Times Talk
AVALON POLICE CHIEF, DETECTIVE SERGEANT RETIRING
Avalon Police Chief William McCormick and Detective Sgt. Joe Gaughan will retire in 2018. Both effective in January, McCormick’s retirement is following a career of more than 30 years, and Gaughan’s is following a 25-year career.
“I want to thank both Bill and Joe for their exemplary, decades-long public service to the Borough of Avalon,” said Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “Bill’s leadership in the department has resulted in many achievements, new ideas, and new programs. Joe has been a tremendous asset to our detective department and has provided mentoring for many of our younger officers. Avalon is a better, and safer place, thanks to the efforts by Chief William McCormick and Det. Sergeant Joe Gaughan.”
McCormick was hired as a full-time officer on Jan. 28, 1986 and was one of the first officers to patrol the Borough of Avalon via bicycle during the summer season. He continued bicycle patrol for a few years, later serving as an instructor in Avalon and surrounding communities for 12 years. He worked his way through the ranks and was promoted to sergeant in 1988, captain in 2008, and chief in 2011. He was also appointed to the Avalon Emergency Medical Services in 2014, and was named the assistant director of public safety under the mayor in 2016. McCormick plans to enjoy retirement and might get back into disc jockey and construction work. He also enjoys his grandchildren’s sporting events, classic muscle cars, and traveling to Florida.
“I have enjoyed every aspect of law enforcement and being able to serve the citizens and visitors of Avalon for 31 years,” McCormick said. “I want to thank the business administrators, Borough Council and the mayor for the confidence in me to lead the Avalon Police department for the past six years. I want to thank every borough employee for a great working relationship and of course thank all the members of the Avalon Police Department for their hard work and dedication.”
A new police chief will be named by Pagliughi and the Borough Council in January.
Gaughan started his career in Avalon as a patrolman in 1993. He had experience running bars and nightclubs in King of Prussia and he decided to get a job at the shore following graduation from West Chester University, where he received his degree in business. He spent the summer working the door and checking IDs at Jack’s Place, where he became friendly with former police chief Steve Sykes. Sykes suggested he look into a job with the Avalon Police Department. He took the test and was hired in 1993. He was assigned to the detective division in 2009 and was promoted to detective sergeant in 2011. He also spent 20-plus years serving as a volunteer with the Avalon Fire Department. Gaughan recently relocated to the Florida Keys to help his friend, Tonio Galdi of Tonio’s Pizza, open and run “Tonio’s Seafood and Tiki Bar” in Summerland Key.
“I loved my job with the Avalon Police Department,” Gaughan said. “The work, the town and people in Avalon and Stone Harbor and the group of guys I worked with is probably what I will miss the most, but with the chief leaving and the great younger guys, it was the right time. I’m on to the next chapter in life and it’s all sunshine from here. I’m loving life down here.”
Wetlands Institute staff members (from left): Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Brian Williamson, Allison Anholt and Brittany Morey.
WETLANDS INSTITUTE GETS GRANT COMMITMENT
The Wetlands Institute recently received a grant commitment from the Leff Family Foundation to support its Coastal Sustainability and Wetland Health Program. The three-year commitment of $25,000 per year for funding will allow institute scientists to conduct detailed monitoring of marsh usage by birds, diamondback terrapins and other wildlife.
“Intensive marsh monitoring is helping Institute scientists understand the changes that are occurring and allowing us to contribute to ongoing discussions about coastal sustainability and resilience in our coastal communities,” said Dr. Lenore Tedesco, executive director of The Wetlands Institute.
“The $75,000 grant will be used to support marsh monitoring staff, equipment and supplies.”
The Wetlands Institute has put a major focus on understanding the effects of increased flooding on the marsh. The Coastal Sustainability and Wetland Health Program was launched in 2015 with support from the Davenport Family Foundation and since then has grown in impact and importance. The program gives scientists the capability to monitor and understand the impacts to area marshes. By monitoring the area, the staff can more accurately assist in the decision-making of issues such as sustainability, beneficial reuse of dredge materials, and wetland restoration.
