Lighthouse Prints to be featured on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
The Maine Lighthouse Collection Prints by artist Alan Claude can be seen on the December 6th episode which airs at 8/7c on ABC TV. Alan Claude’s exquisite lighthouse prints and his calendar are all available from Lighthouse Depot. If you are looking to decorate that empty wall space at your home or place of business, Alan Claude prints will be the perfect match. There are many lighthouses to choose from, so look for your favorite. The prints make great Christmas gifts and you can tell others they were featured on a television program. Alan Claude is also a strong supporter of various lighthouse preservation causes. Click here to View Prints and Calendars.

Ghost Adventures Lighthouse Program on TV
The Travel Channel’s program “Ghost Adventures” will feature an entire show on New York’s Execution Rocks Lighthouse on December 18. (However, some web sites indicate the program will air on Dec. 11.) Check your local listings for the exact date and time. This promises to be an exciting episode to watch.

Bottom Lands Agreement Reached
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the Michigan Lighthouse Alliance have announced a major breakthrough Bottomlands Use Agreement for Offshore Lighthouses. The agreement will now allow for the transfer of ownership of the Harbor Beach Lighthouse and the DeTour Reef Lighthouse as well as other lighthouses that might be excessed by the United States Coast Guard in Michigan.

Festival of Lighthouses
The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, Connecticut is hosting its 8th Annual Festival of Lighthouses display. The display consists of 20 hand-crafted lighthouses. Marketing Director of the museum, Chris Lloyd, said, “It’s long been a tradition in New England to decorate lighthouses for the holidays. Well, we have a tradition here of decorating the Maritime Aquarium with lighthouses.” Visitors to the museum can vote on their favorite lighthouses and prizes as high as $1,000 will be awarded to the winning lighthouse model makers at a ceremony to be held January 21 at the museum. The Festival of Lighthouses can be viewed at the museum from now through January 18. For more information you can visit their web site at www.MaritimeAquarium.org.

Wanted - Keepers of Superior Entry - Wisconsin Point
We are looking for photographs of the lighthouse keepers and lighthouse life at Wisconsin Point Lighthouse in Superior, Wisconsin. The lighthouse is also known as Superior Entry Light and Superior Harbor Entry South Breakwater Lighthouse. If you can help please e-mail .

Racine Harbor Light
We are also in search of photographs of the building that was once the Racine Harbor Lighthouse and the structure that once housed the Racine Life Saving Station in Racine, Wisconsin. They later became the Racine Coast Guard Station and are now part of a marina. If you can help in any way, it would be sincerely appreciated. Photos can be e-mailed to .

Holiday Fair for Portsmouth Lighthouse
December 6, 2009, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. - Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse, a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation, is holding a Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair at the Casey Function Center at 1950 Lafayette Road (Route 1) in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. You are invited to browse photography, paintings, and a variety of homemade gifts! FMI you can visit their web site at www.PortsmouthHarborLighthouse.org or call them at 603-431-9155.

Absecon Lighthouse Acquires Titanic Artifacts
New Jersey’s Absecon Lighthouse has acquired memorabilia and exhibit material relating to the famed Titanic, the vessel that sank on April 15, 1912 after striking an iceberg. The collection valued at more than $150,000 was originally assembled in the 1990s and intended to be part of a traveling exhibit. One of the artifacts is a 25-foot life boat believed to have been from the Titanic. The boat, along with most of the other items, is now being kept in storage until a proper and secure display can be built to protect and preserve it.

Raffle for Maine Lighthouse Museum
The Maine Lighthouse Museum is hosting a raffle as part of its fund raising efforts. First Prize is a hand-made child’s toboggan. Second prize is a Rockland Breakwater library table. Third and Fourth prizes are photographs of Rockland Breakwater. Fifth prize is an American Lighthouses Cookbook. Tickets are $1.00 each or six for $5.00. They can be ordered from Maine Lighthouse Museum, One Park Dr., P.O. Box 1116, Rockland, ME 04841. Drawing will be held December 18, 2009.

