FOX ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE ASSOCIATIONNews & Latest Additions
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INDEX 2008: 2007: 2006: Boat safety update for FILA CaptainsPhil von Voigtlander, George "Carp" Carpenter and Sandy Bradshaw met Saturday, May 10th with Captain Jack Klang at the Silvertree Deli in Suttons Bay. An avid sailor, yachtsman and national safety instructor, Captain Jack gave much sage advice to the trio cultivated through his 52 years on the water. "I quit logging my miles after the first 25,000 miles," he said with a laugh, "And that was twenty-five years ago!" Klang teaches cruising courses to around 20,000 persons per year and logs in 20,000 air travel miles. Captain Klang went over many aspects of safety which included prudent procedures while fueling, handling of the lines, helicopter rescue procedures, all the way to safety on the island. "A sailor must be prepared for the worst, but in the hopes the worst never happens," Klang said.
All of us from the Fox Island Lighthouse Association thank Captain Klang both for sharing his many years of experience with FILA and for his time. He gave the trio two safety manuals, Safety At Sea and Cruising With Quantum, both written by himself. The booklets will be passed on among board members, as will the wonderful advice he shared. Please visit his web site at www.captainjacksailing.com Sandy Bradshaw Lightkeeper launchedThe Lightkeeper, FILA's boat,
was launched on April 25, 2008. After lots of maintenance
work over winter in Phil von Voigtlander's boat shed
in Northport, Andy Thomas, very helpful as always, towed
her to the Northport Marina, where Phil, George Carpenter
and Sandy Bradshaw assisted him to get her into the
water. A first test run out onto Grand Traverse Bay
showed no problems. Both engines ran as smooth as can
be. The crew berthed her just before a thunderstorm
hit the area.
Sandy Bradshaw Meeting with DNR, April 11, 2008FILA board members Cathy Allchin, George Carpenter, John McKinney, Phil von Voigtlander, Bob Zwemer, and Stephanie Staley, Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum delegate and FILA advisor, met with Lisa Gamero, Craig Gulseth, Ham Hobson, Anna Sylvester, and Brenda Mikula of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Phil presented Before / After photos to show the progress made. Solutions for the collapsing lean-to shed on the north side of the 1867 lighthouse and technical details such as replacing Portland cement repair patches with historic mortar were discussed. Possible ways to repair the lighthouse roof were scrutinized. FILA presented the Web cam project being realized in cooperation with the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum, including some urgent repairs to be done on the 1934 steel skeleton light tower, where the camera is going to be installed. The DNR was very interested in the project. The 2008 work permit was discussed, as well as the various aspects of a future lease, including insurance issues and easier access to grants. Various other possibilities for campaigning and getting grants were listed. Anna Sylvester stated that the Federal Lands to Parks Program was excited to hear about FILA's work. It was also stated that the Office of History, Arts and Libraries has identified the South Fox Island Lighthouse as one of the most endangered sites in the state. FILA appreciated the opportunity for the meeting and the partnership spirit of the discussion. For Carp's complete notes of the meeting please click here. Hans Joerg Rothenberger,
based on George Carpenter's notes Board meeting of April 8, 2008The April board meeting was held at the Grand Traverse Bay Watershed Center. Phil von Voigtlander's financial report on a rather quiet month didn't make big waves. The 2008 Task List and other items for the impending meeting with the MI Department of Natural Resources were discussed, including another Team Nickerson work trip in August and plans for a work trip of Boy Scout Crew 11 from Charlevoix. Phil reported on the overhaul of FILA's Lightkeeper boat and the schedule for launching her with the help of Andy Thomas of Thomas & Milliken in Northport. Details of the work schedule for the season were discussed, including the involvement of Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum Lightkeepers. George Carpenter described the layout of the new South Fox Island Lighthouse display at the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum, and details of the display were discussed. Sally Frye reported on the registration for the meeting of the Michigan Lighthouse Association to be held in Traverse City in June. A subcommittee for the meeting was formed. Items for the FILA Newsletter were discussed, including the recruitment of volunteers and financial aspects. The list of potential joint events FILA / GTLM was revised and pruned. A new solution for a FILA phone line, especially for people interested in island trips, the necessity of a P.O. Box for FILA, some details of the Webcam project, and a new Traverse Area Lighthouse Chain (TALC) T-shirt including South Fox were covered too. Sally mentioned a new TALC brochure, and the payment of a modest amount for funding the brochure was approved. Hans Joerg Rothenberger,
