ALF President Nick Korstad welcomed attendees to the 2025 Gala Awards dinner held at the Nonantum Resort.
(Photo by Dominic Trapani)
On May 4, 2025, the American Lighthouse Foundation held our annual gala at the Nonantum Resort in Kennebunkport, Maine, to honor a group of extraordinary people who have gone above and beyond for our organization.
Gala attendees, who filled the Nonantum Resort ballroom on this special day, learned firsthand of each awardee’s passion and dedication to the mission of the American Lighthouse Foundation. Their stories were nothing short of amazing!
We call these individuals “difference makers” – volunteers who have made a significant impact on various aspects of what we do, from lighthouse maintenance/preservation and educational programs to island caretaking and tackling climate threats facing light stations today.
Recipients of the American Lighthouse Foundation’s Len Hadley Volunteer Award were:
Sue Bergherr, Friends of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
Charles Gruetzner, Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse
Norm Labbe, Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse
Bob Martin, Cape Cod Chapter
Marci Martin, Cape Cod Chapter
Ed Stevenson, Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses (special remembrance)
Recipients of the American Lighthouse Foundation’s Keeper of the Light Award were:
Gary Childs, Cape Cod Chapter
Cynthia Rowden, Little River Lighthouse
Terry Rowden, Little River Lighthouse
Recipients of the American Lighthouse Foundation’s Distinguished Community Service Award were:
BOSN Patrick R. Brown, United States Coast Guard
Ford Reiche, ALF Storm & Mitigation Response Team
Andrew Sachs, ALF Storm & Mitigation Response Team
ALF 1st Vice-President Judianne Point served as the Gala Awards dinner Mistress of Ceremonies.
(Photo by Dominic Trapani)
Judianne Point, 1st Vice-President of the American Lighthouse Foundation, presided over the gala event as the Mistress of Ceremonies, with assistance from Nick Korstad, President of the American Lighthouse Foundation.
ALF Executive Director Bob Trapani, Jr. presented Lights in the Storm, which focused on how severe storms, flooding and rising sea levels are now threatening lighthouses, including ALF light stations such as: Little River, Pomham Rocks, Portsmouth Harbor, Race Point and Wood Island.
Following Lights in a Storm, Trapani was joined by fellow American Lighthouse Foundation Storm & Mitigation Response Team members Nick Korstad, David Pomerantz, Ford Reiche and Andrew Sachs, who collectively answered questions from gala attendees on the topics of climate change and resiliency.
The Gala was a wonderful way to kick-off the 2025 spring/summer season for ALF and its chapters. In the months ahead, American Lighthouse Foundation volunteers will be carrying out new preservation efforts at our lights, leading tours, hosting overnight stays, teaching others about lighthouse history, working to make light stations more resilient and raising funds to sustain all of these inspiring efforts.
A good contingent from the Cape Cod Chapter of ALF was on hand at the Gala Awards dinner to honor three of their own: Bob Martin, Marci Martin and Gary Childs
(Photo by Dominic Trapani)
Congratulations to each award recipient – job well done! And a big shout-out to all ALF volunteers – over 300 of you. We shine bright as an organization thanks to everyone who gives of their time, talent and treasure!
A very special thank you goes out to the ALF Gala Committee – Ann-Marie Trapani, Dominic Trapani and Judianne Point, as well as to Gary Point and Alex Dias of the Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse, for their invaluable event efforts.
Members of the ALF Storm & Mitigation Response Team answered attendee questions following the program, “Lights in the Storm.” Team members also spoke on the importance of making lighthouses more resilient in the face of our changing climate. (L to R) Bob Trapani, Jr., David Pomerantz, Ford Reiche, Nick Korstad and Andrew Sachs. (Photo by Dominic Trapani)
The American Lighthouse Foundation wishes to sincerely thank the following Gala sponsors:
The Nonantum Resort
Friends of Little River Lighthouse – Gold Sponsor
Friends of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse – Gold Sponsor
Cape Cod Chapter of ALF – Silver Sponsor
Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse – Silver Sponsor
Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse – Silver Sponsor
The American Lighthouse Foundation also wishes to express our appreciation for the Gala Silent Auction and Door Prize donors:
Anonymous Donors
Alan Claude
Cape Cod Chapter of ALF
Jeremy D’Entremont
Farnsworth Art Museum
Friends of Little River Lighthouse
Friends of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse
Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse
Moments in Maine
Next-Tide Clocks
Nina-Marie Design
Dominic Trapani Photography
The 2025 American Lighthouse Foundation Gala Awards dinner was a fun and memorable event. Thank YOU to all who attended the gala, sponsored the event and/or donated items to the silent auction! (Photo by Dominic Trapani)
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