Author: Susan Tischler

Susan Tischler is the former editor of CapeMay.com and Cape May Magazine.

Franklin Street School: The Past and the Future

Emily Dempsey doesn’t remember her first day at Franklin Street Elementary School. “But I do remember my mother holding my hand on my way to school and I remember that my (older) sister Florence took me to school shortly after that.” Emily Dempsey doesn’t remember any one particular day at Franklin Street School but she… Read more »

Cape May’s New Little Star

From the beginning, Joe and Chris Asterino weren’t shy about change. The first thing they did when they purchased The Open Hearth Guest House in June 2003 was to change the name to the Majestic Star Inn. Not to say it’s unheard of, but certainly not the norm. It had been the Open Hearth for… Read more »

The Delsea Gets a New Look

In a year when Cape May has been a whirl with changes in the accommodations arena, one Columbia Avenue address remains constant – The Delsea. The gingerbread-coated house has had the same owner since 1969. In fact, Rosemary Stumpo is only the fourth owner in the Delsea’s 137-year old history. Like many who settle in… Read more »

A Day at the Spa

It’s December 23rd and I’ve got one-hundred and forty-thousand things to do and one hour to do them in before I have to go to the spa. My boss is sending me to an afternoon at the Cape May Day Spa on Jefferson Street, for my “on assignment.” Really, who has time for spas? I… Read more »

The Delsea Gets a New Look

In a year when Cape May has been a whirl with changes in the accommodations arena,  one Columbia Avenue address remains constant – The Delsea. The gingerbread-coated house has had the same owner since 1969. In fact, Rosemary Stumpo is only the fourth owner in the Delsea’s 137-year old history. Like many who settle in… Read more »

Cape May’s New “Little Star”

From the beginning, Joe and Chris Asterino weren’t shy about change. The first thing they did when they purchased The Open Hearth Guest House in June 2003 was to change the name to the Majestic Star Inn. Not to say it’s unheard of, but certainly not the norm. It had been the Open Hearth for at least 30 years.

Holidays with the Coast Guard

On any given holiday, the Coast Guard Training Station in Cape May has about 800 recruits who would rather be home. In the spirit of giving, many residents from the Cape May area volunteer to host recruits for a traditional holiday dinner. I’ve always wanted to have a couple of recruits at my house for… Read more »

Monarch Butterflies in Cape May

Consider the Monarch Butterfly. It begins life as a caterpillar living underneath the leaves of the milkweed plant for a couple of weeks. Then, it forms a letter J and hangs out under a sheltered area forming a big green glob for about 10 days, after which, it emerges as a breathtakingly beautiful orange and… Read more »

150 Years of Firefighting

If any one ever tells you that history doesn’t make a difference, tell them to come to Cape May. Yes, it would have been a seaside resort no matter what, given it’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, but who knew that a fire in 1878 would ensure National Historic Landmark status nearly 100 years later? And, who knew that the impact of that same fire that occurred on Nov. 9, 1878 leveling 39 acres of land right in the heart of the city could still be felt on a sunny Sunday afternoon in October, 2004?

Which house is the oldest house on Cape Island?

Which house is the oldest house on Cape Island? Is it the house at 653½ Washington Street, also known as The Colonial House? Or is it the old “Whilldin-Miller House” at 416 South Broadway where Daniels on Broadway Restaurant currently resides?