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Summer Music Concerts 2024 - The Congregational Summer Assembly (CSA) will host four concerts this summer at 2128 Pilgrim Highway in Frankfort. The public is welcome and there is free admission.
NewThirdCoastNew Third Coast
 
This year, the Dutton Concert will feature the New Third Coast (N3C) on Saturday, July 13 from 6:30-8:00 pm. The trio features Patrick Niemisto, John Kumjian and Bryan Poirier. Both Niemisto and Kumjian are retired music faculty at Glen Lake Community Schools. Poirier is the owner of 3rd Coast Financial in Traverse City, and also plays with the Jameson Brothers outside of N3C.
 
“The New Third Coast is an excellent power folk trio that will bring a variety of instruments and sing great three-part harmonies,” CSA Choir Director Ken Cox said. The concert will be held on the CSA ballfield and attendees are encouraged to bring towels, chairs, and an evening picnic. Please note that alcohol is prohibited on CSA property. Bring your whole family to this casual-in-the-extreme time together! There will be dancing, singing along, and limerick writing happening along with tunes from the 60’s to the present day. The road in front of the Assembly Building will be blocked off.
 
CSA Choir Concert - Special Event
 
On Friday, July 26 at 7:30 pm, the CSA choir will give a special concert at the Congregational Summer Assembly Meeting House. The choir will perform some of their most popular pieces, such as “When the Saints Go Marching In” and “His Eye in On the Sparrow,” but won’t include any songs recorded in their last concert held in summer of 2000. Due to the audio recording, the choir is asking that no small children or animals attend to avoid any noise in the background.
 
 Kodak QuartetKodak Quartet
 
 On Saturday, July 27 at 7:30pm, pianist Dr. Hyemin Kim and the Kodak Quartet will perform the Burrows-Getz Concert at the Congregational Summer Assembly Meeting House. Dr. Kim serves as Collaborative Piano Faculty and teaches secondary piano lessons at Interlochen Arts Academy. Kodak has performed with multiple Grammy-winning artists and currently serves as the Cuker and Stern Resident String Quartet at the Mannes School of Music in New York.
 
 
Katherine BarbourKatherine BarbourThe final concert of the season will feature lifelong CSA member Katherine Barbour on August 3 at 7:30pm in the Meeting House, for the annual Armstrong Concert. She will perform a full-length vocal recital and will be joined on the piano by Assistant Conductor of the Apollo Chorus of Chicago, Cody Michael Bradley.

Katherine Barbour is a soprano pursuing a Music Masters in Vocal Performance at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music where she is in the voice studio of Deanne Meek and will be in Carol Van Ness’ Opera Workshop this fall. She began her vocal studies in Wilton, Connecticut with Michele McBride, former principal artist of New York City Opera, and continued with Carolyn Sani Redman at Denison University.

In July, Katherine was Konigen (Queen of the Night) in “Die Zauberflote” with Lyric Studio Opera Weimar, a young artist program in Germany. She previously performed as Papagena and Knabe in Weimar summer of 2023. In addition, she has had roles in “Dido and Aeneas,” “Hansel and Gretel,” “Suor Angelica” and Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Pirates of Penzance.” As a soloist she has performed in Schubert’s “Mass in G”, Vivaldi’s “Gloria” and Britten’s “Ceremony of Carols.” She participated in Opera Lucca and Westminster Choir College Summer in Florence in 2019. She was most recently seen on the CSA stage as Belle in the 2022 adult operetta “Beauty and the Beast.”
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The CSA Working Group on Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging, initiated in 2023 by the Board of Trustees, is sponsoring a series of events on Community & Belonging. The Congregational Summer Assembly is a place for renewal, founded “to promote the physical, intellectual, moral and spiritual welfare of its members.” As we near the Assembly’s 125th anniversary, we invite you to engage in a conversation about the CSA’s rich history and the extent to which all community members feel they are able to joyfully and confidently pursue the goals expressed in our charter.
 
CSA’s wellbeing is an expression of all of our individual experiences in the community. We hope to ensure everyone, long-timers as well as newcomers, feels welcome to bring their whole selves to the CSA, with a sense of belonging to a community that celebrates all that makes each of us unique.

