484-2626 mink@cedarville.net

The annual Antique Wooden Boat Show is just around the corner. Antique boat buffs are busy preparing their lovely old boats for that occasion. These boats are a source of pride, not only for their owners, but for all of us here in the Les Cheneaux Islands, where we are becoming well-known for these sleek crafts.

Many mentioned to me last week that they were happy about the warning to kayaks and swimmers who have been enjoying their sport at dusk and beyond. Apparently, this was quite a dangerous problem, and we hope it helped. We certainly do not want a foolish accident to happen.

The big community event last weekend was the production of My Fair Lady. Having a small part in this play made me more aware of the amount of work that goes into such a production. The actors, stage crew, music, lights, sound, and properties all must be practiced and strive for perfection. Many of the actors also jumped in to help with the technicalities. It is truly a massive effort on everyone’s part with the endless rehearsals. I truly do not know how the director, Lisa Dunn, can accomplish so much because, although she has lots of wonderful help, the telling end of the production falls on her shoulders.

I think My Fair Lady was one of the best productions ever produced by the Education Foundation and it was fun to be a part of it.

The lead, Karen Hughes as Eliza Doolittle, gave an outstanding performance, as did Dave Rhinard and Dick Jennings as Professor Higgins and Colonel Pickering, and Richard Morrison as Alfred P. Doolittle. Alan Jacobus, Betty Struble, and all of the musicians were exceptional. All in all, it was a great time for everyone, thanks to much dedication and hard work.

A Christmas in July dinner party hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Don Sikora of Hill Island took place last Saturday for friends and neighbors. The yard was beautifully decorated with lighted Christmas trees, along with white lights enhancing the rock garden. Santa Claus even made an appearance. A get-acquainted game was played preceding a dinner that ended with Christmas cookies and traditional holiday desserts. The guests each brought a new toy for the U.S. Marine Corps to distribute.

Another story about old-timer Fred Voight came from my friend, Bruce Patrick. Bruce tells about the time years ago that Fred and his wife were out with their schooner, Star of Hessel, and Belle of Epoufette.

They were landing at the Hessel dock and they had to sail right in and come about at the front of the dock. Fred miscalculated, so had to come about again. During this process, Mrs. Voight, who was on the bow of the boat, was swept overboard.

Fred was so busy coming about that he could do nothing to help her. On the dock he saw some “ginks,” slang for comtemptible men, and yelled, “The woman is overboard,” but they did nothing to help her.

When he finally got the big schooner up to the dock and a line to the “ginks,” he began to look for his wife. He found her under the dock, floating upright. She had on 17 skirts and petticoats that kept her afloat.