22 Herald - Lantern - Dispatch 10 July '85

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!' 'W'- « 9 The Wildwoods • ^ ' t =. ^ M ^ Thomas Parsons I A M9,013: (^gp^ . ■ ■I ■ ■ II

Last week. I mentioned the famous battle of Turtle Gut with the promise of a brief explanation in this week's column. Actually the word famous should appear in parenthesis as it is "famous" only in the Wildwoods. but when you have only one claim to Revolutionary War fame, you make the best of it. Turtle Gut was once a broad channel cutting across Five Mile Beach where Stockton Road is situated now. As it connected the Atlantic Ocean with the back-water channels, it was a frequent avenue for small Continental Navy ships carrying ammunition THE LARGER, more heavily armed British frigates couldn't pursue the "gun-runners" in Turtle Gut and into the sanctuary of the area known today as Sunset Lake. It was on the morning of June 29. 1776. that the Brigantine Nacy. a Continental ship carrying ammunition to the armies in Philadelphia, dashed into Turtle Gut to avoid capture by the British Warships blocking the mouth of the Delaware Bay. The Nancy ran aground and was immediately caught in the deadly sights of the British ships. As the British shelled the Nancy, help was tendered by the Continental ships Lex ington and Wasp. THE NANCY'S men and ammunition were unloaded and placed in row boats The British, thinking that the Nancy was being abandoned. lowered their boats and rowed their way to the stranded vessel The British boarded the Nancy and took possession of the ship Had the skirmish ended here, we would have no claim to fame and Wildwood Crest would be without a Borough seal But. alas, there is more to this tale and that is what makes it "famous" The captain of the Nancyhad carefully piled several barrels of gunpowder in the ship's hold and crafted a fuse out of sail canvas. He lit the fuse before leaving the ship and as the British were on board celebrating the spoils of the skirmish, the Nancy was blown to pieces with the contingent of British sailors on deck It was a major loss for the British in the earlydays of the War and the captain of the Nancy was none other than John Barry. The same John Barry known historically as the father of the American Navy Jt'ST WHEN you think that the election "season" is over in the Wildwoods. one sneaks in the back door and catches you by surprise. At least this one caught Walt Cottman by surprise Yes. folks, there is yet another election slated in the City of Wildwood. Second Ward voters take heed. Within the next 45 days you will be asked again to take to the beaten path and proceed to your respective polling place to cast your ballot for your Ward Councilman.

ON MAY 14. Cottman was re-elected councilman by a very slim margin of 2 votes. Sufficient irregularities were exposed by astute barrister Lou Hornstine that a new election was ordered by Judge Stephen Perskie. It seems that many business owners were voting out of their businesses while living in their homes out of the city. That is a "no-no", hence the new election. The ruling handed down July 2 provides for a 45-day period in which the election must be held. Wildwood City Clerk. Pete Yecco stated that the election will be held in mid-August. IN OTHER Wildwood political news, the power shift on City Council is producing some rapid changes. City Solicitor Hank James was removed from his position and replaced by Richard Goodkin. James will remain as director of the Department of Law while Goodkin will serve as council's legal advisor. This development puts Wildwood in the very same position it was in under the Ostrander administration. The executive branch of the government ( Mayor ) has legal counsel and the legislative branch (Council) has its own counsel. It is an interesting quirk of fate and an ironic twist of politics. While the relationship between the present Mayor and council seems more cordial than when Ostrander was in office, a few residents have been heard humming the tune to the old favorite "Memories". \ IN WILDWOOD CREST. Ihe Crest Pier issue will appear on the ballot in November and every registered voter in the Crest will have the opportunity to vote on the alternatives. In preparation for the balloting, the Crest commission has appointed a 13-member board to seek input and discuss the various alternatives Commission members are: Boh Belansen. Don Cooper. George Denham. Carl Groon. Art Hall. Linda Hankin. David Hart. Robert Ireton. Irv Larsen. Charles Sansone. I. eon Stratoti. Matt Tomlin, and John Gourley. The committee will be sending questionnaries to all Crest residents and you are urged to take a moment to complete the questionnarie and return it to the borough with your suggestions. I JUST FINISHED reading some very interesting communications and reports concerning the rebuilding of North Wildwood Boulevard. While the studies may not make the Best Seller list, they should be required reading for the residents of North Wildwood. I think the mayor and council of North Wildwood would agree, as they have launched a very aggressive campaign to inform residents of the need for the highway The "streets" are humming with discussions

