A Day at the Big Bass Lake School

At one time this was the Big Bass Lake School that my father and his sisters attended and today it serves as the Sauble Township Hall. My dad and his brothers and sisters had just over a mile walk to the school each day as there were no school buses in that era. Their teacher usually arrived about an hour before the kids and had to draw water from the well for drinking purposes that day and also to stoke the fire to keep the room warm.

Bible readings from the teacher usually began the day. In this area the teacher had their work cut out for them as it was a mix of English and Lithuanian children. I know at my dads house the children were not permitted to speak English even though they were learning it at school. Only their native language was allowed as that is all my grandparents knew.

Class would then begin. As the day progressed each class was called to the “recitation” bench. There the teacher worked exclusively with those children for a period, while the other students busied themselves studying or doing an assigned lesson. Normally there was a brief morning recess of about fifteen minutes, followed by more classes, and then an hour for lunch. The afternoon was spent much like the morning with classes and a short recess.

Every subject was studied in that one room. This school is located right down the block from the Big Bass Lake store and very close to the area softball field today. It is still standing.   On their eay home from school, some kids might have stopped off at the Big Bass Lake store for some things for their parents. 

How about a dozen eggs for 18 cents?  Or bread for eight cents a loaf?  Or pork and beans at five cents a can?  Hot dogs could be bought for eight cents a pound.  And you could get four cans of Campbell’s Tomato Soup for a quarter!  Of course most area farms were nearly self sufficient but how’d you like to find those prices today?

Is Alice Lake Modernizing?

Thia may be a question that only Ed Hawks can answer?  But I have to wonder if Alice Lake is going the way of Big Bass Lake when the Heritage Bay Development Company transformed the former Camp Martin Johnson into a large-scale housing project?  Is this the Alice Lake equivalent by way of their Alice Lake Estates?

More importantly, will this Alice Lake Estates change the tranquil setting of Alice Lake?  Will speedboats begin to churn up the waters of this lake too?   Will large homes use pesticides on their lawns that will eventually change the landscape of Alice Lake?

Will the tranquil waters of this beautiful little lake be forever changed when the Estates if fully realized?  Or will Alice Lake still retain the charm and dignity that it so rightly has always possessed?  Will scenes like this still be found on the lake?

 Or will the golden age and heritage of Alice Lake be transformed into what other lakes in the area have already experienced?  Will it retain its simple purity?  Let us know by way of a comment.

Boys Club Transitions

I wanted to take a look back at the five Boys Clubs of America that I was a part of during that time of my life.

1.  Marion, Indiana:  I was the Educational Director there and part of my job was to host  weekly television program on Channel 23.  That club has now been sold to a church and has relocated to just south of Indiana Wesleyan University.  It was from here and from Taylor University that many of my guest speakers came from.

2.  Salesian, Columbus, Ohio.  This club was located in downtown Columbus and closed down a few years ago for a lack of financial resources.  Part of my job there was to work at St. Ladislaus as their physical education director.  The club itself has  pool, gymnasium with a running track over the gym, and an eight lane bowling alley.

3.  Hoffman Estates, Illinois.  This was my first job as an Executive Director and I had a renovated barn with an excellent outside facility including a football field and two softball fields.   The director after my tenure caused the club to close down and the building itself was removed.

4.  Joplin, Missouri:  I was again the Executive Director of this club and oversaw their new facility which was partly opened during my tenure.  Since that time, the old building has been razed and a second gym installed. 

5.  Bradenton, Florida.  This club remains the same to this day with no physical changes. 

Of course over the span of some twenty-five years changes are inevitable and progress must be a part of any expansion plan.  It was sad, though, to learn that Hoffman Estates and the Salesian clubs are no longer in operation.

What Is Your Favorite Lake?

A Skier on Big Bass Lake

Big Bass Lake is an excellent lake to water ski on as there are so many twists and turns throughout the lake. These twists and turns include going around the five islands that are found on the lake. Speedboats of varying sizes and shapes, including horsepower, jot in and around those islands with their skiers in tow. Of late even tubing has taken over on the lake as an alternative to water skiing.

Jet skis are also found on the lake but not as much as a few years ago. Before anyone can enjoy their recreational pursuits they must consult the rules of the lake that detail what directions a boat must take around each island thus avoiding head on collisions.

However once that is downloaded in your mind, there are many miles of waterfront to enjoy water skiing the lake in whatever form you wish to take. A good question might be as to what the earliest date people begin water skiing on the lake each year as well as the last good date to take advantage of the lake. Any thoughts on that?

The Old Cottage

Coming up the hill from the lake is what I call our old cottage. In the 1950′s it looked to be in better shape that it does now. It had a screened in porch with two yellow insect lights and two bedrooms. Since the old house did not have enough room for family visitors, the cottage was used. I always stayed in a bed in the old house kitchen but my sisters stayed at the cottage. They were about twenty yards apart.

The cottage had an excellent view of the lake. The two bedrooms were rather small with a nightable in each along with a double bed. Heavy quilts were used to take the chill out of the Michigan night air. Each bedroom had a side window with a screen that could be raised or lowered depending on taste. The side to the lake caught cool breezes. On the other side of the cottage was our grainery.

I have another picture of the cottage from a front view that I will post in the future along with a story about how it was used on one of my camping trips in the 1970′s.

