Labor Day often is touted as the traditional “end of summer,” and according to the calendar, fall officially will begin with the fall equinox at 12:03 a.m. on Sept. 23.
For many of us on Seven Mile Beach, Labor Day marks the beginning of the “Second Season.”
A time when the days are getting shorter and cooler, the air lighter, the beaches, stores, and restaurants less crowded, and we take time to recover from the more hectic days just passed.
The word “fall” commonly conjures up images of harvest, falling leaves, the end of the growing season and the beginning of dormancy leading into winter. However, that is not the case here.
We see our local organizations and activities spring back to life. Many of their plans and events are listed here. Be sure to check “On Deck” for the countywide events like the Wetlands “Wings ‘N’ Water” Festival.
Summer has not ended…”the best is yet to come.”
***
Sunday is Rally Day at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 93rd Street and Third Avenue. This is also a return to the fall schedule, with worship and Sunday school at 10 a.m.
The ACTS Bible Study on Monday evenings continues meeting from 7-8:30 p.m.
***
The Garden Club of Stone Harbor will begin its new season with a gala celebration from 5 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, at the Women’s Civic Club, 96th Street and the beach.
All members and spouses are invited.
***
COCA (Coalition of Civic Associations in Cape May County) will meet Thursday at 2 p.m. in the Intermediate Room in the County Crest Haven complex.
The speakers will be Jim Smith, Director of Planning, Leslie Gimeno, Assistant Planning and Economic Development, and Brad Rosenthal, Coordinator of Shared Services.
They will discuss current county plans and information on new, shared services opportunities.
Admission is free and open to all interested people.
***
The Realty Owners Association of Stone Harbor will hold its fall general membership meeting on Saturday at 9 a.m. in the Stone Harbor Elementary School, 93rd Street and Third Avenue.
Come at 8:30 a.m. for coffee, Danish and social time.
Dr. John Sprandio, owner of the former Shelter Haven site at 96th Street and Third Avenue, will update his plans for a hotel, restaurant, and day-spa on the site.
James Smith, Director of Planning for Cape May County, will discuss long range planning at all levels of government and the County’s Plan.
If you are not currently a member of ROA you may join at the meeting.
Dues are $15.
***
Dale Foster, Cape May County Engineer, will be the speaker at the Avalon Home and Land Owners Association (AHLOA) meeting on Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Avalon Borough Council Chamber.
He will provide an update on the status of the project to widen the canal bridge on Avalon Boulevard.
***
The Avalon Museum will sponsor its annual Sunset Cruise aboard the Miss Avalon on Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m.
Tickets are $25 and are available at the Museum, 215 39th Street, or at Sturdy Savings Bank, 26th Street and Dune Drive.
For information, please call the museum at 967-0090.
***
The Avalon Chamber of Commerce holds their annual Street Faire on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Street Faire will be located between 27th and 30th Streets on Dune Drive. There will be over 75 merchants and vendors.
The event is free and open to the public.
For more information call 967-3936.
***
On Sept. 11, the first Garden Club of Stone Harbor meeting for fall 2006 will be held at St. Paul’s Parish Hall, 100th Street and Third Avenue, at 9:30 a.m.
All members are invited to bring flower arrangements.
Bonnie Nichols, a professional flower show judge, will critique the arrangements and tell how they will be judged in the flower show on Sept. 30.
All regular meetings will be held at St. Paul’s this year.
Continuing Garden Club Officers for 2006-07 include: President, Joan Kramer, First Vice-President, Karen Lane, Second Vice-President, Carole Lehman, Corresponding Secretary, Rose Petosa, Recording Secretary, Clare Furmanski, Treasurer, Nancy Cope, and Assistant Treasurer, Carol Koch.
***
The Stone Harbor Seniors and the Avalon Seniors will gather together for a luncheon at the Golden Inn on Sept. 12 at 11:30 a.m.
***
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church is offering prayers for peace in our world three times each week.
The prayer times will be Tuesdays at noon, Wednesday night during their regularly scheduled 7:30 p.m. service and Thursdays at 5 p.m.
Call 368-5922 for more information.
***
MASH Branch of Burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital Auxiliary luncheon meeting will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 14 at Sand Barrens Golf Club.
Tom Piratzky, Executive Director of the Burdette Tomlin Foundation, will be the speaker.
***
National POW/MIA Recognition Day Ceremonies are now held the third Friday in September throughout the nation and around the world.
They happen on military installations, ships at sea, state capitols, at schools, churches, national veteran and civic organizations, police and fire departments, and fire stations, etc.
The POW/MIA flag is flown, and the focus is to ensure that America remembers its responsibility to stand behind those who serve our nation, and to do everything possible to account for those who do not return.
All those who fought and served their country when they received the call, were men and women of courage, judgment, integrity and dedication. Their dedication never ends.
Those who remain Prisoners of War, or are still Missing in Action, are still serving.
For them, it can never be over. For us, we can never let their sacrifices, or them, be forgotten.
Remember them on Sept. 15, and every time you see the POW/MIA flag.
***
The new revised and updated “Walking/Biking Tour of Historic Stone Harbor” is now available at the Stone Harbor Museum, 235 93rd St.
This 30-page book presents 41 historic locations, divided into three separate tours.
There are pictures of the original homes and buildings so that you may compare them to how they appear today.
