The Beam Journal of the Society, Inc. www.njlhs.org

Number 88 September 2012 The Beam The Beam, the official journal of the New Jersey Lighthouse SEPTEMBER’S MEETING Society, Inc., is published quarterly, March, June, September and December. Membership dues are $20.00 single and $25.00 The September general membership meeting family, and are for the calendar year. Back issues are available free will be on September 22 at Samsel Upper for members joining mid-year. All materials are copyrighted and Elementary School in Parlin, NJ. cannot be borrowed or reproduced without permission of the New Please see page 8 for directions and the Jersey Lighthouse Society. The NJLHS - New Jersey Lighthouse meeting schedule. Society, Inc., is a non-profit educational corporation (501c3). OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS DECEMBER’S MEETING The December general membership meeting will President Brett Franks (856) 256-0881 be on December 15th in the Atlantic City area. 1st VP Anthony Albence (302) 983-3200 2nd VP Rich Veit (609) 652-1876 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Treasurer Faith Giamboi (732) 350-9595 Recording Secretary Karen Stumpf-Owen (856) 299-7583 Hello again! We are headed into my favorite Corresponding Secretary Jayne Swope (856) 468-2561 season, which is full of many wonderful sights Director Jim Cope (609) 587-6266 and events: leaves crunching under my feet, Director Doreen Berson (732) 202-7420 children dressed up in Halloween costumes, Director Anthony Albence (302) 983-3200 Director Mary Beth Doherty (973) 978-0129 taking spooky tours, Thanksgiving dinner, and of Director Carol Winkie (856) 468-6199 course, the Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey! Director Karl Fahringer (732) 370-0260 At last year’s Challenge, I volunteered at Absecon, which was quite a time! I met a lot of COMMITTEES people and it was fun to just BE in a lighthouse Archivist Vacant for a long while. There is a call again for Beam Editor Lauren Ward (609) 320-4889 volunteers (see page 3), so if you have the time, Community Outreach Chair Anthony Albence (302) 983-3200 it’s certainly worthwhile. This year, I’ll be Education Outreach Bob Gleason (732) 238-7066 hitting the road again with several of my friends Historian Co-Chair Jim & Nancy Cope (609) 587-6266 and my boyfriend, who has barely been to any Historian Co-Chair Mike & Judy Boucher (845) 787-4807 ! I’m excited to be able to share my Hospitality Co-Chair Linda & Bob Gleason (732) 238-7066 Hospitality Co-Chair Carol Naill (215) 657-4559 interest and passion with so many people who Membership Co-Chair Linda & Bob Gleason (732) 238-7066 might not otherwise know about the Challenge. Membership Co-Chair Carol Naill (215) 657-4559 The holidays will be here before we know Preservation Chair Brett Franks (856) 256-0881 it, and if you like Christmas ornaments, have I got Programs Vacant one for you! Hallmark is starting a new series this Publicity Anthony Albence (302) 983-3200 year (and the 1st in a series is always the most Trips Chairperson Faith Giamboi (732) 350-9595 valuable, as my mother taught me), called Ways & Means Carol Winkie (856) 468-6199 Holiday Lighthouses. The 2012 ornament is Webmaster Howie Wright (908) 725-9782 decorated with wreathes and bows and Santa is shown trying to climb up the side of the NJLHS Web Site: http://www.njlhs.org lighthouse. It even lights up! I’m excited to hang Trips Email address: [email protected] it on my tree in a few months. Also, remember NJLHS Email address: [email protected] that Ways & Means has different Christmas The BEAM Email address: [email protected] ornaments for sale. NJLHS Announcements: (732) 291-4777 Once again, thank you to everyone who

has been helping me put the Beam together. I Society Address: Beam Address: hope to see everyone at the September meeting NJLHS, Inc. Lauren Ward and at the Challenge! P. O. Box 332 103 Monticello Drive Navesink, NJ 07752-0332 Cinnaminson, NJ 08077 ADDRESS CHANGE To change your address please go to: http://www.njlhs.org/join/AddrCng.pdf *The photograph on the cover is of the and was taken by Lauren Ward during the download the form and mail to: 2009 NJ Lighthouse Challenge. NJLHS, Inc, P.O. Box 332, Navesink, NJ 07752-0332

Page 2 The Beam Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey Set for October 20th & 21st Press Release by Pary Woehlcke

The eleven New Jersey lighthouses, two affiliated museums and two lifesaving stations will host the Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey on the weekend of October 20th & 21st, 2012. Visitors will enjoy the opportunity to tour the state and visit each lighthouse, as well as four other related sites, over the two days. Night climbs will be offered as well at Absecon, , Sandy Hook, Tinicum, and Tuckerton Seaport Lighthouses. Hours of operation for each of the sites can be found on their individual websites and on the Challenge website www.lighthousechallengenj.org and on www.visitnj.org.