Some of the funding from the Leff Family Foundation is also being used for the institute’s Diamondback Terrapin Conservation Program and the Terrapins in the Classroom Program. The Wetlands Institute has been practicing terrapin conservation for more than 20 years. As part of each program, the institute staff continues to educate the public on the importance of the diamondback terrapins and reducing the number of human-related threats to terrapins such as vehicle strikes, traps, and storm drains. Funding will assist with conservation efforts and help train undergraduate student interns. Funding used for the classroom program will help with courses, training and supplies for participating New Jersey teachers to raise orphaned terrapins in their classrooms before returning them to the institute for release back into area marshes.
The Leff Family Foundation was founded with the mission to support programs that primarily focus on children and families in need. The organization supports promoting education, tolerance and active, healthy lifestyles necessary for the development of children.
Visit wetlandsinstitute.org for more information about The Wetlands Institute.
Avalon police officers Mark Glassford (left) and Matthew Ardelean flank Council President John McCorristin and Mayor Martin Pagliughi.
POLICE HONORED FOR HELPING SAVE MAN’S LIFE
Avalon Police Department patrolmen Mark Glassford and Matthew Ardelean were presented with proclamations from Mayor Martin Pagliughi and Council President John McCorristin during the Borough Council meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 11. The officers’ heroic actions helped save a man’s life in September.
The officers responded to a call about a man who was threatening to harm himself at 2:21am on Sept. 24, and located him in the water off the 16th Street beach. Glassford and Ardelean determined the man was unarmed and Glassford entered the water to have a conversation with him and bring him to shore. The man agreed to be transported to Cape Regional Medical Center by the Avalon Rescue Squad. At the man’s request, Glassford escorted him to the hospital.
“I want to applaud patrolmen Mark Glassford and Matthew Ardelean for their proactive, compassionate approach toward helping this individual in need,” Pagliughi said. “Their efforts resulted in saving a man’s life and I commend them for their actions.”
Board members of the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children (from left): Chuck Covington, Matt Pappas, Monica Coskey, Holly Rennie, Matt Barnoski, Joe Ostrowski, Anne Coskey, Dan Flynn, Mike Sowers, Doug Heun and Frank Hallinan.
BAREFOOT BALL RAISES MORE THAN $350,000
The Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children raised more than $350,000 from its seventh annual Barefoot Ball, held Sept. 9 at the Windrift Hotel Resort. More than 300 people attended the event, at which they enjoyed cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, live music and a live auction.
The event provides the funding to give blind and visually impaired children an all-expense-paid week of summer camp at the Diller Vacation Home, which has provided children with this opportunity every summer since 1972. Funds raised through the event come from sponsors, ticket sales, the live auction and more. This year, the live auction alone raised a record-breaking $160,000.
Guests danced the night away to the sounds of the BLT Orchestra at the Windrift’s Level 2 venue. Musical entertainment also was provided by 15-year-old blind harmonica player Cole Moran and his father, of the band Blind Wind. Moran who attended the camp this past summer has been playing music since he was an infant.
Frank Hallinan and Dan Flynn emceed the live auction that featured 10 items for bid. This year’s big-ticket items included trips to the Kentucky Derby and The Masters golf tournament; original art pieces from world-renowned artists; a fishing trip or boat cruise on the Canyon Lady; a private chef’s table at The Diving Horse; window treatments and installation, and a morning in the 94WIP studio with Angelo Cataldi. The artwork in the auction, framed by Ocean Galleries, was donated by artists Romero Britto, Aldo Luongo, Josef Kote and Hessam Abrishami.
“I am truly speechless and have been on cloud nine while recapping the event even two weeks after it,” said Matt Pappas, the co-chair of the event. “It was an unbelievable event; everything from the tear-jerking performance by Cole and his dad to the success of the auction and the beautiful weather, it all fell into place. I think the addition of the new experience auction items was a big hit as it went beyond traditional auction items. We couldn’t have done it without the help of Anne Coskey and her team at 7 Mile Publishing and Creative, Pete Compare of the Windrift and his staff, and the many generous board members, donors and attendees who contribute every year.”
