, clam chowder, fried flounder with tartar sauce and cole slaw; cod fish cakes with stewed tomatoes and baked macaroni followed by fresh brewed coffee. Our fortifying lunch was indeed a fresh fine sampling of the delectable bounty brought forth from the depths of the North Atlantic Ocean just outside the door. We decided to visit what was left of the Concrete Ship S.S Atlantus in its final resting place since 1911. What remains of its twisted hulk lies about 40 yards offshore in the Delaware Bay just off of Cape May Point at the south end of Higbee’s Beach. The Delaware Bay can best be described that day as wild. Beautiful and wild. The freezing wind was hooking and howling down at about 20mph and pushing white-capped waves one on top of the other straight onto the gravelly beach where the pebbles rattled like a primitive percussion instrument being played by God. From the shore to about 20 yards out the rolling water was thick with slushy ice. Beyond the hard-breaking waves the swells heaved up and down like an immense set of
After taking in long empty blocks of Wildwood and North Wildwood in their Twighlight Zone vacuum we reached our final destination, Twenty-Sixth Street and the Boardwalk. We parked close to the Boardwalk ramp and marched up against the icy wind to this fabled intersection and found exactly what we were looking for-an utterly deserted place without another living soul in sight. The contrast between that January day and any balmy summer night loomed larger than anything we had taken in thus far. It was like the difference between the Earth and the Moon. Every store, stand,shop, restaurant, game and ticket booth was shuttered or boarded up and battened down.All of the rides were silent and still.They resembled a mixed herd of mechanical dinosaurs caught in a sudden Ice Age. Stretching for at least a half-mile to the surf the beach was covered with a thin layer of frosted snow. There were barely any birds on the ground or in flight. The only sign of human life could be found in three or four lonely trawlers working close off shore. We took some pictures of one another and it almost felt absurd. Aside from the kicks, the airing out and the leisure for our souls I have a sense of what we were really doing up there and at all the other empty places we had stopped at that day and it was no big mystery: We were quietly trying to remember every special moment spent in these places and hoping for as many more to come...Memory and hope...We walked down the ramp and piled into the car. On the way out of the island we stopped for coffee and hot chocolate.The ride home was another set of old familiar back roads.We finished with the music and didn’t talk much.The fullness of the day was very evident if not praised aloud.
Joe Van Blunk is a Freelance Writer who has written for the Olde City Times, the Jewish Exponent and Chris Mottola Inc., a national Media Consulting Firm. He is the Co-Creator and Producer of three Documentary Films: including Boardwalk. For the last fifty years he has spent part of every summer with his family and friends at the Jersey Shore. Mr. Van Blunk resides in South Philadelphia where he supplements his income as an I.L.A. Longshoreman. Visit www.tonymeccamusic.com
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“Put your heart, mind, intellect and soul even to your smallest acts. This is the secret of success.”
~Swami Sivananda
Serving • Lunch • Dinner • Late Nite Snacks Entertainment Every Weekend Cape May County’s Largest Selection of Craft Brews on Tap
Wood-Fired Brick Oven Pizzas Made to Order
Visit us at www.GoodnightIrenes.com
DAILY SPECIALS
Come to Good Night Irene’s! Where every night is a good night!
LUNCH SPECIALS 12~4pm
DINNER SPECIALS 5~10pm
Sundays are LOCO 7pm~11pm $3.50 Modelo ~ Corona ~ Corona Light Bottles $1. Tacos Beer Geek Mondays 7pm~11pm $1. off All Craft Beers (Bottles & Drafts)
“ Where Homemade is Our Specialty!”
“Tiny Tuesdays” 7pm~11pm
Eat In or Take Out
36 Beers on
$1. Mini Burgers ~ Hot Roast Beef ~ Roast Pork $2. Mini Crab Cakes or Buffalo Chicken 1/2 Pints Craft Beer Specials
ices Tap Everyday with Over 50 Bottle Cho
HAPPY HOUR Mon-Fri 4-7 ~ Bar Only
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7 Days Year Round Monday - Saturday 8am - 3pm Sunday 8am - 2pm
$3. Mixed Shots ~ $2.50 Coors Light Bottles DJ or Live Band Every Week!!
The new dining spot!
“Twisted Thursdays” 7pm~11pm
Aster & New Jersey Ave. in Wildwood Crest
$1 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Domestic Bottles $3 House Wine NEW Happy Hour Menu
.25¢ Wings & Blue Moon Steamers $3. Twisted Teas • Quizzo starts @ 9pm!
on the corner of Poplar & Pacific Avenues in Wildwood, NJ
(609) 729-3861
Wishing everyone a prosperous 2010!
SPARKLES LLC
There’s clean... and then there’s sparkling clean!
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
Stefankiewicz & Barnes, LLC 111 East 17th Street • Suite 100 • North Wildwood Tel: (609) 729-5250 • Fax: (609) 522-7532
BEECHER-KAY Realty Co.
609-846-0022
Call for your Spring Cleaning Today!
Park Blvd. at Pine Ave. 609-729-9487 • Hot & Cold Sandwiches • Package Goods • Ice Cold Beer Try Our Homemade Pork & Spinach Sandwich!
