Times Talk
Members of the community enjoyed a barbecue lunch at Stephen C. Ludlam Post 331 to honor the American Legion’s 100th anniversary.
POST 331 CELEBRATES AMERICAN LEGION’S 100TH ANNIVERSARY
The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of its founding
organization, the Stephen C. Ludlam Post 331 in Stone Harbor hosted a barbecue and open house for the community on Aug. 10 that was attended by more than 150 people.
“Post 331 and the Borough of Stone Harbor were proud to host the 100th Anniversary celebration of the American Legion,” said Commander Tom McCullough. “Post 331 has been a proud member of the American Legion since 1946. It is the jewel of Seven Mile Island. We can’t thank Mayor Judy Davies-Dunhour and Mayor Martin Pagliughi enough for their support as well as our communities in Avalon and Stone Harbor.”
Sponsored by Post 331 and the Borough of Stone Harbor, the event took place from 3-6pm and featured hot dogs, hamburgers, baked beans, corn on the cob, and soft pretzels, courtesy of Barbecue Bob’s, of Westville, N.J. Post 331 provided beverages and dessert.
Post 331 is located on the grounds of a restored 1895 US Lifesaving and Coast Guard Station. The oldest building in Stone Harbor, it is on the National Registry of Historic Places. Members of Post 331 provided tours of the building and the post’s museum featuring military artifacts and memorabilia.
American Legion Post 331 hosts several events throughout the year, including its upcoming Spaghetti Dinner on Sept. 15 at the Yacht Club of Stone Harbor.
Go to stephencludlampost331.org for more information.
Jane Seymour will not just donate art to benefit the Diller Vacation Home, she also will tour it.
JANE SEYMOUR TO VISIT DILLER HOME, DONATE ART FOR BAREFOOT BALL AUCTION
Though Jane Seymour is best known for starring in the television series, “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman,” and movies such as “Live and Let Die” and “Wedding Crashers,” she has been a serious artist for more than three decades. Her art features light watercolors and vibrant oil paintings as well as bronze sculptures.
During her Labor Day weekend visit to Stone Harbor’s Ocean Galleries location, the renowned actress, designer and artist will tour the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children in Avalon and donate a piece of her artwork to be auctioned off at the organization’s Barefoot Ball on Sept. 7.
“We were delighted and so very grateful that Jane offered to donate one of her gorgeous artwork pieces in support of the Diller Vacation Home,” said Ocean Galleries owner Kim Miller.
The Barefoot Ball is held annually in September at the Windrift Hotel Resort and is the biggest fundraising event for the Diller Vacation Home. The event features music by the BLT Band, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a live auction with items such as artwork donated from Ocean Galleries, fishing trips, golf outings and more. Funds raised from the event through the live auction, ticket sales and sponsorships help the Diller Vacation Home continue its mission of providing an all-expense paid week of summer camp to blind and visually impaired children ages 7-15.
The “Jane Seymour – California Colorist” exhibition includes more than 85 original oil paintings, watercolors and sculptures. Seymour will be available for meet-and-greet sessions and to sign artwork on Friday, Aug. 30 and Saturday, Aug. 31 from 7-10pm, and on Sunday, Sept. 1 from 1-4pm.
For more information about Ocean Galleries, go to oceangalleries.com. To learn more about the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children, go to dillerblindhome.org.
Chuck McDonnell will serve as the athletic coordinator for Avalon Stone Harbor Schools.
McDONNELL ADDS SCHOOL ATHLETIC DUTIES
Avalon Recreation Director Chuck McDonnell will now also serve as the athletic coordinator for Avalon and Stone Harbor Schools as part of a shared-services agreement between the Borough and the schools. The agreement was passed by Borough resolution for a term of three years and became effective Aug. 1.
As part of his job description, McDonnell will coordinate programs through the Atlantic Cape Junior High League in basketball, cross country and track in addition to the youth programs already offered within the Borough of Avalon. Students will be able to join school teams and compete with other teams in the league, which includes schools in Atlantic and Cape May counties.
