February 2013

Fire Island Light

CREATED TO EDUCATE OUR COMMUNITY ABOUT ITS MARITIME HERITAGE

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE FIRE ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE PRESERVATION SOCIETY

FIRE ISLAND PRESERVATION SOCIETY INC.

4640 CAPTREE ISLAND, CAPTREE ISLAND, NEW YORK 11702-4601

PHONE: (631) 321-7028 OR (631) 661-4876 Fax: (631) 321-7033

WWW.FIREISLANDLIGHTHOUSE.COM

Notes on “Sandy”

We Long Islanders all have stories relating Sandy’s visit to our shores. Many homes were really hard hit.

Some members of the Lighthouse staff were hard hit and we wish the best for everyone who was impacted. Sandy had many repercussions on the lighthouse itself. The primary dunes facing the ocean were destroyed

by the power of the winds. Vegetation was also heavily impacted and virtually all the boardwalks on the

lighthouse tract were destroyed by the ensuing mammoth flood tides. The only remaining boardwalks are

around the Lighthouse, the Lens Building and the Boat House. The lighthouse terrace is now compromised

on the south west corner and needs to be repaired. The light itself was relit three weeks after the storm.

Damage inside the Keeper’s Quarters was limited to the flooding of the basement. This damaged gift shop

stock, destroyed the carpet, trashed folding chairs, tables, speaker systems, book shelves, file cabinets and

all our printed promotional materials. The interior losses could mount to over $20,000 of which none is

covered by insurance. Given all these problems, the Preservation Society has been meeting with the National Park Service to man-

age these issues. Superintendent Chris Soller has been working with the Society through this period priori-

tizing the storm damage repairs plus originally planned upgrades on the tower outside skin, interior steps

and the iron work around the top of the Lighthouse. Meanwhile the interior of the Keeper’s Quarters and gift shop are getting a fresh coat of paint courtesy of

our volunteers! The intention of the National Park Service and the Lighthouse Preservation Society is to

open to the public as soon as access to Robert Moses State Park Field 5 is provided to the public.

From the top of the tower looking south to the ocean From the top of the tower looking east to the boardwalk path

THE BOARDWALKS ARE DESTROYED THE PROTECTIVE DUNES ARE GONE

Fire Island Light Published by the

Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society, Inc.

Officers Robert La Rosa

President Thomas F. Roberts, III

1st Vice President-Finances William L. Chaloupka

1st Vice President-Operations Geraldine M. Sheridan

2nd Vice-President Gayle E. Haines, Ed. D.

Secretary William S. Dempsey

Treasurer

Trustees Elizabeth Benham-Herman

Bette Berman Suzy Goldhirsch Robert V. Guido

Gary N. Lombardi Warren McDowell

Mark C. Nuccio

Office Staff David Griese Administrator

Patricia Stanton Administrative Assistant/Editor

Lynn Dunlop Program Coordinator

Office Hours Monday—Friday

9:30 AM—4:00 PM Tel. (631) 321-7028 Fax (631) 321-7033

Programs (631) 661-4876 Website:

www.fireislandlighthouse.com Email:

programs@fireislandlighthouse.com

The Volunteer Box

Thank you to all our Volunteers!!!

The Board of Directors of the Fire Island Lighthouse Preserva-

tion Society would like to express their thanks and appreciation

to the 80 plus Lighthouse volunteers for generously donating

their time and efforts, without which the Society could not exist.

We are looking forward to a great spring with our volunteers

doing everything from school groups, running tours, helping in

the gift shop, maintaining the Light, and caring for all our pre-

cious exhibits.

Open Year Round April through June:

Daily 9:30 am to 5 pm

July through August Daily 9:30 am to 6 pm

Labor Day through mid-December

Daily 9:30 am to 5 pm - DST (4 pm- EST)

Mid-December through March: Weekdays 10 am—4 pm

Weekends and Holidays 12 noon—4 pm (Closed Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter)

Tower Tours Offered during operational hours, until an hour before closing. (not available weekday mornings due to school group usage) Fee: Adult $7, Senior $4, Child $4 (under 12), Active Military w/ID $4, Member $2. Fees subject to change. Participants must wear appropriate footwear, be at least 42” tall and in good health.

