2014:

Jan.

Feb.

March

April

May

June

July

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

This Weeks News 9/24/2014

---

MOVING RIGHT ALONG: On October 1st, southbound traffic on the Garden State Parkway will be shifted to newly built overpasses. Northbound traffic will remain at ground level for now. The Atlantic City Press reports that the project is 55 percent complete, with the work expected to conclude in November 2015. 
 
THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT! Will you be visiting the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary? If so, be sure to download the new Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary app, available for both Apple and Android devices. The app includes Sanctuary path maps, bird pictures, sounds and likely locations within the Sanctuary, access to the Heron Cam, and many interesting items about the Sanctuary wildlife. Visit the App Store or Google Play Store and search for "Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary" to download the app.
 
PAPER PEDDLER CLOSING: Long-time readers will miss the Paper Peddler...after 46 years in Avalon, the store will close its doors on September 28th. The Borough of Avalon recently recognized the store for its dedication to the community. Owners Craig Cunningham and Deborah Martinelli are planning to take a commemorative photo of customers outside the store at 12 noon on the 28th.
 
NICE CATCH! Rhonda Scheffey caught a 14.3 pound sheepshead while fishing in the bay behind Stone Harbor with her husband Aaron. The fish was shy of the 17-pound state record, but far exceeded the average 3-4 pound weight of a typical sheepshead. Aaron Scheffey is the grandson of Kearney & Susie Snyder of Stone Harbor.


Rhonda Scheffey proudly displays the 14.3lb sheepshead she caught while fishing with husband Aaron.
 
FALL FUN! The fall season is a bit quieter around the Island compared to the prime summer season. It's the perfect time to catch a beautiful sunrise on the beach, try that new restaurant you weren't able to get into during the summer, or simply relax on your deck with a book in hand, while enjoying warm sunshine and a cool breeze. While you're here, enjoy one of the many fall activities available all around the county!
 
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: If you'd like to give back a little time to the community, consider volunteering for one of these worthy projects:

    SEA ISLE CITY: Beach clean up and dune grass planting, Saturday, September 27th,
    10am - noon. Call (609) 263-2081 for info.
 
    AVALON: Dune grass planting, Saturday, October 4th, 8:30am. Call (609) 967-3066 for info.

This Weeks News 9/17/2014

---

MARKET STATS: For the latest stats on the Avalon/Stone Harbor market, see Long & Foster's August 2014 Market Minute Report. Highlights from the report: the number of units sold during the month of August decreased versus last year, while the median price was up significantly.  The number of active and new listings decreased, while the average number of days on the market increased.
 
RISMEDIA.COM reported that the typical waterfront home is worth more than double the median value of all homes, but noted that in some markets, the median waterfront home could be worth ten or more times the median value of non-waterfront homes. Read The Article
 
PARKWAY TRAFFIC PATTERN: The traffic pattern in the construction zone on the Garden State Parkway will change on October 1st.  Southbound traffic will be shifted to the newly constructed ramps and bridges, with no traffic lights on the mainline. Northbound traffic will still flow at grade level with signalized intersections. Watch for new signs and signals in the area.

 
Long & Foster friend Andy Peszka took this great shot of the 8th Street jetty in Avalon.  Strong winds had waves crashing on the rocks.
 
PILOT DREDGE PROJECT: Curious about the pilot dredging project that recently took place behind Stone Harbor? The Army Corp of Engineers produced this six-minute video explaining the project designed to remove sediment from the IntraCoastal Waterway and place it atop nearby wetlands in order to raise their level. Lenore Tedesco of the Wetlands Institute is quoted multiple times in the video, along with ACOE workers.  View The Video
 
IT'S TIME TO THINK SUMMER! Yes, we're still in the midst of our fall season but at Long & Foster we're already working on booking rentals for Summer 2015! Rental property owners, it's time to get your rates to me! Tenants, begin thinking about your vacation dates and call or email me to find the perfect place!

