Thumb Resorter - June 26, 2020

TRAVEL INFORMATION • SHOPPING • SCHEDULES • FESTIVALS • EVENTS • WEATHER • FAMILY FUN • AND MORE

June 26, 2020

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IN THIS ISSUE:

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Thumb state parks offer unique finds ........ 3 ‘Trop rock,’ burgers a winning combination for Caseville ........................... 5 Huron County lighthouses offer a glimpse into history......................... 8 Turnip Rock a major tourist attraction .....14 Reflecting on Huron Community Fair ......15

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The Octagon Barn will undergo a 6-week repair project beginning at the end of June. The rest of the agricultural museum will be open to the public for individual tours. All summer events are canceled. (Bill Diller/For the Tribune)

Historic barn offers fun and education in Tuscola County AURORA ABRAHAM aurora.abraham@hearstnp.com

“Everyone is feeling that same uncertainty of how we can manage large crowds without guidelines,” she GAGETOWN —The Thumb Octasaid. “It’s not safe at this time to do gon Barn lies in Tuscola County that.” about one mile northeast of GageThe Octagon Barn is one of 11 main town. Originally built as a 15-room attractions of the Agricultural Musehome, it is the largest barn in Michi- um. The One Room Country School gan, attracting nearly 20,000 visitors was originally donated from Sebeper year. waing. Shortly after, they received a In March, they announced their plethora of donated school items that cancellation of the school tours that they did not have storage space for, so were scheduled May 13-15. Plans a museum for one-room schools was have begun for next year’s tour, created. themed: “The Farm Family!” The Another site is the Grain Elevator museum closed toward the end of that features vintage equipment to April and announced recently they demonstrate how they used to work will open in July. Friends group past in the 19th century. The elevator President Rose Putnam says they will was retrieved from a steel building have a date by the end of June. in Cass City. A Cider Mill is also The Octagon Barn, however, will featured on the property, with a undergo a six-week repair project 1914 cider press donated about five that was originally planned a while years ago. The Sugar Shack, built in back but was delayed due to the pan- 2009, demonstrates syrup making. demic.

The Blacksmith Shop, constructed Due to the coronavirus, only indiin 2010, houses a Bradley Compact vidual tours will be available. They Power Hammer dating back to the will be open Tuesday through Satur- late 1800s. Also in it are two blackday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday noon- smith stations with appropriate 5 p.m. equipment. In addition, they built All scheduled summer events have a historical-looking covered bridge been canceled. July events originally with material from the barn and scheduled included a Music Weekcedar shake shingles. end, a Themed Tea Party, and an Other attractions include the Open House Weekend. The Annual Purdy House, which replicates the Volunteer Picnic and Auction was home of the original owner. A powpostponed until Aug. 16, followed erhouse also built by the owner has days later by Teamwork and Timbers, been reconstructed but it is believed but both have since been canceled. that the owner purposed it to power Also, on the list of cancellations are his farm. The Munro Building, September’s events, including The named after the brothers who built Fish Fry and Fall Family Days 2020. the Octagon Barn, is a multipurpose Putnam said while summer events building that holds equipment and are not very large, Fall Family Days also provides space for events. has attracted over 15,000 people.

These models of the past have The decision to cancel this came after lured Americans for years but would long consideration. not exist today had locals not taken

an interest centuries ago.

In 1890, 21-year-old James Luther Purdy joined his father at the Bank of P.C. Purdy and Son in Gagetown.

He eventually became president of the bank, and it became one of two that survived the Great Depression.

Post-Depression, he and other Lansing bankers formulated a plan to restore the banking system that he then traveled to D.C. with, to propose it to Michigan Senator Arthur Vandenburg. Vandenburg introduced the bill to the Senate where it gained support from President Franklin Roosevelt and eventually formed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Years later, Purdy was traveling through Iowa when he saw an octagonal barn, inspiring him to create his own identical one. In 1895, he purchased 40 acres of land and after many years expanded for a total of 560 acres. The octagonal barn was later built in 1923 by George and John Munro.

Purdy sold the farm in 1942. It recycled owners for years until the Department of Natural Resources purchased it from the Pinney State Bank of Cass City on Oct. 10, 1991.

The DNR purchased the land because it connected two parts of the Gagetown State Game Area. However, they planned to remove, sell, or demolish the dilapidated buildings, including the barn.

A group comprised of local citizens, eventually named The Friends of the Thumb Octagon Barn, arose after finding out the intents of the DNR. At the same time, an organization named Tuscola 2001 took an interest in the barn. A formal effort to save the buildings commenced on Jan. 31, 1994. The Friends hosted

the first Octagon Barn Festival on Aug. 20, 1994 to spread awareness of their cause. They found that the former owner, Zsigmond Egey-Samu, had placed the building called the “Round Barn” on the Michigan State Registry of Historic Sites in 1977.

This prevented any destruction to it whatsoever.

