Times Talk
Council President Jim Deever with outgoing Council President John McCorristin.
DEEVER APPOINTED COUNCIL PRESIDENT
James Deever was appointed president of the Avalon Borough Council at its annual reorganization meeting July 2.
He is serving a one-year term through June 30, 2019 and succeeds John McCorristin. Councilman Chuck Covington will now serve as vice president.
“Jim Deever will serve Avalon very well as Council President,” said Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “Jim has been very active in various organizations in our community for many years, and has already made a long-lasting, positive impact on our community. I very much look forward to working with Jim on various Avalon initiatives and ideas, and proud that he’s leading our Team Avalon on Borough Council.”
Deever is serving his first four-year term on the Borough Council. He was appointed to council in 2017 following the resignation of councilman Bill Burns and won a full term in the May election.
Nominations for president and vice president take place each year and rotate among council members. This is Deever’s first time serving as council president.
Deever and his wife, Tracy, own and operate the Avalon Supermarket and the 29th Street Deli. A graduate of Shippensburg State College with a degree in business marketing, he is a member of the Mayor’s Recreation Advisory Board, a board member of the Avalon Chamber of Commerce, and on the Board of Directors for the Avalon Historical Society.
Council meetings are held at 4pm on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. All meetings are held at Borough Hall, 3100 Dune Drive.
Go to avalonboro.net for more information.
Stone Harbor’s 96th Street Bridge facing north.
96TH STREET BRIDGE REPAIRED
Stone Harbor’s 96th Street Bridge, known as Stone Harbor Boulevard (CR657), that connects to Middle Township is now open following an emergency repair in July. The bridge was closed a few nights for repairs to its two transverse steel beams, also known as floorbeams. The county’s inspection in June revealed the need for repairs.
Vehicles weighing 15 tons or more were immediately rerouted and notice was posted to ensure safety at the recommendation of Michael Baker International, Inc. of Hamilton, N.J., which is under contract with New Jersey Department of Transportation for the biennial inspections of county-owned bridges in Cape May County. The company prepared plans for the emergency repair to the floorbeams and Remington & Vernick Engineers of Cherry Hill oversaw the construction which was performed by South State, Inc. of Bridgeton.
Since the work could be performed only while the bridge was completely closed to vehicular traffic, construction took place from 10pm to 5am and the bridge was open during the busy summer daytime hours. The completion date was July 12.
The 96th Street Bridge was originally constructed in 1930 and is one of two movable bridges among the county’s bridges. The main span, called “Rall Type Bascule,” is only one of its kind in New Jersey, and it is believed that there are only six of its kind in the United States.
“As a result of this type of construction, the movable span is deemed to be of historical significance,” said County Engineer Dale Foster. “In 1983-85, the approach spans of the bridge were replaced and the components of the main span were reconstructed. The county repainted the main span and had structural repairs made to the bridge in 1998. Some of the mechanical components of the main span were replaced in 1999. The bridge did undergo structural repairs in and about the movable span in 2017 and was closed for a period of time in 2016 to repair a cracked girder. The county is in the process of initiating a major improvement program for the county and commission bridges and the 96th Street Bridge is targeted for improvements.”
Bob Ashman and Jim Talone of the Stone Harbor Museum display a poster with information about its beach tag raffle.
SH MUSEUM RAFFLING OFF BEACH-TAG COLLECTION
The Stone Harbor Museum recently announced a raffle for its “One of a Kind Treasure,” a boxed collection of a complete set of beach tags from 1971 to present. The raffle will benefit the museum to help display and preserve Stone Harbor’s history.
“We had many requests from people wanting to buy old tags,” said Bob Ash-man, a trustee of the museum. “I think people will enjoy an opportunity to own and proudly display a full set of beach tags in their home.”
Tickets cost $10 for one or $25 for three and the drawing will take place following the Thanksgiving weekend parade on Saturday, Nov. 24. Tickets will be sold daily at the museum, from any trustee, and at the weekly “Tuesdays at the Tower” event.
Stone Harbor first instituted beach tags in 1971 with the first tag simply stating “Stone Harbor, NJ Season 1971” in a blue-and-white color scheme. Since, tags have evolved to include colorful images and designs including seashells, crabs, beach umbrellas, sandcastles and more. This year’s tag honors the borough’s unique birding community, featuring an American oystercatcher in the forefront with an orange sunset behind it.
The Stone Harbor Museum is a nonprofit organization that aims to acquire, preserve, display, celebrate and promote the history of Stone Harbor. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10am-3pm and Tuesday evenings 7-8:30. Admission to the museum is free and donations are accepted.
