York Town News
Vote for the Nubble in nationwide contest through Oct. 22
By Jennifer L. Saunders
YORK BEACH - The Cape Neddick Light, which may well be the town's most famous landmark, has caught the eye of a national door and window company and is a finalist in a nationwide search for a special lighthouse in need of renovation.Now through Oct. 22, local residents and fans of the Nubble from across the nation can visit the website of JELD-WEN, a leading window and door company, to vote for York's own special lighthouse.
According to a release provided by JELD-WEN, the Nubble is one of only a few finalists in the search. In fact, the Nubble is in an elite group of just five lighthouses from across the nation up for votes on the company's website.
The other lighthouses are Thomas Point Shoal in Maryland, Seul Choix in Michigan, Wind Point in Wisconsin and East Brother in California.
"The winning lighthouse will receive new JELD-WEN windows and doors designed to withstand the harsh conditions the Cape Neddick Light endures every day," the company's announcement states. "Cape Neddick Light needs local community support as the decision deadline is quickly approaching."
Brenda Bracy of York Parks and Recreation confirmed the contest is legitimate and York's most famous landmark is in the running for the big award.
"We are one of the finalists," Bracy said. "We were very surprised."
Public voting will be held on the JELD-WEN website through Oct. 22 to help the company determine which of the lighthouse finalists will ultimately receive the new windows and doors.
"This restoration initiative is designed to help preserve lighthouses with the latest in window and door technology and restore their original architecture," according to JELD-WEN. "Lighthouses are the perfect way for JELD-WEN to demonstrate the reliability of its windows and doors, even in harsh coastal environments. These high-performance, custom windows and doors are guaranteed to protect the lighthouse's building envelope for many years under adverse weather conditions. JELD-WEN's donation of building products also helps keep these historic buildings looking magnificent."
Last year's winner, in the first ever JELD-WEN contest of this kind, was Oregon's 112-year-old Umpqua River Lighthouse, which is owned by the U.S. Coast Guard and operated by the Douglas County Parks Department.
In selecting the Nubble as a finalist, JELD-WEN pointed to the lighthouse's 127-year history, including the automation program in the 1980s, the departure of the final keeper from the island in 1987 and the town's eventual purchase of the lighthouse on June 20, 1998, through the Maine Lights Program.
To find out more about the program and to vote for the Nubble, visit www.jeld-wen.com/lighthouse.