The Friends obtained a three-year memorandum of understanding from the DNR in 1996, which gave the authority over 8.2 acres of the land with permission to hold events on site as well as the ability to restore all of the buildings. The group had to, in turn, provide liability insurance and assemble a 25-year plan detailing their goals and objectives for the sites. On Aug. 19, 1997, they became a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit corporation.

After the restoration of all on-site buildings, the Friends set a goal to develop an Agricultural Museum for the Thumb Area. The plan included interior displays unique to each buildings era to tell a story.

Today, the Thumb Octagon Barn offers numerous activities for people of all ages. School tours are offered in May for all grades between preschool and eighth grade. Last year’s theme, “Food Industry… Past and Present” educated students on food preparation and preservation. In partnership with Knowlton’s Ice Museum, they taught students harvesting and storage methods along with preservation techniques like salting, smoking, canning, and drying fruits.

Other attractions on the site such as homes, bridges, mills, and an elevator recreate the life of the Purdy family in the early 1900s. The barn also offers weddings, socials, and food events.

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Thumb state parks offer history, unique finds Beautiful beaches and forests, open all summer AURORA ABRAHAM aurora.abraham@hearstnp.com UPPER THUMB — As communities revive, state parks are among the list of places open to visit this summer.

While the parks have been and will remain open for visitors, the campgrounds remained closed until June 22.

The Thumb region is fortunate to feature three state parks. Port Crescent State Park and Sleeper State Park are within seven miles of each other along the coast of Lake Huron. About 30 miles south is the Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park.

Sleeper State Park boasts of 723 acres of forest, wetlands, beaches, and dunes on Lake Huron. The park offers campgrounds, trails of ancient dune forests, boating access, and fishing piers. You also have the opportunity to watch both the sun rise and set from the beach, a rather unique ability.

Originally a county park opened in 1925, the state acquired the land two years later and named it Huron State Park.

Albert Edson Sleeper, the 29th governor of Michigan from 1917-1920, signed the State Parks Act that created the state park system we have today.

Sleeper was a resident of Huron county and died in 1934. About 10 years later, the park was named in his honor.

Port Crescent State Park is a 600-acre park. It offers five miles of hiking and cross-country trails, fishing, canoeing, birding, hunting, and scenic views of the sunset and shoreline. It is home to one of seven dark sky preserves in the state which protect the park against light pollution, resulting in exceptional stargazing opportunities.

The park today sits on what was known in the late 1800s as Port Crescent Village, once a prosperous lumber town, despite fires throughout the midwest that threatened it. However, a fire destroyed the timber resources the town thrived on in 1881, resulting in businesses closing, workers moving, and residents relocating to nearby towns. Five years later, a fire started at the company mill and burned down the finest home in the city called the Big House.

Buildings were moved to surrounding towns including Port Austin, Kinde, and Bad Axe and by 1894, Port Crescent was rid of all of the buildings leaving very few signs of a town ever existing there.

The land went to a third-generation owner of the sawmill, Nathaniel Bennett Haskell, who exported See PARKS, Page 4

The perfect way to end a day is a campfire and the sunsets at Port Crescent State Park. (John Kippe/Courtesy Photo)

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A scene along the shore of Lake Huron at the Port Crescent State Park Day Use Area.

(Bill Diller/ For the Daily Tribune)

PARKS Continued from Page 3 white sand for glass manufacturing before the operations ceased in 1936.

Port Crescent State Park joined the state park system in Sept. 6, 1959 due to a large community desire for public use areas along the Lake Huron shoreline.

What little of the town remains includes a small portion of a 120-foot brick sawmill chimney that was built in response to the fires. It is visible by the park’s entrance. East of the campground entrance, you can find a big of foundation from where buildings stood.

The Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park is home to Michigan’s largest known group of ancient sandstone carvings and the only known prehistoric carvings in the state.

The park, located along the Cass River in the Thumb region, consists of 240-acres including a one-mile hiking trail that crosses the Little Cass River twice.

Clara Barton was an American nurse that founded the American Red Cross in 1881, in response to the horrific fires that swept through the Thumb, killing hundreds of people. The fires burnt through millions of acres of dense forests which exposed the petroglyphs we can see today. In the Anishinaabemowin language they are called ezhibiigaadek asin or “written on stone”.

The rocks are forty feet long and fifteen feet wide with carvings of animals including birds, and figures with bow and arrows. It is believed the Hopewell or Chippewa Indians carved these designs anywhere from 300 to 1,000 years ago.

Archaeologists believe this represented their dreams or vision quests. Local tribal accounts indicate the carvings are guidance for future tribe members.

More information about times, location, and park passes is available from the Department of Natural Resources.

A scene at the boardwalk leading to the beach at Sleeper State Park. (Bill Diller/For the Daily Tribune)

Sleeper State Park, named after Thumb native and former Gov. Albert Sleeper, boasts 723 acres of forest, wetlands, beaches, and dunes on Lake Huron. (Ben Kippe/Courtesy Photo)

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The Cheeseburger in Caseville festival has grown from a three-day event to a 10-day celebration that draws tens of thousands of people to town every summer. (Tribune File Photo)

‘Trop rock,’ burgers a winning combination for Caseville MARK BIRDSALL mark.birdsall@hearstnp.com CASEVILLE — In the late 1990s, community leaders in a town on the shores of Lake Huron decided they needed a festival to attract more summer tourists and provide a boost to the local economy.

