Empire, Michigan 49630
July 1993
DEAR ISLAND FRIENDS!!!
SATURDAY JULY 31, 1993
12:00 NOON
EMPIRE TOWNSHIP HALL
SOUTH MANITOU MEMORIAL SOCIETY ANNUAL MEETING
SATURDAY JULY 31, 1993
9:30 - 11:30 A.M.
EMPIRE METHODIST CHURCH
ANNUAL MEETING AGENDA:
Agenda for the Annual Business Meeting of the South Manitou Memorial Society to be held in the Social Area of the Empire Methodist Church on July 31, 1993 from 9:30—11:30 a.m.
1. Discussion of the Memorandum of Agreement with Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore concerning the Society's role in the preservation and maintenance of cultural resources within the National Lakeshore. Ranger Ray Kimpel has been invited to come and answer any questions concerning this document.
2. The election of new officers to the South Manitou Memorial Society.
3. Discussion of proposed changes to the Society's by—laws.
4. Report on the efforts to enlarge and use the Lighthouse Fund.
5. The recruitment of new members and increasing the visibility of the Society.
6. Open discussion of new projects for the Society.
One of the roles which the South Manitou Memorial Society plays is the collection and distribution of members' recollections - of island life. Within this newsletter these stories appear under the title, "I remember ..." Generally speaking these are memories of "good" times. (Memories of "bad" times are certainly not as popular.) Throughout our lives are times when the good memories overflow and we yield to the temptation of believing that those times were somehow better than the rest. Perhaps they were.
Our problem lies not in that we have good memories, but that we, due to our individual perspectives, cannot agree to when the best island times actually were. A person with 50 years of island experience has more to choose from than one with only 5 years. I remember (and even kept a journal) an island time when I had a roof over my head, personal transportation, and a community of island residents in which I was a full member. For me those were the best of times. Someone else, however, may recall a different time when things seemed better.
The common thread then is not the time, but the place. We may easily agree that South (or North) Manitou is a wonderful place. Perhaps even as you read this, someone on those islands is living a great experience which will become a cherished memory. Present and future visitors to the islands will not have the same memories as we do, yet they will be linked to us by their appreciation for the place. Some will become members of our Society. Although we may not all have the opportunity to write a book about island life, anyone of us can contribute a story to the newsletter. Hopefully by sharing our memories here, we can enhance the appreciation of the Manitou Islands by others.
Brian T. Hazlett, President
of Leland and South Manitou Island, MI
died on March 23, 1993.
Shirley was a true "Islander". She was the daughter of Tracy and Della (Firestone)Grosvenor, who resided on North Manitou Island at the time of her birth, on September 24, 1919. Father Tracy was the passenger and mail carrier between Leland and North Manitou Island.
Although Shirley was born in Suttons Bay, MI., (for convenience s sake, as no doctor or medical facilities were available on the island) she soon took her first boat ride to her island home. Few of us have made as many crossings as Shirley did, with the exception, of course, of her brother George Grosvenor, who has carried passengers and mail to both North and South Manitou Islands for some 50 years.
Shirley attended school on North Manitou, and was married on the island on September 12, 1939 to William 0. Schwarz. During the 1950's, her parents bought property on South Manitou, and Shirley and her husband built a cottage on Sandy Point as well. She remained a property owner on the island until her death.
For many years Shirley spent every summer and fall on South Manitou, and after her retirement as a medical secretary she spent all of her summers there, often helping out her brother George by driving day visitors around in one of the dune buggies.
Shirley made many friends on North and South Manitou Islands. We will always remember her friendliness and gracious hospitality, and we'll miss her.
Funeral services were held at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Leland, MI on March 25, 1993, and burial took place at Beechwood Cemetery in Leland on June 19, 1993.
