Today we celebrate Flag Day. Throughout the history of our nation, the flag has evoked intense, sincere feelings of patriotism.
When the American colonists rose in armed protest against the British Government, the emblem they first adopted signified both their unity and the loyalty, which they still retained towards the Mother Country.
Their Great Union Flag, also known as the Congress Flag and the Cambridge Flag, bore thirteen red and white stripes, but the contemporary British Union Flag formed its canton.
This was similar to the flag of the East India Company, but whether it was deliberately adopted from this is unknown. When the Americans decided on a complete severance from Britain, they needed a new flag to symbolize their independence.
While retaining the thirteen stripes in the fly, they replaced the Union in the canton by “thirteen stars white on a blue field representing a new constellation.”
The exact arrangement of the stars in the first American Flag is uncertain, but it is reputed to have been a circle so that one should have no precedence over the other.
As new States were admitted to the Union, the number of Stars and Stripes was increased accordingly, and during the second British-American war the flag displayed fifteen stars and fifteen stripes.
It was the sight of this “Star-Spangled Banner” still flying, after a night’s bombardment, over fort McHenry “in the dawn’s early light” which led Francis Scott Key to compose what became the National Anthem of the United States.
The increase in the number of stripes threatened however to destroy the flag’s effectiveness.
So, in 1818, congress decided to revert to the original thirteen stripes but to indicate the admission of a new State by displaying an additional white star in the canton.
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If you plan to fly the stars and stripes outside of your home, follow these tips from the Federal Flag Code.
Before raising your flag, check its condition. Flags that are frayed, tattered or worn are inappropriate for display.
Take care to ensure the flag never touches anything beneath it, such as the ground, floor or water.
If more than one flag is being flown on the same halyard, the U.S. flag should fly at the top.
If multiple flags are flying on different flagpoles, all the poles should be of equal height, with the U.S. flag positioned on its own right, (viewer’s left.) It should be raised first and lowered last.
The U.S. flag can be flown 24 hours a day, provided the flag is illuminated during darkness.
The only exception would be during inclement weather, when only all-weather flags should be flown.
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The Avalon Museum and Historical Society has announced the winners of the 2006 Photography Contest.
Best of Show and First Place in the Portrait/Personality category was titled “Taking It All In” by Chuck Weber. Second Place was Lee Francis and Third Place was Jamielynn Sasdelli.
In the Feature category winners were Chuck Weber, Liz Dlutowski, and Susan Karaso.
The Nature category winners were Liz Dlutowski, Chuck Weber, and Marian McSherry.
The Scenic category had eighteen entries. The winning ribbons went to Jon Barron, Marian McSherry, and Pat Dill.
To view all the photographs, stop by the Museum on 215 39th Street this month, or to see the winners in each category, visit the Herald’s website at www.capemaycountyherald.com and click on News, then News Notes, and then Seven Mile.
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The Women’s Civic Club of Avalon will conduct a Luncheon and Card Party, at noon on Thursday in the Avalon Community Hall.
Phone Marge 967-5517 for tickets, which are $14.
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The Avalon Museum’s Sixth Annual Tri-Avalon Race is scheduled Saturday.
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 a.m.
Bikers must wear a helmet and kayakers must wear an approved PFD.
For more information or entry forms, please call the Avalon Museum at 967-0090.
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Peter McPhee Fine Arts Gallery at 9416 Second Ave. is hosting an art auction fundraiser on Saturday, from 7 to 10 p.m. to benefit the Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor.
The auction will coincide with the opening of a new exhibit at the gallery and the Wetlands Institute will receive a percentage of the winning bid prices on four works; a bird carving by John and Dotty Berner, a colorful pastel by Danielle Mick, a seascape painting by Neal McPheeters and an oil on linen of the Wetlands Institute by Diane Sivavec.
For more information call the gallery, 368-8288, or the Wetlands Institute, 368-1211.
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You won’t want to miss the Treasure Hunt at the Avalon Museum Saturday evening. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, a buffet dinner and a mini wine tasting while you browse the many treasures contributed by area businesses for the silent auction.
