This has been a quiet winter thus far at
Pomham Rocks Lighthouse. As expected, seasonal recreational boat traffic
which passes the lighthouse has diminished – the Providence/Newport
Ferry lies dormant. To now, winter has been tepid, with the absence of
ice flows and sea
Photo by Don Doucette
Pomham Rocks Lighthouse
smoke on the Bay
that result from more severe winter cold. Providence harbor’s commercial
shipping and Green Airport traffic continue to pass the lighthouse as usual.
Predictable winter gatherings of pelagic birds frequent the Bay near Pomham
as flying flocks, while others float and bob in groups on the choppy waters.
As for the winter-bearing Pomham Light, its steadfast presence is
appropriately and constantly displaying a comforting red glow when required.
As we entered the
fall and early winter period, small experimental work parties concentrated
efforts toward island grounds work. There were various logistical elements
which had/have to be explored and fine tuned. These small work parties began
to clear the island grounds of more glaring debris which had accumulated
during time. Every bit of unwanted material must be hauled off island for
disposal. Foreign objects cleared, a lawn mower will finally begin use this
spring after a long absence. Retaining walls and fences are being cleaned
and cleared and will be eventually reestablished and painted where needed to
further enhance the beauty of the recent lighthouse exterior renovation.
Minor periodic professional maintenance of the building exteriors will be a
constant process given the extremes of weather.
We had special
guests prior to the commencement of our annual Friends of Pomham Rocks
Lighthouse (FPRL) annual meeting held in mid-
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
The model of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse
built by Don Perkins & on display at the
Riverside Library in East Providence, RI
November at the Riverside Library in East
Providence, Rhode Island. Don and Louise Perkins came over from their
home in Bourne, Cape Cod to be honored during the unveiling of their
donation of the Pomham Rocks Lighthouse model which Don had fabricated
in his garage workshop. This had been a several year project during a
time when Don was recovering from illness.
Don is a former resident of East Providence, and so, made this project
uniquely special. Several of our board members, Dave Kelleher and Rob
Charbonneau, also worked with local East Providence individuals to help
provide protection and support for the lighthouse model as well as a
suitable public location for permanent display.
Rob Charbonneau engaged Bill Lizotte, owner of Bill Lizotte Architectural
Glass and Aluminum, Inc. of East Providence (which included family and staff
members) to fabricate and donate a protective sturdy glass and aluminum
case. Bill and Kathy Lizotte also attended the unveiling as special guests.
Rob
Charbonneau also worked with his uncle, Chris Allen, as well as Rob’s
grandfather, “Unc” Allen, to build an enhanced model base and a wooden
table (with brochure rack) to support the model and glass case. “Unc”
Allen is a respected wooden boat builder of renown in the greater
Narragansett Bay community.
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
Don Doucette, FPRL Chairman, presents Don
& Louise Perkins with a certificate of appreciation during the chapter's
annual meeting
Dave Kelleher negotiated with an East Providence Library staff coordinator,
Eileen Socha, to permanently display the model at the Riverside Library
complimenting their one year anniversary celebration. The model can be
presently seen any time during normal library hours while the actual
lighthouse is nearby to view, best done with a short trip north from
Riverside on the East Bay Bicycle Path, weather permitting, or seasonally
admired from the Providence/Newport Ferry or private boat.
Other special guests at our annual meeting included the Trapani family. Bob
Trapani, our guest speaker and Executive Director of the American Lighthouse
Foundation, presented for our members and friends a timely visual/verbal
narrative entitled, LIGHTHOUSE PRESERVATION – NOT A MOMENT IN TIME, BUT A
JOURNEY. Also, the existing FPRL board was voted as retained for the coming
year 2007 with the addition of two additional board members. Mike Tripp, a
CPA will come aboard as our new FPRL Treasurer and will enhance our
accounting system. Our other new board member is Fred Bieberbach, a maritime
consultant.
General access to the island presently remains problematic – it is the wish
of the FPRL board to begin this year, various fun and fund raising community
events which will appeal to our members and the general public. For
starters, look for an Old Time Pomham Clam Bake in late June (23rd)
2007 at Francis Farm in Rehoboth, Massachusetts. We need volunteers to work
as event planners and workers. Other varied social functions are being
considered while the board discusses the next phase of restoration
possibilities. As always, adequate funding needs are ever-present.
A local couple, this Christmas season, anonymously donated a large Christmas
wreath with red bow to be displayed on the Pomham property
Photo by Don Doucette
FPRL volunteers placed a Christmas wreath
on the oil house at Pomham Rocks Light
stipulating it
be photographed with the lighthouse and wreath visible together for
public presentation. This was our second renovation Christmas.
And so, the
Pomham Rocks Lighthouse sat quietly this past Christmas season,
discretely on 24/7 duty, never failing, like an old dog with a wagging
tail.
And…if we could
personify the old place thus, it might say as a child receives a special
Christmas gift with eyes of glee and wonder, “Thank you for my light.
Christmas came early for me in late July, 2006, when you gave me the best
Christmas present ever, my own light in my own lantern. You see, the light
is my heart and that was extinguished and given away decades ago. Its memory
was my sustaining warmth while I sat vacant and shivering. Yes, I know of
the skilled hands which restored my exterior, you did not know at times, it
tickled and I giggled. I know of each and every one of you who donated
gifts, time and skills to help return my heart and for this, I will be
forever grateful. Thank you for my special early Christmas gift of light
nestled in the beautiful new Victorian design wrapping.”