You can begin your journey at any of the lighthouses, museums or lifesaving stations. A souvenir passport will be available for purchase for $1.00. As you visit each site, your passport will be stamped with the individual stamp of each site as proof of your visit. Those who complete the challenge and visit all 15 sites will receive a special award. The Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey encourages everyone to take advantage of this special weekend to visit these New Jersey treasures, some of which are only open on this weekend. Fees for the lighthouses vary, so please check the website for admission costs. This year, children 11 and under will climb free when accompanied by an adult. The proceeds from the Challenge are used for continuing lighthouse preservation, education and restoration.

We hope you will “take the challenge” and learn more about New Jersey’s maritime heritage as you travel the coastal areas of our state. Participating sites and their websites or email addresses are listed below:

Absecon Lighthouse www.abseconlighthouse.org Barnegat Light www.friendsofbarnegatlighthouse.org Barnegat Light Historical Museum www.bl-hs.org www.capemaymac.org Cape May County Museum www.cmcmuseum.org East Point Lighthouse [email protected] Finns Point Light www.fws.gov/supawnameadows Hereford Lighthouse www.herefordlighthouse.org Navesink/Twin Lights www.twinlightslighthouse.com Ocean City Lifesaving Station www.uslifesavingstation30.org www.nps.gov/gate Sea Girt Lighthouse www.seagirtlighthouse.com Tatham Lifesaving Station [email protected] Tinicum Light www.tinicumrearrangelighthouse.org Tuckerton Seaport Lighthouse www.tuckertonseaport.org

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! This year’s Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey will be held October 20 and 21. Please consider helping us out by volunteering at one of the sites. We especially need volunteers at Sandy Hook and Finns Point. If you’re interested, please call or email Doreen Berson: 732-202-7420 • [email protected]. Thank You!

The Beam Page 3 OREGON LIGHTHOUSE TRIP JUNE 21-27, 2013 Mike & Judy Boucher Come join the New Jersey Lighthouse Society for our first west coast bus tour to the lighthouses of Oregon next year from June 21 thru June 27, 2013. It will be your responsibility to arrive in Portland, Oregon on the 21st. The night of June 21 we will have a “Welcome to Oregon” dinner at our hotel, the Country Inns and Suites near the Portland Crater Lake Airport. The bus tour will start the next morning Saturday the 22nd. Besides viewing the Heceta Head lighthouses, we will enjoy the most magnificent coastline on the west coast. Our stops will include Crater Lake National Park, a jet boat ride on the Rouge River, the Tillamook Cheese Factory, the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, Columbia River Museum Center and the following lighthouses: Battery Point and St. George Reef in California; Pelican Bay, Cape Blanco, Coquille River, Cape Arago, Umpqua River, Heceta Head, Yaquina Battery Point Bay, Yaquina Head, Cape Mears, Tillamook Rock and the Columbia Lightship in Oregon; Yaquina Bay and Cape Disappointment and North Head in Washington. Most of these lighthouses will be open for climbing. Overnight lodging will be in the following cities: Portland, Grants Pass, Gold Beach, Reedsport and Tillamook. The trip will end back in Portland on June 26 with a “Going Away Dinner” that night at the Country Inns & Suites. Jet Boat & Rouge Tillamook Cheese River The price of the trip will include: 5-day motor coach, all hotels (6 nights), all meals Factory (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and entrance fees to all the attractions. The cost for a couple (or 2 singles sharing a room) will be $1700 and a single will be $1150. The price does NOT include your transportation to Portland. A 25% deposit ($425 double & $287.50 single) is due February 1 and another 25% on March 1, April 1 and May 1. To run this trip, we must have a minimum of 40 participants. The maximum number of participants is 50. If deposits have not been received from 40 NJLHS members by February 1, the trip will be opened to individuals outside of NJLHS. If a total of 40 participants have not made deposits by March 1, the trip will be canceled and all monies refunded. If there are Cape Cape Blanco enough participants to run the trip and you need to cancel for any reason, a refund of any Disappointment monies paid will be given only if another person is found to take your place. If you are a single and need a roommate, let us know and we will provide any information we have about anyone looking for a roommate. Don’t miss this great trip!

