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Winter Harbor Lighthouse Sold
The Lighthouse Depot Dispatch was the first to report that Maine’s Winter Harbor Lighthouse was "For Sale". That was followed up with a story in the October issue of the print edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine that included beautiful, never before published, photos of the interior of the keeper’s house. The asking price was $1.2 million. There will be a follow up story about the new owners in an upcoming issue of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. If you are not yet a subscriber, we’d encourage you to subscribe. It’s only $28.00 per year for 11 issues at www.LighthouseDigest.com
Point Aux Roche endangered
Lighthouse Digest Magazine is planning a story on New York’s endangered Point Aux Roche Lighthouse, (a/k/a Point Aux Roches). However, we are trying to locate historic photos of the station, its keepers, documents and old newspaper stories about it have been elusive. If you can help, email editor@LighthouseDigest.com.
Beachcomber Lighthouse Music
If you’re interested in discovering inspiring melodic guitar music with an undercurrent of maritime imaginary, then Beachcombers lighthouse CD’s are for you. The inspiring and relaxing music of the Lighthouse Keeper and the Keeper’s Log can be ordered on line at www.beachcombermuscic.com.
What about the fog bell
One of our readers wrote us to recalling that while she was working from 1986 to 1999 at the Massachusetts Military Reservation she remembers seeing a fog bell in the lobby of one of the offices. It caught her eye because the letters USLHS were engraved on it. We’d love to have a photograph of that fog bell and know which lighthouse it came from. If you can help, email - editor@LighthouseDigest.com.
New marker for keeper
This past November 16, at the Brady Hill Cemetery, there was a rededication and new stone setting for the first lighthouse keeper of Michigan’s first Saginaw River Lighthouse. Look for a story and photo in the next issue of Lighthouse Digest.
New Flying Santa plaque unveiled
At the recent 75th Anniversary Celebration of the Flying Santa of the Lighthouses a new bronze plaque was unveiled detailing the history of the Flying Santa and featuring an image of Bill Wincapaw, the pilot who started the tradition. The plaque will go on display at the new Maine Lighthouse Museum, which was formerly called the Shore Village Museum. The plaque was unveiled as a surprise to Ken Black, founder of the museum, who was in attendance at the event.
Montauk seeking, photos, ephemera and stories
The Montauk Point Lighthouse Museum is working on a new, permanent, interactive exhibit on Montauk History and is seeking materials (loans or gifts) from individuals who may have pertinent objects or information. The exhibit will focus on the themes: Indigenous People, Commercial and Sport Fishing, Shipwrecks, and Lighthouse History. Please contact Ann Shengold 1-888-685-7646 or by e-mail director@montauklighthouse.com.
Kineo Cove Lighthouse
Recently there was a photograph for sale on E-Bay of the Kineo Cove Lighthouse in Maine. This was the first time we ever heard of this light station. It was simply a lantern hung from a wire and pulley that was accessed via a ladder. The photo was an official News Service wire photo from the 1920’s or 1930’s. We assume that the beacon was on Moosehead Lake. If any of our readers can help locate more information on this light, please contact editor@LighthouseDigest.com.
Asylum Point Lighthouse
We are trying to locate historical information on Asylum Point Lighthouse on Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin. If anyone can help write to editor@LighthouseDigest.com.
Easter Seals releases lighthouse ornament
Easter Seals of Northwestern Ohio has released a new solid pewter lighthouse in its ongoing yearly series of ornaments. These collector pieces have once again featured the artwork of world-renowned maritime artist Ben Richmond. The 2004 ornament features Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Previous years have featured Marblehead Lighthouse in 2003 and South Bass Island Lighthouse in 2002. All proceeds benefit the Easter Seals of Northwestern Ohio. Ornaments are $20.00 each plus $1.00 shipping per ornament from Easter Seals, Attn:Terri, 1909 N. Ridge Rd #6, Lorain, Ohio 44055 or by going to their web site at www.eastersealsnwohio.org
Point Judith photo
The Museum of Lighthouse History in Wells, Maine recently acquired a original letter typed on USO stationery in December 1945. The letter was from Alan M. Davis, who was stationed at the time at Rhode Island’s Point Judith Lifeboat Station. The letter was addressed to Lewis Edward Coffin at Harvard University. The letter mentions that he was transferred from Lakehurst, NJ to Pt. Judith. The letter somewhat details what life was like at the station. It explained there were twenty enlisted men and one officer, four aerographers and three lighthouse keepers. He also mentioned that life at the station was lonely with very little liberty. The museum is interested in displaying the letter, but is trying to find a photograph of Alan M. Davis to go with the display. If any of our readers can help out contact, Tim@LighthouseFoundation.org.
Donations for auction
The American Lighthouse Foundation (ALF) recently received a large donation of lighthouse related items from Bill Posch of Riverside, NJ for the ALF E-Bay auction site. If you have items to donate whether they be lighthouse items or anything else to help raise money for lighthouse projects call ALF at 207-646-0245 or ship them to American Lighthouse Foundation, 2190 Post Rd, U.S. Rt 1, Wells, ME 04090.
