Times Talk
Attendees of the 2024 South Jersey Women's Lifeguard Conference.
The event’s guest speakers, Sea Isle City Beach Patrol Alumni Colleen McIntyre Osborne (at left) and Joanne Lombard Palombo. At right are members of the Sea Isle City Beach Patrol at the event.
SICBP HOSTS WOMEN’S LIFEGUARD CONFERENCE
The Sea Isle City Beach Patrol hosted 64 female guards at the annual South Jersey Women’s Lifeguard Conference on June 26. The conference included attendees from 16 beach patrols along the New Jersey coast, including Atlantic City, Avalon, Brigantine, Cape May, Cape May Point, Diamond Beach, Longport, Margate, North Wildwood, Ocean City, Sea Girt, Sea Isle City, Upper Township, Ventnor, Wildwood, and Wildwood Crest.
The organizer of the conference, Bridget O’Hanlon, is a nine-year veteran of the Sea Isle City Beach Patrol. Along with a planning committee of 15 Sea Isle lifeguards, O’Hanlon arranged for the attending guards to participate in an open discussion, fitness session, and presentations from SICBP alumnae Colleen McIntyre Osborne and Joanne Lombard Palombo.
The conference received donations from local Sea Isle businesses, including Giovanni's Delicatessen, Maryanne Pastry Shoppe, McGowan’s Market, Playa Bowls, Seaside Shade Shack, Shorebreak Café, Surfside Fitness. and Wawa.
O’Hanlon was excited to plan and host the event and said that it was a complete success. “I feel as though it is so important to have a safe place for female lifeguards to not only share their ideas but also their concerns,” she said. “It is nice to be supported and heard from women working in the same field facing the same challenges and needs.”
Sea Isle City Beach Patrol Chief Renny Steele echoed her message. “Conferences such as this one give female guards the means to exchange ideas and a voice to ask for a work environment that better suits their needs,” he said.
Inspired by the success of the 2024 conference, the Sea Isle City Beach Patrol is looking forward to hosting the 2025 event, which has a tentative date of July 1.
Flanking Cape May County Commission Director Leonard C. Desiderio with a copy of the donation from the Charles Muller Estate are County Zoological Society President Neil Byrne (left) and Executive of the Charles Muller Estate Michael Laffey, Sr. Others, from far left, are County Commissioners Melanie Collette and Bobby Barr, and from right, Andrew Bulakowski, Commisioner Vice-Director, Zoological Society Secretary Mike McLaughlin, and Parks Director Ed Runyon.
ZOO RECEIVES $1.4M DONATION
The Cape May County Zoological Society received a significant donation from longtime supporter Charles Muller, of Edison, N.J. Muller, who first visited the zoo with his wife Elizabeth in the early 2000s, developed a deep affection for the zoo and its animals. Following Elizabeth’s passing in 2010, Muller continued to visit the zoo and made frequent donations, forming a close friendship with Michael Laffey, the former director of parks.
Charles Muller, who died Sept. 29, 2022, at the age of 93, bequeathed his entire estate to the Cape May County Zoo/Zoological Society. Named executor of Muller’s will, Laffey ensured Muller’s wishes were honored. The donation, totaling $1,435,787.59, is the largest single contribution ever made to the Cape May County Zoological Society, providing essential resources for the animals.
Leonard C. Desiderio, the Cape May County Commissioner Director, expressed his heartfelt gratitude: “This unexpected donation will serve to provide food, shelter, and habitats for the animals along with medical care. On behalf of the Board of Commissioners, I extend our sincere gratitude to Charles Muller, who will be memorialized for this generous donation.” Neil Byrne, president of the Zoological Society, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the positive impact the donation will have on the zoo’s future.
The mission of the Cape May County Zoological Society is to support the Cape May County Zoo by providing resources and funding for the care, enrichment, and conservation of the animals, as well as for educational programs and improvements to the zoo's facilities. To make a donation, visit capemayzoosociety.org.
New players are always welcome to join the fun during Sea Isle City’s new Summer Coed Weekly Pickup Softball Games on Monday nights. Posing at Dealy Park's softball field are the players who participated in the July 8 game.
PICKUP SOFTBALL GAMES A SMASH HIT
Can’t get enough softball action? Sea Isle City is now offering weekly coed games for ages 18-and-over. The pickup games, which take place every Monday from 5-8pm at Dealy Field, were borne out of a collaboration involving the Sea Isle City Recreation Department, Doug Williamson, Sue Williamson, Christie Ostrander, and Kathy Custer.
