Smilestones
Post 331 Commander Tom McCullough with Navy National Defense Cadet Corps volunteers.
POST 331 SPAGHETTI SUPPER A BIG SUCCESS
The annual fundraising Spaghetti Supper hosted by American Legion Post 331 of Stone Harbor on Sept. 8 attracted 325 guests, the largest turnout the event has ever had.
The Yacht Club of Stone Harbor prepared the meals, provided assistance, and allowed Post 331 to use their facility for the event. Members of Post 331, its auxiliary, and Sons of the American Legion Squadron 331 along with 14 members of Middle Township High School’s Navy National Defense Cadet Corps served the meals and made the evening’s events go smoothly.
Each year the net proceeds of the event are donated to a veterans support organization. This year’s event benefited the Citizens/Veterans Advisory Committee of Cape May County (CVAC), which received a donation of $5,000. CVAC officially began on Feb. 22, 2013 with the mission “to promote awareness of veterans’ needs and to identify proper resources for referrals that support these needs to enhance the lives of our veterans.” It serves as a single point of contact for referring veterans in need to organizations that can provide assistance in the key areas of homelessness, transportation, and veterans benefits. CVAC founder and chair Johnnie Walker presented a brief overview of the organization’s mission and operations to the attendees.
American Legion Post 331, is made up of members primarily from Avalon and Stone Harbor and continuously is raising funds for county veterans in need and local community causes.
GRANDPARENTS’ DAY AT STONE HARBOR ELEMENTARY
The students at Stone Harbor Elementary invited their grandparents in for grandparents’ day Oct. 3. Everyone was treated to a fascinating 40-minute laser light and music show in the school’s gymnasium. You can probably imagine the noise level in the room when the presenter switched to music from Stone Harbor’s very own Taylor Swift while the lasers created her image on the 8-foot screens in the room. All in all, it was a great day at the school, seeing the children, visiting their school, enjoying the entertainment, and having snacks with them.
CONGRATS TO SHARKS RUNNERS
The Sharks, representing the Avalon and Stone Harbor Elementary schools, completed a stellar cross-country season on Oct. 30 at the county championship meet at the boardwalk outside of the Wildwoods Convention Center.
The event, called the Little Five Championship although there were eight teams competing, saw both of our local teams under the direction of Laura Salvesen (girls) and Tom Marshall (boys) complete their dual meet season with records of 10-0. The girls won the team title at the event with Brynn Cunningham finishing first and Blake Barnoski placing third overall. The boys placed second, but Grayson Barnoski was the overall boys’ race champion.
GOOD WEATHER, GREAT EVENTS
Blessed with amazing weather this fall, record crowds were attracted to Avalon’s Arts and Seafood Festival on Oct. 11. With more than 40 vendors attendees enjoyed the freshest seafood dishes served up by local restaurants including Son of a Sailor, Capt’n Chucky’s, The Black Cactus and Rock ‘N Chair, to name but a few, while browsing the works of local artists and crafters. Kids especially enjoyed the hayrides on the beach all presented by the Avalon Chamber of Commerce and 7MBCA.
The fabulous weather, record crowds, and hayrides were back on Oct. 23, for Avalon’s Trunk or Treat, presented by the Avalon Department of Recreation, at the 30th Street parking lot. There were more than 35 trunks set up and distributing buckets of treats to the costumed attendees. Some trunks were especially impressive and creative, including a full re-creation of the “ESPN SportsCenter” set as well as tributes to Chick-fil-A, the Phillies, and Puppy Dog Pals.
Sturdy Savings Bank President and CEO Gregory Matuson presented a donation the Diller Home Board Members Vincent Lamanna, Lisa Booth and Kelly McHugh.
STURDY BANK, SHPOA PRESENT DONATIONS TO DILLER HOME
The Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children recently received donations from two community organizations: Sturdy Savings Bank and the Stone Harbor Property Owners Association.
During its membership meeting in September, SHPOA presented the Diller Home with a donation of $3,000. The donation was generated from proceeds of the organization’s Harbor Hustle 5K in June for which the Diller Home and the American Legion Post 331 were its beneficiaries.
