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Fight over ownership of the Currituck Lighthouse is over!
The long and hard fought battle of who would obtain the ownership of North Carolina’s Currituck Lighthouse is over. In an unnecessary battle, created by local county government officials, backed by United States Congressman Walter Jones, which nearly destroyed the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act, the nonprofit Outer Banks Conservationists (OBC) now have legal ownership of the historic lighthouse. There were many dark days in the long fought battle for preservationists nationwide that could not believe that one United States Congressman could stop the due process of law. The Outer Banks Conservationists are to be congratulated for winning the battle for ownership of a light station that they spent millions restoring. A special Thank You goes out to the many of you who helped win this battle with letters, phone calls, telegrams and e-mails to various government officials. However, the win did not come without a price. The OBC had to put $180,000.00 into an escrow account from the admission fees they collected until a government investigation, spearheaded by Jones, could be completed. It seems that the fine print in the original lease from the Coast Guard required that all monies collected from admissions must go back to the Coast Guard. Most likely, OBC will be required to give that money to the government; money that was intended to be used for future renovations at the lighthouse. OBC will probably now need to start building up a bank account from scratch for those future renovations projects.
Avery Point restoration underway
For the many of you that contributed toward the saving of Avery Point Lighthouse in Connecticut, you’ll be happy to know that the restoration and saving of the lighthouse is now well underway. Scaffolding now surrounds the tower and much of the old brick has been replaced and the new lantern room is near completion. However, final restoration costs fell short of the projected estimates and money still needs to be raised for the door and windows. To make a donation you can go to www.LighthouseFoundation.orgwww.LighthouseFoundation.org and make a donation or click on Avery Point and then make a donation.
"Two Bucks" for the lighthouse and get your name on a plaque
Listed a few years ago by Maine Preservation as one of the ten most endangered historic properties in Maine, Little River Light Station is now being restored by the American Lighthouse Foundation. However, one of the biggest obstacles in restoration of the remote lighthouse is safe access to the island for supplies as well as people. The only way to solve that problem is to have a pier built, which will cost $50,000.00. That’s where you come in! If everyone who reads this e-mail will send in $2.00 or more, the pier could be built and you will have helped to save the lighthouse. (Did you know that $2.00 bills are still being made and available from most banks?) For every person that sends in $2.00, your name will be included on a plaque at the pier. To have some fun with it, for every person who sends a two-dollar bill, rather than two one-dollar bills, your name will be made bold on the plaque. This is a unique way that you can help save the lighthouse. Send your $2.00 donation today to: American Lighthouse Foundation, P.O. Box 889, Wells, ME 04090 or make a donation on line at www.LighthouseFoundation.orgwww.LighthouseFoundation.org.
Grand Traverse gets new owner
The federal government no longer owns Michigan’s Grand Traverse Lighthouse. In ceremonies at the lighthouse, ownership was transferred to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources who in turn then leased the lighthouse to the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum.
The Lighthouse People visit Lighthouse Depot
Bob and Sandra Shanklin, known around the world as "The Lighthouse People" paid a surprise and delightful visit to Lighthouse Depot last week. This was not their first visit to us, but this one was a surprise. The Shanklins have the distinction of being the only people in the United States to have photographed every United States lighthouse, including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico and have many great stories about their adventures. Their books, Lighthouses of the Hawaiian Islands # www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=9145891458, Lighthouses of Alaska # www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=9133391333, Lighthouses of Florida with Alabama # www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=9126391263 and List of All Existing U.S. Lighthouses # www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=3163231632 continue to sell well. If you don’t have these books in your collection, this might be a good time to consider ordering them while you are thinking about it.
North Point Lights gets new owner
Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s North Point Lighthouse is now officially owned by the Milwaukee County Parks. The United States Coast Guard previously owned it. In 1912, because the surrounding trees were obscuring the light, the tower was raised 35 feet.
Last month’s trivia question
When my boss visited me at my remote island lighthouse and saw me milking the lighthouse cow, he went back to the lighthouse tender to get his camera. He asked me to pose for a photograph of me milking the cow. This photograph was used as a recruitment advertisement to encourage people to join the lighthouse service. My wife wrote a book about our lighthouse life. What is my name and what is the name of the lighthouse where the photograph was taken? The answer is Elson Small at Maine’s St. Croix River Lighthouse, which is no longer standing. Elson’s wife Connie wrote a book about their lighthouse living called, The Lighthouse Keeper’s Wife, available from Lighthouse Depot as # www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=3164331643. Congratulations to this month’s winner Sandy Smith of Schnecksville, PA who will receive an autographed copy of the Lighthouses on Parade book.
