Times Talk
The streamlined system for audible fire alarms means that the current fire siren will no longer be used during common occurrences.
AVALON STREAMLINES FIRE-ALARM SYSTEM
The Avalon Volunteer Fire Department and Mayor Martin Pagliughi introduced a streamlined system for audible fire alarms in the town, reducing the use of the alarm nearly 70%.
“The Borough and volunteers have worked together on a new system that will greatly reduce the number of sirens heard, with zero impact on public safety or response time,” Pagliughi said.
Previously, sirens were heard throughout town for all occurrences. The new system will eliminate the use for common occurrences including fire/smoke/carbon monoxide alarms that are called in for investigation, which represent approximately 76% of the annual call volume.
Sirens will, however, be heard for any type of actual fire, landing zone assignment, motor vehicle accident/rescue/extraction or water rescue.
Each member of the fire department is equipped with a mobile phone app and a radio for complete redundancy when a response is required.
In addition to the streamlined system, the Borough also provided a stipend program that allows for more volunteers to be at the firehouse during anticipated busier times, to improve response time even further.
The Avalon Volunteer Fire Department is accepting active volunteers from the community. For more information, visit the department’s Facebook page at facebook.com/AvalonFIRE or email Chief Ed Dean at edean@avalonboro.org.
WETLANDS INSTITUTE’S SUMMER CELEBRATION GOES VIRTUAL
The Wetlands Institute typically hosts its largest annual fundraiser in July as a gathering of staff, donors and community members. The Summer Celebration is an event that supports the mission of the institute while highlighting the year’s work and achievements, conservation efforts and future projects. As COVID-19 impacted many such fundraising events in the area throughout the summer, The Wetlands Institute quickly transitioned this fundraiser into a virtual event. The theme, “It’s In Our Nature,” highlighted the institute’s work in addressing crucial environmental issues and projects that enhance the resiliency of the local coastal environment.
“Going forward with the celebration took a lot of brainstorming on what a virtual event would ‘look like’ and how would we engage our constituents,” said Hank Schellenger, committee chair for the Summer Celebration. “But we were also hoping that moving it to digital would be a great opportunity to reach out to more people and demographics.”
A silent auction was hosted online featuring nearly 50 donated items such as dinners from the Yacht Club of Stone Harbor, the Washington Inn and Alex’s Market; an electric scooter from Harbor Outfitters; fishing trips on the Miss Avalon Fleet and Nev-r-Enuf Sportfishing, and much more. In addition, staff members also offered unique behind-the-scenes experiences, allowing for supporters to enjoy hands-on conservation efforts as a new approach to stay connected to nature and the community.
A production crew livestreams The Wetlands Institute’s “It’s Our Nature”-themed Summer Celebration that raised $125,000 to support the institute’s work.
Also, a livestream online featured videos submitted by institute volunteers, friends and interns that shared experiences and the work being done for conservation, education and research. Supporters were invited to call, text and donate online to the institute during the one-hour event.
The entire celebration raised $125,000, including $90,000 in mission-support donations received during the livestream.
“The virtual format of the event allowed us to connect to a new audience, and really gave us a wonderful opportunity to share our work in ways that are really exciting and new,” said Dr. Lenore Tedesco, executive director of The Wetlands Institute.
The video can still be viewed on the institute’s website, and all proceeds raised from this year’s Virtual Summer Celebration support the institute’s programs in research, conservation and education.
And moving forward into autumn, while the popular Fall Migration Festival has been canceled, the institute is open to the public and visitors can still experience hands-on outdoor programming and activities throughout the season. Be sure when you stop by to visit Hank, the resident octopus, in one of the aquariums on the grounds.
For more information on The Wetlands Institute, go to wetlandsinstitute.org.
AUTUMN DE FOREST EXHIBIT AT OCEAN GALLERIES
World-renowned artist Autumn de Forest will premiere a groundbreaking, interactive exhibit at Stone Harbor’s Ocean Galleries over Labor Day weekend. The exhibition, “Rosies, Posies & Pearls,” is a new collection of wise and witty images, accompanied by individual narrations by de Forest via QR code.
Along with being recognized as the most decorated Gen-Z painter in the world, de Forest is also a new high school graduate who lives in Las Vegas. And as many high school and college seniors have experienced this year, any rite of passage or celebration was put on hold or canceled altogether.
“Challenges like that drove me to create a collection that included frustration, humor, appreciation, humility, patience and grace,” says de Forest, who sold her first work of art at 6 years old and at age 8 sold paintings for more than $100,000 in 16 minutes at an auction.
The exhibit is the first of its kind for Ocean Galleries, as de Forest narrates each piece, giving the guest an unparalleled artistic and cultural experience that is entertaining for all ages.
“I have been eager to see Stone Harbor again,” de Forest said, “and I hope old friends and new friends alike have an opportunity to see what I have expressed especially for them.”
