Fall-2012-CDLS-Newsletter - Cape Decision Lighthouse Society

‘Decision Light’
Fall 2012 Edition, Volume 24
Annual Newsletter of the
Cape Decision Lighthouse Society
224 Katlian, Sitka, Alaska 99835
‘Dedicated to the preservation of the Cape Decision lighthouse and surrounding wilderness areas for public recreation and education’
On April 12th of this year, the Cape Decision Lighthouse Society was
awarded a $2300 grant from the Ocean Foundation for a coastal clean up
from Howard Cove to Port McArthur.Approximately, seven miles of coastline
was scoured, and yielded 150 cubic feet of trash. Fifteen volunteers came out
of the wood work to clean up marine debris on miles of coastline on southern
Kuiu Island in SE Alaska. The first wave went out on July 10th, a boat coming
out of Juneau, picking up volunteers out of Port Alexander (PA), to open up
the lighthouse, supply freight, work on the technology system, and generally,
prepare the lighthouse for the beach clean up crew to follow in one week’s
time. In this crew were Scott and Willy Wurster, Chris Brooks, Steve Grover, a
former USCG Seaman serving at Cape Decision from 1964-65, and Scott
Higgins. Many thanks to f/v Cobalt, Tom & Zach Kohan, and Steve Lanwermeyer of Juneau for hauling some of our volunteers and freight out
to the lighthouse on the MXAK run. During that week, we had gotten word in Port Alexander that Terri Metcalf, Ward Eldridge and Kathy Kyle of
Port Protection, wanted to participate in the beach clean-up. So, as soon as the second wave of volunteers arrived, and reconnoitered, and
turned around to head for Howard Cove, as the weather was to take a turn by the next day (which did not materialize,) who should come
around the corner, but Ward, Kathy and Terri in a skiff. Ward and Kathy had
anchored their sailboat the ‘Blue Merlin’ in Port McArthur.Due to the steep
terrain behind the lighthouse, we don’t always have VHF communications into
Port McArthur. Off we set, Terri Metcalf, Vista volunteer, Ward & Kathy, Chris
Ferris of Colorado, Elizabeth Figus of the m/v Eyak, Karina Browning, PA
Americorps volunteer, two PA youths, Keiona Timberlake and Andy Lange, Chris
Brooks, and Karen Lucas. Nina Hahler of Sitka, and St. John, Virgin Islands,
stayed behind to rustle up some grub. After four mounded skiff loads of plastics,
styrofoam, rope, and miscellaneous flotsam and jetsam, and the rocks piled
high at the landing near the lighthouse, we all managed to find a spot to lay our
weary heads, to count the cost in the morning. We thought that we would find a
lot of stuff from the Japanese tsunami, but the Japanese items in number were
status quo, and we did find a couple things from Russia. It took a full day to
recover, and in the rain we transferred, by chain-gang, the debris to near the
disposal site. Meanwhile, the lighthouse bustled with all sorts of other activity,
and some of the beach crew walked the trail on the Sumner side to the trailhead
to pick up more debris.. The next day dawned gorgeous. Two skiff loads went to the back of Port McArthur to continue the clean up. Seaman
Grover told us a story about how he had to spend the night one night on this beach when he and a shipmate got stranded there. A US Coast
Guard cutter came to their rescue the next day! The following morning all of the trash was incinerated at the lighthouse, while somebody got to
talking about Venus transiting the Sun, and ‘coronal mass ejections,’ and the rest went up in smoke, so to speak. Many thanks to The Ocean
Foundation Coastal CODE Fund supported by the Alaska Brewing Company for helping us get our volunteers out to the beach clean up
adventure at Cape Decision!
Top: Chris and Terri in Howard Cove. Left: Elizabeth at the landing. Below: Most of
the beach clean up crew and some of the debris collected below the helipad
Words of Wit & Wisdom
‘All history, so far as it in not supported by
contemporary evidence, is romance.
Samuel Johnson
‘The best thing about the future is that it comes only
one day at a time.’ Abraham Lincoln
‘He does not seem to be a free man who does not
sometimes, do nothing.’ Cicero
!
