The Unexpected Hot Dog

When people think of American summer foods, the hot dog is right on top of the list; but sometimes even a hot dog can have an unexpected twist.  It was the perfect day for a bike ride; crisp, clear with a light summer breeze perfumed with the smell of the sea.  Like a scene from a Victorian romance novel, we rode from the Queen Victoria on Ocean Street to the Cape May lighthouse (or the point as the locals call it), walked through the nature trails and then rode back to our beautiful B&B.  It was a great way to celebrate our wedding anniversary until we got lost…on our bikes!  In more than one occasion I’ve discovered that getting lost can sometimes be an opportunity for adventure and discovery. Such was the case.



Center for Community Arts Building & WCFA-LP 101.5FM

                Trying to find our way back we came across two gentlemen on a small porch that where ready to start playing music to a few on-lookers on the sidewalk.  Curiosity got the best of us and we stopped for what we hoped would be an unexpected concert.  Instead it became an enriching surprise.  We were greeted and felt comfortably welcomed.  Charlie Logeman came up to us with a warm smile and bright eyes to invite us to WCFA-LP 101.5 FM, Cape May’s only community radio station.  He said “Stay for the tour and then have some barbeque out back!”  We decided the beach can wait and parked our bikes on the side of the Center for Community Arts building (a small older beach house) on Franklin St..  Suddenly we found ourselves inside the radio station were Mr. Gerry Davis became our tour guide.  The inside was small and quaint, but what lacked in space was made up in the true community of the friendliest people I have ever met.  We were able to walk in the studio and hear Harry Patterson and Kathy Killen during the Celtic hour.  Harry had just arrived from Ireland and we can sense the joy and pride of the Irish as Celtic music played in the background. As we walked out of the studio, we found ourselves in a group photo for Exit Zero Magazine (I have no idea if they will use it!).

     Later we were directed to cross the street to the Franklin Street School, a project of theCCA’s Community History Program.  The school was originally opened in 1928 as the first elementary school for Cape May’s African American children.  Today is being rehabilitated to house the community arts and cultural center. 

After visiting the school, we were a bit apprehensive, but the kindness of the great folks of Cape May persuaded us to stay and sit down to eat a hot dog.  Everyone included us as if we were longtime friends.   Sitting with us was Mr. Charlie Logeman, who, as it turns out, lived by our neck of the woods up in North Central Jersey in Union County.  We were practically neighbors!  I went to the same grade schools and college as his daughters who are now both educators like me!  However, since 1992 Charlie has been a year round resident of Cape May.  Charlie has that Jazz vibe to him and he told us of all the different music festivals along with his take to what is like to live in the southernmost part of Jersey.   Soon after, Mr. Jeff Hebron joined us and taught us how he hand crafted his own djembe drum, which he played for us earlier in the day.  A recent college graduate at the young age of sixty, Jeff led a pleasant conversation as we all finished our hotdogs.  As we got up to say our goodbyes Jeff said the most awesome thing, “Here at Cape May we love having visitors, we love having people come and experience what we have.  We are one of the friendliest places to visit in New Jersey.”  I couldn’t have said it any better. 

One of the great things about food is that the environment and circumstances in wich you have the food also impacts how the food taste and if it becomes memorable.   My Cape May hot dog might look like any other hot dog in America, but it was the experience of how I got to the hot dog that gave it an unexpected twist. Eating my Cape May hot dog was fun, intersting, and enjoyable.  It was one of the best meals we had at exit zero.  Thank you Cape May, and the great people of the Community Arts for the most unexpected and memorable hot dog.

Do you have a Cape May story...email Ms. A at: jicuisine@gmail.com