Mid-Forest Lodge News and Fun
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Mid-Forest Lodge News and Fun
February 2021 MFL newsletter
OUR SUMMER VACATIONS IN THE ORIGINAL
MID-FOREST LODGE CLUBHOUSE, 1942 - 1945
Memories by Robert Benko, Sr., Mary Benko, and brand-new Red Rider BB Gun inside! I will never
brother George Benko forget how happy I was! I eliminated a few
Written January 2021 chipmunks with it, but I didn’t see any more rats.
My parents bought their membership in Mid-
Forest on November 29, 1938. They were among
the first members. Their share cost $260.00 with
$65.00 down, $50.00 for the membership card,
$15.00 for taxes, and $10.00 for annual dues.
We entered the main gate which was south of
our current gate’s dumpsters. The road then ran
through the trailer park to the clubhouse. If you
look hard, you can see it.
We drove up from Detroit on two-lane roads in
my Dad’s 1937 Oldsmobile. Three kids, two
parents, a dog, and luggage were crowded into
the car. We would be so happy to finally reach our
destination. We stayed at the old clubhouse
during the summers of 1942 - 1945. It was pretty
rough. It had a hand operated water pump out In the photo, you can see from left to right, my
behind the clubhouse, no running water or hot mother Mary, my brother George Jr., myself, and
water heater. The kitchen had a real ice box my sister Mary in summer 1942.
which had to be refilled with ice. We had a wood Another thing I wasn’t too keen on was the
stove to cook on, no electric lights, and slept on outhouse behind the clubhouse. It was not a
bunk beds. On the other side of the building were pleasant walk in the middle of the night, to go out
small bedrooms, like today, for the women and with a flashlight in the pitch-black darkness. There
children. My mother and sister slept over there. were no lights at that time. The only sounds at
We used kerosene lamps and flashlights. We night were coming from the bullfrogs in
heated the bunk bed quarters with a 50-gallon Headquarters Lake, and Whip-poor-wills singing
rounded barrel that burned wood. The barrel endlessly. We used to go swimming in
turned red from the fire when hot, giving us some Headquarters Lake, but the only problem was
light. One night I saw a rat near the barrel leeches, and getting swimmer’s itch. Not a fun
probably keeping warm. My dad snuck up on the experience for anyone.
rat hitting it with a mason’s trowel, and that was There was a large island in Headquarters Lake,
the end of the intruder. It was scary for a little kid, not too far from shore near our log cabin. My
however we all slept well after knowing the rat brother and I built a bridge to the island to explore
was gone. it. We found a lot of turtle shells, one of which I
My mother, sister, brother, pet dog, and I still have with 1946 written on the bottom of the
would stay at Mid-Forest most of the summer, shell. We liked catching bullfrogs and turtles, but
and my dad would drive up on weekends. No one when we saw large snakes, it was a good idea to
else would be in the clubhouse. One weekend my leave. The island was a spooky place at sundown
dad drove up and said he had a surprise for me in because there were large stumps on the island
the back seat of the car. I was pretty excited to and around the lake shore about five feet tall, that
see what he brought. Guess what it was - it was was scary to me.
what every young kid dreams of, a box with a
The first cabin on the lake belonged to Mr. now, and Jim and Sherry Stephens have a home
Edwards, cabin #1895. My dad told me that when on that site, cabin #1642.
Mr. Edwards was hauling a trailer of wood to build When my dad would pay his dues to Mr.
his cabin, the trailer broke down. So Mr. Edwards (Amos) Buck (Club founder), I’d tag along, and
built his cabin on the exact spot where it is today. sometimes Mr. Buck gave me a quarter.
Another early cabin was where Hedy Windfuhr’s Our caretaker, Mr. Woodworth, would take my
house is today #1574. It was built by two priests, brother and me around with him, showing us how
each having memberships. They decided to build to identify trees by their leaves, and pine trees by
it across two lake lots, one half on each lot, since their needles. One day my brother, George, was
they had two memberships. attacked by a group of ground hornets, and Mr.