They wanted a family-friendly, affordable event that would offer folks a good time without breaking the bank. They decided the cheeseburger, popular and

inexpensive, would make a great centerpiece.

One person involved in the planning also happened to be a fan of musician Jimmy Buffet, whose songs spun tales of escaping to a tropical climate for good times and an easygoing lifestyle. One of Buffet’s signature songs was “Cheeseburger in Paradise.”

It was a match made in heaven, and the rest is Caseville history.

The Cheeseburger in Caseville festival has grown

from humble beginnings as a weekend of fun and food to a 10-day celebration that draws tens of thousands to town, culminating in the annual Parade of Fools.

Lynn Bezemek, who worked with the chamber of commerce, was that Jimmy Buffet fan, and she would go on to organize the festival until 2005. In the early days of the festival, she worked to convince local businesses to cook cheeseburgers. The idea was to draw in families with

campers and travel trailers, who could stay in the county park and Sleeper State Park.

“It started out with a very family-oriented festival themed on music, fun and food, and everything we did was geared towards the family,” Bezemek said.

The festival initially featured a Jimmy Buffet-themed scavenger hunt on Friday night and a concert on Saturday night, with numerous activities for kids in between the main events.

She said she practically had no budget but managed to arrange for a musical act.

By the third year, it really took off, she said, and they moved the concert from the

beach to the hill in the park, where the band played on a flatbed truck trailer.

Bezemek said she made sure to check with Buffet’s lawyers to make sure Cheeseburger in Caseville didn’t infringe on any copyrights.

She raised money to fund the festival by opening “the Cheeseburger Store,” which sold T-shirts, souvenirs and festival buttons, which would soon be highly collectible.

The buttons also served as admission to festival concerts.

Dave Vizard, vice president of the Caseville Historical Society, said the festival See CHEESEBURGER, Page 6

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Burgers sizzle on the grill awaiting their cheese. (Tribune File Photo)

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Thumb fire changed the history of Huron County rivers area before the fires of 1871 and 1881.

With the Pinnebog River HURON COUNTY — The riv- stretching more than 39 miles and the Pigeon River covering ers of Huron County were the source of large lumbering oper- 13 miles, the area was a perfect hub for lower Michigan’s lumber ations throughout the Thumb industry. long before being known for Another important river of canoeing and kayaking.

Huron County is New River. Sue According to Diane Ellicott of the Huron County Historical Porsondek of the Port Austin Historical Society has been Society, most of the rivers in Huron County played a big role working on transcribing handwritten histories that had been in the logging industry of the PAIGE WITHEY For the Tribune

donated, one of which was about New River by an unknown author.

These handwritten documents talk about the fire of 1881 and states that the New River Cemetery was the first thing in Huron County to have a legal deed made out.

The Thumb Fire of 1881 was fueled by lumbering debris and severe drought, left 15,000 people homeless, and tipped the Thumb toward agriculture and

away from lumbering.

With Huron County switching gears toward agriculture, the rivers once used to move lumber transitioned to more recreational purposes.

It’s hard to say what life would look like if the Thumb Fire of 1881 never initiated the progression of agriculture in the Thumb.

Today Huron County is a prime location for fishing, kayaking, and boating.

CHEESEBURGER Continued from Page 5

Apparel and beverage choices vary at the The Cheeseburger in Caseville festival.

(Tribune File Photo)

exploded in popularity when Saginaw radio personalities were named grand marshals of the Parade of Fools. The festival was promoted heavily weeks in advance on the radio, and word begin to spread throughout the region.

“It really caught fire,” he said. “It went crazy.”

Bezemek said one of the main reasons the festival was expanded from a long weekend to a 10-day affair was many festival-goers commented they had to choose between Cheeseburger in Caseville and Detroit’s car cruise on Woodward Avenue. She understood their complaints, and she wanted to accommodate the numerous Cheeseburger fans who hailed from metro Detroit.

“I’m a girl out of Pontiac who used to cruise Woodward,” she said.

Bezemek recalled how she and fellow organizers designed events that the whole family could enjoy. She said the Parrothead Open, held at the miniature golf course, featured egg-shaped rubber “superballs” instead of the usual golf balls, a Jamaican bobsled race and a cardboard boat race, which she described as “just a hoot.”

“It was just stupid stuff that everybody had a blast doing,” Bezemek said. “And now we’re into a third generation of people that come to this festival.”

Caseville-area businesses are planning to offer up ‘A Slice of Cheeseburger’ in August after the chamber of commerce voted on June 15 to cancel the 22nd annual Cheeseburger in Caseville festival.

Instead, numerous Caseville-area businesses are stepping up to the plate and are planning several events from Friday, Aug. 14, through Sunday, Aug. 23.

