Recent Happenings

RECENT HAPPENINGS Summer/Early Fall Wrap-Up

This summer certainly seemed like a return to normalcy in many ways. The Cape May Lighthouse was a happening place with daily attendance slightly outpacing 2019. Most Wednesdays in July and August saw the grounds extra busy with Family Fun Crafts Shows organized by Director of Visitor Services and Special Events Janice Corkery. We celebrated National Lighthouse Day on the grounds on August 7.This year the weather has been especially cooperative allowing us to entertain visitors on Full Moon Climbs every month from April to October. Two exciting new projects are happening at the Lighthouse. Thanks to Ben Ross, we’ve created a facsimile of the original privy which will serve as a ticket and information kiosk, and we’ve begun to install a new memorial brick paver pathway. Chief Operating Officer Melissa Payne has organized this as a fundraiser for the Lighthouse. It’s a wonderful way to memorialize your love for the tower or to remember a loved one. More information by CLICKING HERE.

The Emlen Physick Estate was hopping as well. In addition to the ever-popular guided tours which focused on the preservation/restoration of the house, we offered Magic & Mystery House Tours for those interested in the strange and mysterious and Historic Haunts Combo Tours for the ghost loving among us. Our Clueless at the Physick Estate troupe hit the boards with an engaging “whodunnit” mystery written by Jackie Fazio Tuesday and Thursday nights. The grounds were equally as busy with festivals, crafts and collectible shows, and performances. REV Theater returned in August with Honky Tonkin’, featuring retro country hits.

Our Craft Beer, Music & Crab Festival returned on August 14 with all the sights, sounds and tastes of summer. We ran into a supply chain issue planning the event- we found crabs hard to come by- and only managed to confirm delivery the week of the event. There was a collective sigh of relief when the truck pulled down Washington Street. Saturday morning. PNC Bank was again the main sponsor of the event, with support from Gold Coast

Production Management, DeSatnick Real

Estate and Coastal Marketing Group/ REMAX Surfside. Not quite as busy as it has been in the past, the event was still a rousing success and generated significant support for our Museum Education Division.

On August 25, we hosted Bailen on the outdoor stage. An indie, acoustic singer/ songwriter group of siblings that has appeared at the Cape May Music Festival, Bailen appeared with members of the New York Chamber Ensemble (including Mom and Pop Eliot Bailen and Susan Rotholz) and Bay Atlantic Symphony under the baton of Jed Gaylin. The luscious strings and woodwinds enhanced the tight harmonies and evocative lyrics. It was quite a night under the stars.

Photo by Aleksey Photography

Shown here, a group photo of all guests at Cape May MAC’s 50th Anniversary (1970-2020) Celebration on Sept. 19, 2021. The photo will be printed and included in the time capsule to be opened in 50 years. For more photos and a list of awards, please see pages 12-13.

NEWSLETTER

Published by Cape May MAC, a not-for-profit corporation P.O. Box 340, Cape May, NJ 08204 • Phone: 609-884-5404 New Jersey Relay Center for TTY Customers: 800-852-7899 Web Site: www.capemaymac.org • E-Mail: info@capemaymac.org

Editor: Jody Alessandrine • Assistant Editor: Jean Barraclough Contributors: Sandra Adams, Susan Krysiak, Anna Marie Leeper, Kelly Redington and Mary E. Stewart

OUR MISSION

Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture) is a multifaceted not-for-profit organization committed to promoting the preservation, interpretation, and cultural enrichment of the Cape May region for its residents and visitors. ---- v ----

OUR VISION

Preserving Cape May’s rich heritage and assuring its vitality through superior cultural programs and events

Cape May MAC’s public history programs are funded in part by the New Jersey Historical Commission in the Department of State.