The
Wallooner
Devoted to the preservation and betterment of Walloon Lake
Volume XLIX | Number 1 | Spring 2020
Walloon Lake Census 2020 Coming this Summer W
Submitted by Danny Fellin, WLAC Trustee, Communications + Outreach Committee Chair, Membership Committee Chair
hile this year will be the 24th United States Census, it will be the first Walloon Lake Census. The Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy (WLAC) will be conducting a census to verify and update all property owner’s lake address information (geographic locator section in the Directory) along with asking a few questions to help WLAC better understand and serve residents on and around Walloon Lake. In mid-June, all property owners will receive information from WLAC, either via US Mail or email, containing information about the census along with a link to the Walloon Lake Census 2020 form. The census questionnaire itself should take 5 minutes or less to complete. The census form requests your contact information along with ten additional questions. The plan is to have all property owners complete the census by mid-August. Your cooperation and input are very much appreciated and necessary in order to maintain the integrity of the geographic locator section of the Directory. WLAC will report on the results of the census in the November Wallooner newsletter and on the WLAC website. In mid-June, please be on the lookout for your census letter or email and link to the Walloon Lake Census 2020. Thank you in advance for your participation.
N WALLOO T N U O 0 WE C US • 202 CENS
The Wallooner
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Dear Wallooners, W
inter is a great time for us to work on projects behind the scenes and to prepare for the upcoming busy summer season. I am excited to announce two community partnerships that have been formalized this winter/spring that you will see create a positive impact on our mission and in our community.
The second partnership I would like to announce is one that makes so much sense it will want to make you slap your own forehead! This winter, the WLAC has officially partnered with the Lake Charlevoix Association (LCA) to endorse and disseminate the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) SepticSmart Campaign, a national effort to provide education The first is a partnership with North Central Michigan College and awareness to people with septic systems. (NCMC) and its Environmental Science program. Last fall, our As part of each organization’s lake protection work, both program staff and I began discussions with NCMC leadership LCA and WLAC regularly complete shoreline surveys on a on how our two organizations may collaborate in a way that schedule of about every five years. While Lake Charlevoix helps to give local students practical experiences while also residents will soon have the results of a 2018 shoreline adding capacity to the WLAC’s everyday work. Throughout assessment, Walloon Lake is gearing up for our survey to the winter months, we developed a matrix that allowed us to be completed this summer season. Shoreline surveys are see all of the possible collaborative opportunities including performed by our local partner, Tip of the Mitt Watershed internships, invasive species identification and control training, Council. In short, by way of teams in kayaks or by drone, natural features surveys, preserve stewarding, participation in shoreline parcels are scored on a few factors that include our swimmer’s itch research and control program and helping the presence and quality of a greenbelt and presence of us to expand and run a mobile boat wash program, just to Cladophora, green algae which may be an indicator of a highlight a few. This spring, Dr. Finley, NCMC President and failing septic system. I, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to underscore We [WLAC and LCA] agreed that our communications with this cooperative partnership. stakeholders around the importance of septic maintenance Many years ago, as a former dual-enrolled high school senior that was able to take advantage of NCMC’s college classes, I understand firsthand how impactful having local higher education resources in our community can be for students and for families. I am most excited to be a part of a partnership that will help to deepen the connection of local students with the beautiful and sensitive Walloon Lake ecosystem. I am also tremendously moved by the support and encouragement of this partnership by our very own Dr. Al Damschroder, who has for over 35 years promoted conservation and stewardship in and around Walloon, along with Dr. Jack Postle, who donated the land that is now the Postle Farm Preserve. We are incredibly fortunate that these two champions of education and conservation have served as a bridge to bring the WLAC and NCMC together.
and shoreline protection were stronger together as neighboring organizations with similar missions to protect our two beautiful lakes. This joint effort will include integrating SepticSmart messaging into print materials, websites, social media and even potentially hosting coordinated community events. The first of many SepticSmart messages can be found on page 18 of this Wallooner.
Meeting inside the Postle Farm Preserve Barn from left to right: Jac Talcott, Dr. Isis Arsnoe, Dr. Davina Gutierrez, Dr. Pete Olson, Dr. David Roland Finley, Chelsea Platte, Dr. Al Damschroder, Abbie Hawley, Kerri Finlayson.
From left to right: Dr. Al Damschroder, Jac Talcott, Dr. Pete Olson, Dr. Isis Arsnoe, Josephine Roberts, Abbie Hawley, Dr. Davina Gutierrez, and Chelsea Platte.
For more information about these partnerships and how you may get involved with these initiatives and our many others, please visit our website www.walloon.org, call the office (231) 535-6112 or just stop by the office to speak with any one of our awesome staff members or volunteers. All my best,
Josephine
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Expanding the Wildwood Harbor Preserve Submitted by Abigail Hawley, Director of Conservation Programs
On December 30th, 2019, our organization expanded its historic Wildwood Harbor Preserve. This expansion adds 30.5 acres, and continues the tradition of neighbors joining together to protect the Walloon Lake Watershed. The original preserve was established in 1998 with the help of nearly 80 friends and neighbors. The new acquisition was added with the generosity of current neighbors and original donors. The expanded preserve of 133.5 acres is home to a small lookout on Lake Evangeline, a bog, a diverse 100-year-oldsecond-growth forest, and a trail system. The expansion presents the opportunity to expand the trail system. Popular preserve activities include hiking, snowshoeing, and birding. Parking is available off Wildwood Harbor Road in the parking lot near the intersection of Shadow Trails and Ellis road.
