This boutique winery not only produces exquisite wines but also demonstrates a profound respect for its local community and environment Owners Rita Cheung and Kuo Chuan Kung (KC) fell in love with the valley’s picturesque hills traditional villages and stunning Lake Qiu Shan and dreamt of harnessing the region’s natural beauty while prioritising sustainability thoughtfully designed with 191 different plots features classic Bordeaux varieties like Cabernet Franc Merlot and Petit Verdot alongside Chardonnay gravity-fed winery was designed to reflect the region’s ‘local spirit,’ combining local landscapes and materials with sustainable practices for optimal flavours The multinational viticulture and winemaking team are dedicated to creating unique wines that ensure minimal environmental impact while celebrating the area’s rich agricultural heritage Social responsibility is fundamental: Rita and KC view Mystic Island Winery as a social enterprise that uplifts the local community By providing stable jobs for farmers and empowering women in business they contribute to the local economy and promote social equity ‘With the development of the Qiu Shan Valley wine district we bring young people back to work in the countryside,’ they explain The winery serves as a platform for cross- cultural exchange encouraging appreciation for winemaking among diverse groups Guests can enjoy wine tasting experiences set against the breathtaking backdrop of Qiu Shan Valley fostering a deeper understanding of sustainable winemaking practices Each bottle reflects a commitment to quality and sustainability: among the standout offerings are the YiHu Chardonnay Natural Yeast the refreshing YiHu Mystic Franc Blanc (made from Cabernet Franc) and the YiHu Petit Verdot Reserve which is becoming a benchmark red wine in China Mystic Island Winery is more than just a destination for fine wine; it exemplifies a harmonious blend of environmental stewardship Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or new to Chinese wines Mystic Island invites you to discover its offerings engaging with the region’s winemaking culture while supporting a sustainable future Massachusetts last fall when water temperatures in Cape Cod Bay dropped below 50 degrees program manager of Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Program northern waters are experiencing more abrupt rather than gradual drops in temperatures higher wind conditions and swifter currents “Cape Cod Bay is a really unique geographical area because lots of sea turtles go into the bay to feed they have to swim north to get back down south to get out of the bay,” said Callan “A lot of the smaller turtles—the ones we see are mostly juveniles—don’t have the strengths to fight those winds and currents…before the cold snap hits.”   How to rehabilitate a cold-stunned sea turtle?As reptiles, the turtles cannot regulate their body temperatures and go into a hypothermic state with slowed heart rates, shallow breathing, confusion, and inability to swim. Marine biologists from the New England Aquarium in Boston triaged the sea turtles stabilized the ones they could save and transported them two hours to Mystic where Callan described the slow process of re-elevating each turtles’ temperatures into the 70-degree range and gently reintroducing food to allow their systems to acclimate They’re like foam squares that we cut out because many of them are too weak to even swim on their own but you want to keep them buoyant in the water to some degree and getting their body used to swimming again.”  Each turtle’s rehabilitation plan was individualized based on medical tests that looked for underlying infections and other issues This contingent of 22 turtles representing three different species was historic for the Animal Rescue Program—the largest and most diverse it has handled at one time in its 50-year history of covering more than a thousand miles of coastline in Connecticut “The conservation impact that we can have on these wild populations is huge,” said Callan “When you think about rehabbing and releasing one sea turtle that turtle can lay thousands of eggs in its lifetime.”   When the turtles were ready for their natural habitat again Callan said they had to find a suitable release site with the right water temperatures and plenty of food sources Working in partnership with other sea turtle and rescue organizations Mystic Transportation carried the turtles in temperature-controlled vehicles 20 hours south along the I-95 corridor biologists and volunteers with the Georgia Sea Turtle Center helped set the turtle bins along the water line The larger turtles were able to power across the sand with their flippers to catch a wave The smaller turtles were carried into the water and let go Salt Life: Tybee Island Marine Science Center to unveil new exhibits that combine art and education Cradle to the Ocean: Sea turtle hatchling heads into the ocean from first nest of the season on Tybee Island Individual action is what will make the difference in the endAlthough they have a better chance for survival now the turtles still face perils beyond being prey for sharks and other large predators nets and ropes as well as ingesting plastics something Callan is seeing more and more of with other sea life such as seals Necropsies provide some of the most valuable information regarding the health of our oceans and waterways “There’s tons of pollution out there in terms of marine debris,” Callan said but she recently had two seals test positive for a parasite that affects animals’ nervous systems that can be contracted only from opossum feces which means that parasite is getting into the ocean through runoff into waterways “Think about pollutants and the things we spray on our lawns All the sort of toxins that’s going right into the waters I think that people sometimes just assume we’re dealing with the health of animals but it really is the health of the entire ocean and how that’s also affecting people.”  Callan cautioned against being overwhelmed noting that more than 40 volunteers helped with the rehabilitation of the 22 sea turtles released last week “It’s really important that people start to take individual action to help the environment that’s what’s going to make the most difference.”  editor and reporter for the Savannah Morning News 22 rehabilitated sea turtles get second chance at life after release in Jekyll Island (Mystic Aquarium) This marked the largest number of turtles the organization’s Animal Rescue Program has released at one time The group of released turtles consisted of three species: 14 green sea turtles the turtles were found cold-stunned and washed up on the beach in Cape Cod After being assessed by the New England Aquarium they were rehabilitated by the team at Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Program over the last few months Each turtle received individualized treatment plans to address infections and other medical issues resulting from their exposure to the cold and hypothermia the Animal Rescue Program at Mystic Aquarium has been rescuing unable to return to warmer temperatures down south tends to occur annually in the fall when water and air temperatures drop The released turtles were tagged for future research and education Having recovered from the cold-stunning event and been given a second chance at life the Mystic Aquarium Animal Rescue Program’s efforts significantly improved the turtles’ chances of long-term survival The program said wild sea turtles face threats such as entanglement Every sea turtle saved also creates the potential for hundreds — even thousands — of future hatchlings contributing to the resiliency of the species and the long-term health of marine ecosystems globally For more information about Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Program, click here. Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines TV Listings Email Newsletters RSS Feeds Contests and Rules Contact Us Careers at WJXT / WCWJ Closed Captioning / Audio Description WJXT Public File WJXT EEO Report WCWJ Public File WCWJ EEO Report Terms of Use Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Info FCC Applications Copyright © 2025 News4JAX.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. and an unexpected boat tourTake a surprising journey with National Geographic Photographer Michael George to the lesser-known corners of Casco Bay On my way to Mackworth Island This mysterious veil makes sense for an island with a whimsical reputation and I greet the park ranger at the entry booth We talk through the highlights: “If you turn right you’ll reach the fairy houses.” Mackworth has a 1.25-mile perimeter walking trail you’ll find dozens of small art projects utilizing the natural resources from the park and stones to make small homes for the woodland fairies who may or may not visit the island and I tell the ranger I’ve heard a rumor it’s the one that inspired famous Mainer Stephen King’s novel Pet Sematary he shares that Stephen King’s inspiration came from a pet cemetery located two hours north and near Bangor I appreciate him taking the time to report the facts  Moving from urban legends to local folktales, I head three miles west of Freeport to the Desert of Maine This geological anomaly dates back to the last ice age they left behind a deposit of sand-like glacial silt but this example is a bit extreme: As he let the sheep enjoy themselves they slowly unearthed not just a few hills of poor soil the site has operated as a tourist destination undergoing a massive revitalization in the past few years The new design falls somewhere between a classic TV game show and a nostalgic roadside attraction or glamp along the river in a variety of structures it’s an expanse of glacial sand dunes