Until the turn of the millennium, those “in the know” about the sport of pickleball were limited to a fanatical core of players who had become consumed with the sport as a way of staying in shape and socializing around a quirky backyard game invented 60 years ago by a trio of dads looking to keep their kids busy.

It was a cold and blustery afternoon. I was driving south through Absecon Island and passing through Margate. I was in a bit of a hurry, but something inside me told me that I should make the slight detour and drive past Memories, the legendary nightclub owned by Jerry Blavat that recently marked its 50th anniversary in “Maaar-gate, New Jersey.”

GOOD COOKIN’ COMING TO ST. JOSEPH

The 1st Bank of Sea Isle made a $5,000 contribution in February to the St. Joseph Church kitchen renovation program that is expected to commence soon in the church’s auditorium.