2025

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July 31, 2025

The AJ Meerwald, New Jersey's tall ship, is back!  See below for details on how to sail aboard her!

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In The News:

TWO SAILBOAT RESCUES occurred this past week.  In a dramatic incident in Townsend's Inlet, a small sailboat that lost engine power was swept into the jetty.  Eight teenagers and two sailing instructors were rescued unharmed by the Avalon Beach Patrol as the vessel was destroyed on the rocks.  The story made national news; here's a link to a Good Morning America report
 
In a separate incident a 62-foot sailing catamaran was struck by lightning in Delaware Bay, after sailing from Texas.  No one was injured, but the lightning strike destroyed the vessel's electronic and navigation equipment, and disabled its engine.  Sea Tow Cape May towed the catamaran to Cape May Harbor, and later to Yank Marine in Tuckahoe for repairs.
 
WOW, THE FISHING IS GOOD!   Tuna fishing in the offshore canyons has been strong, and mahi mahi are showing up in the usual offshore and midshore locations.  In the back bays, flounder are being caught along with the occasional weakfish.  Moran's Dockside in Avalon has reported some impressive catches, including a 6-pound flounder caught last week!  Want to try your hand at fishing?  There are numerous options, including fishing piers at 8th Street and 83rd Street, ocean fishing aboard the Miss Avalon or back bay fishing aboard Avalon Lady, and charters with Nev-R-Enuf Sportfishing, Rising Tide Sportfishing, and many others.  Visit Moran's Dockside at the Avalon Sport Fishing Center for more info.
 
GOTTA DO IT: AJ MEERWALD!  New Jersey's official tall ship, the AJ Meerwald is a 115-foot,1928 oyster schooner that spent her working life in Delaware Bay.  AJ Meerwald now spends her summers visiting various ports in New Jersey, hosting a series of educational and public sails.  Earlier this week she returned to Cape May, where she'll spend the next several weeks.  Beginning Friday, August 1st, she'll sail daily on Wednesdays through Sundays, offering two-hour public sails.  It's a great way to experience the shore through the lens of history—help set her huge sails and catch a relaxing sunset, too!  For info and tickets visit https://www.bayshorecenter.org/ports-cape-may-nj/
 
SLOW DOWN, YOU'RE ON ISLAND TIME!  While you're here, ease off the gas pedal and take your time.  From the Boulevards to Dune Drive to our cross streets, taking it a bit slower makes it safer for all of us—including other vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists.  Slow down and enjoy being on "island time!"
 
DRIVING THE REAL ESTATE MARKET:  Various factors continue to drive our local real estate market.  Buyer demand remains steady, as mortgage rates have stabilized.  The number of active listings has increased somewhat over the past year, bringing us a more balanced market, and more options for buyers.  With properties beginning at $349,000 (for an efficiency condominium) and rising to eight figures for oceanfront homes, our market truly offers something for everyone.  Ready to discuss your next real estate move?  Call or email me today!

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 upcoming Events: 

Thursdays at Surfside: Double Vision.  Surfside Park, Thursday, July 31, 7pm. 
 
Seven Mile Island Players Presents: “Shrek the Musical Jr.”  Middle Township Performing Arts Center, July 31st through August 3rd.  For tickets and info visit: https://www.7mip.org/ 
 
Fridays at Surfside: Royal Princess Showcase.  Surfside Park, Friday, August 1st, 6:30pm. 
 
Thursdays at Surfside: Yacht Rock Gold Experience.  Surfside Park, Thursday, August 7, 7pm. 
 
Fridays at Surfside: Superheroes Unit.  Surfside Park, Friday, August 8th, 6:30pm. 
 
Yacht Club of Stone Harbor Festival of Lights: Boat parade and decorated docks.  Watch the parade from any dock or bayfront location.  Saturday, August 9th, about dusk. 
 
Festival of Lights Viewing Party and Food Truck Festival.  Municipal Marina Lot (81st Street & the bay), Saturday, August 9th, 7pm. 
 
