Grief Supporting 'Wind Phone' Proposed At Lacey Park

LACEY, NJ — A request to place a wind phone at Deerhead Lake Park beach drew support from township officials during a public meeting, where resident Dorothie Bonfanti described it as a space for people who are grieving.

Bonfanti told officials she wants to install the wind phone on the beach at Deerhead Lake Park. She said the small house for the phone has already been built and donated by a local contractor, and she said she also has the phones that would be placed inside it.

Asked to explain the concept, Bonfanti said, “it is a non-connected to any earthly system old school rotary phone that you can put in a peaceful place where people who are grieving can come and call their, you know, quote unquote call their loved one whether they want to say something that they didn't get a chance to say or they want to tell them about it, you know, their day, whatever.”

Bonfanti said she believes the town has experienced significant loss in the last two years, “especially children.” She said her 17-year-old son, Daniel Watkins, was among those who died. She said the phone could give families and young people a place to remember someone and speak privately in a peaceful setting.

Bonfanti also said she tried to make the project as inexpensive as possible for the township. In the discussion, she agreed that she would maintain the wind phone itself if anything is broken. She also said she plans to raise money for at least two benches to form a half-circle around the structure so people can sit and reflect.

Bonfanti said the only work the township would need to do would be routine cleanup already taking place at the beach. Officials also said she had been in contact with public works about an area for the installation.

Township officials responded favorably after hearing the request.

“I think it's a wonderful idea and I think it's something we should definitely get behind,” Committeewoman Peggy Sue Juliano said.