By DONALD WITTKOWSKI
Carmine Ragucci’s holiday display of miniature American flags on the 60th Street beach was both patriotic and practical.
The patriotic aspect of the flags was obvious on the Fourth of July.
However, the flags also had the practical purpose of creating a makeshift border in the sand that separated Ragucci’s family from other holiday beachgoers and was perfect for social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic.
“We’re practicing social distancing with the family,” said Ragucci, a Sea Isle City resident who was joined by his wife, Joyce, his son, also named Carmine, and his daughter, Nicole.
This is how the Fourth of July unfolded in Sea Isle during the pandemic. Tens of thousands of holiday-goers flocked to the beaches and other parts of town, but social distancing was obvious. Some people wore masks while walking around town or on the oceanfront Promenade.
Motorists arriving in Sea Isle on the John F. Kennedy Boulevard entranceway were greeted with a social distancing sign that urged them, “Do Your Part. Stay 6 Feet Apart.”
There were big crowds on the beaches, but it appeared that people were making a conscious effort to maintain a respectful distance from strangers.
“We’re staying home. We’re not going anywhere. We’ll be enjoying each other’s company,” said beachgoer Caitlin Mizanin, who was with a group of friends and family from Philadelphia.
Mizanin explained that “relaxing” was at the top of the list for things she and her friends planned to do for the holiday weekend. They started the weekend Friday night by watching the Broadway smash “Hamilton” on Disney Plus. Having a barbecue at home and getting some ice cream were also on their agenda.
“We’re also kind of social distancing,” said Adrianna Buckingham, who was lounging in beach chairs with Mizanin, Amanda Lukasik and Daria Yanez.
The holiday weekend got underway with mostly sunny skies and temperatures hovering in the 80s. Sea Isle, like most other Jersey Shore towns, canceled its Fourth of July fireworks display in response to the pandemic.
There were other ways to celebrate the holiday, though, without any fireworks. At 7 p.m., residents and visitors paused for the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” followed by a round of applause for all essential workers.
At the request of Sea Isle’s Commodore Club, the national anthem was broadcast over the city’s speaker system on the Promenade. Mayor Leonard Desiderio delivered a holiday greeting. Afterward, the crowds gave a cheerful round of applause for the nation’s first responders, medical employees and other front-line workers.
Before the sun went down and the temperatures dropped, many people took to the water to stay cool during the balmy holiday afternoon.
Meaghan Schickling, her fiance, Shafir Mondal, and brother and sister Kyler and Shaylee Nelson were part of a group of friends and family members from Bucks County, Pa., who were kayaking on the lagoons next to Sea Isle’s municipal marina.
Schickling noted that they were making the most of the holiday, despite the pandemic.
“It’s nice getting out to see our family and to spend some time at the shore,” she said.
Schickling regretted, though, that restaurants are still not allowed to offer indoor dining as part of the coronavirus restrictions implemented by Gov. Phil Murphy. At this point, restaurants are offering outdoor dining, takeout service, curbside pickup and deliveries.
“We love eating out, but the restaurants are under restrictions and aren’t operating with indoor dining as they normally do,” Schickling said.
Fred Treiber, who lives in Delran, N.J., and has a summer home in Sea Isle, was getting his 24-foot boat ready at the municipal marina for a holiday outing with his family.
“Hopefully, I’m going to take them for a moonlight cruise around the harbor,” he said.
Treiber explained that he and his family are being much more safety-minded during the pandemic. They are keeping their distance from strangers while out on the beach and are carrying face masks to wear when needed.
“If a stranger comes into our house, they definitely have to wear a mask,” Treiber said.
Treiber noted that it is a “little disheartening” to have to take so many safety precautions during the holiday, but believes it is necessary.
“We have so many people at risk right now,” he said.
At the same time, Treiber said that despite the health concerns, his family intends to carry on with the usual traditions during the Fourth of July.
“We’re being a lot more cautious, but we’re still going to celebrate the holiday,” he said.
