We are really getting back into the swing of things on Seven Mile Beach.
So many great events are happening as Stone Harbor and Avalon springs into May. It’s all about food, flowers, and yard and rummage sales.
Hopefully, the ten pounds that I’ll put on at the dinners and benefits, I will work off in the garden planting the flowers from the plant sales.
And if I can get rid of more than I buy at the yard and rummage sales I’ll end up ahead.
Look over these events carefully and get out and support our local organiza-tions and merchants.
You’ll see a lot of your friends and neighbors there, and me, too. We can all catch up on what has happened since last year.
***
If you boat in and around the waters of Seven Mile Beach, having your boat examined free by the Coast Guard Auxiliary could save your life.
Having the necessary equipment on board, in time of need, improves your chances of survival.
U.S. Coast Guard Auxil-iary volunteers have been taught to check to see that your boat meets federal and state requirements and recommend additional equipment to help save your life and others with you.
When you pass the free courtesy examination, you will receive the Coast Guard Seal of Safety decal to affix to your boat.
To have your boat ex-amined call Frank Heise, Vessel Examination Offi-cer for Flotilla 86, at 368-4621.
***
Congratulations to the following citizens on their 2006 Chamber of Com-merce Awards: Senior of the Year, Ruth Blair; Pat Fitzpatrick Award, Torri Hand; Business of the Year, Jim and Joey Fisher of Seashore Ace.
***
The 2006 Stone Harbor Republican Club Gala is Friday evening at the Yacht Club of Stone Har-bor, from 5-8 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person at the door.
***
The Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its Second Annual Chowder Contest on May 6 during the An-nual Boat Show and Sea-food Festival.
Look in today’s special section for all the details.
***
The Annual Spring Rummage Sale at First United Methodist Church, Avalon will be May 5-6. I’ve seen the articles that will be available this year and the selection is tre-mendous. There’s some-thing for everyone.
Come early for the best selection and don’t forget the baked goods. Proceeds from this sale support the work of the UMC Women’s group for the coming year.
***
Big Band Dances have returned to Avalon Com-munity Hall.
On May 6 the Al Ray-mond Trio will perform. Doors open at 8 p.m. The music begins at 8:30 and lasts until 11 p.m.
All welcome. Only $5 at the door, BYOB. Call 967-3066 to reserve a table.
***
Stone Harbor Lions An-nual Spaghetti Dinner for the benefit of Stone Harbor Lions Charities will be held May 7 at the Rock ‘n Chair Restaurant, 29th Street and Dune Drive from 4-8 p.m.
$10 for adults and $5 for children. Tickets at the door, from any Lion mem-ber, or call 368-4444.
***
Bulk trash pick up is May 8 in Stone Harbor, and all week from May 8 to 15 in Avalon.
***
Stone Harbor Garden Club will meet at 9:30 a.m. on May 8 in the Fire House Meeting Room to hear all about “Gardening for Wildlife” from Pat Sutton of the Audubon Society.
***
MASH Spring Oyster or Chicken Luncheon at Henny’s Restaurant is May 11 from 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Tickets, $10, are available at the door or by calling 967-3147.
***
The first annual “Friends of VIM” beef and beer will be held on May 12 from 6-9 p.m. at the Windrift, 80th Street and the Beach. Tickets are available prior to the event and at the door for a dona-tion of $25.
Call Marcy LeFevre at 368-6787, Micki Goldberg at 463-3529, or Stu Hart-man at 675-0472.
***
The Avalon Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring their annual wine festival “Taste of Avalon” at Ava-lon Community Hall, 30th Street and the beach, May 12 from 7-10 p.m.
Sample food from island restaurants. Tickets can be purchased at the Avalon Chamber of Commerce, Avalon branch of Sturdy Savings Bank, or Arma-dillo, 2761 Dune Drive.
Call 967-3936 for info.
***
The Garden Club of Stone Harbor’s Annual Plant and Bake sale will be held on May 13 from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Water Works Building on the corner of Second Ave-nue and 96th Street. If it rains they will be across the street in the Fire House.
***
The 12th Annual Ava-lon Yard Sale will be held on May 13 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. rain or shine. Contact the Avalon Chamber of Commerce, 967-3936 to secure your authorization poster that must be dis-played prominently at your yard sale. The fee is $10.
***
The Ladies Auxiliary and members of the Ava-lon Volunteer Fire De-partment are holding a plant and hoagie sale May 13, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Fire House, 3100 Dune Drive.
For more information and orders of plants call Kathy Seliger at 967-4411. Hoagie tickets may be purchased at the Avalon Public Works Department, 1401 Dune Drive and Holiday Realty, 2150 Dune Drive.
***
Our Saviour Lutheran Church will have its an-nual luncheon and card party on May 15 at noon in the Parish Hall, 93rd Street and Third Avenue.
A donation of $10 will reserve a ticket by calling 368-6701.
***
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 Photogra-phy and your Computer.”
Jonathan Barron will lead the discussion. Per-sons with all levels of computer experience are welcome. You are encour-aged to bring your own digital camera. Call the library to register or for more info at 967-7155.
***
The Avalon Museum’s Annual Photography Con-test will be held from May 15-28. The entrance fee is $5 for up to four photo-graphs. Please call the AMHS for a copy of the rules at 967-0090 or Suzie Gakkagher at 967-8105.
***
The Women’s Civic Club of Stone Harbor will hold their “Welcome Back” meeting and lunch-eon on May 16 at noon in the club building on 96th Street and the Beach.
Everyone is asked to bring their favorite covered dish to share. The program is “How to Get Organ-ized.” Call Bonnie Scarpa at 967-0505.
***
The Avalon Garden Club will hold their An-nual Plant Sale on May 19 from 12-3 p.m. and on May 20 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Avalon Com-munity Center, 30th Street and Avalon Avenue.
***
The Stone Harbor Community Yard Sale, sponsored by the Stone Harbor Garden Club, will take place on May 20 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Women’s Civic Club Park-ing Lot, 96th Street and the Beach. Rain date is May 21.
Call 967-7436 to reserve your space. You must pro-vide your own table.
***
Avalon Lions Club pre-sents “Pasta Night” May 21 from 4-8 p.m. at the Windrift, 80th Street and the Beach.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children available at the door.
Or call Charlie LeFevre at 368-6787 or Bill Gra-ham at 967-3461. Proceeds benefit the Avalon Lions Charities.
***
The Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce will be holding their Sev-enth Annual Turtle Trot 5K run and two-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 two mile walk beings at 8:05 a.m.
The cost to enter is $15 by May 20, $18 after. Kids 12 and under $12 by May 20, $15 after. For info and applications go to www.stoneharborbeach .com.
***
The Avalon Senior Cen-ter welcomes all seniors from Avalon, Sea Isle, and Stone Harbor. Call Sue Keen, 967-5924, for info.
***
The Parish Nurse Pro-gram at Our Saviour Lu-theran Church, 93rd Street and Second Avenue, pro-vides blood pressure screening every Wednes-day from 1-3 p.m. This free service is open to everyone in the commu-nity.
The Parish Nurse Pro-gram also has medical equipment for anyone in the community to borrow: canes, walkers, shower seats, and commodes. Call 368-3031 for more infor-mation.
***
This week’s regularly scheduled boards and councils: tonight, Avalon Council meets at 7:30 p.m.
Avalon – Maybe deport them instead of destroying what was once a great city! This is ridiculous. New York City launched a pilot program to help migrants transition out of city shelters by providing them with…