Crisp Point Light Historical Society President Is Lost
This past October Don Ross, president of the Crisp Point Light Historical Society passed away. Don, who along with his late wife, Nellie, founded the Crisp Point Light Historical Society to save this lighthouse in a remote part of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. They led a miraculous effort that saved the lighthouse from toppling. When we reported Don’s passing in the last issue of the Depot Dispatch, we reported his name as Don Nelson, instead of Don Ross. We sincerely apologize for this error. Over the years, Lighthouse Digest has done numerous stories about the efforts and restoration work done by Crisp Point Light Historical Society under the leadership of Don and Nellie Ross; most recently in their August 2009 issue. Don was a true lighthouse leader who made many friends. Don created a legacy that will be carried forward for many years. He will be truly missed. The family has requested that memorial donations can be made in Don Ross’s name and sent to the Crisp Point Lighthouse Society, c/o Rick Brockway, 450 W. Marr Road, Howell, Michigan 48855.

ALF Volunteer Awards
As part of its recent 15th anniversary celebration, the American Lighthouse Foundation honored the following chapter volunteers with the Len Hadley Volunteerism Awards: Ron Foster for Avery Point Lighthouse, CT; Todd and Marcia Gipstein from the New London Ledge Lighthouse, CT; Caren Clark from Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, ME; Nicki Nunes from Race Point Lighthouse, MA; Mary Manning from Sandy Neck Lighthouse; Rodger and Linda Van Tatenhove from Little River Lighthouse, ME; Ginger Allison from Owls Head Lighthouse, ME; Florence Quigley from Pomham Rocks Lighthouse, RI; Ted Panayotoff from Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, ME; Mal Stallings from Wood Island Lighthouse, ME; Walt Mills from New England Lighthouse Lovers (NELL); Capt. Neil Odams from Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse, NH; and Laura Davis from the American Lighthouse Foundation. Its highest award, “Keeper of the Light” was awarded to Raymond “Skip” Empey. Congratulations to all of them.

No Coal Here
Since 1994 Lighthouse Depot has offered a number of different Christmas stockings for Christmas. However, this year’s Folk Art Lighthouse Stocking has a real Americana flavor of Christmas past that is sure to delight the entire family. Once Santa looks at this hand-stitched embroidery, we guarantee he won’t leave any coal. It is available as item #28478.

Crisp Point Light Keepers Program
The Crisp Point Lighthouse is looking for volunteers to be keepers for various times from May to October 2010 at the lighthouse. Responsibilities include greeting visitors, and opening the tower. Keepers will be given a key to the tower. You can camp in a camper or tent near the lighthouse or stay in a motel and drive out to the lighthouse each day. You must be a member of the group to be a keeper. The lighthouse is located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Your letters of interest can be sent to Crisp Point Light Historical Society, % Rick Brockway, 450 W. Marr Rd., Howell, MI 48855.

This Issues Trivia Questions

1. One of the largest gatherings in history of Maine and New England lighthouse keepers, lighthouse family members and Coast Guard, Navy and Army personnel attended the funeral of this pilot. What was his name?
2. This year is the 80th anniversary of this fictional lighthouse character whose role was taken over by a non-fictional person. What, who, or whom are we referring to?
3. In what year was this 1850 lighthouse with a red band moved?

Send your answers to one, two or all three of the trivia questions listed above to: . One name from each of the correct answers to each trivia question will be randomly drawn for a prize from Lighthouse Depot. The winning names and the answers to the above trivia questions will be published in next month’s Depot Dispatch. When submitting your answers, be sure to include your full name and mailing address so we can mail your prize to you should your name be drawn from among the correct answers. Please submit only one answer per person per trivia question. Multiple entries will not be accepted; only one answer per trivia question will be accepted. Since winning entries are drawn at random, one person could possibly win more than one prize. Have fun researching lighthouse history and good luck!

When submitting your answers, be sure to include your full name and mailing address so we can mail your prize to you should your name be drawn from among the correct answers.