Peace Returns to Big Bass Lake After Labor Day

Today is the busiest, or next busiest, day that the Public Landing at Big Bass Lake gets.  Labor Day marks the day that the speedboats are pulled from the lake to be stored until next Memorial Day.  But not only that as many piers are taken in for the cold weather ahead.

After Labor Day a certain calm returns to Big Bass Lake where rowboats and kayaks can patrol the lake without being worried about huge wakes unsettling them.  A sense of civility returns to those that live around the lake as they can actually hear the peaceful sounds of the wind for a change over that of roaring motors.

There are some on Big Bass Lake that would like to see an end to the public landing but I suppose it serves its purpose for three months out of the year.  Many of those same boats become parade floats over the Fourth of July. 

I wonder how many year round residents get to enjoy all four seasons that the lake has to offer?  As fall approaches the lake will be alive with all the colors of the rainbow as trees show off their finery only to be reflected right back off the lake. 

But then the countdown to Memorial Day begins anew when the lake will again churn heavily to the sound of speedboats as the cycle never ends.  So enjoy those peaceful fall days on Big Bass Lake to their fullest!

“Your” Memories of Big Bass Lake- Part Seven

This was our annual vacation resort for years – relatives still return each year.
My grandfather came here as a child, so did my dad, so did we.
This is some of what I remember from the last 50 years …

A quiet lake and beautiful surrounding, but sand everywhere.
Cabins before they had hot water or heat
The YMCA camp and hearing Day is Done played every night
Seeing the amazing, beautiful stars; like the milky way and southern lights while fishing at night
That Otto lived in the house next to the Realty Place, next to the store
That Dinty Moore lived in a house on the lake in the summer and drove to Florida for the winters
The Benders owned/operated the Na-Tah-KA
The roller skating rink on Loon Lake that lit up the area on Friday nights
Spiders as big as the center line in the street
The fish bait place past Otto’s (to get minnows you used for catching large pike-like my little sister caught on her bamboo pole)
Martin Cass’s cabins and the fish head tree that was next to the Bass Lake Store
Crappies were everywhere and easily caught
Leaded gas pumps on the dock at the store
It is nice to remember some things about the good old days.  Marsha

“Your” Memories of Big Bass Lake- Part Six

Oh My Goodness, people! This is fabulous. I have been coming to BBL since I was born in 1952. My grandparents were Jack and Carrie (Matson) Woolsey…so yep, I’m one of those Matson’s…sort of!!! Everything that you’re all talking about ignites a spot in my heart….and I’m looking out at the lake as we speak!!!! It’s cloudy and rainy and we are expecting snow on Sunday!! I am one of the fortunate ones whose dream came true and I live here now all the time.
The roller rink, Mr. Cass, BBL Store (which is still vacant and crumbling) was also owned by my grandma and grandpa for a little while! The Fun Spot. I sure wish it was here now because I bowl with the ladies on Tuesday’s and we have to go all the way to Baldwin.
Grandma and Grandpa Woolsey used to rent cottages on the SE end of the lake. I don’t know the years, only that it was a long time ago. My Mother, Winnifred (Woolsey) Larkin and her sister Suzanne (Woolsey) Aupperlee inherited the cottages. Suzanne is alive and well and lives here full time. She will be 88 in December and still bowling!! My Mom, Winnifred, passed away in 1994 (as did my Dad) and I inherited their place. In 1995, I sold Mother’s place to my cousin, Karen Aupperlee, and we built the little red cottage next door to it. Trying hard to keep it “all in the family”.
I too was broken hearted with the sale of CMJ and the public access coming in. I would still lead a raid to blow it up, if any of you are willing!!!! (Kidding of course.)
The loons are still my favorite thing. We have geese and sand hill cranes too. Can’t forget Henry the blue heron. All such warm spots in my heart from growing up here.
I specifically remember a time when a Matson cousin and I decided to travel the channel to LBL. We had our V-bottom boat and no mosquito spray. (We did have lunch, I think.) It took us ALL day to get over there!!! Then, I remember being freaked out about all the octopus all over the bottom of the shallow part by the opening….of course they were tree stumps, but what did we know?
Does anyone remember when Natalie Cole was a counselor at CMJ and her famous Dad, Nat King Cole visited her? I know that he sang over the PA system, and I thought it was the “Lord’s Prayer,” but I don’t know for sure. I loved listening to taps every night and I loved waving to all the kids on the 7 or 8 busses when they were coming to or going home from camp!!!!
Martin Johnson’s house has been moved to Skinner Park in Irons and is a museum. Talk about memories…we all went into it through the basement and oohed and ahhed over the paintings and taxidermies things. We never ever hurt or took anything, but others did. Almost all if it is gone, but the museum has many articles that are, at least, of the same time period!!!
I have to stop talking! I could go on forever…I have letters that I sent to my folks from a trip out west in 1969 (I was 17). I told them horridly about all that we were doing and seeing, but the last several lines were about BBL. Can we please go up the minute we get back, what boys have stopped over while I’ve been gone, what’s everybody been doing? Mostly…how soon are we going up North after I get home???? It certainly is the most unforgettable place I’ve ever known!!!!  Pisha Larkin Bishop

Thanks Dave! Great pictures! Great memories. !
My aunt & uncles cottage is near the old Peacock Resort. At the time it was run by Lori Wack and her partner Rosie. They had a farm there as well and cared for injured wildlife. My brothers & I were regular visitors over there. We loved hanging around with Lori & Rosie and all of the animals. It is kind of funny. Through all of the posts I have read I haven’t seen any mention of John Ruby. He owned so much of the property up there at the time. The farm across from the Bartletts store belonged to Ruby as well.  Judy Disclafani – Rosenblum

“Your” Memories of Big Bass Lake- Part Four

Wow, it was fun reading this, my parents purchased one of the cottages that was part of the Old Homestead Resort in 1960 and it has been in the family ever since. I remember the camp, the roller rink and the fun spot. I spent many a weekend there. I can remember raiding the YMCA camp a couple times a year as a teen. I remember Luke’s corner, we used to walk up there all of the time – I think it was a relief for our parents to get rid of us for awhile.

