For the eighth year now we are hosting one of our most popular events, with a slight change from previous Februarys. Instead of a potluck dinner, we are having a Valentine's dessert party with an audience participation program of readings of heart-stirring poetry, recitations on the theme of love, quizzes, tales fictional and real but possibly romantically embellished, mostly things that make you go "awwww!"

When: Tuesday, February 7, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Depot

As before, the admission ticket will be one Valentine, more if you feel generous, that will go into a decorated box at the door. These will later be distributed to shut-ins and the elderly who may not be lucky enough to receive their own. Sign your name to them if you like, or just "A Secret Admirer."

We don't want to overload on calories, so we are not asking everyone to bring a dessert dish. But we are asking for volunteers who do have a special dessert recipe to provide for the groaning board. We will provide plates, forks, napkins, and beverages. A refrigerator and microwave are available.

As Society Past President Jack MacKenzie inimitably put it: "Again some of Charlevoix's loveliest young girls will be there. Again some of Charlevoix's loveliest, slightly more mature girls will be there. The men will look the best they can. This is the night to bring your sweetie pie and go home with the spark renewed. If you don't have a sweetie pie right now, come and see what might be available. No one is too old to hold hands."

Please dig out your favorite romantic poetry and prose and join us for what has always been a fun evening. This event is open to all, so bring a guest or two and spread the word. We hope to see you all there.

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INPUT NEEDED FOR APRIL PROGRAM

Harsha House co-director Steve Goslee will be presenting our program for April entitled "Getting There Is Half The Fun." It will be about the various means of transportation to Charlevoix that settlers and first-time visitors utilized over the years when they came here -- from walking through horseback through ox-drawn carriages through horsecarts through Conestoga wagons through stagecoach through every type of boat imaginable through the railroad and finally over the highway system and touching down at the airport. He's looking for stories and family lore, maybe even some artifacts, journals, photos, letters, and memorabilia related to our citizens' arrival. The information doesn't necessarily have to be from over a century ago, either. Even recent arrivals might have interesting tales to tell as to how they came to settle here, and what were the means and circumstances of their planting roots in Charlevoix. Contact Steve at the Harsha House on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays between 11 and 4.

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PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTIONS

The 2006 calendar was finalized at the last Board meeting. Our members and the general public can look forward to these events (subject to change):

February 6: Valentine's Dessert Party at the Depot; March 7: Program to be determined soon; April 4: Steve Goslee's "Getting There Is Half The Fun" program at the Depot; May 2: David L. Miles' illustrated history of the Big Rock Point Nuclear Plant at the Depot; June 6: A 100th anniversary salute to the Medusa/Southdown/St. Marys cement freighter, the Challenger (we are working to have the boat available for tours); June 30: Opening Day of the Big Rock Nuclear Plant exhibit at the Depot, to run through Labor Day weekend and weekends through Apple Fest; July 21: Venetian Fireworks potluck at the Depot; August 1st: Annual Sunset Cruise on the Emerald Isle; September 5: Annual Ice Cream Social at the Depot; October 3: Dr. Jack MacKenzie's program on the history of Charlevoix's street names; November 1: Annual fund-raising spaghetti dinner at the Villager Pub; December 5: Annual Christmas Dinner at the Depot; December 13: Second Annual Festive Settings Home Tour. Mark your calendars.

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REMINDER OF NEW HOURS FOR SPRING

Beginning February 2 through April 29, the Harsha House Museum visiting hours will be Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 1-4 p.m.

The museum will be closed for the remainder of January while we catch up on an important phase of our photo digitization project.

Anyone who needs to conduct museum business or make a purchase from the museum store can use the side entrance now, and on Tuesdays and Wednesdays after February 2.

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FESTIVE SETTINGS HOME TOUR THANK YOU

The Society would like to thank the six homeowners who graciously opened their residences for our benefit on Wednesday, December 14 and allowed visitors to see their spectacular holiday decorations: Vera and John McKown of the Bridge Street Inn, Janie and Erwin Hire, Nan Ruth and Gene Chardoul, Nancy and Dave Fowler, Betty Renton, and Nancy and Jeff Porter.

Special thanks go to Mona Bergeon, who chaired the tour, and her committee of Mary Adams, Phyllis Elzinga, Margaret Heath, Kay Heise, Karen Pierce, and Betsy Reynolds. Also thanks to the thirty-seven docents who worked at the homes, and all of the Historical Society members who provided refreshments and made centerpieces for the Depot tables. And to the group of carolers who provided music at the Depot under the direction of Cindy Manson.

The event was so well received that we will certainly do it again next year. Save Wednesday, December 13, 2006 for the Second Annual Festive Settings Home Tour.

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SUMMARY OF JANUARY BOARD MEETING MINUTES

Our website received 8311 hits in November, with 508 home page views and 2853 total page views; the December figures were 8559 hits, with 504 home page views and 3489 total page views. The museum store took in $1210.55 for November, $1761.40 for December. The five open days between Christmas and New Year's alone saw $453.70. We will discontinue the December Open House due to increased opportunities for store purchases throughout the fall and early winter with more open days in the museum. A novel titled The Seasons of the Emma Lee, set in Charlevoix, has recently been published with one of our classic photos of the yacht Sylvia on its dustjacket. Photos from our archives have recently appeared in Traverse Magazine and Michigan History magazine. About 225 copies of the Bob Miles' Charlevoix II book have sold in the past fourteen months. A project manager to oversee and supervise the entire Big Rock exhibit project will be looked for. Nineteen complimentary memberships have been issued. The next Historic Preservation Commission meeting will take place in City Council Chambers on the evening of February 1 -- everyone interested is encouraged to attend. Many bids and estimates for work on the Depot exterior and interior have been received and are being reviewed. The change to a new fiscal calendar year will not affect our current membership or officers' and directors' July/June service year. Outgoing presidents will become new chairs of the Finance Committee. The Harsha House will be given a thorough electrical system inspection. The photo digitization project has passed the 5500 mark.

Memorial received: from Bob Gill in honor of Louise Gill.

Donation received: from Consumers Energy Foundation for the Big Rock Nuclear Plant exhibit.

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