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American Legion Post #331 and Coast Guard personnel

Representatives from American Legion Post #331 (Avalon/Stone Harbor) presented a $2,000 donation to the Cape May Chief’s Association at the United States Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May, New Jersey on Tuesday, December 17^th, 2013.“This is the third consecutive year where American Legion Post #331 has been able to make a sizeable donation to Coast Guard personnel”, said Post Commander Harry Clayton.  “These individuals give so much service to our country.  This donation is an expression of appreciation from our members.  We hope this donation helps them have a joyous holiday season”.

Receiving the check was Chief Warrant Officer (retired) Steve Harrell, President of the Chief’s Association.  The Association will distribute the money to exemplary junior enlisted personnel stationed at the Training Center and selected by the Association.  American Legion Post #331 makes this annual donation as a holiday gift and a reminder to the recipients that they serve a grateful Nation.

The American Legion Post #331 was represented by Commander Harry Clayton, 1^st Vice Commander Ted Ramsey, and Martin Lukacs.  The United States Training Center was represented by Commanding Officer Captain Prestidge, Chief Warrant Officer Steve Harrell, and Command Master Chief Terry Cowart.

American Legion Post #331 is located at the Stephen C. Ludlam Post on the northwest corner of 117^th Street and Second Avenue in Stone Harbor.  Recently, the Post announced that it was forming a “Sons of the American Legion” brigade to support the efforts of the Post.

Photo caption, left to right:  American Legion Post 331 Commander Harry Clayton
USCG Training Center Commanding Officer Captain Todd Prestidge
American Legion Post 331 1st Vice Commander Ted Ramsey
American Legion Post 331 member Martin Lukacs
Cape May Chief’s Association President CWO (retired) Steve Harrell
not pictured Command Master Chief Terry Cowart

Jersey Shore Pops Orchestra

The world-renowned Jersey Shore Pops Orchestra will be performing four outdoor concerts in Stone Harbor during the summer of 2014 as part of the Borough’s Centennial celebration.  Borough Council unanimously authorized an agreement with the Jersey Shore Pops Orchestra during its meeting on Tuesday afternoon, December 17^th, 2013.“We are absolutely thrilled to include the Jersey Shore Pops Orchestra during our centennial celebration”, said Stone Harbor Mayor Suzanne Walters.  “The Pops will bring a wide variety of music to the Borough that will span all generations and musical tastes as we celebrate 100 years of being a premiere seashore destination along the East Coast”.

The Jersey Shore Pops Orchestra will perform Tuesday concerts during the early evening hours on July 1^st, July 15^th, July 29^th, and August 12^th.  The Pops is scheduling guest artists to perform at all four concerts.  Council also approved a professional services contract with a company that will provide top-quality audio, lighting, staging, engineers, and technicians to support the concerts.  The water tower lot will stage the concerts with a tent provided where wine and beer will be available for purchase.  Guests may bring a blanket or a beach chair to enjoy the performances which will be free to the public.  The Jersey Shore Pops Orchestra plans on presenting musical selections from every era to commemorate Stone Harbor’s Centennial celebration.

The Jersey Shore Pops Orchestra is a professional orchestra that performs classical and popular music concerts with international guest artists.  The Pops educates adults, young people, and special populations throughout southern New Jersey in the beauty and power of classical music.  It is comprised of 25 New Jersey-based professional musicians.  The Pops is the orchestra-in-residence at the Middle Township Performing Arts Center.

Linda Gentille is the conductor of the Jersey Shore Pops Orchestra.  As a major headline act, Gentille has performed in over 30 states and 20 countries.  She began her career with The Liberace Show as a teenager and quickly developed her own touring show.  Gentille has performed on numerous television shows and became known as an international piano superstar in China.  She currently holds the world record for performing more concerts in China than any foreign artist.

For more information on the Stone Harbor Centennial celebration, please visit www.stoneharbornj.org; for additional information on the Jersey Shore Pops Orchestra, please visit www.jerseyshorepops.com.

Scott Taylor presents the Stone Harbor Freedom Park to the Cape May County Open Space board.

Stone Harbor officials made a presentation before the Cape May County Open Space Board regarding the new Stone Harbor Freedom Park.  The presentation was made before the full board during a public meeting on Tuesday, December 17^th, 2013.Stone Harbor submitted an application for $99,600 that would finance the construction of the park that will be located between 96^th Street and Seng Place.  Stone Harbor Mayor Suzanne Walters and councilmembers Joan Kramar and Joselyn Rich were in attendance, along with Administrator Jill Gougher.  Scott Taylor from the Taylor Design Group of Mount Laurel, New Jersey made the presentation before the board.

