The officers, Board of Directors, and Harsha House co-directors extend the best wishes of the season to all of the nearly six hundred Charlevoix Historical Society members across the country, with hopes for a prosperous and rewarding New Year. This is the time of year to take much satisfaction in past accomplishments and look forward to what should prove to be a most interesting 2006.

We do not have a program or event for January, but during the spring and through the summer there will be plenty to keep us occupied. Events are being planned around our annual themed potlucks at the Depot, and programs will consist of an investigation of historical sources for Charlevoix's street names, the life and works of famed designer/builder Earl Young, and the history of the Medusa (later Southdown, Cemex, St. Mary's) Challenger, the huge cement freighter that calls regularly at the South Point plant.

Exhibits at the Harsha House will focus on noted author/journalist/teacher Bill Ratigan (currently installed), a history of the Halverson family (Sam & Mary and their ten offspring) with many of their artistic works, a celebration of the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Chicago Club featuring vintage photographs and documents, and a pictorial history of our lighthouses in conjunction with the city's receiving ownership of the current light from the government in the immediate future.

Biggest of all, and one of the largest exhibits we have ever mounted, will be a history of the Big Rock Point Nuclear Plant from 1959 to 2006. We are currently working with the staff at Big Rock selecting photos, documents, and artifacts that will tell the story of the fifth nuclear plant in the United States located practically on our doorstep. The entire Depot will be devoted to this exhibit, every inch of wall space dedicated to a timeline sequence from the breaking of ground to construction and installation through operations to demolition and reversion to its natural state.

All of this plus more await us in 2006. We hope as many of our members as possible will be able to participate in and view all our events, programs, and exhibits.

Back to Top

NEW HOURS FOR SPRING

Beginning January 5 through April, the Harsha House Museum visiting hours will be Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 1-4 p.m. Anyone wishing to conduct museum business on Tuesday and Wednesday can use the side entrance.

Back to Top

CHRISTMAS DINNER DELIGHTFUL

The annual Christmas dinner this year was an excellent three-course buffet prepared by patron sponsor Terry Left from Terry's Place Restaurant at our beautifully decorated historic Depot. Forty-seven members and guests attended and filled the large room after a convivial social hour of wine and spirits in the fireplace room. Everyone agreed it was a most satisfying occasion and a fitting utilization of our prized venue that will most assuredly be repeated. The topper of the evening was the appearance for dessert of Terry's hot fudge cream puffs -- sin on a plate.

Back to Top

DIGITIZATION PROJECT MILESTONE

The committee responsible for selecting and scanning the photographs that are being entered into our photo preservation project -- Sharon Knutson, Mick Smith, David Miles, and Dave Garland -- has reached a milestone. By the time you read this, over 5000 photographs from the Society's archives will have been entered into computer and DVD storage, numerically categorized for convenient and almost instant retrieval. We anticipate processing at least another 2000 or more photos before this phase of the project nears completion, then transferring all of them into an additional and separate description, search, and alphabetized retrieval program.

Back to Top

The Society welcomes new members: Michael Barton; Get Connected, LLC (patron).
Memorials received: for Margaret Duerr from John & Jeri Duerr and Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Briney; for J. Jefferson Miller from Connie, Dana, & David Jacob and Cathy & Nate Forbes.
Donations (unrestricted) received from : Larry & Danielle Allan; the Hanna Family Fund through the Charlevoix County Community Foundation

Don't forget the Museum Store for that last-minute Christmas gift! Open Tuesday through Saturday to Christmas Eve.

Back to Top