Page 8. MAINE COASTAL NEWS November 2009
Waterfront News
LIGHTHOUSE NEWS - LITTLE RIVER AND WOOD ISLAND
Little River Lighthouse nounced that the first major phase of restora- The tower work is the first of two phases us, we would not have attempted to do the
Honors Caretakers tion at Wood Island Lighthouse has begun. being planned for completion in the next 15 tower with our own funds.” “We owe Senator
Little River Lighthouse in Cutler Maine Construction boats left Vines Landing in months. The second phase will move to the Collins a great debt of gratitude.”
honored caretakers Rodger and Linda Van Biddeford Pool on the morning of October keeper’s house. It will address the exterior Assisting FOWIL with the design of the
Tatenhove with a hand-painted plaque of the 26th, ferrying tools, equipment and material siding, windows and roof, and it will return restoration work and guiding them through
lighthouse painted and designed by local to the island to begin a two-month restoration the porch to its attractive, original design the historic preservation regulatory process
artist, Pam Britton. of the interior and exterior of the lighthouse from 1906, when this house was expanded to has been a team led by Ed Theriault of
In presenting the plaque to Rodger Van tower and its adjoining oil room. The work its current Dutch Colonial design. Theriault/Landmann Associates, Inc. of
Tatenhove, Tim Harrison, (left) chairman of was contracted to Stone Age Masonry of The second phase will be funded by a Portland, and Scott Whitaker of Building
the Friends of Little River Lighthouse Sabattus. Only ten days after the bids were Federal grant sponsored by U.S. Senator Envelope Consultants, South Portland. “Ed
thanked the couple for their 2nd season of opened, Stone Age had mobilized and moved Susan M. Collins and initiated by the Ameri- and Scott have been as enthusiastic about
volunteering at the remote island lighthouse. to get started ahead of the winter season. can Lighthouse Foundation’s Executive Di- this project as our own members,” Coupe
The couple, who herald from the small FOWIL, a chapter of the American Light- rector Bob Trapani. “Without Senator said. “They have worked seamlessly with the
farming community of Grant Michigan, spent house Foundation, was formed in 2003 to Collins’ tenacious efforts on our behalf to State Historic Preservation Commission and
nearly four months living on the island this restore and preserve the lighthouse. Brad obtain the federal appropriation, we could the Coast Guard to ensure that our work
past summer where they greeted and took Coupe, Chair of the FOWIL Executive Com- not accomplish all that is now within meets required historic standards at every
care of all the overnight guests who stayed at mittee, spoke of the excitement the group FOWIL’s reach,” Trapani said. He also step.”
the lighthouse and made hundreds of trips in feels as work gets underway. “We are ec- noted that the appropriation will assist two For further information contact: Friends
the station’s boat to transport visitors back static to see this goal become a reality. For six other ALF lighthouses at Pemaquid Point of Wood Island Lighthouse, P.O. Box 26,
and forth to the island. long years, our volunteers have been at this, and Owl’s Head. And, Coupe added, “With- Biddeford Pool, Maine 04006, Brad Coupe -
As well as acting as volunteer caretakers devoting countless hours to maintaining the out the backing that this appropriation gave 207-284-1273 or Sheri Poftak - 207-286-3229.
they took on numerous repair and mainte- lighthouse and raising money,” he said.
nance projects that needed to be done at the “This phase of the work is being funded
old historic property. Harrison said they did entirely by membership donations and dona-
NAVA L SHIPBUILDING NEWS
everything from mowing the lawn, to painting tions from summer visitors who participated
Secretary of the Navy Meets With industrial base to provide stability and pre-
the rooms, making boat repairs, purchasing in FOWIL lighthouse tours, and by pur-
Congressional Shipbuilding Caucus dictability in its procurement plans. He noted
supplies and materials and “more than we can chases at FOWIL art shows, sales of light-
On September 30th, the Congressional that industry also has responsibilities to in-
ever properly thank them for.” He went on to house merchandise, and grants the group
Shipbuilding Caucus, co-chaired by Repre- vest in facilities and train and maintain a
say, two of the biggest projects that Rodger has obtained.
sentatives Gene Taylor (MS) and Rob skilled workforce that will result in cost sav-
undertook were the design and construction Wood Island Lighthouse, commis-
Wittman (VA), hosted a meeting with Secre- ings that can be passed on to the American
of a secure museum exhibit area inside the sioned by Thomas Jefferson in 1808, was on
tary of the Navy Ray Mabus to discuss the taxpayer.
