Seven Mile 3.22.2006

Several residents have called me to let me know that they have seen a fox in the south end of Stone Harbor.
While this is a rare sight, it is not uncommon.
The Stone Harbor Museum has information and a picture of a fox hunt in Stone Harbor that took place back in 1957.
A fox was seen crossing the bridge from the south and later overturning trash-cans in the area of 108th to 110th streets.
According to the story of the fox-hunt, a special borough meeting was called to pass a resolution to permit hunting in Stone Harbor, hunting licenses were purchased and foxhounds were brought in.
Two foxes, a male and a female were killed and the ears taken to Court House were there was a bounty on fox.
They got $7 for the two.
They were real men of action back in 1957.  We could never do that to-day.
First we would appoint a special committee to study the “Fox Problem.”
Then hold public hearings and the permitting process would take forever.
Also, it is il-legal to discharge firearms in the borough.
I think our current fox is safe here in Stone Har-bor.
The major point of discussion now is whether the fox is gray or red. The pictures that I have seen do not make a clear distinction.
The red fox is usually recognized by its reddish coat and black “leg-stockings.”
The white tip on the tail will distinguish this fox from other species.
The gray fox is often confused with the red fox because the gray has rusty-red fur on its ears, ruff and neck.
Overall colora-tion is gray, and the darkest color extends in a sug-gested stripe along the top of the back down to the end of the tail.
The belly, throat, and chest areas are whitish in color.
Compared to red foxes, grays have shorter muzzles and shorter ears, which are usually held erect and pointed forward.
It is important to remember that the gray fox is the only fox that climbs trees.
Go to our web-site at www.capemaycountyherald.com and click on “News Notes” to take a look at the fox photo, or cast your vote on Spout Off where you can view the photo as well.
We want to hear from you, give us your opinion – is it the red fox or the grey, only the shadow knows…
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The following students have achieved Distinguished Honors for the second marking period at the Ava-lon Elementary School:
Victoria Deever, Tyler Leonard, Courtney Orlando, Erin Wannen, Jesse Russell, Graham Deever, Olivia Schwartz, Brittani Helverson, Noel Wright, Lauren Perrotta and Gabrielle Breese.
These students have achieved Hon-ors:
Stephen Corbo, Christopher Heenan, Laura McLaughlin, Sierra Galati, William Metzler, Matthew Martorana, Jenni-fer Ney, Gregg Metzler, Eric Berkelbach, Michael J. Nestor, Dakota Johnson, Drew Russell, Douglas Schwartz, Logan Sykes, Ryan Zurawski, D. J. Torroni, Megan Metzler, Mikala Miller, and Sal Orlando.
Congratulations to these fine stu-dents.
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The Avalon Mu-seum will present “Paradise Lost” on March 25 at 6 p.m.
Have a delicious buffet dinner then enjoy an interest-ing program with Rachel Rodgers, Curator/Director of the Cape May County Historical Museum.
Rachel will pre-sent a program of places and build-ings of Cape May County from times that few of us still remember, a real paradise lost.
Tickets are $20 and are available at the Museum or Sturdy Savings Bank’s Avalon Branch.
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The Seven Mile Beach Democratic Club will not be meeting in March.
The next regular meeting will be April 27, at 7:30 p.m. in the Avalon Senior Center, 3100 Dune Drive.
For information, call 967-4877 or 368-4469.
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There are only two more weeks of the Wetlands In-stitute’s Movies on the Marsh.
March 25 it’s March of the Penguins, and April 1 it’s MicroCosmos.
Time is 1 to 3 p.m.; free with regular admission.
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Stone Harbor Seniors’ “Fun Days” take place each Wednesday.
They have temporarily relocated to the Fire House Meeting Room at 96th Street and Second Avenue.
Bridge and bingo begin at 1 p.m.
Come out and join in the fun.
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If you operate a boat, you should be aware of the new Boater Educa-tion and Safety Law in New Jersey.
The law requires that you complete a boat safety course.
