New Islands Association President Rusk Confirmed
By Amy Polk

The Les Cheneaux Islands Association Board includes (from left) Ray Phillips, Ed Rusk, Neil Williams, Mike Mahoney, with Georgian Bay Association members Bill Bialkowski and Mary Muter, LCIA board members Jan Williams, Peggy Hotchkiss, Jill Bigler, Fred Moore, and Gwen Phillips.

Ed Rusk was confirmed as president of the Les Cheneaux Islands Association Thursday, August 9, at the association's annual meeting and dinner.

He replaces Sally Brumleve, and is joined on the 2007-2008 board by First Vice President Mike Mahoney, Second Vice President Jan Williams, Secretary and Treasurer Esther Engle, Manager Mark Engle, and Immediate Past President Trip Abnee.

Directors include Jill Bigler, Peggy Hotchkiss, and Ray Phillips through 2008, Nancy Burke, Michele Royan, and Gwen Phillips through 2009, and Fred Moore, Neil Williams, and Patricia Frazier through 2010.

The Islands Association now has 435 member families, Mr. Rusk announced, representing more than 1,000 Les Cheneaux area residents, cottagers, and businesses. The annual dinner set a record for attendance this year, with 230 reservations.

Manager Mark Engle reported that Viking Boat Harbor placed 115 navigational buoys in the channels this year to mark shoals and rocks, and that "the lower the water gets, the more buoys we seem to need." Buoys are in place before Memorial Day and removed by October, and Mr. Engle recognized Steve Honnila of Viking for his work. He also complimented the work of property inspectors, and members' growing involvement in Clark Township issues.

"I think more than ever, over the last five years, there have been more issues and more things our members have been getting involved with," Mr. Engle said. "I don't think the community would be the same without their input."

Past President Trip Abnee presented the new presidential gavel, an old hammer from his family's boat, Captain Bing, a former World War I lifeboat that has been operated in the Les Cheneaux Islands for 80 years.

The recycling trailers used by Clark Township residents and cottagers are getting worn out and will soon need replacement, said Neil Williams, chair of the association's recycling committee. The committee will establish a replacement and maintenance fund to collect donations. It will cost about $5,700 to paint the blue multiple item recycling trailer and replace the green corrugated cardboard trailer, Mr. Williams estimates. Donations can be mailed to Les Cheneaux Community Schools and earmarked for the recycling trailer, he said. Clark Township board, Les Cheneaux Community Schools, and the Les Cheneaux Islands Association share joint responsibility for the trailers. This year, he added, the Islands Association has helped pay a portion of the transportation costs of drivers who take the trailers to the recycling station in Sault Ste. Marie. Local volunteers have been driving the trailers up with their own vehicles at their own cost, and the Islands Association compensates about one half the cost of the trip.

Giving the Fish and Game Committee report, Mr. Engle said the United States Department of Agriculture's efforts to control double-crested cormorants seem to be paying off in better catches of fish in recent years.

"Thanks to them, people are actually seeing the Cedarville area as a destination for fishing again, and staying in resorts for that reason," Mr. Engle said.

Historical Committee Chair John Griffin said the committee will establish a foundation in memory of Les Cheneaux history author Philip McM. Pittman. Money collected for the foundation will be used to start a historical audio tour of the Les Cheneaux Islands. Similar to a radio home tour, users could tune into a station and hear about historical sites as they move to different locations around the township. The committee hopes to have the program in place by next summer.

Forty young people and four adults participated in marine safety classes coordinated by the Islands Association and taught by Mackinac County Marine Deputy Tom Sherlund. The number shows a four-person increase in participation over last year. Participants take a 50-question exam at the end of the course, and receive a free life jacket if they successfully complete the course, reported Ray Phillips, a member of the Water Safety Committee. Mr. Phillips emphasized the need to teach more people to turn navigational lights on at sunset.

Boats being moored offshore should have mooring lights on as well. Low water levels are causing more property owners to moor their boats offshore, causing increased potential for accidents, he said.

The growing number of kayak and canoe users also should have lights on their vessels.

"We're working on something to get them to use lights for safety," Mr. Phillips added.

During the annual dinner, past Islands Association presidents in attendance were recognized, including Chuck and Jutta Letts, John Ashworth, John Walker, Bob Cox, John Griffin, Mark Clymer, Jack Edwards, Joan Holwadel, Dave Ecker, Mary Baker, Dick Speidel, and A. Victor and Trip Abnee.

"This is a wonderful group of people, and we have to thank them for their leadership," Mr. Rusk said.

Acknowledging the long history of some of the Islands Association members, Past President Dave Ecker also recognized the 100th year in the Les Cheneaux Islands for the Maescher family. John and Lucy Maescher came to the area in 1907, he said, and they built a house on Big LaSalle Island. Five generations of the family were represented at the dinner that night.