Times Talk
The “Do the Right Thing” award recipients with plaques presented by Mayor Leonard Desiderio. Seated from left are Monica Santarcangelo, Helen Bennett and Lou Minchelli. Standing from left: Regan Capone, Dan and Mary “Mike” Tumolo, Annette Lombardo, and the mayor.
‘DO THE RIGHT THING’ AWARDS HIGHLIGHT COMMUNITY DAY
The annual Community Day on May 7 featured the popular municipal bike auction, as well as presentations on flood prevention efforts, recreation and tourism, and booths manned by various groups to explain their services and programs. The police department, ambulance corps, fire department and historical museum were represented, along with civic organizations such as the Knights of Columbus, Women’s Civic Club, and the Italian American Club.
And, as usual, the day was highlighted by Mayor Leonard Desiderio’s presentation of his “Do the Right Thing” awards, which recognizes those who give of themselves to benefit the town. The recipients of the plaques included:
Helen Bennett, Sea Isle City Women’s Civic Club co-trustee, and a Catholic Daughter, who is a member of St. Joseph Church Bereavement Committee;
Regan Capone, the 11-year-old whose charitable works within the last several years include raising $20,000 for Autism and Cancer charities;
Annette Lombardo, whose 20-year dedication as chair of Sea Isle City Environmental Commission goes back to when she first went on a beach cleanup;
Monica Santarcangelo, who gives her time to a variety of organizations, including Sea Isle City’s Garden Club, and Chapter 710 of AARP;
Dan and Mary “Mike” Tumolo: He serves as president of the Sea Isle City Board of Education, and she is president of Sea Isle City’s Taxpayers Association and as an Environmental Commission member;
And “Turtle Lou” Minchelli and his wife, Camilla, better known as Dolly. Lou, a retired New York City Firefighter, is a fixture at parades and other community events with his privately owned fire engine. He also brings joy to others when by creating whimsical miniature turtles out of seashells and spreading them around town to the delight of all who find them. Dolly was known for her homemade “special sauce” when her husband operated Lou’s Dogs. Said Desiderio: “I can’t tell you how many times I go out to a doctor’s office, or I’m getting my car inspected, and I see a turtle, and I say, ‘Lou’s been here!’ ”
In addition, the mayor presented
1st Bank of Sea Isle City with a Community Partnership Award. Certificates of Appreciation in recognition of their green practices were given on behalf of Sea Isle City’s Sustainable New Jersey Committee to Braca Enterprises/Braca Café, and The Colonnade Inn.
The new beach mats will be installed on Sea Isle beaches before the summer.
CITY BUYS BEACH ACCESS MATS
As part of Sea Isle City’s Beach Replenishment Project some five years ago, the dunes were raised to conform with recommendations and specifications from the United States Army Corps of Engineers. When the dunes were built up, the beach paths consisted of a hard-packed gravel. And sometimes wind-blown sand would cover it. The city added mats to some of the beach entrances that provide access pathways to the beaches.
On April 12, City Council approved the purchase of new beach access mats. Deschamps Mats Systems Inc. of Cedar Grove, N.J., will fulfill the order in the amount of $36,798.88. The company’s Mobi-mat is environmentally friendly, 100% recycled polyester roll. The mats provide traction, safety, and comfortable beach access for all summer visitors. And while not all beach entrances will have a beach access mat, many will. Some past generations of mats will also continue to be used.
“The Department of Public Works is working hard to make sure that all of our beach entrances are accessible,” said Katherine Custer, the director of community services. “With 94 streets of beaches to maintain, ensuring that our dune paths are accessible and the beaches are ready for visitors is a very big undertaking – but our city workforce does a fine job each year, which is very important because the beach is Sea Isle’s main attraction.”
SEA ISLE PLAYS A PART IN AUTHOR’S DEBUT NOVEL
“Beyond All Sense and Reason,” the debut novel of Mike Diccicco that addresses coming of age in the Jim Crow Era in Birmingham, Ala., has a strong local connection. Two chapters are set in Sea Isle City in June 1964. Diccicco, a longtime ad man who resides with his wife, Frances, in Warrington, Pa., has also had a home in Sea Isle since 2007. He grew up in racially charged Birmingham, and an experience of one of his 10 siblings sparked his idea for the story.
“My older sister, Michele, who’s since passed away, her first kiss as a teenager was from an African American boy while on a school trip to Clarksdale, Miss.,” he said. “I’ve thought over the years how much of a risk they were both taking, but especially the young man.”
