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In this issue:
Little River Shines Again
By Kathleen Finnegan
Those that attended the relighting of Maine's Little River Lighthouse will be talking about it for years to come. Because of the recent terrorist attack on America, the ceremonies which were more than a relighting ceremony, will surely be a memory and story that will be passed down from generation to generation.
The event, a joint effort between the United States Coast Guard and the American Lighthouse Foundation, was celebrated by what may have been one of the largest crowds to ever have gathered in the town circle in the small community of Cutler, Maine.
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Although volunteers have accomplished much at the station, $200,000 still needs to be raised to complete the restoration of the light station. The keeper's house needs a new roof, new cistern, lead paint removal, rotted clapboard needs to be replaced, new electrical wiring needs to be installed, new plumbing needs to be installed, the contaminated well needs to be replaced, asbestos needs to be removed, new interior lighting needs to be installed, a new furnace is needed, the boat-house near collapse needs major restoration and much, much more.
Donations can be sent to: American Lighthouse Foundation, Little River Light Fund, P.O. Box 889, Wells, Maine 04090.
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Because the lighthouse is on the ocean side of the small island off Cutler and cannot be seen from the mainland, there were two separate ceremonies, one on the water and a larger ceremony immediately following the water ceremony on land in the town center.
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A Search and Rescue Coast Guard Helicopter from Air Station Cape Cod paid an unexpected visit to Little River Light on the day of the historic relighting ceremony. The crew left to right is, Bill Timmons, Lorenzeno Rich, Trevor Yacopino and Ken Murtauch. Photograph by Timothy Harrison.
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It was the United States Coast Guard out of Southwest Harbor, Maine that saved the day by sending a boat for the ceremony. The Coast Guard boat under direction of Sam Hill was able to accommodate the overflow crowd of people that would not fit on the other boats and would have otherwise not have been able to view the water ceremony.
As a small armada of boats came around the island and in view of the lighthouse you could hear the oo's and ah's from the people as the flashes of the cameras made one think they might have been at a concert or a ball game. This was largely in part to seeing the newly painted tower draped in a large United States flag.
Nick and Belinda Lemieux placed the red, white and blue flowered wreath on the Little River Lighthouse Fog Bell, while the audience sang softly in the background "God Bless the USA."
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Neil and Purcell Corbett, lighthouse keeper descendants, placed a wreath at the original U.S. Lighthouse Service Fog Bell from Little River. There was complete silence in the crowd as a recording by the Van Houtens of the song; "Let the Lower Lights Be Burning" was played in the background. The Corbett brothers stood with their heads slightly bowed and hands over their hearts as the beloved old hymn was played.
As the boats gathered close to each other to hear the ceremony over the microphone Tim Harrison told the crowd that they were witnessing history in the making with the relighting of the lighthouse.
CWO Dave Waldrip,Lighthouse Manager for the First District Aids to Navigation Office in Boston, then talked about the importance of lighthouses and why it is important for the Coast Guard to work with communities and non-profits in partnerships to save these historic icons. These remarks were then followed by those of Commander Hank Haynes, USCG Commander Group Southwest Harbor who thanked everyone and the community for their efforts and then presented an unexpected Certificate of Appreciation from the Coast Guard to the American Lighthouse Foundation for its efforts to restore and have the Little River Lighthouse relit.
| The new revolving light that was installed by the United States Coast Guard in the Little River Lighthouse. The tower had been dark for 26 years. |
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A wreath was then laid in the water in memory of the lighthouse keepers and families that tended the Little River Light Station helping make our country the great nation that it is today.
Although it was not yet total darkness, the light in the tower was turned on and for the first time in 26-years a beacon shown from the lantern room at Little River Lighthouse. Being dusk, the light was not immediately bright but as the sky darkened under a full autumn moon the light became brighter with each turn of the new lens, which had recently been installed by the Coast Guard.
Then a red, white and blue flowered wreath was laid in memory to those who lost their lives in the recent attack on America. Tim Harrison, president of the American Lighthouse Foundation, said, with a quivering in his voice and holding back the tears, "The relighting of Little River Light is also our way of telling the world that the American way of life will never be darkened and will shine on forever to freedom loving people the world over."
The crowd then bowed for a moment of silence and prayer.
The boats then returned to land where another ceremony, much larger than the water ceremony, was held in the community's Town Square or "Town Circle" as most call it where the original fog bell from Little River Light is on display.
