SIA Newsletter 12/11/14

To All Strathmere and Whale Beach Homeowners and Visitors,

 

Our SIA / SVFC Community Christmas Party will be this Saturday, and we hope you’re coming!

The annual Strathmere Christmas Party will be held from 6:00 to 10:00 pm at the Deauville Inn.

Responses (ticket sales) have been very good and it will be a great party!

The ticket charges are $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under.

These prices include taxes and gratuity, but no drink tickets (there will be a cash bar).

There will be tickets available at the door if you do not yet have tickets.

However, if you are bringing a child 12 and under and you did not register them, please bring a wrapped gift so the child will not be disappointed.

 

+++

 

Don’t forget to bring your camera, so that you can take a family picture with the lifeguard boat!

 

The Strathmere snowy owl suncatchers / ornaments will be available for purchase at the party!

They’ll make great Christmas gifts!

You can also buy them in town or through the mail (see below).

They’ll look great on a Christmas tree; they come with both a tree hanger and a suction cup for a window.

The cost is $5.00, and you can get them at the Schiavo Library, at 401-B Bayview Drive (call 215-801-5876 first) or at 212 Bayview Drive (call 609-263-6846 first).

If you’d like them mailed, please send a check made out to SIA to P.O. Box 57, 08248.

The postage and package cost is $2.00 extra for one, two or three (three would be $17), and $1.00 extra for each suncatcher after that (five would be $29).

 

***********************************************

 

Unfortunately, the beach replenishment project that we’ve been expecting to start this month, will not begin in Strathmere until April.

 

Here is a story in the Press of Atlantic City.

 

Here’s one in the OCNJ Daily.

 

And here’s a video clip by Channel 40 on the story featuring our own Mike McNally!

 

 

****************************************

 

As you probably know, we had a nor’easter earlier this week that caused flooding on Bayview and beach erosion from the ocean. This was “minor” tidal flooding on Bayview on Monday morning:

and this was “moderate” tidal flooding on Tuesday:

We doubt that the owner of that van thinks the flooding was either “minor” or “moderate”... 

The storm washed away a lot of beach. This is at Williams, where it left an eight-foot cliff:

Up near Seaview, the ocean overwashed the dune and washed sand onto Neptune:

The good news is that the “point” still seems to be accumulating more sand, and there’s not much danger there in the near term.

 

 

*************************************************

 

If you don’t want to wait for these newsletters, you can see these pictures (and many more - and videos) in almost real time by checking the SIA Facebook page.

“Like” us so that our posts come onto your timeline automatically.

 

 

***********************************************

 

Upper Township has quite a bit of information available on their website here regarding flood information and flood insurance rate maps.

 

************************************************

 

Last Saturday, the Strathmere Fishing and Environmental Club held their annual Election Meeting and Christmas Party at the firehouse.

 

You can read about it on their website here.

 

Their December meeting is also highlighted by a Food Drive.

The Food Drive was a big success, but the need doesn't stop with Christmastime!

There are many people very much in need of help from the Food Bank, at the non-denominational Community Food Pantry at the Church of the Resurrection in Marmora.

If you can help out, donations are very much appreciated.

 Checks may be made out to COTR - Food Pantry. Please note SFEC in the memo section.

Then send your check to the SFEC (made out as above) at PO Box 77, Strathmere 08248.

All donations are tax-deductible.

 

******************************************

 

Are you a military veteran?

American Legion Post 524 in Ocean City has arranged for a visit by the Veterans Administration Medical Center’s Mobile Outreach Clinic Van

on Monday, Dec. 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at post headquarters 3304 Bay Avenue.

 

More details are available here.

 

If you plan to go, take your Form DD214.

 

*******************************************

 

 

Upcoming Events - please mark your calendars:

Strathmere Christmas Party, Deauville Inn, Saturday, December 13, 6:00 pm

Let us know of additions or corrections!

 

 

*****************************************

 

The Strathmere Improvement Association invites all owners, renters and vacationers in Strathmere and Whale Beach to join as dues paying members.

The SIA was founded in 1951 as a community organization with the simple objective of making Strathmere a better place.

