SMMS Newsletter: November 1997


P.O. Box 177 Empire, Michigan 49630 November 1997		1996/1997, Vol.8, No.3
GREETINGS FRIENDS!! INTRODUCING, "THE NEW" SOUTH MANITOU MEMORIAL SOCIETY BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT: DR. DONALD A. MORRIS Dr. Donald A. Morris is president emeritus of Olivet College. In addition to being president of the South Manitou Memorial Society, he is also president of the Glen Lake Community Library Board and the Sleeping Bear Noontiders, both in Empire. He also serves on and is past chair of the Higher Education Assistance Authority and the Higher Education Student Loan Authority having been appointed to the positions by both Governors James Blanchard and John Engler. Governor Engler also appointed him to a term as a member of the Judicial Tenure Commission. He has served as a volunteer on more than 40 boards, authorities and commissions. usually in a leadership position. He holds a B.A. degree from Wayne State University. M.P.A. and P.H.D. degrees from the University of Michigan and an honorary L.L.D. degree from Olivet College. His primary connection to the island is through his 39-year marriage to Zella Mae Stormer, who is part of the Stormer, Furst and Hutzler families. Their children. Dwight and Julie (both Society members) and granddaughters. Sarah and Laura. are natural descendants of year-round residents. VICE-PRESIDENT: JOHN KOLASINSKI Not available at this time. SECRETARY: JUDY FOGLE I am excited to be SMMS Secretary: thanks for accepting me. Of course, my job has been simplified by the skills of the past secretary, Patty Kelly, who organized all the papers and kept good records. Thanks Patty. I love South Manitou Island so much. There are even days when the weather "smells" like the island, and it makes me want to be there. My husband and I came to the Island in 1974 by invitation of the Shapleys, who shared their cabin. I didn't return again until 1981, but we came back every year there after. For the past 17 years my family has spent all available vacation time on the island: spring, summer, and fall. But, alas, that has all come to end, because the "lease-ran-out." So now we will have to learn to "backpack" to enjoy the island. My husband of 25 years, daughters aged 20 and 18, and son 13, have all spent time volunteering. Such as Amanda and Duke working on the cemetery fence, or Lisa telling history to the visitors, or (best of all) meeting the islanders. Working at Michigan State University, Office for International Students and Scholars, gives me the opportunity to meet all international people that come to the university. I grew up in Detroit, but now reside on an extended farm family in Mason, Michigan. The family has a dairy farm. We produce pure maple syrup and sell supplies to maple producers.