!
Volunteer Andy Lange
Page Two - Decision Light
So this year, technically, my “vacation” (AKA getting out of tiny
Port Alexander, Alaska for any length of time) was spending the
better part of
a week attending the annual Cape Decision
Lighthouse Society “Work Party.” This was fun. My original
motivation for going was through my AmeriCorps youth group
leader, Karina Browning, who wanted to take us over there to clean
up man-made debris off of beaches in the area. However, I ended up
doing much more than scouring beaches for garbage all day long. I
know of at least one occasion that I passed by this place before
actually being there in person, which would have been in 2006 when
I was in the fish-buying-tender business that continues to this very
day. Anyway, I originally went out to Cape Decision with the
intention of beach cleanup, but did many more interesting things on
that trip.
So, you might be wondering, what’s the whole story? So I’ll get started. After deciding to go, and having everything else set in
stone that needed to be, I started packing for my trip. I was going to leave the following morning, but when I was all ready to
leave (and stuck on the wrong side of the bay in Port Alexander), we (that being myself and everyone else who was going)
learned that the weather forecast didn’t exactly look promising. So, we had to wait for the 10:00 AM forecast. Meanwhile, I’m
stuck on the wrong side of the bay (I could have gone home actually, but I decided not to). So, I end up doing other tasks (there’s
a story there but I’ll share it somewhere else). Then, after the 4:15 PM forecast. I discover that the weather is still not
cooperating. So, I went home for the night. The next morning, I got up at 4:00 in the morning, (which is pretty early for me,
especially in the summer when I don’t have to get up early to go to school). and I walked over to my neighbor, AmeriCorps
leader’s house in the pretty, quiet, sleepy dawn. There was no activity at the dock or anything yet, even with the booming
seasonal salmon fishing industry. I arrived at said person’s house, and myself, Keiona, my AmeriCorps leader’s sister, and Karina,
finished our last-minute trip packing and preparations. The first boatload of people had already left, and as we went across the
bay, it was actually rather peaceful being up that early. Since it took about forty minutes to an hour each way, we had to wait for
awhile. Now, let me tell you, when you’re sitting around at 6:00 in the morning surrounded by people you know, I guarantee
you’ll be asked numerous times if you want breakfast. In the meantime, I got to talking to a few friends. So, after about two hours
of waiting, our ride arrived and we were on our way. Once we arrived, a couple people came out in skiffs to get us and our
supplies (food, our personal belongings, jugs of gasoline and potable water, propane tanks, etc.) and get them to the (incredibly
rocky and treacherous-looking) shoreline. The first thing I noticed was the burnt
remains of a pier that had small trees growing up below, (it had obviously been
like that for decades.)
So, we made our way up to the actual lighthouse and got ourselves situated there.
After that, we went to our first garbage-cleanup beach: Howard Cove. So, after
cleaning up the beach we had to take ourselves, (and quite a bit of trash), back to
the lighthouse. The next day I didn’t go garbage picking, and instead, I contributed
to the (insert drumroll here) bathroom remodeling project. This was fun to say the
least. First of all, we had these guys from the National Parks Service out there
doing this 3-D “Scan” thing (I THINK they were creating a virtual tour of the
place) and I was walking in and out of the building with pieces of tile and
annoying them each time. Then, when I volunteered to paint the bathroom, I
inadvertently stepped in a paint tray of “Federal Green” (and yes, that was the
actual name of the color.) Now, that’s not the only funny thing that happened in
the process of re-doing this bathroom. The day after that we went out to Port
MacArthur to pick up more trash and we hiked back. Now, that was an interesting
hike. When we got back to the lighthouse, we were all totally soaked, since it had
started raining. We also did many other things, including staying up laughing until
the wee hours of the morning. It was a great trip overall. I’m glad I went!
