2026

Jan

Feb

March

2025 April

May

June

July

Aug

Sept

Oct

Nov

Dec

February 19, 2026

Avalon Fishing Pier, behind the dunes and beach blanketed with snow.  See below for more photos!  

---

THE WINTER THAT WON'T QUIT brought heavy snow to the island early this week. After a brief period of rain on Sunday, precipitation switched to heavy wet snow and fell at a rapid pace at times.  Strong, gusty winds impeded visibility during periods of heavy snowfall and brought minor coastal flooding during high tides.  Early reports indicate that beaches suffered erosion due to storm winds and waves.   Reported snow totals varied from 12 to 18 inches around Cape May County.  Roads were cleared very quickly in Avalon and Stone Harbor, and throughout the county, but numerous power outages occurred as crews struggled to keep up with downed power lines.  Fortunately, unlike our last snowfall, this one is not expected to stick around—daytime highs are expected to be in the mid 40s by Saturday.  

HAVE A LOOK AROUND at a few of the scenes on the island this week!

The 32nd Street beach path, covered in snow but still looking inviting.
  
Surfside Park...who's ready for summer concert?
 

Avalon Supermarket behind a mountain of plowed snow! 
The roads are clear, but all that snow has to go somewhere!

---

STONE HARBOR CRAFT SHOW REVIVAL?  Stone Harbor Borough Council approved an event for August 28th & 29th aimed at reviving the annual arts & craft festival that previously ran for many years, until it was paused in 2020 for the pandemic.  The proposed new event would seek to follow a similar theme, featuring high quality hand crafted items.
 
THINKING POSITIVE:  Our snow is still melting and the ocean water temperature is still 35 degrees, but let's think positive!  Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday, March 8th, adding an hour of daylight to our evenings!  Our first 7pm sunset occurs on Tuesday, March 10th!  And Memorial Day is only 90 days away!

---

UPCOMING EVENTS: 

Estate Planning Discussion.  Attorney Marianne Johnston will discuss Estate and Long-Term Care Planning. Topics will include protecting retirement plans, protecting children’s inheritance through a Bloodline Trust, and protecting assets from Nursing Homes and Medicaid. No registration required.  Avalon Free Public Library, Friday, February 27th, 2pm to 3pm. 
 
Shop-A-Holics: Sip, Shop, Sales.  The Princeton, Thursday & Friday, March 5th & 6th, 4pm to 8pm, Saturday, March 7th, 12pm to 7pm 
 
The Fiddle Club Presents: Irish Folk Music.  Irish jigs, reels, hornpipes and ballads as well as some classical music.  Avalon Free Public Library, Saturday, March 7th, 2pm. 

Stone Harbor Shiver Polar Plunge Weekend. 

Pre-Shiver party at Yacht Club of Stone Harbor, Friday, March 13th, 6pm.  $35 entry fee, cash bar.
Pre-game at Fred's Tavern, Saturday, March 14th, 10am
Parade to the beach, Saturday, March 14th, 12 noon.
Shiver Showdown, 96th Street & the beach.
Polar Plunge, 96th Street & the beach, 1:15pm
After party at Fred's Tavern with music by the Quinn Brothers. 

Tide to Table Pre-Fixe Weekend.  The Washington Inn, Friday & Saturday, March 13th & 14th. details and reservations
 
Winter Wine Dinner Series.  Carefully curated four-course menu paired with exceptional wines.  Cape May Winery, Friday, March 20th, 6pm. Read More
 
Somm's Table: Chile.  Explore and taste Chilean wine.  The Washington Inn, Saturday, March 21st, 3pm.  Read More
 
Bird Migration 101.  Avalon Free Public Library, Saturday, March 28th, 1pm. 
 
EEaster Bunny Express.  Cape May Seashore Lines, Tuckahoe & Richland Stations, Saturday & Sunday, March 28th & 29th, and Saturday, April 4th.  schedules and fares
 
Avalon's Bunny Hop.  Meet the Easter Bunny!  Veterans Plaza, Saturday, April 4th, 11am to 2pm. 
 
