RECENT HAPPENINGS Fall Wrap-Up

Sept. 16 was the perfect day for our annual Harvest Brew Fest. We could not have asked for better weather. Mackie the Stilt Walker (John McNair) was at the end of the driveway, greeting visitors, posing for photos, and occasionally helping members of the Cape May Police Department direct traffic. Volunteer Coordinator Anne Walsh, relatively new to her position, jumped in with both feet to recruit the scores of volunteers needed to make the event run smoothly. She had particular help from one volunteer, Joe Mammarella, who recruited his son and fiancée to help and got his wife to sign up for future volunteer shifts. The family that volunteers for Cape May MAC events always has fun doing it! We had thousands of visitors that day enjoying local brews, food trucks and the tunes of Fat Mezz and Animal House

The Cape May Lighthouse was a happening place through the late summer and early fall. We continued with our Full Moon Climbs and Stairways to the Stars, treating visitors to nighttime climbs. We participated in the Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey welcoming visitors from all over New Jersey, 27 states and three foreign countries. Tour Director Nanci Coughlin and her partner in crime Rosemary Rombado, Manager of Tour Operations, greeted more than 1,000 Challenge participants, many of whom have become friends from participating year after year. Nanci reported that one visitor always ends the Challenge at our Lighthouse to add to his collection of shells painted by Keeper Janie McNutt. The Cape

May Lighthouse celebrated its 164th birthday on Oct. 31, with cupcakes and cider. We also unveiled three new interpretive panels, one dedicated to the keepers who have served here; one dedicated to Belle Palmer, the only woman to have served here as Custodian; and a third detailing the heroic story of six escaped enslaved people who braved the dangers of the Delaware Bay to find their freedom. This last story comes from William Still’s The Underground Rail-

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, Sara Kornacki, Susan Krysiak, Anna Marie Leeper, Evelyn Maguire, Mary E. Stewart and Anne Walsh

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.

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OUR VISION

Preserving Cape May’s rich heritage and assuring its vitality through superior cultural programs and events road, published in 1872. Cape May County artist Chanelle René illustrated the third panel for us.

Back at the Physick Estate, the Clueless crew wrapped up their summer series, and switched into Phantoms of the Physick Estate mode. This year’s title was Dearly Departed, an original mystery written by Jacky Fazio. Guests who attended had to brave our Scarecrow Alley, which this year had 40 specters on guard on the Physick Estate grounds. IT Director Cathy Baldacchini outdid herself with this installation this year. Cathy collected materials and conducted workshops, ensuring that we would have great participation. We were delighted to host a visit from West Cape May Elementary School students who came to cast their ballots for their favorite scarecrow. Participants in the Cape May Halloween Parade also got to enjoy Scarecrow Alley when the parade ended at the Estate on Sunday, Oct. 22. Nearly 500 costumed paraders assembled at the outdoor stage to hear the results of the judges’ deliberations and receive their trophies. Anne Walsh assembled a group of volunteers to ride in one of trolleys in costume and another group to hand out candy to the participants at the Physick Estate.

Ghosts and spirits were pretty much an

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