That season is once again around the corner, when the days grow quickly shorter, a nip accents the air, and the trees are on their way to their last burst of glory.  As we have for several years now, we will celebrate the turning with our annual Harvest Potluck.  Dig out your favorite hearty recipe and gather with us once again for this celebration of our beautiful and all too few invigorating autumn days when the leaves should be approaching their peak and Apple Fest will soon fill the town to the brim.  (I can’t let this month go by without uttering what so many of you have come to expect—I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again!  In the name of mercy go lightly on the squash!  I detest squash!  Author Russell Baker, who equally loathed it, expressed the sentiment exactly right: “It tastes like it sounds.” But don’t let that influence you.—Ed.)

 When: Tuesday, October 2 at 6:00 P. M.

 Where: The Depot

 Be sure to bring your own tableware and silver, plus a serving utensil for your dish if necessary.  We provide napkins, beverages, and drinking cups.  The Depot has two microwaves, a fridge, a range and oven for a little preparatory work, plus electrical outlets for warming dishes.

Everyone is welcome to bring guests. The event is open to the public. 

As a bonus, musical entertainment will be provided by Vince Chew and his guitar for an old-time singalong after the meal is concluded.

See you all there!

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MUSEUM FALL HOURS

 The Harsha House Museum will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 1 to 4 P. M. through Apple Fest weekend, Saturday, October 13. 

From then until Saturday, November 17,  opening hours will be Thursday through Saturday 1-4 P. M. 

Regular Tuesday through Saturday hours will resume from November 20 through the end of the year except for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

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LIBRARY NEEDS PLATE

The Charlevoix Public Library needs to complete its collection of commemorative plates issued years ago by the Shop of the Gulls.  Only one remains missing—the Harsha House.  If anyone has one they would like to donate, call the library or Mary Ann Chew at 547-4157. 

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NEW FUND ESTABLISHED THROUGH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

The Society is very pleased to announce the establishment of the Charlevoix Historical Society Fund under the auspices of the Charlevoix County Community Foundation.  This fund will be used for the purpose of supporting future operating and program expenses.  Contributions to the fund are eligible for charitable deductions.  The Community Foundation sees this as one way to create a legacy for the Charlevoix Historical Society and a means for the establishment of a savings fund for future generations to help preserve the history that will someday be theirs. 

Contributions to the fund can be made by cash, check, securities, or other marketable assets.  For further information, contact Mr. Bob Tambellini at 231-536-2440.  Checks can be made out to the Charlevoix County Community Foundation with memo to be directed to the Charlevoix Historical Society Fund.  Mail to: CCCF, P. O. Box 718, East Jordan, MI  49727.

 A thanks in advance to all who will help us lay this groundwork for a solid future. 

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DEPOT FLOOR AND TICKET OFFICE RENOVATION TO MOVE AHEAD

The Board of Directors has given the go-ahead for replacement of discrete sections of the wood floor of the Depot and the long-desired renovation of the ticket master’s office.  Those portions of the original floor which do not have to be addressed will be allowed to remain as is.  Only the damaged and unsafe portions will be replaced by sections of 1927 gymnasium flooring removed during the construction of the new library, so actual historic Charlevoix flooring will be installed.

At the same time, the carpeting will be taken up in the ticket office, last utilized for display during the Big Rock Point Nuclear Plant exhibit in 2006, to see what lies beneath.  If necessary, more gym flooring will be laid in there.  The entire office will then be transformed into a period ticket master’s office, complete with potbelly stove and relevant railroad memorabilia from our collection.  The work will begin in early October.

With the foundation, attic truss, and north wall stabilization work now accomplished, once this portion of the Depot project is finished, only the outside releveling of the brick pavers remains to be done.   This will be the most expensive of the four portions of the Depot renovation (the pillar replacement will be finished next spring), and we hope our members will continue with their splendid support to make our Depot, the first of the city’s Historic Districts, the jewel of the city’s north side.   We are also looking into redoing the large room’s west wall for interior access into the outside storage shed where we store chairs and other items.

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MUSEUM STORE SURPASSES ALL RECORDS

Whatever the state of the Michigan economy, the Harsha House Museum store went gangbusters and surpassed all previous summers with a June into September tally of over $12,000.  Bestselling items are the new Bridge Street history book, Russ Bolt’s tiles, the Bob Miles’ Charlevoix II book, the Irene Young sectional map, lighthouse memorabilia, historic photos calendars, Christmas ornaments, 1907 Charlevoix cookbooks, historic walking booklets, and reproductions from the Bob Miles photo collection archives.  Much of this success can be attributed to the exposure we have from our downtown display window.      