My goal is to make it simpler for islanders' to come and visit the island to spread the history to future generations. TREASURER: JOE ORBECK I was very pleased to be elected Treasurer of the South Manitou Memorial Society and am looking forward to working with the Board on upcoming projects. My wife, Margaret, and I have attended July meetings ever since I heard about the Society in 1992. We had just returned to Michigan after living in North Carolina for fifteen years. Two sons, David and Joseph M., are both members and have visited the Island. We live in Plainwell, Michigan. I have retired from Hammond Machinery Inc. My last position was Vice-President of Engineering. My family connection with the Island begins with my Great Grandfather and Great Grandmother, George Conrad and Mary Ann Hutzler. I first visited the Island during the summer of 1945. I stayed two weeks with my Great Aunt and Uncle, Maggie and Henry Haas. I have many pleasant memories of the visit; crossing with Tracy Grosvenor. visiting Great Uncle George and Louis Hutzler on their farm and Cousin Rosie Warner down at the point. I appreciate all the effort put into the treasury records by Karen McIntire and Zella Morris. I will do my best to continue their good work. NEWS FROM THE PRESIDENT It is a pleasure to give this report to the Society members on the activities of your Board. We held our first full meeting on October 4 at our home at Glen Lake. All members were present although our Newsletter Editor, Kathy Bietau, was unable to attend. The two items that took most of our attention were our financial condition and the relationship between the Society and the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore. As Treasurer Joe Orbeck's report shows, our assets total $27,062 as of September 12. 1997. Previous Treasurer Karen McIntire kept accurate financial records although no report on them was made to the members since the annual meeting of July, 1995. The profit and loss statement on the sales of sweatshirts and T-shirts over the past two years plus is not as positive. The costs of $2,732 exceeded the revenues by $25, but that did not include the estimated $900 we would have earned on the funds which were taken out of the CDs to pay for the shirts. The board will be naturally cautious about entering into any other "fund raising" projects. Many of you will recall that a draft of a Memorandum of Agreement between the Lakeshore and the Society was prepared by the park officials in April, 1995. It was reviewed at our annual meeting that July. A committee composed of Fred Burdick, Glenn Furst, Don Roy and I was asked to study that proposal and report back at our annual meeting in 1996. The Lakeshore draft had several provisions that were bothersome. They included an emphasis on landscape maintenance: that Society members would be covered for injuries sustained on the island, that the Society would have to indemnify the federal government for any such injuries (which could easily put us out of business), and that any fund raising activities by the Society would have to be "submitted to the Lakeshore for review and approval." From attending all the annual meetings of the society, many conversations with island residents and their descendants, and numerous family discussions, it seemed clear that we needed to move in another direction, particularly if we were to fulfill our motto that we are "dedicated to the preservation of our history in order that we may pass the light of our symbol to future generations." Zella and I spend winters in Tucson, Arizona. In the late winter and early spring of 1996 I met with Doug Morris, the Superintendent of the Saguaro National Park, and Luther Probst, the Executive Director of the Rincon Institute. There is a Memorandum of Agreement between that Park and the Institute. Drawing on this memorandum and my discussions, I drafted a second memorandum between the Lakeshore and the Society which was endorsed by both Fred Burdick and Don Roy (Glenn Furst died the previous December) and I reported on it at our annual meeting a year ago July. The document was published in this newsletter over the last year. The key provision of the Society's draft was to provide historical and cultural education services on South Manitou Island by our members who in turn would "receive the same rights and privileges as do other volunteers" and that the Lakeshore "will provide housing and other arrangements as with other volunteers on South Manitou Island so that Society members will be able to conduct educational and cultural programs for visitors to the island." There has been little movement towards any resolution and in fact the subject was not discussed at our annual meeting last July. However, Ivan D. Miller. Superintendent of the Lakeshore and I did talk about it briefly at an unrelated meeting on July 2 and agreed to talk further in the fall.

That meeting was held on September 30 and also included Duane Pierson. Assistant Superintendent. We agreed that a Memorandum of Agreement would not be necessary between the Lakeshore and the Society and that our interest in providing historical and cultural education can be accommodated within the existing Volunteers-In-Parks (VIP) Program.

Some of the items discussed were that our members could develop oral or video histories, provide materials for an expanded museum on the island and develop presentations and even exhibits there.

It was stressed that this program is "not a vacation" and that our volunteers would be expected to work 32 hours per week including meeting the boat from Leland daily and provide tours of the Lighthouse and the "district" (village).

The Lakeshore will prepare guidelines and brief job descriptions for the VIP positions that would support day-to-day operations. As of this writing they have not arrived but should be available in time for inclusion in the next newsletter. Please contact me if you have questions or suggestions.

Don Morris, President

TREASURY REPORT
South Manitou Memorial Society
June 30, 1997

ASSETS	6-30-97
First Chicago Corp. Bond - Perpetual Fund	$ 10,200.00
Empire National Bank C.D.'s	11,419.01
Jack Phillips Memorial Fund	1,597.91
Empire National Bank Savings Account	3,092.68
Empire National Bank Checking Account	27.04
TOTAL	$ 26,336.64

NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL PARK

We collected fees on both North and South Manitou Islands this year. While many of us were not enjoying the thought of it. there was not much we could do about it but to try and make at as painless as possible. $12,000 dollars in entrance fees were collected on the islands since June. Still more was collected through the $5.00 per night per permit camping fees. While fees were a shock to the majority of the visitors to the islands, it did not impact visitation as the numbers are up over 1996. The good news is that the NPS will keep 80% of the fees collected in the park for use here.

