Vandals Shoot Out First Order Lens at Cape Meares Lighthouse
Oregon's famous Cape Meares Lighthouse was recently attacked by vandals who fired guns at the lighthouse shattering windows and severely damaging the historic first order Fresnel lens. A $5,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the culprits. However, restoring the historic and priceless lens will be enormously expensive and your help is needed. Donations for the restoration can be sent to Friends of Cape Meares Lighthouse, P.O. Box 262, Netarts, OR 97143.

Learn about Barnegat's famous Fresnel Lens
On Saturday, February 27 at 1 PM, Brett Frank of the New Jersey Lighthouse Society will give a presentation about the Fresnel lens and the lenses used at New Jersey's famous Barnegat Lighthouse. The presentation will take place at the Visitor's Center at Barnegat Lighthouse State Park. For additional information call 609-494-2016.

Twin Lights Award
The Twin Lights Historical Society has been honored with New Jersey Historical Commissions Department of State "Award of Recognition” for their role in preserving and restoring the Twin Lights of Navesink in Highlands, New Jersey. The lighthouse greets over 100,000 visitors annually with free admission.

Cutter Becomes Museum
The 327-foot Coast Guard Cutter "Ingham" is now a floating museum in Florida at the Key West Truman Waterfront. The National Historic Landmark vessel is the only Coast Guard Cutter to have received two Presidential Unit Citations. The vessel served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

Ames Family of Lighthouse Keepers
We are searching for photographs of John Ames who was the lighthouse keeper at Morris Island Lighthouse in South Carolina from 1877 to 1883 and his sons George W. Ames and James C. Ames who were the keepers, we believe, at the Little Cumberland Island Lighthouse in Brunswick, Georgia. If anyone can help please e-mail .

Free West Michigan Lighthouse Map
The free 2010 map of lighthouses on the Lake Michigan Circle Tour is now available. Published by the West Michigan Tourist Association, the new guide is available on-line at www.wmta.org/publications-24/ or by calling 616-245-2217.

Twins for Claude's
Congratulations to lighthouse artist Alan Claude and his wife Erin on the birth of twins. Elle Grace Claude arrived at 4 pounds and Eve Lourdes Claude was 7 pounds. Alan Claude's lighthouse posters are available from Lighthouse Depot. Some of the more popular ones are Cape Neddick "Nubble" Light; West Quoddy Light; and Pemaquid Point Lighthouse.

This Issues Trivia Questions

1. Name the lighthouse that was used to promote America's greatness for the world celebration honoring the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence?
2. What lighthouse was featured on the cover of the first issue of Lighthouse Digest Magazine?
3. What lighthouse was referred to as the Lighthouse Castle of the Great Lakes?

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. 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?
   
   The correct answer is Capt. William H. Wincapaw who was the first Flying Santa of the Lighthouses. The funeral was held on July 19, 1947. Congratulations to George Maina of New Jersey who name was randomly selected from among the correct answers submitted.
   
   
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?
   
   The correct answer is the Flying Santa of the Lighthouses. Congratulations to Troy Rudy of Pennsylvania whose name was randomly selected from among the correct answers submitted.
   
   
3. In what year was this 1850 lighthouse with a red band moved?
   
   The correct answer is 2007, when Sankaty Head Lighthouse on Nantucket Island in Massachusetts was moved. Congratulations to Chris Schulte of Virginia whose name was randomly selected from among the correct answers submitted.
   
   Incidentally, Lighthouse Depot offers a replica of the Sankaty Head Lighthouse. With this historically accurate special limited edition lighthouse replica -- you can actually move the tower! And, it lights up, powered by 3 "AA" batteries or by a separately purchased plug-in adapter. With only 999 replicas manufactured, it is sure to become a treasured collectible. Order yours today by clicking on the above link.

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.

Winter is for the Birds
We're not sure who came up with that expression, or when it was first used, but in most parts of the nation, our fine feathered friends need all the help they can in securing food during the winter months. Now, for everyone who loves lighthouses and birds, Lighthouse Depot is offering a unique new lighthouse birdfeeder. The lighthouse bird feeder offers a perching tray, eight feeding ports, and is available in three colors: red # 15424, blue # 15425, and white, # 15426. You may want to order several of them. Not only will you show off your love of lighthouses, you'll have hours of entertainment watching the birds fly to and from the lighthouse feeders.

NEW! Our new Beacon Birdhouses provide a safe home for backyard birds. Two styles to choose from, just waiting for them to move into. Black & White Beacon Birdhouse and Red & White Beacon Birdhouse.

Island Lighthouse - Often Viewed - Rarely Visited
Resting atop an island at the entrance to Frenchman's Bay, Maine's Egg Rock Lighthouse cannot be visited by the public. However, every year tens of thousands of visitors view and photograph the lighthouse from tour boats, cruise line ships and from the top of the famous Cadillac Mountain. If you are a subscriber to Lighthouse Digest you would have learned about the recent renovations at this unique looking lighthouse. Lighthouse Depot now offers a Harbour Lights replica of Egg Rock Lighthouse as item # 42383. Also, the history of the lighthouse with many vintage photos can also be found in the book Lighthouses of Bar Harbor and the Acadia Region that is available from Lighthouse Depot.

Monomoy Gets Stimulus Money
This historic and unique Monomoy Point Lighthouse on Cape Cod has been awarded $1.5 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which is better known as Stimulus Money. Reportedly the money will be used to repair the 1,600 square foot keeper's house and oil house. The lighthouse was discontinued in 1923 and is now owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A storm in 1978 cut the point into two islands. At one time the lighthouse was open for overnight stays but is now closed to the public. It is hoped that after the restoration is complete, the lighthouse will again be open to the public. We are looking for old historic photographs of the lighthouse and the keepers who served there. If you can help please e-mail . A Harbour Lights replica of Monomoy Point Lighthouse is offered by Lighthouse Depot as item # 42269, however the model has now been retired, with only a limited supply still available.

Lighthouse Digest
The March issue of Lighthouse Digest will have a story recalling lighthouse life in Alaska at the conclusion of World War II, lighthouses in Yemen in the 1960s, lighthouses in Haiti, the remains of a New England lost lighthouse discovered, the Lights of Ashtabula, Ohio, and much more. If you love history and lighthouses and are not yet a subscriber you can subscribe today at www.LighthouseDigest.net.

Lighthouse Depot Explorer Data Base
If you are searching for a special product, or researching lighthouse history all you need to do visit Lighthouse Depot Explorer and type in the name of the lighthouse you are searching for in the Search Box. You will then be directed to the information available. Have fun searching the site.

UK Lights To Be Extinguished
Trinity House, the organization that manages the lighthouses of England, Wales, Channel Islands and Gibraltar is considering extinguishing the lights in six of its famous lighthouses. They claim that modern navigation instruments have made the lighthouses redundant. Among the lighthouses being considered are the world famous Beachy Head Lighthouse, which has been warning mariners since 1670. Others are Orfordness Lighthouse, Hartland Point Lighthouse, Blacknore Lighthouse and Mayport Lighthouse.

Tell Your Friends
Feel free to forward this email to your friends & family so they may learn more 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.

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

Lighthouse Depot is dedicated to helping 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