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Lookin! and Listenin' The Wise Men

Return to Villas By DOROTHY D. FREAS Looking at the small figures of the Wise Men, as they were unpacked for this Christmas — the 45 time — the sight of the little camels and of the brightly painted robes \of the three mounted Kings took us back over the years. .Christmas decorations often do that, as we open them onpe more, for these had been in three different homes, in twovdifferent states. The nostalgic fact '■& that they were bought in the Villas and have now returned to the Villas. In 1936, a family friend lived in Green Creek. When we visited her, she would plan’to have fresh fish for our dinner, if stje could use our car and driver as far as the fish market, located where St Raymond’s church property now is. \ ONE VACATION in October spent in Gfeeu Creek, we decided to slg>p in the Five-and-Ten in the Villas, situated near the present one. An assortment of Christmas items were on the dounter and among them the little six-inch high camels, (bach with a royal figure on its back. Just right to brighten up some greens on o^r piano, we thought, sty the three Wise Men traveled to New York ^state They were very carefully packed away each year Trfter'Uie holidays because “we may move before next Christmas”. After 20 years, we did. Now in a new home, the mantel over the fireplace was > just right for our three figures, between the old clock and the antique candlestick, with holly for a background. ONCE IN A WHILE, during the next 24 years, we’d try a different setting for our wise men, but i^ never seemed just right. However, they were always our favorite "reminder” of the Christmas story. About five years ago, when looking for a home without four levels, we learned that friends of ours were selling the answer to our hopes, in the form of a house. Now each year the three little figures are unwrapped for the Christmas season in the Villas. Imagination lets us pretend that, as they face the window, they may think, “not far from here stood the little store where we started our journey."

Abhorrent Solution To The Editor: • . Oh, easy for Mrs. Linda Merrill (Dec. 7 letter to editor) who lives far away in the Villas to advocate for Lower Township Committeeman’s “great solution to our trash problems — build an incinerator af the Magnesite Plant If the MUA can’t see beyond their noses, at least they are perhaps more sensitive than Mrs. Merrill in recognizing what an abhorrence such a facility would be to the borough of Cape May Point residents. Why is it that when it comes to a perceived economic advantage for some, the costs to neighbors don’t seem to matter? Fortunately most of the elected officials that make decisions affecting not only their constituency but thfeir neighbors’ well-being are more considerate than Robert * Fothergill would like them to be. » WALTER SACHS President Cape May Point Taxpayers Association

opinion

Overwhelmed By Mural

To The Editor: A few weeks ago I went to the City of Cape May to see the outdoor mural painted by Cheryl Crews-Lynch and a few very able assistants. I was not only pleasantly,surprised; I was really overwhelmed by the artistic excellence of this work, for which not only Cape May, but the whole county is far richer. Cheryl worked steadily far seven months, not only in the painting, but & doing numerous sketches of these persons included on the wall. Cheryl deserves the gratitude of the whole community for her dedication to this piece of art, which is entirely unique, not only to the county, but to the whole country. She has created with great fidelity a scene, a bright summer day that is typical to Cape May, both in her figures, but also to the ornately caryed woodwork indigenous to Cape May City, even today, although those persons on the sunny porch are clad as they would have appeared in 1875. I have been a painter for 60-plus years and have, in my time, seen much fine painting, but, although Cheryl and I have gone sketching together a number of times and I was aware of her ability as an artist, this wall mural left me amazed and happy. I suppose she has been thanked and complimented on the work by a number of people, but it is my hope that, in return for this marvelous work, she may receive in return something far more than thanks, for thanks do not put food on one’s table. W. WALLACE SMITH Avalon

Herald & Lantern 21 December '83

Our Readers Write So How

About Erma? To The Editor: Now it is out in the opeft. People with imagination and those affected by the sameness of our houses all can help Ellery Bowman attempt to change the image of Lower Township by changing its name. A first suggestion by Bowman is to change the township’s name to North Cape May, thereby capitalizing on the positive image of Cape May. To ride on someone’s coattails still keeps you down around the bottom. The opening lines to your Dec. 7 news item appropriately quoted Shakespeare and the scent of roses. Remember, too, that some things that smell awful still smell awful when given high-sounding names. But enough of odors. Let’s pool our imaginations and our positive thinking. Agree on the need for a name change, then come up with an acceptable one. AS I SEE IT, two things are needed here. A new name and one zip code for the new name of our township. If we should get stuck with North Cape tyay, then the zip code could very well be the Cape May zip. This is as it is now for tjiose of us who live in the lower area of Lower Township and are served by the Cape May post office. And the name Cape May is carried in the address. It doesn’t make sense to let a small city overshadow the largest municipality in the county. Now that equal rights between the genders is a part of our society, let us honor the women by taking the name of one of our communities and adopting the new name as Erma. ANTHONY M. JUB^C Town Bank Lower Has

