 Check the Chesapeake Chapter Activities Calendar frequently. All Chapter trips, photo contest deadlines, publicity, preservation and lighthouse related event dates and times are posted.
Louisiana Lighthouse Wins Restoration Initiative!
 The New Canal Lighthouse, located on Lake Pontchartrain off the Gulf Coast, was the winner of the JELD-WEN Reliable Lighthouse Restoration Initiative. Here, the lighthouse, which was severely damaged after Hurricane Katrina, is at the beginning of its rebuilding process. Photo courtesy of JELD-WEN
Crooked River Lighthouse To Get Keepers’ House
 The historic Crooked River Lighthouse, located just west of Carrabelle (Franklin County, Fla), will soon feature a replica of a lighthouse keeper’s residence which once stood next to the 103-foot tall iron and steel beacon overlooking St. George Sound. When complete, the lighthouse keepers’ residence will serve as a museum for lighthouse artifacts and area memorabilia.
Lightship Overfalls Free at Last!
Just before 7:30 on October 14, 2008, two tugboats pulled alongside the lightship Overfalls. The vessel slid out of its longtime home along the Lewes & Rehoboth Canal. Thus began a 275 mile journey from Lewes to a shipyard in Norfolk, VA. Once in Norfolk, the Overfalls will have its hull replated with steel and other repairs made. To read about the journey and see the photos, visit the Lightship Overfalls website at http://www.overfalls.org/.
Making History at Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse
The 67-foot east tower at Cape Elizabeth is currently undergoing an historic rehabilitation to its concrete base, and in the process, the ‘makeover’ is making its own new history. To read the story, click on this link.
Fire Strikes Sambro Island Lighthouse Station
 A devastating fire has destroyed the keeper's house at Canada's Sambro Island Lighthouse Station, which recently celebrated its 250th birthday. Sambro Island Lighthouse was North America's Oldest Operating Lighthouse Station. The fire was reported on September 14 and arson is a great possibility. The October issue of Lighthouse Digest Magazine has a story about the 250th anniversary celebration of the lighthouse station. The photo of the keeper’s house will be the last photo taken and published of the keeper's house, which is now totally destroyed. Photo courtesy Chris Mills
Fort Gratiot Lighthouse
The U.S. Coast Guard declared the interior of the lighthouse off-limits on August 15 because of deteriorating brickwork, falling debris and "questionable structural integrity. The lighthouse is located in Port Huron. Money, through a grant, is available, however, the money can't be used until the title of the lighthouse is transferred from the federal government to the city of Port Huron.
Walter B. Eberle Honored
The Beavertail Lighthouse Museum unveiled the impressive blue and gold plaque, which read: “In honor and memory of U.S. Navy Veteran and Light Keeper, Walter B. Eberle. This brave sailor gave the last full measure of devotion to his duty to keep the light burning Sept. 21, 1938, when the ‘Great New England Hurricane of 1938’ swept the Whale Rock Light Station into the Sea.” For more information, check out: www.beavertaillight.org.
Exhibits/Events at the Old Coast Guard Station Museum in Virginia Beach
September 30 through November 16: "The Galleries Art Show and Sale" - Featuring art by local artists for sale. Artists TBA.
November 18 to January 18, 2009 - Ports of Hampton Roads - A look at some of the many ports throughout Hampton Roads, from the U. S. Navy to the coal piers, as well as some of the vessels that visit these ports.
December 6 - Museum Holiday Sale - 20% off all items in the OCGS Museum Store (except consignments and books). Join us for our Open House with free admissions to the museum galleries. Refreshments, music and more! Support the Old Coast Guard Station and find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. 10 am to 5 pm.
January 20 - March 1, 2009 - African Americans in the Coast Guard - A pictorial exhibit honoring the history of the lives and service of African Americans in the U. S. Coast Guard with selected showings of the film - "The voice of Gladdened Hearts". Produced by the U. S. Coast Guard and narrated by James Earl Jones, the film takes a look at the all black crew of the Pea Island Life-Saving Station on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Call (757) 422-1587 for more information and show times.
March 3 - April 26, 2009 - Good Job, Well Done! - An exhibit featuring the Royal National Lifeboat Institute, the largest volunteer lifesaving organization in the world, and their heroic efforts in saving lives.
OCGS Museum hours - Monday - Saturday 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday Noon to 5 pm. Closed Mondays in the winter, October 1 to Memorial Day. Admission - Adults - $4, Senior Citizens/Active Duty Military - $3, Young people, 6 to 18 - $2; under six are free. Exhibits are included in museum admission. Museum members receive free admission. The Museum Store may be visited without charge.
See the OCGS website for more information.
Overfalls Maritime Museum Foundation News & Events!
The dredging is done and the Overfalls has been lifted and the vessel floats in its slip. After inspection by the marine surveyor to certify to the U. S. Coast Guard that she is safe to tow, the historic lightship will be off to a shipyard in Norfolk, VA. Repairs at the shipyard will take six to eight weeks and then she will be ready to come home with her new hull plates in place. Follow the progress at http://www.overfalls.org/.
November 14 - 7:30 pm - Monthly meeting with speaker, St. Peter's Parish Hall, Lewes, DE
December 12 - 7 to 9:00 pm - Holiday party. Bring favorite finger food to share. Site to be announced.
2009 Trip Survey!
Fill out and mail the 2009 Trip Survey. This survey lets Joyce know what lights you need to see for 40+3 and trips you would like to do outside of the Chesapeake Bay region.
USLHS Passport Program Levels of Accomplishment!
The US Lighthouse Society has expanded the Passport program and now offers unique completion patches based on how many stamps each "Inspector" has collected. Check it out!
Chapter Name Tags!
 Chapter Members - Order your Chapter Name Tag today! The tag is gold-tone and measures approximately 2" by 3½" with the Chapter logo on 1 ¼" diameter enamel disk. To order, contact our Loftkeeper, Karen at loftkeeper@cheslights.org. Name tags are $15.00 plus $1.00 shipping and handling. VA residents, please include $.80 sales tax.
 Search and Raise Money!
If only the Chesapeake Chapter had a penny for every time you searched the Internet… Now we can!
Now you can raise money for the Chapter just by searching the Internet at GoodSearch.com.
You use GoodSearch.com like any other search engine - the site is powered by Yahoo! - but each time you do, money is generated for us. Here's how it works:
1. Go to www.goodsearch.com
2. Type CHESAPEAKE or LIGHTHOUSE into the "I support" box and click on "verify"
3. Pick United States Lighthouse Society - USLHS - Chesapeake Chapter
4. Search the Internet just like you would with any search engine
5. Since GoodSearch shares its advertising revenue with charities and schools, every time you search the Internet at GoodSearch, you'll be earning money for our lighthouse efforts.
GoodSearch also has a toolbar you can download from the homepage so that you can search right from the top of your browser.
You can keep track of our estimated earnings by clicking on "amount raised" once you designate us as your organization of choice. The more people who use the site, the more money we'll earn, so please spread the word!!
Help us keep the lights shining!
eNews!
The monthly e-news is an exclusive benefit for our Chapter members.
The e-news provides time sensitive infomation about lighthouse events in our area, as well as upcoming preservation dates and trips updates. Click here to learn more and how to subscribe!
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The Chesapeake Chapter focuses on implementing the U.S. Lighthouse Society's goals in the Chesapeake Bay area, particularly with regard to the lighthouses and lightships of Virginia and Maryland. 
Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse - visit the lighthouse partner's 