Unique Tower Tours

Looking for something different to do? Perhaps a custom tow-er tour. If you have the group-we have the tour! Arrange-ments can be made for small groups for Private Sunset Tours; outside of scheduled hours of operation. Fee: $20 per per-son. Maximum group size not to exceed 15 people. Minimum fee of $200 if less than 10 people. Reservations required-Call (631) 661-4876.

Visit our web site www.fireislandlighthouse.com

Follow us on facebook

Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society

Schedule of Special Events

**Tentative-based on the opening of Robert Moses State Park

April Saturday 20 Historic Area Lighthouse Trek

8 am—Meet at the eastern end in Field #5 of the Robert Moses State Park. Join us

for a guided walk around the historic surrounding area of the Fire Island Lighthouse

that takes you to the boat house, the Surf Hotel site and the Western Union Sites.

Free tee shirt and “Light” refreshments. $15 per person-Reservations required. Sunday 21 Lecture series

2 pm- In the Lens Building

Maritime history of Fire Island-tba Saturday 27 Spring Awakening Walk

7:30 pm – 9:45 pm

Knowledgeable guides meet you at Field #5 of RMSP for an informative tour down

the beach and through the Lighthouse area. Interpreters unfold the stories of our nat-

ural surroundings, history, nature, animals and sea life. $10 per person- Reservations

required. Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight for your walk back to the park-

ing field.

May Sunday 5 Lecture series

2 pm- In the Lens Building

Maritime history of Fire Island-tba Saturday 25 Horseshoe Crab Program

7 pm – Learn about Horseshoe Crabs and watch them come ashore to lay their eggs

while reveling in the beauty of the evening on a May beach. $4 per person -Free for

FILPS members. Reservations required. Sunday 26 Lecture series

2 pm- In the Lens Building

Maritime history of Fire Island-tba

June Saturday 15 Sunset & Starlight Lighthouse Cruise

Special Fundraiser - 6 pm – 10 pm aboard the Lauren Kristy.

The Lauren Kristy is a 65 foot turn-of-the-century style riverboat. It sails from the

Bay Shore Marina located at the end of Clinton Avenue in Bay Shore. Enjoy the Bay

with a buffet dinner served on board. The boat will dock at the Lighthouse for a

guided tour at sunset. Board the boat again for dessert and return trip to the Bay

Shore Marina. Reservations required-limited to 100 people. $65 for FILPS members

and $75 for the general public. Friday 28 12th Annual Benefit Art Show-through July 19

Local artists display their nautical artwork in the Keepers Quarters at the Lighthouse.

Opening reception will be held on June 27 6pm – 9pm (take a shuttle bus from

Field #5 RMSP). All artwork is for sale with a portion of the proceeds being donated

to the Lighthouse by the artist. Admission free.

*Please call ahead to verify that these programs are available

due to ongoing repairs and storm damage remediation.

Winter Storm News

The Lighthouse has been closed since the “Super Storm” Sandy hit on October 29, 2012 due to the clo-

sure of Robert Moses State Park. NOT ONLY DID WE SUFFER LOSS OF GIFT SHOP MERCHAN-

DISE IN THE BASEMENT FROM THE STORM, WE ARE ALSO SUFFERING FROM INTERRUP-

TION OF BUSINESS WHICH MAY NOT BE COVERED BY OUR INSURANCE COMPANY.

“Angels” are needed! We are appealing for donations to help us get back on our feet. YOU CAN DO-

NATE WITH PAYPAL ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE OR SEND A CHECK TO US AT FILPS, 4640

CAPTREE ISLAND, CAPTREE ISLAND, NY 11702.

Below are more pictures of the damage Sandy left behind. You can also follow us on facebook for the

latest news. Thank you!

These two pictures were taken after the December 26th Nor’Easter that blew through. Without the primary dunes to protect us the

ocean washed over into our driveway causing more erosion . Let’s hope that this will be the last storm of the winter!

WE N

EED

ANGELS!

HELP US

REBUILD!

PLEASE

DONATE

HELP US

REOPEN!

