Monthly Archives for August 2017

Another Summer says Goodbye at the Cape

Cape May News - admin - August 30, 2017

Well its here…the final in-season week in Cape May. Its shoulder seasons last gasp. I am writing this on my front porch overlooking Jackson Street. My front porch is my favorite place to sit back, relax, people watch and reflect on the day. Today was a typical late summer seashore day with cooler air and a nice ocean breeze My dog had a perfect dog day. He sat by my side and watched other dogs stroll on by with barely a grumble. He has the good life, lots of treats, friendly rubs above his tail from dog lovers and walks throughout Cape May everyday. We have come to know other dog lovers just by the way he reacts to people he meets. He turns his back to them for a good rubbing. But I digress…

Summer is fading and Fall is knocking. This summer has been very busy. I cant remember a time when Cape May was so busy. It seems as though the secret is out. Cape May is a slice of what is good about life. The town has all the charm and character of a past many of us still yearn for. We read books and watch shows hoping to feel a warmth of the past in our distant memories of when we were young.  Cape May does it for me by just by being here in the now. I enjoy the people, there is a constant bustle of life on my street. The horses come by with a clop, clop that makes things just right at that moment. Can it get any better right now I ask myself?

We will be getting ready for the fall and winter season shortly. October brings the annual Oktoberfest on our street. Beer and Bratwurst…Yes it can get better. December brings my favorite time. Norman Rockwell and I get together in small town America and remember what a wonderful life it really is in my little slice of heaven.

For now…no hurry. still a few warm beach days, ice cream at night and long dog walks lie ahead. Life is good!

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Higbee Beach Wildlife Area in Cape May

Cape May News - admin - August 29, 2017

This beautiful stretch of beach at the end of Cape Island, along the Delaware Bay, draws visitors looking for natural pursuits: bird watching, sunbathing in the nude, picking beach plums, picnicking with the family, hunting for Cape May diamonds, walking the dogs, fishing and hunting. Higbee is a location for some of the best bird watching in the world. Botanists have been visiting for decades searching the dunes for nearly extinct brambles and flowers.

Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area on the Cape May point area is one of the United States largest migrations each fall as millions of birds arrive for food, cover and water. Higbee Beach provides migrants with a place to stopover as they increase their fitness before continuing their journey south.

The Thousand plus-acre area is  a unique blend of many different habitats. The Endangered and Nongame Species Program, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management helps manage the fields and scrub-shrub areas for the many migrating songbirds and raptors.

Visitors can see the vast stretch of Higbee Beach, containing the last remnants of coastal dune forest on the bay shore. The dunes are as high as 35 feet high in some places, the beach cliffs dropping down to the shoreline. The tress and shrubs of holly, red cedar, sassafras, persimmon, northern bayberry, scrub oak,  black cherry,  and beach plum help stabilize the dunes, despite winds that whip across the 12 mile wide bay, at its confluence with the Atlantic Ocean.

Visitors interested in viewing the spectacular migration should come to the WMA following a cold front with northerly winds. All you need is a set of binoculars and ID books. Note, Higbee Beach is also home to lots of dragonflies and butterflies, including the long-distance migrant – the Monarch butterfly.

 

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Cape May Historic District

Cape May News - admin - August 26, 2017

cape may historic district

The Cape May Historic District was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and then became a National Historic Landmark District in 1976. This allowed the community to protect the  most valuable resource for their community, the homes. The architectural wonders are now protected by laws. No historic homes can be remodeled or changed without historic commission review and  approval.

Cape May has one of the largest collections Victorian Era buildings left in the United States.

The City of Cape May is known as the oldest Sea Shore resort in America.

In the 18th century the whalers and farmers created a sustainable economy that formed the foundation for the flourishing sea-side resort that grew to international fame in the 19th century.

Cape May began to flourish as a resort after the War of 1812 when regular steamboat traffic on the Delaware River picked up passengers at New Castle, Delaware. In 1816, Thomas Hughes built the first Congress Hall Hotel at Cape Island. To this date there is still a Congress Hall hotel in Cape May.

In 1830 a contemporary writer comments: “Cape May Island is a noted and much frequented watering place, the season at which commences about the first of July and continues until the middle of August or the first of September. There are six boarding houses, three of which are very large; the sea bathing is convenient and excellent, the beach affords pleasant drives and there is excellent fishing in adjacent waters.”

