Lakethe Tecumseh Herald’S Guidemay 2018

LAKEThe Tecumseh Herald’s GUIDEMay 2018

MUSIC • DINING • FESTIVALS • GOLF COURSES • ART • REAL ESTATE Now at the New LaFontaine Clinton Location Familiar Face

NEWBeverly Place Camp 517-701-1803 • 1111 W. Michigan Ave. • Clinton PAGE 2 | LAKE GUIDE THE TECUMSEH HERALD | MAY 24, 2018 MAY 24, 2018 | THE TECUMSEH HERALD LAKE GUIDE | PAGE 3 COMMUNITY NEWS • LOCAL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES ADVERTISERS LaFontaine Chrysler Dodge Lightning Quick Gas-N-Go...... 11 The Marriage of Jeep Ram of Clinton...... 1 Michigan International Speedway...... 11 Irish Hills Realty, llc...... 2 Devils Lake Festival of the Arts...... 12 Lucero's Mexican Bar & Grill...... 5 The Buoy at the Lake...... 12 BRILLIANT IDEAS Chateau Aeronautique Winery...... 5 Hills Heart of the Lakes Golf Course...... 15 Hidden Lake Gardens...... 7 Union Block Suites...... 15 and ProMedica Bixby Hospital...... 9 ERA Realty...... 15 stunning Design Rob's Rentals...... 11 Manitou Beach Marina...... 16 STORIES

4 Lake things to do — list of events for 2018

6 Hidden Lake Gardens from then to now

10 Subscribe today Michigan International Speedway celebrates 50 years FOR THE LATEST AND GREATEST

13 THE TECUMSEH Devils Lake Festival of the Arts set for June 16 HERALD 110 E. LOGAN ST., P.O. BOX 218 517-423-2174 TECUMSEH, MI 49286 TECUMSEH, MI 49286 800-832-6443 TECUMSEHHERALD.COM 14 Irish Hills history AREA SPORTS • INFORMATION ABOUT PEOPLE YOU KNOW PAGE 4 | LAKE GUIDE THE TECUMSEH HERALD | MAY 24, 2018

LAKE THINGS TO DO list of events for 2018

The communities surrounding Devils and Round lakes and the Irish Hills area are rich with summer activities, including festivals, art, music, vintage baseball games and more. Here are some of the many events going on during Summer 2018 around the lakes.

