MOST CHILDREN must wail til Christmas for dad to put the trains up. but the thrill of work'n on the railroad comes more often for young Joseph Napoleon. He and his father. Dr. John Napoleon of Court House, are members of the Greater Wildwood Model Railroad Club, where the traditional holiday open house continues each Tuesday evening for the public (see County Calendar!.

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yuletidings

a moment of sharing 1 beg you think: Do you know of an old and lonely'person this Christmas Eve? Fhey are everywhere. Thev are silent in their loneliness, living only unto themselves.' I'akeaYncntent to brinn « small alow of warmth to someone who njwht indeed carry that precious memory next 16 the heart lone fitter you vp forgotten.

The old man shuffled his wav slow lv up*he street ahead of men I'vf noticed his stooped form time and little again Funny. I've never really seen him before: Threadbare clothes, ancient dusty hat. a week's growth of beard beneath thick glasses worn to pave the way for failing eyes. I wondered if this happy, excitement filled, tinsel-bright Christmas Eve was as gay for this old. lonely individual as mine, with starry-eyed children awaiting me in our carefully decorated home. Next morning, when the last gift was opened. I walked the block to the old man's house. Sleepily and ruffled, he

answered my knock, curiosity covering his wrinkled face I gave my greeting and small gilt to ibis once-loved man. His eyes widened, his mouth dropped; and with a stab of pain in my heart I saw the tiredU weathered face fall h/the mercy of a tear I left then, shaken with a new emotion overtaking my feeling of contentment I prayed that my loved ones would never feel the suffering of the,lonely, never spend a Christmas Day perhaps re living the happiness of this very one in sadness. Charles V Mathis

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Wells Seen Suspect in Report ort Defeats

by I^hi Giansantr COURT HOUSE — Contamination of the water in private wells may be a significant factor in the abnormal rate of birth defects in lower Cape May County over the past twoycars. This was indicated in a report released during a press conference at the County

Health Department 1st Wednesday by Dr George Halpin. director of Parental and Child Health Services of the- state Department of Health One area of concern pointed out in the report was that a significantly high number «72 per cent) of people in the county involved in problem pregnancies

had private wells. To be determined is whether that is coincidence, since most of the parents live in areas North of Rio Grande not served by municipal water supplies. Freeholder Gerald Thornton said that a task force will study all the probable causes, including groundwater - sources

Tests for heavy metals in the water, as well as high nitrate levels in certain wells, •are planned. The urgency of the groundwater testing, as well as research into other probable factory, was entered into the report becaiiS^ of concern that "there was found i Page 3 Please)

After Months of Debate, Land Deal Caves In

By M'KIIcn Rowland AVALON — The Borough Council, at its work session Thursday, completely reversed its decision Nov. 25 to buy approximately three acres of land at 8th St. and the Bay. The land, zoned for townhouse and condominuim use. was sought to provide open space and apublic marina for residents as well as to present profileration of multiple dwellings. The buy had been completed for months wds the subject of a massive opinion survev and much public debate.

COUNCILMAN JAMES BUSHA informed council at last week's work session that he had recently consulted investment counselors including E.F Hutton and Jan ney Montgomery Scott Inc. About the issuance of municipal bonds or notes in the amount of $2,190,000 to defray cost of the purchase of the land On being advised that the sharp increase in interest rates on municipal bonds would adversely affect the borough by an addi tional indebtedness of $66,000 a year Busha felt since the governing body and tax-

payers alike had been uhaware of this at the time of the proposed to buy. the situation should be reviewed and another vote taken. His recommendation was against incurring the indebtedness. COUNCILMAN STEWART GRAY abs tained from voting, heeding prior advice from boro solicitor Koftprt A. Finrberg about a possible conflict of interest Council President Philip Judyski said that while he voted “with heavy heart ", he had told constituents "the complete truth from the beginning" and could not now in-

form them that acquisiton of the property would constitute an additional increase of 2.5 cents per $100 of assessed valuation he regretfully voted against the purchase. Councilwomen Mary Grace Keen and Rachel Sloan concurred on the inad visability of the move and council agreed that the present owners should be thanked for their cooperation and patience, but .should be apprised that the borough is no longer interested in acquiring the property during the prevailing economy

Holiday House Tours This Weekend North & South

Friday: Dennisville

Saturday: Cape May

DENNISVILLE - 15 points of historic, architectural and social interest will be included in this year’s Christmas .in Dennisville House Tour. 6 to to p.m. Friday. Sponsored by the Dennisville United Methodist Chruch. the 13th annual tour will begin from the church Social Hall on Main St. Built in 1890. the gathering place will serve as the spot from which to secure tickets for the tour and a place of free refreshments. This year there will also be a bazaartabto at the hall (to which tour-goers may return as often as they wish for refreshments during the tK-ening.) TREE SHAPED MARKERS will serve

as guideposts for the self-guided tour, which this year includes these stops — most less than a few hundred feel apart within the downtown section of this small. 18th century ship building community: Church Parsonage (Rev. and Mrs. Robert W. Hughes) built in 1890, at 17 Main St.; The Church next door, built in 1869; Bushnell House (Mr. and Mrs. Myron McGuigan). built in 1820. at 11 Main St.; Cpt. John Douglass House (Ms. Alice Belanger), built in 1830, at 22 Main St.; James House (Mr. and Mrs. James Grimes), built in 1835. at 21 Main St.; (Page 3 Please)

CAPE MAY — Christmas will be celebrated in this Historic landmark City with the 7th Annual Candlelight House Tour 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday. Dec. 27. This year’s self-guided tour will feature 10 homes both old and new displaying the various holiday traditions and decorating schemes of the individual owners. The churches of Cape May have also been invited to be open that evening. Some will feature musical programs during the tour. A map with the homes and the churches will be available with each ticket. No tickets are necessary for admission to the churches and advance tickets aren't necessary for the house tour.

THE FRANK ENTRIKEN'S at 1125 Washington St. will feature a handmade four-poster bed with canopy. The Lovell House at 818 Benton sports a 5 Ft. reindeer trimmed with holly ih the front yard. The Bell House at 212 Stockton PI. will display a decoy collection covering over one hundred years The Gingerbread House at 28 Gurney St boasts a Christmas tree decorated with hand-crocheted or-

naments

Poor Richard's Inn at 17 Jackson is a carefully restored Second Empire House with an extensivecollpction ofhand made quilts. In West Cape May at 607 Stevens

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SEE PC. 21

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