New Book On Beavertail Lighthouse

A new book, titled, "Beavertail Light Station," written by Varoujan Karentz has just been released. The book follows the history of the lighthouse to modern times. Proceeds of the sale of the book go to Beavertail Lighthouse Museum. The book can be ordered online from www.booksurge.com or www.Abebooks.com

Grace Darling Museum Reopens

The Grace Darling Museum in Bamburg, Northumberland, England has officially been reopened after an amazing $3 million refurbishment. The museum, honoring the exploits of England's most famous lighthouse heroine, first opened its doors in 1938. The money came mostly from several grant sources with the balance from fund raising. Grace Darling's story would make for a good school project for some student wanting to submit a report that very few others would ever think about.

Sharing On The Great Lakes

Over the past 12 years, the Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival, held every year in October, has helped to promote and increase lighthouse awareness on the Great Lakes region as well as throughout the United States. The event has shared with in excessive of 30 lighthouse groups and associations. The results of the 2007 12th Annual Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival have reported that they will be sharing $4,449.64 with the following lighthouse groups and supporting organizations: 40 Mile Point Lighthouse Crisp Point Lighthouse Historical Society, Seul Choix Point Lighthouse/Gulliver Historical Society, American Lighthouse Foundation, Middle Island Lighthouse Keepers Association Tawas Point Lighthouse, Saginaw River Marine Historical Society, Ontonagon County Historical Society Light, Ashtabula Lighthouse Restoration & Preservation Society, Sturgeon Point Lighthouse, as well as the local groups, which include, Immanuel Lutheran Youth Group, Vietnam Vets, and Boy Scouts.

This year’s 13th Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival will be held October 9-12, 2008, in Alpena, Michigan. Lighthouse groups and the public are invited to attend.

Maryland Lighthouse Challenge - The Road to the "Lighthouse"

This year's Maryland Lighthouse Challenge dates have been announced. The event will be held September 20-21, 8:00 am - 6:00 pm, both days. Bonus light this year — Blackstone Lighthouse Replica, St. Clement's Island. Additional information challenge@cheslights.org or (410) 437-0741. www.cheslights.org They will have artists, authors and other special lighthouse guests.

Belle Tout Lighthouse Sold

The Belle Tout Lighthouse located high on the cliffs at Eastbourne, United Kingdom has been sold to a private individual. The original asking price was a whopping $1.7 million, but that figure was lowered in January to approximately $1.1 million. The Belle Tout Preservation Trust was trying to raise money to buy it, but they were unable to raise the funds. The lighthouse established in 1832 was heavily damaged in World War II. In 1999 the lighthouse was moved 70 feet back from the eroding cliff.

Jupiter Voted Outstanding

The United States of House of Representatives has voted to declare the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse as an "Outstanding Natural Area." The bill now goes to the Senate, which is expected to also vote in favor of it. If it does pass the Senate and the president signs the bill, Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse will be the first lighthouse on the Atlantic coast to receive such a designation and the second lighthouse in the country, followed by Yaquina Head Lighthouse in Oregon, to have such a designation. If passed and signed into law it will provide for federal protection of the site's cultural and biological significance.

Coast Guard City Designation

Rockland, Maine, home of the Maine Lighthouse Museum, will now join a small select number of other American cities with the official designation of "Coast Guard City." Admiral Thad W. Allen, Coast Guard Commandant, has notified Congress of

his intentions and if there is no objection from them, the designation could become effective as soon as this month. Grand Haven, Michigan was the first city in 1998 to get the official designation. They were followed by other cities since then that include: Eureka, CA; Mobile, AL; Morgan City, LA; Wilmington, NC; Newport, OR; Alameda, CA; and on September 15, 2007, Kodiak Alaska. Congratulations to the City of Rockland and the many volunteers

who worked behind the scenes to make this possible.

Crossed the Bar

We are saddened to report the passing of Judith Alden, wife for 56 years of Charles "Dane" Alden. She passed away after a very serious injury and after spending 13 months in a nursing home. Judith and Dane started collecting maritime artifacts in 1951 and over the years donated many of these items to a number of museums on the Atlantic seaboard. Judith and Dane were the cofounders Coast Guard Auxiliary's "Adopt a Light," program that they started about

45 years ago. Condolence cards can be sent to Dane Alden, 4401 Mays Ave., Reading, PA 19606.

Waves Over Beacon

As Good Friday and Easter weekend storms battered England, giant waves crashed over the top of the 39-foot tall Seaham North Breakwater Lighthouse on England’s northeast coast. Eyewitness accounts reported that the waves were three times the height of tower; however the lighthouse, built in 1905, withstood the fury of Mother Nature. Can you imagine what it must have been like for the lighthouse keepers who were stationed there years ago? I often wonder why we can’t build homes to withstand violent storms like so many lighthouses have for so many years.

This story appeared in the May 2008 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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