 The 12th Annual Nun’s Beach Surfing Contest (postponed from yesterday) is underway. This all day family event is held adjacent to the Villa Maria on 111th Street. The sisters will be on site to sell the popular “Nun’s Beach” wear, too.
Good news- no major damage or beach erosion from Hanna. And today, a return to the typically beautiful September weather.Â
 The weather forecasts were correct- Hanna just arrived to say hello (4pm Saturday afternoon). I guess it’s time to close the office…although no easy way to run to my car and into my house without getting soaked 🙂
  Early morning walk along the beach- the sun was out and the humidity level high. The ocean looked stormy- but not unusually rough.
 The ocean turns a steel gray color during a storm (and for most of the winter months)- by tomorrow, the sparkling blue color should return.
The island is busy- people are out shopping, riding bikes, etc. It’s dreary and there is some light rain.  High tide is at 1:30pm- well before the heavy rain is expected- good news for flood prone areas. We need the rain after a picture perfect summer, so we will endure Hanna!
 What do the locals do to prepare for Tropical Storm Hanna?  We secure our deck furniture (and help out a few summer neighbors who can’t make it down), put away our trash cans, and then go to the beach!Â
It was a beautiful day today- the ocean was warm and not too rough, plus a comfortable sea breeze. The rain is just starting (9:30pm), and the winds will pick up by mid-morning Saturday. By Sunday, the sun and calmer weather will return.
P.S. The Nun’s Beach Surf contest (111th Street) is postponed until Sunday. Of course, the surfers are excited about the storm! Â
 The Stone Harbor Lion’s Club Annual 10K, 5K, and 2 Mile Fun Walk was held this morning. I was hot just standing there cheering for the runners…can’t imagine actually participating :)  A crowd favorite- the young men and women of the United States Coast Guard.
 Browse the sales along 96th Street and the surrounding business district all day today (until at least 7pm).
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  While walking by the Villa Maria by the Sea retreat house yesterday, I watched the nuns loading up their cars – leaving to go back to school! A few walked down to the beach for a final look at the ocean. The retreat house stays active through the fall, including hosting their major fundraiser: The Nun’s Beach Surfing Contest/Dinner on September 6th.Â
For more information, contact Sister James Dolores, IHM at (609) 368-3621
I was never an athlete (year book editor type), so when I bought my first kayak a few years ago, my family was a bit puzzled. In a typical show of support, one of my sisters asked “Why, in your mid- 40’s did you suddenly decide to become athletic??”
Well, it wasn’t a passing phase, and I go out on the bay (and sometimes the ocean) on a regular basis. Proof that you can find an activity that suits your personality and skill level. It’s always an adventure…
 
 This is the other side of Stone Harbor Point- before you reach the inlet (and ocean).
 A natural beach for the birds at the tip of Stone Harbor Point.
 The Grassy Sound Bridge- interesting to go under the bridges. To see the damage from the salt air is incredible…makes me wonder what I will look like as I get older 😉
I hear this question every day…and ask the same question when I talk with other local business owners.Â
The season started off a bit unsettled. I believe our visitor base had concerns about gas prices, and the economy in general.  Prime rental properties experienced vacancies in July. Summer homeowners provided weekend business for the restaurants and shops, but the island was quiet mid-week.
Beautiful weather and warm temperatures increased demand as we approached August. Last minute requests for weekly rentals continue; and we have “sold out” island wide for the past few weeks. We expect strong occupancy numbers through Labor Day Weekend.
The bottom line: The Seven Mile Beach is an exceptional, name brand destination- located within a reasonable driving distance of a huge customer base. Summer of 2008 is proof that we can survive challenging economic times.
Thankfully not too many this summer…but what to do?? Finish reading the Sunday paper; walk around 96th Street (and observe the pub crawl participants arrive in 2 school buses- in various costumes and levels of sobriety); see a movie (“Momma Mia”…loved it!); take a walk; and watch the Olympics.Â
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