Easter Brunch at Icona Avalon.  Sunday, April 5th, 10am to 2pm.  Details here
 
Easter Brunch By the Bay.  The Reeds at Shelter Haven, Sunday, April 5th, 10:30am to 3:30pm.  Read More 
 
Stone Harbor Job Fair. Details to follow.  Saturday, April 11th. 
 
Avalon Garden Club Spring Card Party:  Cheers to 50 Blooming Years!  Avalon Community Hall, Thursday, April 16th, 11:30am to 3pm.  Contact Joanna Morrison for tickets at 609-675-6846. 
 
Spring Dune Grass Planting.  Avalon Community Hall, Saturday, April 18th, 8:30am.  Please RSVP to Jordan Sykes at Community Hall: 609-967-3066 or jsykes@avalonboro.org

February 19, 2026

It hasn't warmed up THAT much yet...but it won't be long!  

---

SIX PERCENT, ZERO POINTS!  Thirty-year mortgage rates have inched downward again and reached 6% last week, for both conforming and jumbo (above $832,750) loan amounts, with zero points.    Fifteen-year rates reached 5.5% for both conforming and jumbo loan amounts, also with zero points.  If you've been watching mortgage rates before making your shore purchase, this may be a good time to jump in!  Call or email me if you'd like the names of reliable mortgage lenders that can provide you with a pre-approval, improving your negotiating position as a buyer.
 
AVALON'S LEGENDARY LIFEGUARD, Murray Wolf passed away earlier this week.  Wolf retired as Captain of the Avalon Beach Patrol in 2021, after 65 years of service.  One of Avalon's competition life boats proudly wears the name "Captain G. Murray Wolf" on its bow, honoring Wolf's 65 years with ABP.  Wolf's son Matt has followed in his footsteps, and currently serves as the captain of the ABP.
 
THE ICE MAY BE GONE, but some damage remains.  Some pilings not protected by bubbler or deicer systems were "ice jacked," or lifted out of the mud by ice gripping the pilings as the tide rose.  Similar damage has been reported to some Intracoastal Waterway day markers (pilings with red or green navigation markers on top), as shifting ice flows lifted the day markers or pushed them over during tide changes.  
 
FUNDING FOR BEACH PROJECTS is an ongoing concern for shore communities, who rely on beaches for both tourism and storm protection.  After last year's cut to federal beach funding, Representative Jeff Van Drew has introduced bipartisan legislation along with Rep. Laura Gillen of New York, to create a permanent source of funding for US Army Corps of Engineers beach replenishment projects.  Meanwhile, Avalon Mayor John McCorriston and Business Administrator Scott Wahl met with New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill's staff to press for the governor to declare a state of emergency regarding beach funding.  Such a declaration would allow easier access to federal funds.  Prior NJ Governor Phil Murphy denied a similar request in December.  Avalon, Stone Harbor, Sea Isle City, Ocean City, Upper Township, and Cape May have all passed resolutions asking Governor Sherrill to issue the declaration. 
 
UPCOMING EVENTS: 
 
Estate Planning Discussion.  Attorney Marianne Johnston will discuss Estate and Long-Term Care Planning. Topics will include protecting retirement plans, protecting children's inheritance through a Bloodline Trust, and protecting assets from Nursing Homes and Medicaid. No registration required.  Avalon Free Public Library, Friday, February 27th, 2pm to 3pm. 
 
The Fiddle Club Presents: Irish Folk Music.  Irish jigs, reels, hornpipes and ballads as well as some classical music.  Avalon Free Public Library, Saturday, March 7th, 2pm. 

Stone Harbor Shiver Polar Plunge Weekend. 

Pre-Shiver party at Yacht Club of Stone Harbor, Friday, March 13th, 6pm.  $35 entry fee, cash bar.
Pre-game at Fred's Tavern, Saturday, March 14th, 10am
Parade to the beach, Saturday, March 14th, 12 noon.
Shiver Showdown, 96th Street & the beach.
Polar Plunge, 96th Street & the beach, 1:15pm
After party at Fred's Tavern with music by the Quinn Brothers. 

