If you answered Lighthouse Steps, you’re right! You’ve prob­ably already seen pictures of his­toric Absecon Lighthouse, New Jersey’s tallest and the country’s third tallest lighthouse.* What you may not have seen if you’ve never climbed to the top are the intricate and original cast iron steps…228 of them to be exact. The Lighthouse was restored and opened to the public in 1999. The interior is completely original, with only an interior hand railing added for safety, and Tivoli lights to illuminate the steps. Before cell phones, Lightkeepers and their wives were able to communicate because of the holes in the steps. One can be standing at the bottom of the Lighthouse and call up to the person at the top - that’s 17 stories away! Today, these steps have become an important fund­raiser for Absecon Lighthouse, as they are for sale for $150 each. A commemorative plaque with a personal message is professionally produced and installed on the purchased step and will remain there forever. It’s a wonderful way to be a part of both our his­tory and our future.

*Tallest: Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
Second: Ponce de Leon, Ponce Inlet, Florida

Many Keepers, One Light

Absecon Lighthouse is open year round, and besides a small paid staff, relies on a corps of dedicated volunteers to assist keeping this magnificent beacon shining. Volunteers help out by working in the gift shop as cashiers, being tour guides at the top of the Lighthouse, helping with mailings, cata­loging press clippings, painting, weeding, etc. Our Volunteer of the Year is Gene Ritsert, of Beesley’s Point. Mr. Ritsert has donated over 300 hours of volun­teer time, mainly as a tour guide at the top. A retired industrial arts teacher from William Penn High School in Lansdowne, Pa., Ritsert also built and donated a sturdy wooden cradle for a life saving boat, as well as a ramp for disabled persons to obtain access to the new Fresnel lens exhibit in the old Oil House. Mr. Ritserts’ easy-going, polite and informational personality lend to the fun experience awaiting visitors at Absecon Lighthouse. Congratulations Gene!

“I Feel More Like a Part of the Community”

How do you spend free time after retiring from the casino indus­try with 28 years in management? Volunteering at Absecon Lighthouse of course! Mary Lou Antinozzi has a fascinating background, having been in charge of a casino Facilities Department and directing its mostly male staff for 23 of those 28 years. As an active community member, serving on the Financial Executive Committee for United Way, among other endeavors, Ms. Antinozzi was already used to serving non-profits. But once approached about becoming a volunteer in a time of great need, she jumped in and is not looking back. Asked what she likes about being a volunteer at Absecon Lighthouse, Ms. Antinozzi says, “I love meet­ing people from all over the country and the world. It’s very engaging getting into all sorts of conversations. Until I volunteered here, I never real­ized how many different things the Lighthouse is involved in. Being here, I feel more like a part of the community. And just as the staff promised me when they asked me to climb to the top and be the host tour guide up there, the view is definitely worth it!”