Smilestones
Team Avalon with the Mayor’s Cup trophy: from left, Mayor Pagliughi, Miriam Kauterman, Doris Fox and Chuck McDonnell.
AVALON WINS 2018 MAYOR’S CUP
The Borough of Avalon won the 2018 Mayor’s Cup bocce tournament with an 11-9 victory over Middle Township in the final round on Saturday, Sept. 29. Team Avalon was led by Mayor Martin Pagliughi and included Miriam Kauterman, Doris Fox and Chuck McDonnell.
“The Mayor’s Cup has come home,” Pagliughi said. “The annual bocce tournament is a great way for us to engage in a friendly, competitive recreation competition with our neighboring communities. Avalon is looking forward to defending the title next year and keeping the Cup here at home. I encourage anyone who would like to learn the game of bocce to visit our exceptional courts at 39th Street and perhaps be a part of our team in the future.”
The Borough of Stone Harbor also competed in the double-elimination event, represented by Mayor Judy Davies-Dunhour, Doug Dunhour, Joan Kramar and Julian Miraglia. Middle Township’s team included Mayor Michael Clark, Jeff DeVico, Elizabeth Terenik and Ralph Catanese.
The Mayor’s Cup Bocce Tournament is hosted by the Avalon History Center and Avalon Recreation Department. Following the tournament, all attendees enjoyed lunch catered by Circle Pizza and sponsored by the Avalon Chamber of Commerce and the 7 Mile Business Community Association.
Council members Chuck Covington (left) and Jim Deever (right) flank volunteer honorees Agnes Kelly, Theresa Montgomery and Barbara Blake.
AVALON SALUTES SENIOR CENTER VOLUNTEERS
The Borough of Avalon honored volunteers Agnes Kelly, Theresa Montgomery, Barbara Blake and Frick Quillman during a luncheon at the Senior Center on Sept. 26.
Montgomery has been teaching bridge at the Senior Center for 20 years, Blake continues to grow the mah jongg offerings, Kelly covers the canasta and spite ‘n’ malice games, and Quillman is covering for Joan Fitzgerald with the pinochle games.
“The talented and generous volunteers in Avalon are truly the fabric of our community,” said Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “They inspire, educate, and engage our entire population and really make Avalon the great community we strive to be, every day.”
Sue Keen organized the event to honor the years of service each volunteer has given to the Borough. Council members John McCorristin, Chuck Covington and Jim Deever attended the event as well as department heads from within the Borough to honor the volunteers.
Dr. Loretta Finnegan, wearing the Surgeon General’s Medallion, is flanked by (from left) U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, first lady Melania Trump and Assistant Secretary for Health Brett Giroir at the medal presentation ceremony.
FINNEGAN AWARDED SURGEON GENERAL’S MEDALLION
Longtime Avalon resident Dr. Loretta Finnegan was presented with the Surgeon General’s Medallion on Oct. 17 at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. First lady Melania Trump attended the presentation along with Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and Assistant Secretary for Health Brett Giroir.
Finnegan, the first civilian honoree in five years, was cited for “pioneering leadership and innovative performance both as a clinician and executive officer of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence and for the Finnegan Score, a groundbreaking key assessment tool for babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome, which remains widely used across the U.S. and the world,” according to a statement.
A graduate of Drexel University’s College of Medicine, Finnegan served as a professor of pediatrics, psychiatry and human behavior for 16 years. She advanced to a position as a senior medical adviser for the National Institutes of Health and most recently served as an executive officer for the College on Problems of Drug Dependence, Inc. Finnegan is also a staple in the community, serving organizations such as the Avalon Lions Club and the Avalon Performing Arts Council.
Andrew Vickers’ winning photo for the 2018 Summer Memories contest.
AVALON CHAMBER CONTEST WINNERS
The Avalon Chamber of Commerce recently announced the winners from its summer social-media contests, based on votes received. Andrew Vickers won the 2018 Summer Memories Photography Contest, and Casey Fanelli was named the 2018 #ILoveAvalonNJ winner for her video detailing why she loves Avalon. Each received a gift basket filled with Avalon goodies.
“One of the best ways to promote our town is from the people who love it the most,” said John O’Dea, president of the Avalon Chamber of Commerce. “We had over 100 photo entries and a number of creative video submissions, all which highlighted our beautiful town.”
Both contests are set to launch again for the 2019 season before Memorial Day. Photos and videos can be submitted via Avalon’s Facebook page at facebook.com/avalonnewjersey or by email at info@visitavalonnj.com.
Mary Jane Greene’s 2018 winning entry in the SHPOA photography contest.
GREENE WINS SHPOA PHOTO CONTEST
Mary Jane Greene was named the winner of the Stone Harbor Property Owners Association’s third annual photography contest. Greene was presented with a $500 gift certificate for her photograph of a dolphin swimming by a Stone Harbor lifeboat. The runner-up was Eileen Skultety, who received a $300 gift certificate. Rose Nilsen placed third and received a $200 gift certificate.