*Our thanks to Johanna de Kok for this fine memorial to Shirley*
The following individuals are currently nominated for Board Positions:
President: Paul Rocheleau
Vice-President: Margaret Kelly Braden
Secretary: Sandra Thompson Black
Treasurer: Zella Mae Stormer Morris
Elections will be held Saturday July 31, 1993 at the Annual Meeting. 9:30 — 11:30 a.m. at the Empire Methodist Church. Additional nominations may be sent to Ethel Stormer, Nominations Committee Chairperson, at: 1181 Mich. P.O. Box 173 Benzonia, MI 49616. Nominations from the floor at the Annual Meeting will also be honored. Please consider running for a Board Position!!! We'll see you at the Annual Meeting!!!
On May 20—21, 1993 a picket fence was installed around the Elizabeth Shoemaker gravesite on South Manitou Island. Ten students from the Lockman Outdoor Education Center in Traverse City, were led by two instructors - George Sarns and Dick Murphy to erect the fence on the island. Ray Kimpel, of Sleeping Bear Dunes N.L., assisted the group. Glenn Furst has honored these students with Sandhill Savage Certificates. We thank them for their continued interest in the history of South Manitou Island and the preservation of gravesites on the island. These students deserve our appreciation! Anyone interested in writing a kind thank—you letter is encouraged to do so at the following address:
Traverse City Public Schools
P.O. Box 32
Lockman Outdoor Education Center
ATTN: George Sarns
Traverse City, Michigan 49685
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!
AUGUST 1, 1993
We did not receive enough interest to charter the MANITOU ISLE for an Island Excursion on August 1, 1993. However, we will "continue with the plan" and book passage aboard the MISHE MOKWA, for the day trip to South Manitou Island. I have made reservations for those who have already expressed interest in the trip. Please plan to be in Leland Harbor between 9:00 and 9:30 a.m. so you can purchase your ticket and park your car. Tickets are: Adults—$15. Children under 12:$10. Bring along a picnic lunch and a warm jacket/raincoat.
If anyone is still interested in joining our group ... I will make reservations. Please contact:
Kathy Bietau
P.O. Box 99
Empire, Michigan 49630 (616)326—5118
See you August 1st!!!!
|
by G.C. FURST Hot off the Press! Glenn writes of the nine years he and his family lived at the North Manitou Island Lighthouse Station. Copies may be obtained from Glenn at: 5656 W. Jagger Road Ludington, Michigan 49431 Book: $6.00 Mailed: $7.00 10(or more) Mailed: $6.50 COPIES AVAILABLE AT REUNION!!!! |
The Financial Report will be presented at the Annual Meeting July 31st ...
To this date the South Manitou Memorial Society has 166 Members!!!!!!
NORTH MANITOU ISLAND BOATHOUSE
The "Beach Cart House" on the grounds of the U.S. Lifesaving Station on North Manitou Island will probably be eligible for National Historic Landmark status, reports Kim Mann, Historic Architect for Sleeping Bear Dunes N.L. Kim sought the advice of Mr. Wick York, a U.S. Life-Saving Service historian at Mystic Seaport Museum in Connecticut. Mr. York researched the boathouse and determined this structure may be one of the boathouses built in 1855 by the Lifesaving Service under on 1854 Congressional appropriation for the Great Lakes. He feels the boathouse may be the only one of the over 40 Great Lakes boathouses constructed during this period which is still standing.(23 of the 40 boathouses were placed on Lake Michigan) Of the more than 100 such boathouses built by the Service on the east coast and Great Lakes before 1871, none are owned by the National Park Service. Mr. York knows of only one other that survives today.
Mr. Kevin Foster, the Chief Maritime Historian for the National Maritime Initiative also surveyed Kim's information on the boathouse and believes that the entire Lifesaving Station, particularly the boathouse, should be studied for nomination as a National Historic Landmark. Mr. Foster's office plans on preparing studies of Lifesaving Stations within the next 2 years. He has put the study of the North Manitou Station first on his list because of the apparent high state of preservation of the site, as well as the significance of the early boathouse. Mr. Foster believes the North Manitou Station may possibly be the second oldest Federal Lifesaving Station surviving today.
