To All Strathmere
and Whale Beach Homeowners and Visitors,
Coming Up:
This Saturday
evening, August 3, the SIA is holding a
Strathmere Community Beach Party for all - music and games (no
charge).
It will be held on the beach between Sumner
and Tecumseh from 7:00 to 9:00 pm.
First, old-fashioned children's
games with prizes for the kids! Bring a flashlight for the fiddler crab
hunt (and to get home).
Then, music and sing-along by Jim
Maher (he's good!)
It's BYOB - bring your own blanket,
beach chairs, coolers, etc.
We play by the rules - so no fires or
fireworks!
Don't miss it!!
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The Strathmere Fishing and
Environmental Club is currently holding their Tuna
Classic, for fishermen who like to venture out into the
Atlantic.
Details and more pictures of
catches here - http://www.strathmerefishing.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=250:tuna13&catid=2:tournaments
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On Thursday evening, August 8, at 6:30pm, the
Schiavo Library will hold its Family Scavenger
Hunt.
This was a big hit last year with the
families who participated. You'll have fun!
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The next SIA meeting will be on
Friday, August 9 at 8pm.
Mike McMahon, from the McMahon Agency, will
talk about flood insurance and John Halbruner from the Hyland Design Group will
talk about structural options.
Both are very knowledgable about the FEMA
maps, etc.
We'll have an "ice cream
social" following our program.
We expect FEMA to release new flood
maps in the next few weeks. The "V" zones are expected to be reduced, and
perhaps the elevation requirements also.
FEMA released a newsletter on July
30, which you can find summarized
on Patch here - http://oceancity.patch.com/groups/hurricane-sandy/p/fema-posts-dates-for-some-flood-insurance-increases
Not much new beyond our February newsletter,
except that, regarding the elimination of grandfathering, acknowledging
that "many discussions are taking place in Congress that may further affect the
implementation of this provision.
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The Lifeguards will be holding their annual Kayak
Festival on Saturday, August 10.
This year they have added a 5k road / beach race at
8:00am.
More details and registration for the 5k here - http://www.utbp.us/kayak-festival/
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Local Authors Wanted!
Schiavo Library's Third Annual Authors' Night August
15.
The Library is looking for local authors to display and
discuss their books from 7:00 to 8:00 pm.
If you are interested in participating, please call the
Library Director at (609) 486-6265 or email her at info@strathmerelibrary.org
************************************************************
The Citizens for Strathmere and Whale Beach
will sponsor a Star Party at 8:45 on Friday Evening, August 16, on the
Randoph Road beach.
Derrick Pitts, Chief Astronomer for the Franklin Institute,
will take us on a journey through the Strathmere skies.
You and your family will be enthralled (telescopes are
welcome!).
This is a free event for all Strathmerians, with an optional
donation (donations to the CFSWB are welcome, but not necessary).
Rain date will be Saturday, August 17.
*************************************************************
Another huge event in Strathmere is our Nightmare in
Strathmere Boat Parade, to be held Saturday evening, August 24.
Start thinking of a theme to decorate your boat or your house
- either on or off the bay.
More
information is available here - http://www.strathmerefishing.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=255:nightmare2013&catid=3:meetings
*****************************************************************************
Also, add to your calendar the Barbecue at the
Deauville Beach House on Wednesday, August 28 from 6:00 to 8:00
pm.
This is a fundraiser for the Strathmere Volunteer Fire
Company and the cost per person will be $25.00.
************************************************************************
Update:
Recently we passed along a request from the Strathmere Church
requesting donations to replace their carillon and "keep the bells
ringing".
You've probably noticed that the bells are ringing once again
(there's a story in today's Upper Township Sentinel).
The Trustees of the Church met and voted to replace them with
money from their emergency fund.
They do still need donations to replenish the fund.
Thanks to all of you who have already
donated.
Donations may be made to the Strathmere
United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 93, Strathmere, NJ 08248.
Please indicate that your donation is for "Church
Bells".
