Anthony Gunthner of Roseville prepares a fresh batch of candy for Mackinac Island visitors Wednesday, April 25, at Ryba's Fudge on Main Street. Mr. Gunthner, who has worked for the business for more than a year, travels to Chicago and Detroit in the off-season to make fudge for visitors to auto shows, dog shows, and home and garden shows. Mackinac resembles a budding flower, which burst into full bloom over the weekend. Hustling and bustling appeared on Main Street as shutters were removed from many storefronts, and soon merchandise appeared in windows and the odor of freshly-made fudge permeated the air. Visitors enjoyed spending their first weekend on the Island, even though it was still April. Grand Hotel hosted many guests and will officially open for the 2007 season Thursday, May 3. Taxis were kept busy transporting passengers here and there. Perfect spring weather was enjoyed with warm sunshine.

At 8 a.m. Saturday morning, April 28, the doors of Doud's Market, under the ownership of Andrew Doud, opened for business, celebrating 124 years of service to the community. The attractive store, on the corner of Fort and Main streets, has been completely remodeled and decorated with shelves stocked with many excellent food items. Fresh produce and meat greeted the many visitors Saturday. Behind the meat counter will be longtime employee Leo Krzeminski, who returned to his Mackinac home last week. We wish Andrew and his staff a very successful season.

Jack Landress is busy preparing his new shop on Market Street for opening Friday, May 4. The Victorian Summer Gallery will be located in the former Michalke House.

Warmest and best wishes to Rena and Victor Callewaert on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary May 1. Enjoy a wonderful celebration.

Happy belated birthday April 22 to Lois Lenaghan. Island friends send special greetings.

The London Square gift shop on Market Street is open for the season, displaying windows of fine merchandise. Pots of pink geraniums greet the customers who stop by.

R. D. Musser Jr., chairman of Grand Hotel, celebrated his birthday April 29 at a dinner party at The Gate House. Island friends send special birthday wishes.

Nice to welcome Phyllis Dunham back to her cottage on French Lane. Joining her is her friend, Wayne Youngman. The cottage dates back many years, as it belonged to Phyllis's grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank King. Many happy memories.

Karen Lennard celebrated her birthday May 1. Have a wonderful day.

Long time friends of many years, Nancy Pfeiffelman of the Island and Cathy Fisher Dean of Harbor Springs, enjoyed their very first night at Grand Hotel Sunday evening. They were two happy ladies as I met them Monday morning. They were students many years ago at the Holy Childhood School in Harbor Springs, and were thrilled at the beauty of Grand Hotel.

The two gentlemen from Texas, who are employed by Mackinac Island Carriage Tours, have returned for another summer and will be keeping Cadotte Avenue and the surrounding streets very clean. We're pleased to give them a warm welcome.

Happy birthday May 10 to Deb Carley and Patti LaPine. Enjoy your day.

John and Beth Chambers enjoyed the weekend visiting family on Mackinac.

Opening their cottage on Market Street Friday, April 27, were Barbara and Brian Hellis of Northville, who will return Memorial Day weekend. Great to have another light in the neighborhood.

Patricia Horn of St. Ignace and Shelbie Mosley of Mackinac will both celebrate their birthdays May 11. Have a great day.

Our much loved Father Rey Garcia, pastor of Ste. Anne's, will undergo major surgery at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak next week. Friends, please pray for his recovery so that he may return to the Island that he loves and Ste. Anne's. Father Rey is a great gardener and has beautiful flowers, which will soon be blooming in the yard at the rectory.

Keith Leverton of Dearborn and his friend, Sheila, have returned for another summer on Mackinac. Keith is employed at the Iroquois Hotel and Sheila at Mackinac Island Carriage Tours. Glen Woulfe of Sarasota, Florida, has returned to the Windermere Hotel for the 2007 season.

Happy birthday to Fire Chief Dennis Bradley May 12. Enjoy your day.

A very special lady, Ruby Bloswick of Mackinac and St. Ignace, celebrated her 89th birthday Saturday, April 14, surrounded by her four sons and their families, Frank and Clark of Mackinac, John of Lansing, and Christopher of St. Ignace, and Ruby's grandchildren. It was a wonderful party and they all enjoyed a delicious luncheon, followed by Ruby playing the piano for everyone to enjoy. They all joined in the singing of "Happy Birthday." It was a very special occasion. Ruby, a native of Mackinac, often played for square dances, where she was accompanied by her late father, Ray Smith, on the fiddle. Best wishes from your Island friends.

Carrie Wellington, Cub Horn, and little James Doud of St. Clair Shores will all celebrate their birthdays May 12. Enjoy your day.

Our mayor pro-tem, Armand "Smi" Horn, was taken to Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey Saturday, April 28, and underwent surgery Sunday morning. He is feeling much better and hopes to be home by the end of the week.

City streets and sidewalks are being cleaned and washed in preparation for the 2007 season.

We send special greetings to Cindy Gough at her home in Cedarville May 13. Happy birthday, Cindy, from Island friends.

