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The warm sunny days of summer have returned for everyone to enjoy. Even though Saturday was a rainy day, it didn’t stop many visitors from coming over to the Island, including all the runners who make their sport an annual affair. In spite of the weather, they all enjoyed a nice weekend. Sales were on in the many gift shops and the Notre Dame-Michigan football game entertained them in the afternoon. Several weddings were celebrated at the Little Stone Church. Today is Monday, September 12, a perfectly beautiful day with many tourists seen taking the carriage ride. Great, great weather for the fall season.

Once again, we have sad news to report. Patti Ann Moskwa’s beloved mother, Patricia Louis Land, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, September 10, at St. John Macomb Hospital in Warren. “Patty Lou” was the daughter of the late Nell Horn of Mackinac Island and Joel Melson of Detroit. Burial took place Tuesday, September 13, at Glen Eden Memorial Cemetery in Livonia. She is survived by daughters and their families, Patti Ann and Steven Moskwa of the Island, Dawn Gapshues of Madison Heights, and two grandchildren, Amber and Chad Katz of Liberty, Texas. Donations may be made to the Salvation Army. Deepest sympathy to the family from Island friends.

Barbara and Brian Hellis are back in their Northville home for two weeks, returning to Mackinac later to enjoy the fall and attend the antique show at Grand Hotel.

I would like to describe the summer flower gardens, which continue to be as beautiful as ever, and the hanging baskets from all the lampposts are truly a delight, which decorate our town. A note also of the vegetable gardens. Local gardener Mike Carley has raised wonderful tomatoes by the bushel and Tim Timmons continues to share his produce from his very healthy plot. It was a super summer for crops. Ron O’Neil of Lasting Impressions raised the best Mackinac potatoes and other plants, which includes the bed of flowering pansies in the front yard. Greg Main has had a wonderful vegetable garden, too.

Dr. Steve Humphrey and his lovely wife, Jean, spent the past weekend at their Swan Cottage on Woods Golf Course and attended the jazz weekend at Grand Hotel. The Humphreys are from Columbia, South Carolina. They thoroughly enjoy the peace and quiet of Mackinac and often spend time here, even attending our bazaar in December. Dr. Humphrey often sails with Mark Chambers on his Snow Goose.

Mary K. McIntire of Petoskey spent the weekend on the Island, where she attended the meeting Saturday, September 10, of the Mackinac Island Community Foundation.

Emily St. Onge, who loves animals, especially riding Dr. Bill Chambers’ pet horse, has now acquired a new dog that she adopted from the Sault Ste. Marie Animal Shelter, which she named Angel. Emily is very kind and will give her new friend lots of tender loving care.

Our Mackinac Island soccer team flew to Beaver Island over the weekend to play soccer.

An Island-born man, Cory McCready, and his family of Birmingham, Alabama, were in the path of Hurricane Katrina in their southern home. They experienced high winds but little destruction, other than loss of electricity. Cory is a mining engineer for the Lime Mining Company, where he has been employed for the past nine years. He and his wife, Barb, are the parents of two young daughters, Chalista and Alexandria. Cory is the son of Marilyn and the late Rollie McCready and brother to Chris of Mackinac Island and Carl of Cheboygan. Best wishes to Cory and his family from Island friends.

Friends, please join in an appreciation party for Jack Ryerse Wednesday, September 14, from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the French Outpost. Jack has many, many friends on the Island, where he was manager of the Island’s First National Bank for many years.

Happy birthday to Wes Maurer September 11. Hope that you enjoyed a great, restful day. Wes attended the meeting of the Mackinac Island Community Foundation Saturday morning, September 10.

Happy 40th wedding anniversary September 11 to Linda and Larry Belonga of St. Ignace. Congratulations and best wishes for continued years of good health and happiness.

The mountain ash trees all over the Island are very beautiful with their branches laden with red berries. Old-timers on Mackinac would predict a harsh winter ahead.

Jamie Bynoe entertained his Green Bay Packer fans at a tail-gate party Sunday afternoon between the Detroit Lions and Green Bay. Everyone had a great time, but they were not pleased at the final score.

The Mackinac Island School picnic was fun and the weather the greatest. Good food and great entertainment made opening day memorable.

We’ve just learned that Buck Sharrow of Charlevoix, who is employed with Wendy and Mike Young at their West Bluff stable, recently suffered a broken shoulder in a fall. His injury is healing well, according to his wife, Alice. Buck drives the Young’s beautiful horses, harnessed to a handsome carriage.

An American Red Cross party for the Hurricane Katrina victims was held Thursday evening, September 8, with Patti Ann Moskwa and Margaret Doud as co-chairmen of the event. Like all Mackinac parties, it was a huge success with more than $18,000 sent to the victims. Food was furnished through the generosity of Island hotels and restaurants. Many thanks to each and every one who joined in, making this event a great success.

Virginia Riordan, Annette Gillespie, Kay Barnes, and Margaret Doud played golf at Hessel Ridge Golf Course Friday, September 9, having a fun time.

Carmen Golden has returned to her home in Monroe, following an enjoyable summer on the Island, where she is employed at the Scrimshaw Shop on Main Street. Happy birthday to Carmen September 18.

Pam Amitai, owner of the Gift Horse Shop on the corner of Market and Astor Streets, has a new spaniel dog that has made many friends on the Island. When Pam goes to the bank each day, her little pup has made friends with one of the bank tellers. She puts her paws up to the window, which is followed by a treat. Pam immediately has her bark a thank you, which says, “I love you.” She is a precious little friend.

Happy wedding anniversary September 9 to Dee and Dick Czapek of Grand Rapids. Hopefully, we shall see you at the Smith-Hardy wedding in October.

Happy birthday September 10 to Jerry Fenlon of St. Ignace.

Sunday, September 11, Mary Thompson received a wonderful visit from her daughter, Mary Beth Ruddle Burris, along with her husband, Darrel, and grandson, Cheyenne Gerringer, of Alexander, North Carolina until Friday. Mary Beth is a very pretty, attractive lady with black curly hair and a very winning smile. So nice that they could visit their Island relatives.

Happy birthday September 10 to Amanda Makowski of Gaylord, granddaughter of Gracie and Don Francis.

The annual road race took place Saturday morning, September 10, in spite of the rain. Many racers enjoyed the weekend on the Island.

So good to have Alice and Sue Myron of Port Huron enjoying their East Bluff cottage over the weekend.

My niece, Keelyn Chambers of St. Ignace, will be celebrating her birthday September 12 and I wish her a very happy one.

Best wishes to Stella Mae Kwolek of Detroit, who was unable to be in her Island home on French Lane this summer. Hopefully, by next summer we shall see you again. Mike Carley keeps your yard in beautiful condition.

Bride-to-be Jennie Shanku is having a birthday September 15 and we know that it will be a happy one, as she is engaged to marry Jason St. Onge Saturday, October 8, at Ste. Anne’s on the Island.

Congratulations to Virginia and Dan Riordan September 17 on the occasion of their wedding anniversary. They’ve spent the summer on Mackinac in their home on Market Street. Virginia retired from her teaching position in Marietta, Georgia. Avid golfers, they enjoy the Little Jewel Course. They were married in Ste. Anne’s 39 years ago. Virginia also enjoyed her time this summer at Windermere Doghouse.

Best wishes to Larry LaPine, who was taken ill Sunday and paid a visit to the medical center. He is now much better and able to drive his Amigo to town to visit his many friends.

It’s in the 70 degrees on Mackinac this Monday, September 12. Very warm and balmy for this late in the season.

Happy birthday to Mike Doud of St. Ignace September 18.

Keith and Marianne Hahn of Big Rapids have come to help Bev and Bob Benjamin in their gift shops.

Guests of Patty and Brian Schoenborn are Brian’s parents, Bonnie and Emmet, from Grand Rapids.

Happy birthday September 17 to Barry BeDour. Hope you have a great day.

Guests of the Windermere are the Max Cliftons of Muncie, Indiana, who are on their annual visit to their favorite Island.

At Lakewood Cottage September 18, Ann Bronfman will be celebrating her birthday and we wish her a very happy one.

A very happy wedding anniversary to Tammy and Tony Frazier September 20. Hope your day is special.

Gary and Martha Cousino are comfortably settled in the Dennis Dufina cottage in Hubbard’s Annex for the month of September. They joined Wawashkamo Golf Course in 2004 and recently bought property in the Forest Bluff Subdivision. Gary first came to the Island in 1972 and has lived in Boulder, Colorado, since 1984. He worked at Selma’s Candy Store in 1972, was on the year-around staff at Grand Hotel in 1976, 1977, and 1978 in marketing and sales, and opened the Inn on Mackinac in 1979, now Mission Point Resort. Nice to have you back on Mackinac.

A happy birthday to Ann Timmons September 9.

The Jay Stingels have closed their Brigadoon Cottage and returned to their home in Biltmore Forest, North Carolina.

Enjoy the fall sales.