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The Grindstone General Store originally opened its doors more than 130 years ago. (Tribune File Photo)

Grindstone City holds special place in Michigan history MARK BIRDSALL mark.birdsall@hearstnp.com GRINDSTONE CITY — This summer, if you’re in the mood for some ice cream with a Lake Huron history lesson on the side, head to Grindstone General Store in Grindstone City.

Owner Brian Fransen, whose family has been in Grindstone City since the 1940s, is the seventh owner in 134 years.

He purchased the store about 11 years ago after he retired from his tool and engineering company and bar businesses, and he is well aware of its historical significance.

“It’s the last existing business of the original Grindstone City,” he said.

The store is now a seasonal business that specializes in ice cream, which was introduced around 1950 when the store was purchased by Trudy Perdue, he said, and Perdue hit upon the idea to offer oversized servings to draw people into town when the

city ceased to exist after the quarry closed. The store also features the Made in Michigan Gift Shop.

Fransen is something of an unofficial historian, explaining the city’s origin and its significance in Great Lakes commerce during the 19th century.

He explained how Capt.

A.G. Peer was sailing in Lake Huron when inclement weather moved into the region.

Peer sailed his ship into the safety of Grindstone’s harbor, coming ashore to look for materials to make repairs to his ship. It was then he found the unique stone, which was hard enough to make tools. He eventually returned to the area and purchased land to open quarries, which supplied the U.S. and three other nations with grindstones.

The city produced the grindstones until the early to mid-20th century until an artificial substance was invented that would eventually replace

Grindstone General Store owner Brian Fransen said what makes Grindstone City special is a combination of things.

He the locals are some of the best people around, the area restaurants have topnotch offerings

Dale E. Tribune visits the Grindstone General Store for some ice cream on a hot summer day. (Tribune File Photo) grindstones.

The store carries 234 flaGrindstone City special is “It spelled the end of vors of ice cream, including a combination of things. grindstones, which also six to 10 homemade flavors, He the locals are some of spelled the end of Grindand is also the second-largthe best people around, the stone City and the quarries,” est distributor of Stroh’s area restaurants have tophe said. brand ice cream. notch offerings even though Now, Fransen said he’s He said the store averagthey are located “out in the about one of a dozen total es about 80,000-90,000 sticks,” and the spectacuresidents who live in the customers per season. He lar scenery of Lake Huron town year-round. He added said they had to quickly and the Upper Thumb is he’s enjoying his “retireadapt to changes forced by unmatched. ment” as the owner of the the coronavirus pandemic, “The harbor is absolutely general store. building a drive-thru earlier beautiful,” he said.

“It’s been a real pleasure,” this year to accommodate The Grindstone General he said. “It really has. It’s a customers.

Store is open daily from 1 to lot of fun.”

Fransen said what makes 8 p.m.

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HURON DAILY TRIBUNE

Cass City to celebrate the Fourth in style Freedom Festival begins July 4

FRIDAY,

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BY ANDREW MULLIN Tribune Staff Writer

Slightly used & new wome and children’s clothing, househo

CASS CITY — A three-day long celebration featuring everything from a car show and parade to finger-licking barbecue food will take place in Cass City during the week of the Fourth of July.

The annual Freedom Festival will take place from noon July 4 through the evening of July 6. Festival Chairwoman Judy Keller said a majority of the events take place on the Saturday.

She noted the festival is family friendly and is a good way to bring the community together.

This is a scene from last year’s Cass City Freedom “It’s nice that we bring everybody home Fest Parade. (Tribune File Photo) and pull everybody together,” Keller said.

There will be a variety events and activGray said that living in Cass City his ities happening during those three days. whole life makes him look forward to the Some of the biggest events include: parade every year, and he wants to generate • Golf tournament on July 4 excitement for kids today.

• Classic Car Show on July 5 “As a kid, you remember your experi• Live music on July 5 and 6 ences that you had from a parade and you • Morning runs from Hills and Dales want to make it the best you can for the General Hospital on July 6 kids that are growing up in the community • Barbecue dinner from the Cass City now,” he said.

Lions Club on July 6 Keller said the event is free to attend, • Basketball tournament on July 6 apart from a $5 fee to register a car in the Parade on July The Port Austin Reef Lighthouse (Tyler• Grand Leipprant/Michigan Sky6Media) car show. The money raised from that will • Grand Fireworks on July 6 go to the Cass City Gavel Club, which will The parade itself will be celebrating its put the money into the community.

41st year, said Keller. The parade is orgaThe Helen Stevens Memorial Pool will be nized by Andy Gray, who said there tends open to the public Friday through Sunday. to be around 65-70 entrants in the parade.

Keller expects around 7,000 These include Walter’s local to the waterside.

Not justPotato for Farm, normally offered will notsaid shetion Society.

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Huron County’s Lighthouses offer glimpses into maritime history Tours canceled this year due to coronavirus ROBERT CREENAN robert.creenan@hearst.com HURON COUNTY — Summers in Huron County bring plenty of locals and tourists

learning about the history of the Great Lakes through lighthouses.

