Latest News

January 24, 2008
Contractor Nick Buck and his crew of two stalwarts continues to work just about every day out at Whitehead Light Station.  They have found the crossing from Emery’s Wharf easy enough in most weather and have been pleasantly surprised to find that the Keeper’s House heats up very nicely with just a couple of small electric heaters, especially on a sunny day.  The building faces due south and with new windows, an insulated attic, a layer of thick “felt,” and new clapboards and shingles on the outside, the building is very tight.  The wind can be howling outside and it is quiet on the interior.

The crew is now working to finish all the trim in the bathrooms and bedrooms and to hang all the doors.  We have agreed on a kitchen layout.  Soon work will resume on the interior of the School House, which already has a bathroom and tiled shower similar to those attached to each of the seven bedrooms in the Keeper’s House.  Whitehead Light Station Committee member James Eklund will be up later this winter to volunteer more of his time on that part of the project. We expect to bring in a painting crew in March.

The materials for the building that will house the septic tanks have been transported to the island. The tanks must be above ground because of the lack of soil on the island.  Since it needs to support 13 tons (2 full tanks), the framing will be 8x8 beams.  The shingles and trim will match the Keeper’s House.  

The frame to hold the solar hot water racks is finished and the piping to the heat exchange units in the basement has been laid. We have kept several radiators hooked to the system so that during the winter we will be able to continue to heat the house minimally to avoid damage from winter cold and damp. Since all the plumbing is finished, the next step is to get the solar racks up and get the system running.

The island dock is nearly finished.  Marine contractor Art Tibbetts had to stop work because of the weather, but he will be back early in the spring with his barge and crew to finish up.  When he is done, we will have a 34’ float and a 50’ ramp up to the granite pier.  The granite pier is connected to the island with a 12’-wide bridge.  On the mainland, at Emery’s Wharf, we will have another ramp and float system so that no program participants will have to climb or descend a ladder. 

Just as exciting as our progress on the Light Station’s physical plant is the progress on the courses and rental opportunities we have set up for 2008.  In addition to this website, we have created a beautiful program brochure to let people know what the Whitehead Light Station has to offer this summer.   And we are already at work on programs for 2009. A brochure is available along with all the information on the site.  

The Whitehead Light Station fleet will be all ready to go this spring.  Biscuit, our 32’ lobster boat is in storage and undergoing an overhaul and the as-yet-unnamed 24’ Privateer has just receive a new Yamaha outboard, a new hydraulic steering system, new wiring and electronics, and a general overhaul.  Biscuit’s tender Weevil needs only a coat of paint to be ready for the season. 

Anne Stires, former cook and six-year director of the Pine Island Camp Whitehead program, and her husband Jon Weislogel will be the core staff for the first year of operations at the Light Station.  Anne will be the chef and Jon will be the Captain and Light Station manager.