Message from the President

The past few months have provided me with a lot of time to reflect on the amazing year we and all of Cape May have been through. For me, it started with the transition of leadership in Cape May MAC: Michael Zuckerman retiring after 37 years as Director and Jody Alessandrine stepping into Michael’s shoes. Less than three weeks later, our lives were turned upside down as accommodations, restaurants, shops, theatres and every door at Cape May MAC closed just as we entered the popular spring tourism season.

I admit that I felt quite depressed and deeply concerned about Cape May MAC and all of Cape May, a community I have grown to love in so many ways. With no road map to guide us, we were forced to turn to each other for support, ideas and consolation. But rather quickly, our community of dynamic leaders pulled together just as we have witnessed other areas do after natural disasters like hurricanes, fires and earthquakes. Petty and political differences, competition and financial gain were forgotten and we became Cape May Strong. There is nothing that pulls people together faster than all being in the same sinking boat. Volunteerism swelled within our cultural community, guidelines were quickly developed to protect the health and welfare of our residents and visitors and the city helped the hard-hit restaurant community with public spaces changed into outdoor dining areas. City Council even made the controversial decision to allow alcoholic drinks to be consumed safely outside, away from a dangerous, crowded bar. Church services went virtual as did plays, concerts and meetings, “Zoom” no longer describing a speeding car, but a new necessity in our lives.

By mid-summer, most aspects of our community were running pretty smoothly and word was out that Cape May was a safe and fun place to go without dealing with airports or long car trips. Our community teamwork, with an emphasis on excellent hospitality, was paying off and helped us keep our economy going well into the fall. Although all of us are looking forward to a return to normal, I for one sure hope this new community spirit will stay with us as we venture into a new normal. Long before the pandemic hit, the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities had decided to celebrate its 50th birthday with the new name: Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture). The decision to change our name was based on our desire to take advantage of the fame and popularity of the Cape May brand, a name that stands for quality attractions just about everywhere. I am convinced that it was a smart move and we at Cape May MAC are very proud to still be a leader in the ongoing success of Cape May.

Sue and I wish Cape May MAC, Cape May and all of you the very best for 2021.

Donor Profile

(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5) Cape May. In the midst of all these interests, Cape May and Cape May Point have been a geographic focus of Patricia’s passions.

“Cape May Point is my heart,” she said.

Her decades-long support of Cape May MAC, first as a member and since as a regular donor, has helped the organization thrive.

Patricia has responded when the organization was in special need, from providing financial help to repaint the lighthouse, to providing extra financial support in 2020.

She is a donor to Cape May MAC’s 2020 Society, a rainy-day fund that helps bolster the organization in times of crisis. Patricia doubled her donation in 2020, as a way to help the organization stay afloat during a difficult year.

“Tom (Carroll, Cape May MAC President) called and said COVID was a tough year and he didn’t know whether I wanted to change my donation, or make my donation earlier, because it normally comes in October. And I said, ‘It’s too much trouble to change that. I’ll just make an additional donation.’ Because he said there was a need.”

She views her financial commitment to Cape May MAC as an investment in the future.

“You’re preserving the things that are important for future generations,” she said. “I don’t have children, but I still would like those things to last … keeping something alive that is important to remember, culturally and geographically.”

-- SK

-- Tom Carroll, President

Exhibit

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With COVID quarantines beginning in March of 2020, the exhibit’s opening was delayed for months. It was decided to reprise the exhibit through 2021 to allow more visitors to experience these fascinating stories in person.

“It was important that we not allow the pandemic to short-change the celebration of this important 50-year milestone for the organization,” Director and CEO Jody Alessandrine said. “We decided to bring the exhibit back in 2021 to give those who had not had a chance to view it, time to explore it at their leisure, in-depth and in person.”

As an antidote to the pandemic keeping visitors at home, a 15-video series was launched on April 27, 2020 featuring Cape May MAC President Tom Carroll as host, sharing details and highlights of each aspect of the exhibit. That series can be viewed on Cape May MAC’s YouTube site by clicking

here.

Experiencing this fascinating exhibit in person teaches much about a vital Cape May organization that to this day is committed to promoting the preservation, interpretation and cultural enrichment of the Cape May region for its residents and visitors.

The exhibit reopens on Saturdays, noon to 3 p.m., open daily during Presidents Weekend, Saturday, Feb. 13 to Monday, Feb. 15, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will be open daily beginning March 26, with varying hours. For the full schedule visit capemaymac.org. -- SK