Presentation to discuss first keepers of Little Sable Point Lighthouse.

Dave and Mary Jo Dietrich

Presentation to discuss first keepers of Little Sable Point Lighthouse.

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — The Sable Points Lighthouse Keepers, along with the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum and the Mason County Historical Society will begin the  2018 Winter Writers’ Series on Thursday, Feb. 15. The evening’s topic will be “The Davenports of Lake Michigan,” with speaker David Dietrich whose great great uncle was James Davenport the first keeper at the Little Sable Point Lighthouse.

Dietrich will chronicle the life of James Davenport and his service at the Little Sable Lighthouse, the Waugoshance Lighthouse and the McGulpin Point Lighthouse. He will also be joined by his wife Mary Jo, and they will tell the story of family life at the Little Sable Point Lighthouse.  

Dave Dietrich is a retired architect and civil engineer from Chicago whose lighthouse interest was sparked in 1995 when he inherited some old family photo albums. Since then his dream was to stay in a lighthouse which came true in 2002 with a two week stay at Big Sable Point Lighthouse in the Ludington State Park.

When Little Sable Point Lighthouse opened in 2006 he was able to walk up the same stairs his great great uncle walked up to tend to the light. The Dietrichs now live in Shelby and volunteer to greet and guide guests at the Little Sable Lighthouse.  

The 7 p.m. presentation will be held at the United Methodist Church, 5810 E Bryant Road. A $5 admission will be collected to help defer the series costs.