based on George Carpenter's minutes New P.O. BoxFILA now has its own PO Box. The address is PO Box 452, Northport, MI 49670. Please include this new address in your correspondence. Thanks! Phil von Voigtlander
Board meeting of March 11, 2008The FILA board met at the Great Lakes Children's Museum. Phil von Voigtlander reported on the finacial situation including a substantial installment paid against the lien on the Lightkeeper boat. He also informed the board of plans for a meeting with the Department of Natural Resources in April in order to obtain DNR approval of FILA's plans for the 2008 season. Various aspects of taking a lease from the DNR and the consequences thereof (insurance, improved grant opportunities etc.) were discussed. Sally Frye reported on the plans for the Michigan Lighthouse Alliance meeting in Traverse City in June (click here for details) and the involvement and presentation of the Traverse Area Lighthouse Coalition including FILA. Sally also suggested a newsletter for members. A biannual newsletter was approved by the board. Details of membership categories were discussed, and FILA's Mission Statement was pruned down to the essentials. George Carpenter and Stef Staley talked about plans for events to be jointly organized by FILA and the grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum. Stef also reported on the state of affairs of the South Fox Web Cam project, hopefully to be accomplished in spring. Hans Joerg Rothenberger,
based on George Carpenter's minutes
Board meeting of January 8, 2008The first board meeting of 2008 was held on January 8 at the Great Lakes Children's Museum in Traverse City. Treasurer Phil von Voigtlander presented the financial report. Details for filing a Form 990 with the IRS as well as the 2008 budget were discussed, the latter especially in view of the treasurer's substantial out-of-pocket expenses for FILA's Lightkeeper boat. A Membership Committee report, a PR report, proposals for tautening FILA's Mission Statement, possible solutions for a thoroughly reworked South Fox display at the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum, and the state of the Web cam project were presented and discussed. The donation of a life ring labeled "South Fox Island" was reported, presumably an item that formerly belonged to the SF light station. Plans for its presentation as a part of the SF display at the GTLHM were presented. Updates for the Board Books, possibilities concerning future cooperation with the MI Department of Natural Resources (lease vs. use permit), plans for the insert to the Record-Eagle, and some impending events to be attended were discussed. Hans Joerg Rothenberger,
based on George Carpenter's minutes 2007 summary of activitiesBoat house Oil house Paint shop (formerly a.k.a carpenter's
shop) Fog signal building Skeletal steel light tower Sundries Hans Joerg Rothenberger,
based on Phil von Voigtlander's Annual Report and other
reports Annual Meeting 2007The FILA Board hosted the Annual Meeting and potluck lunch on December 8th at the Great Lakes Children's Museum in Traverse City. Twenty-six members and volunteers enjoyed a bountiful lunch of culinary offerings from the board and several of the members. Though a brief board meeting followed lunch, the highlight of the afternoon was an audio-video presentation composed by Jan Nickerson. It featured photo montages of the Team Nickerson island visit set to music written and performed by an old time lumber jack from the island, Jim Crocket. The photos presented an excellent documentation
of all of the work that the Nickersons completed this
summer and the experience of enjoying the camp life
on the island again. This was an island reunion for
the older Nickersons who had last been there decades
ago when their family owned much of the island and was
actively involved with lumbering it. They are already
planning to return next year to assist FILA once more.
