In October of 2021, local historian Tim Carroll gave a presentation at Peninsula Community Library about the history of Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery, located on Blue Water Road, and the farmers who owned the land previously.
As with so many stories that require extra time to upload and edit videos, it never got posted here on the Gazette. Then December hit and you know the rest of the story – everything went out the window.
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So when Library Director Vicki Shurly contacted me yesterday asking if I had the video – yes, I do! But it was still in my files waiting for something to happen with it. So thank you for nudging me to get the video uploaded and posted today.
It’s a fascinating presentation that outlines the history of the farmers who owned the land prior to Brys purchasing it and building their winery and Secret Garden gift shop. It connects the Brys family with the Brown, Giles and Lardie families.
Here’s Tim with the Brys family on the day of the presentation, and below that, a family tree of the Brown family.


Here are three videos of the presentation, and below that are a few more photos (I need to get a better video camera that will record more than 20 minutes!). As always, Tim Carroll is a very entertaining speaker.







I knew Mary Jane Giles. Sat with her on the bus and what a nice person.
Would this be any relation to Kathy Giles who graduated from TC Central in 1967?
It is me. Alive and living in Indiana. They have my birth year wrong. 1948 and my brother was born in 1946. And my Dad born in 1913.
Hi Kathy!
It’s been a long time, right? I recall a birthday celebration and sleep over at your house. Some years ago our OMP 8th grade graduation class held a reunion at Bowers Harbor park with Mr. Galligan attending. Missed you! Still in contact with Mary Jo, Jan, Patty & Jeanette who remain in the area. Glad to hear all is well with you. Phyllis