By Sue Clark on Dec 21, 2008 in Featured | 1 Comment 
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You Can’t Get There From Here
That’s a Maine saying, indicating that the road to somewhere is non-existent. And it applies to the offshore lighthouses, too. You’ve bought your lighthouse from the government, the money’s been paid, deeds have been issued, etc. You’re ready to start the restoration and make it into your summer home. Except your lighthouse is five miles offshore. Okay no problem, we’ve got a beautiful boat we can use to transport materials. Or we can hire that offshore construction company and their barge to transport materials. Well, maybe. There are a few more issues to deal with that you haven’t actually foreseen. Not the least of which is The Wait.
Latest News
By Sue Clark on Jan 6, 2009 in News | Comment on this? Print This Post
Almost lost amidst the relighting of Barnegat on its birthday, January 1, 2009, is the 150th birthday of Pencarrow Lighthouse in Wellington, New Zealand, on the same day. Inactive since 1935 and replaced by a steel and concrete skeleton on the shore below (picture at left), it nevertheless has been repaired and brought to its former glory, thanks to the work done by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust. Elizabeth Cox, of the Trust, was kind enough to direct me to the fascinating history and restoration of this lighthouse.
By Sue Clark on Jan 5, 2009 in News, Press Release | Comment on this? Print This Post
The New Zealand Post announced its 2009 lighthouse commemorative stamps, with a special feature to them - the beams from the lighthouse actually glow in the dark. Using a special glue, the glow in the dark feature is activated by sunlight or holding the stamp under a light for a short time. This is the first time such technology has been used, and what fitting way than to honor the country’s lighthouses. The stamps are being issued to celebrate the 150th anniversary of New Zealand’s lighthouses. The five stamps are in different denominations, ranging from fifty cents to $2.50 (NZ).
By Sue Clark on Dec 30, 2008 in News | Comment on this? Print This Post
Post Office To Feature Gulf Coast Lights
Stamp collectors (and lighthouse lovers) take note. The United States Postal Service (USPS) will be releasing a new series of five stamps this coming summer, honoring the Gulf Coast Lighthouses. The series joins the Pacific Lights that were released in 2007, the Southeastern US Lights from 2003 and the Great Lakes lighthouses issued in 1995. The images were all painted by the same artist, Howard Koslow.
By Sue Clark on Dec 29, 2008 in News | Comment on this? Print This Post
Featuring Fairport Harbor Lighthouse
Although Ohio already has a beautiful lighthouse license plate featuring the graceful Marblehead Lighthouse, the Ohio Senate recently passed legislation to create a new one. Only this one will feature the Fairport Harbor Breakwater Lighthouse. The plate will cost an extra $25 above a standard plate, and each purchase will send $15 to the Fairport Harbor Lights Foundation. The group is working to rehabilitate the lighthouses, both old and new. The original lighthouse is currently a museum at the site.
By Sue Clark on Dec 26, 2008 in News | Comment on this? Print This Post
Council Having Second Thoughts
The City Council of Port Huron, Michigan, appears to be having second thoughts about accepting Fort Gratiot Lighthouse from the Federal Government. At a council meeting just before Christmas, one of their actions was to table a couple of resolutions on spending $38,500 for studies for an environmental assessment and to determine how much asbestos is on the property. Fort Gratiot was recommended to be transferred to the city under the National Lighthouse Historic Preservation Act back in 2004, but the process still hasn’t been completed, causing the lighthouse to be closed to visitors for safety reasons.