Certain Flair

To The Editor:

I have been reading with interest about the proposed change from “Lower” Township to something

else.

“Flower” Township? I’d move. When I first moved here I was intrigued with the name, Township of Lower. It had a certain flair. When did our area become Lower Township? Let’s take Lower a bit further. To build on something, there must be a

foundation. So if we have Middle and Upper townships, does it not seem we are the foundation on which those townships

rest?

Hence we are special and indispensable. I like Township of Lower and so do many of the neighbors to whom I talked. If the name is to be^hanged, I suggest it be put 14a vote by all the people whoVeside here. DOROTHY SHIRLEY North Cape May

Something for Everyone Inexpensive Gift Suggestion

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DEADLINES

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LANTERN

Published Every Wednesday B> l The Sea wave Corpora lion

Cape May Court House. N J 082)0

By JOE ZELNIK For those of you who can’t afford a home computer, a Betamax, a Colt .357 Magnum or l4-karat gold, it is still possible to come up WUh a meaningful gift at Christmas. Consider forgiveness. Forgive your traihman for crushing the lid on your garbage can, the mechanic who charged you $49 for a $25 job, the cop who gave you a ticket, the beautician who thought you said Linda Gray when you said you wanted to look like Linda Evans. Forgive Use welchers, the slow-pay, the no-pay, the Chapter ils, the bankrupt, the guy who borrowed five bucks and never paid it back. Forgive your lawyer. Forgive your neighbors for having rotten kids, letting their dogs run loose, parking in your space, making noise when you're trying to sleep. FORGIVE YOUR FRIENDS for being busy, for not calling or writing, for putting somebody else first, for talking endlessly about their children. Forgive the person who lied to you. Forgive the person who told you the truth, and it hurt. Forgive the pessimists and the optimists and the embezzlers and liars and incompetents and people that sell you stale donuts. Forgive your mother-in-law and father-in-law. Forgive grandma for meddling, for forgetting, for being set in her ways. Forgive grandpa for bad driving, for his rough beard, for not paying attention. Forgive your ex-wife for hafing you, for looking better than ever, for dating a man with more money and sophistication, for locking happy. Forgive your ex-husband for ignoring you, for losing weight, for marrying a younger woman and taking her on vacations, for being successful. FORGIVE YOUR SISTER for borrowing your sweater,

for being slimmer, prettier and conceited, for being your father’s favorite, for flirting with your man. Forgive yopr brother for teasing, for swiping your copy of “Hustler,” tor getting taller than you, for being your mother’s favorite, for moving away. Forgive your daughter for not changing the cat litter or doing the dishes, for playing the stereo too loud, for too much makeup and not enough common sense, for bad taste in boyfriends, for being selfish. Forgive your son for not cleaning his room or taking out the garbage or walking the dog or picking up the tools or being respectful or responsible. Forgive your stepmother for being loved by your father, for wanting to be nice, for giving up. Forgive your stepfather for marrying your mother, for trying to be boss, for giving up. FORGIVE YOUR MOTHER for being cold, or too mushy, for not understanding, for being too busy, for sticking her nose in your business, for being critical and manipulative. Forgive your father for not caring, or caring too much; for favoring your brother or your sister; for being cheap, and broke; for not being able to make everything turn out all right. Forgive your wife for being extravagant, for lack of attention, for placing the kids first, for forgetting your birthday, for not wanting sex tonight, for putting a little weight on her hips, for not being your mother, for getting old. Forgive your husband for not earning enough money, for being thoughtless and boring, for slowing down, for not shaving on Saturday, for losing his hair, for beer breath, for forgetting your anniversary, for sneaking a glance at that young waitress. If there are some on this list you do not need to forgive for anything, thank them. And if you know of anyone who is alone this Christmas give ’em a call.