Monday, November 06, 2006

Winter construction

Here are pics of some of the construction projects going on currently in Strathmere and Whale Beach.


First is a serious dismantle going on at the southern part of Whale beach.

Next are 2 Whale Beach constructions well under way



Next is a big one going up on the south-east side of Vincent

A house on the south-east side of Willard has been stripped and temporarily moved, waiting for new piles so it can be put back in place and then rebuilt.

Studded out at the corner of Bayview & Tecumseh

Clearing the lot on Commonwealth, near Winthrop.

Work continues on the south-east side of Seaview

And on the ginormous house on the north-east side of Seaview (where the Spanish house and the stilted cottage use to stand)


If you are an owner of any of these homes, and you'd prefer that your house not be pictured here, just let me know and I will remove the photo. I only post the pictures because people who are away from Strathmere during the Winter just like to see what's going on it town.

Saturday, November 04, 2006

A letter about Strathmere memories.

I received this great letter recently from a longtime and now long distant resident of Strathmere. I love letters like this, people sharing their love for our great little town and hearing about how the website brings back fond memories of Summers in Strathmere. I hope you'll enjoy this letter as much as I did -


My family history.
My mother's family vacationed in Townsend's inlet in the 1930's (during the depression of all things) when she was a child. She watched them build the Townsend's Inlet Bridge. After marrying in 1950, my parents bought a trailer and spent summers throughout the 1950's in Max Schroder's trailer park. While I grew up in Upper Darby, my mother was a school teacher and we spent every summer of my childhood in Strathmere. In 1962 my father bought our property in Strathmere. The land was cleared and construction about to begin on his new home when the Storm came through. It delayed contruction a few months, but how lucky can you get?


As a young teamager I helped Herb and Rich Hollinger run Larry's Dock (later to be known as Corson's Inlet Marina). On several occasions I had the good fortune to sit in Ernies (formerly known as Harcers (sp??) and listen to Harlan Wittcamp tell stories of his childhood in Strathmere. He told of riding the train to school in Sea Isle. It came very early ~ 7 am and school didn't start until nearly 9 am. He said if weather permitted, he'd always walk home on the beach because the train didn't return until after 5 pm and school was finished by 3 pm. These memories came back to me while reading through the "West Jersey Cottage" section of your website. Looking at your pictures, I know have a clear visual as to how Strathmere looked in Mr. Wittcamp's childhood. All of this is happening 35 years after listening to his stories!

Many other childhood memories have sprung to life. I remember the homes destroyed in '62 - either sitting on the beach, or in Whale Beach's case - out in the marsh. Some were there for a couple years. I climbed on the Coast Guard Tower after they cut it down, played on the Indian Rocks ruins, and watched them build the beach front jetties starting at the point and running down the length of the town. Dump trucks came through town endlessly with huge rocks that are now buried beneath the sand.

I still own our family property in Strathmere. While I moved to Houston in 2000, my wife and children spend the summer in Strathmere and I commute. It makes life in Houston bearable.
Lastly, I love the Webcam. It's located about a block or two north of Prescott Rd and my kids cannot wait for next summer to call me on the phone and say, "Dad, can you see me now?!" It's great to pull up the Webcam and go for a mental stroll on the beach now and then. Please keep it active!

Again, many thanks for your efforts.
Corry Lang

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Update from the mayer's office on our bridge

Regarding the progress on the Ocean Drive Bridge Repairs.
Wanda Gaglione, Municipal Clerk
Upper Township
609-628-2011 Ext. 200

Dear Strathmere Residents:

I.E.W. Construction Co., Inc., (from Trenton), has been working on this $1.2
million contract since August and finally last Thursday, September 28th, the
weight limit on the bridge was increased to 7 tons.

The work on Phase I, (to bring the bridge weight limit to 10 tons),
primarily involves the underside of the bridge with bridge traffic being
stopped intermittently to allow workers to tighten bolts.

Up to this point in time, work on the Phase 1 of the project has been
progressing on schedule. However, this past week it was necessary for the
contractor to request a time extension and the CMC Bridge Commission granted
it. The 3-week extension was needed because of design modifications and
extra time needed for the manufacture of the materials to be used.

The entire project is still scheduled for completion by the end of the year.
We are told the 3-week extension should not affect that completion date.

