Lunch, guest speakers, live music planned; get tickets by May 1
By Barb Pert Templeton
“Come party with us.”
It’s an inviting tagline for a celebration and when your country is about to mark its 250th Birthday, well that’s certainly something to celebrate.
Keeping that in mind members of the Algonac/Clay Historical Society are hosting a special luncheon and are welcoming the public to join them. The event is set for Saturday, May 9 from noon to 3 p.m. at St. Catherine Activity Center.
The special afternoon will include lunch, birthday cake, guest speakers John Highstreet and Kendall Wingrove sharing history tidbits and Marlene Grasser with information on the “Quilts of Valor” program.
The society normally hosts a spring tea for ladies but decided to hold a birthday party for the U.S.A. instead this year and both men and women are welcome.
In addition, local musician Kevin Batchhelder will provide musical entertainment. Tickets, that must be purchased in advance my Friday, May 1 and are $25 each.
ACHS member Mary Adkins is excited about the upcoming luncheon and pleased to host this opportunity for everyone to celebrate the country’s milestone birthday. She normally organizes an annual tea for ladies but this birthday party will be hosted instead and will include men as well.
“I felt we should host it as we are an “Historical Society Museum” and preserve and care about our local history but also know we have so much to be thankful for with all that is going on in the world having our freedoms,” Adkins said. ““I really think it is going to be a fun and interesting event.”
Blue Water Healthy Living caught up with Adkins to find out more about what’s planned for the special birthday celebration luncheon.
Blue Water Healthy Living: When did you decide to host something related for the 250th Birthday of the U.S.A.?
Mary Adkins: In thinking about our annual fundraiser Historical Society Tea that we have every year, I thought it would be nice to change it up and have a “Celebration of the USA event” on May 9th, 2026 and we could include the men as well.
BWHL: Did you consider hosting the event at your museum?
Adkins: We will hold the event at St. Catherine Activity Hall, (rather than the museum) because it can accommodate more guests and has a kitchen to prepare the luncheon.
BWHL: What order will things go in – speakers, lunch and music or?
Adkins: We will serve lunch and before dessert we will introduce our speakers and also have music before, after and in between. Keven Batchelder is a talented singer, musician who also plays for other venues and will play and sing some patriotic music for us.
BWHL: Can you share a bit about the two guest speakers that will talk about history?
Adkins: Our speakers are John Highstreet, pastor at the Church of Christ and a former history teacher at Algonac Community Schools. Also, Kendall Wingrove, who is a freelance, historical writer who also writes for Michigan History Magazine and has a strong interest in history. Both men have short, interesting and some surprising glimpses into our history.
BWHL: How about some information about Marlene Glasser?
Adkins: Marleen Glaser heads up a section of the ” Piece to Peace ” quilting women who sew beautiful red, white and blue ” Quilts of Valor ” to show appreciation for any veteran who applies and gives permission to receive one. She will give a short speech about their work, the program and the meaning behind the quilts.
BWHL: Do you reveal what’s on the menu for lunch beyond the birthday cake?
Adkins: There will be a nice chicken pasta salad plus a birthday cake for dessert.
BWHL: How many guests can you accommodate for lunch?
Adkins: We can easily accommodate 150 guests.
BWHL: How did you come up with the program that’s planned?
Adkins: My husband Spencer (passed this past June) taught history for 30 years in the Algonac school system and both of our speakers for this event were his students. They kept contact with Spencer and would come and visit, laugh and have a reminiscing time at school. Both men are now in their 60’s. Kendall would come and sometimes ask questions about an article he was writing They had a mutual respect for each other, so it seemed logical for me to ask these two men to speak.
BWHL: Where can people pickup or reserve tickets?
Adkins: Tickets have to be bought in advance by May 1, 2026 from Paula Burgess, 810-794-9641 or Mary Adkins, 810-794-9214.
St. Catherine’s Activity Center is located at 1106 St. Clair Boulevard in Algonac.
