''Ghastly Mackinac'' Events Coming to Mackinac Island

By Roberta M. Gubbins Legal News The sun was shining on the pristine fairways of the Country Club of Lansing, the temperature was a perfect 70 plus and the golfers were ready for the Ingham County Bar Foundation's 7th Annual Memorial Golf Classic held on June 13th. The annual golf outing is a fundraising event for the Foundation which supports several worthy charitable causes in the Lansing area including: * The Special Olympics, * Eve House, * The Elder Law Clinic, * Legal Aid * St. Vincent Catholic Charities. This years Championship Flight winners were the team of George Zulakis, Dave Anderson, Tom Fruechtenicht and Polo Hourani with a score of 59. The winning team also had skins with birdies on holes 8, 9 and 18. The only other skin was earned with a birdie on hole 17 by the team of Ray Buffmeyer, Hon. David Jordon, Sheila McCoy and Larry Brunette. The Honorary Co-Chairmen of the event were the Honorable Clinton Canady III and the Honorable Hugh Clarke who, along with fellow team members, Larry Nolan and Jack Pitts, were the First Flight winners with a score of 67. Thomas M. Cooley Law School sponsored the event along with several local law firms including Sinas Dramis, Foster Swift, Baird & Zulakis, Dickinson Wright, McGinty Law Firm, Loomis Ewert, Nan E. Casey, Mertens & Clement/Robin Omer, Farhat Story, Abood Law Firm, Tom Woods, Nichols Law Firm, Gallagher Law Firm, along with the Council on Alcohol Problems. The Foundation is extremely grateful to the sponsor and the many volunteers who helped make the event a great success. They're ghastly, grotesque, and coming soon to Mackinac Island! The first of many popular Ghastly Mackinac events will soon begin, and time to reserve your spot is running out. Following are the event dates, which run from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.: June 25, June 29, July 9, July 13, July 16, July 20, July 27, August 3, August 6, and August 10. Over 115 years of death, disease, and deranged discipline have left its eerie mark within this stone fortress, leaving behind stories of truth that are much stranger than fiction. During ''Ghastly Mackinac,'' tour the very places where catastrophe and death occurred nearly 200 years before. ''The cliché that truth is stranger than fiction holds true with this event,'' said Katie Cederholm, MSHP curator of education and ''Ghastly Mackinac'' event organizer. ''The eerie talks, gory stories, and unbelievable situations you'll encounter are all based on research and true happenings.'' While hearing about the 1829 Christmas mutiny against Lt. Ephraim K. Smith, walk the fort parade ground where it really happened. Smith, a mean-spirited officer, had taken the law into his own hands many times throughout the fall and winter of 1829, viciously punishing several soldiers by flogging and beating them until, as he'd said to his victims, ''(you) look pleasant or smile.'' On Christmas day of that year, when the other fort officers had left the fort for a Christmas dinner party in the village, 25 enlisted men, all from Smith's company, appeared armed on the parade ground. As you envision the snow and cold of that blustery Christmas day, discover what happened to the sadistic Smith and the group of soldiers who'd had enough. ''People lived here, visited here, and died here,'' Cederholm said, ''and there's a lot more to tell beyond the basic facts. There are hidden truths that lurk behind these stone fort walls.'' Set on a hill above the parade ground is the elegant Officers' Hill Quarters, a two-story home that housed officers, their families, and other important persons. Step inside the home and soak up the beauty, but don't get too comfortable. Look past the picturesque table setting, the piano, and fine furniture, look past the feeling of peace and tranquility, to the truth that conspired within these walls. Discover the death and sadness that enveloped the home. It was here that Lt. Calvin Cowles and his family lived during his two separate tenures of the fort. Each time he lived at the home, he lost a child. First it was four-month-old Josiah, and later, two-year-old Isabelle. Look further into the house for testimony of its occupation by Rev. O'Brien and his wife, Charlotte. She died here as well, long before her time. Feel their stories during this special event. In the nearby Post Hospital, hear tales of cholera and influenza epidemics, accidents, and the gory methods of treatment, medical cases and untimely deaths that happened in this very building. Inside the dark, cool Guardhouse, imagine the fear and horror felt by Private James Brown in 1829 as he walked these floors. He'd been accused of murder for shooting Corporal Hugh Flynn in the mess hall before fifteen witnesses, but had held fast to his claim that it'd been an accident until the day he was executed by hanging...the only known hanging on Mackinac Island. These stories and more await your attention, your presence, and your ghostly imagination. Are you ready to face the ghastly truth? ''These events were very popular last year,'' Cederholm said. ''Because of this, I encourage everyone to call as soon as possible. These events are usually sold out weeks in advance.'' Reservations are required, and can be made by calling April or Katie at (906) 847-3328. Spaces are limited. Admission is $30 families, $10 adult, $5 youth ages five to 17, and free for children 4 and under. This fee also applies to Mackinac Associates members. Mackinac State Historic Parks, a family of living history museums and parks in northern Michigan's Straits of Mackinac, is an agency within the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment. Copyright © 2011 State of Michigan Published: Thu, Jun 23, 2011