SIA Newsletter 9 22 11 - Nightmare & Surf Tourney Pictures; SIA September Meeting; Book Sale Date Extended

To All Strathmere and Whale Beach Homeowners and Visitors,


You may be interested in seeing pictures of the Nightmare in Strathmere and Kids' Surf Fishing Tournament events, both of which are now posted on the Strathmere Fishing and Environmental Club (SFEC) website - http://www.strathmerefishing.org/

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At our September SIA Meeting, we discussed issues such as communications during an emergency like Irene, how we might improve attendance at meetings and starting a welcoming committee for new owners in Strathmere. We also reviewed thank-you notes from the children who received savings bonds in August. Their notes are included at the end of the meeting minutes, which are attached (we'll distribute them again prior to our first 2012 meeting next June). Following the meeting we reviewed some fascinating old pictures of Strathmere...

Remember that all of our previous Newsletters can be seen on the Strathmere Blog, at: http://strathmere.blogspot.com/search/label/Strathmere%20Improvement%20Association  Make it one of your "favorites" or "tabs"...

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Schiavo Library Used Book Sale Extended to October 1
The Schiavo Library is holding its third annual end of summer book sale. The dates were to be September 9 - 23, but the sale has been extended until Saturday, October 1. The library is open Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 - 4:00pm and located at 801 Commonwealth Avenue in Strathmere. There are lots of books for everyone – including novels, nonfiction, paperbacks and children’s books. Some VHS tapes and DVDs are also for sale. All books and media are very reasonably priced ($.25 to $1.00). Everyone (members and non-members) is welcome to stop in and shop! For more information call the library at (609) 486-6265 or email info@strathmerelibrary.org

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Upcoming Events:

*Schiavo Library Book Sale, now until October 1

*Last 2011 Services at the Strathmere United Methodist Church this Sunday, September 25: 9:15 Hymn Sing; 9:30 Service

*Last day of Flounder Season, this Sunday, September 25

*Dune Grass Planting, Saturday, October 8, 11:00 am (more info to come)

*SFEC Environmental Presentation, Saturday, October 8, 4:00 pm (open to all at the Firehouse)

*Strathmere Community Christmas Party, probably December 10 - date to be announced


Did you make your 2011 SIA dues payment yet? Our sincere thanks to everyone who has. Remember, it's just $10 per adult family member, and you can send it to SIA at PO Box 57 in Strathmere.

The Strathmere Improvement Association includes all owners and many visitors to Strathmere and Whale Beach. It was founded over 50 years ago as a community organization with the objective of making Strathmere a better place. We are proud of the organization's many accomplishments over the years. The dues and fund raisers provide for, among other things, funding the Fourth of July Parade, and our share (with the Fire Company) of the Christmas Party. If you have adult children or relatives (or visitors) who visit Strathmere, please forward this message to them - perhaps they'd like to be members and receive these e-mail newsletters directly also.
You can contact us by responding to this e-mail sia6@comcast.net or by mailing SIA at PO Box 57 in Strathmere.
Thanks to all for your continuing support!

The Strathmere Improvement Association -
Butch Vandegrift - President
Linda Bateman -Vice-President
Donna Diefenderfer - Treasurer
Dorothy Addario - Recording Secretary
Ken Weaver - Corresponding Secretary

Story from The Press about repairs being made to our bridge and others in Cape May County

Cape May County bridge projects will improve vital links at the shore

Some of the photos from the story -

Posted: Wednesday, September 14, 2011 12:00 am

Cape May County bridge projects will improve vital links at the shore By MICHAEL MILLER Staff Writer
UPPER TOWNSHIP — At least seven bridges in Cape May County will undergo repairs, demolition or new construction next year, underscoring the importance these spans have in daily life here.

The Corsons Inlet Bridge reopened late Monday after workers set up concrete barriers and traffic lights to regulate one-way travel on the span through Memorial Day. Workers will spend the winter replacing the bridge’s dilapidated railings, damaged Feb. 1 when a sport utility vehicle crashed through them and plunged into the bay, with sturdier ones in a $2.3 million project.

