About Me

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After retirement, for two summers I worked as a tour guide at the Umpqua River Lighthouse in Oregon. This opportunity enabled me to learn more about that lighthouse than any of the others I've seen. Although I have personally visited and photographed over 300 lighthouses in the United States and three Provinces in Canada, the Umpqua River Lighthouse has special meaning for me. That Lighthouse inspired me to write two fictional books with the characters working, living, and enduring the challenges of lighthouse keeping. All pictures posted in this blog were taken by myself, unless noted otherwise.

Book Info.

I hope you will find time to enjoy my books. Preview the book covers below at the right side of page.

Book #1: "The Wickie and the Umpqua Lighthouse." Detail: "The Wickie and the Umpqua Lighthouse" is an 1860's story about the lighthouse keepers and their families at the Umpqua River Lighthouse. It will stir your emotions and warm your heart. Discover the challenges they met but never expected, and their determination to maintain navigational aid to mariners on the Oregon coast. (Wickie is a nickname used by the early lighthouse keepers at the Umpqua River Lighthouse in OR.)

Book #2: "Spirit of The Lighthouse" is a sequel to The Wickie. Detail: Jesse Fayette, assistant keeper at the Umpqua River Lighthouse, finds himself alone to operate and maintain an Oregon lighthouse after the accidental death of his head keeper. After notifying the Lighthouse Board and requesting help, he is surprised but must deal with an acquaintance, Red Saunders, who believes the lighthouse is haunted.

Book #3: "Unexpected Moments" has a different theme than those of Book #1 and #2. Detail: Dan and Megan, as well as their old friends Jim and Anna, experience unexpected moments of hardships and tragedies in Arizona and California. Will they survive these unexpected moments and find any hope for their futures?

All of my books are available on Amazon.

08 February 2018

Concerned Citizens Save Historic Landmark



Located at the mouth of the Maurice River, near Heislerville, NJ is the East Point Lighthouse. Built in 1849, it stands 40-feet high. Preceding this light were Range Lights positioned at the entrance of the river to guide all mariners and those involved in the oyster trade. Initially, lamps and reflectors were used to produce the light in the lighthouse. In 1865 these were replaced by a sixth-order Fresnel lens.

The light was darkened in 1941 during World War II, and then later completely taken out of service. Due to the shutdown and lack of maintenance for several years, the lighthouse suffered neglect and much deterioration until local citizens became concerned. They formed the Maurice River Society in 1971 with the mission to save the historic landmark. Restoration efforts by this society and their prompting of the Coast Guard, succeeded in getting the light relight in 1980. At the time of my visit here in 2001, this was an active lighthouse and open to the public.


Originally named the Maurice River Lighthouse, the East Point Lighthouse has guided mariners into the Maurice River from the Delaware Bay for over 165 years. This lighthouse is New Jersey's second oldest lighthouse, and the last working land-based NJ lighthouse on the bay.

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