My parents built their cabin in the summer of Woodworth took some water out of the truck and
1945. I remember my dad, Mr. Westcott, and some dirt from the ground and made a paste with
another man with a Y-shaped Dowsing Rod. The it. He applied it to George’s sting and it worked -
man walked around the lot and told my dad no pain! Today I can point out exactly where that
where the water vein was, so dad knew where to happened. Mr. Woodworth would identify beaver
put our well. My dad and Mr. Westcott drove the lodges, snakes, birds, insects, etc. He was patient
well pipe 28 feet down and hit the water vein. It and kind; he would have made an excellent
was on VE day, and I remember everyone was so science teacher!
happy, celebrating the end of the World War II. We also have happy memories of picking June
The cabin was built so the hand pump was in the berries and blue berries, and bringing them back,
kitchen and next to the kitchen sink. We also had so our mom could make pies with them. Her pies
an ice box in the kitchen, and we would get ice were a sweet treat for all of us.
from the sawdust barn behind the clubhouse. The I am so grateful to my parents for providing us
sawdust insulated the ice and kept it cold. My dad with our experiences at Mid-Forest Lodge. I shot
was an electrician so he built a block house near my first deer there on November 21, 1951, and I
the lake and put in a generator that you could turn appreciate the experience of learning gun safety
on and off from inside the cabin. However, we from my dad. Catching frogs, bullfrogs, turtles
still had to deal with an outhouse! and fish, were fun as a boy. I also met a lot of
In the winter, when we arrived, we had to stop interesting and helpful people. I’m most
at the clubhouse because the snow was only appreciative of gaining my knowledge about
plowed from M-18 to the clubhouse. We had to nature and the preservation of our forests, which I
unload the car and use sleds to pull our supplies to never would have received at school. Mid-Forest
our cabin. Once we got into the cabin, we built a Lodge is indeed a very special place!
fire in the fireplace and started up the oil stove.
You could hear the mice running up and down the
walls once the cabin was warmed up. The cabin is
now owned by Jim Wooley, cabin #1626.
Delbert and Jean Motley, Bob Motley’s mother
and father, are in my early memories of Mid-
Forest Lodge, cabin #1700. One day Delbert put
me in the trunk of his 1938 Pontiac, and said he
was going to take me home with him.
Fortunately, he left the trunk open a little bit, so I
could escape! That sure scared me. Mr. Motley
was always kidding around with us. They were
good friends of my parents, and they were also CLUBHOUSE RENTAL
hunting partners. A different company that can sanitize the
The Schnoffs and the Rices had a gray clubhouse after rental has been located. The new
Airstream trailer next door to my parents, that cost is $189 (compared to the previous of $609).
they shared during summer and deer season. This cost will be added to the rental fees. Thanks
They played cards together. The trailer is gone to the Shepard family for this cost saving contact.
MFL Members in Hall of Fame MFL Women’s
Past member, Dorothy Zehnder has been inducted “Deer Hunting” Hall of Fame
into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame. Mrs.
Zehnder celebrated her 99th birthday in November
and still works at the restaurants. Many of the
Zehnder family are still MFL members.
First in the MFL Women Hunters Hall of Fame is,
of course, Marie Steele (above)
Another past MFL member in the Hall of Fame is The buck in the photo was the MFL Big Buck of the
Bernice (Whipple) Steadman. In 2002 Mrs. Year in 2005, scoring 120 4/8". That was the year
Steadman was the Steele's were building their home at Rollway
inducted into the lake, and they were staying in a travel trailer at
Michigan Aviation the cottage, while their cottage (soon to be home)
Hall of Fame. She is was under construction. They were getting
now recognized by frustrated because the pipes in the travel trailer
the Michigan kept freezing, so they were thinking about going
Women’s Hall of back home. One cold November day, Marie told
Fame for her Chuck and the building contractors she wanted to
remarkable spirit, get up early the next day and go out to shoot a
her determination, doe, and then they would go home. She went out
and, most to her blind - where she's hunted for over 40 years
importantly, for the - and instead of a doe, this buck stepped out of
advances she has the pine thicket. She shot the big buck, and when
made for women. she brought it back everyone was amazed at the
Bernice and her huge buck she shot - on a day when she intended
husband were to shoot a doe!
members and she is Other Marie Steele MFL outdoors
Dick Whipple’s sister. accomplishments (bonus material)
Marie has seven bucks entered in the MFL
MFL Logo Items record book.
We did very well with Logo wear this year, plan to Marie is an accomplished hunter with multiple
continue to sell on weekends again this spring weapons, having taken record book bucks with a
through the fall. It looks like members were happy bow, a crossbow, and rifle.
to have a variety and be able to purchase this past In addition to her deer hunting
year. We have a large variety of sweatshirts, t- accomplishments, Marie has taken three coyotes -
shirts, long sleeve t-shirts; if anyone is interested 1 with a .22 rifle and 2 with her crossbow!
in buying this winter the member would need to In 2020, Marie harvested a doe with her
contact us to find a time that works to meet at the crossbow. It was a 50 yard offhand shot while she
clubhouse and look at the stock that we have. was sitting on the ground!