surrounded by coastal forest The area became barren due to poor farming practices in the 19th century which led to soil erosion that exposed the underlying sand.On this day Maine is experiencing an early summer heatwave so my experience of the desert feels extra authentic Sun beating from above and reflecting off the sand below I am convinced I’ve landed somewhere deep in the Southwest two locals sporting visors and sunglasses and making their way through an adventure mini-golf course “This place has been around since I was little The new owners—you can tell they care.” The 18-hole course is remarkable with water features and sculptures that tell the story of the desert’s history A coy sheep sculpture sports a cheeky sign around its neck that says “This desert is our fault.” As I watch Barb hit a leopard-print ball across hole 13 I thank the sheep for unearthing this hidden gem Mainers are proud to share their history, and some might even sell you a piece of it. Nick and Amanda Kent are the owners of Maine Wicked Goods an antique shop that can only be described as delightful There’s so much to see from floor to ceiling that I need to walk through the store five times before my eyes allow me to process it He runs through the space like a bull (puppy) in a china shop (antique store) My grandma owned an antique store for decades so I feel at home amid the delightful assortment of treasures waiting to be found I ask Amanda how they decide what to keep for themselves versus what to sell She alludes to what things may look like at home: “I tell my friends it’s not hoarding―it’s inventory.” With the Kents’ welcoming personalities the enthusiasm of Finneas playing with a water bottle and approximately 9,000 items I have yet to discover I regret I can’t spend my entire week searching for the perfect wicked good and walking by the open-window kitchen I see why Each dish is a mini artwork using locally sourced ingredients followed by a cocktail called "famous on the weekend." It’s only Tuesday but after being hand-delivered to an unbridged island for a lavish meal Photographer and filmmaker Jimmy Chin was leading a National Geographic team below the north face of Mount Everest in September when they discovered a boot and sock embroidered with “A.C. Irvine,” believed to belong to the lost mountaineer Andrew Comyn Irvine. by Johnny Yu With the release of the Mythical Island expansion, 86 new cards have been added to Pokémon TCG Pocket for you to collect and battle with. Each card comes with its own unique artwork and attack (and, in some case, ability). Although this set isn’t as big as the three booster packs in the launch-day Genetic Apex expansion, there are still a ton of cards to earn and learn. Below, we’ve created a table outlining all the new Mythical Island cards in Pokémon TCG Pocket — along with their card number, typing, HP, and attack or ability. Here’s every new Mythical Island card laid out in a handy table: The best of Polygon in your inbox, every Friday. If you’re thinking about moving to New Jersey, bustling cities like Newark or Jersey City might come to mind From quaint downtowns to festivals that bring the community together New Jersey’s small towns are perfect for anyone looking to experience what life is like in its quieter corners we’ll discuss 8 charming small towns in New Jersey each with their own unique character and plenty of reasons to call home a cozy pub known for its craft beers and seafood dishes Leonia is located just a few miles from New York City The town is home to the Leonia Chamber Musicians who perform classical concerts throughout the year Leonia’s close proximity to the city makes it a popular choice for commuters who want suburban living with easy access to Manhattan has a variety of outdoor activities including kayaking Bogota is a small town in Bergen County that has a close-knit community feel The town’s main attraction is the Hackensack River Bogota is also known for its annual Bogota Day celebration a neighborhood staple known for its extensive selection of craft beers and friendly service a peaceful public park filled with roses and walking paths is a local gem for relaxation and outdoor enjoyment a cozy spot known for its authentic Italian fare Mystic Island is a waterfront community with serene lagoons and easy access to the Great Bay Boating and fishing are a way of life here with many homes situated directly on the water This allows many residents to dock their boats right at their doorstep Mystic Island’s proximity to Long Beach Island and the Jersey Shore means you’re never far from the beach making it a perfect spot for weekend getaways The Mystic Island Casino Pub & Grill is a local favorite offering casual dining and live entertainment throughout the week featuring preserved 19th-century buildings known as the “Jewel of the Jersey Shore,” is an elegant seaside town with a timeless appeal which stretches for two miles along the Atlantic Ocean provide a peaceful setting for beachgoers who prefer a more relaxed experience surrounded by Victorian homes and tree-lined streets is a popular spot for morning jogs or peaceful afternoon walks Spring Lake is also known for its boutique shopping and fine dining with restaurants like Whispers serving up gourmet meals in an intimate Methodology: The median home sale price is from the Redfin Data Center Mekaila is a Marketing Program Manager at Redfin and has spent the last 5+ years covering topics like interior design She lives in the Greater Seattle area and enjoys trying new restaurants She dreams of a modern and warm home with lots of natural light 🇨🇦 Canada Updated January 2020: By searching, you agree to the Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy REDFIN IS COMMITTED TO AND ABIDES BY THE FAIR HOUSING ACT AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ACT. READ REDFIN’S FAIR HOUSING POLICY NY Standard Operating Procedures TREC: Info About Brokerage Services, Consumer Protection Notice please call Redfin Customer Support for help at 1-844-759-7732 The booming Marco Town Center has another new tenant and it’s a tasty one: Mystic Lobster Roll Co opened its first Marco Island location June 28 It’s a good idea to place orders in advance; there was a line out the door on day three where he attended culinary school and owned-operated Joey D’s pizza parlors His love of cooking originated from watching his grandmother Vincenza I was fascinated by her style and the love she put into it,” said DiPierro A local connectionWhen I told DiPierro we had Joey D’s pizza on Marco and Naples he mentioned that his parents are friends with owners Joseph and Jennifer DiPascale “They’re from the Seaside-Toms River area and knew our business Mystic Lobster's other locationsThe crustacean sandwich chain was founded nearly 30 years ago in New Jersey by Philip and Renee Tretola (more DiPierro family friends) and is famous for customizing its rolls to fit each patron’s preferences was on hand Sunday to provide corporate training to DiPierro's staff New Jersey location; that state has nine other outposts there's a Mystic Lobster at Galleria Shoppes on Vanderbilt Beach Road The first Texas spot is planned for Fredericksburg Diana Biederman is NDN's food and restaurant writer. Connect via dbiederman@gannett.com June 5, 2023 | Bobby Brier, Mental Health Writer Kristin Castagna stood in front of her house in the Upland neighborhood of Mystic Island and spoke about the impact of the opioid epidemic on her town.  “There was an overdose down there a couple years ago (and) one on the corner right here a couple years ago,” she said grew up in a house across the street and is now raising her 10-year-old daughter in the same neighborhood But she said the town is not the same as the childhood place she grew up in.  I won’t take her (because) there’s heroin needles in the park,” she said “The corner up here is where my daughter gets on a bus for school … and there will be heroin needles there occasionally.”   Castagna was one of several residents of the small fishing community in southern Ocean County who spoke recently with members from the Not One More NJ campaign about the epidemic that continues to ravage this rural town of less than 9,000 residents. In 2022, there were 186 suspected overdose deaths in Ocean County and 748 disbursements of naloxone a medication designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdoses according to the state attorney general’s office there were 910 suspected drug-related deaths between Jan The Not One More campaign is made up of people from a number of statewide organizations, including the New Jersey Organizing Project, the New Jersey Resource Project and Sea Change Recovery Community Organization. Through the campaign, which was started in 2019 these community organizers work to provide advocacy and services to people who have been impacted by the opioid epidemic in Ocean and Monmouth counties hoping to end the overdose crisis and the stigma of substance use disorder ’There has to be better access to rehab for the people that want to get clean and maybe even safe injection sites.’ Elissa Tierney and Jennifer Collins-Fonseca organizers and advocates with the campaign walked the streets of Mystic Island with drawstring backpacks filled with opioid overdose rescue kits provided by the New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition a fact sheet about the signs of an overdose and a CPR breathing mask They also brought along fentanyl testing strips.  