Lighthouses on Parade Raises nearly $120,000
Hannaford’s Lighthouses on Parade Community Arts Program raised $118,124 for Maine based charities. The program which began early this year involved highly decorated 10-foot tall lighthouses that were purchased by southern Maine businesses, then painted by local artists, displayed at various businesses throughout the summer months, which were then auctioned off this fall. The project’s three main charities, Maine Center on Deafness, The Senator George J. Mitchell Scholarship Research Institute and Cancer Community Center received 50% of the proceeds and the other 50% was split up among 40 other Maine nonprofits. The Lighthouses on Parade event has been depicted in a beautiful hard cover book that shows all the lighthouses, the history behind why each one was made and an amazing historical section on Maine lighthouses, with rare photos, and it is available from Lighthouse Depot as # www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=3187431874. It would make a great holiday present. When ordering, ask to have the book autographed by Tim Harrison, who wrote the historical segment.
This month’s trivia question
This Empire State lighthouse was decommissioned in the late 1920’s. It was torn down to the lower part of its base, which was used to build a new memorial lighthouse dedicated to a famous explorer. What is the name of the lighthouse? Send your answer to . We will randomly select one name from among the correct answers and send that person a wonderful prize from Lighthouse Depot.
New Release - Lighthouses of Maine film
Lighthouse Depot Catalog Exclusive
Just released is the new documentary Lighthouses of Maine, A Journey Through Time, which is narrated by our own Tim Harrison. This fantastic documentary shows with dramatic film some of the spectacular views of Maine lighthouses that dot the state’s 3200 miles of coastline and remote islands. With rare vintage photographs, many never before published, the film tells the tales that will keep you spellbound, of Maine’s lighthouse keepers, family members and even the lighthouse animals. You’ll learn about a member of the Hollywood elite who owned a Maine lighthouse and even ran for President of the United States, a lighthouse keeper’s house that was the inspiration for a famous movie, the lighthouse dog who saved a mail boat, a lighthouse image launched into space, the frozen lovers saved by a lighthouse keeper, and other amazing stories you’ve probably never heard before. This film is the perfect gift for everyone who loves lighthouses, history or the state of Maine. In fact, we think you’ll want to watch it over and over again. It is available on our web site on VHS # www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=2625026250 or DVD # www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=2625126251 or by calling 1-800-758-1444.
Point Fermin to open
The completely restored Point Fermin Lighthouse in San Pedro, CA will be opening to the public on November 1st. The lighthouse built in 1874 is an incredible Victorian structure is located on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by the Point Fermin Park.
Want to know more?
Do you want to learn more about lighthouses or do you have a specific question about a particular lighthouse? Simply go onto our website at www.LighthouseDepot.com and type in the name of the lighthouse you want to learn about. You will then be directed to historical information, stories and any products that we have available for sale concerning that lighthouse. The www.lhdepot.comLighthouse Depot web site has a wealth of information for anybody interested in lighthouses. Take some time and browse around the site, you’ll be amazed at what you might find.
Clearance Central
Don’t forget to check out the Lighthouse Depot www.lhdepot.com/clearance.cfmClearance Central where items that are being discontinued or nearly sold out are added on a regular basis. Remember, when you buy from Lighthouse Depot you are helping us draw public attention to saving our nation’s lighthouses and their history.
Lighthouse Digest Magazine
If you are not yet a subscriber to Lighthouse Digest, this might be a good time of the year to consider a subscription for yourself, that special someone, or a gift to the person that has everything. We’ll even send them a gift card from you. Each issue is jammed packed with lighthouse news from around the world, information on lighthouse cruises, events, open houses, new lighthouse products, old and rare photographs, historical stories, stuff for kids and even crossword puzzles. A subscription is only $28.00 a year # www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=1300113001 or $42.00 for 2 years # www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=1300213002 or call 1-800-758-1444 to subscribe.
Plan now for the holidays
Lighthouse Depot has some wonderful new items for the upcoming holiday season. May we suggest that you order early to be ready for the season. Some of the great holiday items from Lighthouse Depot include the new Harbour Lights Fresnel lens tree ornaments # www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=4271642716, the Lighthouse Holiday Dinnerware Set # www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=1076910769, Holiday Lighthouse Flag # www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=2891128911, and the Snowman Lighthouse Pullover # www.lhdepot.com/Order.cfm?orderitem=3483434834. If you did not get your holiday catalog, call us at 1-800-758-1444 for a free copy so you can celebrate a Lighthouse Holiday! 
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