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Lighthouse Depot Dispatch for December 2005
Avery Point Restoration
After six long years of fund raising and a lot of hard work the scaffolding finally came down from Connecticut’s Avery Point Lighthouse. Our hats are off to the dedicated volunteers of the Avery Point Lighthouse Society, a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation, who made this half a million dollar restoration a reality. They are to be commended for a job well done. A dramatic photograph of Avery Point was featured on the cover of the November issue of Lighthouse Digest.
New Rhode Island Chapter
The American Lighthouse Foundation has announced the formation of a new chapter for Newport Harbor "Goat Island" Lighthouse in Rhode Island. The information is now posted on their web site at www.LighthouseFoundation.org
First Lady of Boston Light Dies
Martha Josephine Norwood passed away the age of 101 in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. Along with her husband Ralph they spent many years living at New England lighthouses. This included time at Spring Point Ledge, and Ram Island Lights in Maine, Great Point Light on Nantucket and 17 years at Boston Light in Boston Harbor, MA. Her life was recounted the 1986 book, "First Light" written by her grandson Willie Emerson. Lighthouse Digest did a story about her in the September 2003 issue.
Previous Depot Trivia Question - Answer and Winner
The trivia question for the last Depot Dispatch was 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?
The correct answer was George Putnam under whose direction many lighthouses were built in the Philippines, which at that time was a U.S. Territory and later became an independent nation. In 1910, when the Lighthouse Board was abolished, George Putnam became the first Commissioner of the United States Lighthouse Service.
Congratulations to Donna Miller of Coal Township, PA whose name was randomly picked from among the people who submitted the correct answer. Her prize from Lighthouse Depot is on its way to her.
Matching Money For Your Lighthouse Preservations Donation Now Plus the New Tax Law
An individual benefactor, who wishes to remain anonymous, has pledged to match 25% of all donations made on-line to the American Lighthouse Foundation between Dec. 21 and Dec. 31, provided those donations total a minimum of $20,000 by midnight Dec. 31, 2005. The matching grant also includes donations made by mail that are postmarked December 21 through December 30, 2005 to the American Lighthouse Foundation, P.O. Box 889, Wells, ME 04090.
Since there is not much time allowed for the matching grant, this means your donation will now be more vital than ever before. Donations can be made on line at www.LighthouseFoundation.org. The American Lighthouse Foundation exists solely on donations, and with the 25% matching grant drive your individual donation is vital to help them in their ongoing mission of saving lighthouses, operating the Museum of Lighthouse History and their educational programs.
Congress has passed a special tax law that allows your charitable donation to be 100% deducted if the donation is made by December 31, 2005. Also, donations can be made by credit card, provided it is posted to your account by Dec. 31. Visit the American Lighthouse Foundation web site at www.LighthouseFoundation.org for additional information on this new law and always check with your accountant on what works best for you before making a donation.
More importantly ALF is asking lighthouse friends to reach even deeper in their pockets this year with donations to the American Lighthouse Foundation. The nonprofit group still has many year-end bills to pay plus they will need money to cover expenses during the lean winter months and budgets are being made for 2006’s many lighthouse restoration projects.
You might also consider asking the company you work for to make a year-end donation. This is the time of the year that many corporations make charitable donations, but they can’t donate to lighthouses unless they are asked.
Ashtabula, Maryland Point, Maumee and Sandusky Lighthouse Info Wanted
We are looking for historical information on Ohio’s Ashtabula lighthouses, Maumee’s lighthouses, Sandusky’s lighthouses and Maryland’s, Maryland Point Lighthouse. We are looking for old newspaper stories about the lighthouses, recorded memories, photographs of the keepers and family members, old photographs of the lighthouses and just about anything else. If anyone can help please send information to Tim Harrison, Lighthouse Digest, P.O. Box 68, Wells, ME 04090.
New Book on Two Harbors Lighthouse
Dale Congdon has completed three years of research to complete a book about the Two Harbors Lighthouse in Minnesota. The book, "The Light on Agate Bay," is available for $12.95 plus $3.00 shipping from the Lake County Historical Society, P.O. Box 128, Two Harbors, MN 55616. If you live in Minnesota you will need to add 7% sales tax.
New Canal Collapses
Louisiana’s New Canal Lighthouse, which was heavily damaged during Hurricane Katrina, has collapsed from the damage and is totally destroyed. Photos are posted on ALF’s web site at www.LighthouseFoundation.org.
Cape St. George Collapses
The leaning tower of Cape St. George Lighthouse in Florida is no more. The endangered lighthouse has finally collapsed caused by erosion. A local group wants to rebuild it.