Along with all of the struggles of dealing with an opioid use disorder residents of Mystic Island in recovery must deal with another challenge: a lack of access to reliable transportation for services and to mental health professionals who can treat both the addiction and the underlying mental health disorder As the Not One More members knock on doors to offer support and more they also work to connect people with resources “Addiction is behind closed doors most days in these areas,” said Stewart who has lived in Mystic Island since 1989 and is a senior organizer for the New Jersey Organizing Project Many of the people involved in the Not One More campaign are in recovery from substance use disorders themselves and know what it is like to live through addiction.  ‘I’m tired of people dying where maybe we can give them life.’ The primary goal of the campaign is to give people who have been directly impacted by the epidemic “the ability to stand up and speak out” on their own behalf and to be the experts on what’s needed in order to ensure that opioid settlement funds are not misappropriated the founder and chief executive officer of Sea Change Recovery Community Organization.  Last March, state officials announced New Jersey is set to receive $641 million from settlements with New Brunswick-based Johnson & Johnson and the country’s three largest pharmaceutical distributors The settlement funds will be paid through 2038 and are set to fund state and local programs focused on treatment and prevention in New Jersey The $641 million comes from the state’s share of a $26 billion federal court settlement reached in 2021 between 46 states thousands of municipalities and several tribal nations and the defendants Johnson & Johnson and the three pharmaceutical distributors.  Members of the Not One More campaign would like to see Ocean County build a drop-in center where people can get access to resources recovery support and harm-reduction supplies Nearly all of the $641 million will be divided evenly between state and local governments, with half going directly to the state’s 21 counties and 241 municipalities that qualify for money under the settlement. Local officials will then decide how the money is spent to offset the impact of opioid use.  the state and the eligible counties and municipalities are set to receive over $500 million from $20.1 billion nationwide opioid settlements with the pharmacy chains and drugmakers.  The pharmacy chains and drugmakers are expected to announce by June 8 whether their settlements will go forward which will depend on whether enough local governments from around the country have signed on according to the state attorney general’s office.  Ocean County is reported to receive $15 million over the next 18 years from the state’s $641 million share of the nationwide settlements with Johnson & Johnson and the three pharmaceutical distributors.  With some of the current funds from the settlement the Not One More campaign would like to see the county build a drop-in center where people can get access to resources The campaign is also hoping to see this money go toward affordable and accessible transportation to and from treatment and for improved hospital care for people with substance use disorders.  But challenges still remain for people in Mystic Island when it comes to accessing recovery services for opioid treatment “I’ve lived here for my entire life and it’s definitely gotten worse the past ten who lives in the Upland neighborhood.  And while residents of the town have access to New Jersey Transit buses that can take them to Atlantic City or Toms River there is too much access to drugs on the buses “There has to be better access to rehab for the people that want to get clean and maybe even safe injection sites,” Castagna said.  she would like to see the local community center in Mystic Island offer a space for people coming out of rehab to be around other people trying to stay sober there are no services like that in the area and that can lead to relapses there is a need for more therapists who can treat both substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health issues “We need mobile MAT (medication-assisted treatment) units to go out to these communities There’s not enough treatment centers,” Stewart added “I used to have to drive my daughter from here to Toms River on (Route) 37 to get her to a methadone clinic Mobile medication-assisted treatment vans give people in underserved areas of the state greater access to substance use disorder treatment medications In June 2022, the state Department of Human Services awarded contracts to Integrity, Inc. in Essex County and John Brooks Recovery Center in Atlantic County to buy mobile outreach vans to increase treatment services in underserved areas These vans run in addition to five that operate in Atlantic according to the human services department A spokesperson for the department did not return a request for comment about whether the state offers mobile outreach programs for people with opioid use disorders in Ocean County.  “I’m tired of people dying where maybe we can give them life,” Stewart said.  Elissa Tierney and Jennifer Collins-Fonseca fill drawstring backpacks with opioid overdose rescue kits provided by the New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition at Stewart’s home in Mystic Island — All photographs by Bobby Brier; NJ Spotlight News As a multimedia mental health reporter for NJ Spotlight News Bobby focuses on underserved and rural communities throughout New Jersey via a partnership with Report for America He earned a master’s in journalism from New York University in May 2022 and completed internships at The Scranton Times Tribune and New Mexico In Depth before joining NJ Spotlight News Follow him on Twitter at @bobby_brier or send him an email at brierb@njspotlightnews.org SUBSCRIBE NJ Spotlight is part of The WNET Group and is operated by WNET a non-profit organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code The finished tower stood 820 feet tall and was supported by cables anchored in three 1,100-ton concrete blocks reinforced with steel one of which is seen at the far left of the photo likely where Staysail Drive circles around the structure.14 / 53Courtesy Tuckerton Historical SocietyTuckerton Wireless StationAerial view of the Tuckerton Wireless Station in October 1951 The main three concrete anchors for the tower still remain intact The block on the lower left is now located on South Ensign Drive The transmission and power house (building just below the tower base) still stand as well 1955.15 / 53Courtesy Tuckerton Historical SocietyTuckerton Wireless StationAerial view of the Tuckerton Wireless Station in October 1951 1955.31 / 53Courtesy Tuckerton Historical SocietyTuckerton Wireless StationA man uses an oxy-acetylene torch to cut the main cables supporting the Tuckerton Wireless tower during demolition 1955.32 / 53Courtesy Tuckerton Historical SocietyTuckerton Wireless StationA newsman and camera crew position themselves near the base of the Tuckerton Wireless tower for its demolition on Dec 1955.33 / 53Courtesy Tuckerton Historical SocietyTuckerton Wireless StationThe Tuckerton Wireless Station on Dec and transmitter and power house can be seen.34 / 53Courtesy Tuckerton Historical SocietyTuckerton Wireless StationThe Tuckerton Wireless Station tower 1955.35 / 53Courtesy Tuckerton Historical SocietyTuckerton Wireless StationThe Tuckerton Wireless Station tower 1955.36 / 53Courtesy Tuckerton Historical SocietyTuckerton Wireless StationThe Tuckerton Wireless Station tower 1955.37 / 53Courtesy Tuckerton Historical SocietyTuckerton Wireless StationThe Tuckerton Wireless Station tower 1955.38 / 53Courtesy Tuckerton Historical SocietyTuckerton Wireless StationThe Tuckerton Wireless Station tower yielding approximately 800 tons of steel and two miles of 2-inch cable.39 / 53Courtesy Tuckerton Historical SocietyTuckerton Wireless StationOne of the concrete blocks used to anchor the Tuckerton Wireless Station tower 1955.40 / 53Courtesy Tuckerton Historical SocietyTuckerton Wireless StationMen walk along the scrap pile of steel which was once an 820-foot-tall tower at the Tuckerton Wireless Station tower on Dec following the demolition of the tower.41 / 53Lori M Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comTuckerton Wireless StationA current map of the locations of the main three concrete anchors for the Tuckerton Wireless Tower in Little Egg Harbor Township as well as the transmission and power house © 2025 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us) The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of Advance Local Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site YouTube's privacy policy is available here and YouTube's terms of service is available here Ad Choices Entertainment | Sep 1 Mystic Island Lake and Lake Charles offer moderate hikes to a pair of stunning alpine lakes offering 11- and 9-mile round-trip hikes respectively alpine views and ample opportunity to see wildlife work your way through the historic downtown to Brush Creek Road Shortly after the Sylvan Lake Visitors Center Continue past Yeoman Park to the Fulford Caves Campground A well-marked trail leaves from the parking area heading up the valley Continuing up the gravel road takes you to the Iron Edge Trail The Lake Charles trail is relatively moderate for hiking in the central Rocky Mountains expect the trail to change character and ascend steeply for a mile up to Lake Charles — this is the most challenging part of the hike The first few miles of this trek take you through beautiful old spruce forest At one of many openings in the forest you’ll see a boulder field with a particularly large old-growth spruce standing right in the middle of the boulders The two lakes each offer worthy destinations depending on how big of a day you are looking for Continuing to Mystic Island Lake will add 2 miles Lake Charles sits just below treeline and is a beautiful large tree-lined lake with