Volume XXXVIII • Issue 2 • January, 2013 4931 South Peninsula Drive • Ponce Inlet, Florida 32127 www.ponceinlet.org • www.1ighthouselocker.org (386) 761-1821 • [email protected] © Copyright 2013 Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse Preservation Association. All rights reserved. 2 From the Executive Director 11 Lighthouse of the Quarter 13 Education News Old Orchard Shoal Viva Florida 500 Event Calendar 3 Lighthouse Thank You & Wish List 4 Feature Article 125th 12 Volunteer News 15 PART II Marsha Lewis Anniversary Herbert Bamber: The Object of the Quarter Supporters Extraordinary Engineer The Lighthouse of Highland, Michigan Keepers’ Buttons 16 Gift Shop The Quarterly Newsletter of the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse Preservation Association, Inc. From the Executive Director The Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse Preservation Association is dedicated to Members and Friends, the preservation and dissemination of the maritime and social history of the Ponce The Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse will commemorate Florida’s rich heritage and de Leon Inlet Light Station. Preservation Association launched its 125th diverse cultural history with events, educational Anniversary Celebration with an old fashioned programs, and other festivities at museums, fish fry fundraiser on November 3, 2012. schools, attractions, and other locations across 2013 Board of Trustees Family, friends, and neighbors enjoyed a fun- the state. Tami Lewis filled day of fellowship and festivities which President included fabulous food, live entertainment, In cooperation with this statewide initiative, Tara Lamb and numerous family-oriented activities with the Lighthouse’s 2013 events schedule includes Vice President all proceeds from the event benefitting the numerous educational workshops and activities Robyn Hurd Lighthouse Endowment Fund specifically developed to enhance our offerings 2nd Vice President in partnership with the Viva Florida 500 Bob Riggio I would like to personally thank the Association’s celebration. Association efforts are being met Treasurer dedicated corps of volunteers who made this with great excitement and enthusiasm from Tony Girolami event possible. I also encourage all Lighthouse our visitors. Be sure to visit the quarterly events Secretary members to patronize the businesses of our calendar in this issue. For the entire year’s Wilda Hampton 125th Anniversary sponsors (please see the schedule of events, visit us online at www. Trustee Emerita sponsorship page at the end of this newsletter) ponceinlet.org Cheryl Cunningham to thank them for their generous support. If Earl Davis you missed the fish fry, don’t worry, activities Included in this newsletter are envelopes Gladys Davis and events celebrating the Light Station’s 125th for our Annual Fundraiser. I ask you to assess Barbara LaVelle Anniversary will continue throughout the year, the value of the Association’s award winning Bill Merrell concluding with a 125th Anniversary Gala on educational programs, museum offerings, and November 2, 2013. ongoing restoration and preservation efforts Advisory Committee when considering how much to give. The In addition to the Lighthouse’s 125th, 2013 also Association receives no annual funding from Ginger Bayer Judy DiCarlo marks the 50th anniversary of the Town of Ponce local, state or federal sources. We depend on Edson Graham Inlet. Originally a small fishing community your support as members to help us continue Judy Huggins situated on the north side of the inlet, the our mission of preserving and disseminating Diane LaMontagne sparsely populated hamlet known as Ponce the maritime and social history to the Ponce Ellen Pagliarulo Park voted to incorporate in 1963. A year-long Inlet Light Station. As a not for profit 501(c) celebration titled Positively Ponce will honor (3) corporation your donation is one hundred The Light Station is published quarterly by the Ponce de Leon the Town’s 50th anniversary with a multitude percent tax deductable. Inlet Lighthouse Preservation Association, Inc. of community-centered activities and special Subscription is a benefit of membership in the Association. The events that reflect all that is positive about Ponce As always, the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse Light Station welcomes letters and comments from our readers. Inlet. In support of this important community Preservation Association appreciates the program, the Lighthouse will proudly display ongoing support and patronage of its many Member: the Town’s “Positively Ponce” banner at sixteen members. Without you, none of this would be American Alliance of Museums American Assoc. for State and Local History events throughout the coming year. possible. Have a wonderful new year. Florida Association of Museums Although inhabited by Native Americans With Warm Regards, Florida Lighthouse Association Florida