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Behind the Christmas Trees: Cape May Hosts Documentary Screening and Special Q&A November 14

Issue #865

November 09, 2026

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In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather

🎄Behind the Christmas Trees: Cape May Hosts Documentary Screening and Special Q&A November 14

🛦Take Flight Through 123 Years of Aviation History at Cape May Lunch & Learn

🎡Ocean City Mayor Renews Effort to Save Beloved Wonderland Pier Carousel

Cape May Local Scoop’s Events Are Sponsored By: Shop Local

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

November 6

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Behind the Christmas Trees: Cape May Hosts Documentary Screening and Special Q&A November 14

Cape May audiences will have an opportunity to discover the fascinating and fiercely competitive world behind New York City's Christmas tree trade when Convent Arts presents a special screening of the Emmy-nominated documentary The Merchants of Joy on Saturday, November 14, 2026. The screening begins at 4 p.m. at the historic Clemans Theater for the Arts, located at 717 Franklin Street in Cape May, and will be followed by a live conversation and audience Q&A with journalist and former Christmas tree salesman Owen Long.

Directed by Celia Aniskovich, the documentary follows five families who transform Manhattan sidewalks into bustling Christmas tree markets each winter. The film reveals the rivalries, complicated logistics, financial pressures and personal sacrifices involved in operating these seasonal businesses during an intense five-week selling period. Along with the competitive side of the industry, the documentary explores family traditions, generational changes and the close-knit community of vendors who return year after year to bring holiday cheer to New York City neighborhoods. The film also features distinctive hand-built puppet animation that adds a creative dimension to its storytelling.

Following the screening, Owen Long will share firsthand insights into the Christmas tree industry and the reporting that inspired the documentary. Long, who previously worked as a Christmas tree salesman, authored the magazine article Secrets of the Christmas Tree Trade, which became the foundation for the film. His discussion will offer audiences a deeper understanding of the unusual personalities, hidden business practices and demanding work that characterize the industry, while providing an opportunity to ask questions about the documentary and its real-life subjects.

Presented by Convent Arts, the event combines documentary filmmaking, journalism and holiday storytelling in an intimate cultural setting. The screening and discussion are scheduled from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., with tickets priced at $20 per person. Tickets are available through Convent Arts and the East Lynne Theater Company box office. Additional information and ticket details can be found at East Lynne Theater Company's website.

Take Flight Through 123 Years of Aviation History at Cape May Lunch & Learn

Cape May MAC will take history enthusiasts on a journey through more than a century of flight during its free Lunch & Learn presentation, An Armchair Tour of Aviation History, on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at noon. The program will be held at Cape May Lutheran Church Hall, located at 509 Pittsburgh Avenue in Cape May, with a virtual attendance option available through Zoom.

Led by Naval Air Station Wildwood docent Bill Boorse, the presentation will explore 123 years of military and civilian aviation history, beginning with the Wright brothers' groundbreaking first powered flights in 1903. Attendees will discover how aviation evolved from fragile, wood-and-fabric aircraft into sophisticated machines that revolutionized transportation, military operations and global travel.

The program will highlight aviation's Golden Age, including the achievements of legendary pilots Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart, the expansion of airmail services, historic transatlantic flights and the development of commercial passenger aircraft such as the Douglas DC-3. Boorse will also examine the technological breakthroughs of the Jet Age, including Chuck Yeager's historic flight through the sound barrier in 1947, the introduction of the Boeing 707 and the development of the supersonic Concorde.

Part of Cape May MAC's ongoing educational series, the event offers residents and visitors an opportunity to explore the people, innovations and milestones that shaped modern aviation. Admission is free, and no advance registration is required for in-person attendance. Participants are encouraged to bring their own bag lunch and beverage, as refreshments will not be provided. The venue is accessible, and free parking is available. Those wishing to participate virtually can find Zoom registration information at Cape May MAC's Lunch & Learn webpage.

Ocean City Mayor Renews Effort to Save Beloved Wonderland Pier Carousel

Ocean City officials are exploring ways to preserve the historic 100-year-old carousel from the former Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, offering renewed hope for one of the Boardwalk’s most beloved attractions. Mayor Jay Gillian announced that the city is seeking expert evaluations, restoration cost estimates and potential funding through state preservation grants. Built in 1926, the carousel features 48 carved wooden horses, two chariots and a traditional brass-ring game that entertained generations of visitors before Wonderland Pier closed in October 2024. The ride remains owned by developer Eustace Mita, who has proposed a luxury resort hotel for the former amusement park property. City officials are studying successful carousel restoration projects in other communities to determine whether a similar effort could work in Ocean City. Although no funding or restoration plans have been approved, the initiative has renewed hope that this cherished piece of Boardwalk history could someday welcome riders again.

Cape May, New Jersey, is recognized as the oldest seaside resort in the United States. Which significant historical figure is the city named after?

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 Answer to the November 8th Trivia Question 

Cape May, New Jersey, is renowned for its historical significance and Victorian architecture. In what year was the entire city designated as a National Historic Landmark, making it the only city in the United States to be wholly designated as such?

A) 1976
B) 1984
C) 1992
D) 2001

Answer: A) 1976

Cape May was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976 due to its extensive collection of preserved Victorian architecture, marking it as a unique historical site in the United States.

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