Cape May Zoo’s New Zebra Foals Need Names—And Your Vote Counts

Issue #426

August 16, 2025

In partnership with

Institutional-Grade Opportunities for HNW Investors

Long Angle is a private, vetted community connecting high-net-worth entrepreneurs and executives with institutional-grade alternative investments. No membership fees.

Access top-tier opportunities across private equity, credit, search funds, litigation finance, energy, hedge funds, and secondaries. Leverage collective expertise and scale for better terms.

Invest alongside pensions, endowments, and family offices. With $100M+ invested annually, secure preferential terms unavailable to individual investors.

In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather

🌟 Local Merchant Spotlight on Rea’s Family Farm 

‍🦓 Cape May Zoo’s New Zebra Foals Need Names—And Your Vote Counts

 🦋 Warm Autumns May Be Shortening Monarch Butterflies’ Lives, Study Finds 

👮🏻‍♂️ Lower Township Drug Investigation Ends in Arrest, Major Seizure   

Cape May Local Scoop’s Events Are Sponsored By: Daisy Lane Boutique

👇 Here’s what’s going on in the Cape May Local Area👇  

 August 16

Have an Upcoming Event?

Rea Family Farm in West Cape May Celebrates Over a Century of Agricultural Legacy and Agritourism Growth

West Cape May’s Rea Family Farm

West Cape May’s Rea Family Farm has stood as a pillar of local agriculture for more than a century, with its roots tracing back to 1922. Now run by fourth-generation farmer Carol Rea, the farm has not only adapted through changing times but has also evolved into a vibrant hub for community events and agritourism. The Rea family's journey began with a dairy operation established by George C. Rea. Over time, the farm transitioned to focus on crops, particularly lima beans—a crop that became so iconic in the area it helped inspire West Cape May's beloved Lima Bean Festival. By the 1940s, Carol's grandfather had shifted the farm's focus to lima beans, a tradition continued by her father, who also raised black Angus cattle and other livestock across the region.

At its peak, the farm managed nearly 3,000 acres throughout Cape May County, although only about 100 acres remain today under the family’s direct operation. Despite the reduction in size, the Rea Farm continues to produce lima beans, along with strawberries, tomatoes, and beach plums. While peaches aren’t grown on site, other local farms supplement the market offerings. The farm’s legacy faced a major turning point in the late 1990s, when the loss of a contract with Hanover Foods nearly forced the closure of operations. In 1999, the land was preserved through New Jersey’s Farmland Preservation Program, safeguarding it against development and allowing the family to maintain farming operations. With a strong engineering background—Carol herself is trained in both mechanical and chemical engineering and Kelly, her husband, in mechanical engineering —the Rea family reimagined the farm’s infrastructure, replacing an aging horse barn with a new market barn.  Kelly has repurposed materials from the original barn now serve as counters, tables, and decor in the new space, blending history with functionality. The farm teamed up with chef and baker, Jenna Cattel to serve Friday night’s dinner and breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, as well as, breads, pies, and delicious treats out of the new commercial kitchen. The farm has become well-known for its community events, some of which date back to the early 2000s. The annual Harvest Fair and the Lenape Green Corn Festival, taking place today at the farm, are among the most popular, the latter celebrating the agricultural traditions of the Lenape people. The Friday Night Markets, launched in recent years, have quickly gained popularity for their family-friendly atmosphere, vendors, and live entertainment.

Agritourism is now a growing focus for the Rea family, as they aim to sustain their farm through a mix of traditional agriculture and event-based experiences.  Carol and Kelly manage the operation with the help of friends and extended family, a wonderful farm girl from Tennessee (Dani), son (Tyler) and daughter (Kaitlyn)—although her daughter is soon heading off to college to study aerospace engineering. The farm also maintains partnerships with groups like the Audubon Society, offering a haven for migratory birds and butterflies, making it a notable destination for birdwatchers and nature lovers alike. While the crops and activities have shifted over the decades, the Rea Family Farm continues to hold its place as a cornerstone of West Cape May’s agricultural and cultural identity. Looking forward, Carol is committed to preserving the land and building on her family’s rich legacy through thoughtful growth and deep community connection.

Cape May Zoo’s New Zebra Foals Need Names—And Your Vote Counts 

 

The Cape May County Park and Zoo has welcomed two new additions to its zebra herd this summer—a playful male born on May 21 and a lively female born on June 12. Now, the zoo is asking for the community’s help in choosing their names. Voters can choose between three name pairs—Maverick & Gwen, Marvel & Gemma, or Cooper & Kelce. Voting is open both online at cmczoo.com and in person at the zoo entrance. Each vote is a donation, with proceeds going directly toward the care and feeding of the zoo’s animals.

Warm Autumns May Be Shortening Monarch Butterflies’ Lives, Study Finds

 

A new study finds that warmer autumn temperatures disrupt the migration monarch butterflies, causing early mating and higher mortality rates, especially in males. Monarchs are famed for their epic 3,000-mile migration from North America to Mexico or Southern California each fall, a journey completed by the long-lived final generation of the season. These butterflies enter a state called diapause, delaying reproduction so they can conserve energy and survive until spring. Lab experiments with 499 wild-caught monarchs revealed that warm conditions during migration increased death risk by up to 88% in males and reduced their physical condition. Researchers suggest that these findings offer a partial explanation for the sharp decline in overwintering monarch populations over recent decades. They recommend further work tracking wild monarchs to confirm that these laboratory results hold true in natural conditions.

Lower Township Drug Investigation Ends in Arrest, Major Seizure  

 A SWAT team raid in Villas, Lower Township, led to the arrest of 48-year-old Darryl Jones on multiple drug-related charges. Authorities seized heroin, crack cocaine, cash, and drug paraphernalia from his home. Jones is now facing several charges, including possession with intent to distribute both heroin and cocaine, possession of controlled substances near a public place, possession of drug paraphernalia, and money laundering. Under New Jersey law, a second-degree conviction can carry a prison sentence of five to ten years. Jones remains in custody awaiting court proceedings, with potential penalties of up to 10 years in prison for second-degree offenses. 

Which historic Cape May building, now a museum, is one of the best examples of Victorian Stick style architecture in the United States?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Answer to the August 15th Trivia Question

What is the name of the U.S. Navy facility established in Cape May during World War II that played a crucial role in protecting the East Coast from submarine threats?

A) Cape May Naval Air Station
B) Cape May Naval Shipyard
C) Cape May Coastal Defense Station
D) Cape May Naval Fortress

Answer: A) Cape May Naval Air Station

During World War II, Cape May was home to several naval facilities, including the Cape May Naval Air Station, which was vital in protecting the East Coast from German submarine threats. This station, along with other naval installations in the area, helped safeguard American coastal shipping during the war​.

How Did We Do In This Issue?

Cape May Local Scoop Wants To Know Your Thoughts About Our Newsletter...

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.