Volunteers needed to plant dune grass in Strathmere

To all Strathmere and Whale Beach Homeowners and Visitors,

Many of you have volunteered to help with dune grass planting following the beach replenishment. As you can see, the replenishment has left lots of sand ready to blow around...
The Strathmere Fishing and Environmental Club (SFEC) has purchased 2500 dune grass plants and is asking everyone to volunteer to help plant them this weekend.

We've been asked to gather at Webster Road and the beach at noon on Saturday.
Discussion with the Township indicates that in their experience, the best tool for planting dune grass is a broomstick! They've promised to furnish some, but if you have an old broom, bring it along and you can poke one end into the sand for the plant and sweep the sand back with the other end! A hand trowel could also work. We expect to go back on Sunday to finish the job.

The Fishing Club has a surf fishing tournament scheduled for Friday and Saturday, and they have generously invited all who participate in the planting to take part in the awards dinner at the Firehouse at 6:00 pm Saturday at the Firehouse. While refreshments and dinner are courtesy of the SFEC, you are asked to bring non-perishable food items or make a cash donation to benefit local food banks whose stocks are greatly depleted. Some donation suggestions are: cereal, coffee, juice, pancake mix, syrup, catsup, mustard, mayonaisse, canned fruit, tuna, canned meat, paper towels, dish detergent, bar soap or deodorant, but all non-perishable items are welcome.

One proviso - this project is going to involve our entire village and the SFEC needs some idea of the expected turnout.
If you plan to help plant (and/or come to dinner), please reply sia6@comcast.net  or call 609-263-6846.

More information of the Surf Fishing Tournament and a registration form is available on the SFEC website here, or call Randy Roash at 609-263-9500.
If you weren't sure about coming to the shore this weekend, come on down! It's Indian Summer Weekend in Ocean City, with the Fall Block Party (400 crafters/vendors) on Asbury Avenue starting at 9:00 am. Take this in and come back to Strathmere in time to plant at noon!

After our dinner at the Firehouse, Ocean City is planning a spectacular fireworks display from a barge off their 9th Street beach at 9:30 pm. This show will be as big or bigger than Ocean City's 4th of July fireworks!
See you Saturday! (But let us know you're coming).


Thanks to all for your continuing support!


Butch Vandegrift - President

Ken Weaver - Vice-President
Donna Diefenderfer - Treasurer
Debbie Vandegrift - Secretary