We opened a new trail on SMI this summer with help from some of our volunteers. The Sweet Water trail was reopened after years of no use. It goes from the village side of Bay Campground and comes out across from the school. We are hopeful that the school will benefit from this new-old trail that leads to its doorstep.

Another building that needs attention is going to get it! The stone "office building on NMI will receive a new roof and a coat of paint next season. Management agreed that the building needs some attention to prevent further deterioration.

Pat Schad who has worked on SMI for the last three years was hired as a permanent ranger this spring. This means he will be returning for another summer on SMI next summer to continue to win over visitors with his enthusiasm and lively personality. Jeff Monroe, a new ranger hired from Lake Mead also received a permanent position on NMI. He will also be returning next summer. Both of these rangers have a high regard for the history of the islands and for the visitors. They both have medical training, fire suppression skills, law enforcement and resource management backgrounds, and are learning the waters of Lake Michigan. We are very lucky to have such skilled and friendly rangers on North and South Manitou Islands.

The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) have awarded a National Award for Research to the three reports prepared by the University of Wisconsin. College of Landscape Architecture. The award was presented during the ASLA convention in Atlanta, the week of November 10th. These three reports are A Garden Apart, Farming at the Water's Edge, and Coming Through With Rye. The first report is a historical context study of farming in Leelanau and Benzie Counties, the second concerns

the Port Oneida Rural Historic District, and the third is the agricultural development of South Manitou Island. The first two reports have been reprinted and are available at Cottage Bookstore, Glen Arbor, Michigan. (616) 334-4223. The SMMS is considering reprinting the third as a sale item. Kim Mann. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Historic Architect/Liaison to SMMS. JULY 26, 1997 ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SOUTH MANITOU MEMORIAL SOCIETY EMPIRE METHODIST CHURCH EMPIRE, MICHIGAN 1. President Paul Rocheleau called the meeting to order at 10:15 a.m. 2. The officers introduced themselves and explained their relationship to the island. Karen McIntire was absent. Twenty-one members were in attendance. 3. Secretary Pat Kelly read the minutes of last year's meeting. A motion was made by Marie Smith and seconded by Don Morris to accept the minutes as read. The motion was carried unanimously. 4. Treasurer Karen McIntire was unable to attend the meeting and the Treasurer's report was not available for reading. However. Vice-President Margaret Braden supplied financial information regarding the balances on hand in both the Society's savings and checking accounts. She also stated that the Certificates of Deposit (one for $1,000.00 and one for $2,000.00) were subject to the new rate of interest of 5.5%. She also stated that the name of the bank holding the stock certificate had been changed. The stock certificate indicates the changed name of the bank. The Treasurer's report will be included in its entirety in the next issue of the newsletter. The report will also be sent to anyone who requests it in writing if wanted prior to the next newsletter. However, as soon as the report is available, it will be sent to the new board members. 5. Kim Mann's report included a presentation of the historical architectural drawing of the schoolhouse on S. Manitou Island. Also presented was a posterboard of pictures of the schoolhouse which included some of the items inside the schoolhouse as well as group pictures of some of the children who attended the school. She made a request for artifacts (or replicas) that could be put on display in the schoolhouse. She suggested that the items could remain the property of the Society with the Park Service acting as caretaker, ensuring the safety and security of the items. She also asked for information on what was in the schoolhouse so that the items could be acquired by the Park Service. In addition. Kim asked for feedback on whether the Society would be willing to volunteer on the Island with tours and artifact information. The time frame for restoring the schoolhouse is not known at this time but Kim stated it was a high priority for both she and Ranger Chris Johnson of the Park Service. However, due to personnel changes within the Park Service, the need to proceed quickly needs to be reiterated. Kim stated that she would like to see the school trail restored so that visitors had an idea on how the island children made their way to school. Kim has been working with Anne Marie Ooman, a regional storyteller, who is writing oral histories of several Island individuals. She does extensive research before writing the dialogue. Perhaps the Society would be willing and interested in telling these stories to visitors and perhaps even providing tours in period dress while telling the stories. A reprint of Coming Through With Rye (Brenda Wheeler Williams. Arnold R. Alanen. William H. Tishler) is greatly needed. Kim stated there was a great demand for this publication and that she is offering the Society first chance to provide money for the reprint. A portion of the profits would then go to the Society. There is a printer and several bookstores interested in this book, and marketing interest is out there. Kim introduced two individuals from the University of Wisconsin. Student Eric McDonald and Professor Arnie Allen. They are here to study North Manitou Island and will be at the picnic and tour on Sunday. The Lighthouse project is moving slowly and is still only about 75% complete, which is the same as last year. However. Kim stated that it has not been forgotten and the historical architectural drawings would probably begin in 1998. Kim has checked out the cemetery on North Manitou Island and the crosses have piqued the curiosity of some visitors. However. many of the burial sites remain unknown. She asked if we as a Society would be willing to provide the funds (app. $100.00) to purchase the materials for a plaque which would include all those whose actual burial sites are unknown. The Park Service would

