Chris Struble
We at the Michigan Hemingway Society wish to remember our beloved president Chris Struble, who passed away unexpectedly this past October. We are most grateful to Valerie Hemingway for generously sharing her memories of her long friendship with Chris in the tribute below.
Following that tribute, please note: Since Chris's passing, the board has been working on a conference for 2027 as well as webinars and an updated website which we hope to roll out soon. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we have navigated a difficult year.
— Acting President Jennifer Tianen and the MHS Board of Directors
Tribute to Chris Struble
I met Chris Struble in Petoskey about a decade and a half ago, when I came to one of the Michigan Hemingway Society’s fall conferences. I am not sure of the exact year, but I recall a congenial young man with an enquiring mind. A jeweler by trade – Ernest Hemingway always referred to his writing as his métier or trade – Chris had many talents and a diverse range of interests which led to his being chosen as the President of the Michigan Hemingway Society in May, 2014. That was when I came to know and admire Chris. I was to give the Keynote speech at the fall conference that year, and the retiring President, Mike Federspiel, passed me on to Chris to complete the arrangements. Over the next eleven years, Chris and I worked closely together half a dozen times, creating Hemingway adventures; three of these were sponsored by the Hotel Walloon. He was always right on top of the task at hand. He managed to see that the work was done, without fuss or drama. He appreciated his colleagues, and each episode was memorable for staff and participants.
On two occasions, Chris picked me up at the Traverse City airport and returned me there, allowing us time to get acquainted. Time, with him, was never wasted. In his gracious, multi-tasking way, we usually managed to stop on the way at a newspaper office or radio station where I was interviewed by the local media, promoting the impending project. While in Petoskey, I always visited McLean & Eakin, the fine local bookstore where Chris made sure the books of his visiting speakers were in stock. At times, I sat in Arlington Jewelers and watched him proudly ply his trade with expertise and courtesy. He had a fine eye for both gem stones and design. On another day, I might take one of his brilliant tours, where he brought local lore and history to life. Afterwards, there would be drinks, and maybe dinner, at one of the old establishments where Hemingway had imbibed in his youth and which he had immortalized in his Nick Adams stories. Petoskey with Chris has magical memories for me.
My last venture with Chris was in the form of a Podcast we did together in the late spring of 2024. He called it A Lakeside Chat, the lake being Walloon. I have just listened to it for the first time since he sent me the link. His voice is vibrant, his questions provocative, and his comments insightful and humorous. This is the Chris I will remember: the good friend, the companion in adventure, and the admired Colleague.
Valerie Hemingway
Bozeman, Montana
January 28, 2026
**************************************************
MHS 2023 Fall Conference
Postponed
Dear Friends,
The Covid years were difficult, but our Michigan Hemingway Society membership have been facing obstacles and disappointments of even more difficult types. After being let down by two different venues, we find ourselves unable to organize a full conference this late in the year.
We will, however, be having a board and membership meeting on the afternoon of October 14, at the City Park Grill in Petoskey.
Please consider attending, especially if you might be interested in serving on the Board or a planning committee. We have several slots and offices to be filled. Paying your dues will ensure that you are included in all notifications and invitations.
We have faced some very grievous losses in the past year. We were shocked and saddened by the sudden death of board member George Beswick on March 13. Another board member, Charlie Knapp, passed away on May 13. We also had to say goodbye to two longtime and very active members: Jim Byrne on April 3 and Bill Nicholson on July 8. More about these beloved members will be published in our newsletter.
The post-pandemic travel surge has drastically affected prices and availability of lodging in the Petoskey area. October used to be a slow month for tourism in Northern Michigan, but now it is as busy as July. Because of the previously mentioned cancellation by two hotels, we do not have a block of rooms with discount or guaranteed availability for attendees. Each of us attending the October meeting will have to find our own accommodations, but there are rooms available around the city. We hope we will have a good attendance at this limited mini-conference. If we have enough participants, we may be able to have a program or group tour during the weekend.
We all regret these unhappy obstacles to our usual fall gathering, and a principal item of business at the October 14 meeting will be to establish a different time of year to hold a full conference. Please participate if you can and thank you for your understanding. Send any comments and RSVP by September 30, 2023 to news@michiganhemingwaysociety.org to let us know if you will be attending.
Best regards,
Chris Struble,
President, The Michigan Hemingway Society
and the MHS Board of Directors
**************************************************
MHS 2022 Fall Conference was
A Complete Success
"Hemingway and the Odawa Indians"
The Terrace Inn, Petoskey, Michigan
October 7-9, 2022
CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS
- Keynote speaker: Frank Ettawageshik, President of the Association on American Indian Affairs
- Eric Hemenway, Director of Repatriations, Archives and Records, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, will be speaking at Greensky Hill Indian United Methodist Church on Saturday afternoon.
- Don Daiker, Hemingway scholar and professor of English emeritus from Miami University in Ohio, will present a reading and discussion of his new work, “Nick Adams and His ‘Indian Girl.’”
- Cristen Hemingway Jaynes, Hemingway’s great-granddaughter, will be signing her book, Ernest’s Way.
- Michael Kim Roos, just back from the international conference in Wyoming, will be performing Hemingway-themed songs
- A Ghost Supper is planned for Saturday evening
- Sunday afternoon visits to
- St. Francis Solanus Indian Mission Church, which is the oldest building in northern lower Michigan, and
- The Little Traverse History Museum, which houses Odawa art and artifacts and Hemingway items of note