When Peg Jonkhoff woke up the morning of the Michigan presidential primary, she didn't know she'd be playing host to a candidate for president in her family's Traverse City funeral home.
But that's exactly what happened. John McCain was making a stop at a precinct at the Grand Traverse Heritage Center when he noticed the "magnificent mansion" across the street. Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home does business in the historic Hannah House. Peg was standing there and offered him a tour.
"So he tromps through a snowbank, and (beckons to his wife) 'Oh, Cindy, Cindy,'" Jonkhoff recalled. Staff and press followed. The McCains couldn't stay long, and after spending a little time in what Jonkhoff said was the Mahogany Room, and some niceties and pictures, the group was off to their next stop.
The rest is history. Literally.
"Next thing I know, a 'Republican 51-year-old Peg Jonkhoff' is all over the national news," Peg said. "It went Los Angeles, Washington, CBS, CNN, the late night talk shows."
Do an Internet search and you'll find dozens of entries on McCain's funeral home stop. Several members of the press wrote blogs. Some cited McCain's tendency to be superstitious and their surprise that he'd risk linking the symbolism of death with his campaign.
Jay Leno said in a monologue, "There was one embarrassing moment yesterday when McCain spoke at a polling place that was also a funeral home. I don't want to say McCain looked old, but when he tried to leave the funeral home, he had to show ID."
Others joked in chat rooms, implying that the only voters McCain has are no longer among the living. McCain himself said after, "People are dying to get in there." The tour is even on youtube (www.youtube.com/watch?v=RITN-mWTtQQ).
But the unflappable Jonkhoff said she loves showing off the house, and it was just a nice encounter with a fellow history buff.
"He was very inquisitive, genuine and down to earth," she said. "It was strictly about the home. It was simply a gesture of kindness, a welcome to our city."
Not that she isn't still a bit miffed at one blog headline.
"One of them said, 'McCain sees dead people,'" she said. "He didn't see that; shame on that reporter. There was nothing in the Mahogany Room except for the furniture."
If you're not running for president and want a tour of the house, they're available by appointment, at times that won't conflict with funerals and visitations. A fee of $5 usually applies, with the money supporting operations at the Grand Traverse Heritage Center. You can also watch a virtual tour of the home on line at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.
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