Tuesdays at the Tower: Pure Jerry, music of the Grateful Dead.  Water Tower lot, Tuesday, August 12th, 7pm. 
 
Thursdays at Surfside: Jesse Garron’s Tribute to Elvis.  Surfside Park, Thursday, August 14, 7pm. 
 
Fridays at Surfside: Wicked in Avalon.  Surfside Park, Friday, August 15th, 6:30pm. 
 
Tuesdays at the Tower: Dane Anthony Band (R&B and rock & roll).  Water Tower lot, Tuesday, August 19th, 7pm. 

Thursdays at Surfside: Still Surfin’.  Surfside Park, Thursday, August 21, 7pm. 
 
Stone Harbor Museum Gala, Wednesday, August 20th.  Call Teri Fischer at 609-368-7500 for tickets. 
 
Fridays at Surfside: Minion Mayhem.  Surfside Park, Friday, August 22nd, 6:30pm. 
 
Tuesdays at the Tower: The Seabillys.  Water Tower lot, Tuesday, August 26th, 7pm. 
 
Thursdays at Surfside: Big Hix.  Surfside Park, Thursday, August 28, 7pm. 
 
Thursdays at Surfside: Triple Rail Turn.  Surfside Park, Thursday, September 4, 7pm. 

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Weekly Events:
 

Every Sunday: Stone Harbor Farmers Market, 8am to 12pm at the Water Tower Parking Lot. 
 
Every Tuesday: Tuesdays at the Tower Concert Series.  Water Tower Plaza, 95th Street 7pm.  (No show on August 5th.) 
 
Every Thursday: Thursdays on the Lawn, free concert.  St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 95th Street & Third Avenue, 7pm.  

Every Friday: Fridays at Surfside Park.  Music & entertainment for kids, face painting, etc.  Surfside Park, Fridays at 6:30pm, through August 22nd.

