Spring Business Meeting

by

Anthony Savino

Nell’s Spring 2004 meeting held on the weekend of June 12 – 14 in Rockland Maine was a huge success. To assist in the huge success, Tom and Arlene Pregman and their band of merry organizers did a wonderful job. As for the concerns for the early weather report, everyone who attended was not disappointed as the weather was near perfect for Saturday and Sunday’s events. Daytime temperature rose into the mid 60’s with lots of sunshine with light breezes. Monday’s temperature may not have been as high, the winds blowing stronger, and the sun trying to peak from behind the clouds, but the members were not going to miss their closing events.

To start off the weekend, everyone met at the Middle Pier to depart on the M/V Monhegan for an 8 hour narrated cruise around Penobscot Bay. To the amazement of everyone, not one person sang the theme to Gillian’s Island. With the sun shining brightly and the winds blowing very lightly, the trip started seeing our first lighthouse almost immediately, The Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse. The Rockland Breakwater was the first of eight lighthouses we expected to see. At the Rockland Breakwater, the captain of the boat set the precedent for the rest of the trip. He slowed the boat to a crawl, then he slowly brought the boat as close and possible to the light to ensure everyone had a clear view of the lighthouse and ample opportunity to take pictures. And, cameras were snapping. As one side of the boat approached the light, everyone would race to that side. When everyone got one the one side, you could feel that the boat had a noticeable list to that side with all the people. All the while, Ted Panayotoff, our tour guide narrated. The trip continued on to the next seven lighthouses throughout the day. The boat stopped at Owl’s Head, Heron Neck, Saddleback Ledge Isle Au Haut, Deer Island Thorofare Goose Rocks, and Browns Head.

Because of the beautiful weather on Penobscot Bay, the captain sent word down to everyone that he had enough time remaining that he was going to visit 2 other lighthouses. When finding out about the 2 new lighthouses, everyone went searching camera bags and pockets for extra film, batteries, and memory sticks to be able to take pictures of these 2 unexpected lighthouses. After Browns Head Light, the captain turned the boat and headed toward the Curtis Island lighthouse. After Curtis Island, we visited Indian Island. These lighthouses were an unexpected treat for everyone.

Sunday, June 13, 2004 was another beautiful sun filled day. At breakfast, Tim Harrison and Kathy Finnegan of the American Lighthouse Foundation received their lifetime membership certificates. Tim and Kathy greatly appreciated the lifetime memberships. Tim Harrison thanked NELL for all of the wonderful work we have performed in the restoration and saving of lighthouses. Additionally, Tim mentioned some of the new plans regarding the new Lighthouse Museum in Wells Maine. Finally, Tim mentioned the newest ALF project, Petit Manan Lighthouse.

After breakfast, everyone convened in the Top of the Rocks room for the NELL Meeting. The highlights of the meeting were Dot Black’s (Ken Black’s wife) emotional introduction of Tim Harrison as the replacement speaker for Ken Black. Speaking unexpectedly, Tim Harrison was at a slight loss for word in trying to describe all the work that Ken Black has performed in trying to save lighthouses and lighthouse artifacts. After Tim Harrison’s speech, Dot Black was asked to return back to the front of the room to accept on Ken’s behalf, his lifetime membership to NELL. This brought another tear to Dot’s eyes. After inducting Ken Black into NELL, there was an additional award given out. It went to Shirin Pagels for her work as Membership Chairperson. To bring a little humor to the meeting, Lee Hall was the lucky recipient of a mini roast. During the Lighthouses, Hot Chocolate, and You (Winter Meeting 2004). Lee was pictured at Morgan Point Lighthouse perched on the old fashion toilet saying that he stands behind all the work he performs. As some may or may not know, Lee owns his own plumbing business out on Cape Cod. At the end of the meeting, the final highlight of the morning was the auction of a Harbor Lights – Rockland Breakwater replica, series number 10. A rare piece because it was from Bill Younger’s personal collection. When the bidding was finally over, Lee Hall won. Congratulations Lee!

As not to forget but as important, the meeting confirmed the elections of the board of directors. Before announcing the new board of directors, let’s give thanks to our departing president, Ron Foster for all the hard work he has performed in making NELL what it is. Thanks Ron. Lets us welcome the returning elected members to the Board of Directors - Tom Pregman, Vice President; Carolyn Carbone, Secretary, Judy Hall, treasurer and Jim Streeter, Director at Large. Now lets us welcome our new Director at large, Bob Taylor and our new president, Shirin Pagels. Congratulations all!

After completion of the meeting, the rest of the day’s activities began with the members breaking up into 3 groups. Each group started at one of three venues. Each group took a ride on the Equinox to visit the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse and Museum. At the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse and Museum, we received a tour of the Keeper’s house, the past work and future plans of the Museum. Other venues for the day included a tour of the Shore Village Museum hosted by Ken Black and a visit to the future site of the Maine Lighthouse Museum. The Maine Lighthouse Museum will be the new home of the extensive collection of lighthouse memorabilia and artifacts currently in the Shore Village Museum. The day concluded with dinner at the restaurant in the Trade Winds Motor Inn. After dinner, many NELL members were spotted on the streets of Rockland in search of some great ice cream.

For those who could stay in Maine until Monday, visits to the Owl’s Head and Marshall Point Lights were on the agenda. Although the weather was cooler and with a lot more wind, it was still a treat to climb both towers before all of our members headed home.