Songs, Stories, and Friendship Take the Spotlight in Gateway Fundraiser

Issue #570

January 08, 2026

In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather

🎡Songs, Stories, and Friendship Take the Spotlight in Gateway Fundraiser

💰Cape May’s High Binge Drinking Rate Bucks Statewide Trend

🚧Two Found Dead in Wildwood Crest; Investigation Underway

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

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

 January 8

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Songs, Stories, and Friendship Take the Spotlight in Gateway Fundraiser

 A special evening of music, memories, and community support is set to take center stage at Gateway Playhouse on Saturday, January 31, as longtime friends and performers Debby Jenkins and Brian Conover headline a one-night-only fundraiser titled “Old Friends: A Night of Songs and Stories.” Proceeds from the event will benefit the ongoing operations and preservation of the historic Somers Point theater. The performance marks the first time Jenkins and Conover will share the stage, despite a friendship spanning over four decades. Accompanied by pianist Scott Breiner, the duo will perform a mix of popular songs about friendship, original compositions by Conover, and selections from the pop and Broadway worlds. Beyond the music, the night will be filled with personal stories celebrating their shared journey through life, music, and mutual admiration. Their story began in 1979, when a young Jenkins first saw Conover perform in Oliver! at the Gateway. He later became a teacher and active member of the local music scene, while Jenkins pursued a career in the arts, eventually producing shows at the Gateway alongside her husband, Jim Dalfonso, who served as the venue's chairman for 17 years until 2023. Jenkins and Dalfonso, now living in Indiana, were key figures in the effort to save the Gateway when it faced closure due to disrepair. Along with Keith Cooper and Karen Sutherland, they played a crucial role in fundraising and revitalizing the space. Jenkins now works as a teaching artist and leads a dementia-friendly choir, and she has confirmed this will be her final performance at the Gateway. The goal for the event is to raise $15,000 through ticket sales, donations, and an on-stage appeal. Tickets are priced at $30 and can be purchased online at GatewayByTheBay.org or in person at the Karen S. Sutherland Box Office. Current Gateway chairman Kate Calvi praised Jenkins and Conover for their dedication, calling the event a celebration of the theater’s past and a promise for its future. “They both have helped shape the heart and history of Gateway Playhouse, and this show ensures the future remains just as vibrant,” she said. In addition to the benefit concert, tickets are now on sale for the Gateway’s 2026 MainStage Season, which features You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Jesus Christ Superstar, Guys and Dolls, and 9 to 5: The Musical.

Cape May’s High Binge Drinking Rate Bucks Statewide Trend

Alcohol consumption is declining across the United States, especially among younger adults—and New Jersey is seeing a more dramatic shift than the national average. New health data reveals a notable drop in binge drinking rates throughout the Garden State, with residents under 35 leading the change toward healthier habits. Despite the overall decline, Cape May County remains among the counties with the highest reported binge drinking rates in the state, tying with Atlantic and Hunterdon counties, where between 19% and 20% of adults report such behavior. One possible factor contributing to Cape May’s elevated rate is its status as the county with the highest median age in New Jersey. National survey data supports this consumer shift. A 2023 Gallup poll found only 54% of Americans report drinking alcohol—down from 71% in 1976, marking the lowest level in Gallup’s records since 1939. Meanwhile, cannabis use is trending in the opposite direction. As of last year, 17% of U.S. adults say they use marijuana, up significantly from 7% a decade ago. As legalization continues to expand, cannabis may be playing a role in reshaping adult substance use habits. While Cape May and a few other counties still report higher-than-average drinking rates, the statewide and national trends suggest a cultural turning point in how Americans approach alcohol.

 

Two Found Dead in Wildwood Crest; Investigation Underway

Law enforcement officials are investigating the deaths of two individuals discovered at a residence in Wildwood Crest on Wednesday morning, prompting a significant police presence in the typically quiet Cape May County community. Officers from the Wildwood Crest Police Department responded to a call on the 300 block of East Atlanta Avenue, where they found one adult male and one adult female deceased at the scene. The circumstances surrounding their deaths have not yet been disclosed. A joint investigation was launched immediately by the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and Wildwood Crest Police Department. Investigators have conducted witness interviews, collected forensic evidence, and carried out court-authorized searches as part of the ongoing inquiry. Although details remain limited, authorities have confirmed that there is no threat to public safety. The identities of the deceased are being withheld at this time as the investigation continues. Officials indicated that further updates will be provided once initial findings are complete and additional information becomes available.

What significant event boosted tourism in Cape May, New Jersey in 1863?

What significant event boosted tourism in Cape May, New Jersey in 1863?

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What role did Cape May, New Jersey, play during World War II?
A) It served as a major submarine construction site.
B) It was a key training base for U.S. paratroopers.
C) It hosted a large coastal defense installation to protect the Delaware Bay.
D) It was used as a prisoner-of-war camp for German officers.

Answer: C) It hosted a large coastal defense installation to protect the Delaware Bay. Cape May Point was the site of the Cape May Military Reservation and Fort Miles installations, part of the East Coast’s coastal defense system during WWII.

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