Na-Tah-Ka Tavern- The Original

I remember that the Na-Tah-Ka Tavern was the first thing you passed on the way to the Big Bass Lake Store and often a stopping off point for my father. He didn’t stay long but he said that he had his kind of Squirt, that being my favorite refreshment in those younger days. Even on times we would row over to the store from our property he would stop in the tavern for a drink. It was almost like his ritual.

I once went in with him and immediately noticed how dark it was. I guess they were saving on the light bill. Right! It was a neat looking building and far superior to the present edition of this facility. It looked like a tavern.  Plus it faced Big Bass Lake for a more excellent view as if anyone cared.

Leprechaun Sighting at Big Bass Lake

It was early in the morning that my friend, John, claimed that he saw a leprechaun scrambling down a hillside on the southwest side of Big Bass Lake. Since John had not been born yesterday, he knew full well that he had better scamper right after that leprechaun that it might lead him to his pot of gold.  But even though he searched high and low there was nary a sign of that little person. 

He later told his tale to a few friends that thought he had lost his mind despite his insistence that he had seen it.  He then began claiming that the leprechaun was responsible for the early greening of the season.  What else could have caused that area to be simmering in the 70′s so early in the season?

Well, John’s pals had no answer for that to be sure.  Yet they still weren’t buying his leprechaun tale.  So he had shown them the area he had searched and they did find a pair of tiny footprints which they dismissed as being that of a young child.  John demanded that they help him search for the leprechaun’s pot of gold. 

One of his pals asked him where he had been prior to his sighting of the leprechaun.  “Why at Na-Tash-Ka!  Why do you ask?”  So one of his other chums suggested that they all retire there so that they could have their own vision of the little person.  Which they all did!  After all they all knew that leprechaun’s were out of season anyway!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone!

How Far Is It To Big Bass Lake?

I remember hearing that question of many boys club trips to our property about every twenty miles or so. But how many of you have seen a sign going west out of Peacock, Michigan, telling you exactly how far that distance is?  It also details a business just before Big Bass Lake, that being the Na-Tah-Ka where you can get a good meal anytime during the day or evening.  I wonder if Larry Bender will ever put in a drive-up window there?

All along M-37 one can see signs to White Cloud, Baldwin, and Traverse City, but since Big Bass Lake is not actually on M-37 it would be a stretch to find it there.  However, on the Peacock road?  Well, that’s another story.  There is  sign at the south end of Loon Lake that used to point to the Big Bass Lake Store and I have to wonder if it now directs one to Bender’s Corner Store? 

At any rate when you see a sign like this you’re almost at Big Bass Lake.  But don’t mistake either Sauble or Loon Lake for the real thing as they will be coming your way first.  After all, how many islands do those two lake have?

What About a Natahka, Michigan?

On another website I heard another blogger make light of Natahka, Michigan, calling it a “blink” town. I rather favorite the greater Big Bass Lake area getting their own town name and why not Natahka? After all, Larry Bender has put his mark on that area what with his bar and grill plus a country store. There is even a Sunoco gas station as part of that trilogy. Closer to Big Bass Lake itself there used to be a real estate office in close proximity to the old Big Bass Lake Store.

In actuality, all this is supposed to be part of Irons, Michigan, but Irons is a good ten miles away. I favor Natahka, Michigan, and with good reason. There is more to that “town” than the Bender trilogy. The old Big Bass Lake schoolhouse now serves as the Sauble Township Hall and across from that is a softball diamond and next to that a Fellowship Church. And just around the corner from that facility is the Lakeview Cemetery. Thus, Natahka, Michigan, has more to offer than meets the eye of the person who labeled it a “blink” town.

It even has a unique housing community (Heritage Bay) that was once owned by Camp Martin Johnson. Then at the old Luke’s Corner on the north side of Big Bass Lake is Tiny’s Bait Shop. In the years to come many more businesses may open in Natahka, Michigan. Yes, it deserves its only identity. Thoughts?

