Times Talk
The Stone Harbor Farmers Market is scheduled for every Sunday from 8am-12:30pm through Labor Day.
SEVEN MILE EVENT UPDATES
Stone Harbor is hosting its weekly Farmers Market every Sunday this summer from 8am-12:30pm at the 95th Street Water Tower Parking Lot, but it’s a little different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the first day it was scheduled, June 22, crowds were limited to 100 attendees at a time, all required to wear masks. The capacity was increased to 250 for ensuring weeks, under Gov. Phil Murphy’s most recent executive order. Vendors are required to wear gloves and masks for the duration of the summer.
“We are excited to be able to continue the tradition of our Sunday morning Farmers Market. This year we have 27 vendors selling fresh product, flowers as well as specialty artisan food and drinks,” says Tourism Director Jenny Olsen. “This year we have created a Stone Harbor Farmers Market Facebook page, so that each of our vendors has the opportunity to highlight their own products at any time.”
The Borough of Avalon announced the reinstatement of Avalon Beach Movies starting July 7. Beach movies are hosted free of charge, at dusk on 30th Street beach each Tuesday through August with the first showing to feature “Goonies.”
“Due to COVID-19 restrictions from the State of New Jersey being relaxed slightly, Avalon will be able to show the beach movies,” says Borough Administrator Scott Wahl. “However, we ask that attendees continue best social-distancing practices on the beach throughout the event.”
Avalon’s weekly Beach Movies will begin July 7, but this year social distancing is mandatory for all attendees.
Here is the movie lineup:
• July 7: “The Goonies”
• July 14: “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”
• July 21: “The Polar Express”
• July 28: “Back to the Future”
• Aug. 4: “Jaws”
• Aug. 11: “Jumanji: The Next Level”
• Aug. 18: “Frozen II”
• Aug. 25: “Onward”
July 4 activities for both towns remain canceled. Additional events that are canceled for Avalon include Sundays at Surfside, Surfside Live, Thursdays on Dune (through July), Recreation Game Days, Tim Kerr Charities events (through July), the Avalon Yacht Club’s Run from the Sun, and Avalon’s Christmas in July. Events canceled for Stone Harbor include Tuesdays at the Tower, Beach Games, Family Nights, the Stone Harbor Triathlon, the Al Cunard Baby Parade and the Stone Harbor Arts & Crafts Festival.
For the latest news on canceled events and updates for Avalon, visit avalonboro.net and visitavalonnj.com. For Stone Harbor, visit shnj.org and stoneharborbeach.com.
8th Street jetty
AVALON PROJECTS MOVING ALONG
The reconstruction of the 8th Street jetty is set to be completed before the July 4th holiday weekend. Following Winter Storm Jonas in January of 2016, the Borough of Avalon applied for and received funding of more than $4 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to repair the jetty; 75% of the project was funded by FEMA with 25% by the Borough of Avalon.
The project included rebuilding the jetty to make it sturdier, able to hold and keep sand placed on the north-end beaches longer, and be available for fishermen. The crew working the project demobilized its heavy equipment as of June 17, and the jetty has been successfully elevated and completely restored with a new top core layer with rod holders for fishermen.
“This was a very important project for Avalon, and we are pleased that we were able to secure millions of dollars to complete this project,” said Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “This project is for resiliency and for the protection of our entire community. We remain hopeful that the new design will slow down the erosion for critical beach-fill projects that protect our community.”
The new 30th Street beach access entrance has been completed.
The Avalon Public Works Department recently completed a large project with the opening of the new 30th Street beach access ramp. The ramp project included widening the entrance, providing more pedestrian space for ease of access to and from the beach, new pilings for safety, and low-level lighting for the evening hours.
In addition to the ramp, the department also replaced more than 1,000 boards along the span of the boardwalk to allow for enhanced pedestrian safety. Avalon’s ongoing boardwalk maintenance program is created through the Atlantic County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund, with Avalon’s Business Administrator Scott Wahl serving as chairman of the executive committee.
“The initiative and dedication to pedestrian safety efforts is exactly what the Atlantic County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund expects from its members,” says Wahl. “This project has received many compliments from the public and will provide an unforgettable visual approach to the 30th Street beach for decades to come.”
And finally, work being done on the Ingram Thorofare Bridge project reached the halfway point. As of June 15, the contractor finished making temporary repairs, which resulted in additional lane closures through the month. Repairs to the eastbound lane will resume following Labor Day weekend. No further repairs are scheduled through the remainder of the summer.
The Buckley family enjoys a basketball game on Avalon’s 8th Street basketball courts.
RECREATION & SPORTS CAMP UPDATES
As summer slowly gets started at Seven Mile Beach, New Jersey continues to move through Phase 2 of its reopening, including the allowance of certain youth summer camps as well as limited recreation facility access.
As of June 5, Avalon’s municipal courts (basketball, tennis and pickleball) are open. Basketball courts are open on a first-come, first-served basis and social distancing continues to be encouraged. Tennis courts are open for reservation only. Reservations can be made by creating an account at avalonrecreation.recdesk.com.