At the formal Annual Meeting, again
partly attended over the phone from Switzerland by Sandra
Bradshaw and H. Joerg Rothenberger, the Board reviewed
the financial situation. The good news was that thanks
to our generous membership, private donors and grantors,
FILA will be embarking on the 2008 season with the financial
ability to execute an aggressive program of projects
at the Lighthouse. We encourage members and new volunteers
to contact us and join in the island work this coming
summer! After polling the Board, we introduced our new board members Sally Frye and Bob Zwemer. Both have already made great contributions of resources and effort to FILA; welcome aboard! The election of officers yielded: John
McKinney - president, Sandy Bradshaw - vice president,
George Carpenter - secretary and Phil von Voigtlander
- Treasurer. The new Board is committed to an active
program of stabilizing and protecting the Fox Island
Lighthouse Complex. We briefly reviewed our Mission
Statement and opened the discussion on how it might
more concisely address this purpose. Bob Zwemer reported on the state of the Webcam Project, which will connect the South Fox Island Light Station to the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum and to the Internet. Led by Phil Von Voigtlander and John McKinney, members and volunteers that have donated in-kind services and material this year were thanked for their efforts. The people mentioned (in no particular order) are: Charles "Riz" Anderson of Leelanau Tree Service, contractor Dick Parker, Britten Banners, Gull Island Marine, Northport Bay Boat Yard, Andy Thomas of Thomas & Milliken, Ron Fitzsimmons, the Nickerson Family, Don Bult, Al Noftz, Bob Zwemer, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (Anna Sylvester, Craig Gulseth, Lisa Gamarro), Rotary Charities, the Leelanau Township Community Foundation, and the Ted and Jane Von Voigtlander Family Foundation. A special thanks also to our partner organization, Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum and Stef Staley. Phil von Voigtlander
& George Carpenter Boat engine problem solvedPhil von Voigtlander reported that the problem with the Lightkeeper's starboard engine seems to be solved. Several factors contributed to the failure, but each of them can be corrected. The issue, actually a partial hydro-lock of the cylinders, could have caused major damage, though. Hans Joerg Rothenberger Invitation to the Annual Meeting & Annual ReportA .PDF version of the invitation to FILA's Annual Meeting including the 2007 Report is available. Please click here. Hans Joerg Rothenberger
Board Meeting of November 8, 2007A board meeting was held in Traverse City. Various financial and organizational matters were covered, including plans for the Annual Meeting in December, membership mailing issues, nomination of officers and additional board members. Phil von Voigtlander reported on the completion of work at the light station and some troubles with the engines of FILA's Lightkeeper boat - which fortunately recurred only on this year's very last return from a regular work trip to the island. Phil also summarized the state of affairs with the Department of Natural Resources, whereas Bob Zwemer informed the board concerning the progress made on the WebCam project. John Nelson reported on the recent Five Lights Meeting. The new name for this young regional cooperation is Grand Traverse Area Circle of Lights. Stef Staley notified the board of the plans for a special lighthouse insert in the Traverse City Record-Eagle. She also informed the board of the 150th anniversary celebrations of the Grand Traverse Lighthouse scheduled for July 19, 2008, including yet another chance for FILA to represent our own project. Sandy Bradshaw and H. Joerg Rothenberger attended the entire meeting over the phone from Europe, a first for our association. Hans Joerg Rothenberger,
based on Phil von Voigtlander's minutes Annual Report 2007The Annual Report 2007 by Phil von Voigtlander can be viewed by clicking here. Hans Joerg Rothenberger
Light station secured for the winterAfter 3 weeks of frustration waiting
for a good weather window, the following work was performed
by John McKinney, Phil von Voigtlander, John Nelson,
Bob Zwemer and Tom Larkin during a one day outing on
October 14:
Phil von Voigtlander Board meeting of October 9, 2007A board meeting was held at the Children's Museum in Traverse City on October 9, 2007. Phil von Voigtlander reported on the financial situation caused by FILA's numerous activities in August and September. Despite heavy expenses we are still in the black. Plans for closing the light station for winter and the state of affairs concerning the web cam project were reported. Sally Frye and George Carpenter were thanked for the excellent organization of the Harvest Day event. The issue of board member absences due to non-local residency or extended stays abroad was discussed. Sally presented each board member with a Board Book, a binder for organizing board documents and the like. The current situation concerning grant opportunities and details for the annual report to the Department of Natural Resources were reported, and plans for the Annual Meeting of December 8 were made. Hans Joerg Rothenberger,
based on Phil von Voigtlander's minutes Fall Harvest Festival 2007The Fall Harvest Festival with Pancake Breakfast and Silent Auction of September 22, 2007 at the Leelanau State Park pavilion was a great success, fun as well for both those who volunteered and those who attended. FILA board members, supporters, volunteers and spouses did a tremendous job. Six new members joined, and we welcome each one of them! FILA ended up making a modest profit
