Dear Friends of Sandy Hook,
Congratulations to Team Beach Ratts for winning Hunt the Hook last month! Their team was one of three who got 15 out of 16 answers correct, and they won the lottery. We'd like to give a huge shout out to our sponsors Lusty Lobster, Betsy and Bob Barrett, the Lilleston Family, Victoria Nilsson, and EMedia Nation for their generous support of the event.
On May 20, from 5:30 – 8:00, we will be hosting our fundraiser, the Summer Soiree, at Spermaceti Cove Lifesaving Station. If you didn't receive an invitation in the mail, you can also purchase your tickets HERE. Don't miss this special opportunity to see the restored building which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and enjoy delicious food and beverages from Red Horse by David Burke, and raw bar by Lusty Lobster, while supporting the efforts of The Sandy Hook Foundation. Live music by The Danjos will make this kick-off to summer complete! See you at the beach!
The Staff and Board of Trustees of the Sandy Hook Foundation
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Team Beach Ratts - 2022 Hunt the Hook Winner at SHF's Hydration Station near Lot M |
Meet
Bob Galante
Water Plant Operations Supervisor
Water, water everywhere, and lots of drops to drink! Sandy Hook is unique for many reasons, especially its geography and location as a 6-mile peninsula which juts out between two bodies of salty water, the Atlantic Ocean and the Raritan Bay. One might consider, where does the fresh and potable water, supplied to the 2.3 million people who come to Sandy Hook each year, come from?
Ask Bob Galante, who is the water Plant Operations Supervisor. Bob has been at Sandy Hook for the last 8 years, and truly is an expert on all things water at Sandy Hook. A United States Navy veteran, Bob served during the Persian Gulf War's operation Desert Storm in the (distilling unit) Main Propulsion Division as a machinist mate, working on distilling units in the main engine rooms on the USS America aircraft carrier. His training and service serve Sandy Hook well, as the park sources, filters, and distributes its own water to the millions of people who use the park each year. Sandy Hook has a full-service public water system which Bob is responsible for operating and maintaining.
Sandy Hook’s water is drawn from a 900 foot well just down the road from the water plant, tucked away on Randolph Road. Visitors pass it every day, but it’s set back from the road, and is a secure area with its own generator. The building itself was the former electric station for Sandy Hook, and remnants of that era’s equipment can still be seen inside, along with a historic sign indicating which areas of Sandy Hook could have been cut off from power with the flip of a large lever.
Due to its strategic relevance throughout history as an important resource both in war and in peace, Sandy Hook has many functions and services that require 24 hours a day, 7 days a week oversight. Keeping the lighthouse lit to aid navigation is one that comes to mind for most people, but many don’t realize that overseeing the water operations plant is another. Bob recalls his time in the Navy on the aircraft carrier because it was a similar situation. Due to the size of the ship, USS America couldn’t pull into ports to “plug in,” requiring the (machinist crew) Main Propulsion Division to work one day on, one day off in two shifts, to keep the ship’s operations running. Today at Sandy Hook, the water plant requires the same kind of attention, however it’s now just Bob and his small staff of one who keep the fresh water flowing.
After his 6 years of military service, Bob looked to find a fit to build from his experience in the Navy, so he took a deeper dive into water treatment. In 1994, he started working for a small water company in Ocean County, which gave him the ability to work towards licensing required depending on the job being sought. Today, Bob holds all five licenses issued by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), which include a water treatment license and a water distribution license. He attends training and license review every three years, and he recalls the biggest emergency in his time at Sandy Hook when a 10” water main break drained the entire system, requiring a full flush of this 2,044-acre park.
Bob and fellow NPS staff take daily walks for exercise and truly appreciate the scenery Sandy Hook offers. Bob loves nature and seeing the glistening blue Atlantic as he comes over the bridge every day for work. He also appreciates his membership in the NJ Water Association, which is a nonprofit that provides valuable resources to its members such as training, conferences, and support regarding running water systems. When Bob is attending the annual two-day conference, Sandy Hook’s water plant is overseen by Matt Brescia, who serves as the back up to the water plant while also doing his regular job as Buildings and Utilities Supervisor.
