Manistee, Michigan
When we arrived at 7, Dave gave us a driving tour of the city, showing us the lake on the eastern side and Lake Michigan on the Western side. We were amazed at the amount of sand on the beach and the sand that blows into the parking lots. In the old “lumber baron” days Manistee had a population of about double what it is today. Now it is growing as a resort community with lots of new condos. Dave lives almost in the center of town. He took Fred to their church, First Congregational United Church of Christ, which is a magnificent brick building. It is a landmark in the town with a very high clock tower. Dave had to wind the clock. We walked up the stairs to the top and had to turn the crank to raise the weight (by cranking) that keeps the clock running – it is Dave’s month to do this. The sanctuary has beautiful wood work and stained glass windows. Two of the windows are Tiffany. The congregation is far too small (500) for this large church and the balcony is not used.
Dave in the TV Room.
Jane and Mary in the Reading Room.
Dave and Mary had to work both days we were there and so Monday, Stephanie would be our guide. She took Jane and Fred on a tour of the Church that Fred had seen last night. While there, guides were giving a tour to groups of people who were on a Cruise ship on Lake Michigan. At lunchtime, Stephanie guided us to Westshore Community College where Dave is assistant to the president. He was able to download the photos in Fred's digital camera to 4 floppy disks. We then toured the campus, went to the nearby town of Ludington, bought sandwiches at Subway, and went to Ludington State Park for a picnic lunch. We went back to Manistee and relaxed until dinner.
Dave's Office at the College.
Picnic in Ludington State Park: Jane, Stephanie and Dave.
Mary had to work late at the hospital so we decided to eat out at a restaurant in a mini-brewery: Lighthouse Brewing Company. One could order a beer sampler for $1 – Fred ordered the Broken Putter, a beer that was dark, but not that strong. The “golfer” on the label lives across the street from Dave and is the father whose son and daughter-in-law own the brewing company. Fred then had a mug of their pale ale beer. They make some very dark stouts and Dave had one of those. The food was good and the ambiance interesting – an old brick warehouse building converted to a brewery. A glass wall in the restaurant looks into the stainless steel brewing vats. After dinner, we walked on a newly installed white “picket fence” walk-way in back of the restaurant that goes several blocks along the river.
Brewry Restaurant with stainles steel vats in the background.
Walk along Manistee River.
Tuesday, Fred drove to the beach on Lake Michigan. He walked on a dock that led to a small lighthouse. He walked along the water but never went in. We had lunch. Dave quit work early and at 2 we went to the Ramsdell Theater. James Earl Jones is from Manistee and got his start in that theater. Dave helped write the script for a video about the Theater and Jones. It is closed for restoration. It is a beautiful old legitimate theater dating from the late 1800s. Dave is on the board responsible for the restoration.
Ramsdell Theater: Dave.
Inside Theater being restored.
Inside Theater.
James Earl Jones Portrait as Othello.
Placque.
We then toured a Ferryboat used to haul train cars across the Lake. It could carry about 30 cars. We visited a Candy Store and couldn’t resist buying some. We also walked along Lake Michigan.
Train/passenger ferryboat.
Guide.
Train with wheels blocked and ready to cross the Lake.
A passenger cabin on the ship.
Lake Michigan: Jane and Dave.
When we got home Mary was preparing a delicious boneless pork dinner.
Dinner: Jane, Dave, and Mary - note place cards made by Stephanie.
Wednesday we left at 8:30 for Macinac Island taking Route 31, the scenic route along the Lake. We arrived at 1, left our car in the parking lot (no cars allowed on the island), and took the Ferry to the Island.
Next Stop: Grand Hotel