Posted By: lhlover
Hello's All Around! - 09/12/02 06:25 PM
Okay, I guess it's time that I introduced myself. A fellow Lighthouse junkie pointed out to me last night that I haven't yet introduced myself. Sorry everyone, like usual - I just jumped right into the middle of things without a second look.
*Ahem* My name is BonnieJean Exum and I am a Lighthouse Junkie - otherwise known as a Lighthouse Peeper! I have always liked lighthouses, but never was able to visit any until 2½ years ago. I've lived in Florida my whole life and never even knew that Florida had any lighthouses - I'm from a small town and didn't get out much (plus the closest lighthouse is 2 hours away).
My first lighthouse was Ponce Inlet (a.k.a. Mosquito Inlet) during my honeymoon. We weren't even in the hotel room 2 minutes when I saw a lighthouse shining proudly from the cover of a tourist welcome book for Daytona Beach. I didn't care where the lighthouse was located; I just knew that we were going. I made a deal with my new husband – we'll go to Daytona Raceway today, but we go to the lighthouse tomorrow. The deal was struck and I've been hooked ever since.
I quickly learned that Florida had thirty lighthouses, so I joined the Florida Lighthouse Association (FLA) shortly after. After being with the Association just one year, the president of the FLA asked me if I would be willing to become the Secretary of the FLA. It must have been my charming personality! Either that, or my uncanny ability of being in the right place at the wrong time. :p LOL Whatever the reasons were, I love my involvement with the FLA – we have over 600 members that love lighthouses as much as I do. Everyone is so wonderful & friendly and has dedicated so much to help save Lighthouses – not only the ones in Florida, but everywhere in the US. Some have even made saving lighthouses their life's work! I extend my respect and gratitude to each and every member of the Florida Lighthouse Association and all other Lighthouse Associations/Societies for their loyalty to the Lighthouses that have helped save so many lives throughout the years.
So far I have visited 25 of Florida's 30 Lighthouses, the missing 5 being Reef Lights. I have also visited Lighthouses in Georgia, S. Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Michigan. My husband has a job that sends him to many different states, so when he gets transferred to a state with Lighthouses, I'm not far behind – off visiting Lighthouses! {Of course no Lighthouse Junkie is complete without the Harbour Light collection of visited and “must visit soon” Lighthouses.}
Well, I could probably write a novel on all the things I'd like to say. I will be more than happy to write to everyone, or if you happen to be at a FLA meeting, don't be shy – come up and say Hi!
The new addition to your Lighthouse Junkie Family,
BonnieJean Exum
Secretary of the FLA
*Ahem* My name is BonnieJean Exum and I am a Lighthouse Junkie - otherwise known as a Lighthouse Peeper! I have always liked lighthouses, but never was able to visit any until 2½ years ago. I've lived in Florida my whole life and never even knew that Florida had any lighthouses - I'm from a small town and didn't get out much (plus the closest lighthouse is 2 hours away).
My first lighthouse was Ponce Inlet (a.k.a. Mosquito Inlet) during my honeymoon. We weren't even in the hotel room 2 minutes when I saw a lighthouse shining proudly from the cover of a tourist welcome book for Daytona Beach. I didn't care where the lighthouse was located; I just knew that we were going. I made a deal with my new husband – we'll go to Daytona Raceway today, but we go to the lighthouse tomorrow. The deal was struck and I've been hooked ever since.
I quickly learned that Florida had thirty lighthouses, so I joined the Florida Lighthouse Association (FLA) shortly after. After being with the Association just one year, the president of the FLA asked me if I would be willing to become the Secretary of the FLA. It must have been my charming personality! Either that, or my uncanny ability of being in the right place at the wrong time. :p LOL Whatever the reasons were, I love my involvement with the FLA – we have over 600 members that love lighthouses as much as I do. Everyone is so wonderful & friendly and has dedicated so much to help save Lighthouses – not only the ones in Florida, but everywhere in the US. Some have even made saving lighthouses their life's work! I extend my respect and gratitude to each and every member of the Florida Lighthouse Association and all other Lighthouse Associations/Societies for their loyalty to the Lighthouses that have helped save so many lives throughout the years.
So far I have visited 25 of Florida's 30 Lighthouses, the missing 5 being Reef Lights. I have also visited Lighthouses in Georgia, S. Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Michigan. My husband has a job that sends him to many different states, so when he gets transferred to a state with Lighthouses, I'm not far behind – off visiting Lighthouses! {Of course no Lighthouse Junkie is complete without the Harbour Light collection of visited and “must visit soon” Lighthouses.}
Well, I could probably write a novel on all the things I'd like to say. I will be more than happy to write to everyone, or if you happen to be at a FLA meeting, don't be shy – come up and say Hi!
The new addition to your Lighthouse Junkie Family,
BonnieJean Exum
Secretary of the FLA