provide the labor. Discussion ensued. Margaret made a motion to provide the funds and Don Tobin seconded the motion. The motion was carried unanimously. Lastly, Kim recognized and thanked outgoing board members for their cooperation and ongoing enthusiasm in the history of both the Manitou Islands. 6. Margaret recognized Kim's invaluable role as liaison between the Park Service and the Society. Margaret stated that many things were being accomplished due to Kim's dedication, including the possibility of extending the historic corridor on South Manitou. 7. Kathy Bietau was also recognized for her outstanding role as editor of our newsletter. Everyone enjoys this publication and knows that Kathy tirelessly works for every issue. Please watch for deadlines to make sure your articles get in the newsletter. Also thanks was given to Pat Kelly and Judy Fogle for the backup provided to Kathy with printing, labeling, stamping and mailing. 8. Margaret suggested that due to the expense involved in the reprinting of Coming Through With Rye, it would be appropriate for the new board members to deal with this issue. It was mentioned that this book has recently received national recognition for its contents. More news to come on this. 9. The proposed slate of new officers presented by the Nominating Committee: Don Morris, President John Kolasinski, Vice-President Joseph Orbeck, Treasurer Judy Fogle, Secretary Lorraine Kolasinski made the motion to accept the proposed slate of officers. Don Tobin seconded. The officers were accepted unanimously. 10. Secretary-elect Judy Fogle stated that she was approached by Park Ranger Chris Eggle with the possibility of opening additional rooms at the Visitor Center. A request was made for artifacts or replicas for display. Items would be owned by the Society with the Park Service as caretaker. Judy also asked for reimbursement for long distance telephone calls made while in the nominating committee. She was advised to present a bill to the new treasurer for reimbursement. 11. Kim Mann stated that volunteers are always welcome to assist the Park Service with tours, Island patrols, special projects, maintenance, greeting visitors, etc. The Park Service would provide housing. This volunteer program is called "Volunteers-In-Parks" (VIP). Pat Kelly stated that the VIP program was a great idea and in fact she has already signed a VIP agreement to spend the better part of September on South Manitou. 12. Don Tobin stated that someone else would have to take care of reserving halls for the annual meeting and luncheon next year and in the years to come. This will be announced, discussed and resolved at the Town Hall luncheon immediately following the meeting. 13. With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 12:20 pm. MARK YOUR CALENDARS: The next general meeting of the South Manitou Memorial Society is scheduled for Saturday. July 25, 1998. "I REMEMBER WHEN ..." VOLUNTEER IN THE PARK, 1997 I just returned from spending the better part of the month of September on South Manitou Island as a VIP (Volunteer-In-Parks) for the U.S. Park Service. For many years I didn't return to the Island as my own special protest for the government taking over the Island. However, I started returning for visits a few years ago just to see how the Park Service was running things and to possibly get over my anger enough so that I could enjoy this special place. I was so impressed with what was happening that I decided to visit for an extended period as a volunteer and so that I could get a better feel of how things were being handled.