Visit the Museum Gift Shop or call 368-7500 to get your copy.
***
It is time to line up a partner for Bridge and sign up for the 2006-2007 “Bridge-A-Rama.”
Sept. 15 is the last day to register.
This is an annual fundraiser for the MASH Branch of Burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. A donation of $15 is requested from each participant.
Call Theresa Montgomery at 967-7002 to register for a day or evening group.
***
Mah Jongg is back at the Avalon Senior Center at 1:30 p.m. on Mondays.
Bridge every Tuesday at 7 p.m., intermediate bridge on Thursdays at 9:30 a.m., and beginner classes on Fridays at 9 a.m.
Book Club will read Ha Jin’s book “Waiting” for the Oct. 3 meeting.
Call Sue Keen at 967-5924 for details on their complete program.
***
The West Point Catholic Choir of the Chapel of the Most Holy Trinity will visit Maris Stella Roman Catholic Church for the 24th time this September.
The choir will perform at the 5 p.m. mass on Sept. 16, and the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. masses on Sept. 17.
Plan to arrive early as they will begin by performing the Prelude, 20 minutes before each mass.
The 75 plus members of the choir need your help with housing for the weekend. They will arrive on Sept. 15 and depart on Sept. 17.
If you are willing to host members of the choir for Friday and Saturday night, please call the rectory at 967-3747, or Richard Hoy at 967-5655, 215-893-9555, or 215-605-1014.
***
The Avalon Library Personal Computer Users Group meets in the library from 6:30 until 8 p.m. the third Monday of each month to share techniques, and find solutions to computer problems.
Steve Wertzberger will lead the Sept. 18 program on “Podcasting and MP3 Players.” Persons with all levels of PC experience are welcome.
Sign up in the library or call 967-7155.
***
On Sept. 19 at 11:30 a.m. the Women’s Civic Club of Stone Harbor will host its annual end of the season luncheon at the Mirage.
Dori Conlin will talk about “How to Buy Art and Jewelry.”
The cost is $20 with a selection of Chicken Waldorf Salad or Crab Cakes. Call Bonnie 967-0505.
***
Project Healthy Bones will resume at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 93rd Street and Third Avenue, on Sept. 20 at 10:30 a.m.
This is a six-month program designed to promote flexibility and strength.
Contact Bonnie Kratzer, Parish Nurse, at 368-0197 for more details.
***
The Avalon Garden Club Tour of Homes will be held Sept. 23 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Six beautiful and unique homes will be on the tour.
There are a few tickets left. Call Joye at 368-5002.
All proceeds are used for the beautification of Avalon.
***
The American Legion, Stephen C, Ludlam Post 331 is having their 22nd Annual Fishing Tournament on Sept. 23 and 24. The cost is $30 per angler.
There will be a registration meeting for all Captains and Crews at the American Legion Post, 117th Street and Second Avenue, at 6 p.m. on Sept. 22.
The rules will be explained at this meeting, and refreshments will be served. All Captains and Crews are urged to attend.
The Awards Banquet will be held at Henny’s on Sept. 26.
Information and registration forms can be obtained at Smugglers Cove or by calling the Legion Post at 368-2294 between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., any day.
***
You can support the efforts of the volunteer caregivers in the Trap, Neuter, and Release (TNR) program, which tries to control the feral cat population.
Save the coupons like those from the new PetSmart, and donate them, or dry or canned cat food, for the TNR program by calling Judy at 368-0394, or Sue at 967-7185.
They are also looking for homes for a few new kittens that are suitable for adoption.
***
Big Band Dances are continuing at Avalon Community Hall.
On Sept. 23 the “Doctors of Rhythm” with Bill Newman will perform.
Doors open at 8 p.m. The music begins at 8:30 and lasts until 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.
***
A six-week Grief Support Group at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 93rd Street and Third Avenue, will begin on Sept. 28 at 7 p.m.
If you have lost a loved one within the past year, you are invited to join this support program.
***
Women’s Civic Club of Avalon will have a Card Party Luncheon on Sept. 28 at noon in Avalon Community Hall.
Call Marge at 967-5317 for tickets. Proceeds help purchase beach chairs for the handicapped.
***
“Inspirations,” the 2006 Garden Club of Stone Harbor Flower Show takes place at Stone Harbor Elementary School, Sept. 30, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Each of the seven Artistic Design Classes is represented by a classic painting to provide inspiration.
Horticultural Classes require no prior sign-up and are open to Stone Harbor residents as well as Club members.
Just bring your favorite houseplant, garden flower, or homegrown vegetable entry the morning of the show.
Buffet luncheon will be served. Check show program listing for various classes.
Call Ann Smith, 368-3165, to receive an advance program.
***
Avalon Performing Arts Council’s Cabaret Night, Sept. 30, will feature two popular nationally known music and comedy acts.
Marks and Burnett will present zany skits, songs and impressions, and comedy ventriloquist, and vocal illusionist, Kenny Warren.
Warren’s audience participation routine has been known to bring down the house.
The doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the show begins at 8 p.m.
You may bring your own food and beverage.
Call 609-967-3066 for information or to reserve a table. Cost $15, but members are free.
***
Tracking our regularly scheduled boards and councils:
Tonight, the Avalon Council meets at 7 p.m., and Friday, the Stone Harbor Zoning Board meets at 8 p.m.