Thirty Times Two
By Brooks Vanderbush
Sun contributor
Glen Arbor’s greatest claim to fame with both locals and visitors alike is its unmatched sense of community. If one were to spend any time in Glen Arbor, they would find that everyone is on a first-name basis and life moves at a pace that many can only dream of. As such, it should be no surprise that many of the people behind the scenes in town have been here for quite some time.
Both Monty Basch, of Anderson’s Market, and Donna Burgan, owner of Wildflowers, are celebrating their 30th year of service this summer.
Most know Monty as the laid back, friendly guy who ensures that whatever you need rests on the shelves of Anderson’s Market.
Monty began at what was Steffen’s Market on May 1, 1980 because of a reference from his brother Marvin. Since that time, Basch has worn many hats at Glen Arbor’s neighborhood grocery mart. He eventually took on the roll of Grocery Manager. In this hat, he has found his niche.
“Monty takes great pride in keeping the grocery store well stocked,” says Tina Lifsey, a colleague at Anderson’s. “He is very supportive, knowledgeable and friendly. Monty especially likes to find out what the people want and then be sure to have it. Summers are extremely busy, but he enjoys seeing all the ‘summer’ people come back and chatting with them.”
“It takes a lot of time, coordination and organization to keep the variety of products in the store and Monty does a great job of ordering and stocking. People are always amazed at the selection,” Lifsey continues.
Monty’s personality reflects what has made Glen Arbor so popular with so many visitors throughout the years.
“Monty Basch is one of the most caring, honest and dedicated people you will ever meet,” says Anderson’s owner Brad Anderson. “He and his family have a special connection to the Glen Arbor area and, more specifically, Port Oneida. He has an amazing memory and can remember things and people connected with the area that have been long forgotten.”
Though Monty says that many memories will stay with him forever, it is the people he has worked with and served that will hold the most treasured part of his last 30 years.
“Getting to work all areas of the store and having all of the great friends and relationships with the customers (we all treat each other like family), being able to get to know the customers and being able to fulfill any special requests that they might have is my favorite part of this job,” Monty says. “I truly enjoy going to work. I never thought of it as work. I am truly blessed to be able to do what I love and to have so many loving people that truly care about me.”
Donna Burgan began her journey in Glen Arbor’s business community on March 4, 1980 when she opened Wildflowers.
“Thirty years ago I combined my hobbies of gardening and interior decorating to create Wildflowers in Glen Arbor,” Donna explains. “It was a new venture for a young mother of three teenage sons. Little did I know that I was creating something that would become my haven in the future.”
“Fifteen years later my husband was coping with severe rheumatoid arthritis and numerous operations. During that time Wildflowers, which began as my hobby, now became the financial support for my family, as well as my emotional release. At those times when it all seemed overwhelming, I could walk across the street to Wildflowers and immerse myself in the business, working with all the beautiful objects and creating the vignettes the store has always been known for,” she continues.
Owning a business in northern Michigan is a unique experience, one that makes for unique memories.
“One of the most historical aspects of Wildflowers is the old train depot from Copemish that ended up on Wildflowers property. In 1960, it was moved from Copemish to Glen Arbor, about a 30-mile trip that took two days and cost $5,000 — a big event at the time. In 1991 I wanted to expand my store in a creative and unique way, so I had the depot turned 90 degrees and moved back 30 feet to make the picturesque depot an integral part of the gardens and the original building. Family and friends came for a two- to three-week period for this event. We put them up at a local resort and they all pitched in, with their individual talents, to build the new retail space, which connects the depot to the original building. My sons came from Arizona to help, my brother in Indiana came up to help roof, nieces and nephews came to help in any way they could. I got to see my five-month-old granddaughter for the first time. My dad came up from Florida to help. It was a wonderful family occasion. The last night we celebrated with a group dinner at Boone’s Long Lake Inn,” Donna recalls.
“We used to have garden parties every year that transformed to You Jazz in the Gardens, where anyone can bring their instrument and create music. We have had up to 45 people come, bring a bottle of wine and dinner, and relax in the gardens while they listen to Alan Ladomer, our jazz trumpet player. We have had up to eight other players join him and jam — a 10-year-old to a 98-year-old. One night a woman came in with a man, and they stayed for the full evening, clapping and loving the jazz. Afterwards she introduced herself. She was a famous jazz singer, Annie Ross, who was staying at The Homestead. She had stopped by and spent the evening listening to Jazz at Wildflowers. You can’t beat that!” Donna exclaims.
Burgan’s love of Glen Arbor is a major driving force behind her business. She knows that her success comes from her amazing community.
“I want to thank the community, all those near and far, that have contributed to the success of Wildflowers. You have each made my life a treasure, and in return I hope I have found a treasure for each and every one of you to take back into your home or garden,” she says.
Both Donna Burgan and Monty Bosch hope to continue to serve the people of Glen Arbor and its surrounding areas.
Brad Anderson suggests that you stop by and reminisce with Monty anytime you like. In fact, make a day of it. After a visit with Monty, stroll south on M-22 to Wildflowers, where, every Tuesday evening, the store celebrates its anniversary with You Jazz in the gardens.
A major expansion is in the works at Wildflowers, which hopes to add a restaurant, a wine-tasting room, and apartments on the existing grounds. Stay tuned for more news in subsequent editions of the Glen Arbor Sun.
In an age when individualism has become the norm, Glen Arbor remains the perfect escape into a place where neighborhood values still matter. The evidence of that cannot be stronger than it is at Anderson’s or Wildflowers.
For more information on Wildflowers, visit WildflowersGlenArbor.com. And visit Anderson’s online at AndersonsIGA.com.