Smilestones
JAMESON MATTHEW & LUCY LEIGH BOYLE
Twins Jameson Matthew and Lucy Leigh Boyle made first-time parents of Matt and Keely Boyle, of Media, Pa., on Aug. 9. Jameson stepped into the role of older brother and was born at 9:13am weighing 6 pounds, 9 ounces and measuring 19.25 inches. Lucy arrived at 9:14am weighing 6 pounds and measuring 19 inches long. Their mom works as the associate director of special events for the Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter and their dad is the IT engineer for Shoprunner.com. Proud grandparents include Seven Mile Times writer Big Daddy Graham and his wife Debbie Gudonis, of Sea Isle City, and Drew and Linda Boyle, of Mullica Hill. The entire family is looking forward to Jameson’s and Lucy’s first summer in Sea Isle City.
ROSSNER, JOHNSON ENGAGED
Clay Rossner and Rosie Johnson became engaged when he proposed on Christmas Day, surrounded by family and friends. Rosie, the daughter of Sean Johnson, of West Cape May, is a teacher’s aide at Church Street Christian School in Cape May Court House. Clay, the son of Lee and Wendy Rossner, of Cape May Court House, is the staff photographer for 7 Mile Publishing and Creative. The couple met at Cape May Technical High School and have been together for eight years. Rosie is finishing her third year at Stockton University, where she is majoring in teaching and psychology. Clay graduated from Stockton with a degree in fine art. The couple resides in Cape May Court House and are planning a 2019 fall wedding.
Employees recognized during the Borough Council meeting. (From left) Earl Whildin Jr., Robert Rhoda, Bill Macomber, Ann Marie McCormick, Marie Hood, Heather Burns, Jennifer Bailey, Olivia Gorecke, Sean Farrell, Lindy Duffy, Patricia Wilk, John Roscoe, Eric Heisman and William McCormick.
AVALON EMPLOYEES MARK MILESTONES
Members of the Avalon Borough Council publicly recognized 24 employees, including Mayor Martin Pagliughi, for their employment milestones during the Dec. 13 council meeting. After every five years of service to the borough, employees receive recognition certificates.
Earl Whildin Jr. was recognized for serving the borough for 35 years. Pagliughi, Richard E. Dean, Robert Rhoda and William McCormick were honored for 30 years of service. Municipal Clerk Marie Hood, Public Works Director William Macomber and Sgt. John Roscoe were each honored for serving 25 years in the borough. Brian Repici was recognized for 20 years and Ann Marie McCormick, Dawn Brady, and Eric Glenz for 15 years. Ten-year employees include: Linda Duffy, Patricia Wilk, Joseph Bereheiko, Matthew Sykes, Wendy Connell, Eric Heisman, Robin Camp and Richard Dean Jr. Four library employees were recognized for five years of service: Olivia Gorecke, Sean Farrell, Jennifer Bailey and Heather Burns.
“I want to personally congratulate the borough employees who have achieved significant milestones in their careers serving the citizens of Avalon,” Pagliughi said. “We are tremendously proud of their success, and deeply appreciative of their efforts at sustaining a high level of public service year after year.”
Colmar Kitchen Studio employees (from left) Kelly Williams, Danielle McDonald, Tom Collins, Alexis Theuret and Rachel Hale at the Party with a Purpose event.
COLMAR HOSTS ‘PARTY WITH A PURPOSE’
Colmar Kitchen Studio, located at 3025 Dune Drive, hosted Party with a Purpose on Tuesday, Feb. 27. Nearly 70 people attended the event, which raised close to $700 for the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation.
“We wanted to partner with the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation because it is a local nonprofit which helps young students,” said Tom Collins, owner of Colmar Kitchen Studio. “Many of the designers at Colmar have children of their own and understand the importance of education and the great opportunities the Education Foundation have created for other children in the community.”
Attendees enjoyed drinks and hors d’oeuvres before a cooking demonstration presented by Shore Side Catering on one of Colmar’s full operational kitchens in the studio. Chef EJ Ruhl demonstrated how to make homemade butternut squash ravioli.
The Cape May County Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation provides scholarship opportunities to students in Cape May County who are connected to Chamber businesses by employment or ownership by themselves or their parents or guardians.
MICHAEL JAMES D’AMICO
Michael James D’Amico made second-time parents of Kristen and Mike D’Amico, joining 2-year-old sister Madelyn. Mikey was born at 7:20pm Jan. 18 at Virtua Memorial Hospital in Mount Holly, weighing 9 pounds, 1 ounce, and measuring 22 inches. His grandparents are Tracee and Doug Darroch, who is the copy editor for 7 Mile Publishing & Creative; Angel and Chris Parrott; and Michael and Jessica D’Amico; and his great-grandmother is Marie Tango. His dad is a director of behavioral health services for Oaks Integrated Care, and his mom is a mental health counselor and clinical supervisor for Little Hands Family Services. The family lives in Marlton.
Nick Mazzagatti’s first-place Summer Memories Contest photo entry.
AVALON PHOTO & VIDEO CONTEST WINNERS
Summertime is meant for memories, and the Avalon Chamber of Commerce is celebrating the great memories of 2017 with the announcement of two contest winners.
Since 2014, the Chamber has hosted a Summer Memories Photo Contest, encouraging vacationers and residents to submit via social media and Facebook images of their favorite memories from the summer. For 2017, the Chamber received more than 100 entries featuring sunrises, sunsets, ice cream, beach time, family and more. Nick Mazzagatti was named the 2017 winner for his scenic shot of the tide rushing under Avalon’s iconic fishing pier.
In addition to the Memories Contest, the Chamber launched a new “I Love Avalon” video contest. Participants were encouraged to submit short videos of what they loved the most about Avalon. Videos were posted to Avalon’s Facebook account for voting and also were filed to use for 2018 Avalon promotions. The winning video, submitted by Lindsey Watson-McCarthy, highlighted Avalon’s beautiful beaches, bike path, businesses and more. See McCarthy’s video by going to visitavalonnj.com.
“Summertime is so key to family vacation memories, and we loved seeing the submissions all summer from happy vacationers,” says John O’Dea, president of the Avalon Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a great way for us to promote our town from the people who love it the most.”
Both contests are set to launch again for the 2018 season. Photos and videos can be submitted via Avalon’s Facebook page at facebook.com/avalonnewjersey or by email at info@visitavalonnj.com.
SYLVESTER, GEISEL PLAN NOVEMBER WEDDING
Frederick Sylvester Jr. and Megan Geisel were engaged in Cape May on July 29. Fred is the son of Marie J. and Frank Hood, of Dennisville, and Frederick Sylvester, of South Dennis. Megan is the daughter of Stephen and Ellen Geisel, of Sarasota, Fla., and Avalon. A November wedding is planned. Fred was born and raised in Avalon and Megan has spent summers at her parents’ vacation home since 2002. The couple met 11 years ago in Stone Harbor and reconnected after college when they both returned to the Seven Mile Beach. Fred proposed on the promenade in Cape May overlooking the beach before Megan’s birthday dinner at the Washington Inn. He surprised Megan with a special birthday gift to commemorate the occasion, too; a custom charm bracelet engraved with “Will you marry me” in Fred’s handwriting. Megan graduated from James Madison University and now is a third-grade teacher in Riverdale, N.J. Fred graduated from Neumann University and is a Merrill Edge financial solutions advisor. The couple reside in Bridgewater, N.J.
