Shown with Meteorologist Amy Freeze (second from right) and other plungers during Sea Isle City’s 2006 Polar Bear Plunge, Dr. Irene Jameson (third from right) will launch her new book, Memoirs of a Polar Bear Queen, during this year’s plunge-weekend, Feb

SEA ISLE CITY — Each year during Sea Isle City’s Polar Bear Plunge, people look forward to a variety of entertaining events, including a festive costume contest, the crowning of a Polar Bear King and Queen, a 5K Run/1M Walk for Autism and an exhilarating dip in the ocean.

What they don’t expect is an intriguing history lesson from the woman who led Sea Isle’s first plunge in 1995 – but that’s just what they will find during the 17th Annual Polar Bear Plunge in February, thanks to a new book titled Memoirs of a Polar Bear Queen.

More than 15 years ago, while Jameson was Sea Isle City’s Director of Public Relations and a volunteer with the Tourism Commission, the concept of an annual plunge to boost local tourism was first suggested to her by her son, Robert. At that time, Sea Isle had few off-season events and no activities taking place in February, but that changed when Jameson led two dozen other plungers into the ocean during the city’s first Polar Bear Plunge on Feb.18, 1995.

Sixteen years later, Sea Isle’s Polar Bear Plunge has become one of town’s biggest annual events, attracting thousands of participants and countless spectators. To document the plunge each year, Jameson diligently collected a bevy of newspaper clippings and photographs, which later became the inspiration for her book.

“I started out to make a scrapbook for the Sea Isle City Historical Museum. I was then told that it would make a good publication that I could sell for charity,” said Jameson.

Realizing that her book would have a broad appeal, she soon decided to sell printed copies and donate the net proceeds to an organization that supports children with Autism.

“The book features hundreds of photos featuring spectators and people who have taken the plunge over the years, many of whom wore costumes and appeared with their families and friends,” added Jameson. “I think people will be thrilled to see themselves in this book. It’s a detailed history of the entire Polar Bear Plunge from 1995 through 2010.”

According to Jameson, who drew added attention to the plunge each year by wearing eye-catching costumes and sitting on an ice throne, Memoirs of a Polar Bear Queen will be on sale throughout Plunge Weekend, Feb. 18-20.

“If anyone wants me to sign a copy of the book and pose for a photo during this year’s plunge, I will be under the Family Tent at LaCosta (JFK Boulevard and Landis Avenue) all weekend, Friday through Sunday,” Jameson said. “On the day of the plunge, many of my friends will also be selling books at several other locations in town, including on the Promenade at 43rd Street and in front of Dalrymple’s Cards and Gifts, First Eastern Realty, Welshie’s Steak House and Chrissie’s Boutique.”

“If you have been to any of Sea Isle’s plunges over the years, you will want to see this book, because it has many pictures of the people who were there,” said Jameson, 86, who was formerly an English teacher and publicist for the Philadelphia School District. “And the best part is that the book is raising funds for charity!”

Memoirs of a Polar Bear Queen sells for $20. Copies are also available by mailing a check or money order for $25 to 1500 Landis Avenue, Sea Isle City, NJ 08243. For additional information, phone 609-263-2968.