Charlevoix Historical Society - Charlevoix, Michigan

Annual Christmas Dinner at Grey Gables

A Christmas Gambol oft Could Cheer—Sir Walter Scott

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, and judging by the turnouts of the past two years, one of the most popular.

When: Tuesday, December 4 at 6:00 P. M.

Where: The Grey Gables Inn, 308 Belvedere Avenue

A holiday cheer social hour with old friends will precede the Gables’ quality offerings (menu and price on inside page). As in previous years, we would like to have a rough estimate of how many of each entrée will be ordered. So, if you can, we would appreciate a call by Saturday, December 1 informing us of the number in your party and your selections. 547-0373 Tuesday through Saturday 11-4, or leave a message. You can also call David Miles at home, 547-6736.

Should circumstances prevent you from deciding or being able to call until the last minute, you may appear at the appointed hour at the Gables with no problem.

No prior payment is needed. Someone will be on hand to collect your payment at the entryway to the rear dining room.

We hope that many members and their guests can join us. This event is open to the public also.

HOLIDAY HOURS

Through Saturday, December 29, Harsha House Museum hours will be Tuesday through Saturday 1-4 P. M. except for Thanksgiving and Christmas. This will provide plenty of convenient opportunity for Christmas shopping at the museum store, and also an opportunity to see the latest exhibits before we close for the first two months of 2008. A list of store items, perfect for Christmas, is on an inside page.

A NOTE OF THANKS TO THE MURDICKS

On behalf of the entire Society, The Board of Directors would like to extend its deepest appreciation to Gary and Jeryl Murdick for allowing the Society the use of their store window downtown next to Whitney’s Restaurant. This was the third season we’ve been able to display our store items and advertise ourselves and the lighthouse restoration. It has made an enormous difference in the number of visitors to Harsha House and increased an awareness of Charlevoix’s history. Our sincere thanks to the Murdicks for their generosity and consideration.

BEST EVER SPAGHETTI DINNER FUND-RAISER

The 10th annual fund-raising all-you-could-eat spaghetti dinner at the Villager Pub on November 7 was our most successful one yet. This year, Pub owner and Society patron Terry Left donated the spaghetti and non-alcoholic drinks portion of the menu entirely to us, which generated about $1200 more in tips than last year, for a grand total of $2594. This amount goes a long way to maintaining the financial health of the Society. We would like to thank our Board Directors and members who worked as wait staff and greeters, those who came to show their support, plus those they brought with them, and members of the community who showed up also. Above all, an enormous thanks to Terry and his ever-patient staff for helping to make the evening run smoothly. We served close to 250 people in about two and a half hours.

Winners of the door prizes are: Grand Prize—dinner for two at Terry’s Place—Kim (Mrs. Rod) Stevens; second prize—a 2008 Historical Photos Calendar—Tom Eggers; third prize—a 2007 Christmas ornament bulb—Chris Campbell. All the winners are from Charlevoix.

SOCIETY NEW YEAR’S PARTY AT DEPOT?

It has been suggested that the Society might host a snack potluck, BYOB on New Year’s Eve at the Depot. We would like to sound out the membership as to the feasibility and desirability of doing this—bring a tasty treat or simple snacks to share plus your own drinks, start around 9:00 and finish about 12:30 or so after ushering in the New Year. Nothing formal, sit around the fire, everyone welcome, bring guests visiting for the holidays, relax and schmooze. We’d supply plates, glasses, utensils, ice, and mix. We’d also provide recorded music for dancing. Let us know your thoughts by December 11, the date of the next Board meeting when we’ll decide. Call the Harsha House at 547-0373.

DEPOT FLOORING ALMOST FINISHED, BRICK REPAVING TO FOLLOW?

Speaking of the Depot, the floor section replacement announced in previous newsletters has almost been completed. The carpeting in the ticket master’s office was taken out, the old floor removed, some underlying beams reinforced, and flooring from the old gymnasium on Mason Street laid down. Also, access doors have been installed in the long west wall of the large room that lead into the storage shed, which will be redone on the exterior also. Now we will be able to bring chairs and tables into the building, and return them, from the inside rather than having to contend with the elements. Last winter, ice built up to such an extent in front of the shed’s outer doors we could not have opened them. Fortunately, the chairs were already inside, still in place from another function. Now we won’t have to be concerned about them. The two last pillar replications will take place next spring.

The last, and most expensive segment of the depot’s full renovation will be relaying and leveling the exterior brick pavers. We have raised $16,027 so far, $10,000 of which was an anonymous challenge matching grant. To receive the next promised $10,000, we must now raise $3973. Our members have shown splendid support so far, and we hope they will be equally generous in helping us fulfill the next and final goal.

GREAT LAKES ENERGY PEOPLE FUND REMINDER

Two newsletters ago, we asked the membership to let us know if you were Great Lakes Energy customers. GLE has established a People Fund whereby if customers round up their bills to the next dollar or higher, it will contribute the difference into a fund used to award grants to nonprofit organizations within its twenty-six county area. We would like to apply for a grant from them, but need to know, to the best of our ability, how many of our members are GLE customers and if they contribute to the People Fund. We thank those members who did respond, and would like to ask those who are GLE customers but have not informed us to please do so as soon as possible. Contact Steve Goslee at the Harsha House, 547-0373.

CCCF CHARLEVOIX FUND OPTION

As the end of the year approaches, we would like to remind our membership that one way to support the Society other than direct donation can be through the newly established Charlevoix Historical Society Fund created under the auspices of the Charlevoix County Community Foundation. This fund was established to secure the long-term financial health of the Society, looking forward to future operating, program, and exhibit needs, like a savings account not to be accessed immediately. Contributions are eligible for charitable deductions. Those who would like to contribute to this far-seeing fund can do so by means of cash, check, securities, or other marketable assets. For more information, contact Mr. Bob Tambellini at 231-536-2440. Checks should be made out to the Charlevoix County Community Foundation, with memo directing the amount to the Charlevoix Historical Society Fund. Mail to CCCF, P. O. Box 718, East Jordan, MI 49727.

IMPORTANT HISTORIC DISTRICT FORUM COMING UP

The City of Charlevoix has established the town’s first Historic District, the Depot area, and is working on the second one, Downtown Bridge Street and environs. The Earl Young districts may be next on the agenda.

The importance of historic districts to a community will be the topic of a comprehensive educational forum at the Charlevoix Public Library on Tuesday, December 11 from 9:00 A. M. to 3:00 P. M. This forum will be hosted by the City of Charlevoix Historic Commission and presented by representatives from three top-level professional preservation organizations: Kidorf Preservation Consulting, Karp and Associates, and Gray & Pope, Inc. Topics to be explored are: economic benefits, tourism benefits, tax credits, how building rehabilitation works, effect on property owners, why preservation is important, how the process works in Michigan, how it will work in and affect Charlevoix, plus several other related topics.

The public is invited to attend. A sandwich lunch (one-hour break) will be served by Andy’s Deli ($5 per person) at noon. Contact Linda Weller at the City Manager’s Office to RSVP, 547-3270, or e-mail her at mgr@cityofcharlevoix.org. by Monday, December 3.

LIGHTHOUSE PRESERVATION PROGRESS

The lighthouse preservation campaign received $10,000 from an anonymous donor in 2007 as a challenge match. We raised $11,743.23 to surpass that. The 2008 challenge match, again for $10,000, is coming up, and we will have to equal or surpass that by this time next year. Donations and sales of specific lighthouse-related items through the museum store all help in achieving this important goal, and we would like to express our thanks and appreciation to each and every one who contributed so generously toward it thus far.

Another Lighthouse Committee fund-raiser currently in the works is a twenty-four page booklet, with four color pages, that will illustrate the development and history of our channel, piers, and lighthouses from the time of the first settlers to the present. We hope to have it out by spring.

Donation (unrestricted) received from: Eugene Bridge; Petoskey Antiques Club

Donation in appreciation for Weathervane Inn history display by David Miles from: Stafford’s Hospitality

Donation in memory of Stanley Fiedorek received from: Jerry & Kate Left

Donation in memory of Sandra Beaudoin received from: Barry & Mary Lee Pischner; Sandra Marquardt

Depot restoration donations received from: Dr. Reid Freidinger; Anonymous

Lighthouse restoration donations received from: Joseph & Barbara Paradis; Bertha Beyers in memory of Steve Ham; James & Virginia Wersching; James & Susan Parsons; Anonymous

Donation for the Spaghetti Dinner received from: Lawrence & Danielle Allan