Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse Volunteers
Honored by American Lighthouse Foundation
At the close of each year, the Rockland-based American
Lighthouse Foundation honors some of the finest volunteers within the
organization for that calendar year – those ‘shining lights’ who
selflessly give of their time and talents to help preserve the
lighthouses so many of us cherish deeply.
Photo by Ann-Marie Trapani
(L to R) Dot Black, Ted Panayotoff, Eric
Davis & Bob Trapani
The Friends of Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, one of twelve chapters of the
American Lighthouse Foundation (ALF), chose two individuals to be recognized
in 2008 at a recent ALF volunteer awards dinner held in Newport, RI.
Volunteers Eric Davis and Ted Panayotoff were honored by ALF for going above
and beyond in their efforts to help preserve the Rockland Breakwater Light –
a treasure whose iconic likeness is known and beloved throughout Midcoast
Maine.
Thanks to the efforts of the Friends of Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse (FORB),
the 1902 Rockland Breakwater Light continues to be restored to its historic
appearance; all the while the general public is provided the opportunity to
tour the historic sentinel each weekend from Memorial Day through
mid-October each year.
FORB’s preservation work and public access program would not be possible,
however, without dedicated individuals like Eric Davis and Ted Panayotoff,
whose passionate commitment to the project is allowing us all to enjoy this
wonderful lighthouse in the present and future.
Dot Black, chairperson of the Friends of Rockland Breakwater and president
of the American Lighthouse Foundation, notes, “Eric Davis has worked as
FORB’s volunteer coordinator for the past two years and has spent many hours
perfecting the schedule and searching for volunteers to help out so that
Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse can remain open to the public. He has also
created a program entitled, ‘Star Power’ that has helped raise additional
public awareness for the lighthouse, which he has presented to community
civic groups.”
Ms. Black went on to say, “Ted Panayotoff has really stepped up to the plate
for FORB this year in assuming the duties as project coordinator for our
restoration work at the lighthouse. He has worked closely with companies
like Maine Coast Construction, Rockport Steel and FMC, and has volunteered
many hours working to prime and paint the interior of the lighthouse. Ted
also leads many of our guided group tours at the lighthouse, including group
tours from the Historic Inns.”
To learn more about the Friends of Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse or how you
can help volunteer at the lighthouse, visit
