The Sawmill at Brookwood by Dawn

Grandfather and Dad were both sometime loggers. Both were employed in this profession at times when jobs were hard to come by and money was tight. But the job was a natural thing for them because of their respect of nature and interest in the forest. They were able to work at thinning a forest and at the same time manage it to help it become more healthy. Back in the day many smaller logging companies actually seemed to care about the land they cut upon, unlike today when large conglomerates clear cut and hack away.

When it came to Brookwood Grandfather made sure the forest was properly managed. Trees that were cut down were appropriately replaced with diverse trees of a type that were natural to the area and grew at different rates.

Grandfather later allowed other logging companies to come in and log on Brookwood, or to come through Brookwood to get to the site of their logging. But since it was his land he once again controlled the manner of cutting, what was cut, how it was replaced…..and the way in which those huge trucks tore through the forest. The trucks were capable of making a huge mess and causing a lot of damage if not controlled. We must have had good forests because even with those constraints there was still some logging at Brookwood. It was far enough from the cabin that one rarely saw them- you had to be in that area.

Grandfather bought a sawmill at some point. I have the feeling from what I have read in family records that the mill was already outdated before he bought it. I believe it must have been a hobby for him. Most milling jobs were for trade of one kind or another. In the 1960’s my Dad had tongue and groove pine paneling cut to finish the second floor of our home in Illinois. It may have been one of the last jobs turned out by the mill. Grandfather died in 1963.

Dad inherited the sawmill and the 40 acres on which it sat. We would go over occasionally on trips up, look over the mill, take a gander at the rusting Doodlebug and Dad and my brother would talk about restoring it, maybe fish in the Sauble River (on the banks of which the mill sat)…….just kick around a bit. The Sauble has great trout fishing! Then we would leave. I can remember being terrified to enter the sawmill because of the large wasps nests that inhabited it!

After Dad died my husband, myself, Brent (my brother) a friend and my husband’s brother went there for a weekend of rough camping. We had a blast! It was husband Lou’s first ever rough camping experience and he enjoyed it- and he learned a lot about camping out in nature. I can remember too Lou and his brother Jeff chasing a snake along the river bank and me having a fit. I knew that was probably a rat snake of some kind but I wasn’t very comfortable with them chasing a snake and trying to catch it when they didn’t know what it was!

Shortly after that my brother planned a camping trip to the forty…..and Mom informed him she had sold the property. It was sad to see the last of the Michigan property leave the family. I think she said she sold it to someone in the Tuckey family (the were related to us but we didn’t know them very well). Zahn Tuckey and his sons did not live far from the mill. And so the last of our piece of Michigan fell through our fingers.

M-116 Sand Dunes

What I like best about the large area of sand dunes between Ludington and its State Park is the wide variety of dunes that can be explored. Some come complete with large areas of trees while others are just dunes. I always come prepared with one of my two husky dogs, Frick or Frack, a compass, canteen, and some beef jerky. If I jog without a human companion my wife just calls me jerky.

I like to run up and down the dunes to strengthen my leg muscles.  I’ve heard that members of the Detroit Lions do much the same thing in the off-season.  Going uphill is the best exercise I could give my legs.  Yet I also enjoy my times of pure hiking as I set a good pace for my heart. 

Then in the summer I take an occasional dip into Lake Michigan to cool off.  And, in the winter, that fine sand often become biting as the wind literally picks it up and blows it all over the place.  Thus the M-116 Dunes are a year-long project for me.  Darlene loves to take photographs of them and I like to jog or hike them.  To each their own.  Well, it’s about time for me to leave the house for another jog at those dunes so see you next time I come a posting.

A Good Down Hill Run

On the eastern side of the Hamlin Dam Bridge in the Ludington State Park, there is a great hill for hiking up and then running down in the summer.  In fact, I wouldn’t want to pass up trying to either snow board or ski this particular hill in the winter.  However, the hill continues to your right near the bottom for another sixty yards or so still downhill. 

If you are bent on skiing or snow boarding this hill, you might want to consider going just straight when you reach that curve.  I have seen grown men hurdle young kids as they hit that blind spot on the hill at the curve, not being able to see around it when they are at full tilt.

If you’re thinking of skiing this hill, you and Lake Michigan will not be joining up as the hill would take you closer to the Big Sable River than the former.  And, with all our recent chatter regarding the Ward Hill Ski Area, why not try this run in the winter instead?  In that way you won’t have to “Watch out for that tree” which you would have to do at Ward Hills.

