Charlevoix Historical Society - Charlevoix, Michigan

VENETIAN POTLUCK!

Last year we had to cancel the Venetian weekend potluck because the fireworks were moved to Lake Michigan Beach. We have received word from the Venetian Committee that they are being returned to Depot Beach. The pavilion is ours for the evening and the potluck is on once again, Friday, July 25, beginning at 7:00 P. M. Members and their guests are invited to bring a dish (plus serving utensil) to pass plus your own tableware, cutlery, chairs , and blankets. We will supply hot dogs, buns, condiments, and lemonade. BYOB if you prefer something a little more strong. Volunteers for setting up, grilling and taking down are more than welcome. Call potluck hostess and committee chair Mona Bergeon at 547-2742 or the Harsha House if you can lend a hand.

MUSEUM SUMMER HOURS

The Harsha House Museum will be open Monday through Saturday, 1 to 4 P. M., from June 30 through August 30 including July 4. Office hours are 11 A. M. to 4 P. M. through the side door.

PHOTO EXHIBIT IN VENETIAN TENT

The Venetian Committee has extended an invitation to participate again in its Heritage Tent in a brand new East Park over the Friday and Saturday of Venetian weekend, July 25 (noon to 8 P. M.) and 26 (10 A. M. to 4 P. M.). This year the photo exhibit will focus on the variety of vessels which have come into Round Lake over the past century plus. We will have tables set up, three holding the popular 16 foot long photo panorama of the west side of Bridge Street taken in the mid 1930's, one with our classic photo albums, and the rest with a large sampling of our museum store merchandise. The Lighthouse Restoration Committee will be offering its merchandise selection with lighthouse logos (polo shirts, t-shirts, sweatshirts, pins, caps, bumper stickers, the new lighthouse history booklet, and more) plus restoration information in the Murdick building next to American Spoon Foods over the same two days.

PROGRAM ON CHARLEVOIX’S OPEN SPACES

Society member Ken Polakowski, Professor Emeritus of Landscape Architecture at the University of Michigan, will be presenting a program on the history of the development of Charlevoix’s open spaces, its wonderful park system, its beaches, golf courses, all the open areas that provide leisure opportunities and breathing room for both its residents and visitors. The program will be presented in the Charlevoix Public Library’s community room on Thursday, July 31 at 7:00 P. M.

ANNUAL SUNSET CRUISE

The ever-popular annual sunset cruise will take place this year on Tuesday, August 5 at 8:30 P. M. (boarding at 8:15) aboard the Beaver Island Boat Company’s Emerald Isle. Ticket prices should remain the same as last year, $20 pre-purchase, $25 at the dock, unless otherwise informed regarding increased fuel costs. As in past years, members will be sent two tickets on the honor system in July. More information in the July newsletter.

REPEAT OF EARL YOUNG PROGRAMS

Because of the overwhelming response (standing room only) to the presentation of the two “Life and Works of Earl Young, Charlevoix’s Master Builder in Stone” programs your editor gave last year, the Friends of the Library have invited the Society to repeat them in the library’s community room. The first part will be given on Thursday, August 21 at 7:00 P. M.; the second part will be given a week later on Thursday, August 28, also at 7:00. Since last year, more superb photos have come into the Society’s possession that will be incorporated, including many Earl took of Charlevoix as a young man, and several of the residential fireplaces that were not available before. Work is now being done to put these enhanced programs onto DVDs, with a possible book in the future.

ANNUAL ICE CREAM SOCIAL

The climax of the summer season is always the warmly received annual Ice Cream Social and volunteer recognition evening, this year on September 2, the day after Labor Day.

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM SEEKING SUPPORT

The program that has long awarded scholarship support to college-bound high school seniors who submit quality essays or projects related to area history is in need of support. Anywhere from one to four $500 scholarships have been awarded to deserving students in the past few years. Our previous sponsor can no longer do it, and the Society has taken on the responsibility. We are wondering if any member(s) might like to take up the sponsorship reins, or perhaps we might ask for annual donations that would contribute toward this worthy program that has interested many students in various facets of Charlevoix’s history. Please contact President Paul Nowak at 547-1388 or the Harsha House if you are interested.

CHRISTMAS DECORATION COLLECTION DISPLAY

The Society is thinking of assembling a Christmas decoration collection from area members and residents to be displayed over the Thanksgiving weekend at the Depot. This would include crèches, ornaments, nutcrackers, vintage Christmas cards, bulbs, and other Christmas memorabilia both domestic and foreign. Anyone who would like to serve on the committee or has items they can offer for display contact Karen Pierce at 547-6004.

REFRESHMENT COMMITTEE NEEDED

Karen has also volunteered to help form a refreshment committee for our programs. This would entail purchasing or making the light refreshments we provide for our attendees, fixing the hot beverages prior to the programs, making sure the cold drinks are well stocked, and cleaning up afterward. Anyone who would like to help out a couple of hours a month, please call her at 547-6004.

TAKE THE PARK AVENUE PROWL

Members Raechel Wright of the Alcove Café and Tony Duerr of Pine River Books, both on Park Avenue near Bridge Street, put their heads together and came up with the Park Avenue Prowl, a delightful trifold brochure that takes one on an informative walking tour up Park Avenue, down through the beach area, around the Earl Young houses on Park Avenue and Grant Street, to the library, back to Park Avenue, to the Harsha House, then back to Bridge Street. Pick one or several up at either establishment, the Harsha House, or the Chamber of Commerce to have on hand for your guests. Raechel’s website supporting the brochure will soon have photos from the Society’s collection that will fill out the sights and sites met along the way through the many years of Charlevoix’s history.

NEW MERCHANDISE AVAILABLE AT HARSHA HOUSE MUSEUM STORE

We are pleased to report that several new items have arrived at the Harsha House in the last couple of weeks.

1) Mike Barton’s new book mentioned in the two previous newsletters is here, a 64-pp. full color Charlevoix the Beautiful that captures the town beautifully from unexpected angles. $19.95.

2) The first publication of the Charlevoix Historical Society Press, Charlevoix Pier Lights, went on sale June 3 at the very well attended History of the Channels, Piers, and Lighthouses program. It chronicles the development of Charlevoix through the improvement of its waterways into the most important shipping port of northwest lower Michigan. 28 pp., illustrated in color and black and white. $10. (All profits from sales of this booklet go toward the lighthouse restoration.)

3) The 2008 annual Christmas ornament bulb just arrived. This year’s motif is a red lighthouse against a deep blue background, honoring the fact the lighthouse will be returned to its historically correct red within the next few years during the restoration process. $7, or $6 with purchase of three or more.

4) The always popular Charlevoix in Historic Photos calendar, for 2009, with thirteen historic photos never used before is on the press and will be arriving shortly. $12.95. All items can be mailed. Shipping and handling rates vary according to volume starting at $3.50.

The Society welcomes new members: Raechel Wright, Patty & Louis Beck (life), Alene & Jeff Lipshaw.

Donations received in May for the Depot restoration from: Kristina Wright in gratitude for research assistance from Betsy Reynolds; the C & O Club.

Unrestricted donations received in May from: Michael Lindley; anonymous.

Donations in memory of Frank Ochs received in May from: Paul & Mary Ann Stephan; A. K. Felter & A. M. Gorney.

Lighthouse restoration donations received in May from: The Belvedere Club Mueller Families; James Ochs.

The Society deeply regrets the recent passing of Life Members Jinx Pancoast and Scott Groves.