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The
historic Pemaquid Lighthouse Tower opened for the season on May 27,
2006. Energetic and dedicated volunteers cleaned, painted, dusted and
did everything necessary to prepare the 171-year-old tower for opening.
The Friends of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse (FPPL), a chapter of the
American Lighthouse Foundation (ALF), volunteer their time so visitors
can climb the tower and see the Fresnel lens. Pemaquid Lighthouse was
first opened to the public in June 2003 to coincide with the debut of
the Maine state quarter. Hours of operation have increased annually
since then; from now |
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse |
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through October 16,
2006 the tower will be open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.
In
addition to serving as docents, FPPL volunteers perform routine maintenance
and contract for more extensive repairs. All funds for maintenance come
entirely from donations. It is estimated that some long-overdue repairs will
cost in excess of $50,000. Repointing interior and exterior mortar to
prevent water penetration is our largest future project.
This year
FPPL is holding a raffle with the goal of raising $30,000 toward those
repairs. The Grand Prize is a 4-day trip for two people on the windjammer
Victory Chimes, a $1,000 value. Victory Chimes is the historic windjammer
feature, along with Pemaquid Lighthouse, on the Maine state quarter. Over 65
additional prizes will be awarded, many of which are valued between $100 and
$300. Prizes include overnight stays at lighthouses, original signed and
framed photos, boat trips, ALF merchandise, and a variety of products and
gift items donated through the enormous generosity of Damariscotta area
merchants. A full prize list is posted at the lighthouse and is available
upon request.
Raffle
tickets can be purchased at the lighthouse, at Maine Coast Book Shop and at
Day’s Emporium. The drawing will take place October 16, 2006 and winners
need not be present to win. All prizes will be mailed if the winners cannot
pick them up. For more information, contact Marty Welt at 563-2739 or
backlog@tidewater.net.
Posted 5/31/06
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