There’s no down time at St. Peter’s

Last Updated on Monday, 20 February 2012 14:27 Written by Cathy Finnegan Monday, 20 February 2012 00:00

St. Peter’s United Methodist Church is open and busy from early morning until late at night seven days a week with Terrific Tuesday one of the favorite activities offering something for everyone regardless of age. This columnist’s first stop was the music room where John Bate had members of the junior choir, Ethan Dyjak, Stella Eiter, Max Beckert, Andrew and Daniel Laird, Katie Bowman and Jason Hill, were gathered around the piano rehearsing a number for the worship service on Sunday. Madeline Rowe and Andi Helpenstine rushed in late and got right to work. Vicki Scheetz, who is leading a six-week study on the Book of Ezra, had a group of 25 including Bari and Andy Martin, Annette Dungan, Eleanor Parker and Audrey Vanderloo, gathered around a large table when I stopped by just before class. I stopped by the kitchen where Jody Lovette and Don Paul were making cheese steak sandwiches while Andrea Paul and Joan Lovette made the biggest chocolate chip cookies. Jennifer Bowman, St. Peter’s new kitchen and special events coordinator, stopped to check up on dinner then headed upstairs to the Zumba class. Jennifer told me to mark my calendar for the Ocean City High School surf team benefit at Greate Bay on Feb. 24. Bill Bateson was up to his elbows in dishwater washing the pots and pans in the deep kitchen sink. Andrea and Don are still on “baby watch” as Don’s daughter, Gretchen, is two weeks overdue. Gayle Robbins got help from Jesse Ruch making coffee for dinner. Juanita and John Rickards were stationed at the door to welcome members when it was time for dinner.

Locals find Valentine’s Day gifts along Asbury

Written by Cathy Finnegan Sunday, 12 February 2012 00:00

Rae Welsh and Dotty Lozanoff, left, show Valentine’s Day trinkets to Barbara Gilmour at Ruth’s Hallmark Shop. Love was in the air on Asbury Avenue as folks scurried around town to get the perfect gift for their Valentine. Linda and Mark Videtto were just back from a trip to Disney World with their three sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren where they stayed at the Grand Floridian and Mark celebrated his 64^th birthday.

High school stays alive with activities, even after hours

Written by Cathy Finnegan Monday, 06 February 2012 00:00

Ocean City Police Officer Michael Tabor, center, chats with Casey Shacklett, Caryn Broadley, Cathy Finnegan and Holly Shacklett at the concession stand during the Ocean City High School basketball game. Ocean City High School doesn’t close at the end of the school day, because that’s when the extracurricular activities begin.

MLK celebration a moving experience for many

Last Updated on Monday, 30 January 2012 11:33 Written by Cathy Finnegan Tuesday, 31 January 2012 00:00

Mrs. Johnson and Greg Johnson chat with Effie, Richard and Richard Russell Jr. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day soul food dinner. A celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was held in the Hughes Performing Arts Center at the Ocean City High School. Winnie Piriano greeted me when I arrived and gave me a program, then I joined Linda Gronert to enjoy the ceremony as Mark Soifer made the introductions. The Levites opened with “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and other inspirational selections and Morgan Noble sang “Black Bird.”

Ladies catch up at Garden Club luncheon

Last Updated on Monday, 23 January 2012 13:03 Written by Cathy Finnegan Friday, 20 January 2012 00:00

It was a beautiful, but cold winter day when I arrived at the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church for the Garden Club luncheon. I passed Dottie Cianci in the hall heading home after finishing her work for the Food Cupboard. Edith Himmelberger greeted me at the door and told me she just returned from visiting her daughter and family in Chicago over Christmas. Rae Jaffe-Mullineaux was delighted with the great turnout at the Garden Club Christmas luncheon at Smithville Inn with 44 in attendance. I enjoyed meeting Kathy Wheatcroft who moved from Marlton to Ocean City in June 2010 and keeps busy at the Ocean City Fine Arts League. Mary Geraghty hosted a big Christmas Eve party at her home. Mary Hughes had to cancel most of her Christmas activities as she had a bad leg that is still giving her problems and had it propped up on a chair. Angel Smith, co-vice president of the Garden Club, spent Christmas with her son and his family. Co-Vice President Cheryl Kelchner takes lots of pictures at the meetings and showed me the scrapbook she is making for co-Presidents Carolyn Lothian and Kathy Keefrider. Angel and Cheryl won best in show at the June flower show and have been good friends ever since. Lorraine Scott is heading for Georgia and Florida for two weeks to visit her girlfriends. Georgi Herninko, who sported a cardinal sweater and has a summer home at Ocean Reef, stayed home in Pennsylvania for Christmas to entertain her seven grandchildren. Now she’s in Ocean City visiting her sister, Cheryl.