Notes from the Field Submitted by Abigail Hawley, Director of Conservation Programs
Summer is just around the corner and now is the perfect time to mark your calendar for the fun events we have planned this season. One of the staff’s favorite activities is to explore Walloon with you! This year we’re continuing to feature our Wander Walloon series with themed monthly walks on our preserves. We’re bringing back our popular mushroom hikes on May 8th and September 11th. We’ll also be hosting a special Teddy Bear Picnic July 10th at one of our ambassador preserves Postle Farm Preserve. [See our full schedule below.] And no summer in Walloon is complete without some time on the water. This summer you can join us for two paddling events. The first will be June 20th and the second, a women’s paddle night, will be July 20th. Reminders for these events are posted in our monthly email newsletters as well as on our Facebook page. More information will be released as each event approaches. If you plan on joining, please give us a heads up by calling the office at (231) 535-6112 or emailing wla-wltc@walloon.org.
» Nighttime Owl Hike, Thursday, April 16 TIME TBD » Morel Mushroom Hike, Friday, May 8 at 12:00 p.m. » Wildflower Hike, Friday, June 12 at 12:00 p.m. » Teddy Bear Picnic, Friday, July 10 at 12:00 p.m. » Honey Bee Day, Friday, August 21 at 12:00 p.m. » Mushroom Hike, Friday, September 11 at 5:30 p.m. » Spooky Hike, Friday, October 16 at 5:30 p.m. » Foraging Walk, Friday, November 6 at 12:00 p.m. » Snowshoe and S’mores, Friday, December 11 at 4:30 p.m. » Walloon Paddle, Saturday, June 20 at 7:30 a.m. » Walloon Women’s Paddle, Monday, July 20 at 6:00 p.m.
WLAC Staff snowshoe at Postle Farm Preserve.
The Wallooner
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Walloon Stories Submitted by Lauren Macintyre
Along the North Shore...
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ith its proximity to the Village, golden sand and wonderful swimming beaches, it is no surprise that Walloon’s beautiful North Shore Drive was once home to some of the lake’s oldest hotels, resorts and cottages. Fern Cottage, Mizer’s Hotel and The Pines Hotel were just a few of the hotels on the North Shore, and of course, in the Village were the New Walloon, Sunset Lodge and others. Today most of the hotels and resorts are gone, but many of the lovely old cottages still remain, some of them owned by the same families for multiple generations. Martha Link Wiles Krimendahl’s parents, for example, bought their beautiful cottage in 1942, after initially spending vacations in Bay View. The Wiles house was originally the site of The Pines, a popular hotel in the early 1900’s. Besides its beautiful houses, the North Shore is also known for the picturesque path that passes in front of the houses all the way to the Village, which one can still walk today. “We all walked along that path,” noted Link Krimendahl. “It was a way to socialize, to say hello to everyone.” The path varies according to the terrain: at times it is smooth and flat; in other places it is steep and rocky. Of course, the steeper the path is, the higher the houses above the lake, and the more likely you are to see a unique Walloon phenomenon: the tiny trams that ran from the houses down to the path, or all the way down to the lake, enabling the residents to get down to the lakefront more easily. Barnie Bishop remembers seeing her neighbors’ tram back in the 50’s; later she and her husband bought that property and added another tram from the cottage down to the dock. “Children would walk by and were just fascinated with the whole scenario!” she recalls. The family of Lucia Scully Oelz came to Walloon in the early 1930’s, first renting the Mohler Cottage then building their own on four lakefront lots. North Shore Drive was originally just feet from their garage, but when the Corps of Engineers came through in the late 30’s, they were persuaded to move the road to the back lots farther from the lake. Other cottages were built on the side streets just off North Shore. The McIlwraiths, for example, an old Walloon family, sold their Country Club Shores property and bought two cottages and most of the woods on Third Street, Jean McIlwraith Tebay recalls. Jean’s father, John McIlwraith made their family’s beautiful little log cabin available to executives of his company, thereby introducing many other families to Walloon. The log cabin still exists today on Third Street and is largely unchanged.
And into the Village...
The Walloon Village in the 1950’s — the old General Store can be seen on the left, as well as the little “pointy roofed” building which served as the post office and later as a shop. The old General Store was destroyed in a fire and replaced; the pointy roofed building was moved and is now privately owned.
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nd when Wallooners walked that beautiful North Shore path, they were often headed for one place: the Village at the Foot. Today we know the Village as a vibrant food and entertainment center, with beautiful shops and restaurants, and a charming boutique hotel. Just imagine it over a hundred years ago, when it was equally vibrant, with multiple hotels, a train depot, a bath house, several shops, dance halls and even a bowling alley. But in between those years the Village businesses experienced some good times and some not so good, as people’s tastes and the economy changed. Throughout the years, though, the Village has always remained the hub of life on the lake. For young Wallooners spending all or part of their summers at the lake in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s — the “glory days” of the Village — life at the Foot was wonderful. Whether it was running on the beach, swinging in the park, watching sailboats racing or getting treats at the General Store, the Village was the place to be. The names of the old businesses at the Foot during that time period are legendary: The General Store. Renwick’s. Master’s Boatworks. Si’s Marina. Brower’s Grocery. The Sail Inn. Shepherd’s Soda Fountain. Betty’s Klothes Kloset. The Keyhole Snack Shop. The Inch and Foot. The Silver Birch Inn. The Bait Shop. The Rock Shop. And just around the corner, the Pied Piper Roller Skating Rink, beloved of teenaged Wallooners. The Walloon Post Office has always been one of the centers of social activity at the Foot. “We would always congregate around the post office,” noted Link Krimendahl. “Because that was where we were sure to see everybody in the morning.” (Continued next page.)
