when the leaves fall in red and golds gently from the trees. Saturday, November 11, we honored our veterans who have served their country with great honor and pride. We say a big thank you to all the men and women of Mackinac who have served, or are serving in the armed services. We're very proud of you.

Michelle Dean (left) prepares to vote on Mackinac Island, Tuesday, November 7. Election workers stationed at Community Hall on Market Sreet are Terrie Andress, Kathi Wightman, Jennifer Bloswick, and Kathy Andress. The big storm that struck Michigan Friday, November 10, fortunately did not do damage to the Island. Rain, sleet, and snow caused I-75 to be very slippery. In the area of Cadillac, many residents suffered from high winds, lightning, icy roads, and fallen trees.

Here at home we had snowcovered roads all over the Island, which lasted through Saturday. When the sun appeared, the snow quickly melted.

Savannah Smith of St. Ignace will celebrate her birthday November 20. Enjoy your day.

Even though we're hearing Christmas carols over the radio and television, we're not just ready for the holidays until Mackinac becomes a winter wonderland, making everything picturesque for Christmas Day, December 25.

Happy birthday to Bob St. Onge Sr. November 23. Have a great day.

A & J Tree Trimmers from Harbor Springs did a lot of work for several weeks on the Island. They first started at Grand Hotel and later went to several other businesses and residences. They removed diseased and damaged trees and limbs. Several of the giant maples on Cadotte Avenue had to be removed because of wind damage or disease. In the cedar grove by Grand Hotel's swimming pool, the trees were thinned out, making it brighter with a much better view.

Mackinac Islander John E. Chambers joined MassMutual Financial Group in April. The firm specializes in assisting businesses and individuals with wealth preservation, capital appreciation, and business continuation. John is licensed to sell insurance and securities throughout the state of Michigan.

John's wife, Elizabeth, is enjoying her clerkship with the Honorable Harry A. Beach of the Allegan County Circuit Court. As a judicial clerk, Elizabeth prepares bench memoranda and drafts opinions on a variety of legal issues. Elizabeth was graduated magna cum laude from DePaul University College of Law and earned her undergraduate degree in Philosophy from Michigan State University.

John was graduated from the Michigan State University Eli Broad College of Business with a degree in economics. He represents the fifth generation of the Chambers family on Mackinac Island. He and Elizabeth were schoolmates on Mackinac Island.

Vicki Urman will celebrate her birthday November 23. Enjoy your day.

The Fort road leading up to Harrisonville has been unusually dark. Now, a light has been installed, thanks to the Mackinac Island State Park Commission. The residents of the village are most grateful. It's a great improvement.

While walking near Grand Hotel's pool Sunday, November 12, much to Margaret's surprise and delight, she picked a beautiful bouquet of roses still in bloom. Some of the roses were covered with a few snowflakes, but they look great in our living room.

Wednesday, November 15, is close at hand, which means that many Island hunters have taken to the woods in hopes of bagging their prize buck. Mike Carley left for his camp Sunday, November 12, and many more to Bois Blanc and the northern wooded areas. We shall report the names of lucky hunters in the next edition of The St. Ignace News.

Jason St. Onge, Andrew Doud, Paul BeDour, and Joe Cacallio spent a long weekend in New York City. They had a great time and arrived back home Monday, November 13.

Happy birthday to Jack Dehring November 24. Have a wonderful day.

We're sending warmest and best wishes to a very special friend, Garfield, the Jamaican waiter at the Jockey Club, who for many years gave us all a warm welcome each time we were at the very popular restaurant. Sadly, word reached the Island Friday, November 10, that Garfield was in a very bad automobile accident in which his son was killed. Garfield was very badly injured.

Friday, November 10, Dennis Brodeur left his Island home, bound for the sunny south, where he will spend the winter months in Naples, Florida. He drove to Traverse City with Tony and Loretta Spata. His grandson, Dr. Fred Brodeur, traveled with Dennis to Florida. Enjoy a happy, healthy winter. We will all be thinking about you Friday, December 8, when you celebrate your 86th birthday.

The Christmas Bazaar is fast approaching. It will be held Saturday, December 2, Sunday, December 3, and Monday, December 4. Any items for the auction would be greatly appreciated.

Anna Rogers Stott, James Mitchell, and Darcy Brodeur- Bunker will all celebrate their birthdays November 25. Have a great day.

Ed Chambers, nurse at the Mackinac Island Medical Center, celebrated his birthday November 12 at a Penn Street reunion in Dearborn with all of his many friends and former neighbors. Upon his return, he and his wife, Nona, will spend a week at the Williamson Cottage in Grand Marais.

Margaret McIntire visited Marian Petersen at the rehabilitation center in Harbor Springs this past week. Mrs. Petersen continues to make progress after her accident last winter.

Bev and Bob Benjamin are settled into their winter residence in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Happy birthday to Bev November 27.

Dr. Richard and Karen Hodgman of Kalkaska were on the Island over the weekend. Dr. Hodgman was the doctor in residence at the Mackinac Island Medical Center. A special thanks to the Hodgmans for the wonderful items they brought for the Christmas Bazaar. They looked like Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus when they got off the boat.

Gary Cusack of Petoskey celebrated his birthday November 9. He and Anna Mary spent the weekend with Anna Mary's mother, Helga Doud.

Richard Chambers and Alex Mercer, both students at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, enjoyed attending the last football game at Alma College, where their friend, Eli Urman, was on the team.

Dr. Carol Erikkson and her husband, Fred, of Afton, Minnesota, spent a week at their Victorian condominium. They enjoyed meeting friends who were here for the Mackinac College reunion.

Mary Jane Barnwell and her son, Willie, of Petoskey, joined Becki Barnwell Sunday, November 12, for Becki's birthday celebration.

Debra Carley joined her parents, Cal and Mary Rogers of St. Ignace, for the weekend.

Gwen and Ron O'Neil have closed their Lasting Impressions gift shop on Market Street. They left Wednesday to spend the winter in Las Vegas, Nevada.

While overseeing his new project on Main Street, Vic Callewaert is enjoying his home on Lakeshore Drive with its magnificent view of the Straits of Mackinac and the Mackinac Bridge. Members of Vic's family are vacationing in Africa.

Candy Smith visited her sister, Jane Simmons, and family in St. Ignace.

Jennifer and Frank Bloswick Jr. are enjoying a two-week cruise in the Caribbean Sea.

Trish Martin returned home Monday following a visit with the Brian Dunnigan family in Grass Lake. She enjoyed riding her horse at the Dunnigan farm.

Dr. Louis Putz and family closed their cottage on the East Bluff and left for their winter home in the Detroit area. Have a good winter.

Diane Neyer of Traverse City was very busy over the weekend doing gardening work at Hart's Haven and Metivier Inn.

Leonard Johnson of Fort Myers, Florida, celebrated his birthday November 9. We miss you and Jane on Mackinac.

Dr. Fran and Lorna Straus are enjoying a three-week vacation in China.

Jim Kolatski Sr. spent a few days on Mackinac this past week visiting family and friends.

Wishing you an extra big helping of joy this Thanksgiving and lots of leftover happiness.