Cape May’s Monarch Festival Combines Fun and Urgent Conservation

Issue #465

September 24, 2025

In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather

🦋 Cape May’s Monarch Festival Combines Fun and Urgent Conservation

🚗 Engines, Eats, and Goodwill at Annual Beachcomber Car Show

🎭 From Screen to Stage: Renai Ellison Takes on Executive Role at Gateway

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

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

 September 24

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 Cape May’s Monarch Festival Combines Fun and Urgent Conservation

Cape May’s annual Monarch Festival returns Sunday, September 28, 2025, at the Nature Center of Cape May, highlighting both the beauty and vulnerability of monarch butterflies. Last year alone, more than 5,500 monarchs were recorded in Cape May, with over 1,500 spotted in a single day. But the numbers are a shadow of what they once were. Monarch populations have plummeted by over 80% in the past 25 years. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently reviewing a proposal to list monarchs as a threatened species, citing projections that place their risk of extinction between 48% and 74% in the next 60 years if current conditions persist. Among the most significant contributors to the decline is the loss of milkweed, the only plant monarch caterpillars will eat.  The festival blends education and celebration through butterfly tagging, art, music, and symbolic activities connecting Cape May to Mexico. The event seeks to inspire conservation by fostering emotional connections to nature.

Engines, Eats, and Goodwill at Annual Beachcomber Car Show

 A beloved autumn tradition rolls back into Cape May County this fall, as the Annual Thomas F. Brodesser Jr. Memorial Car Show returns to the Beachcomber Camping Resort on Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hosted in Erma, this long-standing event celebrates vintage vehicles, local unity, and charitable giving—all in honor of one man’s enduring passion for cars.  First launched more than two decades ago as a small gathering for a dedicated car enthusiast, the event has grown into a major community celebration. Held each year in memory of Thomas F. Brodesser Jr., the show draws classic and custom car owners, collectors, and spectators from around the region for a day filled with nostalgia, music, and goodwill. This year’s festivities include rows of beautifully restored vehicles, a live DJ spinning hits throughout the day, raffles with exciting prizes, and awards in several categories. It’s more than just a car show—it’s a celebration of shared memories and meaningful impact. Participants can register their vehicle for $20, which includes a commemorative event T-shirt, continental breakfast, BBQ lunch, and a special Beachcomber goodie bag. General admission for the public is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12, with lunch included for all attendees. Proceeds from the event support a wide range of local charities and organizations, including Cooper University Hospital at Cape Regional, local animal shelters, CARA, Toys for Tots, Family Promise, Habitat for Humanity, high school programs, and Cape Hope.  With its blend of community spirit and vintage charm, the Annual Thomas F. Brodesser Jr. Memorial Car Show promises another unforgettable day for car lovers and families alike. For more information or to register, visit www.beachcombercamp.com or call (609) 886-9051.

From Screen to Stage: Renai Ellison Takes on Executive Role at Gateway

 Gateway Playhouse in Somers Point is entering a new chapter with the appointment of Renai Ellison as its first full-time executive director, a move that reflects the theater’s recent growth and expanding ambitions. Ellison will officially step into the role on October 1, succeeding Alice Woods, who served part-time for the past year. A native of East Vineland and graduate of Buena Regional High School, Ellison brings decades of experience from the television and performance industry in New Jersey, Philadelphia, and New York. Her professional background includes acting in commercials, corporate videos, and small theater productions, along with hosting stints on QVC, PBS, HGTV, and PHL17. Her recent return to South Jersey has inspired her to make a lasting impact in the local arts community. Ellison holds a robust academic resume with a bachelor’s degree, two masters’, and a doctorate, equipping her with both the creative and strategic skills needed to lead Gateway Playhouse into its next phase. In her new role, Ellison will focus on four primary goals: securing new funding to elevate the theater’s operations, broadening Gateway’s donor and patron base, strengthening its educational programming, and increasing diversity by attracting talent from a wide range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. To welcome Ellison, the Gateway will host a reception on Friday, October 3, at 4:30 p.m. before that evening’s performance of Into the Woods. (More on the show and it’s open tomorrow) All ticketholders for the 7 p.m. show are invited to attend.

What is the name of Cape May’s popular walkway that runs parallel to the beach, attracting both locals and tourists for scenic walks?

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Answer to the September 22nd Trivia Question

Which Cape May estate, now a museum, was originally built in 1879 for a prominent local doctor?

A) The Chalfonte Hotel
B) Emlen Physick Estate
C) The Southern Mansion
D) Congress Hall

Answer: B) Emlen Physick Estate.

The Emlen Physick Estate was built in 1879 for Dr. Emlen Physick and is one of the best-preserved examples of Victorian "Stick Style" architecture in Cape May. Today, it serves as a museum, offering tours that provide a glimpse into the city's Victorian past.​

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