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he post office has certainly moved around quite a bit — from the quaint “pointy roofed” building, to the Shepherd Building, to the new building next to the General Store that opened in 1960, to the Melrose Township Hall or to its present location in the old Kent State Bank building — but wherever it was located the Walloon Post Office has always been the place for people to meet, greet and exchange news. The General Store has also been another favorite gathering place for Wallooners over the years. Once called the W.H. Ransom General Store, it was later owned by L.A. Spalding who sold it to his son-in-law Ross Renwick. Many people remember the picturesque wooden two story building that housed the general store during those days, but unfortunately it burned in 1972. A smaller, one story building was eventually constructed for the store; it is currently owned by Linda and Calvin Penfold. Today the General Store still remains a place to meet for coffee or a Wallooner sandwich, pick up groceries or chat with lake friends. It has also become the preferred spot to buy Walloon shirts, memorabilia and other gifts. Many Wallooners have fond memories of the General Store from their younger days. “One of the favorite activities of the children along the North Shore was to walk the path to the Foot.” recounts Lucia Oelz. “My sisters and I started that activity when we were six or seven with a dime clutched in our hand for a comic book to bring back from Ross’s general store. And sometimes a bit more for an ice cream cone from the famous marble soda fountain there. Through the years we would pick up mail, check out the racing standings on the board outside the store, and then start home along the North Shore Path, visiting with families along the way.” Lauren Macintyre has similar memories. “Nearly every single morning we would walk the North Shore path to the Village,” she recounts. “We would run through Si’s just for fun to look at the boats, check the mail at the post office and then buy candy and pick up our dad’s newspaper at the General Store.” Going to the Village was often about cinnamon rolls and other sweets. “Cinnamon rolls at the General Store — with LOTS of icing,” Nanette Jacob Derkac recalls. “And ice cream from the soda fountain and comic books and post cards.” And then those boxes of Almeda chocolate sticks ... and the long johns at the Sail Inn. Of course, the other defining characteristic of the Village in summer time was the presence of all those boats...
5 Boats were, quite simply, everywhere around the Village back in those days. Parked in the road on trailers. Being serviced and repaired at Masters Boatworks and Si’s Marina. Boats constantly going back and forth to the Foot, and docked all over as people picked up groceries or gas. Nanette Derkac recalls the thrill of the first time she boated by herself to the Foot at age 12 to pick up groceries, or boating over as a teenager for lunch at the Keyhole. “I also remember the rows and rows of boats stacked on each side of Si’s and Master’s, with walkways down the middle. And people fishing everywhere.” And of course, sailing on the lake itself were the elegant “17” sailboats, unique to Walloon. “Sailing was everything back then,” remarked Link Krimendahl. “It dominated our lives.”
If you are interested in more information about the history of North Shore and the Village, try Karla Howard Buckmaster’s excellent web site walloonlakewanderings.weebly.com.
DID YOU KNOW: Fun Facts
The Walloon Lake Inn Is One of the Lake’s Most Historic Buildings
Although we all know it for its elegant dinners and inviting ambience, our beloved Walloon Lake Inn has an interesting and storied past. Originally known as Fern Cottage, it was built by the Bixby family in the 1890’s and operated as a resort. At one time it included several large buildings as well as eleven surrounding cottages, but eventually only the original building remained. After the Trixler family bought Fern Cottage in 1948, it was renamed the Silver Birch Inn, and operated under various owners. Roger and Anne Srigley purchased the inn and the surrounding cottages from Marv and Eloise Nickey in 1971, and changed its name to the one we all know best, the Walloon Lake Inn. The cottages were eventually sold separately. The Srigleys owned the Walloon Lake Inn for ten years, and then sold it to chef David Beier in 1981. David operated it as a gourmet restaurant, cooking school and bed and breakfast until 2014, when it was sold to Matt Borisch.
Many Wallooners remember the “old days” in the Village, when boat works and marinas dominated the scenery. Pictured are Master’s Boat Works and Si’s Marina, on the approximate site of today’s Barrel Back.
One of the oldest buildings on the lake, today the Walloon Lake Inn continues its legacy as a favorite gathering place for Wallooners.
The Wallooner
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WALLOON WINTER MEET UP
We hosted the second annual “Nifty Thrifty” Winter Walloon Meet-Up at the Petoskey Snow Mobile Club on Tuesday, February 11th. With 40+ Wallooners in attendance, it was a nice reminder of our warm little community’s presence outside of the summer season. If you missed out, there is always next year! Great food, lots of laughs and good company.
WLAC thanks our event volunteers:
» Ernie & Judy Mainland » Pam & Dennis Roudi » Betony & Keith Braddock
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CAMP DAGGETT
Great Cause, Great Venue, Great Fun Submitted by Danny Fellin, WLAC Trustee, Communications + Outreach Committee Chair, Membership Committee Chair
You know Summer has arrived at Walloon when it’s time for the Camp Daggett Golf Outing. This year it will be held on June 4th at the Walloon Lake Country Club. 2020 will be the event’s 17th year. While it is truly one of the best events of the year, the support it provides the Camp is the real winner. Over the past ten years, the golf outing has raised over $500,000. Camp Daggett has been a Walloon treasure since 1925, this year will be it’s 95th year serving our young people. Last year was my first time playing and I don’t plan on missing it again. My team didn’t come close to winning, but we had an awesome time. It’s golf at Walloon Lake, just doesn’t get any better than that.
The day starts with lunch on the veranda, followed by 18 holes of golf. After golf everyone gathers on the porch to relax and socialize during the cocktail hour while placing their final bids on really selective items via a silent and live auction. The event ends with a sit-down steak dinner, of course vegetarian options are available. After dinner it’s time to hop on your boat and head home. It’s a great start to the Summer and golf season. If you don’t play golf, you can still come for cocktail hour and dinner – for a fee of course. If you are interested in playing and haven’t signed up, just contact Grace Ketchum at grace.ketchum@campdaggett.com. Or you can go to campdaggett.org for more information.
Hotel Walloon, Hospitality from a Bygone Era Submitted by Emily Jensen, Hotel Walloon
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ecapturing the sense of place and vintage charm that had epitomized Walloon Lake Village’s identity for so long – while no easy feat – was the driving vision behind the design of Hotel Walloon. “The people at the Township Hall, Planning Committee, Township Board, and the lady at the grocery store: everybody had their input and had good ideas,” Borisch said. The development reflected the Village’s historic character while incorporating walkable entities, white clapboard buildings,
public spaces and parks downtown, repurposed structures and relocated historic cottages from the lake to add a distinctive atmosphere.