Volunteers are appreciated in Ocean City

Written by Cathy Finnegan Tuesday, 17 January 2012 00:00

Mike Dattilo, Jay Gillian, Katie Jewell and Mark and Toby Soifer gather with volunteer of the year Doug Jewell. The Howard S. Stainton Senior Center at the Ocean City Community Center was the setting for the Volunteer Appreciation Night hosted by the mayor and City Council. Maribeth Neall and I stopped at the front desk to pick up a fitness schedule and ran into Mary and Tommy Miles who checked out the newly renovated Aquatic Center then walked down the hall with us to the Senior Center where Bill McGinnity of Cousins and Andrew Yoa of Island Grill and their staff were setting out the buffet.

Vicki Balezzi greeted guests and gave them programs when they stopped to enjoy the hors d’oeuvres. Tym Cox and the Ocean City High School jazz band entertained at the dinner. Scott Ruch, Ocean City High School class of 1979, who sang in the high school choir, caught up with Larry Town, Ocean City High School class of 1980, who recalled when he played in the Ocean City High School band with Warren Miller as the director. Larry plays the piano and trumpet in two bands at the Golden Nugget and Caesars in Atlantic City. It was great to see John Kemenosh out and about again. Linda MacIntyre, Debbie Buckley, MaryAnn Coggins and Linda DeLanzo work with Waves of Caring. Geoff MacIntyre and Harry Buckley take a break from playing golf to help deliver the toys at Christmas. MaryAnn gave me her business card for her new business Wags ‘n Whiskers Pet Sitting. Linda and MaryAnn are headed for Cape Coral to soak up some sun this winter. Jane Charles arrived early to stake out a table for Art Center board members Marion Talese, Peggy Lloyd and Jack Devine.

When I wondered why Becky Sultan looked so familiar, she jogged my memory and told me she was second runner-up in Miss Night in Venice a couple of years ago. Becky is an elementary school teacher in Upper Township and director of the Ocean City Hawks cheerleaders.

Lynne Lewis was joined by Dog Park Association members Susan Niskanen and Dick Waddell. Nancy Larrabee liked the picture I took of her much more than the one taken at the library luncheon.

New Year’s party wraps up the holidays

Last Updated on Friday, 06 January 2012 14:54 Written by Cathy Finnegan Friday, 06 January 2012 14:34

Everything was merry and bright when members of the Republican Club arrived at John Barretta’s new restaurant Nonna’s Trattoria & Pizzeria at 755 Asbury Ave. for their Christmas party. Mary Ann Nespoli sported a Santa hat as she greeted members at the door. JT Williams never tires of portraying the jolly gent in the red and white suit and had ladies lined up to sit on his lap. Mary Ann and John Barretta and daughters Giovanna and Rose set out the buffet while Frank McCall welcomed everyone and introduced freeholder-elect Christine Gabor. John’s granddaughter, Marina Salugta, lent a hand. Marina is in fourth grade and loves to play volleyball. I chatted with Sallie and Al Eachus and Judy Kolea while filling our plates with the Italian buffet. When I admired Sallie’s black sweater with bright colored Christmas packages, she told me she got it at Pappagallo quite a while ago.

Friends mingle during holiday gatherings

Last Updated on Monday, 02 January 2012 15:34 Written by Cathy Finnegan Sunday, 01 January 2012 00:00

Marie and Lloyd Hayes hosted their annual Christmas party at their decorated home on the lagoon and this year bells lined the walkway and played music as guests walked by. Ryan Jones and Mike Almodovar checked coats and stored bags and boxes of canned goods guests brought for the Community FoodBank. We caught up with our hostess, Marie, wearing a spiral Santa hat and apron, setting up for the buffet at the dining room table while guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres in the family room. Lloyd sported his favorite Phillies apron as he chatted with Richard Kull, Charlie Bowman, Bob McMurray and Alan Edmund sitting at the counter; and he carved hams he cooked for the party. Everyone stopped to chat with Bill Duffy and Jim Andrews who served as mixologists.

