FOWIL Proudly Shares the Mystique of Wood
Island Lighthouse with U.S. Senator Susan Collins
Many people
from all walks of life visit lighthouses, but it’s not often that a
United States Senator can break from their busy schedule to call on one
of our nation’s guiding beacons and learn firsthand what community
volunteers are doing to preserve these stately icons.
On August 24,
2007, U.S. Senator Susan Collins (ME) did just that when she journeyed
offshore Biddeford Pool with the Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse to
visit the storied Wood Island Light Station, located at the mouth of the
Saco River.
Senator
Collins’ visit to Wood Island
Photo by Ron Foster
An aerial view of Wood Island
off Biddeford Pool, Maine
was part of an
overall effort by the American Lighthouse Foundation (ALF) to advocate for
Federal funding to assist with preserving eleven Maine lights under the
national organization’s care, with Wood Island Lighthouse being one of the
eleven.
The Friends of
Wood Island Lighthouse (FOWIL), a fine example of a dedicated and
hardworking ALF chapter, impressed the Senator with their unbridled passion
for restoring the historic site.
She was also
equally impressed with the group’s commitment and ingenuity with ensuring
that the lighthouse could be made publicly
Photo by Ann-Marie Trapani
(L to R) Sean Murphy, FOWIL
vice-president, Bob Trapani, Jr., ALF executive director,
Senator Susan Collins and Brad Coupe,
FOWIL president talk about the education
program at Wood Island Light Station
accessible.
FOWIL safely transports over 1,000 people annually to the offshore
island, including the handicap in wheelchairs, aboard a custom-built
boat, so that visitors can enjoy a one-of-a-kind educational and
environmental experience.
During her
site visit, Senator Collins was able to learn how the American
Lighthouse Foundation and
their chapters like
the Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse, are working to make sure that Maine’s
historic lighthouses are not just icons of the state’s proud past worthy of
preservation, but that beacons like Wood Island are also serving the present
day statewide and local communities as irreplaceable cultural treasures.
“Maine is home to
some of the oldest and most beautiful lighthouses in our country,” said
Senator Collins. “For centuries, they have served as beacons of hope for
ships, sailors, and fishermen navigating the stormy seas. As they age, we
must renew our commitment to maintaining these symbols of our state’s
maritime heritage. I want to thank the American
Lighthouse
Foundation, executive director Bob Trapani, and all of its members who
are dedicated to preserving these historic structures for our next
generation.”
Lighthouses
are hardly done making history, and if the efforts of the American
Lighthouse Foundation, Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse and the
remaining eleven ALF chapters are any indication, some of the brightest
and most exciting chapters in our
Photo by Sean Murphy
"Maine is home to some of the
oldest and
most beautiful lighthouses in our
country,"
said Senator Collins. "For
centuries, they have served as beacons of hope for ships, sailors,
and fishermen navigating the stormy
seas. As they age, we must renew our commitment to maintaining these
symbols of our state's maritime heritage."
--
United States Senator Susan M. Collins
lighthouse history
have yet to be written.
Photo by Ann-Marie Trapani
(L to R) Sean Murphy, FOWIL vice-president,
Brad Coupe, FOWIL president, Senator Susan
Collins, Bob Trapani, Jr., ALF executive
director, Jim Leslie, J.B. Leslie Masonry
Company and Sheri Poftak, FOWIL Historian
Photo
Gallery...click to view photos from
the Senators visit to Wood Island
Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse –
What they had to say about their efforts and why it is so important to
obtain the support of the Federal government…
“Senator Collins’
visit on August 24th raises the hopes of FOWIL and the larger
Saco Bay community that the federal government will decide to become a full
financial partner in the restoration of this historic federal
landmark. An appropriation will
invigorate our own fundraising efforts and will accelerate the work we
have been doing since we were formed four years ago. It will also
demonstrate to our supporters that the federal government values this
lighthouse and has confidence in our (ALF’s and FOWIL’s) stewardship.
Our volunteers will see, as
Photo by Sean Murphy
Senator Susan Collins listens as Brad
Coupe, FOWIL president, talks about
Wood Island Light Station
well, a tangible
recognition that their countless hours of work and donated dollars for
preservation of this federal installation are known and appreciated.” –
Brad Coupe, FOWIL President
“I feel that Wood
Island is a very unique offshore lighthouse that captivates all who see and
visit the site. People seem to be very much
Photo
by Ann-Marie Trapani
(L to R) Sean Murphy, FOWIL
vice-president (right) shares his thoughts with Senator Susan Collins on
why volunteerism is important at a site like Wood Island as Brad Coupe,
FOWIL president listens
drawn to the cause of lighthouse
restoration and preservation. When Wood Island is fully restored, it
will be somewhat of a beacon of hope for other lighthouses such as Boon
Island off the coast of Maine, which is quite remote and not capable of
being visited by the enthusiastic crowds that venture to Wood Island
Light Station. It is our hope that one day any extra money collected by
the Friends of Wood
Island Lighthouse
can be eventually donated to other ALF lighthouses in need of restoration.”
– Sean Murphy, FOWIL Vice-President
“Most everyone
knows generally what a lighthouse looks like or at least that it has a tower
with a blinking light on top. Beyond realizing that a lighthouse offers a
signal of some sort, most of the public doesn’t know much about these
sentinels.
Once an
opportunity arises to actually visit a lighthouse – enthusiasm to know more
explodes and the quest to learn is on. People are fascinated to
learn that
lighthouses are everywhere on our planet and that in our own country
they developed right along with the population growth and expansion –
they have been here since the beginning.
Their
importance in the creation and growth of America is sometimes a surprise
to the new lighthouse student. People love to find out why, how and
where lighthouses were built, how they were maintained and how they
work. Learning about them is an exciting. When people find out about the
life of lighthouse keepers – the courage with which these families faced
great difficulties and sometimes-tremendous isolation -- they are
greatly inspired.
Photo
by Ann-Marie Trapani
(L to R) Sheri Poftak, FOWIL historian,
explains some of
Wood Island's history to Senator Susan
Collins
The joy of
learning about these unique structures is not limited to adults – children
are fascinated as well. Beyond the realm of lighthouse history, these
beacons can become big motivators for learning. They offer a unique focus
for the study of math, social studies, science, writing and art. What could
be better than the opportunity to actually visit a lighthouse after having
one be part of ones studies for a year in school!
No one is building
new lighthouses – the ones that we have now are it. Taking care of them is
an investment in everyone’s future. Education is one area, which will
benefit from the preservation of our nation’s lighthouses, especially those
lighthouses that are easily accessible to large population areas.” –
Sheri Poftak, FOWIL Chairperson of the History Group