Northern Black Racer Snakes

Notes from the President’s Desk

The Black Racer snake is one of the snakes that can be seen on Fire Island. They are long and slender,

reaching up to six feet in length, although most are less than four feet long. The snake is plain black,

both above and below with some white on their chin and throat. Its scales are smooth and not keeled.

Male racers can be distinguished from the females because their tail is longer with a wide base and even a

bulge, while the female’s tail tapers from her body. They have young that are strongly patterned until it

reaches 30 inches and then turns black.

Black racers are “Diurnal”, meaning they are active and hunt during the day. The racer eats small ani-

mals, insects, birds, frogs and other snakes. Even though its Latin name is coluber constrictor, the racer

doesn’t constrict its prey, but pins it with its coils or just swallows it alive.

Appropriately named, racers are very fast and typically flee from danger by quickly darting under a log or

into thick vegetation. These snakes are non-venomous, however they do have small teeth and can bite.

They can be ferocious when cornered. If they are grabbed by the neck they will thrash around wildly,

and if they bite they’ll jerk their head to the side and rip a person’s flesh. They may also defecate and

spray musk in attempt to escape.

The racer mates from late April until early June. In June or early July the female lays 3 to 12 oval white

eggs in a hidden nest, such as a rotted stump or log. The babies hatch around August or early September

and are from 7 to 14 inches long.

This pair of Black Racers were spot-

ted in the bushes off the terrace by

some of our visiting school children

on May 23, 2012.

This is a baby Black Racer spotted by

a staff member on August 21, 2012.

Tracks in the sand from a

Black Snake.

Most of this newsletter is devoted to letting you know how the lighthouse fared through Sandy. We are

thankful that all 3 structures (Lighthouse, Lens Building, and Boat House) did well and amazed that the

boardwalks around the 3 buildings survived. Financially we are not out of the woods. We depend on Tower

Tour and Gift Shop income all winter long. Without it we are suffering and can use any assistance you can

provide.

Thank you,

Robert La Rosa

Tom Hahn a Friend of the Lighthouse

Our Wish List

This summer we had a visit from Tom Hahn who was in the Coast Guard and worked in the Fire Island Radio Annex/lighthouse

station. He brought his story to share with you and a generous donation.

Dear Patti,

I just returned home from traveling and opened your letter. It was a pleasure to meet you as well and spend some time visiting

the Fire Island sites.

I joined the Coast Guard in November of 1968 after graduating high school and looked at the military service as an adventure to

gain confidence and knowledge to help me in the years ahead. I met many wonderful shipmates while stationed at the Annex &

Lighthouse.

As a young man, not really knowing what I wanted to do later in life, the Coast Guard offered opportunities in many areas that I

was not really aware of at that point in my life. My rate was in the Engineman category then working on the power/propulsion

system as well as associated mechanical systems.

I slowly learned my future trade/craft with the help and guidance of the experienced crew stationed there and ultimately through

the knowledge gained over the service time continued my education in college obtaining my BS degree in Engineering

Part of the duties were to work on the relatively new area called Air Conditioning & Refrigeration and I pursued my degrees at

the University of New York (Farmingdale) and University of Houston in the Engineering Field. My career, now looking back, all

started with the assistance of the crew, Bill Johnson, Duane Butler, Ray Walmer, Bill Pratt, and of course my very dear friend

“Chatt” (Robert) Chapman.

Of course, you know of his passion and support to a causes or individuals since he has also been involved in the Fire Island Res-

toration process. I do want to take this opportunity to thank all those involved for preserving something that is very significant in

a historical sense, but also in a more personal sense being the beginning of a life long career that started as a seaman apprentice

and ending up a 2nd class petty officer at discharge. That support provided me the confidence that allowed me to further my edu-

cation ultimately working at both Nasa’s Johnson Space Center, Kennedy Space Center and the Cape Canaveral Air Force Base.

I also lived at the Southland Boat Yard in the historic home of Dave Southerland’s on main street in Babylon in front of his boat

yard while serving and of course he was an Ex Coast Guard member as well. Many soothing evenings were spent on the Great

South Bay cruising in both his Motor Launch and my Chris Craft over to Fire Island at night or weekends to relax from the hectic

pace of a busy work week.

Well, that is a very brief summary from 1964 to 2012 and along the way many individuals in

the military and industry have impacted my chosen career path.