****************************************************************
Speaking of "helping others", at the bottom of
this newsletter is the story of Derek Schall, nephew of Stephanie (Schall)
Muller, who runs the Old Shack.
Derek needs our help, and hopefully you will read
his story and pitch in.
************************************************
Recent Events:
On July 18, the Schiavo Library and the SFEC sponsored a
Wetlands Institute program “Traveling
Turtles.”http://wetlandsinstitute.org/
It was once again a huge hit - we counted well over 100 in
attendance!
We promised more
pictures on the SFEC website - they can be seen
here - http://www.strathmerefishing.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=254:turtles13&catid=3:meetings
Those neat "Strathmere Picture
Frames" are still available.
Karen Mitchell donated them as a fundraiser
for the Strathmere Volunteer Fire Company.
For only $20, you get a set of two black
leather frames. One holds a 3.5"x5" picture, and the other holds a 4"x6"
picture.
The frames are stitched in white and have
"Strathmere" written on the frame in blue lettering. All of the proceeds go to
the SVFC!
These are great memory makers, stocking
stuffers, hostess gifts, shower presents, etc.. Put your family and friends'
Strathmere photos in your Strathmere frame!
Call Karen Mitchell at 609-231-6000 or stop
by 21 Williams Road to buy your frames.
*********************************************
If you've paid your 2013 SIA dues - Thank
You!!
If you haven't paid your SIA
dues yet, we ask you to please do so.
Info on dues is at the end of this
newsletter.
*****************************************
The SIA has sold out of
the Strathmere caps, but we still have visors available for
$10.
They are available at 212 Bayview Drive
(609-263-6846). Get several - for yourself and for gifts - to help the
SIA!
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Remember to follow and "like" the SIA (click the
"Thumbs Up" box ) on Facebook:
You'll get an early look at lots of things going
on in Strathmere!
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Upcoming Events - please add to your
calendars:
SIA Community Beach Party, 7:00pm Saturday, August 3
SFEC Tuna Classic, July 13 to August 17 - http://www.strathmerefishing.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=250:tuna13&catid=2:tournaments
Schiavo Library Family Scavenger Hunt, 6:30pm, Thursday, August 8
SIA Meeting, 8:00pm, Friday, August 9
Lifeguard Kayak Festival, Saturday,
August 10
Schiavo Library Local Authors' Night,
7:00pm, Thursday August 15
CFSWB Star Party, Friday, August
16,
Nightmare in Strathmere Boat Parade,
6:30pm, Saturday, August 24
Strathmere Volunteer Fire Company Barbecue,
6:00pm, Wednesday August 28
Kids' Surf Fishing Tournament, Saturday
Morning, August 31
SFEC Meeting, 5:00pm, Saturday,
September 7
Last
Day of Flounder Season Sunday, September 24 - http://www.strathmerefishing.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=238:flounseas2013&catid=3:meetings
Services at the Strathmere United Methodist
Church every Sunday to September 29: 9:15 Hymn Sing;
9:30 Service.
Let us know of additions or
corrections!
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Our February 11, 2013 Newsletter on
flood zones and flood insurance is posted on the Upper Township website
here http://www.uppertownship.com/images/PDF/Flood%20Rates%20Newsletter%202%2011%2013.pdf
(under General Information... Announcements... Super Storm Sandy). We suggest you make the website location one of your "favorites" or "bookmarks", as you'll probably want to refer to it as the BFE / FIRM saga continues to unfold...
(under General Information... Announcements... Super Storm Sandy). We suggest you make the website location one of your "favorites" or "bookmarks", as you'll probably want to refer to it as the BFE / FIRM saga continues to unfold...
**********
And once again, check out Carol Baker's
wonderful Strathmere History website at http://www.strathmere.net
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The Strathmere Improvement Association includes
all owners in Strathmere and Whale Beach and many visitors. It was founded in
1951 as a community organization with the simple objective of making Strathmere
a better place. We are proud of the organization's many accomplishments over the
years.
