October 27, 2007 - Old memories of Shavehead Lake- from Sherman Van Lieu
October 25, 2007 - Old memories of Shavehead Lake.
By Sherman Van Lieu
I was a young boy when my family ran the lake resort owned by Mr. Lloyd Amos back in 1956. At the time we had six cabins I believe, and most of our cabin rentals were rented by summer folks from the Chicago area. I remember the chestnut trees along the dirt road, the large swing set for the kids, and all the great summer adventures with the Huff family kids, David Hoffman, Junior Braizlee(sp), and many others. I also remember Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson, Mr. and Mrs. Gramburg(sp), the Van Kirks, and the Snook family.
I can still see Doc Guyer(sp) swimming while pulling a boat behind him. I remember the hard times we had navigating the hill during the snowy season, and when it rained. My parents usually left our cars at the top of the road, and walked up to get them, it was safer that way.
I also remember the time my father pulled a 25lb. snapping turtle out of the lake one spring. I had never seen a turtle that large before.
My mother ran a small grocery store out of our house for a while for all the summer business, and we even had a gentleman who opened a donut store right on the lake front at the resort.
I was just there in September of 2007, and much has changed, yet much is still as I remember it. One Chestnut tree is still alive. Shavehead lake is still as beautiful as ever, and I am glad I had the opportunity to have lived there for a few years.
November 30, 2007 - RE: Old memories of Shavehead Lake- from Sherman Van Lieu
Posted by Jeff Courtney
My family owned the house next to the boat launch on the penninsula back in the late 70's through the 80's. What great memories I have of Shavehead Lake. I remember men like Gordy (2 hses. away) and Mr. Cooper in the red barn house teaching me to fish and Scott ? (the first person to barefoot waterski on the lake) teaching me how. I would like to create some of those same memories with my children now that I am older but it is hard to come by houses for sale on Shavehead unless you have an insider. If anyone has the inside scoop I'd love some help. I'm even interested in renting on hte lake for a week or two if possible until I find a place for myself. Great web-site. Thank you for the opportunity to express my love for Shavehead lake.
I have great memories of the lake as well. My family had a house on the water near the boat launch on the peninsula. Guys like Gordy (two houses away) and Mr. Cooper (Red Barn House) taught me to fish and a guy named Scott and the end of the peninsula was the first to barefoot waterski on the lake and taught me how. I would like to share similar memories with my kids but cant seem to find a home on the water for sale. I'd love to rent in the mean time and look forward to my spot on the lake some day. Thanks for the opportunity to share my memories.
December 6, 2007 - RE: Old memories of Shavehead Lake- from Sherman Van Lieu
Posted by Sherman Van Lieu
I believe there are a few rentals on Shavehead lake. Just get online and type in real estate Shavehead lake, or rentals on Shavehead lake, you should find some.
Good luck
March 30, 2008 - RE: Old memories of Shavehead Lake- from Sherman Van Lieu
Posted by Mike
Jeff- Camp Friedenswald has cabins available for rent- Click on the Camp Friedenswald or the "For Sale / For Rent" categories for their availability. Mike
August 13, 2008 - RE: Old memories of Shavehead Lake Peninsula
Posted by Sophia Michna
I have many very happy memories of life on the Peninsula. We built there 46 years ago. I believe we were about the tenth house on the peninsula. Many of my memories are recorded in the cottage chapter of my personal life story -- I'm 80 and going strong. I have difficulty working this machine. I am trying to contact "Marilyn" of the Peninsula to give her a book of all the newsletters from the year one. Marylin, if you read this please contact me. I'm a short way from your house. At the cottage, I'm only there weekends (if I can get a ride up). I'm assuming I will be there on the Labor Day weekend. Memories? A whole chapter.
August 13, 2008 - RE: Fourth of July at Shavehead lake Peninsula
Posted by Sophia L. Michna
Another Fourh of July at Shvehead Lake (4 for me). "Fourth's past" wee not so all encompassing. W ch had our private celebrations (in the beginnifn we were only ten houses on th whle peninsula). But more "pioneers" came and now we are a village - a suburb. A very hapy place, indeed. "God's Litte Acre" -- our "Piece of Eden"
I love the Fourh of July at Shavehead. Sott Knepple used to have his own gala fireworks display. It was so outstanding that people from all over the lake came to watch. Soon rsidents started contributing to his purchase of fireworks (did you know that today $100 will buy about 5 minutes of fireworks?) A wondeful evening. Boats line up all over the norhwest end of the lake to watch. When an especially beautiful firework shoots up, people yell and hoot, and toot their boat horns. I love the "Grand Finale" when silently all the boats line up single file, with red and green lights distinguishing one boat from the other, and silently, silently they glide through the dark wae. Such a solemn moment. I wonder what everyone is thinking.
