Fresh Strawberries at Local Yokels' Farm Stand on the corner of Gray Road and Center Road | Jane Boursaw Photo
Fresh Strawberries at Local Yokels' Farm Stand on the corner of Gray Road and Center Road | Jane Boursaw Photo
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(Got OMP news or photos? Send them to me, [email protected].)

Here’s a roundup of recent and upcoming news and photos around the Old Mission Peninsula…

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Log Cabin Day. The annual Log Cabin Day, hosted by the Old Mission Peninsula Historical Society, is happening this Sunday, June 25, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is part of a statewide celebration of pioneer cabins. The restored Hessler Log Cabin at Lighthouse Park (20500 Center Road – the end of M37) will be open for tours inside – this is the only time of year this happens. Mission Point Lighthouse is also open for tours, and any funds earned that day will go towards the Historical Society.

UPDATE: See photos of this year’s Log Cabin Day here.

The historic Peter Dougherty Mission House and the Replica Log Church (the displays inside were recently re-done), both on Mission Road, will also be open from 12 to 4 p.m. that day. There’s a small fee for the Dougherty and Lighthouse tours; other activities are free of charge.

In the 1990s, the Hessler cabin was moved from its original location at Underwood Farms to Lighthouse Park, where it was restored by volunteers who then formed the Old Mission Peninsula Historical Society, a 501C3 organization, to continue its maintenance. Later, the group worked to have Peninsula Township acquire the historic Dougherty House, which now operates its own 501 nonprofit organization. For more info about Log Cabin Day, feel free to email Judy Weaver, [email protected].

Here’s a picture of my dad, Walter Johnson, and Hedy Quick, working on the restoration of the Hessler Log Cabin in the 1990s. Below that is my cousin, Phyllis (Johnson) Cooley, giving a tour at least year’s Log Cabin Day.

hessler log home, log cabin day, old mission peninsula, omp, old mission news, old mission history, old mission gazette
Walter Johnson and Hedy Quick during the 1996 Hessler Log Home restoration | OMP Historical Society Photo
Phyllis Cooley tells stories about the Hessler Log Home; Log Cabin Day 2022 | Jane Boursaw Photo
Phyllis Cooley tells stories about the Hessler Log Home; Log Cabin Day 2022 | Jane Boursaw Photo

Chicken BBQ. I included this in last week’s roundup, but here it is again in case anyone didn’t see it. The annual (and tasty) Chicken BBQ at Old Mission Peninsula United Methodist Church is happening this Saturday, June 24, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the church, 16426 Center Road (at the top of the hill on the right before you get to Old Mission Tavern). This is a community event, and everyone is invited. A free will offering is accepted.

UPDATE: See photos of this year’s Chicken BBQ here.

The chicken is buttery good and grilled over an apple wood fire pit at the church. There will also be sides like potato salad, old-fashioned coleslaw, baked beans, and plenty of homemade desserts. Just drop in between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m., or call for takeout earlier in the day on Saturday, (231) 223-4393. Here’s the gang at the BBQ pit last year.

Old Mission Peninsula United Methodist Church Chicken BBQ 2022; The chicken turners, l to r, Rocko Fouch, Jim Borowicz (holding the special ingredient, butter), Gary Pope, Wes Gore and Jack Lardie | Jane Boursaw Photo
Old Mission Peninsula United Methodist Church Chicken BBQ 2022; The chicken turners, l to r, Rocko Fouch, Jim Borowicz (holding the special ingredient, butter), Gary Pope, Wes Gore and Jack Lardie | Jane Boursaw Photo

OMP Roses With a History. My sis-in-law, Laura Johnson, sent me a pic of these beautiful roses at her and my brother Dean’s place on the corner of Kroupa Road and Center Road. She said the old-fashioned bushy roses are peaking right now and they’re extremely fragrant. Apparently, they only bloom once during the summer and then they’re gone.