We work to preserve our town’s “hometown feeling” and to keep lines of communication open within town, and with local government

We are proud of the organization's many accomplishments over the years, including sponsorship of 2012 Centennial activities, taking on a key organizing and leadership role in Strathmere and Whale Beach relief efforts after Sandy, and hosting an annual community beach party and concert or similar event.

Additionally, the July and August SIA meetings feature programs of interest to vacationers and homeowners.

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 sia1912@comcast.net or by mailing the SIA at PO Box 57, Strathmere 08248.

**************************************

 

 

Thanks very much for your continuing support of the Strathmere Improvement Association!

 

Linda Bateman

Elaine Holsomback

Donna Diefenderfer

Rosemarie Whelan

Ken Weaver

Schiavo Library: December 2014 Newsletter

Schiavo Library: December 2014 Newsletter 

Great Gift Idea: Book Dedication - Looking for that unique gift? How about dedicating a book to that special person? You choose the book or we choose the book to add to the library’s collection. Inside we’ll put a personalized book plate. Price: $25. Call (609) 486-6265, email info@strathmerelibrary.org or send to: Schiavo Library, Box 58, Strathmere, NJ 08248.

 This book is dedicated to Amy Massey:

Holiday Hours: 
Our schedule for the holidays: Closed Dec. 23 – 26 and Dec. 30 – Jan. 2;
Open Saturday Dec. 27 and Saturday Jan. 3. Regular hours resume on Jan. 6.


Friday Movie Matinees (1:00pm) 
December 5: The Holiday
December 12: A Favorite from The Holiday Collector’s Set
December 19: Last Holiday with Queen Latifah


Christmas at the Library 
The tree is going up soon and there’ll be gifts under it. Come in and choose a book or DVD to take home and share. Our way of saying THANKS for your support all year round!


New Holiday Display Coming soon - Memories of Christmas Past – Barbara McKeefery’s newest display featuring her wonderful collections. Stop in and relive some great childhood times.


Christine Rohrman, Library Director
www.strathmerelibrary.org

SIA Newsletter 11/14/14:

To All Strathmere and Whale Beach Homeowners and Visitors,

The Christmas Party is getting closer, and Santa needs help getting his list together! 

The annual Strathmere Christmas Party will be held on Saturday, December 13,

from 6:00 to 10:00 pm at the Deauville Inn. 

Santa needs to know ASAP how many children will be attending and their age and gender.

Please let Santa’s helper Donna Diefenderfer know. 

Contact Donna at donnad921@comcast.net or 215-801-5876.

The ticket charge will be $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under.

These prices include taxes and gratuity, but no drink tickets (there will be a cash bar).

Tickets may be obtained by sending a check to the SIA at P.O. Box 57, Strathmere, NJ 08248. Please specify the number of adults and children. If children are included, please specify age and gender (to help Santa). All ticket purchases must be received by Friday, December 5. Please don't wait until the last minute!

Planning and executing the Christmas Party takes a lot of work. Please buy your tickets early!

*********************************************

We had lots of requests, so additional snowy owl suncatchers / ornaments are now here! They’ll make great Christmas gifts!

They’ll look great on a Christmas tree also; they come with both a tree hanger and a suction cup for a window. The cost is $5.00, and you can get them at the Schiavo Library, at 401-B Bayview Drive (call 215-801-5876 first) or at 212 Bayview Drive (call 609-263-6846 first).

 If you’d like them mailed, please send a check made out to SIA to P.O. Box 57, 08248.

The postage and package cost is $2.00 extra for one, two or three (three would be $17), and $1.00 extra for each suncatcher after that (five would be $29).

***********************************************

Not much new on the beach replenishment project. We should know more in ten days or so.

Looks like we need it soon along Neptune, where the ocean has “taken beach” and took down the last snow fence before the road.

On the other hand, it looks like it’s “making beach” along the Point at the State Park.

You can see the sand is several feet higher in the last few weeks along the steel wall.

All three pictures were taken Wednesday, about two hours after high tide. A pretty big beach for this close to high tide.

Here is some information on the beachfill project from the OCNJ Daily:

http://ocnjdaily.com/green-light-south-end-beachfill-project-just-two-weeks-away/

****************************************

Finally, here is the latest news from the Schiavo Library!

