The Lighthouse (Longfellow)
 
The rocky ledge runs far into the sea,
  And on its outer point, some miles away,
The Lighthouse lifts its massive masonry,
  A pillar of fire by night, of cloud by day.
 
The mariner remembers when a child,
  On his first voyage, he saw it fade and sink;
And when, returning from adventures wild,
  He saw it rise again o'er ocean's brink.
 
Steadfast, serene, immovable, the same
  Year after year, through all the silent night
Burns on forevermore that quenchless flame,
  Shines on that inextenguishable light!
                                ... and so we shall.
 

     A long time ago, hardy German, English, Irish, and other European souls decided that the Manitous were the place to seek their fortune. They worked and played hard, courted, married, had children; they danced, laughed, wept; they rejoiced and mourned, and while doing so created a most unique community. The ships came with goods for sale or trade and loaded up with produce and wood. The sailors and lifesaving service crews teased the little sandhill savages, and in trying to keep them out of the way taught them games which are still played today. What child of any age can resist sticking a gull feather behind their ear or try to skip a stone farther than the one before? And pure magic can result from the discovery of a stone with a hole in it ... try it and see. The flora, the fauna, the culture, the agricultural practices and the social activities, the geology and the genealogy encompassed within the boundaries of the Island have been studied and appreciated by men and women from all over the world.

     Those of you receiving this newsletter have all expressed an appreciation for the uncommon beauty of South Manitou Island, and many are committed to passing on its history. You also need to know that in the present national legislature there is a concerted effort to significantly reduce the budget of the National Park Service yet again. Much of our heritage is entrusted to its care. As of this year, there were two seasonal interpretive rangers whose jobs were to teach visitors what was especially unique about South Manitou Island and the entire Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore; in 1990, there were ten. The funds used to support the Park are minuscule; the cost is 1-cent/day/taxpayer. The campground fees go directly to the U.S. Treasury, not to the Park operation. The items for sale at the Visitor's Center don't belong to the Park and less than 5% of the profits go to SBDNL. Volunteers contribute more and more each year (last year total = 15,789 hours). Your representatives and senators need to know that we all would like to ease the burden for our future generations by reducing the budget deficit; we also would like to see their heritage preserved and promoted, not abandoned. Please write to your elected officials now and often. Their names and addresses are available at your local public library and governmental centers. The budget axe is very sharp. Let's make sure it falls in the proper places.
Thank you.

 
 
 
Vice—President Margaret Kelly Braden
 
     As I was growing up, my mother, Ruth Burdick Kelly, would tell me and my siblings about the chickens, the general store, the dances, the lighthouse, the schoolhouse, etc. She would become wistful, almost as if talking about her childhood would make it come alive again. It did. She saved photographs, newspaper articles, clothing, letters, jewelry ... an incredible pack rat. But in being so, she saved remnants of an incredible heritage for her family and those interested in South Manitou Island. Through the years, we would visit Uncle Fred and Aunt Bea Burdick in the summertime. Then college, children, jobs, etc. became more immediate obligations.
 
     In 1989, I began attending the annual reunion on the last Saturday in July. There I met childhood friends of my mother's (Ethel Stormer, Glen Furst, and George Hutzler among others), and recognized her and her brothers and
 

 
sisters in wonderfully candid photographs saved by other families. Too, the pictures that I shared seemed to bring joy to some and historical information to others. I thought then that I would like to be an active contributor to this organization.
 
     My professional background includes studies in physical sciences, geological research and six years with the Michigan Department of Health Laboratories. I completed my studies for my Masters in Library Science from Indiana University, and until last year was part of the management team at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana (those of you interested in genealogy have heard of this place). Last October, my family and I took the plunge that we had dreamed about for many years and moved to Traverse City and haven't looked back since. I presently am working at the Community Health Library in the Women's Health Network of Munson Medical Center.
 
     I see my role on the Memorial Society's Board as a representative of the families and their interests to the National Park Department and to our elected officials in Washington, D.C., to mandate their places on the island and in its history, and to help document this history. Thank you for the opportunity.
 