On Sept. 30, Sturdy Savings Bank president and chief executive officer Gregory Matuson presented a $5,000 donation to the Diller Home at the administrative building. The donation was part of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York Small Business Recovery Grant program that Sturdy Savings received and selected Diller Home as one of its recipients. The SBRG program helps Sturdy Savings Bank support the operations of small businesses and nonprofit organizations in the local community that are facing economic challenges due to the interest rate environment, inflation, supply-chain constraints, and/or rising energy costs.
It costs roughly $1,500 to send one child to camp for a week at the Diller Home. The camp runs for eight weeks each summer and hosts 16 campers per week. None of this would be possible without the continued financial support of community organizations that recognize the value of the experience. For more information about the Diller Home, go to dillerblindhome.org.
Cedar Island 5K swim champs Luke Brennan (left) and Maddie Brennan with Rowdy Gaines.
‘PERFECT’ CONDITIONS FOR CEDAR ISLAND SWIM
Amazing weather – remember the great weather we had in August and September? – greeted the capacity crowd of 300 participants for the Tim Kerr Charities Cedar Island 5K swim on Aug. 25. On hand to personally test the waters of Avalon and welcome home the winners was three-time Olympic gold medalist Rowdy Gaines, and the person known as the network television broadcasting “Voice of Swimming.” After a short swim in Cornell Harbor, Gaines declared the conditions “In my opinion, perfect.” The open-water swim around Cedar Island was won by Luke Brennan, 18, of Robbinsville, N.J., in 45 minutes, 11 seconds, and the women’s champion was 15-year-old Maddie Brennan, 15, of Owings Mills, Md., in 48:17. Funds raised from the event benefited the Wounded Warriors Project.
AN OLD-SCHOOL CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT
Sadly, Avalon’s historic school building was demolished last December. This year it’s back to life and featured on the Avalon Historical Society’s annual Christmas tree ornament. Priced at just $15, it can be purchased at avalonhistoricalsocietyshop.org. Add to or begin your collection today.
Tying the Knot
BAILEY, HAYES PLAN WEDDING
Kaitlin Bailey and Jack Hayes became engaged on Sept. 15, 2023, and are planning an October 2025 wedding at the Parkway Central Library in Philadelphia. Jack proposed to Kait on the 69th Street beach in Avalon, where she grew up. The couple met as students at West Virginia University and live in Philadelphia, where Jack works as a structural engineer and Kait is a data and evaluation associate. The bride-to-be is the daughter of James and Jennifer Bailey of Avalon. Jack is the son of Chuck and Elaina Hayes, of Hamburg, N.Y.
MORRIS, O’DELL SET A DATE
Tyler Morris and Patrick O’Dell became engaged on Aug. 17 when Patrick popped the question on the 78th Street beach in Avalon. Their wedding is set for July 2025 in Delaware County. Tyler is the daughter of Cheryl and Ed Morris of Malvern, Pa., and Avalon. Patrick is the son of Lisa and Ed O’Dell, of Phoenixville, Pa. Tyler and Patrick originally met at a wedding and grew their relationship in Avalon. They recalled their favorite days as those that they spent relaxing on the beach with family followed by enjoying High Noons at The Whitebrier’s happy hour. Avalon quickly became a treasure to both Patrick and Tyler, and eventually the site of Patrick’s proposal. Tyler thought that they were on a beach walk to their anniversary dinner when Patrick surprised her. Then the couple headed to the ICONA for a surprise engagement party with their family and friends!
LOOK WHAT THE STORK BROUGHT!
HARRISON FRANCIS BAILEY
Harrison Francis Bailey was born on July 3, 2024. His parents are Frank and Emily Bailey of East Norriton, PA. Frank is a police officer and Emily is a teacher. Grandparents include Pete and Kathy Roman of Worcester, PA and Frank and Sue Bailey of Worcester, PA. Great grandfather, Albino Roman, has a house in Avalon. The family is looking forward to spending summer days on the beach and by the bay in Avalon with Harrison!