Is this man crazy?

Gary Sredzienski on ice near Kittery, Maine. Photo by Deb Cram

Well, if it's crazy to swim 12 months a year, even if the water temperature is below freezing, then yes, Gary Sredzienski is crazy as a loon. But he's made a science of figuring out the proper gear to wear, and he's made it this far (he's in his upper 40s) without any serious damage. He likes to say that people watching him from shore are colder than he is -- as long as he keeps moving.

Gary is also a very accomplished accordionist, and he has a radio show called "Polka Party" that's listened to nationwide. Everything Gary does is done with passion and commitment. It's those qualities that led him to start doing long-distance winter swims for local charities in the Portsmouth, New Hampshire, area.

Photo by Deb Cram

This year, his chosen cause is the American Lighthouse Foundation and its local chapter, Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses. Gary is a big believer in cultural heritage, and he feels a strong attachment to the area's lighthouses as historic icons that must be preserved.

Gary will be swimming four miles, with stops at Whaleback Lighthouse and Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse, on February 26. Following the swim, Gary and his band, the Serfs, will play at a party/concert at Captain and Patty's restaurant at Kittery Point, Maine. You can read all the details by clicking here.

If this man is crazy, then we need more crazy people to help support historic preservation.

Swim for the Lights Preview #2 (January 31, 2011)

I shot some more video with Gary Sredzienski today to promote his upcoming "Swim for the Lights" in Feb. 26. Click here for more details.

Special thanks to Jay Gingrich, owner of Portsmouth Scuba, for his generous support of this event!

Nubble with snow one more time

Nubble with snow #4, originally uploaded by nelights.

And one more snowy shot of the Nubble Light from the other day. I think this one might be my favorite.

The Serfs w/ Gary Sredzienski on accordion

Check out the Serfs performing "Ghost Riders in the Sky" at the Press Room in Portsmouth, NH. They'll be playing a benefit for lighthouses preservation in Kittery, Maine, on February 26 -- click here for details.

Nubble Light with snow AND a gull

Nubble with snow #1, originally uploaded by nelights.

Another of my snowy Nubble Lighthouse photos from yesterday. You get a free seagull with this one.

Gary S. inside Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse

Why is this man playing an accordion in the lantern room of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse?

This page might help explain it.

Click here to hear some of Gary's amazing accordion playing.

X-TREX Paranormal Journeys

Ron Kolek

I've just unveiled my new collaboration with Ron Kolek of New England Ghost Project and the "Ghost Chronicles" radio show -- "X-TREX Paranormal Journeys." 

Starting out, we're offering two cruises from Rye, NH -- a "Haunted Cruise" on July 9 and a "Ghost Hunt Cruise" on September 24.

We're going to be adding a "Dining with the Dead" event, with a presentation on haunted lighthouses, and also a "Haunted Weekend" event -- we're working on the details and these will be announced as soon as possible.

Click here for the X-TREX page