Episode 101 – (Part 1 of 2) Richard Cummins is a native of Ireland who, for about 10 years ending in 1989, worked as a lighthouse keeper in that country. He spent time at the very famous Fastnet Rock Lighthouse; at Hook Head, the oldest operating lighthouse in the world, and some other well known light stations – more than 20 in all. After his time as a lighthouse keeper he’s worked as a photographer and his photos have been published in National Geographic and other publications. He’s also known for the remarkable ships in bottles and other nautical models he’s built.
Episode 102 – Part 2 of the interview with Richard Cummins, former lighthouse keeper in Ireland.
Episode 103 – Pete Lerro is a photographer who has done work for the Department of Homeland Security, the NFL, the NBA, the NHL, and USA Gymnastics, among others. When he’s not on assignment, he organizes photo workshops across the country. With Pete’s unique workshops, guests can expect special access, private photo sessions, and a night of professional photography seminars. Joining in this conversation with Pete Lerro and host Jeremy D’Entremont is Jeff Gales, executive director of the U.S. Lighthouse Society.
Episode 104 – After serving as a merchant seaman during World War II, in 1945 Jim Bruton became an assistant keeper, or junior keeper, at Lennard Island Lightstation, off the west coast of Vancouver Island near Tofino, British Columbia, Canada. Jim and his family eventually moved to Sheringham Point, a mainland lightstation in Shirley on the southwest coast of Vancouver Island, in 1968. The Brutons lived at Sheringham Point for nearly two decades, until 1986, when Jim Bruton retired. Today, Jim’s daughter Elanie Bruton remains a very active volunteer of the Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society.
Episode 105 – Sheringham Point is near the south end of Vancouver Island, BC, Canada. To aid shipping along the Canadian side of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, a light station was established at Sheringham Point in 1912. A 64-foot-tall hexagonal, reinforced concrete tower was built along with a dwelling and outbuildings. The Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society was founded in 2003 to preserve the remaining structures and to ensure that the site remains accessible to visitors. Rebecca Quinn is the author of the book Sheringham: A Canadian Heritage Story. John Walls is the vice president of the Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society.
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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