Smilestones
LIFE’S A BEACH
Mother nature permitting, Great Lakes Dredge and Dock is hoping to have the Sea Isle City beach replenishment completed by Memorial Day weekend. Following completion there might still be a need for some ancillary work on dune paths, etc.
As you can see from the photos, that’s an awful lot of work. Consider this: Through May 8, the dredge, operating 24/7, moved 577,343 cubic yards of sand. If that sand were topsoil, which is not nearly as heavy as water-soaked sand, that would be the equivalent of 15,588,261,000 pounds of dry soil. Yes, that’s more than 15 billion pounds. That’s a lot of grains of sand.
For anyone who might wonder if it’s all worth the effort ... There’s a Cape May County official who is often quoted as saying, “The one main reason why everyone has come to our towns for the past 100-plus years – and that reason is our beaches.”
Surf’s up!
ARBOR DAY IN SEA ISLE
Mike McHale kicks off Sea Isle City’s Arbor Day festivities on April 26. The celebration was sponsored by the Sea Isle City Historical Museum, the Sea Isle City Environmental Commission, the Garden Club of Sea Isle City, The Green Team, The Shade Tree Committee, and the Beautification Committee.
CLEAN CUISINE
Drake Williams (left) and Corey Jefferson are two of the more than 70 volunteers who took part in the Beach Sweeps beach cleanup sponsored by the Sea Isle City Environmental Commission on April 14. After toiling in the dunes and on the beaches, all volunteers were invited to enjoy the fruits of their labor with a complimentary lunch on The Dock by Mike’s Seafood.
LOOK WHAT THE STORK BROUGHT
ROCCO JUDSON PINCKNEY
Rocco Judson Pinckney was born Aug. 25, weighing 8 pounds, 7 ounces, and measuring 21 inches long. His mother, Kira Pittaluga Pinckney, is a recruiter, and his father, Shane Pinckney, is a utility technician with South Jersey Gas. His grandparents include Jean and Pete Pittaluga, and Gary and Vicki Pinckney.. Kira’s family has owned businesses in Sea Isle for more than 40 years, including Fun City, Pittaluga Electric, and Pier 88.
IT’S A ZOO AT THE LIBRARY
Nikki Freyer of the Cape May County Zoo gives a close-up look at a snake. There were nearly 100 people in attendance on April 13, for Zoo to You at the Sea Isle Library.
GOOD DAY SEA ISLE
Among the folks kicking off Sea Isle City’s Spring Girls Weekend at the Bright Spot Café on April 19 were Jennaphr Frederick and Fox 29’s “Good Day Philadelphia.” During the three-day event, participating stores and restaurants offer discounts and specials. The event is sponsored by the Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce and Revitalization. Save the dates for the Fall Girls Weekend, Nov. 22-24.
THAT’S THE SPIRIT, SCOTT!
One of our writers, Scott Cronick, was honored with the prestigious Spirit of Hospitality Award on May 8 at the 25th annual Atlantic City Host Awards. The event celebrates the hospitality professionals who help to make Atlantic City one of top travel destinations in the country each year. Cronick was acknowledged before a crowd of more than 1,500 at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall for all he has done for the region and his tireless efforts as a journalist, entrepreneur and community activist. It’s a well-deserved honor for someone we’re proud to call him one of our own – he writes for both the Sea Isle Times and Seven Mile Times.
MESSAGE CHANGES, BUT STILL LOTS OF LOVE
Mike’s Seafood owner Mike Monichetti used one of the windows of his business last fall hoping to persuade Jason Kelce, the Eagles fan favorite, Sea Isle City homeowner, and philanthropist, to not retire at the conclusion of the 2023 season. But now that Kelce’s retirement is a reality, Monichetti has switched his message to one that communicates his love and appreciation to one of the NFL’s all-time great players.