Smilestones
Post 331 Commander Tom McCullough greets Navy Cadet members during the donation presentation: (from left) Robert Walker, Tatyanna Moffitt-Ivens, Katie Grayson, Philip Woodrow.
POST 331 PRESENTS DONATION TO MTHS NAVY CADET PROGRAM
The Navy National Defense Cadet Corps at Middle Township High School received a donation of $7,000 from American Legion Post 331 on Nov. 13. Commander Tom McCullough presented the funds on behalf of the post, which has been an active supporter of the Cadet Corps for several years. These funds are used by the Corps for visits to service academies, military installations, and other military-orientated field trips.
Last June, Post 331 also presented a Naval Cadet Achievement Award of $1,000 to Cadet Lt. Cdr. Katie Grayson as the most improved cadet.
The NNDCC program at the high school is managed by Staff Sgt. William Neill (USMC-Retired). Post 331 is composed of veterans mostly from Avalon and Stone Harbor and provides donations to its local communities and veterans in need throughout Cape May County.
HAIL TO THE CHIEF
Clear some room on those shelves for more trophies. What a year it’s been for Avalon Beach Patrol Chief Matt Wolf. Last summer, on his watch, the Avalon Beach Patrol captured a slew of patrol championships including the coveted South Jersey Lifeguard Championship along with the Bill Howarth Women’s Invitational, which is the unofficial women’s lifeguard championship in South Jersey. In February, at Middle Township High School where Wolf teaches and is the head wrestling coach, the Panthers posted a best-ever record of 21-4 dual-meet record, which included the school’s first-ever South Jersey Group II championship. For his efforts, Wolf has won a myriad of coaching honors, including The Press of Atlantic City Wrestling Coach of the Year and The Courier-Post/Mat Rat Coach of the Year.
From left, Blake Barnoski (as Flounder); Olivia Roberts (as Ariel) and Nevis Krafczek (as Sebastian).
‘LITTLE MERMAID JR.’ A CROWD-PLEASER
Who knew that “Under the Sea” could be so much fun? On March 20 and 21, the Drama Club of the Avalon Stone Harbor Schools presented “The Little Mermaid Jr.” to the delight of full houses at Avalon Elementary School. Pictured here during the production is: Blake Barnoski (as Flounder); Olivia Roberts (as Ariel) and Nevis Krafczek (as Sebastian).
From left, Post 331’s Jim Betz, Dick Herb, SAL Squadron 331 Bill Spaeth Jr. and Post 331’s Tom McCullough with CVAC Chairman Johnnie Walker.
POST 331 DONATES $17,500 TO VETERANS SUPPORT GROUP
Officers from Avalon and Stone Harbor’s American Legion Post 331 and Sons of the American Legion Squadron 331 presented donations totaling $17,500 to the Citizens/Veterans Advisory Committee at CVAC’s annual luncheon Oct. 24 in Wildwood. Post 331 Commander Tom McCullough, Chaplin Jim Betz, and Trustee Dick Herb presented a check for $15,000 and SAL Squadron 331 First Vice Commander Bill Spaeth Jr. provided a check for $2,500. The donations were presented to CVAC Chairman Johnnie Walker.
CVAC’s mission is to “promote awareness of Veterans’ needs and to identify proper resources for referrals that support those needs to change and enhance the lives of our Veterans.” The members of Post 331 and SAL Squadron 331 have been providing donations to CVAC for years to help provide support to our county veterans in the areas of homelessness, transportation, and veterans benefits.
MACFARLANE, SIMONS SET A DATE
Lauren Macfarlane and Jake Simons are an example of a true Avalon love story. Lauren’s grandparents came to Avalon in 1967 from Scotland. She grew up going on the beaches and playgrounds. Jake’s family comes to Avalon to spend their summers. The couple met at The Whitebrier in 2020, where they were asked to fill in for the DJ at the bar that night. They were such a great team that they knew they would be a duo for life. Jake proposed to Lauren on the 36th Street beach. This particular beach holds a special place in their hearts as Jake’s parents spend their summers there and Lauren’s father grew up playing on the same beach. Jake surprised Lauren during a walk on the beach and then with a surprise engagement party at The Watering Hull with family and friends. Lauren is the daughter of Merle and Jerry Macfarlane of Upper Township and a stylist at Monika’s Salon in Stone Harbor. Jake is the son of Katie and Eric Simons, of Phoenixville and Avalon, and is the owner of Avalon Property Management. The wedding date is set for Oct. 4 at the Abbie Holmes Estates in Cape May Court House.