Bill Herd, Cultural Resources Specialist, for Sleeping Bear Dunes N.L., suspects that a similar boathouse was also built on South Manitou Island. Records show that 23 or 25 rescue boats were sent to Lighthouse Keepers around this time period (1854—1855). Only 19 of these boats had been accounted for. Research has revealed that one of these rescue
boats was sent to Alonzo Slyfield, on South Manitou Island. Bill and Kim have begun researching the possible location of a similar boathouse on South Manitou. They will continue to keep us aware of their findings. Kim reports that the Park is no longer planning on developing the "beach cart house" on North Manitou into a visitor contact station. They are looking into the possibility of utilizing one of the summer homes in the village as a visitor contact station.
The Lighthouse Structure Report remains the Number 1 priority for funding in the next fiscal year (beginning Oct.1, 1993) in the Midwest Regional Office of the National Park Service. The National Park Service is currently pursuing a Historic Architectural Firm whom they will contract the study. The restoration work is still anticipated to follow up the report.
Restoration work is underway this summer on South Manitou Island, as scheduled. The following buildings are receiving exterior and interior restoration and/or rehabilitation: Furst/Kramer House, Robinette/Burdick House, Selma Hutzler House and the Post Office/Visitor Center. Park Service maintenance crews, under the direction of Historic Architect, Kim Mann, are performing the work.
"I REMEMBER........"
October 15, 1929
RABBIT HUNTING "OL ZIP" STYLE
Many of the families living on the point owned a hunting dog. It didn't matter what their breeding was as long as they would chase rabbits.
I remember one dog in particular. His name was "Zip". He was partly red bone, long legged, kinda' red in color, and could run like the wind. He was owned by the John Tobin family and was treated like a family member. He could almost talk to you and sometimes would share a candy bar with one of the family.
On October 15, 1929, I was working for Benth Johnson and could hardly wait until the end of the work day. It was opening day of small game hunting season. When five o'clock p.m. arrived I ran home breathlessly, grabbed my single barrel 12—gauge shotgun and was soon at Tobin's house to see if Zip could join me.
In just a short time Zip and I were in back of the lighthouse headed for the Joe Haas farm. I was sure there would be some cottontail rabbits in those junipers that were growing around the edge of the fields. Zip was excited and anxious to get the hunt started. He was far ahead of me when I heard a few excited yelps. My heart leaped in anticipation of getting a shot at my first rabbit of the year. It was not to be because in a moment I heard a series of squeals that told me 01 Zip had caught the rabbit. I patted the dog on the head and told him what a fine dog he was. He seemed to understand and promptly jumped another rabbit and I could hear his excited yelps as the chase began. It ended quickly with another series of squeals. Once again I told 01 Zip what a good dog he was, but I was silently hoping he would chase one by me for a shot. The score at this point was two to nothing, and I was being placed in the position of game bearer.
A few minutes later I heard Zip give voice again about a hundred yards to my right and I hurried to a position on higher ground for a better view of the area in case the chase came my way. Sure enough, it did come my way and I could tell 01 Zip was in hot pursuit by his excited yelps. The rabbit came out of a juniper about seventy—five feet in front of me. I quickly raised the gun only to lower it again as 01 Zip was too close to the rabbit to chance a shot. The
rabbit dove into another juniper while 01 Zip ran around the bush to see if he came out the other side. He circled that bush a couple of times and when he was sure that rabbit was still in there he ran away from the bush a few feet and with a burst of speed he ran toward the bush and jumped high in the air and came down in the middle of it. He then continued to jump up and down, his ears flapping up and down, as he looked in all directions, until the rabbit darted out for another bush and then the chase was on again.
I was unable to shoot at any time for fear of hitting 01 Zip. This chase also ended with the all too familiar squeals of a rabbit firmly locked in the jaws of 01 Zip. The score was three to nothing, and I was getting loaded down with rabbit meat.
Zip was anxious as ever and was already smelling around in the bushes while I was trying to figure out how to carry his game and do a little hunting too. I laid the rabbits down by the path I would use to go home. It felt good to be free of my burden. I began to walk through a few junipers and soon a cottontail darted out the other side of one of them. I could feel the thump of the gun against my shoulder as I watched with pride as the rabbit went tumbling over the ground. I said to myself, three to one now Zip.
While loading the old single barrel the silence was broken once again by the excited yelps of 01 Zip. This chase also ended with Zip being the victor. Zip had added another to his score. It was time to go home.
Did you ever try to carry five rabbits and a gun at the same time? I didn't own a hunting coat.
As I trudged down the old road leading to the back of the lighthouse, I was struggling to hang on to the back legs of the rabbits. 01 Zip was proudly walking in front of me, his tail sticking straight up, his head held high. I'm sure he knew what the score was, and somehow I had the feeling my picture was being taken. I was tempted to lay his four rabbits on the ground and blast their heads off as a testimony to my excellent marksmanship. I did resist the temptation.
Zip, if there is a dog heaven and you somehow can witness these words, you will realize I'm doing my best to tell it like it was.
by Glenn Furst
I was unable to shoot at any time for fear of hitting 01 Zip. This chase also ended with the all too familiar squeals of a rabbit firmly locked in the jaws of 01 Zip. The score was three to nothing, and I was getting loaded down with rabbit meat.
Zip was anxious as ever and was already smelling around in the bushes while I was trying to figure out how to carry his game and do a little hunting too. I laid the rabbits down by the path I would use to go home. It felt good to be free of my burden. I began to walk through a few junipers and soon a cottontail darted out the other side of one of them. I could feel the thump of the gun against my shoulder as I watched with pride as the rabbit went tumbling over the ground. I said to myself, three to one now Zip.
While loading the old single barrel the silence was broken once again by the excited yelps of 01 Zip. This chase also ended with Zip being the victor. Zip had added another to his score. It was time to go home.
Did you ever try to carry five rabbits and a gun at the same time? I didn't own a hunting coat.
As I trudged down the old road leading to the back of the lighthouse, I was struggling to hang on to the back legs of the rabbits. 01 Zip was proudly walking in front of me, his tail sticking straight up, his head held high. I'm sure he knew what the score was, and somehow I had the feeling my picture was being taken. I was tempted to lay his four rabbits on the ground and blast their heads off as a testimony to my excellent marksmanship. I did resist the temptation.
Zip, if there is a dog heaven and you somehow can witness these words, you will realize I'm doing my best to tell it like it was.
by Glenn Furst
THE YEAR IS 1880 ... The total population of the United States according to the last census, was 50,152,866.
SOUTH MANITOU ISLAND had 22 families residing on the island for a total population of 98 residents including two boarders.
Occupations from the June 5, 1880 census records.
|
Light Keepers Lyman Sheridan Jeremiah Becker Alexander Thompson Fishermen Christopher Anderson Henry Frederickson Pete Frederickson John W. Ehle Sailor Isaac Raimau Wood Merchant E. E. Burton Book Binder Oswald Furst |
Farmers James Miller Joseph Haas Theodore Beck Albert Beck Conrad Hutzler Rollin Shank Christopher Beck August Beck George Haas William Haas Henry Haas George Hutzler Andrew P. Burdick Thomas Price William Kitchen Thomas Kitchen Albert W. Evans Thomas Foster William H. Foster Thomas Armstrong James D. Armstrong Richard Kitchen |
Also in 1880, an effort was being put forth to establish a mail route between Leland and Glen Arbor. The following year a proposal was put forth to link up the islands of Lake Michigan by wire. The connection would be at the point nearest the mainland, which was Leland. This proposal would give direct telegraphic communication with Beaver, Manitou, and Fox Islands by Western Union.
It is hard for me to imagine the isolation these island residents lived under. No daily newspaper, telephone, or heaven forbid, television. However, when I hear the stories of the sleigh rides, card games, dances at the school, and taffy pulls, I can’t help but wonder if todays generation isn’t missing out on what real fun is all about.
PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE BY-LAWS: SUBSTITUTE LANGUAGE IN BOLD.