good opportunities for a cold dip in the lake or relaxing afternoon fishing along the shore Mystic Island Lake is a slightly smaller lake but is tucked right up against the craggy slopes of Eagle Peak deer and other iconic Colorado species are commonly seen here To discover more off-the-beaten-track trails and immerse yourself in the ecology of the Rocky Mountains join Walking Mountains Science Center on a full-day backcountry hike Our fall schedule features full-day hikes on Mondays and Thursdays as well as shorter half-day hikes on Tuesdays These hikes in September and October feature beautiful alpine treks and hikes highlight our valley’s beautiful aspens Nathan Boyer-Rechlin is the community outreach coordinator for Walking Mountains Science Center. For more information on this hike and others, you can reach him at 970-827-9725, ext. 144, and nathanbr@walkingmountains.org Imagine you're driving through the crisscrossing streets of the Jersey Shore town Mystic Island but rather a part of Little Egg Harbor Township It's a planned community of small cottages built along a network of largely man-made canals and lagoons fed by the Great Bay many of the homes are now year round residences All of a sudden in front of you see a huge concrete block larger even then the homes which surround it sitting smack dab in the middle of the roadway you are traveling on There are no fences or guardrails around it and the pavement goes right up to its sheer cement face then encircles the monolith like an English roundabout it's got no roof or any doors of windows and it seems to be solid a giant square stone in the middle of a sandy asphalt circle Why was it constructed and what purpose could it possible serve These are some of the questions befuddled motorists unfamiliar with the history of the town have asked themselves as they drive around and around the structure in confused wonderment but actually three of these enormous concrete blocks to be found in Mystic Island they also extend 20 feet beneath ground level They were once the massive anchors for what was known as the "Tuckerton Tower." The Tuckerton Wireless Tower was 825 feet high and built in 1912 by the German "Hochfrequenzmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft für drahtlose Telegraphie" company (The High Frequency Machine Corporation for Wireless Telegraphy) to communicate with an identical tower in Germany as well as ships and submarines in the Atlantic Ocean In its time it was one of the two tallest structures ever built in the world (second only to the Eiffel Tower) It was one of the first and most powerful transatlantic radio stations ever constructed Mystic Island (then Hickory Island) was chosen because the ground was level All the parts were built and tested in Germany Government was unaware of the massive communication project until it was almost completed Transmission from the tower began on June 19 less than two weeks before the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand launched Europe into the First World War the government kept a close watch on the tower to ensure it was not broadcasting any military messages in violation of the Neutrality Act as seemingly harmless messages could be delivered in code "Get Lucy," to a German U-boat as a coded order to sink the ocean liner RMS Lusitania the United States military immediately took over the tower and it was assigned to the US Navy The remaining German personnel at Tuckerton became war prisoners and were replaced by Navy personnel the Tuckerton Wireless Station was included in German war reparations paid to America which was anchored by three huge concrete blocks The massive blocks are still there in Mystic Island today and still causing newcomers to the area to scratch their heads in weird wonder One block is located in a backyard on North Ensign Drive another is right in the middle of South Ensign Drive and the third sits square in the middle of Staysail Drive which once provided foundations for smaller towers are still visible in Mystic Island's lagoons When I was a boy in the early 1960s my parents had a vacation home along the Great Bay in Mystic Island There were hundreds of one-story homes and sand lots all the same size and shape in a variety of pastel colors which were lined along a vast grid of man-made lagoons It was one of several that dotted the landscape of the housing development As a ten-year old boy I spent quite a bit of time trying to figure out a way to climb to the top of the monolith across the street another one had a staircase and a fence around the top so vacationers and tourists could satisfy their curiosity and get a bird's eye view could not have compared with the rush of getting to the top of one of the bare stairless stones but it was absolutely impossible for a ten year old––they were just too big I haven't been to Mystic Island for more than 35 years but the standing stone across the street from my boyhood summer home certainly is one of weirdest memories I have of growing up in the Garden State Weird NJ magazine, "Your Travel Guide to New Jersey's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets," can be found on newsstands throughout the state and on the web at www.WeirdNJ.com Welcome Mickeymickey@disney.comManage MyDisney AccountLog OutMystic Island recovers 2 years after SandyTuesday 2014Hurricane Sandy two years later.MYSTIC ISLAND (WPVI) -- On any street in Mystic Island you can hear workmen hammering When Sandy hit 2 years ago the bay front section of Little Egg Harbor was 7 feet underwater "We're well over 50% of the rebuilding of the substantially damaged homes so we are doing pretty well," business administrator Mike Fromosky said "Everybody's talking about how good things look because we have homes going up and that's really great But the reality is you look around and there're more homes that still aren't done." Resident Lisa Stevens said Empty lots and abandoned homes still dot the landscape in Mystic Island Some residents like Bill Moody live in campers on their property while their homes are raised and rebuilt "I have heat and air conditioning and cooking facilities and everything else in there so it's really ideal," Moody said I had to be out of my house for a year," Ann DiVito said Two years fighting with FEMA and insurance companies has taken its toll I'm on my own and my mom's been staying with me cause her house got destroyed The emotional distress is hard just like on the whole family," Buffalino said We are working on it daily and we are getting there but it's going to take some more time," Little Egg Harbor Mayor Art Midgley And while abandoned lots it clear that there's still plenty of work to do adding Mystic Lake and Little Six to the list of establishment it's accusing of offering games not allowed under state law The federal lawsuit originally filed on April 16 under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act also lists as defendants the executives at Grand Casinos in Hinckley and Mille Lacs as well as Treasure Island Resort Casino in Welch The compacts limit casinos to offering slot machines and blackjack but Running Aces says Grand Casino and Treasure Island have offered games including Three Card Poker and Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em. The lawsuit also states in October Treasure Island's gaming compact was amended to cover the Class III card games Mystic Lake and Little Six are now included in those accusations with Running Aces claiming they offer Class II video slots and other video games it believes are not permitted under state law Mystic Lake and Little Six casinos are both owned by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Grand Casino in Mille Lacs and Hinckley are both owned by the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and Treasure Island is owned by the Prairie Island Indian Community Running Aces is seeking to recover damages and an injunction against the alleged illegal activities in the future said in a statement all the casino has ever sought "was to be treated fairly take advantage of improvements within the pari-mutuel environment and operate without fear of being eliminated." "It is our sincere desire to have our day in court and let the facts determine the outcome," Ito added Bring Me The News reached out to Mystic Lake and Little Six casinos for comment on Tuesday. By Tommy Wiita is a Minneapolis-based news lifestyle and sports reporter for Bring Me The News a screening of the movie Sight and Sound says is the best movie ever made saying he'd killed the mother of his child which features a swimming beach and splash pad The Star Tribune reports it has been at least four years since slot machines were inspected at Mystic Lake Casino in Shakopee Grand Casino Hinckley and Grand Casino Mille Lacs The Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement division of the DPS told the paper budget constraints have reduced the number of inspections by its three full-time agents The executive director of the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association says all casinos in the state are also regulated by the tribal governments I went to see a friend's new house in Mystic Island (Little Egg Harbor Township) and saw this giant thing in the middle of the road I researched it and found something interesting. Thanks to weirdnj.com I'm driving along and all of a sudden this It's a giant slab of concrete right in front of you There is no warning that it's sitting right there in the middle of the street There are no guard rails or signs. It's a giant block about twenty feet high and just as wide These three odd, giant mountain thingies were once the massive anchors for something known as the "Tuckerton Tower," according to weirdnj.com The towers were built in 1912 by a german company to communicate with Germany as well as ships and submarines in the Atlantic Ocean. At one point the tower was one of the two tallest structures ever built in the world The tower was built in German and shipped to the United States Transmission from the tower began on June 19th The tower which was anchored by these through huge was demolished in Ocean County in December 27th The massive blocs are still here in Mystic Island and they really are weird to look at Gallery Credit: Nicole Murray I went to see a friend's new house in Mystic Island (Little Egg Harbor Township) and saw this giant thing in the middle of the road. I had to find out more about it.