Sand dunes!  They just aren’t for summer anymore!  Now where did I put my saucer?

That House in the Forest

When Mike and I take our trips into the Manistee National Forest we never know what we’ll find. One day last summer we took a trip down an old sandy road near Luther, Michigan, and decided to take a hike before lunch. About three miles into the forest, we ran across this house in the middle of nowhere.

Immediately my mind begins to wonder about who might have lived there and how long ago? Why would they choose such a desolate site and how did they make a living? I saw no signs of a farm whatsoever. There also were no outbuildings.

Mike suggested that whoever lived there might have used it for a summer house. I could have chosen a better location as there wasn’t even a lake in sight for Mike and I also checked that out. There was not even an inkling of a garden about which made me wonder if only a man dwelled there.

Mike suggested that the hunting in the area might have been better than average seeing as how this house was so far from anything else. The house was locked up with a padlock but as we looked through the windows nothing much was there anyway. An old chair or two that one might have used at a table was all we saw.

Even though I love finding these places in the forest, I often wonder how anyone would find such a place desirable. I’m sure glad my Mike wouldn’t want to live in a place like that for, if he did, he also might have been the only one found to live there. Without my garden I’d be lost. Oh well, time to get back to the car and leave all my questions to the next person that happens by this old place.

On Top of Ward Hills

This was to be the foundation for a warming station atop the Ward Hills Lodge. Yet the Lodge ceased operation of their Facebook page in May of 2010 which leads me to believe their venture, although well intended, fell to the same fate as when owned by Howard Reese.  Reese wanted an affordable skiing option to the area but probably made it “to affordable” and when broke in so doing. 

In 1960, he sold his land to Camp Martin Johnson which owned a summer camp on nearby Big Bass Lake.  Apparently the camp desired  a winter haven to add to its program format.  Ward Hills would not only allow skiing and sledding but hiking opportunities as well. 

When the camp folded in 1976, the land stood fallow until a group of investors purchased it with the intent to have some sort of social club complete with a bar.  Renovations were made to the area at the Lodge itself accommodating itself for partes and the like while additional work was done on the hills.  The plan was more in the line for sledding hills over that of skiing due to the prohibitive cost of insurance.

I wonder what will become of this area now?  Time will tell.

The Paul Bunyan Michigan Museum

This is how the Paul Bunyan Museum appeared in the 1950′s as one was approaching Baldwin, Michigan, from the south on M-37. There was either a sign or a large picture of Paul just outside the museum.  The one to your right could well have been it.  Now that sign is in front of an antiques mall but in its day the museum was flooded with tourists.

Even though most associate Minnesota with being the home state of the lumberman, Michigan also lays claim to that honor.  Maybe we could get Babe the Blue Ox to settle the issue. 

Going north on M-37, the museum was just off the road to your left.  Maybe some of our readers know when it officially opened and then again when it shut down operation for good.  Also who owned it initially?  I would think something like that museum would only add to the Baldwin area’s other tourist attractions such as The Shrine of the Pines. 

The museum no longer existed when I began taking Boys Clubs of America trips up to our property in the 1970′s.  It sure would have been on of our stops on our journey to the Big Bass Lake area.  If anyone has any other information on this museum, please leave us a comment with your thoughts. 

Cottage in the Narrows of Big Bass Lake

What a great vista to view water skiers or jet skiers at Big Bass Lake. The “narrows” are the perfect area as all traffic proceeds through this passage going north or south.  Can you imagine holding a picnic for friends on your picnic table just a few feet from the lake?  And, what a place to observe the Fourth of July Boat Parade.  Within the narrows you are always close to the action.

Imagine stepping out your back door to where you are only a few steps away from your dock.  A paddlebaot at this location could easily explore the shoreline all through the narrows.  On the north end are the twin islands, Four Winds and Turtle, and if you follow the east shoreline you will be at the passage way between Big and Little Bass Lakes in no time flat.

This area is also where Camp Martin Johnson once stood and one can pass his burial site marked by a boulder along this course.  Or encircle Four Winds Island for even more history of that camp.

I really like that enclosed picnic table area.  What a great location for a cottage don’t you think?

