A classic! "Lighthouse Mouse"

Cabo da Roca, Portugal

This photo of the lighthouse at Cabo da Roca in Portugal was taken by my brother, Jim D'Entremont, during a recent visit there. Cabo da Roca, near Sintra, is the westernmost point of mainland Europe.




The tower was built in 1772, placing it among the world's oldest working lighthouses.

A plaque at the site reads, "Onde a terra se acaba e o mar começa" ("Here ends the land and begins the sea," a line from a poem by Luís de Camões.)

Plum Beach Lighthouse license plate

The Friends of Plum Beach Lighthouse are now accepting applications for a Rhode Island license plate featuring their lighthouse. In October 2009, RI's General Assembly passed a bill giving the group the right to sell the plate, and the governor signed the legislation in November. The friends have now entered the next phase toward making the plate a reality. Before issuing the new plates, the DMV requires payment for 900 orders before committing to making them. The plate charge is $41.50, $20 goes to the state for plate production, $1.50 goes to the DMV for computer enhancement, and $20 goes to the Friends to help them maintain the lighthouse.

Click here for more info.

More in this clip from WNAC FOX 64 Providence:

Photo of the Day: Aerial View of Poplar Point Lighthouse, Rhode Island

I took this photo a couple of years ago during a memorable helicopter flight from Newport. I also had the pleasure of touring the property a few years ago when I was working on my book, The Lighthouses of Rhode Island. Russell and Cathy Shippee were very gracious hosts.

This spectacular property is now for sale. Click here to read all about it.

There's also more on the property here.

Rose Island Lighthouse tour on January 23

The Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation in Newport, Rhode Island, is offering the rare chance to visit the island lighthouse in winter. Here's the note I just received:

Come help support the lighthouse during the winter months.

We are excited to offer a wonderful opportunity with the assistance of Oldport Marine Services to schedule a trip out to the lighthouse this Saturday January 22 at 1:30 PM. No reservations necessary -- just stop in and purchase your tickets at the Oldport Office. The total trip time is 1.5 hrs.

Adults $15
Children $10

This is your chance to enjoy a beautiful Saturday on the water and to get out of the house. The island is open for walking and as always there is great beach glass to be found!

For more info call weekdays 401-847-4242 or 401-429-8944 on weekends.

We hope to see you there.

Dave McCurdy, executive director

Whisper House, a Haunted Musical

Strange as it may sound, a new musical play that just opened takes place at a haunted Maine lighthouse during World War II. The musical, "Whisper House," by Duncan Sheik and Kyle Jarrow, is at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, California. It stars Mare Winningham, who's well known for many appearance in movies and TV.

Here's a description of the play from the Old Globe Theatre:

Set in 1942 at the height of World War II, Whisper House is the story of an 11-year-old boy, Christopher, who lives with his Aunt Lilly in a haunted New England lighthouse following the death of his father. All of the songs in the musical are performed by the ghosts, played by David Poe and Holly Brook, and embody the boy's subconscious thoughts and fears. When Christopher begins to hear strange music seeping through the walls, is his imagination getting the best of him, or is he receiving warnings of the very real dangers that lie ahead? Whisper House is a touching and beautiful story about how we should embrace, rather than fear, the unknown.

Sounds pretty intriguing to me. Check out this video for more info on the music:

Photo of the Day: Petit Manan Lighthouse, Maine

This photo was taken in August 2004 during a visit to Petit Manan Island with members of the Coast Guard and the General Services Administration. At the time, the lighthouse was being offered for transfer under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act.

It was so foggy that it was hard to find the island. You had to be within maybe 100 feet to even see the lighthouse.

For more on this lighthouse, click here.