American Lighthouse Foundation Online Auction underway

From now through April 20, you can bid on a wide variety of items on the American Lighthouse Foundation's auction with Biddingforgood.com.  Click here to go to the auction

Included are overnight stays at five different lighthouses, travel packages in the U.S. and abroad, lighthouse collectibles, postcards, and books, sports and entertainment memorabilia, jewelry, art, and much more.



The auction is in advance of ALF's annual Lighthouse Gala, which this year will be at the Four Points by Sheraton In Eastham, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Featured at the Gala will be entertainment by the folk duo Neptune's Car, a buffet dinner, volunteer awards, a silent auction, and more.

I'll be there -- hope to see you!

The Very Special Profession of Lighthouse Keeper

By Imogen Reed

When automation came to lighthouses

Automation is a given in most fields of endeavor these days. Very few professions or activities are able to avoid it entirely.

Bell Rock Lighthouse. Wikipedia Commons photo by Derek Robertson

The often romantically seen yet absolutely essential labor of the lighthouse keeper is no exception. Yet the need for lighthouses far preceded the ability of mankind to automate the job of human beings. The Bell Rock Lighthouse, off the shores of east Scotland, is a case in point: “In one storm alone, 70 ships were lost off the east coast of Scotland.”

No wonder such institutions have been immortalized in popular culture.

Thus it is that lighthouses have always been, for the seafaring communities at least, not only a romantic and evocative tradition but also a very real guardian of lives. 

 

Lighthouses and the 20^th century

The tail-end of the 20^th century brought considerable change to lighthouses on the other side of the Atlantic. From the summer 2009 edition of Yankee Magazine, we learn that automation had clearly taken its toll in the US: there remained at the date of the publication of the article in question only one active lighthouse keeper left. All others had gone by 1990. The impact on communities was hardly negligible, and public reaction to these changes was in general negative. People were unhappy that there was no lighthouse keeper around to speak to any more when lights stopped working, locks got rusty and grass wasn't cut in time. A common complaint about the implications of automation which many of us have experienced as train-crossings become automated; as gas stations become self-service; and as banks and other organizations refuse to see you face-to-face.

And yet automation was allowed to stride on – and, in many cases, initially and broadly welcomed.

 

New England's unparalleled legacy of lighthouses

Portland Head Light, Maine

Today, it's the turn of foundations and private organizations to protect and sustain the grand heritage that are lighthouses across the US. A heritage, in its variety and diversity, which can be fully and wonderfully appreciated through visiting just one in all its glory – or, alternatively, by taking the longer adventures that are cruise tours.

New England in particular, as already alluded to, has an unparalleled legacy of lighthouse history.  If you are planning to visit the area, don't – whatever you do – leave your guide book behind!  A field guide as comprehensive and reliable as Jeremy D'Entremont's brand-new publication will allow you to properly savor the delights of New England lighthouse history.

Rose Island Light, RI

As with many areas of historical achievement which in a technological age appear to lose their shine, it has become the job of foundations and private organizations to put on their very best thinking-caps to work out new and innovative ways to keep their precious charges open and in good order. One example is the Rose Island Lighthouse, which has been turned into a full-blown tourist attraction. As befits all practical and interactive exercises in industrial history, visitors can choose between spending “a night as a guest or a week as the 'lighthouse keeper'.”

American Lighthouse Foundation Annual Gala!

