November 14, 2003 Concerned Citizens Fun(d)-raiser at Wally's Bar & Grill We had a great time Friday night at Wally's Bar & Grill, and all for a great cause! Not only did we have a lot of fun, Wally's once again generously donated a portion of the evening's food and beverage sales to Concerned Citizens for Saugatuck Dunes State Park. We can't thank owner Tommy Arnold enough for his ongoing support. In addition to the opportunity to meet and converse with all the folks who gathered to show their support for Concerned Citizens, we we're entertained the whole night by the jazz trio, Organissimo, who kept the crowd on their feet with their unique funky sound. The true highlight of the evening arrived with the unveiling of a poster-size map titled Saugatuck Dunes State Park & The Lakeshore Environs. Click here to take a look. Created by cartographer Mark Cook and award-winning artist, Gijsbert "Nick" van Frankenhuyzen, the map depicts the park and shoreline to the south, including the Denison North and South parcels and Saugatuck's Oval Beach area. Hiking trails and the topography of the park and surrounding areas are beautifully portrayed by Mark, accented with Nick's vibrant illustrations of some of the park's many resident plants and animals. Mark and Nick were present all evening signing copies of the map which were available for a $25.00 donation, 100% going to support CCSDSP. Don't worry if you were unable to get yours. They will be available at the Old Post Office Shop, Wally's Bar & Grill, the Sante Fe Trading Post, and Landsharks in Saugatuck, and in Holland at The Nines Gallery, Nature’s Market, Tree House Books and the Hope-Geneva Bookstore. Stop in and pick one up.   Artist Nick van Frankenhuyzen & cartographer Mark Cook "The map would still be just a good idea, but for Mark Cook’s making it happen," said David Swan who, with his wife Alison, is founder and co-chair of Concerned Citizens for Saugatuck Dunes State Park. A long-time calligrapher with a day job directing the Hope-Geneva Bookstore on Hope College’s campus, Mark has had his maps appear in Birder’s World and several local history books. Mark, his wife Janet and their dog Finn spend much of their outdoor time hiking the trails of the park. He had often contemplated making a map of the park for himself. For him, "the opportunity to create a map for a wider audience as well as work with an artist of the caliber of Gijsbert is a dream come true." Concerned Citizens for Saugatuck Dunes State Park think Mark’s map is the dream come true. Nick van Frankenhuyzen is well-known as the illustrator of "Legend of Sleeping Bear" - named the State of Michigan’s Official Children’s Book. That book was Jennifer Granholm’s choice as a thank you gift to her supporters after her election to governor. Nick is originally from the Netherlands. He and his family now make their home on a farm near East Lansing. Nick’s father encouraged him early on to "make your hobby your career" and he has. His latest book, "The Edmund Fitzgerald" is his thirteenth children’s book with Sleeping Bear Press. It’s an honor that his paintings grace the Saugatuck Dunes State Park map. The Holland Sentinel's Friday, November 21 edition featured an interesting article that takes a closer look at the story behind the conception and creation of the map. You can read it in their archives. Caught up in the festive atmosphere it would be easy to forget the reason for the gathering was to raise funds to assist in the continued fight against proposals to place a water treatment plant and related facilities within Saugatuck Dunes State Park and on its pristine shoreline. Unfortunately, that struggle is far from over. "We have been able to protect it [the park] so far," said David Swan, "but as long as municipalities see the park as a place they are free to take, then we will still be working to stop it." Among the many present at the Fun(d)-raiser was Phil Miller, chairman of the Saugatuck Save Our Shoreline, or Saugatuck S.O.S., a group which is working to assist the City of Saugatuck in procuring the Denison South property. "We need to let our community know how important is it that we have this resource," said Miller. David and Alison Swan are pleased to see the organization make progress. Alison views the property as an important buffer to the state park, along with the Denison North tract, also the focus of efforts to purchase and preserve it. The battle goes on. Holland BPW and Laketown township have made clear their continued intent to build a water treatment plant in Saugatuck Dunes State Park. We can use all the help we can get in confronting this ongoing threat. Please consult our How Can I Help page, then send your much needed donations. Return to Concerned Citizens for Saugatuck Dunes State Park Resources & Reference page. www.SaugatuckDunes.org