Smilestones
Shawna Dixon is sworn in with parents Kevin and Nancy Dixon holding Bible.
STONE HARBOR APPOINTS POLICE OFFICER
Shawna M. Dixon was appointed a full-time officer with the Stone Harbor Police Department at the Borough Council’s Aug. 1 meeting. She took the oath of office from Deputy Clerk Carrie Bosacco with her parents, Kevin and Nancy, holding the Bible. Dixon, who graduated from Rowan University in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in public relations, was hired by the Stone Harbor Police Department this spring as a Special Law Enforcement Officer II and attended SLEO II recruit training in May at the Cape May County Police Academy. Following her graduation from the academy, she applied to fill a vacant full-time position and was selected by Chief Thomas Schutta. Dixon is returning to the police academy for the full-time police officer recruit training program that runs through January. With her addition, the Stone Harbor Police Department has a staff of 17 full-time officers.
Bob Moran accepts donation from Mike Mullin in front of Matthew Mullin memorial bench on 24th Street.
MULLIN FOUNDATION DONATES $5,800 TO FRIEND IN NEED
On behalf of the Matthew Mullin Memorial Foundation, Mike Mullin presented a check for $5,800 to Friend In Need, a local charity, on Aug. 18. Bob Moran, the president of Friend In Need, accepted the donation at a ceremony in front of the Matthew Mullin Memorial Bench at 24th Street on the Avalon boardwalk. The money was raised during the Mull-Morial Day 5K beach run/walk, held annually over Memorial Day weekend. The event is held in Avalon in remembrance of Matthew Mullin.
Mullin was an Avalon lifeguard for seven years, and a standout rower for both St. Joseph Prep and St. Joseph’s University. He loved Avalon and considered it the best place in the world. To honor his memory, family members and friends created the foundation and has partnered with Friend In Need on the Mull-Morial Day 5K. Friend In Need’s mission is to assist local families within Cape May County. It also has partnered with the Mullin family to focus on pediatric cases within the county.
For more information about Friend In Need, go to friendinneednj.org.
LOOK WHAT THE STORK BROUGHT!
MARIN CRISTINA HARRIS
Marin Cristina Harris made first-time parents of Morgan and Katie Harris, of West Chester, Pa., on July 7. Marin, whose dad grew up in Stone Harbor, was born at Chester County Hospital weighing 8 pounds, 5 ounces and measuring 21½ inches. Her grandparents are Bob and Tess Schirmer, of Chadds Ford, Pa., and the late Wayne and Dede Harris, of Stone Harbor. Marin’s name means “of the sea,” and her parents treasure their time at the beach visiting Morgan’s childhood home and introducing Marin to the shore.
Tying the Knot
SCULLY, GILRANE SET A DATE
Robert James Scully III and Veronica Leonor Gilrane became engaged Feb. 11 and plan to wed May 5, 2018 at Christ the King Cathedral in Atlanta. Robert is the son of Bob and Cindy Scully, of Avalon, and Veronica is the daughter of Dr. Timothy and Elaine Gilrane, of Jonesboro, Ga., and Dr. Marixie Gilrane, of McDonough, Ga. The couple met as neighbors in San Francisco, where they reside. Robert is an investor at Greenoaks Capital and Veronica is an organizational psychologist at Google.
BELLISARO, HOLLER ENGAGED
Nick Bellisario and Abigail Holler became engaged on June 10 in Avalon. Nick is the son of Dr. Jeff and Denise Bellisario, of Wayne, Pa., and Avalon, and Abigail is the daughter of Denis and Liz Holler, of Westwood, Mass. Nick, who supposedly was out of town on a Father’s Day golf trip with his dad, surprised Abigail in the backyard of his parents’ Avalon home and proposed, with a hidden photographer capturing the moment. The couple capped off a fantastic evening over dinner and drinks with members of both of their extended families. Abigail and Nick met more than six years ago at Wake Forest University. After spending a couple of years in Charlotte, N.C., after college, the two decided to move back to the Northeast to be closer to their families, which led to a long-distance relationship with Abigail in New York and Nick in Boston. They would get together each summer at Nick’s parents’ home in Avalon, and the borough quickly became a favorite spot for them; they even started to visit in winter to enjoy some of the quieter times at the Seven Mile Beach. The relationship stopped being a long-distance earlier this year when Abigail moved to Boston. A 2018 wedding is planned at the Boston Public Library.
