T He Beam Journal of the New Jersey Lighthouse Society, Inc
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T he Beam Journal of the New Jersey Lighthouse Society, Inc. www.njlhs.org Number 82 T he Beam December 2010 It’s hard to believe I’ve been putting LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT THE BEAM together for five years. Mary Beth Doherty When I started I had an idea on how Happy Holidays! to put the newsletter together, but not Wow… what to put in it. Over the years I have Today, looking back, it’s hard for me to believe that my two year term written a lot of stories to fill blank pag- From The is up! On one hand the two years flew by—on the other hand, however, es. I’ve begged people to send in stories it has been a rather difficult time. I know I’m not alone surviving in Editor’s Desk and photos. Well it’s finally paid off. this tough economic time—which has made it a tad bit easier for me. This is the first issue where I did not have to write a story to fill a With that said, the time has come for me to step aside and focus on blank page. In fact I have several stories for the March issue that non-NJLHS projects for a while. I’m not completely disappearing—I I could not fit in this issue. In this issue we have two stories about will be holding a Director position (again!) on the Board. lighthouse keeper’s, the sad fate of Ludlam Beach Lighthouse, an engagement story, part 2 of New Brunswick lighthouses and a re- The 2011 slate was announced at the September meeting. It is as view of lighthouse calendars, along with regular features. Now sit follows: back and put your feet up in front of the fireplace and enjoy this is- Brett Franks, President Karen Stumpf-Owen, sue. The staff of THE BEAM, Judy, Mary Beth and myself would Anthony Albence, 1st Vice President Recording Secretary like to wish everybody a joyous holiday season. Rich Veit, 2nd Vice President Carol Winkie, Director The Beam, the official journal of the New Jersey Lighthouse Society, Inc., Faith Giamboi, Treasurer Mary Beth Doherty, Director is published quarterly, March, June, September and December. Member- I know the new Board will do a great job and look forward to seeing ship dues are $20.00 single and $25.00 family, and are for the calendar what the future holds for NJLHS! year. Back issues are available free for members joining mid-year. All ma- terials are copyrighted and cannot be borrowed or reproduced without per- ANOTHER YEAR AT SANDY HOOK mission of the New Jersey Lighthouse Society. The NJLHS - New Jersey Al Smith Lighthouse Society, Inc., is a non-profit educational corporation (501c3). September 26th closed out another (fiscal) year at Sandy Hook. And a OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS very trying one at that. While the year started out well, thanks to Ken Schumacher’s leadership, it quickly deteriorated when the new regime President Mary Beth Doherty (973) 978-0129 at The National Park Service saw fit to come in and ‘change things’ 1st VP Brett Franks (856) 256-0881 2nd VP Cindy Mitzen (908) 281-6879 without ever attempting to see what was being done. Unfortunately, Treasurer Faith Giamboi (732) 350-9595 what SHOULD and COULD have been a productive training session Rec. Secy Bob Gleason (732) 238-7066 turned into an awful scene which one volunteer described as ’being in Corresp. Secy Jayne Swope (856) 468-2561 fourth grade again’. No one took kindly to that and, as a result, many Director Tom Laverty (732) 872-2966 of our reliable volunteers chose not to participate anymore. Director Doreen Berson (732) 202-7420 Director Jim Cope (609) 587-6266 Unfortunately, this caused us to have to rely on just a few volunteers Director Anthony Albence (302) 983-3200 (especially tour guides) to continue the project started some 14 years Director Mike Boucher (845) 787-4807 ago. COMMITTEES My thanks go especially go to tour guides Bob Zarling, Anita Norris Archivist Vacant and Goldie Jadczak who picked up much of the ‘slack’ caused by these Beam Editor Mike Boucher (845) 787-4807 defections. We also had to rely on the help of the NPS to provide staff Beam Assistant Editor Judy Boucher (845) 787-4807 to fill in when we could not muster enough tour guides. Many thanks, Community Outreach Chair Anthony Albence (302) 983-3200 also, to Rich Wikander, who, on VERY short notice came in to man Education Outreach Bob Gleason (732) 238-7066 the gift shop when no one was available. Historian Co-Chairs Jim & Nancy Cope (609) 587-6266 Historian Co-Chairs Mike & Judy Boucher (845) 787-4807 In spite of all that, we still managed to provide tours to 4,800 people Hospitality Co-Chairs Linda & Bob Gleason (732) 238-7066 and to ‘interact’ with an additional 8,130 visitors. All this came from a Hospitality Co-Chairs Carol & George Naill (215) 657-4559 contribution of 2,496 volunteer hours. Membership Co-Chair Linda & Bob Gleason (732) 238-7066 Membership Co-Chair Carol & George Naill (215) 657-4559 The TOP TEN volunteers are: Preservation Chair Brett Franks (856) 256-0881 Lois Mumie (who would have guessed!) with 376.65 hours. Bob Programs Cindy Mitzen (908) 281-6879 Zarling was 2nd with 260 hours. I had 219.75 hours, followed by Sue Publicity Anthony Albence (302) 983-3200 Mazza at 135.25, Annette Colt with 106.5, Jean Burgess with 95.5, Sandy Hook Coordinator Al Smith (856) 546-7810 Pat Hospador at 90.25 hours. Mae Rugg has 83.75 hours for 8th and Trips Chairperson Apryl Roach (609) 799-0008 Judith Patterson followed with 72.35 hours. Anita Norris rounded out Ways & Means Carol Winkie (856) 468-6199 the group with 72 hours. Webmaster Howie Wright (908) 725-9782 NJLHS Web Site: http://www.njlhs.org This small group accounted for 1,512 of the volunteer hours or just Trips Email address: [email protected] over 60%. NJLHS Email address: [email protected] While I appreciate the efforts of EVERYONE, you can understand The BEAM Email address: [email protected] NJLHS Announcements: (732) 291-4777 why I offer a hearty WELL DONE to these 10 people. Society Address: Beam Address: The Sandy Hook volunteers will be looking for a new ‘leader’ in the NJLHS, Inc. Mike Boucher coming year as I will not be coming back. I hope the future of the P. O. Box 332 15 Starrow Dr. program turns brighter and that it continues to flourish for years to Navesink, NJ 07752-0332 Newburgh, NY 12550 come. Page 2 T he Beam AN OPEN LETTER TO COMMUNITIES Brett P. Franks, Preservation Chair Today our society has radically changed Well in Sea Isle City, New Jersey there ent. The fear is not being profitable. But from what was just a few decades ago. once stood a lighthouse. I say once because the question is why when the cost is our Traveling this country it is easy to see for those of you who do not know, it was heritage. we are losing what was once celebrated demolished in early September. Those as- about the vast land called America, dif- sociated fought a good fight for almost six I’d like to thank all the members of “The ferences. Diversity was something that years trying save that historic building. Friends of Ludlum Beach Lighthouse” made us special. We were the melting And while it would be easy to blame the and those of you in NJLHS who helped pot for the world. And as such our politicians at so many levels throughout the us try to preserve this lighthouse, even nation became a conglomeration of state, it would just be scapegoating. They if it was just a shadow of its former self. language, culture, food, art and archi- simply play to the masses in order to hold We may have lost this battle but the war tecture. People wanted to travel this the office, so in effect it’s the people who to protect our maritime legacy contin- land to see and experience the changes are ultimately at fault. The people failed ues and hopefully the lesson here will for themselves. Whole vacations were to save the lighthouse because they were rededicate each of you to the continuing spent in our cars logging mile after mile scared. efforts. on highways to see the Wild West, the Old South, the Heartland and every oth- They were scared to be different, to not be THE LAST DAY OF LUDLAM er corner of the United States. Remem- identical with every other shore town. To BEACH LIGHTHOUSE ber the saying ‘it’s not the destination be considered less affluent, less refined be- 1885 - 2010 cause they might have to get their coffee but the journey that counts’? But that Elinor Veit was before we got scared. from the diner and not that trendy new store with cute Italian sounding names for the Somewhere in the last 30 years some- sizes. That might result in a ‘less desirable one convinced us all that diversity was location’ tag being hung on the town and bad. They guised it under the theory of in property terms that means lower value. being politically correct and that being Remember we aren’t discussing homes like equal meant identical. I’m not going to families had 30 years ago. Now everything drag our social morays into this, but is an asset and disposable, like cars and I do want to focus on one disturbing wedding rings.