The Sandy Hook Foundation is grateful to have Bob and Matt on our team for our most recent project, the two hydration stations installed along the Multi Use Path. Station #1 is up and running and is located near Lot M, and Station #2, located adjacent to Camp Gateway, is on schedule to be running by this Memorial Day. These hydration stations provide interpretive signage teaching visitors about water usage on Sandy Hook and the need to avoid plastic bottles, and they are a source of fresh drinking water for thirsty campers, hikers, walkers, and bikers within the park. Bob credits friends at the local Atlantic Highlands water and sewer department as being supportive as he maps out running new water lines and needed equipment for the job. They are happy to pitch in and help.
Bob stays optimistic in what he considers a struggling field. He commented that during the pandemic, New Jersey lost several hundred water operators due to retirement, and he encourages a new generation of people to become educated and learn more about careers in this field of critical work.
Bob married his sweetheart Veronica a few years back, and he takes care of his elderly mother in his home along with 2 of his stepsons and their three cats, one being a Sandy Hook stray/rescue. Aside from his daily walks, he enjoys kayaking and golfing, and is a member of the American Legion in Toms River and plays in their shuffleboard and horseshoe leagues with fellow veterans. Bob believes the Earth works in cycles and asks the question, "Why wouldn’t we better ourselves and learn as we go along?" A recent installation of solar panels on his house has led to a reduction in his monthly bill and the positive feeling of giving back to the planet.
Indeed the National Park Service is lucky to have this talented and dedicated staff member who works diligently behind the scenes to make sure all those who visit, work, and play at Sandy Hook have fresh, flowing water at their fingertips.
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The Sandy Hook Foundation Named Charity Partner for Jersey Shore Half Marathon
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The Sandy Hook Foundation is pleased to be named as the official Charity Partner of the 2022 Jersey Shore Half Marathon scheduled for October 2 on Sandy Hook and produced by the Shore Athletic Club, (Shore A.C.). During registration, participants will have the option to make a tax-deductible donation to The Sandy Hook Foundation through the event website, to support our work within the park. The Foundation will also be present on race day. Race registration goes up to $60 from $50 in June so reserve today! For more information about The Sandy Hook Foundation, please email info@sandyhooknj.org, visit the website at www.sandyhooknj.org, or call 732-291-7733.
For questions or more information about the Jersey Shore Half Marathon, contact race coordinator Erin O’Neill. Both groups look forward to seeing you at the beach on Sunday, October 2, 2022.
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The Sandy Hook Lighthouse Keepers Quarters/Visitor Center and gift shop are now open on the weekends!
Call 732-872-5970 to plan your trip before you go!
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The Sandy Hook Foundation (SHF) has achieved the 2022 Platinum Seal of Transparency from Guidestar/Candid, the highest level of transparency. Guidestar's mission is to revolutionize philanthropy by providing information that advances transparency, enables users to make better decisions, and encourages charitable giving. |
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Join us at the historic life saving station, made available to
The Sandy Hook Foundation and our guests by the
National Park Service, for this special evening.
SUMMER SOIREE
Friday, May 20, 2022
5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
RAW BAR by LUSTY LOBSTER
LITE BITES, SIGNATURE COCKTAILS and
WINE and BEER SELECTIONS
by Chef David Burke & Red Horse by David Burke
LIVE MUSIC by THE DANJOS
Space is Limited
SILENT AUCTION
Exclusive Sandy Hook Experiences
Camping at the Sold-Out Camp Gateway
Two sold out weekends including Father's Day and July 4th
with two campsites each weekend, on your own private loop, not available to the public in 2022
Private Behind the Scenes Tours for
Small Groups
See areas of Sandy Hook not open to the public, learn how facilities work
Sandy Hook Stay in Beautiful Waterfront
Officer's Row House
3 nights in September, October or November
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Earliest known photograph of The Fort Hancock U.S. Life Saving Service Station, c. 1900 |
The Fort Hancock U.S. Life Saving Service Station, also known as Spermaceti Cove No. 2 Life Saving Service Station, is located on Sandy Hook, a unit of Gateway National Recreation Area. The first station in the USA was located at Sandy Hook, erected in 1848 with federal funds provided by the Newell Act, and is now located to Twin Lights Historic Site. The second station, a Red House-type, was built in 1872. This was replaced by the building you see today, a Duluth-type building. When the Life Saving Service was merged into the United States Coast Guard in 1915, the site became a Coast Guard Station until decommissioned in 1949. It later served as administrative offices for a New Jersey state park, and beginning in 1974 as the Visitors Center for the Sandy Hook Unit, GNRA. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 30, 1981. The building has been restored by the National Park Service following it's decimation during Hurricane Sandy. |
May in the Park
Junior Ranger Angler
Looking for something fun this month? The National Park Service and the American Littoral Society are partnering to teach younger children how to fish. Join them for a day of surf fishing and instruction on the beach. Basics such as casting, knot tying, lure and bait selection, and how to "read" a beach will be covered. All skill levels are welcome. Rods, reels and tackle will be provided. Children between the ages of 7 - 13 are welcome with a supervising adult. Please bring your own lunch and snacks. Please register at the link NJDEP | NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry Program for the NJ Saltwater Fishing Registry, and complete, print, and bring the form with you to the in-person program. This program is free.
