Herald - Lantern - Dispatch 17 luly '85

53

I a The Wildwoods • ^ ^ ' t** =, r ^ ^ Thomas Parsons 1 83,0,:

The Wildwoods can now add a very successful Fourth of July weekend to the list that includes the successful Memorial Day weekend. All indications point to a banner season! Over the holiday weekend, I spoke with dozens of Island business owners and they were unanimous in their opinion of the 'Fourth" - "It was the best" Fourth of July that they can remember. This is quite a positive indicator, as several of the businessmen I spoke with have been in business for well over a decade. Oddly enough, this banner season, as with banner seasons in the past, seems to "just have happened". Good seasons simply can't attributed to anything "good" that anyone or any group did, and by the same token, bad seasons can't be traced to anything "bad" that was done by any group or organization. Seasons just happen. THE BOTTOM line for a good season and perhaps the least controllable factors that lead to a good season are sunshine at the shore and oppressive heat in the "cities". More specifically, the Wildwoods need sun seven days a week and the oppressive heat in the cities should be on a Thursday... Wednesday is too early and Friday is too late. The day is Thursday! A blistering Thursday in the cities will have Mom and Pop going to work determined to escape the heat and "go to the Shore for the weekend". It works! Many of the motel owners that I spoke to say they can pay their bills with the advanced reservations, but the walk-ins, the street traffic as they are so affectionately referred to, provide the difference between a "good" season and a "bad" season. It is an interesting observation. RESTAURANT owners love the weekend streettraffic, as more often than not they are lodged in motel rooms rather than in the large efficiency units that have irked the restauranteurs for well over a decade. The tourist in the motel room is the "bread and butter" (sorry) for the restaurant industry. What all this means is that the Wildwoods need something else besides the beach and Boardwalk. Everybody I spoke to feels exactly the same way. The Wildwoods need something that will enable the area to become a destination come rain or come shine! THE ACQUARIUM is one of the frequently mentioned answers. When Gov. Kean said he felt that some decaying wharf in Camden, next to some soup company's tomato squeezing machine was a grand location, the wind went out of every Islander's sails. It shouldn't have, as the issue is far from decided. Many business owners feel it is time to renew the fight, and perhaps they are right. Other South Jersey communities have continued their respective "pitches" and don't seem to be waivering in their determination to have the gigantic fish tank in their backyard. And, objectively speaking, the Wildwoods'

backyard is better than theirs and certainly better than Camden's. THE WILDWOODS represent a resort just waiting for a major attraction and the aquarium should be it. If you are interested in renewing the fight for the "tank" give the Chamber of Commerce a call (729-1934) and indicate your support. The Wildwood Chamber of Commerce spearheaded the initial flurry of activity and certainly would be willing to take up the cause anew, if the support is out there. TWO OTHER news notes from the business community: The Aaronsons, proprietors of Miracles - Gifts Extraordinaire on Spruce Street in North Wildwood, have been asked by Channel 40 to appear again on the Dan D'Imperio show, "Let's Talk Antiques". The request is indicative of the great reputation being developed by the Aaronsons. both as local business operators and as experts in the world of antiques. If you want to watch one of the interesting segments, tune into Channel 40 this Sunday at 10 a.m. Paula Aaronson will be featured and will certainly have some valuable information to impart to the interested viewers. THE OTHER business item worthy of mention is the recent expansion of the Sandpiper Monogramming firm. Ginny Fineberg started her monogramming business several years ago as a "cottage industry" in her home. From this modest beginning. Fineberg's operation has grown and now truly enjoys a multi-state reputation for distinctive items of Fineberg's creation. Fineberg owns and operates the Sandpiper Monogramming shop at 2701 New Jersey Ave. and now can boast of owning the Sandpiper Monogramming shop in Cape May! I HAD AN enjoyable conversation with Curtis Miller this past week. The conversation, initiated by Miller, director of the Community Center on Davis Avenue in Wildwood, centered on the failure of the press, collectively, to cover events from the West side of Wildwood (true) and my failure to cover the wealth of activity generated by the Community Center (guilty, but not intentionally so). Well, every problem has a remedy, and I shall endeavor to remedy the situation with this issue and with each subsequent issue. If you are interested in the activities at the Community Center, tune in this week and each week following for a current listing of events and activities. FOR STARTERS, if you are not familiar with the Community Center's activities, you should be. To date, the center boasts a summer nutrition center, a unique child care center, a senior citizen food program, a "well baby" clinic, and every Wednesday of-

fers free hypertension screening. The center is active with Larry Wilson and the 4-H programs, busy with various assistance programs with the Salvation Army, and houses the local Girls' Club and is actively pursuing the establishment of a Boys' Club. No shortage of programs and enthusiasm at the Community Center. If you wish further information and a current calendar of events give them a call at 522-0231. They will be more than happy to answer your questions and provide the necessary information. LAST WEEK. I briefly mentioned the unique Bible School program being developed by the Crest Community Church. Since then, I have spoken to Debbie Rogers, director of the Vacation Bible School, and her enlightenment of the program deserves more mention. Beginning Aug. 12 and continuing through Aug. 16, the Crest Community Church is hosting its annual Vacation Bible School. This year, in addition to the regular offerings, the church will have a special Bible session for handicapped individuals, slow learners, retarded individuals, and the emotionally handicapped. THE ONE-WEEK course will be taught by Peggy Mitchell, who is a certified instructor of the handicapped and emotionally disturbed. The hopes for the course will be that it develops into a successful program and can be integrated into the regular Sunday School program If that be the case, Mitchell has offered her time as the instructor. This unique program, the only one of its kind that I know of, was the "brainstorm" of Crest resident Tom Sinsheimer. Sinsheimer should be complimented for his concern and involvement and the Crest Community Church should be congratulated for its support. If you wish further information on the program, you are invited to call Debbie Rogers at 729-0755. Registration for the program as well as for the Bible School will be held Aud. 10 at the church 10 a.m. to noon. TRAGEDY STRUCK the Island this past week as three tourists were the victims of lightning strikes. The odds of this happening are astronomical and indeed unfortunate. Lightning strikes this planet 600 times every second, hut an average of only 125 people annually are killed by lightning in the U.S. It is tragic that one of the 125 had to occur in the Wildwoods this season. Very tragic, as it is a preventable circumstance. The vast majority of those killed by lightning are in or near water when the accident occurs. This was the case in Wildwood Crest as the couple waded in the surf during last week's storm. Please keep this in mind. If you see the approach of a summer storm, leave the water im-

