We’re just a couple weeks away from the “official” beginning of summer fun at the shore – Memorial Day weekend! Yes, many students are still in school, and they will be until later in June, but Memorial Day is the kick-off for all that goes on in all the bay and shore towns throughout the Garden State. We’re glad you’re part of the Great Vacation family. As usual, share this newsletter with everyone. It’s FREE, and it is a great resource for anyone to help plan a great vacation.

   Our 2008 Great Vacation in-room magazine guides will be appearing in thousands and thousands of hotel/motel/B&B, and guest house rooms at this month’s end. This year marks a major change as the Great Vacation in-room guide becomes one publication covering the whole southern region of New Jersey. Look for it. It’s has excellent information on what there is to see, do and enjoy throughout the coastal resorts.

   You’ll find even more substantive information at www.GreatVacationGuide.com – our primary website that links you to all the shore and bay towns in New Jersey. Check it out. You’ll also find all the past issues of this newsletter archived there on the homepage. (Click on the word “Newsletter” on the homepage menu and you’ll have a wealth of data to read.)

You can also go to www.GreatVacationShoreRentals.com to find great accommodations for your vacation, and www.GreatVacationPropertyRentals.com for still more information.

   If you like to take pictures at the shore, consider entering the 2008 Photo Contest. See details in this newsletter. So, hang in there. Memorial Day is fast approaching. It’s only days away, and here’s to you, your family and friends having the best vacation ever…until next year, of course. As we say, after all, if you’re going to take a vacation it ought to be a GREAT one!

Are you searching for your weekly vacation rental property?

   Great Vacation News! We’ve changed the world for vacation property owners and vacationers.
Our service is called:  GreatVacationShoreRentals.com  - and it provides all you need to find the perfect vacation rentals!   How is it different from other listing services? It’s very different, but you’ll need to log on now to discover what makes us unique. Log on now and learn why we refer to ourselves as”…your Direct Connection.”  Our sister site GreatVacationGuide.com  provides you all of the tools you’ll need to plan every detail of your next Great Vacation!

2008 Photo Contest
   Please join our Photo Contest for 2008! Send us copies of your favorite photos from “…down the shore.” Include your name, address and phone number so we can properly identify your photo if it’s featured. We’re running a special contest featuring photos that are shown in the newsletter during the year, and the best photos chosen by Great Vacation newsletter readers will be in the final competition. Winners will receive wonderful prizes, and the best photos will appear in the newsletter, and also in 2009 Great Vacation in-room guides!
Send all photos here info@greatvacationguide.com

All photos must be no larger than 640 pixels wide and 72 dpi ( formats can be .jpg - . jpeg - .gif )
All photos submitted and/or used become the property of Successful Seasons and Great Vacation enterprises.  Proper credit/acknowledgement will be given to those who have taken the photos.

Cape May Stage

   Four years after the launch of Project Encore the planned work is close to being finished. Project Chairman Jim Moffatt said: "From the public perspective there is basically nothing else to restore or renovate. Next year we want to install a state-of-the-art sound system; build new steps, railing and ramp outside; upgrade our air-conditioning system; and, possibly build an office in the balcony area -if we can raise the funding thru our Buy-a-Brick campaign that we are launching this month. Right now we are getting ready to enjoy the 2008 theatre season in the finest Equity performance venue in South Jersey.” Moffatt concludes, “Everyone in Cape May should treat themselves and visit Cape May Stage's restored theatre during our Opening Weekend, May 22 thru 25. This body of work will knock your socks off."

   The thrilling 20th season opens with an immensely entertaining one-man tour-de-force, followed by a classic Noel Coward romantic comedy, a Pulitzer Prize winning drama, a perfect ‘World Series’ theatre treat, a smoky, jazzy story about a legendary blues singer, and a tender homage to one of the greatest holiday films of all time. Join the Cape May Stage family as a Season Ticket Holder so you don’t miss a moment!  The 2008 schedule is as follows:

East Lynne Theater Company
   Get East Lynne Theater Company's 2008 Season Tickets now. One size fits all and the recipient can choose what days to attend – and even bring friends! Purchase between now and July 1, and the price is $75 for 5 tickets,  a considerable savings. 2008 ticket prices are $25 for general admission; $20 for senior citizens; and $10 for full-time students.

