15 things i learned in the les cheneaux islands

15 things I LEARNED this week in the

Les Cheneaux

IslandsDianna

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How to finally SAY Les Cheneaux (Lay Sh-NO)

Les Cheneaux Islands (French: "The Channels") are a group of 36 small islands, some inhabited, along 12 miles of Lake Huron shoreline on the southeastern tip of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

The towns of Hessel & Cedarville are found in the Les Cheneaux Islands (referred to by the locals as “The Snows”.

15 things I LEARNED this week…

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The “Grandfather of Conservation” vacationed here

Aldo Leopold (1887–1948) was an American author, scientist, ecologist, forester, conservationist, and environmentalist. He is best known for his book A Sand County Almanac (1949), which has sold more than two million copies.

Leopold vacationed in the Les Cheneaux Islands, and a festival honoring his contributions to the area premiers June 19-21, 2015.


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There are guided tours in and around the islands

Woods & Water Eco Tours offers a variety of trips in and around the waters of Les Cheneaux Islands. Day trips, overnight excursions, biking adventures, birding trips and even winter activities (dogsledding, skiing, snowshoeing) and more throughout the area. Tours are suitable for families (with kids as young as five) and focus on the natural surroundings of the area – the birds, habitats and eco-systems.


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Les Cheneaux is home to four centuries of boat building

The boating tradition of Les Cheneaux dates back at least 400 years. Native Americans used handmade vessels primarily constructed of wood (dugout and birch bark canoes), while French and British explorers and traders navigated the waters in similar canoes, and wooden vessels. The “Chippewa” was designed and built by the Hamel Brothers Boat Shop in Cedarville about 1905. Examples of these historic vessels can be seen at the Les Cheneaux Historical and Maritime museums.


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The world’s first Chris Craft dealership was in Hessel

First opened in 1925, E.J. Mertaugh Boat Works becamethe very first Chris Craft dealer in the world (in 1926). Chris-Craft was started on Point du Chene, in Algonac, Michigan, a small town on the St. Clair River.

Mertaugh is one of the area’s largest full-service dealerships—offering sales, restoration, storage, marinaand a new coffee/ice cream/fudge shop on Hessel Bay.


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The U.S. Navy commissioned the building of a boat here

The Great Lakes Boat Building School (GLBBS) in Cedarville was commissioned to build a 32-foot wooden Cornish pilot gig (named “August Glory”) for the USS Constitution, the oldest ship in the U.S. Navy and oldest commissioned naval vessel afloat in world.

GLBBS, in the Les Cheneaux Islands, is one of only five such facilities of its kind in the United States.


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The Hacker Craft is the focus of this year’s wooden boat show

The 2015 Les Cheneaux Islands Antique Wooden Boat Show will be showcasing the Hacker Craft.

John Hacker, a Detroit native, founded the Hacker Boat Company in 1914 and in 1923 moved the company from Detroit to Mt. Clemens. Hacker closed in 1957 and production was halted. Hacker Craft produced only about 10,000 custom boats over the course of the company’s 43 year history.


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A new culinary school & restaurant overlooks Hessel Bay

Les Cheneaux Culinary School is housed in what was formerly the Hessel Bay Inn, which was completely renovated to architecturally reflect the area’s iconic, old boat houses.

Opened in September, 2014, the state-of-the-art facility offers an in-depth, one year program devoted to hands-on experience. The Restaurant opened in May, 2015 and will be open four months each summer.


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Hollyhocks & Radishes was published by a local author

Bonnie Stewart Mickelson is the author of the 330-page Hollyhocks & Radishes (1989). The book is a compilation of happy thoughts, memories of good times and good food that can be made with these unique recipes. This award-winning cookbook is filled with Americana nostalgia.

As a business woman, Bonnie has also been instrumental in the growth and re-development of today's Hessel.


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Government Island is the only public island in Les Cheneaux

Government Island is an uninhabited, federally-owned island open to day use and “Leave No Trace” camping. It is the only public land within the Les Cheneaux Islands, as it was once home to a Coast Guard Station.

Government Island is accessible via kayak, canoe or motor boat, a 4.5 mile trip from Cedarville. Boats can be beached at two landings on the Island.


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Dollar Island features one of Michigan’s most unique homes

Dollar Island, the second most photographed island in the country. In 1901, the island was privately purchased and a Small home was built in the middle of the Snows Channel. Every inch of land being utilized to hold up this now elaborate house, with its verandas, turrets and docks out into the water. The structure seems to float, without being supported by the land.


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Michigan’s oldest, continuously played links course is here

The public Les Cheneaux Golf Club began operation in May 1898 and is the oldest, continuously-played links course in Michigan. Early members of the Les Cheneaux Club (established 1888) developed and chartered the course. The course is a par 35, with 18 tees and is designed in the style of the traditional Scottish links—using the natural lay of the land. It is accessible by water from a public dock off the Snows Channel.


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The islands were a boat route for “rum runners”

Haven Island (aka “Bootlegger’sIsland”) was used by Detroiters (perhaps the Purple Gang) who started running whiskey by boatfrom Blind River, Canada to Mackinac Island. They bought a Chris Craft runabout from Mertaugh’s, and soon they were doing huge business with Haven Island as their camp. Gene and Martin Mertaugh finally took it upon themselves to run them off Haven Island, when they went out with their deer rifles and told them to leave now, or else!


Famous people visited the area’s famed hotels

The Islington Hotel was a family-owned and -operated lakefront inn, built in Cedarville in 1896. The facility lodged and entertained summer guests for 60 years. During its heyday, it was considered one of the finest seasonal hotels in the Upper Midwest, welcoming famous people such as actor Jimmy Durante and author Booth Tarkington. The hotel was razed in 1959.


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There’s still a phone booth in Hessel

It’s quite a local controversy—should the pay phone booth remain on the corner of Lake and Pickford roads? While it blocks the view from the Culinary SchoolRestaurant, it is has become an iconic part of the community. Some consider it an eyesore, yet others jokingly ask “Where else will Superman change?” if it is removed! Stay tuned…


15 things i learned in the les cheneaux islands

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