A Quilt Workshop will take place at prepared and served overlooking Aug. 11 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. ACTIVITIES Walker Tavern, 11710 U.S. 12, Brooklyn, the vineyard. Info: 517.592.4663 Info: Jim Neill at 517.547.5574. on July 26–27, Thursday (2 p.m.–8 or cherrycreekwine.com. Boot Jack Tavern, 735 Manitou p.m.) and Friday (10 a.m. – noon.) The The Walker Wheels will play the Rd., Manitou Beach, hosts a DJ basic skills workshop is free and open Jerry’s Pub & Restaurant, 650 Egan Hwy. Royal Oak Wahoos and the Canton Live Trivia night each Wednesday to ages 15 and older, and participants Brooklyn, will be the site of the 8th Cornshuckers in a vintage baseball game with games starting at 7:30 and should bring a lunch. Pre-registration Annual Row, Row, Row Your Cardboard at the Walker Tavern Historic Site, 13220 8:30 p.m. Info: 517.252.5475 or is required. Info: 517.241.0731. Boat Race starting Sunday, July 22 M-50, Brooklyn, on Sunday, Aug. 27 at 2 Boot Jack Tavern on Facebook. at noon. Boats must be constructed p.m. The event is free. Info: 517.241.0731. The Irish Hills Lake & Home Tour will using only cardboard and duct tape, The TED Ranch Campground, 12985 be held Saturday, June 23 from 10 a.m. and there will be cash prizes for FESTIVALS Monroe Pike Rd., Brooklyn, will host an until 7 p.m., viewing Irish Hills lakes most creative boat and best dressed outdoor flea market from 9 a.m. until from the lakeside on a pontoon. Tickets crew, as well as for youth, adult and The Art, Beer and Wine Festival at Ella 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, May can be purchased for $15 the day of the gold cup races. Info: 517.403.5358. Sharp Museum, 3225 4th St., Jackson, 26 and 27, featuring crafts and various event at any one of the lakes. The last will feature more than 50 Michigan- other vendors. Info: 517.581.7033. The Walker Wheels will play vintage boat leaves at 5:30 p.m. from the Clark based wineries, breweries, cider mills, baseball at the Walker Tavern Historic Lake location. Info: 517.592.8907. distilleries, and food vendors, as well A Memorial Day parade will take Site. On July 14, from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. as more than 40 artists representing place at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 28 The Devils Lake Fourth of July fireworks the Wheels host an Invitational a range of media from jewelry to in downtown Brooklyn at Brooklyn will be held at Devils Lake in Manitou Baseball Tournament. The event watercolor works, with artist demos Square. Info: 517.592.8907. Beach, Wednesday, July 4. Spectators is free, but a recreation passport is and roaming musicians. The event will be able to view the fireworks at required. Info: 241.0731.3220. The Michigan International Speedway runs from 1-7 p.m. on Saturday, June various locations around the lake. ARCA Racing Series will take place on A Nautical Flea Market will take place 2, and many of the beverages and all of Friday, June 15, presented by Menards The Irish Hills Fireworks Show will Sunday, Aug. 5 at 290 Devils Lake Hwy., the art will be available for purchase. Corrigan Oil 200 and Spring Cup take place at the Columbia Upper Manitou Beach from 10 a.m. until 1 Info: [email protected]. Qualifying. On Saturday, June 16, the Elementary football field in Brooklyn p.m. Vendors will be selling items with The 4th Annual Devils Lake Festival of NASCAR XFINITY Series Menards 250 on Wednesday, July 4 from 6-11 p.m. a lake-related theme, including boats the Arts, 110 Walnut