In addition to the Barefoot Ball, the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children hosts the Turkey Trot 5K and 1.5-Mile Walk over Thanksgiving weekend. This year’s event will kick off Festive Friday in Avalon on Nov. 24.
Visit dillerblindhome.org for more information.
HOLIDAY BEACH TAGS TO GO ON SALE
The boroughs of Avalon and Stone Harbor will continue their tradition of selling limited-edition holiday beach tags beginning Thanksgiving weekend. Although each borough’s tag has its own unique design, the tags will be reciprocal in Avalon and Stone Harbor for the 2018 beach season. Tags cost the preseason rate of $23 and only a limited number of holiday tags will be sold.
Stone Harbor’s holiday beach-tag design depicts an American Oystercatcher on the beach with the glow of an orange sunset in the background. The American Oystercatcher is one of the beach-nesting migratory birds found at Stone Harbor Point. The year “2018” is located below “Stone Harbor” and features a red ornament as the zero. While supplies last, the holiday beach tags will be available at Borough Hall (9508 Second Ave.) during Island Holiday weekend, from 10am-5pm on Friday, Nov. 24, and Saturday, Nov. 25, and 10am-4pm on Sunday, Nov. 26. After the weekend, any remaining tags will be available at Borough Hall, Monday through Friday from 8:30am-4pm.
Avalon’s holiday beach tags will be available during the borough’s Festive Friday and Snowfest Saturday events, Nov. 24 and 25. Each tag will be sold in a decorative box. The design of this year’s tag depicts four stockings hung by the fireplace, complete with wrapped presents and toys. Tags can be purchased at the Avalon Rescue Squad (3100 Dune Drive), from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Festive Friday and Snowfest Saturday via cash or check. Any remaining tags will be sold in the tax collector’s office at Borough Hall (also 3100 Dune Drive) the following week.
Holiday beach tags make the perfect gift for friends and family. Give the gift of the beach this holiday season.
Visit avalonboro.net or shnj.org for more information.
Best in Show winner “Mama Mia” designed by Jean Zartman.
STONE HARBOR GARDEN CLUB ‘STAGES’ FLOWER SHOW
The Stone Harbor Garden Club hosted its biannual flower show, featuring the theme of “Broadway Musicals,” at the Stone Harbor Elementary School on Saturday, Sept. 23. More than 50 entries of beautiful arrangement were displayed and judged.
Categories for the show included Artistic, Display, and Horticultural, and there was a Member Challenge for Succulents. Jean Zartman received “Best in Show” for her entry in the Miniature Division. She created her display as a tribute to the musical “Mama Mia.” Blue-ribbon winners included Phyllis Kienz, Isabella Kelly-Prince, Carole Lehman, Kathy Dallahan, Carol Koch, Joanne Warner and Karen Lane. Third-grade students from Stone Harbor Elementary School also received a blue ribbon for their arrangement depicting “The Lion King.”
“I thought all the arrangements were well done,” said Cynthia Schweickhardt, the event coordinator. “The miniature arrangements are ones I really admire because I can’t imagine how you can make an arrangement so small. Karen Lane’s arrangement in the dried plant material category was beautiful using colorful feathers besides the dried plant materials. Carole Lehman’s striking arrangement of three large magenta chrysanthemums against the black background. The Bonsai display put out by Garden Green House & Nursery was very interesting. To see the ages of those little trees, it is hard to imagine the time and effort it took to get the stunted growth as well as the interesting shapes.”
The Stone Harbor Garden Club, which has a bus trip to Longwood Gardens scheduled for December, has been hosting its flower show for more than 20 years. Events the club holds throughout the year, such as the plant sale in May and the house tour in June, help fund the club’s projects and initiatives. Among them are providing the hanging baskets and urns in the downtown area; planting flowers in the medians on Second Avenue; presenting a scholarship each year to a graduating senior at Middle Township High School and Cape May Technical High School; and funding the elementary school’s garden projects.
For more information about the club, go to stoneharbornj.org/gardenclub.