 
Secretary Patricia Siegrist
 
     Thank you for the vote of confidence in electing me to the position of Secretary of the Memorial Society. As an elected officer, I believe it is my duty and responsibility to promote and preserve the history of South Manitou Island, to keep accurate and complete records of the SMMS, and to serve the members to the best of my capability.
 
     I have worked for the Michigan Department of Treasury for eighteen years. I feel that my experience in dealing with the public regarding tax question research, daily correspondence with them, and keeping records will be an asset to the Society.
 
     I have two grown children, one son—in-law, and a wonderful grand-

 
sandhill savage who is just nine months old.
 
     I have just recently resurrected my interest in the Island and was part of the great team of fence builders that erected the cemetery fence this summer. I am pleased to say that when I revisited the Island a month later, the fence was still standing strong. I look forward to other projects on the Island and strongly encourage others to join in. It was the best vacation (?) I have had in years.
 
 
Treasurer Karen McIntire
 
     I am very pleased to be the new SMMS Treasurer. I first visited the Island 15 years ago with a friend of Johanna and Anton de Kok, and David Kenger. We would camp at the Weather Station and hike to the Marina for breakfast and to learn about the Island. This is how I met Fred, Bea, Marie and Doris. Sometimes I would help the Twins, Janet and Julie with the lunch rush. Then Johanna would give me a few clues on where to find an interesting landmark and afternoons hike would begin. Although a relative newcomer to the Island Circle, and to my knowledge, unrelated to any of the Island families, I have some very special memories of South Manitou.
 
     I'm 38, married 7 years, have 2 stepsons, and 3 wonderful grand daughters. I also have a nephew, Mathew who spends many weekends with me, and I look forward to sharing the Island with him soon. A Michigander, originally from the Mason/Dimondale area, I now live in Muskegon. I have been with Meijer Inc. for over 20 years — current position is Buyer/Merchandiser for the Housewares area. Dave and I plan to retire in Irons in a few years and have a log home there.
 
     I am looking forward to being more involved in the SMMS and want to thank my predecessor, Zella, for her hard work in establishing and maintaining the different CD's and accounts. Her excellent record keeping makes my goal of putting the financial records on—line a pleasant one. I hope to talk with many of you at our next meeting.

 
NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL PARK
The first draft of the South Manitou Island Lighthouse Complex is being reviewed by the park staff. This draft represents historical research and copies of documentation available on the lighthouse complex.
 
The contractors working on this project were in the park October 16th to discuss alternatives for restoration. Quinn—Evans Architects of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Land and Community Associates of Charlottesville, Virginia led the discussion on Monday afternoon. This workshop begins phase II of the contract which will address the restoration.
 
Brenda Williams is completing the South Manitou Island Agricultural History report, and a final copy will be in the park for review by early winter. Copies are expected to be available for distribution in late 1996.
 
South Manitou Island closed for the season on October 9th.
 
The park will have a photovoltaic array installed on North Manitou Island next year to operate most of the utilities of the village through solar power. This project will eliminate a large amount of generator use and noise in the village. There is funding available to rehabilitate the Equipment Building located in the Manitou Island Association portion of the village. This rehabilitated structure will provide room for the battery banks that will store the solar energy collected from the array. This structure will also provide room for maintenance operations, and a secure location for the fire protection equipment.
 
North Manitou Island Deer Hunt began October 1st and runs through November 9th. The bow hunters took 4 deer during the first week of the hunt and the muzzle—loaders have taken 17, so far. North Manitou Island will close for the season immediately after the hunt.
 
Kim Mann
Historical Architect
 

 
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING
OF THE
SOUTH MANITOU MEMORIAL SOCIETY
JULY 29, 1995 - EMPIRE METHODIST CHURCH
                EMPIRE, MICHIGAN
 
Meeting called to order by Paul Rocheleau, President.
 
Those present introduced themselves and their relationship to the island.
 
Minutes of the meeting of July 30, 1994, were read by the Secretary, Sandra M. Black. Motion was made by Fred Burdick to accept the minutes as read. The minutes were unanimously approved.
 
