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The Squirrel Point Association is trying to sell for profit a Maine lighthouse that was given to them for free under a congressional transfer. This so called group is now trying to sell the lighthouse for $375,000 and the U. S. Coast Guard has declined to intervene despite objections from residents, preservationists and Maine public officials.
This potential sale would make a mockery out of the Maine Lights Program and the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act and could set a dangerous precedent. It would also be improper, unfair, and an insult to all the hard working non-profits which are struggling to make their restoration projects successful.
The deed to the property states that the lighthouse was to be restored and opened to the public, something that was never done. In fact, the Maine State Historic Preservation Office sent the Squirrel Point Association a recent letter demanding that they make a series of repairs to the lighthouse by September 2003. Many of these repairs call for changing historically incorrect alterations that were improperly started a number of years ago and never completed. Also, this group has not even been to the lighthouse in the last fours years, allowing the property to fall into a state of disrepair.
To help stop this potential sale we are asking that you to contact:
United States Senator Olympia Snowe
3 Canal Plaza Suite 601
Portland, Maine 04101
Ph # 207-874-0883
Fax # 207-874-7631
Do not attempt to e-mail Senator Snowe, our past experience has proven that either she does not read emails or only responds to them with form letters, if she even bothers to reply at all. To be effective do not contact her Washington DC office, instead write, fax or call her Maine office as shown above.
Also contact . . .
Gale A. Norton
Secretary of the Interior
1849 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20240
Ph # 202-208-7351
E-Mail-
In your letter, email or phone calls, state the following . .
The terms of the deed of the congressionally transferred Squirrel Point Lighthouse in Maine have been severally violated, as proven by a recent investigation by the Maine State Historic Preservation Officer. Now the so-called non-profit Squirrel Point Association is attempting to sell for $375,000 an historic lighthouse that was given to them for free
If this sale is allowed to take place it will not only set a dangerous precedent, but will make a mockery out of the Maine Lights Program and the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act.
As a concerned citizen, I feel the United States Government should revoke the deed on the Congressionally Transferred property of Squirrel Point Lighthouse and transfer the lighthouse to GSA for disposal under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act so that a qualified non-profit can apply for ownership.
We would also suggest that you contact your own federal state senators. If you do not know who the federal senators are from your state go to www.senate.gov/www.senate.gov/ and type in the name of your state and it will give you the contact information for your senator.
Only through your help can we make a difference. Please act today.
Winter Lights at Calvert Marine Museum
You are invited to the 5th annual Winter Lights celebration of Chesapeake Bay Lighthouses to be held at the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons Maryland on Saturday, January 18 from 10AM to 5PM and Sunday, January 19 from 10am to 3PM.
There will be a number of lighthouse authors signing books at the museum plus a series of lighthouse lectures throughout the day and the museum store will be open. For a fee of $3 per person there will also be tour of nearby Cove Point Lighthouse. For more information call the Calvert Marine Museum at 410-326-2042.
Year end donations
Time is running out to make year-end donations that in most cases can be deducted from you income taxes. Tax-deductible donations (as allowed by law) to help save our nations lighthouses and their history can be sent to the American Lighthouse Foundation, P. O. Box 889, Wells, Maine 04090. Donations can also be made on line at www.LighthouseFoundation.orgwww.LighthouseFoundation.org.
Always check with your accountant to be sure that your donations can be deducted from your taxes.
Nubble Light all lit up
In one of the best holiday lighting ceremonies ever held, Maine's Nubble Lighthouse in York, Maine was lit for the holiday season this past Saturday night. The cold weather did not stop the nearly 4,000 people that showed up for holiday music, hot chocolate, hot cider and homemade cookies. The holiday lights at the lighthouse will be on every day through January 1st. If you are planning on visiting Maine soon, be sure to see this spectacular display.
Last issues Trivia answer
When this Atlantic coast lighthouse was considered useless it was decided the best way to remove it was blow it up. However, a mighty blast, generated by sixty-two sticks of dynamite, failed to bring it down. What was the name of the lighthouse?
The answer was: Cape Fear Light, North Carolina.
We only had four correct answers, from which we picked one winner. Congratulations to winner Terresa Steiner who will now receive a holiday lighthouse afghan.
This issues lighthouse Trivia Question . . .
At only 23 feet tall I was once one of the Bay State's shortest lighthouses. Today, my tower stands at an impressive 105 feet tall. What is my name?
Send your answer to . We will randomly draw one name from the correct answers as the winner of our holiday lighthouse lamp.
Lighthouses of Germany
Leuchtturme an deutschen Kusten
Although written in German, this hard cover book, with 95 pages, is loaded with great color photography and if you can read German it is packed with tons of information on their lighthouses. Now discontinued, we have reduced it for clearance. Quantities limited.
Item # www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=91765 91765 Was $36.00 Now $19.88
Light Spirit
On sale for the holidays is the video "Light Spirit, Lighthouses of the Maine Coast" as narrated by A & E Television's Jack Perkins. This makes a great last minute gift item.
#www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=26520 26520 Was $19.95 Now $ 14.95
Last Minute Stocking Stuffers on sale
There's still time to order the vintage lighthouse advertising mugs that are now on clearance. Designed from vintage advertising these colorful mugs remind us of the nostalgia of another time, They will make great stocking stuffers and wonderful house-warming holiday gifts. Have some fun, mix or match them. At these prices you can order some for everybody. 
Still undecided what to give this holiday season, may we suggest a www.lhdepot.com/Category.cfm?CFTREEITEMKEY=46Lighthouse Depot Gift Certificate.
Also, a www.lhdepot.com/subscribe.cfmgift subscription to Lighthouse Digest Magazine is a gift that keeps on giving each and every month, all year long.
Shop on line at www.LighthouseDepot.com for all your holiday needs and be sure to visit our www.lhdepot.com/clearance.cfmClearance Central site!.
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