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Donatucci’s formerly Santucci’s Open everyday 11:30 115 E. 17th Ave. North Wildwood
609-729-6110
David Stefankiewicz
Providing Service to the Wildwoods for 103 Years! 1907-2010 Homeowners • Motels • Restaurants Boats • Retail Stores • Auto • Flood
Also Sales & Rentals Available {insured & bonded}
PROFESSIONAL CLEANING Condo Turnovers • Office Cleaning • New Construction
101 E. Wildwood Ave., Wildwood, NJ
“We’re just a Little Bar on a Big Island”
609-522-2434
Fax: 609-522-6280
Call Lisa Kulisek Tempest 609.214.1570
FIND A MISTAKE? It is our policy to include something for everyone. Since some people like to find errors, we regularly include a few in our publications.
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“Every man's memory is his private literature.”
~Aldous Huxley
Memory Lane by Jessica Westerland
4712 Pacific Ave., Mr. Larry Lillo is seen inside his barbershop cutting a man’s hair, while, Alex, one of the 3 barbers, takes a break outside. Young Larry recalls his father’s motto “IT PAYS TO LOOK WELL!” The Lillo family lived above the shop.
Nostalgia.You don’t even have to be a nostalgic person to suddenly be back in an old familiar memory. Most of the time it is triggered by something out of the ordinary, an old photo, movie, smell or place you haven’t visited in a while. For some people however, a walk down memory lane is right in front of you every day.
4710 Pacific Ave., Larry’s Snack Bar later called Larry’s Luncheonette.Today it is the Holly Beach Train Depot, owned and operated by Larry Lillo, Jr.
Larry Lillo stands behind the counter in his store, the Holly Beach Train Depot. He is surrounded by shelves of trains and other models, books and photographs. When he looks outside he doesn’t just see the stores standing there of today, but every store that ever was since his childhood in the 50s and 60s. He remembers it all: fires, floods, fights, fun, and fiascos. Lillo doesn’t have to take a trip or look through old photos to feel nostalgic; simply peering out of the windows is enough to remind him of times when Pacific Avenue was very different, the exact opposite of how it is today.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ALICE BIONDI SAVINO
4710 - 12 Pacific Ave. Holly Beach Train Depot, 2010
Larry’s first cruise along Pacific Avenue
Larry, Sr., Larry Jr. & Ronnie Lillo 4110 Pacific Ave., Tex’ Luncheonette
Larry on the rooftop deck
4100 Pacific Ave., The Owl & the Pussycat
Photos Courtesy of Larry Lillo & Wildwood Historical Society
4714-20 Pacific Ave., the original Maggio’s Market
Today, a drive down Pacific Ave yields views of laundromats, scattered restaurants and small stores, bars, and parking lots. There is very little foot traffic, even in the summer. Mostly the people are walking by with purpose, using the street as a way to get from point A to point B.You don’t usually catch many people aimlessly strolling down the road, wandering in and out of stores, or people driving onto the island just to visit Pacific Avenue.This wasn’t always the way it was. In the 1950’s and 60’s, Pacific Ave was a hub of activity and life. It was the reason to come onto the island; it was the place to gather.The street was full of thriving stores that would meet any shopper’s possible need, with the store owners and their families growing up and living in the apartments above causing the area to flourish. It was full of kids playing football and tag in lots and in the streets, buying penny candy and sitting at soda counters. Everyone knew everyone else, and if you were a stranger you weren’t for long. Instead of the smattering of businesses there are today, Pacific Ave once held multiple car dealerships, gas stations, the gas company, electric company, phone company, fire station and police station. It had supermarkets and 5 & 10’s, department stores, boutiques, barber shops, tailors, shoemakers, produce markets, fresh meat delis, restaurants and luncheonettes. There were banks, doctors, lawyers, pharmacists, and liquor stores as well. According to Lillo, if you walked down the street and tried to see everything, “you could break your neck looking from side to side at all the stores and boutiques.” There was no need to hunt and pick around the island to find the stores you needed, all you had to do was walk down Pacific Ave.You could get there by car, train, trolley, bike or foot.
“Pacific Ave used to be a neighborhood, a community,” Lillo said. “It wasn’t just a street, like it is today. There was always a reason to come here, there were always people visiting the stores.” The Holly Beach Train Depot sits on Pacific Avenue between Andrews and Taylor Avenues. In the 1950’s the same building belonged to Lillo’s father, and used to be Larry’s Luncheonette. Across the street their family also owned Larry’s Barbershop. There was Coomb’s Market on one corner, Acme on another, and Maggio’s Market on the other. Despite having so many businesses in one area, the economy was good because they all complimented each other. People waiting for food from one place would wander across the street to shop in another.The families that owned the stores all knew each other, and formed a close knit community, including summer visitors that came back every year as well. Lillo has fond memories of growing up on Pacific Ave.“It was a great place to grow up. In the 50’s and 60’s this is where you wanted to live,” Lillo smiles and laughs. “We lived Happy Days, that show could have been set here.We had the Fonzies’, and Joanies’” For Lillo, the past is never forgotten. He has an amazing memory, and can look at any building and tell you the history of that building; all of the businesses and the families that owned them from the 50’s until present day. He remembers cruising in cars down Pacific Ave in the evenings, because that was the place to see and be seen.“You would cruise down the Avenue until you turned at the Hilltop Diner on Oak Ave, so everyone could see your car, then make a loop and do it all over again.” Lillo remembers all of his neighbors and old friends; all the way down to the two older ladies that lived on the corner.They had a little terrier that used to carry a brown bag full of fresh meat they purchased, back to their house in his mouth. He remembers the hangouts, like Nordaby’s, Tex’s Luncheonette, The Owl and the Pussy Cat, and Kelly’s Billiard Parlor. The corner of Pacific and Oak used to be referred to as P & O, and that was where all the young people would meet up. The Wildwood Recreation center was constantly bustling, with tournaments and games for the young people. Sharing memories with other people is a wonderful gift, as well as finding someone that shares the same memories as you. Remembering the past keeps it alive and familiar, just like looking out of one of your own windows at the places and things going on outside today. Jessica Westerland graduated Valedictorian of ACCC in 2007, and went on to Rowan University to graduate in 2009 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism. She is enjoying her first freelance stint with The Sun. She is employed as a teller with TD Bank in Wildwood. You may know her as ’the girl with the long hair.’
