I know that summer is never far away when I see that Conover’s Produce has opened for the season on Stone Harbor Boulevard. What a welcome sight!
It will take awhile for most of the fresh produce to come in but the asparagus is ready and it has been worth the wait.
Don’t steam or boil the asparagus. Put it in a baking pan, drizzle with olive oil, and season with coarse salt and fresh ground pepper.
Bake at 400 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes. I like mine slightly crunchy. This method has completely changed my view of asparagus. Now I can’t get enough.
New Jersey has earned the name “Garden State”. Visit any of our roadside produce markets and you’ll know why. If you don’t like vegetables, go for the spring flowers and herb plants.
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MASH Spring Oyster or Chicken Luncheon at Henny’s Restaurant is Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets are only $10 and are available at the door.
The Middle, Avalon, Stone Harbor Branch of the Burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital puts on this benefit. You can support them and their work plus have a wonderful lunch. Get a group together and meet me there.
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The first annual “Friends of VIM” Beef ‘N Beer will be held on Friday from 6 – 9 p.m. in the Windrift at 80th Street and the Beach. Tickets are available prior to the event and at the door for a donation of $25.
“Friends of VIM” is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to support and promote Volunteers in Medicine of Cape May County, who provide free medical care for citizens of the county who have no health insurance or who are under-insured.
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The Avalon Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring their annual Wine Festival “Taste of Avalon” in Avalon Community Hall at 30th Street and the beach, Friday from 7 – 10 p.m.
Come out and sample food from island restaurants. Tickets can be purchased at the Avalon Chamber of Commerce, Avalon Branch of Sturdy Savings Bank, or Armadillo, 2761 Dune Drive. For more information please call 967-3936.
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The Garden Club of Stone Harbor’s Annual Plant and Bake sale will be held on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Look for them at their new location at the Water Works Building on the corner of Second Avenue and 96th Street. If it rains they will be across the corner in the Fire House.
Items for sale include geraniums, hanging baskets, flats of popular flowers, and herbs. Baked goods and Garden Club Cookbooks will be on sale, too.
The Garden Club uses the proceeds of this sale to purchase the beautiful flowers that their volunteers plant on our islands to beautify our town.
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The 12th Annual Avalon Yard Sale will be held on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. rain or shine. Contact the Avalon Chamber of Commerce at 967-3936 to secure your authorization poster that must be displayed prominently at your yard sale. The fee is $10.
A list of registered participants and a map showing all the locations will be available the morning of the event in the Avalon Community Center at 30th Street and Avalon Avenue.
The Avalon Garden Club sponsors this event with the co-operation of the Avalon Chamber of Commerce and the Borough of Avalon.
All monies collected will go towards the beautification of Avalon.
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The Ladies Auxiliary and members of the Avalon Volunteer Fire Department are holding a Plant and Hoagie Sale on Saturday 8-2 p.m. at the Firehouse at 3100 Dune Drive.
For information about plants, call Kathy Seliger at 967-7697. For hoagie information please call the firehouse at 967-4411.
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AHLOA will hold its annual meeting on public safety on Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Avalon Borough Council Chamber.
Speakers will include Police Chief Steven Sykes, Fire Chief Eddie Dean, and EMS Chief Kevin Scarpa. All are welcome.
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The Avalon Museum will host a Volunteer Appreciation/Orientation Tea on Saturday at 2 p.m. All current volunteers and anyone interested in becoming a volunteer are invited to attend.
There are many volunteer opportunities at the Museum and with the Avalon Historical Society. Please attend and become an important part of the Avalon Museum.
If you can’t make the tea but would like more information on becoming a volunteer, please call Director Bruce Tell at 967-0090.
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Our Saviour Lutheran Church will have its annual luncheon and card party on May 15 at noon in the Parish Hall at 93rd Street and Third Avenue.
A donation of $10 will reserve a ticket by calling the church office at 368-3031 or Jane Scott at 368-6701.
