Smilestones
JOB WELL DONE, MARTY
Avalon’s Marty Pagliughi began as Cape May County’s Office of Emergency Management Coordinator in 2012. He officially retired on June 30, ending a career in which the longtime mayor was often recognized as being at the forefront of emergency management procedures and protection. Marty was recognized for his long and outstanding county tenure by the County Board of Supervisors at its July meeting.
HOLDYN GETS THE BOOT
Holdyn Barder with the Golden Boot Award he won at the 2024 Barefoot Country Music Festival, which was held June 19-22 in Wildwood. The award is given to the performer voted favorite “hometown” country music star at the festival.
WOMEN’S GOLF ASSOCIATION RAISES $7,500 TO ASSIST VETS
The Stone Harbor Women’s Golf Association turned its annual tournament at the Stone Harbor Golf Club into a fundraising event for a Cape May County charity this year. The July 16 tourney raised $7,500 to support local veterans through the Citizens/Veterans Advisory Council of Cape May County (CVAC).
At the luncheon following the golf outing, CVAC president Johnnie Walker gave a presentation about the organization and the resources it provides. CVAC helps veterans with medical bills, housing, retrofitting homes to accommodate special needs, and much more.
Tying the Knot
FOX-HOLT NUPTIALS
William Fox Jr. and Kelly Holt were married June 14 in the St. Lucy Chapel at Villa Walsh Academy in Morristown, N.J. The couple celebrated their wedding with family and friends at a reception held at Hamilton Farms Golf Club in Gladstone, N.J. Kelly is the daughter of Jack and Laurie Holt of Morristown, and William is the son of William Sr. and Elizabeth Fox of Avalon. Kelly works as a business manager for J.P. Morgan Asset and Wealth Management, and William is the defensive coordinator for the men’s lacrosse team at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn. The couple met on a beach in Connecticut while both were students at Fairfield University. They got engaged in December 2022 on the beach in Avalon. It was the perfect spot for William to propose because he has been coming to Avalon his entire life and Kelly has loved it for the past 10 years. The couple plans to honeymoon in Turks and Caicos.
PUCKS AND PANCAKES
Flyers legend Joe Watson conducted a book signing of his new memoir, “Thundermouth,” the first week of July at every Uncle Bill’s restaurant location from Ocean City to Cape May. The star defenseman from the Flyers’ Stanley Cup champion teams in 1974 and 1975 signed books, answered questions, and took hundreds of photos with Flyers fans. He was especially appreciative of the amazing crowds that turned out in Avalon and Stone Harbor.
And we’d like to add our sincere thanks to the O’Hara family that runs the restaurants for partnering with the Seven Mile Times and Joe Watson in hosting a charity auction event for the Tara Miller Melanoma Foundation on one of their busiest days of the year. The foundation raised $1 million this year for melanoma research. Thanks, Joe Watson and Uncle Bill’s!
AVALON PLAYERS PRESENT ‘THE JUNGLE BOOK, Jr.’
A 40-year-plus tradition continued July 26-28 as the Avalon Players presented “The Jungle Book, Jr.” to enthusiastic crowds in the multipurpose room of the Avalon Elementary School. The Avalon Players trace their roots back more than four decades to founders Dennis Soens, Bonnie Matt, and Ginny Lynch. It’s been 36 shows since that first production, “A Taste of Broadway,” which was presented in the Avalon Community Hall.