De Forest is the youngest artist ever chosen to represent Turnaround Arts, a national program founded in 2011 by the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities. The program brings arts education and resources to struggling elementary and middle schools. Schools receive art supplies, musical instruments, professional development in the arts, coaching and the involvement of high-profile artists in schools.
De Forest exhibits her work globally and has visited Stone Harbor for several years. In 2015, de Forest received the International Giuseppe Sciacca Award for Painting and Art, given by the Vatican to talented young people who serve as positive role models. After receiving the award, she presented Pope Francis with four of her paintings.
“Rosies, Posies & Pearls” will be on display from Sept. 4-7 at the Stone Harbor location of Ocean Galleries, 9618 Third Ave. RSVPs for attending the exhibit are requested and can be sent to kim@oceangalleries.com or by calling 609-368-7777. For more information on the exhibit, go to oceangalleries.com.
Stacey Tracy, chief school administrator for Avalon Stone Harbor Schools, announced a four-phase reopening plan starting Sept. 8.
SCHOOLS ANNOUNCE REOPENING PLAN
The Avalon Stone Harbor Schools announced the plan for reopening with a four-phase schedule that recently was approved by the Cape May County Department of Health and the State of New Jersey. Phase 1 begins with the opening of school on Sept. 8, and students in grades K-8 returning on a hybrid schedule for a week of half-day instruction.
Phase 2 moves forward on Sept. 14 with a full day hybrid model, hosting half the students on Monday and Tuesday and the remaining half on Thursday and Friday, with all-remote learning on Wednesdays. Teachers will be in the classroom on Wednesdays using Google Meet with students for virtual instructions.
Phase 3 would be considered as a return to a five-day schedule, but only implemented if public health conditions improve and state and county guidance changes.
Phase 4 would be the full return to a normal school day.
“We are very excited about finally opening our schools and getting students back into the classroom,” said Chief School Administrator Stacey Tracy.
Students and staff will be required to wear masks throughout the day, with the exception of lunch and outside when social distancing is available. Additional safety measures have been implemented including separate entrances, staggered locker-usage times, acrylic plastic barriers installed on all students’ desks, and the scheduling of multiple outside breaks throughout the day. Grades 5-8 will experience a block schedule each day so there is minimal movement between classes, and grades K-4 will be scheduled to remain in the classrooms for a majority of instruction.
“So far, 2020 has been a year unlike any other in our lifetime and the current challenges are unprecedented,” said Dr. Renee Murtaugh, the supervisor of curriculum and instruction. “However, I believe that together the Avalon and Stone Harbor Schools family will prevail and achieve all the goals that we set.
I feel very fortunate to be working with such a great staff and community and look forward to a successful 2020-2021 school year.”
Donna Rothman will succeed Dr. Brian Reynolds as the Chairperson of Avalon’s Environmental Commission.
AVALON ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION CHAIR STEPS DOWN
Dr. Brian Reynolds is stepping down as chair of Avalon’s Environmental Commission and Mayor Martin Pagliughi has approved commission member Donna Rothman to take over as the chair. Reynolds will remain on the commission and continue as its liaison to Avalon’s Planning and Zoning Board.
Reynolds has a long record of service to Avalon. He became a member of the Environmental Commission in the late-1990s, and has chaired the commission for nearly 20 years. In addition, he is a member of Avalon’s Planning and Zoning Board and serves on the board for the Avalon Home and Land Owners Association.
Reynolds has led the way with a number of environmental projects for the town, such as the development of the Dune Vegetation Management Plan, the initiation of the Beach and Dunes Trail at both 44th and 48th streets, the Beach Management Plan, the Tree Management Plan, and the development of Acceptable Plant Lists for properties within the Borough. Other major projects include spearheading the replacement plantings in the dunes, a detailed plant list for Living Fences, and the initiation of the concept of the Butterfly Garden in the corner of Armacost Park.
“I have been chair of the Environmental Commission for 20 years,” Reynolds said, “and I feel that it’s time for the task to be taken over by someone with more up-to-date views on environmental situations as they arise in the Borough.”
Rothman has been on the commission for seven years. She also is involved with the Avalon Tree Commission and the Avalon Garden Club, and serves as a board member and docent at The Wetlands Institute. Rothman worked alongside Reynolds as chair of the Avalon Dune and Beach Trail project.
She looks forward to focusing on the continuation of the Dune Vegetation Management Plan, expanding the work of the Tree Committee and Dune Grass plantings, and making the new Butterfly Garden more user-friendly. Rothman’s goal is to stir residents and visitors into action to protect the local ecosystem and gain a better understanding of the environment through participation and support of education, research and conservation.
“I am honored to be taking over as chairperson, and I know it will be a challenge,” she said. “Dr. Reynolds held this position for 20 years, so I have a steep learning curve in the months ahead and plan to give it my all.”
In her free time, Rothman enjoys catching the sunsets over the marsh and bird-watching, specifically the local gulls, red-wing blackbirds, egrets and ospreys.
Avalon’s Environmental Commission meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 4pm. For more information, go to avalonboro.net.
