Our program for March will be a history of the Mackinac Bridge presented by one of the best and most knowledgeable authorities on the structure, Society member and Norwood resident William Gnodtke, Chairman of the Mackinac Bridge Authority.

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

For decades the dream of uniting Michigan's two peninsulas had been considered unattainable because of the distance and depth between the two land masses, until genius bridgebuilder Dr. David B. Steinman overcame all obstacles and the Mighty Mac became a reality in the late 1950s. Even today, after construction of many bridges elsewhere, it is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world, and one of Michigan's crown jewels.

Join us as Mr. Gnodtke relates the history of the construction and operation of this engineering wonder begun half a century ago, and dedicated in late June of 1958. He will also comment on the recent political controversy in Lansing that threatened to jeopardize the authority of the Authority.

(Those interested in pursuing this subject further might like to track down local author Bill Ratigan's two books, Highways over Broad Waters, a biography of Dr. Steinman, and Straits of Mackinac!, a history of the area.)

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VINTAGE VIEWS A TOP PICK

We are enormously pleased and honored to have learned and now report that our recent co-publication with the Little Traverse Historical Society, Vintage Views of the Charlevoix-Petoskey Region by Society members and Grand Rapids residents Christine Byron and Thomas wildon, published through the University of Michigan Press, has been selected as one of the top twenty 2006 Michigan Notable Books by the Library of Michigan. These books were selected from a field that numbered more than 400 candidates. "One of the chief criteria is that the book be of high quality in writing and/or research and be reflective of Michigan's diverse ethnic, historical, literary and cultural experience." These are the words of Kim Laird, Michigan Notable Books co-ordinator for the Library of Michigan. This puts the book, which includes many photos and documents from the Harsha House files, in the select company of internationally noted author Jim Harrison, chosen for his recent novel The Summer he Didn't Die (Atlantic Monthly Press), much-praised photographer Ed Wargin, chosen for his beautiful Legends of Light: A Michigan Lighthouse Portfolio, and David Margolick for his historical-sports reportage Beyond Glory: Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling, and a World on the Brink, published by Alfred A. Knopf. Our congratulations to Christine and Tom for their months of dedicated work which culminated in this well-deserved and prestigious recognition. They and the other winners will be honored at a Night of Notables ceremony and reception on May 6 as part of Michigan Week.

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HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MEETING ON DEPOT

The Historic District Committee will hold a meeting on Wednesday, March 1 at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Room, second floor, to discuss the establishment of a Depot Historic District. Anyone interested is invited to attend.

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HISTORIC VIGNETTE: IT HAPPENED IN CHARLEVOIX

In the summer of 1920, wounded World War I veteran Ernest Hemingway was living in a seedy rooming house in Boyne City, down to his last $6 after an altercation with his mother at the family cottage on Walloon Lake. He came to Charlevoix with a group of friends in late July to play roulette at the Colonial Club. Hemingway parlayed his small stach into $59, enough to see him through the next few weeks until he could return to Chicago. Has he lost that $6, he would have had to have found work at the cement plant where the Bay Harbor resort is now. Within days of arrival in Chicago, Hemingway met St. Louis socialite Hadley Richardson at a party. They were married in Horton Bay on September 3, 1921. Her wealth took them to Paris where he began serious writing. Hemingway became world famous with The Sun Also Rises in the mid 20s, the novel based upon his and Hadley's life in France and Spain. With the small amount of funds won in Charlevoix, the entire course of his life and writing would have been different.

Ernest and Hadley's original marriage license can be seen at the Harsha House Museum.

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Donation received from: Margaret Johnson in honor of Dave Garland.
The Society deeply regrets the recent passing of longtime member Virginia Young Olsen, daughter of noted Charlevoix architect and builder Earl Young.

VALENTINE PARTY

A big thank-you to Dr. Jack MacKenzie for organizing another fun Valentine party, to those who participated with readings and quizzes, and to those who brought the goodies. The dessers were splendiferous! and surprisingly low in calories (as we told ourselves when we went back for seconds). Again, the Valentine ticket admissions were distributed to shut-ins and those who might not have received one.

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STORIES NEEDED FOR APRIL PROGRAM

Harsha House co-director Steve Goslee is asking members to contribute stories regarding the circumstances of and reasons for their forebearers arrival in Charlevoix, or even their own arrival, for his program "Getting There is Half the Fun" on April 4. He is concentrating on the means of transportaion used in getting here, but stories on how you got here will be welcome. Call him at 547-0373.

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PROGRESS REPORT TO THE MEMBERSHIP
FROM THE SOUTH PIER LIGHT RESTORATION COMMITTEE

There will be a delay in the transfer of the lighthouse title to the City of Charlevoix due to ongoing bottom land issues. As the State and Federal Governments sort out the details, the City, in conjunction with the Historical Society, has applied to enter into an Historic Lease with the U.S. Coast Guard. That lease will five us "standing" to qualify for State and Federal grants to help fund the restoration of the lighthouse. We anticipate that it will take up to two years to have title transferred. With the Lease in hand we can proceed as if we own the structure.

The South Pier Light Restoration Committee met on January 27th to discuss plans for a 2006 fundraising campaign. This fall we will apply to the State Historic Preservation Office for a lighthouse grant. We hope to be awarded its maximum grant amount of $40,000, which will require us to raise matching funds totaling $20,000. Thanks to a generous challenge grant from two Society members who have pledged to support this project by donating $10,000 per year for five years, we are confident that we can raise the money necessary to complete the restoration within that period of time.

We have discussed several ways to include every community member in this exciting and historic process. Our campaign will kick off on April 1st with press releases in local papers the following week. We will keep our membership informed in this monthly newsletter.

If you are interested in joining our committee or have ideas, suggestions, or questions please call Mary Adams at 547-0348. We have a challenging year ahead of us and will need all the help we can get.

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SUMMARY OF FEBRUARY BOARD MEETING MINUTES

The possibility of air-conditioning the Depot will be given priority status for the near future. The Society's website received 11, 332 successful hits in January, with 679 home page views and 4678 total page views. The museum store did virtually no business due to our closure in January. The window display downtown increased store sales by well over $8000 in the July-December period in 2005 as compared to 2004, and also was responsible for increased visitor attendance. The Society received a donation of a craps table that was once in the Colonial Club on Meech Street prior to August, 1947 when the club was raided and closed down. It is now in our storage unit. The Big Rock Point exhibit planned for this summer at the Depot is progressing well. The Society's 2007 Historic Photos calendar will be devoted exclusively to images used in the Big Rock exhibit, the first time we will have done a calendar focused on one theme. Society member Pat Gaskin is researching the histories of the downtown buildings for the Historic District Commission. An advisory board consisting of experienced former officers and directors who are no longer on a current Board of Directors was established. The piano at the Harsha House will be tuned. Small articles of local history will be incorporated in the newsletter when space allows. A semi-annual report has been completed for July-December, 2005 to reflect our fiscal year change-over to a calendar year. Copies will be mailed to all patron sponsors and Ralph Hamilton Circle members soon. Any member interested can pick one up at the Harsha House or have one mailed. Amy Lalewicz has joined the photo digitization committee to help push the scanning portion of the project toward completion. Over 6500 photos are now saved. More Depot pillars will be restored in 2006, and the Depot doors weatherproofed.

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