32 Herald - lantern - Dispatch 16 April '86

r— Jersey Cape V0 Historically ^P[ By John Merrill ^

The war was over. Robert E. Lee was tired and old beyond his years. The greatest of leaders of the lost Confederate cause, earning one of the world's highest ratings as a military leader, and with a past brilliant history of recognition and excellence, was physically weakened. He mirroed life as his armies mirrored the military defeats encountered in the last years of the American Civil War ( 1860-1865) as the Northern Forces rolled to their inevitable destiny. HE HAD LOST his home — Arlington — to the Union forces for non-payment of • taxes. The U.S. forces then converted it into our national military cemetery, Arlington National Cemetery. Accepting the post of President of Washington College. Virginia, after the Civil War, he would devote the remainder of his life to restoring the cultural, economic, political, and intellectual life of the defeated and destroyed South. THIS GENTLE man's relationship to the people of Cape May is unique, but not only because of his future role in American history that will be determined by the War Between the States. Before and after the Civil War, many famous or soon-to-be-famous individuals came to relax and play in our county. Prior to the Civil War, Robert Edward Lee and his family visited Cape May, staying at the cottage nowknown as the Hughes House (previously it was also known as the Lee House). LOCATED AT 609 Hughes Street, the Hughes House is now owned and well maintained by Mrs. Ruth Kane. Married to Mary Ann Randolph Custis, only daughter of George Washington Parke Custis, grandson of Martha Washington. Lee was informed that he must take his wife to a healthy climate as she was suffering from chronic arthritis. KNOWING Cape Island as a world famous health resort and national playground which catered to visitors (jom all geographic sections of the nation — northern, southern and western — Lee deemed it best to visit Cape Island for his wife's health and to visit friends. Lee more than likely enjoyed his visits to Cape Island, for many Southerners were present. More than likely Lee visited the island between 1857 and 1859. Lee mentioned this time period as his "dark years" before the Civil War when referring to his wife's health. NEVERTHELESS, being personable by nature, Lee had friends in the Cape May County area. One such friend-was a large farm owneof Isaac Thompson, living in Green Creek at the junction or Norbury's Landing Road and Bayshore Avenue. During his visit to the Thompson's farm, Lee brought with him an interesting item. This item was the seed for a crop of

"white corn". This new agricultural commodity, so common in South Jersey today and associated with summers in (hot area, was a unique gift. Lee not only brought a gift to a friend, but this item also made Lee, indirectly, responsible for the general econimic welfare of many of the Cape May County farmers. UNFORTUNATELY, his visits were interrupted by the War Between the States. Losing his home and fortunes during the War, Lee never again visited our shores. Suffering with angina pectoris and atherosclerosis, he journeyed through the U.S.. and his sojourns in Cape May County now were extensive travelling through the South Atlantic seaboard. In the spring of 1870, when touring the southern Atlantic coastal areas, Lee was welcomed with affection and adoration such as had not been accorded a southerner since the times of George Washington. THE END finally came when he was stricken on September 28. 1870, and passed away on October 12, 1870. We of Southern New Jersey should remember his contribution to our agricultural heritage. The numerous agriculturally based families that can trace their family history to the 1860's, should remember that Lee's contribution may have helped in their economic survival. ED NOTE: Merrill teaches social studies at Lower Cape May Regional High School and has lived in the county since 1975. If you're interested in a particular historical item, write him care of this newspaper, P.O. Box 430, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210).

% Dot II Ward SHOWING HOW — Connie Smith, a student dental technician at the county Vo-Tech Center, demonstrates Xray procedure on a plastic model to Jennifer King, 8. daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey King of Court House, at the "Brush In" held for Middle Township Elementary No. I students last week. Connie. 18. is the daughter of Mrs. Shirley Smith. Ocean City.

_Rx Health Watch by Dr Robert "C Beitman

Dear Dr. Beitman: Could you please explain why my doctor has recommended an increase in fiber to help with my diverticulitis? I find the grainy substance (Metamucil) particularly disgusting to take. Maybe if I understand how it works I can force it down. L.C., Ocean City Dear L.C. At one time I became so convinced that a high fiber diet is important to good health that my wife and myself started taking one of the psycillium fiber products, like that prescribed for you. Since we eat a high fiber r diet in general, after a few months we both gave up the psycillium, because, as you say. it is fairly difficult to take.

HOWEVER, in your case it can make an*important enough difference to tolerate it on a regular basis. This is because diverticula are outpouchings. or sac-like projections from the wall of the colon (large bowel) which result from excessive force created against the wall from the inside. They are most likely to form where the muscular layer of the colon is weakest, usually where it is penetrated by blood vessels. These diverticula (pockets or sacs) can lead v~Rr complications. Either a diverticlae can break open (rupture), releasing its contents into the abdomen leading to an infection or they can hemmorrhage from a rupture in the blood vessels. THE MOST common symptom of diverticulitis is pain and/or constipation. It is not actually the diverticula that cause the pain and constipation, it is the spasms of the colon. It is these spasms that cause the pressure that create the diverticula. Because fiber retains moisture in the stool, it helps to prevent the formation of hard stools which lead to higher pressures in the bowel. The bulk of the stool helps it to slide by the openings of tlie diverticula outpouchings. THIS IS VERY impor tant because it helps prevent the stool and any little pieces of undigested foods ( like popcorn ) from getting trapped in the pouch and developing into an infection, or even breaking through the thin walls of the diverticula. Accordingly the high fiber diet is an essential cornerstone to preventing the complications of diverticulitis. At this time the highest fiber source we use in medicine is the psycillium product YOU WOULDN'T have enough time in the day to eat the amount of fiber in your psycillium preparation just by eating regular high fiber foods Even with the high fiber treatment. I still recommend avoiding eating hard seeds and nuts. They are not worth the risk of their getting trapped, your getting infected and needing surgery I hope this helps you to tolerate the high fiber products better Dr. Beitman is President of the Cape May County Unit of the American Cancer Society, of which Health Watch is a Public Education Project. Please address your letters to the doctor to his office. 108 N. Main St., Cape May Court House, NJ 08210. Cocktail Fete N, For Deborah AVALON — The Upper Cape Chapter, Deborah Hospital Foundation, will sponsor its annual cocktail party 4-7 p.m. Sunday at the Golden Inn here. For further information, call 967-5008 or 967-4250.