The Loo
While some were gathering flotsam and jetsam off the beaches around Cape Decision, others, namely,
Chris Brooks, Elizabeth Figus, and Andy Lange transformed the bathroom, from a mildewy, dingy,
dirty looking place to an (almost) breathtaking, sanitary sanctuary complete with historic restorative
decor, with original 1930 fixtures, octagonal floor tiles, rectangular subway wall tiles with rope
molding, ‘Federal Green,’ and the best vantage point from the living quarters. Many thanks to the
McIntosh Foundation for helping fund this project, and equally, to Chris Brooks for his professional
handiwork. and spearheading other needed projects, and on his team, Andy for being so helpful, and
hard-working, and Elizabeth Figus for her cheerful, productive energy. Many thanks to the USCG
ANT team in Sitka for hauling the heavy, cast iron old claw-foot tub that will be put in the outdoor
bathhouse by the future camping grounds with tent platforms to the West of the lighthouse.
The Boat Company donated a fund raising dinner cruise aboard the m/v Liseron on May 18th with a total of $1955
dollars contributed by the guests for an amazing experience, a lively cocktail hour, and gourmet dinner aboard the ex-US
Navy mine sweep, that had been salvaged from the war, and towed across the Atlantic to be converted into a tourboat, to
introduce as many people as possible to the grandeur of SE Alaska,‘to balance economic, cultural and ecological values
in public policy issues throughout SE Alaska, in hopes that they too would feel the that the area, with its forests and
wildlife still substantially intact, was worth conserving for generations to come.’
The Herring Hop, Dance ʻtil You Drop!
Our annual fundraiser the ‘Herring Hop,’ so named for the return of the herring
each year sometime around the Vernal Equinox in Sitka Sound, was held on
March 31st. A whole pig was slow-roasted (24 hours) on the large spit, and with
use of the Elks kitchen for other food preparation, to be enjoyed the following
evening at a rock ’n roll dinner dance & dessert auction at the Alaska Native
Brotherhood Founder’s Hall. Every year, local Sitkans, and traveling herring
fishermen come out to help support and contribute to our historic preservation
work at the lighthouse which raised almost $2000 this year. Sincere thanks go out
to the rockin’est band ‘Slack Tide,’ who set the tone and got us hopping, and who
we want to get out to the lighthouse to record in the tower, where the acoustics are
amazing, to the Elks for the spit & kitchen use, the Alaska Native Brotherhood
and Sisterhood for the hall & kitchen, to SeaMart Quality Foods and AC Lakeside
for food & briquet donations, Cooks, board member Sean Cavlan & Tommy
Corso, helpers Elsa, Robin & Aleah, Summer & her mother from China, Mary
Todd, board members Kari Fish, Mike Mayo, Dick Dapcevich and Brandon Marx,
Sharyn & John Ferrick for the lights and sound, to the spontaneous children who
were the musical entertainment at the break, and all those who contributed a
dessert, it was a really fun-filled family event a good time was had by all!
Left: Sean Cavlan & Tommy Corso chief Cooks. Above: Mike Mayo,
auctioneer & John Maher helping out at the dessert auction & the many
people who came out to support the lighthouse.
Page Four - Decision Light
National Park Service Visit
I think it started with a conversation between Andrew
Washburn and Todd Croteau in Seattle, friends and
fellow colleagues involved in maritime preservation and
documentation projects. So, the logistical conversation
began between the Cape Decision Lighthouse Society
and HAER Maritime Program Coordinator, Todd Croteau
to plan a trip to Cape D to photograph the 1932 former
USCG lighthouse and prepare LIDAR scans of the
lighthouse and surrounding structures and topography.
