def #174 08/09
LIGHTHOUSE CHALLENGE
DISPLAY AT LIBRARY
TOMS RIVER -- Each fall the New Jersey Lighthouse Society invites the public to take a challenge to visit the state's 11
land-based lighthouses and two 1st order Fresnel lens in one weekend. The Society provides a free memento at each
location featuring its likeness. The only way to collect a complete set is to visit each lighthouse. Upon doing that the
participants receive a bonus souvenir signifying a successful completion of the challenge.
A display featuring past mementos along with information about the challenge is on display in the lobby of the Toms River
Branch of the Ocean County Library, 101 Washington St.
Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari, who serves as liaison for the library and tourism for Ocean County, which is home to two of
the beacons, said, "The challenge is a great family event and since one need not climb the lighthouses to participate,
it is appealing to all age groups."
Volunteers from the New Jersey Lighthouse Society coordinate the event which is Oct. 17 and 18 this year. All lighthouses
will be open from 8 am to 6 pm, with those sponsoring the optional night climbs remaining open until 8 pm.
Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari, who serves as tourism and library liaison for Ocean County invites the public to see a
display in the library's lobby of the free mementos the challenge has awarded throughout the years along with some
details about taking the challenge.
"As home to two of the 11 beacons, we're happy to support the event and have provided a coloring page featuring Barnegat
and Tucker's Island Lighthouses for youngsters visiting Ocean County's two icons," he said.
Lighthouses are located at Twin Lights, Highlands; Sea Girt Lighthouse, Sea Girt; Barnegat Lighthouse, Barnegat Light;
Hereford Inlet, North Wildwood; East Point, Heislerville; and Finns Point, Pennsville with optional night climbs also
being offered at Sandy Hook, Fort Hancock; Tucker's Island, Tuckerton; Absecon, Atlantic City; Cape May Lighthouse,
Cape May; and Tinicum, Paulsboro. The first order Fresnel lens are found at Barnegat Light and Cape May County
Historical Museums.
Bonus souvenirs also can be obtained on optional pre-challenge boat rides visiting water-based lighthouse on Oct. 16.
The Spirit of Cape May cruise on the Delaware Bay starts at 10 am for five or six hours at $85 which includes a
luncheon buffet. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 845-787-4807. The Captain John Cruiser leaves from
Keyport at 3 pm and cruises the Raritan Bay for three hours and includes a Raw Bar and Hors d'oeuvres. For reservations
call 856-346-9030. Both events are sponsored by the NJ LIghthouse Society.
Another bonus is offered by a visit to the future site of the Ludlam's Beach Lighthouse in Sea Isle City. Participants
also can view the near-by lighthouse which currently is a private residence.
To start the challenge, one just shows up at any lighthouse where there will be a four-color brochure with hours,
directions and instructions.
Vicari said, "It is amazing that dozens of lighthouse volunteers join forces to coordinate this massive multi-county
event which draws thousands of people from multiple states and even a few foreign countries each year. Doreen Berson
of Brick, one of our local residents, has coordinated this event for several years and, in more recent times, has
been joined by a co-chair, Laura Portee of North Plainfield. Without their dedicated effort and the support of the
corps of volunteers, an event of this scope would not be possible."
To talk to someone who has taken the challenge, call 732-929-2000. To learn more about it, visit
www.njlhs.org
