Florida Lighthouse Association

Winter Meeting

Anclote Key Lighthouse

January 26 & 27, 2018

Registration Deadline - January 16, 2018

Click Here for On-line Registration

2018 Winter Meeting Registration.doc

         The Anclote Key Lighthouse has been closed to the public for about three years due to contaminated soil around the tower. With the help of a grant from FLA, the Friends of Anclote Key State Park and Lighthouse have installed a white picket fence along the walkway, thus allowing visitors get to the Lighthouse and climb the tower. Please join FLA on January 26 & 27, 2018 and see how our grant money was used, on your way to climbing the tower.

 

The Anclote Key Lighthouse, a cast-iron structure, was fully funded by Congress in 1887, with assembly commencing in June of 1887 when the prefabricated tower arrived from the north. The light was lit for the first time on September 15, 1887 by keeper James Gardner. The lighthouse was automated by the Coast Guard in 1952, and since it was no longer manned vandals did extensive damage; by 1984 the lighthouse was inoperative and discontinued by the Coast Guard.  In January 2003 a massive 1.5 million dollar restoration project began, culminating in a relighting ceremony on September 13, 2003.

 

Since the original 3rd order Fresnel lens was nowhere to be found, a modern rotating optic was placed in the lantern room; however, the rotating optic wasn’t bright enough or good enough.  So the restoration project took another step forward and commissioned Enberg Mold and Tools in Jacksonville to make a replica acrylic lens.  They met the challenge and in November 2004, a smaller replica 4^th order lens was installed in the tower.  In addition, a permanent residence has been completed for the park ranger, who now resides on the island.   Anclote Key is truly a “shining example” of lighthouse restoration at its finest. 

 

Our meetings and dinner will be on Friday January 26, 2018 at the Quality Inn & Suites Conference Center in New Port Richey Map. The meetings will start at 1:30 PM with Lighthouse representatives training on Grants by Jon Hill and Josh Liller. The committee meetings will be from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM. The Board meeting will be 4:30 PM to 6 PM, followed immediately by the membership meeting. Dinner will be served at about 6:30 PM, and will consist of Garden Salad, Garlic Crusted Roast Beef, Chicken Cordon Blue, Rice Pilaf, Steamed Vegetables Medley, Assorted Cake and Pie, Ice Tea and Water.  Since the facility has a full bar, we can’t bring our own wine/beer, so everyone will get 2 drink tickets.

 

On Saturday we will take a boat out to the Lighthouse. We will split into three groups for the boat ride to Anclote Key to climb the tower. The first boat of 41 will leave at 9:00 AM, the second boat of 49 at 12:00 AM. Please select which boat you want on the reservation form. The boats will depart from Odyssey Cruises, 776 Dodecanses Blvd, Tarpon Springs Map. Anclote Key has very limited restroom facilities, NO water and LOTS of MOSQUITOES, so come prepared.

 

Our quest speaker will be Eric Sharp, a knowledgeable historian for Anclote Key.

 

The cost for this event including boat transportation to and from Anclote Key, Dinner and Drinks, and a donation to the Anclote Lighthouse is $75 per person for members and $100 for non-members (which includes a 1 year membership in FLA). We look forward to seeing you at Anclote Key.

         

MEETING  AGENDA

Friday January 26, 2018

1:30 – 3:30 Grant training for Lighthouse representatives.

3:30 – 4:30 Committee meetings

4:30 – 6:00 FLA Board Meeting

6:00 – 9:00 Membership Meeting

 

Saturday January 27, 2018

9:00  First boat departs for Anclote Key

12:00 Last boat departs for Anclote

 

HOTELS

Quality Inn & Suites Quality Inn Map

5316 HWY 19 North , New Port Richey, FL. 34652

727-847-9005

Rate: $80.10 for King Bed and $84.60 for 2 Double Beds. plus tax per night. Please mention FLA when registering to secure discounted rate.  There is a full restaurant and bar in the hotel.

Cut-off Date: 3 January 2018

 

Homewood Suites by Hilton Tampa Port Richey Homewood Suites Map

11115 US Highway 19 North, Port Richey, FL. 34668

727-819-1000

Rate: $119 per night plus tax for studio suite. Please mention “Lighthouse Association”

Cut-off: 5 January, 2018