16 minute read
A Pirate’s life for Harbor Beach teacher, coach
A Pirate’s life for him: Harbor Beach coach, teacher says community is something special
MARK BIRDSALL
mark.birdsall@hearstnp.com
HARBOR BEACH — Despite being an Upper Peninsula native, Pirates coach Jim Tamlyn believes Harbor Beach is a truly special place that is ideal to raise a family.
Jim is the head coach of the Harbor Beach varsity girls basketball team, track and field and an elementary school teacher.
As a graduate of Northern Michigan University, he spent time student-teaching in his hometown of St. Ignace and went on to serve as a graduate assistant at Central Michigan. Jim and his wife, Tracy, moved to the Thumb about 11 years ago after he accepted his job at Harbor Beach.
His passion is coaching, but after getting a taste of college-level coaching life, he decided that was not the path he wanted to follow.
Jim and Tracy, who is the high school administrative assistant at Harbor Beach, now have two children, an 11-old-son and 9-year-old daughter.
Over the past decade, he’s built a career as an educator and coach and has impacted many lives.
As proud as he is of his players’ accomplishments on the court or on the field, he takes even more pride in what they’ve achieved off the court.
The 2020 team finished second in the state in its division for academics.
As an educator, among the things he finds most rewarding is working with younger children, who “keep him young” and require high levels of energy.
“They not only demand it, they
expect it,” Tamlyn said.
He also takes a great deal of satisfaction in the success his students achieve after they have graduated, proudly relating the story of how he recently sat in on a video conference during which one of his former students recently defended her doctoral dissertation in chemistry.
“It’s great what we’ve accomplished on the court, but what we’ve accomplished away from the court … you just don’t forget that stuff,” he said.
Tamlyn said the Thumb reminds him of the Upper Peninsula in many ways, but Harbor Beach is a truly special place. It’s a great place to raise a family, and in many ways, the school is the heart of community. There’s a strong work ethic, and the people of Harbor Beach support their school.
MICHAEL J.
“It’s a community that you want to be a part of,” he said. “I wouldn’t trade it.” Harbor Beach teacher and coach Jim Tamlyn takes pride in the accomplishments of his students and players both on and off the court. (Tribune File Photo)
Continued from page 6
night.”
Under a man named Norman Gornbein, Affholter learned to earn his own pay; It was an apprenticeship with benefits.
“I had to promote sell and fix,” Affholter said.
In doing so, he worked across the bench from a De Beers award winner.
“He would show me how to put things together,” Affholter said. “He was a very smart man. There are probably 10 guys that could do what he could. I learned a lot. Then, went on my own.”
One day, Gornbein approached Affholter with $11,000 cash, shook his hand and sent him on his way.
“He said start a business,” Affholter said. “You are ready.”
Gornbein continued to work with Affholter for many years, helping him sell and fix things that seemed unfixable. He became a subcontractor and the two kept a good relationship for many years.
While playing hockey and perfecting his trade, Affholter married Bad Axe native Vicky (Schmitt) Affholter.
“When we came up here, I had a whole different feeling of life,” he said.
That was when the decision had been made. Affholter was running his own small jewelry repair shop at the time, as a subcontractor for Herman Hiss & Company.
“My cousin worked for me and I asked if she were ready to move?” Affholter said. “I laid out $20,000 on the table and said I sold the store and we are going up north.”
The couple moved into his wife’s family’s homestead farm, the place where all the parties and special holiday events took place.
“This is where everyone came and they still do today,” Affhiolter said.
He talked about having big Christmas gatherings, with multiple kids running around.
“It didn’t take me long to make friends and make me a part of the community. We took part in all the events and became part of the Bad Axe Free Methodist Church. My wife’s family is all here, so we blended easily. And, I learned there are certain things in the county you just have to understand.”
He said it was refreshing to see a such strong community spirit and referenced Unionville-Sebewaing’s varsity team going to finals.
