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I arrived early at McGulpin Point with Lynn and Bill, taking advantage of the small crowd(at that time) to take pictures and tour the building and tower. The grounds filled pretty quick with a couple shuttles running and I was glad for our early start. Then it was a race with the oncoming rain clouds to get the ceremony in before the heavens opened. We lost. |
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Ready for a fun filled day. On the grounds, the GLLKA(Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association) had set up a booth, selling t-shirts and special cancellation envelopes. The Post Office was on hand to cancel more postcards and help send the mail back home (mine arrived in great shape, hooray). There was a barbecue set up and an area for the ceremony. |
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Here's the view from in front of the tower. |
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The lighthouse in profile. I hope that Harbour Lights sees fit to model this lighthouse in their collectibles, it has some great architectural details. |
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Here is a view of the lantern room. Terry Pepper was up there, explaining the history and mechanics of the light. The original housed a third and a half order Fresnel lens, it now boasts a Coast Guard LED lamp. Interestingly, the acrylic housing for the lamp is molded as a Fresnel, to aid in directing the beam. |
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The ceremony started off dry enough, with a fly by of the Coast Guard helicopter. Invocations were given by Frank Ettawageshik, Tribal Chairman of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and Pastor Dave Wallis of the Church of The Straits in Mackinaw City along with ceremonial drumming by members of the Odawa tribe Poet Mary Stewart Adams recited a poem written for the occasion, Dr. Bill Anderson spoke on the history of the lighthouse. Then the rain got serious, prompting the politicians that followed to keep it short and sweet. |
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