How did you first LEARN about Harbour Lights?

Since I posted as other, I thought I would explain. I visited Newington, New Hampshire to visit my daughter. AT the hotel, they had one of those magazines that describe area events. I found the listing for Lighthouse Depot and visited. At the Depot, I realized that I had seen Harbour Lights pieces at other places (such as the Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut. I also realized that I had often thought of starting a collection. This was back in May. I now have about 55 pieces including 11 of the original 17. Addicted

While on the way to the grocery store we saw a sign at a collectible store for a signing event with someone named "Bill Younger" for something called "Harbour Lights". We went in to investigate. That was in July of 1996 and, well, the rest is history.

FALL - 1991:

Darrell and I flew from San Francisco to San Diego for a long weekend. His son, Jerry, knew I liked lighthouses and took us out to Point Loma. On the way back, we stopped off near Coronado to see the America's Cup berth and crew. Right down the street was a little shopping center with a gift shop. They had two lighthouse models, the ORIGINAL Hatteras and Point Loma. Having been to Hatteras several years earlier and loving it, I wanted to buy the piece. Darrell said "it'll be a hassle carrying in back on the plane; I'll find you one when we get back to San Francisco, and you won't have to worry about it breaking!" Well.....I listened to him! and that was the ONLY time I ever held the ORIGINAL Hatteras! (He did follow through and bought me the revised edition - as well as all of the other original 1991 pieces that fall!)...but NOW, if I see one I want, I buy it - and don't worry about transporting it home!
Anne

I hope everyone is voting in the poll.

Anne, OUCH!!! - That hurts!

We went to the Outer Banks in 1992 (was hooked on lighthouses after that) and shortly after, starting buying from a store at a local mall. The first non HL I bought was at Ponce Inlet (anyone remember that small trailer/gift shop?!?!) in 1991 and it was the ugly Spoontiques version.

After that, the rest is history ...

I think the new Voting Booth thread will be a good one. Two things should be remembered:

1. Make sure you cast your vote!

2. Don't be afraid to post a reply in the thread if you have something to say.

The interaction is what we are all here for.

Bob

I did vote. A friend at work told me Bill was going to be at Ingle Nooks at the Coliseum Mall in Newport News. Robert and I drove up there and after meeting Bill, we were hooked on Harbour Lights. So, it was his bubbly personality that told us Harbour Lights was the collection of lighthouse that we wanted to start.

Well, I chose one of the answers, but it's kinda funny what happened. While at the gift shop, the woman who was working was explaining the line to us. And she really made a pitch for one of the new LEs: Cape Canaveral. Needless to say, we decided NOT to buy! HLs had been in our minds for a while because my mom refused to get a replica of Whitefish Point until Harbour Lights came out with it. And they finally did...about 40 pieces into my collection!

I read an article in the local newspaper about a lighthouse auction being conducted on Cape Cod in February 1998. Having no life on the Cape in the winter, I went and discovered retired Harbour Lights pieces at auction conducted by a large local dealer. I admired them and "won" Split Rock. As a result, I've been broke ever since!!

I bought Cape Meares for a family member and that was all it took for me. We used to say on chat nights there is something Bill puts in the boxes....that same family member that "made" me buy 53 Harbour Lights lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, home of one of the biggest balloon festivals in the world. She never misses the October festival. Guess what she's going to be receiving for gifts!

We were redecorating some rooms in the house and needed some lighthouses. Shopping around and seeing the different brands, it was no contest. I have been in love with lighthouses and HarbourLights ever since.

It was 1993 (I think) and we had vacationed in Florida. While there we visited St. Augustine lighthouse and I climbed the tower while MJ stayed in the car and waved to me when I reached the top.

After our return home we were shopping in a collectibles store in New London, CT and happened upon a Harbour Lights display. St. Augustine was among them and we fell in love with it and purchased it. We had no idea that it would be the beginning of a wonderful journey of visiting other lighthouses and purchasing the entire Harbour Lights collection.

We have become involved with lighthouse preservation and met some great people along the way and we credit Harbour Lights for lighting our flame.

Ron & MJ
(CT Keepers)

I was walking through a mall near Richmond, Virginia, in January, 1992. A friend, who was with me at the time padded me on the shoulder and told me to look in the window of a local jewery store, there. There stood a glass rotating case with a number of HL's in it. I went in and purchased CH102 and #118 immediately. Up to that point, I had been collecting the Danbury Mint series.

Fifty-two users have participated in this poll. We also have some great replies listed.

Those of you that haven't voted yet, please do! The more votes, the better!

Feel free to leave a reply at any time even if you have already voted.

Bob

My daughter started working for a dealer. I held out for three months before I caved. Now I am in hook, line and sinker. I have everyone in the family involved one way or another.

Chuck

Not sure what year it was but Larry and I went up to Holland, MI for a little romantic getaway. After visiting 'Big Red' we went into some of the little shops and met the sweetest old gentleman who told us all about Harbour Lights. We fell in love with them and well, 5 curio's later we are still in love... with HL as well as each other. Thanks HL!

I worked for a Harbour Lights dealer. After months of giving the sales pitch, I sold myself. I was impressed with the attention to detail and the lighthouse histories on the COAs.