The wind and the waves splash upon Porphyry Point as I write to you about our first week in operation at the lighthouse.

Our Canada Summer’s Job grant came through again this year and this means we are able to hire two students to help us make everyone’s visit more enjoyable and informative.

We are happy to introduce Lissi Ranta and Stephanie Cressman to the Porphyry Island Staff experience. For them it’s a way to extend their education in the summer and to quench a thirst for knowledge in all things lighthouse and beyond.

Lissi studies Environmental Design with the University of Manitoba and Stephanie from Lakehead University studies Environmental Management. Both bring a sense of excitement to be part of the developing lighthouse visitor experience.

Taking notes on their inaugural tour, the girls suggested that a booklet on indigenous plant species be created for visitors to comprehend fully the many interesting plants that populate the island.

A former lighthouse keepers wife’s’ rhubarb can still be seen in the garden but won’t make it into the guide. Maybe the non-indigenous flowers such as Myosotis scorpioides “forget-me-not’s” might get a mention as they spread gently down the trail.

I’m sure that as these young ladies develop their narratives on what it is like to live on an island as assistant keepers of the light, they will come to experience more than books could ever express.

The past week has been a busy week preparing things for the summer months and now that most of the hard work is done the girls can enjoy more free time to explore and develop their once in a lifetime experience.

Whether it is the peaceful call of the loon or viewing the many moods of Lake Superior, hopefully it will provide a time to reflect on the experience of working at the lighthouse and guide their future studies.

With the onsite picture gallery painted and the little mini-museum being primed for painting the lighthouse is coming alive.

Slowly the boaters, kayakers, and sailors are starting to appear for a tour of the well-manicured grounds and to learn more about historic facts that have been discovered during the winter months.

Next week we are hoping to see more interpretive work being completed by the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area to help capture the true essence of the splendor of this small dot on a big lake.

The Canadian Lighthouses of Lake Superior board of directors and volunteers will be doing work at the Trowbridge Lighthouse site near Silver Islet on the upcoming weekend, to start planning future visitors.

Starting this week we have our first visiting Artist in Residence, for a two-week stint. Gayle Buzzi is excited to be on the island and next week we will find out more about her story and how she is adjusting to lighthouse life.

As a fishing trawler pushes on through Walkers Channel, followed by a flock of seagulls, I can hear a slight whistle, better go now, my teas ready.