The keynote address and PowerPoint visual presentation that will inaugurate this exhibit will be delivered by Margaret B. Holman, PH.D., Curator of Michigan State University Museum. Dr. Holman was involved in the dig and wrote her doctoral dissertation on the discoveries.

When: Tuesday, June 5 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Depot

This important event will be preceded by our annual business meeting and election of officers at 7:00. Any members who would like to attend for the voting and discussion of our activities are welcome to come early.

Please join us for another of our ongoing historical programs.

This exhibit will be open on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the summer.

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ANNUAL DUES TIME AGAIN, FOR 2005-2006

Enclosed is the envelope for ANNUAL members' dues payments for the coming fiscal/membership year. As has been explained in previous years, Life Members, Patron Sponsors, Ralph Hamilton Circle members, business, organizational, and student complimentary mailings -- please ignore! unless the three latter wish to join as members. Postal regulations require uniform weight for ALL pieces that go out under fourth-class bulk mailing permits, which is why we have to include one with each newsletter. Those who have already renewed or joined as new members within the past few months, also ignore! But, members who have summer/winter residences and need to update us regarding changed mailing addresses and/or residency periods, please let us know by filling in that information and mailing it in, calling the Harsha House, or notifying us by email or fax. Members who are past due will see a dash (-) circled in red next to their name on the mailing label. Call the Harsha House if you are unsure of your dues level or status. We can access it instantly on the computer.

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2005 CHRISTMAS BULB AND 2006 PHOTO CALENDAR IN THE WORKS

The museum store committee has ordered the ninth Christmas bulb, always a big seller, which will arrive sometime this summer. 2005's theme is the Carnegie Library, whose cornerstone was laid in 1909. It stood on the corner of Clinton and State Streets where the Charlevoix State Bank is now. The books were taken to the present library in 1967, and the building torn down within a couple of years to make way for the bank. We chose this theme in celebration of the new library which will be completed within the shell of the old elementary / middle school / gymnasium complex in 2006 at Grant and Mason Streets. The color will be light brown, a reflection of the original brick, on a glossy white ground. All the previous bulbs are still available except the first one, the lighthouse coated in ice, which sold out. There will be no increase in price for these bulbs. $7 each, with the price reduced to $6 each with purchase of three or more.

The 2006 Historic Photos calendar is on the press and should be ready in a few weeks with all new photos and texts. we sold around 450 last year, and have three of the 2005 edition left. Again, no increase in price from previous years: $13.75, tax included.

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SUSAN LOGIE PRINT OF ACACIA AVAILABLE SOON

Charlevoix native, accomplished artist and summer resident Susan Logie, wife or former Mayor of Grand Rapids John Logie, has painted a picture of our Coast Guard vessel Acacia which will be decommissioned in 2006. She is turning the painting into a print which will be available through the Harsha House later this year. It will retail for $100, and a portion of the proceeds will generously go toward support of the Society. Details will follow.

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SUMMER HOURS

Opening hours for the Harsha House from July 5 through Labor Day weekend will be monday through Saturday 1-4 . Steve Goslee will be on hand Monday through Wednesday, David Miles Thursday through Saturday.

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2004-2005 ANNUAL REPORTS

The Society's Annual Report summarizing its activities, committee reports, and financial status for the past fiscal/membership year has just gone to press. It will be available by the time of the annual business meeting on July 5. The report will be distributed to all officers, Patron Sponsors, and Ralph Hamilton Circle members. Members who would like a copy can pick one up at the Harsha House or request to have it mailed.

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SUNSET CRUIS TICKETS TO BE MAILED SOON

All area members will soon be receiving two tickets to the eighth annual Sunset Cruise aboard the Beaver Island Boat Company's Emerald Isle on Tuesday, July 26. As in previous years, these are distributed on the honor system. Those who plan to be on board with us can pay for them by mailing in a check, calling or mailing in a credit card number, or stopping by the Harsha House where more tickets will be available. Those who can't use them -- encourage others to purchase them with perhaps a donation to help defray expenses. The ticket price will be the same as in previous years: $15 pre-sale, $20 at the dock an hour before sailing. Children and teenagers are welcome aboard.