Circle Conversations
Twice during the summer, July 10 and August 6, we will have facilitated conversations on the topic of community and belonging. Please encourage members of your family to attend. Our hope is that the conversations will be intergenerational.
 
Weekly Chats
Come to one or all of them. This series is designed for people who want to go deeper. The inquiry questions will be shared the week before so you will know what we will be chatting about. Schedule:
 
June 18: Chats and Conversations: An Overview of the Working Group on Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging
June 25: Starting with Belonging: On the Path to an Intentionally Inclusive Community
July 02:  Bringing Our Whole Selves: Creating Safety for Each Other at the CSA
July 09:  Timelines and Transformations: Mapping the CSA's Journey Towards an Inclusive Community
July 16:   Supporting Spiritual Renewal in a Diverse Community
July 30:  What’s Identity Got to Do With It: Exploring Identity, Culture and Belonging
August 06: Younger Voices: A Panel on Community and Belonging
August 13:  How Do We Create a Culture of Belonging?
August 20:   Imagining Our Future
 
Please let friends and families of people who will be at Crystal know -- we have a particular interest in reaching out to younger generations. If they can’t attend, we are always happy to schedule a time to talk/zoom.
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New Wellness Program: Mindfulness Sessions and Forest Bathing Walk

In response to our stressful times, the Women’s Association is sponsoring a five-class Mindfulness Program. The practice of mindfulness is proven to cultivate inner calm and reduce stress. The classes will provide tools to help participants manage difficult emotions effectively.

Our instructor, Kristen Ryder, is a Community Yoga and Mindfulness Facilitator, Community-based Therapist, School Psychologist, and Community Violence Prevention Researcher from Michigan State University. She does remind us that while mindfulness practices support health and well-being, they do not replace medical or mental health services.
 
YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER ONLINE! Class size is limited to facilitate the best experience. No walk-ins.
 
Mindfulness 101: Anchors and Awareness: July 3, 11:00 AM – Noon
  • Experience key mindfulness steps: 1) paying attention; 2) on purpose; 3) to the present moment; and 4) without judgement (the gentle and loving part).
Mindfulness Through Our Senses: July 10, 11:00 AM – Noon
  • Introduces and explores each of eight senses individually and in tandem.
Mindful Self-Compassion Practices and Lovingkindness/Heartfulness: July 16, 11:00 AM to Noon. Women’s Association Annual Meeting Program. No registration required.
  • Learn how compassion-turned-inward may support us in our daily functioning and in moments of discomfort.
Forest Bathing Walk: July 26, 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM THIS EVENT IS FULL.
  • Meet at the Arcadia St. Pierre Trailhead. Take a slow, deliberate walk in nature, using your senses to foster a deep connection with the environment.
Mindfulness Practices: Body Scan and Interbeing: August 1, 11:00 AM – Noon
  • Experience deep relaxation, reduced stress, and improved self-awareness through body scanning. Plus, the interconnectedness of people, animals, plants, and the environment.
To Register (for all but the Women’s Association Meeting on 7/16)
  1. Use QR Code below or go to www.stillnessandstrengthyoga.com
  2. Click on Class Schedules & Descriptions. Select “Register” under CSA Mindfulness Series
  3. Complete the information. Select the CSA Session you wish to attend. Sign a simple waiver required by instructor
QR CODE Wellness Program
 
 
 
 
 
 
 See the Mindfulness Program Flyer for more information on the classes. Reach out to Beth Wolszon at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you need further details.
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Spotlight on Committees: Tennis Committee
By Ginanne Brownell
 
If the expression “down the middle solves the riddle” rings a bell, it’s pretty likely that you or someone in your family have taken part in a Steve Shreiner-led CSA tennis lesson at some point in your summer. Steve is known for his great expressions—and booming voice—and has helped to really shape the tennis program over the last few years.

That shaping up has been helped in large part by the very active tennis committee, which is co-chaired by brothers-in-law Alan Marble and Dennis Nahnsen. The two men –who are both known to take part in CSA adult lessons—took over the roles about eight years ago. Though there had been a tennis committee before that—with Alan estimating it probably started back in the 1990s— it had not been very active for a number of years.

