MediaWize

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach Realtors welcomes Natalie Giacometti as a sales associate at its office on Ninth Street and Simpson Avenue in Ocean City. “I joined the company because I wanted to pursue a real estate career for several reasons. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach has the biggest market share in Ocean City and I also felt very much at ease with all of the friendly and very knowledgeable staff,” Giacometti said in a press release.

Sturdy Savings Bank recently presented donations to local community organizations that are trying to meet the growing demand for food, shelter and medical assistance for those in need. During the pandemic, Sturdy Savings Bank noticed the increased need and has worked with organizations to provide funding to help meet those needs. The bank gave to approximately 15 “frontline” community organizations in Cape May County and Somers Point in Atlantic County, in addition to three rounds of donations to 25 local food banks since April.

Colony Club of Ocean City members recently took part in a national effort to honor the service of veterans by placing wreaths on graves at the Gerald M. Thornton Veterans Cemetery of Cape May County. Each December, the Wreaths Across America (WAA) organization asks local groups to remember and honor veterans by conducting wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 2,100 additional locations in all 50 states. “The Colony Club was pleased to have the opportunity to join a grateful nation in saying ‘thank you’ to our veterans,” said Cathy Solarski, chair of her club’s Wreaths Across America Committee. “Our club members donated funds and sponsored 68 wreaths, which were matched with 34 additional wreaths by the WAA.”

Due to public health precautions related to limiting the spread of COVID-19, Ocean City's annual Free Rabies Clinic will not be held in 2021. In prior years, the service was offered by the Humane Society of Ocean City in January at the Ocean City Fire Department at 550 Asbury Avenue.

With the start of 2021, the Boards of Chosen Freeholders around the state will be re-titled and officially called the County Board of Commissioners, including the one in Cape May County. The title “freeholder” was considered offensive by many and had been a topic of discussion for the past decade. In 2018, the first bill was introduced in the state Assembly to make the name change but didn’t pass then. However, the change was approved by the state last August. The Cape May County 2021 Reorganization Meeting and swearing in of Will Morey and Jeffrey Pierson on Jan. 6 will be the first time they are officially called Cape May County Commissioners, according to a county press release. Morey and Pierson won re-election in November and will begin new terms.

As Ocean City enters the new year, Mayor Jay Gillian is asking the Community Services Department to reach out to local residents to see what the city can do to help them. "I want to know what services, recreational opportunities, support systems, programs and facilities we can provide to keep everybody healthy and happy in America’s Greatest Family Resort,” the mayor said in his weekly message to the public. His entire message follows.

The Cape May County Health Department is beginning COVID-19 vaccinations for health care professionals, including front line health care workers and first responders, the county announced Wednesday. The county will be conducting outreach to local government, the business community and others early in the new year to detail the plan for more widespread distribution and administration of the vaccine as it becomes available, according to a press release.

Cape May County’s Division of Aging and Disability Services is launching a campaign focused on limiting social isolation among older and disabled county residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The campaign starts this month and will continue through April 2021. Staff from the Division of Aging and Disability Services will conduct wellness checks by phone that provide residents with social engagement, case management, caregiver and home-care monitoring. 

The sun. The sand. The surf. All images that remind us of happy times spent with family and friends at the Jersey Shore. Many are drawn to these iconic past times year after year, leading to a housing boom along the coast. While family gatherings and birthdays at the beach bring instant smiles with the thought of buying your own home at the shore, a vacation home creates special considerations, especially for a new buyer. Following are tips for home buyers to consider.

The 2020 Decorated Christmas Homes list has been a community work in process. Families around town have submitted pictures and addresses of their favorites. We urge you to use this story as a guide for exploring the neighborhoods and finding the beautifully decorated homes.