New Jersey Lighthouse Challenge

Lighthouse Challenge New Jersey will take place October 16 & 17. This year’s event will include 12 lighthouses, two museums and one life saving station. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. You can begin your Challenge at any lighthouse where you can obtain your tri-fold souvenir pamphlet for $1 that will be stamped at each lighthouse you visit. A Lighthouse Challenge is one of the most fun ways to visit a lighthouse and meet other people interested in lighthouses. For more information go to www.capemaymac.org, call 609-884-5404 or e-mail Margo Harvey at mharvey@capemaymac.org

Swallowtail Gets Funding

Canada’s Swallowtail Lighthouse on Grand Manan Island is getting a much needed and well-deserved financial boost thanks to grants totaling $55,000. The lighthouse is under the care of the Friends of the Swallowtail Keepers Society.

Grand Haven Beacons Get New Owner

The two Grand Haven Michigan Pier Lighthouses are now officially owned by the City of Grand Haven under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act. City officials state they will be partnering with the Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy for restoration and historic interpretation.

Idiots on the Loose

Bell Island Lighthouse in Newfoundland Canada was recently attacked by vandals who caused extensive damage inside and out. They destroyed a computer, cupboards, and removed appliances from the keeper’s quarters.

First Lady Honors DeTour Reef

First Lady Michelle Obama has signed designation letters for nine new Preserve America Stewards, bringing the total nationwide to 30. One of the new stewards is the DeTour Reef Lighthouse Preservation Society in Michigan. They are to be congratulated. To learn more about the program you can visit www.preserveamerica.gov/stewards.html.

Canadian Lighthouse Leader Dies

Steve Berg, a former Canadian Lighthouse keeper and president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada’s Lighthouse Keepers Local 20232 and founder of the Canadian Lightkeepers Association has died at the age of 60. Berg was one of the most outspoken people in Canada against the de-staffing of that country’s remaining manned lighthouses. Our sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Point Abino For Sale

The former lighthouse keeper’s quarters of the Point Abino Lighthouse, now owned by the community of Fort Erie in Ontario Canada is up for sale. The asking price is $425,000. The community hopes to use money from the sale of the house towards the $1.3 million they estimate it will cost to restore the lighthouse tower.

ALF Calendar

The American Lighthouse Foundation is selling a 2011 calendar featuring some of the lighthouses under its auspices. The calendar can be purchased from their web site at www.LighthouseFoundation.org or by calling 207-594-4174.

Cape Mendocino Battle Continues

California’s State Historic Preservation Office has ruled that the lighthouse replica structure that currently houses the original Fresnel lens from the Cape Mendocino Lighthouse is not eligible for any type of national historic status. However, Ferndale, California lighthouse enthusiasts are not letting this deter them in their battle to keep the lens in their community. However, Coast Guard officials have stated they still intend to proceed with plans to remove the lens until a proper place can be found to put it on display.

This story appeared in the October 2010 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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