Our August event is a joint meeting with the Norwood Historical Society. It will feature a program on area and other shipwrecks entitled "Diving into the Past" conducted by State Archeologist John Halsey. This topic is of great interest to many in northern Michigan, with world interest having focused on Charlevoix during the Bradley tragedy off Beaver Island in 1958, and the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald in Lake Superior in the 1970s. Our own shipwrecks are now visible in the low waters of Lake Charlevoix's Oyster Bay.

Join us for what should prove to be an especially interesting historical evening.

When: Friday, August 8 @ 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Depot

This program is in keeping with the theme of our Maritime Exhibit now in progress at the Depot, Fridays and Saturdays 1-4 p.m. This will be an opportunity for those who have not yet been able to see it to enjoy one of the best exhibits we have ever mounted - ship models, original paintings, lighthouse models, historic photos, and maritime artifacts galore.

Again we are hosting a big party for members and their guests at the Depot Beach pavilion for the Venetian Week's first spectacular fireworks display out over Lake Charlevoix, on Friday, July 25 @ 7:00 p.m. We filled the pavilion last year with almost 100 attending.

Bring a dish to pass, plus your own tableware and silver, blankets and/or lawn chairs. We will provide hots dogs, buns, condiments, and lemonade. BYOB.

Anyone who would like to volunteer helping to take in (and out) equipment and food, call party chair Mona Bergeon at 547-2742 or the Harsha House. We also need to know approximately how many will be attending to determine how much food to order, so q quick call to Mona or the Harsha House would be appreciated.

Arrive on time to get a parking spot - last year the city blocked off Chicago Avenue for fire access before showtime. Call Harsha House if you need a ride, 547-0373.

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One of the most important projects ever to be undertaken by the Charlevoix Historical Society is a joint effort with the City of Charlevoix administration to attempt to preserve our lighthouse, one of the two most recognizable symbols of our town, the other being the bridge. The Lake Michigan Beach lighthouse is one of the most photographed and visited on the Great Lakes. Within the next two years it is destined to be removed from Coast Guard ownership and responsibility, but would remain as an aid to navigation if future ownership and maintenance can be assured. That is where the Society and the City are seeking common ground.

If practicable, the Coast Guard would transfer ownership to the City of Charlevoix, with whom the Society intends to form a partnership to lease the right to repair and maintain it. The Society has received a $10,870 grant from the State of Michigan toward obtaining an Historic Structures Report which will disclose the condition of the structure as well as estimate costs for repairs and maintenance. This grant requires a 50% match of $5390, which we must raise as soon as possible. Once that is received, the City has agreed to review the report, 75% of which will be completed by August, and, if feasible, join us in the effort to preserve our lighthouse. The Historic Structures Report will determine what needs to be done, providing the basis for obtaining grant monies from the State of Michigan for preservation. The rest of the report will be completed in September.

This is one of our most vital restoration and preservation projects ever, an opportunity for all members of the Charlevoix Historical Society to come together and offer their support for our historical legacy. We have some of the required funds on hand, but more is needed to guarantee the success of this preliminary project. If every Society member were to donate a minimum of $10 we could meet our goal. No contribution is too small. Contributions are tax deductible.

Those who donate between $50 and $100 will receive our new lighthouse replica, smaller version; those who donate $100 or more will receive the larger 5î model. All donations will be mentioned in our newsletter (see the last page of this monthís). Make out checks to the Charlevoix Historical Society, with the notation ìLighthouse Preservation.î Help, as Society members, to guarantee the survival of this priceless symbol of Charlevoix for many years to come.

If you have any questions, call lighthouse committee members Mary Adams, 547-0348, Mike Bergeon, 547-2742, or Jack MacKenzie, 547-7072.

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"JIM ANNIS, AN ARTIST AND HIS ART" EXHIBIT AT LIBRARY

The Friends of the Charlevoix Public Library are mounting one of the most eagerly looked forward to exhibits of this or any year, the works of popular local artist Jim Annis. Jim will be the guest at a reception held in his honor on Tuesday, August 19, from 6-8 P. M. in the libraryís lower floor, 109 Clinton Street. The exhibit will continue for the next two days, Wednesday and Thursday, August 20-21, from 10 A. M. to 8 P. M., open to the public at no charge.