The requirements vary with your age.
If you were born after 1978, you must take the course immedi-ately.
Coast Guard Flo-tilla 83 is pro-viding the re-quired instruction in our area.
For more infor-mation on the re-quirements and the boat safety course you should contact one of the following course in-structors: Vince Kipp at 886-6243, Dan Murray at 465-4020, or Frank Heise at 368-4621.
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Linda Camp’s fourth-grade class at Avalon Elemen-tary School is leaning about con-servation first-hand.
On April 29 they will be planting 100 dune grass stolens in the beach dunes at the end of the beach path at 32nd Street.
They have been learning about the benefits of beach dune protection and the important role the dune grass plays.
Now they will get some first hand experience.
Avalon school children have been carrying out this project for over 40 years.
Avalon environmentalist, Fenton Groff originated the activity in the late 1960s as an effort to educate and involve the schoolchildren in restoring and preserving the dunes that protect our shoreline.
Since Fenton has moved from the area, the planting has been under the direction of Carol Lane of the Avalon Garden Club and the Avalon’s fourth grade teacher, Linda Camp.
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The Avalon Links Restaurant will be the site of the next Stone Harbor Seniors Luncheon at noon on April 5.
Entrée choices are Hot Roast Pork or Chicken Caesar Salad.
The cost is only $15. Send your choice and check to PO Box 44, Stone Harbor.
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Reserve your space now for the Stone Harbor Com-munity Yard Sale, sponsored by the Stone Harbor Garden Club.
The Yard Sale will take place on May 20, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., (rain date, May 21) in the Women’s Civic Club Parking Lot, 96th Street and First Avenue.
Call 967-7436 to reserve your 8’x8′ space.
You will provide your own table.
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The Avalon Sen-ior Center wel-comes all seniors from Avalon, Sea Isle and Stone Harbor.
Sue Keen, 967-5924, can answer any questions you may have about their activities or events.
Here are a few of the many ac-tivities.
The Monday Cook-ing Class that was planned for April 17 has been can-celled.
Every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. is Open Art Workshop.
The puzzle club, “Piece Time.” meets on the third and fourth Tues-days at 1 p.m.
There is an open  bridge game every Tuesday at 7 p.m., Intermediate bridge on Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to noon and beginner classes on Fridays at 9:15 a.m.
Spanish classes are held every Wednesday from 9:30 to 11 a.m.
Knit-ting/Crocheting March 29, April 5, and 19 at 2 p.m.
The last bingo game will be played April 26 at 1:30 p.m.
Great Decisions 2006 is an eight-week study and discussion program promoting citizen participation in the foreign policy process.
It is held every Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. in March and April.
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The Realty Own-ers Association of Stone Harbor (ROA) has been serving the interests of the property own-ers of Stone Har-bor for over 50 years.
Membership con-sists of non-resident as well as resident prop-erty owners.
The purpose of the ROA is to in-form the membership of matters of importance to them as property own-ers, to advise and consult with bor-ough officials about matters of concern to the membership.
And in any and all other ways possible they promote the develop-ment, improvement and the general welfare of the Borough of Stone Harbor and its environs.
Nominations are now open for trus-tees.
The trustees meet at 9 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month to conduct the business of the ROA
 If you would like to serve as a trustee, please contact Larry Kratzer at 368-0197.
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The Avalon Home and Land Owners Association will meet on April 8 to hear a presentation by Harry de-Butts, Sal deSimone and Tom Thornton.
Together these speakers will inform and discuss with residents what Avalon has done, is doing, and plans to do about mitigating the effects of natural and man-made disasters on the community and how these actions relate to the flood insurance program.
In addition Capt. Dick Herb will speak on the mission and activities of the Fisheries Council.
The meeting will be held in the Borough Council Chamber, 3100 Dune Drive at 10 a.m.
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Tracking the progress of our regularly sched-uled boards and councils: tonight, Avalon Council meets at 7:30 p.m.; March 27, Stone Harbor Planning Board meets at 7 p.m.