July 24, 2025 Vibrant green marsh grass can be seen throughout our back bay areas.  Later in the summer the grasses will take on a more golden color. In The News: OH, THAT SEA BREEZE!  Our beautiful sea breezes are what first drew crowds from Philadelphia to the shore more than 100 years ago!  Earlier this week we were again treated to beautiful afternoon sea breezes, bringing cool ocean air to the island and surrounding area, dropping temperatures from the low 90s into the low 80s.  There's nothing like it on a hot summer afternoon!   MARKET STATS: The number of units sold increased in June versus last year, while the number of active listings and the median sale price declined slightly.  For a detailed look at the market, see the latest Long & Foster Market Minute report   GOTTA DO IT: AMAZING WATER VIEWS!  We all love the shore for different reasons—but most of us LOVE to see the water whenever we can!  There are some fantastic places to score amazing water views.  Check out my favorites below!   Avalon: 8th Street Fishing Pier: on the bay, with westerly/sunset views over Cedar Island. 8th Street Jetty: where Townsend's Inlet meets the Atlantic Ocean, the jetty affords amazing views. Avalon Bay Park Marina (53rd Street):  Newly rebuilt, the park and pier offer sunset views over the bay and wetlands.   Stone Harbor: 81st Street Municipal Marina:  A great place to fish or watch a sunset overlooking the IntraCoastal Waterway! 83rd Street Fishing Pier:  Fish, crab, or just sit and watch the boats go by as the sun goes down! 114th Street & the bay:  A serene setting affording views of the bay, wetlands, wildlife, and sunsets! Stone Harbor Point Viewing Platform: walk southward from the parking lot along the access path; the raised viewing platform offers views of wildlife, wetlands, the bay, inlet, and ocean!   Avalon Manor:  Middle Township Fishing Pier:  Situated at the end of Old Avalon Boulevard, the pier faces eastward and offers panoramic views of the IntraCoastal Water and Avalon—and amazing sunrises!   Sea Isle City: Jim Iannone Fishing Pier:  At 59th & the bay, the new pier offers amazing westerly views, kayak launch area, and great sunsets! Townsend's Inlet Park: At the very southern end of Sea Isle, the park offers beach access and amazing views of the ocean, inlet, bridge, bay, and sunset!   HEREFORD INLET: A CLARIFICATION.  Last week's mention of exploring areas of Hereford Inlet needs a bit of further clarification.  Stone Harbor Point, which projects southward into Hereford Inlet, is a protected conservation area.  The beaching of boats and accessing the Point by boat is prohibited by ordinance. The restrictions are in place to protect wildlife that raise their young at the Point.  Dogs are not allowed at Stone Harbor Point either, but pedestrians can access the Point from the 122nd Street parking lot.  Offshore sandbars in the inlet, such as the one in last week's photo, are not included in those restrictions, and that's where boats can be beached in order to explore or relax along the water's edge.  A sincere thank you Lenore Tedesco of The Wetlands Institute for the clarification!  And, a sincere thank you to all those who follow the guidelines in order to allow protected wildlife to thrive at Stone Harbor Point!  upcoming Events:  Santa’s Stone Harbor Vacation.  Catch Santa visiting Stone Harbor for his summer vacation!  He’ll make many appearances, and is happy to pose for pictures!  Through July 25th, downtown Stone Harbor.    Thursdays at Surfside: All About Joel, Billy Joel Tribute.  Surfside Park, Thursday, July 24th, 7pm.    Thursdays on the Lawn: Nolan Quinn and the Troublemakers.  St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 95th Street & Third Avenue, Thursday, July 24th, 7:30pm.  U-Pick Blueberries, Littleworth Tree Farm, Marmora, through July 26th.  Reservations required, for info and reservations, click here Tuesdays at the Tower: Nolan Quinn & The Troublemakers, southern rock & blues.  At the Water Tower, Tuesday, July 29th, 7pm.    Thursdays at Surfside: Double Vision.  Surfside Park, Thursday, July 31, 7pm.    Stone Harbor Museum Gala, Wednesday, August 20th.  Call Teri Fischer at 609-368-7500 for tickets.  Weekly Events:   Every Sunday: Stone Harbor Farmers Market, 8am to 12pm at the Water Tower Parking Lot.   Every Tuesday: Tuesdays at the Tower Concert Series.  Water Tower Plaza, 95th Street 7pm.  Begins July 8th (no show on August 5th.)   Every Thursday: Thursdays on the Lawn, free concert.  St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 95th Street & Third Avenue, 7pm.  Begins July 10th.

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July 17, 2025

Hereford Inlet is a favorite spot for boaters to visit on summer days.  At low tide large areas of beach are revealed, and they make for great places to relax or explore!  Photo by Grace Leiser. In The News: SUMMER'S IN FULL SWING!  Beach days, dinners out, evening concerts, and ice cream treats...all part of a great vacation at the shore in the summer!   AVALON HAS ANNOUNCED that meteorologist Joe Martucci will be part of the Borough's emergency management and floodplain teams.  The well-known tv and online weather forecaster "brings a unique skillset and brand to Avalon that will greatly assist with our emergency management and floodplain challenges," said Avalon Mayor John McCorristin.   Martucci also volunteered to create an Avalon-specific flood risk video to be shared via the Borough's online communication channels in advance of a severe storm.     GOTTA DO IT: CAPE MAY COUNTY CLASSICS!  There are numerous places in Cape May County that make it special.  Here are a few of the "classics!"   Cape May Lighthouse: Climb to the top of Cape May Lighthouse and enjoy views that stretch for miles across the Atlantic Ocean, Delaware Bay, and Cape May's beaches.   Cape May County Zoo: A hidden treasure, Cape May County Zoo offers an enormous collection of animals in a magnificent setting.  Bring your camera! Great for all ages!  It's free, but donations are appreciated!   Ocean City & Wildwood Boardwalks: If your kids or teens are looking for seaside rides, the Ocean City and Wildwood Boardwalks offer a huge variety of rides.  Ocean City's boardwalk is geared toward younger kids and tween; Wildwood is geared toward older kids.   WHAT'S ON YOUR SUMMER BUCKET LIST?  How about a sunrise walk on the beach?  A dolphin watching cruise?  Family photos on the beach? Teach your grandchild to fish or crab? Make your list, and set aside time enjoy to those bucket list items!   SPEND A WEEK HERE!  Need to book your last-minute vacation?  We have a few options remaining!  Visit www.LFVacations.com to browse, then call or email me.   OR MAKE IT PERMANENT!  If you're ready to discuss owning your very own shore property—rental income, mortgage costs, and anything else you're curious about—let's talk!  Call or email me.  You may be surprised at how easy it is to make owning your own shore property a reality!   HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD!  Happy 81st Birthday to my dad, Paul Leiser!  Dad is enjoying his grandkids, and all the fun that living in Stone Harbor offers!  upcoming Events:

