Category: This is Cape May

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 »

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.

4th Annual New Jersey State Film Festival

When you throw a pebble into the water, it starts a ripple. That ripple starts more ripples and, before you know it, you have a film festival getting ready for its 4th year, and then you have young filmmakers winning awards, and then you have a governor passing legislation to lure more movie makers into the state. And that’s what they call a ripple effect.

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?

Who’s really staying at the Columbia House?

I’ve been looking for ghosts for three years running and have yet to see one, hear one, or feel one – let alone talk to one. Everyone else seems to see them and sometimes even photograph them. What’s wrong with me? I’m a nice person. Why don’t they show themselves to me?

Carriage Horses Up Close

Who are those horses riding through Cape May? We see them pulling wedding carriages, pulling tourists through the scenic areas of town, and waiting for passengers on Washington Street across from the Washington Commons shops. But who are they? Established in 1983 by Beverly Carr, Cape May Carriage Company has served the Cape May community… Read more »

C.M.B.P. The Anatomy of a Rescue

Imagine this. It is a quiet, peaceful afternoon at the beach. You are sitting in your beach chair, waiting for the tide to rush over your legs, thinking, maybe you should move your chair back a bit so your stuff doesn’t get wet when, suddenly, whistles are blowing, lifeguards are running and pulling everyone out… Read more »

Victorian Gardening

Today, ladies, the topic of discussion is “How to Create A Victorian Garden.” Note I say ladies, because the gentlemen of the house have other duties like organizing hunting parties and, as every proper Victorian knows, it is the responsibility of the lady of the house to tend to the beauty of nature’s bounty. I… Read more »

Women and Their Art

“There are painters who transform the sun to a yellow spot, but there are others who with the help of their art and their intelligence, transform a yellow spot into sun.”