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By Sammie Garrity for Boreal Community Media - November 26, 2024

Every good book has a history behind it, but not all are always true. The journey behind Rocky’s Lighthouse Adventure is a very real story that inspired a children’s book based on true events at Rock of Ages Light along Lake Superior. Author Deborah Winchell’s personal history, deep connection, and relentless curiosity allowed for this tale to come to life. Through her dedication, she has captured what life is really like at a remote lighthouse while simultaneously introducing readers to the history and personality behind those who served there.

The story wouldn’t be the same without the author, however. Deborah Winchell grew up in the Finger Lakes region of New York, spending her summers on the pristine waters of Skaneateles Lake—a smaller version of Lake Superior, as she describes it. Her love for water-based activities—kayaking, paddleboarding, and swimming—has been a constant in her life, shaping her storytelling and fostering inspiration. 

After moving to Minnesota, Deborah’s life has revolved around storytelling, whether as a freelance writer for publications like Northern Wilds and Lake Superior Magazine or as a leadership educator at Cornell University. She made her way back to the North Shore, again called by the water. 

“When I moved back to Minnesota, it was to be near Lake Superior,” said Winchell. 

It was this deep love for the lake that set Deborah on another path: an encounter with David and Heather Gerth, founders of the Rock of Ages Lighthouse Preservation Society (ROALPS). It was their story that ignited her passion for lighthouse history. 

“David handed me a brochure about the nonprofit,” said Winchell. “I joined immediately and suggested writing an article for Lake Superior Magazine. That connection eventually led to this book.”

The idea for Rocky’s Lighthouse Adventure grew from her interviews with two former U.S. Coast Guard lightkeepers stationed at Rock of Ages Lighthouse (the lighthouse is located five miles off the northwest tip of Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior). One of the lightkeepers, Louis Ron Gasper, served at Rock of Ages in the mid-1950s. Deborah was struck by his near-drowning experience during a November storm.  

“Ron was swept into the icy waters, fully dressed in winter gear, and thought the lake might take him for good,” said Winchell. 

Luckily for Ron, he pulled himself out, and even after telling his crewmates about his harrowing experience, they simply replied, ‘Oh,’ and went back to their card game. After learning his story, Ron became a good friend, and Deborah decided to depict him and his story as “Joe” in the book.  

“Although the near drowning happened to Ron, there really was a Coast Guard guy named Joe who smuggled a puppy to Rock of Ages in the 1970s. That pup, Rocky, became the inspiration for this story,” said Winchell.

Another lightkeeper, Mark Bauer, added to the story and provided a foundation for the book. He was appointed as an ROA and transported to Rock of Ages one night after his predecessor had to step down due to the lighthouse conditions. He regaled Winchell with ghost tales and adventures that became part of the story's narrative.  

Bauer also shared the story of Rocky, the lighthouse pup. He told Winchell, “Rock of Ages was no place for a dog—but Rocky became part of the station’s logbook, a permanent record of all who’ve been at the lighthouse.”

The book includes a disclaimer about how there was, and still is, a no-dog policy on Isle Royale,  a protected wilderness area (with exception of permitted service dogs). “While Rocky did live at Rock of Ages in 1976, he wasn’t allowed on Isle Royale. I wanted to educate readers—both kids and adults—about the importance of preserving these environments,” said Winchell.

Winchell worked with illustrator Renee Andriani, who was a critical and bright spot in the process. Andriani, a seasoned children’s book illustrator and ROALPS volunteer, brought the lighthouse and its stories to life through her artwork.

All of these interviews and stories culminated in a 2018 manuscript of Rocky’s Lighthouse Adventure, but its road to publication was not smooth. As it happens, publishing fell through due to the pandemic, and Winchell had to find a way to publish her story all on her own.

“If someone had told me this would take six years, I might have given up,” said Winchell. “But patience and persistence are what I’ve learned.”

Beyond acting as an entertaining story for young readers, Rocky’s Lighthouse Adventure serves as a historical archive. Deborah’s interviews with lightkeepers are now part of the national historical records at ROALPS and Isle Royale National Park. 

“It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that these stories will live on,” said Winchell. 

Now that the book is finally published, Winchell is promoting Rocky’s Lighthouse Adventure wherever she can. The book is available at local bookstores like Drury Lane Books and Lake Superior Trading Post, as well as through major retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. It will also be featured at Canoecopia in Madison, WI, the Midwest’s largest paddle sport expo.

Now that Rocky’s Lighthouse Adventure is making waves, no pun intended, Winchell is already diving into new projects. “I’m working on another children’s book about Isle Royale and Lake Superior, and there’s a Christmas story I’m developing that ties back to the lake,” she said. A memoir is also in progress, alongside another children’s story, using inspiration from a recent trip to Arizona.

Deborah’s journey is a measure of the power of passion and patience that storytelling requires.  Through Rocky’s Lighthouse Adventure, she has created a legacy for Rock of Ages Lighthouse, and has created a tangible connection to its history. 

“Writing this book has enriched my life in ways I never imagined,” said Winchell. “Meeting new people, learning new skills, and sharing these stories—it’s all part of my desire for lifelong learning. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: If you’re afraid of something, and it doesn’t harm you or anyone else, do it until you’re not afraid,” she said.

For more information or to order the book, visit Deborah’s website at www.deborahwinchell.com.