West Quoddy Head Light Keepers Association

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Fall / Winter 2007

The West Quoddy Head Light Keepers Association (WQHLKA) ended the 2007 season on October 13th.

A heartfelt “thank you” from the WQHLKA Board of Directors, to the twenty-seven excellent volunteers who staffed the Visitor Center seven days a week, from Memorial Day weekend to closing, donating an impressive 907 hours of their time.

The Board of Directors also extends their sincere thanks to the behind-the-scenes volunteers, who contribute their time to the many Committees responsible for the following work: Planning, Budgeting, Fundraising, Public Relations, Website, Memberships, Art Gallery, Museum Exhibits, Event Planning, By-Laws and Archives.

A well-deserved dinner of appreciation for all the volunteers was held at Murphy's Village Restaurant on October 10th.

This season, the exhibits in the museum continued to educate and enlighten, and the art gallery proved to be a popular stopping point yet again. With sixteen local artists and fifteen local students exhibiting their work, there was much to choose from. One hundred and sixty-eight pieces of art, including twelve students’ works, were purchased. The WQHLKA expresses many thanks for the donations received from the artists whose work was sold.

This busy 2007 season saw 20,100 visitors register at the Center. They hailed from all fifty states and from forty-four countries. Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Bolivia, Bermuda, Brazil, China, Cambodia, Czech Republic, Cuba, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Holland, Honduras, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jamaica, Mexico, Nepal, New Zealand, Philippines, Peru, Poland, Russia, Scotland, Sweden, Slovakia, Switzerland, Singapore, S. Korea, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Trinidad, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom and Wales. Visitors also represented the Provinces of Canada.

Events at the Visitor Center during the season included our 5th anniversary celebration. Held on Saturday July 7th, several hundred visitors came to enjoy excellent musical entertainment; a short speaker program; good food supplied by local vendors and fundraising students from the High School; plus the annual visit by the U.S. Coast Guard to supervise the annual opening and climb up the tower. The raffle table was well patronized and winners of the many fine prizes were duly notified. See our Summer 2007 newsletter for information about the winners.

The Association’s raffles were equally popular this year. On October 13th, the drawing of the winning raffle ticket for the Light House Rug took place and Karen Fusco of Portland, Maine, held the winning ticket. Also on October 13th, the winning ticket for the Fred Hartman print was held by Betty Phillips of East Machias, Maine. Congratulations to all!

The Annual General Meeting was held in July in accordance with our By-Laws and Officers and Directors were voted in as follows, Junia Lehman, President; Marilyn Ness, Vice President; Diana Wilson, Treasurer; Leona MacBride, Secretary; Directors: Sylvia Boomer, Deane Hutchins, Virginia Hutchins, Bruce Wilson, and Ruth O’Neil.
Our new President and Vice President have taken on a new project for the upcoming year. West Quoddy Lighthouse will be participating in the “Lights Across the Border Lighthouse Challenge” with the Friends of Head Harbour Light from Campobello Island, Canada, and the Friends of Little River Light, Cutler Maine. Participants will visit four other lighthouses besides West Quoddy, they are Lubec Channel Light, Head Harbour Light (East Quoddy), Mulholland Light, and Little River Light. For more information check out our Special Events Page on our website at www.westquoddy.com.

Our work continues during the winter months, planning the 200th Anniversary Celebration of West Quoddy Head Light, which will be held from July 19-26, 2008. WQHLKA wishes you all joy and peace throughout the coming Holiday season and winter months. We look forward to seeing you next year!

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