Saint Augustine Lighthouse Festival

The Festival is scheduled to be on March 18th. Has anyone heard if any of the Younger's will be there?

Thanks,

Sean

I called the St Augustine lighthouse museum
and asked the question. The responce was,
that they don't believe Bill will be here this year.
It won't be the same without The HL gang at the St Aug Lighthouse Festival.

Thanks Daniel. If someone should here otherwise please post it here.

Sean
I also contacted Harbour Lights
and I was told to call back in Febuary,
That the HL event schedule isn't completed yet.
I still have my hopes up that St Aug festival will at least have a store event there.

The St Augustine Festival is a major southern event with over 700 people. I think it would be in Harbour Lights best interest to send some one to represent them. If Bill and Nancy or Kim are not able to fit in this event or has agreed to it. I think it would be appropriate to schedule some one that is still part of the HL management. I believe it would be great for Harry Hine or even Don Devine to represent Harbour Lights at the St Augustine Festival. A mater of fact since this is such a big event I believe both Harry and Don should both be there. I would have no problem having either of them signing my store event piece. If HL is going to start phasing out some of the signing events with Bill, Nancy and Kim, then they should start phasing in some new events with those employees that are taking the place of Bill and family.

Even if St Aug Festival isn’t used as a regional event. It definitely should still be represented as a store event. Last year the St Augustine was the only North Florida event. If we don’t have some hl event in the area I feel that this will be an other blow against keeping the Harbour light collecting spirit alive in North Florida.

Well said, Daniel. I won't be there, but, especially at this time, with all the big changes, it would behoove Don and Harry to appear. It would seem that such an appearance would give the collectors the boost they need right now - instill some confidence that things will remain the same even though some faces may change. I hope I can make it to the festival in the future. I love St. Augustine but have never been there for the festival.

I hope that they spend a little more time in Florida this year then they did last year. We had the St. Augustine event and only 2 store signing in central Florida in June. Other stores tried but they were turned down. The Youngers must have already decided to back off as they were selling the business. Florida has a large group of collectors if the Forums represent the percentage so I would think they would put more of a showing down here then they did last year.

I called Kathy today and recomend that the rest of you do the same. I told her how the younger family has been at the St Augustine Festivals for the past four years and that there are 700 people at this event. The lighthouse is open to the puplic for free and HL makes alot of sales from this event. I recommended to her that Harbour Lights get involved with this festival like they have in the past. She said she will pass this information on and I can check back with her in the second week of Feburary.

Good idea, Daniel. If we want something, we need to take it to the source - no point in just talking about it. I will follow up, too.

Anybody have any new information on this event as far as if it will be a Harbour Lights Event?

The Saturday dinner is one of the two HL Regional events for 2006.

The latest word is that there will be no youngers at the March 18th Lighthouse festival.

The good news is that there will be a signing later on.

Rich
Are we aloud to talk about this signing or should we wait for the official Harbour Light statement?

Daniel - I'm going to try and straighten out the 2 conflicting stories that I got last week. Let me see what is the correct information and then I don't see any problem after that.

My bad - I meant the dinner at Norfolk on Saturday is one of the regionals. The other regional event will be in Maine in October. While Terry has said he has a Bill event in store in June I have yet to hear of or see any listing of signing events for the year.

Dave, that one in Maine that you mentioned is that at the LHD? Do you have a date


yet?

Kim Andrews is working on the Store Event dates and places. Apparently not done yet, according to Kathy at Harbour Lights. I believe the first store event happens in June, but I might be wrong.

Hello Fellow Lighthouse Lovers,

It has been 9 months or so since my last posting. As the Director of Sales for the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum I can say for certain that Lighthouse Festival in March will not be a Harbour Lights event this year. We just could not be sure if the transition and new replicas would be complte in time. Instead, we are having a,"Special Event", for Harbour Lights Collectors on June 3, 2006. Bill Younger and family will be on hand to sign the in-store event piece and other new pieces for 2006. Besides the signing with Bill from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., which is reason enough to visit, we are holding a collectors forum and lecture with slide show on the condition of lighthouses in the Gulf coast. Mr. Joe Cocking, will lead the slide show featuring hurricane damaged lighthouses and recovery efforts.

We are hoping to be back on schedule in 2007 to host a Harbour Lights Regional at our March Lighthouse Festival. For now, Keep the Flame, and plan for a day trip to St Augustine on June 3, to see Bill Younger and reconnect with old friends. For more information call me at (904) 829-0745 or by email at michael@staugustinelighthouse.com

Take Care,

Michael Cunningham

Sure sounds like a very good program planned for June. I wish it were possible to get to all these events. It's always "maybe next year". I hope you have a terrific turnout, Michael.

Michael,

Thanks for the information on the March and June events and your staff for allowing us to set up a table to promote our Forums Exclusive. Daniel and I will be there the morning of the 18th ready to go.

Rich, I will be there too. We just got word this week that the Florida Lighthouse Association can have a table at this event.