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GREAT LAKES ENERGY PEOPLE FUND CONTRIBUTION

The Society would like to know how many of its members are customers of Great Lakes

Energy.  GLE has established a People Fund whereby if customers round up their bills to the next highest dollar, it will contribute the difference into a fund used to award grants to nonprofit organizations within its 26-county area.  Every Great Lakes Energy Cooperative member may contribute by authorizing the co-op to “round up” their bill to the next highest dollar.  All contributions are tax deductible.  To establish a contribution, or for more information, call the People Fund at 1-888-GT-LAKES (888-485-2537).  The Fund needs to know from the Society how many of our members might be GLE customers and if they might be currently participating in the People Fund program.  If you are a customer, please call the Harsha House (231-547-0373) so we can relay the information on to GLE with application for grants.  

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PATTI AIKIN VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Society member and patron Patti Aikin was recognized as Volunteer of the Year at our annual and very well attended Ice Cream Social at the Depot on September 4.  Patti contributed untold hours establishing a new accounting system on the Harsha House business computer, working with co-director Steve Goslee to co-ordinate everyday operations with the office of the Society treasurer, establish a museum store inventory system, and build an accounts payable and receivable system to be active on a weekly rather than a monthly basis, in essence to streamline a growing operation.  She was presented with a framed, signed copy of the Jim Annis Depot print in appreciation for her months of work. 

In addition, the Society also presented a certificate of appreciation to longtime member Edith Gilbert in recognition of her years of contribution to the town through her writing, activism, and never flagging enthusiasm for everything Charlevoix for over sixty years.  The evening happened to correspond with her 90^th birthday, and a chorus of “Happy Birthday” capped the occasion.

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DONATIONS CONTINUE TO ARRIVE

The July and August newsletters reported the significant donations that have come into the Harsha House, and they continue to come.  Recently, ledgers from O’Neill Fisheries once located on the north shore of Round Lake arrived—payroll registers with many recognizable names, accounts of fish shipments to local hotels and establishments and as far away as the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, a record of the towage dates and fees of the tug Parmelee when it brought the great liner Manitou, the “Greyhound of the Great Lakes,” into and out of Round Lake, receipts from many local businesses from the beginning of the last century, and much more.  A Victorian era scrapbook containing old postcards, some personalized with the word Charlevoix on them.  World War II era news clippings of Charlevoix Victory Bond drives.  A vintage Coast Guard uniform.  Scores of historic negatives and photos.  And more promised in the coming weeks.

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MARK YOUR CALENDARS

The final two events of 2008 will be our traditional favorites.  The annual all-you-can-eat fundraising spaghetti dinner at the Villager Pub will take place on Wednesday, November 7 from 5 to 9.  Anyone who would like to serve on the wait staff call Mick Smith at 347-2285.   The annual Christmas dinner will again be held at the Grey Gables on Tuesday, December 4.

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The Society welcomes new members: Jerry & Judy Corley; Paul & Mary Ann Stephan;  Carolyn (Candi) Muraksy

Correction to August newsletter: Donation received from David & Anna Cregor  in honor of Paul Nowak for officiating at their wedding

Memorial donation received for Marina LaBlanc: from Jerry & Kate Left

Memorial donations received for Sandra Beaudoin: from James & Suzanne Swanney; George Haggard; Lisa & Michael Brady; Kevin & Barbara Meggison; Jerry & Kate Left; Marilyn Novak; Paul Nowak; William & Elizabeth Martin; Patrick & Amy Walsh; David Miles; Kit & Pam Carson; David & Linda Schuchard; Alvin Ranger; Jon & Patricia Marshall; Chris & Lesli Nyland; Quintin & Nancy Walker; Donald & Marcia Trimper; Sally & Roy Whitley; John & Jill Picha; James Alger & Nancy Jo Lyons; Daniel Kantor & Emmaline Weidman; Shirley Hall & Metta Balch; Drew & Pauline Young; Ronald & Deanne Balch; Hugh & Joan Hoyt; E. Eads; Kelly Herboldsheimer & the Carson kids; Paul & Georgeann Lindberg; Dennis & Florence Wojan; Vincent & Mary Ann Chew; Gloria Barnes; Laura Wagner; C. Marilyn Gibbons; Vicky Emery; Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Saxton; Lisa Spang/ Charlevoix First Corporation

 Adopt-a-Painting donations received: from James Raulerson; Ronald & Barbara de Cosse

Sunset Cruise donations received: from Shirley Lusk; Ted & Marilyn Dumbauld; Kwikie Duplicating Center

Depot restoration donations received: from Karen Peters; Sandra Marquardt; Adrienne Ives

Lighthouse restoration donations received: from Elizabeth Bemis; George Haggard; Charlevoix Screenmasters

Donation in appreciation of the Earl Young programs received: from Mrs. Marguerite Currie, daughter of Earl Young