Winter Wine Dinner Series.  Carefully curated four-course menu paired with exceptional wines.  Cape May Winery, Friday, March 20th, 6pm. Read More
 
Somm's Table: Chile.  Explore and taste Chilean wine. The Washington Inn, Saturday, March 21, 3pm.  Read More 

Bird Migration 101.  Avalon Free Public Library, Saturday, March 28th, 1pm. 

Avalon's Bunny Hop.  Meet the Easter Bunny!  Veterans Plaza, Saturday, April 4th, 11am to 2pm. 
Easter Brunch at Icona Avalon.  Sunday, April 5th, 10am to 2pm.  Details here
 
Easter Brunch By the Bay.  TThe Reeds at Shelter Haven, Sunday, April 5th, 10:30am to 3:30pm.  Read More 
 
Stone Harbor Job Fair. Details to follow.  Saturday, April 11th. 
 
Avalon Garden Club Spring Card Party:  Cheers to 50 Blooming Years!  Avalon Community Hall, Thursday, April 16th, 11:30am to 3pm.  Contact Joanna Morrison for tickets at 609-675-6846. 
 
Spring Dune Grass Planting.  Avalon Community Hall, Saturday, April 18th, 8:30am.  Please RSVP to Jordan Sykes at Community Hall: 609-967-3066 or jsykes@avalonboro.org

---

February 12, 2026

This duck swam across a patch of water and then climbed up on the ice, took a walk around, then jumped back in the water!  Finding unfrozen areas became difficult as the extreme cold lingered.

---

FINALLY, SOME WARMING!  Daytime highs finally climbed above freezing this week, and will continue to inch up over the next several days, as will overnight lows.  Ice has finally begun to melt and loosen its grip on the area.  
 
OUR FIRST 5:30PM SUNSET occurred this week!  As sunsets occur a moment or two later each evening it makes a real difference in the afternoon hours, and it's an early sign that spring is (finally) on its way.
 
MARKET STATS: The market is still moving - 10 properties have sold year-to-date in Avalon, and three in Stone Harbor, despite the unusually cold weather.  76 properties are available in both towns, with prices ranging from $325,000 to $13 million.  For a detailed look at the market, see the latest Long & Foster Market Minute reports:  Avalon  Stone Harbor
 
THE LAST ICE PHOTOS?  We'll see what next week brings, but in the meantime here is another look at some of the unusual sights around the island this week:

 
Most bayfront areas fully froze this past week.  Here, Great Channel is all ice, near the 96th Street Bridge.  Only areas nearest the ocean, with the deepest, warmest water, remained open.
 

Fire & Ice!  A fiery red sunset over the frozen bay is quite a dramatic contrast!
 

Please don't try this!  Yes, ice skating on the bay was possible in some areas, including this one in Sea Isle City - but not recommended.  Watch the original video clip on Facebook
 

Perhaps the only thing more unusual than ice skating on the bay is ice skating on the beach in Wildwood!  Watch the original video clip on Facebook:

---

upcoming Events:

Galentine's at the Wine Bar.  Live music, thoughtfully crafter cocktail menu and delectable small bites.  Join the Wine & Chocolate Tasting with Sommelier Tyler for $25 per person.  The Washington Inn, Thursday, February 12th.  Tickets for the Wine & Chocolate portion of the evening
 
Valentine's Dinner at The Reeds at Shelter Haven.  A romantic dinner for two at SAX.  Thursday - Sunday, February 12th to 15th, from 5pm.  Read More 
 
Valentine’s Dining Experience at Icona Avalon.  An elegant Valentine's Dinner in the Sea Glass Ballroom, featuring live piano entertainment.  Saturday, February 14th, 6pm to 8pm. Read More
 
Introduction to Birding.  Cape May County Library, Lower Township Branch, Wednesday, February 18th, 6pm.  Info and registration
 
Estate Planning Discussion.  Attorney Marianne Johnston will discuss Estate and Long-Term Care Planning. Topics will include protecting retirement plans, protecting children's inheritance through a Bloodline Trust, and protecting assets from Nursing Homes and Medicaid. No registration required.  Avalon Free Public Library, Friday, February 27th, 2pm to 3pm. 

