Club & Museum News

Friends of Pomham Rock News

Third Annual Pomham Rocks Lighthouse Run Winners

Cool temperatures and an overcast sky didn’t dampen the spirit of participants in the third annual Pomham Rocks Lighthouse Run, held April 22 in Riverside. Two hundred seventy-one runners and walkers of all ages participated in the event to benefit East Providence’s historical lighthouse.

First Place Winner Overall in the 10K run was Bill Yabroudy of Coventry with a time of 38:24 and, Linda Spooner of Sturbridge, MA who clocked in at 40:22. Bill was the Overall 5K winner last year. Other 10K First Place winners included: Junior (18 and under), Liam Werme, 14, of North Providence and Sophia Miller, 11, of Plymouth, MA; Open (19-29), Daxton Tassone of Exeter and Zoe Maxwell of Providence; Sub-Master (30-39), Theodore Marak of Cranston and Corinne Pereira of Barrington; Master (40-49), Andrew Sabourin of Barrington and Danielle Iannotti of North Kingstown; Senior (50-59) Kenneth Bager of Warwick and Priscilla Glucksman of Cranston; Veteran (60-69), Tim Kehoe of Providence and Karyn Gallivan of Bristol; Grand Veteran (70-98), Stephen Sharkey of Riverside and Deirdre Bird of Lincoln.

Coming in First Place Overall in the 5K run was Erick Smith of Providence, with a time of 19:40 and Marge Bellisle of Warren at 23:34. Other 5K First Place winners included: Junior (18 and under), Brianna Rintala of Narragansett; Open (19-29), Justice Martins of Raynham, MA and Bridget Toomey of Zionsville, PA; Sub-Master (30-39), Roger Williams of Providence and Elizabeth Greenwood of Fall River, MA; Master (40-49), George Shuster of Warwick and Sara Root of Barrington; Senior (50-59), Richard Glucksman of Cranston and Sarah Lee of Cranston; Veteran (60-69), Frederick Meyerson of Kingston and Patricia Kurzynski of Rumford; Grand Veteran (70-98), Joe Corey of Exeter and Joan Johnson of Warwick.

The Value of Trees

Everyone knows that standing under a tree can protect you during a sudden downpour. It turns out that trees also protect our neighborhoods after storms. Research shows that one sycamore tree collects almost 80% of the water falling in a summer rainstorm. The water in the tree canopy slowly trickles down the trunk, falls off the leaves, or evaporates into the air. Through this process, urban trees reduce soil erosion, the potential for flash floods, and the movement of chemical pollutants into streams and wetlands. Growing our urban forest means a cleaner, greener, and safer community.

Want to learn more about trees? Request the EPUF community e-newsletter via epurbanforest@gmail.com

Friends of Lighthouse Thank Community for Support of Run

The Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse acknowledge the generous support of Bell Sponsors of the 3rd Annual Pomham Rocks Lighthouse Run: BankRI, Crosby Yacht Yard, Inc., Graphic Ink, Navigant Credit Union, Pappas OPT Physical, Sport and Hand Therapy, Providence Country Day and Shaw’s Supermarket, Riverside. Key Sponsors included Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, Feeney Pinkerton, LLC, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Riverside Renaissance Movement and The 133 Club.

The Friends thank Partners: Andsager, Bartlett & Pieroni, Community & Teachers Federal Credit Union, Guardian Pest Control, Inc., Fred’s Service Center, Inc. and East Bay Ice Company, Inc. They are grateful for the generosity of in-kind donors: BJ’s Wholesale Club, Scialo’s County Bakery, Stop and Shop Supermarket and Vienna Bakery and participation of the Edgewood Yacht Club and CrossFit Phillipsdale teams.

Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse Awarded $10,000 Grant from the 1772 Foundation/Preserve RI

Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse was one of 16 non-profit organizations recently awarded a matching grant for historic preservation from The 1772 Foundation in cooperation with Preserve Rhode Island. A total of $125,000 in grants, ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 were awarded. The $10,000 grant for Pomham Rocks will assist the volunteer group in installing historically accurate operable shutters on the 1871 light station.

“We are so grateful to be selected to receive this prestigious award,” noted President of Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse Dennis Tardiff. “It will allow us to safeguard this important landmark, so it will be a lasting symbol of the crucial role our community played in maritime safety. This grant,” he added, “will also enable us ensure the completion of efforts to accurately replicate the exterior of the building.”

The shutter project will help preserve and protect Pomham Rocks Lighthouse, while restoring the exterior appearance to its original façade. The project includes the design, fabrication and installation of 19 sets of exterior window shutters on the centuryand-a-half-year-old lighthouse. Located on a half-acre island off the coast of Riverside, RI, the lighthouse is vulnerable to the harmful effects of New England weather. Wooden shutters, which can be latched closed, will provide an additional barrier to extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rainfall and winds related to climate change. Once secured, the fully-operational shutters will help to protect the restored interior of the building and the artifacts in the museum, including Pomham’s antique Fresnel lens. The shutters will also restore the exterior of the building to its former historically accurate appearance in its early years. Installation of the shutters will take place in the fall.

Sun & Fun Raffle to Kick Off the Pomham Rocks Dock Restoration Project

The 1938 hurricane wreaked havoc on New England. Winds of more than 150 miles an hour caused a massive storm surge, resulting in hundreds of lives lost, widespread flooding and destruction of most coastal homes and marinas on Narragansett Bay. In East Providence, Bullocks Point Lighthouse was severely damaged and was demolished the following year. Three miles up the bay, Pomham Rocks Lighthouse weathered the storm intact, but its dock was completely destroyed. In 1939, a new wooden dock was built to replace what was lost in the hurricane. That dock survived more than eight decades until the storm surge of the powerful winter storm this past November severely damaged the structure. Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse needs to replace the existing dock before it becomes unsafe.

As an island Lighthouse, perched on a rock in the Providence River, the only access is by boat. A wooden landing area and metal walkway currently bring visitors to the historical light station. What is needed is a strong dock that will last another 80 years. The estimated cost of the project is $70,000. Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse is planning to not only replace the old dock, but to rebuild a new wooden dock with historical accuracy. Blueprints for the dock and a storage building originally located on the dock will be used to replicate the 1939 structure.

The volunteer group has launched a fundraising campaign to provide funding for this important project. A raffle to benefit The Dock Restoration Project will kick off the campaign. Grants, donations and other fundraising events will help provide the capital necessary to undertake this major restoration project.

Prize number 1 - Enjoy a Cape Cod Getaway at the familyfriendly Bayside Resort in West Yarmouth, MA. The Cape Cod package includes an off-season overnight stay in a deluxe queen room that accommodates two adults and two children. A full breakfast and discount certificate toward dinner are part of the package, valued at $175. The resort features an indoor pool, fitness center, arcade and an outdoor firepit. The Cape Cod Getaway can be used from September 15 to May 15 and the certificate expires at the end of 2024.

Prize number 2 - Savor the flavor of the summer season with a classic 22” Webber Kettle Charcoal Grill. The porcelain-enameled lid and bowl retain heat, and controls allow for precise temperature control. The value is $140.

Prize number 3 - Experience dining with a summertime flair with the Seasonal Dining Package, valued at $100+. This prize includes gift cards to local waterside restaurants. Sample delights from the sea or traditional fare in a casual, relaxed atmosphere.

The drawing will take place at 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 12 at the Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse tent at the Looff Arts Festival at Rose Larisa Park, 701 Bullocks Point Avenue, Riverside. You do not need to be present to win. The owner of the first ticket picked will choose their prize. Then the owner of the second winning ticket will choose from the remaining prizes, and so on. Sun and Fun Raffle tickets are $10 each or 3 for $25. They will be sold at the Looff Arts Festival or can be obtained in advance by sending a check, made payable to Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse, c/o 81 Harris Street, Riverside, RI. 02915. Include your name, address and phone number on your check. Call 401-433-3463 with any questions.