Williamson is the driving force behind the league. He is a softball fanatic and is excited to bring slow-pitch softball to the shore. In addition to purchasing equipment, Williamson raised awareness for the league via flyers and social media posts.
On June 3, he was able to see his vision come together when the league hosted the first pickup game.
“I was gratified to see more and more players come out each week, and every single one of them was excited to have the opportunity to come out and play,” Williamson said. “Most had not played for some years, and other for many years, but they all rounded into shape as we went on and everyone gives it their all and are happy at the end of the game, win or lose.”
He added: “Through it all, everyone is so happy to have the chance to play each week that no one ever gets mad or argues!”
The league has more than 65 adults on the email list but is always looking to add more. Participants range in age from 18 to 83, and the games often draw a large audience of cheerleaders. Williamson jokes that the crowd is louder than that at the Ocean Drive.
Want to join in on the fun? No need to register in advance, just bring a glove (or borrow one from Williamson)! Not an athlete? Don’t worry, the league certainly welcomes cheerleaders to join in on the fun.
From left, Sea Isle City Garden Club 2024 scholarship recipients Anthony Edwardi Jr. and Brooke Heritage pose with club officers (from left): treasurer Annette Lombardo, secretary Anne Organ, chairperson Mary Tighe, and vice chairperson Sue Williamson. In the photo above is Benjamin Lynch, also the recipient of a $500 scholarship from the club.
GARDEN CLUB AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS
The Sea Isle Garden Club is proud to announce the awarding of three $500 scholarships, sponsored by the club’s scholarship program. Money for the program is raised by the club’s annual flower sale fundraiser, and each year the awards are given to local students who are headed to college in the fall.
This year’s recipients are three Sea Isle City locals:
Anthony Edwardi Jr., graduated from Wildwood Catholic Academy, and will attend Misericordia University in the fall.
Brooke Heritage is a recent graduate from Ocean City High School who will attend Rutgers University.
Benjamin Lynch, attended Cape May County Technical School and will attend St. Joseph University this fall.
In addition to the flower sale, the Garden Club hosts several other events including monthly meetings and guest speakers. If you are interested in joining the Garden Club, please call 609-263-6736.
Amy Glancey, Mayor Len Desiderio, Marc Martinelli, Amelia Martinelli, Ann Martinelli, Brian Heritage, Megan O’Clisham, and Terese Jones-Anders at Primitive Boutique.
Amy Glancey, Mayor Desiderio, Kevin Gallagher, Caitlin Gallagher, Stephen and Caitlyn Ciabattoni , SICCCR President Heritage, Megan O’Clisham, Terese Jones-Anders at Petals and Plants.
CHAMBER BUSY CUTTING RIBBONS
The Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce and Revitalization welcomed two new businesses to town and celebrated two new locations of existing ones with ribbon-cutting ceremonies in July. Chamber President Brian Heritage was joined by fellow board members and Mayor Len Desiderio to cut the red ribbon at each business.
Primitive Boutique, which opened its third location at 3800 Pleasure Ave., specializes in custom hats, handbags, clothing, and more to reflect your vibe. The store also carries Philly teams’ apparel and accessories to show your team spirit!
If you’re looking to freshen up your home with beautiful florals, Petals and Plants is now open at 5011 Landis Ave. The shop offers freshly picked flower arrangements and gifts to brighten your day.
Shorebreak Cafe celebrated its grand opening in its new location at 8301 Landis Ave., in the former location of Nickleby’s. Customers who have come to love the fresh-baked pastries such as homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts, Danish, and Cruffins will now enjoy the expanded space and new lunch options in the Townsends Inlet section of town.
Lou Dogs has been a Sea Isle City staple since opening as a hot dog cart on the beach in 1982. With its new location at 3800 Boardwalk on the Promenade, customers will be introduced to fun new food items while taking in the beautiful view of the ocean with the addition of indoor and outdoor seating.
“Sea Isle City has such a vibrant business community, and we are thrilled to welcome these new businesses to town,” said Heritage. “Stop by and check out the new storefronts while you’re out exploring town this summer.”
Amy Glancey, Chris Glancey, Terese Jones-Anders, Dana Iannelli, Michael Robarts, Brian Heritage, Mayor Len Desiderio, Megan Henderson, Colleen Thomas and Megan O’Clisham at Shorebreak Cafe.
Moira Kelly-Smith, Kevin Ruffee, Brian Heritage, Christian Subashi, Terese Jones-Anders and Marissa Jones at Lou Dogs.