Randy Leiser, Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc., 2997 Dune Drive, PO Box 10, Avalon, NJ 08202
toll-free: 800-967-7796 x212  |  local: 609-967-3001  |  fax: 609-967-3057  |  e-mail: Randy@RandyLeiser.com
2020: Jan. Feb. March April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.

This Weeks News 3/26/2020

"LOOK FOR THE HELPERS. YOU WILL ALWAYS FIND PEOPLE WHO ARE HELPING." -- MR. ROGERS Fred Rogers, host of the the children's television show "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood," spoke those words decades ago, and they still seem very fitting today. Mr. Rogers went on to say "I came to see that the world is full of doctors and nurses, police and firemen, volunteers, neighbors and friends who are ready to jump in to help when things go wrong." The doctors, nurses, first responders, and others who have jumped in to help in so many ways prove that Mr. Rogers was right.
 
LONG & FOSTER'S OWN TERRY WRIGHT is one who jumped in to help. She had seen the suggestion that people buy gift certificates to local restaurants to support them. Terry took it to a new level, as she described in her own words: "Jeff and I decided to support small business. But instead of buying gift certificates, we had lunch delivered to our local hospital's emergency room staff. I called the hospital earlier in the week to make sure they would allow food delivery. The emergency department manager was so appreciative and said how much the staff would enjoy this gesture. We called a local eatery to make arrangements. They even added some extras since it was a donation. I then called the charge nurse to let her know the day and time lunch would come. She was over the moon with appreciation."
 
Thank you, Terry, for helping out a local business and the doctors and nurses on the front line!
 
THE CAPE MAY COUNTY ZOO is helping those who are homeschooling their kids. Take a break from regular assignments and join in for Virtual Zoo School on weekdays at 11:30am. Each lesson will feature a different animal and teach you all about it. Lessons will be featured on the Zoo's Facebook page, as well as here:

VIRTUAL ZOO SCHOOL - CAPE MAY COUNTY ZOO
 
Summer Sail
In just a few months summer will be upon us!
 
IF YOU NEED A LITTLE BIT OF THE SHORE in your life, check out a couple of the live cams available.

AVALON BEACH & BAY WEBCAMS - AVALON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

OSPREY NEST LIVE ON CAMERA - THE WETLANDS INSTITUTE
 
CONFESSIONS OF A HOPELESS OPTIMIST: We've all been bombarded by news, statistics, warnings, and more. You may find this article to be a very refreshing perspective. Using history as a guide, it offers reasons to be optimistic about both the pandemic and the economy, and is well worth the read:

CONFESSIONS OF A HOPELESS OPTIMIST
 
EMAIL OR CALL ME! Even though our office is closed to comply with official guidelines, I remain available to help in any way that I can!

 

This Weeks News 3/19/2020

A SPECIAL UPDATE from Avalon & Stone Harbor:
 
OUR OFFICE: We're following the protocols established for CoVid-19, and our office is closed to the general public to limit face-to-face contact at this time. We'll reassess based on the latest conditions and guidance from proper authorities.
 
OUR AGENTS are working remotely and conducting business every day.  
 
CONTACT ME by email or phone. I remain available for your real estate needs--simply message, email, or call me!
 
BUSINESS CONTINUES: offers are being made, negotiations continue, and contracts are being written. Transactions are being processed and closings are being conducted remotely.
 
MARKET STATS: For a detailed analysis of the market, see the latest Long & Foster Market Minute report:
  
Market Minute Report
 
VIEW THE LATEST LONG & FOSTER MARKET MINUTE REPORT  |  DOWNLOAD/PRINT PDF
 
PLEASE BE SAFE AND FOLLOW all health & safety recommendations during this situation.
 
THIS TOO SHALL PASS. Our nation, our people, and our economy have weathered wars, global and political conflicts, and economic downturns. We remain quite confident in our nation, its people, and our economy. This too shall pass, and good things are on the horizon!

 

This Weeks News 3/12/2020

Cape May Lighthouse
Cape May Lighthouse has stood at the southernmost tip of Cape May County since 1859. This beautiful image was captured by talented local photographer Noelle Guest!
 
