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Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse
PO Box 26, Biddeford Pool, ME 04006
Bill Edmunds photographer
in this issue:
- From Newsletter Staff
- From Executive Committee
- Who is this?
- ALF Director Trapani
- Artist Mim Kennedy and shipwreck on Wood Island
- Boat Ramp repairs
- Donations by artists Iona Desmond and Richard Levy
WHO IS THIS?
Keeper Laurier Burnham 1959-62
(last month's picture was of
Keeper Jerry Murray 1973-76)
From the Newsletter Staff
With this issue, we are saying goodbye until the Fall. We planned to have 6 issues during the year. Four issues in the Spring and early Summer because so much is happening. One issue in the Fall to wrap up Summer and One issue in the Winter to keep you posted on progress.
From the Executive Committee
The Executive
Committee has targeted the Lighthouse Tower as the prime area for the
first restoration efforts. The tower has immediate needs both inside and
out, to insure the safety of our visitors as well as longevity of the
Tower's life. It has been disappointing not to be able to allow
visitors to ascend the tower due to the lack of handrails. Money is being
raised right now and the Maine Historic Preservation folks will soon be
giving us guidance as to how to accomplish the
improvements necessary. We are happy to report that summer island tours
are underway. Our very first visitor was a descendent of Keeper
Edwin Tarbox 1865-1872. (For tour information click here on TOURS.)
The Fresh Paint Committee has a great Fresh Paint Day and Auction Planned!!!
If you haven't already, make your reservations now by calling
Sandy Wolcott at 284-9807.
Bob Trapani,
new Director of the American Lighthouse Foundation comes to speak with the Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse at their June General Meeting. He reminded us of the importance of educating people about Light Houses and their preservation and was encouraging about the future of fundraising for these purposes. Tim Harrison, still a main force and inspiration attended as well and both took a tour of the lighthouse aboard Light Runner after the meeting.
Bob mentioned that the Museum of Lighthouse History will be celebrating it's Grand re-opening on August 7 at 11:00 am. and all FOWIL members are invited to attend. This museum has been a great source of information for the FOWIL History Group.
Mim Kennedy,
a Biddeford Pool artist who works in Mexico in the Winter, found a photo of the Wood Island Lighthouse while in Mexico! The photo was taken by B.A. King, the only photo that he took of Wood Island while visiting Maine doing his own photographic art work. The shipwreck in the foreground has been on the island for several years and is slowly being destroyed by the seas. The Lighthouse appears in the background of this beautiful watercolor. The ship was built in 1988, according to the inscription on the bow. Ms. Kennedy has very graciously offered her painting for auction at Fresh Paint Day, the proceeds of which will go to prevent the Lighthouse from having the same fate as this beautifully hand crafted wooden boat.
Mim Kennedy at the Saco Art Fair - 2005
Notice the grounded ship and the Lighthouse.
Photo from which she did her painting.
See the shipwreck below
Work Party really worked hard!
18 people showed up to start replacing the boards in the lower boat ramp and repairing the flag pole.
Hats off to these folks!!
51 boards need replacing and 21 have been completed. Sean Murphy will announce when the next work party will take place.
The shipwreck as it appeared in the summer 2004.
The shipwreck as it appeared last week.
Shipwreck Map
by artist Iona Desmond
22"x28"
Iona has donated this artwork for aution at Fresh Paint Day. What could be better than a painting of shipwrecks in the Wood Island area by a descendent of a Wood Island Lighthouse Keeper appointed by President Lincoln and who was a decorated hero as well!
Original Hooked Rug
by
Biddeford Pool/Albuquerque, New Mexico artist Richard Levy
You would have to go to a gallery to see the original but you can have a beautiful postcard or notecard of this wonderful artistic image of Wood Island Lighthouse.
All have been entirely donated to FOWIL for sale - the proceeds will go to help in the restoration efforts and will help create a secure future for this great island Lighthouse. They will be on sale at the Fresh Paint Auction. If anyone can help in the sale of these items and others please notify Sheri@woodislandlighthouse.org
Web Team: Sean Murphy, Bill Edmunds and Sheri Poftak
Newsletter Team: Sheri Poftak, Bill Edmunds and contributors
The Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse
is a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation. It was formed in the Spring of 2003 specifically to preserve and restore the Wood Island Light Station. Please visit our website for information.