Each participant was allowed one entry and more than 70 entries were received. The results were announced during the organization’s annual meeting at the Harbor Square Theatre on Sept. 8. SHPOA will run the contest again in 2019 and will be accepting photo entries from Memorial Day through mid-August.
For more information about SHPOA, go to stoneharborpoa.org.
Tying the Knot
O’CONNELL-GRIFFIN
Briana O’Connell and Patrick Griffin were married May 12 in Avalon. Briana is the daughter of Tom and Mary O’Connell, of Avalon and Marlton, and Patrick is the son of Dan and Meg Griffin, of Ocean City and Newtown, Pa. The ceremony at Maris Stella Church was followed by a reception at the ICONA Avalon. Patrick and Briana were introduced by mutual friends while tailgating before a Phillies game. He later proposed to Briana at her happy place, the beach in Avalon. Briana, who has degrees in marketing and nursing from St. Joseph’s and Villanova, works in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Patrick is a graduate of Penn State and Drexel Law School and is an attorney with Derek Smith Law Group in Philadelphia. The couple honeymooned in Hawaii and reside in Cherry Hill.
TODARO-LOMBARDO
Julia Anne Todaro and Kevin Michael Lombardo were married on Sept. 29 at the Stone Harbor Golf Club. Julia is the daughter of Kathleen and Steven Todaro, of Medford and Avalon, and Kevin is the son of Donald Lombardo, of Middle Township. Julia and her mom, Kathy, who writes the wine column for Seven Mile Times, work in the family’s business at Fred’s Avalon Liquor Store. Kevin works in Philadelphia for Cintas. The newlyweds are looking forward to moving into their new home in Cherry Hill this winter and continuing to spending as much time in Avalon as possible.
Look What the Stork Brought!
OWEN STEVEN RYAN
Owen Steven Ryan was born on Aug. 10 to Lauren and Dan Ryan, of Dresher, Pa. Owen arrived weighing 6 pounds, 3 ounces and measuring 20 inches long. His mom, Lauren, co-owns Closet Boutique in Avalon, and his dad, Dan, owns Churchville Mechanical, Inc. Owen joins siblings Jackson, 4, and Charlotte “Charlie,” 2. His grandparents include Bonnie Anzalone, of Cape May Court House, and Denise and Joe Kelly, of Holland, Pa.
VERA SAGE TRACY
Vera Sage Tracy was born Sept. 18 at Shore Memorial Hospital to John and Bridget Tracy of Cape May Court House. She weighed 8 pounds and 5 ounces and measured 21 inches long. Her dad, John, is the general manager of The Whitebrier and writes the craft beer column for the Seven Mile Times and Sea Isle Times. Sisters Isla, 5, and Luna, 2, are happy to welcome their baby sister into the world. Her grandparents include Lizanne Tracy and John O’Dea, of Stone Harbor Manor; John Tracy Sr. and Deb Majer, of Stone Harbor; and Kevin and Miriam Kleiner, of Milmay.
JAMES WILLIAM TOOLAN
James William Toolan Jr. made first-time parents of Jim and Hope Toolan of Lafayette Hill, Pa., on Aug. 15. Baby James arrived at Bryn Mawr Hospital weighing 8 pounds, 2 ounces and measuring 21 inches. His grandparents include Jim and Leslie Toolan, of Avalon and East Norriton, Pa., and Dave and Hope Luken, of Cape May and Lafayette Hill, Pa. His dad, Jim, grew up spending summers in Avalon, where he eventually met his mom, Hope, in 2007. He joins a family of Avalon and Stone Harbor lifeguards including his dad, grandfather and his great aunts and uncle. The Toolan family is looking forward to continuing this tradition with baby James.
Trevor Lord and Chef Jay Otton of The Watering Hull with the 2018 Chowder Cup.
WATERING HULL’S CHOWDER WINS
The Watering Hull was crowned Chowder Champion during Avalon’s Seafood Festival Chowder Championship on Oct. 7. The seafood chowder created by Chef Jay Otton received the most votes out of nearly 100 voters. Jay’s Crab Shack of Ocean City took second place and The Princeton was third.
The People’s Choice Chowder Championship invited attendees to sample nine chowders at Avalon Community Hall during the Avalon Chamber of Commerce’s annual Seafood Festival. Participating restaurants included Sylvester’s, The Sea Grill, Yacht Club of Stone Harbor, ICONA, Cibo Grill and The Whitebrier.
Make plans to join the Avalon Chamber of Commerce for next year’s Seafood Festival to be held on Oct. 12 and 13, and check out the organization’s other events at visitavalonnj.com.