the SUN by-the-Sea
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If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall.
~Nadine Stair
JUNKE AND TREASURES Dreamin’ of Summertime in Wildwood! As Old Man Winter maintained his stubborn grip on all things snowy, the 3rd Annual Beach Party, held on Saturday, February 20th at the Dogtooth Bar & Grill, provided a much needed winter break. Owner Brendan Sciarra knew a beach party in February would inspire thoughts of summer days (and building sandcastles as opposed to snowmen and igloos!) Many locals came out for this taste of summer to hear Mike & Vince play, in-
cluding Megan Rogers who was there with her camera to catch some smiles.
Thrift & Gift Shop Old, New Unique Gifts & Home Decor
. . . a treasure for everyone!
1/2 Keepsakes dolls off time $1.00 Second Clothing
Mike Curley & Friends
$ale
Handpainted furniture & unique items!
4501 Pacific Ave. WILDWOOD Between Burk & Davis Aves. Mike Tomlinson, TJ Roach, and Jim Bradley
Stephanie and Chad & DeSatnick
609-522-0060
THE DOOR MEN HAL & BILL THOMASSON Jackie & DJ Penny with Dave & Colleen Farrara
Father & Son Team
Pat & Jessie McCabe with Michelle & Dave DeWeese
Times got you broke? Wardrobe looking so Last Year? Dress it up for less! Cheap Charlie’s is easy on your pocket!
Locals awaiting summer @ the Dogtooth
About the Wildwoods’ Beach. . . “I know I don't get there often enough but God knows I surely try . It’s a magic kind of medicine that no doctor could prescribe.” ~JIMMY BUFFET, One Particular Harbor
Shopping was never so much fun!
on the corner of Taylor & Pacific Ave.
WILDWOOD 523-1166
Door Installation Experts - Doors of All Types Quality Craftsmanship - Reasonable Prices and a whole lot more!
Family Pride. . . justified! Satisfaction Guaranteed!
609-425-4506
the SUN by-the-Sea
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“Stifling an urge to dance is bad for your health - it rusts your spirit and your hips.”
rich & linda’s Barber Shop 609-522-7903 As 17th Avenue in North Wildwood underwent major changes in the past few years, there’s one business on the street that has been a North Wildwood staple since 1966 - Rich & Linda’s Barber Shop at 117 E. 17th Ave. between Central & New Jersey Aves. Rich, a master barber with 45+ yrs. experience, is owner/operator, while Shelley, Linda, Michelle and John round out his professional staff.
~Adabella Radici
Happy 85th Birthday Fran Flynn! Fran Flynn from North Wildwood turned 85 August 13th, 2009. A party was held at the KoC with music by Hart to Hart. A fun time was held by all! Especially the “Dancing Granny” herself! (pictured below stepping it up with her son Bill.)
HOURS Mon Tues Wed Thur Fri Sat
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Phone: (609) 522-1666 Fax: (609) 522-9007
Pictured above are the Flynn Clan: the birthday girl, Bill, Dan, John, Linda, Steve, Colleen, Connor, Shannon, and Fran’s nieces Maurren Waldt and Patty Ivanko. All of Fran’s children came from out of town to celebrate the special occasion, except for Dennis who was not feeling well. (see inserted photo bottom left)
the SUN by-the-Sea
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“Much unhappiness results from our inability to remember the nice things that happen to us.”
~W.N. Rieger
COLORING THE BEACH AROUND YOU! You’re ready for Spring. . . Get your house ready for Summer!
JIM STANFIELD PAINTING CONTRACTOR Office 886-7868 Cell 408-3602 Call for your FREE Estimate!
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• 27 Years Experience • Attention to Detail • Reliable & Dependable Service • Committed to 100% Customer Satisfaction
• Interior - Exterior • No Job Too Big or Too Small • Referrals upon Request • Clean, Quality Workmanship
34
the SUN by-the-Sea
“A friend loveth at all times. . .”
Angels in Disguise
Anglesea Baptist Church
Grandmom Josephine & LouAnn, Aug. 11, 1979
Do you believe in angels? Would you recognize an angel if your paths crossed? I didn’t recognize my first important angel encounter. Perhaps it was because I was too young at the time that we met. But, it could have been because I had a totally different idea as to what an angel would look like.
And I am sure that when my daughter went off to Rowan University after high school she had at least one angel with her until the day she graduated. That angels job was to wake her up in the mornings, see her through the first weeks of homesickness every semester, and walk arm and arm with her on the dark campus at night.