The land ceremony, which lasted about 45 minutes, included an opening with the National Anthem and closed with God Bless America, both played by the Machias High School Memorial Band.
The service was begun with a prayer and ended with a prayer from the ministers of the two churches in town. It also included remarks by Tim Harrison and again by CWO Dave Waldrip, USCG and Commander Hank Haynes, a reading of letters from Ted Dernago, Chief of the Real Property of the USCG Providence and Maine Gov. Angus King. Ken Black, founder of the Shore Village Lighthouse Museum in Rockland was the former Commander of USCG Group Quoddy Head. He told about his first visit to Little River Light. Finding that the station had no electricity, he ordered electric lines brought out to the island. He was followed by Maine State Representative Martha Bagley, who described the relighting as a new birth to maritime history of Maine and a beacon to honor those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11th attack on America that their memory will never be forgotten and that freedom's light will shine forever.
Then, unrehearsed remarks were made by former keepers Terry Rowden and Cynthia Cates, and keeper descendants Neil Corbett and Delia Farris who told some interesting, amazing and humorous stories of what life was like living at a lighthouse.
The entire ceremony was filmed by the History Channel to be aired at a future date. Jeff Dobbs Productions also filmed the event for the American Lighthouse Foundation archives and the evening TV news gave the event extensive coverage.
Friends of Little River Lighthouse
Acting Chairman: Joe Lebherz
178 Waldoboro Road
Friendship, ME 04547
Phone 207-832-7384
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| The United States Coast Guard Helicopter with the flag draped from the tower of the Little River Light Station makes for an extremely patriotic photograph. Next spring a plaque will be placed at the lighthouse in memory of those who lost their lives in the terrorist attack on America. The relighting of the Little River Light is a statement to the world that the American way of life will shine forever and never be darkened. Photograph by Timothy Harrison. |
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These rooms in the keeper's house at Little River Light show what happens after a building is closed up with no heat for 26 years. |
| ALF volunteer Lee Leighton posing with the new tractor and trailer purchased to bring supplies back and forth from the boathouse to the lighthouse. |
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ALF volunteer Steve Clarrage painting the new door that was installed on the keeper's house at Little River. |
| ALF volunteer Kathy Finnegan removing peeling paint from the kitchen ceiling in the keeper's house at Little River. |
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ALF volunteer Lee Leighton takes a moment to reflect while standing on the gallery of Little River Lighthouse. |
| The newly completed walkway from the tower to the new solar panels installed by the Coast Guard. The bundles on the ground are new roof shingles purchased by ALF and flown out to the lighthouse by helicopter. The New England Lighthouse Lovers (NELL) recently donated the money to pay for the contractor to install the new shingles on the roof. ALF determined that it was too dangerous to have inexperienced volunteers reshingle the roof, so a private contractor was hired instead. |
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The freshly painted pedestal that once held a fourth order Fresnel lens at Little River Light, just before the new modern revolving optic was installed. |
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| ALF volunteer Steve Clarrage cutting and removing trees from the walkway area at Little River Lighthouse. This was being done for two purposes, first to allow sunlight to reach the walkway to prevent rotting and mold buildup, and second, to keep the walkway free from falling trees after winter storms, both having been major problems in the past. |
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ALF volunteer Kathy Finnegan scraping old paint off the stairway at Little River Lighthouse. |
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The newly restored Little River Lighthouse.
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Lighthouses and Crisis
By Timothy Harrison, President American Lighthouse Foundation and editor of Lighthouse Digest; Thomas Tag, lighthouse author and historian; and Bob Trapani, Jr., President, Delaware River and Bay Lighthouse Foundation
In light of recent events, many may be thinking that it is totally trivial to care about saving lighthouses. The world seems to have descended into barbarity, yet we lighthouse people are still worried about old-obsolete structures in remote locations. What could possibly be the matter with us?
In recent months, donations for lighthouse preservation have dropped to all time lows. Now, with the recent crisis in America and the world, donations are likely to drop even lower, yet it is important to remember why it is vital to continue our efforts, and those of many others, to save these historic structures, and why donations to causes such as saving lighthouses need to continue.
We talk about being civilized, and yet what makes us civilized? Is it that we live in large cities? Is it that we live by laws? Is it that we care about people? Is that we don't kill indiscriminately?
