As 2006 progresses, the land on which Charlevoix's nuclear plant, Big Rock Point, once sat will be reverted to what Consumers Energy calls "greenfield," as close to the original environment as possible. Everything that once spoke of a huge electric-generating facility is in the process of being removed. Since the announcement of the plant's construction in 1959 to the final phase of demolition in early 2006, Big Rock Point was a major factor in Charlevoix's and northern lower Michigan's life. Its shoreline signature profile of reactor containment sphere and emissions stack greeted every traveler who arrived from the north.

The Society is presenting a program on the history of the plant hosted by your editor, David L. Miles. He will touch on Consumers' decision to build here, Charlevoix's reaction to being chosen as the site of the nation's fifth nuclear power reactor, the construction of the plant, its operation, a chronology of events, the explosion of a B-52 near the plant in 1971, anti-nuclear protest, plant achievements and setbacks, its importance to the nation's nuclear industry, the decision to shut down, decommissioning and demolition, all accompanied by many photos.

When: Tuesday, May 2, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Depot

Join us for another of our popular historical series. Be sure to arrive early to get a seat. We expect a full house.

Back to Top

RALPH HAMILTON CIRCLE RECEPTION NOW IN AUGUST

The annual Ralph Hamilton Circle and Patron appreciation reception at the Harsha House will this year be held in August (8th), not June, to accommodate our summer resident members.

Back to Top

SUMMARY OF APRIL BOARD MEETING MINUTES

There was no financial committee meeting this month due to absence of members. Our website received 13,614 total hist and 12,326 successful hits. Home page views numbered 715; total page views numbered 5395. The museum store took in $536.40. We will advertise the Big Rock exhibit this summer in the July and August issues of Traverse Magazine. Increased costs for production of our historic photos calendar may necessitate a $1 price increase this year. The Society will be receiving a huge and invaluable donation of photos, documents, and artifacts from the Big Rock Point nuclear plant archives. Fifth graders will be doing an art project focusing on the lighthouse, and we hope to exhibit their work in the Venetian weekend tent in East Park as part of the restoration project campaign. Close to 8000 photos are now digitized for our photo preservation project. David Miles will speak on the early history of Charlevoix at the kick-off fundraiser luncheon for the French warship Griffon expediton, to be based in Charlevoix, on July 19 at the request of expedition leader Steve Libert. Our June program on the St. Mary's Cement Company vessel Challenger, 100 years old, will be videotaped professionally. Asbestos has to be removed from the Depot basement before air-conditioning work can begin, and will be done in the immediate future. The street down to the Depot will be worked on beginning in September, which may interfere with the Big Rock exhibit and visits of schoolkids in the fall. A roof leakage problem at the Depot is being addressed.

Back to Top

AMERICAN LEGION NEEDS HELP WITH PARK MEMORIAL

The Leslie T. Shapton Post of the American Legion is planning to place a new memorial marker in Veterans Park at Antrim and Bridge Streets. The current memorial is dedicated to the eight men who lost their lives in World War I. The new memorial is intended to honor all those from the Charlevoix area who gave their lives while on active service in peace or armed conflict. There are now over forty area men listed who have died in U.S. uniform, from the time of the Frontier Wars in the 1870s through the Viet Nam conflict. A model of the proposed memorial is currently on display at the American Legion Hall, 106 East Garfield. It was designed by former Society president, the late Louis Orlowski. The names of the deceased veterans will be embossed on a bronze plaque to be affixed to a new stone and brick base.

Just over $7500 is needed to complete this important project. Please send your contributions to the American Legion, P.O. Box 534, Charlevoix, MI 49720, payable to the Veterans Memorial Fund. For more information contact Ralph W. Doan, Sr. or Gail Seidel at 231-547-9203.

Back to Top

SECOND CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

The Big Rock Point Nuclear Plant exhibit at the Depot this summer will need docents during opening hours of 1-4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday from June 30 through Labor Day weekend, Fridays and Saturdays through October 14. (A docent is a guard / guide overseer who answers questions and keeps an eye on the premises. A knowledge of Big Rock's history and operation is not necessary.) We have an opening for a vice president to be elected in July. Our scholarship committee needs a chair next year to oversee the writing and judging of our annual high school senior historical essay contest that awards scholarships for the top four entries. And after over twenty years, Marilyn Boss is relinquishing her Courier scrapbook duties. This invaluable activity involves cutting up each week's Courier and placing important news items, obituaries, and articles in three-ring binders for the Harsha House library.

We'd appreciate any offers for filling these important positions. Call President Paul Hoelderle, 547-6127, or the Harsha House, 547-0373.

Back to Top

PROGRESS REPORT FROM CHARLEVOIX LIGHTHOUSE KEEPERS COMMITTEE

The Charlevoix Lighthouse Keepers Committee continues to meet and has been working on our fundraising campaign.

Over the next five years there will be many ways in which individuals and businesses will be able to contribute to the lighthouse restoration fund. The first phase of our 2006 campaign began April 1 with a general appeal. We have created a "Keeper of the Light" club with giving categories to fit any budget.

"KEEPER OF THE LIGHT" CLUB CATEGORIES

• Contributor - Up to $99
• Supporter - $100 - $499
• Protector - $500 - $999
• Benefactor - $1000 - $4999
• Guardian - $5000 +

These donations should be made out to the Charlevoix Historical Society, P.O. Box 525, Charlevoix, MI 49720. When sending your contribution, please note that it is for the lighthouse restoration project. The Society will maintain a list of club members that will be displayed at the Harsha House Museum for the duration of the project and then stored in our archives as a permanent record of our community's broad-based support.

On April 1, in addition to the general appeal, the Harsha House Museum Store began offering lighthouse bumper stickers for a donation of $5. The initial "feeler" offering sold out almost immediately, and more stickers have been ordered. As of this writing, their arrival date is not known, but they should be coming very shortly. Call the Harsha House for information as to when they will be available.

The entire proceeds from the stickers will be allocated to the lighthouse restoration thanks to the generosity of Rhea and Mike Dow who have underwritten the production cost. Every sticker depicts a beautiful image of the lighthouse beneath the letters CVX. Why CVX? Every airport in the world has been assigned a 3-letter code. CVX is the FAA-designated code for the Charlevoix airport. We believe that using our identifying airport code letters in conjunction with the image of our lighthouse is the best way to promote awareness of the lighthouse restoration project as well as the City of Charlevoix's pending ownership. The code is easy to read from a distance, allowing us to keep the stick compact.

Throughout the spring and summer we will announce additional offerings that will entice every member of the greater Charlevoix area to participate in this worthwhile and historic project.

Back to Top

MORE MICHIGAN QUARTERS FOR SALE AT MUSEUM STORE

The Harsha House Museum store has been given another package of Michigan State Quarters by the Charlevoix State Bank, which once sold them on our behalf. There are currently fifteen sets of two available for $5 each. They are collectors' items and also make perfect gifts for children, thank-you tokens, and Christmas stocking stuffers. Stop in to get yours. Several members were disappointed when we sold out the last batch. Our thanks to the Charlevoix State Bank, a Society patron, once again for their support and generosity.

Back to Top

Memorial donation received from: Ellen J. lange in honor of Larry Ingalls. The Society welcomes new members: John & Nelda Hagaman (Ralph Hamilton Circle).