THE AVALON HOME AND LAND OWNERS ASSOCIATION will meet at Community Hall on Saturday, April 11, 2020, beginning at 9:30am. Speaking at 10am will be Joseph Rizzuto, Executive Director of the Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority, and Tom Thornton, Avalon's Municipal Engineer. Information tables will be open before and after the speakers.
 
HAVE A GREAT CAPE MAY COUNTY PHOTOGRAPH? DoTheShore.com is looking for cover photographs for its upcoming issues! If you've got a showstopper, consider submitting it to the magazine! Entry guidelines can be found here:

YOUR PHOTO COULD BE ON THE COVER OF DO THE SHORE MAGAZINE!
 
FIREBOAT 13 has been placed in service by the Stone Harbor Volunteer Fire Company. The 2020 Harborguard vessel has both fire and EMS capabilities, including a 1,000 gallon-per-minute pump, and folding doors allowing patient entry on both sides of the boat. Fireboat 13 will be docked on a boat lift and available year round. Thanks to the Stone Harbor Fire Company for the photo and information.

Stone Harbor Fire-Rescue Boat
 
THE BOAT BUILDERS OF SOUTH JERSEY are chronicled in an interesting article by Captain Karl Anderson. Long-time boaters may remember names such as Post and Pacemaker, and even non-boaters may know of Viking Yachts. All of them (and more) got their start in South Jersey's back bays. Anderson provides a brief history of several South Jersey boat builders here:

THE BOAT BUILDERS OF SOUTH JERSEY
 
THE BEST FREE ZOO IN NJ: The Cape May County Zoo was named the best free zoo in New Jersey by ONLYINYOURSTATE.COM. Whether you're looking for a way to entertain the kids for an hour, or want to spend a day exploring every exhibit and trail, you can't beat the Cape May County Zoo. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.  There are also upgraded experiences that can be added on for a fee. From lions and tigers to giraffes, birds, and reptiles, you'll find a little bit of everything! The zoo is located off Exit 11 of the Garden State Parkway, and is open year-round, except Christmas Day.

 

This Weeks News 3/5/2020

Winter Sunset
A colorful sky is reflected in the mirror-like bay water during this wintertime sunset.
 
AVALON has introduced a 2020 municipal budget with no increase in the municipal tax rate--the third year in a row with no increase. Water and sewer rates will remain unchanged for 2020 as well. The borough also expects to have all long term debt paid off during 2020, utilizing short term financing instead for capital projects. 
 
STONE HARBOR has approved a plan to hire seven full-time firefighter-EMTs to supplement coverage provided by volunteers. Borough Council unanimously approved the move, which will go into effect in January, 2021, with two members on duty around the clock. Like other resort towns, Stone Harbor has been facing declining numbers of resident volunteers that have traditionally staffed the fire department. The department will remain a primarily volunteer operation, with the full-time firefighter-EMTs providing supplemental manpower. 
 
THE CARE FREE BOAT CLUB is expanding its operation to a Sea Isle City location, after opening its Avalon location last year. The new concept in boating allows club members to enjoy boating without many of the headaches of traditional ownership. Boaters pay only membership fees and simply reserve time in the vessel of their choice, avoiding the cost of purchasing, maintaining, and storing a boat. 
 
THE WILDWOOD MUSIC FESTIVAL has added Trace Adkins to the list of performers that will participate in the three-day show in June. The festival will be situated on the beach between amusement piers and in addition to Adkins, will include Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Billy Currington, and many more. New artists are being announced periodically, with more than thirty slated to perform.
 
YES, THERE IS AN APP FOR THAT! If you'll be purchasing beach tags this season, consider doing it via the Viply app. Avalon, Stone Harbor, and Sea Isle City beach tags can all be purchased via the app. The Viply app can be downloaded via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

SPRINGING AHEAD: Time to push your clocks ahead by an hour Saturday night--it's Daylight Savings Time again! One more sign that we're getting closer to summer!