Certainly each of these thoughts is a part of civilization. Yet in thinking about being civilized, we believe that civilization is when men and women give of their time, fortune, skills, and maybe even their lives for others. That is surely true of the firemen and policemen in New York and Washington, D.C. in recent weeks.
One of the finest examples we can identify in history of man becoming civilized is the totally altruistic endeavor of the building and maintaining of lighthouses. They stand for everything that is good. They were built for one purpose only - to save lives. Realizing the importance of lighthouses, the establishment of a lighthouse service in the United States was one of the first public works acts of the First Congress of the United States. Our lighthouses were built by people and governments who cared about others. In saving lighthouses, we are caring for one of the finest examples of true civilization in our society.
Twice in recent weeks, President George W. Bush told a grieving and shocked world about the United States being a beacon of light to the world. He firmly stated, "America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. An no one will keep that light from shining."
As the lighthouse endures in majestic fashion, so does the American spirit that will undoubtedly rise above this national tragedy to shine even brighter than ever.
The efforts of lighthouse preservationists reach far beyond the physical heritage of any light. In the towering lantern room of life, we must also remain cognizant of the spiritual element that embodies a lighthouse - to keep the symbolism of the everlasting and inextinguishable flame of freedom burning brightly in the hearts of every American who reflects upon the strength and compassion of these inspirational edifices.
We should never forget the people who have recently been lost, but possibly, by caring for and saving our lighthouses we will be maintaining a vital symbol of civilization and humanity.
God Bless America !
Donations for lighthouse preservation can be sent to:
American Lighthouse Foundation
P.O. Box 889
Wells, Maine 04090
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Books to be Published with Your Help
-Little River to be first?
It is our goal to publish books on the complete history of each lighthouse that is under the care of the American Lighthouse Foundation. The profits from each book will go toward the restoration and care of each individual lighthouse.
Our first book will be on Little River Lighthouse located in Cutler, Maine.
In order to accomplish this, we need your help.
We are looking for photographs of keepers and family members that lived at the Little River Lighthouse. We are also looking for all other types of historical information such as old newspaper or magazine stories about the lighthouse, stories about keepers and family members, old photos of the lighthouse and other buildings associated with it, and just about anything that can be used to record the entire history of the Little River Light Station.
We cannot accept photocopies of photographs. We need photo duplicates, which just about any photo shop can do. We will reimburse anyone the cost of having this done, plus postage.
Original photographs can be sent to us, however they must be sent by registered mail with a "return receipt requested." We will then duplicate the photos and return the originals by registered mail.
When sending us photos or duplicates, please be sure to give captions for the photos or whatever you know about them.
DO NOT WRITE ON THE BACKS OF THE PHOTOS. Please write the captions on a separate sheet of paper
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Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse Move Forward
The Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse, a new chapter of ALF, are off to a tremendous start. Several open houses have drawn hundreds of people. Many local residents have said that it was their first opportunity to tour the inside of the 1877 lighthouse in New Castle, New Hampshire.
A Harbour Lights replica was sold during the American Lighthouse Foundation's Annual Spring Event in Portsmouth as a special pre-release fundraiser for the Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse. The promotion raised $2375 for the new group, courtesy of Harbour Lights and Lighthouse Depot. Among other donations, $250 has been received from TyCom in Newington, New Hampshire.
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Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse was decorated for the holidays
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Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse
Jeremy D'Entremont, President
P.O. Box 5092
Portsmouth, NH 03802-5092
Phone 603-431-9155
Email-
Website: www.portsmouthharborlighthouse.org
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Avery Point Efforts Progressing
The only lighthouse built in America as a memorial to the lighthouse keepers of yesteryear will be saved thanks to the efforts of the Avery Point Lighthouse Society, a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation.
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| Some of the members of the Avery Point Lighthouse Society, a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation, at their recent fundraiser in Groton, CT. |
The endangered lighthouse will require about $350,000 to restore. The group recently received a $6,000 cash grant to add to the $25,000 the group has already raised. They also expect to get an additional $150,000 in state funds.
Tim Harrison, president of ALF, spoke to the group at its recent fall fundraiser and congratulated them for their efforts to date.
