Helga Doud celebrates her 100th birthday. Twinkling tree lights and mantelpiece stockings,

wreaths with red berries and visitors knocking,

ornaments sparkling like stars in the skies,

Christmas is laughter and cheer and surprise.

Saturday, December 9, the historic Community Hall on Market Street was decorated with white poinsettias, candles, and special balloons for the 100th birthday party honoring Helga Doud. Friends and family came from far and near for the festive celebration. The guest of honor was thrilled to have her daughter and son-in-law, Anna Mary and Gary Cusack, her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in attendance. Her niece, Peggy Wickman Bogan, and two daughters attended from Chicago, Mike Doud and Kathy Sliva from St. Ignace, Annie Dennany Kanapilly from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and many other family members joined in extending best wishes to Helga

on this momentous occasion. Helga received special greetings from President George Bush, Congressman Bart Stupak, Governor Jennifer Granholm, and a resolution from the City of Mackinac Island. Chef Tim Leeper prepared a prime rib or whitefish dinner for more than 40 people, and the delicious birthday cake was made by Gwen Bagbey. Helga is an honored and much loved member of our community.

Helga Doud welcomed family and friends at the open house at her lovely home on Lakeshore Drive on the day of her 100th birthday, Wednesday, December 13. She was very happy to greet all her guests from Mackinac and the surrounding communities with her gracious personality and warm smile. Helga was surrounded with baskets of roses in every color. The highlight of her day was being serenaded by all the elementary students from the Mackinac Island Public School, a special salute from the mighty Huron, and a phone call from movie star Kevin Costner. Helga’s granddaughter, Amy, and her husband, Jeff Jameson, are the caretakers for the Costner estate in Aspen, Colorado. Helga truly is an amazing lady with wonderful memories not soon to be forgotten.

All the beautiful white snow that made Mackinac a winter wonderland several weeks ago has disappeared, thus making sidewalks and pavements bare. The sound of snowmobiles can no longer be heard as they’ve been replaced by bicycles. Hopefully, we shall have a white Christmas, even though weather conditions remain mild for this time of year.

We’re thinking of all the ski and snowmobile resorts in northern Michigan that are suffering from lack of snow. We’re all praying for snow. Sunday, December 17, was a bright sunny day, resembling a day in late October.

Arnold Transit’s mighty Huron is very festive, sporting a bright Christmas tree on its bow and the upper deck lined with Christmas lights. Alarge lighted star on the end of the Arnold pier shines brightly as the Huron arrives on its daily schedule.

A bundle of Christmas joy arrived Thursday, December 7, to Marion Bunker and Jay Davis. Vincent Scott weighed 6 pounds, 3.5 ounces at birth. He is joined at home by his big brother, Nicholas, who is six years old. Proud grandparents are Ike and Elaine Bunker of Mackinac and Joan and Tom Davis of Illinois. Congratulations from Island friends.

Students arriving for the holidays are Lake Sweet from Albion College, Miranda McMahon from Aquinas College, Richard Chambers and Emily St. Onge from Northern Michigan University, Emma Chambers from Lansing Community College, Roxanne Pettit, Jason Pettit, and Jill Kamphuis from Grand Valley State University, Josh Carley from Saginaw Valley State University, Eli Urman from Alma College, Tyler Finkel from Michigan State University, Blisse Beardsley, Sarah Porter, and Lindsay Allen from the University of Michigan, and Melissa Bunker from Grand Rapids Community College. We’re very proud of you. Have a great Christmas.

Wednesday, December 13, Jason St. Onge of St. Onge Latex and Groove entertained the Mackinac Island Lakers basketball and volleyball teams at a pizza party at the Mustang Lounge. Everyone had a great time.

A very happy belated birthday to our good friend, Jack Ryerse, December 11. Glad to hear that you’re feeling much better. We miss seeing you on Mackinac.

Sunday, December 17, was a very special day for the children of the Island as Fred Paquin and Ilene Moses of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians gave them a wonderful party with gifts at the Community Hall. They were assisted by Deb Carley, who prepared the lunch. Many thanks to everyone who helped to make the event so special.

Our good friend and dedicated EMT Rick Linn celebrated his birthday December 14. Best wishes from your many Island friends.

Please remember our feathered friends that need food and nourishment throughout the long winter months. The many ducks have once again found our back yard as well as the bluejays.

The squirrels are feasting on corn from the Karhoffs of Findlay, Ohio, who brought a supply with them when they were on Mackinac for the Christmas Bazaar.

Parishioners and friends arriving at Ste. Anne’s for the Christmas Eve service will find the historic old church decorated for the occasion. On the altar, you will see the beautiful gold lace, which is more than 100 years old, a gift to the late Sarah and Arthur T. Chambers Sr. on their wedding day. It’s very exquisite and fragile but magnificent for Ste. Anne’s.

Thanks to Arnold Transit for providing a later boat for the Christmas Bazaar, and a shopper’s boat Saturday, December 9. It is truly appreciated.

Margaret McIntire and her daughter, Becki Barnwell, are spending the holiday in London, Vienna, and Paris.

Candy Smith is spending time with her sister, Jane Simmons and family in St. Ignace. Dick and Dee Czapek are also visiting from Grand Rapids.

Mackinac Island Public School will hold its annual Christmas program Wednesday, December 20, at 7 p.m.

We send special Christmas greetings to Marian Petersen, who is a patient at Bay Bluffs. Her address is: 750 E. Main Street, Room 225, Harbor Springs, MI 49740. She would love to hear from her many friends.

We received word this week that Phyllis Cameron Johnson, former Mackinac Island schoolteacher, suffered a stroke at her home in London. She would love to hear from her many friends and former students. Her address is: 26 Charlwood Road, London, England 2W151PW.

Susan and Dave Sanderson of Mission Point Resort are anxiously awaiting the arrival of triplet grandchildren in Savannah, Georgia. Dave left the Island Monday, December 18, to join the family in Savannah.

Mandy and Paul Wandrie left Mackinac Saturday, December 16, for Florida to visit Paul’s mother, Betty Wandrie, who is very ill following a stroke. Friends may send her a card at the following address: 2300 Gold Road, Spring Hill, FL34609. Best wishes to Betty.

Best wishes to Robert Chambers, student at the Mackinac Island Public School, who suffered a foot injury playing basketball Saturday morning, December 16. He is recovering well. The Mackinac Island Lakers beat Paradise in basketball over the weekend. The volleyball team also won their games.

Krystal and Josh Taylor of Mackinac received an early Christmas present. They’re the proud parents of a baby girl, Kennedy Lynn, born Thursday, December 14, at War Memorial Hospital in Sault Ste. Marie. Kennedy weighed 8 pounds, 1 ounce at birth, and she has a head of black hair. Proud grandparents are Nancy and John Ellison and the late Bill Weiger of Mackinac and Colleen and Dean Latimer and Cliff Taylor of the thumb area. Greatgrandmother is Peg Cowell and great-great-grandmother is Bertha Green of Mackinac. Congratulations from Island friends.

From the east end, cottages looking down on the city and the Straits of Mackinac, Christmas lights illuminate the area, a very beautiful sight. The residence of Betty and Barry BeDour is decorated with hundreds of Christmas lights twinkling in the winter night. It’s Christmas on Mackinac.

Letters to Santa and warm, hearty greetings,

jingling sleigh bells and families meeting,

the joy of the season is ours to give,

Christmas is love; in your heart may it live.