The Twin Lights has a way of attracting lovers, and the Twin Lights Historical Society hears stories frequently that prove it’s so. This includes hearing from couples and families near and far some of whom had their first date here, others got engaged here, others had their weddings here.

To celebrate all, the Historical Society is hosting a “Lover’s Tea” Saturday, February 24, from 4:15pm until 6:45pm. Admission is free.

“This is our first attempt at such an event, but we have already received interest from couples who attended our fall full moon night climbs last year,” said Bev Kugele, Vice President of the Twin Lights Historical Society.

“Specifics have not yet been finalized, but the accent is on each couple have a memorable time,” the vice-chairman said.  “We also welcome those who may have lost their loved one, but who would like to celebrate their memories here by attending,” she added.

The day and time for the Lovers Tea was designed to align with the February full moon, which rises over the Atlantic in front of the Twin Lights night.

The event is planned to be High Tea, complete with teacakes and other assorted treats and beverages, including tea. The event committee would benefit from hearing from interested parties, in order to complete plans for the event.

Tea service begins at 4:15 p.m. February 24, with sunset at approximately 5:30p.m., moon rise, about 6:00 pm and the closing of the ceremony at 6:45 p.m.

For more information on events, as well as membership information, visit www.twinlightslighthouse.org  or follow the Twin Lights Historical Society on Facebook.

The Twin Lights State Historic Site is owned and operated by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Parks, Forestry & Historic Sites (“NJ Parks”). Nick Wood, RIS-History, the full time NJ Parks Curator at the site, offers private tours by appointment for a small fee (so worth it!). See below for more details or contact Nick directly at Nicholas.Wood@dep.nj.gov.

For the most up to date information on hours, call (732) 872-1814 or go to https://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/historic/twinlights.html.

The Twin Lights Historical Society is the officially recognized friends group for NJ Parks at the Twin Lights.  The role and purpose of the society at the site is to support and assist NJ Parks in its operations and exhibit development through financial support as well as volunteer services at the site. The Society invests all donations, memberships and proceeds from the Twin Lights Museum Store to improve visitor experience and online public relations, including new exhibits, paid internships for local high school and college students, as well as special projects.  For more information about the Twin Lights and its illustrious history, go to www.twinlightslighthouse.org or call (732) 872-1814

Visitor Information is available by mail to the Lighthouse at 2 Lighthouse Road, Highlands, NJ 07732 or by calling (732) 872-1814

Grounds are open every day from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM

HIGHLANDS –   It took less than half an hour, but in that time the governing body of Highlands, the Mayor and Council, in the absence of Councilman Leo Cervantes, unanimously”

• Honored MAST Cadet Russell Karshmer for designing one side of the New Jersey (SNN796) Commissioning Coin
• Approved an amendment to the Zoning and Land Use ordinance to name the construction official, rather than the borough engineer, the Flood Plain administrator with authority to delegate duties of employee employees
• Authorized an agreement with the Twin Lights Condominium Association to reimburse up to a specific length the association’s self-plowing during snow.
• Paid bills and authorized refunds for tax overpayment, one application fee, and retroactive back pay to employee Joe Walling for errors made in previous years
• Approved a grant application for $20,000 to the state Department of Agriculture for reduction and chemical control treatment of the spotted lanternfly.
• Waived the ban on serving alcohol on February 10 for the Elementary School PTO fund raising Sip & Paint event.
• And approved membership in the Highlands Fire Department for Spencer Patrick Branin as recommended by Fire Chief William Caizza.

Council members also gave reports on their committees and had discussions both from Council woman Chelak and borough resident Joseph Doran about the importance of trees and proper removal of them, and expressed pleasure at a recent Two River Times newspaper article that was positive and good news about their reorganization meeting.

Council then went into executive session for another approximately 45 minutes to discuss possible le litigation and to talk about tree removal regulations, with no action taken on either matter after the meeting.

Resident Doran, who lives on Valley Avenue and frequently attends the sparsely attended council meetings, reminded council members that removing trees for specific reasons is “a judgement call” and a qualified person is needed to make those decisions. He pointed out the replacement of trees, with many having been lost since Sandy, should be enforced and pointed out that many have never been placed, creating silt runoff problems. He pointed out the intrinsic value of trees in preventing runoff and flooding, with the governing body agreeing with him and thanking him for his interest and suggestions.

  Eagle Scouts

It was a conversation with the former pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help St. Agnes Church that gave Kevin Connelly the idea for his project to attain the Eagle Scout rating, the highest award in Boy Scouts.

Kevin, son of Kevin and Michelle Connelly of Highlands, earned his Eagle Scout award before graduating from Henry Hudson Regional School in 2019. However, because of the Covid epidemic, he was never able to be honored at an Eagle Court of Honor ceremony until a Court of Honor on January 6 in the OLPH auditorium with approximately 100 people in attendance.

Kevin had approached the Rev. Fernando Lamas, then pastor of the Highlands church, and asked for suggestions on a project that would help others, be difficult, and would take several workers.  Father suggested Kevin take on the renovation of the cabinets at the church’s Food Pantry, located in the basement of the church.

It was a challenge he relished, the boy scout said, and he gathered his working team of eight scouts, did his research on types of wood, proper renovating techniques and other information and set about completing the task. Kevin said once he had it planned, the actual work only took a few days. Sanding the old wood to perfection was probably the most difficult part of the job.

Now an ironworker with Local 11 of the ironworkers union, Kevin praised Troop 22’s Thomas A. Welch, Jr. for being a mentor for him. Welch is assistant troop master of Troop 22, as well as Eagle Advisor and Committee head, and presented Kevin with his Eagle Award.

Kevin earned an undergraduate degree at Brookdale after high school graduation before beginning his current work with Local11.

In the book each Eagle Scout presented as part of his display at the Court of Honor, Kevin received letters of commendation from Governor Murphy, who praised his courage, resourcefulness and integrity and admired his talent, as well as congratulatory letters from Attorney General Garland former President Donald Trump, and the Massachusetts Governor and Lieutenant Governor.