Photo Credit to Bob King
WeeWood Fish Decoy Collection
Submitted by Marc Caenepeel
The photo above is Marc Caenepeel’s collection of fish decoys, which were used to help catch and spear large fish thru the ice. Marc sent the following information about the decoys:
This collection was started by my folks and displayed on a wall of the cottage. As time went on and we acquired “Weewood,” I expanded the collection and mounted them on an old drift wood crate box side found in Lake Michigan. Some of these decoys were probably used when the ice was thick enough to cut a large opening in the ice to dangle and tease large fish to come by and investigate. A fisherman would stand over the hole and when the opportunity was right, spear and retrieve the fish.
Many fish decoys are carved and painted as works of art and never used because of their uniqueness and beauty. I have several displayed on other pieces of drift wood both up there and here in my office in WNC.
Just like duck decoys some of the fish decoys are highly collectable because of the folks who originally made them. The upper Midwest mainly Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota are where many fish decoys have come from. I had a friend who was given his father’s spearing equipment and decoys and I recognized the style of the fish decoy being made by a gentleman in Cadillac, Michigan.
His name is Oscar Peterson, and his beautiful decoys sell for hundreds of dollars today. You can read more about him here, as well. They wrote a book about him and his decoys, and I was able to get a copy. His artistry and creativity is amazing in his work!
I have other books and literature about fish decoys, too. The artistry and colors are great and creative. Did you see the turtle, frog, and small duck in the photo?
Commodore’s Comments
Hello neighbors,
Our recent warmer temperatures are a reminder that spring will be coming next month. Punxsutawney Phil will issue his famous forecast on February 2. If he sees his shadow, that means there are six more weeks of winter. Phil has only gotten it right 40% of the time. Mother nature is in charge, and She is hard to predict.
There is a great opportunity to see your lake friends and neighbors. The Sheffiecks will be hosting their annual Winterfest party on February 8th at 6pm. It’s BYOB and please bring something to share. Hope to see you there! Thanks Mike and Julie!
I found some other events in February that may spark your interest!
Kalamazoo Craft Beverage Week is February 1st – 8th. There is an “Event Calendar” on the website that provides information on daily events and specials.
Kalamazoo is also the location of the Bittersweet Ski Resort. They offer skiing with 20 runs and six chairr lifts, along with dining, beverages, and more. It’s not a bad place to hang out even if you’re not skiing!
Of course, February 14 is Valentine’s Day! It’s that time we express our love and affection to our dear loved ones! Everyone has their own way. We treasure those special moments.
There is a Dinner Detective event on Friday, February 14 from 7pm to 10pm at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in South Bend, on Angela Blvd just across from Notre Dame. it is an interactive murder mystery show that includes a buffet, cash bar, and prizes.
Lastly, on February 23 at 2pm, The Cher Show: A New Musical will be presented at the Morris Performing Arts in South Bend. That could be a fun way to reminisce about good times!
These are only a few outings to get us through February and get us closer to springtime! We come from many different places, but we are all on the same boat, we love Birch Lake!
~Commodore Julie
Fleet Captain’s Corner
Mother Nature delivered in January; there was a cold spell here at Birch Lake that formed about eight inches of ice, and the ice fisherman have been taking advantage. This includes my dad whose ice shanty we have been able to get out there on the ice.
While the water is hard, there has been sailing news at Birch Lake. Barb Cassady informed me of an Eagle Lake Sailing Club meeting at Zimmy’s this month that I decided to attend. The meeting was well attended by the Eagle Lake folks and they were very welcoming. It was good to make acquaintances and learn about their club. It was particularly interesting to learn about their junior sailing programs.
In addition to this, Bill Butler and I were also able to get the Detroit News (DN) Ice Sailboat set up here on the ice at Birch Lake and were able to try it out on two different days. The first day I got it to go from our house to Bob Kings and back and got going relatively fast each way in about 11 MPH of wind. Unfortunately, there was a few inches of snow on top of the ice which made it really difficult to get the DN going and also difficult to tack and jibe.
One can operate the DN with a little bit of snow on the ice but to get going fast you really need Goldilocks conditions – good “ice, wind, and little to no snow.” We decided to wait a few days to see if the snow melted. Bob King and Scott Troeger came over and we gave it another shot. The snow had melted slightly and the wind picked up to around 20 MPH. Due to this we were able to go quite a bit faster and farther, almost across the lake and back.
Scott also gave it a try and got going very fast. I gave Scott a push then a snow cyclone came off the lake and happened to hit his sail and he got going very fast. With the snow still being a little too thick, Bob King and Bill Butler elected to try another day. There has been a bit of a snow thaw and the weatherman calls for a small amount of rain in the forecast. We are hoping that the rain gets rid of the rest of the snow and for another cold spell to re-solidify the ice so we can get Bob and Bill out there to give it a try. Fingers crossed again!!!
