New Book
for Lovers of Lighthouses, New England, and Coastal History
Everyday Heroes: The True Story of a Lighthouse
Family
Lighthouses
are an essential part of our American culture, reminding us that our nation was
built on maritime commerce. They stand as symbols of altruism, strength, hope,
faith and guidance. And today, in the age of automation, they also stand as
memorials to the lighthouse keepers and their families who once devoted
themselves to “keeping a good light” in service to mariners.
Traditional
lighthouse keeping has passed into history with automation, but there are still
those who recall lighthouse life with nostalgia. Seamond Ponsart Roberts,
daughter of a lighthouse keeper, is one of those people. Seamond was born while
her parents lived at the rugged Dumpling Rock Light Station off Dartmouth,
Massachusetts. She went on to spend the rest of her youth at two other
southeastern Massachusetts light stations: Cuttyhunk Island and West Chop on
Martha’s Vineyard.
During
her lighthouse years, Seamond experienced good times and bad, tragedy and
heroism. She is a born storyteller who has always shared her memories with
family and friends, and her unique story is now told in the new book, Everyday Heroes: The True Story of a
Lighthouse Family. “I am, and always
will be, a lighthouse keeper's daughter. I had the good fortune to be born to a
different kind of childhood. I didn't recognize this fact back when I was
small. I thought that everybody lived like we did on our little island of
Cuttyhunk, Massachusetts, which in itself was a life apart,” she writes.
This is the true story of a
family's life at lighthouses on the edge of civilization. It's a story of
adventure, danger, devotion to duty, and love. Seamond Ponsart Roberts shares
her memories and emotions with good humor, a sharp eye for detail, and above
all an appreciation for a way of life that has passed into history.
252 pages, soft cover, illustrated with 26 black and
white photos and maps.
Published in April 2013 by Createspace Independent
Publishing Platform and Coastlore Media.
Click here to order from Amazon.com ($15.29)
Email nelights@gmail.com to order or for more
information.
