6/20/2024

Fun out on the water is a big part of summer!  Here a waterskier is towed through Avalon's back bay.  In the background is 24th Street. In The News: AVALON BEACH UPDATE: As of the most recent update issued by the borough early this week, all Avalon beach paths are now open, thanks to overnight work for the sand backpassing project.  Mayor McCorriston last week adjusted the work schedule to the overnight hours from 2am to 10am, in the interest of both public safety and efficiency.  Beach work resumed in the predawn hours Monday morning, and headlights on construction vehicles could be seen navigating the beach in the dark.  According to the borough, approximately 50% more sand is able to be moved during the overnight hours, compared to daytime work.  Work is suspended daily at 10am when lifeguards come on duty, and will be suspended on weekends.    THE 2024 TAYLOR SWIFT COLLECTION debuted at the Stone Harbor Museum last week.  Taylor spent her childhood years vacationing in Stone Harbor with her family, and played live at Coffee Talk and the now-gone Henny's Restaurant.  According to the Museum the collection includes photos of Swift as a child in Stone Harbor (provided by her family), four Midnights vinyls which put together create a clock display, a Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour concert film poster, a Taylor Swift-inspired Peter Max poster, and a Midnights-themed guitar autographed by Taylor.  Taylor's father Scott Swift was an EMT with Stone Harbor Volunteer Fire Company.  The museum is located at 9410 Second Avenue, and is open Monday through Sunday, 9am to 12 noon.   RAISING THE WETLANDS: Dredge material from a future IntraCoastal Waterway dredging project will be used to raise the level of wetlands between Seven Mile Island and Cape May Court House.  A fall dredging project is expected to help deepen the ICW behind Avalon and Stone Harbor this fall, and dredge material will be added in a thin layer to existing wetland areas to help raise their elevation.  Rising sea levels threaten the health of wetlands if they are not able to build up fast enough; adding a thin layer of dredge material enables them to cope with higher sea levels and flourish in the future.     TEEMING WITH LIFE!  Check out nature surrounding Seven Mile Island, and you'll be delighted to see it teeming with life everywhere you look.  Ospreys are in their nests, the marsh grass is bright green, dolphins are often seen just beyond the surf, turtles are laying eggs, egrets search tide pools for food, and fish—from stripers to tuna—are being caught all around.  What a magnificent display to see and enjoy!​   MARRY THE HOUSE, DATE THE RATE:  Are you holding off purchasing a shore home because of interest rates?  After years of being spoiled by extremely low interest rates, today's "average" interest rates may seem high in comparison.  But in reality, rates move on a regular basis, and they dipped a bit again last month.  Your mortgage rate doesn't have to be permanent. Why not buy a shore house, enjoy it, and plan to refinance if rates drift lower?  Let's discuss ways to make your shore purchase affordable!  Call or email me! UPCOMING EVENTS: Avalon Historical Society Photo Contest Exhibit.  See contest entries and winners.  Avalon History Center, through June 30th.   Horseshoe Crabs: Living Fossils on the Beach.  A presentation for all ages, highlighting the importance of these fascinating creatures.  Avalon Free Public Library, Thursday, June 20th, 11am.    Thursdays at Surfside, Sensational Soul Cruisers, Surfside Park, Thursday, June 20th, 7pm.  Avalon Historical Society Olde House Tour.  Friday, June 21st, 1pm to 4pm.  Call 609-967-0090 for tickets.    Celebrating Summer: A Solstice Beachwalk.  Start with a slide show and end with a beachwalk!  Avalon Community Hall, Friday, June 21st, 7:30pm.    AHLOA Community Connections, Avalon Community Hall, Saturday, June 22nd, 8:30am.  Guest speaker Dr. Lenore Tedesco, The Wetlands Institute (9:30am).  Information tables  will be staffed before & after Dr. Tedesco’s talk.  Garden Club of Stone Harbor Tour of Homes and Gardens, Saturday, June 22nd, 12:30pm to 4pm.  Tickets are available for $40 are available at the Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce, Suncatcher, Shorely Chic, and Nesting.    Summer Solstice Festival.  A night of fun to celebrate the arrival of summer.  Surfside Park, Saturday, June 22nd, 5pm to 9pm.  Still Surfin’—A Beach Boys Tribute Concert.  A special concert for the Summer Solstice Festival.  Surfside Park, Saturday, June 22nd, 7pm.    Public Sail aboard AJ Meerwald, New Jersey’s tall ship.  Sails from the Cape May Ferry Terminal, June 26th through July 7th.  Tickets   Every Sunday: Stone Harbor Farmer’s Market, 8am to 12:30pm, Water Tower Lot.    Every Monday-Saturday: Scavenger Hunt for children 2-12 at the Stone Harbor Museum.  Every day that the Museum is open, Monday-Saturday, 9am-12pm.  Sponsored by Mack’s Pizza of Stone Harbor.    Every Thursday: Thursdays at Surfside concert at 7pm.