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Donald Perkins donated this wonderful replica of the Avery Point Lighthouse. The replica is shown at all fundraising events of the Avery Point Lighthouse Society. |
| Jim Streeter (right) of the Avery Point Lighthouse Society thanks Don Perkins for the donation of his replica at an earlier event. |
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| Believe it or Not! Trees have taken root in the walkway outside the lantern room of the Avery Point Lighthouse. The entire lantern room is beyond repair. It will be removed and replicated over the winter months. The old lantern room will hopefully be put on display in a museum or other worthy place. |
Photos by Ron Foster
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The first and most visible phase of the restoration work at Avery Point Lighthouse has officially begun.
The Avery Point Lighthouse Society contracted with Mattern Construction Company of Baltic, CT to prep the lantern room for removal by Marno Crane Company of Hartford, CT. In their effort to help save the lighthouse. Both firms are doing the work at cost.
The West Mystic Wooden Boat Company, owned and operated by Steve Jones (a professor at UCONN) will be building the new lantern room, again, only charging for the cost of materials.
Avery Point Lighthouse, which has been on the Lighthouse Digest Doomsday List of endangered lighthouses, is on its way to being saved.
However, the biggest cost of the restoration will be the tower. APLS is still trying to raise the necessary funds to restore the tower. You can help by buying a brick by going to their web site at: averypointbrick.tripod.com/
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Jim Streeter presents Tim Harrison with an honorary brick for the American Lighthouse Foundation.
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Jim Streeter, President
Avery Point Lighthouse Society
64 Pleasant St.
Groton, CT 06430
Email-
website: www.apls.tripod.com
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Lightship Sailors Reunion
The Lightship Sailors Association, a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation recently held its third annual reunion in Michigan. Former lightship sailors attended the event a three-day affair along with United States Coast Guard personnel and other interested persons.
Next year's annual reunion will be held in New Bedford, MA.
USCG Lightship Sailors Assn.
642 Marina Parkway #63
Chula Vista, CA 91910
Ph #619 427 8501
Email-
Website: www.uscglightshipsailors.org
On board the Coast Guard Cutter Bramble, the Bramble's Commander reads the names of the lightship sailors lost in the line of duty. With the Commander, (l-r) Jim Gill, president of LSA; Rick Bennett, Secretary LSA; and Bill Collette, Vice-President LSA.
The laying of the wreaths from the deck of the Lightship Huron in honor and memory of those who lost their lives in the terrorist attack on America and lightship sailors who lost their lives in the line of duty.
At the end of the ceremony honoring past lightship sailors a U.S. Coast Guard Dolphin helicopter flew by the Lightship Huron rendering honors to lightship sailors lost.
In a touching moment, a U.S. Coast Guard 41' UTB boat from USCG Port Huron Station passed in review saluting all those on board the Lightship Huron attending the LSA Reunion.
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Dutch Island Progress
Things are progressing very well for the Dutch Island Lighthouse Society (DILS) a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation. Several large donations have recently been received by the Rhode Island group. Local residents have also been generous, but the fundraising effort has a long way to go to reach the $106,000 needed for full restoration of the 1857 lighthouse.
This past June the Dutch Island Lighthouse Society presented a public program at the Jamestown Philomenan Library. An enthusiastic audience heard DILS President Dave Lombardi describe the preservation effort to this point. Vice President Jeremy D'Entremont recounted the history of endangered lighthouse.
Rhode Island sculptor Jim Gomes displayed his amazingly detailed replica of the Dutch Island Lighthouse and gave some background on its construction. The replica has been on display recently near the entrance to the library.
Members of the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum have also expressed interest in helping the group and two descendants of Dutch Island keeper John Paul also attended the meeting.
A local man who had the Dutch Island 250 mm red lens in his possession for 20 years, surprised the group by returning the lens. The unknown individual had originally removed the lens from the tower after the lighthouse was abandoned and darkened. When he witnessed the ongoing vandalism at the light he removed it for safekeeping. The lens is now on display at the American Lighthouse Foundation in Wells, Maine. Hopefully, when the lighthouse is restored, it can again send out its warning signal from the tower. The Dutch Island group now has a gift shop online at www.lighthouse.cc/DILS/gifts.html
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| Jim Gomes' replica of the Dutch Island Light is unveiled at a recent meeting of the Dutch Island Lighthouse Preservation Society. |
Dave Lombardi, President
Dutch Island Lighthouse Society
P.O. Box 40151
Providence, RI 02940
Email-
website: www.dutchislandlighthouse.org
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NELL Joins ALF
In a formal signing ceremony, held at Lighthouse Depot in Wells, Maine the New England Lighthouse Lovers (NELL) became an official chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation (ALF).