Stone Harbor’s municipal courts also are fully operational now.
All pickleball courts are open and following the schedule that is printed in the Avalon Information Guide online at avalonboro.net. Recreation staff continues to answer phones while the building is closed daily from 9am-3pm.
As of June 16, Stone Harbor’s pickleball and tennis courts are fully operating. Reservations, while not required, are strongly suggested as spaces fill up quickly. Players can use the mobile app Court Reserve to view courts in use and those available at any given time. Recreation staff is on-premise daily from 8am-8pm.
Basketball courts are also open with COVID-19 requirements of bringing your own equipment and allowing for play only with the group you arrived with. Courts are open until 10:30pm.
Summer camps are set to begin July 6 including PowerHouse Field Hockey in Stone Harbor from Aug. 7-9.
Youth summer camps are now permitted to operate starting July 6. The camps must comply with the COVID-19 Summer Camp Standards per Gov. Phil Murphy’s executive order.
For Avalon Recreation, the weekly Friday children’s activities and the Monday, Wednesday, Friday sports camps remain canceled. However, contracted summer camps set to begin after July 6 include Avalon Lady Fishing & Crabbing Camp, Avalon Surf Camp, On Deck Training Baseball Camp, Elation Surf Camp, Pushin’ the Limit Basketball Camp, Shore Sports Camp, Shore Soccer Camp, Steel Soccer Camp and Youth Gridiron Academy Flag Football Camp. As of our print date, Casiello Basketball Training Camp is TBD per the reopening of Avalon Community Hall.
“It’s been a challenge to adjust programming for the summer due to COVID,” says Avalon Recreation Director Chuck McDonnell. “So, while we did have to cancel a number of activities, we are happy to be able to offer this full schedule of youth sports opportunities for everyone to enjoy.”
For more information on Avalon sports camps, check the Avalon Information Guide available at avalonboro.net.
Stone Harbor will offer recreational programs starting in late June including boot camps, surfing lessons, Zumba, yoga on the beach, Sandbarre, Power Yoga, and Drop and Chop cooking. Contracted summer camps are set to start after July 6 and include Steel Soccer, Power House Field Hockey, Shore Sports Multi Camp, Exit Zero Lacrosse, Shore Shot Camp, Chess, and Just Breathe Yoga Adult Camp.
In addition, the Stone Harbor Recreation Department will begin to host its instructional sports and arts and crafts activities from July 6 to Aug. 13. All camp and recreational activity will strictly follow CDC guidelines.
“Preparing for this summer with COVID, we have been faced with several obstacles in our usual planned programming,” says Recreation Director Tina Prickett. “However, as we progress, I am confident my staff and our outside contractors will be able to provide a safe and fun summer schedule for all ages.”
Playgrounds throughout the island are expected to reopen on July 2. For a full schedule of Stone Harbor recreational activities, go to stoneharborrecreation.com.
‘DIGITAL DILLER’ FOR CAMPERS THIS YEAR
Counselors from the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children have tailored its summer camp plans virtually because physical camp has been canceled for its 122 campers due to the coronavirus pandemic. Camp director Emily O’Donnell and her team of counselors will offer “Digital Diller” for its campers this summer.
“Although we are disappointed our season is canceled, we know it is in the best interest of the campers and staff members to stay home in order to stay healthy,” O’Donnell said. “Camp may be canceled, however the connections we make with our campers are not! The staff at the Diller Home is providing the first-ever ‘Digital Diller’ virtual camp experience this summer. We will be interacting with our campers through a digital platform in various ways. Each day we have a theme, and twice a week we have live Zoom meetings with our campers.”
Digital Diller includes these programs each week: Music Mondays, Arts and Crafts Tuesdays, What’s Up Wednesdays, Throwback Thursdays, and Talent Show Fridays. Also, two to three videos will be posted every day of counselors reading to the campers from their favorite books. Campers will also be receiving a surprise gift in the mail: a Diller Home backpack, complete with a T-shirt, hat, beach towel, sunglasses, postcard printed in print and braille, and saltwater taffy from the Original Fudge Kitchen.
“The counselors have been planning Digital Diller since the beginning of May and we cannot wait to interact with our campers this summer,” O’Donnell said. “We are making the best of the country’s current circumstances but hope to be back in town in 2021.”
For more information about the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children or to donate, go to dillerblindhome.org.
STONE HARBOR UPGRADES WEATHER-ALERT SYSTEM
The Borough of Stone Harbor recently announced an upgrade to its CodeRED Emergency Notification System, allowing for residents and visitors to sign up to receive weather alerts directly from the National Weather Service. These automatic notifications deliver a layer of preparedness and protection in an extreme weather situation, with warnings launched moments after a bulletin has been issued to the NWS.
“Seconds can make a difference dur-ing a severe weather event, and these alerts give residents extra time to prepare in the case of flash flooding and severe thunderstorms, just to name a few,” Mayor Judith Davies-Dunhour said. “As always, the health and safety of our residents and visitors is our top priority.”
