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ALF Educational Director Dies
Peter Lebetkin, Educational Director for the American Lighthouse Foundation, has succumbed to cancer, which, as many of you know, he had been battling for a number of years. Peter was a great lover of lighthouses and the history associated with them. Peter was a schoolteacher who loved working with kids. He served as a docent in the Museum of Lighthouse History in Wells, Maine, a copywriter for Lighthouse Digest, and as the first Educational Director of the American Lighthouse Foundation. He had been working on several projects for educating children about lighthouses, now unfinished, which ALF hopes to complete. Recently, he had taken a downward turn, but was still able to make it to the Grand Opening of the Museum of Lighthouse History. People like Peter are hard to replace and we will all miss him dearly. His memory will live on in the educational projects that he started and the many lives that he touched. Sympathy cards can be sent to Gloria Lebetkin, 5 Litchfield Dr., Simsbury, CT 06070-1268
Florence Armstrong’s passing leaves a void in history
One of our favorite lighthouse people, Florence Armstrong, passed away this past September. Born in 1915 she was the second child of Velma and Willie Corbett who tended a number of lighthouses along the Maine coast, including Monhegan Lighthouse, Tenants Harbor Lighthouse, and Little River Lighthouse where Corbett served as the last keeper of the United States Lighthouse Service at the station. Over the last few years Florence shared many memories and stories with us. She recently told me that she had hoped to return to Little River Lighthouse, but said it would have to be by helicopter, since actually landing at the dangerous boat ramp would be too risky at her age. Unfortunately we were never able to help her fulfill that dream. In celebration of her life the pamphlet and cards handed out at her memorial service featured Little River Lighthouse on them and the old hymn "Let the Lower Lights be Burning," which is the theme song of the American Lighthouse Foundation, was sung at the conclusion of service. She will always be with us in spirit each time we go to the island. Donations in her memory can be sent to Friends of Little River Lighthouse, a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation, P.O. Box 671, East Machias, Maine, 04630.
Graffiti Attack
Vandals have spray-painted graffiti on the historic Hodbarrow Lighthouse in Haverigg, England. The graffiti contains anti police slogans and obscene words. As well as defacing the lighthouse with graffiti the vandals also smashed a window at the top of the lighthouse. The damage to the lighthouse was heart wrenching to the children of the towns primary school children who adopted the lighthouse as the school’s symbol since 1996.
International Lighthouse Conference being planned
The 2006 International Lighthouse Conference, "Capturing the Past: Securing the Future" will be held on June 1-4 at the Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre in Southampton, Ontario, Canada. For more information email mjacques@brucecounty.on.ca. We will post more information as it becomes available.
Last Dispatch Trivia Question
I was once a twin lighthouse. In the 1920s, I was moved to replace another lighthouse, which once had two other identical lighthouses. What was my name at the time I was moved? The answer was Chatham Lighthouse in Chatham, Massachusetts. One of the twin towers of Chatham was moved in 1923 to become Nauset Light; a location that at one time had three lighthouses, called the Three Sisters. Congratulations to Donna Cohen of Plymouth, Massachusetts whose name was randomly picked from among the winning answers. We have sent Donna a set of four Lighthouse Digest coffee mugs.
Lighthouse Photo Contest
It's that time of the year again for the Annual Lighthouse Digest photo contest. This year there are some great new prizes for the various categories. All the details will appear in the October issue of Lighthouse Digest or can be found on the web site at www.LighthouseDigest.com.
Lighthouse For Sale
If you have an extra $5.3 million dollars lying around you can own a 684-acre Scottish island complete with castle and lighthouse. Little Cumbrae, which lies in the Firth of Clyde off the north Ayrshire coast and 23 miles out to sea from Glasgow is for sale. HHL Humberts Leisure is the agent handling the sale. The island is home to a large seabird population and thousands of rabbits. Actually, there are two lighthouses on the island, but only one of them is included in the sale, the other one is still owned by the government. The only permanent inhabitants are Alistar and Bonnie Davidson who moved there three years ago to be the caretakers. The self-sufficient couple, who imported heating oil and all other supplies, love life on the island, but they admit that during bad weather and storms it’s like living a million miles away from civilization.
Marshall Point Scholarship Awards Announced
Maine’s Marshall Point Lighthouse recently announced the winners of its inaugural new scholarship program, which gave out two $1,000 grants to two students. The money given came from the income generated from apartment rental of the second floor of the keeper’s house and sale of items it its gift shop. While giving money for these scholarships is commendable, we believe the money should have gone to other lighthouse preservation projects or to one of Maine’s two lighthouse museums, all of which desperately need cash. If our nations lighthouses and the history of all them is to be saved as a whole, then the lighthouses that are making money and have extra cash should do their part to help save the rest of the lighthouses and their history. Lighthouses are among the oldest standing historic buildings in America. One can learn more about early American history by studying lighthouses than from any other single source. It’s time the lighthouse community stops with fragmentation and work together as a team. Helping groups such as the American Lighthouse Foundation and others can easily help accomplish saving lighthouses and their history, but not until all the lighthouse groups learn to work for the good of all lighthouses.
