Tom Pfeiffelmann Shares Island Memories in Summer Series
By Jessica Delaney

Tom Pfeiffelmann was the first speaker at this year’s Summer Author’s Series at Mackinac Island Public Library. Mr. Pfeiffelmann is the author of three books and spoke about two during his presentation. One of the books is a biography of John and Mildred Bible, who lived in the cabin pictured at left on Bois Blanc Island.

As a youth growing up on Mackinac Island, Tom Pfeiffelmann got into more than his share of trouble, and Thursday, June 30, he gave several accounts to those assembled at the Mackinac Island Public Library for the first of the summer author series.

“I had a Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer upbringing,” said Mr. Pfeiffelmann, by a way of introduction. He then shared with the 43 people gathered the stories from his youth, ranging from a stolen boat, to a lost dog, to his memory of the end of the second World War.

“My favorite thing to do growing up on the Island was putting feathers in my hair, makeup on my face, and ambushing carriages on the road,” Mr. Pfeiffelmann recalled. “Some of the drivers were okay with that, but some would hit us with the whip.”

Mr. Pfeiffelmann has published three books, the first, “Letters to My Sisters,” a compilation of letters from his great-great uncle during the Civil War. That book was the easiest project because all he had to do was copy the letters, he said, adding, “My uncle had nice penmanship.”

His second publication was a biography of John and Mildred Bible, who lived on Bois Blanc Island. The book is titled “The Bibles of Bois Blanc,” and Mr. Pfeifflemann told of his memories of the Bibles, who were personal friends, and of Bois Blanc Island. Mr. Pfeiffelmann now owns the land that the Bibles once lived on.

The library talk June 30, however, probably was his last presentation on the Bois Blanc book, he noted, since the book has sold out and there will not be a reprinting.

“That one’s been laid to rest,” he said. “It’s not good to get people excited about things they can’t buy.”

Audience members had several questions on the book, and about the Island in general, but participation grew even more when he moved on to speak about his most recent book, “Mackinac Adventures and Island Memories: Growing Up on Mackinac.”

Many of those attending the library presentation were Island residents, and they chimed in with their own memories. Those who had not grown up on the Island were particularly fascinated by many of Mr. Pfeiffelmann’s memories, and opinions on having grown up on the Island.

One woman asked whether he had experienced culture shock when he left the Island to attend Eastern Michigan University.

“Growing up on the Island - well, if you don’t know what you’re missing, you don’t miss it,” he answered. “I had a great childhood, and no, I didn’t have culture shock, not really.”

Librarian Anne St. Onge said, “I can’t believe the man is still alive after some of the things he talked about!”

Mr. Pfeiffelmann said he will reprint the book and plans to include another five stories or so in the new version.

The next to speak in the Summer Author’s Series is Candice Dunnigan, on her forthcoming book, “Hack on the Mack,” about horses on Mackinac Island. She will talk Friday, July 29, at 4 p.m. at the Mackinac Island Public Library.