Smilestones
The Most Rev. Joseph A. Galante, Bishop of Camden, breaking ground for the new church in 2009. At far left is Deacon Liam O’Clisham, with other members of the parish and diocese.
The Most Rev. Dennis J. Sullivan, Bishop of Camden (center) served as celebrant of the 10th anniversary Mass on Dec. 18, 2021. Also pictured (from left): Fathers Joseph Perreault (former St. Joseph pastor) and Father Joe Wallace; Deacon Joseph Murphy; Monsignor Russell Rock; and Fathers Lewis Battisti, Jason Rocks, David Klein, Perry Cherubini (current St. Joseph pastor), and John Cavagnaro (former pastor).
ST. JOSEPH’S PARISH MARKS 10 YEARS IN NEW BUILDING
St. Joseph’s Parish is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its new building! Built next door to the previous church building, it was completed and opened in December 2011. The parish celebrated this milestone with a special Mass led by the Bishop Dennis Sullivan of the Diocese of Camden and was attended by more than 200 people, including former clergy members from the parish neighboring parishes. Following the Mass was a celebratory dinner that was well-attended and supported by many businesses in the community.
LOOK WHAT THE STORK BROUGH
QUINN ANNABELLE CUSTER
Quinn Annabelle Custer was born Aug. 9 to Alex and Buddy Custer of Milwaukee. Quinn, who weighed 8 pounds, 12 ounces at birth, is the granddaughter of Bud and Dot Custer, of Wildwood Crest, and Annette, Gordie, Scott and Diane, of Milwaukee. She is also welcomed by a large extended family, including great-grandmothers Fran, of Sea Isle City, and Mimi, of Wisconsin, and many other relatives — in Sea Isle City and beyond — who love her bright smile!
SHANLEY GRADUATES, JOINS OUR STAFF
Katie-Rose Marie Shanley, daughter of the Rev. Eloise Shanley of Stone Harbor, graduated from the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications at the Pennsylvania State University. She graduated with a degree in journalism. During her time at Penn State, she made the dean’s list five times. Katie spent 2021 as an intern for 7 Mile Publishing & Creative. She has since been hired full time by the company as the staff journalist and assistant event coordinator. She looks forward to staying on the island and spending her time off with her Golden Retriever.
Regan Capone, with Uncle Mike Monichetti, has raised more than $20,000 for cancer and autism causes.
11-YEAR-OLD RAISES THOUSANDS FOR CHARITIES
Regan Capone, an 11-year-old from Sea Isle City, has helped raise a combined $21,000 for cancer and autism causes. Capone is an equestrian who competes in the English Circuit of South Jersey and rides at Pembrook Farm in Eldora.
Her trainer, Eleanor Robinson, lost her sister-in-law to cancer, and started the Love of Linda Cancer Benefit Horse Show in her honor three years ago to help cancer patients in Cape May County with their ancillary expenses.
Regan solicits businesses in Ocean City, Sea Isle City, Avalon and Stone Harbor for sponsorships as well as gift certificates and merchandise for fundraising silent auction baskets. In three years, she has raised $17,000 for local cancer patients.
She also has raised more than $4,000 in two years for her “Uncle” Mike Monichetti’s Polar Bear Run/Walk for Autism.
ST. PADDY’S DAY PARADE
Not to let a couple of snowflakes and temperatures hovering in the 20s get in the way, the annual SIC St. Patrick’s Day Parade stepped off as scheduled on Saturday, March 12, much to the delight of the Irish-loving spectators along the way.
MILESTONE BIRTHDAY FOR THE BEACH TAG
Hard to believe, but that little badge affixed to your bathing suit or beach chair or blanket turns the big 5-0 this summer. Yes, it was in the summer of 1972 when Sea Isle City joined its neighbors Avalon and Stone Harbor in instituting beach fees. Stone Harbor began in 1971. Sea Isle City and Avalon joined in 1972.
In case you keep track of such things, beach tags in 1972 went on sale on May 9, 1972. The cost was $2.50 for the season when purchased on or before May 31. The cost increased to $5 after May 31, and a weekly tag set you back $1. It was reported that more than 17,000 tags were sold by the May 31 deadline that year, but the process did not happen easily.
Beach tag sales began only after a challenge in the courts. The Landis Estate objected to the city imposing beach fees on the grounds that it was a violation of the agreement between Charles Landis, founder of the city and the Sea Isle Improvement Company – an agreement made in 1888. The estate claimed the agreement granted an easement for the extension of Landis Avenue with the proviso that beaches abutting the avenue were to remain free and unobstructed. Courts found in the city’s favor and beach tags became a way of life in many parts of Cape May County these past 49 years.
So, when you pin that badge on this summer, remember to wish it a happy 50th birthday. And if you’d like to see the inaugural beach tag, be sure to visit the Sea Isle City Historical Museum. You’ll find the original tag plus lots of other great artifacts from Sea Isle’s past.
RED RAIDERS WIN SOUTH JERSEY SWIM TITLE
The Ocean City High School boys’ swimming team won the South Jersey sectional group championship Feb. 17. Under coach Shane McGrath, the Red Raiders won the title for just the third time in school history, and for the first time since 1962. Its only other title came in 1932. The 60-year drought was broken in a 90-80 victory over Moorestown at the Gloucester Tech Aquatics Center in Deptford. The Raiders finished the season ranked sixth in the Press of Atlantic City’s Elite 11.
Sea Isle City’s Michael Carr (center) and Brett Heritage (right) with Ocean City High School boys’ swimming coach Shane McGrath.
GEORGE & BARBARA LIGHT’S 60TH ANNIVERSARY
George and Barbara Light marked their 60th wedding anniversary Nov. 20 by celebrating Mass with their family at St. Denis in Havertown, Pa., followed by a dinner at Anthony’s in Springfield. The Lights, who reside in Havertown, were married on Nov. 23, 1961 in Philadelphia and bought their Sea Isle City home in 1967. George and Barbara have four children, all daughters, and seven grandchildren. The couple are retired now, love spending time in Sea Isle with family and friends, and look forward to doing so for many years to come!