St. Ignace
By Miriam Blair 643-7994

Mackinac Straits Hospital Long Term Care residents spent Tuesday afternoon, August 14, visiting Mackinac Island. They enjoyed a picnic lunch, followed by a carriage tour. The group ended their afternoon with a stroll downtown, stopping for fudge and ice cream. Owing to rough water, Shepler's Ferry service accommodated the Long Term Care residents by making a smooth trip back to St. Ignace around the back of the island. Pictured are (standing, from left) staff members Deb McCord and Treasa Paquin; (seated) Helen Laakso, Marcia Nickle, Dorothy Wolter, staff member Carla Smith, Rephelia Taylor, Ilene Talentino, Yvonne Belonga, staff member Jenna Eggebracht, and volunteers Dr. John Stephenson and Ed Boyd.

School is off to a busy start for students, teachers, and staff.

Church services at Faith Baptist Church on Bertrand Street in St. Ignace were held for the first time in the beautiful new addition. Many members and guests attended.

Services of St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church are being hosted by United Methodist Church for the next few weeks, while renovation work continues at the Catholic Church.

Last week, the Algoma was hauling the wonderful horses of Mackinac Island as they were transported to Rudyard and Pickford for the winter.

After seven years, our St. Ignace VFW Post signs are being redone by a local painter. The post is still looking for volunteers for the Friday night fish fries. Call 643- 9602 Monday through Saturday after lunch, if you're available.

Wayne Crawford of Grand Rapids arrived in St. Ignace and visited his sister, Muriel Woods. Mrs. Woods and her daughter, Bonnie Ledy, traveled to Troy Friday, September 7, to spend time with Brad and Amanda Ledy. Their daughter, Evie, celebrated her second birthday September 8.

We've learned that Bob and Joan (Embrey) LaBine of Scottsdale, Arizona, were among those walking the Mackinac Bridge September 3. They had walked it 50 years ago, with two of their small children, said Mary Pemble- Swiderski. Joan and her twin sister, Janice, swam across the Straits August 14, 1948, at the age of 17. They were accompanied by their brother, Lee Embrey, who was among several swimmers pulled from the water, owing to cramps. Back then, swimmers didn't wear wetsuits, goggles, or flippers, but coated their bodies with cooking grease to help retain heat. Joan said she remembers the cold water and the four- to six-foot waves that made swimming difficult. Seventeen swimmers began the swim from British Landing on Mackinac Island to St. Ignace, and two men and two women completed it. Joan finished in third place, and Janice in fourth. In 1950, Joan returned to St. Ignace and swam the Straits again, beating her first time of four hours and 17 minutes, with a time of two hours and 20 minutes.

Jim Kosek of Minooka, Illinois, was a visitor in St. Ignace and Sault Ste. Marie for two weeks.

I was fortunate to host a party with my daughter, Diane Blair, Tuesday, August 28, with many ladies in attendance. We enjoyed an evening of good laughter and ice cream.

Sandy and Tom Jacobs of Hog Island were callers in St. Ignace Thursday.

Hanna Lupan has had a little accident, injuring her wrist. Get well wishes, Hanna.

The best inheritance a parent can give to his children is a few minutes of his time each day - Anonymous.