The Evergreen Lodge at St. Joseph Hospital is now home to an original painting of a local lighthouse thanks to a grateful cancer patient.

Crescent City resident Maria Callahan, a talented painter, recently gifted a painting she created of a lighthouse in her hometown as a way of saying thank you for allowing her to stay at the Evergreen Lodge, a low-cost housing facility for cancer patients, while she underwent radiation treatments. The painting, which is displayed above the fireplace at the lodge, depicts the St. George Reef lighthouse.

"I wanted to give this painting to St. Joseph Hospital as a way of thanking them for letting me stay here," Callahan said. "It’s something I thought someone staying here would appreciate since it’s from the area."

Callahan has been staying at the Evergreen Lodge for two months during her treatment for breast cancer. Though her hands shake slightly now – a side effect of chemotherapy, she says – her love of painting has not diminished during her stay and she is highly anticipating returning home to resume her regular life and spend time with her two Chihuahuas.

To learn more about the Evergreen Lodge call (707) 445-8121, ext. 7980.