Framed artifacts such as ice fishing lures, boat flags, and featherhead wooden darts that are found around the Hotel were purchased from an antique Hotel Walloon’s floorplan was designed dealer in the village or discovered by to cater to the guest experience, and pickers in Charlevoix and Petoskey. the visual aesthetics capture the turn Hotel Walloon, while only a piece behind of the century charm, inspired by the the revitalization in the village, serves as quintessential Northern Michigan hotel a crucial link between the past twentieth during Walloon Lake Village’s tourism century charm and hospitality that once peak nearly 100 years ago. The designers helped the community thrive. Through its drew inspiration from old photographs intentional and thoughtful design, Hotel of the five hotels that previously existed Walloon has captured the je ne sais quoi around Walloon Lake. of hospitality from a bygone era.
The Wallooner
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GREEN LIGHT SOLUTION
at US 131 - M 75 INTERSECTION
Submitted by Mary Pat Goldich, WLAC Trustee Government Affairs Committee Chairperson
State officials recommended installation of a traffic signal and other measures to address safety concerns at the US 131 - M 75 intersection in Melrose Township. Six months after a public meeting, a road safety audit, and a federal study, the state formulated their plan. Given the volume of traffic, the poor sight lines, the chorus of safety concerns stated at the public meeting and in writing, the state recommended the installation of a traffic signal, and “signal ahead” signs
Dock Installation Man vs. Machine T
Submitted by Ralph Miesel, WLAC Trustee, as told by Alan West
he basis of installation and removal of docks hasn’t changed much. They still need to get from the shore to the water and be installed as straight and level as possible. The biggest changes came over time with the increase of a dock system’s overall size. I can recall about 25 years ago many docks were only 3 ft wide and 8 sections long with one 3600# rated hoist. As families have grown so have their needs and boating interests. Now my average dock system’s are compiled of 24 sections and 3 hoists. Some of these hoists are rated up to 7000#. The first hoist I moved and stored off site required the use of 2 guys, an oar boat, chains and a hand come along. It was a long push down the shoreline from Fox Run to the storage location near Reycraft Rd. Fortunately we had a tail wind to push us, and it took us a mere 4 hours round trip. Thankfully those tools have been ungraded over the years from an oar boat to a simple pontoon with a cleared deck. And now we have a Fork Barge that I’ve named “Big Al” in honor of my dad the guy who first introduced me to working on this beautiful lake.
with flashing beacons on US 131. The traffic signal will use traffic sensing technology allowing the signal to remain green longer for US 131 traffic when there is no traffic on M 75. While the timeline for implementation is 1 to 2 years, the state is considering placement of signs with flashing beacons on US 131 in the interim. Long term, better, and more costly solutions proposed by the state include cutting down the terrain and installing a round about. THANK YOU to everyone that sent letters, made calls and attended the public meeting.
The number 1 challenge is finding and keeping help because the task is very physically demanding work. Long days and weeks typically all 7 of them is what is required to take care of the customer’s needs. It’s easy for me to think ahead to a warm summer day on Walloon, but my reality is we are in the water from the day the ice comes off until all the docks are in. Memorial Day weekend being our benchmark. We are back at it after Labor Day until mid November. “Big Al” the Fork Barge was not an easy purchase. I looked into purchasing one for a few years. We could never make sense of the numbers and they still don’t make sense. That said, mechanical parts and equipment can be found and replaced a lot easier than good workers. Of course the less wear and tear on one’s body is a favorite point for all of us workers. It makes no difference to the Barge if it’s a PWC hoist or a 7000# hoist. Sure it groans more under the weight of the larger hoist but parts are replaceable. Over the years one of my biggest concerns and challenges of hoist installation and removal has been the disruption of rock shorelines. The Fork Barge simply picks the hoist up and removes or places the hoist on shore. No more dragging rocks into the water then placing back into the wall. I feel the use of the Barge will aid with less shoreline disruption that leads to erosion.
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SOUND OFF for Summer! Submitted by Steve Dutton, WLAC Safety Committee Member
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Join the WLAC Family
pring is upon us! What an exciting time as we eagerly anticipate the prospect of enjoying the recreational he mission of the Walloon Lake Association and and restorative aspects of our cherished Walloon Lake Conservancy is “To conserve, care for and enhance the resource during the summer months. Hallmarks of this resource include our pristine water, and the beautiful and connection of people to Walloon Lake and its watershed, now and forever.” serene setting in which we enjoy it. An issue of increasing concern among Wallooners, is Your membership is critical to help support the the loud audio sound emanating from powerful speakers organization’s important work: water quality monitoring; on boats cruising the lake. Many of us may not realize invasive species monitoring and control; placing and how effectively sound carries over an expansive body of maintaining safety buoys around the lake; protecting land water, particularly in the stillness of the early morning and in the Walloon Lake watershed; educating our members on evening hours. The amplified music you are enjoying from best shoreland protection practices; and, of course, our your boat can become an unwelcome intrusion upon your annual Membership Directory and Wallooner newsletter. neighbors, even some distance away. In addition to not Also, as a 501(c)3 organization a portion of your $95.00 being very neighborly, the playing of any music at a volume membership is tax deductible. that disturbs the quiet and comfort of others, violates our If you miss the April 1st deadline for inclusion in the Directory, adjacent township noise ordinances. you will be listed in one of the upcoming Wallooner So, this summer, let’s adopt a “Sound Off” approach to the audio from our boat speakers. Mute the speakers or set the volume at a level that is contained within the boat. You’ll still have a great time, and your neighbors will appreciate it!
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newsletters, so go to our website, www.walloon.org, or mail a check to the office at P. O. Box 579, Walloon Lake, MI 49796, and renew your Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy Membership today!
