|
Portland Head Light Detailed in Spectacular New Book
Portland Head Light, A Pictorial Journey Through Time, written by Timothy Harrison, is now available through Lighthouse Depot. This spectacular soft cover book is simply loaded with amazing historical and contemporary photos in color and black and white, many of which have never before been published. Through its attractive layout and design the book it is also the perfect coffee table book and would make a wonderful gift. It details the memories of the keepers that lived at one of the most photographed and visited lighthouses in the world through stories of rescues, storms, movie making and the pets of the keepers. Other chapters tell of the ghost, a sea serpent, tidal wave, and so much more. Also included is historical information and photos of nearby lighthouses and historic Fort Williams and the Portland Observatory. It is available as Item #99945 for $24.95 plus shipping or by calling 1-800-758-1444.
Connecticut’s Five Mile Point in Trouble
It would appear from recent reports that the City of New Haven, Connecticut is neglecting the Five Mile Point Lighthouse that it has owned since 1922. In 1877 the Southwest Ledge Light replaced the 1847 Five Mile Lighthouse. The City of New Haven acquired the Five Mile Point light station in 1922, which is now part of Lighthouse Point Park. Look for the full story in the August issue of Lighthouse Digest.
Previous Issue’s Trivia Question
These two lighthouses were both established in 1858 on the west coast of the United States. Both were destroyed because of erosion. What are the names of these lighthouses? The correct answer is: Washington State’s Willapa Bay Lighthouse and Smith Island Lighthouse.
Congratulations to Cheryl Costella of Ben Lomond, California, whose name was randomly selected from the correct answers submitted. A wonderful prize from Lighthouse Depot is on its way to her.
New Dungeness To Stay Lit
Sequim Washington’s New Dungeness Lighthouse will remain lit in spite of a previous decision by the Coast Guard to turn it off. Under an agreement the Coast Guard, the New Dungeness Light Station Association has agreed to pay for the repairs to the cable that delivers power to the lighthouse and install a back up generator at the station.
West Point To Open and Undergo Restoration
Now that the Washington States, Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation owns West Point Lighthouse they intend to open the station this year for limited tours. The tours are scheduled for 11:30 AM and 4:00 PM on July 23 and August 12 and 20. A shuttle bus will take visitors to the lighthouse for a $1 round trip ticket fee. A $600,000 restoration for the keeper’s quarters and other buildings at the site is slated to take place next spring.
Birds Close Lighthouse Jeopardizing Other Preservation Projects
Lighthouse Group Appeals for Help
This past June the Cape Cod National Seashore closed off the access route to Massachusetts’s Race Point Lighthouse, which in turn caused the cancellation of overnight stays at the lighthouse and a major loss of income that was scheduled for other lighthouse preservation projects. The access route was closed because of nesting Piping Plovers, which are considered an endangered species.
Although the Cape Cod Chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation tried to work out a compromise with the National Seashore to place vehicles on either sides of the nesting birds, which would have kept people at a safe distance and still allowed for travel to and from the lighthouse, government officials rejected the idea.
Since the money from the overnight stays at Race Point has now been lost, the American Lighthouse Foundation is urgently appealing for donations to complete other lighthouse preservation projects that were already started. You can help by making an on-line donation in any amount at www.LighthouseFoundation.org or by mail to the American Lighthouse Foundation, P.O. Box 889, Wells, ME 04090.
Oldest Station To Be Vacated
The Coast Guard wants to vacate the oldest Coast Guard Station still in use in the United States. Local officials would like to see the old Marquette Michigan Station be turned into a maritime museum when and if the Coast Guard builds a new station nearby.
Another Era Closes With Passing of Anna Hoge
The passing in May of Anna Hoge, 73, of Michigan leaves another loss to the first hand memories of growing up on an island light station.
For years Anna had been telling her stories to classroom after classroom of schoolchildren and to anyone else that would listen. She felt it was vital to share her memories of island lighthouse life from her childhood years, a life that will never again be repeated in history.
She was an active participant in the Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival and became a great friend with Louis Bauchan, the last of the U. S. Lighthouse Service, until his death a few years ago.
Her memories were put into a book called, "Childhood Memories of a Lighthouse Keepers Daughter," recalling her memories of life at Passage Island Lighthouse where her father Vern Bowen tended the station. Her memories were also recounted in the book; "Lighthouse Families" and she appeared in the PBS series Legendary Lighthouses. A reportedly fictionalized historical account of her life will be in a soon to be released book, "Pocketful of Passage."
