April 2,  2026

Warm summer evenings aren't far away!  Meanwhile, why not check out some of the unique events and attractions available both on the island and around the county?  Above, The Wetlands Institute is just one example, among many.  See below for more ideas!

63,000 CUBIC YARDS OF SAND will be moved to Avalon's 9th through 15th Street beaches, and the work is expected to begin the week of April 13th.  A borrow area between the Avalon Fishing Pier and 40th Street will be the source of sand; trucks will haul it to the north end to help rebuild dunes, beach paths, and the beach.  Work is expected to occur during the hours of 8pm to 6am, Monday nights through Thursday nights.  During work hours the beaches from 9th Street to 40th Street will be closed to the public for safety, and will be reopened each morning.  Work will pause for the Memorial Day Weekend, but will resume the night of Monday, May 25th, until completed.  If sand remains available, the Borough may extend the work from 15th Street south to 22nd Street.  The "duration and length of the project will remain fluid," according to the Borough.
 
OH MY, IT WAS NICE earlier this week, as Mother Nature treated us to another taste of warm weather.  It won't be long now—grass is greening up, trees are budding, and March is behind us!  With more than 12 hours of daylight each day, the ocean is slowly warming up, and the whole island is coming back to life!
 
AROUND THE COUNTY, the number and frequency of events is increasing each week.  Lectures, dune grass planting, job fairs, celebrations—you'll find a little bit of everything in my Upcoming Events list below.  Aside from the standard "go to" activities we all enjoy here (the beach, fishing, boating, shopping, dining), there are so many varied activities to enjoy around the county most of the year.  Take a look at my list below and choose a few to enjoy!
 
HAPPY EASTER!  Around the island this weekend and across the area you'll find Easter related events such as egg hunts, photo ops with the Easter Bunny, church services, Easter Brunch and Easter Dinner.

USCG Eagle, "America's Tall Ship", at the Coast Guard pier in Boston;
 yours truly, climbing the rig; 100 miles out to sea, under sail, makes for a very happy sailor!

A NOTE FROM THE SEA:  Last week I had the extraordinary opportunity to sail aboard US Coast Guard Cutter Eagle, for six days of sail training with her professional Coast Guard crew.  Tall Ships America, of which I'm a member, works closely with the Coast Guard, and occasionally selects some volunteers to go aboard Eagle.  Sailing from New London, CT,  we covered more than 500 miles of the Atlantic Ocean before putting into Boston, MA, while learning and working alongside Coast Guard officers and crew.  In addition to myself and four other Tall Ships America volunteers, about two dozen Officer Candidates from the Coast Guard were aboard, along with several other distinguished guests.  From sail handling to climbing the rig, emergency drills to celestial navigation, and sharing meals and stories with the crew and guests, it was the opportunity of a lifetime for this sailor!  I'm very grateful to Tall Ships America and the US Coast Guard for the opportunity, as well as for Sheri's continued willingness to say "Ya Gotta Do It!"

UPCOMING EVENTS: 

Easter Eggstravaganzoo. Easter themed celebrations including animals, games, hide & seek and more.  Cape May County Park & Zoo.  Friday to Sunday, April 3rd to 5th. 
 
Easter Bunny Express.  Cape May Seashore Lines, Tuckahoe Train Station, Saturday, April 4th.  For schedules and fares Read More
 
Avalon's Bunny Hop.  Meet the Easter Bunny!  Veterans Plaza, Saturday, April 4th, 11am to 2pm. 
 
Easter Brunch at Icona Avalon.  Sunday, April 5th, 10am to 2pm.  Details here
 
Easter Brunch By the Bay.  The Reeds at Shelter Haven, Sunday, April 5th, 10:30am to 3:30pm.  Read More
 
Easter Sunday at The Washington Inn.  Three course brunch, 11am until 2pm, or Easter Dinner, 4pm until 7pm., Sunday, April 5th.  Menus and details are here
 
America in the Great War.  WWI history presented by professor and author Robert Holden, including display of his artifact collection.  Stone Harbor Library, Monday, April 6, 5:30pm to 7:30pm.  Register for this event
 
Stone Harbor Job Fair.  Visit the Stone Harbor Chamber Welcome Center to get a complete list of businesses that are hiring, then visit the businesses in person to apply for a position.    Saturday, April 11th. 
 
America 250: From Home and Hearth to the Battle: Black Presence in Colonial West & East Jersey.  Avalon History Center, Saturday, April 11th, 2pm t 3pm. 
 
Horseshoe Crabs: Living Fossils At the Beach.  Presented by The Wetlands Institute.  Lower Cape Library, Villas, Wednesday, April 15th, 6pm to 7pm.  Registration for this event opens next week. 
 
Avalon Garden Club Spring Card Party: Cheers to 50 Blooming Years!  Avalon Community Hall, Thursday, April 16th, 11:30am to 3pm.  Contact Joanna Morrison for tickets at 609-675-6846. 
 
Stone Harbor Sip & Shop.  Interactive demonstrations, perks, cocktails/mocktails in many boutiques and businesses, plus food & drink specials at various restaurants and eateries.  April 17th & 18th. 
 
Always Classically Cool Night.  Step back in time for a night that celebrates the legacy of the Washington Inn & Wine Bar.  Sunday, April 19th, 4:30pm to 8:30pm.  Details & reservations
 
Spring Dune Grass Planting.  Avalon Community Hall, Saturday, April 18th, 8:30am.  Please RSVP to Jordan Sykes at Community Hall: 609-967-3066 or jsykes@avalonboro.org 
 
Fur and Fury: War Dogs in the Fight for Freedom - A WWII Lecture with Ben Ridings.  Naval Air Station Wildwood Museum, Thursday, April 30th, 3pm. 
 
Garden Club of Stone Harbor 2026 Plant Sale.  (Order deadline April 13th.)  Saturday, May 9th, 9am to noon.  To order
 
Avalon Garden Club 50th Anniversary: Town Wide Yard Sale.  Saturday, May 9th, 8am to 3pm, Rain or Shine.  $20 fee for participating sellers.  Information & Downloadable application

10120 3rd Avenue, #4, Stone Harbor, $424,900, ACTIVE MLS#: 260781


7888 Dune Drive, Unit 219, Avalon, $565,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 260755


2488 Avalon Avenue, Avalon, $959,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 260737


9501 Sunset Drive, 7, Stone Harbor, $999,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 260708


1719 Ocean Drive, Unit 2, Avalon, $1,100,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 260777


383 39th Street, C West, Avalon, $2,550,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 260747


45 W 19th Street, Avalon, $3,199,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 260761


125 98th Street, Stone Harbor, $3,675,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 260768


8527 3rd Avenue, Stone Harbor, $4,250,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 260767


9102 3rd Avenue, Stone Harbor, $4,795,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 260720


23 W 23rd Street, Avalon, $5,995,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 260779


94 E 24th Street, Avalon, $10,775,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 260707