Marine Mammal Stranding Center May, 16, 2015

BIG THANKS to Jill for coordinating our tour of the Marine Mammal Stranding Center.  

Our tour guide, Shannon,  a Stockton University Marine Biology major,  gave us a very informative talk on marine life in New Jersey.  One thing that we learned was that when a seal is released back into the ocean, it is tagged so it can be tracked.  Females are tagged in the right ear (because females are always right!) and males are tagged in the left ear.  

Below is some history.

The Marine Mammal Stranding Center, a private, non-profit organization, started in 1978 with a handful of volunteers and a C.E.T.A. grant, was founded, and is still directed by Robert Schoelkopf.

He and his wife, Sheila Dean, along with a small paid staff and volunteers with a wide variety of talents and professional backgrounds, continue to work with the animals. Originally based in Gardner’s Basin in the inlet section of Atlantic City, the Center is now located on the barrier island of Brigantine, which borders coastal New Jersey’s largest wildlife refuge.

With a permit and authorization from the state and federal governments, the Center has responded to over 4,500 strandings of whales, dolphins, seals and sea turtles that have washed ashore over the years. Even though these governments sanction the handling of strandings in New Jersey only, the Center is occasionally called upon to assist with animals in other states. All funding comes through donations, grants, memberships, and fund-raising efforts. Since there is no permanent funding at this time, your donations and membership dollars are vital. Your support will help the facility to expand and to care for the increasing number of animals. Without your assistance, these creatures have little hope of survival or rehabilitation.

To join or receive further information, please contact the Membership Secretary, Marine Mammal Stranding Center, PO Box 773, Brigantine, NJ 08203. Telephone: (609) 266-0538. Email: info@mmsc.org

Website:   www.mmsc.org

 

Afterwards, we enjoyed lunch at the Laguna Grill.

Bingo, Brunch and Lace! Inn of Cape May–November 23, 2014

What could be more fun than gambling, eating and shopping!  We managed to enjoy all of the above in one of our favorite places – Cape May.   BIG THANKS GO OUT TO SUSAN for coordinating our day!



After an enjoyable brunch, we got down to business with BINGO!   Our group took up 2 out of the 3 tables and by far had the most winners!   The prizes were $10 gift certificates from Lace, a high end boutique, as well as adorable cuddly socks!   In between games, the models came by each table wearing a different outfit.   All seemed to be comfortable and fashionable, although most of us agreed – a bit pricey.  

   A BIG WELCOME GOES OUT TO MARY SCHNEIDER, CORA’S NEIGHBOR AND FRIEND WHO HAS JOINED OUR GROUP!   

Joan was the big winner of the day!    Above she is holding the cuddly, fuzzy, poncho that was the final bingo grand prize!   
Afterwards, many of us decided to walk up to the Washington Street Mall for some shopping.  Another drawing was scheduled to take place at the boutique, Lace and far be it from us to loose out on a chance to win something!   
And the winner is………

Mrs. Gould’s Thirteenth Annual Holiday Social–November 12, 2014

After a little drama, a half hour late, and some unwanted attention while I stood on Quail Hill Boulevard, hat, boa and sequins(trying to flag down our driver who appeared to be lost), we boarded our Atlantic County bus and hoped to make it to the show on time.
We arrived safe and sound with minutes to spare. 




Mrs. Gould’s Thirteenth  Annual Holiday Social.
The History of Georgian Court---
By the late 1800’s Lakewood had become a premier winter getaway for the wealthy elite of New York City and Philadelphia.   The likes of the Rockefellers and the Astors flocked to Lakewood in the winter months to take advantage of the fresh pine air and quiet country surroundings.
In 1896, railroad magnate George Jay Gould commissioned architect Bruce Price to create a regal country estate on a pine-laden tract along the north shore of Lake Carasaljo.   The 155-acre estate was completed in 1902.   Named Georgian Court for its extensive use of British Georgian-style architecture, the estate featured soaring structures, lush gardens, and inspiring statuary.
For nearly 30 years, the Gould family vacationed and entertained guests during the winter months at Georgian Court.  During that time, George Jay Gould’s wife, Edith Kingdon Gould, became widely known for throwing parties of unparalleled opulence.
In 1924, the Sisters of Mercy purchased the estate to house the growing Mount Saint Mary’s College.   At the Gould family’s request, the Sisters agreed to rename the college so the estate could retain the Georgian Court title.
Thanks to the Sisters’ loving preservation, much of Georgian Court’s original gilded glory remains on display or in use to this day. 
The cast included Mrs. Gould, Ruth Etting (a celebrity singer and former Ziegfield Follies showgirl) and Daisy, the hilarious Maid.   All were equally talented and sang many songs that the audience knew and loved.   Some we even sang along!    It was very well done and entertaining.    Our Tea Luncheon was equally good.  We started out with Linzer Tarts, Warm Apple Cider, A selection of finger sandwiches and assorted pastries and hot tea.   No one left hungry, as sometimes happens with with Tea’s.    Georgian Court was generous in making sure that we had our fill of food.
Below is our beautiful group, with the cast on the beautiful staircase of the parlor.

This was our second time at the beautiful mansion and the show was equally entertaining. 

Presenting------The Sexy and Gorgeous – HAPPY HATTERS!
After our tea luncheon, we took the opportunity to tour the numerous parlor’s and the quaint chapel – all bedazzled in holiday decorations.

Add caption

After a lovely day, our driver, John, was awaiting us for our ride home.