St. Ignace
By Miriam Blair 643-7994

Melvin Lant Jr. of Lant Road in St. Ignace shows off the five large radishes that grew in his garden. The radishes each measure between seven and eight-and-a-half inches.

We needed rain, as our lawns were turning yellow, but I'm not sure about those high winds and cool temperatures. No sense complaining.

Another successful Mud Run took place Saturday, July 7, at St. Ignace. Drivers and spectators enjoyed a fun afternoon's entertainment at a reasonable price. The animal shelter held a concession stand.

Kelly Steiner, daughter of Laurie and Dean Steiner, was graduated from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo Saturday, June 30, with a degree in accounting. Grandparents and immediate family from St. Ignace attended the ceremony. It was a beautiful day for the graduation.

The Blue Water Ramblers will be at the Marina Thursday, July 19. Bring your favorite chair and enjoy the music.

The Lions Club recently inducted new officers June 12. Willie LaLonde is the King Lion, or president. The first vice president is Bruce Dodson, second vice president is Fred Strich, and third vice president is Mary Kae Tamlyn. The newly elected secretary is Mike Wilkins. The treasurer is Don Gustufson. Merlin Doran was elected as the Tail Twister, and Eric Dodson is the new Lion Tamer. Paul Grondin and Craig Therrian were elected as the new directors. The Lion of the Year award went to Paula McNamara.

An interesting reservation came in for a sunset cruise Monday, July 9. As I spoke with Michael Steinman of Scarsdale, New York, he was very excited to take a journey under the Mackinac Bridge as his grandfather, David Steinman, was its engineer. While in town, Michael Steinman had a chance to meet and visit with Larry Rubin, former secretary of the bridge authority.

Todd Insley, our local Waste Management employee, has been assigned to a three-week work trip to Oakland, California, where there is a workers' strike. He is the only Waste Management employee from the entire U.P. district that was chosen for the assignment so far. We wish him well and a safe return home to his wife, Andrea, and his two boys, Donovan and Brendan.

Anita Dobbraty of Gahanna, Ohio, will be visiting in town the last week of July and reports that her brother, Steve Campbell of St. Ignace, is employed at the Mackinac Bridge. They plan to enjoy the celebration of the Mackinac Bridge together and even take the fireworks cruise.

Everyone enjoys the old photographs in our newspaper, including those of the train wreck that happened around 1928, sent in by Peter Dolsen. I got in touch with Mr. Dolsen and received the nicest handwritten letter with more pictures. Peter is 87 years old and is the brother of my grandmother, Nettie Closs. Every day we learn something new. I figured he was a relative, as I have the identical picture of the train wreck. He also sent a genealogy chart and a picture of my uncle, Roy Closs, on the tug Favorite in 1939.

Also of interest to history buffs, author and historian Les Bagley will visit the St. Ignace Public Library Wednesday, July 25, at 6:30 p.m., to sign copies of his book, "Michigan State Ferries." The newly published work is a pictorial history, and its publication coincides with the anniversary celebration of the Mackinac Bridge. Mr. Bagley's presentation is free of charge. He is known to readers of The St. Ignace News as the historian who is contributing "Autos Across Mackinac" historical articles about the ferries every week this year. The new book will contain more than 200 photographs, but does not contain his historical articles. His work has been very well received this year by readers of The St. Ignace News.

We welcome Father Al Mott, who is the new pastor for the St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church. Reverend Allen P. Mott has taken over as pastor at St. Ignatius Loyola Parish and Immaculate Conception Parish in Moran.

Mr. and Mrs. Woodrow Friend and their children, Annabelle and Clayton, of Lexington, Kentucky, are vacationing for a week at a motel on US-2.

Birthday wishes go out to Chris Barker July 20, Patricia Boynton and Paul Krause July 21, David Ramsey July 22, Lil McDonald and Troy Huskey July 23, and Herbert Hamel July 24.

"In the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity." - Albert Einstein