“All these people came together,” Affholter said. “In the city that would never happen. I believe moving here added 10 more years to my life.”
He rented business property from Jean Talaski, who is a customer today.
“I needed a building to work for and was still working for Herman Hiss,” Affholter said. “I was speaking with Jean. She met me downtown and there was this little hallway that was the size of a medium bedroom.”
She charged Affholter $250 and handed him the keys without so much as a deposit — only faith in his business.
The two became good friends and even found they share a birthday of June 26. Who is younger or older may be up for debate.
Today, Affholter owns and operates Michael J’s Design Studio & Goldsmith Shop. They sell to customers throughout the nation and have become the official jeweler of the American Power Boat Association.
“We race boats,” he said. “That’s my hobby. That’s what makes me go to work.”
Like father, like son, Affholter followed in his dad’s footsteps and started racing at the age of 14. His whole family has joined the sport, including son William and daughter Marissa.
Both ofthem have had some involvement in the family business. His daughter still works for her father today, doing the books, selling and marketing. His wife can even be found helping out from time to time.
“She has helped out throughout the years, behind the scenes,” Affholter said. “She is my energy when I don’t want to work. It is difficult at times.”
At Michael J’s, the focus is on making personalized pieces. He recycles metal and gemstones, whole doing total repair work. The result is customized jewelry that nobody else has.
For example, Affholter likes to turn heirlooms into unique art that resembles the love between a mother and her daughter, or a grandfather and his grandson. Sometimes, the jewelry left behind is just too much to wear or old and could be made into the perfect piece.
Affholter sat next to his father, who now stays in the family’s full house after losing his wife two short weeks ago. He went on to explain that she lived with them for four days, before going to the hospital and passing away peacefully. The Affholters found comfort in knowing she was with family, at a time when many cannot be.
Keeping grandpa company in his son and daughter-in-law’s home are his granddaughter, great-granddaughter and grandson.
“We’ve got a full house,” Affholter said. “I couldn’t have scripted the way that we are together. We were able to spend time with mom and my kids are home. We had time together. Normally, the kids would’ve been in school and I would’ve been at the store.”
The sequence of events that transpired out of “Stay Home, Stay Safe” have changed the entrepreneur’s whole mindset.
“Now, my belief is to limit myself to time,” Affholter said. “Not the six-day grind. This is my time to semiretired, but I am not in any hurry to retire. I went into the shop the other day to work. I love the creation part.”
Affholter does not question how he and his family have been able to move forward and live happy lives in a loving community.
“To look back, you know God’s hand was on our lives,” Affholter said.
Old-fashioned hospitality alive and well
The Lake Street Manor Bed and Breakfast in Port Austin has been in operation since 1986. Co-owner Carolyn Waller said they have many guests come back year after year.
(Robert Creenan/Huron Daily Tribune)
Lake Street Manor in Port Austin, open since 1986, brings many repeat guests
ROBERT CREENAN
robert.creenan@hearst.com
PORT AUSTIN — Port Austin has plenty of hotels, motels, and summer homes people come to in order to get away during the warm weather, however it can be said few can match the intimate hospitality offered at a bed and breakfast.
Carolyn Waller, along with her husband Jack, has operated the five-room Lake Street Manor Bed and Breakfast since 1986, making friends with their guests and
Fast, Reliable High Speed Internet
keeping them coming back for more hospitality.
Waller’s family is originally from Detroit, but she was born in Florida. Her relatives bought a home in Port Austin in 1978, which is when she visited the Thumb for the first time. She would later come across the building that would house the bed and breakfast.
“I just fell in love with the house,” Waller said.
The building at 8569 Lake Street in Port Austin was originally built as the home of a lumber baron in the late 1800s.
Over its history, the Manor has served as a summer home, a guest house, and a residence until it opened as the Lake Street Manor of today.
There used to be an old-time photo studio and antique shop in the building as well, both of which Waller closed in order to make more room for more guest space.
The Manor plans on welcoming its first guests on Memorial Day weekend this year. The operating season usually lasts from April to after Christmas, with July and August being the busiest months. Last season, rooms were rented out for wind turbine workers until February.
When the Manor is closed for the season, Waller visits her kids down in Florida for the winter.
This year will be the first year that Lake Street Manor will be taking reservations only instead of walk-ins. With the coronavirus pandemic still happening across Michigan, Waller said this year will be particularly hard to be open.
“A lot of people come here with their families,” Waller said.
“It’s nice because they are a family, they do not have to worry about the distance.”
Most of the business that Waller gets comes from repeat guests who are visiting family in the area, which Waller notes they have become good friends with.
“A couple coming here for the Fourth of July have been coming here for 10 years,” Waller said.
“They’re friends, even though they pay us.”
Each morning, a different breakfast is served to guests between 8 and 10 a.m. Amenities offered to guests include a hot tub, televisions with DVD players in every guest room, bicycles, board games, and cards. The manor also advertises the happenings of Port Austin to guests as well, like the farmers market and kayaking.
Guests usually make either a two- to three-night stay at the Manor or stay for a whole week.
Waller noted that while their guests go around town in Port Austin, they also love spending time hanging out in the backyard as well.
“It comes up in reviews,” Waller said, noting the number of positive Google reviews the bed and breakfast has received. “They like watching birds and sitting outside at night.”
The Lake Street Manor Bed and Breakfast in Port Austin has been in operation since 1986. (Robert Creenan/Huron Daily Tribune)
Ace Hardware Of Bad Axe Inc
735 N Van Dyke Rd Bad Axe, MI 484139188 (989) 269-9131 www.acehardware.com
THREE LOCATIONS AND 20 AGENTS TO SELL YOUR HOME OR ASSIST IN BUYING YOUR NEW HOME.
8736 Lake St.
Port Austin 989-738-5251 6906 Main St.
Caseville 989-856-3887 1006 N. Van Dyke
Bad Axe 989-269-6231
Casey Bruce Broker/Owner and Marilyn Bruce Broker/Owner
Jennifer Rice 989-550-9399, Don McKimmy 989-269-8659, John Magusin 989-225-6762, Bill LaFave 989-550-2381, Tom Viers 989-550-5489, Kay Viers 989-550-4489, Diane Ellicott 989-712-0050, Dale Ignash 989-550-0911, Jenny Emming 989-550-5165, Todd Talaski 989-550-1043, Bob Bensinger 989-315-1016, Jonathon Mauk 989-598-4809, Amanda Neinaltowski 989-450-1739, Brian Wahl 989-553-1144, Troy Tolbert 989-798-0307, Aimee Krull 989-768-0025, Al Kuhn 989-550-2991, Debbie Osentoski 989-551-2754
$173,500 98 Learman Rd. Bad Axe 3 BR, 1.5 BA Tri-level Call Diane Ellicott 989-712-0050. #040-20-0008
$225,000 990 S. Ubly Rd. Bad Axe 2 BR, 1 BA 17 acres. Call Todd Talaski 989-430-7542. # 040-20-0011
$89,500 207 W. Irwin St. Bad Axe 2 BR, 1 BA. Call Casey Bruce 989-430-7542.
$67,900 785 N. Bay Port Rd. Bay Port 3 BR, Large shed - Call Diane Ellicot 989-712-0050. #040-20-0016
$39,999 6770 Center St. Caseville 2 BR, 1 BA. Call Bill LaFave. 989-550-2381. #039-20-0004
$139,900 4379 Port Austin Rd. Caseville 3 BR, 2 BA, Lake Access. Call Jennifer
Rice 989-550-9399. #040-20-0013
$164,500 5627 Port Austin Rd. Caseville 3 BR, 2 BA, Lake Access. Call Casey Bruce 989-430-7542.