\nRead More I researched it and found something interesting. Thanks to weirdnj.com These three odd, giant mountain thingies were once the massive anchors for something known as the "Tuckerton Tower," according to weirdnj.com Peppery sour black fruit notes on the nose No part of this publication may be reproduced distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Decanter Only Official Media Partners (see About us) of DecanterChina.com may republish part of the content from the site without prior permission under strict Terms & Conditions. Contact china@decanter.com to learn about how to become an Official Media Partner of DecanterChina.com Sign in to comment Italy’s sparkling wines are the perfect match for the celebratory gatherings that abound at this time of year and the breadth of their food pairing possibilities might just surprise you Half a century of passion and commitment for a project that set a new benchmark in Rioja.. Good wine is something to celebrate but as any wine lover knows Search for the Decanter China translation for the popular wine regions In-depth analysis and commentary on today's biggest news stories as only the BBC can deliver BBC "Newshour" covers everything from the growth of democracy to the threat of terrorism with a fresh A blowout tide in Mystic Island this afternoon WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today. Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal local news and information and world-class entertainment to everyone in our community WHYY offers a voice to those not heard, a platform to share everyone’s stories, a foundation to empower early and lifelong learners and a trusted space for unbiased news. Learn more about Social Responsibility at WHYY LITTLE EGG HARBOR – A Saturday night house fire that was thought to be extinguished reignited Sunday morning detonating propane tanks in the garage and melting siding on nearby homes The fire at 35 Lake Michigan Drive in the Mystic Island section of the township is considered suspicious and is under investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and county Fire Marshal The house has been vacant since superstorm Sandy said he contacted police Saturday night when he spotted the fire in the house Smoke was billowing from the roof when firefighters arrived police were stationed outside to watch the structure overnight Curtis said he fell asleep early Sunday morning and was awakened a short time later by blasts then there were three explosions,” Curtis said causing propane tanks in the garage to burst “One of the bottles launched across the street,” Mahr said The house became completely engulfed by fire and the heat from the inferno melted vinyl siding on nearby homes The house has sat vacant since superstorm Sandy and no one was inside at the the time of the fire Curtis was temporarily evacuated from his house and police said firefighters climbed onto his second-story deck and hosed the structures Curtis said he shares the house with two brothers Tuckerton and West Tuckerton responded to the scene Amanda Oglesby: 732-557-5701; aoglesby@app.com This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page A three-alarm fire swept through a Little Egg Harbor home before it collapsed on Dec Mystic Lake Volunteer Fire Department (Station 72) crews were dispatched and the Little Egg Harbor police found heavy fire throughout the structure 72 command arrived and struck a second alarm Heavy fire was shwoing from the 2 1/2-story structure and the B and D exposures were in danger Three hoselines were pulled from Engine 7211 arrived and used on the A Ladder 7205 was put into service on the A side of the home while a third alarm was struck The fire was placed under control four hours later and the last units left the scene about 2:15 p.m No injuries were reported and the cause of tire is under investigation by the Ocean County Fire Marshals Office For those who have never heard of Mystic Island - I'm guessing that's about 95 percent of New Jersey - it's a community at the southernmost edge of Ocean County part of Little Egg Harbor Township and next to Tuckerton I live right on the water - that's my deck above - with Long Beach Island to the left and Atlantic City straight ahead across Great Bay (I can see the Borgata quite clearly day and night) where I saw Sandy wipe out much of my last week of vacation Why I didn't stay down there for a few more days (it was sunny and 82 degrees today and the forecast is for sunny skies the rest of the week) I will keep this blog/chat going as long as possible but at some point I believe I'm going to have to turn out the lights and get out of Dodge A fire engine from our local fire department went through the neighborhood an hour ago announcing a mandatory evacuation at 6 p.m and I've been in it during nor'easters and it sways and shakes like you wouldn't believe and Sandy looks like it could be much worse which didn't affect us down here one bit Looks like everyone in my neighborhood has cleared out The water outside is rising - it won't be long before the little marshy island between me and Great Bay is obscured - and rain is lashing the windows I'll update this in a while; it's time to pack up essential items - couple days worth of clothes books (never did get much reading done on vacation) Will my place be still standing when I return I'd love to hear what's going on in your corner of the state - chime in when you get the chance Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, (updated 8/1/2024) and acknowledgement of our Privacy Policy, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/1/2025) Imagine turning the corner onto a street and coming to a dead stop because there is a giant block of cement in the middle of the road This is a reality on a few streets in Mystic Island as if the name of the town doesn't sound mysterious enough These perfectly square blocks that stretch 20 feet tall and sit smack dab in the middle of a street surrounded by houses The road itself was made wide enough so you could go around the obstruction once the initial confusion wears off But why do they exist and why were they left instead of being torn down to create a normal street There is said to be seven of these blocks total one of which used to have a staircase and balcony which people could climb up It is also said that through transmitting the code 'Get Lucy' over this telephone wire the Germans got the go to sink the Lusitania during World War I Whether these Mystic rumors are true or just old folklore if you happen to come across a massive brick in the road cruising around one day don't be alarmed It is just another piece of history hidden in South Jersey a freelance writer at Townsquare Media South Jersey as if the name of the town doesn't sound mysterious enough Read More Dennis Lehane in the Tinkham Veale University Center Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation Grand Ballroom His appearance is the second lecture in the William N Skirball Writer’s Center Stage Series sponsored by the Cuyahoga County Public Library Foundation Case Western Reserve University is the academic partner for this series A limited number of free student tickets will be available in person on the day of the event Students can show their university ID at the university center’s first floor info desk to obtain a ticket to the event All others can buy tickets online at case.edu/universitycenter/writers-center-stage/ Subscribe to The Daily Items that appear in the Community Postings section are submitted by visitors Posts are reviewed to ensure they are appropriate for our audience but typically are not edited by University Marketing and Communications Case Western Reserve University is committed to academic freedom and promoting diversity of thought The views of those who speak on our campus do not necessarily reflect the views of the university administration or any other segment of the university community You can hear the gas hissing as it comes out of the broken line Video: Mystic island Volunteer Fire Company Station 72 Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Kings Island has unveiled its newest roller coaster Mystic Timbers is a 3,265-foot long wooden coaster that reaches speeds of 53 miles per hour with 16 drops Bonnie Heck is a member of American Coaster Enthusiasts and traveled from Wisconsin to be one of the first to experience the ride "I thought it was a really good ride," she says "Because it's a wood coaster you never know if it's going to be rough but it was smooth You think you're going to go one way and then you turn the other way and it has surprises throughout the whole ride." Kings Island now boasts 18,804 feet of wooden coaster track Adam House is senior design engineer with Great Coasters We didn't go for the loopiest roller coaster in the world for a wood coaster But we came out with a ride that's just all around fun to ride." House says the ride's location in the park's River Town area provided some interesting challenges "We had to work around two different rides out there including the White Water Canyon flume ride and the train so to be able to integrate all these things together and really work to bring all this to life has been incredible." House says wooden coasters got a bad reputation in the 1980s and '90s but this thing rides like any great steel coaster; smooth from start to finish." The park opens to the public for its 45th season on Saturday Cincinnati native Jeff Pike fell in love with roller coasters at a very young age He remembers walking off The Beast in tears but also knowing creating coasters was what he wanted to do 'How do you make roller coasters?' He says I guess you have to be an engineer.' Boom!  