By DONALD WITTKOWSKI
Ophelia is not a name associated with fond memories at the shore.
But after a week’s worth of drenching rain, flooding and gusty winds, Tropical Storm Ophelia was finally gone for good on Sunday – and beachgoers took advantage of the beautiful early autumn weather for some long overdue fun and relaxation in Sea Isle City.
John Latona, of Pittsgrove, N.J., joined his sons, Nick, 12, and Anthony, 5, on the beach for a game of kick ball, while his wife, Rebecca, watched the action.
“It’s awesome,” Latona said of the sunny skies and 75-degree temperature Sunday afternoon. “Yesterday, we made the decision to come here and now we’re excited.”
Nick, who is in seventh grade, and Anthony, who is in kindergarten, said they had been cooped up inside at school for the past week during Ophelia’s soggy visit. They were both relieved to be outside on the beach.
“We’re finally playing outside now,” Nick said.
Anthony kicked the soccer ball to Nick and repeated his brother’s sentiments about the nice weather.
“I like playing outside,” he said.
A little ways down the beach, Bill Wertley watched as his 6-year-old twins, James and Jillian, used a shovel and plastic bucket to dig a hole in the beach sand.
Wertley, who lives in Wyomissing, Pa., was visiting with his sister, Heather Goeltz, at the shore. His wife, Kimberly was back at home in Pennsylvania. Wertley said the family’s weekend trip to Sea Isle served as a great getaway to the beach following Ophelia’s demise.
“We were expecting yesterday to be a little shaky. Today is promising,” he said of the changing weather.
His twins waded into the ocean with their blue plastic bucket to collect some water for the hole they dug on the beach. The water was a little cold for James when he took a swim.
“It’s not too bad. I went in the big waves,” James said. “I was in the water for a few minutes each time. But it was cold.”
Humans weren’t the only ones enjoying some beach time Sunday. Each year, Oct. 1 is the first day that Sea Isle allows dogs on the beach during the quiet off-season months, giving them a gigantic, sandy playground to get some exercise.
Bella, an 11-year-old black Labrador retriever, was sitting on a blanket with her owners Brian and Jill Kelly. The Kellys live in Southampton, Pa., and have a vacation home in Sea Isle.
Jill Kelly explained that Bella loves the beach and used to swim far out in the water in her younger days.
“She’s been on kayaks and paddleboards, too,” Jill said of the adventurous dog.
The Kellys were aware that Sunday was the first day dogs were permitted on the beach. In fact, they had been waiting for it – along with Bella. The timing was perfect for all of them to enjoy the weekend at the shore.
“It’s great. I love the beach. It feels so clean and fresh,” Brian said.
“It feels very rejuvenating,” Jill added.
Although the beaches were a popular hangout Sunday, Sea Isle’s oceanfront Promenade also attracted plenty of walkers and bicyclists who were soaking up the sun.
Angel Mecca, of Malvern, Pa., and her daughter, Christina Mecca, of West Chester, Pa., were finally able to resume their regular bike rides on the Promenade after the stormy weather cleared out.
“This is great. I love it down here. We do our bike rides all the time,” said Angel, who has a vacation home in Sea Isle.
Both Angel and Christina were wearing sunglasses, which was a nice accessory after coping with so much rain for the past week.
“I was happy to see the sunshine,” Christina said. “It was very gloomy.”
Evidence of Ophelia’s wrath remain, though. Sea Isle’s beaches and dunes in the downtown area, as well as in the south end of the island, suffered significant erosion in some spots.
Some of the dunes were sliced away by the storm’s raging waves, leaving mini-cliffs and sharp drop-offs down to the beach. Pathways to the beach were closed off at John F. Kennedy Boulevard as a safety precaution.
