Longport celebrated Valentine’s Day with a luncheon at Totoro Hall, hosted by Angel and Jerome DiPentino of Long & Foster Real Estate.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
LONGPORT – After a two-year delay in celebrating love Longport style, the borough held its Valentine’s Day Luncheon at Totaro Hall Tuesday afternoon. It was the 17th year the event was held and sponsored by Angel and Jerome DiPentino of Long and Foster Real Estate.
The event was not held during COVID-19, and last year the event was celebrated at home.
“Last year, we delivered more than 100 meals to homes in Longport,” Angel DiPentino said. “But this year, we’re finally back in person. It’s great to see everyone here.”
More than 60 people attended the affair that was catered by Barrels of Margate. Guests, many dressed in the color of the day, enjoyed salad, chicken Francaise, pasta, mashed potatoes and string beans almondine. Fred Hall Orchestra of Ardmore provided the entertainment.
Mayor Nicholas Russo welcomed everyone back to Totoro Hall to celebrate the holiday, with many of those in attendance in long-term marriages.
“Men absolutely love Valentine’s Day,” he said rolling his eyes.
He asked everyone for a moment of silence to say a prayer of thanksgiving for the lovely day “and everything we have in our wonderful city.”
Angel and Jerome DiPentino
Russo thanked the DiPentinos and their crew of volunteers who decorated the tables with red tablecloths, red balloons and heart-shaped boxes of chocolates. A large red and white cake wished everyone in Longport a Happy Valentine’s Day.
Joan Gallagher and John Mark were the newlyweds of the crowd. They married three years ago after Gallagher’s husband of 50 years passed away.
“John was a bachelor,” she said.
A friend who knew them both, encouraged Mark to invite her to a gathering after her husband died.
“We struck up a friendship and talked on the phone for about a year,” Mark said.
“It was all his Irish blarney,” Gallagher said.
“Marrying her was a great tax deduction. I save her a lot of money,” he said jokingly.
Cass and Jules Cattie were also celebrating their daughter’s 54th birthday.
“She was six weeks early, and delivered around 10 a.m. on Valentine’s Day,” Cass Cattie said. “It was a memorable year for us. She now has four children of her own, and we’ve been married for 56 years.”
Betty and John Devereaux said they have been married for 54 years.
“He tends to forget Valentine’s Day, but I remind him and he runs out to get something at the last minute,” Betty said.
“Yeah, and it always costs me double,” John said.
Other couples who attended the event included Alex and Lynn Bilinski, married 51 years; Rhoda and Steven Sabel, in love for 60 years; and Norma and Arnold Cranston, also married for 60 years.
John Musero and his partner Bobbie have known each other since they were 12 years old, Bobbie said.
Each had their own families and after their spouses passed away, they both moved to the shore, she said. That’s when they got together and they have been “living in sin” for the last 18 years, Musaro said with a smile.
“I had a such a crush on him when I was in high school,” Bobbie said.
Other members of the community attended the event without spouses or partners but with lots of love in their hearts for Longport, “The Best Port.”
Many said they are looking forward to the borough’s 125th anniversary reception on March 7, which will be followed by a larger community-wide celebration in July.
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