Dianne Wolfer’s 2009 book Lighthouse Girl won the West Australian Young Readers’ Book Award for Picture Books. Lighthouse Girl tells the poignant story of Fay Howe, who was the daughter of the lighthouse keeper at Breaksea Island, near Albany in Western Australia, during World War I. In late 1914 a fleet of 36 troop ships… Continue reading Light Hearted ep 228 – USLHS tours, and “Lighthouse Girl” revisited

Barry Porter was born into a farming family in Porterville, on the north coast of Newfoundland, Canada. After working as a welder, Barry applied to be a relief lighthouse keeper with the Canadian Coast Guard. He spent the next 23 years working as a lightkeeper in four different locations. He has written about his colorful career… Continue reading Light Hearted ep 227 – Barry Porter, “Adventures of a Lightkeeper” (Newfoundland) pt 3 of 3

This is the second part in a three-part interview with Barry Porter, whose new book Adventures of a Lightkeeper tells the story of his 23 years (1983 to 2006) with the Canadian Coast Guard as a lighthouse keeper on the northeast coast of Newfoundland. Barry started his years as a full-time principal keeper in 1984… Continue reading Light Hearted ep 226 – Barry Porter, “Adventures of a Lightkeeper” (Newfoundland) pt 2 of 3

Barry Porter worked as a lighthouse keeper on the northeast coast of Newfoundland with the Canadian Coast Guard for twenty-three years, 1983 to 2006. Born in the small farming community of Porterville, Barry has worked in several professions, as a welder, a photographer, a lighthouse keeper, and later as the curator and manager of the… Continue reading Light Hearted ep 225 – Barry Porter, “Adventures of a Lightkeeper” (Newfoundland) pt 1 of 3

The idea for the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association, or GLLKA, was born at a gathering back in 1981 at Grosse Point Lighthouse in Illinois, and in the following year the first informal meeting was held in Michigan. The organization was officially launched in 1983 and it’s going strong 40 years later, remaining dedicated to… Continue reading Light Hearted ep 224 – Wayne Sapulski, Michele and Mark VanderVelde (Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association)

Elliott Bay, on Puget Sound in the state of Washington, extends southeastward between West Point in the north and Alki Point in the south. The city of Seattle was founded on the bay and the city now surrounds it completely. The bay has served as a key element of the local economy, enabling the Port… Continue reading Light Hearted ep 223 – Debra Alderman, Alki Point, Washington

Point No Point is at the north end of Washington’s Kitsap Peninsula in the small town of Hansville. Construction of a lighthouse at Point No Point began in April 1879. Point No Point is the oldest lighthouse on Puget Sound, and it consists of a square 30-foot-tall brick and stucco tower between an attached office… Continue reading Light Hearted ep 222 – Point No Point, Washington

Browns Point is on the east side of the entrance to Commencement Bay, which leads from Puget Sound to the Port of Tacoma. The first navigational aid at Browns Point was a simple post light established in 1887 – two years before Washington became a state. A new square wooden lighthouse began service in 1903,… Continue reading Light Hearted ep 221 – Jim Harnish, Browns Point, WA; “Be a Lighthouse”: George Fox and Ukraine

Jack Graham had a long career with Pennysylvania State Parks, and since 2005 Jack and his wife Tobi have lived at lighthouses all over the map as resident docents and caretakers. They’ve also been involved in historical re-enactment groups since 1976, both as performers and costume makers. Jack also does old-time storytelling as Pennsylvania Jack,… Continue reading Light Hearted 220 – Jack & Tobi Graham, lighthouse docents/caretakers, part 2 of 2

Jack Graham was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A retired Pennsylvania State Park manager, he’s been an active volunteer in many areas of state and national history. Jack is also an old-time storyteller who performs as Pennsylvania Jack. As Pennsylvania Jack, he has performed at events at the state museum in Harrisburg, and at… Continue reading Light Hearted 219 – Jack & Tobi Graham, lighthouse docents/caretakers, part 1 of 2