St., Manitou Beach will take place, presented by Valvoline. Entertainment and concessions and equipment, décor, apparel, fishing will be held Saturday, June 16 from The final race of the weekend will be the begin at 6 p.m. and fireworks begin equipment and more. To be a vendor 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. and will include NASCAR Sprint Cup Series FireKeepers at dusk. Info: 517.592.2591. or for information, call 513.509.3182. Casino 400 held on Sunday, June art booths with over 50 artists, live 17. The racetrack is located at 12626 Cherry Creek Winery holds the 5th The 4th Annual Devils Lake Classic entertainment, dance, shopping, kids U.S. 12, Brooklyn. Info: 800.354.1010 Annual Feast in the Field on July Car Show will take over the Village activities, a barbeque, a beer tent, silent or visit http://MISpeedway.com. 19th, 6:30–9:30 p.m., a gourmet feast of Manitou Beach on Saturday, auction and local cuisine. There will be MAY 24, 2018 | THE TECUMSEH HERALD LAKE GUIDE | PAGE 5 a free concert at 7 p.m. Info: Devils and August 9, with performances by Lake Festival of the Arts on Facebook. Acoustic Strings & Friends and Turner Luce. The concert series is sponsored Saturday, July 14 is the date of the 4th by the Friends of Walker Tavern. For Delicious Mexican Cuisine Annual Rockin’ the Hills Craft Beer more information call: 517.241.0731. IN A RELAXING ATMOSPHERE Festival at Devils Lake in the Irish Hills, featuring more than 30 Michigan Jerry’s Pub & Restaurant, 650 Egan breweries, as well as wine and cider. Hwy., Brooklyn, features karaoke The event will run from 4-9 p.m. and every Friday night and live music each will take place at 110 Devils Lake Hwy., Saturday night. Info: 517.467.4700 or Manitou Beach. Tickets are $25 until Jerry’s Pub & Restaurant on Facebook. July 12, $30 at the door. VIP tickets are $75 and include early entry from 3-4 Cherry Creek Winery, 15750 U.S. 12, p.m., a goodie bag, a Rockin’ the Hills Cement City, offers live music every t-shirt, Rockin’ the Hills pub glass, two Thursday and Friday night from 7-10 Outdoor Patio extra pour tickets, a meet and greet p.m., from Memorial Day weekend with special breweries and entry into until September 16. There is no Lunch & Dinner Specials a drawing. Register at irishhills.com. admission fee for these events. Info: 18 Beers on Tap The Faster Horses Festival will take 517.592.4663 or cherrycreekwine.com. place Friday through Sunday, July The Beach Bar, 3505 Ocean Beach Huge menu of Specialty 20-22 at Michigan International Rd., Clark Lake, has live music on Speedway, 12626 U.S. 12, Brooklyn. The Drinks & Wine the patio (weather permitting) from festival includes country music with 5:30-9:30 p.m. each Wednesday and Brooks & Dunn, Florida Georgia Line, Blake Shelton, Brantley Gilbert, and Sunday from Memorial Day until Labor many more, plus camping and many Day. Info: beachbarclarklake.com. activities throughout the weekend. Shady’s Tap Room, 110 N. Main Info: fasterhorsesfestival.com. MEXICAN BAR & GRILL St., Brooklyn, offers live music on Downtown Brooklyn’s Art Fair Saturday nights. Info: 517.938.8733 6258 Jefferson Rd., Clarklake, and Craft Show will be held or Shady’s Tap Room on Facebook. lucerosgrill.com • 517.529.7270 Saturday, Aug. 12 from 10 a.m. MON–SAT: 11am-10pm • SUN: 11am-9pm until 5 p.m., with artists and high- The Pointe Bar & Grill, 1200 Eagle Point end crafters. Info: 517.592.2591. Rd., Clarklake, has live music every Friday and Saturday nights beginning MUSIC June 1. Info: thepointeclarklake.com.