The SIA is keeping the annual dues
at $10 per adult family member. The dues and the fund
raisers provide for the Fourth of July Parade and our share of the Christmas
Party. We conducted a number of Centennial events last year, and also donated
money to help pay for extra State Police protection, and to residents affected
by Sandy.
NOTE: Since most of you
never formally "signed up" as members, obviously we cannot "force" you to pay
dues, which are really more like (non-deductible) donations anyway.
If you don't pay, we will still keep you on
our newsletter distribution. The only penalty will be that you can't vote in our
(mostly uncontested) elections!
Nevertheless, we really hope you
see value in our projects and enjoy the newsletters enough so that you'll
contribute $10 per adult family member.
Thanks!
Please send dues payments to SIA at
PO Box 57, Strathmere, NJ 08248. Remember to tell us your correct e-mail
address!
Also, please let us know if you have comments
or suggestions for the newsletter or for SIA in general, or if you'd like us to
change your e-mail address in our records.
You can contact us by responding to this e-mail
at sia6@comcast.net or by mailing SIA at PO
Box 57.
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Thanks very much for your continuing support of
the Strathmere Improvement Association!
Linda Bateman
Elaine Holsomback
Donna Diefenderfer
Rosemarie
Whelan
Ken Weaver
***************************
Summer, 2013
Dear Strathmere friends,
It was a great Kentucky summer day, ideal
motorcycle weather. Derek Schall was riding back from a church event, not a
care in the world. The police report says he was going about 40 mph when he hit
the patch of gravel at the sharp bend in the road. The bike slid out from under
him and Derek was thrown into a rock-cut drainage ditch about six feet deep.
“Not bad,” he thought. Hardly a scratch, didn’t
feel a thing. In fact, he couldn’t feel anything below his chest. His back had
snapped and his legs were numb and useless. Derek fumbled for his phone and
called for help.
Derek is our friend Stephanie (Schall) Muller’s
nephew. Steph runs The Old Shack, in Strathmere, and her chicken salad and hard
work ethic are legendary. Derek worked the grill there for a few summers. Maybe
he flipped your eggs at breakfast.
When she got the call about Derek, Steph ran to
see Dr. James Bonner, a longtime bay-sider in our little island town. He reached
out to Drs. William Welch and James Schuster, neurosurgeons at Pennsylvania
Hospital, and the decision was made to bring Derek to Philly immediately. They
would have to hurry to save his life.
Derek’s mother, Jen, arranged for a Medical Lear
Jet, and within 48 hours he was in surgery with the two neurosurgeons,
supported by a cardiothoracic and pulmonary team. Fluid was removed from his
lungs and around his heart. Two titanium rods and more than a dozen screws were
placed in his spine to support him until stem-cell research might provide a way
to let him walk again.
Post surgery, Derek’s spirit is undaunted as he prepares
for a long rehab. He’s never asked, why
me, only what’s next. “I’ll rig
the wheelchair up so that I can push the baby stroller,” he says. His son
Parker just turned a year old.
The simple act of reaching out to friends saved
his life. It’s always about friends in a close-knit town, isn’t it? So we’re
reaching out to you. Our friends need help paying for so much of this care.
(The jet alone was more than $30,000, dug out of Jen Schall’s savings.)
Derek makes his living as an underwater
welder, working on bridges and such, repairing our nation’s infrastructure.
Now his family’s infrastructure needs
restoration. A savings fund has been set up to do just that. This letter is about asking for your help.
Please send whatever you can to the Derek Albert Schall Fund at Wells Fargo
Bank, 250 Blair Mill Road, Horsham, PA 19044. Or simply walk into any Wells
Fargo branch and tell them you want to make a donation to the Derek Albert Schall Fund. They’ll make
sure your contribution gets to the right place.
Anything you can spare will make a difference in
Derek’s life, in his family’s future. Let’s get him back on his feet, and back
to Strathmere in the summer.
And if you’re near The Old Shack, stop in and
give our pal Stephanie a hug. She can use it, and she’ll thank you for it.
