Smilestones
U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Ed Thomas promoting Catie Hague U.S. Air Force Colonel during a ceremony at the Yacht Club of Stone Harbor.
CATIE HAGUE PROMOTED TO AIR FORCE COLONEL
Twenty-one years after earning her first title of second lieutenant in May of 1998, Catie Hague has been promoted to a U.S. Air Force Colonel. She received her promotion on June 29 at the Yacht Club of Stone Harbor among family, friends and even her husband Nick Hague, an astronaut in Expedition 59 and 60 currently stationed at the International Space Station, who video chatted in for his wife’s promotion.
The procession was officiated by U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Ed Thomas.
“We are a better Air Force and a better nation because of Catie Hague,” Thomas said.
Hague graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1998 and began her military career as a Public Affairs Officer the same year at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. Quickly moving up in the ranks, Hague has worked in Turkey, Afghanistan and Iraq with some of her most notable titles including the Public Affairs Advisor and Speechwriter for the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Director of Operations at Texas A&M Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps.
Since 2016, aside from being a mother, wife and friend, Hague has been the Commander at the University of Houston Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps.
Look What the Stork Brought
DANIELLE CATHERINE BIANCO
Danielle “Dani” Catherine Bianco arrived July 15 at 7:43am to Joe and Aubree Bianco. She weighed 7 pounds and 10 ounces. Her big brother Jake and big sister Keira couldn’t be more excited. Her grandparents include Jim and JP Hand, of Stone Harbor, and John and Joanne Bianco, of Avon-by-the-Sea. Dani will be sporting her Fred’s Tavern T-shirt and supporting the family restaurant in no time.
Outgoing President Marianne Snyder passes the gavel to Sue White.
SUE WHITE IS NEW AVALON LIONS PRESIDENT
During the Avalon Lions Club’s annual Charter Night, outgoing president Marianne Snyder passed the gavel on to Sue White. White becomes the 16th president of the organization and the second female to hold the position. She will head the organization’s activities and fundraisers for 2019-20.
“I am excited to be the new president of the Avalon Lions,” White says. “I have been an Avalon Lion for seven years and enjoyed being the co-chair of our biggest fundraiser, the golf tournament, for the last three. My passion is helping others who are less fortunate.”
White moved to Avalon in 1972 and attended one year at Avalon Elementary School. She resides in Cape May Court House with her husband, Bryan. They have three grown children and four grandchildren with whom they love spending time.
In addition to serving the Avalon Lions Club, White is also a member of the Impact Club of Cape May County and the parish council at Our Lady of the Angels, where she also serves as a Eucharistic minister and helps run the script program. She works from home as an insurance adviser for HUB International in Blue Bell, Pa., and many of her clients reside in Avalon. She previously served as a board member of the Cape May County Chamber.
The female terrapin who found her way back to The Wetlands Institute after being released 19 years ago.
HOMECOMING DAY FOR A TERRAPIN
You might already know that this summer marks a big milestone for The Wetlands Institute as it celebrates 50 years of research, conservation and education. On July 12, the staff there was reminded of the important conservation work it does when it was greeted by a special visitor: a female terrapin that was a head-starter released at the institute in 2000, and hadn’t been seen since – until that Friday, 19 years after her release, almost to the day.
A woman rescued the terrapin from traffic when she was crossing the street in Stone Harbor and brought her to The Wetlands Institute, where the staff was able to identify her as one of its head-starters. The terrapin had doubled in size and grown into a healthy adult since being released 19 years ago. After a brief visit, the staff assisted the female terrapin safely back into the marsh and wished her well as she left.
A post on The Wetland Institute’s Facebook page read: “For all the terrapins who don’t make it, this beautiful girl represents hope. Her journey is a testament to the value of the critical conservation work we do, and the role we all play in ensuring a future for these incredible creatures.”