Like most children that grew up in North Wildwood, I spent just about every summer day down at the beach. My friend and I were ten years old the day we almost drowned. The sandbar we were playing on had gradually disappeared and the water was over our heads. There was absolutely no one around us, and the lifeguards seemed a mile away. My friend was fighting for her life and holding me under at the same time. No one saw us.
In 1997 my angel came to me in the form of my gynecologist, Dr. Tai. Even though I had no family history of breast cancer, he insisted that I start my routine mamograms at an earlier age than usually required. He saved my life. And two years later, when I had my mastectomy, I watched an angel sit, and sleep, in a straight back chair next to my hospital bed, for twenty four hours. Funny, that angel looked a lot like my mom.
All at once, after what seemed like a lifetime, I felt a big arm slip around my waist. When I was lifted above the water, I saw a man. The man also had an arm around my friends waist. He was a huge man, in both height and weight, and he was also bald. He did not utter one word as he gently carried us to shallow water and put us down. He walked away, and my friend and I never spoke of the incident to each other or anyone else. I realized later on in life that was my first angel encounter, that I was aware of anyway.
You see, angels come in all shapes and sizes; and they can be male or female. After reading this, maybe you too, will recognize the angels in your life. They do little things, and they do big things; but, their importance must never be underestimated. I am grateful to them, and welcome their presence in my life. Dedication: This story is dedicated to the memory of two of my favorite angels; my grandmother, Josephine, and my good friend, “Fitz”.
There is no doubt in my mind that angels were by my side during my reckless teenage years. One night in particular still makes me shudder to this day when I think about it. While on a double date one night, during my sophomore year in high school, my friends and I decided to do an adventurous thing. (In other words, a “stupid” thing). It was late fall of 1970, and we snuck into a closed amusement park. Our plan was to go down the “giant slide”. We all made our way up to the top and my date and I decided to go down first on the left side. We moved very fast, and when we got to the bottom, we
142 W. Spencer Ave. 522-1028 Sun School 9:45 Sun Service 11 Wed Prayer 7-8pm Sat. 9am Morning prayers
Sunday MorningWorship 10:30am Sunday Evening Prayer Meeting 6:00pm Wednesday Family Bible Classes 7:00pm
crashed into a large thick board. Since he went down with me, I had all of his weight on me, and I nearly broke my legs off at the hip. My occasional lower back problems are a constant reminder of some poor decision making in my youth.
Also, I believe no one but angels, could have guided the car of my friends and I, across that flooded bridge to safe ground, during the seventies when we traveled across the country. (See past story,“There’s No Place Like Home”)
Eureka Baptist Church
3rd & Atlantic Ave. 522-2951
by LouAnn Catanoso
We composed ourselves and turned around to see our friends “walking” across the middle of the slide over to the steps. Once they got down the steps they told us what had happened. They started down the slide together, and got about half way down, when the slide became sticky and stopped them in their tracks. They said when they looked just three feet ahead of them they saw that an entire section of the slide was “missing”. Needless to say, the plunge would have killed them, if the angels hadn’t been there to “sticky up” that slide.
~Proverbs 17:17
Asbury A.M.E. Church
First Presbyterian Church 4511 Pacific Ave. 522-1244 Sun Service 11am Tue 10am, Wed 6pm T-W-Th Youth Classes BIBLE CLUB- Sat 10am.
Young & New Jersey Ave.
729-5584
2 Churches, 1 Parish Notre Dame de la Mer
First U. M. Church of Wildwood Crest
Assumption RC Church 7110 Seaview Ave. 522-4114 Mon-Fri 8:30am Sat. 4pm Sun. 8:30am
St. Ann's RC Church 2900 Pacific Ave. 522-2709
Pastor’s Bible Study Wed. 11am
HOLY TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH 2810 Atlantic Ave. 522-5000 8AM Spoken Service w/Communion !0:30AM Traditional Service w/Communion ~ Sunday School. Third Sunday of each Month 10:30AM Contemporary Blended Service w/ Communion
Sat. 5:30pm / Sun. 10am Weekday Masses Mon-Fri 7am, Sat. 9am Sun 7pm, Spanish Mass
BETH JUDAH TEMPLE Pacific & Spencer Aves. 522-7541 Shabbat Services Saturday 9:30am
North Wildwood United Methodist Church 2nd & Central Ave. 522-2271 Sun Service 9am
Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church Plenty of parking
119 E. Rio Grande Ave. 522-8489 Sun. School 9:45 Sun. Service 11am - 6pm WED EVES 7:30 Prayer
6700 Atlantic Ave. 729-4265 Sun Service 9:30 Women’s Bible Study Tues. 9:30am
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church 301 Anglesea Ave., 522-0152 8:30am Orthos 9:30am Divine Liturgy
Central Bible Church 18th Ave. & Central Ave. 522-5917 Sun. Services 11am, 6pm
St. Simeon's by-the-Sea Episcopal
Crest Community Church
26th & Central Ave. 522-8389 Sun Services 9am Wed. Healing 6:30pm
Crocus & Pacific Aves 522-1618
West Wildwood Bible Church
Sunday Services VERY CASUAL: 9:30AM KIND OF FORMAL: 11AM
9 Neptune Avenue
523-8863 Sun. Service 10am, Eve. Prayer 6pm Wed. Prayer 7pm.
First Baptist Church Maple & Atlantic Ave. 522-2981 Sun School 9:30am. Sun Service 11am.
