Volunteers turn out to help maintain islands WHITEFISH CHAIN

Big Island recreation area was in danger of closing to the public

By Nancy Vogt

From left, the late Dave Topinka, Adam Werneke and Jim Brandt prepare to clear Big Island trails in summer 2023. Contributed photos / Jim Brandt

The islands are open.

The Rollie Johnson Natural and Recreational Area on the Whitefish Chain of Lakes — more commonly called Big Island — welcomes campers, picnickers, boaters, hikers and other recreationists to enjoy all the area has to offer, just like it has for nearly 25 years.

That almost wasn’t the case as volunteers in their 80s put out a call in the spring of 2023 for younger people to help them maintain Big Island, Steamboat Island and Little Island in the middle of Upper Whitefish Lake in Ideal Township.

“A lot of people contacted us, so people did come forward,” said Jim Brandt, chair of the joint powers board that governs the islands.

In 2023, the board members said they would possibly have to close the islands to the public if 10-12 dependable volunteers didn’t step up to help.