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The Avalon Free Public Library is hosting a “PC User’s Group” meeting on May 15 from 6:30-8 p.m. in the library at 32nd Street and Ocean Drive. The program will center on the topic of “Digital Photography and your Computer”.
Persons with all levels of computer experience are welcome. You are encouraged to bring your own digital camera. Call the library to register or for more information at 967-7155.
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The Avalon Museum’s Annual Photography Contest will be held from May 15 to 28.
The categories are: Portrait/Personality, Nature, Scenic, and Feature.
The entrance fee is $5 for up to four photographs. Please call the AMHS for a copy of the rules at 967-0090 or Suzie Gallagher at 967-8105.
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The Women’s Civic Club of Stone Harbor will hold their “Welcome Back” meeting and luncheon on May 16 at noon in the club building on 96th Street at the beach.
Everyone is asked to bring their favorite covered dish to share. The program is “How To Get Organized”.
For more information, please call Bonnie Scarpa, 967-0505.
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The Avalon Garden Club will hold their Annual Plant Sale on May 19 from noon till 3 p.m. and on May 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
There will be many plants to choose from including bedding plants (vegetable and flowers) large plants in containers and hanging baskets.
This event is held at the Avalon Community Center at 30th Street and Avalon Avenue and is a great way to get set for spring and summer.
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The Stone Harbor Community Yard Sale, sponsored by the Stone Harbor Garden Club, 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 at 96th Street and First Avenue.
Great “One Stop Shopping” for all your Yard Sale needs.
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The Stone Harbor Board of Health will be holding its Annual Free Rabies Clinic on May 20 from 2-3 p.m. at the Stone Harbor Firehouse, 96th Street and Second Avenue.
The service is offered to everyone. Please bring your cats in cages and your dogs on leashes.
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Good news for all those Stone Harbor slip owners who have been waiting for the dredging of their private boat slips: the project is now on track to begin June 1.
The BOA (Boat Owners Association) will hold a general membership meeting on May 21 at 2 p.m. in the Stone Harbor Yacht Club. At this meeting they will get a good idea of the progress of the dredging and duties of the Trustees and Captains.
At that time everything should be in order and it is imperative that all members attend. If you cannot attend, please contact Angelo Caracciolo at 368-2342.
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Avalon Lions Club presents “Pasta Night” on May 21 from 4-8 p.m. at the Windrift at 80th Street and the beach.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Call Charlie LeFevre at 368-6787, or Bill Graham at 967-3461, or buy yours at the door. Proceeds benefit the Avalon Lions Charities.
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With the weather this nice it’s time to go for walk. Get out and go with the Avalon Walking Club on May 21 to “Wild, Wild, Wildwood Days”. Everyone is welcome.
Meet at 1 p.m. on the Wildwood Boardwalk at Rio Grande Avenue, in front of the Convention Center. Walk the boards and find a place to eat.
Then, on May 29 meet at 8:45 a.m. in the Avalon Methodist Church parking lot and walk (not in the parade) to 21st Street for the ceremony.
Afterwards join together at Cookie’s home 445 22nd Street for a “Front Porch Social”.
Call 967-5219 to RSVP, or call Deana at 967-8399 for more information.
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The Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce will be holding their 7th annual Turtle Trot 5k Run and 2 Mile Walk on May 28.
Registration starts at 6:45 a.m. in the 95th Street and First Avenue parking lot. The 5k run begins at 8 a.m. and the 2 Mile Walk begins at 8:05 a.m.
The cost to enter the race is $15 by May 20, $18 after. Kids 12 and under $12 by May 20, $15 after. For more information and an application go to www.stoneharborbeach.com.
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The Avalon Museum will hold its Annual Garden Reception on May 28 at 1 p.m.
The guest speaker will be Dan Campbell, of Historic Batsto Village. Dan will be speaking about the history of Batsto and iron mining in the Pinelands.
Batsto was an important center of industry in the 19th century, with several mills, an iron forge and even its own post office.
