Each summer, there are things we can always count on in Sea Isle City. For example, we can count on bustling crowds during the Memorial Day and Independence Day holidays. We can count on sunny beach days, enjoyable fishing trips on the bay, and cool ocean breezes at night. We can count on our cheerful residents and many happy visitors enjoying all that our town has to offer. And, we can count on the hard working men and women of the Sea Isle City Beach Patrol, who protect our shoreline, keep us informed about surf conditions, and bring a sense of pride to our community. If you think that our lifeguards simply sit at their posts and keep beach-goers safe day after day – there are some things you should know about the SICBP…
In addition to successfully protecting us on the sand and in the surf, the members of our beach patrol are also formidable competitors during regional lifeguard races. Recently, ten of our guards finished in third place overall during the Women’s Longport Invitational Race, which brought together 13 different beach patrols. Not only did they come in third place in Longport, our female guards were the top competitors in the Surf Dash during that evening’s races, which is no surprise, because in recent years our Women’s Surf Dash Team has maintained a reputation as premier competitors in South Jersey – and we could not be more proud of them. And speaking of being proud, the SICBP came in first place overall earlier this week during the 49th Annual Beschen-Callahan Memorial Lifeguard Races in North Wildwood. Their next competition is The Atlantic City Classic, which takes place this Friday evening – and certainly we wish them luck! Go get ‘em SICBP!
Somehow, the end of July is just around the corner – and the summer season is flying by (as it often tends to). Fortunately, here in Sea Isle City it is very easy to make the most of your summer, thanks to the many events and activities we have taking place from Memorial Day through Labor Day. For example, Sea Isle’s 2017 Baby Parade took place on Tuesday evening – and it had an amazing turn-out! When I saw the many parade participants cruising along the Promenade, I was very happy that I did not have to be one of the parade’s judges, because each child looked terrific! My thanks go to all of the parents who entered their children in this year’s Baby Parade, as well as the ladies in Sea Isle’s Tourism Office who organized and hosted the event, and all the volunteers who helped make the parade a reality, including the judges and the evening’s emcee, Jamie Mulholland. Thank you all!
When a local bridge is closed for repairs, just as the Townsends Inlet Bridge was earlier this year, I am often asked “what’s being done to ensure that our County bridges are maintained and kept in good condition?” With that in mind, I am happy to report that Cape May County recently received a $500,000 Federal Grant to replace the railing on the T.I. Bridge, which connects Sea Isle City and Avalon. Bids will go out next month for that project, and work is expected to be completed this fall and winter. No doubt, you might be concerned that replacing the railings will result in another bridge closing. The good news is that the T.I. Bridge will remain open while its railings are being replaced. And, if that $500,000 makes you happy, you will be thrilled to learn that the County also received an additional $1,000,000 grant to make various repairs to the T.I. Bridge (on top of the bridge’s railing project). Of course, all this money will go a long way to maintain the viability of the Townsends Inlet Bridge, which is great news for Sea Isle City and our friends in Avalon too. Naturally, we will keep you informed of all bridge repairs and other infrastructure projects as plans unfold.
Looking ahead, the Sea Isle City Beach Patrol’s One Mile Ocean Swim competition takes place this Saturday morning – and it is open to the public. Then, mark your calendars for the Sea Isle City Police Department’s National Night Out celebration at Excursion Park on August 1. National Night Out promises to be a fun-filled evening, featuring family-friendly activities, games, free gifts, and live music – all capped-off with a showing of The LEGO Batman Movie at dusk. For more info about these and other events taking place in Sea Isle City this summer, go to www.VISITSICNJ.com , where you’ll find all you need to know about “what’s happening” in Sea Isle City.
This week’s “Shout Out” goes to our Beachcomber Guides, who lead wonderful beach tours twice each week during the summer season. As I mentioned before, Sea Isle’s Beachcombers are celebrating their 30th year on the sand – and they truly are community treasures! Thank you for all you do, Beachcomber Guides! Keep up the good work!
Smile…You’re in Sea Isle!
Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio
