Community Corner
Chocolate and History On Display at LBI Museum
Fundraising event drew hundreds to Beach Haven
Ten-year-old Thomas Erwin, who is visiting Beach Haven with his family this week, sat happily eating a chocolate baked good in front of an old chair that once occupied the office of long-time Beach Haven physician Dr. William Dodd.
Meanwhile, Thomas' mother, Maura, pointed out some of the local and nautical memorabilia around the Long Beach Island museum, while also sampling some chocolate goods.
"My family has been visiting Long Beach Island in the summer for nine years, and this is always one of the high points of our summer visit," Mrs. Erwin told a Patch reporter.
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Combining sweets and education were what the Long Beach Island Museum's "All Things Chocolate" fundraiser is all about, according to event cochair Brenda Griffin. During the event this week, Griffin said she was very happy with the turnout, having sold 250 tickets by 7 p.m.
Even though the event ended at 8 p.m., the line for attendees wound out the door at 7:30 p.m."This beautiful building we are in dates back to 1882, which means its always in need of repairs," Griffin said. "This just seemed like a great way to do raise funds to do that."
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The Long Beach Island Museum's main objective is to keep the history of Long Beach Island alive through the preservation of artifacts and photographs and through various programs and events promoting the rich history of Long Beach Island.
Located at Engleside and Beach avenues, the museum is stuffed with local memorabilia, including Dr. Dodd's chair, which offered a tiny glimpse into the early days of medicine on the island, when Dr. Dodd treated Hindenberg survivors.
Griffin said that a number of museum volunteers donated their time and energy to baking goods for the event, and they also had donations from the local Country Kettle Fudge and Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream.
One of the volunteers, Beach Haven resident Kathy Uebelhart, said she has been volunteering since the event began six years ago. "The museum is worth it," she said, as she distributed yet another chocolate goodie from her table.
Mrs. Erwin agreed with Uebelhart, adding, "we'll continue coming back as long as they have this."