<3-^ From The Principal By Stanley Kolzen ■ Principal, lower ( ape Mav Regional High School

This has been the week that was as 86,500 ninth graders in the state of New Jersey have been taking the New Jersey High School Proficiency Test that will impact dramatically on the course that secondary schools across the state take in the next several years. Projections indicate that 42,000 of those students will not pass at least one part of the test which measures proficiency in reading, writing and mathematics, but the youngsters will get three more chances to pass the test before they reach graduation in 1989. It is what happens in the meantime that has created all the stir. THREE YEARS ago we educators knew this daywould come when we would have to be accountable for, the performance of those youngsters we are respon-

sible to educate. For many of us we tried to prepare by aligning both the Mathematics and English curricula to meet the state standards. If those changes were insufficient and not accomplished quickly enough, it will be determined very soon, but we cannot dispute the need to make those necessary changes. The HSPT assesses ninthgrade skills which all high school graduates need, whether they plan to attend college, enter the job market or pursue other post-secondary training. IT REQUIRES students to read more critically and to think more sequentially — skills essential for new workers and graduates undergoing technical, vocational training as well as for the college-bound. Indeed, public education deserves the criticism it

receives if we cannot produce graduates who possess these skills. For years, the standard was the Minimum Basic Skills Test, and over the period that this test was given, the scores improv"^ markjdly as schools began to teach those MBS skills. HSPT IS a much tougher test, and we have a proportionately larger task in getting our students to master its demands. The responsibility is primarily the school's, but it is shared with the home where students must be convinced of the value of education and academic success. The National Commission on Excellence in education report, A Nation at Risk, emphasized that role of parents in student achievement : "...(Parents) bear a responsibility to participate actively in your child's education. You should encourage more diligent study and discourage satisfaction with mediocrity... " FOR THOSE ninth graders who do not pass one portion of the HSPT there will be remediation, and we will attempt to focus their attention to the goals of proficiency which can make them productive and literate members of our society. In each who passes the test in all areas you will find a serious student with a supportive home working in a challenging curriculum This is the youngster whose performance is the model for our school and community. A Message For Hansen BURLEIGH - Retiring Police Chief Edward Hansen of Middle Township was to be honored at a luncheon scheduled for noon today at the Wildwood Golf and Country Club here. Freeholder Director William E. Sturm Jr. was to present Hansen with a personal letter of congratulations and good wishes from President Ronald Reagan. 1

Deaths

Vito Dintino. 65. of Sea Isle City. April 11. Born in Genoa. Italy, he was a local resident 31 years and headed the upholstery department at the Tropicana Casino Hotel. Atlantic City. He taught upholstery at the county Vo Tech School. Pansy M. Edwards. 88. of Avalon. April 7. A local resident for three decades, she was a member of the Avalon Methodist Church, the Order of the Eastern Star in Bayonne where she formerly made her home, and the Democratic Club of Middle Township Ernestine E. Ellis, 74. of Cold Spring. April 8 Born in Wildwood. she was a lifelong area resident. Samuel N. GarreLson. 75. of Del Haven. April 11 Born in West Cape May. he was a lifelong area resident and a retired motel maintenance employe. Mary S. Jeffcrs. 41. of Woodbine. April 8. A local resident for five years, she formerly was employed as an operator with New Jersey Bell. Morgan W. Luzny. 5. and Cliaton G. Luzny. 4. of Cold Spring, brothers, in a house fire. They were the sons of

Robert and Linda Luzny. Contributions may be made payable to Linda Luzny at First National Bank South. Bayshore Road. North Cape May 08204 Rev. Gerald J. Makowelski. 53. of Camden. April 8. His first assignment was as associate pastor of Our 4^idy Star of the Sea. Cape May He was a religion teacher at Sacred Heart High School. Vineland. since 1972 James D. McCarthy. 29. of Marmora. April 8 Formerly of Tucson. Ariz . he was born in Somers Point and moved to Marmora two years ago where he was a member of the Abundant Life Assembly of God Church. He served as a church musician. Kathryn I). Miller. 79, of Cape May. April 10. A retired supervisor and clerk for the Camden County Welfare Board, she was a member of Our Lady of Star of the Sea Church and a local resident for 13 years. Robert E. Newman, 52, of Linwood, April 9. A Navy veteran of the Korean War. he was a meat cutter with

Acme Markets in Sea Isle City. Charlotte M. Perednas. 61. of Avalon Manor. April 10 Born in Frackville. Pa., she was a local resident for 15 years and a member of Maris Stella Roman Catholic Church. Avalon William 11. Powell. 51. of Wildwood. April 10. A first engineer with the Merchant Marine Union for 30 years, he was a member of District Two. Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association, and the Associated Maritime Officers. He was a member of Elks Lodge 1896. North Wildwood Emma C. Strock. 83. of Palermo. April 5. A retired self-employed registered nurse, she was a member of the Corbin City Baptist Church, its Wednesday Bible Class and choir Edward H. Tener Jr., 77. i of Court House. April 11. t Retired from the sales i department of Jones and Laughiin Steel Corp., Pittsburgh, he was an usher at I St. Mary's Episcopal | Church. Stone Harbor and | a local resident for 15 < years.