Last weekend certainly was a busy one here in Sea Isle City. In addition to the many people who were in town enjoying Sea Isle’s beaches, businesses and other attractions, many folks were here to attend several special events, including the Sandy Sprint Run-Walk, which raised money for the Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation, VFW Post 1963’s annual Dollar Dog Day, which benefitted our nation’s veterans and active duty military members, the 2024 Steve Libro Men’s Basketball Tournament, which attracted many talented players, and the Sea Isle City Beach Patrol’s annual 1-Mile Ocean Swim, which featured over 200 competitors, who raced into the ocean and swam from 62nd Street to the 44th Street beach.

If you were not able to attend any of these annual events, I hope you can do so in 2025, because from all reports, each was a great success and a crowd pleasure!

Another successful event I am happy to spotlight is the Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce’s Open Mic Night at Excursion Park. I was told that many gifted participants stepped to the microphone to sing and share their talents with the audience on July 18, which was this year’s opening night. I want to thank the Chamber of Commerce for once again hosting this enjoyable summer activity – and for giving teenagers the opportunity to have fun and meet new friends on Thursday evenings through August 22.

Last week, ribbon cutting ceremonies took place at two new Sea Isle City businesses – and also at two well-established businesses that recently moved to new locations.

If you love having fresh-cut flowers and beautiful greenery in your home, check out “Petals and Plants,” a new flower shop located at 5011 Landis Avenue. Next, stop by a trendy new place called “Primitive Boutique” near the corner of 38th Street and Pleasure Avenue, where you can buy Philly-themed attire and other eye-catching items.

After buying flowers for your home and some stylish clothes for your wardrobe, be sure to satisfy your appetite with a visit to Shorebreak Café’s new location at 8301 Landis Avenue, where you’ll find amazing pastries, breakfast items and great coffee. Then head to the new location of “Lou Dogs” on the Promenade at 38th Street, where the hot dog toppings are creative, whimsical and memorable.

In addition to these terrific businesses, you can learn about other local eateries, retailers, and local services by visiting Sea Isle’s online Business Directory at www.seaislecitynj.us.

Looking ahead, our local police officers will host Sea Isle City’s annual National Night Out celebration on Tuesday, August 6, at Excursion Park, where families can enjoy an evening highlighted by free games, snacks, and fun activities. Also, if you are a competitive athlete, you won’t want to miss the Sea Isle City Beach Patrol’s annual Captain Bill Gallagher 10-Mile Island Run on Saturday, August 10, which is an exciting race that takes place along Sea Isle’s promenade and beach.

To learn more about these and the many other events that are coming your way during the weeks and months ahead, go to the calendar page at www.VisitSICNJ.com or phone Sea Isle City Tourism Office at 609-263-8687.

In other news, the Sea Isle City Police Department recently acquired a drone, which will be used for various purposes (from crowd control to helping find missing children on the beach). Five of our police officers have been trained by the FAA to operate the drone safely, and they are now full-fledged “drone pilots.” During National Night Out on August 6, those officers will perform a drone demonstration for everyone in attendance – so I hope as many families as possible will be able to attend National Night Out and learn about the many ways our police officers and other first responders keep Sea Isle City safe.

Speaking of our police officers, the Sea Isle City Police Department will host a “Basketball with Cops” event on Monday, July 29, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Dealy Field basketball courts, where the public is invited to meet our officers and enjoy a few games of hoops. For more information about this event, please contact Patrolman Markley at tmarkley@sicpd.us or 609-263-4311, ext. 2230.

I have two “Shout Outs” this week. The first goes to Santa Claus (aka: Saint Nick, Kris Kringle and Father Christmas). On Wednesday night, Santa was kind enough to greet children and spread holiday cheer during the Tourism Office’s Christmas in July event at Excursion Park, where families posed for photos and received gifts from the Jolly Old Elf. Thank you for being here, Santa!

The next “Shout Out” goes to the Cantwell family, who recently told me that this is their 45th year vacationing in Sea Isle City – and I hope they are enjoying every minute of it! Best wishes to the Cantwells!