Huron County has three lighthouses, located in Harbor Beach, Pointe Aux Barques, and Port Austin. Sadly, summer tours

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between 45 minutes to an hour. The tour ends when www.badaxetheat COVID-19 pandemic, but too.” guests are taken back to the the organizations involved Tours normally take a Harbor Beach Marina to the with preserving these bits charter boat out from the lighthouse’s gift shop.

5848 Griggs Rd. | Ca of county history and offer Harbor Beach Marina and Kadar said that the people tours are all looking forward take a 10-minute ride to the who take tours are either www.casevillegolfc to coming back next sumlighthouse. After being given locals who remember when mer. the history of the breakwall, the coast guard operated it The Lighthouse in Harbor guests enter the lighthouse or lighthouse enthusiasts Beach dates back to 1885 facility where tour guides go from all over the country. pulls, there will be a giant aftermarket the first lighthouse over what happened on each “We get Michiganders on flee happening on built upon theofbreakwall was floor. the lighthouse tour,” Kadar all three days the festival, Reinke It costs by $20 to deemedsaid. inadequate the They would see the quarsaid. “You can start at Port rent a space and the marlighthouse keepers there. ters for the lighthouse keeper Huron at the Fort Gratiot ket will be located near the Large The Coast Guard used and assistant, the room with Lighthouse, then go to former Port Hopehas school grounds. this lighthouse until 2013. various tools and displays, Port Sanilac, then Nine Harbor Holes Basket of Some of the other activi“The rooms in the lightand an outdoor gallery at the Beach, Pointe Aux Barques, of Golf ties include: house are notzoo thaton large top of the lighthouse. Guests Port Austin. In a day, RangeandBalls • A petting Julyand 5 social are not able to go inside the you can do all of them in a and 6 distancing would be • Fireworkssaid on July Not Valid Monday, distance.”Not Valid on Monday, impossible,” Skip 6Kadar, lantern room but are able to on70-mile •A big parade on July 7 Friday & Holidays Friday & Holidays the president of the Harbor look into it.

The Port Austin Reef Beach Light House PreservaTours normally take Lighthouse dates back to See PORT HOPE 19 1878 when the first lighthouse was built on the reef one and a half miles north of ASK ABOUT OUR CUSTOMER LOYALTY PROGRAM Port Austin. It was originally on a wooden structure, with the second lighthouse there CASEVILLE built in 1899 with a brick structure, being reinforced FAMILY into the early 1900s.

MARKET Tours of the Port Austin Our C Ask About Reef Lighthouse normally Loyalty Prog last an hour and a half and start at the state dock in Port Visit ou Austin, where guests get on www.p a boatMon., to travel there.

Tues., Wed.,Once “Like” u at theThurs. lighthouse, guests will & Saturday to 8:00 am-7:00 pmroom, be able to tour every lu Friday which contain photographs 15 N. Ca 8:00 am-8:00 pm from the period of time the Ph

Port Hope gears up for Fourth of July Festival Events to begin July 5

BY ANDREW MULLIN Tribune Staff Writer PORT HOPE — Port Hope will celebrate the Fourth of July with a weekend full of various festivities and activities.

The Port Hope Fourth of July Festival will take place July 5 through July 7 in the Hope Activities Center, located at 7840 Portland Ave. Elaine Reinke, festival coordinator, said this will be the 33rd annual festival in the event’s history.

The event has a $4 gate fee for people over the age of 16, said Reinke. The festival has many different activities to participate in during the those days, including multiple tractor pulls on that Friday and Saturday.

Dan Deer, who plans the festival tractor pulls, said there will be two main types of tractor pulls during the festival: modified and antique. The modified tractors will be broken up into different classes, including D8-Hotrods, 10,000 farm tractors, and 8,000 diesel pro stock tractors. Those will be on Friday, and the antique tractors will be on Saturday.

Along with the tractor

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LIGHTHOUSES

property it is on is owned by Huron County, as it is part of Continued from Page 8 the Lighthouse County Park.

“We raise money to keep it lighthouse was in use and going, keep it clean,” Becker journals of lighthouse keepsaid, “everything it takes to ers to give a sense of what it run a lighthouse.” was like to live there.

Guests can usually go The tours would also prothrough the lighthouse vide a history of the famous museum in the former keepstorms that battered the er’s house to learn about lighthouse, including the its history. The lighthouse Storm of 1913 known as the is saved for holidays, such White Hurricane that caused as the Lighthouse Heritage a huge loss of life and shipFestival held on the first wrecks.

Saturday of August and Port Jody Glancy, the Hope’s ABC Days. Even then, Vice-President of the Port guests cannot go all the way Austin Reef Lighthouse up to the lightroom.

