V24 N3

THE INSIDE GUIDE TO COOL CAPE MAY • FEBRUARY 25, 2026 • VOLUME 24, NUMBER 3

Exit Zero

Harriet

Tubman &

The Story

Of Black

Cape May

Page 2 EXIT ZERO February 25, 2026

Ramblings From The Editor

What’s in this issue... and occasionally some other observations about life and the universe

I

hope you’re reading this magazine in

a warm and cozy place, enjoying the

benefits of such lovely amenities as

electricity. I say this because, as I write,

my home does NOT enjoy the luxury

of electricity. I had begun walking the four

miles from home to our office on the mall

(because I couldn’t get my car out of the

driveway), but received the angelic help

of my neighbor (and acclaimed novelist)

Danny Magariel, who whisked me to the

office (via a few felled-down trees) in his

sexy Ford Lightning truck. (I do, though,

have to schlep home on foot as soon as I

finish writing this missive.)

In previous years, many times have I

scolded the Weather Channel for hysterical

reporting — so often, the storms that were

predicted were damp squibs. This is why,

these days, I stick to Nor’Easter Nick,

who is a very engaging voice of reason.

However... I didn’t quite heed his warnings

as fully as I should have. I really didn’t

think Cape May would get hit as hard as we

were. As I went to bed at around midnight

on Sunday, it seemed like the snow was

done. We still had power. All was good.

And then it wasn’t.

On Monday morning, as I looked at an

iPhone that was 37% charged and a fridge

and pantry that was very low on ready-toeat

meals, I thought to myself, “You really

are a useless, badly prepared plonker.”

In my defence, I did make sure that the

45 battery-operated tealights I own (they

are so realistic and esthetically pleasing)

were all charged up and ready to go. So

the house looks lovely — it’s just bloody

freezing.

But that’s where another great friend

and neighbor comes into play — they’re

too modest to be mentioned, but they’re

putting me, the wife and the nearly-fiveyear-old

in their generator-powered guest

apartment.

I shudder when I remember the last

great snowstorm to hit us — in February

of 2010, when we lost power on Stimpson

Lane for five days, yet looked across the

road so enviously at our neighbors, who

were unaffected. It was a quirky little

example of the haves and the have-nots.

Anyway, the point of this issue of Exit

Zero is not to discuss snowstorms. Instead,

the point is to discuss the Black history of

Cape May. Some of you may be fairly or

well-acquainted with it, and some of you

likely are not. At one point, 30 per cent

of the Cape May population was Black, a

remarkable number when you consider the

demographic landscape of the island today.

For this issue, I am indebted to artist

Sydnei Smith Jordan, whose painting

of Underground Railroad icon Harriet

Tubman adorns our cover.

Inside (pages 6-8), you’ll find a few

musings from me on the Black history of

this island, along with some hints on where

to discover loads more information.

Enjoy the issue and remember... never,

ever (ever!) take electricity for granted,

kids.

The Blue Pig

Returns

A beloved Cape May tradition returns. Join us as the

Blue Pig Tavern reopens its doors, welcoming guests

once again to gather over seasonal favorites, locally

inspired dishes, and timeless hospitality.

RESERVE YOUR SEATS

Reopening Thursday, February 12

CAPERESORTS.COM/BLUEPIGTAVERN

February 25, 2026 EXIT ZERO Page 3

KITCHEN

Sun-Thu 11:30-9

& Fri-Sat 11:30-10

HAPPY HOUR

Mon-Sat 3-6pm

Open Daily from 11:30am

3729 Bayshore Road, North Cape May

609-889-7000 • 5WestPub.com

Adored by

Visitors...

Loved by

Locals!

Open Fri, Sat & Sun 7am-2

-2pm

Beach & Grant 609-884-3772

ABOUT EXIT ZERO

We were launched on to the streets of Cape

May on July 3, 2003 by former London and

New York magazine editor Jack Wright.

Every Wednesday, EXIT ZERO magazine is

delivered to nearly 300 establishments in

the area. Get a jump on it early by reading

online every Tuesday morning!

Editor & Publisher

Jack Wright

jack@exitzero.com

Digital Manager

Kayla Jordan

kayla@exitzero.com

Photographer

Aleksey Moryakov

info@alekseyphotography.com

For more information, give us a call at

609-241-2326

Or write to us at info@exitzero.com

Visit us online at exitzero.com

A sprightly sheet full of the sprays of the old ocean ¯ March 13-March 26, 2014 ¯ Volume 12, Number 3 ¯ Cape May, America’s Original Seaside Resort

Cape May has a new Chief of Police after Rob Sheehan was officially sworn in on Tuesday, March 4 — more photographs of the ceremony and reception inside. Photograph by Gabi Urda

Annual Cape Resorts Employee

Appreciation Party PAGES 22-36

Benefit For Steve McCullough

At Cabanas PAGES 50-55

Dot Burton’s 87th Birthday

Party At The VFW PAGES 77-78

AND YES, THERE IS SOMETHING DIFFERENT ABOUT CAPE MAY’S PEPPY PERIODICAL... WE HOPE YOU ENJOY OUR LARGER FORMAT!

ADVERTISE WITH US!

We are funded entirely through advertising,

so please support the advertisers in these

pages! If you’re interested in becoming

an advertiser, we offer very affordable

packages. Give us a holler on 609-241-2326

or info@exitzero.com.

CLIPART CONTEST!

In every issue, we hide a little EXIT ZERO

logo in an ad. Can you find it? Enter by filling

out the form at exitzero.com/clipart.

Entries must be sent by March 6. Winner

gets a $25 electronic gift card for our online

store! The winner’s name will be posted on

our Facebook page each Wednesday. Here’s

the exact size of the image!

Our Front Pages Through The Years

And Finally...

Kelly Heacock’s Bridal Shower

At Cold Spring Grange PAGES 80-81

We’ve been covering

the happenings

around Cape May

since 2003, and

we’ve packed in

around two billion

photos in that

time. Okay, slight

exaggeration. Our

cover from March

13, 2014 featured

a new police chief

being sworn in,

Rob Sheehan, plus

events for two local

luminaries who are

no longer with us

— Dot Burton and

Steve McCullough.

If you’re looking for Exit Zero Filling Station, we are no longer in the restaurant business — it

closed permanently on September 20, 2025. If you’re looking for our cool EZ merchandise and

artwork, that IS still available, online at exitzero.store. Hopefully, we’ll be back at some point

with a new brick-and-mortar store. Until then, it’s online only.


A Cape May

Classic

live music

FRIDAY, FEB 27 - THE LOOP DUO

SATURDAY, FEB 28 - DJ DENNY OH

OPEN DAILY FOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE DINING

All Your Favorite Mug Dishes!

426 WASHINGTON STREET • 609-884-3459 Follow us on Facebook

OPEN DAILY + YEAR-ROUND

INDOOR & OUTDOOR SEATING

400 WASHINGTON STREET • 609-770-8559


Harriet Tubman

Globally Inspired Comfort Food

& Expertly Crafted Cocktails

OPEN Tue-Sat @ 4

106 DECATUR STREET, CAPE MAY

609-888-6095 capemaycricketclub.com

19 Jackson Street, Cape May

609-884-5970 madbatter.com


LIVE

MUSIC

Thu 6-8

Fri & Sat 7-10

Sundays

Open Mic 6-9

A Cape May Tradition

Family Owned & Argued Over Since 1976

Celebrating 50 Years!

• Thu: Dinner only 3:30pm-8pm

• Fri-Sat: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, 8am-10pm

• Sun: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, 8am-9pm

• Mon: Breakfast & lunch, 8am-2:30pm

COVER STORY JACK WRIGHT

W

hen you consider

the things for

which Cape May

is known, racial

diversity won’t

top any lists. But the truth is,

a substantial Black presence

shaped this place for generations,

and a wave of markers,

restorations, programming and

public history is trying to give

that legacy the space it deserves.

The area around Lafayette

and Franklin Streets has always

been a hub of Black history, and

that’s where a big part of that

story is being told, anchored by

the Harriet Tubman Museum,

which opened in 2020 in

the former parsonage of the

Macedonia Baptist Church.

