Times Talk
Beachgoers in Sea Isle City will have multiple snack options available to them this year.
CONTRACTS AWARDED TO BEACH VENDORS
Beachgoers will enjoy carefree Sea Isle City beach days with a variety of refreshments available right on the sand this summer. Thanks to new contracts awarded by City Council, ice cream and açaí bowl vendors will be serving up cool refreshments on the beach.
Southwind Ice Cream LLC of Wildwood Crest submitted the highest bid, $850,000, for a two-year contract to sell ice cream and bottled water on the beach while Luna Soul & Bowls LLC of Ocean View will pay Sea Isle $10,250 for a two-year deal for the acai bowl concession.
“Having these items available on the beach is good for our beachgoers, residents and visitors alike,” said Mayor Leonard Desiderio. “Over the years, I have heard from people who are happy to be able to buy ice cream or the other food items that are available on our beaches. Other communities have followed Sea Isle City’s lead and are starting to sell food on the beach more and more, because people look forward to buying ice cream or other snacks while enjoying the beach.”
Beach Brew Coffee will also return to sell its freshly brewed gourmet iced coffee under a two-year contract that was awarded in 2024.
For many years, Sea Isle has also allowed hot dog vendors to operate on the entryways to the beaches at eight locations: 32nd Street, 40th Street, 52nd Street, 59th Street, 75th Street, 77th Street, 81st Street, and 85th Street.
From frozen treats to hot dogs and iced coffee, Sea Isle City beaches are shaping up to be the ultimate summer snack spot.
COUNCIL OPPOSES BILL FOR BEACH-TAG EXCEPTIONS
Sea Isle City council members unanimously voted to oppose pending legislation in the state assembly that would prevent municipalities from requiring beach tags for certain beachgoers. At its March 25 meeting, the city council stated how it would be virtually impossible to enforce and could create confusion for the public.
NJ Assembly Bill #A-4816 would “prohibit a municipality from requiring a municipal beach tag or similar admission pass for access to the wet sandy beach below the mean high tide line, for a surfer or a fisherman for the exclusive purpose of surfing or fishing.”
“Sea Isle City and most of the other municipalities that charge beach fees up and down the 127 miles of New Jersey’s coastline oppose this legislation,” said Mayor Leonard Desiderio. “The money raised from beach tags in Sea Isle City funds our lifeguards, cleans our beaches, and helps pay for insurance – which is money well spent. I do not think this is a well-thought-out piece of legislation that was introduced in Trenton – and meanwhile, for five years, I have been asking for legislation to deal with unruly teens, and apparently that has fallen on deaf ears.”
The City’s resolution opposing the proposed bill states that it “will be virtually impossible to enforce at our beachfront and where as currently drafted will result in the City receiving significantly less beach revenue which the city relies upon for its lifeguarding, beach tag checkers, beach/beach facility cleaning and policing services which benefit all beachgoers, those who use the wet sand and those who use the dry sand areas.”
Posing at the opening of the Sensory Friendly Outpatient Lab Program at Shore Medical Center are (from left) Jen Cruickshank of the Atlantic County Special Services District; Sherri Richmond, director of emergency services for Shore Medical Center; Mike Monichetti (also in above photo outside the Sensory Friendly Lab), founder of Mike’s Seafood Run/Walk for Autism; and David Hughes, president and CEO of Shore Medical Center.
SENSORY FRIENDLY OUTPATIENT LAB OPENS
Shore Medical Center unveiled its Sensory Friendly Outpatient Lab Program on April 28. Funded by a donation made by Sea Isle City’s Michael and Jeannie Monichetti of Mike’s Seafood, the lab is intended to make hospital visits less overwhelming for children on the autism spectrum or with sensory processing disorders. The donation was generated by the proceeds of Mike’s annual Run/Walk for Autism event, held over Presidents Day weekend every February.
Many community members and hospital staff gathered in the lobby as Shore Medical CEO David Hughes introduced the program and the speakers. Sherri Richmond, Director of Emergency Services at Shore; Jen Cruickshank, supervisor of the child study team for the Atlantic County Special Services School District; and Mike Monichetti each took a turn at the podium to share some of the highlights of the new outpatient lab.
The program is designed to provide a calm, supportive environment for individuals on the autism spectrum and those with sensory sensitivities. It includes an innovative treatment room that will help ensure essential bloodwork and testing can be completed with minimal stress. In partnership with the Atlantic County Special Services School District, Shore’s team received help in setting up the facility and training the staff, led by Cruickshank.
“We know in the ER, time is of the essence,” she said. “Really, it can take a second for a situation to go from positive to negative. Our goal, when we do our training, is to teach the staff to have enough tools, to be able to keep pulling tools out, to make that situation stay positive.”
Following the presentation in the lobby, Richmond and Cruickshank led Monichetti and the group to tour the new room. On your way to the lab, there are sensory tiles to help children focus on getting from the entrance to the treatment room. From there, patients will see a shark busy board wall and bean bag chair prior to entering the room.
"I’m impressed,” said Monichetti, while on the tour. “As a parent, you couldn't have done a better job. Really, you're on point with everything. I’d like to congratulate you for taking the initiative to push forward with such a wonderful idea that will support so many in Cape May and Atlantic counties."
The Sensory Friendly Outpatient Lab features a private, calming treatment room with dimmable lighting, a vibroacoustic relaxation lounger, a sensory projector, white noise machine, smart TV, weighted blankets, and a variety of sensory-friendly toys and tools. Appointments will be made in advance so a member of the Shore care team who has received extensive training can meet patients upon arrival.
