To paraphrase Charles Dickens, the Overfalls Lightship has been "the best of times and the worst of times". Most certainly the worst must have been when the rust bucket she had become was no longer wanted by the Lewes Historical Society and she was transferred to the small group of friends which eventually became the Overfalls Foundation. The best of times surely was the recent "Overfalls Fest" when she floated proudly in her new surroundings fully restored to the like-new condition. The eleven years this process has taken was loaded with the best and worst situations but the magic of the big red ship always prevailed.
As the 5th president of the Overfalls Foundation, I am inheriting the legacy of countless volunteer labors. This Foundation represents a museum with a mission to preserve and teach the maritime history of Delaware and it's navigable waterways. This will require new ideas, new skills and new members. Soon this mission will receive national recognition when our ship is designated a National Historic Landmark. See information on our website regarding this long anticipated honor.
The "dirty hands gang" has done, and will continue to do, their work to preserve and maintain the ship which carries our mission. In addition to our existing work, new committees will be needed for education, outreach, finance, and even gardening (for our new landscape). This will require many work hours and dollars in the days ahead. I hope you will support this new mission by becoming a member or renewing your membership today. Additionally, we need your talents and energy for all the projects to come. While there is work involved, there is also fun and satisfaction in working together toward a worthy goal. Look for more details on many of these events on our website after the first of the new year.
My heartfelt thanks and admiration are offered to Dave Bernheisel, our out-going president, for his outstanding leadership and commitment. Many of our achievements, of which we are justly proud, would have been impossible without his leadership skills. (read Berheisel's farewell statement) I look forward to working with our new board and all our members as we haul anchor and set sail on the new course the future has ahead of us.