Letter from the Publisher
Dear Readers:
Welcome back! So, we all survived winter’s snow and ice, and spring is finally here. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for the first day that it’s warm enough to pack up my beach chair and dig my toes back into the sand.
We’ve been busy since our last issue planning lots of stories and features for this year. We have some great features planned that I’m sure you’re going to love.
As you are probably aware, we lost a dear friend and colleague since we last published. Sadly, Big Daddy Graham passed away Sept. 8. Soon after we acquired Sea Isle Times in 2008, we invited Big Daddy to be a regular contributor in the Times. Quite frankly, we believed that no one embraced the spirit of Sea Isle City more than him – and Lord knows that no one loved summers on this island more than Big Daddy. So much has been written or said about his life – all richly deserved. But please indulge us as we try to honor, in our own way, this kind, gifted, talented and caring friend whom we all miss.
First, Angelo Cataldi does a fabulous job with a legacy look at Big Daddy. As only Angelo could. Our sincere thanks to him for this loving tribute. And how about a last call with Big Daddy? We’ve decided to run Big Daddy’s column from last spring. One last column. One last time. So please enjoy his wit and humor one last time. After all, who more than Big Daddy deserves a last call?
Danny Lopriore examines the roots of the hottest sports phenomenon sweeping the country as well as Sea Isle City … pickleball. With Easter on the horizon, Kelly McCarthy visits with Dana Iannelli, the culinary force behind all those tasty treats at Shorebreak Café.
Speaking of tasty, can you say O’Donnell’s? Katie Shanley gets Chef Bill Urbazewski to share some of his culinary secrets in our Here’s The Dish feature. Dave Bontempo will bring you up to speed on plans for the new Sea Isle City Community Center. And since the 60th anniversary just passed of the Great Storm of ’62, we’ll look back through the lens of Bob Penrose and his amazing photos from March 1962. These are never-before-seen photos that have been carefully stored away for more than a half century. Thanks to the Penrose family for sharing these treasures with us.
Plus, all of our features that you’ve grown accustomed to, including our calendar and Events at a Glance. You won’t miss a thing this spring! And in Financially $peaking, Fred Dunbar reminds us to keep calm and to carry on in these tumultuous times.
Finally, thanks to you, all our loyal readers. We sincerely appreciate that you’ve made Sea Isle Times the most popular publication in town. And please remember to support our neighbors by shopping local. Hang in there – Memorial Day weekend is on the horizon.
Stay safe!
Monica Coskey
Publisher & Editor
Sea Isle Times
mcoskey@7milepub.com