In the past,  if you saw a home on the island with a lawn, it was likely a year round residence.Â
My father treated our front yard in Avalon like a formal living room- it looked beautiful and you weren’t allowed to use it.  We didn’t dare cut across the grass, or even worse, play on it. That’s why we had a back yard (wait, thinking back, he sent us around the block to play kick the can!)
Today, many of the new homes have a grass area- even if it’s just a small patch in the front yard. Â
Bringing me to my observation…there are more landscaping trucks around town than contractor’s vehicles.  Â
The grass,  trees, and flowers distinguish us from other seashore communities. Take note of the center islands along Dune Drive in Avalon and Second Avenue in Stone Harbor- all manicured like a prized front yard.
 Building a beach- work continues on the north end beaches of Avalon. The new dunes are in place between 10th and 18th Streets, and trucks are leveling sand (delivered daily by trucks) to create a wide bathing beach.
The Fishing Pier Grill is back open for the season- serving breakfast on the boardwalk every morning.  Next door, a crew of Avalon lifeguards were painting the stands and cleaning up the boats.
 The rainbow Saturday evening…a symbol of improving weather.
Pass the word:  Vacation Rentals are still available at the shore.  Potential tenants have not been as willing to commit far in advance for their summer vacation- understandable with the economy. But, hello…it’s May.  Time to think about warm days on the beach or boating along the bay.
 Could it be? The glare is somewhat familiar.Â