Sand Castle Bed and Breakfast Events & Personal Stories

Welcome spring 2010!

noreply@blogger.com (Sand Castle Bed and Breakfast) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 01:22:00 +0000

Nancy Gallimore, Innkeeper, Sand Castle Bed and Breakfast

So spring is in full bloom and we have had GORGEOUS weather so far! The Sand Castle opened in early April and our weekends have been exceptionally beautiful. The oystercatcher is back nesting in the wetland area near us....we watch her every morning....so good to have her back! Romance and celebration is in the air all around us......a sweet couple became engaged this past week-end, a milestone birthday was celebrated, some talented painters joined us and captured the lighthouse on their canvas.....life is beautiful especially when surrounded by such wonderful guests!

Halloween Special!

noreply@blogger.com (Sand Castle Bed and Breakfast) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 06:13:00 +0000

Nancy Gallimore, Innkeeper
Sand Castle Bed and Breakfast

My favorite time of the year on Long Beach Island is the fall.....cooler, crisper days, fewer people, clear blue skies, fiery sunsets, even the sand dunes boast a leaf color change from green to bright red that beckons you to pluck it, albeit the leaf is poison ivy and most of us are highly allergic to it! I was so allergic as a child I had to get poison ivy shots! So look, but don't get too close.....its beauty is skin deep!
But seriously, the best happening on our sand dunes this Friday night is a bonfire and storyteller. Robin Moore has been coming to Barnegat Light for over 20 years and continues to delight audiences both young and old with his fabulous stories he has collected from all over the world.
The Sand Castle is offering $50.00 per night off the regular room or suite price with any two night stay this Halloween weekend. There are so many activities our guests can participate in....from driving around viewing all the scarecrow entries in the scarecrow competition.... to simply having a special Halloween dinner.... to costume parties.....to a simple happy hour and appetizer special re-opening of the upstairs at Rick's American Cafe.....call us for details and suggestions......you can have "spooktacular fun for a spooktacular price!" 609-494-6555

Honeymoon on Long Beach Island

noreply@blogger.com (Sand Castle Bed and Breakfast) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 01:23:00 +0000

Nancy Gallimore, Innkeeper
Sand Castle Bed and Breakfast

This week the Sand Castle staff enjoyed meeting newlyweds Wes and Marissa McIlhinney of Warrington, Pa, as they celebrated with a honeymoon stay in our Lighthouse Vista Suite. The fall weather was perfect as it had been for their outdoor wedding at Peddlers Village in Lahaska, Pa. Wes's fond memories of LBI and the Barnegat Lighthouse encouraged him to look for a bed and breakfast where they could enjoy a relaxing stay and he could share his nostalgic memories of the area with Marissa. The beautiful autumn weather gave Wes the opportunity to take Marissa on a grand tour....they walked all the way out the jetty on the amazingly flat and even rocks to the very end! Marissa admitted feeling a little nervous as she climbed the 217 steps of the spiral staircase inside the Barnegat Lighthouse but really enjoyed the view from the top. Together they explored the beautiful sand dunes the Innkeeper told them about. Their favorite dinner spot was "Kubel's", which is located right next door to the Sand Castle and they appreciated the very relaxed atmosphere found there. They also enjoyed dinner at "Plantations". And how did they feel about this bed and breakfast? "The Lighthouse Vista Suite was beautiful and awesome....this is the best vacation place to go after the stress of a wedding" explained Wes and Marissa added, "....very classy and homey, breakfasts at Sand Castle were amazing....and the homemade pastries were so good!" The Staff and Innkeeper of the Sand Castle wish all the best to this sweet couple as they start their life together, and look forward to seeing them in the future, perhaps for their anniversary!

Fall Weekend "Scarecrow" competition on and near LBI

noreply@blogger.com (Sand Castle Bed and Breakfast) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 03:14:00 +0000

Nancy Gallimore, Innkeeper
Sand Castle Bed and Breakfast

Another fun event awaits those visitors who join us any fall week-end throughout October. Businesses on and around LBI have put up displays of over 100 scarecrows in all shapes and poses. Those folks who wish to participate can vote for their favorite by going to www.discoversouthernocean.com A list of locations can be printed....seeing these creations in person is so much fun! I have seen scarecrows pumping gas, riding in an ambulance, painting their self-portrait, bride and groom scarecrows, gone fishin' scarecrows.....lots of humor and plain old fun! And delightful to see, rain or shine! We have a lot of talented, creative people behind these fabulous exhibits, so come on out and take a look!

Saving the Long Beach Island Causeway Shack!

noreply@blogger.com (Sand Castle Bed and Breakfast) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:20:00 +0000

Nancy Gallimore, Innkeeper
Sand Castle Bed and Breakfast

Watercolors and photographs of the "Causeway Shack" have adorned the walls of the Sand Castle Bed and Breakfast for years. Thirty-five years ago, when I first came to Long Beach Island, the shack was painted red but over the years we all watched it fade to gray and decline to the point where this year the roof fell in. Countless times I have passed the landmark while cars were pulled over and photos were taken. I recently met a photographer who has been documenting the shack photographically for years!

But not much information has been available about who owns the shack and why it hasn't been cared for. Tom Maher told me he lived there about 25 years ago with some friends. And I have heard it referred to as "The Happy Days Gun Club", presumably used by duck hunters years ago.

So rumor has it that some men who have a real fondness for the Shack took matters into their own hands to make some temporary repairs to keep the Shack from falling down. Apparently there is so much red-tape to cut through to make legitimate progress to save LBI's most beloved landmark. As the rest of us sit back sadly watching another piece of LBI history go by the wayside, it is inspiring to see someone making an effort...kudos to these forward thinking individuals!

