Long Time...

I've been pretty busy since last Summer, so I haven't posted here in a while. Let's catch up quickly:

1. My next book, New York State Lighthouses, comes out July 3. This is the main project that has been keeping me busy. I'll post more info on the web site and here as we get closer to the release date.

2. The 2006 LI Lighthouse Challenge is May 20-21. Cruises out of Greenport will run on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings. Check the web site for updates. Cruise tickets can be purchased from LighthouseTShirts.com (631-277-4611). Tell Nancy that Bob sent you.

3. The optic at the Fire Island Light was privatized earlier this year. Facing the prospect of having the powerful DCB-224 and it's cool sweeping beams replaced by an anemic VRB-25, the Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society took the bold move of taking responsibility for maintaining the old light. It's nice to see groups stick their necks out to do the right thing.

4. Wobbles the Lighthouse Kitty was ill over the Winter. Poor little Wobs had to deal with Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease. He's better now -- no more medication, and he's almost back to a regular diet, although we are handfeeding him twice a day to make sure he gets enough fluids and the right food. He's eager to get back out and have some new adventures!

5. Speaking of Wobbles, I am working with illustrator June Blair on a children's book about Wobbles. I expect the text to be done within the next couple of months, then we'll see what June comes up with, followed by the daunting task of finding a publisher.

That's it for now. More soon. :-)

Another Haunted Lighthouse Program

SciFi must be short on topics for their Ghost Hunters series, as they once again spotlighted (please pardon the pun) an eastern Long Island Sound lighthouse. This time, at least, it was one that has been reported to be haunted.

Now I won't say that there are or aren't any such things as ghosts, spirits, etc. That's not a bad topic for casual -- or even heated -- conversation between friends, but it is a little beyond our scope here. Let's stick to the show.

Many lighthouse fans know the story of "Ernie the ghost" at the New London Ledge Light in Connecticut. In short, Ernie was a keeper whose wife ran off with a local sea captain. Ernie, distraught over the loss of his wife, jumped from the top of the lighthouse to his doom. I don't believe that I have ever heard what he died from -- it's not that far from the sea level to the top of this harbor light -- perhaps he drowned; perhaps he bounced off the pier. Regardless of the cause, he perished, but has remained about the lighthouse ever since.

The TAPS team, which this SciFi Channel series follows, investigated the lighthouse with their special cameras, and other whizz-bang, hi-tech stuff, but didn't find anything that couldn't be explained by human activity. You have to find it ironic that the famous Ernie did not make an appearance at New London Ledge, while the Race Rock Light -- with no previous stories of hauntings -- was found to be haunted by these guys last year.

Again, I'm not here to make any claims or push any agenda about ghosts or other paranormal or supernatural activities. I do, however, wonder if SciFi is picking these sites just because 1) they're not far from TAPS HQ, and 2) lighthouses have a natural mystique that lends itself to spooky stories and, just perhaps, ratings.

I'll admit to a personal peeve that I have about folklore being used to make historic sites more marketable. It's an unfortunate fact that there are folks in the lighthouse community who use stories to take money from your pockets via poorly-researched books and various knick-knacks. I just fear that this is another one of those cases.

Almost September

Wow, time has been flying. Although I have been pretty quiet publicly since the lighthouse challenge, I have been very busy behind the scenes...

- The Long Island Lighthouse Challenge went well. The long days wore me out a bit, but it was fun, and the participants, as well as all the groups involved, had a good time. Planning is under way for 2006, with May 20-21 as the target date.

- I'd like to thank all who have offered congratulations and nice comments regarding my receiving the US Lighthouse Society's 2005 President's Award. I was stunned by the award and, knowing Wayne Wheeler's strict and high standards, quite honored by it.

- Speaking of Wayne Wheeler, his retirement this Summer ends 22 years at the front of the American lighthouse preservation movement. It's sad to see him step down -- I will miss his leadership and advice.

- In early August, I signed a contract for my second lighthouse book -- this one on the lighthouses of New York State. It won't have the depth of research seen in my first book, but will have more images. I suspect it will sell more copies than the first book, primarily due to the backing of a major publisher. I am excited about this project and have been working hard at it. The book should be out late Summer or early Fall 2006. I may do a more in-depth NY book down the road. As I did with my first book, a complementary web site will be set up: NewYorkLighthouses.com. Watch for it in October or November.

- Another book project seems to be coming together, as well. Wobbles the Lighthouse Kitty has become so popular and there have been so many recommendations to make his life and adventures into a children's book that I have decided to move in that direction. I have been speaking with a children's book illustrator (I won't spill her name until we commit to the project) who has done at least two books about cats. She and I also spoke about a children's coloring book, but more on that at a future time. This illustrator, by coincidence, lives just a few towns away, in the town where my mother grew up and I was born.

- Speaking of Wobbles: Wob now has his own web site, at www.LighthouseKitty.com. He is doing well and is eager to go on a new adventure. He has been stuck in the house too much and is ready to take a trip. With less than a month left until my wedding, it'll be tough to find time for a lighthouse adventure for him, but he is going to a family barbecue with us tomorrow, and there will be kids there, which he loves.

