by Holly Nelson:
Oscoda - After reading of the financial challenges faced by the AuSable-Oscoda Historical Society, Glenn Malmsten of Oscoda knew he wanted to help. The society is in process of buying the building which houses its historical museum and is facing a $21,000 balloon payment in October. Malmsten and his wife, Lo-E, are appreciative members of the society, which strives to preserve AuSable and Oscoda's unique history. While spending time in Florida this past winter, Malmsten had an idea. When the couple returned to their Oscoda home, Malmsten called up Society President Fred Glass. "He told us he had a donation, but didn't say what it was," Glass said. More than a little curious, Glass and other members of the commission drove to the Malmsten home on Friday. In thief backyard, the Malmstens unveiled thief donation -- a custom made, hand crafted canoe conservatively valued at $3,000 along with a pair of snowshoes. They suggested the commission raffle both off to raise money to meet thief large financial obligation. "It was definitely worth the trip," one of the members commented as the group encircled the handsome canoe. The canoe was custom made for the Malmstens by thief friend, Peter "Pete" Blann, formerly of Dearborn Heights and know a resident of Port Charlotte, Fla. If the maker's name sounds familiar, it may be because Blann once owned a cabin in Sidtown. Truly a work of art, the 18-foot canoe is constructed from five different woods: cedar, mahogany, black walnut, ash, and Sitka Spruce. The basic hull is built from cedar strips with interlocking glued bead-and-cove construction and is sealed inside and out with fiberglass cloth. Several coats of varnish water-proof and enhance the natural beauty of the wood. Complementing the canoe are two matching paddles and hand woven cloth seats which were woven by Blann's wife, Joann. Glass said the society is taking Malmsten's suggestion and will hold a raffle for the canoe -- a fitting prize for the community which founded the AuSable International Canoe Marathon and, this year, is hosting the National Olympic trails. As also suggested by Malmsten, the snowshoes will be offered as a second raffle prize.
The raffle will begin as soon as the society can get a license and have tickets printed, probably around May 1. Tickets will cost $10 each or 11 for $100. The drawing will be held in front of the museum, located on River Road near the corner of Lake Street, at 4 p.m. on August 22. Historical Society members will sell tickets at various events through the spring and summer, including the Sunrise Side Woodcarvers Show on Mother's Day weekend in June, the AuSable International Canoe Marathon in July, the canoe nationals in August, and the AuSable-Oscoda Fishing Tournament, also in August. In addition to preserving the community's heritage through collections of artifacts and memorabilia, the society also publishes historical accounts and remembrances. Glass said the society has completed 10 or 11 books to date and is presently working on a volume about Carl Schmidt, founder of Serradella Dairy and a man who played a significant part in shaping Northeast Michigan and modern dairy farming. Other fund raisers planned in upcoming months include a combination bake/garage sale, which can be dropped off at the museum on weekends. The society is also planning to build and sell park benches.
The Historical society is a nonprofit organization and contributions are tax deductible. Requests for information, also donations, can be sent to the: AuSable-Oscoda Historical Museum, PO Box 679, Oscoda, MI 48750.