I continue to work closely with the Fire Company and Emergency Management to
insure the safety of the residents of Strathmere. I can assure you that
until the bridge is back to full capacity your safety is of the utmost
importance to both the Township Committee and myself. Please contact me
through the Clerk's Office if you should have any questions.

Sincerely,
Rich

Thursday, September 28, 2006

A few more photos from the Strait family's vacation this Summer in Strathmere


A view from the point

A view looking up Tecumseh towards the beach.

Looking north up Commonwealth

Friday, September 08, 2006

Seaview Construction update

First, the big house that is going up where both the Spanish style house and the raised beachfront cottage use to stand. The cottage was set on the front end (right side) of the building and stripped and rebuilt into the new layout. It's a big place.

Across the street where the turquoise house use to stand, the new house is also going up very quickly.

Some beach photos taken at the end of Seaview on 9/3, the day after the windy storm. The storm left several houses (including our cottage) with downed wires and no electricity for several days.



More photos from Brig Seaver

Brig Seaver from the UT Beach Patrol sent us some more great images from out on the bay. Please click on images for larger views.




Thursday, September 07, 2006

Vacation Photos from the Strait Family

Nancy Strait and her family came all the way from Iowa to visit Strathmere this July. It was their first time to Strathmere, and they sent us some great photos to include here, click images for larger views -
A view from a balcony on Tecumseh







Great view of the coastline from the sandbar



Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Thanks from Pam & Anne to Everyone who attended the Twisties reunion

On August 5th, a group of friends who hung together in Strathmere in the 1980s got together for a reunion at Twisties. Here is a message from the organizers of that event -

'It was great seeing everyone on Saturday at Twisties. Hopefully you all had a good time, as we both enjoyed seeing every one and we missed the ones who could not be there. It was great catching up with everyone! Let's not wait another 20 years before getting together again!!! We took a survey and a lot of people mentioned July 3rd weekend as a good weekend to get together. Contact me (Pam Maginnis Moyer) if you think it is. pmoyer65@verizon.net

Thanks,
Anne and Pam'

A message from the Mayor

Here is a copy of an email that I received from Wanda Gaglione -

Dear Strathmere Residents,
Mayor Palombo has instructed me to forward this message to you.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Wanda Gaglione, Municipal Clerk Upper Township 609-628-2011 Ext. 200
________________________________
Hello everyone,
Just an update on a few items concerning Strathmere --
The two bulkheads have been repaired in Strathmere. They may need to be looked at again next year for more extensive work or replacement. The Public Works Dept. repaired an inlet & drainpipe at 400 Bayview Avenue. The speed humps will be installed on Taylor Avenue starting this week. That's all I have for you for now. I will continue to keep you informed as information becomes available.

Enjoy the rest of your summer.
Rich Palombo, Mayor Upper Township

Monday, August 07, 2006

Sherman Beach Photos

Here are two photos from Sherman street beach, looking north. Taken in June 2006 and sent to us by Brig Seaver
Click images for larger views.


Strathmere in the News

Here are a few Strathmere related stories found in local newspapers -

Strathmere's Charm continues to atract visitors

Whale dies after being rescued off Sea Isle Beach

Sunday, August 06, 2006

August Seaview Beach & Construction Report

Here's an update on the construction going on at the end of Seaview. They're really moving on the new house which is going up where the turquoise/green house use to be -



Then, where the Spanish style house use to stand, lots of work is getting done there too. There is going to be one large house on both the property of the Spanish house and the property of the beachfront cottage. The Spanish house was entirely demolished and the base floor of the new house was built. Now, the beachfront cottage has been placed up on top of one end of the new construction. The outside of it has been stripped and it is being melded into the new large house.





What happened to the beach at the ends of Seaview & Seacliff? A few weeks ago a big chunk of the beach there was washed away, and the sea is still nibbling at the dunes. These photos were taken at 9AM, which I think was midway between low tide and high tide coming in.
First, a view from the top of the dune on Seaview, then a view midway down the dune, right before the dune drops off about 3 foot to the beach.


Below is a view of the 3 foot tall drop from the dune to the beach that the sea took a big chunk out of. Next is a view of the beach between Seaview & Seacliff, not very wide. The third photo is a 5 foot tall chunk out of the wall of the dunes between the two streets.



Next are two photos of the big sand bar in the very center of the inlet. Again, these photos were taken midway between low and high tide. The seagulls obviously love it out there. Hopefully, the water area between the beach and the sand bar will fill in with sand naturally, so that we can have our big point beach back next year.





