Canadian Lighthouses of Lake Superior Vol. 6 Spring Canadian Lighthouses of Lake Superior Inc. Est Paul Capon, Chair CLLS

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1 Canadian Lighthouses of Lake Superior Vol. 6 Spring 2018 Lighthouse News Canadian Lighthouses of Lake Superior Inc. Est What s Happening at the Lighthouse? New Host Light Keepers program starts to fills up with volunteers. See Page 3 Here comes summer! From the Chair: Summer is just around the corner and we are excited to be sharing lots of great news with you our member! Our goal this year is to work harder to connect people to the lighthouse to celebrate the wonderful heritage that we have right at our back door. We are starting our membership drive and asking everyone to renew for this season, to support many new projects including better access. Our fundraising dinner is fast approaching and this year s theme is a tribute to light keepers. We have lots of nautical art to be auctioned off with some items coming from our resident artists program. This year the lighthouse group has teamed up with a new charter operation to take people out to the lighthouse. We have a regular lighthouse shuttle leaving from the marina every Monday, and ample volunteer opportunities this season at both Porphyry and Trowbridge Lighthouses that members can participate in. Porphyry Island this summer will also provide a new program for members who wish to spend a week and volunteer. The program is already half full and we look forward this summer to continue to connect and reconnect you and your family to this wonderful resource. Finally we are working in tandem with the Alexander Henry Museum Ship to provide interpretive displays, models and historical antidotes to share with tourists when the vessel opens in May. Please check out our website for further details on our programs and opportunities. clls.ca Paul Capon, Chair CLLS Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Contents Thanks for the Support! What to Do? Host Keeper Program House Rental Helicopter Tour Tribute to Keepers Porphyry Island steel light tower built We are grateful to have learned so much more about Porphyry Island, Lake Superior and Lighthouses in general David & Christine Buzzi, Kakabeka Falls

2 Thanks for the Support! As we start a new season at the lighthouse it s a good time to acknowledge some major contributions that will continue to enhance lighthouse experience for members for years to come. Parks Canada is assisting in the development of our on-and-off site interpretive program and Porphyry docking infrastructure. This season will see the completion of a $20,000 project that is already seeing results with 30% more visitors last year because of better facilities. New Interpretive display will also be installed on the Alexander Henry Museum Ship connecting the vessels role with service to the light stations on Superior. The Paterson Foundation has also made a contribution of $10,000 to help provide further services on Porphyry Island to include a visitor experience reception area and sauna. This is being completed through the kind assistance of volunteers from the Thunder Bay Yacht Club. The Great Lakes Community Guardian Funds has contributed $25,000 to help build better access, clean up the shoreline and to paint the lighthouse and keepers dwelling at Trowbridge Island situated close to the feet of the Sleeping Giant. CLLS is thankful for the support by the community and will work hard to complete the work on-time and within budget. Trowbridge concrete tower built Wish List! Donations for our Tribute to Light Keepers Fundraising Dinner Art Auction. If you have any artwork that is nautical in nature please let us know before the end of April. clls.ca Make the Date! Our fourth annual fundraising dinner will be taking place on May 4 th 2018 with speakers, great food, interesting presentations and lots of local and nautical themed artwork up for auction. The dinner will be held at the Prince Arthur Hotel and if you have any artwork that you would like to donate to the auction please let us know. New Parks Canada interpretive signs help visitors understand the role that light house keepers played in sustaining safe shipping of commerce on Lake Superior. Tickets will be available on line and at the Prince Arthur in March. If you would like to volunteer please let us know. $50 2

