David Zapatka, president of the Friends of the Plum Beach Lighthouse, writes to say that the "license plate project is still humming along with almost 1,400 orders to date."

He continues: "The project is now in the hands of R.I. Prison Industries after the DMV placed three separate purchase orders for materials. The prison print shop is now awaiting delivery of the materials from manufacturer 3M to compile the plates.

"The Friends of Plum Beach Lighthouse, holders of the deed to the historic North Kingstown structure, plan to hold a "plate event" in the town sometime in July to distribute the plates to those who have already ordered them. Doing so will allow people the chance to receive their plates without having to make a trip to the DMV.

"The group is using the plate project as a fundraiser to cover the cost of repainting the lighthouse later this summer. In 2003, the lighthouse was renovated but is now in dire need of repainting, a project estimated to cost about $50,000. With the plate project, the group has already raised about half the money needed for the repainting."