From Beach Walk to Local Fame: The Rise of Milo the Seagull

Issue #561

December 30, 2025

In partnership with

The Daily Newsletter for Intellectually Curious Readers

Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.

In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather

🐟From Beach Walk to Local Fame: The Rise of Milo the Seagull

🏊🏻‍♂️Calling All Performers: Gateway to Cast Charlie Brown and Superstar

📦Former Wonderland Pier May Qualify for Rehabilitation, Report Finds

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

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

 December 30

Have an Upcoming Event?

From Beach Walk to Local Fame: The Rise of Milo the Seagull

South Jersey artist Jamie Jarka has created a rising local icon: Milo the Seagull, a whimsical character inspired by a walk on the beach with her dog. Now in the process of being trademarked, Milo has taken flight in the local retail scene. He's featured prominently in stores like Beachwood Trading Co. in Smithville and Firefly Gallery on Long Beach Island, with his cheerful likeness popping up on T-shirts, magnets, and other merchandise. His popularity has led to custom commissions, murals, and plans for building-sized artwork in the near future.  The charm of the character lies in its simple design and relatable personality. Milo is brave, funny, a little mischievous — and totally at home in the colorful, nostalgic vibe of the Jersey Shore. While Jarka continues to run Lil Monsters Art, she sees Milo as the beginning of a new creative chapter. With her family’s support and a growing fan base, she’s embracing the adventure ahead. Whether on a gallery wall or a beach shop shelf, Milo the Seagull is quickly becoming a beloved emblem of coastal life — and he's just getting started

Calling All Performers: Gateway to Cast Charlie Brown and Superstar

 Gateway Playhouse is opening the curtain on its 2026 MainStage Season with open auditions for its first two productions: You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown and Jesus Christ Superstar. The auditions mark the start of an all-musical season — a first in the theater’s history — and will be held at the playhouse at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 4, and again at 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 5. No appointments are required, and all roles remain open. This dual audition process is another milestone for the playhouse, which will cast two productions simultaneously for the first time. According to Artistic Director Phil Pallitto, this approach reflects the variety and energy the theater strives to bring to the stage. The first show, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, based on Charles M. Schulz’s iconic Peanuts comic strip, brings beloved characters like Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, and Charlie Brown to life through the music and lyrics of Clark Gesner and Andrew Lippa. The production will run February 20–22 and 27–28, and March 1, 2026. Next, the theater will stage the legendary rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar, composed by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. The musical offers a dramatic retelling of the final days of Jesus, focusing on the tension between Jesus and Judas Iscariot. Performances are scheduled for April 9–12 and 16–19, 2026. Auditioners are asked to prepare a song that best showcases their vocal abilities, either using a backing track or sheet music (an accompanist will be provided). Script sides for Charlie Brown will be available on the theater’s Facebook and Instagram pages, and performers are encouraged to review them in advance. Rehearsals for You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown will begin shortly after casting, while Jesus Christ Superstar rehearsals will kick off in mid-February. Additional shows in the 2026 season include Guys and Dolls and 9 to 5: The Musical, with casting announcements for those productions coming later in the year. Tickets for all four musicals are now on sale at GatewayByTheBay.org or at the box office at 537 Bay Ave., Somers Point. For audition questions or more information, contact [email protected].

 

Former Wonderland Pier May Qualify for Rehabilitation, Report Finds

 The Ocean City Planning Board is set to evaluate the future of the former Wonderland Pier site at a meeting on January 7, following a contentious year of public debate and shifting political winds. The central question on the agenda: does the Boardwalk property meet the state’s criteria to be designated as “an area in need of rehabilitation”? If approved under state redevelopment law, the designation could ease the path for redevelopment, though it does not guarantee approval of any specific project. While the meeting won’t address proposed redevelopment plans like Eustace Mita’s $170M hotel, a planning report suggests the property meets criteria due to structural deterioration and vacancy. The board has 45 days to make its recommendation to City Council. Critics argue the high-profile, valuable site shouldn't qualify for rehabilitation under state law. Supporters counter that its vacancy and deteriorating condition have made it a liability to surrounding businesses and that a redevelopment designation is the first step in bringing the space back to life. Planner Randall Scheule’s report supports the designation, citing evidence of underutilization and disrepair. He also notes that the designation could help prevent further decline and spur economic development in a prime area of the city. Ultimately, the Jan. 7 Planning Board meeting will not decide the fate of Mita’s hotel proposal, but it will be a critical step in determining whether the city considers the Wonderland site eligible for redevelopment tools — a decision with significant implications for what comes next on the Boardwalk.

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 December 29th Trivia Question

Cape May is home to what unique location where visitors can witness the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean, which is typically seen only on the west coast?

A) The Green Flash
B) Sunset Beach
C) Cape May Point
D) Cape May Cove

Answer: B) Sunset Beach

Sunset Beach in Cape May is one of the few places on the East Coast where you can watch the sun set over the Atlantic Ocean. This rare sight is due to the beach's unique geographical location on the southern tip of New Jersey​.

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.