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The media is invited and encouraged to attend the June 2nd event
Public invited
(WELLS, ME) Connie Scovill Small, known around the world in the lighthouse community, as “The First Lady of Light” will be celebrating her 100th birthday with the American Lighthouse Foundation at their Annual Spring Event in Portsmouth, New Hampshire this coming Saturday, June 2nd.
Tim Harrison, president of the non-profit American Lighthouse Foundation said, “This is quite an exciting event for lighthouse buffs, since there are very few people still around with first hand stories of what life was like at a lighthouse in the days when they still had family keepers. We are honored that she will be celebrating her 100th birthday with us.”
“Tickets for the evening dinner, which is open to the public, are still available” said Harrison, going on to say that he hoped many of Connie’s friends and acquaintances would come to honor this wonderful lady “who has given so much to so many and helped keep alive the maritime history of Maine and New Hampshire.”
From 1920 to 1940 Connie and her husband Elson were lighthouse keepers at lighthouses from St. Croix, Maine to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. “At nearly 100 years old she recently gave another one of her over 550 lighthouse lectures, which is quite a feat in itself,” said Harrison.
In 1986, Connie released a book, titled “The Lighthouse Keeper’s Wife” telling about her years of lighthouse service. However, as she says, “It’s really about keeping alive the stories of the families that tended our lighthouses enduring hardship that few of us can imagine today.” In 1999 the book was republished with more photos from Connie’s personal files and continues to be a best seller with lighthouse buffs and those interested in the history.
It was in May of 1998 when former President George H.W. Bush referred to Connie as his “eleventh point of light” because of her experiences, which are filled with remarkable deeds, isolation, danger and intrigue. Bush’s remarks were made during the Maine Lights Ceremony where some of Maine’s lighthouses were transferred from Coast Guard ownership to local communities and non-profit groups. Connie was the guest of honor at the dinner.
Bill Thomson, a maritime historian and author of numerous books on the coast of Maine said, “When the word lighthouse is mentioned, Connie Small’s name is synonymous. She is the spirit of the lighted beacons she served so faithfully.”
Connie has appeared on every television network at one time or another and has been interviewed by countless reporters from magazines and newspapers around the world. “There is a thirst for lighthouse knowledge,” says Harrison, “and the best place to get that knowledge is from Connie Small, after all she lived it.”
Connie will be treated like royalty for her 100th birthday. “We will be picking her up in a limousine and she will be escorted by two uniformed Coast Guard Officers, and we plan to give her a special honor at the evening dinner” says Harrison. He went on to say, “Bill Younger, founder of Harbour Lights, a manufacturer of limited edition lighthouse collectibles, is flying in from California to present Connie with a special gift at the evening’s festivities. The Friends of Seguin Island Light (Maine) will also be on hand to honor Connie; after all it was one of the light stations that she and her husband were stationed on”.
Sunday morning, June 3rd, the American Lighthouse Foundation will also be opening the Portsmouth Lighthouse for tours in honor of Connie’s birthday. Connie is expected to be on hand to greet visitors and share memories of her life at the Portsmouth Lighthouse. It was the last lighthouse where she and her husband were stationed.
The Saturday, June 2nd event is open to the public and will begin at 5:30 PM at Yoken's Conference and Banquet Center in Portsmouth. Harrison says, “Anyone who wants to attend is welcome.” Tickets, which cost $27 per person are still available by calling, 207-646-0515 or 1-800-646-0515.
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Caption 1
Connie Small
Photo By: William O. Thomson
Date Entered into online database: May 23, 2001
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