Everyone takes off for their homs and to their private parties. Some still haven't had enough fireworks and have their own small show. Tidbits are passed around. Some imbibe! Weather-wise, I can't tink of a bad Fourth of July at Sha vehead. The pitch-black sky is dotted with twnkling stars. We look for the Milky Way. We look for shooting stars. This year a strange "ball of fire" moved slowly across the sky. Was it a plane on fire? Was it a comet? Was it a flying saucer? No one seems to know.
Before the fireworks, the air is wonderfully exhilarating. Now it smels of gunpowder and wood- burning fires. What would a Fourth of July at Shavehead e without a bon-fire? We toast marshmellows and make Smores. The youngest are allowed to stay up until they fall asleep in their parent's arms. The firewors start to die down. In the deep dark of the evening nature's fireworks turn on - the whole fron lawn is full off fireflies turning their lightsn and off!
Sleepily, silently, one by one, we trundle offto bed. We've had a very happy, happy day.
I wonder how many of us rize that the Fourth of ly is really Independece Day - and what it realltands for?
November 9, 2008 - RE: Old memories of Shavehead Lake- from Sherman Van Lieu
Posted by Sherman Van Lieu
I was wondering of those of you who come here do you remember the lake resort at the base of the hill where the road splits north nd south? I believe it was there through the fifties, maybe even the forties, and if anyone had any information about it. It was called "Shavehead Lake Resort" there even used to be a sign advertising it on US 12 about one mile before you crossed the Indiana state line.
There used to be six or seven cabins there. I wishing well that is still there that my sister and I made extra money with when the tourist dropped their coins down it, there are probably still some down in it. I swing set that I believe is still there when, and a stream running the full length of the property.
I remember that the owner of the property Mr. Lloyd Amos did some strange things in and around that main house. He had hid several huge bottles of champagne in the stream that ran along the length of the house, which my father found one year when he was digging a section of the steam up. We would also find money in, and around the house, one time my father found some money wrapped up in rags, and was shoved in an old cast iron pipe in the basement.
This was all back in the late fifties when I was just a kid.
If anyone has any stories about that place let me know?
March 23, 2009 - RE: Old memories of Shavehead Lake- from Sherman Van Lieu
Posted by joe sutherland frank swartzell
1955 toearly1970s my dad bought 4 lots from joe steck on the channel se corner of the lake if you mail me i can tell you a lot about that time i was 14 or 15 at that time i was born in 1940 would to talk to you thanks joe
March 24, 2009 - RE: Old memories of Shavehead Lake- from Sherman Van Lieu
Posted by joe sutherland frank swartzell
hello mike my e mail is buddrick@att joe sutherland step father frank swartzell nice taking to you we will meet soon i hope good luck to each and everone of you GOD BLESS.
April 15, 2009 - RE: Old memories of Shavehead Lake- from Sherman Van Lieu
Posted by Mimi Blair
Well, I am trying to post this comment for the 3rd time. One would think I'd figure out what I am not doing or doing wrong that it has not posted. Anyway, I wanted to say I have fond and happy memories of visits to Shavehead Lake. I remember the turtles and the deer but I also remember swimming to and then jumping off of a floating platform in the lake; playing Hide the Bucket in the muck (there wasn't any sand then--is there now?) near the shore of the rental cabins. I remember finding a HUGE shelf fungus on one of the trees in the woods and taking it home, varnishing it, and setting it out for display. I remember searching for and finding morel mushrooms, too. Then, taking them back to the Van Lieu's and Sherman's mom frying them up in lots of butter for us to eat with one of her Cajun specialties. I also remember lots of friends and sitting on the screened porch of someone's cabin on the lake and telling "horror" stories late at night. Also remember late night swims in the warm water of the summer. Surprised to find this site -- actually, a friend told me about it and I had to check it out. Thanks for putting up this site and letting others know what a beautiful place it is.
May 8, 2009 - RE: Old memories of Shavehead Lake- from Sherman Van Lieu
Posted by Sherman Van Lieu
How happy I was to find so many replys since my last post. I was hoping to find one reply but this many is great. Mimi you'll have to forgive me but I don't remember your name. You obviously know my mother and her Cajun cooking, but I can't for the life of me remember you..sorry. My mother passed away one year ago on March 8th, 2008 she would have been 91 years old.