Sauble Lake Emporium Now in Limbo by Walt

Over the years, Sauble Lakes have taken two major hits. The first was when the Fun Stop burned down and I lost my bowling lanes tucked away in the Manistee National Forest. Then the Keasters (I think that’s spelled right} sold the Emporium. Now that was a country store.

I’m old enough to remember Otto Bartlett’s store over at Big Bass Lake but the Emporium was far greater though each had their charm. Each had a great vista of their respective lakes and that was a selling point of each store.  The Emporium stocked moe merchandise and the parking was never a problem. 

Now each of those stores stands vacant.  It’s sad.  The Bender Family has a country store between Big Bass Lake and Loon Lake that seems to be doing okay.  And ha the original owners kept their store I think the Emporium still would be in business. 

The Big Bass Lake store would need a total remodeling job to get it into shape for any business that took it over.  The Emporium would need far less remodeling.  I wonder what will become of the old Emporium store?  Country stores are an albatross in today’s economy it would seem.  Still they served their purpose and I, for one, loved making purchases there.  I really enjoyed their ice cream.

Maybe the Emporium could be made over into a roller skating rink like the one that at one time was on Loon Lake?  It deserves a better fate than to be razed or turned into a home.  Any ideas on what might become of the Emporium? 

Wet and Wild on Big Bass Lake

Tow ropes now pull everything from skiers to tubers to boards. Each year another new way of movement behind a speed boat comes forth. When water skiing became too boring, boards became popular because one had to stand upon something far less as long as skies.

Plus the boarder also got to perform certain gyrations upon that board with each one more daring than the former.  Some can even do full loops aboard those devices. 

Then there are those people who like to ski with only their bare feet which is a good way to exercise, not to mention clean them, as well.  I don’t know if that form of exercise reduces callouses or increases them?  The only question remains is as to what new form of skiing one will come up with this year.  Any thoughts on that?

Tent City Campfires

One of the nice things about Tent City at ULBC Camp was that it was far enough away from the regular camp to provide it its own identity. Gordie, Bob, and I, as tent counselors, had four large tents atop a cement foundation. A few feet away was our campfire area and we had campfires every night as part of our program. At the regular camp, those were far and few between but not at Ten City.

Since we never had our own group of kids we wanted to provide the boys with the best experiences possible when we had them. On each regular camp counselors days off, we took their boys for that two day period. Every camp day we had at least two cabin groups from the main camp.

Nightly campfires for singing, ghost stories, or roasting marshmallows was the order of the evening. Even during the day that area was kept busy as we taught the boys how to build fires and how to cook over them. Proper use of the hatchet was also taught. Tent City gave the boys a real camping experience apart from their regular cabin life.

We also had a picnic table, that is, until Swamp Man from the lagoon once visited us and broke it. But that’s another story for another time. Suffice it to say, that was a most spooky night for many of the boys as I believe that was the farthest that Swamp Man ever strayed from his lagoon.

In retrospect, I believe Tent City would have been even more effective had it been placed in the forest surrounding League Lake. Now, I understand Tent City is no longer used by the camp by the youngsters which is a shame.

The ULBC Camp Paddle Boat Fleet

I wish those paddle boats were at camp when I was there in 1970. This is a new docking area since I was there. I could evasion having relay races using those paddle boats for races around League Lake. And, since I used to take my guys around the lake on a hike each day before breakfast, the same leg action could have been accomplished with a paddle boat excursion around the shore each day.

I’ll bet those paddle boats are in high demand at camp even over kayaks and canoes. When I was there rowboats were my vehicle of choice. But I could just see me taking one of those paddle boats into the lagoon. It makes me wonder what other new things are up at camp? I know they have a tennis/basketball court there now and a new staff cottage.

I hope Tent City gets a make-over as well and is available for kids again on a rotating basis. What was taught out there by me and two other counselors were real camping skills. Still an occasional visit to the paddle boat area sure would have been in order for me as well!

A Winter Shine on Little Bass Lake

I enjoy this photograph because it allows us to observe the reflection of the setting sun upon the fragile ice of Little Bass Lake early in the winter season. The ice itself is still in its infancy but without a cover of snow. Just imagine the entire lake as being a glass bottom boat where you can study what’s below the surface in crystal clear clarity!

Maybe you could catch a glimpse of some fish darting about beneath the ice.  I have often wondered what it would have been like to walk over the ice at Big Bass Lake before the first snow made vision somewhat difficult.  Yet, at the same time, since the ice is in its infancy one also has to comprehend that it may not be safe enough to walk upon.  However if one is wearing hip boots and in the shallow portions of the lake, they could still take in what’s beneath the ice with great clarity. 

Or if the ice were safe can you imagine coming down a hillside onto the ice with a sled or saucer?  How far could you go on smooth ice?  Or what about some ice skating on our own rink?  Hans Bricker, eat your heart out!  Well, if nothing else, watching the sun cast a shadow over the glimmering ice is still pretty good all by itself.  What do you think?

Visiting Our Property in Winter

The Michigan Highway Department is super as they even clear off the back roads in record time.  However they do manage to push the snow across driveways making the even deeper snow worse in those areas.  Take our old driveway for example.  Our driveway is surrounded by open field and the wind driven snow piles up almost faster than it can be remoed making winter habitation near impossible. 

One winter I took some college friends of mine to our property from Muskegon, where we were staying for a three week off campus course, and I parked the car on Noreika Road on a night where it had just begun snowing.  We walked down to our beach area and it was tough going with the ever increasing snowfall.  I’m glad that I had help that day as it took all of us to push out my car three times getting stuck on Noreika Road before we could get back onto Big Bass Lake Road. 

Getting down our driveway that evening was even worse as all the drifts made walking near impossible.  It wore us all out just gong that hundred yards or so and did not make our return trip back to the car very exciting.  Our property was nice to visit during the winter but not to live there.  Even then our cottage was not winterized.  Though it had a wood buning stove, only the front room and  kitchen would have been liveable.

Mark the Explorer

On every trip to our property, each boy specialized in one area of expertise.  Most seemed to enjoy swimming or boating.  Some looked forward to off-property trips.  Mark, though, of the Marion YMCA enjoyed exploring our forest land.

I often call our property the family farm even though the forest acreage far exceeded tha of the farm land.  Mark loved going off the logging trail as he was more interested in making his own trails.  He explored everything from ferns to trees and was especially interested in the birch trees on our beach front. 

On our wooded beachfront we had two small ponds that were only filled in the spring and early summer.  He explored them for frogs and minnows that might still be around.  He spent a lot of time at the Pointe and would be found swinging in an old tire we had attached to a tree. 

His favorite chore, of all things, was chopping wood for the campfires.  He was quite skilled at using the hatchet to the point where he designed some unique artistic designs starting off with a log.  Where other boys would spend their free time fishing or swimming, Mark designed various wood blocks for uses such as a chair for himself during campfires. 

It was a real joy to have Mark along for that particular trip.

Jet Ski Action on Big Bass Lake

Now-a-days there are about as many jet skis on Big Bass Lake as speedboats and almost every dock has at least one. Often you seem them in pairs moving throughout the lake and darting around the five islands on the lake. I wonder what their top speed is?

I also wonder if a jet ski could tow one of those tubing things?  Are they powerful enough?  And what does one of those things cost?  When I was in the area in 1950-1980 I didn’t see any of those at all so I also wonder what year they became available?

One year I did see a speedboat towing a hang glider.  You could make out the glider from the other side of the Big Island but couldn’t see the boat which was cool.  I wonder if hang gliding is still found on Big Bass Lake today? 

If you own a jet ski on Big Bass Lake leave us a comment with a few answers to our questions.  Thank you!

The Talking Feet of Camp Martin Johnson

Thank heavens my master took off those hot sneakers. I literally choke to death in there. Ah? Fresh air! I wonder what those other six tootsies think about their masters’ tennis shoes? At least I get a little airing out in this tent although it also is a bit musty in here. Great! My master is putting on his swimming trunks and that means one last time in Big Bass Lake this summer. He’s heading back to Chicago tomorrow as camp will be closing down.

Wow that cool grass feels good. Yes, these great steps that lead down to the waterfront are so cool they make me feel like a new foot again. I won’t be seeing them again for awhile. Oh, yes, going up, but down? Not until next summer. That sand feels so good. I often wonder why my master brushes that off after swimming?

Even better! Oh that is refreshing! That first run in to the lake and now I am totally submerged and feeling better by the minute. Us feet take a pounding in the event that you did not know. We’re hard to reach to clean so these times in the lake feel really good.

