Potluck Picnic at 7:00 p.m. at the Depot Beach Pavilion!

As in past years, we will provide hot dogs, buns, condiments, and lemonade, plus drinking cups. Bring a dish to pass, plus your own tableware, cutlery, and beverage of choice if you wish something other than lemonade.

The great fireworks are set off just off shore from the beach, so bring your own chairs or blankets for the show.

This annual affair has grown into one of our most popular events. Arrive on time if not earlier to get a parking space. The past few years, the city has blocked off Chicago Avenue for fire access before showtime. Call Harsha House if you need a ride (547-0373).

Anyone who would like to volunteer helping take in (an 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. All members and their guests are welcome to participate. A quick call to Mona or the Harsha House would be appreciated.

Good company, always great food, a beautiful evening, and the breathtaking Venetian fireworks - what more could one ask for in Charlevoix?

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BOOK SIGNING BY "VINTAGE VIEWS" AUTHORS, JULY 30

A new book has just been published titled Vintage Views of the Charlevoix - Petoskey Region by Society members M. Christine Byron and her husband Thomas R. Wilson of Grand Rapids. Co-published by the University of Michigan Press and Petoskey Publishing Company of Traverse City, this magnificent full color 279-page volume is also an official publication of the Charlevoix Historical Society and the Little Traverse Historical Society. It covers both Charlevoix and Emmet counties with emphasis on the beginnings and subsequent decades of the resort era throughout this area. Hundreds of vintage postcards, advertisements, photographs, maps, drawings, and brochures describe the mainly summer life as it was lived way back when. Full excerpts support the images. This is without a doubt one of the finest publications of its type ever to appear in and about northwest lower Michigan. Christine and Tom spent hours selecting many of the images from the Society's Bob Miles Photo Collection for inclusion in the book. Vintage Views is available at the Harsha House Museum store. Price: $45 plus tax.

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DEPOT PERGOLA ALMOST COMPLETED

Stop by the Depot to see the nearly complete pergola in the Heritage Garden. The trellis top has been installed, the benches put in, and all that needs to be done now is planting the vines.

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CLASSIC CARS AT THE DEPOT AND HISTORIC TREASURE HUNT AUGUST 2

The Charlevoix Street Legends Classic Car Club is bringing many historic vehicles to the Depot for display and exhibit on Tuesday, August 2 at 7:00 p.m. There will be a short presentation on what the club does regarding the charities and organizations it helps to support, and a brief history of the club. (The Street Legends helped to sponsor the current "Ancient Charlevoix" exhibit at the Depot.) Anyone who wishes to talk shop over the hood and innards of a classic car will have plenty of opportunity to do so.

As icing on the cake, the club invites all attendees to then join a classic car owner on an historic Charlevoix treasure hunt. Society members and/or their friends who own classic cars are also invited to participate. Those on the hunt will be given a list of clues at the Depot which will lead them to a puzzle piece deposited in advance at each locally historic destination. The clues will not be difficult, but those who are up on their Charlevoix history might be at a slight advantage. (Better start rereading Bob Miles' Charlevoix I and II right away.) The first party to return with a completed puzzle will win a prize. So dig out the goggles, don your favorite white silk scarf, hop in the rumble seat, and join us for another festive Society evening.

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CENTENNIAL HISTORY IN THE EAST PARK TENT

That same day, Friday, July 22, and Saturday, July 23, we will again be in East Park in the Heritage Days tent. NOTE: THE HARSHA HOUSE WILL BE CLOSED THOSE TWO DAYS. We will be focusing on the tent because in past years visitation at the museum has been extremely light during so much Venetian activity downtown. But many of the items in the museum store will be on hand for sale in the tent.

This year we are mounting a huge photo exhibit that will highlight the people, places, and events that made Charlevoix's history since its incorporation as a city in 1905. Buildings up, buildings down, famous athletes, influential people, the great hotels, vessels, downtown scenes, and much, much more. Bring your Venetian guests! Friday from noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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ANNUAL SUNSET CRUISE

Just three nights after we close up the tent, off we go again on our ever popular annual Sunset Cruise on the Beaver Island Boat Company's Emerald Isle. All area members have already received two tickets, on the honor system, and can either return them, discard them, sell them to others and return the money to us, or give them to others to purchase. Those who need more tickets can obtain them at the Harsha House or the Bridge Street Book Shop, 407 Bridge Street up to late afternoon of cruise day, Tuesday, July 26. Remember - tickets purchased up to that time are $15; tickets purchased at the dock just before sailing are $20. Boarding is at 8:15, sailing at 8:30 p.m. from the Beaver Island Boat Dock beside the bridge.

As of last year, we do not serve alcoholic beverages any longer due to the steep increase in insurance costs for such single events. Therefore, everyone under twenty-one is welcome aboard. We will be providing soft drinks, snacks, and popcorn. Music for dancing will be provided by the Bud Bechtold Quartet. Come one, come all for a beautiful evening out on the lakes. Is there any more magical moment than sailing back into Round Lake and seeing the nighttime reflections of the town in the water?

And, if you haven't already sent in your money if you intend to go, please contact us ASAP as to the total number that will be in your party so we can determine the quantities of food and pop to be provided.

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REPEAT OF VESSELS OF CHARLEVOIX PROGRAM AUGUST 11

Due to popular demand, the program your editor gave last April on the vessels that have appeared in Charlevoix will be repeated at the Depot at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 11. The program drew a standing room only audience, the first of four historical programs in a row that drew such crowds, an unprecedented first in the Society's recent history. Again, our PowerPoint program will provide over 140 projected images and we hope to have our new and improved sound system in place by that time. Many resident members were not back in Charlevoix from winter vacations in early April, and we hope our summertime members will be able to attend. If you have guests at that time, bring them along for a fascinating glimpse into Charlevoix's maritime past. The event is open to the public, and there is no admission charge.

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"ANCIENT CHARLEVOIX" CONTINUES THROUGH LABOR DAY WEEKEND

A reminder that the exhibit on Charlevoix's Native-American residents, whose recovered artifacts from the Pine River Channel Dig on ground under the LaCroft condos date back to circa 1500 BC, can be seen at the Depot on Fridays and Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m. through Labor Day weekend. Summer residents - be sure not to miss it before you return home at summer's end.

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"MY SUMMER ON HEMINGWAY ROAD" - A NEW BOOK

The Society recently received several copies of a delightful new book of short stories and reminiscences by Alicia Hein Cook of Ocala, Florida relating her young days growing up in the Ironton area. There are many mentions of Charlevoix and environs. The book is available at the Harsha House Museum store. Price: $18, tax included.

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AND THAT'S THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S SUMMER!

We hope all our members, their families and guests in the Charlevoix area can attend all our events, read all our books, visit our exhibits at the Harsha House and Depot, and as a fitting end to another summer, come to the annual Ice Cream Social at the Depot on Tuesday, September 6.

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