I try to visit Shavehead whenever I come back to Michigan, but now that my mother has passed on Michigan won't be on my travel plans for a long time so coming here is as close as I can get.
Shavehead lake was a great time in my life, and it's great to hear from anyone who lived there the same time I did.
Dear Sherman, Thank You so much for starting this discussion with your original post! I've enjoyed tremendously
reading all of the responses from everyone, and their contributions to it! You take care, and may God always be with you! If you need a place to stay when you can come and visit the lake, you are always welcome in our home- we have an extra bed, and we can always find something to put on the grill for you!!
Thanks again for starting this great discussion, and thanks to all of you who are contributing to it!
Mike
May 9, 2009 - RE: Old memories of Shavehead Lake- from Sherman Van Lieu
Posted by Sherman Van Lieu
Your welcome Mike. Did I know you from the days that I lived there? I'm trying to track down anyone who knew me or my family back when we lived there. The last time I lived there was around 1972, I lived there with Butch Amos and his wife Vicki. Butch passed away severalyears ago. I also knew a guy named Junior Brazely(sp) I believe he was from Illinois. I believe the Huff family is still around, and I used to know another crazy guy named Larru Van Kirk who summered there with his family. If anyone knows anything, or can refresh my old brain I'd apprecaite it.
May 12, 2009 - RE: Old memories of Shavehead Lake- from Sherman Van Lieu
Posted by Sherman Van Lieu
I hope this one makes it through.
Your welcome Mike, and maybe one day I'll take you up on that visit. I wanted to ask you if we had ever met before? How longhave you been at the lake? I was there from 55 through 58, and then I lived there for a short time around 1972. I always visited the lake when I was in the area even during the winter. I moved to California back in 1976, and I don't get back to Michigan that much anymore, and now that my mother passed away, my trips back there will probably be even less. I still have friends in the area, and stay in touch with a few.
I hope more people come to this site who once came to Shavehead lake over the years, it will be great to hear their stories.
May 13, 2009 - RE: Old memories of Shavehead Lake- from Sherman Van Lieu
Posted by Mike Bosela
Hi Sherman! Sorry for the delay in getting your last message posted- everything needs to get 'approved' before it gets published onto our website, and I've been out-of-town for Mother's Day.. The "pre=approval" of messages is meant to prevent "spam" and other messages which are inappropriate..
No, I don't htink we have met personally before- my wife Amy and I only joined the community in 1987.. I'd love to meet you personally, however, and please do not hesitate to come stay with us when you can make it to town!
I once again enjoy this discuccion you have started, and I look forward to reading everyone's contributions to it! It reminds me of the newsletter when we first got here- Dan Benyi used to contribute some great "notes" and letters from years past..
May 22, 2009 - RE: Old memories of Shavehead Lake- from Sherman Van Lieu
Posted by Sherman Van Lieu
Here's a little blurb about old Shavenhead Lake.
When the first white settlers began homesteading in Cass County in the 1820s, they occupied land that had been Potawatomi territory for centuries. At the time, there were three major Potawatomi settlements in the Cass area: Pokagon's village near Sumnerville, Shavehead's village near Shavehead Lake in Porter Township and Weesaw's village near Nicholsville in Volinia Township.
I'm sure many who live around Shavehead lake know this already, but I thought I'd throw it in for those who don't know the history of Shavehead lake.
May 28, 2009 - RE: Old memories of Shavehead Lake- from Sherman Van Lieu
Posted by Sherman Van Lieu
There is a small valley that runs along the hill next to the main road running down to the lake on the south side I don't remember the name of the road sorry. In that valley there were many vines that hung from the trees.
We used to cut the best and strongest vine we could find that was right next to the side of the valley were we could swing out, sometimes the drop was a far down as thirty to forty feet it made for a really exciting swing. I miss the hardwood forest of the mid west, out here in California we have the great Redwoods,and the California Cypress, but it is nothing compared to the hardwoods of the mid west.
There used to also be a clay pit that had been dug out by a home owner that started to builda house then stopped. When ever it rained that pit would fill full of clay silt, and there wasn't anything better joy as a kid then jumping into that clay silt, get covered from head to toe with clay ooze, and then run out to the lake to wash it off.
One more story. There used to be this carzy kid named Larry Van Kirk. One day I saw him running across our yard heading to a channal, and he then jumped in the water and grabbed a live snapping turtle by the tail. The turtle then swam into a hole in the bank of the channal and dug itself in. Well Larry stayed their with the turtles tail in his hand neither wanting to give up. He tried for over an hour to pull that turtle out, he lost the tug of war. He was one crazy guy.
