By opening day 2007, Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse in Mackinaw City will be enhanced by colorful blooms and berries that experts believe surrounded the Lake Huron beacon during the early 1900s. Planting of the lemon custard lilies, red twig dogwood, serviceberry, and northern red oak will commence this fall and be completed May 14.

The lighthouse, now a museum operated by Mackinac State Historic Parks, guided sailors through the Straits of Mackinac in 1892 and shepherded ship traffic through the region until the completion of the Mackinac Bridge in 1957.

Visitors touring the lighthouse learn about importance of this strategic light and hear about the lives of lighthouse keepers through interactive exhibits and period settings.

The plants will be purchased with $500 from the Principal Financial Group Foundation Inc. of Des Moines, Iowa, through the Perennial Garden Club of Cheboygan County.

The Perennial Garden Club, presided over by Ramona Boyce, is one of only 193 nationwide to be awarded a grant from the company's program, which is operated in affiliation with National Garden Clubs Inc. to support civic development projects honoring those who serve or served our country, which in this case would be lighthouse keepers.