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For the 24th consecutive year, the Beaver Island Historical Society
will hold its annual Museum Week from July 12th through July 17th.
This week-long presentation of talks, hikes, lectures, art, and
music has become an important event for Island residents and visitors
alike.
At 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday (the 14th), Thursday, and Friday, the
staff of CMU's Biological Station will lead three three-hour Nature
Walks, the first for Adults ($10) and the next two for kids ($5.)
During the summer CMU offers a number of specialized Nature Walks,
cosponsored by the BIHS, such as to the dunes or to the bogs,
but these three cover a little bit of everything. Each expedition
is limited to 25 participants, so be sure to sign up at the Print
Shop Museum in advance.
Archaeologist Jay Peck initiates the afternoon programs on Monday
at 2:00 with a presentation on “Prehistory of the American
Southwest.” He will speak again (and show slides) on “Mysteries
of Archaeo-astronomy” on Wednesday at 2:00. These talks,
and Thursday afternoon's presentation, cost $3 for adults, $1
for children. Thursday's talk is by Jim Gillingham's CMU staff
on “Amazing Reptiles and Amphibians.” The live snakes
and giant frogs are always a big hit with the young.
Antje Price, the “Protar Lady,” will open the Protar
Home (on Sloptown Road) from 1:00 until 3:00 on Tuesday and Saturday,
and will chat about Protar's life, giving a sense of the veneration
in which he is still held. There is no charge (but donations are
accepted), nor is there for the Pet Show, held on the Print Shop
porch on Saturday at noon. Almost all entrants come away with
some kind of award (such as a certificate for the puppy with the
longest ears.)
The Marine Museum will celebrate its 100th Anniversary on Friday
afternoon with an Open House from 1:00 to 5:00. Another increasingly
popular event is the Art Show on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
at the School from noon until 4:00.
“Music on the Porch” will kick off the evening programs.
On Monday night, July 12th, Main Street will be closed and 200
chairs set up to listen to 12-15 performers on the Museum porch.
Some of the regulars have a great following, but there are always
surprises, both new people just off the boat and familiar faces
who previously kept their talent under wraps. Hats are passed
during intermission; if it rains, the chairs will be moved down
the street to the Parish Hall.
At 8:00 on Tuesday evening Michele VanderVelde and MaryAnn Moore,
members of GLLKA (the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers' Association),
will be at the Parish Hall to celebrate the immanent restoration
of the Whiskey Point Light and describe its history. The charge
for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings is $5 for adults
and $3 for kids.
Robert Cole will discuss the Oral History project on Wednesday
and show some of the material he recorded since his talk last
summer. On Thursday Native American speaker Joe Mitchell from
the Little Traverse Bay Band will talk about various aspects of
his culture.
On Friday Ed Palmer and the Beaver Island Boys will throw an
“Island dance” the way it was done for so many years.
Admission to this rollicking event is $10, and there will be a
cash bar. Another musical delight is on tap for Saturday evening:
a reprise of April's stunning performance of “A Little Night
Music,” songs by Stephen Sondheim. Drinks will be available,
and afterwards the cast will join the audience to toast the entire
week.
Once again the merchants have kicked in the funds needed to put
on these festivities, so please do everything you can to support
them.
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