Debbie Hill did a fantastic job this summer getting Marie is also an accomplished fisherwoman,
a variety of items for our members. with reports of many outstanding panfish catches
- including through the ice. Although Marie hasn't
entered any panfish in the MFL record book, she
told us she and Chuck recently caught nearly 20
bluegills through the ice at an MFL lake and every
fish was at least 9", with several over 10".
Marie said she learned all about the MFL
outdoors and hunting and fishing from Chuck, her
husband of 44 years. (Chuck is a 2nd generation
MFL member.)
Marie was very proud to say she's 84 years old
and still hunting and fishing all over MFL!
Kim & dad
Arnie Weigel Sandy Peariso with her first buck
I am very excited to tell you this is my second year
deer hunting, and my first year to rifle hunt. It is
also my first buck.
I spent a lot of time in the woods passing up on
some does and smaller bucks during bow season
because I really wanted to shoot a nice buck. Brian
and I had this area scouted out with a lot of buck
Hunting
activity, scrapes, and rubs. I just had to be patient.
opening day I
I saw two nice bucks at the end of bow season,
was successful.
but was unable to get a shot. I am hunting from
We had several
the ground until I get used to everything so it is a
sightings of this
little more difficult to get the deer closer.
nice guy on
Brian purchased me a .243 rifle last year, and I
trail cam. Just
went to the rifle range and practiced with Brian so
before 5 pm I spotted him coming down the deer
I was comfortable and ready for when the
trail that crosses my shooting lane. I made the
moment might come.
shot and he was down. It was an amazing hunt. I
Sticking to my area because we kept seeing newer
have hunted this blind since I was a kid this was by
activity with freshened scrapes etc., I went out
far the best deer hunt.
every day.
Saturday morning, on the 20th, Brian went out to
one of his areas, and I headed out to mine and sat
on the ground next to a big tree surrounded by
the scrapes and rubs.
Around 9:30 I saw some movement off in front of
me and to the left. It was a doe and a yearling, and
as I looked deeper in the woods, I saw a rack. I
was hoping the doe and yearling would continue
by me, and the buck would follow.
It was perfect because that is what
happened. They went by me at about 40 yards,
and the buck followed. Once I knew I had a good
Stephanie Baker shot a nice doe during the shot, I pulled the trigger. He acted like he was not
December doe season. Stephanie has hunted in even hit so I racked another shell in just in case. I
MFL for several years. The Bakers have now made watched him go about 30 yards and drop.
MFL their home. I was so excited, I texted Brian. He wanted to
hunt until 10:00 so I waited a bit, but not long. I
got up and saw that he was down and not getting to the MFL members and guests who adhere to
back up. I sent Brian a picture of him down from the rules that protect our property (refraining
about 40 yards away. I gave it a few more from driving on our fields). And when I see a
minutes and then went over and took some selfies hunter pull up at our deer check stations to
before Brian arrived. LOL provide all the mandatory information, I am
He was so proud of me, and here is the buck. My thankful for their help in forming our
first year rifle hunting, and my first buck ever. management decisions.
Rules may be a boring topic for many, but they are
2020 DEER HARVEST BY SEASON essential in so many ways and enhance the value
BUCK DOE FAWN TOTAL and the safety of this place that we love. Your
YOUTH HUNT 4 1 0 5 willing cooperation is treasured by our volunteers
ARCHERY 23 42 7 72 and staff!
RIFLE 36 48 11 95 So, how are we doing with following rules? With
MUZZLE 0 1 0 1 the hunting season recently concluded, we can say
L Anterless 3 14 2 19 that few instances of baiting came up. We do
TOTAL 66 106 20 192 inform the DNR whenever we have conclusive
information. An abandoned bag of mixed bait was
BUCK HARVEST BREAKDOWN BY found. Apples were dumped in a field at season’s
CATEGORY end. One episode is still being investigated. But
CATEGORY 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 by and large, most hunters have learned to hunt
MFL Legal without bait.
bucks 54 98 56 113 123 Some confusion about blind locations and rules
$100 bucks 1 1 9 7 6 remains. A camo tent blind was positioned
Taken as between two stationary rifle blinds and had no
Anterless 9 2 6 11 3 hunter orange as required by law. The hunter put
Found dead 2 1 1 3 3 himself at great risk as does any hunter who does
TOTAL not display hunter orange.
BUCKS 66 102 72 134 135 An archery hunter may position himself within 50
Male Fawns 12 18 8 15 19 yards of a field. A blind may be used only if the
TOTAL hunter is present and it’s removed on a daily
MALES 78 120 80 149 154 basis. The hunter cannot use a blind tag to claim
any location that is within 50 yards of a field. We
A full detail of the harvest will be available in asked several hunters to remove such claims.
