Letter from the Editor

Welcome to July on Seven Mile Beach, a season filled with traditions, celebrations, and some of the year’s most memorable moments. Whether you’re gathering with family for the holiday weekend, enjoying a quiet evening on the porch, or taking in one of the many events planned throughout Avalon and Stone Harbor, there’s something special about this time of year at the shore.

This summer, Avalon and Stone Harbor join communities across the country in celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, and there is no shortage of ways to take part. In “Events at a Glance,” Katie Matthews highlights the many festivities planned throughout Seven Mile Beach, from patriotic ceremonies and family-friendly events to concerts, parades, and fireworks. With something happening nearly every day throughout the month, her guide serves as a helpful resource for making the most of July on Seven Mile Beach.

In “Booked for Surfside Park,” Mary Byrne Lamb introduces us to bestselling authors Katherine Center and Meg Donohue ahead of their Avalon appearances. She also takes readers inside Josef Kote’s latest Ocean Galleries exhibition in Stone Harbor with “Feel Free: Kote’s Ninth Ocean Galleries Exhibit Will Feature Works Inspired by Our Shores.”

Dave Coskey shares the remarkable tale of Dr. Wanda Coston in “A Diller Home Success Story.” Her experience as a child at the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children helped shape the course of her life. Her story is a powerful reminder of the impact the Diller Home has had on generations of children and families for more than 50 years.

You’ll also find the people and businesses that help define the character of our towns. In our annual “Shore Shops,” Alexa Lesniak explores the stories behind some of Seven Mile Beach’s favorite businesses, from how they got their start to what keeps them thriving season after season. Jack Byrne’s “A Baker’s Dozen” spotlights Isabel’s Bakery and the two sisters behind its success as they celebrate 13 seasons in Avalon.

Summer, of course, is also about gathering around the table. In “Low Country Boil, Meet Jersey Shore Clambake,” Jean Miersch captures the relaxed joy of sharing a meal with family and friends on a warm July evening, one of those simple pleasures that often becomes a treasured memory.

Those memories, and the connections we make, are what turn a favorite vacation destination into something more. Dave Bontempo’s “A Lifetime, A Legacy: Bob McCreary” tells the story of a man whose love for Avalon became part of the fabric of the community. For decades, Bob could be found riding his bicycle through Avalon, greeting neighbors and enjoying the town he loved. His legacy lives on in the memories of those who knew him.

As always, we are grateful to our advertisers for their continued support of Seven Mile Times. Wishing you a wonderful Fourth of July and a summer filled with family, friendship, and lasting memories.

Warm regards,

Monica Coskey
Publisher & Editor
Seven Mile Times
mcoskey@7milepub.com