with the breakfast and Silent Auction - ever so important
so that we may continue in our efforts to preserve the
S. Fox Island lighthouse complex!
Sandy Bradshaw Team Nickerson on South FoxDuring late August (18th to 26th), Team Nickerson camped at the South Fox Light Station and assisted FILA in several of our island projects. The team is comprised of 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation descents of Sterling Nickerson Sr who had owned and lumbered large tracts of the island in the '50's and '60's. The team was organized by his grand daughter, Jan Nickerson, who, along with her brothers and team members, Greg and Steve, had spent summers of their childhoods at the island lumber camp. Among the projects completed by the Nickersons were the cutting up and clearing of fallen trees along the side walks and the cutting of sod off of additional sections of the walkways. They completed the cutting of brush around the foundations of the Light house and keepers quarters and removed the wood left from last years cutting of impinging trees. Down at the boat house, they assisted Dick Parker in the righting and stabilization of the structure. Subsequently, they replaced the rotted roof boards and reinstalled the blown out wall panel. Access around the boat house was improved by clearing the stones from the breakwater and leveling the path around the south side and the connecting sidewalk (see photo). The efforts of Team Nickerson have contributed
the bulk of the progress at the Light Station this season
and they are greatly appreciated.
Phil von Voigtlander August NewsThe Lightkeeper, FILA's boat, was used to haul a lot of heavy material to the light station. FILA members and many volunteers have been working very hard on various damaged areas of the buildings. Phil von Voigtlander removed tons of pebbles from the interior of the boat house. George Carpenter replaced parts of the carpenter's shop that had been gnawed away by carpenter ants (no kidding!). Bill VanderSalm painted the red brick walls of the oil house in white as they had originally been. With the permission of the Department of Natural Resources, a great new FILA sign, prepared by Jan Nickerson and produced and generously donated by Britten Banners in Traverse City, was mounted on the posts of the DNR's own sign next to the oil house. A whole squad of members of the Nickerson family, who formerly owned most of South Fox Island, volunteered many man-days - even quite a few more than originally planned, because bad weather made it difficult to get them back to the mainland. There still are certain problems with one of the Lightkeeper's engines. Our boat specialists are working on them. Thanks to the prudence of our seasoned captains, the safety of our passengers and the boat never was affected, though. However, the cost of the engine repairs and the fuel still is a very serious issue. The frequent use of Andy Thomas' Showboat instead of the Lightkeeper caused additional expenses for repair and maintenance. Donations are badly needed. At the Port Oneida Fair, FILA was represented by Sandy Bradshaw and H. Joerg Rothenberger with an updated photo display. A few new contacts were made that may prove beneficial to FILA in the future. At the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum, Barbara von Voigtlander and Sally Frye presented FILA and the lighthouse project to the visitors of the 2nd South Fox Island Day, which also featured the Waltz Pistols, a live blue-grass band, to draw attention to the South Fox exhibition. In close cooperation between Bob Zwemer
of FILA and Stephanie Staley of the GTLHM, the Web cam
project for both lighthouses has left the planning stage.
More on this topic will be reported a.s.a.p..