Sand Castle salutes the Long Beach Island Chowderfest 2009 winners!

noreply@blogger.com (Sand Castle Bed and Breakfast) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:15:00 +0000

Nancy Gallimore, Innkeeper
Sand Castle Bed and Breakfast

Some Sand Castle guests said goodbye to summer by attending the famous Long Beach Island Chowderfest this past weekend. Chefs from 17 area restaurants prepared their best red and white chowders in huge quantities so thousands of visitors could have unlimited tastings and then vote for their favorite Manhattan and New England chowder.

The Grand Prize winner for Manhattan Chowder is Stefano's Seafood & Pasta. 1st runner up is Black Whale Bar & Fish House, 2nd runner up is Bistro 14 and 3rd runner up is Sea Oaks Country Club.

The New England Chowder Grand Prize winner is California Grill. 1st runner up is Howard's Restaurant, 2nd runner up is Greenhouse Cafe and 3rd runner up is The Chicken or the Egg.

The Sand Castle Bed and Breakfast salutes all the participants for bringing so much end of the season fun to all of us on Long Beach Island! Congratulations to the winners!

Barnegat Light, Boat featuredTuesday night on the Discovery Channel - "Swords"

noreply@blogger.com (Sand Castle Bed and Breakfast) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 02:24:00 +0000

Nancy Gallimore, Innkeeper
Sand Castle Bed and Breakfast

Prior to converting my home to a bed and breakfast and becoming an innkeeper, I was involved with the commercial fishing industry right here in Barnegat Light, New Jersey. Our fishermen are bold, independent, hard-working men who have a special love of life on the ocean and the challenge of making a living out there. Some of the boats specialize in catching swordfish and the Discovery Channel has focused its efforts on filming several east coast boats in a new series called "Swords". One of the boats featured on the show is called the "Frances Anne", and is owned by the son of my friends, Don & Fran Mears. Don taught his sons well over the years, not only about how to catch fish, but also how to be gentlemen of the sea, respecting other vessels as well as mother nature.
If you have the opportunity to watch this exciting series, you will surely gain a new appreciation for the fresh fish put into the market and onto your table. Great shots of Barnegat Light and all that goes into making a swordfish trip successful from start to finish is evident in each new episode. That along with the personalities of the different captains and crew members and the forces of nature keeps me riveted to my TV every Tuesday night at 8 pm Eastern time.
And maybe, while you are having a delicious breakfast at the Sand Castle Bed & Breakfast, you too will look out the window of the sun porch like a guest did the other day and ask me....."Is that blue boat over there the Frances Anne from that new show on Discovery channel "Swords"?

A Wonderful Summer.......

noreply@blogger.com (Sand Castle Bed and Breakfast) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 02:36:00 +0000

Nancy Gallimore, Innkeeper
Sand Castle Bed and Breakfast

Summer weather at the shore fooled the weathermen as usual this year.....we heard reports about rain in New York, North Jersey, and Pennsylvania in July and August but the sun would be shining down on LBI! The ocean was clear and blue and warmer than usual but no jellyfish! We are so lucky to have this piece of paradise as our backyard. Hopefully you were able to take some time away this summer. If you haven't tried the north end of LBI, consider scheduling a little break here.....you too will be hooked after you enjoy our pristine beaches, picturesque sand dunes, unique little shops, well maintained homes with flowers blooming in pretty gardens, and that slower pace we often long for but rarely find.

As summer slips away, I look forward to fall.....my favorite time of year. The crowds are gone, the beach is still beautiful and the nights begin to get cooler. Sunsets are spectacular and dinner specials are more available. The first weekend of October brings us the nationally recognized "Chowderfest", where chefs from area restaurants showcase their best red and white chowders and the general public serves as judge, voting for the best in each category. This event is held in Beach Haven, so the traffic has no impact on Sand Castle guests.

Barnegat Lighthouse "Old Barney" makes the News

noreply@blogger.com (Sand Castle Bed and Breakfast) — Fri, 01 May 2009 03:21:00 +0000

Nancy Gallimore, Innkeeper
Sand Castle Bed and Breakfast

So.....let me tell you about the Barnegat Lighthouse and its 150th anniversary on January 1, 2009. A group of people known as "Friends of the Lighthouse" decided that it was high time to see "Old Barney", as the lighthouse is affectionately known, lit again after so many years of darkness. A rotating beacon was ordered and delivered all the way from New Zealand! And the relighting took place as planned, on January 1, 2009. The little town of Barnegat Light was overrun with approximately 7,000 onlookers.....the mayor said a few words.....although most of us could not even get close enough to hear him! It was quite chilly out, but that didn't seem to bother anyone as they waited. Then at 5:12 pm, with a Coast Guard boat sitting nearby and a huge crowd of people cheering, the light went on and history was made...our beautiful lighthouse is once again a beacon with a shining light visible 20 miles offshore!

Sand Castle 10th Anniversary Celebration

noreply@blogger.com (Sand Castle Bed and Breakfast) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 21:43:00 +0000

The Sand Castle Bed and Breakfast is celebrating our 10th year of offering luxury accommodations on Long Beach Island. We can hardly believe how quickly ten years passed! For the month of April, we invite everyone booking a midweek stay to celebrate with us as we roll our prices back to what they were when we opened ten years ago......just $135 per night for a bayfront luxury room midweek (Monday through Thursday).

Nancy Gallimore, Innkeeper
Sand Castle Bed and Breakfast