Those of you who were at the Portsmouth Regional will remember that I announced a goal of raising $5,000 to have one of the Thomas Point MD Lighthouse Screwpile legs permanently named after Bill Younger. With funds collected at the dinner that evening, on Dave's bus tour and from the Sea Pines "Thumbnail" sales, the fund is now very close to $2,500.

I've designed another fund-raiser which will take place at the Regional Event in Portland MAINE! and which could help us almost complete the project at the dinner -- if you spread the word among your collector friends.

This fund-raiser is a CF project, not affiliated with Harbour Lights.

A special "bookplate" has been designed for the Official Collectors Guide to Harbour Lights. This sticker is approximately 4 x 5" and has a peel-off back to reveal a permanent adhesive. It is printed in four color using the design elements and typography of the Guide.



There is room on the bookplate for your name to be hand-lettered in a box labeled "This Collectors Guide Belongs To:" and there is room for individual signatures by Bill, Paul and myself. The bookplate can go on the back of the front cover (which is blank).

We are asking for a donation of $5 for the bookplate with 100% of the sales going to the Thomas Point Screwpile project. These are not numbered and while the supply is not limited, only about 400 will be available at the event. This may be the ONLY time that all three of us will be together to sign the bookplates.

We are not taking advance orders; however, you may want to talk with members of your Harbour Lights/Lighthouse Clubs and find out how many individuals would like you to purchase one for them at the Regional Event.

Any not sold at the Regional will be signed and offered online through the Collector Forums after the event.

While we are hoping there will be a small supply of the Collectors Guides at the event, it is still uncertain. I am awaiting a second proof book which I hope will arrive Thursday from China. Don Devine has requested that a small quantity be air-shipped in, but whether these make it or not will depend on just when production actually begins. The balance of the order will ship by land and sea and will take from 20-45 days to arrive in West Kennebunk.

A Portland Harbour Lights dealer will have the Regional Event Exclusive Admiralty Head WA available to purchase at the Portland event.

If the quantity of Collectors Guides do arrive in time, that same dealer will be the one selling them at $39.95.

Even if you choose to delay your purchase of the Collectors Guide, you can still purchase and have one of these bookplates signed at the event.

WOW! That is a great idea John! I know I'll buy it.

This is a terrific idea. Several CF members had commented that they will get the Guide from their dealer but didn't know how they would ever get it signed. This allows for the dealers to sell the Guide to their regular customers and gives the collectors the opportunity to have it signed. Plus, all benefits go to the Thomas Point Screwpile for Bill Younger Fundraiser! It's a win-win-win solution. Very cool!

I guess I'd better practice writing my signature, so if I get any requests...

Of course I do get plenty of practice at the end of every month, I guess I will just act like I am paying the bills!!

Paul,

If you wish, I'll bring my bills with me to Portland. Then you can get more practice.

bobo

Great idea John, but did I miss something?

John,

Since I'll be purchasing 2 books at the Regional, I intend to purchase 2 of the stickers.

bobo

Thanks JJ for catching that. I've fixed it in my original post.

I guess I will need to re-route my GPS from Oregon to back to Maine...

John,

At least you managed to stay in the United States.

bobo

Back to the original bookplates... I sincerely hope that the sale of the bookplates will raise the rest of the screwpile naming funds needed..

I can't think of a better way of honoring Bill Younger and the man deserves to be honored for everything he has done for lighthouse restoration...

What organization is getting the $5,000 and how will the screwpile be recognized as being dedicated to Bill Younger? Will the money go right to the Thomas Point Lighthouse? Sorry if I missed it.

Sean

Great Idea!

The funds will go directly to Thomas Point Lighthouse. If you want to pay for your bookplate at the regional by check, you can make it out to "USLHS/Thomas Point Lighthouse". Otherwise, we'll convert cash to one payment. I'm paying for the cost of the supplies and printing from my pocket.

The funds raised so far have already been paid to the organization. They are giving us a break on the donation for the Screwpile Naming rights. It is normally $10,000. Henry Gonzales said it would be $5,000 for Bill Younger's "just because he's Bill and has done so much for lighthouse preservation."

I understand they are working on an interpretive center on shore and there will be signage there recognizing the donors and their categories. Once the lighthouse is open for touring, there will be signage inside the lighthouse about the donors. There will not be a sign on the screwpile itself. (Not historically accurate )

Anyone who would like to make a donation directly to the project and have it count towards our goal of recognizing Bill Younger through this permanent recognition can do so. Visit www.thomaspoint.org. Just specify you are making a donation for the "Bill Younger Screwpile"

Thanks for the detail's John!

Great idea John. Count me in for one.
Hope I can get the book at the regional.
HCS