keeper’s house where visitors to the island Lighthouse Digest’s “Doomsday List” of
importance of maintaining strong Navy and In closing, the Secretary stressed again
will be able to view the many artifacts that America’s most endangered lighthouses in
Marine Corps fleets and a vibrant domestic the importance of America maintaining a
have been donated and updating the old 2003. “We are pleased today to be pulling it
shipbuilding industrial base. Other Members strong Navy. He said, “America needs a
dilapidated upstairs 70-year old bathroom. back from the brink,” Coupe said. “The tower
of Congress attending the meeting included Navy in order to remain a global power. We
To learn more about the lighthouse you is the oldest structure at the light station,
Representatives Roscoe Bartlett (MD), need to be able to reassure our allies, deter
can visit their web site at having been erected in 1858. Hollis Curtis,
Travis Childers (MS), Joseph Cao (LA), Joe conflicts, build relationships with other na-
www.LittleRiverLight.org or write to them at owner of Stone Age, said, “We are excited to
Courtney (CT), Susan Davis (CA), John tions in order to avoid conflicts, and maintain
P.O. Box 671, East Machias, ME 04630. have been entrusted with the job of renewing
Duncan (TN), Gregg Harper (MS), Walter the capabilities to provide humanitarian as-
Tower Restoration begins at this historic structure. We plan to deliver a
Jones (NC), Jim Langevin (RI), Eric Massa sistance and disaster relief. In other words,
Wood Island Lighthouse completely restored tower to the Friends
(NY), Glenn Nye (VA), Steve Scalise (LA), do all the things only a great Navy can do.”
BIDDEFORD POOL – The Friends of Wood before the end of the year, if the elements
and Bobby Scott (VA). Other distinguished Senate Nears Completion of FY 2010
Island Lighthouse (“FOWIL”) have an- cooperate,” Curtis said.
guests included Commandant of the Coast Defense Appropriations Bill
Guard Admiral Thad Allen and Sean On September 10th, the Senate Appro-
Stackley, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for priations Committee passed the Senate’s
THE BOAT SCHOOL
Research, Development, and Acquisition. version of the FY 2010 Defense Appropria-
In his opening remarks, Secretary tions Bill (HR 3326, as amended). The legisla-
Mabus posed the question, “Why, in tion provides $13.7 billion for seven naval
America’s oldest boatbuilding school
today’s shrinking global environment, does ships. This is a $1.5 billion increase over the
America need to maintain a robust Navy?” In Administration’s budget request. Passage of
response, the Secretary stressed that as a the bill by the full Senate is pending.
maritime nation, the United States must pos- The Senate bill fully funds the
sess a global fleet. “America’s Navy and Administration’s request for one Virginia
Marine Corps are always forward deployed class attack submarine and advance procure-
and are able to respond to any threat that ment funding for the construction of two
comes at [the United States]. We do not have submarines per year beginning in FY 2011.
to ask permission to use the sea lanes, nor do Senate appropriators added $1.7 billion and
The Boat School, located at Maine’s Marine we need a footprint on land to conduct wars, one additional DDG-51 Arleigh Burke class
Technology Center in Eastport, offers di- provide humanitarian assistance, or respond multi-mission destroyer to the
SORPDDQGFHUWLÀFDWHSURJUDPVLQ%RDWEXLOG - to disasters.” Citing the earthquake and tsu- Administration’s request, increasing the
LQJ7HFKQRORJ\DQGDFHUWLÀFDWHSURJUDPLQ nami that struck the Samoa islands on Sep- proposed FY 2010 procurement from one ship
Marine Composites. tember 29th, Secretary Mabus said that U.S. to two. The Senate also added $170 million in
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naval ships were already underway to re- advance procurement funding for the LHA-
With waterfront training in spond to the crisis. He stressed that America 7 amphibious assault ship. However, the
needs enough of these multi-mission plat- Senate cut the budget request for the T-AKE
‡:RRG&RQVWUXFWLRQ Visit our booth forms to respond to all missions, stating, combat logistics force ship by $400 million,
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Boatbuilders Show cannot be in two places at once. At some from two ships to one. An additional cut of
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in Portland on March
point quantity becomes a quality all its own.” $300 million was made to the
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Maintaining a robust shipbuilding in- Administration’s request for the littoral com-
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fleet capable of meeting global challenges. three ships to two. (From Sea Power Ambas-
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Secretary Mabus commented that the Navy sador)
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boatbuilding and
has responsibilities to the U.S. shipbuilding
marine composites, as well
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For more information on The Boat School,
summer programs.
call (207) 853-2518.
The Boat School is an affiliate of
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In the next issue we will talk about the O'Hara's and some of their people and boats.
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