Connie Small will be celebrating her 100th birthday on June 4. I have occasion to talk to her from time to time, ever since I first met her in 1998 and arranged to take the New England Lighthouse Lovers group to attend a special slide lecture which she put on for us at her retirement home. I made her an honorary member of NELL, and she proudly wears our pin. In talking to her again the other day, she was all excited about being honored at the American Lighthouse Foundation dinner on June 2 in Portsmouth, NH.
She recently produced a second edition of her book, filled with new photos, which chronicles her experiences as a lighthouse keeper's wife. She and her husband were the keepers at several New England lights, including Seguin (recently produced by Harbour Lights); Avery Rock and St. Croix River Lights also in Maine; and retired from active duty at their last assignment which was Portsmouth Harbor, NH, aka New Castle or Fort Point Light; and then filling in at Cape Neddick or the "Nubble" Light off York, ME.

For those who might not be familiar with her, Connie worked very hard to spread the word that lighthouses needed to be saved as pieces of important American maritime history. The Maine Lights Program, whereby the Coast Guard has turned over many lights to non-profit groups to insure their preservation and continued access by the public, can be attributed in good part to her efforts. She has appeared on many national tv talk shows; been to see several Presidents; and has been written about extensively in book and magazine format as well as appearing in the video series "Legendary Lighthouses."

Please extend your birthday wishes and gratitude to Connie for her efforts to save our lighthouses by posting your congratulatory messages here on this Forum. I will be seeing Connie in person to help her celebrate her birthday and will print this Forum and your messages to take along to present to her. I know she will be thrilled to hear from you.

Barbara Hupp aka Ladylightkeeper
Founder of the New England Lighthouse Lovers

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Connie! I hope you enjoy your very special day!

Bob

May this birthday be your blest ever! Be sure to enjoy your day while enlightening others.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Derith Bennett

Congratulations on you 100th Birthday, Mrs. Small! Your life and history has been a source of inspiration to many, especially those of us with such a keen interest in lighthouses. May you have a wonderful celebration including lots of cake and ice cream!

Sue LeFever

Happy birthday Connie I have read with great interest som eof your stories about your life at the light houses.Hope you have a great day and many more.Bill O'Brien

HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY CONNIE!!!! Thank you very much for what you've done and continue to do! Without caring individuals like you, many of the lighthouses we love so much could only be seen in books. Thank you for sharing "The Light" with us!

Steve

Wishing you a very Happy birthday Connie. We thank you so much for all the work you have done to preserve lighthouses.


Ruthie

HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY! Thank you for all your work towards preserving lighthouses for future generations to enjoy! Best Wishes for a Great Birthday!

Suzanne Murphy

Happy Birthday, Mrs. Small!!! And a BIG Thankyou for all your efforts toward Lighthouse Preservation. The community of "Lover's of the Light's" appreciates what you've done very much!!

Congratulations on 100 Mrs. Small! I hope you have a very Happy Birthday!!!

-Todd

Happy Birthday Connie Small! Your friend Bill Thompson, was telling us stories about you and your approaching 100th birthday this past Sunday at Nubble.
- the Scroope Family

[This message has been edited by rscroope (edited 05-16-2001).]

Happy Birthday Mrs. Small!!!! Thank you for working to preserve lighthouses and their history for future generations!

Stephen Sostaric

Keep this a secret until after this weekend---Connie Small will be getting a wonderful present for her 100th birthday which is June 4. Bill Younger will be presenting it to her tomorrow evening in Portsmouth where she will be a guest of honor at a big event sponsored by the American Lighthouse Association. I had put the bug in Bill's ear two years ago after our club went to see her, but he said it couldn't be made in such a short time. But it was!! --- HL has made Portsmouth Harbor Light, 6500 edition, in time for her 100th and it will be unveiled and presented to Connie. What a wonderful present for her --- a replica of the last lighthouse that she and her husband were in charge of. If you have Connie's book, this piece will be a nice companion in your collection. It will also be the first and only NH lighthouse made by HL to date. Whaleback is a Maine light, despite its flag ID.

We all hope that we can wish Connie a happy 101 next June.



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ladylightkeeper