There are two theories about how the book came about:
1. At the November board meeting of the Long Island Chapter of the US Lighthouse Society, Carol House suggested that we publish the book (which I haven't had time to work on since we founded the Chapter) as a fundraiser for the Chapter, with all proceeds going to benefit historic lighthouse preservation and education.
2. I got tired of people asking "When is your book going to be out?"
As with most things, the truth is probably somewhere in the middle.
Anyway, we have shifted the research into overdrive (one of our volunteers will spend ten days at the National Archives next month, for instance) and we have a scheduled release date of December 1. We're gathering documents, stories, photos, etc., much of which has never been seen or heard in public before.
I'll do the writing. Diane and Carol are handling the editing. I'm still doing more research, with help from Jayme Breschard, Jerry Leeds, John Voross, and Fred Fragano.
Some of the coolest stuff in the book will come from former LI lighthouse keepers. Saturday, I spent a couple of hours talking with a former Fire Island keeper (at a meeting of the Association of Suffolk County Historical Societies), and earlier tonight, I spoke with a former Little Gull Island keeper. BTW, both of these keepers will be attending our March 21 Keepers' Dinner with Bill Younger, as will some others, including a 1930s keeper. Tickets are on sale for that.
I think Diane mentioned that the first 200 book orders will get some extra goodies, including a "behind the pages" account of the book. I don't think I've seen that done before. In it, I'll tell some of the stuff that won't be in the book because of space limitations, or isn't really right for the book, but is still cool, such as the first time I met Van Field or Chatt Chapman, more keepers' stories, and some of the things that have happened in the five years I've been working on the book. Being a book fan, I know I sure would love to have a companion such as that to some of the books I've read.
We announced the book to our members last week, and over 50 preorders have already come in. If you want in on the first 200, hit the PayPal link on LILighthouseSociety.org or send a check pretty soon. We'll announce it on a wider scale over the next couple of weeks.
I have one more post to make before I retire for the evening. If there are any questions about the book, post them here, or contact Diane or me.
Thanks for all the support the people in these forums provide for our organization. It makes difference.
Bob Muller