Fall/Winter 2011

FILA P.O. Box 851, Traverse City MI 49685 FILA is 501c3 Non-Profit Donations Tax Deductable

FILA ANNUAL MEETING MONDAY

December 126-8pm

Potluck/Season Update TOP FLOOR

Centre Point Building 12935 S West Bay Shore Dr

Traverse City, MI

Mid July and in between a shift in storms Jerry Spears took a work crew of 4 out to the station for a 2 day work session that included an extensive marine survey of the harbor bay east of the station. While exploring the ruins of the original dock 3 discoveries were made. About 30’ out a large 3’x4’ block with an iron ring and the date 1928 carved clearly on the surface was located and about 10’ to the east was a set of 3 concrete steps. Both items are in about 4’ of water and appear in good condition. Another find was a ‘rock’ that turned out to be the remains of a bag of concrete. The image of an Indian from the outside of the bag can still be seen. This was found closer to the shore. The final report was not available at this time but it will bring us one step closer in the journey towards rebuilding the dock and a safe harbor to navigate. Check out more photos on facebook.

Underwater Treasures July 14, 2011 NOAA Marine Archaeologist’s Wayne Lusardi and Danny Bere uncovered historic dock sections and ….

John McKinney, Wayne Lusardi, Catherine Allchin and Danny Bere

FILA is a 501c3 Non Profit

The Fox Island Lighthouse Association, in conjunction

with other sources, will restore and assist in the over-all management of

the South Fox Island Light Station and connecting grounds for the public

good, while maintaining good stewardship.

To learn more about the South Fox Island Light Station, please

visit: www.southfox.org.

Please support our YEAR END APPEAL:

GOAL-Raise: $2000 FOR : Dinghy $1500

Heavy Duty Garden wagon = $100 2 Brush Grubbers @$150 x 2 = $300

2 Root Busters @50 x 2 = $100

November 2011

Appeal from the President

Dear Friend of South Fox Island, As 2011 comes to a close, FILA can look back on another successful and productive season. We participated in 5 festivals and made 4 work trips to the station. The Historic Structures Report will be completed this winter and we look forward to a very active 2012. I have enclosed this personal note to ask for your assistance. As many of you may know, since we started our volunteer work on South Fox, we have always traveled to South Fox in our 29’donated vessel, Light keeper. Once anchored near shore, we have had to go ashore in a smaller inflatable. This was done in a 9’ Avon inflatable. This little boat was a work horse for the many pounds of camping gear, construction materials, and tools and of course our members, volunteers and service groups. However, all good things must come to an end. The Avon was “on loan” to us and the very generous owner, after 5 years, has retrieved it back for his personal use. We could not have done those years of improvements and upgrades without that little boat. Now, FILA need its own inflatable boat to carry on our mission and get the remaining work done on the island. We are in the market for a new 9 ft to 10 ft inflatable with a solid floor (to better handle the loads of construction material and people. The price will be about $1500 for a top quality suitable unit. We already own an outboard motor. Other get-the-job-done tools would greatly help our volunteer. The light station covers about 115 acres. A wagon to haul fire wood, small hand tools, camping gear, construction material, etc. is need. Clearing away brush and undergrowth (and removing the root systems) is on our list of objectives. Brush Grabbers and Root Busters would make our volunteers far more efficient and productive when “battling” stubborn years of growth. We have come this far and are not about to slow down. Much has been done and much more remains. With your help and generous donation, we can do so much more for that “little island” that is a wonderful historic piece of ground. Sincerely, John McKinney, President

SPECIAL MERIT AWARD October 6, 2011 The History Center of Traverse City (formerly the Grand Traverse Heritage Center) presented FILA with Special Merit Award for work on stabilization at the station. HCTC is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and presenting the history of the city of Traverse City as well as the Grand Traverse region. www.gtheritagecenter.org

Island VOLUNTEERS 2011 Thanks to those who made the trip to upkeep the station: Jack and Kathy Snedeker, Andy Batteiger, Doug and Gwen Noren, Don Stauffer, Gary Stauffer, Joey and Molley Webb, John Johnson, Phil Von Voigtlander, Danny Bere, Wayne Lisardi, John McKinney, Catherine Allchin. And all those who helped mainland at festivals.Thank you to all the visitors who stop and explore. Your interest will keep the station preserved for generations to come.

PHOTOs CIRCA LATE 1920’S – 1934 "Frederickson Collection at the NAHA" Northport MI

Sad Passing of First Member

TRAVERSE CITY — Bradley Noel Boese, 60, of Traverse City, passed away Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011. Son of Helen (Beckman) and Milton Boese, he was born on Dec. 24, 1950, in Saginaw.

