Lost Amusement Parks of the North Jersey Shore to be discovered at Monmouth County Library

By Muriel Smith

Rick Geffken, author

MANALAPAN – Noted author Rick Geffken will bring his stories of New Jersey amusement parks to the Headquarters Library Thursday, June 21, at 7 p.m.

The author of “Lost Amusement Parks of the North Jersey Shore,” and other books on local history will display images from the Library of Congress and local collections documenting how the Jersey Shore was the most famous vacation and recreational destination along the US coast in earlier times.

Geffken, who lives in Farmingdale, will bring to life through word and photo the families who spent their days on the beaches of the Jersey Shore and their evenings sipping sodas, savoring candied apples and purchasing salt water taffy and souvenirs of their visits to Asbury Park, Highlands, Sea Bright, and other amusement parks. Geffken will also talk about the rides at these amusement parks and the varieties of personalities whose summers were enjoyed along the boardwalk and beach.

George Severini co-authored the book with Geffken which was published by Arcadia Publishing last year.

A contributor to the Two River Times and other newspapers, Geffken has participated in a symposium for the Navesink Maritime Historical Association, spoken at numerous historical gatherings and appeared on television discussing his writing and his sources for some of the intricate and never before u tales he highlights in the book.

An adjunct professor at Ocean County Community College, Geffken is a retired sales executive, former business owner and secondary school teacher. He is a retired army officer who served in Vietnam and holds degrees and certificates in education from St. Peter’s University, Monmouth University and Montclair State University.

The author will have copies and will autograph his book available for purchase at the presentation.

For more information on this and all programs at Headquarters library or any of the branches of the Monmouth County Library, visit www.monmouthcountylib.org.