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Railroading friends
took my grandfather up to Beaver Island back in the 1930's. Gramps fell
in love with the Island, bought property and built his first cabin -
a 10' x 10' tar paper shack. He named the property "Sunnyside".
In the mid 1940's Gramps started cutting the white cedar from his land
and built his log cabin. The log cabin became "Sunnyside"
and the tar paper shack was called "the little cabin".
"Sunnyside" and Beaver Island were major parts of my childhood
and have continued thru adulthood. Three generations of our family have
now honeymooned there: My Mom and Dad, Carl and I, and my sons Ed and
James with their wives. Our granddaughter, Kylie, is the fifth generation
of our family to vacation at "Sunnyside"
Our Vizsla girls are all named for experiences we have had at the cabin.
One morning, Carl and I woke up and looked out over the South Arm of
Lake Geneserath to see the lake so still it looked like glass. Just
over the top of the water there was a beautiful mist rising. So still.
So calm. Ch. Vizion's Mist over Sunnyside is named for that haunting
sight.
The sunrises and sunsets on the Island are breathtakingly beautiful.
Ch. Vizion's Dawn at Sunnyside ROM is named for those romantic moments.
When you are on the island, you can hear thunderstorms roll across Lake
Michigan for hours before they make landfall. The awesome power of the
thunder and lightning and strength of the waves crashing on to the shore
can take your breath away. Ch. Vizion's Storm on Sunnyside is named
for those powerful moments.
My grandfather, Ralph Rutt, throughout his years on the Island made
many friends. When Gramps passed away in 1968, this is what the Islanders
wrote:
"Word has been received this month of the death of Ralph Rutt,
of Hammond, Indiana. Ralph made his acquaintance with Beaver Island
over 32 years ago and for many years, was a summer resident of the South
Arm of Lake Geneserath.
A retired railroad worker for the past eleven years, Ralph could always
be distinguished by his striped railroad cap. His cottage on the South
Arm is a favorite place for summer visitors to view the lake or see
how many big turtles Ralph had in his live box. Ralph loved this little
spot of heaven he developed. Those who knew him, will certainly miss
him and will always remember the "Harbor Master of the South Arm."
Taken from the "Beaver Beacon"
For my Gramps who I adored: mBISS Ch. Sunnyside's Harbor Master JH TDI
AOM.
- Sharon
