The Lightkeeper's Blog

Hoopla and cake and then I threw a switch. You can see the whole of the ceremony here.

Scituate Light is back on. If you are fussy about time and need precision; I can tell you it was around 7:30 on August 7, 2024 that it was relit. From here on in, it clicks on at 6:06pm.

There was also this bolt from the blue. Early Wednesday morning Julie answered the door to find a gentleman handing off these cans. Untold Brewery had released them that morning and two of these had found there way to the Senior Center. The other two arrived later that night and were enjoyed after the clean up by a couple of distinguished contributors. They know who they are.

Here is a pregame shot of all the plants in the utility room. I was going to post that Julie had discovered a new plant food.

While there remain a few punch list items to address, (the dehumidifier was delivered yesterday) on the whole the work is done. Carpentry was completed last week with a major support beam being added to the second platform level.

The bracing you can see was painted battleship grey and the bolts will serve perfectly for the scavenger hunt sign that has been a fixture of the tower in the past.

Discussion continues regarding a flagpole. I have landed against the idea as the new catwalk railing would have to carry the pole. There would be a great deal of incentive not to put a flag up; I am lobbying for a new pole in the small courtyard that would line up with the restored Army of Two sign, the blue sign, and the Tower. Guests could get quite a photograph from a spot right along side one of the street lamps. And a flag could fly with worry.

The Eagle Scout project has hit a milestone with one side being completely scraped and repainted. The attention to detail has been humbling to watch. Advisor Matt Hagen and Scout Evan Welsh have attacked this weathered monument with every tool in the bag and their care will see if through many more seasons.

I have been asked repeatedly about cameras up top and my response has been, its too soon to say. I have all that I need to do it and have figured out a way to place them without drilling or driving any holes. There are plugs that need to be moved up top however and I don’t want to be an impediment to any of the wiring changes or the installation of the dehumidifier. Patience has been the mantra from the start and will continue to be.

In the aftermath of the ceremony and the lighting, I had a chance to speak with Senator Markey on the phone. Jim Cantwell serves as his state director and made the connection. It was an unexpected element to the night. It was cool to have a few laughs with a sitting Senator.

The clean up ended with a few of the plants finding new homes in the Keeper’s cottage. We are glad to have them.

With nearly everything tucked away there was time to shoot the breeze. Mr. Cantwell shared this photograph of Bob and Christine Chessia winding down after both had put in several hard days work. Generous people giving back to the old home town in their own ways. That sums things up pretty well.

The title for this post comes from Dicken’s Tale of Two Cities. The first chapter is called Recalled to Life and describes the rescue of what we would call a political prisoner from a French dungeon. What was dark is brought into the light. Thanks to Charles Dickens for the metaphor.