By Sue Clark on Apr 7, 2008 in News | Comments Off 
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Updated April 9:
The Grand Manan Village Council listened to its residents and has decided to retain ownership of the Swallowtail Lightkeeper’s house and surrounding property. The vote to reopen the discussion on what to do with this heavily vandalized property was unanimous.Mayor Dennis Greene said he’s a firm believer in listening to the people, and statedit was apparent other councilpersons felt the same way. Resident and council candidate Theresa McFarland, who led the petition drive, said that if people had known there wasn’t enough in the budget to care for this house properly, perhaps people would have stepped up before this to help save it. The Council will be meeting with members in June to discuss what to do with the house and land. McFarland is organizing a cleanup committee and a preservation committee.
By Sue Clark on Apr 5, 2008 in News | Comments Off Print This Post
US Lighthouse Society Moves To New Home
What a view from their new office! The US Lighthouse Society has moved from San Francisco, CA to Hansville, WA. A dramatic move to be sure, but one made even more dramatic by the new view out of their windows. The Society on Thursday signed a lease with Kitsap County commissioners establishing their new partnership, and getting cool new digs in the process. Point No Point Lighthouse former Keepers quarters ( a duplex) will be the new home, with the Society offices, library and museum in one half, and the other half kept open for the public to rent. Jeff Gales, Executive Director of the USLHS, hopes to start rentals by mid-May, with information posted on their website.
By Sue Clark on Apr 3, 2008 in News | Comments Off Print This Post
Environmental Minister Rejects Project
Nobby’s Head Lighthouse near Newcastle, New South Wales, won’t be getting a proposed redevelopment anytime soon if Minister Peter Garrett has his way. A plan by Newcastle businessman Neil Slater to add accomodations, restaurant, viewing platform and a kiosk has been tentatively put on hold, even while his own department, the Ministry for Environment, Heritage and Arts has given the go-ahead for the project. The plan was conceived to allow the public access to the site for the first time in its 150 years of existence. Because of the public outcry against this stance, however, Garrett says he will open a ten day comment period for interested parties to respond.
By Sue Clark on Apr 2, 2008 in News | Comments Off Print This Post
Lower Bid Received Than Anticipated
Set aside September 15, 2008 for the planned relighting of Block Island (Rhode Island) North Lighthouse. Not coincidentally, that will be exactly 140 years to the day that the first beam shown from this beacon. At a recent special Financial Town Meeting voters unanimously approved taking $100,000 from the town’s reserves to supplement the $430,000 grant already received. This money will be used as a contingency fund for the project, which was expected to cost $700,000.
By Sue Clark on Apr 2, 2008 in Featured | Comments Off Print This Post
The Recycled St. George Island Lighthouse
In spite of erosion first necessitating the placement of St. George Island Lighthouse onto a new concrete pad, and then Hurricane Dennis toppling the St. George Island into the Florida Coast in 2005, volunteers refused to let the light stay down. April 1, the lantern room was lifted onto the top of the rebuilt tower to mark the holes where the bolts would hold it in place. Today, April 2, the lantern was successfully fastened to the tower. After raising over $500,000 through grants and donations, the St. George Lighthouse Association completed the rebuilding in only two and a half years, using bricks salvaged from the original beacon. And in another two months, the interior is expected to be completed and St. George Island Light will be one of only seven in Florida open for climbing.