Enjoy this interesting lecture and stay for cookies and lemonade afterward. The museum will be open until 3 p.m. and anyone who donated a brick to the Memorial Walk is invited to come see their brick in place in the Garden.
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Attention all veterans and friends and family of our veterans: A very special celebration will take place this Memorial Day, May 29.
The Veterans’ Memorial will be dedicated at the 21st Street Circle in Avalon after the Avalon Parade, which begins at 9 am.
In Stone Harbor there will be a parade at noon and ceremonies at the Women’s Civic Club, followed by an Open House at the American Legion Post on Second Avenue at 117th Street.
All veterans are urged to join with their comrades and march together in the parades. Transportation will be provided for those unable to march.
Please call the Post Vice-Commander, Al Carusi at 368-1987 to join the ranks on Memorial Day.
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The Avalon Senior Center welcomes 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 activities.
Monday Cooking Class will meet May 15 at 1 p.m. Please call 967-5924 to reserve a seat.
Every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. is Open Art Workshop.
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.
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Garden Club of Stone Harbor Annual Tour of Homes will be June 3 from 1-4 p.m.
You will see six beautiful homes representing some of the best styles of houses in Stone Harbor. Tickets are just $20. Call Susan at 368-5692.
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The Cape May County Alumnae of Little Flower High School will hold their annual Mass of Thanksgiving at 11 a.m. on June 3 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Sea Isle City.
All members, family and friends are welcome. Luncheon will follow at the Lobster Loft, 318 42nd St.
Call Peggy or Betty at 465-3838 for more information.
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Wetlands Institute invites you to enjoy a weekend adventure to Chincoteague and Assateague Islands along the Eastern Shore of Virginia June 3 and 4.
The trip begins on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry with a lesson about the ecology of the Delaware Bay followed by the classic movie “Misty of Chincoteague”.
They will explore the wonders of Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and the new Visitor Center, the famous lighthouse, the scenic salt marsh and beach.
Get close to the legendary ponies on a behind the scenes tour of the refuge and perhaps catch a glimpse of the new foals.
For more details or to sign up call the Wetlands Institute at 368-1211.
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The Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce will be holding its Third Annual “Taste of Stone Harbor” on Tuesday, June 6 at the Women’s Civic Club from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
This event is free to chamber members and features the culinary delights of the fine dining establishments of Stone Harbor.
In addition to great food and beverage, the evening’s events will also feature a Silent Auction with auction items being donated by the local merchants.
For more information please contact the Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce at 368-6101.
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The 24th Annual Avalon Garden Club Flower Show “Avalon: Then and Now” will be held on June 10 at the Avalon Community Center at 30th Street and Avalon Ave from noon until 4 p.m.
Admission is free and the public is invited to come in and enjoy the artistic designs and displays of flowers, horticulture specimens and special exhibits.
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Avalon Performing Arts Council will be traveling to the Philadelphia Museum of Art on June 14 to view “Andrew Wyeth: Memory & Magic”.
An optional one-hour tour, “Schuylkill Stroll/ Boathouse Row” will be available. The walk highlights the sculpture in the proximity of the Museum and Philadelphia’s most popular esplanade.
They will leave from Avalon’s Community Hall, 29th and Avalon Avenue, at 9 a.m. and return around 5 p.m. The cost is $45. Send your check, payable to APAC, PO Box 72 Avalon, NJ 08202. For more information call 967-3808.
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Spaces are still available for Avalon Performing Arts Council’s 19th Annual Juried Art Show and Sale on June 25. Over $3,000 in prize money is awarded each year.
All area artists are urged to participate in this fabulous show and display your works in the air-conditioned Community Hall at 30th Street and Avalon Avenue. For additional information call 967-4595.
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This week’s regularly scheduled boards and councils:
Tonight, Avalon Council meets at 7:30 p.m.
May 12, Stone Harbor Zoning Board of Adjustment meets at 8 p.m.
May 16, Stone Harbor Council meets at 4:30 p.m.
