St. Ignace
By Miriam Blair 643-7994

Bob Lee, of St. Ignace, has built this lighthouse out of driftwood found on the St. Marys River at Raber Bay.

Several firefighters from St. Ignace were deployed to Luce County to help protect dwellings near the Sleeper Lakes fire Tuesday, August 7, and Wednesday, August 8. They were St. Ignace Fire Department Chief John "Bucky" Robinson, Bryce Tracy, Steve Paquin, Bill Fraser, Al Stempki, Chad Belonga, Dean Stadlberger, Tom Colegrove, and Justin Litzner.

Peg and Skip Jarman of St. Ignace are proud to announce the birth of a great-granddaughter, Maryam Elizabeth Jarman. She was born Friday, August 3, and is the daughter of Jennifer and Carl Jarman. She joins three older brothers, Matthew, Christopher, and Nicholas.

Debbie Davis of Carlton is vacationing for a few days with her mother, Betty Latva, of St. Ignace.

Bob Lee has built a tabletop model lighthouse of driftwood found on the St. Marys River at Raber Bay. His piece of art was sold to Skip Terry, where it is displayed in his chiropractic office in Lansing. Bob is presently working on crafting a replica of the Chief Wawatam.

Former St. Ignace residents Ralph and Brenda Waara of Sun Lakes, Arizona, were in town last week, visiting their Arizona neighbors, Bob and Janice Holle, and other friends. They spent several days at Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, where they became engaged 25 years ago. The couple moved to Arizona 14 years ago. Brenda is a celebrity at Sun Lakes, where she co-hosts a television exercise show.

Gus Nelson of Lafayette, Lousiana, is visiting his many friends in the St. Ignace and Gros Cap areas. Gus and his wife, Ann, welcomed a new grandchild May 8, Hale John Nelson, born to their son and daughter-in-law, Jeremy John and Angelique in Lafayette. Hale weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces and measured 21.5 inches.

Mary Porter of Lafayette is the other grandmother. His greatgrandparents are Evelyn B. and the late Clarence "Gus" Nelson, formerly of St. Ignace, and Marie and the late Johnny Eaves.

Barb Alkire and her mother, Marion Fenlon, drove to Petoskey last week for an appointment.

Our best get well wishes go out to the infant daughter of Samantha and Russ Belonga of Moran. Lilyana "Lilly" Belonga was airlifted from Cheboygan to a children's hospital in Grand Rapids Thursday, August 9, owing to a head injury suffered in a fall. Mrs. Belonga was shopping with the baby at the time of the accident. Mr. and Mrs. Belonga brought their four-month-old daughter home a few days later. We are glad to hear she is okay and doing well.

Abby and Brooklyn Chambers of St. Ignace auditioned for spots on a new reality television show called "Kids' Nation" Monday, August 6, in Houghton Lake. The show is expected to air on CBS this fall.

Abby, 14, and Brooklyn, 12, are among a nationwide group that auditioned for the show. Sixty children will be selected in the first round to meet with producers in California, where they will cut the group down to 40. The series will follow 40 children for 40 days, observing them as they attempt to build a new society from scratch. The Chambers girls, whose mother is Staci Nelson of St. Ignace, are expected to know if they made the cut by the end of this month.

Don Howe reported Monday that the Mackinac County Democratic Party members were looking forward to a scheduled luncheon with Lieutenant Governor John Cherry at noon Tuesday, August 14, in St. Ignace.

Mr. Howe is suffering with a troubled back. We hope he feels better soon.

Todd Backus, formerly of St. Ignace, is hospitalized in Houston, Texas, with a recurrence of brain cancer. Mr. Backus is a 1981 graduate of LaSalle High School. He now lives in Texas with his wife, Connie. Cards can be sent to Mr. Backus at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77030.

A dog parade will highlight "Bark in the Park" Saturday, August 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the waterfront downtown, near the Fishermen's Memorial. Dog contests and demonstrations will be offered. The event is free to spectators, and the proceeds of the pet registration fees will benefit homeless animals at the county shelter. Many people are expected to bring their dogs to compete in categories of best costume, best trick, cutest, ugliest, smallest, and largest.

Birthday wishes to Muriel Woods August 17, and Ray Marshall and Jim North August 18.

Happy anniversary to Troy and Lori Johnston August 15, and Ron and Maribeth Dahms and Jim and Lil McDonald August 22.

Enjoy one of the fairs in the area, before school starts. Have fun.