Message from Our Foundation President

We are nearing the end of a long, hot summer with Labor Day just around the corner when we celebrate the backbone of our country, the hardworking people that keep our economy going. At the lighthouse we just completed two major projects: the handrail replacement on the cottage, and the oil house modifications for display of the DCB-224 Aerobeacon. In addition, we won a national innovation award from Keep America Beautiful for our landscaping project which was led by Keep Brevard Beautiful. We are in the final stages of planning for our fundraising event at the American Muscle Car Museum scheduled for November 5th.

The handrails on the Keepers Cottage had deteriorated to the point that they were an eyesore and unsafe. We contracted with Kinley Construction to have them replaced with a synthetic product which should look pristine far into the future. A big thanks to Jim Crisafulli for completing the project so quickly with minimum disruption.

Our old DCB 224 Aerobeacon is now on display in the Oil House. The project was made possible by the our volunteers especially Becky Zingarelli for her coordination with the Space Force, Jim Underwood for his coordination of USCG volunteers who readied the lighthouse for the beacon, and finally our contractor Glenn Clutter of GC Electric who donated the time and materials to complete the upgrade. We now have a professional display and access for visitors into the Oil House. Please make a trek to the lighthouse to see the beacon.

The American Muscle Car Museum, owned by Mark Pieloch, is opening the doors once again for a fund raising event for the Foundation on November 5. Last year we had a tremendous event raising over $25,000. Our theme this year is “A Beacon of Brevard History” which highlights the lighthouse’s importance to the history of the Spacecoast. Tickets are $100 each, and are available through Board members or eventbrite.com or email cclighthousefoundation@gmail.com. The flyer for the event is in the back of the Beacon. We hope to see all of you there for hors d’oeuvres, wine and good times. Let’s make this event even bigger than last year to help keep the light shining.

My wife and I have been working off our bucket list, and went to South Africa on a photo Safari. We saw the lighthouse at Cape Point, the southern most point in Africa which was first lit in May 1, 1860. The lighthouse is located on a bluff 775 ft above sea level and is accessible by a funicular which exits into the original lighthouse keepers cottage. As always, it amazes me how important lighthouses were for shipping and commerce around the world. The lighthouse sections were forged by the Victoria Foundry in London and transported to Cape Point for the installation which began in 1850.

As always, I want to say thank you to our members, to the brick owners, and our sponsors who provide the funding to keep the light shining. I hope each and everyone of you take advantage of the opportunities to visit the lighthouse and museum which continues to evolve and exist due to your generosity. If you are not a member please join and if you are please renew. All of you are key to the mission—”to preserve, protect, promote, and interpret the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse and its historical significance” to others.

Please visit our website https://canaverallight.org for additional information.

Let’s keep the light shining bright. Have fun and be safe.

Larry