To schedule an appointment with the Sensory Friendly Outpatient Lab, call 609-653-3737.
Members of the Environmental Commission and Mayor Desiderio during the Arbor Day Celebration.
SEA ISLE CITY SALUTES TREES ON ARBOR DAY
Three crepe myrtle trees will be planted and the cottonwood tree on 77th Street will get a plaque denoting its status as the oldest and tallest tree in Sea Isle City, it was announced April 25 during Sea Isle City’s Arbor Day celebration. Local historians estimate the cottonwood tree was a sapling in the 1960s and has been growing strong ever since.
The celebration at the Sea Isle City Library was hosted by the city’s Beautification Committee, Environmental Commission, Garden Club, Green Team, and Historical Society.
“Living on a barrier island, we owe it to our community to take care of it ourselves to pass on to our next generation,” said Michael McHale, the master of ceremonies and a member of the Environmental Commission. “We want to keep adding trees to our community and trying our best.”
Taking part in the event were Pastor Melissa Waid, who gave the opening prayer; Allen Nesensohn, who read a poem about trees; Mary Pat Padula, who gave a presentation about why trees are important; Mary Tighe, who read some famous quotes; Christie Ostrander, who offered an update about the Sustainable New Jersey Grant; and chairperson Annette Lombardo, who highlighted the tree raffle.
Mayor Leonard Desiderio presented the Environmental Commission with a proclamation stating that Friday, April 25 is Arbor Day in Sea Isle City, and he also presented the Green Thumb Award to Public Works employee Nick Bednarek.
“Trees are so important to our community,” Desiderio said. “We are thankful to the Environmental Commission for staying on top of things to keep our community beautiful.”
Following the ceremony, refreshments were served in the Sea Isle City Historical Museum, located on the library’s first floor.
TREE RAFFLE DRAWING MAY 28
Sea Isle City’s Environmental Commission is set to raffle off 20 trees this spring. All local property owners are encouraged to enter the 2025 Tree Raffle, to have a tree planted on their property. Tree options include Limelight Hydrangea, Crepe Myrtle, and Little Gem Magnolia.
Those interested must submit an entry form by Wednesday, May 28, when the drawing will take place. Entry forms can be found in the lobbies of the Sea Isle City Welcome Center and City Hall, and on the “Environmental Commission” page at seaislecitynj.us/ (click the “Boards & Commissions” link at the bottom of the home page).
The winning properties will be chosen during a random drawing and only one tree per property will be awarded. Trees will be planted on Sea Isle City properties only. Winners will be responsible for the watering and maintenance of their trees.
Call 609-263-2081 for more information.
Winners of the mayor’s 2025 Beach Tag Art Contest: from left, Regan Cunningham, Santino Quercetti, Julianna Romano, and Aubrey Ganster, pose with Mayor Desiderio and (back, from left): City Council members Mary Tighe, Bill Kehner, and J.B. Feeley.
Joined by the mayor and City Council, “Do the Right Thing” award winners pose with their plaques: (front from left) Art Iannone, Dylan Ramirez and Bette Keller; and behind them (from left) Austin Ermold, Bernadette and Tom Delozier, Terry Moore, and Doug Williamson.
COMMUNITY DAY HIGHLIGHTS
Sea Isle City held its annual Community Day on Saturday, May 3 with several events throughout town, as well as a virtual tour of the highly anticipated community center that is just a few months from completion.
The day started with the town-wide yard sale that kicked off at 7am, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and Revitalization. Then there was the City Council meeting at 9am, and the Sea Isle City Police Department’s auction of abandoned bicycles at 10:15am.
The main event of the day took place from 10am-noon. Community Lodge hosted tables with representatives from organizations including VFW Post 1963, the Historical Museum, Sea Isle City Cats, the Beachcombers, and the Sea Isle City Beach Patrol, to name a few. Many community members were in attendance to learn more about the upcoming season in Sea Isle. There was a balloon twister on hand, a bulk paper shredding truck sponsored by 1st Bank of Sea Isle City, and of course, the mayor’s presentation of awards.
Mayor Leonard Desiderio recognized the four winners of the beach tag art contest during the awards portion. The winners included Aubrey Ganster, who drew an umbrella-carrying seagull for the seasonal beach tags; Santino Quercetti, who designed a snowman for the holiday tags; Julianna Romano, who designed the Irish Turtle for the St. Patrick’s tags; and Regan Cunningham, whose patriotic Bald Eagle is the design of the 2025 veterans beach tags.
The mayor also presented eight “Do the Right Thing” awards to this year’s recipients: Arthur Iannone, Austin Ermold, Doug Williamson, Terry Moore, Bette Keller, Dylan Ramirez, and Tom and Bernadette Delozier. Mayor Desiderio created these awards to recognize members of the community for their good deeds.
Also, First Bank of Sea Isle City presented a $2,000 Community Partnership Award to the VFW Post 1963 Auxiliary for its service to others.
At the conclusion of Community Day, attendees got a sneak peak of the plans for the community center on Park Road. The virtual “Walk Through Tour” featured a step-by-step tour on a big screen with digital images of each of the facility’s interior spaces. The community center is still on schedule for its fall opening.
VFW Post 1963’s Auxiliary is presented with a $2,000 donation as 1st Bank of Sea Isle City’s 2025 Community Partnership Award winner by 1st Bank President & CEO Larry Schmidt.
