LAPEER, Michigan – Please join the Marguerite deAngeli Branch of the Lapeer District Library (921 W. Nepessing St., Lapeer) in welcoming local author and Michigan lighthouse expert, Jerry Roach,  on Monday, April 29, 2013 at 6 p.m.

Jerry Roach is a published author and photojournalist from Durand, Michigan. In addition to writing three books on Michigan lighthouses, Jerry has been a contributing author for The Beacon, a quarterly lighthouse magazine, and is a staff writer for Michigan Traveler Magazine.  Jerry’s three books, referred to as the “Ultimate Guide” series, include The Ultimate Guide To West Michigan Lighthouses, The Ultimate Guide To East Michigan Lighthouses, and The Ultimate Guide To Upper Michigan Lighthouses.  He and his wife Barb are very active in lighthouse preservation and restoration,  belonging to groups such as the Ontonagon County Historical Society, Crisp Point Light Historical Society, Saginaw River Marine Historical Society, and the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association.

Since The National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000, nearly 300 lighthouses nationally have been disbursed by the Federal Government and are now in private or local city/county agency hands. Still, some lighthouses remain neglected and are falling into severe disrepair, while other unclaimed lighthouses are tumbling to the ground or being razed for fear of liability. Roach’s goal is to help support lighthouse preservation groups, draw attention to their needs, and promote lighthouses throughout the country but especially here in Michigan

Books will be available for signing and purchase ranging in price from $16.95 – $26.95, with 10% of all book sales donated to lighthouse preservation groups. These are guides for touring the lighthouses of Michigan. Within the pages of the book the reader will find two pages devoted to each lighthouse with these features; history, pictures, three different types of directions, a direct route from a major intersection, GPS Waypoints, and a scenic route that uses all paved side roads, when possible, that travel the coast of Michigan.

There is limited space for this exciting program and registration is required.  Please call (810) 664-6971. For more information about this or other upcoming library events please visit www.library.lapeer.org.

The Lapeer District Library and the Family Literacy Center are partners for literacy. The Lapeer District Library serves 61,834 residents throughout Lapeer County.