Wednesday, July 31, 2013

SIA Newsletter 7 31 2013 - SIA Community Beach Party Saturday; SFEC Tournament; Scavenger Hunt; SIA Mtg; Kayak Festival; Star Party; Barbecue; Church Bells; Derek Schall; Turtle Pictures; Picture Frames; Visors - No More Caps; Calendar

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.
 
 
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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.
 
 
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 

 

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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.

 

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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.


 

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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.

 

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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".

 
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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.

 
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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!

 
   
 
 
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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.

 
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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.
 
 
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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

 
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...

 
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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
 
 
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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.  
 

 

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