The United Way of Cape May County’s First Call for Help Food Pantry, Maple Ave.,Wildwood. Thursdays 10am. Call Suzanne Nardi at (609) 729-2002 or visit www.uwcmc.com for more information.
HOPE 3808 Rt. 9S Rio Grande 609-886-7022
PREGNANCY CENTER 321 West Ave. Ocean City 609-398-9449
www.hopepregnancyofnj.com Walk! Don’t run!
Saturday, MAY 1st “Walk for Life”
Fitz & LouAnn, Derc. 1996
Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in spring-time. ~Martin Luther
Cape May County Park. 9am. One mile walk in the park benefits HOPE
the SUN by-the-Sea
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“The trouble with retirement is that you never get a day off.”
Congratulations Joe Catanoso! A retirement party was held for Joe Catanoso at The Bayview Inn, the Best in the Crest! on Nov. 13th, 2009. Over 200 friends and family members were determined to get to the party by boat or by swimming there in spite of the Noreastern that bought severe tidal flooding that night. (Waves from Sunset Lake were actually crashing up against the windows that night!) Joe retired from the North Wildwood Police Dept. after 25 years. He currently teaches the DARE program in the North Wildwood school system. SENT IN BY HIS SISTER LOUANN CATANOSO
~Abe Lemons
OPEN YEAR ROUND
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$3.39 10AM
AFTER
CORNER OF ANDREW & PACIFIC AVES. WILDWOOD 522-5006
welcome back to a new season Louise & Charles Catanoso with their retired son Joe
Come in for a Visit & Register to Win a MOREY’S SEASON PASS & Waterpark Tickets
(left) Joe worked as a ‘summer cop’ from 1980-1984 before going fulltime in 1985 with NWPD (below) Joe poses in front of the new retro style cars purchased during North Wildwood’s centennial celebration in 2006
Apply in store, online, or both.
www.algiesplace.com
Drawing is April 15th.
ALGIE’S PLACE BICYCLES
SINCE 1979
sales ★ parts ★ accessories ★ clothing ★ service ★ repairs As of March 25th ~ Open 5 Days a Week ~ Thursdays thru Mondays
(609)729-5669
6207 New Jersey Ave. ★ Wildwood Crest www.algiesplace.com
Personal Service by Vic Our Expert & Owner
taiq MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED
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WILDWOOD, NJ
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Come to our OPEN HOUSE April 22nd
The Learning Center CALVARY ORTHODOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 119 E. RIO GRANDE AVE., WILDWOOD
Free Estimates
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Supplemental Education for Home School Families and others Grades Kindergarten and up
For more information call: Rev. James Allay (609) 465-4284 John Hauser (609) 884-5440 Christine Thomson (609) 374-2363
TIM WADE (609) 846-1211
the SUN by-the-Sea
36
The best way to keep children at home is to make the home atmosphere pleasant, and let the air out of the tires.
~D. Parker
Koehler Floor Covering ContractoR
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CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE 463-0778
OCEAN CITY 390-7901
Ask Us About Gift Cards & Coupon books. They make great gifts! Pay for 9, Get 10
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the SUN by-the-Sea
37
“Fish & fishing are good, but fishy is always bad.” Hello Fellow Anglers,
~Anon.
Captain Gary’s Spring Fishing Report
As I write this article in mid February the future of fishing seems as dark and confusing as our weather. Remember global warming, well someone forgot to tell mother nature about it this year. This winter has given us such a long stretch of cold weather for our area, and to boot the ground hog predicts six more weeks of winter. I am ready to whack Al Gore over the head with my snow shovel. Unfortunately I realized how civilized and soft I have become with the recent power outages from the snowstorms. Two days of little heat, candles, and little entertainment, certainly made them long-long-long days. At least in the hunting camp tent you can share stories and conversation about the days events. Let’s get to some meaty subjects. The 2010 fishing season seems to have some rather dark clouds on the horizon. One such cloud is the continued indifference to small business in the fishing industry by the Federal Marine Fisheries. The complete closure of the sea bass fishing season is one such decision. They admit their decisions lack proper information and understanding of the targeted fish (sea bass). They did admit the sea bass biomass seem to be in good condition. I guess they figure if they put most boats out of business they won’t have to worry about regulations. The wealthy will be the only ones who can afford a boat to fish in the ocean. Then they can declare the ocean a marine petting zoo, which will thrill the animal rights activist. The topic of a marine fishing license is another delicate issue. It does make me question the wisdom to relinquish the right to fish to government regulation. Most of my life, I felt the decision to go fishing didn’t require an OK from someone in Washington, or Trenton. The goals of this seem well intended, but we all know the saying of ‘good intentions/the road to hell...’ Fees never stay the same, they always go up. The money seems to find its way to the General Treasury, and not for the intended goals. I remember the original flounder regulations by the Marine Fisheries were somewhere in the vicinity of 13 and half inches with a promise this will fix the problem. We all know where we stand now. The initial support of regulations by most anglers was really positive. However, the heavy hand of the regulations has severely affected this support. The average person has a difficult time paying fares now, the impact of a license fee could again have a negative impact on all of us in the industry. Although these issues fill the doldrums of winter, I long for the days when the only argument was about who caught the biggest fish on a particular trip. In April, Big Brother will tell you what taxes you owe, what season will be open, how many if any, you can keep. On the brighter side, winter will fade and spring will be upon us. Take the time to get your tackle up to snuff. Days will always be available to make money, work harder, and worry. The day that passes today is gone forever. So seize the moment, and make a plan to spend a day on the water with friend, family, or fellow anglers. Hopefully the next article will be full of laughs, fish stories, and good times. God Bless,
Captain Gary Sloan,
THE ADVENTURER, WILDWOOD, NJ
There is certainly something in angling that tends to produce a serenity of the mind. WASHINGTON IRVING, AMERICAN AUTHOR (1783–1859)
Best Times for Fishing • One hour before and one hour after high tides and low tides. • 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. The 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.