Officer's Row House #18, Fort Hancock
Saturday, May 7
10 AM - 2 PM
STARS Astronomy Program; Stars of Sandy Hook
Join park rangers and the S.T.A.R. Astronomy Society to observe the waxing gibbous moon (77% full), Mercury in the western skies, and a variety of constellations. This program is funded by The Sandy Hook Foundation.
Parking Lot E
Wednesday, May 11
8 pm - 10 pm
Scopes and experts will be on hand. No reservations required, open to all. For questions please call 732.872.5970
International Migratory Bird Day
Celebrate annual bird migratio with a park ranger and commit to protecting birds today and in the future. Visitors will look for osprey, herons, egrets, songbirds and other migrants. A spotting scope will be set up on the observation deck. Bring binoculars and wear comfortable shoes.
Parking Lot M
Saturday, May 14
10 AM - 12 PM
Reservations required by calling 732-872-5970 ♥ 1 mile
Secret Places of Sandy Hook
Join a ranger to learn more about the rapid-fire batteries in Fort Hancock. Explore Batteries Peck, Engle, Urmston, and Morris that date from 1898 through 1909. Bring flashlights, headlamps, insect repellent and wear comfortable shoes.
Parking Lot M
Saturday, May 21
6 PM - 8 PM
Reservations required by calling 732-872-5970 ♥ .5 mile
Ocean Fun Day
Spend the day with your family enjoying hands-on fun while learning about our environment. Join New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium and their Ocean Fun Days partners for this popular pre-summer event. Learn how to use a seine net or join the youth scavenger hunt for energy saving tips. Test your sand science knowledge or become a hiker and search for natural treasures on a guided tour. Hear from NJ scientists and researchers all about the inner workings of the ocean and how to protect it for generations to come. Dozens of exhibits and children's activities. Free admission.
Building #22, NJ Sea Grant Consortium
Sunday, May 22
11 AM - 3 PM
Twilight by the Bay
Experience Fort Hancock at twilight with a park ranger. Learn about Fort Hancock's significance over the past 250 years.
Reservations required by calling 732-872-5970 ♥ .5 mile
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First Female Promoted to Supervisor, Law Enforcement Ranger at Sandy Hook
Congratulations to Ellen Bungard, who received her Certificate of Promotion on April 22, 2022 at Sandy Hook Unit Headquarters, Building 26, Gateway National Recreation Area. On Jan. 30, 2022, Ellen was promoted to supervisor, law enforcement ranger, becoming the first female to serve in this capacity at Sandy Hook.
Ellen grew up in Long Island, N.Y., and started her NPS career in the Jamaica Bay Unit as a biological technician in 2008. After two seasons as a bio-tech she was hired as a seasonal law enforcement ranger at the Sandy Hook Unit. Ellen became a permanent law enforcement ranger at Edison National Historic Park in 2011, and then returned to Gateway. Ellen left Gateway for Valley Forge Historic Park in 2015, and most recently was at Independence National Historic Park.
Pictured L-R: Kevin Heuser, Ellen Bungard, Anthony Lordo
NPS Photo/Michael Antczak
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The Sandy Hook Foundation, a designated
501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the
Official Friends Group of the
National Park Service at Sandy Hook.
We rely on your support and
every donation is meaningful.
Please, consider your contribution today.
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