This has been too long coming to you, for which I apologize. With that said, allow me to introduce you to the new, improved 2005 Wacko Badge. This year we are featuring Pottawatomie Lighthouse, on Rock Island in Door County, WI. Thanks to Suzanne Murphy for providing the picture that we are using. Thanks to all who sent Dennis pictures for us to choose from – you made the choice difficult. This year there is a change to how the picture is displayed on the badge. A “brushstroke” effect was applied to the picture to give this year’s badge a little different appearance than past years.



The 2004 Wacko Badge generated a contribution of $750 to Esopus Meadows on behalf of the Connected Collector Family. I want to thank each of you who did purchase a badge in 2004 to help Esopus Meadows, and encourage you to also participate in the 2005 project. With the Wacko Pin not being produced this year, the badge will be the main project to support lighthouse preservation by Collector Forums members. As a group you chose to support Pottawatomie, a light championed by member Jim Johnston for many years. I’m sure a few of you remember JJ standing up at the back of a Bill seminar and waving his Pottawatomie poster encouraging production of a Harbour Lights model. Hopefully this wish will soon come true.

Since this is the main preservation fund raising project for this year I have decided to absorb all the costs of production for the badge, including supplies, postage and PayPal fees. Every penny coming into this project will pass thru to support Pottawatomie. I am counting on all of you to help make this project a successful one by purchasing your official Wacko Badge.

For those of you planning on attending the St. Augustine festivities, please send me an email at b a d g e s @lighthousekeepers.com (take out the spaces…they were added to make the email harvesters job more difficult...) I will make sure you get your badges as long as I have the info in time to get the badges mailed to you. Hopefully John will be along in the near future and post a link to the order page..

I like the brushstroke technique! Adds a modern, sophisticated look to the badge. Next thing you know, we'll be on the cover of the New York Times Style section.

Just one question...are they going to be the usual $6?

Thanks so much for absorbing all the costs, as well. I can appreciate it even more knowing that every penny I donate goes directly to this light.

Price will stay at $6 mailed to you.

Great.... can't wait for the order page! I'm sure you already know that I'll take my usual two.

Looks great Dave Thanks for putting it together again this year. I'll be ordering two also.

I do like the brushstroke alot better. I can't wait to get mine. Nice job and thanks for doing it again this year. I'm sure there is a lot involved.

Looking good Dave! I just sent my order for mine and John's.

Dave,

Just sent my order in and the check will be mailed today.

bobo

Just one more thank you Dave for your time, and dedication to this wonderful project every year ...

Just sent in the order. Thanks Dave and Dennis for all your work on this project.

Joyce

Looks great as usual. Will order for me and Sis as soon as I have Sis'info.
Thanks again to Dave and Dennis for their continuing efforts.
Rick

Hi Dave,

I just sent in our order and will email you the club logo if you need it for the back of the badge. You're the best. Thanks for all you do.

Judy and Bill

I really like the picture on the new badge and have sent my order in. Thanks so much for all of your work!! I hope that the lighthouse makes tons of money on this fundraiser.

Just put my order in! Can't wait to get it!


BTW, noticed something, there is no place for our addresses on the form?

Never has been, Greg. For those that PayPal they have to include their address. The order page instructions tell folks to include their mailing info with their check.

In my lead off post I neglected to thank Dennis for all the work he did during the selection process for this year's honoree and then he also collected pictures from folks. His help is much appreciated even though not acknowledged often enough. Paul Brady did the custom brush work application on the picture, and of course John put up the order page to round out the team effort.

Off to a good start - 36 badges ordered already. At a bargain price of $6 each, we need to sell 167 badges to contribute $1,000. First batch should be done this weekend, with plenty of time for the postal service to get your badges to you before the St. Augustine event.So,in closing,

Order early, Order often

Dave you're gonna make me blush. It's always good to work on projects here because there's always somebody ready to lend a hand when it's needed.

I'll be on the lookout for my badges next week. I won't be going to FL but it will still be nice to have the new one.

I don't think i'll need it in Vegas, though. I'm going to be looking for that Lighthouse in Las Vegas- there has to be at least one somewhere- they've got everything else.

Dennis

A big thank you to Dave. Also thanks to Dennis, Suzanne and John. We just placed our badge order.

Thanks to DAVE, DENNIS and all your helpers. I always wear my badge with pride.

So as not to forget anyone I will say thanks to all involved with the Badges. As always a great job. Just used PayPal to order our two.

Club Leaders -- don't forget to pass the word to the club members who aren't regular visitors to the Collector Forums.

If you haven't already done so, be sure Dave has a copy of the Club Logo. If he has one, he prints it on the back of the badge.

For those club members who aren't online, consider taking orders at your next club meeting and ordering for them.

Surely we can sell 167 badges and reach that $1,000 donation for good ol' Pottawatomie!

Thanks to all involved once again in this yearly project. I hope to get the badge info out to our NELL members shortly. Will be looking forward to receiving my badge soon.

All the badges ordered as of this morning were put into the mail about an hour ago, except those who listed their club as WILD or Beacons of the Bay. Both those clubs are finishing up with logo development so I have held off on finishing those badges to be able to add the logos. If you are going to St. Augustine and are a Beacons of the Bay or WILD member, let me know and I will get your badge completed.

We're up to 56 ordered - still a ways to go to reach our goal. You don't have to be a Collector Forums member to order a badge, you just have to be at least a little wacko about lighthouses and want to help support lighthouse restoration.

Just order our badges! They look so great. Thanks to all of you dedicated people. Can't wait to get mine. Dave hope you can bring them to the HLC meeting?

Cindy and Doyne

Arrived today, very nice...thanks Dave!

Dave,

Got both of my envelopes today.

Thanks,

Dennis

Great badges again Thanks Dave

Dave,

My badges arrived safe and sound as well. Thank you so much for all of your time and effort. A job well done!

-Todd

I got my badge yesterday and it is gorgeous!! Thanks everyone for their hard work. I can hardly wait to wear mine and have it admired by all.

Mine arrived here in Scottsdale yesterday. Thanks for the fast turnaround, Dave!

Thanks Dave for our great looking badges. It looks like the badges are being received around the country. Nice job!

Received the badges in Ocala today. Thanks again Dave for the turnaround in time for St. Augustine. They look great.

Got it today. Thanks again Dave for all your hard work!

Received my badge in yesterday's mail. Looks wonderful.

THANKS DAVE

Got mine yesterday, looks great! Thanks Dave.

Off to a good start - 85 badges have been ordered. Most of those who have ordered should have your badges in hand by now. We are half way to the $1000 goal. Be sure you tell your friends and club members about this great opportunity to help lighthouse preservation.

Thanks to those of you who have purchased your badges so far, and looking forward to hearing from more of you!

Miss SHARON & RIP want theirs check is in the mail.

Thanks Dave,
Badge arrived safe and sound.
Darlene

Thanks Dave. Mine arrived today and it looks wonderful.

Cathy

Dave,

Jo Ann and I got our Badges. They are super. The Capital Lights of Texas logo looks great on the back. Thanks for including it on our badges.

Don M

We got gotem, THANKS DAVE.

OUr great looking badges came in Dave. Thanks for getting them done for us.

Bert & Sharon

Dave--

Ours came today, great lighthouse day in the mailbox.

Larry

Thanks for all those who make the badge possible.

Dave
A check is in the mail for $12 for two(2) 2005 Wacko Badges.

JoanieO