Tubman came to Cape May

for several summers in the early

1850s to earn money for her

Underground Railroad missions,

taking jobs in hotels and

homes as a cook and domestic

worker. After the summer of

1852, Tubman returned south

and led nine enslaved people to

freedom (in total, she’s believed

to have freed nearly 80 people

in a dozen missions).

Cape May’s geography mattered.

Sitting at the edge of the

Delaware Bay, it offered access

to coastal routes that could help

people move north. For freedom

seekers crossing from Delaware

or Maryland, this region could

mean the difference between

capture and escape.

When the Civil War began,

Tubman worked for the Union

And The Story Of Black Cape May

Left: Harriet Tubman at 46 in a photo from 1868. Above: The Hotel Dale was one of five Black-owned hotels in Cape May at a time when segregation was

rife. Above right: The Planter Motel (which replaced the Dale) was named in honor of Civil War hero Robert Smalls. It’s now the Boarding House hotel.

Army, first as a cook and nurse,

and then as an armed scout

and spy. For her guidance and

oversight of the 1863 raid at

Combahee Ferry in South

Carolina, which liberated more

than 700 enslaved people, she

is widely credited as the first

woman to lead an armed military

operation in the US.

Another major Cape May

connection to the Underground

Railroad is Stephen, Smith, a

self-emancipated slave who

became reportedly the nation’s

wealthiest Black businessman.

He also happened to be a conductor

on the Underground

Railroad.

Smith was a national leader

in the African Methodist

Episcopal Church and founded

Cape May’s AME Church, on

Franklin Street, a few doors

down from his house on

Lafayette Street, which became

the subject of a fascinating story

of resistance to urban renewal

during the mid-60s.

When Cape May was bulldozing

large tracts of what was

mainly Black-occupied homes

on Lafayette Street as part of

a $3.2 million revitalization,

Amelia Hampton, then the

owner of the Stephen Smith

House, refused to hand over her

home to the city for demolition.

She sent a telegram to President

Lyndon B. Johnson urging him

to spare the property.

Reportedly, an assistant to

LBJ spoke to officials at the

Department of Housing and

Urban Development. The

result? Smith’s house was left

untouched.

Over the years, the Hampton

siblings who inherited the home

have been attempting to raise

funds to restore the building in

order to have it function as part

of a Black history tour.

At one time (probably

peaking in the 1920s and 30s),

nearly a third of Cape May’s

population was Black, owning

around 60 businesses.

But freedom in the North

came with boundaries. Even

after slavery ended, segregation

shaped daily life. Here in Cape

May, nowhere was that clearer

than at Franklin Street School.

The school opened in 1928

specifically for Black children,

replacing an earlier, inadequate

arrangement. It remained open

until 1948, when New Jersey’s

new constitution finally outlawed

segregated public schools.

Today, that same building

has taken on new meaning,

reopening as the city library,

and the HQ of the Center for

Community Arts, which for 30

years has promoted the city’s

Black history.

Segregation didn’t stop

at the classroom door. For

decades, Black travelers visiting

Cape May were barred

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

CAPE MAY ART

• Vintage artwork, stunning photography & beautiful watercolors

• Makes the perfect gift for a loved/liked one... or for yourself!

• All available at exitzero.store — use EZ26 code for 20% off


CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

from most hotels. In response,

five Black-owned or Black-only

hotels sprung up in the city.

The 50-room Hotel Dale,

on Lafayette Street (now the

site of the Boarding House) was

the largest and most prominent.

Among other amenities, guests

could view games at Cape May

Golf Club across the street

from their veranda. Here’s the

catch: Blacks were barred from

actually playing the course.

Hotel Dale remained in

business until 1935 when

owner Edward Dale, who also

operated an opera house on

the location now occupied by

OceanFirst bank, sold all of his

Cape May properties and left

the area.

The building was demolished

and, in the 1960s, became

the Planter Motel, run by John

Nash, a family friend of Dale’s,

and his wife Dolly.

The name was inspired by

Dolly’s great-grandfather, Civil

War hero Robert Smalls. An

enslaved man from Beaufort,

South Carolina, Smalls was

only 23 when he engineered a

remarkable feat: in the midst

of the Civil War, he commandeered

a Confederate ship,

CSS Planter, and delivered its

16 passengers from slavery to

freedom.

News of Smalls’ exploits

reached all the way to President

Abraham Lincoln. Smalls

traveled to Washington to

meet with Lincoln, where he

reportedly helped to persuade

him to permit Black men to

serve in the army.

These Black hotels weren’t

simply accommodations —

they were hubs of social life.

They hosted musicians, families

and vacationers who were

otherwise excluded from Cape

May’s mainstream hospitality

scene.

If segregation narrowed

access to public spaces, Black

churches expanded the sense of

community.

Churches like Macedonia

Stephen Smith was once the

richest Black man in America. His

home remains on Lafayette Street.

Baptist offered stability, mutual

aid and leadership when few

other institutions did. As for

the Allen African Methodist

Episcopal Church (founded

by Smith), it’s entered a new

chapter. After a devastating

fire in 2018, the building

was restored and reborn last

summer as the home of East

Lynne Theater Company.

These are just snippets, of

course, from the city’s Black

history. As well as (obviously)

immersing yourself in the

Harriet Tubman Museum,

I recommend taking a selfguided

walking tour from the

Center for Community Arts,

which (if you’ve been paying

attention) you’ll know is based

at the library at 720 Franklin

Street.

But that’s not all. Cape May

MAC currently has an exhibit

which is a must-see. Called

“Routes of Black Travel: The

Green Book in Cape May and

Wildwood”, the exhibit is on

show at the Carroll Gallery in

the Emlen Physick Estate.

Segregation shaped Cape

May. It determined where Black

children learned, where Black

visitors slept, and which histories

were celebrated — and

which were ignored. But history

isn’t static. What we choose to

preserve, reinterpret and talk

about says just as much about

the present as it does about the

past.



2/20: Around 7pm On A Friday

Evening At 5 West Pub

The legendary, intimate hangout where locals

& guests mingle over domestic & imported

beers, fine wines & classic cocktails. Join us!

Drake, Austin, Peggy, Daniel

Reopening

in April

for our

Ruth, Marie, Sue

150 th season!

301 Howard Street, Cape May

609-884-8409 • chalfonte.com

Bob, Denise... more 5 West photos next week!


2/22: Black History Program At

Historic Macedonia Baptist Church

Teran Broadnax, Betty Hickman, Joe Battle Sr, Joe Battle Jr

Minister Nina Broadnax, Des Broadnax

Tina, Doris

• Draft Beer & Craft Cocktails

• Billiards & Live Entertainment

• Locally Made Dessert Pies

HAPPY HOUR SPECIALS 3-6pm

MONDAY

1/2 PRICE APPETIZERS, $8 COSMO,

$2 OFF DRAFT BEER

TUESDAY

1/2 PRICE PIZZA, $3 COORS LIGHT

& MILLER LITE BOTTLES, $8 MARGS

WEDNESDAY

ALL ENTREES 10% OFF

$6 PINOT NOIR, $2 OFF CRAFT BEER

THURSDAY

$2 OFF BURGERS, $10 LOADED FRIES, $8 OLD

FASHIONED, $8 POMEGRANATE MARTINI

FRIDAY

$10 AMERICANA PIZZA, $11 CHEESESTEAK, $15

DOMESTIC BUCKETS (5), $25 SELTZER BUCKETS (5)

SUNDAY: REVERSE HAPPY HOUR 11:30-3PM

$7 MIMOSA, $8 BLOODY MARY, $9 APEROL SPRITZ, $9

TRUFFLE POTATO WEDGES,

$10 CHICKEN AND WAFFLE SLIDERS

thelocaltavernnj.com

1075 Bayshore Road, Villas



2/22: Black History Program At Historic Macedonia Baptist Church

Patti, Dorena

Deacon Daniel Money, Deacon Donna Washington Smith, Pastor Joe Colvin, Deaconess Alice Washington,

Deacon Lynda Towns, Deacon Hampton Taylor

Nancy Stewart, Deacon Hampton Taylor


The Goods

The Event

There’s gonna be a load of

hootin’ and hollerin’ and

yee-haws and so on at

MudHen Brewing Company

pretty soon. Why? Because

the Wildwood brewery is

hosting a Blues, Brews &

Country Festival on the

weekend of March 6-8. Live

music from Y’All or Nothing,

Slidewinder, Rebel Y’All and

Jam Capital West. For more

on this and more activities,

turn to page 39 (y’all).

