Smilestones
SERVING DOUBLE DUTY
Memorial Day is a busy one for the members of the Stephen C. Ludlam American Legion Post 331. After the integral part that they play every year in Avalon’s Memorial Day observance, the members of Post 331 quickly head south back down the island to lead Stone Harbor’s Memorial Day Parade down 96th Street.
AVALON’S MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE
Dodging the elements from Mother Nature, Avalon’s Memorial Day observance on May 27 included a keynote address by ret. Brig. Gen. Patrick M. Kennedy. A highly decorated aviator, including the Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit, Kennedy flew combat missions in both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Several hundred spectators in attendance also witnessed a moving rendition of “Taps.” The powerful, 24-note composition is a call to remember those who gave their lives in the service of the United States. It was played by a single bugler in front of the flag in Veterans Plaza.
‘DOTTIE D’ TURNS 100
Stone Harbor resident Dorothy Deegan (“Dottie D”) celebrated her 100th birthday on June 6.
Deegan has one son, Doug, a daughter in-law Melanie, grandchildren Cole, Alexa, and Chase, and great-grandchild James. The family celebrated Deegan’s birthday with a dinner at Luciano’s and a surprise party at her home the following evening.
Born in Philadelphia, Deegan graduated from West Philadelphia High School. After high school, she worked at the Morris Music Company until it closed because of World War II. She then went on to work at the Pennsylvania Railroad for 17 years. During the war, Deegan danced the jitterbug with soldiers at the USO club and made them fudge at Christmas.
Deegan and her husband Joe purchased their home in Stone Harbor in 1957 before making it their year-round residence in 1985. It was then that Deegan began working in the office of Dr. Robert Speer, where she worked until 2019. She is an avid reader, enjoys watching old movies, and loves to puzzle and solve the daily Wordle.
DILLER VACATION HOME HOLDS ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE
The Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children opened its doors May 23 for its annual open house. It’s the day when the community gets to see where all the magic has happened for eight weeks every summer for the past 52 years. Through the generosity of so many, more than 10,000 blind or visually impaired children have had the opportunity to enjoy a week vacation at the beautiful Jersey Shore at no cost to them or their families. It’s the experience of a lifetime for many children. The open house was about fun, food, and smiles at the big house on 26th Street.
‘MARY POPPINS JR.’ PACKS ‘EM IN
The Avalon Players completed their second performance of “Mary Poppins Jr.” on May 25 in the multipurpose room of the Avalon Elementary School. The performances played to packed houses and the kids did an amazing job.
NO FOOLIN’, THEY’RE SCHOOLIN’
The beach day is an annual tradition for the pre-K and fifth- through eighth- grade students of the Avalon/Stone Harbor Schools, and this year was no exception. It is held the last week of school and features a lesson in beach and ocean safety courtesy of the Avalon Beach Patrol. After their lesson, it was fun in the sand and surf, where the temperatures were 78 and 66 degrees, respectively. Now, don’t you wish you went to school in a beach town?
CARMEN O’HARA SCORES MILESTONE GOAL
Carmen O’Hara, the daughter of Danielle and Casey O’Hara, scored her 100th career lacrosse goal on May 15 for the Middle Township High School. O’Hara, who will enter her senior year at Middle in September, is a product of the Avalon Lacrosse program and reached the career milestone in a 19-9 victory over Oakcrest High School. She recorded 10 points in that game, a personal best. The milestone goal also was her 57th goal of the season. No word yet on college plans after next season for O’Hara, who also plays soccer for the Panthers.
AND THE WINNERS ARE …
The Avalon Garden Club celebrated the 40th anniversary of its flower show on June 7. The blue-ribbon winners, shown here with club president Nancy Hudanich and Mayor John McCorristin, are: Lynn Bullock, Leslie Branda, Cindy Vogt, Serena Smith, Joan Matthews, Sue DeRose, Karen Mangold, Kimberly Mastriana, McCorristin, Hudanich, Gail Quinn, and Carol Szabo. Blue-ribbon winners not pictured: Peggy Mauger, Sue Montanari, Donna Rothman, Irene Haas.
ERICH WOLF EARNS DOCTORATE
Erich Wolf, a veteran lieutenant with the Avalon Beach Patrol, received his doctorate in educational administration from Seton Hall University on May 15. Wolf is a vice principal of Lower Cape May Regional High School and had also earned his master’s from Seton Hall in 2017. He enjoyed the program so much that he decided to take it one step further for the doctorate. In addition to his vice principal role, Wolf is looking forward to coaching football at Lower Cape May Regional this summer and fall.
ZOE SULLIVAN NAMED ‘MOST INSPIRATIONAL PLAYER’
Zoe Sullivan, an 11th-grade student at Collingswood High School, received the 2024 SJIBT Most Inspirational Player of the Year Award during the school’s end-of-year Athletic Awards Banquet. Zoe scored her first career varsity points in a South Jersey Invitational Basketball Tournament game against Delsea and received a standing ovation from the fans attending the game. Zoe’s mom, Kim Brooks, is the lead designer for Sea Isle Times.
LOOK WHAT THE STORK BROUGHT!
MAEVE LILLIAN SCHENCK
Maeve Lillian Schenck was born April 26 to William and Brie Schenck of Cape May Court House. She weighed 8 pounds, 13 ounces, and measured 20.5 inches. Big brothers Benjamin and Zachary are very excited to have a little sister. Her grandparents include William and Hanna Schenck, of Dennisville, and longtime Stone Harbor residents Sam and Jeanie Accardi. Maeve’s mother, Brie, is the kindergarten teacher at Stone Harbor Elementary School. Her father, William, is a realtor at Coldwell Banker James C. Otton Real Estate in Stone Harbor. The new family of five is excited for beach days and walks around 96th Street.