Gilbert’s Cove, Nova Scotia, B0W 2R0 www.gilbertscovelighthouse.com email: gcovelighthouse@hotmail.com  Spring Newsletter #18, May 2010 We are pleased to report that the Lighthouse weathered another Maritime winter in good condition. Unfortunately, however, the wind was so severe in one storm that it snapped off the top of our schooner mast-styled flagpole on the point. It appears to be repairable and we expect to have it back in shipshape by June. The wooden stairway to the shore was vandalized over the winter with some vulgar graffiti, but it has since been removed. A bit of paint will be applied to the railing and it will be as good as new. It also appears that somebody climbed on one of the spruce trees that have weathered many years on the proprerty and broke several branches that were left hanging. These have been cleaned up and hopefully the old trees will survive many more years. We are planning several projects this summer to further enhance the Lighthouse property. They include a restored wooden bench for the building exterior, as the previous bench has fallen into a sorry state or repair due to old age. A new gravel walking path from the parking lot to the Lighthouse will be installed to help avoid falls on the wet and slippery grass as well as to improve appearances. A decorative wooden roof-style shelter will be built over the top of the well to help keep rain water and debris from falling into the well. An exterior interpretive panel will be developed and installed on the proprerty to provide information for visitors when the Lighthouse is closed. Storms washed out a good portion of the public road going to the Lighthouse over the winter and the Department of Transportation has repaired the damage with course quarry rock. SUMMER AND FALL EVENTS While the Lighthouse will be opening this year on June 14th, our Official Opening will be Fathers Day, June 20th -- bring Dad along for free coffee and cookies! Take your own picnic lunch and enjoy the lovely surroundings. Our Annual Family Picnic will be held this year on Sunday, July 18th . Come and enjoy live musical entertainment, rapure, sausages and other treats. We will have children's activities, a Yard Sale and opportunities to re-connect with all your friends! If you have items for the yard sale, please bring them to the Lighthouse shortly before the 18th. Please come and help to support your Lighthouse. The Annual General Meeting of the Historical Society will take place under the apple trees at the Lighthouse on Sunday, August 22nd at 3 pm. A potluck supper will follow the meeting. If you wish to serve as a board member of the Lighthouse Board, or as a volunteer, please let us know. Haunted Halloween at the Lighthouse will take place this year on Saturday, October 30th, with ghosts and goblins invited from 6 pm to 8 pm. If you would like to volunteer and have a spooky good time, let us know. WE REMEMBER ...... Over the past few months, we have lost two men who played a very important role in the history of our Lighthouse Community. Mr. Ernie Morrisey passed away in Ontario on March 11th , 2010. Ernie was born in Gilbert's Cove, taught elementary school in Digby County and was a driving force behind the formation of the Gilbert's Cove & District Historical Society in 1982. Professor Thomas Garden Barnes died on March 9th of this year in California, where he was a professor of history and law at the University of California, Berkeley, and a leader in the development of Canadian studies in the United States. Tom was an ardent supporter of the Lighthouse and assisted greatly in our yearly membership drive at the annual picnic. He spent almost every summer at his family home, built in 1820 in Plympton, Nova Scotia by his great-great-grandfather, a first-generation Nova Scotian. Gift Shop and Tea Room Our gift Shop will open on June 14th , with lots of beautiful, home-made crafts for sale. We will be accepting crafts starting June 4th and 5th and all crafters are asked to phone ahead to make a time to come in and deliver their wares. Crafters will receive a package in the mail and are reminded that they must be members of the Historical Society to be able to sell their goods at the Lighthouse. Any questions? Phone Allanah at 837-4200. Remember to drop by this season for coffee, tea and delicious home-made treats in our Tea Room. Bring your family and friends! New Rustic Crafter members are always welcome; all we ask is that you become a member of the Historical Society that sponsors our activities. Phone Lorraine at 837-7626, Joan at 837-4273 or Irene at 837-1131. Did you know ? ....that in the mid 1800's the present day Gardenia Lodge, across from Savary Park in Plympton, housed Sabine Savary's shop that sold hundreds of items, such as augers, braces, candles, codfish, dishes, fine flour, rosin, rum and Sydney coal? ... that the Lighthouse was originally known as Gilbert Cove Point Lighthouse, when it was built in 1904? ... that the Lighthouse contains a wealth of information on local genealogy, school records and photos?      Come check it out!   Are you interested in sharing your talents with school age children? Phone Lorraine at 837-7626 to find out more about the “Grandparents Go Back to School” program at the Barton School. We're now on facebook! Another way to stay informed about all our Lighthouse events.              HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY SUMMER