DISCUSSION AND VOTING ON BY-LAWS WILL TAKE PLACE AT ANNUAL MEETING.
"PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE BY—LAWS"
JUNE 1993
THE CORPORATION
SECTION 1: The Corporation shall be known as SOUTH MANITOU MEMORIAL SOCIETY.
SECTION 2: The purposes for which the Corporation is organized are as follows:
- To represent the interests of the descendents of the former inhabitants of South Manitou Island (an island within Lake Michigan, part of Glen Arbor Township, Leelanau County, Michigan) with regards to such island.
- To see to the proper ongoing care and maintenance of the cemetery and grave sites located in the farmlands on South Manitou Island.
- To collect and maintain all records pertaining to the burial and grave sites of the interred in the said cemetery and farmlands.
- To be dedicated to the preservation of the history of South Manitou Island and to maintain records of such history for the benefit of future generations.
- To receive and collect funds from all available sources to be used to create a perpetual fund and for the necessary expenditures of the society.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Articles of Incorporation or the By—laws, the Corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law) or (b) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).
SECTION 4: The Corporation shall have no seal.
SECTION 5: The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be from July 1 to June 30.
SECTION 1: Any person who is dedicated to the preservation of history of South Manitou Island and contributes a sum of money of ten ($10) dollars or more is eligible to become a member. Family members contributing one sum of money together will be considered as one member.
SECTION 2: Meetings of the members of the corporation shall be held annually on the last Saturday of July at a time and location to be announced by the officers at least thirty 30) days in advance.
SECTION 3: SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the members may be called by the officers of the Corporation, or by any member selected to call said meeting by a majority of the members.
SECTION 4: VOTING. Each member is entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote. The votes shall be cast orally unless a majority of the members present at said meeting shall determine that the vote shall be in writing; provided that the vote for the officers shall be in writing; and the officers shall be voted for at one time as a group
on one ballot; and shall not be voted for individually one at a time.
SECTION 5: The President shall call meetings of the members to order and shall act as Chairman of such meetings. In the absence of the Secretary the presiding officer may appoint any person to act as the Secretary of the meeting.
SECTION 6: NOTICE. Notice of the time, place and purposes of a meeting of the members shall be given, either personally or by mail, to each member of the Corporation. Every person becoming a member of the Corporation shall deliver to the Secretary, the address and telephone number at which he desires to be notified. Any person who fails to so designate his address and telephone number to the said Secretary, shall be deemed to have waived any and all notices.
SECTION 7: Every person becoming a member of the Corporation shall be deemed to assent to these By—laws.
THE OFFICERS
SECTION 1: The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by the Executive Committee which will consist of the officers.
SECTION 2: The officers of the Corporation shall be a President, a Vice—President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. The immediate—past president shall serve as Member—at-large and as ex—officio member of the Executive Committee.
SECTION 3: The officers shall be elected by ballot to serve two years or until their successors are elected. Their term of office shall begin at the close of the annual meeting.
SECTION 4: A Nominating Committee of five members shall be elected at the annual meeting prior to the next election. The recommended slate of officers shall be presented in writing at least thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting. Additional nominations from the floor shall be permitted.
SECTION 5: VACANCIES in the officer positions of the corporation shall be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining officers for a term of office continuing only until the election of the officers by the members.
SECTION 6: The president shall be the principal executive officer of the Corporation, and shall, preside at all meetings of the members. The president shall have the authority to sign, execute and acknowledge on behalf of the Corporation all deeds, contracts, leases, reports and all other documents or instruments necessary and proper to be executed in the course of the Corporation's regular business provided no present or contingent aspects of such action shall be unauthorized by the members. He/she shall have the power to appoint members to all sub—committees.
SECTION 7: The vice—president shall perform the duties of the president in the absence of the president or in the event of the president's death or inability and/or refusal to act. The secretary shall record and maintain the minutes of all regular and special meetings of the members.
SECTION 8: The secretary shall provide the members with notices of all such regular meetings of the members. In the case of special meetings of the members, such notice shall be provided fifteen (15) calendar days in advance of such meeting. Notice shall be given either personally or by mail.