“I first met Brad while volunteering at the soup kitchen in Traverse City,

Thanksgiving Day 1999. It was because of the shared interest in the Light Station

that Brad and I called a meeting in 2000 and FIEA was formed.” Catherine Allchin, VP

Were it not for his excitement and commitment we would not exist today. A great man, he will be missed. Brad graduated from Bridgeport High School and Michigan State University. He was an accomplished horticulturist and pepper breeder, doing many extensive research projects both here and overseas.

Are you in this photo? Group is from TCAPS students who took trip to island in

1984. Post on guest book: www.southfox.org

Island Opportunity- WANTED: Camper Keepers Summer 2012 The Fox Island Lighthouse Association is seeking Camper-Keepers for the summer 2012 season. Responsibilities include grounds maintenance and greeting occasional visitors. The Light Station occupies the southern 117 acres of a large island in Northern Lake Michigan. Camper-Keepers will need to have independent camping skills and equipment; the several buildings of the Station are not yet prepared for inhabitation. The Lighthouse Association will provide transportation to and from the island. Further information about the Light Station can be found at www.southfox.org. Inquires of interest may be submitted there in the website guest book.

Special need filled. In the last edition, summer 2011, of “South Fox Island Review” a single item appeared on the “Wish List” - A lawn mower. With the clearing of brush and other vegetation from some of the light station grounds, we needed a dependable on site lawn mower to get the job done. Within 24 hours of the mailing of the newsletter, we received a phone call offering an almost new 2010 push lawn mower! Mr. Michael Sinclair, from Northport, no longer needed the mower and had read of our appeal. Naturally, we accepted! Mr. Sinclair resides two houses away from Phil Von Voigtlander, long time FILA volunteer and board member and was able to deliver door to door. Thank you, Michael Sinclair for this generous gift.

Search South Fox Light Station

Regular postings on trips, new photos, project updates etc.

Become a FAN Stay a FAN!

Sept. 24, 2011 Harvest Festival Pancake Breakfast and Brat

lunch Successful for FILA

Johnsonville Brats, whole wheat pancakes, coffee, tea, fresh apple cider and ice cream were on the menu during the Old Fashioned Harvest Festival at the Leelanau State Park. The all day event featured a pancake breakfast followed by brats for lunch. Several other non profits took part as well as arts and crafts vendor. All the food items and paper products were donated by several local grocery stores and retailers in N.W. Michigan. Even with a not-so-good weather during the day, this outing proved to be a successful fund raiser and a great time for the volunteers and hungry visitors to the Festival.

Brad Boese 1984 trip to

station.

Island Shuttle

Congratulations to Phil VonVoigtlander and Donald Stauffer on their new purchase of a Starcraft! They have generously offered use of their boat for transporting volunteer work groups to the island. This is a much more efficient vessel than the 29’ Cruiser Lightkeeper and will ensure continued support of the station. Thank you for your help!

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HELP WANTED

Fox Island Lighthouse Assoc. PO Box 851 Traverse City MI 49685

MEMBERSHIP FORM DATE ________ ___New ____ Renew

Name (please print) ________________________________ Address ________________________________City, State, Zip ________________________________ E-mail ________________________________Phone ________________________________ _____$25 ___$50 ___$100____ Other Membership includes subscription to “Fox Island Views” Newsletter and the opportunity to join work crews on the island, participate at festival events.

9 Please check this box if you would like to receive the book: The Fox Islands, North and South by Kathleen Craker Firestone. *Donations of $100 or more please

Mail to: FILA PO Box 851 Traverse City MI 49685

President John McKinney 231-947-1926

www.southfox.org

Saving the world from bad pizza since 1980 Family Owned – find us on FACEBOOK

www.crustedcreations.com

231-947-2626 231-943-3113 Traverse City, MI 49684

Thank you! Northport Bay Boat Yard for years of continued service and support. 231-386-5151 www.npbby.com

FILA group needs your talents and support!

Membership Coordinator responsibilities include

updating database, sending renewal notices and

encouraging new membership

Contact John Wells

231-933-0125 kjwells@speednetllc.com

Financial Manager

Monitor expenses vs. budget, over all cash flow.

Bookeeping. Contact

Pres John McKinney 231-947-1926

Mckinne8@msu.edu

Graphic Designer Contact Cat Allchin

231-883-7645 miboatlady@gmail.com

FILA ANNUAL MEETING

MONDAY December 12

6-8pm Details inside

Marine Surveys / Consulting

Maintenance / Repair / Installations Rigging / Commissioning

Boat Deliveries

231-709-6666