Welcome, dear readers, to Year Number Two of the Great Vacation newsletter! It hardly seems possible that a whole year has slipped by, but with this issue we set sail on another adventure together – a voyage of discovery on which we’ll write, and read, about new places to go, new attractions to visit, places to stay, dine and shop.  We appreciate that you’re here and part of the Great Vacation “family”.

   In this new year we’re broadening the scope of the things we write about – and we remind you, as usual, to share this newsletter with others: family, friends, fellow workers, neighbors, and even acquaintances and strangers – because it’s FREE. The great thing is the things people will discover by reading it, by checking our main website and seeing the archive of past issues, and by going on our two new members of the family: GreatVacationPropertyRentals.com and GreatVacationShoreRentals.com to seek out new places to stay and enjoy.

   We’ll keep you up-to-date on what’s happening in our coverage area, including events in the shore communities and the entertainment/concert line-up in Atlantic City. In fact, we’ve made some changes in our Great Vacation Things to Do feature beginning with this issue. We will now list the upcoming events and attractions by town, for the summer months, to make it easier for you to find out what’s happening and plan your attendance at the events that interest you.

   Check the shore photo galleries on our main website, and continue to send us your favorite shore photos, as well. Thanks again for being here. Share us with everyone. Have a fantastic Great Vacation, a super summer, and an incredible fall, winter and spring, too! Surf’s up! It’s time to head for the beach!

Avalon
July
1....Avalon Recreation Antique Show: 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
      TK Charities Youth Triathlon TBA  
      Avalon 4^th Family Parade & Concert – Dune Drive 6:00 p.m.
2....TK Charities Youth Triathlon TBA
      Avalon 4^th Family Festival & Fireworks
3....Avalon 4^th Family Festival Beach Concert & Big Beach Movie
4....Warren Buckingham Memorial Swimming Races 10:00 a.m. Windrift Motel
      Field Races 2:00 p.m., 10^th Street
      Boat Parade: Time to be announced
8....Holston Tennis Trust Fund Raiser
15...Contact-Cape Atlantic Avalon 5 Mile Run – 8:00 a.m.
22...Mencini Scholarship Basketball Tournament
23...Avalon Yacht Club 5K Run
29...Avalon Performing Arts Council Comedy Night – 8:00 p.m.

Cape May
July
      Jersey Fresh Farmer’s Market, every Tuesday,
      3:00 p.m. – Sunset at West Cape May Borough Hall 609-884-8382
      Youth Arts Summer Program, Ages 6-14, Mon-Fri 609-884-7525
      Aqua Trails Kayaking Nature Tours Daily – 11:00 a.m.
      Nature Center of Cape May 609-898-8848
4....All-American Picnic & Fireworks, 5:00 – 10:00 p.m. Congress Hall in Cape May 609-884-8421
7....Independence Parade, Convention Hall, 1:00 p.m. 609-884-9565
11-15...“The War at the Shore” Sport Fishing Tournament,  South Jersey Marina 609-884-2400
13-15...43^rd Annual Promenade Art Show, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 609-884-9565
14...Jersey Cape Antique Auto Show, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. On the Washington Street Mall
15...Temple University Shore Tour, Convention Hall 609-884-9565
18-21...6^th Annual Mid-Atlantic Tuna Tournament, South Jersey Marina 609-884-2400
18-28...Over the Rainbow, Wednesday-Saturday at the East Lynne Theater 609-884-5898
25-28...Albermarle/Cabo Scramble, South Jersey Marina 609-884-2400
29...Captain Kidd Treasure Hunt, 1:00 p.m. 609-884-9565

Ocean City
July               
     Ocean City Pops Orchestra has performances throughout the summer at the Music Pier – www.oceancitypops.org      or 609-525-9245.
     Every Tuesday through Labor Day:
     Funtastic Tuesdays: 10am - 1pm on Asbury Ave. Entertainment, Face Painters, Balloon Sculptors.
     Family Film & Fun Night: 7:15pm, Cornerstone, 2nd Floor of Staintons, 8th & Asbury Ave, $4 per person or max      $15 per family. For more information call 399-4662.
     Beach Walks: South End Location - 59th St & Central Ave (entrance to Corsons Park) 9am; North End Location -      OC/Longport Bridge Parking Lot (Gardens Parkway) 6:30pm. Tickets may be purchased on-site.
     Adults: $1.00, Children $0.50.
     Every Wednesday through Labor Day
     Beginning July 11th, Farmer's Market at the Tabernacle Grounds every Wednesday 8am-1pm.
     Beginning July 11th, Evenings on Asbury Ave. 5pm-8pm. Free family entertainment along the Avenue.
     Beach Walks: South End Location - 59th St & Central Ave (entrance to Corsons Park) 6:30pm; North End Location      - OC/Longport Bridge Parking Lot (Gardens Parkway) 9am. Tickets may be purchased on-site. Adults $1.00,       Children $0.50.
     Every Thursday through Labor Day
     Market Days, 10am-1pm, Asbury Avenue
     Family Nights, 8pm to 10pm on the Boardwalk.
     Beginning July 11th: Inn to Inn Tours. 2pm-4pm, pickup at 7th & Central Ave.
4...Fourth of July Celebration: Kite flying competition at 5pm at Carey Stadium, 6th St. off the Boardwalk, followed      by entertainment and a spectacular fireworks display at 9pm.For information call 525-9300.
5...Freckle Contest: 6:30pm at the Music Pier.  For information call 525-9304.
11.Sand Sculpting Contest: 9am at the 6th St. Beach – the first one of the season. For more information please call      525-9300.
21.Summer Arts & Crafts Spectacular: 10am-6pm, Tabernacle grounds, 6th & Wesley Ave. For more information call      609-399-9998.
27.Merchants in Venice Seafood Festival: Come and feast on some of the best seafood in the area and enjoy      entertainment, rides for the kids and crafters from 5pm – 9pm. 6th – 8th Sts. on Asbury Ave.  For more                 information call 525-9300.
28.Night in Venice: The City’s annual boat parade is one of the largest in the world. Begins at 6:30pm from the      Longport Bridge to Tennessee Ave. along the bay. For more information call 525-9300.

Sea Isle City
July
2..........Bob Ferris Band, 7:30 PM
3..........Movies Under The Stars, JFK & Pleasure, Dusk
4..........Fireworks, JFK & Beach, 9 PM (Rain Date July 6)
5..........Family Night Dance Party, 7:30 PM
9..........Ken McBride/Jamison Irish Band, 7:30 PM
10........Movies Under The Stars, JFK & Pleasure, Dusk
11........The Danny Eyler Band (Dance Music) 7:30 PM
12........Family Night Dance Party, 7:30 PM
16........Juicy Band, 7:30 PM
17........Movies Under The Stars, JFK & Please, Dusk
18........Just In Time (Rock N Roll) 7:30 PM
19........Family Night Dance Party, 7:30 PM
16 or 23..Little & Jr. Miss SIC Pageant, ages 5-8 and 9-12, Community Lodge, 7:30PM
23........Hawkins Road Country Band, 7:30 PM
17 or 24..Baby Parade, 12yrs & Under, Theme, 6 PM
24........Movies Under The Stars, JFK & Pleasure, Dusk
25........Wakiki Hawaiian Review, 7:30 PM
26........Family Night Dance Party, 7:30 PM
30........Midiri Brothers Big Band, 7:30 PM
31........Movies Under The Stars, JFK & Pleasure, Dusk

Stone Harbor
July
1..........Sister Blister 5K Run and 2 Mile Walk Starts at 8:00 a.m. at 80^th Street recreation field.
2..........Family Night.  7:00 p.m. at the Firehouse parking lot. Bring a blanket or beach chairs.
4..........Independence Day Celebration. Family races and events.  80the Street recreation field.
9..........Family Night. 7:00 p.m. at the Firehouse parking lot. Bring a blanket or beach chairs.
15.......Stone Harbor Triathalon. 7:30 a.m. start at Stone Harbor Yacht Club.
16.......Family Night. 7:00 p.m. at the Firehouse parking lot. Bring a blanket or beach chairs.
23.......Family Night. 7:00 p.m. at the Firehouse parking lot. Bring a blanket or beach chairs.
30.......Family Night. 7:00 p.m. at the Firehouse parking lot. Bring a blanket or beach chairs.

The Wildwoods
July        
            Mondays-Wednesdays-Fridays: Beach Aerobics                                                 
            Tuesdays-Thursdays-Saturdays: Beach Yoga                                                                   
            Mondays – Crest Pier Free Concerts                                                                    
            Tuesdays and Thursdays: Doo Wop Back to the 50’s Tour                                
            Wednesday Night Summer Concert Series                                                            
            Wednesdays: National Pro-Wresting Beach Bedlam                                            
            Fridays: Fireworks on the beach.                                                                          
            Daily: Sunset Cinema’s Movies on the Beach
1........13^th annual Italian-America Festival in North Wildwood. Enjoy Italian cuisine set to the perfect music.. Phone            609-729-6223 for more information.
           Freedom Festival and Craft Show.
2.........Captain Ocean’s Ecological Program
............Irish Pipe & Drum Brigades (on-going)                                                                       
3..........Summer of Love Concert Tour                                                           
4..........The annual Fourth of July Fireworks Display. Enjoy the show on the beach or boardwalk. Expect a BIG crowd              so get there early. For details: 609-523-1602.              
.............Independence Day Parade                                                                                           
.............National Pro-Wrestling Beach Bedlam                                                                        
.............Wednesday Night Summer Concert Series
5...........Boardwalk Family Fun Night                                                                         
6...........Cape May County Lifeguard Championships          
.............Wars at the Shore                                                                                                       
7...........Boardwalk Craft Show                                                                                                 
.............Girl Power Concert                                                                                                     
.............Hereford Inlet Lighthouse Craft Show                                                                         
.............Lou Boothe Amphitheater Concerts                                                               
8-9.......Boardwalk Craft Show                                                                                                 
.............Hereford Inlet Lighthouse Craft Show
9...........Crest Pier Free Concerts
11.........Miss North Wildwood Competition                                                                             
12.........Boardwalk Family Fun Night                                                                                        |
..............Lou Boothe Amphitheater Concerts
13-14...14^th Annual Duke of Fluke Fishing Tournament                      
13.........76ers Summer Shore Tour
13-15...Anglesea Blues Festival
14.........Boogie Board Races
13–15..Ummm good! The New Jersey State BBQ Championship & Blues festival. Great food and great fun for               everyone in North Wildwood.  Phone 609-523-6565 for information.                                                                         
14-15...Boardwalk Craft Show
16-20...Touch Soccer Camp    
21.........The annual Christmas in July Boat Parade. You see Santa in July! Decorated boats pass by on the waterways,               homes and docks are decorated for Christmas, and you may want to stop and sing some Christmas carols! Call              609-729-5501 for information.
21-22...12^th Annual Sandblast Beach Run                                                                                  |
..............Handcraft Unlimited Summer Craft Show
22-27...Sophisticated Productions National Dance Competition
28.......“Dutch” Hoffman Lifeguard Races
28–29..It’s the annual Coed Beach Ultimate Frisbee Tournament. Get your team together, or come and watch the fun as               teams of four compete at all skill levels on the beach. Details? Call 856-696-9705.                               
..............Boardwalk Craft Show

Avalon Inn
The Avalon Inn Resort is a peaceful retreat from the world, located at 7929 Dune Drive in Avalon, New Jersey.  It’s a quiet, family-oriented motel with all the amenities, and just steps away from the beach. (click here)

Beachcomber Resort
Beautiful beaches and tall dunes, a relaxed, refreshing atmosphere, secluded pool – it’s “The suite approach to your seashore vacation.” (click here)

Concord Suites
For the perfect getaway, the Concord Suites have the perfect package. (click here)

Desert Sand Inn
The ocean is calling you to its waters for sun, surf, fun, relaxation, and a tranquil haven away from the hustle and bustle. It’s the Desert Sand Resort – perfect! (click here)

Sealark Bed & Breakfast
Lovely accommodations, a light and airy atmosphere, and incredible breakfasts. It doesn’t get any better than the Sealark Bed & Breakfast. (click here)

The Windrift Resort Hotel
For fine dining, entertainment, swimming and more, the Windrift Resort Hotel, 80^th and the beach in Avalon, New Jersey is the perfect place for a fantastic weekend, week, or for season. (click here)

Hotel Alcott
Just steps from the ocean, this totally restored Italianate-bracketed villa offers all the amenities. Open April – December. (click here)

Stockton Motor Inns
Spacious motel rooms and fully equipped efficiencies with all the amenities, plus Stockton Manor Inn – an 1872 Victorian guest house celebrating Cape May’s opulent past with all the conveniences. (click here)

West Cape Motel
This is the comfortable motel closest to the bird sanctuary, boat and surf fishing, Cape May diamonds, and much more. (click here)

The Hyland Motor Inn
The inexpensive alternative to beachfront accommodations. (click here)

Bryn Mawr Hotel
724 Ocean Avenue, Ocean City, New Jersey. Your room is waiting! (click here)

Coral Sands Motel
Coral Sands Motel is just a half-block from the beach and the boardwalk, and close to the Music Pier, with free parking. (click here)

Homestead Hotel and Condominiums
A cozy European-style hotel with old world charm, friendly service, and convenient to everything you’ll want to do. (click here)

Pavilion Motor Lodge
This is a beautiful location without streets to cross to get to the beach and the water and a family friendly atmosphere. The perfect place to stay. (click here)

The Forum Motor Inn
Discover luxurious accommodations, fabulous recreation and the perfect location - all of this just a block from the beach. (click here)

Budget Inn
Open year round, the Budget Inn Motel and suites offer you wonderful hospitality and service at reasonable rates in Somers Point. (click here)

Economy Motel Inn & Suites
Somers Point’s home-away-from home, with all that Somers Point and Ocean City have to offer. (click here)

Owl Motel
Open all year. The Owl Motel in Somers Point is the place to stay for business or pleasure. (click here)

Pier 4 Hotel
The ideal place to stay on Broadway Avenue and the bay. (click here)

Dunes Motel
The Dunes Motel is just one block from the beach with three different types of units from which to choose.
(click here)

Harbor Inn Motel
Harbor Inn Motel offers a variety of tastefully decorated and varied accommodations for your vacation getaway. (click here)

Sun ‘N Sand Motel
A Stone Harbor tradition since 1952 – open year-round. (click here)

Aztec Resort Motel
This is a great place to stay for all the events year round, and it’s two blocks from the boardwalk and a block from the beach. (click here)

Dining at the Shore...all within a short walk or drive from your accommodations!

Alexander’s Inn
This is truly superb – elegant Victorian dining in the Gilded Age of Victorian style in Cape May - and the menu is fantastic! (click here)

Café Loren
Avalon’s first fine dining BYOB, offering an atmosphere of seashore elegance with a friendly, professional staff. (click here)

The Chatterbox
It’s the “big pink building” on Ninth Street in Ocean City – a favorite place for breakfast, lunch and dinner for over 65 years. (click here)

Deauville Inn
One of the most fun places to east at the sdhore at the foot of Corson’s Inlet Bridge in Strathmere between Ocean City and Sea Isle City. (click here)

Sylvester’s Fish Market and Restaurant
At first glance Sylvester’s in Avalon may look like an oversized bungalow, but once inside you’ll discover why dining in or taking your seafood selections home to your own grill make either choice the right one. (click here)

Uncle Bill’s Pancake House (in Cape May)
When you combine delicious old fashioned cooking with excellent service, you quickly understand why Uncle Bill’s is not only a great place to eat in Cape May, but also a Jersey shore tradition for generations of hungry families!
(click here)

Uncle Bill’s Pancake House (in Ocean City)
For delicious old fashioned cooking with excellent service head on over to Uncle Bill’s Pancake House in Ocean City, a Jersey shore tradition for generations of hungry families! (click here)

Cheeks at the Beach
The FLAX capital of the world, featuring the best in women’s casual clothing in natural fibers that are cool and comfortable. Bryn WALKER, Sarah Arizona and more. (click here)

Harley-Davidson of Wildwood
The fun begins at Harley-Davidson of Wildwood – with sales, service, parts, accessories, apparel, and their fantastic rental program. Once you rent a Harley you’ll want to buy a Harley from Harley-Davidson of Wildwood. (click here)

Oma’s Doll Shop
Playable dolls, collectible dolls, doll clothes and accessories for all ages, located in the Washington Mall in Historic Cape May. You’ve got to experience Oma’s Doll Shop. It’s delightful! (click here)

Sunset Beach
A great place to shop for area collectibles, Cape May fashions, the largest collection of jewelry in Cape May, apparel for men, women and children, home décor needs, and much more. Enjoy a meal at the Sunset Beach Grill, dolphin watching in warm weather, bird watching, and don’t miss the evening flag ceremony, a Cape May tradition for 40 years. (click here)

Toy Shop of Cape May
Incredibly imaginative toys that are great fun for kids, and those big kids disguised as grown-ups! You’ll find games, beach toys, kites, water toys, LEGO and much, much more! (click here)

Diller-Fisher Realtors
Serving Stone Harbor and Avalon, New Jersey since 1930 with the best in real estate sales, rentals and insurance. Avalon              (click here)
Stone Harbor    (click here)

Century 21 Gilmartin & Co.
From the most “well-known name in real estate – Century 21” we offer sophisticated marketing tools and advertising programs that work for you. (click here)

Homestead Real Estate Company, Inc.
Their award-winning agents provide you with courteous, honest service with integrity for all your real estate needs in Cape May, West Cape May, Cape May Point and surrounding areas. (click here)

Green Cuisine

   Let’s begin with the word “Healthy!” Add the words “Delicious!” and “Fantastic!” and “Just plain good!” Why, you must be at Green Cuisine, 302 96^th Street in Stone Harbor, where folks go to participate in a healthy Stone Harbor tradition of naturally exotic crispy salads, gourmet sandwiches, tropical fresh fruit creations. Homemade soups, quiche, refreshing yogurt fruit smoothies, plus a children’s menu, too!

   The Zagat surveys of 2001-2003 voted Green Cuisine “One of America’s Best Meal Deals,” and that means you’ve come to the right place. Perhaps you’ll sample brie and avocado with green grapes and alfalfa sprouts on pumpernickel bread, or a veggie burger followed by a protein shake, or one of the other wonderful creations at Green Cuisine.

   They have the best yogurt shakes ever! It might be cholesterol-heaven elsewhere, but Green Cuisine is the alternative you’ve been searching for – and it’s delicious, too! For information call 609-368-1616, or for more information: (click here)

   Most restaurants hunger to receive Zagat’s rating of “Extraordinary!” in their Restaurant Guide just once, but Café
Loren, 23^rd Street and Dune Drive in Avalon has done it again and again – in 2005, 2006 and now in 2007!  Avalon’s first fine dining BYOB established in 1978 by owners Patty and Mark Rutledge, and chef/owner Steve Serano,  Café Loren’s one and only goal is to provide you, your family and friends with extraordinary food and service in a wonderful atmosphere.

   Café Loren’s New American/Continental cuisine, with an emphasis on spectacularly delicious seafood entrees, is for discriminating adults who know what they want and where to find it at the shore. Shorts are acceptable, jackets aren’t required, but the “dressy casual” atmosphere says that dressing up isn’t out of place. Men should wear shirts with collars.  In fact, Café Loren suggests dressing up for the occasion. After all, dressing up is a big part of a great night out, and the superb cuisine at Café Loren completes a perfect day anytime you dine with them.

   Café Loren serves dinner Tuesday through Sunday from 5:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., and they’re closed on Mondays during the summer season.  Reservations are suggested.

   Café Loren is an extraordinary experience and people want to go there. For reservations call 609-967-8228.  Café Loren in Avalon – they begin with extraordinary and then go beyond. For more information, menu selections and a whole lot more: (click here)

Click here for the newest fishing reports...

Let Them Entertain You…….

Box Office Telephone Numbers:

Atlantic City Hilton (609) 340-7160

Balley’s Park Place (609) 340-2709/(800) 772-7777

Boardwalk Hall (800) 736-1420 (TicketMaster)

Borgata (609) 317-1000

Caesar’s (800) 677-SHOW (7469)

Claridge (609) 340-3700 / (800) 752-7469

Harrah’s (800) 2HARRAH (242-7724)

Resorts (609-340-6300 / (800) 322-SHOW (7469)

Sands (609) 441-4137/ (800) AC-SANDS

Showboat (609) 343-4000/(800) 621-0200

Tropicana (609) 340-4020 / (800) 526-2935

Trump Marina (800) 284-8786 / (800) 777-8477

Trump Plaza (800) 759-8786

Trump Taj Mahal (609) 449-5150 / (800) 825-8888

TicketMaster

1-800-736-1420 or www.ticketmaster.com