Ann Delaney Beach Blog

Category: Life at the Shore

  • Closing Schools

    The year round residents of the island communities are facing the reality of change.  Fewer families with children live on the barrier islands, a fact that is reflected in the school enrollment numbers.  Talks of consolidation within the districts have taken a more serious tone- it’s a very emotional subject.

    The locals are shocked by the just announced June closing of Wildwood Catholic High School– the only Catholic high school in Cape May County.  Class size is down 50% from just 10 years ago, and they no longer have the financial ability to remain open.

    The business person in me understands – especially after facing the past few years of a tough real estate market.  The income/debt ratio must make sense, and you have to be prepared to make difficult decisions.

    But our schools are part of our identity and history.  It’s very hard to see that fade away.  Wildwood Catholic is a tradition for generations of area families.   It’s where I met my husband, and then years later, watched our sons compete at sporting events.  The good and bad experiences shaped our lives, and hopefully, made us better people along the way.

  • Frozen Drink

    frozenbayChilly again today (what a shock…it’s January at the shore).

     

     

     

     

    frozenbay2The frozen bay area is limited to the smaller basins and coves.  The wind and tides have kept the main channels flowing- so far.

  • January Weather

    trashcansWindy and cold…high winds and cold temperatures…some sun and cold winds…you get the picture!

    Instead of a wind chill factor, we worry about trash can velocity.    The roaming cans create hazardous driving conditions as we try to guess the direction of the roll 😉

  • Review of a Decade

    I enjoyed this editorial because the author referenced my favorite children’s book: “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day”. 

    http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09364/1024459-154.stm

    It’s a good message to hear as we begin 2010.

  • 01/01/10

    NewYearHappy 2010.  Question:  Is it  “20- 10”?  or “Two Thousand, Ten”?  or just “10”?

    The sun is breaking through, and temperatures are fairly mild. A good  start to the new year, and a good day to check out the sales in the shops along 96th Street in Stone Harbor.

  • Life at the Beach

    DecoceanI know I perpetuate the myth that the locals have nothing to do all day except walk along the beach  ;)    I really do work and have a normal life, AND I find time to walk on the beach!

     

     

    19thStreetAvalon’s version of Giant’s Causeway found on 19th Street.

     

     

     

     

    14thNorthMany of the beach access paths need to be repaired- but plenty of sand in the north end:  14th Street looking north toward the 9th Street jetty.

     

     

     

    14thSouth14th Street looking south toward the Avalon Fishing Pier.

     

     

     

     

    SaltwatericeAnd just to be clear…it’s COLD at the beach.   But the view is worth it!

  • Brisk Walk!

    deccoldA relaxing stroll is just not possible with these temperatures!  Move fast, and try to stay out of the wind.

    On the plus side…the sand is frozen, so I can easily walk in what would normally be soft sand adjacent to the dunes (partially blocking the cold NW wind). 

    Stay warm  🙂

  • Sunday Sights

    decbay

    Nice weather…for December. 

    Saw a great blue heron in the Bird Sanctuary (it flew away too quick for a picture).  The local volunteers are working hard to restore the sanctuary, and encourage the birds to return. 

    And, saw 2 teenagers testing out their new Christmas toy: skateboard like item with 4 wheels and foot straps, and a body harness attached to an oversized a kite.  They were taking advantage of the wide section of hard sand at Stone Harbor point.  They said their goal was to stay OUT of the water!

  • The Real Seashore Santa

    santa2 

    Santa– the life size painted, cut out version- has been an important part of Christmas for as long as I can remember. 

    Santa began his life of service in the early 1960’s at my parents’ first house in Avalon.  He was surrounded by big, multi-colored bulbs on the newly planted shrubs.  Inside that modest rancher, 4 little girls hung their stockings on a cardboard fireplace with a plug in red bulb that magically turned the metal wheel to create “fire” .

    In the 1970’s, Santa moved with our family 5 blocks south in Avalon to a larger, 2 story home with a real wood fireplace.  The colorful exterior lights were eventually replaced with more subtle white bulbs, but the spot light literally remained on Santa.

    In the off season, Santa hung proudly on the garage wall- watching us all come and go.  Those little girls grew up and moved out, bringing back grandchildren for days on the beach.  In the 1980’s, my young sons were fascinated by Santa, and maybe a bit intimidated based on our attempts to use him for improved behavior!

    When my parents downsized to a townhouse in the early 1990’s, my father asked if I wanted Santa for our home.  I was of course thrilled- and Santa didn’t complain as he was forced to leave Avalon and move “off shore”. 

    Santa loyally followed us on each move- knowing that he would be given a prominent position (with a flood light) at Christmas.   A few years ago, he gratefully moved back to the island to become a Stone Harbor resident! 

    Now approaching 50 years old, Santa is showing some signs of wear (aren’t we all).  I thought about asking an artist to do a “touch up”, but it just doesn’t seem right.   It’s good to remember that so much time has passed- it helps us to celebrate the journey. 

    Merry Christmas!

    This entry was originally posted last Christmas- decided it deserved a repeat  🙂

  • Snow Day

    snowdayAs you can see- just a few inches of snow on the island.  

    Our Colorado son laughed when I sent him pictures of our “state of emergency” snow storm!