It's springtime on Mackinac and here and there we see gardens with beautiful tulips and daffodils. Birds of every description are appearing at our feeders singing their joyful tunes. The little hepaticas, better known as mayflowers, are appearing in the wooded areas in pink, white, blue, and purple. They have a wonderful fragrance.

Happy birthday to Willie Barnwell May 14. It's nice to see you back on Mackinac.

The city park has been cleaned and carefully raked, while an attractive red brick walk welcomes everyone. Many freshly-painted white benches offer resting areas to our many visitors. It's a very attractive area when the flowers begin to bloom.

Welcome home to Mackinac, his birthplace, to Clarendon St. Onge of Oregon, who is visiting his sister, Caroline LaPine, and family. Clarendon drove up from Florida with his cousin, Delbert Bunker, who has a summer shop in St. Ignace. Many years ago, Clarendon went out to Oregon with his uncle, Don Smith, and he fell in love with the area. There he raised his family, and continues to love the beauty of the mountains.

Ian Hughey, son of Martha and Darwin Hughey of St. Ignace, reports for duty in Afghanistan Saturday, May 5, where he will be an airplane mechanic. Friends wishing to write him may do so at the following address: Ian Hughey, 455 EMXG-455 EMXS, APO AE 09354. Best wishes, Ian, from Island friends and relatives.

Dr. Chris Fish of Kalamazoo was the doctor in residence at the Mackinac Island Medical Center over the weekend.

Janis Wightman Early entertained friends at a delightful dinner party at her Mission home Friday evening, April 27. Guests were Kay Hoppenrath, Karen Lennard, Candy Smith, and Margaret and Jeannette Doud. It was a fun evening. We missed Kathi Wightman, who was not feeling her best.

Welcome back to Mac and Brenda Armstrong of Canada, who have spent many summers on the Island, where they're employed by Mackinac Island Carriage Tours. Mac drives an hourly buggy, where he can be heard giving his passengers an excellent history of Mackinac. Brenda works in the Lenox kitchen.

Islander Stanley Green is back home following his winter spent in Arizona. He will be employed for the summer by Mike and Wendy Young, summer cottagers of the West Bluff.

Albert "Buck" Sharrow of Charlevoix is busy getting the Mike Young stable ready for the arrival next week of their beautiful teams of hackney horses. Buck is an excellent horseman, who proudly drives the horses throughout the summer season.

Saturday, April 28, at noon, the historic Trinity Church welcomed its newest member to the congregation as six-month-old Kennedy Lynn Taylor, daughter of Krystal and Josh Taylor, received the Holy Sacrament of Baptism from Reverend Trish Martin, who was assisted by Reverend Joan Slater. Godparents were Kennedy's aunt and uncle, Laurie and Jim Bradley of Green Bay, Wisconsin. Very proud grandparents are Nancy and John Ellison and the late Bill Weiger, great-grandmother is Peggy Cowell, and great-great grandmother is Bertha Green. Beautiful music was provided by Dan Seeley. Friends were invited to a luncheon at the Taylor residence on Main Street. Congratulations to little Kennedy.

Horn's Gaslight Bar opened for the season Thursday, April 26. Jason St. Onge's band, Trickie Dickie and the Spoonman, entertained Friday and Saturday. Agreat time was enjoyed by all.

We welcome back Dr. Louis Putz and his family from the Detroit area to their lovely home on the East Bluff, called the "Baby Grand."

Both Shepler's and Star Line ferries have started running for the 2007 season.

Please remember our good friend, Louie Deroshia of Cheboygan, who is a patient at Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey. He would enjoy hearing from his many Island friends.

Karlena Mosley, Kyle Sweet, Woody Beardsley, and Caleb Straight are visiting Washington, D.C., this week on the Close-up trip. They will meet students from all over the United States and learn about government. Have a wonderful trip.

Kristi and Alex Graham and new daughter, Penelope, are comfortably settled in their home at Trillium Heights. Alex is director of music at Grand Hotel. Kristi's parents, Kathy and Tom Lewand, joined them for the weekend.

The Pat McTique's of the Detroit area enjoyed a few days at their condominium at the Mission, with its magnificent view of the Straits of Mackinac.

Joan Barch of Lansing visited the Island over the weekend.

The Mackinac Island Lakers track team competed at Pickford Saturday, April 28. It was a large meet and several of the Lakers earned medals. Congratulations to the Lakers.

Deepest sympathy to Clayton St. Onge on the recent death of his wife, Cathy, April 17. Clayton would appreciate hearing from his many Island friends. His address is: Bortz Health Care, Room 102, 1500 Spring Street, US 131 South, Petoskey, MI 49770.

In the June 2007 issue of Midwest Living, there is an article about the 100 top towns to visit in the United States. I'm happy to report that Mackinac Island was rated #10. It was a very interesting article, and great publicity.

The exciting news Wednesday, April 25, was Arnold Line's Island Express starting for the 2007 season.

Today is the beginning of the beautiful month of May, one of the nicest of the spring season. Enjoy the warm temperatures and all the blooming flowers.