July 4, 2009 - RE: Old memories of Shavehead Lake- from Sherman Van Lieu
Posted by Scott McDonald
I was reading some of the comments about Shavehead lake. I recognize alot of the names mentioned. My grandfather had the log cabin on the end of the pennisula. Everyone knew him as Mac. He was baldheaded wore white pants and t-shirt. He even wore an ear ring, so another nick name was Mr. Clean. I grew up at the lake from the mid 60's to present, My family's very fortunate to still have the cabin, and have many fine memories that go along with it and the lake.
July 10, 2009 - RE: Old memories of Shavehead Lake- from Sherman Van Lieu
Posted by Sherman Van Lieu
Say Scott did your grandfather own a boat that was green by any chance? I remember I guy like you grandfather who had a really hot boat that was green, sort of a cabin cruiser. Did he also wear a head bandana? Lot's of great history at Lake Shavehead, and some wild parites....OH YAH!
August 31, 2009 - RE: Old memories of Shavehead Lake- from Sherman Van Lieu
Posted by Sherman Van Lieu
No I definately remember an older guy that always wore a red bandana on his head, and he owned a cabin cruiser. They lived on the peninsula area straight across from what used to be called Shavehead Lake Resort. But then that was back in the late fifties, early sixties, my memory has diminished since then.
Thanks for the call back though. Did you know Butch Amos at all, or any of the Huff family?
September 18, 2009 - RE: Old memories of Shavehead Lake- from Sherman Van Lieu
Posted by Cyndi Delmage Putnam
I have fond memories of Lake Shavehead, my uncle Cliff owned a cabin on the lake in the early 60s and we had many good times there with my dad's family fishing, playing cards, taking walks. When I was about 6-7, on a walk my dad, mom, we came across a snake, my dad killed it. It is still a very vivid memory. I am not sure what kind of snake it was, but is big. I moved to California when I was 16 in 1974 and have not been back to see the lake. I was reminishing and thinking back about that walk with my dad, and the special times at the lake. I would like to go back to visit. Does anyone remember the Delmage cabin? I
September 30, 2009 - RE: Old memories of Shavehead Lake- from Sherman Van Lieu
Posted by dan benyi
Nice website! I'm not sure all of you remember me . I did a lot of history work about Shavehead Lake.My name is Dan Benyi and I lived on the lake from 1968 to 1994.I also was a board member.I have tons of pictures dating from 1906 though the 1950's along with letters, documents,and even a 1929 short film! I will get them around and maybe I can get them on this website! Best wishes Dan Benyi
Hi Dan! Yes, I remember you! You and your family are one of the first families we met when we moved here to Shavehead Lake! You were kind enough to take us out on your pontoon boat, and share with us the "do's and dont's" about travelling around our lake.. I always looked forward to your contributions to our newsletter in the form of "past letters" / notes, etc. I'd love to get together with you so we can do something on our website in reference to the 'past history" of the lake- please give me a call at your convenience at (574) 370-2550, so we can hopefully get together on this- I've received a lot of requests for "past history" photo's / letters/ etc. about and of the lake, and Sherman started this great topic / contribution to our website as well.. Many thanks! Mike
October 14, 2009 - RE: Old memories of Shavehead Lake- from Sherman Van Lieu
Posted by Gary Strehl
Sherman,
Tried posting this a few days ago. . . but it didn't take.
When much younger. . in the early sixties, used to stay with the Huff's at their place on the lake. My parents also rented a cottage at the resort for several summers. I once met a girl by the name of Linda Van Lieu, any relation. If so tell her I said hello and she can contact me if she wants.
October 21, 2009 - RE: Old memories of Shavehead Lake- from Sherman Van Lieu
Posted by Sherman Van Lieu
Gary by chance are you of german descent? I remember a german family who used to come to Shavehead Lake Resort during the summer. Do you have a brother? Linda is my sister, and my parents ran Shavehead Lake Resort back in the late fifties, early sixties.
I do remeber you if you are that family, are you in your late fifties or early sixties?
Linda and I live in California, my oldest sister Cindy lives in Kalamazoo, Mi. Both of my parents have since passed on.
This website is for the benefit of all of the residents of our Shavehead Lake community. Courtesy of Mike Bosela -resident, board member and treasurer - Enjoy!
This website is for the benefit of all of the residents of our Shavehead Lake community. Courtesy of Mike Bosela -resident, board member and treasurer - Enjoy!
