(L to R) ALF executive director Bob Trapani, Jr. and FRBL chairman Eric Davis secure a cart load of items at Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, which were being brought back to land for the winter (Photo by Ann-Marie Trapani)
The winds of November were blowing strong and cold when volunteers from the Friends of Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse paid late season visits to Rockland Breakwater (Nov. 7) and Owls Head (Nov. 20) lights.
The goal was to gather up merchandise and other items that needed to be removed for the winter, carry out a few important weather stabilization projects and clean up the towers before volunteers closed the door on another successful year in 2010.
During the 2010 summer season, both Rockland Breakwater and Owls Head lighthouses welcomed 13,565 and 4,326 visitors respectively at each site – an achievement that burns bright for the projects in the areas of education, cultural contributions, preservation awareness and the spirit of volunteerism.
In all, nearly 40 volunteers from the Friends of Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse (FRBL) gave of their time and talents from Memorial Day to Columbus Day welcoming a total of 17,891 to the two lighthouses. Speaking of FRBL volunteers, a number of them were honored at a year-end volunteer awards gathering in Owls Head, which occurred during mid-November.
FRBL chairman Eric Davis works on cleaning the staircase inside Owls Head Lighthouse as part of season-closing activities at the site (Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.)
Rockland Breakwater and Owls Head lights were also the benefactors of much needed restoration in 2010, with over a combined $100,000 invested into preservation at the sites. In addition, a restored peapod, with U.S. Lighthouse Service connections, was placed inside the boathouse at Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse as new interpretive exhibit.
The Friends of Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse once again sponsored the Midcoast Maine Lighthouse Challenge this year – an event that continues to grow in appeal and attendance, participated in the second annual Maine Open Lighthouse Day and sponsored the annual “Light to Light” walk/run event.
So as the FRBL volunteers made sure that Rockland Breakwater and Owls Head lights were ready to weather a long, cold winter with their November close-up efforts, the warm memory of a great season just past will linger until volunteers open the lighthouses once again in spring 2011!
The Friends of Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse had nearly 40 volunteers give of their time and talents at Rockland Breakwater and Owls Head lights in 2010 (Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.)
FRBL carried out restoration projects on the granite pier and the light tower during the 2010 summer season (Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.)
J.B. Leslie Company performed the restoration on the light tower and granite pier in 2010 (Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.)
The Friends of Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, along with members of The Apprenticeshop, U.S. Coast Guard and the City of Rockland, participated in a ceremony at the lighthouse in August 2010 commemorating the restoration of a historic peapod boat (Photo by Ann-Marie Trapani)
Thanks to the efforts of the Friends of Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse volunteers, Rockland Breakwater Light was open to the public once again on weekends and special holidays from Memorial Day through Columbus Day in 2010 (Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.)
2010 FRBL volunteers (L to R) Sally Cran, Eric Davis, Colleen Richmon, Marilyn Trask and Brian Trask (Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.)
2010 FRBL volunteers (L to R) Tricia Dixon and Laura Davis make one of their many treks out the 7/8-mile long breakwater, often carrying supplies for the lighthouse (FRBL photo)
2010 FRBL volunteers Tim and Elaine Roberts working the cash register and greeting visitors inside Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse (Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.)
(L to R) Eric Davis and Bob Trapani, Jr. transport a cart load of lighthouse items across the breakwater and back to land for the winter (Photo by Ann-Marie Trapani)
Owls Head Lighthouse received much-needed restoration in 2010 thanks to a joint $248,000 project between the American Lighthouse Foundation and United States Coast Guard (Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.)
FRBL volunteers gathered at Owls Head Lighthouse in late-August 2010 for a ribbon-cutting that commemorated the completed restoration (Photo by Ann-Marie Trapani)
A view of the newly restored interior of Owls Head Lighthouse (Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.)
FRBL volunteer Ginger Allison served as the volunteer coordinator for Owls Head Lighthouse in 2010 (Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.)
FRBL volunteers Phelps and Sally Bristol volunteered many hours giving tours at Owls Head Lighthouse in 2010 (Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.)
FRBL volunteers Marla Rogers (in entryway) and Phelps Bristol (topside) conduct a group tour in October 2010 for the U.S. Lighthouse Society...one of many such tours at Owls Head Light this year (Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.)
The sun may have set on the 2010 season but the Friends of Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse are busy making plans to make the 2011 summer season at Rockland Breakwater and Owls Head lights the best yet! (Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.)
