I am making this post here to ensure everyone becomes aware of the poll now going on in the "Voting Booth" Forum. This poll will have a stop time of April 19th at 8 PM EDST. Links for the lighthouses being voted on are included in this post and also inside the poll. You must be a member to vote in this poll so register to become a member before it is too late.

Ashtabula Light - http://www.ashtabulalighthouse.com/

Execution Rocks - http://www.lighthouserestorations.org/

Fort Gratiot - http://phmuseum.org/events.html

Jones Point - http://jonespoint.garoux.net/jones_point_lighthouse.htm

New Canal - http://www.saveourlake.org/AlmarFnd.html

Toledo Harbor - http://www.toledoharborlighthouse.org/restoration.html


"As you may know, we will not be having Wacko Badges this year to help fund lighthouse restorations as we have had for the last several years. We are, however, going to conduct a “fundraiser” in the form of an opportunity drawing with 100% of the funds raised going to lighthouse preservation. Full details will be published when the opportunity drawing begins.

Roland Babineau came up with the fundraiser idea and is providing one of the prizes, plus he has volunteered to coordinate it. Since the effort would be on behalf of the Collector Forums, Roland asked for support from the forum members listed below.

Your committee is comprised of the following Forum members:
Roland Babineau – Fundraiser Coordinator
Paul Brady
John Chidester
Rich Felter
Dave Hannum
Daniel Kirsch

This will be a poll only to pick which lighthouse or lighthouses will be chosen to receive donations from our opportunity drawing. The winner(s) will be chosen by a popular vote from our members. The lighthouses below were nominated by your committee as needing our donations based on their current needs. A link to each light’s web page is included in the poll ".

Just want everyone to know that the entire committee is working very hard on an idea that is both exciting to members of these Forums and something that you'll be proud to be associated with, I think. Although we can't get into any specific details let me give you a hint.
This opportunity drawing will include one of the most..... On second thought, I can't tell you that.

Such a tease!

Definitely A Tease!
Oh...the agony of waiting.....

Just to add a bit of information to what Rich has posted so far, each member of the committee:

Paul Brady
John Chidester
Rich Felter
Dave Hannum
Daniel Kirsch

has personally donated a very interesting HL item to the collection of prizes to what Roland has donated. Plus so far at the time of this posting, Terry at the Bronze Lady in Orlando, FL has joined Roland as another dealer contributing HL lighthouses to the collection of prizes for the opportunity drawing.

It is hoped by all in the committee that this will more than makeup for no Wacko Badge this year in raising funds, for lighthouse restoration by the Forums!!

Paul, were you trying to help...or just add to the pain? :p

Yes!

I would be willing to donate a lighthouse or two to add the the collection of prizes for the opportunity drawing. Just let me know to when and where to send them to. Thanks Hal

Hey, Hal it's good to see you on the forums, Sue and I will be over in your neighborhood in July. We are planning a few days around the Chesapeake Bay re-visiting some lighthouses. I want to also get out to Assateague Island, we have been trying to get back to the light and the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge for a few years.

I think we are pretty set on the prizes this time but thanks a bunch for the offer. We have compiled quite a list of interesting items and hopefully we can raise enough to help in the restoration of lighthouses. Depending on how this drawing goes, we may just do it again in the future and take you up on your generous offer, Hal..

Assateague was in the middle of her face lift when my sister and I were there in Aug. 07 photos of the finished work would be nice. She looked mutch like a lady with her hair in a hair net withthe construction net around her gallery and its supports.

Paul
I tried to e-mail you and it would not go through. Did you change your e-mail address?
Hal

wackopaul.8@bvimpact.com or just click on the little envelope with the stamp to the right of the sunglasses just above this post...

I was just thinking that with the lack of enthusiasm out there for guessing what the prizes are, with clues out there for 2 of the lighthouses, maybe we shouldn't tell what the grand prize is. The grand prize is one of the 2 lighthouses that I gave you clues to in the General Forum.

Rich,

It's not a lack of enthusiasm. Maybe folks (like me) are just willing to wait until the Opportunity drawing kicks off and a list is posted to find out. I'm sure that whatever the prizes are they will be GREAT!

Definitely a lack of enthusiasm.

I can't speak for others, I just don't know enough to guess. I am looking forward to the list being posted. I also enjoy the guesses and can learn something at times.