Once again members and their guests are invited to gather in the spirit of the season for the annual Historical Society Christmas dinner, always one of the nicest events of our year. After trying an excellent buffet dinner at a beautifully decorated Depot last year, we were advised by more than one caterer that the facilities there are really not efficient or sufficient enough to service a large gathering beyond a reception. So we will be returning to our previous venue.

When: Tuesday, December 5, 2006 Cocktails at 6 p.m.,
Dinner at 7 p.m.
Where: The Grey Gables Restaurant, 308 Belvedere Avenue

Menu:
Mixed Garden Greens Salad with Choice of Dressing
Entrée, with Assorted Breadbasket and Whipped Butter:
Broiled "John Cross" Whitefish
Grilled Top Sirloin Filet
Pan-Roasted Norwegian Salmon
Stuffed Pork Chop
Dessert: The Gables" Fabled Sanders Hot Fudge Cream Puff!
$22.00 per person.

A holiday cheer social hour with old friends will precede the Gables' quality offerings. As in previous years we would like to obtain a rough estimate of how much of each entrée will be ordered. So, if you can, we would appreciate a call by December 2 (Saturday) informing us of the number in your party and your selections. Phone 547-0373 Tuesday through Saturday 11-4, or leave a message, fax us at 547-4033, or e-mail chxhistory@sbcglobal.net. You may also call David Miles at home, 547-6736.

You may appear at the appointed hour at the Gables should circumstances prevent you from deciding or being able to call until the last minute.

No prior payment is needed. Someone will be on hand to collect payments at the door. We hope to see you all there.

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LIGHTHOUSE RESTORATION PROJECT UPDATE

Items Sold at Harsh House in October:

15 decals/bumper stickers; 3 red ins, 6 white pins; 2 red lighthouse on white candles; 2 red logo caps, 1 white logo cap. Donations: $27.00. Total restoration funds raised in museum: $225.00.

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E-MAIL ADDRESS CHANGE

The e-mail address printed on our letterhead and the top of the "printed" newsletter is no longer valid. Reach us now at: chxhistory@sbcglobal.net.

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SPAGHETTI DINNER SCORES AGAIN

The ninth annual spaghetti dinner fund-raiser on November 8 at the Villager Pub brought in just over $1400. Grand prize of dinner for two at Terry's Place goes to Bonnie Lenhart; Second place, a 2007 Big Rock Point Christmas bulb ornament, goes to Cyndi Urban. All are from Charlevoix. Our thanks to everyone who made the evening so successful.

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STREET NAMES PROGRAM TO BE CONCLUDED IN FEBRUARY

Dr. Jack MacKenzie was not able to include all the information he discovered for his program on the History of Charlevoix's Street Names in October. Jack will be able ton conclude the program, however, with Part II which he will present at our monthly event on Tuesday, February 7th It will be accompanied by a dessert for those who have a sweet tooth (is there anybody who doesn't?) and for whom the indulgence of Valentine's Day cannot come soon enough. Mark your calendars for an extremely informative and enjoyable continuation of Part I.

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NEW DUES YEAR FOR ALL ANNUAL MEMBERS AND PATRONS

The Board of Directors recently decided to consolidate all annual membership dues and patronages under a calendar year to coincide with our new fiscal year. Many patrons and many annual members prefer to submit their payments toward the end of the year rather than in the summer. The new annual membership/patronage year will now begin in January rather than July. This changeover will not affect life members or complimentary memberships. Further explanation will appear in the December newsletter.

Those who have joined as new annual members and/or sent in their payments recently have been credited through December of 2007. If you are unsure of your membership dues or level status now, call the Harsha House at (231) 547-0373, Tuesday–Saturday between 11 and 4 until the end of the year and we will access the information immediately.

It is hoped this changeover will not inconvenience or confuse anyone too much. We found it was necessary in order to streamline and expedite our operation. Thanks very much for your patience, understanding, and continuing support.

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BIG ROCK POINT EXHIBIT ENDS, WILL BE PRESERVED

Over 2,000 people visited the Big Rock Nuclear Plant exhibit, from 34 states, Washington, D.C., Canada, London, and Berlin. Almost all of it will be kept in our storage unit for the time being, including the scale model of the plant, pending hopeful future storage in a larger facility.

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'TIS THE SEASON TO BE THINKING OF THE SEASON

Now is the time of year to give serious thought about what would be the perfect gift. The museum store has many items for lovers of all things Charlevoix: the 2007 historic photos calendar, the 2006 Christmas bulb (annual bulbs dating back to the 1990s are also available), the Bob Miles' Charlevoix II historic photos and text book (over 2400 sold), other historic books, Russ & Sue Bold's Charlevoix scenes mugs and tiles, notecards, ornaments, lighthouse figurines, candles, caps, and T-shirts, plus much else. And the beautiful print of our former Coast Guard vessel, the Acacia, done from an original oil by Grand Rapids artist and Charlevoix native Susan Logie, has been reduced in price to $75. Stop by the Harsha House to see the complete selection.

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SUMMARY OF NOVEMBER BOARD MEETING MINUTES

The Big Rock Point exhibit took in around $1700 in donations at the door. Museum store sales for October totaled $588. Our website had 989 home page views and 6207 total page views in October. The two Belvedere Resort history/memorir books are now on sale at Harsha House, $25 each. David Miles has prepared PowerPoint photo History of Charlevoix program that he can present to interested groups. A structural engineer will evaluate problems at the Depot. The Harsha House will have a new furnace installed. Establishment of an endowment fund is being investigated. The Knights of Columbus donated twenty folding chairs to the Depot. Shirley Polakowski is writing up detailed procedures for scanning photos and entering search information for out photo archive digitization project. Volunteers are needed to help facilitate this project once she is finished. Two more Depot pillars have been restored. Depot doors and windows will be worked on also. The ticketmaster's office at the Depot will be restored with historic artifacts. A train show at the Depot for 2007 will need a coordinator.

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Keeper of the Light: Janet Harris
The Society welcomes new Ralph Hamilton Circle members:
George & Shirley Haggard

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