For over seven years the Village of FARMERS Brooklyn has been host to a vast array MARKET of talent each Friday night starting June 8. The free concerts are sponsored by The season opens Sunday, June 3 for local and regional entities which have the Farmers Market at the Walker annually supported the community and Tavern Historic Site, 13220 M-50, the arts. Bring your friends and family, Brooklyn. The market features local a chair, a blanket, food and beverages farmers, merchants and crafters and enjoy everything from classical and will take place every Sunday to rock'n'roll within the beautiful and through October 7 from 10 a.m. relaxing park setting at Swain Memorial until 2 p.m. Info: 517.241.0731. Park, 101 River St. in Brooklyn. Performances for Arts in the Park start The Manitou Beach Farmers Market at 7 p.m. on June 9 and run to August 24. at 290 Devils Lake Hwy., Manitou Find more information at 517.592.8907. Beach opens for the season Saturday, Picnic on the Lawn concerts at the May 26. The market will be open Walker Tavern Historic Site, 13220 every Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon M-50, Brooklyn, start June 14 with a through September 1, featuring fresh performance by Paige of Time. Music produce, flowers, homemade baked is from 6-8 p.m. There are two more and canned goods and handmade Picnic on the Lawn concerts: July 12 arts and crafts. Info: 513.509.3182. PAGE 6 | LAKE GUIDE THE TECUMSEH HERALD | MAY 24, 2018 HIDDEN LAKE gardens FROM THEN TO NOW By JACKIE KOCH [email protected] “We’re trying to change that,” he said. “We want to offer more programs, more activities, he evolution of Hidden Lake Gardens steadily increased their offerings to the public. more events, for people to come and use (HLG) has taken the 755-acre botanical Pfeifer said he has been open to new ideas and Hidden Lake Gardens on a regular basis.” He garden from its inception in 1945, when programs. “Things are really going on, and it’s said he and the staff recognize the recreational, TAdrian businessman Harry A. Fee donated 200 really due, in part, to our new education program health and wellness aspect of visitors using acres in Tipton to Michigan State University, to its coordinator,” he said of Samantha Howard, who the grounds, as well as those who come there current multi-use incarnation. previously worked in the conservatory and took because of their appreciation for nature. HLG offers a lake, a conservatory that includes a over the coordinator position last year. “We “People are using public gardens in different temperate house and arid and tropical domes, picnic really have done a lot more classes, workshops, ways than they did years ago, and recreation area, six miles of paved scenic drive, 12 miles of programs.” Pfeifer said that for years HLG has been is one way to kind of get away from it all. So hiking trails, thousands of labeled trees, shrubs and a wonderful place for nature lovers to visit, but it we’re trying to combine some of the plant and flowers, a bonsai collection, and activities including was a more quiet, secluded place that didn’t draw garden and botany education activities with just guided nature hikes and various educational and a lot of activity. When he first took his position, he experiencing and enjoying nature activities, as health-related classes. heard from patrons that said they remembered the well,” he said. Since Paul Pfeifer took the position of managing gardens from their childhood, or they appreciated Some of the new offerings at HLG are director in September 2014, the gardens have the land but didn’t visit much. yoga and tai-chi, both exercise and movement classes. A Thursday morning walk yoga program began last summer that involved Hidden Lake Gardens’ Managing Director Paul instructor Rita Adams leading participants on a Pfeifer stands next to the agave plant that walk to a different location in the gardens each is expected to bloom in the arid dome week, to experience the grounds while moving of the conservatory in June. Photos by Jackie Koch through yoga poses before walking back to the visitor’s center. A beginner’s tai chi workshop led by Beth Beard in March added the Chinese martial art practiced for both its defense training and its health benefits to the HLG roster. Pfeifer said there was an overwhelming response to the workshop with more than 25 people attending, and now there are ongoing tai chi classes held both indoors and out. “It’s very introductory, very encouraging, just trying to get folks informed about tai chi and getting them to move and be a little bit active in it,” he said. A new event, Family Bike Day, will be held Saturday, June 30, when two of the drives will be closed to vehicular traffic so bicycle riders and pedestrians can have exclusive access to approximately six miles of paved roads inside the gardens. The event will include a food truck and representatives from Adrian Locksmith & Cyclery, who will inspect MAY 24, 2018 | THE TECUMSEH HERALD LAKE GUIDE | PAGE 7 bicycles, inflate tires and possibly feet tall at the moment. It’s going to get process he came to the grounds for make adjustments for riders, as well as close, if not all the way, to the top of the a day-long set of interviews, during advising them with tips on maintenance arid dome. It’s really exciting,” he said. which there was an informal forum and improving their bikes. Sprinkler hill When the flower stalk reaches its highest where staff and members of the will provide water relief for overheated point, Pfeifer said it will probably have public could meet him and ask him participants. Family Bike Day will have at least a dozen side branches with questions. “Between staff members, a general admission fee of $3 per person. flowers on them. volunteers and general visitors that This year is the 50th anniversary of Looking ahead, the year 2020 will day, so many people expressed their the opening of the conservatory. One of be the 75th anniversary of HLG being passion, their enthusiasm, how much the plants in the arid dome, an agave, or a part of Michigan State University, they love Hidden Lake Gardens, and century plant, is estimated to have been when Fee donated the property to that has continued consistently since planted in 1968 when the dome opened, the school. Anniversary celebration I’ve been here,” he said. and now it is preparing to bloom. Pfeifer plans are just beginning, said Pfeifer. HLG is owned and operated by said Conservatory Manager Diane Through those years many additions Michigan State University under the Faust has been tending to the plant and and improvements have been made, division of Land Management, and expects it will bloom in June, an event such as when the visitor center building is supported through admission fees, that happens once in the plant’s lifetime, was built in 1965 and the conservatory endowments, gifts and the Friends of after which the plant dies. was added. A picnic area was added Hidden Lake Gardens membership Agave plants typically take anywhere in 1971 and the service building that program. The Gardens are open 362 from 25 to 75 years to bloom, he said, replaced the old barns on the property days of the year with an admission but in the process the succulent, spiky- was constructed in 1973. The Herrick fee of $3 per person, free for leaved plant will send out volunteer family of Tecumseh donated funds for members. For information on classes plants, or “pups,” around the base of the many of the buildings. and programs, visit canr.msu.edu/ main plant. These pups grow and also Pfeifer said it has been an hiddenlakegardens. begin the long process of reaching the overwhelming but very positive “Every day is beautiful, even bloom stage. “The main part of the plant surprise to see how connected so many through the winter, and every day is probably seven to eight feet tall right people are to the gardens. “I love the looks different to me,” Pfeifer said. now, but the flower stalk is about 18 people,” he said. During his interview “It’s really a great place to be.” PAGE 8 | LAKE GUIDE THE TECUMSEH HERALD | MAY 24, 2018

