Smilestones
KEEPING IT ALL IN THE FAMILY
Don’t be confused, you’re not seeing double, but it’s close. Both photos are from the Stone Harbor Elementary Kindergarten/Wetlands Institute Terrapin Release Program. The photo on the left, taken in June 1994 by noted Atlantic City photographer Bruce Boyajian, shows Stephen Coskey of Avalon (left) and Danielle Wierman of Stone Harbor preparing to release their terrapins. Now, fast-forward 32 years to the photo on the right. In this photo, taken June 6, that’s Mikey Coskey of Avalon (left) and Sammy Wierman, also of Avalon, making the same preparations, only three-plus decades later than the first photo. Both boys are the nephews of the two shown in the original 1994 photo. Just keeping up their family and school traditions.
Educators of the Year for the Avalon Stone Harbor Schools.
EDUCATORS OF THE YEAR HONORED
Four employees of Avalon Stone Harbor Schools recently were presented with Educator of the Year awards by the Cape May County Association of School Administrators. The honorees included Veronica Ila-Rojas, the Spanish teacher in Avalon; district bus driver Ray Stopyra; Brie Schenck, the kindergarten teacher in Stone Harbor; and Mari Coskey, the district speech-language pathologist.
Chief School Administrator Kathleen M. Fox praised the honorees and the broader initiative, saying: “The Governor’s Educator of the Year program gives us a chance to recognize our amazing staff for all of the things they do to make the Avalon Stone Harbor Schools a great place.”
The annual recognition highlights the importance of both instructional and support staff in creating a positive educational environment. Special thanks was also given to OceanFirst Bank for its generous sponsorship of the awards program, helping to support the ongoing celebration of local educators.
DAVE PATRICK ENTERS COLLEGE TRACK HALL OF FAME
You might have noticed him running on the hard sand in Stone Harbor, in summer and winter. In case you weren’t aware, that’s not just any weekend warrior now living on the Seven Mile Beach. No, it’s Dave Patrick, a longtime Stone Harbor property owner and one of the most decorated runners in the history of Villanova University. And if you know the sport, you know that says a lot.
Patrick played a pivotal role in establishing Villanova’s legendary track program. He’s a five-time NCAA champion, an eight-time All-American, and a six-time IC4A mile champion. And if you read Jack McCafferty’s profile on him here in the Seven Mile Times two years ago, you also know that Patrick rightfully earned what should have been a spot on the 1968 U.S. Olympic team, only to be denied in the end.
On June 6, Patrick added yet another impressive accomplishment to his resumé when he was enshrined in the Collegiate Track and Field/Cross Country Athlete Hall of Fame in Eugene, Ore. Congrats, Dave! And if you run into him on the beach, we wouldn’t suggest challenging him to a race. After all, the beach is now his home course.
READY, SET, AUCTION!
The auctioneer extraordinaire shouts, “Sold!” and renowned actress/artist Jane Seymour acknowledges the winner, George Norcross, after his bid of $20,001 earned him one of her beautiful works of art. The auction, which benefited The Cooper Foundation and Cooper Cape Regional, was just one portion of the “Meet the Artist” event at Ocean Galleries in Stone Harbor on June 13. The gallery was packed to capacity, and Seymour spent the evening and the weekend interacting with fans of her art and acting.
Molly Santoro (Assistant Camp Director) & Lily Corrigan (Camp Director)
DILLER HOME HAS NEW CAMP DIRECTOR
Lily Corrigan has been named the new camp director for the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children.
Corrigan is a 2021 graduate of Chestnut Hill College with a degree in special education and elementary education. During the school year, she works as a special education teacher, teaching life skills and autistic support for fourth through eighth grade. Corrigan worked as a camp counselor at the Diller Home for two years before being promoted to assistant director under Jim Moreland for the last three summers.
Moreland, after five years as a counselor and five years as the camp director, resigned from his role to pursue a doctorate in curriculum and instruction.
Emily Mulhern, the camp supervisor, shared that while they are sad to see Moreland go, they know Corrigan will do a great job. “Lily is a great leader and was ready for this role,” she said. “I can’t wait to see Lily put her own creativity into the camp. She is super hands-on and personable.”
Molly Santoro has been promoted to assistant director and will work closely with Corrigan. This will be Santoro’s first summer in this position and her third year with the Diller Home. During the school year, she works as a kindergarten and first-grade life skills teacher in the Spring-Ford Area School District in Pennsylvania.
