OC & Upper News – 4-25

Belleplain State Forest was the topic of the program presented by the Historical Preservation Society of Upper Township (HPSUT) at their most-recent meeting. Tom Champion, who was born in Belleplain and now resides in Marmora, was the guest speaker. Champion has been a seasonal employee of the 20,000 -acre Belleplain State Forest for the past 49 years. He traced the beginnings of the forest, noting that the land was first bought in 1928, with additional land purchased in 1930, at an average price of $8.42 per acre.
He then discussed the Civilian Conservation Corps Reforestation Relief Act, which was signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on March 31, 1933, during the Depression. Champion remarked that men between the ages of 18 and 28, enlisted in the CCC, and were “paid $1 a day, plus food, clothing, and shelter.”
A CCC Camp was set up at the State Forest on June 7, 1933. Many projects were completed, but the major accomplishment was digging up the Meisle Bog to create a 26-acre lake. It took “10, 456 man days to dig out the bog,” said Champion. They used “shovels and wheelbarrows,” but “during the final year a steam shovel was used,” he added.
The lake was originally called “Meisle Lake,” but was changed to Lake Nummy, “in honor of the last Lenape Indian Chief to rule in Cape May County.” The forest had been the hunting grounds of the Lenni Lenape Indians. As the lake was being dug, an Indian canoe was discovered buried in the mud, which “was given to the State Museum in Trenton.” The lake was opened for swimming in 1936. The camps were officially closed on June 30, 1942.
Some of the events that take place at Belleplain State Forest include Easter and Memorial Day programs, Smokey the Bear’s birthday party, Fishing Derby, and Triathlon. The South Jersey Astronomy Club also has activities at the State Forest, and the NJ Audubon Society lists the site as an “important birding area” of the Delaware Bay Region. Call 609-861-2404 or visit www.njparksandforests.org to learn more about these special events, and to receive information on swimming, boating, picnicking, camping, and hiking and biking trails at Belleplain State Forest.
For more information on the HPSUT, visit www.uppertwphistory.org or call 609-390-5656.
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Annual City-wide Yard Sale takes place this Saturday, Apr. 28, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Tabernacle Grounds, Fifth and Asbury Avenue and at locations throughout Ocean City. Stores will hold table sales from Sixth to 14th Streets on the boardwalk and in the downtown area on Sat. and Sun., Apr. 28 and 29. (609-525-9300.)
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March of Dimes, S. Jersey Shore will hold its Annual March for Babies Walk this Sun., Apr. 29, at the Music Pier on the Boardwalk in Ocean City. Registration for the five-mile walk begins at noon. The walk will start at 1 p.m. and will end with light refreshments, activities for the children, music, face painting, and more. Call 856-375-8215 or visit www. marchforbabies.org.
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Be – at the Senior Jamboree on Thurs., May 3, at the Avalon Community Center, located at 30th and the Beach. There will be live entertainment, dancing, and a free lunch will be served. Awards will be given to the female and male “Senior of the Year,” and also to the “Organization of the Year.”
The free event is open to all Cape May County senior residents, age 60 or over. The doors will open promptly at 10 a.m. As the theme this year is “Aloha,” feel free to wear your favorite tropical clothes, comfortable dancing shoes, and join in the fun. Call 609-886-2784 for more information.
For a complete list of upcoming events in the county go to the Herald calendar, in print and online, at www. capemaycountyherald.com/ calendar.
If you would like to make the public aware of happenings in your town, classroom, group, or club, please email me at RWhelan@cmcherald.com.