New Lighthouse Postage Stamps
The next release of the United States Postal Service’s series of lighthouse postage stamps to be released later this year will be Lighthouses of the Gulf Coast. The five lighthouse postage stamps will be of Matagorda Island Lighthouse in Texas, Sabine Pass Lighthouse in Louisiana, Biloxi Lighthouse in Mississippi, Sand Island Lighthouse in Alabama and Fort Jefferson Lighthouse, which is also known as Garden Key Lighthouse in Florida. You can learn more about the lighthouses that will appear on the postage stamps in future issues of Lighthouse Digest magazine. Lighthouse Depot offers replicas of two of these lighthouses from Harbour Lights; Matagorda Lighthouse, Texas as item# 43300 and the Biloxi Lighthouse item# 42480 or item# 43265.

Another Lighthouse Postage Stamp
This year the United States Postal Service will also issue a postage stamp honoring the famous American artist, Edward Hopper featuring his 1930s painting “The Long Leg,” which features a little known American lighthouse that has previously been written about in Lighthouse Digest. The stamp will be issued at the American Philatelic Stamp Show in Pittsburgh, PA on August 6th, which is one day before National Lighthouse Day. The full story and name of the lighthouse will be in a future print edition of Lighthouse Digest magazine.

Lighthouse Coins
The North Bend Chief Petty Officers Association has three different lighthouse coins for sale at $20.00 each. They feature Umpqua River Lighthouse, Yaquina Head Lighthouse and Cape Arago Lighthouse. The purchase of the coins helps them in their charitable efforts. They can be ordered from CPOA Coin Sales, 2000 Connecticut Ave., North Bend, Oregon 97459-2300 or on-line at www.nbcpoa.org/cpoa4.html.

Paula – The Lighthouse Years
A new book entitled, “Paula, The Lighthouse Years,” is a story based on the real life story of a woman who was a mail order bride from Estonia. Brought to a strange new world she became the wife of an Alaskan lighthouse keeper, who was also from Estonia. The lighthouse keeper was not kind to his mail order bride; he was abusive and didn’t allow her to learn English. His best trait was that he was a crack mechanic. The book is different from most lighthouse books. It is not a dry account, nor is it a “Harlequin,” type story, but the ending is one you’ll want to read. The story gives the reader a genuine feel for lighthouse life by taking you on a journey, which is a real journey that has excitement, passion and adventure, as well as those long interminable solitary days as can only be experienced in Alaska. This is a self published book, so some of the editing may be a little rough, on the other hand, it adds to its charm. The book is available through a published-on-order company and can be purchased through the following web site: www2.xlibris.com/bookstore.

Lighthouse Destroyed
Although the number one reason lighthouses are lost is because of neglect. However, in spite of how well they are built or constructed, lighthouses are not immune to destructive storms and rogue waves as is evident by the recent loss of the Alfred Pier Light that stood on the outer pier of the Port of St. Mary on the south coast of the Isle of Man. Earlier this month, the “pepper pot” style lighthouse simply disappeared after the pier it was on, was battered by a number of high-pounding waves. The only remains found of the over 100-year-old light tower were the battered and twisted remains of the lantern room.

Glow in the Dark Lighthouse Postage Stamps
New Zealand is taking its lighthouse postage stamps to the next level with stamps that feature a beacon that glows in the dark. More about this will be in a future issue of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. To subscribe go to www.LighthouseDigest.net.

Last Month’s Trivia Questions

1. I am the oldest standing lighthouse tower in America. What is my name? The correct answer is Sandy Hook Lighthouse by Fort Hancock in New Jersey. Congratulations to Elinor Strunk of Pennsylvania whose name was randomly selected from among the correct answers submitted.
   
   Lighthouse Depot offers two Harbour Lights replicas of Sandy Hook Lighthouse as item #42418 and #43218.
   
   
2. An earlier tower at this site was torn down and replaced by a lighthouse named after a famous explorer. At that time the name of the old lighthouse was discontinued. In 2009 this lighthouse will be part of a big celebration. What is the name of this lighthouse? The correct answer is the Champlain Memorial Lighthouse named after explorer Samuel de Champlain on Lake Champlain, NY. The first lighthouse at this site was named the Crown Point Lighthouse. Congratulations to Mary Joseph of New Jersey whose name was randomly selected from the correct answers that were submitted.
   
   Lighthouse Depot offers a Harbour Lights replica of the Champlain Memorial Lighthouse also known as the Crown Point Lighthouse as item #42356.
   
