By DONALD WITTKOWSKI
Sea Isle City’s downtown was festively decorated with wreaths, garland, red bows and a towering Christmas tree in Excursion Park.
But with the hustle and bustle of the holiday shopping rush finally over, the shore was remarkably serene on Christmas Day – and that is exactly what Jack Miller, his wife, Carol, and their daughter, Lauren, wanted as they took a leisurely stroll on Sea Isle’s oceanfront Promenade.
“That’s why we’re here,” Jack said while savoring the tranquil atmosphere for the holiday.
The Millers, who live in neighboring Dennis Township, were taking their beagle, Maggie, out for a walk to get her acclimated to a new place. They had the Promenade virtually all to themselves in some spots.
“I lived here for 20 years and my family lived here, so I know what the busy summers are like here. But this is our time of the year – fall and winter. This is the locals’ time of the year,” Jack Miller said.
Eileen and Mark Rose, who live in Sea Isle on 38th Street, were also enjoying winter’s solitude at the shore as part of their Christmas Day tradition of taking a walk on the Promenade.
“I just like not having a lot of people around. It’s nice and peaceful,” Eileen said.
Eileen said the uncrowded winter holidays, in particular, give Sea Isle its tranquil, small-town feel.
She noted that the couple’s Christmas weekend in Sea Isle was extra special. Their son from Somers Point and another son from West Chester, Pa., visited with them for the holiday. They also enjoyed the company of their grandchildren.
“It’s been absolutely wonderful,” Eileen said of the entire holiday weekend.
With temperatures climbing into the high 40s on a cloudy afternoon, the weather was mild enough for others to take a Christmas Day walk on the beach in Sea Isle.
Nanette and Norman Briggs, who live in Upper Township, were joined on the beach by their daughter, Erica, and her husband, Reid Lawson, of Philadelphia, and their daughter, Olivia, and her finance, Derrick Brewer, of Collingswood, N.J.
“It’s the best,” Norman Briggs said of the family’s quiet Christmas celebration at the shore.
“Absolutely,” Nanette Briggs added.
One thing that wasn’t quiet, though, was Reid Lawson’s attire. He was wearing loud blue pajama bottoms decorated with comical Santa faces. He paired the PJs with work boots.
Reid explained that the pajamas were a gift from his mother-in law. He decided to wear them on the beach after opening the gift on Christmas morning.
“They are matching PJs,” he joked as the entire family erupted in laughter before heading out on the beach.
