Seven Mile

Memorial Day is a federal holiday that is observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day commemorates our men and women who died in military service for their country. It began first to honor Union soldiers who died during the Civil War. After World War I the holiday expanded to include those who died in any war or military action. Many people observe this holiday by visiting cemeteries and memorials. A National Moment of Remembrance takes place at 3 p.m. Another tradition is to fly the flag at half-staff from dawn until noon. In addition to remembrance, Memorial Day is also a time for picnics, family gatherings, and sporting events. One of the longest standing traditions is the running of the Indiananapolis 500, which has been held in conjunction with Memorial Day since 1911. Some Americans view Memorial Day as the unofficial beginning of summer, as they view Labor Day in September, as the unofficial end of the season. *** This Memorial Day our American Legion Stephen C. Ludlam Post #331, will once again lead the parades of the towns of Avalon and Stone Harbor. The Avalon parade that begins at 31st Street and Dune Drive, at 9 a.m. will terminate at the 21st Street Circle, where special ceremonies will take place to dedicate the new Veterans’ Plaza. Memorial wreaths will be presented and there will be a gun salute by a detail from the American Legion Post and a fly-over by the 117th Fighting Squadron, New Jersey Air National Guard. The Stone Harbor parade begins at noon on 96th Street at the Great Channel Bridge and ends at the Women’s Civic Club on 96th Street at the beach. There will be a memorial ceremony, presentations of wreaths that will be carried out to sea by the Stone Harbor Beach Patrol and a gun salute by a detail from the American Legion Post. All veterans are urged to join with their comrades to 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. All veterans and members of the public are invited back to the Stephen C. Ludlam American Legion Post #331at 117th Street and Second Avenue, at 1 pm., for an Open House and special ceremony that will honor all veterans. The newly installed Memorial Walk, with engraved paving blocks, will be dedicated. *** American Legion is seeking to have their building, formerly Tatham’s Life Saving Station, added to the New Jersey and National Register of Historic Places. The building, with a four-story observation tower, is over 111 years old, and remains 80% structurally the same as when it was constructed in 1895. It was used by the U.S. Life Saving Service to rescue shipwreck survivors until 1915 when the Life Saving Service was discontinued. The building was taken over by the U.S. Coast Guard and was used as a lookout for German U-Boats during World War I & II. The Stephen C. Ludlam Post #331 acquired the building in 1948 and it has been the home of the American Legion Post ever since. *** 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 Auxiliary volunteers have been taught to examine your boat for safety. They 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 examined call Frank Heise, Vessel Examination Officer for Flotilla #86, at 368-4621. *** The Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce currently has Borough flags for sale. Flags can be purchased from the Chamber of Commerce office on 96th Street. The price of the flag is $32 and there are two different styles to choose from. For more information, contact the Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce at 368-6101. *** The Seven Mile Beach Democratic Club will meet Thursday, at 7:30 p.m. in the Avalon Senior Center, 3100 Dune Drive. Assistant Assembly Majority Leader, Jeff Van Drew is unable to attend the May meeting, but will join them at a later date. The meeting is open to residents of Avalon and Stone Harbor, regardless of political affiliation. For information, call 967-4877. *** The Yacht Club of Stone Harbor will be holding an Open House for the public on Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. The Yacht Club has two dining rooms with different presentations, an excellent chef, and offers a host of social and educational programs. For the children of the members there is excellent sailing instruction, swimming, kayaking, windsurfing, and other activities in a camp-like setting, plus an arts and crafts program for the four to six year olds. Stop by and see the fine facility, and learn of the many activities offered by the Yacht Club, located at 90th Street and Sunset Drive. For more information call Karin Wren, Membership Chairman at 368-1475. *** The Bayberry Twigs Branch of the Burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital Auxiliary will host their 31st Annual Antiques Show and Sale on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Avalon Community Hall, 30th Street and Avalon Avenue. A wide assortment of antiques including glass, china, furniture, kitchen collectibles, and jewelry will be available. Proceeds benefit the hospital auxiliary. For more info call Lynne Krukosy, 465-8341. *** The Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce will be holding their seventh annual Turtle Trot Five-k Run and Two Mile Walk on Sunday. Registration starts at 6:45 a.m. in the 95th Street and First Avenue parking lot. The Five-k run begins at 8 a.m. and the Two 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. *** The First United Methodist Church of Avalon, Dune Drive at 34th Street, will feature a special presentation of the Ecuadorian ministry of BJ and Andrea Williamson on Sunday, during the 10 a.m. Worship Service. The Williamsons will share their experiences as missionaries with OMS International. They will be sharing news of their mission work, and BJ will also