Lonnie Mattia with her son Carl celebrating her 100th birthday at dinner.
‘LONNIE’ MATTIA TURNS 100
Yolanda Assumpta Marie Finizio Mattia, affectionately nicknamed “Lonnie,” celebrated her 100th birthday with more than 30 family members and friends at a party in August. Her son and daughter, Carl and Marieanne, along with their spouses held the party for her at the Brookdale Assisted Living facility in Cape May Court House. Lonnie’s six grandchildren and their spouses and her 12 great-grandchildren were all in attendance to celebrate the milestone birthday with her.
Born on Aug. 14, 1917 in South Philadelphia, Mattia’s parents were immigrants from Italy. She was the only daughter in the family and named after an Italian Princess Yolanda. She attended Hallahan High School in Philadelphia, graduating in the class of 1935. At the age of 16, Lonnie became interested in politics and was working with a Pennsylvania State Legislator in South Philadelphia where she learned how to organize and promote voting districts. During her childhood, her family summered at the Jersey Shore and one summer she met and fell in love with a sax player, Carmen J. Mattia. They were married in 1941 at St. Rita’s Church in Philadelphia. Following the war and after raising her two kids, she returned to work in a bank and retired at 65. She eventually settled in Cape May County, where she became involved as a committeewoman and received recognition from a governor, a senator and county officials.
“Mom always had a cause she was fighting for and her gift was her ability to write as an advocate on many issues,” Carl says. “Her latest conquest was the petition she put together at the Brookdale facility to force management to return a TV to the living-room area. She got every resident to sign the petition. The management changed their position as a result of her effort and installed a bigger TV than they initially had. That was Mom at 99½. I can’t wait to see what she does next.”
Lonnie enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She visits Avalon regularly and adores interacting with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loves to play her evening card games with the ladies, pottery class and writing notes to her friends in Florida. She is an avid Phillies fan and has had the chance to attend two World Series games. She also marvels at the lights on Dune Drive at night during the summer and during Christmas as well as going to church at Maris Stella and hearing Father Jack and/or Father Riley’s sermons.
KLINGENSMITH FAMILY ENJOYS 70TH SUMMER IN STONE HARBOR
The Klingensmith family marked its 70th consecutive summer vacationing in Stone Harbor with nearly 100 members on hand for the first week of August. Decked out in brightly colored anniversary T-shirts, the family took part in late-afternoon beach days, complete with the traditional cousin boogie-boarding experience, a few trips to Fred’s Tavern – including an annual “all-family” visit to toast “the uncles” who regularly visited Fred’s as young adults – and an anniversary family picture. They also honored past family members in a Mass at St. Paul Church.
“We know how unusual it is for families, especially large ones, to regularly get together – let alone go on vacation for a week together each summer,” said Glenn Schneider, the son of Robert and Rosemary Klingensmith Schneider. “Each year, we are grateful to our parents and grandparents for making Stone Harbor a part of our lives from the beginning and allowing us to share that same experience with our children.”
Glenn’s grandparents, Ross and Mary Klingensmith, were originally from Pittsburgh, and had nine children. He is among 32 first cousins, and the cousins produced 54 children. After his grandparents first visited Stone Harbor with relatives Kay, Bill and Mercy, more and more family members decided to tag along. They rented a home on the 89th Street beach, and for many generations it has been their “home” beach. Today, most of the family still hails from the Pittsburgh area, but some travel from eastern Pennsylvania, Illinois, Maryland and elsewhere in New Jersey, and three cousins have purchased homes on the island.
