Last year was the first year that NELL sponsored a tour of lighthouses in the middle of winter. It was called "Lighthouses, Hot Chocolate & YOU!" and was organized by Doug Bingham from the American Lighthouse Foundation (ALF).

We visited Scituate Lighthouse, toured the original granite lanternroom of Minot's Ledge lighthouse as well as the Irish Mossing & Marine Museum. The money raised went to the Scituate Historical Society toward the publishing of their lighthouse tour guide book, which raised more than double what the cost was to produce the book. The money raised from the book sales is helping to preserve the lighthouse for many generations to come.

It was such a success that we are planning the second annual winter event, "Lighthouses, Hot Chocolate & YOU! 2002". This time plans are being made for this event to take place in Rhode Island in late January 2002. It is being organized again by Doug Bingham (ALF/NELL) who does a super job.

Please, stay tuned for the upcoming announcement which will include all of the details you will need to be a part of this event.

Whoever said that you can't do lighthousing in winter?

"Keeping The Flame Alive in New England"
Ron

Winter is a great time to visit lighthouses! It certainly eliminates crowds. You usually have a crisp blue sky for pictures.

I remember going out on the breakwater of Gloucester Harbor to shoot pics of East Point. The wind was howling at a mere 25-30 knots. The temp was about 20 degrees with a wind chill far below it. Waves were spreading their foam across the rocks of the breakwater forming ice in some places. It was so cold that I could only take a couple of pics before hustling back to the Jeep to warm the camera up and me too.

I really like traveling to lights in the off-season. There is always plenty of parking available and no one to get in your way while composing pictures. Hopefully, Lorna and I will be able to make this one.

Bob

Wow, has it been a year already? It seems like just yesterday that I met you and the rest of the crew at Scituate, Ron. Personally, I think stumbling across your group was one of the lighthousing highlights from my year, althouth you did try to freeze me up there in MA. You guys are a great bunch of lighthouse nuts. Can't wait to see you in January! And with a tour guide like Doug, how could one not want to go?

shirin

You are correct Bob, it does get cold this time of year in New England, it is a great time for picture-taking and, as Shirin so aptly put it, there will be "a great bunch of lighthouse nuts" to share the fun with.

The following link will take you to some photos of NELL's first "Lighthouses, Hot Chocolate and YOU!" in Cohasset & Scituate, MA.

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=968985&a=11236269&f=0

Stay tuned for the details of this years "Lighthouses, Hot Chocolate & YOU! 2002" in RI. We hope you will bundle up and join us while raising funds to preserve our beautiful historic lighthouses.

Ron
(CT Keeper)


[This message has been edited by RFoster (edited 11-15-2001).]

Although last year we all nearly froze to death, Chuck & I are certainly looking forward to this years trip & the joy of being with such a great group of friends. Hope to see you all there.
Penny

Ron, looking at those pics in the above link, I can only imagine what the keepers went through in the cold weather. Thanks for sharing the photos.
terry

Plans are coming together. Think yacht club, castle, goat & beaver. This along with hot chocolate, warm cider and cookies.

Stay Tuned!!

Ron
(CT Keeper)

Looks like we may be retracing part of the 1998 Reunion Tour! One of the nice things about Rhode Island Lights are there close proximity to each other, and their easy access.

Bob

Those wouldn't happen to be lighthouse cookies now would they Ron?


shirin

As a matter of fact Shirin, I was going to call you to see if you would like to make some of those delicious lemon cookies with chocolate frosting (in the shape of lighthouses).

I ate some of these cookies at a meeting of the USLHS Long Island Chapter (when Bill Younger was the Guest Speaker). They are delicious. If Shirin attends one of your events make sure she brings some of these along to share.

Ron
(CT Keeper)

Thanks for the compliments Ron. Hopefully I will be able to attend the event. January is filling up so quickly! If I do make it I will be sure and bring some of those lighthouse cookies.

shirin

Any dates yet? Like Shirin, the calendar is quite packed but I've only been to one RI lighthouse so far. Would love to join you!!

Carol, it looks like it will be January 26th. I should have all of the details soon. Thanks for inquiring and I look forward to you joining us.

"Keeping The Flame Alive in New England"
Ron

Hey, that sounds like a good weekend so far. Hopefully it sticks.

shirin

Well, Ron and Doug did a super job of planning this event! Everyone had such a great time at the lights.
I'll post more info regarding the trip and pictures after I get my pictures back tomorrow.
Until then, here is a picture I just received from Elinor DeWire. Elinor and I are placing flags at Ida Lewis' gravesite.


shirin


[This message has been edited by sweetpshirin (edited 01-27-2002).]

It was a beautiful day for lighthousing and we were able to climb the towers of all of the lighthouses that we visited (those that had towers or weren't on an island like Dutch Island). We started at Ida Lewis Yacht Club (Lime Rock Lighthouse - No Tower), then on to Castle Hill Light, Goat Island, and Beavertail Light in Jamestown, RI.

Above was a picture of the happy (yet tired) group of lighthouse lovers at our last stop, Beavertail. I'm working on getting the image back.

"Keeping The Flame Alive in New England"
Ron

[This message has been edited by RFoster (edited 02-01-2002).]

We had a GREAT time in RI. The weather was fantastic. Thank you Ron for all of your hard work in putting this weekend together. The trip to the cemetery to visit Ida Lewis' plot for a dedication was very touching. All those cars at the cemetery with the American Flags on them was great to see.

Lisa and Augie
NELL Members

Here are a couple of photos to get started with.

The first is Goat Island. I arrived 2 hours before the group was to meet near the Ida Lewis Lighthouse so I hit this light to pass the time. Plus, it was a nice little walk from the Visitors center to the area where you could view the light. It was a bit chilly with the gusty winds but what else was I going to do at 8 in the morning?



The next light we visited was the Ida Lewis Light. My pictures aren't so great so hopefully someone else will post a shot of the light.

The third light we hit was Castle Hill. Think I found a new one to add to my favorites list.



The fourth and final offically visited light was Beavertail. Still have the pics from this light on the camera.

The final light was Dutch Island. We could only view this light unlike the rest which we got to go into. Again, pics on the camera.

Many of us finished the day at a local restaraunt before heading home.

shirin


[This message has been edited by sweetpshirin (edited 01-28-2002).]