Wednesday, Decembtr 24,1980

The Herald and The lantern

Page:)

Birth Defects

(From Page 1) a marked increase in the number of conceptions resulting in birth defects that occurred during the first six months of 1979.” The report alsoquestioned whether "the increased rate of birth defects is an isolated event or a change in the underlying rate of birth defects in this portion of the county. The study and subsequent reports were initiated because there was "initial concern for the now-pregnant women of Southern Cape May County and because of the persistence of the independent concerned parents association, who earlier this year completed its own survey of problem pregnancies in the county. The report concludes that "the relative risk.for birth defects in the lower section of the county is three times that of the upper nine municipalities." It goes on to explain some possibility of error in the survey but concludes again that "it is quite clear, that the rate in the southern portion of the county is significantly different from the rate in the northern half of the county". It was also staled that, “the situation in (.'ape May County...)is) a small number of different specific defects," and the study "was not able to point conclusively at any one. agent, or establish a common pattern of casualty for these cases. " Or. Halpin emphasized that "there is nothing here (in the county) that puts a large number of pregnant women at risk." He went on to explain that^ll of the clusters of defects could have been related to each other. For example, some of the cases of hydrocephalus, which are the result of a fetal infection, could have been the result

Dennisville (From Page 1) Crawford-Dixon House (Mr. and Mrs. Harry Young), built in 1830, at 38 Main St.; Nathaniel Holmes House (Mrs. Raymond Dixon), built 1750-1822, at the head of Main St.; Mr. and Mrs. James Racz House, built in 1910, around the corner at 65 Fidler Rd.; James Stiles House (Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Lathers Jr.), built in 1847, next door on Fidler Rd.; Mrs. David Coles House, built 1890, back up and around the comer at 42 Petersburg Rd.; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Geisinger House, built in 1893, nearby at 44 Petersburg Rd.; Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Lathers Sr. House, built in 1865, across the way at 35 Petersburg Rd.; Mr. and Mrs. J. Loren Swagler House, built in 1949. a brisk walk down Petersburg Rd. THE HOMES WILL BE decorated for the holiday, with each reflecting the originality and heritage of the owners. Also visible, especially to those motoring from the north, will be the traditional floating Christmas Tree in Dennisvillt Lake (thanks to the efforts of Arthur Lathers Jr., Franklin Robinson, Margaret Howell, William Thompson and their friends.

of a, viral infection in'a small local area and specific time. The symptoms of a virus that were undetectable by the parent would not show up conclusively on a survey type of study Dr. Halpin also speculated that "similar socio-economic conditions could also have produced the observed grouping of certain defects”. Dr. Halpin announced that a follow-up study of various water sources would be undertaken in January and the results would be due in February. Budget funding has also been requested to initiate a government system for monitoring birth defects so that unusual rates such as those observed in Cape May do not escape notice in the future. When Michele Dooley of the Concerned Parents Association was asked whether she was satisfied with the remits of the study and the progress of the health department, she said. "We didn t expect immediate answers ... we know it s going to take a while. Right now they’re (the Health Department) doing everything we’veaskedfor." ; She added. "I i/as only upset that the meeting was not open to the public

Cape May (From Page 1) St., the Douglass House is one of the oldest in the county and uses natural decorations throughout. TWO PERENNIAL FAVORITES. The Sieger House at 1151 Indiana Ave. with it’s Americana Room and The Sea House at 200 Madison Avenue with a tree in each of its 20 rooms, will again be open this year. The historic Physick House with its Victorian Museum and the Carriage House with an art show of member’s works are at 1048 Washington St. Both will be gaily decorated for the occasion. Tickets and maps for the tour will be available at 2 p.m. Dec. 27 at the Physick House. At 6 p.m. tickets may be purchased at each house on the tour displaying an orange banner. A SPECIAL FEATURE are hot snacks available at Alexander’s Restaurant. Located in the 1870’s Hughes House at 653 Washington St., Alexander's will serve soups, hot drinks and Victorian desserts from 5:30 to 11 the night of the tour. Rounding out the holiday celebrations will be Walking Tour of Cape May's famous Primary Historic District at noon on Sunday, Dec. 28. Starting at the Information Booth on the Mall at Ocean Street, this hour and a half guided tour through the quiet streets of the city examines the history, architecture and gossip of "The Nation's Oldest Seashore Resort." Advance tickets for event necessary. For further information call the office of the Mid-Atlantic Center "for the Arts 884-5404 during business hours. All proceeds from this year-end celebration are used for the continuing restoration of the Physick House.

New Face At Bank

OCEAN CITY - John D Pruitt has joined the staff of First National Bank I of South JerI sey as an asF sistant cash1 ier in the I bank's office I here on AsI bury Ave lAnnouncement was made By El wood F Kirkman, president. Pruitt comes to FNB with over 14 years branch ad ministration experience from The Fidelity Bank of Philadelphia He has his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with emphasis on financial management from Widener University. He and his wife, Elizabeth. reside in Ocean City with their two daughters

IT MISSED ONE FLOOD (Oct. 25). blit the 'Frog Hollow’ pumping station in Cape May. below the boom, is expected to be at least partially operational later this week. Since this picture was taken, a peaked roof has been added to the concrete block structure. It houses the largest most expensive pumping system in South Jersey.

Older Students Swell Campus

VINELAND - Whpn Cumberland County College opened in the fall of 1966, there were 382

students. Fourteen years ha ve seen a big change Today there are 2,569 enrolled, highest recorded

Holiday Deadlines Because of the Christmas and New Year holidays, the Herald and the Lantern will be distributed on Tuesday Dec. 23 and Dec. 30, and deadlines must be altered. For the Dec. 30th issue, deadlines will be Tuesday, Dec. 23 for news and display ads. noon Friday, Dec 26 for class ads.

at the college This is up 210 from last year’s previous high, GREATEST change in the makeup of the student body, reports president Dr Philip S. Phelon is that more women are in attendance than a* .ny time, and the average student age is older The •’average" student at CCC today, says Dr. Phelon. is a woman approaching 30 years of age. This year’s increase in enrollment crme largely from fulltime: tudents

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Happy

Holidays

8 FROM I CAPE MAY

COUNTY BOARD OF CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS

Anthony T. Catanoso, Director William Sturm Jack Bitner < , Gerald Thornton Ralph W. Evans