477-6925 donmar@lighthouse.net

We certainly hope that Glenda Sharrett is recovering after her terrible ordeal last week when her house burned to the ground. I'm sure that there will be many things that Ms. Sharrett will need. Our heart goes out to her and her family.

The Curtis Centennial Committee has decided to put together a hardcover book that will preserve the early history of Curtis. Many of the pictures and articles that were collected appeared in the Curtis Centennial Courier newspaper, sold this summer to help raise money for the festivities September 2 to 4 .

Besides the previous stories, production of a book over this winter will allow inclusion of family histories that missed the earlier deadline. It will also give the committee time to correct any errors from the previous book. To either update a contribution in the Courier or offer new photographs or family history, contact Rick Soder at Curtis Service at (906) 586-9832.

The Luce-West Mackinac County Fair will be Thursday, August 25, through Sunday, August 28, at the fairgrounds in Newberry. It will feature a senior citizens program Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with contests, door prizes, free refreshments, and entertainment. Seniors can register for a variety of contests from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. that will include a "Homemade Cookie Contest." Seniors 60 and older are asked to make one dozen cookies and place them on display during the program. The 2005 Fair Queen and Junior Miss and Little Miss winners will be the judges.

Contests include the senior citizen with the most grandchildren (must be able to provide proof); most recently married senior citizen couple (must be present); golden anniversary couples (must be married 50 years or more); oldest senior man present; oldest senior woman present; and senior citizen traveling the furthest to attend the fair. In addition, the Tahquamenon Area Senior Citizens Center of Newberry and the fair board will sponsor a prize bingo program and will be open to the general public from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Cost per individual (of any age) will be $5 for two cards. Money raised will be used to purchase additional chairs and folding tables for the fairgrounds. For more information, contact Marie at (906) 293-5621.

News has it that the Marquette "Finn Fest" featured a wife carrying contest. Yes, you read it right. This tradition goes back to the 19th Century. When men wanted to steal the wives of other men, they literally picked them up and carried them away. The idea was recently thought of by a group of people in Finland and was meant to be a joke, but the idea took off and now there are wife carrying contests in Canada, Estonia, the United States, Australia, Germany, and elsewhere. We’re certainly glad that this custom was not carried into our world. It seems that it has now been turned into a competitive sporting event that will be included in Marquette's Finn Grand Fest activities. There is a world championship competition in Sonkajarve, Finland, since 1993. At the world competition, a man must carry a woman (who is at least 110 pounds) a distance of almost three football fields.

The time and date for the race have yet to be determined, said Jerry Maki, Finn Fest's wife carrying coordinator. He also said, “There will be no weight restrictions and the woman and the man do not necessarily need to be married." Anyone who is interested may call Jerry Jaki at (906) 475-4612. It might be fun to watch, but I don't know about being carried.

Lumberjack Days are going on Saturday, August 27, and Sunday, August 28, at the Tahquamenon Logging Museum on M-123, north of Newberry. Breakfast will be served from 7 a.m. to noon. A logging competition, country music, woodcraft, concessions, and family entertainment will be available for the day.

Happy birthday to Forrest McArthur August 25.

Jim and Cherrell Rourke are celebrating a wedding anniversary August 27, so we will wish them a wonderful time.

Stay safe and stay well. See you next week.