A Letter from the Editor
Dear Readers,
Welcome back! So, we all survived winter’s snow and ice, and spring is finally here. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for the first day that it’s warm enough to pack up my beach chair and dig my toes back into the sand.
Our staff has been busy since our last issue planning lots of great stories for this year. We have some interesting features planned that I’m sure you’re going to love.
Our spring issue is a lot like an Easter basket – it’s filled with treats that everyone can enjoy. So please take some time, because we have lots of great reading inside.
Danny Lopriore, who spent almost a decade raising his family here in Avalon, returns and examines the roots of the hottest sports phenomenon sweeping the country as well as the Seven Mile Beach … Pickleball!
The first week of March marked the 60th anniversary of The Great Storm of ’62. We look back at that devastating storm through the amazing photographs of Bob Penrose, who documented much of the damage just days after the tides receded. These are never-before-seen photos that were carefully preserved for more than a half-century. Many thanks to the Penrose family for sharing these treasures with us.
Katie Shanley spent some time with Executive Chef Jim Kurtz, the person behind the culinary creations at The Icona Windrift. We’ll learn a little more about Jim and one of his tasty offerings in Here’s The Dish.
Dave Bontempo brings us up to speed on what’s happening with the Townsends Inlet Ocean Drive Bridge. Mary Beth Hagen will introduce Avalon summer resident John Scarpa, an incredible entrepreneur turned philanthropist. And Dave Coskey, in the first of two parts, takes a look at the old corner grocers of the Seven Mile Beach.
In case you missed Shop-A-Holics Weekend, we’ll bring you up to speed, the same with the Stone Harbor Shiver and a rundown of all the camps for kids planned for this summer. Plus, all of our regular features that you’ve grown accustomed to, including our calendar and Events at a Glance. And in Financially Speaking, Fred Dunbar reminds us to keep calm and to carry on. Plus, even more – so let’s get started. You won’t miss a thing this spring if you read the Times!
Finally, thanks to you, our loyal readers. We sincerely appreciate that you’ve made Seven Mile Times the most popular publication on the island. And please remember to support our neighbors by shopping and dining local. Hang in there – Memorial Day weekend is on the horizon.
Stay safe!
Monica Coskey
Publisher & Editor
Seven Mile Times
mcoskey@7milepub.com