be preaching the day’s message. The Williamsons grew up in Cape May County. The event is free, with donations accepted. For more information, please contact the Church office at 967-4204. *** The Avalon Museum will hold its Annual Garden Reception on Sunday 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. *** Garden Club of Stone Harbor Annual Tour of Homes will take place on June 3 from 1 to 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. *** Big Band Dances have returned to Avalon Community Hall. On June 3 the John Clark Dance Band will perform. Doors open at 8 p.m. The music plays from 8:30 to 11 p.m. These events are sponsored by the Avalon Recreation Department and are open to all. Tickets are $5 at the door. BYOB. Call 967-3066 to reserve a table for you and your friends. *** Celebrate National Trails Day on June 4 with the Wetland’s Institute. Check the On Deck calendar for more information. *** 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. *** The Etcetera Fashion Show and Luncheon by the M.A.S.H. Branch of Burette Tomlin Memorial Hospital Auxiliary is June 8 at the Mirage Restaurant, 79th Street and Ocean Drive at 11:30 am. Tickets are $15 and only available in advance by calling Vi Geiger at 967-7843. *** The 24th Annual Avalon Garden Club Flower Show, “Avalon: Then and Now,” will be held on June 10 at the Avalon Community Center, 30th Street and Avalon Avenue from noon to 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. *** The following students have achieved Distinguished Honors for the second marking period at the Avalon Elementary School; Victoria Deever, Noel Wright, Jesse Russell, Megan Metzler, Sal Orlando, Tyler Leonard, Erin Wannen, Graham Deever, and Brittani Helverson. These students have achieved Honors during the second marking period at the Avalon Elementary School; Stephen Corbo, Laura McLaughlin, William Metzler, Jennifer Ney, Eric Berkelbach, Garrett Brown, Douglas Schwartz, Ryan Zurawski, Courtney Orlando, Olivia Schwartz, Gabby Breese, Mikala Miller, Catie Shoemaker, Christopher Heenan, Kaitlin Dean, Matthew Martorana, Lauren Perrotta, Michael J. Nestor, and Drew Russell. *** How about a walk on the beach in the moonlight looking for some living fossils? Sound like fun? Begin with some background about horseshoe crabs, an amazing and important species, and then grab a beverage before carpooling to the Delaware Bay with a group from the Wetlands Institute on June 10, to look for spawning crabs in action. Dress for the weather and wear study shoes that can get wet. Meet at the Wetlands Institute, 1075 Stone Harbor Blvd., Stone Harbor at 6 p.m. and return by 9 p.m. Reservations needed by June 8. Cost is $4 for members and $6 for nonmembers. Call 368-1211. *** 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 Ave, 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. *** The Women’s Civic Club of Avalon, will host a Luncheon and Card Party at noon on June 15, at the Avalon Community Hall. Please call Marge 967-5517 for tickets, which are $14. *** The Avalon Museum’s Sixth Annual Tri-Avalon Race is scheduled for June 17. It is a bike, kayak and run race. The bike and run legs of the race are 2.5 miles long, while the kayak leg is 1 mile. Registration may be done by mail or on race day from 7 to 8 a.m. The race begins at 8:15 am. Bikers must wear a helmet and kayakers must wear an approved PFD. Every participant will receive a tee shirt and there will be trophies for first place and ribbons for second and third place in each division. Divisions are, Individual Male, Individual Female, Family Group, 3 Person Team, Youth (for racers under 12) and Business Team. There will be a rotating plaque and the Mom & Pop Gheringer Trophy, for the business team winner. For more information or entry forms, please call the Avalon Museum at 967-0090. *** 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. *** The Avalon Garden Club fashion show and luncheon held last week at the Golden Inn was a big success. They wish to thank “Talk of the Walk” for the fashions and all who made this event a success. A special thank you to the Fashion Show Committee Co-chairs, Diane Buckley and Nancy McKelvey and to all who worked so hard to make the show a success. *** Are you interested in learning or playing Mah Jongg? Instructions will be available on June 12th, at 1:30 pm. at the Avalon Senior’s Center. If interested, please call Sue Keen at 967-5924, by June 6th. Other activities include: Cooking Class; June 19, at 1 p.m., please call to reserve a seat, Open Art Workshop; Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m., Bridge; every Tuesday at 7 p.m., Intermediate Bridge on Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. and beginner classes on Fridays at 9:15 a.m. Spanish classes are held every Wednesday at 9:30. Book Club meets June 6 at 1 pm, to discuss “The History of Love” by Nicole Kraus, and on July 11 to discuss “The Last Report of Miracles at Little No Horse” by Louise Erdrich. *** Both the Avalon and Stone Harbor Chambers of Commerce have available their 2006 Vacation Guides. They are each bigger and better than ever. Pick up your copy at the chamber offices, 30th Street and Ocean Drive in Avalon and 212 96th St. in Stone Harbor. Copies are also available in the Post Office. The Stone Harbor Chamber wants to complete their historical file of Stone Harbor Vacation Guides from years past. They need the guides for 1976, ’78, ’79, ’80, ’81, ’83, ’90, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’96, ’97, ’98, and 2002. If you have one of these, take it to the chamber office on 96th Street and trade it in on a new one. *** This week’s regularly scheduled boards and councils: Tonight the Avalon Council meets at 7:30 p.m.