September 22 update - thanks Ron!

It was another exciting day for those who love the Avery Point lighthouse.  The lantern room, which was loaded onto a work boat/barge at the West Mystic Wooden Boat Company yesterday, made a journey that will be remembered for many years.

Today, Sept. 22, 2005 the first day of Fall, began with cool breezes, clear skies and sunshine.  Reporters, photographers and lighthouse lovers from many parts of the region were coming together to witness the move of the new Avery Point lantern room from West Mystic to Groton, CT.  This journey would be approximately seven miles by boat and take about two hours.

Captain Jeff Dziedzic, Proprietor of Downeast Lighthouse Cruises, donated his services to carry people aboard the ESCAPE for the journey.  Gladys Alcedo, New London Day reporter; Betty Keane, APLS; and myself boarded the boat about 9 AM at Pine Island Marina for the trip to West Mystic.

When we arrived at the West Mystic Wooden Boat Building Co. the lantern room was onboard the CHIEF, a work boat-barge.  Mark Robinson who did most of the work building the lantern room from scratch, and Steve Jones who donated the materials and labor needed to re-create the lantern room, were also onboard and ready to go.

The CHIEF was escorted by the USCG in one of the high-speed orange boats seen along the Thames River and Long Island Sound, the City of Groton Police Boat, and the ESCAPE while a helicopter hovered overhead.  Along the way were many curious onlookers, including signets, dogs, boaters and landlubbers.

Gladys Alcedo	Gladys Alcedo and Betty Keane ready to board
Escape	Passing Avery Point - Branford House
Captain Jeff	Passing Topless Avery Point
Interested party along the way
Signets check to see if Betty has food	Lantern Room secure and ready to go
Mark Robinson hauls the last line in	Gladys anticipates her next move as the Chief moves away

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