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Frank Schubert became a lighthouse keeper in 1937. Today at 85, Frank works at the Coney Island lighthouse. He is the last civilian lighthouse keeper in the United States.
The Next Big Thing (NPR) 2/2/2002
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Piece Description
Frank Schubert became a lighthouse keeper in 1937. Today at 85, Frank works at the Coney Island lighthouse. He is the last civilian lighthouse keeper in the United States. The Next Big Thing (NPR) 2/2/2002
Transcript
Frank Schubert - LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER
New York Works: Audio Portraits of a Vanishing City Produced by: Emily Botein & Joe Richman The Next Big Thing (NPR) 2/2/2002
Dean Olsher, host: A century ago there were more than a thousand lighthouse keepers in the US. and now there are two. Today most lighthouses are turned on and off by a timer. OF the remaining human operators one is Boston, he?s a coast guard employee. The other a civilian is on Brooklyn?s Cony Island.
WATER CRASHING, SEAGULLS
Frank Schubert, lighthouse keeper: Well my name is Frank SChubert. I?m 85 years old. We?re situated on what they call Norton?s Point. It?s a jut of land that?s going out into the lower bay. When you look out you got the Atlantic Ocean on your left, straight a head is New Jersey, to your right is New York. You can look out the front door and see for 15 miles. (SEAGULLS) Right now I?m the last ci...
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Posted on January 12, 2004 at 10:43 AM | Permalink
Review of Frank Schubert, Lighthouse Keeper
What is not to like about this portrait ? A salty old character, who tells it how it is, mocks city-folks' ideas of romance, and reveals that it is possible to get bored of fishing. Short and airable by any coastal station anywhere, at anytime! For the land -bound stations out there, the ambiant sound of seagulls and the gentle rolling sea should be enticement enough!