Trust for Historic Preservation for thousands of years before their arrival, National Trust Forum Europeans remained ignorant of the peninsula U.S. Lighthouse Society separating the Gulf of Mexico from the Atlantic Ed Gunnlaugsson Port Orange & South Daytona Ocean until a Spanish conquistador named Juan Ed Gunnlaugsson Chamber of Commerce Ponce de Leon first gazed upon its shores in Executive Director Daytona Beach/Halifax Area 1513. In honor of this significant historic event, Chamber of Commerce the Florida Department of State has sponsored a year-long celebration in observance of the 500th anniversary of Ponce de Leon’s arrival. Known as Viva Florida 500, this unique festival Upcoming Meetings: Preservation Association Staff January 21, 2013 Board of Trustees and Monday Administration Maintenance Dept. Gift Shop Quarterly Membership Ed Gunnlaugsson Bob McLean Connie Bach Meeting open to general membership Executive Director Tom DiTusa Gift Shop Manager Mike Bennett Ed Milano Valair Mitchell Director of Operations GS Assistant Manager Stump Madison February 18, 2013 Board of Trustees Meeting Donna Doan Ellen Henry David Doiron Monday closed to general public Curator Eileen Gallagher and membership Angelo Vigorito Mary Wentzel Fran Greene Jim Foley Programs Manager Janet McSharry Kevin Nichols March 18, 2013 Board of Trustees Meeting Tom Zane Joanne Roberson Monday closed to general public Registrar and membership Bill Teasley Mary Clancy L.H. Beaconette: Nelly Renee Waldrip Administrative Assistant Megan Powell All meetings are held in the Gift Shop Nancy Nemchik Conference Room. 2 January 2013 • Ponce de Leon Inlet Light Station Keeper Listing Events Calendar Ernest C. & Margaret Rieth Lighthouse Events January–March 2013 Corporate Ponce Inlet, FL Lampists Robert & Margie Riggio January 12 (Saturday) 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Girl Scout Day Ponce Inlet, FL Calling all Girl Scouts! Come and enjoy the Lighthouse and museum while working on requirements for the Lighthouse 7-11 of Ponce Inlet Robert & Mary Ruth Trump Plymouth, IN Brownie Try-It Badge, Junior Lighthouse Badge, or Lighthouse Interest Project. Advanced registration is required. Tickets Dave & Rocky Singh Bill & Marie Van Houten may be purchased online at www.lighthouselocker.org. Ponce Inlet, FL Warwick, NY Fifth Third Private Bank Daytona Beach, FL 2nd Assistant January 25 (Friday) 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Museum at Night Keepers Experience the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse at night when the beacon’s light is shining bright! Tour the tower and grounds, Florida Hospital, Memorial Jay & Leila Adams Medical Center Brown & Brown, Inc. enjoy family-oriented activities, and experience what it may have been like to man the lighthouse at night from a keeper’s Ormond Beach, FL Daytona Beach, FL perspective. All activities are included with the cost of regular admission, no advanced registration required. David & Jennifer Ahrend Inlet Harbor, Inc. Port Orange, FL Dick Neland Mark & Amy Albenze February 22 (Friday) 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. .Beach Racing Day Ponce Inlet, FL Ponce Inlet, FL Bruce & Janet Babbitt Examine historic beach racing cars and talk with former drivers, owners and mechanics from the early days of stock car Layman Wealth Management Danville, IN racing! Take photographs and get autographs from racing pioneers. All activities are included with the cost of regular of Raymond James & Toni Barrett Ponce Inlet, FL admission, no advanced registration required. Associates, Inc. Bennett Brothers Construction Daytona Beach, FL John, Liston, & Virginia Bennett Maycom Communications LLC Daytona Beach, FL March 7-10 ............Port Orange Family Days Spring Fair Bill & Virginia Bayer (Thursday - Sunday) 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Anna Mayman Ponce Inlet, FL South Daytona, FL Bill Bieberbach Visit the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse booths at the City Center during Port Orange’s 2013 Family Days Spring Fair from 10:00 Racing’s North Turn Orlando, FL Joseph & Mary Blasewitz am to 3:00 pm. Participate in family-oriented activities, explore our unique history, and learn about the Lighthouse’s Walt & Rhonda Glasnak Safety Harbor, FL many educational offerings. Interested in become a lighthouse volunteer? Stop by our booth to find out how to join our Ponce Inlet, FL Richard Bowomi Daytona Beach, FL growing team. The Connection Richard, Diane, & Sarah Boynton Harvey & Connie Bach Exeter, NH Ponce Inlet, FL Lori Campbell-Baker March 8, 9, 10, 15, & 16 ...................... Bike Week Daytona Beach News Journal (Friday-Sunday, Saturday & Sunday) 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm Travel Host of Daytona Beach Daytona Beach, FL Ned Wald Joe & Kathy Cannon Tour the historic Ponce de Leon Inlet Light Station, examine artifacts, and learn about Crystal Radios.