Hans Joerg Rothenberger Announcement: 2nd South Fox Island Day at GTLHMThe 2nd Annual S. Fox Island Lighthouse Day will be held this Saturday, August 18th from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. at the Grand Traverse Lighthouse in the Leelanau State Park, Northport. The Fox Island Lighthouse Association (FILA) will have video presentations, island information on its history and on current work in progress. A Silent Auction is being held. Over twenty items have been donated by various merchants and other members of the community, including a Day Trip with lunch for two out to the island aboard the Lightkeeper, FILA's boat. Entertainment will be provided. The event is free and open to the public, however, a Michigan State Park sticker is required for vehicle entrance into the State Park. Sandy Bradshaw Pictures and news summer 2007A board meeting was held in Northport on July 10. The introduction of an auditable accounting system was approved. Stephanie Staley of the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum presented the current state of the Web cam project. Insurance issues, the problem of fuel cost, various PR and technical projects were discussed. In the course of July, several outings
to the South Fox light station were made on board Andy
Thomas' Showboat. FILA members and Volunteer
Lightkeepers of the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum
worked on the preservation of several buildings. Access
to the cast iron skeletal light tower, erected in 1934,
was gained, and extensive photographic documentation
of the fog signal building was begun.
FILA board members attended a meeting
of the five lighthouses of the area, Grand Traverse
Lighthouse Museum in Northport, Point Betsie in Frankfort,
Mission Point on Old Mission, South Manitou Island and
South Fox Island, for which kind of a coalition for
closer cooperation is being planned.
On July 30, the Lightkeeper,
FILA's own boat, had her maiden voyage - well,
not really, but it was her first voyage under the new
name and ownership anyway. She took eight people to
South Fox and seven of them back to Northport the same
day. Only minor problems were reported and immediately
tackled.
Hans Joerg Rothenberger Early summer activitiesA lot is going on on the island and on the mainland. Andy Thomas' Showboat was launched on May 27, for a second summer as a workboat for FILA thanks to Andy's generousity, while FILA's own boat, the Lightkeeper, was still being worked on at Gull Island Marine in Northport. Weather permitting, work trips to the light station were made on a weekly basis since the second week of June. Some of them also included rides for Volunteer Lightkeepers of the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum (GTLHM). The first journey brought some problems due to unfavorable wind and waves after anchoring. Our skippers had to move the Showboat several miles northward, which necessitated quite a hike for those on shore to get back on board. However, the trip was concluded in full safety. On June 6, a board meeting was held at the Children's Museum in Traverse City. Financial issues (still pretty serious!) were discussed as well as maritime matters (status of the boats), the new display for the South Fox exhibtion at the GTLHM and the Webcam project, featuring a video camera at the light station with live feed to the GTLHM and to the Internet. A second trip, on June 11 - 13, again brought two GTLHM Volunteer Lightkeepers and a FILA crew to the light. The three days on the island in perfect weather conditions were highlighted by the visit of Steve Zimmerman and Jim Viviano, both of Kalamazoo, who were on a 150 mile kayak journey from Sleeping Bear to Bois Blanc. They spent one night with the FILA crew at the lighthouse. The whole gang had a great time there, both working hard and socializing. By the way, as a little contribution to FILA's environmental commitment, all crew members on the island always collect all litter they find while roaming the beaches and take it back to the mainland. On June 26, a Thank you dinner for Andy and Gloria Thomas was held at the Bluebird in Leland. Their very kind help, lending their Showboat to our now licensed FILA skippers, Ron Fitzsimmons and George "Carp" Carpenter, made it possible for us to reach the island despite the technical troubles with our own boat. On July 1st, the new South Fox Lighthouse display was opened to the public at the GTLHM. After a complete overhaul not only of the engines over winter, thanks to a lot of hard work by Phil von Voigtlander and his volunteers, the Lightkeeper boat has been launched and may be ready for action fairly soon. Another board meeting was held at Phil's
in Northport on July 10th. Details will follow.