of Alternate Route "C", and it looks as though things are gearing up for record attendance at the August public hearings to be held to discuss the situation. As North Wildwood progresses with its Lighthouse Square concept and the city in general is approaching tourism with a new-found vigor, the need for the highway becomes more apparent with each passing year. And, with each passing year, costs climb accordingly If more time is taken for more studies the brief expanse of highway will cost almost as much as the resurfacing of the Wildwood Boardwalk. I ONLY HOPE that when the new highway is designed the plans eliminate the drawbridge. Any mechanical device that requires one to properly "honk their horn" in order to work has no place in a civilized society. The only thing worse than a drawbridge is a drawbridge with a toll booth attached, and I sincerely hope they are not even considering that demented option. Also, since I'm in the mood for suggesting personal preferences, how about adding a few more million to the cost and constructing an "off ramp" for the north-bound lane of the Parkway? -» It would be most convenient if one could exit into North Wildwood while traveling "Up" the Parkway. This suggestion, of course, is meant to include an "on-ramp" so that one could exit North Wildwood. enter the Parkway, and travel south THE IDEA seems to make sense, but then agian, I thoguht my "shares of the Boardwalk" idea wasn't bad either That suggestion left me with a half dozen friends who thought I left my marbles at the Mibster Derby, several hundred acquaintences who now Ipok at me quizzically, and v^ith a wife who thinks I should keep my ideas to myself. But all was not lost; I did receive a very welcome letter ( 1 ) from a reader who thought the proposal had merit. Kudos are to be extended to the Hoagie eating team from the Royal Villa Cafe as they dethroned the defending champions, Atilis Gym. in the annual Wildwood Hoagie Eating Contest. Runners-up in the gastronomical competition were Atilis Gym, Noah's Barefoot Bar. Eddie's Surf Club. Quo Vadis. Kitty's. John's Pizzeria, and Rosauri's Pizza. While I was able to watch only a portion of the event, all those in attendance seemed to echo the sentiments that it was "different". Don't envision little freckle-faced kids eating blueberry pies at the County Fair's pie eating contest. Envision young adults eating an entire hoagie in a few bites. It is different. Very! I SPOKE TO Pat Collins the other day. and she wanted me to remind all of the First Methodist Church

Vacation Bible School It slated to begin July 15. The r five-day Bible School will £ run July 15 through July 19 ' and is open to any child - from the age of 4 and up. The school will be in session 9 a.m. through noon J and all are welcome. ' Also. I "bumped" into I Rev. Charles Rowe in the ' County Library last week ? and he told me of the excellent Bible School plann- \ ed by his church, The Crest Community Church. Beginning in mid1 August, a series of sessions - will be made available to ' all slow learners and han- » dicapped children at the ' church's new social hall on Crocus Road. 1 This is an excellent idea and I was glad to hear about it. Reverend Rowe stated that the instructors were all "lined up" and the program is ready to begin. If you have a slow learner or a handicapped child in your family, or if you know of one, give Rev. Rowe a call at the Crest Community Church (522-1618). He will gladly provide you with all the information necessary for attendance. AutrySmith Wedding AVALON - Deborah Jean Autry, daughter of Mr and Mrs. Bobby G. Autry of Roseboro, N.C., was married June 28 to Jeffrey Scott Smith, son of Helen Guthrie Wilson of this borough and the late Rush Strickler Smith The wedding took place in the Roseboro Church of God The bridegroom, a former student at Middle Township High School, was recently discharged from the 62nd Airborne Division. U.S. Army. The couple will make their home in Roseboro. Cpl. Raines In Exercise COURT HOUSE - Marine Lance Cpl. Michael L. Raines, son of Jimmie D. and Carol A. Raines of Box 475, Dias Creek, recently participated in exercise Distant Hammer while serving with 24th Marine Amphibious Unit, Camp Lejeune, NC. The ll-day, multinational exercise took place in the central and eastern Mediterranean Sea and was designed to improve the operational effectiveness of maritime forces, land-based air forces, and land forces. A 1983 graduate of Middle Township High School, he joined the Marine Corps in August. 1983.