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The annual Harvest Festival at Leelanau State Park will be held this Saturday, September 22nd from 9 AM - 4 PM. It features all kinds of activities for all ages including cider making, a bee keeper display, a blacksmith, pumpkin bowling, crafts vendors, a small farm market and hay rides through the campground.

The South Fox Island Lighthouse preservation group will also be cooking up their world famous pancake breakfast this morning and then brats and hot dogs all afternoon. The event is dependant on weather and other factors and you can call (231) 386-5422 for more information.

photo credit: The Grand Traverse Lighthouse [2/2] by jimflix!

John McCormick's gorgeous photo of the South Manitou light is one of several shots in John's Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore slideshow. It inspired me to share a little more about this structure courtesy Michigan lighthouse expert Terry Pepper. His South Manitou Island Lighthouse entry begins:

Located just off the mainland coast of Lake Michigan’s east coast, a group of islands known as the Beaver Archipelago form a chain which marked the western edge of a tight passage along the coast. Known as the "Manitou Passage," vessel masters taking this narrow passage were able to reduce the travel distance between the ports of Lake Michigan’s southern shore and the Straits of Mackinac by sixty miles, as opposed to taking the more circuitous route through open water to the west of the islands. As the most southerly of this chain of islands, South Manitou also featured one of the areas safest natural harbors, and with 5,260-acres of fine timber growth covering the island, it is not surprising that a few enterprising settlers arrived during the mid 1830’s to sell firewood to steamers taking shelter in the harbor when things turned sour out in the lake. By the late 1830’s it was commonplace to find upward of fifty vessels crowded into the harbor seeking refuge and taking-on supplies when things turned sour out in the lake.

Lying a scant few miles west of Sleeping Bear Point, mariners were hard pressed to locate the southern entrance to the busy passage at night or in times of thick weather, and a cry arose throughout the maritime community to light the southern entrance to the passage. Taking up their call on February 19, 1838, Michigan State Representative Isaac Crary entered a motion before the House of Representatives to erect a lighthouse on South Manitou, and fully cognizant of the vital role played by maritime commerce in the area, Congress responded quickly with an appropriation of $5,000 for the station’s construction on July 7 of that same year.

Read on for much more from the lackadaisical first keeper, William Burton to the 1857 reconstruction of the light with Cream City brick. Much more on South Manitou Light from the National Lakeshore.

The Great Lakes Echo has been asking photographers to send them their toughest Great Lakes shots for their Flash Point series. They recently featured Ken Scott of Ken Scott Photography...

South Manitou Lighthouse

Lit by a full moon, this is a stack of 350, 30-second exposures.

The hard part was getting the timing to work out so I could travel out to the island when there would be a full enough moon to light the landscape and no clouds to interfere with the shoot. It was a crap shoot and took a few trips out to get the timing the way I wanted it.

The easy part was hanging out on the beach under a full moon!

The interesting part (for me) is how technology has changed and with it, so have techniques. I used to do long exposures on film to get star trails, but if there was any man-made lighting, like street lamps, it would over-expose that part of the image and many times make the whole image unusable. Now with digital, you can take shorter exposures keeping lights better exposed and stack many photos to get the star trail effect without blowing out highlights. The time lapse of all the images to make this photo are here.

-Ken Scott

This week's photo is South Fox Island ... tower view, spring panorama by Ken Scott. A glorious shot for an unprecedented March. Don't miss his slideshow from South Fox Island.

The South Fox Lighthouse Association maintains this light, has lots of great history and photos and is a worthy target for your donations. Click the "f" to the left to visit them on Facebook.

Recently, I made the acquaintance of Terry Pepper. Terry's Seeing the Light is hands-down the best Great Lakes Lighthouse website out there and I've used him as a resource for years in dozens of lighthouse features on Michigan in Pictures. Terry told me I could lean on him (even more) for photos and information. It seems a shame to waste that gift, so here goes. On his South Fox Island Lighthouse page he begins:

South Fox Island is located approximately seventeen miles off Cat's Head Point, at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula. The story of this Island light began with Congress's appropriation of $18,000 for the construction of a lighthouse there on March 2, 1867.

Work on the light station began immediately, with the construction of the Cream City brick tower. With walls thirteen inches in thickness, the square tower topped-out at forty-five feet in height, and contained a forty-eight step cast iron spiral staircase leading to the lantern room.

The lantern was outfitted with a flashing red Fourth Order Fresnel lens, and the station's first keeper Henry J. Roe climbed the tower steps to exhibit the light for the first time on November 1, 1867.

Read on for much more including Keeper Warner's battle with drifting sands and snow that piled so high as to interfere with access to the station's buildings and more about that Cream City brick from Milwaukee.

OK, now who's up for a little stroll around South Fox Lighthouse?

"Food was important to have on hand. When I was in the Guard, there was one keeper who knew we were coming and threw all his food out for the gulls. The wind shifted and blew like hell for four or five days--he had to go out to the beach and get what he could from the gulls. As a Group Commander, one of my rulings was to leave canned food in all the lights over the winter. People who got stuck in the ice could often make it to a lighthouse or crib and that food could save their lives."
~former GT Lighthouse resident Doug McCormick (from NMJ)

The Grand Traverse Lighthouse is located nine miles north of Northport, Michigan at the very tip of the Leelanau Peninsula. While the post of keeper was an arduous one in wintertime in the 1930s, it's an easier post now. The lighthouse is accepting applications to live in the historic lighthouse and be a winter or summer keeper for the 2012 season through their Keeper Program.

