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Here’s a roundup of news and photos around the Old Mission Peninsula, including news about Old Mission Tavern, an OMP “racing club,” the swim area at Haserot Beach, a few turkeys and more. Read on…
Turkeys. The OMP turkeys are everywhere this year. My brothers see them around the farm every day, and if you drive down Center Road and take a right at Swaney Road or Tompkins Road, you will no doubt see a flock of them in the fields and orchards. Here’s a couple hanging around Ridgewood Road. I think they’re so pretty.
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And while we’re at it, here’s a photo of Ridgewood Road next to Bagley Pond. I love it when it starts to green up and get lush. I didn’t see the swans there this spring. Maybe they finally figured out their babies would never survive with those turtles around!
The OMP Racing Club. This is a “heard through the grapevine” item. I’ve heard a rumor that there’s a “racing club” that populates the OMP with their fast cars. And that the barn incident on Bluff Road earlier this year was one of those racers (the driver survived, and the owner has since restored the barn, but with that massive anchor out front, that could have had a very different outcome).
I’ve also heard that one of the racing club’s things is to see who can get from Traverse City to Mission Point Lighthouse the fastest, using only side roads. Again, completely unsubstantiated, but let me know if you’ve heard anything!
Since the barn incident, Township Supervisor Maura Sanders requested more police coverage, and I have definitely seen an increase in police coverage on OMP roads (including my own incident – story forthcoming!).
Yesterday I was headed to check my post box at the Old Mission Post Office, and happened upon a patrol car that had pulled over an unsuspecting speeder on Center Road just north of Old Mission Road. (You can’t see it in the photo below, but there was a car in front of the police car).
Center Road from the Hogsback to the Lighthouse is a straightaway, and since the dawn of time, that’s been a stretch of road where speeders let loose. So it was good to see that someone had been pulled over — even if, at first glance, it did not seem to be a member of the “racing club.”
Haserot Beach. The swim buoys are out at Haserot Beach! Now if only the weather would cooperate and warm up so people aren’t swimming in a polar vortex there.
Old Mission Tavern News. Has it been sold? There’s definitely something in the works. This is another “heard it through the grapevine” item, but my sources are pretty good on this one. In fact, if you check the Tavern’s real estate listing, you’ll see that there’s a “Pending” in front of “For Sale.” Here’s what I know:
On January 15, 2025, a Michigan Domestic Limited-Liability Company was filed for CENTER ROAD TAVERN LLC. The company’s filing status is listed as Active and its File Number is 803326689.
Also, the registered agent on file for the company is Stephanie Krupka, who I believe is Jim and Fran Krupka’s daughter. I know Fran through Old Mission Women’s Club, and many of you know Jim for his work and dedication to St. Joseph Catholic Church. He is also chairman of the board of Chateau Chantal.
This is great news if the Tavern can land in the hands of a local. The next question is, when will it re-open? I think I can speak for the collective OMP when I say I hope it’s soon!
Church Chicken BBQ. It’s that time again! The annual Chicken BBQ at Old Mission Peninsula United Methodist Church is happening on Saturday, June 21, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the church, 16426 Center Road. This is a community event, and everyone is invited. A free will offering is accepted.
The buttery-good chicken is 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, including Annie’s Cherry Whatchamacallit (Ann Fouch’s iconic cherry recipe). Just drop in between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m., or call for takeout earlier in the day, (231) 223-4393.
Non-Motorized Workshop. The Township’s Non-Motorized Transportation Working Group will be hosting a Community Workshop on June 24 from 6 – 8 p.m. at Old Mission Peninsula School. Please come and help shape the future of walking and biking on the Old Mission Peninsula. Read more here.
Log Cabin Day. The Old Mission Peninsula Historical Society will hold its annual “Log Cabin Day” celebration on Sunday, June 29, 2025, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Log Cabin Day is part of a statewide celebration of pioneer cabins.
Locations for the celebration include Mission Point Lighthouse at the end of M37/Center Road, the Hessler Log Cabin (located next to the Lighthouse), and the Peter Dougherty Mission House and Museum and Historic Log Church, both on Mission Road in the village of Old Mission.
As in previous years, this year’s Log Cabin Day will feature era-appropriate music, poetry, and historic crafts and demonstrations such as quilting, needlework and more. The Maritime Heritage Alliance usually brings out a historic boat or two, as well.
The Hessler Log Cabin will be open for tours inside, a once yearly event. Mission Point Lighthouse will also be open for tours, and revenues on that day are earmarked for the Historical Society. Except for the lighthouse tour (which is a few dollars), other activities are free of charge.
The Historical Society recently sponsored a renovation of the 1939 replica of Dougherty’s historic log church, also in the village of Old Mission. The displays inside have been renewed and refreshed.
The restored Hessler cabin was originally located at Underwood Farms. In the 1990s, a group of volunteers disassembled the cabin and moved it to Lighthouse Park. Once in the park, it was reassembled and restored by volunteers who then formed the Old Mission Peninsula Historical Society, a 501C3 organization, to continue its maintenance. Here’s a picture of my Dad, Walter Johnson, and Hedy Quick, who were part of the log cabin team.
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Every Sunday night at the lookout on Center Road you have a dozen kids and their cars getting ready to drag race every Sunday night I never see a any police patrols on Sunday nights, big racing night on old Mission.