Rick Davis & Jerry Rosenberg build 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 & Jerry Rosenberg want you to know. . . there’s no job too big or too small for Coastline Development, inc. *Coastline Development, inc . is responsible for much of the finishing details on the 60-unit beachfront condominium complex at the Pointe at Moore’s Inlet.
SERVING ALL OF CAPE MAY COUNTY
• 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, Jerry Rosenberg WHS ‘75 Rick is also on the following committeesTimes are Tough! • Volunteer North Wildwood Fire Co., 20 yrs. Building shouldn’t be rough! • President Wildwood Rotary Ask us about local discounts. • Volunteer Five Mile Beach Firemen’s Assoc.
~Taken from the Farmer’s Almanac
ADVENTURER
Wildwood Fishing Center
Rio Grande Ave. & the Bay
(next to the Boathouse Restaurant)
CAPT. CAPT. GARY GARY SLOAN SLOAN
Charters Charters Available Available
729.7777 729.7777
Rick Davis 609-374-1282 Jerry Rosenberg 609-374-1286
38
the SUN by-the-Sea
“A best friend is like a four leaf clover: hard to find and lucky to have.”
~Anon.
FIVE MILES of Smiles! Someone smiled at me today, And I started smiling too.
Photos by Megan Rogers
Assumption Church’s Christmas Pageant held each year at the 4:00 Mass on Christmas Eve.
North Wildwood Rec Hockey League Owen Haldeman of Echo’s Team
Alan Rendzak as Santa Clause.
“When you're part of a team, you stand up for your teammates. Your loyalty is to them. You protect them through good and bad, because they'd do the same for you.”
Cast & Crew of Beauty & the Beast 2009!
LAWRENCE PETER "YOGI" BERRA (born 1925); Former Professional Baseball Player and Manager
Jen & Brad Vodges of Atlantis Realty with Greg Freeman
Michael Sgrignioli of Echo’s Team
Fred Spiewak as Gaston
Andrew Lon of Sam’s Pizza Team
Kevin Laffey of Sam’s Pizza Team
Alicia Belansen with Bonnie Feraco
Brian & Ethan Burke
Crest Memorial 6th 7th & 8th Grade Play with Maddie Peterson as Belle.
Barry & Dana Gehring with their son Lucas.
the SUN by-the-Sea
39
“A dog is one of the remaining reasons why some people can be persuaded to go for a walk.”
BY
Even in April, I still want to be at the beach. You can imagine I was pretty excited to have my sister offer her Wildwood condo to my wife and I for a long weekend. This was to be my first real time in Wildwood in about 20 years. For a few summers in my youth, I had only one weekend ‘down the shore’, and it was always Wildwood. My sisters and their friends rented a converted garage for a few halcyon summers in the 80s. I was anxious to revisit many of the places that started my lifelong infatuation with the beach. As a kid, the trip from the Northeast Philly suburbs seemed eternal. Of course, that was because we always went on a summer Friday night. Once you got on the Garden State Parkway, it seemed like every car in front of you was going to Wildwood. I was quite happy, when our GPS got us there in two hours. Gotta love no traffic. Over the years, I’ve really come to like getting to the shore off-season. It’s almost like you have the whole town to yourself.Arriving onto Pacific Avenue, signs of life were scarce. The traffic lights happily flashed yellow as we drove through.We arrived at the condo, threw our things in, and set off exploring. The full moon ahead of us, the ocean wind whipped down the motel lined street into our faces. A bit chillier than we would like, but, hey, we’re at the shore! As we walked to the beach, it was pretty apparent that we were basically alone. The wind would make a noise here or there. It wasn’t hard to see by the lack of parked cars or houses with lights on, we were the only souls about. It was oddly serene. We got to the beach, the moon a few degrees above eye level. It was windy and cold, but worth it for a few minutes. We decided to take a walk to check out the area.We started walking north, paralleling the beach.The dunes and hotels were enough to keep most of the wind down. We walked by lots of empty motels. We walked by many darkened houses, both new and old. I prefer the old beach houses, the ones that scream “beach”. They have far more weathered character. Don’t get me wrong, I would get either one if the possibility ever came along. It was getting late, so we headed back, anxious to get to tomorrow. Tomorrow came the best way it should while on vacation; with a plateful of greasy breakfast. The sun was out, not a cloud in the sky, and actually kind of warm for April. Time to hit the boards. We parked at the south end, and slowly meandered our way up north. There was much more activity on the boards. Bikers, runners, and the locals added life to the boardwalk.We leisurely made our way up; me pausing to get some good beach pictures. To our right, work was feverishly being done on all the amusement piers. On Easter, they open, so the Boardwalk was full of work trucks and workers doing whatever it takes to get ready. We walked up to the northern end of
~O.A. Battista
KEVIN MCFADDEN