I’ve been told by the previous owners, the Jones Family, who have a rich history in the area that President Ford and his family used to stay in our cottage (of course, this was a long, long time ago. Cheri Spencer

 LOL I remember the “Fun Spot” too, it was a “fun Spot” for myself and my friends in the mid 60’s to go. We lived in Freesoil and there wasn’t much there so we would beg a ride from our neighbor, who was 14 with no drivers license who drove us over to Irons in his dads truck and we would skate and just hang out over there. I actually did move to Irons, on Midget lake, on 12 mile (county line rd) after I retired and only moved to CA because of the weather, I just can’t take Michwinters anymore! LOL Patrick

I used to visit both the Fun Spot and the Loon Lake Pavilion in the early 70’s too when staying with family friends on LoonLake. In 1986 my husband and I bought a small cottage on LoonLakeand are now building a new home there. The Fun Spot was still around but the Loon Lake Pavilion was gone. I wish my kids could have skated there! It’s nice to read the history of the Loon & BigBassLakesarea. Mary Anne Nugent

 Also, remember the Loon Lake Roller Skating Pavilion around the corner from Na-Tah-Kah? Would also love to get some pictures of that place.  I used to visit the Fun Spot a lot as a kid. It closed I believe in the late 70’s. Ditto on the photographs. I have been searching high and low for them. Michelle Olmstead

My family (my dad, 2 aunts with spouses and 2 uncles with spouses) started rented from Mr. Kass next to the store in the fifties and sixties. Later from Dinty Moore and countless others until the late seventies. I continued going from the eighties until present. My nephew and his family will rent from John Baldiga, August 18-22. I remember the Brown twins and of coarse Jon Holmes skiing at dusk. I learned to roller skate there. I remember Stu at the camp. My sister Hazel and her girlfriend Carol were their age and always looked forward to seeing them; The Fongers from SpringLakehad a cottage there. We live in SpringLakeand even though I grew up here, the lake is no comparison to BBL.  Alan Garter

I was just searching the web to see if I could find pictures of Big Bass Lake & Irons to show my husband. He hears all of the stories about all the good time we has growing up and going to my aunt & uncles cottage on BigBassLake. I have not been back there for a while though my family still does and they still have the same cottage. My cousin Dave Waters moved up there to Irons. Unfortunately he passed away a few years ago. I remember taking a row boat up to Ottos store and passing under the bridge. We also took drinks of water from the pump outside the store and everyone drank from the same tin cup that was attached to the pump on a string. I used to love the hamburgers from Na Ta Kah’s. I also learned to skate and the skating rink there. I remember the neon lights that surrounded the eves of the roofs off both the general store and the rink. I have so many memories…. One that sticks out was a young boy fishing on the lake got a fishing hook in his finger. He was out there by himself and crying. My dad rowed out to him and got the hook out. Years later my father broke down on the road and two young men pulled up to help him. My dad tried to give them some money and the guys said no that’s ok. My dad then asked their names. The one had a name ( Can’t remember) that caught my dads attention. My dad said I took a hook out of a little boy’s finger one time that had the same name. The guy then finished my dad’s sentence telling him exactly on the lake where it was and that it was him who had the hook in his finger. He again thanked my dad for taking care of him that day. One day I will take my husband so he can see. Judy Disclafani – Rosenblum

“Your” Memories of Big Bass Lake- Part Three

My own history of Loon Lake Skating Rink was that my uncle Al Dumas had a band that played there in probably the 1930’s. My uncle Everett played the banjo. I would assume this was on weekends. My husband says it was a dance place at that time. Shar Bartlett

I worked at CMJ 1956-1961 as counselor, water ski instructor, and out of camp director. Jerry Broadway was our boss. The best boss I had my entire life. How could anyone forget the Loon Lake Roller Rink and Big Bass Lake Store? We use to take our campers to both places as activates. After hours, the camp staff not on duty use to go there for great fun and roller skating. The gals from all around including BassLakeand WolfLakeuse to show up in their short shorts. We all learned the Congo, two step, and couples skate. What fun. Bay Andreas

My husband Bruce worked with his Dad Otto and Mom Ruth at the Bass Lake Store that Otto built in the 1920’s. The couple lived in an apartment that was then part of the little store. Ottos father Robert Henry Bartlett and his wife Abbie owned a grocery store in Peacock, MI His Aunt Katie Bartlett ran a hotel and restaurant also in Peacock. Edwin one of Robert’s brothers owned a sawmill on the SableRiver, which was later sold to Zahn Tuckey’s son. Shar Bartlett