********************************************

Upcoming Events - please mark your calendars:

SFEC Last Cast Tournament, Friday & Saturday, November 28 & 29

SFEC Elections and Christmas Meeting, Firehouse, Saturday, December 6, 4:00 pm

Strathmere Christmas Party, Deauville Inn, Saturday, December 13, 6:00 pm

Let us know of additions or corrections!

***************************************************

The Strathmere Improvement Association invites all owners, renters and vacationers in Strathmere and Whale Beach to join as dues paying members.

The SIA was founded in 1951 as a community organization with the simple objective of making Strathmere a better place.We work to preserve our town’s “hometown feeling” and to keep lines of communication open within town, and with local government.

We are proud of the organization's many accomplishments over the years, including sponsorship of 2012 Centennial activities, taking on a key organizing and leadership role in Strathmere and Whale Beach relief efforts after Sandy, and hosting an annual community beach party and concert or similar event.

Additionally, the July and August SIA meetings feature programs of interest to vacationers and homeowners.

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 sia1912@comcast.net or by mailing the SIA at PO Box 57, Strathmere 08248.

Thanks very much for your continuing support of the Strathmere Improvement Association

Linda Bateman
Elaine Holsomback
Donna Diefenderfer
Rosemarie Whelan
Ken Weaver 

Schiavo Library: November 2014 Newsletter

Schiavo Library: November 2014 Newsletter 

Friday Movie Matinees:
This year our Friday movie matinees will start in November and continue into December or longer. It’s a fun thing to do in the winter. Our titles for November are: August: Osage County, Captain Phillips and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. We even have a comfy area for movie viewing: Join us!!

Revised Check-out Periods:
For the winter we will extend check-out periods for books (and audio books) to 30 days and for DVD’s to 14 days. And for the month of November, we’re featuring one FREE DVD rental per visit. So, no excuses – stop in and borrow a book, audio book or DVD. You can always renew by phoning us or emailing the library.

Mystery Month Prize Drawing:
Everyone who checked out a book in October was entered into our prize drawing. The winner of a new tote bag was: Bill Hinshillwood. Congratulations!

Totally Interesting Displays: 
I hope you stopped in this fall to see our display cases. If not, please come soon. We still have the Breyer horses and a fascinating collection of School Memorabilia. Next month we’ll be showcasing the holidays.


Christine Rohrman, Library Director
www.strathmerelibrary.org

Passing of Strathmere Friend Debbe Starr; Memorial Mass This Saturday

To All Strathmere and Whale Beach Homeowners and Visitors,

 

We are saddened to note the passing of Debbe Starr on Monday, October 27, 2014.

 

 

 

From today’s Press of Atlantic City:

 

STARR, DEBORAH L. (nee Andera) - 62 of Marmora, NJ passed away on Monday, October 27, 2014 at Shore Medical Center in Somers Point, NJ.

Deborah was born in Bridgeport, CT and worked as an ITT Coordinator for ten years retiring in 1984.

She was a member of the Strathmere Fishing and Environmental Club where she served as a board member for many years.

Surviving are her husband, Thomas Starr, her mother Virginia Andera, and many aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her father Frank Andera.

A Memorial Mass will be offered Saturday morning at nine o'clock from The Church of the Resurrection of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, 200 West Tuckahoe Road, Marmora, NJ.

Burial is private.

Memorial contributions in her memory may be made to Love of Linda Cancer Fund, PO Box 1053, Wildwood, NJ 08260.

For condolences, visit www.godfreyfuneralhome.com.

 

+++++

 

 

Debbe was extremely active in the Strathmere Fishing and Environmental Club.

 

President of the SFEC Rob Coffey released the following statement:

 

It is with a heavy heart that I inform our membership of the recent passing of Debbe Starr on 10/27/2014 at Shore Memorial Hospital.  Debbe was battling pneumonia over the last week and she was with Tom, family and friends at her passing.

Debbe was a longtime board member of the Strathmere Fishing and Environmental Club who greatly devoted her time and effort to keep us all up to date on dues, planned Winter and Summer socials, organized the Jane Shetler Memorial tournament, served as weighmaster for countless tournaments, helped with Nightmare raffles and judging events and was our current Personnel Officer on the SFEC board.

