Smilestones
CHRISTINE DONOHUE’S BIRTHDAY SURPRISE
Christine Donohue of Sea Isle City was honored by family and friends on June 4 with a surprise 80th birthday parade and party.
Betty “Izzy” Graham, and Peg Schwind coordinated a parade with the Sea Isle City “Mahjong Girls.” The ladies met at the marina to decorate 20 cars, a golf cart and a bike with balloons, festive signs and Almond Joy Bars. The car parade was escorted by Sea Isle City police.
A social-distancing luncheon, with masks, and chairs six feet apart, was hosted by her daughter, Crissy Donohue, and a great friend, Lucia Marone. Sadly, social distancing kept the gathering to the required minimum of 25 people for outdoor gatherings. However, family members from afar were able to use technology to participate. Chris’s other daughter, Karen Rodgers, as well as three granddaughters, Kate, Jennifer and Ashley Rodgers, were able to be part of the singing of “Happy Birthday” via FaceTime with a hand-decorated “Mahjong” birthday cake made by Sarina Marone.
Christine is a retired nurse who worked at Lankenau Medical Center in Wynnewood, Pa., for 27 years. She became a summer resident of Sea Isle City in 1976 and retired here in 2000 with her husband of 57 years, Gerry. After moving here permanently, she was recruited by Irene Jameson to work at the Sea Isle City Welcome Center, located on the boardwalk until it was destroyed by Superstorm Sandy in 2013. She presently works at the new Welcome Center and serves on the Sea Isle City Tourism Committee.
PASCERI A SEMIFINALIST FOR STATE AWARD
While making his rounds to congratulate graduates on June 17, Mayor Leonard Desiderio also had the honor of presenting a special certificate to Emily Pasceri from the New Jersey State League of Municipalities. Emily, a graduate of Cape May County Technical School, was a semifinalist in the Louis Bay II Future Municipal Leaders Scholarship Competition. The purpose of this scholarship is to advance the virtues of elected and volunteer positions in municipal government while raising awareness of municipal government in general.
Paul Schutle, one of the Italian American Club scholarship recipients.
ITALIAN AMERICAN CLUB PRESENTS SCHOLARSHIPS
The Italian American Club of Sea Isle City recently presented its 2020 scholarship awards to Tommy Bolle and Paul Schutle. Each will receive a $1,000 scholarship. Bolle is a graduate of Wildwood Catholic High School and will attend Rowan University. Schutle is a graduate of Middle Township High School and will head to Chestnut Hill College this fall.
“We had nearly 100 applicants and it was very hard to narrow it down to two, but these two gentlemen wrote amazing essays, carried high GPA’s and their volunteer projects were remarkable,” said club president Colleen Buch, who also is a member of the scholarship committee.
The Italian American Club has been providing scholarships for more than 30 years to graduating seniors who reside full-time in Cape May County. Students who receive the award must maintain a 2.5 or higher GPA in college. They receive the first installment of $500 upon completion of the first semester and the remaining $500 at the end of their freshman year.
The award recognizes volunteerism within the county. Students who wish to be considered submit essays highlighting plans for giving back to their communities. Bolle and Schutle spent volunteer hours with community organizations such as the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, and the Food Truck for Community Needy in Rio Grande, and took initiative on the cleanup of the Union Bethel Civil War Veterans Cemetery.
SICCCR PRESENTS SCHOLARSHIPS TO 3 NEW GRADS
The Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce and Revitalization presented its 2020 scholarship awards to graduating seniors Abigail Craige, Emily Pasceri and Georgia Sullivan on June 3 with a drive-by parade and presentation at each of the recipient’s homes. For several years, the scholarship awards had been presented to the seniors during the annual Community Day in May, but the event was canceled this year due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Chamber President Brian Heritage and Mayor Leonard Desiderio were joined by SICCCR board members Lisa Iannone, John Fee, Liz Pane and Colleen Buch to present the awards, yard signs, flowers and balloons to each recipient. Each of the three recipients is a Sea Isle City resident and upon completion of their first semester will receive a $500 scholarship.
Abigail Craige and Georgia Sullivan graduated from Ocean City High School, and Emily Pasceri graduated from Cape May Technical High School. Craige is bound for Virginia Wesleyan University, Sullivan will attend West Virginia University, and Pasceri will head to the University of Tampa.
Initiated by the Chamber of Commerce and Revitalization more than 20 years ago, the scholarship program was developed in hopes of encouraging graduating high school seniors to attend college and eventually return to Sea Isle City and bring new life and revitalization back to the town.