- I have been playing guitar with Sampawams Creek (www.SampawamsCreek.com), thus far performing two genres: traditional nautical music and colonial era music. The colonial has been surprisingly fun, and we do it in period dress (tri-corn hat, waistcoat, stockings, buckle shoes and all that). September will be a busy month for the band, with about five or six public appearances. Check the web site for dates and places and come see us!

That's all for right now. I hope to be able to post more soon!

Lighthouse Challenge Near

- The inaugural Long Island Lighthouse Challenge is just days away. The groups had the last meeting on Saturday, May 7. The coins arrived Friday. The banners are ready. The merchandising is underway. The Challenge has been the subject of show segments/articles on WLIW's Ticket, Plum TV's The Morning Show, LI Boating World, Newsday, Lighthouse Digest, the World Lighthouse Society's newsletter, North Fork magazine, Suffolk Life, the NY Times, (I probably missed a couple) and I still have a radio interview on WLIU on Wednesday.

- The May 14 cruise is sold out, but there is still room on the 15th. Contact Nancy at 631-277-4611 or nbahnsen@LighthouseTShirts.com about the cruises (and merchandise). Also, check her web site: www.LighthouseTShirts.com We are also having a non-Challenge-related cruise on May 21.

- I will be at Orient Point 8am to 3pm both days, then on the cruises in the evenings. I will also be at the reception dinner on May 13. Please say Hi if you see me.

- Once the Challenge is over, I'll have a little time to catch my breath, update my site, and get on with some other projects. I have a new adventure for Wobbles in the works, among other things.

April Updates

- The inaugural Long Island Lighthouse Challenge is getting close. there has been a greater buzz about it than I expected. Several magazines, newspapers, and newsletters have run stories on it. I was even interviewed on WLIW/Channel 21 about it. The May 14 cruise sold out in 14 days without any press releases, with a waiting list of over 50 people at present (more on this below). The basic schedule for the weekend:

Friday, May 13 - Reception dinner at the Islandia Marriott, with Wayne Wheeler (US Lighthouse Society president) and Bill Younger (Harbour Lights president).
Saturday, May 14 - Challenge sites open 8am to 6pm
Saturday, May 14 - Cruise to see Long Beach Bar, Cedar Island, Orient Point and Plum Island departs at 4:30
Sunday, May 15 - Challenge sites open 8am to 6pm
Sunday, May 15 - Cruise to see Long Beach Bar, Cedar Island, Orient Point and Plum Island departs at 4:30

More about the Challenge is at: www.LongIslandLighthouses.com/challenge.htm

- Since the May 14 cruise sold out so quickly, and there was such a demand for tickets, we have added a cruise on Sunday. It will see Long Beach Bar, Cedar Island, Orient Point and Plum Island. $60 includes sandwiches, salads, and soft drinks. There is one stipulation, based on the fact that there is only one boat in Greenport that can do this cruise: If Saturday's cruise gets postponed due to weather, it will run on Sunday and Sunday's cruise will be canceled and all ticket costs refunded. Visit www.LighthouseTShirts.com for reservations, or contact Nancy at nbahnsen@LighthouseTShirts.com.

- And one more cruise: Because of the "buzz" about the Challenge and the fact that it will undoubtedly create more interest in local lighthouses, LightouseTShirts.com and I have added a longer cruise for Saturday, May 21. This cruise will see Long Beach Bar, Orient Point, Plum Island, Little Gull Island, Race Rock and, if the conditions are right, we'll get a look at the ruins off Gardiner's Island. I'll be along to share local lighthouse history and lore, and will probably talk a bit about Gardiner's Island and the Gardiner family. The 16th, and last, lord of the manor, Robert David Lion Gardiner passed away last year, ending the oldest chapter in Long Island history. I met Bob Gardiner a few times (he was my niece's godfather) and will share some stories (funny, interesting, and sad) about Long Island's last nobleman and his family's heritage. This cruise is $70, including sandwiches, salads, and soft drinks. Inclement weather date is Sunday, May 22. Again, visit www.LighthouseTShirts.com for reservations, or contact Nancy at nbahnsen@LighthouseTShirts.com.

- Work on the bluff at Plum Island is nearly completed. The rocks procured by the LI Chapter of the US Lighthouse Society (www.LILighthouseSociety.org) several years ago are in place. These will help protect the bluff from wind and waves. Plantings above the rocks will help control erosion from runoff. With a rate of erosion similar to that at Montauk Point, and only about 50 feet left in front of the lighthouse, this is good news for the future of this lighthouse. The Plum Island Animal Disease Center should be commended for their efforts to get this done.

- The professional architectural assessment of the Plum Island Light conducted last November, also arranged by the LI Chapter of the US Lighthouse Society, should result in a written report very soon. The assessment was paid for by the descendants of former Plum Island keeper William Maynard Chapel and a grant from the NY State Council on the Arts.