Debbe was a friend, colleague and longtime club member who was greatly responsible for the strong membership of the SFEC.  I always counted on Debbe to attend meetings and laugh and joke around and give a big hug and a kiss when we attended board meetings. She also called us out when we exaggerated fish stories or joked with one another and really didn’t take any grief from anybody.  She was a true grit when it came down to business and was a trustworthy board member who always had solid input and direction for the club business. Debbe was a wonderful lady who just made you smile and laugh so we all could have a good time!

We will all miss Debbe greatly and her valued contributions to the Club. It is a sad day to lose one of our members and especially a longtime board member who devoted so much of her time to the ongoing success and greatness of the SFEC.

Please pass on your prayers and support to Tom Starr and the entire Starr family during this difficult time.

 

***

 

SIA Newsletter 10/28/14

To All Strathmere and Whale Beach Homeowners and Visitors,

We know it’s not even Halloween yet, but we need to get you thinking about the Christmas party!

 

The annual Strathmere Christmas Party will be held on Saturday, December 13,

from 6:00 to 10:00 pm at the Deauville Inn.

 

First, a little history. We last held the party at the Firehouse in 2012.

The legal limit for folks on the second floor is 75 people, and that year we had well over 125 people. We had to do something different.

 

Last year, we moved the party to the Deauville Inn, and said that the Fire Company and the SIA would subsidize the party as in previous years, but there would have to be an admission charge to offset the increased costs. Then the Citizens for Strathmere and Whale Beach organization made a very generous, one-time donation to keep the party free for one more year. The SIA and the Strathmere Volunteer Fire Company contributed what they did in 2012, or more. Over 200 folks attended.

 

This year, the Strathmere Volunteer Fire Company and the Strathmere Improvement Association will contribute a little more than they have in the past, but we will have to charge admission to the party.

 

The charge will be $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under.

These prices include taxes and gratuity, but no drink tickets (there will be a cash bar).

 

 

The menu for the dinner will be as follows:

 

 

Ed Andress Chowder

 

Carved turkey                                 Oven roasted potatoes

 

Cranberry sauce                             Green beans Almandine

 

Stuffing (filling / dressing)                             Salad               

 

Ham                                                Rolls and butter     

 

Pasta Primavera                             Macaroni and cheese

 

Paella (seafood dish)                      Chicken fingers (kids)

 

Desserts – provided by attendees

 

 

Sounds like a great meal!  Not free, but great prices!

 

Tickets may be obtained by sending a check to the SIA at P.O. Box 57, Strathmere, NJ 08248.

Please specify the number of adults and children. If children are included, please specify age and gender (to help Santa).

 

All ticket purchases must be received by Monday, December 1. Please don't wait until the last minute!

 

Questions may be directed to Donna Diefenderfer at donnad921@comcast.net or 215-801-5876.

 

Planning and executing the Christmas Party takes a lot of work. Please don't add to that by not buying your tickets early!

 

*********************************************

 

We’ve had lots of requests, so additional snowy owl suncatchers are now on order.

They’ll make great Christmas gifts!

We expect them in a few weeks and will have them available for purchase at the party.

 

***********************************************

 

We're passing this on,

"Stef and Alex from the Shack thank everyone for their love and support this season!!  We could not run the shack without the support of Strathmere.

Thanks for a GREAT summer!!"

 

 ***********************************************

 

The Schiavo Library reports that a binder with numerous pictures of 1920’s advertisements for "Strathmere by the Sea" from the Girard Corporation has gone missing from the library.

 If by any chance you borrowed the binder and forgot to return it, please bring it back to the Library. They miss it! Thanks.

 

 

*************************************************

 

The dune grass planted by the SFEC, with community help, and also planted by the Township, has come in very well.

We believe this dune grass will be buried by the upcoming beach replenishment project, though we’re told it will survive and grow up through the sand.

 

The bayberry and beach plum trees, however, will likely not survive.

 Bids for the project were opened on October 10, with Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company being the low bidder. It will be awarded in early November.

 We are hoping work will begin in Strathmere as early as this December.

 

A 13-foot high dune will be built with a top width of 25 feet, with new beach extending 50 feet out from that dune.