I was seven years old and (decided) I'm an engineer I spent the next 16 years of my life doing nothing but trying to figure out how to design roller coasters." Pike is grown now and is president of Skyline Attractions "If you've been on a wooden coaster in the United States chances are my company has somehow been involved with it at some point along the way," says Pike He's also one of the people behind Mystic Timbers having one of my designs here at Kings Island.. I was walking in with my little girls telling them 'I used to walk into this park when I was five and this was the most exciting thing to me and now I have a roller coaster here.' It's just the coolest thing   LITTLE EGG HARBOR – Even before Superstorm Sandy devastated the Jersey Shore many Little Egg Harbor residents found their lagoons clogged with sediment the horror show intensified for those who docked their boats at home They worried about damage to their vessels – and had difficulties navigating them out to the bay   Dredging represented the obvious solution albeit an expensive one for homeowners to consider on their own then there was also the issue of red tape and securing the proper permits   “The residents of Osborn Island actually tried to start a dredging project on their own five years ago,” shared Little Egg Harbor Township Chief Financial Officer Rodney Haines “They found the estimates were going to be more than they could come up with at a single time They also did not have an organization that could take a loan out big enough to pay for it.” a group of Osborn Island property owners approached the township and asked for help Thus began the birth of Little Egg Harbor’s dredging project for its waterfront homeowners   The concept was simplistic and genius at the same time Little Egg Township officials agreed to take out a bond for the work and coordinate the dredging project in phases Homeowners whose properties touched lagoons would receive special assessments payable over ten years   “The cost to the town is really nothing in the end,” Haines said “Each project is a different amount of money depending on the amount of material that needs to be removed The special assessment is then divided equally among the number of properties in each section.”   Affected homeowners are all presented with the opportunity to vote for or against the dredging project when it comes due in their neighborhood not everyone who lives on the water has a boat or feels impacted by the shallow lagoons   Proponents of the project assert that dredging increases property values Others feel the cost was insignificant when compared with what it would do for their community   Dredging on Osborn Island began in 2018 and resulted in special assessments for 327 properties Although the project was completed in 2019 the special assessment didn’t start until 2021 Homeowners each have up to ten years to pay $5,056   “Part of the reason we held off was because of the pandemic,” Haines explained “We actually held off on selling bonds because the pandemic affected the bond interest rates We waited and got the residents a good interest rate.”   Waterfront homeowners on Mystic Island east of Radio Road saw 524 properties benefiting from the project Their special assessments came in at $4,845 per property   Mystic Island resident Dave Silva voted in favor of the project He has a jet boat and didn’t have any problems going out even before dredging was completed it isn’t just that it adds to the value on my home,” shared Silva “People buy on a lagoon to get water access and I want everyone to enjoy the water it was the right thing to do as part of my civic duty.”   The second readings of two ordinances on the township’s governing body’s agenda pertain to continuing the dredging project The Mystic Island west of Radio Road dredging project requires approval of an $8,550,000 bond; the Atlantis section needs appropriation of a $1,525,000 bond   “The estimates are that the Mystic Island West special assessment will be between $8,000-$9,000,” said Haines we’re expecting to be around $11,000 or $12,000.”   The cost comes in higher in these areas because there are more materials to be removed The dredger also needs to dispose of the materials which can involve higher trucking expenses as well   The special assessment isn’t just higher in the Atlantis section because there are more materials to remove Only 134 homes are on the water and expected to share the cost   “We did poll each of the sections and will only proceed if there is a favorable vote,” Haines shared the law basically says that if the town determines that a project like this would be in the best interests of residents the town can do special assessment projects.” this weekend the Mystic Krewe of Pine Island held their annual Spring Fling Fest on Saturday at the Paige Bayou Marina and featured all kinds of events like a cornhole tournament as well as a silent auction filled with unique items It wouldn’t be a true spring fling without music and food and the Mystic Krewe of Pine Island definitely didn’t disappoint While this a fun filled afternoon all the funds from this event went towards supporting one of their members in need To be in the know about future Mystic Krewe of Pine Island events you can head to their Facebook page the house at 48 Port Monmouth Road in Keansburg looked like a steal when it went up for auction but as Monmouth County Undersheriff Ted Freeman asked if there was any interest The property went back to the bank; in this case "There are other opportunities in other areas where investors will spend money," Robert Napolitano a real estate investor with DREAM Capital Management in Red Bank Eight years after the housing bubble burst, nearly a quarter of homeowners in Keansburg and the Mystic Island section of Little Egg Harbor Township still owe more than their homes are worth, the two highest rates in Monmouth and Ocean counties, according to data compiled by Zillow but they are connected in two key respects: They are populated by working class residents and they were hit hard by superstorm Sandy It leaves many homeowners there with three options none of which are appealing: They can walk away they can keep paying their mortgage and hope the value eventually will rebound or they can sell it at a loss and go to the closing with a check in hand And it leaves New Jersey's housing market with a major obstacle that continues to hamper its recovery "There are a lot of homeowners in New Jersey who are underwater in their mortgages and they're going to be under water for quite some time."  READ MORE: Sandy advocate calls for investigation of FEMA Zillow looked at the number of homeowners with a mortgage who owe more than their homes are worth during the fourth quarter of 2015 It's a predicament that is sometimes called "negative equity" or "underwater." Some 23.8 percent of Keansburg homeowners and 22 percent of Mystic Island homeowners owe more than their home is worth just 2.7 percent of Spring Lake Heights homeowners and 2.5 percent of Long Beach Township homeowners are in a similar bind But 22 ZIP codes in Ocean County and 13 ZIP codes in Monmouth County had higher negative-equity rates than the U.S a community of bungalows that are nestled against channels Homeowners there are still trying to rebound from job losses caused by casino closings in Atlantic City and the damage left by Sandy He bought his 5,000-square-foot home 28 years ago for $69,000 to serve as a vacation home and now owns it outright He moved here year-round five years ago from Runnemede He lives in peace adjacent to grassy lagoons And he can see the Atlantic City skyline at night But Sandy rolled through in the fall of 2012 causing more than $80,000 in damage — more than he paid for the home He doesn't have enough money left over from repairing his home to pay for flood insurance or to raise his house high enough to protect it he'll have to lower the price so that a buyer can afford to raise it I don't know what I'll do if I get (another storm) like that READ MORE: FEMA announces major flood insurance reforms Its residents have been hit hard by the casino closings in Atlantic City and its residents have had to dig deep into their pockets to elevate their homes above flood zone a broker who specializes in the sale of foreclosed homes with Home Alliance Realty Residents told about the data said they weren't surprised Michael and Carmen Bednarz bought a house in Mystic Island in 2008 for $240,000 They estimate that it is worth about $170,000 now "You try not to think about it," Michael Bednarz when banks freely approved mortgages to buyers sometimes without regard to their incomes or credit histories It fueled the economy; home owners could borrow money against their home and spend on upgrades Buyers in some cases were faced with a giant increase in their mortgage payments and couldn't keep up sending home values plummeting and touching off a global economic crisis New Jersey's recovery has been slower than the nation across the board: Average home prices mortgage delinquency rate and foreclosure inventory all lag the U.S. director of economic research