BIHS Cosponsors Leadership Retreat

     On May 12th the Historical Society will cosponsor a gathering of Island organizations at Peaine Hall for a workshop on what can be achieved through partnering. Severall Island groups will compare their individual goals, modify those that overlap, and consider how they can be advanced through partnering. Representatives of three funding institutions will be on hand to talk and answer questions.  Facilitated by Ann Glendon and Jim Haveman, this 3rd Retreat should be rousing and informative. Contact us if you'd like to be there.

Museum Opening -- June 17

     This year the Museums will open on Sunday, June 17th. As usual, admission will be free, and cookies and beverages will be served.  Anyone wishing to bring home-made cookies to this event, please do.
     Each year we try to create a few new displays before the Opening, and this year is no exception. Besides the staff, a team of volunteers is at work on this project. So please, if you're on Beaver Island at this time, stop in, say hello, and see how our many plans are progressing.

The O'Donnell Family Reunion

     What started out as a modest plan for a small gathering of the O'Donnell clan has mushroomed into a truly gala event. Scheduled for June 22, 23, and 24, over 100 descendants of Peter Anthony O'Donnel and Mary O'Donnelll will gather for a sequence of activities culminating in the presentation of a detailed history of this family's arrival from Arranmore and subsequent development, on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Holy Cross Church.
     Anthony and his wife Sophia left Donegal in 1851, finding their way to Beaver Island along with his mother and four siblings. The family was living in Quebec when a tip from Sophia's brother that King Strang had been assassinated provoked them into joining the first wave of Irish settlers.  Anthony and Sophia had many children, although only six survived into adulthood. They married into the families of  the Larsons,  the Maloneys,"White Dan" Green, and "Pat Vesty" McDonough, firmly intertwining themselves into Beaver Island's roots.
     Any O'Donnell relative or friend not yet uncovered by their research, who would like to be part of these events, can phone Stella O'Donnell (231-843-4584) or Mary Margaret O'Donnell (313-516-6448.)

The Jeannie Johnston

     Some of you no doubt knew that the backers of this project to create a replica of one of the Irish famine ships and sail it to America and into Lake Michigan was a bit adventurous.  Well, the usual problems happened right on schedule, including a shortfall of funds, but the organizers kept going, and they've had a good winter. They now anticipate heading for the New World this May, and with a little luck she'll at least sail by Beaver Island if not stop for a call.
     You can check on her progress and help us convince them how important a stop here would be via their internet set, focuskerry.com/jeannie

BIHS Finances

     Here is a report on our current financial status: as of April 15th, 2001, we had these balances in our various accounts:
Building Fund: $4,910; Publications: $1,210;  Strang Video: $2,536; Museum Week: $898; Money Market: $936;  Regular Checking: $5,730; and the Memorial CD: $1,000.
     In addition, our Endowment Fund with the Charlevoix County Community Foundation has a principal balance of $21,262, worth over $23,176. Plus, the lien backs up a promissory note for six thousand dollars, earning interest at ten percent.
     Note: we are about to transfer the first four accounts into the Money Market account so they can each earn the maximum.
     We are going to spend the Publication Fund this spring to reprint Volume 2 and a selection of b/w postcards. Some of the money in our Building Fund to jumpstart Heritage Park.

Museum Week -- 2001

     Plans aren't final for this years Museum Week (July 16 --21), but some of the events at the Parish Hall (and elsewhere) have been pinned down:
 
M aft: Ceili Dancing for kids: show and lessons
   eve: "Music on the Porch"
T aft: a book-signing party: Mary Blocksma's new 
           book, Lake Lover's Year (prints available)
   eve:  Q & A about the meaning of Strang
W aft: Barbeque and Tour of Beaver Head Light
   eve: Oral History: videos and talk: Robert Cole 
           presents material from his ongoing work
T aft:   those Amazing amphibians & reptiles
   eve:  Kee's knowledge: nature and medicine
F aft: Indian cstoms and lore
  eve: History of the Beaver Island Indians, with
           George Anthony and other Elders
S aft: Pet Show at noon
  eve: The World's Highest-stakes Bingo Game
 
