Some advice about isolation and social distancing from a lighthouse keeper in British Columbia, Canada
Justine Etzkorn is keeper of the Carmanah Point Lighthouse on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. The lighthouse is nearly 20 miles from the nearest town, and is not reachable by road.
“I don’t really feel like physical isolation is the same as loneliness,” she said. “I felt very isolated when I was living in town because I was surrounded by people I didn’t know and didn’t know how to get to know.”
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Split Rock Lighthouse and other Minnesota historic sites closed through June 30
The Minnesota Historical Society announced the closure of all historic sites and museums to the public through June 30. The temporary closure will affect 26 historical locations including the Split Rock Lighthouse. The MNHS website says the decision was made ‘to protect the health and safety of guests, staff, volunteers, interns, and the community.’ According to a Facebook post on the Split Rock Lighthouse page, in-person visits, field trips, and rentals will also be canceled during the temporary closure. The post also states that MNHS will furlough some staff starting Mar 1 through June 30.
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‘On The Michigan Road’ throwback: Point Betsie (MI) lighthouse keeper
WOOD-TV in Michigan has posted a 1981 news story about a Coast Guard keeper at Point Betsie lighthouse. You can watch it below.
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“That’s So Minnesota” Podcast Episode 9: The New Lighthouse Keeper at Split Rock
Hayes Scriven is only a few months into his job as the new “keeper” at Split Rock Light Station, but he’s already discovering new things about the iconic park. Host Ellery McCardle talks with Hayes about his vision for the park, and living a lifestyle few Americans have ever experienced.
The video below is an introduction.
Listen to the podcast here| Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Play
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Maryland church steeple that served as informal inner harbor lighthouse damaged in storm
A familiar part of the Baltimore skyline for boaters heading into the Inner Harbor was damaged Monday due to severe storms. The cross, which was lit up in blue nightly, will be repaired. Watch the video below for details.
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U.S. Lighthouse Society News is produced by the U.S. Lighthouse Society to support lighthouse preservation, history, education and research.
If you have items of interest to the lighthouse community and its supporters, please email them to Jeremy at Jeremy@uslhs.org
U.S. Lighthouse Society Historian Jeremy D’Entremont is the author of 24 books and hundreds of articles on lighthouses and maritime history. He is a past president of the American Lighthouse Foundation and founder of Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses, and he has lectured and narrated cruises throughout the Northeast and in other regions. He is also the producer and host of the U.S. Lighthouse Society’s weekly podcast, “Light Hearted.” He can be emailed at Jeremy@uslhs.org