Coquille River Cape Mears

Cape Arago Tillamook Rock Umpqua River North Head

Columbia Lightship Columbia River Museum Center

Send your deposit as soon as possible to: NJLHS c/o Mike Boucher, 15 Starrow Drive, Newburgh, NY 12550. Make your check payable to NJ Lighthouse Society. Any questions, feel free to call or email Mike at 845-787-4807 or [email protected] NAME: NUMBER ATTENDING: ADDRESS: CITY: STATE: ZIP: PHONE: EMAIL:

Page 4 The Beam A NOTE FROM THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH COMMITTEE CHAIR

As we move into fall 2012, the NJLHS Community Outreach season continues and moves toward its wrap-up in late September. Thanks to the ever-present Mary Catherine Kennedy, reigning “Queen of Community Outreach”, who represented us at so many of our regular events—and the additional events we added to the Community Outreach calendar this year. A special thank you to her for representing us at the special celebration of National Lighthouse Day at Hereford Inlet Lighthouse. NJLHS was well represented with the presence of President Brett Franks, who was a speaker on the slate of presenters for the day. On September 29th and 30th, the Community Outreach team is about to wrap up the season with a “classic” event—the Ocean County Decoy Show in Tuckerton. In addition to Mary Catherine, sincere thanks to Catherine Klix, Kathy Lanzim, Marty Hudspeth, Sheila Hines, and Carol Winkie for their efforts throughout year as well. Looking ahead to 2013 (it can’t possibly be almost 2013!!) it’s never too early to think about partici- pating in the outreach team for next year! As always: volunteers (new and returning) are essential to keep our Society throughout the community. Remember, you don’t need to be a lighthouse “expert” to be part of the team—just willing to discuss our shared interests with event patrons. There’s always someone to “fill in the blanks”. We have an outstanding base of lighthouse knowledge in our membership ranks. Consider joining the Community Outreach team for the 2013 season. Please feel free to contact me with any info on NJ events where NJLHS might want to be represented. My mailing address is: Anthony J. Albence You may also contact me via e-mail at: P.O. Box 8184 [email protected] Wilmington, DE 19803-8184

Social Networking Update Remember to check out the Society’s presence on Facebook & Twitter! While you’re at it, please recommend that others become our “fans” on Facebook. We’re easy to find: either search the Society name in the search bar on Facebook, or navigate to www.facebook.com/njlhs. I’m happy to report that, we have more than 400 people who “like” our page. If you’re not one of them yet, just look us up and “like us” today. For convenience, I’ve configured our Facebook page so that all of the content posted automatically publishes on the NJLHS account the micro-blog site Twitter. You may find us at www.twitter.com/njlhs or on Twitter by typing @njlhs in the Twitter search field. You can now keep up to date via your smartphone, iPad, and (of course) your notebook or desktop computer. We also continue to publish notices of our General Membership Meetings to nearly 75 media venues (newspapers/radio/websites) throughout the state, including the New Jersey state libraries network. On this point: due to continued staff cutbacks at various media outlets, we have lost a few of our “good contacts” on our media list. With this in mind, I invite you to contact me if you know of any media outlet/reporter/writer/etc., you feel would like to receive our media notices. I will be happy add anyone to our media distribution list. Thanks so much everyone…and keep the lights shining! Anthony Albence 1st Vice President Chair, Community Outreach & Publicity

The Beam Page 5 CELEBRATING NATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE DAY Brett Franks Photos by Faith Giamboi