The Fiddle Club Presents: Irish Folk Music.  Irish jigs, reels, hornpipes and ballads as well as some classical music.  Avalon Free Public Library, Saturday, March 7th, 2pm. 
 
Stone Harbor Shiver Polar Plunge Weekend:
 
Pre-Shiver party at Yacht Club of Stone Harbor, Friday, March 13th, 6pm.  $35 entry fee at door, cash bar.
Pre-game at Fred's Tavern, Saturday, March 14th, 10am
Parade to the beach, Saturday, March 14th, 12 noon.
Shiver Showdown, 96th Street & the beach.
Polar Plunge, 96th Street & the beach, 1:15pm
After party at Fred's Tavern with music by the Quinn Brothers. 
 
Avalon's Bunny Hop.  Meet the Easter Bunny!  Veterans Plaza, Saturday, April 4th, 11am to 2pm. 
Stone Harbor Job Fair. Details to follow.  Saturday, April 11th. 
 
Avalon Garden Club Spring Card Party:  Cheers to 50 Blooming Years!  Avalon Community Hall, Thursday, April 16th, 11:30am to 3pm.  Contact Joanna Morrison for tickets at 609-675-6846. 
Spring Dune Grass Planting.  Avalon Community Hall, Saturday, April 18th, 8:30am.  Please RSVP to Jordan Sykes at Community Hall: 609-967-3066 or jjsykes@avalonboro.org

---

February 5, 2026

The pier at Avalon Bay Park Marina, looking toward Heron Drive, and the frozen bay & marsh! 
See more photos below!

---

PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL says "six more weeks of winter," but we've already had our fair share!  The entire island was gripped by a deep freeze for more than a week.  Although roads were clear and dry, a frozen layer of snow and ice blanketed everything else.  It wasn't until Tuesday that the first bit of thawing occurred.  Daytime highs the rest of this week were expected to be just above freezing, with nighttime lows dropping into the 20s and teens.  
 
TAKE A TOUR of our frozen island!  Here's look at some frosty scenes around the island...very different from what we usually see!

Ice began forming in the bay soon after sub-freezing temperatures arrived.  Here, a thin layer of ice has begun to form over Pleasure Bay in Stone Harbor.
 

By Monday, after more than a week of frigid temperatures, thick ice had formed in areas of the bay that are shallow and with little tidal current.
 

Smuggler's Cove in Stone Harbor iced over; bubbler systems are in used to keep ice from lifting pilings out of the mud during a rising tide.
 

The frozen marsh has a peaceful beauty to it.  This view is from Avalon Boulevard, looking toward the Stone Harbor water tower.
 

Not far from the island, the Delaware Bay shore was lined with huge chunks of ice. The shipping channel remained open, but the western end of the Cape May Canal was frozen.  The Cape May-Lewes Ferry suspended operations due to the ice blocking the route and ferry terminals.  

THE MARKET certainly isn't frozen!  Check below for new listings, plus three more under contract this week!
 
WHAT'S YOUR NEXT MOVE?  It won't be long before ice and snow are a distant memory, and summer will be upon us!  Now is the time to plan your next move!  Buying, selling, placing your house on the rental market...let's discuss your next move and take action to make it happen!  Please call or email me and we'll get started!

---

upcoming Events:

Washington Inn & Wine Bar reopens, Friday, February 6th, 4pm. Info & reservations
 
South Jersey Folklore: Exploring the Supernatural in the Pine Barrens.  Avalon Free Public Library, Friday, February 6th, 2pm. 
 
