Times Talk
Winners of the VFW Post 1963 Patriot’s Pen Contest are shown in front (from left): Fiona Lafferty, second place; Riley Reich, first place; and Maelle Robine, third place. Pictured in back (from left) are Mike Rodgers, Post 1963 adjutant; Trustee Tom McCool; Commander Joe McLenaghan; event organizer Mark Lloyd; Patti Lloyd; and contest judges Ken Heath and U.S. Air Force veteran Jane Gonzales.
VFW PATRIOT’S PEN WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Representatives from VFW Post 1963 visited Bishop McHugh Regional Catholic School on Jan. 30 to recognize 34 local students who participated in this year’s Patriot’s Pen essay contest.
The post’s Mark Lloyd announced the contest winners, with eighth grader Riley Reich earning first place and a $300 cash prize. Sixth grader Fiona Lafferty placed second and received $200, while fellow sixth grader Maelle Robine finished third and was awarded $100. Each of the top three students also received a certificate of achievement and a medal from Post 1963.
In recognition of their participation, all 34 students were presented with a commemorative Patriot’s Pen leather and stainless-steel bracelet engraved with “VFW Patriot’s Pen.”
Sponsored nationally by the VFW, the Patriot’s Pen contest invites sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students to explore American history and reflect on their own experiences through a 300-to-400-word essay. Entries are judged at the local, district, state, and national levels. This year’s theme was “How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?”
Reich was invited to read her essay aloud to a gymnasium filled with fellow students, VFW volunteers, and community members. In her essay, she wrote: “I show my patriotism through teaching others about the great history of our strong country, paying tribute to veterans, and volunteering to support my country.” She added that patriotism can mean many things to different people, noting, “As a young American, I show my support toward my country because I value the freedom the American flag stands for.”
To learn more about VFW Post 1963, visit vfwpost1963.com.
Representatives from groups that received donations from the Women’s Civic Club are (back from left): Pastor Melissa Doyle-Waid, Veronica Schuck, Ann Marie Jackson, Linda and Bob Bamberger, and Cathy Fagan. Seated, from left, are Civic Club board members Nancy O’Brien, Angie Knipp, Gladys Anderson, Lynn Long, and Grace Cassell.
WOMEN’S CIVIC CLUB DONATES $4,500 TO NONPROFITS
Members of the Sea Isle City Women’s Civic Club meet weekly to socialize, play table-top games such as bridge and mah-jongg, and plan ways to support the local community. During the holiday season, the club places a special emphasis on giving back to local charities.
Using funds raised through their Card Party & Game Day fundraiser, held annually in the fall, the group donated a total of $4,500 to several local nonprofits. The donations were presented during the club’s annual Holiday Luncheon at the Oar House Pub on Dec. 12.
Recipients of the 2025 donations included The Branches Outreach Center in Rio Grande; Redeemer Health Food Pantry in Ocean View; Sea Isle City United Methodist Church Food Cupboard; St. Maximilian Kolbe/Church of the Resurrection Food Pantry in Marmora, and Volunteers in Medicine Free Health Care Clinic in Cape May Court House.
Founded more than 100 years ago, the Women’s Civic Club is one of the longest-standing civic organizations in Sea Isle City. The group meets every Tuesday at 11:30am, and will move the meetings from the Community Lodge to the new Community Center after its scheduled March 28 opening.
The Women’s Civic Club welcomes new members and invites anyone interested to attend a weekly meeting or call 609-675-6990 for more information.
The 2026 Seasonal Beach Tag
SEASONAL BEACH TAGS ON SALE
Sea Isle City’s 2026 seasonal beach tags are now on sale. The tags are currently being sold for the preseason rate of $25 through May 15. After May 15, the price for a seasonal beach tag will be $30. Beach tags are required for everyone 12 years and older from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, 10am-5pm, except for free beach days on Wednesdays.
This year’s seasonal tag, designed by Owen Thomas Kates, depicts the “Smile! You’re in Sea Isle” water tower. More than 200 students submitted their artwork to be considered, and Mayor Leonard Desiderio announced the winners in October. In addition to Kates’ artwork for the seasonal tag, Sonia Bonita’s design was selected for the holiday beach tags, Genevieve Conte’s “lucky Duck” was selected as the St. Patrick’s Day Beach Tag and Michael Marchio designed the Veterans Beach Tag.
Tags can be purchased at the Sea Isle City Welcome Center at 300 JFK Blvd. Monday-Friday 9am-4pm via cash or check. They can also be purchased 24/7 in the vending machine in the lobby of City Hall. The vending machine at City Hall only takes cash payments. Online sales are available through Jerseycapetags.com and you may also purchase a digital beach tag using the My Beach Mobile app; single or multiple tags may be purchased, and you will show the beach inspector your personalized QR code.
One complimentary Veterans beach tag is available for active military and veterans per season. Branches of service include: U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps as well as members of the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Guard. Veteran tags are available only at the Welcome Center Beach Tag office.
For more information about beach tags, go to visitsicnj.com.
Sea Isle City Hometown Hero Banner
HOMETOWN HEROES BANNER PROGRAM INTRODUCED
The City of Sea Isle and Mayor Leonard Desiderio have launched the Sea Isle City Hometown Heroes Banner Program, an initiative designed to honor past and present members of the U.S. Armed Forces with public displays throughout the city.
Through the program, residents and loved ones can sponsor commemorative banners recognizing veterans or active-duty service members with ties to Sea Isle City. The banners, which measure 24 by 48 inches and are double-sided, will be displayed on the city’s decorative light poles each year from Memorial Day through Veterans Day.
Honorees must meet certain criteria to be included in the program. Eligible individuals include active-duty service members who have immediate family in Sea Isle City or who currently reside in the community, as well as living veterans who were born in or reside in Sea Isle City. The program also honors living or deceased veterans who were born in or have strong ties to the city, along with Sea Isle City employees who are military veterans. The cost to sponsor a banner for a three-year display period is $300.
Applicants must submit a completed registration form, payment, and an official service photo of the honoree by March 31, to be included in the upcoming display season. The photo may be uploaded with the registration form online at seaislecitynj.us/hometownheroes. Paper registration forms can be printed from the city’s website.
For more information about the Sea Isle City Hometown Heroes Banner Program, contact the Mayor’s Office at 609-263-4461, ext. 1245, or email mayorlen@seaislecitynj.us.