Clark Lake 1 2

Brooklyn Iron Mill 124 Pond

Lake Columbia Vineyard Lake 50 52 12 Wamplers Lake 12 7 Clinton 3 124

4 5

12 Sand Lake

6 52

Loch Erin Tecumseh 223 50 10 Onsted 8 9

Manitou Beach & 12 Devils Lake

Devils 13 Lake 14 Round Lake 223 52

Map Legend 1 ) Hills’ Heart of the Lakes Golf Course 8 ) Union Block Suites 2 ) Lucero’s Mexican Bar & Grill 9 ) ProMedica Bixby Hospital 3 ) Michigan International Speedway 10 ) Lightning Quick Gas-N-Go 223 4 ) Chateau Aeronautique Winery 11 ) Devils Lake Festival 5 ) Irish Hills Realty, llc 12 ) Manitou Beach Marina 52 6 ) Hidden Lake Gardens 13 ) The Buoy 7 ) LaFontaine Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Clinton 14 ) Rob’s Rentals

Adrian MAY 24, 2018 | THE TECUMSEH HERALD LAKE GUIDE | PAGE 9

Clark Lake 1 2

Brooklyn Iron Mill 124 Pond

Lake Columbia Vineyard Lake 50 52 12 Wamplers Lake 12 7 Clinton 3 124

4 5

12 Sand Lake

6 52

Loch Erin Tecumseh 223 50 10 Onsted 8 9

Manitou Beach & 12 Devils Lake

Devils 13 Lake 14 Round Lake 223 52

Adrian PAGE 10 | LAKE GUIDE THE TECUMSEH HERALD | MAY 24, 2018 MICHIGAN INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY Celebrates

By Sara Hilton [email protected]

or 50 years, racing fans from around the country have F converged in the Irish Hills to watch NASCAR drivers battle it out around the Michigan International Speedway track. This year, MIS will be celebrating those 50 years of victories and losses, checkered flags and loyal fans through a series of special year long events. Fans will races, for Nite Lites during the holidays, the Midwest to witness the opening day the biggest names in country music. The be able to visit a car and memorabilia for concerts. There is a huge impact on race. Since that time, NASCAR legends festival includes two stages, late night display at MIS on race weekends. the surrounding areas. The gas stations like Richard Petty, Mario Andretti, Dale jam sessions, food trucks and even water Throughout the year, the track will are selling more gas, the restaurants are Earnhart and Jeff Gordon have all left their slides and camping. During the holidays, also post anniversary videos and selling more food, people are renting mark on the MIS track. MIS also gives fans MIS turns into a winter wonderland with photos on their website and will out houses and making money that way. the opportunity to experience racing on a an illuminating three-mile, drive-through feature great drivers and moments on Multiply that by 50 years and the impact more personal level, with driving schools light display. However, perhaps one of its social media channels. The pace car of MIS just spindles out.” that allow individuals to either drive stock the most meaningful MIS events is the and track wall will be incorporating Michigan International Speedway cars around the oval or take a two-lap ride Spirit of America Blood Drive. This fan photos as a way to pay tribute to is often considered the brain child of with a professional driver. drive began in 2002 as a tribute to honor the milestone anniversary. Lawrence H. LoPatin, a Detroit-area land While technology has changed the way the victims and heroes of 9/11. Since “I think of all of the ways the developer. The site, which is estimated that sports fans consume racing, Brenner 2002, the Spirit of America Blood Drive track has touched the community to have cost between $4-$6 million to cites the event around the event as a has collected more than 10,709 blood over the past 50 years,” said Richard develop, was chosen for its proximity reason to visit MIS in person. “You can products, potentially helping to save Brenner, MIS track president. to both Detroit and Chicago. It took just get the sport at home,” he said. “But you more than 32,127 lives. Brenner highlighted MIS Cares, a over a year to transform the once scenic can’t get the experience—the feeling of “I think the real legacy of the last 50 donor-advised fund of the NASCAR rolling Irish Hills countryside along the cars in your chest, the camping, free years is people,” said Brenner. “All the Foundation, that has given countless US-12 into what was once touted as the concerts, a great community—where else people who have come out to see a race. dollars to further their mission to most modern race complex in the world. would you want to be in the summer?” So often people will tell us how they used assist and inspire youth within the This transformation of countryside to Today MIS, which sits on a 1,400- to come out here with their dad or their community. “That alone has had an racetrack was no easy task. Over 2.5 acre property, has grown to encompass mom. There are so many memories here. incredible impact and created great million cubic yards of earth were moved more than racing. It is also home to After a while, so many things begin to joy,” said Brenner. “But in addition to to create the D-shaped oval. On October Faster Horses, a three-day country remind you that this is way bigger than that, people come in from all over for 13, 1968, fans poured in from around music festival which brings in some of any one person or thing.” MAY 24, 2018 | THE TECUMSEH HERALD LAKE GUIDE | PAGE 11