Twin sisters Rachel (left) and Darby Kearon pose with Rise Against Hunger representative David Cook during the event at Spring-Ford High School.
SISTERS RAISE $3,000 FOR ‘RISE AGAINST HUNGER’
Darby and Rachel Kearon, twin sisters from Royersford, Pa., and Avalon, raised $3,000 for Rise Against Hunger this summer through outreach and awareness efforts at tables set up in front of the Acme locations in Cape May Court House and Avalon Boulevard. Seniors at Spring-Ford High School, the sisters first learned about Rise Against Hunger two years ago, when they participated as meal-packaging volunteers with their parents at a local church. With the organization’s goal of ending world hunger by 2030 in mind, Darby and Rachel decided to use the summer before their senior year to raise funds. They also organized a charity event at their high school in September.
“Every day, 22,000 people die of hunger,” says Darby Kearon. “During an event two years ago, the organizers showed a video of the children who receive the meals and explained how thousands of people around the world die of hunger every day. It created an awareness of how lucky we are, and created a need to find a way to give back. The hands-on involvement was also a factor, as we could benefit from doing the work ourselves, as opposed to having a machine pack the meals. We were glad to be a part of the change needed to end these deaths and help support sustainability in developing countries.”
“We’d like to thank the managers, Laura Rainer and Carl Mason, for allowing us to fund-raise outside their stores,” says Rachel Kearon. “We also want to thank the kind and generous residents/vacationers of Cape May County for their donations which helped us achieve our goal.”
Following their fund-raising efforts this summer, the Kearon sisters took it one step further and, with the help of their faculty adviser, Jaclyn Ritter, and their school principal, Dr. Robert Colyer, they recruited 60 fellow student volunteers to participate in a meal-packaging event on Sept. 29 in the school’s cafeteria. Rise Against Hunger’s local representative, David Cook, arrived with a packed van of supplies and food, and the students worked together in assembly-line fashion to package 10,152 meals in just under two hours. The meals are highly nutritious, dehydrated meals composed of rice, soy, vegetables, flavoring and essential vitamins and minerals. Each meal costs only 29 cents to produce, provides a reasonable serving for six and is easy to transport, store and distribute to those in greatest need.
“Our principal even spoke of having this be an annual event at the high school in the future,” says Darby Kearon.
The Kearon family has been coming to Avalon for 40 years and decided to purchase a home on the island about 15 years ago. Darby and Rachel have enjoyed summers in Avalon since they were babies and love spending time in the back bays and in the ocean. Rachel plays volleyball for Spring-Ford High School and both Darby and Rachel play recreational basketball on the team their dad coaches. Although undecided where, the twins will head to college next year; Rachel plans to study chemical engineering and Darby is considering marine biology as a major.
For more information on Rise Against Hunger or to get involved, go to riseagainsthunger.org.
Townsends Inlet Bridge will operate as a single-lane bridge during renovations.
T.I. BRIDGE PROJECT UNDERWAY
The Townsends Inlet Bridge will receive a railing replacement this winter and operate as a single-lane bridge with alternating traffic through June. The work is part of a $2,678,715 construction contract awarded by the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders to Barry Thomas Marine Construction, Inc., of South Dennis, on Sept. 12. Remington & Vernick Engineers, of Haddonfield, will oversee construction operations on the project.
The four-phase project will replace the railing system on 25 of the 27 spans; the other two spans were replaced under a previous construction contract. The Townsends Inlet Bridge will receive the same railing system that was installed on the Corsons Inlet Bridge in 2012. Workers will remove a portion of the existing concrete deck of each rail post and replace it with new reinforcement steel and concrete.
During the first two phases of the project, work will be performed on the Sea Isle City side of the bridge. The work will occur in the southbound lane, from the north side toward the tollbooth, and then in the northbound lane in the same direction. The third and fourth phases of the project will replace the railing on the Avalon side, working from the movable span to the south abutment.
No tolls will be collected during construction and the movable span that opens for marine vessels will not be impacted by the project.
The Borough of Avalon will provide updates for the county’s project online at avalonboro.net.