Anna Hoge was a dear, sweet, wonderful person, who will be missed by many. But, the stories and memories she left with us will remain forever. Sympathy Cards can be sent to her husband Ralph Hoge, 806 Dayton Ave., Kalamazoo, Michigan 49048.
Even if you didn’t know her, you can still send a card and simply sign it "A Lighthouse Friend."
This Issue’s Trivia Question
Over the years United States lighthouses were managed under federal agencies named or referred to as, The United States Lighthouse Establishment (USLHE) The Bureau of Lighthouses, The United States Coast Guard (USCG), and The United States Lighthouse Service (USLHS.) What is the other name that was used by the agency that managed United States lighthouses? Send your answer, along with your full name and mailing address to Dee@LHDigest.com. We will randomly pick one name from among the correct answers submitted for a prize from Lighthouse Depot.
Cards for Corbett
Purcell Corbett, who is among the last living direct descendants of Willie Corbett, the last keeper of the United States Lighthouse Service to serve at Maine’s Little River Lighthouse, and is recovering from surgery, wishes to thank everyone who has mailed him a Get Well card. Purcell grew up on the Little River Island and over the years he has shared many memories of lighthouse life with historians in an effort to save the stories for future generations. His hospital stay will be much longer than expected and the doctors say he probably won’t be going home until late August. If you haven’t sent him a card, now would be a good time to do so. If you previously sent him one, perhaps you could send him a lighthouse post card from your area as a "pick-me-up" or "thinking of you." You don’t have to know Purcell to send a greeting.
You can simply send and sign a Get Well Card or a post card with your name and the words, "A Lighthouse Friend." He loves hearing from the lighthouse community.
Cards can be sent to, Purcell Corbett, P.O. Box 303, Cutler, ME 04626.
If you’d like to enclose a small donation for the restoration of lighthouse with your card, it can be made out to the Friends of Little River Lighthouse. We are sure he’d appreciate it.
Maine Lighthouse Museum
With the recent dedication of the CWO Kenneth Black Exhibition Hall the final phase of the new Maine Lighthouse Museum on Rockland’s waterfront recently opened. Look for the full story with a wide array of photos in the August issue of Lighthouse Digest magazine. If you are not yet a subscriber, you can subscribe today by calling 1-866-643-4227 or 1-800-668-7737 and ask to have your subscription start with the August issue.
If you visit the museum, be sure to visit Lighthouse Depot’s gift store at the entrance to the museum, where you’ll find a great selection of merchandise for your entire gift giving needs.
However, don’t forget while in Maine to also visit Lighthouse Depot in Wells, where you’ll be amazed at the gigantic selection of wonderful lighthouse gifts and collectibles.
Pemaquid Point Raffle
The Friends of Maine’s Pemaquid Point Lighthouse are holding a gigantic raffle with the grand prize being a four-day trip for two on the windjammer Victory Chimes valued at $1,000.00. There are also numerous second place prizes, ranging from framed prints to overnight stays at other lighthouses, as well as lighthouse replicas and clothing. Raffle tickets are only $2.00 each or 6 for $10.00 and can be downloaded and printed up for easy mailing at www.LighthouseFoundation.org.
The raffle is being conducted as part of its campaign to raise nearly $100,000 to save the endangered lighthouse, which is the only lighthouse to ever appear on American money.
Vintage Clock Perfect For Any Décor
Inspired by an early 1900’s advertising sign Lighthouse Depot’s vintage Jonesport Clams clock featuring a depiction of Maine lighthouse will make for an attractive wall décor for any part of the home or office as well as the perfect gift. If you haven’t seen it yet, it is available as item #33023 for only $39.95 plus shipping.
Visiting the Lighthouses of the East Coast
With lots of summer and fall travel time still available to visit lighthouses on America’s east coast you have the brand new sixth edition of America’s Atlantic Coast Lighthouses, A Travelers Guide which is completely updated and revised. This is by far the most complete book on lighthouses of the Atlantic coast that can be viewed by car or tour boat. For the first time there is now a section on Maryland’s beacons of the Chesapeake Bay. It is a must have book for the car for anyone planning on visiting these lighthouses. As well as directions to the lighthouses with small area maps its 440 pages are packed with historical information. Available from Lighthouse Depot as item #31878 for only $19.95 plus shipping.
Be sure to visit Lighthouse Depot’s Clearance Central at www.lhdepot.com/clearance.cfm for an ever-changing selection of discontinued and close out items.
Lighthouse Depot, "Dedicated to saving lighthouses, one gift at a time." 
|
