Wildwood – 6-14-2006

The buffalo won’t be roaming the streets of Deadwood.
According to a wire service item, business people in the South Dakota town recently proposed an event in which some American bison would be turned loose to run through the gulch where the town is located out there in the Black Hills.
Their idea was to give adventuresome types a chance to run with the bison in a manner reeking of Hemingway and the annual running with the bulls that takes place in Pamplona, Spain.
Their real purpose in pushing the idea is to get tourists running into town to spend their dollars at the aforementioned businesses.
Deadwood town officials nixed the notion because of liability insurance concerns, ever the bane of modern man’s quest to court danger in creatively stupid ways.
However, what isn’t happening in Deadwood could be done in Wildwood, with a few modifications that would ensure a safe, fun event that even an insurance adjuster could get into.
Instead of stampedes of wild bison raising the dust, how about a running of milk cows along Pacific Avenue?
There is local history to support such an event. And the islands once thriving downtown business district could use a little boost to generate foot traffic through the area.
As recently as the early 1900s, wild cows roamed through the woods that largely covered what is today the Wildwoods.
These animals were actually descendants of animals that had been barged out to the island to graze by the place’s original owners, farmers on the mainland who had come to the conclusion that the barrier islands were “useless” for anything but grazing livestock.
When the island proved less than suitable for even that activity, the sand bar was sold for what turned out to be less than the famed price the Indians were paid for the island of Manhattan.
A number of cows were abandoned and, left to fend for themselves, reverted to a wild state.
As more intuitive men came along with visions of resort tourism for the Wildwoods, the wild cows roaming about the island were viewed as a nuisance.
Professional hunters were hired to track and kill the beasts. In one year, about 500 head were dispatched.
Local history does not indicate if all of this available free beef inspired the opening of the island’s first hamburger stand.
Much of this historical information was obtained at the George Boyer Museum at Spicer and Pacific Avenues. This would be the logical starting point for a running of the milk cows. The event could include a mini-exam on Wildwood history with the winner earning a free pass to National Marbles Hall of Fame, conveniently located at the Boyer museum.
The cows would stop running in front of the Avalon Coffee Shop where there would be a milking contest with the winners getting a free cappuccino.
For spectators and those who aren’t up to making the full eight block run, there are still a few “watering holes” along Pacific Avenue where participants can pause to wet their whistles. Milk, presumably, would not be their beverage of choice.
An event of this kind would once again illustrate how names come to define places, as in why Deadwood is “dead” and Wildwood is “wild.”
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Queen Oceana applications are still available. The Wildwood Civic Club Evening Membership Division is accepting applications for this annual competition until Friday.
The competition is open to girls currently in grades 8 through 11 who reside in any of the Wildwoods communities.
The winner receives a $1000 Us Savings bond. Those selected to be attendants to the queen receive $250 savings bonds.
The queen will make her official debut when she and her court preside over Wildwood’s 98th Baby parade to be held Thursday, July 20.
For more information, contact Madelyn Calloway at 729-1170
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North Wildwood is seeking contestants ages six-12 to participate in the Little Miss Italy contest as part of the city’s 12th annual Italian American Festival and Family reunion. The festival is scheduled for June 23-25.
The winning contestant will be selected based on appearance, talent, and congeniality. The winner will receive a trophy and crown. Runners up will receive gift certificates.
The contest is scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 24 at 4 p.m. on the main stage on Olde New Jersey Avenue.
For contest information, call Marge Allison at 780-3926.
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Tony Eisele from the Wildwood Crest Beautification Committee called to let me know that the bike path and arch are near completion.
The committee is putting together a time capsule and encourages the community to participate with ideas and suggestions.
For more information, call 522-5656.
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North Wildwood Planning Board meets tonight at 7 p.n. on the second floor of City Hall, 901 Atlantic Ave.
Wildwood planners meet Monday, June 19 at 7 p.m. on the second floor of City Hall, 4400 New Jersey Ave.
GWTIDA meets tomorrow at 6 p.m. in room 4 at the convention center, Burk Avenue and the boardwalk.
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The VFW and VFW Ladies Auxiliary hold their annual convention this weekend. In addition to veterans business at the convention center, the VFW will parade on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. along Atlantic Avenue.
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Margaret Mace School held its annual Math-A-Thon to benefit St. Jude Children’s Hospital, located in Memphis. The weeklong event, coordinated by second grade teacher Mary Delany, raised $3,856.
Kevin Laffey, a third grade student, and fourth grader Melissa Kutas were top money raisers. The fourth grade raised a total of $2,299 and was rewarded with pizza and ice cream.
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Wildwood Crest hosts a new event this year. It’s called Wheelin’ the Wildwoods and it takes place on Saturday starting at 8 a.m.
The event consists of three bike runs that will take participants through the Wildwoods, along the boardwalk, and across the highways and bi-ways of Cape May County.
A 42-mile run starts at 8 a.m. That’s followed at 9 a.m. with a 26-mile ride.
The third run starts at 9:15 for ten miles. All three runs start and finish at Cardinal Road and New Jersey Avenue.
Following the event, there will be a party with DJ and kids’ entertainment, and plenty of prizes.
For more information, call Wildwood Crest Recreation Department at 523-0202.
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Today is Flag Day. There will be a memorial service and ceremonial flag raising this morning at 10 a.m. at the Veterans Monument, Spruce Avenue and North Wildwood Boulevard.
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Margaret Mace School’s Mentor Buddies recently completed their annual “back packing” project for CARA.
The buddies prepared 50 backpacks for children of clients who are victims of domestic abuse. The backpacks contained assorted personal supplies for the children.
About 20 students and volunteer staff members participated under the direction of Carol Bahniuk, leader of the group.
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The National Marbles Tournament returns for the 46th consecutive year to Ringer Stadium on the beach at Wildwood Avenue starting Monday, June 19 at 8 a.m.
Marbles champions, ages eight-14 from all over the US will compete for the coveted titles of King and Queen of Marbles during the four-day event. The crowning takes place after three days of grueling competition, on Thursday, June 22.
In addition to their crowns and some nice scholarship money, the winners will be inducted in the Marbles Hall of Fame, located at the George Boyer Museum.
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The annual Taste of the Wildwoods takes place on Sunday, from 1-4 p.m. at the convention center.
This is a great chance to check out what some of the island’s best restaurants, new and established, will be serving this summer.
Call 522-2444 for more information.
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The Hawthorne Cabelleros Alumni Drum and Bugle Corps perform at the convention center on Saturday at 4 p.m.
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The annual Day of Renewal takes place on Wednesday, June 21 from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. at Assumption Church hall, 7110 Seaview Ave. in Wildwood Crest.
Guest speaker is Reverend Emmons on the topic of “it’s all about me: Jesus.”
There will be a special Mass at 3:45 p.m.
Call 522-4985 for more information.