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A Seat at the Holiday Table: Operation Fireside Seeks Cape May Host Families

Issue #857

November 01, 2026

In partnership with

Why Overseas Producers Can't Undercut Atlas Salt, Even for Free

Cities are already running short on road salt, and winter hasn't even started. Some supply bids are going unanswered, prices have nearly doubled in parts of the market, and the backup plan is two weeks away by boat. Here's why Atlas Salt (TSXV: SALT | OTCQX: SALQF) can get salt to the people who need it most, faster and cheaper than anyone shipping from overseas: 

• Three days by ship to Boston, not fourteen

• Shallow deposit that's cheaper and faster to mine

• Projected C$188M a year in free cash flow

• Export Development Canada interested in lending C$150M

• Early supply deal with top U.S. salt distributor

 

In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather

 🦁A Seat at the Holiday Table: Operation Fireside Seeks Cape May Host Families

🐰Cape May Restaurant Weekend Returns November 5th through the 8th

🐘No Hallmark Movie, But Cape May Still Shines Among America’s Top Christmas Towns

Cape May Local Scoop’s Events Are Sponsored By: East Lynne Theater Company’s War of the Worlds The Panic Broadcast

War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast running through November 1

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

 November 1

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A Seat at the Holiday Table: Operation Fireside Seeks Cape May Host Families

The American Red Cross New Jersey Region is seeking additional Cape May County families to participate in Operation Fireside, a holiday tradition that has connected local residents with U.S. Coast Guard recruits since 1981. The program allows recruits undergoing eight weeks of basic training at Coast Guard Training Center Cape May to spend Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day or both with welcoming host families and community organizations. Approximately 700 recruits are placed with more than 100 participating families and organizations each holiday, providing young service members with home-cooked meals, relaxation and opportunities to reconnect with loved ones during a demanding period of military training.

Operation Fireside is coordinated through a partnership between the American Red Cross and the Coast Guard, with participating hosts offering recruits a temporary escape from the structured environment of basic training. For many young service members, the experience represents their first holiday away from home. The program provides a chance to enjoy familiar holiday traditions, make personal telephone calls and experience the hospitality of the Cape May community. Some host families have participated for decades, and the relationships formed during these visits can continue long after recruits complete their training.

Families interested in hosting must live within 50 miles or a 60-minute drive, whichever comes first, of Coast Guard Training Center Cape May. Applications for the 2026 holiday season are being accepted through November 5 on a first-come, first-served basis, with a particular need for Thanksgiving hosts. Residents can contact program coordinators at 609-562-3483 or [email protected] for additional information. As the holiday season approaches, Operation Fireside continues to highlight Cape May County's longstanding support for the Coast Guard and the difference a welcoming home can make for recruits spending the holidays far from their families.

Cape May Restaurant Weekend Returns November 5th through the 8th

Food lovers have something delicious to look forward to this fall as Cape May Restaurant Weekend returns November 5–8, 2026, bringing four days of special dining experiences to one of the Jersey Shore's most popular culinary destinations.

The annual fall event will feature 20 participating restaurants throughout Cape May, giving residents and visitors an opportunity to explore the city's diverse restaurant scene while enjoying specially priced three-course meals.

From longtime local favorites to restaurants diners have been eager to try, the event offers an inviting way to experience Cape May's culinary offerings at a set price.

Participating restaurants will offer specially prepared menus featuring an appetizer, entrée, and dessert for one fixed price. Prices begin at $38 per person, with some participating restaurants offering menus in the $38 to $70 range. Prices vary by establishment, and beverages, taxes, and gratuities are generally additional.

Each restaurant creates its own menu, often highlighting fresh, seasonal ingredients and the individual chef's culinary style. Guests can expect a variety of dining experiences, from casual coastal favorites to upscale restaurants known for their creative cuisine.

Cape May has developed a reputation as one of South Jersey's premier dining destinations, offering everything from fresh seafood and contemporary American cuisine to international flavors and fine dining. Restaurant Weekend encourages diners to revisit their favorite establishments while discovering new places to enjoy a memorable meal.

The November event also provides an opportunity to experience Cape May during the quieter fall season, when the city's historic Victorian architecture, charming streets, and coastal atmosphere create an appealing setting for an evening out.

Unlike traditional food festivals, Cape May Restaurant Weekend does not require tickets or admission passes. Instead, diners make reservations directly with participating restaurants and select from the special Restaurant Weekend menus.

Because the event takes place over just four days, reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for popular restaurants and weekend dining times.

Participating chefs typically finalize their menus based on seasonal ingredient availability, with menus generally published approximately two weeks before the event begins. Visitors can review participating restaurants, compare menus, and find additional details through the official event website.

With 20 restaurants participating and four days to enjoy special menus, Cape May Restaurant Weekend offers another reason to visit the seaside community this November.

Whether planning a romantic dinner, a gathering with friends, or simply an evening exploring Cape May's restaurant scene, the event provides an opportunity to enjoy a complete dining experience at a predictable price.

No Hallmark Movie, But Cape May Still Shines Among America’s Top Christmas Towns

We may not have taken home the grand prize in Hallmark Channel’s 2026 Merriest Christmas Towns Contest, but Cape May has earned a prestigious national distinction as one of America's 25 official Christmas towns.

Known for its beautifully preserved Victorian architecture, charming downtown shopping district and festive holiday traditions, Cape May was selected among 25 finalists from communities across the country competing for the coveted Christmas title.

The nationwide contest, held in celebration of a Hallmark milestone anniversary, invited communities to showcase their holiday spirit, local traditions and seasonal attractions. Following public voting and a final evaluation by a panel of judges, Carlinville, Illinois, was named the overall grand prize winner.

As part of its victory, Carlinville (BOOO) will become the filming location for an upcoming Hallmark Christmas movie scheduled for production in 2027.

Although we missed out on the opportunity to host the movie, its selection as an official finalist reinforces its reputation as one of the nation's most picturesque holiday destinations.

For generations, Cape May has attracted visitors during the Christmas season with its decorated Victorian homes, twinkling lights, holiday house tours and seasonal celebrations. The Washington Street Mall, historic landmarks and the town's distinctive coastal charm create an atmosphere that feels right at home in a Hallmark Christmas movie.

The Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May welcomed the recognition and expressed appreciation to residents, businesses and visitors who supported the community throughout the competition.

Chamber President Bernadette Matthews celebrated the honor and looked ahead to welcoming visitors during the upcoming holiday season.

Hallmark's recognition also highlighted Cape May's combination of seaside beauty, historic character and year-round attractions, noting how the community transforms into an especially festive destination during the holidays.

While Carlinville will welcome Hallmark's cameras in 2027, Cape May can celebrate a distinction of its own: a place among the country's 25 officially recognized Christmas towns.

As for we who live here, and the visitors who already consider Cape May a holiday treasure, the national recognition is another reason to celebrate the season.

Cape May, New Jersey, is known for its rich history and architecture. Which significant event in 1878 led to the rebuilding of many buildings in the Victorian style?

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 Answer to the October 31st Trivia Question 

Lucy the elephant in Margate had a sister in Cape May. What was her name?

A)     Rodger the Elephant B)     Ellie C)     Light of Asia D)    Dumbo

Answer: C) Light of Asia

Light of Asia, built in 1884 was a 40-foot-tall, elephant-shaped wooden building constructed in South Cape May, New Jersey.

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