Plum Beach Lighthouse Well Supported by Friends

Ten years ago, the Plum Beach Lighthouse was best known as an aquatic eyesore. A rusted hulk devoid of its former glory, it blighted the view of the otherwise picturesque section of Narrangansett Bay in between North Kingstown and Jamestown.

That all changed in 2003 when the nonprofit group appropriately named the Friends of the Plum Beach Lighthouse emerged and raised funds to save the disintegrating structure. Last year, recognizing the need for continuous maintenance of the lighthouse, the group began selling its vanity license plates as a way to raise funds for such renovations.

The plate, which features the Plum Beach Lighthouse in a sunset glow with two fishermen trolling nearby, was first introduced to the public last year at the annual Northeast Auto Show in Providence. The group returned to the event again this past weekend and received an equal outpouring of support.

“We had a tremendous turnout,” confirmed Dee Hoebbel, Vice President of the Friends.

To date, the group has used proceeds generated by plate sales to repaint the lighthouse this past summer, a job that cost an estimated $52,000.

The plate costs $41.50, of $21.50 goes to the state and the remaining $20 is given to the group. Unlike other vanity plates in the state, however, there are no additional ongoing charges upon renewal of the plate sets.

According to Friends of Plum Beach Lighthouse president David Zapatka, “Our legislative representative Larry Ehrhardt strongly suggested that he write our bill to be appealing to people with this tough economy. Having an extra charge every time one renewed their registration just didn’t make sense to us so we agreed to make it a one-time fee. I think it’s helped us with our sales because people really don’t like the hidden charges down the line. It also helps that we think our design is very attractive.”

The creation of that striking design was entirely an inside job. Zapatka came up with the concept but it was fellow board member Bruce Martin who did the artwork.

“We’ll all very proud of that drawing, and of Bruce for doing it,” said Hoebbel. “It’s also very nice to say that one of our members was behind it. It makes it far more personal for us.”

Although the need for regular repainting and repairs is acknowledged by the group, plate sales are generating meaningful revenues towards those efforts with almost 4,000 plates sold thus far.

“Last year at this time we had no idea how we were going to raise the money to repaint the lighthouse, and now it seems that wherever we drive, we see the plates," said Zapatka. "It’s a great feeling knowing so many people are supporting our preservation efforts.”

Added Hoebbel: “Selling tee shirts and hats is fine but it was never going to be enough to compete with what we’ve done with the plates.”

The most important message spread to the crowds this past weekend was the ease in which the plates can be obtained. Applications are facilitated by the group and applicants are notified by the RMV once the plate is ready to be picked up at the registry in Cranston. According to Hoebbel, the most common misconception is that applicants need to wait in a long line. Instead, she assures that it’s simply a matter of exchanging existing plate sets at the designated window.

“The longest I’ve heard it taking anyone is five minutes,” she said.

Applications can be found on the group website www.plumbeachlighthouse.org and sent to the Friends’ mailbox address at PBL Plate, PO Box 1041, North Kingstown, RI 02852.