44

Highest temperature

this week, peaking on

Saturday. Daytime low

will be 38, on Friday.

Sunset time this Saturday,

February 28: 5:51pm.

Sunrise: 6:33am.

The Must-Have


You might not find a pot of gold at the bottom of

your mug, but you can sip a delicious Irish creaminspired

blend of coffee featuring notes of chocolatey

rum with Luck O’ the Irish flavored coffee from Love

The Cook & Cape May Roasters. This limited-edition

coffee of the month returns March 1 and is available

in 12oz bags for a special price of $13.95. With about

50 varieties of coffee, freshly brewed daily samples,

a wall of kitchen gadgets, specialty foods and home

décor, it’s no wonder Love the Cook & Cape May

Roasters has been a must-stop when visiting the

Washington Street Mall for the past 33 years. In our

book, you can never have enough beautiful wooden

spoons (and a silicon spatula or two for good

measure). And aren’t you in danger of running out

of quality dish towels? Stop by Love the Cook at 404

Washington Street Friday through Sunday, and visit

lovethecook.com for spring hours.

The Dish

The History

The grilled shrimp tacos at Taco Caballito

Tequileria are a customer favorite thanks

to their fresh and zesty flavor. Grilled

shrimp are layered into a flour tortilla with

crispy red cabbage slaw, sweet pineapple

salsa and chipotle mayo. Pair them with

one of TCT’s speciality margaritas or a

local draft beer and settle in at the corner

of Beach Avenue and Decatur Street. Not

a shrimp fan? So many other options —

from smoked brisket to crispy fish, Brussel

sprouts to cheese steak! Taco Caballito

is currently open from Friday through

Sunday for lunch and dinner.

The first German U-boat to surrender to

the Allied forces did so right off the coast

of Cape May! Pictured left are the crew of

U-858 after they gave themselves up on

May 10, 1945. The submarine was escorted

to Fort Miles, Delaware and then stored at

the Philadelphia shipyard until it was sunk

during target practice in 1947. Its commanding

officer, Thilo Bode, would return to Cape

May decades later to discuss his experience.

You can read about this and more fascinating

stories in The First Resort, our coffee table

history book. It’s available from Tommy’s

Folly, Sunset Beach, Cape Atlantic Books,

Whale’s Tale. Or online at exitzero.store.

The Bottle

Savoie

Jacquère, France

A fresh, creamy, alpine white

(appropriate for snowy Cape

May this week) wine from the

French Alps. This beauty has

firm minerality, racy acidity

and notes of peach, lemon

verbena and sea salt. Pair it

with cheese, oysters, shrimp,

fish and salads. Available

from Sunset Liquors for

$16.99.

NEW JERSEY’S PREMIER

FARM-TO-BOTTLE DISTILLERY

Tours · Cocktails · Live Music · Spirits · Gifts

Thu 4-10pm, Fri-Sat 12-10pm, Sun 12-8pm, Mon 4-8pm

916 Shunpike Road, North Cape May · 609-770-3381 · Nautispirits.com · @nautispirits


The Ultimate Food & Drink Guide

“My doctor told me I had to stop throwing intimate dinners for four — unless there are three other people.” orson welles

CAPE MAY FISH MARKET

Located in the middle of the mall, it features a

raw bar, fish, meat and poultry entrées, plus a big

selection of salads, sandwiches and burgers. House

specialties include their famous crab cakes.

408 Washington Street, Cape May

609-770-3790 / capemayfishmarket.com

b H

DOGTOOTH BAR & GRILL

From the family that launched MudHen Brewing

Company, Dogtooth offers a large menu of

American classics. The sandwich choices are

expansive and inventive, and there’s also a

flatbread selection. Stop in for happy hour to enjoy

food and drink specials along with live music. And

don’t forget to ask about their draft list.

100 East Taylor Avenue, Wildwood

609-522-8383 / dogtoothbar.com

ub

E. M. HEMINGWAY’S

Located in the beachfront Grand Hotel,

Hemingway’s offers fine seafood, prime beef

and excellent specials in a lavishly decorated

space that pays homage to the sea (that

giant marlin on the wall!). It’s a favorite spot

for families and, with six large-screen TVs,

it’s a prime venues for sports fans, too.

1045 Beach Avenue, Cape May

609-884-5611 / hemingwayscapemay.com

ubH

5 WEST PUB

This North Cape May hotspot is a gastropub from

Paul and Jen Negro, owners of Tisha’s and The

Local Tavern. The starters menu alone will have

you salivating, and there’s also a great selection of

brick oven pizza, as well as mains that include Twin

Grilled Pork Chop, Chicken Marsala and Crab Cakes.

Excellent food in a relaxed atmosphere.


609-889-7000 / 5westpub.com

ubH U

THE CRICKET CLUB

When the Cricket Club opened in late 2022, at the site

of the former Merion Inn, it brought a new vibe to

the Cape May dining scene. Its menu explodes with a

kaleidoscopic range of flavors — the espresso-rubbed

pork chop is stellar. And the inventive cocktail game is

as good as any in the area — the nicely named 1998

Called has become a favorite.

106 Decatur Street, Cape May

609-888-6095 / capemaycricketclub.com

ub

THE EBBITT ROOM

Long regarded as one of the area’s best restaurants,

The Ebbitt Room is as good as its ever been, as

evidenced by Chef Jason Hanin recently being

named Chef of the Year by New Jersey Restaurant &

Hospitality Association. Eat on the porch, overlooking

beautiful, tree-lined Jackson Street, or take in the

buzzy vibe of the dining room and bar.


609-884-5700 / caperesorts.com/ebbittroom

u

FINS BAR & GRILLE

The maritime decor includes huge

fish tanks and a poured glass bartop.

Recently, a second bar was added, a good

thing given how busy it can be. Outside,

enjoy eating out under the canopy. The

menu offers classic comfort foods, plus a

huge salads selection and a raw bar.

142 Decatur Street, Cape May

609-884-3449 / finscapemay.com

b H U

GEORGE’S PLACE

This local legend of a beachfront eatery,

established in 1968, serves up signature

breakfast items, mouthwatering lunches

and generous dinners all in a welcoming

and relaxed environment. George’s enjoyed

its moment in the limelight thanks to a visit

from Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives TV

show on the Food Network.


609-884-6088 / kararestaurantgroup.com

b H

DELANEY’S

As you’d expect of an Irish-inspired establishment,

this is the place to get Guinness and good pub

grub. The menu features a raw bar, a large

selection of salads, thin-crust pizza and, of course,

Celtic-flavored dishes, such as Shepherd’s Pie and

Irish Meatloaf. The cozy, dark-wood booths are

perfect for lingering and enjoying the craic.


609-770-8559 / delaneyscapemay.com

b H

EL PUEBLO TAQUERIA

Welcome to an authentic, affordable Mexican

dining experience, prepared with only the freshest

ingredients and a whole lot of TLC. Owner Ruben

cut his teeth working at popular Cape May

restaurants, learning to cook from his late father

Oscar and mother Lucia, whose magic is still woven

into many of the dishes at El Pueblo.


609-600-3793 / elpueblotaqueria.com

ubH

FISH HOUSE

This elevated seafood shack/beachside bar is

nestled amidst the beauty of Sunset Beach, with

views of the iconic Concrete Ship. It offers fresh

seafood, excellent sandwiches, homemade ice

cream and a wicked range of crafted cocktails. Tip:

It’s a spectacular breakfast spot!

