Oral Histories

Coach Jim Buzzell – Interviewed on 2/27/25

Passionate about Frankfort sports since the Fall of 1960

Jim married his high school sweetheart, Luanne Kramer, and earned a degree from Western Michigan University before accepting a teaching position at FHS in the Fall of 1960. Coach Buzzell developed both the High School Sports programs, and its students, for over 30 years. Both would be changed forever.

Interviewed by Carol and Mark Carlin.

Jed Jaworski – Interviewed on 02/24/25

Jed Jaworski is a Benzie County-based maritime historian and former curator with the Michigan Maritime Museum. In this interview, Jed shares how he came to settle in Benzie County and his experience on the car ferries in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

(Interviewed by Kat Ralston and David Beaton)

Les Gilbert – Interviewed on 2/6/2024

Working as an Extra on the Ann Arbor Car Ferries

Starting in the Summer following his Sophomore year in High School, Les Gilbert worked for four years as an “Extra” aka “Replacement” on the Ann Arbor Car Ferries (City of Green Bay & Aurthur K. Atkinson). Welcome aboard as Les Gilbert describes his experiences on Lake Michigan.

Interviewed by Carol and Mark Carlin.

Denise Reitz – Platte River Lavender Farm – Interviewed on 2/6/2025

Denise shares her experience homesteading with her husband Bill in Benzie County.

Kim Johnston Fairchild – Interviewed on 1/20/25

Frankfort’s Man About Town

Life Long Benzie County Native

Kim Fairchild’s life-long educational journey began after he graduated from Frankfort High School in 1967. Kim aka “Man About Town” is an animal lover known to many for walking his beloved dog Doone, in downtown Frankfort for years. On June 6, 2019 Kim Fairchild had a near death experience while Fly Fishing on the Big Manistee where he met his hero Ben.

Don Smeltzer – Interviewed on 12/19 /24

Donald Smeltzer has lived in Benzie County for his entire life except for four years when he attended the University of Michigan. He has served as a County Commissioner and. Blaine Township Supervisor and Assessor.  He has been chair of the Michigan Apple Research Committee, President of the Benzie County Farm Bureau, and was also a member of the USDA Cherry Industry Administrative Board. For over six generations, the Smeltzer family has been producing quality fruit products in Northern Michigan.  In the interview Don talks about his early years in Benzie County and his family.

(Interviewed by Mark and Carol Carlin)

“Pumpkin Ed” and Ingrid Moody October 30, 2024

Local Legend Ed Moody has provided generations of kids and adults with Halloween wonder as the master carver of pumpkins, training the next generation of pumpkin carvers  and working with citizens and the city to make Frankfort a Fall destination.  In recognition of his efforts, on Oct. 17, 2023 the Frankfort City Council approved a proclamation naming October 31st  “Ed Moody Day” in the city of Frankfort in perpetuity. In this interview Ed explains how this all came to be.

Andy Micham Interview October 24, 2024

Thomas Sisters Interview September 20, 2024

Lorraine (Thomas) Heyboer (b.1932) and Vivian (Thomas) Dufresne (b.1937) were born and raised in Elberta during its most active years.  The Ann Arbor Carferry and Railroad were running with full schedules across Lake Michigan.  Elberta had an active downtown full of businesses as well as its own grade school and highschool.  The population peaked at 850 residents in 1950. Elberta was a busy place! Lorraine and Vivian share with us  their experiences growing up in Elberta. (Interview by Mark and Carol Carlin)