The tennis program at CSA has grown in leaps and bounds over the last few years. For example, in 2022 the week of July 18th saw a whopping 576 adults and children participate in tennis lessons throughout the week, while this year the top week of July 10th saw 435 participate (some of these numbers include repeat “satisfied customers.”)

Two years ago, the tennis committee added pickleball to the summer roster. Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the country, and it has certainly become popular at the Assembly. This past July the first Pickleball Festival was held with over 50 participants.

The CSA Tennis Committee is responsible for the administration of all tennis activities that take place in the CSA. Its duties include creating and implementing the rules and requirements for all tennis activities and court usage on the grounds of the CSA, working with the Managing Director of the CSA to hire the tennis staff, and helping to organize and oversee two week-long tennis tournaments in July and August.

tennis 2023Alan Marble, Tennis Committee Cochair, is pictured on right after the Senior Men’s Doubles Final match in the August 2023 tournament.Steve, of course, ran the CSA tennis program for years and, lucky for us, he came back two years ago. “Denny approached Steve in January of 2022 and he expressed a sincere desire to run the CSA program once again,” said Alan Marble. “We cobbled together an aggressive budget proposal, got the support of the Board of Trustees and the new (amazing) managing director, and the program set records for attendance in 2022. We asked for an additional $6K for the 2023 budget, all towards salaries, and we got it.”

He added that the committee has worked hard to obtain new equipment including courtside benches and tournament scorecards, as well as developing a new program for monitoring tournament play with volunteers to ensure consistency and reporting of scores and to monitor sportsmanship. Two of the Woods courts were resurfaced last winter, and the other two will be redone for the 2024 season.

Alan says that the committee has been pleased with not only Steve coming back to help run the program but also the results, including the numbers of those signing up for the July and August tournaments as well as the weekly tennis classes. The success of the tennis program is, says Alan, “of great pride to the committee.” And for all those who love tennis, the program has become one of the highlights of summer at the CSA.
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2023 Youth Citizenship Award - Avery Leete
 
This summer, the CSA community and with full support of the Youth Committee has selected another incredibly deserving person as our 2023 Youth Citizenship Award Winner. We had an overwhelming number of nominations for our winner this year. Over the years, our winners have embodied what it means to be a part of the CSA! This year’s winner is no different as she is genuinely connected to the CSA and demonstrates daily the spirit of inclusivity and doing things “The CSA Way”.

Avery Leete 2023 Youth Citizenship AwardThe surest way to find her is to look to the tennis courts. Since she was 11, when she began volunteering with the tennis program, we’ve had the privilege to watch her grow up into the confident young adult that she is today. She has been described as “being fantastic with the kids, always leading with kindness and inclusion.” “She has a smile on her face every morning, while being patient, kind and nurturing.” “Her parents have exposed her to great family values, to treasure the environment, and the importance of the CSA community.”

The descriptions of how she shows up, every day, go on and on. The positive feedback however didn’t stop with her time on the courts. Those who nominated her were quick to point out instances off the tennis courts, where she continues to lead by example and maintain the inclusive feel we all love about the CSA. So many children look up to her, and she’s never too busy with friends or family at the CSA beach to say hello or take the kids out for a swim to the raft. The way she engages with everyone, can only be described as authentic kindness. We are lucky to have her as part of our community.

This year, please join me in congratulating our 2023 Youth Citizenship Award recipient, Avery Leete!
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Last Stop: Paradise

By Fran Somers

Just like the less-welcome mergansers, every summer hundreds of us are drawn back to the cool, clear waters of Crystal Lake. And every year, some of us start thinking about making this bit of paradise a forever home. A little 8’ x 4’ place maybe, with quiet neighbors and the occasional visitor who brings fresh flowers.

“My parents are in the North (cemetery) and I will be. And all of my friends will be around me,” said CSA archivist Jane Cooper, who often takes peaceful walks through her future home.

deer in north cem aA deer visits the North Cemetery in Frankfort. Photo courtesy of Crystal Lake Township.There are two cemeteries in Crystal Lake Township: North is a 2-minute drive from the CSA office at 1511 Pilgrim Highway. East, also known as the Lutheran or Norwegian Cemetery, is at 1658 Frankfort Highway, near the Frankfort gateway.

