We wish everyone a happy, healthy and safe 2012!
Many of us will be disposing of Christmas trees following the holidays. We always thought placing our trees on the beach was a good thing, to build up the dunes. It turns out that this is not true!
Carol Ferguson, Chairperson of the Environmental Committee of the Strathmere Fishing and Environmental Club, was touring our beach two years ago with Chris Miller (US Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service - Cape May Plant Materials Center), concerning dune grass planting in Strathmere. Chris stated that we are no longer permitted to dump Christmas trees or yard debris on the dunes, due to the destruction of critical natural vegetation when these items are placed there. Such dumping can also preclude the creation and protection of habitat used by threatened and endangered bird species.
Here is a very disappointing example: Neptune Road on the ocean side between Williams and Seacliff. So much debris has been placed in this area (right by a sign that states $1,000 fine for dumping) that the natural vegetation has died. This area is prime for Beach Plum and Goldenrod planting, but that cannot be done until all the debris is removed.
Upper Township will be picking up Christmas trees at the curb every week during the month of January. Please use this service and do not place trees on or near the beach. Thanks!!
Remember, we will have both trash and recycling picked up on Tuesday, January 3.
Strathmere's Schiavo Library recently published their January Newsletter, and you can view it (and previous newsletters) here - http://www.strathmerelibrary.org/directors_log.htm
December has been amazingly mild, so several of us have been able to take daily outside showers right into 2012. The forecast is for cold weather Monday and even colder Tuesday and Wednesday, so it looks like our run has ended...
With the end of 2011, this is the last time you'll see the current lineup of the SIA Board shown below. Linda Bateman becomes our president, and Elaine Holsomback joins the Board as Vice-President.
We do want to pay special tribute to our outgoing president, Butch Vandegrift. Following the death of Elizaberth Bergus, the SIA was in danger of ending its long record of service to Strathmere. Butch, with great help from wife Debbie and from Donna Diefenderfer, revived the organization and we cannot thank him enough!
Thanks to all for your continuing support of the SIA!
Butch Vandegrift - President
Linda Bateman -Vice-President
Donna Diefenderfer - Treasurer
Dorothy Addario - Recording Secretary
Ken Weaver - Corresponding Secretary
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