MY FATHER STARTED BRINGING OUR FAMILY TO BIG BASSLAKEINTHE FIFTIES. MY FONDEST MEMORIES ARE OF THE STORE AND ROLLER RINK. WE FIRST STARTED RENTING FROM MR CASS NEXT TO THE STORE. MY FATHER WOULD BRING AN INFLATABLE APPLE AND HANG IT FROM THE TREE TO LET FAMILY AND FRIENDS KNOW WE WERE THERE. MADE MANY FRIENDS OVER THE YEARS (MY MOTHER AND FATHER WOULD VISIT THE HARTS OFTEN, MANY TIMES IN GRAND HAVEN ON THEIR WAY TO THE COTTAGE ) I REMEMBER THE TWIN BOYS RON AND DON BROWN AND THE BALDIGAS AND JOHN HOLMES BAREFOOT SKIING IN THE EVENING WHAT A SHOW!!! THE ROLLER RINK WAS MY FAVORITE. Alan Garter

I remember Otto Bartlet. When I was just a little girl, we would go to the store quite often. My sister, Doris Ault,[called Dodo] was a friend of Dixies.We stayed summers with my grandparents John and Gertrude Matson on the lake. Dorispassed away a year ago. But before she died she told me that she had talked to Dixiea couple of years earlier. Bruce and Dixiewere a little younger than me. I remember the roller rink also. I was married in 1949; we came up to my grandma’s cottage on our honeymoon. We purchased a little Brownie camera from Otto’s store to take pictures. We paid $4.98 for the camera, which we still have. We retired on BigBassLake25 years ago and live next door to my grandma’s cottage. Of course grandma is gone now but she lived to be 105 years old. Barbara Ault Hart

I go back a very, very long way. Back to the 1950’s, (Otto – white Mustache and all). I remember Otto turning the crank on a 55 gallon barrel to deliver pre-mixed 2 cycle fuel for our 1/4 HP Evenrude outboard. (You could row faster than that thing would propel that old row boat). )

Sure wish the environmental could be solved/resolved. What a shame that that piece of history is languishing. The last time I was there back in the 1990’s the Bass Lake Store was still open.

Hello to the Fords, and to the people that still remember Burton Jones who owned the Old Homestead Resort. We stayed at Cabin #10 for about

Fifteen years or more during the 1950′ and 1960’s. We would walk down the road to “Lukes” for a Dad’s Old Fashioned Root Beer. I wanted to live there onBigBassLakefor the rest of my life.

Those were, truly the days! Fondly remembering “Chip” and the wonderful times we had.  Fred Gilbert

I just learned about this web sit and appreciate all the hard work that has gone into this site. I am the great grandson of John and Gertrude Matson of the John Matson resort, descendants of Anton Matson. My mother Barbara Hart has been doing genealogy on the Matsons and bass lake for years. I have been at the lake since 1954 and remember waking up every morning by the bugle from camp Martin Johnson. What a great place to grow up. Don Hart

This is so interesting. My grandma lives on big bass and loves genealogy. I am somehow related to the Matson’s. Oh my grandma would love to see this so much I’m going to tell her about it. Lauren

WOW its great remembering all the fun on BigBassLakemy family at a cottage on the North West sideof the lake up the hill from the Jones’s place. Unfortunately I have only been back a couple times in the last 20 years but I am going back this summer. My cousin and I would spend 2 weeks every summer with my grandparents and walk all the way from our place by Lukes to BigBassLakestore just to call home to our parents. On one of my return visits about 8 years ago I stopped by the old cottage and the new owners were there while talking to them they started asking me about hand prints in the concrete retaining wall and this block of cement that they had kept with two hand prints in it, the block had my hand print in it from when I was about 8 I am 42 know and it is in my landscape. Mike Roskamp

I too have many wonder full memories of the skating rink. Its smells (usually of the family of skunks under it, but it was all good) the music, the lights reflecting off the lake, not to mention the sounds of the bullfrogs on the walk home. And yes the fun spot, going there was a treat as well as the homemade ice cream at SaubleLakestore. Those were the days. Anne Kemp

Oh, I remember the Loon Lake Pavilion skating rink. I only went there once – couldn’t skate. But I loved listening to the music from across the lake sitting on and aunt & uncle’s deck. Long time ago. I still can’t skate. But I sure have fond memories of the area.  Cindy vanderPeyl

“Your” Memories of Big Bass Lake- Part Two

TheFourWindsIslandis currently owned by my dad’s parents and my dad’s uncle and aunt  There are 6 buildings on the island from the original YMCA camp  The Main cabin, biggest building on the Island, shower/red cabin( whole wall used to be all screens with lifting shutters. 2 small cabins one on top of a hill and the other at low spot on the island, and the bunk house. Many campers/counselors names from the late 1970’s still cover the ceilings and walls. Luke Lidgard

 I remember (years ago) my brother and I would take the rowboat from the North Shore of Bass Lakeand row to the general store. We would try to go early in the morning to get the homemade cinnamon rolls; the aroma as you entered the store would overwhelm you. In the front room (facing the lake) was a round table for the regulars to drink their coffee and talk about fishing. The old store was just a classic. Don Clodfelter

 There are about 40 cottages on Little Bass Lake. The NE portion of the lake is populated the least. Most of the west side is full of cottages. The lake is fantastic for swimming. Very clean and refreshing. I swam off my dock on Tuesday morning. Visibility for snorkel is about 15′ and the temp now is in the low 70’s. There are very few speedboats on the lake. Don

 We hit the road, all 7 of us, to vacation at Businger’s cottage on BigBassLake. We made the trip in the row boat down the channel to Little Bass Lake. We vacationed there from approximately 1953 to 1960. We swam; water skied, fished and went on local adventures near there. We went low bush blueberry picking, saw deer and went on outings to Manistee & Ludington. We had such a good time those years. My Father would always take a book to read while sitting on the screen in porch watching us swim off the dock. Helen

 Another resort by the name of Dinty Moore’s was built on the northwest shore ofBigBassLake. It is said that the Old Homestead still stands at the North end ofBigBassLake. Part of the family that owned the Dinty Moore resort constructed a store and gas station which was later sold to E H Lucas who expanded the project and Luke’s Country Store was the outcome. Later under new ownership it turned into the better known name of Luke’s Corner.

DintyMoorewas my Great Uncle by marriage to my Great Aunt Theo Moore (Wolf). They have a very rich history in this area. I will soon own the place on Big Bass where they spent their last years. Dinty passed away in the house where he loved to be. I have going toBassLakesince I was a child and remember the Camp when it was still in operation.

And yes, I remember “The Fun Spot” I had the chance to bowl there once back in the late 80s before it burned down. I can still hear the old air driven pin reseter they had. Kent

 I have many happy memories ofBigBassLakeand the store from back in the ’60s. My grandfather used to go toBigBassLaketwice a year, once in the spring with his buddies and again in late summer with the family. When I turned 10, I got to go with the men in the spring! We stayed at the rental cabins adjoining the store. I don’t remember the resort’s name or the proprieters, after all it’s been over 40 years.

My Grandpa would take me along when he’d navigate the channel to fish Little Bass Lake. It was a big adventure to me.Grampa would stand up and pole the boat through the shallow channel. Just like the “African Queen”. As I recall Little Bass Lake had a lot of turtles.

As I recall, Otto was a smiling little man with a fringe of white hair. He always wore a crisp white shirt and a bow tie. He had a daughter named Dixie. I bought a lot of comic books from Otto over the course of the years we vacationed at BigBassLake. John Akers

My parents rented a cottage across the lake from the roller rink every summer for 10 years. We would go there often. When it was time for bed, the music lulled us to sleep on hot nights. The lights would glow on the lake. For a kid, this was a magical place. I was saddened to hear that it was no longer there. It is like a part of our past has disappeared. Diane Hagen

 Does anyone remember “The Fun Spot”? It was a bowling alley on Peacock rd. I remember the alleys were a little warped, but it was a lot of fun. Becky Schulte

 I have a cottage on the SW side of Little Bass. Most of the Lakeis about 30′, however the East side is over 40 close to 50′ in one spot. There are big pike in this spring fed lake, but hard to catch. It’s a very clean and nice lake. Don

 My grandparents, Edwin Stanley and Grace Bartlett owned 350 acres in theManisteeNational Forestwith a cabin my Dad built during the Depression and an old burned cabin site. Brookwood was the name of the acreage, the entrance was through Peacock. McCarty Creek ran through our acreage.

We spent many times at Big Bass Lake Store which was owned by my (great)-Uncle Otto and also at his home which was nearby on the lake. In fact at 3 I almost drowned in that lake!

Thanks so much for the photos- of the store and the area- it brought back a rush of very happy memories!

My Dad’s Uncle and cousins built many cabins in theBigBassLakearea as well. At one time a great aunt, great great grandmother and great uncle also ran a boarding house in Peacock and they had the post office there for awhile.

Do you remember any of the other stories about the area- such as Bloody Run?

Dawn Bartlett Kroma  (You can read more of Dawn’s experiences under the category “Brookwood” on the Sidebar)

“Your” Memories of Big Bass Lake- Part One

This new series will highlight various people’s memories of their experiences on Big Bass Lake.  Enjoy!

BigBassLakewas always my home away from home. I lived near Gary Indiana and visited my grandpa and grandma Matson every summer. I spent many a summer vacations with them. They had a home and two cottages close by the water, so I did allot of swimming. I remember helping them clean cottages. They were rented out through the week and sometimes just on the week ends. Many of the same people came back year after year. As time pasted and I got older, I still came up every summer. I was married the same year that my grandfather died in 1949. My husband took over my grandpa’s chores, cleaning cottages, repairing the wooden boats and painting them. As our family grew we continued coming up through the summer months. My six sons were raised on this lake as I was. All of my boys are married and have families of there own. Three of them have cottages on or near the lake. My husband and I have been retired on this beautiful lake for twenty five years. I have been so privileged to buy ice cream cones at Otto’s store, Skate at the roller rink, enjoy eating at Na-tah-ka tavern. I also was here to enjoy the red canoes and white sail boats from camp Martin Johnson. I am fortunate to be part of the history of the lake.  Barbara Hart

 I with spouses went on four winds Oct. 30, 08. The owners were gone for the season as the only way to the island is obviously by boat. There are 4 cabins on the island, all original to the camp. Nothing new has been built and those cabins have not been renovated or changed in any way. They look exactly the same as 1959 when I was on the island last. Ed is right when he says the island is about 200 hundred feet by water to the camp shore. TurtleIslandjust to its north is smaller and uninhabited. A sign on the approach states that it part of the ManisteeNational Forest. Since it quite small and can’t be built on no one wanted it. But we see tents pitched on it all the time. What a great place for kids to hang out. Shirley De Vries