To be clear, you won’t own the plot of land, according to Amy Ferris, Crystal Lake Township supervisor, who oversees the cemeteries. “If it was your land, you’d be paying taxes on it. You’re buying a burial right.”

Ferris said some families pour ashes straight into the burial plot without a container, and some get more creative. A golfer was buried in his golf bag. A CSA ceramicist made a beautiful urn for a family member’s ashes. 

Alan Marble’s father, a lieutenant on a Navy destroyer in WWII, was buried in his tackle box. “Dad and I spent hundreds of hours in the ‘50s and ‘60s trying to catch every rock bass that inhabited the lower Platte River system,” said Alan, a member of the CSA Tennis and Communications Committees. “It was only fitting that his ancient metal cantilever tackle box held his ashes when he was interred.”

Alan’s stepmother went a more fashionable route. Lois “Tussey” Marble “was always dressed to the nines,” Alan said. “She spent a long and rewarding career in Connecticut real estate, and loved her shoes.” Her ashes were put in a Ferragamo box.

“We have lots of requests for green burials,” Amy said, which can involve a biodegradable casket or just a shroud. To date, there have not been any green burials at either cemetery.

“A lot of people get cremated these days,” Amy said. “It’s so much more expensive to go the other way.” Also, the state has no authority over ashes, other than a prohibition against polluting a body of water, she added. The practice was especially frowned on after a CSA swimmer found what appeared to be bone chips from cremains in Crystal Lake years ago.

Burial in either cemetery is cheaper if you’re a property owner in the township. And being a property owner could become a requirement if a few members of the township board have their way. The concern is the likely need to dip into the general fund to cover the rising cost of mowing and sexton fees. The issue has been raised periodically, most recently at a June township meeting, but no motion has been put forward.

If you decide to look for a spot in one of the township cemeteries, you’ll be in good company. Among those in the North Cemetery are:

  • Dr. Alonzo Slyfield (1825-1896), the lighthouse keeper for 21 years at Point Betsie. He was also the local doctor and coroner.
  • Charles B. Slyfield (1854-1924), one of Dr. Slyfield’s sons, who in 1912 wrote a fascinating account of the family’s hardscrabble life, which is at the Benzie Area Historical Society.
  • Ellen Neptuna Fletcher who died of consumption in 1870 at the age of 24. Her father, the Rev. A. H. Fletcher, was the first pastor of the First Congregational church of Frankfort.
  • Gordon T. Johnson (1821-1892), a flat-earther who traveled the world to see if this round-earth business had any truth to it. He helped build the Panama Canal, and settled in Joyfield Township before answering President Lincoln’s call for fresh recruits. He served with the Army of the Potomac, surviving some of the deadliest battles of the Civil War.
  • John Beverly Collins (1834-1901), a druggist on Frankfort’s Main St. and local postmaster.
  • Charles A. Voorheis (1846-1920) who was wounded at Gettysburg and became superintendent of the mill in Frankfort.
  • Horace Clifford Frost (1855-1867), who drowned and is reportedly the first person buried at the North Cemetery.

It was the young Frost’s death that prompted his father, Frankfort deacon E. B. Frost, and nine other men to buy 44 acres for the cemetery in 1871, according to “The Story of Frankfort,” by John H. Howard.

The East Cemetery was purchased around 1890. Lots were first sold only to Lutherans for $8 — the families of the Norwegian immigrants who came to Frankfort and Elberta for jobs on the car ferries, the iron works, and as fishermen, according to Andrew Bolander, lead researcher for the Benzie Area Historical Society. “Before that, people were buried on their land.”  The cemetery was taken over by the township in 1942 and today visitors can find many of the original family names, including Mathison, Didrikson, Oleson, Carlson, Larson, Holden, Peterson, Johnson, Thompson, Gunderson, Leland, and Sampson.

Nobody relishes planning their final exit, but there is one comfort: You’ll never have to worry about swimmer’s itch again!

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