The evening begins at 5 p.m. Tickets are available at the Avalon Museum, the Avalon Chamber of Commerce and the Avalon branch of Sturdy Savings.
For more information, please call the museum at 967-0090.
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The Avalon Free Public Library is hosting a “PC User’s Group” meeting on June 19 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at 32nd Street and Ocean Drive.
The program is “Discovering Fascinating Web Sites When Browsing the Internet.”
Persons with all levels of computer experience are welcome. You are encouraged to share your own favorite web site with the group.
Call the library to register or for more information at 967-7155.
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The Woman’s Civic Club of Stone Harbor will host its annual Fashion Show and Luncheon on June 20 at 11:30 a.m. at the Yacht Club of Stone Harbor.
Fashions are from “Talk of the Walk”. Call Denise at 368-0441 for tickets and more information.
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The Avalon Free Public Library will host a summer series each Wednesday evening at 7 p. m. from June 21 until Aug. 23.
On June 21, the series will feature Sharon Wohlmuth, Pulitzer Prize-winning photo-journalist and author of “A Day in the Life of the American Woman,” “Sisters,” and “Mothers & Daughters.”
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The Seven Mile Beach Democratic Club will meet June 22, at 7:30 p.m. in Avalon Borough Hall, 3100 Dune Drive.
Guest speaker will be Harry deButts, Director of Public Works and Utilities and Emergency Manager for Borough of Avalon.
His topic will be, “An Historic Overview of the Avalon Dune Restoration Project.”
The meeting is open to residents of Avalon and Stone Harbor regardless of political affiliation.
For information call 368-6679.
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The Avalon Performing Arts Council’s Art Show and Sale on June 25 will feature 62 artists and their works in competition for monetary prizes in the four categories of oil/acrylic, watercolor, mixed media, and photography.
This free show will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Avalon Community Hall at 30th Street and Avalon Avenue.
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The guest speaker at the June 26 meeting of the Women’s Civic Club of Avalon will be Arlette de Monseau Michaelis of South Dennis.
The public is invited to join them at 12:30 p.m. in the Avalon Community Hall to hear her speak about her book “Beyond the Ouija Board”, which is based upon her experiences as a young girl in Nazi occupied Belgium during World War II.
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Throughout the summer the Avalon Manor Improvement Association will offer their Pancake Breakfasts every Saturday morning from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
The cost is $4 and includes orange juice, sausage, coffee, tea or milk. Refills on pancakes are served with pleasure.
Children 8 and under are only $2.50
Everyone is invited to join them for good food and friendly hospitality at the Manor House in Avalon Manor. Contact Russ at 967-0809 for more information.
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Saturday worship at the beach will take place again this year at the 101st Street Pavilion. The services by St. Mary’s Episcopal Church are open to everyone.
They begin at 5 p.m. during July and August. Come as you are. Come direct from the beach.
Bring a chair or blanket and join this special worship experience surrounded by God’s beauty.
In the event of rain the service will be held at the church, 95th Street and Third Avenue.
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Thursdays “On The Lawn” returns Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 9 p.m. beginning July 6 through August 10.
Bring a chair or blanket, bring a friend to enjoy free musical entertainment by local musicians at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church at 95th Street and Third Avenue.
Presentations are held outside on the front lawn. Provisions have been made for inclement weather in the Parish Hall.
The performers this year are as follows: July 6, Jim Bannach of BLT; July 13, Andy Prescott; July 20, Derrick Mc Queen; July 27, Bob Campanell; August 3, Snake Brothers; August 10, Jim Bannach of BLT.
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There is always something happening at the Avalon Senior Center at 31st Street and Dune Drive. Activities include: Cooking Class, by reservation, July 17, at 1 p.m., 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 a.m.
Book Club meets on July 11 to discuss “The Last Report of Miracles at Little No Horse” by Louise Erdrich.
Call Sue Keen at 967-5924 for details on their complete program.
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This week’s regularly scheduled boards and councils: Tonight; Avalon Council meets at 7:30 p.m., June 20; Stone Harbor Council meets at 4:30 p.m.
