Historic Landmark on the Hudson River

Category: More Logbook

  • Vinny?

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    Today, I found a small red plastic ball along the shoreline. Numerous balls float ashore (tennis balls, basketballs, footballs, soccerballs), but this one was of particular interest to me. Early in my tenure as lighthouse keeper, I found four plastic toy balls among the flotsam along the shore. Each was a different color–blue, green, purple,…

  • Trail conditions: flotsam

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    Recent high tides have littered the trail with flotsam. Driftwood, logs, & other natural debris may be encountered along the path.

  • Question for the keeper: daymark

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    In addition to the usual spate of questions I get at the breakfast table about life as a lighthouse keeper, someone asked navigation question: What is a daymark? A daymark is a distinguishing shape and color displayed on beacons to make them readily visible and easily identifiable against background conditions. As an aid to navigation,…

  • Sun dog & halo

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    Yesterday evening prior to sunset, a brilliant sun dog appeared to the right of the sun. Refracted by ice crystals in the upper atmosphere, the sunlight displayed a partial spectrum of color. This “mock sun” gave the appearance of a double sunset. This morning, a halo was visible around the sun. I first noticed the…

  • More news coverage

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    The local weekly newspaper The Saugerties Times reported on the public outcry at Monday’s village board meeting: “A Civil Action”. Saugerties residents were in an uproar over the lawsuit filed by a village police officer against the Saugerties Lighthouse Conservancy. For those just tuning in, the Editorial by Will Dendis provides a helpful summary, which…

  • Brant

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    Several days ago, while walking along the trail to the lighthouse, I noticed an unusual waterfowl at the shoreline–a Brant. A Brant is a smaller cousin of the Canada Goose. This sighting was unusual not only because Brants are infrequent visitors to the Hudson Valley but also because of this one’s odd behavior. As I…

  • Correspondence from the past

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    Last week, Terry Shaw of Prineville, Oregon contacted me to say that he found an “interesting item” for the Saugerties Lighthouse. He found an old letter in a box of items inherited from his father. It is the letter of acceptance as Keeper of the Saugerties Light House from George Keyes, dated August 17, 1838.…

  • City slicker visits the lighthouse

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    My ol’ college-buddy Steve Smith, aka Tom Sawyer, paid me another visit. He was here in September for vacation, and now he’s back on business. He is a tavern keeper in St. Louis, Missouri, but now he’s going to start moonlighting as a political blogger for MTV’s election-year coverage. Viacom flew him in for training…

  • The continuing story

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    The Daily Freeman reported on the public outcry raised at last night’s village board meeting: “Suit raises hackles in Saugerties.” There was a great turnout at last night’s meeting according to David Radovanovic, who frequently walks his dog to the lighthouse. He said, “Lot’s of insightful questions but NO answers.” About seventy-two people attended the…

  • Saugerties Lighthouse in the local newspaper

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    Today’s Daily Freeman contains an article about the controversy brewing in the village of Saugerties over a lawsuit filed against the Lighthouse Conservancy: “Cop sues lighthouse group over injury.” I won’t be able to attend Monday’s village board meeting, but no doubt, many other people will go. It promises to interesting.