A Plug for Sea Isle
The Story Behind the Sweatshirt on the Food Network
Megan Smith’s great aunt Louise Hand.
Megan’s sister Caitlin MacFarland, their mom Maureen Lange, and Aunt Louise.
If you happened to catch one of the Food Network’s newest programs, “Kitchen Crash,” on Feb. 3 (season 1, episode 4), you might have noticed that Sea Isle City got lots of national exposure. One of the competing family members wore a “Sea Isle City, NJ” sweatshirt that was shown numerous times. Just another reason to smile if you happen to be in Sea Isle on a cold winter night?
As the Food Network describes “Kitchen Crash,” hosted by Jeff Mauro, “Anything can happen in this neighborhood challenge — Jeff will make sure of that! — as eager chefs will try to convince homeowners at home to open their fridges and hand over their ingredients for an impromptu competition.”
So exactly who was responsible for this unexpected yet welcome national exposure? The family with the sweatshirt was identified on the broadcast as the Smith family from East Windsor, N.J. Fourteen-year-old Aiden was the person sporting the SIC swag. But the responsibility probably goes deeper than Aiden, and even deeper than his mom Megan, who has deep Sea Isle roots and has vacationed here her entire life. If Mayor Leonard Desiderio is looking to pass along thanks to someone for the exposure, it probably needs to go to Aunt Louise – Louise Hand, that is – Megan’s great aunt.
Megan with children Adeline and Aiden (and his Sea Isle sweatshirt).
Louise and Jack Hand purchased their home on Landis Avenue in 1970. “It became our family’s summer base,” says Megan Smith. “Aunt Louise knew how to vacation. She shared Sea Isle City with everyone, and she loved that Sea Isle City meant that the whole family came together.”
“There are so many lasting memories of coming to Sea Isle: Lou selling hot dogs on the beach; playing mini golf; long days on the beach; evenings playing on the grass in the backyard; cold Cokes on the beach; nights on the boardwalk [the Promenade, since OC and Wildwood were out of the question], and then Marita’s for ice cream. We had great summer parties, and I can still hear ‘La Bamba’ playing from the parties next door. We were allowed one T-shirt every year from either Sands or a store on the boardwalk. There was an Irish store on the boardwalk that we loved. Such great summer memories.”
The foundation that Aunt Louise laid for Megan along with her two sisters and brother has, as has happened with so many families at the Jersey Shore, grown into a generational tradition.
“Now, with our families and own children, we have outgrown the house on Landis Avenue, but I’ve spent every single summer in Sea Isle City,” Megan says. “Sea Isle City is now a tradition for my husband and me and our children – along with my brothers and sisters.”
An interesting question: How do you beat the odds and end up on a nationally televised program? According to Smith, it all happened quickly. A neighbor saw an online post and tried out online. The demographic of their neighborhood apparently fit what producers were looking for. The street in front of their house was closed off for two full days of filming that began at 5am. Sadly, the Smiths and the chef with whom they were partnered did not win, but she was quick to add, “It was still a lot of fun for everyone.”
And since the Smith family are now veterans of the Food Network, who better to ask for their culinary recommendations when on vacation? Smith responded without hesitation, “One night we always go to Mike’s Seafood. The best! Um, the crab balls. And of course, Uncle Oogie’s Pizza is another ritual. We always go to the Farmers Market. And we MUST go to Marita’s for ice cream – they are our family traditions that we never miss.”
The Smith family story is just one of many that you will find throughout Sea Isle City. Traditions passed down from generation to generation. Sea Isle City becomes the place where families reconnect every summer. So, for the national exposure, thanks go to Aiden for wearing his SIC sweatshirt; thanks to Megan Smith for bringing the SIC tradition to her family; and especially thanks to Aunt Louise for creating what has now become a fourth-generation tradition.
If you are watching the Food Network, keep your eyes peeled for the Smith family. Their episode is scheduled to air again.
Annual family photo (from left): Chad and Lizzie Lange; Bob and Cait MacFarland with daughter Annie; Maureen and Charlie Lange; William Reed with parents Shannon and Jon; Megan, Aiden, Ailey, Adeline and Mike Smith.