Be Safe, Be Responsible, Be Considerate!
LAKE AMBASSADORS NEEDED
What is an Ambassador? Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy (WLAC) defines an Ambassador as a Champion of, and purveyor of information about the organization. Here are a few things WLAC Lake Ambassador’s do:
» IMPROVE COMMUNICATION - Lake Ambassadors are key communicators in their neighborhoods, the ones always “in the know!”
» INCREASE VISIBILITY - In all neighborhoods around
Walloon Lake, and its surrounding watershed by talking about the organization with neighbors and friends both on and off Walloon Lake. Membership in the WLAC is for everyone who loves Walloon Lake, and wants to see it remain as pristine tomorrow as it is today.
» INCREASE PARTICIPATION - Invite people to participate and feel part of the WLAC family by inviting them to attend events, such as “Walloon Women’s Breakfast”, Wander Walloon Walks, Celebrate Walloon or other events.
» PARTICIPATE IN THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE -
Attend Membership Committee meetings when you are able; help us strategize ways to increase membership and improve upon the services we currently provide our members.
Most of all-Have Fun! If this sounds like something you would be interested in or if you would like more information, please email Cindy Hayes at, cindy@walloon.org.
TREASURES YOU NEED!
Spring is coming which means Spring cleaning. So for those lake items you have stored away and don’t use anymore, now is the time to find a new home for them. Let them enjoy lake life again by listing them on the Walloon Marketplace. The Walloon Marketplace. It’s free and easy. Just go to Facebook and type in Walloon Lake Marketplace in the search bar, then you are in and ready to go. Last year some of the items sold were Sundance sailboat, shuffleboard table, window air conditioners, 2015 Ford Mustang, iPhone 8, SeaDoo XP Jet Ski, baby crib, swim raft, 19ft Chris Craft Bow Rider, furniture, 1961 Willys Wagon. The marketplace is a private online site exclusive to WLAC members. No item is too big or too small to be listed on the Walloon Marketplace. It’s time to let you unused stuff find a new lake home.
The Wallooner
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Shoreline Stewardship Submitted by Jennifer DeMoss, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
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alloon Lake is a special place in Northern Michigan. With a shoreline of over 30 miles, excellent water quality, and a fascinating glacial history, Walloon rewards residents and visitors with fantastic recreation opportunities. Having the chance to spend time on Michigan’s inland lakes—including sharing one’s property with family and friends, and perhaps passing it down to a loved one—can make lakeside inhabitants want to preserve their investment well into the future. Fortunately, people who enjoy the lakeside lifestyle have many tools available to preserve Walloon’s natural beauty, including the expertise of Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council staff. This year in The Wallooner, the Watershed Council will offer a series of articles on shoreline stewardship for those who want to take simple steps to preserve Walloon Lake’s beauty and recreation opportunities. This first article is on vegetative buffer zones and how they contribute to lake health. In terms of shoreline stewardship, a buffer zone is an area of vegetation that can protect bodies of water from pollution runoff, provide habitat for wildlife, and offer property owners a chance to relax from the grind of continuous lawn maintenance. Buffer zones will look different for everyone depending upon the property, but the most effective ones extend from the water’s edge to 35 feet away from the shoreline. A healthy buffer zone will have at least 75% of this area covered with native plants, including trees and shrubs. This doesn’t mean that homeowners need to get rid of their lawns entirely. Landscapes can be managed to provide plenty of space for human recreation. It just means that a majority of space in the buffer zone is reserved for plants that stabilize the shoreline and prevent property damage.
the shoots”? Many plants that love Michigan shorelines have deep roots that stabilize soil, filter out pollutants, and prevent harmful algae overgrowth. How about a lawn dotted with tall, purple-blue New England asters, cream colored turtlehead flowers, and the pink bells of obedient plants? Fragrant sweet gale bushes love to grow at the water’s edge, as do ninebark shrubs and sweet nannyberries. You can make the buffer zone your own creative work of art, adding native plants that appeal to your aesthetic sensibilities while also maintaining the water quality you depend upon. The nice thing about native lakeshore plants is that they thrive without a lot of tending, which translates to less time spent seeding and manicuring a lawn. Native plant buffer zones aren’t just there for humans to enjoy; wildlife also benefits. Imagine having a backyard that serves as habitat for butterflies and other native insects. Birders will appreciate the variety of bird species that feed on native fruits and seeds from the buffer zone. Tree branches and other woody debris that fall into the lake will provide cover for fish, and habitat for lake invertebrates and countless other wildlife species. The buffer zone will also slow down sheets of water flowing from lawns into Walloon Lake, providing more time for plants to collect nutrients. A buffer zone near your shoreline will provide an opportunity that is increasingly rare for those living in more developed areas: the chance to witness an abundance of animals in their natural habitats. Whether you’re a birder, an angler, or just the kind of person who enjoys beautiful water and serene summers, you could benefit from a buffer zone on your property. The time and money you spend on caring for a turf lawn could be used for boating or relaxing with friends. Fewer nutrients leaching into the lake from stormwater can help control troublesome algae growths that lakefront property owners dread each year. Walloon Lake could benefit, too, with better water health that translates to better recreation opportunities for you. A National Lakes Assessment Survey estimates that 50% of inland lakes have poor nearshore habitat, meaning that there is too little vegetation on the shore and in the water. Shoreline stewardship at Walloon Lake can change that statistic while protecting the Lake, beloved homes, and wildlife habitat.