“This is an example of another positive shared-services agreement for the Borough of Avalon and the school districts,” McDonnell said. “Kids will now be able to engage in extracurricular activities and interact with other students from area schools through different sports programs. I am excited for this opportunity and am looking forward to the sports seasons.”
McDonnell was hired as the Borough’s recreation director in 2015. He currently oversees the daily operations of Avalon’s Community Hall, recreational facilities, activities and more. He previously served as athletic coordinator at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and as Middle Township’s recreation director.
South Jersey Board Riders and participants in free surf lessons (from left): Joey Ferguson, Taylor Ohntrup, Scott Ohntrup, Flora Morris, Kevin Morris, Mika Morris, Trip Butler, Joe Butler, Landon O’Hara, Casey O’Hara, Austin King, Mike McFarlane, Chris Eaves, Rob Kelly, Gunner Roberts.
BOARDRIDERS CLUB HOSTS SURF LESSONS
Surf professionals Rob Kelly and Matt Keenan of Ocean City and members of the 7 Mile Island Boardriders Club hosted free surf lessons Aug. 11 on the 30th Street beach in Avalon. Boards, equipment, and additional volunteers were provided by Elation Surf Camps. The lessons were free and open to the public, required no prior registration, and attracted a great turnout by children and adults. Raffle prizes were awarded to participants.
The South Jersey Boardriders Club was established this year and made its presence well-known among members of the surfing community throughout South Jersey. One of its eight chapters is the 7 Mile Island Boardriders Club, which consists of members residing in Avalon, Stone Harbor, and respective towns inland of each. The captains of the 7 Mile Island Boardriders are Avalon residents Casey O’Hara and Scott Ohntrup.
“We’re really looking forward to some first-time events that we hope to make annual over the course of this year,” O’Hara said. “Currently we are planning an event calendar that will be established for the year. Our goals for events such as beach cleanups and surfboard drives will really help us to fulfill the plan of being a charitable organization that gives back to the community in a unique way.”
The organization started with inspiration from the world-famous Australian Boardriders Clubs, which advocate for interclub competition, hometown pride, and charitable works. The South Jersey Boardriders Club provides for the growth of local surf contests and for community-focused charitable works such as board and equipment drives, beach cleanups, and scheduled free surf lessons.
Go to sjboardriders.com for more information.
FRIEND IN NEED RAFFLE OFFERS $15,000 PRIZE
The local nonprofit charity Friend In Need is holding its second annual 50/50 raffle with a chance for one lucky ticketholder to win up to $15,000. Tickets are on sale for $100 and can be purchased online at friendinneednj.org or via mail-in entry (form available on page 53). Mailed entries and payments must be received by Oct. 7. The mailing address is Friend In Need, P.O. Box 5, Avalon, NJ 08202.
The winner of the big prize (50% of the proceeds, up to $15,000) will be
announced at the Avalon Seafood Festival on Saturday, Oct. 12, at 2:30pm. The remainder of the proceeds will go to Friend In Need’s mission to assist families in Cape May County who are in need due to illness and financial struggle.
Friend In Need will also host a Music with Friends benefit concert at
The Whitebrier on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 2-7pm. The cost is $10 and attendees will enjoy a cash bar, appetizers, and live music featuring Marnie and the Yokels, Out of Order, Fuddy, and the Sonoma Sound Trio.
More information can be found at friendinneednj.org.
A Diller camper proves a fast learner during the free lesson.
DILLER CAMPERS GET SURFING LESSON
Campers from the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children enjoyed a Sunday afternoon at the 30th Street beach splashing under the sun and learning to surf.
Eleven out of the 20 campers who attended Week 7 at the home were able to surf with the help of instructors from Elation Surf Camp.
“We have a chance to give back, and we have the means and the equipment to do so in a way that the campers can really enjoy,” Elation Surf Camp Director Willie Fannon said. “Surfing is something that these kids would not typically be able to do. We’re here so we can see them all smiling and loving their time out here on the water.”
The Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children has been providing an all-expense-paid week of summer camp to blind and visually impaired children ages 7-15 since 1972. The next big fundraising event, the Barefoot Ball, will be held on Saturday, Sept. 7 from 5-9pm at the Windrift Hotel Resort.
For details, go to dillerblindhome.org.
