Memories of Michigan

My Uncle Otto Bartlett (actually my Grand Uncle) was one of the nicest men I knew. He always had a ready smile and an easy hug. We would go into his Big Bass Lake Store and he and Dad would visit. We kids would wander the aisles and mosey through his small selection of the little pine souvenirs that were so prevalent in Michigan in those days, look through the rack of postcards and generally take in the quaint little place. I remember the smell of various foods, and for some reason smoked fish stands out in my memory- I may be wrong, but that smell is there, as well as packaged liquor. We would get bottles of soda and go outside to wait for Dad.

Sometimes we would go to his house and have dinner, sometimes back yard picnics with he and his wife, Aunt Ruth. They were right on the lake and had a beautiful piece of real estate. I can remember hanging my feet in Big Bass Lake and running around like kids do in his yard and between the yard and the store. Oddly I don’t remember any of his kids, although Mom speaks conversations with their daughter Dixie. Their kids were quite a bit older than me and could have been out on their own already.

We never failed to stop at least once at the store when we traveled to Michigan. Sadly the store has been closed for a very long time and is now for sale. It has become quite run down and looks nothing like the store I remember. As I understand it so is Uncle Otto and Aunt Ruth’s home. My brother has spoken of trying to buy the properties if his home sells before they do. That would be an interesting cycle of events!

I am in touch with Uncle Otto’s daughter-in-law, Char. His son Robert is still alive but ailing. They still live in Ludington. I have been thrilled to be in contact with them and enjoy anything they can tell me about Uncle Otto, the store and our family.

I invite memories, photos and stories about Uncle Otto, Aunt Ruth, their family, our family and the Big Bass Lake Store.