February 1, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE

CONTACT:    Barbara Mort, Executive Director, Benzie Area Historical Society, 231.882.5539

February Benzonia Academy Lecture A Valentine’s Day Fundraiser for the Benzie Area Historical Society. Looking for an interesting – and delicious – way to spend Valentine’s Day?  “HistoryTeller” Maureen Esther will present “Valentine's Day Couples in History” on February 14, 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the Benzie Area Historical Museum.  This month’s Benzonia Academy Lecture includes a champagne and chocolate reception and is a fundraiser to benefit the Benzie Area Historical Society.This special Valentine's Day lecture will feature some of history's most captivating "not so famous" couples. Starting with ancient Egypt and ending in the 20th century, attendees will hear stories of unconditional love, loyalty, lust and betrayal, too!  Society members, couples and others looking for a fun night out are invited to explore this famous day of love through the "heart" of history.  .5in;line-height:150%">During the intermission, guests will enjoy a champagne and chocolate reception and can view Valentine’s Day greeting cards and messages from the past on exhibit for the event..5in;line-height:150%">Maureen Esther studied art and history in college and has presented to over 30,000 people on topics ranging from King Tut to the sinking of the Titanic.  Her parents, Fred and Helen Latimer, were both active at the Museum for over two decades.. Admission is by a suggested $15 donation.  Proceeds will benefit the Benzie Area Historical Society, Museum and the Drake School.. The Benzie Area Historical Society offers the Benzonia Academy Lectures on the second Thursday of each month.  The Benzie Area Historical Museum is located at 6941 Traverse Ave, Benzonia.  Call Barb Mort, executive director, at 231.882.5539 for more information. # # #

We are excited to announce our Valentine's Day Dinner! Bring that special someone to The Hotel Frankfort for an exciting evening. The evening’s menu has many local Wines for your enjoyment!

Munson Medical Center will host the March 9 focus on Healthcare Careers with a 8:45-11:30 am session including Radiology and Biomedical Technology career exploration. Participants will explore multiple careers within Radiology, and tour the diagnostic equipment laboratories of 
Biomedical Technology.

This session meets at 8:45am (sharp) at the Munson Medical Center lobby, session ends with a return to the Lobby at 11:30. Session max: 30

Qestions?

Please Contact Mark Ewing at 231-631-7490 or mark.ewing@scouting.org

-STEM Speaker Panel and College Fair (8th Grade Through College) @ TC Central High School.

-College Fair: 6-7 PM - Auditorium Hallway, STEM Speaker Panel: 7-8:30 PM-Auditorium. 

-Featured STEM Panel Speaker Gregory Johnson- retired NASA Astronaut. STEM Panel will also include local STEM Professionals. 34 colleges attending the College Fair and more adding each day. 

Sponsored by Friends of SCI-MA-TECH, Newton’s Road and the MiSTEM Network. Open to all Northwest Lower Michigan Students, Parents, and Community Members.

GOTOCOLLEGEFairs.com to register for event (not required) 

The Benzie Audubon Club presents:

Coffee Break Birding - for those who don't want to get up at the crack of dawn to look for birds!  

Saturday March 30, 2019 at 10:00am - we will meet at Petals and Perks in downtown Frankfort for a favorite morning beverage, then we'll head out to look for early spring migrating birds and waterfowl who have stayed all winter.  Be sure to check the weather report and dress appropriately.

Everyone is welcome, whatever your birding experience! We will have our resident expert Doug Cook on hand to tell us what we are looking at. 

For more information visit www.benzieaudubon.org.

Join us on Saturday April 6th, 2019 as we host the 2nd Annual Joe Schmidt Memorial Euchre Tournament. The cost is $35.00 per person and with a taco bar and all non-acholic beverages. We will be giving away prizes for 1st and 2nd Places. There will be a 50/50 Raffle and a Cash Bar. This Tournament is an Individual Tournament, not a team. Doors open at 2 pm, but we will START playing at 3 PM. 

Why we do this:
In June of 2007, Joe Schmidt, passed away less than 48 hours of being diagnosed with AML, which a rare form of leukemia. In conjunction with the golf scramble, our goal is not only to raise awareness but to help people who have been affected by cancer.

The Benzie Audubon Club will host its annual spring birding event on Saturday April 20, 2019 beginning at 9:00 am at the GTRLC preserve in Arcadia.  We will meet in the parking lot of the preserve. Brian Allen will lead us as we check out the waterfowl and look for early migrants. 

It's a free event, and all are welcome. See benzieaudubon.org for more details. 

The Frankfort-Elberta Area Chamber of Commerce has arranged for the Easter Bunny to visit Frankfort on Saturday, April 20 for their annual Easter Egg Hunt. Over 3,000 eggs have been found in previous years. The Community Easter Egg Hunt will begin at 10:00 AM SHARP! at Mineral Springs Park in Downtown Frankfort.

The Easter Bunny will be onsite and available to visit with your children and for pictures starting at 9:30 AM in Mineral Springs Park, Frankfort. This event is very fast paced, so please be on time and bring a basket or bag for the eggs.

The Frankfort-Elberta Area Chamber wishes to thank The Maples, Dinghy's Restaurant & Bar, State Savings Bank, Curtis Insurance Agency, Harbor Lights Resort, Graceland Fruit, West Shore Bank and Benzie County Convention & Visitor's Bureau for co-sponsoring this event.

Ann Arbor Railroad Car Ferries (1912-1958) Presentation

Andy Bolander, Benzie Area Historical Society researcher and rail and car ferry enthusiast, will present, “Ann Arbor Railroad Car Ferries (1912-1958)” on Thursday, May 9, 7:00 p.m. at the Mills Community House in Benzonia.

In his presentation, Bolander will examine the coal burning car ferries of the Ann Arbor Railroad with the boats, the workers, Frankfort Harbor, the boat landing at Elberta and the 1923 wreck of the Ann Arbor No.4  highlighted. 

"The smokestacks of the Ann Arbor boats were witnesses to the energy, grit, and allure that the traffic of the Ann Arbor Railroad delivered to Benzie County," Bolander said.

Andy Bolander is a volunteer and researcher with the Benzie Area Historical Museum. He is a rail and car ferry enthusiast and a nerd for all things Ann Arbor Railroad. 

For more information about this presentation or the Benzonia Academy Lecture Series, please contact the Benzie Area Historical Society at 231.882.5539.

# # #