The former Feneley & Archey General Merchandise, known today as Lakeside Grocery, opened in 1924. It is the oldest continuously operating business in Curtis. The Curtis community is celebrating its 100th anniversary Thursday, September 2 through Sunday, September 4. (Photograph courtesy of Curtis Chamber of Commerce) 115 Years Ago

Saturday, August 30, 1890

The cold weather drove over 200 resorters from Mackinac Island last Monday.

The old blacksmith shop near Jamieson’s dock has been torn down and an office for C.Y. Bennett is being erected in its place.

Beth Wilson, who was run over by a buggy and had her arm broken a short time ago, is getting along nicely and will soon be out again.

The Detroit Evening News has entered on its 18th year of publication, and will build one of the finest newspaper blocks in the state this season.

90 Years Ago

Thursday, September 2, 1915

Within the walls of historic old Fort Mackinac, the memory of General Lewis Cass was signally honored last Saturday with the unveiling of a beautiful bronze tablet with appropriate exercises in which the chief executive of the state and a number of the eminent men of the nation participated. Speakers included Governor (Woodbridge) Ferris, State Park Commission Chairman Hon. Edwin O. Wood, Col. Wm. P. Preston, mayor of Mackinac Island, Hon. Edwin Henderson of Detroit, and Right Reverend Monsignor Frank A. O’Brien of Kalamazoo, president of the Michigan Historical commission.

The public schools of the city will open Tuesday, September 7th.

The plant of the Algomah Steel and Co. at the Canadian Soo has been awarded a big contract for war supplies for the Allies and are making about 2,500 projectiles a day and are breaking ground for an additional building to make other kinds of material for the same people.

50 Years Ago

Thursday, September 1, 1955

Local citizens were interested Monday morning in the arrival of Harry S. Truman, former President of the United States and strong party voice.

Mr. Truman arrived here before nine o’clock from Mackinac Island and landed at the Indian Village ferry dock, where he was greeted by a large group of local party members and interested people. It was the first visit here of a president or past president since William Howard Taft more than 45 years ago.

It is predicted that the ferries will handle about 30,000 vehicles over the period of Friday through Monday, during Labor Day weekend. Last year, on Thursday through Monday, the traffic was a little over 24,000 autos, less than the year before.

Manager Red Smith and his U.P. championship Saints are ready to leave for Battle Creek today, where at two o’clock tomorrow afternoon they open their double elimination tournament in the American Baseball Congress with Pontiac.

Smith plans to take pitchers Louie Grondin, Donald “Ducky” Smith, both left handers, and Peters, a right hander, into the tournament. Of course, he still has big Joe Davis, Gerald Paquin, and one or two others to use in a pinch. Others planning to make the trip are Jumbo Soeltner, Jim Brown, Joe Fraser, Moie Brown, Jerry Mayo, Bill Cody, Pete Spieles, Gene Massey, and Jackie Robinson.

Lewis Adams, 33, who was born in Petoskey, and is the son of Thomas Adams who still lives there, will bless the Straits Bridge and entreat the spirit of Gitchi-Manitou in an Ottawa ceremony September 9. Announcement was made by Prentiss M. Brown, chairman of the Mackinac Bridge Authority, who said foundation work on the $100 million bridge was largely completed and that some of the main towers, founded on bedrock, are more than 200 feet above the water.

Births –– Joseph Dale Jr., August 24, to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Gallagher of Mackinac Island; Suzann Marie, August 27, to Mr. and Mrs. Melvin St. Onge of St. Ignace; Faryl Jay, August 29, to Mr. and Mrs. George Joseph of St. Ignace.

35 Years Ago

Thursday, September 3, 1970

Final preparations for the 13th annual Bridge Walk are being completed this week as bridge officials speculate what effect the early school openings will have on the bridge walk crowd. Last year, rain on Labor Day morning kept the crowd down to 16,000. This year, the combination of a late Labor Day and many children back in school this week could have the same limiting effect, even if the weather is good.

Michigan motorists will drive an estimated 610 million vehicle miles over the Labor Day weekend. The anticipated total from Friday noon through Tuesday noon exceeds the 1969 Labor Day figure by nearly five million vehicle miles. By comparison, the 1970 Fourth of July total was estimated at 630 million vehicle miles.

Clarence “Clancy” Kalmer will swim from Mackinac Island to St. Ignace on Sunday, September 6, planning to come ashore at Kiwanis Beach just prior to the final performance of “The Black Gown Tree” scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m.

Kalmer, formerly of St. Ignace, will be marking the 12th anniversary of the swimming races once conducted between British Landing and St. Ignace, in which he participated.

15 Years Ago

Thursday, August 30, 1990

Movement toward an agreement for a new Native American medical clinic at Mackinac Straits Hospital could come in early September, now that the issue of hospital ownership has been resolved.

The Hospital Board plans a special meeting September 5 to consider action on two proposals –– offers of hospital land for the clinic and of one Hospital Board seat to the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Both are sought by the tribe as part of a proposed joint venture for the clinic.

Another St. Ignace sewer main broke last week, prompting a special City Council meeting, threats of lawsuits, a possible fine from the Department of Natural Resources, and more agonizing over a problem that won’t go away.

From all accounts, wastewater under pressure blasted through the blacktop surface of LeMotte Street and formed a geyser as much as four feet high after an 18-inch heavy plastic pipe cracked open “like a stick of dynamite going off underground,” said City Manager Gary “Pete” Heckman.

Naubinway-Engadine column –– Brotherton’s men’s softball team traveled to Sault Ste. Marie August 11 and 12 to participate in the Michigan Amateur Softball Association’s District 24 Class E State Tournament. Players included manager Leon Lesatz, Dan, Jeff, and Todd Lesatz, Lee Vaughn, Larry Peters, Tom Selling, Doug Erickson, Bob Edwards, Bob Brotherton, Don Butkovich, Ron Asp, Joe Francis, Kirk Smith, Dave Bowler, and Fred Rodriquez.

Twelve teams participated in the tournament. Brotherton’s team was undefeated and won the championship with a 5-0 record.