T ired of look Are ing at the w you the ater THIRSTY fro Lake Destination m t he for Summer Fun? Perfect for Weddings, Birthdays, bea ch. Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties, ..ca ll u or Family Reunions! s for FUEL STATION a wa treat! tersports in MANITOU BEACH ON US 223

Watersport Rentals • Pontoon Boats • Paddle Boards • Fishing Boats • Kayaks • Ski Boats • Bicycles • Aqua Lily Pad • Crystal Clear Kayaks • 2 Person Tube • Jet Skis & more! Quick & Courteous service in a clean, Well-Stocked store 762 Manitou Rd., Manitou Beach COMING SOON TO New Retail Options! 517-673-3620 • robs-rentals.com BROOKLYN CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF MEMORIES AT MIS THIS SUMMER!

TICKETS START AT $35 | CAMPING STARTS AT $160 | CALL 888-905-7223 OR VISIT MISPEEDWAY.COM TODAY!

JUNE 8-10 AUGUST 10-12 PAGE 12 | LAKE GUIDE THE TECUMSEH HERALD | MAY 24, 2018 M A N I T O U

B E A C H MAY 24, 2018 | THE TECUMSEH HERALD LAKE GUIDE | PAGE 13 DEVILS LAKE D OF THE E SET FOR V

ARTSBy JACKIE KOCH [email protected] June 16 I community celebration of art will take place in the village of Manitou Beach when F A the Devils Lake Festival of the Arts returns for its fifth year to showcase artists and L offer musical entertainment, kids’ activities, a silent auction, local food and more. The event will be held Saturday, June 16 from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. and promises plenty of E activity for all ages. “We have between 40 to 50 artists that kids' tent, which will offer face painting S will be set up from all across the region and and other craft projects, as well as giving across the country that will be here,” said them something to take home. “Each S Steve Lark, festival committee member. kid that comes through will leave with a “It’s a juried art show, so they want to backpack that will have some art supplies make sure we have a variety of things, in it and a couple of toys,” said Lark. There from the paintings, jewelry, woodcarving, will also be a raffle of new bikes donated to ceramics, fibers. There’s a variety of the festival, and a petting zoo. T everything there.” The artist booths will “Everything that we do for the festival is be open until 6 p.m. done through sponsorship or donation. Lark said the musical acts will continue It’s free to the public to get in, and that’s until 10 p.m., with two stages, one near the one of the things that we pride ourselves L front entrance with children’s shows and on with the festival, that it’s free for I other smaller acts, and a big stage in the everyone,” he said. Donation jars will back for the larger acts which will include be available for those who would like Nashville-based country singer and to donate to the event. To help fund the songwriter Allie Louise; Creole du Nord, a festival, there will be event T-shirts for V group with roots in southwest Louisiana’s sale, and the themed silent auction will A Zydeco, Cajun, and Creole music using the feature planks of wood with inspirational fiddle, accordion, guitar, bass and banjo- quotes inscribed on them. uke; a youth fiddling show by the Saline The Manitou Beach Farmers Market Fiddlers Philharmonic with a repertoire will be set up across the street from the A from American folk fiddle, bluegrass, jazz, festival until early afternoon, selling K western swing and Celtic music; and Colin garden produce and crafts, as well, giving Dexter, an Elvis Presley tribute artist from attendees one more aspect of local flavor Jackson. Evening entertainment will be the to enjoy. L band Alias and children's entertainment For more information on the festival, will include Colors the Clown and My visit devilslakefestivalofthearts.com or Adventure Theater. find Devils Lake Festival of the Arts on E Children will be able to spend time in the Facebook. PAGE 14 | LAKE GUIDE THE TECUMSEH HERALD | MAY 24, 2018

Irish Hills

By JACKIE KOCH [email protected]

In the mid-1800s, a portion of what is now Lenawee County became a settling place for Irish immigrants traveling on a five-day stagecoach trip between Detroit and Chicago, which they named the Irish Hills because it reminded them of their green and hilly home country.

