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Lighthouse News of the Week

News of the week September 16, 2022

Hillsboro Inlet Light Station hit by lightning strike!

Roughly 1:00 P.M. on September 15 the former radio/generator building seems to have been hit by a lightning strike, knocking out 2 of the 3 main breakers to the Station. Everything survived except for the electronics board that runs the LED inside the lens.

Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse, photo by Ralph Krugler

Ken Herman and Ralph Krugler of the Hillsboro Lighthouse Preservation Society tested the electronics finding the backup board (in redundancy) did not respond. The main received power, allowing the light to illuminate for 15 seconds before going dark again.

It is uncertain at this time when the lighthouse will be back in operation.

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St. Augustine, FL Lighthouse announces new leadership

Long-time Executive Director Kathy Fleming is retiring.

The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum announced a new leadership change Thursday.

St. Augustine Lighthouse, photo USLHS archives

The organization named Casey Van Rysdam interim executive director, replacing Kathy Fleming, who is retiring from the organization after a 28-year career with the Museum.

Click here to read more

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East Point, NJ Lighthouse gets ‘wonderful surprise’ with cottage roof donation

MAURICE RIVER TWP. – The quaint cottage that serves as both an office and gift shop for the historic East Point Lighthouse underwent a much-needed facelift thanks to the generosity of one South Jersey business.

East Point (Maurice River) Lighthouse, photo USLHS archives

Nancy Patterson, who oversees operations at the 173-year-old lighthouse, recently took to the landmark’s Facebook page seeking estimates from roofing companies and donations from the community to help fund the imperative project.

Click here to read more

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Grant’s Getaways: Yaquina Head, OR Lighthouse, a whitewashed wonder

YAQUINA, Ore — This week, we go inside one of the finest of Oregon’s prized “whitewashed wonders” that’s also a parkland and a natural area filled with surprises at Yaquina Head Lighthouse.

Yaquina Head Lighthouse, photo USLHS archives

As the seasons change, surf and sand often seem to merge into a golden, sun-burnished moment along the Oregon coast and where lighthouses can provide exciting history lessons that are worth exploring.

Click here to read more

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Over 400 swimmers take part in race to help preserve Alligator Reef, FL lighthouse, raise scholarship funds

ISLAMORADA, FLA. (WSVN) – More than 400 swimmers plunged in the ocean for a special race in the Florida Keys.

Alligator Reef Lighthouse, photo USLHS archives

Contestants from around the country on Saturday competed in Swim for Alligator Lighthouse, an 8-mile open water challenge.

Click here to read more

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Port Austin, MI lighthouse to begin renovations

The Port Austin Reef Lighthouse will be under renovations starting next week.

Port Austin Reef Lighthouse, photo by Mike & Carol McKinney

The lighthouse is more than a century old and has needed more than a few repairs. After four years of applying for a grant from the Michigan Department of Transportation, the Reef Lighthouse Association finally has the funds to give it the touch-up it needs.

Click here to read more

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Wesley takes us inside the historic Biloxi, MS Lighthouse

Built in 1848, the Biloxi Lighthouse has weathered many storms, including Hurricanes Camille and Katrina, becoming a symbol of stability and resilience.

Biloxi Lighthouse, photo by Skip Sherwood

Click here to watch video

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The Haunted Heceta Head Lighthouse In Oregon Both History Buffs And Ghost Hunters Will Love

The Heceta Head Lighthouse is one of the most photographed places in all of Oregon. It’s no wonder – it’s beautiful. However, many people don’t know that it’s one of the most haunted places in Oregon, too. This haunted lighthouse in Oregon is attractive to both history buffs and ghost hunters, and you can even stay there overnight in the lighthouse keeper’s home. Today, it’s a bed and breakfast, and people come from all over Oregon, the nation, and the world to experience this special and eerie place. Read on to learn more about it.

Heceta Head Lighthouse, photo by James Hill

The Heceta Head Lighthouse is perched on a cliff on the Oregon coast, 13 miles north of Florence and 13 miles south of Yachats.

Click here to read more

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QuickCheck: Was the Statue of Liberty a New York lighthouse?

Everyone knows of the Statue of Liberty, but is the claim true that it was also used as a navigational lighthouse for 16 years?

Statue of Liberty, photo USLHS archives

Shortly after its inauguration in 1886, the statue became a working lighthouse under the operation of the Lighthouse Board.

Click here to read more

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Restored Greens Ledge Lighthouse (CT) opens for tours!

This weekend the Green’s Ledge Lighthouse will open it’s doors for tour guests for the first time ever!

Green’s Ledge Light Preservation Society webpage savegreensledge.org

Click here to watch a 10 minute interview with GLLPS President Tim Pettee

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The #USLHSartchallange (west coast division) on Instagram ends this Sunday!

Make sure to hop on Instagram, search #uslhsartchallange and like your favorite! It’s just that simple.

Point Cabrillo by Julia H Marshall

If art isn’t your thing, but making funny sounds is, then check out our #USLHSfoghornchallenge also on Instagram.

Thanks to one of our members, the winner will receive a one year upper level membership, t-shirt, hat, Christmas ornament and lapel pin, a $200 value! To enter make a 3-10 second sound (using your mouth) to do your best impression of a fog horn! Post it on Instagram with #USLHSfoghornchallenge and get your friends to vote for you. It’s just that simple!

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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 D’Entremont at Jeremy@uslhs.org

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