“We received plenty of positive comments from the community about the new location for this park”, Councilwoman Kramar said.  “This park will be a passive civic park that pays tribute to all of the freedoms we enjoy in the United States.  To date, Stone Harbor has received in excess of $34,000 in donations to support this initiative”.

During the comment portion of the meeting, board member Peter Lomax expressed appreciation to the Borough for presenting a revised design and location of the park which will include an artifact recovered from the World Trade Center.  Two members of the public spoke about park and both spoke in favor of the project.

On Tuesday, December 3rd, the Stone Harbor Borough Council unanimously approved a conceptual plan of the new Stone Harbor Freedom Park which will be located just east of the Stone Harbor Fireman’s Memorial, steps away from Stone Harbor Borough Hall, the business district, and a new branch of the Cape May County Library System.  The park features a small civic gathering space with small tables and benches.  It includes a free standing stone wall, small trellis, and natural features including drought-tolerant trees, flowering vines, and lawn areas.  A small light pole will spotlight the artifact during the evening hours.

The wall will also feature a special plaque that will include the inscription:  “This Park is dedicated to celebrate the freedoms that we enjoy as Americans…And to honor the commitments of those who provide and protect those freedoms.  The Steel Artifact was retrieved from the World Trade Center in New York City after the terrorist attacks of September 11^th, 2001.  It symbolizes the sorrow and travail that we must sometimes endure in pursuit of freedom and independence”.

A final decision by the Board is expected in the coming weeks.  For more information and a photo of the conceptual design of the Stone Harbor Freedom Park, visit www.stoneharbornj.org

Cape May County Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton congratulates Mayor Suzanne Walters

Stone Harbor Mayor Suzanne Walters was sworn in as the President of the New Jersey League of Municipalities during a ceremony held Thursday, December 12th at the Reeds at Shelter Haven.  Mayor Walters took her oath of office from Cape May County Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton.  Dozens of elected and appointed officials from Cape May County and South Jersey attended the event.  Walters addressed the audience and announced she has already met with the Chief of Staff for Governor Chris Christie, and plans many trips throughout the state to discuss key issues facing municipal governments.  Also making remarks to the audience and congratulating Mayor Walters on her appointment was New Jersey League of Municipalities Executive Director William Dressel.

The New Jersey State League of Municipalities is a voluntary association created to help communities do a better job of self-government through pooling information resources and brain power. It is authorized by State Statute and since 1915, has been serving local officials throughout the Garden State. All 565
municipalities are members of the League. Over 560 mayors and 13,000 elected and appointed officials of member municipalities are entitled to all of the services and privileges of the League.

Conceptual design for Stone Harbor Freedom Park

“We are thrilled that this park will now move forward and pay an everlasting tribute to all of the freedoms that we enjoy in the United States”, said Stone Harbor Councilwoman Joan Kramar.  “Freedom Park will feature a beautiful area for passive recreation and reflection and truly enhances the town center of our community”.

The new Stone Harbor Freedom Park will include a small section of I-beam secured from the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey.  The artifact came from the site of the World Trade Center, and was one of the final artifacts to be released by the Authority to a local community for an everlasting tribute.

Stone Harbor Freedom Park will be located just east of the Stone Harbor Fireman’s Memorial, steps away from Stone Harbor Borough Hall, the business district, and a new branch of the Cape May County Library System.  The Park features a small civic gathering space with small tables and benches.  It includes a free standing stone wall, small trellis, and natural features including drought-tolerant trees, flowering vines, and lawn areas.  A small light pole will spotlight the artifact during the evening hours.

The wall will also feature a special plaque that will the inscription:  “This Park is dedicated to celebrate the freedoms that we enjoy as Americans…And to honor the commitments of those who provide and protect those freedoms.  The Steel Artifact was retrieved from the World Trade Center in New York City after the terrorist attacks of September 11^th, 2001.  It symbolizes the sorrow and travail that we must sometimes endure in pursuit of freedom and independence”.

“Mayor and Council very much appreciate the efforts of our volunteer committee and the public for their insight and conversations regarding the Stone Harbor Freedom Park”, Kramar said.  “The end result is a lovely and respectful gathering place that celebrates our freedoms and provides a civic gathering place that will be enjoyed for generations”.