Ann Delaney Beach Blog

Category: Life at the Shore

  • Vote

    Because we can…and it matters!

    P.S.  This seems especially fitting today- an opportunity to donate. 

    The North Wildwood Fire House at 15th and Central Avenue is accepting donations to assist the displaced residents from our neighboring shore towns.  Two hundred families will be relocated to the Wildwoods as temporary shelter.

    I shopped at the Acme for non-perishable food items, toiletries, baby items, soap, laundry detergent, etc. and also purchased a few Acme gift cards.   The firemen unloaded the bags from my car and will take care of sorting and distribution.

    More information is available on the Lunch with Lynch web site

    (This is an established charitible organization- you can be assured that your donation will be put to good use).

  • November Halloween

    It’s officially Halloween. 

    Unfortunately, our candy accompanied us to PA for the evacuation…and was put to good use!

    I have some left.  And a box of granola bars in the cabinet ;) 

    Will hope for the best!

  • Beach Walk

    It may take a bit more effort and some climbing…but I am determined to get back to my beach walks.

    The island is busy with property owners cleaning and tossing wet items.

    Yet, no one is complaining.  We all realize that our issues are minor compared to shore towns just north of us.  And, I am hearing the phrase “survivor’s guilt” again, and again – especially from year round residents.

  • Some Things Never Change…

    Thank you to  Twitter friend Sharon Miller for sending me a picture of Villa Maria in Stone Harbor, circa 1955.

    A beautiful island landmark- then and now!

    I took the other picture on Wednesday morning- after returning to the island post Sandy.

  • Beach Report

    Thanks to our vehicle beach permit and a few quick beach walks, I have been able to check on the status of the Avalon and Stone Harbor beaches.

    Avalon- very fortunate that the dunes held, especially in the north end. Most beach paths end with a steep cliff, with obvious beach erosion. Yet there IS beach!

    From 30th Street and south through the 60’s, the paths are level and only exhibit minor damage. There is a bit more dune exposure in the 70’s.

    Stone Harbor – The dunes took a hit in the 80’s, yet that section of dune was well established and provided great protection. The downtown beach entrances (wooden walkways) will need repair. South of town, the dunes were more narrow and are damaged. The walkway at Nuns’ Beach is free standing when previously it was sitting over a dune.

    South of 111th Street, the beach paths are more level with the beach (fewer cliffs), yet debris blocks the paths.

    There was serious erosion of the dunes down by the Hobie Cat beach.  The landscape of the Point is changed (the natural sand dunes washed over), yet the long, sandy stretch is still there for the birds…and fishermen.

  • Odd Sandy Pictures

    While inspecting the island yesterday, I saw many unusual sights:

    At first I thought the owner of this house was planning a unique landscaping project- then realized the logs are the top of pilings cut off after the pilings are installed in the ground.  They had floated over from the new construction job site across the street!

    Unfortunately, this is a common sight.  Marsh grass from the bay was deposited in MANY yards on the island.  In this case, mixed with other trash.  Landscape companies are already out helping property owners rake and remove the debris.

    Along with the marsh grass, docks traveled in the flood waters and ended up in yards of homes blocks away.  Hopefully the dock owners will make claim and remove.

  • Shore Sunrise

    Now, THAT’S a nice sunrise 🙂

  • HOME 🙂

    10pm- It was a creative entry- no vehicles permitted, so residents had to leave their car on the other side of the bridge, show ID, and request a police escort (or walk to your home).

    Grateful to see our home intact, and no sign of “Sandy”. Will be anxious to inspect more in the daylight, and of course walk around the area.

    In the meantime, we have heat, electric, and even cable. Incredible.

    We are heartbroken for those who experienced damage. That reality will be more evident in the next few days.

  • Tuesday Night

    We read a notice earlier today that island residents were permitted to return. We checked out of the hotel in PA and drove back…only to be turned away at the bridge!

    Free loading for the night at a friend’s house in South Dennis – gave her a whole 5 minutes notice 😉

    Hope to be HOME tomorrow!

  • Hello Tuesday

    No Wi-Fi, so posting this from my phone (a first). Waiting for word that we can return to the island.
    Like you, devastated by the pictures posted yesterday . So many people and businesses effected.
    Trying to remain optimistic. Will post pictures and info as soon as possible.

    P.S. Just heard from Stone Harbor business owner- he was not permitted on the island. Parkway open, yet causeways on to island blocked.