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VENETIAN WEEKEND

Once more the Society will be involved in the Venetian Festival at the Heritage Days tent in East Park on Friday and Saturday, July 22 and 23. This year's theme is, of course, a celebration of the past 100 years since Charlevoix's incorporation as a city in 1905. Well over one hundred photos from the Society's archives will highlight specific events, people, and locations that have made Charlevoix's history. From the City Band of 1905 and construction of the water tower and the beaching of the great passenger liner Illinois in 1906, through the fire that opened up East Park in 1935 and the construction of Big Rock in 1960, great athletes Bob Carey and Chuck Fairbanks, the Carnegie Library begun in 1909 and our soon-to-be library opened as the elementary/junior high school in 1928, fires that destroyed downtown businesses in the winters of 1923 and 1924, the demolition of our great hotels -- much will be there.

Unfortunately, at the time of writing we still do not know if there will be Friday fireworks this year off Depot Beach. Our annual potluck picnic which has been so successful the past few years, packing the pavilion at the beach to overflowing, is based on this event. A decision will be made by the Venetian committee soon. Watch the newspapers. If the fireworks do take place, so will our picnic. We'll try to have more information in the July newsletter.

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BOY SCOUTS PAINT ALLEY FENCE; NEW GARDEN INSTALLED

Our biggest thanks to members of Boy Scout Troop #11 who volunteered to paint our white fence along the alley between Harsha House and the Charlevoix State Bank. (Although it must be said that by the time they got done having a hilarious paint fight, they appeared to end up with more on themselves than they applied to the fence.) We would like to show our appreciation for their fine work by encouraging Society members to support this new troop. Send a contribution care of Kim Currier, 135 U.S. 31 South, Charlevoix 49720, or subscribe or extend subscriptions to the Charlevoix Courier for one year at a time. 50% of the subscription rate will go toward support of the troop. Call Kim at 547-2290 for Courier and contribution information. We encourage the establishment and success of this boys group that can do so much good around town. Everybody wins.

Also many thanks to Kim's husband Vince who volunteered his time and labor for the installation of a new irrigated garden, planned and laid out by the Charlevoix Area Garden Club, on the margin between the fence and the alley pavement. When it is in full bloom in a few weeks it will be a picture. Mr. Currier is a Patron Sponsor of the Society.

Speaking of gardens, stop down to the Depot to see the construction of the beautiful new pergola at the north end of the new Heritage Garden installed by the Garden Clubs. The pillars are up. Soon the trellis work will be installed and climbing vines will then be planted.

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ODDS AND ENDS

The June 7 program at Greensky Church was another standing room only historical presentation, our third in a row. Thanks to Bob Morgridge and Pastor Geri Litchfield for arranging the program, and to William Purdy for allowing the attendees onto his property to view the Council Trees... Member Joan Nelson has printed up cards of the Earl Young history of Charlevoix once painted on a brick wall by the Park Avenue alley near Bridge Street. Contact the Harsha House if you'd like to have one... Rosalyn Goldstick's softbound poetry reminiscenses of Charlevoix, "Do You Remember?," are available at the Harsha Hous ($13.75)... Around 50 attended the Ralph Hamilton Circle reception on June 14, a very enjoyable time... A new book titled "Vintage Views of Charlevoix - Petoskey Region" written by members M. Christine Byron and her husband Thomas R. Wilson of Grand Rapids has just been published by the University of Michigan Press and is on its way to the Harsha House. It contains many images from the Society's photo archives, including the dust jacket cover. Price: $45... The Society has been informed by three sources that they have the first Bob Miles' Charlevoix book, published in 1976, available for purchase. Call the Harsha House so we can put you in contact with them if you're interested... Our website has 10,915 hits in May, 575 homepage views, and 3241 total page views... The museum store took in $713.60 in May... Dave Robinson is our new membership chairperson and Board member... Our fiscal year parameters will be changed to the calendar year... The elementary school's second and third graders all toured the Harsha House... Paperwork is being completed for acquisition of the lighthouse... An assortment of high quality digitally printed classic photos for our 2005 centennial celebration are available now at the Harsha House.

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