Race Point Christmas Cover
Race Point Lighthouse is featured, in a whimsical painting by Maine artist Virginia Souza, on the December issue of Lighthouse Digest. The restored light station is available for overnight stays and is managed by the Cape Cod Chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation. You can subscribe on the internet at www.LighthouseDigest.com , A gift subscription helps save lighthouse history for future generations and makes a great gift that keeps on giving all year long.
Don’t Forget About Calendars
With the New Year upon us there is still time to order a 2006 lighthouse calendar while supplies last. They are great for the home or the office or perhaps a late gift for someone you might have forgotten for the holidays. You can chose from many regions such as #13606 Atlantic Coast Lighthouse Calendar, #13626 Canada Lighthouse Calendar, #13608 Pacific Coast Lighthouse Calendar, #13607 Great Lakes Lighthouse Calendar. And if you still need an appointment book we can suggest the 2006 Great Lakes Lighthouse Weekly Engagement Calendar #13627.
Oregon Couple Gets Lighthouse
If you missed the History Channel’s "The Big Build" this past December 8th an Oregon couple was given a scaled down replica of the Brant Point Lighthouse. John and Jean Hatfield were the recipients from a nationwide decision process.
ALF gets more lighthouses
Ram Island Ledge Light in Casco Bay Maine and Whaleback Lighthouse on the Maine and New Hampshire border have now been licensed to the American Lighthouse Foundation by the United States Coast Guard. It will now be ALF’s responsibility to care for and save these lighthouses for future generations. New chapters are being considered and if you’d like to get involved contact Bob Trapani at
No foolin’ Keep This Date Open
April 1, 2006 there will be a Boon Island Independence Day anniversary cruise from Portsmouth, NH to the Republic of Boon Island’s historic Boon Island Lighthouse. Cruise out to Boon Island for a close up view of this regal lighthouse, meet the dignitaries plus get a chance to win one of many raffle and door prizes. You will cruise on board the Isles of Shoals Steamship’s Thomas Laighton. Cost is $35.00 per person. The boat cruise is limited to only 150 people, so make your reservations now by calling 207-646-0245, or reservations can also be made on the on the ALF web site at www.LighthouseFoundation.org
Also on April 1, 2006, in the evening will be the First Annual American Lighthouse Foundation Volunteer Honors and Awards Banquet to honor volunteers who have helped the ongoing efforts of American Lighthouse Foundation and its chapters. The dinner will be held at Jonathon’s Restaurant in Ogunquit, Maine. Cost is $30.00 per person. If you sign up now for the Boon Island Cruise and the evening dinner the total combined cost is $55.00 per person, a savings of $10.00. But this is a limited offer, so sign up early.
No foolin’-- don’t forget, reserve your tickets now for April 1, 2006, by calling 207-646-0245 or on-line at www.LighthouseFoundation.org so you can be a part of this "Lighthouse Event."
This Issue’s Trivia Question
Some called me a pirate, but I preferred to be known as a privateer. U. S. presidents condemned as well as exonerated me. I was king of my own empire and a hero in a war. I saved a city and a movie was even made about me. My self-made kingdom was on this body of water that later housed a lighthouse by the same name. What is the name of the lighthouse? Send your answer along with your name and address to . We will randomly pick one name from among the winning answers for a prize from Lighthouse Depot.
Start an ALF Chapter in Your Community
If you have always wanted to help save lighthouses, but didn’t know how or don’t live in a community that has a lighthouse, now, you and your friends you can start a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation (ALF) in your community no matter where you live in the United States. The chapter can be created for social, educational, travel, photography, collecting or whatever, provided the chapter helps raise money for American Lighthouse Foundation projects. To learn more, the introduction and chapter agreement can be found on the ALF web site at www.LighthouseFoundation.org. . You can also call Bob Trapani; ALF’s Executive Director, at 207-646-0245 or email him at .
Lost Lights in Maryland
We are looking for photographs and historical information of any kind on the North Point Upper and Lower Lighthouses that once stood north entrance to the Patapsco River at Fort Howard in Maryland. Both lighthouses are no longer standing, having been replaced by the Craighill Range Lights. If you have information please email .
Explorer Database
If you want to learn more about lighthouses be sure to visit the Lighthouse Depot Explorer Database where you can find information on 4,000 lighthouses plus many past stories from Lighthouse Digest.
Clearance Central
Don’t forget to tour the Lighthouse Depot Clearance Central for special offers on discontinued items.
All of us at Lighthouse Depot, where we are helping to save lighthouses, one gift at a time, wish you a very Happy New Year. 
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