I begin this message with words of congratulations and thanks.
First, I want to congratulate VFW Post 1963’s new commander, Mark Lloyd, who served in the U.S. Army (Airborne) during the Vietnam War and came home with a Purple Heart after being wounded in battle.
I am certain that Commander Lloyd will do a fine job in his new position, and I wish him the best of luck as he takes the lead at Post 1963.
Next, I want to thank Charles (Chick) Haines, who has been Commander of VFW Post 1963 for the past 16 years.
It has always been a pleasure to work with Commander Haines, who served as a “River Rat” in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, and I wish him the best of luck as he moves onto his new position as Commander of VFW District 17, which includes all of the VFW Posts in Cape May County.
As I have said many times before, here in Sea Isle City we don’t just honor our nation’s military veterans on Veterans Day – we feel it’s important to honor them every day of the year.
With that in mind, I want to thank all of the men and women of VFW Post 1963 for being such wonderful neighbors and community partners, and I look forward to continuing to work with our dedicated local veterans – as well as the members of Post 1963’s wonderful Auxiliary.
And speaking of those who served, please join us on Monday, May 31, for Sea Isle City’s 2021 Memorial Day Ceremony at Veterans Park, where we will pay tribute to the countless soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen and coast guardsmen who lost their lives for this country.
I am very pleased that we are able to gather together on that important day, and I respectfully remind everyone who attends to please practice social distancing.
Another important event I want to mention is the Community Document Shredding Event taking place on Saturday, May 22, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon in the Welcome Center Parking Lot, where Sea Isle City residents can safely destroy unwanted personal documents.
The Document Shredding Event is being hosted by our friends at 1st Bank of Sea Isle City, who remind everyone to clean out your drawers and file cabinets and take advantage of this free opportunity to shred any documents you don’t need.
I realize that many people are disappointed that we had to cancel most of this year’s Skimmer Weekend activities.
However, in lieu of the Skimmer Seaside Market along the Promenade, I am once again inviting all local businesses to participant in a Skimmer Community Sidewalk Sale on Saturday, June 19, when business owners throughout town can place merchandise, literature and other items on tables in front of their establishments.
The Sidewalk Sale was a big success when we did this in 2020, and I hope you will once again “shop local” and support our local business community on June 19.
One of the Skimmer Weekend events that we are able to hold is the annual Antique Auto Show on Sunday, June 20, along the Promenade.
The Skimmer Antique Auto Show always attracts a wonderful variety of vintage cars and trucks – and it’s a terrific way to spend some time with your Dad on Father’s Day. So please plan on being in Sea Isle City during this year’s Skimmer Weekend – and all summer long.
I am happy to report that the new pickleball courts we are building at the Municipal Marina are very close to being completed, and we will make everyone aware when they are ready for use.
Also, work continues on the new Kayak Storage Racks at Dealy Field, and as soon as they are ready for use members of our Recreation Office will inform the winners of this year’s Kayak Rack Lottery.
Since summer is on our immediate horizon, I remind everyone of the importance of beach safety – and to only swim in the ocean on protected beaches while lifeguards are present.
Please see the special “Beach Information” section of this newsletter to learn what beaches will have lifeguards on duty during Memorial Day Weekend and throughout the approaching summer season, and always remember to keep yourself and your loved ones safe whenever you step onto the sand.
Being Mayor of Sea Isle City often gives me a unique perspective as to what is happening in town and what is likely coming our way.
Obviously, people are very happy that we are returning to a sense of normalcy as we emerge from this pandemic, and that many of us will be able to gather again with our family, neighbors and friends (carefully and safely, of course).
Even though I am not a prognosticator at heart, I am going to predict that the summer of 2021 is going to be fantastic! In fact, I think it will be the equivalent of two summers wrapped-up in one, simply because we will be able to enjoy many familiar aspects of summer-life in Sea Isle City, such as our annual Fourth of July Fireworks Show and Saturday Night Concerts at the Excursion Park Band Shell – plus we can do so with the ones we love after more than a year of pandemic restrictions and constant bad news on the television. So make the most of the summer ahead and enjoy every moment!
All that being said, I remind everyone that we still have to do the right thing and continue to make the safety of others a top priority by wearing face masks when visiting indoor public spaces and practicing social distancing at all times.
If we do this, we can make that light we are seeing at the end of the tunnel get brighter and brighter with each passing day.
Have a wonderful summer and a safe Memorial Day Weekend!
Smile … You’re in Sea Isle!
Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio
