Around Downe

Downe Twp. 3rd Annual
Delaware Bay Plunge
Saturday, January 11, 2025

Ice, snow, cold and freezing temperatures did not deter attendees that were determined to take the freezing plunge into the Delaware Bay and didn't seem to mind. One of several plunges held this year along the shore, Downe residents and visitors took the plunge and afterwards warmed up and enjoyed chili and other hot food and refreshments at the Fortescue Fire Hall.

Annual Downe Fire/Rescue & Dive Team
Christmas Celebration
Saturday, December 14, 2024
Santa made his annual trip to Downe Township on December 14th at 6:00 pm,
arriving by fire truck and stopping first at the corner of Fortescue and
Baptist Roads at the lighted Christmas tree. Those attending then went
to the fire house to enjoy refreshments and visits with Santa Claus!

D.T. Recreation Committee Halloween Yard Decorated Contest
November 31, 2024

Congratulations to the 2024 Halloween Yard Decoration Contest Winners! there were a lot festively decorated houses.
Kelli Silvers - Best House
Kayla Watkins - Best Yard
Kyle Scarpa & Kimmie Read - Best Door/Entryway
Awards were presented at the November 18, 2024, Township Committee Meeting at
7:00 pm.

Best House - Kelli Silvers

Best Yard - Kayla Watkins

Open House Downe Township
Fire/Rescue & Dive Team
Saturday, October 11, 2024

The annual open house was a huge success this year. We had close to 100 people stop out during the event to spend some time with their local first responders. We could not put on this event every year without our dedicated volunteers and all of our neighboring agencies that assist us each year. We would like to thank many local agencies for helping us have another
successful event.

Downe Home Day
Saturday, October 19, 2024

The Downe Township Green Team in cooperation with the Downe Township Elementary School After Glow Program hosted
Downe Home Day at the elementary school.
The day featured events for the entire family,
music, food, crafts, vendors and displays along with a car show featuring a variety of vehicles.

Downe Township Bounty of the Bay
Saturday, August 10, 2024

Fun, music, food and more. Crabs and spaghetti or meatballs, salad, roll and dessert. A gift basket raffle, crafters and other activities for residents to enjoy. Proceeds benefit township projects.

2024 Annual Fortescue
4th of July Parade
Saturday, July 6, 2024

Beautiful weather with a breeze to keep those bugs away. Folks went all out decorating golf carts, cars and other vehicles in red, white and blue there was even a bicycle entry!

Downe Township
Horseshoe
Crab Festival
Saturday, May 11, 2024

A perfect day in Fortescue to enjoy, the bay, beach, activities, food, crafts, art, music and of course, horseshoe crabs! Attendees enjoyed having everything in one area.

Downe Twp. 2nd Annual Delaware
Bay Plunge
Saturday, January 6, 2024

Well, it rained and was cold but so was the water in the Delaware Bay. Those daring to take the plunge didn't seem to mind. One of several plunges held this year along the shore, Downe residents and visitors took the plunge and afterwards warmed up and enjoyed chili and
other food and refreshments
at the Fortescue Fire Hall.

Downe Home Day
Saturday, October 15, 2023

Fun, music, food and more.
Events for the entire family,
local car show, gift basket raffle
and other activities. Proceeds benefit the Downe Elementary School Afterglow Program.

Downe Township
Bounty of the Bay
Saturday, August 12, 2023

Fun, music, food and more.
Crabs and spaghetti or meatballs,
salad, roll and dessert. A gift basket raffle and other activities that created a wish list of items residents would like to see the township focus on improving. Proceeds benefit township projects.

2023 Annual Fortescue
4th of July Parade
Saturday, July 1, 2023

This year's parade had a great turnout of entries with folks really going all out decorating golf carts, cars and other vehicles in red, white and blue. The end of the parade featured two bike entries a lovely young lady and her father whose bikes featured American flags, streamers and fairy wings!

Downe Township
Horseshoe Crab Festival
Saturday, May 13, 2023

A perfect day in Fortescue to enjoy,
the bay, beach, activities, music, fun and of course,
horseshoe crabs!

