Mayor’s Message: Aug. 10

I am happy to report that our summer events and activities continue to attract sizable crowds and put smiles on many faces. One event that our Recreation Office is very happy to host each year is the Philadelphia Phillies Home Run Derby, which took place on July 30. This year’s Derby brought over 200 boys and girls to Dealy Field, where they displayed their batting skills and had the chance to win prizes. I want to thank all of the youngsters and their families who participated in this year’s competition – and special thanks goes to Paul Bradley, of the Phillies organization, who does an amazing job running the Home Run Derby and encouraging the players as they swing for the fences. Another successful event worth mentioning took place on August 5, when the Sea Isle City Beach Patrol hosted the 2023 Captain Bill Gallagher 10-Mile Island Run, which featured more than 800 runners. My thanks go to our lifeguards for hosting this very popular race each summer, and my congratulations go to this year’s winners and all of the athletes who participated (some of whom came from as far away as Texas and California). To learn who won this year’s 10-Mile Island Run or to view the standings of each runner who crossed the finish line, go to sicbp.com and click the “events” link on the homepage. Last week, the Sea Isle City Division of Recreation’s 2023 “Shooting Stars” weekly basketball clinic for young people with special needs concluded, following six weeks of heart-warming community involvement. In addition to receiving a great amount of support from numerous private sponsors and the Mike’s Seafood Run-Walk for Autism, the members of several local civic organizations also showed their support for this wonderful summer event. On the clinic’s “opening night,” representatives from the Sea Isle City Women’s Civic Club arrived at the Dealy Field basketball courts with soft pretzels and bottled water for the players. The following week, members of VFW Post 1963 and Post 1963’s Auxiliary arrived with custom-made hoodie jackets for each player. Additionally, the VFW also treated everyone to hot dogs and ice cream that night. A week later, members of Sea Isle City’s Italian American Club brought stacks of pizza and cold drinks for the players; then, as the season was drawing to a close, lifeguards from Sea Isle City’s Beach Patrol went to Dealy Field two weeks in a row to cheer on the players and participate in the clinic first-hand. The guards also brought with them some rescue equipment so the Shooting Stars could learn more about beach safety, and, on the last night of the clinic, they brought pizza for everyone to enjoy. In addition to the good people I just mentioned, the Shooting Stars program was a success also because of the many individual volunteers who showed up each week to coach and encourage the players on the courts. First and foremost, I want to thank local homeowner Mary Shields, who led the Shooting Stars clinics and shared her own brand of enthusiasm and goodwill with all the players and their families. Next, I am very grateful to the dozens of high school and college-age volunteers who worked side-by-side with players and showed them unlimited amounts of respect, kindness and support. In a time when we often only hear what’s wrong with young people today, learning about the good attitudes and kindness these young volunteers displayed made me very proud of our community and gave me great hope for the future! Thank you all! Another fine young person I would like to mention is Colin Norris, of Chalfont, Pa., who I met on Tuesday morning. Colin’s family owns a summer home here in Sea Isle, and when I learned that he wanted to meet me and our other elected officials, I invited him to attend this week’s City Council meeting at City Hall, where I declared Colin to be an honorary full-time resident of Sea Isle City. During my visit with Colin, I learned that he enjoys his schoolwork, he is a polite young man, and he has a very bright future. My thanks go to Colin’s father, Kevin, and his grandfather, Kevin, for bringing him to this week’s City Council meeting and for introducing me to another young person who gives me great hope for the future! I realize that Labor Day Weekend is only a few weeks away, but don’t let that discourage you, because there is still plenty of “summer” left in 2023. Plus, don’t forget that the autumn months in Sea Isle City offer many events that everyone can enjoy. The autumn is also very popular for a variety of other reasons, including the cooler weather, quieter beaches, and beautiful autumn sunsets on the bay. So, plan to be with us after the summer ends and discover why Sea Isle is a “City For All Seasons.” This weekend, if you would like to enjoy some cold lemonade and support a good cause, the Symons children will be hosting their annual Lemonade Stand on Saturday at the corner of 68th Street and Landis Avenue, where they will raise money to benefit Sea Isle City’s Volunteer Fire Department. So, please stop by between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. to purchase a cup of lemonade and to meet two very good kids who are doing very good work. This week’s “Shout Out” goes to everyone who calls Sea Isle City their home, their home-away-from-home, or their favorite vacation destination. The good people of Sea Isle City and its visitors make this community what it is, and I am very grateful for each and every one of you! Smile … You’re in Sea Isle, Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio