Charlevoix Historical Society - Charlevoix, Michigan

GREAT TURNOUT FOR CHRISTMAS DINNER

Sixty-seven Society members and their guests gathered in the spirit of the season at the Grey Gables on Dec. 1 for our annual Christmas dinner, as always one of the most congenial and festive events of our year.

EXCELLENT DUES RETURNS

Sending out dues renewal reminders via first class mail has proved an excellent idea. Payments for 2010 are arriving steadily. Via first class we can update our membership and address file with Post Office notification of address changes and cancellations.

MUSEUM & STORE HOURS THROUGH FEBRUARY

The Harsha House Museum will be open 1-4 P. M. Tuesday to Saturday through the end of the year except for Christmas. The side office door facing the Charlevoix State Bank is open Tues.-Sat. from 11 A. M. to 1 P. M. for those who need to conduct Society business or purchase store items before museum hours.

Stumped for that perfect last minute gift? You’ll find it at the museum store now! (See November newsletter for a listing of store items.)

THE MUSEUM WILL BE CLOSED JANUARY AND FEBRUARY, but the side office door will remain open for Society business and store access from 11 A. M. to 4 P. M. Tuesday through Saturday.

CORRECTION TO FATHER CHARLEVOIX BOOK ARTICLE

The article in November’s newsletter on the donation of the 1763 book of Father Charlevoix’s letters to the Society was incorrect regarding the actual method of donation, due to incomplete information at the time the article was written. The book was not found in the “toss-out bin at the University of Iowa as stated. Withdrawn with many others from the State of Iowa Library in Des Moines and transferred to the University in Iowa City, the book was discovered to be a duplicate of a volume already in the University’s collection, so it was placed aside. A few years later, it caught the eye of Prof. Timothy Barrett of the University’s Center for the Book in a collection of timeworn volumes that might be candidates for research into binding and antique paper-making techniques, his specialty. But its excellent condition did not make it a candidate for preservation or research.

Prof. Barrett’s family has enjoyed a summer home on Beaver Island for years. He is familiar with Charlevoix, and thought the book would be of singular importance to the citizens of the region that Father Charlevoix explored and reported on, and the only one in the United States to receive his name. Prof. Barrett therefore worked with the Iowa librarians to release the book from the collection.

Said Sid Huttner, head of Special Collections at the University of Iowa Libraries: “For our part, we are simply delighted to see this book in an institution where it will be seen, used, and cherished by a community.”

The Society welcomes new member: Joann Way

The Society welcomes new patrons: Melissa Makowski, D. D. S.; Steele Taylor

The Society welcomes new life members: Lorene Sakamoto; Josh Barnes

The Society welcomes new Ralph Hamilton Circle member: David L. Miles

Donations in memory of Joan Chodak received in November from: Rhoda Raider; Tom & Barbara Kovan; Renee Durbin; Peggy Freeman

Donation for lighthouse restoration in memory of David Beaudoin received in November from: Patricia Burke

Donation for lighthouse restoration in honor of the Allers family sailors received in November from: Dorothy Allers Evans

Donation for lighthouse restoration in memory of Ann Lagerman Holfeld received in November from: Janet Runyan

Donations (unrestricted) received in November from: Mary Toomey; Suzanne Goodwin

The Society deeply regrets the recent loss of longtime members: Bruce McLain; Joan Nelson