for CohnReznick "We have about 10 percent of all the mortgages in New Jersey that are in the distressed category," O'Keefe said "That's a lot of houses that potentially come to the market at a significant discount." READ MORE: NJ Jobless rate falls; why are workers frustrated? have rebounded thanks in part to investors who pounced on low prices in hopes that they could fix them up and resell them at a profit if New Jersey's weather was warm enough or its homes inexpensive enough to attract outsiders Bob and Jamie Schurtz of Mansfield Township recently paid $144,000 for a vacation home in Mystic Island that was listed for $150,000 And it is set against a channel where they can keep their 27-foot Bayliner Ciera They had searched up and down the Shore for similar property putting its homeowners in difficult straits Some refinanced when the home prices were at a peak Some didn't have the income to keep up with their mortgage payments And some needed to find more money to protect their homes against another storm "We're trying to work with the banks to make sure the properties are maintained and are resold as quick as possible so they don't remain abandoned," Hoff said The house at 48 Port Monmouth Road in Keansburg was purchased in 2000 for $77,500 and its value has been a roller coaster ride READ MORE: Neptune homeowner wins court battle over 'abandoned' property But at the foreclosure auction earlier this month unwilling to improve on the bank's offer of $72,000 One house on Center Avenue advertises a lease-to-own opportunity: $1,250 down and $556 a month recently paid $80,000 for a home on Bayview Avenue that was listed for $85,000 And she was pleased she found a home that didn't need to be elevated above flood zone; she wouldn't have to climb several flights of stairs carrying groceries "It needs a lot of tender loving care right now," Fred Overbeck said Diamond; 732-643-4038; mdiamond@gannettnj.com Towns and ZIP Codes where the rate of homeowners who are "underwater" exceed the national average of 9 percent: By | January 12 Sign up to be alerted when the latest Amusement Today issue is published via our Digital Edition and you’ll also receive the daily EXTRA featuring FREE industry news delivered directly to your email every workday morning by Amusement Today © 1997-2025 Amusement Today By | February 5 MASON Ohio – Construction on Kings Island’s new Mystic Timbers roller coaster continues to take shape Work has begun on building the mid-course tunnel section of the ride Mystic Timbers is a custom-designed ride built for Kings Island by Great Coasters International which recently designed the Gold Striker roller coaster at California’s Great America in Santa the 109-foot-tall wooden coaster will feature 16 airtime moments through wooded terrain along 3,265 feet of track at speeds up to 53 mph with an intriguing mystery: What’s in the shed By the time workmen complete construction on the ride they will have used approximately 330,000 board feet of southern yellow pine lumber; 30,000 pounds of nails; 88,000 bolts and washers and 5,500 cubic yards of concrete for the foundation Mystic Timbers makes its highly anticipated debut in the spring Yonaguni is the westernmost island of Japan as well as one of the Yaeyama islands in Okinawa prefecture It is a very beautiful island which was also used as a film site Let me introduce this mysterious island to you The first way is to take a direct flight from Naha airport which I did Another way is flying or sailing from Ishigaki island The airplane flying between Yonaguni island and Okinawa prefecture was tiny and cute - probably because of the small size of the island It was unusual for me to see this small airplane with two propellers on each sides as I'm used to seeing jumbo size airplanes Yonaguni airport was small as well which I thought was pretty practical A harvest festival was happening when I went into the center of the island It seems like the harvest festival happens annually in autumn Everyone on the island was participating in various traditional dances or events Yonaguni's ocean was so clean just like Okinawa's The clear water and cool wind gave me such refreshing feeling I recommend getting a rental car to tour around the island You can also see dairy farming at the northern part of the island Yonaguni island is famous for three animals - spearfish The spearfish is an important animal for the local people's fishing industry The horses of this island are famous for being strong and healthy And there is a moth museum at the center of the island When you go to the westernmost part of the island the beautiful scenery of the town will spread out before your eyes You will feel that you are at the westernmost spot of Japan when you see that rock you will see the distance between Yonaguni island and Okinawa prefecture (509km) written on it as well as the distance between Yonaguni island and Taiwan (111km) You will feel how close you are to Taiwan from this island Yonaguni island was used as a film site for the TV drama Yonaguni island is also full of delicious food One of my favorite foods was a snack called Mimiga (ミミガー) - jerked pig's ear skin Mimiga was a perfect combination with Awamori(泡盛) Yaeyamasoba (Yonaguni style noodle) was impressive too as well as other foods made with spearfish Read now > Sign up for our weekly newsletter of articles from Japan — A juvenile grey seal was found tangled up in plastic netting and nylon rope on Block Island on Monday — the third such case in two weeks according to the animal rescuers who saved it The young female seal was reported to Mystic Aquarium’s 24-hour hotline on Sunday and a trained marine animal rescuer who was on Block Island successfully kenneled it on the beach near North Light on Monday morning The seal was entangled in a pink gill net and nylon rope that caused deep cuts to its flippers when it tried to swim The seal barked in pain as it was transported on the Block Island Ferry to Point Judith and then to Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Program Sarah Callan, manager of Animal Rescue at Mystic Aquarium and in good condition after the netting was removed from around its neck and body ”The dangerous thing with animals this young is they are growing at a pretty fast rate If we hadn’t gotten to this animal when we did there could have been very significant effects from this entanglement as it grew,” she said The rescue of a seal wrapped in plastic debris on Earth Day — held each April 22 to support environmental protection — vividly underscored the perils of marine pollution in the waters off of Rhode Island Callan said that the source of the debris that trapped this seal was “obvious” — both the netting and rope are fishing materials and the seal was rescued from a fishing area — but other plastics journey from people’s backyards through storm drains to ocean waters “It’s very easy to disassociate the trash that we throw out at home because we don’t see where it ends up,” she said “Even though you might not be the one releasing it into the ocean or dropping it on the beach a lot of the trash that we use every day ends up in the ocean one way or another.” Rhode Island is facing a growing plastic pollution problem, from miniature alcohol bottles, often called “nips,” to single-use plastic bags that end up hanging from tree branches and clogging sewers during rain storms. A bottle bill to ban nips has been stuck in the legislature for years A ban on single-use plastic bags went into effect on Jan The plastics problem isn’t limited to what’s easily visible. Last summer, two University of Rhode Island researchers conducted a first-of-its-kind study on microplastics in Narragansett Bay that found “extensive” microplastic storage along the top 2 inches of the Bay’s seafloor Once the seal was brought to Mystic Aquarium about six people assisted Callan and veterinarian Natalie Noll as they examined the seal After it was free from the plastic netting the seal was put into a blue tub and placed next to another Block Island seal where it played in a stream of water and rested It could be weeks before the seal is cleared to be released into the wild And it will get a new name — something related to pasta the current theme for all rescued marine animals who stay at Mystic Callan said aquarium staff are monitoring eight other seals in Southern New England who appear entangled but aren’t in places where they can be reached “It is very fitting this seal happened to strand on Earth day,” Callan said “It makes its rescue and the story more significant to us We can all learn from this case and it sends a great message that there is a lot of debris out there Every individual effort plays a role in the big picture for these animals.” Carlos Muñoz can be reached at carlos.munoz@globe.com. Follow him @ReadCarlos and on Instagram @Carlosbrknews. Home Delivery Gift Subscriptions Log In Manage My Account Customer Service Delivery Issues Feedback News Tips Help & FAQs Staff List Advertise Newsletters View the ePaper Order Back Issues News in Education Search the Archives Privacy Policy Terms of Service Terms of Purchase Work at Boston Globe Media Internship Program Co-op Program Do Not Sell My Personal Information Kings Island is getting another wooden roller coaster will have more than 3,000 feet of track and will hit a top speed of 53 mph This coaster's length will give Kings Island a new accolade: It will have the longest collective footage of wooden tracks in the world at 18,804 feet And when Mystic Timbers opens in April 2017 it will become the park's fourth wooden coaster After months of clue-dropping on social media officials at the Mason theme park announced its next attraction late Thursday Here's a closer look at the Mystic Timbers design