 This is the yellow cottage my aunt and Uncle stayed in on the northwest bayof Big Bassfrom 1959 to 1967. It was a part of Hansen’s Resort. The road led behind it to our cottage, an OLD log style cottage called Four Oaks”. Up the hill behind this cottage were four other cottages. Two were stained and varnished logs. Next was a red log style cottage and next to that a newer but small sided cottage that is still there but has added a deck. The cottage we stayed in has been torn down and replaced with a three story summer home. Also the road to our cottage behind the one in this picture is gone. Amazingly this cottage is still there but now is painted dark brown. I saw “our” cottage last in summer of 1994 and the owners allowed me to come in since they told me that it was to be torn down. It looked the same! Other than they added a shower to the bathroom. Shirley De Vries

My grandfather. E S Bartlett, told me that HauntedIslandwas a sacred Indian burial ground and had been disrespected when people built cabins there. I thought the boys from the camp told each other the legends of that, but it doesn’t sound like those stories have survived. Grandfather always felt it was important to respect those burial mounds, every bit as much as you would our own cemeteries. Sylvia Mohr Bartlett

 Our cabin was the one directly behind you from where you took this picture. It is up on the hill. The bridge used to be wooden. I remember when they tore it down and put the concrete one up that is there now…I felt like something special was taken from me. We used to play on the bridge. I once did an oil painting of that bridge and gave it to my grandmother…I wonder what ever happened to it.

I do remember my grandmother calling that Island Tiny Tim, now that you mention it. I have only been back to the lake once since they put in public access. I cried when I saw how it has changed and how crowded and full of speed boats it was. When I was growing up very few people had speed boats. We had one and a couple other people did too. Janine

 My family rented a cottage on the North Westbay since 1958 thru 1968. We stayed at a place called Hansen’s resort whi8ch included 6 cottages on that north shore. Ours was the furthest east, an OLD log cabin type cottage called four oaks. The cottage was torn down in 1995 and replaced with a 3 story and the oaks are down to 2. Only two of the originals remain a brown log cabin right on the water and a small white cottage that was next to ours. Shirley De Vries

 Our Cottage was the first log cabin that sat up on the hill, across from the bridge, next to Waitt’s house. When my grandparents retired up there they painted the cabin light yellow. It broke my heart as I always loved the natural look of the logs. We had a fairly large amount of land surrounding us that my grandparents later sold off and a cabin was built on the north side of ours and another between ours and Waitts. We had three piers. One for swimming that was on the far right facing out towards the lake and 2 to the left that was for fishing. We hauled in sand for the swimming area. We were there in the 50’s- to the 70’s. I used to swim across the lake to the other side and back, but not as far as you are. Closer to the bridge. I spent many hours on that bridge, also swimming off HatIslandas well as fishing in a boat off Matson’s Island. That’s where you could find all the perch. There was not a public access at that time. The deer would walk across the lake in the winter when it was frozen. Janine

 The smallest island in BigBassLake. The island is still there, but the tree is now down. It is now the home of a family of loons. I’m not sure if it is the same birds, but they have been nesting here in the spring for several years. The loon parents can be seen and heard throughout the summer as they raise their babies. This year they have two, and they are almost full grown. Janice Vander Wal

 There were five islands when I was a kid= Four winds, Turtle. Loon. Big and Haunted Island. I remember going on haunted island at nine years old( 1959] the house was black and scary. My brother climbed the stairs and fell thru at the top to the lower floor. Shirley De Vries

Christmas in July

With the dome of hot air currently over the mid-central United States, this float from 2008 reminds us that the cold weather is not that far away.  Here you find that very festive float just going past the Haunted Island and reminding us just how far away Christmas is for this year.

In the background appears to be another much smaller float.  The creativity of the folks that work on these floats is really amazing.  And, for this particular float, it reminds us of the more crisp weather that will be affecting Big Bass Lake in the not so distant future. 

If that snowman were real, it wouldn’t last too long in this heat.  But, then, that’s what fantasies are for as they create an image of what is needed most these days and that is a blast of cold air.  Well, there is always air conditioning!

Shark Attack at Big Bass Lake

Some concerned citizens on Big Bass Lake set about to warn the inhabitants about another menace in Big Bass Lake.  As if a Haunted Island and Big Bass Lake Monster aren’t enough for this quaint lake, now it is invaded by sharks!  Or more to the point, a large man-eating shark!  In fact, this shark’s mouth is so large that it can dine on several men at a time.

Perhaps this is Big Bass Lake’s answer to biblical Jonah?  After all, that “fish” swallowed that one prophet, but how many folks can this shark down?  That remains to be seen!  Or wil this be just another tale of a fish gone astray at the lake?  Maybe this shark will move into the Seaman Lake Resort Pool for then he would become a “Pool Shark”!  Ouch!

2011 Big Bass Lake Boat Parade Winner- The Titanic

With nary an iceberg in sight,  at least not yet, the Titanic took first place in the 2011 Big Bass Lake Boat Parade.  If any of you have a photograph that you would like displayed on Big Bass Lake and Beyond, the first and last authoritative word on this most unique lake, send it to me at davidnorris1313@juno.com

The Titanic was roughly 55’ long and the structure consisted of two pontoon boats lashed together with four 12’ 4×4’s.

