Smilestones

RINCK NAMED OFFICER OF THE YEAR

Patrolman Joshua Rinck was named the recipient of the Sea Isle City Police Department’s Officer of the Year Award on March 30.

“Josh is a role-model employee,” Chief Thomas McQuillen said of Rinck, who was hired as a full-time patrolman in June 2017. “He comes to work every day wanting to help people and protect the residents and visitors of Sea Isle City. He is always one of the first officers to volunteer to work on a project, or help other officers with anything they’re working on, and finding ways to become even better at his job.

“He is a true professional and a highly visible officer for this department, one who always leaves a positive impression with the people he interacts with.”

The Sea Isle City Police Department awards this honor in memory of Michael P. Cullinane, an SICPD officer who lost his life in the line of duty in August 1992. This award is of great honor and significance to the men and women of the department.

Look What the Stork Brought

PAISLEY CHRISTINE GORECKE

Paisley Christine Gorecke was born April 23 at AtlantiCare Medical Center Mainland Campus to first-time parents Zach and Joanna Gorecke of Marmora. At birth she weighed 7 pounds, 9.8 ounces and measured 21¼ inches long. Paisley’s grandparents include Al and Chris Heston, of Marmora, and Eric and Julia Gorecke, of Ocean View. Zach is an assistant prosecutor for the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office, and Joanna works for Seven Mile Publishing as a contributing staff writer and client manager. Mom and Dad can’t wait to watch Paisley grow up with sand in her shoes just like they did.

Catholic Daughters Court members with some of the Easter baskets they distributed: front, from left: Jennie Hadfield, Bette Keller, Janice Gheysens; back, from left: Danna Ramirez, Ann Koch, Margie Quinlan, Barbara Rice, Judy McGeoch, Donna Hadfield.

CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS GIVE OUT EASTER BASKETS

Members of the Catholic Daughters Court at Our Lady of Mercy of St. Joseph Church put together and distributed Easter baskets for homebound seniors, struggling teenagers, and children after receiving an overwhelming amount of donations through its Lenten Outreach program.

The donations included candy, cellophane Easter grass, snacks, toys, and handmade greeting cards from students attending the parish’s religious education program, as well as autographed copies of Sea Isle City-themed children’s books signed by local author Cheryl Kehner. The religious education students were able to fill and decorate nearly 100 Easter baskets. The Catholic Daughters filled the rest of the baskets and distributed them in time for Easter.

Forty-nine Easter baskets were delivered to the Branches Outreach Center in Rio Grande for distribution to homeless families; 15 were delivered to the Sea Isle City United Methodist Church Food Cupboard; 15 were delivered to the doors of local homebound residents; and 15 were sent to the Covenant House in Atlantic City for struggling teenagers and victims of human trafficking.

In addition to this, the Catholic Daughters visited the Holy Redeemer Food Pantry in Clermont to donate all the candy and snacks that they could not fit into the Easter baskets.

JEAN DORIS CELEBRATES MILESTONE BIRTHDAY

Jean Doris celebrated her 90th birthday with a backyard party at her home in Sea Isle City with her family and closest friends. A Philadelphia native, she served as a teacher in the Philadelphia School District and later became an instructor with live animals at the Academy of Natural Sciences. She enjoys sports and traveling: Doris has been to South Africa, Botswana, Egypt, England, Costa Rica, Mexico, Canada and Spain, as well as Alaska and many other places across America. In 1937, she started spending her summers at her family beach house on 52nd Street in Sea Isle City. Adoring the ocean view from her home, she eventually built her dream house in the same location 21 years ago and moved here year-round. Doris became the first female commodore of the Yacht Club of Sea Isle City in 1997, and today she maintains her membership and participates in most of the club’s activities. She has made numerous friends through volunteering at Cape Regional Hospital, and is an active member of the Wine, Women & Words book club and the Catholic Daughters organization in Sea Isle City.

Hank Sauce’s Matt Pittaluga (left) presents donation to Polar Bear mascot and Mike Monichetti.

HANK SAUCE RAISES $10,000 FOR POLAR BEAR RUN/WALK

The Mike’s Seafood Polar Bear Run/Walk for Autism recently received a donation from Hank Sauce in the amount of $10,053.14 from the proceeds of its annual Polar Bear Plunge apparel fundraiser over Presidents Day weekend. Matt Pittaluga of Hank Sauce presented the donation to Michael Monichetti and the Polar Bear mascot in front of Mike’s Seafood on Sunday, March 28.

“We can’t thank the guys at Hank Sauce enough for their continued support of children with disabilities,” Monichetti said. “Hank Sauce and Mike’s Seafood have a long history of working together and we appreciate their dedication raising funds and awareness of the Polar Bear Run/Walk for Autism.”

Hank Sauce created limited-edition “Sea Isle Spice” tees, hoodies, koozies, beach tags and stickers, and launched the line over Presidents Day weekend. The hoodies sold out within the first hour of the restaurant being open. Following Presidents Day weekend, preorders became available through the end of February in order to continue raising funds for the Polar Bear Run/Walk for Autism. The guys are already working up a new design for their fundraising efforts next year.

Toni Tatasciore (right) with wife Daria and children Natalya and Michael.

TATASCIORE RETIRES FROM HEALTHCARE COMPANY

Toni Tatasciore, a Sea Isle City homeowner since 2011, is retiring after 40 years of working as a computer programmer. He grew up in Ridley Park, Pa., and now lives in West Chester, Pa., with his wife Daria. Toni and Daria’s two children, Michael and Natalya, work and live in New York City. Tatasciore graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and was recruited to become a computer programmer for SMS, a health-care IT company, in 1978. He worked in the company as it transitioned from SMS to Siemens, and then became Cerner. During his career, Tatasciore led a team of 75 U.S.-based and 45 India-based software engineers and technology architects who build and support IT systems for the global health-care community. He is retiring as the senior director of IT and is eager to enjoy his retirement at his home in Sea Isle City, relaxing on the beach and playing golf.