Some lakeside properties host mostly lawn grass. What’s wrong with that? Common turf grasses have short roots that can’t withstand heavy waves or ice push. These short-rooted grasses can encourage erosion. Additionally, lawn grasses like Kentucky bluegrass can’t effectively filter stormwater runoff that can contribute to algal blooms. And have we mentioned geese? While waterfowl are wonderful, geese love to hang out Learn more about being a Michigan Shoreland Steward at on manicured lawns, and their droppings and territorial nature www.mishorelandstewards.org, or contact us at Tip of the Mitt can make it hard to enjoy the shoreline. Watershed Council. Visit our website, www.watershedcouncil. So what’s the solution? Try a buffer zone filled with native org, email us at info@watershedcouncil.org, or plants. Ever heard the saying, “The deeper the roots, the taller call 231-347-1181.
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Come sail with us on
Walloon Lake
Five Reasons your kids should learn to sail
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Self Confidence Spatial Awareness Sense of Direction Weather Knowledge Shipshape Habits
[NOTE TO MITCHELL - include full page Walloon Sailors Graphic Here]
Lessons YOUTH PROGRAM Children 7+ June 22 - August 14 Mon - Fri 10 - 12:30
FAMILY PROGRAM WALLOON SAILORS + WALLOON YACHT CLUB Families, adults, and/or young sailors July 7 - July 30 Tues & Thurs 2-4 pm $30/skipper and $10/crew member WYC sponsored cookout after the July 7 classes
Walloon Lake 231-373-7822
KEY DATES July 16 Sailabration July 22 Venetian Cup July 24 Parent Child July 27 - July 31 Walloon Cup July 28 17 Day August 4 Peabody Novice COST OF LESSONS $30/day or $120/week All Walloon Sailors Instructors are US Sailing Certified Meet at the WLCC
walloonsailorsinc.godaddysites.com
The Wallooner
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Walloon Lake & Surrounds: Enjoyed by All Submitted by Elizabeth Gertz Looze, Challenge Mountain Executive Director
Four-season beauty is why so many choose to call northern Michigan home. We live, work and play here—drawn by recreational opportunities, leisure activities, and strong communities. We treasure making lifetime memories while experiencing everything our woodlands and waters have to offer.
Imagine, for a moment, not having access to outdoor abundance. A lake that you can see from the shore but never experience by boat; trails you’ve heard about but never bike or hike; rivers that you can enjoy from the riverbank but never by kayak; ski hills that you can admire from a distance but never feel the exhilaration of skiing down. It would be like living on the sidelines, something many adults and children with disabilities experience. Challenge Mountain, a non-profit organization located in the hills of Walloon, removes barriers through year-round adaptive recreation.
» SPRING — Adaptive Biking and Hiking at Area Parks | Equine Therapy
» SUMMER — Kayaking, Boating, Fishing and Picnicking at Jones Landing | Spirit Day Camp Week-long Activities
» FALL — Ropes Courses and Adventure at Camp Daggett | Adaptive Biking and Hiking
» WINTER — Adaptive Skiing at the Challenge Mountain Lodge at Walloon Hills | Snowshoeing | Hiking
Challenge Mountain participants gain personal fulfillment through a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of acceptance that translates positively into everyday life. Programs are more than having fun on a boat ride, climbing a ropes course or skiing down a hill. Activities provide positive individual and group development while building social skills and self-confidence.
“At Challenge Mountain, we believe that all people, regardless of ability, should have opportunities to experience life and adventure,” explains Executive Director Elizabeth Looze. “Participants realize their personal value, strengths and abilities while becoming stronger individuals and community members.” Learn more about Challenge Mountain programs at challengemtn.org or by calling 231.582.1186.
1. What was the original name of the Village? 2. What are the names of the two camps that became Camp Michigania?
3. In what year did the Hemingways build Windemere? 4. Boarding & guide services, and some say dancing,
were offered to fishermen visiting Walloon at Wooden’s Landing. Where was that located?
5. Most of us know where Randall’s Point is, but what other name did it have?
6. How many miles is it from the tip of the West Arm to the Foot?
7. Of the 11,000 lakes in Michigan, what is Walloon’s rank
How Well Do You Know Walloon?
Can you answer these questions about Walloon?!
in size?
8. What well-known professional golfer played Walloon Lake Country Club many times as a young boy?
9. How many miles of shore line does Walloon have? 10. There was once a 90 ft. steamboat on Walloon that sank off Eagle Island. What was its name?
Check your answers against the correct responses on Page 14!
Spring 2020
13
Walloon Recipes! Submitted by Ernie Mainland, Fund Development Committee Member
Sweet Potato Soup Serves 8, 1± cup each INGREDIENTS
» 4 tbs unsalted butter » 2 cups yellow onions, chopped. 1
large onion provided a bit more that 2 cups. I used all of the onion.
» 1 tbs curry powder » 2 tbs minced ginger (I used the ginger in a tube by Gourmet Garden)
» 1 pound carrots, peeled and chopped
(Brush bread with curry infused melted INSTRUCTIONS butter, cube, and dry in oven.) 1. Preheat oven to 400°, conventional oven FREEZING 2. Layout tart shells on rimmed half This soup can be frozen for up to 3 baking sheet months. Defrost in refrigerator for 12 hours, then reheat on stove top over 3. Melt butter, let cool a little bit so you don’t scramble the eggs. medium heat. » Use 2 quart sauce pan for this I recommend if you need to double or quantity more the quantity, make single batches
and freeze. Accumulate the needed 4. Beat in eggs slowly to melted butter. amount for the event. (Use electric hand mixer.)