     In addition, the Art Show will again run from Wednesday through Friday at the Beaver Island Community School.  Ray Denny's masterful control of this event will be impossible to replace, but we'll do our best because Beaver Island's artists are playing an increasing role in shaping the nature of our community. Everyone enjoys seeing the latest works, even if they don't buy anything, and we feel called upon to continue presenting this perspective (plus, thanks to the generosity of the artists and the visitors, it's become one of our most important fund-raisers.)  And don't forget the Nature Walks!
     Antje Price will be at the Protar Home two afternoons (watch for the signs posted around town.)
     It's the 150th anniversary of Beaver Head Light, now functioning as an alternative school.  Their staff will prepare a barbecue all afternoon, give tours, and explain the program they're embarked on, including grants for preservation.  Go on your own, or ride a bus from town.
     Professor Dan Wardlow of San Francisco State University will videotape the entire week. He intends to edit the material into a half hour show during the off-season, which hopefully will find a place on PBS before Museum Week of 2002 --and be available to the public. His won't be the only camera operating during the festivities. Robert Cole will continue his interviews with Islanders living elsewhere who come home for these festivities. And local TV affiliates are considering having crews on hand in case the reality measures up to our expectations.
     We hope the Beaver Island Merchants are as generous this year as last; their help made all the difference in the world! The Board will begin its pitch in another month.

Township Leases the Harbor Light

     After lengthy negotiations, and with the help of Congressman Bart Stupak,  St. James Township obtained a ten-year Historic Properties Lease of the light tower and beacon at Whiskey Point.  This lease is renewable for two additional ten-year periods, giving us the chance to work towards preserving this important structure.
     During this time, the Coast Guard will continue to operate the lighthouse as an aid to navigation. Now that the lease is in place, we will be able to apply for grants and raise funds to preserve this structure and grounds.
     This 41'-high lighthouse, which dates to 1856, got its current lens in 1870, and was automated in 1927. The keeper's quarters was dismantled, but the beacon shone on, providing a symbol of home to decades of fishermen and boaters out on rough seas.  The BIHS salutes Don Vyse and all the others who have helped bring this about.

The Beaver Island Club of Michigan

     We've all heard about the Grand Rapids Club and some of the other recent groups to promote the spirit of Beaver Island, but how many are aware of the Beaver Island Club of Michigan? This organization was founded in Lansing in February of 1961,elected officers, and began distributing its newsletter, The BEAVER ISLAND BEAM.
     George Egbert was elected President, Keith Rasmussen VP, Charley Earley Secretary, and Murray Wanty Treasurer.  The group got off to a good start with 31 charter members.  The high point was the Annual Meeting, a feast and party designed to promote good fellowship.  At the second of these meetings Henry Allen spoke about the progress being made on the "fabulous" swimming pool he was building for his development at Donegal Bay.  John Ozaga reported on the coyote investigation, Mrs. John Ludwick's new book on Protar was bandied about, and Phil Gregg gave one of his first talks.

Logging on Hog Island

     Few people set foot on Hog Island because of its swampy terrain and legendary snakes.  But almost 30 years ago the last and most successful logging operation was launched with a goal of removing a large amount of maple and white birch.
     The trick was getting a large enough ship into one of the rocky, shallow harbors, in order to deliver equipment and remove the harvest. Ernie Manthei's solution was to hire Captain Dick Lyons to pilot the Mackinac Islander into Fisherman's Bay in the NW corner, with polers out front looking for the 9'-deep invisible channel. Even with some dredging (using the crane that now belongs to Robert Gillespie) there was barely enough water. Dozers were brought ashore, 20 miles of roads were built, and a camp was set up. 180,000 bf of these $500 logs were taken by early fall, as well as piles of maple. A late fall trip gathered 5,000 bf more, but Manthei had a chance to sell his boat to an Alaskan fisherman (where it sank with all hands), and  the rest of the cut logs were left on the shore to rot.