THE LIGHTHOUSE CAFÉ, ELBERTA—Ford Forrester called up the Alert a week ago saying he had something to donate toward Issy Stapleton’s autism treatment. “Raffle, silent auction, whatever you want to do with it,” he said.

The item has a special Elberta significance: It’s a portrait of the SS City of Milwaukee, taken sometime in the summer before she shipped out for the last time, in January 2000, bound for her final resting place in Manistee.

Ford’s son Stanley, a schoolteacher who lives in Grayling, captured the City Milwaukee just after sunset from across the Betsie Bay, her deck all brightly lit. He’s sold a few of the prints, matted and framed, in a couple of different sizes. This one would normally sell for $250.

Ford Forrester, 74 (Benzie Central ’57), has had a lot of careers (he still runs his family farm), and has served as president of the Beulah Eagles (5 times!) and the Lions (4 times!). He worked at Pet Milk, had an auto parts business in TC, and drove a cement truck.

One role that gave him particular joy was his 20 years driving a bus for Benzie Schools. During that time he befriended a lot of special needs kids, including some with challenges like Issy’s. “I saw them every day, twice a day. It’s quite a deal to deal with special ed kids, I know. A lot of them don’t get the chance to succeed, but if they get the chance, they can do it.”

We thank Ford Forrester for his generosity in donating this picture, which you see below. It’ll be up for bid as part of the silent auction being held at the Eagles’ dinner fundraiser for Issy Stapleton on Saturday, March 16, which is being organized by Marilyn Knechtges. At last check Knechtges had 30 great items lined up, including a season pass donated by Crystal Mountain and valued at $1,000.

Let’s light up the night on the 16th and help Issy get the best chance she can get. Ψ