Hans Joerg Rothenberger Spring updateBoard member Cathy Allchin sent us the latest aerial photos of the light station! Please go to the Gallery page to view them. Our fleet is being launched for the first outings to the island, especially with the lightkeeper volunteers of the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum. Hans Joerg Rothenberger Board meeting of April 11, 2007The FILA board met at the Children's Museum in Traverse City. The status of various grants, the yield of the benefit events, plans for another public presentation and cooperation with other lighthouses of the area in the regional Lighthouse Consortium (organized by Stef Staley of the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum) were discussed. Stef Staley provided us with a list of day keepers and dates for the Lighthouse Keeper Program. Details of the schedule will be drawn up at a separate meeting scheduled for April 19th. Phil von Voigtlander reported on the status of the recommissioning of the Lighthkeeper boat. The use of the boat for non-work trips as well as safety issues including emergency procedures on the island were discussed. Hans Joerg Rothenberger,
based on Phil von Voigtlander's minutes Boat reconditioning and publicity work in MarchCaptain Ron Fitzsimmons completed the installation of the boat name and home port on the Lightkeeper. The rebuilt transmissions and engines are ready to install, so Andy Thomas and I will likely haul her over to the boat yard later this week. I spent the last couple of days setting up the brackets for the loading platform on the transom. We are still waiting for the stairs to be delivered but the platform is ready to install. On March 21st, John Nelson and I presented a lecture on the history and status of the Lighthouse at a benefit for FILA and GTHLM organized by the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum at the Great Lakes Maritime Academy in Traverse City. We had a chance to have a public dialog with 93 year old Doug McCormick. His recollections of growing up at the Fox Island station and subsequent visits there over the intervening years were the hit of the evening. Phil von Voigtlander March 27, 2007 Lee Murdock benefit concert in Suttons BayA wonderful time was had by all who attended the Lee Murdock concert on Wednesday, February 28th 2007 at the Suttons Bay High School Auditorium. Lee is a very talented musician, not only that but he talked ever so knowledgeably about maritime history - and cracked a few crazy jokes to the amusement of the audience too. A number of people signed up for the
Lightkeeper program that evening, so, by the use of
the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Keeper program and the
launching of the FILA Lightkeeper boat, this
merging, we are sure, will be beneficial for all involved
in helping these ever so precious Leelanau lights.
Sandy Bradshaw Presentation at the Chicago Maritime Festival IIThe Chicago Maritime Festival was held on February 24th this year. Like the meeting last year, it provided an opportunity for FILA to present a lecture on the Fox Island Lighthouse in the venue of the largest metropolis of the upper Great Lakes. Our presentation this year was prepared by Catherine Allchin and presented by Phil von Voigtlander. It consisted of a 60 slide PowerPoint presentation that focused on the historic, cultural and navigational significance of the Lighthouse Complex and details about FILA and our efforts to preserve lighthouse structures. The 40 minute talk was followed by a question and answer period and individual discussions with several of the attendees. Phil von Voigtlander New address and phone numberThanks to the generous support by the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum, FILA now has an official address and phone number: Fox Island Lighthouse Association The phone is operated only during the summer season, but you may always leave a message. Hans Joerg Rothenberger Board meeting of February 13, 2007The FILA board and advisory council member Stephanie Staley met at the Children's Museum. Phil von Voigtlander's minutes of the Annual Meeting were approved. The check from the Leelanau Township Community Foundation was passed to Phil for deposit. The board thanked Stef for her efforts concerning grants. The plans for Web cams at the South Fox and Grand Traverse Lighthouses were discussed, including ways to finance the project through a grant by Rotary Charities to be applied for by March 1. George Carpenter reported on his effort to get major expenses, mainly for reroofing the 1867 lighthouse in 2008, covered by the Department of Environmental Quality. Cathy Allchin and Phil are working on a new