Keepers live in the fully furnished northern apartment of the lighthouse and have full access to the lighthouse tower which boasts amazing views of the Manitou Passage and Grand Traverse Bay. There are two bedrooms with twin beds, a full and half bath, a well appointed kitchen and large living room, all with views of the lake.

The regular program runs from May through November, and keepers are responsible for greeting visitors at the admissions desk and providing them with historical information. They also run the gift shop, and work on building and grounds maintenance, cleaning and other related lighthouse projects. They must be energetic, comfortable speaking with the public, in good health, able to climb stairs and be on duty 8 to 9 hours per day with breaks. There is a program fee of $195.00 per person per week.

The Winter Keeper Program runs from December through April. For $100.00 per night up to four people can stay at the lighthouse. There is a minimum two night stay. Children are welcome and families encouraged to visit. Although the museum and gift shop are closed to the public the grounds are open for cross country skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, bird watching and other wintery activities. Lighthouse work projects will be expected from all keepers.

Get all the details at the link above or contact Lisa Drummond at the GTLM office at (231) 386-7195/progcoor@triton.net.

Photo Credit: Grand Traverse Light, Leelanau St Pk, MI by arrdubyazee

I finally realized that I should post the great photos we have each week in our Almanac with a little more of an eye for posterity!

This week's photo is a panorama of the Grand Traverse Lighthouse by Ken Scott. Ken says that Sunday was an 'awesome cloud day'.

Check it out bigger or in his fantastic light'house's slideshow.

Once again the Grand Traverse Lighthouse and the Northport-Omena Chamber of Commerce are joining together for the Northport Lighthouse and Maritime Festival on Saturday, June 19 in Northport. The festival celebrates the lighthouse and Northport's maritime history and will be held at Haserot and Marina Parks from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. A few of the highlights of the festival include Nautical Silent Auction & Flea Market, maritime historical displays, a nautical arts and craft show, Model Sailboat Making & Pond Races, Historic Boats on Display, Northport Weather Tower Interpretation, and more. A memorial bench dedication will take place at 12 noon in honor of Northport Boat Builders, including Bill Livingston, Ted Craker, and Chris Telgard.

Also back for the festival is the annual Fish Boil dinner. Fresh whitefish, from Carlson's of Fishtown, is simmered with redskin potatoes and onions. Also available is slaw, corn on the cob, rolls, pie, and beverages. Dinner will be available from noon to 6:00pm for $15/person. New this year - you can buy a glass of wine or beer for $5 from the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum volunteers to enjoy with your meal.

Inland Seas Education Association will be offering 2 hour schooner cruises focusing on maritime history of Northport guided by the ship's crew and a guest faculty of local historians. The cost is $30 per person the day of the cruise or buy one get one at 50% off pre-paid by June 18th.

Photo: We'll keep a light on for you ~ by KT of Lake Orion

Looking for something to do this winter?  The Grand Traverse Lighthouse has announced they will be extending their Keeper program throughout the winter.  The program is normally offered from April through November.  A special Off Season Keepers Program will run from December through April.

MLive's travel writer, Kim Schneider, tells us more about Winter Keeper Program at the lighthouse.

In the high season, keepers must commit to a week. In the off season, you can stay just one night (or more) for $25 a person, per night, up to four people at a time. Keepers also are expected to do basic maintenance chores and give historical information to any cross-country skiers or snowshoers who may be passing by.

Read Kim's article for more information. Or visit the Grand Traverse Lighthouse website for a Keeper's manual and application.

Photo: Grand Traverse Light in Winter by Pentax K1000 Gal

On October 17 and 18 the Grand Traverse Lighthouse, located within the Leelanau State Park, will host its 6th Annual Haunted Lighthouse. Hours on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. One can tour the decorated, spooky keepers dwelling and/or venture through the scary basement. Some new additions to this year's event include: an outdoor straw maze, pirate ship with canons, lighted outdoor Halloween decorations, and all those attending in costume will receive a special prize.

NEW this year is the Halloween Tent with a variety of younger children’s activities including coloring pages, penny toss, rubber duck race, tattoo table, pumpkin bowling and other fun outdoor games and activities. Also, bring in your carved pumpkin for display for the weekend and you could win a prize. Every person who attends will vote on the pumpkins. There are two categories for both children and adults

Don't forget to bring your "trick or treat" bags. This is fun for the whole family; cost is $4.00 for adults and $2.00 children (6-18) and 5 and under are free. State Park Motor Vehicle Permit is also required.

Also, new this year are guided tours Friday and Saturday evening, Oct. 16 and 17. There are two tour times available at 7 pm and 7:30 pm. Each tour last about an hour. Cider and cookies will follow. Reservations are required and there is a special tour price of $5 per person.

For more information on either of these events, please call Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum at 231-386-7195.

The Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum will host their annual Lobster Fest Fundraiser on Thursday, August 20th from 6:00pm - 9:00pm. The event benefits the lighthouse foundation restoration project and features a dinner with fresh Maine lobster (or chicken), redskin potatoes, corn on the cob, cherry brownies, slaw, coffee, iced tea, beer or Leelanau wine.  Local favorite,  Hugh Willey, will be providing the musical entertainment for the night.

In addition to the food and entertainment, there will be a silent auction.  And the Coast Guard boat that was the launch for the North Manitou shoal crib will be on display.  The boat was donated by the Northport Bay Boatyard, and has been restored.  There will be a 15 minutes presentation on the boat.

Reservations are required and may be made by calling 386-7195.  It's an evening not to miss!

Photo: KAScott_20090603_1681_stackb2 by Ken Scott