Little River Light’s “Weekend Warriors” are Honored with ALF Volunteer Awards

The “Weekend Warriors”- Anne Jameson, Glenn Jameson, Roy Beck, Karen Beck, Leah Russell, Juan Andreu and K C Andreu of ALF’s Friends of Little River Lighthouse, were honored with ALF Len Hadley Volunteer Awards during the American Lighthouse Foundation’s annual Lighthouse Gala, which was held at the Nonantum Resort in Kennebunkport, Maine, on April 28, 2019.

Little River Light Station is a Downeast Maine gem that boasts a popular overnight stay program, but if not for dedicated volunteers, the offshore station’s alluring beauty and adaptive reuse would quickly lose its luster. Few people are aware of the daunting work that must be carried out regularly to keep Little River Island and its historic buildings ship-shape each season. The challenges are compounded by big tides and weather’s unpredictability along the Bay of Fundy.

There is no such thing as simply “opening the doors” for a new season…and the same goes for season’s end when it’s time to button-up the station and batten down the hatches ahead of a long winter. If the tasks are not carried out with care and effectiveness, the island and station buildings would suffer.

Typically with any lighthouse project, it is usually one or two individuals that shine brightest each year when it comes to exceptional volunteerism, but in the case of Little River this year, it is a group of seven.

Simply put, there was no way to recognize one without honoring all – for the “Weekend Warriors” as they are so affectionately dubbed, are a team through and through. They travel to Maine together and work on Little River Island together – and thus they make a meaningful difference together for the American Lighthouse Foundation. And lest I forget to mention…they also have a ton of fun together with our caretaker Terry Rowden as they make good things happen on the island. The way it should be!

The tasks and projects the “Weekend Warriors” accomplish at Little River are as varied as the skills that Anne, Glenn, Roy, Karen, Leah, Juan and KC bring to the table.

This intrepid group has scraped, primed and painted the station’s 1881 boathouse, while adding a strengthening collar tie to the split tie in the boathouse. They have also carried out painting tasks on the interior of the keeper’s house and hung new curtain rods, hardware and curtains in the living room of the dwelling.

The “Weekend Warriors” have also built a safe fire pit for guests’ night camp fires, inspected and cleared trails along the 15-acre island and cleaned up the beaches each work weekend.

Yet as awesome as their many seasonal contributions are, the beginning and end of season efforts put forth by the “Weekend Warriors” garner even greater appreciation. For this vital work is hard, dirty and devoid of all glamour. Without it though, the project could simply not function properly nor be protected from the ravages of winter.

During spring, the “Weekend Warriors” clear downed trees and clean-up wooded areas along the half-mile walkway, including the picnic area and around the oil house. They also help with turning on the water, removing storm windows and spring-cleaning the keeper’s house and lighthouse.

Come fall, the group helps caretaker Terry Rowden with re-installing the storm windows, draining the water pipes, cleaning the water carbon filters and securing things like the picnic tables, lawn equipment and the overall securing of the lighthouse, keeper’s house, oil house and boathouse.

We are pleased to honor the “Weekend Warriors” – Anne Jameson, Glenn Jameson, Roy Beck, Karen Beck, Leah Russell, Juan Andreu and K C Andreu, with 2019 Len Hadley Volunteer Awards!