The Nagel sledding hill brought in all the children of the neighborhood. There are actually three hills in all. The most popular was a gradual descent. The next most difficult was a steep descent and the last Hill was Suicide Hill. You had to maneuver between two trees at the bottom. At times we used a hose to spray water over the snow. The next day the runs were even faster on ice. About 70 yards away was Charlie Creek and a small hill put you onto the ice of the creek. In this way you can glide down the creek another 50 yards or so. This here was used both night and day. And usually 10 to 20 kids were always there. Great fun!
the Oak Grove Tavern in irons has the best cheeseburgers in the area. That may not have the best atmosphere in the evening for children but it does have great atmosphere in the daytime. One of the strange things about this tavern is that it has dollar bills pasted to the ceiling. It also has about every kind of hamburger you can think of complete with fries. If you’re ever in the Manistee National Forest and specifically in irons check this restaurant out.
I’m including my friend Lowell as part of my family because in essence he was. I often referred to him as my second father. We enjoyed studying the Old Testament of the Bible often. Plus I would take counsel from him both in person and over the phone. He worked for Eli Lilly as a scientist. Sadly he passed away four years ago and I miss him to this day. In life one rarely meets someone like Lowell. Fortunately for me I knew him many years.
I I heard a rumor the other day about a steer getting caught in a building. I don’t know if this was a bum steer or not? It was supposed to have taken place in Custer Michigan. To get his head caught in the building like this must have happened due to a stampede. The customers got the raw end of the deal because the rump is right in the restaurant. Maybe they should call this place the steer Inn? They steer you in and you get the best steak possible. Or rump roast whenever you prefer? Healthy eating!
I’m in trouble here because I know nothing about snow fences. However in this picture was too good to pass up. I think snow fences are there to protect highways and train tracks. I also think they have something to do with beach erosion. If anyone knows anything else about them please leave us a comment. Thank you. For now just feast in this beautiful photograph.
A few years ago I was walking on Noreika Road and all of a sudden I was enveloped by a Giant Shadow which at first I thought was an airplane. As I glanced up I saw a majestic Eagle overhead. Its wingspan was magnificent. It almost reminded me of the prehistoric pterodactyl. Ben Franklin once said that he wanted the turkey as our national symbol instead of the eagle. I’m glad he lost that vote. Instead we have a lot of turkeys serving in Washington presently. Please end this ridiculous government shutdown.
after fishing on the little Manistee River, I often stop in to Bob’s Country Kitchen for a basket of shrimp. You can’t catch shrimp in the little Manistee River. I should also note that this Bob is not our Monster Hunter. Although that Bob would probably gourge himself here. Bob’s Country Kitchen also serves on Burgers and Fries including his famous mushroom burger. Borrowing a line from Gomer Pyle- surprise surprise! Bob’s also offers Pizza! And to top things off Bob’s offers biscuits and gravy! Stop off at Bob’s Country Kitchen for you won’t be sorry 
as you can plainly see, it is impossible during the summer months to photograph any of the camp Martin Johnson Buildings on Four Winds Island. The island is perfectly camouflaged with Greenery. All the pictures that we’ve taken of this island where when the camp was still in existence. Any other picture would be blocked by trees. This island is now privately owned and we respect the rights of that ownership to not trespass on their property. I wanted to make that crystal clear.
in May of 2011 a catastrophic F5 tornado took out half the city of Joplin Missouri. The Joplin Boys Club where I had worked in the late 1970s was spared. What has happened since that time? How is the community doing on rebuilding? The major networks covered the tornado greatly but they haven’t been back a whole lot since. So how has Joplin weathered the storm? Leave us a comment and let us know.
this was the original organ at the First Congregational Church in Oak Park. It had seven divisions including two in the balcony. This organ could out play a 1,000 member congregation plus 5 choirs. It was a Skinner organ and could even out play an orchestra.
I found out today that my dear friend and board member of the Hoffman Estates Boys Club passed away 2 years ago. Chris had a blonde pixie haircut and was stunningly beautiful. She was also very intelligent. She was the secretary on my board of directors and was responsible for hiring me. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her. She had a wonderful personality and great sense of humor . She could take on the leaders of our community at anytime. There will be no one else like her ever. I thank God for letting me know her.
Big Bass Lake & Beyond 