Certain sights bring back happy childhood memories. A gully at the beach is a perfect example.Â
We were thrilled to arrive at the beach and find what we considered our own personal swimming pool.
With modern beach grooming machines, gullies are not as common.
Stone Harbor Point is an environmentally protected area, and the beach is left in it’s natural state.  You will find huge, deep gullies at mid-tide…and unique shells and sea glass if you are looking, too!
 “How’s the market?” A common question from property owners, potential buyers, and tenants.
My answer is “getting better”- defined by the number of recent transactions and my own experience.Â
When a settlement is complete,  the selling price is posted. For the most part, we are not seeing shockingly low prices. In fact, we often say that the price was a fair number for both the buyer and seller.
During just the past 30 days, 24 properties in Avalon & Stone Harbor sold/settled. There are an additional 33 sale pending with closings scheduled in the near future. That’s 57 buyers with enough confidence in the market to take the leap of seashore ownership!
We anticipate an active fall market as well. Buyers sense that we are “at the bottom” for pricing, and want to take advantage of the favorable interest rates. The inventory in certain segments of our market is finally at a more reasonable level (that makes our sellers happy- less competition).
If you, or someone you know is interested in a seashore purchase, please contact me   ann@anndelaney.com  or (609) 967-7950
 I appreciate the opportunity to help!
The busiest weekend of the summer…and the biggest event of the summer: The Arts & Crafts Festival at the 80th Street field.
The white tents are up and ready for the vendors to descend tomorrow. The crowds will follow starting early Saturday morning. Parking and driving in the immediate vicinity will be difficult- Third Avenue/Ocean Drive will be the best option for north to south travel!
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I am proud to support:Â
Brendan Borek High Tides Memorial Fund is a true local charity- all money raised helps families in Cape May County. Visit the web site for details and calendar of upcoming August events.Â
The 14th Annual Nun’s Beach Surf Contest is scheduled for Saturday, September 12th. All proceeds support the upkeep of Villa Maria by the Sea retreat house on 111th Street in Stone Harbor. This property is a beautiful landmark for our community, and enjoyed all summer long by the visiting Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters. For more information, contact Sister James Dolores, IHM at 609-368-5290, or stop by their garage “store” to purchase popular Nun’s Beach attire!
The beach adjacent to the Villa Maria Retreat House on 111th Street is called “Nun’s Beach”- and this morning, the name was fitting.Â
No zoom lens on my cell phone camera…and I was too chicken to take a picture as I walked by (Catholic school rules stay with you forever!). The nuns are the 2 dark spots to the right- in full attire, and collecting shells.Â
The IHM Sisters are typically more informal at the beach- so it catches your attention when a visiting order is in town.
Best nun related quote of the day: Sister James, who lives and works at the retreat house year round, was on her way to morning mass as I was walking by. She said “You are so faithful”…I think she was referring to my morning routine??  😉
Park at the 123rd Street lot in Stone Harbor and follow the path south. The unspoiled beach at the point is a popular place to fish and bird watch…and a great place to watch the sunset.
You can walk all the way to the inlet that divides Stone Harbor and North Wildwood (it’s a healthy walk, but worth it for the views).
Watch the tides- the “beach” along the water’s edge may actually be a sandbar!
 The vacant lot on the corner of 96th Street and Third Avenue will forever be known as the “Shelter Haven” property.  The overgrown bay side lot has been an eyesore for several years- waiting for the owner/developer to begin the new project.Â
The Borough of Stone Harbor and local organizations arranged for the lot to be cleared and landscaped for the summer. What a difference!  It’s now an attractive 1st impression as you enter Stone Harbor.
Seasonal beach tags for Avalon and Stone Harbor are discounted through next weekend. $19 until May 31st; $24 starting June 1st.Â
The beach tag booths are open every day: 30th Street adjacent to Community Hall in Avalon, and 95th Street adjacent to the lifeguard building in Stone Harbor. Either tag allows you access to the entire 7 mile beach 🙂
 The Memorial Day parades and ceremonies in Avalon and Stone Harbor were a coordinated effort with the local American Legion- Stephen C. Ludlum Post 331.
Visit the post’s beautifully restored historic building located on 117th Street and Second Avenue in Stone Harbor.  Open for tours 10am and 2pm every day except Wednesday and Sunday starting on Flag Day- June 14th, through Labor Day.
There will be Memorial Day parades in Avalon and Stone Harbor on Monday.
The Memorial Day Parade in Avalon starts at 34th and Dune Drive at 9am. The parade travels north along Dune Drive to the 21st Street circle- Veteran’s Plaza. Ceremony to follow.
Then, ride your bike to 96th Street in Stone Harbor to see another parade at 12 noon. Starts by the bridge and ends at the beach with a ceremony.  Refreshments served after the parade at the American Legion Post on 117th Street and Second Avenue.