Smilestones
Abby Revoir with Rainbow and Dasher, rescued horses that were both successfully adopted.
STARFISH EQUINE RESCUE IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Starfish Equine Rescue, located in Cape May Court House, is working to make a difference one horse at a time.
Owner Abby Revoir Sykes fell in love with horses at a young age. She pursued a career in the equine field and received a bachelor’s degree in equine studies in 2011. Starfish Equine Rescue was created in 2016, and received its official 501(c)(3) status in 2018, with a mission to rescue horses from terrible situations such as abuse and abandonment.
Sykes models her nonprofit after “The Starfish Story,” a poem adopted from “The Star Thrower” essay by Loren Eiseley. It follows a girl on the beach rescuing starfish that had washed up on the shore. When told she couldn’t possibly make much of a difference to the thousands of starfish on beaches all over the world, she threw one into the ocean and replied, “I made a difference for that one!”
“For Starfish Equine Rescue,” Sykes says, “our mission correlates this: We can’t save them all. However, we can make a difference by saving one horse at a time with a goal to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome.”
Following rescue, horses are treated with rehabilitation and veterinarian care at Sykes’ farm, and once each horse is healthy, Sykes and her team work to place the horse into an adoptive home. Supporters are encouraged to consider sponsoring a horse to assist with rehabilitation care, or apply for adoption once the horse is healthy and ready for a new home.
In addition to horse rehabilitation, the rescue recently partnered with Project STRIDE owner and mental health specialist Kimberly Fenton. The project uses equine therapy as a method of healing through group sessions, emotional learning opportunities, and therapeutic riding.
For more information on Starfish Equine Rescue and its current initiatives, go to starfishequinerescue.com.
LOOK WHAT THE STORK BROUGHT!
SASHA GWEN NINKOV
Sasha Gwen Ninkov was born Nov. 20 to Hannah and Milan Ninkov, of Brooklyn, N.Y. At birth, she weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce, and measured 20 inches long. Her grandparents include Susan Elgin and Albert Matricciani, of Avalon. Sasha’s mother, Hannah, works as a senior fashion buyer and her father, Milan, works in investment banking.
Tying The Knot
MINA, COSKEY PLAN WEDDING
Stephen Coskey and Christine Mina became engaged on Nov. 25 while on a walk in their Northern Liberties neighborhood in Philadelphia. Christine is the daughter of Joe and Andrea Mina, of King of Prussia, Pa., and Stephen is the son of Dave and Monica Coskey, of Avalon. Christine, a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, is a senior manager of digital media for the Philadelphia Flyers and the Wells Fargo Center. Stephen, a graduate of Villanova University, is the director of activation and corporate partnerships for the Flyers and the Wells Fargo Center. Stephen and Christine first met while working together in 2014. The couple are planning for a wedding in the fall of 2022.
GORECKE, BRUNO ENGAGED
Olivia Gorecke and Alex Bruno became engaged on New Year’s Eve surrounded by family at their new home in Upper Township. Olivia is the daughter of Eric and Julia Gorecke of Avalon, and Alex is the son of Tony and Robin Bruno of Ocean City. The couple met four years ago through mutual friends while attending Stockton University. Alex works as an employment specialist for the Cape May County Office of Workforce Development. Olivia is a children’s librarian for the Cape May County Library. A November 2022 wedding is planned at The Flanders in Ocean City.
BRADY-ACCARDI NUPTIALS
Caitriona Brady and Matthew Accardi were married Nov. 7 in Wildwood Crest. The ceremony was held at the Assumption Church, followed by a reception at Willow Creek Winery. Caitriona is the daughter of Dr. Kevin and Stephanie Brady, of Cape May, and Matthew is the son of Samuel and Jeanie Accardi, of Stone Harbor. Caitriona and Matthew met in 2013 while working their summer job at Samuel’s Pancake House in North Wildwood. Matthew proposed to Caitriona on the Race Street Pier in Philadelphia in 2019. Since the wedding, the couple has settled down in North Wildwood and are excited to continue to spend time at the shore with their new addition to the family, Puddy, their Bernedoodle puppy.