502 Sunset Boulevard, Cape May

609-629-3654 / fishhousecapemay.com

ubH U

GRANA BYOB

Chef Carl Messick (who cut his teeth

at the Ebbitt Room and Peter Shields)

transformed what was once Godmother’s

into an overnight sensation in Cape May. His

menu showcases exquisite dishes featuring

seasonal and sustainable ingredients. The

four-course Tasting Menu is always a great

choice, if you’re feeling indulgent.

413 S. Broadway, Cape May

609-849-9255 / granabyob.com

b

2/21: Community Resource Day At

Tabernacle United Methodist Church

Uncle Bill’s

Reopening March 13!

Jessica Johnson, Alba Vargas

BEACH & PERRY, CAPE MAY

Carissa, Diane

Krista, Chris



“One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating.” luciano pavarotti

THE LOBSTER HOUSE

Fish market, restaurant, raw bar, take-out, coffee

shop... The Lobster House has it all, at a lovely

dockside setting. Drinks on the Schooner American

before dinner is a must-do experience, or at the

inside cocktail bar, which is everything a

classic bar should be!

Fisherman’s Wharf, Cape May

609-884-8296

thelobsterhouse.com

ubH U

MAD BATTER

When it opened in 1976, it inspired a Cape

May restaurant revolution. Yes, if you’re paying

attention, you’ll know it’s 50 years old this year! The

food is always creative, the bar is buzzy, and the

breakfasts and brunches are hard to beat — hence

the lines. The Open Mic night also makes the Batter

one of the best places to enjoy live music.


609-884-5970 / madbatter.com

H

MUDHEN BREWING CO.

This Wildwood fave is the closest the

area has to a German biergarten. On

the inside, it’s a rocking joint yearround.

Sip on beers, many of them

brewed inhouse, and enjoy casual

fare, including a BBQ smokehouse

menu, burgers and groovy salads.

127 W. Rio Grande Ave, Wildwood

609-846-7918 / mudhenbrew.com

ubH U

OYSTER BAY

Eat in the lovely, airy dining room or in the

adjoining bar area with a fun vibe, where you’re

liable to meet many of Cape May’s business

owners and movers-and-shakers. There’s also a

daily bar menu at this downtown favorite, along

with a popular happy hour, great martinis and

classic, generous dishes.

615 Lafayette Street, Cape May

609-884-2111 / oysterbayrestaurant.com

ubH

THE LOCAL TAVERN

Brought to you by the owners of Tisha’s and 5 West,

this newly reimagined hangout in Villas features

a beautifully designed bar, comfort food from

people who really know how to do it, billiards, live

entertainment, and a laidback vibe that makes you

feel right at home. It’s called The Local Tavern for a

good reason. (But non-locals are very welcome, too!)

1075 Bayshore Road, Villas

609-741-8945 / thelocaltavernnj.com

ubH

MARIO’S PIZZA

Mario’s has won Best Pizza in the annual Cape May.

com awards pretty much every year. This is a classic

pizzeria and a great place to take the family for a

crowd-pleasing lunch or dinner. Enjoy homemade

specialties and secret sauces, from classic pizza (using

homemade dough daily) to paninis, garlic knots plus

pasta dishes and wings.

Washington Commons

609-884-0085 / mariosofcapemay.com

ubH U

PETER SHIELDS INN

The Georgian Revival mansion is magnificent and the

modern American menu matches. Indulge yourself in

one of the inviting dining rooms or overlooking the

ocean on the porch. Bonus: Peter Shields is no longer

BYOB and has a full list of wine, cocktails and beers!


609-884-9090 / petershieldsinn.com

H

OCEAN 7

When the Inn of Cape May came under

new ownership in 2022, much of the

focus was on renovating/rebranding the

restaurant. The result was Ocean 7, featuring

a modern American menu enjoyed in

a breezy beachfront setting. Start (or end)

your evening with a cocktail on The Porch.

7 Ocean Street, Cape May

609-884-5555 / innofcapemay.com

b U

LUCKY BONES

A place that manages to regularly hit it out the

park for both visitors AND locals. The bar scene is

buzzy, and the food is excellent — from thincrust

pizza to classic Americana dishes,

and one of the best pork chops around.

The draft list is superb.

1200 Route 109, Cape May

609-884-BONE

luckybonesgrill.com

ubH

MAYER’S TAVERN

From its start in the 1940s as a family-run

tavern/inn to the 1980s-era rowdy dive bar that

achieved infamy, Mayer’s has always occupied a

special place in the community. In 2016, fatherand-daughter

Keith and Alex Laudeman renovated

and created a buzzy eatery that’s become an

instant classic.

894 3rd Avenue, Cape May

mayerstavern.com

ubH U

OCEAN VIEW

The family-friendly diner that every town needs.

Bonus points? As the name

suggests, its location is special.

Enjoy a large menu with classic

diner food, oversized portions

and reasonable pricing.

Beach and Grant, Cape May

609-884-3772

oceanviewrestaurant.com

ubH U

PIER HOUSE

This elegant-but-cozy restaurant in La Mer

Beachfront Resort offers a welcoming ambiance,

serving modern American fare with innovative

twists and inspired recipes, just steps from the

beach. The airy bar area, flooded with light and

boasting views of the dunes, is a great place for a

pre-dinner cocktail.


609-898-2244 / capemaylamer.com

ubH

2/21: Community Resource Day At Tabernacle United Methodist Church

Joan, Lori, Steve, Paula

Kim, Liberty, Natalia

Dominique, Dasha, Joi

Kathy, Susie, Mike

Open Thu-Sun @ 5pm

3-Course Winter Prix Fixe $48 Thu & Sun

New menu each week - check our

social every Monday

Regular menu also available

Grana BYOB is the dream of executive chef/

owner Carl Messick. This 68-seat restaurant

features a seasonally changing menu, using

fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Fine Dining | Reservations via Resy app or by phone

413 South Broadway, Cape May | 609-849-9255 | granabyob.com



“Spaghetti can be eaten most successfully if you inhale it like a vacuum cleaner.” sophia loren

POPPI’S

Enjoy old-world recipes (from owner Brendan

Sciarra’s grandfather, aka Poppi) in a relaxed atmosphere

with rustic charm. This Wildwood eatery

is perfect for an intimate evening or small family

gathering. And they have a lot more than just pizza,

offering a nice range of sandwiches plus mains

such as Short Rib Ragu and Veal Chop Marsala.

4709 New Jersey Avenue, Wildwood

609-600-3964 / poppisbrickoven.com

ubH

SAPORE ITALIANO

Sapore is located in a magnificent Victorian

mansion a couple blocks from the beach, and the

food does it justice. Excellent Italian dishes and a

lovely family-style ambience. Dine in one of the

intimate rooms or on the leafy outdoor patio.

Either way, you are in for a treat.

416 South Broadway, West Cape May

609-600-1422

saporeitalianorestaurant.com

ubH

THE UGLY MUG

A long time ago, when cars still rumbled up and

down Washington Street and you could snag a

room by the beach for $10 per night, one thing was

the same as it is today — the Mug was packing

in people looking for good food and good drinks.

Inside, you’ll enjoy a classic pub atmosphere.

Outside, it’s a great spot for people watching.


609-884-3459 / uglymug.bar

b H

VINTAGE

Set on the charming grounds of the Emlen Physick

Estate, this restaurant has become a firm favorite

for its innovative take on classic dishes. While

Vintage is outdoors, there’s a weatherproof,

climate-controlled tent where you can comfortably

enjoy your meal even if Mother Nature is in a

cranky mood. Bonus: The menu is 95% gluten-free!


609-224-6064 / vintagebyob.com

ubH U

PORT MARINA

The Zest group transformed Harbor

View into a chic waterfront experience.

The deck is the place to indulge in

cocktails and feast on a menu that

includes sushi. Inside, get in the mood

with a tipple at the downstairs bar

then head upstairs for a culinary treat.

954 Ocean Drive, Cape May

609-884-5444 / portcapemay.com

ubH U

TACO CABALLITO TEQUILERIA

This two-story, vibrant beachfront restaurant offers

authentic Mexican dishes and handcrafted margaritas

made with artisanal tequilas in a environment that

just exudes fun and style in equal measure. Eating on

the second-floor porch is a real treat.