For that matter, send any photograph you have of Big Bass Lake and that area.  Tiny’s Bait Shop is a photo I would like to add to this site along with other unique boat designs in the parade.  Also needed are some on island pictures of the island next to Four Winds Island on the North side of the lake.  A picture could also be had of the flying saucer float from last years parade. 

Thank you for making this the best Big Bass Lake site on the Internet!

Fireworks at Big Bass Lake

The Fourth of July at Big Bass Lake was great fun even in the 1950′s-1980′s. Of course, that was before they began the boat parades on the lake.  About the time that the fireworks went off each year, the southeast side of Big Bass Lake took on the appearance of a small harbor chock full of boats of all sizes.  Anchors had to be put out to make sure boats didn’t run into each other as they viewed the fireworks.

Some boats opted for a position just west of the bridge leading to the Big Island as that secton of the lake was far less crowded.  However you could still hear and view the fireworks quite well.  Now many people from the Big Bass Lake Fellowship Church bring along lawn chairs to view the display from the church property which is almost due east of Grandma’s Hat Island. 

But even if one opted to stay home, the fireworks could be vfewed from just about any vantage point on the lake.  Have a safe and happy Fourth of July everyone!

Big Bass Lake Boat Parade Winner

This wonderful float was the winner for the 2010 Big Bass Lake Boat Parade over the 4th of July weekend. This float provides a whole new meaning to the term paddle boat. The Big Bass Lake Belle is an outstanding effort in that I don’t believe this is a pontoon boat. I say that because just look at the various levels of this float that house passengers including the pilots at the top.

Too bad this boat can’t be used by tourists to float about Big Bass Lake throughout the summer. I wonder how much this float cost to make? To say this float is impressive doesn’t nearly cover it. Just examine the detail of this float. It makes you wonder if they had any competition at all?

The big question is will anyone be able to top this effort in 2011? Only time will tell!  I did hear that there was also a rather impressive UFO float in the parade and if anyone has a picture of that, please forward it to davidnorris1313@juno.com.

4th of July Special- Part Four

Well, with the Big Bass Lake 4th of July history for this year, the yellow plane thought it prudent to take off and visit that “other” parade over at Harper Lake. You know, the inferior parade. The yellow plane thought that he would bop over and pay his respect. So he left the spacious Big Bass Lake behind and headed over to nearby Harper Lake.

Upon landing, he saw a rather unique parade about to take place.

Yet this parade looked more like bumper boats going at each other in the less than spacious Harper Lake. The yellow plane just barely had enough room to land but now, since he was already here, why not participate in this parade as well.

His main task was on not getting hit by the other boats in the parade and that was no small task.

Well, it was time to leave Harper Lake but something was horribly wrong! After one attempt, the yellow plane did not have enough room to take off! “You mean I might have to stay here forever?” That though was enough to inspire him to try again and, yes, this time he lifted off leaving Harper Lake far behind.

As he glanced about at spacious Big Bass Lake below him, he was overheard to say, “Home sweet home at good old spacious Big Bass Lake”. Of course, the moral to this story is, “Bloom where you are planted!” Or, “There’s no place like home!”

More of the Big Bass Lake Boat Parade

 Its good to look back on the Big Bass Lake boat parade over the fourth of July2010 weekend. This entry, thoug not an elaborate one, is still vital to th parade. It is not as fancy as the BBL Belle which appeared much like an old paddleboat but still floats around the lake with the best of them. I would have liked to have seen last years flying saucer float as I had heard it was very intriguing. Any pictures around of that float?

It makes me wonder what’s in store for 2011 on the lake? Any notions about of what’s coming up this year? Can anything top the BBL Belle? Let us know by way of a comment. And, how many boats take place in this annual event?

4th Of July Special- Part Three

I don’t think these folks are going to win first prize in the parade contest. In fact, why are they in the parade at all? Yes, I know, they are residents of Big Bass Lake and they do have a few decorations set up, but not many. To make my point, some decoraters were not just horsing around-

Well, maybe SOME were horsing around so I ought to pony up to this. But does this count as a “seahorse”? How about a float that might make you hungry for some Dole pineapple?

Now that’s what I call a pineapple! It should be noted that this parade of boats used to exist as a page at Big Bass Lake and Beyond, but I thought it deserved more. In tomorrow’s post, I return to some about that yellow plane that led off our parade and even a shot of the Harper Lake boat parade.

4th of July Special- Part Two

As you can see, the Big Bass Lake boat parade is floating on and this float is something like a van or bus. It’s interesting as to how the residents of the lake get so creative with their pontoon boats. Perhaps someone can fill us in on the actual course for this parade, start to finish. It appears to start on the north side of the lake.

I wonder if this float has some music with it? Perhaps Bob Hope singing, “TANKS for the Memories”? This is a great military tribute to our combat forces throughout the world. I wonder if it has a water cannon?

A covered wagon could represent the pioneering days of Big Bass Lake or even the beginnings of Martin Johnson when he first moved to his beloved Big Bass Lake, which you can read for yourself on our page Martin Johnson History.

There will be more of this parade come tomorrow morning.

Kids of Big Bass Lake- Jay and Tony

Jay and Tony were almost like natural brothers and they came to our property from the Salesian Inner City Boys Club in Columbus, Ohio.  They were inseperable and asked to be placed together on team work parties.  They worked so well with each other in almost everything.  Add to that, their two families were the best of friends.