On August 7th of this year Lighthouses across the country celebrated “National Lighthouse Day,”and in New Jersey several of our beacons held special events to mark the occasion. But this year the Friends Group at Hereford Inlet Lighthouse went all out. I’m sure many of us missed the occasion coming as it did on a Tuesday this year. And I’m sure most have no idea why August 7th was chosen for this honor. Well it was on this day in 1789, that Congress approved an Act for the establishment and support of lighthouse, beacons, buoys and public piers. In Celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the signing of the Act and the commissioning of the first Federal lighthouse, Congress passed a resolution which designated August 7, 1989 as National Lighthouse Day. Senator John H. Chafee (Rhode Island) sponsored a joint resolution that was introduced to Congress on April 28, 1988 designating the day of August 7, 1989 as “National Lighthouse Day.” The summary of the resolution stated, “Designates August 7, 1989, as National Lighthouse Day and calls for lighthouse grounds, where feasible, to be open to the public.” The resolution passed the Senate on July 26, 1988 and the House (sponsored by Representative William J. Hughes, New Jersey) on October 21, 1988. President Ronald Reagan signed the Bill into public law (No. 100-622) on November 5, 1988. Hereford Lighthouse decided to celebrate this year by having the former Congressman and Ambassador Hughes speak at the light this year. Also in attendance was Representative Frank LoBiondo, along with many former lighthouse keepers and local dignitaries. There were speakers from the Coast Guard, the NJ Historic Preservation Office, NJ Travel and Tourism, The Light Keepers Group and our own New Jersey Lighthouse Society. I was honored to be asked to speak at the ceremony amidst this esteemed collection of past and present New Jersey leaders in the fight to preserve our lighthouses. It was truly humbling to be allowed to share the stage with these people while standing in the shadow of Hereford Inlet Lighthouse, knowing that 223 years George Washington signed into law the act which would create first federal lighthouse and all those after. My great thanks to Steve Murray and the Friends of Hereford Inlet Lighthouse for inviting NJLHS and myself to be part of this day. The following is the speech I gave.

Page 6 The Beam Good Morning, As president of the New Jersey Lighthouse Society, I’d like to thank Steve Murray and Friends of the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse for inviting me here today to speak among these distinguished and honored guests. It is a true privilege to address you all as part of this wonderful event. In preparing for this celebration of National Lighthouse Day, I vacillated back and forth over what to say to you. I wasn’t sure if I should talk about why lighthouses are important in our heritage and our history. Or if I should focus on the efforts made to date in preserving the lights, seeing as we are gathered here at what I consider to be one of the finest examples of that mission. So I decided to ask my five year old son what it was about lighthouses that made them special to him. As most parents know, five year olds are veritable fountains of true inspiration and guileless responses. He looked at me and kind of quizzically said, “What do you mean, Daddy?” So I clarified myself a bit and said what is it you like best about when you, me and Mommy go to a lighthouse? His response was, “The lighthouse.” And before I could try to focus his answer anymore he added “Seeing it.” He could see that wasn’t the answer I was looking for so he continued with “because it’s the best time.” So now it was my turn to say what do you mean, Jaden? And without missing a beat he says what most five year olds say “about what?” Five year olds are not what you classify as focused. I told him to forget it and went back to my earlier thoughts on the topic. But as I sat writing about NLHD I went back to what my son had said. And I realized he had summed it up for me in less than ten words. “The lighthouse, seeing it, because it’s the best time.” The wisdom of a five year old. That is what NLHD is about. Being able to go to these historic and altruistic sentinels of the shoreline. Still having them available to us to go to, and touch and climb and experience. To stand on the gallery deck and stare off into our past. To look at science and technology combined into real state of the art communication before every cell phone company in the world tried to capitalize on that thought. NLHD is not just a day to remember lighthouses still exist in this world. It isn’t some flippant attempt at commercialism like national corndog day or some such nonsense. NLHD is a tiny stretch of time when we look at manmade monuments to our underlying humanity. What do I mean by that, I mean the lighthouse was built to aid commercial shipping. They were road signs for vessels loaded with cargo to find their direction and a safe passage. They were not conceived as marine rescue. If they were who in their right minds would put so few people manning them. They became something more, something powerful and safe to us by the deeds and selflessness of those who lived with these lights. Those men and women are almost all forgotten to us but their actions have immortalized the lighthouse as that beacon of hope and salvation. We celebrate the lights for this aspect, not for their original purpose. It is that humanity which these structures have captured. NLHD is also about celebrating the people who have worked tirelessly to preserve and maintain these structures. It’s about countless hours of volunteer time and fund raising activities necessary to keep them open and inviting. It’s about educating and changing public sentiment on historical relevance. NLHD is tribute to all who believe the noble conviction that compassion for another soul above self preservation is the true spirit of the lighthouse. And preserving these iconic symbols of that spirit, the lighthouse, seeing it, it’s the best time.