A fairly good sized contingent of members from NELL, from at least three states was present for the signing. NELL, originally formed as a Harbour Lights Collectors Club, has in the past few years raised large sums of money for a number of lighthouse preservation projects.
The agreement, which took several months to negotiate, will give the American Lighthouse Foundation a much larger presence in the northeast region of the United States and give greater strength to both organizations in terms of fund raising and advocacy of and for lighthouse preservation.
The American Lighthouse Foundation has a number of other chapters throughout New England, which actually oversee various individual lighthouses which makes the NELL chapter the first chapter that does not actually have a lighthouse, but will help various lighthouses and lighthouse projects that need help.
Shown here is the official signing ceremony of the NELL becoming a chapter of ALF, are (l-r) Carolyn Carbone, Secretary of NELL, Ron Foster, president of NELL, Tim Harrison, president of ALF and Doug Bingham, secretary of ALF.
New England Lighthouse Lovers
Ron Foster, President
298 Meridian St #L
Groton, CT 06340-4031
Email -
Website: www.nell.cc
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Coast Guard Gives Award to Bingham
Doug Bingham, secretary of the American Lighthouse Foundation, in a ceremony held at the Woods Hole, Massachusetts, Coast Guard Station, was awarded the United States Coast Guard's Meritorious Public Service Award.
The written copy of the award states, "Mr. Bingham's dedication and superior accomplishments are heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard."
Congratulations Doug.
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| Doug Bingham, ALF corporate secretary (3rd from left) receiving his Coast Guard Award at Group Woods Hole, MA. |
Bingham gets LSA Award
Douglas Bingham, Secretary of the American Lighthouse Foundation, received an award from the Lightship Sailors Association at its recent reunion held in October in Michigan.
Doug received the award for his efforts to preserve and report the story of America's lightships and the sailors who served on them.
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Rockland Gets New Lease on Life
During the Maine Lights Program a number of years ago it appeared that no one, not event the City, wanted the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, which has been a symbol for more years than anyone can recall. However, a deal was cut with the American Lighthouse Foundation whereby the City would take ownership of the light and then turn around and lease it to the Friends of Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation. Although the Friends group started raising money and for the most part had full control of the lighthouse and operated under an informal understanding, no formal agreement was ever signed with the City. That all changed this past August when the lighthouse was officially turned over to the Friends group under a long term lease for $1.00.
The Friends of Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, under the direction of Dorothy Black and Pam Hooyduck and a contingent of dedicated volunteers has raised about $150,000 toward the $250,000 need to restore the lighthouse. In fact, some parts of the restoration have already started.
This year the lighthouse was visited by the History Channel for a special expected to air in the spring of 2002. The group had expected to receive a large donation from Harbour Lights in September of this year. Harbour Lights is donating $5.00 from the sale of each replica of its Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse sold, however the money will not be paid until all 9,500 pieces of the limited edition replica have been sold. The group is doing their best to encourage people to purchase the Harbour Lights replica so the can receive the funds from Harbour Lights. Recently, Lighthouse Depot of Wells, Maine donated $6,000 to the Friends group from the replicas that were sold through its mail order catalog and retail store.
The group also received a large donation from the group that runs the nearby-restored Marshall Point Lighthouse. Lee Ann Szelog of the Marshall Point Lighthouse Committee said, "We've been there and we know what hard work it is to raise money for a restoration."
A previous agreement with Lefton Lighthouses for a donation from the sale of its replicas of Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse fell through when new management of the company declined to make the previously promised donation.
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| The official agreement between the City of Rockland and the Friends of the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse was signed outdoors in view of the lighthouse, which sits at the end of a mile long breakwater. |
Friends of Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse:
Website: www.rocklandlighthouse.com
Co-chair: Dorothy (Dot) Black
174 Sennebec Rd
Union, ME 04862
Phone 207-785-4609, Email-
Co-chair: Pam Hooydonk
P.O. Box 93
Spruce Head, ME 04859
Phone 207-594-2815
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Wedding at Fire Island Light
American Lighthouse Foundation members Tony and Maryann Poldino were married at New York's Fire Island Lighthouse on Long Island this past September 22nd. Tony and Maryann were also hosts at Race Point Lighthouse this past summer, and Tony is a tour guide at Fire Island Lighthouse. Congratulations to them and best wishes for the future.
