>> Click to enlarge << Don Sharland of the Dyer Library presented the ... Photo by: Timothy Harrison

One of the unique things about Maine is the way in which communities and businesses bond together for the good the community. Many of those bonds take place in what I like to call “Hometown events” that remind me of the wholesome good old days of Mayberry RFD. Such was the case when one of the lighthouses that were built for last summer’s Hannaford’s Lighthouses on Parade was recently donated to the Dyer Library in Saco, Maine in a ceremony at the library where the ten-foot-tall lighthouse had been moved to.

>> Click to enlarge << The Crossroads Star Campers performed at the ... Photo by: Timothy Harrison

Fleet Bank, which is now part of Bank of America, donated the lighthouse, named appropriately, “The Lights of Maine.” The lighthouse itself was actually designed and painted by business owners Johanna Hoffman of the Saco (ME) Frame Center and Chet Wansewicz of The Field Mouse Gifts. The actual making of the lighthouse took place at the Wardell Retirement Center where all the residents were able to enjoy the work in progress from beginning to finish.

>> Click to enlarge << Sean Murphy (l) and Brad Coupe (r) of the Friends ... Photo by: Timothy Harrison

The lighthouse, which was one of the more popular ones of those created for the event, features 63 images of Maine’s lighthouses along with the other typical things that are common to the Maine coast such as lobsters, flowers, shells and beautiful scenery as well as a poem across the top.

>> Click to enlarge << The artists who painted the lighthouse, Johanna ... Photo by: Timothy Harrison

Schoolchildren, Fleet Bank officials and many supporters of the library attended the ceremony under the masterful leadership of the community’s mayor. As an extra bonus, which came totally as a surprise, Fleet Bank donated $2,500 to the library to support its lighthouse educational program.

This story appeared in the Jan/Feb 2004 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. The print edition contains more stories than our internet edition, and each story generally contains more photographs - often many more - in the print edition. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.

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