Tourists Complain of Peggys Cove Painting
By Sue Clark on Jul 17, 2009 in News 
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Scaffolding “Ruins Their Photos”
The Lighthouse - Repainting
Originally uploaded by Eye-rickIt had to happen. No sooner does the weather clear up and the painting begins at Peggys Cove Lighthouse, Nova Scotia, than the tourists (and even some residents) start complaining. In a story at the Chronicle Herald, business owners tell of the tourists visiting the famous lighthouse complaining that the work has ruined their photos. And some business owners think not enough is being done in the area, citing traffic concerns. Jo Beale, a resident of Peggys Cove, would like to see the street shut off to vehicles. “People who come can’t experience the tranquillity of Peggys Cove,” she said.
She complained about the tour buses that drive by and drop visitors outside the Sou’Wester Restaurant and Gift Shop without giving them the chance to wander through the village to peer at the fishing boats and to stop in the small businesses along the way. But the story says that on a recent Tuesday, tourists wandered through the community, oblivious to cars and tour buses trying to negotiate the narrow roadway.
You Can’t Please Everybody (and the Buried Lede)
As if that wasn’t enough, Ms. Beale also complained that she had tried to organize a movement among a group of artists to paint the lighthouse on their own, but the government came and put up the scaffolding before they could get their ladders ready.
While it’s laudable that the group wanted to take the initiative, I cannot emphasize enough the ridiculousness of this “movement.” It’s not enough to just paint it, there was brickwork that had fallen out. And of course, the surface needs to be prepared. But I’m also having a hard time not visualizing all these artists on ladders, wearing their smocks and holding their palettes while painting abstract art, flowers, or more lighthouses on the lighthouse. 
I wish I was more talented graphicwise, so I could put into graphic form just what I envision a bunch of artists could do to the lighthouse, but since I’m not, here is a video of the painting in progress from the Chronicle Herald story. Newsletter readers, here is a direct link to the video, since it won’t display in email. vidego.multicastmedia.com/player.php?v=smfy66f8
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3 Comment(s)
By Gary aka lighthousephoto on Jul 17, 2009 | Reply
Never fails… they gripe when it isn’t getting painted then they gripe when it is.
If they close the road the locals will be griping that the road being closed has hurt the income from the tourists…
I for one am glad it’s getting a fresh coat of pain.
Pemaquid Point was swathed in scaffolding a couple of years ago when I was there photographing. Got some photos of that… and they gave me a good excuse to come back earlier this year to photograph again!
By Amoureuse on Jul 20, 2009 | Reply
For sure you cant please everybody. Whatever you do , there are always would be at least one who would complain. So better get use to it
By Judy on Aug 7, 2009 | Reply
I love it, amusing recount of the story. Peggy’s is my favorite. No doubt a refurbish is in order but all I can say is I’m glad I didn’t plan a visit around this time!