Old Mackinac Gets Grant
Michigan’s Old Mackinac Point Lighthouses has been awarded a $9,000 grant from Mackinac Board of Trustees to help with the ongoing restoration of Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse. The lighthouses in Michigan have been fortunate enough to have many people in the state who are aware of the importance of saving these historic structures and backing it up with cash, something that unfortunately is not as commonplace in many other states.
Lighthouse Historian Dies
F. Ross Holland, one of America’s foremost lighthouse historians, preservationists and authors, passed away at age 78 at his home in Mason, New Hampshire on September 16th. He was one of the first people to thoroughly research, document and write about America’s lighthouse history, which was documented in his books such as, America’s Lighthouses, An Illustrated History and Great American Lighthouses. He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War and held numerous positions with the Department of Interior and National Park Service. In the late 1980s, he testified before a Congressional subcommittee that America’s lighthouses needed help and that they must be preserved and protected. In the 1980’s he joined the Statute of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation as the director of restoration and preservation. His book, Idealists, Scoundrels and the Lady, chronicled the campaign to save the Statute of Liberty.
Wheeler Retires
Wayne Wheeler, president and founder of the United States Lighthouse Society has retired. According to his goodbye remarks it is to pursue other avenues in life. Wayne is to be congratulated for being one of the original founders of the lighthouse preservation and awareness movement in this country. He is also one of the foremost authorities on lighthouses and the technical operation of lighthouses, including lenses and other lighthouse apparatus. He created a large archive of lighthouse history, started an informative quarterly journal and personally led lighthouses tours all over the world. He has created a legacy that will live forever. Although he will remain as president of the society, others will now run the day-to-day activities. We wish Wayne the very best.
George Warrington
Lighthouse Digest has recently received a few photographs of George Warrington who was a lighthouse keeper at Montauk Point Lighthouse, New York. If anyone can help us with additional information on Mr. Warrington, such as his dates of service at Montauk or other lighthouses he might have been stationed at we’d appreciate hearing from you. Please email Timh@LHDigest.com.
Hurricane Updates
As information becomes available on the status of lighthouses in the Gulf Coast it is being posted on the American Lighthouse Foundation web site at www.LighthouseFoundation.org. If you have information that is more current than what is posted please email Tim@LighthoueFoundation.org.
Founder of Plum Beach Lighthouse Group Dies
The founder of Rhode Island’s Friends of Plum Beach Lighthouse has died. It was back in the early 1980’s that Shirley Silva started a campaign to save the old rusty eyesore that stood in the waters 300 feet from Rhode Island’s Jamestown-Verrazzano Bridge. In 1988 the Friends Group was officially formed and by 2002 along with a die-hard group of twenty some supporters she was able to obtain a state grant to restore the exterior of the lighthouse. Although she became ill she continued to oversee the restoration from afar. Finally, as restoration was nearly complete, Shirley was able to set foot on the lighthouse she had been working for 15 years to save. Although the exterior has been saved, it will still be many years before the interior is restored to accept visitors. When that day arrives, Shirley s dream will have been fulfilled.
This Month’s Trivia Question
This month’s trivia question is a two-part question. Under orders from Governor General William Howard Taft, who later became president of the United States, I directed the building of many lighthouses in a United States territory that later became an independent nation. What was my name and in what country did I build these lighthouses. Send you answer, along with your name and mailing address to Dee@LighthouseDigest.com. We will randomly draw one name from the winning answers to receive a prize. Be sure to include your mailing address with your reply, so we can mail your prize if you are picked as the winner.
Collector Trucks
Because of the popularity of the first collector truck issued a number of years ago, Lighthouse Depot is again offering limited edition collector trucks. One is of a United States Lighthouse Service Police Van #35401 that includes the image of the badge used by the watchmen at Lighthouse Depots. The other is of a Lighthouse Digest Magazine Delivery Van #35402. Both trucks are limited editions and once they are sold out no more will ever be made. The trucks will make a great gift for the lighthouse person in your life or anyone that collects miniature trucks and cars or has an interest in nostalgia.
Holiday Cards
The holiday season will be upon us before you know it and there is no better time that now to order your lighthouse holiday cards from Lighthouse Depot. There is a large selection to choose from. Many of these cards will sellout early, so be sure to place your order in plenty of time to have them for the holiday season.
2006 Calendar
Wow, can you believe that a new year is almost at hand? Lighthouse calendars, as well as being decorative in any home or office, are also practical for yourself and make wonderful gifts that are appreciated with each new month. Lighthouse Depot has a wide selection of the various regions to choose from. As with the holiday greeting cards, many of these selections will sell out early so place your order soon to avoid disappointment.
2006 Appointment books
In these busy times we all need appointment books for birthdays, weddings, school events and planning your next lighthouse vacation. Lighthouse Depot has two different beautiful appointment books for next year that you might consider ordering now. One features lighthouses of the Great Lakes #13672 and the other one features lighthouses from all over #13628. They are great for your own personal use and make wonderful gifts and stocking stuffers.
Save Gasoline and Time
With the high price of gasoline and crowded malls, shopping for gifts through the Lighthouse Depot Catalog or on our web site at www.LighthouseDepot.com will save you time and money. This year’s holiday catalog is packed with wonderful gift items that will please everyone.
Lighthouse Depot - Helping to save lighthouses, one gift at a time.
Have a great autumn! 
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