Everyone I met that was affiliated with the Park Service was genuinely interested in the history of the Island and in preserving that history. The concern for and care of the Island was shared by both ranger and maintenance staff. I was especially impressed with Kris (Coyote) Eggle and Patrick Shad (rangers), Bob Smith (maintenance) and Gwen Glatz (another volunteer that I shared housing with and who has become a special friend). I worked with those individuals more than any others so my experience with them was greater. However, all workers that I came in contact with were enjoyable. I'm happy to have been part of that experience and hope to return as a volunteer as often as the Park Service lets me and as often as my work schedule will allow. I sincerely believe the volunteer work that was done was important to those Gwen and I were assisting and to the public in general, even if many never see what we accomplished. Our work was done as a labor of love for the Island's past and its future. My memories of my volunteer time and duties performed are many, however. I remember certain things with heartfelt warmth. One time in particular happened only a few nights after I had arrived. Gwen and I had settled in for the night, planning on just relaxing for the evening when there was a thunderous knock on our door. The gentleman who was there told us to come with him quickly as we had to see that the light was on in the Lighthouse. My immediate thought, which I verbalized, was that I was not into ghost stories. The regulars here on the island have quite a reputation and are infamous for the ghost stories told. So I said no thanks as I wanted no part of this. It was extremely dark outside and being from the city I was not used to such great darkness. But he was quite insistent, so Gwen and I took off running following him to the Lighthouse. This in itself was quite an adventure because like an idiot I forgot to grab my flashlight. I didn't know where the heck I was going but since I was taking up the rear I could only hope to be able to follow Gwen's light colored tennis shoes. We (I) stumbled our way to the Lighthouse and stood on a specific spot on the beach. Looking up I saw the most incredible sight. There was a quarter moon that night and the sky was so clear the stars looked like little spotlights. The moon was positioned just right that standing on this certain spot it shone through the glass where the light once shone. I cannot possibly describe this magnificent sight. It was just incredible. What a thoughtful thing this person did to come and get us so that we could share this beautiful sight. Another memory in which I am veiy proud entailed the reopening of a historic trail. What started out as a simple hike in the woods from the Bay Campground area to the schoolhouse soon became a mission. The ranger stated that it would be great if I could start on clearing this trail so that it could be reopened. I didn't say much being the novice I was, but I remember asking myseW what is he talking about? What is a historic trail and what is the significance of this particular trail? There was nothing but trees and limbs, bushes, jumper and more jumper. I didn't know what "snags", "clearings" or even "reopening" the trail meant. Of course I said okay, even though I wasn't sure what that meant at the time. I soon found out! I went back to the home I was staying in (the Johnson House), looked at the map of the Island and thought, no way! This trail wasn't even on the map! Not only wasn't it on the map but there was no resemblance of a trail that I could see even when walking on top of it. Obviously I didn't yet have a vision and had no idea what this trail meant to so many people. Upon receiving the blessings of the Park Service powers that be, Gwen and I walked through the woods on the so-called trail to determine its direction and wavering path. Another ranger had gone before us and marked several areas so that we could find our way. Gwen and I made a half-hearted estimate that for every minute of walking it would take about an hour of clearing time. This thirty minute walk would mean about 30 hours of clearing between us. So we began on September 20, 1997. We started out at the schoolhouse end of the trail as this area was a bit more visible. And during our time of clearing together (Gwen taught me how to clear). I started to get a sense of the meaning of the trail. It's my understanding that children on the Island would use this trail on their way to and from school as a shortcut. It evidently saved quite a bit of time and distance. I started to imagine m mother (Ruth Mary [Burdick] Kelly) as a child using this trail. Whether she ever did or not I don't know but just the thought gave me a sense of purpose, therefore, the mission to complete this job. At the end of our first full day of clearing both Gwen and I were exhausted. The ranger called on the radio and said it was time to stop for the day. I think we were both relieved that he called. You see, neither one of us wanted to be the first to "cty uncle" and quit. Some would call this stubbornness, we called it determination. We marked the trail where we had left off.

