For over two years now, the Charlevoix Area Garden Club and the Charlevoix Evening Garden Club, in conjunction with the Historical Society, have been developing a Heritage Garden on the west side of the Depot. The project is well on its way to completion. The gardenís formal dedication will take place on:

Tuesday, June 1
from 7 to 9 P. M.
at the Depot

This will be a lovely evening with refreshments, live music, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. It will provide an opportunity to see the beautifully designed and superbly executed ìroomsî of the garden, and to talk with the generous folks who have contributed enormous amounts of time, effort, expertise, and materials to create this truly fine addition to the list of lovely places in Charlevoix.

The Historical Society and the two Garden Clubs will be joined by area residents in receiving thanks for their countless hours devoted to this project, their cooperation and their help in bringing it to fruition.

There will be a few very brief speeches. The evening will be spent in large part simply enjoying the gathering, the music, the stunning view down Lake Charlevoix, the new spring growth, all that make Charlevoix the Beautiful.

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SUMMARY OF BOARD MEETING, MAY 11, 2004

The Board welcomes new member John Bleha. John grew up in Charlevoix and has how retired here. He'll be a real asset to the Society.

Four high school students will receive Society scholarships this year. Over twenty applicants presented excellent academic work and choosing the best submissions was very difficult. The scholarship fund is fiscally solvent.

The sprinkler system at the Depot will be extended to include areas not previously covered.

"Ancient Charlevoix," an exhibit based upon prehistoric artifacts discovered in the Charlevoix area in the early 1970s and now housed at Michigan State University, is tentatively planned for installation at the Depot during the summer and fall of 2005.

The Coast Guard is seeking National Historic Registration for our lighthouse.

The Board decided to make the annual Sunset Cruise aboard the Emerald Isle (this year on July 27) more family friendly by welcoming back children. There will be no alcohol served. Soft drinks and light snacks will be available. Live music again will be provided. Details in future newsletters.

Submitted by Mona Bergeon, Secretary

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NEW MEMBERSHIP FEE STRUCTURE

Because of increased operating expenses, the Board of Directors has recognized the need for raising the annual "individual" membership dues from $10 to $15. Above this, only the "family" category will be offered at $25. The $5 "student" category will be cancelled. All other categories will remain the same. We are sure the membership recognizes the necessity of raising the Society's dues after their having remained at the previous level for at least ten years without an increase. Dues envelopes will be mailed with the newsletter in June.

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BYLAW CHANGE

The bylaw committee recommends the following change to be voted upon at the annual business meeting:. Article IV, Section 1 reads as follows: "The officers of this society shall consist of a president, a vice president, a secretary, a membership secretary, and a treasurer, each being elected for a term of one year." It is recommended that this passage read as follows: "The officers of this society shall consist of a president, a vice president, a secretary, a membership secretary, a treasuer, and a finance committee chair, each being elected for a term of one year."

MICHIGAN QUARTERS

The Charlevoix State Bank has generously provided 200 of the new Michigan quarters to the Society as a fundraiser. Coin sets can be obtained during business hours at the teller windows, 111 State Street, corner of Clinton Street next door to the Harsha House. Suggested donation per set is $5 or more. Be sure to obtain your sets that will benefit the Society while supplies last.

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RALPH HAMILTON CIRCLE RECEPTION

Every year the Society recognizes and thanks its Ralph Hamilton Circle members at a reception held at the Harsha House, this year on Tuesday, June 15, @ 7:00 P. M. The Circle is named for one of the- most prominent founders of the reconstituted Society in 1972, former president Ralph Hamilton. Membership constitutes a $100 annual pledge, single or couple. Any Society member(s) who would like to join this support circle and attend the reception in their honor are invited to do so by filling out and returning the form on page three.

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FIVE NEW EXHIBITS PLANNED FOR SUMMER

For over a year, exhibit chair Karen Lewis and her committee have been planning and are currently mounting five new exhibits for the Harsha House, not counting the new quilt show that will be held at the Depot in early July. Completed is an exhibit of the art works of longtime resident the late Lyle Miles. Lyle worked in oil, watercolor, and acrylic and also carved and painted birds. Samples of all these media are on display along our "ramp" wall.

The Bob Miles photo corner will be given over to photos and text honoring Charlevoix's pioneers and early settlers. It will emphasize our first permanent residents, Medad and Phoebe Thompson who arrived exactly 150 years ago, plus those who followed: first doctor, lawyer, newspaper publisher, plat maker, hotel keeper, school teacher, et. al. These highly influential pioneers provided the foundation of our development into the thriving community we know today.

In June of 1905 the Michigan legislature officially incorporated Charlevoix as a city. To mark what will be our upcoming centennial of that important event, we will be mounting a separate exhibit honoring our first mayor, Harvey Lee Iddings.

The Heritage Exhibit area will be devoted to our sports history with many trophies donated by the school. These trophies were discovered in storage before the move from the East Garfield Street school out to the current high school, and date from the early 1900s to mid century. The new building was not provided with display space for the scores of trophies in the school's possession, so the school generously gave the early ones to the Society for safekeeping. Where possible, we have matched as many trophies with team photos from our archvies as we could.

An exhibit of "hobo" art will complete the new display line-up. These are priceless artifacts handcarved from single pieces of wood into intricate chains, links, and abstract patterns.

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NOMINATION OF OFFICERS FOR THE 2004-2005 FISCAL YEAR

The following are nominations for office to be elected at the annual business meeting July 6: President: Jack MacKenzie; Vice-President: Paul Hoelderle; Secretary: Mona Bergeon; Treasurer: John Haggard; Finance Chair: Mary Adams; Board of Directors: Karen Pierce, Ted Dumbauld (both July 1, 2004-June 30, 2007); Alternate Board Members: Bob Heath (2004-2006), John Bleha (2004-2005). The Membership Secretary position is open for nomination for the term July 1, 2004-June 30, 2005.

Donation received from: Allan Warner

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