The US postman brought a treat today when he delivered the Feb. 2003 Land's End Catalogue. Smack dab on the front is a photo of Portland Head Lighthouse, but if you get one, you'll do a what is this, question.

There is a two page article that covers page 32 and photos that cover page 33. "SOS America's lighthouses need your help." is the article title and a very good one it is. Tim Harrison makes a plea for help with preservation and tells the millions of Land's End customers what they can do to help.

A blue area tells about the virtual stripes that were added as creative liberty. There is a promise from the company to make a very real difference for lighthouses around the country by contributing to the American Lighthouse Foundation. Then they invite everyone to see how they can help by visiting lighthousefoundation.org.

The lighthouses shown are Pemaquid Point, Little River, Portsmouth Harbor, Newport Harbor, Prospect harbor and Race Point. A photo of Tim and volunteers is also in the issue.

Don't know about you, but I think this publicity for "our" cause is terrific.
Derith

I received the catalog and was very surprised to see Portland Head with horizontal stripes. It was a good ploy to get you to look inside for the rest of the story.

Bob

I also was a bit surprised when the new Lands End Catalog arrived. I had heard about it at work from a friend, Dave, who used to live in Portland, Maine and knew about my love of lighthouses.

Dave said that the folks up north were talking about it and that there were even articles in the local newspapers about the "stripes" on their beautiful lighthouse. How could this be?

One thing is for sure, it has brought attention to lighthouses and to the mission of the American Lighthouse Foundation (ALF). Tim Harrison is a workaholic when it comes to saving lighthouses and getting others interested in same. My hat is off to Tim for his untiring efforts and to Lands End for becoming a corporate sponsor. Their recent $25,000 donation to ALF is hopefully the beginning of a wonderful relationship.

You have to love everyone who is trying to save our lighthouses.

New England Lighthouse Lovers
A Chapter of American Lighthouse Foundation
Ron
NELL President & CT Keeper

I don't really know much about this organization (ALF) so I went to the web site to check it out. Are they helping lighthouses outside of the New England States? What type of help are they providing to the New England Lights, are they distributing proceeds?

Nothing negative meant here, I simply don't know anything about them and would like to know more.

Thanks

Here is a story on the situation:

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030114/cgtu006_1.html

I thought this was a great catalog issue. I buy a lot from Land's End and thought it was nice they were donating to a worthy cause.

Thanks Bryan, that article seems to have answered my question above.

I got this and was first insulted that they put those stripes on Portland Head. But then when I read the story, I understood and think that it is great that they are aknowledge our lighthouses!!!