Range light photo courtesy of Larry Leonard. 

The Rotary Club of Southampton is excited to host “Jazz for the Light”, an online night of jazz you can enjoy from the safety and comfort of your own home, or wherever you may be, in support of the Marine Heritage Society's Range Light Restoration Fund.

In a recent Southampton Rotary media release, this virtual event will feature 90 minutes of great musical entertainment, interviews and much more, and will take place on Friday, November 13 at 7pm via Zoom and Facebook Live.

The music was recorded at the Southampton Golf and Country Club on October 22 with an audience of 40 people. The musicians were the talented Southampton Jazz Club and renowned jazz and blues pianist and vocalist Tyler Yarema.

The iconic Range Light at the mouth of the Saugeen River has been badly battered by recent storms, made worse by the high water levels, and is in need of extensive repairs. Derek Seaman of Seaman and Son Builders generously volunteered and made some temporary repairs to hopefully get it through the winter.

To fund a permanent restoration when conditions permit, the Town of Saugeen Shores estimates the cost will be between $75,000 and $100,000. The Marine Heritage Society has offered to establish a special “Range Light Restoration Fund” and hope to raise $20,000 towards the restoration costs.

Should this event raise more than $20,000 the excess will be divided equally between the two organizations for other community projects.

“Southampton Rotary is delighted to support the Marine Heritage Society and donate the proceeds from 'Jazz for the Light' to the Marine Heritage’s Range Light Restoration Fund," said Rotarian and event organizer Stew Nutt.

Vicki Tomori, Chair of the Marine Heritage Society said, “Our group is thrilled that the Rotary Club has offered to kick off the campaign with their event expertise to help us raise much needed funds to restore this historic landmark.”

Tickets are $25 and are available through southamptonrotary.com.

Rotary encourages ticket purchasers to also order a New Orleans (the birthplace of jazz) themed meal from one of the participating restaurants, available at trellis.org/jazz-for-the-light. Contact the restaurants directly to order.