Sheet Music For Lighthouse Songs and Hymns Sought

We are searching for sheet music, with the words for songs and hymns that are associated with or about lighthouses, such as The Lighthouse, The Lighthouse Song, Jesus Is The Lighthouse, Candle On The Water, This Little Light of

Mine, Throw Out The Lifeline, Let the Lower Lights Be Burning, Walking In The Light, Let Our Whitehouse Be Our Lighthouse, Rock of Ages, and any others that you can help us with. Please send them to us or let us know where we can find and purchase them to editor@LighthouseDigest.com or by mail at Lighthouse Digest, P.O. Box 250, East Machias, ME 04630. You can also call us at (207) 259-2121.

Changes At NELL

The new president of New England Lighthouse Lovers (NELL), which is a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation is Tom Kenworthy, who moved up from the vice presidency. Congratulations to Tom, the lighthouse community looks forward to working with you. Also, a word of thanks to Tom Pregman who did an excellent job as the previous president of NELL. Also, Judy Hall, Treasurer of NELL, has stepped down after many years of faithful volunteer service. Thanks Judy for your years of hard work for the lighthouse preservation cause, it came a long way with the efforts of people like you and Tom Pregman.

New Museum Opens

Thanks to the dedicated leadership efforts of Deborah C. Whitcraft, Jim Vogel and Bob Yates, the Museum of New Jersey Maritime History is now open at 528 Dock Road in Beach Haven, NJ. The new museum is open at 10am daily. FMI call (609) 492-0203.

Tell Us About Your Ancestor Or Family Member

Did you have an ancestor or family member who served in the United States Lighthouse Service in any capacity or in the Coast Guard as a lighthouse keeper or other capacity in aid to navigation? We would love to hear and share your stories, memories or just a photo if that’s all you have. Not only

will it be published in Lighthouse Digest. But you’ll be helping us preserve and tell a part of history that will never

again be repeated. Send it to Editor, Lighthouse Digest. P.O. Box 250, East Machias, ME 04630 or email it to Editor@LighthouseDigest.com.

Recognition Past Due

Do you know of a volunteer at a lighthouse, with a lighthouse group or a maritime museum that needs some recognition? Perhaps one of the unsung heroes who does the mundane work that no one else will do, or the person that took the initiative to get a project done. Do you feel this person needs to be recognized? If so, send us a brief

story along with a photo or two and we’ll do our best to get it published and tell the world about them. Send

to Editor, Lighthouse Digest, P.O. Box 250, East Machias, ME 04630 or email Editor@LighthouseDigest.com.

Getting & Giving

I came across this saying the other day and thought I’d share it with you. “We make a Living by what we get, however, We make a Life by what we give.” So, while you are pondering this saying, perhaps you’ll open up your checkbook and send a donation to the lighthouse preservation group of your choice.

Vandals Strike

In a rash of local area vandalism, Canada’s Point Abino Lighthouse in Port Colborne on Lake Erie was not spared. Rocks were thrown at windows on the lakeside of the structure and the tower was broken into and a hatch going to the upper part of the tower was damaged. Fortunately displays inside the tower were not damaged. The local police apprehended one youth. Vandalism can destroy years of hard work by volunteers and vandals must never be allowed to get off with a slap on the wrist.

New President For Dutch Island

Scott Chapin is the new president of Rhode Island’s Dutch Island Lighthouse Society, a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation. Chapin replaces Kenneth Newman who served for a number of years while guiding the group through some turbulent times that very few organizations, thankfully ever have to face. He is to be congratulated for a job well done. We also wish the Scott the best of success in continuing to guide the group through their endeavor to save this historic lighthouse. To learn more about Dutch Island Lighthouse visit www.LighthouseDigest.com and type in Dutch Island in the search box.

Former USCG Commandant Dies

Admiral Owen W. Siler, who served as the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard died this past July at the age of 85. A World War II veteran he became a cadet in 1940. Siler rose through the ranks and skipping some ranks became the Coast Guards Commandant at age 52 on June 1, 1974. He retired on May 30, 1978.

Sea Girt Lighthouse Gets Artifact

New Jersey’s Sea Girt Lighthouse now has another artifact that recalls the famous Morro Castle sea disaster. The 75-year old life jacket that was donated is from the Morro Castle, a ship that caught fire off the New Jersey coast in September of 1934. The disaster resulted in the deaths of 134 people.

Morris Island Restoration Underway

After years of serious efforts to raise money and overcoming a number of obstacles, restoration is now underway at South Carolina’s Morris Island Lighthouse. The efforts are thanks to the dedicated efforts of “Save the Light”, a local volunteer group. The Army Corps of Engineers will oversee the restoration. To learn more about the lighthouse visit www.LighthouseDigest.com and type in Morris Island in the Search box.

First Phase At Bodie Island Opens Tower

$100,000 in emergency repairs is now complete at North Carolina’s Bodie Island Lighthouse, allowing the base of the tower to be open to the public for the first time since 2004 when parts of the cast iron fell off the top of the lighthouse. A nearly $4 million restoration is planned for the tower next year.

New President At West Quoddy

The West Quoddy Head Light Keeper’s Association, which manages the Visitors Center and Museum at West Quoddy Head Light elected a new president at its recent July meeting. The new president is Junia Lehman who has been involved with the group since it was founded. She also owns the nearby West Quoddy Gifts, which is the easternmost gift store in the United States of America and has advertised in every issue of Lighthouse Digest since the magazine was founded. She replaced Ron Pesha, who has now served as president of the group on two separate occasions. Ron will continue to be an active volunteer with the group. We wish Junia the best of success in her new position.

Florida Lighthouse Day Declared

Governor Charlie Crist has declared September 15 as Florida Lighthouse Day to honor the history of the states lighthouses. Six of the 30 still standing lighthouses, of the states original 59 lighthouses, are open to the public. It is hoped that the Governor’s Proclamation will help draw public interest to the lighthouses and the efforts of the Florida Lighthouse Association.