Times Talk
Sea Isle City Beach Patrol EMTs and lifeguards were recognized during the July 28 City Council meeting for their heroic efforts in saving Tara Himmelreich’s life on Aug. 10, 2025. Tara, husband Pete, and daughter Megan are in the front row.
SICBP Members Honored; Family Donates Defibrillators
Members of the Sea Isle City Beach Patrol who helped save Tara Himmelreich’s life on Aug. 10, 2025, were honored during the City Council meeting July 28. Mayor Leonard Desiderio presented plaques to EMTs Eric Greensmith, Mike McCormick, Matt Pytel, Tim Quinn and Dan Stearne, senior guard Grace Gehman, and junior guard Avery Lasky.
Himmelreich, who was in attendance with her husband Pete and daughter Megan, returned to Sea Isle from Pottstown, Pa., to thank the lifeguards who responded when she collapsed on the 48th Street beach. As part of their gratitude, the Himmelreich family donated two LIFEPAK CR2 defibrillators, the same type of device used to save Tara’s life, to the Sea Isle City Beach Patrol.
“The beach patrol is in the process of replacing our old LIFEPAK 1000 defibrillators with the more advanced, easier-to-use CR2 AEDs,” said SICBP Chief Renny Steele. “This gradual five-year plan that started in 2024 is now a four-year plan thanks to this generous donation.”
While sunbathing near the dunes, Himmelreich collapsed when she attempted to stand. A nearby beachgoer ran to the lifeguard stand for help, and Lasky immediately began CPR after determining Tara had no pulse and was not breathing. EMTs arrived within two minutes and used a defibrillator. Tara soon began coughing and, after her airway was adjusted, began talking. She was transported to the hospital for further treatment.
Steele praised the team’s quick response, particularly Lasky for immediately putting her training into action.
“The general public does not realize the extent of the training that lifeguards receive before they ever sit a stand,” said Steele. “Avery, a 17-year-old first-year guard who had only worked a total of 39 days on the beach at the time of the medical emergency, responded with an expertise that helped bring Tara back to life. The realization that on August 10, 2025, Sea Isle’s lifeguards made a monumental difference in Tara and her family’s life is what makes this job so rewarding.”
Members of the Sea Isle City Police Department who were on hand for National Night Out.
Andrew and Lillian Payne at National Night Out with the SIC Fire Department.
Alice & Devi DeLozier with Jenna & Brynley Bonshock at National Night Out.
National Night Out a Fun Mixer for Public & First Responders
National Night Out is an annual event held in towns across the nation and designed to promote positive relationships between the community and law enforcement. The event aims to strengthen community spirit and help make neighborhoods safer. In addition, police officers, firefighters, and other first responders educate the public about the resources and services that help keep everyone safe.
The Sea Isle City Police Department hosted this year’s event Aug. 4 from 6-8pm at Dealy Field. Residents of all ages were invited to enjoy an evening of games, complimentary food, and the opportunity to meet those who serve the community. The event also featured music and giveaways.
Community members had the chance to explore law enforcement and public safety displays from the fire department, Division of Emergency Medical Services, beach patrol, and police department. Guests were especially delighted to step inside some of the emergency vehicles and get a firsthand look at the equipment.
Throughout the evening, residents interacted and conversed with the women and men behind these organizations. Meanwhile, younger guests stayed entertained with an inflatable bounce house, balloon art, face painting, and interactive games led by the first responders.
National Night Out was a great success, bringing the Sea Isle City community together for a fun and engaging evening.
Volunteers Christine Everly, Austin Ermold, and Megan McLaughlin served donuts during the Morning with the Stars event.
Members of the SICPD are served by Marina Ermold, Austin Ermold, Breanna Vitak and Rachel Grace.
‘Morning with the Stars’ A Slam-Dunk Winner
The Community Center hosted its first “Morning with the Stars” on Wednesday, Aug. 12, bringing members of the community together for coffee, donuts and conversation with participants in Sea Isle City Shooting Stars basketball program.
The Shooting Stars is a free, inclusive program designed to provide individuals with disabilities an opportunity to participate, connect, and enjoy the game of basketball. Held weekly during the summer at the Community Center, the program welcomes participants of all abilities from the local community and surrounding areas. Through basketball, teamwork, and friendship, Shooting Stars creates a welcoming environment where everyone can feel included, build confidence, and shoot for success.
“This event was so well received by many members of our community in attendance,” said Mary Shields, the Shooting Stars program coordinator. “While the Stars walked around the room and served the coffee and donuts, they were able to converse with the community members and get to chat with many of the seniors and police officers in our city.”
Community services director Christie Ostrander came up with the idea to thank the community for embracing the Shooting Stars throughout their season while also creating the opportunity for the team to spend time with local seniors and others. In collaboration with Mike’s Seafood Run/Walk for Autism, which provided coffee and donuts, “Morning with the Stars” was repeated on Aug. 19.
“The Stars were so excited to be the servers as it makes them feel very proud to have a role and they take pride in their work,” said Shields. “They were happy to meet new friends and feel the experience was great. They are excited to do it again.”
One of the highlights for the players was talking about their time practicing inside the new Community Center’s large gymnasium. The facility has provided a comfortable place for the players to practice without being exposed to the summer heat, which can make participation difficult for some of the athletes. Prior to this season, the program was held at Dealy Field.
Updating the City Projects
As the busy summer season winds down, several infrastructure and improvement projects are set to resume or get underway across Sea Isle City this fall, with work continuing into 2027 on projects designed to improve the city’s roads, Promenade, waterfront, and accessibility.
“All of these projects benefit our residents and visitors by ensuring that the public services they expect, including good roads, accessibility to our beaches and bay, and reliable water and sewer systems, are properly maintained and improved,” said George Savastano, Sea Isle’s business administrator.
Among the projects returning this fall is the completion of repairs and improvements to the Promenade, including replacing and improving bulkheads at various locations, upgrading several street-end ramps and installing new ADA ramps at 32nd and 40th Street. The construction of an ADA ramp at 47th Street was also added to this project. Sea Isle City received approximately $2 million in grant funding for the work through the Boardwalk Preservation Grant program. It is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
The city will also continue working on installing decorative lighting along the Promenade. New lighting will be installed from 44th to 57th streets and from 29th to 35th streets, matching the decorative lighting already in place between 35th and 44th streets. This project also is expected to be completed before the end of the year.
Another major project will improve accessibility at the north end of the island. Construction of a handicap-accessible dune walkover and viewing platform is scheduled to begin in December. The project is supported by more than $750,000 in grant funding through the Cape May County Open Space program. Construction is expected to continue through the winter, with completion anticipated in spring 2027.
Road improvements will also be a major focus this fall. Reconstruction and paving Central Avenue from JFK Boulevard to 56th Street is expected to be completed by the end of the year. In addition, Pleasure Avenue from 79th to 85th streets will be repaved, with that project anticipated to be completed between the end of 2026 and the first quarter of 2027.
Work will also continue at the city’s marina, where new breakwaters and docks are planned at the municipal boat ramp. Construction is expected to be completed prior to the spring 2027 boating season.
As Mayor Leonard Desiderio noted in his state of the city address this year: “We’ve remained committed to our core mission of keeping the city safe and clean; maintaining our infrastructure; providing a balanced system of laws and regulations; maintaining financial stability; and doing our job as effectively as possible with the objective of achieving satisfaction for our residents and visitors … and our capital improvement program has been a significant part of our success over many years.”
For all project updates, go to seaislecitynj.us.