Winter at Na-Tah-Ka

Tucked neatly between Big Bass Lake and Lon Lake is Larry Bender’s operations including Na-Tah-Ka Tavern and Grill and his Corner Store.  It not only does a brisk business in the summer vacation months, but, as you see here, does not to so badly in the winter solace either.  This is the Lake County center for supper and fun when the weather turns frigid.

After snowmobiling for the day or ice fishing at either lake, patrons turn here for entertainment and good food.  Na-Tah-Ka even has their own Facebook page complete with all the goings on for that facility.  For decades Bender had waited for the Big Bass Lake store to cease operations to gain a foothold in the area and now his time has come.

The Big Bass Lake store is up for sale and badly in need of many repairs.  Perhaps one day an ice cream parlor will open there for the summer months?  Now that chapter has been closed and a new one opened almost at the center point between the two lakes. 

I wonder if the legendary camp monster from Camp Martin Johnson is related to Bender?  I think it was then known as “Baby Bender”.  Thoughts?

The Na-Tah-Ka Corner Store

I know that many of us miss the original Big Bass Lake Store but at least Larry Bender made sure that the area was not deserted by opening his version of the Bass Lake Store. For locale residents this had to be a Godsend not only for groceries but also for gasoline. The store itself is more modern and up to date even though I liked the narrow isles of the original.

I knew another owner by the name of Jack Knysz. How’s that for a name? I heard he later went into real estate. Anyone know his present where-a-bouts? By the way, the new store sits halfway between Big Bass Lake and Loon Lake and offers Sunaco gasoline.

At any rate Larry Bender kept the Big Bass Lake area with a local store where they can stock their shelves without going all the way to Dublin or Scottville to stock up.

Is It Difficult Finding Na-Tah-Ka?

Well, is it difficult to locate Na-Tah-Ka? I think if you’re coming in from the air it would be somewhat easier than traveling on the ground due to the large letters spelling out Na-Tah-Ka on the roof. However, for locals everyone knows where Na-Tah-Ka is as it has always held this general location. The original tavern was right across the street from the Big Bass Lake store.

As to missing that Big Bass Lake store, let’s be frank about it. The Big Bass Lake store, as it stands today, needs a lot of work. The building is not what it once was. Larry Bender has a new store across the street and it is modern and easy to access. Personally I miss the old store but there has been so much change over the years, this is one change that had to happen with the closing of the old store.

Plus Larry Bender also has a gas station and restaurant in that area too so you can have all your needs met right on that corner. So come by air or land to Nah-Ta-Ka as you’ll always be welcome! And, for the time being, you can still view the old Big Bass Lake store and let the memories roll.

Why Didn’t Larry Bender Relocate At The Big Bass Lake Store?

I have been wondering why Larry Bender of Na-Tah-Ka never rebuilt or remodeled the Big Bass Lake Store rather than building another grocery outlet just across the street? Having grown up in that area I would think he would have a sense of tradition and want to keep the fuel pumps near the lake for the conveinance of boaters on Big Bass Lake.

It would be difficult to remodel the Big Bass Lake Store but a rebuilt store would have made more sense to continue the tradition at the lake even if the store had to be renamed Na-Tah-Ka. The old Na-Tah-Ka tavern had once been just across the street from the Big Bass Lake store and now it is found halfway between Big Bass Lake and Loon Lake.

Rebuilding the Big Bass Lake Store, whatever it’s name, would have been a good tribute to the legacy of Otto Bartlett and he Bender family.

Na-Tah-Ka Bikers and More

Here you can find the many bikers tat take part in the Blessings of the Bikes which takes place in Baldwin, Michigan, each year at the locale airport. Some of those bikers have cycled over to Na-Tah-Ka for their favorite beverage and chow on this day. The tavern is located about halfway between Big Bass Lake and Loon Lake.

Not to be outdone by their summer cousins, the Irons Tourist Association has their own edition of the Blessing of the Bikes with the sleds in question being snow mobiles during the winter season. Ed Hawks was nice enough to take this photograph of this bunch of people.

But be tey summer or winter enthusiasts is not so much the question. Its that the blessing takes place to ensure a safe season of riding. So be it over pavement or snow, let the fun begin and have a very safe season. Oh, yes, and watch out for those deer!