HAER stands for Historic American Engineering Record,
and LIDAR is an acronym for LIght Detection And
Ranging, a laser radar imaging method used for
measuring and documenting with scans, distance, speed,
rotation, and chemical composition and concentration of
Paul Davidson & Todd Croteau of the NPS on the job
a remote target where the target can be a clearly defined
object, such as a lighthouse or a rock, or even a diffuse object such as a smoke plume
or clouds. It is like a grid of laser lines that can be manipulated to see all sides of an
object from different angles and perspectives, a practical tool for any predevelopment
engineering purposes and projects, like the proposed primary access plan for Cape
Decision Light Station, the reconstruction of the burned deck and historic boathouse,
and tramway on a concrete causeway below the pier. The USCG came to the rescue
again, and authorized Todd to go up in the helo to take aerial photos of the lighthouse
for the project. Many thanks to USCG personnel Dave Seris, GS, Daniel Youngberg,
CDR, John Melvin, EM1, Joshua Tabor, LT, Michael Bagley, BMC, Maeve Keogh,
LCDR, Daniel Travers, CAPT, and James P. Houck, CDR for being a part of the NPS
HAER project. So, not only was the Cape Decision Light Station documented for the
Historic American Engineering Record Collections at the Library of Congress this
summer, but CDLS has a set of LIDAR scans to use in our preservation work. We are
extremely grateful to Todd and Paul for all of their hard work, and for the contribution
of time, volunteer energy and funds to make it happen. Your work for the lighthouse
will assist greatly in future developments.
Todd Croteau with his ancient camera, or
maybe it just looks that way
Todd A. Croteau Historic American
Engineering Record Heritage Documentation
Program
U.S. National Park Service
1201 Eye Street, NW 7th Floor Washington,
DC 20005
Tel. (202) 354-2167
OFFICE WEB SITE http://www.nps.gov/
history/hdp/
COLLECTION WEB SITE http://
www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/hh/
SEA OTTER
ON
SOUTHERN KUIU
Fifty–one sea otters were re-introduced, approximately 50 km to
the southeast of Cape Decision, in 1968. Almost immediately a
small group of these otters moved north and began inhabiting the
Spanish Island group, immediately southeast of Cape Decision.
This area is ideal habitat for sea otters and was considered as a
release site by biologist at that time. By 1973, over 30+ otters
where observed in a skiff survey of the Spanish/Coronation Island
area, and in 1975 48+ otters where present in the Spanish Islands.
The population continued to expand in both distribution and numbers and by 1988, sea otters had distributed themselves as far
north as Swaine Point on the western shore of Kuiu Island and throughout Affleck Canal to the east (see attached map). Sea otters
have continued to expand their range in the region, and it was estimated that in 2010, 12,873 otters where distributed from Pt.
Gardner to Cape Chacon in southern Southeast Alaska. This exponential increase in the sea otter population has led to conflicts
with commercial and subsistence fisheries in the region, as much of the sea otters preferred prey has a high commercial and
subsistence value such as red sea urchins, California sea cucumbers and Dungeness crab.
To better inform this conflict a large collaborative study has been undertaken in southern Southeast Alaska with resources and
funding coming from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, USFWS, Alaska Sea Grant, North Pacific Research Board, SARDFA,
ADF&G, as well as other smaller groups such as the Cape Decision Lighthouse Society, who have provided local help in a remote
region. A portion of the larger study is to estimate and look at differences of sea otter diet along a gradient of sea otter persistence
(how long otters have occupied an area). Therefore, Cape Decision and surrounding areas was an important location to access sea
otter diet in areas in which otters have been present for nearly 40 years. It should be also noted that this area is not an area in
which a significant history of shellfish fisheries has existed.
During mid August 2012, I lead a field crew comprised of Stena Troyer, Simone Barley-Greenfield and Sharon Tsetong to
quantify sea otter diet on Coronation Island, the Spanish Islands, Affleck Canal and the southwest coast of Kuiu Island. We based
ourselves at the Cape Decision Lighthouse Reserve during these field operations. Conditions were ideal for working on these
exposed coastlines and we were able to collect 829 foraging dives in the area.
Foraging dives are recorded using a stop watch and high-powered spotting scopes from shore based vantage points. When a focal
animal begins a foraging dive a stop watch is started and the dive is timed. When the otter returns to the surface the observer
counts the number of prey items and size of the prey items in relation to the sea otters paw. The surface time is also recorded, or
the time in which an otter takes to consume its prey and commence another foraging dive. This information allows us to calculate
the biomass and energy recovered over time by a sea otter. Doing this on a population level allows us to identify differences in diet
and energy recovery rate as it relates to the presence of commercial fisheries and sea otter persistence in the region.
