
Here’s a roundup of recent and upcoming Old Mission Peninsula news and photos. I’m catching up after our big Covid adventure here on Bluff Road. (Tim is still in the hospital, but he’s doing a little better each day.)
OMP Author Signing Coming Up
Before you ring in the new year, stop by Horizon Books on Dec. 31 from 1 – 3 p.m., where Old Mission Peninsula author Stephen Lewis (my brother-in-law) will be signing copies of “Dementia, A Love Story.” The book details Steve’s devotion to my sister, Carolyn Lewis, as he cared for her after she succumbed to early onset dementia, passing away in 2019.
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Steve will also be signing copies of his book “Murder on Old Mission,” which follows the story of Woodruff Parmelee, the son of a well to do farmer on the Old Mission Peninsula, who was tried for the murder of his pregnant girlfriend Julia Curtis in the summer of 1895. Horizon Books is located in downtown Traverse City at 243 E. Front Street.
OMP Historical Society to Meet
The Old Mission Peninsula Historical Society will hold a Zoom meeting on Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. Presented by Jordan Owen, the program will include a video entitled “The History of Bassett Island.” (That’s the little island just north of Power Island in West Bay.) There will also be a Q&A following the video.
Dean Francis will send out the information and link to access Zoom a day or two before the meeting. If you’d like to be included, email Dean, [email protected].

Santa Visits the OMP and a Baptism Takes Place
Santa made a stop at the Old Mission Peninsula United Methodist Church after the service on Sunday, Dec. 18. Both the kids and grownups were happy to see him.
Below are a few photos – thanks to everyone who sent photos in. Willow Josephine and Maddox’s parents are Brian Buckley and Hannah Kovacs; Brian is Lisa Buckley’s son and Marge and Keith Long’s grandson.



Also at church that same day, little Arthur Buckley was baptised. Arthur’s parents are Ashley and Jordan Buckley. Jordan’s mom is Lisa Buckley, and his grandparents are Marge and Keith Long. He is such a sweetie.

Holiday Cookie Sale a Success
The Old Mission Women’s Club held their annual Christmas Cookie Sale on Saturday, Dec. 11. Club President Janis Haine thanks everyone who came out, bought cookies, and entered the raffle for one of her gourmet cookie boxes (yours truly was one of the lucky winners!).
“Despite crazy weather, which included dense fog, thunder, lightning, rain and snow, all within a three-hour period on the day of the cookie sale, we still sold hundreds of holiday cookies, quick breads, candies and truffles,” says Janis. “Everyone was in good spirits as they filled their boxes with goodies, and young children were happy to choose an ornament from the Christmas tree provided by OMWC member Pat Kitchen.”
Club member Jackie Thomas played holiday harp music in the background, and co-chairs Lois Manigold and Denae Neirman did a grand job coordinating the event and directing the club members who helped make the event fun. More than 850 tickets were sold for the five beautiful raffle boxes filled with five dozen cookies and one dozen truffles made by Janis Haine. All profits from the cookie sale and raffle will be granted to local nonprofits in the Spring of 2022.