SECTION 9: The treasurer shall supervise the financial procedures of the Corporation to insure the proper use and safekeeping of the funds and securities of the Corporation. The treasurer shall arrange for the conduct of an audit of the financial records of the Corporation annually.
SECTION 10: The treasurer and any other officer or agent of the corporation, as required by the members, shall allow the giving of a bond for the faithful discharge of the duties so assigned. Such bond will be in a sum and with such surety as the members shall determine.
SECTION 11: No member of the Executive Committee of the Corporation may serve on the Board of another corporation for the benefit of the same or like purposes as those stated in Section 2 of Article I of these By—laws.
SECTION 12: PLACE OF MEETING. The officers may hold their meetings in such place or places as a majority of the officers may, from time to time determine.
SECTION 13: MEETINGS. Meetings of the officers may be called at any time by the President or by a majority of the officers. The officers shall be notified either personally or by mail of the time, place and purpose of all meetings of the officers at least three days prior to the date scheduled for said meeting with the exception of the annual meting of the officers, for which no notice shall be provided, and which shall be held immediately after the annual meeting of members.
SECTION 14: ACTION WITHOUT A MEETING. Any action which might be taken at a meeting of the officers may be taken without a meeting if before or after the said action all members of the Executive Committee consent thereto in writing. The written consent shall be filed with the Minutes of the proceedings of the Committee. The consent has the same effect as a vote of the Committee for all purposes.
SECTION 15: COMPENSATION. No officer shall receive any salary or compensation for his services as officer unless otherwise especially ordered by the Executive Committee or by the By—laws. No part of the net earnings of the Corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, officers, or other private persons, except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes for which the Corporation is organized.
SECTION 16: There shall be no proxies allowed and no alternates may be authorized. No two officers from the same family shall serve on the Executive Committee concurrently.
RULES OF PROCEDURE
SECTION 1: Robert's Rules of Order are to be followed in all meetings of the members and any committees established by the officers.
BY-LAWS
SECTION 1: These By—laws can be amended at any regular meeting of the Corporation by a two-thirds vote provided that the amendments have been submitted in writing at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting.
SECTION 2: These by—laws shall at no time be interpreted and/or enforced in such a manner as to be in violation and/or conflict with policies, procedures, and regulations as in force at that time by any federal agency having authority over the corporation or any portion thereof.
DISSOLUTION
Section 1. Upon the dissolution of the Corporation, the officers and members shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all of the liabilities of the Corporation, dispose of all of the assets of the Corporation exclusively for the purposes of the Corporation in such manner that due consideration be given to the purchase and erection of a memorial dedicated to the former inhabitants of South Manitou Island, as the officers and members shall determine. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by distribution to the federal government, or to a state or local government for the sole purpose of the preservation of the cultural history of South Manitou Island and/or to any other corporation in the State of Michigan which is dedicated to the preservation of the cultural history of the State of Michigan or a portion thereof, provided such corporation has exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
By—Laws adopted by the officers and members on _________________________________________.
__________________________________________ ___________________________________________
PresidentVice President__________________________________________ ___________________________________________
SecretaryTreasurersmi/bylaws5.rev /5—23—93
P.O. Box 177
Empire, MI 49630
Membership Application
DATE:
NAME:
ADDRESS:
CITY, STATE: ZIP:
TELEPHONE:
DONATION:
____ $100.00 ____ $ 50.00 ____ $25.00
____ $ 10.00 ____ OTHER
RELATIONSHIP TO SOUTH (OR NORTH) MANITOU ISLAND:
NAME:
ADDRESS:
CITY, STATE: ZIP:
TELEPHONE:
DONATION:
____ $100.00 ____ $ 50.00 ____ $25.00
____ $ 10.00 ____ OTHER
RELATIONSHIP TO SOUTH (OR NORTH) MANITOU ISLAND:
The South Manitou Memorial Society is a non-profit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Copyright 1993/1994 Vol.4, No.2