Enjoy a virtual visit to North Manitou with Kevin Mark and his stories.
We have a new episode of our history series: Voices of North Manitou. This series explores the history of the North Manitou Island in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore through the people who have lived, worked, played, and been a part of island life over the years.
Kevin Mark grew up vacationing on North Manitou Island during the 60s and 70s, and in the 80s came back as the first camper to the island. Enjoy Kevin’s stories of the island before the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore years, during his boyhood vacations. The island was a perfect August playground for family time, adventures with friends, and establishing a lifelong connection to nature. Stories include:
- visiting the lumbercamp
- vacation life
- visiting Rita Hadra Rusco and her husband Ken
- parties with neighbors Clark Fiske and family
- cars on the island
- caretakers Marvin and Arlene Fluelling
- Mom’s painting and fishing
- Dad’s reading and friendships
- staying at the Monte Carlo cottage
- hiking around the island
- visiting the homesteads and other locations
- island picnics
- coming back as the first camper in the new National Park
- camping with friends
- camping with children
- bringing Mom back as a camper
- advice for campers
- the Spirit of the Manitou