~ F.C. Bob
Public Service Announcements
Winterfest at the Sheffieck’s
Join your lake neighbors for a wintery (hopefully!) evening at the Sheffieck’s. Their annual Winterfest event will be on February 8, starting at 6:00pm. BYOB plus something to share. Parking should be available in front of the Sheffieck’s house, at the Geik’s to the south and at Karen Brovold’s to the north.
Dowagiac Ice Time Festival
Dowagiac’s 29th Annual Ice Time Festival returns Saturday, February 1, downtown, and will feature a marquee ice sculpture created by ice carver Randy Finch of Ice Sculptures, Ltd. from Grand Rapids, MI. Known for his appearances on the Food Network’s “Ice Brigade,” Finch and his team will create a show-stopping ice sculpture from ten blocks of ice–showcasing live carving artistry to visitors looking to shake off winter hibernation. Activities start at 10:00 a.m.
A Message from the Cassadys
The Cassady home on Birch Road (east side) is undergoing what was thought to be a straightforward kitchen/bath renovation. Due to structural concerns the project has become much more complicated. We are out of town and have asked the contractor to notify us when deliveries are scheduled so that we can get the word out to our neighbors. We are working on quicker communication about traffic restrictions due to the work. We apologize for any inconvenience and ask for your patience.
~Barb and Tom Cassady
Update Your Email Preferences
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BLYC Website Updates
Be sure to check out the updated BLYC website! We have recently added an Archives section with copies of Birch Barkers dating back to the very first edition in July of 1944. Eventually, I plan to add a section of historical information about Birch Lake.
There is also a Photographs section on the site where we will post photos from lake events. There are currently photos from the Earl Troeger, Jr. Memorial Regatta, the Fall Dinner, and photos taken by Birch Lake residents of the Northern Lights in October.
If you need to contact any of the Birch Lake Yacht Club Directors, Officers, or Committee Chairs, click on the “About BLYC” link at the top of the page to find the list of members and contact information.
If you have any old Barkers that are not posted on the site, historical information, or photos you would like to share, please email birchbarker1@gmail.com so that I can add them.
BLYC Directory
Corrections and updates to the new directory? Send any updates to birchbarker1@gmail.com and we’ll publish them here for folks to update their directories.
2025 Yacht Club Dues
It’s never too early to pay your BLYC dues for next summer! You can pay online here or mail a check payable to BLYC to:
Deb Spratt, Treasurer
18100 Farmington Hills Dr.
South Bend, IN 46637
Events
2025 BLYC Board Meetings
Board meetings take place at 9 a.m. on Saturday mornings at the Yacht Club, and are open to all lake residents. The 2025 schedule is TBA. We will meet in May, June, July, August, and September.
Upcoming Events
- February 8, 2025 – Winterfest at Mike and Julie Sheffieck’s, 6pm
- May 17, 2025 – Spring Dinner
- June TBA – Trivia Night
- June TBA – Commodore / Vice Commodore Party + Stock the Bar
- June TBA – Spaghetti Dinner
- July 5, 2025 – Boat Parade
- July 5, 2025 – Fireworks
- July 6, 2025 – Pancake Breakfast
- July 18, 2025 – Ladies’ Golf Outing
- July 25, 2025 – Men’s Golf Outing
- July TBA – Family Picnic
- August 2, 2025 – Corn & Sausage Roast
- August TBA – Fall Dinner
- September TBA – Fall Frolic
- October TBA – Bad Patty Crockpot Challenge
Kids of the Month
Editor’s Note: I didn’t receive any kid of the month submissions this month, so I’ve featured some of the kids from my own house. If you want to see other kids of the month, please send your photos to birchbarker1@gmail.com!
Avery Grundy (15) recently took 2nd place at the Concord IMX Challenge Swim meet. To qualify for the IMX, swimmers had to swim a 500 yard freestyle, 400 yard individual medley, 200 yard individual medley, 200 yard butterfly, 200 yard backstroke, and 200 yard breaststroke. All in one weekend!
Harrison Grundy (6) received an “Eddie Award” at school in January for being a responsible Eddie.
Elyse Grundy (13) is participating in Competitive Cheer at Edwardsburg Middle School this winter. Her team placed 2nd at the Lakeshore Invitational last week.
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Please share your own kids (or pets or whatever!) to be featured in an upcoming issue. You can email them to birchbarker1@gmail.com.
Classifieds
Wanted to Buy: My large extended family has owned a cottage called “Chaos” (Cove) for 60 years. Our place will stay in the family… but our own individual needs have expanded and we are looking for more room so our grandkids can stay during the summer and make memories here, too. We are looking for a 3 or 4 bedroom place on the lake. If you are thinking about selling, please email Ann Nyberg at ann.nyberg@gmail.com.
Wanted to Buy: Bill and Sherry Holleman are looking to get back on to Birch Lake part-time or full-time. If you are thinking about selling, please email Sherry at dakotalynn01@aol.com.
Services: I do sewing and mending at fair prices – zippers, hemming, small alterations; call Kathy at 269-476-9317.
Barker Funnies
(click on image to enlarge)