Click images for larger views.

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Strathmere Ocean Kayak Festival

Upper Township Beach Patrol
Upper Township, New Jersey


August 1, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Strathmere Ocean Kayak Festival

The Upper Township Beach Patrol is holding their Strathmere Ocean Kayak Festival on the beach in Strathmere, NJ on Saturday, August 12 beginning at 10:30 AM. The Festival is a kayak-learning experience for the entire family, from the complete novice to competitor, through supplied instruction, demonstration and staged ocean kayak races.

Kayaking is soaring in popularity as an affective cardiovascular and upper body strength-training workout that leaves the arms and chest in chiseled form. The open ocean sprint races off the beach and through the surf are exceptionally exciting to watch with distances for the beginner and pro. Wave skiing competition will also be included.

Spectators, beginners and competitors are invited to spend a day on the beach to learn more about the sport and compete. Race entry fee with t-shirt is $20. Event admission is FREE, and all equipment will be supplied FREE for both the instruction sessions and races. The event will take place at Vincent Street and the beach in Strathmere. Award ceremony and post-race party will immediately follow at Beach Patrol Headquarters.

For more information, contact the Upper Township Beach Patrol, 609-263-1151,
or Jack O’Hara at 215-698-7662.

Friday, July 28, 2006

Beachgoers Save the Whales at the Shore

From - Action News website -

SEA ISLE CITY, N.J. - July 27, 2006 - Experts who have looked at the video of the whale rescue now say the mother and calf were NOT pilot whales as first thought.
It now appears that the mother and calf were beaked whales, and that kind of whale is rare.
Dozens of beach-goers came together Wednesday to save the two stranded whales in Sea Isle City. It's something those people will remember for the rest of their lives. And, it's the talk of the town today.
In viewer video, you can see the mother and her calf floundering in just a few feet of water. People jump in to help, spending almost 3 hours trying to get the whales righted, then into deeper water.
Their efforts paid off!
In the video, you can see the whales as they finally head back out to sea.
There's no sign of the mother and baby pilot whales that became stranded Wednesday. All is quiet now, a far cry from 24 hours ago, when the adventure began.
It was just before 5pm Wednesday afternoon when a one to two ton female beaked whale and her calf became stranded on Sea Isle City's beach at 25th street.
Eventually the pair would roll to 27th street before being freed.
Dozens of astounded beachgoers became rescuers working tirelessly with authorities for 2 and a half hour
Experts say the whales were probably some 100 miles from their feeding spot along the food rich continental shelf. How they came to visit Sea Isle may forever be a mystery.
After an exhausting struggle, the baby whale and later mom, were pushed by human hands with some help from the changing tides to freedom.
A rare appearance by two beaked whales on the beach in Sea Isle City attracted a crowd that rescued the pair.
Marine Mammal Stranding Center director Bob Schoelkopf told Action News late Thursday morning that neither whale had been seen since they were helped out to sea. Schoelkopf says they have no idea why the whales came on the beach in the first place. It is extremely rare for beaked whales to come anywhere near the beach. They normally feed one hundred miles off the coast.
The mother and her calf were spotted in very shallow water, just off the beach at 25th street around 5:00 Wednesday afternoon. People on the beach immediately jumped to help the whales, and were able to push the calf back in the water.
They had a much more difficult time getting the larger mother off the sand and past the breakers.
People of all ages gathered around the whale and pushed for two hours, all while children stood on the beach chanting "save our whale."
Among the rescuers were workers from the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine.
To protect the whale from the sun, they covered her with wet t-shirts. All the while, her rescued calf, stayed nearby, circling in the ocean about 30 yards away.
Shortly after 7:00, the people, described by the Coast Guard as Good Samaritans, threw up their arms and cheered. They'd gotten the whale out deep enough that she was able to swim on her own, and she went back out to sea.
She was 20 to 25 feet long and weighed several tons.
There is no reason to think that she and the calf will not be able to recover and rejoin the rest of their pod in the Atlantic.
The workers from the stranding center remained at the beach for an hour after the rescue to make sure the two didn't return.
In all, more than 150 people took part in the rescue.

Check out the video here -
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=animals_oddities&id=4403865

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Update on our bridge

Here is a message forwarded from the Mayor's office by Wanda Gaglione -


Dear Strathmere residents:
Mayor Palombo has instructed me to forward this message to you.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Wanda Gaglione, Municipal ClerkUpper Township 609-628-2011 Ext. 200

The Mayor's message.