Sand for the project will come from a borrow area about two miles off Corson’s Inlet.

 

*********************************************************************

 

County Engineer Dale Foster informs us that a project to resurface and improve drainage on Commonwealth Avenue,

from the toll bridge approach to the Sea Isle City border, is now out for bids.

 

The cost is expected to be in the range of $3.0 million, and construction is expected in 2016.

 

*************************************************************

 

 

 

Upcoming Events - please mark your calendars:

 

SFEC Meeting, Firehouse, Saturday, November 8, 4:00 pm

SFEC Last Cast Tournament, Friday & Saturday, November 28 & 29

SFEC Christmas Meeting, Firehouse, Saturday, December 6, 4:00 pm

Strathmere Christmas Party, Deauville Inn, Saturday, December 13, 6:00 pm

 

Let us know of additions or corrections!

 

 

*********************************************************************************

 

The Strathmere Improvement Association invites all owners, renters and vacationers in Strathmere and Whale Beach to join as dues paying members.

The SIA was founded in 1951 as a community organization with the simple objective of making Strathmere a better place.

We work to preserve our town’s “hometown feeling” and to keep lines of communication open within town, and with local government.

 

We are proud of the organization's many accomplishments over the years, including sponsorship of 2012 Centennial activities, taking on a key organizing and leadership role in Strathmere and Whale Beach relief efforts after Sandy, and hosting an annual community beach party and concert or similar event.

 

Additionally, the July and August SIA meetings feature programs of interest to vacationers and homeowners.

 

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 sia1912@comcast.net or by mailing the SIA at PO Box 57, Strathmere 08248.

 

Thanks very much for your continuing support of the Strathmere Improvement Association!

 

 

Linda Bateman

Elaine Holsomback

Donna Diefenderfer

Rosemarie Whelan

Ken Weaver

Report on the Oct. 11th CFSWB Town Hall Meeting

To All Strathmere and Whale Beach Homeowners and Visitors,

 

Copied below is a comprehensive recap by Ed Tettemer of last Saturday’s Town Hall Meeting at the firehouse. If you are already on the CFSWB distribution list, we apologize for the duplication.

