Cape May 5.24.2006

While the Memorial Day Weekend marks the beginning of the busiest (and arguably most fun) time of year in Cape May, it is important to take a sober moment or two away from the bustle to honor our troops and veterans.
  To help you do just that, the City of Cape May is hosting a Memorial Day Service in Convention Hall at 11:15 a.m. on May 29.
  Participants will include City officials, local veterans organizations, the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
In addition to remarks from the honored guests, the Coast Guard Band will perform and a memorial wreath will be dropped into the ocean from a helicopter at approximately noon following the ceremony inside Convention Hall.
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Another opportunity to honor the day happens at sunset at the Cove on May 29, when the Kiwanis Club will have a flag lowering.
Boy Scout Troop 73 will participate, and Taps will be played.
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There are, of course, tons of fun ways to spend this holiday weekend in Cape May, too.
On Saturday, head to Convention Hall between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. for the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts’ crafts show. There will be lots of vendors with wares of all kinds, and everything is handmade. Admission is just $1!
On Sunday, MAC is hosting an antiques show (same time, same place), with dealers from the Mid-Atlantic region featuring a large and varied selection of small furniture, silver, crystal and glass accessories, estate and antique jewelry and vintage clothing.   
The show is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $3.50 for adults. Children under 12 are free.
Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC). For more information about these events, call 884-5404.
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Sunday night, you can return to Convention Hall for a rousing program of American music performed by the Atlantic Brass Band.
This is yet another MAC-sponsored event, and what a perfect way to celebrate Memorial Day!
The show begins at 8 p.m. and tickets are $22 general admission, $18 seniors and $10 students.
You may purchase tickets at the door starting at 7 p.m., or call 884-5404 for advance reservations.
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Cape May Stage’s season begins tomorrow with the 8 p.m. opening of “K2,” which chronicles the story of two long-term friends and climbing partners.
The two have an accident while descending the second highest mountain the world.
Stranded at 27,000 feet, they’ve lost one of their ropes and one has a broken leg.
The play unfolds as the climbers grapple with each other, their pasts, and their own fates.
This Tony award-winning drama continues through July 1 at the Theatre at Bank & Lafayette Streets in downtown Cape May.
Opening night availability is limited and reservations are always recommended. Call 884-1341 for further information and reservations or go to www.capemay stage.com for tickets.
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As some regular readers already know, I love all that libraries have to offer, and I’m happy to report that the Cape May County Library has some excellent programming news to share.
First, the library is offering an Independent Math Club this summer at all branches of the library.
This club is designed to reinforce math skills on an individual basis.
Registration is required beginning June 1 and continuing until July 3. 
Kids can register in person at the Cape May Court House Library, or by calling 463-6350. 
This program is open to students who will enter kindergarten through eighth grade this fall.
Each Monday members receive a new, individual packet of material to be completed. 
For each activity completed a sticker will be awarded.  Upon receiving twelve stickers participants can choose a special prize.
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Another innovative offering from the library is the new “Book Club in a Bag” program.
Each kit contains eight copies of a book and information about the author and book, including some discussion questions, all packaged in a sturdy zippered carrying bag.
A kit is checked out to one member of the book group who is responsible for all of the material.
Each kit is checked out for six weeks (42 days), allowing enough time to distribute, read and hold a book discussion.
Request for the Book Club in a Bag kit can be made at the library circulating desk, or if you prefer, from the library’s online catalog at www.cape.may.county. lib.nj.us.
Titles available in Book Club in a Bag are: “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker, “The Dew Breaker” by Edwidge Danticat, “The Known World” by Edward P. Jones, “Loving Graham Greene” by Gloria Emerson, “The Power and the Glory” by Graham Greene, and “Remembering Babylon” by David Malouf.
This sounds like a great activity especially for the summer. Maybe your book club can even meet on the beach!
Contact the library’s circulation desk by phone at 463-6350, to request a “Book Club in a Bag” kit.
Or call Diane at 463-6357 for more information about this service.
Have a safe and happy holiday weekend everyone!