Two Sea Isle City teenagers were injured in the crash.
Residents of Cape May County’s four barrier islands normally come and go freely from the beach to the mainland via a network of causeways and bridges, but Hurricane Irene was a reminder to Charlie and Janet Nesbitt, of Bloomsburg, Pa., that they spend half the year on a vulnerable barrier island.

“It does reinforce it,” Charlie Nesbitt said. “You take it for granted sometimes.” The couple took down their sunroom Tuesday at the seasonal Ocean Beach Trailer Resort in the Strathmere section of Upper Township.

The biggest of all the construction projects in Cape May County is the new $400 million Route 52 causeway, which is slated for completion by Memorial Day 2012.
Meanwhile, the $3.3 million widening work is continuing on the Avalon Canal Bridge at the entrance to Avalon on 30th Street.
And four of the Ocean Drive bridges owned by the Cape May County Bridge Commission will undergo work ranging from new boat fenders to structural repairs. The work includes:

* $2.3 million this fall through spring to replace railings on both sides of the Corsons Inlet Bridge
* $2.8 million in the spring to repair the bascule bridge at Townsends Inlet
* $250,000 in the spring to repair the substructure to the Grassy Sound and Corsons Inlet spans
* $500,000 to repair boat fenders this fall on the Middle Thorofare Bridge in Lower Township

Cape May County also plans to demolish part of the Beesleys Point Bridge this fall.

“The good news is the work is being done when there are such budget constraints and funding is not often readily available,” Upper Township Mayor Richard Palombo said.

He and other township officials had lobbied to save the Beesleys Point Bridge, but plans to repair it were scrapped last year when cost estimates increased by more than 60 percent.

The county bonded $1.2 million to demolish the drawbridge portion of the bridge this year.

Palombo said he wants the county to spare a section of the bridge as a new pedestrian attraction with benches, lights and maybe even concessions.
“People like to stroll out there and take advantage of the bay view,” he said. “The area would be nice for recreation if we can make it a fishing pier.”
Palombo said this span might need some modest work to ensure the safety of pedestrians. But since it would not have to bear the weight or wear of vehicles, it should be relatively inexpensive, he said.
A fishing pier could be the keystone of the point’s other attractions, which include a boat ramp, public beach, bayfront restaurant, and private Jet Ski rental, the mayor said.
“I was hoping the county would take the initiative through open-space money,” he said. “I think it would be a real sad thing if they decided to take the bridge down without utilizing it.”

County Administrator Stephen O’Connor said he would talk to Upper Township about the idea but was doubtful that repairing the bridge for pedestrian use would feasible.
“I don’t think it’s likely. We’re lobbying for that bridge to be demolished as part of the new Garden State Parkway bridge construction,” he said. “It would cost too much to make it safe for pedestrians.”

Meanwhile, residents of Strathmere are adjusting to the alternating one-way traffic on the Corsons Inlet Bridge. Workers installed new lights to regulate traffic during the six-month construction project.

“It’s a lot of grief, but it’s a job that needs to be done,” said Lynda Brown, owner of the Deauville Inn, which overlooks the bridge.
Keeping the Corsons Inlet Bridge open this fall is especially important, she said. The restaurant normally closes on slow weeknights, but this year it is expecting large crowds of fans for Major League Baseball's playoffs.



Contact Michael Miller:
609-463-6712
MMiller@pressofac.com

Schiavo Library: September 2011Newsletter

Schiavo Library: September 2011 Newsletter


September Used Book Sale:
September means it’s time for our third annual end of summer used book sale. The dates are September 9 – 23. Thanks to everyone who donates books, etc. all year long. You make our library great and our book sale possible. Stop in and find some super buys!

September – Amnesty Month:
September also means “Amnesty Month.”
All overdue fines will be waived. Please return your books and DVDs now – no overdue charges all month.

Our Summer Programs:
Our programs this summer were excellent and very well attended. Here are some photos:

Note from the Director:

I’ve recently joined a group of local librarians. We meet once a month and discuss various issues that affect small or independent libraries. I learn something at each meeting. As the group is anxious to see our library, we will be meeting here in October. Hopefully, it will be a beautiful fall day and no nor’easters in sight!