Since those early days, the Irish Hills have gone said. “So it’s grown immensely. It went from being through a transformation from rolling farmland, a small little place that the people from Ireland woods and orchards to an area of tourist attractions named the Irish Hills into this whole big region beginning with the Historic Walker Tavern in that we now call the Greater Irish Hills area.” That the 1920s as well as the Irish Hills Towers, twin area includes the villages of Addison, Brooklyn, landmarks that resulted from a neighbor rivalry Onsted and Cement City. historian of the Michigan History Center, said the over a property line. In the 1930s St. Joseph Shrine According to Hubbell, the largest lake is Devils history of the area includes one Reverend Lyster, with the Stations of the Cross became a destination Lake, and the tourism has gone from the US-12 who was an Episcopalian priest. “He owned land for those looking for a more spiritual experience, corridor to around the lakes. She said each of the down on what was then what he called Angel’s and in the 1960s, the peak of the tourism boom, 52 lakes has its own separate community. “Each Lake, to compensate for Devils Lake, but we know favorite spots were Prehistoric Forest complete area has its own history,” she said. “And when you it today as Sand Lake,” she said. “He had parishes with dinosaurs and Mystery Hill with weird and put them all together, then you get the Irish Hills.” in Tecumseh, Clinton, Cambridge Junction, confusing features that boggled the mind. Along with multiple lake communities, the Brooklyn. He was all over the place. He was a Now the Irish Hills region covers a large swath region includes popular spots such as the 755-acre circuit rider, he got on a horse and he rode out to of country, said Cindy Hubbell, president and Hidden Lake Gardens, Walter J. Hayes State Park, wherever he was going to preach that Sunday, then CEO of the Brooklyn-Irish Hills Chamber of Cherry Creek Winery and countless attractions, rode back home.” Commerce. She said the historic Irish Hills is the campgrounds, parks, businesses and recreation Hubbell said the greater Irish Hills area has section on US-12 that includes St. Joseph Shrine possibilities. Historic Walker Tavern offers visitors much more area than people are aware of, but and the Irish Hills Towers, that small area where the opportunity to learn about the early days of the chamber’s website at irishhills.com reveals the Irish settlers came and made it their own. “Now stagecoach travel and trace the development of a schedule of events that offers something for you have the Irish Hills region, which consists of US-12, also known as the U.S. Heritage Trail. everyone. “It’s definitely a hidden gem,” she said. 52 lakes, 10 townships and four villages,” she Laurie Perkins, Southern Lower Peninsula “People don’t realize how large we really are.” MAY 24, 2018 | THE TECUMSEH HERALD LAKE GUIDE | PAGE 15

nestled in CharmingCharming TECUMSEH

Half hour drive from Brooklyn Irish Hills

Walking distance to shops, dining, dessert, wineries and craft beer.

MakeMake yourself at HomeHome theunionblockcollection.com | 517.902.6065 112 W. Chicago Blvd. | Downtown Tecumseh

Brooklyn’s #1 Real Estate Office, serving the Irish Hills!

Alicia Dickens Darren Grodi Nicki Kennedy Collin Cote Margaret Boldon Cindy Livermore 517-414-9418 517-260-2181 517-414-9418 517-812-0035 517-592-4171 517-414-5464 Bryon Gough 517-745-5443

Jim Anderson Tony Pruitt Sherry Johanson Mike Potts Joyce Cole Mary Faulkner Jonathan Nichols 517-745-6046 517-812-5721 517-902-7014 517-990-7805 517-403-1860 517-403-1765 517-260-0563

Annie Hoover 517-812-3209 250 S. Main Street, Brooklyn MI. • Broker/Owner Rick Reardon your Irish Hills area LAKEFRONT SERVICE specialists WHERE THE FUN

STARTS Boat sales, service & parts, winterization & storage

9517 Devils Lake Highway (517 ) 252-5026

AUG. 11 1st Annual NEW BOAT SALES Big Band Night The area’s exclusive dealer of Manitou Pontoon Boats, by Triton Industries Sept. 2 DOCK OPERATION 2nd Annual - 86 Dock Slips available for seasonal lease Kids Day Event - Off street parking with restrooms and shower facilities available BOAT & PWC SERVICE & PARTS - Year round boat and personal watercraft service & parts operation - On site pickup and delivery - Same day repairs available WINTERIZATION & STORAGE Complete winterization & storage program to keep your investment safe during the off season