There is a place on earth that is most treasured, at least in the heart of my family. It is not the place of pirates and buried treasure as R.L. Stevenson tells the story—it is the true Treasure Island.
Situated on Lake Mindemoya on Manitoulin Island, it is the largest freshwater island within an island in the world. Treasure Island was originally named Mindemoya, because of the distinctive shape of the island: rising at one end to a long flat hill, with a steep drop to a short low area at the other end. According to local legend, a great chieftan once had a wife who would not give him any peace. In frustration he kicked her and sent her flying. She landed on her hands and knees in Lake Mindemoya, leaving her back and rump above the water, forming the island. “Mindemoya” means “Old Woman.”
Joe and Jean Hodgson bought the island in 1927 and operated a vacation cottage resort until 1968. In 1982 Charles D. Moeller, my grandfather from Lima, Ohio, bought the island, including many of the original cabins, cottages, lodge house, and boat house. The Moeller Family has enjoyed the island as an annual family vacation for the last 30 years. For one week, about 40 extended family members spanning 4 generations get together the week of July 4th to celebrate family and enjoy food, fun, and fellowship. The real Treasure Island brings true happiness, rest, relaxation, fun, and (best of all) a lifetime of memories for all of us.
Thirty years of memories … truly treasures from Treasure Island.
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Copyright 2012, Christi McGuire. All rights reserved.
