Beavertail Lighthouse receives 2010 Rhody Award

Congratulations to the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association for their recognition by Preserve Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Historic Preservation and Heritage Commission as a volunteer organization completing a major restoration project. The award was presented to BLMA past president Richard Sullivan and vice president Varoujan Karentz at Newport’s Tennis Hall of Fame on October 21, 2010.

The 10-month, $327,000 restoration of Beavertail Lighthouse in Jamestown, Rhode Island, was recently completed. The restoration of other buildings continues.

Beavertail Lighthouse is one of the most visitor-friendly lighthouses in New England, with a hard-to-beat combination of spectacular surroundings and rich history (it's the third oldest light station in America). There's an excellent museum and shop in one of the keeper's houses, and a small aquarium in another building. Hopefully, the restored lighthouse tower will soon be opened to the public, making Beavertail even more of lighthouse lover's dream destination.

Click here for more on the award.

Click here for more about Beavertail Lighthouse.

Faulkner's Island Lighthouse Restoration October 20, 2010

The latest on the restoration of Faulkner's Island Lighthouse in Guilford, Connecticut.

Help the Burnt Island Lighthouse in Boothbay Harbor, Maine

Connie Conover of Curtis Island crosses the bar

Garrett Elliott “Connie” Conover, Jr., the longtime volunteer "keeper" of Curtis Island Lighthouse in Camden, Maine, has died after a long illness at the age of 81. Connie, along with his wife Deedee, dedicated much of his life to the care and preservation of one of New England's prettiest light stations, nestled in Camden's spectacularly beautiful harbor.

I'm sorry I never had the chance to meet Connie. My friend Bob Trapani knew him, and Bob has posted a very nice tribute. Click here to read it.

Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse fall newsletter

The latest newsletter of the Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse, a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation, is now online -- click here.

Masonry and Iron Restoration Projects Begin at Rockland Breakwater Light

Summer may have come to a close, but that doesn’t mean restoration projects at Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse are cooling off. On September 20, 2010, J.B. Leslie Company of South Berwick, Maine, mobilized at the lighthouse and began masonry restoration work on the granite pier that supports the light tower and keeper’s house, as well as a project to rehabilitate the ironwork along the lantern and exterior gallery.

Click here for the full story.


Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.

Oregon lighthouse enthusiast buys Borden Flats Lighthouse

Nick Korstad, 29, of Beaverton, Oregon, and his parents recently bought the 1881 Borden Flats Lighthouse in Fall River, Massachusetts. Korstad is a lighthouse fan and has done research for a book he hopes to write. He intends to operate the lighthouse as a tourist attraction.

Click here for the complete story.

At the top of the light

My friend John Whalen, owner of Cider Mill Press, took this photo of me a while back inside the lantern room at Portsmouth Harbor Light, NH. The lens -- and my hands -- are not as big as they look here; John used a wide angle lens.

I usually don't like photos of me, but I think this one is kind of cool. Thanks, John!

Portland Head Lighthouse, Maine - October 7, 2010

The surf and sky at Portland Head Light were spectacular the other day. I've photographed this lighthouse a gazillion times over the years, but rarely have I seen conditions like this.

Ghost Hunters at Rose Island Lighthouse - video available

The cast and crew of the Syfy Channel's popular show "Ghost Hunters" recently spent the night at Rose Island Lighthouse and adjacent Fort Hamilton in Newport, Rhode Island. The findings were startling and intriguing -- you can check out the video by clicking here.

Grab a bite at BGs and help save the lights!

BG's Boathouse restaurant in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, will be donating a portion of their profits to Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse for all lunches and dinners served next Monday, October 4, 2010. Click here for more details.

I'll be there for dinner. Not that I need much of an excuse -- BG's is one of my favorite restaurants in the area. Their grilled fish dinners (tuna, salmon, swordfish, tilapia, etc.) are especially good.

I hope to see you there!


Click here for BG'S Boathouse website


Check out this video featuring BG's, starting at 1:15!

Late afternoon at Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse

The light was beautiful a couple of days ago at Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse in New Castle, NH.