P h o t o s b y J i m S h n ee r Coast Guard Cmdr. Rob Poitinger addresses the attendees
Audience dressed in 1920’s fashion, including PV Magazine Team Member Cindy Donnelly with husband Brian
On Saturday April 25, 2026, during the annual Whale of a Day Festival, the Coast Guard Auxiliary held a special community celebration to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Point Vicente Lighthouse. The lighthouse grounds and the Display Center were open to the public and were enjoyed by hundreds of people. Following Coast Guard tradition, commemorative cakes were cut by Coast Guard members using historic swords, and everyone present enjoyed the results. Also present was the Friends of the Point Vicente Lighthouse organization, whose mission is to restore and preserve the lighthouse for future generations. To learn more about the organization and future events visit friendsofpvlighthouse.org.
Friends of Point Vicente Lighthouse Coast Guard Cmdr. Poitinger along with members Catherine Sincich, Jean Strickland, City of Rancho Palos Verdes Mayor Paul Seo Brian Donnelly, Svein Fougner, Dan Drazan, follow a Coast Guard tradition to cut the Genevieve Baker cake with swords. They were joined by fellow council members, Coast Guard Auxiliary, scouts and community members Award-winning actor Beau Bridges portrays George L’Hommedieu, the first keeper of the Point Vicente Lighthouse, Coast Guard Capt. Kip Louttit (Ret.) seated on stage
Amy Forte, Friends of Point Vicente Lighthouse President, Rayne Sherman, Jean Pominville, Ujjwala Dheeriya
100th Anniversary Cake inspired by the lighthouse grounds
A Coast Guard Auxiliarist from Flotilla 5-9 poses for a photo dress in a WWII-era lighthouse keeper’s uniform
Mayor Paul Seo addresses attendees during the celebration which coincided with the city’s annual Whale of a Day celebration
2026 | June | PVMagazine | 33
community + locale
The Community Enjoys a Festive 100th Year Celebration for the Lighthouse