Thank you.

The Beam Page 7 PROGRAMS Our next meeting will be held on September 22nd at the Samsel Upper Elementary School in the Sayreville School District of NJ (298 Ernston Rd, Parlin, NJ 08859). Hospitality will begin at 11:00 AM with our business meeting commencing at 11:30 AM. Lunch is at 12:30 PM and is on your own to provide. We’ll be having guests for our afternoon events. Students from the school had presented NJLHS with a check for lighthouse preservation last year after our speaker’s bureau had addressed them. The children raised the funds through class activities and in recognition of their efforts NJLHS will be making a special presentation to their teacher and the school. We will be having our own speaker’s bureau members put on the talk they gave to the children in 2011 for all to hear commencing about 1:30 PM. And hopefully anyone considering volunteering as a speaker but somewhat hesitant will see how some of other folks approach this activity and how rewarding it can be. Hope to see all of you there. For our December meeting we will be heading to the Atlantic City area. The venue is not set yet but we will be holding our Basket Auction and Silent Auction again this year. Anyone wishing to donate a basket or items for a basket contact Anne or Karl Farhinger, please. I know they will greatly appreciate whatever you would care to give. At this meeting we will have our holiday social event and a special surprise event. Our March meeting will be the photo contest as usual, but remember the twist this year. The winning photos of New Jersey Lighthouses will be used to publish our own NJLHS Calendar for 2014. So as the seasons change get out there and start snapping away! Then your photo might be on everyone’s calendar for a month next year. Location is yet to be decided but we’ll probably return to one of the past venues where we held this meeting previously. Please keep watching the Beam and the web site for additional details. September General Meeting - Directions and Itinerary

Samsel Upper Elementary School ITINERARY FOR THE DAY: 298 Ernston Road

Parlin, NJ 08859 11:00 HOSPITALITY www.sayrevillek12.net 11:30 MEETING 12:30 LUNCH (ON YOUR OWN) Upon arrival at the school, do not go in the main entrance. Instead, proceed down the hill where After lunch, there will be an afternoon event, which there is ample regular and handicap parking. The includes students that are to be honored and members entrance to the cafeteria is on this lower level. from our speaker’s bureau. This event will be held at the school’s gym, which is a short walk away.

Directions Please note that seating for the meeting is picnic tables Garden State Parkway - Southbound and bleachers, so you may want to bring your own chairs. Take Exit 123 for Route 9 South. Stay to the right as the ramp to Ernston Rd is just about 1 mile away. Take the exit ramp for Ernston Road, again, staying to the right. The entrance to the school is immediately on the right after the ramp. Garden State Parkway - Northbound Take exit 120, Matawan Rd, County Rt 689. Go left at the end of the ramp towards Lawrence Harbor. At the traffic light, about 1 mile, follow the signs for Rt 35 north. Go about 2 miles to the second traffic light where you will make a U turn. Backtrack about 1/4 mile making a right turn onto Lorraine Ave. (Note - There is no left turn directly onto Lorraine Ave from Rt 35 North.) Lorraine Ave turns into Ernston Rd. The school will be on your right immediately after passing under Route 9, about 1 1/2 miles from Route 35.

NJ Turnpike - Northbound Take exit 10 for Route 440 North towards Perth Amboy/Outerbridge. Follow 440 for about 1 mile to the ramp for Route 9 South. Take Route 9 for about 3-4 miles until Route 9 branches right from 9/35. (Route 9 merges with Route 35 just over the bridge.) Follow Route 9 South for about 1 1/2 miles to Ernston Road. Take the ramp and keep right. The entrance to the school is immediately to your right after the ramp. Page 8 The Beam FALL & WINTER EVENTS

SEPTEMBER TUCKERTON SEAPORT Saturday & Sunday, September 29 & 30 - 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. CAPE MAY LIGHTHOUSE Ocean County Decoy Show Saturday, September 29 - 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Lighthouse Full Moon Climb* OCTOBER The Friends of the Cape May Lighthouse invite you to the full moon climb. Take advantage of the light of the full moon and let it guide you up the 199 stairs to the Thursday, October 25 - 5:30 p.m. starry top. The Lighthouse is located in Cape May Point Luscious Libations for the Lighthouse State Park, Lower Township. Admission to the Visitors’ Location: Chart House in the Golden Nugget Casino Orientation Center and the ground floor of the Lighthouse Tickets are $60 each. Event includes appetizers, cash bar, is free. Tower admission is free for “Friends” members. and silent auction to raise funds for Absecon Lighthouse. Non-members price is $7 for adults, $3 for children (ages 3-12). Non-members who join the group will get free ad- ALL NEW JERSEY LIGHTHOUSES mission to this event as well as future “Friends” events. Saturday & Sunday, October 20 & 21 The Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey CAPE MAY LIGHTHOUSE See page 3 for details. Saturdays September 15, 22 & 29 - 7:30 p.m. Ghosts of the Lighthouse Trolley Tour* ABSECON LIGHTHOUSE Take a trolley tour through parts of West Cape May Saturday October 27 - 6:00 p.m. to the Cape May Lighthouse, with tales of ghostly Haunted Lighthouse Tour activity along the way. Participants will hear a ghostly $10 per person, includes snacks & beverages take at the Lighthouse from a costumed Keeper with time available to climb to the top. Begins and ends at DECEMBER the Ocean Street trolley stop. $20 for adults and $15 for children (ages 3-12). ABSECON LIGHTHOUSE Saturday, December 8 - 6:00 p.m. *Both event at the Cape May Lighthouse are sponsored Holiday Gathering at Absecon Lighthouse by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities $20 per person, includes professional carolers, snacks & (MAC). For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800- holiday cheer 275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

HAUNTED RECIPE CORNER Marty Hudspeth LIGHTHOUSE TOUR Granny’s Fantasy Cookies NJLHS will be planning to hold a Haunted Lighthouse By Kit March Tour Saturday November 3rd. This is the same tour that cancelled last year after our speaker was unfortunately 1 cup butter 1/2 tsp. salt unable to participate after slipping and breaking a hip 3/4 cup sugar 1 tsp. vanilla during our one very early snowstorm. The trip will be 3/4 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup shredded coconut a nighttime affair covering three lights with roundtrip 2 eggs 1/2 cup chocolate chips transportation from a designated meeting area. T-shirts 2 1/2 cup flour 1/2 cup chopped nuts will be given to each participant. Details and sign up will 1 tsp. baking soda be available at the September 22nd meeting and before that on the web site. Come out and join us for an evening Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream the butter and sugars; add eggs. Mix in flour, baking soda, and salt. Fold in coconut, of ghost stories, lighthouse visits, and a chance for good chips, and nuts. Drop by teaspoons full on cookie sheet. Bake night shots of New Jersey lights that might be photo 8 to 10 minutes. Cool. Yields 5 dozen. contest calendar worthy!

The Beam Page 9 Five ‘Famous Firsts’ Celebrated at the Twin Lights From the Twin Lights Historical Society

New Jersey History Buffs Spend the Day On Hallowed Ground

Commander Tim Dring shows off 19th century State Senator Joe Kyrillos speaks about the equipment at the Lifeasving exhibit. importance of the Pledge of Allegiance.

