West Quoddy Head Light Keepers Association

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Summer 2004

Greetings to members and friends of the West Quoddy Head Light Keepers Association. Our Annual General Meeting was held on 22nd July, 2004 and the Officers for this coming year are:

President: Deane Hutchins

Vice President: Junia Lehman

Treasurer: Elizabeth Alley

Secretary: Diana Wilson

Outgoing president, Diana Wilson had these parting words, "The Visitor Center is having another banner year thanks to the 21 volunteers and our dedicated members. A special thank you, to each and every one of you. The Visitor Center success can only be achieved with your support and hard work. The success of the exhibits, the art gallery, the website, the membership and the number of visitors has surpassed our expectations. Our partnership with the State has strengthened and we continue to fulfill the Purpose of the Association. Thank you all, for allowing me to be your president this past year. It has been a wonderful experience to be involved in such a worthwhile organization. Our Association is always open to our visitors, friends and members, old and new. We look forward to seeing you and I know you will enjoy the hospitality extended to you by our volunteers at the Visitor Center."

Freshly painted tower
© H. B. Reed 10/03

Quoddy Head State Park
© Anna M. Kovacs 10/03

With the 2004 season well underway, our volunteers at the Center are enjoying the many travelers coming from far and wide. In the first seven weeks of operation, volunteers greeted and informed 6,433 visitors. They hailed from all of the 50 states, 6 of the Canadian Provinces; and from Africa; Wales; England; Taiwan; Switzerland; Scotland; Netherlands; Mexico; Korea; Japan; Germany; France; Denmark; China; Brazil;

Belarus; Australia; Hungary; Ireland; New Zealand; Thailand; Holland; Turkey; Paraguay and Puerto Rico. Among these welcome visitors we've also hosted scores of Elderhostel travelers who arrived on 7 buses!

On June 19th the Association's Visitor Center celebrated its Second Anniversary with a very special celebration. The weather was not as kind as last year. The day dawned overcast and cool, with a a brisk off-shore wind, which served to chill the almost 400 visitors who signed the guest book as they were greeted by WQHLKA volunteers. The visitors enjoyed the exhibits and the art gallery and a wide variety of delicious food, served by local enterprises - Seaside Chocolates; Sunporch Industries and Bold Coast Smokehouse. Little River Lighthouse set up a fund-raising table, staffed by 3 of their volunteers.

Many people waited their turn to go up the tower, their climb supervised by the U.S. Coast Guard personnel. While they waited their turn, they were entertained by some great local musicians, who donated their time and talent to help us celebrate the day. All the performances were excellent!

Paula Tinker opened the entertainment with familiar Scottish tunes played on the bagpipes. Then, folk singer and guitarist Noel Veilleux sang many great songs, including the West Quoddy Head Lighthouse song - a special favorite of the WQHLKA as well as the appreciative audience. Following Noel, the Black Socks String Band played outside until the rain tipped down. Without missing a beat they ran for shelter and continued to play in the Exhibit room, while one of their members, Jiggs the Clown, entertained the wide-eyed children with deftly made balloon sculptures. The Black Socks were followed by D. M. Ingalls, who sang his own sea shanty compositions, while accompanying himself on guitar. Great performances by one and all.

The formal program included Welcoming Addresses by:

- Cassie Kinney, Lubec High School

- Ken 'Sam' Hill, Officer-in-Charge, Southwest Harbor, U.S. Coast Guard

- Tim Hall, Regional Manager, Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands

- Al Goodwin, State Representative

Appreciations were given by Diana Wilson, MC for the day.

West Quoddy Light Station addresses were given by:

- Ken Black, U.S.C.G., retired, Director of Shore Village Museum, Rockland - his address read by Ron Pesha, Secretary of WQHLKA

- Julie Keene, descendent of WQH Light Keepers

- Jeremy D'Entremont, Founder & President of Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse and Historian for the American Lighthouse Foundation

The familiar and new exhibits in the Center prompted the curious to ask many questions of the volunteer staff, and the local artisans' and students' art work drew many compliments, and resulted in some purchases. Many visitors took advantage of the unique commemorative cancellation, provided by the Postal Service. Raffle ticket sales were brisk. The winning tickets drawn at the end of the day for 7 raffle items were held by:

Paula Tinker - West Quoddy Head Lighthouse Sweatshirt donated by WQ Gifts

Junia Lehman - Gift Certificate donated by the Home Port Inn

Peggy Grubel - Gift Certificate donated by the Ancient Mariner Gift Shop

Maureen Veilleux - Gift Certificate donated by Puffin Pines Country Gift Store

Kathy Cole - Gift Certificate donated by Bold Coast Smokehouse

Kathy Cole - Original design, hand-knitted hat by Sally Stocking, donated by Water Street Fiber Art Studio/Sally Stocking

Dianne Gray - Gift Certificate donated by Seaside Chocolates

The Association extends sincere thanks to the many WQHLKA volunteers for making themselves available to help out, either before or during the Event. Thanks also to the food vendors, the musicians, the speakers, the Postal Service, the U.S. Coast Guard personnel, the Bureau of Parks and Lands, and our almost 400 visitors - all of whom contributed to the success of the day.

The first rug raffle of the 2004 season was drawn on July 18th. The winning ticket was held by Marjorie Murton of Sharpsburg, GA., and the rug has been shipped to lucky Marjorie! The second rug raffle will be drawn on October 18th.

Another excellent Association raffle item, which will be drawn on October 17th, 2004. Tickets for all raffle items may be purchased at the Visitor Center or by calling 207-733-2180 between 10:15 AM and 3:45 AM daily.

We are looking forward to seeing you at our booth at the Wild Blueberry Festival in Machias, (on U.S. Rte. 1) on August 21, 2004, between 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM. Come and see our raffle items and new merchandise with the West Quoddy Head Light motif.

Enjoy the rest of Summer!

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