Her brother-in-law’s dad, Wilbert Wilhelm (perhaps related to our own Tim Carroll, whose ancestors include Wilhelms?), rescued the roses from a house that was being torn down near the Emmet County Fairgrounds in the 1950s. The roses ended up at Laura’s sister’s house, and from there, Laura got some cuttings and started them at her and Dean’s house here on the OMP.

Hmm … I have some great spots where a rose bush like that would be lovely. Maybe the roses will make their way over to my place on Bluff Road, too! I love all the history of plants and flowers that move around from home to home. I have quite a few from my parents’ house, including some lilac bushes at the bottom of the driveway.

Laura Johnson's roses, with origins from a house near the Emmet County Fairgrounds; rescued by Wilbert Wilhelm in the 1950s | Laura Johnson Photo
Laura Johnson’s roses, with origins from a house near the Emmet County Fairgrounds; rescued by Wilbert Wilhelm in the 1950s | Laura Johnson Photo

Strawberries! Yes, that special time I wait for all year has arrived. There are strawberries on OMP farm stands. I’ve spotted them at Wendy Warren’s stand on Center Road across from Fire Station #2 (in near town), and also at Local Yokels stand on the corner of Gray Road and Center Road (likely at their stand at 13130 Center Road, too – near the Township offices).

Along with Bardon’s being open, I feel like strawberries at the farm stands are a sure sign that summer is definitely here.

Fresh Strawberries at Local Yokels' Farm Stand on the corner of Gray Road and Center Road | Jane Boursaw Photo
Fresh Strawberries at Local Yokels’ Farm Stand on the corner of Gray Road and Center Road | Jane Boursaw Photo

Peonies! Ginny Coulter says the peonies are blooming like crazy at Old Mission Flowers, her beautiful garden on the corner of Center Road and Ladd Road (near OMP United Methodist Church). Stop by and pick up a few – for yourself or others, preferably both!

Peonies at Old Mission Flowers | Ginny Coulter Photo
Peonies at Old Mission Flowers | Ginny Coulter Photo

Township Job Opening. Peninsula Township is looking for someone to fill the part-time position of Treasurer’s Assistant. Starting pay is $20/hour, with a maximum of 20 hours per week. The primary function of the job is to serve as an assistant to the township treasurer and deputy treasurer during the busy tax season, or if the deputy or treasurer is on leave. Regular contact with township staff and the public is necessary, and you must be able to work effectively with individuals, taxpayers, trustees, co-workers, departments and committees to achieve a desired outcome.

A full job description, including responsibilities, is on the home page of the Township website here. If you’re interested, contact the treasurer’s office, (231) 223-4484, or email Treasurer Marge Achorn, [email protected], or Deputy Treasurer Katie Clark, [email protected].

Like to Water Trees? Then the Township Parks Committee needs you! The young trees at Bowers Harbor Park need a drink of water now and then. If you’re able to help out, email your contact info to Parks Committee member Michele Zebell, [email protected], and she’ll get back with you and put you on the schedule.

New trees planted at Bowers Harbor Park on the Old Mission Peninsula | Jane Boursaw Photo
New trees planted at Bowers Harbor Park on the Old Mission Peninsula | Jane Boursaw Photo

Also Read…

SUPPORT YOUR INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWSPAPER: I started Old Mission Gazette in 2015 because I felt a calling to provide the Old Mission Peninsula community with local news. After decades of writing for newspapers and magazines like the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Family Circle and Ladies' Home Journal, I really just wanted to write about my own community where I grew up on a cherry farm and raised my own family. So I started my own newspaper.

Because Old Mission Gazette is a "Reader Supported Newspaper" -- meaning it exists because of your financial support -- I hope you'll consider tossing a few bucks our way if I mention your event, your business, your organization or your news item, or if you simply love reading about what's happening on the OMP. In a time when local news is becoming a thing of the past, supporting an independent community newspaper is more important now than ever. Thank you so much for your support! -Jane Boursaw, Editor/Publisher, Old Mission Gazette

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