The next day we decided to start clearing from the Bay Campground area of the trail just to get a change of scenery. As if the juniper and trees would look different from another direction. However, on what became the final day of clearing we were still working from the Bay area when Gwen and I decided to walk ahead a bit just to see how much farther we needed to go. After about three minutes of walking, we looked at each other and said we can get this done today. We walked back, then I began to rake a pathway forward for a few hundred feet. Gwen and I then cleared towards each other. This seemed to make the time, and us, go faster. Before long I had raked far enough ahead that I saw where we had left off on our first day. I didn't say anything to Gwen just yet. I wanted to wait until we met again, then I told her to look up ahead. We had reached the end. On September 22, 1997 at 3:47 p.m., the "Sweet Water Trail" was officially re-opened. There are still a few widow makers and snags that need attention, but for us our job was complete. The next day we had a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate what we had accomplished. Two other people joined in the celebration. Gwen and I cut the ribbon with a pair of loppers, which was quite appropriate since scissors just didn't make sense. The others took pictures and hip-hip-hoorayed for us. While at first I didn't understand its significance, I soon became aware of the beauty of this walk and had such a feeling of accomplishment. I now understand what "snags", "clearings" and "reopening" are, and also understand the meaning of "eye pokers", "leg jabbers" and "toe grabbers", I met a few along the way. Several people have since walked this trail and commented how enjoyable it was. Even the novice I once was found my way from start to finish and back again. It is indeed a "Sweet"( Water) Trail. Another time I had mentioned to Gwen that I would like to get up to the western dunes since this was the place my mother had visited on her final visit to the Island. Gwen graciously offered to take me there as I had no idea where this place was. I didn't yet have a feel for finding my way around the Island so I wasn't real confident of going this alone. Since we were volunteers, we were able to arrange a day off from work quite easily. We started out early in the day and decided to take our time. The beauty I saw on this trek is something I had never seen before. I had only taken "tours" of the Island in the past so experiencing this hike was something very special. We arrived at the dunes and decided to eat our lunch on a hillside just below the top. Gwen had said that she had been to the top of these dunes before and it was always very windy and quite cool. However, when we finished our lunch and reached our final steps to the top, I was speechless. The view was breathtaking. There was no wind and the sunshine was very warm and comfortable. The whole experience was quite serene. The incredible feeling I had standing there in this very special place is something that is very difficult to describe. I am very grateful that I was able to take this extended vacation and to have this great experience. I am also extremely grateful to have met the people I did and to make what hopefully are lasting friendships. While we had many jobs to do, every one of them seemed a pleasure to me and not a chore. And incredibly enough, I learned with Gwen's help that I can find my way in and around the Island pretty good now. I believe the Volunteer-In-Parks program is a great benefit to not only the National Park Service, but to those who actually do the volunteering. Where else could a person have a vacation, perform tasks that may never get done due to governmental red tape and get such a feeling of accomplishment. To quote my sister Margaret, who greeted me in Leland when I left the Island, "Patty, I have never seen you as happy and as healthy as you look right now." She was right! Patty Kelly, Volunteer and previous Society Secretary. The South Manitou Memorial Society Newsletter is copyrighted 1997/1998. Vol.8, No.3 The deadline for articles to be included in the next Newsletter is February 15, 1998. Please submit to Newsletter Editor: Kathy Bietau at: 2400 N. Morse Rd. Fountain. MI 49410. OR E-mail to bietau@carrinter.net

SOUTH MANITOU MEMORIAL SOCIETY P.O. BOX 177 EMPIRE, MICHIGAN 49630 President: Don Morris Vice-President: John Kolasinski Treasurer: Joe Orbeck Secretary: Judy Fogle Newsletter Editor: Kathy Bietau SOUTH MANITOU MEMORIAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION NAME: _______________________________________ DATE: _______________ ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________________ CITY/STATE/ZIP: _____________________________________________________ DONATION: ________ $50.00 ________ $10.00 ________ $100.00 ________ $25.00 ________ $OTHER THE SMMS IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION. CONTRIBUTIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE TO THE EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW. SEND TO: SMMS P.O. BOX 177 EMPIRE, MI 49630