computer-based presentation of the FILA project, to be presented at the Chicago Maritime Festival, the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum lecture series and possibly at a Rotary Lunch Meeting in spring. The GT Lighthouse Museum generously offered office space in the museum's South Fox display area and a PO box address. Stef reported on the possibility for GT lightkeeper volunteers to spend some time at the South Fox light station. So far 15 volunteers have applied for that option. Phil reported on the recommissioning of FILA's Lightkeeper boat. The stern rail, loading platform and ladders are being mounted, the reconditioning of the second engine is about to be completed at Gull Island Marine in Northport, and the transmissions will soon be reconditioned at Kalamazoo Marine Gear. Phil has also secured a port supply account through West Marine. Bob Zwemer was appointed resident Web site material editor. George Carpenter was elected to serve as the FILA representative to the GTLHM Board Meetings. A strategy for recruiting and appointing additional board members was discussed too. The next board meeting was scheduled for April 10 from 2:00-3:30. To read Phil's complete minutes please click here. Hans Joerg Rothenberger,
based on Phil von Voigtlander's minutes Activities in JanuaryPhil von Voigtlander reported that one of the engines of the Lightkeeper boat was rebuilt, and the second engine is currently being rebuilt by the kind and skilled folks at Gull Island Marine in Northport. On January 5, 2007, Sandy Bradshaw and H. Joerg Rothenberger met with Stephanie Staley at the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum for a talk on the Lee Murdock concert scheduled for February 28. Various tasks were assigned to the two organizations. Please visit Lee Murdock's Web site here. On January 10, 2007, Phil, Sandy, Joerg, Stephanie, Cathy Allchin, Greg Reisig, George Carpenter, Bob Zwemer and Jim Guilmet (the latter of the Old Mission Lighthouse) met at the GT Lighthouse Museum for a little potluck cum lighthouse talk. The concert was covered as well as the development of a new brochure to be issued by both the GT Lighthouse Museum and FILA. We learned from Stef that the GTLHM
is offering us the space in the outbuilding, so far
used for the South Fox Lighthouse exhibit made by students
in 2005, for an updated and extended exhibition. We
wish to thank Stef Staley and the board of directors
and membership for this mutually beneficial union in
preserving our important Great Lakes maritime history.
Sandy Bradshaw &
Hans Joerg Rothenberger Annual Board Meeting of December 12, 2006The board and five supporters met for a potluck lunch and the Annual Meeting at the Children's Museum in Traverse City. The bylaws, updated by George Carpenter, were approved and the official copy for the association's paper file was signed by John McKinney, Sandy Bradshaw and Phil von Voigtlander. The staggered terms for the board members were assigned by random drawing. The officers' duties were reviewed by John McKinney, and a motion concerning maintaining the legacy officers was approved. Von Voigtlander presented the financial report of 2006 and pointed out that the budget for 2007 is an order of magnitude higher. Several grant applications were discussed. Sandy reported on the state of preparation for the benefit concert of February 28, jointly sponsored by FILA and the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum. The board thanked Phil for providing the trees for the Christmas Ship holiday tree sale. Plans for additional promotional materials to be designed by Cathy Allchin were discussed. To read Phil's complete minutes please click here. Hans Joerg Rothenberger,
based on Phil von Voigtlander's minutes Announcement: Lee Murdock benefit concert
Thank you Phil! These earnings from the sale of the trees will help much to both our lights. Sandy Bradshaw Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, November 9, 2006The volunteers that helped to make FILA's first year at the Island a great success met over dinner in Northport. In addition to toasting our season with South Fox Light (a black strap ale featuring Island hops), we enjoyed a fine dinner sponsored by Barb von Voigtlander. Afterwards, Phil reviewed the individuals' contributions, John McKinney summarized our season review with the DNR, and Stephanie Staley, director of the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum, updated the group on the relationship of FILA and GTLHM. We discussed the task list for next season and the opportunities and needs for additional volunteers. The group provided generous support to FILA and a great time was had by all!