3 What to Do? After becoming a member there are ample opportunities this season with several new additions and programs to keep things fresh. On June 2 nd we are holding our annual Porphyry clean up. This year why not sign-up to take the shuttle to the island, spend the day volunteering and return at days end? You can leave from Silver Islet or Thunder Bay and its simple to book through our reservations portal online. We do charge a small fee to help defer our fuel costs. With the new transportation shuttle available, why not get a group of friends together and rent the house and explore? Basic amenities are at hand, lots of interpretive programming available and amazing scenery to take in whenever you want. For the more adventurous, we have a helicopter tour, which can be combined with a charter vessel to give you an interesting round trip. With ample flora, fauna, wildlife and geology to keep you inspired there s always something going on at our main lighthouse property, Porphyry. This year we are also offering volunteer opportunities to Trowbridge Island mid June and you will be able to book that experience next month if you are interested in helping out. Due to our increased programming, staffing levels, artist and volunteer activities, CLLS has a weekly shuttle leaving from pier three every Monday morning. As we can t fill all the seats, why not consider booking with us? Our weekly supply vessel will take you out to Porphyry Island, where you will get a full interpretive tour, a locally sourced picnic lunch provided by the Prince Arthur Hotel and an opportunity to see the other side of the Sleeping Giant. We are now taking online bookings! Top left: Artwork by Dennis McGonagle, Trowbridge Lighthouse Host Keeper Program Hop on our Monday lighthouse supply charter and be a keeper of the light for a one-week term at Porphyry Island Lighthouse. Spend time at this exciting destination and experience the life of a light keeper. Volunteers meet visitors daily, provide tours, do daily chores and help visitors navigate the lighthouse site. Keepers receive room & board plus transportation to and from the Island to Thunder Bay. During your off time, explore the Island, swim, snorkel, hike to the Black Sands Beach and take in the constellation-filled nights. $150 per person Lighthouse Tour Tour the historic Porphyry Island Lighthouse and experience firsthand and imagine the life and adventures of a Lake Superior light keeper. Climb aboard the Superior Rocket charter and travel across the bay to this unique place. Ascend the light tower for a breath-taking view as part of your guided tour and enjoy a delicious locally sourced picnic lunch and short walk to our scenic outlook. Experience our mini museum and the art filled Gordon Graham Gallery. $140 per person 3

4 Gateway Model Project As CLLS activities gear up for 2018, an exciting project is nearing completion at Hammarskjold High School. Visitors to the Alexander Henry Museum Ship will walk through a gateway framed by two replicas of Shaganash #10 lighthouse. The vision, design and building of these models were a joint effort between CLLS Board members Paul Morralee, George Armstrong, Hammarskjold High School teacher Lou Kok and students in the woodworking class. A painting party will be planned for finishing touches. If interested, contact: George.armstrong@tbaytel.net. Please come to the harbour in late May for the grand opening of the Henry. The important relationship between this storied vessel and the lighthouses of Lake Superior will be celebrated in part by the lighthouse gateway. House Rental Living in the light keeper s dwelling connects you to the amazing history of Porphyry Point Lighthouse. Located on Porphyry Island, 40 km east of Thunder Bay, this homestead offers a unique perspective of the life of a light keeper and his family. With running water, hydro and a propane stove, this rustic dwelling has what you need to further explore this unique destination. The three-bedroom dwelling has a working kitchen, with an ice box and can accommodate 7. Step outside and go for a hike, play on the front lawn or venture along the shoreline. Stay for one night or several. Includes our mini-museum, the Gordon Graham Art Gallery, tower climb, nature walks, sandy beach and guided tours. $250 per night. Helicopter Tours See Lake Superior turquoise blue from above fly over the Sleeping Giant and take in a spectacular vista of history and beauty. Arrive at the historic Porphyry Island by chopper just as late 20 th century lighthouse keepers did. Experience the lighthouse, the volcanic Island, the stories, the forest canopy walk and Lake Superior vistas. Explore the mini museum and the Gordon Graham Gallery, climb the tower climb or search for shipwreck glassware. $800 one-way, accommodates five (5) people. Leaves from Thunder Bay s International Airport and flies direct to Porphyry. Restrictions apply. Weather dependent. Connections Board of Directors Paul Capon - Chair Deb Koivu - Secretary George Armstrong Archie Hoogsteen Joe Marcella Richard Matheson Heather McLeod Vic Miller Shalini Misir Suzanne Sabaz Paul Morralee -Managing Director Associate Members Ontario Parks Parks Canada- LSNMCA Silver Islet Yacht Club Thunder Bay Salmon Association Thunder Bay Yacht Club C.L.L.S. Incorporated (2014) under the Ontario Historical Society Address: CLLS Inc. 212 Miles St. E. Suite #202 Thunder Bay, ON P7C 1J6 E: canadian.lighthouses@gmail.com W: clls.ca Newsletter: Paul Morralee Photographers: Donny Wabasse, 4

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