ALF Recognizes FLRL Volunteers Rodger & Linda Van Tatenhove with 2009 ‘Len
Hadley Volunteerism Award’
The American Lighthouse Foundation honored 15 outstanding
volunteers on November 7, 2009 during the organization’s annual
Lighthouse Gala & Volunteer Awards Dinner at the Nonantum Resort in
Kennebunkport, ME.
The 15 individuals, including Rodger & Linda Van
Tatenhove of the Friends of Little River Lighthouse (FLRL), received
ALF’s ‘Len Hadley Volunteerism
Photo by Ann-Marie Trapani
(L to R) Bob Trapani and Kathleen
Finnegan, who accepted the award on behalf of
Rodger & Linda Van Tatenhove
Award’ for their dedicated volunteer contributions in 2009.
According to Timothy Harrison, FLRL co-chairman, “This is the 2nd
year that Rodger & Linda Van Tatenhove volunteered as caretakers at Little
River Lighthouse, which is located on a remote island off the coast of
Cutler, Maine.”
“Last year the couple spent six weeks on the island. However, this year, the
couple, who resides in the small farming community of Grant Michigan, spent
nearly four full months living on the island, a duty that requires a special
type of person.”
“Not only did Rodger and Linda take care of all the overnight guests who
stayed at the lighthouse, they made hundreds of trips in the lighthouse
Photo by Kathleen Finnegan
Linda Van Tatenhove (left) and her
husband Rodger (right) with Susan Farley, Coastal
Bureau Chief of WABI-TV5, preparing for a
2008 interview in the living room of keeper's house at Little River
Light Station
boats to transport guests, as well as hundreds of
visitors, back and forth to the island – often times in inclement
weather and fog, which is so prevalent in the area.”
“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. Rodger and Linda did everything from mowing the
lawn, to
painting the rooms and making boat repairs to purchasing supplies and
materials, and much more than we can ever properly thank them for.”
“The couple also undertook two large projects while on the island this past
summer.”
“Rodger designed and constructed a secure historical artifact exhibit area
inside the keeper’s house. In addition to keeping the valuable artifacts
secure, the new exhibit also allows everyone who visits the island to view
the items up close and personal.”
“Also, Rodger and Linda, at their own personal expense, remodeled the
upstairs 70-year-old bathroom to again include a shower, for overnight
accommodations.”
“The Friends of Little River Lighthouse received numerous letters, as well
as phone calls, from overnight guests complimenting us on the friendly
reception, respect and care given to them by Rodger and Linda during their
overnight stays at the lighthouse.”
“On more than one occasion, overnight guests invited the couple to visit
them at their respective homes, some of which made donations of rare and
valuable Coast Guard and U.S. Lighthouse Service artifacts for display at
Little River Lighthouse.”
“Rodger and Linda Van Tatenhove are to be commended for an amazing job well
done as unpaid volunteers who went well beyond what was ever expected of
them. We are highly honored to have had them as volunteers. Tonight we are
proud to honor them with the American Lighthouse Foundation’s ‘Len Hadley
Volunteerism Award.’”
