We're here!! St. Augustine never looked better..


Just as we arrive, everbody is boarding the trolly which will take them downtown to the Columbia Restaurant..


The trolly driver showed us the secret way to avoid most of the traffic backup...


I have to get one of those signs... nice name!


Our hosts, the Youngers, were giving hugs all around in welcoming people to the dinner..


This is the main dining room on the second floor but Wackos filled all of the dining area's on the upper floor...

Of course Bill was there watching over a group of Hoosier Lighthousing Club members eating their dinner..


The food was as good as the restaurant looked too!


After dinner and a quick ride back to the lighthouse, the tower was open for night time climbing!



This was a very rare night, outdoor signing at the base of the tower with light provided by a few flashlights and a 60wt light held by Rip, Carolyn and Roy (hidden by Rip in this image)..


At the end od the evening Bill auctioned off the paint masters of the not yet released Bailey's Harbor Range Light Door County Event set of lighthouses.. The rare paint proof set went for $1000 which all goes to the St. Augustine's lighthouse fund!

Lee Hall (shown here with his wife, Kim, Bill and the Board President of the lighthouse, Ray Hamel (blue shirt) was the winning bidder!! Lee was a Gold Southeast Block lighthouse winner at the Long Island Regional just last Fall!

Great pictures Paul. LOoks like everyone is certainly having a good time. Looks nice and warm too.

Bert

Thanks for sharing the pics, Paul! Looks like you guys had great weather, and a great time!

Bob

It was 80 when we arrived at the lighthouse!!

Thanks for keeping us updated Paul. It looks like a beautiful night to spend at St. Augustine.

More to be added later tonight but I thought you would like to see wh won Gold, today!



With Bill, Nancy & Kim are joined by Gold winners..
Left to Right: Charley Knox, Karen Padgett, Eileen Dunlap, and not pictured: Frank Carbone and Jerry Davis.

What a great day at St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum! Lots of WACKOs, other friends and lots of local lighthouse lovers. They were expecting almost 8,000 people -- and they may have gotten them.

Lots of things to do -- but for collectors, the highlight today was the regional which ran from 11 AM until 3 PM.

In addition to the GOLD given away, HL also had quite a few other pieces -- including some of Bill's personal stash (1-10) and APs.

Congrats to FORUM members who won 3 of 5 GOLD St. Augustines (only 5 of these made this year).

Ron Drummer won the one Gold Three Sister for the In-Store Event Signing.

Tomorrow - the trip to Cape Canaveral and Ponce.

Bill looked good and was in good spirits. He will be having a knee replacement done in about two weeks which will keep him from traveling for about 6 weeks or so.

By now you may know about the Society Exclusives for 2004-2005: Cuckholds (gift as it appears now; exclusive as it appeared when the keepers house was attached.)

The exclusive for Door County was previewed by Kim Friday night and the paint sample (only one in the country right now) was won at auction for a high bid of $1,000!!!

Only 500 to be made. Only $30 for the pair of Baileys Harbor Range Lights. These are two separate little lights sized pieces that fit together. They will carry a Harbour Lights 600 series number and will be considered as a 'Special Limited Edition'. Kim will
hand-touch' those to be distributed to attendees at the Door County event dinner. (Meaning she will paint the flowers on the pieces.)

If you're interested in getting a set of these, the only sure way is to be at the Door County event. There will be some pre-event opportunities for those not attending -- and Kim wants the full run of 500 committed before the event.

Registration in front of the Gift Shop at St Augustine..


The Clubs set up tables along the pathway between the Keeper's House and the Gift Shop.. MJ sells tickets at the NELL table for the HL Original St Augustine that their club was giving away.. Behind her is Dennis Whelan selling Wacko Pins orders..


I would say the clubs had prime locations under the shadow of the tower!


Bill, Kim signing with Rachel ablely assisting them on the front porch; Nancy is just to the right out of this image..


There were many things going on at the festival including face painting...no I didn't get my head painted at this Regional!


Local groups, including these young dancers, entertained the crowd of people all day.. This group is waiting in the wings to go on the stage..

The gift shop proch provided a great place for the big crowd of collectors getting their lighthouses signed... all day!


Dave Hemming doing his best Rip Van Winkle imitation during the afternoon..


The flowers on the grounds were plentiful and in full bloom.. Here you go Mombo and Mom--this one is for you both!


Judy Hall had a nice visit with one of the more unusual lighthouse visitors at their club's table..


Rip and his wife won the Hoosier Lighthousing Club's drawing.. Grand prize was a match numered #14 Roanoke River Society and #14 Hatteras Beacon Light set of HL lighthouses..

Once again, Paul, thank you for taking the time to post all those wonderful pics!

Bob

It's great to see everyone having a great time! We were at St Augie in October, and can share the experience of seeing the lighthouse but not the comradery of the gathering.
Bob
from snowy Long Island

It sure looks like a fun time for all those attending. I guess if I hadn't been out of town so much these past few months I would be more jealous that I wasn't there.

Bob Scroope...it sounds like you need to be visiting some family here in Utah where we have been in the 70's the past 5 days.

Great photos! Looks like you are having fun...and...let's see if it is still in my vocabulary--WAAARRRMMMMM...let's try another one: Shooorrt Sleeveee Shiiiirrrrttsss. Wow, I guess I remember more than I thought I did!

I am not going to be able to go to Door Cty, but would love to get a set of the range lights. I love those unique styles of ranges. As they are little light sized and priced, they would go great with my collection! How can I order the overstock?

Thanks!

Great Photo's looks like it was a grand time!

Chuck

Unable to make it out to the festival, but I am hoping to hear how to go about getting a set of the lights. I will definitely try to get a set, so if anyone has any info on how to go about it please let me and others know.

Bert

Bert & Greg.. just keep checking these Forums. You'll find out here for sure.

Aaahh...Wacko treatment! Makes me glad to wear the badge!

The following is a link to the Post-Regional Bus Trip to Cape Canaveral and Ponce Lighthouses..

Post Regional Trip Images

Hi Y'all! We survived the regional, traveled south down the east coast, climbed several more lighthouses, and are now on the gulf side of Florida and on the way to the pan handle. The weather is beautiful, warm, and sunny. We made it to the beach today, yes broke out the swimsuits!

Suzanne and Pam (aka Thelma and Louise) on the road.

Suzanne & Pam,

Watch out for Brad Pitt- he's nothing but trouble for Thelma & louise.

Esther & I had a great time at all of the events in St Augustine this past week. We only got to one Lighthouse after sunday- the Mt Dora Lighthouse.

It's on Lake Dora in Lake County Florida. It's a real aid to navigation- it leads boats into the marina at the Port of Mt Dora.

I kid you not.

Here's a link to a description of a miniature by another company-

http://www.galvestontexas.com/admiralty/list2.html

Dennis

The Bailey's Harbor range light set can be pre-ordered from AMO Gallery in Sturgeon Bay, WI, 920-743-2259.

Robert

Talked to the store a few minutes ago. They have now sold over half their allotment. Limiting orders to two per person and will cut that back to one per person soon.

They are the only retailer that will receive any of these.

Thank you Robert,

Just got off the phone with Laurie and got my order in. Thanks so much for the heads up on this one. Laurie, the person I spoke to said the phone has been ringing off the hook since you posted this.

Thanks,

Bert

I hope you got your order in too, John. I'm sure you did. Isn't this just the greatest site in the world.

I'll be smiling for a week.

Bert

Dave,

A little late on that command- about 80% of the posts aren't on topic at this point.



Dennis