5. Beat in next four ingredients » 2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and If you do not have a stick or immersion 6. Plump currents or raisins (I plump into 1 inch pieces
About the blender(s):
chopped into 1 inch pieces. Weigh at the grocery store to have a bit more than 2 pounds.
blender, I will loan you mine. It will not them in brandy! Then drink the do a complete job of pureeing the soup. brandy as a cook’s treat.) But give it ten minutes in the pot. Right 7. Place currents in tart shells in the center, don’t move it around. 8. Fill tart shells 2/3 full, remix filling Then get a ladle and find the pieces of often as the brown sugar tends either carrot or sweet potatoes that did to settle to the bottom of the not puree. Put them in a regular blender container. and smooth everything out. 9. Bake until bubbly, approximately When I made a second batch of soup, 15 - 20 minutes. Remember the tart prior to using either type of blender, I shells have been pre-baked! You are used as “spider” to put the veggies in a cooking the filling only. potato ricer and into a separate bowl. » For gooey tarts, 15 minutes. For When all had gone thru the ricer, back firm tarts, 20 minutes into the pot and then first the stick blender then the classic blender. Could Addendum: 18 minutes total, rotate I have gone directly from the pot to the baking sheet half way. Bake one sheet classic blender? Probably. pan of 12 tarts at a time. Plump raisins in brandy, 5 per tart. Line baking sheet with foil to catch the inevitable drips Butter Tarts, Master Recipe and overflows. Make the filling a day Filling for 24 tarts, more or less or two ahead to lessen the work-load. Using pre-baked 3” tart shells (You can Save the left-over filling if you are also make your own, using pre-made going to make more with a week or so. pie crust, cut to fit sprayed large muffin pan.)
» 8 cups (64 ounces) low sodium
chicken broth. Use a good quality broth such as Swanson.
» 1 ¾ teaspoons salt » 1 tart yet sweet apple, such as
Honeycrisp or Fuji, peeled, cored and chopped
» 2 tablespoons honey INSTRUCTIONS In a large pot (I used a classic cast iron dutch oven and it filled to one inch of the top) melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring frequently, until soft and translucent. About 10 minutes. Do not brown the onions. Add curry powder and ginger; cook for one more minute.
Add carrots, sweet potatoes, chicken broth and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer until the vegetables are very tender, about 25 Ingredients: minutes. » 2 sticks (1/4 # each) unsalted butter
Stir in the apples and the honey. Simmer » 5 whole eggs for another 10 minutes. » 2 cups light brown sugar Using either a potato ricer, potato » 1 cup light corn syrup OR ½ cup corn masher, a stick blender or a classic syrup and ½ cup Grade A Dark Maple blender, puree until very smooth. See Syrup notes and tips on the other side of this » 2 tablespoons white vinegar page. Season to taste with salt, pepper and » 2 tablespoons good quality imitation vanilla extract more honey if necessary. Soup may thicken as it sits, so thin with water a bit. » Currents or golden raisins, 5 or so per tart shell Ladle into cups or bowls, and perhaps garnish with home-made croutons that have been flavored with curry powder.
The Wallooner
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Spotlight
Submitted by Pam Roudi, WLAC Trustee and Board Secretary
Spotlight is a new article that will appear in the Wallooner to help showcase some of the happenings in our area. FEATURING BOYNE CITY There are a number of new restaurants and businesses, too, (Spuds Warehouse is opening Spring 2020, in the building where the Sportsman’s used to be) that have recently opened over the fall and winter, and a few hopefully to open this spring. Let’s start on Water Street... New Businesses
» Provisions Wine Lounge » Hoppy Hound - Coffee Shop » Sunnyside Restaurant - Breakfast/Brunch Joint » Spuds Boyne- Unique Retail Shop
Business News
» Parkside Grill was purchased by the owners of Pig's Eatin Ribs. They have not released an opening date.
» Thick N Juicy was sold and will reopen as a breakfast/
lunch restaurant called Eggs N Anchors. The new owner has not shared a timeline, but we can’t wait!
» Spuds Boyne, a new retail store featuring furniture and
home décor, was awarded a $25,000 MEDC grant, which is being matched with $57,000 in private investment. The new store is projected to open soon in the former Sportsman Bar location on North Lake Street, creating three full-time jobs and one part-time job.
And....
» Boyne River Inn is still closed and for sale. » Parkside Family Dentistry will be moving to their new building soon. The new building is on the site of the former Robert's Restaurant on N. Lake St.
» Create Art Studio is closed.
ANSWERS TO WALLOON TRIVIA:
1. Talcott 2. Camps Sherwood and Huntingdon
3. 1900 4. On Indian Garden Road, on the west side
5. of the North Arm. 6. Air Castle Point
7. 9.2 miles 8. 22nd 9. Tom Watson 10. 30 miles 11. The Tourist
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Spring 2020
15
In Memoriam…
If you have a loved one who has recently passed and would like to submit a memorial story in the next issue of the Wallooner, please let us know.
Richard “Dick” Mendell
R
ichard “Dick” Mendell passed away from Alzheimer’s on June 13, 2018 in central Texas. Richard, his wife Mary Ann, and their children Doug and Mary-Jane, spent every August on the West Arm from 1965-2000. Prior to that, the family often visited Dick’s father Stephen Mendell & his wife Eileen, who summered on the North Arm from 1950-1982. Dick was a Michigan State alum who worked as an auditor for Upjohn Pharmaceuticals for 35 years. He lived in Kalamazoo until Mary Ann’s death in 2007, then moved to Austin, TX to be near daughter Mary-Jane. He passed away at a hospice care center with his favorite photo of the West Arm on his nightstand. The Mendell
family is from a bygone era on the lake, with many fond memories of sailing, fishing, Harrington’s Marina & Wayne’s care of their Kayot pontoon (serial code # 0004!), playing Scrabble with the Gersdorffs, visiting with Hazel Reycraft & Sunny Hemingway, and enjoying dinner with the Neffs. For any long-time residents of the lake who remember Dick Mendell, please consider making a donation to the Walloon Lake Association in his memory, enjoying a whisky sour on your dock at sunset, or by simply remembering him the next time you catch a keeper at the head of the lake.
