Eye on Travel

Radio Guest List– Congress Hall in Cape May, New Jersey– July 20, 2019

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This week, Eye on Travel broadcasts from the historic Congress Hall hotel in Cape May, New Jersey. A great, iconic hotel dating back to 1816, it’s also where Presidents Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, Ulysses S. Grant and Benjamin Harrison vacationed (Harrison also made the hotel his summer White House). This week, we’ll have another update on the Boeing 737 MAX investigation, and what you need to know. We’ll have New Jersey winemaker Darren Hesington, on the young but vibrant industry. Dale Rosselet of the Audubon Society and the secret birding spots… Captain Jeff Stewart of the Cape May Whale Watcher, on the best (and perhaps most surprising) times to look for sealife off the coast. And Susan Krysiak on the continuing preservation efforts and why — and how —  Cape May became a National Historic Landmark city. There’s all this and more as Eye on Travel broadcasts from the Congress Hall in Cape May, New Jersey.

 

 

Click here to listen to the show streaming live from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 20, 2019.

 

 

Dale Rosselet, Vice President for Education at New Jersey Audubon, discusses bird watching opportunities, strategies, and events in Cape May. She describes the advantages of bird watching in Cape May such as the Atlantic Flyway and the multitude of species. Additionally, she talks about the World Series of Birding and Cape May’s Spring Festival. She then offers advice for bird feeding and where to go when coming to Cape May for bird watching.

 

Deputy Fire Chief Rick Lundholm joins Peter to discuss the Cape May Fire Department’s operations. Rick lists many challenges that come with fighting fires in Cape May such as the abundance of wood-frame houses and the dwindling number of volunteer firefighters. Also, he reviews the changes in fire codes and how the Cape May Fire Department has enforced them. Rick also remarks on the variety of food in Cape May and the cooking that’s done at the firehouse.

 

Susan Krysiak. Director of Media Relations at the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC), discusses the organization’s history and impact over its 50 years. Susan describes how MAC was able to change the city’s direction to one of historic preservation during the 1970s. She recounts victories that MAC had in preserving the city and in shifting the political landscape despite resistance. By 1976, Cape May became a National Historic Landmark city.

 

Darren Hesington, Winemaker at the Cape May Winery, joins the show to discuss the intricacies of winemaking in Cape May. Darren notes that New Jersey has a surprisingly popular wine industry that started in the 1980s. He comments on the challenges of growing wine in New Jersey such as the cooler climate, rain, and proximity to the ocean. He describes the strategies, logistics, and jargon involved in harvesting the grapes during harvest season and shares more on the Cape May Winery experience.

 

Christina Albert, General Manager of Beach Plum Farm, discusses the farm-to-table operation, which supplies produce to the Congress Hall hotel. Christina tells Peter about the various food that’s supplied including vegetables, eggs, and meat. She lists the animals on the farm and describes the curing process done by the butcher. Then, Christina explains how Beach Plum Farm is helping preserve agriculture in the New Jersey economy and is cultivating an agricultural renaissance. Guests can stay overnight at the farm and receive the farming experience. Christina expresses the emphasis on sustainable farming and the importance of working with Mother Nature at Beach Plum Farm. She also shares the planting lessons and surprises she has encountered since she has been at the farm.

 

 

Lucas Manteca, Co-founder of the Bread + Butter Hospitality Group and owner of multiple restaurants including the Red Store, tells the story of his career. Born in Argentina, Lucas traveled through South and Central America when he was 19 before opening his first restaurant and meeting his wife at the age of 20 in Costa Rica. He then attended the French Culinary Institute in New York City and worked as a cook in Europe. Now, he emphasizes the importance of fresh produce and seasonality in his New Jersey restaurants.

 

Captain Jeff Stewart of Cape May Whale Watcher, discusses the different types of marine life off the coast of New Jersey. Due to migration patterns and feeding grounds, there are spikes in whale spotting throughout the year. This spring, six whales were spotted within a mile of the beach on a single trip. Many visitors are surprised to find that there are a lot more than whales to spot on the whale watching tours. Jeff also shares that the Cape May Whale Watcher has the largest whale watching boat in the state.

 

 

Jeffrey Vasser, Executive Director of the New Jersey Division of Travel & Tourism, describes how New Jersey has a lot to offer for tourists. Just like Atlantic City has reinvented itself time and time again, New Jersey is reinventing its tourism image. While the Jersey Shore comes to mind when thinking of vacationing in New Jersey, the state has much more to do and see. Jeff believes that New Jersey is a retail and fine dining destination. He also thinks that the rest of the state should model itself after Cape May. And he explains why the off-season is actually one of the best times to visit the state.