Participation and Community Engagement
Countless businesses and local volunteers are coming forward, offering their professional services, project management expertise, marine construction skills, building trades, engineering, painting, and other services. In addition, generous and enthusiastic pro bono support from individuals and partner organizations has been forthcoming:
Kevin Hancock and Eric Dolloff of Hancock Lumber have generously joined the Cuckolds Rescue as full partners, and, together with their suppliers and vendors, this six-generation, family-owned enterprise is contributing 100 percent of the building materials for this historic restoration.
Marge Kilkelly and Joe Murray of Dragonfly Cove Farm in Dresden Maine have donated two Savannah Boer goats, Luna and Blondie, to summer on the Western Cuckolds, helping trim the landscaping and lure kayakers to visit. Each summer, they will loan a few hungry—and carbon-emission-free—goats to the Cuckolds. Marge Schatz, author of two definitive books on goats, has also provided good counsel on the care and feeding of these adorable landscapers.
Thirty-Two Inns, Motels, and Bed & Breakfasts have signed on as Cuckolds Light partners, informing their guests of our efforts, and providing opportunities to help participate in the Cuckolds rescue efforts. All of these Inns and B&Bs are on our website, with links to their own sites, for reservations.
Local Tour Boat operators are sharing historically accurate information about the Cuckolds and the rescue and restoration with their guests, as they pass by the Cuckolds Light.
Skip Rideout, Rideout Marine, has provided barge services and manpower to help rebuild the shipways, to give us better access to the island, pin the foundation for the Boathouse, and more. In late August, 2007, in a real “Iwo Jima” scene, Gerry Gamage installed the 30 foot flagpole built and donated to the Cuckolds by Henry Berne, of Britton of Southport.
Through the pro bono services of Steve Richardson, Jon Simon, and their environmental law firm of Van Ness Feldman (VNF), the Cuckolds Council received strong guidance through the application process, and further assistance securing the name and the image of the Cuckolds. VNF continues to serve as Cuckolds pro bono counsel.
Rob Wheeler and J. Edward Knight have provided the insurance for the island from the very beginning.
Marty Moore, Coastal Designers, enthusiastic from the beginning, has donated his firm's services to prepare the architectural drawings for this project, provide counsel on materials, options, and costs. He continues to guide the volunteers who are undertaking the construction and restoration.
Janet Reingold’s Washington, DC firm, Reingold, Inc., has created the Cuckolds Website, newsletter, and other collateral materials. Visit CuckoldsLight.org to keep updated on plans, progress, and partners.
Ed Parker, a prominent artist, has painted a lovely, whimsical, folk-art painting of the Cuckolds, and is donating the proceeds from the sale of the painting and the prints to the Cuckolds. The Framers Gallery has these prints for sale, and all proceeds go toward this rescue.
Likewise, Rick Dickinson who owns The Gallery in Boothbay Harbor has donated his painting of the Cuckolds, and gave permissions to make prints for sale, all proceeds donated toward this rescue.
John Stimson has created a beautiful hand-painted engraving of the Cuckolds Light, also donating his artwork and permissions for prints to help raise funds for this rescue.
Bruce Tindal of Tindal & Calahan made the vacant Artisans building on Granery Way available for a community window display of the Cuckolds.
The Maine Island Trail Association had placed the Western Cuckolds island on their 185 island network extending along a 350-mile long waterway, available for adventurous mariners' and kayakers' day visits and camping.
Maureen Heffernan, President of the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens has expressed enthusiasm and interest in re-creating the Lighthouse Keepers’ Kitchen Garden, and in a letter of support, said she loves the idea of planning and creating a vegetable and herb garden in keeping with the times.
Terry McClinch of the Boothbay Harbor Shipyard has committed to build two launches to help ferry people out to the Cuckolds.
Bigelow Laboratories will offer instruction in tide pools, ocean research, and marine science, akin to their shoreside Café Scientifique seminars open for free to the public.
The U.S. Coast Guard Aids to Navigation Team will continue to maintain the Fog Signal and Light itself, and will provide a crew as volunteers to help rebuild the Light Station. Once the light is rebuilt, the Coast Guard will also offer training programs for young people in coastal navigation and marine safety.
The Maine Lighthouse Museum in Rockland has featured an extensive Cuckolds exhibit in their Museum, for 18 months, from January 2008 through July of 2009. Don Perkins built and donated a hand crafted four foot by four foot model of the Cuckolds Fog Signal and Light Station buildings as they will look when the restoration is completed.
The Maine Maritime Museum is tying the Cuckolds into their history programs.
The Boothbay Register has been a terrific partner, helping raise awareness and keeping the community informed.
Andy Hamblett has expressed enthusiam for offering YMCA “adventure camps” and a variety of activities for the region's young people on the Western Cuckolds.
Many local businesses partnered in August 2007 to host a community orientation program and cruise to the Cuckolds. George McEvoy provided the historic ferry boat, Nellie G II, for our enjoyment and education, along with the Northern Ranger. Jack Cogswell allowed us to use the Carousel Marina for boarding, and provided refreshments on the Cruise. Scott Larson catered a reception at the Newagen and at the Cuckolds so that guests were well fed for this adventure. A team of volunteers helped with invitations, RSVPs, and all the other administrivia involved in hosting an event for community leaders. Senator Susan Collins came to the dock to see us off on our Cuckolds rescue cruise.
Phil’s Lobster Shop on Route 27 (788 Wiscasset Road in Boothbay) donated 10 cents a roll for all the lobster rolls they sold one summer!
Jack Cogswell, owner of the Carousel Marina, hosted the first community briefing held in the Carousel Yacht Club and donated refreshments for all.
Many other artists, including Libby Rudnick, Maria Boord, Lance Marburger, Jack Mackey, and others have also painted and contributed canvases, prints, and posters.
Elaine Jones, Maine Department of Marine Resources employee and Burnt Island’s keeper shares the benefit of her experiences with the Cuckolds Council.
Tim Harrison, President of the American Lighthouse Foundation, presented the Council with a framed copy of the original drawings, signed by the architect, Royal Luther.
Scott Larson and the Newagen Seaside Inn have offered to assist with the hospitality side of the Light Station—room reservations, catering, picnic outings, small weddings or life-cycle events, business retreats, and provide all the profits for the ongoing operations and maintenance costs.
Ben Russell committed to have his company, Russell Industries, handle the manufacture and merchandising of Cuckolds products to help generate ongoing revenue for maintenance of the Cuckolds.
While everyone is encouraged to paint, photograph, and draw the Cuckolds Light as it is now, and during the reconstruction process, Robert Mitchell has been named “Official Photographer” for the Cuckolds.
Jeremy D’Entremont has generously provided personal photos taken of the lighthouse as well as devoted a page, within his own website, to the Cuckolds Lighthouse. His site can be found at: www.lighthouse.cc/cuckolds.