   For 2008 Season Tickets, mail a check to the office at 121 Fourth Ave., West Cape May, NJ 08204, and tickets will be mailed to you.  For information and reservations, call East Lynne at 609-884-5898 or (click here) for information.

Avalon
May 2008
15...Garden Club Fashion Show & Card Party: Golden Inn – 12 Noon
16–17...Garden Club Plant Sale
16...Bake sale: Noon to 3:00 p.m.
17...Bake Sale: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
18...MS Bikeathon.
24...Bayberry Twiggs Antique Show: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m
24...Brass Quintet: Avalon Elementary School: 8:00 p.m.
26... Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony

Cape May
May 2008
24,31...Mommy & Me Children’s Program: Nature Center of Cape May: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 609-898-8848
24,31...Harbor Safaris: Nature Center of Cape May – 609-898-8848
21,28...Cape Island Eco Tour: Nature Center of Cape May – 609-898-8848
15 – 18...Spring Sidewalk Sale: Washington Street Mall & Square
16–18...New Jersey Audubon Society’s Cape May Spring Weekend. 609-884-2736
16–18...Spring Weekend Open House: Nature Center of Cape may. 609-898-8848
17... Twenty-ninth annual Great Cape May Footrace (10k and 5 k) at Convention Hall. 8:30 a.m. 609-884-5508
17...Netting an Avian’s Cuisine. 1:30 pm. at the Nature Center of Cape may. 609-898-8848
May 21–June 15...“Fully Committed” at Cape May Stage: 609-884-1341
28...Memorial Day Ceremony – Convention Hall: 11:15 a.m. 609-884-9565
31...Pond Seekers: 10:00 a.m. at Nature Center of Cape May – 609-898-8848

Ocean City
May 2008
17...American Heart Association Heart Walk: Register: 9:00 a.m. at Sports & Civic Center, Sixth and Boardwalk. Walk: 10:30 a.m. Information: 609-223-3762.
18...Ocean City Triathlon: 6:00 a.m. at the Aquatic & Fitness Center, Seventeenth & Simpson. Information: 609-525-9317
23...Business Persons Plunge. Participants dressed in business suits carrying brief cases march into the ocean to “Pomp & Circumstance.” Hilarious.  12 Noon at Moorlyn Terrace beach. Information: 609-525-9300.
24...Memorial Day Arts & Crafts Spectacular. Indoor and outdoor. Civic Center and Carey Stadium, Sixth Street & boardwalk. Information: 1-800-822-4112.
25...Youth Group Competition. Afternoon and evening: Ocean City Tabernacle, 550 Wesley Avenue.
26...Memorial Day Service. 11:00 a.m. at Veteran’s Memorial Park, Fifth Street & Wesley Avenue.
30–June 1...Ocean City Flower Show: Music Pier at Moorlyn Terrace and Boardwalk.
Friday: 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sunday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information: 609-525-9300
31...Boardwalk Spring Family Fun Fest: Juried Craft Show. Face painters, bands, And pony rides at Eleventh Street. 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Info: 609-398-4662.

Sea Isle City
May 2008
17...Good Counsel Home Walkathon: 9 a.m. – Noon on the Promenade.
17...Garden Club Flower Show: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Marina Building: 609-263-1157
24...Veterans Triathlon – on behalf of Injured Marine Semper Fi fund and Sea Isle’s VFW Post 1963 to rebuild the veteran’s memorial. Register: www.piranha-sports.com
31...ESA Surf Contest: May 31 and June 7:00 a.m. at JFK Boulevard beach. 609-884-5277

Stone Harbor
May 2008
17...Community Yard Sale: Women’s Civic Club Parking Lot, 96^th Street and the beach: 8a.m. to 2 p.m. 609-368-5916
25...Ninth Annual Turtle Trot 5k and 2-mile fun walk for all ages. 95^th Street and beach parking lot
26...Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony: Sponsored by the American Legion. Noon on 96^th Street