Jay and Tony each liked to use the rowboat s often as possible.  They would each grab hold of an oar and sometimes they would be so funny to watch as Tony was stronger than Jay and often the row strokes would be so uneven they wound up going in circles.  They would also have splash wars with each other when out on the lake, but always in shallow water.

They were especially good in team oooking.  Jay was a collector of oooking spices so each meal was jazzed up somewhat to the delight of all.  I often wonder if they stayed best friends as they grew older?  They were a delight to have along on ou trip and they each cracked the other up with continual joking.  They were there own best audiences.  This pictures finds them on our old pier in a moment of sharing.

“Your” Memories of Big Bass Lake- Part Five

Well, my first day at BBL was when I was 2 days old, according to my mom. I am now 14, and have been up to the lake almost every weekend, my whole life! My grandpa, Burton Jones, owned the Homestead Resort, and the lake has been home to my family since forever. I love coming to the lake from the city every week and seeing everybody. I’ll never forget all my time I have spent with my mom and aunts swimming and boating on the lake. Century rides are always a treat, and of course, the best! (: And all the fun time spent at Baldiga’s cabin, with all the “toys”. BBL, is and will always be home for me.  Taylor Jones

I have been coming to BigBassLakesince I was born also. That was 1946! My mom and her family moved to this area in the early 1900′s. My grandparents were Herschel and Gertrude Stephens. They lived on several different lakes in the area, and finally settled into the Barr house on LoonLake. It was a boarding house back then and my grandparents ran it. It was located where the trailer park is now on LoonLake. My grandpa acted as a fishing guide and grandma was the cook and cleaning lady. My mom, Naomi, attended BassLakeSchoolwith Otto Bartlett, Clyde Waite, Frank Bemish and Mandy Evans. At the age of 12, she actually substitute taught school for Mable Barr who was the teacher back then. The Stephens family eventually moved to LakeOdessawhere after graduating WesternMichiganNormal school, she started teaching in a rural country school where she met my dad, Wilbur Neeb. When she and my dad married in 1931, my grandparents brought them to BBL for a Sunday picnic. My dad, an avid fisherman, fell in love with BBL and vowed to one day have a home here.
For many years we stayed at the Buesinger’s little log cottage with the screened front porch, at the far north end of BBL. It is now painted dark brown. The white cottage to the left of it was the home of Mr. & Mrs. Buesinger. When we stayed there it still had an ice box rather than a refrigerator! That place had the best beach and clean water for swimming. The Buesingers were wonderful people that made me feel like one of their own grandchildren. We had some really great fish fries for supper with huge bluegills my dad caught on BBL. He would row all over the lake all the way to Otto’s store and back. I don’t even remember speed boats back in those days on this lake.
Some weekends we would rent the lot next door to Otto’s store and either stay in a tent or just sleep in the car. We would also rent a boat from Otto. In those days I would save my small allowance and buy a movie magazine and possibly a small ceramic nic nac or a picture post card from Otto, Ruth, Dixie or Bruce. They were all so nice and friendly. Dixie Bartlett was my idea of a perfect, beautiful woman. When Clyde Waite started developing the “Isle o’ the Wilds” my mom and dad bought a lot from him and hired him to build a home on the lot after they cleared the land. It was completed in 1954 and it is now my husband’s and my retirement home. We do spend our winters in Florida, but Big Bass Lake is always in our hearts and we continue spending our summers here. It is the best place in the world and the only thing that would make it better is to have the public launch site close and the camp re-open! A new Fun Spot would be most welcome also. That’s where I learned to bowl and Loon Lake Roller Pavilion is where I tried but never learned to roller skate. Also remember attending the Hunter’s Ball there a few times.
Luke’s Corner Store was another wonderland of enchantment. You could always find anything and everything you could possibly need at that store. They even had a paperback lending library for a time.
John Wilson’s Bass Lake Store was great because of those awesome cinnamon rolls and the hand-dipped ice cream cones which John hated to dip. My husband Jim always planned his ice cream cone purchase to time with when John was in the store by himself and had to dip the cone! So many wonderful memories!  Patricia McArthur

 

4th of July Special- Part One

I’m getting an early start for the 4th of July at Big Bass Lake as for the next several days, I am going to be bringing you some of the creative floats showcased at the Parade of Boats at Big Bass Lake held each 4th of July. Here, the Yellow Plane is leading the floats onto the parade route on the lake.

I once thought this plane was a mere float and not the real thing but later learned that the plane is not only real but is housed on Big Bass Lake on the north shore.

This first part of our 4th of July series centers on this yellow plane. Does anyone know who the owner of this plane might be? Elsewhere at Big Bass Lake and Beyond we show where it is docked including a sock bag that tells the wind direction.

PROGRAMMING NOTE:

Beginning soon, there wlll be only two postings a day as I am running out of new material. There are about 90 new posts yet to come that will be sprinkled in with old posts.  In all there are just over 1,000 posts on this website.  As I get new material in it will be added to what we already have in addition to the 90 new posts yet to come.  Mike and Darlene Reynolds are also adding in new material as it becoms available. 

Many people are “plane crazy” about this site so all o us will continue to strive to come up with new material to go along with our classic older posts.  Stay tuned!