STRATHMERE — For more than 70 years, the Strathmere Improvement Association has been working to make life better for the island’s residents and visitors.
Founded in 1951, the group includes owners and visitors to the Strathmere and Whale Beach sections of Upper Township.
Its efforts are dedicated to preserving life in the coastal community, serve as a conduit of news and information, host social gatherings and interaction with other area organizations.
The group’s 2023 officers were Janice Connell, president; Juliette Schlucter, vice president; Terence Buckley, treasurer; Rosemarie Whelan, recording secretary; Donna Diefenderfer, member-at-large; Chris Baeckstrom, member-at-large; and Jessica Kohles, newsletter/website editor.
In its newsletter dated Dec. 17, Connell and the SIA board of directors expressed their gratitude “for the dedication of our members and volunteers to our shared mission. You have been critical to a successful 2023.”
According to the letter, many of the group’s initiatives resulted from member participation in the Strathmere Vision Brainstorming Session of August 2021. It goes on to list the group’s accomplishments and ongoing programs.
— SIA website updated and redesigned
— Advocated for Strathmere concerns at Upper Township Committee meetings and on zoning and planning boards
— Developed draft of excessive lighting ordinance
— Donated $1,000 to the Strathmere Volunteer Fire Company for the purchase of a new truck
— Created the SIA Pollinator Garden Committee
— Established tow new SIA executive board positions: communications officer and a second at-large member
— Pollinator gardens planted at several homes and at the Rita Schiavo Memorial Library
— Raised one of the greatest amounts of funds for future programs in more than five years with its drinkware fundraiser
— Established the Service to Strathmere Award and honored the first recipient: Karen Mitchell
— Trademarked the Strathmere Playground Project and developed a memorandum of understanding outlining the roles and responsibilities of the SIA and Upper Township, as well as a hold-harmless agreement
— Introduced the Young Adult Presentation at a general membership meeting
— Sponsored Greg Bennett, an island artist, and Pat Sutton, an expert on pollinator gardens, as guest speakers at general membership meetings
— Completed beach plum planting on the dunes in April
— Participated in an Upper Township parking enforcement initiative
— Initiated work with the New Jersey Bridge Commission seeking financial relief from the Corsons Inlet Bridge toll for Strathmere residents
— Provided input to Upper Township and Cape May County regarding public safety issues on Bay Avenue at the base of the bridge to the post office and the speed limits on Commonwealth Avenue
— Gave out flashlights and shark fingers at the Strathmere Fishing and Environmental Club’s Kids Fishing Tournament
— Hosted a fundraising table at the Strathmere Fire Company open house
— Supporter the Piping Plover Project
— Welcomed the 2023 Upper Township Beach Patrol and presented each lifeguard with a Strathmere beach towel
The letter also outlines the group’s goals for 2024 and beyond.
— Continue advocacy work
— Implement Strathmere Playground Project fundraising plan
— Host SIA Zoom meeting with the mayor and township manager
— Add suggestion box at meetings and provide time for members to voice their concerns
— Continue drinkware fundraiser and add “I brake for turtles” bumper stickers
— Investigate Upper Township extending the jitney service from Ocean City or Sea Isle City into Strathmere
— Host social event
— Host stargazing session on the beach with Derrick Pitts, chief astronomer for the Franklin Institute
— Establish Welcome Ambassadors
— Support Upper Township Beach Patrol
— Begin beach entrance planter project
— Provide outreach and education for builders, building associations, architects, etc., on controlling excessive lighting
— Continue support for the Pollinator Garden Committee and Piping Plover Project
The group hosts events throughout the year. The community is invited to help build miniature greenhouses during a milk jug collection and planting party at 10 a.m. Jan. 13 at the Rita Schiavo Memorial Library.
The Pollinator Committee is collecting empty milk jugs (no lids) and toilet paper rolls for a milkweed seed planting project. Members are asked to save jugs and cardboard rolls that can be dropped off at the library.
The group will provide soil and seeds for milkweed, butterfly weed and other perennials. After planting, they will be placed outside for overwintering.
In the spring, the seedlings will be ready to be planted in yards and at other designated locations to provide habitat for monarch butterflies. Call (609) 970-0157 for more information.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff