Take the October NJ Lighthouse Challenge

NEW JERSEY LIGHTHOUSE CHALLENGE ACTIVITIES IN OCEAN COUNTY The New Jersey Lighthouse Challenge, set for Oct. 17 and 18, covers seven southern New Jersey counties and invites the public to visit all 11 land based lighthouses and two 1st order Fresnel lenses housed in near-by museums during the weekend. The lighthouses border the Atlantic Ocean, Delaware Bay and the Delaware River offering visitors wonderful views, but they need not be climbed to participate in the challenge. There is no charge for the challenge, however donations are accepted and some lighthouses charge for the climb. A free memento is awarded at each lighthouse with those visiting all the beacons receiving a special souvenir. Bonus activities, which are not required for the challenge, include a visit to Ludlam’s Beach Lighthouse site in Sea Island City where an original lighthouse is in the process of being acquired and two boat trips to see lighthouses in Raritan and Delaware Bays for which reservations are required. The Raritan trip is $60 and will take three hours, including a raw bar and hors d’oeuvres. The Delaware trip is $85, includes a buffet lunch and will take five to six hours. More details are available at www.njlhs.org. Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari who serves as Ocean County’s tourism liaison, recommends the challenge as a family activity. “Many of the lighthouses sponsor special events on this day, so while youngsters climb, parents and grandparents can visit the lighthouse museums or attend the mini-festivals,” he suggests. Freeholder Vicari said, “This lighthouse event has such broad appeal, it is not unusual to see a group of motorcyclists, a pack of Cub Scouts, some senior citizens and a couple of families in line to receive their visit memento.” Ocean County, home of Barnegat Lighthouse and Tuckers Island Lighthouse, has embraced the challenge by sponsoring a number of local events. Branches of the Ocean County Library system are sponsoring special activities including lighthouse photo and art contests, speakers on the history of lighthouses, the birds that frequent them and a story hour. Some of the branches will feature special exhibits in their lobby display areas. The Ocean County Parks & Recreation Department will close out the month with a campfire at the base of “Old Barney.” Activities being sponsored in the county include: Sept. 28-30 Deadline for Lighthouse Photography Contest Ocean County Library, Jackson Branch, 2 Jackson Dr., Jackson For rules call 732-928-4400 or visit www.theoceancountylibrary.org Sept. 1 - Oct. 31 New Jersey Lighthouse Challenge Exhibit Toms River Branch of the Ocean County Library, 101 Washington St., Toms River 732-349-6200, www.theoceancountylibrary.org Mementos of past challenges and brochures of the 10th annual on Oct. 17 & 18 Sept. 15 Barnegat Light is for the Birds Presentation Ocean County Library, Jackson Branch, 2 Jackson Dr., Jackson 7 pm. Birder Michael Mandracchia will introduce the audience to the variety of birds that visit "Old Barney" throughout the year Register by calling 732-928-4400, free Oct. 1-31 Juried Exhibit of Lighthouse-themed Art Ocean County Library, 101 Washington St., Toms River Branch 732-349-6200, www.theoceancountylibrary.org Presented by the Ocean County Artists Guild in tribute to the 10th Anniversary of the New Jersey Lighthouse Challenge . Oct. 3 History of New Jersey's Lighthouses Ocean County Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson Branch 10 am 732-928-4400, www.theoceancountylibrary.org Bob Volpe of the New Jersey Lighthouse Society presents the talk . Oct. 12 - 19 Interview with Birder Michael Mandracchia via podcast www.theoceancountylibrary.org Topic is variety of birds that visit Barnegat Lighthouse State Park throughout the year, sponsored by the Jackson Branch of the Ocean County Library 732-928-4400 Oct. 15 "Leave a Light On" family story time Ocean County Library, 112 Burr St., Barnegat branch 6:30 pm 609-609-698-3331, www.theoceancountylibrary.org Featuring lighthouse stories, trivia and a craft project for children to make their own replica of the Old Barney lighthouse in tribute to the 10th Anniversary of the New Jersey Lighthouse Challenge on Oct. 17 & 18 when visitors can try to visit all 11 landbased beacons in one weekend. Oct. 18 Reception for Juried Exhibit of Lighthouse Themed Art Ocean County Library, 101 Washington St., Toms River Branch 1 p.m. 732-349-6200, www.theoceancountylibrary.org Presented by Ocean County Artists Guild in tribute to the 10th Anniversary of the New Jersey Lighthouse Challenge on Oct. 17 & 18 when visitors can try to visit all 11 landbased beacons in one weekend. Oct. 30 Full Moon Campfire at Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, Barnegat Light 7 pm 609-971-3085, www.oceancountyparks.org Join Story Teller Robin Mooreas, bring chairs, marshmallows and a stick to roast ‘em, open for climbing, New Jersey was the first state in the nation to host a land based lighthouse challenge. The Lighthouse Society partners with Long Island’s group which held its challenge earlier this year in May, and Maryland, which is sponsoring its challenge Sept. 19 and 20, to award special souvenirs to those completing two or more challenges. To begin the New Jersey challenge, start at any lighthouse. A brochure with directions will be available at the sites or on the Internet at www.njlhs.org. Vicari paid tribute to the dedicated New Jersey Lighthouse Society volunteers, who coordinate the event, with the lighthouse administrators. He said, “It is no small feat to get the 11 venues opened at the same time, especially since they are owned and operated in many different ways.” Co-chairs of the challenge are Doreen Berson, Brick, and Laura Portee. The mission of the event is to create awareness of the state’s lighthouses, to promote their preservation and to help them ------------------------------------------------- New Jersey Lighthouse Society sponsored events: Oct. 16 Lighthouses by Boat Raritan Bay aboard the Captain John Cruiser, 3 pm - 6 pm, $60 includes raw bar and hors d’oeuvres, 856-346-9030 Delaware Bay aboard the Spirit of Cape May, 10 am to 3pm - 4pm, $85 includes buffet lunch, 845-787-4807 Reservations required, see the water based lighthouses on central and southern New Jersey, sponsored by the NJ Lighthouse Society, free memento of trip, but not required for lighthouse challenge. Oct. 17 & 18 10th Annual New Jersey Lighthouse Challenge Along the Atlantic Ocean, Delaware Bay and Delaware River 8am to 6 pm (night climbs at certain lighthouses to 8 pm) www.njlhls.org, njlgh@njlhs.org To raise awareness and education the public about lighthouses, take the challenge to visit the 11-landbased NJ lighthouses and two 1st order Fresnel lenses in museums in one weekend, climbing not necessary to participate, free memento at each lighthouse, sponsored by the NJ Lighthouse Society