March. If you want the information, in March, Hunters are asked to consider where they are
email the MFL office and the info will be sent in a parking. It was observed that cars were often
reply. parked near our gates (the wooden barriers by
fields), perhaps blocking vehicles that would need
From the MFL President, Barb Kilkka to drive handicapped hunters or repair power
Has anybody ever faced more brutal weather lines. Please leave openings near these gates.
conditions on Opening Day than we did in 2020? Regarding use of the rifle range, one hunter
It wasn’t just the cold or the rain and the sleet and mentioned lots of shooting at about 4:30 pm
the snow. It was compounded with trees crashing during prime hunting time. While it’s not
around us. It was no small wonder that the forbidden, it is not a kindness to hunters in the
hunting results were as disappointing as they field. A reminder to those leaving beer cans at the
were, not just in Mid-Forest Lodge, but rifle range, drinking and shooting are not a good
throughout the region. Those who study MFL mix.
deer data going back decades assure us that when Roads & Trails reported a number of incidents
there is a drop like this, it is typically followed by a recently of autumn leaves and snow being pushed
surge in deer harvested the next year. into the road by members or their contractors.
Every time I drive by an MFL field sparkling under Please do not dispose of leaves and snow right
a pristine, untouched layer of snow, I am grateful into our roadways.
MFL has probably had a record number of people
residing on the club this year! As an enthusiastic
year-round resident, I thank all of those who
contribute their time and talent to MFL. As we
move into 2021, I invite more members to join us
in our mission to maintain and improve the place
we all love. Will you step up this year and join a
committee or run for the Board?
MFL Food Plots Continue
(Ed’s note – in November the Farming Committee and
Board hired Charlie Shepard to take over the
responsibility of the MFL food plots.)
My family and I have been part of volunteering
throughout the years in various ways from rock
picking, farming, annual picnics, club clean up,
etc...
I am excited for this opportunity to further share This is Headquarters Road, coming from the gate
my experiences and knowledge as Farming after the December storm.
Associate. With no power at their homes, MFL members still
Raised on our family farms and the farming came out to clear roads. Workers included John
community, we primarily raised livestock and Parker, Roger Pajot, Mike Major, Dan Miller, Jim
provide the crops for feed. I have knowledge that Fontaine, Jim Stephens, Case Corwin, Bob Benko
was passed on for generations, along with Sr., Dick Zook, Ken Kilkka, Hank Woida and many
experience of the latest methods and equipment more unsung heroes who stepped up to remove
that help with the challenges of growing crops the hundreds of trees that fell across roads
more efficient with better yield. Fire
I’m part of a team of property owners that work
together to provide ongoing knowledge that help Department
Whitetail deer and wildlife food sources. The Key Boxes at
challenges of sand box soils, weather, over
browsing, and various other scenarios keep MFL Gates
farming challenging yet rewarding. Some of you may have
Looking forward to being a part of helping our noticed new key
deer and wildlife food sources here at Mid Forest locked boxes with
Lodge. Charlie Shepard orange back plates at
the gates. These were
CPL Class – Are you interested in a concealed provided by and installed by the Nester Township
carry class? It is a two-day class, with time at the Fire Department. They contain a key to the
MFL range. Upon completion of the class a orange padlocks (known as Knox locks). Access to
certificate will be issued to allow the student to these keys is only available thru the 911 call
apply for a CPL license. Cost is $75 per student. center. While Nester Fire and Roscommon Sheriff
Once we get a potential list of interested personnel have these keys, the State Police and
‘students’, we’ll look at dates. Contact Lyle mutual aid Fire or EMS personnel may not. Knox
VanWert, lylevanwert@gmail.com. locks and the keys are controlled by the principal
Raffle tickets for a Savage Axis, .270 fire department in each township. Clear Lake
Bolt Action rifle are available and are $10 Ranch, Double Eagle and others are also using
each. All proceeds go to a $500 scholarship these locks. In some cases, individuals have
drawing for member, child or grandchild of a MFL installed similar lock boxes to facilitate police or
member and will be drawn at the 2021 Annual other personnel if access to their homes is
Meeting. This raffle will be for the 2nd $500 needed.
scholarship, drawn at the 2021 Annual Meeting.
