Mackinac Island
By Jeannette Doud 847-3301

Jack Frost waved his mighty wand over the weekend, making everything bright and beautiful. Mackinac glistened in the brilliant sunshine, and the freshly fallen snow, so crystal white. The sky was a magnificent azure blue as our Island lie wrapped in winter's beauty. The nights have been calm with stars so bright. The first frigid temperatures are upon us, with the thermometers hovering in the teens. Everyone is prepared as they're wrapped in their warmest clothing. Huge icebergs are beginning to form along the shoreline, creating a most picturesque sight, sparkling like diamonds. Trees are covered with puffs of white snow.

The Mackinac Old Picture Night will be Wednesday, February 7, at 6 p.m. at the Community Hall. A light lunch will be served. Please come and bring your old pictures to share with your friends. It's a great evening.

The question often asked in the summertime is, what do you do on Mackinac in the wintertime? We're very busy. Thursday evenings at Ste. Anne's Hall, games for adults are held at 7 p.m. Teen night is held Saturday evenings at Ste. Anne's Hall. Many folks enjoy euchre Monday evenings at the Mustang. Fish fries are held Friday evenings at the Mustang, Village Inn, and Irish Pub. There's bingo at the Community Hall Tuesday evenings.

Arriving Thursday evening to enjoy a few days at their lovely cottage in Hubbard's Annex were the Howard Burdetts from Owosso. They were looking forward to enjoying their fireplace and their cottage, which is nestled in the wooded area of the Annex. So nice to see them on Mackinac in the wintertime.

Congratulations to Shelly Mc- Lean and John Kissane on the birth of their son, Mason Michael Mc- Lean, who was born Sunday, January 21, at Spectrum Hospital in Grand Rapids. Little Mason weighed 5 pounds, 9 ounces, and measured 18 inches in length at birth.

Jason St. Onge and his band, Tricky Dickie and the Spoonman, played Saturday night in the Irish Pub to a packed house. It was just like a summer's night. Everyone had a great time.

Let us not forget our feathered friends that need nourishment through the long harsh winter months. Many feeders can be seen at Island homes. At Mark and Jody Chambers' gatehouse, many dear little chickadees feed at their front porch and rest in a special shrub. Our ducks are very plentiful as are the morning doves and other birds. The three white swans are still gliding everyday behind Ste. Anne's Rectory. Jim Morse puts out corn for them.

A very happy 1st birthday February 3 to little Maverick Musser. I'm sure your brother and sisters will help you blow out your candles.

Stop by the Mackinac Island Public Library Sunday, February 4, and wish our librarian Anne St. Onge a happy birthday. Enjoy your day, Anne.

The sport of cross-country skiing is at its peak. Sunday, January 28, Mark Chambers, an avid skier accompanied by his faithful companion, Annabelle, traveled many wooded trails, including Crooked Tree, and ended up on the East Bluff, where he described the beautiful scenery as spectacular. Another happy skier is Trish Martin with her dog, Jake.

Family and friends will gather at the Brian Schoenborn residence in St. Ignace Saturday, February 3, to celebrate little Lillian Rose Schoenborn's birthday. Lillian Rose will turn one year old February 5. Happy birthday, Lily, from Island friends.

Sunday, January 28, a wonderful gathering was held at the Community Hall for a potluck. More than 65 people enjoyed tasting special recipes and eating wonderful food, especially desserts. Folks visited with friends as they enjoyed Island delicacies.

We welcome Dr. Richard Hodgman of Kalkaska, who is the physician in residence this week in the absence of Dr. Don Weersing and his wife, Karen, who are vacationing in Holland.

Snowmobiling along in the wooded areas of the Island, one sees the little woodland creatures traveling over the snow-covered earth.

A call from Jackie Bradley Monday, January 29, reported joyful news. Her niece, Becky Bodwin Bigger, and her husband, Doug, of Cadillac, are the proud parents of twin babies born Saturday, January 27. Little Karla weighed 3 pounds, 11 ounces, and her little brother, Ryan, weighed 4 pounds, 1 ounce. The children were born at the hospital in Cadillac, later being transfered to Spectrum Hospital in Grand Rapids, where both are doing very well. Congratulations to the proud parents, grandparents Kathy and George Bodwin of Cadillac, and great-grandparents Almeda and George Bodwin of Manton. Becky and her parents spent many happy years on Mackinac, where they have many friends. Becky is the mother of five sons and one daughter.

Best wishes to Bob Gillespie, who continues to recuperate from his recent heart surgery at his home in Arcadia, Florida. He's resting comfortably and he would love to hear from his friends on Mackinac.

We send special greetings to Barry and Betty BeDour, who are spending the winter in Harrison so that Barry can be closer to University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. We miss you on Mackinac.

Bud Bradley of Sault Ste. Marie celebrated his 75th birthday at a family gathering at Little Bob's New Frontier Restaurant in St. Ignace Monday, January 29. He was joined by his special friend, Olive Archambeau, his daughter, Debbie, and her husband of Sault Ste. Marie, and sons, Jim and Laurie Bradley of Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Dennis and Jackie Bradley and Mike Bradley from the Island. A great time was had by all.

John Hulett of Grand Hotel was on the Island over the weekend overseeing the many projects at the hotel. The Millenium Wing and The Gatehouse Restaurant will open Friday, April 20, and the rest of the hotel will open Thursday, May 3.

Family and friends gathered Saturday, January 27, at the Mustang Lounge to help Carol Ruddle celebrate her 45th birthday. Birthday cake was enjoyed by everyone. Happy birthday, Carol, from Island friends.

This weekend, everyone will enjoy the Winter Carnival, which starts Saturday, February 3. Brunch will be served Sunday morning, February 4, at the Mackinac Island Public School, as well as voting on the Island photographs for the next calendar. Come and join in the fun.

Vic and Rena Callewaert entertained friends from Detroit over the weekend. It's an annual event, and everyone had a great time.

Happy 75th birthday to Karen McCabe February 3. Karen lives in her comfortable little cottage at British Landing, nestled in a beautiful wooded area.

Anna Mary and Gary Cusack of Petoskey were the guests of Helga Doud over the weekend.

It was a big weekend for the Mackinac Island Lakers basketball and volleyball teams, who played at Paradise. The girls have a volleyball tournament in Ellsworth. This weekend they will play at Beaver Island. Go Lakers!

Jackie and Richard Bolander of Mackinac are enjoying a 10-day Caribbean cruise.

Judy Bynoe with daughter, Patty, and granddaughter, Lily, returned home Monday, January 29, following a week's visit with the McKay family in Chassell.

Donnie Smith was the guest of Jason St. Onge over the weekend.

It was nice to see summer cottager Mary Rossio of Wood Bluff attending the Sunday potluck at the Community Hall.

Kelly Bean and daughters are spending 10 days visiting her mother in Florida.

Smi Horn is attending a convention in Dallas, Texas, for Mackinac Island Carriage Tours.

Tracie Mardock is enjoying her new job at Paws Up Resort in Missoula, Montana. She e-mailed and described the wonderful wildlife that she has seen, including moose, mountain sheep, and elk, and also breathtaking scenery. Best wishes to Tracie on her new job.

Mellie Hagenbaugh visited her husband, Gene, and son, Jim, in Lapeer over the weekend.

See you at the Winter Carnival!