• Sunday-What'sUP June 4 - 05:02 pm

So many reasons this photo seemed appropriate to revisit today. With rain overnight in the Copper Country, we seem to be making the turn from summer to fall, as cleanup from hurricane Ike is underway on the opposite edge of the U.S. Gas prices shot up yesterday in response to fear or greed regarding the storm's effect on the fuel supply. When Bert DeVriendt snapped this shot in Chassell in the 1960's, I'm sure he never imagined gas prices would go from the 20 cent range to the $4.00 mark, but it's there again.

Bert's pictures provide the subject matter of this week's Pasty Cameo, a slideshow idea inspired by a posting on Youtube by "Keweenaw53". We added a few more of his photos, many of which have appeared on these pages, and in the Pasty Cam Color Calendar in years past.

Speaking of the Pasty Cam Calendar, the 2009 edition is going like hotcakes in a number of outlets around the U.P., and you can order yours, either with or without pasties, here at Pasty Central. Next year's calendar is filled with breathtaking aerial views by Neil Harri. If you love the U.P., you'll love to have these scenes on your wall throughout the coming year.

I for one am greatful for folks like Bert DeVriendt and Neil Harri for the perspective they have given on life in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and the memories they help to preserve. And thanks to Brian Rendel for scanning and posting those wonderful photos.

Have a good week :o)

Bert in 1980

What a wonderful slide show. These shots could be the history of thousands of families who can relate to wonderful memories like these. They certainly could be shots my Dad took. I misted up just watching the cameo. Thanks Mary - great selection this morning.

Wow! Those are classic photos! What a great show. Thank you!

The slide show does bring back a lot of memories of my childhood. It was nice to see.

the cameos continue to exceed each other. this was a very great one. thanks

Very nice, The Pasty Cameo is a wonderful view into the history. Thank You.

Thanks for the great cameo. It reminded me so much of days gone by.

Seeing those old photos in color is quite a treat. These were not colorized artificially, I assume, these seem like the real deal.

Is the picture as if you were driving towards Hancock-Houghton? I remember my first trip down this road to visit Suomi back in the spring of 69.Brings back all sorts of memories.

How peaceful...thank you....

Jeff That photo was taken from the south looking north.

Jeffrey P. Carlson (Dlineman):
"Is the picture as if you were driving towards Hancock-Houghton?"

Yep, that picture is taken on US-41, from about two blocks north of the solitary traffic light (at Fifth St./Chassell-Painesdale Rd.) in beautiful downtown Chassell, MI, looking north toward Houghton, with the Chippewa Motel on the right, just beyond the Phillips 66 sign.

Bert's pictures truly captured the aura of that exceptional era. The music is by the Vermont folk group "Nightingale" and the name of the piece is "Soul of the Limestone Rock" Thanks Charlie, for crafting your wonderful tribute to Bert and to the true faces of the Keweenaw.

J. D. Angst
Saint Paul

That was a time when a child had a carefree chilhood. A lot of being outdoors.

What was burning at the water's edge? It looks like a stamp mill.

After viewing those photos, I would love to know more about Bert DeVriendt...
What did he do for a living?
Was he a lifelong Keewenaw resident?
When did he die?
It appears he had an amazing eye.

The 66 station, in particular, brings back a whole lot of memories for me, especially considering my dad, Tony Soumis, owned the place for quite awhile. I can't remember the exact year he sold it and bought the Chassell Motors garage across the street, now home to Grandma's Antiques.

I worked with Bert back in the late 60's early 70's at the Daily Mining Gazette. I don't know a much about him except that he was one of the nicest and most pleasant individuals that you would ever want to meet, that was back in the days when the Gazette was run by professional people.

Sorry to chip in so late, but I see the Bert's Shoebox gallery but I don't see the Chassel pic in there. Where is it?

Duh. I see it now. :-\ Nevermind.

The 1960's were my elementary school years, and being a road
buff even then, this '60's pic would be something 2 catch my
eye. It's the kind of scene of a day I would probably stroll
through town on a Saturday or Sunday when it's quiet like the
pic seems 2 b showing.

This was also a time when you could get free road maps in gasoline stations.

The Michigan Tech Library has another photo showing the gas station itself:
http://www.digarch.lib.mtu.edu/showbib.aspx?bib_id=634610#