Christine Rohrman, Library Director
http://www.strathmerelibrary.org/

SIA Newsletter 9 7 2011 - Bridge Will Be Closed Monday; Lane Restrictions Until Memorial Day - No Tolls

Corson’s Inlet Bridge to Close Monday - Lane Restrictions Until Memorial Day 2012



Cape May County will close the Corson’s Inlet Toll Bridge from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm on Monday, September 12 in order to install concrete barriers and portable traffic signals. When the bridge reopens, traffic will be controlled by the portable traffic signals, which will control the one open lane on the bridge.

These lane closures will continue until Memorial Day Weekend 2012. The lane closures are necessary to replace the deteriorated bridge railing.


No tolls will be collected during this time.



Thanks for your continuing support of the Strathmere Improvement Association!

SIA Newsletter 9/6/11 - SIA Meeting This Friday Evening

To All Strathmere and Whale Beach Homeowners and Visitors,


This Friday night, the SIA will hold its September (and final 2011) meeting at 8:00 pm. We will again have a Memorabilia Night, which proved so popular last year. Please bring scrapbooks, souvenirs or postcards from "Old Strathmere". An invitation to the meeting is attached.

At our August Meeting, we elected new officers and awarded savings bonds to our Strathmere students. Here are four of the students:
Chris ("CJ") Furey, John Pond, Matt Pond and Brian Furey. All attend Bishop McHugh School.

 
Also receiving an award, for the 12th consecutive year, was Nick Roash, who graduated from Ocean City High School this June. He was unable to attend because of a Beach Patrol commitment.


Nick is now attending Florida Atlantic University.

 
 
August was also our "Jersey Fresh" meeting. Goodies made from New Jersey products were prepared by:

Liunda Bateman, Elaine Holsombach, Diddy Addario, Wendy Dougherty, Debbie Vandegrift and Christine Furey (not pictured). They were great!

 
 
 
Schiavo Library Used Book Sale September 9 - 23

The Schiavo Library will be holding its third annual end of summer book sale. The dates are September 9 - 23, 2011. The library is open Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 - 4:00pm and located at 801 Commonwealth Avenue in Strathmere. There will be lots of books for everyone – including novels, nonfiction, paperbacks and children’s books. Some VHS tapes and DVDs will also be sold. All books and media are very reasonably priced ($.25 to $1.00). Everyone is welcome to stop in and shop! For more information call the library at (609) 486-6265 or email info@strathmerelibrary.org



Upcoming Events:

*SIA Meeting Friday, September 9, 8:00 pm
*Schiavo Library Book Sale, September 9 to 23
*Last day of Flounder Season, Sunday, September 25
*SFEC Environmental Presentation, Saturday, October 8, 4:00 pm (open to all)
*Services at the Strathmere United Methodist Church every Sunday to September 25: 9:15 Hymn Sing; 9:30 Service.


Did you make your 2011 SIA dues payment yet? Our thanks to everyone who has. Remember, it's just $10 per adult family member, and you can send it to SIA at PO Box 57 in Strathmere.

The Strathmere Improvement Association includes all owners and many visitors to Strathmere and Whale Beach. It was founded over 50 years ago as a community organization with the objective of making Strathmere a better place. We are proud of the organization's many accomplishments over the years. The dues and fund raisers provide for, among other things, funding the Fourth of July Parade, and our share of the Christmas Party. If you have adult children or relatives (or visitors) who visit Strathmere, please forward this message to them - perhaps they'd like to be members and receive these e-mail messages also.

You can contact us by responding to this e-mail sia6@comcast.net  or by mailing SIA at PO Box 57 in Strathmere.


Thanks to all for your continuing support!

The Strathmere Improvement Association -
Butch Vandegrift - President
Linda Bateman -Vice-President
Donna Diefenderfer - Treasurer
Dorothy Addario - Recording Secretary
Ken Weaver - Corresponding Secretary