Go to stoneharbormuseum.org for more information.
Kristen Mulraney and Nancy Jacketti display the Library’s Discovery boxes during the annual Open House and Story Book Bash.
AVALON LIBRARY OPEN HOUSE DRAWS BIG CROWD
The Avalon Free Public Library’s third annual Open House & Story Book Bash attracted more than 700 visitors on June 23. The attendees enjoyed a variety of hands-on demonstrations, children’s activities and more.
Visitors were treated to live demonstrations including a harpist performance, a live “Makin’ Music” sing-along, story time, and presentations on popular library apps such as Hoopla Freegal, OverDrive and TumbleBooks. Youngsters could sign up for the Summer Reading Program, a mini exhibit was provided by the Avalon History Center, and the children’s activities including character meet-and-greets, face painting, caricature drawings and balloons.
“It’s a joy to welcome patrons for the season each year at our open house. I was thrilled to see children enjoying characters and crafts, while adults learned about library apps and browsed the collection,” said Library Director Erin Brown. “It’s a great way to create momentum that keeps us going with fabulous programs and services all summer!”
New visitors to the library were encouraged to browse the vast selection of books, videos, music and programming, and to sign up for seasonal and year-round library cards. The Avalon Free Public Library and the Avalon History Center are both open year-round and host hundreds of programs geared toward every age and interest. From technology workshops to children’s programming, hands-on arts and crafts, book clubs and more, there is truly something for everyone.
The Avalon History Center hosts a number of exhibits throughout the year, this summer featuring new displays on the 50th anniversary of the Avalon Players, women of the Avalon Beach Patrol, and the schooling and youth groups of families who have spent decades in Avalon.
For a full listing of programming, events and exhibits, be sure to #CheckItOut at the library’s newly redesigned website: avalonfreelibrary.org.
APAC members present the Best in Show ribbon to Renee Leopardi (center). Flanking her are (from left): Claire Haik, Ramona Sanabria, Susan McLaughlin and Ruth Snyderman.
APAC ART SHOW ‘TREMENDOUS SUCCESS’
The 31st annual Art Show presented by the Avalon Performing Arts Council was a major success, both in attendance and in the number of art pieces that were sold. The show at the Avalon Elementary School started with preview night on June 22 and then the main event
June 23, the same day as the adjoining Avalon Free Public Library’s Open House. More than 600 visitors examined the works of 52 professional artists, 36 local high school artists and three emerging artists from Atlantic City High School. A total of 14 cash prizes were awarded to winners of various categories including: Oil/Acrylic; Watercolor; Works on Paper/Mixed Media; Photography; and Best in Show.
“APAC’s Art Show was a tremendous success this year with 52 artists exhibiting their work, and over 600 individuals viewing and purchasing works of art over the two days,” said Ramona Sanabria, the organization’s president. “Artists sold more art this year than they have ever sold at this show. I am already looking forward to our 32nd Art Show next year. Many thanks go to our board members, the chair, and volunteers who put forth so much energy to make this event such a success.”
“Best in Show” was presented to Renee Leopardi, of Northfield, for her entry “Batsto” in the photography category. Renee was awarded $500. First place in the Emerging Artists category was presented to Jessical Nguyen, second place to Julienne Malyszka and third place to Rebecca Quaraishi. The “Viewers Choice Award” in the Emerging Artists category was presented to 16-year-old Elvis Lopez, who received a $100 cash prize.
Winners named in the Oil/Acrylic category included: Stanley G. Timson, first; Sally Roik, second; and Madeline C. Reilly, third. First place in the watercolor category was presented to Lisa C. Budd, with Keith Mountford second and Suzi Hoffman third. Arlene Solomon won first place in the Works on Paper category. Helen Clymer took second and Steve Kuzma third. Laura Ducceschi won the photography category, with Nikolas Pattantyus second and Michael Zuccato third.
New to this year’s show, APAC decided to have a commemorative T-shirt and poster design to be considered by the art committee. “Wedding by the Sea,” submitted by Peter Ehlinger of Haddonfield, was selected as this year’s winner from among 43 entries submitted by 13 artists. The items were available for sale at show and will continue to be sold on APAC’s website or by request via email.
APAC’s next event is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 29 featuring an evening of oldies and dancing with Jerry Blavat, “The Geator with the Heater,” at the Avalon Community Hall. Tickets will be available beginning Sept. 4 and cost $25.
Go to avalonperformingarts.org for more information.