Mr. Annis is a self-taught artist who began painting in the 1960s. He has mastered the art of capturing our yesteryears, scenes of Charlevoix and other area towns, big city baseball stadiums and streetcar scenes, trains, ships, old theaters, World War II memories, plus fish and game which have appeared on wildlife stamps. His realistic and vibrantly colored works, suffused with a wonderful nostalgia, have also graced magazine covers. Almost every painting has reached the limited or open edition print stage. Jimís works can be found in collections throughout the world and are sold in many galleries and museums. The Harsha House Museum store sells his print of the Depot and a resort special train.

DO NOT MISS THIS EXHIBIT OF NEARLY 70 OF THE ORIGINAL WORKS OF ONE OF CHARLEVOIX'S MOST IMPORTANT ARTISTS.

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ANNUAL SUNSET CRUISE

Area members recently received two tickets for our sixth annual sunset cruise on Tuesday, July 29, at 8:30, to be purchased or sold on the honor system. This highly popular event saw nearly two hundred people board last year. Join us again for this always beautiful evening, with a cash bar on board and dancing to the Bud Bechtold Quartet. (We must ask that everyone be twenty-one or older to board because of the sale of alcohol.) If you would like to volunteer a little time for set-up and take-down, call event chair Ann Marie Barnes at 547-1825. Any help will be appreciated. The cruise leaves on the Emerald Isle from the Beaver Island boat dock.

SOCIETY IN EAST PARK FOR VENETIAN HERITAGE DAY

For the first time, the Society will participate as part of the Venetian Week festivities in East Park for what will be called Heritage Day. On Friday, July 25 from 11-4 we will be housed in a large tent with many historic photos mounted on boards and a few hundred classic photos in albums on tables. Phyllis and John Elzinga will be there with us displaying some of their huge collection of antique farm equipment. Stop by to see the displays. Bring your Venetian week company downtown also.

The Society is again sponsoring the Venetian Week tennis tournament, part of the festival games that have grown to around 2000 participants. Call Bob Heath at 547-1978 regarding entry in any of the age categories during the week.

HERITAGE GARDEN LOOKING GREAT

The installation of the Heritage Garden at the Depot, co-sponsored with the Charlevoix Area Garden Club, is proceeding on schedule and beginning to look wonderful. The new brickwork near the entry door is especially nice. Stop down to see it, perhaps on a Friday or Saturday afternoon when the Maritime Exhibit is open in the Depot.

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HARSHA HOUSE BASEMENT HOUSECLEANING

The Harsha House basement will be receiving a long overdue housecleaning now that the old furnace boiler is out. Anyone who would like to volunteer a couple of hours on Thursday, July 31 from 4 to 6 P. M., just show up and lend a little muscle as things go flying out.

STORAGE AREA FOR LARGE ITEMS NEEDED

If any member has, or knows someone who has, a large storage area available, please contact us. We need space for oversize items like a long bobsled, a plow, an ice cutter, and perhaps in the future our sleigh currently on display in the museum.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION

A few instances have occurred in which disagreements have come to the surface regarding Society procedures and policies. We hope these might be settled in the most equitable and quickest manner possible, so any individual or group who wish to resolve an issue contact Dave Garland, Society President, at 547-6707.

The Society welcomes new members: Jean & Rick Belvin, Mr. & Mrs. Lynn R. Evans, Jeanne McCarthy (Ralph Hamilton Circle), Mike & Sharon Doherty, Marilyn & Lyle King

Donations received: from Donald & Eleanor Jesmore for the cruise; from Rebecca & James Jeakle, Edward M. Stacks, Bruce McLain, Tim & Adrienne Ives, Bruce Shanahan, Rita Orlowski, John & Barbara Danly for the lighthouse project; from Rotary Club, Robert C. Pew II, Sidney & Beth Feldman, Ole Lyngklip, Burton & Susan Farbman, Mary Engleman, Charlevoix Convention & Visitors Bureau, Charlevoix Chamber of Commerce, John & Ranny Riecker, Jamie & Karen Martin.

And many thanks to Hal Elrich for restoring the model of the Panachera now at the Depot.

Annual members - don't forget dues payments for fiscal year 2003-2004!