Phil von Voigtlander Meeting with the DNR of November 9, 2006On November 9th, members of the FILA Board met with the local DNR, district supervision and State historical properties representatives. We were accompanied by Stef Staley of our sister organization, GTHLM. Von Voigtlander presented an overview of FILA with the assistance of a computer graphic slide show that was generated and revised for the occasion by Board member Cathy Allchin. This presentation provided an excellent preface to the subsequent discussion of our 2006 annual report, 2007 task list and projected budget. The DNR indicated their appreciation for all that we had done and endorsed our task list for 2007. Based on the latter, they immediately issued the extension of the use permit through the end of the 2007 season. Much of the discussion then centered on the issue of finances. We emphasized that the FILA budget is a fraction of the expenses that the DNR would incur to complete the listed tasks and discussed our ongoing efforts to secure grants from various sources. The DNR will support these efforts with letters of endorsement and application submission as is appropriate. They will also work with their state leadership to directly secure funding for us and at the least to make surplus materials available to us. The two hour meeting provided the basis for a continued and productive partnership with the DNR to protect and preserve the Fox Island Light Station. Phil von Voigtlander Board meeting of November 7, 2006The board met at the Children's Museum in Traverse City and welcomed Stephanie Staley, director of the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum. Phil von Voigtlander reported on the financial situation and the budget for next year. The bylaws, based on those of the former Fox Island Education Association, were approved and put into force. Stef Staley was nominated to the FILA Advisory Council. Materials for a meeting with the local branch of the Department of Natural resources, scheduled for Nov. 9, prepared by Phil, were reviewed. The Annual Meeting, as specified by the bylaws, was scheduled for Dec. 12 at the Children's Museum. Stef reviewed grants that FILA might wish to pursue and provided useful advice. Various promotional events and projects were discussed, such as the GTLHM Christmas Tree Ship, a benefit concert by Lee Murdock on Feb. 28 in Suttons Bay, a presentation of the South Fox Island Lighthouse Restoration Project at the Chicago Maritime Festival on Feb. 24, new brochures to be issued by the GTLHM, highlighting the cooperation between the two lights, a FILA membership promotion brochure designed by Cathy Allchin, and the lightkeeper partnership project in cooperation with the GTLHM. The task list for 2007, prepared by Phil, was approved. Hans Joerg Rothenberger,
based on Phil von Voigtlander's minutes Board meeting of October 12, 2006On Thursday, October 12 the FILA Board met over lunch for the purpose of inducting a new member - George Carpenter. In addition we discussed our completed season on the island (with pictures from George and Phil), reviewed the FILA presentation at the potluck of the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Foundation and dates for upcoming FILA events. Informal discussions of many FILA issues further enriched the meal. George brings to the Board a background in the investigative branch of the MDEQ, experience in working through the grant application and supervision aspects of projects and has a proven passion for restoring the South Fox Lighthouse as he took responsibility for the seasons work on preparing and painting the metal work on the historic light. The Board wishes to thank Cathy Allchin for her presentation, which made our appearance at the GTLF potluck a great success. Cathy provided high quality graphics and text for John Nelson to talk from. It was decided that Cathy be admitted to the board too. Hans .Joerg Rothenberger,
based on the minutes by Phil von Voigtlander October working week on South FoxOn October 5, 2006, Todd Huck, George Carpenter, John McKinney and Phil von Voigtlander went to the light station. Todd, assisted by Phil on the safety lines, completed the removal of vegetation from the three chimneys of the assistant keepers' quarters, prepared the chimneys for capping and patched a damaged roof area. George and John continued painting the metal work of the lantern room. Todd and George returned to Northport in the evening. The next few days, John focused on completing the metal work painting, then cleared the walkways and cleaned up the interior of the light tower. Phil patched and primed the roof of the oil house, and John painted it. Then Phil completed excavating the huge overfill along the south wall of the boat house and braced up the north wall with wooden T beams. The return to the mainland, scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 8, was delayed by two days due to inclement weather. However, there still was enough work. Phil and John assessed the condition of the fog signal building. Phil covered the broken windows and secured the door to the catwalk deck. They entered the family apartment of the keepers' quarters through the attic and found it in better condition than the bachelors' apartments. On Monday, they installed the shutters including a set of custom-made shutters for the lantern room of the old lighthouse. John continued clearing walkways and revealing their destinations. On Tuesday, in a brief weather window before the arrival of the next cold front, Andy Thomas and George Carpenter returned to the island. They installed the three chimney caps made by Andy, patched a roof section of the lighthouse office and installed a cap on top of the lantern room to temporarily replace the missing ventilator. John completed the metal painting. Phil closed up all the historic buidlings for the winter and removed two trees that were damaging the roof of the carpenter's shop. The crew left the light station in the late afternoon of October 10. Now the structures are sufficiently repaired and secured to stick out another winter without further damage.
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FILA
skipper Ron Fitzsimmons and the two GTHLM
Volunteer Lightkeepers at the front door
of the old lighthouse.