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Maine Lighthouse Week
The Friends of Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation, through their state representatives and senators were the only real force behind instituting a law in Maine declaring Maine Lighthouse Week the third full week of June every year. Shown here are representatives of the Friends of Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse and the American Lighthouse Foundation with their local legislative delegation and Governor Angus King when he signed Maine Lighthouse Week into law.
Dot Black, Maine Governor Angus King, and Pam Hooydonk at the signing ceremonies enacting Maine Lighthouse Week. Governor King is holding a replica of the Rockland Breakwater Light.
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NELL Donates to DILS
The New England Lighthouse Lovers (NELL), an active and growing group that encompasses all the New England states, recently presented a check for $1,200 to the Dutch Island Lighthouse Society (DILS) in Rhode Island. Members of both groups gathered in Saunderstown, RI on November 17, 2001 for the presentation of the donation, with a view of Dutch Island offshore. The donation will be used for a new door on the lighthouse, which DILS plans to fully restore.
L to R: Dr. Peter Randall (DILS), Ron Foster (president of NELL), Dave Lombardi (president of DILS), Shirley Sheldon (DILS), Chuck Bartnicki (NELL) and Penny Patch-Bartnicki (NELL). Photo by Keith Fornal of DILS.
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Busy Year for Race Point
Cape Cod's Race Point Lighthouse has been under the care of the American Lighthouse Foundation now for a number of years. The station once considered for demolition has been mostly restored and is now used for over night stays and educational purposes. Most of the money raised at Race Point Lighthouse goes into other lighthouse restoration projects, while some is kept for ongoing maintenance and continuing restoration at Race Point Lighthouse.
The year in perspective at Race Point:
Thirty-Eight host families tended to 563 overnight visitors.
Forty-Two groups, compromising groups of family or friends reserved the keeper's house for more than one day.
The film crew and actors from Chiaroscuro Productions rented the lighthouse from 4/22 to 5/18 for the filming of the movie Private Property.
Other groups that used the keeper's house in 2001 were the Abington Boy Scouts, Hubbardston Girl Scouts, Cathy's Junior Keepers, and Helping Our Women, a cancer support group. In addition five gift certificates were donated for a night at Race Point to Dream Day of Cape Cod and Angels Hope, both, which involve children with cancer.
A day was hosted to the Cape Cod Realtors.
A very successful Cape Cod Maritime Week was help with volunteers providing rides to the lighthouse and tours to an uncounted number of visitors.
Race Point was also the site of a ham radio broadcast in August involving lighthouses around the world. Our certificate and call numbers are now proudly displayed in the front hall where you can also observe our beautiful new weather station donated by Dave Rice.
A film crew from Great Britain also visited the lighthouse filming a segment of a travel show that will air throughout all of Europe.
Jean Guichard, the famous French photographer, visited Race Point and many other Cape Cod lighthouses to photograph the lights for a new upcoming book.
In October another restoration project started at Race Point with the replacement of the old rusted out stanchions and railings on the walkway outside the lantern room of the lighthouse. This was an expensive and costly project since a new mold had to be created to enable us to replace all the old ones to insure exact historical accuracy.
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| Some of the 12 new stanchions for Race Point just prior to installation. The 12 old rusted ones had to come off, no easy task. |
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| ALF volunteers at Race Point: Matt Charette and Seth Peabody, both students at Cape Cod Technical High School, and John Beeler, a teacher at Cape Cod Tech. |
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| ALF volunteer Andy James painting the rails and deck outside the lantern room at Race Point Lighthouse. Gusty winds with a wind chill of 20 degrees made this a difficult job. |
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| ALF volunteers Chief Bill Chisholm and Seth Charette, a Cape Cod Tech student, lining up a new stanchion at Race Point Lighthouse. |
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| The restored keepers house is to the left and the restored fog signal building in to the right. With no roads going to the lighthouse, restoration over the years at this remote location has been no easy task. |
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| With the old stanchions and railings gone and nothing preventing workers from falling off the tower, this was the most dangerous part of the job for ALF volunteers. |
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ALF volunteers Russell Loud and Dave Rice fixing the generator at Race Point Lighthouse.
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Mail
We save all the letters we get. However, we cannot possibly print them all. As space is available we will pick letters at random and publish some of them in Tower Notes.
