JERSEY: Grafton’s destination totem pole gets update

By Steven Spencer

Grafton’s destination totem pole received an update with new and refurbished signs featuring different locations and their distance from Grafton in nautical miles.

The project was a community effort with Grafton resident Tom Lenkman making the signs and Emily Gilmore, Cheryl Pfeiffer, Jennifer Beuhuer and Lou Lenkman designing and painting them.

The destination totem pole has been a fixture of Grafton’s riverfront for years with markers for Gulf Shores, New Orleans, Key West, Toronto and many more.

“We originally did a Facebook poll and asked locals to name a place that they may have visited.  This year we added 5 new signs.  Each sign represents a place accessible by boat from Grafton; actually, that’s anywhere in the world.  The top sign is for the veterans—Omaha Beach, Normandy, France—WWII, and the bottom sign is for Grafton; ‘Start your journey here.’  The others are places that people have visited or would like to explore, launching from Grafton. It’s our gift to Grafton so visitors can remember their trip to this “Real American River Town,” when they go about their lives,” Lou Lenkman said in a press release.

Mayor Mike Morrow thanked the community members who took the time to make, design, paint and help defray costs as the city welcomes visitors from all over.

“Thank you to all who worked so diligently to complete this project for Grafton—for those with roots and those who wander. You’ll find our Destination Totem Pole near the Lighthouse, welcoming all from near and far,” Mayor Morrow said in the release.