The years following World War II were not good to Cape May. War industries and military bases were dismantled, resulting in a decrease in the number of year-round jobs. As the 1960s dawned, many stores had gone out of business, hard-to-maintain summer Victorian cottages were in disrepair and no longer […]
The Kiwanis Club of Cape May celebrates 100 years of community service in 2024 with a gala dinner at the Grand Hotel and perhaps aperitifs on their clubhouse sundeck. This is a storied organization in Cape May with a history of notable members, significant accomplishments, and community involvement. “The Cape […]
For those of us who’ve lived through the advent and normalization of all things internet, we may think of “smart homes” as stark, futuristic environments not completely unlike Stanley Kubrick’s cinematic masterpiece, 2001: A Space Odyssey, in which an AI persona named Hal goes dangerously haywire. We would, of course, […]
When asked for prime destinations for a top-shelf wine drinking experience, let’s admit that few will think first of the Jersey Shore. Not too many folks readily associate our coastal experience of sand, sea, taffy, and suds with scenic vineyards growing multiple varietals and producing award-winning wines. And yet, Cape […]
Victorians adored ice cream. At the beginning of the 1800s, ice cream was an elite and expensive dish, in flavors like Parmigiano and asparagus. I have tasted homemade ice cream in such flavors as asparagus, spinach, and orange blossom, and I can tell you with 21st-century experience that these flavors […]
Steve Gatier wears many hats: husband, father, proprietor, barista, and retainer of information. As the owner of Magic Brain Café in the Carpenters Square Mall for well over a decade, you’ll often find him hustling behind the coffee bar, a benevolent overlord to his crew of busy baristas. He chats […]
Adages may be trite, but they exist for a reason. Peter Henderer is a living, breathing example of this one: “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Here’s a guy who makes a living creating mostly nautical/fish-related artwork from…recycled wood. Or, as he puts it, “Yes, I am still dumpster […]
After two plus years, Exit Zero Hospitality’s contract to redevelop, reposition and operate the restaurant at the Cape May Ferry Terminal was ended late last year. The Delaware River and Bay Authority has a new ten-year agreement with Aramark Sports and Entertainment, LLC. What changes will be in effect for […]
“If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water.” That sentiment, from science writer Loren Eisley, is emblazoned on a wall inside the Adventure Aquarium on the Camden waterfront. And the proof of it is all around. With 15,000 amazing inhabitants—from tiny tree frogs to hippos as […]
Locals and visitors alike recently bid a fond farewell to Ric Rutherford’s venerable Rio Station restaurant and are saying a fond hello to Jester’s Dive Bar, Rio Grande’s new eatery on Route 9. Owners Bill and Megan Bumbernick, who opened Jester’s in April of 2023, also own Surfing Pig and […]
Every postcard tells a story—to notify family that one has arrived at their destination safely, share an anecdote about their trip, and even just to keep in touch. We have four postcards sent between members of the Lloyd family from 1905 to 1908, offering enough detail to make us curious […]
Like the ocean, Cape May holds much more substance below the surface. The deeper you dive, the more there is to discover in this town’s pool of creatives. You’ll also find that they are all interconnected one way or another. While some were born and bred here, others chose to […]
Art Nouveau draws inspiration from the natural world with its organic, graceful style. It speaks of birth and renewal as sure as the first signs of spring. It was a compelling, energetic style in the art world from the 1890s to 1914 and the start of World War I. And […]
This is about a company that began with an ambition to improve the science of studying bird migratory habits and about a couple of people who worked it all out at a kitchen table. It’s about how it grew into a worldwide supplier of the tiniest little devices that follow […]
“Kitty’s Trails” are a series of winding paths through two adjacent parcels of woods, bisected by Ranger Road, within the Cape May Airport property. If you don’t know Ranger Road, I can’t blame you, I had to look it up while writing this piece. If you’ve driven into the airport […]
Cape May businessman John Wilbraham has been gone for more than a century, but his ghost lingers on in the Myrtle Street home that bears his name. As you enter the front parlor of the Wilbraham Mansion, there is the lord of the manor, gazing down from a portrait above […]
“Rosemary is usually good for dogs, which is why it’s in most foods. But it’s not good for all dogs so if your dog is having a problem, you can try a food that doesn’t include rosemary to see if that makes a difference.” So starts our conversation with Patsy […]
Grains are the cornerstone of civilization. Their domestication and cultivation allowed us to abandon the nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyle, setting down roots and forging the beginning of social living. The three grains providing this foundation are maize (corn), wheat, and rice, the latter of which is the primary food staple for […]
A drive up the Delaware Bay in spring can be one of the most unforgettable local experiences on any scale. The spectacle of Red Knot, Sanderlings, Semipalmated Sandpipers, and Ruddy Turnstone jammed on a beach feasting and fighting for their caviar, Horseshoe Crab eggs, can be amazing. I say “can […]
Steve at the Mad Batter showed us how to mix up this new cocktail from their Spring menu!