Cameron Kicks-Off Lighthouse Conference by Vaughn Mullen

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Cameron Kicks-Off Lighthouse Conference

by Vaughn Mullen, Managing Editor

May 30th, 2000 White Point, N.S. - Lighthouse enthusiasts, preservationists and entrepreneurs from five nations have begun a five-day international conference at White Point, Queens County, Nova Scotia. The first International Lighthouse Conference is hosted by The South Shore Tourism Association under the auspices of the newly formed Atlantic Lighthouse Council.

During opening ceremonies yesterday, keynote speaker, Cape Breton journalist and author, Silver Donald Cameron called the lighthouse "an important metaphor for our time...a metaphor for people caring for other people."

Cameron suggested that with only three percent of Nova Scotia's 160 lighthouses protected from demolition and decay, it was "important for citizens to fight back ...to be part of a world-wide resistance to market barbarianism" characterized by government polices where money is more important than people.

Lynn Perry, Executive Director of the South Shore Tourism Association explained to the more than 100 delegates at the conference, that the international event "was a dream come true." Perry and the regional tourism group have been meticulously planning for the conference for nearly 18 months. The conference is the first of its kind in Canada.

An ocean kayaking tour of the Spectacle Island Lighthouse, Queens County is part of the first 'Lights Along the Shore' Lighthouse Festival in south western Nova Scotia. The festival is expected to become an annual event in the region.

The event continues today with a series of presentations by well-known lighthouse preservationists including Tim Harrison, President of the American Lighthouse Foundation and Peter Williams, publisher of the international lighthouse journal, Leading Lights.

The conference also includes the 'Lights Along The Shore' Lighthouse Festival, a series of local events and lighthouse tours along Nova Scotia's Lighthouse Route in south western Nova Scotia. The events include kayaking and boating tours of lighthouses, a special show and sale of lighthouse products, craft shows and workshops.