Welcome to the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse

WITH A WELL- CHARTED COURSE,
2019 IS UNDERWAY & IT’S FULL STEAM AHEAD

Dear Friends and Fellow Keepers,

As your new President, I am thrilled to cast off the lines of this issue of Canaveral Beacon by providing an outlook of what’s to come in 2019 for the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation (CCLF). But first, I wish to extend my deep and sincere appreciation to my predecessor, Rocky Johnson, for his phenomenal leadership over the past two years and a job well done in charting a course for our success.
During the past two years, Rocky’s commitment to service allowed CCLF to navigate an ocean of work on a full ahead bell and left us running at max turns on all main engines. As a seaman, I know we cannot continue to do so without risking damage to the propulsion system; however, as I take control of the helm, my aim is to keep the Foundation’s direction and progress without losing the momentum needed to carry us safely home.
And home is where the lighthouse beckons…starting with a new Keeper’s Cottage Museum and Gift Shop. After countless hours of planning and permitting, followed by several months of construction and project management, we are nearing completion on the first of three keeper’s cottages being rebuilt on the lighthouse grounds. In June, I anticipate hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of our museum and gift shop, complete with attractive landscaping to replace the portable trailer which is there today.
I also envision launching a follow-on project this year to build a second keeper’s cottage on the lighthouse grounds. The second cottage will serve as an educational center satisfying not only the Florida history program for the fourth-grade students of Brevard County Schools, but also providing opportunities for students of history, maritime and aerospace industries to encounter our unique Cape Canaveral archeology and enrich their experience at the lighthouse.
Guided tours, special events, increased and enhanced access for the public? These are givens! What is not given is the monetary and voluntary support necessary to accomplish our mission, and we will need both to succeed. Rocky would be the first to say he did not do this alone, and like Rocky, I am relying on your willingness and dedication to help wherever you are able.
Cape Canaveral Lighthouse is a historical treasure for all. In the coming year, I will look to all of you, CCLF’s finest, to help promote the Lighthouse and our Foundation to your friends and relations, and to step forward by offering your time, talent and expertise, and above all, to enjoy our adventure together.

See you at the Lighthouse!

Jim

Canaveral Lighthouse Tours is now conducting weekly excursions in small groups to tour the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse and historic spaceflight launch complexes. Tours are offered on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month.

You can read a little about Shelley and Gerry Parker, owners of Cape Canaveral Tours in this month’s newsletter. The tours are an excellent opportunity to see the progress being made in the Keepers’ Cottage construction.

Plan and book your lighthouse tour today at Canaveral Lighthouse Tours, or call 321-307-2900 to make your reservations.

The latest edition of the Canaveral Beacon is available now. It includes an article and pictures of the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation 2019 Fundraising Gala. In the Community Outreach section, you can read about the foundation hosting the Florida Lighthouse Association 2019 Winter Meeting and the foundation participating in 2019 in Pioneer Day at Sams House.

Read about new Lighthouse adventures with Cape Canaveral Tours and Canaveral Wildlife Tours. Check out the exciting new tour opportunities on the Lighthouse Tours page and at Canaveral Lighthouse Tours,.

This month’s Volunteer Spotlight features Sharon Crockett. You can read more about her story and her contributions to the Lighthouse Foundation working as the Board Secretary. Meet Sharon in the February newsletter.

Check out the news updating the Keepers’ Cottages construction. The article will bring you up to date on the current progress and includes pictures of construction.

With progress on the Keepers’ Cottages, the Brick Walkway Program is picking up pace. Order your engraved brick and join in the history of the lighthouse.

Check out some of the upcoming events for the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation and the Florida Lighthouse Association. Cape Canaveral Founders Day is coming up on April 13, 2019, and the Descendants Day Luncheon on May 4, 2019. For more information on upcoming Florida Lighthouse Association events, visit Florida Lighthouse Association.

You can view the newsletter at:

Canaveral Beacon – February 2019

Are you or your organization interested in being a Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation sponsor? You can find more information on our Lighthouse Foundation Sponsorship page. It includes a sponsorship letter from Foundation President Jim Underwood, and the Annual Sponsorship Form with more details on sponsorship levels.

On October 10th, 2017 the Brevard County Commissioners approved the Tourism Development Council recommendation to fund $500,000.00 for construction of the first Keeper’s Cottage for the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse. Restoration of the Keeper’s Cottages has been a fundamental goal of the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation since its establishment in 2002.

A Few Words about the Florida Lighthouse Association (FLA)
Bob Merrilees
Former President, Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation

The Florida Lighthouse Association is a nonprofit group of citizen activists dedicated to the preservation of the 30 remaining historic lighthouses that line our state’s 1,350-mile coastline. Once central to the economic growth and settlement of our nation, many of Florida’s lighthouses face uncertain futures. We encourage members of the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation to support FLA by joining and attending meetings. For details check out the website at www.floridalighthouses.org . FLA grants have helped us toward our goals of restoring our Canaveral Lighthouse community as it once was. Recently FLA awarded us a grant of $6,000 for the rental of a trailer to be placed at the lighthouse to house our gift shop and display our Brick Project. We ask you to show your appreciation by joining FLA today!