Many famous became  visitors. Henry Clay arrived in August of 1847, and Abraham Lincoln in 1849, and the following while they served as President of the United States: Franklin Pierce in 1855; James Buchanan in 1858; Ulysses S. Grant in 1873; Chester A. Arthur in 1883, and Benjamin Harrison in 1889. At the peak of the summer season in the 1850’s, as many as 3,000 visitors a day arrived by steamer and this influx continued through the 1880’s.

While Cape May flourished as a resort, famous for its atmosphere and entertainments, a number of famous hotels were constructed but they were vulnerable to fire and the great 1867 fire demolished two city blocks.

Cape May has a number of excellent examples of the elegant Homes. The original architecture is evedent throughout the historic district.

Cape May still maintains the old flavor of past elegance and romance. Gas lit streets line the sidewalks and families stroll up and down the streets admiring the wonderful old homes. Its as if they are stepping back in time to a day when horse carriage ruled the streets.

 

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Cape May Beach Rentals

Cape May News - admin - August 26, 2017

steger beach services

Beach Rentals

Steger Beach Gear Rentals in Cape May

Need Beach Services right on the Beach? Steger Beach Services has everything the beach lover needs.

  • Beach box storage on a weekly, monthly and seasonal rates
  • Beautiful Cabana rentals at daily, weekly, monthly and seasonal rate
  • Umbrella and Comfortable Beach Chair rentals at daily, weekly, monthly and seasonal rates
  • Handicapped set-up service and seasonal rates
  • Get the latest boards…Bodyboards, surfboards, stand-up paddle boards, and raft rentals
  • We rent for Special events and chair/umbrella rental for parties, weddings, backyard celebrations or events, and even movie nights on the beach
  • We offer Surf lessons & Stand-up paddle board tours
  • Steger Information Guides a Local’s Guide Publication at Steger Beach Services stands
  • Complimentary Beach Service for rental property & Hotels and Guesthouses
  • Cape May Beach memorabilia & apparel
  • Beach Cart rentals

CONTACT US

Appointments are available at our office location only:
905 Page Street, Cape May NJ 08204

https://stegerbeachservice.com/

Phone: 609-884-3058
Email: info@stegerbeachservice.com

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Cape May Restaurant Week

Cape May News - admin - August 23, 2017

cape may restaurant week

Cape May Restaurant Weekend
November 2-5, 2017

This is a favorite weekend event for the food lover.

Cape May Restaurant Weekend is a four-day weekend event.  The weekend is smaller version of the annual eight-day June restaurant week. Enjoy  your choice of appetizer, entree, and dessert for just $35 per person. No tickets are required.


Cape May Restaurant Week
June 2018

Participating Restaurants

http://www.cmrestaurantweek.com/participating-restaurants/

The eight-day event that takes place every June. Lunch and Dinner specials at a fixed price.

Visit any participating restaurants during the event (please see days/hours on restaurant listings for any restrictions) and you’ll be presented with their fixed-price menu in addition to their regular menu.

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Cape May Services Information

Cape May News - admin - August 23, 2017

Below is a list of Cape May Services
Hospitals
Cape Regional Medical Center
(15 minute drive)
Stone Harbor Blvd & US Hwy No 9, Cape May Court House
609-463-2000
https://www.caperegional.com/

Cape Urgent Care
(Walk-in Medical Care – 5-minute drive)
900 Route 109, Cape May
609-884-4357

http://www.capeurgentcare.com/

Cape Urgent Care provides the immediate medical services you need 7 days a week – including sutures, X-rays, EKGs, physicals, splinting, and labs (if ordered on site).

Internet Access

Xfinity provides free wifi and paid wifi throughout Cape May
Liquor Stores

Colliers Liquor

202 Jackson Street
Cape May, NJ 08204

Phone (609) 884-8488
Fax (609) 884-0297

http://www.colliersliquor.com/

 
Police
For emergencies, always dial 9-1-1

Cape May City Police non-emergency number: (609) 884-9500

Recycling
Please contact the Cape May County MUA
Local power company?
Atlantic City Electric
1-800-642-3780

To report a power outage, call 1-800-833-7476.

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Cape May 2017 Beach Tag Information

Cape May News - admin - August 21, 2017

cape may beach tags

2017 Beach Tag Rates

Beach tags are available at the Beach Tag Office and at all beach entrances during the summer. Rates are per person. Children 11 & under free. Call the Beach Tag Office with questions at 609-884-9522.

