The “Star Power” of Rockland Breakwater
Lighthouse Shines through Fog for the Local Business Community
By Bob Trapani, Jr.
When you are the caretaker of a lighthouse that visitors
cannot simply drive to like Rockland Breakwater, it not only presents
logistical challenges preservation-wise, but it also makes vital efforts
to raise public awareness that much more difficult too.
In many cases, lighthouse
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
Rockland business members set sail on
July 11th to learn about the "Star Power"
of their lighthouse
groups work to overcome such
challenges by “bringing the lighthouse” to the public through lectures,
outreaches and other fun activities, but with a big exterior restoration
project looming, the Friends of Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse wanted to do
one better.
On July 11, 2007 the Friends of Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse (FORB) made
history of sorts within the local Rockland business community by
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
Business members of the Penobscot
Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce enjoyed
their "journey" to the lighthouse
hosting Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of
Commerce’s monthly Business-After-Hours event not on land – but on the
water!
A crowd of business members, led by the Penobscot Bay
Regional Chamber of Commerce and Friends of Rockland Breakwater, set
sail aboard the M/V Monhegan with a singular destination – to the
outer
edge of the harbor
to see and learn about the historic 1902 Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse.
In typical Maine fashion, Mother Nature decided to add a bit of drama to the
2-hour sail by enveloping Rockland Harbor in a shroud of fog that reduced
visibility significantly. As the Monhegan slowly plied the still
waters out to the lighthouse, FORB volunteers took advantage of the “lack of
sight” by verbally sharing a unique concept with the business members –
“Star Power.”
Eric Davis, an FORB board member, explained how society tends to admire
sports stars, musicians and Hollywood actors for that special something
many of these individuals possess – that special
something being “Star Power.”
Davis then brought the notion of “Star Power” closer to
home by noting that Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse possesses the same
special “Star Power” when it comes to the community and visitors alike.
Not only do people seek out the rugged sentinel for its educational and
cultural value, and undeniable leisure enjoyment, the business community
often utilizes the beacon’s image on logos and countless marketing
initiatives as well.
Warren Kincaid, project coordinator for Rockland
Breakwater Light’s restoration,
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
FORB board member Eric
Davis (right) talks with Phelps
Bristol, a Chamber employee,
about the group's efforts at
Rockland Breakwater
echoed the sentiments of Eric
Davis, informing cruise patrons, “There comes a time in the life of any
building that problems and serious maintenance must be addressed. That time
is now for the exterior of the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse. A total of
105 years is a darn good ‘life of service’ for any structure, let alone one
that gets the abuse from the elements that Rockland Breakwater does. This
time around, a mere paint job just won’t cut it. Wood rot of trim and
gutters, structural damage to the boathouse, missing pieces lost over
decades of use all add up to place the structure at risk.”
Kincaid went on to note, “It is urgent and important that the business
community of Rockland gets involved in the fundraising efforts for the
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
FORB board member Warren
Kincaid (right) speaks with John Ware,
president of Maritime
Energy, about restoration efforts
at the lighthouse
exterior restoration project. Many hands make light work,
and the local businesses already have a network and the means to help
finance this project.”
Kincaid concluded, “As volunteers, we have consistently
raised money through grants and donations from lighthouse enthusiasts.
The citizens and visitors of Rockland walk out and purchase gifts and
drop donations in the jar. This time though, it is bigger than those
means alone will cover. It will take all of us. But all of us reap the
benefits. I look around Rockland and over the past few years it has
transformed. A new pride is here, and you can see and feel it. The
Breakwater Lighthouse is more than just a part of that new pride. It
links us to a
pride that is Rockland’s history. It should be a privilege for us to shine
it up and show it off!”