   
3. Although I no longer stand, having been replaced by another tower, I witnessed what has been called by many as the “First Overt Act of the Revolution,” by the colonists in America. What is the name of this lighthouse? The correct answer is Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse, which is also known as Fort Point Lighthouse and Fort Constitution Lighthouse in New Castle, NH. The lighthouse was located at Fort William and Mary. Paul Revere made one of his famous rides to warn the colonists that the British were coming to reinforce the fort, which resulted in the first overt act of the Revolutionary War. The Fort, now known as Fort Constitution, is owned by the State of New Hampshire, which has not been a good steward in its care of the fort. Congratulations to Kathleen Bradley of Illinois whose name was randomly picked from among the correct answers.
   
   We wish to thank everyone who entered last months Lighthouse Trivia Contest. Prizes have been sent to our winners.
   

This Month’s Trivia Questions and Answers

1. I was a Civil War Veteran who later became a Lighthouse Inspector for the United States Lighthouse Service. My last name could be considered morbid since it also refers to what some people are buried in. What is my name?
   
   
2. Today I am part of what has been described as the largest intact restored lighthouse station in America. My color scheme is quite different today from the time when some people tried to destroy me by setting a fire. What lighthouse am I?
   
   
3. This is a two part question. I served as the keeper of twin lighthouses. The fact that I was a direct descendant of the Mayflower Pilgrims should give you a clue as to what lighthouse station I served at. What was my name and what is the name of the lighthouse where I was the keeper?
   

Send your answers to one, two or all three of the trivia questions listed above to: . One name from each of 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.

Upcoming Stories in Lighthouse Digest
Lighthouse Digest continues to publish interesting stories and rare photos that you will not find anywhere else. Some of the stories that you can look forward to in upcoming issues include rare images of lighthouses being blown up or destroyed with some of the images not seen or published in over 50 years, memories of one of Maine’s last lighthouse keepers, life at the lighthouse that was moved from one coast to another, the story of the real ghost at Ghost Point, lighthouses in danger of being lost forever, winners of the annual photo contest, lighthouse restoration projects around the country and many other rediscovered lighthouse memories and photos never before published. If you are not yet a subscriber you can do so at www.LighthouseDigest.net.

Harbour Lights Replicas Have Story to Tell
Harbour Lights lighthouse replicas that are available from Lighthouse Depot all have an amazing story behind them. With each Harbour Lights purchase you can admire not only the craftsmanship that went into making the replica but you can also enjoy the history behind them. For example, some of the new releases for 2009 include Fort Carroll Lighthouse in Maryland, which is one of the most endangered historic lighthouses in America and was named after a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The replica even includes cannons that were once on each side of the tower. Other new releases include Pass a L’Outre Lighthouse in Louisiana, which is also in grave danger and most likely, will be lost by years end, and Frank’s Island Lighthouse, Louisiana, one of the most elaborate lighthouses ever planned, which is now gone and lost forever. After you purchase a replica, you can have tons of fun researching the history of your Harbour Lights replica and you’ll be amazed how many paths the research will take you down and how much fun you’ll have learning about your purchase.

Last Keeper Dies
Tom Branco, the last lighthouse keeper to serve at Cape Cod’s Race Point Lighthouse, has passed away. In his career he also served as a lighthouse keeper at Highland, “Cape Cod” Lighthouse and West Chop Lighthouse on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. During his 20-plus year career he was also the Officer in Charge of the Chatham Life Boat Station. He leaves his wife of 46 years, Charlotte, and five children and grandchildren. On Cape Cod he was considered a Coast Guard legend, who never failed to complete a mission. His family has been active with the Cape Cod Chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation that restored Race Point Lighthouse, which is now available for overnight stays.

What’s the Editor Wearing?
The editor of Lighthouse Digest just ordered a new clothing item from Lighthouse Depot and says he can’t wait to receive it and wear it. Look through the Lighthouse Depot Catalog and see if you can guess what he’ll soon be wearing as he goes to one of his many lighthouse speaking engagements. Send your guess to . We’ll randomly pick one name from among the correct answers and send that person a neat prize from Lighthouse Depot.

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

Saving Lighthouse History
When you purchase lighthouse or lighthouse related products from Lighthouse Depot you are actually helping to save, document and report on lighthouse history for future generations.

All of us at Lighthouse Depot wish to thank you for your continued support during the past year, and we send our best wishes for 2009

Lighthouse Depot, helping to save, lighthouses, one gift at a time.

We support the efforts of The American Lighthouse Foundation. You can too!

Lighthouse Depot
P.O. Box 427
Wells, ME 04090
1-800-758-1444