The Wildwood Sun by the Sea Magazine

The Wildwood Sun by the Sea Magazine WILDWOODS SUN magazine: Preserving Wildwood memories thru stories & photos. Print lives
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Since 2004, I’ve had the privilege of creating The Sun by the Sea, a local newspaper that celebrates the spirit of the Wildwoods. Through writing, photography, and art, I try to bring each issue to life with care and heart. True to its name, The Sun focuses on the brighter side of things, offering a bit of an escape from the heaviness of traditional news. Its pages are filled with nostalgia for days gone by, alongside “NOWstalgia”—the everyday moments of today that may one day become treasured memories. From the beaches and boardwalk to the people, places, and stories that make this island so special, my hope has always been to capture what so many of us feel but can’t quite put into words. Each issue comes together in a very personal way, shaped by original artwork, storytelling, and the voices of the community. It’s something I hope readers will take their time with, revisit, and share. At its heart, The Sun is about a sense of place—a connection to the Wildwoods that endures through the years. It has truly been a labor of love, and I’m simply grateful to play a small part in sharing these stories and moments with others.

There are some Wildwood stories that seem to hold an entire lifetime within them, and Mike Billiris’ was certainly one o...
10/07/2026

There are some Wildwood stories that seem to hold an entire lifetime within them, and Mike Billiris’ was certainly one of those.

Mike was a lifelong North Wildwood resident and a proud member of Wildwood Catholic High School’s Class of 1970. But perhaps the sweetest part of that chapter was that his high school sweetheart, Linda, remained by his side for the rest of the story. What began as young love in their Wildwood Catholic days grew into 52 years of marriage, a beautiful family, children, grandchildren, and a lifetime of memories made together.

Family was always at the center of Mike’s world. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle, remembered especially for his warmth, easygoing humor, generosity and the way he made people feel welcome.

Mike was also very much a familiar face around Wildwood. After high school, he worked alongside his father at Nick’s Radio and TV Repair before beginning a long career at Green’s Liquor Store in Wildwood, where he spent 40 years and became a respected and well-known part of the community.

Like so many Wildwood guys of his generation, some of Mike’s happiest memories were made through sports and friendships. In his younger years, he played flag football alongside many of his longtime Wildwood friends, later enjoying tennis, golf and basketball and coaching young players in Little League.

He also served his hometown as a North Wildwood volunteer firefighter and lifeguard.

Mike passed away September 26, 2026, leaving behind something especially precious — a lifetime of family, friendship, laughter and Wildwood memories.

And perhaps most beautifully, a love story that began right here at the shore.
Our deepest condolences to Mike’s wife Linda, their family & all their friends ♥️

10/01/2026

October 1st 🌄 a good sign for a Red October on the way! ⚾️ ❣️ Go Phils!
You gotta believe!

09/30/2026

Sneak peek 👀 🏖️❄️🥶 A huge thank you goes out to Jack & Denise Barron for braving the weather last February! Once everyone sees the front cover of the upcoming Winter-Holiday issue, you’ll know why we go above and beyond for The SUN ☀️ 😁
I cannot wait!!

09/28/2026

The calm after the storm...

“The heart of man is very much like the sea, it has its storms, it has its tides, but it has its pearls too.” 🌊 🤍 🐚 ♥️🎶🎼
~Vincent Van Gogh

09/24/2026

‘Current’ vibe… 🌊💨

09/24/2026
Today I had the best kind of Sun by the Sea afternoon — sitting outside with two former members of Wildwood’s flag footb...
09/19/2026

Today I had the best kind of Sun by the Sea afternoon — sitting outside with two former members of Wildwood’s flag football team, Dean Gentek and Mark Rucci, listening as they looked back nearly 30 years to the day a bunch of local guys did something almost unbelievable:

They beat the Philadelphia Eagles… right here on the Wildwood beach. 🏈🌊

Over Labor Day weekend in 1997, the NFL brought its Kickoff ’97 Beach Party to Wildwood, including an 80-team flag football tournament. The winning team would face a squad of Eagles alumni that included Harold Carmichael, Vince Papale, Frank LeMaster, Mike Quick and Louie Giammona.

These North Wildwood guys had grown up together on the island, gone to school together, played sports together and spent years running barefoot through our soft Wildwood sugar sand.

Dean Gentek spotted an article about the tournament and thought, Why not us? Their Nor’easters roster was divided into two five-man teams, and by Sunday one team was still standing.

Mark Rucci remembers working overnight shifts as a North Wildwood police detective Friday and Saturday nights — then heading out to play after each shift. Dean remembers telling his family to get home early because his team was going to beat the Eagles.

Dean’s premonition was right.

After winning their final tournament game 20–0, it was time to face the pros.

The Eagles arrived in high-top sneakers and cleats. The Wildwood guys knew something the visitors were about to learn: when you grow up playing barefoot in deep, soft beach sand, the home field really is an advantage.

I’m saving the play-by-play for the forthcoming Winter/Holiday issue of The Sun by the Sea, but here’s the ending:

North Wildwood’s Thunderbird Inn team 23
NFL Philadelphia Eagles alumni 22

Mayor Aldo Palombo later issued a proclamation honoring their victory.

Nearly three decades later, the old photos, newspaper clippings, T-shirt and memories came back out today — and so did the laughter.

Some Wildwood stories are simply too good to be forgotten. 🌞🏈🌊

Watch for the full story by Bob Ingram in our Winter/Holiday issue — and again next summer as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the day our hometown boys beat the Eagles on the beach.

{Other members of the Thunderbirds are Steve Rossi, and the late greats John Freeman and Ricky Czysewski

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