Association, said that instead The Heritage Festival of offering tours this sumnormally brings out vendors mer, the association would telling wooden tables, neckundertake restoration work. laces, earrings, and other This includes doing interior crafts, authors selling books work, putting in a new dock about the history of Michto make it easier for boats, igan, lighthouses, and the and turning the room that Great Lakes, different kinds previously contained the fog- of foods, and a live band. horns into a gallery space Becker says that people “One the interior work is have come as close to Port done, the goal is that people Hope and as far away as will be able to stay for a light- Japan to see this lighthouse. house keeper experience over “We had people up there a weekend,” Glancy said. one time telling me they had The Pointe Aux Barques never been to the Thumb and Lighthouse, unlike the other never seen the Great Lakes,” lighthouses in Huron CounBecker said. “I asked them ty, is still in use by the Coast where they were from, they Guard. It was built in 1857, said Troy. We get a large variplacing a poorly built one ety of people up there.” from 1847, and has stood for Becker is not from Huron over 160 years, making it one County, having grown up in of the 10 oldest lighthouses St. Clair County, but he has in the state. been involved in preserving Larry Becker, the presthe lighthouse for 16 years ident of the Pointe Aux due to his love for the Great Barques Lighthouse Society, Lakes. said that no one lives there, “It’s become a nice hobby, as the Coast Guard has it all a labor of love,” Becker said. automated, with the LED “It’s been interesting and light used lasting for years. educational. The people are While the Pointe Aux terrific up there.”

Barques Lighthouse Society maintains the lighthouse, the More photos, Pages 11-13

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The Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse (Robert Creenan/Huron Daily Tribune)

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989-856-8400 989-269-9925 989-269-5263 989-479-3100

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Plan your travels and enjoy your drive through michigan’s Thumb!

Thumb AreA

Road Map

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The Harbor Beach Lighthouse (Tribune File Photo)

The Franklin Inn RestauRant • Lounge • MoteL

The Ultimate Getaway Only minutes frOm the shOre

The Franklin Inn Offers...

• 48 Deluxe Hotel Rooms • Jacuzzi Rooms • Exercise & Game Room • 24-Hours Coffee Service • High Speed Wireless Internet

• Full Service Restaurant • Lounge • Banquet Facilities • Keno & Pull Tabs

Call Today for Multiple Room Discounts, Weekly Rates & Monthly Rates

Homemade Pizza Eat In or Take Out!

1070 E. HURON AVE. • BAD AXE • 989-269-9951

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Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse is one of few historical lighthouses in Michigan operated by the U.S. Coast Guard. (Rich Harp/Tribune File)

Farms, Homes , Commercial Property

Breakwater Contracting LLC

Investment Opportunities

Jed Bushey Owner/Operator

Cass City: 989-872-2248 Caro 989-673-2555

Steel Seawalls Caseville, MI

989.550.8306

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The Lighthouse in Harbor Beach dates back to 1885 after the first lighthouse built upon the breakwall was deemed inadequate. (Tyler Leipprandt/Tribune File)

Huron County Residents Do You Need A Ride???

• Need to see a Doctor? • Dentist?

• Go to Work? • Go Shopping?

“Our Friendly, Personable, and Courteous Drivers will get you to your destination in a safe and timely manner!”

MORE POWER TO YOU! ELECTRIC CONTRACTOR Your Electrical Connection Since 1975

FREE ESTIMATES

Licensed & Insured Specializing in Agricultural Wiring

28 Westland Drive, Bad Axe • 989-269-8171 Emergency 989-553-1004 • Fax 989-269-6670 www.maurerelectrimi.com

Hours of Operation: Mon.-Fri. 5am-10pm • Sat. 8am-6:30pm • Sun. Closed

Huron Transit Corporation THUMB AREA TRANSIT

1513 Bad Axe Rd. • Bad Axe, MI 48413 800-322-1125 • 989-269-2121

www.tatbus.com

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FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2020

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Turnip Rock is highlighted by a long-exposure shot of the night sky. (Michigan Sky Media/Tribune File)

Private rock in Upper Thumb major Michigan attraction

Formation inaccessible by land, only by kayak

AURORA ABRAHAM aurora.abraham@hearstnp.com PORT AUSTIN — Turnip Rock is a fascinating attraction located in Port Austin and better yet, open during the pandemic.

The landmark is only accessible via Lake Huron, requiring a 6-mile roundtrip kayak journey.

The Point Aux Barques

Trail, leading to Turnip Rock, begins in Bird Creek.

It turns right out of the harbor, extending north along the scenic Lake Huron shore.

At the tip lies Turnip Rock.

PAB is the most popular trail with sights along the way including bird species, rock cliffs, and sea caves.

Turnip Rock was among 20 finalists in the 2013 Seven Wonders of Michigan contest funded by the Detroit Free Press and the Lansing State Journal.

The rock-island formation

is the result of centuries of erosion. The name was born based on its turnip-like shape – a much smaller radius at the bottom than the top.

It lies a few meters from the shore in shallow water, near a rock called the Thumbnail because it is the tip most point of the Thumb peninsula.

The rock is inaccessible by land because the entire tip of the Thumb is privately owned. Port Aux Barques is a shorefront gated communi-

ty consisting of 66 cottages, occupying over 900 acres of land.

