Gannett Rock

According to the Canadian Coast Guard, the cleanup at New Brunswick’s Gannet Rock Lighthouse has been completed. The sheetrock has been completely removed from the interior of the dwelling as well as removal of all trash and materials at the site. This concluded only after months of work involving loads of materials being helicoptered off the station. Items such as wood trim and the fireplace mantle were left in place for possible preservation in the future. The CG hopes to begin restoration work in the spring, weather and budget permitting.

Head Harbour progress

The Friends of Head Harbour Light developed a business plan based on the one originally provided by the Canadian Coast Guard. Last year the group completed restoration work on the badly deteriorated boathouse and were successful in having the headland and middle islands turned over to the group. By summer of this year a plan should be completed which will allow visitors controlled access to the light-station.

Oak Point Restored

The Canadian Coast Guard revoked the lease held by the local Kiwanis Club for the Oak Point Lighthouse after they cut a hole in the lighthouse to accommodate a window. It seems they wanted more light in the lighthouse so they could turn it into a B&B. Obviously these types of alterations are a violation of historic guidelines. The CCG filled in the hole and also removed the stairs up to a door and a small deck that the Kiwanis Club had also added. The lighthouse has now been returned to its proper historic appearance. The lighthouse is located on the Saint John River in New Brunswick, Canada.

Apostle Island Funds Secured

$1.6 million dollars has been approved by Congress to save Wisconsin’s Outer Island Lighthouse. The funds were approved as part of the new federal budget for fiscal year 2003.

Cape Elizabeth rejects fees

In spite of the town’s budget woes, officials in Cape Elizabeth have rejected the idea of collecting fees to enter Maine’s Fort Williams State Park where Portland Head Light is located. Ideas still being tossed around are charging for tour buses or expanding the size of the popular gift shop.

NPS to get Cape Lookout

North Carolina’s diamond-painted Cape Lookout Lighthouse will soon have a new owner. The lighthouse, now owned by the Coast Guard, will soon be transferred to the National Park Service. A visitor’s center located in the old assistant keeper’s quarters is open for tourists in the summer months.

Lighthouse Tender saved

The 173-foot Lilac, built for the old U.S. Lighthouse Service in 1933 will be saved by a group of new owners. The 800-ton ship has been in a marine salvage yard on the James River south of Richmond, Virginia for the past ten years. Tentative plans call for the vessel to be displayed by Pier 40 at the Hudson River Park Trust that is building a five-mile riverfront park. The Lilac is one of the few remaining vessels of its kind with its original steam plant in place since most were replaced by diesel engines.

Burnt Island opening

Former lighthouse keeper James Buotte of Burnt Island Lighthouse in Boothbay Harbor, Maine will be portraying another former lighthouse keeper, Joseph Muise, this summer at the Living History program at the lighthouse. The light station and keeper’s house have been totally refurbished and restored. The entire Muise family of lighthouse keeper James Muise will be portrayed at the grand opening of the lighthouse on June 20. Also, at that time, the DVD, “The Keeper of Burnt Island Light,” will be released. To view a trailer of the DVD go to www.burntlight.info. Starting June 1 the DVD can be purchased on line at with a portion of the proceeds going back to support the lighthouse. For more information call Lenore Bavota at Escape TV at 877-735-0077 or email lbavota@escapetv.tv

Avery Point Wine and Cheese

The Avery Point Lighthouse Society, Chapter of ALF will be hosting a wine and cheese event on May 15 at 6:30PM at the Groton Inn and Suites in Groton, CT. The ever popular author and forensic expert Dr. Henry Lee be the guest speaker. FMI contact JimStreetr@aol.com

South Haven Catwalk News

The committee that rescued the catwalk at South Haven, Michigan’s pier light have turned over the care of the restored catwalk to the local maritime museum along with a little over $5,000 that it had left in its bank account. The museum will use the funds toward a comprehensive study on the catwalk and lighthouse. The museum plans to offer tours to the lighthouse in the near future.

This story appeared in the May 2003 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. The print edition contains more stories than our internet edition, and each story generally contains more photographs - often many more - in the print edition. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.

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