Spring is quickly approaching and island resident Don “Duck” Andress the master craftsman who hand-makes the 238 wooden flower boxes that line the Front Porch each season is very busy. Duck works
throughout the winter repairing old and crafting new boxes. Once they are together, the boxes are then taken to the Pontiac Room to be painted and lined. From there they go to storage to await the thousands of flowers that will be planted in them come spring.
At first glance, the finished flower boxes appear to be all the same shape and size. However, closer inspection will show you that each box has a number on it. This tells the grounds crew exactly where the box is to be placed on the porch and in front of the hotel. Because the porch curves and the boxes must fit between the columns, many of the boxes are of a 
different shape and size. This takes some pretty precise measuring and knowledge of where each box must fit and Duck knows it all.
Duck also makes beautiful hand-carved walking sticks and has one that he presented in person to the 
Smithsonian Institution’s Museum of the American Indian. If you have ever attended a holiday parade on Mackinac may have seen Duck leading the way in full Indian dress. He is a direct descendant of Chief Mackinac who was a Chippewa Chief in the Mackinac area around 1740.
We feel privileged to have this celebrated master craftsman as our carpenter and friend, and we hope that if you happen to meet Don “Duck” Andress the next time you are on Mackinac that you will take a moment to tell him what a wonderful job he does.
I have taken so many pics of those beautiful plant boxes, in hopes that my husband would make me one. (Actually i would like at least 2). I still don’t have any It would be great if you sold them. Does Duck make them to sell? I would be interested in buying some.
I just wanted to say Thank you! It so often happens that people who are integral in creating the beautiful atmosphere that is Michigan go overlooked. Thank you for bringing Don’s beautiful and hard work to light. So many people probably did not realize that these boxes were hand made and each individually crafted. I sure didn’t! I hope that sometime in the future I can make it up to Mackinac Island and appreciate their beauty in person.
Katie
I agree – what wonderful, beautiful pieces of woodwork – Thank you Don!
It was my pleasure Katie. You would be surprised at how many email and phone calls we get asking for the manufacturer of the flower boxes. People are amazed when I tell them that each one is hand made. Duck does an amazing job and we are pleased to let everyone know it.
He does not make them to sell that I know of Shirley but you never know. I will see what I can find out for you.
Kudos to you Mr Duck Andress!!!!!! It’s giving n serving people like YOU that keep our hope in humankind…..and our country!!! I hope millions see your story and get inspired!!!!! THANK YOU for all you do for your community and country!!! You truly are an inspiration!!!
Kudo’s to Duck. He will never know how much enjoyment he has given to visitors. I live in Fl now, but the island and the hotel are still my favorite vacation place. One moment in time has remained a lifetime.
Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing this story and wonderful pictures. I can’t think of another way I would have been privey to this information. Thank you to Duck, as well! What a great job he does. I too, would like to know if he sells any of these beautiful planter boxes…they are amazing!