The Wildwoods
May 2008
16–18...Spring Beach Jam
17...Pirate Day with Captain Kidd Parade registration 8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. at Wildwoods Convention Center. Parade steps off at 10:15 a.m and proceeds north on Boardwalk to 16th St. Treasure hunt and special surprise appearances on the beach at end of parade. Information: 609-522-2955
23...Unlocking of the Ocean Media Day Event Wildwoods Beach, next to Wildwoods Convention Center. Join the official start of the 2008 Summer Season at noon. Guest speakers, kites in the air, time to get your feet sandy! 609-729-9000 or        www.WildwoodsNJ.com
23-26...Wildwoods International Kite Festival on the beach at Rio Grande Avenue, Wildwood and inside the Wildwoods Convention Center. America's largest kite festival, featuring world-renowned kite builders and competitors, kite making workshops and exhibits, andchildren's activities. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Daily. Fri: 9 p.m. Illuminated night kite fly. Entrance fee for participants. Free to spectators.
24–25...Boardwalk Craft ShowThe Boardwal at Rio Grande Avenue. All hand-made products. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 609-522-0378 or 609-522-0198
24–25...State Gymnastics Championships Wildwoods Convention Center. A gymnastics competition, Sat & Sun:9 am-6 pm. Tickets are $10 for Adults and $5 for Children. www.usaigc.com/default.cfm
26...Memorial Day Ceremony Ceremony at Veterans Monument, 1st Avenue & Spruce Avenue, North Wildwood. 10 a.m. Event then moves to American Legion Post 184, Wildwood for all service organizations to attend. Visit www.wildwoodpost184.com for additional details. Free. 609-729-5832
May 30 June 1...Spring Thunder in the Sand Motocross Pro/Am on the beach.    AMA-sanctioned Pro-Am races for beginners to pros. Sat: Noon and Sun: 10 a.m. Admission fee. 609-523-8051 or www.Thundermoto.com

Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant

The Peter Shields Inn offers oceanfront accommodations, gourmet dining and wedding parties in Cape May's most extraordinary bed and breakfast inn and restaurant. The restaurant offers five distinctive dining rooms, two fireplaces, a cappuccino bar and spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean in Cape May.

There are nine beautiful guest rooms (five of them feature a Jacuzzi tub), and the lovely views from the Peter Shields Inn, extraordinary restaurant, beach access, and access to all the many attractions throughout the area make this the perfect destination for your vacation or weekend getaway.

Cape May Whale Watcher

If you define “fun” as “...having a great time and doing something for the first time...” then it may be time for your first trip aboard Cape May Whale Watcher, the largest (at 110 feet in length), and fastest marine mammal sightings boat in New Jersey. The Cape May Whale Watcher is also the only boat to guarantee marine mammal sightings on all their regular cruises. This is the best way for families and groups of all sizes to see some of  the earth’s biggest mammals (whales), as well as the dolphins that swim the waters off the New Jersey coast.

This is the ideal trip for educators who enjoy taking students on field trips, for groups and organizations, for corporate trips, and for families, friends and anyone who enjoys the sea and its incredible mammals. The Cape May Whale Watcher also features lighthouse trips that take you to a number of the sentinels of the sea on each voyage for an enjoyable time of sightseeing. The Cape May Whale Watcher sails from March through December, weather permitting, from the Miss Chris Marina in Cape May, New Jersey. For more information (click here)

Toy Shop of Cape May

The fun begins when you walk in the door at the Toy Shop of Cape May, with wildly imaginative toys for kids and grownups, too! Just because you’re grownup doesn’t mean you can’t have fun, and the selection of toys at the Toy Shop make grownups smile from ear-to-ear. There’s a little bit of kid in every grownup, and if there isn’t – there ought to be!

The Toy Shop of Cape May features travel activities for over-the-road and off-the-beaten path, beach toys (you would expect beach toys in Cape May), games, LEGO, Groovy Girls, kites, water toys, craft kits, Thomas the Tank & Ty, and still more.

The Toy Shop of Cape May is open daily to better serve all their customers, so make it a point to stop in and find just the right toys for the kids in your life (even if the kid is you!) For more information: (click here)

Shore Line Railroad Historical Society and Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Line

Discover two fun things to do in one place: 1721 Mt. Pleasant Road in Tuckahoe, New Jersey. First: the Shore Line Railroad Historical Society, operating historic model train layouts in different gauges for the entertainment of young and old. Next, the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Line, on the lower level of the building, capturing an October day in 1955 in miniature in this extraordinary display of a moment of time in Tuckahoe when the Cape May branch of the railroad was fully active. (click here)