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February/March 2014
Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum
Keeper News
  
Keeper Project Update!

Blair & Reda DeYoung/Bruce & Laurie Palm (Grand Haven, MI)

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

A HUGE thank you to Blair, Reda, Bruce & Laurie for their four days at the Lighthouse in early February. The tower landing window project is now complete. As you go up the spiral staircase to the tower, there was a small hatch that one could gain access to get into the attic. We often find visitors have opened the hatch to peek in. So....now it has been replaced by a window and everyone can look inside. We will be setting up a display behind the window with keepers personal belongings, along with 100 years of lighthouse logbooks that were stored there until 1952.  At that time, the Coast Guardsman were instructed to forward all the logs to the Coast Guard Station in Frankfort for disposal.  It is going to be very cool when it is completed! The keepers also priced and folded 1,152 of our new $10 tees. The ladies painted the center wall in the fog signal with a fresh coat of paint. The group arrived with their new sweatshirts, "GTLM" on the front and "Wickie" on the back. Awesome. Thanks so much for all you did. 
 

John & Pam Cameron (Kalamazoo, MI)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Returning keepers John & Pam spent the week of Feb. 10-14.  During their week they built and installed new cabinets and bookshelves in the gift shop. John did an amazing job matching the cabinets and bookshelves on the other side that were built by John Reynolds and Tim Trombly last spring.  Pam also spent lots of time helping to set up the gift shop and ready the merchandise for sale.  Thank you.  It looks great! 

 

 

Ben & Peggy May (Mount Joy, PA)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The May's returned for their second year and took over finishing the gift shop cabinets

and bookshelves  project. They cut all the shelves and finished it off with two coats of stain and two coats of polyurethane.  The third photo shows it complete and shelves   filling up quickly with merchandise. In addition, Ben built a very sturdy table for the gift shop safe and Peggy priced all the youth tees that had just arrived.  Outstanding talent and support for GTLM.  Thanks.

 

 

Jan Turosky (Saline, MI) & Kay Feutz (Grand Rapids, MI)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jan and Kay met last winter when we sent an email looking for people to help in a pinch with some painting and other small projects.  They had such a great time, they came back together again this past week.  After four days they painted most of the teal color in the Fog Signal Building and helped move the Native American exhibit from the alcove to its new location on the west wall.  These two amazing ladies, who just kept asking, "Ok Stef, what's next?" are absolutely incredible and I really enjoyed the all the laughs and fun times.  Thanks again for your dedication to the Lighthouse.  

 

 

Save The Date

May 17, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. is set for our 2014 Keeper Orientation Meeting.  Stef will give a guided tour, share great stories about our lighthouse keepers, area shipwrecks, provide an ROV (remote operated vehicle) demonstration, foghorn demonstration and share with you our new customer service training program.   Lunch is provided.  RSPV to [email protected]

Keeper Uniform/Costumes

 

We are still working out pricing for the keepers uniforms and dresses for the ladies.  As soon as I have something to share, I will send out a special notice.  This is not a requirement but an option if you are interested.

Keeper Polo Shirts/History Books

We now have keeper polo shirts in stock.  There is red and blue to choose from.  Sizes small to 3x.  The cost is our cost at $15.  The lighthouse is embroidered on the left chest with the words, "Grand Traverse Lighthouse Keeper". We are also offering you a special on several books we have in stock.  This book prices are valid until March 15th.  To place an order, please download the order form below.

 

Order Form

Grand Traverse Lighthouse History Lesson
 
"I arrived at the Lighthouse in the Spring of 1952 and was greeted with a sign that indicated to my surprise, the station was established in 1852; it was one more unexpected discovery added to my having to drive so far north to find my new place of assignment which was a bit shocking for this inexperienced traveler.  My concern soon disappeared when I became aware of the beauty of Leelanau County and Lake Michigan.  Enjoying the same duty location were John Johnson, Boatswain-in-Charge and William (Bill) Kelly, who was responsible for mechanical maintenance....Both families were housed there;  Johnsons on the south side and Kellys on the north side.  I was a single (20 years old) and the Coast Guard gave me an allowance for room and board in Northport where I stayed at Bence's Rooming House atop the hill, now a bed & breakfast I believe...
                                                                                                                            
One memory from when I was on watch concerned the Chicago to Mackinac sailboat race.  At night there was a severe storm and I thought news the next morning would reveal some disastrous consequences however, when dawn broke, it was clear and Lake Michigan was peacefully calm as I scanned the horizon from the cupola.  Well to the north I could see white sails heading toward Mackinac Island on the beautiful water of Lake Michigan; It was a special scene in more ways than one.                                            
Other recollections include the time a boating enthusiast came to our station, put together a waterproof canvas kayak and set off to paddle to Manitou Island on a wind-whipped Lake Michigan full of whitecaps, despite Johnson's advice not to try.  I can't recall whether he made it..."
 
Albin Tarsa
Grand Traverse Light Station (April 1952-May 1954)
                                                                      
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P.O. Box 43, Northport, MI 49670 � 231.386.7195