Using technology provided by the NWS will determine a storm’s speed and direction, and the CodeRED Weather Warning will target notifications to reach only those in the projected path of the storm, increasing relevance and reducing false alarms.
Those who have previously subscribed to the Borough’s Emergency Telephone Contact Service are encouraged to sign up at stoneharbornj.org/codered for the upgrade.
Avalon Borough Council Reorganization
The Avalon Borough Council will hold its annual reorganization meeting July 6 at 9am. Due to COVID-19 regulations, it was undetermined when this issue went to print if the meeting would be held physically at Borough Hall or electronically. Council President Dr. Nancy Hudanich will turn over the gavel to Councilman John McCorristin, who will then serve as president for the 2020-21 term.
“Thank you to Dr. Nancy Hudanich for leading the Avalon Borough Council through this most unique year,” McCorristin said. “Nancy provided outstanding guidance and professional leadership along with compassion for the hurdles we had to conquer. She guided us through very turbulent waters. Now I look forward to continuing serving the Borough Council and our wonderful Avalon Community as the incoming president. May this year see calmer waters and smoother sailing.”
Borough Council meetings are held the second and fourth Wednesday of every month with a Work Session at 4pm, and the regular meeting at 4:15pm. Due to COVID-19 meetings through June 24, 2020 have been remote. For an update on July meetings go to avalonboro.net.
Stone Harbor Primary Election July 7
The primary election for Stone Harbor Borough Council is set for July 7. Mayor Judith Davies-Dunhour is running for re-election, and there is a contested election for two council seats, with three candidates running for the three-year terms: Robin Casper and incumbents Joselyn Rich and Reese Moore.
Ballots were sent by mail by the county, so voting is expected to be done primarily via mail. Provisional paper ballots will be available at the polls to cast a vote. The Stone Harbor Fire House will be open from 6am-8pm for voting. Executive Order No. 144 requires strict health/safety procedures for the polling location, including social distancing and the requirement of masks.
“Another Spectacular Sunset” by Linda Crane won APAC’s “Best in Show.”
APAC’S ART SHOW GOES ON … ONLINE
The Avalon Performing Arts Council canceled its traditional art show set for late June due to COVID-19. However, the show must go on, and it will, digitally! APAC is now hosting a Virtual Art Show and Sale at avalonperformingarts.org.
Viewers will enjoy an online display of art submitted by 44 professionals, all of which have been judged for awards. The art is available for purchase directly through the artist. And while this show typically only lasts one weekend, the virtual art show will be up through Aug. 31.
“Dune Drive” a 36” by 36” oil painting by artist, Denise Jackson.
“Sadly, due to the pandemic, APAC was faced with canceling our 33rd Annual Art Show and Sale,” says Ramona Sanabria of APAC. “During this unprecedented time, our committee was communicating virtually, and the idea came up. A communication was sent to the artists and they responded with great enthusiasm and are very appreciative their work can still be showcased during these times with no registration fee.”
Prior to the opening of the virtual art show, the artists were judged in the categories of oil, acrylic, watercolor pastels, mixed media and photography.
This year’s “Best in Show” was awarded to Linda Crane for her 16-by-20-inch pastel piece, “Another Spectacular Sunset.”
Crane has participated in the APAC Art Show for several years, featuring pastel paintings of landscapes, surrounding beaches, marshes, sunsets, and everyday life at the Jersey Shore. She is a member of several art leagues in the region such as the Philadelphia Pastel Society, the Ocean City Fine Arts League, and the Greater Norristown Art League. As of now, those organizations’ shows also are canceled and artists are using social media to share work.
“All of the local shows have been canceled and galleries are closed, so the opportunity to have work viewed by the public is a welcome alternative,” Crane wrote. “Thank you, APAC.”
The Avalon Performing Arts Council hosts a number of events throughout the year including musical entertainment at Surfside Park and the Avalon Community Hall. However, due to the pandemic, the public is urged to check the website for updates on future events and programming. For more information, go to avalonperformingarts.org.
Wells offers virtual worship this summer.
WELLS CHURCH WON’T HOLD 2020 SERVICES
Due to COVID-19 health and safety regulations, the church committee of the Wells Memorial Presbyterian Church in Avalon shut down the summer season of worship at the 9th Street landmark for the first time since it opened in 1892. The church normally holds Sunday services from May through September.
“It was a difficult decision, no question about it,” said David Knoche, who chairs the committee. “But after forming a task force and after a great deal of research, we decided it was for the best. After all, if you can’t sing hymns, touch a Bible or hymnal, sit close to people or visit with friends after services, it would be pretty difficult.”
Knoche went on to explain that if services were conducted, they would have to limit attendance to about 40 people, given the small size of the church. “How do we exclude all those others?” he said.
In place of in-person worship, the church committee invites the public to visit its Facebook page or website (wellspresbyterian.org) for virtual worship, to share prayers, enjoy music or help to financially support the church in this difficult time. Although the church will remain empty this summer, the committee is still faced with overhead and upkeep.
