First Union Church of Cedarville carolers, (back row, from left) Joe Forrester, Jim Berryhill, Pastor Jeff Meyers, Robert W. Smith; (center) Becky Meyers, Lynn Forrester, Betty Struble; (front) Pat Feldhake, and Madge Berryhill, traveled around Clark Township this week to sing Christmas songs to residents, particularly those who cannot leave their homes. Jim Struble is in the group, but not visible in the picture. The weather we are having here in the Eastern Upper Peninsula, and many other place, is certainly unusual for the end of December. The thermometer has been reading 40 degrees and above, the grass is turning green and, if it continues, I’m sure the trees will begin to bud!

In spite of the lack of “sleighbells ringing” weather, holiday baking and last-minute mailing is taking place. Christmas lights are glowing, presents are being stacked under the tree, and children are full of anticipation, as they always are this time of the year. The weather has not made a difference in the excitement. College students are also home for a nice winter break during the next weeks.

Rose Miller has expressed great appreciation to all who baked cookies and special treats for the community Christmas party December 3. She said the coordinated effort of everyone made for a wonderful party.

Santa Claus (Clark O’Brien of Cedarville) made an appearance at the Cedarville High School and Cedarville Middle School Winter Music Concert Thursday, December 14, and greeted guests including Sue Rye of Hessel, while her husband, Glenn, watches. Carolers from First Union Church were out last Saturday evening and I was one of the lucky ones serenaded. My little dog, Daisy, almost spoiled the some of the songs with her excited barking, but finally calmed down. She liked the music too!

There was a very nice Christmas party at the Mackinac Straits Hospital Long Term Care facility on Thursday. All of the hallways and the

dining rooms were decorated with Christmas wreaths and lighted trees. A full-course dinner was served to the patients and many, many guests. It was a nice time for everyone.

Bruce Maze won $100 in the December 14 Lions Club lottery.

This week’s story from Bruce Patrick is another about the ice fishing for lake trout that used to take place near Goose Island many years ago. He says:

“We used to fish through the ice years ago when the ice was frozen between the outer shore of Marquette Island and Goose Island. On this one day, ice was frozen to Goose Island. Gene Mertaugh was out there with his car (cars used to drive out from Hessel when ice conditions were right).

“On this day that he drove out, a lead was open near Goose Island. He started to fish when all of a sudden, the ice started to drift so he could not drive off. Well, he just waited, and eventually the whole ice field swung back to meet solid ice. Thus, Gene drove off to a good ice field. How do you like that, to be so lucky?

“Some people nowadays wonder how cars could drive way out on to the big lake to fish for lake trout. Every once in a while, ice conditions were such that one could drive out from Hessel to fish near Goose Island. On one day in February, I had several cars that came out from Hessel just to stop and ask, ‘How is the fishing?’”

It certainly seems that Gene Mertaugh was one lucky fisherman on that day so long ago, but I’m sure he must have had some very bad moments as he watched that ice

break away, wondering how he was going to get back to Hessel. It’s hard to imagine anything more frightening.

The First Union Church choir, under the direction of Alan Jacobus, will present its Christmas cantata during the regular service Sunday morning, December 24, at 10:30 a.m.