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Seaside Home

Refuge By The Sea

CAPE MAY - There is one hostelry in Cape May that has remained unaffected ]>y the ravages of this season's gas shortages and impending recession. Even bad weather won’t keep it’s visitors away. The Seaside Home, celebrating it’s first century this summer, represents a vacation haven to scores of un derpriveleged women and children. To many of the visitors at the home their one or two week stay is not merely a summer Vacation at the seashore or an escape from the hot and crowded inner-city, but a

chance for a renewal of the spirit. The home, begun in 1879 in an old ice house in the Sea Grove section of Cape May Point is "the oldest institution of its kind in this part of the country" and the "oldest seaside home of any denomination." Hazel Robinson, Seaside Home president said. The home, opera tad by a group of Presbyterian Women, is supported entirely by individual churches and private contributions. It's purpose is to provide a respite for disadvangaged women and their children in the form of*

a vacation by the sea. A very nominal fee of 838 per week is charged for room and board at the Seaside Home's three-story house located one block from the beach at Grant and North Street. Visitors include infants to children of 15 or 16 and women ranging in age Up to 92. The Home has 42 bedrooms and houses about 75 visitors per week. I Visitors are recommened by their ministers. The Home is open not only to Presbyterians but members of other Protestant denominations as well, Robinson said.

SEASIDE HOME for underpriveleged women and children has been opening it’s doors to provide vacations at the shore for disadvantaged women an4 children for a centnry. Located on Grant and North Streets the Home is operated by Presbyterian women. ' County News Front \ Welfare Fraud Watch

help themselves and when someone violates the system it hurts the most

needy in our county.

In June, 1979 we investigated twelve (12) cases from these, one (1) new fraud case was discovered and two (2) fraud arrests were made. "The Welfare Board has assured me that this investigation will continue and everyone receiving welfare benefits will be investigated". Thornton

said.

Thornton stated that: "No one in our county is going to get a free ride at taxpayer’s expense". Those in need are welcome, we’re here to help you and your families; anyone who wants a fraudulent handout, better move out of our county. •

Morning and evening chiarli services are conduced and a visiting minister sojourns at tHe Home for week-long preaching stays. "They (visitors) all like it very much and are happy to be here." Robinson said ’ of the visitors. Visitors are free to spend their vacation soaking up the sun on the beach, shopping or touring Cape May. They also are provided with activities at the Home. Reai fellowship between visitors and the Home’s staff develops each year and many visitors return season after season. “Everybody works together, it’s a wonderful thing," Robinson said. The Home has even housed several generations of visitors to the shore, she added. Robinson is no stranger to the home herself. President of the Seaside Home fdr the past 21 years, "tHey won’t let me off the Board," she said, she first became associated with the home in 1936. A benevolent worker in other charitable organizations such as the Salvation Army, Robinson's enthusiasm for helping others has not waned over the years. The success of the home and the happiness of Seaside Home visitors seem integrally tied to Mrs. Robinson herself who holds a special affection for her charge. The house is opened each season by the LaMunyon family of Cape May who have helped construct

DOING "THE LORD’S WORK" at the Seaside Home in Cape May is Home President llaiei Robinson. Mrs. Robinson, pictured before a banner commemorating the Home’s 100 years r of service has been with the Home for 43 of those years.

additions and generally maintain the building over the years. Robinson said. The original Seaside Home located at Cape May Point was a Victorian structure that could house 250 guests Such notables as Mrs. John Wanamaker were on the Board of Directors. The home was founded as an orphanage for inner-city children to spend a day at the 4 - beach. The children were transported from

Philadelphia toa landing at Sunset Boulevard on the * Point on an excursion boat named "The Republic." Robinson said. When the founders "saw the change in the children" just from the day's outing they decided to construct a permanent home to provide longer term visits, she added An old ice house was purchased in the Sea Grove section of the Point. Land (Continued on Page 19)

COURT HOUSE - Freeholder GeraM M. Thornton, Freeholder Director of Welfare announced today, that since January of this year an ongoing Investigation of all Welfare Recipients has been or will be checked, on

a routine basis.

Thornton asked the Cape May County Welfare Bbard, in December 1978, to hire an additional investigator under the C.E.T.A. Program. The Board took immediate action and started this useful investigative

program.

Thornton, Mr. Cole, Chairman Cape May County Welfare Board and Schellinger met last November with the County Prosecutor and Probation Officials and updated

procedures for cracking down on welfare fraud, the prosecution and restitution

ofsuchfnud.

To date, the investigation has indicated that there is no wide-spread abuses of the County Welfare Prograip. It has found, that a few individuals were working and collecting welfare benefits. "I can assure the public that the Cape May County Welfare Board will investigate and demand full restitution from J any person who violat^ these benefits." "The time has come when the courts must take a hard line position on those who defraud the

taxpayers."

These benefits are intended for those needy persons who are unable to

Investment Program Puts County Money To Work

COURT HOUSE - To County Treasurer Philip Matalucci $100,000 saved could be $1 million earned. After six years of investing idle county funds at high interest rates, the county stands to earn $3 million by the end of this year. The program, initiated by Matalucci and County Freeholder William Sturm, Jr., has cut down on the county’s need to issue bonds for projects not covered by the annual budget, thereby preventing tax increases. "This year will be the all time high." Matalucci said of the programs returns. Interests on investments of idle funds so far this year have reaped $393,914 in

interest. And, that figure should climb to over • 1 4 ofa million dollars by the end of the year. "We invest money day for day," Matalucci explained The money is often invested ini a short-term manner falling due every time thbre is a Freeholder's meeting, Matalucci said. Idle funds, the treasurer said are defined as "any county monies that aren't being used.’’ The invested money provides relief from the new state "capV law which has fixed a five percent ceiling a budgeted new county spending this year. “This is like an added income," Matalucci said.

"Wherever the money is needed it is put to good use."the treasurersaid. In a recent press statement Sturm. Director of Revenue and Finance of County Government, praised Matalucci and the Treasurer's office on their prudent investment procedures. "I'm very proud of"this." Matalucci said. "We lead the state in effective use of idle county-level funds as far a» I've been able to determine." "Every dollar I can earn by careful placement of county funds in interest bearing accounts, is a dollar that does not have to be assessed to the taxpayers."