609-884-4800

tacocaballitotequileria.com

b H

UNCLE BILL’S PANCAKE HOUSE

A Cape May institution (in a good way!) You can sit

outside with ocean and beach views, and dine with

your dog if the weather is nice. Fun fact: The circular

building was originally

a cocktail bar for

Congress Hall!

Beach and Perry,

Cape May

609-884-7199

ubH U

WASHINGTON INN & WINE BAR

Superb gourmet food on glorious, tree-lined

Washington Street. Established in 1978 by the Craig

family (Cape May Winery, Lucky

Bones), the Inn is still a must-visit,

from the sought-after bar seats to the

amazing wine list, featuring nearly

1,500 labels.


609-884-5697 / washingtoninn.com

ubH

TISHA’S

QUINCY’S LOBSTER ROLLS

Quincy’s began after a group of friends

from the Philadelphia area vacationed one

summer in Maine. They decided to bring

a little taste of New England to the Shore,

and Cape May was their first location. Indulge

in classic lobster rolls, lobster salads,

crab rolls and other quick-bite favorites.

320 Washington & 709 Beach, Cape May

609-305-4379 / quincysoriginal.com

b H U

A local favorite for 30 years and still going strong,

Tisha’s first won acclaim when it was located on

the promenade. These days it’s bang in the center

of Washington Street Mall. What hasn’t changed?

Chef-owner Paul Negro still serves ridiculously

good food for lunch and dinner. Check out sister

restaurants, 5 West Pub and The Local Tavern, too.


609-884-9119 / tishasfinedining.com

b U

VIGGIANO’S ON SUNSET

A family-friendly Italian restaurant, from the same

owners who ran the popular Conshocken Viggiano’s

for a quarter century. Expect classic Italian food

done right from Chef Mark and a welcome as

hearty as the pasta dishes, which you will almost

certainly want to share. And that is exactly as the

Viggianos intended it!

109 Sunset Boulevard, West Cape May

609-435-5026 / viggianosbyob.com

ubH

WESTSIDE MARKET

Breakfast, lunch, deli counter, butcher, groceries,

baked goods... Westside has it all. In summer, grab

sandwiches to bring to the beach

or steaks to grill for dinner. Yearround,

it’s a great place to stock up

your pantry or enjoy takeout.

517 Broadway, Cape May

609-884-3061

westsidemarketwestcapemay.

com

u H



Brittney Guthrie, Arianna Caraballo Serena Stackhouse, Megan Hoppe Yvonne Sullivan, Sherry Hazel

Maureen, Deb Karen, Eileen Jennifer, Veronica

Serving Dinner Wed-Sat from 4:30pm

Open Fri-Sun 10:30-5:00

or by appointment

Cape May’s Full-Service Jeweler

Custom Designs, Watch Batteries & Repairs

322 Washington Street Mall, Cape May

609-884-9119 TISHASFINEDINING.COM

510 CARPENTERS LANE l 609-854-4489

Shop online at trinketscapemay.com


2/21: Community Resource Day At

Tabernacle United Methodist Church

Flying Fish Studio

We are proud to serve as your trusted

wholesale screenprinter for 36 years.

Contact us today!

Brooke Camp, Cheryl Spaulding, Celena Cruz-Lawson

Cares/ The Recovery Center

609-884-2760

www.theflyingfishstudio.com

megan@theflyingfishstudio.com

Lou, Jerry



Steve, Ralph 1. Jen Pooler, Rubye Hutchinson Jeannette Fox, Alana Maldonado

Joan, Lori Alice, Rebecca Jen, Kristie


2/16: Zack Mullock For Congress Launch Party At The Inn Of Cape May

Bernie Haas, Tom and Sue Carroll, Chris Clemans

Linda, Carol, Denise, Lora

BJ, Kit, Barb

Linda, Cain, Susan, Milt, Bo



Tom and Shelly Nancy, Linda Maureen, Kathleen

Hilary and Chuck Pritchard Justine, Kelsey Bob and Linda Mullock


The Answer Lady invites inquiries

from gentle readers on all manner

of relationship quandaries, matters

of the heart and ethics. If you’d

like to send a query, write to info@

exitzero.us. Or just sit back, enjoy a cup of

coffee and contemplate the wisdom herein.

Dear Answer Lady

My boyfriend proposed on Valentine’s

Day. I was surprised because I thought he

would do it on my birthday next month. I

said yes but asked if I could exchange the

ring. It is not my taste and I’m surprised

he didn’t let me pick it out. What should

have been a joyful evening at the Ebbitt

Room turned into a fight, though not in

the restaurant. I waited until we were in

the car driving home. He dropped me off

and went to his parents’ house and has not

been back. It’s been a week. I think I have

a right to pick my own engagement ring. I

think his behavior is childish. What do I

do to get us back on track? — Frustrated

Dear Frustrated

So, it never occurred to you that you

deeply hurt his feelings? It never occurred

The Answer Lady

Wise answers to life’s perplexing questions

to you that he thought a lot about this gift

to you? Do you habitually return Christmas

gifts? The secret to any relationship is thinking

of the other before the self. Thus, learning

the value of compromise and tact, especially

in sensitive situations. The Answer

Lady advises you to apologize. Explain that

you did not mean to offend him or question

his taste but that you plan on wearing this

ring for a very long time, and it needs to be

in more sync with your lifestyle. Ask him if

he wouldn’t mind you paying a visit to Patrcia

Jackson for a tweak?

Dear Answer Lady

My father-in-law moved in with us a

year ago because of health issues. It seems

to me that when he moved in, my relationship

with my husband, especially the

intimacy part, moved out. I have repeatedly

tried to schedule weekend getaways,

even arranging for someone to come in

and look after him. He goes along with

it, until his father finds out that “strangers”

will be taking care of him and then

it’s game over and we end up stuck in the

house. What should I do because I fear the

marriage may not survive if something

doesn’t change. — Stuck

Dear Stuck

Arrange for dinner at Peter Shields Inn.

In fact, insist on a date night every week.

You might then book a room in Cape May

for one night. Arrange for a caretaker for

one night, no matter the protests. Then

work from there. Try to get a relative or

friend of the family that your father knows

to help out and take it from there.



Jim Barnes, Allison Cheek-Smush Morgan Jim, Cain Ean Oesterle, Jon Fusco

Jerri Ann, Patience Cain Cummings, George Werner Elsie, Leo




Victor Grasso, Jim Moffatt Steven, Susan Michael Clark, Daniel Magariel

Zack Mullock, Mary Pat Myers Donna and Gary Padussis Bernadette Marie, Cindy Mullock



Tina, Carlos, Scott, Denise

Jerry and Kate Hathaway, Zack Mullock , Bob Mullock, Randy Muschke (voted

Joe, Maureen, Zack

Theresa, Justine, Nicole, Tiffany

MARKET & KITCHEN

OPEN WEEKENDS

Explore our Market, savor tastes from our Kitchen, and join

our Harvest Dinner Series for evenings of flavors with friends

and friends-to-be.

LOCATED AT BEACH PLUM FARM

140 STEVENS STREET, WEST CAPE MAY

BeachPlumFarmCapeMay.com

VIEW FARM HOURS


2/14: Around 3pm On Valentine’s Day At Nauti Spirits Distillery

The Matthews clan

AJ, Jen

Robert Panaccio, VMD

Robert Moffatt, VMD

Nancy Reilly, VMD

Patricia J. Link, DVM

Lisa Hammett, DVM

Nour Hussaein, DVM

694 Petticoat Creek Lane, Cape May

609-884-1729 • capemayvet.com

hours by appointment



Tabernacle

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

2/14: Around 3pm On Valentine’s

Day At Nauti Spirits Distillery

Please join us at

Tabernacle United Methodist Church,

720 Seashore Road

Saturday, February 28 from 10am-12pm

for Kids & Play Family Discovery Day

with Rutgers Southern Regional CCR&R

Families are invited to meet local childcare

providers, explore program options, and

learn about home-based childcare options.

