The Miss Boothbay transported visitors to and from Burnt Island Light on Saturday, Sept. 12, Maine Lighthouse Day. 

Members of the Keepers of Burnt Island Light (KBIL) included Board President Doug Goldhirsch and Development Director Patricia Miller. There were also Department of Marine Resources volunteers to assist and/or inform all 150 curious and returning visitors.

Steve McCullough, son of Island Lighthouse keeper James McCullough (1958-1961) and his wife, Nancy, were out on the first boat with friends for a tour of the island's trails and buildings with them. 

Said Nancy, "We accomplished our mission/vision! Many times during our history lesson of lighthouse living before electricity, other guests gathered to hear Steve's stories as keeper's son. Stories of cranking the bell, pulling the peapod up at the boathouse by cranking the winch, and keeping the light illuminated without a smokeout! He (Steve) says the light ran on kid power!" 

Howard Wright reprised his role as lighthouse keeper. Wright performed the role for many a year during the Island's former "Living Lighthouse Tour." His wife, Dee, was also on hand to ensure he got all the facts right. Visitors about to climb the lighthouse stairs enjoyed the couple's humor and information.

This season's environmental steward and volunteer cooridinator is Danielle Oaks, from Greenville, Illinois, with a degree in environmental biology and business. Her role on the island is through the Maine Conservation Corps. 

She's been working on the trails, gardening, weeding and some maintenance. Oaks has been contacting  different organizations both in Maine and regionally. "I've been  trying to build up a volunteer base that we used to have here on Burnt, essentially so they have someone to take over the work when I'm gone. I'm trying to rebuild that base and continue the legacy of Burnt Island...There’s big shoes to fill here.”

After the island closes for this year, Oaks said she will be meeting with DMR Education Director Dottie Yunger to create some some programming pieces that can be incorporated on the island and make it more accessible for families. 

In addition to Burnt Island's lighthouse, keeper's house, the education center built in 2006, trails around the island, and volleyball net, there was music. The notes of sea shanties and other tunes added a lively air to the event with Dylan Macintosh on mandolin and guitarist Nick Lanzer. "Way, hey, and up she rises ..."