The 2007 Challenge is now one for the history books. One piece of unfinished business, however, is the naming of the 2007 Maryland Lighthouse Challenge MVP Award recipient. I am pleased to announce that the honor goes to photographer extraordinaire, Mr. Harry Fahl. Harry is a member of the Chesapeake Chapter and has been very involved in the Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse project.

Harry graciously offered his photos to the committee to be used however needed on the 2007 event. You will find his beautiful photography on the Challenge brochure and on the event souvenirs. Additionally, Harry donated an absolutely gorgeous framed print of Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse which was raffled off on the Challenge Bonus Kick-Off Cruise out of Annapolis Friday evening, which featured the national historic landmark light! Proceeds of the raffle benefited the lighthouse. Anyone taking the Challenge will probably remember Harry and his wife Jean either from the Friday night cruise or the Turkey Point Lighthouse location where they had Harry's photography on display.

We salute Harry for his considerable contribution to the 2007 Maryland Lighthouse Challenge, and look forward to his participation again in 2008!

The 2007 event t-shirts were very popular, but we do have a very limited amount of large and extra large sizes still available. The shirts are bright red with an oval design on the front with photos of each of the Challenge lights. They sell for $15.00 which includes postage and handling. We will be redesigning the Challenge shirts this year so, while supplies last, this will be your last chance to purchase one with this retiring design (used in both 2006 and 2007). If you are interested, please contact me at challenge@cheslights.org or (410) 437-0741.

The skids are greased for the 2008 Maryland Lighthouse Challenge to be held September 20 and 21. Since 2008 is an election year, we are planning the event with a twist – a Challenge with an election year theme! (How would you like to place a vote for your favorite lighthouse?) Stay tuned for details soon on the website and in the spring newsletter.

The concept of the Lighthouse Challenge is really beginning to take hold in a major way, with a few other organizations throwing their hat into the ring this year. Please mark your calendars for these upcoming events:

4^th Annual Long Island Lighthouse Challenge - May 17-18, 2008
2^nd Annual Mid-Coast Maine Lighthouse Challenge - June 7-8, 2008
* Martha's Vineyard Lighthouse Challenge – June 6-8, 2008
* Lights Across the Border Lighthouse Challenge (Maine and Canada) - August 9, 2008
9^th Annual New Jersey Lighthouse Challenge - October 18-19, 2008
* First Year Event

The Florida Lighthouse Challenge, originally being planned for 2008 has been temporarily put on hold; but look for news of it to resurface again in 2009.

To date, these Challenges remain an east coast phenomenon. In fact, if you live on the eastern seaboard, it's almost certain there is a Challenge coming soon to a lighthouse near you!