Greetings!

The work week ended early this week because of Independence Day. Josh and Dion continue to make amazing progress on the restoration work. Lots of things happening: like more brick and mortar repairs, preparation for painting on windows and shutters, replacing glazing on windows and painting the lantern floor and lens pedestal.

Josh said they will wait until they finish getting the first coat of paint on everything and not start on the second coat until dust generating brick and mortar repairs are completed. After brick and mortar repairs are finished all the brick will get a wash down. Josh estimated they have replaced approximately 100 bad bricks. There are more that still need to be replaced.

There is an advantage to the recent heavy rains we had. They discovered a remaining small leak at the lantern wall/lantern floor that was promptly repaired. There has been no deluge of water in the tower since leaks have been mitigated. Water leaking into the tower should no longer be a problem.

It is incredible how clear the view is out the new lantern windows after having to look out the cloudy Plexiglas for so long. Same can be said of how fresh and clean the inside of the lantern feels.

Soon the Fresnel lens can be restored to the lantern. Lampist Kurt Fosburg is expecting to receive new elements to replace the missing ones in the lens. Once he has them he will return to put the lens back in the lantern and proceed with the lens restoration.

John Fletcher and I talked on Tuesday July 2. He is hoping the new spires are finished by July 15 so he can deliver them. He is considering making a trip here even if the spires are not finished.

Ed