$179,500 272 E. Spring St. Port Austin 4 BR, 1 BA, Lake Access. Call Casey Bruce 989-430-7542.
$199,000 4724 Port Austin Rd. #4 Caseville 2 BR, 1 BA, Lakefront. Call John Magusin 989-225-6762. #039-20-0002
$242,500 6988 Bluff Dr. Caseville 3 BR, 1 BA, boat slip, Lakefront. Call Marilyn Bruce 989-430-5374
$359,000 7724 Port Austin Rd. Caseville 3 BR, 1 BA - Lakefront. Call Bill LaFave 989-550-2381. #039-19-0004
$275,000 3627 Bluff Rd. Port Austin (Grindstone) 2 BR, 1 BA log home - Lakefront. Call Jennifer Rice 989-550-9399. #040-20-0015
VACANT LAND
$59,900 11827 Sunnyside Dr. Sebewaing 3 BR, 2 BA, mobile. Canal Front. Call Marilyn Bruce 989-430-5374. #039-20-0001
$79,000 146 W. Main St. Sebewaing 3 BR, 1 BA, Call John Magusin 989-225-6762. #039-19-0009
$249,500 3.95 acres - 114 ft. of Lakefront - Port Austin
$249,900 Beadle St.
Caseville Lakefront Lot - 5 Acres Call Dale Ignash 989-550-0911
$49,900 City of Caseville Riverfront Lot - Buildable - Call Dale Ignash - 989-550-0911
$99,900
Lot #1 Carousel Lane Port Hope Lakefront Lot - 2 acres, wooded, Call Diane Ellicott. 989-712-0050
Lemon Tree Marketplace and Keepsakes in Caseville are two of the towns many stores adapting to the new way of doing business. (Courtesy Photo)
MORE POWER TO YOU!
Local businesses adapting to the new normal Caseville stores find new ways to prepare for holiday weekend
PAIGE WITHEY
For the Tribune
CASEVILLE — The coronavirus precautions have taken their toll on local business and that is especially true in tourism-dependent Caseville, which is now looking for new ways to bring in revenue as Memorial Day weekend arrives.
Lemon Tree Marketplace and Keepsakes in Caseville are two of the town’s many stores adapting to the new way of doing business. TJ Elenbaum, owner of Lemon Tree Marketplace, credited the community’s support for inspiring and encouraging local businesses to carry on.
“We are doing our best at adapting ourselves in as many different ways as we can to generate business,” TJ said. “We have had to re-invent the way we run our daily operations for sure. We are learning so much from studying how businesses around the state and the country are handling the same situation.”
“We are a unique business in that we are both an essential business and a retail business,” TJ added. “We have opened up our essential side, including coffee drinks, pastries, grab-and-go sandwiches, and grocery items. We are able to take phone-in orders, curbside pickup, and to-go ordering inside the store.”
Both Lemon Tree and Keepsakes are working hard to ensure their staff’s and customers’ safety by limiting the number of customers in the store at one time, adding plexiglass barriers at the register, and implementing a strict disinfecting regimen. TJ explained they will also expect customers and employees to wear a mask while in the store when possible.
“For our retail side, we have increased our presence on social media and have used it as a venue to sell our products,” TJ said. “We are happy to offer curbside pick
up for retail items as well as shipping, since some of our customers are not local to Caseville.”
“We believe that all of this, while challenging, will only add a new dimension to our business,” she added.
“We, along with many businesses in the area that rely on summer tourism, are doing what we can during this time.”
Nancy Chappel, owner of Keepsakes in Caseville, has taken similar steps to ensure they can do business as safe as possible. Along with curbside pickup, Keepsakes has created a web store shopping option for their customers.
“We are unsure how this will affect our business, we just have to wait and see,” Nancy said. “We can only hope for the best.”
ElEctric contractor
Your Electrical Connection Since 1975
FREE ESTIMATES Licensed & Insured Specializing in Agricultural Wiring
