U-M Biological Station Director to Retire
Early fall brought the news that Dr. Jim Teeri, the Director of the U-M Biological Station, was retiring on March 1, 2002. The following excerpt is from his report to the Alumni and Friends of the UMBS.
“This is my last report in my capacity as director of the U-M Biological Station. On March 1, 2002, I will retire from the faculty of the University of Michigan. The past 14 years have been an extraordinary experience at the Station. For me, the most gratifying part of the job has been the opportunity to work with so many talented students, faculty, staff, and alumni/friends of the Station. Hundreds of people have contributed to the effort to greatly expand the Station’s programs and facilities.
One of the most important events in the history of the Station was the response of people affiliated with the Station and people affiliated with the Douglas Lake Improvement Association in assisting with the fundraising for the purchase of the Camp Knight property. Simply put, without the assistance of all of those people, the Camp Knight acquisition would not have happened.
At the national level, it is now widely recognized that research on environmental themes needs to be greatly expanded both in spatial and temporal scales. To support this expansion there are several major new federal funding initiatives underway. The University of Michigan is very well positioned to pursue these new opportunities and the Biological Station will be a prominent player in these efforts. Again, I thank all who assisted the Station in many different ways. Teri and I wish all of you the best in the future”.
The members of the Douglas Lake Improvement Association are happy to share “our lake” with an institution of the caliber and as vital as the UMBS. We all join in wishing DLIA members Jim & Teri Teeri health and happiness in their retirement.
President’s Message
This is our first newsletter since summer, so I think that we need a recap for those of you
who may have missed some things. Our
picnic at Camp Knight was lots of fun. The
day was beautiful and the food was great. For those who came that day, either by lake or by land, it was especially rewarding to see how beautifully the University has restored the Camp Knight property.
At the Annual Meeting Elizabeth Verhoeven was elected to a second term as treasurer. Ann Baughman, Water Resource Program Director for the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, spoke about the Watershed Management Plan that the Council is currently doing for Douglas Lake and the Cheboygan River. A committee of our members was appointed to assist her when she requests help. Standing committee reports were given on environment, pike marsh, web site, cookbook, merchandise sales and the Inland Lakes/Michigan /Fisheries Resource Conservation Coalition. More detailed reports from some of the committee chairpersons appear later in this newsletter.
The Executive Board decided at its August 25th meeting that the DLIA would become a member of the Network of Lake Associations and that we would send a representative to their monthly meetings. This organization is a network of Northern Michigan Lake associations. They meet monthly from April through October to share ideas and to discuss common issues. Many of our neighboring lake associations belong to the group. Mark Paddock has agreed to be our representative and to report back to the membership.
It was a good summer. Again, I want to thank everyone who participated. We are grateful for whatever you did to help make the summer a success-whether you served on the Board, chaired a committee or served on one, held a merchandise sale or helped with one, gave a party at your home to collect cookbook recipes or sent in a recipe, or just attended a meeting. Every time any of you helped out in any way it was very much appreciated.
As I sat down to write this message I was thinking that the summer on Douglas Lake seems to be a distant memory. So much has happened since then and most of it has not been especially happy. The events of September 11th and the continuing aftermath have left us horrified, deeply saddened, and mostly speechless to describe our thoughts and feelings. And yet, through it all, our lives have somehow gone on. We live each day, I think, more aware and more grateful for all of the good things in our lives. We seem to appreciate more fully those aspects of our lives that are really important to us-the gift of life itself, the love of our families and our good friends, our community, our great nation, and our lovely, pristine surroundings here in Northern Michigan. We can be thankful for so much! It is the holiday season-a time to celebrate boundless love, birth, and renewal. It is also a time to give. So let us all do those two things as best we can – celebrate life and love and give of ourselves to help make a better world for everyone. A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to each of you!
Linda Farmer
Inland Lakes Committee
Report
At the August 1st Special Executive Board Meeting it was decided to appoint a committee to monitor the pending possible litigation between the State of Michigan and the U.S. Justice Department and certain Native American Tribes. That committee, chaired by Stephen Farmer, has the responsibility to inform our membership regarding this situation and to make any necessary recommendations back to the association. Stephen has submitted the following report for this newsletter:
The Inland Lakes Committee of the Douglas Lake Improvement Association met on August 25, 2001. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss whether or not to recommend that the DLIA join the Michigan Fisheries Resource Conservation Coalition. The coalition was formed by the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Trout Unlimited and others to intervene in potential litigation between the State of Michigan and the U.S. Justice Department and certain Native American tribes over the issue of hunting, fishing and gathering rights on and around the inland lakes of Michigan.
Our committee decided not to recommend that the DLIA join the Coalition at this time, but to stay informed about the pending litigation and if appropriate, recommend joining the Coalition at a later date.
The committee also discussed the possibility of joining the Cheboygan Sports Fishing Association, as Mullett and Black Lakes have done. (The Burt Lake Preservation Association has already joined the Michigan Fisheries Resource Conservation Coalition.) The CSFA will join the MFRCC and then represent its members at any negotiations that may occur between the State, the Justice Department and the Native American tribes. A membership in the Cheboygan Sports Fishing Association would allow the DLIA to have a voice in that group and indirect representation at any negotiations, should they occur, at less initial cost and without the open-ended financial commitment required by the Coalition for full membership. No decision was made by the committee as to whether or not to recommend this option to the DLIA.
WE WILL
MISS
Georgiana Chase passed away quietly in her sleep, in her own home with family present Tuesday September 18, 2001. Georgiana and Walter Couse built their cabin in 1948 after visiting the Frenches at Douglas Lake in 1947. In 1992 for the book Memories she wrote the following “we have enjoyed forty-four happy years at the lake.” We offer our condolences to her family and friends.
Harold M Young, my Dad, passed away July 18, 2001 at home in Jackson Michigan. Dad first visited the lake in 1946 the year that my grandparents built the cabin. He very quickly turned vacation time into a business venture when he opened a branch office of his CPA firm in Cheboygan. Over the years many memories and lasting friendships were formed both at the lake and also with clients from around the entire northern Michigan area. In the early 1960’s he designed an addition and remodeled the original cottage. He enjoyed golfing and fishing at the lake until the early 1990’s when his health prevented him from making the trip.
Much Higher Lake Level in Fall 2001
Mark Paddock
Last year at this time Douglas Lake was near an all-time low lake level with very extensive exposed beaches. With a relatively dry winter and early spring there was justifiable concern about the lake level this past summer going into fall. Not to worry…it really started raining in August and this has continued through September, October and now it is raining today, November 8. I’ve measured almost 19” of rain since early August! The lake level has responded dramatically and it is 16” higher than it was a year ago in early November. Just as important, the ground water level is back to normal levels and it is ground water flowing into Douglas Lake through thousands of seeps that is the major contributor. Surface streams flowing into the lake are an important factor in spring after snowmelt but far less so the rest of the year. Unless we have an extremely dry winter and spring our lake should have plenty of water in 2002.
EDITOR’S
CORNER
Barbara WilkinsonWith this mailing we are including the address changes that have been received during the past year. Please remember to notify the DLIA of any changes including area code changes. The next newsletter is scheduled for mid to late spring, always a fun one as we look forward to summer and the lake. If you wish to contribute please forward your articles or announcements to me no later than April 15th. Have a safe and happy holiday season.
D.L.I.A. COOKBOOK
The recipes are in and are being complied. We had a great response from all areas of the lake. Thank you. Also, a large thank you to association members who hosted private parties along various shores. By having guests bring recipes to these parties we received many additional recipes. The book will take many months to organize, type, proof and have published. If all goes as planned the first sale date will be on Memorial Weekend. Watch for details in the late spring newsletter or check the web site in May.
Trash, Trash, Trash, We Pick It Up
Mark Paddock
The Douglas Lake Improvement Association has completed the 5th year of removing trash along a 2 mile stretch of highway US 31 just west of the lake. We pick up three times a year, April, July and September. Each time it takes about two hours to gather about 8-10 big plastic bags of litter from along the highway which we leave in a pile for the highway department to take to a regional landfill. Perhaps the most satisfying thing about the project (aside from keeping our highway trash-free) is the warm response I receive each time I ask for volunteers. It must be the companionship or the usual gathering at the “Chicken Shack” after for coffee. But in truth it is most probably because these good people care about what we do. Several people merit special mention for their loyalty! Beverly Gerulski (Kraypohl) has come to every pickup but one and she missed that one only because we had to change the date due to rain. Beverly also has taken it upon herself to be the one-person trash pickup team for the 2.5 miles of Van Road from the lake to US 31. Seldom a week goes by that she does not walk that section several times with dog “Gritz”, gathering litter as she goes. (Lex Phillps did the same for Bryant Road for years). Of course I should include Ruth Paddock who has not ever missed a highway pickup and scores of times has patiently helped me pickup trash on University property. Why do I think cleaning up trash is so important? The improved appearance of the landscape is only part of the reason. There is a societal theory called the “broken window rule” in that a broken window if not repaired immediately will lead to another broken window, and another, and eventually complete trashing and lack of respect for others property. The same holds true of trashing the landscape. It is essential that we, if we care about this lovely region, keep it cleaned up!
Area News
Munro Township
A New Firehouse
After many years of wishing, Munro Township will finally have a firehouse this next spring. If any of you have noticed the construction near the corner of Levering and Heilman Roads, you are seeing it being built. There will be space for up to four fire trucks plus a meeting and training room for firemen. Munro Township is building the building. When it is complete, it will be equipped and manned by the Inverness Fire Department. The Joint Administration Fire Board, which included Munro, Inverness, Beaugrand and Hebron Townships is currently working on ways to finance the required equipment. The entire north side of Douglas Lake will be served from this firehouse.
Pellston
The Pellston prison camp is closing.
539 Phone Numbers
The phone numbers beginning with 539 can now call the north shore of the lake and Cheboygan toll free. Unfortunately, due to the fact that the Pellston has a different phone company than the north shore’s Century, the north side does not have this toll free advantage.
Michigan
Much of area code 517 changed to 989
On October 6, 2001 callers were required to use the new area code of 989 to reach a large area of Michigan previously having the 517 code. Basically the new area is north of Lansing, those cities and towns south have retained the 517 code. Members, to whom this applies, please notify the DLIA. E-mail the DLIA web site (info@douglaslake.org) or mail changes to the Editor, Barbara Wilkinson, P.O. Box 1067, Jackson, MI 49204-1067. Of course you may include any changes when you send your dues to our Treasurer (see DUES). Please do not make changes by phone calls!
DUES
$10.00 per year
2002 dues are due in January
They may be mailed to:
Douglas Lake Improvement Association
Elizabeth Verhoeven, Treasurer
P.O. Box 472
Pellston, MI 49769
Please Inform
If you see any campfires, fires or other harmful use of the station property please notify the UMBS. The station phone number is (231) 539-8408.