Muriel J. Smith – an Informative Conversation

Muriel J. Smith … a Conversation

Local author and historian Muriel J. Smith will offer a variety of history stories about local legends as well as some fascinating legends about the Bayshore on the Atlantic Highlands Historical Society’s annual History Cruise aboard the Navesink Queen, Sunday, Aug.6.

The  three-hour cruise will be sailing at noon from Frank’s Pier behind Sissy’s Restaurant at the Atlantic highlands Municipal Yacht Harbor. Boarding for guests will begin at 11:30 a.m. for the cruise, which will depart at noon precisely.

Capt. Dan Shade’s famed paddlewheel Navesink Queen will cruise on Sandy Hook Bay, along the Navesink River, as well past Spermaceti Cove and Officers Row on historic Fort Hancock.

Tickets are $75, which includes lunch and are available at www.ahhistory.org/gift-shop.

Smith, whose blog venividiscripto.com reaches hundreds of thousands of readers throughout the United States, as well as the rest of North America and other continents, has written several books about the history of Monmouth County in general and the areas of Highlands and Atlantic Highlands in particular.

Her topics on the cruise will include a story about the Congressional Medal of Honor recipient who was a lighthouse keeper at the Twin Lights, as well as other local heroes from the area and their participation in every war the United States has been involved since the Revolution.

Smith will also recount tales from the Prohibition era including names still popular in the area today, a story about Air Raid Patrol volunteers during World War II, Joshua Huddy and his hanging death in Highlands and a couple of still unsolved murders in the area. On the lighter side, Smith will talk about Duffy Fisher and his magic with Fels Naphtha soap, witches and what was recently uncovered about the first lighthouse at the Twin Lights site.

Tickets are limited to allow more “breathing room” for passengers than in previous years of the Cruise.

There is no rain date for the event, and tickets are not refundable. Guests are limited to people 16 years of age and older.

In addition to the luncheon and cruise, snacks are also included in the price of the ticket, and a cash bar will be available for any beverage purchase. No outside food, drinks or coolers are permitted aboard the cruise.