Smilestones
FINNEGAN RECEIVES LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Avalon resident Dr. Loretta Finnegan was honored with the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award from Drexel University’s College of Medicine in a virtual presentation during the university’s alumni weekend. Finnegan received her medical degree from Hahnemann University, followed by a pediatric residency and fellowship in neonatology at Philadelphia General Hospital and University of Pennsylvania, and then assumed the position of chief of newborn services. She became the founder and director of the Family Center at Thomas Jefferson University, a program that provides comprehensive and multidisciplinary services for pregnant and parenting women with substance use disorders. Finnegan also directed a research program to delineate effects of and management for pregnant women with substance use disorder.
The Stone Harbor Squids with their trophy: (front, from left) DJ Brown, Joe Butler, Brandon Bascow, CJ Byrd; (back) Greg Ball, John Tracy, Buddy Philips, Mike McGrath, Dave McBride, Rob Bascow, Rob Bozzett, Leif Salvesen, Ralph Tiz, Mike LaTorre.
SQUIDS WIN A.C. BEER HOCKEY LEAGUE TITLE
The Stone Harbor Squids won the championship of the Atlantic City Beer Hockey League on April 29 and took home the silver-and-gold trophy. The Squids, founded by Pete Lengle and Buddy Simmerman, are celebrating their 25th year in the league. Despite pandemic restrictions, the team was able to secure its spot in the playoffs and defeat the defending champion, Polk High. Said Squids captain/coach Joe Butler: “Johnny Hockey and retired Flyer greats aren’t the only ice hockey champions living on the Seven Mile Island.”
Tying The Knot
BELTZ, MILLER ENGAGED
Ryan Miller and Nicole Beltz became engaged on April 7 at the Yacht Club of Stone Harbor. Ryan is the son of Raymond and Eileen Miller, of Yardley, Pa. Nicole is the daughter of Barbara Beltz, of Stone Harbor, and David Beltz, of Downingtown, Pa. The couple first met while attending college at Delaware Valley University in Doylestown, Pa. They both work for Serendipity Shops of Avalon, Doylestown and Chestnut Hill: Nicole is a general manager, and Ryan is an operations manager. Avalon is special to Nicole and Ryan, as they have had many wonderful family vacations there over the years. The couple is planning a January wedding in Stowe, Vt.
LOOK WHAT THE STORK BROUGHT!
COCO JERSEY O’HARA
Coco Jersey O’Hara was born April 29 at Shore Medical Center to parents Casey and Morgan O’Hara of Avalon. At birth, she weighed
8 pounds, 13 ounces and measured 21½ inches long. Coco’s grandparents include Roxanne and Mars Anagnou, and Debbie and Bill O’Hara, and her great-grandparent is Marge Morano. Siblings Carmen, Landon and Lana are so excited to welcome Coco to the family. Avalon is very special to the O’Haras because they love to watch their children grow up by the beach.
Max Szyfman is flanked by PreK teachers Megan DiPasquale (left) and Brittney Torroni after he completed his 100th mile run.
THE MAX SZYFMAN 100
Go, Max, go! Classmates of Avalon Elementary School’s PreK4 student Max Szyfman cheered him on as he completed his 100th mile of the school year on June 10. The goal started in December when Max took a run around the track and completed his first mile during recess. With that, he received a chain and his first “Toe Token.” As the school year continued, Max ran one mile every day it didn’t rain, and added a token to his chain, with a goal to get to 100 miles by the end of the school year. Physical education teacher Patti Fottrell joined him on his last day of running, and awarded Max his 100th token as he achieved his goal. Max and his classmates head to kindergarten next year at the Stone Harbor school building, and with a new location and new track, he’s already planning for his next goal. But for now, Max is taking the summer off to rest his feet.
The Blessed Sacrament makes its way from Maris Stella Church to the Sacred Heart Church.
CATHOLICS JOIN CORPUS CHRISTI PROCESSION IN AVALON
Almost 100 of the faithful joined the Corpus Christi Procession in Avalon on June 6, from Maris Stella Church to the Sacred Heart Church. The sacred ritual of the Roman Catholic Church involved carrying the Blessed Sacrament through town after the Mass on Corpus Christi Sunday. For participants, it is a public profession of the Catholic faith in the real presence of Christ in the Holy Sacrament.
