Little River
Lighthouse in Cutler Maine honored caretakers Rodger and Linda Van
Tatenhove with a hand-painted plaque of the lighthouse painted and
designed by local artist, Pam Britton.
The couple,
who herald from the small farming community of Grant Michigan, spent
nearly four months living on the island this past summer where they
greeted and took care of all the overnight guests who stayed at the
lighthouse
Photo by Kathleen Finnegan
In presenting a plaque to Rodger Van
Tatenhove (right), Tim Harrison, (left)
chairman of the FLRL thanked the couple
for their 2nd season of
volunteering
at the remote island lighthouse.
and made hundreds
of trips in the station’s boat to transport visitors back and forth to the
island.
As well as acting
as volunteer caretakers they took on numerous repair and maintenance
projects that needed to be done at the old historic property. Harrison said
they did everything from mowing the lawn, to painting the rooms, making boat
repairs, purchasing supplies and materials and “more than we can ever
properly thank them for.” He went on to say, two of the biggest projects
that Rodger undertook were the design and construction of a secure museum
exhibit area inside the keeper’s house where visitors to the island will be
able to view the many artifacts that have been donated and updating the old
dilapidated upstairs 70-year old bathroom.
To learn more
about the lighthouse you can visit their web site at
or write to them at P.O. Box 671, East Machias,
ME 04630.