May 2001
Enclosed please find membership dues . . . for Tom and Arlene Pregman.
We recently met Tim Harrison at the New England Lighthouse Lovers (NELL) Spring Meeting on Cape Cod and enjoyed his talk and slide presentation about the good work ALF is doing to save our lighthouses.
Then we witnessed, in person, the renovations at the Race Point Light in Provincetown. I couldn't believe how lovely the keeper's house has been restored, no wonder the rooms are booked for the summer season. The setting out there is incredible. Keep up the good work! I'm proud to join such a worthwhile organization. Keep the flame burning.
Arlene Pregman.
Dec. 2000
Thank you very much for the generous contribution the American Lighthouse Foundation made to the Friends of Rock Island earlier this year at the Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival in Alpena, Michigan. Your support of the restoration of the Pottawatomie Lighthouse is greatly appreciated.
We will be using donations as matching money as we continue to seek grants to furnish the keepers house and further restoration of the site and grounds.
Interior restoration of the keepers' quarters is expected to take place this summer with the help of a Local Transportation Enhancement grant we received from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. We are hoping to begin furnishing the house soon after the work is completed so that a resident interpreter can take occupancy in the summer of 2002. The building would then be open to the public from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Exciting things are happening on Rock Island thanks to people like you.
Tim Sweet
President Friends of Rock Island
Clintonville, Wisconsin
April 2001
Enclosed please find a check. This is a donation in the name of Mr. Alfred Cooper to the Little River Restoration Fund. Mr. Cooper was an avid Lighthouse enthusiast who [passed away in Feb. 2001. Please send us, at the above address, information and progress reports on this restoration.
Lewis and Janet Miller
Arizona
July 2001
Please accept this check . . . as a donation in the memory of a dear friend of our-Harriet Tirronen. Harriet loved lighthouses and wanted to help keep them preserved for future generations to enjoy. This is our small way to contribute to help achieve this cause and to honor her memory.
Betty and Brian Bjurling
Dec. 2000
On behalf of the Scituate Historical Society, I would like to take the opportunity to thank the American Lighthouse Foundation's recent loan to the Society's Scituate Lighthouse Guidebook Project. Your contribution, being the first we received (as the American Lighthouse Foundation is always the first organization we approach concerning Scituate Lighthouse projects), has "lit the lamp," so to speak, for the project. . . . . . . . The book will act as a fundraiser that will bring in excess of nearly $30,000 to the Society's Scituate Lighthouse Preservation Fund, for use in future repairs to the tower, keeper's house and grounds . . . .
John Galluzzo
The Scituate Historical Society
Oct. 2001
I trust all is well with you and you are ready for another Maine winter. I am enclosing a check for the American Lighthouse Foundation. It is a small token of our appreciation for the help you have given my group over the years.
Actually, there is no way all of the various lighthouse groups could show how much the American Lighthouse Foundation has helped us. It is beyond measuring and is greatly appreciated.
John Forbes
Friends of Boston Harbor Islands
Sept. 2001
Dear Tim,
Thank you for joining us for our Lighthouse Celebration. We appreciate the effort you made to get here during the time of national crisis. We hope you can visit again in the future. Your presentation was very interesting and informative. You are truly a great asset for the lighthouse community. God Bless America!
Dave, Mary and the entire staff
Keeper of the Light
Apostle Islands Lighthouse Celebration
Bayfield, WI
Oct. 2001
I would personally like to thank each and every member of the American Lighthouse Foundation who had anything to do with Race Point Lighthouse! My wife, Peggy, and I had the pleasure of spending the night at the light this past June 28th and we were both very impressed. Everyone we came in contact with at the light were very courteous and friendly and went out of their way to make our stay a pleasant experience. It was like a dream come true when I won the gift certificate at the ALF Dinner meeting on June 2-3. I am sure we will come back to this beautiful light station and will certainly recommend it to family and friends. To all the great people who worked long hard hours on the restoration of the Race Point Lighthouse, you should be very proud of the fantastic job you have done.
Congratulations,
Paul Conlin
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Wanted: Friends
We are currently looking for people interested in forming a "Friends" group to take over the care and maintenance of this unique light tower at Perkins Island in Maine. If you are interested, please call Tim Harrison at 207-646-0515 or email him at
ALF inspection team at Perkins Island Light on the Kennebec River in Maine.
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