1. 15 things I
LEARNED
this week in the
Les Cheneaux
Islands
Dianna Stampfler

2. PromoteMichigan.com
How to finally SAY Les Cheneaux (Lay Sh-NO)
Les Cheneaux Islands (French: "The Channels") are a
group of 36 small islands, some inhabited, along
12 miles of Lake Huron shoreline on the southeastern
tip of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
The towns of Hessel & Cedarville are found in the
Les Cheneaux Islands (referred to by the locals as
“The Snows”.
15 things I LEARNED this week…

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The “Grandfather of Conservation” vacationed here
Aldo Leopold (1887–1948) was an American author,
scientist, ecologist, forester, conservationist, and
environmentalist. He is best known for his book A Sand
County Almanac (1949), which has sold more than two
million copies.
Leopold vacationed in the Les Cheneaux Islands, and a
festival honoring his contributions to the area premiers
June 19-21, 2015.
15 things I LEARNED this week…

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There are guided tours in and around the islands
Woods & Water Eco Tours offers a variety of trips
in and around the waters of Les Cheneaux Islands.
Day trips, overnight excursions, biking adventures,
birding trips and even winter activities (dogsledding,
skiing, snowshoeing) and more throughout the area.
Tours are suitable for families (with kids as young as
five) and focus on the natural surroundings of the
area – the birds, habitats and eco-systems.
15 things I LEARNED this week…

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Les Cheneaux is home to four centuries of boat building
The boating tradition of Les Cheneaux dates back
at least 400 years. Native Americans used handmade
vessels primarily constructed of wood (dugout and birch
bark canoes), while French and British explorers and
traders navigated the waters in similar canoes, and
wooden vessels. The “Chippewa” was designed and built
by the Hamel Brothers Boat Shop in Cedarville about
1905. Examples of these historic vessels can be seen at
the Les Cheneaux Historical and Maritime museums.
15 things I LEARNED this week…

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The world’s first Chris Craft dealership was in Hessel
First opened in 1925, E.J. Mertaugh Boat Works became
the very first Chris Craft dealer in the world (in 1926).
Chris-Craft was started on Point du Chene, in Algonac,
Michigan, a small town on the St. Clair River.
Mertaugh is one of the area’s largest full-service
dealerships—offering sales, restoration, storage, marina
and a new coffee/ice cream/fudge shop on Hessel Bay.
15 things I LEARNED this week…

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The U.S. Navy commissioned the building of a boat here
The Great Lakes Boat Building School (GLBBS) in
Cedarville was commissioned to build a 32-foot wooden
Cornish pilot gig (named “August Glory”) for the
USS Constitution, the oldest ship in the U.S. Navy and
oldest commissioned naval vessel afloat in world.
GLBBS, in the Les Cheneaux Islands, is one of only five
such facilities of its kind in the United States.
15 things I LEARNED this week…

8. PromoteMichigan.com
The Hacker Craft is the focus of this year’s wooden boat show
The 2015 Les Cheneaux Islands Antique Wooden Boat Show
will be showcasing the Hacker Craft.
John Hacker, a Detroit native, founded the Hacker Boat
Company in 1914 and in 1923 moved the company from
Detroit to Mt. Clemens. Hacker closed in 1957 and
production was halted. Hacker Craft produced only
about 10,000 custom boats over the course of the
company’s 43 year history.
15 things I LEARNED this week…

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A new culinary school & restaurant overlooks Hessel Bay
Les Cheneaux Culinary School is housed in what was
formerly the Hessel Bay Inn, which was completely
renovated to architecturally reflect the area’s iconic, old
boat houses.
Opened in September, 2014, the state-of-the-art facility
offers an in-depth, one year program devoted to hands-
on experience. The Restaurant opened in May, 2015 and
will be open four months each summer.
15 things I LEARNED this week…

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Hollyhocks & Radishes was published by a local author
Bonnie Stewart Mickelson is the author of the 330-page
Hollyhocks & Radishes (1989). The book is a compilation of
happy thoughts, memories of good times and good food
that can be made with these unique recipes. This award-
winning cookbook is filled with Americana nostalgia.
As a business woman, Bonnie has also been instrumental in
the growth and re-development of today's Hessel.
15 things I LEARNED this week…

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Government Island is the only public island in Les Cheneaux
Government Island is an uninhabited, federally-owned
island open to day use and “Leave No Trace” camping.
It is the only public land within the Les Cheneaux Islands,
as it was once home to a Coast Guard Station.
Government Island is accessible via kayak, canoe or
motor boat, a 4.5 mile trip from Cedarville. Boats can be
beached at two landings on the Island.
15 things I LEARNED this week…

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Dollar Island features one of Michigan’s most unique homes
Dollar Island, the second most photographed island in the
country. In 1901, the island was privately purchased and a
Small home was built in the middle of the Snows Channel.
Every inch of land being utilized to hold up this now
elaborate house, with its verandas, turrets and docks out
into the water. The structure seems to float, without being
supported by the land.
15 things I LEARNED this week…

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Michigan’s oldest, continuously played links course is here
The public Les Cheneaux Golf Club began operation in
May 1898 and is the oldest, continuously-played links
course in Michigan. Early members of the Les Cheneaux
Club (established 1888) developed and chartered the
course. The course is a par 35, with 18 tees and is
designed in the style of the traditional Scottish links—
using the natural lay of the land. It is accessible by water
from a public dock off the Snows Channel.
15 things I LEARNED this week…

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The islands were a boat route for “rum runners”
Haven Island (aka “Bootlegger’s
Island”) was used by Detroiters
(perhaps the Purple Gang) who
started running whiskey by boat
from Blind River, Canada to
Mackinac Island. They bought a
Chris Craft runabout from Mertaugh’s, and soon they were doing huge business with Haven
Island as their camp. Gene and Martin Mertaugh finally took it upon themselves to run them
off Haven Island, when they went out with their deer rifles and told them to leave now, or else!
15 things I LEARNED this week…

15. Famous people visited the area’s famed hotels
The Islington Hotel was a family-owned and -
operated lakefront inn, built in Cedarville in 1896.
The facility lodged and entertained summer
guests for 60 years. During its heyday, it was
considered one of the finest seasonal hotels in the
Upper Midwest, welcoming famous people such
as actor Jimmy Durante and author Booth
Tarkington. The hotel was razed in 1959.
15 things I LEARNED this week…
PromoteMichigan.com

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There’s still a phone booth in Hessel
It’s quite a local controversy—should the pay phone
booth remain on the corner of Lake and Pickford roads?
While it blocks the view from the Culinary School
Restaurant, it is has become an iconic part of the
community. Some consider it an eyesore, yet others
jokingly ask “Where else will Superman change?”
if it is removed! Stay tuned…
15 things I LEARNED this week…