Lights, Music, and Giving: A Christmas Must-See in Cape May County

Issue #547

December 16, 2025

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In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather

🔌 Lights, Music, and Giving: A Christmas Must-See in Cape May County

🔴Restoration Revives 1880s Davenport in Cape May Landmark

🍴 Cape May County Extends Code Blue Advisory Through Wednesday

Cape May Local Scoop’s Events Are Sponsored By: The Cape May Holiday Guide

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

 December 16

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Lights, Music, and Giving: A Christmas Must-See in Cape May County

If the spooky spectacle at 105 East 5th Avenue in North Wildwood turned heads this past Halloween, the Manna family has outdone themselves once again—this time with a dazzling Christmas transformation that's turning their home into a true holiday destination.

Known for creating one of Cape May County’s most talked-about Halloween displays, the family has seamlessly transitioned into the spirit of the season with a full-scale Christmas wonderland. Their home, once filled with frightful scenes and eerie effects, is now glowing with festive lights, oversized holiday figures, music, and animated scenes that stretch from the front lawn to the backyard.

Visitors are encouraged to stop by, snap photos, and enjoy the festive atmosphere at their leisure. For many locals, stopping by the Manna home has become part of their annual holiday routine, often included in evening drives to admire Christmas lights.

This season, the family is once again supporting a cause close to their hearts. Just like during Halloween, the display is being used to raise donations for Kelly’s Kidz, a nonprofit organization founded by local personality Bob Kelly that provides support to children and families in need. On-site donation boxes are available for both toys and monetary gifts, all of which benefit local children's hospitals.

The Christmas display at 105 East 5th Avenue will remain lit throughout the holiday season, best viewed after dark. Visitors are asked to be respectful of the neighborhood by avoiding blocked driveways and keeping noise to a minimum during late hours.

In addition to the Manna family’s home, another recommended stop for holiday lights is Holly Beach Park, which has also been transformed into a winter-themed display.

Restoration Revives 1880s Davenport in Cape May Landmark

A cherished Victorian-era sofa in Cape May's Emlen Physick House Museum has been brought back to life, thanks to the dedication of the Olde Cape May Lighthouse Questers. The group recently completed a full restoration of the museum’s davenport — a 19th-century sofa that converts into a bed — returning it to its rightful place in the historic home’s sitting room.

Dating back to around 1880, the davenport is believed to be original to the house, which was completed just a year earlier. As both a functional piece and a symbol of the Physick family's refined lifestyle, the sofa has witnessed generations of history. After disappearing from the estate for decades, it was donated back to Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture) in 1980 by Julia Grinder, a close friend of Emilie Cresse. Cresse’s mother, Frances Brooks, inherited the estate in 1935 after the last of the Physick family passed away.

Enter the Olde Cape May Lighthouse Questers, a local chapter of a national organization devoted to historical preservation. The group secured a state Quester grant to fund the restoration, which was completed in just three weeks. But the results went beyond aesthetics — the project reconnected the community with an authentic piece of its past.

With renewed upholstery and reinforced craftsmanship, the davenport has reclaimed its place as a centerpiece of the Physick House’s Victorian ambiance. The restoration reflects the Questers’ larger mission: preserving not just objects, but the stories and legacy they carry.

 

Cape May County Extends Code Blue Advisory Through Wednesday

 With freezing temperatures in the forecast, Cape May County has extended its “Code Blue” advisory through Wednesday morning, aiming to protect residents vulnerable to cold-weather exposure. The advisory will remain in effect from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Tuesday, and Wednesday.

Issued by the Cape May County Office of Emergency Management, the Code Blue alert is activated when weather conditions pose a heightened risk to individuals without adequate shelter—particularly those living outdoors, in parks, or in poorly insulated dwellings.

During a Code Blue, warming centers may open across the county to provide temporary refuge from the elements. Those in need are encouraged to contact their local municipal offices for information on available shelter options. Additional assistance and resources can be accessed by dialing 2-1-1.

Answer to the December 15th Trivia Question

What important mode of transportation, introduced in the 19th century, significantly boosted tourism to Cape May?

A) Steamboats
B) Automobiles
C) Railroads
D) Stagecoaches

Answer: C) Railroads

Cape May, NJ, on the southern coast of New Jersey, actually had two railroads in close proximity to each other that ran to the beach. Both lines predated the turn of the 20th century, and were abandoned early in the century.

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