This newsletter is filled with great updates and recognition of great people who have helped make it all happen. Enjoy!
Please mark you calendars the next
General Meeting will be on October 15 in the park. We look forward to seeing you there.
But hopefully we will see you before then at the
Beach Plum Festival and
Barrier Island Classic.
- Friends of Island Beach State Park
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Barrier Island Classic
Join a new tradition of surfing on the Jersey shore
The Barrier Island Classic (BIC) JR was a huge success! More than 30 contestants paddled out on a perfect July morning.
The BIC PRO contest is scheduled for Friday, September 16. The contest is open men and women, 18 years +, longboard, shortboard and all skill levels welcome.
Volunteers are needed for the contest. Email
BIC@friendsofislandbeach.org
"The best surfer is the one having the most fun" - Duke Kahanamoku
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Piping Plovers in the Park
Vehicle Barrier lifted and Piping Plovers
This year a piping plover nest was found in the park, the first ocean side nest in more than 25 years and the first in the park in more than a decade.
The Piping Plover are a federally threatened and state endangered species.
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Beach Plum Festival
The Beach Plum Festival is set to be a GREAT event:
- 68 Artisans
- 4 Food Vendors
- 21 Non profits
Come out and join the celebration.
September 11, 2016,
OBA 1
Rain or Shine
Volunteers needed! C
ontact Patricia @
732-841-7527
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In Memoriam: George Symington
We have fond memories of "Jersey George," a longtime member of The Friends of Island Beach State Park and a volunteer at the Nature and Interpretive centers at Island Beach.
We are very fortunate George chose to share his talents and his big, welcoming personality with visitors at Island Beach State Park for eight years. He loved his community, his fire company, motorcycles, his silver convertible Chrysler Sebring with his custom license plates proclaiming him Jersey George, and Island Beach State Park.
George W. Symington, 86, of Beachwood passed away on January 5, 2016. A man of many talents and a volunteer extraordinaire, George graduated from high school at the age of 16, attended N.Y. Tech School to become a Home Heating Mechanic, ran a 40-car parking lot from age 11 to 18, then joined Fort Lee Fire Company at age 21. He proudly served his country in the US Air Force from 1950 - 1954 and then moved to Beachwood where he joined the Beachwood Fire Department in 1955. He was a Lifeguard in the 60's as well as a Assistant Scout Master to his buddy, Scout Master, Ron Moncrief for 20 years. He was employed with AT&T as a Radio Operator for 36 years. He held line office positions in the fire company for 20 years ending as chief.
He was Citizen of the Year in Beachwood in 1987, was 1st President of Toms River South Marching Indians Band Wagon, President of the Allied Council, and Vice President shared with fellow fireman Fred Schlick and charter members of the Fireman's Exempt Association. In 1976 he started the Annual Traditional Tree Lighting and Sing Along Ceremony and ran it for over 20 years and it is currently now in its 40th year.
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Volunteer Kudos!
"Volunteers are not paid -- not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless."
Gate Volunteers
Thank you, t
hank you, thank you, to all of the volunteers who have spent their time collecting at the gate the past few weeks:
Angelo, Patricia and Jack Sica, Jim & Judy Merritt, Brian Barnes, Meghan Holtz, Bonnie Mascola, Bob Schwartz, Ed Yeats, Dick Handschuch, and Billy Stellwag.
Tabling Volunteers
Smiling and engaging visitors and the public is a special talent that Bonnie Delaney and Patty Forman have perfected. Grazie!
Raffle Ticket Volunteers
Special thanks to all the Beach Plum Festival volunteers who helped mail out the raffle tickets to the members. HUGE thanks to all the Friends who eagerly returned the raffle
tickets with their donations.
Barrier Island Classic Volunteers
FOIBSP would like to extend a major thanks to Josh Starner, Alex Faust, Caitrin Dunn, Ammo, Mike Columbo, Scott Goodwin, Bruce & Jackie Hirschaut, and the Bukowskis for pulling together a fabulous event in July. Fingers crossed for another great event in September.
Live Camera & WiFi
Timmy Husar has been diligently working on the live cameras for months. And the new addition of the camera on OBA1 and wifi throughout the park is a testament to his grit.
New Membership Chair
Sandy Bonagura has moved into the role as the Membership Chair. Thanks for coming on board, Sandy.
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Barney and Sedge
It's official! The two baby ospreys in the Pete McLain Osprey Cam Nest, 37D and 38D, now have names.
They will be called BARNEY, after the Barnegat Bay, and SEDGE, after the Sedge Islands. Both are fishing grounds for the ospreys of Island Beach.
We had many great names submitted during our Osprey Naming Contest, including Jack and Mack, Einstein and Shakespeare, Bird 1 and Bird 2, Smoky and Barney, Life and Guard, and Ben and Wurst. But
Sandy Bonagura came up with the names, which are a nod to their environment. Thank you, Sandy!
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Stand Up Paddle Board Raffle
Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20
Winner is picked at the Beach Plum Festival on September 11, 2016.
The paddle board is an Ace-Tec Performer:
11 ft. 6 in. long
32.5 in. wide (Mid)
10 in. Fin/Weight 30 lbs.
250 lb. Weight Capacity
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We're committed to making Island Beach State Park - one of New Jersey's most popular state parks - one of it's best cared for. Thanks for your continued support!
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Renew your membership in the Friends of Island Beach State Park today!
Help us to continue our work of enhancing interpretive, educational, recreational and research programs and events at Island Beach State Park. Last year we contributed approximately $81,000 for various park equipment and programs. Your membership provides the foundation for our work in supporting the park.
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