Downe Township
Polar Plunge
Saturday, January 7, 2023

Freezing temps didn't discourage participation in the Downe Township Green Team's "Polar Plunge". One of several plunges held this year along the shore, Downe residents and visitors took the plunge and afterwards enjoyed sampling chili from contestants who entered a "Chili Cook-Off" held at the Fortescue Fire Hall.

Downe Township
Bounty of the Bay
Saturday, August 13, 2022

Downe Township Green Team fund raiser was held once again at the Downe Township Fortescue Fire Hall. The menu included sit-down and take out platters of crabs and spaghetti (red and white sauce, spaghetti and meatballs, rolls, salad and donated baked goods. The raw oyster bar served Delaware Bay oysters donated by Bivalve Packing Company. Raffle tickets were sold for handmade "theme" gift baskets! Guests could shop and enjoy crafters set-up outside.

2022 Annual
Fortescue 4th of July
Parade

Even though rain was looming in the distance the Annual Fortescue 4th of July parade started and cruised past spectators. Fire trucks, rescue vehicles, decorated golf carts and other vehicles displayed their festive creations in red, white and blue streamers, flags and sparkles!

Downe Township
Horseshoe Crab Festival
Saturday, May 14, 2022

A perfect day in Fortescue to enjoy, the bay, beach, activities, music, fun and of course, horseshoe crabs!

Downe Township
Bounty of the Bay
Saturday, August 14, 2021

A community fund raiser held by the Downe Township Green Team was held at the Downe Township Fortescue Fire Hall featuring take out platters of crabs and spaghetti (red and white sauce, spaghetti and meatballs, rolls, salad and donated baked goods. Also, a raw oyster bar was available serving Delaware Bay oysters donated by Bivalve Packing Company. Raffle tickets were sold for handmade "theme" gift baskets! Guests could shop and enjoy crafters set-up outside.

2021 Annual
Fortescue 4th of July
Parade

Rain didn't dampen spirits or entries and the
annual parade started on time. Billowy clouds
provided a dramatic background as the parade made the turn heading down along
the NJ State Marina!

Downe Township
Horseshoe Crab Festival
Saturday, May 15, 2021

A perfect day in Fortescue to enjoy, the bay, beach, activities, music, fun and of course horseshoe crabs!

2020 Annual
Fortescue
4th of July Parade

A beautiful day for a parade!
Great participation and lots
of enthusiastic entries.

Open House Held at
Newport Fire House
On Tuesday, October 19, 2019, at 6:00 pm Fire and Rescue Company 39 held an open house at the fire hall,
14 Hall Street, Newport, NJ. The open house was open to the public featuring demonstrations about fire safety and activities for the entire family. Light refreshments were served.

Newport Methodist Church
Ladies Auxiliary Soup, Baked Goods
and Rummage Sale
November, 2019

Great homemade soup and baked goods, neat rummage items and
a perfect place to meet and greet friends!

Annual Fortescue
4th of July Parade
Saturday, June 30, 2018

Warm, Sunny, Breezy, Lots of Fun....

" Bugs not invited! "

Dividing Creek Historical Society Hosts Breakfast, Soup Sale, Music
and American Dolls!

Mother's Day Tea & Chinese Auction, May 6, 2017

American Girl Ice Cream Party, April 29, 2017

They're passionate history buffs with a mission and that mission is to maintain Union Hall home of the Dividing Creek Historical Society and to host events the entire community can enjoy.

March 18th there was plenty of toe tapping for live performances of Gospel and Blues by Jill Ransom and other musicians. Then on Saturday, March 25th rise and shine because breakfast was being served up Union Hall style featuring all the normal favorites even Mackerel. If you enjoy homemade soup then the April 22nd "Soup and Bake Sale" was sure to please with a variety of delicious soups, chili and baked goods available to choose from.

Saturday, April 29th an "American Girl Ice Cream Party" was a perfect outing for young ladies and their dolls to dress up and share an afternoon with friends. Guests created personal ice cream sundaes from a sundae bar with loads of toppings and ice cream. Saturday, May 6th the DCHS held a "Mother's Day Tea and Chinese Auction". Guests enjoyed sandwiches, desserts and of course tea.