the Boardwalk, and hit the beach. The temperature was about 60 degrees, with a fair breeze from the ocean, but still warm enough to feel the sun on your face. At a distance around us were families and kids playing. The ocean just did its job; wave after wave reflecting a million tiny suns. We walked back to the car. I guess we had sweated out the breakfast grease, because I was hungry again. And I wanted to take a trip back in the past. I wanted to go back to see the ‘house’; the place where I spent those brief, formative weekends.To me, this was the most important part of the trip. We drove and parked at the bottom of the street. As we approached, my mind was full of questions. Is it still standing? What will it look like? Has it even changed? We walked up and the first thing I noticed was the driveway had been redone. Pavers replaced the half dead grass and 2 concrete strips that used to lead to the garageturned-house. My eyes followed the pavers up to the ‘house’.Yes, it still stands! Part of my childhood still exists! Except...except..it looks...nicer. Hmm, this is a surprise. I don’t see the rundown garage I recalled. Sure, the screened in porch is still there. Beyond that door is the kitchen. One small step up to the right was the astro-turfed living room. Behind that was a small bedroom with a bunk bed and a Murphy bed. Next to that, another small room that barely held its double bed. The garage ‘comfortably’ slept six, but there were often more than six crammed into that small space, with no air conditioning.The bathroom consisted of a small stall shower and sink beneath a 1940’s mirror complete with pin up girl artwork. So what kept a bunch of kids coming down to this house weekend after weekend? Simple, it was a place for good times with good friends in the middle of Wildwood. The outside had changed; new siding and windows. The pavers now occupy what used to be a small patch of grass for our few ratty beach chairs and hammock. Now it’s all done over. I try to look into the kitchen window to get a glimpse of what the inside may look like. Somewhere in there, almost 20 years ago, I was having the time of my life. With a little piece of my youth now rearranged, it was time to reclaim another piece. I retraced the steps we took every Friday night. Down on the corner was a phone booth. From there, we would call our parents, and hang up after the phone rang twice.That was the sign we got in okay. From there we went to the nearby pizza place. While waiting for our order, I would blow a few quarters on whatever arcade games they had.Today, we walk in, and, wow, has this place changed. No more loose chairs paired with loose tables. No more uneven floor. Centipede and Mario Bros. replaced by Golden Tee and pinball. Time has certainly marched on, but the food’s still good though. We go back for the requisite vacation nap,
Spring Apparel Arriving Daily! A VAST SELECTION OF MEN’S - WOMEN’S - CHILDREN’S SPORTSWEAR • SURFWEAR • SURFBOARDS
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u hu n pping gry ? g o t yo Sho
Visit Dogtooth Bar & Grill next door. Open Daily 12 noon 609-522-8383 www.Dogtoothbar.com HAPPY HOUR 4-6pm Daily a kona establishment. FRIDAYS Name that Tune 8pm SATURDAYS Live Music 9pm eat at Dogtooth, and talk about our plans for the next day. Well, whaddya know, we woke up to blue skies and sun.We traipsed off to another breakfast. We ate a healthy diet of brownie and chocolate chip pancakes and decided to walk them off on the boards. It’s now Friday, and there are more people on the boards, and a few stores open. And by open, I mean literally opening their store for the first time all year. Nice selection of Senior Week 08 shirts and hoodies still available. This time we decided to walk further north, past the boardwalk, to the trail for walkers and bikers. We followed the trail to see people
walking their dogs.We walked up to the northern tip, where we saw more dogs, frolicking. This appears to be the perfect place to bring our Lab for his first ever trip to the beach.The weather is far nicer than it should be.We have to leave tomorrow, so we stay out in the ocean air for as long as we can. Saturday greets us in all its’ rainy gray. That walk to the car with all your things is never easy, especially in the rain. But it’s perfect weather to go home to; I hate going home when it’s nice. That’s just another tease. We head home, anxious to get back to our dog Bauer. Anxious to share Wildwood with him, very soon.
40
the SUN by-the-Sea
“Work and play are words used to describe the same thing under differing conditions.”
~Mark Twain
WiLDW OO D by-the-sea: Nostalgia & Recipes HEATING & COOLING "Wildwood-By-The-Sea: Nostalgia and Recipes" is the newly published book by Anita Hirsch
In 1947, Robert Bowman came to Wildwood to establish a refrigerator sales and repair business. He had joined the Navy in 1940 and after the war, decided to come to Wildwood. He was familiar with Wildwood because during the depression, his father had brought his family to Wildwood to live for several years before moving back to Annville, Pennsylvania. Robert met Carol Griffith at one of the “local drug store soda fountain hangouts, possibly Fitzpatrick’s, “ and they eventually got married and started their family here. They had three children: David, Susan and Marian. Robert worked hard and developed his business into a heating and air conditioning company. Bowman’s Cooling and Heating, Inc., has been installing and servicing HVAC equipment from the same Pacific Avenue location since 1948. The original building sustained some damage during the flood of ’62 and a new store front was added after that. During the flood of 1962, the store had two feet of water in it.There has only been one time since 1962 that water came into the store and that was recently during the Nor’easter that went through this past year on September 1011, 2009. Some of the jobs that Bowman’s Cooling and Heating did over the years include some of the landmark businesses and properties of the area such as the Marine National Bank on Pacific Avenue, Groff’s Restaurant on the Boardwalk, Silen’s Department Store, WCMC radio station in Wildwood, and Watson’s Merion Inn in Cape May. The business has been in the Bowman family ever since Robert started it. His son, David started working in the business at and early age and eventually took over its operations in the late 1980’s. David is married to his high school sweetheart, Diane Shivers, and they have one child, a son, name Jesse. Jesse is now working with his dad in the family business. Thank you to David and Diane Bowman who helped with the story, recipe and photos.