- The Cedar Island Light was assessed the same time as the Plum Island Light, with both being done by Walter Sedovic Architects (www.modernruins.com). Cedar Island's written report should also be ready very soon.

- March saw more visitation at LongIslandLighthouses.com than any previous month: 21,136 visitor sessions; 682 per day.

Enjoy the nice Spring weather!

March Updates

- Yesterday (Monday, March 21) I was interviewed for WLIW Channel 21 show, Ticket. Everyone there was wonderful and friendly - and interested in lighthouses. I had a great time on the show, but wish we had had more time. As is, I spoke about the book and the LI Lighthouse Challenge. Some of Nancy Bahnsen's photos were shown (I only gave her about five hours notice to get some photos together for the show), and I had one of the new Harbour Lights Cedar Island Lighthouse replicas on the table on the set. I would have liked to mention the replica and a bunch of other topics, but time was short. It was fun, and I think I was more comfortable on TV than I have been previously. Incidentally, the shirt and tie I wore were a Valentine's Day gift from Diane.

- The Cedar Island replica, as seen on the table on the Channel 21 appearance, is now available. You can order one from the LI Lighthouse Society and have the profits go to the Cedar Island Lighthouse preservation effort. Go to http://longislandlighthouses.com/cedarislandreplica.htm for more information.

- I've added more new stuff to the 2005 LI Lighthouse Challenge part of the site, including pretty detailed directions, and a PDF version of the brochure. If you'd like to help distribute copies of the brochure in your local area, contact me at LILighthouses@aol.com and I'll send you some.

- The May 14 evening cruise that I'm doing with Nancy Bahnsen of LighthouseTShirts.com sold out in 14 days. We'll try to find a way to accommodate more people next year. The speed at which we sold out 100 spots surprised us.

- February saw 19,351 visits to my web site. That's 691 per day, up from January's 642 per day.

- I'll be performing with Sampawams Creek Friday, April 8, 8 to 10pm, at the Pisces Cafe in Babylon. I believe we'll be doing some colonial American music and Irish music, in addition to the sea songs and shanties.

- On Sunday, April 10, I'll be speaking and signing books at the St James General Store.

That's about it for now. Enjoy the Spring!

Early February Updates

A little this and a little that today...

- LongIslandLighthouses.com had 19,914 visitor sessions in January. That is probably the busiest month the site has ever seen. It's nice to see it growing. I had neglected it for some time to work on other projects, yet the visitorship stayed pretty good. Now that I have been working to update and expand it, the numbers have been growing greatly. That makes the work more worthwhile.

- New material on the site includes links for Life Saving Stations, a couple of new sea songs, and updates on the LI Lighthouse Challenge. I'll continue to add more, so check back often.

- Exciting news: Harbour Lights will be releasing a replica of the Cedar Island Lighthouse soon. This is something that several of us have been working on for about 5 years. I have seen several photos of the replica, and it is neat. There are a couple of real special touches incorporated into it. To learn how to get yours, visit my site (www.LongIslandLighthouses.com).

- I received a call from the Fire Island National Seashore about the Lone Hill Life Saving Station this week. The Fire Island Pines Property Owners Association has applied for a permit to demolish the 1912 building. I doubt it can be stopped, but I was asked to poke around and see if there's anything else that can be done. There are a bunch of practical problems with saving it. Of course, there are a bunch of cultural and ethical problems with demolishing it. It'll probably be lost. That's a shame, as there is so little left to commemorate the amazing bravery and sacrifice of those who served as surfmen on Long Island.

- Van Field, author of Wrecks and Rescues on Long Island, has been prompting me to look more into trying to save the Tiana Life Saving Station, in Southampton (not far from where the Shinnecock Bay Lighthouse was). Right now is a tough time, as I have a bunch of projects in the air, but I am doing some preliminary research on it. If you are interested in helping out, contact me at LILighthouses@aol.com.

- Planning continues on the Long Island Lighthouse Challenge. The Village of Old Field has agreed to allow visitors on their property, as has the Coast Guard at Eaton's Neck. It also looks like the Nantucket Lightship should still be in Oyster Bay in May. There is still a bunch to do, but with everyone pitching in, it'll get done. Special guests for the weekend will include Bill Younger of Harbour Lights, and US Lighthouse Society president and founder Wayne Wheeler. Visit www.LongIslandLighthouses.com/challenge.htm for updates and lots of info.

- The LI Lighthouse Society's Gold Coast cruise is scheduled for Sunday, May 1. See the lights at Stepping Stones, Execution Rocks, Sands Point, Cold Spring Harbor, Eaton's Neck, Huntington Harbor, and the remains of the Lloyd Harbor Light. The Nantucket Lightship may be included, if it is still in Oyster Bay. Sampawam's Creek is providing the live entertainment again this year. The cost is $85 (unless you are a member) and includes continental breakfast, hot buffet lunch, narration, entertainment, and more aboard the Skyline Princess. This is Long Island's premier lighthouse cruise, and it only happens once a year. Sign up before it sells out. Call 631-207-4331.

Hopefully, I'll have more to share soon!