The distribution of otters between Aug. 10th – Aug. 19th, 2012 was similar to the distribution from the last aerial survey flown by
the USFWS in the summer of 2010. The density of sea otters is low in this region. Sea
otters where observed in the embayment’s on the west and northern shore of
Coronation Island (only 1 otter was observed on the southern shoreline of Coronation
Island),with only a few otters observed in the Spanish Island group and Cape
Decision. The density of otter was very low from Cape Decision to Table Bay on the
W coast of Kuiu Island, however, the density of otters in Affleck Canal remained
moderate with the largest concentrations observed near Point
St. Albans (see attached map of location of foraging data).
Although this data has not been analyzed as of yet, the
general consensus of the field crew is that the diet was
diverse and prey items were generally small and of low
quality. Low prey availability may be a factor to the low
density of otter in the area. A small mussel (<2 cm) that
attaches itself to large kelps was the most common prey
item observed with many foraging dives resulting in
20-30 mussels consumed. I anticipate to conduct a full
analysis of forage data collected from this region, as well
as many areas in which we have collected forage data in
southern Southeast Alaska between 2010-2012 in the
coming months. I will keep you posted of our results.
Thanks for your help, Zac Hoyt and crew
Faces
Page Six - Decision Light
of "
Cape
Top left: Terri Metcalf
Above: Elizabeth
Figus, Chris Brooks
Far left: Nina Piper and
Kathy Kyle
Left: Karina Browning
...poetry is the last lighthouse in rising seas, a rope to tie
around you in a sounding sea without shores, a dingy setting
out to sea from the listing shores of society, it is what the
early spring is saying about the deaths of winter, and every
Lowrence Ferlinghetti
poem an exaggeration, understated.
More Thanks to our faithful dues paying members, f/v Coral Lee for the freight from Seattle, Joel Hansen for
coordinating the Liseron cruise, Deb Gifford for the rhubarb, Ember Dove & Problem Corner Cafe for the
nourishment, Jack Ellenberger for the lingcod, hot showers & housing volunteers in PA, the McIntosh Foundation for
the continued general support grant, DJ LeMay for being the VHF radio contact, Laughing Raven & Ryan Martin, f/v
Murrelet for the bunks, and safe & classy transportation, Chris Ferris for being such a willing hand, the Ocean
Foundation for making the beach clean up possible, Pete and Bertha Karras for housing the NPS guys Todd & Paul,
Cory Gifford, Bill Luedke & his shop, and Glenn Smith for helping with the outboard, & the f/v Moontrapper for the
bunk, Haley Bell DesRosiers & the f/v Lindy for the coffee & VHF use, Steve Fish for storage space in PA, Roger
Hames of SeaMart for food for the pig roast & food for the beach clean up crew, Ward & Kathy for the skiff assist,
Harris Air for group rate airfare, Cal Robinson for use of his truck, Tom Penny for the books, Davy Castle & the fish
packer m/v Eyak for freight and transportation, Terri Metcalf for being the life of the work party (or was that Nina?),
the Boat Company for the fundraiser cruise & all those who sailed, Grover for spinning USCG yarns, Scott Higgins for
maintaining our face on Facebook, the driftwood chair, & with Chris refurbishing the boiler, & the new sweatshirt & T
merchandise, Rebecca Poulson for her art on those shirts, Nina for taking charge of the galley, Michael Kohan for the
article & interest, Greg Mielke for the 1966-67 photos of Mary Is. Light Station, the Port Alexander Historical Society
for maintaining our archives, Marty Remund & Laurie Mastrella for housing the volunteers, Sean & Andy for taking
care of the skiff this winter, Scott & Willy Wurster for coming so far, the Marine Exchange of Alaska for the 24/7
internet & helping with freight, the ‘Voices of Cape D’ in the tower, and Karen Lucas’ donation of a big oak rocker!
