In this special May edition of the Be the Light podcast, we invited listeners to share heartfelt stories about the mothers and mother figures who have shaped their lives through kindness, strength, and unwavering love. From quiet acts of compassion to lifelong lessons that continue to inspire, each story shines a light on the impact… Continue reading Be the Light #4: Special Mother’s Day episode
The St. Johns River Lighthouse is a decommissioned lighthouse located on the grounds of Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida. First lighted in 1859, it was decommissioned in 1929 and replaced with a lightship. The lightship in turn was replaced by the 1954 Art Deco style St. Johns Lighthouse, which is also on Naval Station… Continue reading Light Hearted ep 346: Elizabeth Boggs, St. Johns River, Florida
Jonathon Gaare, executive director of the Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society in New York, last joined us in December 2024. In this episode, Jonathon updates us on preservation projects at the lighthouse, the exciting events lined up for Fire Island Light Station’s 200th anniversary this year, and some exciting historical finds. The current lighthouse at… Continue reading Light Hearted ep 345- Fire Island, NY, update with Jonathon Gaare
Bill Merlin had a 34-year career in the Coast Guard. After graduating from the Coast Guard Academy in 1956, he served on Coast Guard cutters in the Atlantic, the Pacific, and the Caribbean. He eventually served as the Twelfth District Chief of Operations and Chief of Staff in San Francisco. That’s where he met Wayne… Continue reading Light Hearted ep 344 – Rear Admiral Bill Merlin, U.S. Coast Guard Retired
In this episode, we shine a light on what it truly means to turn compassion into action. Host Sarah MacHugh sat down with Dan Budd of Red Hook Responds to explore how a grassroots COVID-19 response effort grew into an enduring force for good in the Red Hook, New York, community and beyond. Jack and… Continue reading Be the Light episode 3: Putting Good Into Action with Dan Budd of Red Hook Responds
This is the audio from a live stream on April 23, 2026. The video version can be seen on YouTube. Therese Woelfel’s grandfather, Charles A. Linsmeier, was a Lighthouse Service keeper at several stations on the Great Lakes from 1920 to 1953. Therese’s book “Our Guiding Light” tells the story of Linsmeier’s daughter Vivian, who… Continue reading Light Hearted Live! #3 – Therese Woelfel, author of “Our Guiding Light.”
Joy and Patrick Tubby, who live in England, have both been passionate about lighthouses for a long time. In fact, they were engaged and married at lighthouses. Joy wrote the first edition of her book Lighthouse Accommodation Britain and Worldwide back in 1999, and the book has been updated several times. Joy is an active… Continue reading Light Hearted 343: Joy and Patrick Tubby, Happisburgh Lighthouse, UK
In 1988, Burnt Island Light in Boothbay Harbor became one of the last Maine light stations to be automated and destaffed. In February 1998, the station was transferred to the Maine Department of Marine Resources. Keepers of Burnt Island Light (KBIL) is a non-profit organization that was formed in 2009. Its mission is to support… Continue reading Light Hearted 342 – Mary Jo Marquis, Burnt Island, ME
Rick St. Pierre, originally from New Bedford, Massachusetts, had a 20 year career in the Coast Guard that included some time as the officer in charge at Boon Island Light Station in Maine. He was the officer in charge 1973 to 1975. In this interview, he remembers the daily duties on the island as well… Continue reading Light Hearted 341 – Rick St. Pierre, Coast Guard keeper at Boon Island, Maine
This is the audio from the live streaming podcast episode of March 26. The complete video can be seen on the USLHS YouTube channel. Joining host Jeremy D’Entremont is co-host Sarah MacHugh, along with producer Ralph Krugler. Boston businessman Dave Waller, founder of a special effects company, bought Graves Lighthouse at auction in 2013. Graves… Continue reading Light Hearted Live #2: Dave Waller, owner of Graves Light in Boston Harbor, MA
