Letter from the Editor

Dear Readers,

This is one of my favorite times of the year here at the shore. You can feel the energy as homes are reopened, businesses get set for the summer, lifeguards are back on the beach, and we have one of our biggest issues of the year. So, without further hesitation, let’s get this summer started!

We have tons of great features in this issue, so please take your time and enjoy all of it. Here are just some of this issue’s highlights:

It’s just the beginning of the season for us, but for legendary sportswriter Ray Didinger it’s “Finished Business,” and Mary Lamb will tell you all about his great new book and an appearance he’ll be making at Surfside Park courtesy of the Avalon Free Public Library.

Hungry? I hope so because this is the issue where we introduce you to the premier chefs of the Seven Mile Beach. They’re the people who make the magic happen. And speaking of making it happen, Chef Lucas Manteca of Quahog’s will tell us some of the secrets behind how he makes it happen in Here’s The Dish.

We cover lots of milestones in this issue. Marybeth Treston Hagan looks back at Monsignor Quinn’s first 60 years in the priesthood; Jack McCaffery reviews the amazing basketball career of Fran O’Hanlon; Dave Bontempo checks in on the 50th anniversary of the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children; Dave Coskey reminds us that it’s been a half-century of beach tags here on the Seven Mile Beach and 50 years ago, Jerry Blavat spent the summer rocking The Princeton and The Rock Room. And he’s still rocking!

Dave Bontempo also tells us a fascinating story about a Stone Harbor Beach Patrol member who after a successful business career, has decided to come back to the beach … some 20-plus years later.

And if you weren’t lucky enough to know him, our A Lifetime, A Legacy feature on Dr. David Schaffer will introduce you to a remarkable individual who made his mark on our community.

All of that, plus the features you’ve grown to expect – our calendar of events is packed with everything that you need to know happening on Seven Mile Beach; the absolute must-haves from Seven Mile businesses; Financially Speaking; our kids coloring page; the Seven Mile Crossword, and much, much more.

Enjoy yourself, stay safe and please remember to patronize our local shops and restaurants.

Don’t forget the sunblock!

Monica Coskey
Publisher & Editor
Seven Mile Times
mcoskey@7milepub.com