Eight Joyous Days Hanukkah Begins Friday

JOSH AND BETH Collier of Cape May light the traditional Menorah candles in celebra- , tion of Hanukkah.

Beth and Josh Collier of Cape May will light the first of eight candles on their menorahs, special candlesticks, at sun down Friday. Dec. 11. . Thus begins their observance of Hanukkah. an eight-day Je\yish holiday that celebrates the victory of 10,000 Jewish soldiers led by Judah Maccabee over 20.000 Syrian troops in 165 B.C. It has been called the first.great war for religious freedom. Aceording to legend, Maccabee could find only enough sacred oil in the recaptured Jerusalem temple to relight the menorah for one day. but it miraculously lasted for eight. The Festival of Lights, as Hanukkah is called, coincides with many observances, including Christmas lights, that brighten spirits around the shortest day of the year. THE HANII|(KAH menorah holds nine candles; the ninth is the ‘‘servant" candle which lights the others. One additional candle is lighted each night, from right to left, until all eight are glowing on the last night. Prayer ’accompanies the candlelighting ceremony. The one Jewish holy day not rooted in Bible'narrative, Hanukkah has been called the last and least of the minor holidays —

last in time of origin and least in prescribed observances. But it*is also one of the most joyous — eight days of songs, games, candlelight, special foods, and gifts. Mr and Mrs. Collier will give their children a gift on each of the eight nights of Hanukkah. starting with the biggest and'best. "Many parents give gifts on each of the eight days," said Rabbi Seymour Atlas whose Beth Judah synagogue serves Cape May County’s estimated 4,200 persons of Jewish faith. "When I was a kid, in the Depression. I was glad to get one toy and played with it all week." THERE WILL BE a special roast chicken dinner served in the Collier household Friday night and, probably, the traditional "latkes,” small potato pan cakes fried in oil, a reminder of the miracle of the oil Beth. 11 and Josh. 9, will play the most popular Hanukkah game, “dreidel " It is a four sized top. each side inscribed with a Jewish word: “nun." do nothing; "gimel," take the pile; ,'‘hey." take half; and "shin," add to the pile. Each participant antes up with coins, candies, whatever, spins the top. and follows accordingly. (Page 8 Please)

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Beach Fees Increased STONE HARBOR — Borough Council has raised beach fees by $1, citing anticipated increased costs of beach maintenance and preservation and life guard salaries. Weekly badges will cost $3. seasonal badges $7, but $5 if purchased before May 31. Robbers Sentenced COURT HOUSE - Two men were, sentenced for rdbbing former Wildwood Mayor Charles Masciarella and his wife in their home on Feb. 18. Jon Judge Dunphy, 25, Philadelphia, received 40 years in prison with parole no earlier than 17',fc years; Frank Brennan of Atlantic City received 30 years with parole no earlier than 12 years. James F. Sawyer of Ventnor awaits a new trial on charges in connection with the incident. ^

Sewage Costs Climbing WILDWOOD - City Commission members questioned why their projected 1985 $2.2 million sewage treatment bill from the Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority would be almost as much as the larger Ocean City and almost $1 million more than Wildwood (Page 8 Please)

What Happens Upstream? Basin Water Affects County

By Bob Shiles Pollution and damage to water quality anywhere in the Delaware River Basin eventually will have ari effect on water resources in Cape May County. That message was expressed at a meeting of the Watershed Association of the Delaware Valley at Cape May Point State Park Saturday “Everything that’s in the bay is a product of what happens upstream," said Tracy Carluccio, session Chairman. THE ASSOCIATION, fonried about nine months ago, is a non-profit, citizens environmental group dedicated to preserving the Delaware River and its tributaries in a state of "optimum aquatic health." It has some 350 members in New Jersey,

Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland. To successfully protect the Delaware and its tributaries, there is a need to draw concerned groups and individuals together, Association members* told the 20-member group. "It’s actually essential (communication) if the river and bay are to remain viable or to improve,” Carluccio said. 'Association executive secretary Alan Stifelman stressed that, besides strengthening communication between groups, the Watershed Association intends to encourage development of a water related public education program and move to have an impact on governmental bodies charged with regulating water resources.

"WE HOPE TO BE admitted to the steering, and policy committees that regulate water so we can instigate ideas at the beginning stages.” he said. Water problems facing Cape May County were explained by Ruth Fisher and Al Nicholson of CAPE (Citizens Assn, for the Protection of the Environment) Their concerns included over development, un monitored use of pesticides, excessive water use by sod farmers, land filling and waste disposal. County' Planning Board member Ellwood Shephard voiced concern on fill ing of marshlands and the dumping of sewage from boats He noted that when it comes to granting development applica ^ (Page 8 Please)

With Keen Competition It's a Treasure Hunt

By Joe Zelnik COLD SPRING — It's havoc to hairdos, housework and husbands, admits Ruth Curry, but she’s-addicted to beachcombing with her metal detector. Mrs. Curry of Cape May Mobile Estates, blames the four and one-half pound instrument for tennis elbow, tendonitis, and a half-inch of sand in every pocket. But since she took up the hobby six years\ ago, it’s a rare day that Mrs. Curry doesn’t / stroll the Cape May beaches, swinging the/ detector in an arc over the sand, waiting for the constant hum in her earphones td become the roar that indicates a find. SHE AVERAGES $350 a year in cash and innumerable pieces of jewelry, toys, knives, religious medals, etc. But she’s never spent a cent or sold an item. "I'd have to be starving first," she said. "I'm a collector and my husband's a pack rat. We don’t throw anything away. "Maybe it's an umbrella for a rainy day," she added. "My mother was penurious; my dad was cheap. I’m a miser. It’s my character.' 1HER PARENTS. James and Elsie Clark, summered in Cape May for-ap years, they moved there in 1944. HCis an

- . *•; - - I architect who relocated on the west coast of Florida after his wife died in 1971. Ruth Curry's Cape May experience started when she was seven months old. Each year her mother vacationed at the resort from her Memorial Day birthday until Oct. 1. Thus Ruth never finished a school year in Springfield Township, Delaware Coupty, Pa., or returned in time to begin the next school year "It was no problem,” she said. "In fact, they advanced me three times antj I graduated from high school at 15." Mrs. Curry went on to do the same thing to her three children, working all winter to pay the. rent for a four-month summer vacation in Cape May. A NEIGHBOR with a metal- detector prompted Mrs. Curry’s interest in the mid-1970s. After several years of hinting, she received an $18 detector from her son, . Rick, for her birthday in the fall of 1976. She hid her disappointment; she wanted ay $285 model. She bought it the following January. "I fltill have the first one," she said. "I keep it for my grandchildren to play with." For three weeks, Mrs. Curry found (Page 8 Please)

. ’ , DorU Word HER ADDICTION to beachcombing with a metal detector ha*, brought Ruth Curry thousands of psecious items, but she'd rather starve than sell one.