The Valentine's Express.  Enjoy a ride aboard a vintage rail car with that special someone! Cape May Seashore Lines, Saturday & Sunday, February 7th & 8th.  Read More
 
Super Bash XXII.  23rd Anniversary of the Friend in Need Super Bash.  The Princeton, Sunda, February 8th, 4:30pm.  Get tickets here
 
Galentine's at the Wine Bar.  Live music, thoughtfully crafter cocktail menu and delectable small bites.  Join the Wine & Chocolate Tasting with Sommelier Tyler for $25 per person.  The Washington Inn, Thursday, February 12th.  Tickets for the Wine & Chocolate portion of the evening are available now: Tickets 
 
Valentine's Dinner at The Reeds at Shelter Haven.  A romantic dinner for two at SAX.  Thursday-Sunday, February 12th to 15th, from 5pm. Read More
 
Valentine's Dining Experience at Icona Avalon.  An elegant Valentine's Dinner in the Sea Glass Ballroom, featuring live piano entertainment.  Saturday, February 14th, 6pm to 8pm.  Read More 
 
Estate Planning Discussion.  Attorney Marianne Johnston will discuss Estate and Long-Term Care Planning. Topics will include protecting retirement plans, protecting children's inheritance through a Bloodline Trust, and protecting assets from Nursing Homes and Medicaid. No registration required.  Avalon Free Public Library, Friday, February 27th, 2pm to 3pm. 
 
The Fiddle Club Presents: Irish Folk Music.  Irish jigs, reels, hornpipes and ballads as well as some classical music.  Avalon Free Public Library, Saturday, March 7th, 2pm. 
 
Stone Harbor Shiver Polar Plunge Weekend.  Friday night pre-Shiver party, Saturday parade and showdown.  March 14th & 15th. 
 
Avalon's Bunny Hop.  Meet the Easter Bunny!  Veterans Plaza, Saturday, April 4th, 11am to 2pm. 
 
Stone Harbor Job Fair. Details to follow.  Saturday, April 11th.
 
Spring Dune Grass Planting.  Avalon Community Hall, Saturday, April 18th, 8:30am.  Please RSVP to Jordan Sykes at Community Hall: 609-967-3066 or Read More

South Jersey Folklore: Exploring the Supernatural in the Pine Barrens.  Avalon Free Public Library, Friday, February 6th, 2pm. 
 
The Valentine's Express.  Enjoy a ride aboard a vintage rail car with that special someone! Cape May Seashore Lines, Saturday & Sunday, February 7th & 8th.  Read More
 
Super Bash XXII.  23rd Anniversary of the Friend in Need Super Bash.  The Princeton, Sunda, February 8th, 4:30pm.  Get tickets here
 
Galentine's at the Wine Bar.  Live music, thoughtfully crafter cocktail menu and delectable small bites.  Join the Wine & Chocolate Tasting with Sommelier Tyler for $25 per person.  The Washington Inn, Thursday, February 12th.  Tickets for the Wine & Chocolate portion of the evening are available now: Tickets 
 
Valentine's Dinner at The Reeds at Shelter Haven.  A romantic dinner for two at SAX.  Thursday-Sunday, February 12th to 15th, from 5pm. Read More
 
Valentine's Dining Experience at Icona Avalon.  An elegant Valentine's Dinner in the Sea Glass Ballroom, featuring live piano entertainment.  Saturday, February 14th, 6pm to 8pm.  Read More 
 
Estate Planning Discussion.  Attorney Marianne Johnston will discuss Estate and Long-Term Care Planning. Topics will include protecting retirement plans, protecting children's inheritance through a Bloodline Trust, and protecting assets from Nursing Homes and Medicaid. No registration required.  Avalon Free Public Library, Friday, February 27th, 2pm to 3pm. 
 
The Fiddle Club Presents: Irish Folk Music.  Irish jigs, reels, hornpipes and ballads as well as some classical music.  Avalon Free Public Library, Saturday, March 7th, 2pm. 
 
Stone Harbor Shiver Polar Plunge Weekend.  Friday night pre-Shiver party, Saturday parade and showdown.  March 14th & 15th. 
 
Avalon's Bunny Hop.  Meet the Easter Bunny!  Veterans Plaza, Saturday, April 4th, 11am to 2pm. 
 
Stone Harbor Job Fair. Details to follow.  Saturday, April 11th.
 
Spring Dune Grass Planting.  Avalon Community Hall, Saturday, April 18th, 8:30am.  Please RSVP to Jordan Sykes at Community Hall: 609-967-3066 or Read More

---

 
 .