The Outer Banks Lighthouse Society's Annual Keepers Dinner was held Saturday evening, starting with a cash bar from 5 to 7 PM.

As members and guests started arriving, the buzz was clearly about the long-awaited news that the Outer Banks Conservationists ownership of Currituck Beach Lighthouse had been finalized with the filing of the deed in Currituck County.

The ballroom at the Nag's Head Comfort Inn was nearly filled with about 150 in attendance.


Bett Padgett, co-chair for the event welcomed members.

The OBLHS was founded in 1994 by Bruce Roberts and Cheryl Shelton-Roberts and today has about 1,000 members.


OBLHS President Cheryl Shelton-Roberts, center, presents the 2003 Bodie Island Award to Dave and Doris Reed for their volunteer work at Bodie Island Lighthouse.


Cheryl also presented the 2002 Bodie Island Award to John Gaskill, son of the last keeper at Bodie Island. John was not able to attend the 2002 Keepers Dinner.


Lloyd Childers, former Keeper of Currituck Light, center, presented the 2003 Currituck Beach Lighthouse Award to Paul Hanson and Keith Johnson for their service to the lighthouse.


Bruce Roberts, co-chair for the event, right, presents a special award to Sandy Semans, a reporter for the Outer Banks Sentinel, for her reporting on lighthouses.


Keynote speaker for the dinner was Homer Hickam, author of the newly published "Keepers Son" about a lighthouse family growing up on the Outer Banks.

OBLHS Chairman of the Board John McPherson, handled the raffle and auction duties, raising almost $6,000 for the organization. He was aided by Judy Castlebury, Fund Raiser for OBLHS.