A very big THANK YOU to all of them, especially my friends the Chapman’s.

Sincerely

Tom Hahn USCG 1964-1969 Fire Island Radio Annex/Lighthouse.

Semper Paratus

VIP Chatt accepting donation from Tom

Congratulations to the Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society on its thirtieth Anniversary. Thank you

to Thomas F. Roberts, III and the original founders on having a great vision and moving ahead to preserve

this beautiful Lighthouse. So much has happened over the years to improve and maintain the buildings and

area. Thank you also to the Fire Island National Seashore (FINS) for your help and support through out

the years. We were able to use the closed time wisely by redecorating the gift shop, but our office furniture and 12

conference room chairs have been with us for the thirty years. As you can imagine, they are showing their

wear and are in need of replacement. If you can donate or know of any business that may be able to help

us, please contact us at 631-321-7028. Again, thank you too all of our volunteers and donors that helped make this happen!

Volunteer Spotlight

This issues spotlight shines on Peter Paquette. Peter has been volunteering at the Lighthouse for more than ten years, where he has been teaching school children about the U.S. Lifesaving Service, the precursor to the Coast Guard; conducting lifesaving demonstrations as well as tower and nature-trail tours. He is currently a docent in the Lens Building. A self-proclaimed “die-hard environmentalist”, he has been involved in pre-serving our natural and historical resources throughout his lifetime.

Peter was born on a farm in northern New Hampshire, the sixth of eleven children. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a major in biology and received his masters at Hofstra University. In 1968 he took a job as science teacher and chairman at what was then Ralph J. Osgood Junior High School in Kings Park. During that time he organized the school’s first Earth Day celebration in the 1970’s and found-ed a Conservation Club, which among other projects, planted numerous pine trees acquired free from the Cornell Extension, around the school property. He also volunteered with the Okeanos Ocean Research Foundation, and its whale-watching tours at Montauk Point, and spent a summer volunteering at Fire Island National Seashore’s Sunken Forest. His wife Carole was a Brownie leader in Smithtown for many years and during this time Peter was an active assistant, regularly taking the troop on field trips to the beach where, with seine nets and microscopes, he taught them about the marine activity in local waters.

He retired from teaching in 1992, then worked full-time at The Genetics Center in Smithtown for ten years. After retirement, he went on to volunteer in fields that involved preservation of our natural and historical re-sources. He became a member of the Friends of Caleb Smith Preserve in Smithtown during its first year, going on to eventually become a board member, treasurer, and for four years the chairman of its annual Jun-ior Anglers Fishing Tournament. He has been active in all events at the park, and is the Friends’ liaison to the regional Nissequogue River Watershed Steering Committee, where he is a member of its water quality committee. He is also a member of Save the Sound, a Connecticut/Long Island advocacy group.

This year he received the Friends of Caleb Smith Preserve’s prestigious Preservation Award based on more than thirty years of environmental service to Long Island and the Smithtown community.

Peter and Carole have been married for 51 years and upon their retirement have taken trips throughout the world, including Greece, Switzerland, Paris, Rome, Great Britain, Japan, Costa Rica’s cloud and rain forests and most recently the Civil War battlegrounds based on the Ken Burns television series. A Civil War buff, Peter says that trip now joins the tour of our National Parks as his favorites.

The Paquettes live in Smithtown and have three daughters-Jennifer, Melissa and Irene– and six grandchildren, which Peter calls the “Brady Bunch”: Amanda, Johnny, Nicholas, Natalie, Jared and Kallie. While proud of their dad, his daughters say they should get an award for growing up with a conser-vationist. In fondly reminiscing, Melissa noted how he would turn her fan off “in the middle of a summer night when it was 100 degrees,” to conserve ener-gy.

Article by: Carole Paquette

The Passing of Two Friends

This past summer our volunteer Joe Lachat went out on

Fire Island to visit with the Dune Wood Swim Club.

The children swam laps for donations by parents and

sponsors. They have been donating the proceeds to the

Lighthouse for the past three years. Thank you to all that

participated!

