This is our first newsletter of the new year, and I am happy to report that 2024 has gotten off to a great start! It all began with a wonderful New Year’s Eve Weekend that was highlighted by many happy people welcoming 2024’s arrival by dining and celebrating in Sea Isle City – and enjoying our spectacular fireworks display on December 31.
As we have often said, Sea Isle is a “City for all Seasons,” and even though January and February are much quieter months than July and August, Sea Isle City is a vibrant community twelve months a year – even during the chilly winter.
This is because many of our local businesses welcome patrons throughout the year, property owners and visitors continually enjoy our promenade, beaches and other outdoor recreation facilities (bundled up, of course), and the members of our local churches and civic organizations regularly gather and delight in each other’s company.
A fine example of a local organization displaying their vibrancy during the off-season took place on January 5, when I had the honor of attending an awards ceremony hosted by our friends at VFW Post 1963.
The ceremony took place at Bishop McHugh Catholic School in nearby Clermont, where the veterans and members of Post 1963’s Auxiliary distributed prizes to the winners of the VFW’s 2024 “Patriot’s Pen” Essay Competition.
I want to thank everyone at Post 1963 for allowing me to be with them as they honored the students who won this year’s writing contest, and my heartfelt congratulations go to the three seventh-graders who were declared this year’s winners: Lily Klebaur, who took home the first-place prize of $300; and Myka Morris and Lukas Childs, who won the second and third place prizes, respectively. Congratulations Lily, Myka and Lukas!
Another student I am happy to mention is a 13-year-old equestrian and year-round resident of Sea Isle City named Regan Capone, who attends Ocean City Intermediate School.
Regan was recently ranked second in the nation by the U.S. Equestrian Federation and the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association in the Children’s Pony Hunter Division. We are very happy to call Regan “one of our own,” and we look forward to seeing her (and her horse, Tia Maria) add to their list of impressive milestones in the future! Well done, Regan!
If you are looking for ways to enjoy the long Presidents Weekend, mark your calendar now and plan to be in Sea Isle City, where many of our shops and restaurants will be open for business – and you can enjoy the 2024 Mike’s Seafood Run-Walk for Autism on Saturday, February 17.
The Monichetti family, who hosts the Run-Walk for Autism, has informed us that they are planning to make their 16th annual effort to raise autism awareness bigger and better than ever – and I have every confidence they will do just that!
Because many folks like to make plans for the approaching summer season, we have begun selling 2024 beach tags at several locations – including online. Plus, this year we are offering a new limited edition Valentine’s Day Beach Tag, which (in addition to making a wonderful gift for someone you love) is a “must have” for everyone’s beach tag collection.
The new Valentine’s Day tags will go on sale Tuesday, January 16, the Saint Pat’s tags will be available starting February 20, and “regular” seasonal beach tags are on sale now.
To learn more about our 2024 beach tags, please see the “Beach Tag” section in this week’s newsletter, go to the “Departments/Beach Tags” page at www.seaislecitynj.us, or go to the “Beach/Beach Tags” page at www.VisitSICNJ.com.
During the year ahead, I hope you will continue to read this publication and all of the updates, reminders and alerts that we send-out directly from the City, because we have big plans for 2024, and we want to keep everyone informed whenever special activities, serious weather conditions or other important events take place – so please stay connected through Sea Isle City’s E-News System all year long.
I wish everyone a happy and healthy 2024 – and don’t forget that a great New Year’s Resolution is to “Spend more time in Sea Isle City.”
Smile … You’re in Sea Isle,
Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio
