The North Point Lighthouse in Lake Park is an East Side landmark and before the light was extinguished, the rotating beacon was as much a part of the neighborhood evening as the lakefront foghorn.
This weekend, the renovated lighthouse and keeper's station host a pair of events.
On Friday, from 5 until 9 p.m., the A Night at the Lighthouse will raise funds for the landmark. There will be fun, food and a silent auction. Admission is $75.
The next day, there's a Victorian Holiday Celebration at noon. Meet St. Nick from noon until 2 and hear the Shorewood School District's Choral and Strings ensembles from 2 until 4. Admission is $5.
While you're there, check the gift shop for "Images of America: North Point Milwaukee Lighthouse," a new paperback illustrated history of the lighthouse and its keepers by Ken and Barb Wardius
Published by Arcadia Publishing, the book, which retails for $21.99, is packed full of historical photos and information detailing everything from the construction to the operation to the closure and later renovation of this Milwaukee maritime symbol.
It makes a great gift for the local history or Great Lakes buff on your list.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