This Weeks News 9/10/2014

---

CAPE MAY COUNTY'S Department of Tourism has unveiled a marketing plan geared toward bringing visitors back to the area during the fall season. Dubbed "Fall for the Jersey Cape,' the program highlights dozens of events and activities available across the Cape. Radio and print media will promote the website, www.fallforthejerseycape.com. If you've never been here during the fall season, give it a try! Cooler weather, great beach days, good fishing, and smaller crowds make for an enjoyable stay, and there are plenty of fun events to enjoy.
 
STONE HARBOR'S CENTENNIAL JUBILEE was held this past Saturday, and was the Borough's last celebration of its 100th Anniversary year. The afternoon event began with a parade of fire trucks, antique vehicles, and floats that ran from one end of town to another. Immediately afterward a crowd gathered at the 80th Street Recreation Field for food, a beer & wine garden, dunk tank, music, and other family activities. The event ended just after dark with a grand fireworks display. View Pictures From The Cape May County Herald - Truck 6414, my antique American LaFrance ladder truck, is shown in a few of the photos. Thanks to all who waved to us as we passed by!
 
FREEDOM PARK will be dedicated on September 11th at 11am in Stone Harbor. A ceremony including prayers, bagpipe performance, a gun salute, and a bugle rendition of Taps are planned. A section of I-beam from the World Trade Center will be on permanent display at the park. Freedom Park was partially funded by an Open Space grant; all landscaping was donated by Garden Greenhouse. The park is located at 96th Street & Seng Place.
 
SEPTEMBER SUNSETS often display magnificent hues not seen in the summertime. Mother Nature chose pink & lavender for this beautiful scene last week!


C'mon down and enjoy September's beautiful weather and magnificent sunsets!
 
DUNE GRASS PLANTING OCTOBER 4th: Volunteers should report to Avalon Community Hall at 8:30am that day. Donuts, coffee, special tools, and a brief demonstration will be provided. Volunteers will then be transported to planting sites by borough trucks. A complimentary lunch will follow at Community Hall. To sign up, contact Sue Ellenberg at 609-967-3066 or Sue Keen at 609-967-5924.

This Weeks News 9/3/2014

---

LONG & FOSTER'S AVALON OFFICE accepted the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge last week.  More than 30 of us participated in the event as an equally large crowd of onlookers watched. We've challenged other Long & Foster offices to accept the challenge too! Long & Foster's Avalon crew made a generous donation to ALS after completing the challenge. Laugh Along With Us Here
 
DREDGE MANAGEMENT PLAN: Stone Harbor has been working on a comprehensive dredge management plan including municipal waterways and private slips. View The Progress Report Presented At The September 2nd Council Meeting (PDF). The dredge project currently underway behind Stone Harbor is a separate state effort to deepen a section of the IntraCoastal Waterway while building a bird habitat and raising the level of wetlands behind Stone Harbor.
 
MORE WHALES! Whale sightings have increased in New Jersey this year, according to a report from the Hackensack Record. Clean ocean water may be the reason, as it allows plankton to flourish, providing a food source for small fish that serve as food for whales.
 
THE PERFECT ENDING to a great summer! The Labor Day Weekend saw generally good weather, warm temperatures, and good crowds on the Island. Mother Nature capped off the weekend with a fantastic sunset Monday evening!


The sunset on Labor Day, as seen from Avalon Bay Park Marina. Labor Day has passed,
but the fun's not over - see below!
 
STONE HARBOR'S CENTENNIAL JUBILEE will take place on Saturday, September 6th, beginning with a parade at 2:30pm. A family-friendly celebration will follow at the 80th Street Recreation Field, including games and entertainment. Bring your beach chairs & blankets and enjoy the events, culminating with a fireworks display at 8:15pm. The Jubilee is free; Lobster Bake tickets are now sold out, but other food options will be available.
 
IT'S THE START of the fall season, which traditionally brings warm sunny days, cool nights, good fishing and beach weather, and lighter crowds in Island restaurants. Plenty of weekend activities are on the calendar, too, including the Wetland Institute's Second Annual Fall Migration Festival, Irish Weekend, and plenty more. Be sure to catch Avalon's End of Summer Shop Hop this weekend, and Stone Harbor's Savor September event on September 20th. See below for more upcoming events!