Enjoy our beautiful weather while it lasts. It has a habit of leaving suddenly one day, at this time of year.

There will be an "All Vets Picnic" Sunday, August 12, from noon to 6 p.m. at Pines Park on US-2, east of Manistique, near the airport. The afternoon will include games, food, and door prizes for all children, plus three adult prizes. A dish to pass will be appreciated, but is not required. The picnic is for all veterans and their family members and friends. Everyone is invited to join them.

There will be a benefit for Sharon K. Bower Sunday, August 12, at noon at the Eagles Lodge in Gould City, on the corner of US-2 and South Gould City Road. There will be live music by Mike Johnson by "Slipped Disc Entertainment," a pig roast, door prizes, 50-50 raffle, auction, and bake sale. A $5 donation is being requested. For more information, call Mike Johnson at (906) 341- 8071.

Don't forget the benefit spaghetti dinner for Chris Kieffer Sunday, August 26, at Little Bear West Arena in Manistique. Dinner starts at 3 p.m. There will be raffles, an auction, and live music by "Driver." For more information, call (906) 450-0028.

Vacation Bible School will be at Hiawatha Country Church Monday, August 13, through Friday, August 17, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. each day. The church is located 12 miles north of Manistique on M-94. All children age 5 to 10 are invited. For more information, call (906) 341-3043.

Manistique Papers in Manistique will host Community Appreciation Day Saturday, August 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be mill tours, refreshments, children's activities tent, and blood pressure and blood sugar screening. Children must be at least 12 years of age, and no open-toe shoes or sandals will be allowed.

Ducks Unlimited will hold its annual banquet Saturday, August 11, at the Garfield Township Hall in Engadine. Social hour starts at 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 6:30 p.m. Cost of tickets is $55 for single and $80 for couples. Ticket price includes one annual Ducks Unlimited membership. For tickets, call Alice at (906) 477-6207 or Sue at (906) 293-3189 by Friday, August 10. There will be no ticket sales at the door.

The Curtis Area Chapter of Ducks Unlimited will have a 10- gun raffle, honoring their chapter's 10th anniversary. Tickets are $20 each. Winners will be drawn at the banquet Saturday, August 11, at the Garfield Township Hall in Engadine. You need not be present to win. To purchase tickets, call Sue at (906) 293-3189, Alice and Jim at (906) 477-6207, Jerry and Judy at (906) 235-3148, or Amy and Jim at (906) 477-0093.

Happy birthday to our greatgranddaughter, Danielle, who will be 20 years old August 10. My, how the time has flown. She has now graduated from high school and is going into her third year of college. She has grown up so fast. She just made her first maiden voyage away from home, all by herself, while we stayed home and chewed our nails.

Happy birthday to Terrie Slack August 10, LeAnn Gribbell August 15, and Jesse Fosdick August 16. Hope you all have a wonderful day.

We send our condolences this week to the family of Lawrence O'Neil, who passed away Sunday, July 22, at his home in Tucson, Arizona. Though he resided in Arizona, he is formerly from the Upper Peninsula. Lawrence served in the U.S. Army in both World War II and the Korean conflict, and remained in the service until his retirement as First Sergeant in 1965. He then moved to Tucson and became a business owner and barber. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Elizabeth (Casidy). A memorial graveside service with military honors will be held at the Engadine Cemetery Wednesday, August 8, at 11 a.m. with Pastor LaVonne Stephenson of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Newberry officiating. A gathering of family and friends will follow at the Gould City Town Hall.

Stay safe and stay well. See you next week.