Hello everyone.
I recently received a letter from the Co. Engineer Dale Foster regarding the Ocean Dr. Bridge. I would like to share the information included in the letter with you.The letter states that the Bridge Commission has awarded a $1,218,962 contract to IEW Construction Group from Trenton to restore the bridge back to the 15-ton weight limit.
It continues that---the bridge was slated to be completed by Oct. 6, 2006. Unfortunately the deterioration of the steel stringer is extensive throughout the bridge. It will take time to complete this work due to accessing the work sites: It can only be done from below the bridge. In addition the steel shapes must be fabricated and environmental constraints require existing materials scheduled to be removed such as paint and rust, are to be captured within a containment system.
While performing the latest inspection survey of the Bridge, Gibson Assoc. identified 2 sets of expansion bearings on the bridge as needing priority repairs. The bearings in question have been temporarily supported to stabilize the excessive expansive condition. The bearings have a twelve-week lead time for fabrication after the approval of shop drawings. The bearing work is slated to be completed by December 1, 2006. The contractor and designer are aware of the need to complete the project in an expedited manner. The strengthening work is scheduled in a manner that will allow the posted weight limit to be increased on incremental steps, i.e. 3 tons to 7 tons to 10 tons.

I hope you find the information in this message helpful.
I will continue to forward information as I receive it.
Enjoy the rest of your summer.
Rich Palombo, MayorUpper Township

Friday, July 07, 2006

Greg Bennett Art Exhibit July 22nd - August 4th

Greg Bennett Art Exhibit
at Peter McPhee Fine Arts
9416 Second Ave. Stone Harbor, NJ 08247
www.petermcpheefinearts.com

Exhibit starts Saturday, July 22, 2006 7pm to 10pm

View Greg's profile and a sampling of his work here - http://www.petermcpheefinearts.com/artists.php?a=20

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Construction & Beach photos from Seaview

Here are a few construction photos from Seaview. Above is the concrete footing that has been pored on the property where the Spanish house use to stand. Next door to it, the little beach house is up on steel beams waiting to be moved.
Below is the construction site right across the street, where the green house use to stand. Here they have footing pored and blocks going up.





Below are two beach photos taken at the end of Seaview, looking south at the pilons



Be sure to check out the 3 pages of 4th of July Parade photos and winners list - www.strathmere.net/parade.html

Thursday, June 22, 2006

Strathmere 1980s Reunion

When: August 5, 2006 - 8:30pm - ?
Where: Twisties
Who: Strathmere Foggies

The folks who grew up near the Point in the 1980’s would like to hold a FIRST TIME EVER in the history of Strathmere Reunion! Did you grow up in Strathmere in the 1980’s? Would you like to party like it’s 1984 again? EVERYBODY WELCOMED to come!
Please email Pammy at pmoyer65@verizon.net with your plans!

And we would love to see:

Sue Adams
Timmy, Bucky, Wendy, Chrisy Buckland
Jacque Clements
Tim Copper
Karen, Jeff, Phillip Eggleston
Brian and Collen Ford
Michael Green
Debbie, Keven H. (Eggleston Cousins)
Beth Heidre
Pam, Lori, Kenny and Jimmy
Patrick and Julie O’Brien
Geoff, Jon and and Andy O’Brien
Trish (Eggleston’s next door neighbor)
Susie, Mik, Linda, and Andrew Ojami
Lisa Moock and Sisters
Beth Roland and Sister and Friends
Jill and Joy Steeland
David & Eric Scott


Please send responses to Pammy at - pmoyer65@verizon.net

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Strathmere's 4th of July Parade

Strathmere's Independence Day Parade



Tuesday July 4th 2006
Registration - 10:00 AM - at the foot of the bridge
(pre-registration available July 3rd at Riordan Real Estate)


Step Off - 10:30 AM
Presentation & Awards at the Deauville Inn



Categories -
Antique cars, Adult Walkers, Mixed Walkers, Coaches & Strollers,
Bikes, Trikes & Scooters, Hand Pulled Floats & Wagons, Motorized Floats


Parade sponsored by: Strathmere Improvement Association & Strathmere Volunteer Fire Department

For more information contact Gwen Riordan 263-3235