It was a relief to open the front door, step outside, and experience the absence of humidity this fine Monday morning.

JoAnna Laughlin and children Sophia and Drew of Annapolis, Maryland, are visiting with JoAnna's parents, Horst and Ingrid Daemmrich, summer residents of the village.

Sally Conklin said they had an "army of ants" at the west condominiums this weekend. I was about to commiserate with her as we have had a problem with enormous ant hills in our yard but she was referring to the entire group of condo owners converging to fix up, clean up, and paint the trim and decks of the building. Sally says some do not look very nice. A lunch was prepared for the workers and in the evening everyone enjoyed a barbecue. A black headed wasp nest was discovered under the steps leading to the beach. An exterminator took care of the problem and explained that species of wasp does not lose their stinger when they sting you. They apparently get many "hits" with their apparatus.

Jackie and Denny Rippett motored to Waterford last weekend to attend the open house in honor of their granddaughter, Kelsey Rolla's, graduation from high school.

Barbara Jorgenson picked her first ripe tomato and had it for breakfast this morning.

Lee Quigley entertained guests this weekend, Kay Allott of Sault Ste. Marie, Dr. Marlene Mackie of Escanaba, and Cary Popor of South Carolina. Lee's son-in-law, Joe Stewart, left Monday morning for home in Fort Myers, Florida; he will return later this month. Lee's daughter, Lorie, will be here for a few more weeks.

Betty Jean Christensen and her daughter, Kathy, dropped by to visit Pega Kennedy this weekend.

Al Gustafson, along with his mother, Georgiana Gustafson, spent Saturday at the Gustafson summer place on Lake Michigan, site of the original Carl F. Gustafson family home. Don and Sherri Gustafson and children, Bradley, Lucas, and Linnie, were there to celebrate Don's birthday Saturday August 5. Happy birthday, Don.

Mildred Gustafson celebrated her 92nd birthday with family and friends at Sharon and Ken Smith's motel east of Brevort. Happy birthday to you, Mildred.

Congratulations to Pastor Tari and Kirt Stage-Harvey on the birth of a son, Elijah Kirtis Harvey, born Friday. Congratulations to Hannah and Sophie on a new brother.

Happy birthday wishes go out to Joe Chalmers on August 6, Mark Spencer the younger on August 12, Dottie Glashaw August 14, Larry Lasley August 15, Shari Baron

August 17, Clare Kalbfliesch and Claris Snyder August 17, and Lee Quigley August 19. Mike and Lara Gustafson celebrate their wedding anniversary August 17.

News from Flathead Lake Lodge at Big Fork, Montana, via Lee Foster, who is still working and having fun this summer: A fly fisherman from Grayling apparently likes it so well out there after many visits to the area he has agreed to stay on at the resort to teach fly fishing. Don't know his name but he goes by "The Gentleman Fly Fisherman."

Patty Truman of St. Ignace is one of only three students from the Ohio University summer scholar's program to be accepted for direct admission to their School of Osteopathic Medicine. She will start in Athens, Ohio, in August 2007. Our heartfelt congratulations to Patty.