Last weekend certainly was a busy one here in Sea Isle City. In addition to the many people who were in town enjoying Sea Isle’s beaches, businesses and other attractions, many folks were here to attend several special events, including the Sandy Sprint Run-Walk, which raised money for the Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation, VFW Post 1963’s annual Dollar Dog Day, which benefitted our nation’s veterans and active duty military members, the 2024 Steve Libro Men’s Basketball Tournament, which attracted many talented players, and the Sea Isle City Beach Patrol’s annual 1-Mile Ocean Swim, which featured over 200 competitors, who raced into the ocean and swam from 62nd Street to the 44th Street beach.

If you were not able to attend any of these annual events, I hope you can do so in 2025, because from all reports, each was a great success and a crowd pleasure!

Another successful event I am happy to spotlight is the Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce’s Open Mic Night at Excursion Park. I was told that many gifted participants stepped to the microphone to sing and share their talents with the audience on July 18, which was this year’s opening night. I want to thank the Chamber of Commerce for once again hosting this enjoyable summer activity – and for giving teenagers the opportunity to have fun and meet new friends on Thursday evenings through August 22.

Last week, ribbon cutting ceremonies took place at two new Sea Isle City businesses – and also at two well-established businesses that recently moved to new locations.

If you love having fresh-cut flowers and beautiful greenery in your home, check out “Petals and Plants,” a new flower shop located at 5011 Landis Avenue. Next, stop by a trendy new place called “Primitive Boutique” near the corner of 38th Street and Pleasure Avenue, where you can buy Philly-themed attire and other eye-catching items.

After buying flowers for your home and some stylish clothes for your wardrobe, be sure to satisfy your appetite with a visit to Shorebreak Café’s new location at 8301 Landis Avenue, where you’ll find amazing pastries, breakfast items and great coffee. Then head to the new location of “Lou Dogs” on the Promenade at 38th Street, where the hot dog toppings are creative, whimsical and memorable.

In addition to these terrific businesses, you can learn about other local eateries, retailers, and local services by visiting Sea Isle’s online Business Directory at www.seaislecitynj.us.

Looking ahead, our local police officers will host Sea Isle City’s annual National Night Out celebration on Tuesday, August 6, at Excursion Park, where families can enjoy an evening highlighted by free games, snacks, and fun activities. Also, if you are a competitive athlete, you won’t want to miss the Sea Isle City Beach Patrol’s annual Captain Bill Gallagher 10-Mile Island Run on Saturday, August 10, which is an exciting race that takes place along Sea Isle’s promenade and beach.

To learn more about these and the many other events that are coming your way during the weeks and months ahead, go to the calendar page at www.VisitSICNJ.com or phone Sea Isle City Tourism Office at 609-263-8687.

In other news, the Sea Isle City Police Department recently acquired a drone, which will be used for various purposes (from crowd control to helping find missing children on the beach). Five of our police officers have been trained by the FAA to operate the drone safely, and they are now full-fledged “drone pilots.” During National Night Out on August 6, those officers will perform a drone demonstration for everyone in attendance – so I hope as many families as possible will be able to attend National Night Out and learn about the many ways our police officers and other first responders keep Sea Isle City safe.

Speaking of our police officers, the Sea Isle City Police Department will host a “Basketball with Cops” event on Monday, July 29, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Dealy Field basketball courts, where the public is invited to meet our officers and enjoy a few games of hoops. For more information about this event, please contact Patrolman Markley at tmarkley@sicpd.us or 609-263-4311, ext. 2230.

I have two “Shout Outs” this week. The first goes to Santa Claus (aka: Saint Nick, Kris Kringle and Father Christmas). On Wednesday night, Santa was kind enough to greet children and spread holiday cheer during the Tourism Office’s Christmas in July event at Excursion Park, where families posed for photos and received gifts from the Jolly Old Elf. Thank you for being here, Santa!

The next “Shout Out” goes to the Cantwell family, who recently told me that this is their 45th year vacationing in Sea Isle City – and I hope they are enjoying every minute of it! Best wishes to the Cantwells!

Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio