American Legion to hold rally against Agent Orange - Wednesday, June 12th

“I Was Killed In Vietnam, I Just Haven’t Died Yet” is the slogan for the rally at the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Wildwood on Wednesday the 12th..

PRESS RELEASE

WILDWOOD, NJ - On Wednesday, June 12 at 11 am, American Legion Post 184 will host the Rally Against Agent Orange at the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Wildwood. The rally is scheduled to be one of the largest yet, with four guest speakers and a focused campaign of “I Was Killed In Vietnam, I Just Haven’t Died Yet.”

The slogan is one used by many Vietnam veterans who feel their exposure to the toxic herbicide Agent Orange will ultimately lead to their death.

Agent Orange is responsible for a long list of diseases including cancer and Parkinson's disease, with some ailments also affecting children and grandchildren of veterans through birth defects and disease.

In the ten year span of 1961-1971, the US Military sprayed over 20 million gallons of herbicides over Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, with the most deadly being Agent Orange. Used to clear the dense jungle used as cover for warfare, Agent Orange gave the US Military an advantage as it destroyed everything in its path with side effects unknown to the unprotected soldiers that used it.

Through the years, Post 184 Commander Harry Weimar and Jr Vice Director of VVA Chapter 955 Mike Kelly have spoken out about these issues. They’re just two people in the very large fight against Agent Orange that has been mostly ignored by the government and the VA. A video to promote the rally was released on Tuesday, with both Weimar and Kelly sharing personal stories of their connections with the herbicide.

“We need more people to help get the word out and help us fight,” said Weimar. “This rally will be the largest we have had yet. It has come to a point where we don’t have much fight left, we were all killed in Vietnam from Agent Orange but we haven’t died yet. We have to do this now.”

The Vietnam veteran members of Post 184 have arranged the rally for the 12th in hopes of spreading awareness. Almost 50 years later, the general public is still mostly uninformed about issues. Mike Kelly states in the video that “there’s been a spike Spina Bifida”, a birth defect where the spine and spinal cord do not form properly, “and it hasn’t gotten out there to the public.”

“There’s gotta be some light shined onto this subject, because the government is just waiting for all of us to die, so then we just shut up and it’s all covered over with sand,” said Kelly.

To participate in the rally, head to the Vietnam Memorial Wall on Wednesday, June 12th at 11 AM located at the corner of Burk and Ocean Avenues in Wildwood.

More information will be posted on the Legion website (legion184.org) and Facebook (facebook.com/legion184).

5 Mile Ice Cream debuts at 10th & Surf

5 Mile Ice Cream has taken over the former Lizzy's Ice Cream location at 405 E. 10th Avenue in North Wildwood, and is now open for Memorial Day Weekend (see hours below).

Brothers Tyler, Jacob and Nick operated this store (as "Lizzy's") from 2014 through 2017. When the opportunity to begin their own venture arose, they decided to create an entirely new entity.

According to the brothers, 5 Mile Ice Cream is a "family owned and family friendly ice cream store at the Jersey Shore, offering the lowest prices for the biggest scoops on the 5 Mile Island."

The store offers over 40 flavors of hard dipped ice cream, soft serve and water ice, along with a large selection of toppings and specialty sundaes.

Follow 5 Mile Ice Cream's official social media pages on Facebook and Instagram for additional info, updates and photos.

Memorial Day Weekend Hours:

Saturday, May 25:  6 pm to 12 am

Sunday, May 26:  6 pm to 12 am

Monday, May 27:  5 pm to 9:30 pm

American Legion Veterans remind community of true meaning of the weekend with PSA video, events

Memorial Day Weekend is to honor those lost, not those still living...

PRESS RELEASE

WILDWOOD - It’s a phrase commonly heard and usually appreciated, but this weekend you won’t want to tell a veteran “thank you for your service.” Memorial Day Weekend is mostly misconstrued as a day to thank veterans for their dedication to our country.

American Legion Post 184 has put out a PSA on Facebook from Legion member and Jr. Vice Director of Vietnam Veterans Chapter 955 Mike Kelly on what Memorial Day is all about.

“Memorial Day is just not the unofficial beginning of summer, it’s a day that we reflect upon those that made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Kelly. “It’s not a day to come up to servicemen and say thank you for your service, it’s a day to think about the ones who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.”

Post 184 knows the weekend is mostly celebratory, but the true meaning of Memorial Day is to honor members of the United States Armed Forces that have died during armed conflicts or are still POW MIA. The weekend is to honor the “brothers and sisters” of living veterans that were not as lucky to return home and to honor the father, mother, son, or daughter who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country’s freedom.

“It is OK to celebrate on Memorial Day, because you have that right from our military members we honor this weekend. Weekend celebrations showcase support and patriotism,” said Post Commander Harry Weimar. “But aside from that, please take a minute to reflect and remember, and come out to our ceremonies to show support and respect.”

To honor the lives of those lost this weekend, American Legion Post 184 will host two events on Saturday and one on Monday. Their annual parade will kick off on Saturday, May 25th at 7:30 pm starting at Oak and Pacific Avenue. Anyone interested in participating should join the lineup at 7 pm.

The parade goes through town over to the Vietnam Memorial Wall at Ocean and Veterans Way (Burk Avenue) where a candlelight vigil will start at dusk.

On Monday at 11 am, a ceremony will be hosted at the Post with remarks from guest speaker Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr. After the remarks, ceremony attendees will walk to Memory Lane and the Vietnam Memorial Wall for additional moments of recognition.

More details on weekend events can be found online at legion184.org and updates will be posted to the Post Facebook at facebook.com/legion184.

Wildwood to open beach parking this weekend

Parking at the Baker Avenue beach lot will start at 10 AM on May 25th...

PRESS RELEASE




WILDWOOD - The City of Wildwood has announced its beach parking lot will open for the 2019 this Saturday, May 25 at 10 am. The lot, at Baker Avenue, was opened last year and had much success which lead to an expansion of the space for 2019.

Operated by Beach Services and Beach Patrol, the parking lot creates an opportunity to get even closer to the beach, ocean, and boardwalk.

The lot features parking for 4 wheel drive vehicles at $10 per car. Currently the lot accepts cash only. Times and hours will be weekend from May 25 through June 9th from 10 am to 5 pm and daily starting June 16 with hours to be released at a later date.

From the parking lot beach goers can easily hop on the Beach Taxi and get shuttled straight to a spot near the water. In June, designated handicap accessible parking will launch with a whole new fleet of beach wheelchairs from Wildwood Beach Patrol.

Kevin Miller’s Smashed to perform at Wildwood Crest Summer Kickoff Concert

PRESS RELEASE

WILDWOOD CREST – The long-anticipated start of the summer season at the Jersey Shore will once again be celebrated with the first of 24 free outdoor concerts hosted by the Borough of Wildwood Crest.

Kevin Miller’s Smashed will perform Sunday, May 26, at 7:30 p.m. in the Borough of Wildwood Crest’s annual Summer Kickoff Concert at Centennial Park, located at Fern Road and Ocean Avenue.

Kevin Miller’s Smashed is one of the hottest bands to hit the region over the past few years. The six-piece band is led by Miller, the former lead drummer for multi-platinum alternative rock band Fuel. Featuring talented co-lead vocalists Kelly Caruso and Greg Reigle and a cast of sublime musical talent, Kevin Miller’s Smashed performs many of the popular rock hits of the ‘80s and ‘90s, as well as some of the more popular pop and dance tunes of the past 30 years.

Kevin Miller’s Smashed was a massive hit in their debut performance at Wildwood Crest’s Centennial Park last summer and are back by popular demand.

The Summer Kickoff Concert is a FREE all-ages show. Attendees should bring a blanket or a chair. Centennial Park is located at Fern Road and Ocean Avenue.

The weekly Wildwood Crest Summer Music Series will begin in late June. Centennial Park will feature live music shows each Saturday from June 29 through Sept. 21 and each Wednesday from June 26 through Aug. 28. The full schedule is available online at wildwoodcrest.org.

For more information call the Wildwood Crest Recreation/Tourism Department at 609-523-0202.

Wildwood Crest to present Flood Mitigation and Storm Sewer Master Plan

PRESS RELEASE

The Borough of Wildwood Crest, through its engineer, DeBlasio & Associates, is set to present its Flood Mitigation and Storm Sewer Master Plan at the next regular meeting of the Wildwood Crest Board of Commissioners on Wednesday, May 22, at 5:30 p.m.

The public is welcome and encouraged to attend this meeting, which will take place in the courtroom on the first floor of Wildwood Crest Borough Hall located at 6101 Pacific Avenue.

The Borough of Wildwood Crest has been historically subject to flooding, beach erosion and many other associated problems that require an aggressive approach to successfully manage infrastructure maintenance and flood damage mitigation.

Wildwood Crest has developed a varied approach to protect and maintain its infrastructure, natural areas, public safety and the welfare and property of its residents and continues to improve in this regard through the implementation of improvements, new technologies and with the assistance of outside public and private agencies.

The borough will continue to pursue and improve upon methods to educate its residents, protect its coastline, manage its infrastructure and natural areas and mitigate the efforts from flood damage and natural disasters.

The implementation of the Flood Mitigation and Storm Sewer Master Plan has been an ongoing activity and demonstrates the borough’s continued commitment to its goals.

Wildwood Crest’s Flood Mitigation and Storm Sewer Master Plan has been developed for the purpose of educating the borough, the public and private property owners of existing flood challenges; establishing the recommendations to mitigate the adverse impact of flooding and other coastal hazards; providing flood mitigation infrastructure options to guide the borough when considering capital improvements; complying and potentially enhancing the borough’s status with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Community Rating System (CRS) program; and participating and coordinating flood mitigation efforts with federal, state, county and local entities.

For further information, contact DeBlasio & Associates at 609-854-3311 or the Wildwood Crest borough clerk’s office at 609-729-8040.

American Legion to host Comedy Nights, searching for local talent

Post 184 will feature comedy on four dates this summer and is now accepting talent applications...

PRESS RELEASE

WILDWOOD - Lots of laughs are coming to American Legion Post 184 in Wildwood this summer with the new addition of Comedy Nights. Comedy Nights will start on June 27th and will continue on July 11th and 25th, and August 8th.

After the four week run, the event will be followed by the already announced tour stop of international Scottish comedian, Gary Meikle, on August 31st. The comedy events are just the start to new experiences at Post 184, and are the first to become announced for the summer season.

Post Commander Harry Weimar would like to invite local comics to apply to perform, and hopes the opportunity will be great exposure for Wildwood’s talented residents and visitors. The gig is a paid performance based on ticket sales, includes all marketing, advertising, and sales support by the Post and it’s members.

“This is a great opportunity for comics to get out there,” said Weimar. “We all think we are comedians at the Post so it will be good to bring in some actual talent. Our Post likes to laugh and I think this will be a success.”

Comedy Nights will feature 90 minutes of performances starting at 8 PM for just $15. Doors open one hour early and throughout the evening the Canteen will feature drink specials. The event is open to all and will be discounted for Legion members at $12 per ticket.

Interested talent should email talent@legion184.org for more information, and send a bio, work history, and samples.

More event details and ticket sales will be available through legion184.org and through events on the Legion Facebook page under facebook.com/legion184.

It's Memorial Day Weekend and there's so much to DOO in Downtown Wildwood!

PRESS RELEASE

DOWNTOWN WILDWOOD  – Downtown Wildwood is kicking off the Summer of 2019 in Byrne Plaza with the return of the Farmers Market on Saturday, May 25th, from 8 am until 12:30 pm.

Following the Farmers Market, the 3-day Inaugural Bacon Lovers Festival will be held on Saturday from 2 pm until 10 pm, Sunday, from Noon until 10 pm and Monday from Noon until 6 pm! Byrne Plaza is centrally located in heart of the Wildwoods, and just off the Boardwalk, at 3400 Pacific Avenue. 

Free Parking is available while you attend events at Byrne Plaza.

As is the Farmers Market opening day tradition, the new 2019 DOO WW Magnet designs will be unveiled at 10 am. As assortment of magnets, as well as Downtown Wildwood schedules and business information, will be available for you at the DOO WW Booth.

Beginning its 6th season, the Farmers Market is held every Saturday, through September, and has become the place to be on Saturday mornings! 

Showcasing 35+ quality vendors selling farm goods, baked goods, specialty foods, meals to go, wine, honey, nuts, breakfast sandwiches, coffee, snacks, non-food items like soaps, jewelry and much more, there is something for everyone. 

Bring your friends and family to play the lawn games or just stroll around with something to eat and drink from our friendly vendors.  Get there early and your purchases will be packaged in a DOO WW reusable tote bag, while weekly supplies last.

The 3-day Downtown Wildwood Inaugural Bacon Lovers Festival will include Food Trucks as well as tented food and non-food vendors, Wine and Beer for tasting and purchase, Music, Country Line Dancing lessons, a Bouncy House and Obstacle Course, tons of bacon, contests and lots more.

You can find all the details for this event, as well as the season long schedule of events, online at www.DOOWW.com

Be sure to visit the Downtown Wildwood businesses while you’re in town!

Additional details, including a listing of local hotels, restaurants, bars and shops, can be found online at www.DOOWW.com and on Facebook at Wildwood by the Sea.

There is always something to DOO in Downtown Wildwood!

City of Wildwood to dedicate POW Chair of Honor at City Hall, upcoming events

Wildwood will unveil the new chairs Thursday at 3 pm in the Commissioner’s Meeting Room at City Hall...

PRESS RELEASE

WILDWOOD, NJ - The City of Wildwood is proud to announce a dedication ceremony of POW Chairs of Honor Thursday, May 16th at 3 PM in the Commissioner’s Meeting Room at City Hall.

The POW chair will remain on display at City Hall as a permanent fixture, and a second, folding chair will be displayed at every City sponsored event. Mayor Ernie Troiano, Jr.  and Vietnam veteran and POW-MIA National Chair of Honor representative Patrick J. Hughes have been in discussions about the POW Chair of Honor project for the past year.

POW Chairs are displayed in remembrance of the over 82,000 soldiers unaccounted for since World War II. The POW chairs are found around the country on public displays in locations varying from sports stadiums to government buildings.

Hughes is the national photographer for Rolling Thunder, the motorcycle group advocating for POW and MIA service members. As a representative of the project, he has been involved with close to one hundred chair dedications, and chose Wildwood for its dedication to patriotism and veterans.

Mayor Ernie Troiano, Jr. believes the chair will be a strong addition to Wildwood, joining the Doughboy Memorial to Memory Lane, to the Vietnam Memorial Wall, the POW-MIA monument, the Korean monument and the monument to those who continue to die from diseases of the Vietnam War. The portable chair at City events will increase the awareness of POW KIA service members and offer tribute to the heroism of all service members.

“We are honored to have the chair as a permanent reminder of the bravery and gallantry of our American soldiers who fought for the liberty and freedoms that at times we take for granted.  This will be a permanent reminder that these men and women should never be forgotten.  It an honor beyond belief. “ said Mayor Troiano.

 The permanent POW Chair of Honor will be displayed in the Commissioner’s Meeting Room on a handmade platform created by Troiano’s Department of Beach Services, will be secured behind velvet ropes, and will be joined by the American, POW-MIA, KIA, State of NJ and City of Wildwood flags.

A plaque will be affixed to the display commemorating the dedication. The portable chair will be displayed at events wand was purchased from Hussey Seating, the maker of a wide range of POW chairs.

Entry into the dedication ceremony begins at 2:30 PM, and is open to the public. Members of the media, veteran groups, and community have been personally invited by the Mayor to share in the dedication.

Beach Boxes added to Wildwood and Wildwood Crest

Additional boxes will launch Friday and Monday, and are on a first come, first serve basis...

PRESS RELEASE

Due to popular demand, the City of Wildwood has allocated additional beach boxes in Wildwood and Wildwood Crest for the 2019 season.

Weekly units have been added for Wildwood and are available now for reservations. Wildwood Crest will receive an additional 66 boxes for seasonal rentals only during the 2019 season and will be available starting Monday, May 13 at 9 am.

All boxes are available on a first come, first serve basis.

Beach Boxes are available to rent from May 25 until September 3, 2019, and are located on almost every street in Wildwood and Wildwood Crest.

Each box is 4' x 4' x 4' and can store chairs, umbrellas, coolers and more, making it easier to visit our FREE beaches.

For more information and to book a box, visit wildwoodbeachboxes.com and crestbeachboxes.com.

WANTED: Your "Wildwood Moms" photos!

Dave Martak and his Mom, on the beach in 1973!

It's once again time to salute MOM!

Last Mother's Day, we put together our first Wildwood Memories with our Moms album, and now we're looking to add to the collection.

Whether your photos are 50 years old or were snapped last summer, we'd love to see and display them here on our blog this Sunday.

Share your memories with us by posting on our Facebook page or emailing attachments to wildwood365@gmail.com.

Photos of grandmothers, aunts, big sisters and mother figures of all kinds are more than welcome!

American Legion Post 184 to host benefit for local family

Ronnie Wolfenden, a member of the Sons of the American Legion, passed away unexpectedly at 45 years old in January

PRESS RELEASE

On Saturday, May 11 at 4 pm, the American Legion in Wildwood, NJ will host a beer and beer to benefit the family of Ronnie Wolfenden. Wolfenden was a member of the Sons of the American Legion, a volunteer for Post 184, and a dedicated friend to all local veterans.

In January, Ronnie passed away unexpectedly at the age of just 45 years old, leaving behind his wife Sue, his daughter Celine, Post Commander Harry Weimar and wife Kathi Weimar, who he called “Mom and Dad.”

Post 184 has created the beef and beer event to raise funds for the family and bring together Ronnie’s friends for a night of celebrating his life.

Over the years Ronnie had assisted with many projects at the Post and around town for veterans and their families. He continuously attended all Post 184 events and rallies, and even made multiple trips with the Disaster Relief operations.

His family remembers him as a caring man with much determination and motivation. Ronnie was an exemplary member of the veteran community, even though he had not served himself.

The beef and beer will include a Chinese auction, a 50/50, a raffle and door prizes along with drinks, dancing, music and fun. Doors open at 4 pm and the event closes at 10 pm.

For tickets, visit Post 184 at 4200 Atlantic Avenue or see any member.

FIVE Fabulous Days of Fitness this summer in Downtown Wildwood

PRESS RELEASE

Summer’s coming and when the weather gets warm, everyone loves to take their work out outdoors!

The Wildwood Business Improvement District (WBID) has your summer workout schedule covered with Five Fabulous Days of Fitness in the Plaza, beginning on June 24, at Byrne Plaza, 3400 Pacific Avenue in Downtown Wildwood!

On Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays, Boot Camp Circuit Training will be led by Dion – you won’t find a better workout anywhere.

On Tuesdays and Thursday, Yoga classes will be led by Claudia.  Classes are open to all fitness levels and can be modified for beginners through advanced. Start you day right and join us this summer for fun and fitness.

All classes will be held from 8:30 am to 9:30 am.

Boot Camp will be $10 per class and Yoga will be $5 per class.

Be sure to visit the shops and restaurants while you are in Downtown Wildwood. Additional details, including a listing of local hotels, restaurants, bars and shops, can be found online at www.DOOWW.com and on Facebook at Wildwood by the Sea.

There's always something to 
DOO in Downtown Wildwood!  

Wildwood Beach Patrol announces 2019 season opening schedule - Memorial Day Weekend through June 22nd

PRESS RELEASE

The following is the Wildwood Beach Patrol schedule beginning May 25, 2019:

Lifeguards will be on duty Memorial Day Weekend, May 25-27, and the following weekend, June 1-2, at a limited number of beaches from 10 am to 5:30 pm.

Beginning Saturday, June 15, lifeguards will be on duty daily at a limited number of beaches.

If necessary, areas that bathers will not be permitted to swim in will be designated by red flags with the international "No-Swimming" symbol on them. Also if necessary, bathers will be directed to the guarded beaches.

This will be the standard operating procedure until the beach is fully staffed and all beaches are guarded - tentatively scheduled for Saturday, June 22.

International touring comedian Gary Meikle to make stop in Wildwood this August

Scottish Comedian Gary Meikle will perform a charity show for the Wildwood American Legion...

PRESS RELEASE

WILDWOOD, NJ - Scottish award winning comedian and international sensation Gary Meikle will make a stop off his US Tour in Wildwood, NJ this August. American Legion Post 184 will host the comedian on August 31, and all proceeds will be generously donated by Meikle to the veterans group.

Meikle is best known for his viral video rants on social media that have drawn over 130 million views in five months. Through the past year, Meikle has traveled through Europe, Spain, and Dubai to using his real life experiences to bring laughs everywhere he goes.

The comedy show announcement is just the start to new entertainment and events at Post 184. Over the summer Post 184 will host weekly themed events, food functions, and comedy nights, of which details are to be released soon. To accommodate the new opportunities, the Post is currently undergoing upgrades with building repairs, hall painting, and more.

For Gary Meikle’s show, lighting, sound and room decor will be brought in to create a special venue. Post Commander Harry Weimar knows this is a big step towards future events.

“We are excited to have Gary coming to the Post,” said Commander Harry Weimar. “This is an opportunity for us to have larger events, create more awareness of veteran issues, and bring in much needed donations for the Post building repairs. We want to use the hall as much as possible, for our events or for rentals.”

Not only will Meikle perform at the Post in Wildwood, but his tour does not have another stop in New Jersey. Meikle has also elected not to perform in Philadelphia to ensure the charity show is a big success. The closest area shows are New York, NY, Bethlehem, PA, and Washington, DC. For Meikle, doing a charity show on each tour is important. Just one day before heading to the US, Meikle will perform to benefit the Ronald McDonald House at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall.

“It is important to give back to communities I visit and that’s something I am very passionate about,” said Meikle. “I found it to be a fantastic idea, just giving back to these guys who have fought hard for their country is very important to me. The organization donates a lot of time, money, and effort back into the local community.”

The event was made possible with the help of Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr. who worked with the Legion and made the phone call to personally invite Meikle to town. For Troiano, an international act such as Meikle could be a big draw for the town as well as a great exposure for the local veterans group.

“Wildwood has had so many great performers through the decades, and this comedian is just adding to that lineup,” said Troiano. “It’ll be a pleasure to host him in Wildwood and bring even more culture into Wildwood.”

Meikle’s performances, clips, and viral videos can be found on his website garymeikle.com and on all social media @meiklecomedy. For a comprehensive bio on Gary, see the UK's Daily Record article

Tickets for Meikle’s show in Wildwood are hosted on Eventbrite and can be found at legion184.org/events.

The charity show tickets are priced at $35 in advance online or $40 at the door. All proceeds benefit American Legion Post 184.

Must be 21 or older to attend, no exceptions.