Past Events & Activities in 2023
Augut 23: Sunset Cruise on the AJ Meerwald for NMHA Members and Guests
Fifty NMHA Member and their Guests enjoyed a sunset cruise out of Atlantic Highalnds into Sandy Hook Bay on the AJ Meerwald, a Delaware Bay Oyster Schooner, built in 1928 (and the New Jersey State Ship!). They enjoyed light food and beverages, including great Navesink" and "Shrewsbury'' beers generously donated by Ross Brewing of Port Monmouth. This event was so enjoyed by all that NMHA will instigate an annual cruise when the AJ Meerwald cruises our local waters.
July 31-August 4: RIVER RANGERS℠ 2023 - the secod week of Canoeing on the Navesink
July 24-28: RIVER RANGERS℠ 2023 - Summer Canoeing Fun on the Navesink
This was first week of a three-week summer program of this award winning on-the-water program for youth age 10-14.
Fifteen intrepid River Rangers paddled and explored the Navesink from various locations, paddled to Rocky Point at Hartshore Woods, paddled on Shadow Lake, and visited Fort Hancock at Sandy Hook, guided by nowledgeable park rangers.
Click HERE to see a pictorial review of the five morning's activities
June 3: Rally for the Rivers Eco-Fest at Victory Park, Rumson. It's a great evnt for young kids!
Organized by Clean Ocean Action and the Rumson Environmental Commission to focus on keeping our local rivers and creeks healthy, this was the fifth Eco-Fest to be held in Victory Park. This gathering of environmental and ecology-friendly organizations entertained and informed adults, youth, and children through fun projects and activities throughout the morning.
May 21: NMHA Members' Spring Social Cruise into Sandy Hook Bay & Navesink Estuary
The Board of Trustees welcomed 36 NMHA Members and their Guests to the 2nd Members event for 2023 (the January Members Dinner was the first). Starting at 0900 from Atlantic Highlands Marina, we cruised into Sandy Hook Bay on Classic Boat Rides's Mariner, spotted some birds still migratng north, and then entered the the picturesque Navesink River to see the local marine and bird life.The Mariner returned to Atlantic Highlands at Noon.
May 6 and 7: A Weekend in Old Monmouth at Grover House, 930 West Front Street, Red Bank, NJ OPEN HOUSE
Navesink Maritime Heritage Association’s Headquarters, the Grover House, was, for the first time, a stop on the Weekend in Old Monmouth Tour. Over 120 visitors explored this circa 1730 house to learn about the home’s history and present use, and how historic preservation goes hand in hand with community projects.Grover House is on the National and State Registers of Historic Places, and successive generations of the Grover family played important roles in the founding of Monmouth County as farmers and traders, including one who became the first clerk of Middletown Township, and another a NJ Legislator.
May 5: Members Reception and Celebration at Grover House
Grover House was on the Weekend on Old Monmouth tour this year and the NMHA Board of Trustees welcomed NMHA Members and Guests to a Reception and Celebration at Grover House where light refreshments were available from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.
Two rooms at Grover house have been renovated (with heat, light, and an ADA bathroom), and a third was renovated to house a small collection of Grover Family memorabilia, and a fourth room may become a reading room and communty meeting place.
April 12: The Two Rivers, a Historical Review Through the Lens of Marine Biology by Richard Kane
At Bahrs Landing Restaurant and via Zoom.
The Navesink River, Shrewsbury River, and Sandy Hook Bay have been the sites of fascinating historical events. Still, only a little research has been done on the history of these estuaries themselves. Richard examined these estuaries, from the last glacial maximum to the modern day, through the lens of physical oceanography, marine biology, and fisheries management. Using these broad historical trends and modern environmental science, he identifed the most pressing threats to our estuaries and discussing their future.
Richard Kanes' presentation was given to a capacity crowd at Bahrs and ovr 26 on Zoom and was very well received. Richard's knowledge and passion, the hightst quality presentation content, and the animated Q&A at the end, made for a very satisfying evening for all.
Richard Kane is a senior at Monmouth University studying Marine Biology and Environmental Policy with minors in GIS, and Irish Studies. He currently works as a field technician for an environmental consulting firm and on the Monmouth University research vessel Heidi Lynn Sculthorpe.
March 15: Apollonia, Sustainable Re-establishment of Maritime Cargo along the Hudson River and New York Harbor.
A presentation by Sam Merrett and Brad Vogel at Bahrs Landing Restaurant and via Zoom
Apollonia is a 64 feet schooner with a 20,000lb cargo capacity operated by dedicated maritime experimentalists in an effort to shift cargoes from fossil fuel driven vessels and vehicles to sustainable energy driven vessels. The Apollonia with its crew has been delivering cargo under sail for several years at 20 ports along the Hudson River and New York Harbor.
The project has been a remarkable success and is providing deep insight into
community building and sustainable transportation.
February 15: Poseidon: Britain's Lost Submarine in China, a documentary movie by Steven Schwankert at Bahrs Landing Restaurant and via Zoom
This exciting and memorable 2013 documentary , The Poseidon Project is about the search for the lost Royal Navy submarine HMS Poseidon. On 9 June 1931, HMS Poseidon, one of the Royal Navy's state-of-the-art submarines, was conducting routine drills near a leased British navy base off the coast of Shandong province when it collided with a Chinese cargo ship, tearing a hole in its starboard side.
Afterwards, American author and scuba diver Steven Schwankert, who discovered the sunken submarine's forgotten history, and who wrote its final and previously unknown chapter, responded to a lively Q&A form the in-person audience and from Zoomers.
The documentary may be watched on Vimeo HERE for a small charge. Steven Schwankert spent 25 years in China as an explorer, writer, and editor. In addition to "The Poseidon Project," he co-created the 2021 book and documentary project "The Six," tracing the history of the Titanic's Chinese passengers. In 2003, he established Beijing's first professional dive center. He is a native of New Jersey and alumnus of Holmdel High School. The book on the search and discovery of the submarine may be purchased HERE
January 25: NMHA Annual General meeting and Dinner at Bahrs Landing Restaurant, Highlands, NJ
This was NMHA's first in-person dinner and AGM since 2020, and, in the face of heavy rain and wind, thirty five stalwart Members and Friends attended for a great social evening and to hear about NMHA's 2022 activities and plans for 2023.
NMHA and the assembled company also honored the long service of Gayle Horvath, NMHA co-founder, Trustee, and Treasurer, who is retiring to North Carolina.
For the presentation of 2022 and 2023 plans, click HERE.