You know, to tell the whole truth, I heard this is the last summer at this camp. From now on when I get to go into water it will either be at Lake Michigan by Chicago or in some hard bottom pool. It’s just not the same as Big Bass Lake. I’ve been coming here three straight years and each time, for some reason, I seem to be getting bigger. I’m sure glad that my master keeps getting new shoes or else I think I’d be squeezed to death in those sneakers of his.

Well, I’m out and for the last time. Yes, up those stairs too for the last time. You know, some day, after this camp closes for good, I’ll be back here again. I will not be de-feet-ed!

Miles and Miles of Forest

I’ve said this before, and I shall say so again, Michigan is loaded with roads, both paved and otherwise, within the confines of its national forest system. Each weekend I pick another and my map of all those selections is getting rather full. It seems I’m beginning to go further and further out each week. Last week i found a roadway close to the Traverse City area.

My only criteria for my jaunts is that the road must seemingly go to nowhere.  Of course, that means a full tank of gasoline and a patient wife.  Her main goal on our trips is to provide a spectacular lunch.  We even come equipped with a tent and full supplies in the event we opt to spend an overnight in a great location. 

Darlene likes those romantic evening with just the two of us and millions of mosquitoes.  Thank God for mosquito netting on our tent.  On the whole we each love our weekends in the wilds which we take from mid-April through mid-October almost every weekend.  By my reckoning we hve enough roadways that we’ve never been on to last well into 2018. 

Why Aren’t the Fish Biting at Big Bass Lake?

I have a friend who had become very concerned why the fish weren’t biting last summer at Big Bass Lake as they once did.  He was determined to find the cause so he rented some scuba equipment and took his speed boat to the north side of Big Bass Lake where the deepest portion of the lake can be found.

He dropped anchor and jumped overboard into the lake.  I’ve heard that the north side drops off to about sixty feet deep.  He took an underwater light with him to break through the darkness.  After about ten minutes in a deliberate search pattern, he nearly froze in place. 

The reason why stood highlighted in his search beam and left little to grasp as to why the fish had seemingly disappeared at the lake.  They really hadn’t and this is the reason why.  By the way, my friend was never heard from again so this is but mere speculation as to what happened to him on that fateful day.

Any questions?

Activities at Dusk

Often times this was about the time that we set out on our night time activities at our property either toward the Bloody Antler Trail or into our own forest. The boys from various boys clubs for the first few times preferred staying in our woods until they got the “feel” of the land so to speak. Actually they wanted to get their night bearings right.

The large percentage of our hikes were without flashlights, even though they were carried in the event of an emergency. Flashlights tend to rob us of our night vision. In time the boys saw right good even in the dark. They learned to listen better to the sounds of the forest. Kids enjoyed the trek to the tree farm at the end of the Bloody Antler Trail which was in the Manistee National Forest.

When we played scouting games the boys were paired in teams of three and were told to stay together as a team. Two teams of three were the hares, also to stay together, and I was the ref. The final pair of three were the hounds chasing and trying to locate the hares.

Other times we would stay together as a group and just enjoy the hiking experience. Night hiking was very popular on our trips. The kids of the Hoffman Estates Boys Club enjoyed tracking games the best and became quite good at it. Alan, one of our younger members, excelled in tracking games.

Southwest Section of Big Bass Lake

This photograph was taken off our former property on Big Bass Lake and provides you with the southwest corner of the lake.  Just to the right of this picture are the Public Landing and the Big Bass Lake Campground.  You can also make out the southern tip of Haunted Island. 

Just past that tip and due east is the Big Bass Lake Bridge leading to The Big Island.  And this location is where speedboats make their turn back northward around the eastern half of Haunted Island heading back toward the narrows or an eastern swing to the southeast portion of the lake.

Before the public lading was installed fishing was quite good in that area just to the right of this picture.  And about two hundred yards to the left of this location was our wooded beach area where the majority of my Boys Clubs of America camping trips were held. 

Big Bass Lake Bridge From Noreika Pier

This is the wonderous view from our pier on Big Bass Lake looking eastward. There in the distance is the bridge leading to The Big Island. That bridge was built in 1956 linking that island to the mainland. Just to the left of that bridge was the home of Clyde Waite and that island was first known as Waite Island.  It’s newest name is Isle of the Wilds.

