Things I miss about Cape May that are canceled due to COVID-19.

Things I miss about Cape May that are canceled due to COVID-19.

The other night Suzanne sighed and said I wish we could go out to dinner. It happened to be Wednesday the traditional Wing-Night at the CVIEW Tavern. COVID closed the CVIEW that night.

It got me thinking about how many things are not normal. How many things I miss because of COVID. Things we probably all miss and wish we could do. I am sure you have your list?

I miss–wish I could muscle my way onto the bar at the CVIEW on a Wednesday night. Sit while I wait for the bartender, Danny or Holly to come from the far end and pour me a frosted mug of Hop Devil. Seriously boasting the coldest beer in town, the glass sits on a piece of ice stuck to the bottom of the pint glass.

Ordering 20 hot, blue cheese, celery, and a side of coleslaw. Locals pack the place before six. A couple near us speaks German to each other, except when discussing baseball with you sitting beside them.

Missing Music

Another thing I miss is the music. Live music. I really really miss open microphone night at the Mad Batter on Jackson Street. It’s a crime I tell you not to have. I would walk in the freezing cold on a Sunday night to hear the original music of open mic night. I miss Debra Donahue play the nose flute. Google it.

I miss Mike Murphy the host, open the evening with Driver. It’s his yet-to-be famous, original. Complete with “coffee cups on the floor behind my seat.” I miss the 19 beers on tap. I cut my blue-cheese burger, medium-rare in half, and feel the music. It’s where the week pivots. My week that is.

Open mic is not complete without a recap from Murphy on Monday morning.

Matt Reeves and Steven Augustine are two of the best bartenders in town. Making fabulous Old Fashions, both are pros. At the Brown Room, I miss sitting with Ginny and Hugh Murray. Sitting in the corner and sipping one of Steve’s Old Fashions, it’s a thing.

The goon corner, Ginny calls it. This is just one of the things I miss about Cape May that are canceled due to COVID.

Going out to eat

I cook a lot of our meals. Getting take out helps, but going out to eat, this I miss. Oysters at Lucky Bones, sitting at the coffee shop at the Lobster House, or French Toast at the Mad Batter, more things I miss.

Cape May’s restaurants are doing a fantastic job with their 25% of capacity limit. Your personal risk budget determines whether you choose to go inside to eat. I simply miss going out for a beer with a friend.

Events that didn’t happen or just weren’t the same

Celebrating Negro baseball last spring was one of the first victims of COVID. Singer-Songwriter weekend and the Jazz festival were affected in one way or another. Outside concerts, and ultimately the West Cape May Christmas parade all fell victim.

As depressing as all these sound, Cape May rallied. Cape May Strong lifted us up. Sustained us. With the COVID vaccine on the horizon, there’s renewed hope that 2021 will improve.

For now, we have one more event to mourn. The famous and possibly one of the world’s largest Robert Burns suppers. Revised, scaled-down, but still happening at Exit Zero on January 30th. Count your blessings.

“Some hae meat and canna eat, And some wad eat that want it, But we hae meat and we can eat,Sae let the Lord be Thankit!”

Honey? What’s for dinner?