Last Depot Dispatch Trivia Winners

1. The State of Maine declared this word illegal and required that all public locations in the state, including historic sites, using this word in their name, to change their name. Two United States lighthouses were built that have this word in their name. What are the names of the two lighthouses?
   The correct answer is Squaw Point Lighthouse and Squaw Island Lighthouse, both in Michigan. Congratulations to Rachel Ann Morris of Richmond, Virginia whose name was randomly selected from among the correct answers submitted.
   
   Incidentally, a story, with rare never before published photos about Squaw Point Lighthouse, in Michigan, will appear in the December issue of Lighthouse Digest.
   
   
2. What is the name of the lighthouse person who once owned the lighthouse inspector’s flag that is now on display at the Maine Lighthouse Museum in Rockland, Maine?
   The correct answer is Joseph T. Yates. Congratulations to Tracy Winters of Greensburg, Indiana whose name was randomly selected from among the correct answers submitted. A recently discovered photograph of Joseph T. Yates in his United States Lighthouse Establishment uniform will be published in the December issue of Lighthouse Digest.
   
   
3. What was the name of the lighthouse that appeared on a United States postage stamp that served almost no useful purpose? Unfortunately, there were no correct answers submitted. The correct answer is the 29-cent Sandy Hook Lighthouse, New Jersey, postage stamp issued in 1978 as part of the Americana Series. New Jersey. The stamp was titled, “Lonely Beacon Protecting Those at Sea.” As part of the series, the 16-cent Statue of Liberty and the 29-cent Sandy Hook Lighthouse postage stamps were issued for a proposed, but never implemented "business rate" for first class mail, which was to be higher than the personal rate (only letters with handwritten addresses would be eligible for the lower rate). The proposed rate was rejected by the Postal Rate Commission which chose instead a 15 cent rate (for two ounces, 28 cents) for all mail. Since the 16 and 29 cent stamps satisfied no rate, and were not a convenient round number, they saw almost no use.
   
   Lighthouse Depot offers two sizes of the Sandy Hook Lighthouse by Harbour Lights as item #42418 and #43218 as well as an exquisite Sandy Hook Lighthouse lamp as item #12422. The lighthouse is also one of the featured lighthouses on the Northeast Old Fashioned glasses, item #39502 and the Northeast High Ball glasses, item #39602.

Our sincere thanks to everyone who entered the Lighthouse Depot Trivia Contest and we hope you had fun. Prizes for the winners will be shipped out shortly.

Decorating the Tree
Over the years many customers have sent us photographs of their Christmas Trees that have been decorated with lighthouse ornaments. From the number of photos and letters we receive, lighthouse Christmas Trees apparently generate a lot of conversation.
* This year Lighthouse Depot offers the Jim Shore Coastal Snowman ornaments, which with its lighthouse scene, will be loved by all. It is available as item #28395.
* This year Lighthouse Depot is also offering the Kinkade Inspirational Spiral Ornaments as item #28103. These are sure to be treasured family heirlooms in years to come.
* Of special interest this year is our Lighted Lighthouse Ornament with Dolphin. The ever changing colors from this glass lighthouse, accented in gold, arrive with the required batteries. It can be yours as item #28042.
* Fresnel lenses, which are mostly now in museums, are considered the “Jewel of the Lighthouse.” Now you can have your Christmas Tree sparkle with the Harbour Lights Fresnel lens ornaments, which are available as item #42718.

Tell Your Friends
Please tell your friends about the Depot Dispatch, each month includes some great and fun lighthouse trivia questions as well as important lighthouse news. Everyone can have fun trying to outsmart each other, plus, you’ll have fun learning about lighthouses and their history.

Mov‘em out
Be sure to visit the Lighthouse Depot Clearance Central for an ever changing selection of discontinued and close out items.

Reflections
Since 1994 Lighthouse Depot has been a leader in helping to draw public attention to lighthouses from coast to coast and from the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast. Your support, through the purchase of products from our catalog, is sincerely appreciated, especially in these economic times that have been difficult for many.

From the homes of our employees, to your homes across the nation, we thank you for your business and ongoing support and we wish you and yours a wonderful Holiday Season!