Dear Members Fish into the respective lake and submerget the
I want everyone to know about our fabulous pail into the lake water. In this way, the fish have
members. When the call went out that we needed a chance to slowly adapt to the different water
new lights in the clubhouse dining room, one call termperatures between the stock truck tanks and
to the Kalitta family and done; new windows, one the lake. After a few minutes to equilibrate to the
call to Tom Ward; go back to the electric gate, not new temperature environment, the pail of fish
even a call but John Mrsan had a concern for was gently poured into the lake. Participating in
safety – especially for the ladies. The History the stocking program for the first time, I found it
Committee really doesn’t have a budget, but fascinating to watch and learn, and rewarding
members made donations to complete the when fish swam away into their new home lakes
project. Every time I drive into MFL I remember in Mid-Forest.
Jack Porter whose family donated the new We’ve heard several reports of excellent results
sign. We also need to recognize the members who and some record book catches from our ice-
not only give their time, but their fuel working on fishing members. MFL Master Angler pike,
the projects, using their personal vehicles and crappie, and bluegill have been reported in the
gallons of fuel without expecting last couple of months. To get in on the action, try
reimbursement. Can you help? fishing in the low-light periods just after sunrise or
Debbie VanWert just before sunset. Good luck and be safe out
MFL Lake Learning By Brian Pape there!
This time of year, our fish can be vulnerable to
On November 8, 2020, a group of Fish & Water
winterkill which occurs when fish suffocate from
Quality Committee volunteers assisted with the
lack of dissolved oxygen. During winter, snow and
fish stocking delivery at Headquarters, Little
ice limit sunlight from reaching aquatic plants. The
Headquarters, Rollway and Ryan Lakes. The Imlay
plants then produce less oxygen. If vegetation dies
City Fish Farm delivery truck carried tanks
from lack of sunlight, the plants decompose which
containing Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Walleye,
takes up more dissolved oxygen. When oxygen
Largemouth Bass and Hybrid Bluegill. The fish
depletion becomes severe, fish die. Winterkill is
farm man scooped our desired fish out of the
worse in winters with abundant or early snowfall
tanks using a long-handled net and placed them
and after low autumn water levels. Early ice-on
into 5-gallon pails. Our job was to take the pail of
and late ice-out also increases winterkill potential.
The most severe winterkill occurs when snow
Left, F&WQ covers the ice. Four inches of wet snow on top of
commmittee the ice nearly eliminates sunlight penetration and
volunteer Lucio oxygen levels fall quickly. Aquatic vegetation and
Evangelista leaf debris account for most of the organic matter
acclimates a pail- undergoing decay during winter. Lakes having
full of Hybrid dense aquatic plant communities in summer are
Bluegills to Little the lakes most susceptible to winterkill during
Headquarters harsh winters.
water temperature Limiting plant decomposition in winter is critical.
before release. Reducing summer aquatic vegetation will
Below, Lucio decrease oxygen-consuming decomposition that
releasing Black occurs in winter. Planting coniferous trees rather
Crappie stock into than deciduous trees near lakes may significantly
Ryan Lake. reduce decomposing leaf litter. Harvesting
nearshore over-abundant aquatic plants and algae
will also significantly reduce plant decomposition
and oxygen depletion.
Short-term solutions to reduce winterkill include
maintaining an opening in the ice and deploying
some method of aeration. Another method could
include plowing snow greater than 4” in 8’ or Many thanks to everyone who contributed to this
greater bands across the surface. edition of the MFL newsletter. If you have
The only long-term solution for winterkill is to something to contribute, please send to
reverse the natural process of eutrophication. MFLNewsletter@yahoo.com, or anyone on the
Dredging or sucking bottom sediments would committee; Brian Pape, Phylis Strayer, Debbie
accomplish this. Lake residents can help slow VanWert, Deb Hanczewski, Barb Kilkka and Sarah
eutrophication by keeping all types of plant Pajot. Please share the newsletter with your
fertilizers out of lakes. guests. Note, the Newsletter committee reserves
The information about winterkill came from the final authority to approve or reject any submitted
MFL Lakes Management Action Plan (LMAP). To material due to space limitations or content. Your
learn more, the LMAP can be found on the MFL MFL memories, stories are welcome! Ad: Free ads,
website. Contact Brian at (989) 239-8174 or for members of MFL only, not business related.
steelhead.brian@gmail.com. Business related ads are $10 for business card
Has your telephone, email or size.
residential address changed? For the next newsletter We are looking for
It is important to notify the MFL office so your short memoir articles. We’d like stories that
newsletter, minutes, TAXES, are all sent to you describe a particular incident from someone’s
life—it could be about a current, former or
deceased member.
Mid-Forest Lodge
1 MidForest Ldg
Prudenville, MI 48651You can also read