Enjoy story time, snacks and giveaways.

Saturday, March 7 at 9:30am

Drug Trends in Cape May County

presented by Cape Assist & County

Prosecutor’s Office

Gain valuable insights from experts and

engage in a knowledgeable session about the

latest developments in our community.

SPONSORED BY

DIAMOND: The Arc of Cape May County,

Exit Zero, Brookdale Senior Living, Tabernacle

UMM, Delaware River and Bay Authority, South

Jersey AIDS Alliance, Cape May Astro, Knights of

Columbus - Stella Maris Council #3546

PLATINUM: Options for Her

GOLD: The Branches Outreach, Family Promise,

Acenda, Cape Assist, Knights of Columbus - St

Mary’s Council #6202, Lower Township Chamber

of Commerce, Tabernacle Wednesday Men’s Prayer

Group

SILVER: Visiting Angels, Jersey Shore Federal

Credit Union

Amanda, David, Brook

Jon, Kelsey

Tabernacle strives to bring in speakers on topics

of interest to the community. The entire Cape May

Community is invited to attend! There is no charge…

But donations are appreciated to help cover expenses.

For a complete list of upcoming community

events go to capemaycommunityoutreach.com

For additional info bistaksp@gmail.com

Natasha, Adam


I

do not commonly write book reviews,

but all readers of this column need to

be introduced to Jim Wright’s newest

book, The Peregrine Falcon: The Epic Life

& Times Of The World’s Fastest Creature.

Written by a master wordsmith whose

passion for Peregrines shines through with

every sentence, the book is lavishly illustrated.

You’ll want this book.

A columnist for the Bergen Record, Jim’s

writing is breezy and direct, fact-filled but

not burdensomely. Each page contains info

you’ll want to commit to memory.

My own involvement with Peregrines

began in 1975 when my study of birds

advanced into the rarified air of hawk

watching. Becoming Cape May Bird Observatory’s

first official hawk counter in 1976,

my respect for this regal bird soared. Able

to fly through the ranks of lesser raptors

with the finesse of an Olympic medalist

in the company of armatures, it is impossible

to study this bird and not find inspiration.

Reported to be able to reach speeds

of 200mph in a dive, in level flight the birds

average 38mph.

Bird Droppings

Dispatches from the nation’s birdwatching capital… by Seymore Thanu

You need not be a bird watcher to enjoy

this book. Everyone loves a success story

and, as one of the planet’s apex denizens,

Peregrine superlatives seem more than

can be crammed between hard covers, yet

Jim has managed that in this superb treatment.

Buy one for yourself and buy one for a

friend. Yes, it’s that good!

Somewhere overlooking shorebird-rich

mudflats, North America’s Arctic Peregrines

are fattening up for their long migration

home, to nest ledges from the Arctic

National Wildlife refuge to Greenland.

While the bird’s southbound migration

carries many out over the Atlantic, in spring

the falcons’ migration cuts through the center

of the country — the same migratory

path taken by their mostly shorebird prey.

In New Jersey, some Peregrines have

adopted an urban lifestyle, breeding on

buildings in Atlantic City and even the

Union County Courthouse building. The

birds also breed in hack towers located outside

Sea Isle City, the Garden State Parkway

bridge spanning the Tuckahoe River and

formerly on the water tower of the Bayside

State Prison, prison on Rt 47 in Leesburg,

Cumberland County.

However, coastal Peregrines which were

introduced appear to be suffering a high

rate of reproductive failure these past few

years — a challenge some biologists attribute

to avian flu, to which the bird-catching

hawks would be especially susceptible.

Like all predators, Peregrines target the

weakened members of a flock, such as those

slowed by flu.



Kara Bernetich, Matthew Jenkins

Bridget, Gary

Mike, Krista Erik, Kathy Steve, Tina

General, Cosmetic & Restorative

Dentistry for the Whole Family


• Crowns, Fillings etc

• Oral Surgery, Root Canals, Implants

• Invisalign

• Teeth Whitening — Kor, Opalescence

• Same-Day Emergencies

• Botox and Dermal Fillers

Call or message us online to schedule

your appointment with Dr Evan!

Dr Evan Cauterucci

DENNIS J. SPILKER

Manager/Funeral Director NJ Lic. No. 4038

KEVIN J. BEARE

Funeral Director NJ Lic. No. 3806

Cherishing Life’s Moments

609-884-3793

spilkerfuneralhome.com

411 Park Boulevard, Cape May

609-884-5335 • capemaydental.com provider

Continuing a 90-Year Tradition of Serving

the Cape May and Lower Township Area



Lynn, Rachel Cortney, Vinnie Rich, Raquel

Jim, Eileen Dan, Diana Joe, Daniel

Cape Harbor Shell

GASOLINE

Christ Child Society

Presents the...

40 th Annual Spring Fling

Raising funds for infants & children in need

April 19, 2026 • 11:30am-3:00pm

Icona Resorts

9701 Atlantic Ave,

Diamond Beach

Tickets $50

Lunch, Prizes,

Raffles, 50/50

RSVP to Kay 609-224-3229 by April 1

Sponsored by Sturdy Bank

CCS is a 501(c)3 non-profit

DIESEL

PROPANE

TOWING

TIRE CHANGES

OIL CHANGES

MOST CARS REPAIRED SAME DAY!

Located At Exit 0 on the Garden State Parkway

609-898-0855 capeharborshell.com



When you’re mired in adult

responsibilities, it’s easy to forget

that play is important. Play

of any kind trains our brains

to cope with with stress, and

physical play, in particular, quiets the mind.

To encourage playful habits, experts suggest

team play, which boosts physical fitness and

helps us to create healthy social bonds. Previously

sedentary adults may not want to jump

right in to a soccer or basketball league —

that’s where pickleball comes in.

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in

America, 60 years after a group of frazzled

parents created it in their backyard. Pickleball

was invented by Joan and Joel Pritchard,

who were trying to keep their kids busy with

the leftover equipment of other sports — a

badminton court, paddleball paddles, a wiffle

ball. The name supposedly comes from the

pickle boat in rowing, which is crewed by leftover

rowers from other boats.

Pickleball evolved into a sort of ping

pong/tennis-ish sport with its own courts,

rules and lingo, like ‘dink’, ‘falafel’, ‘Bert and

Ernie’. Players use smooth paddles to hit a

Events Guide

PASTA DINNER

When: Sunday, March 1, 5-7pm

Where: Cold Spring Grange

Restaurant, 735 Seashore Road,

Cape May.

Know This: Indulge for a good

cause — proceeds benefit Historic

Cold Spring Village. Enjoy a buffet

that includes Italian Wedding

Soup, Linguine with Clam Sauce,

Stuffed Rigatoni, Fettuccine

Alfredo and Cheesy Spaghetti.

How Much: $40

More Info: Reservations only —

call 609-898-2300 or visit hcsv.

org and click on Events.

BLUES, BREWS & COUNTRY

FESTIVAL

When: March 6-8

Where: MudHen Brewing Company,

in Wildwood.

Know This: Yee-ha! Enjoy three

full days of live music, cold brews

and country-style live music by

Y’All or Nothing, Slidewinder,

Rebel Y’All and Jam Capital West.

How Much: Free

The Activity Column

Catherine Dugan’s guide to getting out there and enjoying this island

plastic ball over a 34-inch high net, indoor

or outdoor. It’s apparently fairly easy to learn,

but you can also advance to a high level of

athleticism — easy to learn, hard to master.

The game is associated with retirees in

resort communities, but most players are

aged 25 to 44. According to the Cleveland

Clinic, pickleball boosts brain health along

with increasing balance, coordination, cardiac

health and muscle strength.

In addition to providing a good workout,

Country boys Y’All or Nothing and writer/performer Gayle Stahlhuth

More Info: Visit mudhenbrew.

com.

SEED STARTING CLASSES

When: Tuesday, March 31, 6-8pm

Where: Rutgers Cooperative

Extension of CMC, 355 Courthouse

— South Dennis Road, Cape

May Court House.

Know This: Learn the basics

of seed starting, when to start

indoors, how to select equipment,

and seedling care. Also learn

about growing herbs for teas and

growing garden vegetables.