details: The theme is "an area surrounding a lumber company becoming overrun by a mysterious Medusa-like overgrowth of vines as nature reclaims its land," according to the announcement.It will be 3,265 feet in length.Reach 109 feet in height.Reach speeds up to 53 mph.Will feature a total of 16 airtime hills a mid-course tunnel.Three trains will accommodate 24 passengers each.Capacity is 1,200 riders per hour.Experience will last more than two minutes.Guests must be at least 48 inches tall to ride.It will weave "along steep cliffs cross over water and go through an extreme S-turn among a forest of trees" and interact with a part of the Kings Island & Miami Valley Railroad as well as the White Water Canyon attraction Mystic Timbers will be designed and built by Great Coasters International Inc His early experiences riding wooden roller coasters at Kings Island "really put something inside of me that (made me want) to design these rides," House said "This is the mecca for wooden coasters," he said Mystic Timbers will be in prestigious company "I think The Beast put us on the map," said Kings Island’s vice-president and general manager Greg Scheid said "We've always had an affinity with wooden coasters." The last major new roller coaster announcement at the 364-acre amusement and waterpark the world's longest inverted steel roller coaster The $24-million project was then Kings Island's largest investment in its more than 40-year history Scheid said the park is no longer releasing cost amounts of specific projects was manufactured by Swiss firm Bolliger and Mabillard The construction employed hundreds of local workers from various area construction and fabrication companies Earlier this year, a new water slide opened in the Soak City Waterpark which is owned by the same company as Kings Island Mystic Timbers might not be the last new attraction at Kings Island in 2017 Officials said Thursday night that they have another big announcement coming this year Many homes were destroyed by Sandy on Mystic Island Promotional handouts are marketing Mystic Island to potential vacation-home owners and early retirees A promotional handouts for Mystic Island homes Hurricane Sandy destroyed thousands of homes in the Mystic Island section of Little Egg Harbor Township a year ago there is a plan to reinvent and resell this waterfront community once made up of small bungalow homes and mostly year-round residents spelled out in a glossy advertising brochure is meant to entice second-home buyers to invest in a "shore thing." To do that investors must be made aware of this southern Ocean County community that a member of the township's Hurricane Sandy Recovery Task Force The task force is behind the brochure and marketing plan "That does not mean we are driving out the family looking for a year-round home or the responsible investor It just makes business sense when putting a marketing book together to market to the summer resident or early retiree," Kitrick said "I can't believe they're doing this and marketing this area already There's people like us who are not even back in their homes yet," said Ken Turner have been living in the nearby Atlantic City North Campground since Hurricane Sandy hit Mystic Island the couple watched from the second floor of their next-door neighbor's house as four feet of water filled their own home Turner thumbed through a rough draft of the marketing book that is described as a guide to a well-kept secret and shook his head "We're trying so hard to come home to our house and they are marketing this area when the people who belong here aren't even back yet," he said saying they weren't trying to move out the year-round residents they are trying to ensure that homes that are vacant or abandoned because people have chosen not to return do not become a blight on the community I personally am doing whatever I can to help people stay and rebuild bigger and better That's not possible for every homeowner and we need to be ready for the people that cannot or do not want to rebuild," he said will let the buyer looking in Beach Haven West Seaside or inland on the island know that they should be looking at Little Egg Harbor too "It's not that we don't want families to live here as a year-round residents It's that the median income in the township is about $58,000 You can't afford to rebuild a four-bedroom home on the waterfront with that income Marketing to those people would be futile," Kitrick said Edward Gautier lives in the Osborn Island section of the township and is the vice chairman of the task force and chairman of the township Zoning Board "I would think that people would be appreciative that the town is trying to do something to attract people to the township," said Gautier "Anybody that is looking to have a residence on the Jersey Shore would be a viable candidate for what we are trying to attract." The problem in Little Egg Harbor is the Mystic Island slab bungalow which was always meant to be a summer home and developed into a year-round property The National Flood Insurance Program will pay to repair the property and will give $30,000 to raise the property but the costs to raise these homes is often over $60,000 The reality is these homes with substandard construction should not be repaired and raised they should be replaced with modern and many of them bungalows built decades ago on small lots off manmade lagoons the sprawling waterfront community would have never received land-use approvals or met regulations from the state Department of Environmental Protection The digging out of the lagoons around the properties was stopped in the early 1970s by the state Department of Environmental Protection following the passage of the Coastal Area Facility Review Act which stiffened coastal development regulations and the permitting process for building A collection of unfinished lagoons marks the sudden stop of development here just a short drive down down the west end of Calabreeze Way the recreational bungalow home design - three bedrooms one bathroom and a carport - was not intended for year-round living That concept changed over the ensuing few decades as the recreational community became a neighborhood of year-round residents the homes here are three feet below the anticipated base flood elevation regulations Kitrick said he sees three potential types of investors: families looking for a year-round home with money to raze and rebuild investors looking for a quick financial turnaround on the cheap and summer residents with income these summer residents are looking for a good deal on the property that will eventually become their retirement home "These buyers have been buying in the coastal communities and Long Beach Island They can afford to develop the waterfront lots to their maximum potential This is also the majority of the market of people purchasing homes right now It only makes sense to market to this demographic of second-home owners," he said Phillip De Medici said the mentality since Hurricane Sandy for those who are trying to return to their homes has become "raise your home or get out." De Medici moved to Mystic Island from Newark when he was 5 years old The Mystic Island he knew was like Mayberry on the water - everyone knew everybody His father traveled from Newark and worked as a contractor installing carpeting and flooring in the original bungalow homes of Mystic Island when it was first unveiled For everyone coming out of crime-riddled cities such as Newark DeMedici described himself as "a riot baby," born during the Newark riots of 1967 his father came home and found their neighbor dead on her doorstep there was a community pool across from the Mystic Island Marina and a sense of community three-quarters of the community's homes are vacant "People who have lived there for years were never required to have flood insurance Pretty much all of Mystic Island is for sale now because FEMA came in and is making people raise their homes because of the base flood elevation," he said owner of PDM Construction in Egg Harbor City said he returned to Mystic Island the day of the storm to rescue his parents from his childhood home on Holden Street A fire truck ended up rescuing his parents De Medici lost a truck attempting to rescue another couple He continues to give back to the community doing contracting work for free for those who suffered damage during the storm "This storm has pushed out people who have been there since I was a baby brothers - who can't come home because they can't afford to Mystic Island resident and business owner Scott Albertson is hopeful that the reinvention of the township will succeed opens up his store Scott's Bait and Tackle on Radio Road in Mystic Island but he doesn't come from his home on Anchor Drive when Hurricane Sandy brought with her 42 inches of water and flooded his home Albertson and his wife have been living about six blocks away from his store in a rental home on Commodore Drive Albertson has lived in Mystic Island since 1974 He remembered the boardwalks that were built at the end of the roads "As a business person and someone whose house was destroyed and I am still not back in his home yet If this town doesn't find a way to get people to come into this town and purchase these properties it's going to turn into a slum lord land," he said but right now if someone drives down here in their BMW they're going to say they're not going to build a house across the street from that or drive down a pothole ridden street," he said DWeaver@pressofac.com That's how Bill Devenny describes the 12 months since Hurricane Sandy roared ashore Sign up for a digital subscription to The Press of Atlantic City now and take advantage of a great offer Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account