Les Cheneaux
By Helen Shoberg 484-2626 mink1@cedarville.net

A group of Les Cheneaux Community Schools students enjoy their tour of the state capitol building in Lansing Wednesday, May 16. Pictured are (back row, from left) Isabel Brumleve, Ashley Sherlund, Serena Currie (peeking over top); Cynthia Barowski, Molly Fagan (partially blocked); Tanner Reppenhagen, Dylan Mathews, Brett Masuga, Cody Barowski; (front row) Monica Krackowski, Shannon Sayles, Maddie Kohlmann, and Marcus Malkowski. They hold informational booklets about the state capitol that they received on arrival. The students participated in an education rally there, and met with legislators to learn more about school funding. (Photograph by Janet Haske, Les Cheneaux Community Schools)

Our high school's graduation has taken place; celebrations with open houses for graduating students have kept everyone busy during the past couple of weeks, with more to come next weekend.

Many summer jobs have also begun for these young people. With the cost of college tuition, one can hardly afford to be without a summer job to help defray the cost. As a whole, the year has gone by so quickly, as they all do. We should make every day count.

Les Cheneaux fifth grade student Cara Hakola meets State Representative Darwin Booher, who stopped to chat with students at an educational rally at the state capitol Wednesday, May 16. (Photograph by Janet Haske, Les Cheneaux Community Schools)

Lilacs are blooming all over the Eastern Upper Peninsula. It is such a pleasure to drive through Cedarville, Hessel, and St. Ignace to see, and smell, these lovely spring blossoms. I have wished for years for a nice, big lilac bush, but never seem to get around to planting one. Enjoying everyone else's lilacs is always a pleasure.

It has been so nice for me to have our son, Richard, home for a week. There are always so many jobs for him to complete that it is surprising that he returns as often as he does. The week's weather has been beautiful, in spite of the predictions of rain and cool weather. Getting out in a boat and a kayak to enjoy the fresh air and water, and seeing a few old friends, are some of his greatest pleasures while here.

John Duncan won the Lions Club $100 lottery May 29.

Tai Chi classes began Monday at the school. This is a form of exercise that has intrigued me. From what have seen and heard, anyone can do it, and we shall see. More will be reported on this class next week.

The story this week from Bruce Patrick is about a man named Johnson Duncan and his team of horses:

"Johnson was very kind to his horses. He hauled for anyone who needed hauling done. He worked for my father, Bruce K. Patrick, who was a dock builder. My father cut cedar logs to build cribs to build boat houses on. He also had a pile driver to drive piling with. My dad also cut firewood for just about everyone along the waterway, for their cook stoves and fireplaces. He needed a team of horses to haul this material.

"When he had a hard load, the horses would sweat, so every few yards, Johnson would stop and loosen the collar on the horses so he could dry the fur under the collar pads. Also he would do this to the back band. He was so kind to his horses.

"As the work wore on, the horses would get broken in and get used to hauling, so they would not sweat as much with this heavy work."