Greetings Everyone,

Progress continues to roll on my first 2014 edition of “My Complete Guide For Harbour Lights Lighthouses”. I decided to make this a 6 Volume Edition which is included as 6 individual PDF Files. I realize that everyone may not want to save or print all 6 files so this will make it easier any way you want to go. I will also no longer be using a revision number to keep track of the volumes with this edition. I will now reference a publication date for this and all future editions.

Volume 1 will still contain lighthouse related documentation, Volume 2 will continue to include all Harbour Lights and associated lighthouse products, Volume 3 will still list variances for Harbour Lights products, Volume 4 will have past and current Secondary Market Prices relevant to Harbour Light’s many variances and non-variance lighthouses and Volume 5 will still deal with the “elusive” Seahorse locations. Volumes 1 thru 5 have had many updates and corrections so I would advise you to look them over completely to bring yourself up to date.

The new Volume 6 contained in this edition will contain personal stories of lighthouse related experiences, military humor and military jokes that were provided by both collectors and non-collectors. This volume would not have been possible without these collectors and non-collectors taking the time to write their articles and sending them to me to be included in this volume.
Harry Outen has again been a major factor for these revisions by proof reading, giving ideas, asking many more questions and providing specialized pictures for some of the individual volumes. More importantly, he has solved many problems that I do not have the expertise to solve along with finding errors and typos that were missed in earlier revisions.

I want to again ask your cooperation in not forwarding these PDF Files to anyone that you know that might be interested in them. All someone has to do is ask for the files with a simple email and I will send them a set of PDF Files for their use. There is no cost involved to them. By asking for the files with an email, it allows me to keep an accurate record of who receives them and this allows me to make sure all who asked get the latest volume updates as they are sent out 2-3 times a year.
I’m already working on a new volume for publication in late spring of 2014 that will include lighthouse pictures and histories of everyone’s favorite lighthouses that Harbour Lights has produced in a Limited Edition version. The volume will automatically include the original 17, Point Fermin and Big Bay Lighthouses for sure and will also include at a minimum at least 15 lighthouses that are Forum and non-forum members favorites. If you haven’t submitted your list of lighthouses to me by the time you receive the set of PDF Files with this email, please do so that you can be included in the top 15 lighthouses being chosen.

I hope everyone will enjoy the 6 Volume ”My Complete Guide For Harbour Lights Lighthouses” and will continue to give me feedback on what you they would like to see in future revisions.
Rich (“flacoastie”) on the Forums.

Also, if by some chance you did not receive the new set of 6 PDF Files even though you were on the mailing list, please contact me at flacoastie@embarqmail.com to get this set. There were approximately 5 people that were kicked back due to email addresses not being valid.

I'm starting to work on my 2nd issue for 2014 of ”My Complete Guide For Harbour Lights Lighthouses” which I'm planning on putting out approximately May 15th 2014.

I have some new collector's stories and lighthouse humor planned for Volume 6 for this edition, but, I can always use additional stories.

I have continued to make addition and corrections to the 6 previous volumes and hope to have an article from Daniel (if he has time) that will outline the top 10 (or maybe more depending on Daniel's timeframe) selling lighthouses on EBay from the beginning of Harbour Lights until now. This will be a cumulative history of these lighthouses (and not just during the past month as he used to furnish to us on the Forums monthly) and what they sold for with Daniel's thoughts added in.

I have 3 additional volumes planned for the May issue that includes histories on the "original 17" lighthouses, the "First in a Series" lighthouses and finally the "Collector's Favorites" 20 lighthouses. In all there will be a total of 9 Volumes.

The one volume that I am still trying to get is Bill's stories on how the "original 17" lighthouses came to be but I've had no luck so far.

If you have some interesting articles, news and/or items that you want to add or correct please let me know.

Things are going well on the new 9 Volume Edition of “My Collectors Guide For Harbour Lights Lighthouses” that scheduled for May 2014. I have gotten several new stories promised by collectors and some new military humor for Volume 6. I’ve added to the other 5 volumes and made corrections that I have found and the 3 new volumes are basically completed. What I’m hoping to do is get enough collector lighthouse stories to make volume 6 a stand-alone volume and move the military humor from volume 6 and make a new volume for the military humor.

This is where I need your help. I need at least 5 more stories from collectors to make the volume 6 a separate volume and I need quite a bit more military humor to make a complete volume. I have had good response from the collectors with their stories, but, surely there are at least 5 more collectors out there that can furnish me their stories on their collections, trips, etc. The military humor has basically been leaning towards the Coast Guard and Navy because I have not had any input from the “flyboys”, ”ground pounders” and “jarheads” out there. If you have read the humor section of volume 6 you will know what type of humor I’m looking for and I know that those branches of service had to have some. I can’t do this without your help!

These volumes are being done for the collectors to enjoy and hopefully will be around for many years to come and maybe will encourage new collectors to become interested in Harbour Lights. There is still plenty of time to write something up on how you started with Harbour Lights or to give me a write-up on your branch of service. The humor write-ups can come from your military retirement magazines, a story/joke from one of your internet organizations or from your memories. Remember to keep it on the clean side! The cutoff date is April 15th for these stories or articles. If you are willing to furnish me a story or article then please respond to me with an email telling me you will do it and what you will be furnishing. Also try and give me the approximate date that you think you can have it to me.

Thank you all in advance.

I'm a little bit disappointed in that I have only heard from one collector about giving me their lighthouse story and NO ADDITIONAL COLLECTORS from other military branches, except the Coast Guard and Navy, with any military humor.

Surely there is someone out there reading this post that can be of some help. You DO NOT HAVE TO BE A FORUM MEMBER to provide input, just a lover of Harbour Lights or a military veteran that loves humor and has a story to tell.

My email is flacoastie@embarqmail.com if you have some to contribute or want to ask a question.

Rich,

Wow! That was a fast response. Thanks for your " My Complete List for Harbour Lights Light houses".

As regards my lighthouse experiences, they are not extensive. My interests are primarily academic, I.e. among other things, the impact the willingness of individuals to endure loneliness and hardship had on the Industrial Revolution in the U.S. Without their sacrifices, of course, the flow of raw materials and finished goods to and from the New World would have been severely hampered. I am continuously amazed at how few people seem to be aware of the contribution Lighthouse Keepers as an extremely small population subset made to the growth of our country. Of course that may be more a product of my own limited exposure to more "lighthouse aware" people than a general lack of appreciation.

In any case, I will make a best effort to solicit stories and information and sift through my own memories of actual lighthouse visits (at three score and ten years, this sifting of memories is no minor undertaking). Unfortunately it is extremely difficult to predict the outcome of such efforts, let alone apply a time table to them. I can assure you that it will be an ongoing process. I assume that your "My Complete List . . . " will undergo continuous updating. Whenever I am able to locate something of possible interest, I will forward it to you!

Again many thanks for your Guide and related efforts. When I run into someone who would likely share an interest in it (I have someone in mind now), I will, of course, refer them directly to you.

BobT

Thanks Bob. Kind words are always appreciated. I plan on continuing to update my volumes at least 2 times a year and possibly 3 times if I have new material to add.