June 15, 2013

On the Paddle Wheeler Lauren Kristy

From Bay Shore Marina

Boat leaves Bay Shore Marina at 6pm

Returns to Bay Shore at 10pm

Enjoy dinner and dancing while cruising by the lighthouse

Desert and coffee on the return trip

Cash Bar

$75 per person

$65 for FILPS Members

Call for reservations

(631) 321-7028

Sunset & Starlight Lighthouse Cruise

In October of 2012, Congressman James Grover Jr. passed away at age 93. James was

proud of the work he did with Rep. Otis Pike to help establish the Fire Island National Sea-

shore in 1964. He was one of the original Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society’s

founders. He played a major role in fundraising and the restoration of the Lighthouse. He

was dedicated to his life in public service and protecting Fire Island.

In November of 2012, former Keeper Gottfried Mahler passed away at age 88.

Gottfried was in the Coast Guard and stationed at the Lighthouse from 1948-

54. For the last 10 years Gottfried and his wife Marilyn volunteered at the

Lighthouse, doing Tea’s, lectures and the ever so popular reenactment of the

“Flying Santa”. They were a recipient of a “Flying Santa” package here at our

Lighthouse in December 1952. His first hand stories were of interest to all. He

will be greatly missed by all of the Fire Island Lighthouse staff and volunteers.

BOO

K EA

RLY

JOIN

US

Follow us on Facebook

Thank You For Your Continued Support

Southwest Airlines First Trade Union Bank

Design Edge, Inc. Official Offset Corporation

Taylor Rental of Bay Shore Kenneth J. Herman, Inc.

Fire Island Wireless John Bosch Bus

Visit the gift Shop at the Lighthouse

Lighthouse Models

Tee Shirts, Sweatshirts, hats

Framed Lighthouse Prints

Books, note cards, posters

Ornaments, mugs

Gift certificates

And many more items

The Gift Shop is open all year

April through June Daily 9:30 am to 5 pm

July 1st to Labor day Daily 9:30 am to 6 pm

Labor Day to mid-December– Daily 9:30 am to 5 pm

Mid-December to March

Weekends & Holidays 12 noon to 4 pm

Weekdays 10 am to 4 pm

Closed Christmas, Thanksgiving & Easter

10 % discount for members (excludes books)

Gift Shop

The Fire Island Lighthouse is now on Facebook. Two of our valued volunteers are updating the page daily.

Get the latest updates on what is happening at the lighthouse and view recent photos of the storm damage.

You are invited to submit your photos, subject to our approval.

FIRE ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE

THE DESIGN EDGE GROUP

DESIGN EDGE INC.

DE GLOBAL

BUYPRODUCT INC.

And the entire Nuccio Family

Support the Lighthouse

(631)750-5359 www.laurenkristy.com

Your ad could be here! Advertisements run for four (4) consecutive issues.

Full Page…$600 Half page…$300

Quarter page…$175 Business Card…$100

Distribution is to Society Members and Lighthouse visitors

For more information call Patti or Dave

at (631) 321-7028

Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society

Annual Membership Application

Senior/Student……$20

Individual ………..$25 Keeper……..….$150

Family……………$40 Saver………..…$300

Booster…………...$100 Corporate….…..$500

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Zip_____________________ Telephone_________________________

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Visa, MasterCard and American Express accepted.

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Signature___________________________________________________

Please make checks payable to FILPS and send to: 4640 Captree Island , Captree Island, New York 11702 The Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society is a non-profit, 501 © 3 Tax exempt organization.

Your contribution is tax deductible to the Extent allowed by law.

Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society

4640 Captree Island

Captree Island, New York 11702

BECOME A MEMBER

Without membership, we can’t survive.

With your financial support we can and we

will. Help keep Long Island’s maritime

heritage alive with your membership in the

Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society.

Membership entitles you to:

Reduced tower tour fees

Fire Island Light newsletter

10% discount on all gift shop items,

except books

Notification of programs/events.

Discount on selected programs/events.

Fire Island Lighthouse Fee Schedule Tower Tour

Adult (12 years and older)……….…$7.00 Senior Citizens (65 and older)……...$4.00 Active Military with I.D……………$4.00 Children (42 inches and taller)……..$4.00 Members of Preservation Society….$2.00

Fees are subject to change

NON PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID PERMIT # 13

BAY SHORE, N.Y.11706