Longwood Gardens trip a chance to catch up

Last Updated on Friday, 30 December 2011 10:25 Written by Cathy Finnegan Thursday, 29 December 2011 00:00

A trip to Longwood Gardens at Christmas is an annual event for many, but for this columnist it was the first time. After picking up Carol Heenan and Betty Ray, we pulled into the Tabernacle parking lot already filed with cars. Edith Little, who ran the trip on behalf of the Gardens Civic Association, greeted us when we boarded the bus that was almost full. Fortunately, Phyllis Bonner and Rosemarie Fallon had placed their pocketbooks on two seats next to them for Carol and I; and Betty found a seat two rows back. Carla Heist was the last to board the bus and after a quick head count by Marilyn Curley and Carol Gaffney, we were off. The two-hour ride went by quickly with everyone chatting and having a good time. Cecilia Unrath told me she would see me at the January Garden Club luncheon. Joan Chapman and Carol Waite enjoyed sandwiches they made to eat on the bus, while most waited to eat at Longwood Gardens. Edith, Marilyn and Carol passed out entrance tickets and lunch/dinner vouchers, then we were off and running. First stop was the gift shop, but we decided to wait to make purchases just before heading home as we didn’t want to carry packages around all afternoon. Carol Heenan, Betty, Phyllis, Rosemarie and I headed directly for the Terrace Restaurant for lunch that we enjoyed while looking at the evergreen trees trimmed with twinkling lights and an array of gingerbread cookie ornaments, garlands and wreaths.

Lots to do around the holidays

Written by Cathy Finnegan Saturday, 17 December 2011 00:00

Excited children and their parents lined Asbury Ave. on a clear, moonlit Friday, Dec. 2 awaiting the arrival of Santa in the Christmas parade. With a night off from the Texaco station, Allen Emenheiser brought his mom to the parade. The shops were open and restaurants were busy until the sirens on fire engines signaled the start of the parade. The mayor and council members along with reigning beauty queens rode by in convertibles followed by bands and floats. Jim and I enjoyed watching the parade with Gay Dillon-Donovan and her poodle; Jack and Lauralee Wiliford stopped by to chat. When Santa rode by in a white horse-drawn carriage he waved and called me by name and I assured him I’d been a good girl. After the parade, we strolled the avenue and caught up with Lynn and Jim Rybicki who recently enjoyed a trip to Disney World with their children and grandchildren.

Chamber honors community members at awards dinner

Written by Cathy Finnegan Monday, 12 December 2011 00:00

The Ocean City Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2011 Citizen of the Year, Outstanding Business and Beautification Awards dinner recently at The Flanders. Jim and I met up with Becky and Richard Stanislaw on the way into The Flanders and felt the Christmas spirit as we entered the lobby that was beautifully decorated for the holidays. Shawnda McGinnis and Barbara Brown greeted guests when they arrived in the upstairs lobby and introduced me to the Chamber’s newest staff member, Caitlin Greene, who graduated Ocean City High School in 2005 and Mount St. Mary’s College in 2009. Caitlin is handling special events for the Chamber. Jim and I enjoyed catching up with Tom Kirkpatrick, who was on hand to accept the Outstanding New Business award on behalf of Artisans Alcove Estate Jewelers. Kim Walter gave me her Senior Helpers business card. I spotted Michael Hartman enjoying the social time with a large contingent from the Ocean City Theatre Company, a non-profit honoree. I first met Michael when he appeared in Ocean City High School theatre productions. I enjoyed chatting with Michael’s mom, Janice Hartman, as we found we both were legal secretaries for many years, with Janice starting out when she was 16 working for Joel Mott Sr. Aimee Schultz rushed upstairs in time to get in the picture with Theatre Company board members. Janie and Scott Halliday are proud grandparents of five, all under 4 years old, and Janie looks after the darlings everyday while their parents work.

Stainton Society kicks off 23rd campaign for Shore Medical Center

Last Updated on Tuesday, 29 November 2011 14:34 Written by CATHY FINNEGAN Monday, 28 November 2011 10:58

The Stainton Society kicked off the 23rd annual campaign with a cocktail reception at the fourth floor conference center in the new surgical pavilion at Shore Medical Center. Since I was at a Phillies game when the new Surgical Pavilion had its grand opening, this was my first visit since its completion. Of course I had several guided tours sporting my hard hat during the construction phase. So my biggest decision was: should I valet park or try the new parking garage? The new parking garage won out as I wanted to walk across the bridge over Brighton Avenue to the surgical pavilion. And what a spectacular view of the Ocean City skyline on this beautiful clear moonlit night.