Citizens for Strathmere & Whale Beach Good morning: Below is Ed Tettemer's report on last Saturday's meeting. Greetings from a glorious October beach.   On Saturday, about 60 Strathmerians and Whale Beachers engaged in a very productive conversation with Mayor Palombo and Township Engineer Paul Dietrich. It is clear that the work we've done the past few years has laid the groundwork for a new relationship between our island community and the mainland municipality. And while we may never get the rapid response we think we deserve regarding the specific needs of our beach and bay community, nor the pro-active planning required to fully secure our island's future, we believe we have all gone a long way toward (if you'll permit a bit of idealistic rhetoric) bending the long, moral arc of the universe toward justice.   First, we discussed our ongoing bulkhead/bayfront initiative. Our Citizens group hired Coastal Engineer Doug Gaffney and Surveyor Dave Sharp to review the bay side from the southern boat ramp  all the way up to the point. With the realization that 99% of Sandy's damage was due to flooding bay water, combined with the fact that sea levels are rising at an alarming rate (a rise of as much as 5" by 2025 is forecast by data provided in Mr. Gaffney's report), we went to the Township Planning Board and requested they consider recommending a bulkhead height requirement to Township Committee.   Our own Ted Kingston now sits on that Planning Board and was instrumental in getting this notion introduced into the Board's conversation. We had the support of most everyone on the board, as well as Mr. Dietrich, so I hope we have good news to report about that in the next 30 days or so.   Mayor Palombo and Mr. Dietrich brought us up to date on the impending beach replenishment. With bids in and a contract awarded (Great Lakes Dredging), there is reason to believe that the replenishment will happen within this calendar year, perhaps in December. The sand will be dredged from a bar two miles out. Corson's Inlet will not be dredged. Much of the State Park area will be replenished, and the sand should enlarge the dunes and beach right on through to Sea Isle City.   This is part of an Army Corps of Engineers beach protection plan that dates back to the mid-'90s. It is not in response to Sandy or any specific storm. It will be financed solely with federal dollars, and if there is any further protection work of any kind required after the replenishment, we'll have to work with Township and State of New Jersey to plan, permit and finance that work. We will keep our eyes open.   On the bay side, a few blocks in what Mr. Dietrich calls "the lowest spots" - where now nuisance high-tide flooding is common (it's impossible to get to Twisties sometimes without a kayak) - will be raised with funding from a state grant. Some of the storm drain system that has been failing will be repaired, and we hope this is the first step of a long-term flood mitigation program that will happen in collaboration with Cape May County.   The boat ramp reconstruction now has secure funding. Permits and planning continue and this work is scheduled to be completed in time for the 2016 summer season. We're told there will be a fee to use the ramp imposed at that time, with an attendant working at the site every day. Kudos to the Strathmere Fishing & Environmental Club for staying on top of this project.   The big discussion was the possibility of beach tags or other kinds of fees in order to collect revenue to offset the Township's cost of managing the beach. The Beach Patrol itself has a budget of approximately $300,000, according to the mayor. It's important to note that everyone understands the concept of beach tags in Strathmere and Whale Beach is controversial, to say the least. It's also important to note that the mayor remains skeptical that any beach-tag program would be able to pay for itself, let alone kick off extra dollars to offset current township spending on its beach program.   The side effects of beach fees are also quite daunting. The argument was made that imposing beach fees would also require construction of toilet and (perhaps) shower facilities, as well as beach lockers that could be rented by the day. So for those who think that beach fees will somehow improve the Strathmerian quality of life, be careful what you wish for.   While the potential for beach tags appeared less likely after our Saturday conversation, one agenda item was deemed to be popular and quite possible. We all know how dangerous the trip down Commonwealth Avenue can be during the summer season. Cyclists, pedestrians, drivers and folks hopping in out of cars lining the road seem to be on the verge of constant collision. Emergency vehicles have a hard time navigating this stretch of road with any efficiency. Whale Beach is a danger zone when the weather draws the crowds.   One solution discussed was to outlaw parking on the west side of the road. Everyone seemed to agree that one-sided parking would allow for better conditions for cycling and walking, and would set the stage for far fewer mishaps. And while Commonwealth Avenue is a county road, the local municipality (Upper Township) has the authority to mandate parking rules along that road.   The mayor was quite receptive to continuing this conversation with the Township Committee. As this idea moves into the system, we'll ask that you consider making contact with our Township Committee members via their email addresses (each is listed at UpperTownship.com) and lobbying on behalf of one-sided parking along Whale Beach.   The good news is that we're seeing evidence that Upper Township is reaching out to collaborate with the county and the state (even the feds) in ways that would have been unheard of a few years ago. And that they are more receptive to hearing the perspectives from experts they never would have considered worthy prior to our de-annexation efforts.   As George Welker put it best regarding the results of our de-annexation initiative: "We lost the battle but we may have won the war. Things are different now."   On other notes, there will be a town-hall discussion about the FEMA flood maps in the next few months. Mayor Palombo and Paul Dietrich volunteered to come back to Strathmere for a daylong workshop to discuss the proposed new flood maps and walk us through their implications, address by address, so we can all know where we'll stand in terms of flood insurance and such. We'll have 90 days to respond and appeal if we disagree with our individual position on the maps, and the mayor and Mr. Dietrich have pledged the Township's assistance in that effort.   We're not sure when those maps will be released, but believe it may be early spring. We'll broadcast an invitation to this daylong workshop the moment we hear when the 90-day comment period will happen. We hope it's closer to March or April in order to get the most amount of townsfolk in attendance. So keep your eyes peeled for that announcement in the months ahead.   There is plenty more to talk about, especially about how we continue the fight to secure the best services for Strathmere and Whale Beach, and how we can fight to secure the island's future given the fact that flooding and storm surges will only increase in their routine intensity.   Here's a special shout-out to everyone on the CFSWB board, those who participated on Saturday, and to Kandy Kruse, who has taken on the thankless (and time-consuming) task of being our treasurer. She has proven to be absolutely methodical and meticulous with the books. And here's to Rosemarie Whelan, our secretary, whose minutes keep us on track and on focus.   Your comments, questions and yes, financial support, are always welcome. In the meantime, have a safe and peaceful winter season. We'll see you on the beach!   -- - et