Each of these events was a great success because of the efforts and support of dedicated volunteers. Well done!

"Highest Flying Kite"
Mr. Henault's 7th Grade Class

"Longest Flying Kite"
Mrs. McCann's 6th Grade Class

"First Kite in the Air"
Mrs. Schumacher's Class

"Sky's the Limit" Kite Day ~ Downe Township School
The Downe Township Elementary School Annual "Kite Day" originally planned for April 7, 2017 had to be rescheduled to April 10th due to bad weather, but kite flyers were not discouraged in the least. It was a beautiful sunny Spring day with steady winds for some really great kite flying. The student body was able to show off their kite flying skills cheered on by parents and friends. Awards were presented in the following categories: "First Kite in the Air" to Mrs. Schumacher's Class, "Highest Flying Kite" to Mr. Henault's 7th Grade Class and "Longest Flying Kite" to Mrs. McCann's 6th Grade Class. Participation ribbons were given to all the students.

Event, kites and awards for the 2015, 2016 and 2017 Downe Township School Kite Days were sponsored by Jim & Kary Dunkel of Newport.

1st Annual Fortescue Sports Expo ~ March 18, 2017
Even though some raindrops fell the 1st Annual Fortescue Sportsman Expo was a success.
Hosted by the Downe Township Ladies Fire Company Auxiliary and held at the Fortescue Fire Hall,
Fortescue, NJ, March 18. Visitors enjoyed variety of vendors, crafters and refreshments.
Everyone's hard work paid off and the ladies auxiliary is looking forward to planning next year's event!

The 7th Annual SunDog Marina Striper Tournament
Entries set sail Saturday, December 3 & 4, 2016 at 6:00 am for the 7th Annual SunDog Marina Striper Tournament. Tournament winners were presented awards at a special dinner held Sunday, December 4th at 5:00 pm at The Landing Restaurant.
Congratulations to the 2016 Tournament Winners
Grand Prize - Jim Halter - 32.10 lb 43.25" - $1400 (single largest by weight)
2nd place - Matt Katsoris - 18.30 lb 38.75" - $600 (combined weight 2 fish)
3rd place - Pat Slazek - 13.50 lb 30.50" - $300 (combined weight 2 fish)
We would like to thank everyone that participated and helped put the tournament on!

Grand Prize - Jim Halter 2nd Place - Matt Katsoris 3rd Place - Pat Slazek

Pizza with Santa
On Sunday, December 4th, the Dividing Creek Historical Society hosted an afternoon for kids, their families and friends to visit with Mr. and Mrs Santa. Guests enjoyed pizza and other goodies as well as spending an afternoon with family and friends!

Gospel & Blues Concert
at Dividing Creek Historical Society
On Saturday, November 12, 2016, the Dividing Creek Historical Society hosted an evening of gospel and blues music featuring several outstanding musicians that included Jill Ransom & Jericho Road and other special guest musicians. Guests enjoyed music, time with friends, and refreshments. Those attending brought canned foods for the Commercial Township Food Pantry.

Soup's On... Sale a Success!
Newport United Methodist Church Women's Association soup, bake and rummage sale held Saturday, October 29, 2016 was a success!
The Church's Social Hall served up hot soup, hot dogs, baked goods and other goodies. The rummage sale offered a variety of gently loved treasures for those looking for a bargain. Many thanks to everyone who came out and supported the event!

2016 Fortescue
4th of July Parade
Saturday, July 2, 2016
Beautiful Evening, Breezy, Cool,
"No Bugs About It"!

Betty Higbee - Photos by Elaine Raudenbush

Thank You Higbees!
Members of the Downe Township Seniors gathered at
Betty Higbee's Lucheonette this Monday morning, June 27th,
for breakfast and to present Betty and her family an award in recognition of
"All They Do for Our Community, Friends, and Visitors".

Doug Cook, president of the Downe Township Seniors, presented the award to Betty.