Catching a sunset while catching fish at Avalon Bay Park Marina.

In The News:

WATCH FOR TURTLES as you drive local roads.  It's egg laying season for diamondback terrapins, who inhabit local waters but annually seek high ground on which to lay eggs.  Turtles often cross local roadways to do so—even roads with turtle barriers or fences.  Slow down, give 'em a 'brake'!  If you're inclined to help a turtle across the road, be sure to take all necessary precautions to ensure your safety, and then carry the turtle in the direction it was originally travelling.
 
ANOTHER REASON TO SLOW DOWN—you're at the beach!  Most of us are in a hurry, but when you're on the island, please slow down.  With pedestrians, bicycles, traffic, and crowds in many places, slowing down keeps others, and you, much safer, and doesn't cost you anything except a few seconds.  Remember, the entire island has a maximum speed limit of 25mph.  Stone Harbor Boulevard is 35mph, and Avalon Boulevard is 50mph.  Relax, slow down, and enjoy "island time!"
 
IT'S LIGHT LATE!  Have you noticed that our sunsets are now occurring well after 8pm?  Thanks to the summer solstice, sunsets will reach their latest time about June 22nd, with the sun dipping below the horizon at 8:28pm.  Combined with 5:33am sunrises, that's almost 15 hours of daylight!  If you're visiting the island, catch a beautiful sunset from nearly any bayfront location or street end!
 
"THAT FARM MARKET" has opened on Route 9, in Swainton.  After operating under the Conover's name for years, the property was sold, and the market reopened last month under new ownership. Located a bit north of Avalon Boulevard, it's a convenient stop when heading to the island, but also an easy trip from the island as well.  Another great stop is Bayside Seafood on Stone Harbor Boulevard, featuring fresh fish, oysters, clams, crab meat, shrimp and more, as well as prepared, ready-to-cook entrees.   Just like That Farm Market, Bayside Seafood is open seven days a week during the summer season.
 
"IT'S A SWEET, SWEET LIFE, LIVIN' BY THE SALTY SEA."  --Jimmy Buffett, as featured in the song "Knee Deep," by the Zac Brown Band.  Truer words were never spoken!  Why not give it a try yourself?  Whether you need a week "by the salty sea," or a lifetime, I'm ready to help.  Let's talk!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Community Scavenger Hunt.  Pick up clues at the Avalon Library, History Center, or avalonfreelibrary.org, through June 13th.
 
Avalon Historical Society Photo Contest Exhibit.  See contest entries and winners.  Avalon History Center, through June 30th.

American Legion Post 331 Flag Day Ceremony, 11617 Second Avenue.  Friday, June 14th, 10am.
 
Avalon Lions Club Pancake Breakfast.  Avalon Community Hall, Saturday, June 15th, 8am to 11am.

Sand Sculpture Demonstration: Artist Brendan Schaffer will create a sand sculpture on the beach behind
 
Surfside Park for all to see!  Saturday, June 15th, 10am-11am.

Celebrating the Philadelphia Flyers’ 1974 Championship Victory.  Includes Q&A session with players.  Surfside Park, Saturday, June 15th, 3pm to 5pm. (In the event of inclement weather this event will be moved to Community Hall.)
 
Horseshoe Crabs: Living Fossils on the Beach.  A presentation for all ages, highlighting the importance of these fascinating creatures.  Avalon Free Public Library, Thursday, June 20th, 11am.
 
Thursdays at Surfside, Sensational Soul Cruisers, Surfside Park, Thursday, June 20th.
 
Avalon Historical Society Olde House Tour.  Friday, June 21st, 1pm to 4pm.  Call 609-967-0090 for tickets.
 
Celebrating Summer: A Solstice Beachwalk.  Start with a slide show and end with a beachwalk!  Avalon Community Hall, Friday, June 21st, 7:30pm.
 
Garden Club of Stone Harbor Tour of Homes and Gardens, Saturday, June 22nd, 12:30pm to 4pm.  Tickets are available for $40 are available at the Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce, Suncatcher, Shorely Chic, and Nesting.
 
Summer Solstice Festival.  A night of fun to celebrate the arrival of summer.  Surfside Park, Saturday, June 22nd, 5pm to 9pm.
 
Still Surfin’—A Beach Boys Tribute Concert.  A special concert for the Summer Solstice Festival.  Surfside Park, Saturday, June 22nd, 7pm.
 
Every Sunday: Stone Harbor Farmer’s Market, 8am to 12:30pm, Water Tower Lot.