By Sue Clark on Apr 19, 2008 in News, Opinion | Comments Off 
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Own a Lighthouse For a Day
Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, in an effort to garner funds for their restoration projects, has decided to offer corporate sponsorships to local businesses near South Portland, ME. Businesses such as auto dealers, banks, insurance companies and restaurants are being sent a package with details on how they can have a banner wrapped around the lighthouse for a Saturday, during the height of summer’s tourist season. These sponsorships will cost $1500 USD and will also include the right to post signs at the ticket booth and include their logo on printed materials for the open house. The company and its employees will get a private tour of the lighthouse and free tickets to the open house.
By Sue Clark on Apr 18, 2008 in News | Comments Off Print This Post
Development Limited
The World Heritage listed Guia Lighthouse will not have to bow to developers after all. In recent news out of China, the UNESCO protected site will not fall prey to developers seeking to build high rise housing units around the lighthouse and fort, and instead will be forced to limit the heights based on their locations from the historic beacon. Buildings in the 1,400 meter (about 4600 feet) area just under the Guia lighthouse that goes from the Macau Fisherman’s Wharf to the Tap Seac Square will be subject to a new height limit under the new government regulations, director of the Lands, Public Works and Transport Bureau, Jaime Carion, said. The buffer zone was also extended, from 2 meters (6 1/2 feet) to 2.8 meters (9 feet) and is described as a cone-like shape, wtih varying heights allowed.
By Sue Clark on Apr 18, 2008 in Featured | Comments Off Print This Post
Corporate and Private Donations Make the Difference
Last year, Lighthouse News reported that Hurricane Katrina damaged New Canal Lighthouse’s restoration plans were put on hold for lack of funding. Well, that has changed with some big donations from corporate sponsors along with individual outpourings of money. The Gambit Weekly reports that the Lake Ponchartrain Basin Foundation (LPBF) has enough money to start putting the pieces of this damaged lighthouse back together. Restoration work on an adjacent building and the establishment of a new foundation for the lighthouse itself will be the first steps in turning this almost lost landmark and former US Coast Guard station into a museum and educational center. Foundation officials hope to attract local students, historian buffs and of course, tourists.
By Sue Clark on Apr 7, 2008 in News | Comments Off Print This Post
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.
Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, in an effort to garner funds for their restoration projects, has decided to offer corporate sponsorships to local businesses near South Portland, ME. Businesses such as auto dealers, banks, insurance companies and restaurants are being sent a package with details on how they can have a banner wrapped around the lighthouse for a Saturday, during the height of summer’s tourist season. These sponsorships will cost $1500 USD and will also include the right to post signs at the ticket booth and include their logo on printed materials for the open house. The company and its employees will get a private tour of the lighthouse and free tickets to the open house.
