Both present-day information, as well as reflections of bygone lighthouse memories in time.
Merry Christmas Season
The tradition of The Flying Santa originated on the Christmas of 1929 by a kind-hearted floatplane pilot named William Wincapaw. He was already known for delivering supplies and even transporting sick and hurt people to safety and medical help along the New England coast.
The lighthouse lights and signals were crucial in navigating his plane to save lives on these missions. He decided to start something new at Christmas to thank the lightkeepers and their families. He loaded his plane with dozens of packages and gifts, which he dropped at the numerous lighthouses. His floatplane gave him access to highly isolated areas. As the tradition expanded with additional pilots and lighthouses, Mr. Wincapaw continued playing Santa Claus for over forty years.
It was originally built in 1868 and named for a “Transit of Venus,” on the site where Captain James Cook observed the eclipse of Venus across the sun in 1769. He gathered data to help astronomers make an accurate estimate of the size of the solar system. I’ve also included Robert Louis Stevenson’s grandfather, one of Scotland’s greatest lighthouse engineers, credited with building it.
November 17,2021 - I’m currently writing the third book in The Sea Crest Lighthouse series. The Key to the Lighthouse Cornerstone features the Pointe Venus Lighthouse, which I visited while traveling in Tahiti, French Polynesia.
It was originally built in 1868 and named for a “Transit of Venus,” on the site where Captain James Cook observed the eclipse of Venus across the sun in 1769. He gathered data to help astronomers make an accurate estimate of the size of the solar system. I’ve also included Robert Louis Stevenson’s grandfather, one of Scotland’s greatest lighthouse engineers, credited with building it.
If you go to the ThumbWind website link under Lighthouse Events and Connections, Michael Hardy has presented a wonderful explanation of the Lunar Eclipse this weekend. Very nice!
11-9-2021 Many of the northern lighthouses are closed for the season. Our hope is that they will open for 2022 with Covid behind us. Many of the southern lighthouses have numerous activities to share, a well as breathtaking views.
To get a look at some of the Florida lighthouses, check on the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum, on my website.