  • Summer Season Tag

$20.00 if purchased from December 1, 2016 through March 31, 2017. Buy at Cape May City Hall

  • Seasonal Tag

$28.00 if purchased from April 1, 2017 through Labor Day

  • Weekly Tag (Saturday to Saturday, 8-days)

$18.00

  • 3-day Tag (any three consecutive days)

$6.00

  • Daily Tag

$6.00

  • Active Military & Veterans

Free

Beach tags are required in Cape May. In season, you must have a beach tag to use Cape May’s beaches. Tags are required between the hours of 10am and 5pm, from Memorial Day Weekend in May through Labor Day in September. Beach tags are required for all beachgoers 12 and over and will not be supplied by your accommodations.

Where can I buy beach tags in Cape May? In season, beach tags can be purchased at any beach entrance from beach taggers. A maximum of five (5) seasonal tags, per individual may be purchased.

How can I buy beach tags by mail?. To order beach tags, send a check to 643 Washington Street, Cape May. There is a flat $3.00 shipping fee per order. A maximum of five (5) seasonal tags per individual may be purchased.

If you have questions, call the City at 609-884-9540

http://www.capemaycity.org/

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Dog Friendly Beaches in Cape May New Jersey

Cape May News - admin - August 17, 2017

Dog-Friendly Beaches in Cape May

  • Cape May City

Dogs are allowed through the months of November, December, January, February and March. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times and be accompanied by their owner or caretaker. The owner or caretaker shall carry a dog waste disposal device. Any owner or caretaker of a dog who permits such dog to leave animal waste on the Boardwalk, Promenade, beach without disposing of same shall be subject to penalties.

  • Cape May Point

Dogs are permitted from November 1 through March 14. Dogs must be leashed at all times on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Dogs must be accompanied by an owner over 12 years of age. Dogs are prohibited at Cape May Point State Park and the Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge in an effort to protect vulnerable chicks of the federally-threatened Piping Plovers and Least Terns.

  • Higbee Beach

Allows dogs from September 1 to April 30. Higbee is owned by the State of New Jersey and is open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m for all visitors and their pets to use.

  • Sunset Beach

Allows dogs September 15 to April 15

  • Delaware Bay Area

Leashed animals are permitted anytime of the day during the off-season. Animals are prohibited at the beach between the hours of 11:00 am and 4:00 pm in-season (Memorial Day – Labor Day). Dogs are to be leashed at all times when they are off of the premises of the possessor and it is mandatory that people clean up after their animals. Lower’s beaches run along the Bay coast and are quite narrow compared to Cape May’s. Follow directions to the Ferry terminal, then make a right rather than turn into the Ferry complex.

For information on Cape Mays Dog Park

http://www.capemaycity.com/Cit-e-Access/webpage.cfm?TID=103&TPID=12934

 

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Cape May Parking with Parkmobile

Cape May News - admin - August 15, 2017

Parking just got a little easier in Cape May.

Parkmobile, LLC and the City of Cape May have started a program that allows visitors to use their phones to pay for parking at  parking spaces in downtown and along the beach. You can download the Parkmobile app via iPhone, Android, and Windows.

Once you set up an account, you are then able to start using the system with a registered mobile device. Parking enforcement officers can see that a motorist has paid with Parkmobile using a wireless handheld device.  Metered time limits  do still apply.

Visitors can receive alerts when the time is about to expire.

Visit www.parkmobile.com, Twitter @Parkmobile, or facebook.com/Parkmobile.

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Christmas in Cape May

Cape May News - admin - August 14, 2017

Christmas in Cape May is like stepping back in time to the days of Norman Rockwell.

Here are a few wonderful things to do in Cape May during the Holidays.

  • West Cape May Christmas Parade

The First Saturday in December, the parade starts off at 5 p.m.  from the WCM Volunteer Firehouse and winds its way through Cape May

  • City of Cape May’s Christmas Tree Lighting

Located at the Rotary Park Gazebo/Bandstand, Lyle Lane, behind the Washington Street Mall, for the Cape May tree lighting. Santa is ready and waiting for the tikes.

  • Congress Hall Tree Lighting

Yep. We light another giant tree in Cape May. Located at Congress Hall

  • Christmas Candlelight Tours

CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT

 HOUSE TOURS

Dec. 2, 9 & 16

5:30pm-8:30pm

The jewels in the crown of the holiday season!

LIMITED TOURS…

RESERVE EARLY

  • GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST TROLLEY RIDES

 A member of the East Lynne Theater Company regales you with a Victorian holiday ghost tale as you ride through Cape May’s festively decorated Historic District.

Rides start at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth, except Nov. 18, when rides start at the Physick Estate.

 Tickets $12 adults; $8 children (ages 3-12).  Advance reservation strongly recommended.

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