How Much: $15

More Info: Call 609-465-5115, ext.

3607 or email capemayag@njaes.

rutgers.edu.

MARGARET’S DIARY DURING A

REVOLUTION

When: Wednesday, March 18 at

noon.

Where: Live at Cape May Lutheran

Church Hall, 509 Pittsburgh Avenue

and by Zoom.

How Much: Free

Know This: Hear the inspiring

story of Margaret Morris,

pickleball is very social, with leagues offering

a casual environment. That fun, relaxed vibe

may lead people to underestimate the strains

of the sport — injuries are common. Because

it’s fun, players may dive in to daily play

rather than starting once or twice weekly,

even if they were sedentary before. Newbies

over 40 may find that pickleball exacerbates

existing minor injuries that weren’t bothersome

before, like small rotator cuff tears.

Experts advise checking with your doctor

before playing. Before and after each session,

warm up with dynamic stretching, walking

lunges and arm circles. Players should also

wear dedicated court shoes, drink plenty of

water and do gentle exercise on non-pickleball

days to help prevent injury.

Cape May offers pickleball at Convention

Hall, 9:30 to 3:30, Monday-Thursday through

March 26. Walkups are welcome and paddles

are available. Admission is $5. Visit capemaycity.com

for more information. There’s also

Dink It in Cape May Court House, which

offers leagues as well as special events — see

dink-it-pickleball.com for details, including

prices.

a Burlington, NJ widow with

four children, who kept copious

notes during the beginning of the

American Revolution. Written and

performed by Gayle Stahlhuth.

More Info: Email Classic AmericanTales@aol.com.

CAPE MAY SINGER

SONGWRITER

When: March 27, 28

Where: Various venues throughout

Cape May

How Much: Mainly free!

Know This: Two inspiring days of

music, attracting singer-songwriters

from all over America. Don’t

miss it!

More Info: Visit sscapemay.com

LOIS SMITH LEGACY GOSPEL

BRUNCH

When: Sunday, April 26

Where: Cape May Convention

Hall

How Much: Coming soon

Know This: Honoring a legendary

Cape May singer. More information

to come from the Chamber of

Commerce.


2/14: Around 3pm On Valentine’s

Day At Nauti Spirits Distillery

Gigi, Jennie, Ed, Chris

Stephanie, Kristin, Samantha

Emma, Jen



Paul, Tom, Monica, Rosanne, Connie, Jen, Erik, Kathy

TAI MENZ

Realtor Sales Associate

Direct 609-602-8061

TaiMenz@CoastlineRealty.com

Circle of Excellence 2017-2023

2022 Platinum Circle of Excellence

DEVELOPMENT/RENTAL INCOME POTENTIAL

Zoned TB and R, Consists of 1 Triplex,

1 2 bed/1bath Single Family & 1 Lot. Asking $980,000

941 Columbia Avenue, Cape May 609-884-5005 ext 107


2/14: Jersey Cape Realty Presidents Weekend Open House At Casablanca

Kevin, Alston, Valerie Jimmy Z.

BOB HARTMAN JR


Cell 609-780-4626

BobHartmanJr@CoastlineRealty.com

Contact me for all your sales

and rental needs!

23 BEECHWOOD AVENUE, VILLAS

Holli Cappelli ABR, SRS


D 609-846-5376

O 609-884-5005

hollicappelli.com

hollicappelli@coastlinerealty.com

Circle of Excellence Bronze Level 2024-2025

Beautifully maintained 3-bedroom, 2-bath home in the

picturesque Bayside Village community with fenced back

yard and 30 x 24 detached garage. $559,000.

Cape May is the spot to be… Are you interested in renting out

your property? I can make the rental process easy and hasslefree

– with no upfront fees. We offer booking services with

optional Airbnb and VRBO, professional photography, print

& online advertising. We handle everything from leases and

payments to guest communication and calendar management.

You’ll have a dedicated rental agent (that’s me!).

Already working with another office? No

problem – we can seamlessly sync calendars

for greater exposure and increased bookings.

More visibility = More rentals!

Let’s make the most of your rental property.

941 Columbia Avenue, Cape May 609-884-5005

941 Columbia Avenue, Cape May, NJ


Enrich Your Life... Adopt An Animal

Three cat-tastic felines from the Cape May County Animal Shelter and Adoption Center... call 609-465-8923

LUNA is a beautiful one-year-old girl with

a gentle, affectionate nature. She melts in

your arms and loves to cozy up and cuddle.

Smart and playful, she enjoys her toys just

as much as relaxing on the couch beside

you. Luna is house-trained, spayed, vaccinated,

and gets along well with kids, dogs,

and cats.

ASH is a one-year-old sweetheart who

would make a wonderful first pet. Affectionate,

funny, and gentle, he loves to play

but is just as happy curled up on the couch.

Ash gets along well with kids, dogs, and

other cats. He would love a home where he

can sleep on his owner’s bed. Ash is housetrained,

neutered, and vaccinated.

NALA is a three-year-old girl who lost

her home after a tragic accident in her

family. She lived with them since she

was a kitten and is now three years old.

Nala loves curling up in bed and enjoys

being brushed. She prefers to be the only

pet and will thrive in a home where she can

soak up all the attention.


2/14: Jersey Cape Realty Presidents

Weekend Open House At Casablanca

Anne, Bob

Marisa Holt, Shelby Townsend

Lori, Kathy

Kathy, Tom

Eric, Chris

Christy, Tom


Enrich Your Life... Adopt An Animal

Three dog-tastic pooches from the Cape May County Animal Shelter and Adoption Center... call 609-465-8923

BRU was brought to the shelter when his

family could no longer care for him. Bru

proudly presents his paw, will sit, lie down,

roll over, and has excellent leash manners.

His owner claimed that he is crate trained,

loves car rides, but is not a fan of the vet.

Bru loves playing fetch in the yard. He is a

large boy who can be protective of his family,

making him an excellent guard dog.

FINN is a large boy who was brought to

the shelter when his owner could no longer

keep him. He is shy in the beginning,

but once comfortable, he is a loving, playful

boy. Finn would be a good fit for a family

that will let him progress at his own pace,

has older children, and no other animals.

He is neutered, up to date on all vaccines

and house trained.

LUNA is a sweet three-year-old girl waiting

for her second chance at life. She is a

bit hesitant in the beginning, but quickly

becomes comfortable and loves to cuddle

and sit on your lap. Luna would would fit

into a family with older children, can live

in a world with other dogs and cats but may

be selective. She enjoys playing ball, rides

nicely in the car, and walks well on a leash.


Jersey Cape

Realty

SALES & RENTALS

2/14: Jersey Cape Realty Presidents

Weekend Open House At Casablanca

BUYING & SELLING

WITH INTEGRITY

& TRUST

Heijung Park-Colameco

Broker Salesperson

609-602-8641 (c)

JCR -

your Cape May connection

to everything Real Estate

Heijung -

Helping clients with Buying and Selling

homes on Cape Island

& beyond since 2006

Janet, Louise, Rich, Jim, Tom

Jersey Cape Realty, Inc.

Dolores Lanzalotti, Broker / Owner


609-884-5800 www.JerseyCapeRealty.com

Greg, Jaden, Jimmy, Maryellen

Kim, Larry, Jimmy


PROPERTY PAGES

Joseph Hanes House (c. 1879) is located on treelined

Hughes Street in the heart of the Historic

District, just three blocks to the beach and two

blocks to the Washington Street Mall. The home

is configured as two units that rent together as

a single residence, offering five bedrooms and

three baths, sleeping up to 14. The layout allows

an owner to reside in one unit while generating

rental income from the other, rent both separately,

or restore to a single-family home.

First unit features a front parlor, two bedrooms,

one-and-a-half baths, open-concept kitchen, dining,

and living area that opens to a mahogany

deck. The second third floor unit offers a new

kitchen with cherry cabinetry and granite countertops,

open living and dining area, and a private

rear mahogany deck. The spacious primary suite

spans three rooms. The third floor provides two

additional bedrooms. Highlights include a full

basement and workshop. Asking Price: $3,199,000.

