bws #185 09/07

LIGHTHOUSES PARTICIPATING IN STATE CHALLENGE

TOMS RIVER -- Ocean County's two lighthouses, Barnegat and Tuckers Island, will participate in the 8th Annual New Jersey Lighthouse Challenge during the Oct. 20 and 21 weekend.

Freeholder Director John P. Kelly said that the county will provide a complimentary coloring page of the two Ocean County icons for youngsters visiting those sites in addition to the memento they will receive from the New Jersey Lighthouse Society that sponsors the challenge.

While there are 11 coastal land based lighthouses on the challenge and more off shore, Ocean County is the only county to have its lighthouses on official state license plates. Barnegat Lighthouse plates are dedicated to shore protection, while the Tucker's Island Lighthouse highlights bay heritage. Copies of the plates are included on the coloring page.

Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari, who serves as liaison for tourism and the county library system, arranged to have the challenge featured this month in a lobby display in the Toms River Branch at 101 Washington St. so that residents could learn more about it. The exhibit includes prior mementos given to challengers including baseball cards with modern photographs one year and antique photos the next. Wooden coins with lighthouse images used another year are included. Last year featured one of the most popular collectable versions, a puzzle with a graphic of New Jersey in the background with each of the missing 11 pieces being a photograph of individual lighthouses. By successfully finishing the challenge, the individual had all of the pieces to complete the puzzle. This year's memento is a variation of that theme. There is a bonus for participating in the night climbs at five selected sites. Most lighthouses are open for climbing. Some are free. Others ask for a donation or charge a fee. All lighthouses are open for the challenge from 8 am to 6 pm, with night climbs going to 8 pm on Saturday. Lighthouse operating hours may vary. Most have restrooms.

Freeholder Vicari said, "The Lighthouse Society recorded 1,170 people completing the challenge, traveling through seven counties from the Raritan Bay, along the Atlantic Ocean, around the Delaware Bay and up the Delaware River. They tallied 1,418 individuals visiting Barnegat Lighthouse and 1,588 visiting Tucker's Island at the Tuckerton Seaport."

"We invite challengers from out of the area to use Ocean County as their base and to arrive a day or two early or stay after it is over to enjoy some other activities and venues," Vicari said.

Vicari said, "Since the Lighthouse Society does not require climbing the lighthouses to participate in the challenge and the memento is free, this event suitable for all ages and budgets. We encourage folks to make this a family affair."

The nine other lighthouses are Sandy Hook, Twin Lights, Sea Girt, Absecon, Hereford Inlet, Cape May, East Point, Finn's Point and Tinicum. For information on the challenge and directions, visit www.njlhs.org. Brochures are available at the County Connection in the Ocean County Mall or the Toms River library branch.


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