Thursdays at Surfside: Amish Outlaws.  Surfside Park, Thursday, July 17th, 7pm. 
 
Thursdays on the Lawn: The Quietmen.  St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 95th Street & Third Avenue, July 17th, 7:30pm. 
 
Tuesdays at the Tower: One Particular Stone Harbor, Jimmy Buffett & Paul Simon Tribute.  At the Water Tower, Tuesday, July 22nd, 7pm. 
 
Santa’s Stone Harbor Vacation.  Catch Santa visiting Stone Harbor for his summer vacation!  He’ll make many appearances, and is happy to pose for pictures!  July 22nd to July 25th, downtown Stone Harbor. 
 
Thursdays at Surfside: All About Joel, Billy Joel Tribute.  Surfside Park, Thursday, July 24th, 7pm. 
 
Thursdays on the Lawn: Nolan Quinn and the Troublemakers.  St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 95th Street & Third Avenue, Thursday, July 24th, 7:30pm. 
 
U-Pick Blueberries, Littleworth Tree Farm, Marmora, through July 26th.  Reservations required, for info and reservations, click here
 
Stone Harbor Museum Gala, Wednesday, August 20th.  Call Teri Fischer at 609-368-7500 for tickets. 

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Weekly Events:
 
Every Sunday: Stone Harbor Farmers Market, 8am to 12pm at the Water Tower Parking Lot.
 
Every Tuesday: Tuesdays at the Tower Concert Series.  Water Tower Plaza, 95th Street 7pm.  Begins July 8th (no show on August 5th.)
 
Every Thursday: Thursdays on the Lawn, free concert.  St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 95th Street & Third Avenue, 7pm.  Begins July 10th.

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July 3, 2025

Plenty of fireworks are on tap for this weekend!  See below for times and locations!

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In The News:

AVALON'S BEACH PROJECT has been completed, and all of Avalon's beaches are in great shape as the peak summer season arrives!  Stone Harbor's beaches are in great shape, too!  Bring a chair or blanket and stake out your spot in the sand!
 
JUNE, IT WAS A PLEASURE!  June brought us beautiful sunshine and gentle sea breezes, followed by a blast of hazy, hot, humid weather to usher in the month of July.  Ocean water temperatures also warmed up nicely, and are about 74 degrees right now!  For the holiday weekend we're expecting mostly sunny skies and daytime temperatures in the low 80s!

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!  Celebrate our freedoms this weekend by participating in the many July 4th activities in the area!  Avalon, Stone Harbor, and Sea Isle City each have a line up of July 4th festivities!

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Other Events: 
 
Fireworks Cruise aboard Cape May Whale Watcher.  July 3rd and July 4th.  Details and tickets

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Weekly Events:
 
Every Sunday: Stone Harbor Farmers Market, 8am to 12pm at the Water Tower Parking Lot.
 
Every Tuesday: Tuesdays at the Tower Concert Series.  Water Tower Plaza, 95th Street 7pm.  Begins July 8th (no show on August 5th.)
 
Every Thursday: Thursdays on the Lawn, free concert.  St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 95th Street & Third Avenue, 7pm.  Begins July 10th.

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