Mary Campbell Lewis
M
ary Campbell Lewis, of Columbus, Ohio, died February 8, 2020 at the age of 94. She was born on January 10, 1926, in Columbus, Ohio, to Kenyon Campbell and Mary Pittenger Campbell. In 1948, she married John (Jack) Kirby Wetherbee and they had three daughters: Ellen, Linda and Janice. Jack died in 1974. In 1986, she married Charles (Charlie) Lewis, and Mary gained four new stepchildren: Marty, Carol, Michael and Steven. Mary lived in Columbus most of her life, and also lived in Binghamton New York, Middletown Ohio, and Yuba City California. Her favorite place, however, was the family cottage on Walloon Lake near Petoskey Michigan, where she spent time most summers from 1930 until recent years. Mary graduated from Upper Arlington High School and The Ohio State University, and was an OSU fan for life. She spent many years raising her daughters, but after Jack died she went to work as a medical secretary and and office manager. She was an active volunteer at Trinity United Methodist Church, Friendship Village of Dublin and other organizations. Mary is survived by her daughters, Ellen Wetherbee Rosewall (Michael), Linda Wetherbee, and Jan Wetherbee Easley (Steve); stepchildren Marty Lewis (Ken Fraser), Carol Lewis, Michael Lewis and Steve Lewis (Marta); grandchildren Kenyon Rosewall, Matthew Easley (fiancée Laura Kilian), Carlos Lewis and Julio Lewis; cousins Carolyn Whipps Leick, Edward Whipps, Dorothy Ann Kreinbihl; sister-in-law Patricia Wetherbee and many other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband John K. Wetherbee; second husband Charles Lewis; and sisters Jane Campbell Hawk (Roger) and Carolyn Campbell Jones (Richard) and stepbrother Charles Hyatt (Eleanor).
Honorarium Donations A donation was made by Dawn Garber and Family in honor of the marriage of John and Libby Marklewitz. Did you know that you can make donations in honor of birthdays, marriages, milestones and everything in between? Donations to the Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy are a special way to honor the ones you love, as well as the land and lake that we care so deeply about. To make a donation in honor of someone you love, go to our website, www.walloon.org
The Wallooner
16
Find us online and on social media
Berlin Gardens Patio, Deck and Dock Furniture
Instagram walloonforever
Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy
Online
walloon.org
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...all with beautiful views of Walloon Lake 4160 US Highway 131 (231) 347-0011 Coveyouscenicfarm.com
Spring 2020
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17
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The Wallooner
18
TM
w
ep
ar
w
w.
t
A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Program
a .g o v / s e p t i c s
m
Do Your Part
Get SepticSmart Don’t Strain Your Drains
Think at the Sink
Don’t Overload the Commode
Shield Your Field
Septic Tank Groundwater Recharge
Well
Test Your Well
Aquifer
Protect It and Inspect It—Have your system inspected every three years and have your tank pumped every three to five years. • • • •
Think at the Sink: Avoid pouring fats, grease and solids down the drain. Don’t Overload the Commode: Only put things in the drain or toilet that belong there. Don’t Strain Your Drain: Be water efficient and spread out water use. Shield Your Field: Remind guests not to park or drive on a system’s drainfield, where the weight could cause damage. • Test Your Well: If you’re on a well, test the water annually.
Spring 2020
19
Calendar OF EVENTS
Make sure to check our Facebook page, visit our website or subscribe to our monthly e-mails for up to date information on our events!
FRIDAY, MAY 8 | 12:00 PM
Wander Walloon – Morel Mushroom Hike, Wildwood Preserve
FRIDAY, JUNE 12 | 12:00 PM
Wander Walloon – Wildflower Hike, Fields Preserve
FRIDAY, JUNE 19 | 4:00 – 6:00 PM Volunteer Open House, WLAC Office
SATURDAY, JUNE 20 | 7:30 AM Walloon Paddle – Location TBD
SATURDAY, JUNE 27 | 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM Forestry Management Workshop – Location TBD
FRIDAY, JULY 17 | TIME TDB
Save The Date! Walloon Woman’s Breakfast
MONDAY, JULY 20 | 6:00 PM
Walloon Women’s Paddle – Location TBD
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13TH, 2020
Save the Date! WLAC Fundraiser @ Walloon Lake Country Club
FRIDAY AUGUST 21 | 12:00 PM. Honey Bee Day - Location TBD
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 11 | 5:30 PM Mushroom Hike - Location TBD
FRIDAY OCTOBER 16TH | 5:30 PM Spooky Hike - Location TBD
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 6 | 12:00 PM Foraging Walk - Location TBD
FRIDAY DECEMBER 11 | 4:30 PM Snowshoe
and
S’mores - Location TBD
Event Committee Volunteers needed! Call or email our Executive Director, Josephine Roberts at 231-535-6112, josephine@walloon.org
Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy needs you! The Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy works to preserve and protect this place we all love so much. There are many volunteer opportunities, and it’s a great way to meet fellow Wallooners and develop friendships. The WLAC is run by a volunteer board and committees, please consider joining a committee or submitting a resume for board service. If you are interested in serving on a board or on a committee, please contact the office by calling 231-535-6112 or by email at wla-wltc@walloon.org
Answer: Fineout Creek
The Wallooner is published three times per year. In March/April, June/July and November/December, by the Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy, 4060 M-75 N Suite 102, P.O. Box 579, Walloon Lake, MI 49796 Phone (231) 535-6112; Fax (231) 535-6114; E-mail wla-wltc@walloon.org; Web www.walloon.org. ŠCopyright 1975 Walloon Lake Association and Walloon Lake Trust and Conservancy
Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy Trustees Dave Deal President
Lauren Macintyre Vice President
Pam Roudi Secretary
John Hegener Treasurer
Greg Adams Marianne Barry Betony Braddock Jennifer Buchanan Connor Dennis Mike Eberhart Danny Fellin
Mary Pat Goldich Michael Hatch Rusell Kittleson John Marklewitz Terry Marrs Ralph Miesel Bill Sarran
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 217 Petoskey, MI 49770 Post Office Box 579 Walloon Lake, MI 49796 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Can you name this important tributary on Walloon Lake? | The answer is on the bottom of page 19.
