Michigan—A historian with a strong background in maintenance.

A man who thrives on mowing lawns and telling great stories.

Who better than Garth "Duff" Stoltz to be the next site director of Historic Adventist Village, the west-side Battle Creek attraction that draws Seventh-day Adventists from around the world?

Stoltz, 73, took over September 1 as director of the four-block "village," centered on the 1850s home of Ellen and James White.

Ellen White was the visionary founder, with her husband, of the Adventist church. Her writings are held as spiritual guidance in the church. The Whites are buried at Oak Hill Cemetery, and their home and graves are the highlights of tourists' visits, Stoltz said.

Stoltz replaced Stanley Cottrell, who said he was worn down by eight years as leader of the village.

"I am thrilled that Duff is taking over," Cottrell said Tuesday. "He knows more about the operation than anyone in the area and knows the history of Dr. John Harvey Kellogg and of course the Adventist history.

"I lobbied very hard to get him in when I knew I was going to be stepping back."

Cottrell said he'll work occasionally as a visiting preacher around the Midwest, talking about the history of the Adventist faith. There's much less strain in such work than in managing the operations of the village, he said.

For Stoltz, the tours are an opportunity for his natural story-telling ability to shine through.

"I started mowing Ellen White's lawn close to 30 years ago," Stoltz said. "I brought my mower down here. That's all we had."

Later, he started volunteering at the village.

"Stanley Cottrell was here doing the tours, and he didn't have anyone doing the maintenance," Stoltz said.

"And hey, maintenance and I get along pretty good, for several reasons. I know a little bit, but you know what: I've learned to call on the master mechanic when I get in trouble. And He's bailed me out more times; he's saved my face more times."

Pressed for a clarification, Stoltz says, "The master mechanic is our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. He's a good one to lean on."

Stoltz spent the past eight years as maintenance manager at Kellogg's Cereal City USA, which closed in January.

Immediate priorities for Stoltz include dealing with some nonhistoric buildings on the village property; learning the complete tour routine and calendar system; fixing up a couple of home exteriors; and preparing for a new event, a Fall Festival, to be held in the village October 7.

Robert Warner, news reporter, Battle Creek Enquirer

Historic Adventist Village is open Saturdays year-round and by appointment on other days from Labor Day to Memorial Day. Located at Wood Street off West Van Buren Street, just west of downtown Battle Creek, Historic Adventist Village tours are free; donations accepted. For information, call the office at 269-965-3000.

Photos and story published with the permission of the Battle Creek Enquirer.