Above & below are photos of the original storefront before the Storm of 1962
L-R: Bob Koeneke & Bob Bowman Bob Koeneke was the President of the Marine National Bank when Bowman’s did the job for them. The Bowman’s Dave, Diane & Jesse
AMISH WET BOTTOM
This recipe is a favorite Pennsylvania Dutch recipe of the Annville, Pennsylvania region. 9 inch single prepared pie dough 3 tablespoons solid vegetable shortening or butter, room temperature 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour 2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 3/4 cup hot water 3/4 cup dark molasses 1 egg Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare pie pastry. Using a floured rolling pin, roll pastry 2 inches larger than an inverted 9 inch pie plate. Fold pastry into quarter folds and ease into pie plate, pressing firmly against bottom and side; set aside. In a large bowl, using a pastry blender or two knives, cut shortening or butter into flour, brown sugar, and salt until mixture is crumbled and resembles the size of small peas. Set aside. In another bowl, add baking soda and hot water; stir until baking soda is dissolved. Add molasses and egg; beat until well blended. Pour into prepared unbaked pie shell. Trim overhanging edge of pastry 1/2 inch from rim of plate. Place the pie on a baking sheet to catch any overflow if there is any. Gently sprinkle prepared crumb mixture evenly over top of the pie. Crumbs will partly sink and partly float. Bake 10 minutes and then reduce temperature to 350 degrees. Bake an additional 3540 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack before serving.This pie is best served at room temperature. Yield: 8 servings
Marine National Bank The storefront as it appears today
Photos from the Bowman Collection include many of the places on the island that the Bowman’s installed air conditioning in for the very first time
Groff’s, 86 years on the Wildwood boardwalk.
Joan’s Beauty The building is still there at Preston & NJ across from Suncrest Market
Al Groff by his new cooling units. 1963
the SUN by-the-Sea
41
“If you're yearning for the good old days, just turn off the air conditioning.”
~Griff Niblack
Specializing in Central Air Conditioning & Gas Forced Air Heat for 3 Generations
Bowman’s employees Dave James & Tom Sinex
Silen’s, still a Wildwood staple
COOLING & HEATING, INC NJ License # 13VH01834100
1-800-638-4393 www.bowmansair.com 5104 Pacific Avenue, Wildwood • 522-0121 • Fax 522-7313
WILDWOOD-BY-THE-SEA: NOSTALGIA AND RECIPES the newest book by Anita Hirsch, is available now at the Wildwood and Wildwood Crest Historical Societies. This collection includes her columns which have appeared in The SUNBY-THE-SEA, which are nostalgia-packed, lavishly illustrated with photos and includes more than fifty recipes in all. Revisit people and places that make the Wildwoods so special. Read how Wildwood-By-the-Sea came to be: stories of your favorite places with more than 250 photos that will take you back to the best times of your youth and your family vacations. Memories of the boardwalk, the beach, the ocean, the sand, sand castles, the tram car, and the food...here is your chance to revisit your favorite memories of Wildwood-By-The-Sea..
6 years in the making!
Hot Off The Press!
THE WILDWOOD HISTORICAL SOCIETY 3907 Pacific Avenue • Wildwood, NJ • 523-0277
inside Marine Bank
Send Check or M.O.
$19.95
Boardwalk information center
WCMC~ you can still tune in 1230AM . . . listen to the voice of Jim MacMillan
plus $6 shipping & handling
Name _____________________________________
to: Anita Hirsch
Address ___________________________________
P.O. Box 295, 3140B Tilghman St. Allentown, PA 18104
City, State, Zip _____________________________
or e-mail orders to
tasteofwildwood@aol.com
Phone ____________________________________ Quantity _______ Total ___________
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442
“He leadeth me beside still waters, and restoreth my soul.”
~Psalm 23: 2-3
Winter’s done, and April’s in the skies. Earth, look up with laughter in your eyes!
Photo by Rob Kulisek
the SUN by-the-Sea
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” ~Leonardo DaVinci
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the SUN by-the-Sea
“Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn.”~Quoted by Lewis Grizzard in Kathy Sue Loudermilk, I Love You They have some good photographers on their staff, and the editor is excellent. She gets some good writers, too! It is a most remarkable publication.*
Every time I get this newspaper I want salt water taffy, inflatable beach toys and to head out to the sand... They are so delightful!**
I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoy your paper. It’s very creative and the look is really special. Living in Wildwood, I keep my eyes open to all of the newspapers and magazines out there and find yours to be one of the best. Keep up the good work! ~ADMIRER OF THE SUN BY-THE-SEA
*REBECCA MULLEN, AGE 97 WROTE THIS IN A HANDWRITTEN NOTE TO THE EDITOR. SHE IS A LONG TIME SUMMER RESIDENT OF NORTH WILDWOOD. **CHRISTINE ARFSTEN, MARKETING DEPT. OF VPD IN CALIFORNIA, EMAILED THIS COMMENT TO THE EDITOR
Enjoy the SUN by-the-sea, Wildwood’s original nostalgic publication!