Page Seven - Decision Light
From The Archives:
USCG Seaman, Stephen C. Grover,
Cape Decision Light Station, 1964-65
Have you ever been to Cape Decision lighthouse on one of those
spectacular calm clear days? When one can see forever and it seems
as though you could reach out and touch Coronation Island or look
over your shoulder at Port Alexander, or Sumner Strait like a crystal
blue glass table top? So, it was that day I arrived for Coast Guard
lighthouse duty, 48 years ago. The majestic lighthouse connected to
the boathouse by a wooden causeway constructed above the rocks
would be my new home. Construction was just being completed on
an extension of the causeway from the boat house to the end of a
natural boat slip. A crane hoist fifty or so feet above the rock would
soon be completed for the purpose of lifting a small boat, crew and
supplies from the water onto the stations walkway and transport cart.
All was in Bristol condition, bright white and fresh grey paint
glistened in the sunlight. I enlisted in the ‘Guard’ and entered
bootcamp the day after my 17th birthday in October, 1962. After 13
weeks of boot camp, I was stationed on the Cutter, Gresham. The
Gresham pulled Ocean Station November, a position halfway
between California and Hawaii as a point of no return for aircraft flying from the mainland, four times while I was aboard. In the early 60s, the higher
technologies offered by satellite were not available. Hence, the manned lighthouse on Kuiu Island, Cape Decision, and and USCG cutters positioned in the
ocean to offer navigational support, search and rescue. When I accepted orders to the 17th US Coast Guard District, I had no idea where my duty station might
be. After arriving at the temporary barracks in Seattle, I learned duty in the 17th District was varied: buoy tenders, ice breakers, air, Loran and other stations
were spread throughout Alaska. The 17th District lighthouse duty was considered special because one’s tour of duty away from family would only be 12
months. Other duties not considered ‘isolated’ were 18 months. After 12 months,if things went well, a Coast Guard Seaman could transfer anywhere in the
world he requested.
Within a few days I received my orders for duty at Cape Decision. I learned I was headed to Annette Air Station for a two week course in weather observation
and reporting. I arrived at Annette on one of those zero visibility days. Thick fog is common to the Tongass National Forest in SE Alaska. I soon learned that I
would not need the three styles of sunglasses I had brought from California. I remember the trip from Annette to Ketchikan was on a salvaged World War II
seaplane of some sort owned by Coastal Ellis Airlines. I noticed some of the glass broken or missing from the gauges, but trusted it would be safe. When I
boarded the aircraft with four others, we were rolled back into the water for take off, and the craft started to fill with water. By the time we took off, we were
holding our feet off the floor covered by 6” of water. After a short flight to Ketchikan, the craft climbed from the water up a loading ramp with passengers
and crew aboard. The craft sat on dry land and drained water for another five minutes.
I was flown to Cape Decision lighthouse on a CG twin engine Albatross amphibious aircraft. I remember stretching from my seat to look at every little island
below wondering what was concealed in that terrain or if anyone had ever reached the top of the peaks we passed. I can only remember two times when the
Albatross landed in Sumner Strait within a quarter mile or so of the Light. The weather conditions would usually not permit a safe landing or take off. The
two times I can remember were the day I arrived, and eleven months and ten days later when I left for home. During my tour, we received mail and supplies
almost every two weeks, usually delivered by aircraft. The Albatross would land in Port McArthur, 6 miles inside the Cape. In protected water, we would meet
the craft in the 16’ small boat to pick up our 16 millimeter movies, mail, fresh supplies and general goods ordered from the PX at Base Ketchikan. Several
times people would arrive to perform technical functions on instruments, engines, and other equipment we used but didn’t have the ability or knowledge to
service, and sometimes repair. Generally, these technicians were civilian contractors Ketchikan,and might stay for several days to complete their assignment.
I was a young man when I lived at Cape Decision, and throughout my life, I continuously reflect back in my minds eye at the time I spent there. I was
discharged from the USCG in 1966, after four years, on my 21st birthday. I made an effort to return to the Cape in 2007, towed my boat from California, put it
on the ferry with my dog, got as far as Prince of Wales Is. where I could see the backside of Coronation Is, too far to reach in a 16’ boat, and people said I’d be
nuts to try to make it. Dog is too old to travel now. I promised I would take her to Alaska and I did.
February 24, 2012
For months I have been trying to figure out how to thank you for encouraging me to join the Beach Clean Up crew. What a life experience it was to return to
the lighthouse after all these years. The restoration project is monumental to watch. Past completed projects helped to make this visit warm, comfortable and
fun. Next year the visitors will have a new bathroom, thanks to the crew. I know that it has been a commendable task to transport all the supplies tools and
equipment needed to maintain a livable environment. The adventure of getting out to the lighthouse after plane, ferry and small boat travel was an experience.
When we approached the light from the south, Cape Decision lighthouse appeared as a monument to solitude. The years the house was left unattended and the
damage caused by the fire on the causeway has left so much restoration work to be done. I am sorry that I didn't have more knowledge of the way things were
before and after my duty in 1965. It never occurred to me that my experience as a keeper of the light would be of interest. I know that the light house was a
first rate Coast Guard duty station and in top condition when I was transferred. I wish that all the members of the Cape Decision Lighthouse Society could
have experienced the Lighthouse when Cape Decision was a major aid to navigation and maintained in that Bristol condition. It was great fun and a pleasure
to meet the other members of the clean up crew. A great job we did. Thanks to all those I spent time with and a very special thanks to Karen and Chris.
October 21, 2012
Note from the Editor: The Cape Decision Lighthouse Society was thrilled to have
former USCG Seaman Grover at the lighthouse this summer. We are all about building
our archives for this historic landmark, and to have former lightkeepers come back to
reminisce, tell their stories, and be a part of the preservation work, is a truly wonderful
part of our work, and helps make it worthwhile, as it is the human experiences at the
lighthouse that give it historical significance. Hats off to Steve for his persistence in
returning to Cape D after all those years. His presence there this summer gave all of
us a depth of time and space between now and then, and we were all enriched by his
knowledge of the place, and we caught a few fish too! To the left, the boathouse as it
looked when Grover was there in 1964. You are always welcome, and thank you!
2012 Summer Work Crew
Know Yer Board
Dues are Due!
Karen J. Lucas, president
Chris Brooks, vice president
Brandon Marx, secretary
Dick Dapcevich, treasurer
Sean Cavlan
Mike Mayo
Kari Johnson Fish
Byran Cornelius
A reminder that the
annual membership
dues for 2013 of $25
can be sent to the
CDLS office now at 224
Katlian, Sitka, AK
99835. Call Karen to
check the status of
your membership,
(907) 747-7803.
Thanks!
Membership Application
Please pass on this newsletter with membership application to family and friends.
Leveraging funding for our projects at the lighthouse depends upon our membership
support and contributions. Members are entitled to one vote, the annual newsletter and
spring announcement of volunteer summer work parties, with some transportation
provided to the lighthouse. All contributions are tax deductible!
Name:_________________________________Vessel:_________________________________________________
Address:_____________________________________ City:____________________________________________
State:_________________ Zip:______________________
Tel.:___________________________________ Email:__________________________________________________
Yes, I would like to become a member of the Cape Decision Lighthouse Society, a 501 (c)3 Alaskan
nonprofit corporation, at the level indicated below or I am renewing my 2013 membership for $25:
Donation: Receives these gifts:
All premiums & your name on a brass plaque at lighthouse
 Lightkeeper $10,000 or above
Cape Decision chart artwork, woodblock, mug & decal
 Life Line $5,000 or above
Cape Decision chart artwork & decal
 Life Saving Station $1,000
Cape Decision lithograph or woodblock print & decal
 Friend of the Light $500
Lithograph print or Cape Decision mug & decal
 Business $100 Lithograph print & decal
 Family $50
Lithograph print & decal
 Individual $35 Lithograph print & decal
 Student or Senior Citizen $20
NEW! 100% COTTON HOODIES $40 & Ts $20 with Rebecca Poulson woodblock print, plus
$5 shipping. Many colors and styles available. Great for Christmas gifts! Friend us
on Facebook to see them!
Make checks or money order payable to:
Cape Decision Lighthouse Society
224 Katlian St., Sitka, Alaska 99835
capedecisionlighthouse@yahoo.com ~ www.capedecisionlight.org