The Philadelphia news stations predicted a windy and a balmy day- heading to 65 degrees. At the shore, the strong southerly winds carried in dense fog- dropping our temperatures considerably. Today’s weather reminds me of a typical early spring day. The sun is trying to burn off the fog- but without success- just swirls of moisture against the gray sky.
   I couldn’t see more than a 1/2 block ahead as I walked on the beach. I returned soaked through…glad to be be home to warm up!
 Need to work off a few Christmas cookies? If you will be in the Avalon, NJ area Saturday, 12/27 (tomorrow), sign up for Dashing Through the Sand 2008: a 5K fun run and 2 mile walk.
Registration opens at 7am at the Avalon Community Hall (30th and Avalon Avenue); race starts at 9am.
Proceeds benefit The Craig Kenneth Lozier Memorial Scholarship fund. UPDATE- The race was a great success. Over $5000 raised for the scholarship.Â
 
 Santa– the lifesize painted, cut out version- has been an important part of Christmas for as long as I can remember.Â
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”.Â
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!Â
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.Â
Merry Christmas!
 Yep, it’s as cold as it looks.  Took a refreshing walk on the beach this afternoon. Glad to be distracted by the view!
 That’s ICE on the beach – brrrrrrr.Â
http://www.stoneharborroa.com/
SHROA a citizen’s group of Stone Harbor property owners (a combination of summer and year round home owners) created to keep all taxpayers informed of local issues and events.Â
Avalon has a similar organization: The Avalon Home and Land Owners Association http://www.ahloa.com/
A summer home owner recently said to me “I don’t know how you live down there in the winter”. I laughed, and gave my usual list of benefits of seashore living.
But I have to admit – I do not like the wind.  Last night, the sustained roar of the 20 to 30 mph west wind was accented by the freight train sound of the 50 mph gusts. I expected our roof to blow off any minute.Â
 Our roof stayed put, but the huge tarp on the 13th Street water tower in Avalon did not survive. It was in shreds this morning around the scaffolding 🙁
 It’s that time of year…still dark at 7am. The sky, ocean, and sand are various shades of gray. Dreary and damp best describe today…
 Thank goodness for Christmas lights and colorful December sunsets 🙂
 Once the rain stopped yesterday, a walk to the beach was in order. There were hundreds of birds floating around just beyond the wave break- an odd sight.
The sun is back out today- with mild temperatures for December.Â
 I was driving north along Dune Drive this morning, and as I approached downtown, the sun was shining on a huge object in the distance. Did I miss something? Was Donald Trump granted permission to build a high rise in Avalon?
Thankfully- no. I had forgotton about the restoration project of the 13th Street water tower. The tent protects the neighboring homes during the sandblasting and painting process.Â
For more information, check out the December news on the Borough of Avalon web site:
That’s Better
Hopefully the weather will be reasonable for New Year’s weekend.  Several local restaurants will be open (not just WaWa), and on New Year’s Day (Thursday), the Stone Harbor 96th Street shops will be open for their popular annual sale. Hope to see you around town!
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