Published in January, “Beyond All Sense and Reason” already is garnering attention. Diccicco was shortlisted for the grand prize of the prestigious Eric Hoffer Book Award, and was first runner-up in the historical fiction category of the literary competition. The novel is available at local booksellers including the Book Nook in Sea Isle City, as well as Amazon.
Diccicco earned a degree in English from La Salle University before embarking on a 40-year advertising career in Philadelphia, writing radio spots and television commercials.
He wrote the first draft of “Beyond All Sense and Reason” in 14 months. “The pain of writing is real,” says the author, who currently is working on his second novel. “It can be so frustrating. But the joy of getting three, four, or six paragraphs in one day, and the next day you don’t want to throw it in the trash, that’s worth it.”
Author Mike Diccicco with his book.
This was “low tide” on Landis Avenue on Mother’s Day.
MOTHER NATURE WREAKS HAVOC ON MOTHER’S DAY WEEKEND
Mother Nature wasn’t kind to the moms in Sea Isle City over Mother’s Day weekend. A nor’easter consisting of three days of colder than normal temperatures, blowing rain, moderate coastal flooding and high winds marked the weekend traditionally reserved to honor our mothers. Cape May County saw wind gusts as high as 60 mph and rainfall of nearly two inches over the weekend. The storm was responsible for causing havoc for businesses trying to prepare for the summer season. The sustained flooding also made moving around town difficult even after several hours past high tide and kept the Townsends Inlet Bridge closed for most of the weekend.
SANCTUARY CREATED FOR ENDANGERED BIRDS
Several species of endangered birds are being given sanctuary within a small section of dunes on Townsends Inlet Beach. Known as a popular nesting area for black skimmers, least terns and piping plovers, the sectioned-off area will provide a safe environment for both wildlife and endangered plant life.
As in past years, representatives from the state Department of Environmental Protection’s Endangered and Nongame Species Program have installed a temporary barrier to dissuade people from entering the restricted area. In coming months, DEP representatives will be monitoring which species of birds inhabit the space.
The designated location is adjacent to the east side of the T.I. Bridge and surrounds all of the dunes on the ocean side of the inlet. Surrounded by signage and roping, state and federal law prohibits vehicles, people, or pets from entering the restricted zone. Fines of up to $5,000 may be issued if violated.
“We took a small section of beach and we cordoned it off,” said Mayor Leonard Desiderio. “It’s important that we protect the piping plovers, black skimmers, and least terns.”
Signs are placed to enforce the law to stay away from the bird nesting area.
Local dignitaries at the April 29 Arbor Day celebration posing with one of the 38 crepe myrtle trees that were dedicated are (from left): Steve Ahern, Susan Ahern, J.B. Feeley, Annette Lombardo, Mike McHale, Melissa Doyle-Waid, Ron Koatis, Abby Powell, Leonard Desiderio, Mary Tighe, and Pat Walsh.
38 CREPE MYRTLES DEDICATED ON ARBOR DAY
Sea Isle City celebrated Arbor Day on April 29 with a noon ceremony on the front lawn of the Welcome Center. The event was sponsored by the Sea Isle City Historical Museum, Sea Isle City Environmental Commission, Garden Club of Sea Isle City, Sustainable NJ, Green Team, Shade Tree Committee, and the Beautification Committee. As Rev. Melissa Doyle-Waid of the United Methodist Church gave an opening prayer, the sun shone down on all who gathered.
In honor of Arbor Day, which has been celebrated since 1872, 38 crepe myrtle trees were dedicated to the people of Sea Isle City. The trees, which will display bright pink blossoms during the summer months, were planted along both sides of JFK Boulevard. The Environmental Commission’s trust account. funded the tree planting. “In Sea Isle City, crepe myrtles grow the best,” said Garden Club president Mary Tighe. “The ground is perfect for them.”
Highlights of this year’s Arbor Day event included a proclamation by Mayor Leonard Desiderio. The Joyce Kilmer poem “Trees” was read. Annette Lombardo, chair of the Environmental Commission, explained the 2022 Tree Raffle, in which 30 new trees will be planted on private properties in Sea Isle later this year.
And before the day concluded, Cape May County Arborist Gary Farrow, of Tree Effect Inc., discussed ways we can help trees to live longer. In addition, tree seedlings were distributed, compliments of the New Jersey Tree Recovery Campaign, a division of the state’s Department of Environmental Protection.
“People don’t always realize that trees help by cleaning the air,” said Mike McHale, chair of the Shade Tree Committee and member of the Environmental Commission. “Trees are also important for keeping the noise down,” he added.
