Hello, everyone. August is half way gone; soon the school bells will be ringing and the fall colors will begin to show. I'm not ready for either, but summer can't last forever, and it has been a wonderful summer.

The Engadine VFW Post 8372 will be having a fish fry, Friday, August 18, serving from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the VFW Hall in Engadine. Cost is $8 for adults, $3 for children younger than 12, and free for children younger than 5. Everyone is welcome.

The Feneley, McNeil, Nesbit American Legion Post 290 will be having an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast Sunday, August 20, from 8 a.m. to noon at the VFW Post in Engadine. Pancakes, eggs, sausage, coffee, and orange juice will be served. Cost is $6 for adults, $3 for children ages 6 to 12, and free for children younger than 5. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Vacation Bible School "Club Can Do" will be held at the Engadine United Methodist Church Monday, August 21, through Friday, August 25, from 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. For more information, call (906) 477-6766.

Don't miss the "Gulliver Mud Drags" Saturday, August 26. Registration is from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Racing starts at 11 a.m. All drivers must have a valid driver's license, and wear a helmet. There will be food and beverages on site, with no carry-ins allowed. All proceeds will be donated to the Schoolcraft County Community Foundation and Mathew P. Villemour Memorial Fund. For more information on admission or entry fee, call Chris Nord at (906) 283-0040 (leave a message if no answer) or e-mail gullivermuddrag@ hotmail.com.

Bring the whole family and join the Luce-West Mackinac County Fair. Competitors are wanted for the first annual "Noyz, Boyz and Toyz" riding lawn mower race, Sunday, August 27. If you have a rusted old heap of a mower just sitting out back, or a newer model that you want to show off, now is the time to "rev it up." Winners will receive trophies and bragging rights as the 2006 "Mr. Mow It All" and "Miss Mow It All" of the Eastern Upper Peninsula. For more information, call (906) 293-8785 or (906) 586-3602.

The Luce-West Mackinac County Fair has reinstated the poultry department for the 2006 fair, which means people can enter turkeys, roosters, hens, and chickens of all breeds. The fair will be held Thursday, August 24, through Sunday, August 27. For more information, contact Marie at (906) 586-9775 or stop by Room Number 2 in the Newberry Community Building.

There will be a free family community meal Wednesday, August 30, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Engadine Methodist Church. There will be prizes for all the kids. Everyone is welcome.

You won't want to miss the 2006 fall annual "Art in the Barn" oil and acrylic art exposition featuring original work by local artists with more than 100 paintings to choose from. This event will be held Friday, September 1, through Monday, September 4, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 8135 Miller Road in Newberry. For more information, call (906) 2933929.

The Engadine area "Farmer's Market" is in full swing, and vendors have a nice variety of fresh, nutritious, locally grown food,

which includes vegetables, fruits, organic meats, and eggs, plus decorative items and fresh flowers. They also offer pre-packaged natural foods and many seasonal items. The farmer's market will be held every Saturday and continue through October at the Millpond Park Pavilion in Engadine, behind the Garfield Township Hall, from 9 a.m. to noon.

Deep condolences to the family of Edward J. Coutu of Engadine, who passed away Friday, August 11, at his residence. He was a 1977 graduate of Engadine High School. A graveside memorial service will be held Thursday, August 24, at 11 a.m. at the Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery in Engadine.

I missed a birthday last week and would like to send a happy belated birthday to Dominick Clark, who celebrated August 11. I hope you had a wonderful day.

Happy birthday to Andrea Everhart August 17, Mary Korenich August 19, Barb Lesatz, Mike Klobucher, and to a special little girl, Laney Puckett, who will be five years old August 21, Roy Butkovich August 22, Carol Lehtonen, Linda Buckholz, Desirae Derusha, Drake DeWyse, and Stu Hobbs August 23, and Andrew Pershinske August 24.

Happy anniversary to Rick and Laura Frisch, Pat and LaShawn Edwards, and my sister, Jane, and husband, LeRoy Stefanich, August 18, to our daughter, Meggan, and her husband, Ray Morrison, on their first wedding anniversary August 21, Elmer and Diane Albright and Fred and Sarah Burton August 22, and Dwight and Brenda Frazier and my brother, Ron, and wife, Lori Rushford, August 24.

Until next time, take care.