626 HUGHES STREET, CAPE MAY

Contact Kathleen Satt of deSatnick Real Estate at 609-972-4014.




2/14: Jersey Cape Realty Presidents Weekend Open House At Casablanca

Jackie, Jim

Henry, Dee, Helen, Kathy

Cathy, Max


At the Film Independent Spirit

Awards this month, Train Dreams

took the prize for best feature

film. I have been getting more

curious about this movie since

it was the only one nominated for both a

Spirit Award and an Academy Award.

This is a quiet film. It has its moments

where it lights up, but otherwise it is

thoughtful with grit and spark. There hasn’t

been a film like this in years. Joseph Edgerton

stars, with William H. Macy and Felicity

Jones co-starring — both have been

previously nominated for Oscars, but not

for this film.

The story follows a logger named Robert,

who despite his simplicity of heart leads

a life of depth and meaning. He leaves his

wife and child for many months at a time

to go take down trees in the early 1900s in

Washington state. He wants only to leave

the logging life and stay with his family to

watch his daughter grow. But local work

is not available — only logging far from

home.

Nothing about this film is romanti-

The Movie Column

By arts columnist Tom Sims

cized, and while no punches were pulled

you felt for Robert and his epic tale. It’s a

story beautifully told, and it is up for not

only a Best Motion Picture Oscar but also

best cinematography (which it won at the

Spirit Awards along with Best Director),

adapted screenplay and music. All well

deserved.

Train Dreams has an outside chance to

win the big Oscar prize, but I’ll be watching

more closely at the other categories.

The film cost $10 million to make,

which is the new standard for the Spirit

Awards.

You know how I’m not a fan of bigger

budget indies, but I can’t fault this film. It

came out beautifully and is standing up

to multi-million dollar projects at Oscar.

Clint Bentley is a favorite director of mine.

He directed one of my top movie picks of

all time, 2023’s Sing Sing, with Colman

Domingo. He made that film on a more

“shoestring” budget of $2 million — and

it was also up for three Oscars against the

Hollywood machine. So, good for him!

Rose Byrne won Best Performance at

the Spirit Awards for her work in the moving

film, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You. She is

the only actor who also is nominated for

both a Spirit Award and Oscar. Sorry, Baby

was also a winner!

Last week, Patrick pointed out that

The Big Easy (1986, 88% on Rotten Tomatoes)

was one of his favorite films set in

New Orleans (the topic last week). Thanks,

Patrick! Always feel free to email me at

flixyoumissed@gmail.com.


BARBARA McPHERSON


609-780-7652

Barbara@CoastlineRealty.com

Serving Clients

for 25 Years:

Buying, Selling

& Renting

2017, 2018,2019,2020 & 2021

2/14: Annual Reopening

Weekend At Congress Hall

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY - REAL ESTATE ONLY

‘On the Way to Cape May’ Schellenger’s Landing

1228 Rt. 109 across from SJ Marina...Prime Location!

Over 6000+ sq ft. building with parking and driveway

Behind building stretches from 1 st to 2 nd Ave

Offered at $3,950,000

Joe, Michelle, Sharon


DESIREE LAPOINTE

Realtor Sales Associate, SRS

609-602-2254

Desiree@CoastlineRealty.com

Now that Spring is around the

corner, what better time to buy,

sell or just plan a fun weekend

getaway? Contact me today!

Vacation Rental at 1340 Wisconsin Ave, D, Cape May

Marissa, Tabi, Kate

The clock is ticking...Don’t miss out! 2-Bed, 1.5-Bath

Sleeps 5 • Beachy Village Green Quad

with outdoor shower for only $1,300-$1,900.


Shannon, Donna, Loren


2/14: Annual Reopening Weekend At Congress Hall

Ron, Julie, Francine, James

Michelle Stevenson and friends

Denise, Paula, Tracey, John

Don, Donna

Jen, Debbie, Carole

Karen, Jill, Parker and Mille Morey


Visit JerseyCapeRealty.com

Your source for Shore Real Estate

Jersey Cape Realty ~ Your Cape May Connection

For Everything Real Estate

SALES • VACATION RENTALS • COMMERCIAL

INVESTMENT PROPERTY • NEW CONSTRUCTION

Real Estate is Local. So Are We.

No one understands a real estate market like the people who live and work

in it every day. At JCR, our agents aren’t just licensed – they’re local experts

who know the neighborhoods, the trends, the regulations, and stories behind

every street and sale. When you’re making one of life’s biggest decisions,

trust the team with real local insight.

Trust JCR – your local real estate experts.

Dolores Lanzalotti, Broker/Owner

739 Washington Street, Cape May, NJ 08204 Info@JerseyCapeRealty.com

www.JerseyCapeRealty.com 609-884-5800


Your SHORE Experts

106 Burgins Ln, West Cape May

4 Bedrooms, 4 Baths - $2,250,000

407 Seacrest Ln, Rio Grande

3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths - $599,000

892 Weeks Landing Rd, Erma

5 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths - $1,849,000

Exceptional Custom-Built Home

Open concept floor plan, chef’s

kitchen, den or 5 th bedroom, deck and

porch – all ideal for entertaining and

close to island attractions.

1415 Harbor Ln, Unit 302, Cape May


Rare Legacy Townhome

Well maintained home offering luxury

and convenience in this active premier

55+ community with pool, clubhouse

and fitness center.

Your Own Private Sanctuary

Farmhouse, barn and playhouse set on

a 1.3 acre lot. Luxurious pool, in-home

movie theater, finished basement.

312 S. Lake Dr, Cape May Point


Unrivaled Sophistication

Harbor Point Condominium at Devils

Reach. Top floor with private rooftop

deck, boat slip, easy access to bay and

unmatched harbor views.

309 S. Main St, Cape May Court House

Office/Professional Space - $649,900

Jersey Cape Realty

Your Cape May

Connection

5600 Seaview Ave, Wildwood Crest

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath - From $319,000

Award Winning Design

State-of-the-art home constructed

with the finest materials. LEED

Certified and energy efficient.

Impressive rental history.

262 Indian Trail Rd, CM Court House

Vacant Lot - $149,000

Calling All Entrepreneurs

Move-in ready office space for

business professionals. Quality

furnishings included. Visible, center

town location with paved parking.

Costa Del Sol Condominium

Beautifully upgraded, low

maintenance condos located in a

vibrant, seasonal complex. Community

pool and just steps to the beach.

Infinite Opportunities

Build your dream home on this vast

one acre lot. Short distance to plenty

of attractions and pristine beaches.

Open Mon-Sat 9am-5pm

Sun 11am-3pm

With our full-time professional Realtors & a fully dedicated rental team

609-884-5800


2/14: Annual Reopening Weekend At Congress Hall

Melissa, John Anthony, Nicole Nicole, Carola

Megan, Eric Ryan, Riley Kim, Lisa





(609) 884-5005 • CoastlineRealty.com

For Sale

42 Jackson Street, Unit 3, Cape May

The Merry Widow on historic Jackson Street

is a rare, top-floor remodeled condo by a

premier Cape May builder. Overlooking the

Washington Street Mall, you are steps from

the best shopping, dining, and beaches.

Highlights

• 1 Bedroom

• 1 Bathroom

• Penthouse Unit

• Beach Block

Asking Price

$1,400,000

The sun-drenched living area opens to a

private rooftop deck for ocean breezes and

sunset views. The interior features a spa-like

bathroom, in-unit laundry, and assigned

parking. A charming lower-level sitting room allows you to enjoy

the sounds of horse-drawn carriages passing by. Currently a

successful vacation rental ($4,200/peak week), this property

perfectly blends modern design with classic Cape May charm.

Ami Menz

Broker Associate

Listing

Agent

Cell: (609) 425-5756

Ami@CoastlineRealty.com

941 Columbia Avenue, Cape May

Carol Menz - Broker of Record/Owner

Your Way to Cape May

Starts with Coastline Realty

410+ Vacation Rentals

Cape May’s #1 Client Proven Choice

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