mediately. Take no chances, and seek shelter. Boaters, if you own a wooden boat, you are particularly vulnerable and should head to shore as rapidly as possible. As we are now so painfully aware, lightning can be fatal. An ounce of prevention is not only worth a pound of cure; it can save your life! SPEAKING OF boaters: an 8-foot object cannot fit through a 4-foot opening! While this may seem obvious, the contrary seemed true this weekend in Diamond Beach. Diamond Beach has become a favorite spot for the many boaters who sail "Hobie Cats" along the shore areas. Noah's Barefoot Bar and the uncluttered surf seem to be the main attractions but also seem to be the main problem. The "Hobie Cat" skippers, in abundance, seem to enjoy sailing into Diamond Beach and "tipping" a few cool ones along the shore. That's fine, but tip too many and problems arise. That's when the 8-foot wide "Hobie Cats" are frequently steered into the 4-foot opening between two incoming "Hobie Cats". That doesn't make for boating pleasure and certainly has ruffled a few feathers of late. The tipsy skippers. I am sure, would never drink and drive and perhaps should apply this prudent measure to their boating habits. The Diamond Beach section of Five Mile Beach is a delightful section where more than the usual beach freedoms are permitted. It is enjoyed by many and let's hope that the abuses of a few don't spoil it for the rest THE CITY of North

Wildwood is gearing up for i its 20th Annual Art Show. < This always popular event i is slated for July 27 and will 1 be held along North Wildwood's Beach Drive. ! There are both cash and : ribbon awards for outstan- ' ding contributions and < many of the offerings will i be up for sale the day of the i show. Plan to attend. It is estimated that over 2,500 i works of art will be on < display and you will be i amazed at the wealth of ar- ' tistic talent that abounds in our area. i If you will be attending, remember the date is July 27. If you would like to enter your creative masterpiece! s) you may call 522-2030 for further information. ALONG THE lines of artistic endeavors it should be noted that the City of Wildwood will be hosting a sand sculturing contest on the Beach at Lincoln Avenue this Saturday, July 20. The various sand crea- i tions will be jedged by city officials. The entire day may be spent sculpting your creation with the official judging to take place promptly at 4 p.m. Note the "promptly", because peak low tide for the day will be 4:11 p.m.; after that, you will witness only the continuing erosion of the surfside offerings. Registration for the event may be obtained by contacting the Information Bureau at Schellenger and the Boardwalk or by calling 522-1407 IN OBSERVANCE of the Wildwood Baby Parade's 75th celebration, a Diamond Jubilee Queen will be crowned at Crest Memorial School July 25 While the usual judging criteria will be used, one stipulation is mandatory. The entrants

must be at least 75 years old and permanent, yearround residents of the Wildwoods. The parade, which is scheduled for Aug 22, is sponsored by the Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce and the Diamond Jubilee Queen contest is under the sponsorship of the Wildwood Civic Club. If you would like to enter this unique event, call either 729-0671 or the Chamber of Commerce (729-4000) for further information. POLITICALLY, it is a new "ballgame" in Wildwood Crest and in issues past, I promised to keep interested residents appraised of the appointments as they develop. So here's one: the new zoning board for the Borough of Wildwood Crest now consists of George Betz, chairman. Sue Patterson, secretary, and John Gorely, Judy Bouchard, Jim Carlson, and Debbie Rogers, members. Last but not least.. .if you are looking for something to do on the Island this week consider the following: exercise classes every morning on the beach in Wildwood; Dancetime USA in Convention Hall; the Grace Miller American Sweetheart Dancers at the Boardwalk Bandshell tonight and Friday. July 19; the Christmas in July Bazaar sponsored by the First Baptist Church, Atlantic and Maple Avenues, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and tomorrow, and another bazaar sponsored by the Wildwood Crest Fire Company Auxilliary 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. Saturday at Cardinal and Pacific Avenues.

rn ==tr\ ■JO JYK "THE fTIOST COfTlPLETE T T oand rTper casual furniture store OStMCIM SITU t 1CC1SSOWS IN SOUTH JERSEY" 216 NEW JERSEY AVE. NORTH WI10W000. NJ. _ /~"p jpi DREflm SPECIRU1I \ ITlflRUSHKfl PRINTS I ( 25% OFF ALL WICKER AND i 2°* °" S SELECTED STOTTERWRRE / ^ Of PER IXPttES7/25 ^ Y~~ £ | COmPARE our selection. I QUALITY, PRICE. SERVICE W gf I AND DELIVERY 729-1717 r1 1 "SB" OPEN DB|LY '°-5 i 1^1 MpVsUN.IO-2 r Jj Ouaker lllaid <->*! HUHM ,, 40 OFF) | Professional Design Service for Kitchens APE MAY Fa out Brand Major I And Baths ■■■■■ Appiianc* * • VANITIES • C0UNTERT0PS A AD/)/ I A ^ S9T sJ?"™' I FREE OELIVERY 3, 'moryy w-, M