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Lighthouse News of the Week

News of the week February 3, 2023

Free Oak Island (NC) Lighthouse history event being held at Recreation Center

 History Buffs should mark their calendars for an event being held at the Oak Island Recreation Center.

Oak Island, NC – Julie Lake

The free event will take place at 2:00 p.m. on March 2nd, highlighting the history, interesting characteristics, and little-known facts about the Oak Island Lighthouse.

Click here to read more

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North Hempstead $127M capital plan includes park, road, Stepping Stones (NY) lighthouse improvements

North Hempstead’s Town Board approved a capital plan last week that calls for about $127 million in spending for the next five years on initiatives that include road and park improvements and the restoration of a historic lighthouse. 

Stepping Stones, NY – Dave Zapatka

Council members agreed on the 97-page plan outlining the town’s upcoming projects until 2027 with a vote of 7-0. 

Click here to read more (subscription needed)

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St Mary’s Lighthouse (England) At Sunset Wins ‘Photo Of The Week’

A striking landscape image bursting with burning colours has been crowned our ‘Photo of the Week’ winner.

St. Marys, England – Kerry Lunt wikimediacommons

kenwil‘s cracking image of St Mary’s Lighthouse which almost looks like the apocalypse is arriving has won our ‘Photo of the Week’ (POTW) accolade. 

The photo shown is not the winner. Click here to see the winning photo

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Remote Irish Highlands Strathy Point lighthouse keeper’s house with stunning sea views hits the market for £150,000… but would YOU get lonely living two miles from the nearest village?

A beautiful Highlands house is on the market for a bargain price of £150,000, but there is one catch – the lighthouse keeper’s cottage is two miles from the nearest village.

Strathy Point, Ireland – Peter Moore wikimediacommons

The Principal Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage at Strathy Point near Thurso boasts stunning, panoramic sea views and a gorgeous beach nearby perfect for dolphin, whale and seal spotting.

Click here to read more

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Description of Alexandria’s Lighthouse found in Ancient Chinese Writings

Contact between the Mediterranean and China was practically non-existent in the ancient and medieval periods; however, in the 13th century, a Chinese official described the city of Alexandria in his extensive work on geography.

Pharos of Alexandria – USLHS archives

Zhao Rukuo was a Chinese official and member of the ruling Song Dynasty imperial clan. Between 1224 and 1225, he authored Zhu Fan Zhi, which when translated means A Description of Barbarian Nations or Records of Foreign People.

Click here to read more

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Rehoboth’s Cape Henlopen (DE) lighthouse replica has long history

Millions of people have been welcomed to Rehoboth Beach by the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse replica that sits in the middle of the Rehoboth Avenue traffic circle, but the lighthouse has a long history in the city.

Cape Henlopen, DE – USLHS archives

In 1924, a Realtor built a replica of the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse at his Rehoboth Beach office on the first block of Rehoboth Avenue. The Village Improvement Association purchased the replica in 1928 and moved it to the entrance of the city near Grove Street. VIA maintained the lighthouse until 1971, when ownership was transferred to the City of Rehoboth Beach.

Click here to read more

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Illuminating information about Presque Isle, Erie Land and other lighthouses

Lighthouses have provided safety for ships, boats and virtually all watercraft for ages. Today, they still help mariners reach their ports even with new and modern equipment such as GPS and detailed charts, buoys and radar beacons available. However, today they serve as romantic relics of another era.

Erie Land, PA – Thomas A Tag

As a former boat owner, I have used the Presque Isle Lighthouse and the North Pier Light to bring me in during bad weather and at night.

Click here to read more

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Awesome Mitten’s Guide to Visiting Point Betsie Lighthouse Near Frankfort Michigan

Point Betsie Lighthouse has a special place in Benzie County. Located in Frankfort Michigan, this place wins the award for the oldest structure that is still standing in the county. Amongst all of Michigan’s 83 counties, Benzie is the smallest.

Point Betsie, MI – Chad Kaiser

However, Point Betsie is a heavy-hitter of sights to see. Benzie County might be small, but Point Betsie Lighthouse makes it mighty.

Click here to read more

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Living in Bass Harbor Head’s (ME) lightkeeper’s house was ‘magical’ but challenging

ACADIA NAT’L PARK — For the second year in a row, a pair of volunteers will live in the lightkeeper’s house at the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse this summer.

Bass Harbor, ME – Ralph Eshelman

Their main function, aside from helping to keep the property in good condition by simply living there, will be engaging with visitors and answering their questions.

Click here to read more

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Maxi awarded contract to refurbish Northern Lighthouse Board’s HQ

MAXI Construction has revealed it has landed a £1.9 million contract to refurbish Northern Lighthouse Board’s (NLB) HQ in George Street, Edinburgh.

Northern Lighthouse Board Headquarters, Scotland – Thomas A Tag

Procured via the Crown Commercial Service Construction Work & Associated Services framework, the project includes general layout alterations, structural alterations, decoration and mechanical and electrical installations, as well as alterations to the operational five-storey A-listed building.

Click here to read more

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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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