It is the smallest township in Michigan with only 10 full-time residents. Firestone Tire founder Harvey Firestone and American poet Edgar A. Guest spent summers at their homes on this point.

Port Austin Kayak is the local rental and offers single and tandem kayaks, paddleboards, and bikes.

Ex-lawyer Chris Boyle started the kayak business

in 2006 after leaving the Air Force as a lawyer to focus only on trial work. He began his side business with 15 kayaks and 10 bikes. In 2012, publicity on the TV show, “Under the Radar” and the Pure Michigan Travel Guide swamped Boyle’s business with tourists.

He bought a marina in 2013 and in 2016 expanded the business to a restaurant.

While Boyle does not provide guides to the rock, his business has promoted the PAB trail.

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Reflecting on the Huron Community Fair and looking forward to the future

BY SCOTT NUNN Scott.Nunn@hearstnp.com HURON COUNTY — In communities rich with agriculture, not much is more revered than the county fair, which provide a showcase to the hard work of many and also much needed

rest and relaxation.

This is especially true in Huron County, and its evidenced with the Huron Community Fair which was in the midst of organizing its 152nd year before the coronavirus pandemic hammer slammed down, bringing everything to a screeching halt.

Despite the cancellation of the community fair, Huron County residents and visitors have reason to celebrate the fair and look fondly to its future.

In 2018, as the fair celebrated its sesquicentennial, the Huron Community Fair — which has been held

Huron Community Fair 1960

annually since 1868 — is believed to be one of the oldest continually running fair in the state.

This year, in lieu of celebrating at the community fair, take a look back through the many years of the fair and look forward to many years to come.

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FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2020

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Huron Community Fair 1980

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FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2020

Huron Community Fair 2010

Get fired up over everything grilling The best brands and personalized service right in your neighborhood.

Ace Hardware Of Bad Axe 735 N Van Dyke Bad Axe, MI 48413 (989) 269-9131

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UPCOMING EVENTS Note: With the coronavirus this year a lot of events have been canceled and there have been a lot of changes. We highly recommend calling ahead for any events on this list to make sure they are still happening, and just because it’s not on this list does not mean it is not occurring. Many decisions had not yet been made at press time.

July 4 — Port Austin Farmers Market, downtown Port Austin from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information, visit the Port Austin Farmers Market Facebook page.

July 4 — Market on Main, Caseville from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call 989-856-3818.

July 4 — Port Austin Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks. Parade at 3 p.m., Fireworks at dusk. For more June information, call 989-738June 26 — Pigeon Farmers 5199.

Market, downtown Pigeon, 9 July 10 — Pigeon Farmers a.m. to 2 p.m. For more infor- Market, downtown Pigeon, 9 mation, visit www.pigeona.m. to 2 p.m. For more inforfarmersmarket.com. mation, visit www.pigeonJune 26 — Harbor Beach farmersmarket.com.

Movies at the Beach, Lincoln July 10 — Harbor Beach Park at dusk. For more infor- Farmers Market, 2-6 p.m. mation, call 989-550-1662. on the Murphy Museum June 27 — Port Austin Grounds. Setup is at 11:30 Farmers Market, downtown a.m. For more information, Port Austin from 9 a.m. to 1 call 989-553-3317. p.m. For more information, July 11 — Port Austin visit the Port Austin Farmers Farmers Market, downtown Market Facebook page.

Port Austin from 9 a.m. to 1 June 27 — Market on p.m. For more information, Main, Caseville from 11 a.m. visit the Port Austin Farmers to 3 p.m. For more informaMarket Facebook page. tion, call 989-856-3818.

July 11 — Market on Main, Caseville from 11 a.m. to 3 July p.m. For more information, July 3 — Pigeon Farmers call 989-856-3818.

Market, downtown Pigeon, 9 July 16-17 — Pigeon garage a.m. to 2 p.m. For more infor- and sidewalk sales. For more mation, visit www.pigeoninformation, contact the farmersmarket.com.

Pigeon Chamber of ComJuly 3 — Harbor Beach merce.

Farmers Market, 2-6 p.m.

July 17 — Pigeon Farmers on the Murphy Museum Market, downtown Pigeon, 9 Grounds. Setup is at 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more infora.m. For more information, mation, visit www.pigeoncall 989-553-3317. farmersmarket.com.

July 3 — Harbor Beach July 17 — Farmers SumMusic by the Beach, James merfest “We are all in this Michael Duo, Lincoln Park, together” golf outing in 7-11 p.m. For more informaPigeon. For more information, call 989-479-3363. tion, call the Pigeon Chamber July 3 — Caseville Drive-In of Commerce.

Style Fireworks by the chamJuly 17 — Harbor Beach ber of commerce office. For Farmers Market, 2-6 p.m. more information, call 989on the Murphy Museum 856-3818.

Grounds. Setup is at 11:30

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FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2020

a.m. For more information, call 989-553-3317.