(Highlands, NJ — August 6, 2012) Survey after survey confirms the number-one reason people make the trek to the Twin Lights. It’s the view. However, on Sunday, August 5th, something else drew nearly 600 visitors to the lighthouse. On Hallowed Ground: Making History at the Twin Lights celebrated five “famous firsts” at the Twin Lights. Each landmark event was interpreted with its own special exhibit, which included an expert to answer questions and artifacts from the Twin Lights Museum that have never been on public display. Among the stalwart visitors on this muggy Sunday were Congressman Frank Pallone and Senator Joe Kyrillos. The five famous firsts were America’s first Fresnel lenses, the first commercial wireless broadcast, the first working radar, the first lifesaving station (which was moved up the hill in the 1950s), and the first recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance as America’s official national oath of loyalty. A specialOn Hallowed Ground booklet was created for the event and distributed to attendees. Among the experts on hand were Marconi Society Chairman Emeritus Robert Lucky (who manned the Marconi exhibit), Lt. Commander Chuck Gullage, US Coast Guard Ret. (Radar exhibit), and Commander Tim Dring, US Naval Reserve Ret. (Lifesaving exhibit). Guest curator Mariah Stewart, who worked at the Twin Lights this summer as part of the Wake Forest University Museum Anthropology Program, interpreted the Pledge of Allegiance exhibit. The most popular features of the day were the two 30-minute programs, which brought together all of the experts for a rapid-fire presentation on the cultural importance of the five events. Both lectures took place in the air-conditioned Twin Lights auditorium. Not surprisingly, both lectures were standing room only. “We couldn’t have been more pleased with the turnout,” says Mary Jo Kenny, President of the Twin Lights Historical Society. “With the Highlands Clamfest down the hill and the Sandy Hook beaches across the bridge, we had lots of competition. Yet even with a robust crowd, the event still had an intimate feel.” Among the highlights of the afternoon was the dedication of the Twin Lights’ new Liberty Pole. Two Coast Guard cadets did the honors, raising a 44-star flag like the one run up the original Liberty Pole at the 1893 Pledge ofAllegiance ceremony. Senator Kyrillos then led the crowd in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance—first, as it was written in 1893, and again, in its modern version. Next, Peter Bellomo, an opera singer who performs at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, stepped to the microphone and sang the National Anthem, followed by God Bless America. Bellomo also performed during the day with the Uptown Getdowns, who provided musical entertainment for the 500-plus visitors.

Page 10 The Beam “There is something special about being able to stand in the very place where history was made, especially history that has such a clear and direct connection to our everyday lives,” adds Kenny. “Of course, you can come up here anytime and feel that same thrill—not just on event days. That was really the message behind On Hallowed Ground.” On Hallowed Ground: Making History at the Twin Lights was part of the Twin Lights 150th Anniversary Celebration. Twin Lights Family Day in June drew more than 2,500 visitors to the lighthouse.

For more information, contact the Twin Lights Historical Society at 732-291-9900 or the lighthouse at 732-872-1814.

A MESSAGE FROM MEMBERSHIP Carol Naill and Linda Gleason Membership Co-Chairs

We had a good turn out for the June 30th picnic meeting at Riverview Beach Park in Pennsville, NJ. We look forward to seeing all our members, old and new, and guests are always welcome to our General Membership meetings.

Meeting Attendees: There were 65 members and two guests in attendance at our June meeting. Please remember to sign the book - We want to make sure there are enough seats for you at the future meetings!

Membership Numbers: At the deadline for this issue, the membership numbers are as follows: Single Memberships: 156 Family Memberships: 194 x 2 = 388 Total Members = 544 (21 more than last BEAM!)

Gift Memberships: Not sure what to give that person who has everything? How about a membership to NJLHS? You can find an application on the NJLHS web site and print one out. You can also get one from the Membership Team at the next membership meeting. The membership packet will be mailed to the recipient, with a personal note saying that their membership to the Society is a gift from you. Let’s get our numbers up!

New Members: The following members have joined our Society since the last issue of THE BEAM in June. Please note that if you become a member after the deadline for The Beam, you will be listed in the following issue. If you happen to meet any of these new members at a future meeting, please welcome them!

Margaux Howard Ridgewood, NJ Sarah Fisher Stockton, NJ Marjorie & Allen Sprague, Jr. Green Brook, NJ Ginny Graham Family Collegeville, PA

The Beam Page 11 IN THIS ISSUE Celebrating National LH Day...... Page 6-7 Fall Calendar of Events...... Page 9 Famous Firsts at Twin Lights...... Page 10-11 Haunted Lighthouse Tour...... Page 9 Letter from the Editor...... Page 2 Lighthouse Challenge of NJ...... Page 3 Message from Membership...... Page 11 Note from Community Outreach...... Page 5 Programs...... Page 8 Recipe Corner...... Page 9 Trips 2013 - Lighthouses of Oregon....Page 4

MEETING LOCATIONS TO BE ANNOUNCED IN EACH ISSUE OF THE BEAM AND ON THE WEBSITE www.njlhs.org

DEADLINE FOR THE DECEMBER BEAM IS NOVEMBER 10

New Jersey Lighthouse Society The Beam PO Box 332 Navesink, NJ 07752-0332