Zella Morris, Treasurer, presented the treasurer s report. Net worth of the SMMS is $23,618.79. Motion was made and approved to accept the Treasurer's report.
 
Kim Mann reported the purposed installation of a Photovoltaic Array on North Manitou Island which deals with solar energy. In order to accomplish this some of the structures on NMI would be torn down. She indicated the structures involved were Equipment Buildings located in the Manitou Island Association portion of the village and currently used by the National Park Service. Laura Quackenbush also stated members should write and request information regarding the future plans for NMI and alternatives instead of tearing down present structures.
 
Kim Mann also brought the Society up—to—date on the Historic Landscape Research Project. A series of notebooks should be completed by September with recommendations as to what direction they are going.
 
Special thanks to our new friends from the Muskegon Hiking Club for their help in constructing the cemetery fence and clearing brush. Margaret Braden indicated the SMI cemetery work was finished and they hoped to expand their work to NMI. Margaret stated they may not be able to find all families buried on NMI and made an appeal for information and burial records.
 

 
Margaret Braden also reported the National Park Service is interested in restoring the schoolhouse on SMI and the assistance that the SMMS can provide. A potential project for next summer will be to scrape, repair and paint the exterior of the schoolhouse. The Society is requesting snapshots and items to display such as report cards books, etc. for the inside of the schoolhouse. The schoolhouse will then have the potential for inclusion as a part of the visitor tour.
 
Margaret Braden showed the new SMMS T—shirts which were designed by Judy Fogle and are for sale to increase the visibility of the SMMS and boost membership. Many of the T-shirts were sold following the adjournment of the business meeting.
 
Paul Rocheleau opened the discussion regarding the Memorandum of Agreement with the National Park Service. Paul has reviewed the Agreement and sent his comments back to the NPS. Don Morris stated he did not feel the Society needed to sign the Agreement as he felt the Memorandum gave the NPS control over the Society and its money. A general discussion was held regarding some of the articles contained in the Agreement. Don Morris felt we should move away from government control. He made a motion before the Society signs or makes any type of formal arrangement with the NPS, a representative from the NPS speak to the membership to defend their position. Harvey Rocheleau seconded the motion and it carried. Fred Burdick, Glenn Furst, Don Morris, Don Roy, Karen McIntire and all Board Members will review the Agreement and report to the general membership.
 
Paul Rocheleau made a motion to leave the SMMS name as it is with an appeal to all NMI members and individuals to support the SMI Society. The Society is made up of individuals with ties to both islands.
 
Officers elected were:
 
     Paul Rocheleau, President
     Margaret Braden, Vice—President
 

 
     Patricia Siegrist, Secretary
     Karen McIntire, Treasurer
 
Meeting Adjourned.
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
Sandra N. Black
Secretary
 

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"I REMEMBER ..."
 
Once, when my Grandmother Florence Haas was cooking on the AA4 (Ann Arbor No.4 CarFerry), she would, of course, be around the Commissary a lot and hear things. She began to learn that the Marine Superintendent was making deals and taking kickbacks on purchases in Frankfort for the boats. She started keeping a "little black book". One day the Superintendent told her that he was going to purchase day-old bread from the local bakeries instead of sending the makings aboard. Florence didn't like this, but there wasn't much she could do about it. The Superintendent owned a farm outside of town. One day a shipment of red paint showed up in the Commissary and then disappeared. She made some inquiries and found that the paint had somehow gotten all over the outside of the barns at his farm. Not only that, but he used railroad workers to do the painting on company time. Awhile after this, a batch of bread came aboard that was really old. In fact, it was moldy! She had the porters throw the whole batch overboard. That must have made the sea gulls happy! She went over to the office and told the Superintendent what she had done. He flew into a rage! He didn't stay raged very long. She got out her "little black book" and recited the incident with the red paint. He folded. She got her lard, flour and yeast. Now the crew was happy too!!!
 
               by Theron Haas
                  Ludington, Michigan
 

---

 

 
SOUTH MANITOU ISLAND SCHOOL DAYS REMEMBERED
The Memorial Society has begun preliminary plans to assist the National Park Service with the restoration and re—furnishing of the Island Schoolhouse. We have begun working with Kim Mann, Historical Architect, to collect information about the schoolhouse. We are interested in your memories of furnishings used inside the building and their arrangement, as well as stories about school days, classmates, etc.
 

