Smilestones
Members of Sturdy Savings Bank present a donation to Habitat for Humanity. From left, David Repici, Trina McSorley, Shawn Lockyear, Kathryn Steiger, and Chuck Meachon.
STURDY SAVINGS BANK’S CHARITY OF THE YEAR
The Cape May County Habitat for Humanity was selected as the recipient of the Sturdy Savings Bank’s annual Charity of the Year donation. In January, bank representatives David Repici, Trina McSorley, Kathryn Steiger and Chuck Meachon presented the $9,000 donation to Shawn Lockyear, the executive director of Cape May County Habitat for Humanity.
Each year, employees and directors at Sturdy Savings Bank select a local nonprofit organization for which to raise money, and Habitat for Humanity was selected for 2018. This longstanding tradition started in 2006. Habitat for Humanity is an international organization that helps provide affordable and quality housing in communities around the world.
“For 13 years, our staff has committed itself to making a difference in our community through our Charity of the Year fundraising program,” said Gerald L. Reeves, the bank president and CEO. “They go above and beyond to exceed our fundraising goals for area organizations in need, and this year was no exception. I congratulate them all with great pride.”
LOOK WHAT THE STORK BROUGHT!
ERIC KEVIN SCHWEER
Eric Kevin Schweer made first-time parents of Meghan and Kevin Schweer, of Mays Landing, on Feb. 9. He arrived at Shore Memorial Hospital weighing 7 pounds, 12 ounces and measuring 20 inches. His grandparents include Eric and Julia Gorecke, of Avalon, and Kim and Kevin Schweer, of Jackson. His mom grew up in Avalon and met his dad while both attended Stockton College. Meghan works for the Mental Health Association in Atlantic County and Kevin works for Asplundh. The family can’t wait for Eric’s first of many summers on the beach in Avalon.
BENJAMIN REID SCHENCK
Benjamin Reid Schenck was born on Dec. 14 at Atlanticare Medical Center to first-time parents William and Brie Schenck, of Cape May Court House. He weighed 7 pounds 12 ounces and measured 20½ inches long, along with a full head of brown hair. His grandparents include William and Hanna Schenck of Dennisville, and long-time Stone Harbor residents Sam and Jeanie Accardi. His mother, Brie, is the kindergarten teacher for the Stone Harbor Elementary School and his father is a Correctional Officer with the Cape May County Sheriff’s Office. Baby Benjamin was born to parents that love to travel and they cannot wait to see the world with him.
Avalon mail carrier Joe Garrison and Mayor Martin Pagliughi during a recognition ceremony for Garrison’s 20-year flawless safety record.
AVALON MAILMAN GARRISON HONORED
Avalon mailman Stanley “Joe” Garrison was honored Jan. 11 for his 20-year flawless safety record and community service. Mayor Martin Pagliughi presented Garrison with a proclamation.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with Joe at the Avalon Post Office for the past 7 years,” said Avalon Postmaster Melissa Lomax. “Joe remains steadfast in his role as a United States Postal Service mail carrier. Every day Joe tends to his duties in a constant, safe manner and he is extremely reliable. His impeccable attendance record is only a glimpse of his dedication to Team Avalon. Joe continually provides accurate delivery and dependable customer service to the entire Avalon community. He is also known by many pseudonyms here on the Seven Mile Island – Joe, Earl, and Stanley; regardless of which name he answers to, you can be sure that he will answer with a gleeful smile and a ‘Let’s Get It Delivered’ attitude.”
Mayor Martin Pagliughi presents Paul Short with proclamation for his quick action in saving the life of a fellow employee.
PAUL SHORT SALUTED FOR SAVING COLLEAGUE’S LIFE
Avalon Code Enforcement Official Paul Short was presented with a proclamation during the December Borough Council meeting for his quick efforts that saved the life of a fellow Avalon employee during a medical emergency at the August council meeting.
“Paul’s quick action and training in emergency and medical response provided a very happy ending to a tense and critical situation experienced by one of his co-workers,” Mayor Martin Pagliughi said. “Paul is also a valued member of our volunteer fire department. It’s this type of extra training and level-headed response that wound up saving the life of one of our beloved colleagues.”
Short has been the Code Enforcement Official for the Borough of Avalon since 2003. He became fire certified in 1991 while working with the Strathmere Volunteer Fire Department and joined the Avalon Volunteer Fire Department in 2003. He is a life member of the Sea Isle City Ambulance Corps and has been EMT certified since 1991. He has served as a volunteer with the Avalon EMS since 2003 as well.
Tying The Knot
ACCARDI, BRADY ENGAGED
Matthew Anthony Accardi and Caitriona Mor Brady became engaged Feb. 2 at Race Street Pier in Philadelphia, a favorite spot of theirs. Matthew is the son of Samuel and Jeanie Accardi, of Stone Harbor, and Caitriona is the daughter of Kevin and Stephanie Brady, of North Wildwood. The couple met when Caitriona began working at Matthew’s family’s business in North Wildwood, Samuel’s Pancake House. A few years passed, they began dating and have been together ever since. Matthew is a graduate of Wildwood Catholic High School and La Salle University. Caitriona is graduated from Padua Academy High School in Wilmington, Del., and Mount St. Mary’s University. A November 2020 shore wedding is planned.
MANNEY-CIRELLI NUPTIALS
Ryan Manney and Caitlin Cirelli were married in a private ceremony at the Four Seasons Resort on the Caribbean island of Anguilla on Nov. 25. Ryan is a sales associate with the Berkshire Hathaway Hugh Merkle Team in Stone Harbor. He and Caitlin met while attending the University of Delaware. Upon their return from Anguilla, the couple hosted a reception with family and friends at Zahav in Philadelphia.
HESTON-GORECKE ENGAGEMENT
Joanna Heston and Zachary Gorecke were engaged over the holidays. Zach is a graduate of Rutgers Law School and currently works as a law clerk for the presiding family judge in Cumberland County. Joanna is 7 Mile Publishing’s main beat reporter who also is involved with digital marketing and special events. She is the daughter of Al and Chris Heston of Marmora. Zach’s parents, Julia and Eric Gorecke, reside in Avalon, and you will often see Eric traveling through town, delivering stacks of Seven Mile Times. Joanna caught Zach’s eye when she and colleague Patty Davis were delivering event posters for Avalon’s Thanksgiving weekend to the Avalon Free Public Library, where Zach was working as a library technician while he was a law student. Patty grew up with Zach and his family and introduced them. They became engaged after Zach’s law-school graduation and are planning an October 2019 wedding at the Yacht Club of Stone Harbor.
BENNETT-SCHWEIZER ENGAGEMENT
David Schweizer proposed to longtime girlfriend Kelsey Bennett during Avalon’s tree lighting ceremony on Nov. 23. Surrounded by close family and friends, including Kelsey’s grandparents, Richard and Mary George, of Avalon, David got down on one knee immediately following the tree lighting at Veterans Plaza and used tea lights to spell out “KB MARRY ME.” The moment was even more special as the couple’s 1-year-old daughter, Vivian, was able to be part of the moment. Introduced by mutual friends, Kelsey and David met on Black Friday two years earlier, so it was only fitting that David planned the proposal on the same day in Kelsey’s favorite shore town, where she spent summers growing up. Kelsey currently works for Smile Direct Club and David works for Medical Guardian. The couple currently reside in Ridley Park, Pa. Their wedding is set for Jan. 3, 2020, at Union Trust in Philadelphia, with Vivian as the flower girl, of course.
