posted 05-08-2002 05:19 PM            

They way it works is basically like this-

There are two types of Post Card Exchanges
1. In Envelope- the card is sent in anenvelope so as to keep from writing on the card and hopefully keep it in better shape as it goes through the mail system.

Often people will add little goodies- like a short history of the light or a visit they made to that light, etc.

2. Non envelope- this way the card is sent by itself and the message is written on the card and it is processed through the system, sometimes coming to you damaged.

The exchanges themselves are set up usually by one of the Cruise directors and they do this by putting up a message that they are starting Postcard Exchange # 12 (for example.

They will state if they are doing a Envelope or non envelope exchange and they will limit to the first 25 people who respond that they are interested in participating.

Once they get all the people they gather their mailing address and sent it formatted to a label program (usually Avery) and those who are participating will send out 26 postcards. they go to the other 24 people in the Exchange and also one is sent to Bill Younger at Harbour Lights (he does not usually send any back) and one is sent to Connie Small a lady who is known as The Lighthouse Lady. She lived at a number of Lighthouses with her husband who was a Keeper. She also has given literally hundred's of talks to groups over the years on Lighthouses

The Exchange is usually set to commence on a specific date and you then have a specific amount of time to send your cards out- say from April 1 until July 31.

And that about covers it. You just sit back and wait for the cards to come rolling in from the others.

posted 05-09-2002 11:25 PM            

Thank you for covering this reply. You did an excellent job!

Werner,

We have had exchanges for the past several years. There have been many very interesting cards exchanged, with surprisingly few duplicates. I think I am going to start a "quick and dirty" very small exchange to be run over just 30 days... will save you a spot if you want to join in, but you will have to respond fairly quickly.