July 17 — Harbor Beach Music by the Beach, The Flashbacks, Lincoln Park, 7-11 p.m. For more information, call 989-479-3363.

July 18 — Port Austin Farmers Market, downtown Port Austin from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, visit the Port Austin Farmers Market Facebook page.

July 18 — Market on Main, Caseville from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call 989-856-3818.

July 18 — Harbor Beach Movies at the Beach, Lincoln Park at dusk. For more information, call 989-550-1662.

July 24 — Pigeon Farmers Market, downtown Pigeon, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, visit www.pigeonfarmersmarket.com.

July 24 — Harbor Beach Farmers Market, 2-6 p.m. on the Murphy Museum Grounds. Setup is at 11:30 a.m. For more information, call 989-553-3317.

July 25 — Port Austin Farmers Market, downtown Port Austin from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, visit the Port Austin Farmers Market Facebook page.

July 25 — Market on Main, Caseville from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call 989-856-3818.

July 25 — Harbor Beach Movies at the Beach, Lincoln Park at dusk. For more information, call 989-550-1662.

July 31 — Pigeon Farmers Market, downtown Pigeon, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, visit www.pigeonfarmersmarket.com.

July 31 — Harbor Beach Farmers Market, 2-6 p.m. on the Murphy Museum Grounds. Setup is at 11:30 a.m. For more information, call 989-553-3317.

HURON

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Business & Services Directory

HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTORS

Byarski Construction Spray foam; New construction; Crawl space Rim joist; Basement weatherization; Free Est. 989-375-2487

PERSONAL SERVICES

SEASONAL RENTALS

Cottage with Lake Access 3 Bedrooms Close to Port Austin and all the amenities of the area.

3143 Shore Drive For pricing and to arrange your summer get-away: Call: Paul McKee 989-550-1074

BLAIR ELECTRIC Motor & Power Tool Repair.

Mon-Fri 8am-5pm Sat. 8am-noon 1/8 mi W of M53 on Sebewaing Rd. Call 989-269-7909 or 989-553-7960

FIND IT

HERE

CALL (989) 269-6461 AND BONNIE OR TRAVIS WILL SCHEDULE YOUR AD TO APPEAR HERE.

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www.oSeNtoSki-uPPerthuMB.CoM Sell Or Buy yOur HOMe Three locaTions and 20 agenTs To sell your home or assisT in buying your new home.

FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2020

8736 Lake St. Port Austin 989-738-5251

6906 Main St. Caseville 989-856-3887

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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

reDuCeD

PeNDiNg

$89,900

132 N. Fourth St. Harbor Beach 3 BR, 2 BA, 2 Car Garage. Call Diane Ellicott 989-712-0050. #040-20-0029

$225,000

990 S. Ubly Rd. Bad Axe

2 BR, 1 BA 17 acres. Call Todd Talaski 989-430-7542. # 040-20-0011

$37,750

2 BR, 1 BA. Call Bill LaFave.

989-550-2381. #039-20-0004

207 W. Irwin St. Bad Axe 2 BR, 1 BA. Call Casey Bruce 989-430-7542.

$54,900

785 N. Bay Port Rd. Bay Port 3 BR, Large shed - Call Diane Ellicot 989-712-0050. #040-20-0016

PeNDiNg

reDuCeD

6770 Center St. Caseville

$89,500

$139,900

$164,500

$179,500

3 BR, 2 BA, Lake Access. Call Jennifer Rice 989-550-9399. #040-20-0013

5627 Port Austin Rd. Caseville

3 BR, 2 BA, Lake Access. Call Casey Bruce 989-430-7542.

272 E. Spring St. Port Austin

6988 Oak Bluff Dr. Caseville

$359,000

$275,000

4379 Port Austin Rd. Caseville

4 BR, 1 BA, Lake Access. Call Casey Bruce 989-430-7542.

reDuCeD

$178,000 4724 Port Austin Rd. #4 Caseville 2 BR, 1 BA, Lakefront. Call John Magusin 989-225-6762. #039-20-0002

3 BR, 1 BA, boat slip, Lakefront.

Call Marilyn Bruce 989-430-5374

146 W. Main St. Sebewaing 3 BR, 1 BA, Call John Magusin 989-225-6762. #039-19-0009

SOLD!!

3 BR, 1 BA - Lakefront. Call Bill LaFave 989-550-2381. #039-19-0004

3627 Bluff Rd. Port Austin (Grindstone)

2 BR, 1 BA log home - Lakefront. Call Jennifer Rice 989-550-9399. #040-20-0015

VACANT LAND

reDuCeD

$77,900

7724 Port Austin Rd. Caseville

$30,000

$10,000

Lot 34 2 acres Lackie Rd. Filion Vicky Dr. Port Hope #039-19-0013 Call John Magusin 989-225-6762

#039-17-0051 Call John Magusin 989-225-6762

$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

We here at Osentoski Realty with offices in Bad Axe, Caseville and Port Austin will be available for appointments and will be able to assist you in all your real estate needs.

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