Brevort
By Lois Movalson 292-5581

Midsummer has come and gone. Sunday the Brevort community helped raise the traditional midsummer pole, a tradition brought here from the Aland Islands by the Swedish immigrants in the late 1800s. The pole has been moved to the east side of Tiffany Lutheran Church next to the Carlson Pavilion, affording seating in the shade. Tom and Michael Gustafson, along with Dennie White, dug the hole with heavy equipment. Pastor Tari Stage-Harvey did a fine job.

Pega Kennedy remarked it was one of the nicest pole raisings we've had in years, due to the fact everyone could be seated while watching the activities. The food was plentiful and not much was left by the end of the afternoon. It is always good to see the descendants of those early pioneers come and take part in the ritual of readying the pole. The children played various games in the church yard and there was a little puppy getting a lot of attention.

Thomas Jackman died unexpectedly at his home in Crystal River, Florida, Friday evening, June 15. Mr. Jackman was 57 years old. We in the village remember "T.J." when he operated the Good 'N Plenty restaurant in Brevort. At the time of his passing, he was married to Barbara Elkins of Florida, who shared his love of riding motorcycles. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and will be buried in Bushnell National Cemetery in Florida. There is no service planned, other than a military service at Bushnell National Cemetery. There in no date set for that service. This information was relayed to me by Jim Bartlett of State Line, North Carolina.

Tom and Taffy Coffey's daughter, Molly Lameroux, and her son, Jake, of Owosso, were guests at the Coffey home in Brevort. Grandchildren Aaron Dodge of Mackinac Island, Anna Sadri of San Francisco, and Tommy Galli of Clearlake, California, are all enjoying time with their grandparents this week. Aaron works at Grand Hotel as a cook. He works with Zachary Schroeder, a former Brevort resident, who is in culinary internship at the Grand.

Sally Conklin will be at her home at Condo West for a while now that graduations are over.

Now that summer is starting in full swing, four-wheelers are traveling the back roads. While traveling to his home on Wildwood Lane Sunday, Bob Flora was almost hit head-on by two fourwheelers coming at a fast rate of speed. Luckily, the all-terrain vehicles were able to leave the road without hitting any trees. All who drive on the side roads must be aware of bikers, joggers, and walkers. When the weather is nice, they're out there enjoying our north country.

Lara Gustafson and her daughters, Kristi and Morgan, with Lynn Yoder and her children, Lauren and Carter, spent Sunday at the Lilac Festival on Mackinac Island.

Denny and Jackie Rippett and Ellen and Bob Berry partook of the picnic at Fort Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City Friday evening.

Jack and Thora Shepard have returned from a week's visit with Paul and Tammy Shepard and their son, Ethan, in Sanger, California, a suburb of Fresno. They visited Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park, and Sequoia National Park.

Barb Merchant and Jim Smith of Indian River stayed at the Shepards' periodically while they were gone to take care of Maverick and the cats, Spence and Calli.

Lee Foster called home to wish Jack a happy Father's Day from his new cell phone. Lee is employed at Gun Flint Lodge in Grand Marias, Minnesota.

Lori Quigley and her husband, Joe Stewart, were up at the hew home on Shore Road. Decisions were made on finishing small projects and the new drive and patio. Kay Allott of Sault Ste Marie was an overnight quest Saturday night.

Front porch visitors this week were Sharon Chalmers (painter of the red strip on the pole), and Jackie Rippett. Great stories were told, with a lot of laughter. On Sunday afternoon, Jake Weiss and Casey Brown dropped by.

Tracy Movalson and Chippy, along with Dave Jr., were weekend guests at our home. Tracy and Chip will be leaving for Neenah, Wisconsin, Tuesday.

Erin Barthelemy is attending percussion band camp at Alma College in Alma.

Denny Rippett experienced his first foray north of Worth Road this weekend. He offered to go with Dave and Dave Jr. to cut poplar branches for leaf stripping to decorate the midsummer pole. He was taken to see the famous Split Rock, a favorite Brevort place of interest. He became a little apprehensive when Dave Jr. asked his dad if he had brought along the compass.