	American Lighthouse Foundation  2012 Annual Lighthouse Gala Four Points by Sheraton - Billingsgate Ballroom Saturday, April 28, 2012
	Location: Date: Time: Tickets: Four Points by Sheraton 3800 State Highway Eastham, MA 02642 Saturday, April 28, 2012 6:00pm – 10:00pm $45.00 per person - Buy Now!
	Event Flyers: 2012 Lighthouse Gala Invite (PDF Become a 2012 Gala Sponsor (PDF)
	Join us for the Annual Lighthouse Gala on Saturday, April 28, 2012…an evening celebration, beginning at 6 p.m. in the Four Points by Sheraton’s Billingsgate Ballroom on beautiful Cape Cod, featuring:
	A Lively Performance by Neptune’s Car… comprised of singer/songwriter Holly Hanson and guitarist/songwriter Steve Hayes and named after one of America’s most heroic tales of the sea. In 1856, nineteen-year-old Mary Patten safely navigated the clipper ship Neptune’s Car around Cape Horn after her husband, the captain, became ill at sea. Photo by Jeremy D'Entremont     Neptunes' Car... Steve Hayes and Holly Hanson
	Holly and Steve blended their lyrical and musical sensibilities together on their debut album Strawberry Moon, which reached #4 on the folk music charts. Maverick magazine called the album "A beautiful blend of country and folk from a talented new duo." The album includes several songs that relate to the ocean ("Lighthouse Keeper," "Ocean-Born Mary," and "The Charm"), as well as a variety of other genres. The song "Lighthouse Keeper" climbed to #1 on the folk music charts, and the official music video for the song was shot on location at Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse.
	Buffet Dinner featuring Cape Cod Cranberry Stuffed Chicken Breast, Baked Scrod with Breadcrumbs and Lemon, Sliced Top Round with Mushroom Gravy, rolls, salad, vegetables, dessert, coffee & tea. Cash Bar.
	Silent Auction featuring nautical themed prints, collectibles and more! Presentation of the ALF Len Hadley Volunteerism Awards, the Keeper of the Light Award and other annual awards presentations. Attendee Only Climbing Tours... Special opportunity to visit & climb 3 Cape Cod lighthouses! We are coordinating special tours of Nauset, the Three Sisters and the Highland Lights for our gala attendees! Details & passes will be included with your ticket package...but plan to arrive on the Cape by 1pm to take advantage of this special opportunity!
	Photos by Jeremy D'Entremont      Highland Light, the Three Sisters & Nauset Light
	Tickets & More Information: Gala Tickets $45.00 per person: To purchase tickets by phone or for more information on ALF's  2012 Annual Lighthouse Gala, contact the American Lighthouse Foundation office at 207-594-4174. You can also purchase tickets by mailing the TICKET FORM with payment information to: American Lighthouse Foundation, PO Box 565, Rockland, ME 04841. Dress is semi-formal (dressy, but no black-tie). Tickets, directions & other information  will be mailed about 2 weeks prior to event, space is limited so make your reservations early! Gala Sponsorship: We have several sponsorship donation levels to choose from. All sponsors will be featured on the ALF website and social media platforms like Facebook, and there are a number of additional exciting benefits contained within available the available levels of sponsorship. Sponsors help make this event possible through significant contributions and in-kind donations. All proceeds from the Gala will be used to support and strengthen ALF’s ongoing mission. Become a Gala Sponsor! Lodging: Four Points by Sheraton  –  Ph: 508-255-5000 or 800-368-7764 Special Group Rate:   Single/Double $125.00 per night
	Address:          3800 State Highway Eastham, MA 02642 Info:     Special group rate must be booked before March 28, 2012. Available for Friday & Saturday night. Mention American Lighthouse Foundation Four Points by Sheraton
	Enjoy spring on the Cape...Make it a weekend!

Hospital Point Light (Beverly, MA) Ready for the Holidays

 

The Coast Guard Auxiliary has been busy preparing Hospital Point Light for the holidays. In addition to the six-foot diameter wreath that is usually put up, the lighthouse team also constructed a star that was also placed on the tower. This year the wreath was placed on the street side, instead of the water side of the tower, to enable people walking or driving by to see it.  The star, which is over six feet from point to point, was placed on the water side. Both the wreath and the star have lights on them.

In November, the Essex National Heritage Commission announced their "People's Choice Award" winners.

Every year, the Commission presents these awards to Trails & Sails events based on participant feedback. The "People's Choice Awards” represent the top ten events this year as voted on by participants. The Lighthouse Team at Hospital Point Light was selected as one of this year's winners. This year, over 100 event hosts opened their doors and scheduled more than 190 events to connect people to the special places and organizations that comprise the Essex National Heritage Area. The team received a certificate of appreciation for public display. 

- Phil Karwowski

"Lighthouse Keeper" by Neptune's Car

It was my pleasure to produce a new music video for the song "Lighthouse Keeper" by Neptune's Car (Holly Hanson and Steve Hayes). For more on Neptune's Car, visit their website.