Admittedly, I was never a big fan of the Grateful Dead. Despite that, it’s hard here not to quote them: “What a long, strange trip it’s been.”

The Primary Election for Stone Harbor Council is set for July 7, with Mayor Judith Davies-Dunhour running for re-election. There is a contested election for two, three-year council seats open with three candidates running; Joselyn Rich, Reese Moore and newcomer Robin Casper.

By today’s standards, it is difficult to describe just how small a town Avalon was 75 years ago in the waning days of World War II. The total population was probably around 400, and even when the town “filled” with summer visitors in the summer, the population was probably still less than 1,000. Suffice to say that almost everyone knew each other. It was a very close-knit community.

Carl Mattia wanted to salute a few veterans several years back.

He wound up creating a borough landmark.

This year has thrown the entire world for a loop, and for us parents just barely keeping afloat until summer hits, it’s been nearly impossible. And that’s OK. What’s making it just a little better moving forward is the promise of summer. Hot weather, beach days, walking, barbecues, cocktails and more.

Generations of visitors to the Jersey Shore have always enjoyed a feeling of being comfortable once they return: that things will be exactly as they remember them. Chances are that Bill Williams fell into that category.

For Avalon native Chris Davies, this is the year of the long shot, and maybe one for the ages.

Stone Harbor was his childhood playground. Now it’s his professional domain.

Nothing says “Welcome Home” like the friendly greeting of a tail-wagging dog. So, then it should be no surprise that not one, but two lovable pooches often greet customers at Complete Interiors, a store dedicated to creating beautiful, stylish, welcoming homes.

We have all been cooking at home for what feels like forever due to the COVID-19 situation. Fortunately, many of our favorite restaurants are opening their doors and adapting to the new guidelines for offering takeout and delivery. While we await the news of when we can dine out again, we met up with some of the finest Seven Mile Beach chefs to get to know them a little better.

In a time when closures are the new normal, the Avalon Free Public Library took a proactive step over the spring to start moving early-summer programming online. The AFPL is working to identify the best ways to connect with the community this summer, both online and on-site. Visit the library’s website for regular updates on new programs and services being offered.

Congrats! Class of 2020

Throughout the 1800s, there was a great amount of sea traffic up and down the New Jersey coastline thanks to major ports in New York, Baltimore and Philadelphia. The waters were well known as being treacherous and dangerous to navigate; a ship that became stranded on one of the many offshore sandbars in heavy seas usually broke into pieces within a few hours, often with a large loss of life.

To say that COVID-19 has been devastating to our country and the rest of the world is an understatement. The past few months have been difficult to navigate for everyone, but most especially for the health-care workers and first responders who risk their lives every day to save ours.

The following never took place. Nevertheless, the names have been changed to protect the innocent.

The Avalon Stone Harbor Schools recently launched a “7 Mile Shells of Strength” campaign to support the local business community amid COVID-19. Librarian Kelly McCorristin reached out to parents and the Parent Teacher Connection with a template for a seashell, asking students to color them and drop them off.

June Tide Chart

In the span of two months, everything has changed. We’re all wearing masks in public. New terms like “staying safe,” “social distancing,” “contactless delivery” and “antibody testing” have become commonplace.

Where do you get your inspiration from, when creating a new dish? Many places: a produce or an open-air market (though not so much right now!), a documentary about a place or culture or trying to reinterpret a classic or traditional dish.

At the time I wrote this, Mother’s Day was just about here. Having spent all of my time at home lately with my three children, I often find myself saying things my mom would say. My kids even like to call me out on it: “You sound just like MeMom!” If I were to write a letter to my mother to thank her for everything she has done for me and my family, one of the biggest things I would thank her for is encouraging me to be a reader and instilling the love of reading in me.