Smilestones
Congrats Grad!
RYAN DAVENPORT CREST MEMORIAL SCHOOL
Ryan Davenport graduated from Crest Memorial School, where he completed elementary and middle school. Ryan earned honors in every marking period of his elementary school career. He was captain of the varsity soccer, basketball, and baseball teams, where he received MVP honors. Ryan received many community awards including the Mayor’s Award, the Anglesea Irish Society Award and the Douglas Raucci Award. During the summer months, you can find him on the basketball court, working for his dad, and spending time with his friends. Ryan is the son of Patrick and Jennifer Davenport of Wildwood Crest. His mom is the associate editor for Seven Mile Publishing. This fall, Ryan will attend Wildwood Catholic Academy.
Avalon Borough Council members (from left): Jamie McDermott, Sam Wierman, Chet Johnson, Barbara Juzaitis, and Mari Coskey.
CHET JOHNSON ASSUMES AVALON COUNCIL PRESIDENCY
The Avalon Borough Council officially reorganized on July 1, electing new leadership for the governing body. By a unanimous vote, Greg “Chet” Johnson was selected to serve as council president, while Sam Wierman was elected vice president.
Johnson and Wierman will lead the Borough Council alongside fellow council members Jamie McDermott, Barbara Juzaitis, and Mari Coskey.
The newly organized council will continue working on behalf of the Avalon community as it addresses borough priorities and initiatives in the months ahead. Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 4pm.
Dylan Faulk and Hayden Lyons
ABP’S FAULK PLACES 2ND IN PAIR EVENT AT ROWING NATIONALS
Avalon Beach Patrol lifeguard Dylan Faulk and his rowing partner Hayden Lyons earned a second-place finish in the coxless pair event at the 2026 USRowing Youth National Championships on June 14 in Sarasota, Fla.
Representing Cooper Junior Rowing Club of Pennsauken, the duo completed the 2,000-meter race in 6 minutes, 56.83 seconds, finishing just 3.5 seconds behind the winning crew from Miami Rowing Center. Mile High Rowing of Colorado placed third.
Faulk, a recent graduate of Haddonfield Memorial High School, will continue his rowing career at Hobart College. Lyons, a Moorestown High graduate, is committed to row at Fairfield University.
Post 331 Commander Heather Runyon, center, receiving her recognition during the NJ American Legion Convention.
STATE LEGION SALUTES POST 331 COMMANDER RUNYON
Commander Heather Runyon of American Legion Post 331 in Stone Harbor was recently honored at the 2026 Department of New Jersey American Legion Convention as part of Women Veterans Recognition Day. The convention took place June 10-13.
Runyon was recognized for her military service, leadership, and ongoing commitment to supporting veterans and serving the local community. Her dedication has made a lasting impact both within the American Legion and beyond.
Observed annually on June 12, Women Veterans Recognition Day commemorates the anniversary of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act of 1948, which granted women the right to serve as permanent members of the United States Armed Forces.
Members of Post 331 applauded Runyon’s accomplishments and expressed pride in her well-deserved recognition at the state level.
Tying The Knot
REGESTER, DUNLEAVY ENGAGED
Faith Regester and Andrew Dunleavy were engaged on June 27 on 80th Street beach in Stone Harbor. The couple is originally from West Chester, Pa., where they attended middle and high school together. Faith is the daughter of John and Eileen Regester, and is a therapist working toward licensure. Faith’s family has been spending their summers in Stone Harbor for five generations. Her great-grandfather built a cottage at 8501 Second Ave. that still stands there today. The Regesters currently live on 86th Street and their extended family reside on 89th Street. Andrew is the son of Stephen and Michele Dunleavy and is an actuarial analyst working toward his credentials. His family has been summering in Ocean City for three generations. In 1996, Faith’s parents got engaged on the 86th Street beach in Stone Harbor, and Andrew proposed the same way. Andrew and Faith were surprised by their family and friends at the ICONA Beach Bar for their engagement party. The couple plans to get married in the fall of 2027 and are currently looking for venues near the shore.
ROMAN-FLACK NUPTIALS SET
Kimberly Lynn Roman and Matthew William Flack Jr. were engaged on May 10, 2025 at Longwood Gardens. Kimberly is the daughter of Pete and Kathy Roman, of Worcester, Pa. Kimberly is a registered nurse and works in the operating room. She has spent her summers on 39th Street in Avalon since she was a baby. Matthew is the son of Eleni Greene, of Lower Gwynedd, Pa., and the late Matthew Flack Sr. He is an assistant property manager at Brandywine Realty Trust in Radnor, Pa. They are looking forward to their wedding this August at LBI National Golf & Resort in Little Egg Harbor.
From left: Rob Quackenbush, Michael Clark, Dr. Lenore Tedesco, Chris Allwein, and Elizabeth Hulitt.
STURDY BANK MAKES DONATION TO WETLANDS INSTITUTE
The Wetlands Institute received a generous donation from Sturdy Savings Bank in June. This donation was made in support of The Wetlands Institute’s 2026 programming.
The donation was presented to Dr. Lenore Tedesco, the institute’s executive director, by Sturdy Savings Bank’s Chris Allwein (Stone Harbor/Avalon branch manager), Elizabeth Hulitt (commercial lending officer), Michael Clark (business development officer), and Rob Quackenbush (director of retail banking).
Sturdy Savings has supported The Wetlands Institute for decades, and this donation will aid in current and new programming.
POST 331 SHOWS SUPPORT FOR MTHS NAVAL CADETS
American Legion Post 331 Stone Harbor and American Legion Auxiliary Unit 331 proudly participated in the annual senior awards ceremony at Middle Township High School’s Performing Arts Center on June 9.
Auxiliary Unit 331 awarded scholarship checks totaling $900 to three recent graduates who have chosen to serve the country. The recipients, whose names were not available, began their service to the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard in early July.
In addition to recognizing these three individuals, Post 331 demonstrated its continued support for youth leadership and military education by presenting a $3,500 donation to the Naval Cadet Organization. This contribution will help support the organization’s activities and programs throughout the year and ensure cadets continue to develop valuable leadership, discipline, and teamwork skills.