September 17-18, 2011

After a one year hiatus, the 8th Annual Maryland Lighthouse Challenge was once again held on the third Saturday in September. The theme this year was "Reading Lights the Way" and participants received a bookmark with fun filled facts from each lighthouse they visited. Volunteers from the Point Lookout Lighthouse Preservation Society and the Chesapeake Chapter of the US Lighthouse Society welcomed over 600 visitors during this two day event. The weather, as it seems to have been since Hurricane Irene hit our area, was gray and uninviting but that didn't stop aficionados from all over from attending the Challenge. We also welcomed authors Candace and Mary Louise Clifford as well as Cathy Taylor who were on hand to talk about their work and sign their books. We also allowed visitors to take a guided tour of the Coal and Buoy shed area, which is normally off limits due to the dangerous condition of the buildings. Point Lookout also had one of our very rare Challenge Finishers this year! Congratulations and thank you to everyone who joined us for this wonderful event. The next Maryland Challenge will be held in 2013, check back for details in the near future.

The wind blew from the east, giving us a spectacular sight as the flags flew unfurled.

The view looking south. Unfortunately, the restrooms are a bit of a hike from the lighthouse.

Our longest commuting volunters, Judy Sykes and Nita Roush mind the gift shop.

PLLPS Volunteers Kim Hammond and Sandra Sableski talk through the wall of the living room.

Volunteer Sandra Sableski visits authors Mary Louise and Candace Clifford

The Chapter greeting team in the South Side Dining Room

Lisa Owen, Eunice Knott and Denise Reichard visit during a lull

Volunteer Paul Murdoch rounds the east side fence to clean up the debris from Hurricane Irene. Sunday was a slow afternoon, so Paul also moved rocks and wood out of the yard and organized the mess in the Buoy shed.

Our only finishers for the Challenge!

Onsite Chapter Coordinator Candace Mylcarzyk poses with the Challenge finishers in front of their last lighthouse of the day.

The Potomac River through the fence; you can see the brown runoff from upriver from the massive late summer rainstorms.

The greeting team in the south side kitchen.