Preparations continue toward the upcoming season with an anticipated opening of the island the first week of June. We will be trying to do back-to-back trips or multiple week assignments. Volunteers joining trips will be asked to contribute $200 per person again this year.

Our annual DNR matching grant has been submitted. We await a decision on funding. Meanwhile, planning for materials continues. We received a donation of a maintenance kit for the mower, another project on this summer’s schedule.

Several board members plan to attend the DNR Volunteer Summit April 4-5.

Tom McBride first volunteered for FILA in 2022 and has been engaged in a wide variety of projects including lantern room restoration, water and solar systems. He is an automotive engineer and small business owner. In this latter capacity, he and his wife Jackie run The Shoal Shoppe which distributes “Michigan 129” branded lighthouse items and provides online distribution for South Fox merchandise.

He’s worked on several other lighthouse projects including White Shoal, Spectacle Reef, Rock of Ages and Frankfort’s North Breakwater Light.

Missed the meeting or want to review things?

The annual meeting presentation is available on our YouTube channel.

Enjoy!

Here’s President Linda Posler and her dog Georgie representing South Fox Island at Leelanau Historic Society Museum’s annual maritime festival this past week end. There was lots of local interest in our project as we continue to stabilize and restore buildings.

Thanks to the Leelanau Historic Society who has a ongoing exhibit on the Lighthouses of Leelanau County. https://www.leelanauhistory.org/exhibits/

The DNR performs a periodic review of state land identifying “parcels to be disposed of by exchange, sale or transfer to alternate units of government or conservation organizations.” An acquirer needs to maintain public access, use the property for outdoor recreation, and respect any deed restrictions. This year’s review landed the Lighthouse property on the list.

The two state-owned parcels (known as Government Lots 3 and 4) comprising the open dunes north of the station proper are not included in the offering.

There could be advantages of FILA (or FILA with a partner) taking ownership of the parcel. It would free the organization from certain state-imposed restrictions and make FILA eligible for funding such as the Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program (MLAP) “Save our Lights” program. On the other hand, the DNR has historically provided materials and logistics support, including warehouse space at their Grawn Maintenance facility; an ongoing stream of smaller grants; and retains ultimate responsibility for the buildings and property, minimizing FILA’s liability for events or accidents.

The DNR has assured FILA that there are currently no known interested third parties.

For now, the FILA Board will continue monitor the situation.