Smilestones
90-CANDLE BIRTHDAY COMES WITH FIRE ENGINE
Family and friends gathered at La Fontana Coast on March 2 to celebrate the 90th birthday of longtime Sea Isle City resident Lou Minchelli, a retired New York City Fire Department lieutenant. More than 60 people stood outside the restaurant to watch as Minchelli received a special birthday surprise: a 1975 Mack 600 series pumper fire truck carrying six of his firefighter colleagues.
Minchelli moved to Sea Isle City in 1980 after retiring. He had met his wife, Camilla (“Dolly”) at the Jersey Shore when he was serving in the Air Force. Upon retirement, he opened the first hot dog cart allowed in Sea Isle City, Lou’s Gourmet Hotdogs, on the 85th Street beach.
He ran this business for about 20 years before retiring from that as well. Lou and Dolly have four children, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, who were all at the party to celebrate his milestone birthday.
Posing after the Spelling Bee (from left): judge Ron Custer, moderator Mike Jargowsky, runner-up Michael Jones, winner Sophie Palmer, third-place finisher Troy Murray, judge Tony Arico, and judge Alex Iannone.
SOPHIE PALMER WINS SPELLING BEE
Sophie Palmer from Dennis Township Middle School won the annual spelling bee competition hosted by the Knights of Columbus of St. Joseph Church in February. The event, featuring eighth-grade students from local school districts, was held in the parish auditorium. It was judged by Knights of Columbus volunteers Ron Custer, Tony Arico and Alex Iannone, and moderated by Mike Jargowsky.
Palmer received the top prize of $250. Runner-up Michael Jones, of Woodbine Elementary School, earned $150, and Troy Murray, of Dennis Township Middle School, took home $100 for third place.
ANTONELLA DiANTONIO, LITTLE MISS OCEAN CITY 2020
Antonella DiAntonio of Sea Isle City is the reigning Little Miss Ocean City 2020, which should come as no surprise considering her bloodlines. Her grandmother, Angel Dalrymple, held the titles of Miss Ocean City 1963 and Miss Cape May County 1963.
The pageant, held last August at the Music Pier, was open to girls ages 8 to 11. They were judged on talent, poise, scholastics and interview. It was the first pageant for Antonella and her younger sister, Arianna, who won the talent portion with her dance performance of “Tippy Toes.”
They are the daughters of Angel and Anthony DiAntonio, the owners of the Sea Isle City Rita’s Water Ice and Camo Dogs. Antonella has been dancing at The Dance Place in Ocean City since she was 1½ years old. A sixth-grader at Ocean City Intermediate School, she performed a dance routine to Beyonce’s “One Night Only” for her talent showcase.
