March 8, 2007 Photo Gallery Update Our thanks to Jim Brandess, of James Brandess Studios & Gallery in Saugatuck, for donating this beautiful image of his painting, Oxbow Autumn, in honor of the Denison South property, adjacent to the Oxbow Lagoon. Take a look at a larger image on our Photo Gallery page. Both the Denison South and North properties, 413 acres of pristine open dunes, marsh and natural shoreline, were recently purchased by Oklahoma billionaire Aubrey McClendon and are under impending threat of major development. This one of a kind property has been targeted for inclusion in Saugatuck Dunes State Park since the park's inception and falls within the project boundaries as depicted on the DNR's Ownership and Project Boundaries map of December 2000, available on our Resources & Reference page. A coalition of public and private interests raised nearly $40 million in an effort to purchase the entire Denison property, but the Frank Denison Estate and the Gertrude Denison Trust instead elected to sell to McClendon for an estimated $43 million in mid 2006. McClendon has been vague on specifics regarding his ultimate plans, but has stated his intentions include substantial development. Not satisfied with 413 acres of irreplaceable dune land, McClendon has purchased additional adjacent properties and is engaged in ongoing dialog with the owners of other properties both adjacent to and surrounded by the Denison property. "Our family has been here for 70 years," said Norman Deam, owner of the lighthouse to the west of Ox Bow Lagoon. "We didn't just arrive in May." Deam made it clear he supports these properties being protected as natural areas. But the first casualty to McClendon's plans has already fallen. The historic Mokma farmhouse, a 2,000 square foot two story home located just east of the Denison south tract, has been uprooted from its natural-stone foundation and placed on wheels. This significant piece of local history, built in 1845 with hand hewn ceiling beams, a parlor, and fireplace, will be cut in half and moved to Ganges Township. Return to Concerned Citizens for Saugatuck Dunes State Park Resources & Reference page. www.SaugatuckDunes.org