Below are some questions to get your mind wandering back. Please detail your memories and experiences as you remember them. You need not have attended school on the island to assist us with this project. Perhaps you have heard stories from family members relating the "good ole' school days on the island". Please help where you can!!
 
What year/s did you attend school on the island?
 
What was/were your teachers names? Who was your favorite teacher and why?
 
Names as many classmates as you can. Tell some amusing stories about your classmates.
 
Did you walk to school? From where? How far? With whom? What was your route?
 

 
How were the desks arranged in the room? How many in a row?
Was there a coat—room? Where was it? What else was in the coat—room?
Were the outhouses inside or out? Where at outdoors?
Where do you remember the woodstove being located? Do you remember what kind it was?
Where were the blackboards? What else was on the walls? Pictures?
Where was the teachers desk? What did it look like? Did the teacher teach at her desk?
What other items of furniture were in the room? What were they used for?
Describe the school grounds? Where did you play? What games did you play?
What other outside activities did you participate in?
What school field trips or special events did you participate in?
Did you have a Christmas pageant? What was it like?
What books/stories do you remember reading? What projects did you work on?
Did you ever skip school? Why? What did you do that day?
Did your teacher teach music to your class? If so, what did you sing?
What other subjects do you remember her teaching you? What were your favorites?
What discipline measures did the teacher use? Did you ever have to sit in the corner? What did you sit in the corner for?
Any additional memories? Please detail them.

 
 
Please give your name and address:
 
 
 
 
Do you have pictures of the schoolhouse, inside or out, or class photos that you would be willing to share with the Memorial Society? Do you have furnishings from the schoolhouse? Please consider placing them on exhibit in the restored building. They will remain your property.
 
 
Thanks for your valuable assistance with this project!!!
 
Now, get busy and "put your nose to the grindstone"!!!
 
 
 
*Send to SMMS, P.O. Box 177
 Empire, Michigan 49630.
 
 

 
"I REMEMBER ..."
 
Clarabell (Thompson) Mack recalls Christmas on South Manitou Island for her great grand-daughter, Taryn:
 
Dear Taryn
 
     You wrote and asked how we celebrated Christmas when I was a little girl and this is how it was:
 
     As a child, and until I was 13 years old, I lived on South Manitou Island, which lies in Lake Michigan about 8 miles from Glen Haven. The size of our island was 3 miles by 5 miles, consisting of a Coast Guard Station, Lighthouse, a small village with a Post Office and store, and several farms.
 
     All groceries and supplies had to be brought by boat from the mainland. In the winter the water froze between the island and Glen Haven. Then supplies could be brought by horse and sleigh. Sometimes the horses fell through thin ice into the water and had to be rescued. Ice was cut in large squares on the little lake, which was in the middle of the island, to be used for refrigeration as there was no electricity. It was hauled by sleigh to sheds in the village. Children sometimes caught a ride on the runners of the sleigh as a means to get home from school.
 
     We had a one—room plus coatroom schoolhouse. It was made of wood and painted white. It had a small belfry where a bell hung that was rung every morning as school was about to begin. There was one teacher for 8 grades with about 30 students in all. The bathrooms were two "outhouses" in the surrounding woods — one for girls and one for boys. Water was provided by an outside pump and a wood stove provided heat.
 
     Each child walked to school with the older children going first to make a path in the snow. Clothes were sometimes wet on arrival and had to be hung by the stove to dry.
 
     On Christmas Eve we got dressed in our new clothes and walked up to the school house. My Mother died when I was 2 yrs. old, so it was my Father and older sister who got me ready for the Christmas Program. The Christmas Program consisted of plays, carols and the arrival of Santa Claus. Everyone returned home and celebrated the birth of Jesus with their families.
 
               Love,
 
               Great-Grandma Mack
 
P.S. I always received a new doll for Christmas.