We finally have the windows open, with fresh air flowing through the house. Summer, I think, is finally here. The sun rises many hours before I'm ready to see it in the morning. The sun shines right through the house and into my room, which wakes me up very early. But it's nice to have the sunshine; it leaves us much too soon in the fall.

Summer activities are starting to perk up. The Manistique Paper Chase is scheduled for Saturday, July 8, starting at 9 a.m. for the 5K and 1OK races. Check-in registration tables will open at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Manistique Senior Citizens Center, at 101 Main Street, and will close promptly at 8:30 a.m. Maps and other information will be available to pick up when registering. The entry fees are: pre-registered $12, UPRRC members $10, late registration (for all) $15, ages 14 and younger $6. Pre-registration deadline is Saturday, July 1, at 5 p.m. Trophies will be awarded to all winners. All paid entrants will receive a T-shirt. The awards ceremony will be at the marina following the race. There will be male and female divisions in each age group. For more information, call Ron Rubick, race director at (906) 3414640.

The Schoolcraft Medical Care Facility is still seeking donations of new and used fishing equipment in good condition, for use by the residents throughout the summer. For more information, call the facility at (906) 341-6921, or bring items to 520 Main Street in Manistique.

The Schoolcraft County Medical Transportation Program is still available to people who are unable to provide their own transportation to health-related appointments. Drivers are provided for people who need to travel distances to see medical specialists (in Marquette, for example) or for those people who live a distance from Manistique and need to come in to town for health-related purposes. This program is for people of all ages. Donations are appreciated to help keep the program running. If you need a driver to transport you for a health-related purpose, contact the Manistique Senior Center/ Schoolcraft County Commission on Aging at (906) 341-5923.

If you have special recipes for bread, jams, or jellies, why not enter them in the Schoolcraft County Fair Thursday, August 3, through Saturday, August 5. Call (906) 341-3688 if you need more information.

Time for the duck races again Saturday, July 1. This event will take place at the Syphon Bridge in Manistique from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. First place prize is $1,000; second place $500, and third place $250. Tickets are on sale at all stores in town. Profits are to fund "Project Petunia." Call members Chris Keener at (906) 644-2613, Gale Glendon at (906) 341-2021, or Sherri Kraus at (906) 341-6701.

It's never too early to announce the parade for the "Biggest Little Town Parade in Michigan" in Curtis. This will be the 31st year for the parade and celebration in Curtis, where the population of approximately 650 swells to more than 15,000 each year on the Fourth of July. This year the theme will be "The Year of the Veteran." The day will be focused on paying tribute to our veterans, past, present, and future. Veterans will participate by walking, riding on a float or truck, sitting in the reviewing stand, or taking part in the color guard.

They're asking all veterans, young and old, to dig out the uniform and join the parade in Curtis. It really is the greatest parade around here. I moved up here from Detroit, and when I read the advertisement for the "biggest" parade, I thought they were just kidding. I've seen many parades down there, but nothing can compare to the Fourth of July parade in Curtis. Parades, music, entertainment, food, anything you would expect to see in Detroit, Chicago, or New York, will be in Curtis, but with more feeling.

There will be arts and crafts booths, and the famous Lions barbeque, along with other food booths and gigantic fireworks at dusk.

A young, fourth-generation veteran from the Upper Peninsula, serving in Iraq, has asked for help with a service program. Sammi Norman Jr. and a friend are asking for our assistance. They've selected the theme "Walk a Mile Barefoot" and ask that you bring new or good used children's shoes to the Curtis parade to donate shoes for the children in Iraq. There will be a float on the grounds to accept these donated shoes. Curtis will help in arranging the shipping of the shoes to Mr. Norman. For further information, or to take part in the parade, call Cap'n Bill Kelly at (906) 586-9433 or the Curtis Chamber of Commerce at (906) 586-3700. This may just be the best Curtis parade, ever.

We would like to congratulate Stu Hobbs at Engadine Consolidated Schools on being chosen for the position of the new superintendent. Mr. Hobbs will cover the administrative duties of the elementary, junior high, and high school as well as superintendent. Mr. Hobbs has been teaching since 1980, and has served as high school principal since August 1999. We wish Mr. Hobbs much success in his new endeavor.

Don't forget that the St. Ignace Car Show is Thursday, June 22, through Saturday, June 24. Great fun, see all the latest in cars and trucks. You will also get to see Cindy Williams, Anson Williams, and Donny Most of "Happy Days" fame, and Ms. Williams was also in "American Graffiti." The stars will also take part in the Down Memory Lane Parade.

Happy birthday to my sister-inlaw, Rachel McNeil, and to Claudine Fisher, who will both celebrate their birthdays June 12, and Alissa Kenwabikise June 13. Hope you all have a great day.

Stay safe and stay well. See you next week.