Guidelines Announced for ARLS
Jim Weidner, founder and President of the Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society has announced that the guidelines for operating in the annual Amateur Radio Lighthouse
Society (ARLHS) LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS QSO PARTY for 2004 has been posted and is available for viewing and download at:www.arlhs.com/LCL-2004-guidelines.html If there are any questions, send an e-mail to Jim, K2JXW, at weidner@waterw.com
Maine Lighthouse Week
The Governor of Maine has again declared the third week in June as Maine Lighthouse Week. Look for various events and activities in future issues of Lighthouse Digest Magazine.
Last month’s two-part trivia question
In the early 1900’s I was taken away from my twin and moved to another location. I was moved again in the late 1900’s. What is my current name and what was my former name? Answer - In the 1920’s one of the twin lights of Chatham, MA on Cape Cod was moved to become the new Nauset Lighthouse, also on Cape Cod. Congratulations to Emily Pirri of Delray Beach, FL whose name was randomly picked from among the winning answers. We have sent her a copy of the beautiful hard cover book Lighthouses of Australia as the winner’s prize.
New artifacts for museum
ALF’s Museum of Lighthouse History has some new artifacts that will soon go on display. Some of these artifacts are:
An original watchman’s badge from the U.S. Lighthouse Service. The watchmen who guarded the Lighthouse Depots wore this badge.
The U. S. Lighthouse Service blue Efficiency Star dating from 1899. The emblem is very rare since it was only awarded to lighthouse keepers who were awarded a red Efficiency Star for three years in a row.
The fog bell that was on the peapod of Maine’s Boon Island Lighthouse.
Letter signed by Stephen Pleasanton, the man who ran our nation’s lighthouses for 32 years. He is also the person who saved the Declaration of Independence and other valuable documents when the nation’s capitol was burned in the War of 1812.
Year end donations needed
The American Lighthouse Foundation’s restoration projects this year have drained their financial resources. They are in desperate need of immediate cash to continue with their many projects. The American Lighthouse Foundation operates on donations only and needs your help now more than ever before in the history of the organization. They made immense progress this year in many areas including saving Prospect Harbor Lighthouse, great strides in the restoration of Little River Lighthouse, and started the expansion of the Museum of Lighthouse History. We encourage you to make your year-end donation early to help them plan next year’s projects. Donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.
Donations can be made on line at our web site at www.LighthouseFoundation.org or sent to American Lighthouse Foundation, P.O. Box 889, Wells, ME 04090.
Little River Lighthouse ornament
Decorate your holiday tree this year with our new brass Little River Lighthouse ornament, which features the artwork of Virginia Souza, titled "Lenny’s Light" in honor of deceased ALF volunteer Len Hadley. The ornament features a whimsical, full color, image of Maine’s Little River Lighthouse surrounded by brass. Order for yourself as well as for gifts to your friends and family. 100% of the proceeds benefit the efforts of the American Lighthouse Foundation. The ornaments sell for $20.00 each plus $6.00 shipping by calling 1-207-646-0245 or at www.LighthouseFoundation.org.
Squirrel Point needs help
As many of you know, a number of months ago the Citizens for Squirrel Point filed a lawsuit in federal court to prevent the group, which owns Maine’s Squirrel Point Lighthouse from selling the lighthouse. The lighthouse was given for free to the Squirrel Point Association, which has done nothing to restore the lighthouse and now wants to sell it for a profit. We contend that the group has violated the covenants of the deed and the lighthouse should revert back to federal ownership and then be divested to a legitimate owner under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act. As well as supporting the group, our president, Tim Harrison serves on the board of the Citizens for Squirrel Point. The past year has used up all the money in the bank account for filing fees, sheriff fees etc. The legal costs estimated at well over $100,000 have been donated. The judge is expected to rule this November. However, the group needs some funds to continue in operation. If you would like to donate to this worthy cause send your check to Citizens for Squirrel Point, Brian Detwiler, Treasurer, 50 Island Hill Road, Arrowsic, ME 04530.
Lighthouse keeper information wanted
We are looking for historical information on Maine lighthouse keeper Lewis F. Sawyer who served as keeper at Egg Rock Lighthouse from 1889 to 1899 and Bear Island Lighthouse from 1899 to 1909. We are also looking for information on Niles Nelson (or Nils Nelson) who was the First Assistant Keeper at Sakonnet Light, Little Compton, RI, from 1901-1903 and keeper there from 1903 to 1908.Needed are any types of written memories, copies of old newspaper stories, photos of the keeper and other family members. If you can help please send the information to editor@LighthouseDigest.com
Free mug offer
Lighthouse Digest Magazine is offering a free Lighthouse Digest coffee mug with each new gift subscription to the magazine. To order a gift subscription call 1-866-643-4227. To receive the free mug mention code #1204M. All mugs are sent with a card to the gift giver for your own personalization.
This month’s trivia question
My father always wanted to become a lighthouse keeper in either Maryland or Virginia believing it would be a "quiet life for retirement," and it would be a place to live "in peace and tranquility," as well as be "easy work" for the family. My father petitioned the government for a lighthouse keeper’s job on several occasions but he was turned down. Perhaps I should have followed my father’s dreams and not my own misguided beliefs because my horrendous act, which I was eventually shot and died from, changed the course of history. Who am I? Send your answers to Dee@lhdigest.com. Be sure to include your full name and mailing address with your answer. After all, if you win, we need to know where to send the prize. We will randomly pick one name from the winning answers for a surprise gift from Lighthouse Depot.
Middle Island Lighthouse holiday painting
An original holiday painting by artist Virginia Souza will adorn the cover of the December issue of Lighthouse Digest. Virginia did the painting in memory of lighthouse friend Scott Brimblecombe who was a true lover of lighthouses and lighthouse history. Prints of the painting are now available from Lighthouse Depot as item #89064 for $14.95. All of Virginia’s past holiday covers from the Lighthouse Digest are also available from Lighthouse Depot. Previous year’s covers, which are also available as prints, shipped rolled in a tube, ready for framing are: Owls Head Light #88404, Pemaquid Point Light #88807, Little River Light #88484, White Shoals Light #92145, Wood Island Light #88911, and West Quoddy Light #88312.
Lake Havasu replicas
Some of you may recall the many photos and stories of life at Mt. Desert Lighthouse in Maine that have been shared with us by Shirley Robinson. Many of her old photos will eventually go on display in the Museum of Lighthouse History. Shirley, now retired, lives in Lake Havasu City, AZ and is a member of the Lake Havasu Lighthouse Club, which has built wonderful replicas of West Quoddy, Cape Hatteras, Buffalo, Split Rock and Currituck lighthouses on the lake. Other lighthouse replicas planned are Head Harbour, Wood End, Alcatraz, Montauk and Boston. However, Shirley is now raising money for a replica of her beloved Mt. Desert Rock Lighthouse that she is sponsoring to be built on the lake and she is still short about $500.00 needed to build one. If you can help her donations can be made payable to the Lake Havasu Lighthouse Club and sent to Shirley Robinson, 2885 Papeete Dr., Lake Havasu City, AZ 96404. To learn more about the Lake Havasu Lighthouse Club go to www.lh-lighthouseclub.org.
Lighthouses Theme for 2005 Quilt Show
The historic lighthouses of the NY-PA Seaway Trail scenic byway are the featured theme for the March 2005 Seaway Trail Quilt Competition and Exhibition to be held at the Seaway Trail Discovery Center in Sackets Harbor, NY. The makers of the three quilts judged the best will receive an overnight stay at one of the three Seaway Trail lights offering rarely-found-in-a-lighthouse overnight accommodations.
Award-winning quilter Mary Knapp of Watertown, NY, has designed quilt patterns featuring nine of the 28 historic beacons along the Seaway Trail that runs parallel to the St. Lawrence River, Lake Ontario, Niagara River and Lake Erie. Competitors may submit a variation of any of the nine designs or create an original quilt modeled after one or more of the following Seaway Trail lights:
Lake Erie-Niagara River: Barcelona, Dunkirk, or the five Buffalo lights
Lake Ontario: Old Fort Niagara, Thirty Mile Point, Braddock Point, Charlotte-Genesee, Old Sodus, Oswego, Selkirk, Stony Point, Galloo Island, and Horse Island
St. Lawrence River: Tibbetts Point, East Charity Shoal, Rock Island, Sunken Rock, Sisters Island, Crossover Island, and Ogdensburg;
Seaway Trail Pennsylvania: Erie Land Lighthouse, Presque Isle North Pier Light and Presque Isle Light Station.
The top three prize-winners will receive an overnight stay at Thirty Mile Point, Selkirk or Tibbetts Point Lighthouse. Any quilter in the U.S. or Canada is eligible to enter up to two quilts of any size, hand or machine quilted. An entry form must be sent to Seaway Trail, Inc., PO Box 660, Sackets Harbor, NY 13685 before March 1st. For more details and a registration form, visit www.seawaytrail.com.
The fifth annual Seaway Trail Quilt Competition and Exhibition will be held March 19-20, 2005 at the Seaway Trail Discovery Center, a three-story, nine-room interpretive site showcasing the travel experience to be found along the Seaway Trail, one of America’s Byways. The quilting event is sponsored by the nonprofit Seaway Trail Foundation to interpret the "Culture of the Coast" travel theme of the 504-mile Seaway Trail.
Lighthouse Depot Catalog has gift ideas for all your holiday needs so be sure to visit our web site at www.LighthouseDepot.com. Whether it’s clothing, books, home furnishings, or collectibles, we have something for everyone. And, don’t forget, when visiting Maine be sure to stop in and visit Lighthouse Depot, The World’s Largest Lighthouse Gift Store, on U. S. Rt. 1 in Wells, just an hour or so north of Boston.
Also be sure to visit the Lighthouse Depot Clearance Central at www.lighthousecleafor many discontinued and closeout items.
Lighthouse Depot
Helping to save lighthouses, one gift at a time. 
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