To get to that island from our dock one had to first pass by Haunted Island and then just under that bridge, to your left, is the smallest island, Grandma’s Hat which today is known as Loon Island.  It was a pleasant row from Labor Day to Memorial Day but in the summer one is always dodging speedboaters along the way.

I used to take that course daily as the Big Bass Lake store was just past that bridge to your right.  By the way, does anyone know how many homes are found on The Big Island?  Also the view is quite the same in either direction from the Waite Bridge. 

I Guess Farmer’s DON’T Rise So Early Anymore?

One lazy summer morning, Keith Bishop and I, who had camped on our beachfront property the night before, rose at a time we thought was quite prudent to go visiting. We rowed over to the Benish’s dock and proceeded to approach the Benish farmhouse when a dog started barking. Appearing at his cottage door, an outraged Frank Benish shouted, “What are you two nuts doing up at this hour of the day?” Moments later we found out that the hour of the day at hand was 6 am.

Yes, the sun DOES rise early in the eastern time zone State of Michigan. Yet I thought farmers rose earlier than even sunrise?! We had come to see Mr Benish’s grand daughter Julie who we had taken for a lake tour the day before on Big Bass Lake. Needless to say, we didn’t see Julie until much later that afternoon and she came over to my grandmother’s house as neither Keith nor I were all that eager to see Mr. Benish again.

I suppose Mr Frank Benish was the type of farmer that slept in since at the time he had an iinactive farm. A lesson well learned that day.

Auto Trips to Our Michigan Property

Starting points on all our Michigan trips either started from Marion, Indiana, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, or Columbus, Ohio. This particular trip was from Marion, Indiana, and one of the difficult things to do was keeping the boys occupied for the 300-mile trip.  For the most part, I preferred Adam’s way of coping with the journey as most of our trips began around 7 AM when the boys were still tired.  Or were they wired?

Games such as finding signs with various letters of the alphabet from A to Z were one way of dealing with the boredom.  It was always a more difficult ride en route to Michigan rather than on coming back.  One always had to deal with anticipation especially once we entered the Manistee National Forest for our final seventy miles.  Then the scenery superseded game playing.

About ten miles past Grand Rapids, Michigan, the scenery changed from farm lands to woods and streams and lakes.  Adam napped twice on the way on this trip.  He slept for the first hour and a half and then again for the final forty miles.  In so doing he was one of the freshest kids ever once we arrived at our property for then we had to erect the tents, rake the beach, and set up our camping area. 

Always on that first night the kids were so travel weary they were ready for bed at 9 PM.  Then anticipation would take on a whole new life the following morning.  The trip to Michigan was always full of excitement while the trip hom full of stories and memories. 

Georgeous Sunset

This one is a keeper for my collection of glorious sunsets at Lake Michigan. I like the addition of awakening love that is shown as well on the breakwater.  The color is near breathtaking!  Could this be an impending proposal of love?

The stillness of the lake reminds me of total peace which should be the foundation of any relationship.  Not to mention the reflecting love that each has for the other.  I know for a fact that Lake Michigan sunsets, not to mention sunrises, are very romantic.  Mike once set up for me an anniversary dinner on the sands just off M-116.  It was a wonderful evening that I will never forget.  Even our beverage of choice was cooled in the waters of Lake Michigan.

I hope that some of your memories are keyed to nature as well.  Perhaps you might share one or two by way of a comment. 

Errie Day on Big Bass Lake

Days where a light fog appeared over Big Bass Lake made for ideal day time hype of the Haunted Island.  Often I would promote our trips out to the Haunted Island at these times and once with the Hoffman Estates Boys Club, it sent chills down to particular kids those being Mark O’Brien and Alan Cohen.  Both were very apprehensive of making a midnight run to the Haunted Island.

Whenever we swam at our beach, each boy could visually make out that all forested island and their apprehension grew.  I mentioned to them of the burial mounds just north of the Haunted House and the stories of the Bonepickrs.  Mark seemed braver than Alan but once at the island, both were hanging onto me for dear life as soon as we docked there at midnight.

Yet, fog always seemed to make the tales more suspenseful.  That is why when the boys looked out at the island, enshrouded in fog, they were even more sacred of that midnight journey to come.  In that way, Big Bass Lake itself played into the drama.  But, for what might have happened on that midnight trip,  you’ll have to check the sidebar for the categories Hoffman Estates BCA or Haunted Island.  You’ll also find their other stories of trips with different boys clubs over the years.