“Lily and Molly work really well together, and it is going to be a good dynamic,” Mulhern said. “They balance each other well. They will lead the staff in a very positive way.”
This summer, the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children is welcoming more than 27 new families. The Diller Home is also implementing a new direct-contact system that will allow parents to communicate directly with Corrigan and receive pictures throughout the summer.
ST. BRENDAN CELEBRATES THE FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI
On June 7, parishioners from St. Brendan the Navigator Parish gathered for a Eucharistic Procession in celebration of the Feast of Corpus Christi, a Catholic feast honoring the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist. The procession began at St. Paul’s and concluded at Villa Maria.
WELLS CHURCH RECEIVES HISTORICAL MARKER
Scott Boyer (left) and Ben Penrose unveil the Avalon Historical Society’s first historical marker for 2026 on June 6 at Wells Memorial Presbyterian Church, the longest continually operating church on the Seven Mile Beach. Boyer heads up the church committee and Penrose is the historical society president.
WETLANDS INSTITUTE WELCOMES NEW BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIR
Anne Ulichney (right) was introduced as the new chair of The Wetlands Institute’s board of trustees by executive director Dr. Lenore Tedesco (left) on June 14 at the institute’s annual Donor Appreciation Open House. They also spoke to the gathering of sponsors and friends about the institute’s exciting, ambitious, and well-thought-out plans to lead the South Jersey landmark into the future.
DON’T MISS THE ‘WELCOME TO AVALON’ CARDS
Have you been stopping by the Avalon History Center and collecting the limited series of Jim Leahy “Welcome to Avalon” cards? This one is sure to be a favorite. It’s Jim’s very special sign from the Bicentennial summer of 1976. And a great way to celebrate the country’s 250th. Collectible, numbered cards will be available free of charge at the Avalon History Center as soon as you see the matching sign posted on Avalon Boulevard. The cards are available in limited quantities, while supplies last, compliments of the Avalon Historical Society, the Avalon Free Public Library, and the Borough of Avalon. Don’t forget, as soon as you see the red, white, and blue sign on the boulevard, stop by the Avalon History Center.
Tying The Knot
SCHALL, ZALESKIEWICZ ENGAGED
Sarah Kimberly Schall and William Spenser Zaleskiewicz were engaged on May 2, 2026, at Avalon Bay Park Marina on 53rd Street. Spenser proposed to Sarah as the sun was setting over the bay. Sarah is the daughter of Stephen and Robin Schall, of Avalon, and Spenser is the son of Mark and Karen Zaleskiewicz, of Mays Landing. Sarah and Spenser met at a young adult church group in Ocean City. Spenser is a licensed architect at William McLees Architecture in Somers Point. Sarah is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Sea Isle City. Wedding planning is in the works, but no date has been set yet.
PIETUSZKA, ADAMS WED
Sawyer Pietuszka and Thomas Adams were married May 30 at Baywood Greens in Delaware. Sawyer is the daughter of John and Heather Pietuszka of Fair Hill, Md., and Avalon. She has spent every summer at the Jersey Shore on 76th Street in Avalon with her extended family. From boat rides as a kid to nights out at the Windrift as an adult, Avalon has been a founding part of her life. Thomas is the son of Scott and Marcia Adams of Rising Sun, Md., and began coming to Avalon with Sawyer in 2018. Avalon became a further part of their story when Thomas proposed to Sawyer on the 76th Street beach at dusk on July 3, 2024. The couple celebrated their engagement with both of their families in Avalon that night. The couple is planning a tropical honeymoon and look forward to spending the summer in Avalon with their family and friends as newlyweds.
CORRIGAN, SMITH ENGAGEMENT
Lily Corrigan and Aaron Smith, became engaged in February. Lily, the camp director of the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children, is the daughter of Monica and Matt Corrigan, of Bristol, Pa. She is a special education teacher during the school year. Her family has been vacationing in Avalon for more than a decade, and Aaron joins the yearly family vacations, which they describe as always being the highlight of everyone’s summer. Aaron, a native of Fayetteville, N.C., is the son of Todd and the late Patricia Smith. He is an assistant trust officer of JTC. Aaron proposed to Lily on the waterfront in Bristol, surrounded by their loved ones. They plan to get married in the fall of 2028 at the Chesapeake Bay & Beach Club in Annapolis, Md.