Fancy Hat Tea - April 20, 2013

The fourth annual Swallow Tail Tea took place April 20 at the Covert Hall in North Head, Grand Manan Island.  The Inn at Whale Cove Cottages organized the food and staffed the tea.

Inn at Whale Cove Cottage owner, Laura Buckley, and her staff organized the food and  worked the tea.    Many volunteers are needed to run one of these events and their efforts are greatly appreciated.

The food, as usual was its normal high standard, wonderful, with a full buffet of sandwiches and sweets.  The weather was probably to our advantage with rain and wind in the morning which prevented many outdoor activities.  Over 70 people attended ranging in age from not quite two to 99.  As usual, takeout was also available.

Part of the Buffet Table with Swallow Tail artwork and photographs

Long view of the Buffet Table in the Covert Hall with sweets and sandwiches.

Part of the Buffet Table with Swallow Tail artwork and photographs

Many thanks to everyone who advertised the event, set up the hall, donated food, worked the tea, and helped with the cleanup.  Sandra Ingersoll won the dinner for two at Inn at Whale Cove Cottages, an annual draw that is part of the cost of the tea. We also sold our first raffle tickets on "Fog Bound" the beautiful Tidal Threads quilt that is nearing completion. These will be available all summer and through the fall.  The draw will be at the Christmas Market.

The money raised will go directly to the restoration of the Swallow Tail lighthouse, the scale of which will vary this year depending on the success or failure of grants to fund the project.  We are hopeful that we will be able to get the majority of the work done.

Many repairs are necessary in the lighthouse including repairing plaster from water damage.  Water is leaking in the tower from the lantern.

Photograph of the Swallow Tail lighthouse from 1932.  The plan is to return two windows above the door  of the tower as well as a third window on the other side.  The lower window can not be returned because of the fog equipment now located there.

Freezing Spray Warning - 1952

I was forwarded from Canadian Coast Guard files, a photo of the bronze fog bell, bell house and lighthouse at Swallow Tail covered in thick ice from a storm in 1952.  Looks much like the photos we took in February 2013 but instead of the fog bell, the fog horn was completely iced in!  Nothing like a muffler of ice.

Icy rime covering fog bell in February 1952 - Canadian Coast Guard photo.